Photo: The Canadian Press

Delta Air Lines, the last U.S. airline still blocking middle seats, will end that policy in May as air travel recovers and more people become vaccinated against COVID-19.

The decision announced Wednesday reversed a policy that had been in place since last April, and which Delta's CEO had repeatedly cited as raising trust in the airline.

CEO Ed Bastian said Wednesday that nearly 65% of people who flew on Delta last year expect to have at least one dose of the new vaccines by May 1. That, he said, gave Delta the assurance to end seating limits.

The airline industry was divided over the utility of blocking middle seats to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 on a flight. Airlines including Delta, Southwest, Alaska and JetBlue limited seating for months, while United Airlines never did and American did so only briefly.

Social-distancing is hard if not impossible on an airplane, even with middle seats empty  a point that United CEO Scott Kirby made many times to explain his airlines resistance to seat-blocking.

All the airlines mounted an aggressive campaign to reassure travellers about the safety of flights as long as everyone wears a mask  that's now a federal requirement. They paid for a Harvard University report that concluded the risk of spreading the virus during a flight is low in part because of strong ventilation and high-grade air filters on most planes.

Air travel in the United States is recovering from pandemic lows. More than 1 million travellers have gone through U.S. airports for each of the last 20 days, although March traffic remains down nearly half from the same month in 2019.

The numbers are rising heading into the crucial summer vacation season. Last summer was a catastrophe for the airlines, contributing to Deltas full-year loss of more than $12 billion. The airlines are eager to boost revenue as quickly as possible, and that means selling more seats.

Delta announced a smorgasbord of other changes. Tickets bought or expiring this year will be good through the end of 2022, Delta will offer a quicker path to elite status in its loyalty program for the rest of 2021, and it will bring back snacks on April 14.
Aurangabad: The lockdown which was to be imposed in Aurangabad from Tuesday night, amid rising cases in the city, has now been cancelled.

The Aurangabad city collector, Sunil Chauhan told the media that the lockdown which was to be imposed from March 31 till April 9 has been cancelled.

"We have discussed with NGOs, other organizations and political associations, it was also discussed with the government and the lockdown which was scheduled from 12:00 pm till April 9, has been canceled, news agency ANI quoted him saying.

Lockdown which was to be imposed from March 31 in Aurangabad, has now been cancelled. We had submitted a proposal regarding lockdown to the government. Revised guidelines will be presented soon: Sunil Chavan, District Collector, Aurangabad (30.03)#Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/jF3PumPqzO  ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

Earlier, on March 13, in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus cases, the Aurangabad administration in Maharashtra had imposed a complete lockdown on weekends and partial lockdown on weekdays. With the partial lockdown in place, the district administration also directed the monuments in the area to remain shut till 4 April to tackle the rising COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Maharashtra registered 27,918 new COVID-19 cases and 139 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the state health department notification.

With these fresh cases, the cumulative count of COVID-19 infections in the state reached 27,73,436, while as many as 23,77,127 people have recovered from the disease so far. The state currently has 3,40,542 active cases, while the death toll has mounted to 54,422 in the state.

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LeSean McCoy is giving back to his hometown through his foundation Shades of Greatness, which is partnering with local organizations to host a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in Harrisburg, according to a statement released Tuesday.

Shades of Greatness partnered with Camp Curtain YMCA and Hershey Pharmacy & Gift Shop to produce the clinic.

On Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., eligible residents will be receiving shots at the Camp Curtain YMCA, 2135 North 6th Street.

A spokesperson said McCoy will not be on site this weekend, but his mother and brother will be there along with a representative for the foundation.

Phase 1a eligible individuals can register for an appointment online or by telephone at 717-686-5334. Volunteers can register to help here www.signup.com/go/qfjdwHx. Phase 1a includes people ages 65 and older and people ages 18-64 with high-risk conditions.

Shades of Greatness aims to provide direct support for people in need, typically with a focus on individuals battling ALS, according to the statement.

McCoy most recently played as a part of the 2021 Super Bowl Champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also won a ring with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019.

Details:

WHEN: Saturday, April 3 from 10:00 AM  3:00 PM

WHERE: Camp Curtin YMCA, 2135 North 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
The Texas Tribune, a digital news outlet in Austin, is losing two of its leaders.

Stacy-Marie Ishmael, the editorial director, and Millie Tran, the chief product officer, said on Tuesday that they planned to leave The Tribune next month, a little more than a year after they both started working at the publication. Ms. Ishmael, 36, and Ms. Tran, 32, announced their resignations on Twitter and in a joint email to the Tribune staff that was viewed by The New York Times.

Ms. Ishmael, who is Black, wrote in her part of the email that she had reached her limit after an absolute brutal year for many people, and especially for nonwhite people.

It has been impossible for me to separate whats been happening in the world, which weve been covering rigorously and intensely for these 12 months, from whats happening in my own life and in the lives of my friends, family and communities, she wrote.
Luanda  The Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tete Antonio, on behalf of the Head of State, Joao Lourenco, attended the investiture of the re-elected President of the Central African Republic (CAR), Faustin Touadera.

The Directorate of Information Technology, Institutional Communication and Press of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Tete Antonio is in Bangui (CAR) since Tuesday (20).

The Republic of Angola and the Central African Republic are both members of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), whose rotating presidency is held by the Republic of Congo.

The two countries are also members of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), an organisation which has the Angolan Head of State, Joao Lourenco, as acting chairperson.

The Directorate of Information Technology, Institutional Communication and Press of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Tete Antonio is in Bangui (CAR) since Tuesday (20).

The Republic of Angola and the Central African Republic are both members of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), whose rotating presidency is held by the Republic of Congo.

The two countries are also members of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), an organisation which has the Angolan Head of State, Joao Lourenco, as acting chairperson.
Taurangas house prices are still on the rise, with prices increasing 3.9 per cent in March alone.

Last month, market valuations company QV predicted a cooling off in the market.

However, QV says that announcement may have been somewhat premature.

The average house price rose 3.9 per cent in March alone, up from 0.7 per cent in February.

The average house price is now $963,026, which is a remarkable 21.4 per cent higher than at the same time last year.

The majority of that price growth (17.2 per cent) occurred during the last six months.

QV says the Governments new initiatives to quell the rocketing housing market were announced last week, just as house prices hit a new high for the end of March.

The average value increased 7.8 per cent nationally over the past three-month period, up from the 6.8 per cent quarterly growth we saw in February, with the national average value now sitting at $884,447.

This represents an increase of 18.2 per cent year-on-year.

The average value in the Auckland region now sits at $1,268,509, up 7.2 per cent over the last quarter, with annual growth of 16.1 per cent, up from Februarys year-on-year growth of 14.2 per cent.

All the major urban centres are showing strong gains in value, with the twin Hawkes Bay cities of Napier and Hastings leading the way on 15.2 per cent and 10.6 per cent value growth respectively over the past three months.

Palmerston North prices also continue to rise at a rapid rate with quarterly growth of 10.3 per cent.

Time will tell whether the new measures announced by the Government last week will have an impact on rising house prices.

Buyers, sellers, politicians and commentators continue to debate the merits of the changes and the likely impacts on house values and rents.

This is not going to be a quick fix, but certainly the changes will impact the buying and selling habits of some investors, says QV general manager David Nagel.

But any fall in activity from investors will likely be backfilled by increased demand from first-home buyers in the short term, so its hard to see prices coming down in a hurry.

It certainly sounds like its been a tough year so far for investors, with new Healthy Homes legislation impacting compliance costs for landlords in February, followed by the return of LVRs in early March. Last week's announcement to extend the bright-line test to 10 years, as well as phasing out interest deductibility will certainly make residential investment less attractive in the future. However the capital gains for seasoned investors have been quite exceptional for the past couple of years, says Nagel.

March 2021 is a really great time to take stock of all the predictions and opinions on how the market will react to the Government announcements. It is exactly 12 months since the country went into level four lockdown, and everyone, including ourselves, feared for a catastrophic drop in the property market. Twelve months on, we have seen record breaking growth in many locations, which has led to the government taking action to try to moderate this growth.

This week, many commentators have given their opinion on how the market will react in the medium and long term, but the truth is  we dont actually know. Any evidence of quiet open homes, empty auction rooms or values already on the turn is purely anecdotal at this point. The reality is that many investors will simply be taking stock of the new guidelines, digesting what it means for their property portfolio before making their next move or looking at alternative investments.

Of the 16 major urban areas QV report on, all except Queenstown reached double digit annual growth. But even the Queenstown market, which was forecast to struggle after Covid-19 hit, has increased 9.7 per cent over the past 12 months, which corresponds to the time of our first lockdown.

The biggest mover was Palmerston North with annual value growth of 26.8 per cent, followed by Hastings and Marlborough with 25.9 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

The Wellington region performed best of the main centres with annual growth of 24 per cent.

Property has been a proven investment performer and one would expect a certain inevitability that residential rents will rise over time, to at least partially counter the changes, which is no doubt an unintended consequence of the government announcements, he says.

The extension of the bright-line test probably wont have a huge impact on investor behaviour given the majority already have a buy-and-hold approach to property investment. But the removal of interest deductibility will impact many investor appetites to grow their portfolio and may also deter new investors from entering the market.
A group of 21 Senate Democrats are pushing for recurring stimulus checks.

The Senators, including Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden of Oregon, asked President Joe Biden to include recurring relief payments and jobless benefits in the upcoming Build Back Better recovery proposal. The proposal, set to be unveiled Thursday, will include infrastructure spending and a plan to increase taxes on higher earners and comes as millions continue to struggle from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Senators want to see more direct aid included in the measure.

We urge you to include recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment insurance extensions tied to economic conditions in your Build Back Better long-term economic plan, the Senators wrote. This crisis is far from over, and families deserve certainty that they can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Families should not be at the mercy of constantly-shifting legislative timelines and ad hoc solutions.

A single direct payment will not last long for most families, they added.

The Senators did not put a dollar figure on the recurring stimulus checks. Last March, Congress approved stimulus payments of up to $1,200 per person followed by $600 payments in December. Additional payments of up to $1,400 per person were included in President Bidens $1.9 trillion stimulus package passed along party lines earlier this year.

Those payments are currently being distributed by the Internal Revenue Service.

In the latest request, the Senators cite wide support for additional stimulus checks from the general public and economic experts, pointing to a poll that showed 65% of Americans  including 54% of Republicans and 60% of independents  support monthly $2,000 cash payments for the duration of the pandemic.

The letter was signed by Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-VT; Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts; Cory Booker, D-New Jersey; and Alex Padilla, D-California.
Maputo  The Mozambican health authorities on Tuesday reported a further three deaths from the Covid-19 respiratory disease, 174 new cases, and 280 full recoveries.

According to a Ministry of Health press release, the latest victims were all Mozambican men, aged 55, 70 and 78, One died in Maputo city, one in Zambezia and one in Gaza. All the deaths were declared on Monday. This brings the total Covid-19 death toll in Mozambique to 772.

Since the start of the pandemic, 479,439 people have been tested for the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, 1,555 of them in the previous 24 hours. Of the samples tested, 528 were from Zambezia, 334 from Maputo city, 164 from Niassa, 141 from Tete, 109 from Sofala, 90 from Nampula, 54 from Manica, 53 from Cabo Delgado, 40 from Inhambane, 37 from Maputo province, and five from Gaza.

1,381 of the tests gave negative results, and 174 people tested positive for the coronavirus. This brings the number of cases of Covid-19 diagnosed in Mozambique to 67,466.

The Tuesday positivity rate (the proportion of those tested found to be carrying the virus) was 11.2 per cent. The rates over the previous few days were: Monday, 7.7 per cent; Sunday, 11.5 per cent; Saturday, 5.4 per cent; Friday, 7.8 per cent; Thursday, 7.1 per cent).

Of the positive cases reported on Tuesday, 170 are Mozambican and four are foreigners (but the Ministry release, as usual, did not give their nationalities). 90 are men or boys, and 84 are women or girls. 12 are children under the age of 15, and another 12 are over 65 years old. In four cases, no age information was available.

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65 of the positive cases came from Zambezia, and 46 from Maputo city. There were also 16 cases each from Niassa, Nampula and Sofala, five from Maputo province, five from Tete, three from Cabo Delgado, one from Manica and one from Gaza. None of those tested in Inhambane were positive.

In the same 24 hours, the Ministry release reported, three Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospital (one in Maputo, one in Inhambane and one in Sofala) but a further nine cases were admitted (eight in Maputo and one in Zambezia).

As of Tuesday, 102 people were under medical care in the Covid-19 wards (up from 99 on Monday). The great majority - 68 (66.7 per cent) - were in Maputo. There were also 13 patients in Zambezia, eight in Nampula, four in Sofala, four in Matola, three in Inhambane and two in Tete. In four provinces - Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Manica and Gaza - there were no patients hospitalised in the Covid-19 isolation units.

The Ministry also reported that on Tuesday a further 280 people made a complete recovery from Covid-19, all of them in Maputo city. This brings the total number of recoveries to 55,651, or 82.5 per cent of all Covid-19 cases diagnosed in Mozambique.

The number of active Covid-19 cases in the country is now 11,039 (down from 11,148 on Monday). The geographical distribution of these cases is as follows: Maputo city, 8,546 (77.4 per cent of the total); Maputo province, 1,291; Sofala, 313; Nampula, 207; Niassa, 198; Inhambane, 187; Cabo Delgado, 104; Zambezia, 76; Tete, 47; Gaza, 41; and Manica, 29.
Russias sanitary watchdog does not expect a third wave of the coronavirus epidemic in the country, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and head of the sanitary watchdogs Federal AIDS Research Center Vadim Pokrovsky said on Tuesday.

"Franky speaking, I dont anticipate a third wave at all. The number of those having immunity to COVID is growing quite rapidly because many people have already had the disease and thanks to vaccination. So, no serious surge should be expected," he said in an interview with the Govorit Moskva radio station.

According to Pokrovsky, some 40% of Moscows population had antibodies to COVID-19 in early March. "The number of those inoculated is rapidly increasing and I think very soon, as early as May, we will reach the 60-percent immunization mark, not far from the the 70-percent level that is believed to be sufficient to stop the epidemic," TASS cited him as saying.

Russian Deputy Health Minister Tatiana Semyonova said earlier that coronavirus statistics in Russia indicated a possibility of a third wave of the epidemic.
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Until last week, if you were arrested for a felony in California and you couldn't make bail, you sat in jail.

That ended with the California Supreme Court's unanimous ruling last week that said it's unconstitutional to keep someone locked up merely because they can't afford bail.

Justice Mariano-Florentine Cuellar, who wrote the opinion, said keeping people behind bars who are unable to afford bail doesn't necessarily keep communities safe.

"Other conditions of release -- such as electronic monitoring, regular check-ins with a pretrial case manager, community housing or shelter, and drug and alcohol treatment -- can in many cases protect public and victim safety as well as assure the arrestee's appearance at trial," Cuellar wrote.

Over the decades, bail has skyrocketed in the Golden State. The median bail amount ($50,000) is more than five times the median amount in the rest of the nation (less than $10,000), according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

BAIL IS NOT GOING AWAY

Bail is not going away. The court said judges may still set bail if prosecutors present clear and convincing evidence a person is a public safety risk or is unlikely to return to court for their trial.

But under the ruling, judges must consider a person's ability to pay when setting bail. More than 15,000 people are currently incarcerated in L.A. County. About 5,600 are awaiting trial. It's unclear how many might be released as a result of the ruling.

People who are arrested and charged bail typically pay 10% of the amount to a bail bond company, which posts a bond for the full amount with the court. For decades, the amount of bail in California has been closely linked to something called a bail schedule. It's sort of like the bail Bible.

Each county has its own schedule, set by that county's presiding judge. It lays out presumptive bail amounts for just about every felony.

For example, according to the 2021 Felony Bail Schedule for L.A. County, bail for injuring someone while driving under the influence is $100,000. For battery that causes an injury, it's $50,000, which is also the amount for second degree robbery.

In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, it's unclear if the bail schedule will still be used, amended or eliminated.

While individual counties decide their own bail schedule now, there is a bill before the state legislature that would create a statewide schedule.

DETENTION WITHOUT BAIL REMAINS ON THE BOOKS

Under the state constitution, judges are able to detain people without bail if they're accused of committing crimes that fit into one of three categories:

Capital crimes, which include multiple murders, torture murder, and sexual assault and murder;

Violent felonies when a judge finds there is a substantial likelihood the person's release would result in great bodily harm to others;

Felony offenses when a judge finds the person has threatened another with great bodily harm and that there is a substantial likelihood the person would carry out the threat if released.

'A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION'

The high court's ruling did not resolve tension between two sections of the state constitution, as some had hoped. Article 1, Section 12 limits judges' decisions to hold someone without bail to the above circumstances. Section 28 is broader and says "public safety and the safety of the victim shall be the primary considerations" for setting bail.

Nonetheless, L.A. District Attorney George Gascon praised the ruling, saying it "ends an unjust practice that favors the wealthy and punishes those with limited means."

"We cannot have equal protection under the law when fundamental aspects of our criminal justice system hinge so decisively on financial status," he said. But Gascon would like to see judges end the use of cash bail entirely, a goal of bail reform activists across California. Under their approach, people would be released with or without conditions, like electronic monitoring. The most serious criminals would be held without bail.

"I definitely see this as a step in the right direction," said Delores Canales, director of community outreach for The Bail Project. "It's an important decision in the fight to end cash bail."

Observers noted the court provided judges little guidance on how to determine whether someone presents a public safety risk and therefore should put up bail to be released --- beyond saying the evidence must be clear and convincing.

'THERE CERTAINLY ARE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS'

"There certainly are unanswered questions," said Cristine Soto DeBerry, executive director of the Prosecutors Alliance of California. "There will be a lot of individual decision making by judges."

"Cuellar didn't go nearly far enough to talk about what the full scope of what public safety means," W. David Ball, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law told Courthouse News.

The court's decision came in the case of Kenneth Humphrey, who sought release from the San Francisco jail, in part because of his financial status. Humphrey, 66, had been held for more than a year for robbery. A judge set bail at $600,000 because Humphrey had a criminal record.

In its ruling, the state supreme court ordered him released pending trial with an ankle bracelet and no bail.

The California Bail Agents Association praised the supreme court's ruling.

"We are pleased to see that the opinion has ended up being both thoughtful and fair to all sides," the organization's lobbyist David Quintana said in a statement. "The court's decision is a fair interpretation of the law."

The decision keeps the industry alive for now, although likely with significantly lower profits. The ruling comes a few months after an industry-backed campaign resulted in the repeal of a state law that would have replaced cash bail with a risk assessment test.
Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong speaks during a press conference at the ministry in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong said Wednesday that the United States and China are equally important partners for South Korea, indicating that Seoul would not pick a side between either Washington or Beijing.



The minister added that Seoul's stance is anything but "strategic ambiguity" amid the intensifying rivalry between the two powerhouses, which is raising speculation that they are trying to force South Korea to side with one of them.



"The U.S. is our sole ally and we have repeatedly reaffirmed that the alliance with the country is the cornerstone of our diplomatic and security policy. On the other hand, China is our largest trading partner and we maintain a strategic cooperative partnership," Chung said during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul.



"I am once again telling you that the U.S. and China have never urged us to choose between them. Our position is that, based on the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance, we will strive to harmoniously develop relations with China, which is clear, not ambiguous at all."



His remarks came as the two powerhouses have been engaged in a hegemonic competition, putting South Korea in the hot seat.



The U.S. is forming an anti-China alliance with its allies and wants South Korea to participate in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a strategic forum comprised of Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. to counter a rising China.



However, the South Korean government has been reluctant to join the Quad due to a possible backlash from the Chinese government. In 2018, Beijing took economic retaliatory measures against Seoul over the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system on the Korean Peninsula.



In addition, the press conference took place ahead of a South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral national security advisors' dialogue in Washington, D.C., and a foreign ministerial meeting between South Korea and China in the Chinese city of Xiamen, with the former slated for Friday (local time) and the latter for Saturday.



Given that the two meetings will happen a few hours apart, speculation is mounting that China hastily arranged the talks in response to the three-way consultations, during which Chinese issues as well as North Korean matters are expected to be high on the agenda.



However, the minister said it was accidental, adding that the two countries had been in discussions over the meeting.



Amid its diplomatic row with Japan, Chung said Seoul is seeking to restore soured ties with Tokyo, adding that Washington's mediation will be welcome. Since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January, his administration has stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan to handle issues involving North Korea, China and others.



"Personally, I hope for early foreign ministerial talks (with Japan)," he said, adding that the ministry sent its director-general for Asia and Pacific affairs to Tokyo as part of efforts to strengthen communication with Japan.



He also said he is willing to meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in any format.



"Whether that will be bilateral talks between South Korea and Japan, or trilateral foreign ministerial talks involving South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, like this week's planned meeting among the national security advisers of the three countries, I am willing to meet him," the minister said.



"Whether I go to Japan or the Japanese minister comes to Korea or to a third country, I am committed to meeting him."



According to media reports, South Korea, Japan and the U.S. are arranging a three-way foreign ministerial meeting that also includes U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, D.C. in late April.




Bengaluru, Mar 31 (UNI) Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) on Wednesday announced that it will cover the costs of Covid-19 vaccination for all its employees, their family members and contract employees.



The company will reimburse expenses incurred for both the doses of approximately 25,000 members which includes employees, their family members and contract employees, according to a release here.



Considering vaccination is crucial in the fight against the pandemic, an employee can choose to reimburse the costs of the vaccinations or get them free of charge at a company identified health care facility, whichever is convenient.



Mr G Shankara, Vice President, Human Resources and Services Group, TKM said, 'Our employees are our most valued asset and we place utmost importance to improve the quality of life of our workforce and their families. In addition to providing a conducive working environment, we continually evaluate and introduce unique welfare measures over and above the statutory requirements.



Especially during the pandemic, we ensured uninterrupted support by providing facilities ranging from critical health programs and priority doctor-on-call, mental and physical awareness to manage their health needs from home thereby reducing the load on local hospitals. With this gesture, we aim to safeguard the health and safety of all our employees, their family members and the community at large."



The company has introduced multiple policies and programs that granted employees with paid leaves for the absence due to infection or quarantine. The company also provided special Covid-19 insurance coverage to employees and family, Covid care kit to the families of our employees (Sanjeevini Kit) and nearby community, dedicated hotline services along with extensive CSR support to the frontline workers of the Government of Karnataka amongst other support.



UNI MSP SV 1500
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 16:30:54|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson Wednesday told Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority to immediately cease its political manipulation of Hong Kong affairs.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks when responding to the irresponsible comments made by the DPP authority regarding the newly amended annexes to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law.

The DPP authority's attacks on the amendment have once again exposed its malicious intentions of slandering the "one country, two systems," destabilizing Hong Kong and seeking "Taiwan independence," Zhu said.

The adoption of the amended annexes has provided fortified institutional guarantees to ensure the full and faithful implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems" and "patriots administering Hong Kong," and enduring peace, stability and prosperity in Hong Kong, she said.

The DPP authority must immediately cease its political manipulation of Hong Kong affairs and withdraw its hands, otherwise it will face severe punishment, Zhu warned. Enditem
Quebec Premier Francois Legault gestures as he speaks of the third wave, during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at the legislature in Quebec City. Working age Canadians have been hit hard by the escalating pandemic, and now they're drawing a significant chunk of the blame, too. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
(CNN)  An interstellar comet that crossed into our solar system nearly two years ago is revealing more of its secrets.

Researchers have determined that the comet, known as 2I/Borisov, is more pristine and unaltered than any of the comets that have been observed in our solar system. The dust around the comet is also intriguingly different than those around other comets.

Combined, these two findings add evidence to the comet's origin outside of our solar system. The results were published Tuesday in two different studies in the journals Nature Astronomy and Nature Communications.

It's only the second observed interstellar object to appear in our solar system, after 'Oumuamua which was first detected in 2017. While the exact nature of 'Oumuamua continues to be debated, it's more asteroid-like in its features, whereas 2I/Borisov has consistently displayed the activity associated with comets.

The comet was discovered by amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov, and astronomers confirmed that it originated from outside of our solar system.

However, previous observations of the interstellar comet suggested it was more like those found in our solar system, and little was known about the comet's nucleus. A cometary nucleus is the main, solid component of a comet made up of rock, dust and frozen gases.

New observations of the comet, made using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile, helped astronomers measure the polarization of light in the comet's dust grains.

The science is similar to how polarized sunglasses filter out glare and brightness. In this case, astronomers observed how sunlight was polarized, or filtered, by the comet's dust to learn about the physical properties of the comet.

Using this technique -- known as polarimetry, which is also used to study comets in our solar system -- allowed for a comparison between 2I/Borisov and other known comets.

Polarimetry was first used more than 200 years ago to observe the "Great Comet of 1819" by French astronomer Francois Arago. Now it's being used to study and observe the first known comet that originated outside of our solar system, said Stefano Bagnulo, lead study author of the Nature Communications study and astronomer at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Northern Ireland.

The polarization for comet 2I/Borisov was much higher than that of comets in our solar system, with the exception of comet C/1995 O1 -- otherwise known as Hale-Bopp. Comet Hale-Bopp was highly visible to the naked eye in the late 1990s and was considered to be largely pristine before passing by our sun 1997. That meant Hale-Bopp was largely unaltered from the cloud of gas and dust the comet originally formed from, which is the same stuff our very solar system also originated from 4.5 billion years ago.

What makes the interstellar comet unique is that its polarized light is uniform, which makes it more pristine. Astronomers believe that this suggests 2I/Borisov has remained undisturbed since it formed -- until it flew by our sun in 2019.

"Comet 2I/Borisov most likely never passed close to the Sun or any other star, and may represent the first truly pristine comet that has ever been observed," the authors wrote in their study.

That means 2I/Borisov carries unchanged information about the gas and dust that originally formed the comet.

"It seems that 2I/Borisov originated in an environment not too different from our early solar system," Bagnulo said. "Therefore, rather than telling something about comets in general, comet 2I/Borisov is telling us that other solar systems may be not so different from our own solar system."

Astronomers still want to understand more about the nature of the dust being ejected by the comet. Bagnulo noted that scientific operations at the European Southern Observatory were suspended due to Covid in April and May 2020, which may have provided more of that information.

A future mission called the Comet Interceptor, which will be launched by the European Space Agency at the end of this decade, will investigate a pristine comet. The mission's target will be decided after the launch since it has yet to be discovered.

"Comets that never passed close to the sun are particularly interesting because their material is (presumably) uncontaminated by solar radiation and wind, and as such, they carry information about the environment of our early solar system," Bagnulo said. "There is even a small chance that the target of that mission is another interstellar comet, if such an exotic object is discovered at the right time."

In the meantime, large survey telescopes like the Vera Rubin Observatory coming online next year in Chile "will enormously improve our capability to discover new visitors when they come," he said.

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Another solar system

Comet 2I/Borisov's origin story can be told by its dust grains.

When astronomers used the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array of telescopes in Chile, they were able to piece together information about the comet's past.

"Our observations suggest that materials in the comet are not uniformly distributed. Instead, the comet consists of components that have different compositions and formed at different places," said Bin Yang, lead author of the Nature Astronomy study and an astronomer at European Southern Observatory in Chile.

The coma, or dust envelope that surrounds the comet's nucleus, actually contains compact pebbles, or millimeter-sized grains. These grains were also previously detected in Comet Hale-Bopp.

The comet's water and carbon monoxide content also appeared to change in a very noticeable way when it approached our sun.

Combined, this information suggests that the comet is made of a potpourri of materials from different parts of its original planetary system.

Like in our own solar system early on, the presence of giant planets and their gravity may have caused this mix, stirring up material throughout the system.

"While the most common planets in other exoplanetary systems seem to be super-Earths and mini-Neptunes, our study suggests the presence of giant planets in the home system of 2I/Borisov," the authors wrote in their study.

Yang anticipates that future telescopes, both ground and space-based, will allow scientists to detect more interstellar objects as they pass through our corner of the universe.

"Imagine how lucky we were that a comet from a system light-years away simply took a trip to our doorstep by chance," Yang said.

This story was first published on CNN.com Pristine interstellar comet came from a system containing giant planets
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines Life, March 30)  The spike of COVID-19 cases has prompted another imposition of ECQ for Metro Manila and neighboring regions. While stuck in our homes, here are a few events and activities to do to spend our time wisely.

"Dito at Doon"

"Will their love survive once it's taken offline?" Watch the romantic film Dito at Doon starring Janine Gutierrez and JC Santos as lovers trying to survive their relationship in the new normal. The film is directed by JP Habac and is available through streaming platforms Cinema76@Home, Want TFC, KTX, Ticket2Me, and Upstream starting March 31.

The POP Shoppe Online (Ep. 1)

Spend the first day of April with these amazing artists courtesy of Lilystars Records. In the lineup are: Bryan Estepa (Sydney) Project Orange (Bacolod) Dey Rose (Vancouver) Paper Satellites (Manila) Hey, Jane! (Manila), and Parasouls (Manila).

The event will be streamed on the Lilystars page and the respective Facebook pages of the participating musicians.

Mental Health in Time of Uncertainty

NHCP-Museo ni Apolinario Mabini - PUP is hosting Mental Health in Time of Uncertainty on Mar. 31 as a way to help those who are currently struggling with coping with the mental toll caused by the pandemic.

Speaker Benny Cuyco-Guillermo, the lead pastoral counselor of the Back to the Bible Philippines and Radio Broadcaster of Heartline, will discuss the impact of the current situation on the mental health of the Filipinos and suggest practical actions that may be adopted to help them survive the transitions that are endemic in the new normal.

Visit the event page for more details.

Anak Dalita streaming

ABS-CBN Film Restoration will stream Lamberto Avellanas classic film 1956 Anak Dalita on Mar. 31, 7 p.m. The film is a look into the poverty of post-war Manila and stars Rosa Rosal, who plays a prostitute, and Tony Santos, Jr. as a Korean War soldier. Anak Dalita was our entry to the best Foreign Language Film category of the 29th Academy Awards.

Check the Restoration page for more details.

The Real H.R. Ocampo

Ayala Museums virtual exhibit The Real H.R. Ocampo is still ongoing until Apr. 30. It is a re-mounting of the 2013 exhibit of the same name and features 51 paintings, works on paper, and drawings.

The exhibits regular rate is 300. Discounted rates for seniors and students are 215 and 180 respectively. A season pass is also available. For more details, check the exhibit page.

The Films of Ricky Lee

ABS-CBN Film Restoration is holding a retrospective of Ricky Lees films from Mar. 16 to Apr. 16 through ktx.ph. Tickets start at 99.

Some of the films included are Separada, Anak, Moral, and Labs Kita Okey Ka Lang? Visit the ABS-CBN Film Restoration page for more details.
A Florida man said an alligator dropped by his back porch and got stuck under a table before extracting itself and going for a swim in his pool

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Tim Kelly said he was getting his morning coffee when he heard a growling sound and looked to find the 7-to-9-foot alligator on the lanai of his Pinellas County home.

Kelly said he quickly realized the gator was stuck under and end table.

"He must have went through it and it got stuck on him, and he wasn't very happy. I got to tell you, when he was right there and he was stuck in that, I was like, 'Wow, now what am I going to do?'" Kelly told WTVT-TV.

The homeowner called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, but the alligator managed to free itself while waiting for an officer to arrive and went for a swim in Kelly's backyard pool.

"We were just sitting here having coffee just watching him swim around in the pool. He would come up here and rest on the steps, then sink to the bottom again," Kelly said.

The FWC soon arrived and removed the alligator from the pool. Officials said the alligator will be relocated from the area due to its large size.

Another Florida man recently returned home to find an alligator in his garage. Torrie Heathcoat of Fort Myers said her husband, Andy, made a quick trip to a gas station after the family returned home from a vacation and he left the garage door open while he was gone.

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Andy Heathcoat arrived home to find a large alligator wandering around inside the garage. The FWC was summoned to the scene and relocated the alligator away from the city.
She's the daughter of one of the most famous supermodels in the world.

And on Tuesday, Kaia Gerber reminded everyone that she is a beauty to be reckoned with in her own right, when she uploaded three gorgeous photos from a Calvin Klein underwear campaign to her Instagram account.

The brunette stunner, 19, leaned back against the wall in the first shot, wearing skimpy and form-fitting black lingerie.

Woah: On Tuesday, Kaia Gerber reminded everyone that she is a beauty to be reckoned with, when she shared three gorgeous and sensual photos from a Calvin Klein underwear campaign

She had her hands on the small of her back, further accentuating her slender figure and svelte waist.

Gerber had her brown hair loose around her pretty face, and she sported minimal touches of makeup in a neutral pallet.

She smouldered at the camera with a frank and sexy gaze.

Effortless beauty: The brunette stunner, 19, leaned back against the wall in the first shot, wearing skimpy and formfitting black lingerie

The second photo saw Kaia with her arms up around her head, this time wearing a simple white bra displaying the Calvin Klein logo along the underwire.

She also wore earth-toned jeans as she showed off her taught abdomen.

In the last shot, the runway superstar lost the bra altogether and hugged her legs into her chest, displaying an ample amount of side boob.

Perfection: The second photo saw Kaia with her arms up around her head, this time wearing a simple white bra displaying the Calvin Klein logo along the underwire

Three of Kaia's tattoos stole attention, including a heart-shaped one along with the word 'prez,' presumably a nod to her brother Presley Walker Gerber.

She exuded the same confidence and sultry sexiness that put her mother Cindy Crawford on the map as arguably the most famous supermodel more than 30 years ago.

And on her Instagram stories, the catwalker shared another visual from her modeling portfolio with her 6.1 million followers.

Like mother like daughter: Kaia exuded the same confidence and sultry sexiness that put her mother Cindy Crawford on the map as arguably the most famous supermodel 30 years ago; Cindy seen on the right in Milan in 1991 for Dolce & Gabbana

On her Instagram stories:he catwalker shared another visual from her modeling portfolio with her 6.1 million followers

She reposted a photo from her Celine ad campaign, which was plastered on two billboards somewhere in New York.

The fashion shots come after the daughter of Crawford and Rande Gerber recently landed a role on American Horror Story, cementing her efforts to branch out from modeling into acting.

Kaia will join fellow AHS newcomer Macaulay Culkin in the tenth season of the horror series, titled Double Feature.
The Great Barrier Reef is all but doomed, with between 70 and 99 per cent of corals set for destruction unless immediate transformative action is taken to reverse global warming, according to a new report.

The Australian Academy of Science says the more ambitious target of the Paris Climate Agreement of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees has now slipped out of reach and is virtually impossible.

Coral bleaching near Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef during 2016. Credit:Underwater Earth / XL Catlin Seaview Survey / Christophe Bailhache

Limiting the temperature rise to the lower Paris Agreement target is exceedingly difficult, and with only three or four more years of emissions at current levels remaining, the target has become virtually impossible to achieve, says The Risks to Australia of a 3C Warmer World.

If 1.5 degrees of warming was sustained, the Great Barrier Reef would cease to exist as we know it, says one of the authors, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a biologist and climate scientist specialising in coral reefs.
Unnao, March 31 : The Unnao Bar Association has suspended the membership of eight lawyers on the directives of the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh that is probing the alleged attack on additional district judge Prahlad Tandon.

Tandon had lodged two FIRs against a group of lawyers, including members and office-bearers of the Unnao Bar association, for allegedly attacking him twice last week.

The Unnao Bar Association has issued a show cause notice to the lawyers involved in the incident while the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh has set up a two-member committee, comprising Prashant Singh Atal and Ajay Yadav to probe the incident.

Unnao Bar Association president Ram Shankar Yadav is named in both the cases lodged at the City Kotwali police station.

Apart from him, former Unnao Bar Council presidents, Satish Shukla and Girish Mishra, and former government counsel Vinod Pathak, are among those named in the FIRs.

Superintendent of Police, Sureshrao A Kulkarni, said no one had been arrested so far but the police had started investigating the case and provided additional security to judge Prahlad Tandon.

The police said the first FIR was lodged against Ram Shankar Yadav, advocate Harsingh Bahadur and an unidentified lawyer for allegedly abusing the judge in a courtroom on March 23.

According to the complainant, the three entered his court room and started abusing him in front of the court staff after he rejected the bail application of a person.

Tandon, who is a special judge in a POCSO court, alleged that Ram Shankar Yadav and 150-200 unidentified advocates raised slogans against him, threw furniture and abused him.

The complainant told the police that the lawyers climbed on the dais where he was sitting, and when he tried to go to his chamber, they surrounded him, pushed him around and slapped him. They also snatched his cell phone.

According to the police, the accused chased Tandon to an adjoining gallery and damaged windows in the chambers of the judge and his stenographer.

The SP said the matter was referred to a grievance committee.

The complainant and the members of the Bar appeared before the committee but the matter could not be resolved. Circle Officer Gaurav Tripathi said Tandon's statement had been recorded and the investigators were collecting evidence at present.
Nairobi police commander Augustine Nthumbi has warned bar owners and their patrons found defying President Uhuru Kenyatta's closure order they could find themselves cleaning city streets and markets.

Nthumbi said the defaulters will be charged for defying orders barring consumption of alcoholic drinks in public while the bar owners will lose their licenses.

"And we have done it in the previous few days. We break in and arrest all the people in there. We are grateful that the judiciary has been helping us on that," he said.

"Around 74 people were sentenced under a community service order and that is where the Nairobi Metropolitan Service came in and assigned them to clean city streets and markets for a day," Nthumbi said.

The group was ordered by a Kibera court to serve the community for a day.

Nthumbi said some clubs are locking patrons inside as they drink alcohol in contravention of the president's order to prevent the spread of the third wave of Covid-19.

The police boss said his officers are monitoring bars to ensure they remain closed and those found in operation will have their licenses confiscated.

"We are going to the bars and listening from outside to confirm that there are no people inside. There is no escape. We are everywhere," he said.

He said police have heightened surveillance in Nairobi to ensure total compliance with the 8pm-to 4am curfew and reduce movements at night.

Nthumbi added that police road blocks have been mounted in all sub counties to enforce the curfew and cessation of movement directives.
Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping to put stop to the COVID-19 pandemic and hailed Vaccine Maitri arriving in the nation. Under the programme, the Indian government sent made in India coronavirus vaccines, Covishield, to Fiji. Following the arrival, Fiji PM noted that in a bleak year for multilateralism, India assisted the nation in ceasing the global health crisis provided the valuable vaccines to other nations. Most recently in March, India-made vaccines landed in Yemen.

In a bleak year for multilateralism, youve helped put a welcome pause on the pandemic politics thats kept valuable vaccines in the worlds largest & richest countries, said Fiji PM according to a statement shared by the Fiji Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport. Earlier, Bainimarama also thanked friend PM Modi for helping Fiji and taking a huge step towards the post-COVID-19 era. Fiji PM also said, "dhanyawaad for your commitment."

#VaccineMaitri has arrived to Fiji with 100k doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines.



Vinaka to my friend, @narendramodi, for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world. pic.twitter.com/xlWdm04Nvs  Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) March 29, 2021

#WATCH: Fiji's PM Frank Bainimaram thanks India for providing them #COVID19 vaccine. He says, "Through Vaccine Maitri, India is adding the missing piece of equity to COVID equation. To my friend PM Modi & Indian High Commission in Fiji dhanyawaad for your commitment to humanity." pic.twitter.com/fZMgxwgMqV  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

Indias links with Fiji budded back in 1879 when Indian labourers were brought to Fiji under the indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs website, Between 1879 and 1916 around 60,000 Indians were brought to Fiji. Beginning with early 20th century, Indian traders and others also started arriving in Fiji. Even before Fiji independence in 1970, India had a Commissioner since 1948 to look after the interests of people of Indian origin.

PM Modi Gifts 1.2 Million COVID Vaccine Doses To Bangladesh

Earlier, during his two-day visit to Dhaka, PM Narendra Modi on March 27 gifted 1.2 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to Bangladesh. PM Modi, who is visiting the neighbouring country on his first trip to a foreign nation since the outbreak of coronavirus, handed over a representational box to his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina as a symbol of Indias gift of vaccine doses to Bangladesh. He also handed over a representational key of 109 ambulances to Hasina. PM Modi gifted a Pashmina shawl and an old video of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman from Indian archives to Sheikh Hasina as well.

Dhaka: PM Narendra Modi hands over a representational item to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina as a symbol of India's gift of 1.2 million COVID vaccine doses. pic.twitter.com/0nYN2hrwI9  ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021

Image credits: @FijiPM, @MCTTTFiji-Twitter
Woman killed after shooting gun in Indonesias police HQ View Photo

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  A woman entered Indonesias National Police Headquarters in Jakarta and fired a gun at several officers before being shot dead by police, in the latest militant attack in the worlds most populous Muslim nation, officials said. There were no reports of injuries among the police.

Authorities had earlier imposed a counterterrorism crackdown and were on heightened alert for possible attacks against police and places of worship following a suicide bombing during Palm Sunday Mass at a Roman Catholic cathedral on Sulawesi island which wounded at least 20 people.

Television video on Wednesday showed a woman wearing a long black robe and a blue veil walking near a parking lot at the police headquarters toward the police chiefs office building. She pointed a gun and fired at several police officers before being shot dead by other officers, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said.

A bomb squad member approached her body, which was lying in the rain with the gun nearby, and determined there were no dangerous materials in the area before the body was removed, the videos showed.

Prabowo identified the woman by her initials, ZA, and said she was a 25-year-old university dropout.

He said at a news conference late Wednesday that she came to the main buildings security post and fired at officers six times, prompting other officers to take decisive action. He didnt say whether any police were injured. Televised videos indicated she was about 10 meters (30 feet) from the nearest officers, who ran into the building when she fired.

A preliminary investigation showed she was acting independently, a lone wolf with the radical ideology of the Islamic State, he said.

However, we will continue to thoroughly investigate any possible connection of radical networks to the suspect, Prabowo said.

Before she died, the woman said goodbye to her family in a WhatsApp message, he said.

On Sunday, a recently married couple with suspected militant links used pressure cooker bombs to blow themselves up outside the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi island.

The attackers detonated their bombs when they were confronted by guards outside the church.

They were believed to have been members of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and carried out a series of suicide bombings in Indonesia.

They included a 2016 Starbucks attack in Jakarta which killed four civilians and four militants, an attack on a bus terminal in the capital that killed three police officers, and an attack on a church in Kalimantan that killed a 2-year-old girl a year later. Several other children suffered serious burns in the Kalimantan attack.

Indonesias last major militant attack was in May 2018, when two families carried out suicide bombings on churches in Surabaya, killing a dozen people including two young girls whose parents involved them in one of the attacks. Police said the father was the leader of a local affiliate of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah.

Prabowo said police have arrested 23 suspected militants following Sundays attack, including a key suspect who created the pressure cooker bombs. Police earlier reported the seizure of five homemade pipe bombs and 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of chemicals for explosives.

Indonesia has been battling militants since the Jemaah Islamiyah group carried out bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 that 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 to be infidels.

Since the arrest in December of Jemaah Islamiyah leader Aris Sumarsono, also known as Zulkarnaen, the counterterrorism squad has arrested more than 70 suspects, including 19 in Makassar.

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, 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.

By NINIEK KARMINI

Associated Press
Courtesy of Chicken N Pickle

Teens arent on smart devices here  theyre enjoying time with friends and family. Despite struggles to keep places open over the past year, Chicken N Pickle rose to the occasion to stay open as an available, safe place where life could keep going. Voted Best New Restaurant in San Antonio for this years Readers Choice Awards, its not hard to see why.

Managing Partner, Bill Crooks, has gone so far as to get involved with the State Board of Texas Restaurant Association to make sure local businesses like Chicken N Pickle continue to be available for their customers now and in the future.
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 30, 2021) - Gold79 Mines Ltd. (TSXV: AUU) ("Gold79" or the "Company") announces that, as a result of a review by staff of the Ontario Securities Commission, the Company is issuing the following news release retracting and clarifying previous disclosure relating to the Jefferson Canyon Project.

The Company's website, corporate presentation and a news release dated January 26, 2021 contained disclosure of an internal mineral resource estimate and related block model estimates related to the Jefferson Canyon Project that are not supported by a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") technical report. For this reason, the Company is retracting all disclosure related to the mineral resource estimate and related block model. The Company notes that the previous disclosure should not be relied upon.

The Company has amended the content on its website and its corporate presentation to remove the disclosures noted above.

Robert Johansing, M.Sc. Econ. Geol., P. Geo., the Company's Vice President, Exploration is a qualified person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release.

About Gold79 Mines Ltd.

Gold79 Mines Ltd. is a TSX Venture listed company focused on building ounces in the Southwest USA. Gold79 holds 100% earn-in option to purchase agreements on three gold projects: the Jefferson Canyon Gold Project and the Tip Top Gold Project both located in Nevada, USA, and, the Gold Chain Project located in Arizona, USA. In addition, Gold79 holds two projects with minority interest being a 37.1% interest in the Greyhound Project, Nunavut, Canada under JV by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and a 20% carried interest in the Taviche Project in Oaxaca, Mexico now under option to Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

For further information regarding this press release contact: Gary Thompson, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at (403) 870-1166 or by email at GT@gold79mines.com Gold79's website is located at www.gold79mines.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release may contain forward looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties associated with our business including, the uncertainty as to whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices, estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans and references to the Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Gold79 does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/78976
Prince Andrew's sex accuser could testify about him at Ghislaine Maxwell's trial, court documents have revealed.

The original photograph showing the Duke of York with his arm around Virginia Giuffre's waist at Maxwell's home in 2001 has been requested.

Ms Giuffre's lawyer Sigrid McCawley revealed in court documents that Maxwell's team want access to original copies of various photographs, reported The Sun.

It is thought Ms Giuffre, 37, who currently lives in Australia with her husband and three children, could give evidence alongside victims Maria and Annie Farmer.

Ms McCawley said: 'There's simply no reason why if the Farmers and Ms Giuffre ultimately testify and these items prove to be relevant and admissable these items cannot be provided for inspection at trial.'

It comes after new criminal charges against Maxwell renewed pressure on Prince Andrew because they fall within the time frame that he was meeting paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The original photograph showing the Duke of York with his arm around Virginia Giuffre's waist at Ghislaine Maxwell's home in 2001 has been requested, court documents revealed

Prince Andrew leaves his home in the grounds of Windsor Castle as his friend Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with more offences in the US

Until now, British socialite Maxwell has been charged with grooming underage girls for, and then abusing them with, Epstein between 1994 and 1997  before the Duke of York knew the former Wall Street financier.

But a new indictment filed in New York this week, where Maxwell is locked up on remand awaiting trial, adds allegations relating to a victim who says she was abused between 2001 and 2004, when Andrew was in contact with Epstein.

The accusations do not relate to Andrew, who is not a party in the criminal proceedings or the subject of any criminal investigation, but US authorities want to speak to him as a potential witness. The duke said he first met Epstein in 1999 and saw him once or twice a year before ending the friendship in 2010.

Maxwell was charged with two new counts of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor

It is thought Ms Giuffre (pictured), 37, who currently lives in Australia with her husband and three children, could give evidence alongside victims Maria and Annie Farmer

According to a new indictment, Maxwell paid the girl hundreds of dollars to give Jeffrey Epstein sexual massages and even sent her lingerie

Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in jail in 2019

Lawyers for Epsteins victims want the duke to end an 18-month deadlock and open up to the FBI about his friendship with the paedophile.

Lisa Bloom, who represents eight victims, said: As this now covers the time period when [Andrew] was so friendly with Maxwell and Epstein, it is all the more imperative that he live up to his promises and speak to investigators immediately about everything he knows.

The duke has been accused of sleeping with one of Epsteins teenage sex slaves, Virginia Roberts, in 2001, allegations he has emphatically and continuously denied.

Andrew previously said: At no stage during the limited time I spent with him [Epstein] did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.

The new accuser, referred to a Minor Victim-4, allegedly met Maxwell at Epstein's Palm Beach home when she was around 14

The indictment also reveals that prosecutors intend to seize Maxwell's assets if she is convicted - during a bail application she revealed that she and her husband Scott Borgerson are worth $22.5million. The couple are pictured in 2013

In an interview with the BBC in November 2019, he said he would cooperate with the FBIs investigation into Epstein, who killed himself that August in jail. But the two sides have hit an impasse.

The dukes lawyers, however, said reports of his refusal to cooperate were inaccurate and he had offered to assist the US Department of Justice on at least three occasions last year. Maxwell, 59, now faces seven charges relating to four women, rather than three, including two of sex trafficking.

The new indictment claims that from 2001 to 2004, Maxwell trafficked a girl who she first met when she was 14 and groomed her for abuse. She allegedly interacted with the girl on multiple occasions even though she knew she was underage.

Maxwell has denied the previous allegations but has yet to respond to the additional charges. Her brother Ian Maxwell said the new indictment does not strengthen the governments case.




Video by Oh Jung-meen, Cho You-bin



Police and protesters clashed in Myanmar on Tuesday in the most violent day of demonstrations against a military coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi, and a doctor said one woman was unlikely to survive a gunshot wound to the head.



The incidents marked the first bloodshed since the military, led by army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, overthrew Suu Kyi's newly elected government on Feb. 1 and detained her and other politicians from her National League for Democracy (NLD).



Footage posted on social media of the woman who was shot showed her with other protesters by what appeared to be a bus-stop shelter some distance from a row of riot police as a water cannon sprayed and several shots could be heard.



The woman, wearing a motorbike helmet, suddenly collapsed. Pictures of her helmet showed what appeared to be a bullet hole.













A doctor in the Naypyitaw hospital said the shot woman had suffered what was most likely to be a fatal head wound. "She hasn't passed away yet, she's in the emergency unit, but it's 100% certain the injury is fatal," said the doctor, who declined to be identified. "According to the X-ray, it's a live bullet."



A man had a chest wound but was not in critical condition. It was not clear if he was hit with a bullet or rubber bullet.



"The use of disproportionate force against demonstrators is unacceptable," Ola Almgren, the UN representative in Myanmar, said.



This Friday, the UN Human Rights Council will convene a special session to discuss the crisis. (Reuters)
BBC's China correspondent relocates to Taiwan

The BBC says John Sudworth has exposed truth the Chinese authorities did not want the world to know. Image: CCTV

The BBC said on Wednesday that one of its journalists in mainland China had relocated to Taiwan, a move that comes amid criticism from Beijing about the broadcaster's reports on alleged human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region.



BBC News, in a statement published on one of its official Twitter accounts, did not specify why John Sudworth had left Beijing.



"John's work has exposed truth the Chinese authorities did not want the world to know," BBC News said. "The BBC is proud of John's award-winning reporting during his time in Beijing and he remains our China correspondent."



Beijing took the BBC World News off the airwaves last month in response to what the Chinese embassy in London called "relentless fabrication of 'lies of the century' in reporting China."



RTHK immediately followed Beijing's lead, ending its relay of the BBC World Service and taking a Cantonese-language BBC news programme off air.



The BBC published a report in February that women in Xinjiang's internment camps for Uighurs were subject to rape, sexual abuse and torture.



Sudworth was not one of the BBC journalists credited in the report, though he has been criticised by name by the Foreign Ministry as well as state media.



China has repeatedly said the BBC's report was false and it has also forcefully denied other claims of human rights abuses in Xinjiang raised by western governments and rights groups.



The Global Times, published by the ruling Chinese Communist Party's official People's Daily newspaper, quoted a Xinjiang Communist Party official on Wednesday as saying that a number of individuals in the region plan to sue the BBC for "producing fake news, spreading rumours about Xinjiang and slandering China's policy in the region."



The BBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Taiwan foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said the ministry could not comment on individual cases but said: "We welcome all reporters from media outlets to come to Taiwan and enjoy freedom of the press and speech." (Reuters)
In many industries, companies use dealers or support organizations to deliver products and services. Carmakers rely on independent dealerships, insurance companies have external agents, and cable television companies commonly use private contractors to do installations and service.

Such cascaded models, however, make it difficult to remain customer oriented. The customer may come first in the eyes of the cable company, but the third-party technician installing a box in your home might not see it that way. They're usually more focused on those who pay them rather than those who expect quick, competent, and friendly service. That's one of the reasons the net promoter score -- a common metric of customer satisfaction -- ranks cable companies near the bottom.

A cascaded service models is where good intentions too often meet awful execution. I recently experienced this first-hand when trying to get our home warranty company to repair a broken gas line at our house. A relatively straightforward repair took 45 days. It's not that the company didn't want to get things right. Let's just say things didn't go according to plan.

My home warrantee company is large and one of a number of such firms offering contracts that promise to quickly repair broken electrical wiring, gas fuel lines, plumbing, cooling and heating systems. Depending on where you live and the type of coverage (gas versus plumbing, say), costs range from $3 to $6 a month. Combination plans allow you to mix and match coverage.

Most companies promise customer service 24/7, no deductibles, and a one-year guarantee on repairs if they are handled by an approved subcontractor. Although repair warrantee plans for appliances have been common for quite some time , consumers care even more about their critical systems such as water, heat, gas, or toilets. Indeed, such failures can cause a genuine emergency and repair costs can quickly exceed $1,000. I'm an academic and business consultant, not a plumber, so this protection appealed to me (and even more to my wife).

A Good Idea in Theory

The logic of home warrantees is simple: Homeowners shift the financial risks of system failure to the insurer, for a premium. This lets homeowners avoid large losses while securing immediate access to repair companies vetted by the insurer. The insurer earns money by spreading that risk. Moreover, the insurer can arrange better prices by working with multiple contractors. In return, you give up control over how quickly and well the home emergency is fixed.

And that can lead to trouble, as we recently experienced. Our warrantee company was not equipped to handle a slightly out of the ordinary case. Result: an unhappy customer and the company overpaying for inefficient and slow repairs performed by its own contractor. A lose-lose proposition all around.

Our case concerned the repair of a gas pipeline network, running above and below ground, that provided natural gas to a kitchen stove, a pool heater, and a back-up generator--which we need in hurricane-prone Florida. One pipe section started to leak gas, which we could smell outside. We called the municipal gas company, which dispatched a team quickly to turn off all of our gas until the leaks were properly fixed.

And they were, a month and a half later.

Clearly, having to wait for more than six weeks to repair the gas pipe to our kitchen, plus some other essential appliances, qualifies as bad customer service. The twists and turns of our sad story involve poor communications, improper diagnosis upfront, overworked subs, unfamiliarity with local codes, and multiple failures trying to fix things.

A Strategic Perspective

How did our insurer manage to both provide lousy service and overpay for repairs it covered? Intermediaries. The process of communicating with the insurer, which in turn communicated with the contractor, was tedious because it was multilayered. Different individuals answered at the insurer's call center (possibly run by an outsourcing company) and none would provide callback numbers. Although the live phone interactions were usually courteous and pleasant, nobody owned our problem--at least not until the very end, when bigger, costlier issues arose. At that point, we were assigned a customer advocate, who listened patiently. But she lacked authority to do anything and didn't seem to own the problem either.

National companies can have problems executing locally. In our case, the company and its contractors seemed unfamiliar with changes to local building codes regarding gas regulators, the size of the pipelines, and connections to a new meter. To resolve this, I had to ask the insurer's regional supervisor, the county's public utility supervisor, and the head of the contracting firm for an on-site meeting. We needed to sort out issues of jurisdiction, scope of coverage, and repair standards that needed to be met. It was clear to me that the contractor wanted to minimize any additional work and never fully grasped the scope of the issues that need to be addressed. It was also clear that our insurer had little knowledge about the faulty repair work already done, the multiple times the repairs failed the city's gas pressure tests, or the contractor's general incompetence.

As a consequence, the insurer paid about $8,000, or more than double what the repairs really should have cost when we checked with private contractors ourselves. And we were forced to go far too long before having natural gas again for our kitchen and other appliances, while at the same time maxing out on our total coverage allowed for the year.

The Takeaway

Our case demonstrates how difficult it can be to institute a truly customer-centric business model remotely. The starting point has to be a deep understanding the customer's situation--and not just the pain points. If only service providers could staple themselves to the work order from start to finish, they would realize how many bureaucratic hurdles the customer has to negotiate to get good answers or service. Since the insurer plays a volume game in which repairs are handled through a network of local contractors, anything out of the ordinary may involve problems the insurer never learns about in a timely manner. The company thinks it is providing mass customization, with everything running smoothly behind the curtain, and customers getting personalized attention.
MEXICO CITY, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Generation Equality Forum Mexico concluded today with a common feminist pathway and 2026 vision designed by civil society and youth, as well as new catalytic commitments for gender equality. These set the stage to pass the Forum's torch to its next step in Paris in June 2021.

The Forum in Mexico City, March 29-31, engaged over 10,000 people and over 250 speakers from 85 countries to reinvigorate action and movements for gender equality. Reflecting the spirit to involve a new generation, nearly half the participants were under 30 years old. The meeting took place amid growing concerns that COVID-19 has exacerbated a gender equality crisis, making action and investment on women's rights critical. A quarter century after the landmark Beijing Women's Conference and Platform for Action, the Forum aimed to re-ignite efforts for full implementation. The event launched the 'blue-print' of the Forum's Action Coalitions  multi-stakeholder partnerships who have identified the most catalytic actions required to accelerate gender equality in areas from economic rights to stopping violence against women. The full blue-print can be viewed here.



The final day of the Forum also showcased catalytic commitments to inspire global action:

Mexico's National Institute for Women (Inmujeres) in partnership with UN Women launched an initiative for an Alliance for Care Work in a bold effort to confront the care burden that impedes women's economic opportunity, and which has risen due to the pandemic;

National Institute for Women (Inmujeres) in partnership with UN Women launched an initiative for an Alliance for Care Work in a bold effort to confront the care burden that impedes women's economic opportunity, and which has risen due to the pandemic; Women Moving Millions  a global network of individual philanthropists  made a commitment to raise $100M to support the entirety of the Action Coalitions' agenda; and

to support the entirety of the Action Coalitions' agenda; and The Ford Foundation, the Equality Fund and the Government of Canada announced a feminist funding partnership including a $15M commitment from the Ford Foundation to the Equality Fund; plans to initiate a multistakeholder Global Alliance for Sustainable Feminist Movements; and a $10M commitment from Canada to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.

The Forum in Paris, France, will take place from June 30 to July 2. Efforts in Paris will advance and solidify commitments towards creating gender-equal societies as the world begins to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Forum in Mexico will be closed today by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Mexico and France, the Executive Director of UN Women, the President of Inmujeres, and representatives from civil society and youth.

Organizations interested in becoming a Generation Equality Forum commitment maker may view the FAQ or complete an expression of interest.





Notes to Editors





For further information please contact Miguel Trancozo Trevino, [email protected] , +525538366192 and Carlos Vargas , INMUJERES (National Institute for Women), [email protected]



The Generation Equality Forum is a global gathering for gender equality convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France in partnership with youth and civil society.

SOURCE UN Women
 Fascinating split Fourth Circuit ruling finds lawyer ineffective and 210-month sentence substantively unreasonable for addicted opioid distributor | Main | Might we be getting closer to (needed) new nominees for the "frozen" US Sentencing Commission? 

March 31, 2021

"Judging by the Cover: On the Relationship Between Media Coverage on Crime and Harshness in Sentencing"

The title of this post is the title of of this notable paper recently posted to SSRN authored by Itay Ravid. Here is its abstract:

Does the mass media affect judicial decisionmaking? This first of its kind empirical study delves into this long-lasting question, and investigates the relationship between media coverage of crime and criminal sentencing. To do so, I construct a novel data set of media reports on crime, which I link to administrative state court sentencing records. The data span five years and more than forty-three thousand sentencing decisions across three jurisdictions that differ in their judicial selection models: Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. I find that crime coverage increases sentencing harshness. I also find evidence to suggest that this effect is mitigated through a states method of judicial selection. The findings go beyond traditional, case-study scholarship on the nexus between the media and the judiciary, offering evidence that the media can affect judicial decisionmaking in broader contexts. These findings hold significant implications for policy and judicial politics and raise questions at the core of the criminal justice system. Particularly, they call for renewed attention to the media as an important factor in the criminal process and a potential obstacle towards achieving the constitutional ideal of fair trials. The Article concludes by suggesting methods for countering such media effects.

March 31, 2021 at 11:47 AM | Permalink

Comments

I think stories about career criminals and recently released prisoners who commit murder drive it, absolutely.

https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/crime/2021/03/05/recently-released-muncie-felon-arrested-wifes-2016-slaying/4590395001/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2020/08/08/released-prisoner-accused-raping-killing-virginia-woman-has-died/

Posted by: William C Jockusch | Apr 1, 2021 7:47:13 AM

Post a comment
Kosovo's foreign minister has rejected pressure from Turkey over Pristina's recent opening of an embassy in the western part of Jerusalem by calling the move "a done deal."



Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla made the remark in an interview with the corruption-reporting website Kallxo.com on March 30.



Mostly Muslim Kosovar, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, established diplomatic ties with Israel in a virtual ceremony on February 1 before establishing the embassy in Jerusalem in March.

The United States and Guatemala are the only other states with embassies in Jerusalem.



"I believe that the issue of our embassy in Israel is a done deal," Gervalla said. "Why is it a done deal? Because we cannot get involved in diplomatic adventures to reconsider an issue that already has ended."

Gervalla said Pristina wants to bolster ties with Israel but also seeks a good friendship, good ties with Palestinian authorities."



Palestinian leaders claim east Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed, as the capital of a future state.



Most countries have embassies in Tel Aviv.



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a letter last week to incoming Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti urging his government to reconsider the Israeli move.



Hoti's caretaker predecessor, Avdullah Hoti, attended a summit hosted by then-U.S. President Donald Trump and also attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in September.



Much of the international focus was on efforts to restart talks to normalize relations between Pristina and Belgrade, which along with Russia and some EU members does not recognize Kosovar independence.

But Hoti emerged with a side deal to an economic agreement pledging fresh ties with Israel. Serbia, which already had ties to Israel, also agreed to open an embassy in Jerusalem.



Trump spent a good part of his final year in office encouraging an Israeli push for broader normalization with its Arab and Muslim countries.



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is battling to stay in power after inconclusive elections, praised the embassy move in a letter to Kurti and invited the Kosovar leader to Jerusalem for an embassy-opening ceremony.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are campaigning for the third phase of Assembly elections in Assam today. Amit Shah 3 rallies and Rahul Gandhi are going to address two rallies. Shah's rallies may be in Chirang and Kamrup districts. Rahul is the first to worship at Kamakhya Devi temple at 9:15 am. After which he is going to address the rally at Pritipur in Chaygaon in Kamrup district at 11 am. Then, at 12:15 a.m., he is going to rally at The Loharkatha of Barkhetri in Nalbari district.

Rahul Gandhi was about to preach in Assam on Tuesday but could not reach for publicity due to inclement weather. Rahul released a video saying, "Today, because of inclement weather, I could not reach all, but the message of me and Mahajot is clear. Assam to pursue the path of advancement and prosperity with 5 guarantees. For this purpose, you should support the Mahajot with huge votes.''

Campaigning for the second phase of voting ends in Assam: Campaigning for the second phase of Assam Assembly elections ended on Tuesday evening. Under the second phase, the political future of 345 candidates is going to be decided in 39 constituencies on April one. The issue of the revised Citizenship Act (CAA) was at the top of the election campaign and in the first phase of elections, the BJP kept quiet on the issue. But in the meantime, the party raised the issue in the Barak Valley where there is a sizeable Hindu Bengali population and many of them are rooted in Bangladesh. It has been revealed that the BJP, in its campaign, specifically attacked AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal and alleged that he promoted illegal infiltration which created many problems. The party also targeted Congress for the alliance with the AIUDF.

Also Read:

Union Minister Giriraj Singh says Mamata Banerjee fearing defeat in election

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(Newser)  G. Gordon Liddy, a mastermind of the Watergate burglary and a radio talk show host after emerging from prison, died Tuesday at age 90 at his daughter's home in Virginia. His son, Thomas Liddy, confirmed the death but did not reveal the cause, other than to say it was not related to COVID-19, the AP reports. Liddy, a former FBI agent and Army veteran, was convicted of conspiracy, burglary, and illegal wiretapping for his role in the Watergate burglary, which led to the resignation of President Nixon in 1974. He spent four years and four months in prison, including more than 100 days in solitary confinement. Id do it again for my president, he said years later. Liddy always took pride in his role in Watergate. He once said: I am proud of the fact that I am the guy who did not talk.

story continues below

Liddy learned to market his reputation as a fearless, if sometimes overzealous, advocate of conservative causes. After his release from prison, Liddy became a popular, provocative, and controversial radio talk show host. His appearancepiercing dark eyes, bushy moustache, and shaved headmade him a recognizable spokesman for products and TV guest; he also acted in shows including Miami Vice. On air, he offered tips on how to kill federal firearms agents, rode around with car tags saying H20GATE (Watergate) and scorned people who cooperated with prosecutors. He also wrote best-selling books, was a frequent guest lecturer on college campuses, started a private-eye franchise, and worked as a security consultant. For a time, he teamed on the lecture circuit with an unlikely partner, 1960s LSD guru Timothy Leary. (Much more on Liddy, who had an interest in Adolf Hitler, here.)
What is the role of AI and ML in next-generation lending?

The new generation of banking customers is looking for convenient and time saving modes of loan request submissions. Even lenders (Banks & NBFCs) are now offering omni-channel platforms for loan disbursals to their customers and third-party agents. Right from initial loan application to verification of documents and loan closure, lenders are extending digitally enabled services via their mobile applications or net-banking to the new age customers.

The transition, however, to a completely digitised loan processing mechanism is yet to happen. BFSI as an industry is a data intensive sector and therefore, big data sits at the core of digital lending. Since the value of loan is dependent on the creditworthiness of the individual or business, lenders have to analyse their past loans and financial activities to assess their repayment capability. AI and ML thus, help banks sift through and analyse the large, complex data sets and help the lending team in decision-making.

AI and ML based systems therefore help in completely automating the pre-defined workflow of lenders for end-to-end automation. These emerging technologies also help in capturing the required loan documents and make the entire process paperless and remote, which is the need of the hour during the pandemic.



What is the scope of expansion of customers by tapping into alternative data sources?

Lenders are now using alternative data sources such as social media activity, ecommerce buying behaviour, telecom usage, etc. to assess the credit behaviour and risk of borrowers. This is not possible to do in traditional scoring methods, where the lender has to depend on the documents submitted by the loan applicant for risk assessment.

Both structured and unstructured data is collected by the lender and data analytics can further help derive intelligent insights from this to supplement the primary verification process. Customer segmentation using analytical tools can help lenders identify the financial activities of a prospective customer and serve them better with customised products. Data analysis can also help understand geographical segmentation that can further help lenders bring the unserved customer category into their customer base.

What are the benefits of modelling digital loan origination channels on cloud-computing?

Consumer lending is a competitive space and lenders have to keep pace with the changing customer demands for credit. Cloud-based loan origination channels are especially important in todays digitally enabled ecosystem. It allows for quicker time to market for first deployment and any changes as tech/vendor team can access easily and fix quickly (without any time loss), making the entire process agile. They can also store documents remotely on an encrypted centralised server system, facilitating real-time sharing and updating of information with authorised users and a faster turnaround time.

Cloud-based LOS provides a ready-to-use subscription model and many times is tied to success (disbursement), hence modelling digital loan origination channels on cloud computing makes decision-making easier for lenders with the platform. Further, newer features made available at fast pace. For instance, when Gmail launches any new features, they are made available to all at once due to the cloud. Customer service and experience along with scalability to offer varied new loan products are important for customer retention.

Therefore, a digitally modelled loan origination system improves efficiency and simplifies the process for both the lender and the borrower. Cloud bases systems also allow remote employees to access the same network as their onsite counterparts, which is an important requirement in todays uncertain scenario with social distancing protocols in place.

What are some of the lender best practices in cybersecurity?

As I mentioned earlier, the lending industry deals with a lot of sensitive data  of the customer as well as of their internal operations. This calls for a robust cybersecurity architecture that can instil trust and make the digital lender a reliable partner to their borrowers.

The threat landscape is very sophisticated and as a digital lender or a lending solutions provider, one should create and deploy applications that can not only fight off any threat vectors but also anticipate a possible threat to the system. Cybersecurity has to be an ongoing process and not an afterthought. A dedicated team led by a cybersecurity director should be brought on board. A complete disaster recovery plan should also be put in place for unforeseen circumstances to safeguard the digital lending operations. Employees are often the easiest and most vulnerable target of hackers or cyber attackers. Therefore, digital lending providers must organize regular educational sessions on the cybersecurity landscape to help the employees identify and prevent a possible breach.

As we embrace digitisation in the lending industry, lenders must keep security at the heart of digital transformation and initiate basic security procedures for anti-money laundering (AML), know your customer (KYC) and customer identify verification, to begin with.



How is Decimal Technology promoting a safe and inclusive digital lending ecosystem through its lending solutions?

The lending industry, especially in rural India, has been an informal sector. Many rural entrepreneurs and even SMEs are unable to scale up their businesses because of lack of a proper mechanism of loan acquisition. World Bank estimates that the current credit gap for MSMEs in India is around $380 billion. Inadequate credit and financial knowledge, lack of proper documents and limited lender options are some of the hindrances faced by the borrowers. On the other hand, the lender is faced with the challenge of offering customized loan services, high operational efficiency and agility in the loan disbursal process. With our solutions, we are working towards eliminating these existing gaps in the lending industry.

Our newly launched product, Saarathi, will help bridge the credit gap in India by making the traditional credit channel efficient and transparent. We are also creating an API-led marketplace for Business Correspondents/ DSAs and the lender community. We are an all AI-enabled product, solving one of the major problems in the lending industry i.e. risk assessment of borrowers. Saarathi offers a fully digital and transparent process that propels data into the lender system, making loan files trustworthy and reducing frauds. The digital lending ecosystem in India is still evolving and is a step towards making credit more inclusive and accessible in every nook and corner of the country. We want to empower last mile (Channels) with technology (platform) and customers access to formal lending (lenders) digitally.
Iranians staged demonstrations on Tuesday to protest a recent comprehensive cooperation agreement signed with China.

About 200 Iranians gathered outside parliament to demand annulment of the 25-year strategic cooperation deal, according to social media posts.

Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Iran is not for sale," "Death to those who sell the homeland," and "We will fight, we will die and we will take Iran back."

Protesters also held rallies in front of governorships in the Alborz and Isfahan provinces to voice outrage over the "controversial" pact. They carried banners reading "China, get out of Iran" and "We want the agreement canceled."

Iran and China on Saturday signed a much-anticipated 25-year strategic cooperation agreement in Tehran as part of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, Anadolu Agency reported.

The agreement aims to bolster economic cooperation between Tehran and Beijing and paves the way for Iran's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project stretching from East Asia to Europe, with a focus on the private sector.
COLUMBIA  Long known as Bank of America Plaza, the Main Street building that punctuates the downtown Columbia skyline has a new financial headliner.

First Reliance Bank is taking over the ground floor of 1901 Main St., vacated at the end of 2018 by its former Charlotte-based namesake and national banking giant, as the Florence-headquartered lender expands its presence in the capital city.

First Reliance has been making moves in the Carolinas, hiring industry heavyweights and attempting to scoop up market share left behind by recent mergers that have moved several banking headquarters out of the Palmetto State.

This new real estate deal speaks to that.

With $750 million in assets, the bank is on a trajectory to grow to $1.5 billion or $2 billion over the next several years, said Robert Dozier, chief operating officer.

"Being in Columbia is a huge part of that," he said, as it's the epicenter of politics and state decisionmakers.

Dozier points to other financial institutions that made similar moves in the past, like when the recently merged South State Bank came to the capital from Orangeburg years ago or when Ameris Bank went from Moultrie, Ga., to Atlanta.

First Reliance has no plans to move its headquarters out of Florence, but the Columbia location will serve as a full-service satellite campus with about 30 employees with executives, mortgage professionals to operations personnel.

The bank already has been serving the Midlands through its Lexington location for the past 17 years, Dozier said.

"We have had a presence now we have a focus," he said.

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He sees the 1900 block location on Main Street as a "banking beehive."

It can serve the Main Street District, Dozier said, but it will also be the closest bank to the BullStreet District and it will be in an ideal place to serve development of the North Main corridor.

"It is significant that a South Carolina headquartered bank is going in there," said Matt Kennell, president of Main Street's business organization, City Center Partnership. "It's really good to see (a bank) going the other direction, after so many mergers moving out of state, and locating on Main Street."

Kennell also said First Reliance's growth plans mean they won't just be on Main Street now but will be a long term investor in office space and in the city.

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank bought the 17-story building with the glowing red roof in 2012, after the former Arizona-based owners defaulted on their mortgage. Since then, the agricultural lender has made significant investments in the building, Kennell said.

Other tenants of the building, which Colliers International real estate broker Allen Wilkerson said is at 92 percent occupancy, include accounting firm Elliot Davis, a number of law firms, Central Carolina Realtors Association, a United Community Bank loan office and the Midlands office of Sen. Tim Scott.

First Reliance will be starting with its own rehabilitation of the first floor in a month, Dozier said, turning the space into its newest branch, complete with modern features like a video wall of the latest stock prices.

"Maybe one day people will refer to it as the First Reliance building," he said.

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's (LON:TXP, ) Paul Baay talks to Proactive London about the update on the exploration at the Ortoire block, onshore Trinidad and Tobago.

The initial results for Chinook suggest it is predominantly oil, Baay explains what this means for the future strategy at the well.

He goes on to discuss the positive results released regarding Cascadura-Deep and the next steps for the prospect.
Newspaper: Armenia ruling party to hold fundraiser Saturday

Newspaper: Russia does not manifest very active efforts in trilateral talks with Armenia, Azerbaijan

US to donate 25mn doses of coronavirus vaccine

Armenia is elected UN World Tourism Organization Executive Council member for period of 2021-2025

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

Manchester City have eye on Andre Silva

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

Douglas Costa ties the knot with Nathalia Felix

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

Giroud is close to moving to Milan

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

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Mexico demands an explanation from Zara amidst 'cultural appropriation' accusations

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?

Real Madrid sign new contract with Lucas Vazquez

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

PSG open talks with Ronaldo

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

Angelina Jolie is bitterly disappointed Brad Pitt custody decision

Inter Milan introduce new manager

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

FIDE: Levon Aronian is ranked 5th, Hayk Martirosyan among top chess players for first time

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

Kim Kardashian slammed for mess in new picture

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

Armenia national boxing team in Paris, to compete for passes to Olympic Games

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

PSG reach agreement with Gianluigi Donnarumma

"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

Armenia Health Ministry, Investigative Committee keep info about sending remains of dead soldiers abroad confidential

Ousmane Dembele not rushing to extend contract with Barcelona

Armenia Prosecutor General's Office launches case regarding leaving sacs of servicemen's bodies/remains in basement

Peskov: Putin and Biden to discuss cybersecurity issues
Nairobi  The Ministry of Health on Wednesday issued a tough warning to health workers charging COVID vaccines in health facilities.

Health Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi said the AstraZeneca vaccine being administered in health facilities countrywide is free of charge whether in a public or a private health facility.

"The AstraZeneca vaccine that is available in all public health facilities is there for free, there is no cost to that vaccine... the vaccine is available for free in the facilities and this includes private facilities as well," she said.

Mwangagi warned that health workers found engaging in bribery activities on the issuance of the vaccines risk having their licenses revoked.

"We have reports where people are bribing to skip lines, healthcare workers who are attending to these people we want to alert you and have you recognise that your licence can be withdrawn because of that very act," she said.

Mwangangi further urged young people and those not in the vulnerable group to allow others get the jab and wait for their turn.

She encouraged that the vulnerable and those aged 58 years and above be given a priority, even as the ministry awaits more doses.

According to the Ministry of Health frontline workers who have been vaccinated so far include 67,605 healthcare workers, 11,597 security officers and 19,094 teachers.
Cognito, the specialist communication and marketing agency, today released a report on how the booming interest in green investing is being covered by asset management media and how asset managers are communicating their ESG strategies.

Time for a temperature check: ESG Communications in Asset Management During the Boom analysed ESG coverage from 16 leading financial media outlets in Europe, North America and Asia over the last two years, alongside analysis of outbound communications (including press releases and insights) undertaken by 35 leading asset managers  to see how supply and demand compare. The report found total media coverage on sustainable investment rose 75% from 2019 to 2020, with thousands of articles written on green investing. Many publications  such as the Financial Times, Handelsblatt, Ignites, and Citywire  doubled their coverage in just one year.

A key finding is that media outlets are focusing on broad stories around ESG investing  such as portfolio composition, performance/risk and regulation  that involve commentary from a range of managers. Outbound communications by asset managers, however, skews towards the types of news that are only relevant for the minority of media stories that are based around a single firm. Cognitos analysis showed that up to 46% of asset manager output falls into this category, compared to only 35% of the media coverage it examined that were single-firm stories (and only 17% in the business press).

Cognito also interviewed a range of specialist reporters and asset management communicators. While there was consensus about the ESG news agenda, interviews disagreed about how ESG investment should be covered. Journalists are looking for more forward-looking opinions and especially for greater clarity on ESG standards. They remain extremely concerned about greenwashing and the perceived paucity of real thought leadership. Asset manager communicators, in contrast, said that media outlets should take more interest in ESG integration strategies, as well as in engagement and stewardship, and recognise that the issues are more nuanced than simply whether a fund should be holding a specific equity.

Based on the findings, Cognito recommends communication around a firms overall ESG brand rather than the nature of specific funds, so that asset managers can differentiate themselves more decisively as institutions, building a credible profile as the media covers ESG in increasing scale and detail.

Other key findings of the report included:

- Sharp differences in areas of focus in different types of outlets: the trade media are much more likely to run stories on specific firms, while major publications largely, and increasingly, want to cover thematic stories featuring multiple firms.

Interest in greenwashing is deep rooted, though greater in continental Europe and the United Kingdom than the United States.

- The debate about whether ESG funds can perform as well as mainstream investments is diminishing  partially because so many investments are now in some way considered ESG-aligned.

- A widening divide between journalists who fully appreciate the complexity in the sector and those who cover ESG sporadically and want more packaged content.

Lead author and Cognito Vice Chairman Andrew Marshall said: Our research suggests asset managers need to align better with the media agenda. Often that means matching the intensity of product specific and investment strategy media relations with stronger overarching messaging to achieve the brand differentiation that makes a firm stand out. Most firms cant be famous for everything, but you can pick credible lanes and deliver quality insights around the big themes that our research shows command the most coverage.

The full report is available for download at cognitomedia.com/esg.

Cognito represents clients across the financial, professional services and technology sectors

from six offices around the globe. The firm has a growing group of clients in part or entirely dedicated to the development of the sustainability sector in finance.

About Cognito

Cognito is an integrated financial communications consulting firm for the finance, technology and professional services sectors. With offices in New York, London, San Diego, Singapore, Hong Kong and Amsterdam, we help firms improve their performance, meet business objectives and manage their reputation. We combine strategy and planning, marketing, design, PR and social expertise, together with proprietary software that delivers measurability and intelligence. Read more at cognitomedia.com and follow us on Twitter at @CognitoMedia.

Media Contact Information

US  Sam Barber / sam.barber@cognitomedia.com / +1 917 246 2775

EMEA  Jon Schubin / jon.schubin@cognitomedia.com / +44 7307 063066
Authorities in the Mexican resort town of Tulum arrested the boyfriend of a Salvadoran mother who died after a female police officer knelt on her neck.

Carlos Joaquin, the governor of Quintana Roo, said Hector H. was taken in Tuesday on allegations that he had abused Victoria Salazar, 36, and her 16-year-old daughter, who has been reported missing and was safely located Wednesday.

Another of Salazar's daughter's - a 15-year-old - was reportedly sexually assaulted by Hector H., who is currently in custody of Mexican authorities.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele tweeted hours before the arrest of Salazar's former partner that there was probably another suspect who authorities were also searching for.

'As I told you yesterday (Monday), despite the fact that some authorities came out to deny it, there were more aggressors and victims in this story,' Bukele wrote.

'Victoria reported him weeks ago and took her daughter to a shelter to protect her from the assailant. Unfortunately, they did not act until now that Victoria was already murdered and that the case is being closely followed.'

Salazar's mother, Rosibel Arriaza, told reporters Wednesday that she would attempt to seek asylum for her granddaughter in the United States. However, it's unknown if they have family members living in the U.S.

'I'm afraid that something will happen to my girls in Mexico and I don't want to bring them to El Salvador either,' she said. 'I want to ask President Biden to help me, reach out and give my granddaughters refuge in the United States.'

The Quintana Roo State Attorney General's Office said in a statement Wednesday that Salazar appeared with her 15-year-old daughter before the local child protection's service agency March 11 to file a report against Hector H. and formally accuse him of sexually assaulting the girl.

On March 22, Salazar's daughter was interviewed by the prosecutor, who was unable to gather 'useful and sufficient information' from her testimony to establish the identity of her attacker.

Veronica V., female cop in Tulum, Mexico, is captured on video kneeling on top of Victoria Salazar in on Saturday moments before the 36-year-old Salvadoran died in custody of the Tulum Municipal Police after police officers responded to a call and detained Salazar for disorderly conduct

Salvadoran migrant and mother-of-two, Victoria Salazar, died Saturday in Tulum, Mexico, moments after she was placed under arrest by cops, who were reportedly investigating her for disorderly conduct. Authorities have charged four cops with murder

Hector H. was arrested Tuesday in Tulum, Mexico, on allegations that he has abused his girlfriend Victoria Salazar, the Salvadoran who died in custody of the police Saturday, and one of her two teenage daughters

Salazar was apprehended outside Oxxo, a local chain store, by the Tulum Municipal Police following reports of a customer's disorderly conduct.

Bystanders recorded the force that was utilized by the cops in handcuffing the migrant woman.

A female law enforcement agent, identified as Veronica V., can be seen in a cellphone video restraining Salazar by placing her knee on top of her back. A male cop appeared to place the handcuffs on Salazar.

Veronica V. subsequently shoves her right hand on to Salazar's neck and presses it against the sidewalk. A separate video shows her moving an unresponsive Salazar moments before the officers lifted her body and placed it on the back of a police pickup truck.

A surveillance camera at Oxxo, a chain store in Tulum, Mexico, shows Veronica Salazar (bottom right) standing behind a cash register clerk. The footage showed Salazar pacing in the store and stepping behind the counter moments before she died in police custody on Saturday

Cops assigned to the Tulum Municipal Police stand next to the body of Victoria Salazar, who death was caused by a fracture vertebrae due to the excessive force that was applied by the police, according to a state attorney general's summary of a medical examiner's report

Surveillance video released on social media highlighted Salazar's disruptive behavior inside the store in the moments before she died.

Salazar is seen pacing inside the store and waving an empty water jug.

Footage also showed Salazar walking behind the cash register counter and arguing with a male clerk. She is later seen stepping behind another male clerk behind the counter and seeking refuge behind him, as if she was hiding from someone.

Eventually Salazar leaves the store and is encountered by the cops, who placed her against the back of a police SUV before taking her down to the ground, apparently because she resisted arrest.

Veronica V., along with officers Juan C., Miguel C. and Raul L. were each charged with one count of femicide and placed in pre-trial detention Monday.

They appeared before a judge Tuesday and their attorneys asked for additional time to gather additional evidence for their case.

Joaquin acknowledged that Salazar's death 'did a lot of damage to Quintana Roo's image,' but the state's problems didn't end there. The Quintana Roo State Attorney General's Office said a foreign woman was wounded Tuesday in a bar shooting in Tulum. The victim's nationality is unknown, but she was treated and released from a local hospital. It said a suspect had been detained.

In another case of violence, the governor said that the killing of a woman over the weekend in the resort of Holbox, on the state's northern coast, 'had to do with a sentimental or passion motive,' and that a suspect in that case had also been arrested.

Tulum's reputation as a laid-back, low-key beach resort unlike Cancun has been marred lately by land disputes, gang activity and increasing development.

Salazar, a single mother-of-two, had been living in Mexico after she arrived there five years ago and was later granted refugee status.

Tulum police officer Veronica V. is seen pinning Victoria Salazar's neck to the ground before she was handcuffed

A customer avoids Victoria Salazar while she was swinging an empty water container at a store in Tulum on Saturday

Her brother, Rene Olivares, told newspaper El Universal that the family was receiving assistance from the El Salvador Human Right's Prosecutor's Office to file a lawsuit against Mexico over her murder.

'Anyone who has lost a loved one can understand the pain felt and more so under the conditions that it happened to my sister,' Olivares said.

Attorney General Oscar Montes de Oca said Monday that the medical examiner's 'identified a fracture in the upper part of the spinal column produced by the rupture of the first and second vertebrae, which caused the loss of the victim's life.'

Montes de Oca added that the cops used excessive for in restraining Salazar.

'The police technique of body control applied and the level of force used was carried out in a disproportionate and moderate way and with a high risk to life since it was not in accordance with the resistance of the victim, which caused a deceleration with the rotation of the neck, thereby violating the provisions of the National Law on the use of force,' he said.

Salazar's fatal incident drew comparison to the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis in May 2020.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was apprehended for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill to make a purchase.

Derek Chauvin, who was one of the four law enforcement agents who responded to the call, was seen on video kneeling on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes. Chauvin's trial in the killing of Floyd is underway.
Two years since the government handed over the file containing all the requirements, the wait for the next steps towards having four of its genocide memorial sites listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites continues.

The four Genocide memorial sites are expected to be included on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, which officials say will, among other benefits, raise global awareness of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The sites are Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Gisozi, Nyamata Genocide Memorial site in Bugesera District, Murambi memorial centre in Nyamagabe District, and Bisesero Genocide memorial in Karongi District.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), Jean Damascene Bizimana, told The New Times on Tuesday that the government had handed over the file in February 2019 and is still waiting for feedback.

"You can't really say that UNESCO is delaying. We know that this process takes quite some time but the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic can also be blamed for some of these challenges," he said.

The sites are currently on the 'tentative list' of the natural, cultural and mixed world heritage sites.

In a previous interview with The New Times, Diogene Bideri, the legal advisor at CNLG, said that clearly demarcating the memorial sites' buffer zones and ensuring that development master plans do not tamper with the sites' maps is one of the recommendations from UNESCO.

Previously, the UN agency had raised concerns about the "validity" of Kigali and Bisesero Genocide memorial sites which were constructed after the Genocide, unlike Murambi and Nyamata whose pre-Genocide structures remain intact.

"The latter two sit on the same spots where atrocities were committed 24 years ago and their architecture embody harrowing tales about those places. We offered detailed explanations and we believe they were satisfied," he said.

Out of 1092 world heritage sites in the world, only 95 sites are in Africa.
One hundred fully vaccinated Washington state residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and a New York resident says she contracted the virus a month after receiving her second Moderna dose when she attended an indoor wake without a mask.

The Washington State Department of Health said they are investigating 102 cases of residents testing positive for COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated.

Officials say 'breakthrough cases' - as they refer to them - are expected with any vaccine but are rare.

The number of breakthrough cases in Washington represents just .01 percent of the state's 1 million vaccinations.

The majority of those in the state with confirmed vaccine breakthrough experienced only mild symptoms, if any, officials said.

However, eight breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and officials are investigating potential vaccine breakthrough cases in which two people died since February 1. Both of those patients who died were older than 80 and had underlying health issues, officials said.

Melanie Rosen, who works as a secretary in Long Island's Hewlett-Woodmere school district, told Pix11 she tested positive after receiving her second dose of the Moderna vaccine

'It is important to remember that every vaccine on the market right now prevents severe disease and death in most cases,' said Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah. 'People should still get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.'

It is not clear what vaccine those 102 people received.

Melanie Rosen, who works as a secretary at the Hewlett-Woodmere school district in Long Island, New York, told Pix11 she tested positive after receiving her second dose of the Moderna vaccine.

Rosen contracted the virus after attending the wake of her friend's father.

She was inside her friend's home for about 90 minutes without a mask with 10 of her friend's relatives.

The friend's family had come from various states and Rosen said she hugged each of them.

'There was probably at least 10 family members there,' Rosen said. 'I hung out for about an hour and a half without wearing a mask. I hugged each one.'

Rosen said she had assumed she could resume normal activities and not wear a mask after being fully vaccinated. Her vaccine record is pictured above

Shortly after the wake, Rosen said she developed COVID-19 symptoms, including a stuffy nose and aching muscles. She got tested after three others at the wake contracted the virus

'BREAKTHROUGH' COVID CASES AFTER VACCINATION ARE NORMAL Large clinical trials of vaccines made by Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna have shown all three are highly effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, severe illness and death from the virus. But none of the three claim to be perfect, although the protect virtually 100 percent of recipients from getting sick enough to be hospitalized or from dying of the disease. Johnson & Johnson's one-dose shot prevents about 66 percent of symptomatic illnesses. The two-shot vaccine made by Moderna reduced the risk of developing COVID-19 with symptoms by about 94 percent. And Pfizer's prevented 95 percent of symptomatic infections. That means that anywhere between five and 34 percent of symptomatic infections might slip through. But we still do not know how well the vaccines prevent people from catching coronavirus and not developing symptoms or spreading it to others. So far, cases of so-called 'breakthrough' coronavirus are rare and have not resulted in serious illness. And doctors say that breakthrough infections,' are neither common nor surprising. Advertisement

Shortly after the wake, Rosen said she developed COVID-19 symptoms, including a stuffy nose and aching muscles.

She got tested after being told that three of the family members had since tested positive.

'I was shocked,' Rosen said, of getting the vaccination and still getting COVID.

She said she only suffered a mild form of COVID-19 and believes the vaccine likely stopped her from becoming seriously ill.

Rosen said she had assumed she could resume normal activities and not wear a mask after being fully vaccinated.

'You can still get it; you can probably still spread it,' she said. 'I want people to know it's not over.'

The CDC has recommended that fully vaccinated people still take precautions in public places, like wearing a mask, staying six feet away from people and avoiding poorly ventilated spaces 'until we know more,' according to a statement last week.

The CDC has not released a total figure for the number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated.

Vaccine trials showed that the three vaccines approved in the US - Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson - prevent between 66 and 95 percent of symptomatic infections.

It is still not known in granular detail how well the vaccines prevent people from catching or spreading the virus.

The majority of Americans who are breakthrough cases have experienced only mild symptoms, if any, officials have said.

Studies done so far have shown that while a certain number of vaccinated people still can become infected, the vaccines protect nearly completely against critical illness or death.

In recent weeks, a handful of breakthrough cases have been reported in a number of states, including Hawaii, Washington, Florida and Oregon.
Maputo  The Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Augusta Maita, said on Wednesday that the closed season for surface water prawns should not be seen as a penalty, but a move intended to safeguard the importance of fishing resources for food security and nutrition as well as for earning foreign exchange from exports.

Maita, who was addressing the opening ceremony in Maputo of the fishing season for surface water prawns, said studies conducted by Mozambican and other scientists from across the world have warned about the worrying slowdown of the prawn harvest in several countries, because of a lack of sustainable management measures and non-compliance by fishermen of what measures there are.

"There are countries, even in our region, that no longer have the fishing resource, because they were unable to keep the right balance between fishing and profiting today and fishing and benefiting tomorrow and always," she said.

Throughout the closed season, which ran from November to March, fisheries inspections, the minister said, seized seven tonnes of prawn, Although the results are preliminary, this is a reduction compared with 2020 when the authorities confiscated 11 tonnes.

Maita claimed that the fall in the number of seizures is an unequivocal indication that the persuasive measures adopted towards fishing communities are producing the desired results of education and awareness.

Maita said that the target for fisheries production this year is 480,000 tonnes. She stressed that artisanal fishing will play a crucial role in meeting this target, despite the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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As the 2021 fishing season has been severely affected by the adverse impact of extreme events and the pandemic, the minister pointed out that the government has been compelled to adopt certain measures to alleviate the plight of fishermen.

The government has amended the decree on Fishing Rights and Licensing concerning the payment of licensing fees, which will be made in installments should there be extreme weather events, such as the cyclones recorded recently.

The government has also passed the Standard Statute for Community Fishing Councils (CCP) which will enhance the legitimacy and the activities of these local bodies.

Some representatives of fishing companies expressed concern at the meeting regarding the length of the closed season, because the prawns are migratory species.

Rodrigues Xavier, a representative of semi-industrial fishing, argued that the closed season should cease by the end of February, because after that month fishermen can hardly find any of the crustaceans.
Through a series of complex and arcane provisions, the Biden administration would essentially treat profits earned abroad more like those earned at home  raising rates and requiring that taxes be paid on time rather than pushed far into the future. It would also establish what would in effect be a minimum tax on foreign income.

The proposals hew closely to what Mr. Biden promised on the campaign trail, and the immediate reactions mostly fell along predictable lines. Republicans, business groups and conservative economists said they worried that the rate increases would discourage investment. Progressive groups and liberal economists hailed the announcement, saying it would fix some glaring loopholes.

Wall Street has been wary of possible tax increases since the presidential election and has hoped that gridlock in Washington would moderate Mr. Bidens agenda. On Wednesday, a spokesman for JPMorgan Chase said the banks chief executive, Jamie Dimon, believed that the corporate tax rate for companies in the U.S. has to be competitive globally, which it is now.

Supporters countered that the changes would do much more to promote growth and go a long way in curbing excesses of the 2017 tax legislation. Democrats have argued that the low-tax approach has failed to deliver broad economic gains, with only those at the very top benefiting. Targeted government spending on workers, students and infrastructure, they argue, would offer much more bang for the buck. Whats more, businesses base their decisions on a range of factors besides tax rates.

Even economists favoring low rates on business acknowledge that the 2017 tax cuts did not produce much of an increase in investment. Gross domestic product grew at a rate of 2.4 percent in the two years leading up to the law and 2.4 percent in the two years after it passed.

Theres essentially no evidence that the tax change boosted investment, said William Gale, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. He argued that investment went up in 2018 only because oil prices rose. And while the tax law favored investments in equipment and structures, it turned out that the biggest investments were not in those areas but in intellectual capital.
March 31, 2021





Odds are, you are far from the only lawyer in your town. This means that if a potential client were to go on to a search engine, such as Google (News - Alert) and search for a lawyer near me, they will be displayed a list of lawyers who practice in the area. SEO, or search engine optimization, is the practice of helping you to increase your rankings with search engines, so when people search for the type of law you practice in the area you practice, your name is displayed at or near the top of that list. Unfortunately though, a lot of research goes into determining how to improve your search engine ranking and what SEO techniques to use to improve that ranking. Here are five examples of SEO research that every lawyer should do or have done for them.







1. Searching Your Business

One of the first types of SEO research that you need to conduct when you are starting search engine optimization is to search your business online. One of the biggest mistakes that law firms make is searching their business utilizing their law firm name, such as Smith Law Firm in Los Angeles. If you search your own business name, you should be at the top of the rankings. However, people who are looking for the services you offer do not know you by name, and instead will be searching for things such as personal injury attorney in Los Angeles or divorce attorney Southern California. Use some of these search terms to see where your business ranks with popular search engines, such as Google or Bing. This helps to tell you where you rank and gives you a baseline that you can use to see growth.

2. Keyword Research

The next thing you want to do for strong SEO research for lawyers is to do keyword research. You want to find out what terms people in your area are using to find lawyers. You may think that people are searching for divorce lawyer, when in reality, more people in your area search for family law attorney. You want to do keyword research to find out what keywords are searched, so you know what keywords to target. You can target keywords in a number of ways, including on your website, on a blog or through pay-per-click keyword marketing techniques. Keyword research may also help you to see what keywords your competitors are targeting, so you can target some of the keywords they are not targeting and attract more clientele.

3. Content Driven SEO

After completing keyword research, you then want to incorporate those keywords into content driven SEO pieces. There are a number of ways to do this, including social media posts and blog posts. In addition to targeting the keywords that you have selected, you also want to ensure that you are creating content that potential readers will find valuable. You do not want to have pieces that are poorly written or do not add value and are simply there just to put up keywords. Think about questions or concerns that your clients may have and then put up blogs or social media posts or videos that answer some of these questions. Creating valuable and content driven pieces can help to boost your search engine position.

4. Structured or Individual Websites

One of the lesser-known ways to boost your search engine ranking is to structure your websites by location and practice type, or even create separate websites for different locations or practice types. Doing SEO research will help to tell you whether creating separate webpages on one larger website or creating individual websites is the better choice for you. For example, many law firms handle different types of law. Your law firm may handle criminal defense case and personal injury cases. You may want to create a separate criminal defense attorney website and a separate personal injury website to boost SEO for each type of law you handle. At the very least, if both are on the same website, you want to ensure they are on separate pages with different targeting keywords to boost rankings for both types of law that you handle.

5. Create Backlinks

The final type of SEO research that lawyers need to do is to research where and how to create backlinks. Backlinks are links that link to your website that are placed on different websites. There are different ways to create backlinks, including paying to post an advertisement or link on another website, guest posting on other websites, or even posting a link in the comments section of certain websites. Research where you can create backlinks without spamming and then create these links to help boost your search engine position.

SEO research and implementing SEO techniques is something that every law firm needs to do to help ensure that they appear at the top of search engine listings. Unfortunately, SEO is time-consuming, and it is something that you need to be educated on to help achieve the results you are looking to create. Outsourcing your SEO marketing to a company that knows what they are doing can help you to achieve the desired results in a timely manner, without taking away time from your firm or time with clients.
Hoffman Estates police officers responded to the 600-700 block of Salem Drive about 4:15 a.m. Sunday for a report of a home invasion, with the female victim reporting that an unknown man broke into her apartment and assaulted her, authorities said.
SAGINAW, MI - The Ascension Michigan health system is taking steps in its mid-Michigan facilities to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus by tightening its visitor restrictions.

Ascension St. Marys in Saginaw, Ascension St. Joseph in Tawas City and Ascension Standish Hospital are all now currently under a no visitors policy as of Wednesday, March 31, according to a press release from Ascension

While we understand the importance of having the support of loved ones during a hospital visit or stay, we must continue to prioritize the health and safety of our patients and caregivers during this unprecedented pandemic. We encourage support persons to use alternate methods of communication to stay in contact with loved ones, such as phone calls, video chats or texting, said a statement from Ascension.

The Saginaw, Tawas and Standish locations all were previously operating at what Ascension defined as a Tier III visitation level, which allowed one designated visitor per patient for the duration of the patients visit/admission.

Now all three facilities are under Tier IV, which is the cause for the no visitor policy. Ascension cited an increasing community positivity rate and a higher number of COVID-19 hospitalizations across Michigan in a press release as the reason for moving the three facilities to Tier IV as the hospital system prioritizes reducing the transmission risk within their sites of cares.

Under the change, the following exceptions for visitors are allowed:

One individual is allowed in the Emergency Department, Medical, Surgical, Inpatient Rehabilitation or Intensive Care units who has been appointed to make medical decisions for patients who have been deemed a legally incapacitated individual (guardian) or a support individual for patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care and safety of the patient

One support visitor is allowed in Labor and Delivery in addition to a midwife/doula

One visitor is allowed for outpatient surgery patients - the care team will determine where the visitor is allowed to wait

One visitor is allowed for outpatient radiology and lab if necessary for patient assistance

One parent/guardian is allowed for pediatric patients in the Emergency Department or any Pediatric Unit (including PICU, NICU, SCN)

One parent/guardian is allowed for pediatric surgery patients (21 years and younger)

One parent/guardian is allowed for pediatric patients at ambulatory care sites

Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis relative to the patients individual needs by the management in the patient care area, said Ascension, and these restrictions do not apply to end-of-life visitations. Religious visitations do not count towards any visitor limitations.

A visitor is defined by Ascension as one person for the duration of a patients episode of care. Visitors must be at least 18 years old and not in a high-risk health category such as older adults and those with underlying medical conditions. At this time, COVID-19 vaccination status does not impact visitation, said Ascension.

Visitor requirements for entry include:

All visitors are required to complete a screening.

Visitors must wear a hospital-issued mask (no cloth masks) and practice social distancing while in the patient room and any area of the facility. Should a visitor not have a mask, one will be provided.

All visitors must stay in the patient room or designated area, and limit visiting other areas in the hospital.

Visitors must sanitize their hands before and after the visit, and per hospital protocol.

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NEW HAVEN  The Board of Alders Finance Committee spoke to several department heads about their budgets for the fiscal year 2021, beginning a process that will culminate in the approval of an operating budget in May.

Mayor Justin Elicker took the unconventional step of proposing two versions of a $695.53 million budget this year  one that proposes several cuts to city services if the city were unable to raise about $53 million in additional revenue from the state and neighbors such as Yale University to cover a projected $66 million shortfall, and a second budget that is roughly status quo.

Here are 5 things residents are concerned about as members of the aldermanic Finance Committee dive in to the numbers:

Library

Members of the public testified to urge the alders to preserve or support library programs and initiatives.

In his crisis budget plan, Elicker proposed eliminating the Mitchell Library branch of the New Haven Free Public Library. Several public library advocates and Westville neighbors urged the alders not to let it happen.

The public library is a peerless gem, said Lauren Anderson, a member of the librarys board of directors.

Helen Bennett / Hearst Connecticut Media

Charles Asner, a client of Chapel Haven, the residential living facility for people with autism, said the library is a resource for literacy and learning as well as a community space.

People from Chapel Haven would lose access to a lot of things, he said.

Safe Streets

Several advocates from the New Haven Safe Streets Coalition requested that the alders invest in infrastructure upgrades that would make the city safer by de-emphasizing cars. Coalition member Rob Rocke said the 13 local traffic victims in 2020 had completely preventable deaths.

On top of that, Rocke said since 2017 there have been 437 total vehicle crashes resulting in serious injury or death in the city, with victims ranging from pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

These life-threatening incidents are completely preventable, he said.

Hearst Connecticut Media file

Climate

The committee also heard from several members of the public asking that they invest in a green jobs program as a continuation of the alders work in declaring a climate emergency and ending communitywide greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

We need action now, said student activist Kiana Flores.

Benjamin Parsons, a climate activist from Riverton, said the activists were asking for an investment of $1.1 million.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

Chief of Staff Sean Matteson said the city anticipates it will hire an environmental sustainability analyst and a director of equity and inclusion through grant funding this year. The Board of Alders in the last year has declared a climate emergency and recognized racism as a public health crisis.

This is something were programmatically and systematically trying to work through our government, he said.

Yale

Some residents who testified said Yale University, which is exempt from paying taxes on properties used for academic, medical or research purposes, must do more to increase its financial contribution to the city.

Its not OK to hoard millions and expect families like mine to pick up the tab, said Joelle Fishman.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

Manuel Camacho, youth president of the antiviolence group Ice The Beef, said it is frustrating for residents to work multiple jobs to support themselves while Yale isnt doing their share.

Last year when the alders reviewed the mayors budget, dozens of residents criticized Yale for operating an endowment worth more than $30 billion while city officials were reviewing a budget calling for an increase to the tax rate to support city services.

Yale, however, has noted, through spokeswoman Karen Peart, the The University maintains an open dialogue with the City of New Haven to work together on a wide variety of opportunities for economic development, educational programs like New Haven Promise, and Yales community investment program. Yale is the citys top employer, made a $13 million voluntary payment in fiscal year 2021 to the city, and, on average, pay about $5 million annually in property taxes, and pays about $5 million per year in permitting fees, according to Peart.

The property taxes the university pay on non-academic properties through its community investment program, makes Yale among the top three real estate taxpayers in New Haven, Peart said.

Corporation Counsel

Corporation Counsel Patricia King shared information about the organizational structure of her department, including three deputies.

Alder Adam Marchand, D-25, asked whether that was necessary for the citys legal department to function.

One might say if you have more money, why not have more front-line attorneys? he said.

King said the recent hiring of Michelle Duprey, who until Tuesday headed up the citys department of services for people with disabilities, as deputy corporation counsel, would be to the citys benefit as it looks to streamline issues around employment law.

We have the human resources department, labor relations, risk management, Duprey said. I think we need a more seamless structure throughout the city in managing employment matters.

Overall, King said the department has taken on more cases than it settled in the last year, largely because of the slowness of courts during the pandemic. She said the department currently has 450 pending cases, having taken on 126 cases in 2020 while settling 26. She said she hopes that will change this year as courts ideally would begin to reopen.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
A proposal to repeal Alabamas Habitual Felony Offender Act, which increases punishments for repeat offenders, won approval today in the House Judiciary Committee after a vehement debate between the sponsor and one of the other lawmakers.

The HFOA, passed in 1977, results in a longer range of sentences for repeat offenders. It has been cited as one of the causes of Alabamas overcrowded prison system.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, the sponsor of the bill, said the HFOA results in arbitrarily long sentences.

Englands bill would mean that the HFOA would not apply to new cases and would allow some inmates now in prison under enhanced sentences to petition courts for new sentences.

The committee had first considered Englands bill in February but sent it to a subcommittee for more work. Today, England praised his Republican colleagues for efforts to find areas of agreement on the bill.

But the positive tone of the debate didnt last.

Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, a former prosecutor in Baldwin and Mobile counties, noted that the subcommittee did not recommend approval of the bill. Simpson said he could support some changes to the HFOA but said Englands bill went too far.

Simpson said the legislation would undermine the ability of prosecutors and judges to punish criminals more for repeat offenses. Simpson gave hypothetical examples to illustrate his assertion.

England disputed that, saying there would still be options for repeat offenders to receive more serious punishments. He said Simpsons points were disingenuous.

Simpson was held to his points and began a fervent, detailed response to England. Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, objected to Simpsons tone.

This is absolutely ridiculous, Coleman said. It serves nobody well.

The committee chairman, Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, tried several times to steer England and Simpson away from what he thought was argument. Hill challenged a couple of points Simpson had made about sentences. Hill brought the debate to a close, calling for a vote.

The committee voted to approve the bill. Simpson and four other Republicans on the panel voted against it.

The bill moves to the House, which could consider it as early as next week. England noted that time is limited because the legislative session is past the halfway point. Thirteen meeting days remain.

Theres still some work to be done but there are some people who are listening who are willing to try to draw a compromise and to see if we can work something out, England said.

England said if the bill becomes law, those who could petition courts for new sentences include some serving life without parole sentences whose crimes never caused a physical injury to anyone.

We like to tell people all the time that this is about public safety, England said. But if were really about public safety, we would be reserving jail space for the people who are the worst of the worst and not arbitrarily sentencing people to ridiculously long sentences just because were angry.

The bill is one of a dozen or so bills to change sentencing laws and policies that come in response to Alabamas overcrowded, understaffed, and violent prison system.

Related: Bills could lead to shorter sentences for some Alabama offenders

Dillon Nettles, policy and advocacy director of the ACLU of Alabama, issued a statement in support of Englands bill.

With legislation repealing the Habitual Felony Offender Act advancing in the Legislature, we are hopeful that lawmakers are finally taking the prison crisis and DOJ lawsuit seriously, Nettles said. It is past time for them to pass bold and transformative legislation like HB107 that would address the problems that are created when we warehouse people for decades, and we urge the rest of the House to join their colleagues in voting for a real solution to this urgent crisis.

Related: How an effort to crack down on Alabama career criminals in 1977 helped cause this staggering spike
Judge Sarah E. Garrahan-Moulder, a retired jurist and litigator who was part of the team that prosecuted the assassin of a federal judge in San Antonio in the 1970s, has died.

Garrahan-Moulder, known for her signature red hair, Irish-green robe and the sounds of her Fiesta medals clinking through the halls of the Bexar County justice center every spring, died March 26 at 84.

Top hits: Get San Antonio Express-News stories sent directly to your inbox

A native of Stockdale who graduated as valedictorian of her high school, Garrahan-Moulder soon married and moved to San Antonio, where she raised three children and pursued a college education, becoming a member of the first graduating class of the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1977, relatives said.

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Garrahan-Moulder pursued and completed a law degree from St. Marys University, passed the Texas bar exam in 1981 and began work as an assistant U.S. attorney.

She soon became part of the team of federal prosecutors and husband-and-wife duo Ray and LeRoy Jahn that secured the 1982 conviction of Charles Harrelson for killing U.S. District Judge John H. Wood in 1979.

On ExpressNews.com: Jahn's 40-year career as U.S. attorney included high-profile cases

The federal courthouse in San Antonio was renamed for the judge after he was shot to death outside his apartment here in a contract killing ordered by Jimmy Chagra, who was awaiting trial before Wood on drug charges. Harrelson, the father of actor Woody Harrelson, drew two life sentences and died of a heart attack in his cell in 2007.

In 1986, Garrahan-Moulder was elected judge of Bexar County Court-at-Law No. 4. Courthouse observers say her personal popularity helped her keep that bench for nearly three decades until her retirement in 2014.

Judge Bert Richardson of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals fondly recalled meeting his mentor and friend when he was assigned to her court as a young misdemeanor prosecutor fresh out of law school.

Sometimes it was like having your nice grandmother on the bench, Richardson said. She was just very kind, so polite. It was a great way to start my career.

Roberta Barnes /San Antonio Express-News

Family members described Garrahan-Moulder as kind and generous, a pillar of strength and integrity. Courthouse observers called her one of the nicest jurists at the justice center.

She was always professional, yet friendly to everyone, no matter their party affilation or status in life, said Melissa Barlow Severtson, chief administrative attorney for the Bexar County District Attorneys Office.

For many years after her retirement, Garrahan-Moulder often sat as a visiting judge, Severtson recalled.

Judge Sid Harle, who presides over the Fourth Administrative Region and places visiting judges, said Garrahan-Moulder was a regular in jail court, but expressed an interest in stepping back a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

She decided she was ready to bow out, Harle said. She wanted to visit her daughter. She worked hard and was well-respected.

Garrahan-Moulder was preceded in death by her second husband, former Express-News reporter John Moulder, and a sister, Joyce Shaver.

She is survived by two daughters, Judye Garrahan Mobley and Valerie Kim Garrahan Pisano; a son, Donald Rick Garrahan; her first husband, Richard M. Garrahan; two sisters, Irene Gage, and Violet Glover; a brother, Norman Kallies; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Because of the coronvirus pandemic, the family has decided not to hold funeral services. Well-wishers are invited to share memories at porterloring.com, and donate to a charity of choice.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
FLINT, MI -- The Flint Community School District has been awarded a $170,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Educations 10 Cents a Meal for Michigans Kids & Farms program.

The grant is the single largest of those awarded in the 2020-2021 cycle, according to a news release from the program. The 10 Cents a Meal program has awarded grants to 149 schools across the entire state since the initial round of grantees were announced in December 2020, tallying more than 400,000 Michigan students who are affected.

Our families are at the heart of the district and we have seen first-hand the impact of healthy meals and nutritional foods, Flint schools Superintendent Anita Steward said. We will continue to focus on securing resources needed to ensure their success.

The grant will allow Flint Community Schools to have some flexibility in their meal options that they provide. The state-funded program helps bring local produce options into school cafeterias in Michigan.

Davison Community Schools, Genesee Intermediate School District, and YMCA of Greater Flint all received grants in the first round last year.

Schools and other early childhood settings are where many children get two and sometimes three meals per day, which is why 10 Cents a Meal strives to pair those meals with local growers, per the release.

Food is like medicine, with healthy nutrition as one of the most powerful ingredients for strong and successful children, said Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, associate professor of pediatrics at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and director of MSU-Hurley Childrens Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative. I am thrilled that with 10 Cents a Meal Michigan farmers will be feeding fresh food to our Flint school kids.

The new program was signed into law in October 2020 and has since gone from a $575,000 budget to a $2 million budget.

Read more on MLive:

UM-Flint, Kettering University intend to freeze tuition for 2021-22 academic year

Flint Promise scholarship program to host virtual informational meeting for families

After roadblocks with manufacturer, new filter selected for Flint schools filtration stations funded by Elon Musk
Florida Couple Plead Guilty to Employing Illegal Immigrants at Their Restaurants

A Florida couple have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to their employment of illegal immigrants at their restaurants, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Ji Lin Qiu, 44, and his wife, Gui Zhen Yang, 37, who both live in Palm Coast, are permanent U.S. residents who came from China.

They owned and ran two restaurants in Jacksonville and one restaurant in Palm Coast. The restaurants in Jacksonville are Red Bowl restaurant on Bartram Park Boulevard and the Red Bowl Poke & Hibachi restaurant on Crosshill Boulevard. The restaurant in Palm Coast is the Fancy Sushi & Grill restaurant on East Highway 100.

According to the Justice Department, court documents say that Qiu and Yang employed illegal immigrants who were not legally authorized to work in the United States. The couple did not require their workers to show documents showing they could legally work in the country, contrary to federal law.

The couple also provided rent-free housing to the illegal immigrants at three residences that they owned or rented, prosecutors allege. Each of the residences was near one of the restaurants. The workers were also provided with transportation between the residences and the restaurants.

The workers were allegedly paid in cash. Qiu and Yang didnt report the illegal immigrants to state revenue authorities as required under Florida law.

The couple were indicted on Sept. 14, 2020. Qiu has pleaded guilty to harboring undocumented aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Yang has pleaded guilty to establishing a commercial enterprise for the purpose of evading U.S. immigration laws. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

Qiu, as part of his plea agreement, is forfeiting a residence in Palm Coast, as well as three vehiclesa 2013 Toyota Sienna van, a 2019 Honda Odyssey van, and a 2020 Honda Odyssey van.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled as of Tuesday.
A special court here has sentenced a Pakistani LeT terrorist to 10 years' imprisonment for conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks at different places in India, including Delhi, after crossing over to Jammu and Kashmir following instructions from his handlers across the border, an official said on Wednesday.

Bahadur Ali, the Pakistani terrorist, was convicted by the special judge for cases in Patiala House Court on Friday under sections of the IPC, the UA(P) Act, the Arms Act, the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Foreigners Act and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act.

The court sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine.

The case, registered in July 2016, pertains to a larger conspiracy hatched by the LeT, a proscribed terrorist organisation based in Pakistan, to commit terror attacks in India, according to the official.

As part of the conspiracy, Ali along with his two associates, Abu Saad and Abu Darda, all trained terrorists of the LeT, had illegally infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to carry out terrorist attacks at different places in India, including Delhi, according to instructions by their LeT handlers based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the official said.

Ali was arrested from Kupwara and a large number of arms such as AK-47 rifle, Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), ammunition, hand grenades, UBGL shells, military map, wireless set, GPS, compass, Indian currency, Fake Indian Currency Notes were seized from him, he said.

During investigation, Ali revealed details about recruitment, various LeT training camps, training to terrorists for handling weapons, explosives and modus operandi for motivating newly-recruited cadres for Jihad and terror acts in India by LeT leaders and also the details of LeT launching pads in PoK, the NIA official said.

The NIA had filed a chargesheet against Ali in January, 2017.

Later, two other Pakistani LeT terrorists, Saad and Darda, were killed in an encounter in February 2017 in Kupwara.

During investigation, two associates/supporters of Ali, Zahoor Ahmad Peer and Nazir Ahmad Peer, both residents of Jammu and Kashmir, were also arrested, the NIA official said, adding that further trial in the case against other chargesheeted accused was underway.

(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 York Citys premier annual Jazz Age Lawn Party returns this summer and announces today that tickets are now on sale. Celebrating its 15th year, the Jazz Age Lawn Party has awoken the vibrations of a timeless zeitgeist. Originating as a small gathering of friends longing for the simpler charms of a bygone era, the event has evolved into an international destination, the worlds most beloved and longest running event of its kind. The vibrant optimism and inventiveness of Jazz Age culture and its living legacy continue to resonate with generation after generation.

Governors Island becomes the backdrop for this cultural phenomenon. This trip through time begins with a breezy ride aboard a ferry boat with breathtaking views of Manhattan and Lady Liberty en route to NYCs hidden gem, Governors Island. Once ashore, a sprawling green awaits, nestled under a canopy of century-old trees, caressed by fresh sea air, surrounded by historic architecturea dream where the clock stops, nestled right in the heart of New York Harbor.

Refreshing summer cocktails will feature APEROL SPRITZ, our signature cocktail, as well as Prohibition Distillery, makers of Bootlegger 21, the official gin and vodka of Jazz Age Lawn Party, crafted in Roscoe, NY. Ice cold Radeberger Pilsner and soft drinks will also be on hand. Widely anticipated by flappers, sporting gents and tiny tots alike, the event has been revered year after year by a wide array of families, locals, and tourists. Jazz Age Lawn Party is committed to hosting a fun and safe event with strict adherence to NYS COVID-19 protocols. This will include social distancing and wearing masks except when seated. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination certificate may also be required. An updated protocol list will be announced prior to the event.

Due to current COVID-19 capacity restrictions, the event is currently scheduled to operate at limited capacity. As such, tickets will be released in small batches, on a first come first serve basis. More tickets may be released as restrictions allow. Those who aren't able to reserve in the first round will be automatically placed on a waiting list, and will be the first to be able to purchase as more are released. Ticket holders from last year will be able to attend the festival with their unredeemed 2020 tickets, with no further action needed on their part.

As always, a delightful array of offerings abounds throughout the day, some of which are listed below. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.jazzagelawnparty2021.eventbrite.com. For more information on the festival, please visit http://jazzagelawnparty.com/.

PERFORMANCES, ACTIVITIES, & OFFERINGS

*MICHAEL ARENELLA AND HIS DREAMLAND ORCHESTRA is the worlds premier Jazz Age dance orchestra, specializing in the Hot-Jazz of the 1920s. Conductor, composer, musician, and crooner Michael Arenella presents a personally transcribed, one-of-a-kind songbook for your listening and dancing pleasure

*GELBER & MANNING BAND  feuding vaudevillian lovebirds quarrel, coo and make beautiful music together

*QUEEN ESTHER  paying tribute to jazz royalty of yore

*PETER MINTUN  worlds greatest piano man

*VINTAGE PORTRAITS  You Ought To Be In Pictures, perched upon one of our Paper Moons

*1920s MOTORCAR EXHIBITION get up close and personal with flivvers and Tin Lizzies

*Refreshing summer cocktails including APEROL SPRITZ - the signature cocktail of the Jazz Age Lawn Party and well as retro cocktails featuring PROHIBITION DISTILLERYs infamous Bootlegger 21 vodka and gin, as well as Q SODA.

*VINTAGE CLOTHING VENDORS AND ARTISANS  a veritable village of timeless treasures and inspired creations to take home

*DREAMLAND GENERAL STORE  for your comfort and convenience offers picnic blankets, parasols, hand fans, assorted sundries & more

*And more to be announced! The festival welcomes any brands and organizations interested in collaborations or sponsorships!

Facebook.com/JazzAgeLawnParty | Facebook.com/MADreamlandOrchestra Instagram: @theJazzAgeLawnParty | @MADreamland Twitter: @JazzAgeNYC #JALP2021 | @MADreamland

MEDIA CONTACT

Jennifer Laski

jl@meganwilsonpr.com

http://www.meganwilsonpr.com
The World Health Organization report on the origin of the pandemic has been published. Transmission from animal to human remains the most probable hypothesis. The WHO chief reveals that the Chinese have not provided all the data. US government: Beijing must guarantee full access to investigators.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - More investigations are needed to rule out that the Covid-19 pandemic has spread from a laboratory in Wuhan (Hubei), where the disease first appeared at the end of 2019.

World Health Organization (WHO) director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the move yesterday, presenting the results of the investigation conducted in China by a WHO investigative team, called to discover the origin of the coronavirus.

Tedros reiterated the preliminary findings of the group of experts in January: that the most probable hypothesis is that of the transmission of the disease from an "intermediate" species (a bat) to humans.

The WHO report states that it is very unlikely that the virus spread due to an accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. However, it adds that to dispel any doubt, a team of specialists need to deepen the study.

The WHO chief specified that all options remain on the table. He pointed out that the investigators did not have access to all the raw data. For the new investigations, Tedros asked Beijing to share the requested information in a more complete and timely manner.

The Chinese regime has always ruled out the "leak from the laboratory" theory. Chinese state media have advanced the hypothesis that Covid arrived in Wuhan through frozen food imported from abroad.

Analysts note the different tone used by Tedros towards the Chinese government. Since the outbreak of the pandemic between the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, the WHO has often been accused of covering up China, guilty according to many countries of having lied about the spread of the coronavirus.

Former US President S President Donald Trump termed Tedros a "puppet" in the hands of Beijing. He was accused of collusion with the Chinese authorities in lying and delaying the declaration on human-to-human transmissibility of the virus, on the declaration of world emergency, accepting that his experts did not go to Wuhan at the beginning of the pandemic.

In response to the WHO report, Washington and 13 other governments (including those of Australia, Japan, South Korea and Israel) expressed concern at the results presented. They are calling on China to grant full access to investigators. From the beginning, several observers questioned the effectiveness of the mission in Wuhan: the group of experts had to follow a program of visits established by the Chinese government, without having full access to the original data and without being able to communicate freely with each other and with reporters.
WINDHAM, Maine, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Online firearms sales in the United States are skyrocketing, and a new entrant to the firearms processing space, Blue Payment Agency, wants to ensure that licensed dealers are able to perform the essential background checks that make us all more safe.

BluePaymentAgency.com, an online credit card payment gateway company, wants to ensure that the federally licensed dealers that perform background checks are able to accept credit cards online.

According to Blue Payment Agency, they recently entered the firearms payments arena so that online dealers can serve not only the second-amendment community, but the country as a whole.

Without the ability to accept credit cards for online sales and the criminal background check that goes with it, Blue Payment Agency feared that the entire FFL to FFL transfer system could erode.

When a federal firearms licensee sells a gun on the internet, what happens next?

Blue Payment Agency's sales staff describes the need they fill this way. "When an internet customer purchases a gun online, their background is not checked at time of purchase. Why? Because the only way to safely sell a firearm is through a face-to-face transaction, with a check through National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) performed by a dealer with a federal firearms license (FFL)."

But, if the only way to sell a gun safely is face-to-face, and licensed online gun dealers do everything correctly, how are the background checks performed?

Blue payment agency described this hypothetical transaction.

"A buyer, let's say Mary from Texas, wants to purchase a small-caliber revolver for target practice and vermin control at her ranch. While she was growing up, she and her father always shot a Colt Diamondback 22LR. Mary searched online and found a 1967 Colt .22, with a blued finish and walnut grips for sale on GunBroker. The only problem? The dealer is 1,500 miles away, in Orange County California. How will the online FFL dealer get the gun to her, make sure it is delivered only to her, and also ensure that she passes a federal background check?

The answer lies in how firearms are sold online in the United States. When Mary makes her purchase, via credit card, she must then choose another federally licensed dealer near her to have her vintage Colt 22LR shipped to. She cannot choose to have it shipped to her home, her work, or anywhere else. It must be securely delivered to another FFL dealer, who must then perform the required checks on Mary, meet her face-to-face, and then only when she is cleared for purchase can the firearm be transferred to her control, in person.

This process takes place thousands of times each month across America, but there is one friction point that makes it difficult for many dealers trying to do things the right way. That friction point, or challenge, according to Blue Payment Agency, is the ability to accept payments for online firearms sales by credit card.

Online firearms dealers must deal with the misconception that guns are shipped to the buyer  like a plain vanilla e-commerce purchase. But, as outlined by Mary's story above, internet gun purchases are shipped to a federally licensed firearms dealer, who must then perform a federal background check on the buyer before transferring the firearm face-to-face. Online gun dealers are heavily regulated by the ATF and are known for their cautiousness and attention to detail.

Payment processors often do not care about this detail and generally consider legal, licensed online gun sales through FFL dealers to be a violation of their terms and conditions.

This is why, Blue Payment Agency of Windham, Maine is now working to assist FFL dealers so they can accept credit card payments online for these vital background checks and transfers.

Blue Payment Agency's website promotes fast, easy approvals for online firearms dealers and affordable gun merchant accounts that work with shopping carts like WooCommerce, Shopify, and Shift4Shop, along with niche platforms like AmmoReady and GunBroker.

Details on Blue Payment Agency's online credit card processing program for gun dealers can be found on their dedicated FFL page at https://bluepaymentagency.com/fast-affordable-firearms-credit-card-processing/

Media Contact:

Alex Roy

844-253-9769

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Payment Agency, Inc

Related Links

http://www.bluepaymentagency.com


China-donated Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Ethiopia

Xinhua) 09:20, March 31, 2021

Workers unload China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Ethiopia, at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 30, 2021. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

ADDIS ABABA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- A batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Ethiopia, arrived here on Tuesday.

The doses were received at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport by Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan, Ethiopia Minister of Health, Lia Tadesse and Birtukan Ayano, State Minister of Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"China is the first to provide Ethiopia with vaccine aid through the bilateral inter-governmental channel, which speaks volumes of the profound traditional friendship between the two countries," Zhao told reporters.

Zhao also disclosed the Chinese government has been donating vaccines to dozens of countries, as part of its solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.

"China has donated and is donating vaccines to 80 developing countries in urgent need, and has provided support under COVAX for emergency use of vaccines in developing countries," Zhao said.

COVAX, an international vaccine campaign co-led by the World Health Organization and its partners, aims to speed up the development, production and fair distribution of new COVID-19 vaccines.

Lia Tadesse, Ethiopia Minister of Health, commended the latest Chinese COVID-19 donation as a testament to the solid bilateral ties between the two countries.

"Since the onset of the pandemic in the past one year, the collaboration and partnership between these two countries has really been immense, and the support of both the government of China as well as organizations, private foundations and other organizations in China have been extending their support in the fight against the pandemic to Ethiopia," Tadesse told reporters.

"Several donations of supplies like Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), test kits, and medical equipments have been delivered. In addition, technical support and missions have been here to share experiences in how best to combat this challenging pandemic," she further said.

Tadesse also said the donation of Sinopharm vaccines will significantly contribute to Ethiopia's plan to vaccinate up to 20 percent of the east African country's population.

"Today's donation of these vaccines will have an immense contribution to this effort of the objective that we have in terms of inoculating at least up to 20 percent of the population within this year of 2021," she said.

China has been helping Ethiopia in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic since its outbreak in the African country last year.

China donated several batches of medical supplies to Ethiopia last year, and a Chinese team of medical experts has been sent to Ethiopia to support its fight against the pandemic.

Ethiopia has recorded 202,545 COVID-19 cases and 2,825 COVID-19 related deaths by Monday evening.

(Web editor: Wen Ying, Liang Jun)
Although Miley Cyrus was a teenager when she first joined this Disney Channel original series, there was one teenage character who was portrayed by someone in their late 20s (and early 30s as Hannah Montana progressed.)

Heres what we know about the actor behind Jackson Rod Stewart from Disney Channels Hannah Montana.

Disney Channels Hannah Montana episode titled Its My Party And Ill Lie If I Want To | DISNEY CHANNEL/BYRON COHEN

Who played Hannah Montanas brother, Jackson?

He loved cheese jerky and he hated working at Rios. Hannah Montana viewers met Miley Stewarts older brother, named Jackson Stewart, when the series premiered.

He appeared as a regular character for several seasons, going from a high school student to a high school graduate. This Hannah Montana character was portrayed by the actor Jason Earles. Hannah Montana debuted on Disney Channel in 2006.

According to Famous People, at the time Earles was a 29-year-old playing a 16-year old high school student. That made him over 10 years older than his character.

RELATED: Why The Suite Life of Zack and Cody Thanksgiving Episode Is Still Relevant (Yet Slightly Problematic) Today

How old was Jason Earles on Hannah Montana

This actor continued to be a regular on the sitcom until its end in 2010. However, hes open to doing more episodes, according to Teen Vogue and an interview with the Brown and Scoop radio show.

If Disney was like, Hey, lets do a brand new show, lets do four more years of this or Hey, were going to do a special six-episode Hannah Montana reunion, I would do any of that stuff because that place is like family to me, Earles said.

This actor also appeared in several Hannah Montana-related projects, including the Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana and Hannah Montana: The Movie. Both of which since made the switch to Disneys streaming platform.

RELATED: All the Times Thats So Raven Taught Valuable Lessons About Racism, Discrimination, Hazing, Fire Safety, and Body Image

Jackson Rod Stewart appeared in most episodes of Disney Channels Hannah Montana

Miley Stewart mightve been the talented sibling, but Jackson had a few moments of his own. He was the star employee at Ricos Surf Shop. He eventually dated a b-b-b-bikini model. He was also always there to offer his sister advice and a ride.

Of course, this series featured a few other well-known actors. Emily Osment, who portrayed Lily, acted in Disney Channels Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil and Jonas. Mileys father, Robbie Ray Stewart, was portrayed by Miley Cyrus actual father, Billy Ray Cyrus.

Miley Cyrus, who portrayed the title character, when on to appear in other television shows like Netflixs Black Mirror and RuPauls Drag Race. She also focused on her music career, releasing several award-winning singles and albums over her career.

Following his appearance on this sitcom, Earles made the switch to Disney XD, where he starred in the comedy series, Kickin It. There, he acted as the character, Rudy Gillespie, a karate master. To watch episodes of Hannah Montana featuring this actor, fans can head to Disneys streaming platform, Disney+.
COLUMBIA  Only health care workers in South Carolina could be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 under a bill advancing in the state Senate that otherwise bars employers from issuing ultimatums.

The bill that advanced March 31 to the Senate floor prohibits employers from firing, suspending or demoting workers who won't get a shot unless their job involves caring for or treating seniors or others with underlying medical problems.

"If they work around a vulnerable population, you can require vaccination," Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, said in explaining the compromise he helped craft.

"But if it's just an average employer that has no health-related business, you cant terminate somebody for not taking a vaccine," he added.

As initially proposed by Sen. Tom Corbin, R-Travelers Rest, the legislation stated no one "may be compelled" to get a COVID-19 vaccination, and no employer could punish a worker in any way for opting not to get one.

"Weve really tried to narrow it down from where it was," Hutto said, adding that the original version potentially had far-reaching consequences.

"If the seniors' Sunday school class wants to the take the church bus to Golden Corral and they say, 'Only people with vaccines can ride the bus,' that ought to be a decision they can make," he said.

The few voting "no" included Sen. Marlon Kimpson, who said he worried about the message it sends since passage could be seen as validating people's hesitation or refusal to get vaccinated.

"Let's not make a public policy statement that is inconsistent with the body of medical data we have concerning COVID," the Charleston Democrat said. "If we pass this legislation, it has the effect of doing more harm to the progress we've made as a state and nation."

Kimpson questioned whether it's even a problem.

While there is no state mandate, legislators have heard from workers who were told "'we want you to get the vaccine, and if you don't, we'll pursue adverse actions, whether suspension or demotion,'" Hutto said, adding he couldn't name specific companies. "It is a real potential threat to some people's jobs."

Sen. Kevin Johnson, D-Manning, said he worried businesses could be put in a tough spot with customers.

They "may have customers who say, 'If your employees aren't vaccinated, I won't do business with you,' " he said. "People are in business to make money, and if they can't require their employees to be vaccinated, employers are put between a rock and a hard place."

While that's impossible to address, Hutto said, the amended bill does make clear businesses are free to encourage their employees to get a shot and offer incentives to do so, such as time off on the day of their appointment.

The changes resulted in the state Chamber of Commerce removing its opposition to the measure.

Business advocates feared earlier language barring discrimination of workers who don't get shots could have inadvertently outlawed incentives to workers who do.

While the "vast majority of businesses in our state" are not considering a mandate, many could offer perks for getting a COVID-19 vaccine shot, including paid time off, said Swati Patel, interim chief executive of the state Chamber of Commerce.

"We know that the more our citizens get vaccinated, the quicker our economy will fully recover," she said.

The S.C. Hospital Association is not aware of any hospital requiring its employees to get vaccinated but applauds the compromise allowing it, said spokesman Schipp Ames.

"Hospitals have an important responsibility to create the safest possible environment for the patients and communities they serve," he said, adding that the amendment gives "hospitals the flexibility they need to protect patients and employees from COVID-19."

The vote comes a week after the House rejected proposals to ban public employers  including schools, colleges, agencies and local governments  from crafting any policy making COVID-19 vaccination a condition of employment or services.

Those proposals attempted unsuccessfully to insert the bans into the House's $10 billion state budget plan.

House Majority Leader Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill, helped defeat the idea, arguing the budget is no place for a ban that could ultimately endanger lives in health care facilities.

The vote by the Senate Medical Affairs Committee also came on the day eligibility for vaccines opened to everyone 16 and older in South Carolina.

Younger children can't get a shot yet because the vaccines weren't tested on them in the trials leading to their federal authorization. Of the three vaccines authorized so far, only the two-shot Pfizer brand can be given to 16- and 17-year-olds.

So far, about 17 percent of all eligible South Carolinians have completed the vaccination process, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Health officials have said a full return to normalcy will require at least 70 percent of adults getting vaccinated.

While supply remains limited, "soon in a matter of weeks we believe anyone and everyone who wants their shot will be able to get one" without waiting long, if at all, for an appointment, said Nick Davidson, DHEC's deputy public health director.

"We need to get many, many more people vaccinated," he told reporters March 31. "Please, please, please get yourself vaccinated."
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Northern Lights Resources Corp. ("Northern Lights" or the "Company") (CSE:NLR)(OTCQB:NLRCF) is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the US Bureau of Land Management (the "BLM") to commence drilling at the Secret Pass Gold Project ("Secret Pass" or the "Project") in Mohave County, Arizona

A total of 15 holes, for 2,300 metres, have been approved for drilling at 12 target prospects on the Secret Pass BLM mining claims. The BLM mining claims at Secret Pass have a total area of 656 hectares and account for the majority of the total license area, comprising of the northern section of the project license area as well as the FM zone in the southeast quadrant of the Project area (see Figure 1).

The permit to drill an additional 5 holes, for 1,150 metres, at the Tin Cup prospect on the State Exploration Permit area (212 hectares) is pending approval from the Arizona State Land Department (see Figure 1). The Company expects to receive the approval to drill the planned holes at Tin Cup in the coming weeks.

The targeted prospects have been identified by Northern Lights through a systematic exploration program over the past six months that has included an airborne magnetic survey, reinterpretation of historic Induced Polarization (IP) data, detailed mapping and the collection of over 400 stream and pan concentrate samples (final assays and interpretation pending).

CEO, Jason Bahnsen, commented "We are delighted to receive permits to commence drilling at the Secret Pass Gold Project. Preparation of drill access roads will begin immediately and our drilling contractor is planning to be on site by April 5th. Drilling will initially focus on the Fiery Squid and Tentacles prospects before where we see significant potential associated with numerous historic workings at each of the prospect sites."

Planned Phase 1 - Drill Program Secret Pass Gold Project

The Phase 1 drill program will focus on two previously unexplored prospects at Fiery Squid and The Tentacles and the historic mine area at Tin Cup. (see Table 1)

Fiery Squid and The Tentacles Prospects

The initial drilling will focus on the Fiery Squid and The Tentacles prospects. Two holes are planned at the Fiery Squid prospect and one hole at the Tentacles prospect. Both prospects have extensive historic underground workings including timber-lined shafts and several adits. A historic grab sample from the dumps adjacent to the shaft at Fiery Squid assayed 6 g/t Au.

The Fiery Squid and Tentacles prospects are located within a zone of intense sericite-quartz-FeOx alteration which trends northwest and covers an area approximately of 1000 x 500 meters. The alteration is associated with a swarm of rhyolite dykes that have intruded older andesite volcanics.

The planned holes range in length from 100 to 150 metres and are designed as initial reconnaissance holes to test mineralization associated with the historic workings.

Tin Cup

Historic drilling at Tin Cup identified a mineralized zone with a strike length of approximately 245 metres and has been drill tested to a depth of only 180 metres. Based on historic drilling, high-grade mineralization is localized in 3.0 to 7.6 metres wide, steep westerly-dipping structures that occur within a much wider mineralized fault zone that ranges from 30 to 45 metres in width. Historic drill assays from Tin Cup ranged up to 7.6 to 40.4 grams per tonne gold over mineralized widths of 1.5 to 32 metres. See the Northern Lights press release of October 26, 2020, for further details). The mineralization has a northwest plunge and is open at depth.

The five holes at Tin Cup (1,150 metres) are planned to confirm high-grade mineralization from historic drilling to test the down plunge extension of the mineralization and to test the system to a depth of approximately 350 metres below the surface. Permits to commence drilling of the Tin Cup holes are pending approval of the Arizona State Land Department.

Table 1 - Secret Pass Phase 1 Drill Program

Under the permits granted by the BLM, Northern Lights has the flexibility to drill any of the 22 permitted holes and can maintain a progressive rehabilitation program with up to 350 metres of drill holes remaining open at any time during the permit period. The BLM permits are valid for 2 years and can be renewed for a subsequent 2 years with written approval.

Subject to the final assay results and interpretation of the approximately 400 stream sediment and pan concentrate samples that were collected by the Company in Q4 2020, Northern Lights may modify the planned Phase 1 drill plan to include additional prospects on the BLM mining claims.

Figure 1 -Secret Pass Project Drill Hole Locations

View Larger image Here

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Gary Artmont (Fellow Member AUSIMM #312718), Head of Geology and qualified person to Northern Lights Resources, who is responsible for ensuring that the geologic information provided in this news release is accurate and who acts as a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

For further information, please contact:

Albert Timcke, Executive Chairman and President

Email: rtimcke@northernlightsresources.com

Tel: +1 604 608 6163

Jason Bahnsen, Chief Executive Officer

Email: Jason@northernlightsresources.com

Tel: +1 604 608 6163

Shawn Balaghi, Investor Relations

Email: shawn@northernlightsresources.com

Tel: +1 604 773 0242

About Northern Lights Resources Corp.

Northern Lights Resources Corp is a growth-oriented exploration and development company that is advancing two projects: The 100% owned, Secret Pass Gold Project located in Arizona; and the Medicine Springs silver-zinc-lead Project located in Elko County Nevada where Northern Lights, in joint venture with Reyna Silver are earning 100% ownership.

Northern Lights Resources trades under the ticker of "NLR" on the CSE. This and other Northern Lights Resources news releases can be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.northernlightsresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the terms and conditions of the proposed private placement; use of funds; the business and operations of the Company after the proposed closing of the Offering. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the uncertainties surrounding the mineral exploration industry. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Northern Lights Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638349/Northern-Lights-Received-Permit-to-Drill-at-Secret-Pass-Gold-Project-in-Arizona
Vancouver, BC, March 30, 2021 /CNW/ - Beyond Medical Technologies Inc. ("Beyond Medical" or the "Company") (CSE: DOCT) (Frankfurt: 7FM4) is pleased to provide the following corporate update regarding its wholly-owned subsidiary Micron Technologies Inc. ("Micron Technologies").

Taking Healthcare Beyond Traditional Platforms (CNW Group/Beyond Medical Technologies Inc.)

Products Now Available at Walmart

Micron Technologies' three-ply medical grade face masks and N95 medical grade face masks have been approved for sale by Walmart. Micron Technologies has completed the onboarding process and its products will be available at www.walmart.com by the beginning of April 2021.

Kal Malhi, CEO of Beyond Medical states: "We are pleased to offer our products to loyal Walmart customers at competitive prices. The availability of our product with one of the largest retailers in the world will bring significant exposure to our made-in-Canada medical face mask brand. Our recently completed capital raise will allow us to ramp up manufacturing to meet new demand from Walmart customers."

In addition to Walmart, Micron Technologies' products are also available on Amazon and Shopify. Institutional customers and those who are interested in obtaining a quote for large size orders are encouraged to contact Milan@micronti.com.

Three-Ply Medical Grade Face Masks

Micron Technologies has been manufacturing and selling three-ply medical grade face masks since August 2020. The masks are available in the colour blue and black. The majority of Micron Technologies' sales have been to provincial governments; however, sales are also being completed online to various other customers. Micron Technologies is considering acquiring additional manufacturing equipment and hiring more personnel as it is currently operating at full capacity and continues to sell out of inventory.

N95 Face Masks

In addition to the three-ply medical grade face masks, Micron Technologies is also manufacturing N95 Model 8800 face masks. Micron Technologies' N95 Model 8800 face masks have been approved by Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, the N95 Model 8800 face masks have passed testing with Kinetrics Analytical and Environmental Laboratories. Accordingly, Micron Technologies is confident that its N95 Model 8800 face masks will obtain medical-grade certification from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the coming weeks. There are currently a limited number of NIOSH approved medical face mask manufacturers and the demand for these masks in outpacing supply.

Story continues

On February 2,2012, Washington Post reported on N95 masks: "The initial shortage has eased, but there still aren't enough medical masks for health-care workers, let alone others. Demand for N95s is 500 to 1,000 percent higher than it was a year ago, said Megan Ranney, co-founder of Get Us PPE, which helps front-line workers obtain personal protective equipment."

Last month President Biden's chief medical advisor for Covid-19, Dr. Anthony Fauci, indicated that Americans may still be wearing masks in 2023, as mask-wearing has been critical in slowing down the spread Covid-19. N95 masks are the gold standard of personal protective equipment, particularly among healthcare professionals as they provide the highest level of protection for the user and those in close proximity. Beyond Medical hopes to have its N95 Model 8800 face masks certified as soon as possible in an effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

About Beyond Medical

Beyond Medical is an industrial/technology company with a manufacturing facility located in Delta, BC. The Company is developing its Organivore and Pharmavore waste digesters using its proprietary technology. The Company, through its subsidiary Micron Technologies, is also manufacturing medical grade face masks.

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its products have the ability to eliminate, cure or contain COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Beyond Medical Technologies Inc.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2021/30/c9088.html
Baby tortoises rescued at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island, Galapagos The young tortoises were found in dreadful condition and appear to be extremely underweight. We are in the process of collecting important data, including size and weight, for each tortoise to better assess its health condition.

On the afternoon of Sunday, March 28, Galapagos National Park staff discovered 185 Critically Endangered tortoise hatchlings inside a suitcase bound for mainland Ecuador during a routine luggage inspection at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island. The tortoises were individually wrapped in plastic to limit their movement and subsequent detection, and at least 10 of the tortoises had died in the suitcase when they were discovered. Most of the young tortoises are estimated to be between 1-6 months of age, with some appearing to be newly hatched.

Galapagos Conservancys Director of Conservation, Wacho Tapia, believes that the tortoises were removed from tortoise nests on Santa Cruz Island. The young tortoises were found in dreadful condition and appear to be extremely underweight. We are in the process of collecting important data, including size and weight, for each tortoise to better assess its health condition, said Tapia in a statement.

The surviving tortoise hatchlings have been placed in secure pens at the Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Center on Santa Cruz Island that is managed by the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) and Galapagos Conservancy, where they will be cared for under the close supervision of Park veterinarians and guardians.

Dr. James Gibbs, Vice President of Science and Conservation at Galapagos Conservancy, noted that the Galapagos National Park and Ecuadorian authorities have been working diligently to prevent the illegal trafficking of Critically Endangered giant tortoises. While the pandemic has exacerbated the challenges, we congratulate Park staff for discovering the 185 hatchlings. Galapagos Conservancy scientists have inspected the hatchlings and are assisting in the care of the surviving babies, along with the Park team.

Galapagos Conservancy, which has been supporting the Park for more than three decades, is working closely with authorities to devise strategic tactics to increase security and monitoring efforts around the natural tortoise nesting sites across Galapagos  to prevent further trafficking attempts.

For the past 35 years, Galapagos Conservancy has helped protect the unique biodiversity and ecosystems of Galapagos by supporting research, conservation, outreach, and building a sustainable society. Galapagos Conservancy is the only US-based organization focused on protecting the Galapagos archipelago. The Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative is a collaborative effort of Galapagos Conservancy, Inc. and the Galapagos National Park Directorate.
President Joe Biden speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 30, 2021. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

Psaki Says Biden Administration to Work With Republicans on Infrastructure Bill as Democrats Mull Reconciliation

The White House plans on working with congressional Republicans on its $2 trillion infrastructure proposal, in contrast to the partisan COVID-19 relief bill, press secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday.

The key thing here is that the president feels its important to propose how we would pay for this, so thats what hes going to do in his plan, but were also welcoming ideas, Psaki said. If Republicans have ideas, other Democrats have ideas on different ways to pay for this package, on different ways to achieve the goals, were very open to that. So I think that will be a part of the process as well.

Biden met with GOP members of Congress earlier this year as lawmakers worked on his relief plan but ultimately rejected virtually all of their proposed amendments. In return, zero Republicans supported the bill.

Democrats were only able to pass the relief package by using budget reconciliation, a process that enables them to pass legislation in the Senate with 50 votes instead of 60. The Senate currently has 50 Democrats or nominal independents who caucus with the party, in addition to 50 Republicans.

Vice President Kamala Harris can cast tiebreaking votes in her role as president of the upper chamber.

Biden was set on Wednesday to unveil a $2 trillion infrastructure plan.

The details of the proposal quickly drew criticism from top Republicans.

Lets be clear: Bidens radical $2 trillion infrastructure bill is just the Green New Deal under a new name, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) said in a tweet, adding that it would raise taxes, increase debt, and have the effect of killing energy jobs.

Congressional Democrats have signaled theyre open to using reconciliation to jam the bill through again without Republican support, and GOP members have expressed concern about being frozen out of negotiations.

An Amtrak train departs 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 31, 2021. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo)

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the Senate GOP whip, told reporters in Washington last week that the administration should sit down with Republicans.

If they want to sit down with Republicans which they should, the Republicans would work with them on an infrastructure package. Weve made that abundantly clear, he said.

Psaki said the COVID-19 relief bill was different because it was addressing an emergency that were still fighting our way through.

This is a big jobs bill but we have a little bit more time to negotiate, to have discussions, to hear if people have better ideas on either the proposals or how to pay for it, she said.

Administration officials have already reached out to the chairs and ranking members of various committees in Congress and Biden will have lawmakers to the White House to discuss infrastructure, she added.

Psaki was speaking on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

The proposal includes a corporate tax increase to 28 percent. Former President Donald Trump brought the level down to 21 percent while in office. It would also prevent U.S. corporations from claiming tax havens as their residency and eliminate a rule that lets American companies pay zero taxes on a portion of foreign investments.

Another major proposal will be unveiled in several weeks, White House officials said. That will feature investments in childcare, healthcare, and women who have left the workforce. It will also include further changes to the tax code.
Chennai, March 31 : Global conversational AI-based software firm Uniphore on Wednesday said it has raised $140 million (approximately Rs 1,024 crore) in Series D funding, bringing the total funds invested in the company to $210 million.

This latest round of financing was led by Sorenson Capital Partners, said Uniphore which was incubated in 2008 in Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras).

It includes additional new investors from Europe and the Middle East, Serena Capital and Sanabil Investments, and strategic investor, Cisco Investments.

Further expanding their previous investments in Uniphore, March Capital Partners, National Grid Partners, Chiratae Ventures, Iron Pillar Fund, and Sistema Capital also participated in the Series D offering, Uniphore said.

The company said that the funding will be used to extend Uniphore's technology and market leadership in AI, Automation and Machine Learning across the enterprise.

This will also include a focus on video-based AI applications stemming from Uniphore's acquisition of Emotion Research Labs earlier this year as well as applications in Trust, Security and RPA (robotic process automation) markets.

The company also announced the appointment of Rob Rueckert, Managing Partner at Sorenson Capital Partners, to the Uniphore Board of Directors.

"Given the rapid digital transformation happening across the enterprise, the need for automated and intelligent solutions to help drive new business models has never been greater," Umesh Sachdev, CEO and Co-founder of Uniphore, said in a statement.

"This injection of capital and new addition to our board leadership will fuel our growth, position us to outpace the competition and help transform business through dramatically improved customer experiences." Uniphore opened a new headquarters in Palo Alto, California, in 2019.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 16:20:37|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, March 30 (Xinhua) -- More witnesses have taken the stand as the murder trial for former police officer Derek Chauvin charged with killing George Floyd ended on Tuesday, giving emotional testimony reflecting the country's trauma over the death of the African American in Minneapolis, Minnesota, about ten months ago.

"He (Chauvin) just pretty much killed this guy that wasn't resisting arrest," prosecution witness Donald Williams was heard as saying in a 911 call played in court on Tuesday.

Williams told the court that he made the call because he believed he had "witnessed a murder" since Chauvin had Floyd in a "blood choke," a chokehold that cuts off the blood supply from the brain by placing pressure on either or both sides of a person's neck where the carotid arteries are located.

Chauvin's attorney, Eric Nelson, argued on Tuesday that Williams, who is a 33-year-old mixed martial arts fighter, did not have enough medical or police training experience to analyze Floyd's cause of death.

The full video of Floyd's arrest was played by prosecutors in opening statements on Monday, showing that Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for about 9 minutes and 30 seconds, instead of the widely reported 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Floyd could be heard pleading with Chauvin multiple times, saying that he couldn't breathe.

"You can believe your eyes, that it's homicide -- it's murder," said prosecuting attorney Jerry Blackwell, noting Chauvin's knee remained on the neck even after Floyd lost consciousness. Floyd, 46, was pronounced dead later on the day.

Genevieve Hansen, a 27-year-old city firefighter and emergency medical technician, wiped tears from her eyes as she recalled witnessing Floyd's arrest. She said she had urged police officers to take Floyd's pulse and also called 911 at the time.

"I was concerned to see a handcuffed man who was not moving with officers with their whole body weight on his back and a crowd that was stressed out," Hansen said.

Among people who had testified as of Tuesday, four were younger than 18 on May 25, 2020, the day of Floyd's arrest and death, said a New York Times report.

Darnella Frazier, the teenager who recorded the infamous video igniting nationwide outcry for racial justice, said she ultimately believed the former city police officer was at fault for Floyd's death.

"It's been nights I stayed up apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and not saving his life," said Frazier, noting the incident had changed her life by making her filled with grief and anger.

Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The duration Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd and the concrete causes of the black man's death were widely thought to be among the major cruxes of the trial.

While the defense may argue that use of force was necessary, prosecutors will try to convince the jury that the amount of time was unreasonable and unlawful, according to local media reports. At least three bystanders called 911 on the scene.

Outside the courthouse, high school English teacher Kaia Hirt, 48, sat wrapped in blankets and heavy chains locked to the security fence surrounding the building, quietly calling for racial justice. She told USA Today on Tuesday afternoon that she has been locked to the fence in protest for almost 24 hours, with a few breaks.

Currently, a record number of Americans are worried about race relations, according to a Gallup poll released on Friday.

As many as 48 percent of respondents said they worried a great deal about U.S. race relations, up 17 points from that of last year, the poll found, attributing the hike to last year's protests and riots in the wake of Floyd's death in police custody.

Twenty-five percent of Americans said they worried a "fair amount about race relations," while 16 percent said they worried only a little. Only 11 percent said they didn't worry at all, according to the poll.

The ongoing trial "will be a referendum on how far America has come on its quest for equality and justice for all," civil rights attorney Ben Crump said on Monday.

The landmark trial, which is attracting nationwide and international attention, was expected to last up to a month. Enditem
Three men are being questioned about being members of a criminal organisation in relation to a bizarre crime in which two bungling criminals were left with no money after all they got from a well-planned cash-in-transit robbery was a bag of bird seed.

The peculiar incident unfolded in Annacotty, Co Limerick, on the afternoon of January 15 last when one of the masked thugs brutally assaulted a security employee with an implement, threatened him and grabbed a large bag from the worker.

The raiders escaped in a car which was later found burnt out, but it then emerged that the bag contained no cash and was full of bird seed.

The security employee had bought the bag of bird seed in a local discount store just before this raid happened, a senior source said.

There can be no doubt that the raiders must have thought it was a bag of cash but there was no money in it at all.

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All the indications are that this was a very well planned robbery and that the raiders had the cash van under surveillance and a detailed plan to burn out the car after the robbery but their efforts have come to nothing, the source added.

The botched raid has been the subject of a major investigation by gardai based at Henry Street Garda Station who have trawled through CCTV from the locality and made a public appeal for information.

This led to the arrests this morning of the three suspects.

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Detective Gardai from Henry Street have arrested three men in relation to a robbery and assault incident that took place at a retail premises in Annacotty, Co. Limerick on January 15, 2021, a garda spokesman said in a statement.

During the incident a cash-in-transit employee was assault and threatened to hand over a bag he was carrying, which he did.

An arrest operation took place in Co. Limerick today, March 31 and three men, two in their 40s and one in his 30s, were arrested.

They are currently detained at Henry Street and Roxboro Road Garda Stations under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, he added.
Ten local businesses will host a Community Easter Egg Hunt Drive-Thru event on Friday.

Starting at 2 p.m., business staff at the following locations will stand outside disbursing goodies while supplies last. Participating businesses include: Prairie House, 1301 Mesa Drive; BeeHive Homes, 1435 Lometa Drive; Area Community Hospice, 4300 Olton Road; Westridge Manor, 4304 W. 2nd St.; Santa Fe, 3404 SW 5th St.; Texas Home Health, 510 Ash St.; Interim Home Health, 113 W. 8th St.; Lemons Funeral Home, 206 W. 8th St.; Calvert Home Health, 2101 W. 24th St.; Caprock Home Health, 201 W. 4th St.
Yves here. As this post explains, Bidens response to the US having destabilized governments in Central America, producing migration to the Mexican border, is to bribe those governments to do a better job of barring departures. US aid is primarily to strengthen domestic police and security forces. rather than improve economic conditions and thus reduce some incentives to leave.

By Aviva Chomsky. Originally published at TomDispatch

Joe Biden entered the White House with some inspiring yet contradictory positions on immigration and Central America. He promised to reverse Donald Trumps draconian anti-immigrant policies while, through his Plan to Build Security and Prosperity in Partnership with the People of Central America, restoring U.S. leadership in the region that he claimed Trump had abandoned. For Central Americans, though, such leadership has an ominous ring.

Although the second half of his plans name does, in fact, echo that of left-wing, grassroots organizations like the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), its content highlights a version of security and prosperity in that region thats more Cold War-like than CISPES-like. Instead of solidarity (or even partnership) with Central America, Bidens plan actually promotes an old economic development model that has long benefited U.S. corporations. It also aims to impose a distinctly militarized version of security on the people of that region. In addition, it focuses on enlisting Central American governments and, in particular, their militaries to contain migration through the use of repression.

Linking Immigration and Foreign Policy

The clearest statement of the presidents Central America goals appears in his U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, sent to Congress on January 20th. That proposal offers a sweeping set of changes aimed at eliminating President Trumps racist exclusions, restoring rights to asylum, and opening a path to legal status and citizenship for the immigrant population. After the anti-immigrant barrage of the last four years, that proposal seems worth celebrating. It follows in the footsteps of previous bipartisan comprehensive compromises like the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act and a failed 2013 immigration bill, both of which included a path to citizenship for many undocumented people, while dedicating significant resources to border security.

Read closely, a significant portion of Bidens immigration proposal focuses on the premise that addressing the root causes of Central Americas problems will reduce the flow of immigrants to the U.S. border. In its own words, the Biden plan promises to promote the rule of law, security, and economic development in Central America in order to address the key factors contributing to emigration. Buried in its fuzzy language, however, are long-standing bipartisan Washington goals that should sound familiar to those who have been paying attention in these years.

Their essence: that millions of dollars in aid money should be poured into upgrading local military and police forces in order to protect an economic model based on private investment and the export of profits. Above all, the privileges of foreign investors must not be threatened. As it happens, this is the very model that Washington has imposed on the countries of Central America over the past century, one thats left its lands corrupt, violent, and impoverished, and so continued to uproot Central Americans and send them fleeing toward the United States.

Crucial to Bidens plan, as to those of his predecessors, is another key element: to coerce Mexico and Guatemala into serving as proxies for the wall only partially built along the southern border of the U.S. and proudly promoted by presidents from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump.

While the economic model lurking behind Bidens plan may be old indeed, the attempt to outsource U.S. immigration enforcement to Mexican and Central American military and police forces has proven to be a distinctly twenty-first-century twist on border policy.

Outsourcing the Border (from Bush to Biden)

The idea that immigration policy could be outsourced began long before Donald Trump notoriously threatened, in mid-2019, to impose tariffs on Mexican goods to pressure that countrys new president into agreeing to his demand to collaborate with Washingtons anti-immigrant agenda. That included, of course, Trumps controversial remain in Mexico policy that has continued to strand tens of thousands of asylum-seekers there.

Meanwhile, for almost two decades the United States has been bullying (and funding) military and police forces to its south to enforce its immigration priorities, effectively turning other countries borders into extensions of the U.S. one. In the process, Mexicos forces have regularly been deployed on that countrys southern border, and Guatemalas on its border with Honduras, all to violently enforce Washingtons immigration policies.

Such outsourcing was, in part, a response to the successes of the immigrant rights movement in this country. U.S. leaders hoped to evade legal scrutiny and protest at home by making Mexico and Central America implement the uglier aspects of their policies.

It all began with the Merida Initiative in 2007, a George W. Bush-initiated plan that would direct billions of dollars to military equipment, aid, and infrastructure in Mexico (with smaller amounts going to Central America). One of its four pillars was the creation of a 21st century border by pushing Mexico to militarize its southern border. By 2013, Washington had funded 12 new military bases along that border with Guatemala and a 100-mile security cordon north of it.

In response to what was seen as a child-migrant crisis in the summer of 2014 (sound familiar?), President Barack Obama further pressured Mexico to initiate a new Southern Border Program. Since then, tens of millions of dollars a year have gone toward the militarization of that border and Mexico was soon detaining tens of thousands of migrants monthly. Not surprisingly, deportations and human-rights violations against Central American migrants shot up dramatically there. Our border today in effect is Mexicos border with Honduras and Guatemala, exulted Obamas former border czar Alan Bersin in 2019. A local activist was less sanguine, protesting that the program turned the border region into a war zone.

President Trump blustered and bullied Mexico and various Central American countries far more openly than the previous two presidents while taking such policies to new levels. Under his orders, Mexico formed a new, militarized National Guard and deployed 12,000 of its members to the Guatemalan border, even as funding from Washington helped create high-technology infrastructure along Mexicos southern border, rivaling that on the U.S. border.

Trump called for reducing aid to Central America. Yet under his watch, most of the $3.6 billion appropriated by Congress continued to flow there, about half of it aimed at strengthening local military and police units. Trump did, however, temporarily withhold civilian aid funds to coerce Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador into signing safe third country agreements that would allow the United States to deport people with valid asylum claims to those very countries.

Trump also demanded that Guatemala increase security along its southern border to stem the flow of irregular migration and deploy officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to advise and mentor host nation police, border security, immigration, and customs counterparts. Once the Central American countries conceded to Trumps demands, aid was restored.

This February, President Biden suspended those safe third country agreements, but is clearly otherwise ready to continue to outsource border enforcement to Mexico and Central America.

The Other Side of Militarization: Economic Development

As Democratic and Republican administrations alike outsourced a militarized response to immigration, they also sought to sell their agendas with promises of economic-development aid to Central America. However, they consistently promoted the very kind of assistance that historically brought violence and poverty to the region  and so led directly to todays migrant crisis.

The model Washington continues to promote is based on the idea that, if Central American governments can woo foreign investors with improved infrastructure, tax breaks, and weak environmental and labor laws, the free market will deliver the investment, jobs, and economic growth that (in theory) will keep people from wanting to migrate in the first place. Over and over again in Central Americas tormented history, however, exactly the opposite has happened. Foreign investment flowed in, eager to take advantage of the regions fertile lands, natural resources, and cheap labor. This form of development  whether in support of banana and coffee plantations in the nineteenth century or sugar, cotton, and cattle operations after World War II  brought Central America to its revolutions of the 1980s and its north-bound mass migration of today.

As a model, it relies on militarized governments to dispossess peasant farmers, freeing the land for foreign investors. Similarly, force and terror are brought to bear to maintain a cheap and powerless working class, allowing investors to pay little and reap fantastic profits. Such operations, in turn, have brought deforestation to the countryside, while their cheap exports to the United States and elsewhere have helped foster the high-consumption lifestyles that have only accelerated climate change  bringing ever fiercer weather, including the rising sea levels, more intense storms, droughts, and floods that have further undermined the livelihoods of the Central American poor.

Starting in the 1970s, many of those poor workers and peasants pushed for land reform and investment in basic rights like food, health, and education instead of simply further enriching foreign and local elites. When peaceful protest was met with violence, revolution followed, although only in Nicaragua did it triumph.

Washington spent the 1980s attempting to crush Nicaraguas successful revolution and the revolutionary movements against the right-wing military governments of El Salvador and Guatemala. The peace treaties of the 1990s ended the armed conflicts, but never addressed the fundamental social and economic divides that underlay them. In fact, the end of those conflicts only opened the regional floodgates for massive new foreign investment and export booms. These involved, among other things, the spread of maquiladora export-processing plants and the growing of new export-oriented non-traditional fruits and vegetables, as well as a boom in extractive industries like gold, nickel, and petroleum, not to speak of the creation of new infrastructure for mass tourism.

In the 1980s, refugees first began fleeing north, especially from El Salvador and Guatemala, then riven by war, repression, and the violence of local paramilitary and death squads. The veneer of peace in the 1990s in no way brought an end to poverty, repression, and violence. Both public and private armed forces provided security  but only to elites and the new urban and rural megaprojects they sponsored.

If a government did threaten investors profits in any way, as when El Salvador declared a moratorium on mining licenses, the U.S.-sponsored Central America Free Trade Agreement enabled foreign corporations to sue and force it to submit to binding arbitration by a World Bank body. In the Obama years, when the elected, reformist president of Honduras tried to enact labor and environmental improvements, Washington gave the nod to a coup there and celebrated when the new president proudly declared the country open for business with a package of laws favoring foreign investors.

Journalist David Bacon termed that countrys new direction a poverty-wage economic model that only fostered the rise of gangs, drug trafficking, and violence. Protest was met with fierce repression, even as U.S. military aid flowed in. Prior to the coup, Hondurans had barely figured among Central American migrants to the United States. Since 2009, its citizens have often come to predominate among those forced to flee their homes and head north.

President Obamas 2014 Alliance for Prosperity offered a new round of aid for investor-driven economic development. Journalist Dawn Paley characterized that Alliance as in large part a plan to build new infrastructure that will benefit transnational corporations, including tax breaks for corporate investors and new pipelines, highways, and power lines to speed resource extraction and streamline the process of import, assembly, and export at low-wage maquilas. One major project was a new gas pipeline to facilitate exports of U.S. natural gas to Central America.

It was Obama who oversaw Washingtons recognition of the coup in Honduras. It was Trump who looked the other way when Guatemala in 2019 and Honduras in 2020 expelled international anti-corruption commissions. And it was Trump who agreed to downplay the mounting corruption and drug trafficking charges against his friend, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, as long as he promoted an investor-friendly economy and agreed to collaborate with the U.S. presidents anti-immigrant agenda.

The January 2021 Caravan Marks the Arrival of the Biden Years

All signs point to the Biden years continuing whats become the Washington norm in Central America: outsourcing immigration policy, militarizing security there, and promoting a model of development that claims to deter migration while actually fueling it. In fact, President Bidens proposal designates $4 billion over four years for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to distribute. Such disbursement, however, would be conditioned on progress toward Washington-approved goals like improv[ing] border security, inform[ing] citizens of the dangers of the journey to the southwest border of the United States, and resolv[ing] disputes involving the confiscation of real property of United States entities. Significant resources would also be directed to further developing smart border technology in that region and to Border Patrol operations in Central America.

A preview of how this is likely to work came just as Biden took office in January 2021.

One predictable result of Washingtons outsourcing of immigration control is that the migrant journey from Central America has become ever more costly and perilous. As a result, some migrants have begun gathering in large public caravans for protection. Their aim: to reach the U.S. border safely, turn themselves in to the border patrol, and request asylum. In late January 2021, a caravan of some 7,500 Hondurans arrived at the Guatemalan border in hopes that the new president in Washington would, as promised, reverse Trumps controversial remain-in-Mexico policy of apparently endless internment in crowded, inadequate camps just short of the U.S.

They hadnt known that Biden would, in fact, continue his predecessors outsourcing of immigration policy to Mexico and Central America. As it happened, 2,000 tear-gas and baton-wielding Guatemalan police and soldiers (armed, trained, and supported by the United States) massed at the Guatemala-Honduras border to drive them back.

One former Trump official (retained by President Biden) tweeted that Guatemala had carr[ied] out its responsibilities appropriately and lawfully. The Mexican government, too, praised Guatemala as it massed thousands of its troops on its own southern border. And Juan Gonzalez, Bidens National Security Council director for the Western Hemisphere lauded Guatemalas management of the migrant flow.

In mid-March, President Biden appeared to link a positive response to Mexicos request for some of Washingtons surplus Covid-19 vaccine to further commitments to cracking down on migrants. One demand: that Mexico suspend its own laws guaranteeing humane detention conditions for families with young children. Neither country had the capacity to provide such conditions for the large number of families detained at the border in early 2021, but the Biden administration preferred to press Mexico to ignore its own laws, so that it could deport more of those families and keep the problem out of sight of the U.S. public.

In late January 2021, CISPES joined a large coalition of peace, solidarity, and labor organizations that called upon the Biden administration to rethink its Central American plans. The intersecting crises that millions in Central America face are the result of decades of brutal state repression of democratic movements by right-wing regimes and the implementation of economic models designed to benefit local oligarchs and transnational corporations, CISPES wrote. Far too often, the United States has been a major force behind these policies, which have impoverished the majority of the population and devastated the environment.

The coalition called on Biden to reject Washingtons longstanding commitment to militarized security linked to the creation and reinforcement of investor-friendly extractive economies in Central America. Confronting displacement demands a total rethinking of U.S. foreign policy, CISPES urged. As of mid-March, the president had not responded in any fashion to the plea. My advice: dont hold your breath waiting for such a response.
The market is driven by new product launches. In addition, the increasing demand for organic and private labels will positively influence the growth of the cold brew coffee market.

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Cold Brew Coffee Market: Product Landscape

Based on the product, the market witnessed maximum demand for Arabica-based cold brew coffee. This can be attributed to the growing presence of organized retailing outlets offering Arabica-based cold brew coffee and the increasing frequency of new product launches. The market growth in the segment will be significant over the forecast period.

Cold Brew Coffee Market: Geographic Landscape

60% of the market's growth originated from North America in 2019. Factors such as the rising number of organized retailing outlets in the region offering cold brew coffee products and the prevailing preference for coffee in the US and Canada are fueling the growth of the cold brew coffee market in North America.

The US is the key market for cold brew coffee in North America. Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions.

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Major Five Cold Brew Coffee Market Vendors:

Califia Farms: The key offerings of the company include Black and White Nitro Draft Oatmilk Latte, XX Espresso Nitro Draft Oatmilk Latte, Salted Caramel Nitro Draft Oatmilk Latte, Mocha Nitro Draft Oatmilk Latte, Peppermint Mocha Cold Brew Coffee, Pure Black Cold Brew Coffee Unsweetened, Black and White Cold Brew Coffee, XX Espresso Cold Brew Coffee, and others.

Heartland Food Products Group: The company offers JAVA HOUSE. It is an authentic cold brew coffee brand, that offers a full assortment of pure concentrates, liquid pods, and ready-to-drink cold brew coffees, including Lightly Sweet, Pure Black, and Frappes variants.

HighBrewCoffee: The key products offered by the company include peppermint mocha, Mexican vanilla, double espresso, dark chocolate mocha, black and bold, creamy cappuccino protein, salted caramel, espresso triple shot, vanilla bean triple shot, black triple shot, toasted coconut latte, and bourbon vanilla latte.

JAB Holding Co. Sarl: The company offers cold press coffee under the brand, Caribou Coffee Co.

Kohana Coffee: The company offers roasted coffee, cold brew concentrate, and ready-to-drink coffee products.

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Global Coffee Creamer Market  Global coffee creamer market is segmented by type (liquid and powder) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA).

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Global Instant Coffee Market  Global instant coffee market is segmented by product (spray-dried and freeze-dried) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America).

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WABASH VALLEY, Ind. (WTHI) - Beginning Wednesday, Indiana residents over the age of 16 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. That group includes 5.3 million people in the state. So far, about 24 percent of that population and older have been vaccinated.

As more Hoosiers are becoming eligible, local health officials are urging you to get vaccinated. They say this new eligibility opening is key to returning to a sense of normalcy. In Vigo County, the vaccine has already seen great response among local residents.

"We have a lot of people vaccinated in Vigo County," Ashlee Stewart, the public health educator for the Vigo County Health Department said. "I think there are 30,000 people vaccinated. That is 30% of our community."

Stewart along with many other local health officials hope this percentage will become even higher as more people are becoming eligible.

"Get your vaccine," Stewart said. "It is easy peasy. It can help save a life and as a human that is what we want to do for everyone."

To register for a vaccine, visit ourshot.in.gov.From there, you will click the red button saying "click here to find a vaccination site." You will select the county you are living in then, you will choose which group applies to you. After that, you will enter your zip code to find a vaccine location that works best. Finally, you will enter your information and schedule an appointment.

It is important to note that 16 and 17 years old can only get the Pfizer vaccine. That's because the Moderna vaccine has not been authorized by the FDA for those ages. This information will be included when you register for your appointment

You can also register for the vaccine by calling 2-1-1 to make an appointment. To learn more about the vaccine and eligibility please click here.
The Government approved, on Wednesday, by emergency ordinance, the amendment and completion of OUG no. 155/2020 regarding some measures for the elaboration of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) necessary for Romania to access reimbursable and non-reimbursable external funds within the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The substantiation note of the normative act states that "the term 'relaunch' needs to be replaced with 'recovery' in the title of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in order to correlate it with (the EU) Regulation 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility".

"Moreover, the structure of the plan needs to be modified by establishing six investment pillars, in order to correlate with the same regulation, with the repeal, by consequence, of the regulations regarding projects and areas of intervention. Given the urgency in the finalizing and assumption, at national level, of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and taking into account the very short period of time until the deadline, it is necessary to mandate the Ministry of European Investments and Projects to conduct the negotiation procedures with the European Commission, in order to approve the PNRR," reads the substantiation note.

Considering that the implementation period of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan is relatively short, the investment projects need "the Ministry of Investments and European Projects to make the approval facility more flexible by eliminating the 10-day deadline, as well as by introducing within this facility the coordinating ministries for reforms", the same document further mentions.

Prime Minister Florin Citu had declared, after the government meeting on March 19, when discussing the first reading of the OUG on the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, that PNRR will allocate "important resources for road and railway infrastructure, but also for motorways".

"Certainly, the gas network also. We want to build new hospitals, we mention that very clearly in this program. And, of course, social measures. We thus give importance to all priorities. A reform that Romania needed," the prime minister had said at the end of the government meeting on March 19.

In the same context, Deputy Prime Minister Dan Barna explained that PNRR has "six pillars, (...) six main axes, on which are allocated almost 30 billion euros available for Romania at European level".
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) -Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) and (OTCQB: AVLND) ("Avalon") is pleased to announce it has entered into a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Fort William First Nation ("FWFN") to collaborate on the development of a lithium battery materials refinery located on industrial lands owned by FWFN in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This facility would be designed to accept lithium mineral concentrates from Avalon's Separation Rapids Lithium Project (70 km north of Kenora) and Rock Tech's Georgia Lake Lithium Project (145 km northeast of Thunder Bay), as well as potentially other emerging, new lithium mining operations in northern Ontario, to produce lithium hydroxide and other lithium battery materials.

Avalon and FWFN have determined the next steps would be as follows:

Identification of a specific location for the refinery on the waterfront with access to transportation infrastructure, hydro-power and natural gas.

Conduct the necessary engineering, site preparation and construction design studies to prepare for initiation of refinery construction in 2022, once all necessary permits and authorizations are in place.

Finalize the initial design capacity facility of the refinery once firm off-take commitments have been secured from interested battery manufacturers and design the facility to accommodate future expansion as demand for the products increases. The anticipated initial design capacity will be to produce at least 15,000 tonnes per year of lithium hydroxide and/or lithium carbonate as well as lithium sulphate, the precursor chemical for making either the carbonate or hydroxide.

Secure the necessary capital required to proceed with construction in 2022.

Avalon's President and CEO, Don Bubar commented, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to create a new precedent for collaboration with Indigenous Business toward establishing a lithium battery materials supply chain in Northern Ontario. I share FWFN Chief Peter Collins' vision for how this operation can inspire other Indigenous Businesses to become future suppliers of lithium mineral concentrates for the refinery and how FWFN can become the Hub of the North for all First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario."

Separation Rapids Project Update

The bulk sampling program on Avalon's 100% owned Separation Rapids lithium deposit announced on February 1, 2021 is progressing well with roughly 80% of the total 5,000 tonne sample having been trucked to Kenora for temporary storage before crushing and shipping for processing. The balance of the 5,000 tonnes is expcted to be trucked to Kenora over the next week, depending on weather conditions. The bulk sample will be used to finalize the process flow sheets for both the lithium hydroxide product and for making petalite product samples for glass-ceramic industry customers that have expressed interest. Near term plans also include resuming exploration work on the western part of the property for other lithium pegmatites including drilling the new Snowbank petalite pegmatite discovered in 2018, that is highly enriched in petalite assaying up to 2.51% Li 2 O in a 1.1m channel sample.

Corporate Update: Filing of SEC Form 15F

In its continuing efforts to reduce financial reporting complexity and administrative costs, Avalon will voluntarily file a Form 15F with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") today for the purpose of deregistering and terminating its reporting obligations under Section 13(a) and Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), with respect to its common shares.

The filing of Form 15F will immediately suspend the Company's reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, and the deregistration will become effective 90 days from today. The Company's shares will continue to trade on the TSX and the OTCQB. The Company will continue to comply with its Canadian continuous disclosure obligations by continuing to make filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulators, and which will continue to be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The technical information included in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Donald Bubar, P. Geo, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. For questions and feedback, please e-mail Avalon President and CEO, Donald Bubar, at ir@AvalonAM.com.

About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while looking at several new project opportunities, including re-activating its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project in northwestern Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the LOI and the development of the lithium battery materials process facility, the next steps in developing this facility, that the balance of the 5,000 tonnes is expected to be trucked to Kenora over the next week, depending on weather conditions, that the bulk sample will be used to finalize the process flow sheets for both the lithium hydroxide product and that near term plans also include resuming exploration work on the western part of the property, the timing of the filing of the Form 15F, and the timing for termination of reporting obligations under the Exchange Act . Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "scheduled", "anticipates", "continues", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "targeted", "planned", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" or "will not be" taken, reached or result, "will occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Avalon to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. Although Avalon has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to market conditions, and the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses as well as those risk factors set out in the Company's current Annual Information Form, Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.SEDAR.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such forward-looking statements have been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Avalon does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79040
Kolkata, March 31 : In a momentous turn of events that is likely to spark off the MeToo movement in the country, the Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has asked the Home Ministry to take cognisance of serious allegations of sexual misconduct in workplace raised by a former woman assistant vice-president of the City Bank .

The City Bank, one of the leading bank in the country, is the sole franchisee of the American Express in Bangladesh and the AMEX credit cards are one of its important line of business.

Monira Sultana Popy, the City Bank's former assistant VP, filed a general diary complaint of sexual harassment against three top officials of the bank in Gulshan Police Station in Dhaka in August 2019 -- after "failing to resist the continuous sexual advances and even attempts to rape".

The case named City Bank Managing Director Mashrur Arefin and two other top officials -- Abdul Wadud and Kafi Khan -- as co offenders, with Popy claiming they even tried to rape her in the conference room of the City Bank's head office on January 21, 2019.

Popy's services were terminated within two days of the complaint and five cases were brought up against her -- charging her with various acts of omission and commission -- in a vicious counter-bid by the bank's topbrass.

Her salary has been withheld since March 2019 when she first protested sexual advances by Arefin and the other two.

Popy has bravely fought the cases against her and pursued her allegations of being a victim of "continuous and repeated sexual misconduct".

The BHRC asked the Home Ministry in a letter dated March 21, 2021 to investigate the case thoroughly, pointing out that "to punish a woman physically, mentally and to terminate her from job unethically is a serious offence." BHRC said in its letter that "these criminals are powerful but they should be punished according to the existing law. " This commission has also copied its letter to the Finance Ministry, Chairman of City Bankk and the Prime Minister's office.

The victim Monira Sultana Popy has filed a fresh complaint on 30 th March 2021 to the Ministry of Women and Children (complaint No: 1617078036062 ) seeking justice and redressal of her grievances.

Popy feels her case has been strengthened by a report submitted by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) which said it found no merit in the cases filed against her by the City Bank officials who she accused of sexual misconduct.

"If I am guilty of any of their charges, why did they file them after I had filed my case alleging sexual misconduct. It is a clear case of afterthought," Monira Sultana Popy told IANS.

Popy's case received extensive coverage in Bangladesh and also in the West . The banker hit the streets during protests against the growing incidents of rapes in Bangladesh , highlighting her case before thousands of protestors .

"I have suffered so much in the last two years that I don't care what happens to me ultimately. But I will continue my fight for justice. I am without a job for two years, I have exhausted my savings educating my younger sister and my daughter and providing medical treatment to my parents ," said Monira Sultana Popy.

She told IANS she hoped her case and a positive legal verdict punishing the offenders would trigger a MeToo movement in Bangladesh, where sexual misconduct in the workplace is not uncommon.

"I hope to get the kind of justice that the women in India got against M.J. Akbar, the powerful Indian editor-politician," she told IANS.

Mashrur Arefin and other officials of City Bank did not respond to calls seeking their reactions.

In the wake of #MeToo movement in 2018, Priya Ramani, a journalist had made allegation of sexual harassment against Akbar. Pursuant to this, he filed criminal defamation case against her and resigned as Union Minister.

"It is a victory for women and the MeToo movement. It feels great to have the truth validated before a court of law," Ramani had said minutes after a Delhi court acquitted her in the criminal defamation case.
A memo on the decision was brought to Cabinet by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.

A major overhaul of the priority list for Covid-19 vaccinations will see the public prioritised based on their age once the most medically vulnerable receive their jab .

It means that once the most at-risk groups are vaccinated, the original plan to move Cohort 10  key workers in essential jobs who cannot avoid risk of exposure  will be shelved.

Instead, from that point the vaccination roll-out will follow age groups, beginning with the 55 to 64-year age group and working downwards.

People will be asked to register for their vaccine on the HSEs online portal when it is their age groups time to be vaccinated.

The Government hopes this will simplify the vaccine roll-out, which is due to step up a gear as more vaccines arrive.

The move has been met with anger from the teachers unions and Garda groups.



Asked about the decision Taoiseach Micheal Martin said it would speed up the vaccination process and also allow older workers to be vaccinated first.

He said the change was recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), the experts who drew up the priority list.

There are no clear databases identifying professions and this runs the risk of slowing down the roll-out, particularly when there are more vaccines here to administer.

It is fairer and does not distinguish people by their career, he said.

Cohort 4  people who are at very high risk due to an underlying illness  is proving very difficult for the HSE to fully identify, he added.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said age and underlying illness are risk factors, but there is no evidence any occupational group are at higher risk of a severe outcome if they get the virus.

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A memo on the decision was brought to Cabinet by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.

At Cabinet, ministers are understood to have raised concerns about the potential for a political backlash from teachers, gardai and other essential workers who will now not be prioritised for vaccines.

The Government has faced pressure from lobby groups asking that they be pushed up the queue, however the new approach to the roll-out will remove the pressure of it being seen to favour one over another.

The priority list will continue as per the original ranking and will remain risk-based up to and including people aged 18-64 living in crowded accommodation where self-isolation and social distancing is difficult to maintain.

It will be age-based from Cohort 10. Key workers were in this group followed by teachers in Cohort 11.

Those aged 55-64 were in the next group, Cohort 12, but they will now be vaccinated earlier.

The original National Vaccination Programme involved 15 various cohorts of people based on age and profession.

However, it is hoped that the new programme will be simplified and more streamlined.

It will be fairer and will hopefully get more public buy in, one Government source said.



The change will be welcomed by the HSE which was heading into a very complicated phase after at-risk people were vaccinated and its computer system had yet to be tested in registering the wider population.

It means that people will be able to register according to their age and provide proof of identification, such as a passport, when they arrive at the vaccination centre.

The Taoiseach said that so far more than 800,000 doses of the vaccine have been given out and by mid to late May all over-70s will have received two doses.

He anticipates that by the end of next week that nearly one million doses will have been administered.

Another three million doses will have been administered by the end of May.

And by the end of July some six million doses of vaccine will have been given to people, he added.

Labour Party leader Alan Kelly last night said that greater clarity is still needed on the vaccination programme.
Wide-scale vaccine distribution is now taking place in the more economically developed countries worldwide, with counties such as the USA and UK having now vaccinated tens of percent of the total population. In contrast, most of the less wealthy nations may have vaccinated a few percent of the population at best, if any. In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv*, researchers investigate the ultimate influence of unequal vaccine distribution by mathematical modeling, revealing the critical role of fair distribution in future coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment strategy.

Vaccine escape mutant SARS-CoV-2 variants

The development of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutants that evade antibodies generated by the current vaccines is a major concern, and several groups around the world have identified increasingly evasion-prone strains towards vaccine-induced antibodies, facilitated by changes to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and spike protein that the vaccine emulate. Some viruses, such as polio or measles, are very well controlled by vaccines, and escape mutants rarely occur. Influenza, and some evidence indicates coronaviruses also, frequently exhibit immune escape by a process known as antigenic drift, and therefore require regularly updated vaccines.

The group accounted for two primary factors in the mathematical model: population size and distribution. A smaller population allows for fewer replications wherein mutation can occur, while dense pockets of non-immunized individuals will spread disease more efficiently than a more distributed population.

The group utilized mathematical models to simulate two human populations that were either vaccinated or non-vaccinated to varying degrees, and estimate the probability of vaccine escape mutants spreading between groups. In the first model, one group has complete access to the vaccine while the other does not. In the second model, access to the vaccine is varied amongst the groups in either symmetric or asymmetric manner. Escape mutants are assumed to have a selective advantage over wildtype in the population, meaning that the group elected not to model the complete dynamics of escape variant transmission, only the time until the event.

Symmetric and asymmetric vaccination

Within the fully vaccinated group, there will be limited opportunity for escape mutants to arise, as most of the population is immune to the virus and thus cannot harbor it, providing little opportunity for replication and mutation. However, within this group, the selection for escape mutants is strong, as only escape mutants have a chance of spreading through the wild-type-immunized population. Therefore, when mutants do arise, they are likely to spread quickly amongst the population with less competition originating from the wildtype or any other variant that is sensitive to the vaccine-generated antibodies. Alternatively, within the unvaccinated group, there is little selective advantage towards escape mutants, though a high rate of replication in a large number of hosts enhances the probability of mutations arising.

The likelihood of transmission between the groups was set significantly lower than that assumed within the groups in order to represent geographical distance or political borders. In any case, the mathematical model suggested that the emergence of vaccine escape variants in the vaccinated group was around ten times more likely when neighboring an unvaccinated group compared to being isolated. The authors highlight Israel as a similar example of this, which has engaged in an impressive vaccination program that has now immunized the majority of the population, though is surrounded by nations with among the lowest vaccination rates in the world.

Interestingly, moderate asymmetrical disparities in vaccine distribution between the groups could produce more probable vaccine escape mutant generation than complete disparity. When the rate of vaccination was set to around 10-20% and 80-90% between the two groups, respectively, the optimum occurrence of vaccine escape mutants transmitting between groups was observed. Presumably, at these values, each group contains a reservoir of unvaccinated individuals that provide a sufficiently high reproduction rate to enhance mutant occurrence. In contrast, the opposing vaccinated population within the same group acts as a filter that selects for these mutants once they arise. The enhanced intra-group mixing compared with mixing between groups promotes this effect compared with that observed in two completely asymmetrically vaccinated groups, where mixing rarely occurs.

Importantly, equal vaccination between the groups was found to give the lowest probability of vaccine escape mutants.

The mathematical model employed by the group accounted for public policy regarding border closures, mask-wearing, and other social distancing measures. As these policies are steadily alleviated, the group notes that it will be important to monitor the effect on transmission, as the probability of vaccine mutant strain transmission within and between groups is correlated with these values.

The authors suggest that this work provides a theoretical basis for the equal distribution of vaccines. Unvaccinated human subpopulations act as a reservoir for the generation of vaccine escape mutant strains, which when allowed to escape into the vaccinated population prosper very quickly, as no immunity exists. Large asymmetrically vaccinated adjacent populations exacerbate this effect most severely; for example, two nearby cities with an intervening national border, where one nation has good access to vaccines, and the other does not. Containing SARS-CoV-2 at this early stage could prove vital, as if allowed to continuously exist and reproduce in isolated pockets, the poorest nations in particular, it could become endemic, and require continuous vaccine updates and rollouts for the foreseeable future, as with influenza.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Insured losses from Australias March floods are expected to hit general (or property/casualty) insurers underwriting margins and earnings in 2021, while putting more upward pressure on reinsurance rates, according to a report from AM Best.

The floods, expected to be among the worst to hit the region in the past 60 years, have led to extensive property damage and the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes, said AM Best in its report titled Australia: March Floods Raise General Insurers Natural Catastrophe Burden.

AM Best noted that Australias general insurers have exhibited resilience to catastrophe losses over recent years, supported by typically well-capitalized balance sheets and the significant use of reinsurance to manage net loss exposures.

Nevertheless, AM Best expects these floods to dampen insurers earnings for fiscal year 2021, put pressure on insurers underwriting margins and add to the industrys recently elevated loss burden from natural catastrophe events.

Managing Exposures with Reinsurance

The report confirmed that insurers net retained exposures are expected to be controlled by the attachment points of their catastrophe reinsurance programs. The comprehensive use of reinsurance has been a strong contributory factor to the resilient performance of Australias general insurers, even in catastrophe-heavy years.

Because the majority of gross losses from the March floods is likely to be borne by the reinsurance industry, the continued cession of material losses to reinsurers may result in further upward pressure on reinsurance rates, and a tightening of terms and conditions in upcoming renewals for the countrys direct insurers, AM Best said.

Although it is too early to determine the full extent of the damage from the March floods or the cost to Australias general insurers, AM Best noted that the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has estimated the initial cost of claims to be A$483 million (US$368 million) with more than 29,000 claims filed.

For the purposes of comparison, the 2019 Townsville floods and February 2020 east coast storms and flooding drove insured losses of approximately A$1.3 billion (US$990 million) and A$1.0 billion (US$762 million), respectively.

Above-Average Losses

Australia has seen a period of above-average weather-related losses in recent years, with total insured losses of more than A$8 billion from declared catastrophe events over the past two years, AM Best said, quoting figures from the ICA.

Furthermore, Australian insurers face ongoing uncertainty over potentially significant exposures to business interruption claims arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which are currently subject to ongoing legal review, adding to the industrys large loss burden.

With increased frequency of extreme weather events in Australia, such as the 2019 Townsville floods, the 2019/20 bushfires, and January 2020 hailstorms, AM Best expects the insurance industry to increasingly focus on linkages to climate risk.

The increased frequency of recent weather events also reinforces the need for insurers to implement robust underwriting, capital management and enterprise risk management strategies, said the report. These actions may ultimately lead to tightening of terms and pricing increases for policyholders as insurers refine underwriting appetites.

Source: AM Best

Photograph: In this drone photo, a property is surrounded by flood waters in Londonderry on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Hundreds of people have been rescued from floodwaters that have isolated dozens of towns in Australias most populous state of New South Wales and forced thousands to evacuate their homes after record rain inundated the countrys east coast. Photo credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker.

Topics Carriers Profit Loss Flood Reinsurance Australia
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk expects that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will soon sign a bill on an all-Ukrainian referendum and the document will be officially published.

"I think the President's Office continues its internal approval procedures, because this is, indeed, a very complex document, which is intended to fill Article 5 of the Constitution of Ukraine with real content. I would not reduce this issue to some kind of conspiracy. The right to veto no longer exists (ended on the 15th day), and therefore there is only one option - this bill will be signed. I hope that this will happen in the near future and it will be published," Stefanchuk said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

As reported, on January 26, the Verkhovna Rada supported bill No. 3612 "On the All-Ukrainian Referendum" at the second reading. Some 255 deputies voted for the document. Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov signed it on February 17 and handed it over to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for signature.

According to the law, the subject of an all-Ukrainian referendum may be issues of approval of the law on amendments to clauses I, III, XIII of the Constitution (General Provisions; Elections. Referendum; Amendments to the Constitution), the issues of national importance, issues of changing the territory of Ukraine, on the loss of the force of the law of Ukraine or some of its provisions.

Most of the provisions of the law will take effect the day after publication.
The recall election was combined with a June primary that year; primaries are lower-turnout elections. Newman was recalled and replaced by  guess who?  Ling Ling Chang, who ran as a replacement candidate. Then Newman ran to reclaim the seat last year, in the regularly scheduled general election, and he retired Chang for a second time, recapturing the seat for the Democrats.

See the pattern here?

If you dont want to take my word for it, listen to GOP consultant Dave Gilliard, a director of one of the main recall groups against Davis in 2003 and a consultant in the current Newsom recall effort. In an eyebrow-raising instance of saying the quiet part out loud, Gilliard pointed out in a Politico interview last week that California Republicans hadnt defeated a sitting Democratic governor in a regularly scheduled general election since 1966.

So the chances of winning in 2022 [when Newsom is up for reelection] or any general election are very slim, Gilliard admitted. The recall provides a golden opportunity, I think, for a Republican to get into the governors office. This is the shot.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, right, and Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun enter a briefing room to announce the government's anti-real estate speculation measures at Government Complex Seoul, Monday. Yonhap



By Lee Min-hyung



The government unveiled a toughened set of anti-real estate speculation measures on Monday and threatened to confiscate any undue gains from government officials found to have engaged in speculative acts.



The Ministry of Economy and Finance devised a total of 20 core measures against real estate speculation. The decision was made amid heightened public uproar over the nationwide scandal surrounding the state-run Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH), with some of its officials found to have reaped illegal profits through real estate speculation.



"The government has come up with the measures with firm determination that this is the last opportunity for us to stop the chain of corruption in real estate and regain public trust," Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki told reporters during a briefing, Monday.



First and foremost, the government decided to strengthen partnerships with 43 prosecution offices nationwide to establish an investigation team for probing real estate speculation cases. More than 500 prosecutors will join the team, which makes the number of pan-governmental real estate investigation personnel over 2,000.



The government also pledged to slap the "toughest punishment" on government officials found to have engaged in real estate corruption.



Under the decision, any government officials involved in real estate speculation will face the maximum penalty allowable by law. All the unfair gains they earned from speculations will be confiscated, and they will also pay fines of up to five times their illegal profits.



The National Tax Service will also enhance its monitoring for real estate tax evasion by forming a dedicated special investigation team. It will carry out toughened investigations on suspected real estate tax dodgers nationwide.



The Financial Services Commission will also join the anti-speculation movement. The authority will establish a special team to keep track of any illegal signs of capital flow into real estate markets. It will monitor any signals over illegal real estate loans, and notify the police and the tax authority of details when catching such signs.



The finance ministry also placed a temporary ban for all LH employees to obtain new property assets, and warned that those who do not abide by the rule will be dismissed.



The ministry also decided to impose a capital gains tax of 70 percent on any land transactions for those who sell less than a year after obtaining the sold property. Starting from next year, the government will also increase a heavy tax of up to 20 percentage points on land transactions for owners making sales less than two years after their purchases.



To encourage more people to report any illegal property speculators, the government will offer a maximum 1 billion won ($882,000) as part of a monetary incentive for those who report speculators.



But experts said the measures still leave much to be desired.



"The gist of the anti-speculation measures should be on preventing government officials from purchasing properties under borrowed names," Myongji University professor Kwon Dae-jung said. But no specific discussions are being held on this point, which raises doubts over whether authorities remain sincere in their pledge to root out real estate speculation by government officials, according to him.



Early this month, the government's joint probe team announced the first round of investigation results over the LH scandal. It found a group of 20 LH officials had purchased land in areas such as Gwangmyeong and Siheung in Gyeonggi Province, which were being designated for a massive urban development project. The police are looking into whether they relied on insider information before the announcement of the project.



In late February, the government designated land in Gwangmyeong and Siheung as two of its six new development areas. But soon after the announcement, a nationwide controversy erupted amid speculations that some LH officials had gone on a buying spree of land worth 10 billion won ($8.84 million) in the areas since 2018, in an apparent move to seek speculative profits there.



Public fury reached its peak following the scandal. This was because public sentiment over the government's real estate policies plunged to the lowest level while the government's botched real estate policies ended up skyrocketing housing prices across the nation for the past few years.



But the corruption scandal in the state-run organization has aggravated the public's already-negative sentiment over the government's series of regulation- and taxation-driven real estate policies.



On Monday, Kim Sang-jo, chief policy secretary to President Moon Jae-in, stepped down from his post amid widening controversy that he raised the leasing price by 14 percent for an apartment he was renting out, just a few days before the introduction of a new housing law that caps apartment rent price increases at 5 percent.



The DPK issued belated apologies Monday for the government's failed real estate policy drives.



"The policies were aimed at curbing speculation and stabilizing housing prices, but in reality, the result was the exact opposite," Rep. Kim Jong-min of the DPK said Monday. The public fury is escalating not just because of the LH scandal, but also the botched real estate policies from the government and the ruling party, he said.




Gov. Gavin Newsom would easily defeat an attempt to recall him if the election were held today, as many Californians are optimistic that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is behind them and believe the governor is doing a good job, a new poll indicates.

The poll of likely voters found that 56% oppose removing Newsom from office while 40% back the recall, according to the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California. Thats almost as wide a margin as in the 2018 governors race in which Newsom defeated John Cox, one of the Republicans who has declared himself as a replacement candidate in a recall election that is likely to be held later this year.

The survey is good news for Newsom, said Mark Baldassare, the institutes president and CEO. The burden of proof (to recall Newsom) is on the people who brought this before voters, and they havent moved that level of support much since 2018.

The Republican-backed recall effort does have the support of 79% of likely GOP voters, the poll found. But few others have joined them. Not only are Democrats overwhelmingly opposed, but just 42% of independents support ousting Newsom, according to the survey.

Newsoms job approval rating among likely voters is 53%, virtually unchanged from the 52% he enjoyed in both the institutes January survey and its February 2020 poll. That poll was taken just before the governor issued a pandemic stay-at-home order that has since evolved into a multiprong system controlling which aspects of public life can be open and at what levels.

The stability of Newsoms approval rating translates to little momentum for recalling him, Baldassare said.

If I was looking for momentum, I would look at the approval ratings, Baldassare said. Im not seeing momentum in this survey.

Most important, said Baldassare, is that the vast majority of likely Democratic voters remain supportive of the governor in a state where Democrats account for nearly twice as many registered voters as Republicans.

We live at a time when it is difficult for partisans to change their mind about who they are supporting and who they are opposing, Baldassare said. We see results that reflect the fact that most Democrats support (Newsom)  and have been with him from day one  and most Republicans are not with him.

David McNew / AFP via Getty Images

Local elections officials are checking the 2.1 million petition signatures that supporters turned in this month to see if backers gathered the nearly 1.5 million valid ones needed to qualify the recall for the ballot. Both sides assume the recall will be certified, but an election is unlikely to happen before October.

That delay could be a boon to Newsom. Supporters say their signature gathering became easier as pandemic-related shutdowns dragged into the winter, but public life now is edging toward normal, with new coronavirus cases well down from their highs and vaccinations rapidly spreading. The poll found that 74% of likely voters say the worst of the pandemic is over, a 16-point increase from the number who felt that way in January.

The survey also found that 45% of likely voters say the state government is doing an excellent or good job in vaccine distribution  a significant jump from January, when 28% felt that way. Just 20% feel that the state is doing a poor job in distributing the vaccine, down from 34% in January.

The way people perceive the state to be handling the pandemic has a lot to do with how they feel about recalling Newsom, Baldassare said. The institutes January survey showed that most voters said the pandemic was their top concern.

The way people are feeling about COVID (is) the way people are feeling about the governor, Baldassare said. Theyre feeling some relief in how things are going  and that impacts the approval ratings, which correlated to how they feel about the recall.

There is not a majority of support to remove Newsom in any part of California, the poll found. The greatest support for the recall is in the Central Valley, where 49% of likely voters want the governor removed. The lowest levels of support are in the former San Francisco mayors Bay Area home region (27%). The poll found that 40% of Los Angeles residents want Newsom recalled.

There is also little appetite (41% support) for the recall in Orange County/San Diego  the home region of Cox and another Republican challenger to Newsom, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Baldassare said the two have a lot of work to do in growing their support beyond their (GOP) base. When you havent run a statewide campaign before (like Faulconer) or ran one and wasnt competitive (like Cox), this survey shows youve got real work to do.

Also helping Newsom is that the survey found that 70% of likely voters support the $7.6 billion COVID-19 relief package he signed in February. The measure will send $600 checks to more than 5 million low-income households, regardless of their immigration status, and provide billions of dollars in grants to help small businesses stay afloat.

The surveys positive news for Newsom is likely to tamp down speculation on whether a Democrat might run as a replacement candidate in a recall election. Over the last week, leading California Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and Sen. Dianne Feinstein have discouraged other Democrats from jumping into a race to replace Newsom, who cannot run as a replacement candidate.

Many of those seen as possible challengers have issued statements saying they are not interested.

No, I will not be (a candidate) under any circumstance, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, told The Chronicle this week. While candidly I have received a surprising number of calls, I have been clear that I support Newsom and we need to be united as Democrats in opposing this effort.

Others who have issued similar statements include Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland, Karen Bass of Los Angeles and Adam Schiff of Burbank.

Its a far cry from what happened in 2003, when the entire California House delegation supported Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante as a replacement candidate in the recall election of Gov. Gray Davis. Bustamantes candidacy is thought to have weakened Democratic opposition to the recall, which ended in Davis ouster and the election of Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I believe a recall is only appropriate in cases of gross negligence or incapacitation, Feinstein said in an email to The Chronicle. Gov. Newsom has led California through the largest public health crisis in a century.

The Public Policy Institute of California conducted its poll of 1,174 likely voters March 14-23, in English and Spanish, via landlines and cell phones. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
[March 31, 2021] Realeyes Named Winner In 2021 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards For Its Attention Measurement Solution

NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Realeyes , a pioneer and leader in video attention measurement, announced today that its flagship product PreView was named a winner in The Business Intelligence Groups Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards program . PreView enables brands to maximize attentive reach of their video advertising campaigns by understanding how creative drives attention and generates emotional response -- even before a campaign launches. PreView calculates the in-market performance of a video by measuring: Capture, the ability to hook attention in the first seconds; Retain, the ability to retain audience attentiveness until the end; and Encode, the ability for brand messaging to create emotional response and memorability. It is an honor to be named an AI Excellence Award winner, said Mihkel Jaatma, co-founder and CEO, Realeyes. PreView has demonstrated how AI can be applied to drive greater performance, accountability and human resonance with every single video on a global scale. PreView is built on the most advanced facial coding technology and machine learning to provide marketers a true measure of consumer attention and emotional response so they can optimize advertising creative, increase quality exposure and decease media waste resulting from poor video quality. The early signals PreView unveils about consumer response are proving transformational for companies like CPG brands, which seek reliable ways to responsively optimize campaigns for long-term customer growth.



PreView has become critical in empowering CMOs to quickly and reliably measure the Quality Score of every video to determine which ones should be flighted and boosted with media budget, edited, or cut. PreView also delivers competitive intelligence to close gaps and boost market share. PreView represents a unique opportunity for publishers and digital platforms to strengthen advertiser relationships and grow revenues. A platforms audience is only as valuable as the quality of the advertisers creative. With PreView, platforms can better advise advertisers on why certain creatives perform, how to optimize creatives on the platform, and qualify and reward higher volumes of quality creative for better performance.

We are so proud to name Realeyes as a winner in our inaugural Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards program, said Maria Jimenez, chief nominations officer for Business Intelligence Group. It was clear to our judges that their PreView product was using AI to improve the lives of their customers and employees. Congratulations to the entire team! Realeyes

Using front-facing cameras and the latest in computer vision and machine learning technologies, Realeyes measures attention and emotion of opt-in participants as they watch video content online. This empowers brands publishers and technology platforms to inform and optimize their content as well as target the right videos to the right audiences. Realeyes technology applies facial coding to predictive, big-data analytics, driving bottom-line business outcomes for brands and publishers. Founded in 2007, Realeyes has offices in New York, London, Tokyo and Budapest. Customers include brands such as Mars Inc, Church & Dwight, Hersheys and Expedia, agencies Ipsos, MarketCast and Publicis, and media companies such as Google, WarnerMedia and Teads. About Business Intelligence Group

The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs , these programs are judged by business executives having experience and knowledge. The organizations proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers. Contact

Kyle Kuhnel, Broadsheet Communications on behalf of Realeyes

201-248-3826; kyle@broadsheetcomms.com



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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) -Central African Gold Inc. (TSXV: CAGR) (FSE: BC2) (OTCQB: NDENF) (the "Corporation" or "Central African") provides an update and announces the grant of incentive stock options.

Kevin Torudag, Founder of Central African stated: "We are extremely positive concerning the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC") and the mining opportunities to be presented to the groups who have persevered and made an appropriate investment of time and money in this resource rich country. Political changes for the betterment of the country and the mining sector are occurring supported by the international community. Our positive outlook is premised on my continual presence in the DRC over the past eight years and our DRC based senior management team. Central African has been diligently negotiating and completing due diligence on multiple projects of merit in the DRC with a focus on advanced precious metal and base metals projects."

The Corporation announces the grant of 1,000,000 incentive stock options (the "Stock Options") to certain of its directors, officers, consultants, and employees pursuant to the Corporation's Stock Option Plan. The options are exercisable for a period of five years at a price of CAD$0.20 per share.

About Central African Gold Inc.

Central African is a natural resource company with a primary focus on the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of mineral projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC"). Central African currently holds rights to multiple mineral projects strategically located in the southern DRC CopperBelt. Central African has the intention to acquire interests in additional concessions or relinquish concessions in the normal course of business. Central African has an experienced management team located in the southern CopperBelt of the DRC.



For further information, please contact:

Stephen Barley, Chairman & CEO

Phone: (604-834-2968)

Email: info@centralafricangold.com

Website: www.centralafricangold.com

Reader Advisory

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, but not limited to, statements relating to the Corporation's negotiating and completing due diligence on mutliplt projects of merit in Southern Africa and the DRC. Although the Corporation believes considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Corporation its securities, or its financial or operating results.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79003
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EcoGen Biosciences ("EcoGen" or the "Company"), a leading vertically-integrated manufacturer and supplier of hemp-derived specialty ingredients, proprietary formulations, and private-label finished products in the United States, today introduced the EcoGen "Plant Now, Pay Later" program. The Plant Now, Pay Later program enables hemp farmers to have access to affordable, high-cannabidiol (CBD) hemp genetics without the upfront cost of purchasing seeds prior to planting, which mitigates many of the risks farmers face, such as depleting their capital upfront. The program gives them the latitude to invest more into their farming operations pre-harvest.

Through the program, hemp farmers are offered competitively scaled rates on EcoGen's exclusive hemp genetics. Participating clients have the option to:

Purchase seeds at a discounted price if paid for upfront.

Purchase seeds at a standardized price if paid by the end of December 2021 (after harvest).

(after harvest). Pay back the purchase price of seeds in qualified biomass after harvest.

The Plant Now, Pay Later program provides hemp farmers with the opportunity to focus financial resources on growing and processing without the financial burden often required to acquire seeds for hemp cultivation.

"As the market prices and demand for raw hemp materials continues to evolve, so must the relationships within the supply chain," said Garrett Bain, President of EcoGen and Chief Commercial Officer of Kadenwood, LLC. "As a fully integrated hemp company, with operations in genetics, cultivation, extraction, refinement, and finished goods, EcoGen has a unique opportunity to mitigate risks for fellow hemp industry members. We understand and appreciate that farmers rely on our specialized genetics in order to successfully grow first rate, sellable crops. We believe in our genetics so much so that we are willing to take the risk on the front end, let our farmers grow with our seeds and either pay after harvest, or provide the biomass as payment for the cost of the seeds. We feel this is a win-win for our customers and for EcoGen and we are proud to support our industry further with the establishment of this program."

Andrei McQuillian, Head of Global Sales and Marketing of EcoGen, said: "We foresee many if not all of our longtime and new hemp farming partners taking advantage of the program. As we further develop the ethos of our company, we know that we are grounded in the belief that all business dealings should be both mutually beneficial and not damaging to the world around us, and we also stand to make a positive impact on the industry as a whole. This program is the first of many embodiments of this ethos and we hope that those on the frontlines of growing hemp not only utilize the program, but that it enables them the most success in this year's harvest as possible."

To learn more about the EcoGen "Plant Now, Pay Later" program, please visit https://ecogenbiosciences.com/plant-now-pay-later and for more information on EcoGen, including information on becoming a customer, visit ecogenbiosciences.com .

About EcoGen Biosciences

EcoGen Biosciences (EcoGen) is the leading vertically-integrated manufacturer and supplier of hemp-derived specialty ingredients in North America. Using proprietary equipment, processes, and formulations, EcoGen has developed a broad range of the highest quality ingredients and customized formulations for a broad range of industries. Founded in 2016, EcoGen is the first seed-to-sale CBD manufacturer, known for manufacturing the purest CBD raw materials and finished products. The company is also a leader in international distribution with CBD isolate, water-soluble CBD (Nano), and THC-free CBD distillate. As the leader in hemp genetics, EcoGen promotes sustainable agriculture, using its proprietary processing and extraction technology to ensure the highest quality products at the lowest price making cannabinoids more accessible to the world.

About Kadenwood, LLC

Founded in 2019, Kadenwood is a privately held consumer products lifestyle company relentlessly focused on shaping CBD into a trusted and safe mainstream wellness category. To drive this mission, Kadenwood is backed by decades of CPG marketing and category innovation expertise and industry-leading, vertically-integrated CBD farming to ensure quality CBD oil from seed-to-shelf that contains no THC. In 2019, Kadenwood launched its first branded products under LEVEL SELECT in personal care.

Public Relations Contact

Cassandra Dowell

CMW Media

[email protected]

858-264-6600

SOURCE EcoGen Biosciences

Related Links

http://www.ecogenbiosciences.com


In February Congo got a new prime minister, Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde. However, when parliament convened in mid-March, Lukonde had not yet selected a cabinet and formed a new government. For many observers that confirmed the obvious -- President Felix Tshisekedis new Sacred Union political coalition is still organizing, which means it is disorganized, factional leaders are arguing and the Sacred Union coalition is vulnerable to violent enemies like former President Joseph Kabila. But at the moment the God of Disorganization is kind. Kabila and his cohort appear to be even more vulnerable to both international pressure and Congolese law enforcement, in the form of murder charges and sanctions. A Congolese court has issued an arrest warrant for General John Numbi, a Kabila supporter who is reportedly hiding in Zimbabwe. Numbi is accused of ordering the 2010 assassination of war crimes researcher Floribert Chebeya. In 2010 Numbi was the Inspector General of the Congos National Police, one of the countrys two most important internal security organizations. Kabila ignored the accusations of murder and in 2018 appointed Numbi Inspector General of the Armed Forces. Tshisekedi, a different kind of president, fired Numbi in July 2020. Congolese prosecutors claim Numbi fled to Zimbabwe around March 15 and is being protected by Zimbabwean authorities. Zimbabwes government says it doesnt know anything. Understand that Zimbabwes president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is a friend and supporter of Kabila. There are other complications, a veritable nuclear warhead/Wuhan virus rat-hornet nest intrigue. A starter: The U.S. has placed individual sanctions on Mnangagwa. Allegedly he was part of a group of Congolese and Zimbabwean officials who looted Congolese minerals during The Great Congo War (1998-2003).

More: this month Congolese police arrested Belarusian businessman and mineral wheeler-dealer Alexander Zingman, a friend of Kabilas and Mnangagwas. Zingman is Zimbabwes honorary consul to Belarus. He was arrested after meeting with Kabila in Lubumbashi. the capital of Katanga province. Finally: Protais Mpiranya, a Kabila supporter and former Congolese Presidential Guard officer, is also believed to be hiding out somewhere in Zimbabwe. Mprianya is wanted for war crimes. In Congo, the complications keep on coming. (Austin Bay)

March 28, 2021: Over one-third of Zambias national debt is owed to China, which has provided loans and investments in virtually every sector of Zambias economy  agriculture, industry and, of course mining. This week Angola thanked China for donating the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine. An Angola government official noted that China is the first country to provide Covid-19 vaccine aid to Angola. The official did not mention that China is likely the source of the epidemic outbreak.

March 27, 2021: Burundian and Egyptian officials met to discuss Egypts plan to build rainwater reservoirs and harvesting dams in the Nile River Basin. The payoff to Burundi would be more clean drinking water. Egypt intends to use solar energy, where applicable, to power wells and water purification facilities.

March 26, 2021: The UN reported the security in the Central African Republic continues to deteriorate. Between October 2020 and mid-March 2021, armed clashes occurred in fourteen (of 16) CAR prefectures. The worst violence occurred in three western prefectures: Ouham, Ouaka and Ombella MPoko.

March 25, 2021: In eastern Congo (North Kivu province) at least 17 people were killed in attacks on three rural villages by ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) Islamic terrorists.

March 24, 2021: The electoral commission of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) announced incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso was re-elected with 88 percent of the vote. Nguesso is 77 and has been in power 36 years. The main opposition party, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (PAUSD), boycotted the election.

March 23, 2021: Ugandan police have arrested Guy Smith, an American citizen accused of subversive activities.

March 22, 2021: Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, the leading opposition politician in The Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) has died while being taken to France to be treated for the Covid-19/Wuhan virus.

March 21, 2021: In CAR (Central African Republic) CPC (Coalition of Patriots for Change) rebels announced former CAR president Francois Bozize now leads their group. The CPC is the largest rebel coalition in the CAR. Bozize was an unpopular dictator who was overthrown in 2013 and fled the country. He returned in 2019 and rallied his followers to disrupt and discredit the elected government and elections in general. The CAR Constitutional Court ruled that former president Bozize could not run for office again. The court had good reasons. In 2003 Bozize seized power by coup detat. He currently faces allegations of ordering murder, kidnapping and torture when he held power. He also faces UN sanctions. Witnesses report that after the court ruling Bozize met with the leaders of six armed factions to form a pro-Bozize coalition which included a former Seleka Moslem faction and two anti-balaka (predominantly Christian) armed groups. The CAR government is accusing Bozize of trying to destabilize the country.

March 19, 2021: Burundi's Truth and Reconciliation Commission reported it has verified the existence of 68 mass graves from the 1972 genocide. So far, the bodies of 1,455 victims have been exhumed. So far this year the ADF has killed over 200 people in eastern Congo and displaced 40,000 people.

March 15, 2021: Congos new parliamentary holds its first session.

March 14, 2021: In eastern Congo (North Kivu province, east of the city of Beni) ADF rebels armed with machetes killed 15 people during an attack on a village. These attacks are usually part of a looting operation to gather supplies for a nearby rebel camp.

March 12, 2021: Local reformers condemned Ugandas government for abducting and illegally detaining political opposition leaders and supporters.

The UN approved an increase of 3,700 military troops and armed police to CAR peacekeeping force. The vote was 14-0, with Russia abstaining. The CAR force is now authorized 14,400 military personnel and 3,020 police.

March 11, 2021: The United States officially designated the ADF Islamist rebels a foreign terrorist organization. The Americans believe the ADF IS linked to ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). The ADF is sometimes referred to as ISIL-DRC.

March 9, 2021: International anti-corruption groups are urging the Congolese government to lift the death sentences given to two whistleblower witnesses who provided critical evidence against corrupt bank officials and regulators engaged in money laundering.
The price of Nigeria's Bonny Light, Tuesday, dropped to $62.05 per barrel from $64.50 in the international market on the heels of the reopening of the Suez Canal for business.

The blockage of the Canal by a container vessel for over one week had scuttled the free shipment of goods, especially crude oil around the world, thus causing prices of many crudes, including Bonny Light and Brent to rise to $64.50, and $65.30 per barrel respectively.

Traders, however, said yesterday, that prices would likely continue to dip, not only because of the reopening of the Canal, but also as a result of the resurgence of coronavirus pandemic in the United States and other economies.

Despite the price drop, Nigeria's 2021 fiscal plan would not be adversely affected as the budget was benchmarked on $40 per barrel, and 1.8 per barrel output, including Condensate.

Nevertheless, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, disclosed that it was working towards achieving market stability.

Also, in a statement issued at the end of its recent OPEC and non-OPEC meeting, obtained by Vanguard, OPEC, stated: "The Meeting emphasized the ongoing positive contributions of the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) in supporting a rebalancing of the global oil market in line with the historic decisions taken at the 10th (Extraordinary) OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting on 12 April 2020 to adjust downwards overall crude oil production and subsequent decisions.

"Overall conformity with the original decision was 103 per cent, reinforcing the trend of aggregate high conformity by participating countries.

"The Meeting noted that since the April 2020 meeting, OPEC and non-OPEC countries had withheld 2.3bn barrels of oil by end of January 2021, accelerating the oil market rebalancing."

Vanguard News Nigeria
President Hage Geingob yesterday said the plight of the 'struggle kids' cannot be ignored but no one should be discriminated against when it comes to job opportunities.

Geingob was speaking during a meeting requested by Namibia Exile Kids Association (Neka) leaders at State House.

Although he did not want to discuss the contested issue of the children of the liberation struggle's recruitment into the public service in the presence of the media, he said, he was proud that most of them were actively employed.

"It is true others are suffering. We should find a way to address the issue collectively. In the past, some (struggle kids) didn't want to get training, they just wanted jobs. So, we must start all over again. We are not discriminating against those who were in the country. We recognise them but with different backgrounds and history," Geingob said.

Neka sought audience with the President following a recent High Court decision to set aside a Cabinet directive to appoint children of the liberation struggle in the public service without sitting for interviews.

Judge Thomas Masuku on 18 March interdicted the Public Service Commission, the prime minister and secretary to Cabinet from continuing to implement a Cabinet decision authorising the appointment of children of the liberation struggle as part of the public service without going through an interview process.

The ombudsman John Walters, as the first applicant, and Reginald Roman, second applicant, brought the matter before court, saying a Cabinet decision, which directed that certain jobs be reserved for children of the liberation struggle, is illegal and should be reversed.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia 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.

Unemployed locals had taken issue with the practice, saying it deprives them of employment opportunities.

Other agenda items discussed in the presence of the media are the inclusion of the children of the liberation struggle in the Veterans' Act; affiliation of Neka to the Swapo party, and historical archiving.

Neka president Rauna Amatati told Geingob there is a need to include the struggle kids in the Veterans' Act as the legal instrument that caters for the welfare of those that sacrificed their lives during the liberation struggle.

"It is our firm belief that those that sacrificed the highest price of freedom should be recognised with their offspring and we submit to you, Comrade President, that your support in this regard will be highly appreciated. As children born and raised in exile, we consider ourselves to be Swapo members by birth," remarked Neka vice president Kadiva Hamutumwa.

Neka also highlighted their objectives to document and record their history in order to ensure that history is not distorted. -anakale@nepc.com.na
The 2023 electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will mark "a new critical stage" in the country's journey to democratic transition and stabilization, UN Special Representative Bintou Keita said on Tuesday in her first briefing to the Security Council.

Ms. Keita, who also heads the UN mission in the country, MONUSCO, urged officials to use the interim period to overcome obstacles, and take advantage of opportunities, so that progress and reforms can be made.

"Indeed, we cannot ignore the challenges, the persistent weaknesses and the remaining obstacles, and to overcome them will require the international community and the government to speak with one voice and act with one accord", she said, addressing the virtual meeting in French.

Momentum for change

Ms. Keita, formerly a top official in UN peacekeeping and political affairs, was appointed by the Secretary-General in January. Since arriving in the DRC, she has met with President Felix Tshisekedi and other top Congolese officials, and with civil society representatives.

Switching to English, she outlined opportunities ahead of 2023, including the formation of a new Government, noting "there is a momentum for change that can be built."

The UN mission chief said she has stressed to leaders that the new Government must promptly act on several areas which also overlap with MONUSCO priorities, such as reform of the military and police forces, effective protection of civilians, and ensuring disarmament of combatants.

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"I am underlining to all stakeholders the need to act within the constitutional framework and to organize the elections in a timely and inclusive manner, respecting the electoral calendar", she added.

Silence the guns

Turning to MONUSCO, Ms. Keita updated ambassadors on its ongoing strategy towards eventual withdrawal from the country. The mission is preparing to close field offices in the Kasai region in June, and in Tanganyika province next year, while strengthening cooperation with UN agencies working in the areas of humanitarian aid, development and rule of law.

However, the situation is different in the Kivus and Ituri, located in the country's volatile eastern region, given the serious security, protection and humanitarian challenges that persist.

"To silence the guns, there is no just military solution, but political strategies", said Ms. Keita. "These strategies must take into account and address the many social, economic and governance needs, including in relation to the management of the security apparatus and addressing the underlying challenges of land insecurity and improving transparency and accountability in the mining sector."

Meanwhile, President Tshisekedi's recent assumption of the presidency of the African Union is another opportunity for progress, according to Ms. Keita.

"This presidency represents not just the return of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the African stage, but also it should make it possible to demonstrate the commitment of the country and the region to once and for all silencing guns throughout this part of the continent", she said, again calling for the Council's support.
Moscow and Vienna have entered into the final stretch of negotiations before Austrias purchase of Russias Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said before meeting with Russias Ambassador to Vienna Dmitry Lyubinsky on Wednesday, TASS reports.

"Intensive talks are behind and they have gone well. We are in the final meters in regard to the purchase of Sputnik V," Kurz told reporters.

The Austrian Federal Chancellors Office said on Wednesday that Kurz and Lyubinsky would hold a working meeting on possible purchases of the Russian vaccine.
(Natural News) The victimization of children is nowhere forbidden; what is forbidden is to write about it.

~ Alice Miller (1998). Thou Shalt Not Be Aware: Societys Betrayal of the Child, p.235, Macmillan

(Article by Sundance republished from LewRockwell.com)

I will write about this governments efforts to not only victimize children, but to purposely cause them irreparable harm and even death, so as to control their bodies, minds, and spirits in the quest to achieve power over all in the future.

The hope in life is that it will be filled with joy and happiness, but often this is not the case. We strive to achieve a better way, but still life can be consumed by misery and evil. The normal expectation of parents is that their children are healthy, happy, and free of strife, and have a better chance at life than they did. Children, especially when they are first born and very young, are not only totally helpless, but they are completely innocent beings fully dependent on others to survive and remain unscathed. The protection we provide for them is vital, and nothing is more important than protecting the innocent, especially our children. We have reached a stage where this government that has been voluntarily allowed to exist by this population of fools, is attempting to destroy children in order to control humanity. This is an immoral abomination.

If the children are destroyed, so goes the rest of the world, but if the powerful and their government pawns succeed in this plot to mutilate the bodies and minds of children, those that allowed such a travesty will deserve no life of joy.

There are many forms of abusive and tyrannical governing systems simultaneously at work in this now mentally deficient country, but this is certainly a fascist oligarchy, where the government and the corporate state are partnered at most every level. Maybe the worst aspects of these partnerships are those between the two most abhorrent entities of corruption and abuse, this government and the murderous pharmaceutical industry. They are right before our eyes attempting to harm every child in America, and have no conscience whatsoever concerning their efforts to do so. They see only dollars, control, and power over all, and the children be damned.

At this point in time, there are several Covid vaccine trials going on that are using children as guinea pigs. This is total insanity, but what is happening now is even worse, as trials have begun on infants as young as 6 months old. The past trials, which are all atrocious, have been on children above the age of 11, but now these murderous pharmaceutical companies are targeting children from 6 months to 11 years old, all with the blessing of your government. Both Pfizer and Moderna have been testing on older children. Pfizer has been using 12 to 15 year olds, while Moderna has been using 12 to 17 year olds. Now both are experimenting on children from 6 months to 11 years. Johnson & Johnson has also announced that it would be testing their Covid-19 vaccine on infants as well as newborns!

Pfizers trial will test three different vaccine doses: 10, 20 and 30 micrograms per shot, according to the Times. (The Pfizer dose for adults is 30 micrograms per shot, according to CNBC.) The doses will first be tested in children ages 5 to 11, then 2 through 4 and finally 6 months to 2 years, the Times reported. Pfizers second trial is set to begin soon with 4,500 children; two-thirds will receive the real shot, and one-third will get a placebo.

This is all a plotted set up for the mass injection of all children, and I expect that this will become mandated for all children in schools across the country at every age. The most evil monster Fauci said he projects that U.S. high school students could be vaccinated in the fall and elementary and middle school students in the first quarter of 2022, according to CNBC. So the stated plan is to inject every single child in America with this toxic, poisonous, gene altering, and mind controlling concoction.

People are dying worldwide due to these deadly Covid injections, the side effects have been horrendous, and sickness has been rampant due to these shots. Now they are coming after your children. What sane parent would allow their children to be used as experimental rats by this evil and corrupt government and its partners in murder? What kind of parent would allow their newborn or infant child to go through virulent exploratory testing by giant corporate whores? What parent would allow the use of aborted fetal cell lines into their own child? These are not parents; they are uncaring predators!

Much has been written about vaccine trials on children, but if one looks at the mainstream, he would come away thinking that every trial is a godsend, and is being done to protect the children. Everything is for the children after all, but is it really? In this case it is meant for alteration and damage in order to achieve another part of this global takeover, which is based on total control over all of society.

Children are not fodder for the government and its criminal partners in the pharmaceutical industry to use for experimentation. Newborns, infants, and young children cannot protect themselves at all, they cannot opt out, they cannot fight back, and they cannot defend themselves from evil and immoral parents.

As I have said over and over again, government cares nothing about you, your children, or your grandchildren, unless it benefits their desire to harm and kill in order to stay in power. I care not that any consenting adult decides voluntarily to agree to these fake vaccine experiments, regardless of the consequences, because that is their choice, and stupidity is no crime.

All of us should do whatever is necessary to stop this abuse and slaughter of young children being used by this government and all its criminal partners for their own benefit. Any parent using their young children for government experimentation should be confronted, they should be investigated, and they should be prosecuted for child abuse.

What in the hell has happened to the people of this country that they would use their own babies as tools for the state? What has happened to society when they do not question such atrocities? What will be the fate of those that stand by and allow this abuse against children at the hands of tyrants?

The souls of humanity are at stake here, as nothing could be more depraved than this exhibition of allowed abuse against the most innocent of all mankind. A childs life is precious, it is the epitome of innocence, and all those that touch a child leave a mark. All should protect the innocent, so that the mark left is one of love and not the mark of the beast that is this evil that is before us today.

If we dont stand up for children, then we dont stand for much.

Read more at: LewRockwell.com and MedicalExperiments.news.
The event introduced the online exhibition with a focus on popular categories, such as electronic products, home appliances and consumer products.

Canton Fair creates a digital channel for New Zealand to do business with China

With more than 80 buyers from New Zealand trade hubs such as Auckland and Wellington joining online, the event, built on the previous two digital Canton Fair sessions successfully held in 2020, has established a virtual network for Canton Fair's buyers to discover business opportunities with China.

China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, largest export market and import source, and the Canton Fair normally welcomes more than 800 New Zealand buyers to each session. This promotional event aims to help these buyers become familiar with the changes of the online fair format.

Martin Thomson noted that the 129th Canton Fair is a valuable platform which will enable buyers to have stay-at-home business negotiations with exhibitors despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought to international trade. He encourages local companies in New Zealand to seize the opportunity at the Fair to develop their business and promote their quality products.

Sino-New Zealand cross-border businesses enter a new era

Supported by Chinese embassies and consulates around the world, the Canton Fair's "Promotion on Cloud" events promote multilateral business-to-business relationships in a creative way.

Chu Shijia said that it is because of the joint efforts of people of the two countries that the continuous bilateral economic and trade development is being promoted. Following the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, New Zealand and China have taken actions to upgrade the bilateral FTA and further deepen this relationship.

In 2020, the bilateral trade kept a stable momentum, said Huang Yuefeng. He believes that the 129th virtual Canton Fair will help smooth the stable international supply and industrial chain. He invites New Zealand companies attend the trade show, boost trade cooperation, and further tap the potential of China-New Zealand trade.

More online promotional events will be held for countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, South America and Europe. For more details and register for the following event, please visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/news/article/5ece1f25fad2cb6087348122

Register for the Canton Fair at https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/en/register/selectiveId for more opportunities!

SOURCE Canton Fair

Related Links

https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/


By Ruth Anderah

Five Supreme Court Justices have stayed the execution of a Constitutional Court decision that declared it unconstitutional for a serving judicial officer to be appointed to any executive office before resignation.

On March 18th, the Constitutional Court Justices led by Kenneth Kakuru unanimously ordered that a serving judge should resign before taking up any other appointment in executive or constitutional offices.

Their ruling followed a successful petition by late Bob Kasango against the Attorney General in 2016 challenging the decision of then Director of Public Prosecutions Justice Mike Chibita to sanction corruption-related charges against him when he was still a serving judge.

The Judges declared that effective the said Judgement date, any Judicial Officer serving in such offices who continues with duties before the resignation, their decisions shall be invalid.

However, last week all the officers who were affected by the said decision filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking to stay the implementation of the Constitutional Court decision pending the hearing of their appeal challenging the same.

The affected offices include the Electoral Commission currently headed by Justice Simon Byabakama, the Judicial Service Commission led by Justice Benjamin Kabiito, and the DPP led by Judge Jane Frances Abodo.

The Justices led by the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo in their ruling agreed with the applicants and issued an interim order staying the decision of the Constitutional Court and that the order will remain in force until the determination of the substantive application or any other order.

Read also: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/musevenis-swearing-in-hangs-in-balance-following-constitutional-court-judgement.html
The scene of the shooting incident on Eugene Street in The Coombe area of Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Gardai have this morning arrested five males in relation to the attempted murder of a teenage boy who was shot multiple times at Eugene Street in the south inner city shortly before 11pm on Wednesday, February 24.

The 17-year-old was shot in the neck and leg and a bullet grazed his face in the attack in which up to six bullets from a handgun were fired at him.

The arrests followed a massive investigation by detectives at Kevin Street Garda Station which has been helped by the recovery of the gun used in the shooting of the boy which was found in a burnt out getaway car.

The gun was recovered in the partially burnt out Black Hyundai I30, with registration plate 07 TS 4838, which was found at nearby Greenville Avenue.

Officers were also helped by good quality CCTV and spoken to numerous witnesses.

The suspects arrested today include two males from the Finglas area with the other three from flat complexes in the Dublin 2 area of the city.

Senior sources say that gardai expect to make more arrests in the case.

There are some suspects still outstanding in this case. Those arrested are considered low-level criminals who are involved in the drugs trade, the source explained.

The victim of the shooting is a south inner city boy who is said to be making a good recovery after his release from hospital.

As part of the massive investigation gardai spoke to a teenager who is a very close associate of jailed gangland murderer Fat Freddie Thompson.

The teenager who is a convicted killer was quickly ruled out as a suspect in the case.

Gardai announced details of the five arrests today.

Four males in their 20s and a male juvenile were arrested following a number of searches in Dublin this morning, a spokesman said.

All five are currently detained under the provisions of Section 50 the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at a number of Garda stations in Dublin. They can be held for up to 7 days, the spokesman added.

The day after the attempted murder, one local resident who lives just yards from the shooting scene told of how she at first thought the gunshots were fireworks, but within an instant she knew there was something wrong.

"It was around 11 o'clock and I heard two of three bangs outside. At first I thought it was local teenagers letting off bangers, but then I heard people shouting 'get in the car, get in the car' and I heard a car skidding away quickly," she told Independent.ie.

"I went out and I could see the boy crying for help. He was either getting into or out of a taxi when he was targeted. He was kind of leaning in the taxi."

"He was crying for help and I could see blood pouring from his face. It was frightening. He was very distressed and some local people had run to help him and were holding things up to where he was bleeding."

"The ambulance was here within three or four minutes and they got him out of the taxi and onto the road. He was conscious all along and talking, but he was very distressed," she added.

"He was crying 'please help, please help' and in a panic, and when they ambulance crew had treated him he was driven away in the ambulance and the gardai were working at the scene."

While the shooting victim is known to gardai, he has no previous criminal convictions and has never appeared before the Childrens Court.

However sources say that he is on friendly terms with a dangerous grouping of south inner city thugs who run a drugs distribution network in the area.

Gardai were not aware of any threats against the teenager who is friendly with a group of notorious young street dealers who have links to the Kinahan cartel.

This mob had been using a number of sheds and stables in the Liberties area as a drug dealing headquarters before it was demolished by Dublin City Council last May.

Sources say they control street dealing in the Thomas, Francis and Meath Street areas of the south inner city which has brought them into conflict with other local gangs.
As global trade has grown, shipping companies have steadily increased ship sizes. But the Suez Canal blockage, in which a vessel longer than the Empire State Building, above, created a global shipping snarl that could take weeks or months to unravel, showed that bigger is not always better.

ARTS AND IDEAS

Forgery! Skulduggery! Philology!

A question about pieces of a manuscript found in 1883 that may or may not be authentic led Jennifer Schuessler, a reporter covering intellectual life for The New York Timess Culture Desk, into The Timess archive. Heres an edited excerpt.

Earlier this year, a scholar named Idan Dershowitz argued 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.

The claim came with a wild back story involving a 19th-century Jerusalem antiquities dealer named Wilhelm Moses Shapira, who had offered them to the British Museum for 1 million pounds and then committed suicide after they were deemed fake.

As it turned out, the mysterious Shapira had made a number of fleeting appearances in The Times over the years. A skeptical 1873 column headlined Explorations in the East, describes a Prof Shapira, of Jerusalem (no first name given) as a leader in the often dubious trade. The anonymous correspondent wrote, He sells a hundred things dug up out of the ground  tiles, pots, vases, tablets and pieces of statuary with inscriptions.

A year later, in 1874, The Times reported that supposedly ancient Moabite pottery sold by Shapira, the Great Showman of the East, had been revealed as a colossal swindle. In 1883, after the Deuteronomy manuscripts were declared forgeries, the paper ran a scathing denunciation.
SOME lawmakers have described the Vice-Presidentelect Dr Philip Mpango as a devoted economist, hardworking and patriotic.

The legislators, who had known Dr Mpango before becoming government leader, further christened him as a God-fearing person.

The lawmakers were speaking in the Parliament in Dodoma when contributing to a motion over proposal by the President Samia Suluhu Hassan proposing Dr Mpango to the post of the Vice President.

Prof Joyce Ndalichako, an MP for Kasulu Urban, congratulated President Samia for bringing in the Parliament the name of Dr Mpango.

"I am lucky to have known Dr Mpango since university where I worked with him. He was a hardworking person, he stood for ethics of his job and he loved his job," Prof Ndalichako, the Minister for Education, Science and Technology said.

She added: "Dr Mpango was happy and proud to produce economics graduates. He is God-fearing; something which I think it is secret behind his success."

Prof Ndalichako noted that the Vice-President-elect loves his country and each position he gets he served effectively, citing a position of Minister of Finance and Planning as an example.

"I am confident that Dr Mpango will be a good aide to President Samia... he has qualifications and he will be a good link between Tanzanians and the national resources," she said.

On his part, Kilosa legislator Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, also remarked: "Let's congratulate President for bringing us a person who is right to be in this position."

Foreign and East African Cooperation Minister Prof Kabudi, who had also worked with Dr Mpango at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the Vice-President elect is blessed with attitude of calmness but efficient and he his firm on his stance.

Mr William Lukuvi, a lawmaker for Ismani, said he knew Dr Mpago since the fourth phase government during which Dr Mpango was heading the Planning Commission.

"That time I was Chief Whip and was seeing Dr Mpango in the cabinet meetings for budget planning. He is a tough guy, and when it comes to planning budgets," Mr Lukuvi, Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Development, explained. He described him as a hardworking person and good man who is rarely seen quarreling with others
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 17:45:17|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Chung Eui-yong, foreign minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK), will pay a visit to China from Friday to Saturday at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Wednesday. 
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The global CRISPR & Cas Genes market size is expected to reach USD 4.75 billion by 2027 according to a new study by Polaris Market Research. The report CRISPR & Cas Genes Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report, By Product & Service (Product {Kits & Enzymes, Libraries, Design Tool, Antibodies, and Others}, and Service {Cell Line Engineering, gRNA Design, Microbial Gene Editing, and DNA synthesis); By Application (Biomedical and Agricultural), and By End Use (Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies, Academics & Government Research Institutes, and Contract Research Organizations (CROs)), and Segment Forecasts, 2020  2027 gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.

CRISPR refers to a gene editing tool through which the biological researchers and scientists can modify the genomes of various living creatures. The CRISPR technique relies on the antiviral defense mechanism of the bacteria-based CRISPR-Cas9 system. The synthetically created guide RNA is being complexed with Cas9 nuclease and delivered into the cell. Through this technique, the genome of cells can be sliced at any desired location while enabling the removal of available genes or/and adding novel genes in vivo.

Download Sample Copy: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/crispr-associated-cas-genes-market/request-for-sample

The Cas9 nuclease acts as a genetic scissor and used to open both the strands of specific DNA sequence for introducing the desired modification through the deployment of any one of the two techniques. These techniques include knock-in mutations which is enabled through the Homology Directed Repair (HDR) and via Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ).

The prominent factors favoring the CRISPR & CRISPR-Associated (Cas) genes market growth include technological advancement in gene editing platform and launch of various anti-CRISPR proteins that are expected to improve the overall accuracy of CRISPR technique. SpCas9-HF and eSpCas9 are two novel versions of Cas9 protein that have been designed in laboratory for minimizing the editing activity which is off the target without any use of sgRNAs.

According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) February 2020 release, the researchers have integrated two techniques viz. T cell therapy, which exploits the sentry of the bodys immune system for destroying tumors and CRISPR, which is used for editing of DNA. The researchers have found the advanced CRISPR gene editing tool to be very safe when used on three patients suffering from cancer.

Do you have questions or special requirements? Ask our industry experts : https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/crispr-associated-cas-genes-market/speak-to-analyst

According to the Stat News February 2019 publication, Chinas Science Ministry along with two other government institutions in the country are expected to have funded a study referred to as CRISPR babies. This study has resulted in the birth of two genetically altered twin girls in November 2018 in China. Therefore, the biological researchers have successfully achieved a key technique to start pregnancy among humans through the deployment of CRISPR Cas9 gene editing tool on human embryos.

Companies such as Addgene, AstraZeneca, Caribou Biosciences, Inc., Cellectis, Cibus, CRISPR Therapeutics, Danaher Corporation, Editas Medicine, Inc., Egenesis, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Genscrip, Horizon Discovery Group Plc, Lonza, Mammoth Biosciences, Merck KGaA, New England BioLabs, Synthego, and Takara Bio, Inc. are some of the key players operating in the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) & CRISPR-associated (Cas) genes market.

Players in the market are focusing on adopting CRISPR & Cas gene editing technology for engineering the blood stem cells and immune cells as a key tool being deployed for enabling drug discovery while creating highly targeted anticancer drugs. Additionally, in May 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the CRISPR-based diagnostic kit for testing of the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 coronavirus in laboratory. According to the Nature Journal May 2020 publication, the U.S. has already increased the COVID-19 testing while averaging about 250,000 COVID-19 test per day. The rapid FDA approval to the test kits is expected to boost testing, reducing backlogs.

Polaris Market Research has segmented the CRISPR & Cas Genes market report on the basis of product & service, application, end-use, and region

Read More : https://www.medgadget.com/2021/01/crispr-cas-genes-market-size-usd-4-75-billion-by-2027-at-a-cagr-of-16-7-polaris-market-research.html

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crispr--cas-genes-market-size-worth-4-75-billion-by-2027--cagr-16-7--polaris-market-research-301193996.html
Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com.
Dr Fitz-Gibbons says the 7.5 per cent increase in family violence incidents recorded during the pandemic of 2020 threw an outlier into the trajectory of police data for the past half-decade, as police were called to 92,251 incidents in a year defined by two prolonged lockdowns. Even without that surge, there was a 7.5 per cent increase between 2016 and 2019. The population was also growing strongly over this period, which could help explain some increase in volume. Looking at the rate of incidents police attended per 100,000 people can help account for population growth.

That measure shows that only from 2019 onward has the prevalence of incidents within the community risen above the rates seen in 2016. Changes to offence categories in 2016 may account for the higher rate seen that year. 2. Nearly half of all crimes against the person in Victoria are family violence-related

How enormous an issue family violence is for police is laid bare by the number of crimes against the person (a police term that separates these offences from others such as property destruction, theft or fraud) that are related to family abuse. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, 45 per cent of all crimes against people were family violence-related. More than half of all assault and abduction offences were family violence-related and 54 per cent of all stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour crimes were between family members. A Victoria Police spokesperson said the year-on-year increases in harassment crimes were, in part, due to the increased use of abuse and threats sent via social media and phones.

Unacceptably, police are increasingly seeing family violence perpetrators use technology such as social media, tracking apps and devices to control and abuse victims, a spokeswoman said. The prominence of this technology-facilitated abuse has resulted in specific training modules for police on understanding how perpetrators use it to control victims. 3. Intervention order breaches have increased The number of intervention orders  civil court orders which limit a perpetrators behaviour or movements  issued by Victoria Police has increased over the past three years when they have attended a family violence incident.

In 2019 there were 27,022 incidents in which police applied for an IVO or issued a temporary family safety notice (this is often a precursor to a court-issued IVO process), up 10 per cent from the year before. Police are also dealing with a high number of perpetrators who break conditions on their court orders. Between 2016 and 2019, the number of recorded breaches jumped 20 per cent. This is one of the few pieces of data in this space where a longer 10-year time frame is available from the Crime Statistics agency and the trend is stark. Although the increase is partly linked to the higher volume of orders made, Victoria Police said a cultural shift in recent years meant officers more aggressively pursued those who breached orders.

These numbers reflect not only the higher reporting rates resulting in more intervention orders generally, but also our improved understanding and focus on ensuring victim safety by holding perpetrators to account, a police spokeswoman said. 4. Regions, urban fringe struggle most Mapping statistics for local government areas clearly shows where the situation has deteriorated, rather than improved since the royal commission. Latrobe in Gippsland, Mildura and Horsham remain among the worst-affected areas for family violence as they were in 2016.

Other areas have seen an overall increase in the rate of violence since 2016 including Swan Hill, Wellington, Glenelg, East Gippsland, Greater Geelong and Mitchell shire. Closer to Melbourne, Hume, which takes in Sunbury and Craigieburn in Melbournes north, saw a 12 per cent increase between 2016 and 2019, before the 2020 pandemic spike. 5. The number of people dying from family violence jumped again last year Although often quoted in media reports, Dr Fitz-Gibbon said the number of people killed at the hands of family members  while tragic and important  was not the best tool to measure whether things are improving for victims of violence and doesnt reveal the sheer scale of the problem.

Homicides are incredibly horrific, but they are the tip of the iceberg, she said. We know that its a very small number of people that will show up in police and courts statistics. The Coroners Court of Victoria identifies how many homicides each year can be related to family violence. The graph below shows that the number of family violence deaths was trending down between 2015-2016 to 2018-2019, but spiked again in 2019-2020 to 19 deaths. Crime Statistics Agency of Victoria chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said more time was need to see where the homicides trend was going. Loading

In Australia, thankfully we dont have a very high homicide rate compared to a lot of countries around the world, we have quite a low homicide rate  and whenever you have a relatively low number of things that occur, small changes can look really big, she said. So year-on-year fluctuations can be difficult to assess. While one homicide is too many, from a statistical point of view its hard to determine trends in small volatile counts. Dr Fitz-Gibbon said while she and others in her sector would like to see a decrease in family violence statistics, she is heartened that more victims are coming forward. Loading
I thought her killer died? 

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Shes still alive.

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The actress who played her did. :(

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*GAYEST GASP EVER* 

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nah, she's been locked up in solitary for her own protection

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What a violent way to be taken out, ugh. I can't imagine what it was like for Chris and the ppl she truly loved.



Texas queen 

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He's probably one of the only people in her life who ever truly loved her.

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He seems like a very normal and genuine guy, and I hate that he not only lost his wife but had to put up with her family trying to erase him and push him out at every turn.

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Agreed. I know it's about money, but I cannot imagine cutting out the spouse of my loved one like they have.



He knew her in a way that her family wouldn't and they all probably could have shared amazing memories and they could have been supports to each other as they continue to deal with her loss. It makes me so sad for Chris. It must be like losing her twice.

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As heartbreaking as it is for her family to also lose her, I cant even imagine the level of pain their lack of care caused him. To lose the love of your life and to then not have any support from others that also knew her... :(

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It must feel really isolating. I hope he has a good support system with his own family/friends. I know he's a father, so hopefully he at least has that to keep him going.

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Heartbreaking. He loved her so much 



RIP queen 





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Her family has been complete and utter assholes towards him for no reason whatsoever.

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i was introduced to Selena in middle school and i've been sad for her since. i'm grateful the Chris and people like Chris who's loved ones are taken from them continue to live. She really was a star living the American dream.

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I was a correctional officer for years, we had a girl come through that had been in prison with selenas murderer. She said they locked the entire prison down to move her to medical or legal meetings and she also had to have double the guards on her to keep them honest (make sure they didn't over look an attack). And that this prison had huge drug runners and the wives of big ranking people but selenas murdered was the biggest prize and they had to work hard to keep her alive. Parole won't go well for her and if it does freedom won't end well for her.

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I suspect she will end up getting the Mark David Chapman treatment

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This is exactly what I was thinking. Neither of them will see freedom again. Theyll be dead within a week.

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I believe this. Considering all the crying that went on in my neighborhood when Selena died she had quite an impact. There are people out here just waiting for that bitch to get released; I'd be surprised if she lasts a year.

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It upsets me how he is treated by her family.

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Chris loved Selena so much  fuck the Quintanillas for trying to push him out of her history.

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The only other family that works harder at selling their relative out is Basquait's and that's saying something. Poor Chris.

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the only Selena

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my brother got me to selena, with love by chris for my birthday this year. i started to read it but a few pages in and i was just so sad.





that heinous monster yolanda is undoubtedly safer in prison than she would be if she were freed. she should just do us all a favor and rot quietly in there the rest of the miserable life she actually gets to live.

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The National Elections Commission, (NEC) has certificated two more Senators as winners from the 2020 Special Senatorial Elections and Referendum in Gbarpolu and Rivercess Counties, respectively. Senators Botoe Kanneh of Gbarpolu and Wellington Gevon Smith of Rivercess counties were certificated today, Tuesday, 30 March 2021 at a colorful and will attended program held on the compound of the NEC on 9 Street, Sinkor.

Performing the certification ceremony today, Tuesday, 30 March 2021, the Chairperson of NEC, Davidetta Browne Lansanah assures Liberians of the commitment and Constitutional mandate to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent elections throughout the Country.

The Chairperson of NEC reminded all Liberians that election is everybody's business and it was therefore binding on all Liberians to ensure a peaceful election at all times. The NEC Boss wants all Liberians, including the Elections Commission to commit themselves to the rule of law as the surest way to sustaining our peace and democracy in Liberia.

Responding, Senators Botoe Kanneh of Gbarpolu and Wellington Gevon Smith praised the NEC for the transparent and credible conduct of the 8 December 2020 Special Senatorial Elections and Referendum in Liberia, regardless of the many challenges faced by the Commission during the process.
After two Glastonbury cancellations, it brings us great pleasure to announce our first online livestream, which will present live music performances filmed across Worthy Farm at landmarks including the Pyramid and, for the first time ever, the Stone Circle, festival organizer Emily Eavis said. It will feature a rolling cast of artists and performers who have all given us enormous support by agreeing to take part in this event, showing the farm as you have never seen it. There will also be some very special guest appearances and collaborations. We are hoping this will bring a bit of Glastonbury to your homes and that for one night only people all over the world will be able to join us on this journey through the farm together.
[March 31, 2021] Sino Group and Hong Kong Innovation Foundation Jointly Present Award-winning City Air Purification System 2.0

HONG KONG, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sino Group (the 'Group') and Hong Kong Innovation Foundation ('HKIF') today unveiled the City Air Purification System 2.0 ('CAPS 2.0'). The state-of-the-art invention, jointly developed by Sino Inno Lab and Arup, doubles as a functional bus shelter and aims to protect those in populous cities by improving the surrounding air quality. The full-scale CAPS 2.0 bus shelter will be on display at Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) from 1 April to 6 June 2021 for the public to have a first-hand experience of the novel filtration and sanitisation technologies of this innovative air purification system. The World Health Organisation ranks air pollution as the single largest environmental health concern in the world. The CAPS 2.0 can serve as a citywide solution to urban pollution: its patented technology efficiently recycles clean air within a semi-open space and has been proven to reduce pollution exposure by half, remove 99.95% of PM0.1 airborne allergens, and kill viruses, bacteria and fungi within seconds. Mr Daryl Ng, Deputy Chairman of Sino Group remarks, 'Sino Group is committed to innovating new technologies that improve healthy living in urban environments. We are very encouraged by the positive feedback of our award-winning concept of a city air purification system, and are hopeful that it will be widely adopted and have a significant impact on improving people's lives, starting with cleaner air while they wait roadside for their daily public transportation. It has been a great honour working with talented local egineers, to create this international award-winning community project.'



'At Sino Inno Lab, we believe that Hong Kong start-ups, inventors and technology companies are able to develop cutting-edge solutions with the right support,' said Mr Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation) of Sino Group. 'The CAPS 2.0 is a testament to how connecting like-minded partners can accelerate innovative solutions for real-life challenges.' The CAPS 2.0 draws in surrounding polluted air, creating an invisible shield-like air curtain from the underside of the canopy, while concurrently generating air currents within that space to clean up the air. Polluted air is then internally purified with its dual protection technology, which removes harmful suspended particles and eliminates coronaviruses.

Dr Jimmy Tong, Associate at Arup, said 'We are delighted that Sino Group entrusted Arup to jointly develop the CAPS technology. This commercially-ready solution was made possible thanks to the team's dedication to continuous improvement over the past five years, resulting in the award of several design and invention patents. At Arup, we are grateful to be part of such a meaningful project with the potential to positively impact the global community.' 'A smart city solution must aesthetically fit in with its urban surroundings,' explained Charis Ng, designer of the CAPS 2.0. 'We are pleased with how we managed to incorporate all the technological innovations in a modern and sleek design  including multiple air purification and sanitisation systems, real-time display panels, solar panels and more. The current CAPS 2.0 bus shelter looks exceptional against Hong Kong's skyline.' The patented CAPS 2.0 is a second-generation prototype of the system first introduced in 2015, and has been awarded the Gold Medal and the Industrial Design Prize at the 47th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in 2019 as well as Gold Medal with Jury Commendation at the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival 2019. Alongside its current application, CAPS 2.0 has multiple functions that can contribute to everyday well-being. The technology can be easily adapted to a variety of built environments, with the potential to be adapted for use in densely populated areas of most Asian metropolises with established public transport networks. From 1 April through until 6 June, visitors will be able to find out more about this award-winning technology, fully innovated and designed in Hong Kong, through the educational showcase. The CAPS 2.0 bus shelter will then travel on to Olympian City with students from a local university enlisted to monitor and analyse the data collected from the roving exhibition for further educational purposes. For more details of the CAPS 2.0 technology, visit https://www.sinoinnolab.com/caps/. About Sino Group Sino Group is one of the leading property developers in Hong Kong. It comprises three listed companies  Sino Land Company Limited (HKSE: 083), Tsim Sha Tsui Properties Limited (HKSE: 0247) and Sino Hotels (Holdings) Limited (HKSE: 1221) as well as private companies held by the Ng Family. The Group's core business is developing residential, office, industrial and retail properties for sale and investment. In addition to an extensive portfolio in Hong Kong, the Group has footprints in mainland China, Singapore and Australia. The Group has developed more than 250 projects, spanning a total plot ratio area of over 84.6 million sq ft. Our core business is complemented by the gamut of property services encompassing management, security and environmental services to ensure a seamless Sino Experience. We are also a key player in hotel and club management. The Group employs more than 10,000 committed staff members, who share the vision of creating better lifescapes. Lifescape is our vision  to build a better life together, where the community thrives in harmony by embracing green living and wellness, by engaging with all and pursuing meaningful designs, and by seeking innovation while respecting heritage and culture. Committed and together, we create a better community where people live, work and play. In the year 2021, the Group celebrates its 50th anniversary, commemorating our five decades of community-building and dedication to Creating Better Lifescapes. The Group focuses its sustainability efforts on three areas, namely Green Living, Innovative Design, and Community Spirit. Sino Land Company Limited (083) has been a constituent member of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series since September 2012 for its continual efforts in promoting sustainability. www.sino.com About Hong Kong Innovation Foundation The Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (HKIF) is a non-profit organisation founded by Ng's Family in March 2018. We believe that innovation and technology will define our future. By nurturing young minds and accelerating innovative solutions to real-life challenges, HKIF is empowering today's innovators to transform Hong Kong into a global technology hub for tomorrow. HKIF is a holistic innovation ecosystem committed to supporting innovation and technology, as well as building a smart and sustainable future together. We provide a variety of platforms to serve different sectors of the community. http://www.hkif.org.hk SOURCE Hong Kong Innovation Foundation

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U.S. governors are 'playing with fire' if they reopen their states too soon, warned President Biden's senior coronavirus adviser Andy Slavitt on Tuesday.

Average daily coronavirus infections are up by 12 percent compared to last week, rising to more than 67,000 new cases every 24 hours, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data.

On Tuesday, 875 Americans died of COVID-19, marking the third day in a row of rising fatalities in the U.S.

It comes after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Dr Rochelle Walensky said Monday she had a 'feeling of impending doom' as Covid metrics trend the wrong direction.

But the impassioned pleas of Biden's advisers have not stopped states from relaxing restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

Spring Breakers are partying on in fully opened Florida, where cases have risen 12 percent in the past two weeks, and Arkansas became the latest state to drop virtually all of its restrictions immediately yesterday, with the exception of its mass mandate that will remain in effect just until the end of March.

The state joins Oklahoma, Wyoming, Texas, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota and Iowa, which have all lifted their remaining COVID-19 restrictions. Even historically cautious states like New York and New Jersey are now allowing bars, restaurants and other businesses to expand indoor occupancy.

Impatience is rising as the U.S. vaccination campaign gains speed. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. seniors are now vaccinated, 2.8 million shots are being given a day, on average, and all but one state (Wyoming) have either opened vaccination to all adults or announced plans to do so before Biden's May 1 deadline.

But only 16 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated - a long way away from the 75 percent needed for herd immunity - and Slavitt, a former Obama adviser, warned it is too soon to reopen without triggering a fourth wave of Covid.

He did give a rare glimpse of hope on the horizon, however: 'If we were talking about six weeks, it would be a completely different story,' Slavitt said during a Tuesday MSNBC interview.

Average daily coronavirus infections are up by 12 percent compared to last week, rising to more than 67,000 new cases every 24 hours

On Tuesday, 875 Americans died of COVID-19, marking the third day in a row of rising fatalities in the U.S.

U.S. governors are 'playing with fire' if they reopen their states too soon, warned President Biden's senior coronavirus adviser Andy Slavitt on Tuesday during an MSNBC interview

Slavitt tempered his optimism with harsh words for governors who are rushing to reopen their economies.

'Telling people not to wear masks, gathering in large crowds, that's the equivalent of playing with fire,' Slavitt said.

'Why we're doing it now...governors around the country, it's as if they don't want to have any role in the rescue of our country and our citizens.'

Slavitt admitted that he's 'happy' for people who have gotten their vaccines, including more than 72 percent of seniors who have been forced to cloister themselves from family, friends and loved ones for the past year.

And he acknowledged that states that are reopening aren't jumping the gun by that much time, but warned that even a few weeks could mean tens of thousands more deaths.

Spring Breakers are partying on in fully opened Florida, where cases have risen 12 percent in the past two weeks

'Within three weeks, 90 percent of Americans will be within five miles of a vaccine clinic and 90 percent of Americans will be eligible [to get vaccinated],' he said, hyping the Biden administration's initiative to address pharmacy deserts and ease Americans' access to shots.

'And by May 1, we'll be 100 percent eligible.'

President Biden has said he will direct all states to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults on May 1. Most have handily beaten the president's deadline, including many stats that have significantly relaxed their restrictions.

Vaccine makers Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have all ramped up production, providing enough supply for Biden to double his initially modest goal of 100 shots in the first 100 days of his term to 200 million shots in arms by the same point (in late-April).

And the pace of vaccinations has picked up considerably, with 2.8 million shots being administered a day on average, despite just 1.8 million being given yesterday.

Michigan has seen its daily new Covid cases rise by more than 70 percent over the past two weeks.

But the U.S. is a long way from vaccinating the 75 percent of its population it needs to inoculate to reach herd immunity.

Nearly 23 percent of Americans have had at least a first dose of vaccine, but only 16.1 percent are fully vaccinated.

At the current pace, it will take another four months for the U.S. to reach herd immunity, according to data from Bloomberg.

'We can't fool ourselves into thinking that progres means we're all done yet,' said Slavitt.

'The virus uses us to find sicker people, older people,' to whom COVID-19 poses a life-threatening danger, he added.

'We're not out of this pandemic yet, we still have an accelerating threat.'

New York's new infections have increased by nearly 37 percent in the past 14 days, and New Jersey's rose by 15 percent

New Jersey's new daily Covid infection rose by 15 percent over the past two weeks

Cases are rising in half of U.S. states, with the most significant increases in Michigan - which relaxed restrictions to allow restaurants to seat people indoors at 50 percent capacity, up from 25 percent - New York, and New Jersey.

Michigan has seen its daily new Covid cases rise by more than 70 percent over the past two weeks.

New York's new infections have increased by nearly 37 percent in the past 14 days, and New Jersey's rose by 15 percent.

The two East Coast states also expanded indoor dining capacity on March 10 as well.

Fully reopened states do not have the case trends that suggest they can reopen. The 14-day trend in North Dakota for example, is a rise of nearly 50 percent.

Arkansas, the most recent to drop restrictions, is the exception, with cases falling by 27 percent in the past two weeks, according to DataUSA.io - but its daily infection rate still remains high.
(Repeats story published earlier on Wednesday to add additional codes, no changes to text.)

* Mismatch between cenbank rhetoric and market pricing for hikes

* Pressure could force rates up while recovery still fragile

* Indonesia, S. Korea among the most aggressively priced for rises

By Tom Westbrook

SINGAPORE, March 31 (Reuters) - As Brazil, Russia and Turkey lift interest rates to ward off inflation and currency pressures, investors are beginning to prod Asia's central banks to follow suit, setting up a potential showdown with countries keeping rates at record lows.

South Korea and Indonesia, where central bankers have cut hard and downplayed the prospect of imminent tightening, are most firmly in the spotlight and interest rate swaps have raced to price in rate rises within a year.

Hikes in Thailand, Malaysia and India over the next 12 months are also in investors' sights and the danger is that the mood could force policymakers to choke off support sooner than they please, or risk capital flight and a currency selloff.

The moves also open a gap against benchmark U.S. short-term rates, which have barely moved and, now that Brazil, Russia and Turkey have made unexpectedly bold hikes, leave Asia's central banks lagging both their peers and the market.

While economists see a growing distinction between the risk profiles of Asian emerging markets and other more vulnerable blocs, they warn Asia nonetheless remains exposed to sudden shocks to global sentiment.

"Asia central banks now need to be a bit more cautious," said Sonal Varma, chief economist for Asia ex-Japan at Nomura in Singapore, with historically low rates in the region and "choppy" global capital flows.

"Some sort of additional compensation in terms of risk will need to be given," she said, especially in countries such as Indonesia where foreigners hold more than a fifth of government debt and the financial system is vulnerable to capital flight.

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Bank Indonesia (BI) cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 3.5% only in February, and yet swaps are already priced for about 50 basis points of hikes over the next 12 months, according to analysts at DBS Bank in Singapore.

Binay Chandgothia, a portfolio manager at Principal Global Investors, said while BI might need to hike rates if the rupiah weakens towards 15,500 per dollar, about 7% from current levels, the central bank probably has the room to hold a while.

"If they hike, they'll probably have to hike at least twice to bring stability," he said, which could dampen domestic growth before local demand finds a footing.

"Exports have been driving Asia, and I think the markets are beginning to think about the next leg - that's where domestic consumption and forced rate hikes are creating some sort of concern," he said.

LONG SHADOW

Concern has also filtered through to emerging market stocks, which are lagging their developed peers, and currencies where dealers see a stronger dollar driving an increase in demand for options products to hedge against the risk of even further greenback gains.

Asia's central bankers have so far held firm, and, to be sure, a slew of investors and advisors think rates markets have run too far ahead.

"In my view, investors are drawing incorrect parallels between now and recent past episodes of rate hike cycles," said Nader Naeimi, head of dynamic markets at AMP Capital.

In 2015 and 2018, he said, emerging market economies hiked rates in the face of faltering growth to stem outflows, while this time growth and inflation are firming.

DBS rates strategist Duncan Tan has recommended fading the move in swaps markets, including in South Korea where last week central bank chief Lee Ju-yeol made an out-of-cycle statement to emphasise there is no rush to tighten.

Swaps there have retreated slightly, but they are still aggressively priced for about 30 basis points of tightening over the next 12 months and almost 50 basis points over the next 18 months.

Even if Asia's economies are better placed for recovery than peers in Latin America or Europe, and the central banks well equipped with reserves, the perception that authorities are caught behind the curve may be enough to scare away global cash.

"No matter what Indonesia is still an emerging market...so there are always going to some who take that bucket approach," said Wellian Wiranto an economist at OCBC Bank in Singapore.

"And when dealing with a country like Indonesia, there's always that long shadow of crises of the past."

(Reporting by Tom Westbrook. Additional reporting by Cynthia Kim in Seoul and Gayatri Suroyo in Jakarta; Editing by Sam Holmes)
A Los Angeles-based pawnshop has decided to return a 24-karat Rolex watch pawned by a thief who violently robbed an Asian man in 2019 to its original owner. The violent roadside beating and robbery occurred in Henderson, Nevada, on Oct. 19, 2019, when the suspect, Robert E. Pearce, 39, struck Hasin Oh on the head, arms and body, according to NBC Los Angeles' Eric Leonard. His wife, Myungja Oh, also suffered injuries to her legs after she tried to intervene. The suspect fled with the mans 24-karat gold watch gifted to Hasin by his three children for his 75th birthday. The gift also symbolizes his accomplishment immigrating to the United States from South Korea in 1975 with only a few hundred dollars in his pocket. We were thinking it was going to be the start of our family heirloom, the couples daughter, Sumee Oh, said about the watch. Investigators discovered and analyzed fingerprints that belonged to Pearce. They also found out the suspect pawned the watch for $16,000 at an LA-based pawnshop called Mr. Stevens Pawn Shop. The suspect who pawned the watch left an electronic thumbprint at the store during the transaction, and it matched the same one they gathered from the couples car. Henderson PD Detective Nathan Calvano submitted an arrest warrant affidavit to Clark County District Attorney's Office after the discovery. However, the pawnshop reportedly sent a letter to the Oh family, demanding they pay the money loaned to Pearce in 2019 to get the watch back. The only way for the Oh family to get the watch back was to have Pearce prosecuted. The suspect, however, died while trying to escape authorities during his arrest in January. LAPD-FBI fugitive task force officers went to Pearces apartment on Sunset Boulevard near North Cherokee Avenue after acquiring an arrest warrant on Jan. 27. Pearce was seen climbing over the railing where he tried to move down to a lower balcony located one floor below, an LAPD detective said, adding that he lost his grip and fell approximately five stories landing on the south sidewalk of Sunset Boulevard. The suspect died two hours later in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Without prosecution, the judge could not order the watch to be returned to the Oh family. Sumee Oh was infuriated by the pawnshop owner's refusal to return an item that was stolen by a man who attacked her parents. It was directly from the man that, you know, beat my father unconscious and caused my mom to suffer a lifelong injury, she said. Being made whole, or you know, restitution should be from the deceased, from the criminal that victimized Mr. Steve's and us. The pawnshop initially agreed to give back the watch to the Oh family if they would allow a claim against its insurance policies. However, things changed on Monday when the stores attorney said the owner gave the case a lot of consideration and decided to return the watch to the family with no other conditions. A representative for the pawnbroker pointed out that the store was also a victim in this incident and that the watch may have never been recovered if sold by other means. Feature Image via NBC Los Angeles

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Home Secretary Priti Patels New Plan for Immigration is a fundamental attack on the right to asylum. The 52-page document cloaks the introduction of draconian anti-democratic measures in the doublespeak of supposedly bringing about more fairness and streamlining.

Although it is already a criminal offence to enter or be in the UK without status or permission, the government intends to extend this to those seeking to enter the UK illegally, as well as increasing the maximum penalty from its current six months. Since virtually all legal means for an asylum seeker to reach Britain are being blocked, those arriving will almost all be catagorised as illegal immigrants. Anyone receiving a custodial sentence of 12 months or more in the UK is defined as a Foreign National Offender (FNO) and can be subject to deportation. Breaching a deportation order and returning to the UK would mean someone defined as a FNO could be jailed for up to five years, rather than six months as currently.

Home Secretary Priti Patel chairs a virtual call with members of the G6 at the Home Office in London. 24/03/2021. (Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street-FlickR)

In future, a right to stay will usually only be given to those refugees and asylum seekers who apply for resettlement to the UK through the official process. The document boasts of Britains  proud history of those facing persecution, oppression and tyranny , with the UK accepting more refugees through planned resettlement schemes than any other country in Europe.

Resettlement involves making a claim from abroad, before arriving in Britain, enabling the authorities to strictly control the arrival of those fleeing persecution, wars, famine, and natural disasters. Between 2015 and 2019, less than 5,000 people a year were able to come to the UK based on this process. According to statista.com, over the same timeframe, the annual number of refugees worldwide rose from 15.48 million to 20.45 million, the number of asylum seekers almost doubled, from 2.32 million to 4.15 million, and the tally of internally displaced persons increased from 37.49 million to 43.5 million.

Put in this global contextthe term fair or fairness is used over 20 times in the documentBritains fair share amounted to just 0.04 percent of global refugees, displaced persons, and asylum seekers!

Either through its historic crimes against the populations of Africa, Asia and elsewhere, or more recent involvement in wars and regime-change operations, British imperialism has played a major role in creating such widespread misery that millions are forced to flee their homes each year.

Streamlining means speeding up the deportation of those who eventually manage to set foot in the UK after long, dangerous, and expensive journeys. The document complains that current legislation enables too many challenges in the appeal processdubbed meritless claims by Patelleading to insufficient enforced returns.

Under a one-stop process, someone seeking asylum in the UK has only a single chance to make their case. They will be required to raise all protection-related issues upfront and have these considered together and ahead of an appeal. If they later introduce other grounds to justify their asylum claim, decision makers, including judges, should give minimal weight to evidence that a person brings after they have been through the one-stop process.

In an overturning of international law, applications for asylum will be routinely rejected through the strict application of a safe third country rule, meaning any refugee passing through what is deemed to be such a country is automatically considered inadmissible to the UKs asylum system and will be rapidly returned.

The proposals have been harshly criticised by those responsible for upholding the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, including the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), British Red Cross and the Refugee Council.

The 1951 Refugee Convention did not oblige asylum seekers to apply in the first safe country they encounter, a spokesman for the UNHCR said. Some claimants may have legitimate reasons to seek protection in specific countries, including family or other links

We should not judge how worthy someone is of asylum by how they arrived here. The proposals effectively create an unfair two-tiered system, whereby someones case and the support they receive is judged on how they entered the country and not on their need for protection. This is inhumane.

Where it is not possible to simply remove those deemed inadmissible, a new temporary protection status with less generous entitlements will be applied. The status will only be granted for up to 30 months, after which individuals will be reassessed for return to their country of origin or removal to another safe country.

Patel said the status would not constitute 'an automatic right to settle' with those affected 'regularly reassessed for removal.' Those under temporary status would have no recourse to public funds, making them reliant on charitable organisations.

Several existing refugee accommodation facilities were recently exposed as unfit for human habitation. An investigation by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Bolt, led to him describing former military bases such as Penally Camp and Napier Barracks used to house asylum seekers as filthy, impoverished and run down.

Conditions in the Immigration Removal Centres (IRC), where some of those awaiting deportation are held, are already putting detainees lives at risk from COVID-19, as proper hygiene and social distancing are virtually impossible.

Patels proposals will worsen the miserable conditions in which refugees and asylum seekers are held. Together with plans to expand the governments asylum estatedescribed as basic accommodationwhere those whose claims are still pending can be quartered, the intention is to make life as intolerable as possible to encourage a voluntary return.

Following the example of Australia, which houses hundreds in squalid conditions off-shore, the British government intends to amend the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 to Make it possible for asylum claims to be processed outside the UK and in another country.

Turkey receives payment from the European Union to detain refugees on its territory who are trying to reach the continent, and such an approach could enable the British government to bribe a friendly regime to do its dirty work. Failing that, Britain possesses several isolated island territories that could be used.

The grounds for making an asylum application are to be strengthened. This will establish a more rigorous standard for testing the well-founded fear of persecution. Not only will the individual have to prove their claim to the higher civil standard of the balance of probabilities, but a so-called credibility assessment will be applied. This means that in assessing whether there is a well-founded fear of persecution, consideration would also be given to any opportunities the individual had to lodge an asylum claim in a safe third country.

Ominously, the document promises to clarify in statute the definition of persecution, which is a key test to claim protection under the Refugee Convention.

Rights to appeal against unfavourable asylum decisions are to be drastically curtailed. Since it is impossible to reach the UK legally except through the resettlement process, everyone else will be deemed to be an illegal immigrant, who has acted in bad faith and so stand virtually no chance of being granted asylum.

Last year, more than 8,000 people crossed the Channel in small vessels and claimed asylum and 800 people have claimed asylum after small-boat crossings in 2021. A failure to apply for asylum in a safe third country and the manner of the persons arrival, e.g., by crossing the Channel in a dingy, is taken as prima facia evidence of a failure to act in Good Faith, which may then be considered by the Home Office, or a judge in assessing the credibility of a claim. This will apply not only to an initial claim for asylum but in any subsequent appeals, the document threatens.

Some of the most draconian penalties are being proposed for those who pilot such vessels, under the pretext of deterring people-traffickers. Existing powers are to be widened and the maximum penalty for facilitating illegal immigration raised to life imprisonment.

Sonia Lenegan of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association called the measures cruel and said they would leave traumatised people with an uncertain, temporary form of status.

The right to asylum is a fundamental democratic right, which is being abrogated by capitalist governments around the world. As the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) states in its Fifth Congress Resolution, The victims of imperialist wars and brutal exploitation by the transnational corporations are subjected to the vilest crimes, hunted collectively by Europes governments using warships, allowed to die in their thousands at sea, imprisoned in concentration camps and subject to deportation.

The SEP defends the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and demands an end to all deportations and for refugees to be welcomed and provided with the benefits of citizenship.
In 2020, at least 267 people executed, including four minors and nine women. China, Iraq and Saudi Arabia follow. The abolitionist front is growing in the Islamic Republic; the wrestler Navid Afkari, symbol of the struggle executed in September. In 2020, a death sentence was carried out for crimes related to alcohol consumption.

Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - With (at least) 267 people executed last year, including four minors and nine women, Iran remains among the nations in the world where the death penalty is most applied and with the highest rate of executions in relation to the population.

According to data from the 2020 report of Iran Human Rights, produced in collaboration with the NGO pro human rights "Together against the death penalty" (Ecpm) and published yesterday, China follows, where the number of killings appears underestimated, then Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

In recent months, the symbol of the executions has become the young fighter Navid Afkari, whose tomb in the village of Sangar is the destination of a continuous pilgrimage of activists and personalities opposed to the death penalty. Authorities hanged him on 12 September in the central prison of Shiraz and devastated his grave in December. However, people visit the village and deposit wreaths.

Navid Afkari was arrested, along with his brother, a month and a half before his death on charges of having participated in protests in the city in August 2018 and complicity in the alleged murder of a security officer, attacked by demonstrators. Today he has become a symbol of the fight against capital punishment.

The link with the executed wrestler is a clear sign of an "abolitionist" trend in the Iranian public opinion of the death penalty. Since 2018, the number of people executed for drug-related offenses has dropped, also thanks to the revision of the legislation on the subject. However, the first three months of 2020 saw a spike in executions despite the new coronavirus pandemic, international pressure and popular mobilizations.

From the joint report of Ihr and Ecpm, the increase in people opposed to the death penalty in the Islamic Republic is a trend that also emerges from "the growth in the number of pardons" granted by the families of the victims to those sentenced to death: at least 662 in total last year, a figure two times higher than that recorded in 2019.

At the same time, 70% of Iranians are calling for "the complete abolition of the death penalty or its limitation to very special cases". Finally, a Farsi hashtag Don't execute them, in response to the death sentence of three young protesters, went viral in July 2020, crossing the borders of the country and collecting over 4 million citations around the world in two days.

Raphael Chenuil-Hazan, Ecpm director general, stresses that "the frequent application of the death penalty in Iran, by hanging, firing squad or stoning, is part of a hardening of the regime that began in 2019, in response to popular protests".

Since then, thousands of arrests have occurred, followed by convictions and executions in 2020. In this context, the activist points out, Tehran has imposed 79% of death sentences for murder, 10% for drug-related crimes and offenses. "A citizen - he concludes - was executed last year for alcohol consumption: the first time in 30 years now".
HOUSTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Houston Law Center's Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project (JCAP) is collaborating with the Center for Urban Transformation's juvenile diversion program (CUT) to expand CUT's capacity to represent and serve young people in Houston's Fifth Ward, with a goal of breaking the school-to-prison pipeline.

JCAP will provide CUT clients with superior legal representation in multiple capacities including youth with solely juvenile justice system involvement; youth with dual system (DFPS and juvenile justice) involvement; juvenile record sealing; and school discipline representation.

This partnership will help ensure that poverty does not mean inadequate representation. Quality legal representation will help protect Fifth Ward's Black and Latino youth from the multigenerational trauma and financial barriers that result from involvement with the judicial system.

"We are excited to announce our new collaboration with the Center for Urban Transformation (CUT)," said Katya Dow, JCAP's legal program director. "CUT has been working to improve the lives of families in Houston's historic Fifth Ward since 2018, and JCAP has been serving underrepresented juveniles since 2014. With this new partnership, JCAP will begin providing legal services, including record sealing and expunctions, and juvenile representation, to members of CUT's community."

CUT's Juvenile Justice Diversion Program, which is in its first year of operation, aims to break the school-to-prison pipeline and cultivate a culture of compassion. The program aims to divert Fifth Ward students who are deemed at-risk, or are arrested, from involvement with the judicial system. Instead of having a charge filed with the court  adding barriers to future career opportunities  students are invited to participate in the center's program that provides holistic case management and opportunities for compassion-based restorative justice, community engagement and mentoring.

The founding members of the center include Pleasant Hill Ministries; Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation; Berg & Androphy, Houston Habitat for Humanity; and Legacy Community Health. The program began with an assembly of committed partners that formed the Fifth Ward Public Safety Leadership Council, which is led by the center and includes the founding organizations of the center; Harris County District Attorney's Office; Harris County Juvenile Probation; Houston Independent School District, and many other community leaders.

About the Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project

Since 2014, the Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project of Texas has devoted its energy to passionately advocating for juvenile justice. In 2000, Professor David R. Dow founded the Texas Innocence Network, Texas' oldest innocence network, at the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC). After decades of representing death penalty clients, Professor Dow and his wife, Professor Katya Dow, an attorney and passionate advocate for juvenile rights, established the Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project (JCAP) at University of Houston Law Center. JCAP is notable presence in the Houston community, celebrating strong alliances with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, the Harris County Youth Collective, Harris County Public Defenders' Office, Houston Recue and Restore Coalition, and a seat at the Texas Supreme Court Children's Commission Dual Status Task Force.

About the Center for Urban Transformation

The Center for Urban Transformation is the 501c3 Fifth Ward collaborative of leading Houston community organizations and institutions, including Pleasant Hill Ministries, Fifth Ward CRC, Berg & Androphy, Legacy Community Health, and Houston Habitat for Humanity that are seeking to collaborate to transform the quality of life of families in the poorest neighborhoods in Houston and build a model for communities across the nation. The Center's mission is to build resilient families by increasing 5th Ward families' capacity to grow in all areas that impact the quality of life by working across sectors, fill gaps in services, and apply research to serve the community.

UHLC media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, [email protected]; Elena Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, [email protected]; and John Brannen, Media Relations Rep, 713-743-3055, [email protected].

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, and Intellectual Property Law, programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. Our part-time program is ranked No. 11. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 47,000 students.

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center

Related Links

http://www.law.uh.edu


IT is not uncommon for some parts of the country to be affected by drought, which is caused by delayed rains and hot weather. For several months now, Dar es Salaam which is known for long spells of hot weather, is having it rough.

However, residents of major cities in the country have numerous ways of dealing with the hot weather conditions, which includes fitting offices and residential houses with air condition units, and driving in air conditioned cars.

This luxury however is enjoyed by a small section of the majority, which leaves a bigger number practically 'roasting' under the intense heat because there is nothing they can do about it.

Serious thought should be directed in rural areas, where most of the agricultural activities in the country take place, and where long spells of hot weather translate to serious drought, which in turn translates to shortage of food.

The latest UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's annual Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition Report highlighted drought as one of the key factors contributing to the continuing rise in the number of hungry people in sub-Saharan Africa.

Drought, a period of inadequate rain or no rainfall, is the main cause of crop yield loss in Africa, including Tanzania, which ultimately cause food insecurity and famines.

In early 2018, over 15 million people from countries ranging across the continent - including Somalia, Ethiopia, South Africa and Kenya - were affected by drought.

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Smallholder farmers are most affected by drought because many don't have irrigation technology and rely on rainfall for their crops. With the unpredictability of rainfall patterns smallholder farmers are no longer able to plan their planting seasons.

That is why Tanzanian farmers should now concentrate on drought resistant crops.

Drought tolerant crops - like maize, cowpeas and rice - have been bred through conventional plant breeding techniques or biotechnology and continue to grow and produce even when rains fail.

They've been around since the 20th century, but the last two decades have seen an increase in drought tolerance research that targets staple crops like maize, rice and wheat.

Of course, even though there are benefits to planting drought resistant varieties, they aren't a silver bullet. There are other steps farmers must take to make the most out of planting these tolerant varieties.

For example, they must still look after the health of soils and practice mulching - covering soil between plants with a layer of material to keep the soil moist - to keep moisture in during periods of drought.
Threatened by a potential third wave of COVID-19, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on March 30, discussed possible cooperation on vaccines with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As per a statement by the Kremlin, the trio deliberated on chances of Sputnik V being registered in the European Union as well as a possible production of the same on the European soil. Moscow applied for the blocs approval for its flagship Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in January, but approval has greatly been stalled.

Macron and Merel also asked the Russian leader to respect the rights of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny and preserve his health. However, Putin blatantly defended his actions citing what he termed as "objective circumstances" of Navalny's case, as per Kremlin. During their virtually held talks, the three leaders also talked about situations in other countries including Ukraine, Belarus, Libya, Syria while also agreeing to cooperate in Iran.

Talks with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron https://t.co/uVXz3y0f7Z  President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) March 31, 2021

EU official starts vaccine controversy

While Macron and Merkel are showing interest in Russian jabs, a top European Union recently claimed that the bloc does not need Russias Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, speaking to TF1, reckoned that the EU was capable of achieving total immunity on the continent just by using European produce jabs. His remarks, however, drew backlash from Sputnik V which accused the bloc of bias.

Breton also reiterated a previous comment that the EU would help Russia with the production of the vaccine if needed but priority should be given to the Europeans. The bloc has been widely criticised for its slow rollout of vaccine shots, especially as compared to its former member-the UK. According to official data, 10.4 per cent of the blocs population has received at least one dose of the vaccine while 4.5 per cent has been completely inoculated against COVID-19.

The official account of Sputnik V called out Breton for being biased. In a series of tweets, Sputnik V hit back on the bloc saying that it has failed to provide a safe vaccine to residents while at least 54 countries have shown trust in the Russian vaccine. "Commissioner Thierry Brenton is clearly biased against Sputnik V vaccine just because it is Russian, it wrote.

Image: AP
(Natural News) There was a strong smell of gunpowder when American and Chinese diplomats met in Anchorage beginning March 18. Thats according to Zhao Lijian of Chinas foreign ministry, speaking just hours after the first day of U.S.-China talks concluded.

(Article by Gordon G. Chang republished from GateStoneInstitute.org)

Gunpowder is one of those words Beijing uses when it wants others to know war is on its mind.

The term is, more worryingly, also especially emotion-packed, a word Chinese propagandists use when they want to rile mainland Chinese audiences by reminding them of foreign  British and white  exploitation of China in the Opium War period of the 19th century. Chinas Communist Party, therefore, is now trying to whip up nationalist sentiment, rallying the Chinese people, perhaps readying them for war.

More fundamentally, Beijing is, with the gunpowder reference and others, trying to divide the world along racial lines and form a global anti-white coalition.

There was more than just a whiff of gunpowder in Alaska. The foreign ministrys Zhao blamed the U.S. side for exceeding the agreed time limit for opening remarks from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Blinken and Sullivan overran their allotted four minutes by 44 seconds.

The Partys Global Times called the two presentations seriously overtime. The foreign ministrys Zhao said the overrun prompted the Chinese side to launch into its two presentations, which lasted 20 minutes and 23 seconds, well over their allotted four minutes.

Yang Jiechi, Chinas top diplomat, and his subordinate, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, were mostly reading from prepared texts, suggesting that much of their remarks  in reality a tirade  was planned well in advance.

There were, in addition to the diplomats obviously rehearsed expressions of outrage and Zhaos incendiary comments, a third element to the campaign: a propaganda blast against policies Beijing said were racist. The primary target is America.

Everything Washington talks about is centered on the U.S., and on white supremacy, the Global Times, controlled by the Party, stated in an editorial on March 19, referring to the darker skin tones of Americas few allies in the region.

Furthermore, the race-based narrative appears in a series of recent Communist Party propaganda pieces indirectly portraying China as the protector of Asians in the U.S. For instance, the Global Times on March 18 ran a piece titled Elite U.S. Groups Accomplices of Crimes Against Asian Americans.

Beijing has played the race card in North America for some years. China, for example has tried to divide Canada along racial lines. Lu Shaye, when he was Beijings ambassador to Canada, railed against Western egotism and white supremacy in an unsuccessful attempt in early 2019 to win the immediate release of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, detained by Canadian authorities pending extradition proceedings instituted by the Trump Justice Department.

Significantly, Yang Jiechi in Anchorage pointedly mentioned Black Lives Matter protests in his opening remarks on Thursday, continuing Chinas race-based attack on America.

Chinas regime continues to talk about Chinas rise, but now Beijings propaganda line is shifting in ominous ways. Ruler Xi Jinpings new narrative is that China is leading the East. In a landmark speech he gave at the end of last year, he stated the East is rising and the West is declining.

This theme evokes what Imperial Japan tried to do with its notorious Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, beginning in the 1930s, an attempt to unite Asians against whites.

Racial divisions bring us to Samuel Huntingtons The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. In the post-Cold War world, the most important distinctions among peoples are not ideological, political, or economic, the late Harvard political scientist wrote. They are cultural.

Analysts and academics have severely criticized Huntingtons seminal 1996 book, yet whether or not this work is fundamentally flawed, Xi Jinping is in fact trying to remake the world order by leading the East in a civilizational struggle with the West.

Mao Zedong, Xis hero, saw China leading Africa and the peoples of Asia against the West, so Xis notion of global division is nothing new, but Maos successors for the most part dropped such racially charged talk as they sought to strengthen their communist state with Western cash and technology.

Deng Xiaoping, Maos mostly pragmatic successor, counseled China to hide capabilities, bide time. Xi, however, believes Chinas time has come in part because, he feels, America is in terminal decline.

Xis conception of the world is abhorrent and wrong, but Americans do not have the luxury of ignoring him. They and others must recognize that in Xis mind, race defines civilization and civilization is the worlds new dividing line.

Xi is serious. In January, he told his fast-expanding military it must be ready to fight at any second. That month, the Partys Central Military Commission took from the civilian State Council the power to mobilize all of society for war.

Militant states rarely prepare for conflict and then back down. For Chinas Communist Party, there is a smell of gunpowder around the world, as Xi is triggering a clash of civilizations  and races.

Read more at: GateStoneInstitute.org and CommunistChina.news.
Amaravati, March 31 : Andhra Pradesh registered 1,184 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, while its active case tally breached the 7,000-mark to reach 7,338.

After reporting less than 50 cases a day not very long ago, the southern state on Wednesday logged more than 1,000 cases. The new cases raised its overall tally to more than 9.01 lakh, even as 456 persons recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours to raise the total number of recoveries to over 8.87 lakh in the state so far.

Guntur district reported a whopping 352 cases on Wednesday, followed by Visakhapatnam (186), Chittoor (115), Krishna (113), Nellore (78), Anantapur (66), Kurnool (64), Kadapa (62), Srikakulam (47), Prakasam (45), East Godavari (26), Vizianagaram (19) and West Godavari (11).

East Godavari's tally has crossed 1.25 lakh, the highest among all Andhra districts, while the state's positive rate fell to 5.9 per cent, which is still higher than the national average of 4.9 per cent.

Meanwhile, four more persons succumbed to the virus in the past 24 hours, raising the state's Covid death toll to 7,217.

With 30,964 more tests, the total number of tests conducted in Andhra Pradesh has crossed the 1.5 crore-mark.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
For the six months ended December 31, the Aquis-listed firm reported pre-tax losses of 962,171, narrowed from a 9.8mln loss in the prior year, while revenues surged 557% to just under 2.4mln

PLC ( ) ( ) has reported a sharp reduction in losses for its first half as revenues soared amid increasing momentum in its cannabis business.

For the six months ended December 31, the Aquis-listed firm reported pre-tax losses of 962,171, narrowed from a 9.8mln loss in the prior year, while revenues surged 557% to just under 2.4mln.

The companys chairman Andrew Male said the company had seen the steady growth of both high street and online sales in the period through its subsidiary and operational company, Love Hemp Ltd, while the firm itself had been agile and resilient in pivoting itself to adapt to the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Heading into 2021, Male said the company has continued to focus on its strategy of building a cannabidiol (CBD) brand in the UK and that increased brand recognition has already opened doors and will allow the company to look farther afield for new opportunities for profitable growth.

When we move into our new facilities in South London in mid-2021, we will have the capacity to manufacture up to 500,000 units of CBD products monthly. Building on the sales and opportunities we have before us is key to continued growth through both retail and digital/e-commerce platforms. As part of this planning, the Company has hired key marketing and operational individuals who have the ability to support our expansion plans, the chairman said.

We continue to make additions to our team and build out the infrastructure needed for our expansion aspirations. However, overall, I am incredibly pleased with the effort and dedication from the entire team, who continue to demonstrate their passion and desire to grow this business. Being well positioned for growth is imperative and we continue to review and analyse our needs on an ongoing basis, he added.

Love Hemps shares were trading at around 4.3p in late-afternoon trading on the Aquis exchange on Wednesday.
Two years ago a report by the committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) implicated Bank of Uganda (BoU) officials in the arbitrary closure of seven commercial banks.

The banks were Crane Bank Limited, Cooperative Bank, Teefe Bank, Greenland Bank, Uganda Bank of Commence, International Credit Bank Ltd and Global Trust Bank.

In its report, which was presented to Parliament on March 21, 2019, the committee made a host of recommendations that include holding the implicated officials individually responsible for the mess although it did not name the officials, something that created a lot of queries.

As a result, the office of the Leader of Opposition tabled additional recommendations demanding that the officials, who fraudulently closed distressed banks, be named and investigated further.

"We are recommending that all officials found culpable for wrongdoing in the probe be named and forwarded to relevant institutions for further investigations and possible prosecutions," Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, said on behalf of the Leader of Opposition.

Parliament in turn asked police and other relevant authorities to take action against the officials.

However, no suspect has been prosecuted as a result of any investigations by the relevant government agencies.

Ms Munira Ali, the spokesperson of the Inspectorate of Government (IG), said the agency is not investigating any case in relation to the Parliament recommendations on closure of commercial banks.

"We have not carried out any investigations about that. We have not done anything because that would have been Parliament to forward to us but they did not," Ms Munira said.

However, the spokesperson of police's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID), Mr Charles Twine, told Daily Monitor that they have been investigating some BoU officials, but declined to reveal the particulars of the officials under probe.

"What I can tell you is that we are still investigating. It does not matter telling you how many people we are investigating and how many have been dropped," Mr Twine said.

The committee had also raised the issue of land titles sold to a non-existing firm: Ms Nile River Acquisition Company following the closure of the Cooperative Bank.

According to Mr Chris Tushabe, a former shareholder in the Cooperative Bank, he mortgaged his land titles in the bank to get a loan but when the Cooperative Bank was taken over by Bank of Uganda, he was forced pay back the loans, although he did not get back his land titles.

Mr Benedict Ssekabira, the director for Financial Markets Development Coordination in BoU, was the liquidator of Cooperative Bank and the committee recommended that he be investigated on how the land titles moved from the bank custody to a non-exiting company.

The current Cosase chairman, Mr Mubarak Munyagwa (Kawempe South), forwarded Ms Ssekabira's case to CID headquarters for investigations.

Mr Munyagwa asked Inspector General of Police Okoth-Ochola to ensure that Mr Tushabe gets back his missing land titles.

"Among the recommendations made in the (Cosase) report, the committee recommended that the agency of M/S SIL Investment Ltd cannot legally exist upon dissolution of the Principal (M/S Nile River Acquisition Company Ltd). You were, therefore, required to immediately on adoption of the report, seize all the land titles in the possession of Mr Kakembo Katende of M/S Kirkland and Associates, and, M/S SIL Investments arising from their management of the loan portfolio sold to M/S Nile River Acquisition Company by Bank of Uganda," Mr Munyagwa wrote to the police boss on March 12, 2020.

As a result of this letter, police commenced investigations and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered Mr Ssekabira's arrest.

The DPP further ordered the arrest of Mr Katende and Ms Evelyn Nyangoma of SIL Investment Ltd.

However police have not acted on the DPP orders.

Mr Tushabe has battled BoU for many years without redeeming his properties. Last week he said he was disappointed with the way CID have neglected the case and allowed the suspects to go scot free in defiance of the DPP directive.

"The file of Mr Ssekabira has changed hands from one detective to another and I wonder why he and his accomplices in selling my land titles cannot be arrested. They are in Uganda but the police seem not to respect the Parliament recommendation," Mr Tushabe said.

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Mr Ssekabira and former director of bank supervision, Ms Justine Bagyenda are among top BoU officials that faced intensive interrogation by Cosase during the probe because of their key roles they played in closure and liquidation of the commercial banks.

Mr Twine last year confirmed that detectives were investigating Mr Ssekabira. However when contacted last week, Mr Twine did not offer any update.

Government reacts

Last year, government tabled through the Ministry of Finance, a memorandum on what actions it has taken in regard to the Parliament recommendations on the findings of the Cosase probe.

These actions in the memorandum have remained a secret because Parliament has not yet debated it.

Recently MPs have been questioning why the recommendations of the accountability committees of Parliament take long without government taking action on them.
Lucknow, March 31 : With panchayat elections set to be held in Uttar Pradesh, various parties are preparing to enter the electoral fray. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has prepared a new set of guideline for its office-bearers.

If the party's District Presidents or General Secretaries want to contest elections, they would have to give up their posts.

Uttar Pradesh BJP Chief Swatantra Dev Singh told IANS that the party's priority is to make maximum number of party workers as candidates in the upcoming panchayat elections.

The party's District Presidents and the General Secretaries must resign before contesting the election. The BJP had decided since the beginning that party workers would be its priority in this panchayat election.

In the BJP executive meeting held a few days ago, it was also decided that the party office bearers should field only the party workers by not giving tickets to the key party founctionaries of the region and the districts.

Swatantra Dev Singh said this condition would also be applicable to the conveners and co-conveners appointed for the preparation of the panchayat elections. Party MLAs and MPs have also been asked to give grassroot party workers a chance instead of their kins for contesting the election. This would create a team of competent party workers at the local level and also strengthen the organisation.

Earlier, BJP General Secretary (Organisation), Sunil Bansal, has said long ago that no party office bearer associated with the organisation should ask for a ticket in any election. People associated with the organisation would only work towards contesting of elections. Only party workers would be given tickets in the panchayat election. Along with this, they should start the work for strengthening the organisation for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Bansal had said any party worker must hold only one post. He said no office-bearer should ask for any election ticket nor would advocate it for a close relative. This would enable the party to allow more and more party workers to contest the elections.

The first phase of polling for gram panchayat polls would take place on April 15, the second phase on April 19, third phase on April 26 and fourth phase on April 29. The results would be declared on May 2.
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Security operatives of Operation Puff Adder II have rescued eight kidnapped victims in Giwa, Kaduna State.

This was disclosed in statement shared by the states Commissioner for Internal Security and Homeland Affairs , Samuel Aruwan, on his facebook page on Wednesday and attributed to the police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Jalige.

According to the statement, men of Operation Puff Adder II attached to Kaduna Police Command ,on Monday, while on a routine patrol along Galidamawa/Kidandan area of Giwa LGA, intercepted a group of armed bandits with some of their victims.

It said on sighting the operatives, the bandits ran away, abandoning their victims and one AK49 rifle.

In the process eight (8) victims were rescued unhurt including a female namely; (1) Bala Ibrahim (2) Ede Gloria f Ebonyi State (3) Japheth Sani M Kebbi State (4) Kinsley Edgbue Delta State (5) Anthony Okafor,Anambra State (6) Gabriel Agu Anambra State (7) Chibuzo Nwokorie Anambra state (8)Ifenyi Samuel Enugu State.

The victims later stated that they were abducted along Zaria Kaduna expressway aboard a luxurious bus on 29th February 2021 in route Delta state.

However, the victims are currently receiving medical attention in preparation for reunion with their respective families. Meanwhile hot pursued of the fleeing bandits is ongoing.

The Kaduna Police Command under the leadership of CP UM Muri is in appreciation of the gesture and robust support rendered by the Inspector General of Police for deploying men and resources to compliment the efforts of the Command in tackling armed Banditry in the state.

In another development, the combined team of FIB, STS, TIU FHQ Abuja and the Operation Yaki of Kaduna Command intercepted a Toyota Highlander vehicle with Reg.No LGT 582 JL around Saminaka forest of Lere LGA of Kaduna state.

The occupants on sensing danger posed by the officers immediately started shooting at the operatives who equally countered the firing in which they succeeded in injuring the suspects, namely;

(1) James Dung M 30yrs

(2) Joseph Oradboth of Jos town, Plateau state.

On the spot search of the vehicle was conducted and the following dangerous weapons were recovered;

(1) Eight (8) SMG Rifle

(2) One (1) Beretta Pistol

(3) Eleven (11) AK47 Magazines

(4) Fifty rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunitions.

The suspects were rushed to Barau Dikko Teaching hospital where one of them was confirmed dead.

Meanwhile, investigation into the matter has been launched and the remaining suspect confessed to be transporting the arms and ammunitions to bandits In Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina States.

Similarly, on the same date the Command received information from Ladduga through DPO Kachia that some suspected rustled cows were seen in possession of one Ibrahim Musa M 35yrs and Kabiru Musa M 18yrs all of Ladduga Village of Kachia LGA Kaduna State.
The came down heavily on political parties for making people lazy by distributing freebies. The Court posted nearly 20 questions to the various Government Departments and Election Commission. These included whether or not the proposes to bring a law on making rational promises in election manifestos, steps being taken by Commission so far to scrutinise such manifestos and action taken against political parties, among others.

The order, passed by Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi, stated that the political parties should be prohibited or prevented from making election promises that can add to the strain on the public exchequer, especially if the State is facing a financial crunch. Otherwise, for the sake of finance, the State has to increase the number of liquor shops.

The Order stated that poll manifestos weren't all that popular 30 years ago and only for the past two decades they have became very popular among the masses, as political parties compete with each other in offering freebies in various formsif they are voted to power.

Kinds of freebies and money given during festivals, though it would be justified that the Government is taking care of the peoples' needs, in fact are making the people lazy and dampening the working culture of the people. In the process, the honest taxpayer is made a mute spectator of these expenditures by the Government.

Consequently, even for any normal work no force is available in Tamil Nadu and Tamil Nadu has to depend on the migrant workers from northeast and northern states, like, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Bihar, Uttra Pradesh and West Bengal and Odisha. Most of the North Indian workers are doing agriculture work and working in hotels, industries, shops, saloons, etc. in Tamil Nadu.

It is not as if everyone in Tamil Nadu has become an entrepreneur or persons with resources and if we go into details, most of the persons including wealthy are expecting freebies. Engineering Graduates, M.Phil, M.B.A. Degree Holders are applying for sweeper posts and O.A. posts. Nobody wants to do manual work. It is reported in the media that people who go for 100 days work, (MNREGA), which has been brought by the Government to give work for people, simply chit chatting under trees without doing the work.

The way in which things are happening today, one would not be surprised to see that migrant workers would be owners of the properties in due course and the sons of the soil will become workers working under them and it may be the only achievement, probably, the political parties have attained through election promises by providing freebies for the past 20 years, said the Court.

The Court raised 20 questions to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice and EMpowerment, Election Commission of India, Tamil Nadu Election Commission, District Collector. They include whether the Central Government has taken any steps to bring legislation covering the issue of political manifestos, especially freebies promised in the and governing the political parties as per the Judgment of the Supreme Court? how many elections the Election Commission has vetted the of the political parties as per the dictum of the Supreme Court of India, which are all the political parties which have submitted their for vetting during elections, after 2014? what are the actions taken against those political parties, which have not followed the dictum of the Hon'ble Supreme Court to tender the manifestos for vetting before the Election Commission? in how many manifestos of the political parties, the Election Commission has made objections regarding the statements or promises made? Whether based on the objections such disputed or controversial promises have been deleted by political parties? among others.

Judges said "biriyani and quarter bottle" have become a stark reality in elections and that people who sell their votes have no right to complain about lack of basic facilities.

It is raining freebies for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, scheduled for April 6.

"It goes on. The result is people started having a mind set that they could make a living out of freebies. A trend has been created that whoever avails loan from banks, does not repay the loan, expecting waiver of loans during election. In this way, people themselves get corrupted by political parties. The way in which the political parties throw their promises, which are unreasonable and unworkable are really unwanted. Unfortunately, freebies are not connected with job creation, development, or agriculture. Voters are lured to cast votes in their favour by these magical promises. Once in 5 years, this tamasha is being continued for decades together. Promises have always remained as promises. Most of them except freebies are not implemented," said in the Order.

Whether the development is achieved or not, the freebies only achieved in creating/inculcating laziness among the people, shattering the work culture of the State. Consequently, no labour or sufficient labour is available and no work is done in the State, without the imported migrant labours from other States, said in the Order.

Unfortunately the political parties are at best concentrating only on freebies to get the voters by hook or crook in their craving for winning the elections. This has to be stopped as otherwise, there shall be no distinction between the enthusiastic work force and those who sit back and enjoy the freebies without doing anything, said the Court.

If money spent for freebies are utilised constructively by creating job opportunities, by building infrastructure, like, dams, lakes, providing better facilities and incentives to the agriculture, which has become an orphan in our country as most of the people have quit agriculture as cultivation does not provide a secured income, definitely, there will be social upliftment and progress of the State, said in the Order.
It was the perfect birthday gift for Unny Mutune Nyaata after Mater Hospital waived a Sh66 million medical bill and released her son who was celebrating his fourth birthday.

Four years ago, the new mother was holding her then 10-week-old son when the vehicle they were traveling in rammed a stationary lorry near the Kenyatta University Hospital.

Jordel Maua

's hands were ripped off and he suffered serious spinal injuries forcing him to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Mater Hospital together with her mother, who was luckily discharged a week later.

Her son was not as lucky.

After the accident, the mother and son were rushed to Jacaranda Hospital for first aid and later transferred to Mater for specialized treatment.

The mother of one, who has since the accident, been updating her followers and well-wishers on social media narrated how the accident happened.

"Jordel was born on March 29, 2017. He was a calm baby but didn't sleep much. I was overwhelmed with emotion to be blessed with a boy. I was looking forward to seeing him grow, experience milestones and create memories. I hoped our future would only offer the best. Our happiness was, unfortunately, short-lived. Just after Jordel's 10-week immunisation, we had an accident. It was a normal weekend and we drove to Utawala to check out some property. We spent most of the day there," she said after the accident.

"I didn't have Jordel in my arms when I came here but I was told he was fine. He was in the ICU and I was in the HDU. I was able to see him after a week and doctors explained that he had sustained brain and spinal injuries that required surgery," says Nyaata, who escaped with facial injuries and muscle pains, narrated then.

Until recently when he was transferred to the general ward, the ICU had been Jordel's home since June 10, 2017. He does not know the warmth of a home and has missed milestones such as birthdays.

On his fourth birthday, Mater Hospital organised a birthday gift for him, the gift was to be his release from the hospital beds to go home after almost four years in the wards.

"Dear Jordel, three years 10 months, that's how long you have been away from home. Every year I have made the same wish, may you come home my little one. Today the one thing that I was starting to see impossible has happened. What better gift on this day than to take you home with me," the overjoyed mother penned a heartfelt letter to him.

She, at the same time, thanked the hospital for the goodwill gesture of waiving the hospital bill and taking care of her son to live and see another day.

"You gave my son a fighting chance. You never gave up on my son. You gave my son a home away from home. Because of you, my life hasn't been that bad, well real emotional roller coaster, but how you took care of my son always made it easier. My son has joined me and a bill of over Sh66 million completely written off. No words can express my appreciation nor joy right now. Am home now with my son laying next to me," she wrote.

She expressed gratitude to Mater Hospital for taking care of her son and for their patience and diligence.

"All the years I have walked those corridors with doubt and wavering faith when I was so drained to continue ... you reassured me. You held on with me, you understood me. Mater fraternity you are a true blessing to my son and I, you are our Guardian Angel. I wish I could mention all your names here but in all know that we got you at heart. The love you showed us am still in awe. My son is truly blessed to have been part of such a family all these years. Apparently, today of all days can't seem to find the right words," she added.

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Last year, Facebook funds mobiliser Ndungu Nyoro called upon Kenyans to come together and help the now single mother after the incident cost her her marriage.

"The father made me choose him or our son. Obviously, I chose my son and we parted ways. He has never looked back since then, October 2017. Not something I talk much about because somehow I have never believed he abandoned his own son," she told Nyoro.

Ndungu Nyoro posted about her predicament on his Facebook page, many Kenyans came out and they managed to raise more than Sh1 million in 24 hours!

"I have been itching to write this update all day. Because this is what we have prayed and desired to see happening in the last five months," he shared on Monday after baby Jordel was released from the hospital.
SHE has toured, she has performed with some of the greatest artistes of all time, and she has spent time working and conceptualising with top producers. But now, singer/songwriter Sherma Andrews is on home soil, to give her home-based fans a taste of her legendary repertoire.
FORT CUSTER, MI  Two Michigan National Guard members were severely injured by a falling tree at Fort Custer Training Center Friday morning.

The guard members were setting up a patrol base for a routine training before 4 a.m. Friday, March 26, in the Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, said Michigan National Guard State Public Affairs Officer Penny Carroll.

A tree crashed on top of them, pinning them to the ground, Carroll said.

Medics immediately called 911 and stabilized the two guard members with the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry, Carroll said. Other guard members constructed shelters around the soldiers to help prevent weather exposure.

The National Guard members were taken to Kalamazoo hospitals by ambulance where they remain, Carroll said. No additional details will be released at this time by the Michigan National Guard out of respect for the guard members privacy, Carroll said.

A GoFundMe was created to support the guard members and their families.

Read more from MLive:

Elementary student hit twice by car at student drop-off

15 things the pandemic changed for now -- and maybe forever

Edison historic survey will take inventory of Kalamazoo neighborhoods buildings
Recently, Germany put forward a new quantum research agenda, looking forward to the research focus and challenges faced by Germany in the field of quantum systems in the next ten years. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research will then launch a quantum system research program starting in 2022 on the basis of this agenda.

According to reports, in order to expand Germany strong position in quantum physics research, open up a path for quantum technology applications, and open up new economic opportunities and markets, the German government can take a series of measures, including expanding the field of quantum technology research and creating new applications. Establish a lighthouse project to improve industrial competitiveness, ensure the security and technological sovereignty of quantum technology, strengthen international cooperation and the cultivation of quantum technology talents.

Affected by the Germany proposes a new research plan for quantum systems, the spherical ss316l powder market is changing rapidly. These changes are indicators of market growth. This year-on-year upward trend in the market indicates that the next February 2021-2026 will show an oval but steady growth. If you are looking for spherical ss316l powder or buy spherical ss316l powder in bulk, please send an email to: sales 2 @nanotrun.com .

The price of spherical ss316l powder continues to be affected by factors such as market growth momentum, various opportunities and challenges. However, during the forecast period from 2020 to 2026, the global spherical ss316l powder sales market is expected to continue to be above average. The growth rate will continue to increase. It is expected that from today to next week, the price of spherical ss316l powder will increase to a certain extent.

Due to changes in consumer demand, import and export conditions, and various investigations on the development of spherical ss316l powder, the cost of spherical ss316l powder is constantly changing. Taking into account the current market macroeconomic parameters, value chain analysis, channel partners, demand and supply, the cost of spherical ss316l powder will also be affected to a certain extent. It is estimated that the cost of spherical ss316l powder will increase slightly from today to next week.

However, KMPASS provides high purity spherical ss316l powder with steady price. In order to feedback to old customers, the company is still in full operations to provide spherical ss316l powder with competitive price. said Aimee, sales manager of KMPASS.

About KMPASS

KMPASS is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials. As a leading nanotechnology development and 3D printing metal powder manufacturer, KMPASS dominates the market. Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries, create value, and easily cope with various challenges. If you are looking for spherical ss316l powder, please send an email to: sales 2 @nanotrun.com

OR go to the following link:

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https://www.kmpass.com/titaniumbased/China-Supply-High-Purity-3D-Printing-Metal-Powder-TC4-Powder--Ti6Al4V.html
A resident is tested for the COVID-19 in Ruili in southwestern China's Yunnan Province on Sept. 15, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

China Locks Down Border City to Burma After New COVID-19 Outbreak in Town

The Chinese regime announced a new COVID-19 outbreak in its southwest border city on March 31, emphasizing that over 40 percent of infected people in the city hold Burmese passports.

The regime quickly locked down the city, closed the border, ordered a mass test of all residents, and cracked down on people who cross the border illegally and those who shelter them.

This is the second outbreak in Ruili, a city in Yunnan Province on the border with Burma (also known as Myanmar), with nine people testing positive for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus which causes the disease COVID-19.

The regime didnt announce how the outbreak started, but state-run Xinhua published a commentary on March 31 to criticize the local government for not learning from its first outbreak, which happened in September 2020 and started with two Burmese people who entered Ruili illegally.

State-run Health Times reported on Wednesday that the new outbreak in Ruili is worse than the first one, its hard to control the border, and the outbreak in Burma is very serious.

A general view of the town of Muse (foreground) and Ruili in China (background), as seen from Burmas border town of Muse in Shan state on Jan. 11, 2019. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP via Getty Images)

New Outbreak

The Yunnan provincial government first announced the new COVID-19 outbreak on March 31.

The regime said the outbreak started on the morning of March 28 when a Burmese citizen tested positive and the regime tested that persons close contacts. By March 30, nine people had tested positive for the virus. Five Chinese nationals and one Burmese citizen were diagnosed with COVID-19, and three Burmese nationals were deemed asymptomatic carriers.

The Ruili city government announced on Wednesday that all residents need to take the CCP virus test and all residents will be quarantined at home for one week. Residents need to apply for a permit from the community committee if they need to leave home and the city is locked down with only grocery stores and pharmacies allowed to operate.

Strictly crack down on people who cross the border illegally, who organize the illegal border crossings, and who shelter illegal immigrants, the regime pledged.

In addition, the authorities ordered everybody who visited the city on March 14 or later to report to the local government no matter where they are. This kind of self-reporting means that people will be quarantined at a quarantine center for two weeks, which is reported to be expensive and in bad condition.

Ruili residents confirmed the lockdown in phone interviews but said the official announcements arent accurate.

The first patient was diagnosed on March 27. Jiegao township was locked down on March 28. All of our residents received the first test on that day. On March 31, we received the second test, Liu Bin (pseudonym) a businessman who operates a jade store in Jiegao in Ruili told the Chinese-language Epoch Times on March 31.

Local residents receive COVID-19 testing in Ruili, southwestern Chinas Yunnan Province on Sept. 15, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Lockdown

Local people in Ruili complained that the methods that the regime uses to curb the spread of the CCP virus created difficulties for them.

At 3:30 a.m. [on March 31], the official from the community committee knocked on our door and asked all my family members to take a test downstairs, Health Times quoted a high school student in Ruili.

The report said the regime arranged for over 1,800 medical staff from neighboring cities to come to Ruili to support COVID-19 testing.

Medical staff and local people posted on Chinese social media Weibo and WeChat, complaining that the testing runs 24 hours a day, making both medical staff and residents exhausted.

Meanwhile, a large number of people who work in the border town Jiegao and live in Ruili city center cant go back home from their working place because the regime closed the only bridge connecting Jiegao and the other part of the city, according to the Health Times.

Jade businesswoman Wang Min (pseudonym) told the Chinese-language Epoch Times on March 31 that all the local residents finally could go back home and be locked down there.

The tourists and the [Burmese] businessmen are in a bad situation. They are stranded at hotels and cant leave. Chinese people who went to [Burma] for business cant come back as well because of the lockdown, Wang added.

Food trucks wait to enter China near Muse, close to the Chinese border in Shan state, Burma, on April 20, 2020. (Phyo Maung Maung/AFP via Getty Images)

Propaganda?

The Chinese regime has denied since day one that the CCP virus came from China. This time, the regime didnt announce specifically where the Ruili outbreak started, but emphasized that the city has a 100-mile border with Burma and that the neighboring country is suffering a serious outbreak.

Health Times quoted Zeng Guang, chief scientist at Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Its a very tough task to guard the long and complex border and prevent the virus from entering China. Its understandable that some patients entered China occasionally.

The report focused on the epidemic situation in Burma and the difficulties of border control, which gave readers an impression that the virus in Ruili is from Burma.

The terraced rice fields in Hani, southwestern Chinas Yunnan Province on March 11, 2012. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Spring is a tourist season in Yunnan, and Zeng encouraged people to travel and said its unlikely that the outbreak in Ruili will spread to other cities in the province.
DUBLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Plywood Market & Volume, By Consumption, Production, Import, Exporting Countries, Company Analysis, Forecast" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global Plywood Market is projected to reach US$ 64.4 Billion by 2027.

Plywood is a type of wood panel manufactured from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is used as a beat substitute to the wood boards due to its durability to shrinkage, cracking and twisting. Different plywood types are available in the market, designed with low toxicity, enhanced durability, aesthetics and environmental sustainability. Due to these properties plywood's are used in construction and flooring applications for enhanced mechanical strength. It also provides enhanced insulation properties to the final product and is mostly weather and waterproof.



Regional Analysis of Plywood Market



The United States, Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom are among the leading importers of plywood worldwide. India and China are significant plywood producers because of their forest wealth, a variety of deciduous, coniferous, tropical and evergreen trees, which is an essential resource for the wood panel industry. As per the research findings, Worldwide Plywood Market was US$ 55.2 Billion in 2020.



Besides this, the leading companies' technological advancements have reduced manufacturing costs and increased profitability and enhanced plywood products' quality. In 2016, manufacturers' go-green strategy acted as another significant factor that has bolstered the market's growth. In contrast to this, Boise Cascade Company announced an agreement to acquire American Lumber Distributors and Brokers, Inc. in 2019.

The report has covered companies such as Boise Cascade Company, Century Plyboard (India) Ltd, Greenply Industries, Georgia Pacific LLC, Weyerhaeuser. As per this market research report, Global Plywood Industry is expected to grow with a CAGR of 2.23% from 2020 to 2027.



Factors Driving the Plywood Industry

Globally, the rising demand for office spaces has propelled the market of plywood in the construction sector, like light partition or external walls.

Skyscrapers' rapid growth in cities fuels the demand for furniture, particularly in cupboards, kitchen cabinets, and light doors and shuttles.

In the marine sector, plywood's are used in the construction of the decks.

Growth in urbanization is increasing demand for easy to install and ready-made furniture since urban consumers prefer to buy durable, lightweight furniture, thus driving the plywood industry.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Research & Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges



5. Global Plywood Market Analysis

5.1 Global Plywood Market

5.2 Volume Analysis

5.2.1 Consumption

5.2.2 Production

5.2.3 Export

5.2.4 Import



6. Global Plywood Share Analysis

6.1 Market Share

6.1.1 Consuming Country

6.2 Volume Share

6.2.1 Producing Country

6.2.2 Importing Country

6.2.3 Exporting Country



7. Consuming Country - Market & Volume

7.1 China

7.1.1 Market

7.1.2 Volume

7.2 Japan

7.2.1 Market

7.2.2 Volume

7.3 France

7.3.1 Market

7.3.2 Volume

7.4 Germany

7.4.1 Market

7.4.2 Volume

7.5 Italy

7.5.1 Market

7.5.2 Volume

7.6 Spain

7.6.1 Market

7.6.2 Volume

7.7 United Kingdom

7.7.1 Market

7.7.2 Volume

7.8 United States of America

7.8.1 Market

7.8.2 Volume

7.9 India

7.9.1 Market

7.9.2 Volume

7.10 Mexico

7.10.1 Market

7.10.2 Volume

7.11 Rest of World

7.11.1 Market

7.11.2 Volume



8. Producing Country - Volume Analysis

8.1 China

8.2 Japan

8.3 France

8.4 Poland

8.5 Spain

8.6 United States of America

8.7 India

8.8 Indonesia

8.9 Malaysia

8.10 Brazil

8.11 Rest of World



9. Exporting Country - Volume Analysis

9.1 China

9.2 France

9.3 Germany

9.4 Italy

9.5 Poland

9.6 Spain

9.7 United States of America

9.8 Indonesia

9.9 Malaysia

9.10 Brazil

9.11 Rest of World



10. Importing Country - Volume Analysis

10.1 Japan

10.2 Republic of Korea

10.3 France

10.4 Germany

10.5 Netherlands

10.6 Poland

10.7 United Kingdom

10.8 United States of America

10.9 Malaysia

10.10 Mexico

10.11 Rest of World



11. Company Analysis

Boise Cascade Company

Century Plyboard ( India ) Ltd.

) Ltd. Greenply Industries

Georgia Pacific LLC

Weyerhaeuser

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/krhefi

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


UPDATE: 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - The city of Oroville is looking for a new police chief after the city council voted Tuesday night to fire Joe Deal.

"By action of the council in closed session, a motion was made by Mayor Reynolds and seconded by Vice Mayor Thompson to relieve the chief of police of duty effective immediately, City council members said in a meeting.

For about a year and a half, Joe Deal has served as Orovilles Police Chief. As of Tuesday night, Deal is no longer an employee for the city. Action News Now spoke with Mayor Chuck Reynolds after the meeting, he said they wanted to go another way.

"We wish Chief Deal all the best of luck in his future endeavors, but the city is going to go another way for Public Safety Director, Mayor Reynolds said.

The council voted 5-1 with one abstention. Those who voted to remove Deal in the motion were Council Member Krysi Riggs, Council Member David Pittman, Council Member Eric Smith, Vice Mayor Thompson, and Mayor Reynolds.

For now, the city will fly the position and interview applicants for Public Safety Director. Action News Now asked Reynolds why they decided to let Deal go.

It was without cause, Reynolds said. We just decided to go another way.

Mayor Reynolds said that previous Chief of Police and City Administrator Bill LaGrone has already taken over the position in the meantime.

Action News Now reached out to Joe Deal for comment, however, we did not hear back. Click here to watch the city councils announcement on this decision online.

----

OROVILLE, Calif. - Oroville City Council voted to remove the Chief of Police, Joe Deal, of his duty immediately, the city attorney said during a special meeting.

The council voted 5-1 with one abstention to relieve the Chief of Police, the city attorney said.

The city attorney said the city administrator will temporarily fill the position.

At 7:15 p.m. Tuesday night, Oroville Mayor, Chuck Reynolds, said Deal is no longer an employee of the city, meaning he is no longer an employee of the Oroville Police Department.

Those who voted to remove Deal in the motion were Council Member Krysi Riggs, Council Member David Pittman, Council Member Eric Smith, Vice Mayor Thompson, and Mayor Reynolds.

Council Member Arthur Hatley voted against the removal of Deal and Council Member Janet Goodson voted for an abstention.

We are working to find out what led the council to terminate Deal.

This is a developing story. Action News Now will keep you updated with new information on-air and online.
Gunfire was heard for about half an hour on Wednesday near Nigers presidential palace in Niamey two days before the West African countrys historic handover, prompting fears of an attempted coup.

Quoting a security source, Reuters said that the attempted coup was launched by a unit from a nearby air base in the capital city of Niamey.

The putsch was, however, repelled by presidential guards who engaged in shelling and gunfire with the assailants, security sources told both AFP and Reuters.

Several people in connection with the attack have been detained, AFP reported security sources as saying.

There were some arrests among a few members of the army who are behind this attempted coup, the source said. The Presidential Guard retaliated, preventing this group of soldiers from approaching the presidential palace.

Mohammed Bello, who lives about 2 km from the presidential palace, also told PREMIUM TIMES that normalcy has been restored after the early morning scare.

Everything is fine here in Niger, he said in a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon.

Outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou had stepped down after two five-year terms.

His to-be successor, Mohamed Bazoum, a former interior minister from the governing party, is to be sworn in Friday, one that will mark the countrys first transition of power from one democratically elected leader to another.

Former U.S. Sahel envoy J Peter Pham tweeted early Wednesday that both men were safe.

https://twitter.com/DrJPPham/status/1377113903306444807

Tension

Attacks by armed groups have increased in the country which borders Nigeria to the north following Mr Bazoums victory in a February presidential election runoff where he saw off competition from former President Mahamane Ousmane.

Mr Ousmane, who was elected president 1993 and was overthrown in a military coup three years later, has rejected the polls result, alleging fraud.

He had called for peaceful marches across the country by Wednesday, but authorities banned the protests a day earlier.

Nigers top court confirmed Mr Bazoums victory in the presidential runoff last week.

The U.S. said it will be closing its embassy in Niamey on Wednesday following the gunfire in the city overnight.

The security situation throughout Niger remains fluid in the post-election period with the possibility of unrest and/or intercommunal clashes around the country, the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

Niger, the worlds poorest nation, according to the UNs development rankings for 189 countries, has a 25-000 member armed forces, that is poorly equipped and trained and is coup prone.

ADVERTISEMENT

The country has in recent months seen a spate of deadly attacks by belligerent groups linked to al Qaeda and ISIS near its borders with Mali and Burkina Faso.

An attack on March 21 reportedly killed at least 137 people, according to the UN. At least 58 people including six children were killed in another attack on a market, Al Jazeera reported.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks at the COVID-19 vaccination site at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, on March 8, 2021. (Seth Wenig/Reuters)

New York Legalizes Recreational Marijuana, Expunges Old Pot Convictions

New York legislators on Tuesday approved a bill that legalizes marijuana and expunges old convictions related to the drug.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, plans to sign the bill into law.

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, or S854A, calls the states marijuana policies broken, unjust, and outdated and alleges prohibition of the drug has thrust thousands of New Yorkers into the criminal justice system for non-violent offenses, denying many the fundamental right to participate in the democratic process of voting and inhibiting otherwise law-abiding citizens ability to access housing, student loans, employment opportunities, and other vital services.

Under the legislation, people can grow up to six cannabis plants and can store up to five pounds of the drug in their home. They can also legally possess up to three ounces of marijuana, or 24 grams of concentrate, outside their home.

People caught driving while impaired by marijuana face a misdemeanor that can result in the revocation of a drivers license for one year. Possessing too much of the drug or possessing the drug while under 21 years of age will lead to fines.

The bill also establishes an Office of Cannabis Management, which will include a chief equity officer. The office will regulate medical marijuana. Lawmakers are placing taxes on marijuana that they will distribute to community grants, general education, and drug treatment and public education. Additionally, the legislation allows for the expungement of records for individuals convicted of pot-related crimes such as criminal possession.

Approximately 1.5 million New Yorkers regularly use cannabis, including 750,000 in New York City, according to legislators.

Cannabis refers to the plant that produces marijuana, a drug that remains illegal to possess, grow, or sell under federal law. People who ingest marijuana experience effects that can range from relaxation to panic. The effects stem from tetrahydrocannabinol and other chemicals in marijuana.

New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, said the new bill means not just legalizing marijuana, but investing in education and our communities, and bring to an end decades of disproportionately targeting people of color under state and federal drug laws.

The Assembly passed the bill 100-49. The state Senate passed it 40-23.

Cuomo said in a statement that he intends to sign the legislation.

Cannabis product boxes are displayed at the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition trade show in New York City on May 30, 2019. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targeted communities of color with harsh prison sentences and after years of hard work, this landmark legislation provides justice for long-marginalized communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy, and establishes substantial safety guards for the public, he said.

New York has a storied history of being the progressive capital of the nation, and this important legislation will once again carry on that legacy. I look forward to signing this legislation into law.

The states attorney general, Democrat Letitia James, also expressed her support.

Some of the Republicans who voted against the legislation, though, warned that it contained provisions that would make life more dangerous in the state.

Legalizing marijuana guarantees young people will have greater access to a drug they shouldnt be anywhere near. The minute this becomes readily available, the safety risks in our communities and on our roadways will increase exponentially, Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay said in a statement.

Forced COVID lockdowns drove New York to the edge of an economic cliff, and advocates for legalization seized the opportunity to push marijuana as a financial windfall. While this may eventually improve the states bottom line, it will come at the expense of public health and safety, he added.
Voting in the closely watched union election at Amazons facility in Bessemer, Alabama, ended on Monday, and the National Labor Relations Board began counting the ballots on Tuesday. The facilitys nearly 6,000 employees have been voting since February on whether to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and become Amazons first unionized workplace. Yet it could take days or even weeks until we know the results. Thats because the NLRBs counting process is slow and exacting. If you thought that presidential vote-counting can get complicated, this is something else.

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As the New York Times reported, the process begins with a conference in which an NLRB official reads the names of every employee who submitted a ballot. Representatives from Amazon and the RWDSU check those names against their own employee rolls, and either side can contest a persons eligibilityfor instance, Reuters found that 19 people received ballots even though theyd already left the company, and at least two of them voted. Any contested ballots get set aside. Reuters further reports that just determining the eligibility of the voters likely wont be completed until later this week.

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After the contested ballots are removed from the pile, the NLRB starts counting the votes. The board counts and then recounts votes in 100-ballot batches. The amount of time this will take depends partly on how many people votedif that number is in the thousands, it could take weeks. It only requires a simple majority for the union to be approved. If it turns out, though, that the number of contested ballots is larger than the margin of victory, then the NLRB will have to hold a hearing in which Amazon and the RWDSU argue over whether certain votes should or shouldnt be counted. Once that portion of the process is finished, which could also take multiple days, only then will we finally have a result.

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But the result at that point isnt necessarily final. Either side can still file challenges to the NLRB about how the voting was facilitated, which could lead to throwing out the results and holding a new election. The union, for instance, could argue that Amazon improperly pressured employees to vote no. Amazon, on the other hand, could quibble with the fact that voting happened via mail, rather than in person.

The counting process is the homestretch for a union drive thats involved months of high-profile lobbying from employees and fierce pushback from Amazon. The intensity of the dueling PR campaigns seemed to reach a boiling point over the last week as voting came to a close. This was in part because, according to Recode, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos pressed company officials to respond more aggressively to criticisms of the company. It appears that this directive led to some perplexing behavior from Amazon-affiliated accounts on Twitter last week. Dave Clark, CEO of worldwide consumer at Amazon, notably decided to suggest that Sen. Bernie Sanders was less progressive than the company. On Friday, the @amazonnews account also tried to pick fights with Sanders, taunting him over Vermonts $11.75 minimum wage, and with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, suggesting that she was trying to silence the company by pursuing antitrust legislation. The accounts combativeness was reportedly so unusual that it led security staff to flag the activity as suspicious and warn that @amazonnews might have been hacked.
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Britain's coronavirus infection rate is now significantly lower than 25 of the EU's 27 countries - as the UK's daily Covid cases plunge by 28 per cent in a week, official figures revealed.

The UK's successful vaccine rollout means it is now in the best position of all major European nations, despite being the worst hit in January.

The weekly infection rate in France - where intensive care units are overwhelmed - is around eight times higher than in the UK.

But President Emmanuel Macron blamed the so-called 'British variant' for the country's surge in cases, saying it created 'a pandemic inside a pandemic' as France heads into its third national lockdown from Saturday.

He yesterday announced that all of mainland France will be under a 7pm curfew, working from home will be expected from those that can, gatherings will be limited, non-essential shops will be closed, and travel restrictions will be imposed.

In Germany, which recorded 23,681 cases on March 30, the infection rate is nearly three times higher.

Over the past week, the UK has recorded an average of 73 cases per one million people every day. This is a lower rate than all 27 EU nations apart from Denmark and Portugal, which have both adopted strict lockdowns.

Hungary, the worst affected EU nation, has a daily rate of 882 cases per one million.

In France it is 571, while the rate in the Netherlands is 449 and in Italy it is 334. As Europe battles a third wave, UK cases, deaths and hospitalisations have fallen to a six-month low.

On Wednesday, another 43 deaths and 4,052 cases were recorded. Deaths are now averaging 50 a day, down from a peak of 1,284 deaths on January 19. It also marked a 56 per cent week-on-week drop in deaths on last Wednesday.

The contrasting fortunes of Britain and mainland Europe are largely down to our successful vaccination programme. Nearly six in ten adults in the UK have now received at least one dose.

But across the EU, just 11 per cent of the population have been vaccinated.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens is urging all over-50s and younger people with health conditions yet to be vaccinated to book an appointment now.

During April the NHS will focus on second doses but appointments for all over-50s not yet protected will also be available.

Yesterday, the number of second doses of Covid-19 vaccine outnumbered first doses for the first time.

A total of 270,526 second doses were registered on March 30, compared with 224,590 first doses, according to government figures. Previously the number of first jabs per day had always exceeded second jabs.

A total of 4.1million people in the UK are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, around one in 13 adults.

The weekly infection rate in France (revellers in a park in Paris, pictured) - where intensive care units are overwhelmed - is around eight times higher than in the UK

Britain's coronavirus infection rate is now significantly lower than 25 of the EU's 27 countries (including Belgium, Brussels pictured) - as the UK's daily Covid cases plunge by 28 per cent in a week, official figures revealed

People crowd the boulevard for an evening stroll in Szczecin, northwestern Poland. Britain now has a lower infection rate than Poland

Over the past week, the UK has recorded an average of 73 cases per one million people every day. This is a lower rate than all 27 EU nations (including the Czech Republic, pictured) apart from Denmark and Portugal, which have both adopted strict lockdowns

Sir Simon said: 'We're well on track to meet our April 15 goal of offering NHS Covid vaccination to everyone aged 50 and over, as well as other high risk groups.

'In just the past two weeks we've now jabbed nearly 85 per cent of people aged 50-54, and over three million of the highest risk people have also now had their top up second dose.'

But last night Dr Yvonne Doyle, of Public Health England, warned: 'As restrictions lift and the weather improves, we cannot drop our guard. We're not out of the woods quite yet.'

She said: 'There are still as many people in hospital now as there were at the start of the second wave, and tens of thousands of us are getting infected every week and may become seriously ill.

'As restrictions lift and the weather improves, we cannot drop our guard. We're not out of the woods quite yet.'

She urged Britons to continue washing their hands, wearing facemasks and social distancing to stop coronavirus spreading, adding: '[Covid] case numbers are still high in certain places and looking forward they are certainly not predictable, so your actions are still saving lives.'

Her warning came as a third wave of Covid-19 surges across Europe, with countries facing a desperate bid to vaccinate their populations in time.

Macron yesterday announced a four-week lockdown in France from Saturday which will bring the whole country in line with 19 virus hot-spot territories which have had a limited lockdown imposed for the past two weeks.

The President also announced a three-week closure of nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools, that will have a staggered reopening from April 26.

'The epidemic is accelerating, and we are likely to lose control, so we must find a new way of reacting. We must therefore set ourselves a new framework for the coming months,' the head of state said during the dramatic address.

President Emmanuel Macron (pictured) blamed the so-called 'British variant' for the country's surge in cases, saying it created 'a pandemic inside a pandemic' as France heads into its third national lockdown from Saturday

France's infection rate has soared in recent weeks in a resurgence blamed on the British variant of Covid-19, which has now resulted in a third national lockdown

Macron locks down France: Schools and shops close and national 7pm curfew introduced as Covid third wave surges across Europe France will enter a third national lockdown for four weeks, French president Emmanuel Macron announced in an address to the nation on Wednesday night. From Saturday, all of mainland France will be under a 7 p.m. curfew, working from home will be expected from those that can, gatherings will be limited, non-essential shops will be closed, and travel restrictions will be imposed. This brings the whole country in line with 19 virus hot-spot territories, and cities like Paris, which have had a limited lockdown imposed for the past two weeks. The President also announced a three-week closure of nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools, that will have a staggered reopening from April 26. The decision comes as a third wave of Covid-19 - blamed largely on the so-called 'British variant' of the virus - surges across Europe, and as countries face a race against time to vaccinate their populations. 'The epidemic is accelerating, and we are likely to lose control, so we must find a new way of reacting. We must therefore set ourselves a new framework for the coming months,' the head of state said during the dramatic address. The 43-year-old blamed the 'British variant' for creating 'a pandemic inside a pandemic' that was more contagious and 'more deadly.' This meant the situation had changed since he was resisting calls for another lockdown amid spiralling infections, despite experts urging him to act sooner. 'We are faced with a new situation,' he said. 'We are involved in a race. Propagation of a new variant that was identified by our British neighbours' must be dealt with.' Current efforts to limit the virus 'were too limited at a time when the epidemic is accelerating'. The spread of the variant meant 'we risk losing control', he added. Advertisement

He blamed the 'British variant' for creating 'a pandemic inside a pandemic' that was more contagious and 'more deadly.'

This meant the situation had changed since he was resisting calls for another lockdown amid spiralling infections - despite experts urging him to act sooner.

'We are faced with a new situation,' he said. 'We are involved in a race. Propagation of a new variant that was identified by our British neighbours' must be dealt with.'

Current efforts to limit the virus 'were too limited at a time when the epidemic is accelerating'. The spread of the variant meant 'we risk losing control', he added.

It came as police seized beer from revellers and poured it on the grass on Wednesday as Brits once again flocked to parks and beaches to enjoy 75F (24C) temperatures.

Hundreds of young people gathered at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham with bottles of alcohol, despite officers saying yesterday that this would be seized from anyone entering parks in the city. And the officers stuck to their word as officials clamped down on anti-social behaviour in the city after large crowds broke the rules at Nottingham's Arboretum on Monday, brawling and leaving huge amounts of litter.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick urged people to make the most the latest easing of restrictions in England in a 'sensible, cautious' manner, enjoying the sunshine but also being careful and sticking to the rules.

In another day of Covid news:

EU regulators slapped down Germany for banning the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine for under-60s on Wednesday, saying there is 'no evidence' to support the restriction and benefits far outweigh risks;

President Macron is set to make an address tonight amid fears France is heading for a third lockdown;

Maskless Queen honours 100 years of brave Aussie flyers in her first public outing in five months;

Tourism bosses say roll-out success means Britons should be allowed summer holidays this year;

As Malta becomes the latest destination on the continent to say it will welcome British tourists;

Meanwhile, Michelle Heaton, 41, says she and her family have caught Covid just one month after they got their first dose of Pfizer vaccine;

Mother's face, arm, chest, legs and back erupt in agonising red rash after AstraZeneca vaccine;

But doctors say this could be linked to 'many other factors rather than the jab itself';

Birmingham council suspended mowing across its parks on Wednesday so they could focus on litter picking instead  while Nottingham closed two of its parks after 'appalling scenes' of crowds there in recent days.

The biggest crowds appeared to be at Woodhouse Moor in Leeds, where hundreds of people gathered  and West Yorkshire Police warned they would 'disperse groups of over six, using fines where appropriate to do so'.

Police officers confiscate alcohol at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham

Police officers confiscate and dispose of alcohol at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham

People on the beach at Barry Island in South Wales as the UK enjoys unseasonably warm temperatures

People walk along the promenade at Brighton as sunseekers head to the East Sussex coast

Police on horseback patrol along Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside

EU REGULATOR SAYS THERE'S 'NO EVIDENCE' TO BACK GERMAN ASTRAZENECA BAN FOR UNDER-60s Europe's medical watchdog slapped down Germany for suspending AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab after a small number of vaccinated people developed deadly brain clots. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said there was 'no evidence' to support halting the jab for people under 60, adding that the benefits of protecting against Covid far outweighed the risk of the extremely rare condition. Analysis by the regulator found just 62 out of 9.1million people vaccinated with the British-made jab worldwide had developed the brain clot, known as cerebral sinus venous thrombosis  a rate of about five per million. Emer Cooke, the EMA's executive director, told a press conference there was no proof the vaccine had caused CSVT in any of the cases and admitted those people might have developed the condition regardless. The EMA's ruling puts the watchdog at odds with many other major EU member states which have also restricted the jab's rollout in certain age groups, including France, Spain and Norway. Cases of CSVT have been most common in Germany, where 31 out of 2.7million vaccinated people suffered the deadly brain clot - a rate of one in 90,000. It led to the nation banning the vaccine in under-60s last night. The EMA revealed twice as many women had received AstraZenca's vaccine in Europe than men, before adding that the people normally most at risk of CSVT are females aged 35 to 45, possibly explaining the higher rates. Until recently Germany had banned the AZ jab for over-60s due to initial fears about blood clots, meaning its rollout had for weeks targeted those most susceptible to CSVT. Ms Cooke said: 'At present, the experts have advised us that they have not been able to identify specific risk factors, including age, gender or previous medical history of clotting disorders, for these very rare events. 'And, as I mentioned previously, a causal link of the vaccine has not yet been proven but it is possible, and further analysis is still ongoing. According to the current scientific knowledge, there is no evidence to support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population.' Advertisement

Elsewhere in the region a 14-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty at a waterfall. He was spotted struggling in a pool at about 6pm yesterday below the Goit Stock Waterfall beauty spot at Cullingworth near Bradford.

And there was a major clean-up in parks and beaches after people left behind mounds of litter including disposable barbecues, beer cans and takeaway boxes on the hottest March day in Britain for 53 years yesterday.

The hottest place in Britain by 2pm on Wednesday was Weybourne in Norfolk which hit 74.5F (23.6C). This was 36.4F (20.2C) warmer than the coldest place in the UK at the same time, Dalwhinnie in the Highlands, with 38.1F (3.4C).

Warwick University viruses expert Professor Lawrence Young warned people mixing in parks could turbo-charge the spread of the virus, telling MailOnline on Wednesday: 'We all expect the rates of infection to increase when these restrictions are removed. That's why we built gaps into the roadmap. But this (yesterday's scenes) is a real worry.

'What we've got is a serious situation where the younger population, who are responsible for the majority of the spread of the virus, are then mixing in parks. They think it's OK to mix outside and you won't get infected but if you are near someone who has the virus - is shedding the virus - then you are at risk.

'The transmission of the virus is clearly reduced when you are in a well-ventilated space and the sun is shining, but if you are in close proximity with someone who is infected you could get infected too.'

In North Tyneside, the picturesque Longsands Beach in Tynemouth was strewn with rubbish this morning after sunseekers flocked to the coast to enjoy the hot weather as temperatures soared to almost 68F (20C) in the area.

There were dismal scenes on the sands on Wednesday  with cans, coffee cups and plastic bags scattered across the shore. One onlooker said: 'It's heartbreaking to see. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in our region.

'We're very lucky to have access to such a stunning coastline. It is so upsetting to see so much rubbish. People should have more respect for nature, and stay away, if they can't clean up after themselves.'

Nicola Smith, 40, had planned to watch the sunrise with her eight-year-old daughter Leah, but instead of relaxing as the sky turned red, the pair began to clear the sands of litter left behind.

The health and social care worker said: 'It's absolutely awful. We got up at 5.45am as we wanted to enjoy the sunrise. But when we got here we just could not believe the amount of rubbish.

'We decided to start picking up the litter instead. There's so much. People have had barbecues and left behind beer bottles, clothes, shoes, even phone charges. You've got to be so careful where you tread. It's just not safe. My daughter has been collecting rubbish for an hour and a half now.

Germany has reported significantly more cases of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) than other major European countries and the reasons for it are unclear. The UK has vaccinated five times as many people but seen just one sixth as many CSVT cases, while France, Italy and Spain used the AstraZeneca jab on similar age groups but also had much lower rates of CSVT. There is still no evidence the vaccine is causing the condition, experts say

Several member states have paused rollouts of the AstraZeneca vaccine after a tiny number of inoculated people, predominantly women under 55, suffered deadly brain clots

Europe's suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine will erode public confidence in the jab and lead to more coronavirus deaths, experts warned

MASKLESS QUEEN HONOURS 100 YEARS OF BRAVE AUSSIE FLYERS IN FIRST PUBLIC OUTING FOR FIVE MONTHS The Queen was in good spirits as she arrived at the CWGC Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey The Queen entertained service personnel as she quipped about Typhoon jets being 'sent off to chase the Russians' during her first official royal engagement in five months. The 94-year-old monarch visited the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey, to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force. While she has been seen in video calls this year, it is the first time the Monarch has been seen in public since December, when she welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back to Windsor after their whistle-stop tour of Britain. It was her first in-person official engagement of 2021 - and the first since last October, when she visited the Defence Laboratory at Porton Down alongside her grandson Prince William. It is also the first time she has been seen since Harry and Meghan's bombshell Oprah interview. But in a light moment, the Queen quizzed one Australian serviceman about his work with Typhoon jets and asked if they were 'being sent off to chase the Russians?' and was told, 'That's correct, ma'am, it's a lot of fun for us!' The Queen, who had her Covid vaccine in January, did not wear a face covering but donned a bright spring-inspired ensemble; an ivory Angela Kelly dress, green coat and matching hat adorned with faux daffodils and orchids, and the Australian wattle brooch presented to her on her first tour of the country in 1954. She joked: 'It's a very long time since I've been here,' as she arrived at the memorial - which she had opened in her coronation year, on October 17, 1953. The event comes as her husband Prince Philip recovers at home after undergoing heart surgery at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London earlier this month. Advertisement

It comes after EU regulators slapped down Germany for suspending AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab after a small number of vaccinated people developed deadly brain clots.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said there was 'no evidence' to support halting the jab for people under 60, adding that the benefits of protecting against Covid far outweighed the risk of the extremely rare condition.

Analysis by the regulator found just 62 out of 9.1million people vaccinated with the British-made jab worldwide had developed the brain clot, known as cerebral sinus venous thrombosis  a rate of about five per million.

Emer Cooke, the EMA's executive director, told a press conference there was no proof the vaccine had caused CSVT in any of the cases and admitted those people might have developed the condition regardless.

Tourism bosses have also said that the UK's successful jabs roll-out means it is safer for Britons to take summer holidays to more than 130 countries across the world.

A study commissioned by Manchester Airports Group says that most of Europe, the Caribbean, north Africa and the United States should be on the destination list.

The report, submitted to the Government's travel task force - which is due to outline its own plans next Monday - says it should be possible to allow people to visit countries with higher coronavirus rates that last summer without 'increasing the risk of putting pressure on the NHS'.

Currently all leisure travel is banned until May 17 at the earliest, with fears that a spike in Covid cases in Europe and a death rate of more than 1,000 a day in the US will keep foreign flights off the menu for some time.

However, business leaders last night united with MPs to plead with the Prime Minister to be ambitious as they warned that more than a million jobs were at risk if Boris Johnson failed to get Britain flying again.

In letter to the PM, they said firms across the country faced devastation if planes were kept grounded.

The PM has pencilled in May 17 as the earliest date when foreign travel could resume, but there are fears he will push this back as the continent is hit by a third coronavirus wave.

Mr Johnson will give an update on his plans on Monday, but sources say he is likely to declare it is still too early to set a firm date for when borders can reopen.

Following pleas from a group of 40 MPs earlier this week, industry leaders from the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses and UK Hospitality said the economic recovery would be put at risk if overseas trips remained illegal.

'If we cannot start flying again this summer, the further damage to UK businesses large and small would be severe,' they wrote.

'Aviation is vital to the UK's economic recovery from the pandemic. Our air links are not a frivolous luxury.

'They connect Britain with the world and link British products, experiences and expertise with billions of potential buyers overseas.'

The business groups said the success of the vaccine rollout 'should allow us to push on with rebuilding the businesses, jobs and livelihoods that have been hit so hard by our forced isolation'.
Afghanistan welcomed the remarks made by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar during the Heart of Asia conference in Dushanbe on March 31. Addressing the foreign ministers in Afghanistan, in a veiled reference to Pakistans continued backing of regional terrorism and non-state actors, EAM said on Tuesday For a durable peace in Afghanistan, what we need is a genuine 'double peace', that is, peace within Afghanistan and peace around Afghanistan." Following Jaishankars statements, the Afghan envoy to India Farid Mamundzay backed Indias position and called for support of non-state actors to cease.

Mamundzay told ANI, Till terror support continues from within the region of beyond region the conflict will continue, we have been suffering our people are suffering because of foreign fighters, Afghans have suffered the most, it's not a civil war in Afghanistan, it's international terrorism and that has caused a lot of misery and lot of blood, so wherever it is coming from we want all those non-state actors to stop killing Afghans and destabilising Afghanistan.

Afghanistan welcoming Indias stance on regional terrorism came after the foreign minister of the middle east nation Mohammed Hanif Atmar while visiting New Delhi called for India to be a part of all forum where peace in Afghanistan is up for discussion because it has huge stakes in the development of the war-torn country. The security measures in Afghanistan have a direct impact on India and New Delhi also echoed its support for an immediate ceasefire in Kabul.

Afghanistan envoy to India said, "Troika echoed the opinion of international community produced a very good statement that level of violence should be dropped, this is a very principle position from India, it is a very strategic partner, it is the largest contributor to development in Afghanistan, it has stakes in Afghanistan, India wants peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, we are grateful India is supporting the position of the Afghan government, violence has to be stopped, violence has to dropped in weeks and months ahead."

#WATCH | We believe that peace would be best achieved if there is an understanding within & around Afghanistan. We also believe that there needs to be good faith negotiations & that we should remain true to principles of 'Heart of Asia': EAM S Jaishankar in Dushanbe, Tajikistan pic.twitter.com/kjdVEzFSLM  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

Jaishankar to visit Kabul soon

ANI reported citing diplomatic sources that the External Affairs Minister is expected to make a visit to Kabul soon after Atmar invited Jaishankar to Afghanistan during the officials visit to India. However, the dates are still being finalised. A per the report, when asked about EAMs proposed Kabul visit, Mamundzay said, No dates are finalised, we are working on it, we expect senior leadership to visit Afghanistan soon."

Image credits: PTI/ANI
Bigg Boss 7 Contestant Ajaz Khan Arrested By Narcotics Control Bureau

Bigg Boss 7 contestant, Ajaz Khan has often grabbed the headlines because of his controversies. He has often been found on the wrong foot of the law, facing detentions and arrests. The actor had been detained by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and after almost 8 hours of questioning, he has now been arrested.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ajaz Khan (@imajazkhan)

The actor had been returning to Mumbai from Rajasthan. The moment he had landed at the airport, the NCB reached to him and detained him on the 30th of March. The NCB had also raided two more locations- Andheri and Lokhandwala, where he has properties. He was questioned for over 8 hours before he was arrested. News agency ANI conformed the news.

NCB has arrested Actor Ajaz Khan, after 8 hours of interrogation in connection with a drug case: Narcotics Control Bureau  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

As per a report in ETimes, NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede said, "We have found his involvement in the Shadab Batata case and he is definitely facing some serious charges. His statement is being recorded at present.'' Sahdab Batata was arrested last week and the NCB has apparently found drugs worth Rs. 2 crores.

This is not the first time that the name of this controversial contestant of Bigg Boss had come up. In 2018, he was arrested by the Navi Mumbai Police for allegedly possessing banned drugs. Last year, the actor was arrested for uploading an objectionable post on a social networking site. He was also arrested in 2019.
Affine, a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Analytics Engineering consulting and solutions firm, has appointed Pitchfork Partners Strategic Consulting LLP. to advise on communication strategies.

Founded in February 2011, Affine is a leading consulting and solutions firm delivering Analytics-driven enterprise transformation. Affine offers capabilities across the analytical value chain, assisting over 45 Fortune-500 global enterprises across the USA, UK, Europe, Singapore and India.

Affine has a decades experience in delivering analytics-driven solutions for business transformation. With domain expertise in Hi-tech, Gaming, Manufacturing and CPG, Affine assists businesses with end-to-end solutions through AI & Deep Learning Solutions, Data Lake Design and Development, Big Data Powered Advanced Analytics, Cloud Advisory and Assessment, Cloud Migration, Deployment Consulting and Architecture Design.

Recently, Affine underwent a brand identity transformation. The new identity narrates Affine's decade-long journey as a catalyst for business transformation for global and Indian enterprises.

Affine's new identity represents the triangulation of solutions and services Affine provides as a catalyst of business transformation underpinned by AI, Data Analytics Engineering & Cloud.

The new positioning is aimed at enterprises, conglomerates & GCC's seeking 'game-changers' to transform their businesses and accelerate the enterprise decision-making process.

Pitchfork Partners will lead the brand and strategic communication for Affine, while supporting the strategy with insight-based analytics, to enable growth and strengthen the brand narrative.

Manas Agrawal, Co-founder and CEO, Affine said: We are entering an exciting phase of digital transformation and technological innovation. In this journey we are looking out for partners who share our beliefs and passion to share knowledge and transform businesses. Pitchfork Partners shares our beliefs, and its expertise will play an important role in our communication agenda. And we eagerly look forward to a sustained partnership and growth.

Jaideep Shergill, Co-founder, Pitchfork Partners, added: We are delighted to partner with Affine. We understand the dynamism and the shift taking place in the business sector in India. It is a privilege to partner with a leading innovations firm and be part of a journey towards transformation. We are looking forward to successfully support Affine with our expertise and capabilities.
Its not often you hear the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americas health protection agency, openly express fear for the future, but that is what Dr Rochelle Walensky did yesterday.

We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope. But, right now, Im scared, she said, adding that she had a sense of impending doom about increasingly lax attitudes to Covid restrictions.

A former professor of medicine at Harvard, and former chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr Walensky knows what shes talking about. Despite the lightning speed of the vaccination programme in the United States, where every adult can expect to be inoculated by June, the danger posed by Covid has not yet receded.

In fact, the success of the Biden administration in amassing vaccines, and the efficiency with which the vaccination programme is being run, has created an unforeseen problem  a premature declaration, by some, of victory over the virus.

Joe Biden has triumphed in a number of battles against Covid since he was inaugurated, but the war is not yet won. It wont be until the vast majority of adults have received their jab. Relaxing restrictions too soon risks undermining the entire effort  and costing countless lives.

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We have a similar problem in this country, but for entirely different reasons. Insecure supply of vaccines from the EU, together with high-profile cases of unfairness in vaccination administration, has inflamed public anger.

It is difficult to remain stoic and continue to live under draconian restrictions, when others flout the rules and jump the queue for vaccination ahead of the elderly and those with serious underlying conditions. Social solidarity, the sense that we are all in it together, has been whittled away by the selfish disregard of some of the central tenet of the vaccination programme  the most vulnerable, not the most connected, go to the top of the queue.

What happened at the Beacon Hospital, as Micheal Martin said, was repugnant, but it would be truly awful if this abhorrent incident led to a jaded public jettisoning our overarching Covid plan  abide by the restrictions until the vaccination programme has time to do its job.

There must be consequences for those who have eroded public faith in the vaccination programme, and assurances from the HSE that people are not being vaccinated out of sequence, but what happened at the Beacon Hospital concerned 36 doses. Meanwhile, millions of us are still waiting to receive our first jab.

The truth is, the notion that there could be any widespread reopening of the economy before a significant proportion of the population had been vaccinated was always wrong. Some have consistently insisted that life should return to normal once the vulnerable are inoculated. But who comprises the vulnerable? Is it confined to those aged over 65? Or the significant proportion of the population who have an underlying condition?

How do we stand over these narrow categorisations when we know that, of the 2,685 people who were hospitalised between January 6 and 19 alone, 43pc were under the age of 65. Once Covid is allowed to rip through the population, it inevitably leads to death and serious illness, not just among the elderly, but across all age groups.

The UK has belatedly learned this lesson. After enduring one of the worst Covid death rates in the world, the runaway success of its vaccination programme has not prompted any premature mass reopening of its economy. England, for example, has now vaccinated 87pc of those aged over 50, multiples of what has been achieved in this country, yet non-essential retail and public buildings like museums and libraries are still closed  and will remain so until mid-April.

Meanwhile, bars and restaurants, when they do reopen in the UK on April 12, will only be allowed to serve customers who remain outdoors. It is not expected that indoor hospitality will reopen until May 17  in nearly two months time  and that is assuming vaccine supply is secure and there is no fourth wave of the virus.

Nphet has similarly cautioned the Government that any reopening of the country here must be careful and graduated or it risks destroying the immense sacrifice of the Irish people over the past three months. This may not be the message we want to hear, but it is one that is echoing not just here, but all around the world.

Feelings of anger, frustration and despair, as we enter our 13th month of lockdown, are understandable. But Covid doesnt care about our feelings. It takes advantage of weakness and it is relentless in its desire to achieve out-of-control transmission. No amount of righteous anger will change that.

The best thing we can all do, in the meantime, is keep our eyes on the prize and remain hopeful. If the EU delivers on its vaccination promises, then a million doses will be delivered to this country in April, which will seriously bolster our efforts to defeat this virus. It will then be up to the HSE to rise to the challenge of mass vaccinations  and ensure the roll-out is fair and based on need, not ones social circle. If everything goes to plan, the worst will be behind us in two months time and we can all enjoy the summer surrounded by our friends and family  even if those gatherings are outside.

It can be hard to remain hopeful when hope has been dashed so many times before, but there are legitimate reasons to believe this time it is different. That hope is warranted and the end is nigh. But hope can only live if Covid dies, or at least remains suppressed in the community.

Winston Churchill famously said, when youre going through hell, keep going. That is what we must all do now 

particularly when there is finally light on the horizon.
Confirmed cases of COVID, including those related to new variants, are on the rise in New Jersey, even as the tens of thousands of residents are being vaccinated every day.

More than 4 million doses have been administered in state, with 1.5 million New Jerseyans fully vaccinated as of Wednesday morning, according to the states COVID dashboard. However, scientists say it is still not known if the three vaccines currently available will be as effective against the variants already in the state or any new mutations that may develop.

We really are in a race between variants and vaccines because as long as there are susceptible hosts, the virus will continue to mutate, said Stephanie Silvera, an epidemiologist and professor at Montclair State University.

Complicating the situation, the state doesnt know how widespread the new variants are because it is only testing for variants in 2% of positive COVID-19 tests, said Dr. Ed Lifshitz, director of the state Department of Healths communicable disease service, at the governors Monday coronavirus briefing.

He said the most common variants circulating are the U.K. (known as B.1.1.7) and New York City variants, which probably make up somewhere between 10 and 40% of new cases.

And Ashish Jha, a public health policy researcher and dean of Brown Universitys School of Public Health, cast a somber tone earlier this week referring to the situation nationwide. Well, despite phenomenal vaccination rates, variants pulled ahead this week, he tweeted.

We know its a race between vaccinations & variants



Well, despite phenomenal vaccination rates, variants pulled ahead this week



Infections up in 34 states



Test positivity up in 38



Hospitalizations up in 20



Holding tight until more folks vaccinated key to winning this race pic.twitter.com/15SbgPx5JU  Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH (@ashishkjha) March 28, 2021

Medical experts agree the first step to assessing the effectiveness of the vaccines is to start testing more for variants.

While the U.K. and New York City variants are the most common in New Jersey, the state has also seen the Brazilian and South African variants, Silvera said.

The first two are concerning because, for example, the U.K. variant is estimated to be at least 30 to 50% more infectious than the wild type (original) COVID-19 virus, she said. The latter two not only appear to be more infectious but the data seem to indicate that if you have been vaccinated or infected with another COVID-19 variant, you may still be susceptible to these variants because of a slower immune response.

She said that while the data on how the current vaccines act against the variants is still emerging, the vaccines still perform well against the new variants with respect to preventing hospitalizations and deaths. But, she said, they do have lower efficacy when looking at preventing symptoms.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine has the benefit of having been tested in multiple continents, while the variants were circulating, so we have evidence of how well that vaccine works against these variants whereas Pfizer and Moderna were tested before these variants were in circulation, Silvera said. While I believe the vaccines will ultimately continue to provide protection, the goal now is to try to prevent the transmission of the virus, regardless of variant, until we can get more of the population immunized.

A new study released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be 90% effective in preventing infection in a real-world setting.

The study of 4,000 health care workers and other essential personnel found 16 infections among people who received one dose of a vaccine and only three infections in people who received two doses more than 14 days before. That compared to 161 infections among unvaccinated workers. It did not address effectiveness against the variants.

Stanley Weiss, an epidemiologist and professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the Rutgers School of Public Health, said New Jerseys rapid rise in variants is contributing the states uptick in cases, which is why more information is needed on how well the vaccines will perform.

He warns that the variants, even with increased vaccinations, are a reason to avoid reopening the state too quickly. This strongly argues against current loosening of restrictions and against opening up of schools at this juncture. Doing so now is premature, he said.

White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said the higher case counts shouldnt only be attributed to the increase in variants.

Variants we take seriously and are concerned, but it is not only the variants that are doing that, Fauci told CBS Face the Nation on Sunday. What were likely seeing is because of things like spring break and pulling back on the mitigation methods that youve seen. Now, several states have done that.

Weiss said because the data on variants and the effectiveness of the vaccines isnt clear yet, all safety precautions need to remain in place and the vaccination rollout needs to continue to escalate.

If people do not, then current vaccination efforts may not suffice to reduce the pandemic, especially as continuing rapid spread is precisely the way to provide an opportunity for this devious virus to continue to evolve, and the time picture for any return to normalcy may get significantly delayed, Weiss said.

Silvera agreed that the increase and spread of the variants should make us all pause and consider how quickly we return to `normal.

While vaccine distribution has increased dramatically, we still dont have the majority of the population vaccinated and while we work to achieve that goal, we need to continue to utilize the public health prevention methods that we know work regardless of the variant, namely mask wearing, washing our hands, and avoiding crowded indoor activities that reduce our ability to social distance, she said.

There is hope and we are working towards moving through this pandemic, but we cant run a victory lap before weve finished the race, Silvera said.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

NJ Advance Media Statehouse reporter Matt Arco contributed to this report.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com.
By Christine M Adams

Looking over Rep. Glenn Thompsons voting record in the federal House is a study in not caring for Pennsylvanians and Americans. This latest refusal to help Americans by refusing to support House Resolution 1 (For The People Act) is the latest vote against our interests.

Over half a million Americans are dead from COVID, and millions have lost their jobs. About 100,000 American businesses were closed by the end of September, 2020. This bill adds $300 to unemployment benefits till this September.

One-fifth of the children in America are in poverty and food insecure now and this bill eliminates half of childhood poverty! Americans and Pennsylvanians are hurting! States cannot borrow money. The federal government can and should borrow money and $1.9 trillion is exactly as much money as was given away totally unnecessarily early in the Trump Administration by the greedy old propagandist politicians to the wealthiest in this country.

Millions of Americans are hurting and in danger of losing their homes, livelihoods and health today and half a million families are mourning COVID victims.

However looking at VoteSpotter, Rep. Thompson not only voted against helping us in HR1, he also voted against the last stimulus check.

Thompson voted against helping renters and homeowners to avoid eviction and foreclosure in HR 7301 on June 29, 2020. He also voted on May 28, 2020 against fiscal responsibility, by asking those businesses that received COVID benefits to account for exactly who got the COVID relief money that was distributed then.

The bill failed, so there was evidently no accountability for our tax dollars, and an incredible amount of money was given to huge, wealthy corporations as we heard in the news at that time. House Bill 5377 did raise the top tax rate to 39.6% from 37% and gave tax breaks to teachers and first responders, but Rep. Thompson did not support it.

Nancy Pelosi was Speaker of the House for all of the above bills designed to help Americans. Propaganda and hatred are thick against the very people who are helping Americans.

Rep. Thompson and Rep. Mike Kelly, on Jan. 6, 2021, the day that Donald Trumps terrorists attacked the American Capitol in a coup attempt to stop the legal electoral college vote count, stood up to take all Pennsylvanians votes away from us for the loser of 60 plus legal lawsuits. Now they and all Republicans in the House and Senate have voted against helping Americans deal with the COVID pandemic. The cruelty is monumental.

Matthew 25:31-46-Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Christine M. Adams writes from Mayport Pa.
The Covid-19 virus tightened its grip in Maharashtra with a staggering 227 new deaths on Wednesday and the case tally crossing the 28 lakh mark, with over 100,000 patients added in just 72 hours, health officials said on Wednesday.

Recording 39,544 new cases, down from the highest 41,404 on March 28, the state tally crossed 28 lakh to reach 28,12,980, the highest in India.

Three days after the death toll cross the 54,000 mark, the state saw 227 more fatalities, taking the toll till date to 54,649, again the worst in the country, amid looming fears of a Lockdown 2.0.

The state recovery rate also dropped from 85.71 per cent on Tuesday to 85.34 per cent, while the death rate worsened from 1.96 per cent a day earlier to 1.94 per cent, and the number of active cases jumped up from 340,542 to 356,243 now.

Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur circles remained a cause for huge concern as deaths and cases continue to gallop, followed by the Akola, Aurangabad, Kolhapur and Latur circles.

Of the 227 fatalities, Nagpur led the state with 49 deaths, while 31 died in Pune, 22 in Nanded, 15 in Mumbai, 10 in Ahmednagar, nine each in Nashik and Jalgaon, eight in Jalna, seven in Nandurbar, six each in Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Solapur, Parbhani, and Amravati, four each in Latur, Yavatmal, and Buldhana, three each in Sangli, Beed, and Gondia, two each in Kolhapur, Akola, and Chandrapur, and one each in Aurangabad and Washim, besides two from outside.
Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito tour Father Bill's Place in Quincy on Wednesday with the shelter's president, John Yazwinski.
Opalesque Industry Update - Leveraging on its existing offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, Privium will expand its business development activities to Shanghai on 5 April this year. Given China's continuing market reforms and gradual financial sector liberalisation, Shanghai's role as international financial centre is taking shape. In light of the country's rapidly growing asset management industry, Chinese fund managers are increasingly looking at expanding their operations abroad. Privium is able to facilitate their ambitions with business development support in Shanghai as well as fully licensed offices in Hong Kong and Singapore. Privium's Group CEO Clayton Heijman, says: "China has been a key focus for us for many years, with increasing engagement between Chinese managers and our Asian offices. Now that the Chinese asset management industry is becoming more mature and the business environment is expected to normalise in the months ahead, we decided to establish a foothold in the country's leading financial centre to support promising managers on the ground as well. This provides a huge opportunity for Chinese managers to access the extensive knowledge and broad experience of Privium's global operations." The business development activities in Shanghai will be led by Jiabin (Filippo) Shen. Having worked at a leading fund services provider for over a decade, Shen has an intricate understanding of the operational, legal and business aspects of the alternative fund industry. In addition, Shen has been the coordinator of the Shanghai Business Association in The Netherlands managing international business relations between Europe and Shanghai. Jiabin Shen: "Due to its global presence, Privium is uniquely positioned to assist fund managers with setting up operations internationally. With a strong track record in both Asia and Europe, Privium is the trusted business partner for Chinese managers." Established in 2008, Privium currently manages over 75 investment mandates with collective assets under management of almost USD3 billion. Privium has offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, London and Amsterdam as well as representation in the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.
OTTAWA, ON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Border Services Agency

The Government of Canada is committed to keeping illicit firearms from crossing our border and entering our communities. Today, the government announced that it is taking another step forward by asking the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to lead efforts to create a joint Canada-United States (US) cross-border task force to address gun smuggling and trafficking.

This announcement marks the first steps to deliver on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Joe Biden's commitment to explore the creation of a cross-border task force. The new task force will ensure that law enforcement partners on both sides of the border benefit from shared intelligence, information, and partnerships, so that they can detect and intercept the illegal movement of firearms at the border.

To kickstart the task force, the CBSA has had initial discussions with partners to outline the scope and structure of the task force. The CBSA will leverage its strong working relationships with both Canadian and US partners, including the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Public Safety Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and various Canadian police forces.

This announcement is the latest in a number of firearms-related initiatives that the CBSA has prioritized over the past 18 months. In early 2020, the CBSA's Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Region established the Firearms Interdiction Team (FIT), which verifies all commercially imported firearms in the GTA to ensure that only legitimate and authorized firearms and parts enter Canada. The team's activities have resulted in several significant seizures that have disrupted dangerous criminal networks, and kept our communities safer.

Together with its US partners, the Government of Canada remains committed to tackling illegal cross-border travel and trade, while ensuring that the movement of essential workers and goods continues unimpeded. The CBSA's efforts to launch this task force, as well as its ongoing work to address firearms smuggling, contribute to the safety of both Canada and the US.

The CBSA will share information and next steps as they become available.

Quotes

"This new task force will deal with gun smuggling on both sides of our border. It will further use the skills and expertise of law enforcement to keep our communities safe. Our partnership with the United States and the sharing of information will be key to our success in keeping illegal guns out of Canada."

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Security and Emergency Preparedness

Quick facts

Weapons, including firearms and firearms parts, are high-risk commodities and their interdiction is a top CBSA enforcement priority.

The CBSA and its domestic and international law enforcement partners work together to prevent illicit firearms and weapons from reaching our communities.

If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Toll free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

Travellers are encouraged to leave their firearms at home when seeking entry to Canada . However, travellers with firearms must declare them to the CBSA officer at the first opportunity and meet import regulations.

. However, travellers with firearms must declare them to the CBSA officer at the first opportunity and meet import regulations. Travellers who do not declare their firearms upon arrival can face arrest, seizure, monetary penalties, and criminal prosecution. Failing to declare firearms can also make visitors inadmissible to enter Canada .

. The Government of Canada recently announced Bill C-21, which proposes new firearms measures to combat crime and increase public safety. These measures are part of a broader firearms strategy to increase public safety and build upon previous legislation and policies already in place. This includes the ban on assault-style firearms, significant funding to provinces and territories to combat gun and gang violence, and investments in border security to tackle firearms smuggling.

Associated links

SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency

Related Links

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/


The High Court's Corruption and Economic Crime Division today sentenced to life imprisonment a couple, Abdul Nsembo and his wife Shamim Masha, for trafficking in 275.4 of Heroin Hydrochloride, which are narcotic drugs.

Judge Elinaza Luvanda convict the duo of the offence after considering the evidence tendered by the prosecution and defence.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by State Attorney Constantine Kakula, called eight witnesses, while the convicts who were represented by Advocates Juma Nassoro, Josephat Mabura and Hajra Mungura, gave own defence evidence, which was supported by one independent witness.
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Armenia, with the information support of ARMENPRESS state news agency, has launched an online exhibition dedicated to poverty alleviation in China. It aims at introducing the Chinese model of eradicating poverty to the world.

In an interview to ARMENPRESS, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Peoples Republic of China to Armenia Fan Yong talked about the Chinese model of poverty reduction, the international cooperation over the matter and other issues.

- Your Excellency, thank you for this interview. Recently the Chinese embassy with the information support of ARMENPRESS launched the online exhibition dedicated to poverty alleviation in China. Please, present our readers the occasion of holding the exhibition.

Thank you for the opportunity to meet the readers of ARMENPRESS.

Not long ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China has secured a "complete victory" in its fight against poverty. Over the past eight years, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty. All 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 villages in China have been removed from the poverty list. 28 ethnic minority groups with relatively small population have shaken off poverty collectively. It is indeed the first time that China has the success of eliminating extreme poverty. As the biggest developing country in the world, with the largest population, China has made marvelous and historical achievement of poverty reduction. And it has been done with several decades of continuous restless efforts and dedications.

Since late 2012, China has lifted 10 million people out of poverty every year, built or upgraded 1.1 million kilometers of rural roads, provided a reliable power supply to rural areas, and expanded fiber-optic internet access and 4G signal coverage to more than 98% of its poor villages. During the same period, some 25.68 million impoverished people from 7.9 million households have witnessed their houses renovated, and more than 9.6 million people have been relocated from impoverished areas.

Mr. Ambassador, this is such an astounding and monumental work. What is Chinas secret of success in fighting poverty?

The leadership of the Communist Party of China, the People-centered approach, the political advantage of socialist system and strategy of targeted poverty alleviation are crucial to China victory.

The Partys leadership has provided a solid political and organizational guarantee for China's poverty alleviation efforts. China upholds a people-centered philosophy of development and in-pursuing prosperity for all. Eradicating poverty, improving peoples living standards, and gradually achieving common prosperity is the essential requirement of the development with Chinese characteristics. Political advantage of socialist system can bring together the needed resources to accomplish great tasks. A total of 255,000 teams were dispatched to offer on-the-ground support and over 3 million people were sent to the countryside as special commissioners for poverty relief. About 246 billion U.S. dollars of fiscal funds have been invested into poverty alleviation over the past eight years.

- China has succeeded in developing a model of overcoming poverty which includes economic development and raising the peoples welfare. Is China ready to share its experience and contribute to the global development of fighting poverty?

With absolute poverty eliminated, China has made great historical achievements. Since the beginning of the reform and opening-up over 40 years ago, China has lifted 770 million rural residents out of poverty which accounts for more than 70% of the global total, according to the World Bank's international poverty line. China has met the poverty eradication target set out in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

China has actively participated in international cooperation on poverty reduction through multilateral and bilateral channels. The Belt and Road Initiative that China proposed is expected to lift 7.6 million people out of absolute poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty in the related countries.

- Mr. Ambassador, how do you see the prospects of cooperation with Armenia in this context?

While committed to eliminating poverty at home, China has actively participated in international cooperation on poverty reduction. China helped other developing countries break development bottlenecks as part of international development cooperation. In Asia, China and ASEAN countries have jointly launched a rural poverty reduction program. In Africa, China has helped African countries build water conservancy infrastructure, set up demonstration zones for agricultural cooperation, and carried out cooperation projects on China-Africa fungus production technology. China has also carried out technical cooperation assistance projects in infrastructure, agriculture and medical care in the South Pacific region and Latin America.

Poverty alleviation philosophies with Chinese characteristics, such as "targeted poverty reduction", are drawing more and more attention from the international community. We wish to share our success and experience with our Armenian friends. With the help of ARMENPRESS, we host the online-exhibition of Poverty alleviation in China, and we hope this exhibition may bring some help in fighting against poverty.
Over the last 42 years, Peter Ah has seen several corporate-owned chain businesses open and close throughout the streets of downtown Athens.

Ah, the owner of Kums Fashions, a sunglasses, shoes and apparel store on East Clayton Street, said hes seen chains open with the hope of profiting from the high-traffic area of customers that downtown offers. But in the end, these businesses usually dont make enough money to sustain the high cost of operating downtown, Ah said.

Chains open stores downtown thinking they are going to make more money than they actually did, Ah said. They end up closing down because customers dont come downtown for businesses like that.

Like the other corporate-owned chains Ah has seen open over the years, Target is scheduled to open a new downtown location on April 18, said Tori Pfeifer, a Target spokesperson, in an email to The Red & Black.

Wendys, McDonalds and Gap are just some of the corporate chains that Ah has seen open and die in downtown Athens over the years, he said.

Those businesses usually fizzle out because they dont see the numbers [in sales] they need, Ah said. To me, those places do better in places with big parking areas.

Another chain to open

Cat Bobon, owner of Cillies Clothing, a vintage clothing, accessory and jewelry store on East Clayton Street, said she doesnt mind Target opening downtown.

I dont really care, Bobon said. Im glad people can buy groceries.

With Targets imminent opening date, other Athenians are concerned about yet another corporation infiltrating the downtown environment of locally-owned businesses.

Ginny Luke, a University of Georgia alumna and an Athens resident since 2012, said she is cynical about the new Target location.

Luke said she remembers when the Athens community heavily protested a proposal to build a Walmart near downtown. She said she remembers signs posted in almost every window downtown, urging customers to keep buying local and to keep downtown unique and weird.

Compared to Walmart, Luke said she hasnt seen nearly the same response towards Target.

The cynical part of me thinks it has to do with the socioeconomic vibe of both stores, Luke said in a text message to The Red & Black. Target is seen as trendy and bougie whereas Walmart is the low-end big box store. Although, underneath the red versus blue paint, they're basically all the same cheap junk and exploitative outsourced products.

Urban echoes

Walmart is not the only corporation that the Athens community has protested against.

Bobon compared the concern about Target with a similar concern over Urban Outfitters, which opened downtown in 2015.

The community was worried about Urban Outfitters, but after they opened, it was fine, Bobon said. People go there, and they come here after. They bring their Urban Outfitters [shopping] bags in here, but they still buy from me.

With yet another corporate-owned chain business opening downtown continuing to spark debate amongst the community, Ah said he wants customers to remember the importance of shopping local.

When people shop local, its good for everyone, Ah said. If I sell you a pair of Ray Bans, you pay the same price here as if you bought it online, but at least my business can make some money in the process.
Progressive Democrat founding member and former Dail deputy Pat OMalley has died aged 77.

Mr OMalley, a native of Limerick, lived most of his adult life in Lucan, in west Dublin. He was a cousin of Des OMalley who was a high-profile Fianna Fail minister until he broke with that party in December 1985 to set up the new Progressive Democrats.

Pat OMalley was one of many thousands who joined his cousins new party from the outset. In their first general election, in February 1987, he was also among many surprise winners, taking a seat in Dublin West.

At that point the fledgling party was ranked third biggest in the Dail with 14 TDs. Pat OMalley was among many of his contemporary party newcomers who were highly ranked for their contributions to political debate, taking a considerable interest in the controversies affecting the beef sector.

But in the ensuing June 1989 general election, Pat OMalley was also among eight Progressive Democrat TDs to lose their seats. Ironically, the party then went on to form the first of three coalitions with Fianna Fail, before declining, and the members voting it out of existence in 2008.

Pat OMalley is survived by his wife, Anne, two sons and a daughter, and their respective families. Another beloved son, Patrick, predeceased him just weeks ago.
JoJo96 wrote:

Hello GMATClub,



I would greatly appreciate some feedback from this community as it has helped me immensely so far in my journey. I've been very lucky to receive admission from Tepper and Kenan-Flagler and am stuck on what to decide. Any outside opinions would be greatly considered.



Background :



Low income, first generation American 24M, Consortium member (not the fellowship), with STEM background. I have 7 years total in chemical and healthcare research- my promotion a year and a half ago has placed me in a more finance-oriented role within a major hospital. I would like to pivot into IB- preferably in healthcare/biotech as that is my background.



CMU Tepper Thoughts :

- One of the first schools I've reached out to & connected with 4 people in the GFA club that transitioned into healthcare oriented banking

- Very pleasant student body/culture (I don't get finance bro vibes)

- I appreciate the quant heavy curriculum

- This school definitely feels like a rising star (#16 in 2022 US News ranking)

- 14 banks came to campus last year during COVID (virtual); GFA club seems to adequately prep students for recruiting timeline

- My biggest hesitation for Tepper is its strength in tech, not finance (9/10 total people recruited into IB last year). Although IB seems definitely doable and it's a relief to have spoken to numerous people that secured internships/full time positions from non-finance backgrounds for the SF/NYC area



Kenan-Flagler Thoughts :

- Much larger IB presence & benefits from proximity to Fuqua. Sends ~27 people to IB a year

- Nicer weather (I've been in Mid-Altantic/New England most of my life)

- Student body/culture feels very professional

- The student run Private Equity fund seems like a great opportunity for my post-MBA goals that I wouldn't find in many other T15s/T20s

- Free bus system, cheaper rents, and I have 2 friends at UNC which would help with the transition

- Ranking has remained #20, but it has a consistent track record for pumping out IB students to NYC each year

Which school is higher ranked? Check out GMATClub's CURRENT Ranking of Full-Time MBA Programs in the USA -->



Which school should I pick based on the scholarships I received? Check out the Financial Aid Consideration Curve --> Check out GMATClub's CURRENT Ranking of Full-Time MBA Programs in the USA --> https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-club-mba-rankings-357142.html Check out the Financial Aid Consideration Curve --> https://gmatclub.com/forum/picking-a-school-financial-aid-consideration-curve-358227.html Signature Read More

1) I voted for UNCKF ... and it wasn't a particularly hard choice ... for the reasons mentioned throughout this thread.2) If you've not decided, the two links in my signature block below might help. If you have decided, we'd love to hear._________________
Pelosi Should Reject Bid to Overturn Iowa Congressional Election Won by GOP Rep: Official

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was asked by Iowas secretary of state to reject a move by House Democrats to investigate and possibly overturn a congressional election won by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) on behalf of Democratic challenger Rita Hart.

Pelosi this month signaled that she was open to the possibility that the seat would be overturned, while Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the chair of the House Administration Committee, said that Miller-Meeks only won by six votes.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, wrote a letter (pdf) dated March 26 to Pelosi, urging her to reject any attempts to overturn the will of Iowa voters.

Pate continued to say that the Hart campaign signed off on the recount procedures and results in all 24 counties and said that the bipartisan State Canvassing Board unanimously accepted the results and officially certified the election, noting that Miller-Meeks defeated her opponent by six votes.

Pate then refuted Harts allegation that Iowa state law didnt grant her adequate time to address the challenge.

Ms. Hart has stated that her reason for failing to give Iowans a voice in this process is that Iowa law does not allow for sufficient time to review her claims, Pate wrote. That assertion is in stark contrast to the fact that Iowas Judicial Branch has always gone above and beyond to issue expeditious rulings in cases concerning election law. The Hart campaign should have exhausted all state avenues before asking a federal chamber controlled by her party to make the final determination. Iowans should have the final say in all Iowa elections, not Washington, D.C., politicians.

Last week, when asked by a reporter about whether the congressional race was determined in the House, Pelosi said Congress has the ability to overturn contested elections.

I would say to them, if you lost by six votes, would you like to bring your case before that? Pelosi asked. Now, if I wanted to be unfair, I wouldnt have seated the Republican from Iowa. Because that was my right on the opening day. I would have just said, Youre not seated. And that would have been my right as Speaker to do. But we didnt want to do that. We just said, Lets just go through this process, she said.

It came after several Democratic House representatives criticized Pelosi and other House leaders about the move.

Among them, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said, Losing a House election by six votes is painful for Democrats but overturning it in the House would be even more painful for America.
[March 31, 2021] MotionPoint Corporation Completes Investment from Lightview Capital

MotionPoint Corporation, the company trusted to translate and operate more than 1,500 multilingual websites for hundreds of global brands in more than 40 languages, today announced it has completed an investment from Lightview Capital, a leading private equity firm focused on software and business services companies with a focus on enhancing its portfolio companies' growth and strategic positioning. Based in Coconut Creek, Florida, MotionPoint combines the power of human translation and technology, empowering companies to create valuable relationships with international customers, partners and distributors. MotionPoint's industry-leading managed technology platform offers unparalleled flexibility, breadth and depth to accommodate a wide spectrum of enterprise translation needs. It continuously eliminates customer-side effort, accelerates business growth in multilingual markets, and delivers dramatic cost savings compared to other approaches. The partnership with Lightview enables MotionPoint to accelerate its development of new producs, expand its offerings to new and existing markets, and drive greater value for its customers.



"MotionPoint is thrilled to be working with Lightview Capital," said Will Fleming, MotionPoint's co-founder and CEO. "Our companies share the same auspicious long-term view of online and multichannel translation, and the powerful, positive impact it provides businesses and their customers." "MotionPoint's effortless managed technology platform provides a compelling value proposition to many growing organizations," said Rich Erickson, co-founder and Managing Partner of Lightview Capital. "The company is at the epicenter of an $8 billion market driven by several strong secular trends, including the rapidly expanding digital economy and the continued globalization of online content and e-commerce.

"The company's proprietary software-combined with its focus on delivering a seamless customer experience-uniquely positions it as a market leader," Erickson added. "We're excited to partner with the MotionPoint management team to continue to build on their success." About MotionPoint MotionPoint solves the operational complexity and cost of website localization. The company's effortless managed technology platform is built to translate, deploy, and operate multilingual websites, optimizing the customer experience across channels. MotionPoint is headquartered in Coconut Creek, Fla. Learn more at www.motionpoint.com. About Lightview Capital Lightview Capital is a leading private equity firm investing exclusively in business services sectors across the lower middle market. Lightview is focused on providing its portfolio companies deep industry knowledge, insightful experience, and active resources to unlock growth and drive value. Learn more at www.lightviewcapital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005817/en/

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The government is seeking forfeiture of $1.1 million after two Grand Rapids-area men allegedly set up companies to receive coronavirus relief money intended for businesses devastated by the pandemic.

The two associates, who have not been charged, allegedly laundered the funds by disguising withdrawals as payroll for friends and family members who were posing as workers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Fauson wrote in a request for forfeiture of the funds as well as a Mercedes Benz.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

One of the purported businesses that received funds had no employees, no business operations, no revenue, and no payroll in either 2019 or in the first quarter of 2020, Fauson wrote.

One of the two men allegedly used $16,307 to pay off a defaulted credit card and jewelry, court records said.

He provided false information  he said he had 52 employees, a monthly payroll of $317,877 -- to MBE Capital Partners in a request for a $795,000 forgivable loan, the government said.

The second man, who also submitted a loan application to MBE, said he had 37 employees, a $280,150 monthly payroll and used his residence for a business address, Fauson wrote.

He sought $700,000 to cover expenses for 2  months but he had no employees, business operations or payroll in 2019 or early 2020, the government said.

After the government seized the $1.1 million in October, the second man filed statements for the past four years to obtain a Certificate of Restoration of Good Standing by the State of Michigan, the government said.

The funding was provided by the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. It provided $349 billion in forgivable loans to keep jobs and pay other expenses. Another $300 billion was later authorized by Congress.

To qualify for a PPP loan, a qualifying small business has to submit a application and show eligibility, including monthly payroll expenses and number of workers, which are used to calculate the loans. The applicant also has to certify that proceeds will be used to keep workers, pay mortgage interest or utility costs.

The applicants certify they had can be held accountable if funds are used for unauthorized purposes.

The funds, guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, are provided by financial institutions. The lender provides business information to the SBA.

The federal prosecutor said the two men issued checks and obtained cashiers checks and withdrew money to access the fraudulently obtained PPP loan proceeds.

They used the money for themselves and gave some to friends and family members.

That included the second man buying a 2011 Mercedes Benz for $11,500 in hundred-dollar bills, the prosecutor wrote. He told the seller, a local company, that he would handle the paperwork but it was still in the name of the previous owner when it was seized during an Oct. 27 search warrant, court records said.

Challenges to forfeitures must be made within 35 days of a March 3 notice. No claims have been made.

Read more:

Michigan man allegedly lied to obtain $3.1M in COVID-relief funds

These 682 Michigan businesses won grants in first-come, first-served virtual scramble

Family alleges coverup in inmates death at Muskegon County Jail
Universal Studios Hollywood is ready to get back to business.

The California theme park, which has been closed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said it plans to welcome guests again on April 16, as well as provide an early preview for season pass holders on April 15. Tickets are set to go on sale on April 8, but there's a catch: You'll have to be a California resident to visit.

"Universal Studios Hollywood continues to work in partnership with health and government officials to implement new health and safety procedures," the company said, citing California guidelines for its decision to limit entry to state residents. Capacity is also being restricted to allow for physical distancing, and temperature checks and face masks are required.

Californians willing to comply with those rules will get to be among the first to check out Universal Studios Hollywood's Jurassic World ride, which introduces a realistic 22-foot-tall Indominus rex dinosaur capable of blinking her eyes and flexing her arms. The Los Angeles Times describes Indominus rex as "a fictional hybrid dinosaur that combines the traits of various species."

Early visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood will also be among the first to experience an animated ride based on The Secret Life of Pets. The attraction combines projection mapping and animation to introduce audiences to illuminated versions of their favorite characters from the films.

California residents can purchase admission tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood online beginning April 8. Season pass holders can reserve early access to the park and other bonus days online starting on April 5.

California is allowing amusement parks to reopen with limited capacity as early as April 1, though many have set later reopening dates in order to give themselves more time to prepare.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a Travel + Leisure contributor who has visited 50 countries on six continents and 47 U.S. states. She loves historic plaques, wandering new streets and walking on beaches. Find her on Twitter and Instagram.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg attends an event titled Transforming Rail in Virginia at the Amtrak-VRE station in Alexandria, Virginia on March 30, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Buttigieg, Northam Announce Multibillion-Dollar Deal to Boost Rail Between DC, Richmond

Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday to sign a $3.7 billion deal with Amtrak and CSX Transportation to expand passenger and commuter rail between Washington, D.C. and Richmond.

Buttigieg told reporters at a signing ceremony at the Alexandria Amtrak station that the multibillion-dollar deal is a preview of what the Biden administration can accomplish if the controversial infrastructure plan is passed by Congress.

President Joe Biden is expected to unveil his proposal for federal investments in physical infrastructure on March 31 in Pittsburgh.

While colossal, this is just the beginning of whats possible for infrastructure in this country, former Democratic presidential candidate Buttigieg said after Northam signed the deal that was first announced in December 2019.

Northam described the deal a historic initiative that will help get people and goods where they need to go more efficiently, reduce congestion and pollution, and create a more inclusive economy.

We have an unprecedented opportunity to build a 21st century rail system in Virginia and along the entire East Coast, Northam said in a statement. Together with our partners at Amtrak, CSX, and VRE, we are making critical investments that will fundamentally transform our transportation infrastructure, delivering long-term economic benefits for our workers and communities as we rebound from the pandemic and into the future.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam gestures during a news conference at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., on April 8, 2020. (Steve Helber/AP Photo)

Buttigieg lauded the relief provided to Amtrak and public transit under Bidens $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The aid package was passed with zero Republican votes earlier this month after congressional Democrats used the reconciliation budget process to bypass the filibuster.

Help is here, Buttigieg said.

A major piece of the puzzle is construction of a new Long Bridge over the Potomac River for passenger rail.

Currently passenger and freight rail share the century-old bridge, creating a point of gridlock for Eastern rail traffic. Under the plan, passenger and freight rail will be separated.

The project will allow Amtrak to double service between Richmond and Washington, D.C. Virginia Railway Express, the states commuter rail service, said it expects service to increase by 60 percent.

In all, Virginia is acquiring 384 miles of CSX right-of-way, and 223 miles of track, primarily on the I-95, I-64. and I-85 corridors.

In addition to northern and central Virginia passenger and commuter rail, the project will increase Amtrak service to Newport News and Norfolk. It includes right-of-way acquisition from Petersburg to Ridgeway, North Carolina, and from Doswell to Clifton Forge. Officials said the Petersburg acquisition could facilitate expansion of high-speed rail service, while the Clifton Forge acquisition can be used to expand east-west passenger service.

The work is not expected to be completed until 2030.

In order to reduce congestion and travel times for commuters, we need long-term investments in our rail system. Thats why I was proud to have successfully pushed for the December COVID-19 relief package to allow for the construction of a new Long Bridge on the Potomac River, which will double the capacity of the rail crossing right here in the commonwealth and with our neighbors in Washington, D.C., Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) said of the deal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
PARIS (Reuters) - Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said on Wednesday that schools should be closed to rein in the spread of the COVID-19 virus, speaking ahead of possible new restrictive measures to be announced later in the day by the government.

"I think the schools should be closed", Hidalgo told BFM TV.

(Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
Corey Hurren, the 46-year-old active-duty member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves who attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last July, was sentenced earlier this month to six years in prison, minus one year already served. Although the presiding judge openly acknowledged in his ruling that Hurrens crime was politically motivated and a violent attack on the government, the trial proceedings and accompanying media coverage have sought to cover up the political background to Hurrens assault.

In issuing the sentence, Justice Robert Wadden provided a sobering summary of Hurrens crime that left no doubt about his far-right and fascistic motives. Wadden declared, This was an armed aggression against the government which must be denounced in the strongest terms.

Trudeau's would-be assassin Corey Hurren (Photos from Facebook)

Corey Hurren committed a politically motivated, armed assault intended to intimidate Canadas elected government, continued the judge. What spurred Mr. Hurren to action, to arm himself, load his guns, drive to Ottawa and attack Rideau Hall (Trudeaus temporary residence) were his political views, including some conspiracy theories. There is no evidence that he has renounced the conspiracy theories or that he has recognized the wrongfulness of using armed force to express his political views.

The judgements blunt presentation of the political character of Hurrens crime stands in stark contrast to the police investigation and state prosecution of the would-be assassin, which at every point sought to trivialize and downplay Hurrens attack. When he was initially arrested, Hurren was charged with 21 firearms counts and one count of uttering threats to kill or injure the prime minister. Yet by the time his case got to court, he faced only seven firearms counts and one charge of causing property damage. The trial proceeded at lightning speed, with Hurren signing an agreed statement of facts and the judge issuing his ruling little more than a month later.

Given the unprecedented character of Hurrens crimethe first-ever attempt to assassinate a sitting Canadian prime ministerthe deliberate effort to cover up its motives is all the more glaring. If it is true that Hurren conducted a politically motivated, armed assault intended to intimidate Canadas elected government and an armed aggression against the government, i.e., sedition, why were none of the charges he faced in court political? Why was no serious effort undertaken to bring to light his political development, his political associates and possible accomplices? Why was he persistently portrayed as a disoriented lone wolf when the prevalence of far-right and fascistic forces within the military is a well-established fact?

Clearly, powerful forces within the political establishment and military and state apparatus wanted to keep the political background to Hurrens attempted assassination of Trudeau out of the public eye. They do not want attention shone on the fact that Hurren was a professed supporter of right-wing extremist positions for well over a decade, that the military is rife with far-right forces, and that just a day prior to his attack, an angry demonstration of hundreds of fascists took place on Parliament Hill demanding the reintroduction of the death penalty so it could be applied to Trudeau.

As the World Socialist Web Site previously explained, The official narrative of Hurren as a disoriented individual who was overwhelmed by the pandemic and had no intention of harming anyone neatly dovetails with the ruling elites desire to prevent any serious examination of the role of far-right networks and right-wing extremists within the military and state apparatus. Such an investigation would undoubtedly uncover significant support for far-right views, including those expressed by Hurren and the demonstrators on Parliament Hill on July 1.

The official narrative of the attempted assassination was buttressed by outright suppression of information. Although the RCMP acknowledged in January that two inquiries into the July 2 attack had been completed for several months, they refused to release the details to the public on the spurious grounds that police examinations into the attempted assassination of Canadas head of government were not for public consumption.

Even the limited amount of information that has reached the public during the investigation and trial has undermined the official narrative. Hurren drove for over two days to reach Ottawa from Manitoba with five firearms in his truck. He was on active duty as a reservist in the Canadian Rangers as part of the militarys COVID-19 response when he carried out the attack. At Hurrens sentencing, it was revealed that he carried his military ID with him during his attack, allegedly to aid him in evading the police.

Information sworn by an RCMP officer states that Hurren had an M14 battle rifle, two shotguns, a Hi-Standard revolver for which he did not have a license, and a prohibited high-capacity magazine when he was detained on the grounds of Rideau Hall. A handwritten letter left in Hurrens pickup truck opens with a list of the contact numbers of his family and his commanding officera clear indication that he did not expect to survive his attack. He asserted that Canada, under Trudeau, is now under a Communist dictatorship. This is a common trope in far-right circles.

Judge Wadden noted in his sentencing that when police confronted Hurren, he hid behind a tree and refused to drop his arms. He told officers he had rammed his truck through the gates of Rideau Hall so he could arrest Trudeau, whom he denounced as a communist and corrupt.

After Hurren was detained, police discovered several chats on his phone about politics, COVID-19 and conspiracy theories, but no further details were provided.

There is much to suggest that Hurrens views are shared widely within the military and veterans groups. Hurren himself was elected second in command of the Fourth Rangers Patrol Group of which he was a member.

Numerous incidents of far-right influence within the military have come to light over recent years. Erik Myggland of the Valemont, B.C. Rangers Patrol Group was shown to have ties to both the Three Percenters and the Soldiers of Odin and was pictured sporting their patches. He publicly referred to Trudeau as a treasonous bastardlanguage akin to that used by Hurren. Patrik Mathews, a military engineer from Manitoba, fled to the United States after a report exposed him as a member of the neo-Nazi terrorist group The Base. He was arrested together with several co-conspirators by the FBI in January 2020 during the advanced stages of plans for armed attacks.

As questions mounted about the presence of far-right forces throughout the military in the wake of Hurrens attempted assassination of Trudeau, top military officials felt compelled to acknowledge last fall that the army confronts a problem with right-wing extremism. Yet there have been no calls for an independent inquiry into this phenomenon. This contrasts sharply with the amount of press coverage given to the recent allegations of sexual misconduct in the Canadian military, which have already resulted in multiple investigations into allegations against General Jonathan Vance, till January Canadas Chief of Defence Staff, and the stepping down, at least temporarily, of his replacement, Admiral Art McDonald.

The trivialization of Hurrens fascist-motivated crime must be considered in an international context. In the United States, whose military was ordered to stand-down in February by the new defence secretary to discuss the problem of extremism in the ranks, an armed fascist mob stormed the Capitol building on January 6 in an attempt to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Although this mob was politically directed and supported by Trump and broad sections of the Republican Party leadership, the Democrats have refused to examine the political forces behind the attack and instead asserted their support for a strong Republican Party. In Germany, the military, police and state apparatus is rife with right-wing extremist networks planning for Day X, when they intend to violently overthrow the government and kill their political opponents. When Walter Lubcke, a regional politician, fell victim to a successful assassination by a right-wing extremist gunman in June 2019, the subsequent murder trial portrayed the assailant, Stephan Ernst, as a mentally disoriented lone wolf so as to cover up his numerous ties to far-right networks.

Similar tendencies are at work in Canada. The ruling elite has no interest in exposing them, because to do so would discredit the military/security apparatus under conditions where unprecedented sums of money are being lavished on the armed forces with the full-throated support of the entire political establishment. In 2017, the Trudeau government adopted a plan to hike military spending by more than 70 percent by 2026, and all the parliamentary parties have lent support to Canadas ever-deeper integration into US military-strategic offensives around the world, including in the oil-rich Middle East and against nuclear-armed China and Russia

The basic reason for the ruling elites indifference to right-wing extremist violence in every country is that they want to keep fascist forces in reserve to be used as shock troops against an increasingly rebellious working class. Under conditions of mounting social inequality and a rise of working class struggles in response to the disastrous handling of the pandemic, Canadas ruling class, like its counterparts internationally, feels that it will need right-wing extremists like Hurren to protect the vast wealth of the financial oligarchy and capitalist rule as a whole.
Californias U.S. senators and nearly two-dozen representatives are asking the Agriculture and Interior departments to transition their agencies to a year-round wildland workforce because blazes are no longer limited to traditional fire seasons.

The move would require reclassifying more seasonal federal firefighter positions as permanent, said a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

As California and the West continue to contend with historic and destructive wildfire seasons, it has become clear that we are entering a new normal in which increasingly intense wildfires wreak havoc during a nearly year-round fire season, it said.

The letter signed by Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla and 21 members of Congress notes that 57% of forest land in California is owned by the U.S. government.

The request came after a disastrous 2020 in which more than 9,900 fires burned 4.25 million acres, killed 33 people and destroyed nearly 10,500 homes and other buildings.

And this year, we are already well above average for both the number of fires and acres burned, the letter said.

Although it is still early spring, a wildfire erupted during the weekend in Siskiyou County and grew to more than 870 acres. It was 80% contained Monday, Cal Fire said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics USA California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Agencies Legislation Wildfire
WASHINGTON, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Research Council is praising the Arkansas legislature for overwhelmingly approving the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act which prohibits physicians from administering gender transition procedures to minors, prohibits taxpayer funds and medical insurance policies from paying for them, and provides legal remedies for minors who have been permanently disfigured and/or sterilized by them.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

"Family Research Council applauds the Arkansas legislature for voting overwhelmingly to send the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act to Governor Asa Hutchison to be signed into law.

"There is a growing and urgent need for this legislation as harmful gender ideology sweeps across our nation, leaving children vulnerable to life-altering procedures such as puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, and irreversible surgeries. These unscientific, destructive gender transition procedures should not be allowed to interrupt the development of children and irreversibly alter their bodies. The SAFE Act addresses this critical need while also ensuring that the government never uses taxpayer dollars to pay for experiments that will damage the lives of the next generation.

"As a growing number of minors come forward to share their stories about being permanently disfigured and/or sterilized, the need for legal remedies has become very apparent. Research has not shown that these procedures are effective in improving patient's mental health. They have serious negative side effects, up to and including permanent sterilizationthus violating the most fundamental principle of medical ethics, 'First, do no harm.'

"Family Research Council urges Governor Hutchison to sign the SAFE Act and protect vulnerable children from experimental procedures that cause physiological trauma for those dealing with gender dysphoria," concluded Perkins.

For more information, please check out these FRC resources:

FRC Issue Analysis: www.frc.org/gendertransition

FRC State Policy Brief: www.frc.org/safeact

SOURCE Family Research Council

Related Links

https://www.frc.org


LAKEWOOD, Ohio, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Roundstone, a health insurance provider specializing in self-funded medical group captive solutions, reported a $4.2 million pro rata cash distribution to business owners across the nation currently enrolled in Clarity, the company's July 1 group medical captive. This figure represents 17% of premiums in the pool in a year profoundly impacted by a global pandemic. The savings are largely a result of Roundstone's unique cost containment measures and consulting services that are bundled in with its health insurance solution.

Unlike traditional fully-insured and other self-funded options for health insurance, the Roundstone group captive allows employers to reduce health insurance costs and retain the money they do not spend. Transparency is a cornerstone of Roundstone's innovative strategy, which includes actionable insights from health plan data that spotlights areas for improvement and savings. Key impact areas in the past year included a swift pivot to telemedicine, better management of high drug costs, well-being programs for treatment of anxiety and depression, and more effective management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart conditions.

"Over the past few years, we have returned over $30 million dollars back to our customers," said Roundstone's President Mike Schroeder. "These are smaller organizations who have banded together for greater scale, shared risk and purchasing power. With Roundstone, employers get best-in-class, competitive health benefits for their employees, and also finally gain control of one of their top business expenses. It's a win-win for employer and employee."

Small to mid-sized employers across a multitude of industries are currently enrolled in one of Roundstone's group medical captives. For more information about how these health insurance plans work and how to get started, please visit: https://roundstoneinsurance.com

About Roundstone Insurance

Roundstone is an innovative insurance organization founded in 2003 with a vision of giving small and mid-sized businesses a proven strategy for affordable employee health insurance  our customers pay only for the healthcare they use while keeping the savings. Our unique self-funded group captive solution delivers high quality of care, mitigates risk, reduces claims volatility, controls costs, and returns savings right back to the employers and employees a win-win all around. Hundreds of businesses rely on Roundstone as their trusted health insurance provider, saving them an average of 20 percent annually over the past decade. Roundstone is headquartered in Lakewood, Ohio with representatives throughout the United States. For more information on Roundstone, visit www.roundstoneinsurance.com

Media Contact:

Terri White

Director of Marketing

440.617.0333 x380

[email protected]

SOURCE Roundstone

Related Links

http://www.roundstoneinsurance.com


New Delhi, April 1 : Three more Rafale combat aircraft landed in India on Wednesday night after flying non-stop from France, an Indian Air Force (IAF) official said.

The fourth batch of the three IAF Rafales landed at the Jamnagar base -- on Indian soil -- after a direct flight from Istres Air Base in France.

With three more jets, the IAF has received 14 jets till now out of the 36 ordered from France.

"The three Rafale aircraft landed at an Indian Air Force base a short while ago. They flew over 7,000 km with in-flight refuelling. The aircraft got airborne earlier in the day from Istres Air Base in France," the Indian Air Force official said.

The jets were refuelled mid air by UAE Air Force tankers, completing a 7,000 km journey in 10 hours.

The Rafale combat aircraft is manufactured by French company Dassault Aviation.

Earlier on Wednesday, Embassy of India in France said: "Another batch of Rafale takes to the skies on non-stop flight to India with mid-air refueling by UAE." The remaining aircraft are likely to be in India by April 22. Currently, IAF pilots are being trained in France.

Earlier in March, the Air Force said that they are to raise second squadron of Rafale jets at Hasimara Air Force base in West Bengal by April to counter threats from China.

It is a strategic base for Air Force operations because of its proximity to Bhutan.

The Chumbi Valley where the tri-junction lies between India-Bhutan and China is close to Doklam where a standoff took place in 2017. The tri-junction has been matter of concern for all the three nations.

"Second Rafale Squadron is being raised at the next Main Operating Base (MOB) Hasimara in mid April this year," an Indian Air Force official had stated.

The first squadron was raised in Ambala after the first batch of the five Rafale aircraft landed on July 29, 2020.

These aircraft were inducted on September 10 at Ambala Air Base to 17 'Golden Arrows' Squadron.

The two squadrons of Rafale will add wings to the IAF's depleting fleet strength.

The two squadrons with 18 jets each at Ambala and Hasimara have been planned keeping in mind the operations against Pakistan on the western front and China in the eastern sector.

Hasimara earlier had a MiG 27 squadron that has now been decommissioned.

India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore.

The Rafale is a 4.5 generation aircraft and has the latest weapons, superior sensors and fully integrated architecture.

It is an omni-role aircraft which means it can carry out at least four missions in one sortie.

The fighter aircraft have HAMMER missiles. It will also be armed with beyond visual range missiles like Meteor, SCALP and MICA, increasing their ability to take on incoming targets from a distance.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The quality of education and training is a fundamental pillar to enhance Bahrains progress and ensure a prosperous future.

Council of Representatives Speaker Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal described the Kingdoms experience in ensuring the continuity of education and training since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as a pioneering success story that proves the soundness of the strategies it has adopted.

She lauded the unwavering support of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in education.

The Speaker cited the tremendous efforts the government under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is exerting to constantly develop the quality of education and training, in line with the royal visions and goals of the Economic Vision for Bahrain 2030.

She affirmed that the quality of education and training is among the priorities of the national parliamentary work, being the best means to invest in human development, highlighting its importance in providing quality job opportunities for Bahraini youth.
LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- It has officially been one year since the world began its battle with COVID-19 and it comes as no surprise that the ongoing pandemic has changed our lives for years to come. The sudden increase of being indoors has led consumers to spend more time online than ever before and for businesses, this requires a different approach to generate customers and remain open.



If the pandemic has taught businesses anything in the last year, it's the importance of digital marketing. Prior to the pandemic, it was difficult to maintain your business without an online presence, post-pandemic it's clearly impossible. Everyone from local businesses to global corporations knew that digital marketing had been growing at a rapid rate and that consumers have been shifting towards an online experience in recent years. The pandemic has only sped up the process, making it impossible to ignore the importance of utilising a digital marketing strategy.



Finsbury Media a UK-based Digital Marketing Agency has witnessed the impact first-hand. Working with several different businesses across the globe, Finsbury Media has encountered the new type of online behaviour in nearly every industry. "Consumers are spending more time online than ever before and businesses have the opportunity to capture these potential customers using a number of different advertising methods," said Finsbury Media's Operations Manager.



It's not only the internet-savvy Millennials and Generation Z that are shopping online anymore. Everyone is looking for a seamless online experience, which means a responsive Web Design and top-notch features. Finsbury Media has witnessed an increase in demand for website development, with more businesses moving towards e-commerce. Products and services have now become increasingly accessible through remote means and if your potential customers can't find your business online, you're in trouble. Finsbury Media has been helping businesses establish an online presence for years, using numerous digital marketing services to get you noticed online. Whether it be SEO Agency services that boost your website's search engine ranking or PPC Management that gets your advertisements placed directly in front of a targeted audience. With people stuck at home, boredom, and the need to connect with others; the pandemic has driven a rise in social media usage. Social Media offers another avenue for businesses to communicate with customers. Finsbury Media allows businesses to showcase products and promote services, with Social Media Advertising.



For businesses, an online presence has never been as important as today. This means researching where your customers can be found online and utilising a marketing approach that will impact your success. Regardless of if the pandemic vanishes or not, it is evident that the inclination towards digital marketing will remain a key element for businesses in the upcoming future.



Contact:

Finsbury Media

[email protected]

020 3095 7271



Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/12864097



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Finsbury Media
Myanmar has been in the news recently, after a coup carried out by the Tatmadaw (Burmese military) on 1 February 2021, overturning the elected government and preventing recently elected lawmakers from opening a new session of Parliament.

The countrys elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and members of her party are now under house arrest. As a result, all ethnic and religious minorities as well as actors of conscience and conviction are in grave danger, although the situation has mobilized many grassroots people to act.

Background

Suu Kyi, 75, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, won a landslide election victory in 2015 after 15 years of house arrest and after more than half a century of military rule beginning in 1962. Read here a timeline of key developments up to 2015.

Suu Kyi has tried to placate the military and demonstrate her regard for its important role in maintaining the countrys security. She is the daughter of Aung San, the founder of Myanmars military, and she no doubt feels an obligation to maintain its prestige and prominence. This has probably led to the poorly written constitution.

Weaknesses in the constitution exploited

The weaknesses in the Myanmar constitution were clear even when it was ratified in 2008. It allowed the military to take power during a "state of emergency." In addition, a quarter of the parliamentary seats were reserved for the military, including the key ministries of defense and foreign affairs. Most important, the document didn't guarantee that all people living in the country were eligible for citizenship.

The international community could have put pressure on the military to change its behavior and help draft a proper constitution that enshrined the rights of all its citizens when the country finally adopted democracy in 2010. But despite the obvious inhumaneness of this, the international community took few steps to try to change the document or its application.

Instead, the military, while no longer officially ruling the country, was allowed to retain its power and grow its influence. Most significantly, in 2017, it launched an ethnic cleansing operation in the western state of Rakhine that led to the exodus of the Rohingya minority. This travesty was both a direct sign of the failures of the constitution and a warning to the international community that it had to act if Myanmar were to stay a democracy. But the international community did little other than condemn the violence.

The coup and the protests

The junta said it was forced to step in because Suu Kyis government failed to properly investigate allegations of fraud in recent elections, though the electoral commission has said there is no evidence to support those claims.

In response to the coup, tens of thousands of protesters have marched daily in Yangon and Mandalay, the countrys biggest cities  and the demonstrations have spread throughout the country, showing depth of the resistance. The rallies have drawn people from all walks of life, despite an official ban on gatherings of more than five people. Factory workers and civil servants, students and teachers, medical personnel and people from LGBTQ communities, Buddhist monks and Catholic clergy have all come out in force.

Thinzar Shunlei Yi, a human rights activist in Yangon, called what was happening a repeat of history in reference to the National League for Democracy party's 1990 landslide election. The same tactic was used when the military didnt like the results of the election and there is concern about how long it will last.

The crackdown against anti-coup protesters in the mostly Burman-Buddhist cities of Yangon (Rangoon) and Mandalay is being widely reported by mainstream media. However, the situation in Burma's ethnic minority states - where most of the country's Christians live - remains dark.

Yet it is in these ethnic minority states that the Tatmadaw (Burmese military) has long committed its worst crimes - bombing and burning villages, killing, torturing and raping civilians - with impunity. The barbarity with which the Tatmadaw commits these crimes is the product of its covetous greed and its Burman-Buddhist ethnic-religious supremacism.

The coup leaves Myanmar's long-persecuted Karen, Kachin and Chin Christians gravely imperiled. Meanwhile, the ousted government has appointed Dr Sasa - an ethnic Chin and Christian - as its special envoy to the United Nations.

We need to pray that God will:

 intervene in Myanmar to redeem this crisis for his glory; may the Tatmadaw be restrained, and its power limited; may Burma's peoples unite around their desire for peace, justice, liberty and respect.

 embolden his Church to 'utter what is precious' and thus 'be as [the Lord's] mouth' during this crisis (from Jeremiah chapter 15, verses 15-21). May the Lord - who breaks through enemies like a breaking flood (2 Samuel chapter 5, verses 17-21) - open the way for the Church to receive all the humanitarian aid she requires; may many fearful, confused and needy people find Jesus in the midst of this storm (see Matthew chapter 14, verses 22-33).

 accompany and protect Dr Sasa, and fill him with wisdom, discernment and courage as he represents Myanmar's elected government and citizens on the international stage.

God loves importunate [persistent] prayer so much that He will not give us much blessing without it.' (Adoniram Judson, 1788-1850; pioneer missionary to Burma).

For this plus more detail, including images, maps, hyperlinks and archives, see: Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin (RLPB) 587. Burma (Myanmar): Christians Imperiled (3 March 2021).
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken many U.S. adults' confidence in retiring comfortably or on time, with one-in-five (19%) reporting it has forced them to delay their retirement or no longer retire at all, according to the new 2021 Tax-Efficient Retirement Income survey.

Conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Nationwide Retirement Institute, the study also found one-fourth (27%) of Americans have saved less or stopped saving for retirement because they lost their job or for other reasons. In result, almost two-in-five Americans (37%) have or are likely to withdraw money from their retirement plan early because of the pandemic, and this percentage is even higher for millennials at 58%.

Overall, the study reveals younger adults have struggled with navigating their finances the most, with 62% of millennials and 51% of Gen Xers saying the pandemic has made their finances more complicated, compared to 27% of boomers.

"COVID-19 has many Americans feeling financially insecure  especially younger ones," said Eric Henderson, president of Nationwide's Annuity business. "This presents an opportunity for financial professionals to not only get clients back on track, but ensure they have the right tools and education on topics like taxes in retirement, which can get them closer to their long-term goals."

The Education Gap on Taxes in Retirement



COVID-19 has put a needed spotlight on the critical role tax planning plays in reaching those long-term goals. Almost half (47%) of Americans expect their taxes to go up significantly in the next four years and the majority (62%) agree it's more important than ever to minimize taxes now than in retirement. They're right to be vigilant  42% of retirees say they didn't consider how tax rates would affect their retirement income when planning for retirement and now 36% are terrified of what tax rates will do to their retirement income.

While most Americans agree they should minimize their taxes now, the challenge is many aren't financially savvy enough to do this on their own  especially today. Forty-two percent of all respondents say their taxes have become more complicated as a result of COVID-19, and this percentage jumps to 58% for millennials. Only 58% of adults surveyed know how to use tax planning to get the desired outcome they want from the IRS during tax season.

"The worries retirees have about taxes in retirement should serve as a warning to non-retirees. Too many Americans aren't considering or knowledgeable about building flexibility into a retirement income plan and this can have costly repercussions down the road," said Henderson. "There's an opportunity to bridge the education gap on how different investment and retirement vehicles, such as taxable, tax-deferred and tax-free accounts, can help effectively manage retirement income."

The Opportunity for Financial Professionals





The good news is many Americans are eager to seek help from a financial professional on this topic, especially millennials. Nearly half of millennials (48%) and one-third of Gen Xers (32%) engaged a financial planner for the first time due to the pandemic, compared to 12% of boomers.

However, the challenge is more than half of Americans (57%) rarely consider the taxes they will pay or are paying in retirement and 31% aren't receiving the tax advice they need for retirement. There is an immediate opportunity for financial professionals to address this need, with half (50%) of Americans reporting they'd switch financial professionals for someone who could help them plan for taxes in retirement.

More specifically, Americans would like advice on how to receive a tax benefit from itemizing (46%) and how to adjust investments in case of potential increases in capital gains taxes (42%). Another two-in-five (42%) would also like to get professional advice on how to use annuities and life insurance products that may be less impacted by any increases in capital gains taxes.

"The survey shows consumers aren't receiving the tax planning help they need for retirement, and as a result, they may be paying thousands of dollars more than needed," said Henderson. "Financial professionals have a major gap to fill in educating clients on the best strategies to reduce unexpected taxes on combined income resources. By taking a holistic approach to financial planning, professionals can help more Americans save and achieve the retirement they want."

To learn additional insights from Nationwide Retirement Institute's Tax-Efficient Retirement Income survey, visit www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/investing-and-retirement/articles/tax-efficiency-survey-results.

Methodology

Nationwide commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct a 4-question online survey among 3,002 U.S. residents ages 18 and over. Millennials are comprised of respondents 25-40, Gen Xers are respondents 41-56 and boomers are 57+. Online fieldwork was completed between March 9  11, 2021.

Respondents for these surveys were selected from among those who agreed to participate in surveys by The Harris Poll. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the online panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. Data are weighted where necessary by age by gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, income, marital status, and propensity to be online to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.

About The Harris Poll

The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 and is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas; building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

About Nationwide

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

This material is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or rollover any asset, adopt an investment strategy, retain a specific investment manager or use a particular account type. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, tax and financial condition or particular needs of any specific person. Investors should work with their financial professional to discuss their specific situation.

This information is general in nature and is not intended to be tax, legal, accounting or other professional advice. The information provided is based on current laws, which are subject to change at any time, and has not been endorsed by any government agency.

Nationwide and The Harris Poll are separate and non-affiliated companies.

Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC), member FINRA, Columbus, OH. Nationwide Retirement Institute is a division of NISC.

Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide is on your side and Nationwide Retirement Institute are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company  Nationwide 2021

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Charley Gillespie

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:18:13|Editor: huaxia

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WINDHOEK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's secondary industries were impacted more than the other industries by the measures taken to curb COVID-19, posting a decline of 14.4 percent in 2020 compared to an increase of 1.7 percent registered in 2019, according to the country's statistics agency (NSA) on Wednesday.

The poor performance in the secondary industries was observed in the manufacturing sector and construction sector, NSA Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni said in the Economics Statistics Report released Wednesday.

"Within the manufacturing sector, the sub-sectors that recorded the highest declines were the basic non-ferrous metals, meat processing and beverages," he added.

According to Shimuafeni, the secondary industries were followed by the primary industries with a contraction of 6.1 percent, albeit a recovery when compared to a steeper decline of 6.9 percent in 2019.

"The poor performance in the primary industries was mainly reflected in the mining sector that declined by 14.9 percent while the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector recorded an increase of 5.9 percent in real value added in 2020 compared to a decline of 3.2 percent registered in the preceding year," he added.

Shimuafeni said with regard to the tertiary industries, poor performance was observed in most of the sectors. Enditem
Image via Getty/Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan

A new lawsuit focused on the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his co-executors alleges the late financier and associate Ghislaine Maxwell repeatedly raped a 26-year-old woman and threatened to feed her to alligators if she spoke out.

As detailed in a recent Miami Herald piece by Julie K. Brown, a Florida real estate broker identified in the suit as Jane Doe alleges that both Epstein and Maxwell repeatedly raped her in front of her eight-year-old son at a hotel in 2008. The woman also alleges that the two trafficked her to have sex with multiple men, including a judge, andat one pointresponded to her plans to report one of the alleged rapes to the authorities by having men who claimed to be cops threaten to have her arrested for prostitution.

According to the suit, Doe was born in Turkey and had resided in Florida since 2001. She was a Broward County resident at the time of the alleged assaults detailed in the suit. In late 2006 or early 2007, the woman was first introduced to Epstein and Maxwell at an event hosted by her employer at the time. From there, Epstein is said to have told the woman he wanted her to work for him. Hes also alleged to have sent her expensive gifts, as well as promised to give her and her husband at the time highly-placed employment.

In early 2008, Doe claims she was hired to visit Epsteins mansion to cut his hair. Upon her arrival, the suit alleges, Epstein was nude. Epstein and Maxwell then allegedly brutally raped the woman before giving her $200, later demanding that she drive with them in her car. During a stop on the drive, Epstein is alleged to have ushered the plaintiff to a body of water filled with alligators, telling her in explicit detail that she would end up in the water and devoured if she ever chose to go public about Epsteins actions.

Read the full report on the new lawsuit here.

On Tuesday, sex trafficking charges were added to the indictment of Maxwell, who has been in federal jail with no bail since being arrested in July. The indictment added a fourth person to the previously disclosed allegations. That woman says she was sexually abused on multiple occasions by Epstein between 2001 and 2004, starting when she was 14 years of age.

Story continues

In August of 2019, Epsteina little over a month after being arrested on federal sex trafficking chargeswas found dead in his New York prison cell. A subsequent statement from New York Citys chief medical examiner ruled Epsteins death a suicide.

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- Announced future growth strategy and vision at <2021 Strategies and New Technologies Conference> at R&D headquarters in Korea

- Executing the 'Transformation X-Y-Z' strategy, advancing into new businesses including robotaxi and UAM

- Disclosing new mobility concepts, M.Vision X and M.Vision POP, that safely connect people and cities

SEOUL, South Korea, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Mobis will innovate its business structure to secure future technological competitiveness and long-term growth engines. It will shift its focus from automotive component hardware to software and transform its business model into a platform-oriented company.

In accordance with the Hyundai Motor Group's future strategy in electric vehicles, autonomous driving and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Hyundai Mobis is to reinforce its technologies as a leading affiliate.

On March 31st, Hyundai Mobis invited local and foreign media to the <2021 Hyundai Mobis Strategies and New Technologies Conference> at the R&D headquarters in Korea and announced its mid- to long-term Transformation strategy for sustainable growth.

"In the automotive industry, which is quickly evolving into a mobility platform ecosystem, the role of automotive suppliers needs to change as well," said Jung Soo-kyung, head of the planning division (executive vice-president), who gave a presentation at the conference. "We will expand our business as a leading company in platform-based systems that have integrated hardware competitiveness with software."

At the conference, Hyundai Mobis also disclosed new mobility solutions, the urban shared mobility concept cars, M.Vision X and M.Vision POP, and demonstrated new technologies, too.

Innovating the business model with Actively breaking new ground

The mid- to long-term growth strategy (Transformation X-Y-Z), presented by Hyundai Mobis, will be implemented largely in three directions.

First, 'Transformation X' is set to innovate continuously as a global enterprise for future growth. Hyundai Mobis will use its core technological competences in the field of autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity to expand its business to global automakers. To this end, the company will continue to carry out open innovation such as strategic investment in global enterprises with promising technologies.

Currently, Hyundai Mobis is expanding its collaborations with various leading partners. As representative examples, strategic investments have been made in Velodyne, a global No. 1 lidar company, together with collaborative work for mass-production of a level 3 lidar system. Hyundai Mobis is also aiming to cooperate with Envisics, a UK-based AR-HUD specialist.

Secondly, 'Transformation Y' is to innovate its business model with the company's core technological competencies. Hyundai Mobis will expand its business scope in the new mobility service market to meet customer needs. Currently, Hyundai Mobis is known to be developing a level-4 autonomous robotaxi through a technical alliance with Yandex, a Russian IT company, giving shape to its business model.

For business model innovation, Hyundai Mobis is planning to provide dedicated platforms to global automakers or Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) companies. To build the value chain of a new mobility service, the company is also trying to secure smart factory infrastructure utilizing AI and big data.

Thirdly, Transformation Z is set to find long-term new growth businesses and is related to conducting new businesses based on innovative technologies. Hyundai Mobis will secure long-term growth engines in areas other than the existing automotive business in preparation for at least 10 years into the future.

"Currently, we are looking for a business cooperation in the UAM business with the Hyundai Motor Group and reviewing areas that Hyundai Mobis can enter as well as other business models," said Mr. Jung Soo-kyung. "It is expected that it will be possible to utilize the business competencies of Hyundai Mobis to electric propulsion system and avionics in the UAM business."

It seems that Hyundai Mobis recently adding the manufacturing and sale of aerial mobility components and robot components to its business purposes in its Articles of Incorporation was part of this initiative.

To reinforce its R&D competency, a core driving force of its future growth strategies, Hyundai Mobis decided to continuously increase direct R&D investment from KRW 1 trillion (Approx. USD 0.8 billion) to KRW 1.7 trillion (USD 15 billion) in 2025. In particular, to secure an independent technology that will help the company gain the upper hand in the global market, Hyundai Mobis is planning to increase investments in prior art R&D. As part of this effort, the company is planning to increase the prior art R&D costs, which amount to about 14% of total R&D costs, to 30% in 2025.

About Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis is the 7th largest leading automotive supplier. Founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Seoul, Korea, Hyundai Mobis is to become a lifelong technology partner for vehicles and people.

Hyundai Mobis is excellent in sensors, sensor fusion in controllers and software design capabilities in safety control. Its products also include various electrification components, brakes, suspension, steering, airbags, lights and automotive electronics.

Mobis currently has more than 30,000 employees and has been manufacturing in more than 30 regions in 10 countries. In addition to its R&D headquarters in Korea, Mobis has 4 technology centers in Germany, China, India and the United States.

Media Contact

Jihyun Han, jihyun.han@mobis.co.kr

Choon Kee Hwang, ckhwang@mobis.co.kr

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When Alfred Aho and Jeffrey Ullman met while waiting in the registration line on their first day of graduate school at Princeton University in 1963, computer science was still a strange new world.

Using a computer required a set of esoteric skills typically reserved for trained engineers and mathematicians. But today, thanks in part to the work of Dr. Aho and Dr. Ullman, practically anyone can use a computer and program it to perform new tasks.

On Wednesday, the Association for Computing Machinery, the worlds largest society of computing professionals, said Dr. Aho and Dr. Ullman would receive this years Turing Award for their work on the fundamental concepts that underpin computer programming languages. Given since 1966 and often called the Nobel Prize of computing, the Turing Award comes with a $1 million prize, which the two academics and longtime friends will split.

Dr. Aho and Dr. Ullman helped refine one of the key components of a computer: the compiler that takes in software programs written by humans and turns them into something computers can understand.
1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during the release of the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, at the State Department in Washington, on March 30, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US Report Calls Out Chinas Crimes Against Humanity, Pandemic Repression

The U.S. State Department highlighted the deteriorating human rights record in China, accusing the regime of committing genocide and crimes against humanity in a newly released report.

The annual report, covering the human rights conditions last year across roughly 200 countries, used more assertive language on the Beijing regimes suppression in the Xinjiang region. It said that such crimes occurred during the year against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang and were continuing.

The trend lines on human rights continue to move in the wrong direction, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a speech to introduce the report on March 30, noting the Xinjiang abuse among a list of other rights violations around the world.

We will bring to bear all the tools of our diplomacy, to defend human rights and hold accountable perpetrators of abuse.

The toolbox, he said, includes working with Congress to sanction violators, imposing economic sanctions and visa restrictions; incentivizing countries to take positive steps toward respecting human rights with trade benefits and development aid; working with allies; and speaking up for human rights advocates. He noted the recent joint sanction with Canada, the UK, and the European Union over Xinjiang atrocities as a case of the power of countries speaking out together.

Blinken defended the Biden administrations decision to rejoin the flawed U.N. Human Rights Council, arguing that they can do much more to move them in the right direction when we have a seat at the table instead of staying outside of the room and that in our absence, we have seen how autocratic governments use these institutions to undercut human rights.

Blinken, in a marked departure from his predecessor, Mike Pompeo, stopped short of condemning the Chinese Communist Party, instead making his comments more general.

Whether its China, Russia, or anyone else, were not standing against any of those countries. Were not trying to, for example, contain China or keep it down, he said in response to the blowback from Chinese officials during the Alaska meeting.

What we are about is standing up for basic principles, basic rights, and a rules-based international order that has served us and countries around the world very, very well.

And when any country in whatever way seeks to undermine those rights or undermine that order, yes, we will stand and speak out forcefully about it.

Pandemic-Fueled Repression

Blinken added that autocratic governments have used the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to target their critics and further repress human rights.

In the midst of the virus crisis, Beijing has disappeared citizen journalists who went to Wuhan and publicized what they saw on Chinese social media. Zhang Zhan, one of the four most prominent among them and a former lawyer, was sentenced to four years in prison for picking quarrels and provoking trouble, a common charge the regime uses to crush dissent.

Aided by automation of its censorship machinery, Beijing ramped up its control of public discussion about the virus, suppressing references to the governments pandemic response and punishing academics who strayed from official narratives in the name of maintaining social stability.

The State Department report noted the arrest of Chen Zhaozhi, a retired Beijing professor, following his online comment that the virus should be called a Chinese Communist Party virus. A Chinese primary school teacher lost his teaching license in March and spent 10 days in detention for questioning authorities virus numbers.

The restriction of press freedom also rose significantly, with some journalists describing an atmosphere of debilitating paranoia, the report said.

Authorities have quarantined journalists to silence them under the guise of virus control and forced out foreign reporters by refusing to renew their visas or revoking their press credentials. In December, police arrested a Bloomberg reporter at her apartment, accusing her of endangering national security.

The Foreign Correspondents Club of China, in an annual report on media freedom, found 82 percent of correspondents reporting interference, harassment, or violence, and 70 percent experienced interviews being called off due to intervention by authorities.

Cultural, Religious Suppression

The report also documented heightened ideological control over religious and ethnic groups, such as by replacing Mongolian language teaching with Chinese Mandarin in Inner Mongolia schools.

In addition to mass detention and torture in Xinjiang, Beijings regime has subjected practitioners of the meditation discipline, Falun Gong, to brutal persecution since 1999.

The Epoch Times reported on police going to Falun Gong practitioners homes to forcibly collect blood samples last September, which experts warned could be a sign of forced organ harvesting. Some survivors of Xinjiangs internment camps also reported similar tests.

Zhou Xiuzhen, a Falun Gong practitioner from the northern Hebei Province, died in April from injuries suffered as a result of imprisonment and police harassment. Her husband, Bian Lichao, has been imprisoned since 2012 for his faith.
Chandigarh: In a step aimed at giving major push to food processing sector in the state, the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation today gave nod for forming a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for branding and marketing of products manufactured by Micro Food processing units.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Board of Directors chaired by the Chairman of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Joginder Singh Mann, along with Managing Director Manjit Singh Brar, here at the office of the corporation.

Photo

Presiding over the meeting, the Chairman said that Punjab government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh was making stupendous efforts to transform the destiny of farmers of state by giving fillip to food processing sector. He said that SPV would be constituted in financial collaboration with Unati Cooperative Marketing cum Processing society. Mann said that the move was largely aimed at giving boost to the food processing sector especially the micro food processing one.

The Chairman envisioned that the SPV would provide a common branding, marketing and central quality control platform for the beneficiaries of Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprise Scheme (PMFME). He said that Punjab Agro Industries Corporation was the nodal agency of state to implement the PMFME.

Mann said that the products like Pickle, Murabba, Jaggery, wadiyan, pappad, ready to eat/cook products, value added bakery products, honey were covered under the scheme.

Photo

The Chairman said that a comprehensive survey has been conducted by the officers as per which one district, one product has been finalised for the implementation of scheme in right earnest. He said that so far around 160 micro food processing units have applied under the scheme, under which 35% subsidy, would be provided to them.

Mann said that as the farmers of the state was already on crossroads so the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation was making strenuous efforts to ensure that Punjab was emerged as Food Processing Hub of the country.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Managing Director Manjit Singh Brar, Directors Ranjit Singh, Karamjit Singh Mitha, Nirmala Devi and Rajiv Sehgal besides others.
OVER a dozen Government TDs and Senators have availed of free rapid Covid-19 tests in a bid to promote their wider use as the country starts to reopen over the summer.

All of the politicians returned negative results having undergone a swift antigen test at a pop-up testing centre based in Buswells Hotels, across the road from Leinster House, on Wednesday.

There have been calls for wider use of antigen testing, which can take less than five minutes to produce a result, in a bid to reopen the country, including mass testing in schools. However there has been resistance from the Department of Health and the HSE to sanction their wider use because of concerns around their reliability with fears that it would give people a false sense of security.

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The test is not as accurate for detecting Covid-19 as the more widely-used PCR test, which is considered the gold standard.

Minister of State at the Department of Business Robert Troy was among those who availed of an antigen test being sold by the Tipperary-based company Covisal.

As well as Mr Troy, Fianna Fail TDs Cormac Devlin, Aindrias Moynihan, and Paul McAuliffe, along with senators Malcolm Byrne, Mark Daly, Mary Fitzpatrick, Catherine Ardagh, Pat Casey, Aidan Davitt, Fiona OLoughlin, and Erin McGreehan all took a test.

Fine Gael TDs Paul Kehoe, Joe Carey and Alan Dillon also took a test, as did Independent TD and former Cabinet minister Denis Naughton, and the Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns.

Fianna Fail TD Padraig O'Sullivan, who organised the pop-up antigen testing event on Wednesday, said he invited members of the government parties in a bid to convince them of the merits of the tests.

Products like this will help people to go about their day to day business, this will complement reopening, he said. Steps like this will give people an opportunity to get back to as normal a life as we can.

On Wednesday, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told RTEs Prime Time that the use of antigen testing would be expanded quite significantly in schools, colleges and workplaces in the coming months as the Government seeks to reopen society.

Mr OSullivan called for the Government to introduce a tax rebate or some form of financial incentive for companies who take up and use antigen testing in the Budget.

Covisals owner and managing director Arthur Griffins said the company had sold 50,000 tests, which retail at 11 each, since December to doctors, dentists, opticians, vets and many other businesses and individuals.

We have lots and lots of people buying it for various reasons just to feel safe if they need to help a parent or whatever, he said.

He said in some instances he had sold tests to people for family funerals or weddings. He said the rapid tests detected if a person is infectious for the disease and that those who return positives are advised to get a PCR test from the HSE.
Early in the pandemic, media closures, layoffs, furloughs and salary cuts spread across the globe, encompassing the US, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa, Germany, New Zealand, The Philippines, and many others. While the media business in each country operates within its own unique norms and economic systemsand the ramifications of the pandemic are felt differently in each placethe world-wide media crisis lingers on.

More than a year after COVID-19 spread across the globe, researchers and media reporters in some countries have been carefully tracking media industry cutbacks in the pandemics wake; in others, specific data is more scarce. Reporting on industry decline is a complicated matter, with cutbacks encompassing a broad range of changes within newsrooms, in addition to drawing some worthy attention away from the good news: the innovative and determined journalism practitioners working to fill the gaps. Still, on the whole, its not a pretty picture.

The Tow Center for Digital Journalism has mapped cutbacks across the US, reporting sixty-five permanent closures and thousands of journalists experiencing pay cuts, furloughs, or lost jobs. Researchers verified cutbacks across more than three hundred newspapers, thoughwith chain-wide cuts being reported from the top rather than by individual outletsthere may have been cutbacks at as many as a thousand more.

Outside the US, the Canadian Journalism Project has been tracking country-wide media cutbacks in a similar project, beginning with cuts in early March and stretching to the present. As of March 11, J-Source reported the permanent closure of forty-four news outlets, the suspension of print at forty-nine outlets, and a thousand permanent layoffs across as many as 182 outlets. The story of the pandemics impact on media in Canada is about the continued loss of community newspapers, fewer jobs across divisions in the media industry and the cancellation of print editions by both daily and weekly newspapers, Steph Wechsler writes. The J-source report also notes its own limited data on the state of ethnic media or the pandemics effects on the state of freelance journalists, which, Wechsler notes, make up a growing proportion of media workers in Canada.

The Australia Newsroom Mapping Project reports a somewhat different picture in its own country, indicating most recently that the condition of the industry differs from state to state. Queensland has been the worst affected by news closures, reflecting particularly News Corps historically strong presence there and the impact of its decision to close many of its regional titles, the Public Interest Journalism Initiatives February report says. Queensland is also the only state that has had more news outlets close over the studied period than open. This is partially a reflection of the moment: when News Corp closed most of its regional titles in the state, many communities responded by launching new independent titles. Since mid-March of 2020, the projects map reports 175 country-wide contractionsdefined as negative changes to news production and availabilityand 77 expansionspositive changes, such as newsroom openings or increases in service. The project also makes a few notes of caution in interpreting its data: its data makes no assessments of the outlets it tracks, nor does it account for existing news deserts nor hypothetical situations like high rates of closure in healthy entrepreneurial markets or low rates of closure in monolithic or monopolistic media markets.

In December, the European Journalism Observatory reported that the pandemic had taken a significant toll on Europes media industry, chronicling cutbacks across Germany, Italy, the UK, Poland, Portugal, Latvia, Georgia, and Spain. In Italy, many newsstands declared bankruptcy, with 1,410 newsstands closed in the first half of 2020 alone. In Poland, some regional newspaper publishers reported revenue loss up to eighty percent; local independent publications reported similar losses in Ukraine. For the PressGazette, Charlotte Tobitt reported a list of media companies in the UK that filed claims for government support under a recent furlough payment plan; regional publishers JPI Media, Archant, and Midland News association topped the list in January, after the country went back into lockdown.

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In India, journalist Cyril Sam has documented significant numbers of media cutbacks across India for his News@COVID19 Project, which reports cutbacks through August of 2020. The business of news in India has been struggling, for at least a year, prior to the outbreak of COVID19, Sam writes. Each lay-off and closure signals our information ecosystem becoming poorer and our information sources becoming fewer. Post COVID19 news media landscape might be very different from the one we have today.

For many countries, there is no available or easily-accessible data on the comprehensive effects of the pandemic on the media market. Though the economic consequences of a tumultuous year have impeded journalisms facility the world over, the importance of journalism has never been more clear.

The Journalism Crisis Project aims to train our focus on the present crisis, tallying lost jobs and outlets and fostering a conversation about what comes next. We hope youll join us (click to subscribe).

EXPLORE THE TOW CENTERS COVID-19 CUTBACK TRACKER: Over the past year, researchers at the Tow Center have collected reports of a wide range of cutbacks amid the pandemic. Now theres an interactive map and searchable database. You can find it here.



CONTRIBUTE TO OUR DATABASE: If youre aware of a newsroom experiencing layoffs, cutbacks, furloughs, print reductions, or any fundamental change as a result of covid-19, let us know by submitting information here. (Personal information will be kept secure by the Tow Center and will not be shared.)



Below, more on recent media trends and changes in newsrooms across the world:

JOURNALISM JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES: This afternoon, publicmediajobs.org and the Knight Foundation are holding a virtual career fair. MediaGazer has been maintaining a list of media companies that are currently hiring. You can find it here. The Deez Links newsletter, in partnership with Study Hall, offers media classifieds for both job seekers and job providers. The Successful Pitches database offers resources for freelancers. The International Journalists Network lists international job opportunities alongside opportunities for funding and further education.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Lauren Harris is a freelance journalist. She writes CJR's weekly newsletter for the Journalism Crisis Project. Follow her on Twitter @LHarrisWrites.
New chartered accountants from Louth admitted to profession in virtual ceremony

There were 19 newly qualified chartered accountants from Louth among the 1,600 students to be admitted to membership of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

The virtual admissions ceremony was the first of its kind in the Institutes 130-year history.

The Institute is the largest professional accounting body on the island of Ireland, with almost 30,000 members, 5,000 of these spread all around the world.

The newly admitted members are the first cohort of students to have sat their Final Admitting Exams (FAEs) entirely online, in a year in which all aspects of life were adapted in response to Covid-19.

Chartered Accountants Irelands education delivery across its entire 7,000-strong student body was immediately moved online in March 2020.

President of Chartered Accountants Ireland Paul Henry said: I want to congratulate students on their admission to membership.

"In response to the pandemic, the Institute moved almost overnight to entirely online education delivery last March, building on an already existing hybrid model of in-person and virtual instruction.

While maintaining continuity in education, we were equally determined from the outset that the challenges of the pandemic were not going to unduly delay examinations and the onward progression of our students, particularly final year students seeking to progress their careers.

From the early days of the pandemic, Chartered Accountants Ireland worked to expedite the development of an e-assessment platform, with remote invigilation, to ensure that examinations at all levels could go ahead in accordance with public health measures.

The 2020/2021 academic year saw over 15,000 individual exams taken on the Institutes online assessment platform.

The overall grade achievements were similar to previous years and reflect students efforts in a very challenging environment.

Mr Henry continued: It is a testament to students own dedication and resilience that they so quickly and competently adapt to an entirely new way of working.

"Exams are a challenge at the best of times but coupled with the uncertainty and stresses of the pandemic, we are particularly proud of their achievement and admission to the profession.
Don't expect the cherished iconic venue, River Oaks Theatre, to go away without an eleventh-hour fight.

The impassioned push to save River Oaks Theatre is still vibrantly alive. Texas luminaries including Boyhood director Richard Linklater and Houston Rapper Bun B on Wednesday, March 31, will weigh in on how to save Houston's cherished landmark in a public Zoom panel on Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. In an interview with Chron, Linklater urged Houston film fans to not give up to save this beloved theatre.

"It's important to make your voice heard," Linklater told Chron. "River Oaks Theatre is a church of the arts. It's one of those times when a city takes a temperature about what's important. It's a crucial moment. You can't undo a 1939 historic theatre. This is a cultural touchstone for the city."

"What we hope to accomplish with the panel tonight are a few things. We want the audience to hear positive solutions to keep historic movie theatres alive and intact," Friends of Rivers Oaks Theatre cofounder Sarah Gish told Chron. "Richard Linklater in particular will be talking about the importance of saving River Oaks Theatre."

In a bittersweet farewell, Houstonians said what could be their final goodbyes at a candelight vigil, mourning the loss of their treasured cinema when it closed its doors last week on March 25. It was a hard-fought battle, but a deal could not be struck between Weingarten and Landmark Theatres to extend its lease. Some Houston film aficionados are not giving up the fight to preserve this 1939 Art Deco cinematic gem that's had an 82-year run in Houston.

"The point in this discussion tonight is: Let's not give up!" Houston Film Society President Doug Harris told Chron. "Let's exhaust every opportunity to save this historic theater."

LEGACY LIVES ON: Houston organizers fight to keep the legacy of River Oaks Theatre alive, rolling out 3 events

Joining Linklater and Bun B on the Zoom panel discussion will be Houston Chronicle arts editor Cary Darling and local theater historian David Welling.

"We want people to leave the discussion with enthusiasm for saving our history and understanding the importance of our landmarks in our community." Gish said.

The love expressed for River Oaks Theatre has crossed all the cultural and community lines in Houston, Harris said.

"This theater touches everyone it comes into contact with," Harris said. "This theater and its history, legacy and its purpose and its avenue for cinematic glory continues. It touches old, young, Black, Hispanic, white. It's clearly demonstrated by the people on the Zoom call tonight."

Linklater stressed that it would be a wise decision for Weingarten to be a part of the solution in preserving the River Oaks Theatre.

"It would help if Weingarten would come clean on the next step. I doubt Weingarten would want to be a hated company in Houston. They should do a pre-emptive strike and try to save the theatre. They want to be a part of the solution."

It's critical to remember that historic buildings in Houston should be preserved and not always be attached to economic profit-centers, Linklater said.

"It's not just 'let's knock down museums and make room for commerce.' No, we're not going to be doing that. You can't be short-sighted. Think big and long-term."

For Houstonians who wish to weigh in on the River Oaks Theatre discussion, you can watch the Zoom panel live here.
ATLANTA, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Landis+Gyr (LAND.SW) and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) have agreed to a contract that adds street light control capabilities to the utility's smart grid and AMI program.

Using Landis+Gyr's Gridstream AMI network, PSE plans to deploy 25,000 street light controllers over the next five years. The smart controllers will perform a variety of functions, including control of lighting intensity to boost energy efficiency and metered billing of street lights using the metrology in controllers.

As part of the agreement, Landis+Gyr will host the street light control software used to program, monitor, and control the lights. Billing data will be processed through the utility's meter data management system.

"Intelligent street light control presents another way utilities can leverage Landis+Gyr's Gridstream Connect platform to manage assets more efficiently, strengthen network performance and cost-effectively add sensing and monitoring across the distribution system," said Jay Lasseter, Vice President of Industry and Growth at Landis+Gyr.

With the ability to measure consumption using the billing-grade metrology in the street light controller, PSE will be able to more effectively gauge the energy being consumed and also use adaptive controls to lower power consumption in identified locations and during specific times of day.

Landis+Gyr's smart lighting solution is part of the Gridstream Connect comprehensive IoT platform. Built on a leading-edge smart grid network that connects intelligent devices, such as meters and sensors, across the utility distribution system, Gridstream Connect leverages hardware, software, and application development to provide a strong and flexible platform for smart city and utility IoT applications.

About PSE

Puget Sound Energy is proud to serve our neighbors and communities in 10 Washington counties. We're the state's largest utility, supporting more than 1.1 million electric customers and nearly 900,000 natural gas customers. For more about us and what we do, visit pse.com.

About Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr is a leading global provider of integrated energy management solutions for the utility sector. Offering one of the broadest portfolios, we deliver innovative and flexible solutions to help utilities solve their complex challenges in Smart Metering, Grid Edge Intelligence and Smart Infrastructure. With sales of USD 1.7 billion in FY 2019, Landis+Gyr employs approximately 5,500 people in over 30 countries across five continents, with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better.

Contact

Landis+Gyr

Dan Jacobson | Regional Contact North America

Senior Marketing Communications Manager

[email protected]

320-307-7486

SOURCE Landis+Gyr
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 20:52:10|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- - - -

LONDON -- British health authorities on Wednesday warned that Britons should obey the COVID restriction rules and remain cautious over coronavirus in order to check the spread of the virus as people gathered outdoors to enjoy the sunshine.

"We need to obey the rules as they are," Sian Griffiths, a senior public health official, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

- - - -

JAKARTA -- The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 5,937 within one day to 1,511,712, with the death toll adding by 104 to 40,858, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

According to the ministry, 5,635 more people were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 1,348,330.

- - - -

MOSCOW -- Russia registered 8,275 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 4,545,095, the country's COVID-19 response center said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, as Russia reported 408 more deaths and 10,176 new recoveries, the respective total stood at 98,850 and 4,166,172, the center said.

- - - -

CANBERRA -- The Australian government has administered a little more than 670,000 vaccines as of Wednesday, 16.7 percent of its target number in March since the rollout began in February.

The government initially promised that 4 million people would receive COVID-19 vaccines by the end of March.

- - - -

MANILA -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported on Wednesday 6,128 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 747,288.

The death toll climbed to 13,297 after 106 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH said.

- - - -

NAIROBI -- The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said on Wednesday it has stepped up COVID-19 containment measures inside national parks and reserves as the country reels from a third wave of infections.

Enhanced measures will apply in wildlife sanctuaries in Nairobi and the counties of Machakos, Kajiado, Kiambu and Nakuru that were placed under lockdown as ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday.

- - - -

BEIJING -- The WHO-China joint team on the global study of the origins of COVID-19 found that introduction through a laboratory incident is "extremely unlikely," according to a senior Chinese expert of the joint team Wednesday.

Experts from the WHO and China jointly conducted the research in China and made an assessment of the likelihood of possible pathways, according to Liang Wannian, head of the Chinese side of the joint team, at a press briefing by Chinese members of the study.

- - - -

TOKYO -- Tokyo on Wednesday reported 414 new daily COVID-19 cases, bringing the capital's tally since the outbreak of the pandemic here to 129,860.

The latest figure compares to 364 cases reported the previous day, with the jump in daily infections coming just more than a week since a COVID-19 state of emergency was lifted for the greater Tokyo area.

- - - -

KIEV -- Ukraine's Health Ministry received 689 reports of side effects after vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine during the first month of the vaccination program, authorities said on Tuesday.

From Feb. 24 to March 28, nearly 200,000 vaccinations were made against the coronavirus and 689 people reported adverse reactions, the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health said on Facebook.

- - - -

SOFIA -- Bulgaria reported a record number of 5,176 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, taking the national tally to 338,426, the country's health ministry said on Wednesday.

The previous daily record of 4,851 new cases was reported last Wednesday.

- - - -

LOME -- The total of COVID-19 cases in Togo has reached 10,249, as the West Afrian country reported 257 new cases on Tuesday night.

According to Togo's latest update, 45 recoveries were newly registered, taking the total recoveries to 7,815, while 2,325 patients were under treatment. Enditem
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

New York, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Mar, 2021 ) :"Game of Thrones" is headed to Broadway, its production team announced Tuesday, with plans to bring key characters from the wildly successful cult series to the stage in 2023.

George R.R. Martin, author of the literary saga that started it all, is collaborating on the theatrical piece with British playwright Duncan MacMillan and director Dominic Cooke.

The play will take place during "a pivotal moment in the history of the series," read a statement from the team, which includes producers Simon Painter, Tim Lawson and Jonathan Sanford, who presented "The Illusionists" on Broadway in 2014.

"Our dream is to bring Westeros to Broadway, to the West End, to Australia... and eventually, to a stage near you," Martin said in a statement, referring to the fictional world where the tales take place.

Martin said work on the project began before the pandemic.

The saga's defining moment that will underpin the play is the Harrenhal tournament, which is to have taken place roughly 17 years before the first season of the HBO series.

The production is to feature "many of the most iconic and well-known characters" from the books and the series, which came out over eight seasons from 2011 to 2019.

A number of Game of Thrones-related projects have been in the works since then, including "House of the Dragon" -- a prequel series slated to come to HBO in 2022.

Martin is also collaborating on projects related to his other books, including "Sandkings" for Netflix.

Fans worry the 72-year-old author's attention may be too divided to finish his "Game of Thrones" literary cycle -- which was already overtaken by the television show.

It's been nearly 10 years since the saga's most recent volume, "A Dance with Dragons," was published.
Claims by Nine Entertainment newspapers that the AFP is involved in investigating a network attack on the company's Sydney offices appear to be overblown.

On Tuesday, The Age, one of the newspapers in Nine's stable  the other major ones are the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian Financial Review  carried an article headlined "AFP, NSW Police investigating cyber attack on Nine."[see screenshot below].

This claim was contradicted by one of the newspapers from the rival Murdoch camp, The Australian, which said in the last paragraph of a report: "Despite reports on Nines websites on Tuesday that the Australian Federal Police and NSW police were investigating the cyber attack, The Australian has been told this is not the case." [see screenshot below]

iTWire understands that the reporting about this in The Australian is correct.

It is also understood that Nine has spoken to what are described as "appropriate authorities", though who exactly those are is unclear.

Asked for an update on the cleaning up after the attack, a Nine spokesperson said: "In the early hours of 28 March, Nine experienced a cyber-attack which has primarily affected its broadcast and corporate operations.

"As a precautionary measure, we isolated our network in order to protect the systems and data held on them. At this stage there is no indication any data has been removed from our systems.

"This containment strategy has had a flow-on effect for other parts of our business, such as publishing. Throughout the past few days we have remained focused on ensuring we maintain our broadcast services and publishing product  which we have successfully done.

"We are now moving to restore full services. We recognise the public interest and speculation around this cyber incident but we will not be making comments on the nature and motives of the attack."

As iTWire reported on Tuesday, the Windows ransomware strain MedusaLocker is suspected to have been used in the attack.
TROY, Mich., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC, the premier learn-to-swim franchise concept, is on pace for a record-breaking 2021 following a historic year.

The brand has recently been ranked No. 168 on the Inc. 5000 Regionals list of fastest-growing private companies in the Midwest. The ranking carries more weight than ever following a challenging year for all as the COVID-19 pandemic complicated businesses operations across nearly every industry. The news follows a strong first quarter start to the year as Goldfish Swim School closed on 19 signed agreements, opened three schools and celebrated all 114 schools open and operating with the ability to teach the lifesaving skill to their communities.

Inc. Magazine's regional ranking represents a unique look at the successful independent small businesses responsible for driving the economy forward in the Midwest. The companies on this list show incredible year-over-year growth rates across all industries in the 12 Midwest states. Between 2017 and 2019, the ranked companies had an average growth rate of 199% and, in 2019 alone, they employed more than 43,000 people and added more than $11 billion to the Midwest economy.

With an aggressive growth strategy in place, Goldfish Swim School Franchising LLC is already experiencing a strong start to the year having recently signed a 19-unit agreement to bring schools to Florida, Texas and Virginia. This is in addition to three more recent multi-unit development announcements in New York, Texas and Arizona. Furthermore, the brand recently celebrated three new school openings in Gaithersburg, Maryland; Strongsville, Ohio; and Media, Pennsylvania.

With at least six school openings slated for Q2, the brand is on pace to surpass its goal of opening 13 more schools by year end, inching it closer to its overall goal to have 250 schools open and operating by 2025  all part of the brand's mission and vision to keep families and children safer in and around the water.

"The continued success and growth we've experienced over the last few years  even amid a pandemic  is no doubt due to our incredible team," explained Chris McCuiston, CEO and co-founder of Goldfish Swim School. "We encouraged our network to keep their heads down and press on as we lobbied on behalf of the franchise system. Our perseverance coupled with our ability to pivot in order to provide franchisees essential information such as financial resources, downloadable marketing templates, operational guidance  you name it  has helped us perform, grow and live out our mission."

As Goldfish Swim School celebrates the 15-year anniversary of its first school in Birmingham, Michigan, this month, the team reflects on the brand's humble beginnings, the growing Goldfish family made up of dedicated franchisees and loyal team members across North America, and the hundreds of thousands of families who have walked through their doors. Goldfish Swim School continues to prove itself as a top-rated and most established swim school franchise in the space. Its ability to go above and beyond to nurture a culture that provides a GOLDEN Experience! is unmatched by its competition. Goldfish Swim School's core values extend from its members to its franchisees, as the Franchise Office Support team is committed to going above and beyond with every detail. It is this level of best-in-class support that drives prospective franchisees to continuously choose Goldfish.

The company continues to seek qualified and engaged individuals who are involved with their community, have a passion for water safety and are hungry to dive into the world of franchising. Today, with 114 schools open and over 100 in development across 30 states, the brand is on track for strategic franchise expansion across North America.

For more information on Goldfish Swim School and its franchise opportunity, please visit https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/franchise-opportunities/ or call 248-801-1850.

About Goldfish Swim School

Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using their research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006, and opened its first franchise location in 2009. Recently, the brand was recognized by Entrepreneur in its Franchise 500 ranking, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious List, and Inc. Magazine's Top 5000. Goldfish Swim School is currently in the process of expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America, with more than 110 schools open, and an additional 130+ in development in more than 30 states and Canada.

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300, [email protected]

SOURCE Goldfish Swim School

Related Links

https://www.goldfishswimschool.com


Amidst optimism and rays of hope in reviving the tourism sector, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has officially launched the 6th Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2021), the exhibition's first virtual edition targeting the GCC travel markets.

POATE is a tourism exposition organised annually by the UTB. It brings together domestic, regional and international tour operators, travel agents, destination agencies and various players in the tourism trade to network and facilitate tourism business.

The launch of POATE 2021, which will take place from April 27 to 29 under the theme: Restarting Tourism for Regional Economic Developmentcomes amidst a slow down in the growth of Covid-19 cases just as 350 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are being administered worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation.

The UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova stated that the decision to go virtual was not only informed and influenced by the unique physical and logistical challenges posed by Covid-19 and the associated limitations, but it was also out of UTB's desire to leverage the internet to bring on board as many participants as possible.

We have built, a specialised virtual meeting platform that shall facilitate one-on-one meetings, virtual speed networking sessions as well as live conference sessions for domestic, regional and international tourism players, she said.

The virtual platform has unique abilities such as:

i) Directory Listings: This is similar to on-stand presentations- where exhibitors will be able to showcase their products and services in a variety of multimedia formats, including video, website links and e-brochures. For easy searchability and fundability, exhibitors can list their products and service categories.

ii) 1-On-1 Meetings: The meetings function within the platform will be exclusive to buyers, media and exhibitors only, and shall allow participants to connect with the highest level of travel trade industry professionals with direct purchasing power. Participants can create their attendee profile, adding products and regions they are interested to buy from. This will make it easy for exhibitors and other participants to quickly find and match contacts that suit their business needs.

iii) Lead Generation: The virtual platform allows participants to remotely schedule individual thirty-minute video meetings and network with industry professionals. The system also allows several functionalities, such as the exchange of business cards, drawing up of draft contracts etc.

iv) Choice Content Sessions: Participants will have a variety of live sessions, debates and forums from industry experts to choose from. A variety of topics from experts in key areas such as hotels, aviation, resilience, sustainability, and recovery in a post-COVID-19 world have all been lined up.

Participants for POATE 2021 will be vetted through a set of criteria that has been developed by the national organising committee to ensure they are of the right calibre to showcase Destination Ugandas offering.

In line with UTBs recovery marketing strategy, hosted buyers and exhibitors will be sourced from the existing core and emerging source markets within the East African Region (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda), rest of Africa (Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa) and the international markets (North America, UK and Ireland, Germany speaking countries, Japan, Gulf states and China and the new markets of France, Belgium + Netherlands).

Over the next coming days, UTB will be engaging the industry further on how best to take advantage of the numerous opportunities presented by POATE 2021.

Building on the successes of POATE 2020 where we registered a 138% growth in exhibitors, from 63 exhibitors in 2018 to 150 exhibitors in 2020, and leveraging the power of the internet, this time we expect to attract more than 200 exhibitors, she continued.

As we prepare for the gradual recovery of the global regional tourism sector, we believe that POATE 2021 will contribute the following:

I. Increased Destination Awareness: POATE 2021 will enable trade visitors and exhibitors to showcase and obtain the latest information on available tourism products from Uganda and the rest of the world.

II. Increased product knowledge: The expo will enable suppliers of tourism products to test the acceptance of these products in the post-covid-19 Ugandan market.

III. Enhanced Tourism Service Distribution: POATE 2021 will enable distributors of tourism products to interact with suppliers and distributors in the value chain to establish relationships necessary for business sustainability.

IV. New Business Deals and Enhanced Private Sector Development: During POATE 2021, suppliers of tourism-related services and products will close and sign business deals through travel bookings on-spot. An estimated ROI of UGX 12.2 billion is expected in the subsequent financial years.

V. Relationship Building; POATE 2021 will present the opportunity for online networking by key stakeholders in the tourism industry; it will also provide a useful platform for stakeholders to explore co-operative exchanges and activities.

Speaking at the launch, Daudi Migereko, Chairman of the 4th Board of Directors of UTB, expressed confidence at the timing of POATE 2021. By and large, we can say there isnt a better time to send out a message of hope to the tourism sector; a message focused on recovery, rebuilding, reconnecting and rebooting the Ugandan tourism sector, Migereko said.

Godfrey Ssuubi Kiwanda, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities in the Ugandan Cabinet, highlighted the importance of the private sector in kickstarting the tourism industry in Uganda.

"Domestically, we know that the private sector has been getting back on its feet in what is now the new normal and we know that it has not been easy and wont get easy so soon; but yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel and as the Government, we have also been doing our homework by taking stock, looking for resources, and strategizing on a comeback strategy to support UTB in its recovery efforts," he said.

According to the Bank of Uganda Monetary Policy Report for February, the Ugandan economy is projected to grow between 3% - 3.5% this financial year.

UTB is optimistic that the global vaccination will trigger resumption of international tourists into the country. Indeed, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the tourism industry is recovering with 2021 expected to be better than 2020, with a rebound expected in 2022, the statement said. -TradeArabia News Service
Kigali, Rwanda  In the past year, ESPartners (ESP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation's Hanga Ahazaza and Covid-19 Recovery and Resilience programs in Rwanda, provided technical and financial support to 144 SMEs, collectively employing more than 1,361 employees. The participants in the program are SMEs and startups in the Tourism and Hospitality sector, which have been receiving technical assistance through ESP's Tourism Inc. and Komeza programs. Seventy-seven percent of the financial support aims to enable resilience and growth for 60 businesses that are part of Komeza, a relief initiative launched in July 2020 as part of the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program (RRP).

"It is a privilege to support these incredible entrepreneurs. Despite being severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the SMEs in Rwanda's Tourism and Hospitality industry, have shown an incredible amount of resilience in not only surviving the crisis, but thriving beyond it. We feel fortunate to be in a position to assist with financing and strategies to enable them to pivot, innovate, and scale their ventures," said Charity Kabango, Co-Founder and Director of ESP.

At ESP, we strive to make opportunities such as Komeza and Tourism Inc. accessible to critical demographics in Rwanda and we are proud to share that 65 percent of the funded SMEs are female-owned while 83 percent are youth-owned. We strongly believe that supporting the current and future champions of the sector will be key to its resilience.

"It is deeply encouraging, and exciting, to see the ways in which entrepreneurs in this program have not just weathered the COVID-19 storm but taken it as an opportunity to innovate for the future, rethinking how they produce, market, and deliver their products. They are at the forefront of reimagining the future of tourism in Rwanda in ways that make it more profitable and sustainable," said Rica Rwigamba, Country Head, Rwanda, Mastercard Foundation.

ESPartners The participants in the program are SMEs and startups in the Tourism and Hospitality sector, which have been receiving technical assistance through ESPs Tourism Inc. and Komeza programs

"We appreciate the excellent work that has been done by ESPartners and the Mastercard Foundation in supporting SMEs to become more resilient in the face of challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Technical and financial support not only creates profitable businesses, but also promotes sustainability. With this support, we are hopeful that the sector is better equipped to recover as international and domestic tourism activities gradually resume," said Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board.

ESP designs its programs to deliver "Intelligent Capital", the right combination of technical assistance and financial support needed for businesses to grow. These programs build on the broader commitment of the Mastercard Foundation and the Rwandan Government through the Rwanda Development Board to provide an enabling environment for innovative enterprises providing particular attention to women and youth.

"We are thrilled to be part of the Komeza program. It is a life-changing and teaching moment that has helped us drive our business further, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technical assistance we've received through the program has equipped our team with key skills in planning and management and the funding has enabled us to become more resilient financially. The combination of both will undoubtedly contribute tremendously to the growth of our business. We are forever grateful for the support from ESP and the Mastercard Foundation for giving us the opportunity to be part of the Komeza program," said Egide Butare, Managing Director of store2door Ltd. Store2door Ltd. is an e-commerce platform, which was developed by young entrepreneurs, both women and men.

ESPartners ESP strives to make opportunities such as Komeza and Tourism Inc. accessible to critical demographics in Rwanda. 65 percent of the funded SMEs are female-owned while 83 percent are youth-owned.

Media Contacts

ESP

Charity Kabango, Co-founder and Director

Tel: +16478337496

Email: ckabango@espartners.co

Mastercard Foundation

Nicolas Emane, Partner, Program Communications

Telephone: +250 783 720 809

Email: nemane@mastercardfdn.org

About Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners

Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) aims to enable innovative, scalable, and profitable enterprises to build prosperity. Our mission is "to foster entrepreneurial solutions for prosperity." ESP enables people, firms, institutions, and nations to articulate and implement solutions to their economic challenges. ESP's approach is to provide Intelligent Capitalthe right combination of insights and capitalto address critical societal issues. We provide consulting and strategy advisory services to diverse clients, including governments, businesses, and development partners in Africa. With offices in Abidjan and Kigali, ESP has been in operation since 2011.

For more information, visit www.espartners.co and follow ESP at @es_partners on Twitter.

About the Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management.

For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org
- By James Li





MSD Capital, the firm established by Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL) founder Michael Dell (Trades, Portfolio), revealed this week that it reduced its Independence Contract Drilling Inc. (NYSE:ICD) holding according to GuruFocus Real-Time Picks, a Premium feature.





Dell and his family established the New York-based firm in the 1990s, seeking long-term capital appreciation through investments in companies with sustainable competitive advantages using a disciplined, research-intensive analytic process. Management invests based on the belief that businesses provide shareholder value through generation of cash flow and the emphasis on absolute value instead of relative value.

Transaction details

MSD sold 22,922 shares in multiple trades since Monday, trimming the position 15.78% from the March 17 holding of 145,255 shares. The shares averaged around $3.32 as of Tuesday.

MSD Capital Further Slims Independence Contract Drilling Stake

The reduction follows a series of position reductions starting in December 2021; the firm has sold 101,257 shares over the past three months.

Company background and financial strength summary

Houston-based Independence Contract Drilling provides land-based contract drilling services for oil and natural gas producers. The company focuses its operations primarily in the Permian Basin, Haynesville Shale and Eagle Ford Shale regions, although operations previously occurred in the Mid-Continent and Eaglebine regions.

The company discussed in its 2020 annual report that operating rig counts ranged from three rigs to 22 rigs during the year as the coronavirus pandemic interrupted drilling activity. Despite this, Independence Contract Drilling increased its oil rig count to 11 as of year-end as oil and natural gas prices started to stabilize and demand for the company's products rebounded from historic lows.

Story continues

GuruFocus ranks the company's financial strength 3 out of 10 on several warning signs, which include a low Piotroski F-score of 3 and a cash-to-debt ratio that underperforms over 76% of global competitors. The website also warns that the company has issued nearly $25 million in long-term debt over the past three years, indicating high use of financial leverage.

MSD Capital Further Slims Independence Contract Drilling Stake

Company profitability remains low; stock may be a possible value trap

GuruFocus ranks Independence Contract Drilling's profitability 2 out of 10 on the back of profit margins and returns underperforming over 73% of global competitors. Additionally, the company's three-year revenue decline rate of 29.1% fared worse than over 88% of oil and gas companies around the globe.

MSD Capital Further Slims Independence Contract Drilling Stake

Shares of Independence Contract Drilling closed on Wednesday at $3.30, down over 90% from the first-quarter 2019 average price of $64.97. The stock is a potential value trap based on its price-to-GF Value ratio of 0.45 coupled with the company's low financial strength and profitability metrics.

MSD Capital Further Slims Independence Contract Drilling Stake

Additionally, the company warned that current oil rig performance may or may not be sustainable due to the unpredictable and unknown future impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and other macroeconomic factors regarding the crude oil market.

See also

MSD Capital's Independence Contract Drilling position occupies just 0.93% of its $54 million equity portfolio. The firm also has holdings in Dine Brands Global Inc. (NYSE:DIN) and Townsquare Media Inc. (NYSE:TSQ).

MSD Capital Further Slims Independence Contract Drilling Stake

Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio)' Renaissance Technologies also has a holding in Independence Contract Drilling.

Disclosure: The author has no positions in the stocks mentioned. The mention of stocks in this article do not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell the stock. Investors must do their own diligent research before investing in the stock market; the research includes studying the macroeconomic factors that can impact a company's business.

Read more here:

Daniel Loeb Targets Fintech SPAC

Chewy Springs Forward on 4th-Quarter Earnings Beat

4 Industrial Companies With High Returns on Equity Over Past 5 Years







Not a Premium Member of GuruFocus? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 20:08:17|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday voiced its strong opposition to a human rights report on China issued by the U.S. Department of State.

The U.S. report distorted the truth, demonized the Chinese central government's Hong Kong-related policies, vilified the HKSAR government's law-based governance and police's law enforcement efforts, and openly endorsed anti-China forces sowing trouble in Hong Kong, a spokesperson of the commissioner's office said in a statement.

The U.S. report is a gross violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations and an outright interference in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, noted the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the central government has stayed firmly committed to "one country, two systems" under which Hong Kong people administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, and acted in strict accordance with the Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law.

As a result, the Hong Kong people enjoy unprecedented rights and freedoms, the spokesperson said.

The law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR has ushered in a historical transition for Hong Kong from chaos to stability, and the improvement of its electoral system has provided institutional guarantees for the enduring success of "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability by optimizing and developing the democratic system of the HKSAR, the spokesperson said.

Hong Kong sees no more black violence and "burn with us" activities and instead, stability has become the prevailing trend, and the community is united in the efforts to combat COVID-19, rekindle economy and improve livelihoods, the spokesperson said, adding that Hong Kong and its people as a whole are sailing towards a better future.

The spokesperson noted that the finger-pointing U.S. report makes a total mockery of human rights.

The United States lags behind Hong Kong in global rankings both for freedoms and the rule of law as its own human rights situation is bleak, with recurring racial discrimination and police violence and record-high gun trade and shooting incidents, the spokesperson said.

Nevertheless, the United States has turned a blind eye to the problems at home and continued to proclaim itself as a "champion of human rights," the spokesperson said.

The United States accuses the Chinese central government of eroding "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong people's rights and freedoms, smears the HKSAR government's law-based governance and police's highly restrained law enforcement actions, and glorifies the violent crimes committed by anti-China troublemakers in Hong Kong, only to expose its ulterior motive to wish for more troubles in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said it is in line with the historical trend that the central authorities set things right in Hong Kong under the Constitution and the Basic Law, and that it is the common aspiration of the Hong Kong people to lead a peaceful and happy life in a prosperous and stable Hong Kong.

Any raucous interference in Hong Kong affairs by the United States or other external forces is meaningless and miscalculated, and will only be hit back by the Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is part of China and that its affairs are China's internal affairs while urging the United States to face the facts and grasp the historical trend, manage its own house well, earnestly abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs at large in whatever form. Enditem
Boston Dynamics unveiled a new machine built to overcome warehouse operations.

Strech is a robot arm that could effectively carry boxes around. It can shift up to 800 boxes an hour and run at eight hours operating time on battery. The machine has not yet been released in the market, but Boston Dynamics is confident of this technological success.

Boston Dynamics is an American robotics design company famously known for their robot dog Spot. Spot was made commercially available in 2019 and brought massive success to the technological advancement of remote operations. Since then, Boston Dynamics continued developing dynamic technologies such as Atlas, Handle, and the most recent Stretch.

Boston Dynamics is bringing mobility to warehouse automation. Watch Stretch - our new case handling robot - move, groove and unload trucks.



Read the announcement. https://t.co/5B7wDDKC38 pic.twitter.com/i3Dsoz9Tq8  Boston Dynamics (@BostonDynamics) March 29, 2021

As seen in the video, Stretch is a straightforward machine with high utility functions. Not only does it efficiently pick up packages of different shapes and sizes, but it also has a built-in stabilizer to handle them with care. It could also be operated to enter tight or closed spaces and function effectively, especially for loading or unloading boxes. The machine also performs its task with exceptionally smooth, precise movements.

The Robot Stretch

The Verge reported Stretch is a machine with a square mobile base mounted on a set of wheels. It also has what the company calls a "perception mast" equipped with cameras and sensors that make it intuitive, easily detectinng its parcel or possible obstacles in its way. Its most significant feature is the huge robotic arm with its seven degrees of freedom and a suction pad array that can grab or move boxes.

Stretch could grab boxes up to 23 kilograms and move freely in most directions, thanks to the counterweights built inside its base. Boston Dynamics Vice President of business development Michael Perry explained that this machine's design is similar to their Atlas robot.

"Atlas picking up a box isn't just about extending the arms and moving them; it's about coordinating the hips, legs, and torso," Perry said, per The Verge.

Read Also: Boston Dynamics Shows Off Its New Wheeled Robot In An Official Video

Factory Machinery

Unlike the traditional automation equipment mounted and installed in the warehouse, Boston Dynamics and Stretch pride themselves to be incredibly mobile. Stretch is designed to work in environments that do not have automation infrastructure and could operate perfectly at the back of a truck, between conveyors or through the aisles.

Stretch breaks the concept that robots can't work in warehouses because of the complicated and erratic workspaces. Instead, it creates a machine that values flexibility and easily handles this kind of challenge. Boston Dynamics believe that Stretch could bridge the gap between automated machinery functions and adaptability to its environment.

Stretch is also a robot that could easily be operated by anyone with a few hours of training. Boston Dynamics is also known for keeping its products customer-friendly and fit for commercial use. Unfortunately, Boston Dynamics have not yet released the market price for Stretch. Stretch is currently undergoing its pilot test and is estimated to be ready for commercial deployment sometime in 2022.



Related Article: New Boston Dynamics YouTube Video Shows Three Robots Dancing 'Do You Love Me'
On Monday evening, I realised my familys trip from our home in Byron to Brisbane the previous weekend was going to cost us far more than the price of AFL tickets.

Because our trip was across March 20 and 21, we were, suddenly and belatedly, subject to the current Greater Brisbane three-day lockdown.

The Premier has advised people planning to travel to Byron Bay to reconsider their plans.

This was a blow but an acceptable one as part of the ongoing fight against COVID-19 (though theres no doubt more urgency on the vaccine rollout would have prevented the whole situation). What is unacceptable is how confusing and contradictory the information is on what this lockdown means for us and many others.

Can my kids go to school? Can my husband go to work? Im fortunate to work from home. The answer to the school question was clarified at 6am on Tuesday, a full 12 hours after the news that the lockdown applied to NSW residents who had visited Brisbane.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been criticised over the failure to agree a final budget for the new financial year.

The SDLP said the two parties had been haggling over the budget for weeks and that it highlighted Conor Murphys shambolic tenure in office, while the UUP said it was caused by internal feuding between Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Stormonts Finance Minister Mr Murphy has blamed DUP leader Arlene Foster for blocking the final budget. He said it will affect his departments ability to make financial plans.

But the DUP said there is a need for movement on significant issues such as the funding of victims payments and the commitment to additional police numbers being met.

In a letter to ministers on Wednesday, Mr Murphy said despite his best endeavours Mrs Foster had not agreed to my Executive paper on the final Budget 2020-21 paper being tabled for Executive consideration.

The Sinn Fein politician said he had presented a draft budget to the Assembly on January 18 and that it was open for public consultation until February 25.

After that, the minister said he circulated a paper to executive ministers on March 15 setting out his proposals for a final budget and that since then he had made a number of changes to address issues raised by Executive colleagues.

I fully anticipated that these relatively minor adjustments would be sufficient to achieve Executive agreement to the final Budget position, he said.

Although the paper has been agreed by the deputy First Minister, the First Minister has not agreed to the paper being tabled for Executive consideration.

I am of course extremely concerned that due to the decision not to allow this paper to be considered by the Executive I have, through no fault of my own, been placed in the position of breaching the requirement of the Section 64 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to lay a draft budget before the beginning of the financial year.

He added that it was also of grave concern that the failure to agree a Budget will impact on departments ability to plan effectively.

DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew, who sits on the finance committee, said: The Finance Minister is charged with bringing forward proposals which can garner support from a five-party Executive, not simply with indulging his own or his partys wishes.

There is a need for movement on significant issues such as the funding of victims payments, where the Finance Minister must also pay regard to the ruling of the courts in this area.

All parties should also want to see the commitment to additional police numbers met and the Finance Minister needs to ensure that he steps up to that.

No one is pretending that bringing forward budget proposals within a multi-party Executive is easy, but it has been a task successfully achieved by most of Conor Murphys predecessors.

SDLP finance spokesman Matthew OToole described Mr Murphys statement as a cynical attempt to cover up yet another error during his shambolic tenure as Finance Minister.

The South Belfast MLA added: Sinn Fein and the DUP have been haggling over the budget for weeks and it is convenient for the Minister to make such a claim today, at a time when his and his partys conduct is under such intense scrutiny.

Of course the failure to agree a Budget is also a reminder of the chaos that marks the DUP and Sinn Feins approach to Government.

UUP Leader Steve Aiken said the announcement hours from the end of the financial year that the Budget is not yet ready shows a shambolic approach to public finances in Northern Ireland.

Mr Aiken, who is chair of the finance committee, said: Once again our public finances are in a total state of flux.

Reading between the lines this appears to be about the internal feuding between Sinn Fein and the DUP.

That the Troubles Permanent Disablement Scheme will be further delayed, essential funding for Health curtailed, policing numbers not being increased, and support to our economy and infrastructure defrayed, just demonstrates that elements within our Executive are still incapable of making the grown-up decisions that any other democracy would expect.

Belfast and London have been at loggerheads over who should meet the cost of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Scheme, which will allow payments for those most seriously injured during the decades-long conflict.

It has been estimated the cost could reach 1.2 billion.

Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal in Belfast ruled that Stormont was under a legal duty to fund the payment scheme.

It made no finding on the source of that funding  i.e. from the current block grant or by way of extra Treasury funding for the region  and urged the Executive and Northern Ireland Office to agree a solution.
BioNTech, which invented the messenger RNA-based vaccine, is intensely ramping up its production capabilities. The firm, which is based in Mainz, Germany, had never brought a pharmaceutical product to market before, and needs an entirely different manufacturing capacity to take it beyond the small amounts needed for clinical trial.

Some 400 employees have the process well under way at the company's new production facility in Marburg, taken over from Novartis in 2020. The facility received approval on Friday from the European Medicines Agency for the manufacture of the vaccine. BioNTech originally expected the plant could produce 700 million doses per year; it has since upgraded its expectations to a billion a year.

The active ingredient is messenger RNA (mRNA), which contains the instructions for our cells to make proteins. The mRNA in the vaccine provides instructions to make a piece of the coronavirus called the spike protein. The human immune system recognizes the spike protein as foreign and builds a response against COVID-19.

Making large amounts is different than the smaller batches for trial; fluids behave differently in large volumes, and the raw materials and supplies, such as the bags in which the mRNA is produced, are now needed in much larger quantities. The production process involves some 50,000 separate steps from the beginning of each batch to the final bulk filling, some of them requiring complex training that last from several months to a year.

The crucial factor in handling mRNA, which is notoriously fragile, is rigorously avoiding contamination. Workers, who typically have a university education in pharmacy or biological sciences, wear two protective suits sealed at the wrists and boot tops. It takes 20 minutes simply to suit up for an eight-hour shift.

Heads are completely covered in cowls that contain fans to keep workers cool. At the heart of the process is the bio reactor, a metal drum where the mRNA is produced from raw material fed in by tubes and carefully monitored over two days as template molecules of DNA transfers its template onto the RNA.

Due to the company's process, more than 500 mRNA copies can be produced from one DNA molecule, and enough mRNA for 8 million doses can come out of a single batch in a bag not much bigger than a large sack of rice. The mRNA then goes through a proprietary purification process and filtered to remove any microbial contamination. It is then combined with a mixture of lipids, or fatty molecules, that form tiny particles which encapsulate the mRNA and protect it after injection into the human body.

The final step is filling the vials, more quality control, labeling and packaging in cartons containing about 200 multi-dose vials. The last step is carried out by external partners. Valeska Skilling, head of production at the plant, is excited. "This process is known for a long time, but not known as drug substance and not known for commercial production," Skilling said. "This is what makes it exciting from a scientific perspective, but also from a manufacturing perspective, to do it on such a large scale, in such a short period of time, this is very exciting," she added.

Image Credits: AP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Experts in the agriculture sector have called for robust efforts to increase production and availability of nutritious food following revelations that over 18 per cent of the country's households face food insecurity.

The solutions, experts say, could help to eliminate stunting rate that is currently at 33 percent and achieve zero hunger by 2025 in the country.

The challenges and game-changing solutions were shared on Tuesday in a virtual National Food Systems Dialogue held ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit 2021, which will take place in September.

Jean Claude Musabyimana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, said that identifying challenges and potential game changing actions will increase the production and availability of nutritious food, increase income and purchasing power of food, minimize food loss among others.

Among the presented challenges that still inhibit agriculture production include unreliable agro-inputs, inadequate irrigation, land degradation, soil fertility loss due to erosion, low value addition to agriculture and livestock products as well as low investments by private sector in the sector.

The low level of agricultural finance, climate change and insufficient uptake of modern technologies and livestock insurance are also affecting agriculture production.

The figures by the ministry indicated agriculture financing is only at 5.27 percent as only 28 per cent of farmers practice irrigation on 63,742 hectares.

Advanced seeds were used by 35.5 per cent of farmers and 34.2 per cent used fertilisers for 2020 season A while agricultural mechanisation use is at 27 per cent.

Due to the challenges, crops yields are low considering the current production of maize 1.46 tonnes per hectare, 0.83 tonnes of beans per hectare, and 9.04 tonnes of Irish potatoes per hectare among others, figures show.

Game changing solutions

According to experts, adoption of production-enhancing technologies should be incentivized while innovative mechanisms for financing smallholder farmers and insurance uptake need to be brought on board in addition to providing a conducive business environment for private sector investment.

Valere Nzeyimana, an expert in land, water and agriculture at FAO, said that the government should promote small-scale irrigation by promoting appropriate irrigation technologies easily used on different topographies of arable land.

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"Some technologies include gravity fed irrigation, low pressure bucket drip irrigation systems for small scale producers, along with low tech greenhouses built out of bamboo or other local materials," he said.

David Spielman a senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute who leads the Rwanda Strategy Support Program said: "Technologies in agriculture need intensive research and analysis before they go to scale to ensure that they work for the right people in the right context and in a cost-effective manner."

Insurance, as any other new technology, he added, needs to have systems in place to assess consumers' satisfaction on both the price and the quality of the services received, with the aim to incrementally improve the services.

Otto Vianney Muhinda, an agricultural expert added in order to ensure production and availability of nutritious food, there is need for promoting small livestock especially rabbit, pork and chicken rearing among other solutions.

"If for instance small scale farmers rear chickens, they will get both eggs and meat which is nutritious food and also generate income when they sell to market," he said.

This could supplement different crops for food including cultivation and consumption habits of fruits and vegetables that need to be promoted to combat chronic malnutrition and stunting.

"Behavior change towards consumption of nutritious food is needed," he said.
ivanagi Reddy has found a conical cup of polished ware inserted into a redware stand of Iron Age (1000 BC), pit shreds of redware, terracotta tiles that once covered roofs of Buddhist viharas, a well polished black granite muller, and a broken chatra (parasol) that enshrined a stupa of Satavahana period. (DC Image)

VIJAYAWADA: Buddhist remains belonging to 1st Century BC have surfaced while digging the foundation for Bhavagni Asram at Vaikunthapuram in Tulluru mandal of Guntur district.

Seeing the artefacts, asram people contacted Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy, Buddhist archaeologist and CEO, Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati, who has examined the finds.

Since then, Sivanagi Reddy has found a conical cup of polished ware inserted into a redware stand of Iron Age (1000 BC), pit shreds of redware, terracotta tiles that once covered roofs of Buddhist viharas, a well polished black granite muller, and a broken chatra (parasol) that enshrined a stupa of Satavahana period.

The Buddhists archaeologist says a surprise discovery is a Brahmi inscription, which mentions that the chatra was donated by one household Pusana. He said Dr. K. Muniratnam Reddy, Director, Epigraphy Branch, Archaeological Survey of India, has confirmed that the script in Prakrit language belongs to 1st Century BC.

Dr. Sivanagi Reddy said Bhavagni Asram authorities have told him that the Buddhist finds will be displayed by them in their proposed museum at Vyasabhagavan Temple now under construction. He stated that Buddhist remains in Vaikunthapuram had originally been reported by then British archaeologists 125 years ago.
CHICO, Calif.  A lawsuit was filed in Butte County Superior Court by Jane Doe against Chico Unified School District alleging years of childhood sexual assault and abuse by her former teacher at Bidwell Junior High School, Jennifer Lynn Smith, according to attorney Mary Alexander.

Jane Doe, a name used to protect the survivors identity, was sexually assaulted, molested, and abused beginning around 2009, when the survivor was 13 and an eighth-grade student in Smiths Spanish class at Bidwell Junior High School, according to the complaint.

RELATED: Former Chico teacher get 5 years for sexual offenses to former student

The complaint also claims that after the survivor confided in a school counselor and in Smith about the difficulties of her home life, Smith pretended to take an interest in her situation. The lawsuit claims Smith began grooming Jane Doe with the intent to manipulate Jane Does emotions so that Smith could ultimately sexually abuse her. It says Smith even used Jane Does difficult upbringing to her advantage by calling Jane Doe her adopted daughter. The lawsuit goes on to say Jane Does teacher, Smith, used her position of trust and authority to take advantage of her young student, according to the complaint.

Jane Doe said Smith invited her to spend the night at Smith's home, also occupied by her husband and children, where Smith regularly pushed Jane Doe to drink alcohol while Smith molested her, according to the complaint.

Jane Doe said she continued to be sexually abused by Smith throughout middle school and high school. When Jane Doe was about 16-years-old, she moved in with Smith and her family, and was sexually assaulted numerous times while at Smiths home, according to the complaint. The complaint goes on to say that on weekends, Smith would not allow Jane Doe to leave her home and kept Jane Doe so drunk she was barely conscious and then repeatedly sexually abused her. Smith controlled, harassed, and manipulated Jane Doe emotionally to the point Jane Doe felt trapped.

On March 24, 2021, Smith was sentenced to five years in state prison for the sexual abuse of Jane Doe.

The lawyer for Jane Doe, Mary Alexander argues that Chico Unified School District had a duty to protect Jane Doe, who was under its care and supervision, from the foreseeable risk of harm posed by its teachers or school employees, like Smith, and failed to do so.

This teacher completely violated the trust of a young teenage girl who was vulnerable and in need of real help in her life, Attorney Mary Alexander said. How could these schools employ a teacher who took a student home to live with her only so she could have total power to abuse, assault and manipulate her at all times?

This is a developing story.
Mumbai, March 31 : Actress Raveena Tandon on Wednesday posted a comment on social media about India's legal system, saying the laws in our country are too weak, and culprits are not convicted in most cases. She raised concern about crimes like poaching and rape, and demanded capital punishment for such misdemeanours.

"Poaching becoming a serious problem in these pandemic times. Our laws and sentencing too weak. Frikkin impotent, our legal system is such that culprits are not convicted in most cases .... arrerrggghhhhh I said it. Political correctness be damned . Hang Poachers and Rapists," Raveena tweeted.

The actress' tweet came minutes after she posted about the forest fire in Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

"Paradise lost . @MPTourism hope all is done to contain this.... Madhya Pradesh: Forest fire rages through Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve," Raveena tweeted earlier in the day.

"Please retweet as much as you can Twitter fam. This has to reach the authorities to take urgent action at a war footing . We are going to lose a beautiful forest renowned for its temple ruins and a tiger reserve #bandhavgarhburning @ChouhanShivraj @MPTourism," she added to her previous tweet.

Talking about a reason behind forest fires, the actress tweeted: "This is global warming and destruction. Though some limited forest fires are natural for the regeneration of the eco cycle, but this is out of control. Sad visuals coming from #satpuraforest aswell. We are losing our wildlife habitat rapidly." Raveena also reacted to a news piece talking about a leopard being hit by bikers inside Ranthambore park. "Shameful. What we are doing to our wildlife. Seemed all good a couple of years ago. Now it's just bad news everyday," she wrote.
BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday refuted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's accusations regarding the WHO COVID-19 origin tracing report, and said that China will never accept groundless accusations and wanton slander on issues regarding the pandemic.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on Blinken's latest interview, in which he expressed "concern" over the upcoming final report from the WHO on COVID-19 origin tracing work in China, and claimed that China was helping to write the report.

Zhao said the WHO-China joint expert team had visited nine locations including the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and conducted panel discussions with medical staff, scientific researchers, recovered patients, family members of medical staff who died from COVID-19, and ordinary people. All arrangements were made at the request of the WHO experts.

He said the Chinese side also provided original data that required special attention, item by item. The WHO experts have commented positively on the joint research, saying that China's openness was beyond expectation.

The drafting of the report was carried out between experts from both sides and will be concluded through repeated scientific research, said the spokesperson.

"I can't help asking, on issues regarding the pandemic and origin-tracing: When will the United States become as open and transparent as China? When will the United States invite WHO experts to their country for origin tracing? When will Fort Detrick be opened to international experts to conduct investigations and research? Does the United States intend to put pressure on WHO experts by continuously shouting at the outside world?" asked Zhao.

"The United States should ask the WHO experts which part of the report was written with the help of the Chinese government. Does the convenience provided by the Chinese government during the investigation equal behind-the-scenes manipulation?" he added. Enditem

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
When I was nine years old and queuing for lunch at school one day, a black boy in the year above me suddenly turned around and called me a 'chocolate bar'.

I looked at my beige-coloured skin in confusion. I thought 'But I'm not as dark as chocolate  why would he say that?' When I pointed out that he was in fact darker than me he accused me of being racist!

I grew up in the mill town of Oldham in Greater Manchester, which is still largely segregated along racial lines. My family, of a Pakistani-Kashmiri background, lived in a white area and my primary school had only a handful of Asian or black children.

Family: Iram Ramzan and mother Raxsana Karim

Though most of my friends were white, I did experience racism  occasionally being called a 'Paki' in the playground. At secondary school there were more Asian children so there were no such name-calling or chants. But I was once beaten up by white teenagers at a bus stop who targeted me purely because of my ethnicity.

Now, at the age of 33, I rarely think of these incidents. In fact, I have never dwelt on them because if I did, I wouldn't see myself as anything but a victim. I also know from family experience just how far this country has come in terms of tolerance and respect when compared with the experiences of my mother's generation. It was they who faced real racism in the 1970s and 80s when my mother remembers being insulted as a matter of routine in the streets and at school.

My uncle, incensed about complaints from the 'woke' crowd who insist racism is rife here, tells me that my generation 'just don't know you're born...You didn't have to arm yourselves with weapons on the street in case you were attacked by a skinhead. We suffered so you didn't have to.'

Yet certain groups and activists do not seem to understand how much Britain has changed, persisting in their claim that it is a country rigged against ethnic minorities. Indeed, the findings of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities is being described as a 'whitewash', because it found no evidence of Britain being institutionally racist. I have no doubt that racism exists  because we humans will always show prejudice in one way or another.

Where else would the sons of two Pakistani bus drivers  Sajid Javid and Sadiq Khan  go on to become Chancellor and Mayor of London?

But it is not only white individuals who are guilty of this.

As my experience in the lunch queue showed, inter-ethnic racism is real and rarely discussed. Kashmiris are often seen as 'low class' by Punjabis, for example, and certain Pakistanis will look down on Bengalis because they are often darker-skinned.

In fact, the very last time someone called me a 'Paki' was when I was 18  it was a Bengali boy who said it, not a white one. Of course, there are socio-economic inequalities within all these groups. Indian and Chinese students continue to have the highest achievements compared with black Caribbean and Pakistani children. And yet they are all lumped into the 'BAME' category although they certainly don't see themselves as one collective group.

This demonstrates how, rather than racist, Britain is still divided by class and there are still barriers that people from a poorer background will face.

I've never felt my ethnicity was a barrier in my career as a journalist. If I ever considered that I didn't 'fit in', then it was usually due to what I perceived as 'class'  the fact that I didn't go to a private school or to Oxbridge like many who work in the media. In my view, there is a reason why so many people from around the world risk their lives to come to the UK. It's because we are largely a tolerant and welcoming society and opportunity exists here.

Where else would the sons of two Pakistani bus drivers  Sajid Javid and Sadiq Khan  go on to become Chancellor and Mayor of London? That would not have been possible in their parents' homeland where inequalities between the rich and poor are so entrenched. While there are real obstacles to achieving equality, there are practical ways our country can overcome them.

But not if we continue to believe in this narrative that says the deck is permanently stacked against ethnic minorities.

Culture war over race report

By Daniel Martin Policy Editor

An extraordinary row broke out last night over a landmark report into the state of race relations in Britain.

The study, which was months in the making and produced by a group of 12 experts  only one of whom was white  concluded that there was no evidence of institutional racism in this country.

Its findings were branded as a whitewash by the Left last night, but they were welcomed by some campaigners.

Duwayne Brooks, a friend of Stephen Lawrence, said he agreed that not all disparities in the UK were caused by racism.

The activist told Times Radio: What the report is doing is comparing life for the ethnic minorities in Britain, in comparison to the European countries, where life would be much, much worse than how it is today.

He added: Its not as simple to just say that the black people of Britain cannot get jobs because theyre black. And thats what people want the report to say.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, added: This report rightly identifies the varied causes of disparities and by making recommendations to address them gives the Government the opportunity to design policy targeting the sources of inequality.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report, commissioned by the Prime Minister after last years Black Lives Matter protests, said Britain was no longer a country where the system is deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities.

The report said factors such as geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture and religion all impacted life chances more than racism, and concluded the UK was a beacon to the world as a successful multi-ethnic nation which displayed much more tolerance than its neighbours.

But unions said the report denied the experiences of black and minority ethnic workers. Labour justice spokesman David Lammy said black Britons were being gaslighted and called the report an insult to anyone in Britain who had experienced structural racism.

The reports authors were also accused of trying to put a positive spin on slavery after they called on schools to use history lessons to tell the multiple, nuanced stories of the contributions made by different groups that have made this country the one it is today.

In his foreword, commission chairman Tony Sewell said there was a new story to be told about the slave period and about how culturally African people transformed themselves into a remodelled African/Britain.

But Halima Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, a race equality think-tank, said: Im absolutely flabbergasted to see the slave trade apparently redefined as the Caribbean Experience; as though its something Thomas Cook should be selling  a one-way shackled cruise to purgatory. The cultural deafness of this report is only going to become clearer in the coming days and weeks.

Dr Sewell, who insisted that the commission simply hadnt found evidence of institutional racism in Britain, said some communities were haunted by historic racism and there was a reluctance to acknowledge that the UK had become open and fairer.

He said the review found some evidence of bias, but often it was a perception that the wider society could not be trusted.

NHS Providers said it disagreed with the reports conclusions and said there was clear and unmistakable evidence that NHS ethnic minority staff had worse experiences and faced more barriers than white counterparts.

Sabby Dhalu, of Stand Up To Racism, said: Suggesting Britain should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries is an insult to all those who lost their lives due to racism.

But Chancellor Rishi Sunak said progress had been made in tackling racism, telling ITVs Peston: If I think about the things that happened to me when I was a kid, I cant imagine those things happening to me now.

The 264-page report also called on ministers to tackle online abuse, lengthen the school day to help disadvantaged pupils, force police to switch on body cameras during stop-and-search encounters, and establish an independent body to target health disparities. The Prime Minister said the Government will consider the recommendations.
DENVER, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Veriheal, the cannatech healthcare enterprise behind the nation's largest medical marijuana application platform, today announced a $20,000 Innovation in Cannabis scholarship to fund students pursuing degrees in the cannabis industry. The scholarship, which launched in 2020 with $10,000 in awards, has been doubled this year to offer 20 grants in the amount of $1,000 each to qualifying student applicants.

"With this scholarship fund, we're putting $20,000 directly into the hands of a new generation of innovators who will help shape the future of our industry," said Veriheal co-founder and co-CEO, Joshua Green. "The cannabis category is growing at an extraordinary rate, and there are many complex problems that must be solved across all sectors, from finance and technology to science and education. At Veriheal, we're fortunate to be in the position to support budding entrepreneurs from all walks of life and bring diverse, fresh perspectives to the cannabis field."

The Innovation in Cannabis Scholarship is open to high school seniors and college students of all ages in the U.S. All applicants are required to submit one 1,000+ word essay detailing their plans to improve the cannabis industry. Winners will be selected based on the best overall combination of knowledge, innovation, and passion for the future of cannabis as an industry and medical medium.

How to apply:

Applications may now be submitted at https://www.veriheal.com/scholarship/

Applications will be accepted from any field of study; all majors and concentrations are eligible.

The deadline to apply is 5 PM ET on July 30, 2021 .

on . Awardees will be announced in August 2021 ; selected applicants will be notified between August 1st and August 15th, 2021 .

; selected applicants will be notified . More information about last year's scholarship winners can be found on Veriheal's blog .

"At Veriheal, education and diversity are at the center of our core values, yet we know how expensive obtaining a college degree can be  particularly in the midst of a global pandemic," said co-founder and co-CEO Samuel Adetunji. "We were overwhelmed by the number of applicants we received for the ten awards we offered in 2020, so we're excited to double that number in 2021 and offer scholarships to 20 promising students across a range of disciplines, backgrounds, and areas of study."

Veriheal was founded by Adetunji and Green in 2017 with a mission to become the go-to online destination for prospective medical cannabis patients looking to obtain a medical marijuana (MMJ) card and access educational resources. For a one-time $199 fee, Veriheal streamlines and facilitates the end-to-end application process by connecting users to state-licensed doctors who can certify qualifying conditions via telehealth or in-person appointments  a requirement for all medical cannabis programs. Qualifying patients receive a doctor's recommendation and are supported through the process of applying for and obtaining their medical marijuana card.

"Veriheal has experienced triple-digit growth over the past year, scaling to become the nation's number one platform for cannabis education and medical marijuana card services. As a Black-owned and operated business, we're making it our priority to pay it forward and invest in the future leaders of cannabis who will break barriers and pave the way for innovation in this burgeoning industry."

About Veriheal

Veriheal is a healthcare technology company with a mission to provide personalized cannabis education and wellness to everyone around the world. They do that by connecting patients and doctors online, through our platform, to provide recommendations for living a better life. To learn more about the Veriheal platform, please visit www.veriheal.com.

Media Contact:

Alison Voetsch

Trailblaze

[email protected]

SOURCE Veriheal

Related Links

http://www.veriheal.com


Korea Exchange (KRX) Chairman and CEO Sohn Byung-doo speaks during a press conference held at the KRX's Seoul office building in Yeouido, Wednesday. / Courtesy of KRX



Bourse operator unveils five key strategic goals, including launching 'ESG portal'



By Anna J. Park



The Korea Exchange (KRX) will ease listing rules to attract more Korean unicorn companies while making further efforts to encourage local firms to embrace environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) values in their management, KRX Chairman and CEO Sohn Byung-doo said Wednsday.



These are part of the bourse operator's key strategic goals and policies for this year, unveiled by Sohn during a press conference held at the KRX's Yeouido building.



Sohn stressed that local unicorn companies with more than 1 trillion won ($800 million) in market cap now have the right to list themselves on the benchmark KOSPI market, without the need to meet any further requirements. For those with market cap sizes under the 1 trillion won mark, the bourse operator lowered the minimum market cap size for listing from the current 600 billion won to 500 billion won.



"As there are several other Korea-headquartered innovative unicorn companies aiming to go public this year, the KRX will attempt to create favorable market conditions to attract these innovative businesses into the local stock market," Sohn said, adding that Korean e-commerce company Coupang's recent listing on the U.S. stock market provided a chance to examine local stock market conditions and devise a more favorable environment with policies to attract listings of promising local unicorn companies.



The bourse operator chief said politicians and the local financial industry is currently discussing whether to allow issuing different classes of common shares with different numbers of voting rights on the Korean stock markets, as one of the reasons that Coupang decided to list itself on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was the U.S. stock market's issuance of differentiated share classes.





Korea Exchange (KRX) Chairman and CEO Sohn Byung-doo speaks during a press conference held at the KRX's Seoul office building on Yeouido, Wednesday. / Courtesy of KRX
Almere, the Netherlands

March 31, 2021, 6 p.m. CET

ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today announces that the information regarding the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) scheduled for May 17, 2021, is now available on the Company's website: www.asm.com. This information includes the convocation, the agenda and annexes thereto. The U.S. market proxy materials for holders of New York Registry Shares are also posted on our website.

The AGM will commence at 2:00 p.m. CET. Given COVID-19 the AGM will be a virtual meeting that cannot be attended in person by shareholders. As in previous years, our shareholders will be offered the possibility to exercise their voting rights by way of proxy and to follow the meeting through our live webcast. In addition, shareholders can remotely attend, raise questions and vote at the virtual AGM. Detailed instructions can be found in the convocation and the other AGM documents. Because of COVID-19, some members of the Supervisory Board and Management Board will also attend the AGM remotely.

The agenda for the AGM includes, amongst others, the proposals to appoint Mr. Paul Verhagen as member of the Management Board as the successor of Mr. Peter van Bommel, re-appoint Mrs. Stefanie Kahle-Galonske as member of the Supervisory Board for another term of four years, and approve the proposal to declare a regular dividend of 2.00 per common share. The agenda also includes a proposal to withdraw 500,000 treasury shares.

At the end of the AGM, Mr. Lobbezoo will retire from the Supervisory Board after three consecutive four-year terms; the last eight years as chairman. The Supervisory Board has appointed the current vice chairman Mr. van Pernis to become the chairman of the Supervisory Board following the AGM.

In accordance with applicable legal requirements in the Netherlands the record date for the AGM is April 19, 2021.

The total number of issued shares in ASM International N.V. as per today amounts to 49,797,394 common shares. Considering the number of shares held in treasury as per today, amounting to 1,242,802 shares, the number of voting shares amounts to 48,554,592.



About ASM International

ASM International NV, headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, its subsidiaries and participations design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International, its subsidiaries and participations provide production solutions for wafer processing (Front-end segment) as well as for assembly & packaging and surface mount technology (Back-end segment) through facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASMI's website at www.asm.com .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, changes in import/export regulations, epidemics and other risks indicated in the Company's reports and financial statements. The Company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

CONTACT



Investor and Media contact:

Victor Bareno

T: +31 88 100 8500

E: victor.bareno@asm.com





Attachment
After writing nearly a dozen books under the tongue-in-cheek pen name of Pseudonymous Bosch, Raphael Simon has stepped out of the shadows to write his own middle grade adventure. In The Anti-Book, a 12-year-old boy is transported to a strange new world where he confronts his emotional issues while encountering warped reflections of his everyday life. PW spoke with Simon about his multiple identities, the benefits and drawbacks of playing a role, and how this new stage of his career marks a more personal approach to writing.

Youve written quite a few books as Pseudonymous Bosch, but The Anti-Book is your first as Raphael Simon, even though you came out in a 2016 New York Times article. Why did you initially adopt the Bosch identity, and why write under your own name at this point?

My book career and my pseudonym began in an exchange of letters with a fourth grader named May. My first book, The Name of This Book Is Secret, was written in correspondence as part of an elementary school program called Writing Partners. It was meant to be anonymous, and she wasnt supposed to know my real name, so thats how Pseudonymous Bosch was born.

It just so happened that Im a very self-conscious writer, and I found having this alternative identity to be liberating. It allowed me to enjoy writing for the first time, free of the self-censoring I was subjecting myself to before that. So out of the first book, a five-book series called The Secret Series was born. After that, I wrote a spinoff series, The Bad Books. Finally, I started a chapter book series about a boy magician, called The Unbelievable Oliver.

Bosch wasnt just a pseudonym, but also something of a character. It was fun to be that character, but after a while he felt more constricting than liberating. You mention the New York Times piece, where I came out as Raphael Simon. In that piece, I talked about how, as a gay man, I began to feel closeted playing the role of Pseudonymous Bosch, who wasnt necessarily gay or out. It felt like a step back, even though Ive been out since the age of 20 in real life.

I asked myself what kind of book would I writewho am I as a writer? And it was about time I saw my real name on a book. I remember when I first held The Name of This Book Is Secret in my hands and went, Wheres my picture? Wheres my name? So its also a small matter of ego. I just got a physical copy of The Anti-Book and it was unexpectedly moving to see my real name on the cover.

What inspired The Anti-Book? What makes it different from your previous work?

The Anti-Book began more than 10 years ago, when I thought of the title. I asked myself what the opposite of a book would be, and I thought Books create worlds. What about a book that made the world disappear? The seeds of the idea have been in my head for a long time. And Id been wanting to write from a more personal place than I had in the past. I thought about who I was, and the struggles I went through as a young person.

The Anti-Book is about a 12-year-old boy named Mickey, whose parents are going through a divorce, just as my parents did at that age. And hes being subjected to anti-gay bullying before hes even come to terms with his sexual identity, so hes angry and unhappy, totally not in touch with his feelings, and just wants everything to go away. He receives a blank book which reads, To erase it, write it, and eventually winds up in the Anti-World after making everything he hates go away. So ultimately, its about a boy who is forced through a fantastical experience to confront his own feelings in order to find love for the world and for himself. My hope is that it speaks in particular to kids today who have just lived through the pain, anger, and isolation that came with the pandemic.

Its my attempt at a fantasy book in the tradition of The Wizard of Oz and The Phantom Tollbooth, but at the same time its more personal than my other books. It addresses some of how I felt at 12, like seeing gay used as a slur, which is something I grew up with, which makes everybody feel bad about themselves. Its a particular issue for my hero, because he isnt being given the space to figure out who he is yet. Its very difficult to defend yourself and define yourself at the same time about that. I wanted to confront that issue.

What has it been like to work and live during the pandemic? Has it fundamentally changed your routine/schedule/process?

I found it very difficult to write in the pandemic. I work at home, so I basically commute to my garage office. From the outside, my life hasnt changed much. But having my husband around more than he was in the past, and having our twin 12-year-old daughters doing school at home, has disrupted my routine. I had Covid almost a year ago, and thats given me an excuse for my lack of productivity, general distractedness, and depression. Of course, I experienced those before the pandemic, so its hard to know what to attribute to surviving Covid and whats just being myself. It has not been a great year, workwise. Luckily, I was just finishing up The Anti-Book when lockdown began.

Does this mark a permanent transition for you, or do you plan to maintain both identities? What does the future hold for you as both Raphael and Pseudonymous?

I plan to maintain both identities in the short term. Id love to write another book as Raphael Simon and continue to discover who I am as a writer and human being. Though funnily enough, a number of people have said that The Anti-Book sounds like it was written by Pseudonymous Bosch, even if the character isnt there. I thought of it as being written in a different voice, but I guess theres an unintentional echo anyway.

Pseudonymous and I are still working out the details of our partnership. Its kind of an ongoing dispute, especially since he famously lives in hiding, and even I have trouble tracking him down sometimes. He might not want you to know that The Secret Series is currently in development as an interactive movie for Netflix, with me as a producer. Maybe we shouldnt tell anyone. Ive also been working on a series of personal essays for an adult audience, and Im in the beginning stages of another middle grade novel in the same vein as The Anti-Book.

Who would win in a fight between Pseudonymous Bosch and Lemony Snicket?

Im sad to say that it would probably be Lemony Snicket. Bosch has a lot of bravado, but in the end hes more likely to be found hiding in a corner, eating a bar of chocolate.

The Anti-Book by Raphael Simon. Dial, $17.99 Apr. 6 ISBN 978-0-525-55241-3
Island expats encouraged to respond to survey



 Copyright Thomas Nugent and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

People who have moved to the Isle of Man are being asked to share their experiences in the HSBC 2021 Expat Explorer survey.

Every year the Annual League Table survey collects the opinions of thousands of people around the world who have relocated.

The survey explores many aspects of life abroad from pay and career progression to lifestyle, wellbeing, education and security.

Last year, the Isle of Man ranked in 11th place, with Jersey and Guernsey in 17th and 18th place respectively.

The HSBC Expat Explorer survey is open until 30 April and can be accessed here.
A foreign-based Turkmen opposition group says security officers in that Central Asian nation have arrested at least two activists over leaflets calling for the resignation of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.

Murat Gurbanov, the leader of the Democratic Choice of Turkmenistan (DWT), which was founded abroad to avoid repressive policies in the authoritarian former Soviet republic, said in a video statement on YouTube on March 30 that an unspecified number of activist detentions included those of two men: Didar Ashirov and Dovran Gylyjov.

Gurbanov condemned the arrests, saying the distribution of leaflets criticizing the government is not a crime in Turkmenistan.

The anti-Berdymukhammedov leaflets and posters had reportedly appeared in the former Soviet republics capital, Ashgabat, and other towns and cities in recent weeks.

RFE/RL correspondents in the northeastern Lebap region reported that police and security forces in the regional capital, Turkmenabat, began interrogating local residents involved in printing businesses in an effort to learn where the posters and leaflets had been printed.

Meanwhile, in several cities across the country, local authorities have begun installing additional security cameras to monitor streets amid the anti-leaflet campaign.

Turkmenistan has been facing rising economic problems.

Despite being rich in natural gas, the country has faced shortages of cash, food, and other necessities in recent years.

Berdymukhammedov has kept a tight lid on dissent and made few changes in the restrictive country since he came to power following the death of autocrat Saparmurat Niyazov in 2006.
Protesters have gathered in Dublin calling for emergency action on the shadow pandemic of gender-based violence.

Members of the socialist feminist group Rosa held a socially distanced rally outside Leinster House on Wednesday to highlight a lack of Government action.

Campaigners covered their masks with green paint prints to symbolise being silenced.

Expand Close A member of the socialist feminist group Rosa outside Leinster House in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA Wire) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A member of the socialist feminist group Rosa outside Leinster House in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA Wire)

Speaking at the rally, former TD Ruth Coppinger said: We make this essential protest today on behalf of the 19 women who will contact a Safe Ireland agency for the first time, on behalf of the seven women who wont be able to get a refuge place, and on behalf of all those wholl seek help for sexual violence.

Calls to all agencies dealing with gender and sexual violence have rocketed during the pandemic. Services are described as at breaking point.

More than 2,500 women couldnt find a refuge place during the pandemic. More than a quarter of all calls were first-time calls.

This is a crisis, but its not being treated as such by Government.

Ms Coppinger said rape crisis agencies had had a 23% increase in contacts, and stressed that only one in 10 rapes is reported and even fewer are prosecuted because of the absolutely brutal court system and the victim-blaming culture that is so widespread.

Here's to all transgender, non binary and intersex people today on #TDOV2021. We have to fight transphobia wherever it rears its head. At Dail today @RosaWomen highlighted that 1 in 4 trans people have been publicly attacked. #dubw #TransDayOfVisibility  Ruth Coppinger (@RuthCoppingerSP) March 31, 2021

As well as starving agencies of the funds they need, the Dail has done nothing to begin a campaign of consent-based education thats needed throughout society  in schools, colleges, workplaces and communities, she said.

The blocking of the sex ed Bill is an example.

On this day of trans visibility, we also highlight violence against transgender people, with one in four trans or intersex people having faced a public attack.

The Government is paying lip service to this issue, claiming it is a priority but in reality continuing the neglect.

We call for emergency funding and action by the Government on all these issues.
A man sentenced Tuesday to 45 years in prison in a 2014 knife attack previously admitted to a history of bestiality with dogs, the skulls of which he kept at the head of his bed, according to a news release from the Harris County District Attorneys Office.

Arthur Kelvin Lovell, 34, was found guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following a two-day bench trial. He had been accused of stabbing a day laborer in December 2014 outside a convenience store in the 10200 block of West Belfort. The victim suffered a serious stab would to his arm but survived the attack, which officials described as a random act of violence.

Violent criminals who indiscriminately attack strangers need to be off the streets and behind bars, said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. No one should have to fear such violence from a gun, a knife or a fist while going about their day. Thats why public safety is our highest calling.

In court filings in 2018, Lovells defense attorneys said he may be too mentally ill to stand trial. At one point, a judge determined Lovell was incompetent and ordered him to a mental health facility for a maximum of 120 days. Lovell was re-evaluated last week and determined to be competent for the trial.

Lovell was sentenced by state District Judge Mark Kent Ellis. During the punishment phase, prosecutors presented evidence showing Lovells criminal history, which included assault, burglary and bestiality.

Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Bondurant said at one time, he stabbed a puppy, prompting a police response to his home. He told responding officers that he finds strays or dogs of his friends and plays with them, eventually has sex with them, then kills them and keeps the skulls, said Bondurant, chief of the Animal Cruelty Section at the DAs Office.

She added that he kept the skulls at the head of his bed.

She said that while bestiality is currently a crime in Texas, it was not illegal when Lovell told police about the animal abuse. He showed police cellphone photos of the dogs, which prosecutors presented in court as evidence of history of bad behavior. He also revealed to authorities that he mainly had sex with pit bulls, according to the release.

Additionally, Judge Ellis heard evidence that Lovell assaulted several jailers during multiple stays in the Harris County Jail. He must serve at least half of his 45-year sentence before he will be eligible for parole.

julian.gill@chron.com
KYODO NEWS - Mar 31, 2021 - 18:25 | World, All

Australia will build its own missiles through a AU$1 billion ($760 million) project in close collaboration with the United States, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Wednesday.

The project called the Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise would support missile and guided weapons manufacturing for use "across the Australian Defence Force," as a part of the government's 10-year investment into the nation's defense industry.

"As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, having the ability for self-reliance, be it vaccine development or the defence of Australia, is vital to meeting our own requirements in a changing global environment," Morrison said in a statement.

"It's an imperative we now proceed with the creation of a sovereign guided weapons capability as a priority," he also said.

It has been decades since Australia last manufactured its own missiles, relying on imported ones from the United States and other allies. Australia currently builds a decoy rocket aimed at seducing incoming missiles away from their targets.

To manufacture the missiles and provide export opportunities, the Department of Defense will choose an "experienced strategic industry partner," according to the statement.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp. has identified Raytheon Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Kongsberg and BAE Systems Australia as potential partners.

Newly appointed Defense Minister Peter Dutton said Australia would work closely with the United States to "understand how our enterprise can best support both Australia's needs and the growing needs of our most important military partner."

Australia and the United States, are members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, along with Japan and India, with the four nations participating in joint military exercises.
Revamped Sheriff Training Involves More Real-World Dynamics

The Orange County Sheriffs Department (OCSD) has revamped its qualifications course as it seeks to help deputies gain more real-world experience.

We wanted our training to be more current and contemporary by putting in place variables that people may come in contact with while theyre dealing with the public, said Sheriff Don Barnes.

So all these variables are getting out of a car, moving, getting cover, and shooting when necessary, not because its part of them having a score.

The department shared its latest tactics with reporters during a March 30 media day at the Sandra Hutchens Regional Law Enforcement Training Center.

Barnes demonstrated a drill for reporters and spoke with The Epoch Times about how the revamped course will help officers in real-life situations.

Training is only as good as the scenarios deputies are put in during training, Barnes said, noting that officers need to be able to rapidly evaluate the circumstances theyre in. They must also consider their available optionsincluding de-escalation and other verbal commandsand try to bring positive outcomes.

Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes fires his weapon at the Orange County Sheriff Departments shooting Range in Orange, Calif., on March 30, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

About two years ago, the department identified the need to update its qualifications course, called a static training, which consisted of officers standing in a stall and shooting three rounds at a black silhouette target from various distances away.

Deputy Doug Martin called the static training extremely robotic and said it wasnt adequate.

There was no interaction with the deputies, theres no interaction with the officers, they could be doing something wrong, and they could be doing it wrong for 20 years and no one ever came to fix it, Martin said.

To fix the issue, Martin said the OCSD changed the type of target to be more realistic in both picture and size.

Now, instead of the target flipping around and officers shooting a silhouette, the target flips and there will be various photosincluding a little girl holding a sippy cup, a man pointing a gun at the officers, and a woman in her car holding a cell phoneand officers must quickly make a decision about whether to fire.

Police officers fire weapons downrange at the Orange County Sheriffs Department shooting range in Orange, Calif., on March 30, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Besides changing around targets, officers now have a dynamic course for their quarterly qualifications, with facades that represent places to cover (such as a wall in the real world), mannequins dressed as civilians and other police officers, and various steel targets for different skill levels.

We want to get to the fundamentals of marksmanship, Martin said.

Very rarely do we get in shootings where theres no people around, he said, referring to the mannequins. Theres always people around and almost always other deputies or officers around. Well, [officers] need to get used to seeing that.

Martin said its crucial to train officers to consider a situation before taking action.

Martin also said that after some personnel change, they have tried to change the attitude of the training exercises, where the students are not yelled at if they make mistakes. Instead, range masters work to improve any issues the deputies might face while working to better their marksmanship.

The revamped range also allows for a car to be driven onto the field, which deputies can use for practice as cover and other types of drills, since real-life situations often involve a nearby police cruiser.

Well, this is reality. When you get out in the field, if you get involved in something, youre not going to be in a stall. Youll probably be standing by a car, and there are probably going to be other deputies and officers around you, Martin said. So thats one of the big things weve changed here is just make it a little more realistic and make it more how you actually interact in the field.

During training, officers are taught de-escalation strategies, as well as to fire weapons only as a last resort and only in a professional manner.

The new range setup is not only for the OCSD. Other agencies, such as the Irvine Police Department, are able to access the range for qualifications testing as well.
(Natural News) Back in December, The North Face, a far-left outdoor clothing and gear outfitter for the privileged, refused to fulfill a large corporate jacket order because the company that placed it works with fossil fuels. Now, even the far-left Newsweek rag is calling out The North Face for its blatant hypocrisy, seeing as how the vast majority of The North Face products are made from petroleum.

Adam Anderson, CEO of Innovex Downhole Solutions, had attempted to purchase the jackets from The North Face as a Christmas gift to his employees. The jackets would have born the Innovex corporate logo, which The North Face rejected because Innovex designs, manufactures, and installs oil and natural gas wells across the United States.

According to North Face, placing its brand alongside Innovexs would be bad for business because The North Face likes to pretend as though it is a green brand. In truth, The North Face is a purveyor of overpriced, greenwashed, fossil fuel-dependent products, many of which are manufactured in third-world countries.

It turns out the vast majority of North Faces apparel  its hoodies, snow pants, coats and many other items in its product line, like backpacks and tents  are made with polyester, polyurethane and nylon, all of which come from petroleum, writes Lee Habeeb for Newsweek. Even its fancy fleece jackets are made of polyester.

To learn more about the greenwashing hypocrisy of brands like The North Face that would not even exist were it not for fossil fuels, visit FakeScience.news.

The North Faces shaming of oil and gas is carbon imperialism against the poor

Millions of people are now fully aware of the fact that The North Face is a garbage company that pretends to be woke and progressive. Almost nothing that The North Face actually represents as a company aligns with the image it tries to convey to its customers. Anderson wanted The North Face to know this, so he sent a letter to Steve Rendle, CEO of VF Corp., the company that owns The North Face brand.

The irony in this statement is that your jackets are made from oil and gas products the hardworking men and women of our industry produce, Andersons letter reads.

I think this stance by your company is counter-productive virtue signaling, and I would appreciate you re-considering this stance. We should be celebrating the benefits of what oil and gas do to enable the outdoors lifestyle your brands embrace. Without [o]il and [g]as there would be no market for nor ability to create the products your company sells.

Dan Haley, president and CEO of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA), had much the same to say to The North Face. Haley actually set up a mock award ceremony to scoff at The North Face for its idiocy, awarding the company its first-ever Extraordinary Customer Award for all the petroleum-based products The North Face has bought and sold throughout its existence.

Climate Depot founder Marc Morano called out The North Face as a prime example of a company pandering to the corporate woke trend. Denver-based Liberty Oilfield Services CEO Chris Wright also did the same in a video entitled, North Face Disregards the Poor.

One-third of humanity still cooks with wood, dung and agricultural waste, Morano states in the video, noting that woke aggression against fossil fuels is a form of climate imperialism.

Widespread energy poverty leads to lack of access to clean drinking water, access to medical care, malnutrition and a poor education, Morano adds. This is the global energy crisis of our time. Why do you never hear about this?

As long it is fashionable to myopically focus only on climate change, the tragic and preventable loss of life, health and opportunity that accompany energy poverty will be tragically ignored. This is wrong and cannot stand.

Sources for this article include:

Newsweek.com

NaturalNews.com
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the teaching profession is not a thankless job in the state.

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday rewarded 12 outstanding public school teachers and administrators with 12 cars.

The winners of the 2020 award are Adesola Akindele, Temitope Gbadamosi, Temitope Ibiwunmi, Rasheed Odenike, Rebecca Oyinloye, and Oluwaseun Balogun.

Others are Joshua Olasehinde, Abosede Padonu-Daniel, Ekundayo Ajiborisade, Tolulope Odusanya, Tawakalitu Akinleye and Ovinuyon Buhari.

Each one of them was presented with a car, tablet, plaque, among other gifts.

Speaking during the Year 2020 Teachers Merit Award in Lagos, Mr Sanwo-Olu said the teaching profession was not a thankless job in the state.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the Annual Teachers' Merit Award was a proof that the state would always reward excellent, committed and diligent teachers.

He said the initiative was in line with the state government's commitment to use education as a weapon to change the world.

According to him, the administration is cognizant of the essential role that teachers play in building a formidable society, which is why the government is committed to rewarding exceptional teachers on a regular basis.

"This is one of the key strategies for actualisation of the Education and Technology Pillar of our T-H-E-M-E-S agenda.

"We cannot thank our teachers enough for all they do; for the passion they bring to the job; for inculcating in our children the values they require to succeed; for going the extra mile to teach, train and equip our students to excel as global citizens.

"The Teachers Merit Award is not only an avenue to reward the teachers' exceptional efforts; it is a genuine way of promoting merit and encouraging the spirit of healthy competition amongst teachers in Lagos State.

"We will continue to appreciate the teachers because the teaching profession is unique - it is a noble profession that involves building lives by imparting knowledge. None of us will be here today without teachers," he said.

The governor commended the feats achieved by teachers, especially in national competitions, as they keep placing Lagos on national pedestal.

He said if teachers had such exceptional qualities, pupils and students would not only excel in academics but exhibit innate sterling abilities in cognitive, psychomotor, affective and co-curricular areas of learning.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the awardees would serve as Lagos State Ambassadors of Excellence in Education for the next one year.

He advised the teachers not to see the initiative as a contest but a way to motivate them to continue to put in their best, believing that such commitment will one day be rewarded.

"We will continue the massive investment in the education sector by improving the capacity and welfare of our school personnel.

"Make the sector more ICT-compliant, expose the teachers to international best practices as well as ensure that our schools become a destination for work and learning," Mr Sanwo-Olu said.

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, said the event was indeed testament to a promise made and fulfilled.

Mrs Adefisayo said the nomination committee received over 3,200 applications and through stringent evaluation criteria, they were able to present the finalists.

She commended the governor for his passion toward rewarding excellence, most especially enhancing the welfare of teachers and adding value to the growth of the education sector.

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The commissioner said the finalists would be showcased and exposed to multiple opportunities which would enhance the vision of the state in restoring the prestige of the teaching profession.

She said that it would further encourage the return of teaching as a career of choice for the youth.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Mrs Buhari said the gesture was a dream come true.

Mrs Buhari commended the state government for its commitment toward supporting teachers and ensuring their welfare was given utmost priority.

She said the screening process was indeed intense but fulfilling as they were able to learn better ways of delivering their service to their respective schools.

Mrs Buhari promised the governor that they won't relent in ensuring that qualitative teaching is retained in Lagos schools. (NAN)
The brother of Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison by a New York federal court on Tuesday.

Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Laroche exposed Juan Antonio 'Tony' Hernandez in the trial as the nucleus in one of the world's largest and most violent drug conspiracies.

The former Honduran congressman was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, who also ordered him to forfeit $138 million.

Hernandez was convicted in October 29, 2019 of cocaine trafficking, weapons, and false-statements offenses charges that carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years in prison.

In a tweet, President Juan Orlando Hernandez accused the Drug Enforcement Administration of fabricating the evidence that was used to send his sibling to jail.

'For the entire family, the news expected from NY will be painful,' the Honduran leader wrote. 'And what else can be said about a trial where the testimony of the prosecutors' principal 'cooperator' has now been exposed by the DEA's own secret recordings as a lie?'

Juan Antonio 'Tony' Hernandez, the brother of Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez, was sentenced to life in prison by a federal court in New York on Tuesday. The former congressman was found guilty in October 2019 of cocaine trafficking, weapons, and false-statements offenses charges. Juan Antonio Hernandez is pictured above at a press conference in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on March 16, 2017

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez (pictured) slammed the Drug Enforcement Administration and said that the life sentence that was given to his brother, Juan Antonio 'Tony' Hernandez, was unfair because the testimony of the prosecutors' principal 'cooperator' has now been exposed by the DEA's own secret recordings as a lie?'

Laroche said Juan Antonio Hernandez was the 'central figure in one of the largest and most violent cocaine conspiracies in the world' and added that for 15 years he was responsible for fueling a flood of cocaine shipments into the United States by paying millions of dollars to top Honduran officials like his brother.

According to Laroche, Hernandez's actions had turned Honduras into one of the most dangerous places in the world. Hernandez, he added, turned to drug dealing even though he grew up well off.

He said Hernandez 'can't point to poverty, lack of opportunities or a need to support his family.'

'He did it because he was greedy,' the prosecutor said, adding that Hernandez has shown no remorse.

Hernandez's lawyer, Peter Brill, had argued for leniency and mercy for his client, saying the U.S. should focus anti-drug trafficking efforts on the 'voracious appetite' of its citizens for drugs.

Brill said Hernandez 'feels that the witnesses who testified against him were not only self motivated but were motivated against him ... to make up as much as they could to ruin his life and the life of his family and have succeeded in doing so.'

In court papers, prosecutors had argued for a life sentence, citing his criminal history and saying he had transported at least 185,000 kilograms of cocaine, 'a staggering amount of poison that he helped import into the United States.'

Supporters of Justice for Honduras gathered outside a Manhattan federal court on Tuesday moments before former Honduran congressman Juan Antonio 'Tony' Hernandez, brother of the Honduran President Juan Orland Hernandez, was sentenced to life in prison

A demonstrators stands outside the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York with a cut out photo of Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez wrapped around his face after his brother, Juan Antonio 'Tony' Hernandez, received a life sentence for a drug trafficking, weapons and false statement conviction and was instructed to pay back $138 million

They say Juan Antonio Hernandez also sold weapons to drug traffickers, some of which came from Honduras military, and controlled drug laboratories in Colombia and Honduras.

'Between 2004 and 2019, the defendant secured and distributed millions of dollars in drug-derived bribes to Juan Orlando Hernandez, former Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa and other politicians associated with Honduras' National Party,' prosecutors wrote.

'Exploiting a high-ranking position in government to wield the power of the state to support drug trafficking is as nefarious as it comes,' DEA Special Agent in Charge Wendy C. Woolcock said in a statement. 'The conviction and sentencing of Tony Hernandez is a reminder there is no position powerful enough to shield you from facing justice when you violate U.S. drug laws by sending tons of cocaine to our country.'

His brother served as the leader of the Honduran congress before assuming the presidency in January 2014.

They allege that among those bribes was $1 million from notorious Mexican capo Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to Juan Orlando Hernandez.

President Hernandez has been mentioned as a co-conspirator as part of his brother's criminal offenses, but has not been charged by the United States.

He has repeatedly denied any ties to drug traffickers, as has Lobo, whose son is currently serving a 24-year drug trafficking sentence in the U.S.

In an audio recording sent to his staff, which The Associated Press obtained, the president said his brother's conviction 'is hard for the family, hard for me personally.'

'I find it outrageous, I find it unbelievable that false testimony by confessed killers could have been heard and given weight in this way,' the president continued, citing Honduras progress in reducing violence as evidence of his stance against organized crime.

In court on Tuesday, Juan Antonio Hernandez looked pale and downcast. When the defendant was given a chance to speak, he complained about his lawyers, saying he hardly saw them and they barely responded to his emails.

'I feel I have been lied to,' he said through a translator.

As Hernandez was led from the courtroom, a spectator yelled out: 'Criminal! Just like your brother!'

Outside the courthouse, about 80 people with signs critical of the president of Honduras loudly protested.

Hernandez served as a member of the Honduran Congress from 2014 to 2018. He was arrested at a Miami airport in November 2018.
JUPITER, Fla., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the midst of the most active real estate market in Florida's history, The Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound Council of the Miami Association of Realtors has presented one of its highest honors, The 2020 Broker of the Year Award, to Joan Thomson of Waterfront Properties and Club Communities. In accepting the honor Joan said, "This is really a reflection of the incredible team at Waterfront Properties. From realtors who provide white glove service to a marketing department that leaves no digital stone unturned to customers who refer us and return to list and purchase again and again it's an honor shared by everyone." The Miami Association of Realtors is the largest professional real estate association in the U.S.

Rob and Joan Thomson

Joan's son Rob Thomson is also an award-winning realtor and winner of the Billionaires Club honor from Luxury Real Estate, the largest luxury property network in the world. Rob says his mother's philosophy inspires everyone she touches, "When I was growing up and we would go anywhere in the car my mom would always stop and speak with different people. At the time it drove me nuts but now I realize how valuable it is to listen, learn and understand the needs and passions of others. That was the Joan Thomson School of real estate. She's pure genius and everything I know I learned from her!"

Joan Thomson has also received global recognition as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Luxury Real Estate network. She began her career in 1969 with Rob following in her footsteps in 1986. Waterfront Properties was founded in 1988 and has been the premier broker of luxury real estate in the area for more than 3 decades. Joan continues to provide strong leadership at Waterfront Properties and to her community thru her many public service contributions.

Waterfront Properties and Club Communities has 4 locations including

Jupiter, Palm Beach, North Palm Beach and Stuart. The web address is: www.waterfront-properties.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chase Scott

[email protected]

(561) 644-1169

SOURCE Waterfront Properties
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the COVID-19 response and the state of vaccinations in the South Court Auditorium at the White House complex in Washington on March 29, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Bidens Dog Involved in Another Biting Incident at White House

One of President Joe Bidens dogs has been involved in a biting incident, weeks after causing injury to a person on White House grounds.

Major, the familys younger dog, nipped someone while on a walk on Monday, Michael LaRosa, press secretary to First Lady Jill Biden told The Associated Press, adding that the dog is still adjusting to his new surroundings.

Two people with knowledge of the incident told CNN that Major, a three-year-old German shepherd, bit a National Park Service staff member on the White House South Lawn while they were working, and that the employee required medical attention from the White House medical unit (WHMU).

Yes, Major nipped someone on a walk. Out of an abundance of caution, the individual was seen by WHMU and then returned to work without injury, LaRosa told CNN.

The dog had been seen by reporters on a walk around the White House South Lawn before the president and first lady traveled to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial early Monday evening.

Major had only just returned to the White House last week, along with his sibling Champ, after causing a minor injury to an employee of the U.S. Secret Service on March 8.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said of the March 8 incident that Major was surprised by an unfamiliar person, and reacted in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual, which was handled by the White House medical unit with no further treatment needed.

Major and Champ were subsequently moved to the Bidens home in Delaware. Psaki said at the time that their relocation was previously planned.

It had been previously planned already for the dogs to be cared for by family friends in Delaware during Dr. Bidens travels to military bases this week, Psaki said, referring to the first lady.

She has a three day trip this week, and the dogs will return to the White House soon, Psaki added. The dogs, she said, are still getting acclimated and accustomed to their surroundings and new people.

The president moved the dogs into the White House shortly after he was sworn into office on Jan. 20. Biden posed with the dogs in a recent Oval Office photograph, which was captioned: Not many people have Oval Office walk-in privileges. Happy to report that these two are on the list.

The Bidens adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018.

President Joe Biden earlier this month told ABC News that Major was in the process of being trained at his Delaware home.

You turn a corner, and theres two people you dont know at all. And [Major] moves to protect, the president said. But hes a sweet dog. Eighty-five percent of the people there love him. He justall he does is lick them and wag his tail. But  I realize some people, understandably, are afraid of dogs to begin with.

Zachary Stieber and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
SELMA, Ore.  Oregon State Police on Tuesday identified the two people found dead in a burned-out car south of Lake Selmac last week. Detectives have been investigating the case as a suspected homicide.

Law enforcement originally responded to a call about a vehicle fire about six miles up McMullen Creek Road just before 1 p.m. on March 24. After the fire died down, detectives found two bodies in the burned vehicle.

RELATED: Three suspicious vehicle fires reported last week across Josephine County

OSP said that investigators identified the two people on Monday. They are 24-year-old Daniel T. Hill and 26-year-old Paul M. Folk, both from Josephine County.

Folk was reported missing under "suspicious circumstances" to Grants Pass Police, and the agency put out a notice to the public last week. He was last seen the night of March 23.

OSP is leading the homicide investigation with assistance from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, the Josephine County District Attorney's Office, and the Sheriff's Office.

A separate investigation is still ongoing for an officer-involved shooting that happened on March 25 at a staging area for the homicide scene.
Jose Cruz Noguez, 47, of Mexicali, Mexico, was arrested while crossing into the United States at the Calexico Port of Entry and received two different smuggling related charges in federal court on Tuesday

The smuggler behind the SUV packed with migrants that crashed in California, killing 13, has been arrested at the US border.

Jose Cruz Noguez of Mexicali, Mexico, was arrested while crossing into the United States at the Calexico Port of Entry and received two different smuggling related charges in federal court on Tuesday.

Cruz Noguez, 47, allegedly coordinated the March 2 operation that led to accident near Holtville which killed 13 Mexican and Guatemalan nationals, federal prosecutors said in a news release.

The Ford Expedition carrying the victims had slammed into a tractor trailer at the intersection of Norrish Road and state Route 115.

Cruz Noguez, a legal resident of the United States, was identified as the operation's mastermind when another suspected smuggler, who claimed to be his associate, snitched on him, prosecutors said.

The unnamed colleague was arrested on March 15 at the Campo Border Patrol Station for an unrelated smuggling incident.

'The associate pointed the finger at Cruz, telling authorities he had worked for Cruz in the past, and had been recruited by Cruz to be the driver of the ill-fated vehicle from that tragic day,' prosecutors said in the release.

Cruz Noguez allegedly coordinated the March 2 operation that led to accident near Holtville which killed 13 Mexican and Guatemalan nationals

Besides the SUV that wrecked, another had also been involved in the March 2 smuggling operation. Pictured: Officials respond to the scene where the SUV smashed into a truck

Cruz Noguez had allegedly offered him $1,000 per passenger two weeks before the voyage but he declined, according to a criminal complaint.

He also allegedly told the associate that he would oversee the smuggling event and would arrange for the vehicles that crossed to go to a Holtville stash house.

The alleged associate then participated in a secretly recorded conversation with Cruz during which he allegedly confirmed his involvement in the March 2 operation.

During the call, Cruz Noguez allegedly confirmed that other associates of his cut the border fence and that he collected money for the event.

'Further, Cruz Noguez stated there were 60 Pollos  his term for customers  in the two vehicles and the driver was going to make $28,000,' prosecutors said.

The scene of a collision between a sport utility vehicle and a tractor-trailer truck is seen near Holtville, California on March 2

Cruz had allegedly offered his associate $1,000 per passenger two weeks before the voyage but he declined

The alleged associate then participated in a secretly recorded conversation with Cruz during which he allegedly confirmed his involvement in the March 2 operation

Besides the SUV that wrecked, another had also been involved in the March 2 smuggling operation and the two vehicles were seen on security video that morning driving through a 10-foot wide portion of border fence that had been removed.

Border Patrol Agents had received a report from the California Highway Patrol that more than a dozen people were seen running away from a burning GMC Yukon SUV and into the desert in Holtville around 5.56am.

The agents extinguished the GMC Yukon SUV fire around 6.10am and followed foot tracks into the desert and arrest 19 people found hiding in the surrounding brush, prosecutors said.

The Calexico Police Department requested Border Patrol agents to assist with the 'mass casualty' wreck in Holtville at 7.05am and agents responding to the crash identified one of the vehicles involved as the Ford Expedition.

'A total of 25 individuals had been in the Ford Expedition at the time of the crash,' prosecutors said.

The site of the crash is in southeastern California, about 10 miles east of El Centro and about 10 miles north of the Mexican border

Numerous people were ejected from the vehicle on impact, with injuries varying in severity from fractures to head traumas

Crucifixes and anti-Border Patrol flyers, left by an activist, are seen near the scene of the crash

Besides the 13 who died, several others were injured in the accident and prosecutors alleged that all but the driver and front passenger seats inside the SUV had been removed, 'presumably to fit that large number of people.'

Cramming dozens of people into eight-passenger vehicles and driving recklessly to avoid detection shows an utter disregard for human life,' said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman in the release.

'We will find and prosecute smugglers who use these methods and cause such tragic and avoidable deaths.'

A spokesman for the California Highway Patrol said that the driver of the semi truck suffered moderate injuries and was also hospitalized. He is expected to survive.

Cruz's associate told authorities he had grown up in Mexicali and had illegally entered the United States six months ago when he started working for him.

The man also claimed Cruz forced him to harbor another illegal migrant at his home in El Centro, California.

Cruz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on a charge of conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States outside a port of entry causing serious bodily injury and placing a life in jeopardy.

He also faces a charge of bringing in aliens without presentation for financial gain.

Cruz is scheduled to appear in a preliminary hearing on April 13 and will be arraignment on April 27. The court has appointed him a federal defender.

Details surrounding what caused the crash were not immediately available, with the matter currently under investigation.

However, for decades, there have been concerns about the high death toll in crashes along the California-Mexico border, the LA Times reported.

Many of those wrecks are said to have involved immigrants trying to cross into the US, with a significant number of crashes occurring during chases by American law enforcement.

Of more than 500 pursuits conducted by US Border Patrol between 2015 and 2018 across California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, one in three ended in a crash.

There is no evidence to suggest the collision involved a chase.

A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection told DC Examiner journalist Anna Giaritelli that CBP personnel were not involved in the collision, she tweeted.

Dr. Shavonne Borchardt, of El Centro Regional, said injuries ranged from fractures to life-threatening head and chest injuries.

'Our staff has done a tremendous job getting everything ready for these patients and being able to handle them and get them transferred out to the appropriate places as soon as possible, or if we can take care of them here, theyre being well taken care of as well,' Borchardt said.

Senator Diane Feinstein, a Democrat, tweeted that she has been left 'heartbroken' after hearing the news of the fatal crash.

'My office is closely monitoring the situation as we learn more about this horrific crash. My thanks to the Imperial County Fire Department and other first responders for their swift response and the various medical centers in the area that treated injured passengers,' she wrote.

'My thoughts are with the families of all those involved.'

Fifteen first responders from Imperial County, five fire engines and a helicopter all responded to the initial call that morning.

Video posted on social media that purports to show the crash's aftermath depicts a number of police, ambulance and fire vehicles surrounding the wreck.

A jack-knifed truck hauling two trailers it is seen stationary in the middle of the road.

It's currently unclear what speeds the two vehicles were traveling at when they collided. The speed limit for large trucks on the 155 is 55 mph.

At least two other fatal accidents have happened at the same location previously, according to UC Berkeley's Transportation Injury Mapping System.

The site of the crash is in southeastern California, about 10 miles east of El Centro and about 10 miles north of the Mexican border.
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) has called for calm within the rank and file following the consensus recommendation of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta after his appearance at the vetting committee.



In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, he explained that following what transpired previously in respect of vetting and approval of some Ministers-designate, the Minority leadership, the Party leadership, as well as the Council of Elders, have engaged in extensive consultations with the view to adopt a common position based on the exigencies of the situation.



"I, therefore, urge all members to remain circumspect when the need for reaction arises. The NDC Parliamentary Caucus and FEC will be fully briefed accordingly," the statement read.



Read below a copy of the statement



NDC URGES CALM ON CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATION OF KEN OFORI ATTA



It is hereby announced to the rank and file of the party and to the notice of all Comrades, that a decision by the Appointments Committee to recommend Ken Ofori Atta for approval by consensus will be made public today in Parliament.



Following what transpired previously in respect of vetting and approval of some Ministers designate the Minority leadership, the Party leadership, as well as the Council of Elders, have engaged in extensive consultations with the view to adopt a common position based on the exigencies of the situation.



I, therefore, urge all members to remain circumspect when the need for reaction arises. The NDC Parliamentary Caucus and FEC will be fully briefed accordingly. Issued in Accra on Monday, 29th March, 2021.



Signed



Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, General Secretary

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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SAN DIEGO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The founding partner of The Zalkin Law Firm, Attorney Irwin M. Zalkin, has earned a listing in 2021 Super Lawyers for his work in San Diego, California. Under his leadership, the firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for its clients from coast to coast.

Attorney Zalkin has been previously listed in Super Lawyers in 2008, 2011, 2012, and since 2014. In the 2021 edition, he was named in the category of Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff for the San Diego area.

Curated on an annual basis, Super Lawyers aims to provide United States residents with a vetted directory of attorneys serving their region in more than 70 legal practice areas. Legal professionals must be identified by the attorney-led Super Lawyers Research Team or nominated by a third party to be considered.

Then, each Super Lawyers candidate is evaluated on "12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement," which the publication considers to include settlements/verdicts, representative clients, pro bono services, scholarly works, bar activity, professional and educational background, and more. Each of these dozen categories are weighted differently.

After this initial review, candidates are reevaluated before a Blue Ribbon Panel of top-rated attorneys in their areas of practice. In the published edition, only 5% of the country's legal advisers are listed, making Super Lawyers recognition a great honor.

Attorney Zalkin represents survivors of sexual abuse and has contributed to the successful resolution of numerous high-profile cases, such as a $200,000,000 settlement obtained from the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego on behalf of more than 144 child sex abuse survivors. He also takes on cases over complex medical issues, from brain and spinal cord injuries to amputation.

To learn more about Attorney Irwin Zalkin and how he can help you, visit The Zalkin Law Firm at zalkin.com. All consultations are free and confidential, offered without any obligation to move forward. For more information about Super Lawyers, kindly go to superlawyers.com.

SOURCE The Zalkin Law Firm

Related Links

https://www.zalkin.com


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Over a month after the Supreme Court declared him the winner of a senatorial election in Cross River, Arigbe Jarigbe is yet to be sworn-in by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

The apex court, on February 25, ordered that he should be issued a Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and be sworn in as the senator representing Cross River North District.

This was contained in a copy of a judgment obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

In the split decision, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Stephen Odey challenging the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which earlier declared Mr Jarigbe as the valid candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP had won the December 5, 2020, bye-election held to replace Rose Okoh, who died last year.

Two conflicting judgements from courts in the Federal Capital Territory and Cross River State judiciary initially upheld Messrs Jarigbe and Odey respectively as the winner of the bye election.

However, an Abuja division of the Court of Appeal declared Mr Jarigbe as the duly nominated candidate of the PDP and the rightful winner of the election against Mr Odey, who was earlier declared by INEC and sworn in by the Senate.

The court also ordered the INEC to immediately issue a certificate of return to Mr Jarigbe and withdraw the one earlier issued to Mr Odey.

Dissatisfied with the judgement of the appellate court, Mr Odey approached the Supreme Court, which ruled against him.

Although the electoral body has complied with the Supreme Court judgment by issuing Mr Jarigbe a certificate of return, the senate president has refused to allow Mr Jarigbe to take his oath as a senator-elect.

Mr Jarigbe said he had before now expressed confidence in Mr Lawan to comply with the judgment of the apex court and inaugurate him.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, he said though his election into the Senate had witnessed serious opposition, the Supreme Court ruling on the matter has put an end to the disputes.

He said that his opponent, Mr Odey, has been occupying the seat illegally, and urged the Senate President to stop him from attending plenary, stressing he was no more a member of the National Assembly.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Senate, Ajibola Bashiru, said he was not aware of Mr Jarigbes plight.

It must be an administrative issue, he said, directing our correspondent to the Senate President.

All efforts to get the reaction of Mr Lawan did not yield any positive result as of press time.
Runnymede: The Queen has honoured the thousands of Australians who died in the skies over Europe but were never found, in a rare journey outside the walls of Windsor Castle by the recently vaccinated monarch.

Her surprise appearance at a memorial service west of London was the pinnacle of a day of commemorations to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force and a nod to the 94-year-olds enduring affection for Australia.

The Queen met serving members of the Royal Australian Air Force stationed in Britain. Credit:Getty Images

The visit to the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede was only the third time since March 2020 that the Queen has held an engagement away from the castle where she and Prince Philip have sheltered for most of the coronavirus pandemic.

After arriving by car at 11am local time (9pm AEDT), the Queen was greeted by high commissioner George Brandis, met serving members of the Royal Australian Air Force stationed in Britain, viewed the names of Australias war dead and signed a commemorative document.
Lead manager of the year, sustainability bonds - bank: Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities

Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities (MUMSS) has secured the award for lead manager of the year for a sustainability bond from a bank, primarily following its key role in the JPY150 billion ($1.4 billion) Covid-19-focused note issued by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) in September 2020.

The deal  composed of a ten-year JPY54 billion and five-year JPY96 billion tranche  was the first sustainability bond issued by a private financial institution in Japan and the first bond targeting retail investors that included Covid-19-related use of proceeds.

With most Covid-19 bond proceeds raised through existing social and sustainability bond frameworks, judges were particularly impressed by the role of MUMSS in advising MUFG to explicitly target Covid-19-related funding through its job creation and healthcare categories of eligible projects in its updated sustainable finance framework in May 2020.

The MUFG sustainability bond was also the first ever retail bond with pandemic-related use of proceeds. Environmental Finance Bond Awards judges therefore also commended MUMSS for increasing sustainability awareness among retail investors through its role in structuring the bond.
A pair of pioneering computer scientists  who met at Princeton University and forged their friendship at the legendary Bell Labs in New Jersey  were named the winners of the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for computing Wednesday for helping revolutionize how the world interacts with computers.

Alfred Vaino Aho, now a professor emeritus at Columbia University, and Jeffrey David Ullman, a professor emeritus at Stanford University, were named the recipients of the A.M. Turing Award for their lifetime of work.

The award, considered the top prize in computing, comes with a $1 million check provided by Google, which the pair will split.

Aho, 79, and Ullman, 78, were honored for creating some the underlying algorithms and theories that made computer programming accessible to non experts. They wrote fundamental textbooks that are still sitting on the bookshelves of computer programmers today.

There probably isnt a computer in your house that hasnt been influenced by their work, experts say.

Virtually every program running our world  from those on our phones or in our cars to programs running on giant server farms inside big web companies  is written by humans in a higher-level programming language and then compiled into lower-level code for execution. Much of the technology for doing this translation for modern programming languages owes its beginnings to Aho and Ullman, the Association for Computing Machinery, which oversees the award, said in its announcement.

Aho was born in Canada and went to Princeton University in the 1960s for graduate school. It was there he met Ullman, who was also a graduate student studying the rapidly changing world of computers.

In 1967, the pair went to work at the Holmdel- and Murray Hill-based Bell Labs, the research hub credited with the development of the transistor, the laser and numerous computer languages. Though they eventually went to separate coasts to become university professors, they continued to collaborate for decades.

They did key work on the computer compiler, which translates the computer languages people use to program into something computers can understand. They also developed algorithms for analyzing and translating programming languages.

Alfred V. Aho, a Columbia University professor emeritus of computer science, has won the 2020 Turing Award, known informally as the Nobel Prize of computing. He is pictured with two of the "dragon" computer programming textbooks he co-authored. (Columbia University)

In the 1970s, they wrote textbooks on compiler design and computer algorithms that helped open up the new field of computer programming beyond highly-trained engineers and mathematicians. Their books were known as the dragon books because of the illustrated dragons on the covers.

Aho, who spent more than 30 years at Bell Labs, also helped head the research lab that invented the UNIX, C and C++ computer languages.

Both said they are honored to get the Turing award for their lifetime of work. The prize was unexpected, both said.

Stanford University computer scientist Jeffrey Ullman is co-recipient of the 2020 Turing Award. (Stanford University School of Engineering)Stanford University School of Engineering

What can I say? I can die happy, Ullman said. Its something I was not expecting. The contributions that Al Aho and I made were not the kind that normally wins the Turing Award, but it is a great honor to be recognized in this way.

Aho said he was happy to see the Association for Computing Machinery, which picks the winners every year, acknowledged the underlying research and work that changed how computers are programmed.

I am honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award, said Aho. I am delighted that with this award ACM recognizes the foundational importance of abstractions and algorithms in the design and implementation of programming languages.

The A.M. Turing Award is named in honor of Alan Mathison Turing, the British mathematician and pioneering computer scientist who helped lead the effort to break the Enigma code during World War II.

Aho and Ullmans Turing Award win comes two weeks after another scholar with ties to New Jersey won the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in mathematics for his pioneering work with computers.

Avi Wigderson, of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, was named the 2021 winner of the Abel Prize along with Laszlo Lovasz, of Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary. The award from the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters is considered the top yearly prize in math because the Nobel Prize does not have a mathematics category.

The pairs work in theoretical mathematics and algorithms is also considered fundamental to how computers now work. Their Abel Prize comes with $7.5 million Norwegian kroner, worth about $880,000, which they will split.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com.
RIMINI, MAR 31 - A 52-year-old Sicilian fisherman was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of repeatedly raping his ex-girlfriend, holding a knife to her throat and punching her so hard he broke her jaw, judicial sources in Cattolica near Rimini said Wednesday. The man allegedly acted in a cocaine-fuelled rage, police said. The woman told police she had been forced to take drugs too. (ANSA).
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A bill that would wipe certain cannabis-related convictions off New Mexicans criminal records won final legislative approval Wednesday  a move supporters described as a critical part of the states broader shift on marijuana policy.

The Senate voted 23-13 along party lines to pass the legislation, Senate Bill 2, with majority Democrats voting in favor and Republicans casting no votes.

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A few hours later, the proposal cleared the House on a 41-28 vote, the final approval necessary to send the legislation to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who put it on legislators agenda for this weeks special session.

The expungement proposal is a companion measure to separate legislation that would legalize possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis outside the home.

Supporters of Senate Bill 2 said it would help New Mexicans who have faced challenges finding housing and jobs due to past cannabis possession offenses on their record.

What were trying to do here is rectify the mistakes of many years  of decades, said Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque.

Low-income New Mexicans and minorities, he said, have faced stiffer consequences than others for pot possession under the states criminal justice system.

But critics described the bill as rushed and problematic, while also pointing out it was significantly overhauled by a Senate committee earlier this week.

This is just a poor bill. Thats why were amending it 12 times, Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca, R-Belen, said during Wednesdays debate.

Specifically, the bill would order the expungement of criminal records for marijuana-related offenses that would fall under the separately proposed cannabis legalization law.

It would also authorize the release of New Mexicans jailed for minor cannabis-related offenses, though it was unclear Wednesday exactly how many inmates might be freed.

Just 50 inmates at state prisons were incarcerated on charges that included marijuana possession, corrections spokesman Eric Harrison said Wednesday.

But none of them was in custody solely because of pot possession.

The impact on inmates in county jails wasnt immediately clear.

Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, said the expungement provision would be automatic under the legislation, meaning individuals would not have to file petitions in order for past cannabis convictions to be removed from public court records.

Instead, the burden for reviewing criminal records for expungement eligibility would fall largely under the Department of Public Safety and the states court system.

Meanwhile, criminal convictions for marijuana trafficking or possession of large amounts  more than 2 ounces  would not be subject to expungement because they would remain illegal under the proposed cannabis legalization law.

The expungement provision was initially included in a cannabis legalization bill that passed the House during this years 60-day session.

But that bill ultimately fell short in the Senate, in part due to opposition to social justice provisions among GOP lawmakers, setting the stage for the special session in which the expungement section was introduced as a standalone bill.

The expungement measure triggered intense debate in both legislative chambers.

Rep. Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, said the removal of public records would leave businesses with less information to make hiring decisions. A company might have a sound reason for wanting to know whether, say, a truck driver had ever been in trouble for use of an intoxicating substance, he said.

By expunging some of these records, he said, we are not allowing employers to really get a good feel for the candidate thats in front of them.

But Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, said it makes sense to avoid penalizing someone for something the state determines should be legal.

This is the right thing to do, she said.

Prosecutors, she said, would retain the right to object to expungement if circumstances call for it.

The bill passed the House largely along party lines, though four Democrats joined Republicans and one independent against it.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Nextleaf Solutions Ltd. (CSE: OILS) (OTCQB: OILFF) (FSE: L0MA) ("Nextleaf" or the "Company"), the world's most innovative cannabis processor, is pleased to announce that it has closed a private placement with an institutional investor (the "Investor") for aggregate gross proceeds of $3,000,000 (the "Offering").

The Offering was completed pursuant to the terms of securities purchase agreement dated as of the date hereof between the Company and the Investor which provided for the issuance of a senior secured convertible note of the Company in the principal amount of $3,300,000 (the "Note") and a warrant (the "Warrant") to purchase up to 6,875,000 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares").

"Since commercializing our automated proprietary closed-loop refinery in mid 2020, Nextleaf has been highly focused on building our Commercial Partners Program and expanding our intellectual property portfolio," said Charles Ackerman, Chief Financial Officer of Nextleaf. "We are pleased our focused and measured approach continues to attract significant investment interest, despite challenges and variability in the market."

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to enhance efficiencies through automation and additional manufacturing capabilities in 2021 and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

The Note was issued for an original issue discount of 10%, will mature on the date that is 18 months from the date of issuance (the "Maturity Date") and will bear guaranteed interest at a rate of 5% per annum. The principal amount of the Note is convertible, at the option of the Investor, into Common Shares at a price of $0.288 per share at any time prior to the close of business on the last day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

The Warrant is exercisable into Common Shares at a price of $0.288 per share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.

As part of the fees related to the Offering, the Company issued 250,000 Common Shares at a deemed price of $0.24 per share.

Kronos Capital Partners acted as strategic advisor to the Company in connection with the Offering.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date under applicable Canadian securities laws.

About Nextleaf

Nextleaf Solutions is an innovative cannabis processor that owns one of the largest portfolios of U.S. patents for the extraction, distillation, and delivery of cannabinoids. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Nextleaf Labs Ltd, a licensed processor, the Company is a low-cost producer of cannabis distillate and private label THC & CBD oils. Nextleaf's proprietary closed-loop automated extraction plant in Metro Vancouver has a design capacity to process 600 kilos of dried cannabis into oil per day. The Company owns 12 U.S. patents and has been issued over 70 patents globally. Nextleaf is developing delivery technology through its Health Canada research licence with sensory evaluation of cannabis via human testing. The Company's patent pending Rapid Emulsion Technology by OILS powers differentiated ingestible cannabis products. Nextleaf is commercializing its issued and pending patents through licensing of intellectual property, extraction services, and supplying cannabis oils to qualified Canadian and international business-to-business partners under their own brand.

Follow Nextleaf across social media platforms: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and on www.nextleafsolutions.com

For more information please contact:

Paul Pedersen, CEO

604-283-2301 (ext. 219)

investors@nextleafsolutions.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, those regarding the Company's intended use of proceeds from the Offering, its ability to capitalize on its IP portfolio. the Company's strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to the risk factors discussed in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the most recent fiscal period. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed or approved the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79141
DENVER, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CirrusMD , the fastest-growing provider of on-demand virtual care services, today announced that it has raised $20 million in a Series C round of funding led by Blue Venture Fund , with participation from 7wireVentures , Drive Capital and the Colorado Impact Fund , bringing total funding to $46 million. This round of funding will carry the company through its next phase of growth, as it continues to expand solution capabilities, enhance user and provider experiences, increase scalability, and drive innovation to support employer and health plan customers.

Series C Funding

"The last year has highlighted the importance of enabling fast, efficient communication between patients and providers, and CirrusMD has proven its ability to provide a solution that connects eligible members with a licensed doctor 24/7," said Kelsey Maguire, Managing Director of the Blue Venture Fund. "Health plans, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, play an important role in shaping the next generation of patient care. We're excited to partner with CirrusMD as they modernize the consumer experience and advance care delivery."

"CirrusMD's text-first virtual care platform finally provides consumers with the ability to connect with a provider on their own terms  receiving healthcare when and where they want it," said David Schonthal, Operating Partner at 7wireVentures. "We have been impressed with CirrusMD's unwavering commitment to improving the consumer experience, their superior ongoing engagement rates, and the extensive relationships they have built with leading health plans and employers across the country. We know that CirrusMD will play a critical role in the transformational story of virtual care."

Unique Experiences for Physicians, Patients and Customers

With the burgeoning demand for telemedicine, CirrusMD demonstrated unique scalability, keeping the average time to connect a patient with a board-certified physician to less than a minute. While other virtual care solutions replicate the traditional office visit and introduce familiar barriers, such as appointment scheduling and standing-by in a virtual waiting room, CirrusMD care is always available on-demand.

"Unlike any other telemedicine solution, CirrusMD's physician-directed, multi-specialty care model has proven scalable and effective in meeting the needs of this rapidly changing environment," said Andrew Altorfer, CEO, CirrusMD. "Our goal is to meet the patient where they are, in the way they want to communicate. We've enhanced our technology and focused on exceptional user and physician experiences, while doubling the size of our physician network. Today we're providing collaborative virtual care for patients in all 50 states, across a wide range of conditions including behavioral health, an area of increasing need during COVID-19."

A Care Model for the Modern World

The CirrusMD integrated care model guides patients on a journey that covers a full range of medical issues, whether primary or urgent care, chronic condition management, women's health, pediatrics and behavioral health. If needed, CirrusMD physicians can direct patients seamlessly to other in-network resources offered by the employer or health plan, helping increase utilization of invested benefits.

The CirrusMD platform and Provider Network currently:

Support plan members and employees throughout the U.S., including those in rural areas without easy access to in-person care or high-speed internet

Deliver virtual care to uninsured employee populations (e.g., part-time workers or those not yet eligible for benefits)

Support employers working to create better health and wellness programs

Result in 83 percent on-platform resolution rates, with an average per-encounter savings of $398 (based on claims data)

(based on claims data) Reduce ER visits, with 94 percent of in-person follow-up care directed to lower-cost points of care

"Based on the millions of encounters that we have managed, we have built an entirely unique data set due to our text-first workflow. Nearly every encounter is fully transcribed," added Altorfer. "This provides us with a very interesting data opportunity to move telemedicine from being a reactive solution into one that is proactive. We can create cohorts that will allow us to better engage patients across disease states and help them manage their medical needs through analytics and proactive interactions."

Building on Success

The Series C round of funding will continue the momentum the company experienced during 2020, the company's most significant year of growth. Notable statistics include:

150 percent increase in active members with access to the CirrusMD platform

Doubled the size of the CirrusMD Provider Network

Added and expanded care across multiple clinical specialty areas, including behavioral health

About CirrusMD

CirrusMD is a different kind of telemedicine company. In less than a minute, patients reach a live, licensed physician via text-based (or web) app, then conduct a care encounter at their pace and convenience. Available 24/7/365, CirrusMD's integrated care is delivered via multi-specialty, board-certified doctors who can treat a broad range of conditions, from acute to chronic, and from primary care to specialty areas, including behavioral health. CirrusMD is available to nearly 10 million users across all 50 states, and exclusively offered through employers and health plans.

Learn how CirrusMD is transforming virtual care: cirrusmd.com

About the Blue Venture Fund

The Blue Venture Fund is a unique collaboration between BCBS companies, BCBSA, and Sandbox to which thirty-five BCBS companies have committed over $890 million across four funds. The Blue Venture Fund invests in promising emerging companies of strategic relevance to Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies and provides the portfolio with access to BCBS companies to deploy innovation at scale. Sandbox is an independent company that provides healthcare-related investment management exclusively for the Blue Venture Fund. For more information, visit www.blueventurefund.com .

About 7wireVentures

7wireVentures is a preeminent venture capital firm that invests in early-stage digital health companies supporting an Informed Connected Health Consumer  the epicenter of a consumer-first, tech-enabled convergence of the health and wellness markets. Fund successes, such as founding Livongo, are due in large part because the team are both seasoned operators and investors with extensive industry experience. Being highly selective with investments, the fund works side-by-side with founders to build companies that change the status quo and empower consumers to be better stewards of their health. As company builders, the 7wire team has assumed highly involved roles, in some cases, even pursuing a Hatch strategy to start promising new ventures.

SOURCE CirrusMD

Related Links

http://cirrusmd.com


MTA Hanoi 2021, the premier international trade event for Vietnam's manufacturing industry, is held on 12 to 14 Oct 2021 in Hanoi at the International Center for Exhibition (I.C.E). MTA Hanoi 2021 is Vietnam International Precision Engineering, Machine Tools and Metalworking Exhibition & Conference. Last MTA Hanoi 2019 was favorably reviewed as a showcase of the latest technologies, products and solutions in precision engineering, machine tools and metalworking available in the international marketplace from visitors and participants.

The event is the leading platform for industry professionals to network with key players and establish business partnerships such as Metal Cutting, Metalforming, Metrology, Cutting Tools Ancillary and Supporting Equipment. Since the manufacturing industry in Vietnam, especially, remains resilient as foreign invested enterprises stay optimistic about their business performance, they continue to expand their business. To keep up with this, many industrial companies from South Korea are pouring investment into Vietnam. Representatives of 45 Korean corporations participated in MTA Hanoi 2019 to sound out investment opportunities.

This year, GSA, a world leading company in the area of design and manufacturing the compressed air treating equipment and gas generation/purification, is taking part in the MTA Hanoi 2021 exhibition to step up in the global industrial market. GSA produces refrigerated compressed air dryers, desiccant air dryers, aftercoolers, chillers, oil-water separators, particulate & air filters, automatic condensate drains and etc.

https://www.mtahanoi.com/en-us/
Bringing back the woolly mammoth from extinction might seem like a ridiculous idea, but ridiculous ideas are nothing new to Stewart Brand, who spent much of the late 60s marching around San Francisco wearing a placard that asked why NASA hadnt shared a photo of the Earth from outer space.

If you trace the arch of San Francisco counterculture, theres few figures as ubiquitous as Brand. He spent his early days as part of the 60s psychedelic trouble-making collective known as the Merry Pranksters, and rubbing shoulders with the Grateful Dead. He also founded the Whole Earth Catalog, which Steve Jobs referred to as Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along. But even his most ambitious projects dont come close to reviving a lost mammal whose tusk alone weighs 200 pounds.

Ted Streshinsky Photographic Arc/Corbis via Getty Images

That de-extinction project, Revive & Restore, is the through-line of a new documentary that premiered at SXSW Online 2021 called We Are As Gods. Its directed by Jason Sussberg and David Alvarado (Bill Nye: Science Guy), with a score by longtime Brand collaborator Brian Eno.

My own progress in life has been to try things early on when there arent rules against it yet, so you get to be part of the new thing in the world, says Brand from his home library in the films opening scene. I didnt set out to have a trajectory, its a pretty interesting way to have life, to be surprised a lot.

The title stems from a quote that served as the Whole Earth Catalogs mission statement: We are as gods and might as well get good at it. The quote summed up the do-it-yourself nature of the encyclopedic publication, but has now taken on a literal slant. De-extinction may sound like science fiction, but its no joke. Revive & Restore is staffed by a serious team of scientists and conservationists, and they just posted a $75,000 job opening for a post-doc to research the science behind woolly mammoth de-extinction at Harvard Medical School, led by superstar geneticist George Church. The group is currently using CRISPR genome engineering to past DNA from the mammoth genome into elephant cell cultures, and had success generating mammoth-like cells.

Understanding the why behind this idea requires some context, and a good place to start is the Long Now Foundation. Established by Brand in 1996, the organization is headquarters in the Fort Mason Center at a cafe called The Interval. In addition to being a very cool bar, the space boasts a library that contains what they envision to be all the books needed to rebuild civilization, plus a prototype of a clock meant to run continuously for 10,000 years. Its philosophy is to look at humanitys future with a long lens, something impossible to do without addressing the mammoth in the room: climate change (more about that later).

Jean-Marc ZAORSKI/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The exaggerated version is that we need to bring back woolly mammoths because they will save the world, says Brand in the doc.

If thats even possible, it begs the question whether humans should play god in this manner. National Geographic has also weighed in with a cover story, and, well, have you heard of the movie Jurassic Park?

We Are As Gods paints a loving portrait of the Merry Prankster, with plenty of fun psychedelic archival footage, and its easy to get wrapped up in his idealistic futurism. After all, the Whole Earth catalog started with Brands mission to get NASA to share a photo of Earth, which happened five years after his quest began. The film cites the photo as a turning point in broadening humanitys perspective on its place in the universe, a very Long Now sentiment decades before the foundation formed. Even Apollo astronaut Rusty Schweickart acknowledges Brands role.

Lets give Stewart credit, when we could look at the real Earth in a photograph that Stewart kept yelling for, people were beginning to get this idea that we all live on this very small planet, and were not just passengers, were the crew, and were responsible for what goes on, says Schweickart in the film.

Brand cites the de-extinction of the American Chestnut tree as precedent for his Revive & Restore project. Formerly the dominant tree species in the eastern forests of the United States, billions of American Chestnuts fell victim to a blight fungus that was discovered in 1904, and 50 years later, had effectively caused their extinction. That is, until a breeding program by the American Chestnut Foundation re-engineered the tree genes with hopes to successfully reintroduce it into the environment.

The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Although a theme park of woolly mammoths might appeal to Brands 60s sensibilities, his de-extinction efforts arent inspired by playful absurdism, but by scientific necessity. The proposed habitat is a 20-km nature reserve in northeastern Siberia dubbed Pleistocene Park by its founder, Sergey Zimov. In prehistoric times, this was a grassland-steppe ecosystem roamed by woolly mammoths and other mammals. But over time, the ecosystem changed into a tundra, causing the wildlife to leave. As a result, the permafrost under the surface of the region has begun to melt and release harmful greenhouse gases such as methane.

Heres how the mammoth comes into play: grazing animals press the snow into the ground to get to the grass, which lowers the temperature below the surface. The team at Pleistocene Park has done research that shows a dense ecosystem of mammals could lower the Earths temperature in the region by two degrees Celsius, and mammoths would amplify this effect.

This whole Pleistocene Park project is a form of geoengineering  an attempt to directly affect climate, says Brand in the film. And what I love about it is that it's the only form of geoengineering I know thats not mechanical, its biological. Were nudging the ecosystem in the right direction, but natures doing most of the work.

Although most of the documentary is a glowing account of Brands life, the film doesnt shy away from the public consensus that the staff of Revive & Restore need to remember what happened with Jeff Goldblum and all those raptors.

Stewart suggests that with tools and technology, theres a bright future ahead of us. That we can fix all the disasters that weve created on our planet. But, I think these experiments are horsest, says Peter Coyote, a fellow San Francisco counterculture icon and actor who went on to produce and direct documentaries alongside Ken Burns.

Janet Fries/Getty Images

Its one of several uncomfortable moments in the film that show the chinks in Brands futurist armor. The chorus of voices against de-extinction is just as loud as the evangelists, emphasized with a segment in the film where Neil deGrasse Tyson gives Church a serious roasting, plus a debate in front of a live audience that ends in humiliating defeat for the mammoth evangelists.

But perhaps whats most charming about the film, and Brands life path, is that he seems to take those types of setbacks in stride. And although the woolly mammoth might not actually return in his lifetime, theres a very long now ahead.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article had an inaccuracy in a quote from Stewart Brand regarding the scope of the effects reintroducing the mammoth would have on climate change. We regret the error.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 23:27:54|Editor: huaxia

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OTTAWA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Canada's real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.7 percent in January 2021, following 0.1 percent growth in December 2020, according to Statistics Canada on Wednesday.

It was the ninth consecutive monthly increase, continuing to offset the steepest drops on record in Canadian economic activity since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Canada in March 2020.

Wholesale trade rose 3.9 percent in January, more than offsetting a 1.5 percent contraction in December 2020, while the manufacturing sector expanded 1.9 percent in January, more than offsetting a 0.7 percent contraction in December 2020.

However, retail trade decreased for the third time in four months, down 1.7 percent in January. The stay-at-home orders, curfews and other measures reintroduced across Canada to slow the spread of COVID-19 contributed to the decrease.

Preliminary information indicates an approximate 0.5 percent increase in the GDP for February. That estimate will be revised on April 30 with the release of the official GDP data for February, according to Statistics Canada. Enditem
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and her colleagues on Commissioners Court declined to support a proposal to increase pay for jurors and instead referred the idea for more study.

District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, a Democrat, pitched the idea of hiking juror pay from $6 to $50 for the first day of service and from $40 to $80 for any subsequent days. The hike would make Harris County jurors the highest-paid in Texas.

Burgesss office had commissioned a study that found residents, especially people of color, said they would be more likely to show up for jury duty when summoned if the pay was higher. He proposal also included free parking for jurors.

The liberal majority that controls Commissioners Court was unconvinced. Hidalgo said she supported paying jurors more, but said Burgess had not produced any evidence showing that her proposal would help make Harris County juries more diverse. She questioned the accuracy of the district clerks study, which was performed by a third party.

Thats one survey of Harris County, which is not clear to what extent the results are statistically significant, or to the extent the sample is representative, Hidalgo said.

Budget Officer David Berry, who reports to Commissioners Court, said his office had reviewed Burgesss proposal but did not endorse it.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle, a Republican, said while boosting juror pay may make judges feel like they are more generous, he would be interested in research that shows a raise has actually boosted juror participation in a county. At times, Burgess said 80 percent of Harris County residents have ignored summonses.

Several community leaders, including from the Super Neighborhood Alliance and Mi Familia Vota, spoke in support of the pay increase. Burgess said if court members were skeptical, they could simply revert to the old system at the end of the fiscal year if it did not produce results.

She said the cost of the increases, estimated at $1.8 million in the current fiscal year, would be cheaper now because courts are holding fewer trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The judges have signed on in support of it. The community civic leaders say its the only way youre going to get the lower socioeconomic people to appear for jury duty, Burgess said. We have discussed this for two years and now is the time to implement it.

The court, including Republican commissioners Tom Ramsey and Jack Cagle, agreed to ask the district clerk, budget office, Justice Administration Department and other stakeholders to meet and develop a revised proposal within 30 days.

Juror pay varies by county, but the first day pays a minimum of $6.

Like Harris, Bexar, Dallas, Travis, Tarrant and El Paso counties all pay $6 for the first day and $40 for subsequent days of service.

zach.despart@chron.com
Emmeline Hartley is smart and tech-savvy. But last week the actress, 28, unwittingly became the face of Britain's fraud epidemic.

On March 21, she tweeted how she had been 'scammed out of every penny' in a sophisticated con involving a fake Royal Mail text and a 'spoof' call from Barclays.

Her message has since been shared 14,500 times and Emmeline says she has received hundreds of messages from people who have fallen foul of the same scam and are struggling to get refunds from their banks.

Scam text: The message purporting to be from Royal Mail that is thought to have been sent to millions of phones across the country

It's thought the texts have been sent to millions of phones across the UK in recent weeks - and is perhaps the worst example yet of a costly year that has seen fraud victims lose a record 479 million.

On Monday, Graeme Biggar, the top fraud investigator at the National Crime Agency, said scammers were 'finding it too easy' to bombard the public with millions of fake texts, emails and phone calls.

Today, a Money Mail investigation reveals how cyber criminals are evading detection by using cheap Chinese technology to beat flimsy barriers put up by banks, telecoms firms and regulators

Duped out of 1,000

Emmeline first received a text purporting to be from Royal Mail asking her to pay a 2.99 'postage fee'.

It was the day before her birthday and she was expecting deliveries, so she clicked on the link in the text. This took her to a fake Royal Mail website where she entered her details and made the payment.

Two days later she received a call, seemingly from a Barclays number. The caller, who spoke with a London accent, claimed to be from the bank's fraud unit.

He knew the details of her accounts and said she had given away her bank details to scammers on the fake Royal Mail website.

He told her to transfer all the cash she had - around 1,000 - to a 'safe account', which she did.

Duped: Actress Emmeline Hartley lost 1,000 in the Royal Mail text scam

Emmeline, who lives in Birmingham, only realised it was a scam when the fraudster tried to get her to transfer her overdraft, but by then it was too late.

'I broke down on the phone, I was crying and calling him a liar,' she says.

She has since been refunded by Barclays. But other victims are still struggling to get their money back.

Experts say fraudsters are preying on the confusion faced by online shoppers following Brexit, with many being asked to pay extra customs fees and VAT charges.

It is not known how many people have fallen foul of this particular fraud.

Last year there was a 94 per cent increase in 'impersonation scams', in which criminals pose as trusted organisations, says UK Finance.

How it works

Steve Smith, director of blocking service trueCall, says the scammers are likely using 'Sim farm' machines to send texts en masse.

Money Mail found one available to buy for just 57.35 from Chinese website AliExpress, which can pump out 4,800 texts an hour.

We also found a Chinese 'Sim farm' (which also have legal uses) available to buy on eBay for 230.

The device can be hooked up to 16 pay-as-you-go Sim cards, which, unlike mobile contracts, do not require buyers to provide proof of identity.

It means even if investigators can trace the Sim or phone number, they do not know who's behind it. Targets can be generated randomly, or from data breaches.

'Number spoofing' is a common scam tactic that makes a message or call appear to be from the same number as your bank or another trusted business.

The texts will show up in the same thread as real messages sent by your bank. Likewise, a 'spoofed' call will show the caller ID you have saved to your phone.

If you were to call the number back, you would likely hear an automated message saying 'number unobtainable'.

Fake websites used by scammers to collect personal details or payments are also too easy to set up. Scammers are able to buy fake web addresses for just 25 a year

Why no action?

Ofcom says it has blocked outbound calls on 361 numbers provided by banks and government bodies, such as HMRC.

But it's not watertight. Ofcom says not all of Barclays fraud team numbers are on its list, which means that some may still be able to be spoofed by scammers. This is also the case for other firms.

And Money Mail has spoken to a victim who said the fraudster called him from the number on the back of his bank card.

Seamus McCormack was scammed out of 12,000 in savings after he was duped by a fake Royal Mail text.

The 33-year-old from Walthamstow, North-East London, received a message on March 11 saying he needed to pay 2.99 in postage fees.

It led to a convincing phone call, apparently from the number shown on his bank card, which told him to move the money. His bank is investigating.

David Hickson, of the fair telecoms campaign, says scammers have already adapted and only need to change one digit to avoid being blocked.

He says the only way to stop them is for banks, telecoms firms and other businesses to pledge never to contact customers by phone unless requested.

Ofcom hopes authentication technology will be rolled out in the next few years to stamp out 'spoofing'.

Scam texts are harder to stop, but most major mobile providers will apply an 'SMS filter', which can block scams by recognising suspicious patterns, such as many messages being sent from a single source in a short space of time.

Mr Smith says it would be much easier to track fraudsters if pay-as-you-go Sim cards came with identity checks - or if mobile providers imposed a realistic cap on texts to stop mass scams.

But he believes the real problem is that fraud is not being taken seriously enough.

Scams are cheap

Fake websites used by scammers to collect personal details or payments are also too easy to set up. Scammers are able to buy fake web addresses for just 25 a year.

Postoffice-myfees.com - one of the sites behind the Royal Mail scam - was hosted by U.S. tech firm Namecheap.

Once victims enter their details into the websites, the fraudsters can access and use the details to win trust during the follow-up 'spoof' call.

Namecheap has been accused of not doing enough to tackle fraud on its platform.

Last March, Facebook filed an ongoing lawsuit against the firm alleging it had refused to co-operate with an investigation into dozens of malicious sites.

Matt Russell, chief cloud officer at Namecheap, says the firm 'shut down all domains and websites' engaged in the Royal Mail scam as soon as it emerged.

He says Namecheap is stopping websites registering similar domain names.

Barclays says: 'No genuine bank would message you to transfer money to a 'safe account'. Ignore anyone who asks you to do this.'

A Royal Mail spokesman says: 'In cases where customers need to pay a surcharge for an underpaid item, we'd let them know by leaving a grey Fee To Pay card. We would not request payment by email or text.'

miles.dilworth@dailymail.co.uk
Alabama State Climatologist John Christy has been dismissed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Science Advisory Board, Christy confirmed to AL.com Wednesday.

The Agency announced Wednesday it was dismissing more than 40 outside experts appointed to two EPA advisory panels during the Trump Administration, according to The Washington Post.

The Agency said in a news release that its staff was reconfiguring the independent committees in a way that returns the agency to its standard process of incorporating a balanced group of experts.

Christy told AL.com he received a cancellation memo Wednesday morning that stated he would no longer be part of the advisory board.

Christy was a controversial addition in 2019 to the scientists who advise the EPA. Christy contends that reducing carbon emissions would have little impact on climate change. Christy is a frequent critic of efforts to mandate reduction of carbon emissions.

RELATED: When Trumps EPA needed a climate scientist, they called on Alabamas John Christy

Christy, while often called a climate change denier, says he acknowledges that the climate is warming and that human carbon emissions contribute to this warming, but argues that the impact is smaller than most other climate researchers. He disagrees with the use of the term denier.

Many experts paint Christy as part of an effort to minimize the importance of reducing carbon emissions to avoid the most serious consequences of climate change.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan told the Post that the two EPA advisory panels, the Science Advisory Board and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, had become too influenced by industry under the Trump Administration.

Re-setting these two scientific advisory committees will ensure the agency receives the best possible scientific insight to support our work to protect human health and the environment, Regan said in a news release. Today we return to a time-tested, fair, and transparent process for soliciting membership to these critically important advisory bodies.

Christy said Wednesday that the moves will allow the EPA under the Biden Administration to start with an advisory board that was 100% compliant with its views.

We shall see if that is the case when the new appointments are announced, he said via email.
The cast of Gogglebox Australia reacted this week to Prime Minister Scott Morrison's interview on A Current Affair about the sexual misconduct scandals in Canberra.

And all three generations of the Silbery family admitted after watching the program that they'd been victims of sexual assaults or harassment themselves in the past.

Isabelle, 35, said she'd experienced abuse before, and noted that her mother Kerrie, 67, and her grandmother Emmie, 91, had too, reports TV Tonight.

Scroll down for video

Victims: All three generations of Gogglebox's Silbery family admitted after watching Scott Morrison's interview on ACA that they'd been victims of sexual assaults in the past

The Silbery family has appeared on the four-time Logie Award-winning series since 2016, and during that time have shared many personal stories.

Watching ACA host Tracy Grimshaw's interview with Mr Morrison, Isabelle remarked: 'Emmie, you've been sexually assaulted. Mum, you have. I've been attacked. All three of us have.'

Emmie responded: 'It's been going on forever.'

'I've been attacked': Isabelle, 35, said she'd experienced abuse before, and noted that her mother Kerrie, 67, and her grandmother Emmie, 91, had too

The Silberys went on to praise Grimshaw for how she handled the interview.

'Tracy Grimshaw's got a pair of ovaries,' said Kerrie, while Emmie added: 'A very strong pair of ovaries, I would say.'

Grimshaw grilled Mr Morrison on his handling of the Brittany Higgins rape claim and other parliament sex scandals in the fiery TV interview.

The prime minister insisted he was not 'judge and jury' and police investigations should be allowed to play out.

Candid: The Silbery family has appeared on the four-time Logie Award-winning series since 2016, and during that time have shared many personal stories

Mr Morrison then clashed with Grimshaw when he was accused of 'immediately believing' Christian Porter's denial of a historical rape allegation.

Gogglebox Australia episodes first air on Foxtel's Lifestyle channel Wednesdays from 7:30pm, and then Thursdays from 8.30pm on Channel 10

24-hour national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service call 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
Boost Mobile is the best of the telcos using the Telstra network, with competitive plans offering plenty of data, data rollover, data-free Apple Music, unlimited calls and texts and international call inclusions, too - and with its Refurb Shop, Boost has great prices for refurb tech that's definitely worth upgrading to.

Hats off to Boost Founder and Director Peter Adderton and the entire Boost team for having built a great MVNO-style telco service, and for expanding the Boost Refurb Shop range with a wide range of affordable tech that people will want, especially at the prices.

As Boost Mobile's media release notes, it is definitely a continuation of its leadership in refurbished tech.

So, why is refurbished technology so big these days?

Well, if you have an older phone these days and don't want to spend $1000 to $2000 and more on a new phone, the second hand market has always available, but the rise of refurbished products has been huge.

Refurbs are guaranteed to work, come with a warranty, are guaranteed to not be stolen, and depending on the model, are able to run the latest operating system with iOS, iPadOS and watchOS, or most usually with Android, and iOS 12.5.2, a version that is still supported with current security updates.

They are great alternatives to $200-$500 new Androids from Motorola, Nokia, Realme, Oppo, LG and even Samsung with some of its A-Series.

What's better - an Android flagship from two years ago, or a brand new $200 to $500 Android? They're both good choices.

And in the world of iPhone, if you're still using an iPhone 6s or older, you can upgrade to older but still perfectly good iPhones that won't break the bank, just as with a range of Samsung Galaxy S and Note devices, and Google Pixel 3 units, too.

The iPhone 7 32GB starts at $199, with larger capacities not much more, an iPhone 8 from $299, and the iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS and even iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max at higher prices, but still affordable and at Gumtree-challenging prices due to the benefits of refurbs over privately sold second hand models.

Boost's Refurb Shop is dedicated e-commerce site to include Apple Watches and iPads for the first time. And in addition to putting an "excellent quality refurbished iPhone 7 on sale for $199", the deal is once again available at Coles supermarkets nationally as well, and it's sure to be popular.

Boost Mobile says the expansion of its refurbished range continues the company's "leadership in making pre-loved technology affordable and accessible to Australians. Launching today, premium refurbished iPads as well as popular Apple Watches are available from as low as $249 are available, while it is partnering again with Coles Supermarkets to reduce the price of refurbished iPhone 7s to just $199, a $100 discount from the Coles non-promotional refurb price."

Boost shares that its "customer feedback over the last year and a half, as well as their own 150+% year on year growth in the category, indicates that demand for refurbished electronics continues to grow in the Australian market.

"Boost Mobile estimates that there are now more than one million refurbished devices being sold each year in Australia, with the actual data likely to near 1.5 million over the next 12 months. Its a trend that reflects global growth, where the refurbished smartphone market is forecast to grow to 332.9 million units with a market value of $67 billion in 2023."

While traditionally Boost Mobile has focused on providing mobile device and data options, we're told "the expansion to wearable and tablet offerings further demonstrates the Boost Mobile promise to continue to provide value and choice to customers.

"As a leading voice in this fast-growing category," Boost says it is "proud to educate on the differences between professionally refurbished and second hand or repaired smartphones  leading by example with high quality refurbished products including 30 day satisfaction guarantee and 12 month warranty, and the peace of mind that comes with its stringent, 72 point check and partnering with like minded organisations including Coles Supermarkets."

Here's how Boost describes the new offerings in its expanded Refurb Shop:

Apple Watch Series 3 and 4:

The Apple Watch Range offered by Boost spans Series 3 and 4 smartwatches. The Series 3 was originally launched for $459 AUD in 2017. Purchasing the Refurb Apple Watch from The Boost Mobile Refurb Shop sets customers back just $249.

This watch allows consumers to monitor health, workouts and fitness goals with all the metrics they need, and visualises them in Stand, Move and Exercise rings to gamify health goals and compete against friends. It also has the ability to receive and respond to calls and texts when close to the users smartphone, as well as the ability to listen to Apple Music. With heart rate monitoring and alerts, consumers can automate emergency SOS calls for help, and with the range of downloadable apps, consumers can better manage stress or sleep schedules. All this is possible through the sleek 38 or 42mm Retina Display, which supports up to 50m of Water Resistance, GPS and Siri Voice Assistant.

iPads arrive:

The new iPad additions include the iPad 5 and 6, as well as the iPad Air 1, Air 2, Air 3 and Mini 4. The iPad 5 was originally launched with an RRP of $469. It features a 9.7 Retina Display with 2048 x 1536 resolution (246pp  over 3.1 million pixels). The display also has multi-touch support. The device features a slim, 7.5mm thin aluminium body construction. With 1.2MP Face Camera and 8MP rear camera, it can record 1080p video. The iPad also supports data connectivity and comes with a bonus $30 Boost Mobile Prepaid SIM included, giving 20GB of data on Australias largest network.



The $199 iPhone 7 at Coles Supermarkets:

At the same time as Boost announces these new Refurb Shop offerings, they are also offering a better than ever deal on refurbished iPhone 7s with Coles Supermarkets.

With Coles currently selling the iPhone 7 for $299 and previously the iPhone 8 for as low as $359, "this promotion succeeds in getting the iPhone 7 down to just $199 as a limited time offer, while stocks last. Working with Coles since November 2020, the two brands share a dedication to delivering value to customers while improving sustainability outcomes by extending the useful life of high-quality technology."

"With a 12MP back camera, 7MP selfie camera and a range of smart features that include fingerprint scanning and Siri smart assistant, the Apple iPhone 7 combines the quality technical features that consumers expect at a price they dont."

The company advises the "unlocked Boost Mobile Refurbished iPhone 7 from Coles will come bundled with a $10 Boost Mobile Starter SIM as an attractive option for customer looking to switch on Australias biggest mobile network.

"The broader offerings The Boost Mobile Refurb Shop will also come bundled with a Boost Mobile $30 SIM boasting 20GB of data and unlimited calls and text."

Peter Adderton, the Founder of Boost Mobile said: "Boost Mobile has always truly believed that our constant mission is to find value for our customers and provide them with solutions that best suit their needs. It has been a key driver for our continued success and growth over the past 20 years."

General Manager of Boost Mobile, Jason Haynes said: "There is a growing acceptance of refurbished devices in Australia as people realise the great value and number of quality options available.

"On top of that trust knowing each device has gone through rigorous testing, cleaning, and re-packaging process.

"As the number 1 mobile youth brand in the country that has already done the work in to become a trusted refurb seller, Boost is well positioned to deliver these additional options to value-driven customers.



AVAILABILITY:

Boost refurbished phones are available online now at the Boost Mobile Refurb Store.

Boost refurbished phones are supported and supplied by Alegre. Alegre is a supplier of refurbished telecommunications devices and is the holder of a NSW second hand dealers license number 2PS11940.

Boost Mobile prepaid recharge offers are now available online at Boost and you can get recharges and SIM card stater packs at one of 12,000 retail outlets Australia-wide including AusPost, BigW, Coles, JB HiFi, Kmart, Target, 7 Eleven and Woolworths.
Protesters want to know why more than R200 million has still not been allocated

About 50 people gathered outside the National Arts Council offices in Newtown, Johannesburg on Wednesday, as unions from the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) joined artists in their struggle to access funds.

Performers have been staging sit-ins at the council offices in Johannesburg since 3 March. They are demanding answers over the management of Covid-19 relief funds and the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP).

The protesters planned to continue the sit-in with a night vigil until 10pm.

They have demanded that Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa resign, saying he has not communicated adequately over where PESP funding has gone. They want the list of recipients to be made public.

According to the latest statement released by the council, out of the R300 million that was allocated to the PESP, R85 million has been distributed to 639 beneficiaries as of Tuesday 30 March.

SAFTU spokesperson Trevor Shaku told the protesters: "SAFTU came here today to pledge solidarity to you, the artists, because we understand that your struggle belongs to the working class."

Thapelo Khunou, an artist and member of the College Workers Union of South Africa (an affiliate of SAFTU), said, "Nathi Mthethwa has failed the art industry for years. We need radical transformation in the arts. We need artists to lead the struggle."

Artist and activist Savage Tau told GroundUp that the protesters have had three virtual meetings and one in-person meeting with the council. "What they're doing now is sending out emails, saying people don't qualify to get the funding," said Tau.
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The drugs that we use, such as tablets, injectables, syrups, and capsules) are an amalgamated combination Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and excipients. It is a chemical or a drug which is responsible for the therapeutic and pharmacological activities in the human body. It is the most important ingredient in a drug that helps treat a disorder or a disease when administered. It is a substance that is integrated into a Finished Pharmaceutical Product (FPP). As per Market Research Futures in-depth analysis of the global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) market, the growth trajectory of the market is projected to remain positive with a CAGR of 4.93% over the next five years of the forecast period.

Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1385

APIs have gone on to become an integral component in the healthcare industry, primarily because of the clinical efficacy and value it offers. The development of advanced delivery systems coupled with the emergence of novel therapeutics is expected to expand the market opportunities of APIs in the forecast period. There also lies the growing trend concerning personalized medicines which can also influence the market landscape of APIs. The other factors driving the growth of the active pharmaceutical market are increased focus towards curbing down the pricing of manufacturing and supply chain consolidation.

Market Segmentation

The segmentation of the global Active Pharmaceutical ingredient market is based in terms of manufacturing process, application, API Formulation, type of synthesis, and molecules.

Manufacturing Basis: The market comprises of captive and contract manufacturing. The captive manufacturing segment holds the largest market share and is expected to maintain its hold in the forthcoming years.

Application Basis: The market includes neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, orthopedic disorders, oncology, respiratory, urology, cardiovascular disease, and others. The oncology segment is projected to experience the fastest growth among all.

API Formulation Basis: The market covered are generic API and Innovative API. The generic API segment is the leading market player.

Type of Synthesis: The market is divided into synthetic and biotech.

Molecules Basis: The market is segmented into large molecules and small molecules.

Regional Outlook

The key markets for active pharmaceutical ingredients include South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America is spearheading the API market growth in the Americas, which in turn is leading the global market with the largest share. The crucial factors backing the said growth include the presence of a large number of prominent companies within the region. In addition, countries like the United States (U.S.) and Canada note high occurrences of chronic as well as neurological diseases, which is believed to be a prominent driver of the regional market growth.

Europe has bagged the second spot in the global API market, backed by the increasing number of initiatives within the region that support the development of generic drugs. Moreover, improving pricing, as well as reimbursement policies coupled with a huge number of manufacturing activities, is presenting multiple growth opportunities to the regional market.

As the active pharmaceutical ingredients market has reached the maturity phase in the developed countries around the globe, the market focus is shifting towards the Asia Pacific. This factor has substantiated the region as the fastest-growing market globally. The presence of a humungous patient population within countries like India and China paired with the rising incidences of chronic diseases in the region is poised to benefit the market in the subsequent years. On top of that, availability of cheap labor and need for low investments in infrastructure are encouraging several renowned pharmaceutical vendors to outsource manufacturing to Asia Pacific, opening the door for further market success.

Competitive Analysis

The key companies identified in the global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market are Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK), F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Abbott Laboratories, Novartis AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Pfizer Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Bayer AG, and Sanofi.

On Feb 2019, ProvideGx, LLC, a subsidiary company of Premier Inc. which provides healthcare improvement services, announced its collaboration with Baxter Healthcare Corporation. The move is aimed to make additional generic drugs available to counter the rising drug shortage issue in the US.

On Feb 2019, TPG Growth, a private equity firm, revealed its plans of investing $30 million in Solara Active Pharma. The funding will help support the Chennai-based drug manufacturer, Solara Active Pharma, spread its wings of expansion in the regulated markets.

Read More @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/active-pharmaceutical-ingredients-market-1385

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.

MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.
Antonio Jimenez Jr. stood in the shadow of the old, red-brick mill on Ladd Avenue in Northampton on Tuesday. For him, it was a long journey to get there.

Jimenez, 23, grew up in Springfield and was heavy in the streets. In years past, it was difficult for him to get a job and make ends meet. In his words, he tried to make it on his own and go up in life, but it didnt work out.

Roughly six month ago, he reached out for help from the nonprofit Roca, an organization that works with young people like Jimenez who have grown up at the center of violence, have experienced trauma and, without direct intervention, are trapped in a cycle of poverty.

So far, Jimenezs experiences in the organization have been enlightening, helping him change his situation for the better and look at life in a different way. Hes on a path to jumpstart a career now. The only way he could do that was through Roca, he noted.

I recommend it for a lot of kids that dont have anything in life that they look forward to, Jimenez said. Its all about accepting your reality, and a lot of kids my age dont notice that until its too late. So, if I could get a message across to the youth, I want them to not give up on life, and then just leave the streets alone, because it doesnt lead to anything but jail and death.

Antonio Jimenez Jr. is a member of Roca, a nonprofit that partnered with Community Growth Partners to provide an employment pipeline to the legal recreational cannabis industry for young adults who have previously got caught up in the criminal justice system. (Jackson Cote/MassLive)

In the months ahead, Jimenez will be paid to help demolish the inside of the historic 19th-century mill at 20 Ladd Ave. that for decades housed gun manufacturer Yankee Hill Machine. The company produced assault weapons, silencers and other gun accessories at the building before moving to a bigger facility in Easthampton to expand its operations.

Next year, though, the face of the building will change drastically, as the future occupants of the centuries-old mill in Florence will be producing an entirely different product: cannabis.

Community Growth Partners (CGP), a women- and minority-owned cannabis company, broke ground at 20 Ladd Ave. on Tuesday. In six to nine months, the old mill will go from producing bullets to bud, according to Charlotte Hanna, the CEO and founder of Community Growth Partners.

By 2022, we should have flower on the market, Hanna said while walking through the approximately 23,000-square-foot mill.

The building still holds remnants of Yankee Hill Machine: a dirty gun shell lodged in the floor, shelves set up for firearm accessories and a metal slab with dents in it from fired-off bullets that leans against one of the attics walls.

A conveyer belt leads from the ground floor of the building to the unlit basement, where Hanna said cannabis will be cultivated in the years ahead.

Its amazing. Its been two years in the making, so I got a little bit teary-eyed just looking around and seeing all the people around me here to show support, Hanna told MassLive after the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday afternoon. These are the same people that have been by my side, hanging in there for a couple of years now as I have been working on raising the money to do the build, getting licensed by the state, which is a complicated process, and then designing the building in a way so that it has the least impact in terms of carbon footprint.

Its taken a while to get to this point today, so I got a little bit emotional, but its just really nice, she added.

Community Growth Partners, a women- and minority-owned cannabis company, broke ground at the old Northampton mill at 20 Ladd Ave. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. The building previously housed gun manufacturer Yankee Hill Machine. Pictured here is Charlotte Hanna, CEO of CGP. (Jackson Cote/MassLive)

Improving equity and bridging the economic divide in the cannabis industry is a top priority for Hanna, who runs the Rebelle dispensary in Great Barrington as well.

Before Massachusetts started requiring positive impact plans as part of the recreational cannabis licensing process, Hanna knew she wanted her company to have a beneficial, lasting effect on peoples lives. So, she did some research in Massachusetts and found Roca would be the perfect partner to help achieve her goal.

Theyre already working in these same communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs, so I couldnt do what we do without them, Hanna said. They are effectively our talent pipeline.

Since 2018, CGP has partnered with Roca to create a pathway for young adults enrolled in the organization to get employment and an education about how cannabis industry works. Hannas future cultivation site in Northampton will be providing 50 jobs, many of which will go to those involved at Roca, including Jimenez.

Theyre critical to us and our social purpose as a company, Hanna noted.

The individuals from Roca who already work at Hannas store in Great Barrington are not only getting paid, though. Theyre also getting equity in her company and receiving training in the industry. She hopes for the same at the Northampton facility.

After helping gut the inside of the old mill, Jimenez said he wants to look for an opportunity to work at the cultivation site.

I do like the experience and all that stuff that comes behind it, he said, and I want to help the company build more, more than where theyre at. I want them to become an amazing company.

Cannabis company Community Growth Partners has partnered with Roca, a nonprofit that works to provide an employment pipeline to the legal recreational cannabis industry for young adults who have previously got caught up in the criminal justice system. Pictured here is Christine Judd, the director of Roca Western Massachusetts. (Jackson Cote/MassLive)

Christine Judd, the director of Roca Western Massachusetts, said for decades, the nonprofit has been partnering with social justice-minded businesses, like CGP, that are willing to hire young people enrolled in the program, who have been traumatized for years by the impact of the illegal drug trade.

We are now honored to partner with a forward-thinking cannabis company, said Judd, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Northampton site.

Hannas organization is an economic empowerment business, meaning the company had to meet a slew of requirements designed to ensure people from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana law enforcement are included in the legal industry.

According to Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, who spoke alongside Hanna and members of Roca at the groundbreaking and flag-raising ceremony Tuesday afternoon, noted the future cultivation site aligns with the citys longstanding goal of promoting equity and inclusion in the local cannabis industry.

This is one more investor in the cannabis industry, and on many levels, its great. You know, were reusing a historic mill building that has been empty now for a few years, and then obviously, the economic empowerment aspect, Narkewicz told MassLive before the groundbreaking. The fact that this has been one of the goals of the industry, to promote more equity and inclusion, and the fact that we have somebody here whos committed to that and has a track record in that and is going to invest in that here in Northampton is, again, another reason to be really excited.

Cannabis company Community Growth Partners broke ground at the old Northampton mill at 20 Ladd Ave. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. The building previously housed gun manufacturer Yankee Hill Machine. Mayor David Narkewicz can be seen at the groundbreaking. (Jackson Cote/MassLive)

According to Hanna, Narkewicz has been a pioneer in the recreational cannabis industry. In January, he became the first mayor in the state to waive the 3% community impact fee associated with such businesses.

At the groundbreaking, Narkewicz joked that if someone told his daughters hed be called a pioneer in the industry, theyd laugh at him.

Weve done everything we can do to put the pieces in place, so its great to see people flocking here to invest in Northampton, seeing it as a welcoming place for the industry, the mayor said.

For Hanna, the future opening of the cultivation site is a dream come true. She spoke with tears in her eyes at the groundbreaking, noting its been a long road to get where she is.

This has been years in the making, she said.

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CALHOUN COUNTY, MI  Police are searching for the body of a woman missing since 2005.

The Calhoun County Sheriffs Office is looking for the body of Ashely Parlier, a news release said. She was last seen June 12, 2005, in Battle Creek, according to a 2010 Battle Creek Enquirer article.

A physical search with a cadaver dog is happening Wednesday, March 31, on 6  Mile Road in Newton Township, police said.

There is a person of interest in the crime, police said. Recent leads brought investigators to the township for a search. They have also traveled to California, Maryland and Pennsylvania to investigate leads.

Anyone who knew Parlier or anyone with information about her disappearance is asked to call the sheriffs office at 269-781-0880.

Russell and Sharie Parlier confronted to their daughter, then 21, the day she went missing because they believed she was pregnant, the Enquirer reported. Parlier left the house after and her parents said they assumed she went for a walk like she normally did.

Parlier would sometimes stay with friends so she wasnt reported missing until July 8, 2005, after failing to call for her dads birthday, the Enquirer reported.

Parliers family started a Facebook page called Bring Ashely Parlier Home that theyve updated through the years.

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Two Michigan National Guard members seriously injured by falling tree at Fort Custer

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Introducing ESG Pioneer Swiss Reinsurance Group to Practice Long term Strategy and Build a New Future

HONG KONG, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd. (the "CPIC" or the "Company"; Stock code: 2601.HK, 601601.SH, CPIC.LSE) releases 2020 CPIC Corporate Social Responsibility Report (the "Report"). This is the 13th consecutive year in which the Group has released its social responsibility report, and also the first Report of the Group since its successful listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) last year and the completion of "Shanghai + Hong Kong + London" capital market layout of the three regions. This marks CPIC entering a new stage in terms of disclosure and governance level. The Report gives a comprehensive presentation of CPIC's outstanding achievements and results in environment, society and governance (ESG), and continues to convey its "thirty years of age" social responsibility values of responsibilities for the State, the world and the promotion of sustainable development to the public society and capital market.

Further Improving Disclosure and Governance Level and Seeking New Breakthrough in ESG Indicators

The Report better meets ESG management requirements, highlights ESG performance data, and is more customer- oriented, reflecting the new development philosophy and pattern of CPIC. In terms of ESG governance, the original "Strategic and Investment Decision-Making Committee" of the Board is changed to "Strategic and Investment Decision-making and ESG Committee". In terms of ESG risk management, the Company complies with the ESG disclosure requirements of Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK) and London Stock Exchange (LSE) as well as ESG rating indicator requirements including FTSE Russell and MSCI to identify risks such as climate change and project investment, and to propose further measures. In terms of key issue settings, in 2020, CPIC presented its responsibility management and practical innovation in many important areas, such as, supporting national initiatives, combating COVID-19, health and retirement, poverty alleviation, customer experience, employee development, corporate governance, win-win partnership, and green development.

Accelerating ESG Layout to Contribution to Society though "CPIC Strenghth"

In recent years, CPIC has practiced ESG. In terms of climate change, the Group develops and promotes weather index insurance and catastrophe insurance, grasps advanced catastrophe risk assessment technologies and tools, and establishes climate risk response plans and training mechanisms. In terms of green insurance, it expands the coverage of environmental liability insurance and promotes the construction of green environmental insurance system, and boosts the development of new energy. In terms of responsible investment, the Group focuses on projects in environmental protection, renewable energy, energy conservation, resettlement of shanty town, and new infrastructure. Through the innovative mode of responsible investment with insurance characteristics, the Group provides funding to economic and social transitioning. In the future, the Group will leverage its advantages as a leading insurance company in China to make joint efforts on both the liability and asset sides. On the one hand, it will develop ESG-related insurance products and on the other hand integrate ESG into the investment decision-making process to truly realize the implementation of ESG concept throughout the whole process of operation.

Strategically Introducing ESG Pioneer Swiss Reinsurance Group to Embark on a New Journey of Sustainable Development

In June 2020, CPIC successfully completed the issurance of the Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and got listed on the LSE. Through this offering, the Company successfully introduced Swiss Reinsurance Group ("Swiss Re Group"or "Swiss Re"), a leading international reinsurance group. As an ESG pioneer with mature and practical experience, Swiss Re Group will assist the Group to further accelerate its pace in ESG layout. On 17 March this year, CPIC and Swiss Re Group held their first ESG themed summit. A number of senior executives including Chairman Kong Qingwei and President Fu Fan of CPIC Group, Chairman Walter B. Kielholz and CEO Christian Mumenthaler of Swiss Re Group attended the summit. Both parties exchanged in-depth views and valuable experience of Swiss Re in ESG at the meeting, which provided a high reference value for the Company to determine ESG strategic planning and the follow-up practice.

Embracing the New Trend of Capital Market, ESG Becomes the Company's Long-term Strategy

In recent years, ESG concept has aroused the attention of various sectors. During the recent the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, "Carbon Peak" and "Carbon Neutralization" were included in the government work report for the first time. At the same time, major stock exchanges in the world have increasingly tightened regulatory requirements for ESG, and SSE, SEHK and LSE all put forward requirements for ESG disclosure to listed companies. As a leading comprehensive insurance Group in China, the ESG development philosophy is in line with the natural risk protection characteristics of the insurance industry in which CPIC operates, and aligns with its long-term value proposition, further enhancing the capability and performance of the Group in fulfilling social responsibilities. In 2021, CPIC, which has already been listed in three places, will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary. The year 2021 marks CPIC's 30th anniversary, it is moving towards a new stage of development. In the next 30 years, ESG will become an important strategy for CPIC to pursue a "long-termism", bringing new genes and insights to its future development.

About China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd

China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co. Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "CPIC", or the "Company"; Stock Code: 2601.HK, 601601.SH, CPIC.LSE) is an insurance holding company incorporated on the basis of China Pacific Insurance Company, which was established on May 13, 1991. It is a leading insurance group headquartered in Shanghai, which is the first insurance group simultaneously listed on Shanghai, Hong Kong and London Stock Exchanges. CPIC is a leading comprehensive insurance group; the Company provides a broad range of risk solutions, financial planning and asset management services to over 100 million customers via its nationwide network of distribution and diversified services platforms.
(Bloomberg) -- Companies doing business with the federal government would be required to report hacks of their computer networks within a few days, according to a draft executive order that the Biden administration is urgently trying to complete, people familiar with the matter said.

President Joe Biden hasnt yet signed off on the executive actions, which are likely to reach his desk in the next two weeks, one of the people said.The executive order, when signed, would mandate important cybersecurity improvements, but it also would push basic changes that could deter cyber-attacks in both the government and private sector, according to people familiar with it. They requested anonymity to speak about actions the administration hasnt yet announced.

The order is part of a number of new initiatives pursued by the administrations new cybersecurity team, which is hoping to take advantage of the crisis created by what is known as the SolarWinds hack to institute a broad security overhaul. The administration is seeking stronger protections of the electrical grid and wider government visibility into some private-sector networks.

The order would also require companies that work with the U.S. government to meet certain software standards, as well require improvements for federal agencies basic security practices, including mandating data encryption and two-factor authentication.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday that an executive order on cybersecurity would include nearly a dozen actions.

Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, said in a statement Wednesday that the administration was consulting extensively with the private sector on the proposed executive order and has set our goals for cybersecurity improvement to be aggressive and achievable.

We will have an executive order shortly that will make fundamental improvements to national cybersecurity, she said. Many of the measures in the executive order will be long overdue and we look forward to sharing them with the American people soon.

Story continues

In February, Neuberger told reporters that at least nine government agencies and 100 U.S. companies were breached by the suspected Russian hackers, who installed malicious code in updates to SolarWinds Corp. software. The hackers could then use the malicious code as a sort of backdoor to infiltrate SolarWinds customers who received the compromised update.

The hack was discovered by the cybersecurity company FireEye Inc., which disclosed it December.

The executive order would ask software and hardware vendors who become aware of a hack to notify their customers in the federal government within a few days, people familiar with the draft language said. The proposal is designed to fix longstanding issues that keep companies from sharing security incidents with the government, including a fear of reputational damage and non-disclosure agreements that prevent sharing the information.

That information would then be passed to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security. While the requirement would be part of the executive order, some details -- including protocols for protecting that information -- would be worked out by a designated task force of officials and experts, according to an administration official.

Software vendors would be required to secure their so-called build systems -- where complex software is assembled -- by insuring they arent accessible to the internet and that the identity of workers who access the code is protected by two-factor authentication, among other measures, the official said.

Biden officials also want software companies selling to the government to be more transparent about their products. The order would require the companies to provide the government with a software bill of materials that breaks down the various pieces of code in a software product, according to several people familiar with the draft order. The move would give both the government and other customers a better chance at spotting hidden flaws in the software that can be exploited by hackers.A key element of the order would be the requirement that government agencies encrypt the data now stored in their computers, which would make it unreadable by hackers. An senior administration official declined to specify which agencies had the poorest record when it came to deploying basic security measures but said problems were found in every agency examined.

(Updates with comment from Anne Neuberger in seventh paragraph.)

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Sri Lanka's Catholic church called for the former president Maithripala Sirisena to be prosecuted for failing to prevent the suicide bombings two years ago

Sri Lanka's Catholic church called Monday for the former president and his officials to be prosecuted for failing to prevent the suicide bombings two years ago that killed 279 people.

An investigation ordered by ex-leader Maithripala Sirisena soon after the April 21 bombings found that he and his intelligence officials had precise information from India about the impending attack 17 days earlier, but failed to prevent it.

The report, parts of which were released last month, held Sirisena -- now a member of successor Gotabaya Rajapaksa's party -- criminally liable.

"It is absolutely necessary to prosecute without any hesitation and further delays all those political leaders and officials... seconded for prosecution in the report," Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said in a statement, without directly naming Sirisena.

He said such individuals must be held accountable "for shirking their duty so callously and doing absolutely nothing to prevent the massacre".

The statement -- signed by 12 other Sri Lankan church leaders -- warned they would organise a national demonstration next month if those named in the report were not prosecuted.

In March, the church had asked the faithful to wear black and attend Sunday Mass as a sign of protest against the delay in ensuring justice for the victims.

The church also called for an ongoing investigation to cover military and intelligence officers said to have had contacts with the local jihadist who led the coordinated suicide bombings.

The inquiry heard testimony from officials who claimed that jihadist Zahran Hashim had dealings with security forces during the country's Tamil separatist war that ended in May 2009.

Church leaders urged a further investigation.

Sri Lanka has arrested over 200 people in connection with the attacks, but is yet to prosecute a single individual.

However, the US Justice Department in January charged three Sri Lankans with supporting terrorism for their alleged participation in the attacks, which were claimed by the Islamic State group.

Story continues

All three are in custody in Sri Lanka but have not been charged locally. The Justice Department said it would support their prosecution in the country.

At least 45 foreigners, including five Americans, were among those killed.

aj/rbu/jfx
Chester Alexander Porter was born in Roseville on March 15, 1926, younger son of an accountant, Fred Porter, and Coralie (nee Leefson). His grandfather had been an illiterate Englishman who migrated to Australia to take up droving. Trouble in the Porter family came with the onset of the Great Depression, when Fred lost his job and the family had to leave Roseville to settle into a small flat in Manly. Porter suffered from his early days from the eccentric excesses of his mother who, among other things, suppressed any reference to her Jewish origins. But he did well at school, first attending Barker College, then winning a scholarship to the Shore School, from which he went on to Sydney University, joining in debating with the likes of Neville Wran and the future judge, Adrian Roden. Another debating chum, Peter Clyne, said later that even then, Porter had a tongue like a razor blade and the delicacy of a rattlesnake on heat. But he was very fair. Porter, who did his articles with a Sydney legal firm, Dawson Waldron Edwards and Nicholls, graduated in 1947 with first-class honours in law and the following year, a few days before his 22nd birthday, was admitted to the NSW Bar. In 1953, Porter married a high school chemistry teacher, Jean Featherstone, and moved with her to Mona Vale, then not a fashionable area, partly to put some distance between them and Porters mother. They brought three daughters into the world, Dorothy in 1954, Mary in 1956 and Josie in 1960. In between his busy court schedule, Porter became involved in politics and in 1958 became campaign manager for Robin Askin in the seat of Collaroy, helping him to become Premier in 1965. Porters interest in Askin then waned, when serious questions arose over Askins integrity. Porter was a close friend of barrister Ted St John, who entered parliament, and sided with him in 1968 during St Johns bitter conflict with the Prime Minister John Gorton, after which Porter left the Liberal Party. Left to right: Chester Porter, Frank McAlary and Tom Hughes. Credit:Fairfax

In 1974, Porter took silk. In 1979, he advised Michael Finnane in his report into the affairs of MP Ian Sinclair (later tried and acquitted). He prosecuted in drug trafficking trials, in action for beaches of the Trade Practices Act. But in 1982, he represented solicitor Morgan Ryan, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. In 1983, he represented the Minister for the Environment, John Moore, in an inquiry into a public service appointment of one-time minister, Terry Metherell, and he represented Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham in his appeal against an adverse finding by ICAC Commissioner Ian Temby QC. Chester Porter (left) at the ICAC investigation into the Metherell affair in 1992. Credit:Fairfax On October 30, 1983, Porter was involved in a terrible car accident, driving home with his wife and two dogs on Mona Vale Road, when a drunken driver slammed into his car. He was grievously injured, with broken hip and right arm, but eventually returned to work, possibly with a different perspective on life. Wife Jean said: He could somehow sympathise or be in tune with people who were in trouble and needed defence. From then, Porter took on more and more defence work. He was several times offered a place on the bench, but, Jean said, he wanted the rough and tumble of advocacy. Porter was nothing if not entertaining, with a ready sense of humour and quick wit. In the Chamberlain royal commission, Justice Trevor Morling said he thought Mr Porter should get a degree in ecclesiastical law. Porter replied: With Mr Barker (Ian Barker QC, for the Crown) listening, I am reminded of Matthew 13, verse 5: Some fell upon stony places. When Michael Adams QC, now Justice, told the royal commission he would be surprised if he did not take three days to cross-examine a witness, Porter said: I am not saying it surprises me, but it terrifies me. In his home life, Porter enjoyed the bush, was particularly fond of animals and was a devout churchgoer. His family was close to that of former Crown prosecutor Mark Tedeschi, who had a holiday house near his in the Blue Mountains. In his home life Porter could be complicated and difficult, but his daughter Josie explains that this was related to his traumatic childhood. His wife, Jean, was his rock of stability. In his professional life, Porter also demonstrated great perseverance. Mark Tedeschi QC said his door was always open to junior counsel seeking assistance.
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By Daniel Leussink

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's fell in February as an earthquake and semiconductor shortage led to declines in the production of cars and electrical machinery, adding to worries for an struggling to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The world's third-largest is expected to contract in the current quarter due to coronavirus-related curbs that were imposed from early January for Tokyo and other prefectures.

Official data released on Wednesday showed shrank 2.1% from the previous month in February, dragged down by falls in production of cars, electrical machinery and information and communication equipment.

Disrupting production was a magnitude 7.3-earthquake off the coast of eastern on Feb. 13, which damaged homes and businesses throughout the northern region.

"The semiconductor shortage and natural disasters pushed down output by quite a lot," said Ayako Sera, market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank.

"It will be hard for production to rebound," said Sera. "If there is a recovery in production, the pace will likely be very gradual."

The output fall was worse than a 1.2% decline expected by economists and followed the previous month's sharp 4.3% gain.

Factories worldwide are struggling with a global semiconductor shortage, which has hurt the production of cars, smartphones and home appliances.

Manufacturers surveyed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) expected output to drop another 1.9% in March, followed by a 9.3% rebound in April.

A trade ministry official said a March 19 fire at a Renesas Electronics chip-making plant was not reflected in the forecasts.

Renesas, which commands nearly a third of the global market share for microcontroller chips used in cars, said on Tuesday it would take at least 100 days to get back to normal production at the plant.

had rebounded in January largely thanks to a sharp increase in the production of electronic parts and general-purpose machinery, as demand for tech-making equipment remains strong.

Some analysts, however, worry that Japan's economic recovery will be dragged down by weak spending at home and a slower-than-anticipated demand recovery abroad as economies slowly reopen, even in countries that have rolled out COVID-19 vaccines.

There is not much the government could do in terms of policy support if manufacturers' production remains hobbled by parts shortages, said Sumitomo Mitsui's Sera.

"If there would be temporary layoffs due to factory closures, the government could provide subsidies for that as part of economic policies," she said.

"But I don't think policies will help with boosting production," she added.

(Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Sam Holmes)

(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 Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Thunderstorms. High 77F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers in the evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Low 66F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
GEORGETOWN  Just over a year after closing its offices due to the pandemic, Georgetown County will reopen its facilities April 1 without residents having to make an appointment. Masks will still be required and residents must adhere to social distancing guidelines while in county facilities.

This decision comes as vaccination efforts are under way in the county, and South Carolinians ages 16 and up are now eligible for vaccination as of March 31.

Its not quite back to normal, and it wont be for some time. This pandemic is not over, said Angela Christian, county administrator. But we are moving in that direction as more people, including our staff, receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.

In May 2020, the county reopened its facilities from the original shock of the pandemic, but required residents to make an appointment, which county spokesperson Jackie Broach said was helpful for limiting the number of people in the facility, but frustrated some residents.

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Meeting rooms at the five libraries are pending approval by the Library Board and scheduled to reopen May 31. The Parks and Recreation Department will resume rental of outdoor facilities for events on April 1, but indoor rentals will not offered again until September, according to the county.

More than 36 percent of county residents have been vaccinated, according to the county, with more than 63 percent of those residents being 65 and older. The county said it is working to give more vaccine information to its rural and minority-populated areas to ensure more people have access to them.

A full, department-by-department plan on reopening is available on the county's website.
A University of Rhode Island professor is under fire for what has been deemed as "anti-transgender perspectives" for stating, among other things, that people cannot be born in the wrong body.

In an essay published in 4W last month, a "publication for cancelled women, brave feminists, and heterodox thinkers," Donna Hughes, a pioneer in the academic study of human trafficking and a professor of women's studies, wrote of the fantasy worlds that exist on both sides of the political aisle in the United States.

While many on the left are quick to accuse those on the right of falling for conspiracy theories, Hughes stressed in her piece titled, "Fantasy Worlds on the Political Right and Left: QAnon and Trans-Sex Beliefs," that "fake news and harmful politicized beliefs leading to real harm are not solely a right-wing phenomenon."

"The American political left is increasingly diving headfirst into their own world of lies and fantasy and, unlike in the imaginary world of QAnon, real children are becoming actual victims.

Source:The Christian Post
Hyderabad, March 31 : An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Cyberabad police who was injured when a car rammed him during a drive against drunken driving on March 26 night succumbed on Wednesday, police said.

Mahipal Reddy, a ASI of KPHB police station under Cyberabad police commissionerate, was declared dead early Wednesday at a hospital.

The police officer's family came forward to donate his organs for 'Maro Janma', a Cyberabad police initiative for organ donation.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar along with senior police officials visited the house of the ASI and consoled his family members.

Mahipal Reddy was injured when a speeding cab rammed him on Saturday night as he was visiting a checkpoint where a home guard and a woman were injured after a drunk four-wheeler driver hit them while trying to escape the check.

As the officer was inspecting Hyundai Creta car, whose driver had hit the police barricade while trying to escape, a speeding cab rammed into him.

Mahipal Reddy suffered head injuries and a fracture on the left leg. He was admitted to a hospital, where he succumbed on Wednesday.

Police have arrested cab driver Aslam, who was not under the influence of alcohol but was apparently driving the vehicle at a high speed.

Srujan, who was driving Hyundai Creta, was arrested for drunken driving.

The incident occurred near Kolan Raghava Reddy Function Hall in Nizampet under the limits of KPHB police station. On noticing the check point, Srujan tried to reverse the vehicle to escape and hit a tree. He then drove forward through the barricades to escape and, in the process, hit a home guard and a woman standing there. Both received minor injuries.

Mahipal Reddy came there to enquire about the incident when a cab being driven at a high speed hit him.

In a similar incident in KPHB Colony on February 23, a sub-inspector was injured while intercepting a drunk biker. Instead of stopping the bike, the biker tried to escape by driving in wrong direction. SI K. Rajeshwar was injured in the incident.

Dozens of drunken driving cases are registered every day during the checking in and around the city under the limits of three police commissionerates - Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda.

As many as 131 people caught by Cyberabad police in a week for drunken driving were sent to jail for a period ranging from one to 25 days.
Khartoum  The EU and the USA have both affirmed their willingness to mediate in the negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (SERD), between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, which have reached a stalemate. US envoy Donald Booth, and EU envoy Robert Van Dool, reiterated their readiness to mediate in the GERD issue during a joint meeting with the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, at his office at the Republican Palace on Monday.

Both envoys affirmed their belief in the need to reach a diplomatic solution to the dispute over the dam, using an approach that satisfies all three parties, which guarantees Ethiopia's ability to generate electricity, ensures the territorial integrity of Sudan and the safety of its dams, and guarantees the water rights of Egypt.

EU envoy Van Dool reaffirmed the EU readiness to support the economic reforms taking place in Sudan and to contribute to implementation of Sudan's Samarat Family Support Programme* for poor families.

Both envoys congratulated El Burhan on the historic signing of the Declaration of Principles (DOP) between the Sudanese transitional government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North rebel movement under the leadership of Abdelaziz El Hilu (SPLM-N El Hilu) on Sunday, praising a 'breakthrough' that that would pave the way for achieving a comprehensive peace in Sudan.

The meeting discussed the peace process in Sudan, the differences between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia over the Renaissance Dam and the developments on Sudan's eastern borders with Ethiopia.

El Burhan underlined Sudan's commitment to peaceful and diplomatic solutions

In this regard, he pointed out that the opening of the armed forces in the Fashaqa region took place inside the Sudanese territories, in accordance with the 1902 Agreement and what was confirmed by the subsequent understandings with the Ethiopian side.

GERD

Last week, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok wrote a letter to the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, and the USA to request formation of a 'quartet committee' to mediate in the negotiations of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The US State Dept has already responded that the USA will continue to support efforts to resolve the disagreement on the GERD and encourage the resumption of a productive dialogue.

Hamdok's letter of March 13 follows an agreement reached in Cairo earlier this month between Hamdok and Egyptian President Abdelfattah El Sisi, to continue their efforts to communicate with international parties to "expand the umbrella of negotiations on the GERD" and to implement the Sudanese proposal to have international parties join a quadripartite mediation, including the EU and the USA.

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In the letter, Hamdok suggests changing the method used in the negotiations, which led to the failure to reach an agreement between the three parties during the past negotiation period, as well as establishing an approach based on the presence of the main international partners.

* The Sudan Family Support Programme (SFSP) is supported by several development partners through the Sudan Transition and Recovery Support (STARS) Multi-Donor Trust Fund, which includes Canada, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Norway, State and Peace Building Trust Fund, Sweden and United Kingdom. Together these donors are matching the support provided by the World Bank's pre-arrears clearance grants to bring total support for the SFSP to $820 million.
COLUMBUS, OhioWith little fanfare, Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation Wednesday dismantling two key parts of the corruption-ridden House Bill 6 that give billions in ratepayer dollars to energy companies.

House Bill 128, which takes effect in 90 days, repeals part -- though not all -- of the law at the center of what authorities say is the largest bribery scheme in Ohio history.

HB128 rescinds a $1 billion-plus financial bailout of the Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear power plants along Lake Erie.

It also repeals a decoupling provision that allows FirstEnergy Corp. to collect a comparatively high amount of money from customers even in years when demand is down, and orders refunds for money already collected. As a result of HB128, FirstEnergy announced Wednesday it will refund customers $26 million collected under the decoupling policy between January 2020 and last month.

The new law also revokes language from a different law making it easier for FirstEnergy to pass a state test meant to prevent utilities from making significantly excessive profits.

The announcement that DeWine, a Greene County Republican, signed HB128 into law came as part of a news release listing several bills the governor signed. The release gave no statement from the governor about HB128.

House Bill 6, which DeWine signed in 2019 after a contentious battle, came under even more scrutiny starting last summer, when then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four allies were charged with using more than $60 million in FirstEnergy bribery money to secure the bills passage.

HB128 passed the legislature with little opposition. One reason for that is that after Householders arrest, DeWine and a majority of state lawmakers called for the repeal of HB6.

But another reason is that Energy Harbor, the former FirstEnergy subsidiary that now owns the nuclear plants, has lobbied for the option of turning down the bailout money because a federal regulatory ruling might otherwise make the subsidies a liability.

During the debate over HB6, proponents of the legislation asserted that the Perry and Davis-Besse plants would close without a bailout. However, Energy Harbor has repeatedly refused to release any evidence showing that was the case.

Several other parts of HB6 still remain in place, including provisions gutting Ohios energy-efficiency programs and renewable-energy mandates, as well as statewide subsidies for two coal plants -- one in Indiana, one in Ohio -- owned by a consortium of utility companies in the state.

HB128 also provides $20 million in annual solar subsides to six large-scale solar projects around the state.

Besides HB128, the governors office also announced Wednesday that DeWine has signed an $8.3 billion, two-year state transportation budget, as well as:
The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Special Taskforce has addressed some pertinent issues, which it said had plagued its operations, including the recent arrest of some of its officials and members in Lagos, adding that such acts are disrupting its operations.

In a statement issued by the Director-General of the IMAN Special Taskforce, Chijioke Okoro, he noted that there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding between its operatives and officers of the Lagos State Police command.

The DG stated however that these issues had already attracted the attention of the Inspector General of Police (IG), who he said had order proper investigation into the "unlawful arrest of IMAN Special Taskforce operatives."

He condemned what he termed the recent parade of some operatives of the IMAN Special Taskforce by the Lagos State Police Command in a video that went viral on the internet, "who they claimed were illegally operating at the Lagos ports."

Okoro, therefore, called for an urgent and unhindered investigations into the arrest and 'unnecessary public ridicule of its men', insisting that he has written to the office of the IG and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), and has gotten due clearance that the issues would be investigated.

He further stated that the IMAN Special Taskforce was inaugurated by the President Musa Yar'Adua administration, and has been operating legally with full backings of Nigeria's security agencies.

Regarding the arrest of its operatives, the director-general insisted that there was an alleged importation of a banned substance into the country by an importer after which its operatives swung into action to intercept the container laden with the banned substances.

"Having impounded the container, and while waiting for further security directives, the operatives were surprisingly arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command, and paraded before journalists," he alleged, adding that "some unscrupulous individuals allegedly influenced the arrest.

"Even after the arrest, the IMAN special taskforce approached the courts to bail its operatives. Having gotten judgment in its favour, the court issued an order for the IMAN Special Taskforce operatives to be given bail, it was flagrantly disobeyed. However, the IMAN operatives were recently released after court intervention."

He challenged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to play its role justly and fairly, without anyone conniving with illegal importers, which he said they (IMAN Special Taskforce) also have a mandate to checkmate.

The statement also noted that the Secretary-General of the IMAN Special Taskforce, Alhaji Aliyu Yar'Adua, who also doubles as a BOT member and founding member of the group, added that unemployment has been the major bane of our country, and so the necessity to move Nigeria to greater heights is indispensable through checkmating importers taking undue advantage of the economy.

He insisted that the IMAN Special Taskforce is an institution recognised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, "whose ultimate goals are hinged on honesty and transparency," calling on Nigerians to support and encourage the IMAN Special Taskforce.

The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Special has addressed some pertinent issues, which it said had plagued its operations, including the recent arrest of some of its officials and members in Lagos, adding that such acts are disrupting its operations.

In a statement issued by the Director-General of the IMAN Special Taskforce, Chijioke Okoro, he noted that there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding between its operatives and officers of the Lagos State Police command.

The DG stated however that these issues had already attracted the attention of the Inspector General of Police (IG), who he said had order proper investigation into the "unlawful arrest of IMAN Special Taskforce operatives."

He condemned what he termed the recent parade of some operatives of the IMAN Special Taskforce by the Lagos State Police Command in a video that went viral on the internet, "who they claimed were illegally operating at the Lagos ports."

Okoro, therefore, called for an urgent and unhindered investigations into the arrest and 'unnecessary public ridicule of its men', insisting that he has written to the office of the IG and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), and has gotten due clearance that the issues would be investigated.

He further stated that the IMAN Special Taskforce was inaugurated by the President Musa Yar'Adua administration, and has been operating legally with full backings of Nigeria's security agencies.

Regarding the arrest of its operatives, the director-general insisted that there was an alleged importation of a banned substance into the country by an importer after which its operatives swung into action to intercept the container laden with the banned substances.

"Having impounded the container, and while waiting for further security directives, the operatives were surprisingly arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command, and paraded before journalists," he alleged, adding that "some unscrupulous individuals allegedly influenced the arrest.

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"Even after the arrest, the IMAN special taskforce approached the courts to bail its operatives. Having gotten judgment in its favour, the court issued an order for the IMAN Special Taskforce operatives to be given bail, it was flagrantly disobeyed. However, the IMAN operatives were recently released after court intervention."

He challenged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to play its role justly and fairly, without anyone conniving with illegal importers, which he said they (IMAN Special Taskforce) also have a mandate to checkmate.

The statement also noted that the Secretary-General of the IMAN Special Taskforce, Alhaji Aliyu Yar'Adua, who also doubles as a BOT member and founding member of the group, added that unemployment has been the major bane of our country, and so the necessity to move Nigeria to greater heights is indispensable through checkmating importers taking undue advantage of the economy.

He insisted that the IMAN Special Taskforce is an institution recognised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, "whose ultimate goals are hinged on honesty and transparency," calling on Nigerians to support and encourage the IMAN Special Taskforce.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Rhyolite Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RYE) (the "Company" or "Rhyolite") is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding share capital of 2765798 Ontario Ltd. ("ONCorp"), pursuant to the terms of a definitive share purchase agreement entered into with each of the shareholders (collectively, the "Vendors") of ONCorp. ONCorp is a privately-held arms-length company which holds an option to acquire an 70% interest in the Suku Passi Project (the "Project") in Suriname.

The Vendors received 3,500,000 common shares of Rhyolite in consideration for all of the outstanding share capital of ONCorp (the "Transaction").

"We are delighted with the transformational progress made in the last few months, with the closing of two acquisitions in Suriname that will form our flagship portfolio along with our Paxson gold project in Alaska, positive sampling results at the Brothers Project announced in January, as well as the strengthening of our board and management team with key appointments," said Richard Graham, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rhyolite.

"We look forward to advancing these strategically-located prospects with the drill bit on a number of defined targets this year."

Highlights of the Suku Passi Project

The recently consolidated 335-square-kilometre Suku Passi Project is a land package composed of five concessions located within the prolific Guiana Shield 20 kilometers from IAMGOLD's world-class Rosebel Gold Mine in Suriname.

The Project has exploitation rights for mining development and production. Most of the mining and exploration to date has been conducted at the Suku Passi Pit and Bob's Pit.

At the Suku Passi Pit, the exposed mineralization is at least 30 meters wide with values up to 25.5 grams gold per tonne. At Bob's Pit, one channel sample panel of 17 meters in width averaged 9.5 grams gold per tonne, and an adjoining panel returned 32 meters of 2 grams gold per tonne. Mineralization at both Suku Passi and Bob's Pits are open along strike and at depth and are part of the same mineralized zone.

There has been no drilling to date at the Suku Passi Project, but mining by concession holders in saprolite with sampling and mapping from 2014 to 2016 shows characteristics similar to IAMGOLD's Rosebel and Newmont's Merian deposits. Mining in soft rock recovered gold from highly altered sediments and quartz veins.

More information on the Suku Passi Project is available in Rhyolite's March 22, 2021 news release available at rhyoliteresources.com.

Highlights of the Transaction

Rhyolite has assumed ONCorp's right to earn up to a 70% interest in the Project, which right is exercisable by completing the following:

Suku Passi concession

For a 51% interest:

Initial cash payment of US$400,000 and issuance of the Consideration shares to the Vendors within 4 weeks from the date of the Suku Passi Joint Venture and Earn-in Agreement (the "SP Agreement Date")

Cash payment of US$400,000 and committed work capital of US$500,000 within 12 months of the SP Agreement Date

Cash payment of US$300,000, share payment of US$100,000 and committed work capital of US$1,000,000 within 24 months of the SP Agreement Date

Cash payment of US$300,000, share payment of US$100,000 and committed work capital of US$1,500,000 within 36 months of the SP Agreement Date

Cash payment of US$300,000, share payment of US$100,000 and committed work capital of US$2,000,000 within 48 months of the SP Agreement Date

For a 70% interest:

Cash payment of US$300,000, share payment of US$100,000 and committed work capital of US$2,500,000 within 60 months of the SP Agreement Date

Deliver a pre-feasibility study ("PFS") and cash payment of US$2,500,000 within 96 months of the SP Agreement Date

Bob's Pit concession

For a 51% interest:

Initial cash payment of US$100,000 and issuance of the Consideration shares to the Vendors within 4 weeks from the date of the Bob's Joint Venture and Earn-in Agreement (the "Bob's Agreement Date")

Cash payment of US$100,000 within 6 months of the Bob's Agreement Date

Cash payment of US$150,000, share payment of US$50,000 and committed work capital of US$200,000 on or prior to each of the 12-month, 24-month, 36-month, 48-month and 60-month anniversary of the Bob's Agreement Date

For a 70% interest:

Deliver a PFS and cash payment of US$750,000 within 96 months of the Bob's Agreement Date

Qualified Person



Dr. Dennis LaPoint, PhD, is a Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" and has approved the technical information contained in this news release. Dr. LaPoint is not considered to be independent for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



Contact information



Richard Graham, P.Geol.

Telephone: 604-488-8717



About Rhyolite Resources Ltd.



Rhyolite Resources Ltd. is a Canadian-based, opportunity focused, resource company. Utilizing its technical strength and entrepreneurial drive, Rhyolite's corporate strategy is to enhance shareholder value through the acquisition of discovery to production staged projects.



Forward-looking statements



Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements with respect to exploration, resource potential, production development and permits. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Rhyolite Resources Ltd., or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information including the Company obtaining the approval of the Offering from the TSX Venture Exchange. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict", and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved.

These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change.



Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79103
At a groundbreaking Wednesday for the Ochsner Center for Nursing and Allied Health at Delgado Community College, a new building and program slated to open in 2023, Gov. John Bel Edwards urged attendees to recall last spring, when the state had the steepest growth rate of COVID-19 cases being measured anywhere.

It was health care heroes at hospitals and clinics, he said, who rose to the challenge.

But though the state has beat back three waves of the virus, Edwards cited tremendous work in improving health outcomes for all residents, as the state remains at or near the bottom of United Health Foundation's "America's Health Rankings."

One of the ways up, he said, is through public and private partnerships like Ochsner and Delgado's, which together are creating the $38.6 million center.

"This is where we are going to train the future heroes who are going to be there for us in the next 100 years, for whatever comes our way," Edwards said. "Even before the pandemic, the state was in dire need of health care professionals and this will help meet that need both near-term and far into the future. And the future is looking up."

Ochsner has committed $20 million, including $10 million toward the state-of-the-art building that will consolidate Delgados Charity School of Nursing and most Allied Health Division programs. It will allow 1,500 students to learn in state-of-the-art labs and classrooms.

Another $10 million will cover full-time tuition for Ochsner employees wanting to move up in hospital careers. They can study in fields like nursing and pharmacy.

Warner Thomas, CEO of the Ochsner Health System, said that while the pandemic had stretched the hospital system thin, it didn't break a resolve to improve local health care in other ways.

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In November, Ochsner announced a $100 million campaign over the next five years to lessen disparities by breaking down health barriers, improving resources to underserved communities and helping educate the state's next generation pursuing health care careers.

"At the end of the day, if we don't have great, trained, health care providers, and a workforce that can take care of you, we cannot do what we do everyday at Ochsner," Thomas said.

Delgado Chancellor Larissa Littleton-Steib said the new building will inspire young people. She noted that over the last few years Delgado's health programs had graduated and credentialed more than 15,000 nursing and health professionals. Of them, 90% remain in the New Orleans metro area, she said.

But she said while Delgado's allied health division is the largest health care educator in the nation, it's not enough, so the college plans to double the number of health care-focused graduates in the next six years.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell said of roughly 780 people who had died of COVID-19 in New Orleans, more than 70% were African-American, many of whom dealt with longstanding health care disparities.

"One thing we know is that public health, the workforce, is tied to economic advancement and achievement of the people, who we all serve collectively," Cantrell said. "This is our town, and this is our opportunity."
[March 31, 2021] Air Lease Corporation Announces Delivery of New Boeing 787-9 Aircraft to Air Premia

Today Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced the delivery of one new Boeing (News - Alert) 787-9 aircraft on long-term lease to Air Premia (South Korea). Featuring Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, this aircraft is the first of three new Boeing 787-9s confirmed to deliver to Air Premia from ALC's order book with Boeing this year. "We are thrilled to announce this first of three Boeing 787-9 aircraft delivery to Air Premia today," said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. "As the first aircraft in the Air Premia fleet, this ALC Dreamliner will launch the new airline's international network and contribute to an excellent debut in the Korea marketplace." "We cannot describe in words how grateful and honored we are to receive our first Boeing 787 Dreamliner," said Mr. Peter JY Sim, CEO of Air Premia. "Today, thanks to our great partnership with ALC, is a historic moment for the Korean Air Transportation Industry with the birth of our new hybrid service carrier: Air Premia. Our airline will soon bring hope and joy to those in dire thirst of a true journey with comfort and care." Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based n current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



About Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) ALC is a leading aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. ALC routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the "Investors" section of ALC's website at www.airleasecorp.com. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult the ALC website regularly for important information about ALC. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, ALC's website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

About Air Premia Air Premia is South Korea's newly-established hybrid air carrier focused on direct trips from Seoul to worldwide international hubs. The innovative airline offers customers upscale services at a reasonable price. With an exclusively Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, Air Premia customers will be able to enjoy the most advanced in-flight experience. For more information, please visit www.airpremia.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005927/en/

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Volkswagen has confirmed that it will sell a compact campervan in the UK from a month's time - and it will be priced at less than 30,000 could be delivered in time for your 2021 summer staycation.

The Caddy California, revealed by the German car manufacturer last year, is designed for holidaying couples, with the dinky (by campervan standards) vehicle featuring a double bed that folds out over the rear seats.

When it was first previewed last September, VW UK said it would be measuring demand before making a decision on whether to sell the compact camper in Britain.

With people set for another summer of holidays at home - especially with overseas travel restrictions likely remaining in place for the next few months - and a reported short supply of motorhomes and campers as a result of growing orders, it's no surprise that Volkswagen has given the affordable camping vehicle the green light.

Compact camper is coming to Britain: VW confirms the new - and smallest - California campervan will be available to order from May - and first deliveries will arrive in the summer

With prices starting from 29,965, the Caddy California is almost half the price of the 54,733 conventional California, and a fraction of the cost of the bigger Grand California (starting from 74,801).

It will go on sale from late May, with first deliveries arriving in the summer - ideal timing for that planned British getaway.

In a statement released by VW UK today, the manufacturer said: 'The compact camper, based on the award-winning fifth-generation Caddy, is a unique offering within the camping segment enabling variable living, sleeping and storage space for everyday life and travelling.'

It only sleeps two - but has the option of a tent extension...

The bed, which when stored is a third of its total length, has to be unfolded in the boot section and lays across the rear bench, is two metres long and features the same 'cup springs and a high-quality mattress' you get in the bigger California and Grand California models.

For couples on a trip as a duo, they can remove the rear seats entirely, providing van-like luggage space and that means you can have the bed folded out at all times.

New for this model - and not available in the conventional Caddy MPV - is the addition of a 1.4-metre panoramic glass roof, which allows owners to star-gaze from their double bed in the evening.

Prices will start from 29,965 in the UK, making the Caddy camper almost half the price of the conventional California and far cheaper than the 74,000 Grand California model

With more Britons looking to staycation again this summer - and there being a reported shortage of available campervans - the arrival of a more affordable model will be music to the ears of those looking to get their hands on a small motorhome

And if a romantic weekend under the stars results in your family growing some nine months later - or you want to vacation with a group of friends - and you need additional sleeping quarters, VW has the answer without having to upgrade to the bigger - and far pricier - models in the California range.

It has added the option of a specially-made tent that attaches to the back of the Caddy that doubles as bonus sleeping capacity.

It uses 'air poles', which VW says makes it easier to erect than a conventional tent, and with direct access to the boot of the compact California has space to sleep another two people.

For additional comfort, there is also a California Plus pack that costs an extra 960. This adds a front centre armrest in the cabin with space for two drinks, a 230V inverter and three-pin UK domestic plug socket, dark tinted rear glass, two USB points, power latching on all doors to avoid waking your camping neighbours at night and LED rear combination lights.

A one-metre long bed folds-up to just a third of its overall length so it can be stored in the back. Unlike other models, the bed isn't incorporated into the rear seats, so these can be removed entirely if not in use - thus increasing luggage space

The bed features the same 'cup springs and a high-quality mattress' you get in the bigger California and Grand California models

While the bed is two metres, it does mean there is just sleeping for two inside the vehicle. But there is the option to sleep another two people...

An additional tent, which fits to the boot section of the Caddy California, means you can take another two people (or more, looking at these images) on tour with you

The tent attaches directly to the rear of the Caddy California to provide extended camping quarters for holidaying groups

Pull-out micro kitchen has a single gas burner and a cutlery drawer

Owners will be able to cook for their guests from their mini-motorhomes, as the Caddy California comes equipped with a clever micro-kitchen on rails that extends from a small compartment in the boot.

Pull the section out and it handily sits underneath the raised boot lid - so you don't need to worry about getting wet while you're flipping burgers.

It comes equipped with a single hob, a section to house a small gas canister to power it and a draw for your utensils.

In the boot is also a lightweight set of camping chairs, table and pair of storage bags.

The latter have a dual function: first to carry heavy items from your home to the van and back; second as a set of curtains that can clip to the rear windows for additional privacy while you're having a kip.

There's a mico kitchen which slides on rails from a compartment slotted into the boot, providing a cooking solution from the most compact campervan design

It features a single hob, space for a gas canister, sections to keep some (but not much) food, and a cutlery drawer

Volkswagen UK said last year it would only sell the Caddy California - which is based on the Caddy van and MPV - if Britons showed enough interest. Demand for campers has been at record high levels during the pandemic, so it's no surprise to see the vehicle made available for the summer

The Caddy California will be the smallest camper in VW's range, sitting below the standard California and enormous Grand California

A lightweight set of picnic chairs and table can be stored in a second compartment in the boot, next to the micro kitchen storage

With the coronavirus pandemic hammering the travel industry, more people are considering holidaying in the UK again this year. The Caddy California could be the ideal vehicle for a new era of staycations

Choice of petrol or diesel engines

Powering the tiny camper will be the choice of two engines - a petrol and diesel.

The cheapest model from 29,965 is a short-wheel-base version with a 1.5 TSI petrol engine, with 112bhp and a manual gearbox.

Pricing rises to 34,699 for the 2.0-litre diesel motor with 120bhp, which also comes with a DSG automatic transmission.

If you want a bit of extra space, the Caddy California is also available in Maxi size, priced from 31,285 for the petrol and 36,019 for the auto diesel.

Carry bags in the boot are used to transport goods to and from the van but also have a second purpose...

The bags also double as curtains by clipping onto the window frames. Buyers can also spec this huge glass panoramic sunroof

The Caddy California camper even has a section to store this lightweight picnic chair and table set

Smart tech means the VW camper can direct you to your nearest - and open - campsite

There's plenty of tech crammed inside the Caddy California.

This includes the optional ' 'Innovision Cockpit', which is made up of a 10-inch touchscreen, VW's 'Discover Pro' navigation system and an online connectivity unit with integrated eSIM so users always have internet access.

The driver can link this system to the 'California on Tour' app, which has been created for the model range to locate campsites, legal locations to pitch-up for the night and leisure activities that are available in close proximity to where you're staying.

The Caddy is also fitted with 'Travel Assist', which is an automated driving mode to be used in heavy traffic.

This is just one of 19 driving aids buyers can choose in the compact campervan, which also includes 'Trailer Assist' for those using the vehicle to tow.

The system helps the driver when trying to reverse a trailer or hitched caravan into a spot.

What are the best campervans on sale in the UK today? Want to know which are the best machines for your summer holiday in Britain this year? Read our guide to the top five campers you can buy from manufacturers and dedicated campervan dealers right now. The list includes the Caddy California's bigger brothers as well as rivals from Mercedes-Benz and Ford. And if you don't want a campervan, we also have another solution in the shape of a camping trailer that has most of the features the vehicles can boast. > You can also read Simon Lambert's review of a 2,000 mile family road trip in a VW California

Demand for campervans and motorhomes at an all-time high

The arrival of the Caddy California will be music to the ears of many - especially those looking for a more affordable way into campervan ownership.

It will also - hopefully - help to release some of the growing demand for vehicles of this type, which have seen a recent boom as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic restricting holidaying abroad.

With record numbers of Britons buying motorhomes for staycations, it has reportedly caused a shortage of the vehicles.

Alistair Norman, of Revolution Campervans in Northamptonshire, told the Daily Mail that demand has gone through the roof in recent week; ahead of the pandemic he claims to have dealt with 20 enquiries a week  now it's around 500 a day. 'Demand has gone up exponentially,' he explained

Karl Pearce, of KTG Caravans and Campers in Staffordshire, said buyers were waiting up to six months, adding: 'It's crazy. Prices have shot up.'

The Caravan and Motorhome Club said a record number of members joined last month.

The National Caravan Council says there are 225,000 motorhomes in Britain  and sales have tripled since 2000.
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- The "COVID-19 & China Multi-family and HOA Property Management Software - Market Analysis, Trends, and Forecasts 2021-2026 " Study has been added to HTF MI offering. The study focus on both qualitative as well as quantitative side and follows Industry benchmark and NAICS standards to built coverage of players for final compilation of study. Some of the major and emerging players profiled are Yardi Systems, RealPage, Entrata, MRI Software, CoreLogic, AppFolio, Chetu, Syswin Soft, Property Boulevard, Buildium, Rockend, Console Group, PropertyBoss Solutions, Infor & ResMan.



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While global mega trends influencing the market routing the primary direction of growth, regional markets are swayed by more granular locally unique market drivers. The market study is sized with regional and country level break for historical and forecast period by revenue and volume and price analysis, stay tuned with the latest updates from the research insights  know more which territory is stealing market share gains in coming years.

Major Geographies Covered: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific etc etc.



***Sub Regions Included: North America [United States, Canada, Mexico], Asia-Pacific [China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam], Europe [Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe], South America [Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America], Middle East & Africa [GCC Countries, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa]



*** Unless until specified in Original TOC of COVID-19 Global & China Multi-family and HOA Property Management Software Market Study



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All viewpoints in the report are based on iterative validation by engaging influencer, experts of the market, whose opinions supersede all other research methodologies. Both primary and secondary approach are used and detailed product portfolio / service offering were analysed and have been presented in a separate chapter of competitive landscape along with company profile. Some of the competitors identified in the COVID-19 Global & China Multi-family and HOA Property Management Software Market study include Yardi Systems, RealPage, Entrata, MRI Software, CoreLogic, AppFolio, Chetu, Syswin Soft, Property Boulevard, Buildium, Rockend, Console Group, PropertyBoss Solutions, Infor & ResMan



Detailed Insights on Market Concentration Rate

? CR4, CR8 and HHI Index Analysis of Overall Market

? Comparative Market Share Analysis (Y-o-Y)

? Major Companies

? Emerging Players  Heat Map Analysis



Research Objectives

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- To analyse the competitive developments, such as new product launch and merger & acquisition, in the COVID-19 Global & China Multi-family and HOA Property Management Software market

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Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- Transparency Market Research delivers key insights on the global advanced printer market. In terms of revenue, the global advanced printer market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of ~3% during the forecast period, owing to numerous factors, regarding which TMR offers thorough insights and forecasts in its report on the global advanced printer market.



A printer is a device that takes input from a computer and transfers it onto a piece of paper. Printers come in multiple types such as inkjet, laser, thermal, and dot matrix. Small- and medium-sized printers are used for home and office printing applications. For industries such as signage, label, advertising, and textile, large-formatted industrial and commercial printers are used. With the growing trend of textile or fabric printing and printing advertisement, the demand for these printers is on the rise. Mostly, inkjet printers of large format, which are capable of producing high-resolution posters, are used in industries such as advertising and decor.



Advanced Printer Market: Dynamics



Based on application, the global advanced printer market has been segmented into apparel & textile, signage, advertising & decor, office and professional applications, CAD & technical printing, and commercial and publication applications. Digital textile printing is also growing, with the advent of digital technology in the textile & apparel industry. Furthermore, textile printing is on the rise owing to design flexibility, eco-friendly process, and reduced time.



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Rising textile printing is propelling the adoption of large textile printers, especially large-format inkjet printers. The global advertisement industry is witnessing immense growth, due to the increasing spending on advertisements by retail stores, multiplexes, restaurants, pubs, and bars. This growing trend of advertisements and rising importance of visual and sign communication are boosting signage printing. This eventually propels the demand for signage printers. Thus, rising demand for signage, textile, and label printers is expected to significantly propel the global advanced printer market during the forecast period.



Advanced Printer Market: Prominent Regions



North America is a leading region of the global advanced printer market. Growth of the market in the region can be attributed to presence of leading manufacturers in the region. The textile industry holds key importance in a country's economy, as it contributes significantly to the country's GDP. India, China, South Korea, the U.S., and member countries of the European Union have prominent textile industries. Governments are trying to propel the industry through various policies.



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Advanced Printer Market: Key Players



Key players operating in the global advanced printer market are HP, Canon, Inc., Seiko Epson Corporation, Konica Minolta, Inc., SHARP CORPORATION, Kyocera Corporation, Lexmark International, Inc., SHARP CORPORATION, HP Inc., and Brother Industries, Ltd.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Staten Island real-estate company and one of its former agents have agreed to pay $15,000 in compensation to victims, plus a fine, to settle a housing-discrimination lawsuit, authorities said.

The settlement resolves allegations that Denis Donovan discriminated against prospective Black renters on the basis of race while working for Village Realty of Staten Island Ltd. in Great Kills.

The settlement underscores the importance of making housing equally available to all residents of this district, regardless of race, said Mark J. Lesko, acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

The government sued Village Realty and Donovan last September in Brooklyn federal court, alleging violations of the Fair Housing Act.

The suit was based on testing conducted by the U.S. Justice Departments Civil Rights Division between February and May of 2018, officials said.

Individuals posed as renters to glean information about possible discriminatory practices.

Donovan, a Great Kills resident, told Black testers about fewer rental units than he told white testers, a civil complaint alleged.

He also offered white testers rental discounts and opportunities to inspect units which he didnt offer to Black testers, alleged the complaint.

Donovan generally offered Black testers units only in racially-mixed communities, while offering white testers units in both overwhelmingly white and more integrated neighborhoods, officials alleged.

The complaint further alleged the rental agent was more encouraging to white testers and required Black prospective renters to sign a disclosure form to look at the units.

In addition, Donovan would be immediately available to show units to white renters, but put off Black potential tenants, telling them they could look at apartments at a later date, the complaint alleged.

Because Donovan was acting as an employee of Village Realty, the company is liable for his conduct, the lawsuit contended.

To resolve the case, the defendants will establish a $15,000 settlement fund to compensate victims of Donovans alleged discriminatory practices, said officials.

They will also pay a $2,500 civil penalty to the government.

The settlement agreement prohibits further acts of discrimination by the defendants and requires them to implement nondiscriminatory standards and procedures.

In addition, the defendants must undergo fair housing training and report periodically to the Justice Department.

The settlement reflects the departments continued commitment to uncover and eliminate discrimination in all forms and to ensure equal access to housing regarding of race, said Pamela S. Karlan, principal deputy assistant attorney general of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division.

Those who believe have experienced discrimination at Village Realty should contact the Justice Department at 1-800-896-7743 or by email at fairhousing@usdoj.gov.

Individuals may be entitled to relief from the settlement fund if they are Black; visited or called Village Realty to inquire about rental units before March 31, 2019, and were denied the chance to rent a unit or were given false or incomplete information about available rental units.

A lawyer for the defendants did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the settlement.
Ivory Coasts former president Laurent Gbagbo, who was definitively acquitted Wednesday of crimes against humanity, was long a champion of democracy, but after coming to power he refused to step down, sparking a civil war that tarnished his legacy.

Amid high expectations of his imminent return, Gbagbo is a figure of both potential division and healing in his homeland, a decade after the 2010-11 conflict that claimed some 3,000 lives.

The man the Ivorian daily Le Temps once described as the legend that never dies maintained a strong following at home even as he languished in jail in The Hague.

Gbagbo positioned himself last year for a potential comeback, urging dialogue to avoid a catastrophe ahead of presidential elections due in October.

Scores died in unrest sparked by his rival Alassane Ouattaras decision to bid for a third term  a plan that critics said scorned constitutional limits on presidential tenure.

In the grim aftermath of elections almost universally boycotted by the opposition, Ouattara tendered an olive branch to Gbagbo.

He said Gbagbo had a role to play in reconciliation and provided him with two passports, one of them a diplomatic pass, at his home in Brussels, where he was awaiting the outcome of an appeal at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

As the mood brightened, Gbagbos Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) took part in legislative elections this month, breaking a decade-long boycott.

 War-crimes charges 

The ICC on Wednesday rejected an appeal against acquitting Gbagbo, 75, and his former right-hand man Charles Ble Goude, 49, of charges that had led them to spend seven years behind bars.

It was the first trial of a former head of state by the court, which began operations in 2002.

The charges related to a showdown in 2010 in which Gbagbo refused to accept election defeat to Ouattara, prompting the descent into bloodshed.

The conflict turned the economic hub Abidjan, one of Africas most cosmopolitan cities, into a war zone until Gbagbo and his wife Simone were grabbed from their bunker by pro-Ouattara forces on April 11, 2011.

To Gbagbo, France was behind a plot that led to his arrest, and he vowed to see this through to the end.

 Fought one-party rule 

Born on May 31, 1945, educated in a Christian seminary and a historian by training, Gbagbo founded the FPI to fight one-party rule, and sought exile in France in the 1980s.

Gbagbo often blamed the countrys woes on foreigners and played on the stark divisions between its north and south.

A skilled orator who liked to play the man of the people, preferring African shirts over suits and ties, Gbagbo hid an ironclad will behind an affable exterior.

He cut his teeth in the trade union movement during long years of opposition to the father of the nation, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who ruled from independence in 1960 until his death in 1993 and was post-colonial Frances anchor in Africa.

At times Gbagbo used Ble Goudes Young Patriots movement to bolster his strength by organising riots, notably against French and other foreigners targeted by Gbagbo with his xenophobic brand of politics.

A member of the Bete ethnic group, which was traditionally excluded from power, Gbagbo entered politics in 1990, when a multiparty system was introduced.

Elected a member of parliament, he looked on with glee as Houphouet-Boignys supporters started attacking each other and fighting for power after the Old Man was dead.

 Rebellion 

His hour came on October 26, 2000, when he was elected president under conditions he himself admitted to be calamitous, in a poll from which former international banker Ouattara was barred.

Two years later, Gbagbo faced a rebellion that split the country, a harbinger of worse violence that would follow.

He managed to stay in office, but kept control of only the southern half of the country.

The New Forces (FN) rebel movement took the north, Ouattaras stronghold. After a failed attempt to reconquer the north by military means in 2004, Gbagbo signed a peace deal with the rebels in 2007.

The wily Gbagbo long managed to stave off promised elections despite strong international and regional pressure.

Once he was beaten by Ouattara in November 2010, he refused to accept the result and fighting erupted.

The ICCs ruling definitively clears Gbagbo of four charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution and rape committed during the conflict.

He is not totally out of the legal woods. Technically he could be jailed on his return, having been sentenced in absentia to a 20-year term for looting the local branch of the Central Bank of the West African States at the time.
Ambedkar Nagar, March 31 : At least eight policemen, including the in-charge of Uttar Pradesh's Ambedkar Nagar SWAT team, have been booked for murder following the custodial death of a 37-year-old man.

Ambedkar Nagar SP, Alok Priyadarshi, said all the eight policemen accused in the case have been suspended.

Police said the incident is being investigated, while the district administration has ordered an inquiry by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).

The post-mortem report was inconclusive and could not ascertain the cause of death.

The deceased was identified as Ziauddin, a native of a village in Azamgarh.

He was allegedly picked up by Ambedkar Nagar SWAT team last week when he had gone to meet his relatives. The family of the deceased has, however, alleged that he died from police torture.

The FIR has been lodged at Akbarpur police station in Ambedkar Nagar under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 364 (Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder) against SWAT team in charge, Devendra Pal Singh, and seven other members, who are unidentified.

Brother of the deceased, Shahabuddin, told reporters that Ziauddin had left to meet some relatives on Wednesday. He was supposed to return on Thursday, but did not.

"We tried to look for him but could not find him. Around 3 a m on Friday, his wife got a call from an unknown person saying her husband had been picked up for questioning by the Special Operations Group (SOG) team. We were told that he had suffered a heart attack and we should visit him. The call was then disconnected," he said.

According to Shahabuddin, the family informed the village head the same morning.

After calling up several police stations, they found out that Ziauddin was taken to Akbarpur police station.

The brother claimed that when he saw Ziauddin's body, there were multiple injuries on it.

"We asked the police that if he had died of heart attack, then how did his body have such injury marks. There were all types of injury marks on him - from burnt to marks of assault by belts and rods. Below the waist, the body had turned blue. My brother died as a result of police torture," said Shahabuddin.

He claimed that police lodged the case only after the family and some other people from their village protested outside the Akbarpur police station.

Inspector General (Ayodhya range) Sanjeev Gupta said the cause of death could not be ascertained from the post-mortem report and the viscera has been preserved for further analysis.

"We are planning to shift the investigation from the Akbarpur police station to ensure transparency. We will be following NHRC guidelines," said the IG.

Ambedkar Nagar district magistrate, Samuel Paul N, said, "I ordered an inquiry by SDM (Tanda) Abhishek Pathak. A report submitted by Ambedkar Nagar Superintendent of Police to me said a person who was in custody of the SWAT team, had died due to heart attack. The post-mortem was conducted under the district CMO's supervision was video-graphed."
Anton Rovenskyy, Master of International Relations, International Political Scientist

The fourth snap parliamentary elections finished in Israel on March, 23. However, this voting is not likely to stop a long-lasting political crisis, a 'new normal' for nowadays Israel. In a few months, one can expect a new, fifth, early parliamentary election campaign.

Israeli political crisis started in 2018 due to a number of internal and external factors. In foreign policy, PM Benjamin Netanyahu was not successful in reducing Irani influence in the Middle East, especially in Lebanon and Syria, which forms a key goal for Israel. Moreover, complicated relations with Turkey and Russia, both of which became much closer during the Syrian conflict, turned out to be even more complicated due to Netanyahu's actions.

At home, Netanyahu has not stopped Avgidor Lieberman, a leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu ('Our Home Israel') party and a former Defence minister, from leaving the office as a result of the IDF special forces failed operation in Gaza District. Israeli PM came out to be in a weak position due to early elections in Knesset, announced in April 2019.

In 2019, following two early election campaigns, Netanyahu failed to form a government for three times in a row. Even the unprecedented assistance of the official Washington during the Donald Trump administration did not help the Israeli PM. Despite this, Netanyahu managed to maneuver between allies and opponents, maintaining the levers of government following the results of two early parliamentary elections in 2019. Amid a permanent political crisis, the Israeli prosecutor's office investigated a number of criminal cases against Netanyahu on charges of fraud, embezzlement and bribery. However, the Israeli prime minister has built an effective defensive line, which made it possible to block the consideration of cases in courts on the basis of merits.

Logically, a constant failure to form a government led Israel to its third consecutive early election in April 2020. However, the new post-election political balances collapsed later that year, when the government and Knesset failed to agree on the adoption of the draft annual budgets for 2020 and 2021. This became a starting point for a new early election, dated March 23, 2021.

During the election campaign, Netanyahu relied heavily on the success of the government COVID-19 vaccination program. Despite that in 2020 Israel had one of the worst statistics on coronavirus in the world, the country has almost completed its vaccination plan, which finally allows it to cease lockdowns. At the same time, Netanyahu actively promoted his successes in restoring relations with a number of Arab states due to the support of the US.

Benny Gantz, the leader of the Kahol-Lavan ('Blue and White') party, incumbent Defense minister, a prominent opponent of Netanyahu and at the same time his former political partner, in his turn was supposed to replace Netanyahu in 2021 as a PM. This framework of agreements appealed to the military political and security issues within the election campaign. First of all, it relied on a need for more decisive measures to contain Iran in the region and strengthen Israel's position in the Middle East.

The election results were mixed. At the same time, one can hardly call it a victory for Netanyahu as well as the real starting point to finish the protracted political crisis. Although Netanyahu's Likud party took 30 mandates (the best result), it lost 6 seats compared to the last elections in March 2020. At the same time, Likud and its allies in the right-wing religious political spectrum have only 59 mandates out of 61 necessary to form a coalition and a government (as the Knesset has 120 members in total).

Theoretically, the arab party Ra'am, which has won 4 seats, could join the coalition of Netanyahu and his partners. However, this option looks speculative and very unlikely, as it generates significant reputational risks for all the parties to such an agreement. However, Ra'am also admits participation in a centre-leftist coalition with Netanyahu's opponents. This is also relevant to the Yamina party (7 seats in Knesset), viewed as an ally of Netanyahu, but it can also join a coalition of the PM's opponents under a number of conditions.

One can point out, whoever eventually forms a parliamentary coalition in Israel, such a coalition will be extremely unstable and situational. If Netanyahu does not have enough votes to form a majority, then the opposing political forces can unite only to remove him from the PM position, after which the goals and interests of its participants will diverge sharply. Moreover, Netanyahu's opponents need the support of two Arab parties: Ra'am and the Joint List (10 seats in general) to form a majority.

In the near future, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will start consultations with representatives of parliamentary factions on the government formation. If attempts to form a government prove unsuccessful, fifth early parliamentary elections may be announced in a few months. By the way, in July 2021 Rivlin's presidential term ends, and therefore Israel can expect another electoral epic, despite the fact that the president is elected by the Knesset, not by popular vote.

For now, Netanyahu seems to have the last opportunity to form a majority. Israeli society is tired from the endless political process (turnout in the March elections was 67.2%, the lowest since 2009), and Likud is likely to lose a few more seats in the fifth early elections. Such an outcome would significantly reduce its chances to become the basis for a parliamentary majority. At the same time, Netanyahu opponents will be much more active in the media, showing him as the main obstacle to end political turbulence and a continuous series of elections.

So far, it is clear that the political crisis in Israel is far from its finish. The change of power in the US also forms a factor of uncertainty for Israeli public and political life. While Donald Trump was considered as an Israel lobbyist on the international stage, the Democratic establishment tends to sympathize with the Palestinians. Though Joe Biden is unlikely to withdraw the decisions of his predecessor on the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the state or the Golan Heights as the part of Israel, as well as he is unlikely to return the US Embassy to Tel Aviv, the level of support for Israel from the United States will obviously decrease.

One should also note the growing intensity of the political crisis in Lebanon, which threatens to become a real social catastrophe; declarations of Turkey and Saudi Arabia on their ambitions in the Middle East; and high chances of a new conflict escalation in Syria. In a word, the external situation for Israel has all the prerequisites for deterioration. Definitely, it will be projected onto the internal politics of Israel.

Meanwhile, intensive behind-the-scenes negotiations on the results of the parliamentary elections will continue in Israel. The thesis seems to be relevant throughout 2021.
Most of the hundreds of deals contain language that restricts sponsors from selling shares for only a year from the day the deal is completed, and many include a trapdoor. SPACs typically price their shares at $10 in an I.P.O. After a SPAC merges with another company, if its shares trade over $12 for more than 20 days in a 30-day period, the lockup provision disappears and sponsors are free to sell whenever they want. (The argument for this provision is that sponsors has done their job if the stock trades 20 percent higher.)

To Mr. Palihapitiyas credit, many of the lockup arrangements on his SPAC deals require him to hold on to at least 50 percent of his sponsor stake until the share price hits $15.

The ability of sponsors to build agreements that suggest they dont intend to be long-term investors is just one example of what some critics say is the misalignment of interests  often not understood by retail investors  between the various investor classes in SPAC deals.

Perhaps there is a fix: What if sponsors were required to hold their shares, including any investments they made at the time of a deal, for the full duration of the financial projections that helped sell the merger?

In other words, if a company makes financial projections for five years ahead, the sponsor is restricted from selling for five years. If the projections are for only one year, the sponsor must hold the stock for only one year. This rule would align sponsors interests directly with what they are selling to the public  a future vision of the company.

Financial projections are a particularly unusual feature of SPACs. When a company goes public through an I.P.O., the law limits it from making meaningful financial projections, so investors must rely on the companys past performance to judge how much its stock is worth. The intent, in part, is to help protect small investors from being swindled with pie-in-the-sky forecasts.

But because going public via a SPAC is technically a merger, companies are free to make financial prognostications. And they do  lots of them  because most SPACs merge with early-stage companies that have no profits and, in some cases, no revenue, either. The entire selling point to investors is not what the company plans to do in 12 months but what it may do many years in the future.
Rome: Italys Prime Minister Mario Draghi received his first dose of AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday (March 30) the same product that his government had decided to temporarily halt the use of earlier this month.

Draghi and his wife Maria Serenella Cappello, both 73, received the vaccine at a centre in Termini, Romes main train station, Xinhua news agency reported.

The AstraZeneca is one of the three approved vaccines for use in Italy, together with those produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Of the three, AstraZenecas has been the most controversial after reports of it causing blood clots that resulted in two deaths in Italy. After the second death, the use of the vaccine was suspended for four days ending March 19.

Having investigated the reports, Nicola Magrini, director general of Italys main medical authority (AIFA) said the suspension was a "political" decision and he declared the vaccine safe to use.

According to Italian media, Draghis aim with choosing the AstraZeneca jab was to build public confidence in the vaccine after reports about its side effects.

As of Tuesday, 9.8 million Italians have received at least the first dose of one of the three approved vaccines, while the number of fully-vaccinated individuals who have received two doses totalled 3.1 million, or around 5.1 percent of the countrys population.

Live TV
DENVER, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Crownpeak, the leading digital experience platform, today announced it has been named a Top Rated Digital Experience Platform (DXP) and Content Management System (CMS) on TrustRadius, the most trusted review site for business technology. This is the second year in a row that Crownpeak has been honored with a TrustRadius Top Rated Award for its web CMS.

TrustRadius issues the Top Rated Awards every year to honor technology products in the highest tier of their categories. The awards are an unbiased reflection of customer sentiment, based entirely on independently provided reviews from verified end-users. This feedback helps companies worldwide evaluate their technology stacks  every month, more than 500,000 B2B technology buyers use the 272,000 reviews and ratings on TrustRadius to make informed purchasing decisions.

In its awards and market overviews, TrustRadius defines DXPs as platforms that "allow users to control and optimize their customers' digital experiences across all potential touchpoints." CMSes "give users the tools to create, manage and deploy website content."

"Today, customer interactions have shifted to a predominantly online format  making web CMSes and DXPs even more important in driving excellent customer experiences," said Megan Headley, VP of research, TrustRadius. "As companies evaluate these tools, our reviews are an excellent resource, with detailed insights from real-world users. We congratulate Crownpeak on being a winner in both the CMS and DXP categories of our awards."

Reviewers on TrustRadius praise the Crownpeak Digital Experience Manager (Crownpeak DXM) as a "scalable" and "flexible platform that has met every requirement we have had." Users noted the "excellent training and support," "flexibility of integrations" and "SaaS platform [that] eliminates the headache of upgrades and patches." They also stated that "due to the headless nature of the platform, publishing is super-fast straight to HTML."

Crownpeak removes the barriers associated with managing digital experiences. With its uniquely cloud-native, decoupled architecture, companies can move faster than ever to execute high-quality digital experiences  wrapping digital quality, governance and privacy into experience delivery.

"These awards from TrustRadius are especially meaningful because they represent the voice of our most important and valued audience: our customers," said Lacey Ford, chief marketing officer, Crownpeak. "Every day, companies around the world use our digital experience platform to manage and deliver stunning digital experiences  fueling successful, omnichannel interactions with their own customers, and driving deeper engagement and loyalty."

For examples of how Crownpeak enables companies to rapidly deploy high-quality digital experiences with ease, please visit www.crownpeak.com/customers.

About Crownpeak

Crownpeak provides the leading digital experience platform. The industry's only true SaaS-based solution, Crownpeak offers best-in-breed capabilities that empower companies to create, deploy and optimize omnichannel digital experiences  faster and easier than ever, and with zero infrastructure to maintain.

Removing the barriers to managing digital experiences, Crownpeak's built-in tools address content management, experience optimization and governance, personalization, web accessibility and privacy UX. Companies can deliver high-impact, trust-building experiences at scale that are brand-consistent and compliant with global privacy laws  improving loyalty, engagement and revenue. For more information, please visit www.crownpeak.com.

Media Contact:

Sara Card

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 703.327.4866

SOURCE Crownpeak
Britain's largest guarantor lender Amigo Loans has been given the green light by the High Court to proceed with a scheme designed to cap the cost of compensation for mis-sold loans.

Up to 1million current and past borrowers potentially given unaffordable loans as long ago as 2005 will now have until 12 May to vote on proposals which could see borrowers receive less than 10 per cent of what they are owed and would let the lender determine whether loans were mis-sold.

Borrowers with a current loan will be able to get their balance reduced and their guarantors released if their claim is upheld.

Amigo Loans - founded by James Benamor - was given the green light by the High Court to proceed with a scheme which would cap compensation payouts to mis-sold borrowers

The sub-prime lender, which charges 49.9 per cent APR, has consistently told borrowers its proposed scheme is the only way in which claimants would receive any compensation for a mis-sold loan.

On the claim website, where borrowers can now vote, it said: 'To put it simply, if you would like to receive money back on your claim, it is vital you support the scheme by voting for.

'If enough customers do not vote for the scheme, it will not go ahead and Amigo will enter insolvency. This would mean customers with a valid redress claim will not receive any money back for their complaint.'

It told the London Stock Exchange last Wednesday the Financial Conduct Authority did not support the scheme but was not 'currently proposing to take any additional regulatory action that might stop the scheme were it to be agreed by creditors and sanctioned by the court.'

It added the regulator had concerns about the fact mis-sold borrowers would receive far less than the value of their claim and about the 'methodology for claims assessment'.

Its share price rose from 12.82p to just under 16p at the news, and the price jumped to 17.76p on Wednesday morning after the High Court sanctioned the scheme.

A letter sent to the lender and the court by the FCA last Tuesday and published this morning also expressed concern that bondholders and shareholders would not be hit by the scheme.

Indeed, five of Amigo's directors could receive 7.3million in bonuses if the company's share price recovers.

Shadow Treasury minister Pat McFadden and the Tory chair of Parliament's Treasury Select Committee, Mel Stride, have also raised concerns about the implications of the scheme.

'Any situation where directors might receive bonuses on the basis of a cut in fair and reasonable compensation to consumers would clearly be one of significant concern', Mel Stride told The Guardian.

Tory MP Mel Stride and Labour's Shadow Treasury Minister Pat McFadden have raised concerns about the Amigo Loans scheme

Amigo told the High Court a shareholder rights issue to put in more capital would be unlikely to succeed.

The lender, which requires family and friends to act as a guarantor for borrowers of its high cost loans, has been mired in financial peril as it struggles under a mounting number of complaints about mis-sold loans.

It was the most-complained about financial firm in the second half of 2020, according to the Financial Ombudsman Service, with gripes to the FOS rising from 317 to 12,854 in a year.

This represented close to 10 per cent of all complaints made to the ombudsman between July and December, while it has received another 2,790 in the first two months of 2021.

Number of new Financial Ombudsman Service complaints about Amigo Loans Six-month period Number of new complaints H1 2016 53 H2 2016 69 H1 2017 74 H2 2017 80 H1 2018 117 H2 2018 231 H1 2019 266 H2 2019 317 H1 2020 1,163 H2 2020 12,854 Source: Financial Ombudsman Service

There were 15,052 cases open at the end of February, while the just over 1,000 which were resolved in the second half of last year were upheld at a rate of 88 per cent.

Amigo has said it cannot continue to pay compensation claims in full to mis-sold borrowers at the rate the FOS has upheld complaints.

Seven in 10 of the cases open at the end of February were brought by third-party firms like claims management companies, the FOS said, which are looking for a new payday after the payment protection insurance gravy train ended in 2019.

The cost of dealing with complaints rose from 26.6million to 116million in the nine months to the end of 2020, according to Amigo's latest accounts, helping the tip the lender into a 81.3million pre-tax loss.

Amigo Loans ran up a pre-tax loss of 81.3m in the 9 months to the end of 2020 after it had to set aside 150.9m to cover complaints - a rise of 707% on the year before

But the approval of the High Court puts Amigo one step closer to being able to ease the pressure on its balance sheet, with the scheme now set to be voted on by around 1million past and present borrowers before being reviewed again by the courts on 19 May.

If approved, the scheme could start in mid-May with payouts starting in 2022.

The regulator also said in its letter that Amigo had made no attempt to 'comprehensively explain to customers in the scheme documentation the approach the company is actually taking to adjudicate their claims', effectively requiring Amigo creditors to blindly vote on the scheme.

Any situation where directors might receive bonuses on the basis of a cut in fair and reasonable compensation to consumers would clearly be one of significant concern Mel Stride, Treasury Committee chair

However, the lender said the letter pre-dated the judge's approval and it had prepared an extensive range of explainer videos to provide customers with the information they need to understand the scheme.

It said it wanted to make legal wording as accessible as possible.

The scheme is due to be funded with a pot of at least 15million, with an additional 20million plus 15 per cent of pre-tax profits over the next four years potentially added.

With Amigo setting aside 150.9million to cover complaints in the final nine months of 2020, Sara Williams, a debt advisor who runs the blog Debt Camel, previously suggested to This is Money that borrowers 'may only get very little compensation' through the scheme.

She said: 'In the proposed scheme 150,000 current customers will get their balances reduced if their claim is upheld - just like they would if Amigo went into administration', she said.

'Amigo says these balance reductions will cost it about 85million. The 15million Amigo is offering for refunds for the 700,000 borrowers and guarantors with settled loans, is going to give tiny refund amounts, much less than 10 per cent.'

She said it could be as little as 5 per cent, and described the proposal for the loss-making lender to add 15 per cent of its profits over the next four years as 'jam in a few years, or possibly none at all.'

Amigo chief executive Gary Jennison said: 'We are delighted that the court agreed that the scheme should go ahead.

'We look forward to our customers having an opportunity to vote and support the scheme, which we believe is the only real option for customers who are due redress to receive cash compensation.

'Given it is in their best interests and the real alternative is an insolvency, we strongly encourage our 700,000 past customers and 300,000 present customers to vote for their money and support the Scheme.

'Our customers will get the full information they need to understand exactly what the scheme means for them, including details of a dedicated phone number and email address to help answer any questions.'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  The recent attack against a 65-year-old Filipino woman in New York City will affect the countrys foreign policy, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin, Jr. said on Wednesday.

This is gravely noted and will influence Philippine foreign policy. I might as well say it, so no one on the other side can say, We didnt know you took racial brutality against Filipinos at all seriously. We do, Locsin tweeted. He did not elaborate.

Locsin was reacting to The New York Times' report that an unidentified man suddenly kicked the Filipina on the stomach while she was walking on a street in Manhattan. Her attacker then kicked her over and again and told her: You dont belong here, the report quoted a US police official as saying.

The New York Police Department or NYPD released the video of the assault, which also appeared to show that bystanders did nothing to help the Filipina.

The NYPD said Wednesday the assailant was "arrested and charged with felony assault as a hate crime." It previously posted a photo of the man whom the police said was behind the attack and sought the public's help in identifying him.

Early this month, a 59-year-old Filipino Chinese man based in San Francisco was reportedly attacked while he was walking back to his office after his lunch break. In early Feb., a 61-year-old Filipino man was slashed in the face on the New York City subway.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington has urged Filipinos in the United States to exercise extreme caution as it sounded the alarm over the rising number of attacks against Asian Americans in several parts of the United States.

The embassy also called on federal, state, and local authorities in the US to further ensure the protection of Asians, including Filipinos.

READ: Fil-Ams advised to be very cautious as anti-Asian hate crimes in US spike.

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[March 31, 2021] This World Backup Day, Unitrends Champions IT Heroes Who Come to the Rescue with Backup

BURLINGTON, Mass., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Data is the lifeblood of every business, and each day IT professionals are charged with protecting it from enemies like cybercriminals and malfunctioning hardware. This World Backup Day, Unitrends, a Kaseya company and the global leader of Unified BCDR, celebrates these everyday IT heroes by sharing their winning stories from its 5 Stories, 15 Communities contest. When faced with challenges like malware and natural disasters, these IT heroes stopped data loss in its tracks.

As part of the contest, Unitrends asked customers to share how backup helped them save the day. Out of the many notable submissions, Unitrends hand-selected five stories based on originality and embodiment of the Unitrends spirit. Most Likely to Make Ransomware Cry (Robbie Evans, Assistant IT Director at Craven County): A user with access to a fileshare got a CryptoLocker virus. After it encrypted her entire drive, it went to her mapped shared drive and encrypted one of the largest file shares we had. After a quick containment of the PC and ensuring there were no other users infected, we decided to do a full restore of the entire fileshare. The fileshare was roughly 3 terabytes of data, but we had it fully restored in about four hoursusers barely noticed the downtime. Unitrends made it so easy. Most Likely to Get You an Invite to Oktoberfest (Edward Bass, Systems Engineer at BornTec): A critical Windows server VM in Germany experienced the blue screen of death on a Saturday evening (I was based in Chicago at the time). That server absolutely had to be online by Sunday afternoon. I was able to tell Unitrends to create a new VM from a backup while I slept Saturday night, and the replacement was online well before the target time on Sunday. Most Likely to Be Adapted for a Netflix Original (Chris Rolke, IT Manager at Dualite): I was planning on doing a restore of our test environment after-hours on a Wednesday but found I could not get into the network the normal way. I went in a different way, and I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not having a nightmare. Our entire network was compromiseda massive ransomware attack had hit everything. With Unitrends backups, I was able o restore our entire ERP system, Oracle databases, application servers and user files.



To view the full story, click here. Most Likely to Convert Your CFO to a BCDR Champion (Kevin Ray, Director of Technology at Donelson Christian Academy):

A tornado destroyed parts of our campus, including all data and communication lines, and we had no access to any servers. All data in our account system was on a VM Windows server. I called Unitrends support, and within 48 hours, my CFO was back to work from a backup I ran and then loaded to his laptop. Most Likely to Convince Finance You are Actually a Magician (Michael Cyr, Senior Information Systems Support Specialist at Southern Maine Community College): I received a call from a very distraught employee of our Finance department stating that she accidentally cleaned out a folder on the departmental shared drive. With our Unitrends 8040s series backup appliance, I was confident that I was going to be able to restore the folder. With a reassuring Let me see what I can do, I let her know that I would call her back in 10 to 15 minutes. I found the deleted folder, started the recovery process, and moved those files back into the shared departmental network folder. With a few minutes to spare, I called the individual and let her know that the files had been recovered. A few days later she brought in a box of pastries from the local bakery thanking me and our department for everything we do. IT admins protect and rescue their organizations daily from the dangers of ransomware, malfunctioning hardware, clumsy or malicious employees, and so much more, said Joe Noonan, General Manager of Unitrends. These unsung heroes often go unnoticed, but at Unitrends we know how indispensable they are and understand the challenges they face. Were proud to be the secret weapon that IT professionals use to thwart cybersecurity attacks, recover deleted data, and keep their organizations running  without breaking a sweat. No superhero ever works alone, so Unitrends will always be here to back up our customers in their greatest hours of need  24/7, 365. The five grand prize winners of the 5 Stories, 15 Communities contest each received a $250 gift card to a local business, with 10 additional entries to be chosen at random for $100 gift cards. All individuals who entered the contest received a free year of Helix, Unitrends intelligent SaaS remediation platform that identifies and fixes the most common environmental issues that may cause backup problems. Customers can submit stories year-round for the opportunity to win prizes and have their story featured on Unitrends.com. To submit a story, click here. About Unitrends Unitrends, a Kaseya company, makes efficient, reliable backup and recovery simple and effortless. By combining deep expertise gained from more than 30 years of innovation on backup and recovery with todays next generation backup appliances and cloud-based options, Unitrends provides automated and resilient data protection. Unitrends  built for the unexpected. Learn more by visiting www.unitrends.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @Unitrends. About Kaseya Kaseya is the leading provider of IT and security management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and small to medium sized businesses (SMBs). Through its open platform and customer-centric approach, Kaseya delivers best in breed technologies that allow organizations to efficiently manage, secure, and backup IT. Kaseya IT Complete is the most comprehensive, integrated IT management platform comprised of industry-leading solutions from Kaseya, Unitrends, Rapidfire Tools, Spanning Cloud Apps, IT Glue, ID Agent, Graphus and RocketCyber. The platform empowers businesses to: command all of IT centrally; easily manage remote and distributed environments; simplify backup and disaster recovery; safeguard against cybersecurity attacks; effectively manage compliance and network assets; streamline IT documentation, and automate across IT management functions. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Kaseya is privately held with a presence in over 20 countries. To learn more, visit www.kaseya.com.

Media Contacts Katy Hoeper, PR Manager Walker Sands katy.hoeper@walkersands.com Tammy Hovey, VP, Corporate Communications Kaseya tammy.hovey@kaseya.com

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A US human rights report has said that India has several human rights issues, including unlawful and arbitrary killings; restrictions on freedom of expression and the press, including violence, threats of violence, or unjustified arrests or prosecutions against journalists; restrictions on political participation; widespread corruption at all levels in the government; tolerance of violations of religious freedom; and crimes involving violence and discrimination targeting members of minority groups, including women based on religious affiliation or social status.

In its '2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' report, the US Department of State asserted that societal violence based on religion and caste and by religiously associated groups continued to be a serious concern. "Muslims and lower-caste Dalit groups continued to be the most vulnerable," according to the report.

It mentioned restrictions on the freedom of expression and the press, including violence, threats of violence, or unjustified arrests or prosecutions against journalists.

"The government generally respected this right, although there were several instances in which the government or actors considered close to the government allegedly pressured or harassed media outlets critical of the government, including through online trolling," the 2020 Human Rights report said.

"There were also reports of extremists perpetrating acts of killing, violence, and intimidation against journalists critical of the government", the State Department said.

"In certain cases, local authorities arrested or filed cases against individuals under laws against hate speech for expressions of political views. The harassment and detainment of journalists critical of the government in their reporting or social media messaging continued," the report added.

The report also noted there was an improvement in the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir. "The government continued taking steps to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir by gradually lifting some security and communications restrictions," said the State Department in its India section of the report. In January, the government partially restored internet access; however, high-speed 4G mobile internet remained restricted in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the report added.

It said the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals and insurgents. The US state department report said some suggested that government security forces allegedly tortured, raped, and mistreated insurgents and alleged terrorists in custody and injured demonstrators. Human rights activists alleged some prisoners were tortured or killed during detention.

The report also talked about other human rights issues such as the use of criminal libel laws to prosecute social media speech, censorship, and site blocking; overly restrictive rules on nongovernmental organisations; and forced and compulsory child labour, as well as bonded labour.Also read: Drug regulator extends Covishield's shelf life from 6 to 9 months

Also read: COVID-19 situation turning from 'bad to worse', Centre warns states
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - RT Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RTM) (OTC: RTMFF) (the "Company" or "RT Minerals" or "RTM") is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval (the "Conditional Approval") from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") for the acquisition of all of the outstanding common shares of Catharine Gold Inc. ("Catharine Gold") for consideration of 21,000,000 common shares of the Company to be subject to a multi-year escrow release under a Tier 2 Escrow Surplus Agreement (the "Transaction").

Having received Conditional Approval, RT Minerals anticipates its common shares will resume trading on April 5, 2021.

Acquisition of Catharine Gold Inc.

The Transaction was initially announced on March 24, 2021 under the news release titled "RT Minerals Corp. ("RTM") to Acquire 100 Square Kilometres of Mineral Claims Contiguous to Link-Catharine RLDZ Property, Ontario, by Acquisition of Catharine Gold Inc. Resulting in Change of Control of RTM".

Catharine Gold is a privately-held exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia which owns the mineral rights to approximately 100 square kilometres (24,536 acres) of mineral properties which commence contiguous to the border of RTM's Link-Catharine property and which extend throughout six townships in northern Ontario, Canada.





Figure One: Map of the License Holdings of RT Minerals Corp. and Catharine Gold Inc., respectively



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4882/79107_fd1f51fbd486f809_001full.jpg

The mineral properties controlled by Catharine Gold are situated approximately 22 km southeast of Kirkland Lake, Ontario and extend intermittently and generally south, east and northeast immediately from RTM's current Link-Catharine property boundary for up to about 20 km, as well as ranging between 7 kms to 21 km south of the Cadillac Larder Lake Break ("CLLB"). The Catharine Gold property holdings are host to a large area covering a southwestern section of the prospective Abitibi greenstone belt south and sub-parallel to the CLLB.

The Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set out in the TSXV policies including the acceptance by the TSXV of audited financial statements of Catharine Gold, a NI 43-101 report on the Catharine Gold Property, and the approval of the majority of disinterested shareholders of the Company.

About RT Minerals Corp.

RT Minerals Corp. is a junior exploration company listed on the TSXV under the symbol "RTM" and has 43,122,988 shares outstanding. The Company holds 100% interest in the Norwalk gold property located near Wawa, Ontario. The Company also holds an option to acquire 100% interest in the Link-Catharine RLDZ gold property comprised of 15 unpatented single cell mining claims with a total area of 220 hectares in one claim block located approximately 25 km SSE of the Town of Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

For more information on the Company and its properties, please visit the Company's website at www.rtmcorp.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donald (Dan) M. Clark

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

RT Minerals Corp.

Telephone: 604-681-3170

Fax: 604-681-3552

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance, including the resumption of trading, and the timing of completing the proposed acquisition, and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79107
Yaounde  Cameroon's military on Tuesday said it deployed troops to its northern border with Nigeria after a series of attacks authorities say were carried out the terrorist group Boko Haram. The group did not claim responsibility, but Cameroonian authorities said they also deployed village militias in response to the attacks.

Cattle rancher Donald Kulbe says economic activity has been halted since Saturday's Boko Haram attack on Cameroon's northern village of Dabanga on the border with Nigeria. The 52-year-old director of the Dabanga village cattle market says the fighters killed at least 50 animals and chased hundreds of civilians and cattle buyers from their village. He spoke to VOA from Dabanga via WhatsApp.

Kulbe said the economy has taken a hit in his village due to attacks claimed by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. This, he says, is on top of the economic downturn the Dabanga village is facing because of the coronavirus pandemic. Due to insecurity in the village and fear of customers, cattle ranchers are seeing their income fall drastically.

Several dozen villagers fled for their lives and are still hiding in the bushes in the areas near the border of the village, Kulbe said. Villagers identified at least 20 corpses after the fight between the attackers and Cameroon military.

Midjiyawa Bakary is the governor of Cameroon's Far North region that shares a border with Nigeria's Borno state, epicenter of the terrorist group according to the U.N. He says more than 100 fighters attacked a Cameroon military base in Dabanga that Saturday.

The heavily armed fighters were on board six pick-up trucks and 20 motorcycles, Bakary said speaking to VOA from Maroua, capital of the Far North Region of Cameroon.

He says the terrorists killed a soldier and wounded two members of the Cameroon military who are undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The Cameroonian military killed 20 fighters and seized six pick-up trucks, 7 motorcycles and weapons the terrorists used in the attack, says Bakary. He says unfortunately, two civilians including a pregnant woman died in the shootout between troops and the terrorists.

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Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility over the attack.

On Tuesday, Cameroon said it had intelligence that several hundred heavily armed Boko Haram fighters are hiding on its northern border with Nigeria, planning attacks on Cameroon. The military said troops have been deployed to protect the border zone and recommended that civilians be vigilant and report strange visitors to their villages.

Bakary says Boko Haram fighters are planning to attack communities and military posts in Cameroon for supplies. He says the terrorist group suffered huge losses last year after frequent attacks on Boko Haram strong holds by Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad militaries.

He says besides wanting to cease weapons from Cameroon, Chadian and Nigerian troops, the terrorists intend to steal food, especially millet and cattle from villagers. Bakary says the fighters are running short of food because their known supply routes are under the military's control. The military is ready to fight, he added, until the terrorists whose fire power has been reduced, completely surrender.

The last heavy attack by the terrorist group in Dabanga was in 2014. A Boko Haram assault on the base camp of road contractors killed a Cameroon soldier. 10 Chinese workers were abducted. Chinese workers abandoned the road and mining exploration sites following the attack at a camp in Waza. The kidnappers, who are suspected to be aligned with the terrorist group, also stole 10 vehicles and a container of explosives.

The captives were released in October along with 18 other hostages. The Cameroon government denied it paid ransom to secure their release.
Immediately after being nominated as the Vice President, Dr Philip Mpango has promised to work hard and fight for the rights of the marginalised groups.

Speaking shortly after being announced by the National Assembly Speaker, Job Ndugai in Dodoma Tuesday, he promised to ensure the late President Magufuli's dream of turning Tanzania's economy from lower-middle-income country to high middle-income country in a short time.

"If you endorse me, I promise to continue to uphold the rights of the oppressed people in Tanzania. I will work to the best of my ability that God has given me," Dr Mpango said.

The Parliamentarians are expected to endorse Dr Philip Mpango as the new Vice President by majority votes later today.
Kim Ji-mee, right, poses with Joseph Pak, the secretary-general of the Orange County Korean War Memorial Committee, at the planned site for the memorial in Fullerton, Calif., in this photo provided by the committee. Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



Kim Ji-mee, one of Korea's most prolific actresses of all time, has donated $20,000 (22 million won) for the construction of a Korean War Memorial in California, according to the Orange County Korean War Memorial Committee.



The committee said, Tuesday (local time), Kim, 80, who is now living in the United States, visited Orange County, where the monument will be set up in Fullerton, and gave the money to the organization.



According to the committee, the current estimate for the project is $720,000 and they broke ground last August, with the building to be completed by September. The monument carries extra significance as it will display the name of all 36,492 American soldiers who died in the 1950-53 Korean War, including 2,611 from the state of California.



"I am honored to participate in a patriotic project to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives during the Korean War for the freedom and democracy of Korea," Kim said.



"As a citizen of Korea, whenever I think about the tragedy of the war, I have respect and appreciation for war veterans."



Kim began her acting career in 1957, starring in hundreds of movies and was sometimes referred to as "Korea's Elizabeth Taylor" for her looks and popularity as well as a succession of marriages and divorces.



Along with her acting roles, she also worked as a producer and film planner. She retired from the film industry in 2000 after leading an organization of those involved in it. Since 2002, she has stayed in Pasadena, Calif.



According to the committee in charge of designing, constructing, and overseeing the memorial, it will consist of five stars, each inscribed with about 7,500 names.



"The Korean War is known as the forgotten war, but for the families, friends and communities that lost loved ones, the Korean War is never a forgotten war," Joseph Pak, the committee secretary-general, said in his fundraising post for the memorial, last year.


9:14 pm: Rondons deal comes with a $1MM base salary if he makes the major league club, reports Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).

8:48 pm: The Red Sox are in agreement with right-hander Hector Rondon on a minor-league contract, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive (Twitter link). The veteran reliever had been in Spring Training with the Phillies but was granted his release after failing to crack the Opening Day roster.

Rondon is most well-known for a productive run with the Cubs from 2013-17, part of which he spent as Chicagos closer. The veteran reliever had a strong 2018 season with the Astros but regressed a bit the following year. The wheels fell completely off last season with the Diamondbacks, as the 33-year-old pitched to a 7.65 ERA/4.45 SIERA over 20 innings.

Rondon makes the second bullpen arm added to the Boston organization today. The Sox signed former Indians reliever Tyler Olson to a minors pact this morning.
OAKVILLE, Ontario , March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ontarians have just two days left to purchase tickets for their chance to win a minimum jackpot of more than $7,000 in MADD Canadas 50/50 Draw.



Tickets can be purchased at www.madd5050.ca until 11:59 p.m. on April 1.

The funds raised will support MADD Canadas work to prevent impaired driving, and to support victims and survivors of impaired driving crashes.

In just a couple of days, well draw the winning ticket and really make someones day, said MADD Canada Chief Operating Officer Dawn Regan. We have received amazing support for this fundraising campaign, and offer our thanks to everyone purchasing tickets. You are helping support programs and services that will reduce impaired driving and help those so tragically impacted by it.

The 50/50 Draw is being conducted in partnership with Ascend Fundraising Solutions.

About MADD Canada

MADD Canada is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. To learn more, visit www.madd.ca.

About Ascend Fundraising Solutions

Ascend Fundraising Solutions is a fast-growing technology company that helps Charities, Non-Profits and Foundations raise money for their cause. They are the market leader in data driven charitable fundraising solutions including raffle and sweepstakes technologies. Ascend delivers their products to over 450 clients globally including some of the most iconic brands across the sports landscape and world leading charitable organizations.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - CannaOne Technologies Inc. (CSE: CNNA) (OTC Pink: CNONF) (FSE: 3CT) ("CannaOne" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") in connection with its previously disclosed (see March 4, 2021 news release) acquisition (the "Acquisition") of a 51% equity interest of Singapore-based Payright Pte Ltd. ("Payright").

Payright provides the Company with another key country in its strategy to create a pan-regional payment and financial network. Singapore is a major financial hub of the region and is recognized as one of the most advanced Fintech markets in Asia and a leader in global fintech investment. Connecting the Philippines and Singapore will provide the Company with a unique and compelling financial payment corridor.

On closing, which is scheduled for April 9, 2021, the Company will issue an aggregate of 1,530,000 common shares (the "Consideration Shares") in exchange for 6,480 common shares of Payright, representing a 51% equity interest in Payright. The Consideration Shares are subject to voluntary pooling restrictions on resale in the following aggregate amounts until the following dates: (a) 50% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restrictions on resale until the date which is four months plus one day from closing; (b) an additional 15% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restrictions on resale until the date which is ninety (90) days from closing; (c) an additional 15% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restrictions on resale until the date which is one-hundred eighty (180) days from closing; (d) an additional 10% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restrictions on resale until the date which is two-hundred forty (240) days from closing; and (e) the remaining 10% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restriction on resale until the date which is twelve (12) months from closing. 100% of the Consideration Shares will also be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day.

Story continues

The Acquisition will not constitute a fundamental change for the Company and will not result in a change of control of the Company (within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange).

Mr. Aldaba is director of the Company and a minority shareholder of Payright, and as such the Acquisition is deemed to a related party transaction under the policies of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI-61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements applicable to the related party transactions under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the 183,694 Consideration Shares to be received by Mr. Aldaba on closing will not exceed 25 percent of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to signing the Agreement as the details have just been finalized. The Acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of the Company, with Mr. Aldaba having disclosed his interest in the Acquisition and abstaining from voting on the Acquisition. The Company has not received, nor has it requested a valuation of its securities or the subject matter of the Insider Participation in the 24 months prior to the date hereof.

The Company further announces that it has entered into a 12-month marketing and consulting agreement with North Equities Corp., ("North Equities") of Toronto, Ontario. North Equities will facilitate greater investor engagement and widespread dissemination of Company news as well as increase the Company's current social media presence, with a goal of increasing shareholder value. Pursuant to the agreement, North Equities will be paid an aggregate of CAD$250,000 plus GST.

ABOUT NORTH EQUITIES

The North Equities team has more than 100 team-years of equity experience and has helped more than 200 companies acquire more than 120k+ investors combined. With the perfect combination of expertise, tactics, and a track record in fundraising and marketing, North Equities has created the next evolution of investor engagement and marketing.

ABOUT PAYRIGHT

Payright, based in Singapore, through its partnerships will act as a single-source provider payment technology solutions with global issuing and and merchant acquiring. Payright is partnered with Right Choice Payments Pte Ltd., (www.rightchoicepayments.com), a Major Payments Institution (MPI) license holder in Singapore. These partnerships will enable PayRight to offer services and solutions for payment processing and card issuing able to accommodate and fulfill the needs of merchants, financial institutions, and other industry B2B or Fintech partners in its market.

ABOUT CANNAONE TECHNOLOGIES:

Since inception CannaOne has focused on development and deployment of its proprietary online marketplace platform. Integral to the true intent and directive of the long-term planning of these development efforts was an early-stage technology agreement to allow for integration of a payment and financial technology platform to facilitate merchant sales within its online platform. As such, since March 2017 the company has worked closely with payment technology providers in South East Asia, to ascertain the pathways to the greatest potential for future growth in the world's fastest growing digital payment markets. With the existence of ever-evolving international relationships with parties specifically focused on the facilitation of payment processing and bank acquiring infrastructure, the Company sees potential to increase revenue over time with the continued integration and utilization of complete payment processing capabilities within our online marketplace solutions. The Company will look to expand its online client portfolio to include additional business sectors, such as those to service the payment processing requirements of e-commerce providers most effectively.

CannaOne seeks to become a global leader in financial technology, solutions, and services for merchants as it works hand in hand with select niche banking partners. CannaOne intends to integrate PCI certified payment solutions with its proprietary and proven online marketplace technology platform to offer a truly comprehensive suite of products and services to serve B-to-B merchant clientele. The Company has targeted banking relationships outside of North America, (specifically in SE Asia), and by working with selected banking or licensed EMI partners, our solutions may include merchant acquiring solutions; integrated payment solutions; global eCommerce solutions; core processing and ancillary applications solutions; digital and online marketplace solutions, including internet, mobile and eBanking; fraud, risk management and compliance solutions; electronic funds transfer and network services solutions; and/or card and online retail payment solutions. The Company is focused on organic growth while investigating potential strategic acquisitions, that may contribute critical technology applications, services and immediate revenue streams that can complement or enhance our existing offerings and potentially increase or expedite our path to future profitability. While Cannaone believes that significant near-term opportunities exist for the Company's solutions, there can be no assurance that customer agreements will be reached or that such agreements will be profitable should they be implemented.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Penner, CEO

(604) 396-9974

mpenner@lynxgroup.io

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to the completion of the Acquisition and the operations of the Company and Payright . Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of CannaOne and Payright to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures, other costs, or implied future forecasts. There can be no assurance that the acquisition of an interest in Payright will be completed on the terms described herein, or at all. The Company further again cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with governmental regulations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. CannaOne will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79032
Scientific dedication unlocks secret of youth

Xinhua) 13:39, March 31, 2021

JINAN, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the beauty industry's latest superstar to promise younger looks with better skin hydration, fewer wrinkles and restoring facial contours.

Known as the "key to Fountain of Youth," it is also injecting youth and vitality to the biotech industry in east China's Shandong Province, which accounts for more than three-quarters of the global raw HA market.

China has been encouraging sci-tech innovation to drive the economy and Bloomage Biotech, a major HA producer in Shandong, is a typical beneficiary of technological progress.

In Jinan High-tech Development Zone, Bloomage Biotech and Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences are neighbors and pioneers in China's HA industry.

HA is widely and naturally present in all living organisms. It plays an essential physiological role in the human body, such as facilitating pain-free movement in the joints and supporting the round shape of the eye.

It is also a powerful natural moisturizer as it can bind with water over one thousand times its own weight. An adult weighing 75 kg only has 15 grams of HA in the body, and the content will gradually diminish with age.

Before the application of biofermentation, HA was mainly extracted from rooster combs. In the 1970s, extracting 1 kg of HA needed rooster combs from more than 20,000 roosters.

HA products on the Chinese market were previously mostly imported. The price of 1 kg of medical-grade HA was once about 1 million yuan. The situation was reversed through independent innovation.

In the early 1990s, Guo Xueping was a researcher at Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He and his colleagues unlocked the technology of biofermentation, which enables large-scale HA production, dramatically reduces the costs, and makes China a significant producer of HA raw materials.

Chief scientist at Bloomage since 2000, Guo told Xinhua that Bloomage now exports HA products to more than 40 countries and regions, accounting for more than half of the global market.

Bloomage products cover all categories, from food-grade HA priced at 2 yuan (about 0.3 U.S. dollars) per gram to medical-grade HA for tumor-targeting drugs priced at 500,000 yuan per gram.

The discovery that enzymes could cut HA molecules established Bloomage's market-leading position. Large HA molecules just sit on top of the skin and provide hydration only at the surface. Smaller HA molecules can penetrate deeper. So a product containing HA molecules in different sizes offers maximum hydration.

"Bloomage is the only company in the world that can control the HA molecular weight from 2k Da to 4,000k Da," said Guo.

Dalton (Da) is the unit of molecular weight. The molecular weight of water is 18 Da.

In 2019, biofermentation productivity at Bloomage was about 12 to 14 grams per liter, double that of most foreign counterparts, said Guo.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the company plans to introduce advanced biotechnologies such as synthetic biology and gene editing to select bacteria for biofermentation.

In an interview with Xinhua-run Shanghai Security News, Bloomage CEO Zhao Yan said that to develop products respected by the international market, innovation must be verified and refined repeatedly in the lab.

For 20 years, Bloomage Biotech just did one thing, said Zhao: "We studied HA and made it the best in the world."

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
Cipla has entered into an agreement to become a partner in ABCD Technologies LLP (to be renamed as IndoHealth Services LLP).

The transaction is in line with Company's strategy on leveraging digital assets and philosophy of access and affordability of medicine to all.

The proposed business of Target entity will be carried out with an objective to facilitate the digitization of the healthcare infrastructure in India towards enhancement of Good Distribution Practices (GDP) inter alia, in support of the National Digital Health Mission of Government of India (Business).

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The chairman of a Government-backed review of racial disparities in Britain has been been accused of putting a positive spin on slavery and empire when explaining its recommendation on teaching history in schools.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report published on Wednesday proposes a Making Of Modern Britain teaching resource to tell the multiple, nuanced stories of the contributions made by different groups that have made this country the one it is today.

In commission chairman Tony Sewells foreword to the report, he said the recommendation was the bodys response to negative calls for decolonising the curriculum.

He wrote that the resource should look at the influence of the UK during its empire period and how Britishness influenced the Commonwealth and how local communities influenced modern Britain.

He added: There is a new story about the Caribbean experience which speaks to the slave period not only being about profit and suffering but how culturally African people transformed themselves into a remodelled African/Britain.

Highlighting the passage on Twitter, Labours shadow women and equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova said it was one of the worst bits of the report.

She tweeted: Putting a positive spin on slavery and empire.

Published on a Government website in 2021. Is this for real?

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In his foreword, Mr Sewell argued that neither the banning of white authors or token expressions of black achievement will help to broaden young minds.

He added: We have argued against bringing down statues, instead we want all children to reclaim their British heritage.

We want to create a teaching resource that looks at the influence of the UK, particularly during the empire period.

We want to see how Britishness influenced the Commonwealth and local communities, and how the Commonwealth and local communities influenced what we now know as modern Britain.

One great example would be a dictionary or lexicon of well-known British words which are Indian in origin.
Vaccination efforts started in late 2020 in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

To date, more than 128 million people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Of these, over 2.8 million people have died and 72.54 million have recovered.

Currently, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines come in many types, including attenuated vaccines, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, DNA vaccines, and viral vector vaccines.

Now, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Response Team revealed that two of the mRNA vaccines, the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing infection among health care workers, first responders, and other front liners in eight United States locations between December 2020 and March 2021.

The study, published in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), highlights the efficacy of mRNA vaccines in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19

The two messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines BNT162b2 by Pfizer-BioNTech and mRNA-1273 by Moderna effectively prevent symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in randomized placebo-controlled Phase III trials.

These vaccines have also been granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) by the Food and Drug Administration and regulators across many countries.

However, these vaccines' benefits for preventing asymptomatic and symptomatic infections, especially when administered in real-world situations, are still unclear.

The study

In the study, the team utilized prospective cohorts of health care personnel, first responders, and other essential and frontline workers in eight U.S. locations between December 14, 2020, and March 13, 2021.

The participants were part of HEROES-RECOVER, a network of longitudinal cohorts in eight U.S. locations, including Tucson, Phoenix, and other Arizona areas, Florida, Miami, Duluth, Minnesota, Portland, Oregon, Temple, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah. The participants enrolled in the study in July 2020.

To arrive at the study findings, 3,950 health care workers, first responders, and other frontline workers completed weekly SARS-CoV-2 testing for 13 weeks. The CDC conducted the testing regardless of symptom status and at the onset of symptoms consistent with COVID-19-associated illness.

The researchers performed surveillance for symptoms of COVID-19, such as chills, fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, diarrhea, muscle pain, or loss of smell or taste. They conducted weekly text messages, e-mails, and made use of direct participants and medical records.

Further, the participants provided weekly self-collected midturbinate nasal swabs, regardless of COVID-19-associated illness symptom status. They also collected an additional nasal swab and saliva specimen at the start of COVID-19-associated illness.

Further, the participants reported their receipt of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines through self-report in electronic surveys, through direct upload of vaccine card images, telephone interviews, and electronic medical records.

Of the participants with no previous laboratory documentation of COVID-19, 62.8 percent received both recommended mRNA dosages, while 12.1 percent received only one dose of the mRNA vaccine.

Of those unvaccinated, 1.38 SARS-CoV-2 infections were validated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) per 1,000 person-days. On the other hand, of the fully immunized participants, 0.04 infections per 1,000 person-days were reported. In those who were partially vaccinated, 0.19 infections per 1,000 person-days were noted.

Therefore, the team estimated the mRNA vaccine efficacy for preventing infection was 90 percent for fully-immunized workers and 80 percent for partially-immunized workers.

"Authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are effective for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in real-world conditions. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all eligible persons," the researchers concluded in the study.

The study also demonstrates that current vaccination efforts result in significant preventive and protective benefits among working-age adults, particularly those working in the pandemic response's frontlines.

The researchers reinforce the CDC's recommendation of getting the full two-dose immunization with mRNA vaccines.
Pleas for More Aid to Syria: We Dont Have Nearly Enough

At age 19, Fatima al-Omar is at her wits end. In the last year alone, she lost her home to fighting in Syrias last rebel-held enclave and her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She became the sole breadwinner for her mother, three siblings and grandmother as they moved around between shelters.

Then the coronavirus struck, aggravating conditions in northwest Syria just as new fighting had uprooted 1 million people  the biggest wave of displacement in the countrys 10-year war. By late 2020, al-Omar contracted COVID-19, costing her the last job she had picking olives. She hasnt been able to find work since and is now at risk of another eviction.

It was all difficult, but it just keeps getting harder, al-Omar said, speaking by phone from the latest home she moved to in Binnish, a small town in rebel-held Idlib province.

Despite the worsening humanitarian situation across war-ravaged Syria, its been getting tougher every year to raise money from global donors to help people like al-Omar. The aid community is bracing for significant shortfalls ahead of a donor conference that starts Monday in Brussels and is being co-hosted by the United Nations and the European Union.

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Pledges were already dropping off before the coronavirus pandemic mainly due to donor fatigue. Officials fear that with the global economic downturn spurred by the pandemic, international assistance for Syria is about to take a new hit just when it is needed most. Earlier this month, a U.N. appeal for aid to Yemen, the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, was less than 50% funded, in what U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres called a disappointment.

Across Syria, the pandemic has compounded the worst economic crisis since the conflict began in 2011. The local currency has crashed and food prices have soared  increasing by 222% from last year. Nine out of 10 people live below the poverty line and in northwest Syria, close to three-quarters of the 4.3 million residents are food insecure.

According to the U.N., 13.4 million people in Syria, more than half the countrys pre-war population, need assistance. Thats a 20% increase from last year.

We dont have nearly enough money to provide all the services that are needed, said Mark Cutts, the U.N. deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria.

It is still just a struggle for survival for all these people and it is often the women, the children and the elderly and people with disabilities who are suffering most.

The U.N. and other aid groups are seeking more than $4 billion for aid within Syria at this years conference, their biggest appeal yet. Another $5.8 billion are requested for nearly 6 million Syrian refugees who fled their homeland.

Over the years, pledges have typically fallen short. The humanitarian appeal for 2020 was 45% below its $3.82 billion target  nearly a 14% drop from the year before.

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We fully realize that in donor countries there is also a COVID effect, that budgets are strained, said Fillipo Grandi, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees. But clearly because of that same pandemic that has an effect on budgets, this is not the time to let go.

In the rebel-held area, coronavirus pandemic restrictions have further slowed economic activity, closing schools and reducing trade and movement with Turkey  the enclaves gateway to the world.

Women and children are being forced to find low-paying and risky jobs, including minors collecting trash, begging or being recruited by armed groups. Aid groups say reports of suicide attempts among young men and adolescents are on the rise.

One in three children are out of school, down from about 70% enrollment a year earlier, said Amjad Yamin, of Save the Children.

The World Food Program reduced its monthly food basket throughout Syria to stretch available funding and prevent a reduction in the number of people reached. That meant dropping calories from 2,100 per person to 1,264  a 40% decrease. Some families said the rice ration in the basket has gone down by half.

Meanwhile, water needs have increased by 40% because of the pandemic, but funding has not kept up. In a letter shared with The Associated Press, local non-governmental organizations told donors that cuts could potentially force as many as 55 water stations across northwestern Syria to shut down, denying nearly 740,000 people access to water.

The gaps are enormous, said CARE Internationals Tue Jakobsen.

Reports of anticipated aid cuts  as high as 67% by some of the largest donors  were leaked in emails or relayed in private meetings. Aid workers have tried to adjust budgets and plan for the reductions.

The cuts could also put thousands of people out of work and force a couple of displacement camps to close, the letter shared with the AP said.

It has already been a struggle for al-Omar and her family to get help.

Since her family lost their home, they have not received any food assistance, she said. Savings have been used to pay for part of for her mothers cancer treatment. Charity and local donations financed the rest, including lengthy medical trips to Turkey. Cash assistance that has helped her pay rent is not guaranteed.

Al-Omars pantry, where she kept food reserves such as pickles and jams, is empty. We have nothing. We have no water. No food, said al-Omar, whose father abandoned the family 11 years ago. We are below zero.

Al-Omars best job was working from home, sewing masks and earning about $7 for every 1,500 masks completed. It meant staying safe and looking after her siblings. But she lost it when she moved to Binnish where rent is cheaper.

A year into displacement, she dreams of a room in one of the camps for displaced people. It would be better than all this moving, she said. This is exhausting.


Novonix Test Authier Potential for Lithium Hydroxide Battery

Brisbane, Mar 31, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium miner Sayona Mining Limited ( ASX:SYA ) ( FRA:DML ) ( OTCMKTS:DMNXF ) plans to conduct product trials with leading battery researcher Novonix Limited, focused on delivering a clean and green 99.97% lithium hydroxide battery suitable for North American EV makers.Highlights- Leading battery researcher Novonix Limited to test Authier Lithium Project samples for potential to deliver minimum 99.97% purity lithium hydroxide for batteries for EV makers- Australian clean tech hydroxide provider, ICS Lithium to support trials by providing product to Novonix, based on sustainable and economical closed loop process- Testing at Novonix's battery lab in Canada to commence in May 2021, with full testing to include the development of a battery cell based on Authier lithium product- Trials to reinforce Sayona Quebec's potential to deliver environmentally friendly, cost-competitive and high-quality lithium hydroxide product suitable for fast-growing North American battery market.Under an agreement with Novonix and Australian clean tech hydroxide technology provider ICS Lithium, spodumene samples from Sayona Quebec's flagship Authier Lithium Project will initially be processed into lithium hydroxide using the ICS closed loop refining system.The samples will then be sent to Novonix's independent battery testing facilities in Nova Scotia, Canada, to evaluate their conformity with lithium-ion battery standards and enable performance comparisons in commercial cells suitable for potential offtake partners. The aim of the tests is to highlight the Authier Project's ability to deliver a minimum 99.97% lithium hydroxide product suitable for leading battery cathode makers in North America.Sayona's Managing Director, Brett Lynch, said the tests would demonstrate Sayona Quebec's ability to deliver an environmentally friendly and competitive product to the fast-growing North American industry."We are rapidly developing a blueprint for moving towards downstream processing in Quebec, benefitting from its environmental and economic advantages including low-cost, renewable hydropower, an established mining services industry and proximity to the North American battery market," Mr Lynch said."These tests will underpin our ability to produce a clean and green, cost-effective and high-quality product perfect for the world's top EV makers."Novonix is developing 'million mile' battery technologies with revolutionary anode and cathode materials. It has designed and manufactured high precision battery testing equipment for Tier 1 battery makers andOEMs in 15 countries, including Bosch, Dyson, Honda, Panasonic, LG Chem and SK Innovation.Reinforcing its capabilities, the company recently appointed leading lithium-ion battery researcher Prof. Jeff Dahn as its Chief Scientific Advisor. Prof. Dahn and the Dalhousie University research team in Nova Scotia currently work alongside U.S. EV maker Tesla. In January 2021, Tesla extended its battery research contract with Prof. Dahn's team for a second five-year term, highlighting its prominence in battery research.Concerning ICS Lithium, Sayona formed a collaboration last year with the Australian company, which has developed a closed loop process for the refining of spodumene into battery-grade lithium hydroxide, as preferred by leading automakers.Compared with sulfuric acid-based processes, scoping studies undertaken on the ICS process foreshadow lower capital and operating costs, together with game-changing environmental benefits. The process also allows sulfuric acid-based hydroxide plants to be refurbished into clean ICS hydroxide plants at low cost (refer ASX release 28 October 2020).Testing at Novonix's research facilities is due to commence in May, with initial results expected by June.Testing is planned to continue for up to three months and Sayona will update the market as results become available.About ICS LithiumSince 2014, ICS Lithium has been developing an improved process for the refining of lithium-rich minerals such as spodumene. Over this period, the process has been proven and its operations are currently being optimised at small pilot-plant scale.The ICS process is closed insofar as the chemicals required are internally recycled, essentially eliminating the need for their purchase, and the need to dispose of by-product chemicals generated from their use.Scoping studies by a leading EPCM firm foreshadow that compared with sulfuric acid-based processes, the ICS process offers the potential for lower capital costs and the halving of operating costs for the conversion of spodumene concentrates to lithium hydroxide monohydrate, plus game-changing environmental benefits.About NOVONIX Ltd

NOVONIX Ltd (ASX:NVX) (FRA:GC3) (OTCMKTS:NVNXF) is an integrated developer and supplier of high-performance materials, equipment and services for the global lithium-ion battery industry with operations in the USA and Canada and sales in more than 14 countries. NOVONIX's mission is to support the global deployment of lithium-ion battery technologies for a cleaner energy future.



About Sayona Mining Ltd

Sayona Mining Limited (ASX:SYA) (OTCMKTS:DMNXF) is an Australian, ASX-listed (SYA) company focused on sourcing and developing the raw materials required to construct lithium-ion batteries for use in the rapidly growing new and green technology sectors. The Company has lithium projects in Quebec, Canada and in Western Australia.

Please visit us as at www.sayonamining.com.au
COLONIE  An investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission into Pioneer Bank's handling of the $100 million bank fraud scheme of former customer Michael Mann has led the bank to restate financial statements relied upon by investors and stockholders to value the bank's stock.

Although the accounting changes that Pioneer's holding company  known as Pioneer Bancorp  was forced to make do not drastically change the bank's financial standing, they reveal the depth to which the Colonie-based bank has had to answer to both state and federal regulators to Mann's fraud, which federal prosecutors estimate to have cost Mann's customers and lenders $100 million, making it one of the largest fraud cases in Capital Region history.

Shortly after Mann's scheme was uncovered just before Labor Day weekend of 2019, Pioneer Bank told stockholders that it had suffered a $15.8 million loss on a $42 million line of credit that Pioneer Bank had given Mann's companies with two other banks, Berkshire Bank and Chemung Canal Trust Co., which goes by Capital Bank locally.

Both banks are suing Pioneer Bank, alleging they were kept in the dark about Mann's true finances.

Pioneer's restatement of its finances actually helped the bank on paper. It went from having a $8.8 million loss during the last six months of 2019  the period during which the fraud was uncovered  to having a $2.8 million profit.

"As this filing of Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. provides, the restatement of the consolidated financial statements results from a technical accounting correction to reflect certain effects pertaining to the unique circumstances surrounding the Michael Mann Entities," Pioneer Bank spokesman Schuyler Bull told the Times Union. "This technical accounting correction is not a result of any new facts coming to light."

Mann pleaded guilty last fall to 12 felonies in federal court in Albany including bank fraud, wire fraud, identity theft and filing false tax records related to tens of millions of dollars in loans he obtained by lying to Pioneer Bank and other lenders to fund various businesses, including a Clifton Park payroll software company called MyPayrollHR.

Mann faces anywhere from 17 years to 32 years in federal prison under sentencing guidelines. He has been living with his family in North Carolina awaiting sentencing.

Mann also will be ordered to pay $101 million in restitution to his victims. His sentencing is scheduled for August in U.S. District Court in Albany.

Mann has admitted to federal prosecutors that he used the cash flow from his payroll business to inflate his bank accounts and keep current on millions of dollars of loans he obtained by falsifying his business records.

The SEC, which regulates companies like Pioneer that have publicly-traded stock, began asking Pioneer executives in July 2020 to provide more information about Mann and how his fraud impacted the bank's finances. Pioneer Bank had wrongly classified the loan-gone-bad, the SEC claimed.

Much of the issues that the SEC had questioned Pioneer Bank about have already been explained in both the federal criminal case and several civil cases in state and federal court.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Adoption of the Amendments to Annexes I and II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress

2021/04/01

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress deliberated on and adopted the amendments to Annexes I and II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. This is a move to systemically revise and improve the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR and for the formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR. It will provide strong institutional safeguards for the full and faithful implementation of the policy of One Country, Two Systems and the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", and ensure the stability of Hong Kong in the long run. It embodies the common aspiration of the Chinese people, including the Hong Kong compatriots.

The move to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR aims to develop, in a gradual and orderly manner, a democratic system that is in line with the constitutional order of Hong Kong and suited to its actual situation. It will better ensure extensive and balanced political participation of Hong Kong residents and serve the interests of all social strata, all sectors and all parties of Hong Kong society. It will help improve the governance efficacy of the Hong Kong SAR, safeguard the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and promote its long-term development. We are convinced that the new electoral system will help foster a better political, social, legal and business environment and usher in brighter development prospects for Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs. The Chinese government has the resolve and confidence to safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. It has the resolve and confidence to ensure the continued success of the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. Any attempt to meddle in Hong Kong affairs and impose pressure on China is doomed to fail.
The Latest: 6 more COVID cases found in local China outbreak View Photo

BEIJING  Health officials in China say six more people have become ill with COVID-19 in a southwestern Chinese city on the border with Myanmar. That brings the confirmed total in the Yunnan province city of Ruili over the past two days to 12, including three Myanmar citizens.

The Yunnan Health Commission said Thursday that 23 other people have tested positive for the coronavirus without showing symptoms of illness. Of those, 13 were Chinese and 10 were Myanmar nationals.

Officials say more than 20,000 tests have been administered so far. City authorities plan to test Ruilis entire population of about 210,000 people, and require them to quarantine at home for one week.

The residential compound where the infections were found has already been locked down.

China has largely eradicated local transmission of coronavirus and takes strict measures whenever a new cluster emerges.

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THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

VACCINES: More than 96 million people, or 28.9% of the U.S. population, have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some 53.4 million people, or 16.1% of the population, have completed their vaccination.

CASES: The seven-day rolling average for daily new cases in the U.S. increased over the past two weeks from 54,799 on March 16 to 66,875 on Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University.

DEATHS: The seven-day rolling average for daily new deaths in the U.S. decreased over the past two weeks decreased from 1,275 on March 16 to 994 on Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University.

 COVID-19 pushed total US deaths beyond 3.3 million last year

 Pfizer says vaccine is safe in kids as young as age 12

 Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska  People magazine reports that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she tested positive for the coronavirus and is urging people to guard themselves in the pandemic, such as wearing masks in public.

It is not clear when Palin tested positive, but the magazine quotes her as saying other members of her family tested positive, too.

According to the magazine, Palin says her case shows that anyone can catch this. She urges vigilance and says people should use common sense to avoid spreading the coronavirus and other viruses.

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OLYMPIA, Wash.  Washington state is opening eligibility for coronavirus vaccinations to all residents age 16 and older starting April 15.

Gov. Jay Inslee had previously resisted expanding eligibility, saying he wanted to avoid doing that too quickly into order to ensure those most at risk were vaccinated first. He had noted that eligibility didnt guarantee vaccination right away and would depend on supply.

But Inslee said Wednesday that the federal governments assurances of increased allocations, plus concerns about rising cases in many parts of the state, led to the decision to open up eligibility.

The federal government has directed states to make all adults eligible for vaccination by May 1, but most states have earlier plans, with more than a dozen opening eligibility to all adults this week.

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QUEBEC CITY  The Quebec government is putting three cities in the Canadian province into lockdown beginning Thursday following a sharp rise in coronavirus infections.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced Wednesday that schools and non-essential businesses will close and the curfew will be moved ahead to 8 p.m. in Quebec City, Levis and Gatineau. He says the situation is alarming.

The new restrictions do not affect the Montreal area.

Canadas most populous province of Ontario is expected to announce new pandemic restrictions Thursday amid a new wave of infections.

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ATLANTA  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is rolling back pandemic restrictions amid warnings from federal officials of a fourth surge of coronavirus cases if states continue relaxing precautions.

The governors office says Kemp signed an executive order Wednesday that will end a ban on large gatherings, eliminate shelter-in-place requirements and reduce any remaining distance requirements at restaurants, bars, movie theaters and fitness classes. The rollback starts April 8.

Earlier this week, President Joe Biden and the head of the CDC warned that too many Americans are prematurely declaring victory against the virus. They appealed for mask requirements and other restrictions to be maintained or restored.

Kemp has said loosening restrictions is a critical step in restoring normalcy and ensuring businesses survive.

Georgia last week made all residents over age 16 eligible for vaccination against the coronavirus.

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SEATTLE  Amazon plans to have its employees return to the office by fall as the tech giant transitions away from the remote work it implemented for many workers due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The company had previously given its return-to-office date as June 30, but questions remained as to whether the company would allow some of its 60,000 Seattle-area office employees to continue working from home part time.

The Seattle Times reports the company told employees Tuesday it is planning a return to an office-centric culture as our baseline.

Amazon and Microsoft were among the first large companies to mostly shutter their main offices in the Seattle area during the first COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020.

Amazon spokesperson Jose Negrete said the company will not require office workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before they return, but is encouraging employees and contractors to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

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JOHNSTON, Iowa  Facing an uptick in new coronavirus cases and a hesitancy among a significant portion of the population to get the vaccine Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is pushing to convince residents that getting a shot will help return life to normal.

Reynolds faces a state where virus activity has increased in recent weeks specifically among spring break travelers aged 18 to 29. About a third of the states adult population, roughly 800,000 people, will not commit to getting a vaccine which is prompting Reynolds to plead with them to consider it for everyones sake.

State health data shows 555 new positive cases in the past 24 hours and no additional deaths reported. Iowa has had 5,729 COVID-19 related deaths in the past year.

Reynolds said Iowa is expected to get nearly 161,000 vaccine doses next week, the largest weekly supply so far. That will enable the state to open vaccination appointments broadly to all adults beginning Monday although a few counties already have expanded their vaccination eligibility.

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KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Students lined up outside schools in Kansas City, Kansas, for the first time in more than a year as in-person classes resumed in one of the last districts in the state still learning mostly virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wednesday is the date lawmakers set for public schools to begin offering in-person classes in a bill that is awaiting Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys signature. Most Kansas schools already returned to in-person classes, but the Kansas City, Kansas, area was particularly hard hit by the pandemic.

The district moved up the date for the rest of the students to return from April 5 in part because of the legislation, although spokesman Edwin Birch said it already had been moving in that direction.

Some who filed through the doors of the 1,700-student Wyandotte County High School lost grandparents to the coronavirus, took on part-time jobs to support their families and came dangerously close to dropping out.

School Principal Mary Stewart said the school implemented measures to keep the virus at bay. Those included plastic shields on desks, assigned seating, staggered passing periods and rolling dismissals.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I.  The Rhode Island Department of Health reports more than 560 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus and a daily positivity rate from the previous day of about 2.5%.

The state also reported two more virus-related deaths pushing the total reported fatalities to 2,619.

Of the new cases, 500 were people who tested positive for the first time on Tuesday, the highest one-day total since early February. The remainder tested positive for the first time on previous days.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Rhode Island declined over the past two weeks, going from about 353 on March 15 to 347 on Tuesday, according to statistics from Johns Hopkins.

There have now been more than 137,000 known cases in the state.

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PHOENIX  Arizona reported 733 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 26 more deaths but officials said about 200 of the additional cases were from records cleanups involving cases occurring over the entire pandemic.

The states coronavirus dashboard said pandemic totals increased to 841,811 cases and 16,967 deaths.

Department of Health Services spokesman Steve Elliott said of the 733 additional cases, 202 were cases newly reported for Apache and Navajo counties in northeastern Arizona after officials reviewed records provided by neighboring New Mexico where facilities tested or treated Arizona residents.

Arizonas seven-day rolling averages of daily new cases dropped from 868.3 on March 15 to 547.7 two weeks later on Monday while the average of daily deaths dropped from 35.4 to 20.4 during the same period, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

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TRENTON, N.J.  Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said New Jersey will see a nearly 12% increase in the number of vaccines next week, from 494,000 to 551,000 doses.

Johnson & Johnson vaccines will see the biggest bump among the three shots being delivered, climbing from about 52,000 this week to 131,000 next week.

The increase coincides with what Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy had predicted would be quantum leap in the number of vaccines around Easter, which is Sunday.

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PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron announced a three-week nationwide school closure and a one month domestic travel ban to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

In a televised address to the nation Wednesday night, Macron says efforts are needed as the epidemic is accelerating. The move is a departure from the governments policy in recent months, which has focused on regionalized restrictions. School closures were seen as a last resort.

Paris hospital officials warned theyd have to start refusing patients for lack of space. The total number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care in France surged past 5,000 on Tuesday, the first time in 11 months the figure has been that high.

Previous nationwide lockdowns in France were in March and October 2020.

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CHICAGO  Chicago officials are warning if the number of coronavirus cases keep climbing, theyll stop letting baseball fans into Wrigley Field, along with limits on bars and restaurants.

The citys Office of Emergency Management and Communications made the announcement a day before Thursdays Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Wrigley and Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the White Sox, can allow up to 25% of their capacity when they open for fans for the first time since 2019.

Illinois Department of Public Health officials on Tuesday reported 2,404 coronavirus cases, including 17 more deaths. More than 1.2 million residents have contracted the virus and theres been 21,273 confirmed deaths.

Health officials say hospitalizations have increased almost daily since falling to a one-year low on March 12. Hospitalizations totaled 1,396 beds on Monday, the most since late February.

The state reported more than 2.1 million Illinois residents have been fully vaccinated, about 16.6% of the population.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D.  South Dakota announced it will open COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone over age 16 on Monday.

Gov. Kristi Noems announcement came amid a recent uptick in cases statewide. Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 34%, according to Johns Hopkins University.

State health officials say 43% of people have received at least one dose of a vaccine and about 65% are fully vaccinated.

As those over 16 become eligible, more than 400,000 people in the state can receive a vaccine.

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ANKARA, Turkey  Turkeys number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached 39,302, a record high for a second straight day.

The Health Ministry reported 152 more deaths, pushing the confirmed death toll to 31,537. The total number of confirmed infections stands at 3.3 million.

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government re-imposed restrictions, including weekend lockdowns, amid a sharp increase in the number of infections less than a month after the measures were relaxed. The government has also announced restrictions over the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

By The Associated Press
In an annual human rights report released on Tuesday, the U.S. State Department pointed to what it called significant human rights issues in China, including Tibet, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. Abuses noted in the report included arbitrary arrests and detentions, the torture of prisoners, restrictions on the freedom of expression and freedom of movement, forced labor, and restrictions on religious freedoms.

On March 30, Kalden Lodoe of RFAs Tibetan Service interviewed Scott BusbyPrincipal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Laborto ask about the declining human rights situation in China, Tibet, and Xinjiang, and expectations for U.S. policy under the administration of President Joe Biden:

RFA: The State Department just released its human rights reports for 2020. Can you give us a brief outline of what is significant in that report in terms of Asia, and particularly in China, Tibet, and Xinjiang?

Busby: As the Secretary [of State] noted, I think were concerned about backsliding on human rights around the world. And that includes in Asia and in China, specifically in places like Xinjiang, Tibet, and elsewhere. I think that is one of the trends that is remarkable at this point.

RFA: Based on the human rights report that was released today, what concrete actions will the United States under the new Administration coming in take against the backdrop of this worsening human rights situation in China, Tibet, and Xinjiang, and even in Hong Kong?

Busby: As the Secretary highlighted today, one of the priorities for the Biden-Harris Administration is not only to take action ourselves, but to work in combination with other like-minded countries. And I think weve seen that so far with regard to Burma and with regard to China.

Weve seen concerted efforts made in a coordinated fashion to speak out on human rights abuses in China and in Burma, and also to take concrete action, such as the sanctions that have been invoked in China by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union, and a similar imposition of sanctions by a group of countries with regard to those responsible for human rights abuses in Burma.

RFA: Do you think these concerted efforts bringing allies together will be a new focus of foreign policy for the United States, for the U.S. Administration?

Busby: I think its a very, very high priority for this administration, for the United States, not to be acting alone but to be acting in concert with our allies. That will continue to be a very high priority for the administration.

RFA: You have seen the reports today in Hong Kong, about the vetted information you have to provide to the Chinese government if you run for the parliament in Hong Kong. People are very concerned that almost everything is now controlled by Communist China and that theres no way a true democracy will ever exist there. How concerned are you, and what are you going to do about it?

Busby: Were extremely concerned about the backsliding in Hong Kong, and weve indicated on many occasions that we think the actions taken by Beijing contravene the agreements previously made on the autonomous status of Hong Kong.

So were very, very concerned, and to date weve taken a number of actions, including sanctions against officials responsible for those policies in Hong Kong and for abuses committed by those individuals. So those of the sorts of actions we have taken so far.

RFA: Do you think these sanctions will work? What reactions do you expect to come from China? They have already started reciprocating with sanctions of their own against the United States and other countries. What would be the second step that the United States would take?

Busby: Well, I think that in the short term, sometimes you dont see changes in behavior. But I think over the long term, when there are sanctions like these imposed, you do see changes. And again, the priority for this administration will not be simply to act on our own, but to act in combination with our allieslike the UK, like Canada, like the European Union. And I think by acting together we can have a much greater impact on Chinese thinking, and now on Chinese behavior.

RFA: Now particularly on Tibet, a new Special Coordinator for Tibet in the State Department has not been appointed yet. For the previous administration, it took more than three and a half years to appoint one, and Tibetan Americans as well as other Tibetans were concerned about that situation, hoping the administration would actually act sooner than later. What should people expect now in terms of the appointment of a Special Coordinator for Tibet Issues?

Busby: The Secretary has indicated his firm commitment to appoint a Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues, so I think theres no question that he will be making that appointment. Its still early in the administration, so I dont think we can say when and who that person will be, but the Secretary of State has made crystal clear that he intends to appoint such a person.

RFA: The previous administrations appointment was an assistant secretary instead of an undersecretary, but in administrations before that, they were all undersecretaries. So people are concerned now that this symbolizes some sort of diminished position. If there is an appointment, would it be in the position of undersecretary?

Busby: I cant speak to who would be appointed in that position going forward. That would be a decision for the Secretary to make, but Im confident that the Secretary will appoint someone who is capable and competent in carrying out this role.

RFA: In terms of labor-related issues, in 2020 there were reports that more than half a million Tibetans were forced to work in the commune system in China, or in Tibet. As you know, the current Party leader in Xinjiang, Chen Quanguo, was the Party Secretary before that in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and many of the hardline practices he enforced in Tibet were then copied in Xinjiang. Now, the programs in Xinjiang are being copied again in Tibet. What can the United States government do about this? And would you consider sending a fact-finding mission to Tibet?

Busby: Were very concerned about the reports about forced labor in Tibet. And frankly were concerned about reports of forced labor wherever it may be occurring. When those reports came out, we were deeply concerned to read about this. As you may know, there are laws in the United States addressing the issue of forced labor, precluding the importation of goods made with forced labor, so I think we will be looking at some of these authorities in deciding how we are going to respond to the allegations of forced labor in Tibet.

RFA: Finally, how hopeful are you that during the term of this administration the situation all over the worldand particularly in China, Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiangwill improve?

Busby: I think that those of us who are committed to human rights always have to be hopeful in our actionsbe they reporting on human rights abuses around the world, be they imposing sanctions, be they adopting other policies that will lead to improvements in human rights. So yes, I would say that we have to be hopeful in order to continue with our important work.

RFA: Would you or the Secretary of State consider, or the president consider if he went to India, meeting with the Dalai Lama?

Busby: I dont want to get out ahead of any trip that I or the president or the Secretary might make. But we do recognize the important role played by the Dalai Lama. And we continue to urge the Chinese government to engage in a direct and constructive dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
press release

The tourism and hospitality industry has been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and so we encourage those who can afford to do so, to head out over the long weekend and safely support businesses, especially small businesses in the Western Cape.

The Western Cape is travel ready

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have worked hard to ensure that the tourism and hospitality industry is travel-ready in the Western Cape, our health platform remains stable and so we need to do everything we can to safely support our businesses so we can save jobs and rebuild the economy in the Western Cape.

We have engaged continuously with the tourism and hospitality sector to implement the necessary health guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19 and we have provided the tools and resources they need to do this. Members of the public can also submit a complaint if a business is not complying with the necessary health guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19.

And, we have launched a Safe Travels website to help visitors to navigate the restrictions on travel and be informed about the important health and safety protocols they need to follow when visiting Cape Town and the Western Cape.

As a result of our efforts, we have been awarded the prestigious Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Domestic travel campaign relaunched

After an interrupted festive holiday season, we anticipate a great deal of pent-up demand by travellers in South Africa looking to take advantage of the long weekend and find a change of scenery.

Not only is the Western Cape world-class in its immense beauty, it is also affordable for all South Africans, especially families.

To highlight the breadth and depth of family-friendly, wallet-friendly, world-class experiences on offer in the Western Cape, and encourage domestic travellers to consider the Western Cape for the long weekend, we relaunched our "Kids Stay Free" campaign at the beginning of March.

The launch of the "Kids Stay Free" campaign in November by Wesgro's Destination Marketing Unit, saw impressive results, with almost 21 000 flight bookings and over 2 780 accommodation bookings made via the campaign microsite. Statistics revealed that bookings with children increased 26 per cent in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

And we've seen promising results since the relaunch of the campaign, with R11.4 million committed in flight sales and 311 'Kids Stay Free' accommodation options booked across the region.

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To engage strategically and ensure the destination is top of mind for last minute Easter bookings, Wesgro's Destination Marketing Unit is also hosting consumer activations in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal at the end of March. In addition to this, there will be business to business engagements ongoing during April with travel trade and media ahead of the June/July school holiday season.

Cape Town and the Western Cape has always been a popular Easter destination with the local market and we encourage travellers to bring along their families and safely enjoy the many family-friendly Easter activities on offer in the destination.

From Cape Malay pickled fish dishes in the Bo-Kaap, to Easter egg hunts taking place around the greater Western Cape, there is so much to be experienced and enjoyed in our wide-open spaces.

We look forward to welcoming back friends and family from neighbouring provinces, and invite you to enjoy the break safely and responsibly.

Remember to wear your mask and avoid the three C's - crowded places, closed spaces with poor ventilation and close contact.

To view this statement online please visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/travel-safe-and-support-businesses-over-easter-weekend

For broadcasters, please find soundbytes from Minister Maynier attached.

Hi-res images available on request
People in Victoria who are observing red zone permit conditions and quarantining for 14 days will be designated orange zone arrivals and can end their isolation from 6pm if they have had a coronavirus test and returned a negative result since arriving in the state, the Health Department said. The national fallout from Brisbanes two coronavirus clusters continued on Wednesday, with the Byron Bays Blues Festival cancelled for a second year after a NSW man, linked to the Queensland outbreak, tested positive on Tuesday night. Scenes from 2015 Bluesfest: this is the second year in a row the festival has been cancelled. Credit:Edwina Pickles NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard signed a public health order cancelling the festival, scheduled to take place on the Easter long weekend as exposure sites in NSW grew.

It comes as Victorian-bound passengers from Queensland were left fuming this week over a bungle that saw them sent to hotel quarantine and subsequently released. Passengers on board Qantas flight QF635 said they were detained on Monday night at the Holiday Inn Hotel at Melbourne Airport, despite seeking multiple assurances from Victorian authorities that they would not face quarantine once Brisbane became a coronavirus red zone while they were mid-flight. Following media coverage of the ordeal, COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria - the government agency overseeing hotel quarantine programs - said on Wednesday it was working through the process of releasing people from the hotel to return home. COVID-19 vaccine hub set to open at former Ford site

The former Ford factory in Geelong is set to open as a vaccination centre later this month, focusing on people to be inoculated under phase 1a and 1b of the rollout. Barwon Health chief executive Frances Diver said the centre would eventually have capacity to vaccinate up to 2000 people a day but it was not yet clear when it would open to the public for widespread vaccinations. Of course thats subject to supply of the vaccine and were hopeful more supply will be coming shortly, she said. The Geelong-based health service has delivered 13,000 vaccine doses at 16 locations across Victorias south-west and Ms Diver said about 86 per cent of public aged care residents in the region had been vaccinated. The vaccine hub will open at the former Ford factory. Credit:Eddie Jim

Ms Diver said 60 per cent of Barwon Health staff had been vaccinated and some had raised concerns about the difference between the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. However, staff are not given a choice about which vaccine they will get. Weve had a small number of staff who have rebooked in the hope they would pick up a different vaccine on the day they come next time. Loading She said that no vaccination slots were left empty even if people chose to rebook their appointment. Victorian parliamentary secretary for health Steve McGhie dismissed recent criticism by National Party deputy leader David Littleproud as negative comments that dont help.

Clearly the issue is about enough supply, he said. If we can improve the supply mechanism and supply chain then facilities like this will be able to rollout vaccinations to the general public sooner than later. Loading COVID-19 fragments detected in wastewater in Melbournes west A second wastewater alert has been issued for Melbournes western suburbs after viral fragments were detected last week.

Residents of Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina and Werribee have been urged to monitor for symptoms and get tested with any symptoms of COVID-19 after samples were found between March 22 and 29. It comes a day after an alert was issued for Melbournes south-east. Beaconsfield, Berwick, Clyde North, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne North, Guys Hill, Hallam, Hampton Park, Harkaway, Narre Warren, Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South, Officer and Upper Beaconsfield are all on alert after viral fragments were found in wastewater samples between March 21 and 25. Victorian businesses are being warned to make sure QR codes are being used correctly ahead of an enforcement blitz. Credit:Eddie Jim Coronavirus compliance blitz

As Victorian authorities closely monitor the number of new COVID-19 cases in Queensland and NSW, local businesses have been warned of a three-week coronavirus compliance blitz starting this week. A government spokeswoman said 500 additional businesses will be visited by authorised officers during the crackdown, meaning 3900 businesses will be checked over the next three weeks to ensure COVID-safe plans are being followed and staff and customers are properly using QR codes or sign-in systems. Supermarkets and seafood and butcher businesses are the focus in the lead-up to Easter. Queen Victoria Market has been specifically named as a hotspot, where businesses that have previously been found to be non-compliant will be followed up with. Retail, hospitality, licensed venues, warehousing, distribution centres and commercial cleaning services have all been flagged for increased monitoring. Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Danny Pearson on Thursday. Credit:Justin McManus

The government has also revealed it obtained data from accommodation app Airbnb to identify popular Easter holiday spots to target for compliance, including Bass Coast, Mornington Peninsula, East Gippsland and Yarra Ranges, the Surf Coast, Geelong, Glenelg, Bellarine Peninsula, Colac-Otway, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Alpine, Hepburn and the Grampians region. Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Danny Pearson indicated businesses may not be immediately fined for a first breach. He said 825 infringements had so far been issued for businesses. We know most businesses are doing the right thing, but well be out in force over the next few weeks to make sure COVID-safe plans are in place and being adhered to  supporting high-risk industries and workplaces stay safe, stay open, he said. A total of 19,430 tests were processed on Wednesday.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Governors COVID Emergency Declarations

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on March 31 struck down Gov. Tony Everss statewide mask mandate, ruling the Democrat overstepped his legal authority by declaring multiple states of emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The question in this case is not whether the Governor acted wisely; it is whether he acted lawfully. We conclude he did not, Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote in the opinion.

Evers initially declared a state of emergency in March 2020. He declared additional states of emergency in July and September. Evers has since issued new states of emergency on an ongoing basis.

Jere Fabick of the Heartland Institute sued Evers over the second and third declarations, asserting they were unlawful; four justices agreed.

Wisconsin law specifies that no state of emergency may last longer than 60 days unless the state legislature extends it through a joint resolution. The governor didnt obtain legislative approval for his extensions and explicitly went against lawmakers in February.

These are clear statutory commands, plainly stated. They compel the conclusion that the legislature enacted Wis. Stat.  323.10s time-limiting language to meaningfully constrain the governors authority to govern by emergency order, the majority wrote.

The state Supreme Court had already struck down Everss stay-at-home order, ruling that the Wisconsin health secretary didnt have the authority to issue the mandate. He later issued a stay-at-home advisory. A state appeals court later last year put a hold on the governors capacity limits in indoor businesses such as bars.

In a statement on March 31 after the new decision, Evers wrote: Since the beginning of this pandemic, Ive worked to keep Wisconsinites healthy and safe, and Ive trusted the science and public health experts to guide our decision making. Our fight against COVID-19 isnt overwhile we work to get folks vaccinated as quickly as we can, we know wearing a mask saves lives, and we still need Wisconsinites to mask up so we can beat this virus and bounce back from this pandemic.

Fabick in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times said: Todays decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court was a victory for the rule of law and the separation of powers. This case was never about partisan politics or masks. Instead, this challenge was brought to ensure that the Governor exercise his emergency powers lawfully, something of interest to all citizens of Wisconsin. A Governor is simply not permitted to continue declaring a state of emergency without legislative approval. This case ensures that future Governorsregardless of party and regardless of the reasonmust comply with the limits conferred on them by the emergency powers statute and must seek approval from the Legislature to extend a state of emergency declaration.

Republicans hailed the ruling.

Masks are given out to the limited number of fans in attendance for a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field in Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Dec. 19, 2020. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said in a statement: Todays ruling vindicates the Legislature as a co-equal branch of government and will expand freedom and opportunity for the people of Wisconsin. As we work to fully and safely reopen our state, we trust our residents to follow CDC guidelines when appropriate, get vaccinated when ready, and always employ common sense.

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke said the ruling only validates what weve known all alongGovernor Evers has been using his office to break the law for months.

But Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz said in a statement that the justices got it 100% backwards today.

The majoritys decision pretends that a pandemic is unchanging and ignores the devastating human impact of COVID-19, he said. This ruling ensures that Wisconsins response to future pandemics will be more complicated and take more time, which in turn will cost more lives. Politics should have no place in responding to a public health emergency.

Writing for the three justices who ruled for Evers, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley said in a dissenting opinion that the worldwide pandemic heightens the stakes in the case.

And with the stakes so high, the majority not only arrives at erroneous conclusions, but it also obscures the consequence of its decision, she wrote. Unfortunately, the ultimate consequence of the majoritys decision is that it places yet another roadblock to an effective governmental response to COVID-19, further jeopardizing the health and lives of the people of Wisconsin.
's ( ) Ian Murray discusses with Proactive's Andrew Scott the highlights from its 2020 exploration program at the Cape Ray gold project. He says they achieved multiple records and milestones - including the first new gold discovery there in more than 20 years as well as the expansion of gold mineralisation around existing mineral resources.
Monrovia  Nearly a year after the flawed justice system in Liberia dropped charges against one of most controversial figures of the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf era, the justice system in the United States of America has nailed Ellen Corkrum for fraud.

US Alleges Fraud

In charges filed by the US Justice Department, Corkrum is being charge with bank fraud in the USA for fraudulently requesting US$7.9 million, of which US$6 was received, from the government's payroll Protection Program.

The PPP was the brainchild of former President Donald Trump's administration, set up to provide small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits.

As part of the program, funds could also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

Under the program, fully forgiven funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.

Previous Indictment in Liberia

Corkrum, a former U.S. military Black Hawk assault helicopter pilot, served as the managing director of the Liberia Airports Authority before clandestinely fleeing in the wake of an indictment by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County in 2013 on charges of economic sabotage, criminal facilitation, conspiracy to defraud the government, and making unauthorized transfers of funds from government accounts.

Corkrum was indicted, as was the First International Bank which was accused of conspiring with Corkrum and her then boyfriend, Melvin Johnson to make an unauthorized transfer of funds in the amount of US$56,750 from the account of the Liberia Airport Authority when Corkrum was the Managing Director.

Corkrum was also accused of transferring US$269,000 to a fictitious company, Diaspora Consulting, LLC and its CEO, Momar Dieng, through whom she reportedly attended the Kennedy Business School, Harvard University.

Many Liberians were caught by surprise in December 2019 when lawyers representing the Government of Liberia filed a motion for Nolle Prosequoi at Criminal Court 'C' at the Temple of Justice, requesting that all charges against Ms. Ellen Cockrum be dropped. On December 9, the government's request was granted the same day by Judge Nancy F. Sammy of Criminal Court 'C'.

FrontPageAfrica has gathered that the dropping of the charges against Corkrum was a prelude to the Weah administration appointing her as director of the Airport.

In the motion, the Assistant Minister for Litigation at the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh, argued that the case has been pending before the court since 2013 without having the opportunity to serve defendant Corkrum with the Indictment or the Writ of Arrest to bring her under the jurisdiction of the court.

In 2015, some efforts were made to secure Corkrum's extradition to Liberia. The Solicitor General at the time, Cllr. Betty L. Blamo, traveled to the United States to meet U.S. authorities but that did not materialize, making it impossible for Corkrum to be served her indictment or extradited to lead to prosecution. These constraints, the CDC-led government noted, led to her decision to finally drop charges against Corkrum.

Criminal Court 'C' Judge Sammie therefore granted prosecution's request without hesitation, ultimately dismissing charges and the indictment against Corkrum.

At the time Judge Sammy said the court had "no alternative" but to agree with the government since "it is the Government of Liberia that has the responsibility to institute criminal charges against the accused person and prosecute them."

Fake Names; Fraudulent Transactions

According to the charges filed in the US District Court for Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Corkrum, used several aliases deceived authorities with criminal mischiefs.

From on or about April 27, 2020 through on or about June 17, 2020, in the Northern District of Georgia and elsewhere, the Corkrum, aka Hunter Vanpelt a/k/a Hunter Lauren Vanpelt a/k/a Ellen Corkrum a/k/a Ellen Yabba Kwame Corkrum, knowingly executed and attempted to execute a scheme and artifice to defraud financial institutions, the deposits of which were then insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC), and to obtain, by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises moneys, funds, credits, assets, securities and other property owned by and under the custody and control of those financial institutions, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344.

Under the Title 18 violation, a person who obtain any of the moneys, funds, credits, assets, securities, or other property owned by, or under the custody or control of, a financial institution, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, could be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.

The United States Small Business Administration(SBA) was an executive branch agency of the United States government that provided support to entrepreneurs and small business. The mission of the SBA was to maintain and strengthen the nation's economic recovery of communities and disasters.

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As part of this effort, the SBA enabled and provided for loans through banks, credit unions, and other lenders. These loans had government guarantees.

The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security(CARES) Act was a federal law enacted in or about March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

One source of relief that the CARES Act provided was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for payroll, mortgage interest, rent/lease, and utilities, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program(PPP). In April 2020, the Congress authorized up to $310 billion in additional PPP funding.

The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive PPP loans. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interests on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be entirely forgiven if the business spent the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time and used a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds for payroll expenses.

The amount of a PPP loan that a small business may have been entitled to receive was determined by the number of employees employed by the business and the business's average payroll costs.
In April of last year, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which investigates shootings involving Chicago cops, released more than a dozen video and audio clips from the shooting. While the cellphone video was seen on social media within hours of the shooting, the COPA footage provided closer views of the struggle between Roman and the two offices, as well as the scramble afterward as police tended to the man and passengers squeezed by his body on the floor.
To travel on public transport in Victoria, we are required to wear masks  bar one. While our lifts are meant to be ventilated to remove micro-organisms, we have all smelt the odours and perfumes left by previous users. Do the current lift ventilation standards meet requirements during pandemics? Do we know that the air in lifts is not a source of COVID-19 aerosols? Building managers seem unable to be required to request that users wear a mask. We need urgent advice from the health authorities, especially as more virulent types of the virus emerge.

John Vernon, Melbourne Risk from people unwittingly spreading the virus Under a new NSW Public Health Order, people in NSW who have been to greater Brisbane since March 20 must isolate at home, except for essential reasons including shopping for food and supplies, exercise, work and medical care (The Age, 30/3). So this effectively gives such persons a right to be in the community quite frequently. Admittedly, it would be hard not to go about your business. However, these exceptions virtually ensure the virus will spread in NSW.

Jan Marshall, Brighton The importance of protecting the aged care staff Dr Ralph Frank says there is no excuse for not having enforced a 100per cent mandatory vaccination rate for high-risk individuals (Letters, 31/3). Having read this, I am further appalled at news from my father-in-laws aged care home that residents will be vaccinated, but that staff will have to source these privately. Surely vaccinated staff are a critical line of protection for our elderly.

John Hart, Werribee

Please tell me what I have to do to get the jab Recently, hundreds of people marched in Melbourne in opposition to the COVID-19 vaccination. Do I really have to organise my own protest to get the same vaccine that the politicians promised but have not delivered?

Denis Evans, Coburg For some, the process is easy and smooth We rang the COVID-19 hotline. It was marvellous. They made the assessment and bookings for us  as long as it was at the Royal Exhibition Buildings. It was very easy. Spread the word.

Duncan and Mary Frost, North Warrandyte THE FORUM

Bad old days of nursing I am 70 years old and a registered nurse. During the early years of my professional life it was expected that nurses would kowtow to, and quietly accept, the abusive behaviour of male medical staff. The throwing of instruments and packs in the operating theatre, rude and aggressive verbal abuse, intimidation and, in some cases, physical abuse were accepted by both junior and senior nurses who were completely disempowered to object. Nurses were always seen as fair game and expected to take it. Thankfully many of the medical dinosaurs have gone and our sons are now leading the way in accepting nurses for their professionalism, knowledge and contribution as equal partners in the delivery of care

Kay Foster, South Yarra Make it jobs for the boys Our (manly) Prime Minister thinks that there are womens problems to be solved, so he creates a parcel of (female) ministers responsible for doing the work. I believe they are mens problems, so he should give the jobs to the boys. Lets have (male) ministers who are responsible and accountable for the prevention of male violence, the elimination of male chauvinism, the abolition of rape, and the minimisation of sexist approaches to problem-solving.

Ray Wilson, Northcote A misjudged comment

Liberal Party federal vice-president Teena McQueen demonstrates that being a woman in politics does not make you an exemplar of wisdom or charity. Senior Liberal said she would kill to be harassed (The Age, 31/3). Luckily there are plenty of women who demonstrate these qualities. Just not in the Liberal Party. The old saw that it is a fine line between stupid and brave applies. It is just that Ms McQueen has not heard it.

Carmel Boyle, Alfredton Please, it was a joke The world has gone crazy when what was obviously a throwaway line from Teena McQueen requires front page reporting and a public apology. The likes of Bob Hope, Benny Hill et al will be turning in their graves. (Oops. That was a joke, I didnt mean it. Sorry.)

Barbara Abell, Essendon Reality of harassment Clearly Teena McQueen believes sexual harassment is something that happens only to pretty, young women. I always thought it had more to do with abuse of power and lack of respect rather than sex appeal.

Emilio Bedin, Narre Warren

Changing the attitudes Clearly Scott Morrison had difficulty separating the message from the media  PM has finally taken steps to show that he is listening (The Age, 30/3). Social media might be a means by which women can be abused and threatened, but it is the attitude behind it that needs to change if you want to stop the abuse. Prime Minister, whether advertising a barbecue via online or printed newspapers, you need to provide the steak, not just the sizzle.

Anne Rutland, Brunswick West A $1 billion distraction Scott Morrisons latest attempt to deflect scrutiny away from his governments poor performance in aged care and the treatment of women is to spend $1 billion on home-made guided missiles (The Age, 31/3). Another case of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Chris Burgess, Port Melbourne When the numbers matter

Lou Ferrari (Letters, 30/3) raises an interesting issue about whether numbers could impact on Scott Morrisons decision not to sack Andrew Laming. Couldnt the same ethics rationale be applied to Julia Gillards refusal to sack Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper to maintain her numbers?

Pat Lyons, Melbourne Enough of the toxicity Much has been said about the toxic culture that has developed in our Parliament. Witness the vitriol often associated with Question Time and consider the model of respect that is projected from the top down. It is time for change.

Wayne Brewster, East Brighton Time for accountability Once again our Prime Minister sends his minions to attack the states and territories to distract from his governments failings. He did it during Victorias long lockdown and now he does it again to cover up his bungling of the COVID vaccine rollout. Isnt it time for a little self-reflection on his governments failings  the vaccine rollout, treatment of women and continued support for a disgraced MP? Perhaps our Prime Minister should be looking for a suitable course to enrol in  Honesty, Accountability and Owning It, 101.

Bridget Meldrum, Middle Park

Legitimate questions Why has the Victorian public been blindfolded by its media as to its Premiers recent accident?

There has been an absence of reporting about the property where the accident occurred, its rental value, if the steps were dangerous, possible liability by anyone, public liability insurance and whether the Premier will sue. A rumour mill has arisen to fill the vacuum, driven by an apparent compact of the media to ensure no detail arises within the public domain. We trust the Premier is recovering quickly, and without impediment.

Peter Alexander, South Yarra Stranger than fiction The bonuses paid to the train and tram companies (The Age, 31/3) reminded me of the Yes Minister episode that showed the paradox of a new hospital working better, and more cheaply and efficiently, when it was empty of patients.

Steven Sapountsis, Glen Iris Focus on our children

Just days ago, Victorias Commissioner for Children and Young People issued another damning report on the plight of abused children. There has been virtually no public commentary on it, while strong voices  for abused women, aged care, mental health, and more  speak out. Governments cherry-pick responses to social issues. They inquire, they act reluctantly if at all. Childrens voices, however, are likely to be the first drowned out as others, rightly, demand change. The problem? There is no overall plan to deal with social need. As Australia embraces individualism, there is increased pressure on societys victims who, despite the evidence, continue to be blamed for their plight. It is unacceptable for there to be winners and losers among societys most needy as we recover from COVID-19, but this is a likely outcome. We must ensure childrens needs are among the high priorities.

Dr Max and Dr Marg Liddell, Coburg Sorry, Steve, but no So, Steve Smith has let it be known he would like to reclaim the position of Australian Test captain (Sport, 31/3). Tell him hes dreamin.

Bruce Thomas, St Kilda East

So many work so hard Re the fees charged by an anaesthetist (Letters, 31/3). Many low-paid as well as under and unemployed people studied very hard for six years of high school, worked double shifts or more and acquired experience in lieu of study at low pay rates over many years. Skills, risk, knowledge and experience are fair considerations in determining fees, including justifiably high ones, but years of study and long hours in the early years of training and beyond not so much. They apply to many people outside the medical profession. Also, these days, there is no guaranteed correlation between commitment to study and hours worked, and employability and its corresponding rewards  as any educated, experienced, hard-working and retrenched worker aged 50-plus, or unemployed university graduate, will attest.

Emma Borghesi, Mount Martha The haves and have nots An estimated 150,000 honest and hardworking Australians may lose their jobs with the ending of JobKeeper. Disgraced Liberal MP Andrew Laming, whose actions have been condemned by all, will keep his job until the next election (presumably about 12 months away) on a base backbenchers salary of more than $200,000 per annum. He also has been granted medical leave to undergo empathy training. Will those Australians who are losing their JobKeeper payments receive a further 12months salary and extended medical leave to undertake empathy training? Certainly not. Where is the justice?

David Baker, Parkdale

When too big is too much What is it that makes anyone think population growth is good (The Age, 31/3)? Melbourne is catching up with Sydney. Scenic coastal areas are doing well. But is a bigger Melbourne better? Is a bigger (more suburban) holiday spot better? At what point do you say enough is enough?

Peter Seligman, Brunswick Please, read the science About 85per cent of East Gippsland was burnt in the 2019/2020 fires. This week Forest Fire Management Victoria is lighting remote, unburnt forests adjacent to the fire damage, killing already decimated species and increasing the vast area of flammable regrowth. Scientists have called for the remaining green refuges to be protected. But burning is now an industry in Victoria. The Victorian government urgently needs to read the science.

Rosalind Crisp, Orbost Our much-loved Age

The recent cyber attack on Nine made me aware of how much I rely on The Age. It gives me guidance to restaurants, streaming, movies, books, live shows, galleries and cultural events. The standard of many of your journalists is high and seems even to be getting higher. The app is my first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Thank you to The Age.

Jennifer Storrie, Melbourne Stop, youre killing me A funny column, Danny Katz  Three actors lead Dave and I to a fabricated finale (Opinion, 29/3). You have the courage to make a laughing stock of your own profession, and leave us rolling in the aisles. And you conjure brilliantly with the grammatical acrobatics of me and I (leaving your column heading sighing with relief).

Peter Deerson, Mornington AND ANOTHER THING Canberra

Who would have guessed  our very own Donald Trump, aka Andrew Laming.

Jan Bailey, Bairnsdale The bubble that Morrison used as an excuse for all things political has well and truly burst.

Murray Boyd, Jan Juc PM and Treasurer, increase all pensions and JobSeeker to $1100 a fortnight. Shame on you.

Lee Guion, Portarlington It seems Payne has inherited Julie Bishops death stare. What is she thinking? (She doesnt say much.)

Margaret Ady, Avondale Heights Our silent Minister for Women is now our Prime Minister for Women. Was this proposal taken to the last election?

John Russell, Bonbeach

Liberal Party federal vice-president Teena McQueen: not listening.

Bruce Watson, Clifton Springs If the PM is fair dinkum about listening to the people, he should send the Home Affairs Minister to Christmas Island to escort that family back to Biloela.

Russell Crellin, Greensborough While not wishing to condemn all private schools, do I detect a link between them, entitlement and the sordid circus in Canberra?

Henri Licht, Upwey Furthermore Millions paid in bonuses despite empty trains, trams. No money for many needs but the bonus gravy train rolls on.

Anne Flanagan, Box Hill North
A Walk with Fuzzy is a heartwarming book about a boy and his dog. A Walk with Fuzzy is the second book in the series by Juliete F. CDe Baca, a native New Mexican who wrote the book in honor of her son, who passed away at the age of twenty.

CDe Baca shares, This is a book about Billy and his cherished dog. Join Fuzzy on his journey and enjoy a walk with Fuzzy on his adventurous path to see all his horses, cows, and donkey friends that he meets on his journey. Enjoy each picture as this beautiful picture book is for reading aloud or for children to read for themselves.

A Walk with Fuzzy is a short story about a boy and his dog who meets new animal friends on a short journey. A short, easy to read story, this picture book is good to read aloud or for children to read for themselves.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Juliete F. CDe Bacas new book is a heartfelt story that will take children on a wondrous and adventure-filled journey. All proceeds of this book will be donated to the Service Dogs of New Mexico in hopes that service dogs will help others, as they helped her son in his life.

View a synopsis of A Walk with Fuzzy on YouTube.

Readers can purchase A Walk with Fuzzy at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about A Walk with Fuzzy, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, has expressed his commitment to make the tourism sector the number one contributor to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP).



He said boosting domestic tourism, profiling and packaging tourist sites and marketing them through the digital platform, as well as collaborating with the Ministry of Transport to work on roads leading to attraction sites, were some of the means to achieve that vision.



Well make domestic tourism the topmost priority to attract about one million local tourist visits annually, Dr Awal said.



Retreat



Speaking at a two-day retreat for the management staff and the heads of agencies under the ministry in Akosombo in the Eastern Region last Thursday, Dr Awal said he would specifically work to increase proceeds from tourism to $5 billion by December 2022.



Tourism proceeds have been a little above $1 billion, except 2019 when the Year of Return buoyed it to almost $4 billion.



The Tourism Minister said it was part of his unwavering commitment to make Ghanas tourism hub a game changer in the economic transformation envisaged by President Akufo-Addo's vision of Ghana Beyond Aid.



Dr Awal observed that the tourism industry was not doing well as expected and indicated his determination to turn the economic fortunes of the sector around by creating massive employment opportunities for Ghanaians.



He explained that the packaging of the sites through profiling, presenting the marvels and experiences they offered, their features and characteristics, the festivals and culture of the people of a particular area were some of the messages that would be marketed to domestic and international tourists, going forward.





The Minister of Tourism expressed his commitment to make Ghana an attractive tourist destination by upgrading the sites into world-class standards, given that tourism was a multi-billion dollar industry which needed to be given utmost attention.



Commitment



Dr Awal intimated that on his assumption of office, President Akufo-Addo indicated to him to use his business acumen and entrepreneurial skills to change the face of the countrys tourism industry.



The minister emphasised that he would infuse business perspectives and strategic policy direction that would rake in huge financial gains for the sector.



Task



Dr Awal entreated the heads of agencies under the ministry to endeavour to, as a matter of policy direction, always have recourse to him before undertaking any policy execution in their operations.



The Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr John Yao Agbeko, said the meeting was to afford the policy makers an opportunity to have a deeper knowledge of the sector-wide performance from the agency heads.



At the event, 11 heads of agencies under the ministry took turns to make presentations on the policy interventions in their respective agencies.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Senate on Tuesday requested additional information on the proposed $1.5 billion and 995 million (Euro) foreign loans to be taken by the federal government to execute some agricultural projects across the country.

It also suspended approval for the N8.5 billion 2021 budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) due to discrepancies in the figures contained in the proposals.

The Senate committee on local and foreign debts at an interface with the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance and Debt Management Office over 995million and $1.5billion foreign loans directed them to furnish it with more details before approval can be given.

This was due to the inability of both the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Mohammed Nanono, and the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Mrs. Patience Oniha, to give the committee satisfactory answer on government preparedness for the loans.

The plan of actions tabled before the committee by the Minister of Agriculture on the 995million Euros loans being sought for Agricultural Mechanization across the 774 local government councils in the country, was faulted by most members of the committee headed by Senator Clifford Ordia.

The minister had in his submission said since out of the 92million hectares of cultivable land available in the country, only 34 million hectares are utilized now, 780 service centres have been set up across the country for mechanized farming.

He said: "The Ministry is seriously in bilateral partnership with Brazil where 300 tractors are to be bought and imported for the project this year once the loan is approved. The country as it is today is in a deficit of 60,000 tractors, the reason why the Ministry is planning for procurement of 5,000 tractors every three, three years. All these plans of ours, are geared towards food security in the country the population of which will be 400 million in about 40years from now".

But the committee members including Senators Uba Sani, Birma Enagi, Adelere Oriolowo, Francis Alimikhena told the Minister that beautiful plans are different from practical Implementation.

Senator Oriolowo told the Minister that based on personal experience, the plans he tabled before them will not yield any positive results.

According to him, "the tractors you are planning to bring from Brazil, will in no distant time run aground by people who are not trained for proper usage of such machines as it happened in Osun and Borno States recently.

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"Capacity building is very important for people to be engaged in the Mechanised farming which we didn't hear from your presentation and besides, are you in touch with the real farmers who if actually involved will make the project impactful.

"Beautiful plans like the ones you have just unfolded, are not new in this country. Please rejig the plans to be in tune with productivity needs of the real or rural farmers if you don't want the money being sought for to go down in drains".

On the $1.5billion loan being sought for the 36 states government and the Federal Capital Territory, for the execution of critical infrastructure against the resurgence of COVID - 19 pandemic, the committee Chairman, Senator Ordia, directed the DG of DMO, to furnish them with the creditworthiness of the states which she couldn't provide.

The Committee, therefore, resolved that the DG, DMO, must furnish it with such information before approval can be given for the loan.

Said Ordia: "We have listened to the presentations made by the Minister of Agriculture on the need for the approval of the 995m Euros loan and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Aliyu Ahmed, on the need for the approval of $1.5bn loan meant for the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, but the required details of planned execution requested for must be given before the approval".

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Committee on FCT suspended the approval of the N8.5 billion FCT-IRS budget proposal based on series of discrepancies in the proposals.

The parastatal was, however, directed to appear before the Committee headed by Senator Abubakar Kyari, on Thursday for a re-presentation of the budget estimates.
Guwahati, March 31 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that BJP will not allow Assam to again become a hub for illegal migrants and the international borders would be sealed to curb unlawful migration.

Shah said that while the BJP government is trying to make Assam an illegal migration-free state, the Congress has forged an alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) headed by Badruddin Ajmal, who, according to the BJP leader, always patronises illegal migration.

Announcing to reopen the closed paper mills in the state, the former BPP national President, while addressing three election rallies in Bijni, Hajo and Dispur, said that huge bamboo resources are available in Assam and papers would be made in the state's paper mills to meet the country's requirement.

Two Assam paper mills in Nagaon and Hailakandi districts are closed for more than five years.

Claiming to make Guwahati the startup capital of Southeast Asia, the Home Minister said that Assam would be made 'Aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant) and the youth of the state would no longer need to go out of the state in search of jobs.

Shah said: "The BJP government has made Assam an agitation free, terrorism free and corruption free state. Now Assam would soon be a flood free state as well.

"Every year, 7.5 per cent soil erosion takes place due to floods in the Brahmaputra river. Satellite survey projects, including the creation of mega reservoirs, would be undertaken to prevent the recurring floods." Detailing the development projects undertaken by the BJP government at the Centre headed by Prime Minister Narendra modi, Shah said that road projects worth Rs 53,000 crore were sanctioned by Modi, while six big bridges were constructed over the Brahmaputra River while Rs 46,000 crore projects are being implemented in the gas and oil sectors.

"Stopping the poaching of Assam's famed rhinos, the BJP government freed the Kaziranga National Park of illegal encroachers," Shah said.

Accusing the Congress for not solving the problem of insurgency leading to the killing of hundreds of people in the state, the Home Minister said that the Modi government took the initiative for signing of the Bodo Accord, paving the way for permanent peace in Assam.

"I promise to all of you that the Central government would implement every single promise made in the Bodo agreement before 2022 for a peaceful Assam," he stated.

The second phase of polling in Assam would be held on Thursday, while the third and final phase will be conducted on April 6. The results will be declared on May 2.

The first phase of elections was held on March 27 with a voter turnout of nearly 80 per cent.
A parolee convicted of killing his mother nearly two decades ago has been arrested on hate crime charges over an attack on an Asian American woman in New York City, police said.

New York Police Department said Brandon Elliot, 38, is the man seen on surveillance video kicking and stamping on the woman near Times Square in Manhattan on Monday.

They said Elliot was living at a hotel that serves as a homeless shelter a few blocks from the scene of the attack. He was taken into custody at the hotel around midnight, after tips from the public.

Elliot was convicted of stabbing his mother to death in the Bronx in 2002, when he was 19. He was released from prison in 2019 and is on lifetime parole. The parole board had previously twice denied his release. His record also included an arrest for robbery in 2000.

When youre releasing people from prison and youre putting them in homeless shelters youre asking for trouble, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told WPIX-TV.

a i ARRESTED



Brandon Elliot, a parolee out on supervised release, has been arrested & charged w/ this brutal assault.



Great work by your @NYPDDetectives, identifying & apprehending the assailant, all within 48 hrs a always seeking justice for victims. https://t.co/NVdIO8WVhD  Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) March 31, 2021

Theres got to be a safety net and theres got to be resources for them. You just shake your head and say, What could possibly go wrong, and this is what goes wrong. It just never should happen.

Elliot, who is black, faces charges of assault as a hate crime, attempted assault as a hate crime, assault and attempted assault, police said.

The victim was identified as Vilma Kari, a 65-year-old woman who emigrated from the Philippines, her daughter told the New York Times.

Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippines ambassador to the US, said Ms Kari was Filipino American.

The countrys foreign secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr, condemned the attack in a Twitter post, saying: This is gravely noted and will influence Philippine foreign policy.

The Philippines and the US are long-time treaty allies, but Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte is a vocal critic of US security policies and has moved to terminate a key agreement that allows large military exercises with US forces in the Philippines.

Ms Kari was walking to church in midtown Manhattan when police said a man kicked her in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, stamped on her face, shouted anti-Asian slurs and told her, You dont belong here, before casually walking away as onlookers watched.

She was discharged from hospital on Tuesday after being treated for serious injuries, a hospital spokesperson said.

Mondays attack, among the latest in a national spike in anti-Asian hate crimes, drew widespread condemnation and concerns about the failure of bystanders to intervene.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack absolutely disgusting and outrageous and said it was absolutely unacceptable that witnesses did not help the woman.

The attack happened just weeks after a mass shooting in Atlanta that left eight people dead, six of them women of Asian descent, and just a few days after a 65-year-old Asian American woman in the same Manhattan neighbourhood was threatened and heckled with anti-Asian slurs.

The surge in violence has been linked in part to misplaced blame for the coronavirus pandemic and former president Donald Trumps use of terms like Chinese virus.
An urgent alert has been issued for all retail and takeaway shops along the main strip of one of Australia's most popular holiday hotspots.

Byron Bay in far northern NSW is on high alert after an infected Brisbane nurse who unknowingly spread coronavirus while attending a hen's party in Byron Bay last week.

More local venues have been added to the growing list of potential exposure sites after being attended by an infected case last Saturday.

Anyone who visited a retail or takeaway outlet on Saturday March 27 between noon and 4pm in Lawson, Jonson, Browning and Fletcher streets has been ordered to get tested immediately and self-isolate until they return a negative result.

They must then continue to monitor for symptoms and if they appear, isolate and get tested again.

Anyone who attended a retail or takeaway shop in Byron Bay's main shopping strip between noon and 4pm on March 27 must get tested. It includes Lawson, Jonson, Browning and Fletcher streets. Pictured are shoppers in Jonson Street, Byron Bay on Wednesday

Anyone who visited a retail or takeaway outlet on Saturday March 27 between noon and 4pm in Lawson, Jonson, Browning and Fletcher streets in Byron Bay (pictured) should get tested

The health alert was issued late Wednesday after a host of businesses in the town's shopping strip joined the list, including Surf, Dive and Ski, Arnhem Clothing, Spell Designs, The Cellar, Main Street Burger bar, Quiksilver, Aldi and Byron Bay Central Pharmacy.

A gym and pub restaurant in the surrounding areas were also added.

Anyone who attended the Surfit 24/7 Epiq Gym in Lennox Head on Sunday March 28 between 6-11am and the Park Hotel/Motel pub restaurant in Suffolk Park 1-2pm the same day must immediately get tested and self-isolate until they receive further advice from NSW Health.

Strict coronavirus restrictions will be enforced on Easter celebrations in Byron Bay this long weekend after NSW announced its first locally-acquired case in two weeks.

A northern NSW man in his 20s tested positive late Tuesday night after he attended the same venue as a hen's party linked to a spate of COVID-19 cases in Queensland last Friday night.

His household contacts have tested negative and the man has been in self-isolation since Monday.

Retail and takeaway outlets along Byron Bay's main strip are on high alert after being visited by infected cases . Pictured is The Northern Hotel in Jonson Street

The man attended a tavern and golf course in Ballina while unknowingly infectious on Sunday March 28.

Anyone who attended the Ballina Golf and Sports Club pro shop 2.25pm-2.35pm on Sunday must immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

Anyone who attended Ballina's Henry Rous Tavern on Sunday between 1.20pm- 2.20pm must also get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

New NSW restrictions The following restrictions apply to the Byron Bay, Ballina, Tweed and Lismore local government areas, which come into affect from 5pm Wednesday (march 31) and continue over Easter until 11:59pm Monday April 5 - Home gatherings restricted to 30 people, including holiday rentals - One person per four square metre rule in public indoor settings including hospitality venues - Customers must be seated at all times in venues - Mandatory masks in shops, transport, taxis Advertisement

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced coronavirus restrictions for Byron Bay and the surrounding Ballina, Tweed and Lismore local government areas, which came into effect 5pm Wednesday will continue over the Easter long weekend until midnight April 5.

Until at least Tuesday, home gatherings will be limited to 30, the 'four square metre' rule reintroduced in indoor public setting and masks mandated in some settings.

The premier also urged residents living in the area not to head elsewhere for the Easter break.

'It is our very strong preference that if you live in any of those four local government areas, that you don't travel outside those areas,' Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Wednesday.

'We won't be policing that but it is very strong advice ... if there is community transmission, we don't want it seeded to other parts of NSW.

'Given it's the Easter weekend, there's a lot of movement ... we don't want a super-spreading event like the northern beaches which then resulted in us having to go further.'

There were no plans to close the NSW-Queensland border nor plans to tighten the 'proportionate' restrictions further, Ms Berejiklian told reporters.

The premier also said the government would not yet discourage NSW holiday-goers from visiting Byron Bay.

The mandatory wearing of masks has been introduced in four local government areas in far northern NSW over the Easter long weekend. Pictured are people in Byron Bay on Wednesday

Bluesfest, a music festival set to draw thousands of revellers to Byron Bay this weekend, was cancelled on Wednesday.

NSW Health minister Brad Hazzard signed a public health order cancelling the festival less than 24 hours before it was due to begin.

He said the festival had been cancelled due to the risk festival goers - some of whom travel from interstate - may spread the highly infectious COVID-19 variant across the country.

'While the cancellation of Bluesfest is disappointing for music lovers and the local community, I hope that ticket holders would support Bluesfest and hold on to their tickets as I understand Bluesfest will be working on a new date as soon as possible,' Mr Hazzard said.

Bluesfest was also cancelled in 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 03:30:20|Editor: huaxia

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Illegal migrants arrive at a naval base in Tripoli, Libya, on March 31, 2021. The Libyan Navy on Wednesday announced rescuing a total of 163 illegal migrants of different African nationalities off the country's western coast. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

TRIPOLI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan Navy on Thursday announced rescuing a total of 163 illegal migrants of different African nationalities off the country's western coast.

The migrants were rescued in two separate operations, the Libyan Navy said, adding that they were handed over to the anti-illegal immigration department upon disembarkation at the capital Tripoli Naval Base.

On the other hand, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday announced that at least five illegal migrants died at sea as their boat capsized after departure from Libya.

Libya has become a preferred point of departure for immigrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores, due to the insecurity and chaos that have plagued Libya since the fall of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

In 2020, a total of 11,891 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, the IOM estimates, adding that 381 migrants died and 597 went missing on the Central Mediterranean route during the same period.

Rescued migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centers. Enditem
[March 31, 2021] Liberty Defense Announces $1 Million Grant from BIRD Foundation and Department of Homeland Security

VANCOUVER, BC and ATLANTA, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Liberty Defense Technologies, Inc.("Liberty" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCAN) (OTCQB: LDDFF) (FRANKFURT: LD2), a leading concealed weapons detection company, is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from The Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation. The BIRD Foundation is an organization that provides capital for joint industrial research and development between American and Israeli companies. BIRD was established in 1977 by the governments of the United States and Israel. "We have been working very closely with our Israeli partner, Levitection, on a multi-sensor, contactless public safety security solution to identify covert threats," said Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense. Liberty and Levitection will split the award evenly. Levitection is a scientific research and development company operating in the field of advanced electromagnetic imaging, specifically focused on the development of revolutionary Near Field Threat Detection (NFTD) systems for concealed weapon detection in public safety applications. "The threat of terrorism, both domestic and international, is on the rise, and we are focused on developing those next-generation technologies that will provide the necessary level of sophistication to thwart these modern threats," added Frain. "This includes taking a layered approach to security. The fusion of Liberty and Levitection technologies will provide additional capabilities to achieve this in environments with high foot traffic." BIRD awarded funding earlier this year to two homeland security projects that are being developed by collaborations between U.S. and Israeli companies, selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the Ministry of Public Security (MOPS) of the State of Israel, and approved by the BIRD Foundation's Board of Governors, to advance technologies for homeland security. DHS announced earlier, "The BIRD HLS program gives us the opportunity to bring some of the best U.S. and Israeli technology companies together to address our broad homeland security needs." "These strategic partnerships will develop innovative solutions that will enhance safety and security around the globe," added Dr. Eitan Yudilevich, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation. "BIRD HLS attracts innovative American and Israeli companies and encourages synergistic partnerships to develop solutions that will fulfill critical homeland security needs in both countries. We look forward to continuing our work with DHS and the Israel Ministry of Public Security and to the next cycle in 2021."



On Behalf of Liberty Defense Bill Frain

CEO & Director



About Liberty Defense

Liberty Defense Technologies, Inc. (TSXV: SCAN, OTCQB: LDDFF, FRANKFURT: LD2) provides advanced security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas. Liberty has secured an exclusive license from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a technology transfer agreement, for patents related to active 3D radar imaging technology, which is packaged into Liberty's HEXWAVE product. HEXWAVE is discrete, modular and scalable, and provides layered defense with stand-off detection capability. This is intended to provide a means to proactively counter evolving threats. HEXWAVE uses active 3D radar imaging and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect metal and non-metal firearms, knives, explosives and other threats. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions. Learn more: LibertyDefense.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-defense-announces-1-million-grant-from-bird-foundation-and-department-of-homeland-security-301259537.html SOURCE Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd.

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There is a feeling of shock and dismay among various professions after the Government decided to adopt an age-based vaccination roll-out.

Irelands inoculation programme has been under fire since it began and many groups feel they have been largely forgotten. Some teachers, special needs assistants and gardai have all criticised the decision, while others admit they believe it is a fairer process.

Most of us have been working from home for the last year, but essential retail staff, those working in public transport, hospital cleaners, porters and kitchen staff and many others, have been at the coalface since last March.

They were often left out of debates about which sector is most at risk and should be given priority in the vaccination queue. All that is irrelevant now as vaccines will be given in order of age, but many in these sectors still feel hard done by.

Father-of-three Robert Sullivan is an SNA at a special school in Co Meath. He returned to the classroom on February 11, under the impression they would receive the vaccine once the most vulnerable were looked after. His eldest son has Down syndrome and is deemed high-risk, but hasnt been vaccinated yet.

Were now wondering whether well even be vaccinated before the return to school in September, Mr Sullivan said.

Im 48 but the roll-out has been so slow, so Im living in hope that theyll ramp it up soon.

As much as I love my job, its difficult. I dont see anybody. I havent seen my father since Christmas Eve and we do this to protect the young lad I live with. I love the kids but we have to think of ourselves and our home life sometimes too.

We were always unhappy about going back without vaccinations, but that is the nature of the job. Children need to be in school, but it would destroy me to think I could pass on the virus to one of the children in the school also. Its very stressful.

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Brendan OConnor, vice-president with the Garda Representative Association (GRA), said members feel betrayed.

The Government has failed to recognise the gardais efforts to date in fighting this pandemic. We put the country first before our families. We worked in circumstances where PPE and the level of protection wasnt up to standard, but we didnt complain and did what was asked, safe in the knowledge wed be vaccinated soon. Weve had that thrown back in our face.

Mr OConnor doesnt believe the new system will be more efficient.

We dont accept that it will be simpler to vaccinate people by age. We have our own medical department within the organisation, so it would be simple to vaccinate our own members if they would allow it.

An Garda Siochana has confirmed it will accept any offers of surplus vaccines made by the Health Service Executive, or its agents, in the meantime.

Anne Loughnane, a teacher at Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine in Kenmare, Co Kerry, said the impression unions got was that the programme was being changed as it is more practical from an IT point of view.

We cant sacrifice peoples health because our IT isnt up to scratch, Ms Loughnane said. This shouldnt be a reason for changing the vaccine roll-out.

Its downgrading. Its not giving teachers or other groups respect as essential workers. Paying lip service to essential workers and saying how grateful they are, that is of very little use. In the US, teachers over 50 were given priority. The Government can and should do more.

Teacher Lisa, who asked for her surname not to be published, has been a primary school teacher for two years. She believes the new approach makes more sense.

Everyones home situation is different, she said. My mam is 56 and is high-risk, but not high-risk enough to have got it already. With this new system shell get it before I do, which is better in my opinion. Im glad the older teachers will get vaccinated ahead of the younger ones too. Obviously I want life to go back to normal but theres no point complaining.

"Im the youngest teacher in my school so I feel like the famous Mean Girls quote will be applicable for the new roll-out. The older teachers will be, like, You cant sit with us!

Lisa Keane works in a supermarket in Dublin and says she spent most of last year worrying about the risks brought about by her job.

I have bad asthma and my husband has just come through cancer so if I caught Covid, it would be very risky for both of us, she said.

Even though people are supposed to wear face coverings, a lot wear them under their chin so its completely pointless. There was also a queuing system in the beginning but thats gone out the window and there are days when the shop is packed.

Tom Dillon works as a bus driver for a private firm and says while his employer has done everything possible to ensure his safety and the safety of passengers, he still feels uneasy.

Im dealing with the public every day and feel exposed to the virus, he said. Sometimes passengers try to get on without a mask and theres an argument before they either follow the rules or get off, but I cant see if they are wearing it when they are sitting down in their seats, so I always feel at risk.

And I feel guilty coming home to my family after a long shift as I would be gutted if I caught something and passed it on to them.

For pharmacist Eoghan Hanley, who runs two pharmacies in Loughrea, Co Galway, the biggest issue is not the vaccination list but the lack of a supply of vaccines.

Pharmacy workers are in Cohort 2, so we have been vaccinated, he says. But I do believe that others in essential retail, along with delivery drivers who deliver twice a day to the 1,800 pharmacies around the country and people in the warehouses where medicines are packed and stored, are also at risk.

Pharmacists, along with GPS, nurses, dentists and even the army are willing and able to administer vaccines but unfortunately the issue is down to a lack of vaccine rather than vaccinators.
A 74-year-old Virginia man broke out into a scarlet red rash after getting Johnson & Johnson's one-dose COVID-19 vaccine.

What began as a slight 'discomfort' under Richard Terrell's arm four days after his vaccination quickly escalated into an itchy, swollen flush covering most of his body.

'It all happened so fast. My skin peeled off,' Terrell told WRIC.

By March 19, he sought a dermatologist's help, and the doctor sent him to an emergency room.

His doctors at the ER ultimately ruled that Terrell's scary skin condition was indeed an extremely rare side effect of the vaccine, caused by the frenzied activation of his immune system.

Terrell's reaction was reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and, after five days in the hospital, he recovered and was able to go home.

Despite the harrowing reaction, Terrell does not regret his vaccination and encourages everyone to get theirs.

What began as a slight 'discomfort' under Richard Terrell's arm four days after his vaccination quickly escalated into an itchy, swollen flush covering most of his body

Terrell, 74, had to go to the ER where he spent five days in treatment and doctors ruled his painful rash a reaction to the J&J shot

Terrell's reaction was not unlike the 'Covid arm' rash seen in some recipients of Moderna's vaccine.

But the splotch is typically a harmless response from the immune system to the shot that fades within a week.

The official term used by dermatologists and allergists to describe the side effect is 'delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity.'

Cutaneous means affecting the skin, hypersensitivity mean an unwanted reaction produced by the immune system and delayed because it typically occurs days after the shot is given.

The rash is typically red and swollen, and sometime painful to the touch, and always appears on the arm in which the vaccine was administered.

His legs and hands swelled grotesquely and turned a deep, painful purple, cracked and peeled

Such reactions have also been found in people who've received tetanus vaccines, the chickenpox vaccine and the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.

But Terrell's reaction went beyond mild, passing irritation.

His legs and hands swelled grotesquely and turned a deep, painful purple.

'It was stinging, burning and itching,' Terrell told WRIC.

'Whenever I bent my arms or legs, like the inside of my knee, it was very painful where the skin was swollen and was rubbing against itself.'

Even Terrell's back broke out red splotches.

He stuck it out for several days before making an appointment with a dermatologist, who sent him to an emergency room where he was quickly admitted to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

Doctors think the reaction was due to a rare interaction between Terrell's genetics and the shot

'We ruled out all the viral infections, we ruled out COVID-19 itself, we made sure that his kidneys and liver was okay, and finally we came to the conclusion that it was the vaccine that he had received that was the cause,' Dr Fnu Nutan, who treated Terrell.

'kin is the largest organ in the body, and when it gets inflamed like his was, you can lose a lot of fluids and electrolytes,' she said, explaining that the reaction can become life-threatening as a result of dehydration if left untreated.

Allergic reactions to all three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S.

In fact, they are even more uncommon with Johnson & Johnson's vaccine than those made by Moderna and Pfizer.

It's not clear what, if any, allergies Terrell has.

But his doctors suspect that he may have some rare genetic traits the interact with ingredients in the vaccine to trigger the out of control and painful reaction he had to the shot.

Within five days, Terrell had recovered and was sent home, though he says he is still weak and regaining his strength.

Still, both he and Dr Nutan say the shot is worth it.

'If you look at the risk for adverse reaction for the vaccine its really, really low,' Dr Nutan said.

'We havent seen a great concern at all. I am a big proponent of the vaccine.'
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 20:54:55|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The delegation of the African Union (AU) is on a three-day field mission to Sudan to assess the political, security, economic and humanitarian situations in the country.

The delegation of the AU Peace and Security Council, under the Chairmanship of Kenya's Permanent Representative to AU, Jean Njeri Kamau, arrived in Sudan's capital of Khartoum Tuesday, according to a statement from the pan-African bloc Wednesday.

The field mission is taking place in line with the Council's mandate to promote and enhance peace, security and stability on the continent, in particular, as it relates to the implementation of its various decisions on the situation in Sudan.

During its mission, the Council will gather first-hand information regarding the political, security, economic and humanitarian developments in the country, including the state of progress in the implementation of the Juba Agreement, challenges being faced and to ascertain the next steps required in order to facilitate a successful transition in the country, according to the statement.

It is the fifth field mission of the AU Peace and Security Council to Sudan since March 2013. And the delegation comprises representatives of member states of the Council, including Burundi, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Senegal.

The delegation is also expected to reaffirm AU's solidarity with the government and people of Sudan, as well as its unwavering commitment to supporting the ongoing transition and encouraging the transitional government to continue implementing the signed agreements with a view to build a peaceful Sudan.

The delegation will hold consultations with a number of stakeholders, including the high officials of the transitional government, political parties, civil society organizations, the African Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), the European Union and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

With the field mission to be wrapped up Thursday, the delegation will also travel to El Fasher, North Darfur, where it will visit the Abushuk Internally Displaced Persons Camp and consult with UNAMID officials. Enditem
Less than one week after Republicans in Georgia passed a controversial new election law, one of the states top GOP leaders expressed concern over portions of the bill he believes dont make sense.

There were some things I didnt like in the law early on in the process and I spoke up really loudly about it, Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan told Yahoo News. I think an important part of this is about continuing to live around the mantra of making voting in Georgia easier to vote and harder to cheat.

As lieutenant governor, Duncan presides over the states Senate and casts tie-breaking votes. With the measure passing in the Legislature on a party line vote, however, that wasnt necessary. Still, Duncan takes issue with some of the provisions of the new law.

I didnt think it made sense for us to roll back no-excuse, absentee ballot voting, Duncan said. I felt like the early versions of the bill also limited Sunday voting. I didnt think that was a really good position to take.

I [also] didnt think it necessarily made sense [to not allow] water and food in line, he added. I think there were just better ways to do it.

Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan with Gov. Brian Kemp, center, after signing a bill at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Following a record 5 million votes cast in the 2020 election cycle in Georgia, Duncan said he hopes for an even bigger turnout in 2024, something critics of Georgias new law say it was designed to prevent. Duncan also adds that Republicans in his state need to regain credibility by admitting the fact that former President Trump lost in 2020 fair and square.

I think the best place for Republicans to start in any sort of election reform conversation is to start off by saying former President Donald Trump lost the election fair and square, he said. Now lets go have a conversation about ways to modernize and update the way we vote here in Georgia.

Despite his gripes about portions of the law, Duncan believes the passing of Senate Bill 202, now the Election Integrity Act of 2021, ensures future Georgia elections will be more secure than ever before with increased ID requirements and changes to early voting.

Story continues

But Democrats say there was nothing wrong with the election laws, as evidenced by the law passing along strictly partisan lines. Instead, they contend, Republicans have rolled out the new law in direct response to Democrats winning the presidential race and Senate runoff elections.

SB 202 suppresses voters, criminalizes compassion & seizes election authority from local + state officials, Former Democratic House Leader Stacey Abrams tweeted on Thursday, shortly after Kemp signed the bill into law after it passed in the Republican-majority Senate. Republicans passed & signed #SB202 to signal their capitulation to lies over truth. To fear over fairness. To suppression over participation.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, second from right. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Now the courts will decide the laws fate. As of Wednesday afternoon, three civil rights organizations  the New Georgia Project, the Black Voters Matter Fund and the Georgia NAACP  have filed separate legal challenges to the law saying it will disproportionately affect elderly voters and people of color.

The thinly-veiled attempt to roll back the progress we have made to empower Georgians  to use their voices in the democratic process  creates an arbitrary law that does not improve voter confidence, secure election integrity nor increase access to the ballot box, Rev. James Woodall, state president of Georgia NAACP, said in a statement.

The most glaring change enacted in the new law concerns absentee voting. The earliest that voters can now request a mail-in ballot is 77 days before an election, instead of the previous allotted 180 days. Additionally, the final deadline to complete an absentee ballot application was moved back a week. Republicans say those changes will cut down on the number of ballots rejected because of tight turnaround times.

GOP state Rep. Alan Powell said the new law brings uniformity to an electoral system that was severely stressed during the last election cycle.

The Georgia election system was never made to be able to handle the volume of votes that it handled, he told the New York Times. What weve done in this bill in front of you is we have cleaned up the workings, the mechanics of our election system.

Not surprisingly, Democrats disagree.

A record 1.3 million Georgians voted absentee in the general election, with then-candidate Joe Biden nearly doubling Trumps total, receiving almost 850,000 votes compared to Trumps 450,000. Democrats see the tightening of restrictions as a form of retaliation. The new provisions, progressives argue, suppresses the vote for marginalized communities, including Black Georgians who turned out in record numbers in the most recent election cycle, some of whom relied on longer turnaround times to return their ballots.

Voters at a polling location during the Senate runoff elections in Atlanta. (Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Nikema Williams, Georgias newest Democratic congresswoman, told CNN on Sunday that she believes the states recent progressive wins is fueling a GOP backlash.

Republicans are pushing back and theyre upset that we were able to win, she said. And so theyre going to do everything in their power right now to restrict access to people who mainly look like me from voting.

The new election law also has new voter ID requirements for requesting and returning a ballot. Applicants must now include their driver's license number, state ID number or a copy of another acceptable voter ID. But many poor Georgians and people of color who live in rural communities do not have a state-issued ID, potentially excluding them from participating in future elections.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, one of Georgias two new Democratic senators, questioned the motivations of Republican leaders who support this law.

You are literally going to make public policy based on a lie, based on the feeling that some people have that things didnt turn out the way they should have turned out? Warnock said at an event in Atlanta Friday. Is that how we make public policy?

In defending the new law, Kemp said Tuesday that it expands access to voting.

I think when people get educated on the bill and are not subjected to people misleading them on the other side about what this bill actually does, he told NPR Tuesday, I think theyll have good understanding of why the General Assembly took the actions that they did.

Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

One bright spot in the new law cited by proponents and critics of the legislation is that it extends early voting opportunities, making Saturday voting mandatory while keeping Sunday hours optional. In addition, counties can now have early voting hours lasting up to 12 hours a day, with a minimum of eight hours.

But another point of contention in the law are its changes to the State Election Board. The secretary of state will no longer chair the board and the new chair would be appointed by a majority of lawmakers in the state House and Senate. Current Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger, a Republican, came under fire following the 2020 election when he disputed Trumps false claims of voter fraud in the presidential election, and did not go along with pressure not to certify the results.

Duncan believes Raffensperger is getting pushed aside for the appeasement of those who buy into the conspiracy that Trump should have one in 2020.

The only thing [Raffensperger is] guilty of is being former presidents scapegoat, Duncan said.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. (Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Under the new law, the State Elections Board will now have more power to intervene in county elections boards that are deemed underperforming, which many feel leaves room for Republicans to overturn future elections that dont go their way.

Hillary Holley, organizing director of Fair Fight, a grassroots nonprofit that encourages voter participation, believes that if these laws were in place in 2020, Republicans would have been able to stop the election from being certified and overturned the election in favor of Trump.

They are trying to change the fundamental way elections work and that shouldnt be a partisan issue, Holley told Yahoo News.

Republican Rep. Barry Fleming, a key voice in creating the law, called the provision a temporary fix, so to speak, that ends and the control is turned back over to the locals after the problems are resolved.

Election workers count ballots in Atlanta on Nov. 3, 2020. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

With the repercussions of Georgias new election law still being debated and its legality soon to be argued in court, Duncan said that Republicans need to get back to focusing on the challenges already facing their constituents, rather than creating new ones.

Weve got to dive into communities and understand the real problems, he said. We can't just use 280 characters to demonize people all over the country, if not the world, if we want to convince folks to vote for us.

Cover thumbnail photo illustration: Yahoo News; Photos: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images, Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
TUSTIN, Calif., March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TKO Farms, the world's leading agricultural innovator and cultivator of graviola and a leading source of high-value crops including teak and other commercially-precious hardwood trees, coconuts, sopadilla, cacao, and citrus fruits, announced today the details of its graviola operations.

Expanding on a Rich Agricultural Tradition

Nestled into a protected scenic and lush area of biodiverse Belize near the capital city of Belmopan, TKO Farms is a 912-acre agricultural oasis featuring over 80,000 fruit bearing trees and 130,000 exotic hardwood trees, together providing a steady supply of exports to discerning customers around the world.

"For generations, this land has produced some of the finest agricultural products available in Belize or anywhere else in the world," said Evan Matzner, COO of TKO Farms. "Under our careful stewardship for the past five years, what is now TKO Farms has been lovingly and sustainably expanded beyond teak and mahogany trees to now be the world's largest graviola producer"

To date, TKO Farms has also built three stunning, fully-furnished cottage retreats on the farm. Cottages provide a complete immersion into Belize and its culture, into TKO Farms operations, and serve as a way for TKO Farms to directly share the magic, beauty, and their work with invited guests.

Moving into Health and Wellness

Having recognized the demand for high-end consumer health and wellness product ingredients, TKO Farms is expanding beyond exotic hardwoods and foods by dedicating a substantial portion of its cultivation operations specifically to cacao and graviola  premium, highly sought-after ingredients utilized in luxury health and beauty product formulation.

Graviola: The Next Transformational Ingredient

Graviola (also known as soursop and Brazilian pawpaw) is used for a variety of purposes and has long been a staple of traditional medicine as well as a food source in Belize and South America. Due to the difficulty in producing high quality fruit, graviola routinely retails for $10-15 per pound in the US, and quality produce is very limited.

"We recognized in graviola the next potentially transformational health and wellness ingredient," said Ken Owen, Chairman of TKO Farms. "The difficult nature of growing world-class graviola fruit presented significant challenges and initially served as a major barrier to its potential for commercial success. Our team of crop scientists and agriculturalists have passionately pursued a solution to overcoming these challenges and are now able to bring what we believe to be the world's finest graviola to consumers everywhere."

Details of TKO Farms new crops, upcoming consumer product focus and other information regarding its expected entry into the health and wellness market are imminently forthcoming.

About TKO Farms

Located approximately 5 miles from the capital city of Belmopan in the Cayo District of Belize, TKO Farms is an agricultural operation consisting of hardwoods (such as teak and mahogany) and fruit trees including coconut, citrus and graviola. TKO Farms has expanded from its original 160-acre single plot into three areas now totaling over 900 acres.

Beyond its existing staple crops, TKO Farms is expanding its cultivation and processing of antioxidant-rich leaves from the graviola tree, and premium cacao.

For details visit tkofarms.com

SOURCE TKO Farms, Inc.

Related Links

https://tkofarms.com


But what most of the public doesnt know is that Cowley, 43, and Pendleton, 47, worried themselves sick, losing many nights of sleep thinking about the outcome of the trial. While they shielded their emotions in the courtroom, the two-week trial proved to be a grueling experience, putting them face-to-face with the gritty details of how their daughter was senselessly slain. On the day that attorneys began defending Ward and Williams, Cowley became so ill that she threw up.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Molding Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: CMT) today announced that its board of directors voted to accelerate the expiration of the company's stockholder rights plan to March 31, 2021 to further enhance the company's corporate governance profile. The stockholder rights plan was originally scheduled to expire on April 20, 2021. Stockholders do not have to take any action as a result of this accelerated termination.

The decision to accelerate the expiration of the stockholder rights plan was the result of careful analysis including input from corporate governance experts. The plan was adopted in April of 2020 to protect against any potential future use of coercive or abusive takeover techniques and to help ensure that the Company's stockholders were not deprived of the opportunity to realize the full and fair value of their investment. In adopting the plan, the Board had taken note of the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company, including in the Company's stock price, the substantial increase in trading volume and market volatility, and the significant impact the pandemic had across the manufacturing industry. At the time of adoption of the plan the Company's stock price was trading at approximately $2.90 per share. Shares currently trade at approximately $11.75 per share, an approximate 300% increase.

"The acceleration of the expiration of the stockholder rights plan demonstrates the Board's commitment to best corporate governance practices. Our decision incorporates valuable shareholder feedback, while ensuring that we have appropriate measures and policies in place to manage our business effectively," said David L. Duvall, president and chief executive officer.

About Core Molding Technologies, Inc.

Core Molding Technologies is a manufacturer of sheet molding compound ("SMC") and molder of thermoset and thermoplastic products. The Company operates in one operating segment as a molder of thermoplastic and thermoset (plastic) structural products. The Company's operating segment consists of two component reporting units, Core Traditional and Horizon Plastics. The Company produces and sells molded products for varied markets, including medium and heavy-duty trucks, automobiles, marine, construction and other commercial markets. The Company offers customers a wide range of manufacturing processes to fit various program volume and investment requirements. These processes include compression molding of SMC, bulk molding compounds ("BMC"), resin transfer molding ("RTM"), liquid molding of dicyclopentadiene ("DCPD"), spray-up and hand-lay-up, direct long-fiber thermoplastics ("D-LFT") and structural foam and structural web injection molding ("SIM"). Core Molding Technologies has its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and operates production facilities in Columbus, Ohio; Gaffney, South Carolina; Winona, Minnesota; Matamoros and Escobedo, Mexico; and Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. For further information, visit the company's website at www.coremt.com.

Company Contact:

John Zimmer

Chief Financial Officer

614-870-5604

[email protected]

SOURCE Core Molding Technologies, Inc.
Pakistan's Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet will meet on Wednesday, March 31, to consider reopening Indo-Pak trade.

The proposal to allow cotton and sugar imports from India will be presented before the committee for approval at the meeting convened by the country's Ministry of Commerce.

The panel will take up two summaries of the commerce and textile ministry to lift the ban on import of cotton, cotton yarn, and white sugar from India.

The ECC meeting, to be presided over by the newly appointed Finance Minister Hammad Azhar, will have 21 items on its agenda.

Also Read: Pakistan suspends import of cotton from India due to rising tension in ties

Commerce and Textile ministries have submitted five critical summaries for approval besides others. The Textile Division summary has sought permission from the ECC to lift the ban on the import of cotton and cotton yarn from India in an attempt to overcome raw material shortage for the textile sector.

Besides this, another summary of the commerce ministry also sought approval to permit the import of white sugar from India via the Trading Corporation of Pakistan and other commercial importers. Currently, Pakistan allows cotton, yarn, and sugar imports from all nations except India.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, as in-charge of the Commerce and Textile Ministry, has already approved the summary to be placed before the ECC. The low yield of cotton bales in Pakistan has created problems, paving the way for imports from India.

The government's decision to consider lifting the ban from India come as a relief for the textile sector, which seeks access to cheap raw materials.

Pakistan suspended trade ties with India after New Delhi revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcating it into two Union territories in August 2019.

In May 2020, Pakistan lifted the ban on the import of medicines and raw material from India to ensure there is no shortage of essential drugs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also Read: Economically-ruined Pakistan's decision to suspend trade makes no dent on India; here's why

This was the first step of reversing the complete suspension of trade with India.

"A meeting was held with the Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI escalating prices of cotton yarn were discussed. He was sympathetic towards the value-added sectors & advised that in order to ease the pressure on yarn and keep the momentum of value-added exports," Commerce Adviser Razak Dawood tweeted on March 29.

A meeting was held with the Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI escalating prices of cotton yarn were discussed. He was sympathetic towards the value-added sectors & advised that in order to ease the pressure on yarn and keep momentum of value added exports.  Abdul Razak Dawood (@razak_dawood) March 29, 2021

"All steps be taken through cross-border imports of cotton yarn including by land. A summary will be presented at the next ECC to ensure availability of cotton and yarn in the coming months," the commerce adviser said in another tweet.

All steps be taken through cross-border imports of cotton yarn including by land. A summary will be presented at the next ECC to ensure availability of cotton and yarn in the coming months.  Abdul Razak Dawood (@razak_dawood) March 29, 2021

According to reports, against the annual estimated consumption of a minimum of 12 million bales, the country's Ministry of National Food Security and Research expects only 7.7 million bales production this year. However, cotton ginners have given the lowest production estimates of only 5.5 million bales for this year.

Also Read: Pakistan likely to resume import of cotton from India

There is a minimum shortfall of six million bales and Pakistan has so far imported roughly 688,305 metric tonnes of cotton and yarn, costing $1.1 billion, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. There is still a gap of about 3.5 million bales that needs to be filled through imports.

Due to a shortage of cotton and yarn, the users were compelled to import them from the United States, Brazil, and Uzbekistan.

Imports from India would be far cheaper and would reach Pakistan within three to four days.

Importing yarn from other countries was not only expensive but would also take one to two months to reach Pakistan.
CHARLES CITY, Iowa  Two men accused of a violent home invasion are pleading not guilty.

Chriz Paul Richard, 20 of Charles City, and Booker Dean Wilder-Kapping, 18 of Charles City, are both charged with first-degree burglary.

Court documents state that Richard, Wilder-Kapping, and a third man broke into an apartment in the 900 block of 13th Street in Charles City on February 6. Law enforcement says an individual inside the apartment was assaulted and a safe was stolen.

Richard and Wilder-Kapping are scheduled to stand trial on May 11 in Floyd County District Court.

Court records do not list any criminal charges against the third individual alleged to be involved in this crime.
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It's happening.

If you've been watching the vaccine rollout from the sidelines, waiting patiently for your turn, it's your time to step on to the field.

On April 1, all Californians 50 and older became eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccine. On April 15, all Californians 16 and older will also be allowed to book appointments for shots.

Need Some Help? We have a helpful guide to getting vaccinated. Check out our printable Vaccine Game Plan

So it's time to make a plan, and we're here to help with a checklist of things to consider, links to guides and resources, and action items every step of the way.

Bookmark this page and reference it when you need. Send it to your friends and family. You can even print it out and check off each of the steps as you complete them.

And if you're still not sure about something, let us know. We've answered hundreds of vaccine queries from readers so far. Yours could be next.

Before Booking An Appointment

You're going to want to understand the process and your options (and it's OK if you don't already). Start with our FAQ guide. Whether you're new to this news or just need a refresher, it'll help get you up to speed on the supply, the science, the guidance, and what you need to do.

And for help speaking to your family and friends about the vaccines, we also have this:

If your questions are specifically related to your personal health conditions or medical history, please speak with your doctor.

A friendly reminder: Do not get any other vaccines in the two weeks before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, says the CDC. (See below for more things to avoid.)

How To Get An Appointment

There are now many places to book your appointment for a free vaccine. But where should you go? That depends on where you live, and in some cases, where you want to get your shot.

To start, see if you can get a shot through your medical provider, or try the state's online appointment booking system, MyTurn. For more details and ALLLLL the other options (with direct links and phone numbers), we have this comprehensive guide:

Don't be discouraged if you can't get an appointment immediately. Refresh, and if possible, keep trying at different times of the day.

Space will be competitive. There will be a lot of eligible people looking for appointments, and limited spots.

Take Los Angeles County, for example. Public health officials estimate that 1.4 million Angelenos between 50 and 64 years old have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine.

But it's hard to know exactly how many doses will be available for them. Officials say  if you add up all the different ways a dose ends up here around 550,000 to 600,000 doses arrived in the county the last week in March.

And remember that some of those have to be set aside as second doses for people who got their first ones a few weeks ago.

So keep trying.

We asked a volunteer vaccine navigator for advice on securing an appointment. Some of her tips include:

If you can, check the different sites throughout the day. Big batches of appointments can get released late at night, in the middle of the workday, or anywhere in-between. And sometimes, people cancel.

If you live in one of the areas hardest hit by COVID-19, check with your local elected officials or trusted community organizations. They may know of mobile clinics in your neighborhood.

Transportation To Your Appointment

How you get to your appointment may dictate where you go. Some sites are drive-thru only. Some sites are walk-up. And some sites are intentionally close to public transit, like the mass vaccination site at Cal State LA, (which is changing hands from FEMA to City of L.A. and no longer in danger of closing).

Below is a list of options for that last category. Here are some ways to get vaccinated if you don't have easy access to a car:

 Call 833-540-0473 to reach the L.A. County Department of Public Health. They can help you figure out your options for getting to or from a vaccination site.

 Try to make your appointment at a location that will let you get dropped off, like one of the L.A.County Mega POD sites: Pomona Fairplex, L.A. County Office of Education, The Forum, Cal State Northridge, and Magic Mountain. These venues have "designated drop-off and pick-up locations for individuals arriving on rideshare, taxis, medical transport or are dropped off by family and friends," according to a spokesperson for Supervisor Hilda Solis.

 Look specifically for vaccination sites located near public transportation. L.A. County is hoping to expand its public transit options to vaccine sites

 If you are an eligible Access rider, you can book a trip to take you to an approved drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site.

 Lyft is also offering free or discounted rides to "eligible people." The Lyft site directs you to this form to see if you qualify.

 Uber has two deals in place for free or discounted rides in L.A.

 Deal 1: is a city-based deal for vaccinations at USC. You'll be contacted and offered a ride code if you live in an eligible area (based on need and proximity), according to the mayor's office. This arrangement is a collaboration between Uber, the City of Los Angeles and the Mayor's Fund.



 Deal 2: is county-based deal to distribute ride codes or vouchers. Uber is working with the L.A County Department of Public Health, the Board of Supervisors, and community organizations to accomplish that. We're looking into how you get one of these codes if you need one, and will share what we learn.

 Some insurance plans include non-emergency medical transportation. Check with your provider if this is something you can use to get you to a vaccine site.

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

Your mask. You'll need to wear one at the vaccination site.

Proof you're eligible to be vaccinated, including:

A form of ID that has your name and photo on it (does not have to be government issued)

Proof that you live (and/or work, depending on the county) where you want to get vaccinated

Proof of your age

 These do not have to be three separate documents. For example, if you have a driver's license with you, that would show your photo and name, age, and where you live, all in one.

 These do not have to be government issued documents. For example, to prove you live in LA County, sites should accept a copy of a lease or utility bill. And to prove your age, the county said it would accept medical records that indicate your date of birth. You can see the full list of acceptable documents here.

Clothing that'll give your vaccinator access to your upper arm . Short sleeve shirts or loose fitting clothing might be best here. Long sleeves or tightly fitted clothing might be too difficult to roll up.

. Short sleeve shirts or loose fitting clothing might be best here. Long sleeves or tightly fitted clothing might be too difficult to roll up. Fluids. Drink a lot of water. You will want to stay very well hydrated.

What To Ask Once You're There

How will I get my second dose? If you receive a Pfizer or Moderna shot, you will need a second shot in 21 days (Pfizer) or 28 days later (Moderna). Be sure to confirm with your vaccinator how you can secure a second dose appointment in the recommended window.

If you receive a Pfizer or Moderna shot, you will need a second shot in 21 days (Pfizer) or 28 days later (Moderna). Be sure to confirm with your vaccinator how you can secure a second dose appointment in the recommended window. If you run into trouble getting that second shot, we have a guide for that too: How To Get The Second Dose Of Vaccine  And Everything You Need To Know About It.

If you get a Johnson & Johnson (also called Janssen) shot, that is a single-shot vaccine, so no need to worry about a second dose for now.

Can I have my vaccine card? Make sure you get (and keep) the white vaccine card with your name, the type of vaccine you got, and the date for your second dose, if you got Pfizer or Moderna. Put this somewhere safe. Do. Not. Lose. It.

After Your Appointment(s)

Don't be alarmed if you experience mild side effects, like pain or swelling in your arm or tiredness, pain, or fever in the rest of your body. If your symptoms are severe  like an allergic reaction  call 911 immediately. If other side effects linger more than a few days, call your doctor.

To help manage the more mild side effects, the CDC recommends:

Moving or even exercising the arm where you got your shot

Applying a clean, cool, wet washcloth on your arm

Staying hydrated. Fluids, fluids, fluids.

Even after you get a shot, you still need to be careful around other people and follow distancing and mask rules.

If you receive a Pfizer or Moderna shot, you are considered "fully vaccinated" two weeks after your second shot.

If you receive Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), you are considered "fully vaccinated" two weeks after your first (and only) shot

The CDC (and L.A. County) has guidance on what you can do once you're fully vaccinated, and what precautions you still need to take:

You can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without masks or physical distancing.

without masks or physical distancing. You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks and physical distancing  unless any of those people (or anyone they live with) has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

from other household without masks and physical distancing  unless any of those people (or anyone they live with) has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. You do not need to quarantine or get tested following a known exposure COVID-19 unless you have symptoms.

If you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don't have symptoms.

Continue mask-wearing and physical distancing in public.

Continue mask-wearing and physical distancing when visiting unvaccinated people from multiple households.

Still avoid medium and large gatherings.

Still get tested if you experience COVID-19 symptoms.

Still follow guidance issued by individual employers.

Still delay domestic and international travel and follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations.

The CDC also says you should avoid getting other types of vaccines  including flu or shingles vaccines  within two weeks of your COVID-19 shot(s).

What Not To Do Before Your Shot

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prep and plan:

1. Don't Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

If possible, skip over-the-counter pain relievers before you get the vaccine. Yale University researchers say the process that blocks pain may also reduce your body's ability to create antibodies. If you typically take over-the-counter pain medication, talk to your doctor.

you get the vaccine. Yale University researchers say the process that blocks pain may also reduce your body's ability to create antibodies. If you typically take over-the-counter pain medication, talk to your doctor. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen should be OK to take after your appointment, according to a UC Irvine study.

2. Don't Schedule Other Vaccines Within Two Weeks

The CDC recommendation is to allow at least two weeks before receiving other vaccines (for example: flu or shingles).

The timeframe may be shorter in unplanned situations where the benefits outweigh "potential unknown risks of vaccine coadministration" (for example: tetanus for wound management, hepatitis A during an outbreak).

3. Don't Get Dermal Fillers Around The Same Time

The CDC doesn't specifically say to avoid these, but has advised that "infrequently, people who have received dermal fillers might experience swelling at or near the site of filler injection (usually face or lips)."

You can still get vaccinated if you have a history of dermal fillers, provided there are "no contraindications or precautions for vaccination," according to CDC guidance.

TALK TO US

How'd it go? What's working? What's not? What advice do you have for others preparing to get their shots?

We want to hear from you.

If you're okay with us reaching out to ask you about your experiences to inform future stories and coverage about the vaccine, fill out this form.

And if you have a question or experience not covered in our guides or reporting, you can fill out the form below to let one of our journalists know.

We can't answer everyone right away, but we do read everything you share with us. And it informs our reporting going forward.

With contributions from Lisa Brenner and Jackie Fortier.


The UK Embassy in Spain has issued a statement following media reports that the Spanish government was planning to actively find and deport Britons living illegally in the country post-Brexit.

The embassy quotes a Spanish Ministry of Inclusion spokesperson as saying that the Spanish government has no plans to deport British citizens who have made Spain their home.

The Spanish government is working to provide maximum legal certainty for British citizens resident in Spain. Throughout the negotiations, the issue of citizens rights has been, and remains, one of the main priorities. Spain is the country of residence of the largest community of UK nationals in the EU, added this ministry source.

And The Guardian reported that Spanish government sources have lamented what they say are misleading reports in UK media suggesting they will be deporting or kicking out 500 British nationals in the coming days.

Visa-free stays

However, officials also note that since January 1, when the Brexit transition period ended, UK nationals have been bound by the same rules that apply to third-country citizens from outside the European Union or Schengen space.

British nationals may spend 90 days out of every 180-day period within the Schengen area for tourism or other specific purposes, such as business meetings, without requiring a visa.

The 90-day visitor rule does not apply to Britons who are already registered as residents of Spain, or are in the process of doing so. Thousands of previously unregistered UK nationals applied for Spanish residency before the deadline, but there are still many others who have failed to do so despite spending much of their time in the country.

Im aware that many second-home owners are concerned about overstaying as we reach March 31, said Ambassador Hugh Elliott in the embassy statement. The Spanish government has been clear that it will take a pragmatic approach to anyone who is stuck in Spain due to circumstances beyond their control, so I dont want people to be overly worried on that count. However, if people do not intend to become a resident here in Spain and see the UK as their base, we do expect them to take steps to return to the UK as soon as they can.

The embassy also adds that if you are trying to become resident and are in the process of registering or appealing against your application having been rejected, the 90-day rule does not apply to you.

The statement reminds UK nationals that if they and their family members were lawfully resident in Spain before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, they may continue to live, work, study and access benefits and services, such as healthcare, broadly as they did before the UK left the European Union.

Their rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, whether or not they have registered for residency, notes the embassy. Anyone who has not yet done so, should register for residency and apply for a TIE [foreign national identity card] which can be used to evidence their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. Previous versions of this document, also known as the green residency document, remain valid. More than 360,000 UK nationals in Spain have already registered.

As for Britons arriving in Spain after the transitional period, from January 1, 2021, they will fall under the general immigration regulations.
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - SPC Nickel Corp. (TSXV: SPC) ("SPC", the "Company"), a battery metals company focused on nickel and copper exploration in the Sudbury Mining Camp, is pleased to announce that is has acquired from Landore Resources Canada Inc. (Landore), its 30% interest in the West Graham Property. SPC now owns a 100% interest in the West Graham Property subject to the terms of the agreement.

Consideration for the acquisition was $250,000 in cash and the issuance of 1,000,000 share purchase warrants. Each warrant is convertible to one common share at a price of $0.25 within a period of one year from December 7, 2020. In addition, Landore received a 1% net smelter return royalty on the West Graham Property.

Commenting on the news, SPC's CEO, Grant Mourre stated, "With the acquisition of Landore's interest in the West Graham Property, SPC now controls 100% of a second highly prospective Ni-Cu property within the world-class Sudbury Mining Camp. Similar to our flagship Aer-Kidd Property, the West Graham Property and the larger Lockerby East Property is located in an area of the Sudbury Mining Camp that has had a long history of discovery and development of resources. We are very excited about evaluating the potential of the entire Lockerby East Property including the recently acquired West Graham Property."

The West Graham Property is part of the Company's larger Lockerby East Property that is located approximately 20 km west of Sudbury, Ontario within the southwest corner of the Sudbury Basin. The Company acquired the Lockerby East Property (including a 70% interest in the West Graham Property) from Transition Metals Corp in 2016 (see the Company press release May 5, 2016) for cash considerations.

The West Graham Property was previously owned (70%) and explored by First Nickel Inc., which in 2009 filed technical reports1 supporting an indicated mineral resource on the property totaling 8.55 Mt grading 0.45 % Ni and 0.31 % Cu, along with an inferred mineral resource of 2.0 Mt grading 0.38 % Ni and 0.30 % Cu.

Note: The Company considers these resource estimates to be historic mineral resources for purposes of NI 43-101. Neither the Company nor a qualified person on behalf of the Company has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources and the Company is not treating such historical estimates as current mineral resources. The Company considers the historic mineral resource estimates to be reliable and relevant to an understanding of the West Graham Property but has not done any work to validate the estimates.

The West Graham mineralized zone is described1 as a large, low-grade, high nickel tenor, disseminated sulphide zone hosted by mafic norite and located stratigraphically above the sublayer norite at the base of the Sudbury Basin. The mineralized zone tops at 45 m depth, extends for some 375 m on strike, 573 m along dip and is up to 66 m thick. Historic drilling completed by First Nickel Inc. in 2007 returned 0.51 % Ni, 0.34 % Cu over 71.50 m from 163.0 to 234.5 m2.

Note: The reader is cautioned that the mineralization reported in the historic drillhole may not be representative of mineralization across the entire West Graham Property.

The West Graham Property is comprised of two mining patents covering ~130 hectares situated within the southwest portion of the Sudbury Basin in a region with a rich mining history. The property is adjacent to past producing mines, namely the Lockerby Mine discovered and operated by Falconbridge Limited from 1971 to 2004 and then by First Nickel Inc. from 2005 until it closed in 2015; as well as the Crean Hill Mine which was operated by Inco Limited.

NI 43-101 Report, Scott Wilson Mining, January 15, 2009, First Nickel Inc.; Technical Report on the West Graham Property Conwest Zone Resource Estimate, Graham Township, Ontario, Canada). First Nickel Inc., Press Release, April 2, 2007.

Qualified Person

The technical elements of this news release have been approved by Mr. Grant Mourre, P.Geo. (PGO), CEO and President of SPC Nickel Corp. and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

About SPC Nickel Corp.

SPC Nickel Corp. is a new Canadian public corporation that is focused on exploring for Ni-Cu-PGMs within the world class Sudbury Mining Camp. The Company is currently exploring its key 100% owned exploration projects Aer-Kidd and Lockerby East both located in the heart of the historic Sudbury Mining Camp and holds an option to acquire 100% interest in the Janes Project located approximately 50 km NE of Sudbury. The Company's flagship project, Aer-Kidd, is strategically located between two world class assets in the producing Totten Mine (Vale) and the large, high-grade Victoria development Project (KGHM). The Company will initially focus on advancing its key Sudbury assets with a vision of growing to a pre-eminent North American nickel exploration company. Additional information regarding the Company and its projects can be found at www.spcnickel.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Further information is available at www.spcnickel.com by contacting:

Grant Mourre

Chief Executive Officer

SPC Nickel Corp.

Tel: (705) 669-1777

Email: gmourre@spcnickel.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79018
In February, Patently Apple posted a report titled "FTC Korea Approves Apple's Self-Remedial Actions to Address Local Wireless Carrier Complaints of Abuse of Market Power." On paper it looked like the matter was behind Apple, until this morning. We're now learning that there was only a partial deal finalized last month, with the regulator deciding to separately take stern actions against Apple's probe obstruction.

Earlier today South Korea's antitrust regulator announced that it had decided to refer the local unit of US tech giant Apple Inc. and one of its executives to the prosecution for allegedly impeding the regulator's probe into unfair business practices.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) also stated that it plans to fine Apple Korea 300 million won (US$265,000) for hampering its investigation.

Apple Korea was probed by the KFTC over allegations that it required the country's three mobile operators to pay the cost of television advertisements and warranty service for its iPhones.

Apple blocked internet access and did not restore it in an attempt to impede the KFTC's on-site investigation in June 2016 into the company's unfair business activities, according to the KFTC.

The Korea Herald reports that Apple "refused to submit documents on network disruption to the antitrust regulator, and one of its executives physically attempted to deter an investor's related probe in November 2017."

In a prepared statement, Apple stated: "We have fully cooperated with KFTC, and neither Apple nor any of our employees did anything wrong. We follow the law wherever we operate and strongly disagree with KFTC in this case. We look forward to sharing the facts with the authorities."

The Korean probe coincidentally coincided with Apple's news of a big push into South Korea, home to Samsung. In late February, Apple opened their second retail store in Seoul's financial district. In mid-February, it was revealed that Apple is planning to open two more stores in Korea beginning with a third store in Myeongdong, a tourist hotspot, in central Seoul and a fourth store in the southeastern port city of Busan, 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
Bhopal, March 31 : The Madhya Pradesh's Congress unit has announced it will start a call centre for farmers across the state, beginning on Thursday.

At a time when thousands of farmers have been protesting against the Centre's three farm laws, the Congress is believed to be strengthening its relationship with farmer groups.

The call centre, to be launched on April 1, will remain operational between 8 am and 8 pm every day. Farmers can call up on the number 07554248166 where experts will address their grievances.

Kedar Sirohi, acting president of the Kisan Congress in MP, told IANS that former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath will be starting this call centre to address the farmers' plight.

Sirohi said that the farmers have not received the price of their produce and are still struggling with the problem of seeds, harassment by the electricity department, banks, no water for irrigation, among others. All such problems will be addressed at the Centre.

If political experts are to be believed, the Congress in the state aims to strengthen its political ground among farmers. On one hand when Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has maintained his image as farmer-friendly BJP government, on the other hand, the Congress is also showing itself to be sympathetic to farmers.

Ahead of the elections to the urban bodies and panchayats, the Congress is busy preparing a strategy to gain the seats for victory.
EXTON, Pa., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- US Digestive Health (USDH), a management services organization established to expand access to high-quality, low-cost gastroenterology care, today announced the addition of Brad Stoltz as Chief Operating Officer for the fast-growing organization. An experienced healthcare operations leader with substantial strategy and development experience, Brad joined the leadership team on March 1, 2021.

Brad Stoltz headshot

Prior to joining US Digestive, Brad served as Western Division President with US Renal Care in Plano, TX. In this role he managed the operations of over 150 dialysis centers and associated home dialysis programs across 18 states and the Territory of Guam.

In his new position Brad will manage operations of all practices and ancillary services aligned with US Digestive Health. He will also be responsible for US Digestive Health's Contact Center, as well as several corporate functions essential to the continued success of the practices aligned with US Digestive Health.

"Brad brings a proven track record of success in fast growing health services companies to our leadership team," said Jerry Tillinger, CEO of US Digestive Health. "We are poised for continued rapid growth in the GI practice management space, and Brad's talent for leading high-performing operations will further our mission to advance access to high-quality gastroenterology care in our communities."

Brad received his BS in Environmental Engineering from the United States Military Academy and his MBA from The Harvard Business School. Brad began his career as an officer in the US Army Medical Services Corps, rising to the rank of Captain. He started his civilian career as a consultant with McKinsey & Company's Payor Provider Practice. Following McKinsey Brad spent 7 years with Tenet Healthcare, where he helped launch a number of Ambulatory and Post-Acute businesses.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to work with both the US Digestive Health team and our physician partners. I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania, so the organization's focus on enabling aligned practices to improve care for patients across the Commonwealth is very compelling," said Brad. "I look forward to helping lead US Digestive Health through its next phase of geographic expansion. I am also excited to continue to develop a more comprehensive suite of services we can offer to our aligned physician practices."

About US Digestive Health



As a leading gastroenterology practice on the East Coast, US Digestive Health is at the forefront of the rapidly advancing science of digestive health, bringing new insight into the care, treatment and prevention of digestive health disorders. For more information, visit https://usdigestivehealth.com.

Media contact for US Digestive Health

Liz Weir

LevLane Advertising

610-401-4825

[email protected]

SOURCE US Digestive Health
To the Editor;

On March 26, the Post Standard published an insightful commentary by Jillian Peterson and James Densley outlining what research tells us about preventing mass shootings. One key conclusion is that there is a contagion effect: shooters model other shooters, and one attack inspires another.

As a result, we and other researchers urge the media to report responsibly, without elevating the shooter in ways that would encourage copycats. These principles are outlined in the No Notoriety Protocol, which encourages the media to downplay the killers name and image, except when the assailant is still at large.

On March 28, the Sunday Post Standard ran an Associated Press piece that recapped 19 mass shootings. The name of the killer was featured in the first line of the first paragraph about each incident. The number dead was highlighted above each section, like a gruesome scorecard. Based on the available research, that AP article could inspire another mass shooter by inadvertently glorifying past killers.

In recapping past shootings, the killers easily could be identified as The Boulder shooter or the The Pulse Nightclub assailant, without including their names. Little is lost and much is gained if exercising discretion in the way these stories are reported prevents another mass shooting. Why not make it editorial policy?

Robert Long | Jamesville, NY

Write us

How to submit letters and commentary to Syracuse.com
The (RBI) on Wednesday extended the deadline until September 30 for all stakeholders to move to the new norms on e-mandate for recurring payments of online transactions. It also came down heavily on for not implementing the system in time and threatened "stringent supervisory action" if the deadline is missed again.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, the said: The delay in the implementation by some stakeholders has given rise to a situation of possible large-scale customer inconvenience and default. Any further delay in ensuring complete adherence to the framework beyond the extended timeline will attract stringent supervisory action.

Though the was initially adamant about not extending the deadline as and other stakeholders in the ecosystem had ample time to comply with the new norms, given the unpreparedness of the players and the possibility of huge inconvenience to customers, it budged.





ALSO READ: Cabinet okays Rs 10,900 cr PLI for food processing units under 4 buckets

The said the framework had not been fully implemented even after the extended timeline. To prevent any inconvenience to customers, the Reserve Bank has decided to extend the timeline for the stakeholders to migrate to the framework by six months, i.e., until September 30, 2021, the regulator said.

The regulator also said this non-compliance (missing the April 1 deadline) is noted with serious concern and will be dealt with separately.

This comes after started informing customers about cancelling the service of e-mandates for auto-debit of funds from cards. Leading private banks had been sending messages to customers that they would have to transact on their own for services they want to avail, instead of banks deducting the fee automatically on their behalf.



ALSO READ: India records current account deficit of 0.2% in Dec quarter: RBI data

For example, Axis Bank had communicated to its customers that in accordance with regulatory requirements, processing of e-mandates for recurring transactions, registered on credit or debit card, without Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA), will be discontinued w.e.f. April 1, 2021. It advised customers to pay at the merchant website or application themselves.

The new norms that were supposed to kick in from April 1, for which the RBI had issued a notification in August 2019, entailed banks to check with customers by notifying them and getting their approval for recurring payments through debit and credit cards before processing such transactions.

As a risk mitigant and customer facilitation measure, the issuer shall send a pre-transaction notification to the cardholder, at least 24 hours prior to the actual charge/debit to the card, the notification had said.

The new norms mandated the use of AFA during registration and first transaction (with relaxation for subsequent transactions up to a limit of Rs 2,000, since enhanced to Rs 5,000), as well as pre-transaction notification and facility to withdraw the mandate.

Suresh Khatankar, deputy managing director, IDBI Bank, said: "The bank is doing system modifications to make changes in standing instructions to meet the new requirements. The new system comes with a two-factor authentication regime: First in the mandate given to the bank and second  OTP sent to ensure that payments are authorised.

The primary objective of the framework, according to the RBI, was to protect customers from fraudulent transactions and enhance customer convenience. It also said during the extended timeline, no new mandate for recurring online transactions shall be registered by stakeholders, unless such mandates are compliant with the framework.
To support its accelerated expansion of e-mobility in the coming years, the BMW Group will source lithium from a second leading supplier, US-based Livent. The value of the multi-year contract will total around 285 million. Livent will supply the lithium directly to the BMW Groups battery cell manufacturers from 2022 on.

Lithium is one of the key raw materials for electromobility. By sourcing lithium from a second supplier, we are securing requirements for production of our current fifth generation of battery cells. At the same time, we are making ourselves technologically, geographically and geopolitically less dependent on individual suppliers. Dr Andreas Wendt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network

The BMW Group already signed a contract for the procurement of lithium from hard-rock deposits at Australian mines back in 2019. Now, the company is broadening its supplier base and additionally sourcing lithium from Argentina, where the raw material is obtained from brine from salt lakes.

Livent employs an innovative method that emphasizes sustainable water use and minimizes the impact on local ecosystems and communities. The company will also contribute important data to the study of sustainable lithium mining initiated by the BMW Group.





View of the salt lake Salar del Hombre Muerto in northern Argentina. Livent

The BMW Group sources critical raw materials like lithium and cobalt directly from producers and makes them available to its battery cell suppliers. In this way, the company creates complete transparency over the origin and mining methods of the material.

The salt lakes in the border region between Argentina, Bolivia and Chile are home to roughly half the worlds lithium reserves. In conventional lithium mining, brine from the layers below the salt lakes is pumped out of the ground and evaporated in shallow basins.

Livent obtains lithium from a brine resource in northern Argentina, using a proprietary method that is particularly sustainable. To minimize the impact on the surrounding ecosystem, most of the brine used is returned directly to the surrounding habitat and not evaporated. This largely preserves the balance between the brine layers and groundwater layers. Solvents and other chemicals do not come into contact with the environment during this process. It also takes up much less space, since evaporation basins are barely used. The company is also involved in local educational programs and infrastructure measures.

Lithium water study in cooperation with University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Massachusetts Amherst. The BMW Group and BASF commissioned a scientific analysis of the water use of different lithium mining methods in South America from the University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Massachusetts Amherst in late 2020. The study will investigate the impact of lithium mining on local water resources and the surrounding ecosystems.

The aim is to improve the scientific understanding of the relationship between fresh water and lithium brine aquifers, to evaluate different technologies and thus provide the foundation for assessing sustainable lithium mining. The study will provide companies with a scientific basis to make more informed decisions on sustainable lithium mining in Latin America. The results of the study should be available in the first quarter of 2022.

Working towards strict IRMA standard for lithium mining. The BMW Group became the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to join the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) in early 2020. IRMA is a multi-stakeholder governed initiative that has developed guidelines for responsible extraction of raw materials and defined strict requirements for meeting its environmental and social standards.

The BMW Group has set itself the goal of having mining suppliers certified according to this standard in the future. On the recommendation of the BMW Group, Livent has now become a pending member of IRMA, signifying its commitment to undergo a third-party audit in IRMA. Livent is the first company with mining operations in Argentina to have made this commitment, and one of the first lithium mining companies in the world to do so.

Based on its current market forecast, the BMW Group expects at least 50% of its global sales to come from fully-electric vehicles in 2030. At this point, there will no longer be any segment position in the BMW Groups entire product portfolio where the company does not offer at least one fully-electric model.

The company will also be capable of handling a much larger percentage of fully-electric vehicles if demand develops accordingly. In total, over the next ten years or so, the BMW Group will be releasing about ten million fully-electric vehicles onto the roads.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The Siberian section of the Russian Academy of Sciences has decided not to make public the results on pollution in the region. Waterways 80% polluted; children already born with leukaemia; cancer diseases widespread among population. Justification for the silence: "Avoid alarmism" and "to avoid fomenting smear campaigns against Russia". The population revolts.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - "Krasnoyarsk is the most polluted city in the world, ha-ha-ha": academic Valentin Parmon would have laughed, perhaps ironically, perhaps embarrassed, during a four-hour meeting in Novosibirsk on the pollution of Siberia.

The meeting, held on 29 March, brought together the presidium of the Siberian section of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The shocking fact is that in the end, the scientists decided to keep secret the data that emerged, which points to a known tragedy: waterways polluted up to 80%; children who are already born with leukaemia; cancer diseases widespread in the population.

News of the meeting emerged thanks to a correspondent from Novaya Gazeta, who was able to view the video of the meeting. The news is provoking widespread and profound scandal.

The discussion on the fight against pollutants in Russia has been raging for years; but it had also been neglected for a long time by Vladimir Putin's post-Soviet regime. The country, which bases its economy on the exploitation of traditional energy sources, today finds itself facing global competition from alternative sources, without being adequately prepared.

In Krasnoyarsk, a city located in the heart of Siberia on the banks of the Yenisei river, the situation is truly dramatic, to the point that many children are born already ill with leukaemia. The figures of the Siberian ecological disaster are hardly a secret, and are regularly published in reports from the Federal Ministry of Nature Protection and other public agencies.

In the video released in the media, academic Parmon makes fun of a UN document, which cites the problems of Krasnodar. But according to the academician, "we know very well that it is good there, at least when the weather is good; without wind and rain, some problems arise ".

Another expert, the director of the Institute for Atmosphere Optics in Tomsk, Prof. Igor Ptashnik, released a report prepared together with other institutions, in which the results of the studies on the years 2017-2019 are exposed. It highlights how in many parts of Siberia the level of air pollution is very high, in the percentage of 78%, much higher than in the cities of European Russia.

Over 15 Siberian cities reveal a high rate of benzopyrene in the air, one of the most carcinogenic elements produced by the combustion of organic substances at high temperatures. The level of this substance exceeds the alarm levels by more than 10 times; more than 100 times in some areas, such as Kyzyl, Zima, Minusinsk, Norilsk, and in Krasnoyarsk itself.

Ptashnik's report assesses the need to buy agricultural products from China instead of local ones, as they are much safer from an ecological point of view. The Chinese have long been taking more effective measures in this area, banning several dangerous pesticides still used in Russia.

The aquifers are particularly apprehensive, close to the great Siberian rivers and basins, such as Tuva, Khakhasia, Altaj, all with pollution rates over 70%. Even in Novosibirsk, the capital of central Siberia, over 80% of the aquifers are polluted. In Tomsk, one of the largest cities in southwestern Siberia, the situation is similar. In Krasnoyarsk, Kemerovo and in the province of the Altai mountains, on the border between China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, cancer and childhood diseases due to pollution are widespread.

The situation worsens with the effect of global warming, which causes a further deterioration in air quality even in traditionally very cold areas, such as the provinces of Bratsk and Norilsk.

It is surprising that the academics have decided not to confirm the data with official reports. The reason given is: "To avoid frightening the population too much with exaggerated alarmism, especially since it is not possible to intervene quickly", as Parmon said, but also to " to avoid fomenting smear campaigns against Russia, already so widespread all over the world ".

Other academics have stressed that "this data cannot be released on the eve of the elections".

The local press, however, is not silent, and in Krasnoyarsk itself various ecological events have been taking place for some time to raise awareness among the population (see photo).
The United States was engaged in a "power grab" that breached international law by trying to regulate Meng Wanzhou's conduct in Hong Kong, the Huawei Technologies executive's lawyer told her extradition hearing on Tuesday.

Lawyer Gib van Ert said the judge presiding over the case, and not Canada's justice minister, must decide whether the US had jurisdiction to bring its fraud case against Meng.

"It's not a matter that you may leave to someone else. It is a legal determination. It is a question you must answer," lawyer Gib van Ert told Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, as he pressed the case that the US has no right to prosecute Meng under international law, and Holmes must therefore throw out the bid for her extradition to New York.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The case showed that the US had wrongfully "given itself the power to regulate the conduct of Chinese nationals in Hong Kong", van Ert said.

Meng Wanzhou leaves her home to attend a hearing at the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Monday. Photo: DPA alt=Meng Wanzhou leaves her home to attend a hearing at the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Monday. Photo: DPA

Meng is accused by the US of defrauding HSBC by lying to one of its bankers in a 2013 meeting about Huawei's business dealings in Iran, thus putting the bank at risk of breaching US sanctions. But the US has no right to prosecute Meng's conduct, van Ert had said on Monday, because Meng is Chinese, HSBC is British and the meeting took place in a Hong Kong teahouse.

US prosecutors have claimed jurisdiction because the fund transfers that allegedly resulted from Meng's representations were cleared through US banks; her lawyers said in a written submission that this was a "wholly insufficient and artificial" connection.

Story continues

Canadian government lawyers acting for US interests in the extradition case say jurisdiction is a matter to be considered mainly at trial, and by Canada's justice minister, who ultimately will decide whether to allow Meng's extradition, should Holmes approve it.

On Tuesday, Holmes echoed that position, asking van Ert "isn't it then more appropriate in an extradition context for the minister to be making the decision" about whether the US had "overstepped".

Van Ert said this was "a legal question and not a political determination", and if the court condoned the US request, Canada too would be in breach of customary international law.

While legislatures might act in ways that breached international law, Canada's judges must not, said van Ert. "If international law is to be violated that is to be left to politicians, not courts," he said.

He said the US had conducted a "plain power grab" by claiming jurisdiction over Meng's conduct. "Jurisdiction is about where states get to exercise their power," van Ert said. "And the United States is saying 'we get to exercise it in Hong Kong, at least in circumstances where a financial transaction between a Chinese company and a British bank took place in some way that we say is connected to that'.

"If that is right it is a fundamental shift in how jurisdiction is understood in international law."

If US law applied to a Chinese national in Hong Kong "that is an interference with the sovereignty of Hong Kong and China", he said.

Meng, Huawei's chief financial officer and the eldest daughter of the company's founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested at the request of US authorities at Vancouver's airport on December 1, 2018, on a stopover from Hong Kong. She has been fighting extradition ever since, in a case that has thrown China's relations with the US and Canada into turmoil.

The jurisdictional argument is one of four branches of Meng's case that she is the victim of an "egregious" abuse of process that has violated her Canadian charter rights.

The other branches are that her case is a tainted political prosecution brought as leverage in a US trade war with China, that Canadian police and border guards conducted a covert criminal investigation of her to obtain evidence for the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, and that American authorities misled the Canadian court in their summaries of the case.

A separate argument, that the case failed to pass the "double criminality" test - that extradition cases must involve actions that would have represented crimes had they occurred in Canada - has already been rejected by Holmes.

Van Ert told Holmes on Tuesday that she found herself in an "unusual and unprecedented situation"; never before had there been a Canadian extradition case in which the request itself was contrary to international law, he asserted.

If the court decided to pass on the decision about jurisdiction to the minister or ruled that the request was unlawful but did not impose a remedy, then it was "unlikely to result in the minister solving the problem...the minister will take the same view [as the court]", van Ert suggested.

Meng's long-running extradition battle may be nearing its final stages, with hearings due to be completed on May 14, after which Holmes must decide whether to free her or approve extradition. But the final say will rest with the justice minister, and appeals could drag out the process for years.

Meng's treatment has enraged Beijing, which has repeatedly demanded her release. Two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, were arrested in China soon after Meng's arrest, and this month both men were put on trial for espionage. The closed-door trials only lasted hours; no verdicts have been announced.

Canada's government regards both men as victims of "hostage diplomacy" and arbitrary detention by China.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2021 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2021. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
The school day should be extended, starting in the most disadvantaged parts of the country, to aid pupil development and boost learning, a landmark report has recommended.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson should 'urgently consider' the move.

It said evidence showed a longer school day would have a 'positive impact' for disadvantaged pupils.

The report suggested 'phasing' in the shake-up by prioritising those areas which could benefit the most.

The extra hours at school would be focused on providing all pupils with the chance to take part in physical and cultural activities 'that enrich lives'.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson should 'urgently consider' extending the school day

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities insisted racism is a 'real force' in Britain and must be tackled, while hailing progress over recent decades

The Government is considering introducing a longer school day as part of its efforts to help pupils recover from the coronavirus crisis.

But today's report argues that the school day should be extended permanently and calls for more funding to make it happen.

The recommendation was backed by Robert Halfon, the Conservative chairman of the Education Select Committee, who said the Commission's report 'gets it absolutely right' on the issue.

The longer school day was one of 24 recommendations made in the 264-page report.

It said: 'The Commission recommends that the Secretary of State for Education, in collaboration with the Governments education recovery commissioner, urgently consider phasing in an extended school day.

'Led by evidence showing the positive impact of a longer school day for disadvantaged pupils, the phasing of the extended school day should, at first instance, prioritise the most disadvantaged areas and communities.

'The additional hours must provide all pupils with the opportunity to engage in physical and cultural activities, including working with local activity clubs.'

Boris Johnson said the Government will consider the recommendations made by the report 'and assesses the implications for future government policy'

The report said extending the school day would make existing after-school activities 'more accessible to the most disadvantaged students' and participating would 'improve pupils health and social capital'.

The authors argued that to make a longer school day possible it would be 'imperative' for the Government to provide additional funding to 'establish this recommendation as a permanent change in the way that schools operate'.

Boris Johnson said the Government will consider the recommendations made by the report 'and assesses the implications for future government policy'.

'The entirety of government remains fully committed to building a fairer Britain and taking the action needed to address disparities wherever they exist,' he said.
Editor

Darren Marcy, a journalist since 1992, is the editor of the Manchester Journal. A New Mexico native, he previously worked for newspapers in the Land of Enchantment before moving to Vermont in 2004. He joined the Journal in October 2018.
Hannah Trask is a raft guide, bartender and five-year Jackson resident. Guest Shots are solely the opinion of their authors.
Francis Bacon: Revelations

By Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan

Knopf. 880 pp. $60

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Swollen, distorted, painted in bruised mauves and imprisoned in triptychs, the figures in Francis Bacon's art are among the indelible images of the 20th century. In a new biography, Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan strive to bring into focus the elusive figure of the artist himself.

There already exist pleasurably dishy memoirs of Bacon's prime by his inner circle. Stevens and Swan, who spent a decade researching "Francis Bacon: Revelations," aim for a more complete portrait. Bacon himself was tight-lipped about his activities before the exhibition in 1945 of his breakthrough "Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion." He actively discouraged biographers. But Stevens and Swan are excellent investigators, presenting novel details of Bacon's early affairs, his short-lived interior-design career and the two years he spent in Hampshire during World War II, when asthma forced his retreat from London.

The book is bejeweled with sensuous detail. We smell the Potter's Asthma Cure in the wheezing infant Bacon's bedroom. We glimpse "phosphorescent liquid" sprinkled on Hyde Park to divert German bomber airships away from populated zones during the Great War. We hear "the screams of men being lashed in blood-spattered cells" in the Irish prisons that young Francis trots past.

Such flourishes, which, in true Bacon style, speak "directly on the nervous system," may well have pleased the artist. "I lived through the revolutionary Irish movement, Sinn Fein, and the wars," he once explained, "Hiroshima, Hitler, the death camps, and daily violence that I've experienced all my life." Occasionally histrionic descriptions of his life and most famous paintings are thus entirely concordant. "The most disturbing aspect of the carnage is the frenzied brilliance of the killing brush," Stevens and Swan declare about "Three Studies for a Crucifixion" (1962). "Bacon's painterly freedom echoes the hysterical letting-go of slaughter and blood lust." Vivid.

Stevens and Swan suggest that Bacon's childhood - lonely, sickly, violent, not without psychosexual drama - provided the "physical jolt" that catalyzed his art. It seems as likely that his pleasure in deviance was innate. His interest in crime, violent sex and death, all enthusiastically embraced and manifest in his work, often feel more like natural blossoms than the flowers of trauma.

Which is not to say that his life was without trauma. Parental coldness, childhood isolation, the dangers of gay life in an unsympathetic age: all must have affected Bacon. The openings of two major retrospectives were overshadowed by the deaths of lovers. But because tragic events only seemed to confirm his notions of life, one is left with the impression that he rather enjoyed a spot of devastation.

Stevens and Swan are strong on the Aeschylean patterning of Bacon's life. The overdose of his muse George Dyer on the eve of his 1971 retrospective in Paris was, they say, a "cruel rhyme" with the death of ex-boyfriend Peter Lacy during his Tate exhibition nine years earlier - albeit with grimmer details. After securing a hotelier's agreement to keep Dyer's bathroom demise quiet till after the opening reception, Bacon spent the evening at the Grand Palais with Joan Miro, Salvador Dali and President Georges Pompidou before a painting that depicted Dyer, with dark irony, "slumped over the loo" - the very tableau he'd grimly burlesqued in death. Bacon's "art no longer seemed an exaggeration. It was the truth, imperfectly concealed by a party." He later returned repeatedly to the hotel where George had died - a "private ritual of expiation."

But while his life had "moments of intense melancholy and despair," merriment went largely uncurbed.

That merriment took place in Soho, where Bacon reigned as demon king, scarfing oysters and drinking champagne night after night. His relationship with Lucian Freud, close till Freud's sales took off, is examined in depth, as are friendships with subjects Isabel Rawsthorne, Henrietta Moraes, and Muriel Belcher - welcome reminders that his world wasn't just a boys' club. Memorable, too, is Valerie Beston - "Valerie from the Gallery" - who, effectively, managed Bacon for years, perhaps saving many artworks from destruction (he was notoriously brutal with his paintings).

The iconoclastic charm of the artist keeps the pages turning. Breezily, outrageously gay when it was neither fashionable nor legal, here Bacon - whether booing Princess Margaret, declaring his attraction to Libya's Moammar Gaddafi or bragging that he'd bought the house he'd be murdered in - is truly the nihilist-satyr of legend, "a rush of night air into England's stuffy room."

Bacon once said that telling his life story "would take a Proust." A tall order - though Stevens and Swan do share a Proustian eye for the social whirl and the encroachments of "time and the wrecking ball."

As an old man, Bacon might even be said to resemble Proust's sadomasochistic Baron de Charlus, counting off the dead in a society completely transformed in his lifetime. One of the achievements of "Revelations" is to capture this social change alongside the life of its subject. It's a portrait of vanished worlds, of a 20th-century style of darkness now past. Our fresh horrors await new geniuses.

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Charles Arrowsmith is based in New York and writes about books, films and music.
Tight security at the entrance of Garissa University College on April 3, 2015, after Al-Shabaab militants attacked the University (file photo).

Somali security agencies were privy to a build-up of Al-Shabaab fighters around El Adde, prior to a terror attack on a Kenya military camp that left 150 soldiers dead five years ago.

And as the militia overran the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) camp, the lack of a secure African Union Mission to Somalia (Amisom) communications system prevented besieged Kenyan troops from seeking reinforcements from the closest contingent of the regional peacekeeping force in Somalia.

Instead, KDF soldiers braved firepower from hundreds of al-Shabaab gunmen, who had blasted their way into the camp on the dawn of January 15, 2016, using two vehicles laden with between 30 and 50 kg of explosives, as they waited for assistance from their colleagues in Kenya.

The two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices were detonated, the first at the main gate and the second at the centre of the Amisom forward operating base near the border with Kenya in the Gedo region "before hundreds of militants overran the camp with relatively little resistance from the Kenyan troops".

By the time their colleagues based inside Kenya arrived, it was "far too late to assist", says a report by a team appointed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2014.

"While the Government of Kenya is yet to release official casualty figures, the Monitoring Group believes that some 150 Kenyan soldiers were killed during the attack, making it the largest military defeat in Kenyan history," the report states, based on media accounts and a monitoring group interview on March 17, 2016 with a security expert and witness to the aftermath of the attack.

"In addition, at least 11 soldiers were captured alive and subsequently held hostage in two separate groups by al-Shabaab in Middle Juba. Since their abduction, the (Monitoring) Group has received information concerning the changing whereabouts and status of the captives, which it has shared with the Kenyan authorities through an intermediary."

The details of the bloody mission are contained in documents Kenya filed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to show the disastrous consequences of terrorism bred inside Somalia, which is claiming a part of Kenya's coastline along the Indian Ocean.

The accounts in the report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea submitted to the UNSC in October 2016 exposes the blunders that led to the tragedy.

Aware of looming attack

Unreliable intelligence, a hostile local community, weak positions in the military installation and a broken Amisom system all conspired to disadvantage the Kenyan troops.

The lack of effective intelligence gathering and the absence of engagement with local communities on the part of Amisom both contributed to the effectiveness of the attack, says the report.

But an even more worrying revelation is that the Somali security team was aware of a looming attack that targeted Kenyans, who had moved into Somalia to combat the al-Shabaab militia, which also posed a danger to the administration in Mogadishu.

"Somali security sources told the Monitoring Group that they had been aware of a concentration of al-Shabaab fighters around El Adde - although the precise target was unknown - and they had conveyed the information to their Kenyan interlocutors. Following the attack, however, the Kenyan forces denied that they had been forewarned," the report says.

Adding to the lack of community engagement was the perception by the locally dominant Marehan clan that the Kenyan military was actively supporting the rival Ogaden clan.

Citing a 48-minute propaganda video al-Shabaab released on April 9, 2016, the report observes while the attackers weren't well organised, another oversight aided their evil mission.

"While the video depicted a highly uncoordinated and tactically unsound assault on the part of al-Shabaab, the Kenyan forces also failed to implement basic defensive measures, such as constructing fortified barriers at the entrance to the camp and neglecting to man machine-gun and mortar emplacements," the report notes.

And as the assault unfolded, it would expose yet another weakness of the Amisom mission - inability to quickly call for reinforcements in case of an attack.

"The attack highlighted the lack of coordination between countries contributing troops to Amisom and the fractured nature of the Amisom command and control mechanism. Even though the closest Amisom reinforcements to El Adde were stationed in Busaar, at a base to the south-west garrisoned by Ethiopian troops, the lack of a secure Amisom communications system prevented the Kenyan troops from contacting their Ethiopian counterparts for assistance. Instead, the closest military personnel to respond were Kenyan troops based inside Kenya, who arrived far too late to assist," the report reveals.

Deadliest drone strike

A security source on the ground in the aftermath of the attack told the Monitoring Group on March 17, 2016 that vehicles rigged with explosives had been delivered by "soft-skin vehicles and not by armoured vehicles as had been widely reported in the media".

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Another potential attack on Amisom forces was deterred on March 5, 2016.

A United States aerial strike on an al-Shabaab training camp in Raaso, 120 km north of Mogadishu, eliminated at least 150 militants, making it the deadliest drone strike in United States history.

According to a Pentagon spokesperson, the strike had targeted an al-Shabaab graduation ceremony, adding that the fighters had been scheduled to depart the camp and "posed an imminent threat to US and Amisom forces" in Somalia.

Two years later, Kenyan police foiled another al-Shabaab attack.

On February 1, 2018, a 2003 Mitsubishi Airtrek registration number KBM 200D left Nairobi, crossed into Somalia at El Wak on February 4 and arrived in El Adde on February 5.

It was in El Adde where it was rigged with explosives until February 13. The vehicle was intercepted by Kenyan police on its way back at Merti in Isiolo on February 15, 2018.

When police officers approached the vehicle, an occupant shot at them. The security forces fired back, killing Mbarak Abdi Huka a.k.a. Sa'ad. Two suspects were arrested and two others escaped.

The vehicle had been converted into a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) containing approximately 100 kg of explosives.
Spain's Ministry of Health decided on Tuesday (30 March) to scrap the 65-year-old age limit for administering the AstraZeneca vaccine - but it will only be used for people in the essential worker categories.

Members of these groups (mainly teachers, firefighters, prison and police officers) who are over 65 years and are still working will be jabbed with the Oxford formula, although in practice, few will receive it as most will be retired.

Since 24 March, the AstraZeneca vaccine has been administered to people up to 65 years of age after initially being limited to essential workers under 55.

The decision was made by the Public Health Commission, in which the Ministry of Health and the autonomous regions participate. It also agreed to allocate the single-dose Janssen vaccine, which will arrive in Spain on 19 April, for those over 66 years of age, alongside the Pfizer and Moderna formulas.
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III announced that Tennessee, as part of a coalition of 41 Attorneys General, has settled with Retrieval-Masters Creditors Bureau, a debt collection agency doing business as American Medical Collection Agency. The settlement resolves a multistate investigation into the 2019 data breach that exposed the personal information of over 7 million individuals, including 132,451 Tennesseans.

AMCA specialized in small balance medical debt collection primarily for laboratories and medical testing facilities. An unauthorized user gained access to AMCAs internal system from Aug. 1, 2018 through March 30, 2019. AMCA failed to detect the intrusion, despite warnings from banks that processed its payments. The unauthorized user was able to collect Social Security numbers, payment card information, and, in some instances, names of medical tests and diagnostic codes.

On June 3, 2019 AMCA provided notice to many states and began providing notice to over 7 million affected individuals that included an offer of two years of free credit monitoring. On June 17, 2019, as a result of the costs associated with providing notification and remediating the breach, AMCA filed for bankruptcy. The multistate coalition participated in all bankruptcy proceedings. The company ultimately received permission from the bankruptcy court to settle with the multistate, and on Dec. 9, 2020, filed for dismissal of the bankruptcy.

Patients should not have to worry about their personal information  and especially sensitive medical information- being exposed through a security breach, said General Slatery. Tennessee will continue to hold companies accountable that do not implement proper safeguards or drag their feet when a breach occurs.

As part of the settlement, AMCA may be liable for a $21 million total payment to the states. Because of AMCAs financial condition, that payment is suspended unless the company violates certain terms of the settlement agreement which include the following data security practices:

Creating and implementing an information security program with detailed requirements, including an incident response plan;

Employing a duly qualified Chief Information Security Officer;

Hiring a Third-Party Assessor to perform an information security assessment; and

Cooperating with the Attorneys General with investigations related to the data breach and maintaining evidence.



To read the Agreed Final Judgment, click here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/attorneygeneral/documents/pr/2021/pr21-13-afj.pdf

The Attorneys General of Indiana, Texas, Connecticut, and New York led the investigation, assisted by the Attorneys General of Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and joined by the Attorneys General of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.




Ahora | Declaraciones del presidente @FSagasti durante la supervision de nuevos ambientes del Centro de Emergencia del Hospital Honorio Delgado y entrega de equipamiento medico en Arequipa.#AccionesEnLasRegiones

?? En vivo: https://t.co/rlRzOXzjSE
Dodoma  GOVERNMENT has assured to connect electricity to the remaining villages across the country in the next 18 months.

Deputy Minister for Energy Mr Stephen Byabato told the National Assembly here that the government through the Rural Energy Agency (REA) project has connected electricity to all districts in the country.

He added that the remaining villages which are yet to be connected to power were within the districts noting that the projects are underway to ensure that the entire country is connected to electricity.

Mr Byabato noted that the government in collaboration with the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) and REA is implementing the project of connecting electricity to the remaining villages.

According to the Ministry of Energy, by January this year a total of 2,299 villages were lined up for power connection.

Mr Byabato was responding to a basic question by Handeni Member of Parliament Reuben Kwagilwa, who wanted to know when the government will connect electricity to the remaining 300 streets in his constituency.

He said that all villages including streets and divisions will be connected to electricity in the said period adding that upon completion the entire country will be connected to power.

Mr Byabato said that currently the government is implementing major power projects which will ensure reliable power supply in the country.

He named the projects as Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station with an installed capacity of 2,115 megawatts, Rusumo (80M), Ruhuji (358M) Rumakani (222M). Upon completion these projects will guarantee reliable power in the country.

He said the government has also continued to set aside a budget that will enable Tanzania Electric Supply, (TANESCO) to improve infrastructure as efforts to ensure reliable power supply.

He, however, said that currently a contractor M/S Sengerema Engineering has been contracted to connect 15 villages and more than 30 streets in Handeni District. Mr Byabato said the project is expected to cost 3.36bn/- upon completion.

According to the deputy minister the project has started to be implemented since February last year and will be completed in December next year.

He also said that TANESCO was also connecting electricity to customers who are yet to be connected to the service in Mainland including Handeni District.
Funeral firm Dignity has urged investors to vote against proposals by its biggest shareholder to oust executive chairman Clive Whiley.

Phoenix Asset Management Partners, which owns a near 30 per cent stake in the company, has called for Whiley to stand down and be replaced with its own founder and chief investment officer, Gary Channon.

Dignity hit back saying Phoenix was acting in its 'own self-interest' and was trying to gain executive control of the company without paying any bid premium - something which Phoenix denies.

Showdown: Dignity will hold a meeting on April 22 for investors to vote on the proposal

Sutton Coldfield-based Dignity, which plunged to a 19.1million loss in 2020 despite a massive jump in deaths due to the pandemic, is in the midst of a 'root and branch' review of the firm.

It said that if Phoenix did succeed in ousting Whiley, this would result in 'widespread' board and senior management change and would prolong the strategic review, which is set to be completed in June.

'Should the Resolutions be passed, each of the Independent Directors has reluctantly reached the conclusion that they would not feel able to fulfil their respective roles on the reconstituted Board with Gary Channon at the helm,' the company said in a letter to shareholders.

'They would therefore feel compelled to resign, which would have the unfortunate and unwanted effect of further consolidating executive control in the hands of Phoenix.'

A meeting will be held on April 22 for investors to vote on the proposal.

Shares in Dignity - the UK's only listed funeral provider - were down 6.2 per cent to 621p towards market close.

Dignity said Channon lacked 'the skills and judgement' required to run a public company of 'Dignity's stature', and urged investors to back Whiley, saying he has had a 'galvanising effect on the business'.

'He should therefore be given the time to conclude the strategy review and re-positioning of the company with the continuing help of the group's executive management team, so that the board can reach properly thought-through conclusions, without being dictated to by a minority shareholder whose motivation appears to be driven primarily by its own objectives,' Dignity added.

Dignity plunged to a 19.1m loss in 2020 despite a massive jump in deaths due to the pandemic

The vote comes as Dignity could face further troubles as a result of a Competition & Markets Authority investigation into the funeral industry launched in 2018 and completed in December last year.

The CMA concluded that funerals were costing consumers too much, and made a series of recommendations, although the pandemic has forced it to delay a crackdown.

The door will be left open to enforcing a price cap though  its most drastic measure  at some point after the crisis passes.

Dignity, which has come under fire for its pricing, has backed calls for a crackdown  though it rejected the idea of price caps last year.


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(Photo : SpaceX Official Twitter Page) (Photo : Inspiration4 Official Press Release)

SpaceX recently teased the newest addition to the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is set to carry the first all-civilian astronauts in September, this year.

On a tweet posted on Tuesday, Mar. 30, SpaceX had shown an image of a Crew Dragon spacecraft fitted with a glass dome at the tip of the capsule, providing astronauts aboard a panoramic view of the space.

Probably most in space you could possibly feel by being in a glass dome https://t.co/SOAIzxVGgX  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 30, 2021

SpaceX Crew Dragon's Glass Dome

Digital Trends on Tuesday, Mar.30, said that the glass dome would be placed beneath a protective section of the capsule, where a hatch is usually placed, and will lift away once the spacecraft reaches orbit.

Fitting the Crew Dragon with a glass dome, where a hatch is usually placed, is possible since this particular spacecraft will not be docking the International Space Station (ISS).

This is not the first time an observatory module was attached to a spacecraft.

In 2010, the ISS's Cupola was given a seven-window observatory module that gave astronauts an excellent vantage point to capture photos of our planet from space. The module also allowed ISS astronauts to capture breathtaking images of our planet and send them back on Earth for us to enjoy.

The addition to the Crew Dragon's design makes perfect sense, as it will carry the all-civilian crew and will orbit the planet for about 72 hours.

Also Read: World's First Rotating Space Station: Gateway Foundation's Concept Vs. NASA's ISS

SpaceX's Inspiration4: Meet the Team of 'The World's First All-Civilian Mission to Space'

On Feb. 1, Spacenews reported that an entrepreneur bought a SpaceX Crew Dragon mission for an undisclosed amount as part of a commercial and charity project.

The buyer, Jared Isaacman, is the 37-year-old founder and CEO of online payment processing company Shift4 Payments, who will lead the all-civilian spaceflight.

Isaacman worked with the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and had launched a series of contests to select the final two members who will accompany him in space.

The second member to join Isaacman is Hayley Arceneaux-a physician assistant at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She will fill the mission's "Hope" seat and serve as the hospital's ambassador. The 29-year-old bone cancer survivor is also set to become the youngest American to fly in space.

CollectSpace named the winners of the contest on Tuesday, Mar. 30, which includes a former Space Camp counselor and a geoscientist.

Chris Sembroski, a data engineer for Lockheed Martin, was named after a friend passed the winning ticket onto him for the "Generosity" seat on the Inspiration4 mission.

He is a long-time astronomy and space exploration enthusiast who previously worked as a Space Camp counselor who led students through simulated space missions.

Sian Proctor, a geoscientist and science communication specialist who had participated in four NASA-funded analog space missions, completes the team as she fills the mission's "Prosperity" seat.

She was chosen as the winner of the Shift4Shop competition, wherein contestants were asked to set up an e-commerce site using Isaacman's Shift4 and record a video sharing their "inspirational entrepreneurial story."

Related Article: International Space Station Location: Here's Where ISS will be in the Coming Weeks! How and When to See!

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Lee Mercado

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 19:31:42|Editor: huaxia

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MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan -- Three militants have been killed and four others injured in an air raid by Afghan government forces targeting a Taliban hideout in Charbolak district of the northern Balkh province, said an army statement released here on Wednesday.

No casualties were reported in the security personnel and civilians in the air raid conducted on Tuesday, the statement added. (Afghanistan-Militants-Air Raid)

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JAKARTA -- Indonesian police killed one terrorist, a woman, in the compound of the national police headquarters on Wednesday afternoon, media TVone said here.

The woman carrying a pistol has already been inside the headquarters and pointed the gun to the policemen.

The policemen immediately shot dead the woman. (Indonesia-Terrorist)

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NIAMEY -- Heavy gunfire was heard in the area of the presidential palace in Niger's captial here around 3:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) on Wednesday for about 30 minutes, according to residents.

Other shots were also heard early in the morning in the area of Niamey International Airport, where Niger's military base is located. (Niger-Presidential palace-Gunfire)

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MOGADISHU -- At least six al-Shabab militants were killed on Tuesday in an operation in Mahas, a town in the central Somali region of Hiran, an official confirmed on Wednesday.

The operation came after the forces received intelligence that al-Shabab fighters were sneaking into the town forcing the residents to pay compulsory Zakawat (tax), said Moumin Mohamed Halane, the governor of Mahas town. (Somali-Militants) Enditem
[March 31, 2021] WORLD HEALTH ENERGY HOLDINGS, Launches Comprehensive Solution to Protect Companies from Cybersecurity Threats

Technology Designed to Monitor, Analyze and Prevent Internal and External Threats

BOCA RATON, FL, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Health Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: WHEN) (WHEN Group or the Company), announced today that SG77, a wholly-owned subsidiary, has launched a comprehensive cybersecurity and information security system, OTOGRAPH, to enable business enterprises to monitor, analyze and prevent suspicious or harmful behavior on corporate networks and connected devices. The OTOGRAPH is designed to analyze and prevent internal or external abuse or abnormal activity on enterprise devices, such as PCs, mobile phones, servers or any other OS-based IOT device. The rapid transition to open and cloud-based remote workforce has exposed businesses and organizations across the world to higher risks of cyber-attacks and information security breaches. In a recent survey1 of C level executives, 77% of respondents said cyber-attacks were more frequent since COVID-19 started. Another report2 found that 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error. To enable businesses to better protect their data and workflow, SG77 has developed a Business Behavioral Analysis (BBA) system that enables business leaders to track all activity from any given location on a one-stop dashboard. Developed over the past two years, OTOGRAPH provides aggregated data and a wide variety of real-time analytics such as real time monitoring of online behavior, applications and system behavior, data breaches, internal and external connections analytics, productivity analysis and psycholinguistic analysis. Corporations and organizations can then use the dashboard to detect suspicious human or device activities that put their company at risk. OTOGRAPH was developed based on a state of the art intelligence technology combined with AI technology that processes and analyzes massive amounts of behavioral and communication data and enables organizations to make real time accurate preventive assessments and decisions to protect company assets and ensure operational efficiency. OTOGRAPH enables enterprises to: Prevent trade secret and data leakage

Protect against hackers

Minimize loss of productivity

Detect embezzlements and thefts

Defend employees from harassments

Prevent talent and client poaching

Avoid human errors

Develop a new level of decision-making ability based on accurate and real-time data OTOGRAPH deploys a unique Business Behavioral Analysis (BBA) machine learning software. Behavioral digital data is extracted from all endpoint devices that are connected to the companys network infrastructure  whether physically, wirelessly or remotely. The data is processed and analyzed to learn and to reveal the unique digital behavioral pattern of the organization as a whole and of every endpoint or individual. OTOGRAPH then sets baselines of normal patterns for each, and constantly searches for anomalies  deviations from those expected patterns. The anomalies are detected automatically and instantly, categorized by their type and generate push alerts which are sent to the business leaders dashboard and enabling him to respond to the threat. OTOGRAPH is constantly learning and calibrating the normal patterns and their thresholds to minimize the number of false alarms and constantly adapt to the changing needs of organizations in real time. Giora Roensweig, CEO of World Health Energy Holdings., said: "The new age of remote work and the use of multiple devices that are connected to the central information system of the organization, which the pandemic accelerated over the past year, has left millions of businesses vulnerable to cybersecurity threats from inside and outside their organizations.



Rozensweig continued, SG77s trailblazing cybersecurity and security capabilities provide businesses with greater insights into workforce behavior and detects anomalies on IOT devices which are essential to their security and success in todays changing reality. Danny Yatom, President of World Health Energy Holdings and former Director of the Israeli Mossad, the national intelligence and special operations agency of Israel, added: "The recent high-profile breaches affecting businesses and countries worldwide have signaled the beginning of a new era in security. The launch of our new platform aligns with our objective to develop a platform which will enable companies to actively protect their businesses against any and all security threats.

Future WHEN Group Press Releases and Updates Interested investors and shareholders will be notified of future Press Releases and Industry Updates by e-mailing info@worldhealthenergy.com About WHEN Group and SG77 World Health Energy Holdings, Inc. (WHEN) is a holding company comprised of SG77, Inc. /RNA Ltd, which develops and improves cyber and information security solutions in the B2C and B2B marketplace. WHEN Group develops new systems by applying predictive AI and pattern recognition technology based on mobile phone , computer and IOT activities, analyzing human and device behavior, keywords and message history in order to automatically identify and prevent potential danger to individuals and companies. The B2C Cyber Security division targeting families concerned with external cyber threats and exposures in addition to monitoring a child's behavioral patterns that may alert parents to potential tragedies caused by cyber bullying, predators, abuse and depression. The B2B Cybersecurity system software development and implementation company focused on innovative solutions for the constantly evolving cyber and security challenges of businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGO's) and governmental entities. By deploying a highly experienced development team, RNA Ltd. stays ahead of almost any security threats, both internal and external. Additional information is available at: https://www.whengroup.com Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements involve substantial uncertainties and risks and are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections and reflect our beliefs and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to integrate the operations of the acquired entities and manage the combined entity, the success of our business plan, market reception of our products, our ability to raise the capital needed to realize our business plan and on commercially reasonable terms, Our ability to retain needed personnel and our ability to compete against companies with much larger resources and the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "RISK FACTORS" in our Form 8-K filed by us on April 30, 2020, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason. Investor Relations:

World Health Energy Holdings, Inc.

Tel: +1 561-870-0440

Email: info@worldhealthenergy.com Media Contact:

Yafit Lazar

Spokesperson

Email: Yafit@rcspr.co.il 1 According to a study conducted by Syntax which appeared on Tech Republic: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/it-leaders-see-outsourcing-cybersecurity-as-one-solution-to-increased-attacks/ 2 According to IBM study, mentioned on Enterprise Times: https://www.enterprisetimes.co.uk/2021/03/23/e-merchants-secure-your-online-sales-from-cybersecurity-threats-for-2021-and-beyond/



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FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2015 file photo, an Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 93rd Oscars will be held on April 25. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
FORT WORTH, Texas, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Colleges and universities that promote and defend a Christian worldview are more relevant than ever for students who want something greater from their higher education. Students seeking an educational experience rooted in long-standing traditions, spiritual guidance, and Christian values may find their calling through a faith-based education.

AcademicInfluence.com releases two comprehensive rankings spotlighting both the top schools in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) and the top Christian liberal arts schools:

For students who want a faith-based higher education, Academic Influence ranks the top Christian schools for liberal arts and top CCCU-member schools.

Best CCCU Colleges and Universities

50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities of 2021

The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities member schools consist of more than 180 higher education institutions worldwide. Schools in the CCCU are committed to integrating biblical truth into all academic pursuits, forming the moral and spiritual lives of students, and graduating students who work to achieve "the common good as redemptive voices."

For more on the CCCU and how its member colleges are taking the lead on a number of major American policy issues, even breaking from some of the political views held by other Christian colleges, see:

Christian Colleges That Resist Political Pandering

AcademicInfluence.com welcomes guest contributor Mike Nietzel, who authored both CCCU articles. Nietzel is a senior contributor at Forbes, as well as president emeritus of Missouri State University. He is a graduate of a CCCU school, Wheaton College in Illinois, and holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. Recent books by Nietzel include Degrees and Pedigrees: The Education of America's Top Executives (2017) and Coming to Grips with Higher Education (2018).

The selection baseline for the Christian liberal arts colleges and universities: full accreditation, a student body of at least 1,000 students, and self-identification as Christian. Among the top 10 colleges and universities ranked (displayed alphabetically):

Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, Florida )

(Ave Maria, ) College of the Holy Cross ( Worcester, Massachusetts )

( ) Drew University ( Madison, New Jersey )

( ) Earlham College ( Richmond, Indiana )

( ) Eckerd College ( Saint Petersburg, Florida )

( ) Hanover College ( Hanover, Indiana )

( ) Macalester College ( Saint Paul, Minnesota )

( ) Saint Anselm College ( Manchester, New Hampshire )

( ) Westminster College (New Wilmington, Pennsylvania)

Wheaton College (Wheaton, Illinois)

Membership in the CCCU is the selection baseline for the best CCCU schools. Among the top 10 CCCU colleges and universities ranked (displayed alphabetically):

Baylor University ( Waco, Texas )

( ) Biola University ( La Mirada, California )

( ) Calvin University ( Grand Rapids, Michigan )

) Houston Baptist University ( Houston, Texas )

( ) Moody Bible Institute ( Chicago, Illinois )

( ) Oral Roberts University ( Tulsa, Oklahoma )

( ) Pepperdine University (Malibu, California)

Regent University ( Virginia Beach, Virginia )

( ) Samford University ( Birmingham, Alabama )

( ) Wheaton College (Wheaton, Illinois)

For the final ranking order, additional ranked schools, state-specific selections, and further school details, follow the links above.

"This holiest time of year in the Christian calendar may find Christian students pondering what matters most in life. For those anticipating their final year in high school or rethinking the current college or university they attend, we want to help them succeed in their calling through a Christ-centered education," says Dr. Jed Macosko, academic director of AcademicInfluence.com and professor of physics at Wake Forest University. "These are the best Christian schools in America, and we're pleased to help students learn more about them while providing tools and resources to help make their journey to college easier and smoother."

AcademicInfluence.com is the preeminent technology-driven rankings site dedicated to students, researchers, and inquirers from high school through college and beyond, offering resources that connect learners to leaders. Its InfluenceRanking Engine generates unbiased rankings that resist manipulation. This innovative machine-learning technology scours the web's leading data repositories to calculate the influence of a school's thought leadership. See the AcademicInfluence.com About page for details on this superior ranking technology.

Contact:

Jed Macosko, Ph.D.

Academic Director

AcademicInfluence.com

[email protected]

(682) 302-4945

SOURCE AcademicInfluence.com
(Natural News) Weve seen this time and time again for decades: Left-wing, anti-Second Amendment policies that lead to tragedies like the mass shootings the country has witnessed over the past few weeks around the country, such as the murders in Boulder, Colo., at a King Soopers grocery store by a Syrian immigrant.

Nine unarmed shoppers, along with an armed police officer, were shot and killed allegedly by Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, last week, becoming the latest victims of liberal ideology.

How so? Lets flashback to 2019. The Denver Post reported:

Customers who shop at Colorados 148 King Soopers and City Market stores are being asked to no longer openly carry firearms into the stores, echoing a move made by retail rival Walmart a day earlier.

In its announcement, Cincinnati-based Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers and City Market, said its request applies to anybody who shops in its stores with the exception of law enforcement officers.

Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our associates and customers, Kelli McGannon, a King Soopers spokeswoman, said Wednesday.

That idiotic statement from McGannon, which was spoon-fed to her by equally idiotic CEOs, is the very same idiotic thing everyone on the left says when they issue these damnable requests (which arent really requests at all but thinly-veiled mandates) of customers to shop unarmed.

Its idiotic because of the very fact that lawful gun owners who are lawfully carrying firearms (concealed or open) are not the ones going around shooting people. Rather, in many cases, armed Americans are the best defense for unarmed Americans because they often use their firearms to stop mass murderers in their tracks.

And lets recall that a) mass murderers dont obey gun laws in the first place; and b) murder by any means, guns or otherwise, has been illegal in America since our founding.

People who drive up to a grocery store, get out of their vehicles and start shooting people are not concerned about gun laws, much less gun requests from leftists who are completely lacking in self-awareness and whose policies are actually putting Americans in danger, not protecting them from it.

And yet the left instinctively blames the guns, not the murderers, and seeks in response to impose more gun limitations. Its insane. (Related: Boulder shooting on Skull and Bones day prompts calls for more gun control.)

In a statement at the time, King Soopers said it is joining those encouraging our elected leaders to pass laws that will strengthen background checks and remove weapons from those who have been found to pose a risk for violence.

As in nearly every mass shooting, Alissa was subjected to a background check when he purchased the firearm he allegedly used last week to kill. He passed. Belching up the same old statements like strengthening background checks and removing guns from people who shouldnt have them is worse than stupid  its dangerously irresponsible and, in the view of many, directly contributes to creating the gun-free zones killers choose to commit their heinous crimes.

After all, when was the last time you heard or read about a mass shooting at a police station? At a shooting range where everyone else is armed as well?

Keep in mind, some of the worst mass shootings have occurred in Colorado: At Columbine High School in 1999; and at a movie theater in Aurora in 2012. Those incidents are, in large part, what led state lawmakers (in a Democrat-controlled state) to pass open-carry legislation, so residents could protect themselves from maniacs who want to kill as many people as possible.

So mandatory requests like the one made by King Soopers a couple of years ago only serve to contribute to such incidents because they seek to neuter the legislation passed to allow people full use of their right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.

Leftists always ask conservatives why they think they need beefed up firearms; the answer is always the same  because mass shooters dont care about left-wing gun laws.

See more reporting like this at Shootings.news.

Sources include:

DenverPost.com

Guns.news




Fragments of gold masks, bronze sacred trees, ivory and jade tools unearthed recently at the legendary Sanxingdui Ruins in southwestern Chinas Sichuan Province have caught the worlds attention via livestreaming of the archeological excavation.

Among the archaeologists involved in exploring the remains of a Bronze Age civilization there are teachers and students from Shanghai University.

We are proud to be able to take part in the amazing project, said Duan Yong, deputy Party secretary of the university, director of the Shanghai Museum Council and a member of the archeology team.

The Sanxingdui Ruins are considered one of the greatest archeological finds of the 20th century. They were accidentally discovered by a farmer digging a ditch in the 1920s.

The 12-square-kilometer ruins are located in the city of Guanghan, about 60 kilometers from the capital city of Chengdu. They are believed to be the remnants of the ancient Shu Civilization, dating back at least 4,800 years and lasting over 2,000 years.

In 1986, prehistoric relics were unearthed in the No. 1 and No. 2 pits at the site, arousing global interest. So far, more than 50,000 relics have been unearthed. The ruins are now a national protection site.

More than 30 institutions participated in the latest round of excavation work. Between November 2019 and May 2020, they found six new rectangular sacrificial pits.

Together, the eight pits give modern mankind a glimpse of how the Shu Civilization offered sacrifices to heaven, Earth and ancestors, and how they prayed for prosperity and peace, according to Tang Fei, head of the excavation team at Sanxingdui and chief of the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archeology Research Institute.

The six new pits range from 3.5 to 19 square meters in size, according to the National Cultural Heritage Administration. Archeologists have unearthed more than 500 items dating back about 3,000 years, including fragments of gold masks, bird-shaped gold ornaments, gold foil, painted bronze head portraits, giant bronze masks and other relics.

Shanghai University has sent six of its nine archeology teachers to Sanxingdui, Among them is Xu Feihong, who heads up excavation work at the 14-square-meter No. 3 pit. The teachers rotate stints at the site, supported by postgraduate students.

In addition, five experts from the universitys Cultural Relics Preservation Institute have also worked at Sanxingdui or supported their colleagues remotely from Shanghai.

Our team is small, but highly capable, Duan said. The pit is so small that it couldnt accommodate too many people at one time.

So far, the No. 3 pit has delivered the largest number and broadest range of relics, including 109 bronze masks, 127 pieces of ivory and eight of jade.

The excavation work is supported by the most advanced technologies in China or indeed the rest of the world, Duan said.

Uncovering the history of the Shu people involves many disciplines beyond archeology, including philology, physics, chemistry, biology and material sciences, he added.

The excavation team built cabins with stable temperatures and humidity directly on top of the pits so that unearthed cultural relics could be better preserved after excavation. The whole excavation process is being recorded.

In the cabins and auxiliary labs, the remnants are analyzed. That effort is supported by Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archeology Research Institute, Sanxingdui Museum and participating universities and research institutions from across the country.

The excavation process has been carefully planned, Duan said. There are different protocols for excavation and preservation of cultural relics of different materials. Even samples of soil and ashes are collected, numbered and sent off for testing.

The discoveries reveal the distinctive nature of the Shu Civilization and its connection with other areas of China and Asia, said Duan.

Most newly discovered cultural relics are amazing, he said. For example, the huge bronze masks, the bronze sacred tree and the bronze vessel feature the sculpture of a kneeling man.

Bronze urns, vessels and jade ware show close cultural ties with ancient civilizations on Chinas central plains and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Gold masks, seashells and gold rods previously unearthed indicate that the Shu may have had contact with civilizations even further afield, in western and southern Asia.

According to Duan, remnants of silk fabric seem to corroborate legendary tales that the Shu invented silkworm cultivation and silk production. They also tend to verify historical records, such as the tale of a king of the Shu carrying jade and silk gifts to a meeting with ancient Chinese emperor Da Yu, and the story of Shu cloth found in what is todays Afghanistan by envoy Zhang Qian in the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220).

They also corroborate other archeological findings, such as armlets made of Shu cloth unearthed in the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, and a Han Dynasty wooden loom found in another Sichuan excavation site.

Many experts, Duan said, are talking about whether we will find writing, as was the case with pits built during the late period of the Shang Dynasty (16th-11th centuries BC), when inscriptions on bones and bronze objects already appeared in the central plains. Since Sanxingdui seems to reveal a close connection with that area, it is possible.

Livestreaming of the current excavation, accompanied by commentary from experts, has prompted public discussions online. Some web users have created funny emoji with photos of unearthed gold and bronze masks.

Duan said the excavation is a good way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of modern Chinese archeology, which started in 1921 when the Yangshao Ruins were first excavated in Henan Province.

Archeology is a science that often seems mysterious and remote to the public, Duan said. But actually, it is quite relevant to us. It helps us learn who we are and where we came from. It also reveals connections between ancient civilizations and contemporary communities.

Duan noted that UNESCO has appealed to residents living near excavation sites to keep abreast of findings and how that heritage is interpreted and relates to modern life. The United Nations agency urges everyone to work to protect such history.

Public archeology is developing in China and across the world, he said. The digital era creates online awareness and discussion, and poses a challenge for archeologists to use new media to demystify their work and findings.

He said the popularity of the Sanxingdui excavation may also encourage more students to major in archeology and seek careers in a field not associated with high pay.

Shanghai University was one of the earliest Chinese universities to offer archeology courses. In 1980, it launched a branch of archeology for history majors. Its students have participated in archeological digs in the Three Gorges area of the Yangtze River and at the Guangfulin relic site in Shanghai.

In 2018, the Ministry of Education approved a university request to initiate a separate masters degree in archeology. This year, its bid for a bachelors degree in the discipline was approved  the only such program in Shanghai. The first undergraduate students will be enrolled in the September term.

We will develop our archeology program in unique ways, said Duan. For example, with the universitys strength in unmanned surface vehicles, we will develop studies on mountain and ocean archeology. Our participation in the Sanxingdui excavation is a testament to our capability.
Here's what you need to know: Wednesday, March 31
President Biden on Wednesday is announcing the details of his $2 trillion infrastructure initiative, and it includes hundreds of billions of dollars to fight climate change.

Under the plan, roads, bridges and airports would be made more resilient to the effects of more extreme storms, floods and fires wrought by a warming planet. In addition, spending on research and development could help spur breakthroughs in cutting-edge clean technology, while programs to retrofit and weatherize millions of buildings would make them more energy efficient.

The spending goes far beyond the $90 billion on clean energy programs in President Barack Obamas stimulus plan a decade ago, which Mr. Biden helped oversee as vice president and which produced some high-profile failures. This time, with more money and more demand for clean technology, will be different, Democrats say.

The infrastructure plan doesnt address one of the most immediate dilemmas of climate change: Deciding not just where to spend more money on roads, bridges or sea walls, but where to stop spending  and instead, help people get out of the way.

Quotable: You have to step up to the plate and take a swing in order to hit the ball, and sometimes you swing and you miss, Jennifer Granholm, the energy secretary, said of past failures. But if you never swing, you will never hit the ball, and youll never get a run.
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of SOS Limited ("SOS" or the "Company") (NYSE: SOS) from July 22, 2020, through February 25, 2021 (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you purchased SOS securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit SOS Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Matthew E. Guarnero toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected]

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose to investors: (i) SOS had misrepresented the true nature, location, and/or existence of at least one of the principal executive offices listed in its SEC filings; (ii) HY and FXK were either undisclosed related parties and/or entities fabricated by the Company; (iii) the Company had misrepresented the type and/or existence of the mining rigs that it claimed to have purchased; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On February 26, 2021 Hindenburg Research ("Hindenburg") and Culper Research ("Culper") released commentary on SOS, claiming that the Company was an intricate "pump and dump" scheme that used fake addresses and doctored photos of crypto rigs to create an illusion of success.

On this news, SOS's American depositary share ("ADS") price fell $1.27 per share, or 21.03%, to close at $4.77 per ADS on February 26, 2021.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 1, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased SOS securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/soslimited-sos-shareholder-class-action-lawsuit-stock-fraud-384/apply/ or contact Matthew E. Guarnero toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected]

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2021 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information

Matthew E. Guarnero

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(877) 779-1414

[email protected]

SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Related Links

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 31 (ANI/BusinessWire India): World Influencer & Blogger Awards (WIBA), 'THE' international contest that is organised for the most distinguished bloggers all over the world announced the winners to its maiden event in India. The global event received entries from over 2000+ influencers across all 8 genres and 24 sub genres.

The campaign successfully reached over 180 + million viewers across digital platforms. The winners will receive the coveted DigiTaj Trophy.

The 3 broad categories WOW Creators, Breakout stars, and New on the block creators choose winners based purely on content irrespective of their following.

Commenting on the same, Jo Broner, WIBA Spokesperson said, "The response to the first edition of the global awards was very encouraging. We saw so many talented influencers apply for each category. The jury was spoilt for choice. The winners of each category will be celebrated across all our social media channels."

"Congratulations are in order for all the winners across all categories. Each one is an achiever in their segment, and we are proud to partner with WIBA to bring their talent to the forefront. WIBA gave a chance to not only the biggest influencers but also influencers who have comparatively a lesser following but really good content." Anish Mulani, Director - WAVE also added.

NischayMalhan, Sejal Kumar, Garima Chaurasia, Team Naach, Zain Imam, and more won awards in their respective genres in the WOW Creator category. WIBA also awarded and acknowledge new and upcoming talent like Madhoshmuskan, Pratishtha Sharma, and many more. The first edition of the awards will see Nusr-Et, Gianluca Vacchi, Foodgod, Victoria Bonya, Victoria Silvstedt as the headliners. The event has also brought on board WAVE, a complete privacy app as the main sponsor.

Know more on: (https://wiba.in)

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Formula 1 has started again, and the great battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen has set the tongues wagging all over the world. At last, it looks like we can expect a truly exciting season, with a fierce battle between Mercedes and Red Bull Racing on the horizon.

Track limits

Jolyon Palmer also shines his light on the race in Bahrain, and specifically the battle between Max and Lewis, through his video analysis for Formula1.com. On the infamous overtaking action of the Dutchman, he says: "Max had already passed, but due to oversteer he had to correct the car, which took him off track with four wheels. Now the track limits rules were very vague throughout the weekend, but what race director Michael Masi did state before the weekend was that you were not allowed to gain a lasting advantage by going off-track through overtaking."

Michael Masi

According to Palmer, Masi had indicated that a little time gain was not a problem, but gaining a lasting advantage was. "Mercedes did gain about a tenth per lap by not adhering to track limits. So it is a permanent advantage, but that was not the intention of the rules this race." Red Bull Racing indicated to Max Verstappen during the race that he no longer needed to adhere to track limits either, after which Mercedes did get a reprimand, much to Hamilton's dismay.

"Then the rules were changed during the race. This while Lewis Hamilton was already not adhering to the track limits during the installation and warm-up laps. So it was clearly his intention. Unfortunately, Red Bull's intentions were different," said Palmer.

The end

Why was Verstappen unable to catch Hamilton's Mercedes after that? Palmer: "It was very sweet that Max let Lewis pass after turn 11. He had to go on the dirty part of the track because of this. But because of the tyre situation of both teams, Max could have easily won the position back. However, two oversteer moments in the next few corners allowed Lewis to pull away and Max to blow his rear tires. As a result, he could not really get close to Lewis anymore. Max said after the race that he had pulled away from Lewis by as much as five seconds, but I doubt it given the state of his tyres."
Fayetteville, Tennessee experienced severe floods in parts of the city after terrential rains Wednesday morning.

In particular, parts of the Elk River were flowing at 10 feet higher than normal.

Flood stage for the Elk River is at 17 feet. Right now, it's flowing at 14 feet, according to USGS data.

Norris Creek flooded Norris Road.

S.J. King Park was filled with water.

Old Mulberry Road at Marrs Road is also closed because of flooding.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Fayetteville Police say they are monitoring conditions and have not heard of any major issues or injuries.

WAAY 31 has a crew in Lincoln County to continue to monitor conditions.
New Delhi: Indias state run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has denied having any business links with Myanmars military and refuted a report that cites HAL as one of the major suppliers to the junta from 2017-19.

This refers to queries we are getting regarding findings attributed to UNHRC Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar/Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute Arms Transfers Data Base describing HAL as one of the major suppliers to Myanmar military from 2017-2019.It is factually incorrect," a spokesman for HAL said on Wednesday.

HAL has had no business dealings with Myanmar Defence Forces from 2017-2019. In fact, HAL did not have any business dealing even after 2019 with Myanmar till date," the spokesman said.

The UNHRC report by an independent international fact-finding mission on Myanmar and Stockholm International Peace & Research Institute (SIPRI) Arms Transfers Database had said that HAL was one of the major suppliers to the Myanmar military.

Ties between India and Myanmar have been positive with New Delhi maintaining contacts with the civilian and the military leadership of Myanmar before the 1 February take over of power by the military. The Indian Army regularly launches coordinated patrols and anti-insurgency operations against militant outfits operating in Indias northeast with the Myanmar military along their 1,643km land border. In June 2015, Indian commandos had conducted a coordinated operation against two Indian insurgent camps insides jungles of Myanmar after 18 Indian soldiers were killed in an ambush in the Chandel district of Manipur. India has also handed over rebels from Myanmars insurgent groups to their military.

In a bid to counter growing Chinese influence in Southeast Asia, India has recently delivered a kilo-class submarine to Myanmar.

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Two abandoned dogs rescued from the streets of Romania are living a life with their new owner that they wouldn't have imagined many years ago.

From mountains to beaches, and lakes to the rocky terrains and taking in the expansive views of the beauty across Europe, Finn and Yuri are enjoying a dream spell of holidaying.

Anne Geier/SWNS

Photographer Anne Geier, who rescued the two dogs from being put down in a killing shelter, has offered them a new lease of life.



In her latest adventure with her two loyal companions, she spent two weeks touring the mountains and fjords of Norway documenting their trip with her camera.

Also read: Watch: Dog Rescued From Frozen Pond In Texas By Brave Firefighter

Anne Geier/SWNS

Finn was adopted by Anne in 2014 and was joined in 2017 by Yuri.



The trio are having an amazing time and the photos are proof. Their images are wanderlust-inducing that showcase the breathtaking beauty of nature and the wonder it inspires from both humans and pups.

Also read: Heartbreaking: Street Dog's Eyes Fill Up With Tears After Stranger Offers Him Food

Anne Geier/SWNS

Anne, who lives in Tauplitz, Austria, has made her name as a pet photographer.



About three years ago we [boyfriend and dogs] started traveling and discovered our new passion, Anne told My Modern Met.

We bought us a VW T4 and expanded it to a little camper van. It's perfect, we can go wherever we want and whenever we want. We are totally free and flexible and not bound on any accommodation," she added.



As fate would have it, Finn and Yuri have found a perfect owner. They can keep striking poses and exploring the world.

Also read: Dog Gets Stuck In Car Engine For 30 Minutes Before Being Rescued By Firefighters




popular top story

Tuesday's coronavirus updates: Woman in 70s becomes ninth to lose life in March in Champaign County; UI campus reports 22 new cases; Douglas' 7-day positivity rate stays under 1.0%
Chennai, March 31 : The Madras High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to state minister for information and publicity, Kadambur C. Raju in a case related to blocking flying squad officials of the electoral panel.

Raju had stopped the flying squad of the EC from checking his vehicle during a routine exercise in Tuticorn. Justice Satish Kumar of the Madras High court granted him bail.

Raju is the AIADMK candidate for Kovilpatti assembly constituency where the AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is a candidate.

An election flying squad officer, Marimuthu was blocked and abused by Raju at Uthupatti junction on March 12 at around 10.30 a.m.

Election Commission officials complained that the minister did not allow them to discharge their duties and blocked and threatened them.

On the basis of the complaint filed by Marimuthu, the Nallatindipur police had registered a case under sections 353,506(1) of Indian Penal Code on March 13.

Raju in his counter affidavit argued that a case has been registered against him following false complaints.
Brazils drug regulator Anvisa has rejected Bharat Biotech Internationals application for supplying Covaxin in the country after an inspection of the companys facility at Hyderabad in March found violations of norms for good manufacturing practices.

During the inspection, different non-conformities were found, which denote a significant risk to manufacturing and product quality assurance, implying a health risk for users, the regulator said on Tuesday.

Anvisa, short for Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitari, said that Bharat Biotech has not validated the method used to inactivate, or kill, the virus, which may cause contamination of patients with the Sars-CoV2 virus itself. This is related to product safety, it said.

The regulator also pointed to lack of specific control methods to quantify the antigen content and potency of the vaccine, which may lead to variations in antigen content and consequently compromise its effectiveness. It also flagged lack of controls to guarantee the sterility and purity of the vaccine, both of which could affect its safety.

In Brazil, Bharat Biotech tied up with Precisa Medicamentos for supply of vaccine directly to the government. The firm had provided an action plan to the regulator on 17 March, but Anvisa said that the measures adopted so far are not sufficient to mitigate risks associated with non-conformities.

Bharat Biotech has in the Brazilian firms action plan proposed completion of studies and modifications to guarantee the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, Anvisa said. However, the regulator said that these will not have an impact on the efficacy and safety of what has been manufactured so far.

Bharat Biotech can reapply for the certification of its facilities and emergency use authorization after it completes the remediation process. The requirements pointed out during inspection will be fulfilled. The timelines are under discussion and will be resolved," Bharat Biotech said, adding that the order for 20 million doses from Brazil is still active.

Gagandeep Kang, professor at Christian Medical College, said that the issues do not necessarily mean that the product has failed. But these are things that the company has to take seriously and the Indian regulator should also take note and look into it," Kang added.

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itelligence | NTT DATA Business Solutions, one of SAP's largest partners globally, which generated annual sales of some 1.072 billion euros in the calendar year 2020 with SAP-centric consulting, managed and co-innovation services, will operate under the new company name NTT DATA Business Solutions as of April 1.

The previous separate branding will be transformed to match the NTT DATA branding. The rebranding of the company forms part of a major global growth and branding initiative conducted by NTT DATA.

NTT DATA Business Solutions AG will remain a stand-alone company with headquarters in Bielefeld, Germany. With more than 10,000 employees worldwide, the NTT DATA Business Solutions group will operate in the market independently. Headed by CEO Norbert Rotter, the executive board and management will continue their responsibilities as before. All contracts with customers, partners, and service providers associated with the group will stay valid.

"Together with NTT DATA, one of the globally most successful IT service providers, we are opening a new chapter in our corporate history today," says Norbert Rotter, CEO NTT DATA Business Solutions, "that will further increase our visibility. At the same time, our main focus remains on being the globally leading SAP partner and reseller to the SME sector. With the power of NTT DATA, we will make further inroads into the large enterprise market as well. I am sure that the well-respected NTT DATA brand will help us to be more successful and well-known worldwide. We will also attract more high potentials to start their international career at NTT DATA Business Solutions."

Global branding initiative within NTT DATA group starting April 1

"We have taken another major step towards global brand integration," says Kaz Nishihata, Senior Executive Vice President & Representative Director, NTT DATA. "I believe that strengthening the NTT DATA brand will allow us to provide high-quality services more broadly to clients throughout the world and achieve business growth. As NTT DATA grows to become a TOP 5 IT service provider, NTT DATA Business Solutions will play an important role by strengthening and enhancing its SAP-centric business solution offerings."

SAP expertise and aspirations documented in the mission statement: We Transform. SAP Solutions into Value

NTT DATA Business Solutions offers customers and institutions an extensive portfolio comprising of consulting, managed, and co-innovation services based on SAP products and solutions. With offices in 30 countries currently, NTT DATA Business Solutions helps customers in their transformation to become an intelligent enterprise. NTT DATA Business Solutions is one of a few Platinum Partners of SAP and part of the SAP PartnerEdge program and runs five data centers of its own. NTT DATA Business Solutions is leading the field globally in the implementation of SAP S/4HANA and in assisting customers with their systems transformation. To date, NTT DATA Business Solutions has realized or is currently implementing, more than 460 SAP S/4HANA projects.

Karl Fahrbach, Chief Partner Officer at SAP said: "Our recent offering RISE with SAP demonstrates the immersive collaboration with partners at SAP. Our ecosystem of partners is key to achieving our ambitious goal, and partners like NTT DATA Business Solutions testify effectively to the power of long-term side-by-side business collaboration."

"Guaranteeing significant added value and success along with all transformation processes and meeting our clients' individual requirements is our highest aim," explains CEO Norbert Rotter. "The new mission statement expresses the aspirations of NTT DATA Business Solutions succinctly: We Transform. SAP Solutions into Value."

Sanjeev Deshpande, MD & CEO, NTT DATA Business Solutions India said "As a member of the global NTT DATA family, we will be able to serve our customers with all SAP-related topics and beyond. With an enhanced portfolio from the group, we will be able to partner with our customers in their digital transformation journey more completely. We expect our business to grow in an accelerated fashion in the next few months due to this rebranding.

As a direct result of anticipated growth, we will be able to generate more employment in the next few quarters. The new brand name will help us further consolidate our position as one of the great places to work."

Following on from the intensification of the collaboration between NTT and SAP SE put into effect last year, all parties now welcome the current branding initiative. Not only will NTT DATA Business Solutions benefit from joining the NTT DATA branding in the domestic SME market, but it will also help it to attract potential large enterprise customers due to the high profile of the NTT brand.

Regarding NTT DATA Business Solutions

NTT DATA Business Solutions designs, implements, manages, and continuously enhances SAP solutions to make them work for companies and their people.

Aiming to help companies to transform, grow and become more successful, NTT DATA Business Solutions connects with a more than in-depth expertise for SAP solutions its clients' business opportunities with the latest technologies - individually and across all business areas. As part of the NTT DATA group and with close ties to SAP and other partners, NTT DATA Business Solutions gives clients and prospects access to innovative solutions and developments and thus makes an important contribution to innovation and long-term business success.

NTT DATA Business Solutions employs around 10,000 people in30countries. In 2020 the company achieved a total turnover of 1.072 billion euros.

Regarding NTT DATA

NTT DATA - a part of NTT Group - is a trusted global innovator of IT and business services headquartered in Tokyo. We help clients transform through consulting, industry solutions, business process services, digital & IT modernization, and managed services. NTT DATA enables them, as well as society, to move confidently into the digital future. We are committed to our client's long-term success and combine global reach with local client attention to serve them in over 50 countries around the globe.

This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MIAMI, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PayProp, a global leader in residential rental payments, has been named an Approved Supplier by leading international real estate brand RE/MAX.

The agreement covers all regions globally, as PayProp continues to expand rapidly into new areas, but is currently in force only in Florida and Texas in the United States, the Ontario Province in Canada, as well as the United Kingdom and South Africa.

The alliance will make the benefits of payment automation available to more than 130,000 RE/MAX real estate professionals worldwide, including tens of thousands across the United States.

Property management software on notice

According to Louw Liebenberg, CEO of PayProp in North America, the announcement is the strongest indication yet that legacy software providers have been put on notice by the property management industry.

"After just over a year in the US market, PayProp's take on automated efficiencies and faster, more accurate bank-integrated payments has been given RE/MAX's seal of approval," he says.

"The rental industry is ready for a shake-up, and this important vote of confidence in our market offering is testament to that."

A powerful alliance

The link-up brings together two global leaders in the real estate industry. While the payments platform only launched in the US in 2019, thousands of property managers of all sizes in Canada, the United Kingdom and South Africa are already proudly powered by PayProp  some since as early as 2004.

Liebenberg says aligning with a well-known franchisor in RE/MAX is a real boon, and that PayProp may soon see similar success in the United States. Having already made waves in the Florida rental market, the company rolled out its online platform with sales and service backing in Texas earlier this year, and is now getting ready to open in Illinois, Washington, Alabama, Missouri and Georgia within the next few months.

As a RE/MAX approved supplier, PayProp is promoted to franchise-holders through the RE/MAX Marketplace and will also be able to access other opportunities to market to the network, both in the United States and around the world.

Doing property management better

The agreement is an important recognition that PayProp is doing something unique in the American real estate sector, and in many senses it couldn't have come at a better time for RE/MAX-affiliated agents.

Unlike the old and often inefficient property management systems currently used by many property managers, PayProp is integrated directly into the US banking system thanks to its partnership with Bank of America, providing quicker payments, realtime transaction logging, and 100% bank accuracy.

The platform intelligently and automatically matches incoming rent payments to the correct renter and property, deducts management fees and payments to contractors before distributing rental income to owners, and allows agents to distribute automatically generated invoices and statements to owners and tenants in just a couple of clicks.

Today, thousands of PayProp-powered property management companies save hours each week and eliminate human error by automating their payment reconciliation processes, giving them more time to work with clients and grow their portfolios. Even better, they can do so with bank-grade security from any location on any device, freeing property managers from offices and allowing them to work in more mobile, adaptable ways.

At a time when late or missed rent payments are a growing problem for property managers, PayProp also gives them new tools to recover the money they are owed. Users can check in on the up-to-date account balance of any property in their portfolio and send one-click payment reminders by text message or email when tenants are behind on rent.

Upwards and outwards

With the alliance official since January 2nd, Louw Liebenberg and the PayProp team are looking forward to working with more RE/MAX-affiliated realtors and property managers across the United States and worldwide.

"Being chosen as a RE/MAX Approved Supplier will help us to share the incredible competitive advantage of true intelligent automation with more property managers," says Liebenberg. "Property managers are the unsung heroes of the residential rental industry and they deserve technology that makes their lives easier and their work more productive."

About PayProp

PayProp is an automated rental payment and reconciliation platform for the real estate sector. PayProp was launched in 2004. Since then, it has grown quickly to become a leading processor of rental payments for the property management industry, and today serves a large and diverse customer base of property professionals. Our platform sets the standard for speed and accuracy of payments as well as cost and payment status transparency, offering our customers complete transactional control and regulatory compliance. PayProp is part of the Humanstate Group, an international private technology services group with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Switzerland and South Africa.

Visit www.payprop.com to learn more.

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12863799

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE PayProp US

Related Links

https://us.payprop.com/


HARTFORD  City police have arrested a 19-year veteran of the force accused of illegally accessing information through computer systems.

Zachary Freeto was charged with first-degree computer crime Monday, Lt. Aaron Boisvert said in a press release Tuesday.

The alleged incidents came to light after the departments internal affairs division began investigating Freeto for an off-duty incident in Enfield.

Investigators discovered that Officer Freeto may have wrongfully accessed computer information on multiple occasions, Boisvert said. The department launched two investigations, one criminal, the other administrative, into the access.

These potential violations were brought to the State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Criminal Justice Business Applications Unit who then suspended Officer Freetos access to the Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing (COLLECT) System and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Boisvert said.

The COLLECT system allows law enforcement to review in-state records not available to the public, including the State Police Criminal History database and the protective order registry.

The system also allows law enforcement and criminal justice agencies access to NCIC, which contains criminal justice data for the whole country as well as Canada.

Police said Freeto had already been separated from Hartford police on March 19 of this year after he was found to be unfit for duty.

Freeto had been placed on paid administrative leave in December of last year after several instances of misconduct and behavior, Boisvert said. He remained on leave until he separated from the force on March 19.

Boisvert said Freeto was served the arrest warrant at Hartford Police headquarters.
flynas, the Saudi air carrier and leading low-cost airline in the Middle East, recently inaugurated the first of its flights to the historical city of AlUla in a direct trip from Riyadh.



Upon its arrival at the AlUla International Airport, the aircraft was received by a delegation on behalf of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and a number of the airlines affiliates.



flynas CEO Bander Almohanna extended his gratitude to the General Aviation of Civil Authority (GACA) and the RCU for their efforts and collaboration with flynas in achieving the shared goal of increasing access to the historical city of AlUla as the destination continues to open up to tourism and offer more heritage and culture experiences.



flynas has been keen on offering the best service for travellers interested in visiting this unique historical city, in accordance with the airlines overarching strategy that aims to take travel in the Kingdom to the next level, in both services and cost. This serves to transform the Kingdom to an international touristic destination, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, he said.



Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Officer at RCU said: We welcome Flynas to AlUla and look forward to more domestic flights with Flynas from other destinations in the Kingdom. AlUla is a place like no other in the world and we encourage residents of the Kingdom to experience their unique culture and heritage now while they have the destination to themselves.



He added: With the recent renaming of AlUla International Airport, we are preparing to open up to international tourism and cement AlUlas position as a globally significant UNESCO destination, but with a modern and future-focused take on tourism. We are working on connecting the culture of the past with the possibilities of future, to present a world-class boutique destination to the world.



The city of AlUla is the latest addition to flynas domestic network, facilitating two weekly flights (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) between Riyadh and AlUla.  TradeArabia News Service


ROME, MAR 31 - The Vatican said Wednesday that it has started an initiative to give COVID-19 vaccines to groups of poor people, with over 100 people staying at the Missionarie della Carita di San Gregorio al Celio dormitory and other shelters in Rome getting their first jabs in the Paul VI Hall. Other groups of people accompanied by volunteers from the Sant'Egidio Community, Caritas, Missionari della Carita and other Catholic associations will be vaccinated in the coming days. (ANSA).
On Tuesday afternoon, the New York Times published a thin piece that made the stunning assertion that, during the Trump administration, the Justice Department opened an inquiry into a claim that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) had a sexual relationship with an underage girl. Gaetz responded by denying the allegation and then making his own, even more shocking assertion: Gaetz says that a former Justice Department official tried to extort money from his family, that the local FBI was investigating the claim, and that this Times report is an attempt by the Deep State to protect that official.

Wow! So let me break all of this out.

Preliminarily, this is not the first time that there have been assertions about irregularities in Gaetz's sex life. In June 2020, Gaetz revealed that he had adopted 19-year-old Nestor Galban, a Cuban youth, who has been part of the Gaetz household for six years. Instantly, crude, unfounded rumors started flying that this was, in fact, an illicit homosexual relationship.

Nothing came of those rumors. That was then; this is now. Now, the Times published a piece headlined:

Matt Gaetz Is Said to Face Justice Dept. Inquiry Over Sex With an Underage Girl: An inquiry into the Florida congressman was opened in the final months of the Trump administration, people briefed on it said.

The article opens by carefully identifying Gaetz as "a close ally of former President Donald J. Trump" and then says he is being investigated for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-girl (Florida's age of consent is 18) and paying for her to travel with him. If the allegations are true, that's not only statutory rape, but also sex-trafficking because Gaetz paid for her to cross state lines.

The reason Gaetz was being investigated, says the article, is because a "political ally" of his, Joel Greenberg, was indicted for sexual wrongdoing, including sex-trafficking and statutory rape. However, the Times concedes that Gaetz hasn't been charged, "and the extent of his criminal exposure is unclear."

After acknowledging that Gaetz completely denies the accusations, the rest of the article simply smears Gaetz by describing his conservative bona fides (sure to outrage Times readers); his political relationships with unpleasant people; and, most importantly, Greenberg's alleged wrongdoing. In other words, the article is two thirds what I would call "we hate his politics" and one third what I would describe as "he's probably guilty by association." It's a sleazy article, and I'd say the same even if evidence emerged that Gaetz is guilty as charged.

The Times updated the article to include Gaetz's rebuttal to the charges, and that rebuttal is a doozy: in addition to saying the allegations are completely unfounded, Gaetz claims that a former Justice Department employee was trying to extort money from him and his family, that he and his dad were working with the local FBI, and that the malfeasor's friends in the Justice Department leaked the attack on Gaetz to protect their friend:

Mr. Gaetz called the investigation part of an elaborate scheme involving "false sex allegations" to extort him and his family for $25 million that began this month. He said he and his father, Don Gaetz, had been cooperating with the F.B.I. and "wearing a wire" after they were approached by people saying they could make the investigation "go away." Mr. Gaetz claimed the disclosure of the sex trafficking inquiry was intended to thwart an investigation into the extortion plot. In a second interview later Tuesday, the congressman said he had no plans to resign his House seat and denied that he had romantic relationships with minors. "It is verifiably false that I have traveled with a 17-year-old woman," he said.

Gaetz appeared on Tucker Carlson, where he repeated and expanded upon his denial, the claim about the extortion attempt against him, and his theory that the DOJ is trying to protect its former colleague. Gaetz went so far as to name the alleged extortionist as David McGee, an attorney at Beggs & Lane in Florida. Gaetz demanded that the FBI release the audio of his dad's recorded conversations with McGee, which would prove Gaetz's innocence:

If Gaetz is lying, this is just another story about a sleazy politician. However, if he's telling the truth, we are witnessing once again the fact that the Deep State has no limit to what it will do to protect its people and its power. If that's the case, something must be done to bring the Deep State to heel. The people who work for it will have been shown to be absolutely corrupted by their absolute power.

Image: Matt Gaetz on Tucker Carlson. YouTube screen grab.
~ Community urged to get vaccinated, a new protocol for ABC islands travelers.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Labor Richard Panneflek announced on Wednesday that the labor policy that was published by the former Minister of Health and Labor is now under review. The Minister said just last week he celebrated one year in office as the Minister of Labor and questions why the labor policy was not put into effect since then.

The Minister said he was not informed prior to the publication of the release and as such he must inform the public that this policy must be tweaked before it is implemented. The Minister admitted that he is quite occupied with the COVID-19 pandemic and that he did not focus much on the Department of Labor. Sometimes when one is busy things do slip or pass by without noticing.

He urged the community of St. Maarten to get vaccinated. The Minister said that the 3rd set of COVID-19 vaccine has been confirmed, however, he said that there is no guarantee that St. Maarten will continue to receive the Pfizer vaccine since it is the number one vaccination being used worldwide.

The Minister of Health also announced that as Minister of Health he has taken the decision to implement new travel guidelines for the ABC islands, which are Aruba, Bonair,e and Curacao due to the high level of COVID-19 active cases. The Minister said the new travel restrictions will go into effect as of Saturday. Travelers from the ABC islands that had the PCR tests 72 hours before boarding must also do an antigen test 24 hours prior to boarding. Panneflek said he is also encouraging travelers to obtain a PCR test 24 hours prior to boarding he said arrangements are being made with Curacao in order for the testing to take place for passengers traveling to St. Maarten from the ABC islands.

The Minister of Health said everyone is welcome to St. Maarten however, traveling from the ABC islands is restricted. He said only persons that have urgent needs to travel should travel. Passengers that intended to visit the island for vacation purposes are asked to hold off and postpone their vacation plans. The Minister said that right now only passengers will essential needs will be allowed to enter, these measures were implemented to safeguard the community of St. Maarten.
The giant container ship Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal on March 23, 2021. The image on the left, captured on March 21, shows routine maritime traffic in the canal with vessels visible every 2 to 3 km. The image on the right, captured on 25 March, shows the 400 m-ship blocking the canal. Ships can be seen accumulating in the Gulf of Suez. The canal connects Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Egyptian city of Suez on the Red Sea.

Officials said Tuesday the backlog of ships trying to pass through the Suez Canal could take about four days to work through, following nearly a week in which the vital waterway was blocked by a massive container ship.

The assessment came from both the Suez Canal Authority and the U.N. Conference on Trade Development.

Suez Canal Authority chairman Osama Rabie said about 140 ships were expected to pass through the canal on Tuesday.

The 400-meter-long ship, Ever Given, was freed Monday after days of work involving digging along the canal bank and a group of tugboats pulling on the ship. It was jammed diagonally across a southern section of the canal in high winds on March 23, halting shipping traffic on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia.

Once moving again, the ship moved into the Great Bitter Lake to undergo inspections for any damage and for investigators to try to determine why it ran aground.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said Tuesday that while the incident was an unwanted event, it was dealt with effectively and reaffirmed the importance of the Suez Canal.

The canal brings in between $5 billion and $6 billion in revenue each year.

Some maritime firms responded to the delays by deciding to divert ships around the Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of the African continent.
ROME, MAR 31 - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday that Italy has expelled two Russians after an Italian Navy officer was caught while allegedly handing over classified documents to a Russian military official. The foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to Rome in relation to the case earlier on Wednesday. "When the Russian ambassador to Italy was summoned to the foreign ministry, we expressed the Italian government's resolute protest and gave notice of the immediate expulsion of the two Russian officials involved in this extremely serious affair," Di Maio said via Facebook. "I thank the intelligence service and all the State bodies that work for the security of our country every day". A Kremlin source cited by RIA Novosti said Moscow hopes relations with Rome can be "preserved" despite the case. The Russian foreign ministry told ANSA that it was "saddened" by the expulsions. "We are examining the circumstances of this decision," the ministry said. "We will make an announcement about our possible steps in relation to this measure, which does not correspond to the level of bilateral relations". However, Interfax quoted Alexiei Cepa, the vice president of the Duma's international affairs committee, as saying Russia's response to the expulsions would be "symmetrical". The serviceman, a frigate captain, and a Russian official accredited to the Russian embassy were detained by the Carabinieri police's ROS unit late on Tuesday, sources said The Navy officer is accused of serious crimes regarding espionage and State security. In addition to the criminal investigation, military prosecutors have also opened a probe into the case. NATO documents were allegedly among the files the Navy officer handed over, the sources said. Britain was quick to express support for Italy. "The UK stands in solidarity with Italy and its actions today, exposing and taking action against Russia's malign and destabilising activity that is designed to undermine our @NATO ally," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said via Twitter. (ANSA).
When I first read one of Steve Politis recent columns, I was concerned about his support for paying college athletes. I have been hearing that more and more lately, and it is upsetting.

Now Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., has joined the chorus by introducing College Athletes Bill of Rights legislation, which includes player compensation and more.

I admired Booker when he came on the scene politically, and have friends in the state Legislature who told me he was a good guy. Unfortunately, since his election to the U.S. Senate, that has changed. Booker has taken a page from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers book and seems to spout off on every topic. Booker is is pandering to the public in an attempt to get votes, rather than representing the voters.

Lets take a real look at paying college athletes. Over the weekend, I was speaking with a friend who has a child a Duke University. Tuition, room and board are $71,000 per year. So, if you are a college athlete who gets a free ride to Duke with a scholarship because you excel at your sport, you ARE being paid as a college athlete. Most people reading the paper today are not being paid $71,000 a year for their work.

I am not downplaying the amount of work that a star athlete puts into their sport, but to pay them on top of the free tuition and room board seems excessive. Paying athletes would also increase the cost of college for the rest of the students, which will, in turn, increase the amount of debt that they leave with.

Robert G. Peters, Clifton

Following the votes, not the science

The Star-Ledger editorial on March 31 poses this question in its headline, On COVID-19, Murphy says follow the data. So why isnt he?

The answer is very simple, direct, apparent, disappointing and appalling at the same time: Hes up for reelection.

This is called pandering to the masses, i.e., following the data of public opinion. The public has demonstrated that its frustration tolerance level has been surpassed, and wants restrictions loosened. Caution is to be thrown to the winds, consequences notwithstanding, as New Jerseys case metrics are surging and the state approaches 25,000 lives lost.

Murphys initial response to the first surge of the virus was spot-on; his response to the second surge was lukewarm and questionable; the current response defies logic, but is good political expediency for him.

Thus, a fourth surge is possible when mutations are multiplying as Murphy eases restrictions when all the numbers have been continuing to go in the wrong direction.

Richard A. Pisz, Union

Editorial erases Bidens censorship at border

As I prepared to read the Star-Ledgers overdue editorial on the immigrant crisis at the Mexican border, I was wondering how aggressive your criticism of President Joe Biden would be.

Despite a promise of transparency, he has censored the media  until the last few hours  from seeing the deplorable and unsanitary conditions at the dangerously overcrowded cells holding the children streaming across the border.

However, there was not a word in the editorial about Bidens desperate attempt to hide the truth, but there were seven mentions of former President Donald Trumps supposed cruelty, bigotry and hate.

I guess for the Star-Ledger editorial board, Trump Derangement Syndrome is more important than the First Amendment and freedom of the press.

Michael Pickert, Livingston

Remember suffering of women in prison

Recently, NJ Prison Justice Watch did a Facebook Live session with former incarcerated women who offered testimony on the suffering and trauma they all experienced during incarceration at the states Edna Mahan Correctional Facility and others.

Please take a few minutes to educate yourself in knowing what is happening on the other side of the walls of Edna Mahan right now and share it with your contacts. It is painful to hear but necessary.

Often, incarcerated women were girls who suffered trauma or were institutionalized before being sent to prison. We as a society failed them before. Lets not fail them again. Because they may have committed a crime, they do not deserve to go through sexual, psychological or physical abuse during incarceration.

Those correctional officers who perpetrate the abuses are being paid by us. It is our responsibility to help cancel the abuse culture in New Jersey correctional facilities. I invite you to call your state representative and request action now, or call Gov. Phil Murphys office at 609-292-6000, or state Attorney General Gurbir Grewals office at 609-292-4925.

Maria Eva Dorigo, Montclair

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. 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.
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A Nigerian filmmaker, Charles Okpaleke, and veteran actor and film producer, Ramsey Nouah, have acquired the rights to produce a biopic based on the life and times of king Jaja of Opobo.

The filmmaker, who made this known on his Instagram page, announced that the new biopic will take on an authentic perspective of the famed king who founded the Opobo kingdom.

I and Ramsey Nouah are proud to announce that we have been given the rights to tell the story of King Jaja of Opobo, from an authentic perspective.

We had the privilege of sitting with King Dandeson Douglas, Jeki V- 5th on the throne, during the sesquicentennial celebration of Opobo Kingdom.

We can say we have the authentic account of the eventful life of King Jaja and we are set to tell it in a griping way as you all will expect from us, he said.

Mr Okpalekes latest announcement comes months after confirming the having the right to produce an epic movie of infamous robbery kingpin Shina Rambo.

He said he met with Rambo, who is currently an evangelist, before securing the rights.

Background

There were several accounts of the 19th century of king Opobos life and death but one thing all the accounts agree is that he was among the first monarchs to resist British colonialism and died trying.

King Jaja of Opobo, whose name was Jubo Jubogha, was a merchant prince between 18211891. He was the founder of the Opobo area that is the present-day Rivers state in Nigeria.

He was born in Umuduruoha Amaigbo in present-day Imo State and was taken at about the age of twelve into slavery in Bonny by Obua Ajukwu of Oguta.

He later took the name Jaja, which earned his way out of slavery, and Opobo came to dominate the regions palm oil trade, and controlled fourteen of what were formerly Bonnys eighteen trade houses.

Jaja blocked the access of British merchants to effectively monopolise the trade in Opobo.

At the 1884 Berlin Conference, the European designated Opobo as British territory.

When Jaja refused to cease taxing the British traders, Henry Hamilton Johnston, a British vice-consul, invited him for negotiations and he was arrested on arrival, aboard a British vessel he was tried in Accra in the Gold Coast (now Ghana).

Jaja was exiled to London and then Saint Vincent in the West Indies and Barbados.

In 1891, Jaja was granted permission to return to Opobo, but died en route.

(NAN)


Jenny plans a fantail tattoo on her bald patch.

Snells Beachs crazy sewing lady Jenny Bartlett endured another close shave at Snells Beach Library this month to raise money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC).

Its the ninth time Jenny has lost her hair for LBCs Shave for a Cure event, which has seen her successfully raise $30,000 for those living with blood cancer.

So far, this year she has raised $3000 alone.

But Jenny admits those with blood conditions are not the only ones to benefit.

She reckons the head shaves have saved her $2398 in haircuts over the last nine years.

Moreover, the latest shave will allow her to get a tattoo on her bald head.

She plans on getting a piwakawaka (fantail) sitting on a kowhai branch.

To support Jenny, visit https://shaveforacure.co.nz/jenny-bartlett
Chennai, March 31 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the DMK and Congress have failed to protect women's dignity in Tamil Nadu.

The senior BJP leader took on the DMK and Congress, saying if those parties returned to power, then women's security would go into jeopardy.

He was referring to the derogatory remarks made by former Union Minister and DMK leader A.Raja against Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and his mother that had moved the AIADMK leader to tears leading to FIR against Raja.

Only days before that DMK propaganda secretary Dindigul I. Leoni had made sexist remarks and body-shamed women at a campaign in Coimbatore.

Adityanath addressing a public rally for the NDA candidate of Coimbatore South, Vanathi Srinivasan, thanked the people of Tamil Nadu for their contribution of Rs 120 crore for Sree Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

He said that the vision of Prime minister Narendra Modi has always been for the development of Tamil Nadu, both industrially and economically.

The saffron clad monk said that the NDA government at the Centre has sanctioned a defence corridor in Tamil Nadu and added that if the BJP-AIADMK government returned to power, the state will receive more funds for development.

Adityanath said that the defence corridor sanctioned by the Government of India to Coimbatore would lead the city become self reliant (Atmanirbhar).

He offered prayers at the Puliakulam Ganesh temple before taking part in a 7-km long procession with the NDA candidate. One thousand two-wheelers accompanied the Adityanath-Srinivasan cavalcade.
Burma Japan Suspends New Aid Programs to Myanmar After Massacres

Anti-regime protesters behind a burning roadblock in Yangon. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars largest development aid provider, Japan, says it has suspended new aid programs following Saturdays brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters.

Human rights groups have repeatedly urged Japan to suspend its official development assistance (ODA) programs and impose targeted sanctions on Myanmars coup leaders.

Japan has tried to set itself up as a competitor to Chinas growing presence in Myanmar over the last decade.

Japans foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, told the Japanese parliament: Japan is the largest provider of economic assistance to Myanmar and we arent planning any new projects. We have taken a clear stance.

The foreign minister urged the withholding of development assistance, which would do more to put pressure on the military than sanctions.

Over nearly two decades, Japan has provided around 1 trillion yen (12.8 trillion kyats) in loans, more than 300 billion yen in grants and 88 billion yen in technical assistance, according to human rights groups.

Japans foreign ministry said it provided nearly 190 billion yen in ODA to Myanmar in 2019, including 68.8 billion yen in loans, 13.8 billion yen in grants and 6.6 billion yen in technical assistance.

In last years budget, Japan committed to four loans worth about US$1.1 billion (1.6 trillion kyats) to fund sewerage, urban development, power distribution and infrastructure projects in seven regions and states.

On Sunday, Japan signed a joint statement from the defense chiefs of 12 nations condemning the regimes use of lethal force against the civilians, following the massacre of more than 100 civilians on Armed Forces Day.

Tokyo has not yet imposed targeted sanctions on the coup leaders. Since 2016, Japan has been the fifth-largest investor in Myanmar, with 37 registered enterprises. It invested more than $1.3 billion under the National League for Democracy administration, according to Myanmars Directorate of Investment and Company Administration.

Following the coup, Japanese beverage giant Kirin ended its joint-venture with the military-owned conglomerate, Myanma Economic Holdings Public Co. Ltd.

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Who Failed Myanmar?

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Yves here. Intellectual and public support is necessary but not sufficient for officials and courts to take on companies with excessive market power. One way is to break them up. The other is to regulate them. Im not at all sympathetic to the whinging of the likes of Facebook that it would be hard to dis-integrate business theyd acquired not that long ago. Help me. This is all bloody code. Its not even remotely like going to Mars. Remember back in the days of the Microsoft antitrust suit, there was serious talk of forcing Microsoft to unbundle Word and Excel.and Wall Street was keen about the idea. They thought the two applications would perform better, both financially and functionally, if they were hived away from the mother ship.

As for regulation.prohibitions and strict oversight can be very effective, as the US demonstrated in from New Deal era thought the 1970s, when concerted right-wing messaging helped grease the wheels for political challenges. Sadly as a result, even now the US seems to be short on people in senior positions who believe that saying no to businesses is necessary and salutary.

By Lynn Parramore, Senior Research Analyst at the Institute for New Economic Thinking. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website

Theres a reason people talk about the current American era as the New Gilded Age. A giant gap between haves and have-nots, mammoth corporations throwing their weight around, financial firms (hedge funds this time around) calling the shots, politicians captured by the rich  its all back with a vengeance. Instead of Standard Oil, we have goliaths like Google, Amazon, and Facebook allowed to grow so powerful they threaten not only consumers and competitors, but the entire economy  and even democracy itself. Current antitrust policy, however, is not up to the task of restoring balance between big business and everybody else.

The University of Utahs Mark Glick, who teaches law and economics, antitrust law, and industrial organization, joins the Institute for New Economic Thinking to talk about the history of antitrust thinking and its sharp turn towards the interest of big business in the 1980s. He explains the importance of reinvigorating antitrust policy, examines proposals to do so, and sheds light on why it matters to the wellbeing and prosperity of the country.

Lynn Parramore: Lets go back to the beginning of antitrust policy in the United States. The Sherman Act passed in 1890, targeting monopolies and anti-competitive behavior. Why did the U.S. do this sixty years before any other country had a major antitrust statute?

Mark Glick: In the late 19th century, the rise of big business in the U.S. fostered enormous opposition from farmers, labor, and small business. The emerging big businesses were aggressively forming cartels and trusts, and the abuses of the trusts fostered a significant public outcry that prompted Senator John Sherman to introduce the Sherman Act into Congress 1888.

By this time, the political power of big business and these other classes that were impacted by the trusts in Congress was about equal. Representatives of big business in Congress opposed the Sherman bill because they claimed it trampled on their freedom of contract, the right to enter into contracts with other firms as they wished. On the other side, the farmers, laborers, and small businesses wanted free competition, which meant a limit on the power of big business.

Congress debated the bill for 18 months with no resolution. Finally, within a week, in April 1890, a redrafted bill emerged from the judiciary committee. The final floor vote on the bill was unanimous (one dissenter in the Senate). The explanation for this sudden, newfound unanimity was that the bill was ambiguous  each side could read into what they wanted. The bill stated that every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade  is declared illegal. Those on the side of big business hoped that restraints of trade meant unreasonable restraints of trade, which suited them because they didnt think most restraints of trade were unreasonable at all. But representatives of farmers, labor, and small business interpreted every to mean every restraint of trade, which made them think that the power of big business would be significantly curtailed.

LP: What happened after the Sherman Act was passed? How did this ambiguity get resolved?

MG: In the U.S., political power is divided between the three branches of government. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, big business held substantial political influence in the executive branch, and thats where an antitrust case by the government must begin. The big business-oriented presidencies meant that after the passage of the Sherman Act, the Harrison, Cleveland, and McKinley administrations brought few antitrust cases against business. Instead, the Sherman Act was primarily used against labor to limit strike activity. Its interesting that the only person ever to go to jail as a result of antitrust enforcement in these decades was Eugene Debs, a labor leader and socialist party member.

In the meantime, a few cases against business mainly involving railroad agreements reached the Supreme Court. During this period, even though the Supreme Court embraced laissez-faire and substantive due process (a doctrine that limited business regulation because it allegedly violated the liberty interests protected by the 14th Amendment), Judge Rufus Peckham in Trans-Missouri Freightheld that every restraint of trade means every restraint of trade. This was a view supportive of the non-big business groups. But by 1911, in the Standard Oil case, a new majority on the Court held that only unreasonable restraints of trade, not every restraint of trade violated the Sherman Act. This has remained the rule since. So on antitrust, big business got the potential to argue a profitable restraint was reasonable.

LP: In his latest book, Liberty from All Masters, Barry Lynn argues that the Wilson Administration represents the golden years of antitrust in America. Wilsons vision for the country, known as the New Freedom platform, included taking strong antitrust actions against the big corporations that were dominating the countrys economy. Should antitrust today try to mimic Wilsons New Freedom?

MG: Setting aside that Wilson was openly racist and antilabor, his administration did pass the Clayton Act, which dealt with issues like business mergers, and the FTC Act, which concerned unfair competition.

But Wilson was not the populist Lynn claims. Wilson thought big business had been progressive and in the public interest. The Clayton Act and FTC Acts were in line with the political interests of big business and were supported by the National Civil Federation, the leading lobbying group for big business at the time. Big business wanted specific anti-competitive conduct spelled out (the Clayton Act) and a commission that could immunize business strategies in advance (the FTC Act). This is what Wilson delivered. Wilson also opposed a solid labor exemption from the Clayton Act and Sherman Act and as a result, federal judges issued hundreds of anti-labor Sherman Act injunctions in the 1920s. It definitely wasnt a golden age of antitrust for labor.

Nonetheless, the passage of these antitrust laws was an advance. The Clayton Act addressed merger control (but contained loopholes repaired after World War II) and gave state attorneys general and private parties standing to bring cases. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also evolved into an effective antitrust enforcement agency.

LP: Where should progressives today look for a model for better antitrust enforcement? And why is it so important?

MG: The model for antitrust policy should be Roosevelts New Deal policy consensus, which lasted from approximately 1933 to the middle 1970s. Strong antitrust policy was a key part of the New Deal policy consensus. However, antitrust was embedded in an ensemble of policies, which included the suppression and regulation of finance, support for unions and organized labor, government investment in infrastructure and innovation, a social safety net, and Keynesian macroeconomic policy. Each of these policy changes occurred to different degrees and with different timing. Later, Johnsons Great Society Program would add racial justice to the policy mix (the original New Deal made concessions to southern democrats to secure passage).

It often goes unrecognized how effective New Deal policy was for the American economy. As Northwestern economist Robert Gordon has shown, productivity soared in the 1930s and 1940s as high wages encouraged electrification and adoption of other innovations. Leading scholars of innovation find that the decades of the 1930s and 1940s produced more basic innovations than any other American decades before or after.

The New Deal consensus extended until the crisis of the late 1970s. The mixed economy produced higher GDP growth, higher labor productivity, lower unemployment, lower income inequality, and higher investment than the decades before or after. An integral part of this success was strict antitrust enforcement. The paradigm cases for antitrust enforcement during the New Deal consensus were United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co. and United States v. Philadelphia National Bank. Socony Vacuum established a broad per se rule for horizontal conspiracies, and Philadelphia National Bank created a presumption of illegality for mergers that resulted in concentrated markets. Beyond this, the Supreme Court made it clear that the goal of antitrust enforcement included protecting political democracy from undue influence by big business.

LP: If robust antitrust policy is critical both to the economy and to democracy itself, what caused the about-face during the Reagan Administration?

MG: In the 1980s, neoliberal policies began to replace the New Deal policy consensus. Proponents of the neoliberal ideology pushed to have finance deregulated, unions were decimated, and top tax brackets were reduced. These policies aimed to, and succeeded at, raising the incomes of the wealthy mainly through the financial sector. But they were presented as universally beneficial because they were said to make the economy more efficient.

A school of economic thought known as the Chicago School promoted a framework for weakening antitrust based on the claim that business strategies once thought to harm competition actually increased efficiencies. The central theme was that antitrust should be guided by something called the consumer welfare standard.

The label was deceptive: it appears to mean that the point of the standard is to improve the situation of consumers. The idea, so they claimed, was to evaluate business conduct and mergers by whether they increased overall efficiency. But in the fine print, they meant something else: not economic efficiency as taught to economics graduate students, but consumer surplus, stripped of the problems and caveats. This was simply introductory textbook economics: its the gap between what you would be willing to pay for something like a TV and what you actually bought it for. The problem is that this standard just takes the existing distribution of income as given. What you are willing to pay for something depends on how much money you have. Its not some absolute standard of welfare, and you cant measure it without making heroic assumptions. All this was hidden from view and the consumer welfare standard took over the antitrust world in the U.S. and abroad.

LP: Why did the consumer welfare standard become so popular?

MG: Consumer welfare has always been a misrepresentation of economics promoted by proponents like the conservative jurist Robert Bork and Chicago School economists.

Its not a measure of efficiency. While undergraduate textbooks in economics sometimes confuse this issue, in graduate-level economics and in the specialized field of welfare economics, its clear that efficiency means what economists call Pareto efficiency. Pareto efficiency takes the initial distribution of resources and goods for granted. Then, efficiency is enhanced when no one is made worse off and somebodys situation is improved. Pareto efficiency doesnt apply to antitrust, though. Antitrust involves litigation where there are winners and losers. An outcome cant be Pareto efficient if there is a loser. In fact, Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution does not allow legal cases to proceed if there is no case or controversy  meaning a potential winner and loser. The Chicago School has been muddling the whole issue.

Consumer welfare just isnt meaningful economics. Its branding for limiting antitrust to scrutiny of product price, product quality, and innovation. But antitrust enforcement in the New Deal consensus also pursued goals of limiting concentration, keeping entry open, protecting small business, and political democracy. Today, antitrust should be used to protect workers and the economy when it can. For example, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has allowed thousands of bank mergers to occur, closing its eyes to problems such as greater instability from financial interconnection and too big to fail concerns. Antitrust is part of a policy regime and there is no reason for agencies to ignore obvious economic or political concerns from mergers.

Bottom line: there is no economic science involved in the consumer welfare standard. It was always merely a marketing device to advance the neoliberal agenda in antitrust. For all the talk and concern about efficiencies in the last few decades, what has actually resulted is an economy with lower investment, lower productivity, lower employment, and greater inequality than under the New Deal consensus. Plus, it is now widely acknowledged that the American economy is much more concentrated today, with numerous markets in which only a handful or fewer competitors still exist. The Chicago School has been proven wrong.

LP: As antitrust policy changed in the 1980s and 1990s, how were people impacted?

MG: The Chicago School influence changed antitrust for the worse in numerous ways. One of the most insidious has been the shifts in the evidentiary burden in antitrust cases on plaintiffs. This has led to weak enforcement and much greater market concentration.

Let me just give you a few examples of this phenomenon. You may have read that the big tech companies have made an unprecedented number of acquisitions in recent years. Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook each have made hundreds of purchases of other companies in their respective industries. The antitrust agencies have not investigated, let alone challenged, with minor exceptions, any of these mergers. The reason, in part, concerns Justice Lewis Powell, who, prior to accepting Nixons nomination to the Supreme Court, wrote the famous call-to-arms for American big business known as the Powell memo. Justice Powell made the evidentiary burden to a plaintiff challenging a potential competition merger unreachable in United States v. Marine Bancorporation in 1974.

Under the logic of Marine Bancorporation, if Google purchases a start-up that could siphon off its search business in the future, the DOJ or the FTC would have to prove that the target would have entered the general search market in the future (absent the merger) and that it would have deconcentrated the market. This is absurd! No plaintiff could prove this.

The Robinson-Patman Act was enacted in 1936 to outlaw price discrimination, preventing distributors from charging different prices to various retailers. Unfortunately, plaintiffs in Robinson-Patman cases also began to face an equally extravagant burden in the 1980s and 1990s. In the 1948 Supreme Court case of FTC v. Morton Salt, Co., a plaintiff that was a victim of price discrimination only had to show injury to itself. Since the 1980s, the federal courts have slowly increased the burden requiring proof of injury to competition as a whole, a standard that is virtually impossible to meet. In the circuits that have done this, there have been no successful plaintiffs Im aware of.

LP: The New Brandeis movement has emerged to focus on strengthening antitrust policy, taking its cues from Justice Louis Brandeis, who served on the Supreme Court between 1916 and 1939. These insurgent scholars, activists, lawyers, and economists believe that the antitrust laws arent supposed to just deal with consumer welfare, but also to make sure we have competitive markets and see that large private entities dont amass too much power, and, by doing so, threaten democracy. Do you agree with proposals by the New Brandeisian antitrust scholars like Tim Wu (author of The Curse of Bigness: Antitrust in the New Gilded Age and economic advisor to President Biden) and Columbia University legal scholar Lina Khan (recently nominated by Biden to the FTC)?

MG: As I understand it, the centerpiece of the New Brandeisian proposals (along with agency transparency) is to return to structural presumptions in antitrust similar to those that existed in the New Deal consensus. Many others have also made this suggestion, and I agree with this approach.

When mergers increase market concentration, we know that competition has been harmed even if to a small extent. Since this is the case, it makes sense to ask the merging parties to establish that the merger will provide benefits to the economy. The merging parties should be forced to document how the merger will increase product quality and lower price. In addition, the parties should explain how the merger will impact labor, how will it increase innovation, how will entry be impacted. Dont ask the government to prove the negative. Merging parties have all the information for such an analysis, and they have access to an army of paid consultants. Similarly, if a monopolist engages in strategies such as below-cost pricing, refusals to deal, or other vertical restraints, the burden should be on the monopolist to show the challenged practice is pro-competitive. Vertical restraints should not be treated as per se legal.

I also agree with Lina Khan and others that the antitrust agencies have to be more forward-looking and preemptive. Amazon, for example, or any platform should not also be allowed to compete in a separate market on the platform. If Amazon runs the platform where most N95 masks are sold, it should not be in the N95 mask business on its own platform. This is a clear conflict of interest and no competitive benefit is likely to result from it down the road.

I would add that its also very important for progressive economists to aid the neoBrandeisians. While there are some progressive economists in the antitrust field, they are a tiny minority. For too long, progressive economists have been shying away from the whole subject of antitrust. There should be a call to arms by progressive economists to support the neoBrandeisian enterprise.

LP: Do you have any concerns with the New Brandeisian program? What kind of antitrust framework best serves the needs of the American people?

MG: I think what is lacking is a vision of where we want to see the economy go. In other words, what should the world look like under an optimal antitrust regime? In litigation we would call this the but for world.

Often, it sounds like the New Brandeisian goal is some version of perfect competition or competition with small firms. This is not where we need to go. We need instead to reconstruct and update the New Deal consensus, which worked so well for the economy and helped keep a political balance between big business and everyone else.

As economist William Lazonick puts it, we need firms as value-creating enterprises which engage in collective, cumulative learning with a dedicated, unionized employee skill base. We need to regulate finance like we once did. We also need to resurrect the developmental state dedicated to funding basic research and advanced infrastructure, and a political system that is not dominated by big business. Competition must play a critical role in this kind of regime as it did in the New Deal consensus.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have signed Paik Seung-ho of Darmstadt 98, the club announced on Tuesday, despite a rights claim by another K-League club.

Early last month, Jeonbuk entered talks with Darmstadt in Germany's Bundesliga to acquire Paik in order to strengthen its midfield, and the German club agreed to a transfer. But learning of the deal, Suwon Samsung Bluewings claimed exclusive rights to Paik, prompting Jeonbuk to put it on hold.

Suwon said they had provided the player with W300 million in financial assistance when he departed the club's youth team for Barcelona in 2010 (US$1=W1,135). They also claimed they had an agreement with Paik that he would join Suwon if he ever returned to the K-League.

Suwon and Paik held multiple talks but failed to find common ground.

Jeonbuk then went ahead with the signing, as the K-League's deadline for player registration is Wednesday. They said they made the decision to help Paik continue his professional career.

Jeonbuk urged Paik and Suwon to resolve their dispute.

But a Suwon spokesman said, "We have no choice but to take legal action now."
RTEs Sinead Kennedy is over the moon after welcoming in new baby girl with husband Conor Kirwan.

The first child for the couple, they have named her Indie Kirwan and the Today presenter welcomed her into the world earlier in the week.

She described their new arrival as the most precious thing to have ever happened to us. Were overcome with happiness and are feeling extremely grateful. Well love you forever baby girl.

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She also thanked the incredible staff at the Cork University Maternity Hospital for looking after them both so well.

Sharing a black-and-white image of her husband carrying their new baby in a car seat, she said that she was home a few days now and settling into life with the little one.

The presenter kept her pregnancy under wraps for nearly six months before revealing her good news in a photo-shoot and interview with Irish Country Magazine.

Sinead stepped into a new role as the third presenter on the Today show last September to give Maura Derrane a chance to spend more time at home with her son Cal.

She told the magazine that not even the team on the RTE show realised she was pregnant until she was pretty far gone.

I live day to day in biker boots, leather leggings or jeans, and a really baggy top or blazer. For a long time no one knew because it wasnt really that noticeable, so on air I was trying to re-wear older bits that I have, she said.

But now that its getting bigger its only going to get more difficult to style it. Ive been looking at people like Aoibhin Garrihy, she has gorgeous style, to see what she wore during her pregnancies.

She married her naval officer husband Conor nearly six years ago but has spoken previously about how she hated being constantly asked about when she might have a baby.

She said that people needed to be more sensitive when asking women that question as there was no way of knowing what was going on in a couples private life.

The pair got celebrated their wedding at Dromquinna Manor in Sneem, Co Kerry, in October 2014 but were together for eight years before they got married.

She also said recently how she really empathised with couples who have had their weddings disrupted due to Covid-19 as it was such a magical day for them.

"I feel for people trying to plan/reschedule their weddings during all of this but whenever it happens and however it happens trust that itll still be magic, she said.
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Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) has unveiled designs for the first-ever completed full-scale hyperloop that is set to take passengers from Chicago to Cleveland in just 35 minutes.

The commercial system is first being constructed as a prototype in Abu Dhabi that will connect to Dubai and Al Ain.

HTT released a video showing the complete system with a stunning in-line station for travelers to board capsules that will cruise down three miles of track at speeds up to 750 miles per hour.

The pods and system are built with 'vibranium,' which the firm says is the 'safest material on Earth' and is an alien-made element from the Marvel comics - it is mentioned in 'Black Panther' and 'Captain America.'

If testing in Abu Dhabi proves successful, the firm plans to break ground for the US hyperloop in 2023 and have it running by 2028.

HTT's announcement puts the firm in the running to bring Elon Musk's vision into a reality - Musk first proposed the radical, pod-based transport system in 2013.

Scroll down for videos

HTT released a video showing the complete system with a stunning in-line station for travelers to board capsules that will cruise down three miles of track at speeds up to 750 miles per hour

According to HTT, their pods will be able to carry a total of 164,000 passengers every day, departing every 40 seconds for the designated hub.

HTT is set to roll out the first tracks to connect the Ohio city with Chicago, Illinois, but is also exploring an expansion to include Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and New York City.

The company was founded in 2013 with a goal of solving transportation problems, including traffic and pollution.

From here they went to work pulling inspiration from Musk's Boring Company and turned the vision into a digital reality.

The in-line station will offer a self-boarding platform and responds to harness natural light, air flow, heating and cooling

According to HTT, their pods will be able to carry a total of 164,000 passengers every day, departing every 40 seconds for the designated hub

The in-line station will offer a self-boarding platform and responds to natural light, air flow, heating and cooling.

HTT designed tubes, capsules and then invented a new material called vibranium, which it says is 'the safest material on Earth.'

Vibranium was made well-known in the popular 2018 movie 'Black Panther.' Pictured is the Black Panther holding a staff made of the 'alien metal'

However, it seems the company also pulled inspiration from Marvel comics that describes it as fictional element that came from aliens that crashed on Earth.

Vibranium was made well-known in the popular 2018 movie 'Black Panther,' but also mentioned in 'Captain America' and Dare Devil comics in 1966.

But HTT is using what is known as the strongest element in the comic world to build its hyperloop.

Dirk Ahlborn, founder of HTT, said in a video: 'Vibranium is the safest material on Earth. It is intelligent, it actually senses integrity.'

'It monitors impact. We are manufacturing the capsule with a double layer, so if one skin is damaged you still have the other one.'

HTT designed tubes, capsules and then invented a new material called vibranium, which it says is 'the safest material on Earth'

The firm plans to break ground for the US hyperloop in 2023 and have it running by 2028. The in-line station will offer a self-boarding platform and responds to natural light, air flow, heating and cooling

By rolling out miles of track, HTT hopes to solve traffic issues, but one issue has plagued the world for decades  pollution from vehicles.

With this in mind, the team is using only renewable energy to power the system that can potentially generate more power than they consume.

Estimates from 2019's Great Lakes Hyperloop Study indicate that a hyperloop system connecting Chicago, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh would potentially reduce CO2 emissions in the region by 143 million tons.

Andres De Leon, CEO of HyperloopTT, said:' The HyperloopTT system is inherently sustainable and operates with zero emissions.'

'We have pioneered a technology that is faster, safer, and far cleaner than existing modes of transportation by design.

By rolling out miles of track, HTT hopes to solve traffic issues, but one issue has plagued the world for decades  pollution from vehicles. With this in mind, the team is using only renewable energy to power the system that can potentially generate more power than they consume. Pictured is part of track made of massive tubes

The designs were completed in collaboration with world-leading engineering design firm Dar Group, whose impressive projects include the Dubai International Airport, the Oakland Bay Bridge and more

Estimates from 2019's Great Lakes Hyperloop Study indicate that a hyperloop system connecting Chicago, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh would potentially reduce CO2 emissions in the region by 143 million tons

'Because hyperloop uses less energy than alternatives, we are a smarter economic solution for many regions worldwide. With these first of their kind, complete commercial designs, we are ready to build today.'

Although the firm has only shared a concept video of the full scale design, it is well on the way to completing it.

Earlier this month, the group unveiled the world's first full scale isolation valve that can withstand up to 288,000 pounds of force.

The 16.5-foot valves will be placed every seven miles throughout the tube system that closes off a section for maintenance, while allowing cars to continue through vacuumed tubes.

Ken Harrison, president and CEO of GNB KL Group that helped with the build, said: 'It's one of the largest vacuum valves that has ever been built and one of the really amazing things is the amount of force that this valve can withstand.'

Although the firm has only shared a concept video of the full scale design, it is well on the way to completing it. Earlier this month, the group unveiled the world's first full scale isolation valve that can withstand up to 288,000 pounds of force

'There are 288,000 pounds of force that are applied to the gate of this valve. That's about 72 automobiles or one diesel locomotive.'

In most emergency scenarios, capsules will stop at pre-determined emergency stations along the route's length to exit the capsule and tube infrastructure.

As a redundant emergency response option, the HyperloopTT system will isolate sections of the tube for re-pressurization.

If the capsule is unable to stop at a pre-defined exit, a lit emergency path in the depressurized tube will lead passengers to emergency hatches to safely exit the infrastructure.

'These valves, built to safety certification standards by a world-class leader, are an essential part of hyperloop safety, as they allow us to isolate portions of the track in the event maintenance is needed or in the rare case of an emergency,' De Leon said.
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"With the help of Pascal Redaoui, we have substantially built up our financial management and aligned our financial and business strategy in a growth-oriented manner," said Tobias Rother, CEO of PAF, on the occasion of the 30-year-old's new leadership role. "Under his leadership, we have also grown rapidly, further expanded our human resources capabilities and significantly improved our services to internal and external stakeholders. Pascal has impressively demonstrated that he is more than qualified for a top function in our finance division. I am really looking forward to achieving the next steps of success and growth with PAF through his expanded responsibilities in investment and strategic planning", Tobias Rother continues.

Redaoui studied International Business Administration at the Rotterdam School of Management and then started his career at Oppenheimer & Co, Inc. as an analyst in New York. For the last five years prior to joining PAF, Redaoui worked as a Technology Investment Banker at Arma Partners in London and New York, where he advised fast-growing software companies on capital raising and M&A transactions.

I am excited to step into the CFO role at PAF and to help the company continue executing its strategic plan and accelerate growth. On the American market in particular, we were one of the few companies of German origin to secure important market shares last year - despite the pandemic. I will continue on this course. I am very grateful for the trust that PAF has placed in me after such a short time and I look forward to working with the entire PAF team to build on the companys momentum and strong business fundamentals, said Pascal Redaoui upon his promotion to CFO of PAF.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A swastika found spray painted on a wall at Henry Kaufmann Campground in Sea View during Passover has been condemned by local officials as a heinous and cowardly act.

The swastika graffiti incident that cowardly took place over Passover holiday is despicable, said Scott Mauer, the co-chair of the District Attorneys Staten Island Hate Crimes Task force and the CEO of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island.

I am in contact with the D.A. and law enforcement who are taking the situation seriously, and I am confident that every effort will be made to apprehend those responsible, said Mauer. We must emphasize an act of hate against any individual or group is an act of hate against everyone.

Police said the hateful graffiti was found outside a bathroom on the grounds, the Advance/SILive.com reported.

It is believed the scrawling was done sometime between Friday and Tuesday.

The man who notified police is an employee at the park, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon vowed a full investigation into the matter.

I want to reassure the Staten Island Jewish community that this despicable act of hate will be fully investigated by my office and the NYPD, and we will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrator to justice, he said. Drawing a swastika is not a joke, but in fact, is a hate crime which my office will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

McMahon said Jewish residents should never have to endure the sight of such a disgraceful symbol, especially during the Passover holiday.

He continued: I stand with the entire Jewish community in condemning this shameful behavior. Together, with the Staten Island Hate Crimes Task Force, we will continue to send a strong message that hate has no home on Staten Island.

DISCOVERED DURING PASSOVER

The incident comes during Passover, which began on Saturday and ends on April 4.

What is painful is that this incident of the swastika happened on Passover, a holiday representing freedom and the victory over oppression, said Mendy Mirocznik, president of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island. In the Passover spirit, we call on all decent people to condemn hate, bigotry, and racism in all forms.

As a community, we must never allow hate or permit it to exist in our society, added Mirocznik. We firmly believe that the district attorney and law enforcement will take all measures to arrest the individual(s) involved and hold them accountable for this heinous act of hate.

The Jewish Community Center on Manor Road, which is nearby and uses the site for its day camp, was shocked by this display of anti-Semitism on a campsite that so many Jewish camps, including ours, use, said Allison Cohen, a spokeswoman for the organization.

" Bigotry has no place in our community, said Cohen. We stand with all communities against hate.
SPRINGFIELD  The citys chief administrative and financial officer said this week that new COVID-19 aid from the federal government will total at least $97.5 million, and will have a transformative effect on Springfield.

Timothy J. Plante said funds coming directly to the municipal government under the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan will range from $97.5 million up to $127.3 million. That does not include many millions more going directly to the School Department, with the specific amount not yet verified.

It will be transformative, Plante said. This is an opportunity to have a resurgence very similar to what occurred after the tornado.

Springfield received at least $90 million in federal and state disaster aid following the tornado of June 1, 2011.

The funding from the American Rescue Plan, recently approved by Congress and President Joe Biden, can be used for approved COVID-related expenses under federal guidelines, Plante said.

Millions of dollars are needed to pay for lost revenues, budget expenses and deficits, and to further aid businesses, residents and nonprofit organizations harmed by the pandemic, Plante said.

In addition, the aid is expected to allow us to continue investing in economic development, housing, job creation and all the other core services that we need to do to recover from the pandemic, Plante said.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has stated he is going after every dollar the city can receive from grants, including funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The city is keeping a running track list of expenses and potential uses of the new federal funds, Plante said. However, the devil is in the details of what the Treasury Department is going to release as far as regulations go, he said.

Worcester is expecting to receive approximately $115 million in stimulus funding under the American Rescue Plan, as well as $81 million for schools.

Among area communities, Holyoke is expected to receive at least $31.5 million in aid and Chicopee is expected to receive at least $29.9 million, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Northampton should receive at least $17 million, Westfield at least $9.2 million and West Springfield at least $2.8 million.

Plante encouraged Springfield city councilors to offer suggestions for the use of funds coming to Springfield. The discussion occurred during a Tuesday meeting of the councils COVID-19 Response Committee. Council President Marcus Williams said he expects to schedule a council meeting that will target that issue.

The city has listed its spending on COVID-19 at $34.8 million, with $26.2 million covered by grants and the remaining $8.6 million funded through deficit spending.

Further, the city has lost an estimated $8.1 million in revenue since the pandemic began, including hotel/motel and meal axes, excise taxes, and money from permits, fees and fines, Plante said.

The city has not laid off any employees during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 aid cannot be used for reducing taxes and cannot be used for pensions, Plante said.

As one savings, the city did not pay for school transportation for several months last year while schools were closed, although many communities did pay those bills, Plante said. The city took the position that it was not proper to pay for services not received.

The city did negotiate an agreement to pay for 25% of the cost for bus transportation this school year to ensure the bus fleet was kept running and able to resume services this spring, he said.
ACM Turing Award honors innovators who shaped computer programming

ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, today named Alfred Vaino Aho and Jeffrey David Ullman recipients of the 2020 ACM A.M. Turing Award for fundamental algorithms and theory underlying programming language implementation and for synthesizing these results and those of others in their highly influential books, which educated generations of computer scientists. Aho is the Lawrence Gussman Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Columbia University. Ullman is the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Stanford University.

Computer software powers almost every piece of technology with which we interact. Virtually every program running our world - from those on our phones or in our cars to programs running on giant server farms inside big web companies - is written by humans in a higher-level programming language and then compiled into lower-level code for execution. Much of the technology for doing this translation for modern programming languages owes its beginnings to Aho and Ullman.

Beginning with their collaboration at Bell Labs in 1967 and continuing for several decades, Aho and Ullman have shaped the foundations of programming language theory and implementation, as well as algorithm design and analysis. They made broad and fundamental contributions to the field of programming language compilers through their technical contributions and influential textbooks. Their early joint work in algorithm design and analysis techniques contributed crucial approaches to the theoretical core of computer science that emerged during this period.

The ACM A.M. Turing Award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Computing," carries a $1 million prize, with financial support provided by Google, Inc. It is named for Alan M. Turing, the British mathematician who articulated the mathematical foundation and limits of computing.

"The practice of computer programming and the development of increasingly advanced software systems underpin almost all of the technological transformations we have experienced in society over the last five decades," explains ACM President Gabriele Kotsis. "While countless researchers and practitioners have contributed to these technologies, the work of Aho and Ullman has been especially influential. They have helped us to understand the theoretical foundations of algorithms and to chart the course for research and practice in compilers and programming language design. Aho and Ullman have been thought leaders since the early 1970s, and their work has guided generations of programmers and researchers up to the present day."

"Aho and Ullman established bedrock ideas about algorithms, formal languages, compilers and databases, which were instrumental in the development of today's programming and software landscape," added Jeff Dean, Google Senior Fellow and SVP, Google AI. "They have also illustrated how these various disciplines are closely interconnected. Aho and Ullman introduced key technical concepts, including specific algorithms, that have been essential. In terms of computer science education, their textbooks have been the gold standard for training students, researchers, and practitioners."

A Longstanding Collaboration

Aho and Ullman both earned their PhD degrees at Princeton University before joining Bell Labs, where they worked together from 1967 to 1969. During their time at Bell Labs, their early efforts included developing efficient algorithms for analyzing and translating programming languages.

In 1969, Ullman began a career in academia, ultimately joining the faculty at Stanford University, while Aho remained at Bell Labs for 30 years before joining the faculty at Columbia University. Despite working at different institutions, Aho and Ullman continued their collaboration for several decades, during which they co-authored books and papers and introduced novel techniques for algorithms, programming languages, compilers and software systems.

Influential Textbooks

Aho and Ullman co-authored nine influential books (including first and subsequent editions). Two of their most widely celebrated books include:

The Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms (1974)

Co-authored by Aho, Ullman, and John Hopcroft, this book is considered a classic in the field and was one of the most cited books in computer science research for more than a decade. It became the standard textbook for algorithms courses throughout the world when computer science was still an emerging field. In addition to incorporating their own research contributions to algorithms, The Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms introduced the random access machine (RAM) as the basic model for analyzing the time and space complexity of computer algorithms using recurrence relations. The RAM model also codified disparate individual algorithms into general design methods. The RAM model and general algorithm design techniques introduced in this book now form an integral part of the standard computer science curriculum.

Principles of Compiler Design (1977)

Co-authored by Aho and Ullman, this definitive book on compiler technology integrated formal language theory and syntax-directed translation techniques into the compiler design process. Often called the "Dragon Book" because of its cover design, it lucidly lays out the phases in translating a high-level programming language to machine code, modularizing the entire enterprise of compiler construction. It includes algorithmic contributions that the authors made to efficient techniques for lexical analysis, syntax analysis techniques, and code generation. The current edition of this book, Compilers: Principles, Techniques and Tools (co-authored with Ravi Sethi and Monica Lam), was published in 2007 and remains the standard textbook on compiler design.

Biographical Background

Alfred Vaino Aho

Alfred Aho is the Lawrence Gussman Professor Emeritus at Columbia University. He joined the Department of Computer Science at Columbia in 1995. Prior to Columbia, Aho was Vice President of Computing Sciences Research at Bell Laboratories where he worked for more than 30 years. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Aho earned his Master's and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science from Princeton University.

Aho's honors include the IEEE John von Neumann Medal and the NEC C&C Foundation C&C Prize. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Society of Canada. He is a Fellow of ACM, IEEE, Bell Labs, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Jeffrey David Ullman

Jeffrey Ullman is the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and CEO of Gradiance Corporation, an online learning platform for various computer science topics. He joined the faculty at Stanford in 1979. Prior to Stanford, he served on the faculty of Princeton University from 1969 to 1979, and was a member of the technical staff at Bell Labs from 1966 to 1969. A graduate of Columbia University, Ullman earned his PhD in Computer Science from Princeton University.

Ullman's honors include receiving the IEEE John von Neumann Medal, the NEC C&C Foundation C&C Prize, the Donald E. Knuth Prize, and the ACM Karl V. Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is a Fellow of ACM.

###

About the ACM A.M. Turing Award

The A.M. Turing Award is named for Alan M. Turing, the British mathematician who articulated the mathematical foundation and limits of computing, and who was a key contributor to the Allied cryptanalysis of the Enigma cipher during World War II. Since its inception in 1966, the Turing Award has honored the computer scientists and engineers who created the systems and underlying theoretical foundations that have propelled the information technology industry.

About ACM

ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
GREENWICH  Eighty years ago on March 31, a young doctor and researcher rushed to a Boston hospital to administer the first dose of a revolutionary new medicine that helped cure diseases of the thyroid.

Dr. Saul Hertz, whose daughter lives in Greenwich, was honored by a proclamation at Greenwich Town Hall by First Selectman Fred Camillo. Though he never met Hertz, who has been credited as a leading pioneer in the use of radioactive treatments for thyroid disease and cancer, Camillo said he was happy to honor the doctor.

Camillo himself has been a recipient of the thyroid medication that Dr. Hertz helped develop some 80 years ago.

Small world, Camillo said after learning the details about Dr. Hertz from his daughter, Barbara Hertz, a longtime Greenwich resident.

He extended the lives of millions, he saved the lives of millions of people, the first selectman added.

Barbara Hertz, in her 70s, has only a few recollections of her father, as he died in 1950 at the age of 45, but she is on a longtime mission to make his story better known. She said her fathers contributions to medicine have been neglected through the years due to a variety of factors, including his service in the U.S. Navy in World War II just as he was achieving his breakthrough research on radioactive medicine. His death at an early age also meant his legacy was not well established.

So the proclamation at Town Hall honoring the doctor came as a special pleasure, along with news that he will be honored this fall with his inclusion on a plaque at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he did his research on thyroid diseases.

Barbara Hertz, a retired teacher in the Greenwich school system, shares some of the same tenacity that drove her father.

He was so adamant, so persevering, she said, And his dream is coming true, thats the most important part, his vision is being carried on.

Dr. Judith Goldberg-Berman, who heads the endocrinology division at Greenwich Hospital, said she was happy to promote Hertzs contributions.

We call them giants in the world of medicine, and he was a giant, she said. The thyroid specialist said it was notable that the methods pioneered by Hertz are still in use today, 80 years later.
A Massachusetts man charged with fatally beating his domestic partner on a Maine beach was ordered held without bail Tuesday.

Jeffrey Buchannan, 33, of Bedford, Massachusetts, is charged in the killing of Rhonda Pattelena, 35, at Short Sands Beach in York, officials said. He appeared before a judge in York County on Tuesday.

The judge also ordered a mental health evaluation for Buchannan, who did not enter a plea during the videoconference appearance. A follow-up conference was scheduled for May 12.

Buchannan was represented by attorney Jon Gale, of Portland, during the brief court appearance Tuesday. Gale requested the mental health evaluation for Buchannan. Gale did not return a call seeking comment after the appearance.

The attack that happened behind a rock on the beach prompted multiple 911 calls to York police on Friday.

An affidavit filed on Monday stated that witnesses reported seeing Buchannan leave the scene on foot before being apprehended. Some of the assault was captured on a surveillance video from nearby businesses, the affidavit stated.

The video appears to show Buchannan hit Pattelena while her back is turned to him. The affidavit stated that police collected evidence from the scene including the rock that appeared to be the weapon in the assault.

Pattelena was already dead when police arrived; an autopsy concluded she died from head injuries.

State police said the two were domestic partners and had one child together. The child wasnt present during the attack.

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Veteran Scholarship Recipient & Kentucky Veteran, Terry Flannery [We] can find button-pushers, but [we] cant find problem-solvers Past News Releases RSS CNCMachines.com Annual...

It is 2021. With the Covid pandemic still wreaking havoc, CNC Machines is now committed more than ever to helping the US manufacturing industry, starting with some of the most important people in the country: Veterans.

Our 2021 Veteran to Machinist Scholarship Program is once again offering $2,000 scholarship to a qualified veteran who intends to pursue a career in manufacturing.

The Veteran will be chosen by CNC Machines from a pool of applicants. The winners shall be announced on Veterans Day, November 11, 2021.

To qualify, veterans must currently be applying for or are working on a certificate, associates, or bachelors degree in manufacturing or engineering.

To apply for the veterans scholarship program, student veterans must submit their records of service (DD214), including a description on why they want to become a part of the manufacturing industry.

Applications must be submitted no later than August 31, 2021.

CNC Machines CEO, Curt Doherty, has long been a believer and supporter of veterans. According to him, veterans are not only adaptable and self-sufficient, but they are also very selfless, seeing the work as bigger than themselves, he says.

Doherty also believes that veterans have a huge advantage over millennials and even college graduates in the form of their military training.

It does not matter what you throw at them, he says. They are going to figure it out.

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, hiring veterans is essential in bridging the gap between the expected manufacturing growth in the US and the current lack of manufacturing talent.

Doherty recognized this early, stating that one of the problems of the industry is finding people who are skilled. [We] can find button-pushers, but [we] cant find problem-solvers, he says.

So Doherty began his search by looking at peoples military veteran status and the rest, as they say, is history. His overwhelming positive experiences with veterans are what inspired him to create the veterans scholarship program.

[CNC Machines] believes in being part of the solution to the manufacturing skills gap, Doherty says. The goal of the scholarship program is simple: grow the American manufacturing industry and support veterans returning to civilian life and in search of their next career, he adds.

On February 14, 2019, CNC Machines awarded its first scholarship to an Orlando fl area veteran, Kevin Bruffet. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and a Purple Heart recipient, Bruffet had always wanted to enter the manufacturing industry. With the veteran scholarship, Bruffet was able to follow his dream. I am very thankful for CNC Machines, he says.

A month later, CNC awarded its second scholarship to a Kentucky veteran, Terry Flannery. In 2014, Flannery was forced to medically retire due to the disabilities and injuries he had suffered over a 12-year military career. Since then, he had had a difficult time moving to another job, more so because of the lingering effects of his PTSD. But that all changed when he decided to pursue woodworking, and CNC Machines was there to help him. [It was] more than just a monetary value, he says.

Will you be the next? Send us your application here. We look forward to helping you.
When police showed up at Garret Miller's Dallas home earlier this year to arrest him on charges that he had participated in the Capitol riot, his wardrobe spoke for itself.

The 34-year-old unemployed man, who allegedly forced his way into the U.S. Capitol building and threatened a congresswoman and a police officer, was clad in a T-shirt emblazoned with a photograph of former president Donald Trump and text declaring: "I Was There, Washington D.C., January 6, 2021."

WHY?: Showtime is turning the Capitol riot into a TV series nobody wanted

New details of his Jan. 20 arrest were revealed this week in court documents as prosecutors urged a judge not to release him before his trial, noting that he allegedly admitted to bringing a gun into the Capitol during the deadly insurrection. Police also found an array of weapons and gear in Miller's house, prosecutors said, including a grappling hook, ropes, body armor, night vision goggles, a crossbow and arrows, and multiple firearms with ammunition.

"By bringing tactical gear, ropes, and potentially, by his own admission, a gun to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, Miller showed that he was not just caught up in the frenzy of the crowd but instead came to D.C. with the intention of disrupting the democratic process of counting and certifying Electoral College votes," prosecutors said.

Many of the people arrested for storming the Capitol have allegedly incriminated themselves on social media. Alleged rioters have shared selfies inside the Capitol rotunda, taunted the FBI in videos, and showed off stolen police gear while recounting how they fought officers and forced their way inside the Capitol, according to prosecutors.

Miller, too, is accused of being vocal on social media about his role in the insurrection.

Miller boasted about storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to court records, and hours after the insurrection, he allegedly tweeted "Assassinate AOC," targeting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who said she feared for her life as an angry mob forced its way into the federal building where she works.

He also sent a selfie that showed him standing inside the Capitol Rotunda, according to court records, with the caption: "Just wanted to incriminate myself a little lol."

RELATED: Texas man smoked inside Capitol, wore 'Murder The Media' shirt during riot, FBI says

In another Facebook chat, a friend shared a concern that Miller might be arrested by the FBI.

"It might be time for me to . . . be hard to locate," Miller allegedly wrote back.

In the weeks after the riot but before his arrest, Miller also grew obsessed with Ashli Babbitt, the woman fatally shot by a police officer as she tried to breach a restricted area inside the Capitol building, according to court records.

"Miller viewed Babbitt as a 'sister in battle,'" prosecutors said. "He became consumed with her death and circulated photographs on Facebook of an African-American police officer that he believed was responsible for her death."

"Dead serious she fought fir me now I fight fir her," Miller allegedly wrote in one Facebook message.

In other messages, Miller allegedly declared it "huntin' season" for the Black officer he believed had killed Babbitt and said he wanted to "hug his neck with a nice rope," according to court records.

Although Miller declined to speak with the officers who arrested him, he talked to his mother on a recorded phone call from jail soon afterward.

"I don't feel that I've done anything wrong and now I'm being locked up," he allegedly told her.

Miller is being held in a detention facility in Oklahoma until he is extradited to D.C., where he will be tried in federal court. But he cannot be transferred until he receives medical treatment for a broken collarbone that he suffered inside a detention center in Dallas.

His defense attorney, F. Clinton Broden, has asked a judge to release Miller from custody until his trial.

"He has no history of violence, and he did not engage in any acts of violence in connection with the charged offenses, unlike many others who have previously been released," Broden wrote in a motion to revoke a previous detention order.

But prosecutors say that Miller should remain in jail because he has shown a lack of remorse, made violent threats and previously suggested he would try to evade police.

"Miller came to D.C. for a fight," prosecutors said. "The defendant contributed to the violence that took place on January 6, 2021, and he showed through his actions that he is a danger to our society and a threat to the peaceful functioning of our democracy."
The leaders of all three branches of Brazil's armed forces jointly resigned on Tuesday following President Jair Bolsonaro's replacement of the defence minister.

The move caused widespread apprehension of a military shakeup to serve the president's political interests.

The resignations are the latest crisis to hit Bolsonaro, who is coming under heavy criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen Brazil record the second highest number of deaths worldwide after the United States.

The Defence Ministry reported the resignations - apparently unprecedented since at least the end of military rule 36 years ago - in a statement released without giving reasons or naming replacements.

The resignations of the three men - General Edson Leal Pujol, Admiral Ilques Barbosa and Lieutenant Brigadier Antonio Carlos Bermudez - came one day after Bolsonaro was forced to reshuffle his cabinet after both the defence and foreign ministers quit.

Analysts expressed fears that Bolsonaro may be moving to assert greater control over the military.

The leaders of all three branches of Brazil's armed forces jointly resigned on Tuesday following President Jair Bolsonaro's (pictured) replacement of the defence minister. The move caused widespread apprehension of a military shakeup to serve the president's political interests [File photo]

'Since 1985, we haven't had news of such a clear intervention of the president with regards to the armed forces,' Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo, told The Associated Press.

Bolsonaro, a conservative former army captain who has often praised Brazil's period of military dictatorship, has relied heavily on current and former soldiers to staff key cabinet positions since taking office in January 2019, but Melo said the military itself has so far refrained from politics.

'Will this resistance continue? That's the question,' Melo said.

The announcement came after the heads of the army, navy and air force met with the new defence minister, General Walter Souza Braga Netto, on Tuesday morning.

Braga Netto's first statement on the new job showed he is aligned with Bolsonaro's idea of the armed forces.

The incoming defence minister, unlike his predecessor, celebrated the 1964-1985 military dictatorship that killed and tortured thousands of Brazilians.

The coronavirus has spread rapidly in Brazil, where a new variant was detected. On Tuesday, 84,494 new cases were recorded

On Tuesday, Brazil's health ministry said a new daily high of 3,780 deaths related to COVID-19 had been registered in the previous 24 hours. The previous high of 3,650 deaths was recorded Friday

'The armed forces ended up assuming the responsibility for pacifying the country, facing the challenges to reorganise it and secure the democratic liberties that today we enjoy,' Braga Netto said, without discussing the military chiefs.

'The 1964 movement is part of Brazil's historic trajectory. And as such the events of that March 31st must be understood and celebrated,' he said, referring to the date of the military coup.

A retired army general who has a relationship with the three commanders as well as with Braga Netto told The Associated Press that 'there was an embarrassing circumstance so they all resigned.'

The man agreed to discuss the matter only if not quoted by name, expressing fear of retribution.

Bolsonaro on Monday carried out a shake-up of top cabinet positions that was initially seen as a response to demands for a course of correction by lawmakers, diplomats and economists, particularly over his handling of the pandemic that has caused more than 300,000 deaths in Brazil.

That included the replacement of Defence Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva, who said in his resignation letter that he had 'preserved the armed forces as state institutions,' a nod at his efforts to keep generals out of politics.

Bolsonaro has often bristled at the checks and balances imposed by other branches of government and has attended protests targeting the Supreme Court and Congress.

Earlier this month, he told Brazilians to 'stop whining' about the coronavirus situation.

He has also criticised the Supreme Court for upholding the governments' rights to adopt pandemic restrictions that he adamantly opposes, arguing that the economic effects are worse than the disease itself.

His recent slide in popularity, and the sudden likelihood that he will face leftist former president and political icon Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the 2022 presidential election, has left Bolsonaro looking to the armed forces for support, analysts say.

Retired General Carlos Alberto Santos Cruz, who previously served as Bolsonaro's government secretary, appeared to refer to such concerns when he responded to early rumours of military resignations with a tweet saying: 'THE ARMED FORCES WON'T GO ON AN ADVENTURE.'

Since Brazil's return to democracy in 1985, the armed forces have tried to keep a distance from partisan political quarrels.

The Defence Ministry reported the resignations - apparently unprecedented since at least the end of military rule 36 years ago - in a statement released without giving reasons or naming replacements. Pictured: Former army chief General Edson Leal Pujol was among those to resign [File photo]

The resignations of the three men came one day after Bolsonaro was forced to reshuffle his cabinet after both the defence and foreign ministers quit. Pictured: Former naval chief Admiral Ilques Barbosa was among those who resigned on Tuesday [File photo]

Bolsonaro, a conservative former army captain who has often praised Brazil's period of military dictatorship, has relied heavily on current and former soldiers to staff key cabinet positions since taking office in January 2019, but the military itself has so far refrained from politics. Pictured: Former air force chief Lieutenant Brigadier Antonio Carlos Bermudez was among those to resign on Tuesday [File photo]

'The government has to give explanations to the population about the change in the Defense Ministry,' Santos Cruz added.

Senator Katia Abreu, who heads the Senate's foreign relations commission, said it would be 'prudent' that the new defence minister speak to 'calm the nation down about the possibility of military intervention.'

'I have a conviction that we built a strong democracy. The armed forces are part of the Brazilian state and they have the confidence of all of us,' said Abreu, a right-leading Bolsonaro critic.

Earlier this month, Bolsonaro began mentioning the armed forces in connection with his dispute with state governors and mayors over restrictive measures meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Latin America's largest nation.

'My army doesn't go to the street to force people to stay at home,' Bolsonaro told reporters on March 19.

Thomas Traumann, an independent political analyst, told AP that Tuesday's resignations marked the first time in living memory that all leaders of the armed forces had quit simultaneously.

New Defence Minister General Walter Souza Braga Netto's first statement on the new job showed he is aligned with Bolsonaro's idea of the armed forces. He has also celebrated Brazil's brutal military dictatorship

On Monday, Bolsonaro replaced Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo (pictured), who was accused by some of impeding the supply of vaccines by making insulting comments on China and by not aggressively seeking sources [File photo]

'He wants people who will do whatever he wants, and so it is extremely risky,' Traumann said.

'He can put the army out to allow people to go to work. So the army would be in his hands and not in the hands of the generals.'

Speaking to supporters outside the presidential palace on Tuesday night, Bolsonaro did not discuss the three commanders.

When asked about the pandemic restrictions imposed by governors and mayors, the president said he respects the constitution, though he claimed: 'But it has been some time that some authorities are not playing within the limits of the constitution.'

Bolsonaro saw his popularity rise last year, thanks to a generous pandemic welfare aid programme. That popularity has dropped since the programme ended in December, and there have been renewed protests against him as the nation's daily death toll surged to the second highest in the world.

Further clouding the outlook for Bolsonaro is the reemergence of da Silva after a Supreme Court justice annulled two corruption convictions and restored his political rights.

The sudden likelihood that he will face leftist former president and political icon Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (pictured) in the 2022 presidential election, has left Bolsonaro looking to the armed forces for support, analysts say [File photo]

Early polls indicate he would be a formidable challenger in next year's election.

In other cabinet changes, Bolsonaro replaced Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo, who was accused by some of impeding the supply of vaccines by making insulting comments on China and by not aggressively seeking sources.

Earlier this month, Bolsonaro also replaced his health minister, active-duty army General Eduardo Pazuello, the third health minister to leave office since the beginning of the pandemic.

Pazuello's tenure coincided with most of Brazil's 317,000 COVID-19 deaths.

On Tuesday, Brazil's health ministry said a new daily high of 3,780 deaths related to COVID-19 had been registered in the previous 24 hours. The previous high of 3,650 deaths was recorded Friday.
BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Tuesday to review a guideline on promoting high-quality development of the country's central region in the new era.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the meeting.

Promoting the high-quality development of China's central region is of overall significance as it has rich resources, well-developed transport networks, a sound industrial foundation, and massive development potential, according to the meeting.

Efforts should be made to build a modern industrial system underpinned by advanced manufacturing industry, facilitate high-level opening-up of the inland region, improve system and mechanism, and promote coordinated development between urban and rural areas, it said.

The meeting called for improving basic public services and accelerating the rise of the central region, so as to contribute more to China's journey toward socialist modernization.

It urged efforts to promote city-cluster development in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and the central plains and comprehensively advance rural vitalization.

Innovation should be the primary driving force behind development while scientific and technological innovations should drive industrial growth, said the meeting. It also called for a new system of high-level opening-up in the inland region of China.

The meeting also stressed the need to pursue a new path of green and low-carbon development, strengthen the economical and intensive use of energy and resources, enhance ecological construction and management, and realize the green rise of the central region.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. - Tippecanoe County is doing well right now despite all the challenges of the pandemic, that's according to Commissioner Tom Murtaugh. He gave a state of the county address on Tuesday during Greater Lafayette Commerce's series highlighting the state of our community.

Commissioner Murtaugh first gave well deserved praise to our local health department as they continue to run the COVID vaccine clinic. He also highlighted some important projects that have happened, including the Tippecanoe County fairgrounds update, the county courthouse Superior 7 addition and the Tippecanoe County Central Offices renovation at the old YMCA building.

He also took time to acknowledge some challenges the county is facing right now. He said people traveled less during the pandemic, meaning the county got less in gas tax revenue. He said they had to move around some funds in other projects to make up for it.

A good problem the county is facing is managing rapid growth. Murtaugh said Tippecanoe is one of the state's fastest growing counties, and it will require a lot of collaboration to adjust for it.

"We've had a lot of discussion about challenges around housing and other things like that in the community," he said. "I'm very confident that we will work together as a community to address those things."

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, he said the county is secure financially and has solid rainy day funds.

"We are as secure as we ever have been," he said. "The shortfalls we saw in regards to the pandemic were short lived."

The county has a busy schedule planned for road projects this year. Including work on the Haggerty Lane bridge over the Wildcat, Morehouse Road, the Yeager Road extension and the intersection of County Road 500 North and River Road.

He said Tippecanoe County is getting 38 million dollars in the federal government's most recent American Rescue Plan funding. He said they are still working out the details for how that money will be allocated.
(@fidahassanain)

The State Bank of Pakistan says it has received IMF tranche of $498.7 million dollars under the Extended Fund Facility.

LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 31st, 2021) Pakistan on Wednesday received the fresh tranche of 498.7 million Dollars from International Monetary Fund.

According to State Bank of Pakistan, the Bank has received IMF tranche of 498.

7 million dollars under the Extended Fund Facility.

Earlier on March 25, the International Monetary Fund approved 500 million dollars disbursement for Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility, bringing the total budget support under the arrangement to about 2 billion dollars.
gettyimagesbank



A global semiconductor chip shortage is set to spill over into Korean automakers as well, raising concerns that a prolonged supply glitch may derail local carmakers off track amid the pandemic.



The chip shortage stems from multiple factors such as chipmakers shuttering plants or cutting production due mainly to natural disasters and the ramping up of production for mobile devices and home appliances to meet higher demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.



Faced with the chip shortage, carmakers are readjusting their vehicle production volumes while competing with electronics companies to get more chips to minimize output reduction.



Semiconductors are already key components used in the infotainment, power steering and braking of vehicles, among other systems.



Analysts expected an extended chip shortage to weigh on carmakers' vehicle production, sales and bottomlines this year.



"Delayed launches of new models and a limited number of available options due to chip shortages could result in a decline in vehicle sales and an increase in fixed costs," Kwon Soon-woo, an analyst at SK Securities Co., said over the phone.



Global carmakers such as General Motors Co. and Toyota Motors Corp. have temporarily shuttered or cut production at some of their plants as they struggle to deal with the lack of semiconductor chips.



GM has extended production cuts at three North American plants until mid-April, and it plans to idle its Brazil plant by the end of May.



Other carmakers are expected to extend output reduction in the second quarter. Toyota cut output volumes at its plants in the U.S., China and Japan in the first quarter, and Volkswagen Group cut production in the U.S., Europe and China by 100,000 units, according to media reports.



On the domestic front, Hyundai Motor Co. its and affiliate Kia Corp., the country's two biggest carmakers, have started to feel the pinch of the chip shortage.



Hyundai Motor said that it is considering suspending production at its No. 1 plant in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul, next month due to parts shortages.



A suspension at the No. 1 Ulsan plant would affect the production of the Kona subcompact SUV and the IONIQ 5 all-electric vehicle, key models for boosting sales this year. On Saturday, it canceled weekend overtime work at the No. 3 plant due to a lack of electric control units (ECUs), a company spokesman said.



Further cancellations of weekend overtime work are likely at the No. 2-5 plants in April due to parts problems.



Kia suspended all weekend overtime work at its plant in Hwaseong, just south of Seoul, this month due to a lack of hybrid power control units (HPCUs).



Kia said it will continue to suspend weekend overtime work at the Hwaseong plant, which produces the Sorento SUV, the Niro electric vehicle and the all-new K8 sedan, next month.



GM Korea Co., the South Korean unit of GM, has reduced production at its No. 2 Bupyeong plant, which manufactures the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and the Trax SUV, in Incheon, just west of Seoul, since February in line with its parent firm's output reduction, a company spokesman said over the phone.



"The company will continue to cut auto production by half in April due to the chip shortage. Our intent is to make up as much production lost at the No. 2 Bupyeong plant as possible," he said.



Renault Samsung Motors Corp. and SsangYong Motor Co. said a prolonged chip shortage will affect their vehicle production as well.



Consulting firm AlixPartners estimated the global automotive industry likely suffered a decline of US$61 billion in sales during the January-March quarter. Market research firm HIS Markit expected production losses of 1 million units in the first quarter.



Local carmakers are widely expected to have difficulties in securing chip parts through the third quarter as it takes time for their overseas chip suppliers to resume production following natural disasters and fires.



Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors N.V. and Munich-based Infineon Technologies AG temporarily suspended their micro control unit (MCU) plants in Texas due to a cold wave, while Japan's Renesas Electronics Corp. partially shut down its MCU plant in Ibaraki Prefecture due to a recent fire.



Worse still, a drought-caused delay in the supply of MCUs from Taiwanese semiconductor firm TSMC will also deliver a blow to automakers, analysts said.



TSMC uses more than 150,000 tons of water a day to produce semiconductors and has difficulty in producing MCUs due to a lack of water caused by the worst-ever drought.



Analysts warned of lingering pain for carmakers if a lack of chip supplies continues throughout the year.



"Carmakers need to work hard to find alternative chip supplies and strategically change their production schedules and product mix as it may be difficult for the issue to be resolved by the second half of 2021," Kwon said.



The Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association called on carmakers, fabless semiconductor companies and foundry companies to closely collaborate to develop automotive semiconductors to reduce dependence on overseas chips. (Yonhap)


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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis often boasts that his state has fared better than most amid the pandemic, despite staying open for business and remaining without a mask mandate.

But the state's relatively low per capita death toll may be higher than the official figures.

A recent study suggested that the state saw more than 19,000 'excess deaths' between March and September of last year - or 15 percent more than would be expected in a typical year.

Of those, 14,317 deaths were attributed to to COVID-19, leaving nearly 5,000 deaths 'unexplained.'

If these were caused by Covid, that would mean that instead of the 33,338 deaths currently recorded on the state health department's website, Florida's death toll is closer to 50,000.

It's impossible to know how many of these mystery excess deaths were caused by COVID-19, and how many the pandemic might have led to indirectly, as a result of foregone care.

It wouldn't be the first time that Florida has come under scrutiny for being less than transparent in its COVID-19 data.

However, it's worth noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 'excess deaths' were about 20 percent above the annual average nationwide last year, with Covid deaths undercounted in all states.

Nearly 5,000 of Florida's excess deaths between March and September of last year were 'unexplained' according to the report's authors

Florida's excess deaths (purple) spiked particularly high between June and September, but at other times, the national average (blue) has risen well above Florida's

Florida has been inundated with maskless partiers there for Spring Break. Already, the state is seeing an uptick in Covid cases

Most Spring Breakers are college age, and less at-risk from COVID-19, but they could easily spread the virus to other more vulnerable people, which experts worry will lead to yet another rise in coronavirus deaths in the state

Florida ranks 27th in the nation for its per capita death toll, according to data from Becker's Hospital Review.

And it may come as a surprise that Florida, which has taken an open-all-hours approach to the pandemic hasn't suffered more fatalities.

At this point, countless modeling studies have suggested that earlier lockdowns and more widespread mask-wearing would have prevented countless Covid deaths.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis often boasts that his state has fared better than most amid the pandemic, despite staying open for business and remaining without a mask mandate

But Florida's middling rank for per capita coronaviru deaths seems to fly in the face of that, much as its outspoken governor has flouted the recommendations of CDC experts.

'I see, in many parts of our country, a sad state of affairs: schools closed, businesses shuttered and lives destroyed,' Republican Governor DeSantis said in a March 2 State of the State address.

'While so many other states kept locking people down, Florida lifted people up.'

But Florida is still the state with the fourth highest death toll and the second largest population in the U.S.

California - to which Florida is often compared as a polar opposite in pandemic strategy - is the most populous state in the union and has the highest Covid death toll in the country with over 59,000 fatalities.

It ranks two spots below Florida for per capita fatalities.

On the other hand, California's per capita deaths rose by 43 percent last week, while Florida's fell by 36 percent, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

All of this, however, assumes that a COVID-19 death is counted the same way everywhere.

And unfortunately, this is not the case.

In fact, this issue became a scandal in Florida in the early months of the pandemic.

Nationwide, the vast majority of excess deaths - those exceeding the annual average (orange line) - were caused by COVID-19 (blue) but a small share are not attributed to the infection (green, above the orange line)

Every state saw excess deaths in 2020, ranging from just a handful in Hawaii to more than 60,000 in California

Back in April - when Covid death counts of hundreds, not thousands, or hundreds of thousands, were still alarming - the Tampa Bay Times discovered that the toll calculated by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission was about 10 percent higher that the official state record.

The Tampa Bay Times estimated that at least 40 deaths were missing from the official tally.

Medical examiners - who were appointed by the governor - had to certify each death at the time, which was creating a considerable backlog in the count of deaths.

Plus, while the medical examiners counted all deaths for which COVID-19 was ruled the cause cause, the health department included only the deaths of Florida residents in its tally.

The health department then withheld the list, claiming it had to be reviewed and redacted before it could be released publicly, according to the Times.

Delays in when COVID-19 deaths occurred and when they were reported by Florida masked the real-time toll of the pandemic

Eventually, in August, a rule was passed so that medical examiners no longer had to certify Covid deaths.

And similar gaffs plagued the states test positivity and case counts, raising further suspicion over how well the state's lax restrictions were really keeping COVID-19 in check.

These loose rules were the reason that the author of the recent report on Florida's excess deaths wanted to investigate, but his conclusions don't confirm any foul play.

The approximately 5,000 excess deaths 'were directly or indirectly associated with COVID-19,' lead study author Moosa Tatar, a public health researcher at University of Nebraska and University of Utah, told DailyMail.com.

'But I haven't compared Florida with other states, there might be excess deaths for other states.

'Florida was one of the first states that relaxed these restrictions...my intention was just to have a clear picture of the impact of COVID-19 on the [excess] deaths.'

In fact, the CDC's excess deaths data shows a 'predicted' number of deaths from all causes and from COVID-19.

And in most states, at some period in the pandemic, there have been more deaths than a typical year, including some that are not thought to have been caused by COVID-19 directly.

Florida, however, could be set for another surge, as Spring Breakers flood the state and cases tick up.

Given the demographics of the revelers - mostly college students - most of these infections won't be deadly.

But as the largely maskless partiers interact with other more vulnerable people and spread the virus a rise in COVID-19 deaths could follow in the coming weeks.
Both PPTC and AQE still intend to run transfer tests in November.

Pressure is mounting on the independent companies which run transfer tests between primary and post-primary schools after a further five schools announced they would not be using the tests in November this year.

Last week four schools in Londonderry and Belfast said they would not be using the PPTC run tests, and now five more Catholic grammar schools in South Down said they would be abandoning academic selection for the 2022 intake of pupils.

The decision, taken by Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School, Our Ladys Grammar School, Sacred Heart Grammar School and St Colmans College in Newry and St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel, means that almost one third of the schools who normally use the PPTC tests have no decided to use different selection criteria instead of the normal exams sat by P7 pupils.

Both PPTC and AQE still intend to run the tests in November.

In a joint letter to parents the schools said the move was due to the impact of school closure on the current P6 pupils.

It will be the second successive year the transfer tests have not been used by the schools and comes two weeks after the PPTC said it would be consulting with schools and relevant stakeholders over whether to move away from Maths and English assessments towards verbal reasoning tests.

The PPTC said it would mean a radical change to this Novembers proposed transfer tests but the discussion paper also recommended that the autumn tests continue to be held in central grammar locations rather than allowing pupils to sit the tests in their own primary schools.

The five schools in Newry and Kilkeel would usually admit around 600 pupils between them each September, and follow the five schools making a similar decision last year ahead of the full cancellation of tests due to Covid disruption.

The joint letter to parents said the schools governors had considered the impact of school closures on the local community.

They recognise that there has been significant disruption to the education of pupils since March 2020 and understand that there may be further disruption for children throughout the remainder of the 2021-22 academic year and beyond, it said.

The respective boards of governors are particularly aware of the impact of school closure on the current P6 pupils who were also affected by school closure as P5 pupils.

The governors said they had reached their decision as a result of pupils only returning to school learning last week.

Pupils applying to these schools will not be required to provide a GL Entrance Assessment result, the schools said.

Each school remains committed to its own ethos and academic focus on high quality teaching and learning.

Those who would normally apply to be admitted to each individual school are encouraged to continue to do so.

It is hoped that both the decision to temporarily amend admissions criteria and the timing of this notification will provide clarity in the local area for P6 pupils and their parents/carers.

AQE, who run transfer tests for 34 mainly Protestant grammar schools in Northern Ireland, has indicated it still plans to run the tests this November. No schools which normally use the AQE tests have opted out of academic selection for 2022 yet.
An off-duty firefighter called 911 when police refused to let her treat George Floyd and worried about the safety of Black witnesses, a murder trial heard.

Genevieve Hansen, 27, told a court that she was desperate to check Mr Floyds pulse but was denied access by the officers detaining him.

She was speaking on the second day of the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, one of four former Minneapolis police officers accused of murdering Mr Floyd while arresting him on 25 May last year. His death sparked protests in favour of racial justice around the world.

Ms Hansen described how she begged the officers to check for signs of life and that after Mr Floyds limp body was loaded into an ambulance she called 911 to report what she had seen.

There was a man being killed, and had I had access to a call similar to that I would have been able to provide medical attention to the best of my abilities and this human was denied that right, she told the court.

I think it all settled in that I wished I had called 911 immediately, it was ridiculous that Fire Station 17 was as close as it was and they hadnt been there.

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I should have called 911 immediately but didnt. When things calmed down I realised I wanted them to know what was going on and to basically report it.

She asked to be transferred to a supervisor but the call ended quickly as there was a lot going on.

I was still worried about the witnesses on scene, particularly as they were people of colour and Black men. I was worried for their safety as the officers were still on scene, she said.

Ms Hansen told the court that she was an EMT certified firefighter, and had been on a walk on a day off when she came across the incident.

She said she was concerned to see a handcuffed man who was not moving with officers with their whole body weight on his back and a crowd that was stressed out.

Ms Hansen then said officer Tou Thao had been demanding that she remained on the sidewalk and started to record the scene with her phone. She said she recognised Mr Chauvins face from a previous call they had both attended but did not know him.

I noticed they were leaning over his body, it appeared to be the majority of their weight on Mr Floyd. I remember seeing four on his body, we know now it was three, she said.

He was not moving and he was cuffed and three grown men is a lot of weight to put on somebody, too much.

She described Mr Floyd has having a puffy and swollen face and was concerned about fluid leaking out of his body.

We see a patient release their bladder when they die. That is where my mind went. He was not moving, he was being restrained but he was not moving, she said.

She then said she had assessed his alternative level of consciousness and needed to know if Mr Floyd still had a pulse.

And she said that Mr Chauvin seemed very comfortable with his weight on Mr Floyd.

In my memory he had his hand in his pocket he looked so comfortable, she said.

Ms Hansen said she then identified herself to Mr Thao, but told the court that the policeman told her that if you really are a Minneapolis firefighter you would know better than to get involved.

I was worried he would not believe me and would not let me help, and that is not right, that is exactly what I should have done, she said.

There was no medical assistance on scene, I got there and I could have given medical assistance. That is exactly what I should have done.

Had they let me into the scene I already had decided what his level of consciousness was and I would have requested additional help and wanted someone to call 911 to get the paramedics and firefighters to come.

She then detailed the life-saving measures she would have employed, including CPR, but added that she was unable because the officers did not let me into the scene.

I also offered to walk them through it and told them if he didnt have a pulse they needed to start compressions but that wasnt done either. It is what I would have done for anybody, she said.

It made me feel totally distressed. I was pretty focussed on getting the officers to let me help. I tried different tactics of calm and reasoning and tried to be assertive. I pled and was desperate.

She said eventually she raised her voice and swore at the officers. I was desperate to help and was not getting what I needed to do in gaining access, she said.

She added that she never saw the officers take Mr Floyds pulse.

Prosecutors then asked why she had decided to record the scene on her phone. Im not sure why I did it, it was an instinct, she said.

Under cross-examination Mr Chauvins defence lawyer, Eric Nelson, asked Ms Hansen if the crowd had been upset or angry.

I dont know if youve seen anybody be killed, but its upsetting, she replied before being admonished by the judge for her answer.

Earlier a teenage witness told the court that Mr Chauvin brandished mace at her as he knelt on Mr Floyd.

Kaylynn Gilbert said that she had been scared by Mr Chauvin who she described as kind of angry as he manhandled him.

The 17-year-old student told the jury in Minneapolis that she had given her phone to a friend to record the events because of a gut feeling that something was wrong.

She then went on to describe the police officers at the scene outside Cup Foods asreally hostile.

The tone in their voices, Officer Thaos voice, was really angry, she said of the officer captured on video controlling the small crowd.

And she denied any of the witnesses had been violent towards the police.

She also described Mr Chauvin, who was digging his knee into George Floyds neck as kind of angry.

Ms Gilbert added that while he was pinning down Mr Floyd, Mr Chauvin had grabbed his mace and was shaking it at us.

Before that Darnella Frazier, 18, whose video of the killing went viral, told the court the impact it had had on her life.

When I look at George Floyd, I look at my dad. I look at my brothers, I look at my cousins, my uncles. Because they are all Black ... I look at that and I look at how that could have been one of them, she said.

Its been nights I stay up apologising and apologising to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and not saving his life.

But its not what I should have done, she said, with reference to Mr Chauvin. Its what he should have done.

Mr Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He denies all the charges against him. Three other police officers involved in Mr Floyds death will go on trial later this year.

Deciding the case is a jury of nine women and six men, with nine identified as white, four Black, and two of mixed race, ranging in age from people in their 20s to their 60s.
No wonder Britains response was limited to grieving rhetoric when Beijing imposed sanctions on five ruling Conservative Party MPs, two peers, a barrister and an academic. (AFP file photo)

British history books claim that before the First Opium War against Manchu China in 1839, the Chinese hoped there would be a lot of talkee-talkee before fightee-fightee. This time around, it is the British who seek discussions and negotiations before the war of words over Chinas alleged human rights abuses spills over into action.

The United States also drew back when similar arguments erupted with China. One reason was that China held $3,399.9 billion of the American Treasurys foreign exchange reserves. Another factor was the calculation that the American cost of living would shoot up without access to cheap Chinese footwear, clothing, electricals and household goods.

No wonder British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy skirted around the subject of China. The 100-page review even hinted that Russia was Britains most serious threat and the reason for acquiring high-tech drones and the expensive paraphernalia of cyber warfare and satellites to control space while increasing the stockpile of nuclear warheads by 40 per cent.

No wonder Britains response was limited to grieving rhetoric when Beijing imposed sanctions on five ruling Conservative Party MPs, two peers, a barrister and an academic. They can no longer travel to China, and any assets they there will be frozen. Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike/ Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike, as in Alexander Popes poem, Mr Johnson noted that China has chosen to sanction individuals and entities that are seeking to shine a light on human rights violations.

Apart from the Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, the British PM must have two other controversies in mind. One is Hong Kong, where the citizens protests have been continuing unrelentlessly despite Beijings crackdown and the enforcement of its harsh new security law, the other the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, which Britain excluded from its 5G networks last year as a result of American pressure backed by Britains defence establishment. Huawei of course denies any spying activities. While Chinas response to the exclusion was muted, it denounced a new programme for fast-track British citizenship for certain residents of Hong Kong as brutal meddling in its domestic affairs.

Hong Kong is a former British colony which was returned to China in 1997 under a one country, two systems agreement whereby its capitalist system and laws would continue until 2047. But the UK accuses China of whittling away at this agreement -- known as the Joint Declaration -- especially through the new law giving China sweeping controls over the people of Hong Kong which came into effect on June 30, 2020.

What all this means is that once again Britain finds itself on the horns of a dilemma. It can take the high moral ground over Xinjiang, HongKong and Huawei. Or it can take a pragmatic view of the benefits of an increasingly close partnership with the worlds second largest economy. We will invest in enhanced China-facing capabilities, through which we will develop a better understanding of China and its people, while improving our ability to respond to the systemic challenge that it poses, the review says.

A showdown seemed imminent when British foreign secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons that British businesses should not profit from what he called the industrial scale forced labour of Uighurs. However, Mr Raab tactfully refrained from mentioning sanctions on Chinese Communist Party officials allegedly involved in human rights abuses. The omission confused listeners because the government had earlier indicated sanctions under a law modelled on the US Global Magnitsky Act.

Mr Raabs explanation that the possibility of sanctions was being kept in reserve did not satisfy Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative Party leader who supports sanctions. He asked in Parliament who in the government might be blocking Mr Raab from following through with the planned measures.

Whoever was responsible, the reversal exposed the inconsistency of official British thinking about China. The UK governments last white paper on China was published in 2009, before the CCP became aggressively authoritarian after Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012. The softer tone of Mr Raabs speech also reflected Mr Johnsons desire to keep his options open as the UK assumes the G-7s annually rotating presidency and prepares to host the next climate change conference in Glasgow later this year, reaches out to the Indo-Pacific destiny that the review eulogises, and seeks economic and strategic alternatives to EU membership.

He cannot be anxious to provoke a China that has recently imposed punishing tariffs on Australian imports of everything from wine to timber and coal, in retaliation for Canberras calls for an investigation into the origins of Covid-19. Chinese investments in Britain, assessed at 8.63 billion, represent a 12.5 per cent year on year increase. Chinese investment in London real estate rose from 2.69 billion in 2016 to 3.69 billion in 2017. Bilateral trade totalled 80 billion (roughly $110 billion) in 2019.

Chinese companies play a vital role in British infrastructure. The state-owned China General Nuclear Power Group holds a one-third stake in the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, a 20-billion project being built in southwestern England. Last year, Chinese steelmaker Jingye Group paid about 50 million to acquire British Steel. Other Chinese firms have large stakes in British offshore oil fields, as well as transport networks and utilities.

Ramping up criticism of Beijing not only risks deterring future Chinese investment but could undermine British businesses in China. Hence the reviews diplomatic claim:We will pursue deeper engagement in the Indo-Pacific in support of shared prosperity and regional stability, with stronger diplomatic and trading ties  This approach recognises the importance of powers in the region such as China, India and Japan and also extends to others including South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.

With their acute sense of history, the Chinese know that they have little to fear. European writers and politicians have spoken down the centuries of La Perfide Albion, or Perfidious Albion.
Siemens Energy said it has been awarded a joint contract by Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and the Sudanese Electricity Transmission Company for building grid stabilisation stations in Sudan to ensure a reliable flow of power from Egypt to Sudan.

This contract will be the first grid stabilisation of scale to be carried out in Sudan and will utilise

Siemens Energys Static Synchronous Compensator (Statcom) technology, said the Siemens Energy in a statement.

Statcom regulates the transmission variations automatically according to the grid conditions. The solution will strengthen and stabilize the power grid by providing reactive power compensation and dynamic voltage support.

One of the two stations will be built in the capital of the state of Northern Sudan, Dongola. The second station will be built in the town of Merowe, about 330 km north of Sudans capital Khartoum, where the Merowe High Dam is located. The Merowe High Dam is one of the largest hydropower projects in Africa.

The project will help improve supply and enhance reliability of power across Sudan, said the statement. Today, only around 60 percent of the population in Sudan has access to electricity, it added.

"This project will support growth, jobs and economic transformation, said Mahmoud Hanafy, Vice

President, Siemens Energy Transmission Solutions in the Middle East.

We are proud to contribute to this strategic project which is critical to accelerate energy transition and foster power trade in both countries. The project is also aligned with Siemens Energys commitment to accelerate energy access and security in a sustainable and economically sensible way, he added.

Emad Ghaly, Siemens Energy Egypts Managing Director, said: This project will help Egypt export reliable power to its neighbour, bringing it closer towards its goal of becoming a regional power hub. We are proud to be part of this endeavor and to help Egypt achieve its goals in the region."

Work began on the project this month and it is due to be completed within two years, he added.
analysis

Last week the world witnessed a dramatic attack on the Mozambican town of Palma in the country's northern Cabo Delgado province. The death toll is still unknown. Many foreigners were also attacked, which has led to heightened international attention to the crisis.

In its recent report detailing the atrocities committed by insurgents in Cabo Delgado, Amnesty International calls on the African Union (AU) to involve itself and help put an end to the human rights abuses.

It asks the AU's Peace and Security Council (PSC) to meet urgently to discuss ways 'to assist the government of Mozambique and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to put a stop to the continued violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.'

Regional non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and faith-based organisations have also called on SADC, the AU and Mozambique's government to respond urgently to save lives and provide humanitarian aid.

However, apart from vague statements at summit meetings, the last of which was three months ago, SADC hasn't responded. None of the organisation's 16 member states has made any significant moves to help address the situation either.

Apart from vague statements at summit meetings, SADC hasn't responded to the crisis in Mozambique

The Cabo Delgado crisis has escalated dramatically since the beginning of 2020, with over 2 500 civilians killed and close to 700 000 people internally displaced. Witnesses report grave atrocities by Islamic State-linked insurgents.

Amnesty International says extremists have 'deliberately killed civilians, burned villages and towns, and committed heinous acts of violence with machetes, including numerous beheadings and desecration of corpses.' It also accuses Mozambican security forces and private military operators of abuses against civilians. The United Nations (UN) has urged Mozambique to investigate.

The crisis has led multinational companies, such as Total, investing in massive gas projects in Cabo Delgado to withdraw staff from the area temporarily. Further investment in the gas projects and adjacent onshore infrastructure, which could benefit all of Southern Africa, is on hold due to rising insecurity. At best, most of the gas projects will continue but will be moved offshore with little job creation for locals.

The AU and its various organs are bound by the principle of subsidiarity, which compels it to defer to the eight regional economic communities and regional mechanisms in responding to regional conflicts. While this has its advantages, it's been a major stumbling block to resolving some conflicts with continental efforts. This is especially true when regions are hamstrung by internal dynamics or institutional paralysis.

The AU has in various instances offered its assistance, but continues to defer to SADC

SADC has insisted on upholding subsidiarity, notably when it comes to issues such as the crises in Lesotho, Zimbabwe and currently Mozambique. The AU has in various instances offered its help but continues to defer to SADC.

Besides holding summit meetings of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security in May, November and December 2020, SADC has refrained from taking any action. Another summit scheduled for early 2021 in South Africa was postponed indefinitely. Meanwhile, Mozambique has accepted offers from the United States (US) and Portugal to help train troops to fight the insurgents.

On 11 March the US government officially designated the group, which it calls ISIS-Mozambique, as belonging to a Foreign Terrorist Organisation. This designation, which many analysts believe distracts attention from the fact that this is largely a group born out of local grievances, could theoretically help highlight the gravity of the situation and mobilise action in the region.

Despite the challenges posed by subsidiarity, the AU's hands aren't completely tied. It has various tools and frameworks, and has established elaborate mechanisms to deal with grave peace and security threats in Africa.

Any AU action would send a signal to the people of Cabo Delgado that they haven't been forgotten

Going forward, the situation must first be tabled for discussion at the PSC level, as noted by Amnesty International. The fact that Mozambique is a council member might be an obstacle, but the issue should be put on the agenda by the rotating chair of the month, given its severity.

The AU chair (currently the Democratic Republic of the Congo) could also request such a tabling, supported by the new Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye. Such a PSC meeting should result in a strong statement commensurate with the gravity of the situation, with clarity on the steps to be taken by the AU Commission in managing it.

Second, the PSC could conduct a fact-finding mission to Mozambique. This would highlight the issue and possibly prompt reaction from AU member states. Even if SADC doesn't favour such a mission, there's a precedent since the PSC visited Lesotho in 2018 to review the situation there.

Third, the AU could appoint a special envoy for Mozambique or mandate the AU special envoy on women, peace and security to investigate. The situation has had a disproportionate impact on women and vulnerable groups, and the envoy/s could use their good offices to mobilise an international response.

Fourth, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights could be mandated to launch an investigation into the human rights abuses documented by Amnesty International and others. As happened with Burundi in 2015, the PSC could use the findings to justify stronger action, despite SADC's reluctance. This could include adopting punitive measures against perpetrators and facilitators of violence against women and children.

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Fifth, the AU could use its convening power and mandate to organise joint statements or summit meetings with partners such as the European Union (EU), US and UN to highlight the urgent need to take action. This would lend credibility to humanitarian and political interventions and promote greater African agency in relevant decisions. The AU could also request Mozambique's government through dialogue and diplomatic channels to allow humanitarian organisations greater access to victims.

Finally, if Mozambique and its neighbours agree on a regional military intervention, the AU could be the lead organisation to coordinate such an action with its partners and the UN.

The threat of terrorism in Mozambique is fairly new, and there's been hesitation to label the insurgents as terrorists, even though other actors have clearly defined them as such. Any AU action - even if such action demands no funding or organising, such as tabling the issue at the PSC for discussion - would send a signal to the people of Cabo Delgado that they have not been forgotten.

Liesl Louw-Vaudran, Senior Researcher and Project Leader, Southern Africa, ISS Pretoria

This is an updated version of an article that first appeared in the PSC Report.
MONTREAL - Death threats over an animal control plan, personal insults over stop signs, social media attacks targeting spouses  these are examples of what politicians in Quebec say has become an increasingly difficult reality of their jobs during COVID-19.

Town of Mount Royal Mayor Philippe Roy is seen in front of the town hall on Monday, March 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

MONTREAL - Death threats over an animal control plan, personal insults over stop signs, social media attacks targeting spouses  these are examples of what politicians in Quebec say has become an increasingly difficult reality of their jobs during COVID-19.

From suburban mayors to the premier, politicians in the province have been raising the alarm about the rise in hateful and occasionally violent online messages they receive  and some are calling for stronger rules to shield them.

On Saturday, Premier Francois Legault denounced the torrent of hateful messages that regularly follow his online posts, which he said has worsened "in the last months."

"Each time I post somethingnow, I'm treated to an avalanche of aggressive and sometimes even violent comments, and to insults, obscenities and sometimes threats," Legault wrote on Facebook.

Several Quebec municipal politicians have announced they won't be running again in elections this fall, in part because of the hostile climate online. Others, including the mayors of Montreal and Quebec City, have spoken in the past about receiving death threats. In November, police in Longueuil, Que., arrested a man in connection with threats against the city's mayor and other elected officials over a plan to cull deer in a municipal park.

Philippe Roy, the mayor of the Town of Mount-Royal, an on-island Montreal suburb, says he's leaving municipal politics when his current term ends, partly because of the constant online insults directed at him and his spouse.

While taking criticism is part of the job, he said he's seen a shift in the past two years toward more falsehoods and conspiracy theories, which he said are undermining the trust between elected officials and their constituents. After 16 years in politics, he said he's tired of the constant accusations directed his way.

"When people are questioning your integrity, you start saying, 'Well, maybe I have better things to do somewhere else,' " he saidin a recent interview.

The problem is serious enough that the group representing Quebec municipalities has launched an awareness campaign and drafted a resolution denouncing the online vitriol.It has so far been adopted by some 260 municipal councils.

Suzanne Roy, the group's president, says the campaign was launched in response to a "flood of testimonials" from mayors and councillors about an increase in abuse and hate speech during the pandemic.

She attributes the phenomenon to a rise in "stress and frustration."

"People, without having the proper tools to manage their stress, will let off steam on social media and write inappropriate statements towards decisions taken at city council about a stop sign at the wrong place, a hole in the road, everything," she said in a phone interview.

Roy, who is mayor of Ste-Julie on Montreal's South Shore, said she experienced the perils of social media firsthand earlier this year when someone stole her identity online and posted anti-COVID conspiracy theories from her Facebook account.

She is among those pushing for stronger rules to combat hate speech, and for platforms such as Facebook to take quicker action to remove hateful comments or restore someone's identity when it's stolen. She said the platforms need to take down the messages as soon as they appear to ensure debate remains respectful and false messages aren't spread.

"Its a question of debate and a question of democracy," she said.

Federal Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault has promised to introduce new legislation to combat hate speech this spring.

In an interview Tuesday, he said the legislation will define five categories of illegal online activities and create a regulator. The regulator's job would include pushing online platforms to respect the law and to remove hateful messages within 24 hours.

He said the bill's goal is to take stronger actions against hate speech, child porn and non-consensual sharing of intimate images. He was careful to say that it would not tackle misinformation, saying it's not the government's job to "legislate information."

Guilbeault said his government has also had to contend with critics who accuse the government of wanting to limit free speech, a charge he denies. Rather, he says the aim of the legislation is to ensure that laws, such as those against hate speech, are applied online as they are in the real world  something he argues will protect free speech rather than stifle it.

"Right now in the virtual world and, I'm sad to say, in the physical world, we're seeing the safety and security of Canadians is being compromised, that freedom of speech is being affected online," he said in a phone interview.

"We're seeing it now with Quebec politicians who say, 'No, no I don't want to run for politics, it's so violent.'" He said the chilling effect extends to equity-seeking groups and racialized Canadians, many of whom avoid the platforms because they're constant targets of abuse.

"How does that protect free speech?" he asked. "Well, it doesn't."

Suzanne Roy says her group, the Union des municipalities du Quebec, gives new councillors some training on how to manage social media accounts, including advice on handling adversarial situations. She says the advice generally includes not getting into debates online and instead steering people to more formal channels to express their opinions, such as city council meetings and public consultations.

Philippe Roy, the soon-to-be ex-mayor of Mont-Royal, says that while there appear to be strong candidates to take his place, he's already met people who have been discouraged from running by the prospect of online hate  something that bodes poorly for the future if the problem isn't tackled.

"We're losing people who could give back to the community, and that's one of the threats that comes from this situation," he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2021
R&M is set to unveil the latest solutions in its flagship PRIME ODF, Polaris, Netscale, and POLAN product ranges at the prestigious CABLEXX 2021, taking place in Egypt on April 5 and 6.

Participating as a Gold Sponsor at the event, R&M is set to demonstrate its leadership across all three areas of structured cabling  data centres, public networks, and LAN  with the launch of its latest generation of solutions that include industry leading features such as high-density, modularity, customisability and ease of installation.

R&Ms presence at CABLEXX 2021 marks the first time that the company has been physical present at a key industry since the outbreak of the pandemic. In addition to the company CEO, Michel Riva attending the event, top regional R&M executives will also be at CABLEXX in-person.

Commenting on this, Nabil Khalil, Executive Vice-President of R&M Middle East, Turkey and Africa said: Our presence at CABLEXX this year is especially significant and represents our continued commitment to supporting and advancing the structured cabling industry in the region. This event offers us with the perfect platform to introduce several of our innovative solutions in the region. Along with this, we will focus on educating the market with in-depth technical demonstration centered around the latest trends in data centres.

REGIONAL PRODUCT LAUNCHES

R&M is set to unveil the latest enhancements to a number of its cabling solution ranges at CABLEXX 2021. Among these are:

PRIME ODF: The compact and versatile PRIME optical distribution modules (ODF) are suitable for the flexible use of fiber optic terminations. They enable fast and simple installation in cramped environments as well as at sites with high fiber density. The tool-free system approach and the high modularity guarantee uncomplicated migration into new and existing network infrastructures.

Netscale: The latest 48, 72 and 120 variants of R&Ms flagship Netscale range offer the highest density of FO ports and can be used to create large spine-leaf network architectures in cloud data centers and facilitate fast migration to new network generations, such as the step from 10 Gigabit to 40 or 100 Gigabit capacity.

Polaris: The extended Polaris range with FO terminal boxes is designed to supply large and small buildings with Fiber to the Home (FTTH). The fiber optic terminal boxes help network operators to connect and manage the growing number of FO cables in the tightest of spaces. The smallest variant can accommodate up to four adapters for FTTH subscribers, the largest up to 36 adapters or 288 splice connections.

POLAN: In modern offices, the combination of consolidation points (CP) and Passive Optical LAN (POLAN) is an alternative to FTTD (Fiber to the Desk). The U-Box from R&M forms the basis of this installation-friendly alternative and by delivering savings in both capital and operating expenditure, offers considerably reduced capital expenses in the total cost of ownership.

The global pandemic has highlighted the importance of IT and networks in keeping governments, businesses and communities connected. It is our goal at R&M to play a lead role in enabling organisations to successfully achieve their ongoing digitisation, said Khalil. -- Tradearabia News Service
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and global affairs VP Nick Clegg, who says Facebook users should be able to control the algorithms that dictate what posts they see

Facebook is introducing a new feature that lets users control who is allowed to comment on their posts.

The move is aimed at tackling trolls and online harassment. Facebook says it is to make people feel more safe and is particularly aimed at public figures, who frequently face torrents of abuse.

Twitter introduced a similar feature last year.

The new Facebook control will allow people to limit who can comment on public posts, from anyone who can see the post to only the people and pages tagged.

It is also introducing a new feed filter bar that will allow people to choose between chronological, algorithmic or favourite news feed posts.

Facebook allows up to 30 friends and pages to include in favourites, so that their posts will appear higher in the ranked News Feed.

And it is expanding the Why am I seeing this? explanation option on algorithmic news feed posts to allow users to learn more about the signals that influence the inclusion of such posts.

You should be able to talk back to the algorithm and consciously adjust or ignore the predictions it makes, to alter your personal algorithm in the cold light of day, through breathing spaces built into the design of the platform, said Nick Clegg, Facebooks vice president for global affairs and a former deputy British prime minister.

In the long run, people are only going to feel comfortable with these algorithmic systems if they have more visibility into how they work and then have the ability to exercise more informed control over them. Companies like Facebook need to be frank about how the relationship between you and their major algorithms really works. And we need to give you more control over how, and even whether, they work for you.

Mr Clegg also defended Facebooks incentives and commercial motives, denying that the company is agnostic about promoting extremism and sensationalism.

He disputed the perception that Facebooks algorithm fuels polarisation, exploits human weaknesses and insecurities, and creates echo chambers where everyone gets their own slice of reality  in a relentless pursuit of profit.

He said that human nature has a more prominent role than is attributed.

Of course, on a platform built around people sharing things they are interested in or moved by, content that provokes strong emotions is invariably going to be shared, he said.

At one level, the fact that people respond to sensational content isnt new. As generations of newspaper sub-editors can attest, emotive language and arresting imagery grab peoples attention and engage them. Its human nature. But Facebooks systems are not designed to reward provocative content. In fact, key parts of those systems are designed to do just the opposite.

Mr Clegg also took issue with accusations that Facebook has a leading role in the polarisation of society.

Even if you agree that Facebooks incentives do not support the deliberate promotion of extreme content, there is nonetheless a widespread perception that political and social polarisation, especially in the United States, has grown because of the influence of social media, he said.

This has been the subject of swathes of serious academic research in recent years  the results of which are in truth mixed, with many studies suggesting that social media is not the primary driver of polarisation after all, and that evidence of the filter bubble effect is thin at best.
Appointment

31 March 2021

Laura Inman has been named as the new director of sales of the new dual branded Hampton Inn by Hilton and Home 2 Suites by Hilton Tucson Downtown, which is expected to open in July 2021. Inman will lead all strategic sales and marketing endeavors while supporting the hotel's mission to provide outstanding service to guests. Located at 141 South Stone Avenue, the hotel is owned by FHG DTN Tucson Owner, LLC and managed by Fayth Hospitality Management, LLC of Dallas, Texas.

Prior to joining the dual branded Hampton Inn and Home 2 Suites by Hilton Tucson Downtown, Inman held previous roles in the hospitality industry, including Director of Sales for Wyndham Resorts and Hotels, Director of Sales for IHG Hotels and Resorts, Director of Event Sales for Marriott and Catering Sales for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Inman gives back to the local community through her involvement with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and American Heart Association, underscoring Hilton's philosophy of service and corporate responsibility.

Hampton Inn and Home 2 Suites by Hilton Tucson Downtown is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can't be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.
Lung cancer cells. Credit: National Cancer Institute

Analyzing a national cancer database, researchers find a bump in diagnoses at 65, suggesting that many wait for Medicare to kick in before they seek care.

A couple of years ago, Joseph Shrager, MD, professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford School of Medicine, noticed a statistical anomaly in his practice. It seemed that patients were diagnosed with lung cancer at a surprisingly higher rate at 65 years old than, say, at 64 or 66.

"There was no reason rates should differ much between the ages of 63 and 65," Shrager said. He talked it over with his thoracic surgeon colleagues at Stanford who said they were seeing something similar. They wondered if the jump in diagnoses might be a result of patients delaying care until they became Medicare eligible at 65.

"If this were true, and patients were delaying screenings or treatments for cancer, it could impact their survival," Shrager said. A quick exploratory analysis of their own practices showed a twofold increase in lung cancer surgeries in 65-year-old patients compared with 64-year-olds.

"We decided to explore this, and its broader implications, in a larger population," Shrager said.

In a follow-up study published March 29 in Cancer, the researchers found a substantial rise nationwide in new cancer diagnoses at 65not only for lung cancer but also for breast, colon and prostate cancer. The four are the most common cancers in the United States.

"Essentially we showed there is a big jump in cancer diagnoses as people turn 65 and are thus Medicare-eligible," said Shrager, the senior author of the study. The study's lead author is Deven Patel, MD, a surgical resident at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles who spent a year as a research fellow at Stanford. "This suggests that many people are delaying their care for financial reasons until they get health insurance through Medicare."

A jump in cancer diagnoses

Researchers analyzed data from hundreds of thousands of patients who were 61-69 years old and were diagnosed with lung, breast, colon or prostate cancer from 2004 to 2016. The patients, identified from a national database, included 134,991 with lung cancer, 175,558 with breast cancer, 62,721 with colon cancer and 238,823 with prostate cancer.

There was a greater jump in lung, breast, colon and prostate cancer diagnoses at the transition from 64 to 65 than at all other age transitions, the research showed. Lung cancer rates showed a consistent increase of 3-4% each year for people aged 61 to 64, then at 65 that percentage doubled. The increase was even more pronounced in people with colon cancer, which showed an annual growth rate of just 1-2% in the years leading up to Medicare eligibility, then jumped to nearly 15% at 65. In the years following age 65, diagnosis rates declined for all cancers, the study found.

The study showed that insured cancer patients (lung, breast, colon, prostate) older than 65 are more likely to undergo surgical intervention, and they had lower five-year cancer-specific mortality rates than did their younger uninsured counterparts.

"Collectively, these results demonstrate that Medicare eligibility, an event coincident with becoming 65 years old, is associated with a rise in early-stage cancer diagnoses and a resulting survival benefit," the study concluded.

The researchers proposed that a number of factors cause 61- to 64-year-olds to wait for medical treatments and screenings until Medicare eligibility kicks in.

"These individuals often lack insurance as a result of early retirement, pre-existing conditions hindering renewal, the high cost of private insurance and other causes," the study said, noting that 13-25% of this group of adults are uninsured or have a gap in medical coverage at some point preceding Medicare eligibility.

Previous research has shown that medical insurance is a strong predictor of receiving appropriate care, promoting earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes, the study noted.

"If you don't get the right screening or prompt diagnosis you are going to have lower cure rates," Shrager said. "This study underlines the important difference that some sort of Medicare expansion could make."

Explore further Differences in cancer survival by type of insurance

More information: Deven C. Patel et al. Cancer diagnoses and survival rise as 65yearolds become Medicareeligible, Cancer (2021). Journal information: Cancer Deven C. Patel et al. Cancer diagnoses and survival rise as 65yearolds become Medicareeligible,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33498
A drunk man was arrested on the platform at Sallins train station.

The man, from Dublins north inner city, was arrested for two alleged breaches of the Public Order Act on March 16 at 11pm.

Read more County Kildare news

The man was drinking alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.

He was aggressive and refused to comply with the direction of a garda.
The supervisory board of truck manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus has decided to close down its plant in Steyr, Austria. The traditional plant with over a hundred years of history is to be shuttered if the workforce does not accept the terms of a sale to investor Siegfried Wolf.

The board of Volkswagen subsidiary MAN had negotiated these conditions with Wolf over the previous months, by which only two-thirds of the core workforce, about 1250 workers, are to retain their jobs. More than 1,000 workers, including about 400 temporary workers, are to be laid off. Investor Wolf will deny those remaining the current piecework bonus, which corresponds to a wage reduction of 15 to 30 percent. Further company agreements favorable to workers are also to be cancelled.

5000 people protest on October 15, 2020 against the closure of MAN in Steyr (Image: PRO-GE / CC0)

The Steyr workforce is being openly blackmailed by the MAN Executive Board and the Supervisory Board, on which 10 representatives of the German IG Metall union and the works councils sit, including Steyr works council leader Erich Schwarz.

Wolf was in the top management of the Canadian automotive supplier Magna International until 2010 when he then took on a series of board positions, including at the construction company Strabag; Porsche SE; Osterreichische Industrieholding AG; and Sberbank Europe AG, a European subsidiary of Russias largest bank. Significantly, in this context, he became chairman of the supervisory board of the Russian company JSC Russian Machines, owned by oligarch Oleg Deripaskas. The latter company is involved in the manufacture, sale and maintenance of automotive equipment for the GAZ Group, Russias largest automobile group. Wolf holds 10 percent of the GAZ shares.

Wolfs concept for the Steyr plant is to produce and supply 10,000 to 12,000 truck cabs annually to the Russian GAZ company. Europes largest paint shop for truck plastic add-on parts was built in Steyr just a year and a half ago at a cost of 60 million. The company will continue to produce vehicles for MAN until the end of 2022 and four of the companys own vehicle models under the Steyr name thereafter.

At a works meeting last Friday, investor Wolf, as well as the MAN Executive Board and the Austrian trade union PRO-GE (production trade union), explained their concepts to the workforce.

The union favours a second purchase offer received a few weeks ago from Linz-based entrepreneur Karl Eggers, whose family business KeKelit manufactures plastic pipes and air conditioning systems. He has formed the Green Mobility consortium with other companies, including the Czech Tatra Group and an automaker from Southeast Asia.

Union officials prefer Eggers offer because he promises to keep 1,850 regular workers on the payroll. General Works Council Chairman Erich Schwarz even claims that this consortiums plans have a potential of providing 10,000 jobs in future. Nevertheless, Schwarz and his union officials have been negotiating behind closed doors with MAN management and Wolf for months. He did not want to reveal details. It had been agreed that negotiation results on which there was no agreement would not be disclosed, the Austrian Kurier quotes him as saying.

The MAN supervisory board, including the German IG Metall union, has already committed itself to Wolfs offer. This is despite the fact that the GAZ Group and its owner are subject to US sanctions that prohibit companies from doing business with GAZ under threat of economic penalties. The cooperation between Volkswagen and GAZ for the production of vehicles in Russia plays a role in this.

In order to gain the approval of the workforce for the sale, the MAN Group has promised each worker a bonus of 10,000, regardless of whether or not they keep their job.

MAN workers are to decide in a secret mail-in ballot in just one and a half weeks time. It is like choosing between plague and cholera. Either they decide to sell the plant with the associated wage cuts and uncertainty of being taken on at all, or they accept the plant closure. Counting employees of the supplier industry, more than 5,000 families would be affected by such a closure, a catastrophe for the town of 39,000 and for the entire region.

The trade unions and their works councils in Germany and Austria play a key role in this cynical game. MAN Truck & Bus Austria is part of the Traton Group (formerly Volkswagen Truck & Bus), the majority of which belongs to the VW Group and produces vehicles of the MAN, Scania, Volkswagen Caminhoes e Onibus and RIO brands. VW Group management is taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis to carry out long-planned restructuring aimed at strengthening the position of the group and, in this case, of the truck and bus division on the world market.

The Traton Group still reported earnings after tax of 1.561 billion in fiscal year 2019. The current job cuts and plant closures are aimed solely at increasing the profit margin in international competition.

For this reason, the MAN Trucks Executive Board presented a restructuring program on September 11, 2020, which included the slashing of thousands of jobs. It was already clear at that time that the Steyr site was to be closed completely.

Just like at MAN plants in Germany, where IG Metall organised protest rallies after the bad news, PRO-GE called for a rally in Steyr on October 15 of last year, which was attended by 4,000 workers and their families.

Union officials and politicians invoked the Groups social responsibility but also made it clear that they would not organise any fighting measures apart from appeals. PRO-GE Federal Chairman Rainer Wimmer wiggled around this point saying, [M]aybe we have to think about it [industrial action]  if they really take away our livelihoods, that maybe we have to throw down the gauntlet, at a time when we still can.

Wimmer reassured the workforce by pointing to a watertight site continuation agreement signed at the end of 2019, under which operations are secured until 2030. Like all such contracts, it is not worth the paper it is written on. MAN cancelled it without further ado.

Meanwhile, IG Metall and works council leaders began negotiations behind closed doors to present a key points paper at the end of January that includes the elimination of 3,500 jobs and is intended to achieve an earnings improvement of up to 1.7 billion.

The head of the MAN Works Council, Saki Stimoniaris, proudly declared: We bear responsibility for our MAN. In addition to his six-figure annual salary, Stimoniaris also receives almost half a million euros for his Supervisory Board activities, exactly 482,040 in 2019.

These well-to-dos have prevented the workforce from revolting against the looming layoffs from the very beginning. The works council in Steyr reassured the workers with financial arguments. The large investment in the modern paint shop and the annual transfer of profits to the parent company were supposed to guarantee a secure future for the plant. The union support for the Green Mobility purchase offer has further confused the workers. Now they are being asked to hand themselves over to a pompous investor and a Russian oligarch.

While IG Metall was drawing up plans at its Munich headquarters for the closure of the Steyr plant, PRO-GE sabotaged any resistance to it. In multiple interviews, works council Chairman Schwarz and PRO-GE head Wimmer stressed that staff would have to be cut regardless due to the conversion to electric drive technology and EU directives limiting carbon dioxide and nitrogen emissions.

Workers must prevent their jobs and wages from being forever subordinated to the shareholders greed for profit. They can only achieve this through a united, independent offensive of their colleagues in all international factories. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP), the German section of the Fourth International, advocates building action committees that are completely independent of the unions, taking the defence of jobs into workers own hands, and networking across Europe and internationally. Contact us to find out more about achieving these objectives.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 01:35:26|Editor: huaxia

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KHARTOUM, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese government on Wednesday warned of the danger of Ethiopia's implementation of the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Sudan's Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi reviewed with U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Donald Booth the development of the situations regarding the GERD issue, said the ministry's statement.

The Sudanese foreign minister urged the United States to embark on constructive negotiation that commits the Ethiopian side not to fill the GERD without consent of the concerning parties, according to the statement.

"The unilateral actions of the Ethiopian side have undermined mutual trust between the two countries," Al-Mahdi was quoted in the statement as saying.

"Sudan has resorted to the mediation quartet after learning that Ethiopia was eluding to buy time to complete the process of the second filling of the dam, which should not be tolerated," she noted.

Booth, for his part, stressed the importance of reaching a binding and satisfactory agreement for all parties on the GERD issue, according to the statement.

Booth further said that the United States can provide necessary technical support for the file to get out of this crisis with satisfactory positions for all parties, it added.

Earlier, Sudan proposed a mediation quartet of the United Nations, the European Union, the U.S. and the African Union regarding the GERD issue.

Ethiopia officially announced its decision to reject the mediation quartet.

In February, Ethiopia said it would carry on with the second-phase 13.5-billion-cubic-meter filling of the GERD in June. The volume of the first-phase filling last year was 4.9 billion cubic meters.

Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia have been in talks for years over the technical and legal issues related to the filling and operation of the GERD.

Ethiopia, which started building the GERD in 2011, expects to produce more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity from the dam project, while Egypt and Sudan, downstream Nile Basin countries that rely on the river for its freshwater, are concerned that the dam might affect their share of the water resources. Enditem
Mumbai, March 31 : Actor Amit Sadh on Wednesday offered his interpretation of what "being in the tunnel" means. Amit advised that people should respect and appreciate the idea if their partners say they are in the tunnel.

"The idea of being in the tunnel is not abandonment. It's an act of equipping with the tool that helps one to be present, to heal, to introspect. So, the next time when your partner says they are in their tunnel, appreciate it -- nobody is readymade. Everyone, including you, are a work in progress! Every tunnel is a gateway to return supercharged," Amit shared in an Instagram post along with the hashtag #ThoughtOfTheDay.

Commenting on the actor's post, fans expressed their mind.

"The point is we have to be strong. Love you for sharing your amazing thought," commented a fan.

"Very true. It is applicable to not only partner's but everyone. We all need our space. As fans also we should give our stars the much needed space instead of constantly bothering for updates," expressed another fan.

On the work front, Amit recently featured in the web shows "Jeet Ki Zid", and "7 Kadam".
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks about the release of the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, at the State Department in Washington, March 30, 2021.

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has complicated concerns about governments treatment of citizens in Asian countries and beyond, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday as it released its annual report on human rights across the globe.

The governments in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Thailand last year used existing laws to crack down on complaints or criticism over national efforts in response to the pandemic, the 45th annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices noted.

It also reported on Malaysia seeing an increase in COVID-19 infections among immigrants and inmates while in the Philippines, the war on drugs went on.

The 2020 report reflects the unique challenges that nations had to confront as the COVID-19 virus spread throughout the world. The pandemic impacted not only individuals health, but their abilities to safely enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement accompanying the report.

Some governments used the crisis as a pretext to restrict rights and consolidate authoritarian rule.

Human rights trends are moving in the wrong direction because of the global outbreak, Blinken noted as he spoke to reporters at the State Department.

All of these alarming trend lines are being worsened by COVID-19, he said.

According to the report, the police, military and intelligence services in Bangladesh last year employed informers to conduct surveillance and report on citizens perceived to be critical of the government.

Between March and September, the government became increasingly active in monitoring social media sites and other electronic communications in order to scan public discussions on COVID-19 and the governments handling of the virus, the State Department reported.

In March, the Information Ministry announced the formation of a unit to monitor social media and television outlets for rumors related to COVID-19.

Bangladeshi authorities used the 2018 Digital Security Act against journalists and others questioning its handling of COVID-19, charging at least 19 journalists in May, the department said, citing local reports.

They have been arrested on charges of spreading anti-government remarks and rumors regarding the coronavirus situation and various law enforcement agencies, Police Sub-Inspector Jamshedul Alam told BenarNews at the time.

Digital attacks

In Indonesia, at least four Indonesian media organizations reported facing digital attacks following negative reporting on the pandemic, the State Department said, citing a group called the Independent Journalist Alliance.

An August attack against Tirto.id after publishing articles critical of the State Intelligence Agency and the armed forces involvement in formulating a COVID-19 treatment led to the sudden disappearance of articles from the website, the State Department said.

And as in other countries in the region, authorities in Thailand monitored commentary on social media.

The government continued to restrict internet access and penalize those who criticized the monarchy or shared unverified information about the spread of COVID-19, the report said.

Authorities targeted for prosecution individuals posting a range of social-media commentary, from discussion of COVID-19 dispersion to Lese-Majeste, criticism of the governments operations, reporting on government scandals and warning of government surveillance.

The report was referring to Lese-Majeste, Thailands harsh law that guards against royal defamation.

Meanwhile, Thai immigration detention centers, which are not subject to the same regulations as the nations prisons, faced overcrowding issues, according to the report which noted that 60 detainees at a center in southern Songkhla province had tested positive for COVID-19.

A health worker sprays disinfectant at migrant workers who arrived from Malaysia before entering a quarantine center at in North Sumatra, Indonesia, April 9, 2020. [AP]

In Malaysia, authorities placed immigrants, particularly Rohingya, in detention centers to quarantine. By May, human rights groups reported a rising number of COVID-19 infections, the report said.

By October, 8 percent of the nations coronavirus cases were attributable to prison inmates and staff.

Former deputy defense minister Liew Chin Tong stated that the COVID-19 outbreak was turning prisons into death traps exacerbated by overcrowding problems. A Sabah state prison recorded more than 60 percent of inmates testing positive for COVID-19, it said.

BenarNews reported last October that Prisons Department director-general Zulkifli Omar had announced the implementation of drastic measures, including sending light-drug offenders to national service camps and releasing prisoners with short sentences, subject to conditions.

Inmates who have been sentenced to less than one year in prison and have less than three months to be served will be released, the statement said, noting they must pass certain criteria including testing negative for the coronavirus.

Philippine drug war

The report noted that the pandemic did not slow killings tied to President Rodrigo Dutertes drug war in the Philippines.

Human Rights Watch, citing Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency figures, reported 155 deaths between April and July 2020  a 50 percent increase from the number of suspects killed from December to March before the COVID-19 community quarantine, the report said.

Police at the time did not respond to a BenarNews request for comment.

In addition, rights organizations accused police with tampering with crime scenes tied to drug deaths.

In June the National Bureau of Investigation charged two PNP members with planting evidence in the shooting of Winston Ragos, a former armed forces member suffering from mental illness, over an alleged COVID-19 quarantine violation, the report said, using an acronym for Philippine National Police.

Speaking to reporters in Washington on Tuesday, Blinken said that human rights would be at the center of the new Biden administrations foreign policy.

Standing up for human rights everywhere is in Americas interests, Blinken told reporters, according to a transcript.

And the Biden-Harris administration will stand against human rights abuses wherever they occur, regardless of whether the perpetrators are adversaries or partners.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 19:26:02|Editor: huaxia

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SUVA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A Fijian minister stressed on Wednesday the importance of dealing with climate change, saying that the existential threat of climate change will persist much longer than any pandemic.

Speaking at a virtual conference on climate change here on Wednesday night, Fiji's Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya said that collective global efforts to solve the climate crises will define their ability to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Koya, also Fiji's acting minister for economy, mentioned the climate finance landscape which is overly complicated and fragmented with multiple sources of finance, each having very different access requirements.

"This stretches the already limited capacity of developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States or SIDS in short, to mobilize adequate finance for meaningful climate action. There is an urgent need for more uniformed access modalities and criteria across major bilateral, multilateral and private sources of climate finance," he said.

The minister also pointed out that Fiji is concerned by the lack of long-term commitment for climate finance from the developed world.

A sustainable recovery from COVID-19 will require developing countries to diversify their economies and catalyze new streams of finance, he added.

As one of the victims of climate change, Fiji is the first country to ratify the Paris Agreement as well as the first small island state to lead the climate negotiations as President of the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP23).

Now Fiji is among the nations committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. Enditem
Parliament has expressed discontent in governments commitment to improving the works and housing sector following what it describes as meagre budgetary allocation for the sector for the year 2021.



This was revealed during the consideration of a report by parliaments committee on works and housing before the House went on recess. In all, an amount of GH175,046,585 was approved for the Ministry of Works and Housing, which has been described as insufficient and amounts to a paltry 4% of the total budget allocation for the infrastructure sector. While the Ministries of Roads and Highways had an allocation of 47% and the Railway Development Ministry got 13%, the Transport and Sanitation and Water Resources Ministries were given 12% and 8% respectively. This, according to parliamentarians is woefully inadequate for the execution of the ministrys mandate especially as the President has declared Affordable Housing as a priority.



Chairman of the Committee, Isaac Asiamah, said the challenges faced by the ministry are enormous and would not be addressed by such a meagre amount.



He said further, that major initiatives including tackling floods, coastal protection and advancing on governments priority affordable housing projects, among others make the job a herculean one. He, therefore, appealed to the finance ministry to reconsider and add up to the budgetary allocation for the Ministry.



For his part, ranking member of the committee, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, reiterated the need for an increase in the budgetary allocation due to the ministrys already existing debt of over one billion Ghana Cedis.



He explained that the ministrys budget allocation for 2020 was over two hundred and twenty-six million Ghana Cedis (226m) which made expectations for the year 2021 even higher.



Also, he added that various sod-cutting activities within the ministry had taken place and needed significant funds, to execute.



Davis Opoku Ansah in his brief remarks added that the sector minister has innovative ideas which need to be supported by all stakeholders. He, therefore, admonished the finance ministry to consider additional funding for the sector in the mid-year supplementary budget.



It would be recalled that President Akufo-Addo in his State of the Nation address to parliament earlier this year, noted that rolling out of mass affordable housing was the governments priority. It was therefore expected, that enough resource allocation will be made available to the Sector to see to the success of the project.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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New Delhi:

A middle-age man allegedly raped a nine-year-old girl and tried to strangulate her to death in Central Delhis Karol Bagh.

According to police, the incident occurred on Tuesday late night. The incident came to surface after girls mother lodged a complaint with the police on Wednesday.

In the complaint the minors mother claimed that the accused tried to strangulate her and left her at the incident site believing that the victim was dead.

According to police the girls mother told the police that her daughter had gone to a hotel to her.

Also read: Mumbai woman raped by son, contracts another son to get him killed



She laid at a bench in the hotel after the hotel owner told the victim that her order would take time.

Also read| Uttar Pradesh: Minor gang-raped for 10 days, forced to eat meat, threatened to change religion in Muzaffarnagar



A police officer said, The victims mother further informed us that an unidentified man lured her of something and took her to the staircase outside the hotel, where he raped her.

The officer added that the victims mother learnt about the incident after the victim returned late.

Police said that girl stays with her mother and two siblings in a rented accomodation and currently she is ongoing counselling after the incident.

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Warwick Junction's herb traders and market sellers are calling for more support and dignified work spaces from the eThekwini municipality.

An eclectic and symmetrical display of enchantments inside narrow, myriad and maze-like hallways welcomes every visitor here. Each stall is packed to capacity with dried animal hides, woody shrubs, crushed and bottled herbs, and many other products you might find at a herbal store. This is the Herb Market in Durban's Warwick Junction.

The market is one of the largest informal herb markets in South Africa. It is open every day and provides a steady supply of herbal medicine. It is an especially important corner for many healers who sell their herbs here or buy them for medicine-making. There are wholesale vendors and herb-mixture shops in the space.

The market is busy, though, and not without its problems.

Site manager Lamulani Majozi says the market houses about 700 traders, who "fulfil a valuable role and generally operate in niche markets around KwaZulu-Natal".

As Majozi speaks inside his cramped cubicle, two sangomas, upset about something, enter and ask for him. They immediately complain about one of the market's traders, alleging that he sold them expired herbs.

Majozi quickly resolves the conflict. He calls for the trader then facilitates a conversation with the healers. The pair eventually get their money back. Majozi seems to have developed a work culture that encourages a unified and participatory approach to the market's day-to-day management.

The market is a hive of activity. If it's not conflict resolution in hushed tones, it is loud chit-chat. And herb traders are not alone in the space. Next to them are herb grinders with the music of their hammers. Each carry long, iron hammers with which they pound, grind and process different plant parts. They handle roots, barks, bulbs, leaves and stems. And the stomps create a rhythmic vibrancy, almost musical. From afar, it appears to be a simple task even as it requires intensity and draws sweat from those doing the work.

Problems in the sector

The South African government gazetted the Traditional Health Practitioners Act in 2007 to officially recognise the practice of traditional medicine. Traders say this legislative recognition has been nothing but a hollow victory.

Despite the adoption of the act, research to develop guidelines for the spaces of traditional healers has not been done. This is especially so for spaces in urban areas. Many herb markets in the country's towns and cities are located in questionable places, where traders are crammed together in small spaces with hardly room to breathe.

Majozi says the government does not treat traditional healers with the respect they deserve. "For a long time, traditional medicine was regarded as an unnecessary art which had to be tolerated as one of the peculiarities of the African community. To be officially recognised gave us hope that we would become respected, with infrastructure designed with that in mind.

"We've been waiting for progress and development in this market for years now. We don't know if it will ever change. We depend on ourselves now. We have created alternatives and solutions on our own because if we wait for the municipality to do it, we will wait until we retire. From collecting R20 from each table each day, we are able to pay for more security and sanitisers for the market.

"The government's approach needs to focus more now on developing an African-based system that will be on par with the conventional healthcare system and in accordance with the local realities pertaining to traditional medicine, especially in urban areas such as Durban."

The traditional medicine trade is deeply rooted in African culture and spiritual healing, and provides primary healthcare for "about 80% of the people in Africa", according to the World Health Organization.

Sector regulation inadequate

The Medicines and Related Substances Act of 1965 and its various amendments does not adequately provide for the regulation, registration and control of complementary medicines. It does not cater for African traditional medicines. This is despite the fact that South Africans continue to rely on them.

For example, in a 2007 study conducted in KwaZulu-Natal on the economics of the traditional medicine trade, health research organisation Health Systems Trust reported that indigenous medicine was worth at least R2 billion per year. The trade in medicinal plants continues to peak.

Traditional healthcare practices are largely informal and unregulated. According to a Cape Peninsula University of Technology comparative review on the informal sector and economic growth in South Africa and Nigeria, many are driven into "informality" because of poor regulations.

"The basic factors or constructs that influence the growth and resilience of the informal sector could be grouped as the strain on economic activities, ineffectual policies and regulations, taxation aversion, absence of sustainable business ecosystems, moral laxity/flaws and social tension within the society," reads part of the review.

The culprit in South Africa's case, especially Durban, is the eThekwini municipality. It regulates and issues permits for traders in public spaces. Yet there continues to be spatial inadequacy in the city. Healers and traders have to contend with poor working conditions to make a living. The City has not responded to a request for comment.

Nonhlanhla Madonsela, 50, started trading in herbs in the Warwick triangle when she was 19 years old. She has passed on some of the knowledge to her oldest daughter, Nomzamo.

Madonsela is among the more than 1.8 million street traders in the country, according to Statistics South Africa. Millions more depend on the earnings of these vendors and millions still buy herbs, food and goods from them every day.

Madonsela says this form of trading is often overlooked and undermined, but this is how she has survived for more than 30 years.

She is highly critical of the governing party's hesitance to embrace traditional medicine. "The South African health sector, and especially the pharmaceutical industry, is against poor, Black people," she said.

'In the shadows'

Ntombembi Gumede's workspace faces the scorching sun every day. Without shelter, she and her wares are exposed to the Durban heat. She sits huddled by her door in a shaded spot. Gumede sells crushed herbs in bulk and boasts of her ability to provide a steady income for her family of eight.

"In a way, we're just merely existing. We serve the demand, we heal and treat people, but we must remain in the shadows because our work is still deemed bogus and never enough to be formalised and recognised as [legitimate] by the South African government. Such perceptions are delaying the progress and advancement of the traditional medicine industry.

"Our government needs to embrace the influence of traditional medicine, in its honest form. We are key players in health and spirituality as well as the economy. But just look at the spaces we are operating under. The stalls have completely deteriorated, and most traders here have to stand in the sun or the rain because they need to feed their families."

Brian Phaaloh of the South African Informal Traders Forum says critical policies need to be challenged to create a sustainable and dignified work environment for street traders. He says poor management propels the struggle for recognition and adequate working conditions.

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"The government continues to fail to appreciate the need to set regulations that are not overly burdensome so that entrepreneurs will be aided and not hindered in their business. It is important that we note the fundamental economic role informal trade contributes ... Informal trading is no longer a temporary alternative as it was before.

"Now, people's livelihoods and businesses depend on the income from the streets. Informal trade should no longer be viewed as a poor man's job, but as a job and as a business. The lack of resources - from water, shelter and ablution - indicate that the government has no interest in developing the trade as a formal and dignified form of business. Street traders are merely surviving amidst the poor working conditions because they have become accustomed to them," says Phaaloh.

Echoing Phaaloh's sentiments, Verushka Memdutt, a street-trader activist and general secretary of the Market Users Committee, says irregularities in the allocation of stalls coupled with poor management is detrimental to the herb market's survival.

"The City is failing to protect and serve traders who are legitimately there and continue to pay for their permits. Many of the women in these markets do not even own the stalls in which they trade. They pay rent to opportunists who have monopolised their way into the market. And, again, in the end it is the poor that feel it the most. We don't want traders to live for a mere survival, they need to be respected and included as part of the city's economy.

"They have not come forward to support and assist informal traders in the midst of Covid-19. Traders in the Warwick Junction work without any sanitisers or water. The traders at the herb market have registered cooperatives which the City could be supporting to better manage the trade. The municipality seems unfazed by the informality attached to street trade. The narrative is still that street traders are property of the City ... When they want to close the market, without any explanations or considerations, they close it," says Memdutt.
Civilians attending a wedding in central Mali were killed in a French airstrike, the human rights division of a U.N. mission to the country has said.
Ghana is a haven of peace, security and stability, and the safest country in West Africa, where legitimate investments are protected, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.

The President made these remarks yesterday when he addressed the business community in Madrid, Spain, at the 'Focus Africa 2023' Conference.

"We have witnessed, through the ballot box, three peaceful transfers of power from one political party to another in the 28-year period of the 4th Republic," he said and urged the investors to consider investing in Ghana.

The President told the gathering that, between 2017 and 2020, his first term in office was spent correcting the fundamentals of the economy which were all pointing in the wrong direction.

"We have, over the period, put in place measures needed to reduce the cost of doing business, improve the business environment, and made the Ghanaian economy not only one of the most business-friendly economies in Africa, but also one of the fastest growing economies in the world between 2017 and 2020," he added.

With the economies of most of the countries in the world either in recession or recording negative growth, he noted that Ghana's economy was one of the very few that still managed to record a positive GDP growth.

"In spite of the ravages of the pandemic, we are working to grow the economy at a much faster rate this year, our target being a five per cent GDP growth rate, which will enhance the prospects of a win-win environment for both private sector and country; an environment where companies do not just survive, but actually thrive," he said.

President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that the major programme driving the revival and revitalisation of the Ghanaian economy is the GH100 billion CARES 'Obaatampa' Programme, whose main elements include supporting commercial farming and attracting educated youth into commercial farming; and building the country's light manufacturing sector; developing engineering/machine tools and ICT/digital economy industries; amongst others.

"It continues to be an exciting time to be in Ghana, and to do business in the country. Already, global car manufacturing giants, Volkswagen of Germany, Sinotruk of China, Nissan of Japan have established assembly plants in the country.

"Energy giant, ExxonMobil of the United States of America, is establishing an office and base in Ghana, and the well-known Norwegian energy company, Aker, is very much established in Ghana, and I believe it is for good reason," he added.

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He, thus, urged the business community in Spain to take advantage of the business-friendly climate in the country to invest in Ghana.

"I am sure you have heard of some of my government's flagship policies of "One District, One Factory", "One Village, One Dam", and the programme for "Planting for Food and Jobs", which I commend to you, as I do areas in water, health, housing, road and rail infrastructure, transport, industry, manufacturing, agriculture, petroleum and gas, the exploitation of our mineral wealth of bauxite, iron ore and gold, renewable energy and ICT growth," he said.

A key challenge of the Ghanaian economy, like many other economies in Africa, according to the President, is its infrastructural deficit.

"We are embarking on an aggressive public private partnership programme to attract investment in the development of both our road and railway infrastructure. We are hopeful that, with solid private sector participation, we can develop a modern railway network with strong production centre linkages and with the potential to connect us to our neighbours," he added.

Ghana, he assured "is, rightly, considered a beacon of democracy in Africa. In the same vein, we are determined to make her an example of rapid economic growth within the context of a well-developed market economy. We welcome your contribution to this endeavour".
Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) has received a prestigious award in recognition of its work to advance gender equality in higher education and research.

The institution received the Athena SWAN Bronze Award.

AIT submitted its application for the award in January 2021, which included a detailed self-assessment of gender equality and a comprehensive action plan for promoting positive culture change.

A self-assessment team, with representatives drawn from across the institute, was established to carry out the work two years ago, under the guidance of AIT's EDI Steering Committee, which is chaired by AIT President Professor Ciaran O Cathain.

We are delighted to receive the Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality across higher education, John McKenna, Vice President for Equality and Diversity at AIT, said.

Academia cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of all. Our ambitious action plan will ensure that we are continuously striving to create an inclusive culture where all staff can thrive."

This award is a testament to the work that has been carried out right across the institute and reaffirms to our commitment to the Athena SWAN principles of equality and inclusion," AIT President Professor O Cathain said, congratulating members of the EDI Steering Committee and Self-Assessment Team.

"This award will drive us forward into the new technological university, ensuring that we are fully equipped to develop the university as a leader in EDI. We look forward to the next phase our Athena SWAN journey and continuing to roll out our ambitious gender equality action plan.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris welcomed news of the awards, calling the attainment of Athena SWAN accreditation "a significant step forward for gender equality" in higher education.

Dr Victoria Brownlee, Head of Athena SWAN Ireland, added that progress on gender equality right across higher education is essential for retaining talent and ensuring our institutions at all levels are representative of society.

It is very encouraging to see so many applicants engage in improvements to support the spectrum of staff roles in the sector, she said.

The Athena SWAN Charter launched in Ireland in 2015 with a specific remit to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).

This charter has since been expanded to include arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL) and staff working in professional, managerial and support roles (PMSS).

Athlone Institute of Technology is a research-led third-level institute with an applied, industry-focused offering, world-class research and development capabilities, and state-of-the-art facilities. Winner of The Sunday Times Institute of the Year 2020 and 2018, AIT is Irelands top-ranked institute of technology and is on track to open its doors as the countrys third technological university in September 2021. AIT tops Irelands official league table for research and was listed in U-Multiranks Top 25 Performing Universities in the World for Interdisciplinary Research in 2018 and 2019. For information relating to AITs undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, visit www.ait.ie.
A federal judge on Tuesday cast a blow to Donald Trump by ruling that non-disclosure agreements the president required campaign employees to sign are too broad and unenforceable.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul Gardephe, an appointee of President George W. Bush, said the language in the agreement was so vague that it was invalid under New York contract law.

'The non-disclosure provision is thus much broader than what the Campaign asserts is necessary to protect its legitimate interests, and, therefore, is not reasonable,' he wrote.

The disclosure agreement, which campaign staff were required to sign, became an issue when Jessica Denson, a Hispanic outreach director for Trump in 2016, accused the campaign of sex discrimination in a separate lawsuit.

In return, the campaign accused her of violating the non-disclosure agreement she signed.

A federal judge ruled Donald Trump can't enforce non-disclosure agreement he required his campaign aides to sign - above Trump is seen visiting his campaign headquarters in Virginia to thank staff on November 3, 2020

Jessica Denson, a Hispanic outreach director for Trump in 2016, sued to have the non-disclosure agreement thrown out

Gardephe also said the non-disclosure suppressed freedom of speech.

'The Campaign's past efforts to enforce the non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions demonstrate that it is not operating in good faith to protect what it has identified as legitimate interests,' Gardephe ruled. 'The evidence before the Court instead demonstrates that the Campaign has repeatedly sought to enforce the non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions to suppress speech that it finds detrimental to its interests.'

Denson praised the ruling.

'I'm overjoyed,' she told Politico. 'This president  former president spent all four years aspiring to autocracy while claiming that he was champion of freedom and free speech. ... There's many people out there who have seen cases like mine and were terrified to speak out.'

But Trump's team disagreed with the finding.

'We believe the court reached the wrong decision and President Trump's lawyers are examining all potential appeals,' a Trump aide told Politico.

Trumps campaign had won a $50,000 award against Denson after claiming that she had violated the confidential agreement when she first said she was mistreated and harassed by another campaign staffer. That award was overturned by a New York State court last year.

Then she sued to have the non-disclosure agreement thrown out.

The ruling only applies to Denson but could be broadened to other aides.

She claimed that non-disclosures like Trump's 'stifled public debate.'

'Just the terms of the NDA were wildly restricting and it completely stifled public debate, truthful public debate about the Trump campaign and presidency, so this is a massive victory,' Denson told Politico. 'NDAs like this are part of the reason why we ended up with a Donald Trump candidacy and presidency in the first place.'

Trump, in his years as a New York City businessman, required employees to sign non-disclosure agreements, a practice he carried over to his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.

Donald Trump, in his years as a New York City businessman, required employees to sign non-disclosure agreements, a practice he carried over to his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns and to the White House

He also required White House staff to sign them even as first amendment advocates warned it was unconstitutional to make such a demand on public employees paid with tax payer dollars.

Trump's Justice Department tried to enforce such an agreement on Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former aide to Melania Trump who was accused of violating her non-disclosure agreement when she wrote a tell-all book about the former first lady.

The suit was seen as retaliation for the unflattering portrayal Wolfkoff gave of Melania Trump in her book 'Melania & Me.'

President Joe Biden's Justice Department dropped that suit in February.
Star-studded escapades: Bear Grylls with actress Julia Roberts in Kenya

This week adventurer and broadcaster Bear Grylls checks into our travel Q&A.

He talks about his essential travel item, his dream holiday hideaway - and more.

ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ITEM?

A spirit of staying calm in a crisis and a never-give-up attitude.

LAST HOLIDAY?

Paragliding in Grande Dune du Pilat in France with the family last year. It is the tallest sand dune in Europe.

FAVOURITE SOUVENIR?

I still have some snow water from the summit of Everest. My late father used to take sips of it for strength. But really it wasnt about the water. It was about believing dreams are worth fighting for and never giving up.

WHY IS TRAVEL SO IMPORTANT?

The wild parts of our world are becoming ever more threatened by destruction. My travels have taught me how precious this planet is, and how fundamental nature is to humanity. Its so important to get outdoors so we can all forge a stronger relationship with the natural world.

WHATS THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL?

People want experiences that challenge them, create powerful memories and give them a sense of pride. We are forever pushing our boundaries  humans are hard-wired to explore. But having adventures close to home is also important. You dont have to travel to the ends of the Earth for the outdoors to inspire and change us. Adventure is a state of mind.

EARLIEST HOLIDAY MEMORY?

When I was seven, I went to Disney World in Florida with my family. It was our first overseas holiday, and even though we stayed in a cheap airport hotel and the queues lasted all day for one ride, it was so amazing. To be in such heat was a first, and just being in a pool that was so blue, and drinking buckets of lemonade.

HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO TACKLE TRIPS?

I always tell them the best trips often dont go to plan. Be prepared for the unexpected and go with it. The wild, open road often throws curve balls and you have to be ready for them. And in terms of attitude: positivity, resourcefulness, courage and, above all, determination.

Bear's last holiday was paragliding in Grande Dune du Pilat in France with his family last year

WHAT WERE YOUR CHILDRENS FIRST PASSPORT STAMPS?

Hawaii. They came with me to the Big Island while I was filming Man vs. Wild in the early days. Shara [Bears wife] and I quickly realised, though, that filming trips with little kids was a washout. We barely saw each other and they were stuck on their own in the middle of nowhere.

EVER HAD A PACKING DISASTER?

Often. Its why I always carry the real essentials on my person, so if bags go missing, its not a total disaster.

HOT OR COLD CLIMATE?

Hot. I got frostbite on Everest and in ultra-cold climates, those toes still get painful  fast.

DREAM HOLIDAY?

Our small island hideaway in North Wales  its where I feel most at home. We have no mains electricity or water and run everything off-grid, but our three boys, Shara and I are happier there than anywhere else on Earth. We dive, train, paraglide and climb. Its very special.
FILE PHOTO: The first Air France airliner Airbus A350 prepares to take off after a ceremony at the aircraft builder's headquarters in Colomiers near Toulouse, France

PARIS (Reuters) - France and the European Union are close to a deal on a bailout for Air France, which like other carriers has been hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday, confirming media reports.

"We are nearing a deal...It is a matter days," Le Maire told France Info radio, adding there could be concessions to ensure fair competition.

"It's not about closing lines or cutting jobs. Concessions are being asked to ensure fair competition between Air France and other carriers," Le Maire said without providing further details.

On Friday French daily Le Monde said the French government and the European Union's executive were close to an agreement on the terms of a bailout for Air France.

The expected deal would see Air France give up fewer airport flight slots at its Paris base than initially sought by the European Commission, notably at Orly airport, the newspaper had said.

The Air France-KLM group recorded a 7.1 billion euro ($8.38 billion) net loss for last year.

It received 10.4 billion euros in loans and guarantees from France and the Netherlands and has been negotiating a state-backed recapitalisation, with EU regulators seeking airport slot concessions at Paris-Orly and Amsterdam-Schiphol.

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Alex Richardson and Louise Heavens)
President Joe Biden's dog Major was engaged in another biting incident on Monday that actually caused medical attention.

President Biden's dog nipped a White House person

According to CNN, the White House South Lawn incident occurred and involved a National Park Service employee. The employee, who was on the job, was treated by the White House medical team, as per CNN.

First lady Jill Biden's press secretary Michael LaRosa confirmed to CNN that Major nipped a person on a walk out of the abundance of caution. However, the WHMU checked the person and then returned to work.

Biden's dog, Major, was seen walking on the White House lawn with a member of the White House team on Monday. According to photos tweeted by Reuters' White House reporter Jeff Mason, he was unleashed.

Following a "biting incident" that forced Major to attend extra training, the 3-year-old German Shepherd and his 12-year-old pal Champ were taken to Biden's home in Delaware a few weeks ago. The dogs were aggressive toward White House security and employees, as per the reports. Major charged at several members of the team, but Biden told ABC News' George Stephanopoulous that "Major did not bite anyone and penetrate the skin."

Joe Biden Unlikely to Issue Fourth Stimulus Check; Eyes on Infrastructure, Child Care

In an attempt to explain his dog's conduct, Biden said that Major was protecting the president, The Sun reported. The first instance of biting occurred on March 8, when Major injured a Secret Service agent.

At a March 9 press conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "Major was surprised by an unknown person and responded in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual." The White House Medical Unit took care of the injuries, Psaki assured, adding that no further treatment was needed.

By March 23, the dogs had finished their training and returned to the White House. In 2018, the Biden family adopted Major.

US President Joe Biden Does Not Intend to Meet with North Korea Leader, White House Claims

White House: President Biden's dog is still adjusting

The first lady's press secretary claimed that Biden's dog is still adjusting to his new surroundings. The incident reported was the second nipping event for Biden's 3-year-old German Shepherd.

The first incident caused Major and Biden's other dog to temporarily return to their home in Wilmington, Delaware, where the dogs got some training. According to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, the Wilmington trip was arranged because Jill Biden was flying, and it was not a punishment for Major.

After the first attack, the president told ABC News that he always felt Major was a 'good boy' who was only having trouble adjusting to his new surroundings. Joe Biden insisted that Major is a sweet dog, saying, "You turn a corner and there's two people you don't know at all. And he moves to protect."

Major isn't the first German Shepherd named Major to live in the White House, but he is the first rescue dog to do so. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's dog Major "was used to chase White House maids to the point that they had to use their brooms and dust mops to keep him at bay," and was engaged in at least three biting incidents, as per the NBC News.

President Biden, CDC Give Stark Warning as COVID-19 Rebounds, Urge States To Pause Re-Opening Efforts

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
When Frank Manteau joined the Marine Corps in 1995, the eating crayons joke didnt exist quite yet. He was used to the more timeless derogatory words, like jarhead and bullet sponges. Neither of them bothered him.

Anytime someone pushes a joke toward United States Marines, we dont get upset; we dont get offended, Manteau tells Military.com. We embrace the joke.

It was in the spirit of embracing the joke about Marines being crayon eaters that inspired Manteau to create a real, writable and edible crayon for all Marines -- and anyone else -- to enjoy. He calls them Crayons Ready-to-Eat.

Manteau is not risk averse. After leaving the Marines in 2002, he abruptly moved across the country to San Diego to start a new life. In 2007, he quit his job selling auto parts and cashed in his 401(k) to start a woodworking business, Kamikaze Woodwerks.

One day, he was working on a project for his daughters high school color guard team. Using crayons to create the design, he put one in his mouth as he switched colors. By then, the crayon eater joke was much more popular, and the fact that he was a Marine Corps veteran with a crayon in his mouth was not lost on him.

I began to wonder, Is there truly an actual, edible crayon? he recalls. So I decided to look into it and began three months of research.

The research paid off. He found a company in Singapore that made chocolate crayons, but they took out the sugar and chocolate to deter children from eating them. Being technically edible, but not worth eating, it wasnt going to fit his idea of creating a real, edible crayon. But it did give him a place to start: chocolate.

Im like, Thats not going to work, Manteau says. But right then and there, I knew it had to be made of chocolate, and I have lots of experience, but I needed help from someone I knew who knew how to make chocolate.

Manteau tapped his friend, Cassandra Gordan, to help develop the chocolate for the crayons. Gordon, who comes from an Army family, fully embraced his idea, and the two began perfecting the size, shape and consistency of the chocolate required.

The two created a melt-resistant formula, one that was sturdy enough to hold without being too firm to eat and, most importantly, still could be used to color. They also used triangle-shaped molds, so the edible crayons would not roll off the table and would be easily distinguishable from regular, inedible wax crayons.

He first debuted the creation at a 2018 Bunker Labs Veterans in Residence event in San Diego. Through his woodworking business, he was commissioned to create some custom work for Raymond Lott, also known as The Marine Rapper. He mentioned Crayons Ready-to-Eat to Lott, who invited him to serve the crayons at the event.

It was an opportunity to really see that I had an idea with something, says Manteau.

(Courtesy of Crayons Ready-To-Eat)

Long story short, Manteau had an idea with something. He walked out of the networking event with Marine models wanting to do photoshoots with his product and an offer to pitch to the Veterans in Residence program. Manteau hadnt yet started his business, but he was about to put it into high gear.

His efforts soon led to the formation of the business end of Crayons Ready-to-Eat, a website, merchandise, unique packaging reminiscent of military MRE pouches and unique colors named for the derogatory nicknames of all branches of the military: Jarhead Red, Squid Blue, Dogface Green, Flyboy Yellow and Puddle Pirate Orange. He soon will launch Space Cadet White to acknowledge the Space Force.

Currently, Crayons Ready-to-Eat are only available for pickup in the San Diego area, but the company is raising more capital to ship the product nationwide via Fund the First, a crowdfunding site created for first responders and military-connected startups. So far, Manteau has raised just shy of 10% of his $75,000 goal.

(Courtesy of Crayons Ready-To-Eat)

To help Manteau start shipping Crayons Ready-to-Eat, visit the companys crowdfunding page on Fund the First: Crayons Ready-to-Eat. To learn more about Manteau and how hes determined to make a crayon eater out of all of us, visit the Crayons Ready-to-Eat website.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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SALEM, Ore.  Democrats in the Oregon Senate successfully passed a bill on Thursday that would allow local jurisdictions to bar concealed carry in certain public spaces.

Senate Bill 554, which passed the Senate in a 16-7 vote, would authorize the entities in charge of schools, hospitals, government buildings, schools, airports and other public places to adopt an ordinance barring concealed handguns in those buildings and adjoining grounds.

As written, Oregon law gives people with a concealed handgun license (CHL) an "affirmative defense" for possessing a firearm in public, even if guns are otherwise made illegal to carry in that area. If signed into law, SB 554 would allow the removal of that affirmative defense on the premises.

I am a gun owner. Im a military veteran and a former law enforcement officer. That means I have seen  many times  that when a gun is present the situation is more dangerous and the loss of life is more likely, said Senator James Manning, a Democrat who sponsored the bill. Senate Bill 554 does not impact ones ability to get a CHL, but if a public entity decides, they can eliminate firearms on their premise no matter your CHL status, which I believe removes intimidation and leads to a healthier workplace.

If one of the jurisdictions covered by the bill decides to ban guns, the bill requires that notice be posted at all entrances so that it is clearly visible. Violations of these ordinances would have a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $125,000, or both.

The fee due to a county sheriff's office for initial issuance of a concealed handgun license would also increase from $50 to $100, and renewal would cost $75.

Senate Republicans issued a statement decrying the bill's passage, claiming that it would make Oregonians less safe by taking away the ability of "reasonable Oregonians" to defend themselves. They argued that CHL holders are statistically unlikely to commit felonies, and commit crimes less than police officers.

Let me be clear, this radical policy does absolutely nothing to solve gun violence or make communities safer, Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod said. It will make it worse. Democrats have brought forth zero evidence that this will do anything except criminalize responsible Oregonians. At a time when Democrats are advancing ideas that would embolden violent criminals and hamstring police, to simultaneously strip responsible Oregonians of self-defense rights is unconscionable.

The bill now moves on to the Oregon House for consideration.
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its interim report on the origins of COVID-19.

This landmark report, coming over one year after the emergence of a deadly new virus that has upended life all over the world, is a major contribution to the collective knowledge of humanity and the struggle of science and medicine against disease, suffering and death.

Logo of the World Health Organization

The report draws upon the collective efforts of thousands of scientists, in hundreds of countries on every inhabited continent. It was the product of an international investigative team bringing together the worlds leading researchers from China, the United States, Russia, Japan, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Vietnam, and Qatar.

During and after their investigative trip to China, the researchers reviewed thousands of samples from Wuhan hospitals, mortality data for millions of people going back years, tens of thousands of patient records, tens of thousands of animal and wildlife samples, and the sequences of numerous related viruses primarily found in bats.

The report is a devastating blow to the effort of the American ruling class to promote the lie that the virus originated in a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan. It dismisses out of hand the claim that COVID-19 was developed as a biological weapon, concluding that this has been ruled out by other scientists following analyses of the genome.

The WHO considered the possibility of a laboratory leak. But it dismissed this possibility as extremely unlikely, declaring, There is no record of viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 in any laboratory before December 2019, or genomes that in combination could provide a SARS-CoV-2 genome.

Instead, the report found that COVID-19 most likely originated in a population of bats  or potentially some other animal  before traveling through a series of animal intermediaries to infect humans. While the report recognized that the first major outbreak took place in Wuhan, China, and most cases were clustered around the Hua'nan wet market, it did not conclude that either Wuhan or the market  or even China for that matter  were the origin of the disease.

The report examines the closest relatives of the SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes COVID-19, most of which are bat viruses but some of which were identified in pangolins, as well as the closest human virus, SARS-Cov, which caused the SARS pandemic of the early 2000s. While these viruses closely resemble the virus that causes COVID-19, the differences between them suggest that another animal may have served as an intermediary.

Committee member Dr. Peter Daszak said the report is a testament to how countries can come together to focus on the origins of emerging diseases. And viruses dont think about national boundaries. Daszak has made repeated statements denouncing the efforts to blame the outbreak of the virus on a Chinese laboratory.

The report and the subsequent press conference stressed that the investigation is ongoing. The WHO has requested a massive data set, consisting of the private health records of 76,000 people with flu-like illnesses before December, which China has not yet provided, but which the scientists said they hope to examine in the next stage of the investigation.

In China, like in many other countries, there are restrictions on privacy laws that forbid the sharing of data, including private details, said team leader Ben Embarek. That will be exactly the same in most countries in the world, if we were going there to do any studies and weve done many studies in the past, and we always face the same challenges.

While the conclusions of the scientific investigation are clear, the effort to blame the outbreak of the virus on China is a strategic imperative for the ruling class internationally.

The WHO, the public health agency of the United Nations, is itself under immense pressure from the major capitalist powers to keep the lie going. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sought to soften the conclusions of the report, releasing a statement Tuesday declaring, While the laboratory leak is the least likely hypothesis, this requires further investigation. Tedros added that all hypotheses remain on the table.

The report itself, however, entirely destroys the scientific credibility of the Biden administration, which has promoted the false conspiracy theory that the disease could have been released from a laboratory in China, originally promoted by Trump.

The Biden administration immediately condemned the study, with spokesperson Jen Psaki falsely claiming that it doesnt lead us to any closer of an understanding or greater knowledge than we had six to nine months ago about the origin. A further statement by the US and its closest allies, including India, Japan, and the UK, claimed the report lacked access to complete, original data and samples.

Two inter-related considerations lie behind the Wuhan lab lie. First, the ruling elites of the major capitalist powers want to shift blame for the pandemic from their own catastrophic policies, responsible for death on a massive scale, to China.

Last weekend, CNN ran a report on the US response to the pandemic that made clear that virtually the entire US response to the pandemic was dictated by the defense not of human lives, but rather the economic interests of the financial elite. As a result, more people have died from COVID-19 in the United States than in any other country. Desperate to shift the blame and create an external enemy, the US media and Biden administration are repeating Trumps maxim: Its Chinas fault!

Second, the Wuhan lab lie is connected to the geopolitical imperatives of American imperialism. The Biden administration is carrying out a massive military escalation against China, seeking to ring the country with offensive missiles and doubling US military spending in the Pacific. Three decades of unending war by the American ruling class in the Middle East and Central Asia are developing into a great power conflict, targeting its major competitors, including China.

All imperialist wars have been preceded by such systematic demonization through propaganda. One consequence of this propaganda is the significant growth of anti-Asian violence in the United States and internationally.

Humanity in the 21st century is making massive scientific breakthroughs, creating the possibility to rid the world of suffering, poverty, and disease. But the capitalist order breeds and feeds upon bigotry, ignorance, racism, and xenophobia, squandering vast social resources not only on the wealth of the oligarchy, but on deadly wars capable of totally destroying human society. If human progress is to prevail, capitalism must be abolished through an international movement of the working class for socialism.
COLUMBUS (dpa-AFX) - AEP Energy, a unit of American Electric Power (AEP), has signed a 12-year agreement with Opdenergy, under which Opdenergy will develop an 80-megawatt solar plant located in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Once operational, the plant will generate more than 153,000 megawatt hours per year of clean energy. The energy will be used to supply AEP Energy customers through the company's Integrated Renewable Energy solution. Opdenergy is an Independent Power Producer with extensive experience in the development, financing, construction, and operation of renewable assets, both in the solar power and wind energy fields. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA)  The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General and Chief of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Jan Kubis, has called for the stepping up of efforts to hold the general elections on schedule
RTE has apologised to Paschal Donohoes adviser over the manner in which a question about childrens shoes was put to the Finance Minister on Wednesdays Morning Ireland, it has emerged.

Mr Donohoe reacted angrily after Morning Ireland host Dr Gavin Jennings noted that his party had a particular history when it comes to childrens shoes when he was asking the minister about calls for childrens shoes to be made an essential retail item during the pandemic.

Dr Jennings remark was a reference to the notorious 1982 budget decision by the then Fine Gael finance minister John Bruton to introduce VAT on childrens shoes which led to the collapse of the Fine Gael-Labour coalition.

Mr Donohoe responded: Well Gavin, I am sorry you are referring to a budgetary decision that was made decades ago before I was even in politics about how we were handling a budget decision then.

Your question has in it an implicit suggestion that my party and myself are not aware of the health needs that young children have which I just want to reject in its entirety.

Dr Jennings responded by apologising, and said the availability of childrens shoes was regarded as essential by a paediatrician. But Mr Donohoe said the host was making an inference about how Fine Gael viewed that issue.

Fine Gaels parliamentary party meeting heard criticism on Wednesday evening of what junior minister Patrick O'Donovan, a frequent critic of RTE, described as an outrageous question to put to Mr Donohoe.

Senator Jerry Buttimer described it as appalling and said there should be a formal complaint made by Fine Gael to RTE about it.

The partys head of communications, Barry Duggan, was asked by Mr ODonovan to address the controversy. Mr Duggan told the parliamentary party meeting that following the programme, both Fine Gael and the Finance Ministers office contacted Morning Ireland to complain.

It is understood that Mr Donohoes press adviser received an apology from the producer of the show over the manner in which the question by Dr Jennings had been framed.

RTE declined to comment.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced earlier that shoe shops would be allowed to open by appointment to provide shoes for children.
WHO report on virus origins work of "collaboration," says WHO team leader

Xinhua) 16:22, March 31, 2021

Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows an exterior view of the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia)

"That would never been anything like that, if we did not have a very strong, very good cooperation with our colleagues in China; we would then have ended up with a very small report with very few results very few studies presented," he added.

GENEVA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) report on the joint WHO-China study of COVID-19 origins was a "consensus" effort of a "sheer size" but it was too soon to provide definitive conclusions in a work that is still in progress, the WHO research team said on Tuesday.

Peter K. Ben Embarek, a food safety and zoonosis expert with the WHO and leader of the international team of experts to Wuhan, told a press conference that conclusions of the report were the results of a consensus between all members of the team, which included 17 foreign experts and 17 Chinese scientists.

"Of course there were discussions forth and back, like always in this type of discussion," he said, stressing that "we were able to reach a consensus on all the issues."

Commending the collaboration with Chinese experts, Ben Embarek said, "the size of the report and the amount of material, results, analysis and data in the report speaks for itself in terms of how the collaboration went."

"That would never been anything like that, if we did not have a very strong, very good cooperation with our colleagues in China; we would then have ended up with a very small report with very few results very few studies presented," he added.

The 120-page document, composed after the team's 28-day field study in Wuhan, the capital city of China's Hubei Province earlier this year, shed light on the likeliness of different pathways for the origins of COVID-19.

They conclude that it's a "likely to very likely pathway" for the virus to infect humans through an intermediate host, while introduction of the virus through a laboratory incident was "extremely unlikely." And in between, direct zoonotic spillover is considered to be a possible-to-likely pathway, while cold food chain products are a possible pathway.

However, even though the report brought considerable amounts of data, definitive conclusions could not be brought in the report yet.

Photo taken on Jan. 22, 2020 shows an exterior view of the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Liu Qu)

"That was never the intention or the expectation," Ben Embarek said, "this is work in progress."

"I think there is a consensus that these new studies need to be undertaken, preferably as soon as possible," he added.

"We owe to the world to get a better understanding of the origin of this virus" that "created havoc on the planet," he said, extending the team's collective sincere thanks to Wuhan locals for their cooperation during their research.

Prof. Marion Koopmans, a team member from the Netherlands, said that experts both from China and overseas have come very far in the collaboration of finding the origins of the virus, for which they will continue following the scientific leads.

Dr. Peter Daszak from the United States said that it's the Chinese scientists who did a lot of work in tracing the origins, and that the report is a "testament to how, even under very intense scrutiny and very difficult political circumstances, countries can come together to focus on the origins of emerging diseases and viruses."

"Don't think about national boundaries if we really want to defeat pandemics; we have to come together with other countries to focus on how they (COVID-19) emerge and try and stop them for the future," Daszak said, expressing the hope that the spirit of goodwill continues.

A medical worker shows a dose of Chinese COVID-19 vaccine in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, March 29, 2021. (Photo by Roman/Xinhua)

Before the release of the report, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, said that the international experts from China and the WHO had demonstrated a scientific and open spirit and the Chinese government at all levels had provided necessary assistance for their work in Wuhan, which fully reflected the open, transparent and responsible attitude of China, and was highly appreciated by experts from both sides.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
A growing number of young people are identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community, and many are challenging binaries in gender and sexual identity to reflect a broader spectrum of experience beyond man or woman and gay or straight. But not everyone is participating equally in these diverse forms of expression, according to new research from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Psychology Professor Phillip Hammack's latest paper, published in the Journal of Adolescent Research, is shedding light on the social factors that can either hinder or support expression of diversity in sexual and gender identity among teens and young adults. In particular, regional differences and pressures to conform to masculinity may have a dampening effect on expression.

Hammack's research focused on teens between the ages of 14 and 18, who are among the younger members of Generation Z. Researchers wanted an in-depth understanding of these young people's experiences, so they performed detailed research at a small number of field sites in the San Francisco Bay Area and California's Central Valley.

These sites were selected to represent higher and lower levels of resources, rights, and visibility for sexual and gender diversity. Within these communities, researchers surveyed 314 LGBTQ+ teens and conducted extensive interviews with 28 LGBTQ+ youth informants and 24 adult LGBTQ+ leaders.

Almost a quarter of all LGBTQ+ youth surveyed expressed some form of nonbinary gender, and use of they/them pronouns was common. But there was a difference of more than 11 percentage points in the proportion of youth expressing nonbinary gender identity in the Bay Area compared to the Central Valley. Some study participants told researchers that, while they felt diverse sexuality is becoming more broadly normalized, gender diversity is still less accepted.

Researchers found that there was also less open discussion of sexual diversity in Central Valley communities compared to the Bay Area, but in this case, there was no corresponding difference in diversity of sexuality labeling. Study participants often mentioned finding information through the internet and social media, rather than their geographic communities.

Being online is kind of like the great equalizer for LGBTQ youth, and I think that benefits them all tremendously." Phillip Hammack, Psychology Professor

Researchers also noticed that teens who were assigned female at birth seemed more comfortable with diverse forms of gender expression. Among teens in the study group who identified with a nonbinary gender label, 78.7 percent were assigned female at birth. There were also notably more transgender boys in the study than transgender girls.

During interviews, study participants consistently shared stories of how those who were assigned male at birth faced strong pressures to conform to standards of masculinity. Accounts of violence against transgender women of color were common in interviews, along with other fears that it might not be safe for those assigned male at birth to express nonconforming gender or sexual identities.

Hammack said he believes harmful "regulation of masculinity" may stem from feelings of insecurity among boys as gender hierarchies are being challenged. The paper's documentation of these trends contributes to the future of LGBTQ+ research and support.

Ultimately, perceptions of gender and sexuality labels can affect which types of resources are most accessible for teens. For example, Hammack said that cisgender gay males in the research areas were noticeably missing from LGBTQ+ support groups, which may indicate that these spaces are being perceived as "feminine."

Similarly, the study found that some identity labels are racialized in ways that may make boys of color less likely to identify with them. But targeted recruitment efforts could help LGBTQ+ support groups for teens to better reflect the true diversity of the community.

Hammack hopes his research might offer a window into that diversity to create greater acceptance and recognition across all labels.

"I've actually been trying to shift my speech away from saying LGBTQ+, with that uncomfortable plus sign, because there are so many identities that are not captured within that label," Hammack said. "I've been thinking about these issues instead as phenomena of sexual and gender diversity, and I'd like to see more researchers and educators recognizing those nuances within the community."
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union supports the American Jobs Plan as, among its many positive goals, it will promote job creation and enact worker protections. The administration's commitment to modernizing the nation's aging infrastructure will create good-paying jobs that will revitalize the middle class for working Americans.

"The American Jobs Plan will modernize our roads, bridges, ports, airports, rail, and transit systems  all critical parts of America's supply chain," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "Teamsters work each day in every part of this supply chain and know firsthand that our transportation infrastructure has been neglected for too long."

The administration's push for Congress to enact the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act as a key piece of the American Jobs Plan is another sign that President Biden is fulfilling his promise to reform labor law and empower millions of workers looking for a voice on the job.

"At its core, the American Jobs Plan is not only commitment to investing in our infrastructure, but also investing in the American people," Hoffa said. "Not since Roosevelt's New Deal has a president undertaken such a comprehensive plan to help set America back on course. This plan creates good-paying jobs now and in the future while taking real action, through the PRO Act, to level the playing field for middle class workers who have been fighting for their right to join a union free from employer intimidation."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

-30-

Contact:

Galen Munroe, (202) 439-7427

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Related Links

http://www.teamster.org


press release

East Africa - a key security partner in the war on terror and a principal engine of economic development on the African continentis being critically undermined by illicit trade, according to the new report An Unholy Alliance: Links Between Extremism and Illicit Trade in East Africa from the Counter Extremism Project (CEP).

Terror groups such as al-Shabaab and ISIS-linked affiliates in Somalia and Mozambique, as well as Central African militias, urban gangs, and international crime groups are increasingly targeting East Africa as a destination market for illicit trade, as well as a transport hub for the mass import and export of illegal goods.

Terrorists groups continue to cash in on the illegal ivory trade to pay their soldiers and fund their campaigns of terror, while Somali warlords profit from the thousands of bags of cheap, illicit sugar that are smuggled into Kenya every day. Meanwhile, the multi-million-dollar illegal tobacco industry funds corruption, insurgency, and the illegal arms trade across the region.

Sir Ivor Roberts, CEP senior advisor and author of the report, outlined the difficulties faced by the region: As illicit trade networks continue to expand and mature in their sophistication, the cost to East African society has been enormous. At every link in the illicit chain, economic, social, and political harm is done to East African society, while terror and crime groups grow stronger.

Many terrorist and extremist groups operating in and around East Africa, including al-Shabaab, ISIS, and the Lords Resistance Army, are supported and sustained by the illicit trade, as they continue to benefit from ill-gotten gains. Asian crime syndicates, Latin American narco-traffickers, and other international crime groups have also earmarked the region as a key location for smuggling narcotics, wildlife, precious stones, and counterfeit goods.

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As East Africa struggles to recover from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sir Ivor believes the region must prioritise measures which target illicit trafficking.

Sir Ivor said: The most effective way from the East African region, and the wider international community, to fight extremism, crime, and corruption is to turn off the taps of illicit trade. This can ensure critical revenues are not lost to the shadow economy but are instead invested in key services. Combating illicit trade should be the number one priority for East African governments and their international allies. This issue goes beyond the borders of East Africa, and it is imperative that the international community pay heed.

To read the report, please click here: https://www.counterextremism.com/content/unholy-alliance

About the Counter Extremism Project

The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a not-for-profit, non-partisan, international policy organization formed to combat the growing threat from extremist ideologies. Led by a renowned group of former world leaders and diplomats it combats extremism by pressuring financial and material support networks; countering the narrative of extremists and their online recruitment; and advocating for smart laws, policies, and regulations.

For more information on the Counter Extremism Project, please visit: https://www.counterextremism.com/
A genetic analysis of virus samples suggests that the UK-originating variant, which is 40-50 percent more transmissible, entered the country in late November 2020

LA JOLLA, CA--The faster-spreading B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 first detected in the United Kingdom, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is quickly on its way to becoming the dominant variant of the virus in the United States, according to a study from scientists at Scripps Research and the COVID-19 test maker Helix.

The findings, which appear today in Cell, suggest that future COVID-19 case numbers and mortality rates in the United States will be higher than would have been otherwise. The analysis suggests that the variant, which has been detectable in an increasing proportion of SARS-CoV-2 samples, is 40-50 percent more transmissible than SARS-CoV-2 lineages that were previously dominant. Other studies have found evidence that the B.1.1.7 variant may be about 50 percent more likely to cause fatal COVID-19.

"B.1.1.7 rapidly became the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the U.K. and other countries after its emergence late last year, and the U.S. is now on a similar trajectory," says study co-senior author Kristian Andersen, PhD, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research and director of Infectious Disease Genomics at the Scripps Research Translational Research Institute. "We need immediate and decisive action to minimize COVID-19 morbidity and mortality."

In addition to Andersen, the other senior author was William Lee, PhD, vice president of science at Helix, which provides PCR-based COVID-19 testing to organizations across the United States. The study was also authored by Nicole Washington, PhD, associate director of research at Helix, and Karthik Gangavarapu of the Andersen Lab.

"B.1.1.7 has a doubling rate of a little over a week and an increased transmission rate of 40-50 percent, which means it could have a meaningful impact on public health," says Lee. "It is critical that we continue to monitor the spread of this and other emerging variants, but our current level of surveillance is inadequate and lags behind that of other countries. We need a more comprehensive national SARS-CoV-2 genomics surveillance program to address this."

The B.1.1.7 variant emerged in southern England last year and has since become the dominant variant in the U.K. In December, Andersen's team at Scripps Research with colleagues at University of California, San Diego confirmed the first evidence of the variant in California.

A pattern of dominance

The B.1.1.7 variant contains several mutations, including several in the gene that encodes the viral spike protein. These mutations increase the spike's ability to bind to the ACE2 receptor on human cells. Although there is no evidence yet that the B.1.1.7 variant can evade COVID-19 vaccines, public health officials fear its relatively high rate of spread will significantly worsen the pandemic before vaccines can end it.

Standard swab tests for the coronavirus check for distinctive genetic sequences at three sites on the viral genome; the B.1.1.7 variant, due to its mutations, shows up as positive for two of those sites, but negative for the third site, which is within the virus's spike gene.

The new analysis of roughly 500,000 Helix test results since July 2020 revealed that this two-of-three pattern, known as S-gene target failure, or SGTF, became consistently evident at a low frequency (0.2 percent) in mid-October. By the third week of February, it had risen to a frequency of 10.6 percent and was detected in patients from 25 different U.S. states and territories.

The SGTF pattern can occur with other SARS-CoV-2 variants that have spike gene mutations, but the researchers found by sequencing every SGTF sample they had from December through February, 662 of the 986 samples (67 percent) contained the B.1.1.7 variant. This suggests that the SGTF pattern on the swab tests can provide a quick albeit rough indication of B.1.1.7 prevalence.

Variant entered the country many times

The analysis also indicated that B.1.1.7 since December has accounted for a rapidly rising proportion of SGTF results--for example, reaching about 95 percent in California by mid-January. In addition to the 659 B.1.1.7 cases they detected via the SGTF method the researchers found three other cases of the B.1.1.7 variant among samples gathered as part of unbiased SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance efforts in California.

The 662 instances of B.1.1.7 sequenced in the study were from samples gathered in 10 U.S. states, although the researchers note that other testing labs covering a total of 33 U.S. states and territories have by now reported to the CDC at least one B.1.1.7 case.

The researchers' family tree-type analysis of the detected B.1.1.7 sequences show the variant has been introduced to the U.S. multiple times since at least late November 2020, especially in California and Florida, and in periods coinciding with increased travel, including Thanksgiving week.

The scientists also found that the variant, on the whole, appears to be spreading 40-50 percent faster than the variants of SARS-CoV-2 that previously dominated. They estimated that by the first week of February 2021, B.1.1.7 made up about 4.3 percent of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., including 4.2 percent of cases in California and about 11.5 percent of cases in Florida.

###

Support for the study was provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (75D30121P10258, 75D30120C09795), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (3U19AI135995-03S2, U19AI135995, U01AI151812), the National Institutes of Health (UL1TR002550), the Innovative Genomics Institute, and the New Frontiers in Research Fund provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Google employees in the United States will likely be allowed to return to the office next month, the company said on Wednesday.

Google and other tech companies that shuttered their offices at the start of the pandemic are gradually reopening work spaces as vaccines become widely available. Facebook told employees that its Menlo Park headquarters would open in May, and Uber has allowed a limited number of employees to return to its San Francisco offices. Other tech companies, like Twitter, have allowed employees to work from home indefinitely.

Workers at Google will have the option to return in April, Fiona Cicconi, Googles chief people officer, told employees in an email seen by The New York Times. Offices will operate at a limited capacity, and reopenings will vary state by state, based on the number of coronavirus cases in the area, Ms. Cicconi said.

Offices will begin to open in a limited capacity based on specific criteria that include increases in vaccine availability and downward trends in Covid-19 cases, Ms. Cicconi wrote. We advise you to get a vaccine, though it will not be mandatory to have one in order for Googlers to return to the office.
Bolton Technical, the industry leader in cellular signal booster technology and services, today announced the launch of the new WilsonPro A8000 by Wilson Electronics.

Although South Africa has fairly well-established mobile network coverage that delivers strong signal across its urban areas, even the strongest cellular signal cannot fully penetrate building materials such as glass, concrete and brick used to build modern buildings.

As companies get rid of their landlines and increasingly rely on mobile phones, the need for strong, reliable cellular signal has never been more important.

The WilsonPro A8000 commercial grade cell signal booster provides significantly enhanced voice and data signal inside buildings by finding existing signal outside the building, bringing that signal inside and amplifying it, and then distributing the amplified signal throughout the building, assuring strong, reliable cell coverage.

This cell signal amplifier system is perfect for large corporate office blocks, retail stores, manufacturing warehouses or commercial spaces of up to 8000m2.

The amplifiers are stackable and scalable. By combining amplifiers, installers can configure cellular coverage for in-building areas of up to 50,000m2  depending on the buildings architecture.

The amplifier generates up to 21 dBm in uplink power per port enabling it to reach towers at much greater distances. With up to 18 dBm in downlink power, its also one of the most powerful amplifiers in its price range.

With all four indoor-antenna ports equipped with up to 18 dBm downlink power of their own, each of the four indoor antennas can effectively broadcast signal.

The WilsonPro A8000 boasts the latest technology in cell signal boosting innovation such as all-new Multi-Tower Targeting technology. Multi- Tower Targeting Technology is a powerful technology developed by WilsonPro and available on their commercial-grade line.

This technology works through multiple outdoor antennas that are each dedicated to a different cell tower.

By dedicating each antenna to a different cell tower, it allows you to provide the best possible indoor cell coverage in a multi-tower environment.

In situations where you dont require multiple outdoor antennas, the WilsonPro A8000 can utilise common mode to maximise indoor cellular connectivity with a single outdoor antenna

Previously, IT technicians had to be onsite to diagnose any cellular amplifier issues. Leveraging one of WilsonPros newly enhanced features, the WilsonPro Cloud, users can monitor and adjust the amplifier from a remote location by using any device, smartphone, or tablet.

The WilsonPro Cloud portal saves up to three months worth of performance data.

WilsonPro Cloud allows you to control the booster and monitor all issues such as system failure, oscillation, change in signal strength and daily usage.

It allows IT professionals to troubleshoot remotely when needed and provides the necessary data to justify Return On Investment (ROI) on the infrastructure costs and manage user expectation in the building.

The A8000 incorporates Wilson Electronics state-of-the-art XDR (eXtended Dynamic Range) technology that prevents signal overload conditions which could force the amplifier to shut down.

When the WilsonPro A8000 amplifier systems senses that any incoming cell signal is too strong and threatens to overload the system, XDR automatically reduces amplifier gain to compensate while maintaining signal coverage throughout the building.

In-building Wireless Network Design Software  iBwave

iBwave, the industry standard software for in-building cellular planning & design has recently registered the WilsonPro A8000 as one of its components. RF designers can now create 3D models with a very high level of accuracy and faster than ever before.

Designers can import floor plans and create simulations using the A8000 and over 35,000 additional parts (antennas, cables, access points) to create advanced 3D designs that illustrates both coverage and capacity.

iBwave offers design automation that include automatic link budget calculations, automatic cable length calculations and automatic access point placements, as well as smart antennas contouring for live signal strength predictions all dramatically reducing the time to finish cellular design projects.

A detailed report showing predicted performance of the network, ouput maps as well as how it complies with clients performance KPIs is easily generated and ensures high-quality models are delivered using the A8000 amplifier that meet client expectations every time.

An Alternative to Active DAS

The WilsonPro A8000 provides a cost-effective, efficient alternative to active distributed antenna systems (active DAS) available in the South African market.

The cost of this system is on average less than a quarter of the cost of a traditional DAS system  and the benefits are plentiful.

Traditional Active DAS systems typically create a single-network signal  one that boosts signal only for a specific mobile network, for example, Vodacom or MTN.

Installing a WilsonPro A8000 system for large commercial coverage is less intensive and less expensive due to reduced infrastructure requirements, when compared to an Active DAS solution, which also leads to much shorter installation turn-arounds.

With all the benefits and features the WilsonPro A8000 offers, its easy to see why this solution is expected to revolutionise the in-building cellular coverage market in SA.

About Wilson Electronics and Bolton Technical South Africa

Wilson Electronics are North Americas largest manufacturer of consumer and commercial grade cell phone signal boosters. The 45 year old Utah Based Company offers state of the art R&D and testing facilities and own over 30 patents in this ever growing slice of technology.

Bolton Technical are the sole distributors of Wilson Electronics range of cellular amplifiers under the brand names WilsonPro and weBoost in Africa.

We offer world-class technical support based in Johannesburg and our installation teams work across South Africa. All our signal boosters come with a 30-day money back guarantee and 1 year product warranty.

All weBoost and WilsonPro Cell Phone Boosters are ICASA approved and legal for use in South Africa. Network protection is the highest priority for all boosters supplied by Bolton.

For more information visit us at Bolton Technical. A cell phone signal expert will gladly assist you in getting better signal today.

Contact us:

Bolton Technical

Tel: +27 11 749 3085

Cell: +27 71 271 4250

Email: [email protected]
[March 31, 2021] Wilkes University Delivers a Modern Search Experience to Students with Yext Answers

NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Yext, Inc. (NYSE: YEXT), the Answers Search Company, and Wilkes University, a private college in Pennsylvania, today announced their collaboration to deliver accurate, up-to-date information to students and faculty on Wilkes.edu with Yext Answers, Yext's revolutionary search product. While redesigning its website, its main channel for engagement with potential students, Wilkes University prioritized incorporating advanced, more modern search because its legacy experience wasn't powerful enough to understand nuanced queries beyond a handful of FAQs. With search activity on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilkes University selected Yext Answers, an advanced search experience powered by natural language processing (NLP) and Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) technology, to deliver official answers to questions about COVID-19 safety protocols, virtual tours, tuition, admissions, programs of study, financial aid, and more. Using search intelligence from Yext Answers, Wilkes University was able to identify the information that its most frequent site visitors, including prospective students, enrolled students, and faculty, were asking for, and used it to inform the site's ongoing redesign. It took the Wilkes team just 20 days to load 80 academic programs onto its Answers experience, and 25 days to launch 176 searchable FAQs. Two months after implementing Answers, the university saw a 54% click-through rate on site search results. "Yext Answers has really helped us better understand what students are searching for  and what thei expectations are," said Mandy Pennington, Director of Digital Marketing at Wilkes University. "By providing students with accurate answers and updates about COVID-19 and beyond, we're creating an infinitely better experience for them."



"The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that just being digital-first doesn't cut it  you have to be digital best," said David Rudnitsky, President and Chief Revenue Officer at Yext. "By implementing a modern search solution with Yext Answers, Wilkes University is differentiating itself from other educational institutions by meeting students where they primarily are this year  online  with the answers they need to make important decisions." Learn more about Wilkes University's success with Answers here.

About Yext

The ultimate source for official answers about a business online should be the business itself. However, when consumers ask questions on company websites, too often they are left in the dark with wrong answers. Yext (NYSE: YEXT), the Search Experience Cloud, solves this problem by organizing a business's facts so it can provide official answers to consumer questions  wherever people search. Starting with the company website, then extending across search engines and voice assistants, businesses around the world, like T-Mobile, Jaguar Land Rover, BBVA USA, and Kiehl's  as well as organizations like the U.S. State Department and World Health Organization  trust Yext to radically improve the search experience on their websites and across the entire search ecosystem. Yext's mission is to help businesses and organizations around the world deliver official answers everywhere people search. Yext has been named a Best Place to Work by Fortune and Great Place to Work, as well as a Best Workplace for Women. Yext is headquartered in New York City with offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, Chicago, Dallas, Geneva, London, Miami, Milan, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, and the Washington, D.C. area. About Wilkes University

Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, Wilkes is on a mission to create one of the nation's finest doctoral universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Brookings Institution ranked Wilkes 14th in the nation for middle-class mobility. In addition to 45 majors, Wilkes offers 24 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. CONTACT: Amanda Kontor, pr@yext.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wilkes-university-delivers-a-modern-search-experience-to-students-with-yext-answers-301259182.html SOURCE Yext, Inc.

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In this file photo dated Monday, March 22, 2021, vials of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in a fridge at the local vaccine center in Ebersberg near Munich, Germany. German officials have decided to limit the use of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine in people under 60 after more unusual blood clots were reported in a small number of people who received the shots. Earlier this month, more than a dozen countries, including Germany, suspended their use of AstraZeneca over the blood clot issue. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

The head of the European Medicines Agency said Wednesday that there is "no evidence" that would support restricting the use of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine in any population, as Germany has now done amid concerns over rare blood clots in people who got the shot.

But EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said her Amsterdam-based agency continues to study reports of new cases as they come in and will provide a further assessment next week.

On Tuesday, an independent vaccine expert panel in Germany said AstraZeneca shots should not routinely be given to people under 60 because of a rise in reported cases of unusual blood clots in the days after vaccination.

The German government followed the recommendation and said the British-Swedish company's vaccine would be prioritized for people age 60 and older, although exceptions can be made in consultation with doctors.

The move put the spotlight back on the European Medicines Agency, which authorized the AstraZeneca vaccine in January and said earlier this monthafter some European countries suspended its use over blood clot fearsthat the vaccine's benefits outweigh the risks.

"According to the current scientific knowledge, there is no evidence that would support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population," Cooke told reporters.

She said the agency's assessment was based on 62 cases worldwide of unusual blood clots, including 14 deaths, reported to EMA by March 22. Those figures included a "significant" number of the cases reported from Germany, but not all, she said.

The doctor Wolfgang Ritter vaccinates the couple Edith and Erich Dengler at the start of the Corona vaccinations in Bavarian GP practices in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Vaccinated was the vaccine from Astrazeneca. (Peter Kneffel/dpa via AP)

German regulators said they had received 31 reports of rare blood clots in the head in recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine and nine deaths up to March 29, roughly doubling the number that had been reported in the country by March 22.

Cooke said the EMA will include the Germany cases in its review "and they will form part of the ongoing evaluation that the committee is undertaking, as will any additional cases that are reported from other countries and regions."

Based on the numbers reported to the agency so far, there have been 4.8 cases of the rare blood clots per million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine administered, she said.

"For the BioNTech vaccine, based on the same criteria, it was 0.2 cases per million," Cooke added, referring to the shot a German biotechnology company developed with U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. "And for the Moderna vaccine based on the same criteria, zero cases per million. But that probably reflects that there's a lot less use of Moderna at the moment in Europe."

She said the EMA's experts so far had not determined any underlying risk factors for the blood clots or established a causal relationship to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

"The link is possible, and we cannot say any more than that at this point," Cooke said.

Among those affected by Germany's decision to halt the AstraZeneca vaccine's use in under 60-year-olds were tens of thousands of teachers, who had only recently been offered appointments for the shot.

The head of the German Teachers' Association, Heinz-Peter Meidinger, described the decision as a "catastrophic setback" and called for school staff to be offered another type of vaccine instead.

Explore further France recommends AstraZeneca jab for over-55s only

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Even though weve limited the size of our tours  the same as the wineries have  we still come into contact with people from all over the country, Kreider said. So Im happy to have gotten my first dose, because you never know what variation of this (virus) youre going to get  whether its going to be mild or its going to kill you.

California is set to drastically expand eligibility statewide in coming weeks; state residents 50 years of age or older will be eligible to receive their shots beginning April 1, and residents between the ages of 16 and 50 years old beginning April 15.

Vaccine supply is the biggest obstacle to getting those groups vaccinated, according to Dr. Michael Mason, who oversees geriatrics and continuing care for Kaiser Permanente Napa-Solano.
Businesses realize that being concerned for the environment and earning a related designation might not be enough.

In a world of inequities, where consumers are paying more attention to who they give their money to, being organic or sustainable may only be a start. Certified B Corporation is a fairly new designation that is more far- reaching; it requires an assessment of the impact an operation has on its workers, customers, community and environment.

Well-known consumer brands such as Ben & Jerrys and Patagonia have become Certified B Corporations, and wineries and breweries are among the thousands of companies to go through a rigorous review of social responsibility that balances profit, purpose and the greater good.

For consumers who care about such designations, spending on products with Certified B Corporation designations puts their dollars to work, not just to meet their needs and wants but also to go back into the world in a positive way.

I recently picked up some wines made by Certified B Corporations. One large winery to earn that designation is Fetzer, just in time for a badly needed label redesign that appears on the 2019 wines.

Fetzer is known for affordable, quality wines, and the fun Fetzer 2019 Monterey Gewurtztraminer is juicy and full of mandarin orange and mango with a hint of clove and touch of sweetness. $10. HHH 1/2

Oregon has, by one recent account, the most wineries classified as Certified B Corporations, with Brooks Winery and Sokol Blosser just to name a few.

A to Z 2019 Oregon Riesling has ripe pear and tropical notes with hints of acacia, honey and spice plus an off-dry finish. $15. HHHH

The Symington family has been at work making port, as well as some table wines, in the Douro Valley for 130 years. Cockburns Special Reserve Port is a medium-sweet port with character of cocoa, rum raisin and berry with a light body and a bit of tannins. $19. HHHH 1/2

An affordable luxury, port is best enjoyed chilled with dessert or as dessert in 2- to 3-ounce servings. An open bottle will keep refrigerated for several months.

Symingtons lineup includes some of the great names in port, such as Dows, Grahams and Warres, each of which I generally prefer to Cockburns. So if you see them, you can recognize them as part of the Symington Certified B Corportation family of brands.

Breweries have joined the movement as well, with names such as Allagash in Maine and New Belgium Brewing in Colorado also reaching the Certified B Corporation status.

You can find detailed information about how Certified B Corporations perform in a variety of areas, from governance to workers and the environment, at bcorporation.net.

GRADE: Exceptional HHHHH, Above average HHHH, Good HHH, Below average HH, Poor H

DAVID FALCHEK, executive director of the American Wine Society, reviews wines each week.
PHILIPSBURG:--- As of March 30th, there were six (6) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however three (3) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to thirty-seven (37). The total number of confirmed cases is now two thousand one hundred forty (2140).

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring thirty-six (36) people in home isolation. One (1) patient remains hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at twenty-seven (27).

The number of people recovered since the first case surfaced on St. Maarten has increased to two thousand seventy-six (2076). Sixty-eight (68) people are in quarantine based on contact tracing investigations carried out by CPS.



The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) Airport Health Team in collaboration with Health Care Laboratory Sint Maarten (HCLS) have tested 2614 travelers arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), while CPS tested 23, 608 people throughout the community. As the numbers continue to fluctuate, CPS will continue to actively execute its contact tracing measures.

Minister Panneflek urges everyone to be apart of the solution and register to be vaccinated. To register for the COVID-19 vaccine via the online registration form which is available in English, Spanish, and Creole, and can be found via this link: https://forms.sintmaartengov.org/form.aspx?v=OGtn05kNmb or by paper registration which can be found at Collective Prevention Services (CPS) at the Vineyard Office Park Building, the Division of Labour Affairs at the Simpson Bay Public Service Center in Simpson Bay, doctors offices, the Government Administration Building, and select pharmacies.
With increased investments in innovation, the company's research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020, increased 21.7% from that of 2019, to RMB565 million. As of December 31, 2020, Ascentage Pharma has built a robust pipeline of eight clinical-stage and four preclinical-stage small-molecule drug candidates. This pipeline consists of inhibitors that target key proteins in the apoptotic pathways, including the Bcl-2, IAP, and MDM2-p53 pathways, to restore normal apoptotic functions; and next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target mutant kinases in cancers. In an effort to further enrich its pipeline, Ascentage Pharma has entered into an agreement during the reporting period to obtain the exclusive global rights to a MDM2 protein degrader developed using the Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) technology.

During the reporting period, Ascentage Pharma made significant progress with its drug candidates and continued to rapidly advance its clinical development programs. The company has over 40 Phase I or Phase II clinical trials ongoing in the United States, Australia, and China. APG-2575, the company's core apoptosis-targeting drug candidate, and the first China-developed selective Bcl-2 inhibitor entering clinical development in China, is currently being evaluated in 13 clinical studies in a range of hematologic malignancies globally. The clinical study that enrolled over 50 patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (r/r CLL) has established clinical proof-of-concept (POC) in 2020, with preliminary results demonstrating an objective response rate (ORR) of more than 70% in the evaluable patients. Through its clinical development program, APG-2575 continues to show its excellent therapeutic potential.

Ascentage Pharma remains steadfastly committed to its global innovation strategy and its focus on the global market. As of March 31, 2021, four of Ascentage Pharma's investigational assets, including the Bcl-2 selective inhibitor APG-2575, the third-generation BCR-ABL inhibitor HQP1351, the novel dual-targeted Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor APG-1252, and the MDM2-p53 inhibitor APG-115, have been granted a total of 11 Orphan Drug Designations (ODDs) and a Fast-Track Designation (FTD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is a record-setting achievement for any Chinese biopharmaceutical company, and a testament to the company's global innovation and R&D capabilities.

With its first NDA granted the Priority Review status, the company is gearing up for commercialization

Ascentage Pharma's core drug candidate, the third-generation BCR-ABL inhibitor HQP1351 reached numerous major milestones in the past year. In June 2020, an NDA for HQP1351 based on the results of two pivotal Phase II studies was submitted to the CDE of China's National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of patients with T315I-mutant chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP CML) and accelerated phase CML (AP CML). This is Ascentage Pharma's first NDA submission since its inception. If approved, HQP1351 will become the first third-generation BCR-ABL inhibitor therapeutic in China.

Following the NDA submission, Guangzhou Healthquest Pharma Co., Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ascentage Pharma, was granted a Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) Pharmaceutical Manufacturing License (type B license) by the Medical Products Administration of Guangdong. This MAH Pharmaceutical Manufacturing License is the first ever awarded to a Class 1 novel chemical drug in Guangdong Province, and it helps laying a solid foundation for the future commercial manufacturing and launch of HQP1351. In October 2020, HQP1351 was granted the Priority Review status by the CDE, bringing the drug candidate one step closer to commercialization. In March 2021, HQP1351 was granted a Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the CDE, a designation that has once again validated the clinical utility of HQP1351.

During the reporting period, HQP1351 was also granted a series of ODDs and a FTD by the U.S. FDA, as the drug candidate was simultaneously advanced in its global clinical development. In the past year, the results from the pivotal Phase II studies of HQP1351 was presented through an oral presentation at the 62th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, marking the third consecutive year in which clinical data of HQP1351 were selected for oral presentation at the ASH Annual Meeting.

As HQP1351 is on the brink of commercialization, efforts to build out the company's commercial infrastructures are well underway. In December 2020, the company appointed its Chief Commercial Officer to build a marketing and sales team possessing strong track record and deep experience in the field of hematologic oncology. Meanwhile, Ascentage Pharma has also made rapid progress with the building of its manufacturing capabilities. The company's Global Headquarters, R&D center, and manufacturing facility have already sealed their roof structures and will likely enter operations in 2021.

Capitalizing on external opportunities through multiple global collaborations

While capitalizing on its robust inhouse R&D capabilities, Ascentage Pharma leveraged its vast network of partners to access new drug candidates and additional resources to further advance its R&D programs. During the reporting period, the company entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with China's National Clinical Research Center for Hematological Diseases to promote the research and clinical development in the field. Ascentage Pharma also signed an agreement with the University of Michigan to gain access to the PROTACs technology, a technology platform that has attracted much attention lately, to further strengthen the company's preclinical pipeline.

Meanwhile, Ascentage Pharma has established global partnerships with multiple leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. During the reporting period, the company entered into global clinical collaborations with MSD, and Acerta, the hematology research and development center of excellence of AstraZeneca, to jointly explore therapeutic potential of multiple combination therapies in a range of disease indications. In December 2020, the company's global strategic partner UNITY Biotechnology successfully advanced UBX1325 into clinical development for the treatment of age-related diseases, a development that led to a milestone payment to Ascentage Pharma.

Strengthening leadership position in the industry by building an intellectual property moat

Intellectual property rights are of vital importance to Ascentage Pharma, a China-based innovative biopharmaceutical company with a global footprint. As of December 31, 2020, the company has 110 issued patents and more than 450 patent applications globally, of which about 90 patents had been issued overseas.

"Leveraging our strategy of global innovation, Ascentage Pharma delivered multiple milestones in 2020, in defiance to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Dajun Yang, Chairman & CEO of Ascentage Pharma. "During the reporting period, we submitted our first NDA in China which was subsequently granted the Priority Review status by the CDE. This NDA submission bears tremendous significance for us as it marks a major step in our transition from clinical-stage biotech into a full-fledged global biopharmaceutical company with commercialized products. In the same period, the Bcl-2 inhibitor APG-2575, a core drug candidate in our apoptosis-targeting pipeline, achieved preliminary proof-of-concept clinical data that further demonstrated the drug candidate's therapeutic potential. In 2020, we initiated the company's first clinical study in Europe, and further expanded our global partnerships through the clinical collaboration agreements with MSD, and Acerta Pharma, the hematology research and development center of excellence of AstraZeneca. Furthermore, our inclusion into the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program further expanded our investor base. Moving forward, as a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies, we will press ahead with the implementation of our innovation strategies globally. To continue fulfilling our mission of 'addressing unmet clinical needs in China and around the world', we will further advance our clinical development to bring safe and effective therapies to patients as soon as possible and to create lasting value for our shareholders."

About Ascentage Pharma

Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK) is a globally focused, clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancers, CHB, and age-related diseases. On October 28, 2019, Ascentage Pharma was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code: 6855.HK.

Ascentage Pharma focuses on developing therapeutics that inhibit protein-protein interactions to restore apoptosis or programmed cell death. The company has built a pipeline of eight clinical drug candidates, including novel, highly potent Bcl-2, and dual Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitors, as well as candidates aimed at IAP and MDM2-p53 pathways, and next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Ascentage Pharma is also the only company in the world with active clinical programs targeting all three known classes of key apoptosis regulators. The company is conducting more than 40 Phase I/II clinical trials in the US, Australia, and China. HQP1351, the company's core drug candidate developed for the treatment of drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), has been granted an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and a Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the US FDA, and a New Drug Application (NDA) for the drug candidate has been submitted and subsequently granted Priority Review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in China. To date, Ascentage Pharma has obtained a total of 11 ODDs from the US FDA for four of the company's investigational drug candidates.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development.

SOURCE Ascentage Pharma

Related Links

http://www.ascentagepharma.com


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It remains unclear if Pappano will remain as musical director of Rome's Accademia S. Cecilia.

Sir Antonio Pappano is to replace Sir Simon Rattle as the chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.

His new job, which is one of the most sought after in the music world, will start in September 2024.

He will then step down from his other prestigious post in London as the music director of the Royal Opera House which he has held since 2002.

It is not yet clear whether or not Pappano will remain as the musical director of Rome's Accademia S. Cecilia.

He has managed to combine his job in Rome, which he has held since 2005, with that of the Royal Opera House in London so it must be hoped that he will not leave S. Cecilia, where he is much loved.

As S. Cecilia's music director he has been responsible for the growth of the orchestra's international reputation and during the covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions he has managed to keep the S. Cecilia orchestra and audiences going with its successful streamed concerts, even from a distance.

The next streamed S. Cecilia concert is on 2 April, conducted by Myung-Whun Chung, with music by Mozart and Rossini.

Pappano was born in London and moved with his Italian parents to the United States when he was a teenager.

Photo Conde Nast Traveller
China-Turkey joint venture inks long-term strategic cooperation deal with local suppliers

Xinhua) 16:55, March 31, 2021

ANKARA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- CRRC-MNG Rail System Vehicles Industry and Trade Ltd. (CRRC-MNG), a China-Turkey joint venture, signed a long-term strategic cooperation deal with dozens of Turkish suppliers on Tuesday.

The agreement, which was signed at a supply chain cooperation conference held in Turkey's capital Ankara, involves CRRC-MNG and 46 Turkish suppliers.

The deal, dubbed Supply Chain Cooperation Statement, aims at maintaining sustainable cooperation with Turkish businesses on the basis of the win-win principles.

Li Yangyang, general manager of the CRRC-MNG, said in his speech that his company has been pursuing localization which could benefit both the company itself and the Turkish supplies.

The CRRC-MNG has realized localization in product supplies, assembly and project management, which not only increases the R&D capabilities of local suppliers but also creates jobs for local workers, he added.

Nurettin Ozdebir, president of Ankara Industry Chamber, said the contribution of CRRC-MNG was important for the transport systems in Turkish cities including Ankara, adding the localization strategy of CRRC-MNG helps boost the economy of Turkey.

Several other Turkish officials including Yalcin Eyigun, general manager of infrastructure investment under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, and representatives from various Chinese and Turkish companies, also participated in the conference themed Cooperation and Win-win.

Jointly established in 2013 by Chinese rail manufacturer China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd. and Turkey's MNG Holding, CRRC-MNG has provided metro vehicles and services for important cities in Turkey, including Istanbul and Ankara.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
In February, Google announced that it was committing to training 100,000 Black women in digital skills. This announcement arrived as a PR Hail Mary amid the ever-growing industry and academic outcry over Googles firing of prominent, brilliant, respected A.I. researcher Timnit Gebru and recruiter April Christina Curley, both Black women and both exceptional contributors at the company. (Google claims that Gebru resigned; she says she did not.) The backlash occurred during a year of widespread protest against the centuries-old violence of racism and racialized capitalism in the United States.

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This is not the first time that a prominent tech organization has attempted to train up Black Americans. From 1968 to 1972, at least 18 programs to provide computing skills training to Black and brown Americans were established in the United States. They were located in East Coast and California cities, with one in St. Louis, Missouri. In some cases, they were provided by government or social welfare organizations; others were provided by professional organizations, including the Association for Computing Machinery. The programs often targeted young adults; one offered at Johns Hopkins University enrolled and graduated five Baltimore high school students. Another in the Albany, New York, area enrolled 31 Black students, of whom a third were women. Some of them taught keypunch or mainframe operation, which included batch processing, while others actually aimed to teach computer programming in COBOL or FORTRAN. This era was dominated by mainframe computers, when computer programs were typically communicated to a machine via a series of carefully pre-punched cards, and those programs were run one after another in sequences known as batches. Trainees in a few programs received hands-on experience running the IBM 1401, the (much-heralded) IBM 360 system, and the IBM 7030. Though their operations (and quality) varied by site, most programs were connected to the ACM; for example, members organized and volunteered in programs, and others reported on these training efforts at ACM conferences. At the national level, the organization launched the Committee on Computing and the Disadvantaged.

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A unifying theme motivating the programs appeared to be the notion that providing some basic digital skills training for Black and brown Americans, and thereby preparing them for entry-level jobs in the tech industry, would be a way to give them an advantage. In the words of many of the program organizers, and the ACM itself, these Black and brown Americans were disadvantaged. One scholar who has studied these programs, Arvid Nelsen, explained that most of the programs were established by white volunteers, and theylike many others at the time and sinceconflated communities of color with people experiencing poverty, and both of those with urban neighborhoods. Indeed, those white 1960s-era volunteers, who were computing professionals themselves, exhibited a strange mix of motivations. On one hand, they thought that digital skills would provide a path out of poverty and toward stability, in the myopic way that those who are privileged by race and gender (in this case, white men) imagine that others can easily re-create their privilege and success. On the other hand, they feared the instability, protests, and uprisings for Black lives that continued in the U.S. during those years, and they imagined that preparing Black and Latino Americans for entry-level jobs would quell those crises. They lacked an understanding of what comprehensive economic and social justice looked like, to say the least.

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Offering entry-level digital skills training to Black and Latino Americans did nothing to challenge the hierarchy of tech work already being established.

In many cases, there was a disconnect between what the majority-white organizers imagined their programs would accomplish and how the programs themselves were carried out. The organizers typically demonstrated little awareness of the structural obstacles imposed by centuries of forced enslavement, unpaid labor, Jim Crow violence, and then separate and emphatically unequal education, compensation, health care, and housing. According to a report published in one 1969 ACM conference proceedings, the Philadelphia program admonished students that any social problems that [they] might be experiencing cannot be an excuse for doing poorly.  The social aspects of a students life, regardless of how unpleasant, must be handled in an adult way and not be used as an excuse for under-accomplishment. By contrast, the San Diego program arranged for Spanish-speaking instructors for Latino students, and even converted a 40-foot tractor-trailer truck into a mobile training facility so that studentswho were spread across the sprawling citywould not have to spend upward of an hour commuting by bus to a central training location. Overall, however, the programs lacked both tech industry buy-in and continued funding, which is why many ran for only a few years. Those participants who completed the programs often could not secure jobs, even entry-level ones. In some cases, even outstanding program graduates were paid only $420 per month (about $3,100 today), which wasnt nearly enough to support themselves and their families.

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Furthermore, offering entry-level digital skills training to Black and Latino Americans did nothing to challenge the hierarchy of tech work already being established, in which white men were displacing Black and white women in computing jobs as the field become more socially, politically, and economically valuable (a process I describe in A Peoples History of Computing in the United States, and one addressed by Mar Hicks in their book Programmed Inequality and by Nathan Ensmenger in his book The Computer Boys Take Over). In her book Recoding Gender, Janet Abbate describes a 1968 General Electric program designed to place Black Americans in the Albany-Schenectady, New York, area into programming jobs. The training was open to those without a high school diploma and to those with police records, and there was no admissions testing. Well over half the students completed the training. Yet as Abbate cogently observes: Such experiments had little effect on the wider computing culture. Accepting black high-school dropouts as potentially talented programmers might have threatened the privileged status of technical skill. Instead, employers clung to the college degree as a promise of meritalthough whether that meant specific knowledge, general intelligence, or social standing was often unclear (emphasis mine).

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In short, just because Black men and women receive digital skills trainingwhether in the 1960s or the 2020sit provides no guarantee of employment, compensation, health insurance, job stability, job mobility, and overall power in the labor market. Perhaps some of the women trained by Google will get jobs. Some of their lives may improve. But its not a meaningful challenge to centuries of institutionalized segregation, separation, and subordination.

This criticism of such programs isnt new, either. In a 1969 essay in ACM conference proceedings, Walter A. DeLegall, a Black computing professional at Columbia University, lamented with an ironic tone, Too often, in well-meaning haste to set about the business of lifting up the unemployed and underemployed minorities through the magic of data processing training, certain serious problems are either overlooked or given only superficial attention. DeLegall underscored the problems in these 1960s digital skills trainings, and the ways in which they paralleled the shortcomings of public education for Black and Latino students: ineffective teachers, unsuitable textbooks, [and] inadequate facilities and equipment. Throughout his essay, DeLegall pointed out the overarching structural and cultural policies that foreclosed opportunities for young Black and brown Americans; DeLegall contradicted the dominant white narrative that such individuals were deficient.

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Googles program perpetuates the fallacywhat I call the pipeline fallacythat if we just get more Black women into STEM and get them to stick around (again, as if the individuals are the problem), well magically have parity and equity in these areas. But we know thats not true. Time and again, American culture values labor not by the labor performed, but by who is doing the work.

And who does the work can dictate how much the work is valued, rather than the other way around. For example, in 2017, scholar Miriam Posner analyzed the segregation of front-end versus back-end developers (history, telling once again). These are not hard and fast lines, but we can generally say that front-end coders work on what users see and experiences in their apps and online, whereas back-end coders do the programming that works behind the scenes. Posner observes: Front-end dev work isnt real engineering, the story goes. Real programmers work on the back-end, with serious programming languages. Women are often typecast as front-end developers, specializing in the somehow more feminine work of design, user experience, and front-end coding. And not surprisingly, front-end jobs pay about $30,000 per year less than back-end ones.

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What would truly anti-racist and feminist work look like if Google executives took the (here Im paraphrasing Abbate) perspective of Black Americans seeking to fix the system rather than whites seeking to fix Black Americans? Rather than just offering a flashy public relations ploy, Google could, for example, invest some of its millions into revitalizing Cradle to Kindergarten child care and education, creating a more promising pipeline for all Americans from birth. Likewise, Google could systematically overhaul its own cultural and hiring practices and set meaningful goals for recruitment, retention, and compensation to reflect the diversity of Americas population. Googles digital training for Black women is emphatically not an effort to fix the system but rather an effort to fix Black women. And in the process, it will continue to reproduce the harmful status quo.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 05:49:22|Editor: huaxia

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People wearing face masks are seen in the Old Town in Warsaw, Poland, on March 30, 2021. Since the start of the pandemic last year, 2,288,826 Poles have been confirmed with the coronavirus, while the death toll stands at 52,392 as of Tuesday. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

WARSAW, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday that all Poles who want a vaccine should have gotten one by August.

He said in April, 5 million doses of the vaccines by Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca should arrive in Poland, adding that starting in the second half of April, the first tranche of the vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson should be added to the mix, of which Poland ordered a total of 16 million doses.

Poland plans to have 20 million people vaccinated by the end of the second quarter, the government vaccine coordinator Michal Dworczyk said on Tuesday.

Starting April 5, the number of locations where vaccinations are carried out will be expanded. Until now, vaccinations are being administered at major hospitals, temporary field hospitals and health centers. From Monday on the jabs will also be given at smaller hospitals, pharmacies, at rescue services, and so-called drive-thru points.

As of Tuesday, 5,963,933 Poles have received at least one vaccine dose in the country of 38 million population.

Since the start of the pandemic last year, 2,288,826 Poles have been confirmed with the coronavirus, while the death toll stands at 52,392 as of Tuesday.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in an increasing number of countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 267 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 83 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain, and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on March 30. Enditem
Construction workers on the site of the Reseau Express Metropolitain (REM), a major public transit project, in Brossard, Quebec, on May 11, 2020. The REM is a major infrastructure project partly funded by the Canada Infrastructure Bank. (The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson)

Canada Infrastructure Bank Part of Larger Program Failing to Make the Grade

Feds attempts at redefining infrastructure spooking private sector, says business professor

News Analysis

Analysis of Canadas multibillion-dollar infrastructure spending initiative is raising a number of red flags.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is off to a sluggish start investing in revenue-generating projects and attracting private-sector capital to reduce costs to the government, according to a March 23 Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) report.

The CIB is a federal Crown corporation and one component of the Investing in Canada Plan (IICP), launched in 2016, which aims to commit over $180 billion in taxpayers money for infrastructure over 12 years.

The PBO states that in about four years of operation, the CIB has invested only $1.23 billion of its $35 billion mandatejust 3.5 percentand has received 420 project proposals, but it has only finalized investment in two of those projects, neither of which has any private-sector participation.

The CIB aims to attract capital from private-sector investors as well as institutional investors, such as mutual funds, pension funds, and insurance companies.

In 2016, then-finance minister Bill Morneau said the CIB aimed to attract pension funds and institutional investors for four or five additional dollars for every federal dollar.

While the CIB has not attracted strictly private capital, spokesperson Felix Corriveau told The Epoch Times that one of the two finalized investmentsa $6.3 billion transit project in Montrealattracted a $3.2 billion investment from CDPQ Infra, the infrastructure investing subsidiary of Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, a provincial Crown corporation that manages several pension plans and insurance programs in Quebec.

We need to attract new investments from everywhere, wrote Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna in a recent statement of priorities and accountabilities letter.

Fixing the CIB

The Opposition Conservatives, in a statement by former leader Andrew Scheer, who is now shadow minister for infrastructure and communities, and Luc Berthold, shadow minister for the Treasury Board, said theyd scrap the failed CIB.

The CIB is still salvageable, but the government has to understand the mistakes it made, Carleton University business professor Ian Lee told The Epoch Times.

Recognize that just redefining something [as infrastructure] doesnt make it so. Lets go back to old-fashioned  traditional infrastructure, he said.

Lees criticism of the CIB is that the government is trying to dictate the kind of infrastructure the private sector should be partnering with it onladen with social and ideological objectives that create red tape. But he points out that the private sector, above all, needs a profitable revenue stream, as its not supported by taxpayers.

Loading it up with all kinds of social objectives made it less economic, or less profitable, less viable. And that too scared off the private sector, he said.

The top reasons for project proposals being rejected by the CIB are ineligible sector and insufficient size and lack of scalability, according to the PBO.

If a potential project is not within the five investment sectorspublic transit, clean power, green infrastructure, broadband, and trade and transportationit would be rejected, Corriveau told The Epoch Times.

He said that, in addition to the two projects for which investment has been finalized, three more have been confirmed and another seven projects are expected to reach a firm commitment by July 1. These include the CIBs first energy retrofit project and investments in broadband, clean power, and zero-emission buses.

The PBO report also reiterated the PBOs previous findings on the IICP as a whole, which raised concerns about data gaps in tracking federal money, spending that lagged behind plans, and job creation and economic growth being lower than anticipated.

Bigger Problem

Almost coinciding with the PBO report on the CIB, the auditor general slammed Infrastructure Canada for being unable to provide meaningful public reporting on whether the Investing in Canada Plan was meeting its objectives.

The main issue was that it did not include legacy programs that existed before the IICP, even though they account for nearly half the plans $188 billion commitment.

McKennas response to the AG report was to outline what has already been spent$81 billion in over 67,000 projects with 90 percent completed or underway. She also pointed to the launch of an engagement paper on Canadas first National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA).

The aim of the NIA, according to its announcement, is to invite feedback from Canadians to help identify the countrys infrastructure needs and priorities and inform long-term planning toward a net-zero emissions futureBuilding the Canada We Want in 2050.

But Lee said the NIA is designed to address potential reprisals during the upcoming federal election.

I think that this announcement is damage control. It is designed to ward off criticism  and they will say, look, look, were in charge of the situation, Lee said.

Canada has a sizable infrastructure deficit in the amount of spending needed in repairs and new construction to bring the stock of infrastructure up to a suitable level. Its a result of many years of population growth combined with government under-spending, wrote Christopher Ragan, director of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, in a Macleans op-ed.

Most estimates of the deficit range between $110 billion and $270 billion, according to a 2017 Boston Consulting Group report, which characterizes Canadas infrastructure quality as mediocre and having a significant portion of assets in poor or very poor condition.

It adds that much of Canadas key infrastructure still relies on older technology and that Canada has consistently lagged in transportation, utilities, and energy investments.
A man charged with the murder of Irish gangster Robbie Lawlor failed today in a new bid to be released from custody to see his newborn child.

Adrian Holland (37) was refused compassionate bail amid continued prosecution concerns that he could attempt to flee.

Lawlor was gunned down outside Hollands home at Etna Drive in Ardoyne, north Belfast on April 4 last year.

According to police, a gunman emerged from the property and opened fire in broad daylight, shooting the 36-year-old underworld boss in the head and body.

Originally from Dublin, Lawlor had been heavily involved in a bitter dispute between rival Drogheda-based factions.

Previous courts were told he may have travelled to Northern Ireland because he feared he was going to be attacked as part of a deadly drugs feud.

But his assassination had already been commissioned three weeks earlier at a meeting in a Sligo hotel attended by an international drugs dealer, it has been alleged.

Neither Holland nor 45-year-old co-defendant Patrick Teer, of Thornberry Hill in Belfast, are accused of being the gunman.

Instead, they have been charged as part of a joint enterprise to murder, based on their alleged involvement in events surrounding the shooting.

Holland mounted a fresh bid for temporary release to visit his child after a first application was denied earlier this month.

Defence barrister Joe Brolly told Belfast Magistrates Court his client only wanted out of custody for up to six hours, with a solicitor prepared to act as chaperone.

He argued that in a separate case Holland previously complied with bail conditions, signing at a police station 126 times over a two year period.

As soon as he was charged (with murder), all of a sudden he was going to create a new identity for himself, use a criminal network, go to Colombia, all of this stuff, Mr Brolly submitted.

There has been in this case a retreat from reality.

With two other people suspected of involvement in the killing said to have left the island of Ireland, prosecution counsel said co-accused Teer has also been refused bail due to the risk of flight.

Ruling on the case, District Judge Steven Keown rejected defence claims that an error was made in a previous High Court determination.

He confirmed: I refuse this application on the basis there is no change in circumstances.

Holland was remanded in continuing custody until April 9.




FLINT, MI -- Two men have been arrested and charged after allegedly robbing and carjacking a man they met under the guise of buying a cell phone through Facebook Market Place, according to police.

Flint Police responded to a report of a robbery and car jacking at the 1700 block of North Dort Hwy Thursday, March 25, per a Flint Police Department news release.

The victim told police he met with two men for the purpose of selling a cell phone that had been arranged through Facebook Market Place.

During the transaction, one of the two men produced a handgun and the two men robbed the victim of the cell phone and his vehicle, police said. Both men fled in the victims vehicle.

The investigation led officers to the area of Pasadena Avenue and Clio Rd where the victims vehicle was located and two suspects were arrested, police said. The vehicle and phone were returned to the victim.

Etaras Campbell, 19, and Dqanta Johnson, 19, have been charged and arraigned on counts of carjacking, armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, computer use to commit a crime and two counts of felony firearm, according to police.

Campbell was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and an additional count of felony firearm.

The Flint Police Department would like to remind the community that you can conduct online transactions in our lobby for your safety. If someone is unwilling to meet with you at the Police Department for this purpose, please be aware that they may have ill intentions. Many other area police departments encouraged the use of their facilities also, the release states.

Read more on MLive:

Man shot and killed outside Flint Township apartment complex

Trooper released from hospital after driver crashed into patrol car

21-year-old man dies after shooting at Flint house party

Man in wig robs Mount Pleasant convenience store with plastic gun, police say

Man critically injured in Flint shooting

Road rage suspect shot at car after passenger flipped him off, police say

Woman critically injured in Flint shooting

Vehicle flees after shooting at occupied Imlay City home, police say

Residents jumped out windows to escape suspicious fire at Richfield Court Apartments in Flint
Dianna Agron got 'back in the saddle' Tuesday as she attended the premiere of her new movie Shiva Baby in New York City.

The 34-year-old actress wore a black-and-orange plaid Miu Miu dress for the event held at the William Vale Hotel in the Brooklyn area.

Dianna took to social media before the premiere and shared a selfie wearing a black face mask amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Film premiere: Dianna Agron got 'back in the saddle' Tuesday as she attended the premiere of her new movie Shiva Baby in New York City

'Back in the saddle,' she wrote on Instagram Stories as a caption for her roughly nearly 2 million followers.

She also tagged her stylist Chloe Hartstein, makeup artist Gita Bass and hairstylist Christopher Naselli on Instagram.

Dianna teamed up at the Shiva Baby premiere sponsored by Heineken and Utopia Films with Rachel Sennott, 25.

Rachel stars in the film as Danielle, a directionless bisexual Jewish woman who attends a shiva with her family.

Stylish star: The 34-year-old actress wore a black-and-orange plaid Miu Miu dress for the event held at the William Vale Hotel in the Brooklyn area

Gorgeous look: Dianna stunned on the carpet in the long dress and open-toed black heels

She's back: 'Back in the saddle,' Dianna wrote on Instagram Stories as a caption for her roughly nearly 2 million followers before the premiere

Dianna portrays Kim who also is among the attendees at the shiva.

Rachel and Dianna also posed on the carpet with the film's director Emma Seligman.

Emma made her directorial debut with Shiva Baby and also wrote the screenplay.

Teaming up: Dianna teamed up at the Shiva Baby premiere sponsored by Heineken and Utopia Films with Rachel Sennott, 25

Masked up: Rachel and Dianna wore masks along with director Emma Seligman on the carpet amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Leading lady: Rachel stars in the film as Danielle, a directionless bisexual Jewish woman who attends a shiva with her family

Directorial debut: Emma made her directorial debut with Shiva Baby and also wrote the screenplay

Shiva Baby premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival last September after its slated premiere at 2020 SXSW was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film has been well received by critics who have praised its storytelling and acting.

Shiva Baby will be released on Friday in the United States by HBO following a wide release last week in Canada.

Critical acclaim: Danny Deferrari who also is featured in the film attended the premiere
ASHEVILLE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Many investors are familiar with the 401(k) plan as an employer-sponsored plan from through which employees can make retirement contributions. But as a recent post at American IRA highlights, there is also the Self-Directed Solo 401(k) to consider. This type of account has many of the best features of the 401(k) through an employer, but with some additional benefits that investors should be aware of.

The post itself, hosted at the American IRA website, details how the Solo 401(k) works, including its basic makeup, how contribution limits work. American IRA also refers to this type of account as a "Self-Directed IRA on steroids," when a Self-Directed Solo 401(k) is considered. That is because the Self-Directed Solo 401(k) features high contribution limits, since the self-employed investor can make contributions both as the employer and as the employee.

Later on, the post details the specific benefits of investing through a Self-Directed Solo 401(k) plan. The high contribution limits are one immediate benefit, but the post also talks about catch-up contributions, and the ability of investors to borrow from the Solo 401(k) plan. This flexibility makes the Solo 401(k) plan ideal for many self-employed individuals who need to utilize these benefits.

"The Self-Directed Solo 401(k) is a powerful investment tool," said Jim Hitt, CEO of American IRA. "We wanted to create a dedicated post talking about what it does, what the contribution limits have been, and what investors need to know."

Later on, in the post, American IRA includes a recap about the Self-Directed Solo 401(k) and what investors should be thinking about and researching as they consider whether self-direction is the right choice for them.

The Self-Directed Solo 401(k) plan can be administered by a Self-Directed IRA administration firm, while the investor who holds the account makes the investment decisions. For more information about how the Self-Directed Solo 401(k) works, interested parties can seek out the post at www.AmericanIRA.com or call American IRA at 866-7500-IRA.

About:

"American IRA, LLC was established in 2004 by Jim Hitt, CEO in Asheville, NC.

The mission of American IRA is to provide the highest level of customer service in the self-directed retirement industry. Jim Hitt and his team have grown the company to over $500 million in assets under administration by educating the public that their Self-Directed IRA account can invest in a variety of assets such as real estate, private lending, limited liability companies, precious metals and much more.

As a Self-Directed IRA administrator, they are a neutral third party. They do not make any recommendations to any person or entity associated with investments of any type (including financial representatives, investment promoters or companies, or employees, agents or representatives associated with these firms). They are not responsible for and are not bound by any statements, representations, warranties, or agreements made by any such person or entity and do not provide any recommendation on the quality profitability or reputability of any investment, individual or company. The term "they" refers to American IRA, located in Asheville and Charlotte, NC."

SOURCE: American IRA, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/636439/American-IRA-Discusses-How-Does-a-Self-Directed-Solo-401k-Work
The Louisiana Department of Health reported 325 more confirmed coronavirus cases and five more confirmed deaths in its noon update Wednesday.

The number of hospitalizations decreased by nine, and the number of patients in need of ventilators decreased by one.

There are now a total of 380,052 confirmed coronavirus cases and 64,881 total "probable" coronavirus cases in Louisiana, according to the agency's dashboard.

These are another few key statewide statistics as of Wednesday:

Total confirmed cases: 380,052

Total "probable" cases: 64,881

Total confirmed deaths: 9,293

Total "probable" deaths: 848

Hospitalized: 354

On ventilators: 60

Vaccine series initiated: 1,174,213 (updated twice weekly)

Vaccine series completed: 720,598

Note: The Advocate and The Times-Picayune staff calculates daily case count and confirmed death increases based on the difference between today's total and yesterday's total of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths. The Louisiana Department of Health releases a daily case count on its dashboard that includes probable cases as indicated by a positive antigen test. That case count can be different than the one listed here.

Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Here are some of the parishes with the highest single-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases, based on the Wednesday report:

East Baton Rouge: 46

Caddo: 35

Calcasieu: 29

Jefferson: 23

St. Tammany: 19

Orleans: 18

Acadia: 15

Catahoula: 15

Ouachita: 13

Iberia: 12

Lincoln: 12

Lafayette: 6

Can't see chart below? Click here.

Can't see chart below? Click here.

Louisiana began reopening for Phase 1 on May 15-16 then moved to Phase 2 on June 5. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards extended Louisiana's Phase 2 restrictions twice in August before moving the state to Phase 3 on Sept. 11. The governor then moved the state back to a modified Phase 2 near the end of November before putting Louisiana back in a modified Phase 3 on March 2, 2021.

This is a developing story. More details and analysis to come.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 06:36:18|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows the entrance of the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia)

- The findings showed that "some of the suspected positive samples were detected even earlier than the first case in Wuhan, suggesting the possibility of missed circulation in other countries," the report said.

- The novel coronavirus origin tracing research in China is part of the global study of origins of the virus, and it is the first step, said Liang Wannian, a member of the WHO-China joint team.

GENEVA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday released a report on the global tracing of COVID-19 origins, following a joint research with China on issues including the pathways of the virus and future investigation in different countries.

A total of 34 experts from the WHO and China jointly conducted a 28-day research from Jan. 14 to Feb. 10 in Wuhan, China.

They made assessment of the likelihood of possible pathways. According to the report, COVID-19 introduction through an intermediate host is "likely to very likely," introduction through cold/food chain products is "possible," and introduction through a laboratory incident is "extremely unlikely."

The experts also put forward a series of recommendations for future researches: developing a comprehensive information database, conducting further retrospective and systematic research around earlier cases and possible hosts, and analyzing the different role of the cold chain in the possible introduction and spread of the virus.

China believes that the joint research will play a positive role in promoting global cooperation in COVID-19 origin tracing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Liang Wannian (2nd L) and Peter Ben Embarek (3rd R), both members of the WHO-China joint study team, shake hands after the WHO-China joint study press conference in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 9, 2021. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Also on Tuesday, the WHO held a member state briefing on the report. During the briefing, Liang Wannian, a member of the WHO-China joint team, said that the novel coronavirus origin tracing research in China is part of the global study of origins of the virus, and it is the first step.

All the conclusions and recommendations in the report are based on a global perspective, and future research will not be limited to a certain area, Liang also said.

Although the process of finding the source of the virus is still ongoing, evidence and data included in this report still offer some key glimpse into it.

For example, the team "reviewed data from published studies from different countries suggesting early circulation" of the novel coronavirus, according to the report.

The findings showed that "some of the suspected positive samples were detected even earlier than the first case in Wuhan, suggesting the possibility of missed circulation in other countries," the report said, adding that "Nonetheless, it is important to investigate these potential early events."

Novel coronavirus origin tracing is about science, and it should be jointly carried out by scientists worldwide, said Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

This joint research will play a positive role in promoting origin-tracing in many countries and regions around the world, and provide a scientific guide for the human race to better understand the virus, Chen added. 
The endorsement is a further sign that Ms. Ocasio-Cortez intends to use her influence to shape elections in New York City, mirroring a trend that has already been seen across the country.

She has endorsed several women running for Congress from Nebraska to California, but also put her name behind Tiffany Caban, who almost scored an upset victory in the Queens district attorneys race. She recently endorsed Jumaane D. Williams, the popular public advocate in New York City, who is expected to cruise to re-election.

Mr. Williams, whom Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed multiple times, said a nod from her is a signal to what Im calling the bold left, the bold progressives.

He added: It means people who are willing to take some political risk against what is normally established.

Mr. Williams has yet to endorse in the comptroller contest.

Mr. Lander, a co-founder of the City Councils progressive caucus, has said that he wants to use the office of comptroller to help New York City become more equitable as it recovers from the financial damage caused by the pandemic. He has pledged to use the powers of the office, including being the fiduciary over $248 billion in pension money, to fight climate change.
Cat Deeley will stand in for Lorraine Kelly on her ITV chat show over the Easter break, as she kicks off her return to UK TV after 14 years living in the US.

The presenter, 43, will fill in for the veteran broadcaster for five shows next week, and gushed she was looking forward to reuniting with some 'old friends' on the chat show.

It comes after Cat returned to British screens last month by reuniting with her SMTV co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for a hilarious revival of their iconic sketch Chums.

She's back! Cat Deeley will stand in for Lorraine Kelly on her ITV chat show over the Easter break, as she kicks off her return to UK TV after 14 years living in the US

Speaking to The Mirror, Cat said: 'I'm so happy to be back at ITV for the coming week and looking forward to meeting some people I've wanted to interview for sometime and also welcoming some old friends on air.'

It's thought that guests will include Cat's longtime friend Louise Redknapp, as well as Stacey Solomon and EastEnders star Melanie Hill.

Cat will present Lorraine from next week beginning on April 5, with Ranvir Singh set to present the following week from April 12.

Departure: The presenter will fill in for the veteran broadcaster (pictured) for five shows next week and gushed she was looking forward to reuniting with some 'old friends'

Lorraine editor Victoria Kennedy added: 'Next week the lovely Cat Deeley will take to the helm of Lorraine, providing viewers at home with much-needed Easter enjoyment.

'As a huge fan of SMTV, I'm more than just a bit delighted. And of course we look forward to welcoming Ranvir back too. We've got a great lineup of Easter guests joining us.'

Cat lived happily in Los Angeles with her husband Patrick Kielty for over 14 years. However they put their Beverly Hills mansion on the market for $4.9 million (3.8 million), in August last year.

Back home: After living in the United States for many years, Cat returned to the UK last year with her husband Patrick Kielty so they could live closer to her British family

The star became one of the top presenters on US TV as the host of So You Think You Can Dance? since 2006.

Cat and Patrick now reside in a North London property together with their sons Milo, five, and James two, so that they can live closer to their British family.

A source told The Sun: 'Cat was discussing putting the house up for sale months ago, they didn't want to rent it out because they were considering buying a property in the UK. This is more of a permanent move.

'She is a household name, and they both made it work in LA, but Patrick gets a lot more work back home, and she could always fly back and forth when the pandemic eases up.'

Back together! It comes after Cat returned to British screens last month by reuniting with her SMTV co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on Saturday Night Takeaway

The insider added that both Cat and Patrick were 'more than ready for this' as they dream of raising their children in the UK.

Last month Cat delighted fans when she reunited with Ant and Dec for a reprisal of their iconic SMTV Chums sketch on Saturday Night Takeaway.

Later in the show, Cat was hilariously duped by her pals as she unwittingly appeared in their undercover segment.
Anti-coup protesters stand Tuesday beside a burning tire as they fortify their position against the military during a demonstration in Yangon, Myanmar.
The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ara Aivazian held a telephone conversation on March 31 with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Holy Sees Secretary for Relations with States, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress.

Minister Aivazian reaffirmed Armenias readiness to further deepen and strengthen the relations with the Holy See, which he said, are based on common historical and spiritual values. They exchanged views on the actions aimed at the close dialogue and the strengthening of the dynamics of high-level talks.

The officials discussed regional security and stability-related issues. The Armenian FM highlighted the calls of Pope Francis for the stop to the military operations and the establishment of peace in the post-war period.

The Armenian FM presented the ongoing steps aimed at addressing the humanitarian problems caused by the Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression. As a matter requiring urgent solution, the minister highlighted the safe repatriation of the Armenian prisoners of war who are held captive in Azerbaijan.

Emphasizing the urgency of preserving the Armenian religious and cultural heritage in the territories of Artsakh which have come under the Azerbaijani control, the Armenian FM strongly condemned Azerbaijans policy of deliberately destructing the Christian cultural values. In this sense he attached importance to the active interference of the international community.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Although the above terms were most commonly employed during the Cuban Missile Crisis of the President John F. Kennedy administration and the Lyndon Baines Johnson - Barry Goldwater contest in 1964, they were in use in politics from an early time period in American history.

In 1798 Thomas Jefferson coined the term war hawk for those who supported the concept of war.

The description of individuals who advocated peace arose from the Biblical book of Genesis where Noah after the Great Flood sent a dove to see if the waters had receded enough to allow the bird to secure an olive leaf, indicating that there was land nearby.

Current politicians are often described by one of the terms to indicate their viewpoint on use of the military to preserve peace or advocate war.

(Excerpts from The Little Book of Answers  Author  Doug Lennox  (2003)  MJF Books  New York, NY 1001.)
Police activity at the scene following the terror attack in Streatham High Road, south London by Sudesh Amman, 20, who was shot dead by armed police following what police declared as a terrorist-related incident (PA)

The inquest into the fatal shooting of Streatham terror attacker Sudesh Amman should examine some aspects of his background without being a generalised inquiry into his life, a court has heard.

Jurors will this summer be asked to look at the circumstances into how the 20-year-old was shot by two police marksmen after he stole a 20cm knife from a shop in Streatham High Road in south London on Sunday February 2 2020 and stabbed two bystanders while wearing a fake suicide vest.

Covert armed Metropolitan Police officers had him under 24-hour surveillance at the time, after he had been released on licence from prison on January 23, halfway through a jail sentence for terrorist offences.

Expand Close Sudesh Amman, 20, was shot dead by armed police in Streatham High Road, south London, in February 2020 (Metropolitan Police/PA) PA / Facebook

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Counsel to the inquest Jonathan Hough QC told a brief pre-inquest review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday that the scope should include some examination of Ammans background, but added: This is an inquest into Mr Ammans death  not a generalised inquiry into his life.

He suggested five areas to be contained within the scope of the inquest, including his life and offending history, state monitoring, and surveillance conducted on the day Amman died.

The coroner, High Court judge Mr Justice Hilliard, said there was potential for the scope of the inquest to expand, and adjourned the matter until another pre-inquest review in July.

The inquest proper is due to be held before a jury at the Royal Courts of Justice from August 2, lasting for up to three weeks.

Expand Close The scene of the terror attack in Streatham High Road last February (Aaron Chown/PA) PA / Facebook

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Wednesdays hearing also heard concerns over an apparent refusal by the Legal Aid Agency to grant funding for Ammans family to be represented by Queens Counsel at the inquest.

The coroner, urging a change in consideration, said having someone of QC experience and ability to represent the family would be of considerable assistance to the inquest.

The inquest was formally opened on February 26 last year when the hearing was told Amman was identified by his mother.

A post-mortem examination recorded the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage and gunshot wounds to the neck and abdomen.

Amman was first arrested on suspicion of planning a terror attack in 2018. He pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing documents containing terrorist information and seven counts of disseminating terrorist publications in November that year.

In December 2018 he was sentenced to three years and four months detention, of which he served half before being automatically released from Belmarsh prison, under licence conditions and surveillance by the Met.
Washington: G. Gordon Liddy, the undercover operative whose bungling of the Watergate break-in triggered the gravest constitutional crisis in American history and led to the resignation of then president Richard Nixon, died on March 30 at his daughters home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. He was 90.

His son Thomas Liddy confirmed the death but did not give a cause, saying only that it was unrelated to COVID-19.

A theatrical personality, whose event-filled career included more twists and turns than a fictional potboiler, Liddy was at various times an FBI agent, jailbird, radio talk-show host, best-selling author, candidate for Congress, actor and promoter of gold investments.

Gordon Liddy convicted for his part in the Watergate cover-up of the Nixon administration. Credit:UPI

The role for which he is best remembered was in the plot to bug the Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate complex in June 1972.
President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan sure seems to be considering building the Ike Dike.

His $2 trillion plan includes improving and strengthening infrastructure in coastal areas most vulnerable during hurricane season.

'BUILD THE IKE DIKE': The push for a coastal barrier is heading to Joe Biden's office

Biden pitched part of the American Jobs Plan on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

The Biden Administration's plan includes investing in improving "coastal resilience to sea-level rise and hurricanes." While specific projects were not named in the plan, the Biden administration says the American Jobs Plan will protect and, where necessary, restore nature-based infrastructure, which could include funding the Ike Dike.

The Ike Dike, a proposed manmade coastal barrier, would protect the Greater Houston area from devastating storm surges like that seen during Hurricane Ike in 2008.

State Rep. Gene Wu, who represents part of Houston, circulated a letter to Biden last week requesting federal support for the Ike Dike. Mayor Sylvester Turner and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee have also expressed support for the coastal spine.

Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The Houston Chronicle's Benjamin Wermund reports that Bidens plan also includes $50 billion to improve infrastructure strength against hurricanes and other natural disasters, especially in lower-income areas. Biden's administration used the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey as an example of the need for increased federal support and infrastructure development.

"People of color and low-income people are more likely to live in areas most vulnerable to flooding and other climate change-related weather events. They also are less likely to have the funds to prepare for and recover from extreme weather events," a statement from the White House says. "In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Black and Hispanic residents were twice as likely as white residents to report experiencing an income shock with no recovery support."

AFTER THE FREEZE: Texans really hate ERCOT after winter storm, UH survey confirms

In his speech from Pittsburgh, Biden emphasized a need to fund drastic infrastructure improvements to strengthen resiliency in more extreme weather as the fight against climate change continues. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active season ever recorded.

These are investments we have to make, Biden said.
A suspect in a shooting died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound early Wednesday after a police chase and standoff in Southeast Portland in an incident that began the night before, police said.

Officers had responded to reports of a shooting in the 300 block of Northeast 131st Place about 10:10 p.m. Tuesday. One person suffered non-life threatening injuries and police began searching for a suspect.

About half an hour later, investigators found the male suspect at Southeast 143rd Avenue and Stark Street in a pickup, but he took off. Officers pursued the suspect to a dead-end parking lot near Southeast 122nd Avenue and Mill Street, police said.

Officers began communicating with the suspect who would not get out of the vehicle, police said in a statement. Officers could see he was armed with a handgun.

Members of the police Special Emergency Reaction Team and crisis negotiators were called in and officers spoke to the suspect for several hours.

At one point during the negotiations, police said it appeared the suspect fired a shot inside the vehicle.

About 4 a.m. Wednesday, police deployed tear gas to try to draw the person out of the vehicle.

At about that time officers believe the suspect appeared to have taken his own life with a firearm, police said.

An autopsy will be done to determine how the suspect died, police said.

Investigators asked anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Scott Broughton at Scott.Broughton@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3774 or Detective Rico Beniga at Rico.Beniga@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0457.

The standoff was one of several deadly episodes in the city within the span of just a few hours. Around midnight, a person was fatally stabbed in downtown Portland and around 4:30 a.m. a man was shot and killed at a convenience store in the Kenton neighborhood.

As of Wednesday, there have been 25 homicides in Portland this year, police said.

-- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale
Headlines are half the battle, in the newspaper business and in the politics business. Sometimes, its all people read. Often, its all they remember.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other smart folks at the Texas Legislature know this. Its why, when Patrick announced Monday that the Senate had passed a comprehensive bill responding to last months deadly energy blackout, he trumpeted words such as reform and revolutionize in his press release.

To be sure, the legislation did address the vulnerabilities the winter storm revealed: It would ban wholesale index plans in an effort to protect consumers from the kind of erratic price spikes that stuck Griddy customers with electric bills in the thousands. It would improve coordination between the electricity and gas sectors so the right hand knows what the left is doing in the next crisis.

Of course, Republican architects of the bill also used a statewide crisis that killed 111 people to take a cheap shot at renewable energy, sticking wind and solar with a fee to seemingly punish them for any drops in generation caused by Mother Natures whim. That qualifies for its own editorial but for now, well call it what it is: shameless political opportunism aimed at helping the oil and gas industry profit off Texans misery.

Back to Patrick and weatherization. Theres a reason the very first provision he lauded in his press release was a fine of up to $1 million per day for energy companies that fail to weatherize for extreme conditions.

Such a fine would indeed be significant in a state that for decades has refused to even require companies to weatherize the vast network of generation, transmission and natural gas facilities and pipelines that help fuel Texas independent energy grid. Failure of companies to engage in basic emergency planning, and failure of lawmakers to require them to prepare their facilities for extreme cold, led to frozen wellheads and wind turbines and gas facilities, forcing nearly half the power Texas needed offline.

We credit Gov. Greg Abbott for promptly declaring weatherization an emergency this session and Patrick for making it a keystone of Senate Bill 3.

But this editorial board will save its superlatives for the day the $1 million fine actually becomes law, the day a bill passes that truly holds industry and regulators accountable and assures Texans that the kind of disaster we saw in February never happens again.

At this point, we have our doubts. For one thing, the bill by Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, is vague or silent about how weatherization requirements would be implemented and enforced and gives too much discretion to regulatory agencies who have shown unwillingness to regulate.

Just consider: the official responsible for making sure oil and gas operators comply with weatherization is Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, who, as we wrote Sunday, has opposed weatherization requirements in the past and refuses to require operators to fill out a free, simple, two-and-a-half page form exempting them from having their power shut off during blackouts so they can keep fueling power plants.

Were not suggesting Craddick wouldnt follow the letter of the law. But who will make sure she and other commissioners would follow the spirit of it, vigilantly enforcing and monitoring industry to ensure expensive weatherization upgrades are completed and maintained?

Environmental advocates have long complained about the Railroad Commissions lax enforcement, infrequent inspections and fines too small to achieve compliance. In May, the Sierra Clubs Lone Star Chapter lamented the agencys unambitious goal of inspecting wells once every five years, its nonexistent system for tracking complaints and its secrecy on pipeline safety, which worsened after detailed data was removed from its website.

Yet, its this agency, along with the Public Utility Commission, that the Senate bill relies on to set penalty guidelines on weatherization, ranging from a letter of reprimand up to $1 million per day. Operative phrase: up to.

Even if industry follows weatherization requirements to a T, will ratepayers get stuck with the bill or will lawmakers find a way to protect consumers? Thats the concern of many, including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who championed consumer rights as a state lawmaker.

Requiring weatherization of those in the energy supply chain is a positive step forward, he said in a statement to the editorial board Tuesday. The question is who will pay for it.

Its an issue House members should seriously consider when they offer amendments to the Senate bill. Another is addressing one of the core culprits of the Texas blackout: the perverse incentive our system gives energy companies to profit off crisis. Last month, seemingly the only tool Texas had to prop up the failing grid was to price energy through the roof so generators had adequate motivation to jump in.

Theres got to be another way.

The only incentive for lawmakers to find it, and other solutions, is pressure from those who put them in office and have the power to remove them. Lawmakers have to know youre paying attention, that you expect them to represent you and not industry, and that youre reading past the beaming headlines to see if they really, truly lead to revolution.
Ann Arbor, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - TransGlobal Assets, Inc (OTC Pink: TMSH) has released its latest CEO Letter to Shareholders. Below are some of the highlights:

The Company is now tiered as Pink Current Information with OTC Markets Group Inc. This milestone was difficult to achieve due to information that was not readily available from sources necessary for completion. However, the company preserved, and now future disclosure statements will be much easy to prepare.

The Company plans to begin manufacturing and distributing Monster Elixir's all-natural CBD products to stores throughout the United States. In addition, it will open the first of many Monster Elixir store front locations. Monster Elixir is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, with a full line of all-natural CBD products. Green Essence Beverages and Well-Leaf CBD are just a few products to be manufactured and distributed by Monster Elixir.

The Company plans to celebrate the groundbreaking of our Hemp Ranch this summer. With 60+ acres in South Haven, MI. situated in close proximity to Lake Michigan, we will begin construction of greenhouses, warehouses and residential housing, to produce the all-natural ingredients for Monster Elixir products. It will also house a self-sustaining vertically integrated ranch with plenty of activities for tourists.

The Company is in negotiations to merge Monster Elixir with a Chicago based CBD wellness company. This merger will give Monster Elixir significant expansion and location advantages. We expect to close this by the end of next month.

The Company is in negotiations for minority stake in a Michigan Medical Marijuana Grow, Processing and Dispensary license. The license will be used for future business developments. The Company has also applied for a Michigan Hemp Growers license with more information coming soon. For future updates, please follow us Twitter.com/TMSH_OTC

Curtis Philpot

CEO

TransGlobal Assets (OTC Pink: TMSH)

For further inquiries please contact:

Curtis Philpot, Chief Executive Officer

TransGlobal Assets Inc. (TMSH)

Email: CPhilpot360@TransGlobalAssets.net

About TransGlobal Assest:

TransGlobal Assets Inc. is a publicly traded Hemp/CBD holdings company. Our business model is a self-sustaining Hemp Ranch. Each hemp ranch will be vertically integrated from acres allocated, to outdoor cultivation and indoor greenhouses, to warehouses for processing farm grown hemp into textiles, hempcrete & plastics. The Hemp Ranch will provide raw products for processing the all-natural products line to be sold through Monster Elixir, a wholly owned subsidiary of TransGlobal Assets Inc. Monster Elixir products include but not limited to, Green Essence Beverages; an all-natural CBD infused lemonade, and Crown Care; an all-natural Hemp infused hair care line.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and jut uncertainties. That includes the possibility that the business outlined in this press release cannot be concluded for some reason. That could be as a result of technical, installation, permitting or other problems that were not anticipated. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of TransGlobal Assets, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein. Except for any obligation under the U.S. federal securities laws, TransGlobal Assets, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79015
The Supervisory Board of Knorr-Bremse AG focuses on continuity and change

Posted by Publisher Internet

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The existing members Prof. Dr. Klaus Mangold, Mrs. Kathrin Dahnke, Dr. Thomas Enders, Mrs. Thiele-Schurhoff, and Dr. Theodor Weimer are to be proposed for election to the Supervisory Board once again

Dr. Stefan Sommer is to be elected as a new member of the Supervisory Board at the Annual General Meeting in 2020

Dr. Claudia Mayfeld was appointed as a member of the Executive Board in the newly formed department Integrity and Legal Affairs

Dividend proposal for fiscal 2020 of 1.52 euros resolved

Global employee share program resolved

At its meeting on March 30, 2021, the Supervisory Board of Knorr-Bremse AG made key personnel decisions to strengthen the continuity and stability of the Company. In addition, the Supervisory Board set an important course for the future of Knorr-Bremse with the appointment of new Executive Board member Dr. Claudia Mayfeld from May 2021 and a global employee share program.

The Supervisory Board of Knorr-Bremse AG proposes to the Annual Shareholders\-\- Meeting in May 2021 that Prof. Dr. Klaus Mangold be re-elected to the Supervisory Board of Knorr-Bremse AG for a further two-year term. This proposal is intended in particular to ensure continuity following the unexpected death of Mr. Heinz Hermann Thiele. Mr. Mangold\-\-s in-depth knowledge of Knorr-Bremse AG is to be retained by the Company at this particular time.

Furthermore, the Supervisory Board elected Dr. Theodor Weimer as a member of the Presiding Committee with immediate effect and as a further Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Dr. Stefan Sommer (58), previously for many years Chairman of the Board of Management of ZF Friedrichshafen AG and member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting for election to the Supervisory Board. Dr. Sommer will complement the Supervisory Board with his broad industrial experience and special knowledge of the commercial vehicles sector.

The initially planned election of Dr. Nicolas Peter to the Supervisory Board will be postponed.

The Supervisory Board also decided to re-elect Mrs. Kathrin Dahnke, Dr. Thomas Enders, Mrs. Thiele-Schurhoff and Dr. Theodor Weimer to the Supervisory Board. With the re-election of Mrs. Thiele-Schurfhoff, the Thiele family, which holds around 59% of Knorr-Bremse shares, remains represented on the Supervisory Board and thus contributes its family interests. The re-election of Mrs. Thiele-Schurhoff also reflects the successful link between family corporate structures on the one hand and the principles of a listed company on the other.

The Supervisory Board also made an important personnel decision to complement the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG: Mrs. Dr. Claudia Mayfeld (57) will be appointed to the Executive Board on May 1, 2021 for an initial period of three years and will head the newly created department Integrity and Legal. \In Dr. Mayfeld, we have found a highly qualified member of our Executive Board with broad professional experience,\ said Prof. Dr. Klaus Mangold. Dr. Mayfeld was most recently General Counsel and Head of Legal & Compliance at innogy SE and previously held the same position at RWE AG. The Executive Board under the chairmanship of Dr. Jan Mrosik and the current members of the Executive Board, Dr. Peter Laier, Frank Markus Weber and Dr. Jurgen Wilder, is thus excellently staffed for the coming years.

Furthermore, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board have decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of 1.52 euros per share for the 2020 financial year. With a constant payout ratio of just under 46%, this will reduce the total dividend payout by around 45 million euros (-15%). This ratio is within the target range of Knorr-Bremse AG\-\-s dividend policy (payout ratio of between 40% and 50% of Group net income).

The Supervisory Board and Executive Board have also decided to give employees a share in the company\-\-s success through a global stock program. The program bears the name of Heinz Hermann Thiele and is to be seen above all as a special recognition of the employees\-\- decades of commitment to the company and its economic success.

The annual report for fiscal 2020 with the accompanying overviews of key figures, the sustainability report and the accompanying magazine \Driving Innovation\ will be available for download from the website at www.knorr-bremse.com from this evening.

Knorr-Bremse (ISIN: DE000KBX1006, ticker symbol: KBX) is the global market leader for braking systems and a leading supplier of other safety-critical rail and commercial vehicle systems. Knorr-Bremse\-\-s products make a decisive contribution to greater safety and energy efficiency on rail tracks and roads around the world. About 29,700 employees at over 100 sites in more than 30 countries use their competence and motivation to satisfy customers worldwide with products and services. In 2020, Knorr-Bremse\-\-s two divisions together generated revenues of EUR 6.2 billion. For 115 years the company has been the industry innovator, driving innovation in mobility and transportation technologies with an edge in connected system solutions. Knorr-Bremse is one of Germany\-\-s most successful industrial companies and profits from the key global megatrends: Urbanization, sustainability, digitalization and mobility.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A prayer and a moment of silence.

Thats how about 70 community members at Snug Harbor Tuesday night decided to honor the lives of those who died at the hands of hatred in a recent spike of hate crimes targeting Asians in the United States.

We just want people to hear our voice,' said an Asian resident of Todt Hill. We want peace. Its not about politics, but about humankind. We dont want people to tell us we are the virus. We are not a virus. Hate is a virus.

Staten Islanders honored the lives lost to hate crimes targeting Asian Americans. (Staten Island Advance/Irene Spezzamonte)

The gathering came exactly two weeks after eight people were killed in Georgia  six of whom were of Asian descent  in a series of shootings at three spas in the Atlanta area.

I had to [come] to support our community,' said Brian Auan, 35, of Emerson Hill.

Staten Island Asian community members have said the recent spate of violence is not new and called for more representation to express a stronger voice in the community.

We wanted to let the Asian community know that Staten Islanders are in solidarity with them, Nidhi Khanna, one of the organizers said. This kind of anti-Asian sentiment has, quite frankly, always been there. Hate crimes against Asians isnt new and we have seen an increase in these crimes during the pandemic.

The other organizers who were behind the solemn vigil were the Korean Community Development Center (KCDC), the New York Community League (NYCL), the Korean Association of Staten Island, the Korean School of Staten Island, Grace Christian Church, and the Staten Island Chinese Christian Church (SICCC).

The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University at San Bernardino found a 150% increase in hate crimes against Asians in 2020 in California and New York.

Additionally, a recent Anti-Defamation League report indicated that the distribution of white supremacist propaganda nearly doubled last year compared to 2019  a trend that includes anti-immigrant attacks and pandemic-driven anti-China references related to the coronavirus.

Former President Donald Trump tweeted about the Chinese virus on March 16, 2020, when referring to the coronavirus. He later referred to it as the Wuhan flu as well as the kung flu and made numerous comments about its relation to China and its people.

Staten Islanders honored the lives lost to hate crimes targeting Asian Americans. (Staten Island Advance/Irene Spezzamonte)

Its either fear or indifference,' said Robyn Yang, another organizer of the vigil. Is that the American spirit we have in this country? The response is no. I believe we still have hope. Its empathy instead of indifference that exemplifies the American spirit.

District Attorney Michael McMahon also attended the vigil.

Many headlines have read that there has been recent violence again Asian Americans, but I know for many of you these attacks are not new, McMahon read in a prepared statement.

McMahon had previously condemned the acts of violence in Georgia, and on Tuesday he reiterated that his office will take hate crimes against any Staten Islanders very seriously.

An act of hate against one of us is an act of hate against all of us, McMahon said.
We selected Itasca Magic for its track record at enabling grocers to maintain and enhance these qualities by being in-stock on all products, all the time.

Lunds Food Holdings, Inc., based here, is implementing the Itasca Magic computer generated ordering and inventory optimization solution in all its Lunds & Byerlys retail locations.

Itascas user-friendly software solution uses historical sales data and current shelf and selling conditions to calculate the exact right order amounts for tens of thousands of items in the store at any time of day. This ensures each store always has the right stock levels to fulfill shopper demand for every item in its assortment.

The system combines sophisticated algorithms, artificial intelligence and machine learning along with deep understanding of the North American grocery replenishment process to generate impressive gains in sales and productivity. It simultaneously reduces inventory, shrink, product-handling, and vendor credits.

Lunds & Byerlys, the Minnesota-based, family-owned grocer, operates 27 stores across the Twin Cities. It is regionally admired for its high product quality and service standards. Application of store-level inventory science is expected to ensure shoppers almost never find a desired item is not available.

The Lunds & Byerlys name is synonymous with a robust selection of quality products, exceptional customer service and passionate expertise, said Curtis Funk, SVP of Merchandising. We selected Itasca Magic for its track record at enabling grocers to maintain and enhance these qualities by being in-stock on all products, all the time.

He continued, The solution minimizes human intervention in the all-important ordering process. This means our staff will be even freer to engage with our shoppers going forward while still satisfying their everyday grocery needs.

Said Jeff Kennedy, Itasca Retails President and Co-Founder, Ive observed how the Lunds & Byerlys chain has evolved over the years as a standout regional operator. Itasca Retail is honored to have been selected to help this fine retailer optimize store inventories and stay reliably in-stock on the unique assortment they bring to their customers.

He added, We welcome Lunds & Byerlys as a valued customer and look forward to a long-term relationship assisting them to remain the preferred destination for their loyal shoppers.

About Itasca Retail:

Itasca Retail Information Systems invents and builds industry-leading solutions for Inventory Management, DSD, Computer Generated Ordering (CGO) and associated data management. The company provides reliable, high-performing and cost-effective solutions for Inventory Optimization, including merchandise forecasting, perpetual inventory, DSD receiving, and the hand-held devices that support store execution processes. Learn more at http://www.itasca-retail.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/itasca-retail

About Lunds & Byerlys:

With 27 locations throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding area, Lunds & Byerlys is family owned and committed to providing every customer with a sensational shopping experience. The companys extended family of employees has an unwavering focus on exceeding expectations through extraordinary food, exceptional service and passionate expertise. Learn more at http://www.LundsandByerlys.com.
Useful But Odd Oregon Coast Tips: Daylight, Magic Rocks, Sand Dollars

Published 03/30/21 at 1:05 AM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast)  These beaches are always hiding something new, no matter where you are on the Oregon coast. Much of that is the nature of shorelines: the onshore ocean environment is the most dynamic in the world, really. (Bandon at dusk, photo courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more)

Sometimes its certain beaches that hide certain secrets. Other facets of the Oregon coast contain a surprise lurking everywhere. Heres three tips of fun, wacky things to engage in around these beachy parts.

Need More Daylight?

Got the winter blues because of a lack of daylight? Or spring not enough hours of sun for you?

Heading to the Oregon coast may make a slight difference. Believe it or not, the sun goes down about five to ten minutes later than in inland towns like Portland or Eugene. Because of the coast range mountains, the valley gets blocked a little bit earlier by sunset.



Sunset at Coos Bay's Sunset Beach (Photo courtesy Oregon's Adventure Coast)

Oregon Coast Beach Connection tested this once and found the difference between sunset times listed for Portland and when it actually went down in Warrenton was seven minutes. When you go farther south, places like Bandon and Medford have a slightly less difference.

Conversely, however, the coast range mountains will cause the sunrise to be later on the coast.

Need More (Sand) Dollars?





If you love whole sand dollars  and want to pick them for free instead of buying them at local shops  you'll dig parts of Seaside.

Up at the north end, by 12th Ave, walk towards the Necanicum River and you'll soon start seeing tons of sand dollars everywhere. Given the right conditions, you'll find more whole sand dollars than at any other place on the Oregon coast. Partially because of a high population of them, a lot of it has to do with the lack of foot traffic around here, so those lying around the beaches don't get picked as much.

The biggest factor, however, is simply that there is an optimal situation for a lot of sand dollar beds just outside the surfline. Lots of nutrients from this river and the great Columbia up north feed this area, making for more than usual of the attractive critters.

The same is true of the other side of the river, at the southern end of Gearhart, actually. The river here divides the two towns.

Magic Rocks Beaches





This is more apt to happen in winter or stormier parts of fall and spring, but some select beaches make some freaky click-clacking sounds. And some more than others. See / hear the Magic Rocks Sound

The king of all this is the very clandestine Falcon Cove, nicknamed "Magic Rocks Beach" by some locals because this landscape of mostly ocean-polished cobblestones makes a funny, rattling noise as the tide disturbs them. This area is only acceptable to wander during calm conditions and is highly dangerous during storms.

However, the cliff above it makes a good, safe vantage point to watch the show much of the time. But if waves are really getting going not even this spot is safe. A family died during a king tides event here in recent years.

The water crashes loudly on the steep shore, dissipates quickly, then it makes a weird noise as the waves recede and pull on the rocks. This place is the loudest, but others can make the sound too, such as Bayoceans Cape Meares village area, Cobble Beach below Newports Yaquina Head, and a little bit at Oceanside, beyond the tunnel. Some spots exist on the south coast as well, but these still have to be confirmed.

Youll need to find large, rounded cobblestones in thick layers for this to happen. Look for that first.

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Coronation Street stars Harry Visinoni and Mollie Gallagher were seen among some of the soap's younger cast members as they returned to filming scenes on location on Wednesday.

The actors were seen clashing with a gang of teens while necking cans of lager as they filmed with co-stars Millie Gibson and Harriet Bibby.

It comes after it was reported that Corrie and its BBC rival have seen a 'big drop in ratings' as viewers opt to tune into shows on streaming services such as Netflix.

Screen stars: Coronation Street stars Harry Visinoni and Mollie Gallagher were seen among some of the soap's younger cast members filming scenes on location on Wednesday

Mollie, who plays Roy Cropper's niece Nina Lucas, sported one of her character's signature goth looks as she joined Harry, who plays her love interest Seb Franklin.

Fans have seen the pair grow closer in recent days after she split from Asha Alahan over fears their relationship was moving too quickly and they'd be better off as friends.

Next week Nina will decide whether to call off her budding romance with Seb after learning Asha's reunited with her sleazy ex-boyfriend Corey, with viewers waiting to see whether she decides to pursue the new relationship.

Dramatic: The actors were seen clashing with a gang of teens while necking cans of lager as they filmed with co-stars Millie Gibson and Harriet Bibby (far left)

Dynamic duo: Mollie, who plays Roy Cropper's niece Nina Lucas, sported one of her character's signature goth looks as she joined Harry, who plays her love interest Seb Franklin

Romance? Fans have seen the pair grow closer in recent days after she split from Asha Alahan over fears their relationship was moving too quickly and they'd be better off as friends

Questions: Next week Nina will decide whether to call off her budding romance with Seb after learning Asha's reunited with her sleazy ex-boyfriend Corey

Elsewhere during filming, Millie sported a blue tie-dye dress to film scenes as the feisty teen Kelly Neelan, donning a face mask as she headed onto the set.

For the scenes, the stars were seen swigging from cans of lager before clashing with a group of yobs, hinting all is not well in their outdoor celebration.

Harriet, who plays Summer Spellman, wore an eye-catching green boiler suit over a striped top as she made her way onto the set.

Chic: Elsewhere during filming, Millie (left) sported a blue tie-dye dress to film scenes as the feisty teen Kelly Neelan, donning a face mask as she headed onto the set

Drink up: Her character could be seen swigging from a can of lager during the scenes, which saw the teens clash with another group of yobs on the remote site

Low-key: Millie teamed the summer dress with a grey leather bomber jacket and colourful trainers as she ran a brush through her hair between scenes

Feisty: Recent episodes have seen Kelly attempt to convince Toyah Battersby and her partner Imran Habeeb to foster her

It comes after it was claimed that soaps including EastEnders and Coronation Street have seen a significant drop in their viewing figures.

According to data published by The Mirror, Corrie's audience has fallen by 19 per cent in the past four years while EastEnders has fell by around 37 per cent.

The numbers also showed the amount of people tuning into watch TV is down nine per cent in the first eight weeks of 2021 compared to the same time period in 2017.

As well as EastEnders and Coronation Street's viewing figures being down, ITV soap Emmerdale also saw their numbers drop by 22 per cent in the period compared.

Rumours: It comes after it was claimed that soaps including EastEnders and Coronation Street have seen a significant drop in their viewing figures

Shocking: According to data published by The Mirror , Corrie's audience has fallen by 19 per cent in the past four years while EastEnders has fell by around 37 per cent

Losing viewers? As well as EastEnders and Coronation Street's viewing figures being down, ITV soap Emmerdale also saw their numbers drop by 22 per cent in the period compared

They're not interested! The study also reportedly found that younger viewers had turned away from soaps in general, claiming that EastEnders lost 53 per cent of viewers aged 16-34

Writing in Broadcast magazine, ratings expert Stephen Price said: 'The soaps' dominance of traditional TV appears to be on the wane, no longer impervious to challenge from the linear opposition and losing fans to the streamers.

'With volume falling faster than overall TV viewing and the challenge of other genres more keenly felt, soaps' all-conquering prowess is disappearing.'

The study also reportedly found that younger viewers had turned away from soaps in general, claiming that EastEnders lost 53 per cent of viewers aged 16-34.

Some good news: Despite the fall, EastEnders and Corrie still manage to maintain overall viewing figures in the millions

Drama: For the scenes, the stars were seen swigging from cans of lager before clashing with a group of yobs, hinting all is not well in their outdoor celebration

Rules: New Covid restrictions mean soaps have been unable to film scenes on location, with all cast members expected to adhere to social distancing

ITV told The Mirror: 'ITV soaps are consistently amongst the most-watched programmes in primetime and they are in the top three most streamed on ITV Hub.'

While a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'A growing proportion of EastEnders' viewing and the majority for under 35s is via BBC iPlayer where the audience value the ability to watch it on demand.

'Since the show returned to air in September 2020, it has generated 149 million iPlayer streaming requests, making it one of the services very best performing programmes.'

MailOnline contacted representatives for ITV for comment at the time.

Despite the fall, EastEnders and Corrie still manage to maintain overall viewing figures in the millions.
Western Australias mining industry was staring down the barrel of what it thought could be annihilation in March last year.

But fast forward 12 months and the sector is rocketing, officially hiring more people than at the peak of the mining boom in 2013.

Iron ore has been a major driver in the resources sectors success. Credit: FMG

Figures for 2020 released by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety on Thursday reveal the extraordinary resilience of the mining sector, which has been boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic rather than hindered by it.

After a shaky March and April miners hit their straps by July, resulting in average employment of 113,056 full-time jobs for the year  and 141,000 total people employed  and blowing past the previous record of just under 110,000 full-time equivalents set in 2013.
A senior RAF officer has raised concerns about pilot safety just days after a Hawk jet crashed in Cornwall.

The squadron leader claims exhausted, emotionally distressed instructors are flying too many hours while trainees are flying solo before they are ready.

He fears a fatal crash is inevitable unless serious issues at a flying school for Britains next generation of military Top Guns are addressed.

A senior RAF officer has raised concerns about pilot safety just days after a Hawk jet crashed in Cornwall (pictured, RAF personnel at the scene of the crash)

The officer also revealed there was a chronic shortage of aircraft, safety guidelines are being ignored and fed-up pilots are threatening to quit.

The claims  in a bombshell document obtained by the Daily Mail  come after two pilots were forced to eject from a Royal Navy jet before it burst into flames last Friday.

The crash prompted the senior instructor from 72 (Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Valley in North Wales to turn whistleblower.

He told top brass: I am gravely concerned for the flight safety and personal wellbeing of members of 72 (F) Squadron. He predicted accidents caused through fatigue or a lack of recent practice.

The RAF said it was addressing the issues raised by the officer.

His squadron is responsible for delivering Basic Fast Jet Training (BFJT) to RAF and Royal Navy pilots who will go on to fly state-of-the-art F-35 and Tempest aircraft stationed on Britains new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

The senior RAF officer's claims  in a bombshell document obtained by the Daily Mail  come after two pilots were forced to eject from a Royal Navy jet before it burst into flames last Friday (pictured)

The officer added: I think we are days away from several staff being unable to continue flying. Yet senior officers on the station appear utterly powerless to fix the problems.

His gravest concern was student flying experience.

Some students are flying accompanied only twice a month. Flying solo with that little recency is a safety risk.

Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) are working long hours in a very inefficient system. This has resulted in rest limits being compromised and duty day limits being exceeded.

The schedulers do not respect the regulations - and see instructors as an expendable resource - so we dont get enough time to train ourselves and thereby prevent skill fade.

There is also chronic shortage of aircraft and a backlog of students.

The crash (pictured) prompted the senior instructor from 72 (Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Valley in North Wales to turn whistleblower

The huge backlog of students on the course is causing friction among trainee pilots at the air station - because as new officers arrive to begin training those who have been there a long time, and are behind schedule, realise they face even greater competition to secure aircraft time and to achieve their flying qualifications.

As well as teaching the students the flying instructors must also train themselves - known as Staff Continuation Training (SCT) - in order to maintain their skill levels.

The squadron leader said in his report it was a struggle to get scheduled for enough routine flying training.

Last night the RAF confirmed it was seeking to address the issues raised by the senior officer.

An RAF spokesman said: The RAF encourages an open and honest safety culture and all personnel are encouraged to report any concerns.

'A report from 72 Squadron led to improvements being identified and implemented to ensure the safety, morale and performance of the Squadron, the effectiveness of these measures will be closely monitored.
First let's define terms.



Here's a wiki passage that offers a starting point.



Intersectionality is an analytical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege. Examples of these aspects include gender, caste, sex, race, class, sexuality, religion, disability, physical appearance, and height.

Translation: A sketchy theory that has escaped academia imagines that Americans have anything in common other than their social media hatred of your dad and his pension.



But let's talk about this concept in more practical terms.

Once again, it's important to remember that this cowtown's newspaper is on a crusade against law enforcement.

A recent example . . .

Kansas City Star: Honk for Peace activist accuses 2 KCPD officers of excessive force in civil lawsuit

(Non-paywall version of the story from KMBC)

These are the two cops who were also indicted with help from Jackson County Prosecutor "Mean" Jean Peters Baker for the rough arrest of Breona Hill.



Tragically, the trans woman was shot dead before she was able to offer her testimony.

Forgive the honest question . . .

Does anybody know what happened to the person who shot Breona Hill to death? There were no charges immediately after the arrest, the shooter stayed at the scene and it's very likely the gunfire death might have been a justified shooting. Sadly, local media seem to care a lot more about the cops who arrested her than the gunfire that ended her life.

But I digress . . .

What might be more important is the connection of this case to the rise in anti-Asian hateration.

Example . . .

Reuters: White House announces new measures to counter anti-Asian violence

Also, today there was an arrest following old Asian lady beat down in NYC and the suspect was previously on lifetime parole for stabbing his mom to death.

To wit and for our activist friends . . .



PRECEDING HER ROUGH ARREST BREONA HILL REPORTEDLY ATTACKED IMMIGRANT STORE OWNERS AND USED RACIALLY CHARGED ANTI-ASIAN EPITHETS!!!



MSM backstory that depicts an intersection betwixt trans life and the current fight to stop violence against the AAPI community . . .

KCTV5: "The woman was inside the store shouting racial slurs offensive to Asian people . . . And refused to leave."

Accordingly . . .

If we're going to document the tragic life of Breona Hill, excluding the chaotic circumstances of her death and hate speech conflict with the denizens of her neighborhood FAILS offer a complete view of the complex and often contradictory interwoven fabric of Kansas City urban life.

In a similarly confusing conclusion . . .



Without submitting to a culture war narrative defined by halfwits on Twitter, lots of luck finding a "good guy" in Kansas City amid charges of brutality, racial hatred and the violent life of a trans martyr all referenced by a snarky Latino blogger with a "thing" for curvy supermodels.

Related reading:

NBC: Biden issues first presidential proclamation on Trans Day of Visibility

HRC: Human Rights Campaign Honors International Transgender Day of Visibility 2021

CNN: Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility. Here's what you should know

PBS: Reversing Trump order, Pentagon to release new policy for transgender people in military

NCR: Two Catholic bishops assure transgender people: 'God resides in you'

You decide . . .
Over the past decade, Taiwan has seen a steady rise in pet ownership; the number of registered dogs and cats peaked at 2.5 million in 2017, almost double what it was in 2005. In 2019, Taiwan reported 2.3 million dogs and cats, rates that surpassed the number of children under age 15 in at least five counties, according to the Council of Agriculture. I dont have kids, so I consider Baoer my son, says Albert Wu, a client of pet psychic Jasmine Shiau. MUST CREDIT: Photo for The Washington Post by An Rong Xu Credit:Washington Post/An Rong Xu In Taipei, it is not uncommon to see dogs carted around in strollers or businesses advertising pet services like massages or swim classes and yoga for dogs. Residents can arrange funerals for departed animals complete with monks chanting last rites and a ceremony for burning joss paper [special paper used for burnt offerings] so their spirits will live well in the afterlife. Pets are part of political life. President Tsai Ing-wens two cats and three dogs, who featured in her reelection campaign last year, are still part of public relations efforts; one of Tsais former campaign managers was an animal communicator. Local politicians frequently signal support for animal-related initiatives like new dog parks and animal rights legislation. While pet ownership has increased, enthusiasm for having children has waned, the result of rising living expenses, stagnant wages and life in densely packed cities. Taiwans population shrank in 2020 for the first time on record.

People want company, but they dont necessarily want to raise a child, said Ariel Hu, a communicator also known as Bu Ma, who teaches courses on how to talk to animals. The cost of owning a pet is a lot less than raising a child. That may be changing as residents increasingly see their pets as family members. Pet care sales jumped more than 40 per cent between 2016 and 2020, to more than $US1.2 billion a year, according to Euromonitor, a market research provider. As people indulge their animal friends, they are turning to communicators whose services range from finding lost pets to divining the relationship between owner and pet in a past life. Communicators like Hu and Hsu say they have talked with all manner of beings, from dogs and cats to hedgehogs, birds, turtles, dolphins, insects and plants. Albert Wu, 43, the owner of a hair salon in Kaohsiung, hired communicator Jasmine Shiau to speak to his 3-year-old Westie, Baoer, or baby boy. As Baoer sits in Shiaus lap, Wu asks whether he likes steak and if he enjoyed their last trip to Kenting, a beach destination. The answer to both questions is yes.

I dont have kids, so I consider Baoer my son, said Wu, who believes Shiau was accurate in her reading. Shiau told him that Baoer pees in Wu and his partners bed because they turn in too late. Its true. He glares at me while I stay up watching TV, Wu said. Others have more serious questions near the end of a pets life. Poyin Chen, 28, a graphic designer in Taipei, did a session last year for her sick hedgehog, Dimple. The communicator told her Dimples preferred way of being held (snuggled on top of Chens stomach) and her favorite food (apples). I understood better how she feels, so we just accompanied her until she died, she said. Those in the industry attribute its popularity to factors from Taiwans dominant religions of Daoism and Buddhism and related beliefs in reincarnation and spirits, to a growing acceptance of alternative health practices like reiki and hypnosis. Others refer to ancient Chinese folklore figures like Gongye Chang of the Zhou dynasty who, according to legend, could talk to birds. But experts say the more plausible explanation is that this is an urban, middle-class phenomenon caused by a growing sense of isolation.

Our ability to communicate with other people is declining, said Huang Tsung-chieh, an associate professor at National Dong Hwa University, who studies urbanism and the role of animals in literature, adding that the trend was exacerbated by the pandemic as more people stayed at home. Shiau said that during the pandemic, several owners, stuck overseas, have needed her services to explain their extended absences to their pets. In one case, a client asked Shiau to tell her dog, suffering from a serious urinary tract infection, not to wait for their owner. The dog died soon after. At a workshop in Kaohsiung taught by Hu, a dozen students sit in a circle on the floor, gazing at photos of their classmates pets as they try to summon a connection. Answers to questions are supposed to come in the form of images, a voice or a feeling, physical or emotional. How do I know that what Im seeing isnt just from my own head? asks Jason Yang, 21, one of the students. Hu tells him to have confidence that what he is seeing is right. Animal advocates say that whether humans are able to telepathically connect with their pets is less important than what the industry signals - that animals and their feelings are worth considering, a belief activists hope will translate to better treatment of animals in the food supply chain, in zoos and in the wild.
The controversial $216,000 agreement between former Charleston County attorney Joe Dawson and County Council has spurred public outrage about the deal and the ethics behind the generous contract.

Jay Karens Feb. 10 letter on the subject, which raised many questions on the issue, is Februarys Golden Pen winner.

His letter noted that when Dawson was being considered for a federal judgeship, he claimed to have no expected income outside the court.

In the name of providing him a soft landing and to keep the lines of information open to Dawson as he serves his first year on the federal bench, the county writes a $216,000 check to him for independent contractor services, Mr. Karen wrote.

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

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At what point did Dawson or County Council leadership realize the new contract would be, at best, ethically dubious?

He noted that Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor said it wasnt a contract, but then raised the question, Yet what is a signed agreement other than a contract?

Mr. Karen noted that from all accounts, Dawson served Charleston County with great effect for 20 years but then asked why he would allow his stellar reputation potentially to be sullied as he leaves.

Mr. Karen also asked other pointed questions, such as: Did County Council receive legal advice from anyone about this pricey agreement? Is there anywhere a more quid pro quo boys club than Lowcountry politics and government?

The Golden Pen is awarded monthly. Winners also are invited to an annual luncheon with the newspapers editorial staff.
[March 31, 2021] Breakthrough on COVID-19 Vaccine Acknowledged by Global WholeHealth Partners, Corp. (OTC:GWHP) as AstraZeneca Aims to File Application With FDA While Dr. Anthony Fauci Says, "This is Very Likely a Very Good Vaccine"

San Clemente, CA, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Global WholeHealth Partners Corp (OTC:GWHP) offers one of the largest lines of tests for CoViD19 SARS2, and is prepared to help in the fight against CoViD19 SARS2. With the vaccine roll-out in progress, continued testing for COVID-19 is imperative and needs to remain a top priority to stop the spread of this deadly virus.

Breakthrough on COVID-19 Vaccine Acknowledged by Global WholeHealth Partners, Corp (OTC:GWHP) as AstraZeneca aims to file an application with the FDA while Dr. Anthony Fauci says, "This is very likely a very good vaccine." Charles Strongo, CEO of Global WholeHealth Partners, Corp., said, "We were very encouraged by the AstraZeneca report that highlighted the effectiveness of their vaccine. Strongo also mentioned that he agrees with Dr. Fauci, stating the AstraZeneca vaccine is presumably very good referring to an article that appeared in the New York Times and can be found here. We (Global) have been early supporters of the AstraZeneca vaccine and weve already secured the global distribution rights to sell this vaccine anywhere in the world, Mr. Strongo affirmed. A copy of the Global WholeHealth Partners, Corp 8K filing related to the distribution rights of the AstraZeneca vaccine can be found here. Hopefully AstraZeneca can get their application into the Food and Drug Administration as soon as possible so that we may see FDA authorization of the vaccine within the next 4 to 6 weeks, Strongo expressed as he referred to an article from the Associated Press found here. The AstraZeneca vaccine has been granted conditional marketing or emergency use authorization in more than 70 countries. But it has yet to be approved in the United States, where President Joe Biden is stepping up the federal response to the pandemic by expanding testing, ramping up vaccinations and boosting production. AstraZeneca forecast it would deliver 50 million doses to the United States within the first month of authorization and 15 to 20 million doses per month thereafter, drawing entirely on production sites in the country. AstraZeneca reported Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine provided strong protection among adults of all ages in a long-anticipated U.S. study, a finding that could help rebuild public confidence in the shot around the world and move it a step closer to clearance in the U.S. In the study of 30,000 people, the vaccine was 79% effective at preventing symptomatic cases of COVID-19 including in older adults. There were no severe illnesses or hospitalizations among vaccinated volunteers, compared with five such cases in participants who received dummy shots  a small number, but consistent with findings from Britain and other countries that the vaccine protects against the worst of the disease.



The CDC is still recommending that individuals who are already fully vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus should continue to get tested if they are experiencing any of the symptoms, Charles Strongo reiterated. CDC Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People can be found here.

There is no better way to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 and its various mutated strains then by utilizing the rapid antibody test kits that we offer to accurately detect those who have become infected and having them immediately quarantine, says Charles Strongo, CEO of Global WholeHealth Partners, Corp. Global WholeHealth Partners recognizes that there is a crucial need for faster testing and faster results when it comes to fighting the COVID. Global WholeHealth Partners knows that the quicker the test results can be reviewed by a Front-Line Healthcare Worker, the quicker we can stop the spread of this disease. With results in minutes versus hours or days with other diagnostic kits, the more lives that can be saved with the only FDA authorized COVID-19 POC serology Point of Care Test. With the new fingerstick test, healthcare providers can prick a patients finger and get results in minutes without having to wait for venous blood. Global WholeHealth Partners will be able to distribute these tests to more urgent cares, hospitals, and  to help curb the spread of CoViD19 SARS2. Global WholeHealth Partners Corp. provides cutting edge technology using In-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Real-Time PCR Machines for detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibodies in human serum, plasma, or whole blood. It has led the fight against vector borne terminal diseases such as Ebola, ZIKA, Dengue, Malaria, Influenza and Tuberculosis, Corona Viruses, and among other vector borne diseases. The company was founded on March 7, 2013 and is headquartered in San Clemente, CA. GWHP develops, manufactures, and markets in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests for OTC, or consumer-use as well as professional rapid diagnostic point-of-care (POC) test kits for hospitals, physicians offices, and medical clinics in the US and abroad. Notably, GWHP offers a CE Mark for its high quality, rapid antibody test for COVID-19 and an EUA filing with the FDA is pending approval. In the interim, the US Navy in California has been using the test during 2Q20 and the Company has the capacity to deliver hundreds of thousands of tests, ramping up to 1 million per day. Currently, the Company has 56 products FDA approved and many are Approved for OTC use, and 9 POC products approved by the FDA. Disclaimer: The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the Covid-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time. Media Contact: Name: Charles Strongo, CEO, Global WholeHealth Partners Corp. Email: Sales@gwhpcorp.com www.gwhpcorp.com This press release contains "forward-looking statements. Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) market acceptance of our existing and new products, (ii) negative clinical trial results or lengthy product delays in key markets, (iii) an inability to secure regulatory approvals for the sale of our products, (iv) intense competition in the medical device industry from much larger, multinational companies, (v) product liability claims, (vi) product malfunctions, (vii) our limited manufacturing capabilities and reliance on subcontractors for assistance, (viii) insufficient or inadequate reimbursement by governmental and other third party payers for our products, (ix) our efforts to successfully obtain and maintain intellectual property protection covering our products, which may not be successful, (x) legislative or regulatory reform of the healthcare system in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, (xi) our reliance on single suppliers for certain product components, (xii) the fact that we will need to raise additional capital to meet our business requirements in the future and that such capital raising may be costly, dilutive or difficult to obtain and (xiii) the fact that we conduct business in multiple foreign jurisdictions, exposing us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, logistical and communications challenges, burdens and costs of compliance with foreign laws and political and economic instability in each jurisdiction. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html



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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 19:08:54|Editor: huaxia

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TALUQAN, Afghanistan, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Police in Afghanistan's northern Takhar province arrested two drug smugglers and discovered nearly 200 gram heroin from their stomachs on Wednesday, provincial police spokesman Abdul Khalil Asir said.

The first smuggler was arrested in Kalafgan district early Wednesday and after checking police took him to hospital and doctors discovered 101 gram heroin placed in capsules from his stomach. The man is under medical treatment in hospital, the official said.

According to the official, police captured another drug smuggler from the provincial capital Taluqan city around noon and found 98 capsules each carrying 1 gram heroin from his stomach.

In a similar operation, police raided a suspected place in Shirzad district of the eastern Nangarhar province in the wee hours of Wednesday and besides discovering illicit drugs also destroyed a heroin lab, provincial government confirmed in a statement. Enditem
Washington: Amid escalating tensions with Beijing, the Biden administration on Tuesday (March 30) declared Chinese actions against the Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang as genocide.

In a 2020 report on Human rights practices: China released on Tuesday, the US Department of State said: "Genocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang".

Former US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo first officially declared genocide in Xinjiang during the waning days of the Donald Trump administration. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed Pompeos assessment during his confirmation hearing, but the words inclusion into Tuesdays report formalizes the outlook as an official US government assessment, Washington Post reported.

The State Department said the crime includes the arbitrary imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty of more than one million civilians; forced sterilization, coerced abortions, and more restrictive application of Chinas birth control policies; rape; torture of a large number of those arbitrarily detained; forced labour; and the imposition of draconian restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement.

The state department said Chinese government officials and the security services often committed human rights abuses with impunity.

"Authorities often announced investigations following cases of reported killings by police but did not announce results or findings of police malfeasance or disciplinary action," the report stated. The report has come amid heightening tensions between western countries and China. The recent escalation of tensions began after the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for atrocities against Uyghurs. "There were numerous reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. In many instances few or no details were available," the state department read.

In Xinjiang, the state department said that there were reports of custodial deaths related to detentions in the internment camps and there were multiple reports from Uyghur family members who discovered their relatives had died while in internment camps or within weeks of their release.

The State Department also highlighted an example of Abdulghafur Hapiz, an Uyghur man who was detained in a Xinjiang internment camp in 2017. Hapizs death was formally confirmed by the Chinese government to the United Nations in October. The government claimed Hapiz died in 2018 of "severe pneumonia and tuberculosis." His daughter said she last heard from Hapiz in 2016; sources reported he disappeared no later than 2017 and was held without charges in an internment camp.

According to the report, the government conducted mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim and ethnic minority groups in Xinjiang.

China Human Rights Defenders alleged these detentions amounted to enforced disappearance since families were often not provided information about the length or location of the detention, the report read. The report noted that the authorities in Wuhan disappeared four citizen journalists, Chen Qiushi, Li Zehua, Zhang Zhan, and Fang Bin, who had interviewed health-care professionals and citizens and later publicized their accounts on social media in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown in Wuhan.

While Li Zehua was released in April, Fang Bin's and Chen Qiushi's whereabouts were unknown at years end. Zhang Zhan was indicted on charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," and authorities tried and convicted her on December 28, sentencing her to four years` imprisonment. She was the first known person to be tried and convicted for her coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan.

Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who has been disappeared on multiple occasions, has been missing since 2017."Using the term genocide in the report indicates profound concern in the administration about appalling Chinese government human rights violations against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and other Turkic communities," Washington Post quoted Sophie Richardson, a China expert at Human Rights Watch, as saying.

The move may also put further pressure on the Biden administration to punish China for its alleged actions. "The next step is to map out a strategy to back an independent investigation, gather evidence, and pursue accountability," Richardson said.

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Uganda lost at least 58 doctors and nurses in the last 15 months, some to Covid-19, according to Uganda Medical Association (UMA).

Records of the association, which is the umbrella body for doctors in the country, show that 11 doctors of Ugandan origin died abroad including in the United States, the United Kingdom and India. Others passed on in South Africa, Eswatini and Nigeria.

Among the dead are 19 consultants or senior consultants and UMA President Dr Richard Idro said last evening that it takes about two decades to train and rise to the top professional rank.

It takes five years of training and one year of internship for one to qualify as a medical officer in Uganda upon which an individual has to work for two years at a general hospital before undertaking a three-year Master's degree to become a specialist medical officer.

Upon graduate studies, one has to again work for five or seven years to be eligible for appointment as a consultant and senior consultant, respectively, subject to availability of the senior rank slots.

Considering the length of training and experienced amassed, Dr Idro said the loss for Uganda in the deaths of the consultants, most of whom moonlighted as lecturers or mentors, is incalculable.

"We were not able to mourn the people who trained us, our seniors," he said in reference to restrictions on burial attendance due to Covid-19.

In an earlier interview, the UMA president said many of professionals lost in the past year - some to the pandemic - were highly trained specialists, mentors of demonstrable expertise and teachers of the next generation of star medics.

Notable among the deceased include former Mulago hospital executive director Edward Ddumba, who later worked as director of St Francis Hospital Nsambya, Prof Richard Kanyerezi, co-founder and director of Kampala Hospital and senior consultant psychiatrist, Dr Fred Kigozi, a former director of Butabika Hospital.

Others are senior consultant cardiologist Wilson Nyakoojo, who worked at the Uganda Heart Institute, consultant forensic pathologist Martin Kalyemenya, senior consultant paediatrician Israel Kalyesubula, who was also one of the leading HIV specialists in the country.

The deaths of Ugandan health workers in the past year is almost double the numbers lost the year before, a scenario that Dr Idro described as "scary".

There are less than 50 consultants and senior consultants in Uganda, according to UMA records, majority concentrated in Kampala.

The country trains about 150 specialists and 500 general doctors a year from nine medical schools, officials said.

On March 12, the medical and health fraternity organised an inter-denominational memorial mass at Sheraton Kampala Hotel to celebrate the lives of health professionals lost to Covid-19 and other diseases in 2020.

Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, who was the main celebrant, said health workers sacrifice a lot, including their lives, while serving the country. He urged government to increase their remuneration.

"We see people who are getting a lot of money that they have not worked for. Doctors; the people who are always taking care of us should be paid enough so that they are not tempted to go into the evil of corruption when no one is there to deliver them from it," the prelate said.

Remuneration

The starting salary for a medical officer in government employment is Shs1.1 million while senior consultants earn Shs7 million, rates that the medical fraternity wants doubled.

"Since 2017, and for the past four years, the government endlessly promised to raise our pay so that an entry level doctor gets at least Shs5 million, but this has remained just words. We hope these words end on June 30 and from July 1 [the start of the new financial year], a new pay structure will be put in place," Dr Idro said.

Doctors and nurses have gone on strike multiple times over the past five years over poor pay and working conditions, which officials acknowledge as the reason for flight of health professions abroad.

In an article published in 2013, this newspaper quoted Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council as saying that 2,000 Ugandan doctors had left the country within a decade, with South Sudan that had newly become independent, being the leading destination.

The brain drain remains a teething problem for the health sector, with many clinicians taking up juicy managerial posts, particularly in non-governmental organisation and projects.

The ongoing pandemic has magnified the problem and the deaths of the 58 doctors and other health professionals has made an already bad situation worse, Dr Idro said.

The 58 health workers who have passed on comprise dentists, pharmacists, nurses, doctors, laboratory technologists, a health inspector, psychiatrists and village health team member Eunice Chamadala, who became the first confirmed Covid-19 fatality in Uganda when she died on July 21, 2020.

This was four months after the disease was confirmed in the country. Ministry of Health records show that Coronavirus has claimed 334 lives in the country to-date out of 40,700-plus infections.

Kiboga District health officer Michael Musiitwa and Rakai hospital medical superintendent Yasin Kiyembe are among those who succumbed to Covid-19 at a relatively young age, although they were reputed to have gained significant managerial experience in ways their deaths create a gap in health sector service delivery up-country.

Ms Hadijja Kyakuwa, the mother of Dr Kiyembe, said she knew about her son's demise only after the neighbours asked her to confirm reports at the time being treated as rumours.

In November 2020, a team from Mulago National Referral Hospital took Kiyembe from his home after he tested positive for Covid-19

"They told both (Rakai) hospital and the world on television, but we [as relatives] did not know anything. That whole process was scary," Ms Kyakuwa said.

She added: "People were asking me. They were saying 'your son passed on, is it true?' I tried telling them it was not true. I could not just believe it like that. Not until I called my other sons and they called Rakai hospital and they confirmed the rumours."

The deceased's relatives have been distressed the same way many families have suffered stigma after their loved ones tested positive for Covid-19.

For Ms Kyakuwa, the problems have not ended and the pain has intensified.

The mother says she spent almost three months chasing for her son's death certificate from Mulago National Referral Hospital.

She finally got the certificate but has to officiate it from National Identification and Registration Authority .

In a separate interview, the Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine, said the number of health workers dying in the line of duty has increased due to coronavirus.

"Under normal circumstances we do not lose so many health workers. But we cannot sit and watch the services getting affected because of this," she said.

She said some of the experts who died had already retired from government service, and they will be most missed as great mentors.

Recruitment underway

The PS said arrangements are underway to recruit replacements for some of the health workers who died to ensure "that the services continue without affecting patients".

To stem the loss of lives, Dr Atwine encouraged health workers and all eligible Ugandans to get Covid-19 jabs in the ongoing immunisation that started on March 10.

"The government is making sure that all health workers are vaccinated. There are those that are refusing to get the vaccine, but that is their problem. The option will still be there for them should they change their mind," she said.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine being administered in Uganda is to help prevent severe illnesses in the event of contracting Covid-19, but does not prevent catching the disease, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).

Prominent among those that have taken the shot include President Museveni and First Lady Janet, Vice President Edward Ssekandi, First Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali and Health minister, Dr Ruth Aceng.

The government last month secured 964,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines through COVAX, the global facility that WHO created to enable poor countries such as Uganda access the vaccine. India topped up with a donation of 100,000 doses.

Dr Atwine said if more health workers receive the jabs, it is likely not many will again succumb to the pandemic.

"Of course, death is inevitable. They (health workers) may survive Covid and die of other conditions since those conditions have not taken holiday, she said.

"But we will continue to do our preventative measures as we remind the health workers to take extra precautions when handling patients and making sure they take care of themselves and ensure they get the vaccines to stay protected," she added.

Dr Idro said they jointly organised the March 12 remembrance prayer with other fraternities because Covid-19-related restrictions did not enable them attend or give decent burials to fallen colleagues.

The inter-denominational prayer was organised by UMA, Uganda Dental Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, the Nurses and Midwives Union, the Medical Clinical Officers, Allied Health and Association of Laboratory technologies. Families of the departed health workers, government officials and health workers were among those who attended.

Brother Elio Croce

Title: Chief Technician

Date of death: 11/11/20

Work place: Lacor hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Douglas Mugarura

Title: Lecturer, Paediatrician

Date of death: 13/09/2020

Work place: Kiryandongo hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Carlo Spanolli

Title: Senior Consultant Surgeon

Date of death: 01/02/20

Work place: Arua hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Charles Kiggundu

Title: Senior Consultant Obstetrician

Date of death: 28/12/2020

Work place: Kawempe hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Charles Nabangi

Title: District Health Officer

Date of death: 02/11/20

Work place: Mayuge districts

Country of death: Uganda

Dr David Bisaso Wasswa

Title: Senior Consultant Physician

Date of death:

Work place: Manzini Clinic

Country of death: Eswatini

Dr Edward Ddumba

Title: Senior Consultant Physician, Former Director Mulago & Nsambya Hospital

Date of death:

Work place: Nsambya Hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr James Okwera

Title: Consultant Physician

Date of death: 02/02/2020

Work place: Rotherham Hospital

Country of death: United Kingdom

Dr Martin Kalyemenya

Title: Consultant Forensic Pathologist

Date of death: 19/05/2020

Work place: Mulago hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Michael Musiitwa

Title: District Health Officer

Date of death: 07/12/20

Work place: Kiboga district

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Mwebesa Bosco Bwana

Bwana Title: Head of HIV Clinic

Date of death: 06/10/20

Work place: Mbarara RRH/MUST

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Ochan Banda

Title: Senior Medical Officer

Date of death: 01/01/20

Work place: Mityana hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Sebishimbo Peter Mugisha

Title: Dermatologist/Lecturer

Date of death: 05/09/20

Work place: Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Stephen Serebe Sewanyana

Title: Consultant Paediatrician

Date of death: 27/12/2019

Work place: North Charlotte, North Carolina

Country of death: United States of America

Dr Wilfred Seddie Alibusa

Title: Pyschiatrist

Date of death: 09/03/20

Work place:

Country of death: Botswana

Dr Yasin Kiyemba

Title: Senior Medical Officer/Medical Superintendent

Date of death: 05/11/20

Work place: Rakai hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Alphonse Okwera

Title: Principal Medical Officer

Date of death: 04/04/20

Work place: Mulago hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Edward Kigonya

Title: Senior Consultant Physician, Former President UMA

Date of death: 11/11/20

Work place: Retired

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Emmanuel Lumu

Title: Former Minister of Health

Date of death: 11/12/19

Work place: Retired

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Eric L Acellam

Title: Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist

Date of death: 04/01/20

Work place: Lewisham University

Hospital Country of death: UK

Dr Isreal Kalyesubula

Title: Senior Consultant Paediatrician

Date of death: 26/09/2020

Work place: Mulago hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Michael Balikudembe

Title: Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Date of death: 04/09/20

Work place: Mulago Hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Ocitti Morris

Title: Medical Officer

Date of death: 04/01/20

Work place: Gulu Independent Hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Wilson Nyakoojo Title: senior Consultant Cardiologist UHI

Date of death: 08/01/20

Work place: Mulago hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Fred Nsobya Kigozi

Title: Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Former Director, Butabika hospital

Date of death: 28/12/2020

Work place: Retired

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Gelasius Mukasa

Title: Senior Lecturer and Consultant, Paediatrician, Neonatologist

Date of death: 04/01/21

Work place: Retired

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Patrick Mons Opira

Title: Medical Officer

Date of death:

Work place: TASO, Gulu

Country of death: Nigeria

Prof Richard Kanyerezi

Title: Senior Consultant Physician, Director Kampala Hospital

Date of death: 30/12/2019

Work place: Kampala hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Dr Sarah Trene Namuli Mukasa Yiga

Title: Family Health Specialist

Date of death: 12/01/21

Work place: Bloemfontein

Country of death: South Africa

William Mule

Title: Laboratory Technician

Date of death: 27/10/2021

Work place: Mukono General Hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Florence Acheng

Title: Nurse

Date of death: 13/10/20

Work place: Kawolo HC III

Country of death: Uganda

DR GEORGE KAMYA

Title: Senior Consultant Surgeon and former Chair, Health Service Commission

Date of death: 11/02/2020

Work place: Retired

Country of death: Uganda

DR SANDE HABIMANA MIHIGO

Title: Community Health Specialist

Date of death: 29/12/2020

Work place: Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Country of death: South Africa

DR. ALEX NDIWALANA

Title: General Practitioner

Date of death: 05/05/20

Work place: Rustenburg

Country of death: South Africa

DR. DAVID SSENOGA

Title: Consultant Paediatrician

Date of death: 04/02/2021

Work place: Kingsway hospital

Country of death: South Africa

Name: DR MPWEREIRWE DENIS

Title: Retired Principal Medical Officer

Date of death: 17/12/20

Work place: Mbarara Regional Blood Bank

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR BALIRAINE MOSES

Title: Medical Officer

Date of death: 03/02/21

Work place: Buwenge HC IV

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR. SAM URINGI URINGTHO

Title: Principal Medical Officer Gulu, Regional Blood Bank

Date of death: 14/10/20

Work place: Retired

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR CHARLES L SEZI

Title: Senior Consultant Physician

Date of death: 06/10/20

Work place: Retired

Country of death: Uganda

Name: EMERU EMMANUEL

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Title: Intern Pharmacist

Date of death: 01/01/20

Work place: Mbarara hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR ECWERU RICHARD

Title: Principal Pharmacist

Date of death:

Work place: Mulago

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR LUBEGA BK

Title: Consultant Paediatrician

Date of death: 11/12/19

Work place: Lubega Children's Clinic, Bwaise

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR PATRICK ODONGO

Title: Senior Medical Officer

Date of death: 05/09/20

Work place: Lira Hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR SARABDEEP SIGH NAYER

Title: Pharmacist

Date of death:

Work place: Surgipharm Uganda Limited

Country of death: India

Name: DR. SAM KIPER

Title: Consultant Dental Surgeon

Date of death: 13/12/2020

Work place: Mediplan hospital Kampala

Country of death: Uganda

Name: EDWARD BABONA

Title: Nurse

Date of death: 17/11/2020

Work place: Kisenyi HC IVI

Country of death: Uganda

Name: ZAITUNI NAMAGANDA

Date of death: 18/11/2020

Work place: Nsambya hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Name: GERSHOM KABAGAMBE

Title: Ruby Medical Centre

Date of death: 09/12/20

Work place: Entebbe Hospital

Country of death Uganda

Name: CHARLES KAIJUKA

Date of death: 25/12/2020

Work place: Central Public Health Labs

Country of death: Uganda

Name: CHARLES WEDUNGA

Title: Anaesthetic Officer

Date of death: 01/02/21

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR. FREDERICK STEPHEN MBOLI

Title: Principal Dental Officer

Date of death: 08/12/20

Work place: Mulago hospital

Country of death Uganda

Name: ROSE HARRIET ANYAIT

Title: Health Inspector

Date of death: 03/10/20

Work place: Magoro HC III

Country of death: Uganda

Name: DR. KILAMA JJR

Title: Retired Senior Medical Officer

Date of death: 02/11/20

Work place: Gulu Regional Referral

Country of death: Uganda

Name: ANGELLA ACEN

Title: Nurse

Date of death: 01/10/20

Work place: Magoro HC III

Country of death: Uganda

Name: CATHERINE ARIKO

Date of death: 19/09/2020

Work place: Soroti Regional Referral Hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Name: EUNICE CHAMADALAA

Title: Village Health Team member

Date of death: 21/07/2020

Work place: Namisindwa, Wasungui HC I

Country of death: Uganda

Name: JOEL SIWA

Title: Nurse

Date of death: 13/09/2021

Work place: Kapchorwa Hospital

Country of death: Uganda

Name: 1SAAC CHEMWAJER

Title: Nurse

Date of death: 08/10/21

Work place: Kapchorwa Hospital

Country of death: Uganda
Major regional subsidiaries such as Lucite International change their name

Companies under the Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation global Methyl-methacrylate (MMA) Domain unify today under a new name, Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates. Major regional subsidiaries in the Americas, Asia and Europe, including former Lucite International, have changed their name as part of this unification.

Mitsubishi Chemical also consolidates its MMA headquarters in Singapore, which provides business oversight for 11 monomer plants and 6 polymer (acrylic resin) plants in growth markets around the globe.

The new name is part of a long-term plan to integrate regional companies within the company's MMA Domain to further optimize its global product supply network. Mitsubishi Chemical leverages digital technologies to connect regional production, costs and supply to meet the global demand for MMA. On average, the global demand for MMA increases 3% annually.

"The formation of Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates demonstrates our commitment to providing reliable MMA supply to our customers in every corner of the world," said Hitoshi Sasaki, chief executive officer, Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates. "This ties into our focus on expanding businesses in our portfolio that are poised for growth while simultaneously contributing to solving environmental and social issues."

About Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation creates innovative solutions globally based on our core values of sustainability, health and comfort, striving for the well-being of people, society and our planet Earth. Learn more at www.m-chemical.co.jp/en.

About Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates

Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates (MCM) is the global Methacrylates Division of Mitsubishi Chemical. With manufacturing sites, sales offices and distribution networks stretching across Asia, the Americas and Europe, MCM creates products that improve quality of life around the world, every single day. Learn more at www.mcc-methacrylates.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005035/en/

Contacts:

For additional information, contact:

Media

Americas

Robin Goodman

Tel: +1 (901) 381-2241

robin.goodman@m-chem.com

EMEA

Scott Neal

Tel: +44 (0)1642 735066

scott.neal@m-chem.com

Asia Pacific

Quee May Tan

Tel: +65 6303 4830

queemay.tan@m-chem.com

Japan

Kozo Hisamoto

Tel: +81 (0) 80 9434 5061

hisamoto.kozo.ma@m-chemical.co.jp
This is a big win for all school kids in the state, and the second time a New York Court has restrained a school district from excluding non-vaccinated children in two separate lawsuits brought by Patricia Finn Attorney, P.C.

The Law Offices of Patricia Finn Attorney, P.C., has just obtained another temporary restraining order in another New York State Medical Exemption case. Last week, a Supreme Court Judge Ordered a defendant school district to immediately readmit a medically fragile child back into school although the child is not fully vaccinated. The student had a certified medical exemption from the family physician waiving the school required vaccinations that had been declined by the school district, and the student's remote learning access was shut off. The parent filed an appeal to the New York State Commissioner of Education seeking a Stay of the schools decision that was denied. The 310 Appeal to the Commissioner was then withdrawn, and the students parent refiled in state court obtaining a temporary restraining order permitting the student back into school while the case is pending in the Supreme Court.

In these alarming times it is pleasant to note the latest in a string of legal victories by Patricia Finn against New York State. In this case a Supreme Court judge granted a restraining order against the state for preventing a medically fragile child, who had not been fully vaccinated from attending school remote school attendance. Finns site reports ( HERE ):

As you may recall, in June of last year, this firm obtained a preliminary injunction allowing Young Thorn Schwartz, a boy with autism, back into school after his medical exemption was denied by the school principal. Thorns case is now on appeal in the Appellate Division Fourth Department in New York, and we hope to prevail again. Our goal is to restore medical freedom in this state especially for children who are being deluged with school required vaccinations, and we need your support.

In Schwartz v NYSDOH, the Hon. Daniel J. Doyle, Supreme Court Yates County, enjoined a respondent school district from denying child petitioners medical exemption under PHL 2164(8) and held It does not necessarily appear that the Legislature intended for the medical exemption to be restricted only to contraindications and precautions specific to an individual immunization, and not also to include a certification consistent with the standard of medical care for a childs particular medical condition.

Two other students represented by our firm were allowed back into school in the past year after lawsuits were filed to restore their medical exemptions that were denied after NYSDOH amended its medical exemption regulations in August of 2019, virtually eliminating the statutory exemption. These two case came on the heels of another important win in NYS Supreme Court in Doe v Day. In April of 2019, in Doe v Day, this firm proved there was no measles epidemic in Rockland County, enjoining an Executive Order that excluded non-vaccinated children from public places.

We hope to continue this winning trend, and are in the process of filing another lawsuit to prove there is currently no deadly covid epidemic in New York State, relying on the precedent in Doe v Day, using the same standard set by the Court. In the case MF v Cuomo, we are challenging the state restrictions requiring children to wear masks to attend school, by once again proving there is no deadly covid epidemic, and moving to have the Executive Orders of Governor Cuomo overturned as arbitrary and capricious. It follows no epidemic than no mask mandate required in the absence of an emergency.

In Doe v Day, the Court defined an epidemic and then determined no epidemic existed:

"As the definition of 'disaster' set forth in Executive Law 20(2)(a) includes 'epidemic' Respondent argues that Mr. Day was well within his authority to issue the Emergency Declaration.

As epidemic' is not defined within Executive Law 24, the Court must look to its ordinary meaning. See, People v. Aleynikov, N.Y.3d 383, 397 (2018) ('When a word used in a statute is not defined in the statute, dictionary definitions serve as 'useful guideposts' in determining the word's 'ordinary' and 'commonly understood' meaning.') Thus, an epidemic is defined as "an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time.' Epidemic is also defined as 'affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time.' Id.



In a population of roughly 330,000 people, 166 cases is equal to .05% of the population, which does not appear, on the record before the Court, to rise to the level of an 'epidemic' as included in the definition of 'disaster' under Executive Law 24. Petitioner has thus demonstrated that Mr. Day's reliance on Executive Law 24 in issuing the Emergency Declaration may have been misplaced.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

These cases are important because they demonstrate with the right legal strategy your rights to refuse vaccinations can be restored, even in the midst of a perceived epidemic. Every child we represent that has their exemption restored brings us one step closer to stopping the mandatory vaccine train wreck heading our way with the experimental covid vaccine.

Please consider a donation to help us continue this important work securing your right to refuse unnecessary and unwanted mandatory vaccinations. For more information check out www.patriciafinnattorney.com and the links below where to donate.
Winneba  The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to renew its mentoring role for 10 of affiliate institutions.

Among the affiliate institutions were Jayee University College, the Regent University College, the Trans Africa College, Advanced Business College, Jackson Educational Complex and the BlueCrest College.

The others were the DHI College of Health and Education, the Entrepreneurship Training Institute, the Golden Star College of Education and the University College of Management Studies.

The Vice-Chancellor of the UEW, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni, who appended his signature for the University, expressed the commitment of management in the provision of quality education for all.

The institution, he said, was mindful of upholding quality at all affiliate institutions and would continue to put in place structures that ensure that students from the instructions were up to the required standard.

"Two years ago, the Academic Board decided to halt accepting new affiliate institutions. This was because we didn't want to just have the numbers," he said.

Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni indicated that, management of UEW had put in place a team of experts to ensure that services rendered to affiliate institutions were of the highest standards.

He urged the affiliate institutions to continue to interact with the University so that they could gain a lot from each other in the relationship.

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He stated that: "We wanted to concentrate on the few that were with us so that we could give them the quality services they expect from us. We would have doubled the numbers by now if we are just interested in the numbers."

He further said: "Sometimes, if you are not careful, you may be expanding at the cost of quality and we have cautiously guarded against that."

The Registrar of UEW, Paul Osei-Barima, in his remarks, noted that, the relationship between the University and its affiliate institutions was cordial and said, the institutions had been cooperative with programmes and policies put in place by the University.

"Every university college goes through a process of mentorship in areas of academic matters till it gains autonomy," he said.

Representatives from affiliate institutions, on their part, expressed satisfaction and appreciation to UEW for the quality of work done and the relationship that existed between them under the previous MoU.

They also promised to apply themselves to ensure that they attain the standards required of them.

Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa, the Director of the Entrepreneurship Training Institute, indicated that, he was very happy about the affiliation.

Caption: Prof. Afful-Broni( right) exchanging the signed MoU with Prof. Akosa
Photo: The Canadian Press The Harold and Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care is pictured in Delta, B.C., Thursday, May 28, 2020. A hospice in Delta, B.C., is now in the possession of a health authority after a provincially funded society refused to provide medical assistance in dying based on religious grounds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

A hospice in Delta, B.C., is now in the possession of a health authority after a provincially funded society refused to provide medical assistance in dying based on religious grounds.

Fraser Health says in a release that the Irene Thomas Hospice is being upgraded before reopening by April 15.

The health authority also took over the Harold and Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care and the surrounding lands after formally ending the service agreement and lease with the Delta Hospice Society.

Angelina Ireland, board president of the society that ran the 10-bed hospice, has maintained that providing a medically assisted death goes against the principles of Christianity.

However, other members of the community south of Vancouver argued the important end-of-life service is legal in Canada and should be offered to patients who want it.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says in a statement that access to hospice services is fundamental.

"That's what I hear regularly from people in Delta and across B.C. That is why there is strong support for the decision we have taken."
Tino Plunert/picture alliance via Getty Images

On Monday, a man broke into the Swiss Embassy in Washington DC and assaulted the ambassador.

A secret service agent identified the attacker as 30-year-old Christian David Mandeville of Oregon.

Mandeville allegedly also resisted arrest which resulted in injuries to the arresting officer.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

A 30-year-old man was arrested after breaking into Switzerland's Embassy in Washington DC and assaulting the Swiss Ambassador on Monday, according to a court filing from a Secret Service agent.

Agent Jacob Pina wrote in a statement filed in federal district court that he was called to the residence of Swiss Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud after reports of an "unwanted guest."

The residence is attached to the embassy.

The Swiss Embassy did not reply to Insider's request for comment at the time of publication but told CNN that someone had tried to get into the ambassador's home, was denied, and "subsequently jumped the exterior security fence of the Embassy grounds."

Secret Service said the perpetrator was Christian David Mandeville, of Portland, Oregon.

Mandeville allegedly tried to run further into the residence when officers arrived and Pitteloud tried to stop him by putting his hand in his way. Mandeville then rushed the ambassadors and, according to the court filing, "used his arms to knock away the Ambassador's arms. Mandeville then used his body to try and push his way past the Ambassador. His actions pushed the Ambassador backward."

Pina said Mandeville fought him while he was making the arrest and that he sustained abrasions to his forearm from the altercation.

Pitteloud told officers that Mandeville left a backpack outside of the gate which the officer said was suspicious. The residence was temporarily closed until an investigation was conducted and it was cleared.

Mandeville was charged with assault on a foreign official; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; and unlawful entry of private property.

Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at salarshani@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
Bay Area counties will receive nearly $8 million to help vaccinate their poorest residents against the coronavirus after local officials complained that the region was largely left out of state equity efforts.

State Sen. Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, said Wednesday that Gov. Gavin Newsom has agreed to provide about $7.6 million to expand coronavirus vaccine access in communities at higher risk of infection, including expanding vaccination sites and hiring outreach workers.

Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties will each receive $1.5 million, according to Corteses office. San Francisco and San Mateo counties will each receive $750,000, and Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties will each receive $400,000.

This is a step in the right direction, but not nearly all that is needed to assist those that are suffering from a clear geographic and socioeconomic disadvantage, Cortese said in a statement. COVID-19 has only underscored the urgency of eliminating socioeconomic barriers and advancing health equity in our state.

The money is the result of weeks of discussion between Bay Area legislators and the governors office over a shift in the states vaccine distribution strategy. Earlier this month, the Newsom administration announced that it would begin allocating 40% of doses to residents in more than 400 of the states lowest-income ZIP codes, an attempt to address a disparity in who has been able to get shots.

But a Chronicle analysis found that only 2% of people who would benefit from the program lived in the Bay Area, even though the region represents 20% of Californias population and has many needy communities. Five of the nine counties  Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma and Napa  were excluded from the plan altogether.

Hundreds of local officials and community organizations urged the state to reconsider its criteria, but meetings between lawmakers and the governors office seemed to reach an impasse. In mid-March, 20 legislators, representing nearly the entire Bay Area delegation, sent a letter to the Newsom administration denouncing the changes to vaccine distribution.

This is a matter of life and death for our community, they wrote. This plan needs to be restructured and recalibrated immediately.

It was The Chronicle that explained to us three weeks ago that this equity rollout was flawed, Cortese said. That gave us the impetus to circulate our letter, and recognize that wed better have some solidarity to get this rectified.

Yet, counties are clamoring for more vaccine doses, especially as eligibility for the inoculation expands Thursday to people as young as 50, which raises the question of how money can help counties achieve vaccine equity.

Cortese said that in discussions with the state, a neutral administrator overseeing the negotiations said California will soon have plenty of vaccine  including over a half a million doses of Johnson & Johnson, the single-dose variety. So the Bay Area representatives decided that money would be beneficial, as long as counties had flexibility in how to spend it within hard-hit communities.

Cortese gave the example of Gardner Health Services in San Jose, which would be able to open for only three days a week at Mexican Heritage Plaza without money from this deal.

In Santa Clara County, they have the capacity overall to deliver a couple hundred thousand doses each week, he said. But separately, from an equity standpoint, they havent had the case resources to expand community based clinics like Gardner.

Bay Area counties learned about the windfall Wednesday and said they havent had time to figure out how to spend it. But they said they were pleased.

We are appreciative of the additional funding and we are working on a plan to invest it in our ongoing efforts to achieve community immunity in Napa County, said Dr. Karen Relucio, the countys public health officer.

In Solano County, spokeswoman Jayleen Richards said this year has highlighted the need for investments in the local public health infrastructure to respond to this pandemic and future pandemics.

The $400,000 aimed at Marin and Sonoma counties will further increase the North Bays capacity to get shots into the arms of people that need them as quickly as possible, Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-Marin County) said in a statement.

Contra Costa County health providers are responding to the largest public health mobilization in recent history, said Scott Alonso, a county spokesman. Resources of all kinds are appreciated to get doses out in the community and put to good use, especially where work with our historically marginalized communities is concerned.

Yet, Cortese said he still wants the state to rework its vaccine equity program to include the Bay Area.

He said: Lets redo the metrics and roll out Vaccine Equity 2.0 next week.

Alexei Koseff and Nanette Asimov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com, nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff, @NanetteAsimov
Washington: US President Joe Bidens younger dog Major this week was involved in his second biting incident of the month, the White House said.

The dog nipped someone while on a walk on Monday, Michael LaRosa, press secretary to first lady Jill Biden, said on Tuesday (US time), adding that the dog was still adjusting to his new surroundings.

Joe Biden with his German shepherd Major, in Wilmington, Delaware, in a 2018 file picture. Credit:AP

The individual was seen by the White House Medical Unit out of an abundance of caution and returned to work without injury, LaRosa said.

The dog had been seen by reporters on a walk around the White House South Lawn before the President and first lady travelled to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial early on Monday evening.
press release

Adherence and Confidence Are Keys to Fighting TB and HIV

Khulile Mamba is a 33-year-old office clerk living with HIV in Eswatini, a small nation that borders South Africa and Mozambique. A mother of five, Mamba was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in November 2020.

Previous to receiving her TB diagnosis, Mamba had missed some of her HIV follow-up appointments and had defaulted on her antiretroviral medication. She had only recently been brought back to care. With this medical history, both she and her healthcare workers feared she would struggle to effectively fight TB if she did not adhere to both TB and HIV medication.

"Frankly speaking, I was afraid when I was told that I had TB, especially because I have had other people tell me that once you have TB and you are HIV-positive, you are more likely to get sick," said Mamba.

It always rings in Mamba's mind that people living with HIV are more likely than others to become sick with TB, because of their weakened immune system. Because of this, she recommitted to adhering to her medication.

Learning from her past experience, Mamba found that disclosing both her TB and her HIV status to her close family members and colleagues helped her continue with the medication. She says disclosing has bolstered her confidence and motivates her to alter some of her behaviors that might otherwise put her life and the lives of others at risk.

To protect her children and others in her family from getting TB, Mamba stays in her own room and uses her own bed linen, bath towels, and utensils for food and other needs. Maintaining quality care for her 3-year-old child is the main challenge, but Mamba always wears a face mask when with the child and frequently cleans surfaces that the child might touch. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to implement these precautions had she been unable to disclose her status to her family.

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In addition to protecting others, disclosure helps people living with HIV and TB take care of their own health--after all, if an individual is hiding their diagnosis, they may avoid storing or taking medication where others can see it, which can result in defaulting on medication.

Having disclosed her status, Mamba feels she can take her medication when she needs to, regardless of who is around. This is helpful, as the treatments for HIV and TB can be difficult to navigate--each treatment system has a different number of pills and different timing. Deviating from the assigned timing can cause the medications to interact badly. Mamba says that it is essential that she feel comfortable taking medication throughout the day, without hiding it from other people.

Mamba believes that taking both HIV and TB medication has made her stronger--and an ambassador to talk about TB/HIV co-infection.

"One point for me to stress for others is that if you have HIV, it is very important to get a TB test. I wasn't thinking of TB when I went to hospital because the pain was not in the chest, nor was I coughing. I just had a back pain," Mamba says.

Mamba emphasizes the need to resist fear and stop being afraid once one is diagnosed with both TB and HIV.

"Fear and shame are the greatest barriers to achieving good health for you and your family." she says. "Both HIV and TB are treatable and survivable, if we commit to our health."
Lucknow: Amid rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday (March 30) extended the durations of the order which directed the school authorities to keep the schools closed for Class 1 to 8. The new date, as per the order, is now April 4.

Earlier, the state government had ordered the closure of schools for students up to Class 8 till March 31 in the view of increasing COVID-19 infections. The revised order was put out after a late-night meeting chaired by the chief minister on Tuesday.

Additionally, to curb the rise of the COVID-19 infections in the state, the chief minister has also ordered concerned officials to increase the number of testing in the state.

The state on Tuesday reported 918 new cases and 10 deaths in the last 24 hours. The states capital, Lucknow topped the list with over 446 new cases in 24 hours.

"The government employees going in for Covid-19 vaccination must be given a day's off on their due date. Likewise, similar arrangements must be made for private sector employees too," the chief minister said in a statement.

The Chief Minister also expressed his concern over the decreasing number of tests being conducted in the state and ordered the authorities to ensure strict implementation of COVID-19 guidelines and containment plans.

On Tuesday, the state conducted over 67,000 COVID-19 tests in the last 24 hours. After reading the stats, the chief minister ordered the officials to conduct over 1.5 lakh tests per day. The UP CM also directed officials to conduct awareness activities for the citizens in the state.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, with 10 new deaths pushed the death toll to 8,800, while 918 new cases took the infection tally in the state to 6,15,996.

Live TV
Published: 31 March 2021

Comprehensive schools had 566,600 pupils in 2020

According to Statistics Finlands education statistics, comprehensive schools had 566,600 pupils in 2020. The number of pupils in comprehensive schools grew by 0.4 per cent from the year before. Forty-nine per cent of the pupils were girls and 51 per cent were boys. A total of 371,400 pupils attended grades 1 to 6 of comprehensive schools and 183,900 pupils grades 7 to 9.

Comprehensive school pupils in grades 1 to 9 in 2020

A total of 1,000 pupils attended additional education (grade 10), of whom 500 in comprehensive schools. The number of pupils attending comprehensive schools also includes pre-primary education pupils in connection with basic education, numbering 10,800. More information can be found in the quality description of this set of statistics.

In autumn 2020, a total of 501 pupils were being home-schooled. There were 327 pupils temporarily residing abroad. Time series data on students not studying in comprehensive schools can be found in the appendix table of this publication.

A total of 5,400 students were studying in basic education of adults. Of them, 51 per cent were men. Until 2019, data on basic education of adults have been published in the statistics on adult education of educational institutions .

Data on the development of the number of comprehensive schools can be found in the statistics on providers of education and educational institutions .





Source: Education. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Vesa Hamalainen 029 551 2594, Anna Loukkola 029 551 3678, koulutustilastot@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

Publication in pdf-format (196.9 kB)

Updated 31.3.2021

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Students and qualifications [e-publication].

ISSN=2737-0410. 2020. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 4.6.2021].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/opiskt/2020/opiskt_2020_2021-03-31_tie_001_en.html
By Anna Ringstrom and Helena Soderpalm

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -H&M vowed on Wednesday to win back trust in China amid growing signs its fashion empire is suffering from a backlash after it voiced concerns last year about alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang province.

The comments come as Western brands battle to strike a balance between consumers in the world's second-largest economy and public opinion at home, which has become increasingly concerned about reports of forced labour in Xinjiang.

China denies the reports.

H&M, which also reported a quarterly loss due to the continued closure of some of its shops in the pandemic, has come under fire from consumers and officials in China after one of its statements from 2020 resurfaced on social media.

In it https://hmgroup.com/sustainability/fair-and-equal/human-rights/h-m-group-statement-on-due-diligence, the world's second-biggest fashion retailer expressed concern about the allegations of forced labour in Xinjiang and said it would no longer source cotton from there.

China is H&M's top clothing supplier and fourth-biggest market by sales.

Other Western brands including Burberry, Nike and Adidas have also been hit by consumer boycotts in China for raising similar concerns.

In a statement https://hmgroup.com/news/statement_hm_china alongside its quarterly results, H&M said its commitment to China remained strong and it was dedicated to regaining the trust and confidence of customers, colleagues and business partners there.

"By working together with stakeholders and partners, we believe we can take steps in our joint efforts to develop the fashion industry, as well as serve our customers and act in a respectful way," it said.

The statement made no mention of Xinjiang, and did not give details on how H&M hoped to win back Chinese consumers' trust.

"Why doesn't H&M apologise openly to consumers?" a post from state-owned China Central Television on microblog service Weibo said on Wednesday, calling H&M's statement a "second-rate public relations article full of empty words lacking sincerity."

Story continues

BACKLASH

H&M Chief Executive Helena Helmersson, formerly head of sustainability, told analysts and reporters on a call that 20 of the Swedish group's stores were currently closed in China, but declined to say whether that was related to the backlash.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Wednesday that China was a large and important country and that Sweden sought to have a good relationship with Beijing, though he added workers rights were important.

"It is very important that everyone takes responsibility for the rights and conditions of employees around the world. It is commendable (of H&M) to do so", he told a news conference.

H&M's official store on Alibaba's e-commerce platform Tmall in China has not been accessible for days, and on Wednesday its app was not available on the app stores of Chinese mobile companies Huawei and Xiaomi.

The Human Rights section of H&M's website hmgroup.com on Wednesday no longer carried the link to its 2020 statement on Xinjiang, though the statement could still be accessed through the page's direct address.

Statements expressing concerns about Xinjiang previously seen on the websites of several western fashion retailers, including Zara owner Inditex, were no longer available on Wednesday.

H&M declined to comment. Inditex did not respond to requests for comment.

Helmersson declined to say whether the backlash in China had caused any supply chain disruptions.

H&M shares were down 2.4% at 1130 GMT.

"We have seen brands like Nike and H&M weather similar controversies in the past and maintain relatively strong sales, however short term we think H&M may see a negative impact on its sales in the large and growing Chinese market," RBC Capital Markets analyst Richard Chamberlain said in a note.

H&M reported a pretax loss for December-February, its fiscal first quarter, of 1.39 billion crowns ($159 million) against a profit of 2.50 billion a year earlier. Analysts polled by Refinitiv had on average forecast a 1.41 billion crown loss.

Sales for March 1-28 were up 55% in local currencies, against a period heavily disrupted by the pandemic a year ago.

H&M said it would not propose a dividend at its annual general meeting but saw good prospects of one in the second half of the year.

($1 = 8.7416 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom and Helena Soderpalm. Additional reporting by Johan Ahlander anf Victoria Waldersee. Editing by Keith Weir, Mark Potter and Jonathan Oatis)
Appointment

31 March 2021

Celebrated hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Marc Marrone as Culinary Consultant at the highly anticipated Dream Hotel & Residences in Doha, Qatar opening early 2022. Marrone will oversee menu development, concepting and execution of Dream Doha's soon to be announced signature restaurant and culinary centerpiece anchoring the boutique property's fantastical dining and nightlife program.

Tapping into nearly 15 years of experience earned at world-class restaurants across the country, Chef Marrone brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Dream Doha.

Cooking since the age of 15, Marc Marrone was first inspired by the treasured recipes handed down in his New York Italian family. He started his impressive career with training at the French Culinary Institute and spent his early years learning and drawing career inspiration from industry leading chefs like Daniel Boulud, Dan Barber and Jacque Pepin before starting his near 20-year career with TAO Group as Chef at TAO Restaurant in New York City. He was appointed Executive Sous Chef at TAO Las Vegas shortly thereafter and worked his way up to West Coast Corporate Executive Chef of TAO Group in 2010, leading star-studded dining and nightlife brands TAO, Beauty & Essex, LAVO, Marquee Day Club, The Highlight Room and Luchini Pizzeria & Bar in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, as well as LAVO atop the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Young, eager and inspired, Marrone left TAO Group in 2018 and set out to build a restaurant empire of his own. In 2019, he successfully launched three of his own original concepts Graffiti Bao and Gemma Gemma Pizza in Las Vegas and HallPass food hall in Salt Lake City, and plans to expand these concepts, along with his other restaurant brands SkinnyFATS and Italian Graffiti, nationwide.
A 'suicide drone' launched by Houthi rebels was blasted out of the sky after a Saudi F-15 fighter jet intercepted it on a mountainous region.

Video footage captured by soldiers shows the Qased-series drone flying high in the air with only the sound of the machine's engine rumbling audible.

Within seconds, a missile is seen hurtling towards the drone and exploding in the airspace nearby.

The force of the explosion damages the suicide drone and knocks it out of the sky, sending it plummeting to the ground.

A Qased-series drone, sent by Houthi rebels, is seen flying high in the air as a missile chases at speed to intercept. The missile then explodes in the airspace next to the 'suicide drone' and knocks it out of the sky

Shortly after, a Saudi F-15 fighter jet, which had fired the intercepting missile, is seen tearing through the sky where the drone had just been.

It is not currently known when or where the dramatic footage was captured.

This isn't the first time that drones launched by Houthi rebels had been intercepted by Saudi Arabia, and the Qasef-series suicide drones have been actively used by the group for a few years.

Last month, Saudi Arabia confirmed it had intercepted a missile attack over its capital on Saturday as well as bomb-laden drones targeting a southern province.

The attack was the latest in a series of airborne assaults it has blamed on the Iran-allied Houthis rebels in Yemen's civil war.

The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemens yearslong war announced last month that the Iran-allied Houthis had launched a ballistic missile toward Riyadh and three booby-trapped drones toward the province of Jizan.

A cloud of smoke is left in the sky after the explosion and the drone begins plummeting to the ground. Moments later, a Saudi F-15 fighter jet is seen soaring through the sky

A fourth booby-trapped drone was fired toward another southwestern city, and other drones being monitored. No casualties or damage were initially reported. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis.

Additionally, the Houthi rebels also claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a Saudi airport which saw a passenger plane engulfed in flames.

The group are said to have targeted the Abha International Airport in the south-west of the country, causing a passenger plane on the tarmac to catch fire, according to the kingdom's state television.

The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack soon afterwards, with military spokesman Yehia Sareai saying the group used four bomb-laden drones to target Abha airport.

'This targeting comes in response to the continued aerial bombardment and the brutal siege on our country,' Sareai said, noting that the Houthis consider the airport a military not civilian target.

In 2019, another airport in was hit by a missile fired by Houthi rebels, leaving 26 people injured.

The group are said to have targeted the Abha International Airport in the south-west of the country, causing a passenger plane on the tarmac to catch fire, according to the kingdom's state television. Pictured: This image provided by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Media on February 10, reportedly shows a view of the damaged hull of a Flyadeal Airbus A320-21

The missile hit the airport's arrivals hall in the mountain resort city of Abha, according to Saudi officials, injuring passengers of different nationalities.

The Saudi-led coalition which is fighting the Houthis in Yemen immediately pointed the blame at Iran, saying Tehran had equipped the rebel group with 'advanced weapons'.

A rebel TV network acknowledged the attack and said Houthi forces had fired a cruise missile.

While in November 2017, the Houthis targeted Riyadh's international airport.

Saudi officials later blamed Iran for providing the missile to the Houthis used in that and other attacks on the kingdom amid its grinding war against the rebels.

Tehran long has denied providing arms to the Houthis, though evidence and United Nations expert reports show weapons linking back to Iran.

Pictured: The damaged Kurais facility which had been targeted by a missile attack in 2019. Houthi rebels initially claimed responsibility for the attack but the US has since blamed Iran, with reports last year suggesting a mechanism recovered from the drones was the same as one previously seen in an Iran-made craft

Last year, two reports concluded that drones used to attack a Saudi oil refinery in 2019 came from Iran, after gyroscopes recovered from the drones wreckages were found to be the same as those found in craft manufactured by Iran.

Houthi rebels had initially claimed responsibility for the attack, but the US government later blamed Iran for the strike.

The instrument recovered from the drone tied Iran to the attack that briefly halved Saudi Arabia's oil output and saw energy prices spike by a level unseen since the 1991 Gulf War.

The US and Saudi-led coalition have long said that Iran supplies weapons to the Houthis, ranging from assault rifles to the ballistic missiles fired into the kingdom.

The two reports tied Iran to the arming of the rebel Houthis in Yemen's long civil war, which the country had long denied.

Iran also denied it had a hand in the Saudi attack but has increasingly promoted its influence over the Houthis.

President Joe Biden announced last month he was ending U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, including 'relevant' arms sales, but stressed that the U.S. would continue to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against outside attacks.

The President also revoked the Houthi rebels' listing as a terrorist group, a move which went back on one of Donald Trump's final acts as president.

The Houthis overran Yemen's capital and much of the country's north in 2014, forcing the government into exile and months later prompting Saudi Arabia and its allies to launch a bombing campaign.
Police report among filed after a shouting match betwixt two urban core politicos . . . The headline tease made it sound MARGINALLY more interesting that typical political gabbing.

More info for subscribers that might or might not be worth it . . .
Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage

As San Antonio author Shea Serrano says on Twitter about once a week, the Black-Mexican alliance is real. That much is definitely true after seeing a clip of rapper Megan Thee Stallion talking about her grandma.

The clip, which has been making the rounds across social media recently, is actually from a 2019 interview with Los Angeles radio program "The Cruz Show."
Deborah Birx, the former response coordinator for the White House coronavirus task force, is widely hated. According to her critics, Birx sucked up to then-President Donald Trump, collaborated in his disastrous mismanagement of the pandemic, and failed to call out his falsehoods. Shes often contrasted with Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who, according to the popular narrative, bravely stood up to Trump. But a new CNN feature on the Trump teams pandemic response, based on extensive on-camera interviews with members of the team, finds that the real story is much more complicated.

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In the interviews, aired by CNN on Sunday night, several current or former officialsamong them, Birx, Fauci, and Robert Redfield, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionspoke frankly about political pressures they faced. Birx said the administration blocked her from doing national TV interviews that might contradict Trump. Redfield said Alex Azar, who was then the secretary of health and human services, leaned on him aggressively on more than one occasion to alter the CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (Azar denied this.) Stephen Hahn, the former commissioner of food and drugs, also said Azar pressured him.

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Fauci told the programs host, CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, that he and Birx conferred regularly and pursued the same agenda, but from different positions. I was the bad cop. She was the good cop, Fauci explained. He noted that it was easy for me, as a career civil servant with job security, to contradict Trump, because I had my base at the National Institutes of Health. Birx was in a much more difficult situation, Fauci observed, since she served at the pleasure of the White House.

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Birx, a veteran of the global campaign against HIV, tried to work with the Trump administration the way she had learned to work with foreign regimes that denied facts about HIV. Ive dealt with presidents and prime ministers around the globe who will often have misperceptions about diseases, she told Gupta. Ive always found that if you can find that common ground with the information and data, they will change policies. That experience, she explained, was why she initially praised Trump for being attentive to science and data. And for a while, it worked. If Trump hadnt taken her seriously, she told Gupta, he wouldnt have shut down the country for 15 days and then another 30, as she and Fauci had recommended.

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But then Trump began to override her advice. Why didnt she push back in public? Birx cited two episodes that might explain this. The first happened in late February, when Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, warned Americans that the pandemic would overtake the United States. Messonnier got moved aside because of saying that, Birx told Gupta. Apparently, Birx worried that the same would happen to her. I knew I was being watched, she told Gupta. Everybody inside [the White House] was waiting for me to make a misstep, so that they could, I guess, remove me from the task force.

The second episode happened in August, when Birx contradicted Trump in an interview with CNNs Dana Bash. Birx told Bash that the virus was rampant and was threatening rural areas. Everybody in the White House was upset with that interview, she recalled, speaking to Gupta. Trump responded to the August interview by phoning Birx to chew her out. It was very uncomfortable, very direct, and very difficult to hear, she told Gupta.

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What comes across in Birxs conversation with Gupta, in her tone and words, is emotional sensitivity. During the interview, she spoke repeatedly of what the people around her thought, how they felt, and how those signals affected her. She made clear that she was alarmed by Messonniers fate, that Trumps rebuke wounded her, and that the idea of being in open conflict with him distressed her. This sensitivity to conflict didnt affect Birxs integrity. But it gave Trump and others leverage over her.

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Its bizarre, however, to blame Birx while letting her colleagues off the hook. CNNs review clearly implicates Fauci and others in two big mistakes early in the pandemic. First, they underrated the possibility that the virus was spreading asymptomatically. In his interview with Gupta, Fauci defended his incredulity at the time, noting that no previous respiratory pandemic had spread that way. He and Redfield also blamed China for hiding information. But during the program, CNN showed video of Redfield confirming, at a January 2020 press conference with Fauci, that China had reported evidence of transmission in the asymptomatic phase.

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The second mistake was discouraging use of masks. CNN showed video of Fauci and Redfield urging the public, early in the pandemic, not to wear masks. Gupta noted that by March 8, 2020, Fauci and others knew the virus was spreading asymptomatically and was spreading in the United Statesyet you told 60 Minutes there was no reason to be walking around with a mask. Fauci explained that we were told at the level of the task force that we have a real shortage of masks, and therefore, to protect the mask supply for health care workers, We dont really want the whole country going out and trying to use up all the masks. That was a deliberate decisionalbeit for the sake of medical personnelto discourage risk reduction in the general population.

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But these early failures pale in comparison to the damage done by subsequent decisions. In Birxs estimation, the first COVID surge killed about 100,000 Americans. Hundreds of thousands more died later because states and the public resumed normal business without waiting for infections to subside. Fauci told Gupta he was dismayed when Trump demanded to liberate states from COVID restrictions. Birx recalled that in April, Trump told her he would never let the country be shut down again. And that was the last time I really had any briefing with the president, she told Gupta. By the fall, I didnt have access to him. She was pushed aside in favor of Scott Atlas, a quack who promoted the resumption of normal business, thereby accelerating the pandemic.

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Atlas was exactly what Birx had feared. She had stayed in her job, circulated data in hopes of chastening the White House, and lobbied for public health measures, knowing that if she stormed out, Trump could find somebody who would tell him what he wanted to hear. Why, then, did she stay after Atlas took over? Why didnt she speak out?

In a way, she did. But she didnt do it on national TV, where the White House was blocking her appearances. She took her case for masks and restrictions to governors. We developed the whole state-level strategy, she told Gupta. Fauci confirmed this: Deb would be with her suitcase, getting on a plane and visiting everybody. I would be constantly on the phone with governors and mayors, talking about what they need to do. On these trips, Birx told Gupta, she was able to be frank with regional and local press and governors and mayors, and be very clear about mask mandates and closing bars and severely restricting indoor dining, in a way that I was never allowed to say nationally.

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To this day, people who detest Trump seethe at Birxs flattery of him. But she was hardly alone. In his interview with Gupta, Fauci also praised Trump. We gave the strong recommendation that we really shut things down, said Fauci, and I thought that he accepted it pretty well. I really did. Redfield concurred: I found the president to listen to what I had to say, really listen. Gupta showed video of Redfield fawning over Trump during the March 2020 press event at which Trump said, Anybody that wants a test can get a test, which wasnt even close to true. Redfield pleaded that he had meant to praise Trump for suspending travel from China, not for leadership across the board.

All of these peopleFauci, Birx, Redfield, Hahn, and otherswere trying to save lives. Sometimes, to that end, they appeased the mad king. I spent 23 years in the military, Redfield told Gupta. That was how he viewed his role as CDC director: Stay in the command chain as long as you can help your country. And thats what I did, he concluded. Thats what Birx did, too.
Italy expels two Russian officials after Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio summons Russian ambassador.

An Italian navy captain and a Russian diplomat have been arrested on charges of "serious crimes related to spying and state security" following a "clandestine meeting" between the two late last night, police said.

It is alleged that the Italian officer, a frigate captain, handed over classified documents containing state secrets to the Russian official, who works at the Russian embassy to Italy, in exchange for money.

The carabinieri military police swooped during the meeting, arresting the two immediately after the "transfer of a document by the Italian officer in exchange for a sum of money," according to a statement from the police.

Russia's ambassador Sergey Razov was summoned this morning by Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio who informed him of the immediate expulsion of two Russian officials involved in this extremely serious matter.

The suspects have not been identified and the police have not revealed the location of the arrests, which followed a lengthy investigation by Italian intelligence officials, Reuters reports.

NATO documents were among the top-secret files the Italian naval officer gave to the Russian official, potentially compromising the national security of other countries, reports Italian news agency ANSA.

Earlier today the Russian embassy issued a statement confirming the arrest of "an official from the office of the military attache" but said that it considered it "inappropriate to comment" on the case.

The embassy also said that it hoped the incident would not affect bilateral relations between Russia and Italy.

Italian newspaper La Repubblica has described the case as "the most serious episode since the Cold War."

Photo credit: Luca Lorenzelli / Shutterstock.com
London: Two foreign correspondents working for the BBC and Irelands national broadcaster who were forced to flee China say they were targeted and threatened by the Chinese government.

The harassment of the couple included being trailed by secret police on the morning they hastily left the country.

John Sudworth, the BBCs China correspondent.

John Sudworth, the BBCs China correspondent for nine years, said he was threatened by Chinese authorities with legal action for his reporting on human rights abuses in Xinjiang and on the origins of the coronavirus.

The pressure and threats from the Chinese authorities have been pretty constant but in recent months theyve intensified, Sudworth told Radio 4.
STAMFORD, Conn., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aircastle Limited ("Aircastle") announced today that it has posted its 2020 PFIC Annual Information Statement to its website.

Aircastle is considered a PFIC for U.S. Federal income tax purposes for the taxable year ended December 31, 2020. Former U.S. shareholders are advised to consult with their tax advisors with respect to the 2020 PFIC Annual Information Statement.

To access Aircastle's 2020 PFIC Annual Information Statement, select the tab "Tax Information (PFIC)" on the Investor Relations section of the Aircastle website at www.aircastle.com.

Merger

On March 27, 2020, Aircastle completed its merger (the "Merger") with MM Air Merger Sub Limited, a Bermuda exempted company ("Merger Sub"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 5, 2019, by and among Aircastle, MM Air Limited, a Bermuda exempted company, and Merger Sub. As a result of the Merger, Aircastle's shareholders (other than Marubeni Corporation and its affiliates) received cash consideration of $32.00 per common share, and Aircastle is now controlled by affiliates of Marubeni Corporation and Mizuho Leasing Company, Limited. See pages 53-55 of the definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on January 23, 2020 for a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger.

About Aircastle Limited

Aircastle Limited acquires, leases, and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of November 30, 2020, Aircastle owned and managed on behalf of its joint ventures 269 aircraft leased to 80 customers located in 45 countries.

Contact:

Aircastle Advisor LLC

Frank Constantinople, SVP Investor Relations

Tel: +1-203-504-1063

[email protected]

SOURCE Aircastle Limited

Related Links

http://www.aircastle.com


Anyone eligible in the first phase of Pennsylvanias COVID-19 vaccine rollout who wants a shot is supposed to have an appointment booked by Wednesday under a state health department order.

Lehigh Valley vaccine providers say theyre trying to comply with Gov. Tom Wolfs direction but that its not as easy as it seems.

Pennsylvania does not have a centralized vaccine registry, so every provider in the state is operating its own waitlist, eligibility and appointment booking system.

This decentralization has turned many Pennsylvanians into vaccine shoppers, who sign up with every provider they can in hopes of scoring a coveted shot appointment. Providers say booking appointments weeks in advance opens them up to more no shows and last-minute cancellations that will leave them scrambling to get doses into arms before they expire.

People double-book and triple-book appointments, said Kristen Wenrich, Bethlehem health director. If they get in somewhere else, some people call and cancel, but some people dont give you the courtesy.

All of this makes it hard to know how many Lehigh Valley residents remain in Phase 1A who want to be vaccinated, but still dont have an appointment. The first phase covers frontline healthcare workers, senior citizens and younger people with certain high risk medical conditions.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health estimates there are 4 million to 4.5 million people eligible in the states first vaccination phase. Nearly, 3.9 million people are partially and fully vaccinated, according to state and Philadelphia health department data.

The state estimates it is three-quarters of the way through vaccinating people in 1A and it should wrap up in the next few days, Wolf said during a Tuesday press conference.

About 17% of residents in Lehigh and Northampton counties are fully vaccinated and the two counties consistency rank in the top 10 counties per capita vaccination rates in the state.

The Lehigh Valleys four major vaccine providers  the Allentown and Bethlehem health bureaus and Lehigh Valley and St. Lukes University health networks  all report theyre doing everything they can to get anyone currently eligible scheduled for appointments. But it seems unlikely theyll be able to hit the March 31 deadline.

Based on how many vaccinations were currently doing everyday and that were continuing to schedule many, many more, Lehigh Valley Health Network spokesman Brian Downs said Tuesday. It is ambitious to think everyone who wants one in 1A would have an appointment scheduled by tomorrow, but we will strive to get as many people as possible scheduled as soon as possible.

By todays deadline, the governor wants all eligible Pennsylvanians scheduled for appointments within a reasonable amount of time, like a week or two, Wolf said Tuesday. He remains confident the pace of vaccinations is accelerating and that the eligibility pool should open wider soon.

We are making every attempt to bring people in, St. Lukes spokesman Sam Kennedy said. We are working with churches, Meals on Wheels, etc., but we dont really know (how many people still need appointments) because we dont know how many people have gotten the shots elsewhere.

Wolf noted Pennsylvania ranks 12th in the country for the percent of its population thats received at least one shot, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It appears the states vaccine allotment will grow enough to meet President Joe Bidens May 1 deadline of opening eligibility to everyone, Wolf said.

More than a dozen states plan to open vaccine eligibility to everyone this week, something Pennsylvanias been hesitant to do with its current supply. About 5.7 million doses have gone into arms since December, according to state and Philadelphia data.

The federal government distributes shots based on a states population, but it does not take into account demographics. Pennsylvanias initial rollout may have been hampered by this as the states large elderly population made many people eligible in the first phase, Wolf acknowledged.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure on Tuesday urged the state to open vaccine sign-ups to anyone who wants a shot, because he thinks most in 1A have been reached. And he urged the state to provide the county the doses and staffing it needs to open a 30-to-45-day mass vaccination site in the William Penn Park & Ride lot off of Route 33 in Bethlehem Township, Pa. The county has the funding and planning in place, McClure said.

We are coming up on April 4th when we are relaxing many more of our COVID 19 restrictions in Pennsylvania in combination with a major spike in COVID-19 infections, McClure said referencing a Wolf directive that increases indoor dining capacity to 75% starting Easter Sunday. The good news is we are a leader in getting vaccinations into peoples arms in Northampton County and our hospital systems are doing a great job treating people, but this spike is alarming and we are not keeping up with vaccinating enough people.

State data show the largest increase in infections recently have been among college students and people ages 30 to 45, so now is time to make vaccinations more widely available, McClure said. The county testing sites test positivity rate hit 22% this week.

Lehigh Valley vaccine providers are still focused on reaching everyone in 1A, including underserved communities. Theyre organizing mass clinics, partnering with county Offices of Aging and Adult Services to set up appointments for those who are technologically challenged, and even relying on community organizers to submit lists of people who need shots. Allentown EMTs are bringing vaccines to homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels first and then other partnerships.

Locally, LVHN plans to get up to 35,000 doses into arms each week with the addition of two new vaccination locations and two more drive-through clinics announced Tuesday. Its hard to know how many people remain unvaccinated locally in 1A, Downs said. More than 300,000 people signed up initially with LVHN, but many have been vaccinated elsewhere.

The public is trying to take the first thing that comes along which can skew the overall numbers of those still waiting, Downs said.

Vaccine providers report a mixed level of high demand for appointments as they release slots to the general public, but lower demand as they try to book senior citizens into reserved spots. The Allentown Health Bureau called 1,400 seniors on its 3,500-person waitlist three times to offer them appointments before removing them, but online appointments go fast, said Vicky Kistler, city health director.

If you have an appointment or youre on a waitlist and somebody gets to you sooner, give up that other appointment and then it is open for someone else and someone elses grandmother, Kistler said. To just remain as a no-show is crippling. It is incredibly heartwarming and uplifting to public health professionals that so many people want vaccines

Both the Bethlehem and Allentown health bureaus are concerned that booking several weeks in advance will increase their no-show rates and create a logistical nightmare. If 30% of people dont show up, clinics will be racing to avoid wasting 100s of doses. Currently, Allentown estimates about 8% to 10% of people dont show up for appointments and thats challenging, Kistler said.

We dont ever waste a drop, Kistler said. It is a lot of last-minute scrambling. Can we bring 30 cops in? Twenty-five water department staff? We are trying to work through the categories (when dealing with leftover doses).

Bethlehems notified the state it wont initially comply with the March 31 deadline order as it builds out its registration system. This week, the bureau plans to just release appointments for next weeks clinics on Friday and then it will start booking further in advance. Demand remains high for its appointments. They all fill up in about 20 minutes, Wenrich said.

Bethlehem plans to allow people to book themselves onto future clinic waitlists and as the date nears people will get a link to register for that slot, Wenrich explained. The city hopes this cuts down on double-booking.

I think for providers this is causing trouble, Wenrich said of the order. I think the state wants to offer the 1A population a sense of security that they are being taken care of before we move to other groups. Seniors have been frustrated they have been unable to get appointments. I understand why they want to do that from the public standpoint.

Northampton County works with the Bethlehem Health Bureau to schedule county residents 60 and over into 100 designated slots each week, McClure said. Theres a similar partnership with Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley. Two weeks ago, the county received 3,000 calls for 100 appointments, he said.

Worried about senior citizens struggling to navigate the vaccine appointment system, Lehigh Countys office on aging partnered with LVHNs mobile vaccination unit to set up clinics and connect people with appointments, said J.R. Reed, executive director. Last week, they reached 148 seniors at the Cedar View apartment complex and another event is scheduled April 15 at Lehigh Valley Active Life. Both counties partner with LANTA to offer free rides to and from vaccination sites.

Theres a state hotline to assist seniors with appointments and some countys have lists with 100s of names. Lehigh County had 12 on the state list and has about 150 people scheduled for April 15, a clinic that could accommodate 300. Anyone seeking an appointment should call the county at 610-782-3854.

In Lehigh County, we are in a better place than I would say other places are in the commonwealth, Reed said. Most of the individuals we are seeing are people who are having a hard time navigating it or not wanting to wait on the phone for hours to get through.

Vaccine providers say it is hard to know how many people are left in the next phases in the Lehigh Valley given overlap among categories and vaccine hesitancy among certain populations. Allentowns Kistler believes most first responders who want to get vaccinated have gotten shots through excess doses and most educators are now vaccinated. It is harder to know how many other workers remain, she said.

St. Lukes said about 38,000 people eligible in the next two phases are signed up to be alerted of available appointments.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com.
The Chicago Tribune has published unfounded allegations that completely contradict our corporate values, Green Thumb founder and CEO Ben Kovler said in the company statement. The reporter did not cite any credible sources nor evidence, and published under a salacious front page headline intended to mislead. This is not just irresponsible journalism but reckless behavior that impacts the livelihood of our employees, the close bond to the communities in which we serve, and the trust of our investors. Our company has secured licenses through competitive state-run programs and traditional M&A transactions. We have taken painstaking measures to scale compliantly as we provide access to well-being through cannabis, and will continue to hold ourselves to the highest standards.
President Joe Biden has delivered on his promise to follow his Covid relief bill with a long-term recovery plan. His new American Jobs Plan is a comprehensive, well-targeted and timely approach to America's many long-term economic ills, responding powerfully to 40 years of federal neglect.

Many conservatives will object, but their relentless naysaying has been the primary reason for America's growing crises of inequality, precarious work and environmental disasters.

Biden's plan is built around the idea of sustainable development: an economy that is prosperous, fair and environmentally conscious. It does so by funding upgrades to education, advances in digital technology, renewable energy and our transportation infrastructure. And the plan goes back to the basics -- echoing the boldness of past federal projects as varied as the Tennessee Valley Authority, the federal interstate highway system and the creation of the internet.

The breadth of the Biden infrastructure program is impressive and well designed, including electrified transport, safe drinking water and high-speed broadband for all Americans. These investments are combined with modernizing homes, commercial buildings, schools, hospitals and federal buildings.

The plan includes two additional pillars: research and development funding to put the US back in the lead on cutting-edge green and digital technologies; and a nationwide industrial policy to ensure that all parts of the nation share in the green and digital boom. In short, this is a jobs program for all regions, not just for today's high-tech coasts.

The logic of such an ambitious plan is simple -- public investment in these critical areas of growth will help build a more prosperous, equitable and greener future. And yet, despite this reality, the federal government has failed to pass a massive infrastructure package on this scale for decades.

The main reason? A combination of financial oligarchy and racism. These two political forces may seem disconnected, but they are not. Tax cuts and small government have served both the wealthiest Americans and the racists who rejected the federal enforcement of 1960s civil rights legislation in areas ranging from environmental justice to quality education for all. Together, they've been part of the base of the Republican Party since the 1980 election of former President Ronald Reagan.

Biden and a majority of Americans get this point, in part because former President Donald Trump made it so vivid in his four years of corporate tax cuts, despoilation of the environment, brazen neglect of crumbling infrastructure (despite his repeated promises to the contrary), attacks on public education and, of course, his loathsome racism.

The Biden plan aims to spend an additional 1% of GDP per year over the next eight years -- a total of roughly $2 trillion -- to be paid for by long-overdue taxation on corporate America, comprised of the country's leading financial oligarchs. The list of proposed tax measures is so obvious, so basic and so right, that it's a wonder how corporate America has evaded them for so long.

In the Biden proposal, the corporate tax rate would be raised from 21%, set by the 2017 Trump tax cuts, to 28% percent. Crucially, the plan also commits the Biden administration to work with other countries to implement corporate minimum taxes everywhere, and to prevent companies with management and operations in the US from artificially declaring their tax residence in a tax haven. These steps are bolstered by the promise to restore tax enforcement by the IRS, after years of dire IRS underfunding that led the agency to cut back sharply on corporate audits.

It's no accident that Biden launched the plan today in Pittsburgh. Western Pennsylvania straddles the old declining economy of fossil-fuel-based industry and the rising 21st Century economy of artificial intelligence, robotics, low-carbon steel and renewable energy -- with major innovations coming out of Pittsburgh's top universities and its leading local companies.

As the White House has explained, currently "half the jobs in our high growth, high wage sectors are concentrated in just 41 counties" -- out of over 3,100 counties in the country. The Biden plan will fundamentally change that arithmetic, by creating a new "social infrastructure to support innovation and productivity across the nation."

This is a plan for all Americans in all parts of the country. The time has come to build America's future.
New Delhi: India's vaccine outreach, also known as vaccine Maitri continues with full gusto, with the latest entrant being Fiji in the pacific to get a consignment of 100,000 doses of India-made vaccines.

The vaccines were handed over by India's acting high commissioner Saifullah Khan to Fiji's Prime Minister Admiral (Retired) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama at the Nadi International Airport.

The consignment was received by Fiji's Health minister Ifereimi Waqainabete, Defence minister Inia Seruiratu, Permanent Secretary for Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services James Fong and other top officials.

Fiji's prime minister in a tweet thanked the Indian Prime minister for vaccines. He wrote, "Vinaka to my friend, @narendramodi, for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world."

#VaccineMaitri has arrived to Fiji with 100k doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines. Vinaka to my friend, @narendramodi, for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world. pic.twitter.com/xlWdm04Nvs  Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) March 29, 2021

Fiji's prime minister also highlighted, "In a bleak year for multilateralism, youve helped put a welcome pause on the pandemic politics thats kept valuable vaccines in the worlds largest & richest countries".

India has sent vaccines to other countries in the pacific, which include Solomon Islands. India has also sent Not just countries in the Pacific, but also in Caribbean India has sent vaccines.

The Indian high commission in a release said, "India and Fiji share a long standing partnership based on mutual respect, cooperation and cultural ties. Fiji is an important partner for realizing the Indo- Pacific vision that envisages a free, open and inclusive region in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity."

India began its vaccine Maitri in January this year, with the first tranche of Indian vaccines being sent to Maldives, Bhutan, followed by other countries in the neighbourhood. India's vaccine outreach to the world started within 4 days of it starting its mega domestic vaccination programme on 16th January.

On Tuesday, speaking at an event foreign secretary Harsh Shringla said, "Since the launch of Vaccine Maitri, we have supplied 64 million doses of vaccines to 82 countries. This includes supplies under a grant, commercial contracts and the COVAX facility."

The vaccine initiative is expected to get a booster shot, with Quad countries agreeing after the first leadership summit in March that India's vaccine manufacturing capacity will be increased to produce more vaccines for the Indo Pacific region.

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Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Seventy illegal migrants of various African nationalities, who were on board inflatable boats, heading for the European coast, have been rescued by the Libyan coastguard and Port Security Authority
The European Union, the U.S. and dozens of other nations pledged $6.4 billion in aid to help tackle war-ravaged Syrias deepening humanitarian and economic crises and assist neighboring countries hosting refugees, coming up short of the $10 billion the U.N. had hoped for.

Announcing the total pledge, EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic said that besides the grants, financial institutions and donors offered loans amounting to $7 billion.

The EU said it committed to 3.7 billion ($4.3 billion) for 2021 and beyond, with 1.12 billion ($1.31 billion) coming from the blocs executive arm and 2.6 billion ($3 billion) from the 27 EU member states.

The global pledges were lower than last years total of $7.7 billion. Before the conference, the U.N. and other aid groups had said they were seeking more than $4 billion for aid to Syria, their biggest appeal yet. Another $5.8 billion was requested for nearly 6 million Syrian refugees who fled their homeland.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced more than $596 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for 2021. The State Department said the aid will benefit people in Syria and refugees in neighboring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pledged 1.738 billion euros ($2 billion) on Germanys behalf, Washington Post reported.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom cut its pledge to at least 205 million pounds ($281 million), compared to 300 million ($411.8 million) last year.
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, has pledged to collaborate with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Ghana and other mathematics institutions to seriously transform the teaching of the subject and make it more practical and lovely.

Dr Adutwum said the contributions of AIMS would be a strong foundation to empower prospective and maths teachers to be professional, identify the challenges and needs of the students and respond accordingly.

The Minister said this in Accra on a virtual platform to commemorate International Day of Mathematics organised by AIMS Ghana on the theme: "Mathematics for a Better World".

He said the government had invested and prioritised the study of Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM) to encourage students to focus more on the sciences subjects and improve the country's growth.

"Government believes that if we enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics, the country's socio-economic development will be enhanced to the fullest".

He encouraged mathematics teachers to help demystify the notion that mathematics is difficult and encouraged students to appreciate the importance of the subject for national development.

Dr Adutwum underscored the importance of mathematics in the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that mathematics models have been used to understand the rate of spread for the virus and the two-metre social distancing.

He assured AIMS of the Ministry's support to encourage students to appreciate that mathematics was not an enemy but a friend.

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"Mathematics is everything around us but unfortunately there has been a misconception about the subject being difficult. I think mathematics is the easiest subject in the world because everything about us revolves around it".

He commended all mathematicians in the country and across the globe in ensuring that children acquire the necessary tools and understanding of the subject to contribute to national development.

Dr Abdourahamane Diallo, the Head of UNESCO Accra Office, commended AIMS for organising the event to create awareness about the importance of mathematics, saying Scientists have been guided by statistics to predict the evolution of happenings.

He said UNESCO would continue to support activities geared towards the promotion and study of mathematics and urged tertiary institutions to intensify efforts to address issues of stereotypes on the subject.

Dr Prince Koree Osei, President of AIMS Ghana, touching on the theme, said it was clear that mathematicians develop foundational abstract ideas, and models used to solve problems of nature, adding the need to explore ideas and make the world a better place.

He said the Institute was the first non-profit Pan-African Centres of Excellence for postgraduate training, research, teacher training and public engagement in Mathematics and the Allied Sciences.

In a panel discussion, some participants and students of mathematics said the role of mathematics had helped researchers to proffer advice to authorities on the need to institute a lockdown during the increasing rate of COVID-19.

Some advised mathematics teachers to begin teaching students the application of mathematical models and how it was transferred into theory for better comprehension of the subject and not the other way around.
The Mi Mix Fold is big in every sense of the word. Not only does it have an 8.01-inch display when unfolded, but it also weighs between 317 g and 332 g, depending on which configuration you choose. Additionally, the Mi Mix Fold has a 108 MP camera, a liquid-lens telephoto camera, a new Surge C1 ISP and a 5,020 mAh battery capacity. The Mi Mix Fold costs between CNY 9,999 (~US$1,521) and CNY 12,999 (~US$1,977), too.

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Xiaomi has unveiled its first foldable smartphone, following in the footsteps of Huawei, Motorola and Samsung. The Mi Mix Fold is also the first Mi Mix smartphone since the Mi Mix Alpha, which Xiaomi announced in 2019. Contrary to previous rumours, Xiaomi's first foldable smartphone has an inwardly folding display, which expands to 8.01-inches when opened. There is a 6.52-inch display on the Mi Mix Fold's outside, though.

It is worth noting that while the inner display runs at 60 Hz, the outer display peaks at 90 Hz. Unsurprisingly, Xiaomi has equipped the Mi Mix Fold with a Snapdragon 888 SoC, along with up to 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage in the case of the Ceramic Special Edition. All these components will be powered by two batteries totalling 5,020 mAh that can be recharged at up to 67 W, matching the Mi 11 Ultra.
SHANGHAI, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 30, 2021, the Board of Governors (the Board) of the New Development Bank (NDB) held its Sixth Annual Meeting.

The theme of the 6th Board of Governors Annual Meeting was New Development Paradigms: The Evolution of Infrastructure. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented global environment, the Board Governors meeting took place virtually. It served as an important moment to not only celebrate the success story of NDB but also to reflect on new paradigms for development and the New Development Bank's role therein. The Board of Governors welcomed the crucial role played by NDB in the past year and in particular in the implementation of the Emergency Assistance Fund. In total, the NDB Board of Directors so far has approved eight COVID-19 related emergency assistance programs with a total amount of around USD 8 billion.

Addressing the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Development Bank is effectively supporting economic recovery in its member countries, said Mr. Anton Siluanov, Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the NDB Board of Governors.

"Further transformation of the NDB into a full-fledged practical platform for expanding economic cooperation between the BRICS economies should become one of the Bank's key goals for the next five years," said Mr. Anton Siluanov.

During the Meeting, Mr. Marcos Troyjo, NDB President, delivered a presentation to the Board on the Bank's progress and further development.

"Our duty is to maximize the development impact," said Mr. Marcos Troyjo. "As the world battles COVID, both long-standing and unprecedented development needs abound." "For the NDB, cooperation is both a value and a method  and improving peoples' lives, our highest priority."

An update on the formal negotiations with potential new members was delivered to the Board of Governors. It was highlighted that the expansion of the Bank's membership will continue to be a priority for the NDB. The Board welcomed the progress made in negotiations with potential new members and encouraged Management to continue pursuing the expansion of membership in a gradual and balanced way.

The Board of Governors was briefed on the process of preparing the Bank's second General Strategy for the period of 2022-2026. It was noted that going forward, NDB will continue to support their member countries in achieving their sustainable development priorities and climate-related goals.

The Governors welcomed NDB's new focus areas of social and digital infrastructure and encouraged the Bank to enhance its capacity to mobilize private sector resources and engage in co-financing with peer institutions. The Board also discussed the setting up of an Integrated BRICS Digital Platform and approved the Annual Financial Accounts of the Bank for 2020.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedures of Board of Governors of the New Development Bank, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance of the Republic of India, was elected as the Chairperson of the Board of Governors. Mr. Kun Liu, Minister of Finance of the People's Republic of China, was elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Governors. Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman and Mr. Kun Liu will serve in these positions until the end of the next Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors.

The Board of Governors decided that the next Annual Meeting of the Board will be hosted by India in 2022.

The NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.

SOURCE New Development Bank
[March 31, 2021] BioRestorative Therapies Announces Notice of Allowance for a New Patent Application Related to its Off-the-Shelf ThermoStem Program

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. (the Company) (OTC: BRTX), a life sciences company focused on stem cell-based therapies, today announced that the United States Patent Office has issued a notice of allowance for a patent application related to the Companys metabolic ThermoStem Program. The notice of allowance was issued on March 22, 2021 and is related to a new patent application not previously announced.

Claims granted under the new patent cover methodologies related to generating exosomes and brown adipocytes from human brown adipose-derived stem cells. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles produced by cells that contain lipids, messenger-RNA, micro-RNA, cytokines and proteins. Therapeutic benefits of using exosomes have been demonstrated in various disease models and may provide a valuable therapeutic tool for treating disease. We are pleased to see that we have been granted an additional patent by the USPTO for our ThermoStem Program, said Lance Alstodt, the Companys CEO. Our comprehensive portfolio of patents under our ThermoStem Program continues to expand as we develop and protect intellectual property related to large and growing markets where brown adipocyte therapeutics can be applied. Im very proud of our team, driving towards the achievement of our stated goals. The advancement of our technology is a core, fundamental value driver of our Company. Our family of intellectual property coupled with our financial reporting progress are critical factors contributing to our growth strategy. It is expected that the exosome diagnostic and therapeutic market will reach $368 million by 2022 as the development of research, clinical tools and therapeutics continues to grow in this emerging tchnology.



About BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. (www.biorestorative.com) develops therapeutic products using cell and tissue protocols, primarily involving adult stem cells. Our two core programs, as described below, relate to the treatment of disc/spine disease and metabolic disorders:

 Disc/Spine Program (brtxDISC): Our lead cell therapy candidate, BRTX-100, is a product formulated from autologous (or a persons own) cultured mesenchymal stem cells collected from the patients bone marrow. We intend that the product will be used for the non-surgical treatment of painful lumbosacral disc disorders or as a complementary therapeutic to a surgical procedure. The BRTX-100 production process utilizes proprietary technology and involves collecting a patients bone marrow, isolating and culturing stem cells from the bone marrow and cryopreserving the cells. In an outpatient procedure, BRTX-100 is to be injected by a physician into the patients damaged disc. The treatment is intended for patients whose pain has not been alleviated by non-invasive procedures and who potentially face the prospect of surgery. We have received authorization from the Food and Drug Administration to commence a Phase 2 clinical trial using BRTX-100 to treat chronic lower back pain arising from degenerative disc disease.  Metabolic Program (ThermoStem): We are developing a cell-based therapy candidate to target obesity and metabolic disorders using brown adipose (fat) derived stem cells to generate brown adipose tissue (BAT). BAT is intended to mimic naturally occurring brown adipose depots that regulate metabolic homeostasis in humans. Initial preclinical research indicates that increased amounts of brown fat in animals may be responsible for additional caloric burning as well as reduced glucose and lipid levels. Researchers have found that people with higher levels of brown fat may have a reduced risk for obesity and diabetes. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks, including, without limitation, those set forth in the Company's latest Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements. CONTACT:

Email: ir@biorestorative.com



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Deliveroo, the British food delivery service, dropped as much as 30 percent in its first minutes of trading on Wednesday, a gloomy public debut for the company that was promoted as a post-Brexit win for Londons financial markets.

The company had set its initial public offering price at 3.90 pounds a share, valuing Deliveroo at 7.6 billion or $10.4 billion. But it opened at 3.31, 15 percent lower, and kept falling. By the end of the day, shares had recovered only slightly, closing at about 2.87, 26 percent lower.

The offering has been troubled by major investors planning to sit out the I.P.O. amid concerns about shareholder voting rights and Deliveroo rider pay. Deliveroo, trading under the ticker ROO, sold just under 385 million shares, raising 1.5 billion.

The business model of Deliveroo and other gig economy companies is increasingly under threat in Europe as legal challenges mount. Two weeks ago, Uber reclassified more than 70,000 drivers in Britain as workers who will receive a minimum wage, vacation pay and access to a pension plan, after a Supreme Court ruling. Analysts said the move could set a precedent for other companies and increase costs.
[March 31, 2021] Welcome News to Jumpstart the Post-Pandemic Economy: Mendix Survey Shows 78% of U.S. Manufacturing Workers Want to Help With Digital Transformation

BOSTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mendix , a Siemens business and global leader in low-code application development for the enterprise, today announced the findings of a new survey that showed 8 in 10 manufacturing workers (83%) are interested in learning new digital skills, and fewer than 1 in 5 (18%) respondents said they're happy with their current digital skillset. The prevailing wisdom for years has been that factory and industrial workers would resist digitalization of their workplaces for fear of being replaced. But the survey, titled "Digital Illiteracy in the Factory: Providing Workers with Low-Code Tools," revealed that workers now see acquiring technology as a strength. Other revelations in the survey include: Nearly 9 out of 10 said they want to learn how to use low-code software development, while only 3% currently use low-code in their jobs. More than two-thirds (67%) say they want to create a software app that would solve issues at work. According to this survey and a parallel survey conducted in Europe, U.S. workers are more willing to welcome and contribute to workplace digitalization than their counterparts in Germany (78% vs. 61%)  a surprising result, given that German manufacturing workers enjoy a reputation as some of the most skilled in the world. Mendix commissioned the research, conducted from January 29 to February 11, 2021, to quantify the total low-code potential among full-time manufacturing workers. Goals included learning about workers' attitudes and motivations, as well as obstacles that prevent them from acquiring low-code and other digital skills. In both the U.S. and Germany, Mendix surveyed full-time workers (those who work more than 30 hours per week, either as employees, contractors to a single company, or are self-employed) employed in the manufacturing sector. The sample size was 250 in the U.S. and 250 in Germany. Not enough training or tools for workers Another surprise from the survey is how little support U.S. manufacturing workers receive in developing digital skills. That only 18% are happy with their digital skills is just one sign that more training is required. At a time when the country's manufacturing industry remains mired in a decades-long slump and when managers clamor for more useful software applications, news reports indicate that the nation's workforce is ill-equipped to deal with writing code. "Low-code solves so many of the problems facing manufacturers and industrialists," said Derek Roos, CEO of Mendix. "Like many business sectors, U.S. manufacturing is short of software and software developers. Training workers to code is expensive and time-consuming. Low-code enables citizen developers to build applications rapidly, with minimum training. As for the trained developers that manufacturing companies do employ, Mendix's low-code helps them create apps 10X as fast and at a much lower cost." With 13 million working in manufacturing, the stakes are high Reviving U.S. manufacturing is one of the key linchpins of President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" campaign and vital to his economic recovery plan. The sector remains the fifth largest employer in the U.S ., with more than 13 million workers. In January, Biden said a turnaround in manufacturing "must be part of the engine of American prosperity now." The good news for Biden is that some in manufacturing's upper echelons recognize the need to provide workers with digital skills and tools, sooner rather than later. Gardner Carrick works for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the nation's largest manufacturing trade association, a group that represents the 12.8 million manufacturing workers who collectively contribute $2.4 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. In Carrick's role as vice president of Strategic Initiatives for The Manufacturing Institute, NAM's educational and deveopment arm, he and TMI are charged with finding ways to "inspire, educate, and empower,'' the industry's workforce. For him, the results of Mendix's survey are a positive sign.



"Incorporating digital applications is vital to the ongoing competitiveness of manufacturing in the U.S., and it is heartening to see such a large percentage of the manufacturing workforce ready to contribute to this effort," Carrick said. "Low-code development platforms, such as those provided by Mendix, provide our workforce with the tools to contribute to this digital transformation, and we should prioritize training in these skills." But for a nationwide rebound to occur, political and business leaders need to search for innovative answers. Last month, The Washington Post reported on a new study by the Brookings Institution on why Indiana, one of the nation's top manufacturing states, has fallen behind the national average in productivity for the past 10 years. Mark Muro, a senior fellow at Brookings and one of the report's authors, was quoted saying Indiana's troubles are typical of the struggles for manufacturing across the nation. The report found that the state's manufacturing was slow to adopt digital technologies and that Indiana also ranks 37th among states in information technology investment per worker.

In December, IndustryWeek reported that the National Skills Coalition (NSC) had found that nearly one in three U.S. workers had either very few digital skills or even no skills at all. Low-code is the key to helping workers span the digital divide Low-code is the kind of tool that enables citizen developers, people with little or no training in writing code, to create enterprise-grade, tailor-made software capable of solving complex problems in the workplace. The Mendix low-code platform is a visual development approach that uses drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic via a graphical user interface that's simple to understand. With low-code, manufacturers avoid spending loads of time or money training workers to build useful applications. Not doing so would mean missing an important opportunity to train pools of workers who appear eager to learn how to implement low-code. The survey found that 87% of U.S. workers want to learn how to use low-code. Among that group, 88% of women said they are very interested in learning to low-code, versus 51% of men. Millennials and Gen X workers expressed the most interest, with 84% saying they were very interested in learning to low-code, compared to only 37% of Baby Boomers expressing the same level of interest. "The United States needs to move now to get their workers into the digital game," said Roos. "If the country wants 'Made in the USA' to mean something again, and if it wants to reduce unemployment and keep its economy vital and thriving, manufacturing and industry should provide low-code and other tools that help bridge the digital divide." Click here to access content free of charge from Mendix World, the world's largest virtual low-code conference, featuring more than 60 sessions, including more than 20 by customers, and covering the gamut of low-code application development topics from strategy to practical, hands-on platform training. Learn more about the Mendix Platform . Background In a pandemic-disrupted world, software is the new lifeblood of our daily lives and the connective tissue holding together the global economy. However, traditional software development takes far too long and very often fails to deliver the results business needs and users love. Even prior to COVID-19 there were simply not enough professional software developers in the world to build all the software currently required. The global pandemic has accelerated and exacerbated what was already a software and business crisis. Enter low-code software development. Low-code from Mendix is a powerful enterprise-grade visual development approach empowering citizen and professional developers to make cloud-native applications more than 10X faster for web and mobile using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic  all through an intuitive graphical user interface. Connect with Mendix Follow @Mendix on Twitter

Connect with Mendix on LinkedIn About Mendix Mendix, a Siemens business and the global leader in enterprise low-code, is fundamentally reinventing the way applications are built in the digital enterprise. With the Mendix platform, enterprises can "Make with More" by broadening an enterprise's development capability to conquer the software development bottleneck; "Make it Smart," by making apps with rich native experiences that are intelligent, proactive, and contextual; and "Make at Scale," to modernize core systems and build large app portfolios to keep pace with business growth. The Mendix platform is built to promote intense collaboration between business and IT teams and dramatically accelerate application development cycles while maintaining the highest standards of security, quality, and governance  in short, to help enterprises confidently leap into their digital futures. Mendix's "Go Make It" platform has been adopted by more than 4,000 leading companies around the world. Press Inquiries Sara Black

sara@bospar.com

(213) 618-1501 Dan Berkowitz

Senior Director Global Communications

Mendix

Dan.Berkowitz@mendix.com

(415) 518-7870 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/welcome-news-to-jumpstart-the-post-pandemic-economy-mendix-survey-shows-78-of-us-manufacturing-workers-want-to-help-with-digital-transformation-301259399.html SOURCE Mendix

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DUBLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Partnering Terms and Agreements 2010 to 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report contains a comprehensive listing of all artificial intelligence partnering deals announced since 2010 including financial terms where available including over 440 links to online deal records of actual artificial intelligence partnering deals as disclosed by the deal parties.



The report provides a detailed understanding and analysis of how and why companies enter artificial intelligencepartnering deals. The majority of deals are early development stage whereby the licensee obtains a right or an option right to license the licensors artificial intelligencetechnology or product candidates. These deals tend to be multicomponent, starting with collaborative R&D, and commercialization of outcomes.



This report provides details of the latest artificial intelligence, oligonucletides including aptamers agreements announced in the healthcare sectors.



Understanding the flexibility of a prospective partner's negotiated deals terms provides critical insight into the negotiation process in terms of what you can expect to achieve during the negotiation of terms. Whilst many smaller companies will be seeking details of the payments clauses, the devil is in the detail in terms of how payments are triggered - contract documents provide this insight where press releases and databases do not.



In addition, where available, records include contract documents as submitted to the Securities Exchange Commission by companies and their partners.



Contract documents provide the answers to numerous questions about a prospective partner's flexibility on a wide range of important issues, many of which will have a significant impact on each party's ability to derive value from the deal.

In addition, a comprehensive appendix is provided organized by artificial intelligence partnering company A-Z, deal type definitions and artificial intelligence partnering agreements example. Each deal title links via Weblink to an online version of the deal record and where available, the contract document, providing easy access to each contract document on demand.



The report also includes numerous tables and figures that illustrate the trends and activities in artificial intelligence partnering and dealmaking since 2010.



In conclusion, this report provides everything a prospective dealmaker needs to know about partnering in the research, development and commercialization of artificial intelligence technologies and products.



Report scope

Analyzing actual company deals and agreements allows assessment of the following:

What is actually granted by the agreement to the partner company?

What exclusivity is granted?

What are the precise rights granted or optioned?

What is the payment structure for the deal?

How are sales and payments audited?

What is the deal term?

How are the key terms of the agreement defined?

How are IPRs handled and owned?

Who is responsible for commercialization?

Who is responsible for development, supply, and manufacture?

How is confidentiality and publication managed?

How are disputes to be resolved?

Under what conditions can the deal be terminated?

What happens when there is a change of ownership?

What sublicensing and subcontracting provisions have been agreed?

Which boilerplate clauses does the company insist upon?

Which boilerplate clauses appear to differ from partner to partner or deal type to deal type?

Which jurisdiction does the company insist upon for agreement law?

Global Artificial Intelligence Partnering Terms and Agreements includes:

Trends in artificial intelligence dealmaking in the biopharma industry since 2010

Analysis of artificial intelligence deal structure

Access to headline, upfront, milestone and royalty data

Case studies of real-life artificial intelligence deals

Access to over 440 artificial intelligence deals

The leading artificial intelligence deals by value since 2014

Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers since 2014

The leading artificial intelligence partnering resources

In Global Artificial Intelligence Partnering Terms and Agreements, the available contracts are listed by:

Company A-Z

Headline value

Stage of development at signing

Deal component type

Specific therapy and technology target

Key Topics Covered:



Executive Summary



Chapter 1 - Introduction



Chapter 2 - Trends in artificial intelligence dealmaking

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Artificial intelligence partnering over the years

2.3. Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers

2.4. Artificial intelligence partnering by deal type

2.5. Artificial intelligence partnering by therapy area

2.6. Deal terms for artificial intelligence partnering



Chapter 3 - Leading artificial intelligence deals

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Top artificial intelligence deals by value



Chapter 4 - Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers

4.3. Most active artificial intelligence partnering company profiles



Chapter 5 - Artificial intelligence contracts dealmaking directory

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Artificial intelligence contracts dealmaking directory



Chapter 6 - Artificial intelligence dealmaking by technology type



Chapter 7 - Partnering resource center

7.1. Online partnering

7.2. Partnering events

7.3. Further reading on dealmaking



Appendices

Appendix 1 - Artificial intelligence deals by company A-Z

Appendix 2 - Artificial intelligence deals by stage of development

Discovery

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Regulatory

Marketed

Formulation

Appendix 3 - Artificial intelligence deals by deal type

Asset purchase

Bigpharma outlicensing

Co-development

Collaborative R&D

Co-market

Co-promotion

CRADA

Cross-licensing

Development

Distribution

Evaluation

Grant

Joint venture

Licensing

Manufacturing

Marketing

Option

Research

Spin out

Sub-license

Supply

Technology transfer

Appendix 4 - Artificial intelligence deals by therapy area

Cardiovascular

Central Nervous System

Genetic disorders

Hematology

Immunology

Infectives

Metabolic

Musculoskeletal

Obstetrics

Oncology

Ophthalmics

Orphan disease

Pediatrics

Respiratory

Appendix 5 -Deal type definitions

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ze6mu2

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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Over 25,000 beneficiaries received COVID-19 vaccine shots in the national capital by 6 pm on Wednesday, and only one of them has reported adverse events so far, officials said here.

The number of beneficiaries was less compared with other days as dispensary-based session sites are not functional on Wednesdays and Fridays, an official said.

In the age bracket of 45-59 years, 2,489 beneficiaries received vaccine shots, while 12,637 senior citizens also got their first jabs by 6 pm, an official said.

The second dose of the vaccines were given to 6,808 people, he said, adding that 1,892 frontline workers and 1,456 healthcare workers got their first shots.

A total of 25,282 people were vaccinated across the city, and only one case of minor AEFI (adverse events following immunisation) was recorded by 6 pm, the officials said.

Vaccination centres in the city have been operating from 9 am to 9 pm since March 22.

The third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive for 65 lakh people aged above 45 will begin on Thursday in the national capital, the officials said.

In the first phase, which began on January 16, over 3.6 lakh beneficiaries comprising healthcare workers and frontline workers were vaccinated in

Vaccine shots were given to persons aged 60 and above and those in the 45-59 age bracket with comorbidities in the second phase.

"In the third phase, people aged 45 and above as on January 1, 2022 are eligible for vaccination, irrespective of their comorbidity status," a senior government officer said.

Only registered beneficiaries will be given vaccine shots between 9 am and 3 pm. The unregistered ones can take the jabs from 3 pm to 9 pm. They just need to carry their Aadhaar card or any other valid identity proof, an official said.

The third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive is slated to span across 192 health facilities, including 136 private hospitals, in the national capital on Thursday, the officials said.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the 65 lakh eligible beneficiaries (aged above 45) will be given vaccine shots at around 500 sites.

"We have enough vaccines available. The number of eligible beneficiaries is quite large. We will make efforts to complete the inoculation as soon as possible," he said.

reported 1,819 new cases on Wednesday with a positivity rate of 2.71 per cent, while 11 more people succumbed to the pathogen, the Health Department said.

The number of cumulative cases stands at 6,62,430 in the city, and over 6.42 lakh patients have recovered from the virus so far.

The city had recorded 992 cases on Tuesday, 1,904 cases on Monday, 1,881 cases on Sunday, 1,558 cases on Saturday, 1,534 cases on Friday, 1,515 cases on Thursday, 1,254 cases on Wednesday and 1,101 cases on Tuesday.

The positivity rate was 2.70 per cent on Tuesday, 2.77 per cent on Monday, 2.35 per cent on Sunday,1.70 per cent on Saturday, 1.80 per cent on Friday, and 1.69 per cent on Thursday.

Health experts and doctors have attributed this "sudden rise" in cases to people becoming complacent, not following COVID-appropriate behaviour and "assuming all is well now".

The next two-three months could be challenging, they said, adding the situation can be kept under control if vaccination is opened up for more people and COVID-19 protocols are strictly adhered to.

(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.)
Bahrain GP steward and former F1 driver Emanuele Pirro says Max Verstappen may have won last Sunday's race if he had refused to hand back the lead to Lewis Hamilton.

The 'tracks limits' issue is back with a bang early in 2021, after Mercedes' Hamilton ran wide at turn four on 30 different occasions before being told to stop.

"Hamilton went over the track limits a bit too often, creating a repeated advantage," Pirro, who was on duty in the stewards' room last weekend, told Corriere dello Sport.

"That's why Michael Masi, the only one with the authority to talk to the teams, called Mercedes to warn them."

However, stewards had strictly deleted laps for similar infractions in qualifying, causing confusion in the Red Bull garage.

"I don't know how it got to the point where people were doing it without getting warnings," said Verstappen.

Team boss Christian Horner agreed: "It was frustrating. We questioned with race control that if that's the case, can we do it? In a nip and tuck battle, there's a two-tenths advantage using that part of the circuit.

"You can't say it's ok to use it in the race, but you can't overtake out there. It should be black or white - it shouldn't be grey," the Red Bull chief added.

Indeed, when Verstappen passed Hamilton for the lead, Masi immediately got on the radio to tell Red Bull that he would have to hand back the place.

Dr Helmut Marko says the Dutchman was happy to oblige.

"According to Max, it was the right thing to do. He was already slowing down when the message from the race director arrived," he told Servus TV.

"I have no idea what would have happened if we hadn't returned the position to Hamilton," said Marko.

However, Verstappen hinted after the race that he was actually unhappy that he gave the place back to Hamilton.

"I would rather finish first with a penalty than second in this way," he said. "That's just how I am. Not everyone has to agree with it."

FIA steward Pirro clarified that while Masi can suggest that a driver should hand a place back to avoid a potential penalty, it is not mandatory.

"A race director will never oblige anything - he can only suggest it," said the Italian. "Verstappen gave back the place and we did not have to deal with the case anymore."

But in a major blow to Red Bull, Pirro also suggested that the maximum penalty Verstappen would have been given was a five second time penalty - potentially enough for him to have kept the race win.

"If Verstappen had not returned the position, he would always have received a maximum of a five seconds penalty," Pirro confirmed.

Luigi Mazzola, the former head of Ferrari's test team, admitted he was surprised by the way Red Bull handled the critical situation.

"If I had been Red Bull, I would have thought twice about that decision and challenged it," he told Italy's Autosprint. "Given what Hamilton did during the race, I expected Red Bull to fight it harder.

"Perhaps they thought Verstappen would easily be able to get the place back."

Marko confirmed: "Hamilton was smart. He let himself be overtaken and then got the position back. As a result, Max's tyres - which were already degraded - picked up the dust and he couldn't attack him again."

(GMM)
Shanghai leads world in coffee stores

By:Zhao Chunyuan | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-03-31 10:40





As of January 2021, Shanghai has 6,913 cafes, ranking first for the number of coffee stores among cities worldwide. Huangpu, Xuhui and Jing'an districts have the largest number of boutique cafes and women have become the main group of coffee consumers, accounting for nearly 70%. The opening ceremony of Shanghai Coffee Culture Week and the first Shanghai International Coffee Industry Forum was held in the North Hall of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) on March 29, where Yicai and Meituan released the Shanghai Coffee Consumption Index and the Shanghai Coffee Consumption Map respectively to explain the development and characteristics of coffee consumption in Shanghai.





The Shanghai Coffee Consumption Index shows that the number of cafes per 10,000 people in Shanghai is 2.85, and this per capita indicator is on par with the averages of London, New York and Tokyo.

From the perspective of the maturity of the industry, the number of chain cafes and independent cafes is not much different. Among them, there are 3,352 independent cafes accounting for 48.5% in Shanghai that have not formed more than 2 chains; while the chain rate of Shanghai cafes reaches almost 43%. Seventy percent of the chain cafes come from five brands as follows: Starbucks, Luckin Coffee, McCafe, Tim Hortons and Costa.

The Shanghai Coffee Consumption Map shows that the distribution of chain brand cafes and independent cafes is different. In addition to the crossover of university business districts, chain brand cafes prefer office areas, giving priority to meeting the needs of office workers for quality and speed, while independent cafes emphasize the atmosphere and mood of life.

In addition, the map also analyzes the characteristics of the coffee consuming population in Shanghai from two dimensions: gender and age. In terms of gender distribution, women have become the main group of coffee consumers. In the 2020 Shanghai coffee consumption survey, female users accounted for 69%. In terms of age distribution, the age of the coffee consumption group is concentrated between 20 and 40 years old.

The current per capita coffee consumption in Shanghai is about 20 cups per person per year, a figure that is still significantly lower than other important global coffee markets that consume two to three hundred cups per person per year. The Shanghai Coffee Consumption Index also points out that Shanghai, the most important coffee consumption market in China, still has a lot of room for growth and will continue to be full of potential and opportunities in the future.
All Japanese social studies textbooks for first-year high schoolers will assert Tokyo's flimsy colonial claim to Korea's Dokdo islets from next year.

The claim is stressed by 30 high-school social studies textbooks newly authorized by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on Tuesday.

Eighteen geography and civics textbooks also parrot the claim, which has become a rallying point for rightwingers in the island country.

They describe the islets "occupied illegally by Korea" or "Japan's inherent territory." Twelve history textbooks purport to describe the "process of how the islets were absorbed as Japanese territory."

The Japanese government, led by the rightwing Liberal Democratic Party, issued teacher guidelines pushing the territorial claim in 2018, and textbook publishers now seem to have fallen in line.
WASHINGTON - In a move he said would help restore scientific integrity, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency is removing dozens of scientists and other experts from key advisory boards named under President Donald Trump, saying they were overly friendly to industry.

Vice President Kamala Harris, right, watches EPA administrator Michael Regan gives his wife Melvina Thomas Regan and son Matthew Silas, 7 a hug, during a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony in the Vice President's Ceremonial Office at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON - In a move he said would help restore scientific integrity, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency is removing dozens of scientists and other experts from key advisory boards named under President Donald Trump, saying they were overly friendly to industry.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan, in an Associated Press interview, said the reset of the Science Advisory Board and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee will return EPA to its time-honoured practice of relying on advice from a balanced group of experts. He is clearing out the two important panels, although current members can apply for reinstatement.

Scientific integrity is a foundational value for EPA,'' Regan said. And I am committing to ensuring that every single decision we make meets rigorous scientific standards.

Restoring public confidence in the EPA is a top goal, Regan said. And I think to do that, we have to identify and root out any decisions from the past that were not properly aligned with science,'' he said.

Vice President Kamala Harris, right, administers the ceremonial swearing-in of Michael Regan as EPA administrator in the Vice President's Ceremonial Office at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. With EPA Administrator Regan are his wife Melvina Thomas Regan, son Matthew Silas, 7. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Regan has repeatedly said science is back." He said that is very true," but added that "underpinning that is the importance of scientific integrity and transparency here at the agency. The actions were taking are indicative of how serious we are about repairing the scientific integrity at EPA.''

Regan, 44, was North Carolinas top environmental regulator for four years. At the EPA, he is helping to lead President Joe Bidens efforts to address climate change and advocate for environmental justice. Regan is the first Black man to run the EPA.

The overhaul announced Wednesday ousts more than 40 members of the two science advisory boards, including some whose terms do not expire this year. Members can apply to keep serving, but must compete against other candidates. Regan will make final selections, expected within months.

The panels provide scientific expertise and recommendations for air quality standards and other policies intended to protect public health and the environment.

Democrats have said the decision by Donald Trump's first EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, to remove many academic scientists from the advisory panels tilted them in favour of the chemical and fossil fuel industries. Pruitt barred scientists from serving on the advisory boards if they had received EPA research grants. Pruitt later resigned amid ethics scandals but his policies were largely continued under his successor and former deputy, Andrew Wheeler.

FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2021, file photo, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Regan, speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Reganis taking steps to restore what he calls scientific integrity at the EPA. And one way Regan is trying to do that is by reversing Trump administration actions that sidelined many academic scientists as advisers in favor of industry figures.(Caroline Brehman/Pool via AP)

In a related development, Regan said the EPA will be part of a White House effort to investigate Trump-era political interference in science across the government. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced a task force Monday aimed at identifying past tampering in scientific decisions.

Science is a big part of our mission, and my expectation is that we will be a part of that exercise,'' Regan said, calling the emphasis on scientific integrity a return to past practice rather than a new initiative. Science was not in question prior to the previous administration. There were some norms, some structures and transparency that we are actually returning back.''

John Graham, a former George W. Bush administration official who had led the Science Advisory Board since last year, defended that panels work, saying in an email it exposed the scientific shortcomings of the Trump EPAs plans to weaken greenhouse gas standards for autos and remove numerous water bodies from federal pollution protection.?

Graham said he was saddened by Regans radical action,'' which he said is disrupting every board members service and hampering the panel's work.

Graham, a professor at Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, said he will not reapply because I respectfully protest the entire process that Administrator Regan has concocted.''

Regan, in the AP interview, said his emphasis on scientific integrity also plays a major role in recruiting new and former employees as EPA attempts to rebuild after losing more than 10% of its workforce under Trump.

The people at EPA joined this agency for a specific reason. They believe in the mission. They believe in public service, and they want to protect public health and the environment,'' he said. And so it's our job to make sure we have a work environment that promotes science, data, integrity and transparency. Were going to have to walk that walk  demonstrate we are a worthy place of employment. I believe lots of people are already getting that message.?

On policy issues, Regan pledged to confront climate change, ensure environmental justice at communities near refineries and other hazardous sites and protect public health on issues such as a cluster of forever chemicals known as PFAS that are increasingly turning up in public drinking water systems, private wells and even food.

A federal courts recent decision to vacate the Trump administrations replacement of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan gives Regan's team a clean slate to regulate coal-burning power plants that contribute to global warming, he said.

Regan said he also is open to stricter air quality standards for ozone and other pollutants and will evaluate waivers offered by the Trump administration to relax a host of environmental rules during the coronavirus pandemic. Critics said the change allowed a pandemic of pollution in the past year.

Sometimes, ill-informed decisions that seem to be politically expedient end up not helping any parties,'' Regan said, referring to actions by Wheeler and Pruitt, his two immediate predecessors.

Regan rejected criticism by some Republican senators that he will have less power than unaccountable White House officials, such as climate adviser Gina McCarthy, a former EPA chief, or climate envoy John Kerry, a former senator and secretary of state.

My job is prove that theory wrong, and it's my intent to do just that,'' he said, noting the EPA powers granted by Congress.

We set the agenda here, based on the presidents vision, and we are charged with protecting the public health and the environment,'' he said.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  Hundreds of Lafayette School Corp. staffers have been vaccinated thanks to a partnership with Riggs Community Health Center.

Less than three weeks ago, Riggs wasn't allowed to vaccinate teachers unless they met other criteria. But as News 18 previously reported, school staff in grades pre-k to 12 became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine under the state earlier this month.

That's when Riggs approached LSC about vaccinating any employee who wanted a shot. The center is scheduling appointments over the next month for LSC teachers and staff, including bus drivers, food service workers and anyone else employed by the school corporation.

"We had wanted to distribute vaccines a little more fairly once they had said that teachers were going to be eligible. Partnering with the state -- they had released more vaccines to us because we're community health," says Jolene Prather, Riggs' director of operations.

Riggs' vaccine clinic is only open one day a week. The effort began last week with about 100 LSC employees. Prather says another 100 LSC employees were vaccinated on Wednesday.

"You feel a little bit of the weight of this being a historical moment," Prather says. "We've never been through anything like this before, and just trying to figure out where we could help the community the most, and teachers made a lot of sense."

LSC employees can also visit any of the other vaccine clinics across Indiana. As News 18 previously reported, Hoosiers 16 years old and up are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

But LSC employees might be able to get in sooner at Riggs. They can still make appointments at the center for the next two Wednesdays, but they must schedule through the corporation's administrative office.
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello, has said the completion of the 13.25kilometer Apo-Karshi road is no longer feasible.

The minister stated this on Wednesday while briefing journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr Bello had on February 17 assured that the road would be completed before the rainy season commences.

The contract was awarded by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in 2011 at the cost of N6.4 billion.

The road project was conceived as an alternative route to ease the gridlock experienced on a daily basis by workers and people coming into the capital city from the Mararaba-Nyanya axis.

Completion of the current project by the current FCDA administration has been delayed as a result of what Mr Bello then described as an error of design.

Fresh information

Explaining why he had to go back on his words, the minister said the information available to him now was different from the one he had at the time he made the promise.

I made that statement here a few weeks ago based on information available to me at that time. But, it is very obvious now based on the reality on ground and the challenges being faced by the contractor including funding which we are trying to resolve, Mr Bello said.

ALSO READ: Reps to investigate deteriorating public infrastructure in FCT

It is likely that we would not be able to meet the target I earlier set up for making sure that that road gets opened before the rainy season. But you can be rest assured that is a road that is so important to all of us in the city, and we will keep on pushing on to see that it Is done.

The minister had in February said that the initial challenges encountered by the project contractor had been surmounted, adding that work was at advanced stage.

The Karshi-Apo road is a project that should have been delivered by now. One of the main challenges faced in that road has to do with error in the design whereby, a huge rock outcrop on the alignment of the road corridor became very difficult to be able to arrange. But we are very happy to say that it is now almost taken care of. I believe within a few months time hopefully before onset of the rains this year, that road would be open.

Already a portion of that road which links Tundun Wada on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway via old and new Karshi is now very motorable because of the bridge constructed there by the Ecological Fund, which was commissioned about a month ago, the minister said at the time.
EMT Lenny Fernandez prepares a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a mobile vaccination drive for essential food processing workers at Rose & Shore, Inc., in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 17, 2021. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

Over 100 Fully Vaccinated People in Washington State Test Positive for COVID-19

More than 100 people in Washington state have tested positive for COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated, authorities said March 30.

Epidemiologists have found evidence of 102 so-called breakthrough cases since Feb. 1. That number represents 0.01 percent of people in the state who have been fully vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19.

The CCP virus is also known as SARS-CoV-2.

Eight of the patients required hospitalization and two, both over 80 years old with underlying health issues, died. All contracted the virus more than two weeks after being fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated refers to people receiving both doses of the vaccines produced by Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech. A third option, from Johnson & Johnson, is a single dose.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, further investigation is needed to identify patterns among people who contracted the virus after vaccination.

The cases are confirmed with a positive test. Investigators then work to determine details on what happened.

It is important to remember that every vaccine on the market right now prevents severe disease and death in most cases. People should still get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, and encourage friends, loved ones, and co-workers to do the same, Umair Shah, the states secretary of health, said in a statement.

Finding evidence of vaccine breakthrough cases reminds us that, even if you have been vaccinated, you still need to wear a mask, practice socially distancing, and wash your hands to prevent spreading COVID-19 to others who have not been vaccinated.

According to U.S. drug regulators, Pfizers vaccine is 95 percent effective in preventing infection of the CCP virus. Modernas was shown in a clinical trial to be 94.1 percent effective, while Johnson & Johnsons was 66.9 percent effective. The percentages are for two weeks after the final vaccination.

Other states have seen infections among people who were fully vaccinated.

Officials in Idaho told reporters last week that breakthrough cases have been recorded, although the number was fewer than 100. South Carolina authorities said this week that 134 such cases have been identified throughout the state. Dozens of patients in Florida have contracted the CCP virus more than 14 days after being fully vaccinated.

The Minnesota Department of Health is among the health departments issuing advisories about the breakthrough cases.

In the March 2 release, state officials told health workers that they are investigating COVID-19 infections (symptomatic and asymptomatic) among people who are appropriately vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine, also called vaccine breakthrough cases.

The probe will help both Minnesota health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention understand to what extent sub-optimal primary immune responses among specific groups, waning immunity, vaccine compromise, and viral mutations or variants may impact susceptibility to COVID-19 infection after vaccination, the alert stated.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from vaccine breakthrough cases is unknown and therefore isolation (separation from others) is recommended until 10 days have passed since symptom onset (or test date for asymptomatic cases), symptoms are improving, and patient has been afebrile for at least 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication.
While Netflix has never shied away from shelling out the big bucks for splashy movie acquisitions, it may have landed its biggest deal yet with two sequels for the 2019 whodunit Knives Out.

The streaming service has shelled out $450 million for the two sequels, according to Deadline, said to be one of the biggest streaming deals in movie history, with Daniel Craig returning as Benoit Blanc and Rian Johnson writing and directing.

The original murder mystery took in $311.3 million worldwide from just a $40 million budget, and while a sequel was expected, a 'discreet auction' for the follow-ups were quite the surprise.

Big bucks: While Netflix has never shied away from shelling out the big bucks for splashy movie acquisitions, it may have landed its biggest deal yet with two sequels for the 2019 whodunit Knives Out

Benoit returns: The streaming service has shelled out $450 million for the two sequels, according to Deadline , said to be one of the biggest streaming deals in movie history, with Daniel Craig returning as Benoit Blanc and Rian Johnson writing and directing

Netflix was engaged in a bidding war with Amazon and Apple for the sequels, with the original still owned by writer-director Johnson and his producing partner Ram Bergman.

Media Rights Capital acquired Knives Out in a single-picture deal, with Lionsgate distributing, and Johnson and Bergman licensing the films on a 'picture-by-picture basis.'

The original film came together in a rather unique way, with Daniel Craig wanting to explore an Agatha Christie-like whodunit, after having some downtime when Danny Boyle backed out of directing his 007 movie No Time to Die.

Bidding war: Netflix was engaged in a bidding war with Amazon and Apple for the sequels, with the original still owned by writer-director Johnson and his producing partner Ram Bergman

Downtime: The original film came together in a rather unique way, with Daniel Craig wanting to explore an Agatha Christie-like whodunit, after having some downtime when Danny Boyle backed out of directing his 007 movie No Time to Die

He teamed up with Johnson, who had an idea in mind for a murder mystery thriller, and his longtime producing partner Ram Bergman, and Knives Out was born, which Craig shot before Cary Joji Fukunaga came on to direct No Time to Die.

The story followed Detective Benoit Blanc (Craig) who, along with his partner Lieutenant Elliott (LaKeith Stanfield) is tasked with finding out who killed beloved mystery author Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer).

The author was killed during a family gathering, with suspects aplenty for Blanc to choose from, with practically every family member eyeing their inheritance once he passed.

Murder mystery: He teamed up with Johnson, who had an idea in mind for a murder mystery thriller, and his longtime producing partner Ram Bergman, and Knives Out was born, which Craig shot before Cary Joji Fukunaga came on to direct No Time to Die

The film also starred Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Katherine Langford and Riki Lindhome.

While no story details were given, with Craig returning as Blanc, it seems likely he will be tackling a new case, though it's unclear if there will be any other connections to the first movie.

Production is slated to begin on the first sequel June 28 in Greece, with casting said to begin immediately.

New cast: While no story details were given, with Craig returning as Blanc, it seems likely he will be tackling a new case, though it's unclear if there will be any other connections to the first movie

The sequel deal comes as Craig is ready to bid a fond farewell to his beloved James Bond character, with his fifth and final 007 movie No Time to Die finally set for release September 30 in the U.K. and October 8 in the U.S.

Craig is also attached to star in writer-director Todd Field's new film The Creed of Violence, which is in pre-production.

Johnson is also attached to create a brand new Star Wars trilogy for Disney and LucasFilm, though there is no timeline as to when that may come to fruition.

Bye Bond: The sequel deal comes as Craig is ready to bid a fond farewell to his beloved James Bond character, with his fifth and final 007 movie No Time to Die finally set for release September 30 in the U.K. and October 8 in the U.S.
The Queen and Prince Philip on the royal train at Central Station, Sydney. Credit:State Records NSW

The Queens visit to Australia ended a few seconds after 5.20 p.m. today, when the Royal yacht Gothic steamed slowly out of Fremantle Harbor to the accompaniment of cheers from 40,000 people and the sound of the sirens of every ship in port.

It was a brilliant and stirring finale to one of the greatest events in Australias history.

Four minutes earlier the Queen had left Australian soil, and walked up Gothics gangway looking as happy, refreshed and composed as on the bright morning of February 3 when this stately ship had brought her to Sydney.

Behind Her Majesty were 57 days packed with more than 250 formal engagements in a tour of Australia that had been a brilliant success.

As Gothic was slowly making its way out of the Swan River into the Indian Ocean the Queen left the top deck to make her farewell broadcast to Australia and its people.

With the sounds of departure still ringing in our ears I want to say to you, my Australian people, how sad we are to be leaving the shores of your wonderful land, she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 00:26:51|Editor: huaxia

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TASHKENT, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan will attract private investors to modernize and manage the country's airports based on the public-private partnership, the Uzbek Justice Ministry said Tuesday, citing a presidential decree.

Investors and their subcontractors will be exempted from customs duties for imported special vehicles, construction equipment and machinery, spare parts and raw materials from the moment of signing the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement, it said.

According to the document, private partners and airports will have their income and property tax cut to 50 percent for a three-year period. Airports with PPP-based modernization and management will also have a right to introduce the Open Skies regime.

The presidential decree tasks Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport and the Uzbekistan Airports company to take measures to attract potential investors for the reconstruction, modernization and management of the airports on the PPP model. Enditem
Senate Bill 12, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Bryan Hughes of Mineola, was approved on second reading by a vote of 18-13. The measure, which would apply to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, among others, would also require the companies to disclose their content moderation policies, publish regular reports about the content they remove and create an appeals process for user content that has been taken down.

READ MORE: The internet doesn't know how to feel about these NSFW Ted Cruz stickers

The Texas attorney general would be allowed to file suit against any company that violates a provision of the bill. If upheld in court, the attorney general could recoup "reasonable" attorney's fees and investigative costs.

Experts have raised doubts about the legality of the measure. Hughes acknowledged that, if signed into law, SB 12 would almost certainly be challenged in court. He repeatedly referred to social media platforms as common carriers, though they have never been classified as such by law or in the court system. Common carriers, such as phone companies and cable providers, are private or public companies that transport goods or people and are barred by government regulators from discriminating against customers.

Even though theyre private actors, because they are common carriers, because they chose to enter this business and offer their services, then they are bound by certain rules, Hughes said.

Facebook, Twitter and Google, which owns YouTube, did not respond to requests for comment. In remarks before Congress last week, company executives denied removing content or blocking users based on their viewpoints.

The bill will require one more vote from the Senate, an action that is usually just a formality after it is passed on second reading. Then it will head to the House, where two identical bills have been filed but so far have not moved forward in the State Affairs Committee.

BAYLOR: Coach gives ridiculous opinion about COVID-19 testing

During Tuesdays debate on the bill, state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, pointed out that while Facebook and Twitter would be included under the measure, websites such as Parler and Gab, which are popular among conservatives, would be left out because they have fewer than 100 million monthly users. He proposed an amendment that would have lowered the threshold to 25 million monthly users, but it was voted down by a vote of 21-10.

Hughes stressed that the measure seeks to protect all viewpoints. But at a press conference earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott announced his support for the measure and chided social media companies for leading a dangerous movement to silence conservative ideas [and] religious beliefs.

The rhetoric about silencing conservatives ramped up following the 2020 election, when platforms including Facebook and Twitter removed former President Donald Trumps account for inciting violence during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Prior to that, the platforms attached warnings to posts by Trump and other conservatives who were, without evidence, sowing doubt on the legitimacy of the election.

Republican politicians have long targeted technology giants  accusing them of an anti-conservative bias and for silencing free speech, even though the actions to ban members were often in response to credible evidence that communications were inciting violence. A February report by researchers at New York University found that there are no credible studies showing that Twitter removes tweets for ideological reasons.

In a congressional hearing last October, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told lawmakers that Democrats often say that we dont remove enough content, and Republicans often say we remove too much.

ANTI-TRANS: Texas could follow Arkansas in passing anti-trans health care bill

The fact that both sides criticize us doesnt mean that were getting this right, but it does mean there are real disagreements about where the limits of online speech should be, he said.

Twitter in January purged more than 70,000 accounts linked to the dangerous conspiracy theorist group QAnon for the movements connection to the U.S. Capitol attack.

Hughes in 2019 filed a similar measure that won Senate approval, but it ultimately died in committee in the Texas House.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage immunology company focused on combining RNA insights with cutting edge technologies for new cancer therapies, today announced the appointment of Elaine V. Jones, Ph.D., to the Company's Board of Directors. As Myeloid continues developing its novel therapies and advances multiple programs to the clinic, Dr. Jones will support the Company by drawing on her unique track record in the biopharmaceutical space, which includes success across venture capital investments, new drug discovery, and corporate development.

"We are thrilled that Dr. Jones is joining our Board," said Myeloid Chief Executive Officer Daniel Getts, MBA, Ph.D. "She brings decades of experience when it comes to developing new therapies and helping companies excel. We look forward to receiving her unique perspective on all aspects of our business as we continue to build momentum."

"Myeloid Therapeutics is exciting because of its unprecedented approach, combining immunology and myeloid biology with novel receptor combinations, mRNA delivery, and multiple therapeutic modalities  all to enable transformative outcomes for cancer patients," said Dr. Jones. "I'm eager to collaborate with Daniel and the leadership team to help Myeloid realize the full potential of its promising technology."

In the decade leading up to 2019, Dr. Jones served as Vice President, Worldwide Business Development and Senior Partner at Pfizer Ventures, where she managed many of the fund's strategic venture investments. Previously, she served as General Partner at the venture firm EuclidSR Partners, and on the investment team at S.R. One, GlaxoSmithKline's corporate fund. During her career, Dr. Jones has served on the boards of more than 20 early to mid-stage biotechnology companies, including directorships at multiple companies developing novel therapeutics such as Kymera, Nimbus, NextCure, Gritstone Oncology, Jnana, and Mersana.

Dr. Jones received a B.S. in biology from Juniata College and a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Jones joins the Myeloid Board shortly after the Company launched with over $50 million in financing from leading venture companies Newpath Partners, 8VC, Hatteras Venture Partners, and Alexandria Venture Investments.

About Myeloid Therapeutics

Myeloid Therapeutics is an immunology company focused on combining RNA biology insights with cutting-edge technologies to harness myeloid cells and eradicate cancer and other diseases. With broad clinical applications possible, the Company is presently advancing its several cell therapy product candidates, derived from its ATAK platform technology, with an initial application in T cell lymphoma and a primed monocyte approach to treating glioblastoma. The ATAK platform is scalable to multiple treatment modalities and to other disease areas in collaboration. For more information, visit https://www.myeloidtx.com/.

Media Contact

Sarah Sutton

Finsbury Glover Hering (FGH)

[email protected]

202-337-0808

Ben Waldron

Finsbury Glover Hering (FGH)

[email protected]

347-622-3740

SOURCE Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc.
TORONTO - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has signed a deal to sell its 45 per cent stake in GlobalLogic Worldwide Holdings, Inc., the parent company of GlobalLogic Inc., to Hitachi Ltd.

In this Dec. 11, 2008 file photo, visitors crowd at a booth of Japanese electronics maker Hitachi Ltd. at an ecology fair in Tokyo, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Katsumi Kasahara

TORONTO - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has signed a deal to sell its 45 per cent stake in GlobalLogic Worldwide Holdings, Inc., the parent company of GlobalLogic Inc., to Hitachi Ltd.

The pension fund manager says it expects US$3.8 billion in net proceeds from the sale which is based on a US$9.5-billion enterprise value for the company.

GlobalLogic is a digital engineering services provider.

It has design studios and software engineering centres around the world.

CPP Investments has held a joint lead ownership equity stake in GlobalLogic since 2017.

Partners Group, which has been an equal equity partner in GlobalLogic since 2018, is also selling its stake to Hitachi.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2021.
Karen refugees from Myanmar carrying their belongings are seen at the bank of the Salween River in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand, March 29, 2021.

Updated at 7:41 a.m. ET on 2021-03-31

Thailand has sent back more than 2,000 ethnic Karen refugees who fled into the country from military air strikes in neighboring Myanmar, non-governmental groups reported Tuesday, as Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said refugees from areas not ravaged by violence should return.

The Thai government said that more than 2,300 of the repatriated refugees had returned voluntarily, stressing that it wouldnt turn away those fleeing fighting in southeastern Myanmars Karen state, where military jets have bombed villages controlled by Karen National Union (KNU) rebels who control large swathes of territory in the borderlands with Thailand.

Starting Monday, Thai authorities had been pushing back the 3,000-odd Karen refugees who started arriving a day before in Thailands Mae Hong Son province, said Pornsuk Kerdsawang, a member of Friends Without Borders Foundation, a Thai NGO.

From March 29 onward, Thai authorities have been trying to push them back into Myanmar, Pornsuk told BenarNews.

Since the military seized power in a Feb. 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, security forces in Myanmar have killed over 500 mostly unarmed anti-coup protestors, including more than 100 this past weekend.

Naw KNyaw Paw, secretary of the Karen Womens Organization, told Radio Free Asias Myanmar Service that many more people than the figure given by the Thai government had been sent back across the frontier.

The Thai Army has said the Myanmar army wouldnt target the Ei Tu Hta IDP camp, and so we must return, Naw KNyaw Paw told RFA, referring to a camp for internally displaced persons in Karen state.

They said the IDP camp was not hit by the Myanmar Army. But the refugees are too afraid to return and so they just stay in the mountains and nearby jungles. They were forced to return from the other side by boat  batch after batch. More than 2,000 of them.

Pornsuk from the Thai NGO said the refugees returned to Myanmar in boats across the Salween River.

There are about 3,000 Karen in Mae Sariang district and more than 80 in Sob Moei District, [and many are] crossing back via boats. Seven injured Karen were also given help in a hospital in Mae Hong Son province.

According to information provided to media late on Tuesday by Tanee Sangrat, a spokesman for the Thai foreign ministry, 2,897 people from Myanmar had crossed into Mae Hong Son, but 2,352 of them went back to the other side of the border of their own accord, while 545 remained on the Thai side.

It is Thailands policy not to push back anyone fleeing from fighting in Myanmar, Tanee said.

Some have gone back voluntarily as they have depleted their food supplies that they brought from their villages across the border in Myanmar. They often stay a few days until they are convinced that it is safe to return.

Tanee also confirmed that some of the refugees had been taken to a hospital in Mae Hong Son, but did not say how many.

Refugees all want to go back

Meanwhile, at least 10,000 people from Karen state have fled their homes and are gathered on the Myanmar side of the border after recent air strikes by the junta, Naw KNyaw Paw, of the Karen Womens Organization, said.

There are now more than ten thousand refugees in the country [on the Myanmar side] and about three thousand in Thailand. Thousands of them havent crossed into Thailand yet, but they are taking refuge on the other side of Thanlwin River which is in Thai territory, Naw KNyaw Paw said.

The Karen National Union (KNU), Myanmars oldest ethnic army, and KIC, a Karen news agency, said both corroborated that 10,000 Karen had fled their homes after the military air strikes. But KIC said that 7,000 Karen were gathered at the border.

There were bombings by the military on March 27 in areas held by KNU in the district of Papun, which is Mutraw district in Karen [state]. There were clashes in the area before that too. The KNU ran over a military post, Nan Phaw Gae, editor-in-chief of KIC, told RFA.

Since then, there were refugees running away from the battle zone. But they were not close to the banks of the Thanlwin at that time. It was (KNU) Battalion 5 area. According to information we gathered, there are about 7,000 or so refugees from there. So with the 3,000 who fled to the Thai border, the total number has reached more than 10,000. But not all of them had gone into Thailand yet.

The Thai government claimed that the Karen refugees who came over the weekend all want to go back.

They just fear air attacks but we talked it over, Tanee said, adding that the authorities helped them to get ready [to go back] at their wish, Tanee, the Thai foreign ministry spokesman said late Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth reiterated that no refugees had been pushed back, but said the authorities had merely spoken to them.

Some media reported about [the pushback] but, in fact, there were negotiations  We explained to them that if you dont have any problems in the parts of their country where you live, could you go back first? Prayuth told reporters.

If they are fleeing fighting [and] disasters with deaths on the other side  we will have measures to accommodate them and wont push them back  if they were really in trouble.

But the Friends Without Borders Foundation said that a video posted on its Facebook page showed an elderly women saying that she and her family were returning to Karen state because Thai authorities told them to.

The grandmother said, we fled from Myanmar military but are crossing back because they told us to go back. Thai people asked us to go back, the text accompanying the video said.

Pornsuk said the refugees from Myanmar had fled a crisis situation and the Thai government should give them shelter.

Meanwhile, the KNU said that fresh military raids on Tuesday left six civilians dead and 11 wounded.

The group also said it was bracing for a major government offensive, as thousands of government troops were on their way to the state, Reuters reported.

Killings in Myanmar unacceptable

Elsewhere, Indonesia and the Philippines, founding members of the ASEAN bloc, both issued unusually strong statements about the situation in Myanmar after a weekend of mass killings by the junta, in which the military and security forces killed at least 114 people on Saturday alone.

Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi called the killings in Myanmar on March 27 unacceptable.

Indonesia strongly denounces this kind of act. It is unacceptable, Retno said Tuesday at a joint press briefing in Tokyo with the Japanese foreign minister. She and Indonesias defense minister were there for bilateral talks with their Japan counterparts.

While continuously respecting the non-interference principle since the very beginning, ASEAN offers its assistance to Myanmar. For Indonesia the safety and wellbeing of the people is paramount. Dialogue should be pursued to bring democracy, peace and stability back in Myanmar, she said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations grouping.

Since the Feb. 1 military coup, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based non-government organization, has documented at least 521 confirmed deaths and more than 2,600 arrests in Myanmar.

The Philippines said it was profoundly dismayed at the excessive and needless force applied by state forces against unarmed protesters in Myanmar, the foreign office said.

We reiterate our call for security forces in Myanmar to exercise restraint and desist from resorting to disproportionate force against unarmed citizens, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The Philippines, it said, was committed to supporting Myanmars move towards a fuller democracy beginning with the immediate release of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Suu Kyi and other democratically elected officials in Myanmar were detained after the coup.

The Myanmar Service of Radio Free Asia (RFA), a sister entity of BenarNews, contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report gave wrong information on what the Thai government said about the number of people who went back to Myanmar after crossing the border between the two countries.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Abaco Systems announced today a partnership with Rebel Alliance, allowing the company to demonstrate their Rebel's Safe Strike software product for Battle Management and Command & Control applications.

The Safe Strike software is deployable on Abaco's 3U VPX ecosystem, utilizing SBC, GPU/GPGPU platforms and Mission Ready Systems. In particular, the demonstration runs on Abaco's MAGIC1A, a high performance rugged display computer to demonstrate interoperability with the third party specialized software.

"Battle Management and C&C applications are a key focus for us at Abaco, and this partnership with Rebel allows us to show prospective customers a complete, integrated, hardware and software solution that is rugged and ready to deploy," said Peter Thompson, Vice President, Product Management at Abaco Systems. "We are actively seeking partnerships with software vendors like Rebel that align with Abaco's technology initiatives and provide new and technically diverse solutions to complex customer issues."

Safe Strike is a battlefield management application based on Rebel Alliance Core Engine (RACE). RACE is a complete multi-platform (Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android) engine that helps build rock-solid Command and Control architectures. Its graphical component is capable of high-performance rendering of 3D Offline Raster/Vector Maps and Augmented Reality on the great majority of COTS hardware and software platforms, mobile and fixed. Its communication component is designed to allow the exchange of the operational picture and of actionable tactical information in every possible network configuration, spanning from extremely low speed submarine communications to high speed MANET networks. The User Interface of each specific application is designed to be intuitive and very easy to use without the need for expensive training.

"The architecture we have been building up from the original Safe Strike, an initially standalone JTAC application" said Michele De Sio, Rebel Alliance CEO, "is now mature and can provide, in many different scenarios, either complete applications to the end user, or network engines to system integrators. We are very happy with the opportunity to integrate our software with Abaco powerful computers and look forward to supporting their customers as their operating requirements evolve in the future."

The MAGIC1A is a rugged line replaceable unit (LRU) suitable for high-performance heavy parallel processing and math-intensive computing in the harshest of environments. The combination of CPU and GPGPU processors in a low SWaP-C3 package ensures it can be used across a wide range of commercial and military applications, including displays, situational awareness, data/RADAR processing, video processing, image/signal/data classification, and artificial intelligence (AI). Utilizing an Intel Xeon E3 v6 CPU and a NVIDIA Quadro P2000 GPU this solution provides an ideal platform for both runtime performance and ease of programming. The quad-core CPU and 768-core GPU, connected by Gen 3 PCI Express, are capable of up to 2.3 TFLOPS floating point performance - with CUDA and OpenCL support. With extensive I/O capabilities to enable use in a variety of deployed situations, the MAGIC1A also contains Ethernet, USB, ANSI TIA/EIA serial communications, DisplayPort and DVI video output, MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 avionics protocol interfaces, and general purpose I/O.

About Abaco Systems

With more than 30 years' experience, Abaco Systems is a global leader in open architecture computing and electronic systems for aerospace, defense and industrial applications. We create innovative, modular solutions based on open standards that are characterized by outstanding price/performance, ultimate rugged reliability, and minimal SWaP. Our goal is to be a significant contributor to our customers' success, partnering with them to reduce cost, time-to-deployment and risk and supporting them over the long term. With an active presence in hundreds of national asset platforms on land, sea and in the air, Abaco Systems is trusted where it matters most. www.abaco.com

About Rebel Alliance

Located in Florence, Italy, Rebel Alliance develops software products for C4I and Simulation. The company builds mission oriented and highly flexible software products, which are conceived from the beginning to leverage the mobile COTS revolution and in which mission simulation is packaged with the very tools that are used during mission execution. www.rebelalliance.it

Intel and Xeon are registered trademarks, and Core is a trademark, of Intel Corporation. NVIDIA and Quadro are registered trademarks, and Pascal and CUDA are trademarks, of NVIDIA Corporation. OpenCL is s trademarks of the Khronos Group Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Abaco Systems

Related Links

https://www.abaco.com


There were 403,171 spills of sewage leaked into England's rivers and seas in 2020 due to 'storm overflows', Environment Agency figures have revealed.

During heavy rain, storm overflows prevent sewers becoming overloaded with a combination of sewage and rain  but they do this by releasing the diluted wastewater into rivers, polluting waters.

Use of storm overflows has also increased in recent years as climate change has led to greater rainfall  and water infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth, according to the government.

The new figures from Environment Agency, released today, also reveal there were more than 3.1 million hours of spillages in 2020.

The data has been published 'proactively' for the first time as part of a pledge to increase transparency around the issue.

The UK government has already this week announced new legally-binding duties for water companies and government to reduce sewage discharged into waterways.

Storm overflows are designed to discharge diluted sewage to rivers or the sea at times of heavy rainfall to prevent it backing up into homes and streets

'Storm overflows are designed to discharge diluted sewage to rivers or the sea at times of heavy rainfall to prevent it backing up into homes and streets,' said Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan.

'But a growing population and climate change means they will discharge more often.

STORM OVERFLOWS England has a combined sewage system made up of hundreds of thousands of kilometres of sewers, built by the Victorians, in many urban centres. This means that clean rainwater and waste water from toilets, bathrooms and kitchens are conveyed in the same pipe to a sewage treatment works. But during heavy rainfall the capacity of these pipes can be exceeded. During wet weather, storm overflows act to prevent sewers becoming overloaded with a combination of sewage and rain and release diluted wastewater into rivers. While the storm overflows protect homes and businesses from sewer flooding during heavy rain, the untreated sewage they let into rivers and the sea can pollute watercourses and harm wildlife and people swimming in dirty water. Experts warn that, with climate change driving more extreme rain storms, along with a growing population, they will discharge more often. Advertisement

'The Environment Agency is working actively with the water companies to ensure overflows are properly controlled and the harm they do to the environment stopped.'

Event duration monitoring (EDM) data, which 'lifts the lid' on storm overflows, has always been available from Environment Agency by request.

But due to a commitment made by the government's Storm Overflows Taskforce (set up in September 2020) to increase the transparency and accessibility of this data, its now on gov.uk.

Increased monitoring and reporting of storm overflows is part of the solution, according to Bevan.

It means everyone can see exactly what is happening and it will help drive improvements and investment.

The data shows that the total number of recorded spills for last year (403,171) is up more than 70 per cent from 292,864 in 2019.

However, this increase is due to the higher number of overflows being monitored, Environment Agency said.

A growing number of the storm overflows are now being monitored due to the combined risk of ocean pollution and sewage backing up into homes and roads.

EDM data for 2020 has come from 12,092 of the 14,630 known outlets from the nine English water companies and Welsh Water sites that flow into England.

This figure is up from 8,276 in 2019, 6,182 in 2018, 2,515 in 2017 and just 862 in 2016.

On average, there were 33 spills per storm overflow, slightly lower than 35 in 2019 when fewer outlets were monitored, with each one lasting an average of eight hours.

England has a combined sewage system made up of hundreds of thousands of kilometres of sewers, built by the Victorians, in many urban centres. This means that clean rainwater and waste water from toilets, bathrooms and kitchens are conveyed in the same pipe to a sewage treatment works. But during heavy rainfall the capacity of these pipes can be exceeded

The data also shows that almost one in five overflows are discharging more than 60 times a year.

UK environmental charity the Rivers Trust has called for publication of real-time monitoring of those overflows spilling sewage more than 20 times a year, so action can be taken to improve them, and for more real-time data to help river users as well as people swimming at the coast.

'The sector has made progress in monitoring sewage pollution in a relatively short time, but the urgent work to clean up our rivers has barely begun,' said Christine Colvin, director for partnerships and communications at the Rivers Trust.

Accelerated investment in fixing overflows and other infrastructure to improve the sewage system is needed, as well as action by households about what goes down the drains, and pollution from industry and agriculture.

EDM data for 2020 has come from 12,092 of the 14,630 known outlets from the nine English water companies and Welsh Water sites that flow into England. This figure is up from 8,276 in 2019, 6,182 in 2018, 2,515 in 2017 and just 862 in 2016

The rate of spills varies between water companies  United Utilities reported the highest level of an average of 59 spills per storm overflow in 2020.

United Utilities said it has invested 1.2 billion in improving storm overflows over the past two decades, and that the North West has a greater proportion of combined sewers which take sewage from homes and water from storm drains through the same system, increasing the risk of spills.

'Looking ahead, we are reviewing the performance of all our monitored storm overflows to help direct further investigations or to inform where investment may be needed,' a company spokesman said.

A spokesman for industry body Water UK said water companies have massively increased monitoring of overflows, with plans for 100 per cent coverage by 2023.

And firms are investing 1.1 billion over five years to improve storm overflows as part of a wider 5 billion programme of environmental improvements.
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During her brief tenure at Houston's International Bank of Commerce, Lori Nan Dean admitted to defrauding the bank through unauthorized withdrawals worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Now, Dean is headed to federal prison for fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery announced.
Northern Ireland's chief constable Simon Byrne has said the "ambiguity" of the coronavirus regulations is to blame for prosecutions not being brought against 24 people who were charged over their attendance at the funeral of senior republican Bobby Storey last year.

Mr Byrne reiterated that he has no intention of resigning despite calls for him to do so by First Minister Arlene Foster. He told BBC Radio Ulster's Stephen Nolan Show he is determined to do his job and said he is "acutely aware" of public and political concerns around Tuesday's events.

"I have no intention of resigning because if I did, it would be an admission that no public leader can serve any length of time here and survive criticism when something goes wrong. I've come here to do a job and I'm determined to do it," he said.

"At the end of the day the key issue that influenced the decision of the Public Prosecution Service was actually ambiguity around the laws that were in force at the time, not the actions of the police service," he said.

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The PSNI, around with other police forces across the UK, have tried to make sense of fast-paced law and the difficulty of policing during Covid, he said.

"We're quite clear that last year at the funeral we thought there were breaches of the health protection regulations and we policed the funeral, and then investigated it on that basis.

"Neither myself nor any of the officers that were involved in this planning operation or policing operation have done anything but follow national good practice."

Mr Byrne also defended his officers' actions in liaising with organisers of the funeral. Using force to prevent a funeral would never have been justifiable, he said.

"There was planning of the funeral after Mr Storey died, there was some contact between the senior officers that we had appointed to police the funeral, and that continued until right up until the day, that would be normal practice, and indeed we would have been criticised had we not spoken to the organisers at an event like this where we assumed there could well be large numbers of people," he said.

"We did engage and in the determinations from the PPS themselves, there were no deals done, we didn't turn a blind eye and we used a tried-and-tested approach to speak with the organisers," he added.

"The critical thing to remember here that when you look at the findings from the director of public prosecutions, he is really clear that actually regardless of what we did or didn't do, which we still stand behind, was the fact that on the day the law was confusing and inconsistent, and that inhibited his ability to bring a prosecution."

Mr Byrne said he is capable of rebuilding trust and relationships despite First Minister Arlene Foster's call for his resignation.

"I came here to do a job about growing neighbourhood policing, which is the one thing that politicians from across the political spectrum are agreeing on, we have started to do that and I am determined to keep that mission," he said.

"At the end of the day, we'll have to see where events take us over the next few days in terms of people fully understanding what's gone on before we rush to judgment and, equally, I am quite sure that when things settle down I am capable of rebuilding trust and relationships across Northern Ireland."
He called upon Pfleger to take a polygraph and to answer questions in a public setting. Pfleger has penned a letter to his supporters and used social media to proclaim his innocence, but he has not spoken at length to the media or in a larger public setting about the allegations. Cardinal Blase Cupich is requiring Pfleger to live away from the parish during the investigation.
gotomyerp Sage and QuickBooks Hosting We are all about automating accounting and tax operation and moving it to the cloud. We take pride in our American clients who've gained immense success through our all-in-one software hosting services. And we're proud to announce that our services can be availed across Canada too!

gotomyerp, a leading US-based cloud hosting provider, has just announced its expansion into the Canadian market. After over 15 years of successfully operating in the United States, the company is entering the Great White North with new features, including the GovCloud and System and Organization Control (SOC) certificates for added security of clients data.

Financial reports, accounts, and records are an indispensable asset of any business, which can be challenging to manage and secure, especially for new, small business. Recent surveys show that over 75% of accounting tasks can be digitized, and in less than the next five years, the global accounting software market will cross $10 billion.

As a QuickBooks and Sage cloud hosting service provider, gotomyerp offers reliable enterprise resource management solutions to businesses worldwide. With the rollout of its Canadian chapter, the California-based company is dedicated to providing unparalleled software hosting and remote access services to American and Canadian SMEs.

This is what a representative of the company stated in the announcement: We are all about automating accounting and tax operation and moving it to the cloud. We take pride in our American clients who've gained immense success through our all-in-one software hosting services. And we're proud to announce that our services can be availed across Canada too!"

gotomyerp ensures robust customer support to ensure a unified, sustained user experience. The companys website has an online support portal where software users can submit tickets, contact the support team, and get a prompt response to their queries. The company has an experienced support and web team that puts the customer above everything else. It also offers remote sessions allowing businesses to connect and integrate their accounting operations without a single glitch.

We understand the Canadian market and its cut-throat competition. And thats why we have employed a team of highly-skilled and qualified experts who understand the complexities and challenges of managing accounting systems for fresh businesses. It helps us formulate the best possible solution to help fulfil the unique needs of our customers. - the representative continued.

In addition to the launch in Canada, gotomyerp has launched the GovCloud service and acquired the System and Organization Controls (SOC) certifications. The SOC 1 and SOC2 certifications verify that a cloud provider effectively implements and practices what they say they do. Even if you dont have compliance requirements, a SOC 2 report is a written form of assurance that your data is protected. If you are assessing potential cloud providers, using a company that has a SOC 2 certification gives you transparency for what to expect of the provider.

Gotomyerps GovCloud always private dedicated service is built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure to provide your organization with the highest rated environment to support highly intensive or sensitive data cloud workload.

About the company

Established in 2005, gotomyerp is an international leader in fully managed cloud hosting, specializing in QuickBooks, Sage, SAP, and all related third-party integrations. Based in Costa Mesa, gotomyerps global support and infrastructure allow customers from micro to enterprise, and each customer is provided with their own private network and computing resources.
Whataburger thanked its employees with big bonuses during the coronavirus pandemic.

The beloved fast-food chain announced in a news release Wednesday it awarded more than $90 million in bonuses to its employees in thanks for their service during the COVID-19 era and in the severe winter weather storm.

Whataburger employees also received "Extra Mile" bonuses, emergency pay and a doubling of their 401(k) plan matching for 2020, the release added.

READ ALSO: Elotitos pops into San Antonio this weekend with new location

"The past year reshaped how we live, work, and play, with the restaurant and hospitality industry being heavily impacted by the pandemic and this year's crippling winter storms," Ed Nelson, Whataburger CEO, stated in the release. "... We wanted to help ensure that our Family Members (employees) and their families were taken care of, and thank them for continuing to go the extra mile to serve our guests with great Pride, Care, and Love."

The company also announced in its release it is elevating general managers at its chains with a new title, calling them operating partners  business leaders who run multimillion-dollar restaurants, take care of their teams, and serve as the face of Whataburger in their communities, per the release.

"They are the hearts and souls of our brand," Nelson said.
MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Google said it will contribute 25 million euros to help launch the European Media and Information Fund to strengthen media literacy skills, fight misinformation and support fact checking. The European Media and Information Fund is managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in partnership with the European University Institute. The European Digital Media Observatory will act as independent advisor in the formulation of calls, as well as in the evaluation and selection of projects. The multi-donor Fund will have an initial duration of five years, which may be extended. '..And we're of course continuing our other efforts to support media literacy for young people, with Be Internet Legends and Be Internet Citizens providing digital skills to help schoolchildren and teenagers verify and fact-check,' Google said in a statement. Google noted that, in the coming weeks, the fund will open for proposals from academics, nonprofits and publishers based in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. Independent committees made up of industry experts will select the winning ideas and Google won't be involved in any decision making related to the Fund, Google said. Google said its commitment builds on its previous grants to fact checkers and nonprofits, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines, and its work to tackle misinformation in the run up to other major events, such as elections. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
In the film, the producer vividly brings out the love of a mother to save her albino daughter from being sacrificed to the gods.

"A mother's intuition turns out to be true. Her daughter has been kidnapped for a traditional ritual. Now she must face the ruthless keeper of the barbaric tradition and the tedious mountain journey to safe her Albino daughter from the gods of the mountain." This is the story of Liengu in the film "Chariot of the Gods", produced by Lucie Memba Bos and directed by Anurin Nwunembom.

Shot at the Fako Mountain in Buea, South West Region, the thrilling movie tells the story of Liengu, an adorable and brilliant albino of 12 years who arrives in Bonalyonga (a village nestled at the foot of Mount Cameroon) with her mother and father to spend the holidays. But her stay turns out into a nightmare when young people in the Bonalyonga village begin to disappear mysteriously. The fruitless search organised by villagers leaves the head of the village council Mola Kingue no choice except to invoke the help of the gods of the mountain. At this stage, the story takes a pathetic twist as they will need an albino for the ritual, and Mola Kingue's eye is set on his own granddaughter (Liengu).

Ngomba (Mola Kingue's henchman) kidnaps Liengu and the tedious journey to the mountain starts in search of her. The child's parents are determined to safe their child no matter the stakes. Enanga (the village psychopath) opts to show Margot Etonge (Liengu's mother) the way onto the dangerous journey. For 100 minutes, the film director unfolds the mysterious confrontation encountered during the journey which leaves many casualties along the line.

The movie reveals the love of a mother to her daughter and those barbaric traditional rituals against albinos which must be eliminated in the society. Lucie Memba says she decided to produce the film; "Chariot of the Gods" to decry the discrimination albinos face in Africa. "It is an adventure film whose main themes are: albinism, the impact of traditions, family and love."

The film gathers a cream of actors and actresses in Cameroon such as Locko, the popular musician and also the famous fight Choreographer, Duala Duala to depict a good example of social cohesion in Cameroon. The film, produced in 2020, is yet to be premiered and exists in the English, French, Pidgin (broken English) Mokpe (Bakweri dialect) and Mboko (street language in Cameroon).
The United Mine Workers of America have issued a strike notice against Warrior Met Coal.

The UMWA said in a statement the strike is to begin at 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

The notice covers more than 1,100 workers at all of the companys operations, including the No. 4 mine, the No. 5 preparation plant, the No. 7 mine and its central shop.

UMWA dues-paying members who participate in picket line or other strike duty will receive bi-weekly strike assistance payments from the unions Selective Strike fund, the union said, as well as health care coverage for members and their families for the duration of the strike.

UMWA International President Cecil Roberts said the union members are the reason Warrior Met exists today. The current agreement with the union was negotiated as Warrior Met emerged from the bankruptcy proceedings of the former Walter Energy, which declared bankruptcy in 2016.

They made the sacrifices to bring this company out of the bankruptcy of Walter Energy in 2016, Roberts said.

These productive, professional miners at Warrior Met mined the coal that meant the company could become successful again. And Warrior Met has capitalized on their hard work, earning tens of millions in profits for their Wall Street owners. They have even rewarded upper management with bonuses of up to $35,000 in recent weeks.

But today, instead of rewarding the sacrifices and work of the miners, Warrior Met is seeking even further sacrifices from them, while demonstrating perhaps some of the worst labor-management relations weve seen in this industry since the days of the company town and company store, Roberts said.

Efforts to reach Warrior Met Coal for a comment were not immediately successful.

The UMWA said it has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board relating to Warrior Mets conduct during negotiations.
The mans mother, who was not at the Fairport Drive address, called police after she received a phone call from her son. The residence belongs to an extended family member of the man, police said.
BETHESDA, Md., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced that it was ranked #16 on the 2021 list of Best Workplaces in Financial Services & InsuranceTM by Great Place to Work and Fortune. This is the fourth time that the company has been named to this prestigious list, designating it as one of the best financial services companies to work for in the country. Walker & Dunlop was also recently ranked #57 on the 2020 list of the 100 Best Small & Medium WorkplacesTM.

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Paula Pryor commented, "Being recognized as a great place to work is one of the highest honors we can receive as a company. We take great pride in the fact that we have maintained the small company feel that Walker & Dunlop was founded upon even as we have grown to over 1,000 employees. This year our company culture was put to the test with completely remote work, but as our ranking on the list of Best Workplaces demonstrates, our people came together like never before to continue to make W&D an incredible place to work, and combined with our leading brand and investments in technology, we generated fantastic growth and financial results."

Walker & Dunlop earned a spot on this list based on employees' assessment of the camaraderie, leadership, rewards, and career opportunities enjoyed by all in their workplace. The survey results highlighted that Walker & Dunlop employees are confident in their leadership and proud of the excellent customer service they each provide.

"Congratulations to the Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance. These companies are meeting the moment. Not only have they pivoted to new ways of working, but their employees' report an even better company culture than before COVID-19," said Michael C. Bush, CEO Great Place to Work. "The leaders of these companies can expect excellent business results thanks to their inclusive, high-trust cultures."

Best Workplaces were chosen based on an analysis of survey responses from more than 840,000 employees across the U.S. Walker & Dunlop is consistently recognized as a great place to work and has also been named a Top Workplace by the Washington Post every year since 2014. The company's strong workplace culture has allowed it to generate exceptional financial results, including record total revenues of over $1 billion in 2020.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The company provides a comprehensive range of capital solutions for all commercial real estate asset classes, as well as investment sales brokerage services to owners of multifamily properties. Walker & Dunlop is included on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and was ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Walker & Dunlop's 1,000+ professionals in 38 offices across the nation have an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.

SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.walkerdunlop.com


Party leaders took part in a BBC debate on Tuesday - BBC Scotland/Kirsty Anderson/PA

Nicola Sturgeon has been repeatedly accused of jeopardising Scotland's recovery from coronavirus by focusing instead on another independence referendum and her "poisonous" war with Alex Salmond.

Several members of the virtual audience in the first TV debate of the Holyrood election campaign, broadcast on BBC One Scotland on Tuesday night, asked her why her government had recently tabled an independence Bill if she was truly focused on the pandemic.

The debate took place only hours after Ms Sturgeon escalated her war of words with Mr Salmond, her former mentor, and his new Alba Party by stating she would refuse to have any dealings with him unless he apologises to the women who accused him of harassment.

After being repeatedly challenged during the Question Time-style debate between the leaders of the five main parties, she insisted that a vote on separation could happen within the first half of the next five-year parliament without further damaging Scotland's economy.

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She set out plans to separate from the UK and join the EU and denied this was a "distraction" from the task of recovering from the economic carnage caused by the pandemic.

Ms Sturgeon argued that the EU single market was seven times the size of the UK's without mentioning that more than three times as much Scottish trade goes to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

But Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, said the country faced a choice between bouncing back from the pandemic or another separation vote, but it could not have both.

He said Ms Sturgeon had confirmed that she wanted a referendum by 2023 and appealed to viewers to stop her plans to win a Holyrood majority by voting for his party.

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Both Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, and Willie Rennie, his Liberal Democrat counterpart, argued that Scotland needed to pull together to focus on recovery over the next parliament rather than return to past divisions.

Mr Rennie warned that arguments between Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond, who has said he wants to use the Alba Party to win a "super-majority" for independence along with the SNP, risked dominating Scottish politics for years to come.

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Weve seen the arguments over the past few weeks with Alex Salmond over these issues, he said. Its going to be bitter, its going to be divisive, it will last for years, it will just be like Brexit.

He added: We need everybody in this room to be focused on [recovery from coronavirus]. But Ive seen a window into the next five years in the past few weeks. Arguments over the constitution, strategy about independence, arguments between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond which have been poisonous and unpleasant.

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What we need to do is put all of that behind us and choose a different future.

Mr Sarwar praised Ms Sturgeon's leadership during the pandemic but said her "blindspot" was her obsession with independence.

Outlining the Tory plans for economic recovery, Mr Ross said: "None of that's possible if we have to go through another divisive referendum.

"We can't have a recovery and a referendum, that's a simple choice that we're facing tonight. So I want to support jobs, I want to protect jobs I want to invest right up and down, Scotland, but that's all under threat, if we have another divisive referendum."

Ms Sturgeon said: "Recovery is not a neutral thing. What you recover to, what kind of country you're trying to rebuild depends on the decisions government takes and as long as so many of the decisions lie in the hands of Boris Johnson and governments at Westminster that often people in Scotland haven't voted for, then the danger is we take the wrong decisions and go in the wrong direction."

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But Mr Rennie said: "We need to put the divisions, the arguments, exhausting arguments of the past behind us, and focus on the recovery if we can do that I think everybody in this room can make a contribution. So let's unite and get this recovery done together."

The First Minister was also accused of putting her push for a new independence referendum above addressing domestic issues like tackling child poverty.

Ms Sturgeons government published a draft bill that would allow a new vote on leaving the UK to take place as one of its final acts before the Scottish Parliament broke up for the election campaign.

The SNP leader this week set out plans to tackle child poverty, if she is reelected. However, her governments own figures show that no progress has been made in reducing privation among young people over the past decade.

Ms Sturgeon defended her record by claiming the proportion of children living in poverty were slightly lower than in other parts of the UK.

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But Mr Ross said: You cant go on to speak about poverty, or education, or rebuilding the country, when you didnt put forward legislation to tackle poverty, for our economic recovery, or an Education Bill. All of that was put to the side so that the SNP could push forward with another referendum.

Responding to Mr Sturgeon's claim that he was factually wrong, Mr Ross said: Its not factually wrong because the final piece of legislation the SNP laid before parliament was about independence, because thats her only priority.

Mr Sarwar said: If she focused on fighting poverty as much as the constitution, imagine how different Scotland could be.

On arguments in favour of the Union, Mr Ross claimed that the vaccine rollout was a tangible example of the UK working for voters.

He said: Jenny [an audience member] has had both her Covid vaccinations, Jennys one of two-and-a-half million people in Scotland who have had the first jag. Over 30 million people across the whole of the United Kingdom have. Thats the Union working.

The United Kingdom got the vaccines which are then delivered by our NHS staff, our British armed forces and our volunteers.

Lorna Slater, the Greens co-convenor, backed a new referendum but refused to endorse Ms Sturgeons timetable. She said her manifesto would back a referendum within five years, rather than the two-and-a-half year timetable supported by Ms Sturgeon.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been handed a temporary reprieve in his Sh14 million graft case.

Sonko appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko on Monday when the trial hearing against him and two others had been scheduled to commence.

He, however, waited in court for several hours and then left. His lawyers Evans Ondieki, Migai Oketch and Paula Atukunda, waited for magistrate Ooko to issue fresh directions.

The magistrate apologised to the lawyers and accused persons for the delay and postponed the hearing to April 19.

Ooko cited a directive by acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu which suspended open court sessions indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The case will be mentioned virtually on April 7.
London  Wednesday marked exactly a year since Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made their departure as "working" members of Britain's royal family official. Since the couple's explosive claims of racism, calls have mounted in some British Commonwealth nations to end their association with the monarchy.

The British Commonwealth of Nations is made up of dozens of countries, mostly former British colonies and many with large or predominantly Black populations. CBS News correspondent Imtiaz Tyab has found a rising chorus of voices in those countries asking whether the institution it still relevant today.

A global monarchy

Queen Elizabeth II was still Princess Elizabeth when, in 1947, she delivered a historic speech in South Africa, declaring before thousands  and to the world via the airwaves  that her "whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong." The princess's declaration of devotion was, in part, to the Commonwealth, and that commitment has come to define her nearly 70-year reign as queen.

"As we celebrate the friendship, spirit of unity, and achievements of the Commonwealth, we have an opportunity to reflect on a time like no other," she said earlier this month, in a speech marking Commonwealth Day. For the world's most easily recognized royal family, it has most certainly been a time like no other.

The queen's annual Commonwealth Day address was eclipsed by Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired just hours later in the U.S.

The couple's claim that a member of the royal family had asked them about the likely color of their unborn child's skin, in particular, sent shockwaves throughout the largely Black and Brown populations of the monarch's beloved Commonwealth.

"The Commonwealth is what makes the British monarchy special  having that genuinely global role in a way that no other monarchy in the world has," Professor Philip Murphy, director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London, told CBS News.

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Murphy said it had been hoped that Harry and Meghan would become an, "accessible face of the Commonwealth to young people. Now, that's not going to happen."

What is the Commonwealth?

The British Commonwealth of Nations is 54 countries spanning the globe. Most are former colonies of the British Empire. Its stated purpose has always been the collective pursuit of democratic principles and economic advance. While all members are independent, for 16 of these countries, Queen Elizabeth II continues to serve as the official Head of State. While that's largely symbolic role, critics from within the Commonwealth say that symbolism serves as a modern reminder of Britain's colonial past. That past includes theft on global scale, the enslavement of millions of people, and the institutional entrenchment of deep racial divisions. Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah has supercharged the debate over whether Commonwealth countries should break away from the crown and become independent republics, as the U.S. did almost 250 years ago.

Time for change?

Jagmeet Singh is the leader of one of Canada's main opposition parties, the New Democrats, and he told CBS News he saw "a lot of courage in the fact that Meghan Markle was able to share her experiences."

"As it relates to the monarchy, again, I think we are in a time now where we can take pause and honest reflection and look at, if something is no longer benefiting us, it doesn't actually help people in their day to day lives, what is the point of having that association?"

In a poll taken shortly after Harry and Meghan's interview, more than half of Canadians said they believed the British monarchy should be abandoned, with 48% saying they viewed the monarchy as a "racist institution."

An opportunity lost

When Meghan became the first woman of color to join the royal family in modern times, many in Britain hoped she'd help usher in a new, more inclusive era for the "The Firm," as it's known.

"I want you to know from me, I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color and as your sister," she told a cheering crowd during an official royal visit to South Africa.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, greet children on a visit to the Nyanga Methodist Church in Cape Town, South Africa, September 23, 2019, during an official royal visit to the country. / Credit: Courtney Africa/AP

That speech, in the very same majority-Black country where the queen made her historic address, was hailed for Meghan's celebration of her own bi-racial identity. It was something no other royal could do. Now, just 18 months later, it isn't likely to happen again. That has been a stinging disappointment for millions of people, from Kenya to Jamaica.

"She has faced racism head-on. With the help of her husband, she has decided to move, leave royalty," said Rebecca Wangare, a resident of Kenya's capital Nairobi. "She has shown us that she can do it, so we can also do it." "It's part of the whole legacy of colonialism," retired professor Caroyln Cooper in Jamaica said of her country's Commonwealth bond to Britain. "We need to get rid of it. In the 21st century, we can't be hanging on to the queen as our head of state." We asked Buckingham Palace about the push in some countries to sever ties with the crown. They declined to comment. The queen did respond to Harry and Meghan's revelations, releasing a brief statement saying the issues of race "are concerning" and "will be addressed by the family privately."

But the vow of private introspection may not be enough to silence the increasingly vocal calls to pull apart the Commonwealth  an institution the 94-year-old monarch has dedicated most of her life to holding together.

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TORONTO - About 100 million litres of fresh water flows west to the city of Winnipeg every day but the struggling Indigenous people who live on the shores of Shoal Lake say no benefits have ever flowed east to them.

Gerald Lewis, chief of Iskatewizaagegan 39, also known as Shoal Lake 39, in northwestern Ontario, is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021, beside the lake that is Winnipeg's sole source of drinking water. The community is in a legal dispute with Ontario and Winnipeg over the city's water taking. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

TORONTO - About 100 million litres of fresh water flows west to the city of Winnipeg every day but the struggling Indigenous people who live on the shores of Shoal Lake say no benefits have ever flowed east to them.

Compensation is decades overdue, they say, and they're now hoping favourable developments in their $500-million lawsuit against the city and the province of Ontario will tilt the odds their way.

Gerald Lewis, chief of the Anishinaabe community that lives on the sole source of Winnipeg's drinking water, says it's high time to negotiate compensation. The money, he says, would help with much needed housing, health care and economic opportunities.

"For the city, if they had no drinking water, where would they be at?" Lewis said. "They're thriving economically over there with the resource that they're taking from us, and here we are and we're struggling to better our community."

The roots of the dispute date to 1913, when the Ontario government authorized a growing and thirsty Winnipeg to take water from Shoal Lake, about 180 kilometres away.

While a small part of the lake is in Manitoba, most lies in Ontario amid the traditional territory of Iskatewizaagegan 39, also known as Shoal Lake 39, home to about 300 people with a similar number living off-reserve.

Gerald Lewis, chief of the Anishinaabe community Shoal Lake 39 in Northwest Ontario, walks on the ice of Shoal Lake Saturday, March 27, 2021. Shoal Lake is Winnipegs water source and the Shoal Lake 39 community is hoping recent favourable developments in their $500-million lawsuit against the city and the province of Ontario will tilt the odds their way. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

"Back in the day, we were never consulted," Lewis said. "Ontario and Manitoba did what they did, basically bypassed us."

In 1919, Winnipeg began siphoning water from the Manitoba edge of the lake  home to the separate Iskatewizaagegan 40  via a specially constructed pipe, and has been doing so ever since. Indigenous efforts over the years to negotiate some kind of deal have gone nowhere.

"We never made an agreement with the city. We never signed no rights away with the city," Lewis said. "It would be nice if they would come to the table and start discussing these issues but, in the past, the door was slammed."

Iskatewizaagegan 39 finally began legal proceedings against Winnipeg and Ontario in 2019, based on the province's original 1913 cabinet order, which calls for "full compensation" to all "private parties" that might be damaged by the city's water taking.

After Ontario Superior Court ruled the Indigenous community qualified as a "private party" and could be entitled to redress, Iskatewizaagegan 39 sued, arguing it has suffered ecological, cultural, spiritual, and financial damages.

The water of Shoal Lake was, and remains, of immense importance to the people, the community says in its unproven statement of claim.

"We try our best to look after the water. We try keep it clean. We're still continuing to look after this water for the best interests of the city of Winnipeg," Lewis said. "It's just something that they don't see, that they don't recognize."

Ontario countered that it bore no responsibility but, in February, a judge threw out the province's bid to have the claim against it struck without a hearing on the merits. Iskatewizaagegan 39, Justice Paul Perell ruled, should have the chance to prove the province failed to protect the community's interests.

"Iskatewizaagegan No. 39s culture is coextensive with Shoal Lake and the surrounding land," Perell noted. "The transmission of Anishinaabe teachings, traditions and values to future generations takes place and continues to take place at Shoal Lake."

The appeal period has just passed, paving the way for what could be a protracted lawsuit to continue. Ontario has yet to file a statement of defence.

For its part, Winnipeg denies having harmed the plaintiffs or "in any way interfered" with their lands or properties. If the Iskatewizaagegan have sustained damages, the city says in its legal filings, they were caused "by other parties, by forces of nature, or by other factors for which the city is not responsible."

Neither the province nor city would comment given that the matter is before the courts.

One option quietly kicked about in the community is to somehow try to shut off the tap, the chief said. It's not something anyone wants to discuss publicly.

"It is certainly an option that is open to the community to bar any further taking of the water," said their lawyer, Julian Falconer. "It's their territory."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2021.
Today, in the press center of the "Interfax-Ukraine" news agency, took place a presentation of the "Vitold Fokin Coordination Center of Social Assistance".

The event was attended by the Chair of the public organization, Vitold Fokin and Vice-Chair - Igor Fokin.

The Chair of the public organization brought the attention of the audience to the importance of providing social assistance to the population of the eastern regions of Ukraine, which are suffering from the consequences of the warfare.

He stressed that the war-ravaged Luhansk and Donetsk regions are not ordinary geographical names. They are a part of blessed Ukrainian land that has made us citizens of a country that has been devotedly served for over seventy years.

"Its fate was tragic: until recently, a prosperous land, the industrial heart of Ukraine, lies in ruins, mines flooded, factories destroyed, and fertile land generously littered with mine and shell fragments. My hometown of Pervomaisk, of which I am an honorary citizen, lost three-quarters of its housing stock. Hundreds of thousands of workers, former labour guards, became "displaced persons". They have lost not only all their property but also documents that prove their citizenship and confirm the very fact of their existence on Earth, certificates entitling them to a legal pension, inheritance, certificates of marriage, education, etc.", - said in his speech Vitold Fokin.

Vitold Fokin Coordination Center of Social Assistance aims to help people and focuses its activities on providing assistance in obtaining (restoring) state-standard documents (passport of a citizen of Ukraine, birth certificate, death certificate, registration of pensions, obtaining a certificate on the right to inheritance and its registration, etc.) by providing legal advice, and their further legal support.

Higher-level state authorities of Ukraine are putting significant effort into minimizing the effects of the war on the population. At the same time, there are several other problems the solution of which millions of people affected by the warfare are waiting for.

"The time will come and the relevant services will honestly calculate the losses, but even without this, it is clear that without the real help of the global community, without the cohesion of Ukrainian society, without - do not be afraid - without the participation of people, whom we do not quite right call "oligarchs", those, who realized the real value of their patriotism - the revival of the eastern territory of Ukraine will not end in 100 years,"- stressed Vitold Fokin.

Of course, Ukraine as a welfare state will not leave the population of the territories affected by the warfare alone with the disaster. But on its scale, this assistance may not be adequate.

He also added that the case undertaken by the public organization is completely new for us: "I would like to have your support, any advice, remarks, constructive criticism".
A volcano on a southwestern Japan island erupted late Tuesday, sending large rocks nearly 1 kilometer from the crater, prompting the weather agency to raise its alert level.

The eruption occurred at the crater of Mt. Otake on Suwanose Island of Kagoshima Prefecture at 10:05 p.m. There were no immediate reports of injuries, according to local authorities.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said early Wednesday that it has raised the volcanic activity alert level by one notch to 3 on a scale of 5, meaning that people should not approach the crater.

Following the eruption on Tuesday night, the volcano erupted again at 2:57 a.m. Wednesday, with large rocks projected nearly 1 km from the crater as before.

The agency warned of the potential for big rocks to be hurled into the air within about a 2-km radius of the crater.
New Delhi, March 31 : PC and printing major HP is all set to partner a leading Taiwanese smartphone processor brand for their new Chromebook device that will arrive in India early next week at a starting price of nearly Rs 20,000, industry sources told IANS on Wednesday.

To help students stay connected, productive, focused, and secure, HP is introducing its latest addition to the Chromebook range in the first week of April, that will be the first company's device with a chip manufactured by a smartphone brand.

The device is set to be powered with a leading processor known for smartphone category to empower students with a personalised interactive, cloud-based learning experience, sources said.

"The new HP Chromebook will give users right mix of powerful performance and mobility at a competitive price point," they added.

In 2020, HP transformed and reinvented the PC experience for different user segments. The company led the PC market in India with 28.7 per cent market share last year, according to the IDC.

The new Chromebook will be ideal for demanding applications like web browsing, email, apps and services, enabling AI-enhanced applications.

In the last couple of years, HP has created education solutions that combine student-optimised hardware, software and the best of partner innovations in the country.
After a distressing report showing a 14-year-old autistic boys death was preventable, Gov. Charlie Baker says he expects the state to implement all of the recommendations made by the Office of the Child Advocate.

I think the report itself is incredibly damning of how that whole thing played out and very thorough, Baker told reporters Wednesday in Quincy. I expect and anticipate that everything in there is going to get implemented, and its getting implemented on a statewide basis.

The Office of the Child Advocate released a blistering 107-page report highlighting multiple missteps by the Department of Children and Families leading up to David Almonds death. The report identified multiple red flags that were missed or handled with less rigorous steps, including foregoing an investigation when an anonymous tip alleged neglect and substance abuse in the home two months before Almonds death.

Its very clear from reading that report that David Almonds life  the loss of his life was preventable, Baker said. There was a series of systemic breakdowns over a long period of time.

DCF fired one Fall River manager, and another who was set to be fired retired early, a department spokesperson said in a statement. The department said it is implementing a series of reforms, including statewide retraining and the creation of a director of disability services, in the wake of the boys death.

Fall River police went to the Almond house on Green Street after receiving a report of an unresponsive person. Officers found Almond, a triplet boy, bruised and emaciated. He and his brother were living in squalor under the care of their father, 33-year-old John Michael Almond and his girlfriend, 26-year-old Jaclyn Marie Coleman, police said.

Davids brother, referred to as Michael in investigatory records, showed signs of serious bodily and emotional harm, prosecutors said. He was hospitalized in October.

Fourteen-year-old David Almond of Fall River, Massachusetts died on Oct. 21, 2020 after being found living in abhorrent conditions, according to authorities. He's remembered as a joyous, kind and dedicated kid, who loved his triplet brothers. (OCA)

John Michael Almond and Coleman were arrested. The couple has since been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious injury.

The Almond triplets were first removed from the Fall River home in 2017 as DCF investigated the family for substance use and abuse and neglect of the children. Between 2006 and 2013, when the family lived in New York, a report shows they were also removed three times from the care of their father and mother.

The triplets were living in a Massachusetts group home in early 2020 when DCF started the process to send them back to their father in Fall River. The OCA report states John Michael Almond and Coleman minimally engaged in the services required to support reunification. DCF area staff did not evacuate whether the couples behavior or skills had improved to the point where they could properly care for children with autism, according to the report.

The familys reunification occurred just as the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. DCF only scheduled virtual visits between March and Davids death in October, even after the anonymous complaint in August.

Neither DCF area staff nor Fall River Public Schools worked on getting David and his sibling, Michael, back to school when they didnt attend remote or in-person instruction.

The staff also failed to follow up on injuries David suffered, including a wound on his face that was characterized as self-harm, the report states.

The report called for reforms in eight areas across DCF, including revamping the supervision policy and workforce training curriculum to better assess safety and risks to a family, revising guidance on social workers contacts with caregivers and educators and reviewing internal policies on how DFC-involved childrens education needs.

A DCF spokesperson said the department plans to review its supervision policy and update it by July. New supervisors and managers typically undergo training, but after Davids death, the department retrained more than 300 supervisors statewide on assessing child safety risks and parent capabilities.

The department also added supervision training for the Fall River Area Office supervisors and managers, a spokesperson said.

DCF also plans to implement the recommendation to revise guidance for social workers contact with caregivers and others. The department said it convenes an Area Clinical Review Team meeting when there is a difference of opinion about the direction of a case and that it will pilot new protocols to improve the consistency and effectiveness of these reviews.

The OCA report makes no mention of an Area Clinical Review Team reviewing the Almond childrens case. Instead, the DCF Fall River Area Office determined during a permanency planning conference on July 11, 2019, that the triplets and their half-brother, known as Aiden, would see their goal changed from adoption to return to parent.

The decision came a day after the Juvenile Court deemed their father John Michael Almond unfit to care for the triplets and found the triplets in need of care and protection, according to the report.

DCF also said it is responding to an OCA recommendation to create guidance that gives specific criteria for when parents should undergo assessments from outside providers, factoring relevant DCF and family history. The state plans to create guidance and review its contracts with providers who conduct the parental assessments.

Other changes DCF is undertaking following the OCA report include reviewing and updating its education policy for children in special education settings and children in foster care, drafting a Parents with Disabilities Policy to ensure these parents get an equal opportunity to use DCF services and revise virtual visit guidance that was implemented at the start of the pandemic.

DCF implemented a new reunification process this year that prioritizes reviewing parent capability and improvements made by parents, which was another recommendation OCA made in its report.

DCF is deeply appreciative of the thorough and comprehensive investigation by the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) that was requested by the Secretary of Health & Human Services, wrote a DCF spokesperson, who declined to give their name. The OCAs investigation highlights critical areas for improvement across multiple providers, mandated reporters, the courts and DCF. The Department is in the process of evaluating the report and will act on the OCAs recommendations.

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Hyatt has entered a franchise agreement with Metric Ventures LLC (which is owned by Murari Lal Jalan, Chairman at MJ Developers) for Hyatt Regency Bukhara.

Slated to open in 2022, the 223-room hotel will be the second Hyatt Regency hotel in Uzbekistan and marks Hyatts ambition to further strengthen its brand footprint in Central Asia.

Set to be located on a 6.78 acres (2.75 hectares) site just outside the historic city, Hyatt Regency Bukhara will connect guests seeking inspiring experiences with the mosques, madrasas and remains of old bazaars that the city is renowned for. The hotel is expected to attract international and domestic travellers alike, and with facilities including extensive food and beverage options and with a large event space, it will become a choice venue for weddings and other social events.

We are thrilled to announce the second Hyatt Regency hotel in Uzbekistan and the first Hyatt branded property outside Tashkent," said Takuya Aoyama, vice president acquisitions and development, Hyatt Hotels. Bukhara is a special destination for us within Central Asia and highlights our intention to unlock new opportunities for expansion across the region. We would like to build on the momentum of our growth and hope to see Hyatt hotels in other jewels of the country, such as Samarkand and Khiva.

Located on the Silk Road, Bukhara has long served as a center of trade, scholarship, culture and religion. The architectural splendor of Bukhara has earned the Old Town its UNESCO World Heritage status, appealing to guests across the world who are interested in the vast Ark citadel or the elegant Bolo Haouz Mosque. Interesting local attractions include The Ismail Samani Mausoleum and the Kalyan Mosque, both of which will be easily accessible from the hotel.

We are pleased to be working with Hyatt to open Hyatt Regency Bukhara, which is expected to be the first five-star hotel in Bukhara, said Murari Lal Jalan, Chairman at MJ Developers. We were drawn to the Hyatt Regency brand because of its success in Tashkent and wanted to work with them seeking extension of their services and hospitality to the people and tourists visiting Bukhara.

Hyatt Regency Bukhara will be the fourth Hyatt Regency branded hotel in Central Asia, and is expected to join: Hyatt Regency Tashkent, Hyatt Regency Dushanbe and Hyatt Regency Baku. - TradeArabia News Service




Bill Hwang / Captured from YouTube
Industry leaders and top business executives from Europe, Asia, and the Americas are coming together to discuss the future of innovation and leadership in an exclusive certified executive program. The Aleph Speaker Series is hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Education.

Httpool, an Aleph Holding company is opening the door for major clients to join this exclusive educational event. The event brings together leaders from across 47 countries worldwide to discuss diversity, geopolitics, disruption, innovation, leadership, robotics, and neurosciences.

We are pleased to join Aleph in this program, bringing together a hand-picked selection of leading faculty to share expert research insights, proven tools, and skills, that will enable executives to develop and excel within their leadership skills and that of their organizations explained Baba Shiv, Professor of Marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a member of The Sanwa Bank, who curated the program with top academics.

It takes true initiative, unique ideas, and daring leaders to reach new horizons in both business and society. The Aleph executive program brings all of this to the table. By empowering our clients to grow, we grow the entire ecosystem and continue to unlock new opportunities. said Aljosa Jenko, Httpool CEO.

The Aleph Speaker Series features a number of high skilled academics, including Margaret Neale, The Adams Distinguished Professor of Management, Emerita, at Stanford Graduate School of Business, on the topic of diversity; Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, discussing geopolitics in the Middle East; Ilya A. Strebulaev, The David S. Lobel Professor of Private Equity and Professor of Finance at Stanford GSB, breaking down the topic of disruption and corporate innovation; Jennifer Aaker, The General Atlantic Professor at Stanford GSB, offering a glimpse into a new kind of leadership; Niall Ferguson, the Milbank Family Senior Fellow at Hoover Institution, shedding light on social and political consequences of COVID 19; Paul Oyer, The Mary, and Rankine Van Anda Entrepreneurial Professor and Professor of Economics at Stanford GSB, discussing robotics and automation; Jeff Hancock, The Harry and Norman Chandler Professor of Communication and the founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab at Stanford University, discussing the future of trust and technology; and Professor Baba Shiv diving into neuroscience and the customer experience.

The program will be held virtually and includes eight live lectures, taking place between 31 March and 19 May. Each session will be accompanied by case studies from large companies and global perspectives from other corporate leaders. The participating executives will be able to interact with the university professors, allowing them to apply the concepts learned, and participants will earn a certificate upon completion by Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Education.
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - Its going to be tough for author Angeline Boulley of Sault Ste. Marie to top her debut novel.

Not only has the Michigan author skyrocketed to the top of the New York Times bestsellers list with her Firekeepers Daughter teen novel (Holt/Macmillan). But her book has been picked up as a series on Netflix with the backing from the Obamas.

Michelle and Barack Obamas production company Higher Ground Productions is working with Boulley to develop the novel for a Netflix series.

I am delighted that they are leading the way to bring this project to life on screen, Boulley said in an email to MLive, adding the team at Higher Ground are great collaborators.

I havent yet met the Obamas, but it is thrilling that their company is producing this project.

A member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Firekeepers Daughter is based on her experience growing up as a biracial women in the community.

The novel is described as the Indigenous Nancy Drew.

Everyone deserves to be seen in a story, and I think that when a young person can see themselves in a story, it changes how they view their identity, and their place in the world, she told Soo Today reporter Josie Fiegehen in a recent article.

It broadens their view of the world and themselves in it.

The story - which has been called a groundbreaking Young Adult thriller - follows the story of 18-year-old Daunis Fontaine, a young Anishinaabe woman living in Michigans Upper Peninsula. She spends her summers on Sugar Island with the tribal community where her father is a firekeeper. In an attempt to expose corruption in the community, she goes undercover in an FBI investigation and uncovers more than she expected.

The book is getting rave reviews across the literary community.

NPRs Caitlyn Paxson said:

Some books take you where theyre going with such confidence and grace that you find yourself at the end, breathless and hard-pressed to believe that its over. Its an impressive feat for a debut novel  especially one in a genre that requires such precision. Firekeepers Daughter has a riveting plot that has all the hallmarks of a crime thriller while simultaneously questioning all the assumptions that the genre usually makes about policing and justice. I hit the middle and then couldnt put it down....Whatever Boulley writes next, I will be the first in line to read it.

Trisha Collopy of the Minneapolis Star Tribune said:

She complicates the white default of the U.P. and immerses us in Anishinaabe language and culture  one that balances the new wealth of per cap casino payments with longstanding poverty and lack of opportunity. By the end of Firekeepers Daughter, readers have been plunged into an Anishinaabe world that is rooted in place and includes powerful roles for women as judges, herbalists, healers and tribal leaders.

Boulley said she is excited about the Netflix series with Higher Ground Productions because producers were in sync with the same core values that I had and the same vision for the project, she told Rolling Stone.

Like, for example, I made it very clear to every potential partner that I spoke with that it was as important for me that thered be native talent not only in front of the camera but behind the camera, in the writers room, and at every stage of production. They were just completely on board all the way and already had ideas about that, she said in the article.

Boulley, who most recently was the director for the Office of Indian Education (OIE) at the U.S. Department of Education, now works as a full time author. She lives in Southwestern Michigan.

She said the notoriety of her debut novel has been exciting.

It feels surreal! she said in her email to MLive. I recently moved back to Michigan. I told myself it was to look after my parents. But now I realize how being here has helped me feel grounded during all this excitement.

Follow her career at angelineboulley.com.

This weekend she appears at Teen Book Con virtually at noon Saturday, April 3. Learn more at https://www.teenbookcon.org/schedule.
AL HARF, Yemen  The mothers first challenge when her spindly 8-month-old son came down with a fever, diarrhea and vomiting was to get from their poor, isolated village in northern Yemen to the nearest clinic.

After three days of failing to find a ride, she set out on foot, carrying her sick child for two hours to reach the medics who immediately recognized yet another case in Yemens spiraling crisis of acute malnutrition.

Even after a week of treatment with enriched formula, the boy, Sharaf Shaitah, lay motionless on a hospital bed, his bones peeking through the skin of his twiggy limbs. Asked if her family had enough to eat, his mother, Iman Murshid, replied, Sometimes we have enough, sometimes we dont.

Six years into a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, shattered the country and battered much of its infrastructure, Yemen faces rising rates of hunger that have created pockets of famine that aid groups warn are likely to grow, leaving even more malnourished Yemenis vulnerable to disease and starvation.
IRISH journalist, Yvonne Murray, has had to flee China with her children over sinister threats to her husband.

Ms Murray, an RTE journalist, is married to John Sudworth who is Beijing Correspondent for the BBC.

The couple left China to move to Taiwan following after what was described as constant surveillance of Mr Sudworth by Chinese police, threats of legal action, official obstruction and increasing levels of intimidation.

Mr Sudworth has won numerous awards for his coverage of various controversial issues in China including the treatment of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang and cotton produced by forced labour.

His coverage sparked a major backlash by the Chinese authorities who were furious at such issues being highlighted.

China also hit out at major western firms including Nike and H&M over the cotton issue.

Ms Murray and Mr Sudworth decided to leave for Taiwan amid concern for their three young children.

"We left in a hurry last week and it was really because the pressure and threats from the Chinese Government became too much," she told RTE's News At One.

"This has been going on for some time. The authorities in Beijing took issue with my husband's reporting - he works for the BBC and he has reported extensively on the incarceration of the Uyghurs as well as the origins of the virus in China.

"This was something they took great issue with. They started trying to hinder his reporting about three years ago by putting him on shortened visas for three months or one month rather than for the full 12 months that other journalists were getting.

"Then when the BBC continued to report on stories that the Government didn't like, they continued to ratchet up the pressure - with co-ordinated personalised attacks by State media and then legal threats.

"It is worth noting there is no way for us as foreign correspondents to counter-act those kind of campaigns in China. Foreign news outlets are blocked here.

"We put up with this for a very long time but in the end we couldn't justify raising a young family in that kind of atmosphere.

"In a way, to confirm that it had become intolerable, on the morning of our departure there were actually plain clothes police outside our home watching us and our children load our suitcases into a taxi.

"Then we were followed all the way to the airport, watched by the secret police in the check-in area - this was very frightening for the children and it definitely confirmed to us we were making the right decision."

The couple are now in Taiwan and intend to continue to work from there.

"We are now in Taipei - holed up in a quarantine hotel for 14 days. There is very strict quarantine in Taiwan. Then we plan to continue to report on China and the wider region from here.

"There are already some foreign correspondents based in Taipei now following a round of expulsions from mainland China last year, mainly US journalists.

"But there are others who left China during the pandemic and are trying to get back in but China has cancelled the journalists visas and they cannot get back in and are staying in Taipei.

"Our experience here speaks to the wider situation in China for foreign journalists - conditions have deteriorated rapidly in recent years. The space for reporting in the country is ever shrinking as is the pool of foreign correspondents there.

"There are very few US journalists left and no Australian journalists. Now, because I have gone, there are no Irish journalists left."

Ms Murray has worked in China for almost a decade.

"It has been very tough to leave - it has been a very long time, nearly a decade. Two of our three children were born in China and they all speak fluent Chinese. For them, it is home and it was particularly distressing for them facing the reality that they might never be able to go back to the place where they were born so long as the Chinese state is so determined to target and punish journalists for simply doing their job.

"The Chinese Government tells us that our reporting suggests that we hate China - that is not the case. We would not have stayed so long if we did not like China - it is an extraordinarily colourful, vibrant and culturally rich country.

"In terms of the memories and the friendships we forged with Chinese people over the years, they cannot be taken from us. As the secret police followed us as we left, it is a sad memory but it cannot erase all the other happy memories we have from China."

The BBC insisted it was very proud of Mr Sudworth and his reporting and confirmed he remains its China correspondent.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the authorities had not been given prior notice.

"Only in recent days when we were faced with the task of renewing Sudworth's press card did we learn that Sudworth left without saying goodbye. After he left the country, he didn't by any means inform the relevant departments nor provide any reason why," Hua Chunying told a news conference in Beijing.

The BBC said: "John's reporting has exposed truths the Chinese authorities did not want the world to know."

Read More

Last year China expelled correspondents for the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, among others.

And in September 2020, the last two reporters working in China for Australian media flew home after a five-day diplomatic standoff.

The Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) of China says foreign journalists are "being caught up in diplomatic rows out of their control".

"Abuse of Sudworth and his colleagues at the BBC forms part of a larger pattern of harassment and intimidation that obstructs the work of foreign correspondents in China and exposes their Chinese news assistants to growing pressure," the FCC warned on Twitter.
Mr Buhari departed the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for London at about 2.30 p.m on Tuesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Abuja for London, United Kingdom, for a routine medical check-up.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president and aides departed the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for London at about 2.30 p.m.

Those at the airport to bid the president farewell included the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello; Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu and other presidential aides.

Before departing the Presidential Villa, Mr Buhari had met behind closed doors with security chiefs where he directed them "to fish out and crush heads of bandits, kidnappers and their local collaborators to restore confidence in the society".

The president, who last travelled to London for medical check-up in May 2018, is expected back in the country during the second week of April 2021.

(NAN)
March 31 (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand said on Wednesday it was easing dividend restrictions placed on retail banks at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic due to a stronger-than-expected rebound in the economy.

The changes will allow banks to pay up to a maximum of 50% of their earnings in dividends, with the 50% dividend restriction to remain in place until July 1, 2022, the central bank said in a statement. (Reporting by Rashmi Ashok in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
Moscow: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has started a hunger strike in prison to protest officials failure to provide proper treatment for his back and leg pains.

In a statement posted on Wednesday on Instagram, Navalny complained about prison authorities refusal to give him the right medicines and to allow his doctor to visit him behind bars.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says he is being denied medical treatment in prison. Credit:AP

He also protested the hourly checks a guard makes on him at night, saying they amount to sleep deprivation torture.

Navalny said in his statement that he had no choice but to protest with a hunger strike because his physical condition has worsened. He said his back pains have spread to his right leg and he feels numbness in his left leg.
Young vibrant Gambians who have been through the contemporary academic system all the way to graduate level in Information Technology and Biomedicine are changing perceptions of the new generation with regards to agriculture. Confronted with all the stereotypes associated to farming being for illiterates and lower-class society, these young men have not only found professional satisfaction in cultivating, processing and commercializing a variety of crops such as papaya, cucumber, okra, onions, tomatoes, salad, green pepper amongst other vegetables: they are also becoming trend-setters in agribusiness.

Muhammed Jabbie obtained a Software Engineering degree in Malaysia. Today, he is passionate about contributing towards food self-sufficiency and bridging the gap between the national production capacity and the consumption demands of the growing population. He firmly believes that the country has so many potentials that can be exploited whilst reducing the import levels of basic fruit products. "Upon my return, I realized that we could change the paradigm in agriculture and make people understand that you can be educated and at the same time partake in modern farming techniques which earns just as much money as the so-called 'white-collar jobs'."

Despite the initial resistance from family members and relatives who considered agriculture fit for those without any formal education, Muhammed saw a niche that could be filled despite the white-collar job opportunities: "I faced a lot of challenges at family level. Like most people, they thought that farming is meant for the poor and not a person with degrees."

The IT expert also added that he has been nurturing a passion for agriculture for a very long time. After obtaining a degree, that dream became easier to attain with an improved knowledge in global dynamics and the anticipation of introducing mechanized way of improving the agricultural value chain. "This," he says, "might need more than innovation but also investment from the private sector and government backing."

Together with other 49 young entrepreneurs, Muhammed benefitted from the EU-funded Tekki Fii solar grant managed by GIZ in cooperation with NACCUG which amounts to D250,000 in kind. "The grant comes in the form of a solar-powered borehole which uses solar technology to pump water for my irrigational needs. With time, my family was able to realize that this is my passion and that I can employ modern techniques to redefine the system."

Omar Jallow is also another agropreneur who doubles as a professional Medical Microbiologist from the University of Santa Clara in Cuba. His reasons for venturing into agriculture are not so different from Muhammed's: "My passion for agriculture is what drives me into the field. I believe farming presents one of the greatest income-generation and job creation opportunities for Sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture also improves the socio-economic condition of millions of people around the world." Omar's family is very supportive of his choices. Regardless of what society thinks, he feels that he's destined for a bigger purpose and that nothing can stop him.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Food and Agriculture 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 also obtained the solar grant in the form of a borehole water tank, water pump, solar power system amongst other equipment. "The solar-powered water system accorded me with year-round water supply to keep in products to meet the demands of the customers." With a country like The Gambia that is highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture, the solar-powered water tank is clearly an added advantage to boosting the productivity of the farmers in increasing their yield and maximizing profit, hence contributing to promoting food security and job creation, amongst other economic strides.

Even though this is not so obvious to many youths, Muhammed and Omar both believe that young people should shift their attention to profitable ventures like agropreneurship in The Gambia which is blessed with water resources and fertile land. The two are looking forward to expanding their ventures with the right partnerships as well as valuable prospects for employing more youth who will learn to see the benefits of becoming agropreneurs. This, they believe, is the only way of bridging the unemployment gap instead of taking the perilous journey to Europe, or succumbing to other routes that derail the progress of Gambian youth.
In this video, Texas history teacher Michael Hull and World Socialist Web Site education editor Evan Blake discuss the situation facing educators, parents and students amid the reckless school reopening campaign. A focus of the interview is to follow up on a significant exchange that recently took place between Hull and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten, who has largely orchestrated the school reopening campaign on behalf of the Biden administration.

We encourage our readers to join and participate in the Facebook groups for the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee and Teachers Against Dying, and to share this interview widely on social media.
DUBLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treatment Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2019 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report provides detailed intelligence about the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment market. The report includes detailed analysis on market dynamics, market estimation and forecast for the period of 2019 to 2029. The report segments market on the basis of drug type and geographies. The report also covers the impact of covid 19 on the growth and revenues of the CML treatment market. The pandemic has significant impact on the diagnosis of CML. Healthcare services were limited only to emergency cases and this significantly limited the number of patients that visited the healthcare institutes.



Chronic Myeloid Leukemia affects the white blood cells known as myeloid cells. It is caused by spontaneous mutation of chromosome. CML progresses slowly and typically affects the aged. About 15% leukemias in adults are CML. Over 8450 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with CML in 2019. The average age of diagnosis is 64 years. While the number of patients that were diagnosed by CML increased by 2 % in the U.S. in comparison to 2007 to 2016, the number of people who died reduced by 1% during the same period. About 1130 deaths occurred due to CML in the U.S.



There has been a significant advance in the CML treatment regime in the last two decades. There has been significant increase in number of new drugs approvals for CML treatment. New drug class that has transformed the treatment of CML includes tyrosine kinases (TKIs) or BCR-ABL inhibitors. They are crucial element in CML treatment. First generation imatinib and more efficient second generation BCR-ABL inhibitor nilotinib and dasatinib, with ponatinib and bosutinib have been approved for commercialization. Some studies identified that nilotinib and dasantinib were more effective han imatinib in first line chronic phase CML. This offered better results and a better and rapid response.



The report segments the market based on geographic segmentation that includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America & Middle East and Africa. These key regions are further segmented by countries including U.S., Canada, U.K. Germany, China, Japan, Brazil, and GCC. The key market determinants, key development, new drug approvals and pipeline, market estimates and revenues for the year 2019 to 2029 and forecast year 2021 to 2029 is included in the report for every geographic region. The key companies covered in the report are Novartis AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., Hospira, Inc., Prism Pharmaceuticals, Incyte Corporation, Bio-Path Holdings, Stragen Pharma SA, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and others. Profiling and key developments have been covered in the report.



Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Preface

1.1 Report Description

1.1.1 Purpose of the Report

1.1.2 Target Audience

1.1.3 USP and Key Offerings

1.2 Research Scope

1.3 Research Methodology

1.3.1 Phase I - Secondary Research

1.3.2 Phase II - Primary Research

1.3.3 Phase III - Expert Panel Review

1.3.4 Assumptions



Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Global Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treatment Market, by Treatment Type, 2019-2029(Value %)

2.2 Global Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treatment Market, by Geography, 2019 (Value %)

2.3 Impact of covid 19 on CML market



Chapter 3 Global ChroniC Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treatment Market Overview

3.1 Overview

3.2 Market Drivers

3.2.1 Rising prevalence and awareness of leukemia is boosting the need for research and development

3.2.2 Incessant developments in stem cell therapy is expected to provide an effective options against drugs

3.3 Market Restraints

3.3.1 Dry drug development pipeline of CML is expected to slow down the treatment of CML

3.4 Market Opportunities

3.4.1 Future in non-invasive and efficient treatment options

3.5 Attractive Investment Proposition

3.6 Market Competition Assessment: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treatment, by Key Players



Chapter 4 Global Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treatment Market Analysis, By Treatment Type

4.1 Overview

4.2 Targeted Therapy

4.2.1 Imatinib

4.2.2 Dasatinib

4.2.3 Nilotinib

4.2.4 Bosutinib

4.2.5 Ponatinib

4.3 Chemotherapy

4.4 Radiation Therapy

4.5 Splenectomy

4.6 Stem Cell Transplant



Chapter 5 Global Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treatment Market, By Geography

5.1 Preface

5.2 North America

5.3 Europe

5.4 Asia Pacific

5.5 Latin America

5.6 Middle East and Africa



Chapter 6 Company Profiles

6.1 Novartis AG

6.1.1 Novartis AG: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.2 Bristol-Myers Squibb

6.2.1 Bristol-Myers Squibb: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.3 Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.

6.3.1 Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.4 ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

6.4.1 ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.5 Pfizer, Inc.

6.5.1 Pfizer, Inc.: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.6 Hospira, Inc.

6.6.1 Hospira, Inc.: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.7 Prism Pharmaceuticals

6.7.1 Prism Pharmaceuticals: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.8 Incyte Corporation

6.8.1 Incyte Corporation: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.9 Bio-Path Holdings

6.9.1 Bio-Path Holdings: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.10 Stragen Pharma SA

6.10.1 Stragen Pharma SA: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)

6.11 Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

6.11.1 Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Company Snapshot (Business Description; Financial Health and Budget Allocation; Product Position/Portfolio; News Coverage)



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qa2rd0



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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"TP Brazil outpaced the overall markets growth rate, achieving the second highest market share of 8.5 percent. Unlike the approach of other established and traditional vendors in the local market, its long-term strategy is to avoid low-complexity, low-quality operations," said Juan Gonzalez Research Director. "In line with this strategy, the company is currently focusing on increasing its participation in digital sales, remote support, and eCommerce."

TP Brazil's consistent and repeatable success is based on long-standing client relationships. It leverages its Technology, Analytics, and Process Excellence (T.A.P.) practice that identifies rapid transformation opportunities and easily adapts to new environments. Based on the Lean Six Sigma methodology, T.A.P. offers a stepped approach to designing the right solution for each transformational opportunity. Leveraging its research practice (TP CX Lab), the company can anticipate market trends while acting as a trusted advisor to improve and incorporate future-proof solutions. Furthermore, by offering worldwide expertise with one of the largest portfolios of global cases in the industry and a strong suite of proprietary solutions, TP Brazil can consolidate its role as a strategic partner and pave the way for solid, long-standing relationships.

Even internally, TP Brazil has displayed exceptional agility and resourcefulness. When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Brazil, the company rapidly upgraded and updated its HR processes to provide a fully virtual employee journey. With its new approach to HR, it gained a competitive edge by creating an engaged, high-performance workforce, which is a key factor in delivering a best-in-class customer experience. It also successfully implemented a WAHA program before the pandemic and by November 2020, 60 percent of its agents were working and operating remotely in several cities in the country.

"TP Brazil's current footprint in the country includes 15 sites, with 13 in Sao Paulo and 2 in Rio Grande do Norte, and employs more than 26,000 people. It has built a solid and diverse portfolio, with clients from different industry verticals such as financial services, insurance, technology, and retail," noted Gonzalez. "It leverages strong support teams to offer the deployment speed and flexibility demanded by clients in an evolving marketplace, entrenching its position as the preferred Brazilian vendor for new economy companies."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion.

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Groundbreaking for the Obama Presidential Center is expected to take place this September.

Video Transcript

- This morning, we now know that the groundbreaking for the Obama Presidential Center will take place in mid-September. The center will be located in Jackson Park on Chicago's South side, and that project is moving forward after a federal review and some other delays. The presidential center is expected to attract 700,000 visitors each year.
| By Mary Therese Phelan

In a March 31 letter to the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) community, President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, released the UMB Return to Campus Framework , a comprehensive plan outlining guidance and safety measures for bringing students, faculty, and staff back to campus in limited densities by June 1, with a more robust in-person presence by fall 2021.

The plan details guiding principles and public health considerations that were considered in creating the framework as more people receive vaccinations against the coronavirus and restrictions originally put into place during the pandemic start to ease.

Im grateful to be part of such a responsible community of leaders who understand that each of us plays an important role in keeping ourselves and each other safe, Jarrells letter states. It is with joy that I write today. I know that the UMB community has done so much to get us to this point, and I cannot wait to see you all safely back on campus.

Here is the full text of the letter:

March 31, 2021

Dear UMB Community,

Walking to a meeting and saying hi to colleagues along the way, attending a symposium in real life without logging onto a computer and then being able to discuss it afterward over lunch with a colleague, experiencing the energy of Baltimore as it continues to reopen  these are some of the things Im ready for.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is a special place that fosters a culture of innovation in academics, research, and entrepreneurship, and it also is a place where when folks ask how you are doing, they really want to know the answer. The UMB community thrives on being together for core in-person teaching and research and for quick conversations in hallways and on sidewalks that turn into solutions, from accessing the range of on-campus resources to our focus on the importance of interprofessional education and the ability to connect with patients and clients. This is who we are as an institution. This is how we best fulfill our mission to improve the human condition. And this is why we are returning to campus. We are better together  as long as we are together safely.

The past year has proved that the UMB community is strong, resilient, and committed to our mission. We have prioritized the health and safety of each other and our community, taken the necessary precautions to inhibit the spread of COVID-19, been leaders in responding to the pandemic, and cared for those infected with the virus and those facing its impacts. Across our seven schools, faculty, staff, and students have reassessed, adjusted, and changed activities as needed while achieving so much toward our mission despite the tough circumstances.

We have gotten to this point because of each of you. Thank you for your extraordinary efforts.

Im excited to share our Return to Campus plan. As I said in the statement of intent, each school and unit will gradually increase its on-campus density to no more than 50 percent capacity starting June 1. Then in the fall, our plan is to be back together, mostly in-person. UMB students can start planning now for on-campus housing options for the summer and fall. UMB Housing is a convenient and safe option as on-campus activity and density gradually increases.

This is exciting news for UMB. That being said, I know that there may be trepidation about returning  as well as many details to be worked out, such as issues around child care and caregiving. Please know that every decision made within the Return to Campus plan considers the health and safety of the UMB community first and is guided by public health, our vision and mission, and our core values.

The United States is experiencing reduced levels of infection compared to January as vaccines roll out locally and across the country. In fact, a majority of the UMB community reports having been vaccinated already  and even before that we did not see widespread transmission of COVID-19 on campus. In addition, the first four weeks of a mask observation study conducted in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 96 percent of those on UMBs campus wore masks correctly. And we will continue to require the highest standards for health and safety.

In the coming weeks, please have conversations with your supervisor about your schools or units plans for returning. Also, please consider registering for a COVID-19 vaccine at the SMC Campus Center or letting us know that youve been vaccinated, if you have not already.

Im grateful to be part of such a responsible community of leaders who understand that each of us plays an important role in keeping ourselves and each other safe. It is with joy that I write today. I know that the UMB community has done so much to get us to this point, and I cannot wait to see you all safely back on campus.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS

President
White Wolf Capital LLC (White Wolf), a private investment firm focused on making investments in leading middle market companies, is pleased to announce a key new hire for its Private Credit business unit.

New Team Member

White Wolf is excited to announce that Judd Kohn has joined the firm as Managing Director and Head of Private Credit Enterprise Lending Solutions. Prior to joining White Wolf, Judd worked at First Merchants Bank in its Sponsor Finance Group. At First Merchants, Judd was responsible for establishing the Southeast Region and leading the process on numerous lower middle-market credit deals. Prior to joining First Merchants Bank, Judd worked at CIBC Bank USA where he was responsible for establishing relationships with lower middle-market and middle-market businesses and private equity firms. Across his 14-year career, Judd sourced, underwrote, and executed over $2.0 billion in lower middle-market and middle-market private credit transactions. Judd manages the deal flow and origination, activities as well as the due diligence process, for each White Wolf Private Credit investment. He also plays a key role in fundraising activities. Judd holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Miami University (Ohio).

White Wolf Private Credit

Since beginning operations in September 2011, White Wolf has made numerous successful private equity investments in middle market companies across multiple industries in the U.S. and Canada.

White Wolf prides itself as being a creative, flexible, and solutions-oriented private capital provider. Accordingly, in September 2020, White Wolf launched its private credit strategy in order to invest across the capital structure and in situations that require custom solutions.

White Wolfs private credit strategy will be focused on making senior or mezzanine debt investments as well as minority equity co-investments in privately-held, middle market companies.

Similar to White Wolfs private equity strategy, preferred industries include: manufacturing, business services, information technology, security, aerospace and defense. Typical situations include direct lending to lower middle-market companies and private equity financial sponsors to fund refinancings, leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, recapitalizations, strategic growth investments, and capital expenditures.

For further information or to present new opportunities for consideration, please contact Judd at: judd.kohn@whitewolfcapital.com.

For further information about White Wolf, please visit: http://www.whitewolfcapital.com.
Russia has registered the world's first vaccine against Covid-19 for animals.

Russia already has three coronavirus vaccines for humans, the most well known of which is Sputnik V. Moscow has also given emergency approval to two others, EpiVacCorona and CoviVac.

The vaccine for animals, developed by a unit of the country's agriculture safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor is named Carnivac-Cov.

Read More

"The clinical trials of Carnivac-Cov, which started last October, involved dogs, cats, Arctic foxes, minks, foxes and other animals," said Rosselkhoznadzor's Deputy Head Konstantin Savenkov.

"The results of the trials allow us to conclude that the vaccine is harmless and highly immunogenic as all the vaccinated animals developed antibodies to the coronavirus in 100pc of cases."

Immunity lasts for six months after vaccination, but the shot's developers are continuing to analyse this, the watchdog said.

Outbreaks of a new variant of coronavirus last year led to mass culls of farmed mink in Denmark.
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Alphabet unit Google will contribute 25 million euros ($29.3 million) to the newly set up European Media and Information Fund to combat fake news, the company said on Wednesday, amid criticism tech giants are not doing enough to debunk online disinformation.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. election last year spurred a massive spike in misinformation, with some blaming social media for not being more proactive in tackling the issue while regulators have indicated they may take action via heavy-handed restrictions.

The European Media and Information Fund, launched by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the European University Institute last week, aims to enlist researchers, fact-checkers, not-for-profits and other public interest-oriented bodies to help in the fight against fake news.

"While navigating the uncertainty and challenges of the last year, it has proven more important than ever for people to access accurate information, and sort facts from fiction," Matt Brittin, head of Google's EMEA Business & Operations, said in a blog post.

The fund has a duration of five years. The European Digital Media Observatory, which is a European Commission project set up last year and whose members include fact checkers and academic researchers, will evaluate and select the projects. (This story corrects to 25 million euros from dollars)

($1 = 0.8531 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
[March 31, 2021] CGTN: Derek Chauvin Trial: History of Police Violence

CGTN Correspondent Dan Williams has recently traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to produce this story. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005982/en/ https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2021-03-06/Derek-Chauvin-trial-History-of-police-violence-YoGp1E7WUw/index.html History of U.S. Police on Trial The former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is charged with killing African American George Floyd last May. As CGTN's Dan Williams reports, the trial echoes events of 30 years ago, when police were filmed by a bystander, beating a Black man named Rodney King. All of the officers involved were acquitted, sparking riots, although two of the officers were convicted of violating King's civil rights in a federal cour a year later.



Kevin Reese is the Director of Criminal Justice at Voices for Racial Justice. "This trial is for America to have an opportunity to show that we live up to our ideals of liberty and justice. This is a trial about them. This trial is about your justice system that you created. This is your language, your justice system so let's see if you'll honor your justice system," Kevin said. Since 2000, more than 200 people have been killed after a physical confrontation with law enforcement in Minnesota.

Brian Peters is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. He is calling for all sides to exercise restraint and work to find solutions. "We banned chokeholds last August and that came from a conversation with our legislators and organizations like myself. We passed six police reform bills because we worked together. Whatever happens in this trial we are going to see an opportunity to work together or continue to divide," he said. Over the years, Jason Sole, adjunct professor at Hamline University, has helped launch a number of public safety initiatives. But he says, he also understands the anger in the community following George Floyd's death. "These young folks don't have an outlet or aren't being heard. We need justice for George Floyd. And if there ain't no justice, there ain't no peace. You know how this goes. So they get a chance to create the peace," Jason said. The local community along with the eyes of the world watch Derek Chauvin's trial very closely. Original Article: Click here https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2021-03-06/Derek-Chauvin-trial-History-of-police-violence-YoGp1E7WUw/index.html View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005982/en/

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In early 2008, as financier Jeffrey Epsteins lawyers were waging what would become a successful campaign to get the Justice Department to drop its sex trafficking case against their client, Epstein and his purported madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, were allegedly raping a 26-year-old South Florida real estate broker who claims in a lawsuit filed last week that Epstein trafficked her to other men, including a local judge.

The story stands out among a number of civil claims that have been filed in recent months against the late financiers estate and his co-executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn. While most of the allegations involving Epstein and his associates follow a similar pattern involving how victims were recruited and abused, the case filed March 22 involves allegations far more sinister than others.

The woman, who is identified only as " Jane Doe, claims that Epstein and Maxwell repeatedly raped her in front of her 8-year-old son at a hotel in Naples, Florida, in early 2008; that they trafficked her to have sex with a number of other men, including an unnamed local judge; and that Epstein forced her to undergo vaginal surgery so that he could market her as a virgin to one of their high-profile clients.

She is represented by two teams of lawyers, one from the New York law firm Phillips & Paolicelli; and the other Coffey Burlington, based in Miami, whose founding partner, Kendall Coffey, is a former U.S. attorney in Miami.

Indyke and Kahns lawyers did not respond to requests for comment, nor did Maxwells longtime attorney, Laura Menninger.

A video conference on the case is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday before a federal judge in Fort Lauderdale.

Doe, identified in the claim only as a real estate broker at the time who sold properties in and around Palm Beach, said she met Epstein and Maxwell sometime in late 2006 or early 2007 at a barbecue hosted by her employer, who knew Epstein well. Doe, who was approximately 26 at the time, was a native of Turkey who lived in Broward County, according to the complaint.

Her employer, who is not identified in the lawsuit, told her that Epstein wanted to rent or purchase a piece of real estate, and she ultimately found him a property to rent for $10,000 a month. The suit says he paid cash and she was directed not to identify the tenant or process Epsteins identification.

Epstein expressed an interest in hiring her to work for him and as an inducement he gave her expensive gifts and promised to find her and her then-husband highly-placed employment, the suit says.

The woman claims that in the middle of 2007, Maxwell, who went by the nickname G-Max, took her passport for safekeeping, and Doe later learned that Epstein kept it in a locked box inside his Palm Beach estate, the lawsuit says.

About six months later, Doe, persuaded by the persistent efforts of Maxwell, agreed to consider working for Epstein. A trained hairdresser, Doe said she was hired to go to Epsteins Palm Beach mansion in January 2008 to cut Epsteins hair. When she arrived, Epstein was naked and, with Maxwells assistance, brutally raped her, according to the lawsuit.

At the time, the woman recalls Epstein had guns in his possession which were displayed to her in order to frighten and intimidate her.

After the assault, Epstein alleged gave Doe $200.

She attempted to leave, telling them she intended to report the rape. Maxwell, in response, claimed that she had already called the police. Two men who claimed to be police officers arrived at Epsteins mansion and threatened to arrest Doe for prostitution, to take away her son and deport her, according to the suit.

Then Epstein and Maxwell ordered Doe to drive with them in Does vehicle, picking up her son along the way. During the trip, they pulled off the side of the road to a waterway filled with alligators.

Epstein then ushered the plaintiff to the body of water and told her in explicit detail that  as had happened to other women in the past, according to the pair  she would end up in this body of water and be devoured should she ever reveal what Epstein had done to her, the suit says.

At a hotel in Naples, over a period of days, Doe was repeatedly raped by Epstein and Maxwell in the presence of her young son, she said.

Over the next five months, until May 2008, they threatened and intimidated her by emphasizing Epsteins influence over the FBI, the U.S. Office of Homeland Securitys Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Florida state and local law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.

The woman said Epstein also promised to help find her husband a job with the FBI, and used that incentive and others as leverage to force her to have sex with other men, including an older, heavyset man named Walter, and another older man who identified himself to Doe as a local judge, according to the complaint.

She was repeatedly photographed and videotaped naked and performing lewd activities during this time, she said.

Doe, who appeared much younger than 26, was told to tell clients that she was 17. In May 2008, she said Epstein forced her to have unwanted vaginal surgery, which was conducted in a wealthy persons home by a man with a Russian accent, to create the false impression that she was a virgin for a high-profile client, according to the lawsuit.

The procedure left the plaintiff mutilated and permanently damaged, the lawsuit alleges.

Doe said that in April 2008, she was directed to keep a locked box for Epstein, which she was instructed she could never open or she would be killed. She was also given burner phones and other electronic devices that Epstein was seeking to hide from law enforcement authorities, the lawsuit claims.

Eventually the box and other materials were retrieved by Maxwell in May 2008, according to the lawsuit.

Its not clear when the alleged abuse ended. Jane Doe said she was so traumatized by the events and fearful of Epsteins power that she was too afraid for both herself and her son to notify authorities. She was also from a devout Muslim family and worried that the facts would bring great shame on her family, the suit says.

During the time that the assaults are alleged to have occurred, Epstein had hired a roster of powerful lawyers to help defend him against charges that he had molested and assaulted at least three dozen girls, most of them 14 to 16 years old, at his Palm Beach estate. While federal prosecutors prepared a 53-page indictment, Epsteins lawyers, including famed prosecutor turned defense lawyer Kenneth Starr, appealed to the Department of Justice in Washington, urging them to intervene in the South Florida case.

They argued that Epsteins offenses did not rise to the level of federal offense. The then- U.S. attorney in Miami, Alexander Acosta, ultimately signed off on a plea deal in which Epstein and a number of others were given federal immunity. Epstein was instead sentenced in state court on prostitution charges.

The multimillionaire was sentenced on June 30, 2008, and immediately sent to the Palm Beach County jail, where he would serve 13 months, much of it on work release at a nonprofit company that Indyke helped him set up in West Palm Beach, records show. Epstein completed his sentence in 2009.

Ten years later, in July 2019, Epstein was indicted on sex trafficking charges in the Southern District of New York. Authorities said he committed suicide at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan a month later while awaiting trial.

Maxwell was indicted in July 2020 and faces similar sex trafficking charges. Her trial is scheduled for July 2021.

___

(c)2021 Miami Herald

Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
COLUMBUS, OhioFirstEnergy Corp. announced Wednesday it will refund customers $26 million collected under the utilitys decoupling policy, as required by the newly signed partial repeal of the scandal-tainted House Bill 6.

The decoupling provision of HB6 guaranteed FirstEnergy a minimum revenue level of $978 million, the amount FirstEnergy collected in 2018, an unusually high-demand year. The policy thus allowed the Akron-based utility to collect that same, comparative high amount of money from customers even in years when demand was down.

By tying revenue to such a lucrative year, decoupling essentially takes about one-third of our company and I think makes it somewhat recession-proof, Chuck Jones, then FirstEnergys CEO, said during a call with investors in 2019.

In 2021, decoupling would have allowed FirstEnergy to collect an estimated $102 million more from ratepayers, according to Attorney General Dave Yosts office.

Last month, FirstEnergy reached a deal with Yost to stop the decoupling policy going forward in exchange for the AGs office dropping a legal challenge to it.

But that deal didnt affect the $26 million FirstEnergy had already collected from customers since January of 2020. Rather, refunds were ordered as part of House Bill 128, a partial repeal of HB6 signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday.

In a release, FirstEnergy spokeswoman Jennifer Young said the company will now work with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to develop a timely process for issuing customer credits. The total credit amount of the credit, along with how and when it will be delivered, will be determined as part of this process, Young stated in an email.

Read more Ohio politics and government stories:

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs state transportation budget bill

1,989 new coronavirus cases reported in Ohio: Wednesday update

Ohio COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 goes up again, hurting chance for a quick end to Gov. DeWines health orders

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson endorses Nina Turner for 11th District Congressional election

Ohio bill legalizing sports betting expected soon
March 31 marks the Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis - on March 31, 1918, militants of the Dashnaktsutyun nationalist party and the Bolsheviks began mass murders of Azerbaijanis in Baku and other Azerbaijani cities . What do we need to know about these events?

1.

The Baku Council - a coalition of Bolsheviks and Dashnaks - wanted to assert their power in Baku and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan at that time accounted for over 90% of the former Russian Empire's oil production, and the Bolshevik authorities gave the order to keep Baku at any cost. The Dashnaks, in turn, supported the Bolsheviks' plans because of their national and confessional hatred towards Muslim Azerbaijanis.



They decided to remove the Azerbaijani party "Musavat" for power, around which the patriotic forces were concentrated back then, working to create an independent state - the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. After the Brest-Litovsk Treaty was signed on March 3, Turkish troops headed for the Caucasus, and the Baku Council feared that Turkey might help Musavat and drive the Bolsheviks and Dashnaks out of Baku. Another threat was the possibility of forming a united state of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia in the South Caucasus.



2.



The massacres of Azerbaijanis were triggered by the Baku Council's intention to disarm a small detachment of officers who returned home from the disbanded Wild Division, who were supposed to form the army of an independent Azerbaijani state. There were several dozen servicemen, but the operation instantly turned into a massacre of the Azerbaijani civilian population by Armenian military units. The Bolsheviks deliberately agreed to cooperate with the Dashnaks, as they hoped that such an outbreak of nationalist aggression would prevent the South Caucasian peoples from uniting and defending their independence together.



3.



The massacres of Azerbaijanis continued until April 3. Over 40,000 civilians were killed, including 12,000 people in Baku, 7,700 people in Zangezur, 7,000 people in Shamakhi, 3,000 people in Sharur and Nakhchivan, 2 ,000 people in Guba, 8,000 people in the settlements of Aresh, Goychay and Shamakhi districts.



The Dashnaks also destroyed many Azerbaijani villages in the South Caucasus: 211 in the Erivan province, 150 in the mountains of Karabakh, 122 around Guba, 115 in Zangezur, 92 in the Kara region, 58 around Shamakhi.



4.

The Dashnak battalions that carried out the massacres of Azerbaijanis and had combat experience of the First World War were opposed by only a small group of military men of the Wild Division and the Musavat party volunteers, who had no experience (Azerbaijanis were not subject to conscription during the tsarist period), while the Baku Council was supported by the Caspian navy, which launched a massive shelling of the Muslim quarters of Baku. Musavat entered into negotiations to end the massacre in exchange for giving up the struggle for power in Azerbaijan. After that, the Bolsheviks and Dashnaks gained complete control over Baku.



5.

The massacres of Azerbaijanis gave the Bolsheviks and Dashnaks only a temporary preponderance in the struggle for the region. On April 22, the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic was formed. But the Georgian Democratic Republic proclaimed itself independent on May 26, and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic - on May 28. In the summer, the Baku Council tried to seize Tiflis, but made a mistake, as the Dashnaks staged massive pogroms of Muslim villages. In early July, the Red Army was stopped by local forces and the Caucasian Islamic Army led by Turkish General Nuri Pasha.



As soon as the Bolsheviks began to lose control over the situation, the Dashnaks betrayed them and entered into a coalition with the Central Caspian Dictatorship, which relied on the British military support. On September 15, 1918, Baku was liberated and the Government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic moved there.



"In 1918-1921, all foreign observers agreed that the South Caucasus had only one chance to maintain independence from the Bolsheviks - the creation of a single South Caucasian state. This was well understood in Tiflis and in Baku, but, unfortunately, they did not understand and did not want to understand in Yerevan. Dashnak territorial claims against Azerbaijan and Georgia poisoned the atmosphere throughout the entire period of independence of the Caucasian states. It was the refusal of Yerevan from a constructive approach, first of all, to its own state building that was one of the greatest tragedies of that time in the South Caucasus," famous researcher of the history of the Caucasus Georgy Mamulia told Vestnik Kavkaza.
The board of Insecticides (India) on Tuesday approved a proposal to buyback equity shares worth upto Rs 60 crore.

The company proposes to buyback shares at a maximum price of Rs 575. At the maximum buyback price and the maximum buyback size, the indicative maximum number of equity shares bought back would be 10,43,478, which is 5.05% of the total number of paid-up equity shares of the company.

Further, the number of equity shares to be bought back will not exceed 25% of the total paid up equity capital of the company as at 31 March 2020. The company will utilize at least 50% of the maximum buyback size.

As on 26 March 2021, the promoter & promoter group held 68.89% stake in the company.

Insecticides (India) is engaged in the manufacturing activities of agro chemicals, pesticides and technical products for agriculture purposes.

The company's consolidated net profit declined 30.90% to Rs 6.15 crore on a 13.81% rise in net sales to Rs 299.17 crore in Q3 FY21 over Q3 FY20.

The scrip rose 0.49% to currently trade at Rs 475.75 on the BSE.

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The typical 'activity programming' at many assisted living residences can leave people with dementia on the sidelines

ATLANTA -- Assisted living communities can improve the quality of life for residents with dementia by approaching them as individuals and attempting to include all residents in activities, according to a study led by a Georgia State University gerontology researcher.

The typical "activity programming" at many assisted living residences can leave people with dementia on the sidelines, according to the study, "Meaningful Engagement Among Assisted Living Residents With Dementia: Successful Approaches," published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology.

The study found that the keys to improving quality of life for residents with dementia are getting to know them as individuals, meeting people "where they are," being in the moment with people and viewing all interactions with residents as opportunities to connect.

The study, based on interviews and observational visits conducted in 2019, offers initial findings as part of a five-year project being funded by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.

"COVID-19 highlights the importance of meaningful engagement for everyone, especially for persons living with dementia," said Candace Kemp, a professor at Georgia State University's Gerontology Institute and principle investigator of the study. "Doing things that are enjoyable and being engaged to the extent possible and desirable are significant for quality of life and quality of care."

Researchers conducted interviews and observations involving 33 assisted living residents with varying types of dementia and levels of functional ability. They represent a diversity of gender, age, race and ethnicity and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The researchers found that actively "listening and observing verbal and non-verbal cues were keys to connecting and meeting residents on their own terms." The researchers urged caregivers to try to include all residents in activities and not to assume that people with dementia can't benefit from activities simply because they may not be able to respond in the same way as other residents.

The research has implications in the COVID-19 era, which has limited visits by family and friends at many assisted living facilities and restricted group activities and gathering for meals. A greater focus on meaningful engagement with residents "holds promise for offsetting the negative effects of social distancing for residents and for reducing care partner strain," the researchers wrote.

###

Co-authors include researchers from Georgia State's Gerontology Institute and Emory University.

The ongoing project, "Meaningful Engagement and Quality of Life among Assisted Living Residents with Dementia," includes researchers from Georgia State and Emory University working with residents and their care partners in assisted-living communities and personal-care homes in and around Atlanta.

The project supports the National Alzheimer's Plan to improve care quality and support for persons living with dementia and their care partners.
Flash flooding in Tennessee has claimed a fifth victim after authorities said a man drove his car around barricades and apparently drowned.

The latest death occurred Sunday night in Ashland City, just west of Nashville, when the man in his 60s ignored a sign warning of flooding and went into high water, Cheatham County Emergency Management Director Edwin Hogan told news outlets. The mans name was not immediately released.

Four others died in Nashville and dozens more had to be rescued after the city received more than seven inches of rain, the second-highest two-day rainfall total ever recorded, Mayor John Cooper said at a news conference Sunday.

The deluge flooded homes and left roads impassible. Some were still closed on Monday as the waters began to recede.

The Harpeth River crested 15 feet (about 4.6 meters) above flood stage Sunday night at Kingston Springs and was expected to fall below flood stage by Monday night.

But the National Weather Service warned that up to two inches of rain could fall in parts of Tennessee on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Flood Tennessee
Mr Buhari departed Abuja for London for a routine medical check-up on Tuesday.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says President Muhammadu Buhari's medical trip abroad is a direct indictment of his presidency over its failure to fix the country's healthcare system.

Mr Buhari, on Tuesday, departed Abuja for London for a routine medical check-up.

The president and his aides departed the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at about 2.30 p.m.

He is expected back in Nigeria during the second week of April 2021.

Criticism

In a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said it was worrisome that under Mr Buhari, even the highly-rated State House Clinic had become moribund that it cannot provide medical check-up for the president.

The opposition party said though it had nothing any person, including Mr Buhari seeking medical services, it was worried that "the Buhari presidency is taking no decisive steps to fix our healthcare system, ostensibly because Mr President can afford overseas medical treatment at taxpayers' expense."

It advised the president to think of "millions of Nigerians cannot afford overseas treatment and have become despondent by his failure to take decisive steps to address our national healthcare needs".

Read the full text of the statement:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the routine overseas medical the check-up embarked by President Muhammadu Buhari is a direct indictment of his Presidency over its failure to fix our healthcare system, which has been wrecked by his administration.

It is indeed worrisome that under President Buhari, even the hitherto highly rated State House Clinic, has become so moribund that it cannot provide a simple medical check-up service for Mr. President.

While the PDP has nothing against where any person, including President Buhari, seeks his or her medical services, our party is worried that the Buhari Presidency is taking no decisive steps to fix our healthcare system, ostensibly because Mr. President can afford overseas medical treatment at taxpayers' expense.

The PDP is disturbed that while Mr. President jets out for medical treatment in well-equipped hospitals abroad, our hospitals and medical personnel are in very sorry situations while millions of our compatriots suffer, with many dying on a daily basis from conditions that have simple medical solutions.

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It is indeed heartrending that Nigerians are suffering this huge misfortune of having this highly insensitive, incompetent and corrupt leadership of very selfish individuals who do not care about the welfare of other citizens.

More saddening is that all the institutions, policies and programmes established by the PDP, which hitherto ensured access to affordable healthcare for Nigerians have been wrecked by the Buhari administration.

Our party urges President Buhari to show leadership by reflecting on the fact that millions of Nigerians cannot afford overseas treatment and have become despondent by his failure to take decisive steps to address our national healthcare needs.

President Buhari must know that his duty as President is not only for his personal needs but more importantly for the needs of the generality of Nigerians.

The PDP however calls on Nigerians to remain calm and not resign to despondency as we collectively work to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of misrule.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary
Less than three months before the New York City mayoral primary, the citys progressive left has declined to coalesce behind a single contender. Some of the most influential organizations, like the Working Families Party, havent endorsed yet, and some of the biggest individual players, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, might not endorse at all. But looking at the endorsements that have come so far, three candidates have emerged as progressive favorites: New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, former nonprofit leader Dianne Morales, and former counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Maya Wiley. And movement leaders are putting their faith into ranked-choice voting, hoping the divided support actually becomes an asset.

Supporting multiple candidates, having them all do semi-well, take away votes from the ones you dont want to win I think is an actual strategy, said Linda Sarsour, a Brooklyn-based activist who is influential in the progressive movement. It may seem like its not a strategy, but I actually feel like people are being a lot more strategic than theyre getting credit for.

The progressive movement in New York can be loosely defined as the individuals and organizations that supported Cynthia Nixon over Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the 2018 primary. While labor unions are often allies to this movement, their role and influence in the mayoral race is a different question entirely, driven by different motivations than a typical ideologically driven political organization, like the New York City Democratic Socialists of America or New York Communities for Change.

Members of the movement largely agree that Stringer, Morales and Wiley are most aligned with the group on policies like defunding the police, increasing taxes on the wealthy and forgiving unpaid rent accrued during the coronavirus pandemic. But there are enough policy disagreements among them, as well as different approaches, that choosing who to support, and in what order, is a hot topic of debate.

Our membership were kind of evenly split between who their favorite progressive was, said George Albro, co-chair of the New York Progressive Action Network, or NYPAN, which was born of Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign. And rather than be a divisive choice, we thought wed unify the progressives in the race by doing a dual endorsement, of Morales and Wiley. But one persons unity is anothers division, and Stringer was the one left out. Albro was spooked by recent polling that didnt show Stringer in the commanding position he hoped to be in at this point. But theres also issues of race and gender to consider. Im not into identity politics per se, but weve never had a woman mayor of New York City, and weve gone 28 straight years with a white male mayor, Albro said. Stringer is a white man, while Wiley is a Black woman and Morales is Afro-Latina.

As much as Stringers identity may have been an asset in life, it could be a liability when trying to win progressive support in 2021. Still, it hasnt seemed to hinder him too much  he has many more endorsements than either Morales or Wiley, including from women of color like state Sen. Jessica Ramos and Assembly Member Diana Richardson, who have been outspoken advocates for Stringers campaign.

In politics, discussions of race and gender often become questions of electability. Look no further than President Joe Bidens victory in the historically diverse presidential primary field, where a central argument of his supporters was that he, a traditional white male candidate, had the best chance to beat Donald Trump. But RCV may provide progressive voters a way to support a candidate like Morales, even if they harbor doubts about her viability as a first-time candidate in a crowded field and her low polling. Morales is basically the candidate practical lefties would never choose in a FPTP (first-past-the-post voting, the previous style) election, but with ranked choice, why not?, Steve Fox, an NYC-DSA member who works for Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, recently tweeted. Ill be putting her as my number one and Stringer as my number two. Stringer is who Id vote for in a FPTP primary.

Morales in particular has been earning interest from the socialist corners of the wider progressive movement.

Dianne doesnt identify as a socialist, but a lot of socialists like her, said state Sen. Jabari Brisport, who recently endorsed Morales as his first choice and Stringer as his second. Brisport is an NYC-DSA member, and although the organization isnt planning to get formally involved in the mayoral race, Brisport expects individual members will be inspired to help Morales.

Wiley is getting much less attention from leftists, many of whom see the former cable news legal analyst as a sort of MSNBC liberal, who doesnt actually want radical change. Of course, theres also some skepticism of Stringer. He has an impressive track record of endorsing progressive insurgents and speaking up on the right issues, but some cant help but think the longtime political operator is an opportunist, riding the progressive wave.

Enthusiastic or not, Stringer has far more money in his account than Wiley and Morales, solid name recognition, and enough political experience to last two lifetimes. And some in the progressive movement would rather go all-in on Stringer than put too much faith in RCV.

Scott is the lone progressive in this race with the political strength and resources to mount a successful challenge to Andrew Yang and Eric Adams  corporate candidates who will betray working-class and poor New Yorkers, said Jonathan Westin, executive director of New York Communities for Change in the organizations endorsement announcement. NYCC called on other groups on the left to rally around Stringer and help him stay competitive with Yang and Adams  both of whom the movement views largely with disdain.

Stringer campaign spokesperson Tyrone Stevens insists that consolidation is already on track. Were building the progressive multiracial intergenerational coalition we need to win this race, he said. We have the most progressive support of any candidate for good reason and were proud of it. But many organizations and figures have yet to endorse. The Working Families Party is being closely watched, and an endorsement is said to be coming within the month. Jumaane Williams, another sought-after endorsement, hasnt formally backed a candidate yet, but is expected to. Same goes for his 2018 running mate Cynthia Nixon, and major groups like Make the Road Action. If they all back Stringer, it would be a strong case for consolidation, but if not, then the left will remain split in the mayoral race.

But with RCV throwing even more uncertainty into the mayoral race than usual, Sarsour doesnt think thats necessarily a bad thing.

The left is really being cautious about putting all their eggs in one basket, she said. Because with ranked-choice voting, you dont exactly know how its going to go.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 14:26:29|Editor: huaxia

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VIENTIANE, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China has shared its experiences with Laos on poverty alleviation as construction has begun here for China-aided rural poverty alleviation facilities.

Jiang Zaidong, Chinese ambassador to Laos, introduced the situation of China's poverty alleviation at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday, noting that China has been actively participating in global poverty reduction efforts.

China and Laos, watching and helping each, are a community with a shared future, said the Chinese ambassador, adding that Chinese people hope that the brotherly Lao people will live a good life and China will continue to promote bilateral cooperation in poverty alleviation.

Khemmani Pholsena, Lao minister to the Presidential Office, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government for the selfless assistance and precious support in poverty reduction.

As a close neighbor and a community with a shared future, the Lao side is pleased to see the brotherly Chinese people have achieved a comprehensive victory in the fight against poverty and set an example for the whole world, said the Lao minister, extending sincere admiration to the Chinese side for insisting on putting the people at the center, insisting on starting everything from the interests of the people, and insisting on implementing targeted poverty alleviation.

"China's comprehensive victory in the fight against poverty will not only bring a better life to the Chinese people, but also bring tangible benefits to the people of the world," said Khemmani.

"China's successful experience has provided practical and feasible lessons for all countries in the world, especially developing countries, and I believe that Laos-China cooperation in poverty alleviation will definitely make greater contributions to Laos's sustainable development," said the Lao minister. Enditem
ALGIERS - Algerian authorities have arrested five people on charges of planning "terrorist" acts against pro-democracy protests promoted by the Hirak movement, judicial sources said.

According to a source quoted by official news agency APS, those arrested were planning "terrorist actions" with a car bomb against the Hirak movement in the cities of Tizi Ouzou and Bejaia. They have been charged with "possessing war weapons and explosives to use them for terrorist acts".

Security forces seized several weapons, including a shotgun, a Kalashnikov assault rifle and munitions, as well as electronic devices and two cars. The suspects aged between 36 and 51 and from the provinces of Bouira and Tizi Ouzou, appeared before a court in Azazga, near Tizi Ouzou. One was held in custody while the other four were released under judicial control.
press release

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Jagutpal, yesterday, announced, at the National Assembly, that the Next Generation Sequencing Equipment, acquired at a cost of Rs 6.5 million, is expected to be operational by mid-April 2021.

The equipment, said Dr Jagutpal, has been delivered on 24 March 2021. It is presently being installed and will, thereafter, be commissioned. He added that 14 out of 15 reagents and consumables have been acquired and the remaining one is expected to reach Mauritius early next week. Online training will be given to the staff of the Molecular Biology Department on the use of the equipment, he stated.

The Minister affirmed that previously, there was no equipment to carry out the sequencing tests in Mauritius and consequently, samples were sent to the Francis Crick Institute in United Kingdom (UK) and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa. He recalled that the results obtained for incoming passengers from October 2020 to December 2020, and January 2021 to 5 March 2021 showed that 5 of the cases were South African variants and 2 were UK variants.

According to Dr Jagutpal, results for tests carried out from 5 March 2021 onwards did not show any variant of concern that is UK, South Africa, Brazil or Japan.
MBABANE  With the current regulations put forth by government, where events are concerned, fun lovers will have to wait even more for any Mega Sound events.

It is not an arguable fact in the kingdom that the latter has over the years been synonymous with hosting big events in the country. With this, thousands of emaSwati attend their events whether indoor or outdoor in their numbers. When speaking to the Co-founder of Mega Sound Samkelo Zulu D Zulu, he said with the current restrictions government imposed, his events company would not be hosting any events unless the restrictions are eased to accommodate the numbers they attract during their shows. He was asked this question as many emaSwati have since expressed their anticipation for the big events to take place once more such as the Luju Festival, Bushfire Festival, Mega Sound Picnic, and the Gospel Crossover shows among others.

prevailing

Although this may not be possible with the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic for now, throngs of emaSwati have since declared they want to go back to groove all over social media.

Explaining the reasoning behind not hosting the shows currently, Zulu said there were two types of events they hosted. In a nightclub setting, he said they attracted quite a number of people which would then mean they would breach the current number of people allowed per venue which is 100. In a club event, we normally attract 200 to 500 people and if its a festival, we get around 500 to 5 000 people so both conditions would not work given the current regulations in place, he said.

Zulu D went on to say another big hurdle they faced currently with hosting shows was that it was near impossible to host a show (unless it is a gospel show) without selling alcohol. He mentioned that most of the money was made through alcohol sales more than from gate takings. He likened the current situation to a car with three wheels yet it needed four to be in motion and go forward.
In this file photo dated Monday, March 22, 2021, vials of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in a fridge at the local vaccine center in Ebersberg near Munich, Germany. German officials have decided to limit the use of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine in people under 60 after more unusual blood clots were reported in a small number of people who received the shots. Earlier this month, more than a dozen countries, including Germany, suspended their use of AstraZeneca over the blood clot issue. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

German officials have decided to limit the use of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine in people under 60 after more unusual blood clots were reported in a small number of people who received the shots.

In response, Europe's drug regulator reiterated Wednesday that "there is no evidence that would support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population," though an expert said more brain clots were being reported than would be expected, and it continues to investigate.

Earlier in March, more than a dozen countries, including Germany, suspended their use of AstraZeneca over the blood clot issue. Most restartedsome with the kinds of restrictions Germany imposed Tuesdayafter the European Medicines Agency said the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks of not inoculating people against COVID-19.

But the seesawing back and forth in some countries on who can take the vaccine has raised concerns that its credibility could be permanently damaged. Here's a look at what we knowand what we don't.

WHAT HAPPENED IN GERMANY?

Earlier this week, Germany's medical regulator released new data showing a rise in reported cases of unusual kinds of blood clots in people who recently got a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In response, Health Minister Jens Spahn and state officials agreed to only give the vaccine to people aged 60 or older, unless they are at high risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19 and have agreed to take the shot.

"It's about weighing the risk of a side effect that is statistically small, but needs to be taken seriously, and the risk of falling ill with corona," Spahn said.

Germany's medical regulator said its tally of the rare blood clots reported by March 29 had increased to 31. Some 2.7 million doses of AstraZeneca have been administered in Germany so far. Nine of the people died and all but two of the cases involved women, who were aged 20 to 63, the Paul Ehrlich Institute said.

Some clots have also been reported elsewhere, among the tens of millions of people who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine.

___

WHAT HAVE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS FOUND?

The EMA's initial investigation concluded the AstraZeneca shot did not raise the overall risk of blood clots but could not rule out a link to rare clots and recommended a new warning be added to the vaccine's leaflet. The shot is authorized for people 18 and over.

The EMA is continuing to look closely at two rare types of blood clots, including one that affects the brain, reported in people who got at least one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and could update its recommendations for the vaccine next week.

On Wednesday, Dr. Peter Arlett of the EMA said that the agency is seeing "more cases of (brain clots) than we would expect to see," and noted that more younger women have been affectedbut it wasn't clear if that was significant since younger women were also more likely to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in Europe. He did not say how many of these kinds of clots would typically show up in the general population.

Emer Cooke, the agency's executive director, said its experts had not been able to identify specific risk factors for those who might be at higher risk for the rare clots.

In this Monday, March 22, 2021 file photo, a member of the the medical staff prepares a syringe with the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, during preparations at the vaccine center in Ebersberg near Munich, Germany. German officials have decided to limit the use of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine in people under 60 after more unusual blood clots were reported in a small number of people who received the shots. Earlier this month, more than a dozen countries, including Germany, suspended their use of AstraZeneca over the blood clot issue. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, FIle)

The World Health Organization's expert committee also evaluated available data for the AstraZeneca vaccine and said the shot was safe and effective. On Wednesday, Dr. Kate O'Brien, who heads WHO's vaccines department, said they were continuing to review the situation.

It's normal to continue to look for side effects as new vaccines are rolled out since they are typically tested in tens of thousands of people, but some rare problems might only occur once millions receive the shot.

___

HOW CAN SCIENTISTS FIGURE OUT IF THE VACCINE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RARE BLOOD CLOTS?

"The way to tell if cases are caused by vaccination is to look to see if there is an excess of cases in people who have been vaccinated," said Dr. Peter English, past chair of the British Medical Association's Public Health Medicine Committee.

That will take some time. It took about a year, for instance, before scientists were able to conclude that a swine flu vaccine was responsible for some cases of narcolepsy in Europe.

Adam Finn, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Bristol, said there was no compelling evidence yet that the vaccine is to blame for the rare clots.

"The mechanism by which these blood clotting abnormalities come about, and why they affect this very small proportion of individuals, has still not been properly worked out," he said in a statement.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said it was analyzing the tens of millions of records for people who received its vaccine "to understand whether these very rare cases of blood clots ... occur any more commonly than would be expected naturally population of millions of people."

___

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS?

It's bad news. Health officials worry the repeated suspensions and restrictions for the AstraZeneca vaccine could undermine confidence in a shot that is key to global efforts to stamp out the pandemic since it's cheaper and easier to store than some others.

In Norway, which recently extended its suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine for three weeks, officials say the confusion is prompting a wave of vaccine hesitancy.

The leader of the Norwegian Association for General Practice, Marte Kvittum Tangen, told broadcaster NRK that resuming the vaccination with AstraZeneca "will be very difficult if we want the greatest possible vaccination coverage in the population in the long run."

Finn, of the University of Bristol, said the biggest health threat to the world is currently COVID-19 and that any doubts about the effectiveness of authorized coronavirus vaccines is problematic.

"We need to stay focused on the need to prevent (COVID-19) taking millions more human lives before it is brought under control, and the only effective way to do that is through vaccination," he said.

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.
One hundred and forty-seven out of 156 countries. That's where Japan stands in terms of women's political empowerment. The dismal ranking immediately prompted lawmakers across party lines to call for numerical targets to boost female representation in politics.

"We need to accelerate our efforts even further," Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Wednesday. "We hope to bolster women's empowerment with the cooperation of each party."

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's policy research chief, Hakubun Shimomura, also urged action. The party should pledge in the next general election to increase the share of women among electoral candidates to 30% by 2030, Shimomura said.

Japan came in 147th in women's political empowerment -- nine spots behind 138th Saudi Arabia -- in the World Economic Forum's latest Global Gender Gap report, which was published Tuesday. Japan was 120th in the overall rankings, far behind any other Group of Seven country.

Currently, women make up about 10% of LDP lawmakers in parliament. Boosting the numbers may prove challenging as some in the LDP leadership believe supporting incumbents give the party the best chance to hold its seats and are resistant to change.

"It'll be difficult to get more women in office unless we institutionalize some sort of target," Shimomura said.

"Half our voters are women, but there are few women in parliament," former Defense Minister Tomomi Inada told Nikkei. "We're not representing our people, and that's a problem for democracy."

"I feel partly responsible for the situation, and I will work to increase the proportion of women in parliament," said Yuzuru Takeuchi, policy research chief for LDP coalition partner Komeito.

Opposition lawmakers called for more binding targets. "I will propose something like a quota of female lawmakers for each party," said Kiyomi Tsujimoto, deputy leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party.

"This is the responsibility of Japan's government and political parties," said the Japanese Communist Party's Akira Koike. "I hope for a sincere efforts to increase the proportion of women in policymaking."

Some are reaching across party lines to rectify the situation. A nonpartisan coalition of lawmakers dedicated to greater female political participation will consider new legislation to help increase women in office, such as by requiring each party to target a certain number of female candidates in national elections.
WILLOWBROOK, Ill., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Based in Willowbrook, Illinois, Russell Health, a national marketer and distributor of specialty medical products and services, was recently announced as one of The Silicon Review's "50 Leading Companies of the Year 2021." The feature strategically places the Russell Health brand alongside other tech innovators in industries including marketing, finance, software, sustainability, leadership and health. Russell Health's Profile features a Q&A with the leading tech publication covering the history of the Russell Health brand, services offered, anticipated trends in Stem Cell Recruitment Therapy, continued product category research, and more. Read the full feature here.

Russell Health - Stem Cell Recruitment Therapy

About Russell Health: Russell Health and its partners have distributed regenerative therapy products nationwide and achieved profound clinical outcomes in multiple therapeutic areas including cosmetics, wound care, pain management, podiatry, orthopedic, optometry and gynecology.

With their partners and suppliers, they work to provide innovative life-changing and sustaining products and therapies to patients and healthcare providers around the world.

Stem Cell Recruitment Therapy products take advantage of the body's ability to repair itself. Responsibly sourced acellular tissue allografts are helping people of all ages to recover from injuries and get their life back.

Quote about the current landscape and anticipated trends in Stem Cell Recruitment Therapy:

"We do not distribute 'Stem Cells' or 'Stem Cell Procedures'. All our products are acellular and do not contain live stem cells. By using a combination of growth factors and other endogenously synthesized molecules, Stem Cell Recruitment Therapy products help to assist the body with repair, reconstruction and supplementation of the recipient's tissue, as mentioned above. During the pandemic, we have seen a lot of patients and physicians searching for alternative treatments like ours that are safe and effective without posing any additional risks of infection while providing the clinic." (Ryan Salvino, CEO of Russell Health)

Quote about Russell Health's involvement in Stem Cell Recruitment Therapy research:

"We are currently working with some of the top leaders in the regenerative medicine field to continue to grow and provide new innovative products to our customers and their patients. We are always looking for new breakthrough products in the market to stay abreast on the new technologies and innovations in the field. We are consistently documenting patient results to provide clinicians with testimonials on how effective the Stem Cell Recruitment Therapy products are and how they are positively affecting patients' lives." (Jonathan Benstent, Vice President of Russell Health)

Visit Russell Health online to learn more about Stem Cell Recruitment Therapy. For media inquiries or to contact the Russell Health team directly, please visit www.russellhealth.com or email [email protected].

Contact: Veronica Bennett

Phone: 844-249-6200

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address: 621 Plainfield Rd., Willowbrook, IL 60527

Online: www.russellhealth.com

Social Media: www.linkedin.com/company/russell-health/

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New York, March 31, 2021 (SPS) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to speed up the appointment of a personal envoy to Western Sahara, underscoring United state support to a political negotiations between the two parties (Morocco and Frente POLISARIO), sponsored by the UN.

Mr Blinken held a virtual meeting with the UN SG on Monday to "discuss US priorities at the United Nations," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said. Both parties focused on "ways in which they can work together to address regional and global challenges and strengthen the founding principles and values of the UN and the multilateral system, including the protection of human rights and dignity. of every individual, regardless of their citizenship, ethnicity, religion, gender or race, "said Price.

On this occasion, adds the spokesperson, "Secretary Blinken underlined the United States' support for political negotiations" with a view to resolving the conflict in Western Sahara and "urged the secretary general to speed up the appointment of personnel envoy to Western Sahara ".SPS

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A total of 638,291 eligible people have taken their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has said.

In its latest update, the NPHCDA said more people had continued to receive the vaccine jabs across all states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), except in Kogi State where authorities had yet to commence vaccination.

Channels TV reported that the latest figure indicates that 124,665 more eligible people took the vaccine jabs in the last two days, following the 513,626 total figure that was reported on Sunday.

It also shows an increase of 6.2 per cent of the proportion vaccinated, compared with the 25.5 per cent earlier reported.

A further breakdown of the figure reveals that Lagos has the highest number of eligible people who have taken the vaccine jabs with a total of 122,714.

The state, which is described as the epicentre of the pandemic in Nigeria, maintains its status as the only state to have surpassed the 100,000 mark.

Coming after Lagos as states with the highest number of people that have received the vaccine are Ogun, Kaduna, and Katsina States where 50,052; 43,601; and 36,075 eligible people have been vaccinated, respectively.

Other states are Bauchi - 33,157; Kwara - 28,681; Kano - 27,980; Ondo - 25,035; Jigawa - 23,424; FCT - 21,005; Osun - 18,160; Edo - 17,627; Yobe - 16,681; Ekiti - 15,291; and Adamawa - 15,156.

According to the NPHCDA, the figures were compiled from the system dashboard of the Electronic Management of Immunisation Data (EMID).

This comes four weeks after Nigeria received its first shipment of 3,924,000 doses of the vaccines from India.

The country commenced the vaccination exercise with the vaccination of four frontline healthcare workers in Abuja on March 5 - three days after the vaccines arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the nation's capital.
Rome has ordered the expulsion of two Russian officials over an escalating espionage case that Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio called an "extremely serious incident" between the NATO member state and Russia.

The Kremlin has responded by saying it hopes ties with Italy can be preserved despite the dispute.

Italian police announced earlier on March 31 that they had detained an Italian Navy captain together with a Russian military official on suspicion of spying.

The Italian Foreign Ministry later said it had summoned Russian Ambassador Sergei Razov over the case.

DiMaio then said via Facebook that he had protested to the Russian ambassador and informed him of the "immediate expulsion of two Russian officials involved in this extremely serious incident."

Relations between Russia and NATO member states have been hit by a number of spy scandals in recent years amid heightened tensions between Moscow and the West.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said London stands in solidarity with Italy and its actions today, exposing and taking action against Russias malign and destabilising activity that is designed to undermine our NATO ally.

Russias embassy in Rome initially confirmed that an employee of its military attaches office had been detained and that details of the case are being clarified.

"Carabinieri intervened during a clandestine meeting between the two, caught immediately after the transfer of a document by the Italian officer in exchange for a sum of money," the police force said in a statement earlier in the day.

Reuters later quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin's office as saying it hoped ties with Italy would remain constructive and positive despite the case.

The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the detained Russian official, who had been working at the Russian Embassy, was ordered expelled along with a superior.

The paper noted that the Italian frigate captain would have possessed not only Italian files but also "top secret NATO documents," thus putting at risk not only Italian security but also that of other countries.

Police said the meeting between the Italian frigate captain and the Russian official took place late the previous day.

Both are suspected of "serious crimes tied to spying and state security," according to the police statement.

It initially said the Italian officer was taken into custody, while "the position of the foreign national is still under consideration in relation to his diplomatic status."

Last week, Bulgaria expelled two Russian diplomats for carrying out activities incompatible with their diplomatic status, after authorities in the NATO member state busted an espionage group passing military secrets to Russia.

Moscow called the Bulgarian move groundless.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, Corriere della Sera, and Interfax
Recovering from a slow start distributing COVID-19 vaccines, the state may soon be finished with its initial rollout phase, Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday.

Wolfs news conference at a mass-vaccination site in Dauphin County came as the state crossed 5 million total doses distributed, as new mass-vaccination sites and dates were announced in the Lehigh Valley, and at a time when the governor promised everyone in Phase 1A should be able to at least schedule an appointment.

It also came a few days before some statewide restrictions are scheduled to ease on April 4, and as new coronavirus cases show another rise, with another 5,032 cases and 34 deaths reported Tuesday.

Your Pa. coronavirus updates for March 30, 2021.

(Cant see the map? Click here.)

COVID vaccines in Pa.

Providers across the state have distributed 5,043,676 doses as of Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported.

Approximately 16% of Pennsylvanias population has been fully vaccinated, keeping pace with the national rate reported by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At his news conference Tuesday, Wolf said the program to vaccinate educators with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is about two weeks ahead of schedule and should wrap in the next couple of days.

He also said the state is about 75% of the way through Phase 1A, the opening phase of the vaccine rollout that focuses on medical workers, seniors and anyone with a high-risk health condition. That phase covers between 4 million and 5 million Pennsylvanians, the health department has estimated, though many will require two doses to be fully vaccinated.

Two weeks ago, the Wolf administration promised that by months end everyone in that phase should be able to at least schedule a vaccine appointment, and get their first shot within about a week.

I think were on schedule to do that, Wolf said, adding well do a better job as vaccine supply rises further to meet already high demand.

Health officials have said they will review vaccine eligibility at months end and decide when to enter the next phases of vaccination, which focus on more essential workers. The federal government wants all adults to be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by May 1.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

COVID vaccines in the Lehigh Valley

Lehigh and Northampton counties are slightly ahead of the state, each with between 16% and 18% of their populations fully vaccinated, according to state data. Mass-vaccination sites are part of that effort.

Lehigh Valley Health Network announced Tuesday that it will kick off April with two more drive-up clinics in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos: April 7 at Pocono Raceway and April 10 at Dorney Park. Both run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will provide shots for 3,000 to 4,000 people.

LVHN is also moving clinics from its Cedar Crest and Muhlenberg hospital campuses to larger locations. The Lehigh County clinic will relocate to the former AC Moore store at 2633 MacArthur Blvd. in Whitehall Township. The Northampton County one will be at the former Sears location in the Northampton Crossings shopping center, 3768 Easton Nazareth Highway, Palmer Township.

All clinics will take patients by appointment only. Call 833-584-6283 or use the MyLVHN online portal.

COVID in Pa.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported 5,032 new cases of COVID-19 and 34 more deaths. That puts the statewide total at 1.02 million cases and 25,049 deaths since the pandemic began.

Case counts are on the rise again. As of Tuesday, Pennsylvania was averaging 4,050 cases a day over the last week, the first time the seven-day average topped 4,000 since Feb. 4.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

A year ago, the state was seeing 492 cases a day, on its way toward the first peak in mid-April.

Hospitalizations are also showing a rise but the rate of reported deaths has so far remained fairly steady for about a week.

In the Lehigh Valley, 450 new cases and two more deaths between Lehigh and Northampton counties put the region at 64,227 total cases and 1,482 dead.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
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The Nigerian Army has said it complies strictly with the federal character principles in its recruitments.

The army stated this on Wednesday in a statement by its spokesperson, Mohammed Yerima, a brigadier general.

The statement was in reaction to a publication by an online newspaper which alleged that the north was always favoured against the south during recruitments.

Mr Yerima said all the 36 states were given the same number of slots except for states whose candidates did not meet the requirements.

He however explained that in such cases, the slots are given to other states from the same zone.

Read the full statement below:

RE- NORTH DOMINATES NIGERIAN ARMY RECRUITMENT

The attention of the Directorate of Army Public Relations has been drawn to an ill-informed publication of the referenced story on 29 March, 2021 by an online newspaper, Global Sentinel via its weblink

The publication alleged that the list of successful candidates for Short Service Commission 47 Selection Board which was published on 26 Mar 21 was dominated by the North while the South East had the fewest candidates. It is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Army strictly complies with the Federal Character policy.

Accordingly, an equal number of 8 candidates were selected from each state of the federation except in rare instances where a state did not have the required number of eligible candidates to fill its 8 vacancies. In such instance, the vacancy will be filled by a contiguous state from the same Geopolitical Zone.

Following this number allocated per state, the South East which is made up of 5 States was entitled to 40 candidates. However, 2 extra vacancies were allocated to the geopolitical zone thereby making a total 42 candidates instead of 40. North Central for instance has 7 states (FCT inclusive). Taking 8 candidates from each state in geopolitical zone gives a total of 56 in addition to 2 extra vacancies as was also allocated to the South East gave the total of 58 candidates.

It is therefore quite uncharitable and blatantly divisive for any media organisation to whip up sentiments from such a straight forward exercise conducted by the Nigerian Army in the best interest of the Nation. The General public including media practitioners are encouraged to always seek clarification from Army Headquarters whenever in doubt on any issue rather than rushing to publish reports that would be defamatory to the image of the Nigerian Army and injurious to Nigerias unity.

Thank you.

Mohammed Yerima

Brigadier General

Director Army Public Relations

31 March, 2021
NASA's Ingenuity helicopter is moving closer to its maiden voyage on Mars, after it lowered all four legs, putting it in a position to touch down on the Martian surface.

The 4-pound (1.8-kilogram) rotorcraft arrived on Mars attached to the belly of Perseverance, which touched down on the Red Planet on February 18.

NASA said this was a 'step by step' process, with the full deployment of the helicopter from Perseverance expected to take about six days to complete.

The NASA team will gradually release the craft in several steps to get it safely on to the surface, now that a suitable test flight location has been found.

The agency says that now all four legs are down, Perseverance will be able to begin the process of 'cutting it free' and placing it on Martian soil.

When fully released on the designated 'helipad', the first on another planet, work will begin to prepare the craft to take off - expected to be some point after April 8.

In a nod to the historic 'Wright Brothers' first powered flight on Earth, Ingenuity carries a small piece of that first aircraft from 1903, known as the 'Flyer'.

Scroll down for video

The agency says that now all four legs are down, Perseverance will be able to begin the process of 'cutting it free' and placing it on Martian soil.

Adding in another tweet: 'Were in the home stretch. The #MarsHelicopter has lowered all four legs and is in position to touch down on the Martian surface. Once its fully ready, @NASAPersevere will release it gently to the surface

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter preps for its 'Wright brothers moment' NASA is set to fly where no one has flown before  Mars' atmosphere. Named Ingenuity, the craft will fly at an altitude that is similar to 100,000 feet on Earth, allowing it to gather geology data in areas the rover can't reach. NASA is comparing this mission 'to the Wright brothers moment,' as it will be the first time in history an aerial vehicle has flown on another world. It will first spend up to 60 days charging strapped to the Perseverance rover, before being released. If it survives the hard -90C Martian night, NASA will make the first flight attempt within 30 days. 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. 'Since the Wright brothers first took to the skies of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, December 17, 1903, first flights have been important milestones in the life of any vehicle designed for air travel,' NASA said in a statement Advertisement

NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab is responsible for the small rotocraft, as well as large parts of the wider Perseverance mission.

They said on twitter: 'Swing low, sweet helicopter... @NASAPersevere is slowly and carefully deploying the #MarsHelicopter, Ingenuity.'

Adding in another tweet: 'Were in the home stretch. The #MarsHelicopter has lowered all four legs and is in position to touch down on the Martian surface. Once its fully ready, @NASAPersevere will release it gently to the surface.'

Before Ingenuity takes its first flight on Mars, it must be squarely in the middle of its 'airfield'  a 33-by-33-foot patch of flat Martian land, which it's currently making its way towards.

'Aptly named, Ingenuity aims to be the first powered flight on another world,' said Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters.

'If successful, [it] could further expand our horizons and broaden the scope of what is possible with Mars exploration.'

Once the helicopter and rover teams confirm that Perseverance is situated exactly where they want it to be inside the airfield, the process to deploy the helicopter on the Martian surface 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 [a Martian day] or more until we have a better idea what is going on.'

The helicopter deployment process will take about six sols  which equates to 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. The rotorcraft will also extend two of its four landing legs.

Swing low, sweet helicopter...@NASAPersevere is slowly and carefully deploying the #MarsHelicopter, Ingenuity. The tech demo is currently unfolding from its stowed position and readying to safely touch down on the Martian surface. See upcoming milestones: https://t.co/TNCdXWcKWE pic.twitter.com/3AyaiHOH2k  NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) March 30, 2021

During the third sol, a small electric motor will finish rotating Ingenuity until it latches, bringing the helicopter completely vertical, and on 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 unfolds into its flight configuration.

An illustration of NASAs Ingenuity Helicopter on Mars. The space agency confirmed that the 30 days 'test flight window' for the rotorcraft will begin 'no earlier than the first week of April'

A handout photo made available by NASA shows an image of NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter attached to NASA's Perseverance Mars rover. This image was acquired using the SHERLOC WATSON camera, located on the turret at the end of the rover's robotic arm, on Sol 37, the twentieth Martian day of the mission, March 28, 2021. Having landed on Mars on February 18, Perseverance's main mission on Mars is astrobiology and the search for signs of ancient microbial life

In its final position, the helicopter will hang suspended at about five inches (13 cm) 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 make use of Perseverance as a power source and charge Ingenuitys six battery cells.

Once deployed, Ingenuity will have 30 Martian days, known as sols, (31 Earth days) to conduct its initial test flight.

This image shows where NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter team will attempt its test flights. Helicopter engineers added the locations for the rover landing site, the airfield (the area where the helicopter will take off and return), and the flight zone (the area within which it will fly) on an image taken by the High Resolution Imaging Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which reached Mars in 2006

'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.'

The exact timing of the first flight will remain fluid as engineers work out details on the timeline for deployments.

The first test will see the helicopter take off a few feet from the ground, hover in the air for about 20 to 30 seconds and then land  a major milestone according to Nasa as it will be the first powered flight in the thin atmosphere of Mars.

The Perseverance rover has been on Mars for more than a month, collecting data and finding a location to deploy the Ingenuity helicopter

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

NASA said: '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.'

Flying in a controlled manner on Mars will be far more difficult than flying on Earth, as the Red Planet has about one-third the gravity of Earth's.

Mars' atmosphere is also just 1 per cent 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.

Nighttime temperatures can drop as low as minus 130F (-90C), which can freeze and crack unprotected electrical components.

To survive the frigid Martian nights, it will need enough energy, generated by its solar powers, to power internal heaters.

Perseverance hosts Ingenuitys base station, enabling communication with mission controllers on Earth.

Diagram showing the different components of Ingenuity. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was built by JPL, which also manages the technology demonstration for NASA Headquarters

The main mission of Perseverance, or 'big friend', as NASA calls it, is astrobiology and searching for signs of ancient microbial life on the Martian surface.

It's continuously sharing new images of the Red Planet, including the rock-strewn landscape that mission command used to find a take-off location for Ingenuity.

Its primary goal is to look for 'biosignatures'  signs of past or present microbial life  as well as gathering rock samples.

The rover will drill into the dusty surface and gather material into titanium, germ free tubes in the vehicle's belly.

NASA aims to gather at least 20 samples with a variety of material that can be brought back to Earth for further analysis.

However, Perseverance is not bringing the samples back to Earth  when the rover reaches a suitable location, the tubes will dropped on the surface of Mars to be collected by a future retrieval mission, which is currently being developed.

A multi-billion dollar project to bring back a piece of Mars to Earth will involve three separate launches and would only be successful as soon as 2031

Currently, NASA and ESA plan to launch two more spacecraft that would leave Earth in 2026 and reach Mars in 2028.

The first will deploy a small rover, which will make its way to Perseverance, pick up the filled sampling tubes and transfer them to a 'Mars ascent vehicle'  a small rocket.

This rocket will blast off  in the process becoming the first object launched from the surface of Mars  and place the container into Martian orbit, meaning it will essentially be floating in space.

At this point, the third and final spacecraft involved in the tricky operation will manoeuvre itself next to the sample container, pick it up and fly it back to Earth.

Providing its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere is successful, it will plummet to the ground at a military training ground in Utah in 2031, meaning the Martian samples won't be studied for another 10 years.
"When it comes to work, Gen. Z wants to make a difference in this world. They arent motivated by power, money or even flexible work hours. We want a job that makes a difference in this world. ~ Jazmyn Gray, Editor of Brooklyn Chatter

The online news portal, Brooklyn Chatter, has released a new survey that suggests Generation Z doesnt want to work remotely once the pandemic ends, preferring instead to split their time between an office and remote location. And in a more shocking discovery, only 2 percent say they want to continue working remotely full-time after the pandemic ends.

The online survey was conducted by the New York PR agency, MACIAS PR, from March 18 to 29th, and involved 2,240 Americans, ages 18 to 24. Survey participants answered online questions spread across partnered news sites and popular Gen. Z member groups, including Her Campus, Gals in Journalism and the Young Journalist Community.

The survey found more than half - 52 percent - say they want to split their work time between the office and home. Roughly 27 percent of Gen. Z participants say they want to spend all 40-hours at the office.

When it comes to where the younger generation wants to live, dont look for them in the suburbs. An overwhelming 65 percent of those surveyed say they want to live and work in a big city like New York, Boston, or LA over the next 2-3 years. Only 10 percent said they want to leave the grid and move to a small town; 12 percent said they would like to move back home. Another 12 percent say they see themselves living in another country.

Brooklyn Chatter creates content for Gen. Z on topics ranging from relationships, dating, fashion and real estate.

The editor, Jazmyn Gray, said they wanted to get a closer look at how this generation views work, wealth, social media, and life outside of work.

Brooklyn Chatter is created with the Gen. Z voice in mind, and we wanted to get inside that mind, said Gray. Our survey found when it comes to work, Gen. Z wants to make a difference in this world. They arent motivated by power, money or even flexible work hours. Were idealists. We want a job that makes a difference in this world.

The survey found 62 percent of participants want a job that allows them to make a difference in the world; 15 percent said they are motivated by money, while 15 percent say they want a job that gives them flexible work hours.

Mark Macias, founder of MACIAS PR and survey pollster, said the research gives us a deeper look at how the younger generation is shaping the future of work.

Most behavioral scientists and pollsters are focusing their research on Millennials, said Macias. And for good reason, Millennials are the largest consumer market. But Gen. Z is going to disrupt the consumer market and workforce in a much more powerful way. Every business will have to learn how to sell to them. And theyre a trickier group to influence, especially since theyre going to become the most educated group in history.

How Gen. Z Views Wealth, Work, Social Media in a Post-Pandemic World

When it comes to wealth, 47 percent of survey participants believe the current system prevents their generation from achieving wealth; 27 percent believe that if a person works hard, he/she can achieve anything; 25 percent want to replace capitalism.

Instagram continues to be the most popular social media platform (60 percent) among Generation Z, followed by Tik Tok (22.5 percent), Twitter (10 percent) Reddit (5 percent). No participants said Facebook was their first choice for social media.

This social media trend reinforces how Generation Z is disrupting the way brands reach consumers, said Macias. Consumers are more fragmented today - and this behavioral trend is only going to become more pronounced as Gen Z gets older. The good news - we have 5 years to figure out this generation before they overtake Millennials with consumer market share. Of course, knowing Gen. Z, theyll probably figure out a way to make it happen sooner with a new innovation.

ABOUT MACIAS PR

MACIAS PR is a boutique public relations agency located in New York City. The PR firm focuses on tech, consumer and healthcare industries. The PR agency also conducts consumer surveys and scientific political polls that have margins of errors as small as +/-3 percent.

ABOUT BROOKLYN CHATTER

Brooklyn Chatter is your urban guidebook to the City lifestyle. Its sophisticated content for social climbers. It includes original news articles, honest confessions and advice columns from real New Yorkers. The forward-thinking content is relatable to everyone, regardless of where they live. Anyone interested in sharing a story with Brooklyn Chatter can click here.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Immigration and Border Protection Services are hereby informing the public that we are working closely with the Prosecutors office to curb the act of submitting fraudulent documents with the intent to obtain residency permits.

Recently, an incident occurred whereby the spouse of an applicant requesting a residence permit submitted forged documents on behalf of her employer.

Article 24 of the National Ordinance of Admittance and Expulsions (LTU) states that anyone who deliberately provides incorrect (false/falsified) information for himself or for another person to obtain certain conditions attached thereto or to prevent the withdrawal of the authorization for admission will be punished with imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine of no more than one thousand guilders.

Based on this act the residence permit request was denied, as the applicant did not meet the legal requirements for him to obtain his residence permit. Consequently, the residence permit of the applicants spouse was revoked.

Article 14 sub f of the LTU states that the permit for a residence (temporary) permit can be withdrawn by or on behalf of the Minister by reasonable decision if the person concerned does not meet one of more of the conditions attached to his/her residence permit.

IBP wishes to inform the public of their zero tolerance for the submission of fraudulent documents, which is a violation and a criminal act based on Article 2: 184 of Criminal Law. Anyone who falsely prepares or falsifies a document intended to be evidenced of any fact, with a view to using it as genuine and unadulterated or for having it used by others, is guilty of forgery, punishable by imprisonment not exceeding six years or a fine of the fifth category.

It is with this notice that all applicants are hereby forewarned and should ensure that all documents are genuine, valid, and in accordance with the legal requirements.

Pursuant to Article 9 section 1 sub (a) of the LTU, the Immigration Department has to maintain public order and ensure that the safety and security of all residents is legally maintained.

The IBP Department would also like to inform the public that all migration regulations are being strictly enforced according to the law.
The developer of the Borei Keila buildings and owner of influential Phanimex company, Suy Sophan, died of liver cancer on Monday, according to information from a Hun Sen relative.

Hun Sinath, the prime minister's sister, posted on Facebook that Suy Sophan, 65, passed away on March 29 due to liver cancer. Suy Sophan was the owner of Phanimex which has been embroiled in land disputes over the last decade.

Human rights activists and community representatives said the future owner of Phanimex needs to resolve land disputes involving the company.

Am Sam Ath, the deputy director for monitoring at rights group Licadho, said according to Buddhist practices, parties in conflict should stop having hostility towards each other after one of the parties dies. He added that outstanding disputes must be resolved.

If the Phanimex company still has problems with the people over unresolved land disputes somewhere, the [new owner] must work to handle those issues, he said.

On January 3, 2012, Suy Sophan's Phanimex company and the Phnom Penh Municipal authority deployed security forces and company guards to clear the houses of about 400 families in Phnom Penhs Borei Keila area.

Some Borei Keila residents were transported by the municipal authorities to Tuol Sambo and Phnom Bat areas in Kandal province, about 40 kilometers away from Phnom Penh. Those who remained at the site received 4-by-5-meter plots of land in compensation.

Residents continued to protest against the forced eviction, especially after the company reneged on promises to build apartments to house anyone who was displaced, claiming bankruptcy.

Khieu Lay, 46, a former Borei Keila resident, but now lives in Phnom Bat in Kandal province, said around 30 families have yet to receive any compensation.

Its not totally clear, and were regretful that she died. Why do we regret it? We havent received land titles yet and 30 other families havent received homes, she said.

The former land activist said people living in Phnom Bat are facing financial issues and do not have land for farming or to do business. She wanted the new owner to offer people further compensation to maintain their livelihood.

Relatives of Suy Sophan could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Men Sam An, the minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection, posted messages and photos on her Facebook account on Tuesday, showing the minister attending Suy Sophans funeral ceremony.

Sar Sorn, 62, lives in one of the eight buildings at the Borei Keila site but said she should get more compensation.


By Kim Joon-hyung





Currently, South Korea is not a participating country of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, aka Quad. But with the U.S.-China strategic competition intensifying, an increasing number of people in media and academia are discussing the need for the Korean government to join it as South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam are being mentioned as potential members for the "Quad-Plus."



The recent visit of the U.S. secretary of state and secretary of defense to Korea and Japan also sparked related controversy. However, such view is hasty, and not serving our national interests at all.



I would like to elaborate on why it is not desirable not only to join the Quad, but also to bring the issue up for discussion. The Quad does not have a substance yet, and it is unclear how it will develop in the coming years. It is true that the U.S. is likely to come out most actively, and that it will try to make use of the Quad to keep China in check if possible.



The Biden administration's foreign policy can be encapsulated as an array of strategies designed to secure a position of strength for the U.S. The Quad can be defined as an instrument to materialize it.



However, this approach is bound to be time-consuming as it is necessary to seek the consent of the allied nations and to justify the cause. And it seems quite absurd to discuss South Korea's participation in the Quad at a time when Secretary of State Antony Blinken himself calls the Quad an unofficial four-way dialogue consultative body.



Secondly, the strategic interests of each participating country do not necessarily coincide. This is why "soft" security issues such as the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and core technologies were at the heart of discussions at recently held ministerial and summit talks. Japan is taking a relatively active stance, and is willing to deepen the U.S.-Japan alliance through this, as doing so would also serve the Japanese government's political interests. However, it is not easy for Japan to choose a path that leads to confrontation with China.






If you look at the music world in Montreal, Canada, one name that seems trending at the moment in the hip hop music world is Shecky. He is also known as Thierno Abdou who seems to be a new hip hop rap sensation in Montreal. Being born and brought up in Senegal, he headed to Canada during his early teens. As Canada is a diverse place to live, we see people of different communities also live there, he found this place a new home. He soon took up singing on a small scale and later emerged as a big name in the music world.

However, Shecky prosperity on the web seemed smooth and interesting as he was able to gain well in his chosen field. As he started singing, he knew that social media can help him to boost up his popularity on the web. Thus he started uploading his work slowly and steadily and started getting good responses from his fans that kept on increasing with adding every single song on his social media channels. There are many songs that have won the hearts of many of his fans and audience in Canada.

Some of these include Shecky - Billet, Shecky - Success, Shecky - Dis-Leur, Shecky - Donne ca, Lala-Lala, Coup de Coeur, Zik2k20, From the Write Side of the Tracks, Donne ca, O.G, How Many Times, Shecky - Lettre a la republique, Shecky - Billet. Shecky - Dis-Leur, to name a few.. His growing popualirty also helped him win big collaborations with top music platforms. These include Spotify, Amazon Prime, Napser and Apple Music to name a few. You can catch his popular songs on YouTube, which have brought tons of views taking his popularity to the next level.

This Bollywood actress leaves no jewel unturned to make her fans happy

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Luanda  The United Kingdom ambassador to Angola and Sao Tome and Principe, Jessica Hand, on Tuesday in Luanda confirmed that the fight against corruption is a very strong sign for attracting British investors.

The diplomat, who was taking part in the programme "Grande Entrevista" on Angolan Public Television (TPA), acknowledged that, at the moment, Angola's image is changing for the better and consequently its reputation throughout the world.

Jessica Hand said that the partnerships with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and the fight against corruption underway in the country were "very important" for the new business environment in Angola.

Angola and the United Kingdom signed a general cooperation agreement in 1986 and in 2019 they initialled a Memorandum of Understanding and of Political Coordination.

From Jessica Hand's perspective, the responsibility to boost bilateral relations lies with both countries, creating simpler political and economic conditions.

She acknowledged that since 1990 until today Britain had invested only about US$300 million in Angola.

The diplomat, who was taking part in the programme "Grande Entrevista" on Angolan Public Television (TPA), acknowledged that, at the moment, Angola's image is changing for the better and consequently its reputation throughout the world.

Jessica Hand said that the partnerships with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and the fight against corruption underway in the country were "very important" for the new business environment in Angola.

Angola and the United Kingdom signed a general cooperation agreement in 1986 and in 2019 they initialled a Memorandum of Understanding and of Political Coordination.

From Jessica Hand's perspective, the responsibility to boost bilateral relations lies with both countries, creating simpler political and economic conditions.

She acknowledged that since 1990 until today Britain had invested only about US$300 million in Angola.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services received federal approval to begin a virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for low-income households who sustained damage or lost income from February's winter storm.

The program -- which provides funds to purchase groceries -- is open to residents living in 23 parishes. The application period opens April 5 and ends April 17 and interviews to determine eligibility will occur over the phone.

Applicants should call 1-888-524-3578 (select language, then press 3-3-1), between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on their designated day, according to their parish of residence and last name.

Major disaster declaration approved by Joe Biden following icy weather in Louisiana President Joe Biden on Tuesday issued a major disaster declaration for Louisiana because of last month's icy weather, a move that frees up fed

Phase 1 parishes include : Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, DeSoto, Franklin, Grant and Ouachita

Monday, April 5  Residents with last names beginning with A-F

Tuesday, April 6  G-M

Wednesday, April 7  N-S

Thursday, April 8  T-Z

Friday, April 9  A-Z (All residents in Phase 1 parishes)

Saturday, April 10  A-Z (All residents in Phase 1 parishes)

How this group is helping to soften the impact of winter heating bills in Louisiana As Louisiana utility customers are writing checks to pay for some very high electricity bills this month  and complaining about it  the Publ

The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Phase 2 parishes include: Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, LaSalle, Madison, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Webster, West Carroll and Winn

Monday, April 12  Residents with last names beginning with A-F

Tuesday, April 13  G-M

Wednesday, April 14  N-S

Thursday, April 15  T-Z

Friday, April 16  A-Z (All residents in Phase 2 parishes)

Saturday, April 17  A-Z (All residents in Phase 2 parishes)

Most applicants will be told on the phone immediately after completing their application and interview whether they have been approved to receive DSNAP and, if so, the amount of benefits they will receive. Applicants will also receive a letter by mail, confirming the eligibility decision made on their application.

Residents who received SNAP benefits in February 2021 are not eligible for DSNAP and should not apply. Residents who began to receive SNAP benefits after February 2021 may be eligible.

Residents are encouraged, but not required, to take the following steps before calling to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP:
New Delhi, March 31 : In view of the spike in Covid-19 cases in the national capital, the Delhi government on Wednesday issued an order to increase the number Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds as well as normal beds in the private hospitals that are handling Covid cases in Delhi.

The move follows reports of shortage of ICU beds in some private hospitals.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday that the Delhi government has directed over 30 private hospitals in the national capital to enhance their ICU beds capacity for Covid-19 patients.

"We have issued orders to the private hospitals to increase the number of ICU beds by 220. We have also asked the big private hospitals to increase the number of beds in their wards by 838," Jain said.

The Health Minister also claimed that both ICU and general beds were available in the government-run hospitals.

"The occupancy in both government and private hospitals is around 25 per cent. However, in three to four hospitals, there was a shortage of ICU beds, for which the Delhi government has passed an order that in 33 big hospitals, the number of beds should be increased by 220," he said.

According to the Delhi government's coronavirus app, the total number of Covid-19 beds in the national capital is 5,815, out of which 1,799 are occupied and 4,016 are vacant.

Similarly, of the 787 Covid-19 ICU beds with ventilators, 298 are occupied while 489 are vacant. Of the 1,232 Covid-19 ICU beds without ventilators, 394 are occupied, while 838 are currently vacant.

The Delhi government had on Tuesday reviewed the Covid-19 situation in the national capital with special focus on the availability of beds. After the review meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that the number of ICU beds will be increased in the private hospitals.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Following his dismissal by Homeboyz Radio over the weekend, Shaffie Weru had decided to fight back.

A veteran in the radio business, Shaffie was let go by Homeboyz and its mother company Radio Africa, alongside DJ Joe Mfalme (Joseph Munoru) and his co-host Neville Musya, over the weekend.

This came following outrage over statements the 3 had made on their show concerning gender-based violence. They were discussing a court case in which a man was accused of pushing a woman he had met on Facebook out of a 12th floor window on their first date.

Some people understood that they were blaming the victim for the incident.

We were having a conversation around Eunice, the 20-year-old lady who last year, found a date on Facebook, went on a first date and after that became immobile, shes still limping because apparently this guy she found on Facebook invited her to a building, they were having a date on the 12th floor.

And then guess what happened? The guy tried to make moves She said yo Im not doing this, Im not about this and then the guy pushed her over the 12th floor and now shes a cripple.

And Im calling on all the ladies you guys need to play hard to get.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has written to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for creating an 'enabling environment' suited for a constructive and result-oriented dialogue to resolve outstanding issues between the two neighbours, including Jammu and Kashmir issue.

Imran Khan's letter came in response to PM Modi's letter to him on the occasion of Pakistan Day. In this letter, Prime Minister Modi had talked about India's desire to have cordial relations with Pakistan, adding an atmosphere of trust without terror and hostility is "imperative" for it.

In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, Khan thanked him and talked about the desire of Pakistanis to have peaceful and cooperative relations with all its neighbours including India. He wrote, "I thank you for your letter conveying greetings on Pakistan Day."

Also read: Arbitrary killings, curbs on press; India has several human rights issues, says US report

While Prime Minister Modi reiterated the 'terror without talks' approach with Pakistan in his letter on Pakistan Day, Khan said peace was a possibility only if issues such as Kashmir were resolved. "We are convinced that durable peace and stability in South Asia is contingent upon resolving all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan in particular the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," he wrote.

Imran Khan also extended his best wishes for Indians in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month, Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said it was time for India and Pakistan to "bury the past and move forward".

Positive developments between India and Pakistan continue since Indian and Pakistani armies agreed to strictly observe the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors on February 28.

With PTI inputs; by Mehak Agarwal

Also read: 'India desires cordial relations with Pakistan': PM Modi writes letter to Imran Khan
[March 31, 2021] Los Angeles Community Leaders Come Together Easter Weekend to Provide Critical Needs to Food Insecure Individuals and Families

On Saturday, April 3, 2021, the national non-profit Social Change and AIDS Healthcare Foundation, through its Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC), will bring together a diverse array of grassroots community organizations to bring the spirit of Easter to the City of Compton. Scheduled from 12 noon - 3 pm at Calvary Baptist Church located at 1517 E. Alondra Blvd, Compton, CA (News - Alert) , the coalition of civic, religious and cultural leaders will be providing free food, PPE and other critical items to individuals and families in need. Saturday's event is being organized by the Los Angeles Chapter of Social Change, through support from AHF and BLACC.







WHAT: Community Food Drive providing FREE Food and PPE to food insecure individuals and families to culminate Black History Month Note: Organizers will distribute over 15,000 pounds of fresh groceries and thousands of masks to all who walk or drive-up; and FREE HIV testing will be available. WHEN: Saturday, April 3, 2021 12 noon - 3:00 pm Note: Set-Up starts at 10:00 am WHERE: Calvary Baptist Church 1517 E. Alondra Blvd., Compton, CA WHO: AIDS Healthcare Foundation Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC) powered by AHF The Compton Chamber of Commerce The Compton Initiative Anti-Recidivism Coalition Los Angeles Stentorians Elevate Culture Academia Avance Project Giving Kids Stus Dominguez High School City Church Rock Ministries WHY: According to Feed America, African American households face hunger at a rate more than twice that of white, non-Hispanic households. And getting enough to eat is a consistent struggle for 1 in 4 African American children. According to the California Association of Food Banks, on average, 1 out of every 4 Californians does not know where their next meal will come from, with greater levels of hunger experienced by Black and Latinx families with children.

In addition to the food and PPE being distributed, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will be providing free, rapid, confidential HIV testing, with an opportunity for attendees to win a $50 Ralph's gift card. Social Change's Executive Director, Todd Belcore, noted "It's important that the world understand that saying Black Lives Matter isn't a political statement, it's a cry for help. That's why I can't be more grateful for all the leaders of every color, sector and belief who have come together on this Easter weekend to respond to their neighbor's cry by meeting some of our neighbor's urgent needs and honoring the life, legacy and contributions of Black people in America. This is the sort of energy that creates the space for understanding and-with that-real progress." "We are honored to partner with these wonderful organizations to bring much needed resources to the residents of Compton," states Imara Canady, Chair, Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition powered by AHF. "Food insecurity is an epidemic that is plaguing our nation, and AHF is committed to work with organizations in communities across the U.S., to take an innovative and impactful approach to addressing this critical issue." About Social Change. Social Change is a national nonprofit committed to liberation via storytelling, organizing, direct action, policy advocacy & storytelling. Check them out at www.socialchange.site and follow them @ATLsocialchange. ABOUT BLACC The Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC) powered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation ("AHF") is a coalition of Black-American cultural influencers and health advocates, that through the use of innovative, culturally relevant messaging and initiatives, are revolutionizing outreach to the Black American community and elevating the education and awareness of sexual health and wellness and bringing greater awareness to the social justice issues disproportionately impacting the health and wellness of Black Americans. Learn more at blacc.net. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over one million people in 45 countries worldwide in the U.S., Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook (News - Alert) : www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) : @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005855/en/

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Founded in 2001 in Germany, joimax, the leading manufacturer of medical devices for endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. In tandem with this milestone, the company expanded their educational program, ESPINEA, furthering their global reach.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005820/en/

joimax Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Expands Education Program (Photo: Business Wire)

Despite COVID-19, ESPINEA (Endoscopic Spine Academy) training programs, which are held in cooperation with the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (RCSEd) and joimax, were conducted all over the world in 2020, and continue to roll out in 2021. Due to travel restrictions, the programs were adapted to webinars, and remote support and training, totaling 60 sessions last year. By pivoting to online learning, approximately 3000 surgeons were reached in 2020, and 700 surgeons so far in 2021.

ESPINEA was founded by joimax CEO and Founder Wolfgang Ries in 2019, and was accredited by the RCSEd last year.

"Our goal is to be globally present online, as well as to provide direct local support," says Ries. "Regardless of lockdowns in many countries, under the ESPINEA platform, more than 120 surgeons were trained in onsite workshops this quarter, with 70 in the USA and Mexico, 35 in Europe, 15 in Asia, and many more through the joimax CME-program partnership in China."

ESPINEA Board Member Alastair Gibson, FRCSEd states: "These efforts demonstrate that joimax and ESPINEA can achieve anything together. I'm proud to be part of this impressive blend of online, on-site, and remote events, enabling a strong ESPINEA community."

To support the roll out, additional Coronavirus-compliant labs were integrated into the local, onsite education programs. In addition to the company's existing labs in Karlsruhe and Irvine, California, more labs throughout the USA, including Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, Dallas, and Indianapolis, as well as the Surgical Skills Lab in Mexico City and ORSI Academy in Melle, Belgium, have been added. Also, joimax opened a branch office in Singapore; the Hong Kong office opened in spring 2019.

"It's becoming increasingly important to have a personal, on-site presence in order to teach globally-valid learning content," adds Ries.

About joimax

Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2001, joimax is the leading developer and marketer of complete systems for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery. With the Endoscopic Surgical Systems TESSYS (transforaminal), iLESSYS (interlaminar) and CESSYS (cervical) for decompression procedures, MultiZYTE for facet and sacroiliac joint pain treatment, EndoLIF and Percusys for minimally-invasive endoscopically assisted stabilizations, established systems are provided, addressing a whole range of indications. In procedures for herniated disc, stenosis, pain therapy or spinal stabilization treatment, surgeons utilize joimax technologies to operate through small incisions under local or full anesthesia, via tissue and muscle-sparing corridors and through natural openings in the spinal canal, e.g. the intervertebral foramen, the so-called "Kambin triangle".

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005820/en/

Contacts:

Press Contact Germany

joimax GmbH

Nicole Read

Nicole.Read@joimax.com

+49-721-25514-0
In this Feb. 12 file photo, a vial of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine sits ready to be loaded into a syringe at the Steuben County Vaccine Clinic at the Steuben County Event Center at Crooked Lake. Indiana added to the mix of Hoosiers eligible for vaccines people 60-65 on Tuesday.
Man Sentenced To Life For Role In Long Beach Womans Killing

LONG BEACHOne of three men who had been on death row for the December 1998 rape and beating death of a mother of three attacked while walking to a store in Long Beach was re-sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Superior Court Judge Laura Laesecke said the maximum possible sentence was warranted against Jamelle Edward Armstrong, noting that she felt that the 41-year-old defendant had already benefited from a directive issued by newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon under which prosecutors opted not to seek the death penalty again.

Gascons directiveissued shortly after he was sworn into office last Decemberadvises that a sentence of death is never an appropriate resolution in any case.

The countys top prosecutor has said he has a mandate from the public.

Amstrong was sentenced to death in 2004 after being tried separately from his older half-brother, Warren Justin Hardy, and defendant Kevin Pearson, who remains on death row for the Dec. 29, 1998, sexual assault, robbery, torture and slaying of 43-year-old Penny Sigler, also known as Penny Keprta.

The California Supreme Court reversed Armstrongs death sentence in a February 2019 ruling, finding that the trial court erroneously excluded at least four prospective jurors because they were judgedbased on a hypothetical set of factsto be unequally willing to impose death on an aider and abettor as on an actual killer, rather than on whether they could follow the law and consider death as an option.

The Supreme Court majority affirmed Armstrongs conviction, with the three other justices dissenting.

Writing for the minority, Associate Justice Goodwin Liu argued that the case had definite racial overtones that raise heightened concerns about whether the prosecutors challenge was racially motivated.

The victim was white and Armstrong is Black.

The record here contains a number of proffered explanations for the strike of a Black juror that are implausible, misleading, contradicted by the record, or difficult to credit in light of the prosecutors disparate treatment of similarly situated jurors, Liu wrote in a dissent joined by two other justices.

Hardys conviction and death sentence were upheld in a May 2018 ruling by the California Supreme Court, while Pearsons automatic appeal is still pending.
Jon Feingersh/Getty Images

Logistics giant Geodis SA says it plans to begin using remote-operated forklifts in its warehouses. The Paris-based company announced early Wednesday that it has formed a partnership with Silicon Valley start-up Phantom Auto to supply tele-operations. The two companies began working together in 2019 to test remote-operated forklifts in a warehouse in Le Mans, France. With that pilot successfully concluded, Geodis is working on a plan to deploy the technology commercially, according to Stephanie Herve, the companys chief operation officer for Western Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We need to do it step by step, said Herve in a call last week. We will not replace everything at one time.

Phantom Autos technology allows digital drivers, as Geodis calls them, to sit at a console and operate a forklift from thousands of miles away. I am here in my office in Paris, said Herve, And I can see the warehouse with a 360-degree view. I hear everything. I have a steering wheel. I have pedals. And I can drive the forklift.
A new rail line connecting Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan promises to revolutionize transportation in the Caucasus and could have broad ramifications further afield, David OByrne, an Istanbul-based journalist who covers energy, writes for Eurasianet. In February, a camouflage-clad Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation for a new 100-kilometer stretch of railroad across southern Azerbaijan, along the Iranian border, in territory that Azerbaijan took back from Armenia after the war last year. This railroad has enormous strategic significance, he said.



The line is not new. It was originally constructed in 1941, when the Caucasus formed the southwestern flank of the Soviet Union, linking Moscow with not only Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nakhchivan, but with the Iranian rail network as well via Julfa in Nakhchivan. It thus provided for freight transit between the Soviet Union and Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf. Inoperable since 1989, as the Soviet Union was collapsing and relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan turned hostile, along large parts of the route there is believed to be little left of the track and other infrastructure. To date Baku has not announced either a cost estimate or a completion date for the project on their side of the border, but railroad analysts say that since the bulk of the track bed and bridges are likely still in place, rebuilding should require little heavy-earth moving, keeping down costs and construction time.



The prospects for the Armenian side are less clear. Armenians have been skeptical of the rush to open the new transport routes, though senior officials have been meeting with their Russian and Azerbaijani counterparts to hash out plans. Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan told parliament on March 25 that the trilateral working group has been delayed, but is continuing. He said the group is talking about the restoration of the existing infrastructure of the Soviet era in every possible way.



Azerbaijan should get plenty of support from both Iran and Russia, as both have long lobbied for the creation of a north-south rail corridor linking the two countries to ease regional trade, reduce freight costs and establish trade routes with more distant destinations.



In 2000, Russia, Iran and India signed an agreement aimed at creating a freight network linking Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, India and the EU. In 2005, it was ratified by Azerbaijan. "The development of the International North South Transport Corridor linking Iran's southern ports with the Caucasus and Europe could significantly reduce freight costs," said Andrew Grantham, news editor at Railway Gazette International. Grantham said that access to Iranian ports would further open up maritime connections to and from India. But the unresolved conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh and Afghanistan and international sanctions against Iran slowed investment.



Now, with the Russia-brokered trilateral ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan, creating that long mooted regional rail corridor is back on the agenda. The ninth point of the ceasefire statement calls for regional transportation links to be unblocked generally, and more specifically calls for new infrastructure linking Nakhchivan with mainland Azerbaijan. The three sides are working out the details of what exactly that will look like, but Azerbaijan is already forging ahead with its new rail link to the Armenian border. The new route will relieve Baku of the ordeal of reaching its disconnected western exclave via an 840-kilometer detour around Armenia through Georgia and Turkey.



Caucasus railway map

"This is an extremely significant project, which will benefit not just Azerbaijan, but all the countries of the region, and will become a major international freight transit corridor," said Orkhan Bagirov, leading advisor at the Azerbaijani government-run think tank Center of Analysis of International Relations. Tehran has been quick to show its support for the Nakhchivan connection. "The re-opening of the Julfa-Nakhchivan railway line is necessary for Iran's access to neighboring countries and the Eurasian market," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at a February 18 meeting with the governor of Iran's largely Azerbaijani-speaking northwestern province of East Azerbaijan, just four days after Aliyev's groundbreaking ceremony.



While Nakhchivan was inaccessible by rail, Azerbaijan and Iran signed an agreement in 2005 to create an alternate north-south route, along the Caspian coast and crossing the border at Astara. Baku completed its section of line and built a new rail bridge across the Astarachay river border to Iran in 2017, but delays caused by a combination of international sanctions and high costs due to the difficult terrain have long delayed Irans efforts to complete its part. The line currently terminates just inside Iranian territory, where freight traffic is forced onto Irans overcrowded roads.



Nominally, Iran remains committed to the project. Irans ambassador to Russia, Mehdi Sanaei, in November described the line as an "economic imperative" and called for its rapid completion. But with remaining costs estimated in the region of $1.1 billion, it's unclear when or if this will happen. The results of the new line so far, even in its truncated form, suggest a significant potential. In 2018, its first year of operation, the Azerbaijani section carried 270,000 tons of cargo to Iran, rising to 364,000 in 2019, even despite the added cost of onward shipment through Iran by road. Given that the cost of shipping by rail over medium and long distances is generally less than half that of going by road, it stands to reason that a reopened rail link through Nakhchivan would have no shortage of business.



Armenian opportunities?



The reopening of the Nakhchivan line also offers significant opportunities for long-isolated Armenia to boost its international connectivity. For now, Iran  one of only two open borders that Armenia has  is reachable only by a difficult road. Restoring the old Soviet rail route from Yerevan to Azerbaijan via Nakhchivan could change that. While the Armenian public has responded warily to the prospects of opening transportation routes with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has tried to paint it as a win for Armenia, too. It is beneficial for Armenia because we must get a reliable railway and land communication with the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pashinyan said on March 20. This means that our countrys economy can change considerably.

For its part, Iran has made no secret of its readiness to reestablish rail links with Armenia. During a visit to Nakhchivan in January, Foreign minister Zarif lobbied for the Nakhchivan line to be reopened to ease transport to Armenia. While reviving the old Soviet era Iran-Nakhchivan-Armenia rail link should be straightforward, a rail link between Armenia and Russia could prove trickier. Aliyev has signaled his support for such a link, but with the caveat that it can only be realized through Azerbaijan's existing rail network.

Armenia is not eager to rely on Azerbaijan to connect with Russia, but Yerevan's own preference for a rail link to Russia through Georgia remains unlikely to be realized any time soon. An existing Soviet-era line linked Armenia with Russia along Georgias Black Sea coast and Abkhazia. In February the de facto Abkhazian parliament notified the Russian Duma of its interest in reopening the Armenia-Russia railroad through Abkhazia, but Georgia is unlikely to sign on. Armenia's only other option for a rail link with Russia would be a new line inland through Georgia and the north Caucasus mountains, which while not technically impossible would be prohibitively expensive.

Whether Yerevan will accept Aliyev's offer remains to be seen. But in March, Armenia began for the first time to import Russian natural gas via Azerbaijan, a temporary arrangement while a pipeline between Russia and Georgia undergoes maintenance, suggesting that cooperation with Baku on sensitive, strategic issues is not impossible. Even if it turns out to be politically possible, shipping freight by rail from Armenia to Russia through Azerbaijan represents about a 500-kilometer longer trip than through Georgia. So if Baku really wants to make its route viable, it may need to make additional efforts to ensure that it is both faster and more reliable than the road through Georgia.



Turkey and Georgia to lose out?



As and when the Azerbaijan-Nakhchivan rail line restarts operations, it will necessarily become Baku's main transport link with the enclave. As such, it will end Baku's reliance on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) rail line, which only began operating in 2017. Constructed at a cost of $450 million over 10 years, the BTK was purpose-built to replace the old Soviet era line from Turkey to Azerbaijan through Armenia. Ankara and Baku early last year announced that work on a spur from Kars via Igdr to Nakhchivan, which would provide Baku a direct rail link to the exclave, would start in 2021. Ankara, however, has made no provision for the project in its 2021 budget, suggesting that with Baku's plans to reopen a direct link to Nakhchivan, the project  which was expected to cost around $300 million  may now be quietly dropped.



A fall in traffic along the BTK will mean revenue losses for both Turkey and Georgia, but the business case for the state-of-the-art line was never predicated on Azerbaijan's domestic needs. Rather, it was designed to fill a missing link in Turkey's "Middle Corridor" initiative, aimed at creating a high-speed transcontinental rail freight link between Turkey's European borders, through the Caucasus and across the Caspian. Regular freight traffic between Turkey, Europe, and China is already moving along the route. That trade is set to grow rapidly, with some estimates suggesting the BTK could carry up to 30 million tons of freight a year.



Adding to that the new spur to Nakhchivan and the restoration of former Soviet links in the Caucasus, the region is poised for a rail revolution, Railway Gazettes Grantham said. "Rail is cheaper than air freight, faster than maritime transport and safer and better for the environment than road haulage," he said. "All over the world countries are making efforts to get freight traffic off trucks and onto trains."
The National Weather Service experienced a major, systemwide internet failure Tuesday morning, making its forecasts and warnings inaccessible to the public and limiting the data available to its meteorologists.

The outage highlights systemic, long-standing issues with its information technology infrastructure, which the agency has struggled to address as demands for its services have only increased.

In addition to Tuesday morning's outage, the Weather Service has encountered numerous, repeated problems with its internet services in recent months, including:

- A bandwidth shortage that forced it to propose and implement limits to the amount of data its customers can download;

- The launch of a radar website that functioned inadequately and enraged users;

- A flood at its data center in Silver Spring, Md., that has stripped access to key ocean buoy observations; and,

- Multiple outages to NWS Chat, its program for conveying critical information to broadcasters and emergency managers, relied upon during severe weather events.

Problems with the stability and reliability of the Weather Service's information dissemination infrastructure date back to at least 2013, when The Washington Post began reporting on the issue.

The Weather Service is working to evaluate and implement solutions to these problems, which are affecting its ability to fulfill its mission of protecting life and property.

Tuesday morning's outage meant the Weather Service's flagship website, weather.gov, was down, cutting off access to its forecasts and warnings.

"There is a major, national outage impacting the distribution of NWS products," tweeted the Weather Service's Weather Prediction in College Park, Md.

The Weather Service's central operations center issued a bulletin at 5:11 a.m. highlighting failures nationwide, which included its forecast offices losing contact with the agency's networks "impacting product dissemination and data reception," inoperable websites and no access to NWS Chat.

The lack of data limited what model data and observations Weather Service meteorologists could use to make forecasts.

Meteorologists and Weather Service constituents took to Twitter to complain about the outage, many noting the chronic issues with its internet services.

"Why do things like this keep happening? It's inexcusable at this point. The folks at NWS are constantly dealing with IT hurdles to get their message out in recent months. The frequency and complications are about the absolute worst I've seen," tweeted Matt Lanza, a Houston-based meteorologist in the energy industry.

"There are absolutely no words appropriate for twitter that can describe how maddening it is that in the year 2021, the richest and most powerful government on Earth cannot get lifesaving weather forecasting information to its citizens because of an internal internet outage," tweeted Jack Sillin, a meteorology student at Cornell University.

"The perpetual tech issues that NWS has to deal with are completely unacceptable. The response capabilities of the entire country are undermined when this happens," tweeted Samantha Montano, a disaster specialist.

"The @NWS outages are just part and parcel of our country's massive infrastructure problems. It's hard to imagine meaningful climate resilience without addressing our literally crumbling bridges, broken roads, and 1995 data services," tweeted Kathie Dello, the state climatologist for North Carolina.

"A seven hour outage of the NWS heading into the peak of severe weather season.....so lucky that it was an extremely quiet evening. Fiber cut or not, this is not the beginning or end of IT issues in the NWS. I'd demand congressional investigation into this before the pimple pops," tweeted Victor Gensini, a professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University.

By mid-Tuesday morning, the internet problems appeared to be resolved, but cast new light on numerous other information technology problems the Weather Service has faced in recent weeks and months.

The Weather Service's chat system has proven to be one of its more unreliable systems, failing in multiple instances, including dangerous severe weather situations.

The issues have become so widespread and inveterate that one Weather Service office attempted to abandon NWS Chat for an external program, a move rebuked by Weather Service headquarters in Silver Spring, Md.

On March 15, the Weather Service office in Birmingham, Ala., sent an email to media partners about their decision to switch to Slack, an instant messaging program, ahead of the tornado outbreak on March 17, which unleashed nearly 50 twisters.

"In the interest of public safety and due to factors beyond our control, NWS (Birmingham) will be SWITCHING to Slack Chat as our PRIMARY means of realtime communication until such a time that NWS Chat is proven stable, reliable and has a reliable backup service in place," read the email sent by warning coordination meteorologist John De Block.

The email, obtained by The Post, noted that NWS Chat would become the office's new backup service, and provided media partners and emergency managers a link to sign up for the Slack group, which would go live the next morning.

"We ... believe this is the best option for all of us at this time," wrote De Block.

The Weather Service in Birmingham declined to comment on their switch to Slack, but received instructions from higher up not to do it again.

"Offices were provided guidance not to procure their own alternative platforms. This function is the responsibility of NWS headquarters, not individual offices," wrote Weather Service director of public affairs Susan Buchanan in an email.

Last Thursday, a second "high risk" tornado outbreak was forecast, but the Weather Service in Birmingham was required to utilize NWS Chat instead of Slack this time.

Knowing heavy use would crash the chat program, Weather Service forecasters pleaded with partners outside affected areas stay off of it to conserve bandwidth.

"If you're not in a severe wx risk area today, please do not use NWSChat," tweeted Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist for the Weather Service's office in Norman.

Many meteorologists on Twitter echoed Smith's appeal to ease stress on the system. Nevertheless, the chat service still went dark for a time as deadly tornadic storms were swirling across the South.

James Spann, a veteran meteorologist whose home was struck while he was covering the tornadoes live on the air, said "I think NWS Chat is down again" during his broadcast.

Josh Johnson, another well-respected Alabama meteorologist credited with saving lives during the Lee County tornado of 2019, tweeted "the fact that we can't use a reliable NWS chat platform is unbelievable - and dangerous to those we serve. It's 2021."

NWS Chat also went down for a time Saturday evening as tornadoes tore through Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee and deadly flash flooding engulfed Nashville.

"And down goes my beloved NWS Chat," tweeted Daryl Herzmann, a systems analyst at Iowa State University who first helped develop and implement NWS Chat years ago. "I wish I could find some mechanism to help them fix it. (Tens) of unanswered emails so far."

In a statement provided by Buchanan, the Weather Service described last week's issues as "intermittent slowness and temporary outages," acknowledging "we recognize the importance and need for this communication and coordination with local partners."

Buchanan attributed the problems to a "combination of increased web traffic associated with the severe weather in the Southeast and the loss of one data center on March 9 due to a water pipe burst at NWS HQ in Silver Spring."

But Troy Kimmel, a senior lecturer in meteorology at the University of Texas-Austin, said the chat system was not a temporary issue and that problems have plagued it for many months. "It should be up and operating at 100 percent efficiency. It is inexcusable," he said. "This thing's going to roll back with congressional inquiries if it hasn't already."

Rather than rectifying the issues with NWS Chat, the Weather Service, recognizing its unsteadiness, is opting to pursue other options.

"The good news is that this spring, we will officially launch a demonstration project to assess the viability of commercially available, off-the-shelf products as a long-term replacement for NWS Chat," wrote Buchanan. "We're working to improve stability of the system in the short-term."

Problems with the Weather Service's internet systems have persisted for years, in part due to increasing demand from users, which the agency has struggled to meet.

In December, due to an escalating bandwidth shortage, the Weather Service proposed limiting users to 60 connections per minute on a large number of its websites.

Constituents complained about the quota and, earlier this month, the Weather Service announced it would instead impose a data limit of 120 requests per minute and only servers hosting model data, beginning April 20.

"With this solution, access to all other NWS websites will not be affected," said an email from the Weather Service to its partners.

The email also said the Weather Service intends to upgrade its data server and network architecture using Congressionally-appropriated funds.

Meanwhile, on March 9, the Weather Service's headquarters in Silver Spring "experienced a ruptured water pipe, which caused significant and widespread flooding" which affected a data center, the Weather Service said in a statement.

"Some NWS data stopped flowing, including data from ocean buoys," the statement said, noting some of the buoys are used "to detect and locate a seismic event that could cause a tsunami."

Neil Jacobs, former acting head of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the Weather Service, said many of the agency's internet infrastructure problems are tied to the fact they run on internal hardware rather than through cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Google Cloud.

"I've demanded in writing that NWS transition these applications ... to our Cloud partners. It's part of an internal strategy I've laid out," Jacobs, a Trump administration appointee told The Post in an email before he left office.

In July 2020, NOAA released its Cloud Strategy, which stated, "the volume and velocity of our data are expected to increase exponentially with the advent of new observing system and data-acquisition capabilities, placing a premium on our capacity and wherewithal to scale the IT infrastructure and services to support this growth. Modernizing our infrastructure requires leveraging cloud services as a solution to meet future demand."
The Army is planning to play a major role in the Indo-Pacific, but the service will not try to muscle in on the Marine Corps' mission if war comes to the region, Army leaders said Tuesday.

"We are the largest ground force, so if there is a fight on land, we will be the one to participate in that," Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, told an audience at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event looking at how the service is transforming to meet the demands of the Indo-Pacific theater.

U.S. Army Pacific has up to 77,000 soldiers it can bring to bear in the event of a possible conflict with China.

Read Next: Goodbye, Tiger Stripe: Air Force Adopts OCP Uniform for Mandatory Wear

The Army is developing two Multi-Domain Task Forces for the region to defeat an enemy's anti-access/area denial, or A2/AD, capabilities. Each task force will have experts specializing in intelligence, information, cyber, electronic warfare and space to launch precision fires and other long-range attacks against an adversary.

Critics have questioned whether the Army's activities conflict with the Marine Corps' plans for the region, which involve seizing important islands by force to allow Marine shore units to engage enemy shipping with long-range High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS.

But Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said his service has no intention of competing or interfering with Marine Corps operations in the region, adding that he is in regular talks with Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger to coordinate joint operations.

"The Marine Corps is an expeditionary force, maritime focused, that can operate very quickly and get to the places that they need to provide those types of effects," McConville said. "I don't see us in competition with the Marine Corps. We've got a great Marine Corps; they have roles and missions that are extremely important, as does the United States Army."

Soldiers from Army Pacific train with members of Marine Corps Forces, Pacific in joint exercises to ensure that each service's strengths can be used more effectively, LaCamera said, explaining that the Army brings mass into the equation.

"Whether they are there first and we come in behind them and that allows them to continue to move on, it's really based on how do we work well within [the joint war plan of Adm. Philip Davidson, commander of Indo-Pacific Command]," LaCamera said. "We are experimenting together to make sure that we can ... respond and win if we've got a fight."

The Army also provides more than 51% of the logistics support for the other services, LaCamera pointed out.

"As we work through operations, activities and investments and we experiment out here with the next fight ... I think we play a critical role to the success of operations out here," he said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Marines Hop Islands, Set Up Long-Range Fires as Force Preps for Clash with China
Moscow:

A Russian news website says two people were wounded when a helicopter gunship accidentally fired on spectators during military drills in western Russia.



The video on the online 66.ru news portal shows a pair of helicopter gunships buzzing low, with one of them firing a rocket that explodes next to a spectator.



It said that on Wednesday two people were wounded and two vehicles destroyed in the incident during the Zapad (West) 2017 maneuvers.



It said it happened Sunday or Monday at the Luzhsky range, about 100 kilometre (60 miles) east of the border with Estonia.



The Russian military on Wednesday acknowledged the video was genuine but denied it happened Monday. It did not specify when or where the incident in the video took place but said no one was hurt.

Read | Russia eyes deal to supply military jets to Indian Navy

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Pakistani PM Imran Khan during a press conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 24, 2019. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has written a letter to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, saying the creation of an 'enabling environment' is imperative for a constructive and result-oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, in particular, the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

Khan's letter was in reply to Prime Minister Modis letter to him last week to extend greetings on the occasion of Pakistan Day. In his letter, Modi had said that India desires cordial relations with Pakistan but an atmosphere of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is 'imperative' for it.

In his reply to Prime Minister Modis letter, Khan thanked him and said the people of Pakistan also desire peaceful cooperative relations with all neighbours, including India.

I thank you for your letter conveying greetings on Pakistan Day, he said.

While Prime Minister Modi talked about a terror-free environment for peace, Khan said that peace was possible only if outstanding issues like Kashmir were resolved.

We are convinced that durable peace and stability in South Asia is contingent upon resolving all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan in particular the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, he wrote in the letter dated March 29.

Khan said that the creation of an 'enabling environment is imperative for a constructive and result-oriented dialogue.'

He also expressed best wishes for the people of India in their struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The militaries of India and Pakistan announced on February 25 that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on a ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

Weeks later, both Pakistan's Prime Minister Khan and powerful Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa made peace overtures towards New Delhi saying it was time for the two neighbours to 'bury the past and move forward'.

Ties between India and Pakistan nose-dived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in Pakistan.

Story continues

Subsequent attacks, including one on an Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship.

The ties hit rock bottom after India's warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

The relations further nosedived after India withdrew the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the State into two union territories in 2019.

Since then, India and Pakistan are without high commissioners in each others capital  New Delhi and Islamabad, respectively.

On March 18, powerful Army chief Bajwa said it was time for India and Pakistan to 'bury the past and move forward'.

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She wears many hats including mogul, reality star, and aspiring lawyer.

But no role suits Kim Kardashian better than one as a doting mother.

The 41-year-old star took to Instagram on Tuesday to share cute snaps of her three youngest children matching in orange while wearing mini Yeezy shoes.

Cute: Kim Kardashian took to Instagram on Tuesday to share cute snaps of her three youngest children matching in orange while wearing mini Yeezy shoes

Matriarch: The 41-year-old star seen at the E! People's Choice Awards in Santa Monica in November 2019

She captioned the image featuring son Saint, five; daughter Chicago, three; and son Psalm, one. to her 212million followers: '3 out of 4.'

Saint and Psalm kept it simple in white T-shirts with orange shorts.

Chicago looked cute in a orange top with a matching maxi skirt which was emblazoned with scales like a goldfish.

She captioned the image featuring son Saint, five; daughter Chicago, three; and son Psalm, one. to her 212million followers: '3 out of 4'

Regardless of the impending divorce, the children all showed support for dad Kanye West as they wore his Yeezy Foamrunner shoes and slide sandals in mini form.

Not seen in the image was Kim's eldest child; seven-year-old daughter North West.

Kim is in the midst of her divorce from her 43-year-old rapper husband Kanye, with whom she shares the four children.

Sweet: Chicago looked cute in a orange top with a matching maxi skirt which was emblazoned with scales like a goldfish

The KUWTK star made it official with her divorce filing in February, and the two are reportedly planning to split custody of the children.

Kim has hired top Hollywood divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, reportedly the inspiration for Laura Dern's Oscar-winning role in Marriage Story.

The attorney also represented her when ending her second marriage to husband Kris Humphries, which lasted only 72 days.

According to TMZ, Kim may get to hold on to the family's Hidden Hills home so as not to uproot the children.
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A few days ago, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubus birthday was marked with a colloquium in the ancient city and most populous (this is debatable) state in the country, Kano. Kano is perhaps the most consequential state in election matters in the country, always churning out millions of votes that can make or mar a presidential candidate. Therefore, the symbolism of this birthday/colloquium being marked in Kano is not lost on perceptive Nigerians. To the best of my knowledge, this is not just unprecedented; it is the first and a watershed in the annals of political engineering in Nigeria. In order words it has a huge political undertone.

The other day, the former Lagos state governor donated N50 million to victims of Katsina market fire. We all know the implications. I do not begrudge him; the North holds the ace, in determining who becomes the president in 2023, and as a beautiful bride, the region is courted by political gladiators.

It is not only Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu that is strategizing towards 2023; Governor Yahaya Bello of the same party with Tinubu and the opposition party are planning too. Leaning on his partys reregistration/revalidation exercise, as the chairman in charge of women, youth and PLWD mobilisation, the Kogi state governor is riding on the sentiment of women and youth demographic voting bloc to seek for power. Not to be left out is the opposition PDP, whose strategy is to keep mum or remain aloof about the zoning of presidential slot, a contentious issue in the countrys political firmament though.

Notwithstanding pervasive insecurity, and threats to the nations sovereignty, these visible politicians and others not so visible are carrying on and strategizing for the general election of 2023, with the highest trophy being the position of presidentgreatly sought after. I also do not blame the gladiators. The Nigerian president is the most powerful in the world, sitting on billion-dollar oil resources and more to dispense. Meanwhile, imagine how unfortunate it will be to preside over a tattered country. So, instead of making Nigerias survival their preoccupation, politicians only have their eyes on the ball, on how to win election to become president, governors, legislators or local government chairmen. If only the Nigerian politician thinks again, and rather directs their energies towards finding practical solutions to our myriad of challenges.

Politicians forget easily; and they only think of the next election. How did the APC forget that restructuring, or devolution of power is one of their campaign promises. If that had taken place, with all its attendant uncertainties, perhaps, no one, not even Tinubu, would have been talking of holding any position in Nigeria, because there might not have been a Nigeria as presently constituted in the first place. At the same event, the President spoke of the indissolubility and unity of Nigeria, but rhetoric about unity by a president who has not managed our diversity very well is an incongruity that smacks of hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, cracks capable of destabilising the ruling party are beginning to emerge. The battle between political gladiators like Tinubu and an early bird-youthful Governor Yahaya Bello could cause potential implosion. The governors forceful entry into a supposedly lone-race by Tinubu has got the tongues wagging: what is Gov Bellos staying power? Can he fight the godfather and strongman of APC to a standstill? Who are the powerful people behind him? Importantly, as someone from the North Central, will the governor serve as a compromise candidate in an event that the North withdraws its support for Tinubu? What about the South East, whose politicians are moving in droves to the APC in order to be considered for the plum job? In an event that Tinubu emerges, where will he pick his deputy from? Because of the Norths voting populace, his choice of a deputy, from the North is likely to spark Muslims-Christians controversy, and if he chooses a Christian from the North, that could open a flak for the opposition to feast on. Whatever happens, 2023 would lead to alignment and realignment of forces, no one can envisage.

For the PDP, still smarting from the defeat of 2019, anything goes as long as it puts the party at an advantage, no matter how insensitive. On this basis, it is not a surprise that Gov Wike of Rivers state though not speaking for the party, indicated his readiness to support a Northern candidate. If that happens, it will permanently put an end to the zoning arrangement instituted by the Obasanjo government. If Wikes pronouncement is anything to go by, it will not be the first time the party would betray its own arrangements. In 2011 when Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was due to relinquish power after exhausting the remaining years of his boss and then President Umaru Yaradua, in order to keep to its zoning arrangement, the PDP made a volte-face, jettisoned its regulation and insisted on Jonathan running. He did and won, but the consequence of the 2011 ill-fated decision played a part in the partys disastrous outing in 2015.

Governor Wike said, Im from the Southern part of Nigeria. I will be happy if power returns to the South, but if PDP will win the 2023 presidential election by zoning the presidential ticket to the North, I will not be opposed to it, to which the Igbos are already kicking.

Here lies the dilemma of our democratic process. For them all (politicians), it is all about winning election; no thoughts for justice and fair play, good governance and accountability, no consideration even for the country and even if half of the country is torn about through internecine conflicts, as long as Abuja remains standing, and there is revenue from oil to dispense recklessly, politicians scramble to rule over its remains. I think we deserve more than this; we do not need people who want power just for the sake of it; we want patriots who will put Nigeria first and worry more about the nations survival than its resources.

Kaduna 39 and Governor El-Rufais recalcitrance

I like El-Rufais courage of conviction and his public service record of bulldozing his way to get things done in the interest of the generality of the populace. More than 13 years after leaving Abuja as minister, his achievements (and the woes he created through demolition) are still being referenced. His tenure as governor of Kaduna state, controversial as it is, is yielding positive results in terms of infrastructure provision and some progressive decisions he has taken.

El-Rufais major problem is his utterances, even if what he says are inconvenient truths. His statement to the effect that he would not negotiate or pay ransom to bandits in the wake of the abduction of 39 students of College of Forestry Mechanisation is ill-timed and wrongly targeted. It portrays him as insensitive and not empathetic. I agree that governments should not indulge criminals in whatever guise through payment of ransom and when they (bandits) abduct innocent people, but it is wrong to say so openly when they (bandits) already hold you by the jugular, and have some innocent students in their possession. That statement has further emboldened the bandits, and unless El-Rufai is ready for an all-out battle, in which the bandits will put up their captives in front as cannon fodders, which could potentially lead to death, the governor doesnt really have a choice than to negotiate.

In peace time, El-Rufais statement is a morale booster and it shows the readiness of government to protect its citizens, but this is not a normal time; definitely not when the bandits are already at an advantage. And there is also the personal responsibility. Will the governor make the declaration if his son or daughter is involved? Students woken up from sleep and barely clothed have spent more than two weeks in captivity in an open place in this inclement weather. El-Rufai, please have a rethink, unless you want the students to pay the supreme price for no offence committed. Negotiate now and get the students out.
Shade uses offensive attack to take down Shanksville in D5-A semis

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Pfizer announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12, a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before they head back to school in the fall.

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2021, file photo, a vial of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 is shown at a one-day vaccination clinic set up in an Amazon.com facility in Seattle and operated by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. PfizerAos vaccine is authorized for use in ages 16 and older. Experts have said vaccinating children of all ages will be critical to stopping the pandemic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Pfizer announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12, a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before they head back to school in the fall.

Most COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out worldwide are for adults, who are at higher risk from the coronavirus. Pfizers vaccine is authorized for ages 16 and older. But vaccinating children of all ages will be critical to stopping the pandemic  and helping schools, at least the upper grades, start to look a little more normal after months of disruption.

In the vaccine study of 2,260 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15, preliminary data showed there were no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among those given dummy shots, Pfizer reported.

It's a small study, that hasn't yet been published, so another important piece of evidence is how well the shots revved up the kids immune systems. Researchers reported high levels of virus-fighting antibodies, somewhat higher than were seen in studies of young adults.

Kids had side effects similar to young adults, the company said. The main side effects are pain, fever, chills and fatigue, particularly after the second dose. The study will continue to track participants for two years for more information about long-term protection and safety.

In this Dec. 22, 2020, photo, provided by Richard Chung, his son Caleb Chung receives the first dose of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine or placebo as a trial participant for kids ages 12-15, at Duke University Health System in Durham, N.C. Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12. The announcement Wednesday, March 31, 2021 marks a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before the next school year. (Richard Chung via AP)

Dr. Philip J. Landrigan of Boston College said the results are encouraging.

Its hard to get kids to comply with masking and distancing, so something that gives them hard protection and takes them out of the mix of spreading the virus is all for the good, said Landrigan, who was not involved in the study.

Its another positive development in the race against the virus even as U.S. cases, at 66,000 new infections a day, are rising again and deaths are averaging nearly 1,000 a day. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned Americans again Wednesday that we cant afford to let our guard down.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech in the coming weeks plan to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators to allow emergency use of the shots starting at age 12.

We share the urgency to expand the use of our vaccine, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. He expressed the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year" in the United States.

Pfizer isnt the only company seeking to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Results also are expected by the middle of this year from a U.S. study of Modernas vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds.

In this Dec. 22, 2020, photo, provided by Richard Chung, his son Caleb Chung receives the first dose of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine or placebo as a trial participant for kids ages 12-15, at Duke University Health System in Durham, N.C. Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12. The announcement Wednesday, March 31, 2021 marks a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before the next school year. (Richard Chung via AP)

But in a sign that the findings were promising, the FDA already allowed both companies to begin U.S. studies in children 11 and younger, working their way to as young as 6-month-old.

We are longing for a normal life. This is especially true for our children, BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said in a statement.

AstraZeneca last month began a study of its vaccine among 6- to 17-year-olds in Britain. Johnson & Johnson is planning its own pediatric studies. And in China, Sinovac recently announced it has submitted preliminary data to Chinese regulators showing its vaccine is safe in children as young as 3.

While most COVID-19 vaccines being used globally were first tested in tens of thousands of adults, pediatric studies wont need to be nearly as large. Scientists have safety information from those studies and from subsequent vaccinations in millions more adults.

One key question is the dosage: Pfizer gave the 12-and-older participants the same dose adults receive, while testing different doses in younger children.

It's not clear how quickly the FDA would act on Pfizer's request to allow vaccination starting at age 12. The agency has taken about three weeks to review and authorize each of the vaccines currently available for adults. That process included holding a public meeting of outside experts to review and vote on the safety and effectiveness of each shot.

The process for reviewing data in children could be shorter, given FDAs familiarity with each vaccine. An agency spokeswoman said the FDA had no information to share on how the review would work, including whether additional public meetings would be required.

Another question is when the country would have enough supply of shots  and people to get them into adolescents' arms  to let kids start getting in line.

Supplies are set to steadily increase over the spring and summer, at the same time states are opening vaccinations to younger, healthier adults who until now haven't had a turn.

Children represent about 13% of COVID-19 cases documented in the U.S. And while children are far less likely than adults to get seriously ill, at least 268 have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. alone and more than 13,500 have been hospitalized, according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Thats more than die from the flu in an average year. Additionally, a small number have developed a serious inflammatory condition linked to the coronavirus.

Caleb Chung, who turns 13 later this week, agreed to volunteer after his father, a Duke University pediatrician, presented the option. He doesn't know if he received the vaccine or a placebo.

Usually Im just at home doing online school and theres not much I can really do to fight back against the virus, Caleb said in a recent interview. The study was really somewhere that I could actually help out.

His father, Dr. Richard Chung, said hes proud of his son and all the other children volunteering for the needle pricks, blood tests and other tasks a study entails.

We need kids to do these trials so that kids can get protected. Adults cant do that for them, Chung said.

AP video journalist Federica Narancio contributed to this report.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Jenna Bush Hager has struck a pose in the Oscar de la Renta coat she wore at her father George W. Bush's second presidential inauguration in 2005 while reflecting on how her body has changed since having three children.

The Today host, 39, was photographed modeling the ivory beaded jacket for a shoot featured in People's Beautiful Issue. The former First Daughter, who was in her early 20s when she wore the designer piece, revealed she hadn't tried it on once in 16 years.

'My life has changed in so many ways. I carried three precious beings in this body, so even though it's a little depressing that it doesn't fit exactly the same, it's also beautiful because of what I've done since then,' she told the magazine. 'I created these precious people that fill me up more than a size 2 or size 4 jacket ever could.

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Iconic: Jenna Bush Hager, 39, was photographed modeling the Oscar de la Renta jacket she wore at her father's second inauguration for a shoot featured in People's Beautiful Issue

Memories: The former First Daughter, pictured with her twin sister Barbara, was in her early 20s when she donned the designer piece at her father George W. Bush's inauguration in 2005

Three years after the inauguration, Jenna married her husband, Henry Hager, wearing a gown designed by the late de la Renta, who died in 2014.

'He was a beloved man in my life,' she said of the designer.

Jenna and Henry now have three children together: Mila, seven, Poppy, five, and Hal, who will turn two in August. When asked which one of her kids will inherit the sentimental jacket, she wasn't sure.

'I don't know, they're going to have to fight over it,' she said, adding: 'I might want to wear it again, too! It's very rock star.'

Special occasion: Jenna's mother, former First Lady Laura Bush, had the jacket put 'in an archive box' in Dallas, Texas, but shipped it to her to wear during her magazine shoot

Self-love: The mother of three admitted it was a 'little depressing' that it doesn't fit the same way, but she noted that she 'carried three precious beings in this body'

Jenna's mother, former First Lady Laura Bush, had the jacket put 'in an archive box' in Dallas, Texas, but shipped it to her to wear during her magazine shoot.

When she first donned the beaded jacket in 2005, she paired it with a light tan sweater and matching dress pants.

This time around, she went for a more casual look, wearing it over a white T-shirt tucked into flared jeans and platform sandals.

Looking back at her time as First Daughter, Jenna said she and her twin sister Barbara didn't feel any pressure to look a certain way.

Looking back: Jenna said she and Barbara didn't have stylists, explaining that they just wore American designers that they loved

What's important: 'We were allowed to be ourselves,' Jenna said. 'We thought less about the clothes we wore and more about the amazing experience of living history'

'We didn't have a stylist. I still don't have a stylist. We just were what we thought was pretty. We wore things that our friends designed [and] American designers that we love,' she told the magazine.

'Honestly there were no expectations to look perfect or any sort of way when it came to my family,' she added.

'We were allowed to be ourselves. We thought less about the clothes we wore and more about the amazing experience of living history.'

Jenna has been to a number of inaugurations in her lifetime, starting with her paternal grandfather George H.W. Bush's in 1989.

Like family: The late Oscar de la Renta also designed the gown that Jenna wore to marry her husband, Henry Hager, in 2008. 'He was a beloved man in my life,' she said of the designer

Party of five: Jenna and Henry now have three children together: Mila, seven, Poppy, five, and Hal, who will turn two in August

In a recent interview with Maria Shriver's The Sunday Paper, she reflected on her grandfather's inauguration, explaining that the event, which she attended when she was just seven years old, was her 'earliest memory'.

'My sister [Barbara] and I were little  we were in first grade  and we didnt quite understand the significance of it,' she said. 'We just saw somebody that we loved being sworn into office. We loved balloons and the parade.

'And were from Texas so even just to be in Washington when it was cold and beautiful and wintery  it was almost like living a dream.'

Jenna recalled that she and Barbara were 'freezing' outside, so their mother, Laura, let them return to the White House early before anyone else.

Florist Nancy Clarke took the girls to the floral shop and had them make bouquets for their grandparents' bedside. Nearly two decades later, she hired Clarke to do the flower arrangements when she got married.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  More families affected by the hard lockdown will receive food donations from San Miguel Corporation, the company said Wednesday.

In a statement, SMC announced it will expand its food assistance to areas beyond Metro Manila, such as the nearby provinces of Cavite and Laguna, which have also been placed under enhanced community quarantine.

In total, the donations are seen to benefit over 19,500 families.

SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said they have started to once again distribute food packs, which consist of fully prepared dishes, in the capital region earlier this week. Through the initiative, he said the company hopes to help vulnerable residents remain safe in their homes.

While these stricter quarantine restrictions are necessary to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases and reduce the strain on our health care facilities and workers, for many people who earn a living on a daily basis, hunger is an issue, Ang said. Putting food on the table is a constant worry, especially if you cant work for days.

Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal have been placed under a week-long ECQ until April 4, but authorities are considering an extension should the current measures prove insufficient in bringing down COVID-19 numbers.

SMC said its total food donations during the current round of ECQ have reached 11 million, with initial aid benefitting around 17,280 families all over Metro Manila. Last year, the company rolled out a COVID-19 response initiative worth over 13 billion, which included food aid, medical equipment, and other forms of assistance to frontliners.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 31, 2021 - 13:29 | Others, Japan, All

Japan's parliament approved Wednesday an agreement that leaves Tokyo's share of costs to host U.S. forces largely unchanged for fiscal 2021 in an extension of an expiring five-year deal.

With the passage of the accord to extend the deal for one year, Japan will shoulder 201.7 billion yen ($1.83 billion) in the year starting next April in so-called host nation support, around the same level as the previous year.

The spending covers some of the expenses for the approximately 55,000 U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan.

The five-year deal was set to expire on Wednesday and the extension became unavoidable as bilateral cost-sharing talks were affected by the transition of power in Washington and the coronavirus pandemic that restricted negotiators' ability to travel.

Japan and the United States are now set for negotiations for a new multiyear agreement covering fiscal 2022 and onward.

Tokyo is wary of potential pressure from Washington to contribute more financially amid the rising challenges posed by China and North Korea.

The deal for fiscal 2021, signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and charge d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo Joseph Young on Feb. 24, was approved by the lower house on March 23.

In negotiations leading up to the latest deal for fiscal 2021, Japan had sought to maintain the current cost level due to the nation's strained finances.

In addition to the issue of cost-sharing, the next round of talks between Japan and the United States is expected to explore their mutual responsibilities in strengthening the alliance, including in new defense fields such as space and cybersecurity.

Under the host nation support arrangement, which began in fiscal 1978 as part of a bilateral security treaty, Tokyo shoulders costs including the U.S. military's utilities, labor and training expenses.

South Korea, another key U.S. ally in Asia, said in March it has agreed to increase its share of costs for hosting U.S. troops by 13.9 percent this year from 2019 to a total of 1.18 trillion won ($1.04 billion).

Related coverage:

Tokyo seals deal on costs to host U.S. forces in FY 2021

Japan, U.S. agree on Tokyo costs to host American forces in FY 2021
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has waded into the fight over Amazon's treatment of its staff, claiming that a relative of hers left the company amid impossible performance pressure, and that 'defecating in bags' is a common strategy to maintain work speed.

Ocasio-Cortez spoke out as nearly 6,000 Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, are deciding whether they want to form a union - the biggest labor push in the online shopping giant's history.

The organizing in Bessemer could set off a chain reaction across its operations nationwide, with more workers rising up and demanding better working conditions. Vote counting began on Tuesday, and could take several days.

AOC joined Democrats including Bernie Sanders and Wisconsin Representative Mark Pocan who are demanding the multimillion tech giant allows workers to form unions to be able to push for better conditions.

The New York congresswoman tweeted on Tuesday night: 'A loved one of mine worked Amazon delivery last year & left because that's how dangerous it felt to them working for a company that also puts so much performance pressure on their workers that defecating in bags is a common enough occurrence that there are internal memos about it.'

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, pictured March 18, condemned Amazon's work practices Tuesday

Her claim is a frequently-made complaint.

The practice of peeing in bottles to maintain workflow in Amazon warehouses is fairly well-documented.

Even delivery drivers claim to be under such pressure that relieving oneself couples with threats of joblessness.

Last week, Rep Pocan made a similar claim to Ocasio-Cortez.

'Paying workers $15/hr doesn't make you a 'progressive workplace' when you union-bust & make workers urinate in water bottles,' he said in a Wednesday night tweet.

Amazon replied, on their official Twitter account: '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.'

Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin alleged the company made workers pee in bottles because of a lack of break time; he amplified allegations that Amazon was busting a union

Amazon's corporate communications department hit back at Pocan last week

According to Brookings, Amazon and Walmart combined raked in about $10.7 billion in profits over the course of the pandemic signaling a 56 per cent increase in business - something the institute attributed to Americans spending more on home delivery rather than venturing out the stores to avoid exposure during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two corporations, Brookings said, could have quadrupled compensation for their workers and still turned a handsome profit compared to the year prior.

Moreover, by October 2020, Amazon recorded that about 20,000 employees had been sick with COVID-19 after many workers came forward about the hazardous conditions in facilities.

Ocasio-Cortez continued: 'Amazon workers in my district organized to meet with me in private last year. They were terrified & sobbing at being left in the dark about COVID exposures on the job + finding out about worksite infections through the grapevine.'

Bernie Sanders, senator for Vermont, tweeted his support for the push for unionization in Alabama.

'Amazon workers in Alabama are sick and tired of being treated like robots. They are standing up and fighting back, and I am proud to support them,' he said.

An Amazon warehouse that labor is trying to organize is shown in Bessemer, Alabama

Carney, Obama's press secretary, is now Amazon's senior vice president of worldwide corporate affairs

Amazon's communications chief Jay Carney, who was White House press secretary under Barack Obama, responded that, at Amazon, they 'treat employees with dignity and respect.'

He invited Sanders to visit their facilities, noting: 'Since there are 40m Americans earning less than Amazon's starting wage, we ask you and your colleagues to please raise the federal minimum to $15 as well.'

Ocasio-Cortez shrugged off his offer to visit one of their sites, insisting that the visits were always staged and a waste of time.
Labors new electric vehicle policy would deliver big tax breaks to companies with fleets and could deliver significant growth in electric vehicle sales, experts say.

The opposition has revved up its attack on a potential weak spot in the Morrison governments climate action agenda, pledging to waive government charges on non-luxury electric vehicles including the 20 per cent fringe benefits tax.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese, climate change and energy spokesman Chris Bowen and industry and innovation spokesman Ed Husic launching the partys electric vehicle policy. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The move is targeted at electric vehicles sales to commercial fleets, which represent around 40 per cent of new car sales. The Morrison government has nominated fleet sales as the target of future policy, but is yet to finalise any measures.

University of Queensland electric vehicle policy expert Jake Whitehead, a lead author on transport for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said Labors policy removes a perverse incentive for fleet managers to buy petrol and diesel cars, as fringe benefits tax allows businesses to offset operating costs of vehicles as well as capital costs.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / AurCrest Gold Inc. (the "Company" or "AurCrest") (TSXV:AGO) is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated March 25, 2021, it has closed the final tranche of its Offering for a further $136,500 with the issuance of 455,000 flow-through units (the "FT Units") of the Company at a price of $0.30 per FT Unit.

Each FT Unit consists of one (1) flow-through common share of the Company and one (1) common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one (1) common share until March 30, 2023 at a price of $0.40.

The Company paid Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. a cash commission of $8,505.00 and issued 40,500 broker warrants ("Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant is exercisable at a price of $0.30 until March 30, 2023 to acquire a Unit comprising one (1) common share and one (1) Warrant.

All securities issued are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on July 31, 2021.

AurCrest Gold is a leader in the First Nations advancement into shared participation and inclusion in the regional mining opportunities and counts as its board of directors and management, past and present, many indigenous business and cultural leaders. AurCrest is proud to play a leading role in the gold exploration of Northwestern Ontario, especially in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt and the Red Lake mining district, as it forges new business relationships between Canada's founding cultures.

About AurCrest Gold Inc.

AurCrest is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties. AurCrest has a portfolio of properties in Ontario, which include the Richardson Lake, Ranger Lake, and Bridget Lake gold properties.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

AurCrest Gold Inc.

Christopher Angeconeb

President and C.E.O

(807) 737-5353

christopherangeconeb@gmail.com

Ian Brodie-Brown

Director of Business Development

(416) 844-9969

ianbrodiebrown@gmail.com

Forward Looking Statement:

Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements: changes in the world wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. AurCrest undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: AurCrest Gold Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638336/AurCrest-Gold-Closes-on-136500-Final-Tranche-of-Flow-Through-Private-Placement
At the first global online forum for university leaders, hosted by Zhejiang University in China, presidents from 56 universities across six continents have committed to working together to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs). The initiative includes five key aspects which all signatories have agreed to: implementing the concept of sustainable development, improving sustainable development competence, supporting scientific research in response to global challenges, working with global partners to provide innovative solutions and constructive transnational cooperation on specific issues.

Among the top 50 universities on the QS World University Rankings, 80% have developed their university-level sustainability strategy, plans or operational activities. According to Zhaohui Wu, President of Zhejiang University (ZJU), the purpose of the forum was to bring together leaders from some of the best universities to share these visions and best practices on SDGs and explore opportunities for potential cooperation in safeguarding a sustainable future.

With less than 9 years to go to meet targets and the pandemic slowing progress, the forum allowed leaders to share essential expertise on how to scale up efforts to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. The event gave academics a platform to clearly outline their action plans for human-oriented, innovation-driven and down-to-earth sustainable development.

UN officials, including Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, joined the panel of speakers including Peter Salovey, President of Yale University, Pam Fredman, President of the International Association of Universities, and Eric Labaye, President of Ecole Polytechnique.

Speakers reinforced how universities can work together to harness the power of technology to expand access to quality education. They also discussed how they should draw on their academic ecosystem to support scientific collaborations and knowledge transfer across disciplines.

Universities that have signed the initiative include Peking University, Kyoto University, Korea University, National University of Singapore, Harvard University, Yale University, University of Toronto, University College London, Ecole Polytechnique, University of Oslo, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, the University of Sydney, Stellenbosch University and Universidade Estadual de Campinas, etc.

Nikhil Seth, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, said: "SDGs belong to each of us and everything we do impacts on the achievement, in the aggregate, to SDG achievement."

Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, said: "The organization of the forum is timely, especially given the increasingly pivotal role of universities not only in fostering understanding and knowledge, but also in contributing to the building of knowledge-based societies and for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."

Pam Fredman, President of the International Association of Universities, Paris, said: "Co-operation and cohesion among Higher Education Institutions and organisations will foster knowledge development and sharing."

Peter Salovey, President of Yale University, said: "Yale University has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent over the past 15 years, even though the campus square footage has increased significantly."

Svein Stolen, Rector at the University of Oslo, said: "More equal and mutually beneficial partnerships must be developed upon scientific principles, academic values, a shared vision and shared goals which place people and the planet at the centre."

At the forum, ZJU launched its own sustainable action plan to enhance its engagement with the SDGs. Zhaohui Wu, President of Zhejiang University, said: "The 'Global ZJU for Social Good' plan establishes five objectives and associated actions to improve our sustainability-related education, research, and practices within the ZJU community and among other stakeholders in China and beyond. We aim to advocate for responsible sustainability, educate for a sustainable future, advance scientific collaborations, partner for collective well-being and create greener campuses."

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=388068

Caption: On 30th March, 2021, university presidents from 30 countries unite for the first time to announce action on climate change by signing the Joint Statement of Global University Leaders on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, witnessed by UN officials.

SOURCE Zhejiang University
There isn't much in the tech world that makes me happier than a day when we get new flagship phones.

It doesn't matter which company they come fromApple, Google, Samsung or OnePlus, the subject of today's reviewthey all make me smile.

These companies are competing for your smartphone dollars, and the competition makes them all better.

On Tuesday, OnePlus introduced two flagship phones, the OnePlus 9 Pro 5G and the OnePlus 9 5G. It also introduced the OnePlus Watch.

Of the companies I listed, OnePlus is likely the one you've heard mentioned least, but it's trying hard to get its name recognized by releasing phones with all the bells and whistles for a price that's a bit lower than the competition's.

Back in 2014, OnePlus introduced the OnePlus One, which was only available by invitation. This created a bit of buzz from the Android community, and it did increase the demand for the new phone. The OnePlus One had a price of $299 and was touted as a flagship killer.

As OnePlus phones evolved, the prices have increased along with the features, which isn't a bad thing.

OnePlus 9 Pro 5G

Like Apple, OnePlus uses the "Pro" designation for its higher-end phones.

The 9 Pro features a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen that curves down on the sides. It has a resolution of 3,216 by 1,440 pixels. The screen has a 120-hertz refresh rate that changes dynamically depending on need. This means the screen refreshes up to 120 times per second, but only if the current task requires it. If your phone is sitting on your desk open to the home screen, the refresh rate slows down to save battery power. The front and back of the phone are made of Gorilla Glass 5.

The 9 Pro runs Android 11 with Oxygen OS on top (Oxygen is OnePlus' Android customization).

The processor is the very speedy Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 with 5G, and it runs an Audreno 660 graphics processor.

The 9 Pro comes in two configurations: 8 gigabytes of RAM and 128 GB of storage or 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.

The 4,500 milliamp-hour battery charges very quickly. The 9 Pro actually has two 2,250 mAh batteries that charge at the same time.

OnePlus says the phone can go from an empty battery to a full charge in 29 minutes with the included Warp charger and from empty to full in 45 minutes using the OnePlus fast wireless charger.

These are the fastest recharge times I've seen on a smartphone. Apple's iPhone 12 Pro charges from empty to 50% in 30 minutes.

The 9 Pro is ready to use sub-6 or mmWave 5G, and it will work with any carrier.

It has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

It has an in-display fingerprint sensor that worked quickly. The charge/sync port is USB-3.1, and there is no headphone jack.

The 9 Pro is IP68 dust- and water-resistant.

Cameras

In the 9 Pro introduction, OnePlus led off by announcing a new three-year partnership with camera manufacturer Hasselblad, which helped develop the cameras in the 9 and 9 Pro.

The first thing you'll notice as you look around the phone is the large camera bump with the Hasselblad name in silver.

The 9 Pro has four cameras on the back and one on the front.

The rear cameras include a 48-megapixel main camera (wide angle), a 50-megapixel ultrawide, an 8-megapixel telephoto (3.3x) and a 2-megapixel monochrome depth camera.

You can capture 8K video at 30 frames per second and 4K video at up to 120 frames per second, which creates stunning slow-motion clips.

The selfie camera has a 16-megapixel sensor with a wide-angle lens.

The camera app has a Pro mode that lets the shooter change the ISO, white balance, shutter speed, exposure compensation and switch to manual focus. The Pro mode only works with the main wide-angle camera.

The ultrawide camera has a new feature called a Freeform Lens that removes distortion from your wide shots as you shoot.

The Hasselblad collaboration is said to bring industry-leading color performance with natural color calibration. The 9 Pro takes some really nice photos. I have no doubt the 9 and 9 Pro can compete with any smartphone camera.

OnePlus 9 5G

If you'd like a slightly less expensive option, the OnePlus 9 5G shares many of the important features of the 9 Pro for a few hundred dollars less.

They share the same Snapdragon 888 processor.

You get the same screen refresh rate but on a flat 6.55-inch OLED display with a lower resolution of 2,400 by 1,080 pixels.

It has the same RAM and storage configurations as the 9 Pro, along with the same Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

It also shares the same 4,500 mAh battery and the sweet fast charging from the USB-C port, but wireless charging is not as fast.

The 9 has the same wide and ultrawide cameras, along with the depth camera, but no telephoto.

The selfie camera is the same, as is the ability to shoot 8K videos.

But wait, there's more

OnePlus also introduced its first smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch, which is designed to be teamed with a OnePlus smartphone but will work with any Android phone.

The watch has a 46mm round case and screen with a water resistance that will let you swim with it on.

The watch has integrated GPS and a blood oxygen monitor and heart rate monitor.

Most impressively, it has a 402 mAh battery that OnePlus says will last for a week of active use and two weeks of standard use before it needs a charge. I haven't received one yet to try, but I'll write a review when I do.

Pricing and availability

The OnePlus 9 5G and 9 Pro 5G will go on sale April 2 with preorders starting March 26 at oneplus.com.

The 9 Pro costs $969 for the 8/128 GB model and $1,069 for the 12/256 GB model.

Colors for the 9 Pro include Morning Mist and Pine Green.

The OnePlus 9 is priced at $729 for the 8/128 model and $829 for the 12/256 model.

Colors are Astral Black and Winter Mist.

On launch day, you'll be also able to pick one up from T-Mobile, Amazon and Best Buy.

The OnePlus watch will cost $159, and it will be available on April 14 at OnePlus.com.

Conclusions

OnePlus has a loyal following, but it is nowhere near the size of the following of Samsung and Apple.

OnePlus won't be overtaking them any time soon, but it keeps coming out with great phones. The 9 Pro 5G has all the features I look for in a phone. It is fast and has a great screen, super-fast charging, tons of RAM and storage and high-quality cameras.

The 9 5G is also good and worth your time, especially if you want to save some money.

OnePlus 9 Pro 5G

Pros: Fast, great screen, Hasselblad cameras, fastest battery charge I've seen.

Cons: No memory card slot.

Bottom line: This is OnePlus' best phone yet.

OnePlus 9 5G

Pros: Fast, good cameras, fast wired charging, lower price

Cons: Screen is lower resolution, slower wireless charging.

Bottom line: Lesser features than the 9 Pro but by design.

Explore further Samsung rival OnePlus debuts lower-priced Android phones for 5G video fans and gamers

2021 The Dallas Morning News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
EU foreign ministers insisted Wednesday that they would demand accountability from Syrias government as well as jihadist and other armed groups over alleged war crimes committed since the 2011 uprising that plunged the nation into civil war.

Our countries are committed to ensuring that war criminals and torturers will not go unpunished, the 18 ministers said in a joint statement published on the website of the French foreign ministry.

In the past 10 years nearly 400,000 people have been killed and more than six million have been forced to flee the country to escape countless violations of human rights, the ministers said.

President Bashar al-Assad, who is backed by Russia, has also been accused of using chemical weapons in breach of international law as he reconquered control of the country.

Full light must be shed on this decade of atrocities, the ministers said.

We continue to call for the International Criminal Court to be allowed to investigate crimes alleged to be committed in Syria and prosecute the perpetrators.

Cases have already been filed in several European countries on the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows suspects to be tried outside the territory of where the crimes were committed.

A German court in February convicted a former Syrian intelligence service agent for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first such court case worldwide.

The statement comes after international donors on Tuesday pledged $6.4 billion in aid for Syria and the thousands of refugees in neighbouring countries, missing the $10 billion target urged by the UN.

The need for aid has increased on the back of the coronavirus pandemic and a slump in the value of the Syrian pound, which has sent food prices soaring.

Efforts have stalled to find a lasting peace deal to end a conflict that has pitched world powers against each other and fuelled the rise of the Islamic State group.

European countries insist they will not spend money on a broader rebuilding in Syria until Assad commits to a genuine political process to resolve the conflict.
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- Green Signal from Regulatory Bodies Reinforces Consumer Belief in Potassium Carbonate

The Western Europe potassium carbonate market is anticipated to witness steady growth in the upcoming years, due to increasing demand from various end-use industries. The burgeoning usage of potassium carbonate in the production of coating and anti-freeze products is expected to remain one of the major factors contributing to the growth of the Western Europe potassium carbonate during the forecast period. In several pockets of Western Europe, researchers are focusing on finding additional applications of potassium carbonate across various industrial domains. In the wake of the swelling levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and rising emission levels, considerable investments are being made toward the development of carbon dioxide absorption technologies wherein potassium carbonate is used.



Read report Overview-



https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/western-europe-potassium-carbonate-market.html



As the demand for potassium carbonate for use in gas purification application continues to grow, the Western Europe potassium carbonate market is likely to grow at a consistent rate in the forthcoming years. The increasing usage of potassium carbonate activated solutions to capture carbon dioxide is one of the most promising avenues wherein players operating in the current Western Europe potassium carbonate market landscape are expected to show considerable interest. While R&D teams of various players operating in the current Western Europe potassium carbonate market continue to explore potential applications of potassium carbonate in technologies that contain carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, the demand for potassium carbonate for manufacturing of specialty glasses for cathode ray tubes (CRT) is projected to remain key for the growth of the Western Europe potassium carbonate market.



At the back of these factors, the Western Europe potassium carbonate market is anticipated to cross a market value of ~US$ 140 Mn by the end of 2030.



Request Brochure @



https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=80494



High Demand from Food & Beverages Sector to Aid Market Growth

Over the past couple of decades, the demand for potassium carbonate across the food & beverages sector has witnessed steady growth. In the current scenario, potassium carbonate is extensively being used as an acidity regulator and buffering agent in various food products, including soft drinks, bakery goods, custard powder, wine, mead, and cocoa. Moreover, regulatory bodies across the European Union have given the green signal for the usage of potassium carbonate as a food additive. While potassium carbonate is an approved additive across the Western European region, it is also approved in several developed regions, including the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. Due to this, export volumes of potassium carbonate from Western Europe have increased.



REQUEST FOR COVID19 IMPACT ANALYSIS 



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Although there were concerns that the chemical may be mutagenic or carcinogenic, recent research activities have indicated that potassium carbonate is safe for external use. Moreover, the U.S. FDA recognizes potassium carbonate as a safe chemical (GRAS) due to which, the demand for several applications continues to grow. The demand for food-grade potassium carbonate has increased at a commendable pace over the past few years and the trend is expected to continue during the forecast period.



Market Players Focus on Strategic Alliances to Strengthen Market Position



Several players operating in the current Western Europe potassium carbonate market are eyeing potential partnerships and strategic alliances with other domestic and international players to gain a competitive edge. For instance, in July 2019, Potasse et Produits Chimiques SAS joined the Vynova Group a move that is set to reinforce Vynova's market position and improve its potassium derivatives manufacturing capabilities. Similarly, in February 2018, Evonik Industries and AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals entered into a strategic partnership to manufacture potassium hydroxide, which is expected to be converted into other products, such as potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.



Moderate Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Market



The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a moderate impact on the Western Europe potassium carbonate market, particularly in the first few years of the forecast period. Stringent lockdown regulations in several nations across Western Europe and temporary shutdown of industries coupled with restrictions on trade and transportation have put forward a number of barriers across the supply chain an area that market players are expected to focus on in the upcoming months.



Furthermore, the arrival of the second wave of the pandemic in several Western European nations, including Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, has played a key role in negatively influencing the demand for potassium carbonate.



Analysts' Viewpoint



The Western Europe potassium carbonate market is expected to expand at a CAGR of ~4% during the forecast period. The market growth can be primarily attributed to factors, including increasing demand for potassium carbonate from the food & beverages sector, high usage of potassium carbonate in the production of anti-freeze products, and approval from regulatory bodies to be used as an additive. Market players should focus on collaborating with other players in the market and forge strategic alliances to strengthen their position in the current Western Europe potassium carbonate market landscape.



Western Europe Potassium Carbonate Market: Overview



In terms of value, the potassium carbonate market is expected to cross US$ 140 Mn by 2030

Rise in demand for potassium carbonate, owing to its wide usage in glass manufacturing and food and beverages applications, is anticipated to propel the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe during the forecast period

Food & beverages is projected to be a highly lucrative application segment of the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe in the near future

Western Europe Potassium Carbonate Market: Key Drivers and Restraints



Growth of the glass industry in Europe is expected to propel the demand for potassium carbonate in the region during the forecast period. Key glass consuming regions and countries across the world are Europe, followed by China and North America. Together, these regions/countries account for more than 74% share of demand for glass across the globe. Europe is a mature glass market, followed by Japan and North America. Potassium carbonate is largely used in the production of specialty glass, which is further employed in electronic gadgets and other applications.

Potassium carbonate is used as a raw material in the chemical industry to make other chemical compounds. For instance, it is used in the manufacture of potassium silicate, which is a common chemical compound. Potassium carbonate is also used as a mild drying agent where other drying agents, such as calcium chloride and magnesium sulfate, may be incompatible. It is mixed with distilled water to make a safer electrolyte for oxy-hydrogen production than potassium hydroxide, the more commonly used electrolyte. Demand for potassium carbonate is expected to rise due to the increase in usage of chemicals for various applications. Sales of chemicals in Europe stood at US$ 632.75 Bn in 2018. Increase in usage of chemicals in Europe is projected to boost the demand for potassium carbonate, as it is employed in various chemical processes as an intermediate. This is estimated to create lucrative opportunities for the potassium carbonate market in the near future.



Consumption of potassium carbonate leads to various harmful effects. If ingested, potassium carbonate causes irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in burns to the lips, tongue, mouth, esophagus, or even stomach. This causes vomiting and nausea, intense abdominal pain and, in extreme cases, difficulty in breathing due to swollen glottis. Thus, health hazards of potassium carbonate are expected to restrain the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe in the near future.

Western Europe Potassium Carbonate Market: Major Types



Based on type, the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe has been bifurcated into aqueous solution and solid crystal



In terms of value, solid crystal was a major segment of the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe in 2019. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. The aqueous solution segment has also been expanding at a significant pace since the past few years.

Western Europe Potassium Carbonate Market: Prominent Applications



Based on application, the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe has been divided into glass manufacturing, home care & personal care products, dyes & pigments, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, agrochemicals, gas purification, and others



The glass manufacturing segment is projected to dominate the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe during the forecast period. Potassium carbonate is primarily used as a valuable ingredient in glass making. It helps enhance the fluxing properties of glass.

Germany to be Highly Lucrative Country in Western Europe Potassium Carbonate Market



In terms of demand, Germany has been a lucrative country of the Western Europe potassium carbonate market since the past few years. The country accounts for a significant value share of the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe.



Germany is expected to dominate the Western Europe potassium carbonate market during the forecast period. The potassium carbonate market in Spain expanded considerably in 2019. The country is anticipated to exhibit a lucrative trend for the potassium carbonate market in the near future.

Western Europe Potassium Carbonate Market: Competition Landscape



Key manufacturers operating in the potassium carbonate market in Western Europe include



Evonik Industries AG

AGC Inc.

INOVYN

Dr. Paul Lohmann GmbH & Co. KGaA

Vynova Group

ESSECO UK LIMITED
This Sunday, multiple restaurants will be serving an Easter brunch.

-- Ranchland Hills Golf Club will have Mr. Cotton Tail make an appearance and an Easter egg hunt will begin at 1 p.m. (with purchase of Easter brunch). There will also be a cookie decorating table for kids. Seating will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The menu features lobster bisque, shrimp and oysters, smoked salmon lox bagel, hearts of palm salad, wedge salad board, deviled egg, watermelon feta salad, fruit and assorted domestic and imported cheese board.

Hot selections include shrimp and grits, country benedict, three cheese tortellini, chicken cordon bleu, baked grouper, quiche and baked brie with a raspberry sauce. Sides will include brussel sprouts, green bears with pearl onions, bacon wrapped asparagus, scalloped potatoes, queso blanco mac and cheese and southwestern corn. The carving station will have beef tenderloin, baked salmon and leg of lamb. The kids menu will feature pizza rolls, chicken tenders, fries, kids mac and cheese. Desserts feature lava cake, crepe station, pecan pie, bread pudding and more assorted deserted.

Tickets are $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 5 to 12 years old. For reservations call 683-2041 or email John Powell at jpowell@ranchlandhills.com. A 48 hour cancellation policy is in effect for the brunch.

--The Barrel and Derrick at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Odessa will serve an Easter brunch at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Attendees also can participate in Easter activities and get a visit and photos from the Easter bunny. The menu will be a seasonal brunch menu. Seating is limited. To reserve call 614-5588.

-- Ally Village Butter will have a Friday, Saturday and Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brunch menu features biscuits with gravy, chicken biscuit sliders, chicken and waffles, smoked salmon board, eggs benedict, deviled eggs, egg in a hole, banana bread french toast, homemade pop tarts and more.

-- Easter brunch at Cork and Pig will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The menu features Mexican migas, Fruity Pebble french toast, prime rib has, huevos rancheros and steak and eggs. Reservations can be made at www.corkandpig.com/midland/ or by calling 400-4121.

-- Dead End Food Shack will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The menu features Dead End lox sandwich, breakfast spinach salad, chorizo hash, chicken fried steak, chicken and waffles and more.

-- Wall Street Bar and Grill will be open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday for brunch.

-- Bean and Grape will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday for brunch. The menu features sweet cream pancakes, blackened shrimp bennie, Texas benni, spicy brunchy and more.

Easter deals

Dickeys Barbecue Pit locations will be open on Easter with dine-in, carryout, curbside or contactless delivery, according to a press release. Dickeys Classic Family Pack feeds up to four and includes 1 pound of pulled pork, 1 pound of brisket, barbecue beans, cabbage slaw, potato salad, six rolls, barbecue sauce, pickles and onions.

Downtown Farmers Market

The Midland Downtown Farmers Market is back to hosting a market every week at the Museum of the Southwest. The new schedule begins Saturday with extended hours (8 a.m. to noon). Visit local vendors on the lawn of the Museum of the Southwest.

Coming soon

Fat Birds Wing Bar will have a soft opening this Saturday at 3209 Courtyard Drive, suite L. The soft opening will take place from 3-9 p.m. The menu features wings, sandwiches, potstickers, egg rolls, mac and cheese, Thai chilli fries and garlic noodles.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on March 31 met with Speaker Zokirzoda Mahmadtohir Zoir of Tajikistan and lauded the strong parliamentary support for Indo-Tajik cooperation. In a tweet on Wednesday, Jaishankar had expressed that he was glad to meet Zoir. Jaishankar is in Dushanbe to attend the 9th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in the maiden bilateral visit to Tajikistan. EAM also met with his Tajikistani counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin [Aslov].

Jaishankar met with the Tajikistan speaker after meeting with Uzbekistan foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia conference earlier on March 31. "Happy to meet my distinguished colleague FM Abdulaziz Kamilov of Uzbekistan on the margins of Heart of Asia. Good discussion on our bilateral agenda. Agreed to coordinate closely on regional concerns," said Jaishankar.

On meeting Tajikistan counterpart and holding a bilateral meeting, EAM said, "Held detailed talks with FM Sirojiddin on all aspects of our bilateral agenda, including development cooperation. Also exchanged views on regional & international issues of interest. Agreed to focus on further enhancing our economic partnership."

Glad to meet Speaker Zokirzoda Mahmadtohir Zoir of Tajikistan. Appreciated the strong parliamentary support for Indo- Tajik cooperation. pic.twitter.com/9fPPI1Pmmx  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 31, 2021

Tashakkur FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin for the warm welcome on my first bilateral official visit to Tajikistan as Foreign Minister. pic.twitter.com/xOklnkw4fF  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 31, 2021

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Tajikistan share a close and cordial relationship maintained with high profile visits and meetings. India mainly exports pharmaceuticals, apparel and clothing accessories, handicraft, machinery and meat and meat products to Tajikistan while different types of ores such as slag and ash, aluminium, organic materials and other items are exported to India from Tajikistan.

Jaishankar meets Afghan President

On March 29, Jaishankar also met with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani before calling for peace in and around the war-torn country in the Heart of Asia conference on March 30. According to EAMs Twitter post, he discussed peace process with Ghani and in the conference, he said, For a durable peace in Afghanistan, what we need is a genuine 'double peace', that is, peace within Afghanistan and peace around Afghanistan."

Honour to call on President @ashrafghani before the commencement of @HeartofAsia_IP Conference. Shared our perspectives on the peace process. pic.twitter.com/6s8HuTwkJO  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 29, 2021

Afghanistan welcomed the remarks made by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar during the Heart of Asia conference in Dushanbe on March 31. Following Jaishankars statements, the Afghan envoy to India Farid Mamundzay backed Indias position and called for support of non-state actors to cease. Mamundzay told ANI, Till terror support continues from within the region of beyond region the conflict will continue, we have been suffering our people are suffering because of foreign fighters, Afghans have suffered the most, it's not a civil war in Afghanistan, it's international terrorism and that has caused a lot of misery and lot of blood, so wherever it is coming from we want all those non-state actors to stop killing Afghans and destabilising Afghanistan.

Image credits: @DrSJaishankar/Twitter
Fake German heiress Anna Sorokin has been taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The 30-year-old, who was only released from prison last month, was put back behind bars last Thursday after she reported to immigration authorities in Manhattan, the New York Post reports.

The con woman, who goes by the name Anna Delvey, is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail in New Jersey.

After her release from prison, Sorokin - a German national - was ordered to check in with immigration authorities for overstaying her visa.

Fake German heiress Anna Sorokin, who was only released from prison last month, was put back behind bars last Thursday after she reported to immigration authorities

The con woman, who goes by the name Anna Delvey, is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail in New Jersey. Sorokin spent just over three years in prison for defrauding banks, hotels and friends out of $275,000 in Manhattan in 2016 and 2017

Sources said she was scheduled to be deported to Germany on March 26, the day after she handed herself in.

Sorokin, however, didn't leave the country on that day.

It is unclear if she delayed the deportation by legally challenging it. It also isn't clear when she will be deported.

DailyMail.com has contacted ICE for comment.

Sorokin spent just over three years in prison for defrauding banks, hotels and friends out of $275,000 in Manhattan in 2016 and 2017 while posing as Anna Delvey, the fictitious heiress to a multi-billion dollar German fortune.

A Manhattan jury found her guilty in April 2019 of grand larceny and other charges.

She pretended to be the daughter of a mysterious oil baron in Europe and lived an exorbitantly expensive lifestyle in Manhattan without ever actually paying for it.

It came crashing down in 2017 after she took a friend, a Vanity Fair photo editor, to Marrakesh with her, racked up thousands in charges at hotels and then gave the photo editor the $62,000 bill, promising to pay her back.

Since being released from prison on February 11, she had a German camera crew follow her every move and kept up a social media presences on Instagram

Fake German heiress Anna Sorokin has been taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents

Delvey, poses for pictures on "King Nyani", a 6ft. Gorilla sculpture at Hudson Yards, New York, NY, March 11

Sorkin was arrested on larceny charges in New York, for defrauding banks, hotels and people out of money while posing as a fake Russian born German heiress

Anna Sorokin ( aka Anna Delvey ) visits her parole officer in Brooklyn on March 1 2021

Since being released from prison on February 11, she had a German camera crew follow her every move and kept up a social media presences on Instagram.

She also stayed at The Nomad Hotel - where rooms can cost nearly $300 a night - and shared photos of wine and caviar in her suite.

In her first interview since being released, she said prison was a 'pointless' 'waste of time', she called the prosecution against her an 'insult to her intelligence' and boasted that guards treated her like a 'celebrity'.

Sorokin was paid $320,000 by Netflix to consult on its new series about her and she used some of the money to pay off her victims.

She is believed to be writing a book about her prison experience.

'I think regret is just a useless feeling because I clearly cannot go back in time and change anything. I did what I did. I'm just trying to fix things and move on,' she told Insider of her crimes.

'They [prosecutors] presented me as being this thirsty and greedy. I just had this vision. And it didn't work out.

'I don't really have a problem with myself as a person, because I know I was never planning on defrauding anyone.'
One in eight properties in Gwynedd county are second homes - one of the highest rates in Europe

Welsh nationalists have proposed tripling council tax on holiday homes in a move to stop local people being forced out of villages.

Yesterday the idea of allowing councils to impose a premium of up to 200 per cent was criticised by Tories and tourism industry leaders.

Plaid Cymru, should it win the Senedd elections, is also proposing a cap for second homes for parts of north Wales and to alter rules so they can't be classed as businesses.

It says more than a third of homes being sold in Gwynedd and Anglesey are being bought as second properties.

Welsh nationalists have proposed tripling council tax on second home owners in a move to stop local people being forced out of villages in the northern counties (stock photo)

In Gwynedd, 12 per cent of the housing stock is owned by people from outside the county, among the highest proportion in Europe, making it impossible for people to buy homes in their own areas, it is claimed.

Delyth Jewell, Plaid's shadow housing minister, said countries throughout the world including New Zealand and Denmark have taken similar action.

She added: 'We can't go on like this, it's not fair that people who are living in areas already disadvantaged in terms of a lack of work opportunities have to see their communities slowly being transformed as locals have to move away in order to find a house in live in.

Delyth Jewell, Plaid's shadow housing minister, said countries throughout the world including New Zealand and Denmark have taken similar action against second home owners

'I am deeply concerned about the effect this will have on the Welsh language, it will be a stain on the conscience of the nation if the language is allowed to wither away in its heartlands simply because the Welsh Government doesn't want to act.'

Gwynedd council, run by Plaid, has already doubled council tax for its five thousand second homes, many of them in Snowdonia or in coastal villages such as Aberdyfi.

Yesterday Charlie Evans, Tory Senedd candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, accused Plaid of 'resorting to the same old policies of higher taxes with yet another veiled attack on Wales' brilliant visitor economy.'

Welsh Labour's Joyce Watson said: 'We recognise the concerns about the effects that large numbers of second homes can have on some of our communities and, in particular, on the long-term sustainability of our Welsh-speaking heartlands.'

She added that if Labour was returned to power it would create 20,000 social homes for rent in the next Senedd term and guarantee every young person under 25 the offer of a job, education, training or support to start a business.

Tourist leaders claim that holiday homes help to bolster local economies and provide jobs.
Police detectives have interrogated a Uganda People's Defence Forces brigadier and a colonel regarding the gold scam in which two Americans lost about $10m (Shs37b) last year.

Police sources said the Criminal Investigations Directorate sent its detectives to Mbuya Army Barracks, where the two senior military officers recorded statements.

The two senior military officers, one attached to Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, were released without police bond.

The Deputy Director of Internal Security Organisation, Mr Taban Amin, who is named in the same scam , was released on police bond last week.

A source said the two senior army officers were captured by secret cameras that the victims of the gold scam had installed on their garments.

The source said the same officers were mentioned by Mr Taban in his statement as the ones who came with the victims at his home in Kiwatule, Nakawa Division in Kampala City.

The CID spokesman, Mr Charles Twiine, declined to comment on the military officers who were interrogated by police detectives.

"I can't comment about it now because I haven't received a briefing about their interrogation," Mr Twiine said.

Origin

The scam started in 2019 when two US businessmen allegedly bought gold in Cameroon worth $5b and was to be transported to Canada via Nairobi, Kenya.

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The gold bars were switched for aluminium bars, but later they were allegedly called by someone who identified himself as Taban Amin, the head of intelligence, and confirmed to be behind the gold swap.

He allegedly gave them a week to travel to Uganda to recover their gold or forfeit it.

In February 2020, the Americans travelled to Uganda and allegedly met Mr Taban, military officers and other civilians that again sucked the victims into another gold scam in which they lost $2m.

The scam led to the arrest of a retired soldier Enoch Katwesigye, a police officer Martin Bwayo and Simon Peter Musangala, a lawyer. The trio has since been charged in court with offences of cheating.

Police seized vehicles, a Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota double cabin pick up that belong to Katwesigye and Bwayo, respectively.

Police widened the investigations and interrogated Mr Amin who allegedly named 11 people, including military officers, a police officer and lawyer, who were to work with the victims to secure their seized gold.

Mr Amin was released on a police bond after three days of interrogation.
Bachelorette couple Georgia Love, 32, and Lee Elliott, 39, tied the knot in a stunning ceremony in Tasmania in early March.

And Georgia admired her stunning diamond wedding band, that complements her round brilliant cut diamond solitaire engagement ring, in an Instagram video on Wednesday.

Moving her manicured hand to show off the design from various angles, the TV star told fans that she's 'utterly obsessed' and is not being paid to promote the bling.

'I'm utterly obsessed!' Georgia Love, 32, admired her stunning diamond wedding band (pictured) in an Instagram video on Wednesday - and promises fans it's not a sponsored post

'After falling so madly in love with my engagement ring (which Lee picked all on his own), there was absolutely no question of who I wanted to do my wedding band,' Georgia wrote, tagging a jeweller in the post.

'I loooove how beautiful and fine the band of my engagement ring is, so I didn't want my wedding band to take away from that,' she continued.

Georgia added that the post 'isn't at all sponsored' and that she simply adores her diamond wedding band.

In awe: 'I loooove how beautiful and fine the band of my engagement ring is, so I didn't want my wedding band to take away from that,' she shared online. The diamond wedding band is by the same jeweller as her round brilliant cut diamond solitaire engagement ring

Husband and wife: Georgia and Lee, 39, (both pictured) tied the knot in a stunning ceremony in Tasmania in early March

'I also kind of just wanted to show off 'me Jewely',' she playfully wrote.

Georgia and Lee said 'I Do' at the Frogmore Creek Winery, just 20 minutes outside of Hobart's city centre, followed by an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery.

The bride stunned in a custom couture gown by Australian designer Jason Grech, while the groom donned a white tuxedo jacket and bow tie by YSG Tailors.

Gorgeous: The bride stunned in a custom couture gown by Australian designer Jason Grech for the ceremony, while the groom donned a white tuxedo jacket and bow tie by YSG Tailors

Beautiful bride: Designer Jason Grech (pictured) designed a fun and flirty gown for the reception (pictured), which featured intricate bead detail at the bust and flowing tulle

Georgia changed into a fun and flirty dress, also by Jason Grech, for the reception.

It featured a bust with intricate beading detail and a tulle skirt that flowed just past her knee.

The evening reception was held at Shene Distillery, with Shene Estate hosting limited bespoke wedding ceremonies each year at the historic property.

Georgia and Lee were due to marry in Italy last year, but were forced to cancel their wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Unique flair: Guests headed to the reception on red double-decker buses. Floral arrangements took on white and blush tones

Busting a few moves: Georgia let loose after the ceremony, showing off her dance moves
Tirupati, March 31 : In view of the resurgence of coronavirus cases across the country, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), custodian of the Tirupati Lord Venkateswara Temple, has reduced the issuance of darshan tokens to 15,000 per day from the present 22,000.

"TTD has decided to reduce the sarva darshan tokens tokens to 15,000 per day from the present 22,000. We are also mulling to reduce the number of online special darshan tickets (Rs 300) depending on the Covid pandemic situation," said TTD Additional Executive Officer A. V. Dharma Reddy.

He has issued this advisory to devotees in view of their health security and also appealed to them to adhere to the Covid protocols and cooperate with the TTD in the best interests of all.

"Devotees should wear masks compulsorily at vaikuntam queue complex, srivari temple, anna prasadam bhavan, kalyana katta and at all crowded gatherings in Tirumala," said Reddy.

He added that thermal screening machines have been installed at anna prasadam centres, room allocation counters and also at several other places.

TTD has decided to allow only two persons for each room at Tirumala and all the arriving devotees are required to bring their own masks and hand sanitisers.

"Devotees will be allowed at Alipiri check point only by 1 p.m. for their next day darshan and those who are trekking Alipiri and Srivarimettu only at 9 a.m. for their darshan slot in the next day," said Reddy.

Similarly, devotees will be allowed into the vaikuntam queue complex only half an hour before their allotted darshan time.

The temple management has decided to sanitise all the vehicles entering through Alipiri toll gates while devotees suffering from fever, cold and cough are advised not to visit Tirumala.

The Additional Executive Officer has also asked the devotees directly coming from other states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra to take note of the reduction in sarva darshan tokens.

Likewise, TTD is also reviewing its earlier decision of reviving the arijitha sevas from April 14 as the pandemic is resurging.

All TTD departments' chiefs were instructed to review the pandemic situation and then take up precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, Reddy dismissed the propaganda being carried out on TTD on the social media alleging tonsured hair smuggling, which he called as "untrue and baseless".

"TTD had established a perfect system in storage, processing, handling and transport of tonsured hair of devoteesathere was no room for any misuse or pilferage or malpractices," he said.

"TTD has nothing to do with that once it has sold the product to the bidder," he said, condemning the social media propaganda over seizure of 120 bags of tonsured hair at Mizoram a" Myanmar border by Assam Rifles recently.

According to Reddy, the temple management is in touch with Assam Rifles and Mizoram police who are still probing the roots of the alleged hair stock smuggling and yet to pinpoint any location.

"Media should note that hair tonsuring is undertaken at scores of temples across India and the alleged hair bags could have come from anywhere and devotees should not to fall prey to such false news against TTD," he added.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Ban on Renter Evictions During COVID-19 Pandemic is Extended

The Biden administration is extending a federal moratorium on evictions of tenants who have fallen behind on rent during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday moved to continue the pandemic-related protection, which had been scheduled to expire on Wednesday. The moratorium is now extended through the end of June.

The ban, initially put in place last year, provides protection for renters out of concern that having families lose their homes and move into shelters or share crowded conditions with relatives or friends during the pandemic would further spread the highly contagious virus, which has killed more than 545,000 people in the United States.

To be eligible for the housing protection, renters must earn $198,000 annually or less for couples filing jointly, or $99,000 for single filers; demonstrate that theyve sought government help to pay the rent; declare that they cant pay because of COVID-19 hardships; and affirm they are likely to become homeless if evicted.

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In February, President Joe Biden extended a ban on housing foreclosures to June 30 to help homeowners struggling during the pandemic.

Housing advocates had generally expected the extension of the tenant eviction moratorium and had been lobbying the Biden administration, saying it was too early in the countrys economic recovery to let the ban lapse.

John Pollock, coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, said that the moratorium is vital for ensuring there is enough time for Congresss emergency rental assistance to reach the millions of renters in need who would otherwise be evicted.

Pollack said current surveys show that 18.4% of all tenants owe back rent. That number also revealed significant racial disparity: The percentage of Black tenants behind on their rent was 32.9%.

But Pollock and other housing advocates were disappointed that Biden merely extended the ban without addressing several issues that put many tenants at risk of eviction.

In Massachusetts, judges have green-lighted over 1,700 evictions under the federal eviction moratorium. While it is protecting some families, its clearly not protecting all, said Denise Matthews-Turner, the interim executive director of City Life/Vida Urbana, a grassroots housing justice organization in Boston. The extension is a good thing, but its disappointing that the moratorium wasnt also strengthened to keep families from falling through the cracks, such as families with no-fault evictions or whose landlords wont accept rent relief.

Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said she and others had pushed to make the bans protections automatic and universal. Currently, tenants have to actively take steps to invoke the bans protections, which can lead to exploitation of those who dont know their rights or dont understand the process.

Also, some jurisdictions have allowed landlords to initiate the eviction process in court, a tactic that scared many families into leaving rather than having the eviction proceedings, even unfinished ones, on their records.

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While the Biden administration is well aware of the shortcomings in the moratorium order that allow some evictions to proceed during the pandemic, the CDC director did not correct them, Yentel said.

Instead, the CDC simply extended President Trumps original order, leaving the loopholes and flaws in place, a disappointing decision that will result in more harmful evictions during the pandemic, she said.

Pollock said the moratorium should also include a provision ensuring tenants have a right to counsel, so that they can effectively use rental assistance and fight the increasing wave of illegal evictions.

Isabel Miranda, who has an eviction hearing next month in Massachusetts, had mixed feelings about the extension. She worries that the courts and the landlord will not recognize the federal moratorium, but also appreciates that the ban gives her time to come up with nearly $10,000 in back rent owed on a one-bedroom apartment she shares with her partner and two children.

Its good news. Its something that we at least have in our defense to prevent homelessness, she said. It gives us more hope that we will have time to navigate through the rental assistance that is being provided.

Landlords in several states have sued to scrap the order, arguing it was causing them financial hardship and infringing on their property rights. They remain opposed to any extension, saying it does nothing to address the financial challenges facing renters and landlords.

There are at least six prominent lawsuits challenging the authority of the CDC ban. So far, three judges have sided with the ban and three have ruled against, with all cases currently going through appeals. One judge in Memphis declared the CDC order unenforceable in the entire Western District of Tennessee.

Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, said he was disappointed that the Administration is still pushing this poorly thought out and illegal policy.

Fowke said in a statement that the government was embracing a short-term fix by saddling landlords with the responsibility to provide free housing during this pandemic.
Nicola Sturgeon today tried to move on from her disastrous first TV election debate appearance as she insisted fighting the coronavirus pandemic will remain her 'number one priority' if re-elected as Scottish First Minister.

Ms Sturgeon faced fury from her political opponents last night over her plans to hold a divisive independence referendum as the nation recovers from Covid-19.

The SNP leader appeared flustered as she was grilled about her drive to split from the UK and confirmed that she plans to hold a fresh ballot.

But today she insisted that another independence vote would only take place 'when the crisis is over'.

She made the comments as she marked the official start of the SNP's Holyrood election campaign with a poster launch and an announcement of a virtual election campaign tour.

Ms Sturgeon was photographed standing on a green box in an apparent attempt to ensure both she and the poster appeared in the same camera shot.

Nicola Sturgeon today tried to move on from her disastrous first TV election debate appearance as she insisted fighting the coronavirus pandemic will remain her 'number one priority' if re-elected as Scottish First Minister

Ms Sturgeon insisted that another independence vote would only take place 'when the crisis is over'

Launching the SNP's new campaign poster, with the slogan 'Scotland's future is Scotland's choice, and nobody else's', Ms Sturgeon said: 'In normal times, I'd be criss-crossing the country meeting as many people as possible on the campaign trail.

'But COVID means thats not currently possible. And so, over the coming weeks, I will be touring Scotland virtually to meet people online.'

Focusing on the pandemic, she said: 'Over the last year I have dedicated the SNP government to one over-riding task - tackling the pandemic to keep Scotland safe.

'And I have done my best every day to steer us through. That will continue to be my number one priority.'

Ms Sturgeon argued that 'Westminster is taking Scotland in the wrong direction' and added: 'That is why when the crisis is over - after Covid - we will give you the right to decide whether to become an independent country and take our future into our own hands.

'Independence will equip the Scottish Government and people with the powers we need for a long term recovery made in Scotland. It will mean Scotlands future will be in Scotlands hands.'

Ms Sturgeon last night seemed desperate to avoid engaging on the issue of independence, before eventually admitting she wants to hold another vote in the first half of the next parliament.

The SNP is hoping to use the Holyrood elections in May as a platform for a new separatist push, but support has been hammered by the extraordinary war with Alex Salmond.

The former first minister has created a new political party, Alba, to fight the elections - although in a relief for Ms Sturgeon he was not part of the debate last night.

Meanwhile, the independence campaign faced another blow as a think-tank warned that it could take Scotland at least a decade to rejoin the EU if it does break away.

If it did ally with Brussels that would mean creating a hard border with England, according to the Institute for Government.

A separate study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies also highlighted the generosity of Scotland's funding from Westminster, with 1.30 spent on public services north of the border for every 1 in the south.

The SNP leader appeared flustered during the first televised leaders' debate of the Scottish election campaign

Scotland rejoining EU 'could take a DECADE and mean hard border with UK' The SNP's pledge to rejoin the EU could take a decade to achieve - and mean a hard border with England, a report warned today. The Institute for Government said in principle Brussels would be to admit Scotland if it breaks from the UK. But that would only be possible after formal separation from the UK was complete - a process that could take 10 years. 'As an EU member state, Scotland would have no choice but to enforce customs processes, as well as regulatory checks on goods such as animal and plant products. 'There would be a need for new border infrastructure to enforce these rules.' The report points out that Scottish businesses trade about three times with the rest of the UK as with the EU. IfG fellow Akash Paun said the SNP must be 'open' about the 'costs' EU membership would entail. He pointed out that a majority of Scots voted against Brexit, so it was 'understandable' many voters wanted to look again at the case for independence. 'That is a choice for Scotland to make. But it should make that choice in the knowledge that it will not be able to maintain open borders with both the EU and with the rest of the UK,' the report added. Advertisement

Opposition leaders reacted angrily last night and accused the First Minister of ignoring the public's desire to make fixing the economy and mending public services her top priority.

Opponents warned Scotland faces the threat of five years of 'poisonous' arguments between Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond if the SNP wins the election.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross attacked her for putting issues including education and economic recovery 'to the side' in favour of independence.

He said: 'The final piece of legislation that the SNP laid in front of parliament before the parliament rose for this election was one about independence, because it is their only priority, it is their political priority.

'We have heard from the studio so far today it's not the public's priority and that is why Nicola Sturgeon is wrong and that's why we can't have a recovery when the SNP and the Scottish Government are only focused on another referendum.'

Answering questions from members of the public invited to take part virtually in the BBC debate in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon found herself on the rack over the constitution.

One audience member, introduced as Selwyn, told her: 'Nicola Sturgeon said to us she is focused on Covid and all that goes with it. If that's the case how did she find time to put an independence bill through parliament while we are still suffering Covid? That's not a focus.'

Another member of the virtual audience at the debate, introduced as Angelica, said: 'Back in November 2020, Nicola Sturgeon was pushing for another independence referendum.

'So is the focus really on the Covid recovery or is your focus on a referendum?

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: 'We will not get through this pandemic, and we will not get a recovery that benefits everyone if we are arguing amongst ourselves all the time.

'We need to put the division, the exhausting arguments of the past, behind us and focus on the recovery.' He added: 'We know it will be a long, divisive argument. We've seen the arguments over the last few weeks with Alex Salmond over these issues.

'It is going to be bitter, it is going to be divided, it will last for years. It will be just like Brexit.

'I've seen a window into the next five years in the last few weeks  arguments over the constitution, strategy about independence; arguments between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond which have been poisonous and unpleasant. And what we need to do is to put all of that behind us and choose a different future.'

Labour's Anas Sarwar, Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie, Ms Sturgeon, presenter Sarah Smith, Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross

Alex Salmond has created a new political party, Alba, to fight the elections - although in a relief for Ms Sturgeon he was not part of the debate last night

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was joined by members of other parties in quizzing Miss Sturgeon over her priorities.

He said: 'Credit where credit is due, the First Minister has been out every day talking about Covid and trying to lead from the front, but I just fear she has a blind spot when it comes to the constitution and when it comes to the referendum.'

Sturgeon: Referendum in two-and-a-half years Nicola Sturgeon sparked fury last night after confirming she will push to hold a second independence referendum within the next two-and-a-half years. The First Minister was challenged by voters on whether her focus was on the pandemic or on breaking up the United Kingdom. While she said this was something the public should 'judge' for themselves, the SNP leader confirmed she will seek a divisive referendum in the first half of the next five-year Holyrood term  'assuming the crisis has passed'. The First Minister added: 'I'll leave other people to judge if my focus has been on the pandemic or not over the past year.' Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said her party would commit to a referendum in the next Holyrood term in its manifesto. But Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross launched a furious attack on Miss Sturgeon. He said: 'Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she would want a referendum in the next two years, when we are still dealing with this health pandemic. When we're still trying to recover our economy, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed to everyone tonight that the SNP will take us forward into another independence referendum if they get that majority.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he wanted to 'focus on what unites us as a country, not what divides us'. Advertisement

Responding to the question about pushing the referendum Bill through the Scottish parliament during the pandemic, Ms Sturgeon said: 'First of all, we haven't put an independence referendum Bill through the parliament. We published a draft, as I said we would. I think it's nine pages long.

'I will leave other people to judge whether my focus has been on the coronavirus pandemic or not over the past year.

'People have seen me literally every single day lead the country's fight against Covid and I have spent literally almost every waking moment doing that, rightly and properly as First Minister.'

The leaders of the five main parties took part in the socially distanced debate, with a virtual audience asking them questions from home.

Other issues included strategy for the coronavirus recovery, education and health. Mr Ross also highlighted a pledge this week by Miss Sturgeon in an election campaign speech that all pupils in Scotland would receive a tablet device or laptop.

He said: 'Does it really help young people who have been out of school for the last year to offer them a free device at the start of an election campaign rather than the start of a pandemic?'

Mr Sarwar raised concerns about the NHS north of the Border, and referred to a grandmother who has been told that she must travel to London for an operation to treat an aggressive form of cancer because of a 'backlog' in Scotland's health service.

Mary Hudson, 69, was informed that she could not be treated here owing to health service capacity issues caused by a coronavirus backlog, and will instead be forced to endure an eight-hour journey from her home in Glasgow to the NHS Hammersmith Hospital in London.

The Scottish Labour leader said: 'She [Mrs Hudson] had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and been told by the NHS in Scotland that due to the backlog of Covid, they are not treating recurring cancers, and would only be treating first time cancers.

'She has been forced to travel south in order to get that operation.'

Scotland is spending 30 PER CENT more on public services than England thanks to generous funding deal

The Scottish government is spending 30 per cent more on public services per person than England thanks to its generous funding deal from Westminster.

The extraordinary gap has been highlighted in a report by a respected think-tank - despite Nicola Sturgeon moaning that Boris Johnson wants to deny her cash as she steps up her push to split the UK.

Ms Sturgeon unveiled a 4 per cent pay rise for NHS staff last week trolling ministers for saying that 1 per cent is the most that can be afforded after coronavirus wreaked havoc on the economy.

But a study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) pointed out the huge gulf between funding levels with England.

For every 1 per person available for public services south of the border this year, there is 1.30 allocated north of the border - with the difference almost all explained by the Barnett formula used in the calculation.

The IFS also said the Scottish Government has chosen to use some of its temporary coronavirus funding to pay for permanent spending commitments - raising concerns that will cause problems when the crisis eases.

The briefing note said the Holyrood administration had received an additional 9.5billion from the UK Government in Covid-related funding.

A study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) pointed out the huge gulf between funding levels with England

The IFS said that the overwhelming majority of Holyrood revenue comes from the block grant from Westminster, with efforts to raise more taxes from Scots only having limited effect

The controversial formula that hands Scotland more case What is the Barnett Formula? It is a system used by the UK Government to figure out how much funding should be given to the other home nations when it decides to spend more or less on something in England. It was devised by the former Labour Chief Secretary to the Treasury Joel Barnett back in 1978. While it has no standing in law it has now been used by the Treasury for more than 40 years to calculate funding figures. Why is it so controversial? The amount of money handed out to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the form of a block grant from Westminster is calculated based on population and what powers have been devolved from Whitehall. In theory this should mean that spending should go up and down equally. But the calculations are complicated and Scotland started with higher spending per head when the formula was first used which means that discrepancy is baked into the system. The formula was only ever supposed to be temporary and even its architect said in 2014 that it was 'unfair and should be stopped'. Advertisement

Combined with a special funding guarantee, it said per capita coronavirus funding was likely to be higher in Scotland than in England for the next fiscal year.

But the IFS said not all of the extra funding was going to Covid-related spending, with some used to extend free school meals and free bus travel.

It warned that these would have to be funded from the core budget in 2022/23 and beyond, where money is likely to be 'tight'.

About two-thirds of Scottish Government funding comes from the block grant it receives from the UK Government, but Scottish income tax will contribute 27 per cent and other Scottish taxes 5.5 per cent, with borrowing contributing the remaining 0.5 per cent.

The IFS found that the Scottish Government's devolved taxes were contributing a modest but growing sum to its funding.

Plans suggest core funding will be about 3 per cent higher in 202122 than in 2010, but population growth means this is around 2 per cent lower per person.

The think tank has published its first briefing note ahead of the Holyrood election campaign, focussing on how funding has changed in recent years.

David Phillips, associate director at the IFS and author of the report said: 'Excluding temporary Covid-19 funding, the Scottish Government has over 1.30 per person to spend on public services this year for every 1 of spending per person on comparable services in England.

'This is almost entirely due to funding received from the UK Government via the Barnett formula, with less than 2p of the gap due to the Scottish Government's borrowing and higher income taxes.

'Indeed, the relatively weak performance of the Scottish economy means that the net revenues received from income tax have only increased slightly, despite tax increases in Scotland.'

'They would have fallen relative to a world without tax devolution had those tax rises not been implemented, reminding us that devolution brings risks as well as opportunities.'

He continued: 'Likely tight spending plans in Westminster could mean the next Holyrood administration will have to consider tax increases or cuts to some services  not least to pay for long-term policies on free school meals, public transport, council tax and mental health services, that this year will be paid for using temporary Covid-19 funding.'

Scottish Conservative economy spokesman Maurice Golden said: 'The extra money Scotland gets through the Barnett formula in the months and years ahead will be key to saving jobs, supporting businesses, growing the economy and offering high-quality workforce training.

'There is a risk though, the SNP's divisive and unnecessary plan to hold another independence referendum this year would place a stake through the heart of Scotland's economic recovery.'

However, SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: 'While the Barnett formula does provide Scotland with slightly higher public spending per head than in England, it is already under attack by the Tories at Westminster, who have cut our capital budget by 5 per cent and stripped the Scottish Parliament of powers so they can engage in 'pork-barrel' spending through the so-called levelling up fund.'

STEPHEN DAISLEY SKETCH: Sturgeon observed social distancing by staying at home

Encircling half a dozen podiums apparently located inside a black hole, the five party chiefs growled at one another for over an hour on the BBC leaders' debate. Imagine the Galactic Senate, only with five Darth Vaders.

Sarah Smith, clad in Nat-baiting red, chaired the proceedings ably, whooshing questions from a remote audience to the politicians and back again.

Adding to the mildly sinister atmosphere, the voters were kept in a mosaic of screens in the middle of the vortex and muted and unmuted on Smith's command.

It was the first virtual velitation of the election, yet the BBC couldn't seem to bring the fireworks. Truth be told, the whole affair was a wee bit dull. Nicola Sturgeon diligently observed social distancing by staying at home and leaving the debate to everyone else.

Maybe it was the awkward format, maybe she just had a bad night, but she seemed distracted and frustrated.

Sturgeon wins debates because she commands the room. Last night, she barely looked in command of her own answers. Even before the opposition leaders got a chance, the audience was ganging up on her, zooming in from all across the country to ask why she was banging on about a second referendum in the middle of a pandemic.

Ms Sturgeon leaving last night's election debate, which saw several frustrated exchanges

One voter, Selwyn, rebuked her for 'putting a referendum bill through parliament'.

Scotland is spending 30 PER CENT more on public services than England thanks to generous funding deal The Scottish government is spending 30 per cent more on public services per person than England thanks to its generous funding deal from Westminster. The extraordinary gap has been highlighted in a report by a respected think-tank - despite Nicola Sturgeon moaning that Boris Johnson wants to deny her cash as she steps up her push to split the UK. Ms Sturgeon unveiled a 4 per cent pay rise for NHS staff last week trolling ministers for saying that 1 per cent is the most that can be afforded after coronavirus wreaked havoc on the economy. But a study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) pointed out the huge gulf between funding levels with England. For every 1 per person available for public services south of the border this year, there is 1.30 allocated north of the border - with the difference almost all explained by the Barnett formula used in the calculation. The IFS also said the Scottish Government has chosen to use some of its temporary coronavirus funding to pay for permanent spending commitments - raising concerns that will cause problems when the crisis eases. The briefing note said the Holyrood administration had received an additional 9.5billion from the UK Government in Covid-related funding. Advertisement

She shot back that she hadn't technically put it through yet, just published a draft  and it was only nine pages long. This was supposed to instil confidence.

The First Minister got some backing from Colin, who seemed promising at first with his criticism of the pro-Union leaders but swiftly switched to: 'You're nothing more than imperialists... you take your orders from London.'

To the audience suggestion that there were more pressing concerns than the constitution, Sturgeon cited the 2007 global financial crisis and recalled how she'd been told back then that separation had to be shelved.

It's hardly revelatory that Sturgeon supports independence, but it was quite the admission that she thinks Scotland leaving the UK would have been wise while Bear Stearns executives were remortgaging their private helicopters.

H ER pitch to punters was that the Covid recovery would be best served by an independent Scotland within 'the European single market', a curious turn of phrase from someone who has spent five years railing against Scotland being 'dragged out' of any aspect of the European Union.

I suspect some internal polling has identified her inflexible rhetoric around Brexit as a recruiting sergeant for another nationalist party. One just recently launched. One with a Gaelic name none of its non-Gael members can pronounce.

Joining the familiar faces was relative newcomer Lorna Slater, a Canadian-born engineer who co-leads what she kept calling 'the Scorrish Greens'.

Her delightfully transatlantic accent took off from Calgary and circled somewhere above Canonmills for most of the debate, as she argued that people should vote Green for new jobs, more homes and better trains.

Her pronunciation was very different from that of Patrick Harvie. Every time he talks about the environment, it comes out as 'independence'.

Most of Labour leader Anas Sarwar's opening statement was carried in wide shot, then the screen cut to black, before returning to him for the final few seconds.

Later the camera zoomed out inexplicably in the middle of an answer. It was a remote debate and it looked as though the director was working from home, too.

So who was strongest on the issues that REALLY matter?

ON CORONAVIRUS STRATEGY

BEST LINES:

Douglas Ross: 'Does it really help young people who have been out of school for the last year to offer them a free device at the start of an election campaign rather than the start of a pandemic?'

Nicola Sturgeon: 'These are serious times, and they demand serious leadership. We need an experienced hand at the wheel.'

ANALYSIS:

Nicola Sturgeon felt confident speaking about her approach to coronavirus. She feels it is her strongest card and believed the country would be convinced that her experience is still needed.

But Douglas Ross managed to land two strong blows. He highlighted how two of her ministers have broken rules on outdoor gatherings while campaigning and also exposed how the SNP made a flagship promise in a conference speech to give a laptop to every child  but has failed to act during the pandemic when they have been needed most.

VERDICT:

Nicola Sturgeon's line about her coronavirus leadership was her strongest showing, but Douglas Ross edged it by exposing election bribes that could have been introduced long before now.

Sturgeon cited the 2007 global financial crisis and recalled how she'd been told back then that separation had to be shelved

ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY

BEST LINES:

Willie Rennie: 'We need to put our differences behind us and bring our country together.'

Anas Sarwar: 'It will take years to recover in the aftermath of Covid and Covid has hit people equally whether Yes, No, Leave or Remain.'

Douglas Ross: 'We can't have a recovery and a referendum.'

ANALYSIS:

All leaders agreed the economy needs to be the focus. Miss Sturgeon was less convincing when opponents highlighted that she will put independence first, meaning years of divisive debate.

VERDICT:

Some impressive points from Anas Sarwar about the need to focus on economic action rather than more division.

ON INDEPENDENCE:

BEST LINES:

Willie Rennie: 'I've seen a window into the next five years in the last few weeks: arguments over the constitution, strategy about independence, arguments between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond which have been poisonous and unpleasant.'

Douglas Ross: 'We have heard from the studio so far today it's not the public's priority and that is why Nicola Sturgeon is wrong and that's why we can't have a recovery when the SNP and the Scottish Government are only focused on another referendum.'

ANALYSIS:

An issue that dominated for the audience and the leaders. Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that she wants an independence referendum within two-and-a-half years, while Lorna Slater of the Greens only wanted it within the five-year term of parliament.

VERDICT:

Willie Rennie made good points about the need to escape more division and five years of poisonous arguments between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.

ON HEALTH:

BEST LINES:

Anas Sarwar: 'Even despite Covid, cancer remains Scotland's biggest killer. We can't have people needing to go south for treatment.'

ANALYSIS:

The issue was dominated by Anas Sarwar, who set out policy ideas about tackling the NHS backlog and highlighted the impact lockdown has had. Nicola Sturgeon also got in some good policy ideas about temporary operation facilities and mobile units.

VERDICT:

A clear win for Anas Sarwar.
Voltalia (Euronext Paris, code ISIN: FR0011995588), an international player in renewable energies, announces its decision to withdraw from Myanmar due to the political and humanitarian crisis.

Voltalia has been present in Myanmar since 2018. Relying on the continued opening up of the country initiated a few years earlier, Voltalia supplies electricity to 156 telecom towers (representing less than 1% of the company's total production) generally isolated and not connected to the power grid, to ensure a better access to rural populations located in the regions of Bago and Irrawaddy.

Due to the political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, Voltalia has decided to withdraw from the country and has launched the associated process.

In the meantime, Voltalia is continuing to follow the situation very closely and to do everything possible to ensure health, safety, and security of its 43 employees on site, including 39 Myanmarese, and its subcontractors during this period.

Next on the agenda: Q1 2021 revenue, on April 21, 2021

About Voltalia (www.voltalia.com) Voltalia is an international player in the renewable energy sector. The Group produces and sells electricity generated from wind, solar, hydraulic, biomass and storage facilities that it owns and operates. Voltalia has generating capacity in operation and under construction of more than 1.4 GW and a portfolio of projects under development representing total capacity of 9.7 GW.



Voltalia is also a service provider and supports its investor clients in renewable energy projects during all phases, from design to operation and maintenance.



As a pioneer in the corporate market, Voltalia provides a global offer to private companies, ranging from the supply of green electricity and energy efficiency services to the local production of their own electricity.



The Group has more than 1 130 employees and is present in 20 countries on 4 continents and is able to act worldwide on behalf of its clients.



Voltalia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris, compartment B (FR0011995588  VLTSA) and is part of the Enternext Tech 40 and CAC Mid & Small indices. The Group is also included in the Gaia-Index, an index for socially responsible midcaps. Voltalia

Investor Relations: invest@voltalia.com

T. '33 (0)1 81 70 37 00 Actifin

Press Contact: Jennifer Jullia

jjullia@actifin.fr. T. '33 (0)1 56 88 11 11

Attachment
The 'vast majority' of positive rapid Covid tests at school are likely to be false, Professor Jon Deeks,

Mass testing of secondary school pupils is costing 120,000 for every case it detects, it emerged today.

Data from March 11 to 18 shows 1,805 positive results from 3.8million tests taken. Given the current best-guess false-positive rate, only 645 of those are likely to be genuine infections.

'At 20-a-test, that's 120,000 per case found,' Professor John Deeks from the University of Birmingham told The Daily Telegraph.

He told the newspaper the 'vast majority' of positive results from rapid coronavirus tests used at secondary schools are likely to be wrong.

Cases have fallen rapidly among children since the start of the year, with just 0.05 per cent of youngsters thought to infected at the moment  just one in 2,000.

Professor Deeks, head of the university's Biostatistics, Evidence Synthesis and Test Evaluation Research Group, warned it becomes harder to distinguish the true size of outbreaks using lateral flow tests when cases plummet to such low levels.

Fears false positives will spike as cases drop has prompted the Government to U-turn on its lateral flow-testing policy.

The Department for Education updated its guidance yesterday to say all positive rapid test results taken at school have to be followed up with a lab-based PCR test.

If the PCR test is negative, students and staff will now be able to return to class and stop self-isolating, the advice says.

Previously only positive rapid tests taken by schoolchildren at home required a backup PCR test under the guidance.

All students in secondary schools in England were expected to complete three rapid Covid tests on their return to classrooms on March 8, spaced three to five days apart. Since then all tests have been taken at home twice a week.

Professor Deeks, who last week authored a report showing rapid tests may miss four in 10 asymptomatic people, told The Daily Telegraph he was 'bewildered' it took the Government this long to change its position.

But he added it was 'better late than never' that the number of children having to having to unnecessarily stay at home in isolation will fall.

Just 1,805 of the 3.8million lateral flow tests taken last week were positive, the figures showed. Pictured: A student takes a lateral flow test at Weaverham High School in Cheshire

Official data shows the test positivity rate among secondary pupils is around one in 2,000. Just 1,805 of the 3.8million lateral flow tests taken last week were positive.

Health bosses say around one in 1,000 positive results from rapid kits are false. This would be the equivalent of around 3,800 positives from 3.8million tests.

Experts say this is proof that most of the positive results would have been incorrect because when case numbers are low the likelihood of false positives increases.

But the ONS  which carries out gold standard studies  says prevalence of Covid among secondary school children in England is around 0.4 per cent.

This would suggest that the tests may in fact be missing lots of actual cases in schools.

It comes as Government data showed the proportion of pupils attending schools in England last week dropped as more children were forced to self-isolate at home.

Nine in 10 state school pupils were in class on March 25, down from 91 per cent on March 18 when all schools in England had fully returned, the Department for Education analysis shows.

Coronavirus cases are dropping in all age groups other than children and teenagers in the United Kingdom since schools reopened in England on March 8, dismissing fears cases would balloon in the wider population once children returned to classrooms

Rapid tests  which give results in as little as 30 minutes  are not genetically sequenced so they cannot be used to identify variants of concern, including the South Africa variant

Dr Susan Hopkins, strategic response director for Covid at Public Health England, said the lateral flow tests have an 'extremely low' number of false positives.

She told The Telegraph: 'However, as the prevalence of Covid reduces to low levels in the population, the chance of a false positive result increases  though still remains unlikely.

'During periods of low virus prevalence, we can mitigate against the risk of false positives by confirming a positive lateral flow test with another test  such as a PCR test performed in the laboratory.

'This makes it highly unlikely that anyone would need to self-isolate unnecessarily, while ensuring that we can retain the benefits of rapid testing to detect true positive cases and for confirming when people are not infected.'

It comes as Department for Education data yesterday suggested that 220,000 pupils were out of class and self-isolating on Thursday last week due to potential contact with Covid, up from 169,000 pupils in the previous week.

Around 3.3 per cent of all pupils on roll  up to 264,000 children  did not attend school for Covid-related reasons on March 25, up from 2.5 per cent on March 18.

The DfE said the main reason for absence among pupils who did not attend school for Covid-related reasons was self-isolation due to contact with a possible case inside the school.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'Although there was a slight dip in attendance last week, this was always likely to happen as Covid positive cases emerged and triggered Covid protocols necessitating the self-isolation of close contacts.

'On the whole, however, attendance levels have borne up remarkably well, and great credit is due to schools and their staff for all they have done.

'There is now the natural firebreak of the Easter holidays and we will see where we are at the beginning of next term.

'Everybody will obviously hope that the relaxation of Covid restrictions in wider society will not lead to an escalating rate of positive cases in schools, with the disruption this causes to education.'

A DfE spokesperson said: 'Attendance in schools remains higher than at any point during the autumn term, as students and staff continue to follow the protective measures set out in our guidance to reduce transmission of the virus.

'With the testing programme now in full swing and millions of tests being conducted each week, we are only seeing a small increase in the numbers of students testing positive and self-isolating.

'We are grateful to everyone who continues testing twice-weekly from home and self-isolating where that is necessary, playing their part in keeping everyone as safe as possible.'
A 54-year old man who set a fire in his bedroom in premises owned by Praxis Care was handed a 28-month sentence today.

John Brown  who has been on remand in Maghaberry since the January 2020 incident  was informed his sentence will be divided equally between custody and licence.

He admitted a single charge of arson and the sentence was imposed by Downpatrick Crown Court Judge, Geoffrey Miller QC.

As he issued the sentence, Judge Miller said that whilst he accepted Brown did not intend to harm any other residents in Kimberley House in Newtownards  which caters for people with learning difficulties  his actions could have had more serious consequences.

At around 2.30pm on Friday, January 31, last year, the emergency services received a report that Brown had set fire to his flat in the premises on Abbey Road in Ards.

Fellow residents had to evacuate the building for a period, and at the scene the Fire and Rescue Service dealt with a small fire in Browns bedroom.

The blaze was confined to a chest of drawers and was extinguished quickly, causing minimal damage.

Around the same time, the supervisor at Kimberley House received a call from another member of staff who had met Brown at the duck pond.

An emotional Brown told the staff member he was going to take anti-depressant tablets hed been hoarding, and that he had set a fire in a chest of drawers in his bedroom.

Later that afternoon police received a call regarding Browns whereabouts and when he was arrested he made full admissions to police about the arson and said it was never his intention to hurt any of the other residents.

Judge Miller noted Brown, who appeared for his sentencing via a videolink with Maghaberry, had 47 previous convictions  one of which was for a similar incident of arson.

Also noted by the Judge was the loss of Browns accommodation at Kimberley House, due to his actions. Judge Miller said this significant problem will need to be addressed by the relevant authorities when Brown is released from jail.

Describing Brown as a loner whose learning difficulties have been exacerbated by spending his benefits money on drink and drugs, Judge Miller said he accepted the remorse and regret shown by Brown since the arson was genuine.

Judge Miller imposed the sentence and told Brown that as part of his licence he has to engage with learning disability services, and has to participate in any programmes both to reduce his offending behaviour and to address his drug and alcohol issues.
Health and household goods chain Semichem is shutting two shops in Northern Ireland, affecting around a dozen jobs.

The business is closing a total of 22 stores across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North East of England as it battles the impact of Covid-19 on high street trading.

Its bringing the shutters down on two stores in west Belfasts Park Centre and Lisnagelvin in Londonderry. That will leave it with 10 here.

The business is owned by community retailer Scotmid Co-operative.

In total, 140 Semichem staff are now in a formal consultation process  though the firm said redeployment would be possible across its wider business.

Karen Scott, head of Semichem, said: The high street was already struggling to adapt to the pace of change in shopping habits, including out-of-town developments and the rise of internet shopping.

That change has undoubtedly been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadly, we have reached the point where it is no longer viable to keep some of our stores open.

We are grateful for both Scotmid and subsequent government support, which has undoubtedly prolonged the life of many stores.

Our priority now is to support affected colleagues at this difficult time. We are already looking for redeployment opportunities within the Scotmid group and will help all our staff both personally and professionally.

Semichem was founded in 1980 and became part of Scotmid Co-operative in 1995. It has 86 stores in shopping centres and on high streets across NI, Scotland and the North East of England.

Ms Scott added: The remaining stores in our Semichem portfolio are trading satisfactorily given the current circumstances. Like many other retailers, we are hopeful that, as restrictions ease, footfall will return to our high streets. I am also pleased to say that our investment programme will resume in the summer.
WASHINGTON  President Biden intends to pay for the $2 trillion package of infrastructure spending he will propose on Wednesday with a substantial increase in corporate taxes, people briefed on the plan said Tuesday.

The scale of the infrastructure program  one of the most ambitious attempts in generations to shore up the nations aging roads, bridges, rail lines and utilities  is so big that it will require 15 years of higher taxes on corporations to pay for eight years of spending, they said.

Despite his ambitious programs, Mr. Biden had pledged that his long-term economic agenda would not add further to the growing national debt. But the fact that his proposed tax increases would not cover his spending over the same period shows the challenge he has in balancing his big goals and the deficit.

Mr. Bidens proposals include raising the corporate tax rate to 28 percent from 21 percent and efforts to force multinational corporations to pay significantly more in tax to the United States on profits they earn and book overseas. The corporate tax rate had been cut under President Donald J. Trump from 35 percent to 21 percent.
The next court appearance for former Old Forge School Director Frank Scavo has been moved from Scranton to Washington, D.C., where he is charged with illegally entering the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia formally assumed control of Scavos case Wednesday. During a detention hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui established conditions allowing Scavo to remain free that are virtually identical to conditions that Middle District of Pennsylvania Chief Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick set during a March 25 detention hearing in Scranton, the day he surrendered to the FBI.

The conditions require Scavo to check in weekly with a federal pretrial services officer and forbid him from traveling to Washington, D.C., or outside his home federal court district.

Scavo, 58, and his lawyer, Scranton attorney Ernie Preate Jr., appeared before Faruqui via Zoom with Scavo again acknowledging he understands the conditions.

Preate said he doesnt know why his client faced two detention hearings.

On Monday, Mehalchick canceled a preliminary hearing on the charges scheduled for today, after District of Columbia federal prosecutors filed a criminal information listing the charges against Scavo.

Faruqui set April 21 for a case status hearing.

During the hearing, Preate said he hopes to move the case expeditiously forward to a resolution.

Afterward, Preate said that does not mean Scavo plans to plead guilty.

Rather, he wants prosecutors to understand he doesnt want his client facing charges for years, just because theyre overwhelmed with cases coming from the Capitol riot.

Last week, an FBI agent in Washington, D.C., filed a criminal complaint against Scavo, charging him with four misdemeanors: knowingly entering or remaining in the Capitol without lawful authority, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct on Capitol grounds and parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol. Scavo faces up to three years in prison, fines of up to $210,000 and special assessments of up to $70, but sentencing guidelines would likely reduce the penalty.

Preate said last week the Capitol mob pushed Scavo into the building. The criminal complaint, using videos from Scavos cellphone, accuses him of chanting with rioters inside, posing for a picture near a painting and climbing a staircase while recording cellphone video.

Your own personal tour of the freaking Capitol, Scavo can be heard saying, according to the complaint. We ... took it back. Took it back.

Scavo organized a five-bus caravan of about 200 supporters of President Donald Trump to a Washington rally. They protested the November election was stolen Trump  a false claim  just hours before Congress planned to meet to ratify the election of Biden, a Scranton native, to the presidency.

Hundreds later stormed the Capitol, but police eventually cleared the building and Congress ratified Bidens election.
Minister of Trade Niven Gamea' conferred with her Swedish counterpart Anna Hallberg on means to boost trade and investment cooperation and establish joint business council to document cooperation between businessmen from Egypt and Sweden to establish joint projects in the industrial field especially in the food industries and engineering sectors.

Gamea' asserted that Egypt and Sweden have distinguished political and economic ties at the different levels.

She pointed out to the possibility of cooperation between Swedish financial institutions and the Egyptian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) and Export Development Bank to present credit facilitation to encourage joint cooperation between both countries in the field of small and medium enterprises.

Gamea' asserted the keenness of the Egyptian side on benefiting from the Swedish expertise in the field of entrepreneurships and supporting small and medium enterprises.

Gamea' highlighted the developments witnessed in the field of energy recently and what was established in the investment projects in the field of energy generation.

Gamea' asserted the importance of increasing the rates of trade exchange between Egypt and Sweden to be up to the distinguished political ties between both countries.

Meanwhile, Hallberg asserted her country's keenness on increasing volume of trade with Egypt as it is one of the most important partners in the Middle East and Africa.

Hallberg said that in spite of the repercussions of the coronavirus, the rates of trade exchange between Egypt and Sweden increased remarkably.
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Hundreds of nurses protested in northwestern Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province to demand improvements in their working conditions. Nurses from across the province gathered in Peshawar on March 30 to demand paid vacations, pension benefits, and opportunities for career progression within the service.
COLUMBIA  A former state Democratic Party leader and the current Richland County coroner are among those backing Tameika Isaac Devine's campaign for Columbia mayor.

Devine, a longtime at-large representative on Columbia City Council, revealed support from former S.C. Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler and Coroner Naida Rutherford on March 31. The announcement was part of a month-long campaign rolling out women who support Devine's bid to fill the seat of Mayor Steve Benjamin, who has announced he will step down at the end of the year.

"My reason for being here today has very little to do with her gender and everything to do with the fact that she has already proven herself to be the leader that Columbia needs to take out city, the city we really care about, to the next level," Fowler said in comments at an event to announce the endorsements.

Devine is running against fellow council member Daniel Rickenmann and former Benjamin aide Sam Johnson in the election Nov. 2. While filing won't open until August, Devine and Johnson's campaigns are well underway, while Rickenmann has said he expects to begin his effort in earnest in April.

Johnson, who like Devine is considered a Benjamin protege, previously announced endorsements from two of Devine's colleagues on the council, Sam Davis and Ed McDowell.

In remarks at an event outside M Grille on Lady Street, Devine downplayed the importance of endorsements, saying she'd rather earn the choice of the voters. But she said she was approached by a group of women about recognizing her campaign during Women's History Month.

"I really feel like if you're doing the work, if you're doing the service, let your service and your heart speak for you," Devine said.

Johnsons campaign raised $13,646 from more than 50 donors, according to initial required state filings in February. Devine reported $1,500 on hand in her initial filing and Rickenmann had dropped $1,000 into his campaign, filings showed.

Devine supported Rutherford's campaign for coroner in 2020, with Rutherford, the ex-wife of S.C. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, becoming the first woman and first African American elected to the office that investigates deaths in the county. Devine would be the first woman to lead the city as mayor.

"Women for Devine, we have a very unique opportunity," Rutherford said in endorsing Devine on March 31. "...We have the opportunity to make one of our own, someone who has served us tremendously, the next mayor for the city of Columbia."
Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh clashed with co-star Dr Hilary Jones on air after he mentioned wearing masks on the beach to prevent Covid spread.

During Wednesday's episode of the programme, Ranvir and Dr Hilary discussed thousands flocking to beaches and parks during the nations heatwave on Tuesday.

Dr Hilary, 67, referenced Spain's rules where beach goers are told to cover their faces with masks while sunbathing and in the sea.

No way! Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh clashed with co-star Dr Hilary Jones on air after he mentioned wearing masks on the beach to prevent Covid spread

But Ranvir suggested the point of easing lockdown is so the public are able to enjoy a sense of normality again, such as the events that were taking place the day prior.

Dr Hilary said: 'Spain are worried about infection rates and worried about their health service being overwhelmed.

'In theory if you go swimming in the sea (in Spain) you should be wearing a mask if you take their rule to its natural conclusion. Anyone over six.'

Ranvir, 43, replied: 'Isn't the point of easing lockdown testing how far we've come?

Debate: During Wednesday's episode of the programme, Ranvir and Dr Hilary discussed thousands flocking to beaches and parks during the nations heatwave on Tuesday

'We are going to have Covid in society we are going to have to live with it. Some people might get terribly sick with it.

'My point being, this sort of thing yesterday of course it's not ideal but isn't this the point of it, we're essentially encouraged to go outside.

'Mental health speaking, all I have heard on the radio is 'I feel happier'.'

Dr Hilary insisted that it didn't want to appear to be a 'killjoy', but he wanted to make sure viewers were aware of the 'science' of the situation.

What's the point? Ranvir suggested the point of easing lockdown is so the public are able to enjoy a sense of normality again, such as the events that were taking place the day prior

One viewer at home said Ranvir was talking sense, as they took to Twitter and wrote: 'Ranvir talking more sense in 2 minutes than Dr Doom has all week #GMB.'

Another poked fun at the idea of swimming in a mask, and said: 'You should wear a mask if you are swimming in the sea in Spain - Dr Hilary #GMB.'

A third wrote: 'Dr Hilary Doom just hates seeing people having fun. It means he'll be off the TV and back in the GP surgery soon #GMB.'

One viewer at home said Ranvir was talking sense, as they took to Twitter and wrote: 'Ranvir talking more sense in 2 minutes than Dr Doom has all week #GMB'

The TV doctor is heading up the Government's 'Let's Take This Next Step Safely' campaign, which is currently running across TV and radio.

The major campaign reminds the public to stick to the rules and remain outside when meeting others to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

It encourages people to remember the '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 also tells 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.

Famous face: The TV doctor is heading up the Government's 'Let's Take This Next Step Safely' campaign, which is currently running across TV and radio

Revellers have been making the most of their newfound freedom this week after coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted on Monday, allowing up to six people or two households of any size to meet outdoors.

But many threw caution to the wind, with hundreds enjoying a sundown party on the beach in Brighton while seafronts, parks and promenades were packed in Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham and London.

The biggest crowds appeared to be at Woodhouse Moor in Leeds, where hundreds of people gathered  and West Yorkshire Police warned they would 'disperse groups of over six - using fines where appropriate to do so'.

YESTERDAY: Revellers enjoy the hot weather at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside yesterday as they make the most of it

A clean-up began in parks and beaches after people left behind mounds of litter including disposable barbecues, beer cans and takeaway boxes on what was the hottest March day in Britain for 53 years yesterday.

It comes after the Prime Minister said he hoped people would take advantage of the 'beautiful weather' to play sport or exercise, while also emphasising the country should still 'proceed with caution'.

Despite cases, hospitalisations and deaths all plunging to six month lows thanks to the vaccine roll-out, Ministers are concerned that infections could surge again if people are too cavalier.

YESTERDAY: Hundreds of people flocked to Woodhouse Moor in Leeds yesterday as they made the most of the warm weather

Disgraceful scenes on Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside this morning after beachgoers left behind rubbish

But Professor Mark Woolhouse from the University of Edinburgh warned last month that crowded beaches do not spread Covid-19, saying it was clear most transmission has happened indoors.

Yesterday, Kew Gardens in South West London saw temperatures of 76.1F (24.5C), while temperatures reached a similar level across southern and eastern areas with highs in many places of at least 73F (23C).

But they are likely to fall to 59F (15C) on Wednesday before dropping further to 52F (11C) on Good Friday - before more average conditions for the time of year and even snow in North Wales and northern England by Easter Monday.

Yesterday was the second-warmest March day on record and the warmest in 53 years.

With the heatwave due to continue for another day, the March record of 78.1F (25.6C), set at Mepal in Cambridgeshire, in 1968 could still be broken.
Xiaomi has been teasing its concept folding smartphones for a while now and we finally have a proper launch of a folding device by the Chinese company. The company's first commercially available foldable phone was announced today and it was shown off at a live streaming event.

 Xiaomi

The foldable phone is called the Mi Mix Fold and uses a very similar design as the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Theres an 8.01-inch OLED main screen (2,480 x 1,860, 60Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision) and a 6.52-inch 90hZ OLED display on the outside that has a resolution of 2,520 X 840 pixels. Xiaomi also said that the main screen can be folded one million times.



In terms of specifications, the Mi Mix Fold is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, has a 5,020mAh battery that can be charged at 67W. The fast-charging tech can fully charge the smartphone in 37 minutes according to the Chinese brand. In terms of cameras, the Mi Mix Fold has a 108MP main camera, a 13MP ultra-wide sensor and an 8MP Lens. The 8MP lens uses something called liquid lens technology which enables it to offer 3X telephoto capabilities and 30x hybrid zoom. The outer display also has a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera which is a 20MP lens.

 Xiaomi

The Mi Mix Fold is the companys first official folding smartphone that is available to purchase even though the company showed off the Mi Mix Alpha two years ago. That concept smartphone features a wraparound screen that covers most of the smartphone with a display. Xiaomi also showed off a concept smartphone with a double-folding design.



However, for now, the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold is the only commercially available folding device by the Chinese company. Prices start at 9,999 yuan (~ Rs 1,11,978.52 ) for the 12GB/256GB model. The more expensive model that has a configuration of 16GB/512GB and a ceramic body costs 12,999 yuan (~ Rs 1,45,575). As of now, the Mi Mix Fold is only available in China and wont be coming to global markets.
New Delhi:

Anantnag police on Wednesday arrested Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Aadil Ahmad Bhat from Bijbehara railway station in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, the security forces on September 14 apprehended another Hizbul terrorist Zameer Ahmed in Bandipora district. Arms and ammunitions were also recovered from the terrorist.

The forces on the same day gunned down Lashkar commander Abu Ismail in Nowgam encounter along with another terrorist.

Ismail was also allegedly involved in the Amarnath attack earlier this year, which killed eight pilgrims.

LeT commander was identified as the main culprit in the attack, who carried out the attack to revenge the death of his predecessor Bashir Lashkari.

ALSO READ: Army guns down two terrorists to foil infiltration bid along LoC in J-K's Machil sector

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has announced he is on a hunger strike to protest the conditions he is experiencing in prison which have started to cause him health problems.

A new post shared on Navalny's Instagram discussed the back pain he has been suffering with, which has now developed into pains in both his legs too.

Despite Navalny's pleas to be allowed to see a doctor, prison authorities, after examining him last week, declared his condition to be stable and satisfactory.

His latest Instagram post consists of a letter he has written and in it, Navalny, 44, asked why prison inmates go on hunger strikes, before confirming that he had begun one himself.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny (pictured, in 2020) has announced he is on a hunger strike to protest the conditions he is experiencing in prison which have started to cause him health problems

In an the most recent post published on his account, Navalny describes how he has gone on a hunger strike to demand he be allowed to see a doctor to treat him for his back and leg pains

In the post, shared by his team, Navalny said: 'I have the right to call a doctor and get medicine. They don't give me either one or the other. The back pain has moved to the leg. Areas of the right and now the left leg have lost sensitivity.

'Jokes aside, but this is already annoying.'

He also repeated his claims that his requests for medical assistance were being ignored by prison guards and that he was being 'tortured' with sleep deprivation with guards waking him up eight times a night.

Navalny also claimed that other prisoners are being intimidated into not helping clean areas around his bed.

'Well, that's what to do?' he asked. 'I went on a hunger strike demanding that the law be obeyed and that a visiting doctor be allowed to visit me. So I'm lying hungry, but so far with two legs.'

Earlier this week, Navalny warned he potentially faces being locked in solitary confinement after being accused of numerous minor infractions in prison.

Navalny is serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence for violating his parole in a 2014 fraud case.

In a post to Instagram, uploaded via his lawyers on Monday, Navalny shared a picture of himself from prison - a grainy image showing his head had been shaved.

In an earlier Instagram post, Navalny said he could be locked up in solitary confinement after being accused of numerous minor infractions in prison

More than 20 medical professionals on Sunday published an open letter demanding the 44-year-old opposition politician get proper care.

'We fear for the worst. Leaving a patient in this condition ... may lead to severe consequences, including an irreversible, full or partial loss of lower limb functions,' the letter said.

He said in the same post he had been given six reprimands in the space of two weeks at the IK-2 corrective penal colony 100 km (60 miles) east of Moscow. Two reprimands are technically enough to be sent to a punishment cell, he said.

'It's an unpleasant joke,' Navalny wrote. 'The conditions there [in solitary] are close to torture.'

Navalny, 44, is serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence for violating his parole in a 2014 fraud case at the IK-2 corrective penal colony 100 km (60 miles) east of Moscow [File photo]

The reprimands mean that Navalny is no longer eligible for early parole, his lawyers said last Thursday.

The prison did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters news agency for comment.

He was arrested as he returned to Russia from Germany in January, where he had been recovering from what doctors said was poisoning with a nerve agent.

The West, including the European Court of Human Rights, has demanded that Russia release Navalny.
OceanGate Expeditions Titanic Survey Expedition 2021 Vessel Horizon Arctic For this expedition, in one of the worlds harshest marine environments, we have selected a superior vessel with the highest standard of accommodations for our crew and Mission Specialists. - Stockton Rush, President, OceanGate Expeditions

OCEANGATE EXPEDITIONS, the innovative crewed submersible exploration company, today announced it has selected the state-of-the-art multi-purpose offshore support vessel Horizon Arctic to serve as the surface support vessel for the 2021 Titanic Survey Expedition. This expedition will be the first of an annual series that will document the condition of the wreck, the debris field, and the marine life found there.

The expedition vessel is essential to the success of the missions we will embark upon beginning in June 2021, says Stockton Rush, President, OceanGate Expeditions. The Titanic Survey Expedition will utilize OceanGate Inc.s 5-crewmember submersible, Titan, and their proprietary launch and recovery platform that are easily accommodated by a wide variety of surface support vessels. For this expedition, in one of the worlds harshest marine environments, we have selected a superior vessel with outstanding features such as low emissions hybrid propulsion, full redundancies, and the highest standard of accommodations for our crew and Mission Specialists. Our focus has been on identifying a vessel and crew uniquely qualified in deep subsea operations with a commitment to putting safety first. We have found that in the crew of the Horizon Arctic, says Rush.

We are excited to be providing the Horizon Arctic for the inaugural Titanic Survey Expedition, conducting this operation from our home port in St. Johns, says Sean Leet, CEO, Horizon Maritime. Our crews have unmatched training and experience in subsea support operations  safety is paramount within all of our operations. While we have supported many complex subsea operations over the years, supporting the team making these dives to the iconic resting place of the Titanic is an exceptional honor. We are looking forward to working with the OceanGate Expeditions team and participating in these on-going missions that will document and preserve a fascinating aspect of our Atlantic Canadian heritage, continues Leet.

OceanGate Expeditions Titanic Survey Expedition will embark June 2021 with a team of scientists, content experts, and citizen explorers trained as Mission Specialists to study and document the important maritime heritage site. Citizen explorers contribute mission support and training fees. They join the crew as Mission Specialists who are trained to assist with submersible operations aboard Titan and surface support operations. Roles and training include communications, navigation, laser scanning, sonar operation, photography, and dive planning.

The Horizon Arctic is Canadian-owned and operated by Horizon Maritime. The 93.6 meter vessel has the environmentally-friendly CLEAN DESIGN class notation, a hybrid propulsion system, and improved low resistance design for high speed and crew comfort. The vessel also has an ROV with integrated control room and launch and recovery system.

Aspiring Mission Specialists interested in supporting the Titanic Survey Expedition should contact OceanGate Expeditions regarding availability, requirements, and qualifications. Additional details are available at http://www.oceangateexpeditions.com.

###

Media Inquiries U.S. | Lisa Dreher | lisa.dreher@oceangateexpeditions.com | +1 425-442-1301

Media Inquiries Canada | Jill Pitcher | jpitcher@national.ca | +1 709-730-5333

Expedition Inquiries | Kyle Bingham | kyle.bingham@oceangateexpeditions.com | +1 425-595-6343

Investor Inquiries | Bob Shuman | robert.shuman@oceangatexpeditions.com | +1 425-595-5017

Business Inquiries | Bob Shuman | robert.shuman@oceangatexpeditions.com | +1 425-595-5017

CLICK HERE FOR IMAGES AND VIDEO.

ABOUT OCEANGATE EXPEDITIONS

OceanGate Expeditions, Ltd is dedicated to direct human exploration of the undersea world. Not satisfied with scratching the surface of the ocean near the shoreline, OceanGate Expeditions charters manned submersibles to create expeditions at depths far deeper than can be reached with SCUBA. The organization conducts undersea expeditions to explore and document the 95% of the seafloor that man has never visited including iconic shipwrecks, hydrothermal vents, deep-sea canyons, and uncommon biological events around the world. These expeditions, to depths approaching 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), provide rare opportunities for citizen scientists to observe the mysteries of the deep sea and expand our understanding of our home, earth, the blue planet. Visit http://www.oceangateexpeditions.com.

ABOUT HORIZON MARITIME

Horizon Maritime is a Canadian company with deep experience in harsh environment marine and offshore operations. With locations across Canada and in Norway, the company helps solve the unique challenges of the global ocean community in harsh environment regions. Built on a foundation of exceptional people and modern equipment, Horizon Maritime brings innovative solutions and provides industry leading marine services to its customers. Visit http://www.horizonmaritime.com.
A 'monster' who shot his son and his son's girlfriend, pausing to reload between the killings as the young woman frantically called for help, is about to be sentenced for his murderous acts.

Pawel Klosowski is listed to face the South Australian Supreme Court for sentencing on Thursday, when a non-parole period or minimum term will be set alongside his mandatory head sentence of life behind bars.

In recent submissions, the 46-year-old admitted he could not explain his actions at his rural property in the state's southeast in August last year.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to the murders of his son Lukasz Klosowski and Chelsea Ireland, both aged 19, after an argument fuelled by alcohol and anger.

Chelsea Ireland and Lukasz Kosowski, both 19, were shot dead at a property in southeast South Australia

Before she was gunned down in a double murder at a rural farm in southeast South Australia, Chelsea Ireland lived her life putting others before herself

In a short apology read to the court he said he thought about what he had done every day.

'I acted like a monster. The world would be a better place if I had shot myself instead,' he said.

But prosecutor Kos Lesses said the apology was 'too little, too late'.

Mr Lesses said the shootings followed a row between Klosowski and his son after the teenager had indicated his intention to move out of his mother's house.

'The offending came about due to the insulting of the defendant's pride,' the prosecutor said.

Pawel Klosowski (pictured) is listed to face the South Australian Supreme Court for sentencing on Thursday

'And it was fuelled by the combination of two fatal causes, anger and alcohol.'

The court heard that Lukasz was shot first and then Klosowski had reloaded his gun before firing once at Ms Ireland through the locked bathroom door where she had hidden and called triple zero.

A second shot, delivered at close range, had killed her.

Because of his early guilty pleas, Klosowski is entitled to up to a 40 per cent discount on his non-parole period but Mr Lesses asked for any reduction to be significantly curtailed.

Defence counsel Nick Vadasz told the court that while Klosowski could not explain his actions on the night he accepted that his intention was to kill.

'The prisoner accepts the horror of his behaviour,' Mr Vadasz said.
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I felt exhausted, unwell and stressed by the whole situation. I had not eaten or drunk much and had fasted for a period prior to my procedure. I was scared to drink too much as there were no bathroom facilities anywhere near where I was in the corridor. I waited until I was taken to the X-ray department about 2am to use the facilities there. I was shocked at how sick patients waiting in the corridor seemed all around me and wondered how they were coping with such isolation, discomfort and lack of communication. June Raxter No nourishing food or drinks were offered, I was given on request, water, weak tea in a plastic cup and a jam sandwich which I felt was inedible. A doctor came about 11pm to take blood for tests and she brought me a ham and salad sandwich, also inedible in my opinion. I stayed in my own clothing, could not have a wash or clean my teeth and was not questioned or offered any of the routine medicines I take. All this may seem petty to you but was all part of the whole sickening and dehumanising experience.

Loading The night was interminable and exhausting. I think I slept for less than an hour in total. The noise which blared out overhead from speakers at regular intervals calling for an orderly or cleaner to attend various locations made me jump each time. From conversations I overheard from the paramedics, there must have been at least 30 ambulances ramping at one point. I tried to be patient as I realised there were patients with more serious conditions than me waiting. This included a woman with a fractured neck or femur who was in the corridor for at least three hours. During the night I asked the paramedics several times to try and find out what was happening with me but they always came back without news. I spoke to the St John Ambulance manager on duty but he was unable to help although he tried. I even discussed with them what would be the procedure for signing myself out as I was so exhausted, frustrated and unwell but they professionally talked me out of it as I obviously needed further investigation and treatment.

I was eventually taken to the emergency department and placed in a bed at 6am, a total of nine hours in the care of paramedics on a stretcher or hospital trolley and a total of 12 hours since the ambulance was first requested. I was seen by a doctor about 8am and a specialist about 10am. I was treated, monitored and transferred to a transit ward for further monitoring and discharged about 2pm with a prescription and advice to see my own GP and return to the hospital if necessary. In conclusion, my main points are as follows: I found the ambulance ramping situation a blight on the health care system. Being an ex-manager myself, I was appalled at the waste of time of qualified paramedics who had to wait with me for nine hours, plus all the ambulances wasted while parked at hospitals causing delays when possibly being needed in emergencies. I had to wait three hours for an ambulance myself. The nursing staff in the emergency department, when I eventually saw them, seemed overworked and exhausted and just doing the best they could. This goes also for the medical staff.

Loading The paramedics do the best they can with an impossible situation and gave me emotional support too. I was shocked at how sick patients waiting in the corridor seemed all around me and wondered how they were coping with such isolation, discomfort and lack of communication about their condition. I dont profess to have the answers to this disgraceful situation but talking to staff during my ramping experience, we discussed the increase of population possibly as a result of the pandemic. It was also noted the very wide catchment areas for Fiona Stanley Hospital and the Joondalup Health Campus. Everyone agreed there needs to be more hospital beds, facilities and staff.
DENVER, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kentwood Real Estate is proud to announce their 2020 top producing broker associates and real estate teams. This year, The Garrett McNeill Team composed of Kevin Garrett and Matt McNeill, Broker Associates at Kentwood City Properties, led the top 25 teams in both "Volume by Teams" and "Transaction Sides by Teams" with over $92 million in volume, and an astounding 97 side transactions.



Kevin Garrett & Matt McNeill - The Garrett McNeill Team, Kentwood Real Estate

"Congratulations to The Garrett McNeill Team and all of their hard work this past year," said Gretchen Rosenberg, president and CEO of Kentwood Real Estate. "Our top teams exemplify the Kentwood purpose and mission, and they have worked hard to maintain their dedication to the community and professionalism in serving our clients."

The Garrett McNeill Team stated, "We are honored to be named the 'Kentwood Real Estate Top Producing Team in 2020.' Our collective passion for the industry has helped hundreds of families in their real estate journeys and through it, we have developed long-lasting relationships along the way. We are thankful to Kentwood Real Estate and to our clients for trusting us in these decisions and we look forward to what 2021 will bring to the market."

Kevin and Matt, both Colorado natives, have combined their experience and education of architecture, real estate, development and construction to form a dynamic partnership. Together, they have a great appreciation and admiration for the history of Denver  not only through its weather-worn pages but also through its subtle impact upon Denver's skyline. This narration of Denver, from beginning to end of Denver's most established neighborhoods, is closely observed by Kevin & Matthew so that they may better serve their clients. Together with their team, they offer their clients a real estate experience beyond the "norm" by providing a collective strength of character, insight, patience and great attention to detail.

Overall, in 2020, Kentwood Real Estate closed an impressive $2,130,687,919 billion in total sales volume and 2,831 residential real estate transactions. To learn more, visit www.Kentwood.com.

About the Garrett McNeill Team

As a top-ranking REALTOR team in the Denver metro region, Kevin Garrett and Matt McNeill's success comes from their rich and unique perspective to home buying and their appreciation for the history and diversity of the Denver community. For more information, The Garrett McNeill Team can be reached at (303) 773-0087, at https://mydenverteam.com/ or on Instagram @garrettmcneillteam.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Lindsey Hall

[email protected] | 303.242.5855

SOURCE Kentwood Real Estate
Though the current state of affairs has shifted how we celebrate our 2021 Bridge Builders, we are still excited to pay tribute to the immeasurable contributions of our distinguished honorees, said ATC President Dr. Victoria Seals.

Atlanta Technical College (ATC) will recognize the contributions of four business and community leaders during the 20th Annual Bridge Builder Awards ceremony on April 8, 2021, starting at 3pm. This years virtual fundraiser will honor ATC Foundation Board Trustee John DeVeer; Bank of Americas Atlanta Market President; Wendy Stewart; Atlanta Community Food Bank President, Kyle Waide; and ATC graduate and entrepreneur Whitney Wilborn.

Despite being held virtually because of pandemic related safety concerns, ATCs leadership is optimistic that the online Bridge Builder event will not disappoint. Though the current state of affairs has shifted how we celebrate our 2021 Bridge Builders, we are still excited to pay tribute to the immeasurable contributions of our distinguished honorees, said ATC President Dr. Victoria Seals. The event will also be a time for us to showcase our outstanding scholarship students who continue to excel in many of our technical programs.

The 2021 honorees represent a range of notable leaders whose professional careers and community contributions bridge the gap between citizens and resources to enhance the quality of life in metro Atlanta. The evening will feature presentations from various scholarship recipients and a special video tribute to former ATC Local Board member Henry Hank Aaron.

Proceeds from the event support student scholarships and grants, provide faculty awards and support, and fund equipment needs for various technical program areas. The annual effort also helps ATC maintain its 99 percent job placement rate by providing critical funding for students who need additional financial resources to complete their educations.

To join this years Bridge Builders event or to make a contribution, visit https://atlantatech.edu/foundation/bridge-builder-awards/.

About ATCs 2021 Bridge Builder Honorees

John DeVeer  John DeVeer joined the Atlanta Technical College Foundation Board in 2005 and previously served as vice president and senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch until he retired in 2012. In 2019, he was elected chairman of the Technical College Foundation Association of Georgia.

Wendy Stewart  As the Atlanta Market President, Wendy Stewart is responsible for advancing Bank of Americas strategy across metro Atlanta, where she connects with local business leaders and community stakeholders to deliver the company to customers, clients, and the community. She serves on several boards including the Metro Atlanta Chamber, The Grove Park Foundation, and the Woodruff Arts Center and is a member of the Atlanta Committee for Progress.

Kyle Waide  As President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Kyle Waide oversees the distribution of nearly 75 million pounds of food and grocery products each year through a network of 700 local and regional partner non-profit organizations across 29 Georgia counties. Before being named CEO in June of 2015, he served for three years as the Food Banks Vice President of Partner Operations, leading the organization to record-breaking years of food distribution to the hungry.

Whitney Olivia Wilborn  Whitney Olivia Wilborn is an accomplished and creative professional hairstylist and makeup artist at the helm of her own luxury beauty brand, Perched, and bridal concierge company, Edge & Priss. Her body of work includes worldwide credits ranging from television, photo and video shoots, pageants, high-profile weddings, print production, and more. After completing her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University, she attended Atlanta Technical College, where she earned her diploma in Cosmetology.

ABOUT ATLANTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Atlanta Technical College is a vibrant part of the Technical College System of Georgia and was named its College of the Year in 2012. Prior to that, the college was selected as Americas Best Community College by Washington Monthly magazine. Most recently, Atlanta Technical College has been ranked one of the best in the nation for online courses and programs. In 2017, Atlanta Technical College celebrated 50 years of serving the City of Atlanta along with Fulton and Clayton Counties. For more information on Atlanta Technical College, its $201M economic impact, and its 200-plus award-winning programs, visit http://www.atlantatech.edu.
Last month marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic murder of Breonna Taylor by Louisville police. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is currently on trial for the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died after Chauvin pinned him to the ground for 8 minutes and 46 seconds by placing his knee on Floyds neck. We are 13 months removed from when a retired police officer and his son killed Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and seven months since a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times as three of his children watched from his cars back seat.

Each of these incidents was followed by protest and public outcry, but inevitably, things return to business as usual as time passes. We have yet to have a truly public reckoning over the way Black people have been treated by the police in this country since its founding.

Across the country, legislatures are in session and elected officials are considering legal restrictions that would improve our system of policing, limit its harm, and demonstrate to the public  specifically, the communities most impacted by police violence and surveillance  that lawmakers are committed to achieving a more fair and equitable criminal justice system.

Across the country, for example, legislatures are considering a ban on the no-knock warrants like the one used by police to enter Breonna Taylors apartment unannounced. The U.S. House of Representatives just passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which, among other things, bans the use of these warrants on the federal level in drug cases. Next, the Senate must vote on the legislation.

There is no place for no-knock-warrants in our legal system.

According to an ACLU study, police execute 60,000 no-knock raids a year, and usually, they are searching for drugs and not pursuing a dangerous suspect. More often than not, police do not find what they are looking for, but these raids do often turn lethal for both civilians and police. Nearly half of all Americans live in a household with a gun, and when police come storming through the house, often in the dark of night, residents reasonably think someone is invading their homes. They shoot back, and sometimes, their shots injure and kill police. Sometimes, the police shoot back, killing the people who just moments before were sleeping in their beds or sitting in their living rooms.

Passing these bills is the bare minimum that a legislature should do to show it is serious about changing the culture of policing and limiting its most harmful consequences. Unfortunately, instead of passing serious reform, we are seeing legislators push to criminalize people for protesting injustices such as police violence. In Florida and Texas and Oklahoma, in Nebraska and Mississippi and Indiana, legislators are considering bills that would increase penalties for people who are merely present during a protest when someone else causes harm or property damage.

Kentucky may punish the mere act of insulting a police officer. Some states are considering bills to allow bystanders to use serious force against protesters they perceive as using threatening behavior  an expanded form of the harmful and unequally applied stand-your-ground laws. The message from these laws is clear: People with power would rather silence and punish protesters than address the reasons people, and especially Black people, are continuously taking to the streets in the first place.

Statements of support from government officials and scenes of politicians taking a knee are important to see, but we need to see more action or else Americans will stop believing that the government is there to protect them. That means spending more time passing no-knock-bans, and then moving on to other more transformational policies that will keep people safe. In California, legislators will again consider the C.R.I.S.E.S. Act, which will fund non-law enforcement first responders for things like mental health crises and problems in schools  all situations that social workers, counselors, and health care providers are better equipped to respond to than police officers are. Local governments, such as Philadelphia, are renegotiating police union contracts  contracts that contain massive protections for unlawful officers who cause harm. And the U.S. Senate, of course, is considering the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and can end the qualified immunity laws that protect unlawful officers from liability in civil court. Passing these bills and changing union contracts would send a message that elected officials are actually serious about creating a more just and fair world, and what would honor the memories of those we have lost in the last year.

Anything less is a failure, and one our government and public trust cannot withstand.

This column is co-authored by the captains of the 2020-21 New Orleans Saints: quarterback Drew Brees, offensive lineman Terron Armstead, linebacker Demario Davis, safety Malcolm Jenkins, defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Alvin Kamara, punter Thomas Morstead and linebacker Craig Robertson.
The World Health Organizations chief said a mission to study the origins of the in was too quick to dismiss the theory of a lab leak, with the US and other governments joining in criticism of the investigation.

Meanwhile, a group of 14 countries including the United States and Japan has raised concerns over a report on the origins of Covid-19 by the and China, arguing that the team was "significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples."



Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the probe didnt adequately analyze the possibility of a lab accident before deciding its most likely the pathogen spread from bats to humans via another animal. In a briefing to member countries Tuesday, he said he is ready to deploy additional missions involving specialist experts.

Although the team has concluded that a laboratory leak is the least likely hypothesis, this requires further investigation, Tedros said in a statement. The WHO chief has consistently said all lines of inquiry are open, but Tuesdays comments mark the first time hes speculated about the possibility of an accidental escape.

Afterward, a group of more than a dozen nations issued a joint statement saying the missions report lacked access to complete, original data and samples, and called for more transparency and timeliness in response to future outbreaks



Pfizer announced Wednesday that its Covid-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12, a step towards possibly beginning shots in this age group before they head back to school in the fall.

Russia makes 1st shot for animals



Russia has registered the world's first vaccine for animals against Covid-19, its agricultural regulator said on Wednesday, after tests showed it generated antibodies against the virus in dogs, cats, foxes and mink.
The prestigious award will be presented toone remarkable scientist who has gone above and beyond innovatively evolving the field of hyphenated separation techniques

LCGC Europe, a leading multimedia platform of peer-reviewed technical information on the field of chromatography and the separation sciences, is now accepting nominations for the 2022 HTC Innovation Award through June 30, 2021.

"It is such a privilege to showcase the work of the brightest scientists around the globe who are making pioneering contributions to the field of separation sciences," said Michael Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, parent company of LCGC Europe. "We are delighted to honor and recognize the achievements of a talented scientist who is continuing to propel the specialty forward, making great strides in their career and research."

The 2022 HTC Innovation Award winner will be selected from the received nominations by the HTC-17 Scientific Committee and the HTC-17 Industry Board, based on the following criteria:

The winner has made a pioneering contribution to the field of hyphenated separation sciences by introducing new methodologies, new instrumentation, or new techniques in the field, with a strong focus on applicability.

Applications are open to scientists who have under 15 years of experience after completing their Ph.D.

Applications from separation scientists worldwide are welcomed. LCGC Europe readers can nominate themselves or others.

The 2022 HTC Innovation Award recipient will be presented with a plaque honoring his or her accomplishment at the HTC-17 conference, which will be held in Ghent, Belgium, at Het Pand, the culture and congress center of Ghent University, Jan. 26-28, 2022.

For more information and to submit a nomination, click here.

About LCGC

LCGC is the largest global chromatography multimedia platform dedicated to the separation sciences. Combining all the resources of the regional editions (LCGC North America, LCGC Europe and LCGC Asia Pacific), chromatographyonline.com is the premier global digital resource for unbiased, peer-reviewed, technical information on the field of chromatography and the separation sciences. LCGC delivers practical information that can help laboratory professionals become more proficient in the use of chromatographic techniques and instrumentation, thereby making laboratories more productive and businesses around the world more successful. LCGC is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005744/en/

Contacts:

LCGC Europe Media

Alexandra Ventura, 609-716-7777

aventura@mjhlifesciences.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 12:43:00|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Some Western politicians have been obsessed with fabricating lies over China's Xinjiang out of ideological prejudice and personal political gains. In front of facts and truths, their self-dealing attempts are doomed to fail.

Cotton pickers in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region sign labor contracts with cotton growers based on equality, free will and consensus, while the mechanization rate for cotton picking in the region reached 70 percent in 2020. The Better Cotton Initiative's team in China has never found a single incident related to "forced labor" in Xinjiang, according to the latest statement of the Switzerland-based organization's Shanghai office.

China's Xinjiang policy serves the best interests of Xinjiang and the whole country and has proven effective by Xinjiang's socio-economic achievements. Official data show that the per capita disposable income of rural residents in Xinjiang increased 8.3 percent annually on average in the last five years. More than 50 percent of farmers in Xinjiang grow cotton, which contributes over 80 percent of the region's agricultural income, while the textile industry has created nearly 600,000 local jobs.

In this case, the way anti-China forces in the West stigmatize Xinjiang speaks volumes about the true intentions behind the staged farce -- to undermine China's security and stability and stop China from growing stronger. Their concern for Xinjiang's human rights is fake. What they believe is that such moves can help "score points" for their political careers.

Evidence for their conspiracy abound. Lawrence Wilkerson, chief of staff to former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, has admitted that the so-called Xinjiang issue was nothing but a U.S. strategic plot to destabilize and contain China from within, according to a video showed to reporters at a press conference of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Spreading rumors related to Xinjiang has economic motives as well. China is the world's second-largest cotton producer, and Xinjiang accounts for nearly 90 percent of the country's cotton output. As the world's largest cotton exporter, the United States hyped up the Xinjiang issue as early as last February during the Trump administration and has issued a ban on cotton products from Xinjiang. Under the pretext of protecting human rights, Washington is attempting to bolster production at home.

It is a shame that based merely on lies, certain foreign brands have refused to use Xinjiang cotton, jumping on the political campaign bandwagons smearing China. And no wonder those moves have triggered indignation among the Chinese public.

The Chinese market is always open to those who comply with laws and regulations. China welcomes foreign companies to invest in the country and always creates a good investment environment. No companies or individuals can get away with hurting Chinese interests while making profits in the Chinese market.

For the handful of Western clowns who are still weaving stories about Xinjiang, their dirty politics will surely trigger great indignation and strong counterattacks from the Chinese people, including the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Attempts to suppress China's development by tainting pure Xinjiang cotton will lead nowhere but a dead end. Enditem
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Paidiem (the "Company"), an emerging leader in enterprise SaaS solutions for the contingent worker ecosystem, proudly announces that it has raised financing totalling $3.75 million with a committed group of Canadian institutional and accredited investors. The raise includes a dedicated operating line of credit to fund the Company's suite of financial solutions. It also includes term debt, provided by the Business Development Bank of Canada ("BDC"), and equity, both of which will fund Paidiem's working capital and help the Company further support its North American customer base and to scale its operations.

Paidiem's founder, Richard Cromie, was driven to create a holistic technology solution for the fastest growing segment of the working population, stating, "We believe that the contingent workforce ecosystem is underserved despite its size and growth rate. The Paidiem platform offers a diverse set of solutions throughout its value chain."

Paidiem is also pleased to announce that financial industry veteran Jason Thompson has joined the Company as Head of Finance. "Jason's broad financial experience will be instrumental in helping Paidiem continue to evolve its financial product suite and to coordinate the Company's fundraising activities as we rapidly scale up our operations," Cromie added.

Cromie also noted, "We appreciate the continued support of our partners at BDC, Communitech, Accelerator Centre, AC JumpStart and LaunchPad at Sir Wilfrid Laurier University."

Paidiem is currently hiring for several positions, including development, design and sales and marketing representatives. Please visit the Company's website at Paidiem.com/careers for details.

ABOUT PAIDIEM

Founded in 2019, Paidiem is a Toronto-based private company focused on providing enterprise SaaS and financial solutions for the contingent workforce ecosystem.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jason Thompson

jason@paidiem.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79028
March 31 : Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who recently announced as Best actor at National Film Awards for his performance in Bhonsle, has said that he is feeling really happy that his intense drama films journey ended on a high note after getting the country's most covered honour. He also shared that he has tested negative from Covid-19. He urged people not to take the disease lightly and follow safety precautions.

Manoj Bajpayee was interacting with News Helpline in Mumbai.

The 67th National Film awards for films that released in the year 2019 were announced recently and the award for the Best Actor was this time shared between Dhanush for the Tamil film Asuran and Manoj Bajpayee for the Hindi film Bhonsle.

Sharing the feeling after winning the award, Bajpayee said, I am feeling very happy that I got a best actor award for my performance in Bhonsle because we went through a very tough time while making this film. It took us four years to find producers for the film. People didnt want to invest in an independent film but somehow we managed to release the film and now, when I look back, I feel that the journey of this film has ended on a really high note. The film has received many international awards and now it has got a National award, so there is nothing bigger achievement than this for the team of Bhonsle.

Directed by Devashish Makhija, Bhonsle features the 51-year-old actor as a retired Mumbai Police constable who tries to help migrants fight against local politicians. The Hindi film marks Bajpayee's third National Award win after best supporting actor honour for 1998 crime drama Satya and special jury National Award for Pinjar (2003).

Silence Can You Hear It? stars Manoj Bajpayee, Arjun Mathur, Prachi Desai, Sahil Vaid, Waqar Sheikh, and Barkha Singh in key roles. When Pooja, daughter of retired Justice Chaudhary, is found murdered under mysterious circumstances, ACP Avinash Verma (Manoj Bajpayee) and his team are roped in to investigate the high-profile case.The film is streaming on ZEE5 from 26th March.

Talking about the film, Bajpayee said, In this film, retired Justice Chaudharys daughter has been killed, so its about how my character and his team investigate the high profile case. This film shows how Police department minutely investigate criminal offence like murder. The film has been released on ZEE5 and we are getting really positive feedback for the film. The good thing about releasing films on OTT platforms is that you dont have to deal with number games as opposed to when you release films in theatres, so I hope that more and more people will watch and appreciate our film.

Giving an update on his health, Bajpayee said, Since last 16 days, my wife and I were under quarantine period and today, I tested negative for Covid-19, so I am happy about it but I am feeling weakness in my body. Today, it was the screening of my film, so it was my responsibility to promote it in a positive manner and thats why I got outside my house. I have gone through it, so with my experience I want to tell people not to take this thing (Covid-19) lightly. Its a weird kind of disease because you cannot predict what will happen to you in the next few hours or days, so I urge people to wear masks and follow rules of social distancing.

On the work front, Manoj Bajpayee will next be seen in Amazon Prime Videos web series The Family Man 2, Rensil DSilvas thriller-drama film Dial 100 and Kanu Behls thriller film Despatch.
PETALUMA, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoe's Meats supplied the deli meats, bacon and some cheeses to make approximately 15,000 meals for those in need during the COVID-19 Pandemic. George Gavros, Founder of Zoe's Meats, says, "When COVID hit us in Mid-March 2020, more than 50% of our business was to restaurants, hotels, cafes and restaurant distributors. We instantly had three problems. One, our customers closed and did not place orders. Two, we had inventory for them that they did not want. Three, they could not pay their bills. It was a humbling experience."

In the midst of this difficult situation, Zoe's Meats had to furlough employees and brace for a period of rough times. Gavros highlights, "We went through this when we were in Santa Rosa and the fires were less than a half mile from our warehouse. We lost power for about 10 days, we got shut down, and we learned how to persevere. This go around though, it was different. Everyone was affected in the restaurant world."

But there was a silver lining. Zoe's Meats sales to retailers grew by 35% almost overnight. The retail packaged products in their line-up became everyday staples for retailers large and small in the greater Bay Area especially when many other suppliers could not get products on the shelf. The products intended for restaurants though were a different story. "We could not just throw away all these products intended for restaurants, or put them in the freezer and hope that someday we can sell it," said Gavros. Radha Romero who heads up accounting and human resources at Zoe's Meats urged the company to look into Redwood Empire Food Bank. "They prepare meals" she explained and that was how it all began.

Organizations like Catholic Charities, COTS, The Living Room, Council on Aging, Sonoma Oversight Support and Windsor Service Alliance all pull product from Redwood Empire Food Bank to prepare meals. In 2020, some of these meals featured some pretty amazing bacon, ham, cheddar, and other products that have made Zoe's Meats an artisan food brand in Northern California and beyond.

About Zoe's Meats

Zoe's Meats was founded as an artisan meat company in 2007 by two friends that were already in the meat business and they happened to meet on an outdoor volleyball court. The idea behind Zoe's Meats was to give chefs access to cured and/or smoked meats that were good enough for them to not have to make them in-house from scratch. Next thing you know, bacon, deli meats, and salamis were being delivered on Zoe's Meats refrigerated vans and getting branded on menus. The Zoe's Meats motto has always been one customer at a time, one box at a time. Through acquisition (Daphne's Creamery) and incubation of micro brands (Two Chicks Jerky and Big Bottom Market) nothing has changed as Zoe's Meats celebrates its 14th year.

Visit www.zoesmeats.com to learn more.

Media inquiries: [email protected] or 707.545.9637

About the Redwood Empire Food Bank

Established in 1987, the Redwood Empire Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization serving north coastal California, from Sonoma County to the Oregon border. Through everything we do, our main goal is to deliver and support effective programs to eliminate hunger and improve nutrition for the people we serve, with an emphasis on distributing wholesome, fresh foods that support overall health and wellness. In addition to offering over 300 direct service distributions, we are a major food source for 170 partner hunger-relief organizations. Collectively, we form a network of more than 500 food distributions every month in our service area (Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte Counties).

Visit www.refb.org or call (707) 523-7900 to learn more.

SOURCE Zoe's Meats

Related Links

http://www.zoesmeats.com


And of course nationally, the one-time media darling duo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his brother, Chris Cuomo, the CNN host, are embroiled in a controversy over their alleged line-jumping for COVID-19 testing last year, early in the pandemic, when hospitals, nursing homes and health care centers were desperate for coronavirus tests. The Washington Post this week published a story alleging some of Gov. Cuomos friends and relatives had their testing samples rushed to laboratories by state police for quicker results. The CNNs Cuomo apparently had one doctor in particular visit his Hamptons compound several times last year when test kits were in high demand, the Post reported.
The market is driven by the growing corporate sector and start-ups. In addition, the enhanced communication capabilities and productivity of recruiters will positively influence the growth of the recruitment software market.

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Recruitment Software Market: Deployment Landscape

Based on the deployment, the market witnessed growth in the on-premise segment. This can be attributed to the high level of security provided by on-premise solutions. The market growth in the segment will be significant over the forecast period.

Recruitment Software Market: Geographic Landscape

33% of the market's growth originated from Europe in 2019. The increasing employment-to-population ratio in countries such as the UK and Belgium is fueling the growth of the recruitment software market in Europe.

The UK, Germany, and France are the key markets for recruitment software in Europe. Market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in APAC.

Develop Smart Strategies for Your Business: Download a Free Sample Report Now!

Major Five Recruitment Software Market Vendors:

Accenture Plc: The company provides solutions such as Accenture Document Composer, HR Loader, HR Audit and Compliance, and Cone and Test, in collaboration with SAP for SAP SuccessFactors software.

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.: The company offers OneHCM. It helps move talent management to the cloud to optimize processes and speed up implementation.

Hireku Inc.: The company offers JazzHR. It includes candidate sourcing, applicant tracking, employer branding, collaborative hiring, and compliance and reporting features.

International Business Machines Corp.: The company offers talent management solutions that help elevate recruiter efficiency by selecting the best candidates for recruitment.

iCIMS Inc.: The company offers a wide range of recruitment solutions through platforms such as Recruitment marketing suite, Advanced communications suite, Hiring suite, and Partner ecosystem.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  An organization of teachers and education workers is asking the government to give teachers benefits owed them for working longer than necessary over the past months.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers, or ACT, said teachers should be given their proportional vacation pay as they were required to work for 14 months instead of the regular 10.

"Public school teachers started working for the current school year on June 1, 2020, but with the current school year stretching up to July 2021, they are required to work for 14 months straight without a day of leave benefits," ACT said in a statement on Wednesday.

The proportional vacation pay is a benefit given to public school teachers as a counterpart to the mandated leaves granted to other public and private sector workers. It used to be given during summer breaks, after teachers have rendered 10 months of continuous service in a school year.

"Requiring our teachers to do four months-worth of overtime work amid the pandemic and under the grueling distance learning is grave labor abuse. While our teachers are ever willing to rise to the call of duty for the sake of our learners, it is only just for the government to fairly compensate them for their service," said ACT secretary general Raymond Basilio.

The group also sent a letter to the Department of Education on Tuesday, urging them to issue guidelines on the PVP for this school year and to "come up with measures that would bring justice to the situation."

Basilio also said teachers were under stress as they were overworked and had "burdensome expenses" because of the distance learning setup.

"We have now reached the point where teachers are left with only three options: we fall ill, we leave the profession, or we fight. And just as we have before, we choose to fight," Basilio added.

The DepEd has not given a statement on the issue as of Wednesday afternoon.
Oregon plans to pay the outstanding rent of more than 2,600 businesses and then offer another round of aid to businesses in need next month.

Business Oregon, the states economic development agency, will distribute nearly $50 million on April 12 to cover the missed rent of a combined 2,609 commercial tenants across the state, according to spokesperson Nathan Buehler. Thats pending the receipt and approval of final documentation from those tenants and landlords.

The grants will be paid directly to landlords to bring their tenants current on rent by covering outstanding rent those tenants accumulated from March 1, 2020 to Feb. 28, 2021. The state offered grants of up to $100,000 per tenant, but the average grant request was $19,159.

Eighty-four landlords who applied for grants, 54 of whom are in the Portland area, indicated that they had individual tenants who owed more than $100,000 in missed rent, according to Buehler.

The grants are part of the states $100 million commercial rent relief program, which lawmakers approved in January. Business Oregon, which is administering the fund, will reopen applications for another $42 million round in mid-April.

Nearly 88% of the applicants that applied for funding through the program earlier this month were approved, pending final confirmation of their documentation.

Applicants in most parts of the state were approved for funding as long as they met the necessary requirements, but Business Oregon only funded 80% of applicants from the Portland area. Thats because the state is working to distribute grants equitably across the state.

Business Oregon held a lottery to determine which eligible applicants to approve. Those that werent approved initially will automatically be considered along with new applicants during the second round of funding in April.

While the vast majority of applicants were approved, it is still unclear how many business owners across the state are behind on rent due to the pandemic.

Melanie Marconi, the owner of Vida, a coworking space in Northeast Portland, told lawmakers earlier this month that her landlord had not applied for the funds, even though she had fallen significantly behind on rent. Other business owners have raised similar concerns.

While both landlords and tenants must participate in Oregons application process, landlords must submit the initial application. Landlords who accept the funding must also sign an agreement forgiving any outstanding penalties or interest and promising not to evict their tenants.

Despite the commercial rent relief program, business groups and owners also remain concerned about a looming eviction crisis.

Oregon lawmakers allowed the states moratorium on commercial evictions to expire last September, but gave business owners until the end of March to repay their outstanding rent. That may have prevented an onslaught of commercial evictions over the last six months.

Lawmakers are currently considering a proposal to give business owners until the end of September to repay rent bills they accumulated during the worst days of the coronavirus recession last year.

However, lawmakers are unlikely to vote on that bill before the current grace period expires at the end of March, potentially opening up businesses owners to evictions if their landlords have not applied or been approved for funding through the commercial rent relief program.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg
In a new study published in Conservation Science and Practice, researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) partnered with Indonesian experts to explore the motivations and challenges of women pursuing a career in conservation sciences in Indonesia.

Given that Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet but is simultaneously experiencing extreme rates of deforestation, it is an important target country for the conservation of global biodiversity.

Conservation work remains male-dominated in Indonesia, especially fieldwork, so gaining a better understanding of the cultural norms and barriers in place for Indonesian women aspiring to a career in conservation represents an important step in supporting women in this field.

With more diverse faces and voices representing global conservation, the country and others like it can tap into the full potential of their intellectual and creative resources to help solve grave global challenges like dwindling biodiversity.

"We are facing huge challenges in the conservation of biodiversity globally," says Erin Poor, a postdoctoral researcher in Environmental Science and Technology (ENST) at UMD and leader of this work.

"Climate change, habitat loss, and encroachment, an increasing human population putting stress on natural landscapes, increased agriculture - these are all large, complex, multidisciplinary challenges. The more intelligent minds we have working to identify creative solutions that benefit humans and wildlife, the better. This means enabling and creating space for women and other underrepresented groups to voice their ideas for conservation solutions."

In order to explore this idea while also practically supporting Indonesian women in conservation, Poor developed and facilitated a workshop in Riau Province, central Sumatra, Indonesia due to its importance in global conservation.

Working closely with Indonesian leaders at the World Wildlife Fund-Indonesia (WWF) and the Universitas Gadjah Mada, Poor and the UMD team identified a need for culturally appropriate training and mentorship for women wanting to conduct conservation fieldwork.

The workshop was held from September 13-15, 2019, with the goal of providing participants with networking opportunities and offering a setting in which more experienced women in conservation could mentor less experienced women and train them on practical fieldwork skills.

As a pilot workshop, 11 Indonesian early-career women attended the workshop, with 3 established Indonesian women providing mentorship and instruction.

The young women in our workshop were excited and passionate about conservation. We seemed to pick up on the lack of technical training for these women (which may also be an issue among men), and the lack of encouragement and support evidenced by discouragement from family members, a lack of female mentors and networks, and societal perceptions about female roles. Women are excited and passionate about conservation work, they just need to be given the support and tools to be effective." Erin Poor, Study Leader and Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Science and Technology (ENST), University of Maryland (UMD)

Documenting the motivations and challenges of these women and their unique experiences represents an important step in making sure women in conservation have the support they need, explains Jennifer Mullinax, assistant professor with ENST and co-author.

"It was telling to see the limited information that existed on the paths, support, and limitations of women in STEM in Indonesia. This is one of the first bricks in the wall of knowledge we need to build a more inclusive and diverse conservation discipline in the global south."

Mullinax provided support for the trip to Indonesia, which was in many ways a continuation of work that Poor had started while pursuing her PhD. "I believe strongly in uplifting and supporting women, especially women in STEM," stresses Mullinax.

"As Erin was describing her experiences in Sumatra and her intentions of having the training workshop, I suggested this may be an opportunity to survey the participants and start documenting the needs and barriers of women pursuing STEM in Indonesia. Everyone was on board and considered it a great opportunity as well as potential justification for doing more, larger training and surveys in the future."

To assist with the survey development and analysis, Poor and Mullinax reached out to Jen Shaffer, assistant professor in Anthropology with the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS). Shaffer identified a key motivator for the women in this study as a love of nature and a passion for the environment, while challenges were mainly related to gender and cultural norms.

"Although I was unable to participate in the workshop, I really appreciated the opportunity to document the motivations and challenges that established and early career Indonesian women working in conservation science expressed," says Shaffer.

"Some of their challenges are unique, and others are experienced by women scientists regardless of where they live and work. Reading their motivation responses to work in conservation was also very uplifting. I saw lots of parallels with discussions I've had with students and colleagues working in conservation science, and it shows our common feelings of passion for, excitement about, and care for nature. We are all working towards a common goal."

"The women in our study expressed some of the same sentiments that I experienced," adds Poor. "First, conservation advertisements often advertise for men - expressing inherent doubt in the physical capabilities of women to do fieldwork. Secondly, Indonesia is extremely diverse in religious, ethnic, and social beliefs, but a belief persists in some geographic regions and in some parts of society that women should be in less physical jobs or be family and household caretakers. Another factor impacting women in the field is that some people also still believe that unmarried men and women should not be alone together."

Poor experienced some of these issues firsthand during her time in Indonesia as a doctoral student. "For me, this was extremely personal," says Poor. "I spent two years in Indonesia doing fieldwork for my PhD research. Almost all of my female friends and I faced sexual harassment and discrimination repeatedly. The field teams I worked with were all male (who were all excellent professionals), and I tried to recruit women to join my team but I only found one woman who actually was able and willing to come to the field. She ended up being hired by WWF as a field team leader (only the second woman in central Sumatra) after my research, and I count that as one of the biggest successes of my research. After experiencing persistent doubt about my abilities as a woman in Indonesia, working to get more women in the field became a personal passion of mine."

Despite these challenges, Poor and the team are hopeful for the future of women in conservation and have plans to expand this work. Poor has been elected as the Vice President of Membership for the Society for Conservation Biology, and she hopes to reach out to young women to increase their involvement in the field. She and the team also hope to continue their research and training efforts on a broader scale.

"I hope this spurs others to take a look at recruitment and retention of women scientists in other areas as well," adds Poor. "By identifying the challenges and motivations women are facing, especially in understudied biodiverse areas in the global south, we can work to remove these challenges and encourage motivations. However, this must be done at the request and with the coordination of scientists in those locations. I am hoping that in Indonesia specifically, those involved with this study will begin thinking about and implementing similar workshops and events specifically geared towards young women conservation biologists."
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lippe Taylor Group, an earned marketing and digital communications agency announced they have acquired Cheer Partners, an employee experience and communications agency. The two firms, both headquartered in New York, will bring together the best of internal and external communications services for established and emerging companies. It is the first acquisition in the company's thirty-year history.

"With the shift to remote work and emotional burden of the past year, employee engagement has skyrocketed to the top of our client's concerns," explains Lippe Taylor Group CEO, Paul Dyer. "We realized that in order to offer the best support to our clients, we needed to take our capabilities to another level."

Cheer Partners founder, Cat Colella-Graham, is a longtime leader in the field of employee engagementhaving coined the phrase Employee Experience even before founding her company. Cheer Partners, which was established in 2017, provides internal communications and employee experience services to a wide variety of clients, including BMS, Johnson & Johnson, CVS Health, and Tata Consulting.

"We are thrilled to join the Lippe Taylor family and look forward to bringing our dedicated employee experience and internal communications expertise to their clients and company. The opportunity to combine our internal lens with their external offerings will provide incredible opportunities for our team and clients alike," says Colella-Graham.

The combined entity will share agency resources and opportunities, with a strong emphasis on integration and collaboration. When explaining why Lippe Taylor Group was the right fit for Cheer Partners, Cat elaborates, "Cheer Partners and Lippe Taylor are cut from the same cloth and we are honored to work with leaders like Maureen Lippe and the rest of the leadership team at Lippe Taylor Group. From the beginning it was clear our cultures and priorities were a match for each other."

The two companies were first introduced by The Stevens Group, which helped facilitate the transaction process.

ABOUT CHEER PARTNERS

Cheer Partners is a full-service employee experience and communications agency providing customized solutions for attracting, engaging, and inspiring people with their three practice areas: Talent, HR Advisory and Employee Communications. Together, they create a powerful employee experience. Cheer Partners fosters an inclusive, diverse and remote workplace while promoting a connected culture. Follow them on LinkedIn and Twitter and visit their website to learn more: https://www.cheerpartners.com/

About Lippe Taylor group:

Lippe Taylor Group (LTG) is leading earned marketing and digital communications company comprised of two agenciesLippe Taylor and ShopPR. Founded by Maureen Lippe, former editor at Vogue magazine, the company's legacy is launching award-winning, innovative campaigns for some of the world's most significant and successful brands in health, wellness, and consumer sectors. LTG is a frequent Agency of the Year contender in the PR and social media industries. Follow them on LinkedIn and Instagram and visit their website: https://lippetaylor.com/

SOURCE Lippe Taylor

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http://www.lippetaylor.com


Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Tuesday said that she and the governing team of the HKSAR government strongly support China's top legislature's adoption of amended Annexes I and II to the HKSAR Basic Law.

The amendments were passed at the closing meeting of the 27th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC). The two annexes concern the method for the selection of the HKSAR Chief Executive and the method for the formation of the HKSAR Legislative Council and its voting procedures, respectively.

Lam said in a statement that the amendments improve the electoral system of the HKSAR, thereby establishing a political structure that upholds the "one country, two systems" principle, reflects the actual situation of Hong Kong and ensures "patriots administering Hong Kong".

Lam said that she and the HKSAR government will spare no effort in taking forward the necessary amendments to the local electoral legislation in accordance with the amended Annex I and Annex II.

"We will extensively explain the matters to the public such that more and more people will recognize the necessity and urgency of such improvements to the electoral system and render their support," she said.

After the passage of the local electoral legislation by the Legislative Council, the HKSAR government will conduct and regulate election-related activities in accordance with the law in an orderly and efficient manner so as to implement the new electoral system, she added.

"I will continue to lead my governing team to dutifully administer Hong Kong according to the rule of law, safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintain the overall stability of Hong Kong.

"I firmly believe that by improving the electoral system and implementing 'patriots administering Hong Kong', the excessive politicization in society and the internal rift that has torn Hong Kong apart can be effectively mitigated, thereby enhancing the governance capability of the HKSAR," Lam said.

The HKSAR will then be able to leverage its unique advantages and the staunch support of the central authorities to develop the economy and improve people's livelihood. The steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", as well as the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, will be assured, she said.
Machakos traders sighed with relief after the county government on Monday announced a raft of tax reliefs, which Governor Alfred Mutua said are meant to cushion residents against the vagaries of Covid-19.

Machakos is among the five counties President Uhuru Kenyatta placed on lockdown following a surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths.

Machakos County government is the first to extend tax reliefs to its traders in the wake of the third wave of Covid-19.

Dr Mutua announced 100 per cent exemption for all small scale traders including vegetable and fruit vendors as well boda boda riders until December 31, 2021. The waiver also covers land owners in the county.

The governor announced 100 per cent waiver on interests and penalties on land rates for the next 45 days as well as 50 per cent waiver on levies payable by public service vehicles.

The tax reliefs include 50 per cent waiver of the single business permit for all private schools in the county for the current calendar year.

Reduction on tariff

"Tuk tuk and Maruti operators will also be spared 50 per cent of levies until June 31, 2021. Fire licences levied on all traders also stand suspended for the rest of the year," Dr Mutua said in a statement.

The governor further announced a 50 per cent reduction on the tariff paid by wholesalers and distributors of commodities who are based in the county in a move he expects to translate to a significant reduction in the cost of consumer goods.

Dr Mutua urged the national government and other agencies to step in and safeguard Kenyans from the economic hardships caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I call upon the petroleum industry to find a way of reducing the price of paraffin, petrol and diesel at this time of hardships. Reduce your profits a little bit for now.

"As was done before, I urge His Excellency the President to intervene so that Kenya Power does not disconnect electricity to Kenyans who are struggling to pay for bills," he said.

Dr Mutua praised Mulleys Supermarkets, which he revealed had agreed to reduce the prices of certain commodities in a deal with the county government.

Timely move

"In the partnership with Mulley's Supermarket, there will be a reduction on prices of selected commodities when purchased at the supermarket countrywide. For example, if you spend Sh 3,000 buying food items at Mulley's Supermarket you save Sh500. Some of the commodities whose prices have been slashed include foodstuffs such as unga, cooking oil, milk and bread as well as soaps and tissues, ," Dr Mutua said.

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Coming against a chorus of calls for the government to protect Kenyans against the hardships associated with Covid-19, the move by Dr Mutua is seen as timely.

Hawkers of fruits and vegetables at Kithimani township on the busy Thika-Garissa Highway welcomed the tax reliefs, terming them timely interventions.

Through the chairman of an association of hawkers at the township Peter Nzomo, the traders, however, appealed for more affirmative actions to safeguard their small scale enterprises.

"We are counting losses because we depend on motorists heading to and from Nairobi, Thika, Kitui and Garissa. At this rate we shall close shop soon," he told the Nation.

Fearing that their businesses may be targeted as the government escalates its fight against the spread of Covid-19, Mr Nzomo led officials of the association in rallying the traders to wash hands, wear masks and avoid crowding to boost the fight against the contagious disease.
Omnitronics has made a reputation in the maritime space for offering the ability to customize radio dispatch functionalities to suit port requirements.

Known for their mission-critical reliability, interoperability and ease-of-use, the Western Australian radio dispatch manufacturer Omnitronics has made a reputation in the maritime space for offering the ability to customize functionalities to suit port requirements.

Groningen Seaports in the Netherlands became the latest port to install an Omnitronics Dispatch System, which follows the recent City Port of Antwerp installation, and the Belgian Port of Antwerp who have installed a second Omnitronics solution.

Whilst most radio dispatch systems in the maritime space provide standard marine radio functionality, customizations are desired more often than not.

Our products are not set in stone. If a client needs a functionality, thats not available out of the box, we help them achieve their goals and customize the radio dispatch system to suit their particular processes and requirements, says R&D Manager Paul Whitfield.

A proportion of Omnitronics radio dispatch installations include some sort of customization - no matter if they are cloud, data center or site-based  a capability that sets Omnitronics apart from other brands offering two-way radio dispatch.

RediTALK-Flex is an extremely flexible serverless system, the perfect solution for controlling and local recording of maritime channels, adds Marc Vermeulen Technical Support & Project Manager at Sonal NV, who installed the solutions in Antwerp and Groningen.
Investigators are examining whether Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) violated the federal sex trafficking law two years ago (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

A Florida Republican representative is being investigated by the US Department of Justice for an alleged sexual relationship with a minor.

Investigators are examining whether Matt Gaetz, 38, of Florida violated the federal sex trafficking law two years ago. Mr Gaetz was a close aide of former US president Donald Trump. The DOJ launched the investigation into Mr Gaetz in the final few months of the Trump administration, the New York Times first reported.

In 2017 Mr Gaetz was the only member of Congress to vote against an anti-human trafficking bill. This bill gave the federal government more money to fight the illegal human trade across the country.

The Republican representative had in a Facebook Live defended his solo stance against the bill. Mr Gaetz, as per news reports, had said that he voted against the bill because it represented mission creep in creating the committee at the federal level. He further elaborated: Unless there is an overwhelming, compelling reason that our existing agencies in the federal government cant handle that problem, I vote no because voters in Northwest Florida did not send me to Washington to go and create more federal government.

In a New York Times exclusive, three sources with knowledge of the case said that the extent of Mr Gaetzs criminal exposure was unclear and that no charges have been brought against him.

Read more:

Confirming the DOJ investigation against him, Mr Gaetz told reporters, The allegations against me are as searing as they are false. I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalise my sexual conduct, you know when I was a single guy.

Story continues

The news of his alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year old came soon after reports claimed that Mr Gaetz was considering an early retirement from Congress. He was believed to be set to join the far-right news outlet Newsmax.

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In a statement released on Tuesday, Mr Gaetz claimed that a former DOJ official was seeking $25m from him and his family. Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organised criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name.

He added that the New York Times story was intended to thwart the FBI investigation. We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter and my father has even been wearing a wire at the FBIs direction to catch these criminals..

He demanded that the DOJ immediately release the tapes, made at their direction, which implicates their former colleague in crimes against me based on false allegations.

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Matt Gaetz, in an interview, said that he didnt travel with a 17-year old, calling the allegation verifiably false and asked for his travel record to be checked.

The allegations against Mr Gaetz have brought into the limelight Floridas Romeo and Juliet Law. State legislators in 2007 enacted a major exception to Floridas consent laws, according to which minors aged 16 or 17 are allowed to engage in sexual intercourse with a partner no older than age 23.

The Romeo and Juliet law was passed amid widespread concerns that high school students engaging in consensual sex were being criminalised. According to this close-in-age exemption, any person who engages in sexual activity with someone who is 13 to 17 years of age is not illegal, given they are not more than four years older than their partner.

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As per Floridas consent laws, if someone who is 18 or over has sex with someone who is below 18, it is considered illegal, even if the sex was consensual. However, in certain situations, the Romeo and Juliet law can be applied.

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In a Florida Senate brief, it was noted that the sexual offender registry provides no clear distinction between the young Romeo and Juliet sex offenders who had consensual sex and the offenders who harm children and pose a real risk to society. It added that the stigma attached with being a sex offender was lifelong and affect young peoples future employment opportunities, besides others.

Since Floridas example, other states have also tried to implement such Romeo and Juliet laws. In 2016, for example, Arizona passed an exception to state consent laws allowing young people to file a petition to get off the sex offender registry.

California also recently passed a law that would begin to loosen the registration requirement for some offenders, who right now are required to register for life. Similarly in New Mexico, sex offenders names can be removed from the registry depending on the severity of their crimes.
Kenya has withdrawn from International Court of Justice hearings on its dispute with neighboring Somalia over territory in the Indian Ocean.

A statement from Kenya's Foreign Ministry cited alleged procedural unfairness by the United Nations court and alleged bias by a Somali judge on its bench as among the reasons Kenya decided to no longer participate.

Kenya said it informed the court's registrar that even though the case was merited, the government thinks continuing the legal proceedings denies the two countries an opportunity to resolve the matter bilaterally.

Kenya restated that it should not have been dragged to the court by Somalia merely because of the neighbors resurgent expansionist agenda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Friday.

The statement said the court also was informed that influential third parties with commercial interests were fueling a case " that threatens to destabilize the peace and security of an already fragile region.

Somalia filed the case with the International Court of Justice in 2014. The dispute centers around Indian Ocean maritime rights and boundaries. The area in dispute  about 100,000-square kilometers  is thought to be rich in oil, gas and fish.

In its withdrawal statement, Kenya cited concerns about the potential bias of International Court of Justice Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf, a Somali citizen who previously represented Somalia at the Third United Nations Conference on the law of the sea.

Diplomatic ties between the two East African neighbors have become increasingly strained by the territorial dispute and recent accusations that Kenya was influencing Somalia's politics.

Somalias government severed ties with Kenya in December because of what it described as the imperative "to safeguard the unity, sovereignty, stability of the country.

The announcement came as the leader of the breakaway territory of Somaliland ended a three-day visit to Kenya, where he was given treatment similar to that accorded to a head of state in meetings with the Kenyan leadership.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 as the country collapsed into warlord-led conflict and it has seen little of the violence and extremist attacks that plague Somalia to the south. Despite lacking international recognition, Somaliland has maintained its own independent government, currency and security system.

Somalia, however, considers Somaliland as part of its territory. Several rounds of talks over possible unification have failed to reach an agreement.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 31 - Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco said Wednesday that he was moderately optimistic about Italy's economic prospects with the nation's COVID-19 vaccination campaign set to stop up a gear.

"The pressure on the health systems is still strong," Visco told an assembly of the central bank's stakeholders.

"The start of the vaccination campaign in Italy and the rest of the world inspires cautious optimism for the future".

But he added that" major uncertainty remains about the development of the health crisis and, as a result, about economic prospects". (ANSA).


The unique showstopper we feature today goes by the name of Sunrace and it's a delicious two-wheeled machine crafted by the ambitious moto architects over at Matteucci Garage. In the past, the Italian workshops tastefully reworked Suzuki GS550 has adorned autoevolution pages with its bespoke grace It goes without saying these fellows arent exactly strangers to the art of motorcycle customization. For a clear demonstration of their abilities, lets have a quick look at what theyve managed to accomplish on a classic V35 from Mandello del Larios small-displacement lineup.In stock form, Moto Guzzis creature is put in motion by an air-cooled V-twin powerplant, which packs a humble displacement of 346cc. At approximately 7,900 rpm, this bad boy is good for up to 33 ponies, along with 20 pound-feet (27 Nm) of twist at 6,200 revs. The engines force is fed to a shaft final drive by means of a five-speed transmission.When this fiend landed on their doorstep, Matteucci s surgeons kicked things off by installing a new fuel tank with cafe racer vibes, while the stock subframe has been cut to make room for the crews very own loop-style counterpart. It supports a unique single-seater saddle that keeps things looking rad, as well as a pair of LED turn signals and an aftermarket taillight.At the other end, the V35 s cockpit received a clubman handlebar and a Daytona gauge for a clutter-free aesthetic. Suspension duties are taken good care of by refurbished forks up front and top-shelf Ohlins shock absorbers at the rear. Furthermore, Italys specialists proceeded to envelop the Guzzis stock hoops in retro-style rubber on both ends.In the powertrain department, the mills DellOrto carburetors were honored with a state-of-the-art K&N air filter. A set of reverse megaphone mufflers have been fitted onto the bikes exhaust pipes to bring about a pleasing soundtrack for a more exciting ride. Finally, the gas chamber was blessed with a majestic orange finish hailing from Lamborghinis color palette.
(Natural News) Robert Redfield, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said in an interview with CNN on Friday, March 26, that he believes the coronavirus escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

Redfield said that as a virologist, he wasnt convinced that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, was already so contagious when it jumped directly from a bat to a person. This is the prevailing theory about the origins of COVID-19.

Redfield said he believed the virus was manipulated in a Wuhan laboratory to become more contagious, an idea that isnt as far-fetched as it seems. Redfield explained that when virologists study viruses, they grow the virus and help it develop so that they can conduct more experiments in the hopes of understanding it.

In the same vein, SARS-CoV-2 was likely developed to become more contagious for research purposes. But the virus was accidentally released by a worker in the laboratory, posited Redfield. He also said he believed the virus began circulating in Wuhan around September or October 2019, months prior to the official timeline.

Redfield also said its not unusual for workers inside such laboratories to be infected with pathogens being studied. In fact, laboratory-acquired infections are a very real occupational hazard unique to laboratory workers, especially those working in microbiology laboratories.

Redfield clarified that he wasnt implying that the release of the virus was intentional.

Coronavirus escaped from lab in China

This is the first time that Redfield stated on the record that he believes the coronavirus came from a laboratory, not from a wet market where the initial cluster of cases was traced to. But hes not the first person to think that.

Former President Donald Trump said late last April that he has reason to believe SARS-CoV-2 was accidentally released from a laboratory in Wuhan. Trump, who drew flak from left-wing activists for calling the virus the Chinese virus, also suggested that Wuhan laboratory workers could have released the virus intentionally.

Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also pointed out at the time that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was only a few of miles away from the wet market. He insisted that China provide the world access to the institutes laboratory.

In January, Pompeo called on the WHO to examine the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan. Beijing continues today to withhold vital information that scientists need to protect the world from this deadly virus and the next one, said Pompeo.

The Chinese government offered theories that the virus might not have originated in Wuhan after all. However, it has repeatedly blocked scientists from the U.S. from entering the country to investigate the origins of the virus, stirring a debate about the viruss origins and stoking tensions between China and the U.S.

The Chinese government had responded to Trumps theories at the time, dismissing such theories as fabricated and unfounded. Geng Shuang, Chinas then-representative to the United Nations (UN) and foreign ministry spokesperson, said the origin of the virus was a complex issue that should be studied by professionals.

Shuang also cited the institutes director, Yuan Zhiming, who said that their laboratory strictly implements bio-security procedures that would prevent the accidental release of any pathogen.

Scientists to report on investigation about coronavirus origins soon

During the COVID-19 briefing at the White House on Friday, Anthony Fauci dismissed Redfields comments as mere opinions. Fauci, who serves as chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, also said that there are a number of theories as to the origins of COVID-19.

The WHO had previously stated that the laboratory theory was extremely unlikely. But a team of scientists with the WHO who were allowed into Wuhan last year still havent been able to determine the origin of the virus. (Related: China rewrites COVID history, purges 300 studies linking virus to Wuhan lab.)

But the team has a few theories  four, to be exact. Their lengthy report is being published after months of experts debating over the origins of the virus. Its not clear when the report will be released after its publication. Still, experts hope the first-of-its-kind report would offer some concrete answers.

Until then, experts cant completely rule out theories like Redfields.

Go to Pandemic.news to learn more about the theories surrounding the origins of the Wuhan coronavirus.

Sources include:

TheDailyMail.co.uk

Academic.OUP.com

APNews.com 1

APNews.com 2
Shares in Deliveroo tanked today, wiping 1.8billion from the tech takeaway firm's value as it made its long-awaited stock market debut.

The listing price of 390p per share valued the company at 7.6billion, which was at bottom end of the delivery firms initial pricing range following an investor backlash over staff working conditions.

But on the London open shares plunged 30 per cent to 271p, before recovering some of the losses to stand 95p down at 295p - a fall of 24 per cent on the opening price of thge float.

Strong demand for Deliveroo's float has been overshadowed in recent days by criticism from heavyweight investors over the status of tens of thousands of the firm's delivery riders

Lee Wild, Head of Equity Strategy at interactive investor, called the IPO 'disastrous'.

'The run-up to Deliveroos stock market debut has been marred by criticism of the companys treatment of delivery riders, and by doubts among many top fund managers who chose not to invest in the flotation,' he said.

He noted that existing shareholders in Deliveroo sold stock amounting to 500million pre-open at the launch price of 390p, which 'looks like great business for the sellers'.

Big City investors have been put off by a number of concerns. The company doesnt make a profit despite huge tailwinds from the pandemic. Deliveroo had to be bailed out by Amazon last year, and it continues to operate in a highly competitive market.

Aviva and Aberdeen Standard opted out of the IPO citing ESG concerns related to the companys treatment of its employees.

There are fears that it could face an employment rights crackdown akin to Uber, which was forced to overhaul how it pays taxi drivers.

ESG investors are also turned off by governance issues: founder and chief executive Will Shu still has more than 50 per cent of shareholder voting rights.

Nevertheless, it was Londons biggest listing for a decade, raising around 1billion for expansion efforts. Chancellor Rishi Sunak, hailed Deliveroos decision to go public in London as a true British tech success story.
Bir Lehlu (Saharawi Republic), March 31, 2021 (SPS) - The President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Frente POLISARIO, Mr. Brahim Gali, has condemned the terrorist attack occurred in the Cabo Delgado region, which had several victims fatalities and destruction of public facilities.

In a letter of condolences sent to his Mozambican counterpart, Filipe Nyusi, the President of the Republic expresses on behalf of the Saharawi people and government, our deepest condolences to the Mozambican people and the families of the victims for this cowardly aggression. .

"We are sure that the brother people of Mozambique and their government are capable of overcoming this tragedy and defeating the threat of extremism and terrorists and imposing peace and security throughout their territory," the letter reads.

"I take this opportunity to express our solidarity and support to your Excellency and to all the people of Mozambique, wishing them much prosperity and stability," concludes the President's letter. SPS

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Zac Efron is exploring some of the best tourist attractions in Australia for his new Netflix series Down to Earth.

And on Tuesday, the 33-year-old Hollywood star went hiking and abseiling in the idyllic Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

Zac spent the day filming in Katoomba, about 100km west of Sydney, with his girlfriend Vanessa Valladares and brother Dylan Efron, who is part of the crew.

Out and about: Zac Efron went hiking and abseiling in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales on Tuesday, as he continues filming his Netflix series Down to Earth in Australia

The High School Musical actor showed off his buff physique in a blue T-shirt, which he teamed with matching shorts and a cap.

He carried a yellow backpack and at times covered up in a light blue jacket.

Vanessa, 26, who met Zac in Byron Bay in March last year, wore jeans, a green jacket and a grey hoodie.

Casual: The High School Musical star, 33, showed off his buff physique in a blue T-shirt, which he teamed with matching shorts and a cap

Support: Zac spent the day filming in Katoomba, about 100km west of Sydney, with his brother Dylan Efron and girlfriend Vanessa Valladares (pictured)

Low-key: Vanessa, 26, wore jeans, a green jacket and a grey hoodie

Holiday romance: Vanessa met Zac in Byron Bay in March last year

Chilly: Zac carried a yellow backpack and at times covered up in a light blue jacket

Camera guy: Dylan (right) is one of the producers on Down to Earth, and seems to be in charge of capturing behind-the-scenes content for social media

The crew handled most of the equipment, including bright abseiling ropes.

The Blue Mountains is one of the most impressive scenic spots in NSW, and is popular with Sydneysiders because it's only a 90-minute drive from the city.

One of the more notable attractions is the Three Sisters rock formation.

Notable destination: The Blue Mountains is one of the most impressive scenic spots in NSW, and is popular with Sydneysiders because it's only a 90-minute drive from the city

Adventure time: The crew handled most of the equipment, including bright abseiling ropes

Time out: Zac and Vanessa chatted in between filming scenes for Down to Earth

Regular visitor: Vanessa has been visiting Zac on set while he shoots his Netflix docu-series

Broadening his horizons: Zac is travelling around Australia with wellness expert Darin Olien

Sustainable: The docu-series will follow their search for healthy and sustainable ways to live

Zac's brother Dylan caused a stir last month when he was granted an exemption to fly into Australia during the coronavirus pandemic.

He was allowed to travel to Australia from the U.S. to help produce Zac's TV series - even though thousands of Aussies are stranded overseas and unable to come home.

The NSW government approved his entry because Down to Earth is expected to inject $2million into the local film industry.

Travel: He also embraces local food, culture and customs while exploring the land Down Under

Watch your step! Zac carefully stepped down some steep rocks on the adventure trail

Heading abroad: It comes after a well-placed source revealed that Zac is preparing to fly to North America in May with his girlfriend Vanessa

Role: Zac will shoot the big-screen adaptation of the Stephen King novel Firestarter in Canada

Zac is travelling around Australia with wellness expert Darin Olien, the co-host of Down to Earth.

The docu-series will follow their search for healthy and sustainable ways to live.

He also embraces local food, culture and customs while exploring the land Down Under.

Making headlines: Zac's brother Dylan (right) caused a stir last month when he was granted an exemption to fly into Australia during the coronavirus pandemic

Exemption: Dylan was allowed to travel to Australia from the U.S. to help produce Zac's TV series - even though thousands of Aussies are stranded overseas and unable to come home

It comes after a well-placed source revealed that Zac is preparing to fly to North America in May with his girlfriend Vanessa.

He will shoot the film adaptation of the Stephen King novel Firestarter in Canada.

Zac signed on for the horror flick in September last year, and will spend about eight weeks filming in Canada before returning to Australia.
With a single-day addition of



3,308 new cases of COVID-19, the count of infections in Maharashtra's district rose to 1,81,522 on Wednesday, a health official said.

As many as 18 patients died of the infection, while 2,705 were discharged from various treatment facilities during the day, the official said.

This has taken the toll to 2,392 and the count of recoveries has reached 1,52,487, he said.

Of the latest casualties, five were from the Municipal Corporation (NMC) area and 11 from other parts of the district, the official said.

At least 10,395 swab samples were tested during the day, taking the number of tests conducted in the district to 7,41,384, he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
[March 31, 2021] Dentsu Named a Strong Performer in Commerce Services

dentsu, a leading marketing and communications network, is named a Strong Performer in The Forrester Wave: Commerce Services, Q1 2021. Dentsu's commerce experience implementation services, commerce strategy services, execution roadmap and innovation strategy are all recognized by Forrester (News - Alert) in the report. Dentsu has structured its approach around this blend of capabilities being a top factor that is needed for commerce transformation. As Forrester states in the report: "The link between strategy and execution is compressed because of the need for speed and the ability to deploy new capabilities in the cloud at great pace. The best providers have a strong commerce strategy and design teams that work alongside implementation and change management teams to deploy robust commerce functionality that works as intended."



"Dentsu is a good fit for a company seeking an agile partner that brings strong customer strategy, end-to-end commerce journey capabilities, and a willingness to use outcome-based commercial models," the Forrester report states. "[Dentsu] brings its agencies together to tackle the entire commerce journey, from media buying and social selling to commerce transactions and loyalty, with a focus on B2C companies." Dentsu's commerce practice scales globally and has a large presence in North America, EMEA and APAC, working with some of the largest global brands - such as Johnson & Johnson, Sony, Hershey's and Shiseido - to engage customers across regions.

Read the full press release here. About dentsu international Part of dentsu, dentsu international is made up of six leadership brands - Carat, dentsu X, iProspect, Isobar (News - Alert) , dentsumcgarrybowen, Merkle and supported by its specialist brands. Dentsu International helps clients to win, keep and grow their best customers and achieve meaningful progress for their businesses. With best-in-class services and solutions in media, CXM and creative, Dentsu International operates in over 145 markets worldwide with more than 46,000 dedicated specialists. www.dentsu.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005703/en/

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NEW DELHI: A fresh batch of three more Rafale fighter jets made by French defence manufacturer - Dassault Aviation - will arrive in India on Wednesday, after mid-air refuelling in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The three upcoming Rafale fighters will join the IAF's Golden Arrows Squadron in Ambala, and take the squadron strength to 14. Confirming the development, Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, had said on Tuesday said that five extra Rafale jets will be ferried to India by the end of April.

This would be other than three Rafale which is arriving on Wednesday, he added. Calling it a matter of great pride", he said, weve been able to deliver on schedule and even ahead of schedule in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Right now, 21 Rafales delivered to India, 11 already ferried to India, three are right now being ferried and 5 extra will be ferried by end of April," French Envoy to India said.

The French envoy added, "Total in 2022, the 36 aircraft will have been delivered as per contract." 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.

India had ordered 36 Rafale aircraft from France in September 2016 and more than 50 per cent of these would have arrived in India by April-end 2021. The first batch of five Rafales arrived in India on July 28 and was officially inducted in September at Ambala Air Base in Haryana on September 10 by the central government.

The second batch of three Rafale jets arrived on November 3, followed by the third batch of three more jets that joined the IAF on January 27. These aircraft had also been deployed for patrolling along the China front in eastern Ladakh and other fronts during the height of the confrontation with the Chinese troops.

The planes equipped with the Hammer missiles have enhanced the IAF's capability to carry out air-to-ground strikes like the one in Balakot.

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Embattled New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that legalizes recreational marijuana in the Empire state - making New York the 16th State in the country to legalize sales to adults.

The bill reached Cuomo's desk Tuesday night after State Assembly voted 100-49 to pass the marijuana legalization bill.

Under the bill, signed on Wednesday by Cuomo, New Yorkers aged 21 and over can now legally possess up to three ounces of marijuana outside of the home and purchase cannabis from authorized retailers.

Anyone previously convicted of possessing marijuana under the new legal limit will automatically be eligible to resentencing. The bill will also lead to reduced penalties for possession and sale.

'This is a historic day in New York  one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, embraces an industry that will grow the Empire State's economy, and prioritizes marginalized communities so those that have suffered the most will be the first to reap the benefits,' Cuomo said in a statement.

'This is a historic day in New York  one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, embraces an industry that will grow the Empire State's economy,' Cuomo said

The legislation will also expand the list of medical conditions for eligibility to medical marijuana

Adults can now legally have up to five pounds of marijuana in their home as well as grow up to three mature cannabis plants in their home, the bill said.

The bill has a strong economic incentive - the new industry could result in $350 million in tax revenue, and up to 60,000 new jobs in the state, the governor's office said.

Marijuana will have a 13% sales tax, with 9% of the revenue going to the state and 4% going to localities, the bill said.

Sales of recreational-use marijuana won't become legal for an estimated 18 months pending state regulations.

The legislation will also expand the list of medical conditions for eligibility to medical marijuana

On twitter, reactions to the news was mixed. Some new York residents praised the bill, while others though it was still too restrictive.

'Its official! About damn time! After years of stalled attempts, New York State has legalized the use of recreational marijuana, enacting a robust program to reinvent millions of dollars in minority communities ravaged by the decades-long war on drugs.' one person tweeted.

Some were not as impressed, tweeting that there should not be a limit on how much marijuana a resident can grow in their homes.

'I believe if New York State is going to make marijuana legal then people should be able to grow it for personal use without permission from the government. Its your land, I wont tell you how many tomatoes you can grow, I wont tell you how much marijuana you can grow.' one person tweeted.

The bill allows anyone previously convicted of possessing an amount of marijuana under the new legal limit will automatically be eligible to resentencing

Sales of recreational-use marijuana won't become legal for an estimated 18 months pending state regulations.

Others called the bill 'justice' for people previously convicted on possession charges

'Not only did New York state legalize marijuana, but they expunged the records of all those indict don flimsy, nonsensical possession charges. This is justice. How many other states to follow before we get national policy' one person tweeted.

Cuomo announced the signing of the landmark bill on social media, tweeting '#BREAKING: I just signed legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis. The bill creates automatic expungement of previous marijuana convictions that would now be legal. This is a historic day. I thank the Leader and Speaker and the tireless advocacy of so many.'

Mayor Mayor Bill de Blasio said the bill long overdue, tweeting 'This is about righting a wrong. This is about turning the page on a racist law that unfairly targerted Black and brown communities for decades. Healing begins now in our state.'

New York City health officials are also praising the move.

During de Blasio's daily press briefing on Wednesday, Jay Varma, the NYC Mayor's Office Senior Adviser for Public Health, said that while doctors are still learning more about the long term effects of marijuana use, he supports a bill that promotes the the right type of resources to support cannabis users that does not involve criminal justice.

'We know a lot of adults do use these products safely, they lead highly functional lives, they lead to no severe health outcomes and we need to have a society that doesn't criminalize that type of action and provides support for people who end up having problems with it,' he said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that there is potential for further bolstering India-Tajikistan economic cooperation after his meeting with his Tajikistan counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin and urged the business community on both sides to engage more intensively with each other.

Jaishankar, who is in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe, attended the 9th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan on Tuesday. It is his first bilateral official visit to the key Central Asian country as the Foreign Minister.

In a statement, he said that the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia  Istanbul Process on Afghanistan was indeed a timely one.

President of Tajikistan Emamoli Rahmon emphasised on greater economic cooperation between our two countries, particularly in respect of investments from Indian companies in Tajikistan. This will be a focus area of our future cooperation, Jaishankar said.

The minister said that he had detailed talks with Foreign Minister Sirojiddin on all aspects of our bilateral relationship as well as issues of regional and international interest.

Sirojiddin and I shared a common view that while our bilateral strategic relations have grown and expanded over the years, there is potential for further strengthening our economic cooperation.

We would encourage the business community, the Chambers and trade bodies on both sides to engage more intensively with each other while the governments will continue to play a facilitating role, he said.

Development cooperation has also become an important pillar of bilateral relationship, Jaishankar said.

We have successfully commissioned a number of projects over the years in Tajikistan under our grant assistance including IT equipment in schools, food processing plant, engineering workshop, pharmaceutical plant, IT centres, rehabilitation and modernisation of the Varzob-1 hydroelectric power plant among others.

We are happy to be involved in the 8-laning of the Dushanbe-Chortut highway, which once completed next year, would greatly help in decongesting Dushanbe. We are also looking at more community development grant projects as well as projects in the energy and transport sectors under our Line of Credit in Tajikistan, he said.

Training and capacity building would continue to be one of the focus areas of the cooperation, the minister said.

Given our common interest in maintaining peace and security in the region, defence and security cooperation occupies a very important role in our overall cooperation matrix. I had very productive discussions in this regard with Defence Minister Colonel General Sherali Mirzo. The Indo-Tajik Friendship hospital (ITFH) continues to be one of the important symbols of our cooperation, Jaishankar said.

On the multilateral front, both the countries support each other in the UN and other multilateral fora including in the SCO, he said.

We would keep Tajikistans priorities in our mind during our current UN Security Council non-permanent membership, the minister said.

Among the regional issues, we also discussed Afghanistan. We share a similar outlook that a durable peace in Afghanistan would require harmonizing the interests of all, both within and around that country.

And if the peace process is to be successful, then it is necessary to ensure that the negotiating parties continue to engage in good faith with a serious commitment towards reaching a political solution. And it should be based on foundational principles to which we all subscribe. And it should be based on the foundational principles to which we all subscribe, Jaishankar said.

This year is an important year in the calendar of Tajikistan when it celebrates 30 years of its independence and holds the Presidency of the SCO in its 20th anniversary year, the minister said.

We are happy to extend our support to Tajikistan for the organization of the SCO Summit in Dushanbe. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Government and people of Tajikistan on this important milestone of its 30th year of independence.

And the fact that during these unprecedented times, we were able to supply Made in India vaccines to Tajikistan recently as well as medicines against COVID-19 speaks of our close partnership, he said.

The India-Tajikistan bilateral relations have been considerably strengthened over the years and the two countries look forward to further deepening the ties, he said.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Tickets will be scanned upon arrival and there is no re-entry once you enter.

Graduates should enter through the southwest tunnel between gates 2 and 3. Graduates should have their regalia unzipped for the security check and ticket ready to be scanned. Students arriving later than 15 minutes after the ceremony begins will not be permitted to enter.

Graduates will need to pick up a card and pencil as they enter the field and fill-out the card when they get to their seats. The card is for their name to be read. If they include their contact information Grad Images will contact them about receiving their complimentary photo.

Graduates will be seated on the field and guests will be seated in the stands.

Guests will enter through Gates 2, or 3. Guests will be directed to seats once they have entered the stadium. Gate 2 is available for people with mobility issues and has an elevator.

Graduates and guests are allowed to bring their own sealed, bottled drink (no alcoholic beverages). Water will be available for purchase throughout the stadium; no food is allowed. Restrooms are available on both sides of the field toward the South End Zone.
Archive360, the archiving and information management platform trusted by enterprises and government agencies worldwide, today announced the Archive360 Spring 21 Release, the latest incarnation of the market-leading platform that enables enterprises to implement Zero Trust, multi-level security and encryption options based on the risk and value of the data they manage in the cloud. Among other enhancements, the platform now features Archive360 Records Management, which cuts the cost and risk of retiring legacy applications and reducing the technical debt of content management systems and back-office applications; and Archive360 Security Gateway, patent-pending homomorphic encryption that transforms cloud-based information security paradigms. The advances cap off a year of sustained growth for the company, with major customer wins, expanded market outreach and increased recognition from industry analysts.

These are extraordinary times for new business models, cloud-based operations and technology security, and Archive360 is proud to drive this transformation, said Robert DeSteno, co-founder and CEO of Archive360. The global pandemic and cybersecurity crisis of 2020 have forever changed organizational attitudes toward information governance and security. We pledge to maintain our focus on constant innovation to help security-conscious government bodies and corporations secure and manage their data in their cloud. Archive360 Spring 21 Release goes further than ever before in meeting those needs.

The advances in Archive360 Records Management are custom-designed for an environment in which many organizations need help ensuring the long-term preservation of voluminous records that originated in, and still reside in, solutions set to be decommissioned. For example:



It imports each companys pre-existing taxonomy, making it possible to support customers specific classification needs, as well as retention and disposition policies. It also offers advanced functionality for event-based retention, schedule overrides for legal holds and litigation support.

It provides entitlement-based search and access with ongoing defensible disposition, including full pre-disposition reports and disposition-approval workflows.

The new release also delivers considerable advances in scalability. COVID-19, obsolete on-premises systems and inadequate security models are accelerating cloud adoption. Archive360 is increasingly tasked with helping organizations rapidly move large volumes of data to the cloud. However, since the size of every organizations data estate differs, Archive360s Spring 21 Release can provably scale to onboard anywhere from 1 Terabyte of data per day to more than 1.5 Petabytes per month, even as it respects complex requirements for infrastructure and information security, data privacy, data sovereignty, and other regulatory obligations. The company ingests 50 Terabytes of data a day from one conglomerate, manages more than six billion objects at another, and processes 33 million objects a day for a government agency.

Archive360 Security Gateway gives customers full control of their infrastructure and information security with a Zero Trust architectureorganizations move to the cloud on their own terms, with freedoms no SaaS provider can match. This includes:



The ability to incorporate each organizations specific security protocols for both infrastructure security and information securityArchive360s open system (versus a limited SaaS offering) gives customers the ability to review and audit the process down to the smallest detail

Customers retain full ownership and management of their encryption keysa major advantage over SaaS arrangements

Contextual security that enables enterprises to develop and execute policy-based information security protocols to support evolving data governance, records management and cloud security needs.

Archive360 Spring 21 Release builds on major momentum for the company. In the past 12 months, Archive360 has booked record numbers of enterprise customer wins worldwide in a variety of critical industries, with a 230% increase in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Gartner placed the company in its Visionaries quadrant, and to this day, Archive360 remains the only true Platform-as-a-Service solution for Enterprise Information Archiving.

Archive360 Spring 21 Release is available now. Go to Archive360.com for details.

About Archive360

Archive360 is the enterprise information archiving company that businesses and government agencies worldwide trust to securely migrate their digital data to the cloud, and responsibly manage it for todays regulatory, legal and business intelligence obligations. This is accomplished by applying context around the search, classification, security, retention, disposition and indexing of data including files, videos, and emailsall while allowing organizations to maintain full control over privacy, access, and compliance. Archive360 is a global organization that delivers its solutions both directly and through a worldwide network of partners. Archive360 is a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider, and the Archive2AzureTM solution is Microsoft Azure Certified. To learn more, please visit http://www.archive360.com.
A symbol of racialized hatred: Noose on tree at DC church investigated as possible hate crime

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An unknown party hung a noose on a tree on the property of a Washington, D.C. church, and local police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

The noose was discovered last Friday at St. Marks Episcopal Church, a congregation founded in the 19th century based in Southeast D.C., near Capitol Hill.

Michele Morgan of St. Marks sent an email to church members explaining that they found the noose hung from one of the trees in the courtyard on Friday morning.

After contacting police about the noose, church leadership prayed around the tree, reconsecrating the space and blessing the tree and the sacred space of our church.

That symbol of hatred has no place in our churchyard, in our city, or our country. I know that this symbol causes fear in people ... hearts, wrote Morgan.

Describing the noose as a symbol of racialized hatred, Morgan also noted that the surrounding community reached out to the congregation in overwhelming ways.

We have received phone calls from allies in the work of racial justice: WIN, Everyone Home DC, Newtown Action Alliance, and other Episcopal churches, she continued.

Past parishioners from all over the country have checked in, asking if they can do something. I received a call from a woman who is willing to stop by and check on the church and another who is ready to come and walk people to their cars.

The noose was first spotted by a vocal ensemble group known as The Thirteen, which had been practicing a rendition of Johann Sebastian Bachs Saint John Passion.

The Thirteens production included an African American playing the role of Jesus. The production will focus on issues of systemic racism, the groups artistic director, Matthew Robertson, told WTOP.

And so its unclear whether the church, for their strong progressive stance, was the target, or whether this production was the target. But regardless, we at The Thirteen condemn racism in all its forms, Robertson said.

D.C. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen took to Twitter to denounce the noose display, calling on followers to declare that hate has no home here.

A noose was found today at St Marks Episcopal Church on the Hill. A despicable symbol & act of hate. [Metropolitan Police Department] has been on scene & is working with church leadership, Allen tweeted.

Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Hugh Carew told CNN that the department is investigating the incident as a hate crime.

"These types of offenses are taken seriously and are entirely unacceptable," Carew said.
Springfields police chief was placed on leave abruptly without explanation late Monday but records indicate he has been accused of falsifying a document to protect two supervisors who had sex with a recruit.

The female recruit was fired for lying about one of the instances, in which she had sex off-duty with one of the male supervisors, but the two men -- a sergeant and a detective -- have kept their jobs, according to complaints filed with the Lane County district attorney and the state Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

Police department employees learned by email at 5:01 p.m. Monday that Chief Richard L. Lewis was no longer at the day-to-day helm.

The City is conducting an administrative personnel investigation and Lewis was ordered to go on paid administrative leave to protect the integrity of the investigation, Springfield City Manager Nancy Newton wrote in the email obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive. She appointed a lieutenant as acting chief of the approximately 70-member department.

Amber Fossen, a city spokeswoman, declined to cite the nature of the investigation or respond to questions about allegations that Lewis falsified state records.

Lewis didnt return email and phone messages seeking comment.

The action came weeks after two separate complaints were made to the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, the states police certification agency.

Both said the chief may have falsified a form he submitted about the recruits firing to deliberately avoid further scrutiny into a wider scandal in the police department involving supervisory male officers. The recruits lawyer sent a complaint Feb. 22 and a former Springfield police lieutenant sent his complaint against the chief on March 8.

I think he was the ultimate decision maker in trying to protect the men in the department at the expense of a vulnerable trainee, said Meredith Holley, a lawyer representing the recruit. I think the larger issue is an in-crowd/out-crowd culture in the department where they protect peoples wrongdoing because of who they are instead of treating members fairly.

The Oregonian/OregonLive is not using her name to protect her privacy.

The state certification agency forwarded the recruits Feb. 22 complaint against the chief to Springfields city manager on March 8 for review and resolution.

Lewis had signed a separation form for the recruit on Dec. 7, 2020, writing that the woman failed to candidly answer a superior officers question regarding non-work related activity.

The complaints allege that the chief appeared to have falsely answered No to a question on the form: Was the separation the result of (even in part ) an active or pending investigation being conducted by your agency or another public agency into allegations of misconduct involving the separated individual?

The woman, hired in August, had received a written notice on Nov. 27, advising her that she was being suspended with pay because she was the subject of an investigation into an allegation of misconduct pertaining to a relationship with a male supervisor.

There was clearly an investigation so its not accurate to say there was not, said Holley, the womans lawyer.

On Dec. 2, Lewis told the recruit that she was fired for being untruthful, Holley said.

The sergeant was placed on leave but its not clear if he faced any sanction, and theres no indication the detective faced any investigation, according to the recruits lawyer.

IT NEVER GETS OUT, EVER

The recruits attorney outlined the womans brief time with Springfield police and the allegations against Lewis in the complaint to the police certification agency, a notice to sue Springfield police and a complaint to the state labor department.

The female recruit was 26 when she was hired, becoming the only woman in the Springfield Police Departments training class. She had not yet gone to basic training at the states basic police academy.

Less than a month after she started, she said a detective who served as the police departments firearms instructor invited her to his home on Sept. 20 for special firearms training and initiated sex with her after the training, according to complaints. The detective later texted her that he wasnt her supervisor, the complaints said.

During two days in late November, the recruit said she had sex with a different Springfield police supervisor, a sergeant.

The sergeant later texted her, I just need to know that it never gets out. Ever. Im worried I just threw my credibility, career and ethics out the window, according to her complaints.

On Nov. 25, the recruit was told she was under investigation for an inappropriate relationship with the sergeant after another police supervisor spotted her car parked outside his home.

She said she told a police lieutenant, I do not have a relationship with the sergeant because that was her honest understanding of our situation and consistent with the sergeants instruction to her that this never gets out, according to her complaints.

On Nov. 27, the lieutenant told her that she was the subject of an investigation into an allegation of misconduct pertaining to a relationship with a male supervisor. She was suspended with pay three days later.

In stark contrast, the sergeant and the detective involved were not fired and remain employed at the police department.

The sergeant was never asked if he had a relationship with the recruit, according to her complaints. The sergeants phone was taken and investigators reviewed the sergeants private text messages with the recruit, including naked photos of her, her lawyer said.

By January of this year, officers in the department had passed around a photo of the detectives and sergeants faces with a racist term referring to two men who have sex with the same women, according to her complaint.

The recruit has accused Springfield police of creating a hostile and discriminatory work environment based on her gender.

Her notice of intent to sue the police department accuses it of investigating her differently as a woman than SPD investigated the two male supervisors and ultimately terminating her because she is a woman.

Springfield Police Chief Richard L. Lewis signed the female recruit's separation form, indicating there was no investigation conducted into misconduct allegations that led to her firing. Her lawyer said that's blatantly false.

STATE AGENCY CONCERNED

Under state law, police chiefs or their designees must notify the state certification agency within 10 days of when someone is hired, promoted, faces a leave of absence, resigns or is fired.

A so-called F4 form is used for hirings and promotions. A separate form, called an F4s, was established several years ago to encourage law enforcement leaders to give us detail about the separation, said Marsha Morin, program manager of criminal justice certification for the state agency.

The change was made to address concerns that top officials sometimes tried to avoid further scrutiny by not explaining the full circumstances of an officers resignation or firing, Morin said.

On the F4s form, an initial question asks a chief, a sheriff or their designee to cite and explain the reason in detail for a separation and leaves an open space to do so.

The chiefs, sheriffs or designees must also answer these additional questions by checking a yes or no box:

Was the separation the result of a settlement agreement? Was it the result or part of an active or pending investigation by the agency or another public agency into allegations of misconduct involving the separated person? If not, were there any uninvestigated allegations of misconduct or other complaints involving the person before the separation?

The question about any internal or outside investigation is intended to be all inclusive, including closed investigations that led to a firing or resignation, Morin said.

We probably should get rid of the word active or pending, she said.

Once the state agency learns an internal investigation led to a firing or resignation, it requests the case file and opens up a professional standards review to determine if the officer should retain their police certification, she said.

In response to the complaints about the Springfield chief, Morin said the state agency alerted the city manager, who has 60 days to respond and assure the state that the complaint was addressed.

After that, the state also could investigate if a chief or department head falsified documentation, she said.

If we can prove they falsified documentation to us -- which is a hard thing to prove -- we would open a professional standard investigation, she said.

DISCREPANCIES MAY BE DELIBERATE

The Lane County district attorney also received a written complaint about the Springfield chiefs alleged omissions on the recruits formal separation form.

The complaint came from Scott McKee, a former Springfield police lieutenant who left last September under a separation agreement reached after an outside investigator found he engaged in no wrongdoing following a series of misconduct allegations initiated by his department.

McKee, a longtime police internal affairs investigator, said the recruit and her lawyer consulted with him.

He wrote to the district attorney that Lewis appeared to have falsified his responses on the recruits separation form to keep the state certification agency from delving into the behavior of two higher-ranking males, a sergeant and detective.

It is apparent to me that these discrepancies may be a deliberate undertaking by Chief Lewis to keep internally secret and private the publicly embarrassing reported on and off-duty sexual shenanigans of several Springfield police officers during the recruits brief employment, McKee wrote.

The recruits sexual contact with the two supervisors occurred off-duty, but a nude photo of her was apparently distributed in the police department on duty, according to her lawyer.

McKee said the chiefs answers on the recruits separation form stood out to him because Lewis also checked boxes on McKees separation form indicating there was no internal investigation of McKee. But that wasnt true, McKee said.

Lewis, who joined the Springfield police in 1982, was promoted to acting chief in 2016 and then to chief in 2017.

Lt. Matt Neiwert, who has been with the Springfield department for about 21 years, is serving as acting chief.

The department has faced turmoil in recent years. Lewis was criticized for becoming actively involved in crowd management and arrests at a July 29 Black Unity protest in Thurston when he was expected to manage the police operation from a distance as its incident commander that day.

The departments internal review of police shootings also has come under fire following the citys $4.5 million payout to settle a lawsuit filed by the parents of a woman shot and killed by a police sergeant on March 31, 2019. The woman suffered from schizophrenia and was unarmed.

The city has contracted with an independent firm to investigate if the department appropriately reviewed officers decision-making leading up to the shooting and whether the tactics followed department policies before finding that the fatal shooting was within policy.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Alex Wong/Getty ImagesBy ALISA WIERSEMA, ABC News



(PIERRE, S.D.) -- A series of culture wars that are likely to resurface on future campaign trails appear to be emerging in several Republican-led states over the issue of transgender rights, despite the next two cycles of elections being several political lifetimes away.



South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem -- who is widely considered to be a possible 2024 presidential aspirant -- is the latest official to be at the center of debates surrounding a groundswell of bills that aim to ban transgender students from playing on school sports teams according to the gender with which they identify. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, similar types of bills have made their way through more than a dozen states, including two recently passed laws in Tennessee and Mississippi.



Noem's attempt to take on the highly sensitive topic had a rocky start, despite her having expressed initial excitement at the prospect of "defending women's sports" in signing HB 1217 -- her state's version of a bill that sought to ban transgender women and girls from playing on female sport teams. This week, Noem killed that bill after failing to come to a compromise with state lawmakers regarding revisions to what she called "serious drafting errors" which she believes made the bill "significantly different from any other state legislation pending across the country."



In a letter addressed to the state's legislative leaders on Monday, Noem expressed her concerns over the bill's language having consequences beyond protecting "fairness in women's sports." The concerns included worries that the bill would have "turned any failure to make a sports team into a litigation hazard," while also implementing the need for parents to complete a yearly "onerous paperwork requirement" to identify school-aged children's genders and whether their child had taken performance-enhancing drugs.



Noem also pointed to the bill's likely impact on collegiate athletics, which could have put state athletes at odds with the oversight implemented by national athletic organizations.



"South Dakota has shown that our student athletes can compete with anyone in the country, but competing on the national stage means compliance with the national governing bodies that oversee collegiate athletics," Noem wrote in a series of recent tweets. "While I certainly do not always agree with the actions these sanctioning bodies take, I understand that collegiate athletics requires such a system -- a fifty-state patchwork is not workable."



Although the South Dakota governor's two executive orders do not explicitly include references to transgender athletes, they do refer to "current policies that allow males to participate in women's athletics." Noem said the orders "temporarily address the problem" and that she wants to see a special legislative session come together in the coming months to further address these issues through legislation.



While Noem and other supporters of similar efforts see these policies as vehicles for protecting their notions of fairness in women's sports, the political push in South Dakota appears to be at odds with the current number of trans athletes it would presumably impact. According to data provided by the Transformation Project, a transgender youth advocacy group in South Dakota, there are only a handful of trans athletes across the state -- among them are five trans male athletes and no trans girl athletes.



The evolution of Noem's stance on her state legislature's initial bill opened the door for intraparty criticism. Some social conservatives like the Family Policy Alliance seized on her perceived presidential aspirations by implying that her decision to oppose the bill could have larger political repercussions.



"It's no secret that Gov. Noem has national aspirations, so it's time she hears from a national audience," the group wrote in a press release to supporters.



Editors at The National Review, a conservative news magazine, called Noem's moves a "disappointing capitulation" and alleged the governor engaged in "a flagrant violation of her powers" for making "sweeping substantive changes rather than small stylistic ones" in her executive orders.



The editors went on to call it a "classic case of a politician motivated by immediate financial incentives (in this case, avoiding expensive lawsuits and potential boycotts) acting rashly on an issue she knows and cares little about, only to quickly realize that this was drastically out of step with her party and her base, and then frantically set about justifying her decision."



Noem stood her ground in a subsequent op-ed published by the magazine.



As LGBTQ advocates laud the outcome of the political back and forth, they indicate more work needs to be done to address trans rights.



"Nobody wins when politicians try to meddle in people's lives like this. Nobody wins when we try to codify discrimination like this. We're thrilled with the decision by South Dakota lawmakers to kill this bill," said Jett Jonelis, an ACLU of South Dakota advocacy manager in a statement following the termination of HB-1217 earlier this week.



Following Noem's announced executive orders, Jonelis pushed back on the governor's notion of protecting "fairness in women's sports" in a statement to ABC News.



"If Gov. Noem really wanted to protect fairness in women's sports, she would tackle the actual threats to women's sports such as severe underfunding, lack of media coverage, sexist ideologies that suggest that women and girls are weak, and pay equity for coaches," Jonelis said.



For now, it appears that at least one factor in the legislative saga could offer room for common ground -- according to Jonelis, the South Dakota ACLU is also currently examining whether the governor "exceeded her authority by issuing these executive orders."



ABC's Stephanie Fasano, Jake Lefferman and Karin Weinberg contributed to this report.



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Kate Middleton's favourite designer Alexander McQueen has become the latest brand to go fur-free marking the end of it's use by all major British labels.

The British Fashion House, who designed Kate's 2011 wedding dress, is the latest in an ever-growing list of luxury designers to stop using real fur.

Balenciaga, which like Alexander McQueen is also owned by French conglomerate Kerring, has also announced it's going fur free, following in the steps on British giants Burberry and Stella McCartney as well as international brands including Armani, Prada, Chanel, Versace, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo and DKNY.

Kate Middleton's favourite designer Alexander McQueen has become the latest brand to go fur-free marking the end of it's use by all major British labels. Pictured: a 5,145 faux fur coat from Alexandder McQueen

Elsewhere, high fashion websites including Net-a-Porter and Farfetch have no-fur policies.

Fur production has been banned in the UK since 2003, but the Government is currently considering plans to prohibit the import of wild animal fur into the UK that would essentially forbid the sale of clothes containing fur.

The Humane Society said they've been working with Kerring for more than a decade on the Fur-Free Britain campaign to end fur sales within the country.

'Every time a big fashion name like Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga goes fur-free, it sends a clear message that fur has no place in a modern society,' stated Kitty Block, CEO of Humane Society International said.

'This is a statement that consumers care more about sustainable solutions than the fur trim on a bag or a coat. We look forward to continuing our work with Kering, and the rest of the fashion industry, to ensure that humane and innovative materials are the future of fashion.'

Kate Middleton has been spotted dozens of times in Alexander McQueen. She is pictured left at Cardiff Castle in 2020, and right at Euston station in Alexander McQueen coats



'We are thrilled that yet another iconic British fashion figure has taken a stand against the cruel fur industry and joined the growing list of fur-free designers.

'By removing fur from its collections, Alexander McQueen is in tune with the British public, the vast majority of whom do not wear fur.

'Polls show that nearly 80% of Brits associate brands that use fur with the words cruel, outdated, unethical or out of touch so its clear that fur is a sinking ship in PR terms. This is a notable fur-free milestone worth celebrating and we encourage the government to acknowledge it as further evidence that Britain is ready for a fur sales ban this year.'

Elsewhere, the Netherlands has banned mink fur production, following an outbreak of coronavirus on a mink farm, while in the US California has banned fur sales.

Kate Middleton has been spotted dozens of times in Alexander McQueen.

Kate worked closely with Sarah Burton to create the lace and satin custom-made gown worn on her wedding day in 2011 (pictured), estimated to have cost around 250,000

In February 2020, Kate dazzled in a stunning white and gold McQueen gown at the Bafta awards (right) which she first wore in 2012 (left) on the Diamond Jubilee Tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The luxury fashion house was founded by British designer Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992 and taken over by creative director Sarah Burton following his sudden death in 2010.

Kate worked closely with Burton to create the lace and satin custom-made gown worn on her wedding day, estimated to have cost around 250,000.

The Duchess has continued to commission the label to create bespoke clothing for official events, as well as customising ready-to-wear pieces and accessories.

In February 2020, Kate dazzled in a stunning white and gold McQueen gown at the BAFTAs - which she first wore in 2012. The gown was tweaked slightly to make it subtly different from its first outing eight years ago.

Kate reached for a familiar McQueen favourite when getting dressed for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018.

Kate reached for a familiar McQueen favourite when getting dressed for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018, donning a primrose yellow silk tailored coat by the fashion house (pictured)

She wore a primrose yellow silk tailored coat by McQueen that she'd previously worn on no less than three high profile occasions.

The royal was first seen in the designer piece for the christening of Princess Charlotte back in July 2015 and again a year later for the Trooping of the Colour in June 2016.

At Princess Charlotte's Christening in 2015, she wore the primrose yellow silk tailored coat to the ceremony at St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham.

Kate teamed her investment piece with an over-sized Philip Treacy hat and Jimmy Choo heels.

Kate wore the coat once again a year later for the Trooping of the Colour in June 2016, paired with a large fascinator with a pastel pink flower

For Prince George's Christening in October 2013, Kate wore a stunning cream ruffled suit by Alexander McQueen.

The Duchess once again wore McQueen to the the baptism of her third child Prince Louis in July 2018 at the Chapel Royal in St James' Palace, donning a cream coat dress.

She teamed the ensemble with a very striking hat by Jane Taylor, consisting of a wide cream band trimmed with white flowers, and accessorised with new pearl cluster earrings.

Kate donned a stunning pale pink satin McQueen dress at the wedding of her sister, Pippa Middleton, to James Matthews in May 2017

The royal wore similar McQueen ensembles to the christenings of all three of her children. Pictured left to right, Kate at the Christenings of Prince George in 2013, Princess Charlotte in 2015 and Prince Louis in 2018

The Duchess also donned a stunning satin McQueen dress at the wedding of her sister Pippa Middleton to James Matthews in May 2017.

In 2019, the royal wore McQueen clothing and accessories publicly on 17 different high-profile occasions.

Kate has been pictured wearing fur hats in the past, usually made from alpacas who have died of natural causes.

The Duchess was seen in a chestnut brown 225 hat by Lacorine, made in Peru under the fairtrade label by local artisans, when she visited Oslo in 2019.

Kate pictured wearing a chestnut brown alpaca fur 225 Sumac hat by Lacorine, made in Peru, as she visits Oslo in 2019 (left) and Kate in black alpaca fur hat that same week when she visited Nobel Museum in Stockholm (right)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wearing otter fur scarfs on the day they were given them while visiting a tribe in Canada in 2016

The royal was also seen wearing a black alpaca fur hat earlier that same week when she visited the Nobel Museum in Stockholm.

Kate and Prince William were slammed by animal rights activists in 2016 when they were shown wearing otter fur scarves they had been given while visiting the First Nations Haida Community during an official tour of Canada.

The scarves were given by the tribe as a sign of welcome and respect.

The International Fur Trade Federation accused her of wearing an animal fur bobble hat when she was pictured in the garment in London in 2012.

However, Buckingham Palace quickly corrected them, and revealed the hat was, in fact, fake fur.
The oil exploration and production sector added 2,300 jobs in February, a sign that the industry is recovering from the worst oil bust in decades.

The sector has added 7,400 jobs since September, bringing the total drilling and oil extraction employment in Texas to 164,900 jobs, according to data from the Texas Workforce Commission analyzed by the Texas Oil and Gas Association.

Every Texan should be encouraged that jobs in this vital sector are returning after a difficult season, the oil and gas trade groups president Todd Staples said in a statement.

The Texas oil and gas industry lost about 60,000 exploration and production jobs lost during the global pandemic, which slashed demand for crude and petroleum products such as gasoline and jet fuel. Nationally, the oil and gas industry lost an estimated 107,000 jobs during the pandemic, according to global consulting firm Deloitte.

OIL FIELD SERVICES: Oil plunges as industry racks up more job losses

The number of drilling rigs in Texas fell by more than 60 percent in 2020, dropping to a record low 100 in August, the lowest number since oil-field services firm Baker Hughes started the weekly tally in 1944. The rig count has since improved to 205, just over half of the 368 rigs in operation a year ago.

Analysts fear that robotics and automation could slash more oil and gas jobs by 2030 as energy companies continue to streamline operations and find efficiencies after recent oil busts. At least 20 percent, or more than 140,000 jobs in drilling, operational support and maintenance are at risk of becoming automated in the next 10 year, according to Norwegian energy research firm Rystad.

Robotic drilling systems can potentially reduce the number of roughnecks required on a drilling rig by 20 to 30 percent, decreasing the annual cost of U.S. wages in the industry by more than $7 billion by 2030, according to Rystad.
[March 31, 2021] JM Search Forms Legal Practice

JM Search, a premier retained executive search firm, would like to welcome Dan Figueroa as Partner to lead the new Legal Practice. Dan brings more than 14 years of experience placing attorneys at AM Law100 Law Firms, as well as having placed many associates and in-house counsel. Dan has successfully placed lawyers whose focus areas are in Private Equity, Corporate M&A, Venture Capital & Emerging Companies, Investment Management, Finance, Capital Markets, Patent Litigation, White Collar and Commercial Litigation. Dan has also successfully recruited attorneys with a focus in various industries including Life Sciences/HealthCare, Technology, Banking & Finance, Real Estate and Energy. Prior to joining JM Search, Dan worked with one of the top legal recruiting firms in the country for over a decade. He started his career at a small legal search firm in Cambridge, MA where he worked for 3 years. Dan's search career has been exclusively focused on recruiting legal professionals and is considered a leader in this area of executive search. Dan commented, "I am thrilled to join JM Search and launch the newly formed Law Practice for the firm. This is an incredible opportunity to bring my clients and blend them with JM Search's unique approach to retained search. I look forward to delivering the best possible talent to our clients." "Adding Dan to our team and launching this new practice further demonstrates the strength of our growing commitment to our clients. Through Dan's prior experience, I have no doubt he will anchor a team that will deliver the best talent in the industry," said John Marshall (News - Alert) , JM Search's co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. Dan graduated from Curry College where he majored in Communications. Dan enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors. He was born in Santiago, Chile and lived in 6 contries by the time he was 15 years old. Dan lives with his wife and three children in Yardley, PA.



JM Search's Legal Practice (https://jmsearch.com/industries/legal-practice/) JM Search has formed a dedicated Legal Practice to recruit legal professionals for law firms, general counsels, and operating companies across the United States.

With the everchanging environment of today's fast-paced world, the legal sector has never been more competitive, diverse, or connected, making the expanding legal markets more challenging to navigate. JM Search utilizes a partner-led approach that has helped us successfully place the most qualified candidates with our clients. Whether our clients are looking for industry/practice specific Partners, General Counsels, and/or Associates, our legal team's unique approach to legal recruiting quickly finds the top-tiered candidates for our clients. Our team has over a decade of experience and success recruiting for law firms and in-house legal positions. As the legal industry continues its massive industry wide consolidation, the competition for clients has never been greater. Our clients understand that one of the fastest ways to increase the firm's client base is through recruiting top tier lateral Partners. At JM Search, our Legal Practice keeps a finger on the pulse of the market and are constantly connecting with Partners who understand clients' needs. At the same time, we understand the need for hard working, highly trained associates and are able to quickly identify the best candidates. Our expertise also includes the recruiting of General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Chief of Compliance or any other crucial in-house legal position. Our teams rigorous search process and knowledge of the marketplace enables us to deliver best in class results. JM Search (www.jmsearch.com) is a premier retained executive search firm and trusted advisor to CEOs, investors and boards of directors in recruiting, assessing and delivering high performance leaders and transformational leadership teams. JM Search clients include private equity firms and portfolio companies, venture capital-backed businesses, and publicly held companies across North America. Founded in 1980, the JM Search team brings together former operating and financial executives, investors and experienced search professionals with deep industry specialization, functional expertise and proven access to talent spanning multiple industry sectors. With national reach and local market depth, the firm's partner-led approach enables JM Search to deliver exceptional leaders who enhance organizational performance and drive shareholder value. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005621/en/

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HOUSTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Weatherford International plc (OTC Pink: WFTLF) ("Weatherford" or the "Company") will host a conference call on Thursday, May 6, 2021 to discuss the results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2021.

The conference call will begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central Time). Prior to the conference call, the Company will issue a press release announcing the results and the associated presentation slides will be uploaded to the investor relations section of the Weatherford website.

Listeners can participate in the conference call via a live webcast. Alternatively, the conference call can be accessed by registering in advance (which will provide a PIN for immediate access) or by dialing +1 877-328-5344 (within the U.S.) or +1 412-902-6762 (outside of the U.S.) and asking for the Weatherford conference call. Participants should log in or dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until May 20, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the replay, please dial +1 877-344-7529 (within the U.S.) or +1 412-317-0088 (outside of the U.S.) and reference conference number 10153726.

About Weatherford

Weatherford is a leading wellbore and production solutions company. Operating in more than 75 countries, the Company answers the challenges of the energy industry with its global talent network of approximately 17,200 team members and approximately 390 operating locations, including manufacturing, research and development, service, and training facilities. Visit weatherford.com for more information or connect on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.

Contact:

Sebastian Pellizzer and Mohammed Topiwala

Weatherford Investor Relations

+1 713-836-7777

[email protected]

SOURCE Weatherford International plc

Related Links

http://www.weatherford.com


BUDAPEST, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With an internationally significant acquisition, the Hungarian group became one of the most notable facility management providers in the region. The transaction concerns the main subsidiaries of the ISS Group in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary. This expansion also represents a significant step from the point of view of the entire Hungarian economy.

Founded in Copenhagen in 1901, the ISS Group is one of the world's largest international facility services providers. With nearly 400,000 employees, it serves thousands of customers worldwide. In 2018, group announced plans to divest its business in 13 countries, including the operations subject of the current transaction, to achieve its goal: strengthened focus on key markets. The sale of ISS companies in Central and Eastern Europe is part of this process. The four major subsidiaries in the region generate a total turnover of EUR 70 million per year, with nearly 4 000 employees.

The B+N Referencia Zrt. has reached another important stage in its development with the acquisition. This also made it a regionally dominant facility management provider. It is a logical step, because the company has become a market leader in Hungary. It is a stable part of the 500 highest-grossing domestic corporate rankings. Company's clients list includes leading corporates, and state owned institutions.

"The number of employees exceeds 10,000 with this transaction," said Ferenc Kis-Szolgyemi, CEO of B+N Reference Zrt. He added, "Our capital is our blue-collar base."

With the entry of B+N Reference Zrt into the market, ISS customers can be sure that the high-quality services of the past will be even further developed in the entire facility management portfolio.

B+N Reference Zrt. exports outstanding expertise, high-quality service, customer orientation, transparent and flexible operation. All this ensures high-quality service to future customers also in its new markets. The company is well aware and understands the Central and Eastern European market.

Transfer of the ownership will take effect immediately upon signing of the agreement, except ISS Hungary, which is subject to customary antitrust approval.

B+N Reference Zrt. considers its social mission to raise awareness to the importance of cleaning, cleanliness and institutional disinfection. Its main goal is to receive due respect while striving to retain and value all local workers.

For more information pls. contact: https://bnref.hu/en/news/

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1477827/B_N_Referencia_Logo.jpg

SOURCE B+N Referencia Zrt.
Billionaire Ranjan Pai-controlled is in final talks to sell a minority stake in the company to government anchored National Investment and Infrstructure Fund (NIIF) for ~2,100 crore and the deal is likely to be closed soon, said sources close to the development.

The amount raised would be partly used to fund the companys acquisition of Columbia Asia Hospitals India business and partly to finance some of the other acquisitions that Manipal Health Enterprises is exploring in the near future, added the sources.

This will be a secondary in which Pai would be divesting a part of his 60 per cent stake in the company. Other investors in the PE-backed enterprise include TPG Capital and Temasek. One of the largest PE players, TPG had invested in Manipal around 4 years ago and roughly holds 22 per cent, while Temasek, which invested 2 years back, holds around 18 per cent.

While declined to comment on the development, NIIF could not be reached immediately for comment.

NIIF has a Strategic Opportunities Fund which invests in sectors which are relevant strategically to India such as healthcare. As is a growing organisation, this will provide long-term capital to them as sovereign funds like NIIF tend to stay longer with the company, said a person familiar with the matter. NIIF manages over $4.4 billion of equity capital commitments across its three funds namely Master Fund, Fund of Funds and Strategic Opportunities Fund, and is backed by LPs such as Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Singapores Temasek.

Bengaluru-based hospital chain Manipal Hospitals had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire for Rs 2,100 crore last year. The deal is likely to be completed soon. Together, the combined entity will have a presence of 27 hospitals across 15 cities with over 7,300 beds and over 4,000 doctors and 10,000 employees.

The company had earlier said that it is looking at opportunities in east and west India to enhance its coverage and is also planning a greenfield 250-bed hospital in north Bengaluru in the next 2-2.5 years.
Connections Academy By Pearson logo "We are forward-focused, with a vision and spirit to deliver substantial innovation in K-12 education."

Connections Academy is celebrating 20 years of high-quality online education and launching a new look and website. Founded in 2001, the K-12 education leader helps students learn, grow and prepare for the future with its comprehensive, full-time online school experience. Today, 44 Connections Academy schools serve over 100,000 students in 29 states.

Connections Academy's refreshed website and look honor its 20th anniversary milestone. New website designs and updated imagery highlight Connections Academys online school program and reflect its exciting and diverse student experiences and student body. New videos show how the online schools invite knowledge in to the homes of students everywhere via technology.

Connections Academy online schools provide tuition-free, public school alternatives for families who want a different approach for their childrens educations -- flexible, tech-enabled and beyond the traditional classroom. Over two decades, Connections Academy paved the way for the vital role virtual schools play in today's K-12 public education ecosystem and are noted for student achievement and virtually unanimous parent satisfaction. Also, unlike the experience of many students during the pandemic, Connections Academy students have continuity from an educational program specially designed for the online environment.

"Connections Academy has undergone a tremendous transformation since we launched in 2001. We are proud of its 20-year track record of providing high-quality education and a safe, reliable online school experience, said Tom ap Simon, president of the virtual learning division at Pearson, which delivers the Connections Academy online school program. At the same time, we are forward-focused, with a vision and spirit to deliver substantial innovation in K-12 education. As such, we have updated the brand identity to reflect our presence and the next era of success for our online school programs.

The last year saw incredible growth for Connections Academy schools, with students choosing to enroll for a variety of reasons, including the need for established, secure online learning programs. Award-winning curriculum, state-certified teachers and flexible schedules remain top reasons why families seek out the schools.

The new look and website launch coincides with the official launch of enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year. Parent information sessions are currently underway and families interested in enrollment are encouraged to visit the website to begin the process for the 2021-22 school year.

20th Anniversary, Education Pioneer:

Twenty years ago, the first Connections Academy fully online public schools opened in Wisconsin and Colorado with a total of 200 students. Since that time, over one million students have experienced all or part of their K-12 education at a Connections Academy school. The launch of Connections Academy ushered in a new era in American K-12 public education, redefining our notion of education fundamentals like school and classroom. Equally groundbreaking: strengthening school choice options for families with access to a quality public education not bound by zip code and without walls or limits.

Prior K-12 e-learning initiatives had been limited to supplemental or part-time online courses. Connections Academy proved that a complete public education could be delivered virtually, using technology to personalize learning like never before. Fueled by a robust Learning Management System (LMS) and sophisticated digital learning tools, and led by certified, specially trained teachers, Connections Academy delivers students not just core academics and social and emotional learning, but also a host of electives, guidance counseling services, clubs and extracurriculars. Teachers have a wealth of data at their fingertips to customize instruction and support students "where they are."

When we founded Connections Academy twenty years ago, we never could have imagined that this milestone would arrive at such a challenging time. That said, there has never been a more important moment for time-tested online learning as children everywhere keep learning remotely and online during the pandemic," said Mickey Revenaugh, a co-founder of Connections Academy and Pearson's vice president for new school models. Connections Academy has played a role in the defining moments for so many families -- it is an honor and motivation for the next twenty years."

About Connections Academy

Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students. With 20 years of expertise in online learning, we know how to create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. Connections Academy-supported schools offer grades K through 12, though some public school programs do not offer all grades. For more information, call 1-800-382-6010 or visit https://www.ConnectionsAcademy.com. Connections Academy is part of the global learning company Pearson.

About Pearson

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose  to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the worlds leading learning company. Learn more at pearsonplc.com.
The Company is preparing for the deployment of precision phage therapy on a wider scale

Regulatory News:

Pherecydes Pharma (FR0011651694 ALPHE) (Paris:ALPHE), a biotechnology company specializing in precision phage therapy to treat resistant and/or complicated bacterial infections, today announces that Celine Breda, Doctor of Pharmacy, has joined Pherecydes Pharma's Management Committee as Director of Industrial Operations.

Celine Breda brings to the Company 25 years of experience in the quality control, development and production of biological products. After beginning her career at Sanofi Pasteur in France and the United States, Celine joined the biotechnology company Valneva in 2005, where she headed pharmaceutical operations for more than eight years. When Valneva's bioproduction site in Nantes was sold in 2013, she became Director of Operations of this unit, initially for BE Vaccines, a subsidiary of Indian pharmaceutical group Biological E, and then, from 2019, for Naobios, a subsidiary of CDMO Clean Biologics.

Guy-Charles Fanneau de La Horie, Chairman of the Executive Board of Pherecydes Pharma, states: "We are delighted to welcome Celine Breda to the team. Controlling our industrial operations is a key component of our development and success, given that the production of phages in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is particularly complex. With her substantial and diverse experience in pharmaceutical production, Celine will clearly strengthen our expertise in this domain, enabling us to successfully launch the production of our phages in accordance with GMP norms and to deploy precision phage therapy on a wider scale

About Pherecydes Pharma

Founded in 2006, Pherecydes Pharma is a biotechnology company that develops treatments against resistant bacterial infections, responsible for many serious infections. The Company has developed an innovative approach, precision phage therapy, based on the use of phages, natural bacteria-killing viruses. Pherecydes Pharma is developing a portfolio of phages targeting 3 of the most resistant and dangerous bacteria, which alone account for more than two thirds of hospital-acquired resistant infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concept of precision phage therapy has been successfully applied in 22 patients in the context of compassionate use, under the supervision of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). Headquartered in Nantes, Pherecydes Pharma has a team of around twenty experts from the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology sector and academic research.

For more information, www.pherecydes-pharma.com

Disclaimer

This press release contains non-factual elements, including, but not limited to, certain statements regarding future results and other future events. These statements are based on the current vision and assumptions of the management of the Company. They incorporate known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could result in significant differences in results, profitability and expected events. In addition, Pherecydes Pharma, its shareholders and its affiliates, directors, officers, counsels and employees have not verified the accuracy of, and make no representations or warranties about, statistical information or forecast information contained within this news release and that originates or is derived from third party sources or industry publications; these statistical data and forecast information are only used in this press release for information purposes. Finally, this press release may be drafted in French and in English. In the event of differences between the two texts, the French version will prevail.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005525/en/

Contacts:

Pherecydes Pharma

Philippe Rousseau

CFO

investors@pherecydes-pharma.com

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky

Investor Relations

pherecydes@newcap.eu

T.: +33 1 44 71 94 92

NewCap

Nicolas Merigeau

Media Relations

pherecydes@newcap.eu

T.: +331 44 71 94 98
Deputy chairman of the Senate's Human Rights Committee, Liberal Ioan Cristina, believes that lawmakers need to fight hate speech and "direct their activities towards actions and initiatives that combat public hate rhetoric, discrimination or violence. The National Liberal Party has supported and will continue to support the combat of such incitement, and our actions in Parliament stand proof for that. Recently, the Senate adopted the clarifications to the Criminal Code that refer to incitement to hatred and discrimination, precisely in order to allow the sanctioning of these deeds," Ioan Cristina told AGERPRES on Wednesday, after the release of the US State Department's annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

The Liberal senator wants the report on Romania to be discussed either in the Human Rights Committee, or in the Senate plenary.

"I will support - and I think my colleagues will agree - a debate on the report either in the committee or in the Senate plenary, so that we are as firm as possible in combating such practices," he added.

The US State Department released on Tuesday its annual report on human rights practices around the world. As far as Romania is concerned, the document mentions as significant human rights issues in 2020 cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government; widespread official corruption; lack of investigation and accountability for violence against women and girls; crimes of violence targeting institutionalized persons with disabilities and members of ethnic minority groups.

The report also states that the judiciary took steps to prosecute and punish officials who committed abuses, but authorities did not have effective mechanisms to do so and delayed proceedings involving alleged police abuse and corruption, with the result that many of the cases ended in acquittals. Impunity for perpetrators of some human rights abuses is also listed as a continuing problem.
Actors re-enact the first Mass on Limasawa island on 31 March 2021 (AFP or licensors)

The Church marks the 500th anniversary of the first Mass in the Philippines, as Catholics gear up for a year-long jubilee of celebrations under the theme Gifted to Give.

By Devin Watkins

On Easter Sunday in 1521, Father Pedro de Valderrama celebrated the first Catholic Mass in what is now the Philippines, specifically on the island of Limasawa in Southern Leyte.

The date was 31 March, and the Spanish priest was part of an expedition to the so-called East Indies led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Father Valderrama set up an improvised altar, and officiated at the Mass, which was attended by his shipmates and a host of local tribal leaders and inhabitants. On that same Easter Sunday afternoon, Magellan ordered his men to plant a large wooden cross on the top of the hill overlooking the sea.

A few days later, the Magellan expedition moved on to the island of Cebu. On 14 April 1521, Fr. Valderrama baptized the local tribal leader and around 800 Visayan natives to form the first Catholic community.

Mass was celebrated Wednesday at the site of the first Mass on Philippine soil

Jubilee celebrations

These events marked the birth of Christianity in the Philippines. Now, 500 years later, the Catholic Church is celebrating this milestone with a year-long jubilee.

The fifth centenary celebrations officially kick off on Easter Sunday, 4 April.

Pilgrims who visit one of 500 Jubilee churches anytime until 22 April 2022 will have the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence.

Another Mass was held at the foot of a giant cross on Homonhon island

Gift of faith to share

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has dedicated the entire jubilee year to the theme Gifted to Give.

Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, the president of the Conference, has described the theme to Vatican Radio as encouraging Catholics to recognize the faith as a gift from God.

Faith helps us to navigate through the journey of life, he said, and our faith is lived not only individually but also in the family and in the community.

With the awareness of being gifted, he added, comes the desire to share this faith.

Archbishop Valles said the Church will spend the year helping Catholics to renew their appreciation of the faith, while realizing their mission to share it with others.

Pope Francis speaks to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle after Mass in St. Peter's

Popes encouragement for Filipinos

Though the jubilee officially starts on Sunday, Pope Francis anticipated it with Mass in St. Peters Basilica on 14 March.

Speaking to Romes Filipino community, as well as to their compatriots around the globe, the Pope thanked them for their discreet and hardworking presence which he called a testimony of faith.

On this special 500th anniversary, he said, Filipinos are called to persevere in the work of evangelization.

The Christian proclamation that you have received needs constantly to be brought to others, said Pope Francis. The Gospel message of Gods closeness cries out to be expressed in love for our brothers and sisters.
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- One Rock Capital Partners, LLC ("One Rock"), in partnership with Metropoulos & Co., today announced completion of the previously announced acquisition of Nestle Waters North America ("NWNA" or the "Company"), a leading provider of bottled water in North America, from Nestle S.A.

In conjunction with the completion of the transaction, Dean Metropoulos, an industry veteran with 40 years of experience operating and investing in successful food and beverage brands, has been appointed Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

NWNA consists of the former United States and Canadian operations of Nestle Waters and offers an extensive portfolio of highly recognizable, responsibly sourced, and sustainably packaged regional spring water and national purified water brands. Continuing a longstanding commitment to environmental leadership, the Company has 27 production facilities across North America, 16 of which are Alliance for Water Stewardship ("AWS") certified across 15 sites, with five of the certified facilities being AWS Platinum, the highest-level certification. The Company also operates the direct-to-consumer and office beverage delivery service ReadyRefresh, a certified Carbon Neutral business.

Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel to One Rock, and BofA Securities, Inc. and RBC Capital Markets LLC acted as its financial advisors. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as legal counsel to Metropoulos & Co. with respect to the transaction.

ABOUT NESTLE WATERS NORTH AMERICA

Nestle Waters North America offers an unrivaled portfolio of bottled water brands for healthy hydration, including Poland Spring Brand 100% Natural Spring Water, Splash and Pure Life. The company also owns and operates ReadyRefresh, a customizable water and beverage delivery service.

Based in Stamford, Connecticut with approximately 7,000 associates in the United States and more than 230 in Canada, Nestle Waters North America manages natural resources for long-term sustainability, and conserves more than 20,000 acres of natural watershed area. It currently sources water for six regional spring water brands from 42 active springs throughout the United States and Canada. Nestle Waters North America is also committed to creating shared value and being a good neighbor in the more than 120 communities where it operates in the United States and Canada.

ABOUT METROPOULOS & CO.

Metropoulos & Co., led by principals Dean Metropoulos, Evan Metropoulos and Daren Metropoulos, who will be fully involved in overseeing the business, is a leading investment firm that leverages extensive industry knowledge, operational expertise and flexible capital to revive and reimagine brands and businesses in food and beverage as well as other diversified sectors. Over the course of four decades, the firm has invested in more than 80 entities  transforming companies, accelerating revenue and earnings growth, and propelling to renewed prominence iconic brands in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Some of these include Hostess Brands, Pabst Brewing Company, Utz, Pinnacle Foods, Aurora Foods, Stella Foods, The Morningstar Group, International Home Foods, Ghirardelli Chocolates, Mumm and Perrier Jouet Champagnes and Hillsdown Holdings, PLC (Premier International Foods and Christie Tyler Furniture), as well as Briggs & Stratton, among others in a variety of industries.

The firm also has participated in several SPAC transactions as an investor and/or sponsor, including Luminar Technologies, Verra Mobility, PAE, Inc., UWM Holdings Corp. and Hostess Brands.

ABOUT ONE ROCK CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

One Rock makes controlling investments in companies with potential for growth and operational improvement using a rigorous approach that utilizes highly experienced Operating Partners to identify, acquire and enhance businesses in select industries. The involvement of these Operating Partners affords One Rock the ability to conduct due diligence and consummate acquisitions and investments in all types of situations, regardless of complexity. One Rock works collaboratively with company management and its Operating Partners to develop a comprehensive business plan focused on growing the enterprise and its profitability to enhance long-term value. For more information, visit www.onerockcapital.com.

CONTACTS

For One Rock:

Alex Jeffrey/Sam Fisher

Gasthalter & Co.

(212) 257-4170

For Metropoulos & Co.:

Hannah Arnold

The LAKPR Group, Inc.

[email protected]

(202) 559-9171

SOURCE One Rock Capital Partners, LLC
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommends that Remsima SC can be initiated without IV loading in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

The recommended new posology is to start Remsima SC 120mg weekly up to week 4 and inject every 2 weeks thereafter; For patients currently on infliximab IV, Remsima SC can be administered after 8 weeks from last dose without additional IV loading

The availability of the subcutaneous induction therapy could potentially shorten drug administration time, reduce healthcare practitioner time, and offer additional flexibility for patients

Celltrion Healthcare today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended Remsima SC for direct use of subcutaneous therapy without IV loading in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1

As a result of the CHMP opinion, if agreed by European Commission (EC), Remsima SC 120 mg can be used without IV infusion both for new and existing RA patients. The recommended posology for newly diagnosed or newly infliximab-initiated patients, suggests that Remsima SC should be initiated as a subcutaneous injection at week 0 and additional injections will be given at week 1, 2, 3 and 4 after the first injection. Then, maintenance therapy will be followed every 2 weeks thereafter. For existing patients, Remsima SC is administered without additional IV loading 8 weeks after last administration of the infliximab IV.

"IV administration of infliximab requires frequent hospital visits which can pose a challenge to some patients especially given the current COVID-19 pandemic," said Professor Roberto Caporali, Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Milan and Head of Rheumatology Unit of Gaetano Pini Hospital, Milan Italy. "The direct subcutaneous induction of the SC formulation of infliximab could potentially shorten drug administration time via self-administration at home, reduce healthcare practitioner time and burden on healthcare system, as well as offering additional flexibility and convenience for patients."

Previous pharmacoeconomic model which estimates delivering subcutaneous infliximab with IV induction regimen yields savings of 21 million GBP compared to IV infliximab when treating British RA patients in one-year time frame. Remsima SC without IV induction can generate additional saving of 14 million GBP. All models project potential savings from IV administration costs thus societal gain may be greater than the estimates.2

"Today's positive CHMP opinion marks a step forward in our goal to provide flexible treatment schedules to patients with rheumatoid arthritis especially under COVID-19 situation," said Dr. HoUng Kim, Ph.D., Head of Medical and Marketing Division at Celltrion Healthcare. "If the recommendation of EMA is agreed by EC, Remsima SC could be used without IV infusion for newly initiated patients as well as patients currently on infliximab treatment."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About Remsima (CT-P13) intravenous (IV) formulation1

Remsima IV is usually given as 3 mg per kg/body weight in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and as 5 mg per kg/body weight for the other indications. Infliximab IV is given as an infusion over two hours. All patients are monitored for any reactions during the infusion and for at least one to two hours afterwards.

About Remsima CT-P13 subcutaneous (SC) formulation3,4

A 120 mg fixed dose of Remsima SC has been granted marketing authorisation in the EU, in adults regardless of body weight, in all previously approved indications for the IV formulation. Remsima SC has three administration options; via a pre-filled pen (auto injector), pre-filled syringe or pre-filled syringe with needle safeguard. The SC formulation has the potential to enhance treatment options for the use of infliximab biosimilar by providing high consistency in drug exposure and a convenient method of administration.

About CT-P13 (biosimilar infliximab)

CT-P13 is developed and manufactured by Celltrion, Inc. and was the world's first monoclonal antibody biosimilar approved by the European Commission (EC). It is indicated for the treatment of eight autoimmune diseases including RA and IBD. It was approved by the EC under the trade name Remsima in September 2013 and launched in major EU countries in early 2015. The US FDA approved CT-P13 in April 2016 under the trade name Inflectra. CT-P13 is approved in more than 96 countries (as of March 2021) including the US, Canada, Japan and throughout Europe.

About Celltrion Healthcare

Celltrion Healthcare is committed to delivering innovative and affordable medications to promote patients' access to advanced therapies. Its products are manufactured at state-of-the-art mammalian cell culture facilities, designed and built to comply with the US FDA cGMP and the EU GMP guidelines. Celltrion Healthcare endeavours to offer high-quality cost-effective solutions through an extensive global network that spans more than 110 different countries. For more information please visit: https://www.celltrionhealthcare.com/en-us

References

1 Opinion of the committee for medicinal products for human use on a type II variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation European Medicines Agency (europa.eu). [Last accessed 29 March 2021]

2 M. Perry et al. Budget Impact Analysis of Introducing subcutaneous infliximab CT-P13 SC from the UK payer perspective. Abstract presented at EULAR 2020

3 Yoo DH, Jaworski J, Matyska-Piekarska E et al. A Novel Formulation of CT-P13 (infliximab biosimilar) for subcutaneous administration: One-year results from part one of a Phase I/III randomised controlled trial in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Poster (FRI0128). Presented at EULAR 2019.

4 Westhovens R, Wiland P, Zawadzki M et al. A novel formulation of CT-P13 (infliximab biosimilar) for subcutaneous administration: 30-week results from part two of a Phase I/III randomised controlled trial in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Poster (SAT0170). Presented at EULAR 2019.

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Two senior DUP politicians who lost their fathers during the pandemic have hit out after prosecutors declined to take action against Sinn Fein leaders who attended the Bobby Storey funeral.

Posting online yesterday, Lagan Valley MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots both told of how they had to comply with coronavirus regulations at a time when funeral services were limited to just 10 people.

Remarking on the "great hurt" of such circumstances, the two went on to accuse Sinn Fein of ignoring rules "that the rest of us are expected to obey".

Sir Jeffrey described the "severe" restrictions his family were required to comply with when his father died last year.

"Only 10 of us were able to attend the funeral in the graveyard. There was no wake and no church service," he posted.

Saying there was "no misunderstanding" of the rules from his family, he criticised the scenes in west Belfast.

"A couple of weeks later thousands attended the funeral of IRA man Bobby Storey including the Deputy First Minister and other Sinn Fein Ministers who had helped draw up these regulations that the rest of us are expected to obey. Clearly Sinn Fein believe they are above the law."

He said yesterday's decision by the PPS and the role of the PSNI "now confirms this to be the case".

He added unionist parties would have to "consider the implications of all of this".

And, like his party leader Arlene Foster, he called for PSNI Chief Constable Simon Bryne "to go".

"This decision will fundamentally undermine confidence in the justice system and in the current coronavirus regulations," he added.

"Two-tier policing is not acceptable in any circumstances."

Mr Poots also talked about burying his father a few weeks before the Storey funeral.

Remarking on his sadness over the lack of a "traditional wake or church service", he wrote that the Public Prosecution Service and PSNI had "made the law an ass".

"We [his family] understood that couldn't happen, no confusion, we didn't send out texts encouraging people to turn out," he said.

"Even if the PPS are in doubt, I and the public at large are in no doubt, they [Sinn Fein] broke the law, they defied the law, sadly those charged with upholding the law have let us all down.

"The ultimate culprit is Sinn Fein."

Mr Poots also called for resignations, "but I won't hold my breath".

"Like thousands of other families across the community we live with the pain and the hurt, but Sinn Fein are used to causing pain and hurt, sadly the police and prosecutors are collaborators with them on this occasion."
Two Irish blood cancer research projects received a funding boost yesterday, thanks to charity Breakthrough Cancer Research.

Researchers at University College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) are working on multiple myeloma, a currently incurable blood cancer. This is the second most common blood cancer, with about 103,000 new cases per year worldwide. Symptoms can include bone pain, increased infections, and tiredness.

Breakthrough Cancer Research chief executive Orla Doran said: My own father, Professor Gerry OSullivan, who was the founder of Cork Cancer Research Centre, died from this disease because the treatments he was on stopped working before he could have a stem cell transplant.

He would be so proud to think that we are on supporting work trying to overcome this drug resistance.

At UCD, Professor Peter OGorman, a consultant haematologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, is working on why drug resistance develops to therapy.

His is a joint award from the charity and Health Research Charities Ireland with the Health Research Board.

Researcher Lyndsey Flanagan was funded to work with Professor Siobhan Glavey and Dr Triona Ni Chonghaile at RCSI.

She is working on profiling technology to identify multiple myeloma cells which are reliant on proteins that make them resistant to existing drugs.

Shock diagnosis

Tommy Clince was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2012. The diagnosis was a shock as he was then receiving treatment for chronic back pain through different doctors and centres.

When he was referred to the Mater for blood tests, they called him to return just hours later.

The Meath man said: When we got to the hospital, I was rushed into ICU as my kidneys were failing and I was hooked up to a dialysis machine.

He was started on chemotherapy when his kidneys recovered and then had a stem cell transplant. Now 58, he is on a lifelong medication regime, taking tablets for 21 days with a seven-day break.

Even though hearing that I had multiple myeloma was the biggest shock, I am so thankful for all the amazing research that has been done and is still going on, he said.

Mr Clinces wife Niamh is recovering from breast cancer now, and he hopes their stories would encourage people.

There is life after cancer, he said.
MAZAR-E SHARIF, Afghanistan -- Ethnic Tatars have lived for centuries in what is now the territory of Afghanistan. But they were never officially recognized among the dozens of ethnic and linguistic groups in the country.

That changed this month when the National Statistics Office of Afghanistan registered Tatar as a distinct ethnicity. The landmark move will allow Tatars to document their ethnicity on new biometric national identification cards.

The Turkic-speaking ethnic Tatars hope the distinction will help their efforts to gain official recognition under Afghanistan's Constitution and revive their mother tongue, which most members of the community in Afghanistan no longer speak.

Tatars trace their roots in Afghanistan back about 800 years after the region was conquered by Mongol emperor Genghis Khan.

Tatars are considered the modern-day descendants of nomads who joined the Golden Horde -- a khanate of the Mongol Empire founded in the 13th century by Batu Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan.

Today, the predominately Muslim Tatar community is spread across China, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia. The highest concentration of Tatars is found in Russias Republic of Tatarstan.

Separate Ethnicity

Afghanistans Constitution officially recognizes 14 ethnic groups. They include Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazara, Uzbeks, Turkmens, Baloch, Pashayi, Nuristani, Aimaq, Kyrgyz, Qizilbash, Gujar, and Brahwui.

But there is no mention of Tatars, who are predominately Sunni Muslim. Sunnis account for some 85 percent of the Afghan population.

Zabihullah Tatar, head of the Kabul-based Afghan Tatar Cultural Foundation, says there are various reasons why ethnic Tatars in Afghanistan have been largely forgotten over the centuries.

"We Afghan Tatars have forgotten our language because of geography and environmental influences, he says, adding that ethnic Tatars adopted the languages spoken in the parts of Afghanistan where they settled.

That has included Pashto and Dari, the two main languages in the country, as well as Turkic languages like Uzbek and Turkmen.

Tatar also says members of the community are scattered across 16 of Afghanistans 34 provinces, with the highest concentration to the north of the Hindu Kush Mountains in the provinces of Samangan and Balkh.

We are a minority, says Abdullah Mohammadi, the only ethnic Tatar lawmaker in Afghanistan's parliament. But even in areas we have settled, we are a minority. With such low numbers, we couldnt keep our culture over the centuries.

Most ethnic Tatars also live in remote rural of the mountainous country, with many working in agriculture.

Mohammadi says those factors have deprived the community of political representation and recognition.

The decision by the National Statistics Office to recognize Tatar as a distinct ethnicity was welcomed by the community. But community leaders say it is only a first step.

Some Tatars have been categorized as ethnic Tajiks, others as ethnic Uzbeks, Hazaras, or Pashtuns, says Samardin Tatar, an ethnic Tatar from Balkh Province.

We want to be recognized as Tatar under the Constitution, he says. That is the next step for us.

Community leaders estimate there are up to 100,000 ethnic Tatars in Afghanistan.

Exact figures on the size of the countrys various ethnic groups are unavailable, largely because an accurate census has never been conducted in Afghanistan.

The last attempt, in the late 1970s, was never completed. Repeated calls for a new census have never been realized.

Disputed sample censuses dating back to the 1970s estimate the Pashtun population at just over 40 percent, followed by ethnic Tajiks at less than 30 percent with Hazaras and Uzbeks at around 10 percent. Various smaller minorities account for the rest of the population.

Those figures are an important issue because the estimates have been used to determine political representation.

Forgotten Language

Ethnic Tatars have sought to increase the communitys cultural presence in Afghanistan.

The community has five social and cultural organizations registered with the Information and Culture Ministry.

Kamaluddin Tatar, the head of the Tatar Social Organization in Kabul, says the community also publishes a magazine called the Voice of Tatar. But the publication is in the Dari language.

Tatar says the communitys goal is to revive their native language.

In recent years, ethnic Tatar leaders have established cultural ties with the Russia-based World Tatar Congress and Russia's Republic of Tatarstan.

The World Tatar Congress helped launch an online Tatar-language training course for Afghan Tatars on March 15.

Tatarstan is helping Afghan Tatars by providing language learning classes, Zabihullah Tatar says. We have also asked them for some education scholarships for our young people to study there.

Our ties [with Russia] are only cultural, he says. We are Afghans and Afghanistan is our country.

The goal, he says, is to open the first Tatar-language school in Afghanistan.

This can be the start of the revival of our language," says parliamentary deputy Mohammadi.

Radio Free Afghanistan correspondent Mustafa Sarwar contributed to this report.
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MOSCOW  Aleksei A. Navalny, the imprisoned Russian opposition leader, declared a hunger strike on Wednesday in protest over what he said was prison officials failure to provide him with proper medical care for severe pain in his back and his right leg.

In a handwritten letter to the prison warden, Mr. Navalny, the most vocal critic of President Vladimir V. Putin, complained that despite his worsening condition, he has not been allowed to see a doctor of his choice or receive necessary medication.

Mr. Navalny, who suffered a near-fatal poisoning in August, wrote in the letter, posted online by his supporters, that he needed to see a doctor very badly and that he would not end his hunger strike before it happens. The prison staff, he added, had also ordered a campaign of psychological harassment against him, including sleep deprivation.

Mr. Navalny had said in an earlier statement that prison doctors had provided only ibuprofen pills to treat the pain, describing the prison as a real concentration camp 60 miles away from Moscow.
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- The multi-billion dollar worth global snack products market experiences incredible popularity especially as alternative to full-fledged meals. The market is primarily driven by shift in behavior pattern among consumers. Due to hectic living, the demand for snacks and convenient food is higher than ever before. According to a recent study by Transparency Market Research is the chief driver of the snack products market.



Factors such as improving lifestyle and higher willingness to spend have been supporting the expansion of the snack products market. Their changing lifestyle has tipped scales in favor of ready-to-eat meals, which has been holding the dominant share in the snack products market since the last couple of years.



While rising focus on a healthy lifestyle could pose threat, manufacturers are looking at mitigating the challenge via product launches. Further on the advent of healthier snacks across popular categories has helped the market to sustain its momentum in the last couple of years.



Enquiry Before Buying:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=EB&rep_id=14654

Adopting Vegan Trends  a Strategic Moves among Market Players:



As stated earlier, the upward trend witnessed in healthy snacks market is compelling leading brands to rethink their product strategies. Consumer inclination for reading ingredient list before purchasing any food item has compelled leading brands to carefully plan their each step. Clean label products are visibly doing well in the market, which is indicative of dynamic consumer preferences.



Spurred by this, several companies are shifting towards vegan and vegetarian ingredients to be of significance to consumers. They are ensuring their products incorporate attributes such as non-GMO certification and are allergen-free to cater to the demand from health conscious consumers. The market has been witnessing a slew of new launches in this category since the last few years. Plant-based snacks is gaining immense momentum as big brands also show tendency of slipping a few superfood in the ingredient list.



Also, the rising number of meat-free foodies have been pushing for vegan snacks paving way for the market's expansion in the forthcoming years. TMR sees no signs of this trend slowing down, especially with international organizations such as People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, popularly referred to as PETA, backing the prevalent vegan trends.



Request For Custom Research:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=14654



TMR believes that 2020 is shaping up to be the most thriving year for vegan snacks. Steered by the launch of vegan cheese and butter, innovations in the vegan snacks market is stoked. Some of the leading U.S. brands such as Cauldron have updated their recipes to make them suitable for vegans.



Others such as Violife are cheddar launching cheese variants and promoting them as the "closest thing to real cheddar". According to the brand, their product name Epic Mature Cheddar Block successfully mimics the taste and texture of cheddar cheese, crumbling and melting like its traditional counterpart.



Launches such as these witnessed in the market will enable it to gain impetus in the coming years. Especially since consumer behavior is altered amid the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, opportunities for healthy snack products are expected to be plenty.



Leading Brands Focusing on Packaging Innovations to Augment Consumer Appeal

Packaging innovations constitute a crucial ground that the snack products market is expected to excel in. Much like vegan trends, consumers are showing increasing consciousness about environment-friendly goods. Naturally, scales are tipping in favor of sustainable and eco-friendly packaging.



Snack products market has been gaining first-hand experience of this trend. Vegan or natural ingredients do not suffice, consumers are more inclined towards a holistic experience. They are driven by the idea of doing their bit for the nature. Hence companies offering snack products made from natural ingredients and boasting sustainable packaging will inevitable have a competitive advantage.



A majority of leading brands are gravitating towards flexible packaging to offer multi-fold environmental benefits. Flexible packaging leverages the best qualities of paper, aluminum, or plastic materials without compromising on the overall quality of the food. It is versatile and improves the shelf-life of food, which is why the market is witnessing flexible films take over traditional packaging materials.



Besides this, sustainability and intelligent packaging are other two areas enjoying much focus in the snack products market. Staggering growth of awareness among consumers and frequent dialogues on individual responsibilities towards nature has shoved brands away from traditional packaging.



Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Industry: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chemical-companies-in-sulfamic-acid-market-aim-at-meeting-diverse-demands-of-end-use-industries-valuation-projected-to-rise-at-cagr-of-5-during-2020-2030-tmr-301248247.html



North America Holds Leading Share but Asia Pacific likely to Record Higher CAGR

Regionally, North America has dominance in the global snack products market. Consumers in the region are gradually moving away from traditional snacks, which is favoring the growth of the market in North America. The region also offers impressive scope for innovation in product and flavors. Also consumers in the region show higher willingness to spend on premium products, which is aiding the expansion of the market.



Additionally, the Europe market is poised to surge at an impressive pace. Rapidly increasing appetite for savory treats and snacks among consumers will support growth witnessed by the market in the region. However, in the coming years Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the most lucrative market. The increasing demand from India, China, and Japan has been creating attractive opportunities for growth in Asia Pacific. The fact that it offers better accessibility to raw materials and cheap labor also is aiding growth in the region.



Some of the leading companies operating in the market are -



Mc Donald's

Yum Brands

PepsiCo Inc.

General Mills Inc.

Mondelez International

Alrifai

Kellogg's

Tyson Foods



About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information.



Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.
Music As A Souvenir: Cassette sales double during the pandemic

Music as a souvenir. Its a concept I first witnessed during the download age when South Korean teens were buying truckloads of 45s even when they didnt own turntables.

Its estomated that 40% of vinyl albums bought by millenials ar never played.

Fans want something they can touch and for many, cassettes are now filling that need.

By Iain Taylor, Lecturer in Music Industries, Birmingham City University from The Conversation

Described by some as Europes biggest tech show, the Berlin Radio Show has long been famous for exhibiting the next big thing in consumer electronics. In 1963, that was the compact audio cassette, introduced at the time by its creator, the late Dutch engineer Lou Ottens, who died in early March.

Over the course of Ottens lifetime, cassette tapes came to redefine listening habits, which until then had been limited to the much more unwieldy vinyl record. Car stereos and the iconic Sony Walkman suddenly made individual listening experiences possible outside of the home. The re-recordable nature of the format, meanwhile, helped music fans collate and circulate their own mixtapes. At its peak in 1989, the cassette tape was shifting 83 million units per year in the UK alone.

Despite having been superseded in functionality first by the compact disc (CD) and then the digital file (mp3 and mp4), the audio cassette retains a special place in the history of audio technology, with mixtapes a precursor to playlists, and the Walkman the precursor to the iPod.

And, despite being considered aesthetically and materially inferior to the vinyl record that came before it, the audio cassette is actually experiencing something of a resurgence  partly for sentimental reasons, but also because, with gigs cancelled, its a smart way for smaller artists to monetise their work.

Hit rewind

Against a backdrop of a pandemic that has done huge damage to the music industry, 2020 could justifiably be called the year of the cassette. According to British Phonographic Industry figures, 156,542 cassettes were sold in the UK last year, the highest figure since 2003 and an increase of 94.7% on 2019 sales. Seemingly out of the blue, global pop icons such as Lady Gaga, the 1975, and Dua Lipa have started rushing out their new releases on cassette  and theyre selling out.

For those of us who are old enough to remember the cassette tape as a common format of music consumption, their resurgence is somewhat puzzling. After all, even in their heyday, cassettes were always a bit rubbish.

They lacked the aesthetic appeal and the romance of the vinyl LP and its gatefold sleeve. Subsequently, they lacked the usability, flashiness and sonic fidelity of the CD. And there is not a music fan alive over the age of 35 who doesnt have a horror story to tell about a favourite album or mixtape being chewed up by a malicious car stereo or portable boombox.

Ottens himself was dismissive of the nonsense of a cassette revival, telling Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad that nothing can match the sound of the CD, the development of which he also played a key part in. For Ottens, the ultimate goal of any music format was clarity and precision of sound, though, in a nod to nostalgic listeners, he also conceded: I think people mainly hear what they want to hear.

Feeling it

As a scholar of popular music and material culture, I cant help but wonder if Ottens strict utilitarian perspective misses a deeper point about the cassette tape and its recent resurgence as a medium in popular culture.

After all, the cultural enjoyment of music goes far beyond narrow debates about sound quality. Our enjoyment of music, and the cultural rituals surrounding that enjoyment, is a complex and deeply social thing that engages more than just our ears.

The ongoing revival of the record, for instance, is sometimes explained as a turn back to vinyls superior sound. But its just as often regarded as a cultural turn back to an iconic medium, steeped in musical history, that people can feel, handle, and experience together  unlike a digital file. Though they may be less iconic, cassettes also represent cultural moments of cherished significance to music fans.

Many music fans appreciate the tactile nature of old analogue formats like the audio cassette. arrowsmith2/Shutterstock

In the mid 2010s, I investigated the first signs of this resurgence of cassettes within Glasgows indie and punk scenes as part of my PhD, talking to musicians, labels and fans about the resurgence of cassette tapes. In these conversations, the materiality of these objects  their physical, tangible presence  was often highlighted as a motivating factor.

As one fan remarked to me: I just like having things. Theyre all kind of becoming a bit defunct now, but I just like having something. Thats my hobby, music is my hobby, and thats how I spend my money.

Read more: Music collectors seek out rare albums not available on streaming

Theres also an economic component to the cassette resurgence. With debates raging about how music streaming services should reimburse artists, independent musicians have, for some time, been looking to the sale of physical products and merchandise as a means of generating income.

For Glasgows indie and punk bands, as with todays independent artists, cassettes actually represented a cost-effective means of providing a physical product, far cheaper than pressing a vinyl record and printing sleeves and packaging. As one label owner put it, we tend to release on tape because its cheap to manufacture, its easy to recoup, and it leaves money left over for the bands to get something.

While the practices of these small, independent artists may feel quite far removed from the recent embrace of cassette tapes by mainstream pop stars, each arguably has their roots in a desire for analogue products we can touch in an increasingly digital world mediated via screens.

Many people have reported feelings of digital detachment and alienation during the pandemic. It doesnt seem unreasonable to suggest that a desire for something we can actually feel, embellished with a nostalgic glow from a COVID-free past, may also explain the resurgence of the audio cassette, nearly 60 years since its Berlin debut.

Iain Taylor, Lecturer in Music Industries, Birmingham City University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs and India's Governor in New Development Bank (NDB), Nirmala Sitharaman attended the 6th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of New Development Bank through video-conference in New Delhi. The meeting was also attended by Governors/Alternate Governors of Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa.

The Finance Minister underscored India's quick response to limit the impact of the pandemic and to undertake massive vaccination drives which are resulting in a 'V shape recovery'. Sitharaman also highlighted that the world's largest vaccine drive by India is under way and till date, , India has supplied 63.9 million doses of made-in-India COVID vaccine to 80 countries including 10.4 million doses of the vaccine as a grant.

While acknowledging the Bank's achievements and progress made over the last six years, Sitharaman highlighted NDB's role in countercyclical lending through a $10 billion Emergency Assistance Programme for supporting the member countries in fighting the COVID pandemic. The Finance Minister also stressed the need for NDB to maintain and improve upon the ratings assigned by international rating agencies through adequate capitalisation, high quality governance and prudent management.

The Finance Minister encouraged the NDB to facilitate private sector participation, explore more innovative financing structures, discover co-financing opportunities with other MDBs, develop a pipeline of bankable projects, and promote environmental and social safeguards to enhance the sustainability of infrastructure, etc.

Highlighting the role of Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) in infrastructure financing, she mentioned that India is going to set up a new DFI with initial paid-up capital of around $3 billion with a lending target of $69 billion in next three years. She also suggested NDB to develop a synergistic relationship with these institutions that share its development priorities to achieve greater results.

NDB, a multilateral development bank was set up by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in 2014 with the objective of mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in the BRICS as well as other EMDCs of the world. The Bank has been operationalised in 2015, with its Headquarters in Shanghai, China. NDB has so far approved 18 projects of India for an amount of $6,924 million.

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Gov't allows prayers at mosques in Ramadan

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli announced that worshipers can perform prayers at mosques during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, with applying the precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Madbouli's announcement came during a meeting of the higher committee for managing the coronavirus crisis on Tuesday 30/3/2021.

The premier said that the State will firmly apply all precautions during the fasting month to preserve citizens' safety and health.

The committee decided to ban public charity iftar tables and Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers, as well as prevent any large gatherings inside closed areas.

The committee said that the new closing and opening hours for shops and restaurants in the summer season would be enforced as of April 17.

Health Minister Hala Zayed briefed the premier on reports showing the difference between the first and second wave of the coronavirus pandemic concerning the rate of infections and deaths, calling for abiding by social distancing rules and wearing face masks, as well as avoiding crowdedness and gatherings in closed spaces.

Regarding the latest developments on coronavirus vaccines, the health minister said that around 854,000 doses are due to arrive on Wednesday, via the COVAX alliance.

Egypt currently administers doses of the Chinese vaccine and the British-Swedish Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, both of which were granted emergency use authorization by the Egyptian health authorities earlier this year.

The Chinese vaccine is taken in two doses 21 days apart, while AstraZeneca's injections are administered in two shots three months apart.

Egypt launched a nationwide immunization campaign in late January, starting with the medical staff, using the two authorized vaccines.

The expansion in the vaccination campaign comes as the country pushes forward with efforts to secure vaccines for the 100-million-plus nation.
My teenage self didnt stick to the Met. At the Museum of Modern Art, I remember being thrilled by its modernist landmarks: Picassos shocking Demoiselles dAvignon, Matisses magical Piano Lesson, Pollocks frantic One: Number 31. Visiting them again on a recent Thursday afternoon, in an almost empty museum, I felt like wed barely been apart. Whereas on many a visit over the past decade, Id felt as if I was trying to hang out with high-school friends grown so famous they could barely be approached through their entourage.

The other afternoon at MoMA, it felt almost bizarre to plant myself in front of the Demoiselles" for as long as I wanted, without worrying about blocking all the people behind me. (There werent any.) I got to do the kind of prolonged, thoughtful looking it takes to really make a painting come alive  to move beyond the preconceptions and cliches that all of us arrive with and actually look, with fresh eyes, at what the picture might be about. Contemplating the Demoiselles, from 1907, which was credited with pushing Picasso toward his Cubist revolution, I had the leisure to ask myself why, at the last minute, hed made the faces of some of the women look like African masks. That move gives us so much trouble today, as we come to grips with the Wests brutal history of colonialism and racism  and, as I realized the other afternoon, Picasso didnt have to go there. The painting would have looked fine without those Africanisms; Cubism could have happened without them, as well.

Even that Thursday, in ideally uncrowded conditions, it wasnt easy for me to clear my head enough to take in the Demoiselles, so imagine all the young people who have come to MoMA for the first time amid pre-Covid throngs. What chance did they have to think much of anything as they elbowed their way into the presence of this supposed great art.

For a while now, Ive been talking about art objects as machines for thinking: Our job as viewers is to switch them on, and its almost impossible to do that when all youre getting is a glimpse through the gaps in a crowd.

All this is doubly important with work thats so new to you that you dont even have cliches to fall back on. That was my situation one recent morning, when I paid my first visit to the great old Frick Collection in its new digs in the modernist Breuer building on Madison Avenue. (The Fricks old masters are due to live there for a couple of years as the collections Beaux-Arts mansion is renovated.)
The Presidency yesterday defended President Muhammadu Buhari's medical trip to the United Kingdom, insisting that the President is not a medical tourist.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, made the Presidency's position known while featuring on Channels Television's 'Politics Today' programme.

Buhari left the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, for London yesterday afternoon and is expected back in the country by the second week of April after his medical check-up in Britain.

The president had been accused by his critics of embarking on medical tourism.

But Shehu said, "I think there is a misconception of the President's trip seen in the context of medical tourism. President Buhari is not a medical tourist.

"If someone has kept retainership with medical experts, you are talking about 30 years and plus to examine you and they give you a pass. Would you be changing your doctors every other year because there is a chance that the distance will be shortened? No. I think that the President is wise and quite correct in his decision that he retains some set of doctors who have insured good health for himself."
Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, a scientific institution under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, held a meeting last week to open a sci-tech innovation center in the high-tech zone of Hefei, capital of East Chinas Anhui province.

Early in 2018, the Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the academy as well as Anhui Environmental Science and Technology Group Co. to jointly promote the establishment of the center.

The center will be devoted to the research of key technologies and research and development (R&D) of advanced equipment in the fields like pollution control in Chaohu Lake Basin and air pollution control.

The center will focus on building "one center, three laboratories, one think tank and one industry base". It will provide technical and decision-making support for resolving environmental issues in the Chaohu Lake Basin and the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The Hefei center aims to grow into a world-class platform for innovation and commercialization of environmental sciences and also for international exchange and cooperation in that field.




Bhopal, March 31 : In order to curb the incidents of forceful religious conversions and cheating on the pretext of marriage, the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, passed in the state Assembly, has come into force in the state.

After the BJP's return to power in Madhya Pradesh last year, a proposal was passed to implement the Act in the state cabinet and after getting it passed in the state Legislative Assembly earlier this month.

This Act passed by the state Legislative Assembly after seeking assent from the Governor Anandiben Patel has been promulgated and published in the Madhya Pradesh Gazette (Extraordinary) on March 27.

Under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, conversion from one religion to another for fraudulent means has been considered a punishable offence. Marriage solemnised with the intention of converting a person's religion would be declared null and void. The converted person or his/her parents or sibling brother or sister with the permission of the court can submit a petition.

In case any institution or organisation violates any of the provisions mentioned in it, the Act has provisions of punishment. Investigation of a crime registered under this Act cannot be done by a police officer of lower rank than a police sub-inspector.

The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act also has a provision that a person who wants to convert to another religion, has to apply with the District Magistrate 60 days in advance. The person who is converting to another religion has to tell that he/she wants to convert his/her religion by their own free will and not under any pressure or influence.

According to this Act, any child born out of wedlock in violation of the rules would be deemed valid. The inheritance of such child in property will be according to law.

A child born from a void and null marriage declared according to the rules will have the right to the property of his/her father. Despite the declaration of null and void marriage, the woman and the child born would be entitled to maintenance according to the Act.
The Council of Europe says states across the continent last year continued to make progress on implementing judgments from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) despite the coronavirus pandemic.

But it stressed that further efforts are needed to tackle issues such as ill-treatment or deaths caused by security forces and poor conditions of detention, as well as a growing number of cases concerning abusive limitations on rights and freedoms.

The assessment was part of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' annual report for 2020 on the execution of ECHR judgments.

States with the highest total number of new cases last year were Russia (218), Turkey (103), and Ukraine (84), followed by Romania (78) and Hungary (61).

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These countries also had the highest number of pending cases at the end of 2020: Russia (1,789), Turkey (624), Ukraine (567), Romania (347), and Hungary (276).

The states over which the ECHR awarded the most just satisfaction to applicants were Romania ($43.9 million), Russia ($13.4 million), Italy ($6 million), Montenegro ($5.4 million), and Moldova ($4.9 million).

Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic Buric said in a statement that the report shows that member states take their obligations to implement judgments from the Strasbourg-based court very seriously, even in difficult circumstances."

However, Buric noted that many important judgments have been outstanding for several years and a small number of high-profile cases are not being resolved quickly enough.

Our member states have a duty to implement ECHR judgments promptly and fully. This is not a kind request -- it is a binding requirement, she insisted.

According to the report, 983 cases were closed by the Committee of Ministers in 2020, which marked the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, as a result of steps taken by the relevant member states.

At the end of the year, 5,233 cases had yet to be fully implemented by the member states involved -- among the lowest counts since 2006.

The report states that 581 payments of just satisfaction to applicants, awarded by the ECHR, were made on time in 2020, while the Committee of Ministers was still awaiting confirmation of payment in 1,574 cases at the end of December.

Among the most significant cases that the committee was able to close in 2020 were three cases regarding abusive limitations of the rights to liberty and security in Azerbaijan, and a case concerning voting rights in local elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

But the report cautions there is not a time for complacency because serious challenges continue to be raised in the context of the execution of many cases.

It cited an interstate case opposing Georgia and Russia, a larger number of individual applications linked to post-conflict situations or unresolved conflicts, and many long-standing systemic and structural problems" concerning in particular "ineffective investigations" into ill-treatment or death caused by security forces and poor conditions of detention.


DevTalks day for Africas green future: New investment pathways towards sustainable, inclusive development Co-organised by the OECD Development Centre, the Portuguese EU Presidency,

the European Investment Bank and the Delegation of Portugal to the OECD

Session 1: Africa and the green transition: How to avoid the low-carbon technology trap and the role of partnerships





Wednesday, 31st of March 2021, 10:30-12:00 CET - Click to register - Download the agenda

Carla Montesi, Director, Green Deal and Digital Agenda, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), European Commission (TBC)

Kelechi Ofoegbu, Senior Technical Adviser to the Honourable Minister, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria Giza Gaspar Martins, National Director for Environment and Climate Action, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment, Angola (TBC)

Lamberto Dai Pra', Head of Africa, Asia and Oceania area, Enel Green Power

Jorge Moreira da Silva, Director of the Development Co-operation Directorate, OECD



Moderated by Mario Pezzini, Director of the OECD Development Centre, Special Advisor to the OECD Secretary-General on Development with introductory remarks by Bernardo Lucena, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the OECD.



African countries face a huge technology gap that could slow their transition and even lock them into high-carbon development pathways. To remain competitive in a low-carbon world, African countries need better access to low-carbon technologies. However, low-income countries account for just 0.01 percent of low-carbon technology exports and 0.3 percent of imports, according to the World Bank. Meanwhile, high-income countries produced 80 percent of all low-carbon technology innovations between 2010 and 2015.



At a global scale, accelerating technology transfers to expand the use of low-carbon technologies in developing countries will be essential to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, developing countries need to seize opportunities linked to global decarbonisation, including strengthening their own low carbon industries. But in Africa, countries face a number of entry barriers, like high up-front capital costs, technology-related market failures and limited national technological capabilities. So, how to break down these obstacles whilst also strengthening African countries ability to access and adapt imported technologies to local contexts? How can African countries take on a more active role in driving low-carbon technology innovation?



This DevTalk will delve into the domestic and multilateral policy measures and partnerships needed to accelerate technology transfer to African countries, while strengthening their integration into global low-carbon technology value chains.



Watch session 1 live:

Session 2:



Unleashing the potential of cities to shape Africas sustainable future





Wednesday, 31st of March 2021, 14:00 - 15:30 CET - Click to register - Download the agenda





Firdaous Oussidhoum, Special Adviser to the UCLG Secretary-General

Eleni Kyrou, Head of Representation of Ethiopia to the African Union, European Investment Bank (TBC)

Manuel Araujo, Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique

Laurent Bossard, Director of the Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat of the OECD

Simi Siwisa, Barclays Africa Group  ABSA (TBC)



Moderated by Mario Pezzini, Director of the OECD Development Centre, Special Advisor to the OECD Secretary-General on Development with introductory remarks by Joao Ribeiro de Almeida, Ambassador, President of Camoes, Institute for Co-operation and Language





Africas fast growing urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to climate risks. For instance, cities like Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania are facing increased flooding, rising temperatures and coastal erosion. The impacts are already weighing heavily on the most vulnerable populations. While urbanisation brings unprecedented opportunities for improving African peoples wellbeing, climate change is disrupting this potential. Moreover, climate change is affecting urban-rural linkages which are fundamental to linking rural populations to key infrastructure and services. For example, when Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique in 2019, it destroyed basic infrastructure and homes, isolated rural populations and prevented them from accessing emergency relief in the city of Beira.



Accelerating an ecological transition is a global shared priority. It will require major agreements at the multilateral level, but also experimentation and innovation. Cities have proven to be powerful laboratories for piloting new solutions to leapfrog into a green transition, and the African continent cannot afford to bypass their potential. For instance, cities can experiment through local policies and regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions in key sectors such as transport and energy. Moreover, cities play a key role in shaping consumer awareness and demands, and strengthening green industries by fostering green start-ups and entrepreneurship.



So how can African countries bolster the role of their cities in accelerating the green transition? How to implement urban development plans that will spur a profound ecological transformation of African cities economic activities, whilst accounting for the intrinsic connection between urban and rural areas? What national and international partnerships do African cities need to achieve this?



This DevTalk will gather key African stakeholders and their international partners to discuss the role of cities in accelerating the ecological transition in Africa. Watch session 2 live:







Registration and contact

Click here to register



Please contact dev.talks@oecd.org with any queries







Join the conversation on Twitter #DEVtalks Tweets by OECD_Centre
When the UNESCO member states adopted the World Heritage Convention in 1972, they were motivated by an ambitious vision: shared responsibility for protecting sites identified as being of universal significance - regardless of any national interests. How this has worked in practice is the topic of Christoph Brumann's book The Best We Share: Nation, Culture and World-Making in the UNESCO World Heritage Arena, published in March 2021. He shows how, from the beginning, the dominance of the Global North has stood in the way of the idea of a global community of equal nations. Since the 2010 meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Brazil, the treaty states' efforts to promote their own national interests have become increasingly uncompromising.

Participant Observation: The View from Inside a Global Institution

Between 2009 and 2015 Christoph Brumann, Head of Research Group in the Department 'Resilience and Transformation in Eurasia' at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology (MPI), took part in five of the annual two-week sessions of the World Heritage Committee. In addition to first-hand observation of the meeting activities, Brumann also conducted over 40 interviews with experts and analysed countless documents produced in connection with the World Heritage List. "For me as an anthropologist, participation in the meetings and the many informal conversations that took place during breaks, at dinner or during receptions offered the most important insights," Brumann notes. "The covert implications and nuances in the meeting documents can only be interpreted correctly by observing the actors and experiencing the dynamics of the discussions."

Criticism of Eurocentric Understanding of Culture: Expanding the List

Since the 1980s, the World Heritage designation has become ever more prestigious and desirable and today it is one of the best-known cultural emblems. And its importance for regional economies and tourism is correspondingly great. But this increasing attention given to the List has been accompanied by constantly growing criticism of the processes by which the World Heritage Committee awards this label. Brumann explains: "The undeniable overrepresentation of palaces, cathedrals, and historic towns in Europe ultimately led to the adoption of the Global Strategy for a Balanced, Representative and Credible World Heritage List. This document called for expanding the list to include sites of everyday culture." In particular, the resolution aimed to give states in the Global South the opportunity to have a share in the success of the World Heritage label.

Brasilia 2010 as a Turning Point: The End of the Solidarity Paradigm

"As a result of these developments, the World Heritage list has become much more vibrant and diverse. Alongside Yosemite, Chichen Itza, and the Cologne Cathedral, it now includes the grave and other sites associated with the last paramount chief of Vanuatu, Indian mountain railways, wooden peasant churches in the Carpathians, and social housing estates in Berlin", Brumann points out. But the criticism of the selection process continued: in the 2000s, the proposals of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), two institutions with a key advisory role at the meetings of the World Heritage Committee, were a source of displeasure and contention on multiple occasions. During the 2010 meeting in Brasilia, the recommendations of the ICOMOS and IUCN were rejected as never before in the history of the World Heritage Committee. The clash was set off by the recommendation to retain the Galapagos Islands on the List of World Heritage in Danger. However, Ecuador, to which the islands belong, was able to mobilize other states in the committee to reject the recommendation, thereby successfully upholding its own national interests.

The North-South Divide: The World Heritage Committee's Loss of Authority

Brumann demonstrates in his book how, following this decision, many additional expert recommendations were rejected in the continued course of the session, as representatives of the participating states engaged in lobbying efforts on their own behalves, won over allies, and traded support. "The character of the meeting was felt by some participants to be a low point in the history of the World Heritage Committee. Indeed, there was a lot of pent-up resentment in many states of the Global South and a desire to teach the experts a lesson. This development must be understood as an expression of an unspoken North-South conflict," says Brumann. But even after this open demonstration of power by the Global South, the distribution of World Heritage status has not seen any substantial change. Brumann: "The rich European countries have much better possibilities for responding to changes in the selection process. And it is evident that the expanded criteria for inclusion in the World Heritage List have also had little effect on the overrepresentation of the Global North." The fact that the World Heritage Committee now seldom makes decisions against the will of the represented nations leads to a dominance of larger and more influential states, even though some from the Global South are now included. "A decision like that of removing Dresden from the World Heritage List in 2009 would be inconceivable now. Since then, the practice of agreeing to the wishes of member states has simply become too well-established. Based on the assurance, of course, that one's own wishes will likewise not meet with resistance. The idea of solidarity and the multilateral protection of heritage valuable to all of humanity has been pushed to the background," Brumann concludes.

Original publication:

Christoph Brumann, The Best We Share. Nation, Culture and World-Making in the UNESCO World Heritage Arena, 316 pages, Berghahn, 2021.

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A YOUNG woman who struck another woman in the head a number of times in a fast-food restaurant - leaving her with concussion in the unprovoked attack - also left the victim fearing she would never see her young son again.

Sky Archer Armstrong (21) is to avoid a custodial sentence for the assault when her case is finalised in May as a judge said she is reluctant to impose a prison sentence on a 21-year-old - despite the defendant getting a suspended sentence for a previous assault.

The defendant approached Orlaith Carey (23) and her friends in a McDonald's restaurant in the early hours of the morning.

When Armstrong tried to grab one of Ms Careys friends, Ms Carey stood up to stop her. Armstrong then grabbed her hair and pulled her to the floor.

Ms Carey, who did not know her attacker, was struck in the head a number of times leaving her with concussion and banged her head off the ground.

Read More

Ms Carey blacked out and was taken to Beaumont Hospital where she was treated for a swollen right cheek and concussion. She remained in hospital for 20 hours, Swords District Court heard.

She told gardai she was in fear and thought she would never see her young son again, the court heard.

The defendant, of Sansilvestro, Balcoonan in Skerries, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Carey in McDonalds on Main Street in Swords, Co Dublin on October 27, 2019 at 2.25am.

She has three previous convictions including two for assaults.

Defence solicitor Fiona DArcy said the defendant is very sorry and ashamed, of her actions.

She was abusing alcohol at the time and she is horrified at her own behaviour.

Ms DArcy said the defendant is at a turning point in her life and is attending counselling and has started a beauty course.

Judge Sandra Murphy said it was a very serious unprovoked assault.

She got a suspended sentence in 2015 for an assault and it doesnt seem to have had the required effect. But I am reluctant to impose a custodial sentence on a 21 year old.

If it wasnt due to her age I wouldn't be going down this route. Id be imposing custody.
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has presented forty (40) armoured personnel carriers to the Ghana Armed Forces, as part of Governments efforts to retool and equip the military.



Addressing a ceremony at Burma Camp on Wednesday, 31st March 2021, President Akufo-Addo stated that since taking office in 2017, his Government has been working to satisfy the logistical and personnel needs of the Armed Forces.



Indeed, on Thursday, 5th December 2019, at Burma Camp, the President presented thirty-three (33) Armoured Personnel Carriers, forty-one (41) assorted Toyota vehicles, three (3) water tankers, one (1) self-loading recovery truck, one (1) refrigeration van, and five (5) utility vehicles for waste disposal and management.



I did indicate in my address on that day that there was more to come. As you know by now, a Government of the New Patriotic Party is a promise-keeping one, and I am here to redeem that pledge, he said.



The President continued, Today, I am here to present forty (40) Cobra II Armoured Personnel Carriers, which, according to military standards, are very strong and versatile armoured vehicles, and which will help us contain even better the security threats posed at our northern borders, as well as provide the necessary protection for our western and eastern frontiers.



He commended the Armed Forces for their continued commitment to the on-going Operations CONQUERED FIST and MOTHERLAND, which is intended to create a secure, peaceful atmosphere at the northwestern, northern and northeastern borders of the country.



President Akufo-Addo urged the Armed Forces to continue to collaborate with the Ministries of National Security, Interior, Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Revenue Authority, as well as all relevant ministries and agencies, to ensure that the country maintains a robust disposition that will deter potential aggressors, who may attempt to derail the political and socio-economic gains chalked so far.



We all know that the rapid economic transformation and accelerated growth that we seek can only be realized in an atmosphere of peace, tranquility and security. I assure you that Government will continue to address your logistical needs, and we will work to provide resources through our re-equipment programme, and help ensure that you are properly equipped to perform your roles effectively and efficiently, he added.



As an institution noted for its discipline, the President urged them to pay particular attention to the maintenance of the vehicles, and to use them for the benefit of our country and its people.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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THE Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) are holding the suspended Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Director General, Eng Deusdedith Kakoko, for questioning on various allegations against him, including embezzlement of public funds.

Bureau's Public Relations Officer, Ms Doreen Kapwani has confirmed the arrest to the 'Daily News', however, refused to go into detail. Equally, PCCB Director General, Brigadier General John Mbungo, was later quoted by one of the Media Houses as confirming the incidence.

Elaborating, the PCCB boss said such arrests are common in their line of duty, asking where the problem was to unearth truth about an issue they are following, adding that Eng Kakoko was being detained at their Upanga offices in Dar es Salaam.

"As you have heard, the President suspended him to pave way for investigations, and it is true we are holding him for reasons that we feel are important... so that we can conduct a thorough investigation," she further said.

The Director General too could not go into detail on the matter.

He was, however, quick to point out, "We are holding him for reasons that would not be good for me to talk about right now. It is just a process of investigation and that because of reasons you consider investigation should be carried out, then that persons has to be detained."

President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Sunday suspended the TPA boss to pave way for the investigations over accusations of embezzlement of about 3.6bn/- after receiving 2019/2020 annual audit report from Controller and Auditor General Charles Kichere at the Chamwino State House in Dodoma.

She said that various reports have been spotting embezzlement of money at TPA but no strong measures have been taken to curb the loss of public funds.

The Head of State recalled some measures were taken after Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who formed a committee to probe the claim, they were not enough given the magnitude of the reported malpractice(s) that only pinned down some junior staff facing suspensions.

This time around, President Samia instructed the PCCB to launch an investigation against TPA officials and take up the task as a matter of urgency.

According to the CAG report, there was an embezzlement of 3.6bn/- by TPA officials and that dismayed President Samia to say that the government will continue taking strong measures to plug financial leaks and boost collections for national development.

"From these reports, I have seen massive fraud that has been conducted at TPA, we need to take actions on this for the country to benefit from its own resources," she noted.

Equally, she asked all officials working in public institutions to improve efficiency and curb losses that have been observed. President Samia, calmly but boldly vowed to crack whip on heads of other public entities adversely mentioned in the CAG's report.

With the CAG report picking holes in financial management in most public institutions, Ms Samia called for harmonisation of the revenue collection systems.

She said, there are six systems that the government is using on revenue collections, as part of continued efforts to curb leakage of government revenue.

"We need to have systems that are more efficient, this would simplify the collections, spending and monitoring process in all development projects," she explained.

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Eng Kakoko was confirmed as TPA Director General in October 2018 after holding the position in acting capacity for a long time.

In his succession, he replaced Awadh Massawe, who was fired alongside the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Shaaban Mwinjaka.

In December, last year, the Prime Minister suspended two TPA officials to pave way for the investigations following allegations of misuse of public funds.

They were Authority's Director of Finance, Ms Nuru Mhando and Financial Expenditures Manager, Ms Witness Mahela.

The Premier made the decision after receiving a special audit report by CAG on financial reports of the port of Kigoma for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 fiscal years. The audit was conducted to confirm whether there was abuse of public funds.
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives Tuesday described the approval of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery as a huge scam and a ploy by unscrupulous elements to siphon public funds.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had recently at its virtual meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari approved $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the refinery.

But, the caucus in a statement by its Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, while rejecting the amount, said the figure is outrageous and heavily inflated, demanding an immediate review of the cost.

The lawmakers noted that while they are in support of any genuine effort to bridge energy deficit in Nigeria, such should not be used as a ploy by corrupt individuals to fleece the nation.

The caucus called for immediate decisive steps towards providing required incentives to private organisations who have shown manifest interest in establishing refineries in the country, as a sure step to meet the national energy need.

The caucus said: "This over bloated $1.5 billion cost has again brought to the fore the prevailing unpatriotic proclivity of treasury looting and criminal diversion of public funds through inflated contracts by officials of government for their selfish interests. It is completely unexplainable that the sum of $1.5 billion, belonging to Nigerians, is to be funnelled towards the rehabilitation of a non-profitable refinery, which has already been slated to be handed over to private hands.

"As lawmakers, we firmly reject this attempt to use the refineries to further defraud our nation. In that regard, our caucus demands an immediate review of the project on a transparent and competitive cost template, while the billions of naira that would be recovered from the surplus, should be directed towards other areas of our national energy need."

The lawmakers thereby urged the Federal Executive Council not to release any funds related to the inflated rehabilitation costs until after the review.
There is a rise in new Covid-19 cases in Laois reported today as the HSE warns of a possible "fourth wave" of the disease across Ireland.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn has today warned that there is a critical window over the next 8 weeks where any significant increase in close contact is likely to lead to a significant fourth wave of infection in the range of that experienced in January 2021." More below.

Laois has 14 new cases, in the daily report by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) this Wednesday, March 31.

The average number of new cases per day in the county is 15 for the past five days.

Laois remains at the eighth highest incidence rate of all Irish counties, higher than the national average.

SEE TABLE BELOW

The rate for Laois has risen to 197.2 cases per 100,000 population on the back of 167 cases in the past 14 days. The national rate fell slightly to 161.1.

Offaly continues to have the highest case rate in Ireland, with 21 more cases today, and an average of 23 per day for the last five days.

Nationally, there were 6 further deaths and 411 new cases notified to The Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

All the deaths occurred in March. The median age of those who died was 79 years and the age range was 49 - 87 years. There has been a total of 4,687 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

NPHET said that as of midnight, Tuesday 30th March, the HPSC has been notified of 411 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 235,854* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today:

202 are men / 209 are women

70% are under 45 years of age

The median age is 35 years old

150 in Dublin, 31 in Donegal, 25 in Kildare, 25 in Wexford, 21 in Offaly and the remaining 159 cases are spread across 17 other counties

As of 8am today, 297 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 67 are in ICU. There were 16 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

As of March 28h 2021, 806,541 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:

580,857 people have received their first dose

225,684 people have received their second dose

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said vaccination will reduce risk.

Together with all of the basic public health measures with which we are all now so familiar, vaccination will significantly reduce risk of COVID-19 over the next relatively short period of time. It will radically reduce mortality when those over 70 are fully vaccinated but will initially have a smaller effect on hospitalisation and critical care until the wider adult population, especially vulnerable adults and those aged 50-69 years, are protected by vaccination.

We can and should be optimistic for an enjoyable summer ahead but, in the meantime, we have to continue to work together to prevent a further wave of infection as we accelerate vaccination across society and maintain our health services.

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said;

The Reproduction number is currently estimated at 1.0  1.3. If the epidemic is growing again now, the doubling time is estimated at 35 days or longer.

When comparing the risks of levels of social mixing now and over the coming months with that which applied in 2020, we need to take into account the B.1.1.7 variant and how easily that transmits, and we must also take account the vaccination-induced immunity that will progressively protect us and make it more difficult for the virus to transmit.

Vaccination will contribute greatly to the easing of measures in the coming months, however now we need keep transmission as low as possible so that vaccination of the population can take place and have the desired effect.

Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain is Consultant Psychiatrist and Integrated Care Lead, HSE talked about the long term effects.

We are continuing to review instances of long-COVID. While the evidence base is limited to date, the studies available indicate that people who have had COVID-19 have reported a drop in quality of life including greater difficulty doing usual activities as well as increases in fatigue, anxiety and loss of sense of taste and or smell. One study suggests that outcomes are worse in working age females than males, in those who were hospitalised.

The long-term impact of post-COVID syndromes on the working age population is not well understood but it could be significant. Our best defence against long term health impacts such as those noted above is still to adhere to the public health advice. Stay safe by sticking with your bubble and enjoy the outdoors.

Professor Pete Lunn, Behavioural Research Unit, ESRI, said a minority is increasing risk for everyone.

Compliance remains generally high, but the behaviour of a minority is increasing the risk for all of us. Even this minority are trying to stick to restrictions in most aspects, but they are nevertheless visiting other homes. It would be much better if people could instead meet at outdoor locations and maintain distance.

Our research finds that three psychological factors are linked to increased social activity: how worried people are in general by the virus, whether they view the restrictions as coherent, and how they personally view the trade-off between preventing the spread of the virus against the burden of the restrictions. Interestingly, we dont find that fatigue is directly linked to behaviour. Those who say they are most tired of the restrictions are not more likely to break them. Rather, what matters is whether they view the benefit to society from preventing the spread of the virus as more important.

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.
Seguin, Texas (78155)

Today

Thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers during the evening will give way to steady rain overnight. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Everyone poops, and now scientists are using this bodily function to develop a detailed analysis of the virus that causes COVID-19, known as SARS-CoV-2.

After cases of COVID-19 began to appear, scientists started exploring whether SARS-CoV-2 could be detected in wastewater by measuring for the level of genetic material, or RNA, present from the virus.

Since then, scientists have proven this method can be a reliable population-level predictor of the trends of COVID-19 cases in a community since virus particles can show up in wastewater days before symptoms appear in people.

Now, using a 2-year, $4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, scientists at the University of Missouri are collaborating with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, or DHSS, to figure out how differing levels of SARS-CoV-2 can appear in a community's wastewater.

Marc Johnson, a professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and an investigator in the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, said the research will focus on two main areas:

Determining a range of the amount of RNA from SARS-CoV-2 that an individual person can contribute to the level found in a community's wastewater.

What types of environmental factors contribute to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, such as situations where little or no genetic material is present despite known clinical outbreaks.

"In addition to measuring for the presence of the virus, we will now be able to start making sense of the numbers and expand the types of questions we can ask about the results," Johnson said. "I really think this type of testing will continue long after the pandemic, and I believe studies like this will be able to 'flush' out how the virus works by figuring out what we can do with it and identify our limitations."

With the recent rise of COVID-19 variants across the globe or mutations of the original virus, Johnson said this analysis will also be able to help determine the presence of any COVID-19 variants.

Once we convert the RNA to DNA, and then amplify the sequence to see where all of the major mutations are, we perform what we call 'deep sequencing' to figure out everything that is in there. We know the virus can evolve around our immune response, so I'm sure we are going to see more variants appear than what is currently out there now." Marc Johnson, Professor, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri-Columbia

The total amount of the grant award is being shared with DHSS. The grant is a part of the National Institutes of Health's RADx Radical program, developed to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic and address future outbreaks by supporting 49 research projects and grant supplements at 43 institutions across the U.S., including this project with DHSS and the University of Missouri.

In 2020, MU scientists Johnson and Chung-Ho Lin, a research associate professor and lead scientist in the bioremediation program at the MU Center for Agroforestry in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, began working with DHSS and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to provide wastewater testing and analysis from more than 50 sites across Missouri as part of the Sewershed Surveillance Project.
press release

At the National Assembly, yesterday, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, stated that an amount of Rs 20.8 million has been disbursed to 33 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), from 10 March 2021 to date, by the National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF).

The Minister explained that out of the Rs 483.5 million approved in January 2021 by the NSIF to be provided for 146 NGOs, a first instalment of Rs 238.9 million, representing 49.2% of the allocation, has so far been disbursed. She added that NSIF also gave a supplementary grant of Rs 425 000 to an NGO called Action for Integral Human Development, with a view to providing support and counselling to vulnerable people across the island during the lockdown through a hotline service.

According to Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo, the NSIF has been responsive to the financial needs of its registered NGOs in order to ensure continuity of their services during the lockdown, and has invited the 418 registered NGOs to contact the Foundation by email for any pressing issues that may hinder their ongoing operation.

The NSIF, underlined the Minister, has also taken a series of measures during the lockdown. They are as follows:

Monitoring of the implementation of the programmes by Caritas Ile Maurice to ensure that food vouchers are used for the purchase of basic food and sanitary items;

Collaboration with Caritas Ile Maurice to make arrangement for food packs to be provided to 150 families in Canot, following a survey conducted by the Police on the number of families in need of foodstuffs in that region;

Provision of financial assistance to NGOs such as APPEL, Caritas Ile Maurice, and Association Pere Laval des Sans-abris which cater for homeless persons by, among others, offering them meals daily;

Facilitating the vaccination of homeless persons. So far out of 103 homeless persons surveyed across the island, 51 have already been vaccinated. The vaccination exercise is still ongoing; and

Acting as a facilitator for NGOs to be provided with Work Access Permit so that they are able to carry intervention whenever necessary.

Moreover, affirmed Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo, on 19 March 2021, the COVID-19 Solidarity Fund authorised Caritas Ile Maurice to use Rs 6 million to provide food packs to some 3,000 vulnerable households during the current lockdown.
Large crowd turns out to oppose asphalt plant

Opponents of an asphalt plant line up to make comments at Thomas Auditorium on Tuesday.

Close to 150 people converged on Bo Thomas auditorium on Tuesday afternoon to ask questions about and air objections to a proposed asphalt plant in East Flat Rock.

In the first public airing of a zoning application to allow the plant on Spartanburg Highway at the U.S. 25 Connector got off to a raucous start when a resident from Zirconia asked about odor and called the plant an inappropriate use for the area.

Yall come in here and you want to put something thats not supposed to be there. It may be commercial (zoned) but its residential (in use)," he said.

Saying she represented "about 12,500 neighbors who are opposed to this," Michelle Tennant said the Friends of East Flat Rock had submitted 43 questions last year that remain unanswered. She then proceeded to ask each question one by one. They were highly technical questions about capacity, burn rates, hours of operation, temperature of the process, noise levels of the plant and trucks serving it, stormwater, containing spills, lighting and other details.

Tennant asked the applicant, Jeff Shipman, why he had already cleared the site.

"We thought we would get in there, clean the site up and grade it out so we could invite the community to see what a small footprint" the plant would occupy, he said.

Three hours after the meeting got under way, around a dozen people were still standing in line to ask questions and at 7:30, seven speakers remained.

Greg Renegar, of the asphalt equipment company, Astec Inc., of Chattanooga, Tennessee, told the residents that he understood their concerns.

If all I knew was the words asphalt plant, if I didnt know what I know I would feel the same way that you feel," he said. "I wouldn't want to live around an old rundown, ill maintained plant that wasnt operating correctly. Would I mind living around a new facility like Astec? I would live right next to one of those only because I so familiar with them."

Bruce Griffin, the owner of a small trailer park across Spartanburg Highway, told Shipman that the plant would hurt his business and others around him, depreciate property values and become a blight on a gateway to Hendersonville. A little over an hour into the meeting, more than 25 people stood in line to ask questions. Those who spoke raised concerns about pollution and health, noise, traffic, light, property values. Shipman expressed exasperation with the barrage of criticism.

"The people that come up and say this is going to make everyone so sick and there's going to be black everywhere and the world is going to come to an end as they know it," he said. "Everybody comes in and says all these negative, nasty things about this company and about me, that I don't care about the elderly, I don't care about schools, I don't care about nursing homes, which could be the furthest from the truth, they have nothing to back up what they're saying."

More than one resident noted Shipman and Renegar were ignoring a mask requirement and asked what that said about their commitment to ensuring that their neighbors would be safe. Neither offered a response.

When one speaker urged Shipman to work on his "people skills," he responded: "When I've tried to be a good neighbor, I get stopped because everytime I tried to answer something I'm so rudely interrupted."

A representative from MountainTrue suggested that after a deluge overnight Thursday last week the stormwater had caused erosion. She said "those weren't unseasonable rains."

"These are unseasonable rains when get four and a half inches in less than eight hour," he said. "It's called an act of God when you have that much water coming down."

Stephen E. Stark, a developer and urban planning consultant who lives on Estate Drive, said: "This project is not well-suited to that location. ... As a professional, I will offer to work with you absolutely free to find another location."

Residents several times became emotional, telling the applicant and his attorney, engineer and the asphalt equipment representative that they feared the plant would jeopardize the lifetime savings that they had sunk into their homes.

"You can make money. Most of us are going to be losing collectively millions of dollars," one homeowner said, repeating a statistic from the Blue Ridge Defense League showing that residential property values typically fell by 56 percent when an asphalt plant comes in. Shipman said his studies had debunked the statistics.

She asked Shipman whether he thought of the neighbors and their quality of life.

"Absolutely," he said, "which is why we had studies done before it's done. I'm a life-long resident. I was born and raised here. I was born in Pardee Hospital. I went to Hillandale. My office has been where it is right now for 21 years. This is about trying to grow a business, create jobs, more than just for Southeastern Asphalt, it will create jobs on a state level, it will require outside dump truck drivers. ... If I felt that I was going to truly harm anyone's life in any way I would never have tried this to begin with."

"I'm just an old redneck that's trying to survive," he said later. He promised to bank up and landscape property around the plant to make it invisible from the road. "We truly truly are trying to be a good neighbor," he said. "I get everyone's concern about, Is it going to make you sick. I get all that."

Michelle Johnson credited Shipman for sitting in front of dozens opponents "knowing the vitriole that you were going to face."

Johnson joined others who had peppered Shipman with questions about why he had spent money to clear and grade the land.

"How do you have the audacity to invest so much on a property you don't have permission to build on?" she asked.

He said he had hoped that he and the community could work out an agreement that all would support.

Nancy Wilson, co-owner of Camp Wayfarer, ticked off more than summer camp names. "Henderson County has one of the oldest, greatest concentration of children's summer camps in the world," she said. "We are famous for the legacy that camps bring to this area. We support our local economy. We support Henderson County tourism. ... These camps are concerned. My main question, What would your asphalt plant bring to me personally as the owner of a summer camp right down the road other than asphalt?"

Shipman repeated his view that the plant would not harm "anyone's home or health or anything so I'm not sure how it would affect your camp, nor would I want it to."
Abu Dhabi and Singapore have expressed interest in exploring collaboration in strategic areas, including technology, innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), space technologies and public sector partnerships.

At the 13th session of the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF), which was held virtually under the co-chairmanship, and in attendance of, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi and S Iswaran, Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations, the UAE Space Agency and Singapores national space office, the Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) signed a Letter of Intent signalling their shared interest to collaborate in the areas of space technologies, space law and policies, as well as human capital development.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed by the Abu Dhabi School of Government and the Civil Service College Singapore to facilitate greater and more in-depth exchanges between the public sectors of Singapore and Abu Dhabi. This knowledge and experience initiative will focus on current and emerging topics such as public sector leadership, governance, public administration and management, digital literacy, and well-being, a WAM report said.

Ambassadors of both countries were also present, in addition to officials and senior representatives from a number of key public and private entities in the UAE and Singapore.

During the session, the Co-Chairs reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between the UAE and Singapore.

For more than 35 years, the UAE and Singapore have enjoyed a productive and positive bilateral relationship anchored by active trade and investment. To broaden cooperation, the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum was established in 2007 as part of a joint commitment between both countries to explore mutual areas of strategic interest.

Further to this agreement, in 2019, the two governments established a Joint Declaration on a Singapore-UAE Comprehensive Partnership, articulating both countries ambition to deepen existing areas of cooperation and explore new sectors, including: political exchanges, trade, industry & investment, financial cooperation, sustainable development and energy, education & human resource development, and health. -- Tradearabia News Service
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A caravan of hundreds of Honduran migrants bound for the United States was stopped by police before they were able to cross the border into Guatemala.

The move came after as many as 400 asylum-seeking Hondurans were found to be lacking the proper identification documents and proof of negative COVID-19 tests required for entry into neighboring Guatemala.

The group intended to enter Guatemala and subsequently receive permission from the government of Mexico to travel north to the United States' southern border, where Joe Biden's administration has struggled to contain the flow of people crossing the border illegally.

The migrants, mostly young adults with backpacks and women carrying children, had begun walking Tuesday before dawn from a bus terminal in the northern city of San Pedro Sula to nearby Choloma, where they hitched rides on trucks and buses.

Unaccompanied minors and people with incomplete documentation, who were part of a new caravan of some 400 migrants heading to the United States, sit in the back of a Honduran police pickup truck after they were intercepted by security forces from advancing to the Guatemalan border Tuesday

Honduran nationals sneak through a blind spot and void a police checkpoint in the northern Honduras town of Corinto near the border with Guatemala on Tuesday. Guatemalan immigration officials reported that 32 Hondurans were deported after they unlawfully crossed the border

Honduran cops stand at a checkpoint in the northern town of Corinto, which borders with Guatemala. Hundreds of migrants from Honduras were forced to return to their homes and saw they plans of migrating to the United States shut down because they were not carrying identification documents and negative COVID-19 tests

The group hoped to reach the United States to escape poverty worsened by the coronavirus pandemic and two Category 4 hurricanes that struck Honduras and other neighboring Central American nations in November 2020.

'You have to take risks to have a better life in the United States,' migrant Carlos Flores told local television. 'Here you can hardly eat with what you earn, if you can even find work.'

It is second large caravan to set out from Honduras this year after nearly 8,000 migrants seeking asylum was broken by security forces in Guatemala in January. Previous caravans drew the attention of U.S. officials who called on the region's governments to stop them.

Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei on Monday declared a state of emergency and authorized the use of force to dispel any migrant who unlawfully crossed the border.

The Honduran police set up a checkpoint near the Guatemalan border crossing at the northern town of Corinto. Migrants who did not have the required paperwork were driven 71 miles back to San Pedro Sula on police trucks and buses.

A Honduran police officer checks the documents of a group of nationals who formed part of a new caravan of migrants set to head to the United States to seek asylum

Cops hold a checkpoint in Corinto, Honduras, as migrants heading for the United States attempt to cross the border into Guatemala before hundreds were eventually forced to return to their homes

A migrant girl (right) heading for the United States trips as she and others try to illegally cross into Guatemala from Corinto, Honduras, on Tuesday

Police official Jose Murillo said over 90% of migrants reaching Corinto had been turned around because they lacked proper identification or proof of coronavirus tests.

Gabriel Guzman, one of the Hondurans stopped, accused police of acting illegally, saying that he and others were still in their own country and had the necessary documents to enter Guatemala.

Honduran migration authorities also said 32 migrants were expelled by Guatemala after crossing the border illegally.

Migrant caravans have been less frequent over the past year in part due to Guatemalan and Mexican security forces breaking them up under pressure from both the administrations of President Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump.

Honduran nationals who joined a new caravan wait their turns at a police checkpoint in the northern municipality of Corinto, border crossing point with Guatemala

Honduran police official Jose Murillo said over 90% of migrants reaching the northern town Corinto, near the border with Guatemala, had been turned around because they lacked proper identification or proof of coronavirus tests

Central Americans have made up the bulk of a sharp increase in migrants trying to reach the United States via Mexico in recent weeks, putting pressure on Biden.

The Department of Homeland Security expects migrant crossings as the southern border with Mexico to double this year as human traffickers continue to take advantage of the 1,954 miles of border land to ferry families through the Rio Grande while thousands embark on the journey from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

According to DHS, crossings could spike from 400,000 last year to up to 800,000 by the end of 2021 despite comments from Biden last Thursday that described the crisis as 'normal' and something that 'happens every year'.

DHS expects approximately 500,000 to 800,000 migrants to arrive as part of a family group during the 2021 fiscal year that ends in September, according to a data analysis by The Washington Post.

That could be double over fiscal year 2020 when 458,088 people were encountered on southern border, according to US Customs and Border Patrol data.

CBP agents caught roughly 100,000 migrants at the border with Mexico in February, the highest monthly level since a spike in mid-2019.

On Tuesday, two reporters from The Associated Press and a crew from CBS were allowed to enter a facility in Texas where 4,000 children and families are being housed in pods.

Children were kept in a large play pen with mats on the floor for sleeping, because the facility is at 1,700% capacity and the dormitories are full.

Border guards say 14% - roughly one in seven - of the migrant children have tested positive for COVID while photos also show detainees being treated for lice, amid fears of an outbreak.

Two thousand children have already overstayed their 72-hour legal limit and at least 39 have been stuck in the cramped quarters for two weeks.

Migrants from Honduras travel along a road in the city of Corinto as part of their attempt to cross in Guatemala and continue their journey to the United States. However, some 400 migrants who formed part of the caravan were eventually forced to return back to their homes for failure of possessing legal identification documents and proof of negative COVID-19 tests

About 70,000 people, or 72% of such migrants - mostly single adults - were rapidly deported in February alone, according to CBP data. Some of those people were likely repeat crossers as the recidivism rate has climbed in the past year, according to U.S. officials.

Biden stressed that the U.S. was going to need help from Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador to contain the surge of migrants.

'Don't come over,' Biden said in a March 16 interview with ABC News when asked to articulate his message to hopefuls. 'Don't leave your town or city or community.'

Guatemalan security forces are seen from Corinto, Honduras, stand guard on a road before a caravan of Honduran migrants was stopped by cops in Honduras from reaching the border
SOCIAL exclusion is a term that describes how people with low incomes are prevented from getting the supports and services they need to help them to survive and reach their goals. The current pandemic and associated economic recession have increased social exclusion, making it even harder for this vulnerable population.

Opinion

SOCIAL exclusion is a term that describes how people with low incomes are prevented from getting the supports and services they need to help them to survive and reach their goals. The current pandemic and associated economic recession have increased social exclusion, making it even harder for this vulnerable population.

The Canadian Financial Diaries research project is investigating social exclusion and its impact on vulnerable and low-income people and their finances. Phase 1 of this project followed 29 people, documenting their financial challenges over a one-year period.

One thing we discovered in our research was that Canadians with low incomes depend on their tax refunds to help balance their budgets and put a bit of money aside for unexpected challenges.

For example, one participant well call Kateryna is a grandmother who lives in Winnipegs inner city. She relies on two part-time jobs for an annual income of slightly less than $14,000, which is well below the $22,000 poverty line. She lives within her means and is very careful budgeting. Every year, she looks forward to getting her tax refund of approximately $1,400, which is 10 per cent of her annual income.

This money is a lump sum that she relies on to put away and draw on throughout the year. Without it, she would have difficulty managing unexpected challenges. Having this money available gives her a bit of peace of mind and some financial resilience.

We found this example to be a common experience among many of the low-income participants in our study, and any reduction in employment income impacts the tax refund amount, which is often the only opportunity for low-income people to save. That small bit of savings helps them balance their budgets and prevents them from having to use payday lenders or pawn shops and the cycle of debt that often occurs with high-interest, short-term loans.

Payday lenders and pawn shops are often the only source of emergency funds, because the vulnerable and low-income population is underserved by mainstream banking services  another facet of social exclusion.

For instance, banks have few or no branches in neighbourhoods with low average incomes, and banking products are not designed for people with minimal savings or cash flows. Consider that the average middle-income person can avoid most banking charges by maintaining a minimum cash balance and have overdraft protection or a line of credit for emergencies  something a low-income earner cannot access.

Many low-income earners face higher monthly banking charges, which are not affordable, so they become excluded from mainstream banking services.

Many of our Canadian Financial Diaries participants over this past year have been affected by job loss or layoffs. Many were either unemployed or underemployed, relying on casual or under-the-table employment that disappeared and, as such, they did not qualify for Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments. Some participants who were able to access CERB payments are now fearing those funds might be clawed back through taxes or required repayments.

We have noted this uncertainty has caused great anxiety for some of our study participants, who cannot afford to consult professional tax services. There are some free tax consultation services, such as those provided by the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), but they are currently overwhelmed by those in need of help.

Our participants also told us about facing increased costs associated with the pandemic. Many avoided travelling on public buses out of fear of COVID-19; as a result of being faced with having to take cabs or walking instead, they would often shop closer to home instead of at big box stores, paying higher prices for food and supplies.

Owing to the pandemic restrictions and growing need, some food banks and community meal programs have had to reduce or suspend programs, and this increased food insecurity  another aspect of social exclusion.

Social exclusion has caused some of the most vulnerable members of our society to be least protected from the pandemic and resulting economic recession. We need to consider how we as a society, through our government and civil society, respond to people in need. The diaries project is amassing evidence that people with low incomes are every bit as rational and hard-working as others, but they face unique sets of challenges, including structures that exclude them from many benefits available to others.

By addressing social exclusion, these barriers can be reduced, and opportunities increased, helping our vulnerable and low-income citizens live better lives. Each year the federal government forgoes billions of tax-revenue dollars to encourage middle-income Canadians to save for retirement through registered products. Why not establish a similar program to enable Canadians with low-income, like Kateryna, to save, such as a matched savings program, used by SEED Winnipeg?

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is responsible to ensure banking is accessible to all Canadians. Its regulations are limited, and it is likely time for the regulations to be reconsidered and bolstered so Kateryna and other Canadians with low income do not end up relying on payday lenders.

Jerry Buckland is a professor of international development studies at Menno Simons College, a faculty affiliate at the school of business, Canadian Mennonite University, and a research associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives  Manitoba.
Austin has something of a mythic reputation in the Bay Area. The Texas capital has come to represent a land of opportunity for those priced out of San Francisco, and especially during the coronavirus pandemic, an escape route for tech workers no longer bound by physical offices.

The moniker Silicon Hills, a nickname thats seldom spoken aloud within the Lone Star State, has come to represent the citys burgeoning reputation as a tech hub. From Dells ascent in the 1990s to the SXSW conferences function as a start-up launching pad to Apples forthcoming second campus, the city has long punched above its weight in the tech world. And every day more tech companies seem to be fleeing for triple digit temperatures and zero digit state income taxes.

As more and more Silicon Valley workers decamp for Austin, the expectation is that the grass will be greener, and likely located not far from a swimming hole. To find out if that myth is true, we spoke to five tech industry professionals ranging from Salesforce alums whove experienced the work culture in both places, to founders who left S.F. during the pandemic, to the CEO of Austins premiere tech incubator.

The consensus was that the grass is definitely a different color, and for now, it looks very green.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, San Franciscos technology culture is all-encompassing and leaves little time or energy for a life outside the bubble of a tech campus or hacker house. In Austin, working as a coder or data analyst or web developer still means you qualify as a techie, but it isnt exactly the same as working in tech. Since theres simply so many more people working in other industries, tech doesnt feel like something youre necessarily inside.

Tech is an industry [in S.F.], wherein other parts of the country, tech is a subset of other existing industries, says Vivek Sodera, co-founder of email client Superhuman, who recently moved to Austin. I think were going to start to see Austin not just be a subset of existing industries itself.

Like San Francisco, Austin has plenty of issues of diversity, but on a professional level, youre much less likely to find yourself at a bar surrounded entirely by tech workers.

It was just everywhere in San Francisco, you're running into somebody from Snowflake or Uber or whatever. In Austin, you're free from that a little bit, says Holly Firestone, who worked in Salesforce for several years in both cities, and now is the vice president of community for Venafi in Austin. I have tons of friends that aren't in tech, which is just not something you experienced in San Francisco at all.

Anthony Brown, co-founder and CEO of music platform Breakr, moved to Austin in the fall and has found that the smaller pond has been simpler to navigate than Silicon Valley, where elite gatekeepers make it hard to access certain strata of the industry. Even with limited networking options due to the pandemic, hes found it easier to build connections.

There's less of the tech community here. So I feel like you can get connected to the right infrastructure faster in Austin. So I think that's actually a competitive advantage for Austin; there's enough high quality people here in the city that if you do come and you are in the tech ecosystem, that you can actually build a really powerful kind of network.

Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images

A small pond, or what some tech investors have described as a tier two city, also has its drawbacks. For some (especially those working outside the tech world), the ubiquity of hoodie-wearing coders in San Francisco can be a negative, but that density is part of whats allowed Silicon Valley companies to flourish. Some of that simply comes down to a matter of geography and the fact that not everyone is driving to work.

In San Francisco in particular, you're confined to 7 by 7 miles, and there's a lot of serendipity that happens when you're walking down the street and you bump into people. I think that is going to be a challenge that Austin needs to figure out, which is how to create that level of serendipity that you get here, says Sodera.

One Austin tech founder and CEO, Joah Spearman of travel recommendation site Localeur, has noticed that Austin does have a talent gap.

There is not this deep bench of director- and VP-level tech talent in Austin. And there's this belief that if there was that here, the companies that get to $200 million evaluations would get to a billion, says Spearman.

But according to Joshua Baer, CEO of one of Austins biggest incubators, Capital Factory, that gap is getting smaller.

The type of people that were attracting, certainly from my own personal experience and somewhat logically, are educated entrepreneurial people who can live anywhere and they're choosing to come here and that's a good thing. That's going to fuel our talent. It's bringing in people who have Silicon Valley ethos, you know, who think big and want to go do big things, says Baer.

What makes Austin so appealing to many tech workers is that although youll still be able to do big things professionally, theres opportunity for a richer personal life. To state the obvious, home ownership is much more achievable for transplants, however that's caused a ripple effect that's made it harder for many Austinites to own real estate (the average home price rose 10.1% in the past year to $433,493). It has also amplified long-running issues of racial diversity.

The rising cost of living in Austin is worthy of a story of its own, but the difference in culture between Austin and San Francisco is broader than just affordability. According to Spearman, much of it simply comes down to mindset, describing Austin as a work to live city, compared to the nonstop pace of San Franciscos live to work culture.

Suzanne Cordeiro/Corbis via Getty Images

In more rigid tech cultures, from the moment you leave your house, to get in a bus or a van to go to Silicon Valley to work at Apple or Google or et cetera, youre kind of like property of your job until you get back to your house, he says. There are people that live like that in S.F. Austin doesnt have that.

Although these days its hard to find the archetype of the Austin slacker outside indie films from the '90s, the work culture is still undeniably more relaxed than a place like the Bay Area. Firestone notes that pre-pandemic, it was unusual to see coworkers in the office past 7 p.m. in Austin. That felt much closer to the norm in San Francisco. Brown, who spent several years working in finance in New York, said neither city compares to his time there, but that Austins certainly slower paced than San Francisco.

I think theres just something about the Texas vibe that makes people chill out and be a little bit more relaxed, he says.

Quality of life and affordability may be the largest factors driving San Francisco tech workers to Austin, but it begs the question what will happen once they arrive. Many Austinites were already priced out of one of the nations hottest real estate markets years ago, but another issue is the effect on Austin culture at large. The exodus out of San Francisco cant just be about leaving the problems of the city behind, but rather an active desire to become a part of something new.

Being an Austinite is an experience. It's about showing up and participating, being part of what's happening in Austin, says Baer.

If you want to move to Austin, the thing that you should be expecting is that you're going to have a closer relationship with the city that you're living in, not a more distant relationship, says Spearman. I think for a lot of people who are in S.F. and work in tech, their closest relationship in S.F. is with their job. Whereas in Austin, your job should be secondary to your relationship with the place that you live in.
NEW YORK - A parolee convicted of killing his mother nearly two decades ago was arrested on assault and hate crime charges in an attack on an Asian American woman in New York City, police said Wednesday.

This image taken from surveillance video provided by the New York City Police Department shows a person of interest in connection with an assault of an Asian American woman, Monday, March 29, 2021, in New York. The NYPD is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the man. (Courtesy of New York Police Department via AP)

NEW YORK - A parolee convicted of killing his mother nearly two decades ago was arrested on assault and hate crime charges in an attack on an Asian American woman in New York City, police said Wednesday.

Police said Brandon Elliot, 38, is the man seen on surveillance video kicking and stomping the woman near Times Square on Monday. The woman was attacked in front of an apartment building.

Two lobby workers witnessed the violence but no one intervened or called 911, police said. Their union said Wednesday they told a union representative that they waited until the attacker left because he had a knife and then flagged down a police car.

Elliot, who is Black, faces charges of assault and attempted assault as hate crimes. He made an appearance in court via video Wednesday night, and was remanded into custody, with the next court date scheduled for Monday.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said Elliot faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

The Legal Aid Society, which is representing him, said in a statement, "We strongly urge the public to reserve judgment until all the facts are presented in court."

Elliot lived at a hotel that serves as a homeless shelter a few blocks from the attack scene, police said. He was taken into custody at the hotel around midnight. Tips from the public led to his apprehension, police said.

Elliot was convicted of stabbing his mother to death in the Bronx in 2002, when he was 19. He was released from prison in 2019 and is on lifetime parole. The parole board had previously twice denied his release. His record also included an arrest for robbery in 2000.

New York Police Department Officer Joanna Derkacz keeps an eye on pedestrians passing her on a busy stretch of Main Street in Flushing, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in the Queens borough of New York. Police have stepped up patrols in the largely Asian neighborhood in the wake of Monday's vicious attack on a 65 year-old Asian woman in midtown Manhattan during which no bystanders intervened to help. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

"For the life of me, I dont understand why we are releasing or pushing people out of prison  not to give them second chances, but to put them into homeless facilities or shelters, or in this case a hotel  and expect good outcomes," Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a news conference Wednesday. "We need real opportunities. We need real safety nets."

A law enforcement official identified the victim as 65-year-old Vilma Kari. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity. Karis daughter told The New York Times that she emigrated from the Philippines several decades ago.

Kari, who was repeatedly kicked and stomped, suffered serious injuries including a fractured pelvis, the law enforcement official said. She was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, a hospital spokesperson said. Kari has been speaking to police, Shea said.

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said the victim is Filipina American.

The countrys foreign secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr., condemned the attack, writing on Twitter: "This is gravely noted and will influence Philippine foreign policy." He didnt elaborate how.

The Philippines and United States are longtime treaty allies, but Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte is a vocal critic of U.S. security policies who has moved to terminate a key agreement that allows largescale military exercises with U.S. forces in the Philippines.

"I might as well say it, so no one on the other side can say, We didnt know you took racial brutality against Filipinos at all seriously. We do," Locsin said.

Kari was walking to church when police say Elliot kicked her in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, stomped on her face, shouted a curse and anti-Asian slurs and told her, "You dont belong here" before casually walking away as onlookers watched. Shea called it a "completely unprovoked violent attack on an innocent, defenceless woman."

Mondays attack, among the latest in a national spike in anti-Asian hate crimes, drew widespread condemnation and concerns about the failure of bystanders to intervene. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack "absolutely disgusting and outrageous" and said it was "absolutely unacceptable" that witnesses didnt help the woman.

The attack happened just weeks after a mass shooting in Atlanta that left eight people dead, six of them women of Asian descent, and just a few days after a 65-year-old Asian American woman in the same midtown Manhattan neighbourhood was threatened and heckled with anti-Asian slurs.

The surge in violence has been linked in part to misplaced blame for the coronavirus pandemic and former President Donald Trumps use of terms like "Chinese virus."

"This brave woman belongs here," Vance said. "Asian American New Yorkers belong here. Everyone belongs here."

The late morning attack happened in front of a luxury apartment building in Hells Kitchen, west of Times Square. Two lobby workers, described by their union as doormen, were seen on video witnessing the attack but failing to help Kari. One of them was seen closing the buildings door as she was on the ground.

The buildings management company said the workers were suspended pending an investigation. The workers union, SEIU 32BJ, initially said that they immediately called for help. A spokesperson clarified Wednesday that the workers waited until the assailant walked away to check on Kari and flag down a nearby patrol car.

Residents of the building also defended the workers, saying in a letter Wednesday that a widely seen video clip focusing on the assault cut off before they could be seen giving the victim aid and alerting medics.

Detective Michael Rodriguez said Wednesday that patrol officers driving by came upon the victim after she was assaulted.

The Associated Press has requested the full video from the buildings management company. The company has not responded.

This year in New York City, there have been 33 hate crimes with an Asian victim as of Sunday, police said. There were 11 such attacks by the same time last year. The NYPD last week said it was increasing patrols in Asian neighbourhoods, including using undercover officers to prevent and disrupt attacks.

Joo Han, the deputy director of the Asian American Federation, called the plainclothes patrols a "knee-jerk response" that ignored misgivings she said many people in Asian communities have about law enforcement.

"That wasnt something that was done in conversation with community leaders," Han said. "Thats not something that we would have recommended. Thats not safe for a lot of folks who may not have status, who dont have comfortable interactions with NYPD."

Associated Press writers Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this report.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA)  Members of the Libyan Presidential Council on Tuesday discussed their tasks and duties with several members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF)
Alliance Saipem-Hyperion for energy transition East Med It will provide consulting, specialized engineering services

(ANSAmed) - MILAN, MACH 31 - Saipem and Hyperion System Engineering have joined forces to create Saipem-Hyperion Eastmed Engineering Ltd, a Cyprus-based company. The new business will provide consulting and highly specialized engineering services in the sectors of energy and infrastructure in the eastern Mediterranean. Saipem-Hyperion Eastmed Engineering will offer support to clients who want to increase their activities in the region, providing solutions that are innovative, sustainable and with a low environmental impact, helping them reach their targets during energy transition.



"The new company allows Saipem to consolidate its presence in the Eastmed area and to contribute to the development of regional projects. The partnership with Hyperion, a company with several years of activity and deep knowledge of the local context, creates the groundwork for new business opportunities and increases our ability to provide services in a strategic market like the eastern Mediterranean", said Saipem's Luca Brunetto. The objective is to create an "important service center in the region, uniting the vast and precious experience of Saipem with the multiannual success of Hyperion in providing advanced solutions and of specialized engineering", said Symeon Kassianides, president and CEO of Hyperion Group. "We are enthusiastic about the creation of Saipem-Hyperion Eastmed Engineering Ltd. We are ready to begin and we have started to explore specific initiatives", said Stavros Spanos, interim CEO of Saipem-Hyperion Eastmed Engineering Ltd.(ANSAmed).




The United States rights commission has called on Pakistan to repeal its blasphemy laws after the local court decided to order the nations law enforcement probe against organisers of a march marking International Womens day over allegations they committed blasphemy. US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner, Johnnie Moore on March 30 called the local courts decision shame to the wonderful Pakistani people.

"Pakistan couldn't even take a break on International Women's Day from its draconian blasphemy laws. What a shame to the wonderful Pakistani people. USCIRF calls once again on Pakistan to repeal its blasphemy laws," said US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner to Tuesday (local time) as per ANI report.

USCIRFs comments came after a Pakistani court directed authorities to register a First Information Report (FIR)against the organisers of this years Aurat March in Islamabad alleging that the participants displayed obscene posters and also made sacrilegious remarks against the religious leaders. Reportedly, the Karachi court had ordered the police to record a statement of an applicant and if any cognisable offence was determined, then register an FIR against the organisers of Aurat March.

The Aurat March is an annual event held in Pakistan across cities including Lahore, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar to mark International Womens Day. It started in 2018 and is now carried out every year to observe the day celebrated to highlight the atrocities faced by women and uphold their rights.

Zardari noted the misuse of blasphemy laws

Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had previously also called against the misuse of blasphemy laws to target Aurat March organisers and termed it regrettable. Zardaris remarks came reportedly during a meeting with organisers of the annual march of Karachi chapter. The meeting with Aurat March Karachi was reportedly called following a flurry of hate, threats of violence and intimidation against women as well as the transgender and non-binary community who showed up to protest against oppression on International Womens Day.

Image credits: AP
The government has appealed for support from the World Bank to establish a National Housing Authority to drive affordable housing projects in the country.

According to the Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, the government was contemplating a National Housing Fund to absorb the cost of the projects to make them truly affordable.

He disclosed this to journalists in Accra yesterday after a four-member delegation from World Bank, led by the Country Director to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Pierre Laporte, paid a courtesy call on him.

The meeting, held in-camera was to discuss the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) project being funded from a World Bank loan of about $200 million, and other related matters.

The project is expected to improve risks associated with flooding and management of solid waste within the Odaw River Basin in the Greater Accra Region, identified as a key area prone to flooding.

It was expected to have commenced in 2020 and end in 2025, but, it could not take off fully due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The President has mentioned that the provision of affordable housing is a priority of his administration, especially for his last term. We have identified an institutional gap in that sector.

"So far, we do not have a clearly defined institutional framework that will plan and guide the development of affordable projects in Ghana. That is why we have proposed the establishment of this institution," Mr Asenso-Boakye said.

He recounted that former President John A. Kufuor initiated the affordable housing programme in the country, but it was discontinued after he left office and replaced with another programme which came with its own challenges.

To ensure such housing programmes were streamlined, he said, steps were currently being taken to draft the legislation for the establishment of both its authority and fund.

When set up, he said, the fund would help raise some resourcesto absorb the cost of affordable housing projects to make them really affordable for the ordinary people.

Mr Asenso-Boakye expressed the hope that the country would receive the technical and other support from the bank to address the teething problems that had lingered on for years.

He said the support of the World Bank was being sought to address flooding challenges in other parts of the country, including Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region, by expanding the GARID project.

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The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency in the Ashanti Region, said the issue of slum development across the country was also discussed at the meeting.

"There is a growing menace of slum development in the country. It is part of the GARID project. We are looking at ways the World Bank can support us to redevelop slum communities," he said.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Ministry said at the meeting, Mr Laporte assured the government of its support for the GARID project and other flood mitigation projects being implemented in the country.

"The World Bank is committed to supporting government's efforts at mitigating flooding and its negative impacts on the people of Ghana. I appreciate your dynamism and commitment as a minister and trust that we can work together to find a lasting solution to flooding and sanitation challenges in the country," he said.
Leading ROV specialist, HPR ROV, has signed an exclusive two-year agreement with Saudi-based Intelligent Energy Services (i-Energy).

The agreement, which reflects the Aberdeenshire companys international growth strategy, will see i-Energy act as exclusive agents for HPR ROV in the region, enabling the firm to offer its full suite of specialised ROV systems to the Middle East marketplace.

Offering a catalogue of ROV systems and predominantly known for its unique micro ROV capabilities, HPR ROV has worked on an array of projects with tier one operators and service companies for inspection scopes in the North Sea, Central Asia and West Africa. Its cost-effective solutions have also seen the company complete a number of late life asset management work scopes within the UK decommissioning sector.

The agreement with i-Energy, a leading provider of drilling tools, completion equipment, and plug and abandonment solutions, provides HPR ROV with 12,000 sq m premises that includes office warehouse and yard facilities in Dammams second industrial city.

Business Development Manager for HPR ROV, Christian Hingley, said: The partnership with i-Energy is a great fit for HPR ROV, as the region is an area of growth for us, especially for our expertise in underwater inspection in lieu of dry docking (UWILD).

i-Energy has a fantastic reputation in the region for providing innovative products and services to the energy sector. This agreement is a mutually beneficial collaboration that brings together two ambitious companies, enhancing our respective capabilities.

Abdulrhaman Algosaibi, Managing Director of Intelligent Energy Services. Co. Ltd, said: We are delighted to have HPR ROV as part of the team at i-Energy Saudi Arabia, and look forward to a successful future working together." -- Tradearabia News Service
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 16:25:25|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday as investor sentiment was dented by a rise in long-term U.S. Treasury yields which sent U.S. stocks lower overnight.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 253.90 points, or 0.86 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 29,178.80 on the final trading day of fiscal 2020.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 23.86 points, or 1.21 percent, to finish at 1,954.00.

Bank, rubber product and consumer credit issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play. Enditem
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack on a town in northern Mozambique last week. As per a statement issued on official media channels, Isis claimed that the insurgents have killed more than 55 members of local security forces and Christians. Official buildings and banks have also been destroyed. According to the reports by The Guardian, the total death toll remains unclear as of now.

Current situation in Mozambique

According to the SITE extremist monitoring group, while claiming responsibility for the attack, ISIS said that it was carried out by the Islamic State Central Africa Province. According to the rebel claim, the insurgents now control Palmas banks, government offices, factories and army barracks. Also, more than 55 people, including Mozambican army troops, Christians and foreigners were killed. Further detail on the dead was not provided.

Director of the Dyck Advisory Group, which is a private military company contracted by the Mozambican police to help fight the rebels, Lionel Dyck said, There is fighting in the streets, in pockets across the town. He added, My guys are airborne and theyve engaged several little groups and theyve engaged one quite large group. Theyve landed into the fight to recover a couple of wounded policemen. ... We have also rescued many people who were trapped, 220 people at last count.

He further told that those who were rescued were taken to Totals fortified site on the southern African countrys Afungi peninsula. This is where chartered flights flew many south to Pemba, which is the capital of Cabo Delgado province. Dyck also told that the rebels are well-armed. They are carrying AK-47 automatic rifles, RPD and PKM machine guns and heavy mortars.

(This satellite photo from Planet Labs Inc. shows the Amarula Palma hotel, centre, with its helipad below left, in Palma, Mozambique, on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. An estimated 200 Mozambicans and foreign workers had been sheltering at the hotel but by Monday, March 29, 2021, the hotel was empty as fierce fighting for control of Mozambique's strategic northern town of Palma persisted into its sixth day with heavily armed rebels fighting army, police and a private military outfit in several spots. Image Credits: AP)

The attack not being a surprise to him, Dyck said, Weve been expecting Palma to be whacked the moment the rains stopped and the fighting season started, which is now. He added, They have been preparing for this. Theyve had enough time to get their ducks in a row. They have a notch up in their ability. Theyre more aggressive. Theyre using their mortars. There have been lots of beheadings. Right up on day one, our guys saw the drivers of trucks bringing rations to Palma. Their bodies were by the trucks. Their heads were off.

Palma is the centre of a multi-billion dollar investment by Total, which is a France-based oil and gas company. This is to extract liquified natural gas from offshore sites in the Indian Ocean. The gas deposits are among the worlds largest. The investment by Total and others is reported to be $20 billion, which is one of the largest in Africa.

(Image Credits: AP)
TAMPA, Fla., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OPSWAT, the leader in Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) cybersecurity solutions, today announced it has secured a $125 million growth investment from Brighton Park Capital ("Brighton Park"), a research-driven investment firm that specializes in growth-stage software, information services, and technology-enabled business services.

"With a strong foundation and global organization in place, today's announcement marks a new era at OPSWAT." Tweet this (PRNewsfoto/OPSWAT)

With close to 400 employees and 10 global offices, OPSWAT is trusted by more than 1,000 organizations across 70 countries for providing comprehensive and scalable cybersecurity solutions to protect against malware and zero-day attacks. The Company's innovative, modular suite of products addresses eight critical cybersecurity use cases, including cross-domain solutions, file upload security, malware analysis, email security, storage security, secure access, and developer tools.

OPSWAT achieved record sales in 2020 and continues to see ever-increasing demand for its critical infrastructure solutions due to increased frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, as well as heightened global compliance requirements. In December 2020, the Company relocated its corporate headquarters to Tampa, Florida and plans to hire 100 employees in Tampa over the next three years.

OPSWAT will use the new capital to accelerate its rapid growth, with a focus on additional global expansion of sales, marketing, customer success and business operations. The Company will also continue robust investment in R&D innovation and pursue strategic acquisitions.

"We're thrilled to have Brighton Park as a strategic, growth-focused partner and look forward to benefiting from their proven sector expertise as we advance our mission to protect the world's mission-critical infrastructure," said Benny Czarny, Founder and CEO of OPSWAT. "With a strong foundation and global organization in place, today's announcement marks a new era at OPSWAT, and wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and hard work by our exceptional and growing team. We are excited to partner with the Brighton Park team as we capitalize on the substantial opportunities ahead."

"OPSWAT's portfolio of innovative solutions addresses the critical need for cybersecurity protection, particularly as the shift to remote and digital channels continues to accelerate," said Mike Gregoire, Partner at Brighton Park. "As the clear market leader, OPSWAT has a strong reputation for solving some of the most complex challenges faced by modern enterprises. We have tremendous respect for Benny and the world-class OPSWAT team and look forward to partnering with them as we support the Company's next phase of growth."

Additional recent company highlights include:

Expanding OPSWAT's channel partner program to cover more than 40 countries worldwide, along with new tools, program structure and talent to enhance global sales, marketing and customer support capabilities.

Enhancing cybersecurity training through multiple additions to the OPSWAT Academy covering critical infrastructure topics and specialized courses on managing technical integrations with popular technologies.

Driving R&D innovation through ongoing enhancements to industry-leading technologies, including Deep CDR, Multiscanning, Proactive DLP and Endpoint Compliance.

Cowen acted as an exclusive financial advisor to OPSWAT and Goodwin acted as legal advisor. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison served as legal advisor to Brighton Park Capital.

About OPSWAT

OPSWAT is a global leader in critical infrastructure cybersecurity that helps protect the world's mission-critical organizations from malware and zero-day attacks. To minimize the risk of compromise, OPSWAT Critical Infrastructure Protection solutions enable both public and private organizations to implement processes that ensure the secure transfer of files and devices to and from critical networks. More than 1,000 organizations worldwide spanning Financial Services, Defense, Manufacturing, Energy, Aerospace, and Transportation Systems trust OPSWAT to secure their files and devices; ensure compliance with industry and government-driven policies and regulations, and protect their reputation, finances, employees and relationships from cyber-driven disruption. For more information on OPSWAT, visit www.opswat.com .

About Brighton Park Capital

Brighton Park Capital is a Greenwich, Conn.-based investment firm that specializes in software, information services, technology-enabled services, and healthcare. The firm seeks to invest in companies that provide highly innovative solutions, partner with great management teams, and bring purpose-built, value-add capabilities that match the unique requirements of its companies. For more information about Brighton Park Capital, please visit www.bpc.com.

Media Contacts:

OPSWAT

Kat Lewis

Email: [email protected]

Brighton Park Capital

Jenny Gore/Emily Claffey/Julie Rudnick

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE OPSWAT

Related Links

https://www.opswat.com/


ANN ARBOR, MI  Eight Michigan lawmakers are the latest to call on Ron Weiser to resign from his position on the University of Michigan Board of Regents.

In a letter to the board Wednesday, House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski, D-Scio Township, said Weisers comments last week were not only terribly dangerous and inappropriate but damaging to the reputation of the university.

Weiser, the Michigan Republican Party chairman, has come under fire for comments he made during a North Oakland Republican Club event on March 26, when he called Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Attorney General 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.

Weiser also referenced the concept of assassination when asked what could be done about Republican U.S. Reps. Peter Meijer and Fred Upton, who voted in favor of impeaching former Republican President Donald Trump.

His choice of words and actions have betrayed the trust that was given to him when he was elected to the University of Michigan Board of Regents, Lasinski wrote. Its clear his comments do not reflect the values of the universitys board, faculty and student body. It is not possible for Ron Weiser to serve as the public face of a university that champions the pursuit of truth while also promoting misogynistic and violent language.

As a collective body of elected officials, we officially call on Ron Weiser to resign immediately from the University of Michigan Board of Regents, Lasinski wrote.

The letter was signed by Lasinski, House Democratic Floor Leader Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor; Reps. Alex Garza, D-Taylor; Abdullah Hammoud, D-Dearborn; Jim Ellison, D-Royal Oak; and Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township; as well as Senators Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit; and Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor.

The UM Board of Regents has called a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 2, to address recent events, which will center around Weisers comments, sources and other media reports say.

University of Michigan regents call special meeting after Ron Weisers controversial comments

Since those comments, many have called for Weiser to resign from his UM regent seat, including other UM regents, UMs Lecturers Employees Organization and leaders of the Congregations of Catholic Sisters in Michigan. Other officials spoke against his comments, including UM President Mark Schlissel, Board of Regents Chairwoman Denise Illitch, Provost Susan Collins and 21 deans at the university, but did not call on him to resign.

Weiser apologized for his comments in a March 27 statement and has since suspended his social media and email accounts due to threats of violence he said he has received in recent days.

Weisers comments made at the March 26 event were captured in a video shared on social media.

READ MORE:

Several University of Michigan deans condemn comments made by GOP chairman

Another group asks University of Michigan, GOP chair to resign after witches, assassination comments

Some University of Michigan regents call on Weiser to resign following three witches, assassination comments
Gov. Tom Wolfs administration said Tuesday it is offering new guidance to Pennsylvania schools related to COVID-19, allowing less distance between desks in classrooms.

The Wolf administration said it is hoping to help more schools resume in-person learning. The states new recommendations follow federal guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the administration said. The state is also advising schools they can close for shorter periods if new cases are identified.

Pennsylvanias Health and Education Departments issued a joint statement saying schools should keep students at least 3 feet apart in classrooms. Previously, schools were asked to keep kids 6 feet apart.

The states new recommendations and guidance take effect April 5.

Our updated recommendations bring us a step closer to a full return to in-person teaching and learning across Pennsylvania, Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega said in a statement. While recommendations on physical distancing, closures, and quarantines may have changed, the importance to adhering to all health and safety guidelines has not  it is imperative that we remain committed to protecting our students, teachers, and staff.

In recent weeks, state lawmakers have been growing increasingly impatient for all of Pennsylvanias public schools to move more quickly to in-person education. While the majority of schools are offering at least some face-to-face classes, a number of schools are fully remote.

As of Monday afternoon, the state Department of Education reports 27% of school districts, charter schools, technical schools and intermediate units are operating full in-person learning models. Some 42% of the states schools are in blended learning models. The remaining 32% are still using a fully remote instructional model.

With the new recommendations, state offers differing social distancing guidelines at varying school levels.

The health and education departments say elementary students can remain 3 feet apart. In middle and high schools, students should be at least 3 feet apart in counties with low and moderate community transmission of COVID-19, the administration said. In counties with substantial spread of the virus, middle and high school students should be 6 feet apart, state officials said.

There are now 35 counties showing substantial spread of the coronavirus, the Wolf administration said Monday. The Wolf administration uses three categories to gauge the transmission of COVID-19: low, moderate and substantial.

COVID-19 Response Director Wendy Braund said the Wolf administration continues to urge schools to monitor the level of transmission of the virus in determining how schools should operate.

We continue to encourage districts to use the to use the percent positivity in counties, as well as the number of cases in a school in the decision making process as we all work to keep Pennsylvania children safe and in school, she said in a statement.

Pennsylvania school districts have the authority to decide on their own about offering in-person classes, remote learning or a hybrid approach. Wolf has said its up to schools to decide which model to use.

The Wolf administration also said Tuesday schools can close for shorter periods when COVID-19 cases are detected. The recommended closures are based on community transmission.

The recommendation for closures to in-person learning in some instances is reduced from 3-7 day to 1-2 days. The longest recommended closures are now cut down from 14 days to 5 days. (The education departments recommendations are on its website.)

The state has reserved the first batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccines to teachers and school employees. More than 112,000 teachers and school staff have been vaccinated.

In a news conference Tuesday, Wolf said the vaccination of teachers should be finished within the next two days, which is ahead of schedule. Wolf has said teachers and school staff were being given the Johnson & Johnson vaccines as another step toward reopening more of Pennsylvanias schools.

More from PennLive

COVID-19 in Pa.: More than 5,000 new cases Tuesday, as Gov. Wolf touts vaccine rollout at HACC clinic

Pa. lawmaker wants to tie school district dollars to students return to the classroom
For Hot Girl Hair

Jenna Perry, 411 E. 9th St.; 646-719-1611

What is hot girl hair? Last year, Starface co-founder Julie Schott coined the term in direct reference to Jenna Perrys handiwork creating Bella Hadids honey blonde, a crisp, deep chocolate brown for Dua Lipa, and an auburn shade for Emily Ratajkowski. (Perry herself is a redhead, but she is equally adept across the whole light-to-dark spectrum; if she has taken you blonde recently, she may text you to make sure youre not feeling brunette yet.) Another client, Tory Burch photo director Cassie Coane, notes that Perrys work (from $200 for a single process) is unusually long-lasting. Before, I was getting my roots done every six weeks, but Jenna paints with such consideration I only really have to go every 2 months. And according to actress Lola Kirke, Jenna is not only the best colorist but the most well read  while youre in the chair, you may find her discussing Elaine Dundys The Dud Avocado, for example, or the works of Esther Perel.
Critics of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari have caused an outcry after he flew to London for a medical visit, highlighting his frequent trips abroad for treatment and the country's weak health system

Lagos, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Mar, 2021 ) :Critics of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari have caused an outcry after he flew to London for a medical visit, highlighting his frequent trips abroad for treatment and the country's weak health system.

Buhari, 78, has made several trips to London since he came to power in 2015 and was re-elected for another four-year term in 2019.

Although the nature of his ailment has never been made public, Buhari confessed in one of the trips that he had "never been so ill" and that he had received several blood transfusions.

His frequent visits for medical treatment have brought criticism about the government's transparency over his illness and worries about leadership during some of his longer absences.

In his latest visit to the British capital on Tuesday, the presidency said the retired general, who was military ruler in the 1980s, would be away for two weeks.

"He is due back in the country during the second week of April," his office said in a statement.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the trip, saying it was an indication that Nigeria's healthcare system had failed.

"It is indeed worrisome that under President Buhari, even the hitherto highly rated State House Clinic, has become so moribund that it cannot provide a simple medical checkup service for Mr. President," the PDP said in a statement.

The party said Buhari's frequent trips were a drain on the treasury.

"The PDP is disturbed that while Mr. President jets out for medical treatment in well-equipped hospitals abroad, our hospitals and medical personnel are in very sorry situation while millions of our compatriots suffer," it said.

Both local and social media were also full of outraged remarks by Nigerians over the trip.

Some in the Nigerian diaspora were planning protests in London against the president's visit, said activist Omoyele Sowore.

"We are totally appalled by it," he said of the latest medical visit. "He goes to London at the slightest provocation even when he has a headache." The latest London trip came just hours before a threatened strike by doctors in government hospitals over pay and inadequate facilities.

Buhari's health became a subject of debate ahead of the last election when the opposition claimed he was not physically fit to govern -- but Buhari won a second term.

In 2017, he temporarily handed over power to his vice president to allay fears over the government's leadership. But his absence provoked calls for him to return or resign.

The president's state of health became a sensitive subject in Nigeria after former leader Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, died in 2010 and it emerged that his ailment had been kept secret for months.
Colorado town refuses to take down veterans memorial after groups complain about its Christian message

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A Colorado town has refused to take down a veterans' memorial following complaints from a church-and-state watchdog group that's opposed to the monument because it includes a Christian message.

Last year, the Town of Monument had a veterans memorial erected in its official cemetery, which was designed by teenager Michael Carlson, an Eagle Scout, who raised some $46,000 in private donations for the project.

The memorial included a plaque that read, Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American soldier. One died for your soul, the other died for your freedom. We honor those who made freedom a reality.

The project recently garnered the attention of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which argued that the memorial was a violation of the separation of church and state.

The First Liberty Institute, which is representing the Town of Monument, sent a letter to MRFF President Mikey Weinstein on Monday, explaining that the town refuses to remove the memorial.

Signed by First Liberty Senior Counsel Stephanie N. Taub and Town of Monument attorney Andrew Richey, the letter explained the background of the veterans memorial.

Eagle Scout Michael Carlson spent almost two years raising private donations for a memorial to honor veterans like his father, reads the letter, in part.

Your letters and public communications to the media seek to disparage his efforts and the private speech of this 16-year-old resident of the Town of Monument.

The attorneys labeled Weinsteins rhetoric against the memorial as an attack on a minor and profoundly disrespectful, adding that the memorial was privately designed, privately maintained, and located on private burial plots in Monument Cemetery.

The Town of Monument appreciates all efforts by members of our community, including the Boy Scouts, to honor our veterans. We respectfully request that you issue an immediate apology to Michael Carlson and his family, stated the letter.

In response to the First Liberty letter, Weinstein told the Colorado Springs Indy that he considered the letter preposterous, adding that he and his organization have no issue with the Boy Scout.

We have issues with the Boy Scout troop and the town of Monument, and government dollars being used to place it and maintain it, said Weinstein, as reported by the Indy.

Weinstein also took issue with the memorial using the logos of various military branches, questioning whether they were legally used, given they are trademarked images.

The veterans memorial was completed last September, with a ceremony being held Oct. 3 that featured other scouts and leaders of Boy Scout Troop 8 of St. Matthias Episcopal Church.

In addition to the religious statement, the memorial features a crescent stonewall, a flagpole, a marker thanking donors to the project, and a Battlefield Cross sculpture.

Also called the Fallen Soldier Battle Cross, the sculpture features a pair of combat boots, a rifle placed upright and a combat helmet on the end of the barrel.

A story by the Tribune at the time of the October ceremony said Monument helped to clear out and dig up the space for the memorial, with it being considered gifted to the Town.

Michael saw veterans were underrepresented here. He didnt go to the government and say Fix this. He decided to fix it himself and asked the government to help, Mayor Don Wilson told the Tribune at the time. His leadership and patriotism has bettered our community.

Some local residents took issue with the memorial's religious content and contacted the MRFF, which sent a letter of complaint to the mayor.

Days later, Americans United for Separation of Church & State joined the MRFF in denouncing the memorial, sending its own letter to local officials.

Displaying a message that indicates that the Town is affiliated with a Christian belief unmistakably sends the message that the Town favors those who follow its preferred religion and that members of other faiths and nonbelievers will be treated differently, stated Americans United.

It is also profoundly disrespectful to the Towns fallen non-Christian veterans and a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st March, 2021) A grenade exploded in the hands of a man in the north of Syria's capital of Damascus, leaving him killed and seven passers-by injured, the Syrian Ministry of Interior said.

"The grenade exploded in the hands of Kosai Isa when he was walking down the street in the Rukn Al-Deen area," the ministry wrote on Facebook.

The owner of the grenade died, and seven citizens who were present in the area were hospitalized after sustaining injuries. Investigation is ongoing.
German auto major on Wednesday commenced bookings for the second batch of its SUV T-Roc in India priced at Rs 21.35 lakh (ex-showroom) as part of its plans to launch four in the country this year.

Passenger Cars India said customer deliveries of the T-Roc will start from May 2021.

The company plans to launch its SUVs, Taigun, new Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and the T-Roc, all based onthe MQB platform this year in India.

Customers can now book the SUV T-Roc, through the company's online retail platform or dealership network across India, Passenger Cars India Brand Director Ashish Gupta said in a statement.

He further said customers can register their interest for the Volkswagen Taigun and the New Tiguan.

"2021 is a significant year for and with this announcement, we are a step closer to fulfilling our commitment of delivering 4- by the end of 2021," Gupta said.

The T-Roc is powered by 1.5-litre TSI engine mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission, while the seven seater Tiguan Allspace is equipped with a 2-litre TSI engine, with a 7-speed DSG transmission with paddle shifts.

The company said its Taigun SUV will be up to 95 per cent localised and has two engine options of 1-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI and three transmissions options.

New Tiguan, will be powered by a 2-litre TSI engine delivering a peak power of 190PS.

Volkswagen said all the four come equipped with advanced safety features. While the New Taigun and the new Tiguan will be equipped with up to 6-airbags, ESC (electronic stability control), 3 head-rest at rear, T-Roc will be equipped with 6-airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system), ESC, tyre pressure monitoring system and reverse camera.

Tiguan Allspace will offer 8-airbags, ABS and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) amongst others.

(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.)
Greenville University

GREENVILLE  Greenville University and St. Johns College of Nursing in Springfield have made their nursing education partnership official.

Greenville University began working on a partnership with St. Johns College of Nursing in 2019 as prospective student demand for a nursing program increased. Greenville University President Suzanne Davis and St. Johns College of Nursing Chancellor Charlene Aaron have signed the necessary documents and said they are excited about the partnership.
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quality System Consultants, a leading medical device quality consulting firm, was named number seven in quality leadership by Quality Magazine for 2021.

Quality System Consultants

Noting the immense difficulty and rapid changes that 2020 brought with it, Quality Magazine argued that achieving high levels of quality was exceptionally difficult this year. Under normal circumstances, maintaining consistent quality standards is a challenge that often requires multiple facets of a company to cooperate to achieve those standards. In 2020, however, a rapid transition to remote work, disrupted medical supply chains, and immediate new demands for worker and patient safety all made the task much more difficult.

BNP Media, the publishers of Quality Magazine, conducted a nationwide survey for quality leadership. They considered factors including contribution of quality to company profitability, the dedication that individual companies had to ensuring their employees received adequate quality training, and quality costs as a percentage of sales.

"Clients continue to see that we're able to adapt to changing circumstances and that we're committed to finding new ways to deliver profitability and value," said Paul Schwartz, the president of Quality System Consultants, about the recognition. Quality System Consultants won the same recognition in 2019. The Company claims that the continued success is due to Quality System Consultants' focus on brining simplicity and clarity to quality systems. "Many times, consultants muddy the waters, either because they have difficulty explaining what needs to be done or because it creates more work to justify their budgets. Clients don't want that. They're looking for partners who will think carefully about issues that impact the bottom line and who will then find permanent solutions to those issues."

About Quality Magazine:

Quality Magazine is the world's largest and most comprehensive integrated media resource focusing on quality assurance and process improvement for manufacturing professionals. Published by BNP Media, Quality Magazine boasts a circulation to approximately 30,000 quality professionals and hosts a number of in-person and remote events for the industry.

Read the article www.qualitymag.com.

About Quality System Consultants:

Quality System Consultants is an accomplished and successful consulting firm helping medical device companies in a broad range of initiatives. They have experience developing and maintaining quality systems and are committed to the relentless improvement of their clients' regulatory systems. Quality System Consultants helps both startups and established firms improve efficiency and deliver product to market quickly.

Visit www.qualitysystemconsultants.com for more information or call (408) 410-7343.

Media Contact:

Paul Schwartz

(408) 410-7343

[email protected]

SOURCE Quality System Consultants
Epazz DeskFlex room scheduling software launches a vaccine management solution to simplify COVID-19 vaccination tracking in the workplace

Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - EPAZZ Inc. DeskFlex (OTC Pink: EPAZ), a leading provider of cloud-based, mission-critical software solutions, announced today the launching of the DeskFlex's Vaccine Management solution for COVID vaccination initiatives among businesses and organizations.

At present, three (3) vaccines are FDA-approved and recommended to prevent contracting the virus. These include the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Moderna vaccine, and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine. With mass vaccination activities aiming to vaccinate at least 70% of the total population, several businesses and companies are doing their part in speeding up and tracking vaccination efforts among their staff and team members.

The DeskFlex Vaccine Management solution is one of its COVID compliant features that allow employees to notify the company about their vaccination status against the COVID-19 virus. It monitors and tracks the employees' vaccination history and their subsequent scheduled doses. It allows their team members to upload vaccination certificates to the system. It is an essential software feature to support contact tracing and uphold safety protocols in the workplace.

According to Shaun Passley, Ph.D., Chairman, and CEO of Epazz, Inc.,

"DeskFlex vaccine management solution will further secure the workplace and schools from COVID-19 infections. When administrators identify those who haven't had the vaccine, they can make the appropriate decisions for the good of the majority."

DeskFlex vaccine management software will remind the staff of their following vaccination schedule or upcoming booster shots by sending out email and text notifications. The system keeps accurate and updated details on the Vaccination Date, Vaccination Type, Required Booster Shot, Schedule of Booster Shot, Completed Booster Shot, and Date of Booster Shot Completion.

Using DeskFlex's vaccine management solution, the company admins can manage their workforce well. With the employees' submitted vaccination certificates, they can purposefully decide whether to revisit their health and safety protocols in the workplace and change their operations management.

DeskFlex's vaccine management software aims to reinforce every workplace's health and safety measures. DeskFlex desk booking software solution takes pride in providing industries with innovative COVID-compliant software features. Among the COVID-compliant features include Dynamic Scheduling, Capacity Limits, Manage Survey, Visitor Management, Bluetooth Beacons, Automatic Desk Sanitation, Contactless Room Displays, and many more.

About DeskFlex.com

DeskFlex is a desk booking solution and room reservation software useful in booking conference rooms, meeting rooms, workspaces, desks, car parking spaces, and office equipment. DeskFlex meeting room scheduling system helps office managers accommodate remote workers' time in the office, reducing rent and facility costs. DeskFlex lets employees reserve desks in advance or claim desks right away. It adjusts the telephone switch (PBX), so calls ring at the "desk du jour." DeskFlex includes check-in, point-and-click floor maps, a web browser, a local kiosk, Outlook integration, and conference room scheduling.

About Epazz, Inc. (www.epazz.com)

Epazz, Inc., is a leading cloud-based software company that specializes in providing customized cloud applications to the corporate world, higher-education institutions, and the public sector. Epazz BoxesOS" v3.0 is a complete web-based software package for small- to mid-size businesses, Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies, and higher education institutions. BoxesOS provides many of the web-based applications organizations would otherwise need to purchase separately. Epazz's other products are K9Sky.com kennel software and the Provitrac applicant tracking system.

SAFE HARBOR

This is the "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: certain statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," and "continue" (or the negation thereof) or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results or those implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Epazz, Inc. assumes no obligation and has no intention of updating these forward-looking statements. It has no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Epazz, Inc. Investors are encouraged to review Epazz, Inc.'s public filings on SEC.gov and otcmarkets.com, including its unaudited and audited financial statements and its OTC market filings, which contain general business information about the company's operations, results of operations, and risks associated with the company and its operations.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact

Investor Relations

investors@epazz.net

(312) 955-8161

www.epazz.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/78991
Ethiopian Airlines, Africas leading airline, has transported 1,056,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in a single flight.

Ethiopian transported the vaccines in six envirotainers from Beijing to Harare via Addis Ababa and arrived in Harare on March 31.

Ethiopian has also transported 300,000 vaccines donated by the Chinese Government to Ethiopia. The vaccine delivery flight arrived on March 30 at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Regarding the shipment of the vaccines, Ethiopian Airline Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said: Today, we have delivered more than 1 million vaccine doses to Harare, Zimbabwe, which is indicative of our commitment to collaborate with African governments at this critical time so that Africans get access to vaccines in due time. Our efficiency in cargo transportation is growing from time to time enabling us to reach as many countries as possible. We are desirous of reaching every corner of the world with our dependable freight service.

The airline is determined to enhance its commitment to curb the spread of the pandemic, working in collaboration with governments and humanitarian organisations across the world.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has been chosen as a Humanitarian Air Hub for the distribution of medical supplies for Africa. Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has Africas largest cargo terminal and technologically equipped facility dubbed Pharma Wing to store and ship time sensitive pharmaceuticals including vaccines. - TradeArabia News Service
This pandemic has changed every single aspect of our lives and our healthcare system is no different.

With the introduction of social-distancing, remote working and extended lockdowns, health and social care workers had to adapt how they complete their everyday tasks to keep vital services running.

To find out more we caught up with Paul Duffy, Co-Director of IT and Telecommunications at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Frank ODonnell, Public Sector Lead with Microsoft Ireland, to talk about the monumental impact Covid-19 has had on the healthcare sector and how virtual consultations became a much-needed lifeline.

A virtual lifeline

Belfast Trust is the largest integrated health and social care trust in the United Kingdom, employing 23,000 people who help treat over 340,000 patients across more than 100 hospital and facilities in Northern Ireland. When Covid-19 hit last March, they realised their everyday processes would have to change.

Everyone across healthcare faces the same challenges, and this period has made things more difficult and dangerous than ever, Paul explains. We knew Covid-19 was coming since last January. We thought as long as we could do our jobs two meters apart, we could still put patients first  that was the culture of our organisation at the time.

But the minute lockdown started in March last year, we needed a new solution. A way to still get together and make decisions, and if anything, make them faster than weve ever had to before. For us, that was Microsoft Teams.

Responding to a global crisis

Thankfully, Belfast Trust had begun a cloud-first digital transformation back in 2018. During that year they started implementing Microsoft 365 across the organisation and trialling new innovative ways of working, like using Microsoft Teams for virtual consultations.

We worked closely to support the Trusts response, along with our partners, and provided tools to give the best insights to help inform decision making at senior levels, explains Frank ODonnell, Public Sector Lead with Microsoft Ireland.

With nearly 5,000 clinics to align to this new way of working and a variety of security and data regulations to meet, the project team had to move gradually  planning a significant multi-year change management and adoption programme before moving ahead. Then Covid-19 hit, and timings went out the window.

Fortunately, the hard work had already been done before Covid-19, so we were ready to implement Teams when the time came, Paul states. The fact that it was cloud based made it a real winner  an instant way to support meetings from home and make sure important decisions werent delayed. And with integration into other Microsoft 365 tools, we could easily manage a range of devices remotely and always align with our own governance and security regulations.

With everyone already starting to work from home we didnt have time for the roll-out we planned, so our first job was making sure Teams was the only platform everyone was using across Belfast Trust.

A digital roll-out for remote working

Staff across Belfast Trust used a specially-created Power App to choose relevant training sessions and to attend them through Microsoft Teams, helping show not only how team meetings could continue online, but also how live events, such as patient support groups, could be adapted during the lockdown.

By May we had it all delivered, helping prepare us for the peak period over the summer, explains Keren Moleon, Systems Specialist at Belfast Trust. Overnight people didnt need ITs help anymore  and were instead asking us for more features.

Continuing patient care from a distance

With strict social distancing rules now in place, Belfast Trust needed to help support patients remotely and continue providing face-to-face care in a secure way.

Belfast Trust worked with Microsoft and PA Consulting to evolve this into a more scalable solution that is integrated through the Trusts Microsoft 365 platform, including automations to collect patient information and record consultations, with all data securely stored in the hospitals Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system.

Starting with a focus on patient care, the work we carried out with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust provides a compelling example of how using the right technology in the right way can have a significant positive and sustainable impact on the delivery of that care, explains Andrew Jaminson, Partner at PA Consulting. In addition to providing an alternative way for care to continue from a distance during COVID-19, it has set a framework to provide service users with additional choice and a better experience, setting new service expectations for both patients and clinicians, in a way which will last for many years to come.

Weve already had success using this new system within our paediatric neurosurgery, hepatology liver transplant, adult neurology and thoracic sleep medicine clinic and now were in the process of rolling it out across the rest of our organisation, Keren states proudly.

Many of our patients actually prefer these virtual consultations as they can stay where they are. For us, knowing were delivering a service that is wrapped in a Microsoft security blanket will help us make Teams a more permanent part of our outpatients process in the future.

Changing patient healthcare forever

With Covid-19 putting digital dependence at front and centre of the healthcare sector, organisations like Belfast Trust are continuing to embrace technology and find new ways to help and treat patients. Its a shift that has changed the people as well as the trust and is something Paul Duffy doesnt think will stop there.

Now that weve embraced digital as far as communication and decision making is concerned, theres no going back, he states.

Its like that old World War poster, Daddy, what did you do in the war?  I want our team to feel very proud of what we did to contribute to healthcare during this period. Were not directly saving lives like people on the frontline, but take away Microsoft Teams, and our response as an organisation would have been very different.

Helping health systems across the island of Ireland to adapt and ultimately digitally transform their services, will future proof patient delivery for years to come, concluded Frank.
Phuket Immigration: Extend COVID visas early to avoid rush

PHUKET: The Phuket Immigration Office has called for all foreigners staying on 60-day COVID visas to extend them early to avoid overloading the office with last-minute applications, as experienced last week.

immigrationCOVID-19

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 31 March 2021, 04:43PM

Photo: The Phuket News

The call follows surreal scenes at the main Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town last Thursday (Mar 25), when scores of foreigners arrived en masse to have their 60-day so-called COVID visas extended so they could continue their stay in the country.

The call for foreigners to extend their 60-day visas early also follows Immigration Bureau Commission Lt Gen Somphong Chingduang yesterday (Mar 30) issuing a notice to all immigration offices in the country to continue extending 60-day COVID visas until at least May 29.

Since currently, the Coronavirus Disease or COVID-19 pandemic is spreading around the globe while Thailand is facing second waves of the outbreak, affecting the departure from Thailand and the foreigners staying within the Kingdom. Hence, it is approved for an extension of stay in accordance with the notice mentioned above until 29 May 2021, the notice said.

An officer at Phuket Immigration who asked to be called only Inspector Kratae told The Phuket News today, The COVID visa can be extended early within 45 days before the expiry date, just like other visas, but I would like people to come only one to two weeks early because we may need a couple of days to process the extension for some foreigners.

We are worried about making sure their reported address and the address of their current accommodation matches, she said.

Additionally, foreigners have to check the expiry date on their passport, as we cannot extend the visa beyond the passports expiry date. They also have to check if their passports have blank space for the stamp because we cannot extend their visa if their passports are full. They need a new passport, Ms Kratae added.

We have to face these problems very often, so please check your passport and contact your embassy or consulate to renew as necessary, she explained.

To prevent congestion at the office, please make a booking through the QueQ app before coming to the office, so you do not have to wait for a long time [to be served], she said.

In the QueQ app (available via Google Play and the App Store), Phuket Immigration is listed under the Banks / Service section.

As there is no Extend COVID Visa option available through the booking app, Ms Kratae advised people to select Certification or request by an embassy.

Please confirm your booking when you receive the second alert through the app, otherwise the app will dismiss the queue booking you made, she warned.

I will ask my commander to add a new option for COVID visa extension later, she said.

Another officer The Phuket News spoke to also urged foreigners to not leave their visa renewals to the last-minute, in the hope of getting the maximum number days stay.

People should come to renew their visas early, especially people staying on COVID visas. There is no need to panic. The global pandemic situation is still a long way from being resolved, and we will keep issuing these 60-day [COVID] visas until the situation improves, he said.
Guwahati, March 31 : The stage is all set for the second phase of Assembly elections in BJP-ruled Assam on Thursday for 39 of the 126 Assembly constituencies where the electoral fate of 345 candidates, including 26 women aspirants, will be decided.

The over a month-long hectic campaigning ended on Tuesday for the seats located mostly in central and southern Assam, and comprising six reserved for Scheduled Tribes and five for Scheduled Castes.

Assam Chief Electoral Officer Nitin Khade said that all preparations have been completed to conduct free, fair, peaceful and smooth elections on Thursday, when 73,44,631 voters, including 36,09,959 women, are eligible to cast their votes across 10,592 polling stations including 556 all women managed polling stations.

Khade told the media that the electorate comprises 89,875 voters aged 80 years and above and 90,000 first time voters.

Around 31,000 Central Armed Police Force personnel, along with thousands of state security force personnel, have been deployed to maintain law and order during this phase in which 42,368 polling personnel are engaged.

Of the 39 seats, 15 fall in southern Assam's Barak Valley region, comprising three districts -- Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakhandhi -- mostly dominated by Bengali-speaking people. In 2016, the BJP had bagged eight of these, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) four and Congress three.

In the Thursday's balloting, the electoral fate of several Assam Ministers including Fisheries, Excise, Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Piyush Hazarika, state Irrigation Minister Bhabesh Kalita and Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar will be decided.

Suklabaidya is contesting from the Dholai seat for the seventh time on a BJP ticket, Hazarika from Jagiroad and Kalita from Rangia. Former Congress Minister Gautam Roy is contesting from Katigorah on a BJP ticket, while former Deputy Speaker Dilip Kumar Paul, who resigned from the BJP after he was denied ticket and was subsequently expelled, is contesting as an Independent from Silchar constituency.

The third and final phase would be held in 40 seats on April 6. Results will be declared on May 2.

Nearly 80 per cent of 8,109,815 voters cast their votes on Saturday in the first phase conducted in 47 constituencies.

In the month-long hectic election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan campaigned for party candidates.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, party spokesman Gourav Vallabh and General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala were among the central leaders who campaigned for their party candidates.

In the elections, the BJP is highlighting the "perfect NRC (National Register of Citizens)" while the main opposition Congress has given top priority to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, even as both the national parties have common issues of empowerment of women, jobs to youth and protecting the Assamese culture.

After the Bodoland Territorial Council polls in December last year, the BJP had forged an alliance with the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) and the Gana Suraksha Party (GSP), discarding its old ally Bodoland People's Front (BPF). The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) remains an ally.

To take on the BJP , the Congress, which governed Assam for 15 consecutive years (2001-2016), formed a 10-party 'Mahajot' (grand alliance), also comprising three Left parties -- the CPI-M, the CPI and the CPI-ML, along with the AIUDF, the Anchalik Gana Morcha, the BPF, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and two community-based parties -- the Jimochayan (Deori) People's Party and Adivasi National Party.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
(Natural News) Dr. Michael Yeadon is sounding the alarm about how Big Government and Big Pharma are up to no good with their joint campaign to mass inject the planet for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

The former Pfizer executive told Americas Frontline Doctors (AFLDS) the other day that the Chinese virus vaccination agenda is pure evil, adding that the madness surrounding its aggressive push amounts to crimes against humanity with the intent purpose of massive-scale depopulation.

Dr. Yeadons perspective aligns with that of Geert Vanden Bossche, a vaccine expert-turned-whistleblower associated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation who says Wuhan flu shots are bringing about a global catastrophe without equal.

Because these so-called vaccines are not truly vaccines in a definitional sense  Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections are experimental gene therapy  Bossche says they will foster and promote the spread of new dangerous variants of the Chinese virus that will cause more misery and death.

This is true both for the injected and the non-injected, meaning those who get syringed for protection against Chinese germs are walking carriers of disease who represent a public health threat to everyone they encounter.

Bossche wants the Chinese virus vaccination campaigns to end immediately, though he is pushing for another kind of vaccination as a replacement. This is where he and Dr. Yeadon deviate as the latter does not believe that vaccination of any kind is the answer.

I think the Geert Vanden Bossche story is highly suspect, Dr. Yeadon is quoted as saying. There is no evidence at all that vaccination is leading or will lead to dangerous variants. I am worried that its some kind of trick.

Dr. Yeadon says Chinese virus shots are pathogenically priming the injected for sudden death from cytokine storms

Back in December, Dr. Yeadon, a British national, filed a petition with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to immediately halt all testing on experimental Wuhan flu injections due to widespread safety concerns.

One of Dr. Yeadons biggest concerns is that the jabs are inducing pathogenic priming in recipients, which will ultimately lead to an exaggerated immune reaction, especially when the test person is confronted with the real, wild virus after vaccination.

Also known as a cytokine storm, this exaggerated immune response is often deadly. What happens is that a vaccinated person encounters a real-life virus or bacteria that, because of the prior injection, results in his or her immune system going haywire in an attempt to destroy it.

Instead of going after the pathogen, though, a cytokine response goes after the persons body, much like an autoimmune disease. Depending on the persons susceptibility, the end result could be anything from amplified disease manifestation to sudden death.

AFLDS recognizes this reality as well, which is why it has issued warnings about this dangerous reaction. Because such reactions are difficult to prove, according to AFLDS, many doctors will simply categorize them as a worse virus or a more dangerous variant.

Dr. Yeadon and AFLDS are in agreement that there is absolutely no need for Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines. As a result, they are warning everyone who will listen not to get injected under any circumstances.

PLEASE warn every person not to go near top up vaccines, Dr. Yeadon says. There is absolutely no need for them.

I have absolutely no doubt that we are in the presence of evil (not a determination Ive ever made before in a 40-year research career) and dangerous products, Dr. Yeadon bravely revealed in the public interview.

There is no medical rationale for it.

More stories about the injuries and deaths being caused by Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Dr. Jamelie Kangles Johns, assistant principal at Nolan Elementary School, has been selected as the 2021 National Outstanding Assistant Principal from Tennessee by the National Outstanding Assistant Principals Program. Dr. Johns has been the assistant principal at Nolan Elementary School since 2018.

Dr. Johns was recognized because of her commitment to enhancing the culture of Nolan Elementary while also supporting students, staff and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and recently completed her doctorate degree at Carson Newman University. Dr. Johns also served on curriculum, standards, and assessment committees for the Tennessee Department of Education.



Dr. Johns is an exemplary leader, and we are proud her efforts have received this level of recognition, said Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. Ensuring great teachers and leaders are in all of our school buildings is a key focus in our strategic plan, and Dr. Johns has set a great precedent for leadership in Hamilton County Schools.

The National Outstanding Assistant Principals Program, sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), recognizes excellence in elementary and middle level Assistant Principals school leadership. Dr. Johns will have the opportunity to attend the NAESP National Conference in Chicago in July, where she will be recognized as Tennessees 2021 National Outstanding Assistant Principal.
It has been more than a year since 8-year-old Nathan Gomez Moreno-Covington has seen his teacher or classmates.

His father, Patrick Moreno-Covington, said he has not felt comfortable sending Nathan back to campus while the rate of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations remained high. He wants Nathan to be able to see his elderly grandparents, and learning from home has given him more opportunities to bond with his son.

Still, there are things that Nathan misses, like the playground, talking to friends or just walking around the school. He sees his classmates on his computer screen and yearns to be with them.

I just feel like I want to be like them, he said, but I also dont want to get the virus at the same time.

Nathan is among 35,127 students in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and hundreds of thousands of students across Greater Houston whose parents opted to keep at home for the fourth and final grading period of the 2020-21 school year. Many of those students have not been inside a classroom since schools closed last March to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Nearly 250,000 students in 18 districts are learning from home in the final grading period, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of school district attendance data. Twenty-one districts responded to a Chronicle request for data, but only 18 were able to provide specific numbers for each grading period.

About 475,000 students in the 18 districts are back in schools. Among the 21 districts that responded to the Chronicles request, an average of about 75 percent of students were learning in person on campuses.

Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Those numbers vary widely from district to district. Only about 42 percent of Houston ISD students were back on campus by the fourth grading period, for example, while nearly 97 percent of students in Deer Park ISD have returned.

Statewide data from the TEA shows that districts that serve larger shares of Black and Hispanic students had fewer coming back for in-person classes. In districts where 10 percent or less of students were Black or Hispanic, about 80 percent of students returned, but in districts where 90 to 100 percent of students were black, less than half came back for face-to-face instruction.

David DeMatthews, an associate professor of education leadership and policy at the University of Texas at Austin, said multiple studies have shown that Black and Hispanic communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, which often makes families of color more fearful of sending their students back to campuses.

Theyre more likely to know someone whos gotten the virus, gotten seriously ill from the virus or died from the virus, he said. A lot of parents are just concerned that if kids go back to school in those communities, the impact could be very real and immediate for those families.

Despite the varying attendance rates, one trend was clear among the 21 districts: More parents opted to send their children back for in-person instruction every time they were given the chance. The Texas Education Agency requires districts to give parents that opportunity each grading period.

Not a choice for some

A handful of districts  including Angleton, Dickinson and La Porte ISDs  saw a wave of students return in the third and fourth grading periods after administrators told parents that if their children were doing poorly online and did not have a compelling reason to stay home, they needed to return to their campuses.

The same happened in Deer Park ISD. The rate of students attending classes in-person jumped from 76.8 percent in December to 96.9 percent now.

Deer Park Elementary School started off the school year with about 60 percent of its student body on campus, Principal Whitney Rich said. That number grew to about 90 percent by December.

Rich credits that to calls she and other administrators made to virtual learners families, asking if they had questions about safety protocols or what they could do to make them feel more comfortable sending their kids back.

Most people were more comfortable after being able to talk personally to me, Rich said.

Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

DeMatthews at UT Austin said those relationships are key to bringing students back. If families know the teachers and school leaders, and trust they will do all they can to keep students and teachers safe, they will be more willing to go back to in-person learning.

It does not always work, however.

Katy Roede, chief of schools in Aldine ISD, said principals and teachers across the district have been calling virtual learners and their parents to implore them to come back to campus. While the percentage of students learning inside the North Houston districts schools rose from 33 percent to 56 percent now  an increase of 14,135 students  Roede had expected more would be back by now, especially with declines in hospitalizations and infections and the accelerating rate at which vaccines are being distributed.

I thought with that perfect storm of vaccine roll-out and our amazing leaders reaching out, I thought we would see more come back. But we didnt, Roede said. This year has taught me not to believe what I see or hear, apparently.

Staying home

Some parents have not needed nudging to send their children back to campus, but many still have concerns.

Luis Flores decided to send his sophomore son, Juan, back to Humble ISDs Kingwood Park High as soon as schools reopened last fall. Juan had struggled with virtual learning and was falling behind.

Flores said he knew going back would help Juan, but he was terrified his son would bring the virus home. His eldest son, Luis Flores Jr., a junior at the school, has severe asthma that has required hospitalization in the past.

That nightmare-scenario almost came true in January, when the school called Flores and said Juans best friend had contracted the virus and that his son would need to quarantine.

That was the toughest moment for me in all this time with COVID, Flores said. But even though they were together, he tested negative.

Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The episode bolstered Flores decision to keep Luis home. He decided to keep him home this grading period as well, even though Luis received his final vaccination on Tuesday. However, he plans to send him back in the fall for his senior year.

Moreno-Covington, whose 8-year-old Nathan has been learning virtually in Cy-Fair ISD, said he also will be more comfortable sending his son back in fall, especially if infection and hospital data continue to improve over the summer.

Nathan is excited at the prospect, and not just because he will get to see his friends and teachers again.

Now, instead of being in school inside a building, well go to school in portables. Id be excited to see what thats like, Nathan said. Plus, theyre right next to the playground.

shelby.webb@chron.com
Britain faces a lack of vaccine manufacturing bases which could hamper research into coronavirus and other diseases, an expert has warned.

Professor Adrian Hill, director of Oxford University's Jenner Institute, says the development of jabs is being held back because the country is 'very weak' when it comes to the manufacturing side of vaccines.

His warnings come as Britain faces challenges over the supply of vaccines from overseas factories, with India ordering a temporary stop to the export of the AstraZeneca vaccine, meaning supplies to the UK will likely fall during April.

Threats of export bans in Europe have also emerged amid a row over difficulties meeting delivery demands for the EU.

Professor Hill, whose institute developed the AstraZeneca jab after his colleague Professor Sarah Gilbert led the search for the vaccine, warns that ministers should offer more incentives for the production of jabs in the UK.

He told i news: 'The real problem in the UK is we don't have much industry doing vaccines.

Professor Hill added that, by revenue, British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline is the world's largest vaccine company, but 'none of that stuff is done in the UK'.

Professor Adrian Hill, director of Oxford University's Jenner Institute, says the development of jabs is being held back because the country is 'very weak' when it comes to the manufacturing side of vaccines

'It's done in Belgium, where they are headquartered for vaccines, the US and Italy, so that is terrible, it really is,' he said.

The manufacturing of the AstraZeneca jab has been contracted in Britain to Oxford Biomedica, in Oxford, and Staffordshire's Cobra Biologics.

A factory in Wrexham owned by an Indian company, Wockhardt, then bottles it.

But Britain does not have the capacity to produce either of the two other coronavirus vaccines which have been approved - the Moderna and Pfizer jabs, which are both made in the EU and imported to the UK.

'We do have contract manufacturing organisations, some of them are quite good, but they are there to service the biotech industry and not to design vaccines,' Professor Hill said.

GlaxoSmithKline has agreed in principle to handle the final part of the manufacturing process for up to 60 million doses of Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine for use in Britain, widening the company's role in the fight against the pandemic.

GSK said in a statement on Monday it would step in from May for the final production steps and bottling into vials known as 'fill and finish' at its Barnard Castle facility in the northeast of England, without compromising supply of other vital medicines and vaccines.

His warnings come as Britain faces challenges over the supply of vaccines from overseas factories, with India ordering a temporary stop to the export of the AstraZeneca vaccine, meaning supplies to the UK will likely fall during April

Professor Hill, whose institute developed the AstraZeneca vaccine, has warned that ministers should offer more incentives for the production of jabs in the UK

A detailed agreement with the U.S. biotech firm Novavax and the UK government's vaccines taskforce has yet to be signed, it added.

Britain struck a deal to buy 60 million doses of Novavax's vaccine candidate in August.

Novavax will manufacture some of the vaccine using Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies facilities in Stockton-on-Tees, northern England.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said production there had started, in anticipation of the vaccine's approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

He said the effort would provide 50 million to 60 million doses made in the UK.

Talks between Novavax and the European Union over supply of as much as 200 million doses have dragged on, with the U.S. biotech firm citing pandemic-related raw materials shortages.

GSK and partner Sanofi suffered a development setback in December, delaying their jointly developed vaccine. But the British group has since agreed to collaborate on production and vaccine development with Germany's CureVac .

Novavax Inc's COVID-19 vaccine was shown this month to be 96% effective in preventing cases caused by the original version of the coronavirus in a trial in Britain.

The vaccine was also found at the time to be 86% effective in protecting against the more contagious B117 variant.

Novavax will make the vaccine for the British market in Teeside, but Professor Hill warns that GSK has a limited role.
Prime Minister Florin Citu said he was surprised by the Ombudsperson's opinion regarding the publication of the decisions of the National Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU), explaining that they were presented and communicated publicly.

"There is only one CNSU decision that was approved. This opinion from the Ombudsperson surprises me, maybe that's what my colleagues in Parliament want to do, with a justification now, if the Ombudsperson has such an opinion. It's time to give a restart there. All the CNSU decisions have been presented and communicated to the public and this is the role of CNSU decisions. As you know, and I am sure that the citizens of Romania also know: it's the pandemic-related measures that are approved by government decision, these are then published in the Official Journal. It would have been easy to verify. I will officially reply the Ombudsperson, but I am surprised to have such a request come at this level," Citu declared on Wednesday at the Victoria Palace of Government.

Ombudsperson Renate Weber asked on Tuesday Prime Minister Florin Citu to state the reasons why the 20 decisions adopted by CNSU since the beginning of the year have not been published in the Official Journal.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals has sold its proposed large new greenfield manufacturing facility at Vemgal in Karnataka to Hyderabad-based Hetero Labs. The deal was finalised at around Rs 180 crore, according to sources.

GSK had been planning to invest over Rs 1,000 crore at Vemgal for years, but decided to sell it off a year ago, sources added. Heartburn medicine Zantac (also sold generically as Ranitidine) was one of the main products produced in the plant.

However, UK-based GSK had to recall the drug globally a year ago after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and many other regulatory agencies found "unacceptable" levels of probable cancer-causing impurity in the drug.

The Board of Directors of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals approved the sale of the manufacturing facility together with the land, plant and machinery, assets, software and equipment, the company today said.

Also read: Germany to use AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for people aged over 60
Sweden's chief epidemiologist today said 'shutting more hasn't been shown to be a success story' despite rising Covid-19 infections and intensive care admissions.

Anders Tegnell, who became internationally known as the figurehead of the Swedish response to the pandemic, said tougher restrictions are not the way to bring the country's third wave under control.

Sweden, which has shunned strict lockdowns, saw a near 10% increase in Covid-19 admissions to intensive care wards last week, while the number of people testing positive has surged.

'To shut more hasn't been shown to be a success story', Tegnell said in an interview in daily Dagens Nyheter.

Sweden's chief epidemiologis Anders Tegnell, pictured, said tougher restrictions are not the way to bring the country's third wave under control

Sweden, which has shunned strict lockdowns, saw a near 10% increase in Covid-19 admissions to intensive care wards last week, while the number of people testing positive has surged

'Basically, what we need is more adherence to the advice and the restrictions that are already in place. I am extremely convinced that we have implemented the most important measures already.'

Schools have mainly remained open during the pandemic, but the government has gradually tightened restrictions on public gatherings, opening hours for restaurants and alcohol sales and has limited numbers allowed in stores, amongst other measures.

Sweden has mostly relied on voluntary measures focused on social distancing, good hygiene and targeted restrictions that have kept shops and restaurants largely open. But surveys show that people have recently being paying less attention to the rules.

The approach has led to criticism at home and abroad for being reckless and not enough to protect vulnerable groups from the disease - but it has spared the economy from much of the hit suffered elsewhere in Europe.

People enjoy the sunny weather in a park in Stockholm last year when scenes like this would have been unthinkable in much of Europe

Yet 43 per cent of Swedes have high or very high confidence in how the pandemic is being handled, while 30 per cent have low or very low confidence, according to a recent survey.

Sweden's government and public health authority have conceded they failed to protect the elderly, especially in care homes.

But they have maintained they did what they could to suppress the disease, while also taking the general health of the population into account.

Sweden's official Covid-19 death toll is more than 13,000, which is much higher per capita than that of its Nordic neighbours who opted for harder measures.

But excess mortality - a measure of how many more deaths a country has seen than in an average period - was smaller in Sweden in 2020 than in most European countries.

The Nordic country had 7.7 per cent more deaths than usual, a figure comparing favourably with countries such as Spain (18.1 per cent) and Belgium (16.2 per cent) which have both imposed tough restrictions.

Sweden's excess mortality has also been measured as lower than in Britain, where some MPs have looked admiringly at the Swedish approach.

Preliminary data from EU agency Eurostat, analysed by Reuters, showed that 21 of the 30 countries with available figures had higher excess mortality than Sweden's 7.7 per cent.

The figure refers to the increase in overall deaths in 2020 compared to the average for the previous four years.

The figure is intended to show the broader impact of the pandemic because excess deaths could include people who were never tested for Covid-19 or died of other causes because health services were overwhelmed.

Tegnell said last week he believed the data raised doubts about the use of lockdowns.

'I think people will probably think very carefully about these total shutdowns, how good they really were,' he said.

'They may have had an effect in the short term, but when you look at it throughout the pandemic, you become more and more doubtful,' said Tegnell.
By Baek Byung-yeul





SK Group's headquarters in Seoul / Korea Times file
New Delhi:

After Gurmeet Singh, another self-styled Godman has been booked for sexually exploiting a 21-year-old woman on Wednesday.

The girl, who hails from Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, lodged a complaint against Kaushlendra Prapanacharya Phalahari Maharaj alleging that he had sexually exploited her at his ashram in Rajasthans Alwar on August 7.

Hemraj Meena, SHO Aravali police station said, Bilaspur police have sent the complaint here. We have registered a case of sexual exploitation and initiated investigation.

After visiting the ashram of the accused, police found that he was undergoing a treatment at a private hospital in the city, Meena said.

Kaushlendra Maharaj will be interrogated after permission from doctors, he added.

ALSO READ: Gurmeet Singh wishing to speak to Honeypreet, provides mobile number to jail officials

The accused godman had been visiting the womans residence for quite a long time, according to the police.

The woman had got an internship after completing her law studies. She visited the godmans ashram on August 7 to donate some money following which he allegedly sexually exploited her, as per the initial investigation.

The godman apparently has a sprawling ashram and several domestic and international devotees revere him, police said.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Gurmeet Singh earns Rs 20/day by growing vegetables in Rohtak jail

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The year 2020 will go down in history as a uniquely disruptive year  not just for the global health crisis. This was also a year when cybersecurity attacks transformed global enterprises.

Its labelled the cyber pandemic. During the Covid-19 outbreak, cyber attacks ranked among the fastest-growing crimes in the US, causing large-scale business disruptions. According to the ISACA, an international professional association focused on IT governance, the financial fallout of cyber attacks in 2020 is projected to reach USD 6 billion.

The new cybersecurity risks emerged due to the unprecedented changes in the way organizations did business. As millions of employees worldwide began telecommuting - using personal, unsecured computers  it resulted in a sudden spike in cyber attacks, leading to critical business losses and compromised data.

As cyber threats increased in force and frequency, the need for cybersecurity skyrocketed, with enterprises looking for agile solutions to address issues revolving around data threat and security.

Qohash, a Quebec City-based data security startup, has built a SaaS platform to protect sensitive data via automated data discovery, classification and risk assessment, mapping of sensitive data, and detecting risky behaviour in real-time.

Qohashs mission to bring digital trust, security and availability to data assets has found huge traction with global enterprises. The startup recently announced raising CAD 8 million in Series A funding led by venture capital firm, FINTOP Capital. What makes the funding noteworthy is that it happened within a timeline that was much faster than what the Qohash and FINTOP Capital teams anticipated.

With an ambitious blueprint to expand across North America and drive commercialization, Qohash also announced that John Philpott, General Partner, FINTOP Capital, will join Qohashs Board of Directors.

Qohash has built next-generation cybersecurity solutions to provide enterprises with optimum safety in an increasingly data-driven world.

With elevated concerns around data security and privacy, business leaders want to know where their sensitive data resides, who has access to it and how best to protect it. Qohashs flagship SaaS platform QostodianTM allows companies to monitor sensitive data flow between employees and their personal computers and accounts, to detect high-risk situations in real-time.

Qostodian makes it possible to secure data with superior deployment, cost, and performance parameters. Since its a SaaS platform, it does not require any infrastructure. It can be deployed within two days across enterprises, then it monitors workstations, emails, and cloud sources, and provides real-time actionable results.

Qohash ReconTM, is an on-premise platform, that empowers organizations with an instant ability to discover and classify sensitive data on network drives and servers. The platform comes with many pluses  the complete application can be installed in quick time, it supports all popular file formats, provides results within minutes instead of hours, and takes away the pain and huge costs that data discovery and classification traditionally required.

Customers want data protection that can evolve to meet new challenges, said Qohash CEO Jean Le Bouthillier. Qohashs solutions are easy to deploy and cover on-premise and cloud-based sources. Qohash has worked with several security-conscious, industry-leading firms, helping them achieve their goals faster, with greater flexibility.

We are investing capital into a company that is laser-focused on delivering data security solutions that are highly accurate and easy to operationalize, said FINTOPs John Philpott. The discovery, control, and risk management of sensitive data is a top priority for organizations today, as a push towards remote work and zero trust distributed architectures continues to grow.

About Qohash:

Qohash is a leader in data security software development, building innovative and easy-to-understand security technologies that allow enterprises to gain 360-degree visibility into their data. Founded in 2018, Qohash is currently available in the U.S. and Canada. It has scaled rapidly to provide customers with solutions tailored to meet todays hybrid and remote work environments in the financial services sector.

About FINTOP Capital:

FINTOP Capital is a venture capital firm focused on Financial Technology (FinTech) companies with offices in Nashville, Tenn., St. Louis, Mo., and New Jersey. They bring strong networks, experience, and capital to entrepreneurs building B2B service-enabled SaaS and software companies in the FinTech space.
Jobs in retail are seen as vulnerable to technological change

Two in five employees believe their jobs will be superseded within the next five years, according to a new report for professional services group PwC.

The survey of 32,500 workers across 19 countries found that increased automation of roles is putting many jobs at risk in the eyes of employees.

In addition, just under half of those surveyed believe that traditional employment won't be around in the future.

Among the countries where the survey was carried out was the UK, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Poland, Spain, South African, and the United States, however Ireland was not included.

While the pandemic has led to thousands of people working from home, it does not appear to have impacted technical learning in the workplace.

Read More

Around 40pc of workers say their digital skills have been improved through the prolonged period of lockdown, and claim they'll continue to embrace training and skill development, according to the report.

Some three quarters of those surveyed said they are ready to learn new skills or completely re-train, with a similar number of people viewing training as a matter of personal responsibility.

And while people are concerned about the impact of increased automisation, 80pc say they are confident they can adapt to new technologies entering their workplace.

However, the survey found disparities in access to up-skilling opportunities.

Some 46pc of people with postgraduate degrees say their employer gives them many opportunities to improve their digital skills. However, just 28pc of people who joined the workplace once they finished school say the same.

Industries like retail or transport, which are most at risk of disruption from technology, score just 25pc and 20pc respectively when it comes it increasing digital skills. The banking sector, meanwhile, scores 42pc in this area.

Gerard McDonough, partner at PwC Ireland, said: "If current patterns in access to training persist, up-skilling will increase social inequality when it should be doing precisely the opposite.

Government and business leaders need to work together to intensify efforts to ensure people in the most-at risk industries and groups get the opportunities they need, he said.

Describing automation and technological disruption as inevitable, Mr McDonough added that we can control whether its negative effects are managed or not.

The report had some worrying findings on discrimination in the workplace.

Of those surveyed, half of workers say theyve faced discrimination at work which led to them missing out on career progression or training.

Approximately 13pc said they missed out on opportunities as a result of their ethnicity.

On the subject of gender, 14pc of workers said they have experienced discrimination on these grounds, with women twice as likely to report gender discrimination as men.

Respondents to the survey, which was carried out in January and February this year, included workers, business owners, contract workers, students, unemployed people looking for work, and those on furlough or who were temporarily laid off.
Fishermen on Lake Wamala in Mubende District have raised a red flag over the moving sudds (floating vegetation) which they claim is a threat to fishing communities and water transport.

Travellers find it hard to sail through to Mityana and those on the lakeside in Kassanda and Mubende districts.

Lake Wamala has 26 landing sites but 18 of them have been cut off by the sudds.

Many fishermen have been forced to relocate to safer landing sites such as Lusalira, Lubanja A and B in Mityana.

The most affected landing sites are Kyayi in Gomba,Bugolo, Bagwe in Kassanda, Wamala and Kampanzi (Mubende) and Katiko, Gombe and Butebi in Mityana.

Mr Ali Ssekiwunga, the chairperson of fishermen association around Lake Wamala, attributed the sudds to the rising water levels.

"When the water levels rise, they force the huge mass on the shores to break off, developing into small floating islands. The floating islands sometimes cause water accidents," he said on Monday.

Mr Emmanuel Jjuuko Kamya , a resident of Katiko, said sometimes when they take a certain direction on the lake, they return when the known navigation route has been blocked.

"In such situations , we end up taking a longer route, which usually consumes fuel and time ," he said.

Mr Yasin Bbira, the Mityana natural resource officer, said they do not have funds to remove the sudds.

"I appeal to all lake users, especially the fishers to always follow the direction of the wind to avoid water accidents since the suds are moved by the wind," Mr Bbira said.

He said the long term solution is to dredge the lake and remove the floating vegetation to levels that do not pause any negative environmental and socio-economic impact.

Mr Bbira said the sudds offer good breeding grounds for fish.

"The sudds are preventing unscrupulous fishermen from catching immature fish since they run and hide underneath. When the sudds move away, the fishermen usually catch big fish from the place where it had staged," he said.

Mr Bbira said they would petition the line ministry to remove the sudds.

Efforts to speak to the commissioner of aquaculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Ms Joyce Ikwaput Nyeko, were futile as our repeated calls to her known telephone went unanswered.

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The State Minister for Fisheries,Ms Hellen Adoa's known telephone was also switched off by press time.

When huge floating sudds invaded Lake Victoria last year and threatened electricity generation at Nalubale Hydro Power Station in Jinja, government used heavy machines such as long arm excavators, barges, a ferry, hydraulic crane, self-loading trucks, dump trucks and bulldozers to clear the heavy-moving islands.

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority on Monday advised those intending to travel to different islands on Lake Victoria to postpone their trips as weather radars show threatening thunderstorms on the lake.

Fishing on Lake Wamala

A report by Fish Stock Assessment Team, which was commissioned by National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) in 2012, states that Lake Wamala has 26 gazetted landing sites and about 600 fishermen with a similar number of boats.

A total of 16 landing sites are in Mityana while Gomba and Mubende have five landing sites each.

The report says the lake has poor socio-economic infrastructure compared to other lakes in Uganda probably due to its geo-morphological setting.

Available records indicate that fishermen use gillnets targeting the tilapia (Ngege) and long line hooks which trap Mamba (protperus) and, Male (Clarias).

The report also shows that 97 per cent of the gill nets on the lake are small stretched mesh size; while 98 per cent of the hoots are large.
In-person tickets are $30 and virtual tickets are $15. No tickets will be sold at the door, and temperatures will be taken of guests who attend in person with masks required to be worn at all times, including during the performance. Seating will be general admission with social-distanced spacing prearranged.
Pennsylvania COVID-19 vaccines will be open to everyone by April 19, with Phase 1B beginning April 5 and Phase 1C on April 12.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the next phase of vaccinations on Wednesday. The announcement comes ahead of the April 4 relaxation of some statewide restrictions, and as new cases of COVID-19 are again on the rise.

Weeks ago, health officials targeted the end of March as the time to review vaccine eligibility. Gov. Tom Wolfs administration also promised that by this point, all Pennsylvanians eligible under Phase 1A should at least be able to schedule a vaccine appointment by months end.

Phase 1B and Phase 1C will expand eligibility to workers in other job sectors considered critical while Phase 2 covers everyone over the age of 16. Everyone previously eligible will remain so.

In the meantime, vaccines as of Wednesday also will be targeted to four critical sectors and industries: Law enforcement, firefighters, grocery store workers and agriculture workers.

Phase 1A has prioritized medical workers, seniors and anyone over 16 with certain high-risk health conditions. That phase covers between 4 million and 5 million Pennsylvanians, the health department has estimated. More than 5 million doses have been distributed across the state, though some vaccinations require two doses to be effective.

The Biden administration said it wants all adults to be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by May 1, though limited supply will mean some time before everyone who wants one can get one.

It is important to remember that eligibility does not guarantee an immediate vaccination appointment, Pennsylvania Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam said in Wednesdays announcement. Vaccine providers are ready and eager to get a shot in the arm of every person who wants one while we continue to aggressively advocate for more vaccine.

Jasmine Aquino, a licensed practicing nurse at LVHN, gets her syringes with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine ready at a March 27 mass-vaccination clinic on the Northampton Community College campus. When Pennsylvania's Phase 1B begins, more essential workers will be eligible for COVID vaccines.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

WHO CAN GET A COVID VACCINE IN PA.?

PHASE 1A

Status: Currently eligible.

This is the phase Pennsylvania has used since December. It prioritizes medical workers, seniors and people with high-risk medical conditions. This phase remains active during other phases. It includes:

Medical professionals and certain support staff who face potential exposure.

Residents of long-term care facilities.

Anyone 65 and older.

Anyone 16 or older with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down syndrome, heart conditions, weakened immune system, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, smoking and Type 2 diabetes.

As of March 31, Pennsylvania is also targeting the following sectors:

Law enforcement, including police, sheriffs officers and deputies, corrections officers and probation and parole staff.

Firefighters, both career and volunteers.

Grocery store workers.

Food and agriculture workers, including employees of food-processing companies, fruit- and vegetable-packing operations, food manufacturing, farmers and urban agriculture operations (regardless of citizenship).

PHASE 1B

Status: Eligible starting Monday, April 5.

Pennsylvanias next vaccination expands eligibility to more essential workers. Eligible under this phase are:

Residents and workers in other congregate-care settings or receiving home- or community-based services.

First responders.

Postal service workers.

The manufacturing sector.

Anyone in education not already vaccinated under a special, earlier statewide program.

Clergy and other supporting roles for worship.

Public transit workers.

Workers in early childhood and adult day programs.

PHASE 1C

Status: Eligible starting April 12.

The third phase extends eligibility to more sectors:

Transportation and logistics.

Water and wastewater treatment.

Food service.

Housing construction.

Finance.

Information technology.

Communications and media.

Energy.

Legal services.

Government offices.

Any public safety or public health workers not already vaccinated.

PHASE 2

Status: Eligible starting April 19.

Pennsylvanias final vaccination phase will apply to everyone 16 and older not previously covered.

A person can't bear to look as he gets his COVID-19 vaccination on March 27, 2021, at Northampton Community College. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to be effective; the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only needs one. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

WHAT COVID VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE IN PA.?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the most widely available. They each require two doses to be effective. These are what is available at most hospitals, pharmacies and other clinics.

Johnson & Johnson has a single-dose vaccine. Pennsylvania used it for its teacher-vaccination initiative, inoculating more than 100,000 educators. State officials have planned to use future Johnson & Johnson allocations at regional mass vaccination sites, while also reserving doses for special clinics for police and firefighters, grocery store workers, and people in the meat processing and agricultural sectors.

Maria Georgalas, a physician assistant with LVHN, waves bye as people are released after getting the COVID vaccines on March 27, 2021, at Northampton Community College. Phase 1B and 1C expand eligibility for appointments to more essential workers. The federal government wants universal eligibility by May 1.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

WHERE TO GET COVID VACCINES IN PA.?

The Pennsylvania health department has a vaccine-provider map that shows hospitals, pharmacies and other locations where vaccines are distributed.

The states Your Turn online tool tells you if youre eligible and can alert you when you are. It does not schedule an appointment for you, though  you must still do that through individual providers, like LVHN or St. Lukes University Health Network.

If youre looking for shots out of state, New Jersey has a vaccine registration and scheduling system at covidvaccine.nj.gov.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
March 30, 2021

POCATELLO, IdahoCollege of Eastern Idaho students who want to continue their education will now have a smoother transition to Idaho State University thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.

College of Eastern Idaho students who want to continue their education will now have a smoother transition to Idaho State University thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.

Through the agreement, students will be able to work toward a degree at Idaho State and track their progress while attending CEI. The collaborative move by the two institutions reduces barriers to students transferring between the institutions.

We are partners in education, said Idaho State President Kevin Satterlee. This partnership exponentially increases opportunities for students at CEI and opens doors to their future. Our agreement will meet immediate needs for a skilled and trained workforce in Idaho Falls and beyond.

Idaho State University has had a presence on the CEI campus for more than 13 years, and the institutions have always worked to ensure that students were able to transfer easily. For example, in Fall 2020, 40 CEI students transferred to Idaho State. The new agreement is designed to streamline the process even further, and to offer expanded opportunities from both institutions.

The agreement also helps ensure that comprehensive support systems are in place for students wishing to transfer to Idaho State to receive their bachelor degree.

CEI has valued our relationship with Idaho State and our ongoing ability to permit our students to transfer into a variety of programs and degrees at the University, said CEI President Aman. Our co-admit agreement allows an innovative option for graduating high school seniors to be admitted to both CEI and ISU at the same time. This provides students the access and affordability of a community college for the first two years followed by a path to a bachelors degree with ISU.
Idaho Central Credit Union

Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) selected Ameriprise Financial Institutions Group (AFIG) as its broker-dealer. By leveraging the Ameriprise platform, ICCU established a wealth management program, Idaho Central Wealth Management. AFIG partners with community banks and credit unions to help their clients reach their goals through financial planning and investment. Through the new relationship, ICCU members have access to a full range of services and solutions from Ameriprise. Ameriprise formed its Financial Institutions Group after acquiring Investment Professionals 2017 and specializes in the on-site delivery of investment programs to banks and credit unions. ICCU was organized as a state-chartered credit union in 1940. The credit union's administrative office is located in Chubbuck, Idaho, and has 41 locations throughout the state of Idaho.




China calls for more int'l cooperation for Afghanistan peace, reconciliation

Xinhua) 11:00, March 31, 2021

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on the international community to play a more important role in promoting peace and development and building consensus in Afghanistan.

Wang made the remarks when attending the ninth foreign ministers' conference of the Istanbul Process on Afghanistan via video link.

The current peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan is at an important juncture and the political settlement of the Afghan issue is facing a historic opportunity, he said.

The international community should work together to maintain the momentum of peace talks and reconciliation in Afghanistan, increase the impetus of Afghanistan's reconstruction and development, and adhere to the general direction of anti-terrorism cooperation related to Afghanistan.

China will do its best to continue to support, mediate and facilitate the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and make joint efforts with all parties in the Istanbul Process and the international community to support and help Afghanistan achieve peace and development at an early date, said Wang.

The Istanbul Process on Afghanistan was established in 2011 as a regional cooperation mechanism concerning the Afghan issue.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
(Newser)  Major might be back in the doghouse again after another White House biting incident. Sources tell CNN that the 3-year-old German shepherd bit a National Park Service worker on the South Lawn of the White House Monday. Major and Champ, the Biden's other dog, recently returned to the White House after receiving extra training following an earlier Major biting incident. "Yes, Major nipped someone on a walk," Michael LaRosa, Jill Biden's press secretary confirmed to CNN. LaRosa said the worker was seen by the White House Medical Unit "out of an abundance of caution" before returning to work without injury.

story continues below

Major, the first rescue dog ever to live at the White House, is "still adjusting to his new surroundings," LaRosa said. In the earlier incident, Major nipped a Secret Service agent's hand, but officials said the bite didn't break the skin. NBC notes that Biden's dog isn't the first problematic German shepherd called Major to live at the White House. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, Franklin D. Roosevelt's Major, a former police dog, "was known to chase White House maids to the point that they had to use their brooms and dust mops to keep him at bay." The FDR Library says the dog was sent back to the Roosevelts' New York home in 1933 after he bit British Prime Minister Ramsey MacDonald. (Read more White House stories.)
The has asked the city police to file a status report on a plea seeking a direction to authorities to take action against and its senior officials for their alleged criminal acts and digital conspiracy'.

The court was informed by the counsel for the Delhi Police Commissioner and its Cyber Crime Cell that the complaint made by the company Vas Data Services, which was running its operations through its website www.yepme.com, has already been closed.

Justice Anu Malhotra, in its March 24 order, asked the State to submit its status report in this regard before the next date of hearing and listed the matter for further hearing on April 15.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the petitioner company, said as per the platform's offer, the companies opting to advertise on the space will have to pay for ad-services that would include clickable space on their website, as an advertisement, which when clicked by a user will redirect him to an external website or application link of the company.

However, by misusing its unimpeachable reputation in the digital world deliberately developed a faulty system to gain booming undeserved profits, he contended.

The petition, filed through advocates Gaurav Singh and Ekta Vats, said main purpose of the petitioner company to spend huge money on advertisement through the platform was to convert clickers into buyers but due to the alleged deliberate technical discrepancies, the prospective buyer never reached their website, causing a loss of business and reputation.

It alleged that the platform kept on charging money from the company and on checking the records, it was found that there was huge discrepancy in the amount charged and service provided, that is flow of traffic through clicking of advertisement.

The plea said Facebook, among other offerings, also sells or offers digital advertising space to commercial business houses and the major source of income for the platform is generated by selling the advertising space.

The plea, which alleged commission of offences including cheating, criminal conspiracy under the IPC and computer related offences under the Information Technology Act, said that a complaint was given to the Delhi Police Cyber Cell in this regard in 2019 but no FIR has been lodged till date.

The plea has sought direction to the Delhi Police Cyber Cell to submit its detailed status report before the court, explaining the action taken till date against the proposed accused.

It has also sought direction to the Centre and police to jointly constitute a Special Investigation Unit (SIT) and handover the investigation into the complaint to the SIT which shall lodge a report.

The petition sought direction to the Centre to set up an authority specifically dealing with digital frauds being carried out on digital platforms to safeguard rights of stakeholders and to submit a detailed proposal before the court in this regard.

(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.)
analysis

Everyone may be exceptionally rude about Canberra, deriding Australia's capital city as boring, quiet and, well, ordinary. But South Africa has a lot to learn from its roads about governance - and about those who govern.

First published in the Daily Maverick 168 weekly newspaper.

The middle of March saw many of us contemplating our circumstances a year ago when the government announced a state of disaster and that we would be going into a three-week lockdown.

Looking back, it's hard not to grimace. Three weeks became a year and more. In Cape Town, we stood outside our houses at 8pm to applaud healthcare workers on the frontline of the Covid-19 nightmare.

I am no "lockdown sceptic" - cranks, the lot of them - but lockdowns only work if the state actually does something in the safe space provided. We thought we were staying at home to "flatten the curve" just enough to help hospitals prepare for the oncoming flood of cases. How could we know we were merely decimating our economy so that the PPE thieves could register their businesses and health authorities could flannel about hijacking private medical aid resources?

How could we imagine that the Financial Mail's...
High-Grade Silver and Gold Intersections Confirmed in Step-Out Holes Significant Follow-Up Drill Program to Commence Shortly

VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Summa Silver Corp. ("Summa" or the "Company") (TSXV: SSVR) (OTCQB: SSVRF) (Frankfurt:48X) is pleased to announce additional high-grade silver-gold intersections from the Hughes Property in central Nevada. These results build on previously reported intercepts and demonstrate high-grade continuity along numerous high-priority veins. Results from this batch of assays are from three vein sets in the Belmont Mine target.

Key Highlights

Rescue Veins in the Belmont Mine Target Area:

2,995 g/t silver equivalent (1,480 g/t Ag and 15.15 g/t Au) over 0.8 m from 378.5 m in SUM20-19

(1,480 g/t Ag and 15.15 g/t Au) over from in SUM20-19 is a 50 m step-out from SUM20-06 which intersected 3,760 g/t AgEq (1,762 g/t Ag and 19.99 g/t Au) over 2.5 m and a 50 m step-out from SUM20-20 which intersected 6,220 g/t AgEq (2,910 g/t Ag and 33.1 g/t Au) over 0.7 m (see attached figures).

725 and IOU Veins in the Belmont Mine Target Area:

1,269 g/t silver equivalent (580 g/t Ag and 6.89 g/t Au) over 0.7 m from 156.0 m in SUM20-28 ( 450 m northwest of the Rescue vein series)

(580 g/t Ag and 6.89 g/t Au) over from in ( northwest of the Rescue vein series) 823 g/t silver equivalent (393 g/t Ag and 4.3 g/t Au) over 0.6 m from 395.8 m in SUM20-23 ( 250 m north of the Rescue vein series)

Note: AgEq based on 100 (Ag):1 (Au), True widths are unknown.

Further Assays Pending and Drilling Imminent: Assays remain pending for 9 holes from the 2020 drill program with the 2021 drill program set to begin in the first half of April.

Exploration Underway: The Company is currently conducting a pre-drilling exploration program which includes an airborne LiDAR survey and geological mapping. Soil and induced polarization surveys focused on the eastern extension of the Tonopah District are also scheduled for this spring.

Fully Funded for Aggressive Drill Programs: The Company is well funded with approximately $13.2M in working capital.

Galen McNamara, CEO, stated: "Multiple vein systems in the historic Belmont Mine continue to return exceptional grades with continuity now shaping up nicely. With this year's exploration now beginning, our focus will be on both mineral resource style step-outs, and discovery of additional strong mineralization on the eastern extension of what is one of the most heavily endowed silver districts in the United States."

Table 1: Assay Results - Belmont Mine Target Area

Drill Hole Vein Series From

(m) To (m) Length

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) AgEq*

(g/t) SUM20-19 Rescue 370.5 371.2 0.7 0.95 156 251 SUM20-19 Rescue 378.5 379.3 0.8 15.15 1480 2,995 SUM20-19 Rescue 394.3 395.6 1.3 2.45 112 357 SUM20-23 IOU 381.1 381.4 0.3 6.37 556 1,193 SUM20-23 IOU 395.8 396.4 0.6 4.30 393 823 SUM20-23 IOU 400.1 401.0 0.9 1.53 146 299 SUM20-25 IOU 336.5 336.8 0.3 2.40 175 415 SUM20-27 725 149.1 149.9 0.8 2.18 164 382 SUM20-27 725 160.3 160.6 0.3 1.87 125 312 SUM20-27 725 165.7 166.1 0.4 1.10 99 209 SUM20-28 725 156.0 156.7 0.7 6.89 557 1,246

-AgEq based on 100 (Ag):1 (Au), True widths are not yet known, Reported intervals are based on a 150g/t AgEq cut-off grade. Metal recoveries are assumed to be 100%.

Phase I Program Summary

The Phase I drill program in 2020 was designed to test the lateral and vertical extents of structurally controlled, epithermal-related, high-grade silver and gold mineralization historically mined in the Tonopah District. Nineteen holes tested numerous steeply-dipping, west-southwest striking veins and secondary splays in the Belmont Mine target area. At each vein location (e.g., Rescue, IOU and 725), a series of holes tested the along-strike and down-dip extensions of mineralization in approximately 50 m centered piece-points along the vein (see attached figures). In most cases, mineralization consists of locally Ag-sulfasalt bearing, banded to brecciated quartz  adularia veins with associated argillic alteration halos hosted in intermediate to felsic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks. Vein thickness varied from a few centimeters to a few meters. Assays for 5 holes are reported in Table 1 and results are still pending from 9 holes.

Phase II Program

A significant follow-up drill program is planned and will commence shortly. A drill contractor has been selected and program details will be released once targets are ranked and prioritized.

Remote Sensing and Geological Mapping

The company is currently flying a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) survey and are collecting high-resolution ortho-images over the entire project area. The data will be used to identify areas of historic disturbance potentially related to surface mineralization and to provide robust topographic control for future modelling and ground-based surveys. The company has also initiated a property-scale geological mapping program aimed at refining the geological model for the district. A focus will be on defining the footprint-extent of outcropping hydrothermally altered bedrock as well as mapping along key structures. Systematic rock-chip samples will be collected to aid in advancing the geochemical model for the district as well as defining new drill targets.

Table 2: Drillhole Information

Target Area Drill Hole Easting Northing Azimuth Dip Pre-Collar

Depth (RC)

(m) Final Depth

(Core)

(m) Belmont SUM20-19 481201 4213534 186 -72 280 476 Belmont SUM20-23 481160 4213627 317 -74 293 578 Belmont SUM20-25 481160 4213627 337 -73 317 548 Belmont SUM20-27 480850 4213875 125 -71 N/A 281 Belmont SUM20-28 480850 4213875 123 -74 N/A 321

Coordinates are NAD27, Zone 11N.

Analytical and QA/QC Procedures

All samples were sent to ALS Global Ltd. ("ALS") in Reno, NV for preparation and then to North Vancouver, Canada for analysis. ALS meets all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015 for analytical procedures. Samples were analyzed for gold via fire assay with an AA finish ("AU-AA23"), and 48 other elements, including silver, via a combination of atomic emission spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy after four-acid digestion ("ME-MS61"). Samples that assayed over 10 ppm Au via AU-AA23 were re-run via fire assay for Au with a gravimetric finish ("AU-GRA21"). Samples that assayed over 100ppm Ag via ME-MS61 were re-run via fire assay for Ag with a gravimetric finish ("AG-GRA21"). In addition to ALS quality assurance / quality control ("QA/QC") protocols, Summa Silver implements an internal QA/QC program that includes the insertion of sample blanks, duplicates and certified reference materials at systematic and random points in the sample stream.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Galen McNamara, P. Geo., the CEO of the Company and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Summa Silver Corp

Summa Silver Corp is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company. The Company has options to earn 100% interests in the Hughes property located in central Nevada and the Mogollon property located in southwestern New Mexico. The Hughes property is host to the high-grade past-producing Belmont Mine, one of the most prolific silver producers in the United States between 1903 and 1929. The mine has remained inactive since commercial production ceased in 1929 due to heavily depressed metal prices and little to no modern exploration work has ever been completed.

Follow Summa Silver on Twitter: @summasilver

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summa-silver-corp/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Galen McNamara"

Galen McNamara, Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

www.summasilver.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Kin Communications

Nima Shafigh

604-684-6730

[email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This news release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the release of assays, and the exploration and development of the Company's mineral exploration projects.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the requirement for regulatory approvals; enhanced uncertainty in global financial markets as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic; unquantifiable risks related to government actions and interventions; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; and other related risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

SOURCE Summa Silver Corp.
A man arrested in North Vancouver for randomly stabbing people at a library on the weekend was wanted in Winnipeg.

A man arrested in North Vancouver for randomly stabbing people at a library on the weekend was wanted in Winnipeg.

The suspect was taken into custody after Saturday's rampage in which one woman was killed and six others were injured.

Yannick Bandaogo, 28, is in custody charged with second-degree murder and other offences.

In January, Bandaogo pleaded guilty in a Winnipeg court to two counts of uttering threats and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. He was sentenced to 160 days of time served, plus one year of supervised probation. Two charges of assault with a weapon were stayed.

The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed Tuesday a warrant was issued for Bandaogos arrest on Feb. 18 after he allegedly breached a condition of his probation.

Police in North Vancouver say they dont know why Bandaogo was on the West Coast or why he went there.

Police arrested Bandaogo after five women and one man, ranging in age from 22 to 78, were attacked at the Lynn Valley Library.

Bandaogo has a court record in Quebec as well, where warrants have also been issued for his arrest after he allegedly breached court orders.

Bandaogo pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon causing bodily harm in September 2019, and a year earlier was sentenced to one month in jail for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest in Longueuil, Que., a suburb of Montreal.

On the same day, he was sentenced to four months for assault causing bodily harm and three months in connection with two other assault cases.

 Winnipeg Free Press, with files from The Canadian Press
The new permanent secretaries will fill vacancies of retired and those retiring in 2021 from Ekiti, Enugu, Katsina, Lagos and Nasarawa States.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the commencement of the process for the appointment of new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

This is contained in a circular by Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Folashade Yemi-Esan, and issued to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said the new permanent secretaries will fill vacancies of retired and those retiring in 2021 from Ekiti, Enugu, Katsina, Lagos and Nasarawa States.

She explained that only officers in the mainstream Federal Civil Service, who had attained the position of substantive Director on Grade Level 17 on or before January 1, 2019, are qualified.

In addition, she noted that those who had updated their records on the IPPIS verification portal and were from the affected states, were also qualified for the positions.

"Those who are not retiring from service earlier than Dec. 31, 2022 are eligible to participate. Officers undergoing disciplinary proceedings are excluded from the exercise," the HOCSF stated.

Mrs Yemi-Esan said permanent secretaries were requested to forward a list of eligible directors on GL 17 in their ministries, their confidential and personnel files and 20 copies of their Curriculum Vitae.

"Brief on each of the directors should be produced in Microsoft word, which should be submitted in both 20 hard copies and soft copies, via email to ohcsfemd@gov.ng and also in a flash drive; with evidence of State of Origin, not acquired by marriage in the case of female directors.

"The required documents are expected to reach the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, on or before 4.00pm on Friday, April 30.

"Selection process will require a written examination, ICT proficiency test, Microsoft word, Excel and PowerPoint and interactive session with a broad-based panel of experts and practitioners," she said.
Palpable fear has gripped residents of Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue over the killing of a priest in charge of St Paul Parish Aye-twar, Mbatula, Mberev Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Rev Fr Ferdinand Ngugban.

This is even as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident stating that Fr Ngugban was killed alongside three other parishioners.

Anene said, "Attack on St Paul's Catholic Church, Sai, Katsina-Ala LGA by bandit s is confirmed. Rv Fr Ngugban Fanen and three others lost their lives during the attack. Corpses of those killed in the attack have been deposited at General Hospital Katsina-Ala while a joint operation of Police and other security agencies are on the trail of the hoodlums."

A resident of the area who simply identified herself as Mwuese told our Correspondent in a telephone conversation that the priest after

morning mass, sat within the Church premises where the hoodlums came on a Motorcycle wearing military uniform and asked him for the

whereabouts of the Parish priest before they opened fire on him.

Also confirming the incidence, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala Rev Fr Celestine Aayongo told our

Correspondent that Rev father Ferdinand Ngugban was killed by the hoodlums in the parish house.
Nick-Anthony Zamucen In this competitive landscape, youve got to give more than you take. Adding value to each person you come into contact with is the only way to consistently win.

Serial entrepreneur, Nick-Anthony Zamucen, was listed 18th in the Top 100 Global Influencers in Franchising for his success as founder of Bio-One Inc. and Best Option Restoration (B.O.R.). Curated by SeoSamba and 1851 Franchise, the list is comprised of the most influential characters in the franchise world.

On 1851Franchise.com, Nick Powills, 1851 publisher, introduced the Top 100 Global Influencers in Franchising list by stating:

Whether buying a franchise, franchising your business, growing your franchise or looking for general information on franchising, tapping into the franchise worlds thriving community is vital to your journey. So, with the help of SeoSamba weve curated a list of the most influential people in franchising No, these are not rankings, simply our collection of 100 influencers you should know, and frankly, who you should be connected to (good thing weve provided their LinkedIn links).

In this competitive landscape, youve got to give more than you take. Adding value to each person you come into contact with is the only way to consistently win, said Zamucen. People wont always remember your name, or what youve done, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

A four-times published author and business strategist, Zamucen previously received Top 40 CEO's Under 40 from Business Diversity Magazine in 2013.

About Bio-One Inc.

BioOneInc.com

Founded in 2007, Bio-One is committed to providing excellent service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, pest and rodent droppings and much more. Each office is independently owned and operated by a member of the local community.



Bio-One Inc. is the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise.

The number of Bio-One franchises have increased 145% in the last 3 years with over 100 locations in 41 states.

In 2021, Bio-One was ranked number one in Crime Scene Cleaning and Trauma Scene Cleaning in Entrepreneur Magazine's 42nd Franchise 500, and at number 241 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. This is the fourth year in a row that Bio-One has been included in the ranking.

FranchiseRankings.com listed Bio-One Inc. as a Best Franchise Opportunity in February 2021.

Bio-One has been called to remediate a number of mass shooting tragedies including Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay, Pulse Nightclub, the San Bernardino schools and Sandy Hook.

About Best Option Restoration (B.O.R.)

BORestoration.com

Founded in 2015, B.O.R. is committed to helping those in need after a disaster. Our experienced team has the knowledge and equipment necessary to make sure that we leave every home as it was before the incident or often referred as "pre-loss" condition. Our crews receive extensive training from the best in the industry and follow all IICRC s500 standards. We require all of our technicians to be trained, certified and insured so our valuable customers can breathe easy once we arrive on site.
The largest spirits trading company in Japan announced a partnership with Taraxa for spirits ownership tracking Tweet this

'Taraxa's platform is a game-changer for UniCask, never before has owned shares of rare collectible spirits been so secure and traceable, making trading truly frictionless', said Koji Kitahara, project representative of UniCask.

'We're thrilled to be working with an industry pioneer such as UniCask. Taraxa's Helio platform was built to help build confidence on machine-generated data, and we can't ask for a more perfect use case', said Steven Pu, co-founder and CEO of Taraxa.

Learn more about the collaboration on Unicask's website.

About Taraxa:

Taraxa is a purpose-built, fast, scalable, and device-friendly public ledger designed to track informal and unstructured transactional data to minimize business friction. Founded in 2018 by a group of accomplished engineers and academics, Taraxa has not only built a state of the art decentralized infrastructure, but also delivered market-tested application platforms to secure machine state integrity, and track everyday agreements between people.

About UniCask:

Unicask is a joint venture formed by Japan Import Systems , one of the largest spirits trading companies in Japan, with an aim to make owning and trading rare spirits easy and secure.

Company Website: https://www.taraxa.io

Media inquiries: [email protected]

Partnership inquiries: [email protected]

SOURCE Taraxa

Related Links

https://www.taraxa.io


Republicans have been rocked by revelations that Rep. Matt Gaetz is being investigated by the Department of Justice over claims he sex trafficked a 17-year-old girl.

But while the outspoken Congressman, 38, has vehemently denied the allegations, his glamorous new fiancee, Ginger Luckey, 26, is keeping quiet amid the scandal.

Luckey's Instagram account is locked and she has failed to post any new tweets since news of the DOJ probe broke Tuesday night.

The couple began dating in March of last year after meeting at Mar-a-Lago.

Gatez - who was elected to Congress in 2017 - proposed to Luckey at the same location last December following a whirlwind nine-month romance.

On Tuesday night, it was revealed that the Justice Department is investigating Matt Gaetz for allegedly having a relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paying for her to travel with him. Gaetz has vehemently denied the allegations. His glamorous fiancee, Ginger Luckey (pictured), has not publicly commented

Gaetz and Luckey began dating in March of last year after meeting at Mar-a-Lago

Gatez - who was elected to Congress in 2017 - proposed to Luckey at the same location last December following a whirlwind nine-month romance

Luckey is currently employed as a financial analyst for Apeel - a company that 'works with nature to reduce food waste and create abundance for all.'

Luckey is usually based in California, but has been able to spend ample time with Florida-based Gaetz during the coronavirus pandemic as her work has gone remote.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com last December, Luckey stated that she has become inseparable from her husband-to-be.

'I have been traveling with him everywhere. I am his travel buddy,' she cooed.

But while Luckey may soon be a politician's wife, she is clearly career-minded.

She is currently employed as a financial analyst for Apeel - a company that 'works with nature to reduce food waste and create abundance for all.'

She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in economics and accounting in 2016.

She is now reportedly studying sustainable business strategy with Harvard's online business school.

'I like working, I love what I do. My company is very mission driven and Matt is fully supportive of my career,' Luckey told DailyMail.com last December.

'In fact, I will probably be the breadwinner.'

Luckey is usually based in California, but has been able to spend ample time with Gaetz during the coronavirus pandemic as her work has gone remote

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com last December, Luckey stated that she has become inseperable from Gaetz

While Gaetz is the son of uber wealthy Florida State Senator, Don Gaetz, Luckey is also very well-connected.

Her older brother, Palmer, became a multi-millionaire overnight when he sold his virtual reality company Oculus VR to Facebook for $2 billion in 2014.

Luckey also counts Tiffany Trump as a close friend, having posted multiple photos with the former First Daughter to her Twitter account.

The last couple photo Luckey shared to social media with Gaetz was posted on March 5.

Speaking with DailyMail.com last December, the beauty said she is in no rush to walk down the aisle.

''It'll be between now and 2024,' she said. 'We are flexible and have no timespan yet.

'Matt wants an Elvis impersonator to preside. I want multiple venues, so we'll see.'

Luckey also counts Tiffany Trump as a close friend, having posted multiple photos with the former First Daughter on her Twitter account. Luckey, Gaetz and Trump are pictured together last month

Luckey and Gaetz are pictured in Congress earlier this month

On Tuesday night, it was revealed that the Justice Department is investigating Gaetz for allegedly having a relationship with a 17-year-old and paying for her to travel with him two years ago in violation of child sex trafficking laws.

Gaetz refuted the allegations in a series of statements and interviews and says he is the victim of an 'organized criminal extortion scheme' to get money from his family.

He claims the story about the lurid claims was leaked to the The New York Times to thwart an FBI investigation into the alleged plot by the former DOJ official to get millions in 'bribes' in exchange for 'making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away.'

Gaetz says he has been working with the FBI and his father Don Gaetz has been wearing a wire to expose the 'criminals' who are behind the 'smears' against him.

'On March 16, my father got a text message demanding a meeting wherein a person demanded $25 million in exchange for making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away,' Gaetz told Fox News' Tucker Carlson in an extraordinary interview on Tuesday night.

'Our family was so troubled by that, we went to the local FBI. The FBI and the Department of Justice were so concerned about this attempted extortion of a member of Congress that they asked my dad to wear a wire, which he did, with the former Department of Justice official.'

Gatez said he was supposed to hand over a $4.5million bribe to the 'rogue' official before the New York Times broke the story.

Gaetz identified the DOJ official as David McGee, the former lead attorney for the DOJ's Organized Crime Task Force who currently works at the Beggs & Lane law firm.

McGee told The Daily Beast the allegations are 'completely, totally false' and added 'this is a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that Matt Gaetz is apparently about to be indicted for sex trafficking underage girls.
Today, Rhombus Energy Solutions is announcing that Manoj Karwa is joining the Rhombus executive team as the Vice President of Worldwide Sales. In this role, Mr. Karwa will lead Rhombus sales and business development teams as they bring Rhombus market leading, high-power, bi-directional chargers for medium and heavy-duty (M/HD) electric vehicles (EV) to market. Mr. Karwa will also coordinate the growth of Rhombus go-to-market partnerships and sales channels as Rhombus expands its presence outside of the United States.

I am pleased to welcome Manoj to the Rhombus leadership team, said Rick Sander, CEO of Rhombus Energy Solutions. Manojs extensive experience in the EV supply equipment (EVSE) marketplace and working with OEMs will be critical to scale the opportunities for our V2X-ready charging systems for medium and heavy-duty EVs, and as Rhombus expands into the adjacent markets for energy storage and microgrid solutions.

Before joining Rhombus, Mr. Karwa was the Head of Automotive  North America for EVBox, a Netherlands headquartered provider of electric vehicle charging for home, workplace and retail locations. Prior to EVBox, he was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Clean Wave Technologies, a developer of advanced electric drive systems. Mr. Karwa also held senior management, marketing and engineering positions at Leviton Manufacturing, A.T. Kearney, Ricardo Consulting Engineers and General Motors. Mr. Karwa holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

I am thrilled to join the Rhombus leadership team, said Manoj Karwa, VP of Worldwide Sales for Rhombus Energy Solutions. The electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles is critical to the reduction of greenhouse gases and with vehicle to everything technology, we will enable energy grid resiliency, lowering grid operating costs and accelerating the return on investment of electrified fleets. Rhombus will play a critical role in this transformation. I look forward to this opportunity to contribute to Rhombus future in the EV infrastructure ecosystem.

Rhombus has fielded hundreds of high-power, bi-directional, high-reliability fleet EV charging systems and inverters for energy storage and PV solar-based microgrid, for customers in a variety of demanding operational environments. Bi-directional charging enables both significant energy cost savings for EV fleet operators and the ability to provide power to critical infrastructure during power emergencies if needed.

About Rhombus Energy Solutions

Rhombus develops and manufactures next-generation bi-directional electric vehicle charging infrastructure, high-efficiency power conversion systems and energy management system (EMS) software for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capable electric vehicle fleet charging, energy storage and microgrid applications. The high reliability of our solutions is the result of decades of experience developing high-power systems for a variety of applications and deployment scenarios, including UL-1741-SA system-to-grid solutions. For more information, please visit http://www.RhombusEnergy.com.

Rhombus Press/Media/Analyst Contact:

Carolyn Paynton

Carolyn@RhombusEnergy.com

+1 888 978 6564
As PPS continues to expand and grow its capabilities and position as a leading CDMO, this acquisition marks PPS' foray into the development and manufacturing of peptide APIs, a capability that complements PPS' existing service offering. Hemmo is one of the few pure-play synthetic peptide API manufacturers in the global marketplace. With the addition of Hemmo's capabilities, PPS will gain access to the growing peptide API market and enhance its ability to offer integrated services to its customers globally.

Hemmo is one of India's largest manufacturers of synthetic peptides with a legacy of more than thirty-eight years in business supplying peptide products and custom peptide synthesis. Hemmo has R&D capabilities and a world-class GMP manufacturing facility that has been inspected and deemed compliant by US, EU, and Asian regulatory agencies. The company has strong expertise in both solution phase and solid phase synthesis of peptides.

Nandini Piramal, Chairperson, Piramal Pharma Limited, said, "Hemmo has demonstrated excellence and a great quality track record with a differentiated and hard to replicate capability. Once welcomed into the PPL family, it will be another example of a distinctive offering to attract and delight customers. This is the third Pharma acquisition this fiscal year, and yet another example of the implementation of our profitable growth strategy."

Peter DeYoung, CEO, Pharma Solutions, Piramal Pharma Limited, said, "During the past decade, peptide drugs have seen increased use in oncology, treatment of diabetes and obesity. The growth in therapies for rare diseases and orphan drugs has also increased the need for peptides. This acquisition enhances our ability to provide integrated solutions that our customers need and further expands ways in which we can help reduce the burden of disease on patients."

Madhu Utamsingh, Promoter and Managing Director of Hemmo, said, "We are very excited about this transaction and believe PPS is an ideal partner to take the business through its next phase of growth. Hemmo's employees and customers have been core to the business and I strongly believe, will benefit from PPS' expertise in providing integrated services globally."

The acquisition is expected to add more than two-hundred and fifty employees to PPS, including several PhD scientists and a Quality team of more than sixty. The acquisition agreement is subject to customary regulatory closing conditions.

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Ltd served as financial advisor and Economic Laws Practice (ELP) served as legal advisors to PPL on this transaction. Torreya Partners India LLP served as financial advisor and Desai & Diwanji, Mumbai Office served as legal advisors to Hemmo Pharmaceuticals and selling shareholders on this transaction.

About Piramal Pharma Solutions

Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS) is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our clients through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including drug discovery solutions, process and pharmaceutical development services, clinical trial supplies, commercial supply of APIs and finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services such as development and manufacture of highly potent APIs, antibody drug conjugation, sterile fill/finish with and without containment, and potent solid oral drug product. Our capability as an integrated service provider and experience with various technologies enables us to serve innovator and generic companies worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.piramalpharmasolutions.com.

Social Media: Twitter, LinkedIn

About Piramal Pharma Ltd.

Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL), a subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Limited (PEL), offers a portfolio of differentiated products and services through end-to-end manufacturing capabilities across 14 global facilities and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. PPL includes: Piramal Pharma Solutions, an integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO); Piramal Critical Care, a complex hospital generics business; and the Consumer Healthcare business, selling over-the-counter products in India. In addition, PPL has a joint venture with Allergan, a leader in ophthalmology in the Indian formulations market. In October 2020, PPL received 20% strategic growth investment from the Carlyle Group.

For more information, visit www.piramal.com.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

About Hemmo Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd.

Hemmo Pharmaceuticals was founded by Late J. Hemrajani in 1979. Headquartered in Mumbai, Hemmo develops and manufactures peptide APIs. Its portfolio covers 30+ APIs including generic peptides, peptide NCEs and peptides in clinical development which it offers to pharma and research companies in both domestic and global markets. Its manufacturing facility located at Turbhe is certified by the USFDA, EDQM, WHO and other international regulatory agencies while its R&D facility located at Thane focuses on process development. Madhu Utamsingh is the current Managing Director.

For more information, visit https://www.hemmopharma.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1478886/Hemmo_site.jpg

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SOURCE Piramal Pharma Solutions

Related Links

https://www.piramalpharmasolutions.com


Given the complexities around vaccine supply and distribution, we still encourage you to do everything possible to obtain an appointment on your own if you wish to receive the vaccine and are eligible, the email said. Its possible that these appointments could come through for you sooner than those that become available via N.Y.U.

A Bloomberg spokesman declined to comment.

Mr. Bloomberg has given billions of dollars to environmental, education, public health and other causes, including gifts amounting to more than $3 billion to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.

His philanthropic arm has made at least two gifts to New York University. The universitys Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service announced on March 2 that it would receive a $25 million donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The gift was made for a fellowship in the names of Mr. Bloombergs daughter Georgina and his mother, Charlotte. In 2017, Mr. Bloombergs philanthropic arm gave nearly $6 million to establish an environmental law center at the New York University School of Law.

NYU Langone Health has formal corporate partnerships with organizations, school districts and municipalities for whom we serve as a preferred provider and offer corporate wellness programs in addition to facilitated access to our services, a spokeswoman for the hospital system said in a statement. As part of this partnership, we have helped to secure vaccines for Bloomberg employees who are our patients and in accordance with New York State guidelines.

Philanthropy is not tied to NYU Langones vaccine programs, the spokeswoman added. Of Mr. Bloombergs March 2 donation, she said: It is important to note that the gift made was to N.Y.U.s Wagner Graduate School. It wasnt made to NYU Langone Health or N.Y.U. Grossman School of Medicine. It was completely separate from our institution.
According to information published by Al Monitor on March 30, 2021, Egypt prepares to open a naval base on the Mediterranean, near its border with Libya, as the populous country is trying to protect itself against unrest in the neighboring country, assert its control over its maritime boundaries and safeguard its economic interests.

According to information published by Al Monitor on March 30, 2021, Egypt prepares to open a naval base on the Mediterranean, near its border with Libya, as the populous country is trying to protect itself against unrest in the neighboring country, assert its control over its maritime boundaries and safeguard its economic interests.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Anwar El Sadat L1020 during Naval exercise (Picture source: Twitter account of Mohamed Mansour)

Egyptian contractors have been constructing the new 3rd of July naval base in Gargoub, a little-known port town on Egypt's northwestern Mediterranean coast, roughly 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the Libyan border, for several years now.

The base, military analysts say, will be part of the Egyptian Northern Fleet that guards the country's Mediterranean coast.

The Egyptian military has not specified a date for the inauguration of the new base. However, during a recent visit to Amman, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly handed King Abdullah II of Jordan an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to attend the opening of the base.

Libya has turned into a major concern for Egypt ever since regional rival Turkey stepped up interference in it in 2019, by sending military advisers and thousands of Syrian mercenaries, in light of security cooperation pacts Ankara signed with the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), which used to control the capital Tripoli and most of western Libya.

ENS Anwar El Sadat (L1020) is an Egyptian Navy amphibious assault ship, a type of helicopter carrier, of the French Mistral class. Her length overall (LOA) is 199 meters and her width is 32 meters.

Mistral-class ships can accommodate up to 450 soldiers, although this can be doubled for short-term deployments. The 2,650-square-metre (28,500 sq ft) vehicle hangar can carry a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion, or a 13-strong Leclerc tank company and 46 other vehicles.
But the shipping boom has turned out to be a bright spot for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The port is the only part of the agencys wide-ranging portfolio  which includes the regions three major airports, the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, the PATH train and six bridge-and-tunnel crossings  that has thrived during the pandemic.

Though monthly cargo volumes initially dropped at the height of the pandemic as factories and stores shut down, they started picking up in August as shoppers opened their wallets and manufacturers and retailers scrambled to restock their shelves and get ahead of any future shutdowns.

Still, the soaring cargo volumes have created more traffic and congestion at the port, and stretched equipment and supplies. The port is the gateway for freight headed across the Northeast as well as parts of the Midwest and Canada.

And that was before a giant container ship, the Ever Given, got stuck in the Suez Canal for nearly a week and caused a traffic jam that will result in delays for some ships heading to the Port of New York and New Jersey and cause temporary upticks in cargo when the ships finally arrive.

Were operating right now at the breaking point, Ms. Rooney said. This is going to be our normal at least for the first half of the year, and thats as far as anyone is willing to predict at this point.

Even so, the increased port revenue has not been enough to offset the agencys far larger financial losses from steep drops in passenger volumes at the airports and fewer cars and trucks at the bridges and tunnels. The Port Authority has projected that it will lose $3 billion in revenue from March 2020 to March 2022.
Lucknow, March 31 : The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has released a new 'nikahnama' for Muslims, banning dowry and extravaganza during weddings.

The 11-point new nikahnama has been released by Board Chairman, Maulana Syed Rabe Hasan Nadvi, and General Secretary Maulana Wali Rehmani, after approval from renowned Muslim clerics including Maulana Arshad Madani, Maulana Asgar Ali Imam Mehdi Salfi, Maulana Fakhruddin Jilani, Maulana Kalbe Jawad and others.

Maulana Rabe Hasan has appealed to all members of the Muslim community to stay away from the social evil of dowry and wasteful expenditure during 'nikah'. He urged Muslims to solemnise nikah at mosques as per Islamic traditions, instead of holding mega functions in marriage halls.

The board has already launched a ten-day campaign to educate members of the community across the country to put an end to social evils, plaguing marriages in Muslims.

During the campaign, all Muslim clerics will stress on solemnising nikah as per Islamic traditions to do away with dowry and wasteful expenditure.

The new nikahnama completely bans dowry, 'manjha' (haldi ceremony) and other un-Islamic traditions like marriage procession, fireworks, DJ, dancing, etc.

Though it permits 'Dawat-e-Walima', it has disallowed a big feast after the marriage ceremony.

The Dawat-e-Walima after nikah will be served only to family members, guests coming from outside, and poor and hungry members of the community.

Sharia allows only simple nikah and Dawat-e-Walima in which invitation is also extended to poor and hungry people of the community.

The new nikahnama stresses on following time scheduled for solemnising the nikah. After nikah, the bridegroom is expected to behave and take care of his wife as per Sunnat.

The new nikahnama by the AIMPLB came after the suicide by Ayesha, a Muslim girl from Gujarat, over dowry harassment that triggered a countrywide debate among Muslim clerics over social evils.
Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Minera Alamos Inc. (TSXV: MAI) (the "Company" or "Minera Alamos") is pleased to announce the selection of TRIGUSA as mining contractor for the Santana gold mine, Sonora, Mexico. Trigusa's mining experience includes open pit mining, crushing, tailings dam construction and heap leach pads and ponds at projects in multiple states including Sonora.

"Our Mexican operations team has a long and positive history with Trigusa dating back to their involvement with the construction and operations at the El Castillo mine (Castle Gold)." stated Darren Koningen, CEO. "Given the logistical challenges surrounding the construction of a new mine during the Covid pandemic we have witnessed firsthand, and in the toughest of environments, the commitment and execution of Trigusa. We all look forward to a long-term relationship between the groups as Minera Alamos completes the transformation to a new and growing gold producer in Mexico".

Trigusa are currently active at the Santana gold project site and have recently completed all civil works related to the construction of the gold recovery (carbon) plant, solution ponds and heap leach pad. The newly finalized contract will cover all mining activities for the project from drilling/blasting to the transport and loading of mineralized material onto pads for gold leaching operations. The agreement also covers all required support services for mining activities excluding mine planning which will be performed by the Minera engineering team. In addition, consideration is provided for future amendments to accommodate increases in mining/production rates should these be raised as a result of positive exploration results within the current concession area.

Construction Update

The major construction activities related to the gold recovery (carbon) plant are now complete (see Photo 1) and preparations are underway for testing. Final electrical and piping work will be finished in parallel with other site activities leading up to the start of mining operations.

The initial heap leach pad area (see Photo 2) has also been completed and will continue to be expanded concurrently with the commencement of mining activities. Solution ponds are ready and available for the final testing of the pumping system that will be utilized for the circulation of gold leaching and recovery solutions.

Photo 1 - Gold Recovery (Carbon) Plant





To view an enhanced version of Photo 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4183/79027_e0702201343cf98a_002full.jpg

Photo 2 - Heap leach pad and solution ponds with Carbon plant in background





To view an enhanced version of Photo 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4183/79027_e0702201343cf98a_003full.jpg

Cautionary Statement

The Company does not have a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability for the Santana project, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations.

Mr. Darren Koningen, P. Eng., Minera Alamos' CEO, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this press release under National Instrument 43-101.

For Further Information Please Contact:

Minera Alamos Inc.

Doug Ramshaw, President

Tel: 604-600-4423

Email: dramshaw@mineraalamos.com

Website: www.mineraalamos.com

Victoria Vargas de Szarzynski, VP Investor Relations

Tel: 289-242-3599

Email: vvargas@mineraalamos.com

About Minera Alamos Inc.

Minera Alamos is a gold development company poised to join the ranks of gold producers in 2021. The Company has a portfolio of high-quality Mexican assets, including the 100%-owned Santana open-pit, heap-leach development project in Sonora that is currently under construction, and which is expected to have its first gold production in the first half of 2021. The newly acquired 100%-owned Cerro de Oro oxide gold project in northern Zacatecas that has considerable past drilling and metallurgical work completed and could enter the permitting process rapidly. The La Fortuna open pit gold project in Durango (100%-owned) has an extremely robust and positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) completed and the main Federal permits in hand. Minera Alamos is built around its operating team that together brought 3 mines into production in Mexico over the last 13 years.

The Company's strategy is to develop very low capex assets while expanding the projects' resources and continuing to pursue complementary strategic acquisitions.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking information and Minera Alamos cautions readers that forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations of Minera Alamos included in this news release. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements", which often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". These statements are based on information currently available to Minera Alamos and Minera Alamos provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements with respect to Minera Alamos' future plans with respect to the Projects, objectives or goals, to the effect that Minera Alamos or management expects a stated condition or result to occur and the expected timing for release of a resource and reserve estimate on the projects. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, the economics of processing methods, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Minera Alamos' mineral properties, the ability to complete a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons. Minera Alamos' financial condition and prospects could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to finance and/or complete an updated resource and reserve estimate and a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Minera Alamos' activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Minera Alamos' forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on Minera Alamos' forward-looking statements. Minera Alamos does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by Minera Alamos or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79027
The Lexington Toyota showroom is now home to two of the automaker's newest hybrid crossover SUVs, the 2021 Toyota Venza and the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime.

There are very few, if any, automakers in the world that can complete with the lineup of crossover SUVs offered by Toyota. Not only did Toyota play a huge role in developing the segment, but the global vehicle manufacturer was on the leading edge of adapting its world-class crossover SUVs to feature the latest hybrid technology. Many dealerships, like Lexington Toyota, have received the initial delivery of two new hybrid crossover SUVs, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime and 2021 Toyota Venza. Both of these Toyota hybrid crossover SUVs make the most of the tools they were given, excellent performance without sacrificing fuel economy and, of course, plentiful amounts of cargo volume. The product experts at Lexington Toyota have been eager to show how both of these new platforms can outperform the competition.

The 2021 Toyota Venza is a new hybrid crossover SUV with a familiar name. For the 2021 model year, the manufacturer built the Venza from the ground up to be a lightweight, nimble and efficient vehicle that will make more horsepower than its 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid sibling. The Venza is not meant to compete with the Highlander on interior space, though it does offer up to 55.1 cubic-feet when the rear row is folded down. What really sets the Venza apart from the Highlander Hybrid is fuel economy. The new Toyota hybrid crossover SUV will be able to post 40 miles per gallon in the city and up to 37 miles per gallon on the highway.

Toyota has raised its worldwide profile with the RAV4. The introduction of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is nothing short of a game-changer. It is not the only plug-in hybrid crossover SUV on the market, but it is more powerful and offers more interior cargo volume than many of its most likely competitors. In fact, the 302 net horsepower produced by the 2021 RAV4 Prime is the most the ever made by a RAV4 variant. This also includes the days when the RAV4 used a V-6 engine. Additionally, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime can tow up to 2,500 pounds, one of the most robust towing capacities in the hybrid crossover SUV segment.

Anyone can view the entire Lexington Toyota inventory today when they visit the dealerships website, http://www.lexingtontoyota.com. The showroom is located at 409 Massachusetts Ave Lexington, MA 02420. Customers can start the pre-ordering process for the 2021 Toyota Venza, 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime or 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid today by calling, 781-325-8558.
Nigeria generates an average of $1,400 per metric tonne of sesame exported.

Sesame seeds, or beni-seeds as they are locally known, are among the most commercially viable crop critical to the agricultural economy of Nigeria.

Despite the high viability of the crop, data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows Nigeria's production of sesame has been uneven compared to demand over the years.

The country's best output was in 2012 when the country produced 994,800 tonnes. Thereafter, the output fell and picked up in 2015. It fell again in 2017.

Despite the fluctuation in output, Nigeria's export of sesame has improved significantly. Although there was no continuous increase in export, data seen by PREMIUM TIMES shows that the country recorded the highest export of sesame in 2019.

Prior to this period, export fell from 2015 to 2018 before attaining the feat in 2019 which was the highest export value in the 10 years period.

Sudan is the highest producer of sesame in Africa. Its output in 2019 was 11.2 million tonnes. Sudan alone accounts for 45.8 per cent of the total output of the top six African countries put together. Nigeria' s output makes up 18.2 per cent of the total output. By implication, Nigeria is the second-largest producers of sesame in Africa.

Economic Potential

The use of the sesame seed is wide and varied and is dependent on the parts of the seed being processed. The sesame seed is used in confectionery, biscuits, and in bread making.

Also, oil extracts from sesame seeds have a wide range of applications. It is used for cooking, used in medicine for treating ulcers and burns, used in making aerosols, and in manufacturing margarine.

Also, low-grade oil of sesame is used locally in manufacturing soap paints, lubricants, and illuminants. The by-product from processing sesame seed is used in making animal feeds. Beyond these listed applications, sesame is also used in different countries for their local dishes and delicacies.

The market for sesame seeds is quite vast with Japan and China as the major importers of the seeds. Countries like Turkey, India, Poland, and the Netherlands have also traded with Nigeria in the past.

Sherrif Balogun, president of the National Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria, said sesame is the largest contributor of foreign exchange among agriculture products to Nigeria's economy.

"We are currently doing 500,000 tonnes. For Nigeria to maximize it's potential, it has to first increase production, and secondly set up dehauling plants for value-addition, and thirdly to set set up a sesame oil processing plant.

"If you look at production in itself, it's very easy for Nigeria to grow our production to 1.5 million tonnes per annum. This we need to do by putting a million hectare of land for cultivation.

"If you take the producing states which starts for about 28 states producing, with each state producing, putting additional 50,000 hectares of land under cultivation, that's about 5 million tonnes in one year. If we are able to do that, we get about three times more than what we are earning today," Mr Balogun said.

Profitable venture

Data shows that 90 per cent of the sesame seed produced in the country is exported abroad. Currently, there are 26 sesame-growing states in Nigeria; Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Abuja. Jigawa has the highest area of production and total production in the country followed by Benue State.

Mr Balogun admonished major stakeholders to carry out sesame processing because there is money to be made in value addition along the sesame value chain.

"We are lucky we don't have the challenge about selling, because there's demand for sesame, there's no problem of saying you produce and cannot sell. There's a market for the product. I encourage more people to go into sesame business because it's a very profitable business, and is not a seed that is difficult to grow, and can provide a lot of employment for women and youth," Mr Balogun said.

Iordye Charles, a sesame farmer with about 20 years of experience in Benue State, said sesame is so lucrative in terms of oil and it is an international product that farmers can sell and earn money, while the shafts can be used for animal feed.

His view was corroborated by another sesame farmer, Nwafor Ernest, the CEO of Ermopre farms in Ebonyi State.

"It's very very profitable. It's the number one exported agro product in the country, and for its production, you don't need to carry out too much work on it. You spend a little and gain more. There's a market for sesame. We are not looking for buyers as far as sesame is concerned," he said.

Another farmer based in Sokoto, Ismaila Gumbi, added: "There's a market for sesame, as we have plenty off-takers for it, and many marketers of sesame who buy from our farmers. It is very profitable and easy to farm."

A profitability analysis shows that sesame seed cultivation generates N2.08 for every N1 invested. Farmers on average incur an average total cost of production of N60,036.06 per hectare cultivated. After harvest, they generate an average revenue of N184,701.98 per hectare. This leaves them with a net profit of N124,665.92 per hectare. Breaking this down, farmers make a profit of N12,466.59 per 100Kg bag of sesame and N124,665.92per tonne harvested. However, the range from cultivation to harvest is three months to four-month.

Mr Balogun said the sesame seed is currently generating $700 million annually. He said the country generates an average of $1,400 per metric tonne of sesame exported.

Opportunities

In a bid to harness its numerous opportunities and competitiveness globally, there's the need to improve Nigeria's processing value chain. Nigeria's sesame presents huge opportunities as regards generating fiscal and export revenue.

"Nigeria sesame value chain includes production and processing. And the processing is divided into two. We can process oil by dehauling, and process into flour that is used in the confectionery. Our full course is to set up dehauling plants, oil processing plants, and flour processing plants. We already have about three companies dehauling right now," Mr Balogun said.

Mr Ernest added: "There are lots of opportunities in sesame seeds value chain, as a producer which is the first point of call, as a processor, there are various aspects of processing, you can extract the oil, the end products can be used for feeds; i.e poultry and fish meal, also used in pharmaceuticals."

Insecurity

For Mr Nwafor, the pervasive state of insecurity keeps farmers away from accessing their farms since a hostile environment would also affect the yield during production, as farmers won't be able to manage their farm properly the way it ought to.

Mr Charles said insecurity affects sesame production mostly in the Fadama areas due to the bush in the area. He also added that: "Cattle like to move around the area, they also come out at upland areas where we plant sesame seeds, and disturbing the production of sesame. We are having difficulties in production. It affects our yield."

Mr Ismail also said: "People interested in sesame are ready to produce in commercial quantities but the insecurity is a challenge. As there are challenges of bandits in the bush, it is safer to plant in nearest city farms, because if you plant deeper into the bush you can attract so many problems."

He added that the major challenge in sesame apart from the insecurity is the lack of machinery capacity to extract the sesame oil. He said most sesame farmers are only able to harvest, thresh, clean, and put in bags for sales.

He said the lack of training is also a challenge so that farmers can increase their yield.

Mr Charles said low-income sesame farmers are not mechanised, which makes them produce twice in a season.

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"We hardly farm dry season sesame because we need lots of water. We don't have boreholes, irrigation pumps, dams. All we have is the river. We hardly find machineries readily available," Mr Charles said.

Mr Ernest said: "One of the major challenges is funding to carry out production in commercial quantity, and as such sesame farmers need assistance from both the government and nongovernmental organization and international donors."

Increasing sesame production

According to some of the farmers who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, although they have not benefited from the anchor borrowers program in boosting their production, they still have market for their sesame produce.

Mr Balogun said: "Even before the anchor borrowers programme, the sesame association has been far ahead of thinking of ways to help the farmers, to grow and earn from the sesame seeds. It was designed in such a way that the farmer takes 25 per cent, and the bank provided a loan of 25 per cent, and after the farmer harvest his products, sell his products, and then pay off his loan. First Bank took the bull by the horn as at that time. It was the only bank that was there to listen to us, and partnered with us in that scheme, we did it for two years in Kebbi state, and for one year in Borno State, it was a learning curve for us as an association.

"In Borno, it was very successful because recovery rate was about 95 per cent, while in Kebbi the recovery rate in the first year was about 50 per cent, and the second year about 60 per cent, but it increased the production in Borno and Kebbi, and brought more awareness, now Kebbi is doing a lot of sesame seeds, Borno, also, but because of the problems of Borno now, we don't have much farming activities going on," Mr Balogun said.

Mr Balogun noted that the scheme dated back in 2007, was years ahead of the government's anchor borrowers programme, as it increased production, brought more awareness, providing an additional source of revenue for the sesame farmers, and helped open up opportunities for sesame farmers in seeing the potential in sesame seeds.
Several health authorities in Germany are again suspending the use of AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine for residents under the age of 60 amid fresh reports of unusual blood clots in people who had recently received the shots.

Officials in Berlin, Munich and the eastern state of Brandenburg took the decision to temporarily halt vaccinations ahead of a meeting of representatives from Germanys 16 states.

The countrys medical regulator said it had received 31 reports of rare blood clots in recent recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine by March 29.

Nine of the people died and all but two involved women aged 20 to 63, the Paul Ehrlich Institute said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and health minister Jens Spahn plan to hold a news conference on the outcome of their meeting with the states.

Reports of an unusual form of blood clot in the head, known as sinus vein thrombosis, prompted several European countries to temporarily halt the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this month.

After a review by medical experts, the European Medicines Agency concluded the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks.

At the same time, the agency recommended that warnings about possible rare side effects should be provided to patients and doctors. Most European Union countries, including Germany, resumed use of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, Canada yesterday suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in people under 55, citing new data from Europe.

There is substantial uncertainty about the benefit of providing AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines to adults under 55 given the potential risks, said Dr Shelley Deeks, vice chairwoman of Canadas National Advisory Committee on Immunisation.

She said the updated recommendations come amid new data from Europe that suggests the risk of blood clots is potentially as high as one in 100,000, much higher than the one in a million believed before.



Around 2.7 million doses of the vaccine have been administered across Germany so far.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin author Louis de Bernieres today told of the 'hellish abuse' he and other boys suffered at his boarding school at the hands of two 'sadistic' schoolmasters.

The 66-year-old said he never managed to forgive his parents for sending him to Grenham House prep school in Birchington, Kent, and vowed to never reveal what he went through until they are dead.

De Bernieres attended the school in the 1960s between the ages of eight and 13, which was run by Denys Jeston, who was known for his love of beating boys, and his deputy Jack Lidgate.

His harrowing account, revealed in a letter to The Times, comes as revelations continue to emerge about sexual bullying and harassment within England's school system, as revealed on the website Everyone's Invited.

Both men have now died without any of the claims against them being tested in court.

Louis de Bernieres as a child at Grenham House Prep School (bottom right). Also circled is the 'sadistic' headmaster Denys Jeston (left) and his deputy Jack Lidgate (right)

Describing how it was 'rage, not courage' that drove him to speak out, he wrote: 'When [Jeston] beat us, he would move the furniture so that he could get a good run up. After punishment we were supposed to say 'Thank you, sir.'

'We would have neat, bloody, parallel wounds across our backsides, in shades of yellow, black, blue and green that took weeks to heal. He could admire his handiwork during compulsory naked bathing in the pool.'

The author wrote of Lidgate, 'he would slipper us so severely that the imprint would be left as a dark bruise that lasted for days. He liked to show his fondness for us by sitting us on his knee with his hands up our shorts.'

The culture of extreme physical and mental cruelty at the school - which the actor Sir David Suchet also attended with his brother, John - was so bad that one six-year-old was left with a stammer so bad that he could hardly speak, De Bernieres wrote.

Describing the pain that Grenham House left within him, the author added: 'My parents thought they were doing their best for me in paying for all this, and I decided not to speak out until they were dead.

'What compensation could there possibly be for the thousands of little boys like me, in prep schools all over the country, who had to go through that hellish abuse when we should have been with our parents at home?'

De Bernieres attended the school in the 1960s between the ages of eight and 13

The culture of extreme physical and mental cruelty at the school was so bad that one six-year-old was left with a stammer so bad that he could hardly speak, De Bernieres wrote

Sir David Suchet and his broadcaster brother John attended the school ten years before De Bernieres.

Writing in 2009, John described how Jeston used to beat them with a long bamboo cane.

Corroborating De Bernieres account, he said: 'He'd move the desks out of the way so that he could run right across the classroom to give extra power to the whack.

First day of school: This picture was taken of John Suchet in 1953, ahead of his first day at Grenham House

He caned us both together on one occasion. I bent over first - thankfully we didn't have to pull our trousers down - and suffered my six strokes. You don't feel them when they first hit but, two seconds, later the sting is terrible. I can still feel it even now.

'I walked away clutching my behind and David moved forward to take my place. I remember saying to him, ''Don't cry, David. Don't cry.'' And this evil man limbered up and started whacking poor David.'

Of Lidgate, he said: 'He specialised in putting his hands up the boys' short trousers and pinching their bums. It seemed playful at the time - we were so young that it didn't occur to us that there was anything wrong with it.'

Describing meeting De Bernieres at a function years later and mentioning the school to him, Suchet said: 'His eyes bulged, his face went red and anger filled every crevice in his face.

'He spat out the words, ''That school was run by two b******s - a sadist and a paedophile.'' It was the first time it had dawned on me that those men were criminals.

'They'd be in prison nowadays. Sadly, both were dead by then and I was never able to confront them.'

Almost 10,000 reports of misogyny, harassment, abuse and assault have now been posted to the Everyone's Invited website in recent days.

After the claims initially embroiled some of Britain's top private schools, the number of entries involving state schools has increased by a third.

Robert Halfon, Tory chairman of the education select committee, has condemned the 'Lord Of The Flies culture' within classrooms, while another demanded Ofsted be tasked with leading an independent probe.
c-Si/a-Si:H interface structure characteristics of a SHJ solar cell. a, Cross-section schematic image of the SHJ solar cell. b, Currentvoltage (IV) curve and powervoltage (PV) curve of the SHJ cell with conversion efficiency of 24.85%. c and d, HRTEM images of c-Si/a-Si:H interface viewed from <110> orientation showing the slight normal epitaxial layer and defected epitaxial structures, respectively. e and f, Atomic-resolution HAADF-STEM images of two types of defects, which are free nanotwin and embedded nanotwin, respectively. g and h, Geometrical atomic structure models derived from green dashed rectangle areas in 1e and 1f, respectively. Credit: Qu et al.

Crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells are among the most promising solar technologies on the market. These solar cells have numerous advantageous properties, including a nearly optimum bandgap, high efficiency and stability. Notably, they can also be fabricated using raw materials that are widely available and easy to attain.

In recent years, many companies and engineers specifically focused their research efforts on Si heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. These solar cells, which consist of amorphous silicon layers deposited on crystalline silicon surfaces, have been found to achieve remarkable power conversion efficiencies (PCE).

Researchers at Beijing University of Technology, the Hanergy Chengdu Research and Development Center, and Jiangsu University in China recently carried out a study aimed at closely examining the structure of the c-Si/a-Si:H interface in high-efficiency SHJ solar cells. Their paper, published in Nature Energy, offers valuable insight that could help to improve the performance of SHJ solar cells further, by allowing engineers greater control over the c-Si/a-Si:H interface.

"With continuous manufacturing improvements, Kaneka has realized SHJ solar cells with 24.5% PCE (total area, 239 cm2) and 25.1% PCE (aperture area, 151.9 cm2)," Yongzhe Zhang, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told TechXplore. "However, further efficiency enhancements of single-junction SHJ solar cells seem to have stalled in the last three years. Therefore, it is urgent that we discover new breakthroughs to solve the bottlenecks and obtain higher SHJ solar cell PCEs."

The interface between c-Si and a-Si:H in SHJ solar cells is of key importance in ensuring that the cells achieve a high PCE. To identify strategies that could improve the PCE of these cells, many researchers have thus closely examined the c-Si/a-Si:H interface using a technique known as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These examinations, however, were often limited by the poor spatial resolution of traditional TEM techniques or by the sensitivity of high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) imaging to the thickness of interface samples.

Due to these limitations, so far, TEM-based studies were merely able to gather information about the thickness or abruptness of the SHJ cells' epitaxial layer. The structural characteristics of the c-Si/a-Si:H interface at the atomic scale, however, have not yet been identified.

To improve the efficiency of SHJ cells further, researchers need to examine the c-Si/a-Si:H interface in depth and identify strategies to control it at the atomic scale. In their study, Zhang and his colleagues used HRTEM imaging techniques and theory-based simulations to represent the atomic and electronic structure of c-Si/a-Si:H interfaces. They examined the atomic structure of the c-Si/a-Si:H interface in high-efficiency SHJ solar cells using an alternative TEM technique known as spherical aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (C S -corrected TEM).

"To acquire best atomic contrast for accurately interpreting HR-(S)TEM images, we used two techniques called focused ion beam (FIB) and nanomill to prepare carefully cross-sectional samples of SHJ solar cells," the authors said. "The theoretical evaluation of c-Si/a-si:H interface structures was also crucial in this work, as it helped us to draw a physical connection between HRTEM images and device performance, in consideration of embedded nanotwins as the deep defects level of recombination center resulting in a short carrier lifetime, based on first-principles calculations."

The results gathered by Zhang and his colleagues were fairly unexpected and surprising. In addition to the cells' normal epitaxial structure, the researchers observed high-density nanotwins in the thin epitaxial layer between c-Si and a-Si:H, which exist in two different forms, as free nanotwins and as embedded nanotwins. Their calculations also showed that embedded nanotwins in this layer impair the performance of the SHJ solar cells.

After they identified high-density nanotwins in the thin epitaxial layer between c-Si and a-Si:H and determined that they impaired the performance of SHJ solar cells, the researchers tried to determine their origin and how they evolved over time. To do this, they examined c-Si/a-Si:H interface structures at different stages of the cell fabrication process using HRTEM techniques.

To illustrate the evolution of the c-Si/a-Si:H interface's structure, the researchers performed additional in situ annealing experiments using a microelectromechanical systems (MEMs)-based heating system, combined with C S -corrected TEM. Their findings revealed that the nanotwins nucleate during the deposition of the i-a-Si:H layer and form during the subsequent annealing process.

"From our analysis, we conclude that suppressing twin nucleation in the initial stages is the critical step in reducing embedded nanotwins," the authors said. "We thus fabricated SHJ solar cells with low-density nanotwins by introducing an extra ultra-thin i-a-Si:H buffer layer and these cells exhibited better performance."

Zhang and his colleagues found that their strategy to restrain embedded nanotwins in c-Si/a-Si:H interfaces further enhanced the PCE of SHJ solar cells. As part of their study, they explored the potential of this strategy further, using it to change the initial surface of the c-Si wafer to ensure that it deviates from the {111} plane.

"The key objective of our work is the realization of a high-efficiency SHJ solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 24.85% prepared by an industry-compatible process," the authors said. "The discovery of embedded twins and the revelation that they hinder the improvement of cell conversion efficiency broke the traditional understanding: the dangling bonds at the c-Si/a-Si:H interface are the main stumbling block that affects the carrier interface."

The study by Zhang and his colleagues introduces a new strategy that could help to improve the efficiency of SHJ solar cells. In addition, it offers new insight about the structure of the c-Si/a-Si:H interface in high-efficiency SHJ solar cells at the atomic scale, showing that high-density embedded nanotwins are detrimental to these cells' performance.

"Employing first-principle calculations, our theoretical simulations revealed the nature of nano-twin, which is inevitable defect structure during the industrialized passivation process," the authors said. "Considering extra-deep levels of embedded nano-twin, it acts as recombination centers and impacting the performance strongly, we therefore proposed strategies to avoid from its generation, an ultrathin passivation layer. Following those process, our in-situ TEM measurements observed the density reducing of embedded nanotwins and we provided a novel approach to improve the performance of silicon solar cells."

So far, the recombination of c-Si/a-Si:H interfaces was considered the primary cause for energy loss in SHJ solar cells. Zhang and his colleagues investigated efficiency losses in their highest performing solar cells and found that high-density embedded nanotwins, detrimental to the device performance, typically formed in the thin epitaxial layer between c-Si and a-Si:H layers. They also found that adding an ultra-thin a-Si buffer layer significantly reduced the presence of embedded nanotwins and improved the cells' efficiency.

"Our findings imply that the PCE of SHJ solar cells can be improved when embedded nanotwins are restrained," the authors added. In fact, in our study we achieved an obvious performance improvement by reducing the density of embedded nanotwins. We will now focus on how to reduce/eliminate the nanotwins furtherly by adjusting their evolution process on c-Si and a-Si:H interface."

Explore further An industrially viable competitor to silicon-based solar cells is in the works

More information: Xianlin Qu et al. Identification of embedded nanotwins at c-Si/a-Si:H interface limiting the performance of high-efficiency silicon heterojunction solar cells, Nature Energy (2021). Journal information: Nature Energy Xianlin Qu et al. Identification of embedded nanotwins at c-Si/a-Si:H interface limiting the performance of high-efficiency silicon heterojunction solar cells,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-020-00768-4

 2021 Science X Network
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  The Philippines ranked 17th out of 156 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2021 report released on Tuesday by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The country garnered a score of 78.4% in the annual gender gap index. It dropped one place from its previous position last year, but is still the highest among Asian nations and second-best in the East Asia and Pacific region behind 7th placer New Zealand.

The WEF lauded the Philippines for closing its gaps on Educational Attainment and Health and Survival categories. The country got a score of 99.9% and 97.9%, respectively, in these standards.

The report also stated the Philippines is among the 18 countries in the world which have closed at least 79.5% of the Economic Participation and Opportunity gaps.

"This result is due in part to the fact that the Philippines is one of the few countries that has closed at the same time its gender gap in senior roles, and in professional and technical roles," the WEF said in its report.

The Geneva-based international economic group pointed out that less than half of Filipino women, or 49.1% to be exact, are in the job market. Wage and income gaps are yet to be closed in the Philippines, according to the report.

"Women should be incentivized to participate more in the broader labor force," the report reads.

Political empowerment in the Philippines has not yet been bridged with a 36. 2% gap rating, despite the country having two female heads of state for the past 50 years. Only 28% of women hold parliamentary positions in the country and some 13% as ministers.

In its global report, the WEF estimated that attaining global gender parity will take nearly 136 years, up from its previous estimate of almost 100 years.

Women have lost jobs at higher rates than men during the pandemic, and they're being rehired at a slower rate than men as the economy bounces back. When schools and other care facilities closed, women "disproportionately" took on childcare, housework, and the care of elders.

"Progress towards gender parity is stalling in several large economies and industries," the WEF warned. "This is partly due to women being more frequently employed in sectors hardest hit by lockdowns combined with the additional pressures of providing care at home."

The COVID-19 pandemic is also speeding up the adoption of automation and digitization. Women are underrepresented in sectors that are protected against this shift, like cloud computing, engineering, and artificial intelligence.
Some cases of cheating have been detected in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has revealed.

As the national tests entered the third day yesterday, Prof Magoha warned that some schools will face sanctions for leaking exam papers to Form Four candidates.

The CS disclosed that several schools in Migori, Nyamira and Garissa counties are being investigated for allowing candidates access to examination papers before the scheduled time.

Some rogue invigilators and teachers in the schools, which he did not name, were caught opening the exam papers prematurely and sharing the questions with select candidates for revision. This gave them undue advantage over other candidates.

"We wish to inform the country that we unearthed a case of early exposure of some papers during this examination," Prof Magoha said at St Georges Girls School in Nairobi, where he was monitoring the examinations.

Leaked material

Prof Magoha said an invigilator in Migori County was arrested after he was caught sharing some of the leaked material.

"The invigilator is now in the custody of police officers and will be arraigned to face criminal charges," he added.

The ministry is monitoring three schools in Nyamira and three others in Garissa suspected to be involved in leaking examination papers to candidates.

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He said another popular school is being monitored in Western region where the principal is believed to be colluding with university students to write exams on behalf candidates.

The CS, however, assured the country that the cases were isolated and the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) will deliver credible examinations.

Examination irregularity

According to Knec guidelines on examination cheating, any candidate who commits an examination irregularity will have the results for the whole subject cancelled.

Such a candidate will not be entitled to a result and will be awarded a "Y" overall grade. If there is evidence of wide-spread irregularities in any examination centre, the results for the entire centre will be cancelled.

Any person caught accessing the examination material before the scheduled time faces a jail term not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding Sh2 million. Knec has also prohibited candidates from having mobile phones or other electronic communication device in examination centres.

Yesterday, Prof Magoha said no candidate will be allowed to have an unfair advantage in the ongoing examinations.

Prof Magoha further warned that the ministry will publicly name schools involved in examination cheating.
Appointment

31 March 2021

Hospitality specialist Jelena Bojanic has stepped into her 'dream role' as A by Adina Canberra Hotel General Manager, raising the flag on the new brand's first premium address in the nation's capital.

A sublime embodiment of contemporary Australian style, space and values that the rest of the world aspires to, the A by Adina brand purposely side-steps any concept of a 'hotel category' to elevate individual guest experience into a class of its own.

Fittingly, Jelena's started her hotel career with TFE Hotels flagship Adina brand, initially working on reception at Adina Apartment Hotel Wollongong, in tandem with university study (Bachelor of Commerce).

During her long tenure with TFE Hotels, she has worked across a variety of properties including Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Airport (Duty Manager; Reservations & Conference Coordinator; Assistant Hotel Manager) and has also enjoyed several Relief Assistant Hotel Manager secondments to Adina Sydney Central, The Calile Hotel (Brisbane) and Hotel Kurrajong Canberra (where she was assisted in a crisis management in the face of bushfires and COVID-19 response procedures).

Leading a team of A by Adina Canberra 'guest curators', Jelena is excited and enlivened by her role in TFE Hotels game-changing introduction of 'hotel living', with the arrival of A by Adina.

Above all, Jelena says she's excited to deliver guests the ultimate freedom to redefine house rules and stay their own way at A by Adina Canberra - even extending to re-arranging apartment layouts, perfectly suited to individual needs, thanks to the property's thoughtful, cutting-edge design.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 23:36:52|Editor: huaxia

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Olzhas Syzdykov, secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Party of Kazakhstan receives an interview with Xinhua in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, March 20, 2021. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

NUR-SULTAN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has always put its people's interests at the forefront, which is key to China's stunning achievements in the past decades, a Kazakh politician has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Olzhas Syzdykov, secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Party of Kazakhstan, praised China's achievement in eradicating extreme poverty, which has made tens of millions of people live better lives and develop themselves.

"The Chinese miracle in the fight against poverty offers an example for the whole world. And our party took the experience of China as a model," he said. "We believe that to tackle poverty, the most important investment should go to human capital. And China is a perfect example."

It has been under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, that the CPC has achieved its goal of eradicating extreme poverty before the party's 100th founding anniversary this year, the Kazakh politician said, adding that China has also secured economic growth and cracked down on corruption over the past years.

Syzdykov said the CPC has offered a new governance approach to building a more just society. It allows the country to use the accumulated capital to satisfy more social needs, so as to not only bake a bigger cake but divide it in a much fairer way, he noted.

Thanks to the cohesion and leadership of the CPC, China has been able to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, while most developed countries continue to struggle, he said.

"The Chinese people are united under the leadership of the CPC. They have been able to accomplish what those developed countries cannot do," said Syzdykov.

Stressing that the CPC is from the people and wholeheartedly serves the people, he said the party knows and cares all the aspirations of the people, as they are an integral part of it.

The merit of the CPC is that it has been pursuing a socialist path of development and always been trying to solve problems, he noted. Enditem
The parents of a seven-year-old girl who has autism and suffers from chronic anxiety which prevents her from going to school have said she had a right to be educated.

Lexi Ford from Tallaght, in Dublin, was told this week she will not be seen by HSE services until November 2026.

Her parents, Stephen Ford and Sorcha OConnor, say their child has a right to go to school and a right to be educated, regardless of her autism, and trying to find support and resources for her is exhausting.

These children have a right to school like every other child. Why should they be denied that just because they need a little bit more support and a little more patience? said Ms OConnor.

Its exhausting doing this - but you cant just let people say your child cant go to school.

Can somebody not stand up for this group of people and do something? Its all talk and nobody actually does anything.

Lexi was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and traits of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in July 2020, and since then her parents have been trying to get her help for her anxiety which is preventing her from going to school.

The frustrated parents say they have spent the last year being passed back and forth between Lucena Clinic, a mental health clinic they were referred by their GP, and the HSE School Age Team seeking treatment for Lexi.

The doctors referred us three times to Lucena Clinic  weve even had the school send a letter to Lucena Clinic, said Mr Ford.

Lexi was then referred by Lucena Clinic to the HSE School Age Team at the end of 2020.

This week her parents received a letter from the HSE stating Lexi would not be seen until November 2026 due to lengthy waiting lists.

On top of that her school, St Dominics School in Tallaght do not have the resources available to provide Lexi with a full-time special needs assistant (SNA) which is preventing her from going to school.

One of the recommendations made upon Lexis diagnosis was the provision of special needs assistance support during school hours, according to correspondence to her parents.

After the Easter Break Lexi will only be able to attend school two hours a day because of the lack of school resources available for children with disabilities.

St Dominics applied for another SNA for Lexi but the application was turned down.

Ms OConnor and Mr Ford said the school is getting bigger, however the resources are now. They said it is not the schools fault that Lexi does not an SNA.

Mr Ford said: She wants to go to school, she just cant fight through the anxiety - and that stops her then from going in.

She sits at a desk by herself because sitting with other kids is overwhelming  the yard is such a hard thing she finds it hard without any help to mix with other kids.

Lexi is autistic, but she is still a human being  a seven-year-old child. She has the right to go to school.

The parents received a letter from Lucena Clinic in December 2020 which said their daughter urgently needs access to appropriate ASD/Disability services, but her referral remains inappropriate for this service.

The letter read: The role of Lucena Clinic (as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) with young people diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorders is consultation on difficult to diagnose cases and treatment of acute psychiatric co-morbidity. This girl has attended recently and psychiatric co-morbidly was out-ruled and thus this referral remains inappropriate for this service".

Subsequent follow-up requests made by Lexis parents to the clinic were met with the response that Lexis condition is more appropriately met within the disability or specialist ASD services if indicated. Therefore, we have not added Lexis name to our waitlist here in Lucena Clinic.

The current School Age scheme which Lexi currently has an appointment for in 2026 is due to finish in June 2021 and be replaced with a new support service.

Mr Ford said: Whatever theyre replacing that with is not going to benefit Lexi, theres still going to be a huge waiting list.
The European Medicines Agency has said there is no evidence that would support restricting the use of AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine in any population despite reports of rare blood clots associated with the shot.

The comments today by the head of the EMA, Emer Cooke, contradict the advice given a day earlier by an expert panel in Germany that prompted the German government to restrict the use of the jab in people under 60.

Ms Cooke said that according to the current scientific knowledge, there is no evidence that would support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population.





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She said that the assessment was based on 62 cases of unusual blood clots, including 14 deaths, reported to the EMA by March 22.

Meanwhile the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 jab is "100pc effective and well tolerated" among children aged 12 to 15, a new study suggests.

Pfizer said it now plans to seek approval for the use of the vaccine in this age group from regulators around the world and hopes youngsters will start to receive the jab before the next school year.

The pharmaceutical company said it plans to submit the data to the UK regulator - the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - within the next couple of months.

Researchers examined the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in a trial of 2,260 teenagers in the US.

Half were given the jab and the other half were given a placebo drug.

There were no Covid-19 cases seen in the group who received the vaccine and 18 infections among those who did not.

Albert Bourla, chief executive of Pfizer, said: "We share the urgency to expand the authorisation of our vaccine to use in younger populations and are encouraged by the clinical trial data from adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15.

"We plan to submit these data to FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration) as a proposed amendment to our emergency use authorisation in the coming weeks and to other regulators around the world, with the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year."

Ugur Sahin, chief executive and co-founder of BioNTech, said: "Across the globe, we are longing for a normal life. This is especially true for our children.

"The initial results we have seen in the adolescent studies suggest that children are particularly well protected by vaccination, which is very encouraging given the trends we have seen in recent weeks regarding the spread of the B117 UK variant.

"It is very important to enable them to get back to everyday school life and to meet friends and family while protecting them and their loved ones."

Pfizer said the jab "demonstrated 100pc efficacy and robust antibody responses exceeding those reported in a trial of vaccinated 16-25-year-old participants in an earlier analysis".

Participants in the phase three trial, conducted in the US, showed "strong immunogenicity" a month after the second dose of the jab.

It added that "administration was well tolerated, with side-effects generally consistent with those observed in participants 16 to 25 years of age".

All participants in the trial will be monitored for two years after their second dose.

Pfizer and BioNTech said they plan to submit the data for scientific peer review for potential publication.

Meanwhile, the companies also announced they have dosed the first children in a trial assessing the safety and effectiveness of the jab in youngsters aged six months to 11 years.





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Projects focus on fisheries, coral reef restoration, marine protected areas, the ocean economy, and more

Nine distinguished conservation researchers from around the world have been named 2021 recipients of the Pew fellowship in marine conservation. From studying the ecological and socioeconomic benefits provided by coastal habitats to improving shark conservation and coral reef restoration practices, the new fellows will undertake a broad range of projects to deepen our knowledge of the ocean and advance the sustainable use of marine resources.

"We are honored to welcome the newest cohort of experts to the active community of Pew marine fellows," said Rebecca Goldburg, director of environmental research and science at The Pew Charitable Trusts. "These individuals are undertaking exciting new research projects that will directly address ocean conservation and management needs around the world. I look forward to working with them over the coming years."

For 25 years, the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation has supported midcareer scientists and other experts seeking solutions to problems affecting the world's oceans.

Fellows are selected by an international committee of marine science experts following a rigorous nomination and review process. Each fellow receives $150,000 over three years to address some of the most critical challenges facing the marine environment. Pew has recognized 189 marine fellows from 40 countries since the start of the program.

The 2021 Pew marine fellows are:

Amanda Bates, Ph.D.

Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada (through June 30, 2021)

University of Victoria, Canada (starting July 1, 2021)

Bates will examine the long-term impacts of the pandemic lockdown on marine biodiversity to advance scientific understanding of how humans affect natural systems.

Rachel T. Graham, Ph.D.

MarAlliance, Panama

Graham will study shark populations in Panama and explore innovative strategies to strengthen engagement of coastal fishing communities in shark research, conservation, and management.

Gakushi Ishimura, Ph.D.

Iwate University, Japan

Ishimura will examine how fisheries and coastal communities respond to extreme events, such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, to inform marine conservation strategies in Japan.

Mei Lin Neo, Ph.D.

National University of Singapore, Singapore

Neo will study threats to populations of giant clams in Southeast Asia to identify key drivers of ongoing declines and opportunities to improve conservation of these threatened invertebrates.

Kirsten L.L. Oleson, Ph.D.

University of Hawaii at Manoa, United States

Oleson will use natural capital accounting to evaluate the contributions of coastal ecosystems to the Hawaiian economy and inform decision-making about and management of marine resources.

Tries Blandine Razak, Ph.D.

IPB University, Indonesia

Razak will undertake research to support more effective restoration and conservation of coral reefs in Indonesia.

Yunne-Jai Shin, Ph.D.

French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development and Marine Biodiversity, Exploitation, and Conservation research unit, France

Shin will develop a comprehensive framework for quantifying uncertainty in ocean ecosystem models to make them more useful as tools for decision-makers.

Rick Stuart-Smith, Ph.D.

University of Tasmania, Australia

Stuart-Smith will develop a system to audit the effectiveness of global marine protected areas in delivering the intended benefits for people and biodiversity.

Wang Songlin, M.Sc.

Qingdao Marine Conservation Society, China

Wang will conduct ecological and socioeconomic research to support effective conservation and management of China's Bohai Bay eelgrass bed and will work with local fishers to co-develop eelgrass-friendly fishing practices.

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The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Learn more at pewtrusts.org.
Jerome, ID, March 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Idaho Milk Products will present Episode 3 in their Formulating with Milk Proteins webinar series on How to Formulate Excellent Quality High-Protein Ice Cream. In this upcoming free webinar, attendees will learn about the common challenges encountered when formulating clean label-friendly, high-protein ice cream using milk proteins to achieve success.

Guest speakers will be Joe Marshal, Food Scientist with Socius Ingredients, Dr. Venkat Sunkesula, Associate Director of Research and Technical Services and Kumar Tammineedi, Senior R&D Scientist both in Research and Development (R&D) at Idaho Milk Products.

Dr. Venkat Sunkesula joined the Idaho Milk Products team in 2019 as Senior R&D Scientist and was promoted to Associate Director of Research and Technical Services in 2020. Sunkesula has over 20 years of experience in the dairy field, candy, and brewing industry. He is responsible for the upkeep of the new Milk Innovation Center as well as the evaluation of new technologies based on market trends and customer requirements. Dr. Sunkesula came to Idaho Milk Products from South Dakota State University where he pursued his Ph.D. in dairy manufacturing and did his thesis on the Development of Methods to improve Lactose Recovery from Permeate and Drying Characteristics of Greek Acid Whey. Sunkesula will be speaking about our Milk Innovation Center (MIC) and the help we extend to our customers.

Kumar Tammineedi joined the Idaho Milk Products team in 2020 as Senior R&D Scientist with over seven years of experience in technical services and regulatory affairs. Tammineedi is responsible for new product development and recipe/ formulation optimization as well as providing technical support to operations and QA. Tammineedi received his bachelors degree in Dairy Manufacturing (SVVU University, India) and a masters degree in Food Science (Southern Illinois University). Mr. Tammineedi will cover MPCs that could help solve some of the current issues in high protein ice cream.

Joe Marshall joined the Socius Ingredients team in 2016 as a Food Scientist after completing his bachelor's degree in Food Science at the University of Illinois. Joe has five years of experience specializing in proteins and hydrocolloids and their use in food including ice cream applications such as high-protein, low carbohydrate, plant-based and health care, specifically relating to dysphagia. Mr. Marshall will be speaking on tips and pointers for making great-tasting ice cream.

This third webinar will be cast on April 15, 2021 and be hosted by Global Food Forums, Inc. Those wishing to register can contact our team at marketing@idahomilk.us.

###

About Idaho Milk Products

Idaho Milk Products is a privately held, vertically integrated international milk processing leader, supplying Milk Protein Isolate (MPI), Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC), Milk Permeate, and Cream derivatives to customers around the globe. Owned by local Idaho dairy farmers, Idaho Milk Products has a dedicated consistent milk supply and delivers reliable, quality dairy ingredients. For more information, visit idahomilkproducts.com.

Attachments
The plenum of the Chamber of Deputies rejected, on Wednesday, the simple motion initiated by Social Democratic Party (PSD) against the Minister of Agriculture, Adrian Oros, according to AGERPRES.

There were 115 votes "for" and 166 votes "against" the motion.

The motion, entitled "Romania's agriculture is being attacked by the most dangerous pest - Minister Adrian Nechita Oros", was debated on Monday in the Chamber of Deputies.

In favor of adopting the simple motion, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) representatives voted alongisde with the PSD deputies.

PSD argued in the motion that it is mandatory for Minister Oros to step down urgently, accusing him that, after 17 months in office, he has learned nothing and agriculture is going through the darkest period due to his "incompetence and amateurism".
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Australia announced Wednesday it would begin building its own guided missiles in close collaboration with the U.S. as it seeks to boost its defence capabilities.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the opening of Raytheon Australia's Centre for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Australia announced Wednesday it would begin building its own guided missiles in close collaboration with the U.S. as it seeks to boost its defense capabilities. Citing the "changing global environment, Morrison said it would partner with a weapons manufacturer to build the missiles in a plan that would create thousands of jobs as well as export opportunities. (Morgan Sette/AAP Image via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Australia announced Wednesday it would begin building its own guided missiles in close collaboration with the U.S. as it seeks to boost its defence capabilities.

The news comes amid growing unease in the Pacific region about China's increasing assertiveness and military abilities.

Citing the "changing global environment, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it would partner with a weapons manufacturer to build the missiles in a plan that would create thousands of jobs as well as export opportunities.

Morrison said it would initially spend 1 billion Australian dollars ($761 million) on the plan as part of a huge 10-year investment in defence and the defence industry.

Creating our own sovereign capability on Australian soil is essential to keep Australians safe, Morrison said.

It has been decades since Australia last manufactured advanced missiles, and it currently relies on importing them from allies including the U.S. Australia does currently build a decoy rocket aimed at disrupting incoming missiles.

Michael Shoebridge, the director of defence, strategy and national security at the independent think-tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the announcement was welcome news and filled a strategic gap.

Its being driven by the two Cs, China and COVID, Shoebridge said.

He said China's increasing aggression was a big concern for Australia, as was the vulnerability of global supply chains that had been exposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

He said Australia's most pressing need was for long-range anti-ship missiles that could be fired from warships or aircraft. He said that new army fighting vehicles also needed missile capabilities.

Shoebridge said it would make sense for Australia to build a new generation of hypersonic missiles in collaboration with the U.S. He said potential commercial partners included large U.S. weapons manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, although other manufacturers might be involved in developing specific systems, for instance propulsion.

Australia is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, along with the U.S., Canada, Britain and New Zealand.

We will work closely with the United States on this important initiative to ensure that we understand how our enterprise can best support both Australias needs and the growing needs of our most important military partner," Defence Minister Peter Dutton said.

He said building weapons in Australia would not only enhance its capabilities but would also ensure the nation had sufficient supply for combat operations if there was any disruption to global supply chains.

Before the announcement, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute had estimated that Australia would need to spend AU$100 billion over the next 20 years on buying missiles and guided weapons.

Shoebridge said the home-built missiles would help provide a military deterrent during the current decade while Australia waited for a series of new frigates and attack-class submarines to be built.

He said that in the event of a conflict, Australia would need a lot of missiles quickly and couldn't rely on importing them on time. He said such a scenario was possible, for instance if Beijing decided the time was right to take control of Taiwan by force.

He said the announcement also fitted with the U.S. strategy of dispersing its forces and capabilities so it wasn't vulnerable in any key locations.
How do viral pathogens succeed in penetrating human cells? Which cellular mechanisms do they use to multiply efficiently and, in doing so, how do they change the structure of their host cell? These questions are the focus of a pan-European research project called "Compact Cell-Imaging Device" (CoCID), in which Heidelberg scientists are playing a major role.

In order to advance research into viral diseases, the aim of the project is to develop a particularly suitable cell-imaging method - which has so far been of limited access to researchers - for extensive application in medical research.

For this purpose, the European Union is funding a consortium of virologists and imaging experts coordinated by University College Dublin (Ireland) with just under 5.7 million euros until the end of 2024. In all, approximately 1.6 million euros will go to Heidelberg University and Heidelberg University Hospital.

A particularly high-performance method of cell-imaging is soft X-ray microscopy (SXM), explains Dr Venera Weinhardt from the Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) of Heidelberg University. A physicist, she specialises in innovative X-ray procedures and collaborates with Prof. Dr Ralf Bartenschlager, who is head of the Molecular Virology division at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Heidelberg University Hospital. "SXM makes use of the special properties of the soft X-ray spectrum in order to look into the interior of a single intact cell and generate three-dimensional images of its whole internal structure.

That also reveals the changes induced by viral infections," says Dr Weinhardt. For this reason, soft X-ray microscopy clearly sets itself apart from traditional methods such as electron microscopy, which can visualize individual parts but not the whole cell interior.

So far SXM can only be performed at five research stations worldwide, where the illumination required for this type of microscopy is supplied by huge particle accelerators called synchrotrons. The main feature of CoCID therefore lies in further developing a miniaturised soft X-ray approach which has been patented by SiriusXT, a spin-out company from University College Dublin. It is intended for extensive use in future.

The SXM microscope developed by SiriusXT performs just as well but is many times smaller, less expensive, and still very fast." Dr Venera Weinhardt, Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University

The scientist will make a major contribution to optimizing the prototype through benchmarking and comparisons with other systems for daily application.

From virological standpoints, the Heidelberg researchers are particularly interested in the potential of the new methodology when researching SARS-CoV-2. Prof. Bartenschlager's working group is primarily concerned with how the virus reprograms its host cells. According to him, SXM images created under the leadership of Dr Weinhardt at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California (USA) are already promising in this respect.

It also proved possible to generate three-dimensional images of cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the framework of a cooperation agreement with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg.

"Through working with these images we have a pretty good idea of what factors play a role with imaging in connection with the virus-infected cells and we can pass these findings on to the CoCID consortium. As soon as the soft X-ray prototype from Dublin is up and running we will also deliver samples of infected cells, enable a direct comparison with available images and provide support in interpreting data," says Prof. Bartenschlager.

The Heidelberg experts anticipate that a soft X-ray microscopy available for daily use will have clear advantages over existing procedures. For example, the current SXM facilities can only deal with a fraction of the inquiries that come in. Prof. Bartenschlager: "We can't afford long waits or a time-intensive method when it comes to novel viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, which we learn something new about and which changes on a daily basis."

Besides scientists from Heidelberg University, the "Compact Cell-Imaging Device" project also involves researchers from Finland, Ireland and Spain. The four-year funding for the project, which started at the beginning of this year, is taking place in the context of the Horizon 2020 programme of the European Union.


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MANISTEE  White supremacy propaganda is on the rise in Michigan, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League.

There were 5,125 cases of racist, antisemitic and other hateful incidents reported by ADL in 2020. This is the highest level of cases ever reported, according to the league. ADL reported an average of about 14 incidents reported per day and nearly double the 2,713 cases reported in 2019.

The league is an anti-hate organization founded in 1913 to combat antisemitism and bigotry. It tracks the distribution of racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ fliers, stickers, posters and banners by various members of far right and white supremacist groups.

ADL recorded 57 incidents of white supremacy propaganda in Michigan, a 36% increase from 2019.

There were five groups responsible for the propaganda efforts in Michigan are Patriot Front, Folksfront, Nationalist Social Club, New Order, and the Loyal White Knights, a Ku Klux Klan group. Patriot Front was responsible for 47 out of 57 white supremacy propaganda incidents in Michigan, according to an ADL news release.

Patriot Front is an active nationwide white supremacist group. It was formed after the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017 that resulted in the deaths of one civilian and two state police troopers.

Emily Snider, associate regional director for the ADL in Michigan, recommends reporting any instances of white supremacist propaganda through the leagues website.

In some cases, it can also be reported to local law enforcement, like if its vandalism or in a place where fliers arent allowed, Snider told the News Advocate.

ADL records incidents through an interactive HEAT map. HEAT stands for hate, extremism, antisemitism and terrorism.

In northwest Michigan, there were three antisemitic and white supremacist incidents reported in 2020, two in Traverse City and one in Lake Leelanau. In August, it was reported that the entrance to a Jewish cemetery in Traverse City was vandalized with spray paint. In December, someone reported that Patriot Front distributed propaganda that read: "Not stolen conquered," "Patriot Front," "America is not for sale" and "For the nation against the state."

In Lake Leelanau, someone reported an antisemitic letter to the editor about the COVID-19 pandemic published in a local newspaper in May. The report says that the letter referred to the president as a puppet on the strings of his Zionist masters."

There have been no incidents reported in Manistee or Benzie Counties since the ADL began collecting data in 2002.

Sinder said this could be because incidents havent been reported or simply that the population is more sparse than in other areas of Michigan.

The ADL runs several educational programs, including the Glass Leadership Institute, a 10-month program for young professionals in Michigan. The league is actively looking for members of its regional leadership board from across the state. More details can be found at michigan.adl.org.

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Australia unveiled a plan on Wednesday to partner up with a global arms manufacturer and build its own guided missiles to boost the countrys defence capabilities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the accelerated creation of a one-billion-Australian-dollar (760 million dollars) sovereign guided weapons enterprise.

It will support missile and guided weapons manufacturing for the Australian military, Mr Morrisons office said in a statement.

The Department of Defence was seeking an industry partner to operate a new weapons manufacturing facility on the governments behalf.

Australian broadcaster ABC reported that Raytheon Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Konsberg and BAE Systems Australia were in the running.

Mr Morrison said it was essential to create a sovereign capability on Australian soil, to keep Australians safe.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, having the ability for self-reliance, be it vaccine development or the defence of Australia, is vital to meeting our own requirements in a changing global environment, Mr Morrison said.

Australia will work closely with the United States on the initiative, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said.

The new enterprise could be worth 40 billion Australian dollars in local production and export over the next two decades, according to Melissa Price, Minister of Defence Industry.

(NAN)
South Africa: Free State water and electricity challenges to be resolved

Deputy President David Mabuza is confident that the people of Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State will soon have their water and electricity challenges resolved.

Deputy President Mabuza made these remarks during an oversight visit to Phuthaditjhaba which is located in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.

We are here because of the challenges that are experienced by the local communities and this municipality. We are here to deal with the challenges that are experienced by the people in this area, Mabuza said on Tuesday.

He said plans and presentations made to him by municipal and the various stakeholders indicate that work towards ensuring that there is water and electricity is underway.

The Deputy President also visited a local traditional leader who emphasised the importance of water and electricity.

In addition, the Deputy President expressed confidence in the plans presented by the municipality, Eskom and other stakeholders saying they will bear positive results.

He noted that there are a number of projects that are running in the area and expressed concern that some had been disrupted before they could be finished.

We have called all the business forums in the area so that we could talk to them, these are job opportunities, for them. There is no need to disrupt these projects because people want water, Mabuza said.

The Deputy President made a commitment to return to the area in 15 days to monitor progress.

Electricity challenges

On the issue of electricity challenges, the Deputy President said the issue would be resolved by the end of April.

Eskom and the municipality must partner together and Eskom must help the municipality to collect the revenue. We are confident that the problems are going to be resolved, Mabuza said.

Local resident Thatohatse Molamu said he is confident that water and electricity challenges would be resolved following the Deputy Presidents visit.

We are confident that the Deputy President is going resolve all our problems here. Our municipality have failed to provide us water, we now putting our hopes to the Deputy President to help us, Molamu told SAnews.

Another resident, Patrick Seruwe, said that the community has pinned their hopes on the Deputy Presidents intervention.

Elizabeth Ross sub-station

The Deputy President and his entourage also visited the Elizabeth Ross sub-station which is still under construction.

Once completed, the sub-station is said to ease of the problem of electricity in the area.

The Deputy Presidents oversight visit is the second such visit since he made an undertaking in Parliament to intervene in service delivery hotspots.

The issues that were raised in Parliament by various political parties were related to electricity and water disruption due to debt owed by the municipality to Eskom.

Maluti-a-Phofung was previously placed under Section 139 (1) (b) on the Constitution which has since been lifted.

The visit by the Deputy President forms part of support interventions by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Service Delivery.

During the visit, the Deputy President was briefed on measures undertaken by the province and the municipality to resolve the issue of the escalating debt to Eskom, which has also led to disruption of electricity supply.

In some areas water supply is affected due to power interruptions.

The Deputy President was accompanied by Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Fikile Majola and the leadership of the District and Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, among others.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A group of powerful Republican senators has introduced a legislation to prohibit federal funds from being used to buy from companies based in China, allegedly using forced labour in

The Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act' requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop standards and guidelines to prohibit federal funds from being used to purchase manufactured or assembled by entities with ties to the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

It also requires the Comptroller of the US to submit to Congress a report on the amount of procured by federal departments and agencies from covered entities.

The bill requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to conduct an independent study of the domestic market of solar panel production and the global supply chain and workforce involved in solar panel production.

Beijing has made it clear that to do business in China, you must leave American values behind, Senator Marco Rubio said.

As the Chinese Communist Party is actively committing genocide against Uyghurs and other ethnic Muslim minorities, it forces American companies to look the other way while profiting from its egregious human rights violations, including forced labour, Rubio said.

He said that the CPC's crimes should not be fuelled by American taxpayer dollars.

China has emerged as one of the leading manufacturers of solar panels and photovoltaic power.

China is accused of committing serious human rights violations against minority Uyghurs in the resource-rich region.

Last week several western countries - including the US, the UK, Canada and European Union members - imposed sanctions on officials in China over the situation in

China has repeatedly denied the allegations of abuse and has hit back with retaliatory sanctions on European officials.

No taxpayer dollars should be used to prop up the Communist Party of China, which is committing a genocide against the Uyghurs under General Secretary (and Chinese President) Xi (Jinping's) direction, continues to threaten our ally Taiwan and strip basic rights from Hong Kongers, Senator Rick Scott said.

Reports show that many solar companies rely on materials and labour from Communist China's Xinjiang province, which is known for forced labour and horrific abuse of the Uyghurs, he said.

My Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act, which prohibits the use of federal funds to buy solar panels from Communist China, sends a clear message to General Secretary Xi that the United States will not turn a blind eye to his genocide and human rights abuses, Scott said.

Senator John Kennedy said that the CPC is guilty of monstrous human rights violations, and the regime's cruelty is on full display in Xinjiang, where Uyghurs are suffering in Communist prison camps.

Reports indicate Beijing relies on forced labour in Xinjiang to make solar panels -- and other products -- many of which it sells to the US, he said.

Americans should have no hand in funding the CCP's atrocities, and the Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act would ensure that federal dollars don't fund the Communist Party, or any of its affiliated entities, through the purchase of solar panels, Kennedy 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.)
[March 31, 2021] EnvyPak's USPS Approved Clear Envelopes Offer Postage Savings And Interactive Possibilities For Industries Relaunching Direct Mail Campaigns

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EnvyPak leads the way for direct mail postage savings with the only clear polypropylene envelope approved for USPS automation letter rates. These savings apply to marketing mail of all types and first class mail. EnvyPak's Automation Letter Rate (ALR) clear envelope is a specially-formatted, 4.5 mil polypropylene envelope that can yield over 50% savings in postage compared to other plastic envelopes or bags, does not require an affixed mailing label and is machine insertable. "Now that our economy is growing and getting stronger post-pandemic, it's a great time for companies to get back on track with their direct mail campaigns. EnvyPak's clear ALR polypropylene envelope can help earn significant postal savings, an increased ROI and creative opportunities that paper envelopes simply cannot," said Michele Cole, President of EnvyPak. The company worked for 10 years with the Pricing and Classification Division of the USPS to develop this EnvyPak clear envelope that met their automation specifications. Because the EnvyPak ALRis fully automated, the need for paper address labels is eliminated. Users can print an address and barcode directly on the insert to show through the clear envelope, opening creative possibilities and increasing ROI.



A far cry from their stodgy paper counterparts, EnvyPak clear envelopes present many interactive, creative possibilities to enhance any direct mailer design. Clear ALR envelopes can be printed with single to full-color graphics designed to "interact" with contents.

The envelopes can be closed either using "peel and stick" tape or by lettershops with hot melt glue.

Custom shapes, sizes and coatings are also available. "These elements all work together, resulting in high-impact, interactive direct mail that gets opened and can increase a small or large businesses' return on marketing investment," Cole said.

The ALR envelope has been used by major brands in the financial, automotive, travel, hospitality and publishing industries. Free samples of the clear ALR envelope are available here. EnvyPak's clear ALR envelope is recyclable and made in the United States. A biodegradable version is available. About EnvyPak

EnvyPak, a division of Univenture, is based in Ohio, and manufactures polypropylene direct mail and packaging products used by prestigious brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Citibank, PNC Bank, Target and others. Contact EnvyPak here or phone 877-835-3052. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/envypaks-usps-approved-clear-envelopes-offer-postage-savings-and-interactive-possibilities-for-industries-relaunching-direct-mail-campaigns-301258240.html SOURCE EnvyPak

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Bengaluru, March 31 : A detailed study on snakebites carried out by the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) of the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) along with other collaborators stresses the importance of developing recombinant antivenoms which can be produced in cells on culture plates.

India is the world's snakebite hotspot, with 58,000 fatalities and 1,40,000 morbidities occurring annually. Spectacled cobra (Naja naja) and Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) are known to cause the majority of these envenomations, in part due to their near country-wide distributions. However, the impact of differing ecologies and environment on their venom compositions has not been comprehensively studied.

Majority of snakebites that lead to death or disability are attributed to the 'big four' of Indian snakes -- the Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), one of the deadliest snake species in the world, the spectacled cobra (Naja naja), the common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) and the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus).

Kartik Sunagar, Assistant Professor at the IISc's CES and the corresponding author of this study stated that there is an urgent need for immediate production of region-specific antivenoms for deadly snakes in snakebite hotspots of the country in order to ensure that antivenoms are more effective against variants of snake venom.

"At least developing region-specific antivenoms for deadly snakes in snakebite hotspots of the country can safeguard the lives, limbs and livelihoods of the country's 2,00,000 annual snakebite victims," he said.

He stated that as a long-term strategy the country needs to focus on developing recombinant antivenoms to bring down death and morbidity due to snakebites.

Sunagar also stresses the importance of developing recombinant antivenoms (which can be produced in cells on culture plates instead of the current method of using horse antibodies) for increased efficacy, specificity, and safety -- an area that his lab is working on as well.

He claims that recombinant antibodies could be developed by various approaches and in different formats (e.g., monoclonal, oligoclonal, intact IgG, nanobodies, etc.), and could be human-derived or humanised, and engineered to specifically target clinically important toxins detected across distinct snake populations and species.

"Thus, recombinant therapy has the potential to deliver many advantages over conventional antivenom therapy, including high dose efficacy, pan-Indian efficacy, and improved safety profiles. The cost of production is the only current limitation of recombinant therapy as this entirely depends on the number of neutralising antibodies in the commercial antivenom concoction," Sunagar argues.

He, however, added that the cost of production could be overcome by discovering and engineering broadly effective/paraspecific antibodies.

"The recombinant expression of such broadly neutralising antibodies should therefore be strongly pursued as long-term replacements of conventional antivenoms to enable rural Indian communities to access safe and efficacious life-saving snakebite therapies," Sunagar said.

In a study published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, researchers at IISc's Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) and collaborators demonstrated that the venom of Russell's vipers shows dramatic differences in composition and toxicity based on geographical location.

"Snake venom is known to be an adaptive trait that can vary depending on the environment. To demonstrate this in Russell's vipers, the researchers used analytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE and reversed-phase HPLC, which reveal variations in composition and abundance of venom components. Mass spectrometry helped to identify the constituents of the venoms," the study pointed out.

"An immediate solution to this problem could be the identification of medically important snakes by regions, i.e., consideration of both the 'big four' and the 'neglected many' (medically important yet neglected lineages of snakes), and the inclusion of their venoms in the immunisation mixture for formulating regionally-effective antivenoms," he recommends.

He said that given the considerable biotic and abiotic diversity in India, and the remarkable geographic venom variability among snakes, the conventional antivenom is doomed to failure in regions with disparate populations of 'big four' and/or other distinct venomous snake species.

The study adds that since Indian antivenoms have never undergone clinical validation through formal clinical trials, robust data on their efficacy and safety is currently unavailable. "Given the potential for significant batch-to-batch variation and treatment failure due to venom variation, stringent evaluation of the preclinical efficacy of antivenoms, ideally by an independent external laboratory or at the very least the publication of manufacturer-generated data for independent assessment, should be mandatory prior to marketing," the paper stated.

Pointing out at the inherent flaws of antivenom procuring systems by various governments, the paper stated that the license to sell commercial antivenoms in various Indian states is currently based on a tender system.

"Instead, licensure should be strictly based on the outcomes of such rigorous preclinical evaluation. In addition, the procurement and qualification guidelines for venoms used for immunisation during the manufacturing process should take into account the influence of various ecological and environmental factors on venom variability," the paper recommended.

"Commercial antivenom treatment for snakebite does not always prove effective, and despite the severity of the problem in India, few efforts have been made to understand why this is so," the study observed.

According to the paper, antivenoms are cocktails of antibodies that bind to the toxins in the venom and neutralise them.

"Commercial antivenoms are often deployed in the market without preclinical assessments, which are typically done using animals, or clinical studies, which involve testing on humans. To understand the actual efficacy of antivenom against Russell's viper venom, the researchers collected venom from 48 individual vipers in five biogeographical regions of India, as well as tested how well the antivenom neutralised the different types of venoms in mice," the paper observes.
DUBLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "U.S. Precision Parts Market 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The U.S. precision parts market by revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 12% during the period 2021-2026.



The U.S. market is likely to grow due to the increasing prominence of electric vehicles (EV). Significant updates in regulations by the United States Environment Protection Agency and the availability of attractive tax and credit incentives by federal governments have driven the demand and sales volume of electric vehicles rapidly in the country.

Hence, the increasing importance of electric cars in the US markets has led several key vendors in precision components to increase production potential in manufacturing engines, transmission, and drivetrain components in hybrid and traditional EVs. However, the productivity and sales volumes of electric vehicles witnessed a sharp decline during Q1-Q3 2020 due to the seven-week shutdown by major manufacturers to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 virus.

Moreover, the prevalence of major EV manufacturers such as Tesla, General Motors, Chevrolet, BMW, and Nissan in the US is expected to act as a major contributing factor for precision part manufacturing in the US.

U.S. Precision Parts Market Segmentation



The U.S. precision parts market research report includes a detailed segmentation by end-user, geography. Automotive, healthcare, electronic and semiconductors, aerospace, watching making, defense, marine & offshoring are the major end-users for precision components. U.S. auto manufacturers are increasing the focus on the development of electric and hybrid variants.

The implementation of heavy-duty engine emission standards, MARPOL Annex VI regulations, the Clean Air Act to curb carbon emission is expected to influence the application of precision parts in the US. However, the demand has been adversely impacted since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insights by Geography



The development and investment in the automotive industry is expected to drive the demand for precision parts in North East. The region is highly developed and economically sustainable. New York is one of the largest states in the region, and the development has been increased as it is one of the prominent tourist places. However, the development has been disrupted due to the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Boston and Massachusetts remain the most lucrative markets with strong economies, New Hampshire has been hit by the pandemic. Maryland has one of the strongest economies nationwide. Pennsylvania has emerged as a major manufacturing hub for packaged food processing, chemical, fabricated metal products, industrial machinery, electronics, and computer peripherals. Thus, the demand for industrial machinery is likely to grow at a modest rate during the forecast period.

Insights by Vendors



In the post-COVID-19 scenario, the U.S. precision parts market is observing financial turmoil. The need for precision parts has been limited to specific applications, while others have witnessed a significant decline. Vendors catering to a single application or product are prone to face challenges with respect to maintaining a steady stream of orders.

The competitive landscape is fragmented in terms of geography and products. The precision parts manufacturing industry is not highly prone to mergers and acquisitions and is limited to only certain regions. The impact of such mergers and acquisitions is also limited. With 45% of the revenue going into raw materials procurement, the manufacturing capability is primarily defined by the vendors' accessibility to raw materials.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Overview

7.2 Key Propelling Factors

7.3 Impact Of COVID-19



8 Market Opportunities & Trends

8.1 Rising Prominence Of EVs In US

8.2 Application of Additive Manufacturing Across Industries

8.3 Industry 4.0



9 Market Growth Enablers

9.1 Aerospace Aftermarket Business

9.2 Demand From Automotive And Other Industrial Machinery

9.3 Demand In Healthcare Applications



10 Market Restraints

10.1 COVID-19 Impact On Steel Price

10.2 Decline In Construction Sector

10.3 US-CHINA Trade War



11 Market Landscape

11.1 Market Overview

11.2 Market Size & Forecast: Historical Data

11.3 Market Size & Forecast

11.4 Five Forces Analysis



12 End-Users

12.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

12.2 Market Overview



13 Automotive

13.1 Market Overview

13.2 COVID-19 Impact

13.3 Demand Insights

13.4 Key Insights

13.5 Market Size & Forecast

13.6 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

13.7 Light, Medium, & Heavy Commercial Vehicles

13.8 Light Vehicles

13.9 Two- & Three-Wheelers



14 Healthcare

14.1 Market Overview

14.2 COVID-19 Impact

14.3 Market Size & Forecast

14.4 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

14.5 Medical Imaging

14.6 IVD Analyzers

14.7 Patient Monitoring

14.8 Others



15 Electronics And Semiconductor

15.1 Market Overview

15.2 COVID-19 Impact

15.3 Market Size & Forecast

15.4 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

15.5 Semiconductor Industry

15.6 Electronics Industry



16 Aerospace

16.1 Market Overview

16.2 COVID-19 Impact

16.3 Market Size & Forecast



17 Watchmaking Industries

17.1 Market Overview

17.2 COVID-19 Impact

17.3 Market Size & Forecast



18 Other End-Users

18.1 Market Overview

18.2 Key Insights

18.3 Market Size & Forecast

18.4 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

18.5 Industrial Equipment

18.6 Defense

18.7 Heavy Equipment

18.8 Marine & Offshoring

18.9 Power Tools

18.10 Electric Industry

Competitive Landscape

Prominent Vendors

Barnes Group Inc.

NN, Inc.

Martinrea International

Linamar

WM Berg

Renishaw

ARC Group Worldwide

Other Prominent Vendors

Petersen Precision

E-Fab Inc.

AccuRounds

Lampin Corporation

WSI Industries Inc.

Precision Castparts Corp (PCC)

Greystone

Tessa Precision Products

Hoppe Technologies

Doncasters

Consolidated Precision Products

ZOLLERN

Impro

Hitchiner

Fritz Winter

KERN-LIEBERS

BERGER Group

IPE Group

Paradigm Precision

Anton Haring KG

Pacific West America, Inc.

Caldwell

Beere Precision Products

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pu4bgw

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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STAMFORD  Nestle Waters North America, the Stamford-based producer of bottled-water brands including Poland Spring, announced Wednesday the completion of its $4.3 billion sale to two investment firms  a deal that is not expected to disrupt the companys local operations.

Parent company Nestle has sold the business to One Rock Capital Partners and Metropoulos & Co., with the transaction originally announced on Feb. 17.

In a related move, Dean Metropoulos, founder of his family-owned investment firm, has become Nestle Waters chairman and interim CEO. He has 40 years of experience operating and investing in food and beverage brands, according to company officials.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to lead NWNA as it enters the next phase of evolution, Metropoulos said when the sale was announced. This is an important inflection point for the business as it transitions to an independent company, and I look forward to collaborating with One Rock and NWNAs management team to deliver unparalleled value to our customers.

As one of the largest beverage companies in North America, the Nestle Waters portfolio includes the regional water brands Poland Spring, Deer Park, Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Zephyrhills and Arrowhead, as well as the Pure Life and Splash lines. Nestles international premium-water brands Perrier, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna were not included in the sale.

Nestle Waters ranked as the 13th-largest employer in Stamford, with 610 local employees, in the third quarter of 2020, according to the Stamford Office of Economic Development. The companys main offices are at 900 Long Ridge Road.

At this time, we are unaware of any expected changes in regard to where we operate today, a Nestle Waters spokesperson told Hearst Connecticut Media last month. We will be operating largely business as usual.

Vevey, Switzerland-headquartered Nestle had indicated that it would make major changes when it announced last June that it would explore strategic options for the majority of the Nestle Waters business.

Today, Nestle Waters employs about 7,000 in the U.S., and more than 230 in Canada.

It runs 27 production facilities across North America and operates the direct-to-consumer and office beverage-delivery service ReadyRefresh.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
Though many Americans are eager to return to normal after a year of living through the Covid-19 pandemic, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday reminded Americans that "we're not quite there yet."

"We are so close -- so very close to getting back to the everyday activities we all miss so much, but we're not quite there yet," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said at a White House Covid-19 Response Team news conference.

"This is a critical moment in our fight against the pandemic," she said, noting that Americans still need to follow public heath guidelines for social distancing, mask use and hand washing.

"I know this is not easy and so many of us are frustrated with the disruption this pandemic has had on our everyday lives, but we can do this as a nation working together," she said. "There is reason to be hopeful because we now know so much more about this virus."

More than 30 million coronavirus infections have been reported in the country, according to Johns Hopkins University(JHU), and almost 552,000 people have died from Covid-19.

After a decline in cases nationwide in recent weeks, the US just saw a jump. More than 66,870 new Covid-19 cases a day on average were reported over the past week, as of Monday. That is a 24.6% increase over the week prior, when the average had fallen to its lowest point of 2021, according to JHU data.

Virus variant might be dominant already, expert says

The more contagious B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in the UK, which heath experts think is partly driving an uptick of cases in some states, may already be dominant across the country.

"I think we are there," said William Lee, vice president of science at Helix, a company whose tests have identified a large share of variant cases across the country. "But at the end of the day, it's hard to say for sure," given gaps and delays in the data.

Lee co-authored a study published Tuesday in the journal Cell that estimates the variant would cause the majority of Covid-19 cases in the US by March 19.

According to that study, B.1.1.7 cases are expected to double every week and a half as a percentage of the country's total coronavirus cases. The study's conclusions were based on testing data through February.

Lee said that there is strong evidence the variant is already responsible for a majority of cases in states like Georgia, Florida and Michigan. Helix's data does not include robust samples from a number of other states, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest regions.

Walensky, however, told reporters Wednesday the variant is "about 26% of circulating virus right now," according to the latest data the CDC has. Her comment appears to be based on preliminary data of samples collected in the two weeks leading up to March 13, according to the agency's website.

"It is starting to become the predominant variant in many US regions," she added.

Preliminary data suggests that the three vaccines that have so far won emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration "may provide some protection against a variety of strains, including B.1.1.7 (originally identified in the United Kingdom)," the CDC says in its guidance for fully vaccinated people.

Dr. Ashish Jha told CNN on Wednesday that while the pace of people getting shots has increased, the number of new cases each week likely will still increase.

"Our vaccinations are going great, but not enough to keep up with the B.1.1.7 variant," he said.

Only about 16.4% of the US population has been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

In February, Pfizer and Moderna said they were testing vaccine strategies against variants like the B.1.1.7 lineage.

The National Institutes of Health said Wednesday it has started a clinical trial of Moderna's vaccine designed to protect against another concerning variant, the B.1.351 lineage, first identified in South Africa.

Michigan governor thinks B.1.1.7 is driving surge there

Michigan has seen one of the highest Covid-19 case increases over the last week by percentage -- 52%, according to Johns Hopkins -- and its governor said Wednesday she believes B.1.1.7 is one of the reasons.

Its current seven-day average, 5,409 cases a day, is Michigan's highest since mid-December.

"We haven't abandoned our protocols; it's just that we've got a higher proportion of variants," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told CNN's "New Day." "And part of that is people getting tired, there's fatigue, and there's variants and there's more travel."

Michigan has the country's second-highest total of reported B.1.1.7 cases in the country, according to the CDC. The count represents only B.1.1.7 cases caught in surveillance analysis of positive samples, and so the variant's actual presence is likely higher than reported.

The state has a mask mandate and restrictions on restaurant and gym capacity, though capacity restrictions were recently eased. She said there are always robust discussions about whether to tighten restrictions, but "what we need to do is double down on our masking and get more people vaccinated."

Vaccine expert thinks adolescents could start inoculations in summer

More than 97 million people have received at least one dose of a vaccine -- roughly about 29% of the US population -- and nearly 55 million people are fully vaccinated, CDC data shows.

More than half of the country's 65 and older population -- 50.8% -- are fully vaccinated and more than seven out of 10 seniors in the US have received at least one dose, the data shows.

No vaccine has been authorized in the United States for children 15 and younger. But Pfizer and BioNTech on Wednesday released news that could impact inoculations later this year: Their Covid-19 vaccine was 100% effective and well tolerated in youths ages 12-15 in a clinical trial, the companies said.

Pfizer/BioNTech said they intend to submit the data as soon as possible for expanded emergency use authorization of their two-dose vaccine for those ages to the US Food and Drug Administration.

Pfizer also is conducting a Phase 1/2/3 study of its vaccine in children ages 6 months to 11 years, and results are expected by the end of the year.

One vaccine expert said that assuming the FDA authorizes expanded use, he could see that age range begin to get vaccinated this year.

"I think there is some urgency to try to do this by the fall (for school reopenings), and so I think over the summer, I wouldn't be surprised if we started seeing adolescents get vaccinated," Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, told CNN on Wednesday.

Track Covid-19 vaccinations

More than a dozen states have opened vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and older, and every other state has announced plans to do so by at least May 1.

Pfizer's vaccine is the only one available for people 16 and older.

Moderna also is testing its Covid-19 vaccine in adolescents and children: One trial in children ages 12-17, and another for 6 months to 11 years.

Covid-19 was third leading cause of death last year, CDC confirms in early data

Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in the United States last year, after heart disease and cancer, according to provisional data released Wednesday by the CDC.

Unintentional injury and stroke were fourth and fifth, respectively.

Overall, the US death rate increased by 15.9% between 2019 and 2020 -- from 715.2 to 828.7 deaths per 100,000 people, according to the report.

The data is provisional; the numbers and death rates might change as additional information is received. Since investigating causes of death takes time, final data for a given year is typically published about 11 months after the end of the calendar year.

Life expectancy in the United States also dropped a full year in the first half of 2020, according to a provisional report published by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics in February. The report shows that US life expectancy fell to 77.8 years, back to what it was in 2006.

Wisconsin's Supreme Court strikes down mask mandate

While some governors recently lifted mask mandates, Wisconsin's governor is unwillingly watching his vanish.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday effectively struck down that state's mask mandate, by ruling Gov. Tony Evers did not have authority to issue successive health emergency declarations.

Evers, facing opposition from the Legislature, used emergency declarations to institute statewide mask mandates. The court noted that it wasn't ruling on whether the mask mandate was wise, but only that Evers' successive declarations bypassing the Legislature weren't legal.

Evers responded to Wednesday's ruling by asking residents to keep wearing masks, even without a mandate. "We still need Wisconsinites to mask up so we can beat this virus," he said.

Earlier this week, President Joe Biden made a plea to the nation's leaders to reinstate mask mandates, adding, "this is not politics."

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who lifted all county mask mandates earlier this month, responded through Twitter.

"Let me get this straight -- POTUS Biden wants Mississippi to reverse course and reinstate a mask mandate because cases are going up in New York and New Jersey," Reeves wrote.

"No thank you, Mr. President," he added.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday he was lifting a statewide mask mandate, adding that businesses were free to require customers to wear masks.

And Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will move ahead with her plan to end the state's mask mandate next week, a spokesperson for the governor told CNN this week.
PITTSFIELD  A Pike County man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to negotiated charges in the 2019 beating death of a man.

William Poor, 25, of Pittsfield was arrested March 27, 2019, on an aggravated battery charge after police were called to a disturbance in the 300 block of Landess Terrace. Poor was accused of fighting with Joshua Witherbee, 26, also of Pittsfield. Witherbee was taken to Illini Hospital and later transferred to St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, where he died two days later.
LANSING, MI  Spring is here.

As a result, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers to remove ice shanties bodies of water in the Upper Peninsula by midnight on Wednesday, March 31.

The deadline for removing ice shanties from Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters was March 15.

Shanty owners whose structures fall through the ice are subject to penalties of up to 30 days in jail, fines up to $500, or both. If a shanty is removed by a government agency, the court can require the owner to reimburse that agency for up to three times the cost of removal.

Daily use of ice shanties is permitted anywhere in Michigan if ice conditions permit and if the shanties are removed from the ice at the end of each day.

RELATED: How to get fishing license for Michigans 2021 season

Anyone venturing onto the ice should use extreme caution as temperatures begin to rise or fluctuate. The repeated thawing and refreezing of ice weakens its strength, decreasing its ability to support the additional weight of people, snowmobiles, ORVs and shanties.

Deteriorating ice, water currents and high winds increase the probability of pressure cracks, which can leave anglers and others stranded on ice floes or at risk of falling through the ice, according to the DNR.
Elon Musk has announced he will donate $20 million to schools in Cameron County and $10 million to the city of Brownsville in Texas as he urged top engineers to move to the area to work for SpaceX.

The eccentric Tesla and SpaceX boss tweeted Tuesday his $30 million pledge to help with 'downtown revitalization' of Brownsville and South Padre, next to the small hamlet of Boca Chica where the SpaceX launch site Starbase is based.

Musk has had a rocky relationship with locals since he started buying up land in the area back in 2015.

His pledge came just hours after SpaceX suffered its fourth failed test launch as its Starship prototype broke apart in the air.

Elon Musk has announced he will donate $20 million to schools in Cameron County and $10 million to the city of Brownsville in Texas as he urged top engineers to move to the area to work for SpaceX

'Am donating $20M to Cameron County schools & $10M to City of Brownsville for downtown revitalization. Details to follow next week,' Musk wrote on social media.

The city of Brownsville expressed its gratitude to the billionaire.

'On the border, by the sea and BEYOND! Grateful for your support in making #Brownsville a launching pad to Mars,' it replied on Twitter.

'We look forward to continuing to work with @elonmusk and @SpaceX!'

Musk made the donation announcement alongside a tweet where he called for talent including engineers and technicians to move to the area to work for SpaceX.

'Please consider moving to Starbase or greater Brownsville/South Padre area in Texas & encourage friends to do so!' he tweeted.

'SpaceX's hiring needs for engineers, technicians, builders & essential support personnel of all kinds are growing rapidly.'

In a follow-up tweet, he added: 'Starbase will grow by several thousand people over the next year or two.'

The entrepreneur confirmed he had personally made the move to the lower-tax haven in Texas in December, months after he slammed California officials for forcing him to temporarily shutter its car factory in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The eccentric Tesla and SpaceX boss tweeted Tuesday his $30 million pledge to help with 'downtown revitalization' of Brownsville and South Padre, next to the small hamlet of Boca Chica where the SpaceX launch site Starbase is based

Musk made the donation announcement alongside tweets where he called for talent including engineers and technicians to move to the area to work for SpaceX

The city of Brownsville expressed its gratitude to the billionaire on social media

Musk made the plea for talent to join him in relocating within an hour of SpaceX's latest disappointing attempt to launch a rocket to Mars.

SpaceX lost its fourth Starship prototype when it launched the rocket from the Boca Chica testing facility Tuesday.

The rocket launched around 9:15am ET, but not quite six minutes into its first high altitude test the livestream froze and dense fog in South Texas obscured views.

SpaceX engineer John Insprucker, who hosted the livestream, then said: Starship 11 is not coming back, dont wait for the landing.

We do appear to have lost all the data from the vehicle.

The rocket appeared to break apart with other video showing debris raining down and explosions heard.

Musk's pledge came just hours after SpaceX suffered its fourth failed test launch as its Starship prototype broke apart in the air. Pictured the rocket taking off before its doomed flight

CEO Elon Musk released a statement on Twitter shortly after the incident

Musk seemed to downplay the disappointment tweeting that: 'At least the crater is in the right place!'

In a statement on Twitter he then said 'engine 2 had issues on ascent & didnt reach operating chamber pressure during landing burn, but, in theory, it wasnt needed.

'Something significant happened shortly after landing burn start. Should know what it was once we can examine the bits later today.'

This was the fourth rocket launched by SpaceX since December - and also the fourth to explode.

But the expansion of the SpaceX workforce in Texas may not be welcome news to everyone.

Musk began buying up homes and land in the Boca Chica area in 2015 to expand his SpaceX empire and build a test site for the Starship program in a takeover that has repeatedly drawn the ire of the local community.

Musk has had a rocky relationship with locals since he started buying up land in the area back in 2015. Before he moved in, Boca Chica was a quiet hamlet of just 35 houses and was known to be something of an isolated paradise teeming with wildlife

Before Musk moved in, Boca Chica was a quiet hamlet of just 35 houses and a tiny chapel and was known to be something of an isolated paradise teeming with wildlife such as blue buntings and coyotes.

Now, SpaceX has bought up more than half of the homes and turned many of them into workshops, storage sites, and delivery centers.

Last June, residents told DailyMail.com the company was bullying them to leave their homes using threats and aggressive tactics while some likened the noise of rocket launches to living 'in a war zone'.

SpaceX plans to use its Starship rocket to send astronauts and cargo to the moon and Mars - a step on the way to Musk's lofty dream of building a city for humans to live on Mars.

Musk vowed earlier this month that SpaceX will be landing Starships on Mars 'well before 2030.'
The pastor who was held for violating Canada's public health rules revealed that he was able to share the gospel to other prisoners, a report says.

Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church in Edmonton, Alberta was released on March 22 after more than a month in jail.

In an interview with Sheila Gunn Reid of Rebel News, captured by FaithWire, the pastor was asked if he was able to minister to some inmates during his incarceration.

"Once I got into [general public], I would have guys often come to my door and want to speak with me and would share difficulties in their life with me, and I would share the Gospel with them. We'd be talking through a door to each other, but I would share the Gospel with them. That happened often, where guys would just come to me," Pastor Coates replied.

In addition, he said that an inmate in the cell next door requested to have a Bible study. The pastor granted his request and when they were already holding the session, some men came to join with them.

The pastor also stated that he had plenty of opportunities to share the Gospel while in prison.

Further, Pastor Coates recalled the moment when he was leaving, at the time of his release.

"Just to kind of show the affection that we had for each other, in the moment I was leaving, I turned around ... and I lifted up my hand to wave, and the doors of the pod began to shake as the men in their cells just banged on their doors as a sign of support, love, [and] affection," he said.

He continued by saying that he was with the jail chaplain when it happened.

"He's emailed me since then and shared with me that he'll never forget that moment. It was precious to me as well. That just gives you a little picture of how they thought toward me and treated me."

The pastor was also fined with $1,500 but provincial court Judge Jeffrey Champion has written it off, crediting the 35 days he spent in prison.

The judge reprimanded the pastor, saying that his "decisions could have affected the health and safety" of his "fellow citizens." But Pastor Coates responded, stating that he was only obeying Jesus Christ.

John Klassen set up a GoFundMe account to support the pastor and has already raised more than $45,000.

Klassen is also requesting support for Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a legal organization that represented Pastor Coates in court. As of this time, it has raised more than $1,200 of its $5,000 goal.

ChurchLeaders said that the pastor was issued another ticket for a violation in December last year. He exceeded the 15% capacity limitation imposed on houses of worship. He is set to appear in court on May 3.

GraceLife Church itself was charged for breaching the province's pandemic regulation, exceeding the imposed 15% capacity limitation on Feb. 21 and 28. The church's legal counsel was summoned on March 4, requesting to appear before the Stony Plain provincial court on May 5.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- In pitching his $2 trillion infrastructure plan today, President Joe Biden mentioned the proposed teardown of part of Interstate 81 here as an example of a transportation project that could rebuild communities.

Too often, past transportation investments divided communities  like the Claiborne Expressway in New Orleans or I-81 in Syracuse  or it left out the people most in need of affordable transportation options, the White House statement said explaining the massive proposal.

As part of that effort, Biden is proposing to earmark $20 billion for a new program that will reconnect neighborhoods, such as in Syracuse.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-Brooklyn, immediately praised the mention of the Syracuse project inside the presidents plan.

It is wonderful for Syracuse that President Biden listened to us and included the vital I-81 reformation as a poster child for enlightened infrastructure policy, calling for new investment to help communities pay for tearing down urban highways to reconnect and transform neighborhoods previously left behind, Schumer said in a written statement.

State transportation officials are proposing to tear down the elevated portion of I-81 that runs between downtown and the University Hill area. The $2 billion plan would reroute highway traffic onto nearby Interstate 481 and rebuild part of Interstate 690 that crosses downtown.

It wasnt immediately clear how Bidens proposal would affect the ongoing planning by the state.

Currently, the Federal Highway Administration is reviewing the states plans. Another iteration of that proposal is expected to be released, which will then go through another round of public comments.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has met with U.S. Department of Transportation officials about the project.

Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he has heard about the I-81 project loud and clear.

The comments came during a congressional hearing, after Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, asked Buttigieg about the Syracuse project.

Ive got a stack of letters on this, Buttigieg said. Its a community that reminds me a lot of home, said the former mayor of South Bend, Ind.

Buttigieg said he didnt have an immediate update on the project. Katko invited the secretary to come to Syracuse to see the aging highway.

Today, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., also applauded Bidens proposal, saying this type of infrastructure investment can also repair damage made decades ago that often sacrificed Black neighborhoods and business districts in return for highway construction.

I applaud President Bidens commitment to these issues and his infrastructure plans inclusion of critical funding to reconnect communities of color and underserved communities that have historically been excluded from infrastructure investments, she said in a statement.

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.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday signed an executive order to disburse 5.3 billion reais ($918.08 million) in new loans to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country hit a record tally of 3,780 deaths in the past day. Brazil currently accounts for about a quarter of COVID-19 daily deaths worldwide, more than any other country, and its vaccination efforts have been hampered by a lack of shots.

Bolsonaro has been widely condemned for his handling of the pandemic, from playing down the severity of the disease, to criticizing early efforts to secure vaccines and opposing social distancing measures. The new loans will be used to prop up Brazil's health system, the finance ministry said. The health ministry will receive the funding and said it will use it at over 2,600 public health clinics, as well as to build more hospital beds.

On Tuesday, older Brazilians in Rio de Janeiro state waited in long lines under the strong sun to get vaccinated. While Brazil hoped to have 46 million doses of the vaccine in March, it ended up receiving only 22 million. "After all this sacrifice, in this sun, we will see if we can get (the vaccine), but it looks unlikely, it is very disorganized," said Ira Salazar, a retiree who was at the back of a line with more than 100 people.

Also on Tuesday, Brazil's health regulator Anvisa said the Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine, developed by India's Bharat Biotech, did not meet its manufacturing standards. The Brazilian government signed a contract last month to buy 20 million doses of Covaxin. Bharat Biotech had applied for emergency use of the vaccine in Brazil on March 8.

Bharat and its Brazilian partner Precisa Medicamentos said in a statement that they would appeal the decision and would present evidence that it is complying with all requirements. Covaxin has been approved for use in five countries, including India, the statement said.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine: Pfizer, Moderna jabs 90% effective after both doses, says US study

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine: Canada halts AstraZeneca shot for under 55 over blood clot reports
Multimedia Specialist

Anthony Zilis is a multimedia specialist at The News-Gazette. His email is azilis@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@adzilis).
A facility believed to be an internment camp located north of Kashgar, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2019. AFP

Abuses in Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), recently labeled crimes against humanity and part of a policy of genocide, are indicative of a larger trend of declining human rights around the world, the U.S. Department of State said Tuesday.

Speaking at a press briefing for the release of the agencys 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken immediately pointed to the situation in the XUAR as one of the worst examples of global rights abuses in the past year. Authorities in the region are believed to have held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in a vast network of internment camps since 2017.

The report were releasing today shows that the trendlines on human rights continue to move in the wrong direction, he said.

We see evidence that in every region of the world, this is happening. We see it in the genocide being committed against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.

The outgoing administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump officially designated the abuses in the XUAR part of a campaign of state-sponsored genocide and crimes against humanity in January and U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has embraced the label, working in tandem with global allies on measures to hold the Chinese government to account.

Secretary Blinken also used his introduction of the new State Department report to highlight what he said was the use by authoritarian governments of the coronavirus pandemic to institute emergency laws that further curtail already restricted human rights, including that of China, where the outbreak originated.

While RFAs Uyghur Service has been unable to confirm whether any outbreaks within the country spread to the XUARs extralegal internment centers, experts have warned over the past year that the camps are ripe for mass infection, based on reports of cramped and poor conditions, as well as lack of adequate medical care. Outbreaks in the region repeatedly led to city-wide lockdowns in the region last year, according to RFA investigations.

Blinken defended multilateral sanctions led by the U.S. against Chinese officials and entities deemed responsible for the ongoing abuses in the XUAR and dismissed retaliatory measures by Beijing, saying that Washington must speak out against oppression globally.

On March 22, the European Union, U.S., Canada, and the U.K. issued travel bans and asset freezes for Chen Mingguo, the director of the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau; senior Chinese officials Wang Mingshan and Wang Junzheng; and the former head of the XUAR, Zhu Hailun. Additionally, the quasi-military Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Public Security Bureau was also targeted.

Last year, the Trump administration slapped sanctions on several top Chinese officials deemed responsible for rights violations in the XUAR, including regional party secretary Chen Quanguo, under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

The move, which marked the first time Washington had sanctioned a member of Chinas powerful Politburo, followed Trumps enactment in June of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 (UHRPA).

He acknowledged that the U.S. has its own human rights problems, including with systemic racism against ethnic minorities, but said thatunlike China, which claims that internment camps in the XUAR are voluntary vocational centers and that Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities enjoy full autonomywe dont pretend these problems dont exist or try to sweep them under the rug.

We dont ignore them. We deal with them in the daylight with full transparency, he said.

Broad range of tools available

Blinken applauded his agencys human rights report but added that it is not enough to deal with countries that are restricting human rights.

We will use a broad range of other tools to stop abuses and hold perpetrators to account, he warned, including through Congressional legislation such as the Global Magnitsky Act, the Hong Kong Human Right and Democracy Act and other laws.

Another way is by imposing consequences through economic sanctions and visa restrictions as the United States did recently in unity with Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom on individuals engaged in atrocities being committed against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

He also dangled incentives for countries to join in the pursuit of positive human rights initiatives, including trade benefits and development aid.

The recently passed Kashoggi Act, he said, will be applied to individuals who, acting on behalf of a foreign government, are believed to have been directly engaged in counter-dissident activities outside of its bordersa practice that Washington has routinely accused Beijing of doing against the U.S.-based Uyghur community.

Blinken promoted the new administrations focus on a multilateral approach to confronting rights abusing nations, noting that under Trump the U.S. had pulled back from such alliances and created vacuums in which authoritarian governments had been able to grow their influence.

He also noted that while the previous administration had removed a section in the State Departments annual rights report about sexual and reproductive rights, the Biden administration will be reinstating it later this year

While Blinken did not specifically mention issues in the XUAR as the impetus for the reinstatement, a June 2020 report by German researcher Adrian Zenz linked decreases in the birthrate and natural population growth rate in the XUAR in 2018 to forced sterilization and concluded that such measures amount to genocide under United Nations definitions.

Blinken dismissed criticism from Beijing over the most recent spate of Western sanctions related to the XUAR as being part of a coordinated effort to suppress Chinas growing role on the global stage and an interference in the countrys internal affairs.

Were not trying to contain, for example, China or keep it down. What we are about is standing up for basic principles, basic rights, and a rules-based international order that has served us and countries around the world very, very well, he said.

When any country in whatever way seeks to undermine those rights or undermine that order, yes, we will stand and speak out forcefully about it  And I think what youve witnessed in recent weeks, particularly with regard to the international response to the abuses being committed against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, for example, the quashing of democracy in Hong Kong  that are fundamentally attacks on the international rules-based order, youre seeing country after country speak out in unison.

Blinken noted that China had responded to sanctions from the West with retaliatory and asymmetrical measures that targeted government officials, but also scholars and think tanks, and suggested such actions would ultimately hurt Beijings bid to counter reports of persecution in the XUAR.

I suspect that is only going to redouble the concerns and the focus that other countries give to the actions that the government in Beijing has taken in abuse of human rights, he said.

Hong Kong rights issues

In the State Departments annual rundown of the rights situation in 2020, it said that the genocide and crimes against humanity that occurred last year included the arbitrary imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty of more than one million civilians; forced sterilization, coerced abortions, and more restrictive application of Chinas birth control policies; rape; torture of a large number of those arbitrarily detained; forced labor; and the imposition of draconian restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement.

It noted reports of custodial deaths related to detentions in the internment camps, enforced disappearances, pressure on overseas relatives of XUAR-based Uyghurs who spoke out about abuses in the region, and monitoring and disruption of telephone and internet connectivity, and state-sponsored incentives for majority Han Chinese to move intoand essentially dilutethe Uyghur community.

The report also touched on increased restrictions to Hong Kongs autonomy during 2020, including restrictions on democratic rights enshrined by the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of the special administrative region which specified that, except in matters of defense and foreign affairs, the territory would enjoy a high degree of autonomy under the one country, two systems framework.

It listed as significant human rights issues the establishment of national security organs with sweeping powers and little oversight, allegations of police brutality against protesters, arbitrary arrests, and politically motivated reprisals against individuals located outside of Hong Kong.

Additionally, it listed abuses including serious restrictions on free expression, the press, and the internet; substantial interference with the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; use of politically motivated arrests and prosecutions to impose restrictions on departing Hong Kong; the inability of citizens to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections; and restrictions on political participation.

Earlier this year, Hong Kong police charged 47 pro-democracy activists and opposition politicians with subversion under a draconian national security law after they organized and took part in a democratic primary to select the best candidates with a view to winning at least 30 seats out of 60 in LegCo and blocking government legislation.

Police also have used the Public Order Ordinance to target hundreds of participants in a 2019 protest movement, bringing charges of "illegal assembly" or "incitement to participate in an illegal assembly" against dozens of pro-democracy activists.

By the end of January 2021, 2,457 people had been charged with "rioting," "unlawful assembly," and other protest-related offenses, the English-language South China Morning Post reported.

So far, 565 have been convicted, 49 have had their charges withdrawn and 156 have been acquitted, the paper said.
Last week, as the gargantuan container ship Ever Given stood wedged in the Suez Canal, blocking the artery carrying around 15 percent of the world's cargo ship trade and giving the global economy palpitations, the state company that runs Russia's Arctic icebreakers had a different reaction: mockery.



In a series of posts to Twitter that were later taken down, Rosatom poked fun at the blocked canal, promoted its newsletter, and suggested that the Arctic provided more space to "draw peculiar pictures" -- as it linked to a marine tracking site that appeared to show the Ever Given forming a giant penis in the Red Sea just before entering the canal.

And as dredgers and tugboats neared success in freeing the Ever Given, Russia's Energy Ministry joined the publicity push.



"The Northern Sea Routehas a high potential for expanding the volume of cargo transportation, allowing to significantly reduce the time for transporting goods from Asia to Europe," the ministry said on March 29.



With the resumption of Suez traffic, the crisis in global shipping abated, as did the urgency for finding alternative routes. Still, for Russia, the promise of its Arctic seaway -- known as the Northern Sea Route -- is sky-high, a viable shipping alternative that could garner millions in revenues and also help develop infrastructure in the remote shoreline regions.

The question is when.



"At best, it is very much into the future," Ulf Sverdrup, director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, told RFE/RL. "It's not an easy switch from the Suez to the Northern Sea Route."



The Suez Canal, along with other major routes such as the Panama Canal in Central America and the Straits of Malacca, between Malaysia and Indonesia, have become chokepoints as container ships have grown in size and costs have plummeted. But they're still the most economical ways to ship goods across the globe.



More than 370 ships were poised to traverse the Suez on March 29 and the following day, according to maritime traffic monitors. And between 18,000 and 20,000 ships annually travel from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean via the Suez.



By comparison, last year, only a few dozen ships transited the entire Northern Sea Route, according to the Center for High North Logistics at Norway's Nord University Business School. Still, the tally -- 62-- was nearly double that of 2019.



The Energy Ministry has said cargo traffic on the route was 33 million metric tons in 2020, up from around 11 million tons in 2017, and that amount "has a great potential for expanding." The Suez handles an estimated 3 million metric tons a day.

The entire Northern Sea Route shortens the journey of a ship traveling from East Asia to European ports by about 4,000 nautical miles (7,500 kilometers), compared with the Suez route.



Jan-Gunnar Winther, director of the Norwegian Center for the Ocean and the Arctic, told RFE/RL that the Russians were very optimistic about prospects for the Northern Sea Route; Europeans less so. China also has long-term plans for access to the route.



Arctic Priorities



President Vladimir Putin's Kremlin has made development of the Russian Arctic a strategic priority, in part because of climate change that has made access to the region less forbidding. In 2018, he issued a decree ordering an increase in northern cargo traffic to 80 million metric tons by 2024, though it's unclear where exactly that increase would come from.



The decree also transferred oversight of the route to Rosatom, the state-run corporation that oversees Russia's ice-breaking fleet as well as its atomic energy industry.



In 2020, the Russian government approved an incentive program involving tax breaks and other subsidies worth over $300 billion for developing infrastructure, including industrial projects, LNG facilities, and oil and gas extraction projects.

Major companies controlled by or closely tied to the state, such as oil giant Rosneft, gas producer Gazprom, and metals miner Nornickel, are also building out elements of infrastructure, aimed at boosting natural resource exports.



The Kremlin has also backed a major liquefied-natural-gas facility, built by Novatek -- which is the country's largest independent gas producer and is controlled by a close Putin ally -- on the Yamal Peninsula.



The plant, and another one scheduled to come online in the coming years, are sophisticated, industrial facilities, said Winther -- an indication of the Kremlin's emphasis on bringing in more oil-and-gas revenues to government coffers.



The LNG projects also include a push to build new commercial ships that are capable of sailing in icy waters, with hardened hulls, but are not outright icebreakers, Winther said.



"The Suez precedent has shown how fragile any route between Europe and Asia is. Therefore, the development of alternative routes is essential to guarantee sustainable international navigation.," Vladimir Panov, a top Rosatom official was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying on March 25. "This increases the role of the Northern Sea Route, which has been ever more competitive from year to year."



The problem is that the route is still more expensive, experts said. For example, icebreakers are still required to escort ships, an expensive additional cost. Russia has invested heavily in icebreakers, and now has the world's largest fleet, including powerful nuclear-powered ships. The fleet is overseen and managed by Rosatom.

WATCH: A promotional video by Rosatom, the state company that runs Russia's Arctic icebreakers:

Cargo ships transiting the Arctic route will be expected to buy insurance as part of the transit passage, as well as utilize local supply ships and ports adding further costs.



Currently the route is completely ice-free only a couple months out of the year. The Energy Ministry said in its March 29 statement that the route was ice-free in 2020 for nine to 10 months.



Russia's meteorological agency, Rosgidromet, said last year that Arctic ice cover had reached a record low, and officials predict that the route will be ice-free at the earliest by 2025.



But traveling in Arctic waters, ice or no ice, also requires strengthened hulls to protect ships against challenging sea conditions. That would require a substantial investment by shipping fleets.



There's also the issue of high-speed communications, specifically a lack of broadband access, Winther said. Russia will need to build out communications infrastructure -- satellites, for example, or relay towers -- that ship captains could rely on for data about ice conditions.



"Once these series of bottlenecks are taken away, or eased up, it's really not impossible from the climate perspective, with darkness and ice, to foresee much more travel, not just on the [Northern Sea Route]," he said, but also via trans-Polar routes -- traveling across the top of the globe, across the North Pole.



"Regardless of the Suez, we will see the development of the Northern Sea Route," he said.
Apple users complained that their iPhone and iPad settings block certain websites that mention the word "Asian." This is currently a controversial issue since it only affects the sites that have "Asian Food," "Asian Americans," "Asian History," and more phrases or words linked to Asians.

However, users confirmed that the issue doesn't affect the websites that mention "white," "black," "Arab," "Korean," and other words that are used in the adult websites' categories.

The Independent UK's latest report explained that the controversial setting of iPhone and iPad helps the Apple users limit their screen time and prevent the young ones from accessing adult websites.

However, some Apple device owners argued that the company's setting is too restrictive since it only focuses on the "Asian" terms and words. If you turn on the said controversial option, you will receive the "The URL was blocked by a content filter" error message.

Apple to release a fix for the issue

Apple confirmed that its upcoming iOS 14.5 would release new updates that are expected to fix the current controversial issue. The tech giant manufacturer added that once the new iPad and iPhone system is launched, users can successfully search for "Asian" terms.

Also Read: Android Collects 20x More Data Compared to Apple's iOS-Google Disagrees, Claims Study is 'Flawed'

The company further explained that they can still search for the blocked terms even if they turn on the settings. If you haven't seen the issue yet, here's what you need to do.

How to see the controversial issue

Mashable SE Asia explained that users could see the controversial issue once they activate the search filter feature. To do this, they need to turn on their iPhone or iPad's adult content filter. They need to click the Screen Time option, which is located in their device settings.

After that, they need to click the Content and Privacy Restrictions button. Once you are done with this, you must toggle on the Content Restrictions button. When the whole process is complete, a Web Content option will appear. This feature will allow the users to choose if they want to limit the adult websites or not.

Then, you need to open your Safari browser. Search for any terms or words that are linked to Asian, and you will see that the browser will block it.

You can click here for more details.

For more news updates about Apple and its other system issues, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Apple App Store Bitcoin Scam App Costs iPhone User $600,000: Epic CEO Calls Store 'Full of Scams'

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Giuliano de Leon

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a move to boost the Indian Air Force power, IAF will be getting 10 new Rafale jets in the next 30 days.Three of those Rafael jets are expected to land in Gujarat at 7 pm today.

In a major boost to defense capabilities in the backdrop of Chinese intimidation, three Rafael jets are flying from France to India. The Rafale fighter jets will join the Golden Arrows Squadron in Ambala, making the squadron strength 14. The jets will arrive straight from France and will be refueled in the air. In addition, the squadrons size would increase to 14 with the new induction.

Rafale fighter jets began landing in India in July and August 2020, where they will be used to patrol the China front. Rafale fighter jets are stationed in Eastern Ladakh and other China fronts.The next batch consisting of 9 aircraft is scheduled to take off next month, out of which five will be inducted at Hashimara airbase in the North Bengal region. The Rafael air jets are designed for optimum damage to the adversary and are equipped with top-of-the-line smart weapons.

Emmanuel Lenain, French Envoy to India, on Wednesday said that all 36 Rafael jets will be handed over to India by 2022 as per contract, in spite of Covid-19. Out of 21 Rafael delivered to India, 11 already ferried to India, 3 are being ferried right now and 5 extra will be ferried by end of April. He further underlined that by the year 2022, all 36 aircrafts will have been delivered as per contract.

Also Read: EAM S. Jaishankar lands in Tajikistan to attend Heart of Asia ministerial conference

In the mountainous Tibet region, Rafales has a strategic edge for aerial combat with China. It can destroy the enemys air defense and kill surface-to-air missiles from its fleet and has the potential to attack both on land and at sea. It is also crucial for patrolling along the China front in Eastern Ladakh, as well as other fronts too. Moreover, Rafales can strike Pakistani planes inside Pakistani airspace, and even not once they can reach Indian territory. Last but not the least, Rafales have the advantage of working in unusual situations, such as the OPS from Leh.

Despite its strategic viability, Rafales have found themselves in a myriad of controversies including favouring a particular entity, bribery, accusation against PM over price, Ambani familys links to the ruling party among others, drawing a direct link to Bofors scandal during Rajiv Gandhi tenure.

Also Read: Indonesia church attack: Police raids find explosives and militant suspects
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Jemulpo (modern Incheon) harbor in the late 19th or early 20th century. Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection



By Robert Neff



It was very popular for American travelers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to publish accounts of their overseas excursions in their hometown newspapers. Clarence E. Edwords, a physician and writer from San Francisco, was no exception, and, in fact, published accounts in several newspapers of his travels in the Far East from 1907 through 1909.



According to one newspaper, the good doctor would provide a weekly letter to the editor so that it could be enjoyed by the newspaper's readers. "The letters will not be too long to make them tedious, but will [be] spicy and full of information concerning the countries which he will visit," explained the editor and added that this new feature was costing the newspaper "some expense."



Edwords was not one to disappoint his readers as evidenced by his account of his travel to Korea in mid-September 1907. Upon arrival, he declared the "Hermit Kingdom" to be "undoubtedly the queerest country" he had ever visited. But after spending only three days in country he felt confident in his observations to write about the thing that impressed him the most  Korea's complicated political situation.





Korean soldiers with their Russian instructors in the late 1890s. Robert Neff Collection



Koreans possess, he declared, a "most passive" character but to the casual observer they project a most warlike appearance. As an example, he derisively described Korea's military:









"Their soldiers are a sight to behold, and if fools and noise would win a battle the Koreans could certainly conquer the world. They dress their soldiers in a coat of armor that is terrifying to young children, and for arms they carry long spears, bows and arrows, great two handed swords, old guns that look as if they were made about the time gunpowder was invented by the Chinese so far back that the date is forgotten. I often wonder what would be the effect if one of these old guns were fired. I am under the impression that the man behind the gun would be in a bad fix after the explosion."



His description seems like something he gleaned from the Western books written about Korea in the 1880s. Korea's military, although small, was armed with fairly modern weapons and even had a small navy  consisting of a couple of small armed-steamers and, as one American exaggeratedly commented, commanded by twenty admirals. By the time Edwords supposedly arrived, Japan had, for the most part, disarmed Korea's military.





Korean soldiers in the early 1900s. Robert Neff Collection



Edwords also contradicts his view of Koreans being passive and unlikely to commit violence when he described the Japanese expat community. He claimed that Korea was too dangerous for lone Japanese to walk the streets in Korea as they always had to be on "the alert for surprises and assassinations."



"They always go out in squads of from three to a dozen, and I am told that the reason for this is that numerous individual Japanese who have gone alone in the streets have disappeared and no one could ever learn what became of them, and no inquiry could ever trace their disappearance to the Koreans."





Japanese soldiers in Seoul in 1913. Robert Neff Collection

He acknowledged that there was unrest in the interior but blamed it upon the Chinese and Russians who were trying to "induce the simple-minded Koreans to rebel and try to throw off the yoke so recently placed on their necks by the war-like" Japanese. He was referring to the protectorate that Japan had placed over Korea and with "exceedingly slim tenure."



He warned that "while the [Koreans] have been in a lethargy for centuries they have all the fatalism of the Orient that is necessary to make them resent the interference of any other country," and that it would not be many years before Japan found itself in another war against the Russians, Chinese and Koreans  the story would be different "than the one recently told in the Russo-Japanese War."



The Korean political situation wasn't the only thing described by his whimsical pen. Despite Korea "being dragged out of its seclusion" though the Japanese protectorate and the introduction of "modern improvements, telephones, street cars, and dozens of other conveniences which we of civilization think are necessities," the interior of the country was just as wild as it had been centuries ago.



Tomorrow we will look at just how wild Korea's interior was  at least according to Edwords.





A busy street in Seoul in the summer of 1908 (Bozoky Dezso Exhibit held at the Seoul History Museum in November 2019)
"Joining oneworld is joining a family of the best airlines in the world," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska's CEO. "Being a part of the alliance allows us to provide fantastic global connectivity, a seamless travel experience and more valuable loyalty offerings for our guests. This alliance transforms Alaska into a truly global airline, connecting our strong West Coast network and destinations across North America with the worldwide reach of our oneworld partners."

With safety protocols in place due to the pandemic, Alaska and oneworld hosted a virtual celebration and news conference today in Seattle, the airline's hometown. Fellow airline members from around the world welcomed Alaska to the alliance with video greetings and provided versions of employees performing the Alaska Safety Dance, briefly renamed the Global Safety Dance.

"With Alaska Airlines now part of oneworld, we are excited to offer to customers even more destinations and flights, strengthened by Alaska's leading network on the U.S. West Coast," said oneworld CEO Rob Gurney, who joined Minicucci in Seattle for the event. "For oneworld top-tier customers, the joining of Alaska will provide even more opportunities for their status to be recognised as we look forward to a recovery in international travel."

For Alaska and its guests, oneworld provides a global network of flights to as many as 1,000 destinations across more than 170 countries and territories*. With its membership in the alliance, Alaska will add seven new airline partners and enhance its six existing partnerships with oneworld members.

"We're delighted to welcome Alaska to the oneworld family. As the industry recovers from COVID, airline alliances are going to be more important than ever. Alaska will be an asset to the alliance, positioning oneworld to deliver even more value to our customers and member airlines," said oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.

Effective today, all Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn miles when they fly any of the other 13 member airlines. Mileage redemption for flights on airlines that Alaska did not have previous partnerships with will occur in the coming months.

Alaska's elite Mileage Plan members automatically receive matching oneworld tier status: MVP Gold 75K = oneworld Emerald; MVP Gold = oneworld Sapphire; and MVP = oneworld Ruby. Depending on tier status, those passengers can enjoy a variety of privileges, including access to more than 650 international first and business class lounges*, fast track through security and priority baggage benefits. Guests with Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status in any oneworld member airline's frequent flyer program will be able to use priority check-in desks, where available. Also, guests with Emerald or Sapphire status will be offered priority boarding.

"If you've been a frequent flier who has earned status with us, all that loyalty will go even further with benefits in oneworld to make your journey even more enjoyable," said Minicucci.

Alaska fliers can find out more about what oneworld means for them on the Alaska Airlines Blog.

Flight connectivity becomes easier with Alaska's membership in oneworld, especially on international bookings, which includes a long-standing partnership with American Airlines. American, a oneworld founding member, sponsored Alaska's membership into the alliance.

"Alaska has been an outstanding partner to American for nearly 40 years and we're excited to do even more together in the years to come," said American Airlines President Robert Isom. "By connecting American's strength in long-haul international flying and Alaska's strong presence along the West Coast, we're building a better network for our customers than either airline could build alone."

The 14 full members of oneworld are: Alaska Airlines; American Airlines; British Airways; Cathay Pacific Airways; Finnair; Iberia; Japan Airlines; Malaysia Airlines; Qantas; Qatar Airways; Royal Air Maroc; Royal Jordanian; S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines. Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner offering select alliance benefits to frequent flyers from any oneworld member airline travelling on their flights.

Learn more about Alaska's membership in oneworld at alaskaair.com/oneworld and at oneworld.com/members/alaska-airlines

* The reach of the oneworld network in January 2020 when including Alaska Airlines and Royal Air Maroc.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. The airline emphasizes Next-Level Care for its guests, along with providing low fares, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. On March 31, 2021, Alaska became the 14th member of oneworld. With the global alliance and Alaska Airlines' additional partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

About one world

oneworld brings together 14 world-class airlines  Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, and more than 20 of their affiliates. Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner. oneworld member airlines work together to deliver consistently a superior, seamless travel experience, with special privileges and rewards for frequent flyers, including earning and redeeming miles and points across the entire alliance network. Top-tier cardholders (Emerald and Sapphire) enjoy access to airport lounges and are offered extra baggage allowances. The most regular travelers (Emerald) can also use fast track security lanes at select airports. Learn more about the oneworld Alliance at alaska.oneworld.com and oneworld.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines

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A protestor has scaled a massive 100ft building crane in east London to unfurl a banner saying 'dads' lives matter just as much as mums'' amid claims he plans to stay there for several days.

Footage taken from Canning Town shows a man clinging on to the towering crane, from around 6am this morning.

He initially unfurled a banner which read 'Black Lives Matter' at the building site in Hallsville Road - where more than 600 homes are being built.

Just after midday he removed the banner and replaced it with a new message, which read: 'Black lives matter just as much as whites'.

'Dads' lives matter just as much as mums' enough is enough'.

At around 2.30pm, he was filmed lying on concrete counterweights hanging from the end of the crane, before returning to a safer area.

He unveiled another banner at around 4.30pm aimed at the court system.

It read: 'An entire corrupt industry created to rip children and fathers apart in the conflict driven secret court system'.

Police were called to the scene at around 7.30am and officers remain at the scene, along with London Ambulance Service paramedics.

The protestor was seen clambering along the towering structure after arriving earlier today

A banner with the message 'Black Lives Matter' has been placed along the crane in Canning Town, east London, today

The crane is thought to be nearly 100ft tall and is there for building work as part of Hallsville Quarter housing development in Canning Town, Newham

After removing his original at around midday, the hooded and masked protester unfurled a new one, which read: 'Black lives matter just as much as whites'. Dads' lives matter just as much as mums' enough is enough'

Fathers4Justice said it was not involved in the protest did offer its support for the demonstration.

Baffled onlookers are questioning how he managed to scale the structure, with one describing it as a 'skyscraper crane'.

Another person filming the protest said he intended to stay atop the crane for 'several days,' and has carried fireworks up with him.

Fathers4Justice founder Matt O'Connor said: 'We support all peaceful protests and have a long history of placing fathers in superhero costumes on cranes with banners, most notably in 2003 when Tower Bridge was closed for five days.

'However, we can confirm this is not an official Fathers4Justice protest.

'As a matter of good practice, we have offered our assistance to the Metropolitan Police if needed, so they facilitate a safe conclusion to the protest and provide any pastoral care needed.

'Separated dads of every religion and ethnicity are denied equal parenting rights to see their children and they are also the most at risk suicide group according to the Samaritans.

'In the last 12 months our casework load has increased by 40% dealing with enquiries from desperate dads trying to see their kids.'

Live footage from the scene shows the protestor wearing a grey jumper, gloves and a mask.

At some points he has sit on the edge of the crane, with his legs dangling over the edge.

It is not clear how he scaled the crane, but footage of him atop the structure was first shared at around 6.30am today.

Power has been turned off to the structure, while police have not attempted to climb it.

Keith Allen, from Canning Town, told The Evening Standard: 'There were lots of police around and people watching from near the Morrisons below.

Police are at the scene, while onlookers below watch the hooded protestor atop the crane

Onlookers say the banner is 'too small to read' from below. Met Police confirmed it was called at around 7.30am today

The protestor was filmed walking along the crane before returning to the 'towering cranes' main area

Fathers 4 Justice has not claimed responsibility for the protest, but did offer its support today

'I don't know how he managed to get up there because it's one of the big skyscraper cranes.

'It was hard to see exactly what was going on because the banner he displayed was too small to read.'

A Met Police spokesman said: 'We were made aware about 7.30am this morning about a protest at Hallsville Road in Canning Town, a man has scaled a crane at the location, officers are on scene.

'No arrests, enquiries are ongoing.'

The crane has been installed as part of the Hallsville Quarter development in Canning Town, which is creating more than 600 homes as well as shops and office space.
The helmet-wearing Idaho man photographed dangling by one hand from the Senates balcony during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol turned himself in six days later. While buckled in the vehicle delivering him to the Boise jail, Josiah Colt made a video apologizing and expressing shame for storming the building.

Jacob Chansley, the self-described QAnon Shaman who posed for photos on the Senate dais while sporting face paint and a furry hat with horns, also lacks the enthusiasm he once showed for the riot. A month later, he wrote an apology from jail, asking for understanding as he was coming to grips with his actions.

Confronted with compelling video and photographic evidence in court, dozens of rioters have apologized and expressed regret as the consequences of their actions have started to sink in. The ramifications include potential job losses, financial ruin and possible time behind bars.

This is going to have consequences for these people for the rest of their lives  and it should, said John Flannery, a former federal prosecutor and Capitol Hill lawyer.

Another possible consequence for Colt and others captured in photographs that went viral before they even left the Capitol building: ignominy beyond their lifetimes as those images make their way into history books.

In this Jan. 6, 2021, photo, rioters, including Dominic Pezzola, center with beard, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

A lawyer for Dominic Pezzola, who authorities say is a member of the extremist group Proud Boys and broke a Capitol window with a police shield, said in a filing that his clients incarceration has placed his wife and two children in desperate financial straits.

Several workers at a floor installation business Pezzola manages are also out of work because Pezzola is jailed, attorney Jonathan Zucker wrote in a February filing seeking Pezzolas release pending trial.

Pezzola, the attorney wrote, was sorry for his actions, which included posting a video giving a triumphant speech inside the Capitol while smoking a victory cigar.

Since his arrest, having time to reflect and see how things have revealed themselves, he now realizes he was duped into these mistaken beliefs " that the election was stolen from President Donald Trump, Zucker wrote.

Colt, who had expressed devotion to Trump and called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a traitor, seemed to recognize the long-term consequences of his actions in the Capitol in the minutes before his arrest as he spoke on the video, later posted by KBOI-TV.

I never intended to do anything that would bring a black eye to my family, country, me, he said, adding that he had received death threats.

Regret has struck some rioters sooner than others.

The day after Chad Jones allegedly swung a flag pole at police just outside the House chamber, he told a friend he was an idiot, adding he knew he was in big trouble, according to court documents.

He was right. A week later a federal complaint charged him with, among other things, using a weapon  the flag pole  to assault an officer. The charges carry a maximum 60 years in prison.

Samuel Camargo, who had posted a video on Instagram showing him tussling with police trying to get through a door to the Capitol, was on Facebook a day later with his apology.

Im sorry to all the people Ive disappointed as this is not who I am nor what I stand for, he wrote. Camargo, too, was charged.

It didnt necessarily help his case. A judge ordered Camargo, who was arrested in Washington on Inauguration Day, jailed until trial after concluding no release condition could ensure Camargos future appearance in court.

As a procession of rioters ended up before federal judges, some issuing apologies before they got to court, it was impossible to discern who was sincerely sorry and who was expressing contrition in a preemptive bid for leniency from the court.

From behind bars after his arrest in March and with a bond hearing upcoming, 18-year-old rioter Bruno Joseph Cua penned a letter to his judge, assuring the court he was regretful and had been humbled by the experience. Lesson fully received, your Honor, Cua wrote, according to court documents.

Two months earlier Cua posted enthusiastic notes on social media saying hed been part of history in joining throngs rushing the Capitol, charging documents say. He added in a sentence that jurors would likely take as an admission of guilt: Yes, we physically fought our way in.

Among the rude awakenings: No plea deals yet, though they may be in the works. Given it was an attack on what many regard as the citadel of American democracy, the sentiment among prosecutors, judges and the public at large, at least for now, isnt exactly lenient.

Pezzolas judge denied his request for bond, citing a potential danger to the community and saying Pezzolas expressions of regret now cant outweigh evidence that he was willing to play an important role in an act of political violence.

To date, more than 300 Capitol Hill rioters have been charged. Several are accused of careful planning and of coordinating the attack on Jan. 6. Most arent accused of committing violence or damaging property but of walking past security lines and entering restricted areas.

In most cases, theres little dispute those charged did breach the Capitol building, having provided evidence of that themselves in selfies and videos posted online.

Edward Jacob Lang posted a photograph of himself in a crowd of Trump supporters pushing their way through a Capitol building tunnel, beating police as they went. He later went to the trouble of putting a finger emoji on the photo pointing to a fuzzy image of someone by the tunnel. The caption he included read, THIS IS ME. The photo was included in the Jan. 16 complaint charging him.

Some rioters, several speaking through attorneys, have said they went along with the flow of the mob and gave little thought to what they were doing until it was too late.

James Rahm said in a video statement before he was charged that he knew the second he stepped across the threshold of a Capitol door the FBI was coming for me. The 61-year-old said he was seized by the passion of the moment.

Psychologists have long observed how individuals in frenzied crowds seem to lose their sense of individual responsibility and become willing to engage in anti-social behavior theyd never contemplate on their own.

Courts are unlikely to allow lawyers to use the psychology of crowds as a defense at trial. It could potentially be raised at sentencing to try to explain how those with no previous criminal record ended up breaking the law.

Among the most well-known personalities in the Capitol riot to issue an apology is Chansley, the so-called QAnon Shaman from Phoenix who stormed the building while carrying a spear and expressed his disappointment with Trump, who had denied his pardon request.

In his apology, Chansley asked for patience for him and others who participated because they were having a very difficult time piecing together all that happened to us, around us, and by us.

We are good people who care deeply about our country, Chansley wrote.

A month later, a judge who denied Chansleys bid to be released from jail had questioned whether the Arizona man was still under Trumps spell, pointing out Chansley said in a CBS 60 Minutes+ interview that he didnt regret his loyalty to Trump.
New Delhi, March 31 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said that it has filed a supplementary charge sheet against Amandeep Singh Bhullar, the main accused in connection with 2011 Jodhpur hooch tragedy in which 22 people allegedly died due to consumption of spurious liquor.

An ED official said that Bhullar, a resident of Indore, is one of the main accused in the case in which 22 people allegedly died due to consumption of spurious liquor in Jodhpur in 2011.

The ED had registered a case on the basis of FIRs registered by Rajasthan Police against Kaluram Vishnoi, his wife Sharda Devi, Bhullar and others in relation to supply, manufacture and sale of spurious liquor and charge sheets were also filed by the Rajasthan Police.

The official said that the ED has already attached assets to the tune of Rs 1.23 crore acquired by Vishnoi and others by hooch tragedy kingpin.

He said that Bhullar had supplied poisonous spirit to accused Vishnoi, who is a resident of Khejrali in Jodhpur area of Rajasthan which was used for making of spurious liquor.
Illegal immigrants climb the banks of the Rio Grande River into the United States as smugglers on rafts prepare to return to Mexico in Penitas, Texas, on March 5, 2021. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

Texas Rangers Save 6-Month-Old Baby Thrown Out of Raft Into Rio Grande River by Smugglers

A special tactical team operating along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas saved a 6-month-old baby who had been thrown off a raft into the Rio Grande River by smugglers.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, who shared the rescue mission, said the incident occurred on March 16 when the specialized groupSouth Texas Special Operations Groupwas assisting U.S. Border Patrol agents in Roma. The highly trained group frequently carries out missions in remote areas where conventional law enforcement cannot operate to deter criminal activity, usually by drug cartels.

The childs mother had been assaulted by smugglers in Mexico and had her leg broken in the attack, the department said.

The incident occurred amid a surge of illegal border crossings at the U.S. southern border, in particular by unaccompanied minors. While most single adults and some family units are being turned back, the Biden administration is accepting all unaccompanied minorschildren who unlawfully enter the country without an adult.

The burgeoning crisis has overwhelmed border facilities and resources and has led to overcrowded facilities amid the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. The administration is currently seeking to build a bed capacity of 13,500 beds, with the potential for additional capacity in order to meet the continuous flow of unaccompanied minors coming across the border.

About 17,200 unaccompanied minors were in the custody of either Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or HHS as of March 29, according to the HHS Administration for Children and Families.

U.S. officials have repeatedly urged migrants to stay put in their home counties, including President Joe Biden. However, the number of border apprehensions has continued to increase. The United States also faced a sharp spike of enforcement encounters in February at 100,441 encounters compared to 78,442 in January, 74,018 in December 2020, and 72,111 in November 2020. This number went up by about 50,000 in March, with over 150,000 illegal border crossers this month, according to former CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan.

Upon taking office, Biden reversed several Trump-era immigration policies, including his predecessors key Migrant Protection Protocol, which sought to end the problematic catch and release policy and is credited for significantly stemming the flow of illegal immigrants in 2019.

This comes in the same month the CBP announced that a 9-year-old girl from Mexico drowned while trying to illegally cross into the United States. The girl was crossing the Rio Grande River with an adult woman from Guatemala and the womans child, a 3-year-old Mexican native.

Border Patrol Marine Unit agents responded to assist three individuals stranded on an island on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande River. Agents found the individuals and immediately began administering first aid while transporting the migrants to shore, CBP said in a statement.

Officials were able to revive the woman and her child but the 9-year-old remained unresponsive.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
Since its operation in Ghana, Huawei has undertaken several initiatives to contribute meaningfully to the development of ICT in Ghana. Through its Tech for All Campaign, Huawei has undertaken several initiatives to nurture Ghanas ICT talent pool.



Launched in 2015 and 2017 respectively the Huawei Seeds for the Future Programme and the ICT Academy Initiative has offered skilled ICT training to more than 5000 Ghanaian tertiary students and professionals in the ICT ecosystem.



In a brief documentary, get to explore how Huawei is working together with partners and Stakeholder to bridge the digital divide for the development and growth of Ghanas ICT Talent ecosystem.



watch the documentary below...





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 30)  The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has acknowledged that its packages do not cover patients' stay in hospital tents for which some patients were reportedly charged 1,000 per hour.

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite told the House Committee on Health on Tuesday that a colleague of his stayed in a hospital tent while waiting to be admitted to the then busy intensive care unit. He said the bill was around 140,000 for an overnight stay.

"Nahihirapan na nga 'yung mga pasyente [Patients are already having a hard time] then we aggravate the situation by imposing such policies that would negate the benefit they would have gotten from Philhealth," said the lawmaker.

PhilHealth Acting Senior Vice President Neri Santiago said it is currently not in the protocol to include use of hospital tents in its packages, but adds that it should be.

"Siguro irevisit na lang namin kasi sa ngayon, hindi siya part noong protocol na kasama sa package," said Santiago. "Supposed to be 'yung temporary treatment sa temporary facility na part ng hospital should be part of the package."

[Translation: Maybe we should revisit (the policy) because for now it is not part of the protocol to include it in the package. The temporary treatment in the temporary facility that is part of the hospital should be part of the package.]

For his part, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III asked for the name of the hospital, calling the 1,000/hour rate "highway robbery." Gaite did not mention the hospital's name during the hearing but said he would tell the health chief.

"Meron tayong [We have a] benefit package ng [of] PhilHealth and we have already upgraded these benefit packages to be inclusive of different levels of accommodation," said Duque, who was also in the hearing. "We will have that revisited."

Senator Joel Villanueva said the reported 1,000 hourly rate in a hospital tent was "ridiculous" given that it should have been covered by the state-run agency.

Citing Section 6 of the Universal Health Care Act, Villanueva said the situation must be considered as part of "emergency health services" since patients were forced to be admitted to a hospital tent as the emergency rooms were already "overflowing."

"So, it makes no sense to exclude them from coverage from the mere fact that that the emergency room is already overcrowded," he said in a Twitter post on Thursday night.
Dont be too quick to brand Singapore a Nanny State, says Peter Noone of Meadowbank. Most people are probably blissfully unaware that all those ugly black spots marring our footpaths are the result of the irresponsible disposal of used chewing gum. Some years ago North Sydney Council spent a large sum employing contractors with steam wands to remove these spots from footpaths in Crows Nest.

Doug Pinch of Nimbin has a photo ID Card from Service NSW. Transport NSW says: A NSW photo ID card can be used as photo identification if you dont have a NSW driver licence. It has the same application process and security features as the driver licence, and should be accepted as ID everywhere a driver licence is recognised. Then it becomes the height of absurdity that they themselves dont recognise their own photo card as equivalent to a driver licence. I tried to obtain the government vouchers on the internet. The photo card is not accepted instead of a driver licence. Then I was referred to a phone application process. The government person admitted the department does not accept its own card as a licence equivalent. I was told the only way a person with their ID card can obtain vouchers is to visit a Service NSW centre. Not always easy in the bush.

Some people  my daughter in this case  notice curious things, says Vivienne Potter of Gowrie (ACT). For instance, I was born in 1944 and I am 77 this year. She was born in 1977 and is 44!

Sorry, Susan Rowe (C8). It gets worse. What about a sweet and sour rhubarb toothpaste from Italy? offers Bill Tango of Manly.

Apropos the flavour of toothpaste, Ive always wondered why bathroom spray couldnt be manufactured to smell like a lamb roast! says Heather Harman of Tuncurry.
VANCOUVER, BC, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Ikanik Farms Inc. (Formerly Canadian Imperial Venture Corp.) (the "Company" or "Ikanik") is pleased to announce that further to its news releases dated April 3, 2019 and March 19, 2021, the Company has completed the previously announced business combination (the "Transaction") with Ikanik Farms Inc. ("Former Ikanik") pursuant to the business combination agreement (the "Business Combination Agreement") dated April 2, 2019, as amended April 26, 2019 and again on March 25, 2021, among the Company, Former Ikanik and 1295446 B.C. Ltd.

Furthermore, and in connection with the Transaction, the Company has changed its name from "Canadian Imperial Venture Corp." to "Ikanik Farms Inc." (the "Name Change"). In connection with the Transaction, the Company has also completed a share re-designation and consolidation of its issued and outstanding share capital on the basis of one postconsolidated subordinate voting share for every 1.557929895 preconsolidated common shares (the "Consolidation"). No fractional shares were issued as any fractional share were rounded down to the nearest whole number.

Upon the receipt by the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") of final listing approval, Ikanik will list 93,526,876 subordinate voting shares (the "Resulting Issuer SV Shares") on the CSE and the Resulting Issuer SV Shares are expected to begin trading on or about April 1, 2021 (the "Trading Resumption Date") under the symbol "IKNK". In addition, there are presently 527,813 Resulting Issuer Series A Shares ("Resulting Issuer Series A Shares"), 4,140,000 options convertible into Resulting Issuer SV Shares, 72,150 options convertible into Resulting Issuer Series A Shares, 36,449,131 Resulting Issuer SV Share purchase warrants, 26,148 Resulting Issuer Series A Share purchase Warrants, 1,493,410 broker warrants, each exercisable for one Resulting Issuer SV Share and one-half of one Resulting Issuer SV Share purchase warrant, convertible debentures in an amount of $7,847,593.77 convertible into Resulting Issuer SV Shares, convertible debentures in an amount of $106,197.98 convertible into Resulting Issuer SV Units (with each such unit consisting of one Resulting Issuer SV Share and one Resulting Issuer SV Share purchase warrant), and convertible debentures in an amount of $198,953.09 convertible into Resulting Issuer Series A Shares, issued and outstanding.

Upon closing of the Transaction, the board of directors and management of Ikanik were reconstituted as follows in place of the previous directors and officers of Ikanik:

Brian Baca  President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board Ryan Ciucki  Chief Financial Officer and Director

 Chief Financial Officer and Director William Keating  Chief Operating Officer and Director

 Chief Operating Officer and Director Borja Sanz de Madrid  Director

 Director JJ Thomas  Director

Daniel Gillis  Director

Biographical descriptions of each director and member of the senior management team of Ikanik is included in the listing statement of Ikanik dated March 30, 2021 (the "Listing Statement").

In connection with the completion of the Transaction, Macias Gini & O'Connell LLP, at its principal office in Irvine, California, will replace Davison & Company LLP as the auditor of Ikanik. In addition, the year end of Ikanik will become the year end of Former Ikanik which is December 31st.

Trading in the common shares of the Company was halted by the TSX Venture Exchange on April 3, 2019 following the announcement of the entering into of the Business Combination Agreement and trading of the Resulting Issuer SV Shares are expected to remain halted until the Trading Resumption Date. Effective as of the date hereof, the Company has also delisted its common shares from the TSXV Venture Exchange.

For further information with respect to the Transaction and the business of Ikanik, please refer to the Listing Statement posted under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Ikanik Farms

Ikanik Farms is a California based, Multi-National Operator (MNO) who is building a dynamic portfolio of brands, inspired by its passion for health and wellness, action sports, and supported by its vertically integrated retail, distribution and cultivation in CA and its medical grade cultivation and laboratory in Colombia. The company's leadership brings decades of expertise in R&D, cultivation, retail, branding, and corporate finance. Ikanik Farms' operation in Colombia, through its pharma division Pideka, holds both GMP-PHARMA and (GACP) Good Agricultural and Collection Practice certifications for its Casa Flores operating facility.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws (together, "forward-looking information). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future is forward-looking information. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "believe", "should", and similar expressions, are forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, receipt of final listing approval from the CSE and the commencement of trading of the Resulting Issuer SV Shares on the CSE.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: changes in laws, a change in management, the inability to obtain additional financing, increased competition, hindering market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and, regulatory or political change.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in the forward-looking information may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release is made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and the Company does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ikanik Farms, Inc.

Related Links:

Corporate Site: www.iknkbrands.com

Brand Site: www.ikanikfarms.com

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Ikanik Farms Inc.

Related Links

https://ikanikfarms.com/


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The police in Akwa Ibom State, Nigerias South-south, have confirmed that three of their officers have been killed, while four are missing in Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state during a violent clash between security operatives and some hoodlums.

The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Odiko MacDon, said in the statement on Thursday that a police team was in the local government area to maintain peace when it came under attack on Wednesday.

The Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew, is deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack on security personnel who were out maintaining the peace yesterday, 30th March, 2021 which led to the demise of CSP Ben Ajide who was the Commander of the Commands Quick Intervention Unit and two others, while four others are missing, Mr MacDon, a superintendent of police, said in the statement.

The police spokesperson did not say who was responsible for the attack.

The cause of the attack, he said, was unknown.

Whereas the remote and immediate causes of these unprovoked attacks are unknown, a discreet investigation is on the way to unravel the same and seek a lasting solution, he said.

The police commissioner, according to the statement, condoled with the family of the slain officers and assured that those behind the attack would be brought to justice.

He appealed to the public to volunteer useful information that would lead to the arrest of those responsible for the attack.

Essien Udim Local Government Area, which shares a boundary with the neighbouring Abia State, has been notorious for cult-related violence and killings.

About four weeks ago, some gunmen attacked a police station in the area and set fire on parts of the station and some old vehicles which were parked as exhibits in the stations premises.

The attack was the second on police officers and police facilities in the area in less than one week.

The Akwa Ibom State Government, on March 26, banned the use of motorcycles and tricycles from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. in Essien Udim and two other nearby local government areas, in order to check criminal activities.
Units of the Sahrawi People's Liberation Army (APLS) carried out new attacks on the positions of the Moroccan occupying forces in the sectors "Al-Farsiyah", "Mehbes "and" Kilta", a statement from the Sahrawi Defense Ministry said on Monday.

According to the 138th press release reported on Monday by the Sahrawi press agency (SPS), "SPLA units attacked the positions of the Moroccan occupation soldiers all along the Wall of Shame.

The Sahrawi army carried out bombings on Sunday targeting the entrenchments of the occupation forces in the "Ankab Laabd" region, in sector "Houza" and "Taref Dirit."

On Monday, units of the Sahrawi Army bombed the entrenchments and bases of Moroccan soldiers in the Tiniliyik region in the sector of El Bekari and in the region of Akrara Achadida (El Forsia sector).

The Sahrawi army has also targeted the positions of the Moroccan forces in the region of Alf Ain, in the sector of El Forsia.

The same source said that the SPLA attacks continue to target the graves and positions of Moroccan occupation soldiers, who have suffered heavy human and material loss, along the wall of humiliation and shame.
'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)' had a very low-key baptism, the silky vocals of Frankie Valli taking it to number 128 in the US charts in the autumn of 1965.

Six months later, The Walker Brothers achieved far greater success with their version, retitled 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore'. It gave them their biggest US hit (No. 13), a number one in the UK and a top five placing in many other territories, including Ireland.

The song is considered a classic of the era, ranked No. 357 on NME's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and No. 187 in Pitchfork's list of The 200 Best Songs of the 1960s.

The Walker Brothers consisted of three, unrelated members: Scott Walker (born Noel Scott Engel), John Walker (born Joseph Maus) and Gary Walker (born Gary Leeds). Formed in Los Angeles in 1964, they moved to Britain in 1965 and went on to have more success in their adopted country than their homeland. As well as 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore', they scored another UK No. 1 with the Burt Bacharach and Hal David composition, 'Make It Easy On Yourself'.

After they disbanded, the Walker Brothers trio all embarked on solo careers, with Scott by far the most successful. He is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest and most influential artists in rock history, his innovative and experimental solo work attracting a cult following and the admiration of many top artists, including David Bowie, Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Leonard Cohen and Brian Eno.

Gary Walker, now 79, is the only surviving member of The Walker Brothers. John died of liver cancer in 2011, aged 67; Scott died of cancer in March 2019 at the age of 76.

1 The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore The Walker Brothers

2 I Can't Let Go The Hollies

3 Shapes of Things Yardbirds

4 Dedicated Followers of Fashion The Kinks

5 Elusive Butterfly Bob Lind

6 Elusive Butterfly Val Doonican

7 Sha La La La Lee The Small Faces

8 Make The World Go Away Eddy Arnold

9 Barbara Ann The Beach Boys

10 Somebody Help Me Spencer David Group

 Our chart from 1966 features a top ten rarity - two versions of the same song. Baltimore's Bob Lind wrote 'Elusive Butterfly' and originally released it as the B-side of his debut single. When it picked up far more airplay than the A-side, Lind's record company rereleased the single with 'Elusive Butterfly' as the lead track. It reached No. 5 in the Billboard Hot 100 and also peaked at 5 in the UK charts.

Waterford's Val Doonican also reached number 5 in the UK with his version of the Lind song. In Ireland, Doonican's release peaked at number three, with the Lind original not charting here at all.
New Delhi, March 31 : A CBI court here on Wednesday sentenced two private persons to four years rigorous imprisonment in connection with a case of fraud in land allotment for group housing societies.

A CBI spokesperson identified the two as Ramesh Kumar Aggarwal and Ashwani Sharma, convicted in one of the cases pertaining to group housing societies.

The CBI had registered a case on April 4, 2006 against Aggarwal, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, and Sharma, a resident of Delhi, and others on the Delhi High Court's order to conduct investigation of various cooperative group housing societies including Kamlani CGHS Ltd. having its registered office at in Delhi's Subhash Nagar.

The CBI FIR alleged that the accused entered into a conspiracy during the year 2000-2002 with an intention to cheat Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and to ensure allotment of land to the society i.e. Kamlani CGHS Ltd by DDA on the basis of forged and false documents.

Aggarwal was representing the society in the office of Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Delhi for submission of the documents, and was hand in glove with Sharma, tacitly allowing him to sign various documents in the office, it said.

After investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet on March 29, 2007 against the accused. The trial court found the accused guilty and convicted them, the official added.
President Joe Biden and top health officials urged an impatient public to remain vigilant on the coronavirus, as daily case counts continued to rise, younger people replaced older people in some US hospitals, and the United States moved beyond the milestone of 30 million cases since the outbreak began.

Even as the nations immunisation programme continued to pick up speed and new research showed that coronavirus vaccines are highly effective in real-world conditions, Mr Biden said states should suspend reopening plans and governors who had rescinded mask mandates should reinstate them.

Please, this is not politics, Mr Biden said. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down, and businesses should require masks as well. A failure to take this virus seriously  precisely what got us into this mess in the first place  risks more cases and more deaths.

Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, went off script at a briefing yesterday morning to demonstrate her alarm.

Her words brought to mind a prescient warning from another CDC official, Nancy Messonier, head of the National Centre for Immunisation and Respiratory Diseases, who told Americans more than 13 months ago their lives would dramatically change as the virus exploded in the US.

Im going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom, Ms Walensky said at a White House news briefing. We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope. But right now  Im scared.

Troubling signals abounded yesterday. Daily case counts continued their trend in the wrong direction.

Read More

The seven-day rolling average of infections, which is considered the most reliable measure of daily case counts, rose for the seventh consecutive day, finishing just below 64,000, according to reports from state health departments analysed by The Washington Post.

Some hospitals reported admitting younger people with more severe disease.

That is evidence that vaccines are protecting people older than 65 who once were most vulnerable but leaving the unvaccinated exposed. A new variant of the virus that is more contagious and causes more severe disease is taking hold across the country.

At Connecticuts Yale New Haven Health System, admissions of Covid-19 patients aged 35 to 44 are up 41pc in the past seven weeks, while admission of people 65 and older is down more than 70pc.

At Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, inpatients older than 65 have largely disappeared, replaced by a younger population. And among the patients in Michigans Henry Ford Health System, the median age has declined to 58, years younger than during previous surges of the virus.

Younger people arent vaccinated, said Tom Balcezak, chief medical officer at Yale New Haven, where 30pc of people with Covid-19, the illness that can be caused by the coronavirus, tested positive for the new variant that first was identified in the United Kingdom.

Theyre being exposed, if you will  blasted, if you will, by the variants.

As a result, more of them need intensive care than during earlier parts of the pandemic. Last week we admitted and intubated a 21-year-old. Thats really unusual for us, he said.

Eduardo Oliveira, executive medical director for critical-care services for AdventHealth in central Florida, said the situation there is still significantly better than it was from November to January when the hospital had 70 or 80 patients on mechanical ventilation. Now there are about a dozen in the ICU..

It is because of the reopening we are seeing more of this population, he said.

Greg Martin, chair of critical care at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and a pulmonology specialist at Emory Universitys medical school, said most patients 65 and older have disappeared, probably because of vaccinations, but younger people continue to stream in. ( The Washington Post)
BALTIMORE, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA , a widely recognized visionary leader who elevated the UMSOM into a top-tier biomedical research and patient-focused academic center, announced that he will complete his 16-year tenure as Dean, at the end of the next academic year. He will return to the UMSOM faculty where he will lead a new Center, and continue research and teaching.

Dr. Reece, who is also Executive Vice President for UM Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor, was appointed as the UMSOM's 30th Dean in 2006. Over the course of his Deanship, he led the UMSOM through a period of unprecedented, record-breaking growth and achievements across all its areas of operation, enabling the UMSOM to reach major milestones in research, clinical care, reputation, and global impact. He is considered to be one of the most successful Deans in the U.S., as well as in our institution's rich 214-year history.

Under his leadership:

Research funding more than doubled achieving record levels of research activity and funding-growing from $323 million to soon approaching $600 million .

to soon approaching . Clinical revenues also more than doubled since 2006 - growing from $160 million to $351 million , with UMSOM faculty providing outpatient and inpatient care to more than 1.5 million patients per year.

to , with UMSOM faculty providing outpatient and inpatient care to more than 1.5 million patients per year. Clinical Practice locations expanded across the state - growing from 6 to 60 locations, including a new, advanced healthcare facility at Waterloo Crossing in Columbia, MD . This facility provides urgent, primary, specialty care, and Surgicenter.

. This facility provides urgent, primary, specialty care, and Surgicenter. The UMSOM's global footprint expanded to research and treatment facilities in more than 30 countries around the world.

Dean Reece built a lasting partnership with the University of Maryland Medical System that is a model for academic medicine ("The Power of Partnership").

built a lasting partnership with the Medical System that is a model for academic medicine ("The Power of Partnership"). The UMSOM became a hub of innovation with 576 scientific disclosures, 130 U.S. patents issued, 228 foreign patents issued, 205 technology inventions licensed, and 33 start-up companies formed.

Dean Reece has provided unwavering leadership through two economic recessions and two pandemics (Ebola and COVID-19). During the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic, the UMSOM has emerged as one of the medical schools on the front lines, conducting State-wide COVID-19 testing, national leadership in vaccine development, clinical trials of all the COVID-19 vaccines now approved by the FDA, as well as research and testing of therapeutics for COVID-19.

has provided unwavering leadership through two economic recessions and two pandemics (Ebola and COVID-19). During the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic, the UMSOM has emerged as one of the medical schools on the front lines, conducting State-wide COVID-19 testing, national leadership in vaccine development, clinical trials of all the COVID-19 vaccines now approved by the FDA, as well as research and testing of therapeutics for COVID-19. Despite the COVID-19 virtual paradigm, the UMSOM launched an entire overhaul of the medical education curriculum, now called the "Renaissance Curriculum" .

. In 2021, the UMSOM has climbed to its highest national ranking ever in U.S. News & World Report's Best Medical Schools report, moving into the top 10 among public medical schools, and in the top 20 percent among all medical schools (from #34 last year to #27 in this year's report). Since Dean Reece's tenure began, the UMSOM has advanced significantly, from #42 to #27 among all medical schools in the nation.

Dr Reece commented, "I deem it a distinct honor and privilege to have led the UMSOM over several years. Much of the accomplishments and successes in the UMSOM are due to the excellent team I have been blessed to work with, and the support of the UMB leadership over the years. The support from the UMSOM Board of Visitors, the alumni, Directors, Chairs, Dean's senior staff, and assistants have been truly invaluable." He continued, "I am most pleased to pass the baton to a new Dean who undoubtedly will take the UMSOM to new heights."

A leading physician-scientist, and member of the prestigious National Academy of Medicine (NAM), Dr. Reece has served on the NAM's Governing Council and the Executive Committee. He holds faculty appointments as Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine, and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. During his entire Deanship, Dr. Reece remained active in his NIH multi-million-dollar research laboratory group, studying the bio-molecular mechanisms of diabetes-induced birth defects. This laboratory was transitioned to become the Center for Birth Defects Research. Dr. Reece promoted his mentee and lab associate, Peixin Yang, PhD , Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, to direct the Center with him. The Center is now supported by seven NIH RO1 grants. Notably, Dr. Reece and his colleagues have unraveled the molecular mechanism into the causation of diabetes-induced birth defects, and have identified and patented molecular targets to be used in preventive and therapeutic strategies.

At the national level, Dean Reece is well known among medical school deans for his mentoring of faculty across the U.S. who aspired to leadership positions. Through his active participation in the AAMC's Dean's Fellowship Program, many senior faculty members have "shadowed" Dean Reece during his tenure and received valuable mentoring from him.

Dean Reece has served on many medical, governmental and civic organization committees, including serving as Chair of the Council of Deans of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). He currently serves on the board of Research America, and has been recently named to the Board of the Lasker Foundation. During his career, he has served additional organizations, agencies, and cultural/educational institutions, including the Secretary of Health & Human Services Committee on Infant Mortality, The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, the Harvard/ Massachusetts General Hospital Scientific Advisory Committee, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Reece is a sought-after Visiting Professor and Lecturer at numerous institutions both nationally and internationally. He has published extensively in the scientific literature-12 books including revisions and more than 500 publications.

He has received from various universities and government organizations numerous special awards, citations, and honorary degrees in recognition of his distinguished leadership, lifetime achievement, and major contributions to science and medicine.

"I was heavily involved in the recruitment of Dean Reece when he came to UMSOM as Dean," said former University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor "Brit" Kirwan, PhD. "I consider his appointment to be one of the most important efforts I was involved in as Chancellor of the University System of Maryland. Under Dr. Reece's leadership, our School of Medicine has soared to new heights of excellence as a powerhouse in medical research, a highly regarded institution for training the next generation of doctors, and a valued source of community engagement. His irrepressible commitment to excellence in all aspects of the School's mission has been transformative. He leaves a legacy of accomplishment that will endure for the benefit of generations to come," he said.

A Leader in Service

As Dean, Dr. Reece has also been a prominent leader in the local business and health care community as well. He has been a visible member of the local community and a familiar face to residents who attend the UMSOM's various community programs. Each year at Thanksgiving, Dean Reece has been a fixture at "Project Feast," where he serves dinner and engages with community residents. He is also well known by the hundreds of participants (both and adult and children) who are "students" in UMSOM's highly successful and longstanding "Mini-Med School" and "Mini-Med School for Kids" programs. At each Mini-Med School Graduation Ceremony, Dean Reece greets and delivers special completion certificates to each community participant.

With a new charter and new leadership, the UMSOM's Program in Health Equity and Population Health , Directed by Erin Hager, PhD , Associate Professor of Pediatrics, and Deputy Director Laundette Jones, PhD, MPH , Associate Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health, now combines research, education, and service to advance health equity by addressing the critical health issues often influenced by the social determinants of health. In recent years, the Program has generated 331 active grants with funding of $128 million.

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, said,"I wish to thank Dean Reece for his outstanding leadership in creating an even stronger medical school and wish him all the best as he transitions out of the deanship. Dean Reece leaves the School of Medicine in an excellent position for a new leader to take the school into a post-COVID world."

Growth of the Academic Enterprise

During his Deanship at UMSOM, Dr. Reece presided over dramatic growth of an academic enterprise that now totals 45 academic units, including 25 departments and 20 research centers, institutes, and programs. He expanded the UMSOM's academic facilities to 17 buildings, covering more than 2.5 million square feet of research and academic space, and led the planning and construction of a 430,000 square foot, state-of-the-art advanced research facility. Subsequently, he launched a nationwide investigator recruitment effort, resulting in 30 teams of top NIH-funded scientists from leading institutions across the country, joining the UMSOM's faculty of more than 3,500 physicians and scientists. He also led the complete renovation of Leadership Hall into an elegantly designed 700-seat theatre-style structure that now hosts major conferences and special events.

Over the past five years, Dean Reece has successfully recruited a new generation of department chairs with the appointment of top physicians and scientists from both inside and outside the UMSOM.

From the beginning of his tenure as Dean, Dr. Reece was keenly focused on elevating the UMSOM's leadership position in biomedical research, building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, a visionary leader, Dean Emeritus Donald Wilson, MD . Dean Reece laid out a specific plan to focus on "Big Science Research," with the goal of fundamentally changing the health care landscape and making a lasting and direct impact on patients' health and well-being.

Soon after joining UMSOM as Dean, Dr. Reece and Dr. Bruce Jarrell ( who served as the UMSOM Executive Vice Dean), successfully recruited two well-known and highly accomplished scientists and their research teams to the UMSOM: Claire Fraser, PhD , who established a new Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS), and Robert Gallo, MD , who transitioned the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) to the UMSOM. In the ensuing years, Dean Reece launched additional centers, such as STAR (Shock Trauma, Anesthesiology Research Center) , and the Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health & Brain Development , the Center for Blood Oxygen Transport and Hemostasis, and others, now totaling 20. He also significantly expanded the Center for Vaccine Development & Global Health .

In 2013, in the midst of a challenging economy and a dearth of commercial construction, Dean Reece embarked on an ambitious plan to construct a new world-class research facility for UMSOM. Despite significant challenges, Dean Reece, along with then-University System of Maryland Chancellor, Brit Kirwan, PhD, and with former UMB Presidents, the late Dr. David Ramsay, and Jay Perman, MD (now USM Chancellor), relentlessly pursued, and successfully implemented, a multi-faceted plan to make the new facility a reality.

In December, 2017, the UMSOM opened its new 430,000 square-foot research building Health Sciences Research Facility III (HSRF III) , becoming the largest building ever constructed in the University System of Maryland, and setting a new standard of excellence in biomedical research, innovation, and discovery. Working in HSRF III's state-of-the art laboratories with cutting edge genomic technology, faculty physicians and scientists are now working together on breakthrough treatments for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

In 2013, Dr. Reece launched Accelerating Innovation and Discovery in Medicine (ACCEL-Med) , a major UMSOM initiative designed to increase the pace and scope of clinical and basic sciences research. The Accel-Med initiative was launched with the first UMSOM "Festival of Science," which has become an annual full-day symposium highlighting the breakthrough research being conducted by UMSOM faculty. A cornerstone of Accel-Med was the Dean's formation of the UMSOM's first "Scientific Advisory Council" (SAC) to review and evaluate the UMSOM's research efforts on an annual basis. The Council, which included preeminent scientists, Nobel laureates and National Academy members, continues today.

At the inaugural Festival of Science, Dean Reece announced the opening of new core biomedical research facilities with funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH), called the Center for Innovative Biomedical Resources (CIBR) . It was the first time that the UMSOM had established a center of excellence for state-of-the-art technologies, high-tech instrumentation, and expertise to support biomedical research, clinical practice, and health care. Dean's Challenge Awards were also established to provide seed funding to UMSOM scientists and encourage collaborations across departments. In 2021, the UMSOM has climbed to the top tier of medical schools in federal research funding.

"Dean Reece's mark on the School of Medicine is unmistakable; he's been integral to its enormous success," said University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman, MD . "It's fitting that Dean Reece leaves the deanship at a time when the school is enjoying such well-deserved acclaim, nationally and internationally. I wish him all the best as he transitions into a role that gives him the same personal and professional satisfaction as have his 15 years leading the UMSOM."

Major National Designation and Clinical Expansion

Dean Reece led significant growth of the UMSOM's clinical practices across the State of Maryland during his tenure as Dean:

Added Cynthia Egan, current Chair of the UMSOM Board of Visitors: "There are many grateful patients whose care and cures have come from the exemplary leadership of the School of Medicine under Dean Reece. His relentless focus for excellence in research, academics, and developing extraordinary faculty and practitioners have advanced UMSOM to be a powerful force in delivering the best of medicine. It has been and will continue to be a true privilege to work with Dean Reece."

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dean Reece is known by faculty, staff, and colleagues for his "relentless pursuit of excellence" mantra, and his sincere dedication to making an impact on people's lives every day. He has been recognized for initiating a long-term school-wide culture transformation in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through his leadership and close collaboration with faculty, students, and staff, the Culture Transformation Initiative (CTI) has become a top priority for the institution, with new programs aimed at ensuring equity in opportunity, recruitment, promotion, and compensation.

Dr. Reece's commitment to increasing diversity across the UMSOM has ignited positive changes and has resulted in growing numbers of women (40-60 percent) and under-represented minorities among senior leadership, faculty, and students. Specifically, women now make up more than 40 percent of UMSOM's senior leadership; the percentage of women faculty has increased to 40 percent, with under-represented minorities making up 11 percent. In the UMSOM student body, 60 percent of students are now women, and 25 percent are under-represented minorities.

Shaping the Future of Medical Education

Dr. Reece, as a scholar and educator, shaped the future of medical education in significant ways. He launched the first program for MD students in the nation on the Foundations of Research and Critical Thinking (FRCT), ensuring that the new generation of physicians would be equipped with the problem-solving and decision-making skills required for the future. Dr. Reece himself has consistently taught in the course. To further provide MD students with experience in data analysis and personalized medicine, the UMSOM was also the first medical school to offer pharmaco-genetic testing to all of its MD students to determine individualized responses to medication.

In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted in-class instruction for MD students, Dr. Reece and his team in Academic Affairs successfully renewed and launched a new innovative MD program of medical study and training -- the Renaissance Curriculum . Developed over several years, this fully integrated curriculum takes a systems-based, holistic approach to learning, combining instruction in both the health and disease processes of the body related to major organ systems. Given its optimized format, the Renaissance Curriculum also allows students to enter the clinical portion of medical school earlier.

He has overseen the significant growth of UMSOM's Community Education Pipeline Program. The program, directed by two biomedical scientists, Greg Carey, PhD , Associate Professor Microbiology and Immunology and Director of Student Summer Research and Community Outreach in the Office of Student Research, and Bret Hassel, PhD , Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Assistant Director for Training & Education. They have established education programs for undergraduate and high school students, as well as educational opportunities for STEM research and mentoring of students from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Michael Cryor, President of the Cryor Group, who served with Dean Reece for 10 years as Chair of the UMSOM's Board of Visitors, said, "As Chair Emeritus of the medical school's Board of Visitors, I have been witness to many facets of unparalleled growth at the medical school under Dean Reece's leadership-increased research funding, pivotal roles in vaccine development here and around the world and an increasing focus on student education. I was a member of the search committee to select the candidate who would follow the celebrated tenure of Dr. Donald Wilson. We were convinced Dean Reece was the right choice. His successful tenure is proof positive that we made the right selection," he said.

The Power of Partnership

Dean Reece's career at the University of Maryland has been marked by a collaborative approach to leadership and management at every level.

His close collaboration with the University of Maryland Medical System was highlighted as a national model in a 2012 article that he co-authored with former UMMS President & CEO Robert Chrencik, MBA, CPA, in the journal, Academic Medicine. The article, entitled, Fully Aligned Academic Health Centers: A Model for 21st-Century Job Creation and Sustainable Economic Growth, described the unique and highly effective alignment established between UMSOM and UMMS. Dr. Reece and Mr. Chrencik coined the phrase, "The Power of Partnership," noting that alignment of the clinical and research missions resulted in significant economic benefits for the State of Maryland.

The close partnership Dean Reece established between UMSOM and UMMS also resulted in expanded UMSOM faculty clinical practice locations in UMMS hospitals as well. New multi-specialty locations were established in Harford, Howard, and Prince George's County, with state-of-the-art facilities for urgent care, vascular surgery, trauma, orthopaedics, and other specialties.

Mohan Suntha, MD

"Throughout his tenure as Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Reece has been an unabashed champion of discovery-based medicine," said UMMS President and CEO Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA ."His relentless focus has led to incredible advances and recognition for the university while simultaneously advancing our patient care mission. I have been truly blessed to call him a friend, mentor, and colleague throughout his 15 years at the helm of the School of Medicine."

Added Bert W. O'Malley, MD , President and CEO, University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). "From working with Dean Reece, and knowing of his many accomplishments, it is clear that he has a unique combination of visionary talent along with the ability to execute with surgical precision and exceed all expectations. I've greatly enjoyed our partnership in advancing the mission of academic medicine and look forward to continuing to work with him during his transition and in his new role."

Dean Reece also prioritized opportunities for UMSOM's collaboration with other universities in the USM, and with other schools at UMB. During his tenure, there was a significant increase in collaborative research efforts across the USM, with marked growth of interdisciplinary funding between UMSOM-both with the other schools at UMB, as well as with other USM campuses.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 45 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs; and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has more than $563 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 student trainees, residents, and fellows. The combined School of Medicine and Medical System ("University of Maryland Medicine") has an annual budget of nearly $6 billion and an economic impact more than $15 billion on the state and local community. The School of Medicine, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity, is an innovator in translational medicine, with 600 active patents and 24 start-up companies. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit www.medschool.umaryland.edu .

SOURCE University of Maryland School of Medicine

Related Links

http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu


An indigenous teenager has accused NSW Police of racism after she was dramatically arrested while having an anxiety attack on the side of a road.

Anaywan and Birripa woman Tarniesha Widders and her partner were driving through Redfern in inner Sydney this week when a panic attack came on.

Ms Widders, 19, got out of the car to get some fresh air, when she said two large male police officers pulled over to ask what she was doing.

'I asked him why they pulled me over... that was racial profiling automatically, and he wouldn't give me an answer and it start to really get heated quickly,' she told Triple J's Hack program.

Ms Widders claimed the officers grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into a gate.

NSW Police arrested an Aboriginal teen who was having an anxiety attack on a Sydney street.



In this footage you can see police dragging the woman's partner who was trying to comfort her. Experts say this is the wrong response.



My story on @triplejHack : https://t.co/6dTobNH810 pic.twitter.com/1tigeMBwqd  Avani Dias (@AvaniDias) March 30, 2021

'I was in shock, I couldn't believe it... you see this stuff happen to my family members and on TV, you never think you would be a victim of police brutality,' she said.

Disturbing footage captured the moment the officers arrested Ms Widders.

She was seen crouching down next to her girlfriend Lili Bayles, who was comforting her when police arrived.

One of the cops grabbed Ms Bayles' jacket and pulled her across the footpath away from Ms Widders.

Ms Bayles started screaming in distress while lying face down on the pavement, trying to protect her girlfriend from the officers.

Shocked onlookers watched on filming the incident, and could be heard pleading with police to 'de-escalate' the situation.

But NSW Police claim Ms Widders was arrested because she 'spat' at the officers.

The spokeswoman said Ms Widders was stopped before officers 'identified themselves and their reasons for speaking with her'.

Disturbing footage captured the moment the officers arrested Ms Widders. Pictured in red: Ms Widders' partner Lili Bayles comforting her

The spokeswoman said Ms Widders was unable to produce her identification or provide an address, prompting officers to request her details to find out her identity.

'During this conversation, the 19-year-old woman became aggressive and spat towards police, before telling officers she would run from them and when she started to walk away, she was pushed back and later restrained,' the statement read.

Officers then handcuffed Ms Widders, who screamed in distress telling the cops she needed her medication.

Another six police officers then arrived to the scene and surrounded the two teens.

'I was panicking even more, I just put my hands straight out ... he didn't tell me I was under arrest, he didn't tell me why I was under arrest,' Ms Widders told Hack.

Ms Widders has been on anxiety medication for a few years to treat frequent panic attacks.

'I wanted medical assistance because of the state I was in... I'm sure they have people like that at the police station, I would have just appreciated medical assistance,' she said.

Lifeline: 13 11 14

beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
Boston, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Mass Megawatts (OTC Pink: MMMW) www.massmegawatts.com announces today a larger 500 kW project to be developed at a manufacturing facility utilizing the patent pending solar tracker. The second project is projected to have four year return on investment based upon contracted electric prices packaged with current federal and state incentives. The 500 kilowatt, project, Mass Megawatts' largest to date, reduces the cost of solar power, while protecting the solar units by employing a furling technology borrowed from wind technology. The technological innovation is triggered by high wind events. The technique improves the efficiency of solar arrays without adding significant additional expense. Mass Megawatts is responsible for the site development, fabrication, installation, and the interconnection of the project. The solar unit will be located in Muncy, Pennsylvania.

The patented pending, Mass Megawatts 'Solar Tracking System' (STS) is designed to automatically adjust the position of solar panels throughout the day to receive an optimal-level of direct sunlight. Unlike other solar tracking technologies, the Mass Megawatts STS utilizes a low-cost structure that adds stability to the overall system while also improving energy production levels. The STS utilizes a proprietary mechanical innovation to limit dynamic and static loading on the tracker, which can occur during periods of high wind and extreme weather. The technology reduces wind-related stresses and system downtime. The STS allows Mass Megawatts to lower the cost of material and reduce the number of solar panels needed to generate the rated capacity. Due to this advantage, Mass Megawatts STS systems can deliver more solar power production at a price similar to lower-capacity, stationary systems.

In recent news, Mass Megawatts plans to update its corporate name in May 2021 from Mass Megawatts Wind Power, Inc. to Mass Megawatts, Inc. Considering the majority of MMMW's focus has involved innovations related to solar energy, the Company believes the name more accurately reflects the development of recent years. At the same time, Mass Megawatts Inc. will continue with some wind power activities while the Company will be primarily focused on solar power. There is no change of operations, no change in the Board of Directors, and no change of management in the company and the modification of the corporate name is only a more accurate representation of the company's business activities at the current time and recent years.

Earlier this week, Mass Megawatts announced plans to mobilized transportable small solar units to demonstrate the cost and output of the additional solar tracking features. The mobile units will include one unit demonstrating the tracker and another nearly identical unit without the tracker. This should help add a layer of comfort to prospective purchasers who consider utilizing Mass Megawatts' new technology.

Recently, the company anticipates being ahead of the previous timeline of revenue recognition from the first sale of a solar unit with the solar tracker in the first fiscal quarter which begins on May 1. The solar unit will contribute to the electrical requirements of a small commercial facility in Armstrong Township, Pennsylvania.

In other news, the company plans to open sales office in Florida during the early months of 2021 in order to take advantage of the fast growing solar market in the state. The sales operation includes the sales of both traditional stationary solar units and solar projects including the patent pending solar tracker. Initially, the Florida operations would comprise no more than nine employees within a short period of time. The sales effort plans include a sales manager, assistant sales manager, field employees to identify potential sales, and other employees to close the sales. Installations of the solar projects would be done either in house or outsourced on a case-by-case basis. The use of our patent pending solar tracker would only be used on ground mount or flat roof projects.

The key driver to future sales is the use of solar trackers being known to reduce the cost of solar powered electricity. Although Mass Megawatts in 2021 is aiming to achieve a very small fraction of global demand of this specific solar market segment, the solar tracker market is anticipated to be worth more than $3 billion by 2025 expanding from the current market size of about $2 billion. Mass Megawatts sees an opportunity to be part of the growing solar tracker market with a lower cost product than the trackers marketed by other solar tracker companies in this high growth segment of the solar energy market. A solar tracker is a method of tracking the sun throughout the day for a photovoltaic (PV) system. In order to increase energy output throughout the day. The market is anticipated to have substantial growth due to the growing need for renewable energy.

With its patent pending, Solar Tracking System, Mass Megawatts believes it is well positioned for expanded production and supporting its revenue generation goals in the longer term.

Product information and sales inquiries can be made through the company's contact page at www.massmegawatts.com and the e-mail address on the website.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that could be affected by risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated herein are: the failure of Mass Megawatts Wind Power, also known as Mass Megawatts Windpower, to achieve or maintain necessary zoning approvals with respect to the location of its power developments; the ability to remain competitive; to finance the marketing and sales of its electricity; general economic conditions; and other risk factors detailed in periodic reports filed by Mass Megawatts Wind Power.

Contact:

Mass Megawatts Wind Power, Inc.

info@massmegawatts.com

www.massmegawatts.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79002
New York, March 31 : Researchers have discovered a previously unknown type of ancient crater lake on Mars that could reveal clues about the planet's early climate.

In a study published in Planetary Science Journal, a team led by researchers from Brown University in the US describe an as-yet unnamed crater with some puzzling characteristics.

The crater's floor has unmistakable geologic evidence of ancient stream beds and ponds, yet there's no evidence of inlet channels where water could have entered the crater from outside, and no evidence of groundwater activity where it could have bubbled up from below.

The researchers conclude that the system was likely fed by runoff from a long-lost Martian glacier.

Water flowed into the crater atop the glacier, which meant it did not leave behind a valley as it would have had it flowed directly on the ground.

The water eventually emptied into the low-lying crater floor, where it left its geological mark on the bare Martian soil.

The type of lake described in this study differs starkly from other Martian crater lakes, like those at Gale and Jezero craters where NASA rovers are currently exploring.

"This is a previously unrecognized type of hydrological system on Mars," said Ben Boatwright, PhD student at Brown University.

"In lake systems characterised so far, we see evidence of drainage coming from outside the crater, breaching the crater wall and in some cases flowing out the other side. But that's not what is happening here. Everything is happening inside the crater, and that's very different than what's been characterised before." Importantly, Boatwright said, the crater provides key clues about the early climate of Mars. There's little doubt that the Martian climate was once warmer and wetter than the frozen desert the planet is today.

What's less clear, however, is whether Mars had an Earthlike climate with continually flowing water for millennia, or whether it was mostly cold and icy with fleeting periods of warmth and melting.

Climate simulations for early Mars suggest temperatures rarely peaking above freezing, but geological evidence for cold and icy conditions has been sparse, Boatwright said. This new evidence of ancient glaciation could change that.

"The cold and icy scenario has been largely theoretical -- something that arises from climate models," Boatwright said.

"But the evidence for glaciation we see here helps to bridge the gap between theory and observation. I think that's really the big takeaway here." Boatwright was able to map out the details of the crater's lake system using high-resolution images taken by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Two children missing from Sydneys east were found on Thursday morning after members of the public saw them near a train station in the citys west.

The children were last seen in a car with their father in the early hours of the day and police held extreme concerns for their safety.

Missing children: Basten and Bowie Dowlut, aged 10 and four. Credit:

The children, Bowie and Basten Dowlut, aged four and 10, were at home in Darling Point when their father put them and their mother into the family car about 2.30am on Thursday.

Despite strong protestations from the childrens mother, their father said he was intending to drive from their home to Melbourne, police said.
The charges relate to an incident last December when an older person was the victim of fraud. (Niall Carson/PA)

Three people have been arrested and drugs worth about 12 million have been seized following operations into organised crime, the PSNI said.

The police said detectives on Tuesday made the largest seizure of suspected herbal cannabis to date in Northern Ireland during a search at a haulage yard in Newry.

One man, aged 34, has been arrested and is assisting police with their inquiries.

Separately, detectives investigating the importation of Class A drugs, who have been liaising with the National Crime Agency and the Belgian police, arrested two men in the Belfast area on Saturday.

The men were taken into custody after Belgian authorities conducted a search of a vehicle on Friday and seized a significant quantity of suspected cocaine.

The PSNI said the men have been assisting with their inquiries and have being released on bail.

The investigation into an organised crime group, which is based in Northern Ireland and believed to be operating on an international scale, continues.

Head of the PSNIs criminal investigation Detective Chief Superintendent John McVea said: The cannabis seizure in Newry is the largest seizure to date in Northern Ireland.

There is no doubt that by taking these drugs off the streets of Northern Ireland we have significantly impacted the funding stream of this organised crime gang.

We will continue to work in partnership with our colleagues in the Organised Crime Taskforce to identify, disrupt, dismantle and frustrate organised crime gangs, not only in Northern Ireland, but across Europe.

The operations involved detectives from the Police Service of Northern Irelands Organised Crime Unit as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, the National Crime Agency, Her Majestys Revenue and Customs and police colleagues in Belgium.
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Kenyan writer and academic, Ngugi wa Thiongo, has been nominated for the 2021 International Booker Prize.

A historic feat, the celebrated author has become the first writer to be nominated for the International Booker Prize for authoring and translating the same book, The Perfect Nine: The Epic of Gikuyu and Mumbi He is also the first nominee for a work originally written in an indigenous African language.

The Booker Prize aims to encourage more publishing and reading of quality works of imagination from all over the world and to give greater recognition to the role of translators. Both novels and short-story collections are eligible.

The contribution of both author and translator is given equal recognition, with the 50,000 prize split evenly between them. Each shortlisted author and translator also receives 1,000, bringing the total value of the prize to 62,000. This year the judges considered 125 books.

The longlist was selected by a judging panel consisting of cultural historian and novelist, Lucy Hughes-Hallett (chair); journalist and writer, Aida Edemariam; Man Booker-shortlisted novelist, Neel Mukherjee; Professor of the History of Slavery, Olivette Otele; and poet, translator, and biographer, George Szirtes.

The final shortlist for the prize will be announced on 22 April 2021, and the winner announced on 2 June 2021 in a virtual celebration from Coventry, City of Culture 2021.

Background

Blending folklore, mythology, and allegory, Ngugi wa Thiongos book chronicles the adventures of Gikuyu and Mumbi, and how their brave daughters became the matriarchs of the Gikuyu clans.

Gikuyu and Mumbi settled on the peaceful and bounteous foot of Mount Kenya after fleeing war and hunger. When 99 suitors arrive on their land, seeking to marry their famously beautiful daughters, called The Perfect Nine, the parents ask their daughters to choose for themselves but to choose wisely.

Ngugi wa Thiongo is one of the worlds leading writers and scholars. His celebrated works include Petals of Blood, for which he was imprisoned by the Kenyan government in 1977.

Others are: A Grain of Wheat and Wizard of the Crow; the memoirs, Dreams in a Time of War, In the House of the Interpreter, and Birth of a Dream Weaver; and the essays, Decolonizing the Mind, Something Torn and New and Globalectics.

Currently a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine, he is a recipient of many honours including ten honorary doctorates.

Three Nigerian authors, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Chigozie Obioma and Bernardine Evaristo, made the longlist for the 2019 International Booker Prize.
New Delhi:

Virsaviya Borun, an 8-year-old Russia girl is just like other kids her age except for one big difference, she carries her heart outside her chest.



Virsaviya Borun suffers from the thoraco-abdominal syndrome, also known as Pentalogy of Cantrell, which affects only five in a million people.



Virsaviya was born with her heart outside her chest and is currently in the United States to seek treatment for the condition. Her heart is protected only by a thin layer of skin. She is also missing part of her chest bones, diaphragm, and abdominal muscles.



Virsaviyas narrative reached the masses in 2015 when her mother Dari Borun launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for her medical bills. The campaign has raised over US$71,000 although the last donation made was in August 2016.



Dari Borun had travelled to Florida to get Virsaviya undergo surgery but was told that Virsaviya's blood pressure was too high.



Virsaviya featured in the BBC series Incredible Medicine: Dr Weston's Casebook in February this year.



"This is my heart. I'm the only one that has this," she said. "When I'm getting dressed, I put soft clothes on to not hurt my heart.



"I walk around, I jump, I fly, I run, I'm not supposed to run but I love running."



She enjoys dancing and drawing as well.



Dari Borun said that doctors had cautioned her to expect the worst when Virsaviya was born but she has defied the odds.



"It's not easy for Virsaviya to live with her heart on the outside because it's really fragile. She has to be careful as of course she can fall and it can be really dangerous - she can die from that," said Dari.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
VICE-PRESIDENT elect Dr Philip Mpango has vowed to fight corruption and theft, misuse and embezzlement of public resources as he takes over the new position in the country's socio- economic development.

Addressing the Members of Parliament after they unanimously approved his name, the former Finance and Planning minister said he will not tolerate corruption and impunity in the government.

"I am not soft as you have said and might think, I will be tough on evil deeds, especially theft and embezzlement of public resources and corruption," he added.

Dr Mpango fills the position of the Vice President that was declared vacant following the then officer holder, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan ascending to become the President replacing President John Magufuli who passed away on 17th this month in Dar es Salaam.

An economist by profession, Dr Mpango said he will support the sixth President Samia to ensure the government realizes its development objectives, including attaining higher income status.

"It is at the backdrop that most Tanzanians are still living in poverty... and the government will not tolerate any misappropriation of public resources and corruption, instead it will ensure effective utilization of resources in order to attain its goals. "The poverty rate is high in our country and more than 14 million Tanzanians are still living below poverty line... this is unacceptable, I will assist the president to fight poverty in our country," he pointed out.

Elaborating, the Vice President elect said when Tanzanians were mourning the death of Dr Magufuli, thousands flocked the stadium in Dar es Salaam as well as in other areas lining up on the streets to bid farewell, collectively sent a message to the government about the departed president, noting: "According to me, these poor Tanzanians were sending us a message that the good work started by Dr Magufuli should be accomplished."

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Dr Mpango further said the government is responsible to make sure it realizes the dreams of Tanzanians as championed by the late President Magufuli by completing all the ongoing projects.

"Tanzanians want to see these projects completed including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Nyerere Hydropower Project (NHPP) ... . They also want to have good roads, especially in rural areas, improved health and water services and guaranteed security so that they freely conduct their businesses," he added.

Equally, the former Finance minister noted that Tanzanians are against corruption, hence, vowed to assist President Samia to build the country the late President Magufuli wished to lead.

Addressing the Parliament, Dr Mpango said his support to them will not waver, but instead collaborate to see into it that collectively advice the President in running the government, adding: "I will continue to be a friend of the Parliament, though will miss this House."
Cancel Culture is spreading across the country faster than you can say, Down with the First Amendment.

It has even come to red state Texas, and the object of cancellation is perhaps the last thing youd expect: classical music. Yes, classical music, which came under fire from a social media gaggle at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton. To the defense of classical music came Timothy Jackson, a UNT Distinguished University Research Professor of Music Theory. For his defense of music against the charge of racism, Professor Jackson is now in danger of losing his job. Left with no other alternative, he is suing the university for violating his First Amendment rights. Under the law, state universities are required to uphold the First Amendment.

Here are the facts of the case: Jackson, with his colleagues at UNT, published a Symposium in July 2020 in the Journal for Schenkerian Studies. Of the symposiums 15 scholarly contributions, some were critical of and others in support of music-theory scholar Philip Ewell, a professor at Hunter College at the City University of New York. Ewell had argued publicly that music theory is white. He censured the classical music tradition as well as music theory as racist.

Ewell targeted his criticism on the late-nineteenth-century/early-twentieth-century Jewish music theorist Heinrich Schenker, sometimes referred to as the Albert Einstein of music theory. Ewell characterized him as a virulent racist, whose racism linked . . . repugnant views on people to his music theories.

Schenker is the namesake of the Journal of Schenkerian Studies, and UNTs Jackson is the founding member of the journals editorial staff and board. Ewell criticized scholars like Jackson, who, he charged, as white persons . . . severed Schenkers racist convictions from his music theories in order to promote Schenkerism.

Jacksons Journal of Schenkerian Studies published its Symposium issue in response to Ewells charge of whitewashing music theory. In other words, what happened was an age-old phenomenon  an intense academic debate, usually interesting only to the debaters themselves. But the UNT administration and its Board of Regents didnt see it that way. UNTs leadership melted in a flash when calumnies started popping up on Twitter and other social media platforms, characterizing both Jackson and his music journal as racist.

Almost immediately after Jackson published the Symposium, UNT announced that it was investigating both him and the journal. Why? UNT pointed to its responsibility for combating racism. But in what, precisely, did the alleged racist actions of Jackson consist? Apparently, it is now racist to publish opinions on an academic question  whether or not Schenkers anti-black comments influenced his music theory  that the social justice crowd has already resolved for itself.

As if this werent enough, several campus activists (whom Jackson is suing for defamation), circulated petitions and four open letters calling for Jacksons firing, for his journal to be shut down, and for UNTs Center for Schenkerian Studies to be canceled.

In the face of these demands, did UNTs leadership finally put its foot down and remind the activists that state schools are legally bound to protect the First Amendment rights of all under their charge? Did UNTs Regents remind the cancel crowd that federal courts have ruled consistently that hate speech  assuming, for a moment, that Jacksons speech would qualify for that designation  is constitutionally protected speech?

They did not. Instead, they quickly caved.

In the name of combating racism, UNT decided in Jacksons case not to enforce its own stated policies upholding academic freedom. Instead, the school convened an ad hoc panel to conduct a so-called investigation, the conclusion of which was to condemn Jackson, and Jackson solely, for editorial mismanagement. In coming to this judgment, the panel adhered to none of the procedural safeguards under which real judges operate and which they are bound to enforce. Convinced that it knew better, the panel proceeded free of the burden of following established rules and policies on which to provide sound decisions.

After ignoring a number of grievance complaints sent by Professor Jackson, UNT finally responded  only to inform the music professor that he would be removed from the journal he had founded.

For all these reasons, Professor Jackson has found himself forced to file a lawsuit (publicly available here) for violation of his First Amendment rights. Under Texas law, those who publish baseless accusations of racism can be sued for defamation. Therefore, Jackson has also sued 18 other campus members.

Adding insult to injury, these campus members will have their legal expenses paid for them. By whom? By taxpayers.

Readers are invited to make their own judgments by having a look at Jacksons journal, including his article, here. In the meantime, consider what is being done in Denton. In the course of his article defending Schenker and classical music generally from the charge of racism, Professor Jackson also cautioned against the new anti-Semitism of the extreme Left, which, he argued, is also present in some hip -op and rap music, for which Ewell has expressed wholehearted support.

This bit of hard-hitting truth in Jacksons article is likely what caused UNT to go weak in its collective knees. Jackson was challenging a fellow academic to be consistent in his arguments.

In todays increasingly intolerant American university, such calls for clarity are deemed offensive.
Boris Johnsons government has been accused of trying to downplay structural racism in the UK, after its review concluded that claims the country is institutionally racist are not borne out by the evidence.

The commission on race and ethnic disparities  set up by the prime minister in the wake of last years Black Lives Matter protests  has found the UK acts as a model for other white-majority countries when it comes to racial equality in education and the workplace.

Labours Lisa Nandy said she was deeply disappointed that the race report seems to downplay the structural problems weve got in this country.

Halima Begum, the chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, a leading race equality think-tank, said that denying the existence of institutional racism was deeply, deeply worrying.

So who exactly came up with the commissions conclusions? The Independent took a closer look at those behind the governments controversial report.

Read more:

Dr Tony Sewell

The head of the government-appointed race commission, Dr Tony Sewell, has previously suggested that the evidence for institutional racism is somewhat flimsy.

Mr Sewell, a former teacher who grew up in Brixton, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Wednesday: No-one denies and no-one is saying racism doesnt exist. However... evidence of actual institutional racism? No, that wasnt there, we didnt find that.

Last year Dr Sewell, who currently runs education charity Generating Genius, described the Black Lives Matter demonstrations as a lower middle-class revolt, and said protests over statues was a side-show.

The commission chair also apologised last year for wrong and offensive comments he made 30 years ago  in which he referred to gay people as tortured queens playing hide and seek.

Munira Mirza

Munira Mirza, head of the Downing Street policy unit, was tasked with setting up the commission on race and ethnic disparities  and chose Dr Sewell to lead its work.

The 43-year-old from Oldham, the daughter of immigrants who arrived from Pakistan, is not actually a member of the Conservative party. Like Dr Sewell, she has previously downplayed the idea of racism as an institutional problem.

Munira Mirza, head of the No 10s policy unit (PA)

Speaking about former prime minister Theresa Mays 2018 racial disparities audit, Ms Mirza said: It reinforces this idea that ethnic minorities are being systematically oppressed, that theres a sort of institutional problem, when in fact what weve seen in the last 20 years is a liberalisation, an opening up for many people.

Dr Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, said both Dr Sewell and Ms Mirza had preconceived ideas on the issue. If both these individuals are from the outset denying the existence of institutional racism, then what hope did we have that they were going to look into this in an objective manner? she said.

Dr Samir Shah

Dr Samir Shah, a former BBC journalist and former chair of the Runnymede Trust, is one of the 10 government commissioners who co-authored the race report.

Defending the report on Wednesday, Dr Shah told LBC: Racial disparities exist. Previous reports have tended to assume racism. We discovered that theres a whole range of factors that may be responsible, to do with geography, where you live  Racism is definitely diminishing.

The report will recommend that the term BAME  thee acronym standing for black, Asian and minority ethnic  should be dropped since it had unhelpful and redundant. Dr Shah said dropping the term would be a good idea.

Dr Dambisa Moyo

Dr Dambisa Moyo, who sits on the board of Chevron and 3M Company, is another of the governments race report commissioners. The author and economist has attracted controversy over her book Dead Aid.

Dr Moyo argued that most foreign aid to Africa had harmed the continent and should be phased out, claiming it had fostered dependency and corruption. She clashed with philanthropist Bill Gates over the subject, after he claimed books like hers were promoting evil.

Other commissioners behind the governments race report include Keith Fraser, chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, Lord Ajay Kakkar, Professor of Surgery at University College London, and Martyn Oliver, chief executive of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust.
Artistic directors Charlotte Bennett and Katie Posner have announced plans for Paines Plough's work in 2021.

This year's programme will see the new writing company stage work from the likes of Chris Bush, Vickie Donoghue, Phoebe Eclair-Powell, Ifeyinwa Frederick, Chinonyerem Odimba, Frankie Meredith and Amy Trigg.

Productions include Trigg's Women's Prize for Playwriting-winning Reasons You Should(n't) Love Me, and a season in the Roundabout venue as part of Belgrade Theatre's Coventry City of Culture 2021 programme.

Chinonyerem Odimba's new show Black Love explores love and relationships with music by Ben and Max Ringham, in association with tiata fahodzi following Odimba's new role as artistic director of the company.

This will play in rep in the Roundabout with Chris Bush's new play Hungry, investigating food and our dysfunctional relationships with our bodies, and Phoebe Eclair-Powell's new family show Really Big and Really Loud. Frankie Meredith also joins the line-up with her new coming-of-age play May Queen, directed by Balisha Karra.

Originally planned for last season, Ifeyinwa Frederick's Sessions, exploring the complexities of mental health in young men, will tour the UK from September before playing at Soho Theatre.

Vickie Donoghue's new play The Electric will be performed by the Richard Burton Company, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's in-house theatre company, as part of its new writing festival New '21, and receive a digital release on 21 May.

Meanwhile Paines Plough has added two theatre companies to its initiative Re: Build. Nouveau Riche and Bonnie and The Bonnettes join the programme, created to "support companies in building their resilience and strengthening their strategic plans during this challenging period".

And the company will also be trialling a new Open Submissions programme, whereby during certain windows throughout the year writers can submit their scripts via the Paines Plough website.

Joint artistic directors Charlotte Bennett and Katie Posner said: "If anything, 2020 has taught us there are no definites but that there is always hope. We are artists, we are activists and 2021 is about discovering how best we can reconnect and serve our national communities after the year we have all been through.

"Our Promise to 2021 is a promise of hope. A hope to make some plays, a hope to make them with some people and a hope to share them with our national audiences."
Houston Methodist has been a leader in successfully treating high-risk patients with monoclonal antibodies (mAB) for mild to moderate Covid-19 infection. Among the nation's largest providers of mAB therapy, Houston Methodist has infused nearly 4,000 patients since the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) was issued. The hospital system was able to quickly ramp up its program once the EUA was granted by leveraging a number of resources through interdisciplinary collaboration.

As more hospitals begin to ramp up for treating Covid-19 with mAB therapy, Houston Methodist's example serves as a valuable model for other medical systems to establish or expand mAB treatment programs and improve patient access to this critical therapy. A commentary outlining the challenges, resources used and benchmarks of success published online March 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst.

Houston Methodist drew upon its experience with clinical trials on other Covid-19 therapies and forged early partnerships with industry through the Houston Methodist Research Institute to conduct mAB clinical trials beginning early on in the pandemic. Doing so helped the hospital system overcome a number of obstacles to rapidly establish and scale up treatment clinics to bring mAB therapy to thousands of patients. Challenges included designing clinics using existing resources to separate Covid-19 positive patients from other hospitalized patients, establishing a referral stream that could treat large patient volumes and maintaining a sufficient drug supply to treat all patients.

Highlights included establishing six clinics in less than six weeks across the greater Houston area throughout Houston Methodist's system of hospitals; having an average of 1.2 days from referral to treatment; infusing more than 2,500 patients; and avoiding nearly 250 Covid-19-related hospitalizations. Some of these numbers have increased since the initial study period published in NEJM. Another mark of success, some patients have traveled as many as eight hours to receive mAB therapy at Houston Methodist. This also suggests a need for other healthcare systems to create or expand mAB infusion clinics to improve availability for those unable to travel.

###

The commentary authors reflect the breadth of specialties involved in creating Houston Methodist's successful mAB treatment infrastructure and include Nursing Director Jennifer R. Berry, D.N.P., R.N.; Director of System Clinical Pharmacy Services Michael G. Liebl Pharm.D.; System Director of Research Operations Pauline H. Todd, M.B.A., B.S.N., R.N.; and Chief Nursing Officer Vicki Brownewell, M.S., R.N.

To read the study, titled "Rapid Operationalization of Covid-19 Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Clinics," visit https:/ / catalyst. nejm. org/ doi/ full/ 10. 1056/ CAT. 21. 0040 .
New Delhi, March 31 : As the second phase of polling is all set to take place on Thursday covering 69 Assembly seats both in West Bengal and Assam, the Election Commission along with state administration was ensuring all arrangements in place to conduct a peaceful election.

Dispatching of polling parties has begun as polling will take place in 30 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal and 39 in Assam with several polling teams moving ahead braving difficult terrains, blocked roads and rivers to reach specific booths.

The Election Commission said that it has completed all preparations for voting, and that its all-polling parties will reach polling stations by this evening.

"Not even difficult terrain, heavy rain and blocked roads can stop our dedicated officials, who are involved in election duties...for Phase II Polls tomorrow," the EC said as its poll parties headed polling booths through difficult terrains on way in Assam and West Bengal All the booths where polling will be held in the second phase will be put under proper security radar as most of the areas are very sensitive, and the borders of the state adjoining other states are being closely monitored, an EC official said.

Vehicles entering the borders of the district and cities are being checked by security personnel in the presence of magistrates.

Nearly 700 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies have been almost deployed in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and Bankura districts. However, over 500 CAPFs are also being deployed in Assam to ensure a completely peaceful and fearless environment for polling.

The high-profile Nandigram constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is pitted against her one-time loyalist-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari of BJP, will vote in the second phase.

Banerjee is seeking a third term in office from Nandigram Assembly constituency of Purbo Midnipur district. For her, and the BJP, the battle for Nandigram is a prestige fight because it was the 2007 agitation against land acquisition in the region which catapulted the West Bengal Chief Minister to the centre stage of politics in the state, paving the way for the Trinamool's victory in the 2011 Assembly polls that ended 34 years of Left Front rule.

A total of 171 candidates are in the fray for the second phase polls in West Bengal's 30 seats where 75,94,549 voters will exercise their franchise.

In Assam, the second phase of state elections will decide the fate of 345 candidates in 39 seats with over 73 lakh voters set to cast their ballots.

Most of the seats in the second phase in Assam are likely to see a straight fight between the NDA and Congress-led Mahajoth. The BJP has fielded 34 candidates, Congress has 28, Assam Jatiya Parishad 19, AIUDF seven, AGP six and the BPF has four candidates in the fray.

For the ruling BJP, ministers Parimal Suklabaidya, Bhabesh Kalita, Pijush Hazarika and sitting MLA Numal Momin would seek re-election. Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Sum Ronghang, Siddique Ahmed from the Congress would try their political luck. Senior BPF leader and minister Rihon Daimary is also in the fray from the Udalguri seat.

Suzam Uddin Lashkar, Siraj Uddin Ajmal are in the contest from the AIUDF. However, this election would not witness participation of former Chief Minister and Asom Gana Parishad leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta who represented the Bahrampur seat for the last 35 years.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The UN envoy on Myanmar implored the Security Council to take action Wednesday in the Asian nation's escalating crisis, warning of the risk of civil war and an imminent "bloodbath" as the junta violently represses pro-democracy protests.

More than 520 people have died in daily demonstrations since the military overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, halting Myanmar's decade-old experiment in democracy.

"I appeal to this Council to consider all available tools to take collective action and do what is right, what the people of Myanmar deserve and prevent a multi-dimensional catastrophe," special envoy Christine Schraner Burgener told the closed-door session, according to remarks obtained by AFP.

She said she remained open for dialogue with the junta but added: "If we wait only for when they are ready to talk, the ground situation will only worsen. A bloodbath is imminent."

Barbara Woodward, the UN envoy from Britain, which requested the meeting, told reporters the Security Council was "united in its condemnation" and was discussing "a range of measures at our disposal."

But China, considered Myanmar's main ally, ruled out sanctions.

"One-sided pressure and calling for sanctions or other coercive measures will only aggravate tension and confrontation and further complicate the situation, which is by no means constructive," China's ambassador, Zhang Jun, told the meeting, according to a statement.

The session came after Suu Kyi's legal team earlier Wednesday said the ousted leader appeared to be in good health despite two months of detention.

Suu Kyi, 75, has not been seen in public since she was deposed but a member of her legal team, Min Min Soe, was summoned to a police station in the capital Naypyidaw for a video meeting with her.

Suu Kyi is facing a raft of criminal charges, and conviction could see her barred from office for life.

Story continues

- Emergency session -

The coup and the junta's subsequent actions have triggered international condemnation.

Britain called for the emergency meeting after the military dramatically ramped up its use of lethal force against protesters over the weekend.

In another violent escalation, Myanmar's military Saturday launched the first air strikes in Karen state in 20 years after a rebel group seized a military base -- raising fears of a return to armed conflict in the ethnically diverse nation.

"The military's cruelty is too severe and many (armed ethnic fighters) are taking clear stances of opposition, increasing the possibility of civil war at an unprecedented scale," Burgener said.

"Failure to prevent further escalation of atrocities will cost the world so much more in the longer term than investing now in prevention, especially by Myanmar's neighbors and the wider region."

Zhang, the Chinese ambassador, said he wanted Myanmar to "restore peace, stability and constitutional order as early as possible and continue to steadily advance democratic transition."

He also called for the protection of foreign businesses -- a key concern for China, which has seen dozens of its factories torched amid furor against Beijing.

Earlier, a group of ousted MPs from Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), who have been working underground against the junta, said they would form "a new civilian government" in the first week of April, without giving further details.

- Mounting bloodshed -

World powers have repeatedly condemned the violent crackdown on dissent and hit junta figures with sanctions, but so far the pressure has not swayed the generals.

The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-essential diplomatic staff and their families from Myanmar, and Japan -- a top donor to the country -- has halted new aid payments.

As well as imposing targeted sanctions, the US also has suspended a trade pact with Myanmar.

Linda Thomas Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, raised the possibility of action if the military does not step down.

If "they continue the attacks that they were making on civilian populations, then we have to look at how we might do more," she told reporters.

The mounting bloodshed has also angered some of Myanmar's 20 or so armed ethnic groups, who control large areas of territory mostly in border regions.

Three of them -- the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army -- on Wednesday looked set to join the protesters' fight.

Brigadier General Tar Bhone Kyaw from the TNLA told AFP that all three would end their ceasefire with the military.

"If they continue to kill the people, we have no reason to extend unilateral ceasefire with them," he said.

Two other outfits -- the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) -- have already stepped up attacks on military and police in recent days.

burs-sct-wat/jah
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.
Ryan Coogler. Arthur Mola/Invision/AP

Ryan Coogler turned down membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2016.

The director said he doesn't agree with adding competitive awards to the filmmaking process.

"If I'm going to be a part of organizations, they're going to be labor unions," the director said.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Ryan Coogler told The Hollywood Reporter that he turned down a membership invitation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - the voting body responsible for the Oscars - in 2016 because he doesn't agree with applying competitive awards to filmmaking.

Each year, current members of the Academy invite new actors, directors, and filmmakers to join the exclusive body. The same year that Coogler declined, Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba, and Regina King were all inducted.

Video: Marvel movies are created years before production begins

"I don't buy into this versus that, or 'this movie wasn't good enough to make this list,'" Coogler said. "I love movies. For me, that's good enough. If I'm going to be a part of organizations, they're going to be labor unions, where we're figuring out how to take care of each other's families and health insurance. But I know that these things bring exposure."

Coogler, 34, is best known as the writer and director of Marvel's recording-breaking hit "Black Panther." This year, the director is nominated for an Oscar, but as a producer on "Judas and the Black Messiah," which is nominated for best picture. Coogler is listed as a producer alongside the film's director, Shaka King, and film industry veteran, Charles King. This is the first-time an all-Black producing team has been nominated for an Oscar.

"Judas and the Black Messiah" has six nominations overall, including nods for both Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield in the best supporting actor category.

Story continues

Ryan Coogler on the set of "Black Panther." Disney

Coogler also told THR that he is currently working on the sequel to "Black Panther," which he said he started writing just as the news broke that Chadwick Boseman, who starred as the beloved comic book character, had died of colon cancer. Coogler said he was not aware of Boseman's illness.

"I didn't know what was going on," Coogler said. "I knew what he wanted me to know. I miss him in every way that you could miss somebody, as a friend, as a collaborator. And it sucks because I love watching movies, and I don't get to watch the next thing he would have made. So it's grief on a lot of levels, but then, it's a deep sense of gratitude because I can close my eyes and hear his voice."

Coogler continued to say "it's difficult" to proceed with the sequel without Boseman but it's important to "keep going when you lose loved ones."

"I know Chad wouldn't have wanted us to stop," he said.

"Black Panther 2" is currently set to begin production in July and is slated for a 2022 release.

Read the original article on Insider
Winners will receive cash prizes of up to $20,000, as well as advertising resources to present their works on screens in Times Square in New York City. In cooperation with Tencent Pictures, the award-winning stories will also have the opportunity to receive further commercial development such as adaptation to other formats including film and TV drama.

The contest marks a new stage for China Literature in the cultivation of original works and IP incubation in overseas markets. It also demonstrates the company's leading position in the global online reading market, and its ability to continually gain traction in the development of cultural products.

"Our strength is that we can help writers realize their works' commercial values and offer them monetization opportunities without going through a lengthy publishing process that traditional publishers need," said Sandra Chen, Head of Webnovel. "We hope to establish a mutually beneficial long-term relationship with writers in North America and build our platform into one of the most trusted in the writers' community."

Webnovel debuted its author promotion plan Webnovel Spirity Awards in the Philippines in 2019, aimed at discovering potential authors and supporting them with monetization resources and strategy. In 2020, Webnovel extended a similar contest to writers from all over the world, which received almost 8,000 works. Webnovel has now become home to more than 100,000 authors and 160,000 works, covering diverse content with more than 20 genres including romance, fantasy, sic-fi, realistic fiction, history and horror.



This year, the contest will focus on the North America market to help writers with great potential realize their writing dreams by offering professional writing skill training and promotional resources. Chen hopes to double the number of writers that contribute to Webnovel in the region to about 100,000 in one year.

To achieve this goal, China Literature has teamed up with Tencent Pictures to jointly promote Webnovel's writing contest in an overseas market for the first time. As an owned subsidiary of Tencent (Tencent Holdings Ltd, 0700.HK), Tencent Pictures has created many successful films and TV dramas adapted from novels originally published on China Literature's platform.

Tencent's content business strategy, which places IP development at the core, has proven successful in the Chinese market. "We hope to build a similar platform and business ecosystem in the overseas market," said Chen.

WSA 2021 will accept original English web novels in 7 main categories favored by local readers, including light novels, first loves, gaming, superheroes, reincarnation, werewolves and vampires, and royal romances. Novels will be judged by the contest organizer and reader representatives in three areas, including content quality, update frequency, and commercial value.

Link to WSA2021: https://wsa.webnovel.com/2021

About Webnovel

Webnovel is a global online reading platform for all kinds of marvelous novels and comics. It daily updates serialized content, dedicating to micro-transactions and in-game-purchase mode, defining new trends in the online publishing industry. Webnovel also provides an ideal platform for authors to create their own stories. Webnovel has captured the heart of authors around the world and become the leading app for author monetization.

About China Literature Limited

China Literature is dedicated to building a deep and immersive intellectual property ("IP") universe for the Mandarin-speaking world. It incubates original IPs from its online literature platform, which are subsequently adapted on a range of digital entertainment mediums, including comics, animation, film, TV series, web series and games. The virtual world created by these digital offerings become an inseparable part of a user's daily life. China Literature creates and promotes IPs mainly through QQ Reading and Qidian, its leading online literature platforms, as well as New Classics Media, a renowned film and TV drama series production house in China. China Literature collaborates with Tencent, its shareholder and strategic partner, as well as other third-party partners to distribute and develop IP content and to enhance value of its IP. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 9 million writers and 13.9 million literary works on its online reading platform. Many of the Company's online literature works have been successfully adapted into animation, TV series, web series, film and games, including Joy of Life, Candle in the Tomb, Soul Land, The King's Avatar and My Heroic Husband. China Literature's rich and extensive content library as well as its unparalleled capability and resources to adapt IP into various entertainment formats is a significant competitive advantage that lies at the core of its business model.

SOURCE China Literature
Portugal highly appreciates Ukraine's success in the field of digitalization and IT and is interested in exchanging relevant experience.

Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic to Ukraine Antonio Machado said this during a meeting with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Foreign Ministry.

"The parties agreed to hold political consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers this year ... A separate topic of the meeting was the preparation of a regular meeting of the Ukraine-Portugal Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation and the visit of Pedro Vieira, the Minister of Portugal for the Economy and the Digital Transition, to Ukraine. The Ambassador of Portugal praised Ukraine's achievements in the field of digitalization and IT and expressed his country's interest in sharing experiences," the statement reads.

Bodnar outlined the key priorities of Ukraine's European integration. Antonio Machado confirmed his country's readiness to contribute to the implementation of the agenda of the EU-Ukraine relations during the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The parties noted the need to increase the number of direct flights between the two countries to promote trade and contacts between citizens.

Portugal assumed the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1.

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Stories behind Xinjiang cotton cooperation ceased by BCI over forced labor rumors

Global Times) 08:32, March 31, 2021

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), a non-governmental organization that aims to promote better standards in cotton farming, has suspended licenses to companies in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a move that may deal a blow to related industries in the region.

BCI's decision has been made right when the anti-China forces in the US and some Western countries are making concerted efforts to slander China's policies in its Xinjiang region. Are there any links between BCI's decision and anti-China forces' efforts? What is the reality for Xinjiang's cotton-related industries? Here is the truth.

(Web editor: Wen Ying, Liang Jun)
Exotic-animal breeder Brian Gilroy wants to build a $500 million safari park on San Antonios South Side.

Gilroy, CEO and co-founder of WildLife Partners, which breeds and sells nonnative livestock at ranches in Central and South Texas, said his ultimate ambition is to build a 1,000-acre safari park on land just north of Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

The world is crying for a new zoo, Gilroy said. People want to see zoos in a different way, and they want to see wide-open spaces, less walls, less fences.

No one is stepping up in revolutionizing the zoo industry, he added. I intend to be the person to do it.

Gilroy envisions a tram, part air-conditioned and part open-air, moving park visitors along a 6-mile route to view a collection of wild animals  from primates to Sichuan takin (a goat-antelope) to various kinds of duiker, closely related to antelopes.

Im not a fan of having big cats. Its just not my thing, he said, before reconsidering. But big cats sell tickets.

On ExpressNews.com: Breeder: Exotic animals no different that own Ferrari

To be sure, Gilroys plan is in the preliminary stages, and he likely faces hurdles executing it.

The proposed project comes as Gilroy closes in on the acquisition of 4,000 acres for San Antonio-based WildLife Partners fourth ranch  this one in Carrizo Springs. The company breeds and sells about 50 species of exotic animals, including dama gazelles, Grevys zebra and scimitar oryx.

It also owns ranches in Goliad, near Pearsall and in Mountain Home in the Hill Country.

Before starting WildLife Partners, Gilroy founded an oil and gas exploration company. He placed $100 million of investment capital in various exploration projects in the U.S., WildLife Partners website says.

Citing his background in putting deals together and his knowledge of the wildlife business, Gilroy said he wasnt concerned about revealing his plan for the safari park before its solidified.

It takes a certain skill set to do what I do, he said.

Gilroy has his eye on land owned by Verano Land Group. Hed like to acquire the property by the end of this year, then work on a business plan before going to the city for approvals. He intends to look to Wall Street to finance the land purchase and park construction.

Joe DeSimone, a Verano managing member, recalled speaking with Gilroy, possibly about a year ago.

Its something wed love to engage in  a conversation  but probably not to the newspaper, DeSimone said of the safari plan.

Getting development started on the Verano land has been a slog. Verano assembled about 2,500 acres for a reported $65 million in 2006 and then donated 700 acres for the A&M campus. The school opened in 2011.

The land had been approved for 5,700 residential units and 3 million square feet of commercial and industrial space. Until recently, nothing much had happened there. The city even declared Verano in default under a development agreement in 2018 after it failed to stick to a construction timeline.

Verano put its remaining 1,800 acres up for sale. In November, it sold about 600 acres to New Braunfels-based SouthStar Communities for a master-planned community called VIDA.

SouthStar recently started work on the land, south of Loop 410 and west of University Way. Plans call for building 4,000 residential units and 300,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.

SouthStars and Veranos properties are in a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, which makes up to $219.8 million in property tax revenue available to the developer for public improvements.

The city created the TIRZ in 2007 to kick-start development around the university. The city approved the assignment of the TIRZ from Verano to SouthStar in 2019.

SouthStar spokeswoman Gretchen Howell wouldnt address whether it would welcome a safari park near VIDA.

It would be unreasonable for us to comment on something that we have so little information on right now, Howell said. But were big proponents of smart growth in South Side. We support anybodys effort to do that, but wed want to learn more about what this is.

Kathryn Funk-Baxter, the universitys vice president of business affairs, couldnt be reached for comment. The college has said it wants housing and shops built on the Verano land to help attract more students.

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In an unusual move, the city required a master plan spelling out exactly what would be developed on the Verano land, given its massive size, said Veronica Soto, director of the citys Neighborhood and Housing Services Department.

Without having the plan in front of me, Im sure that is not in the master plan, Soto said of a safari park. Gilroy would have to talk with the master developer to modify the master plan to include a safari park.

Its not clear what effect a safari park might have on the San Antonio Zoo.

The zoo currently is focused on our master plan, bringing new experiences, improved habitats and growing at our current location, spokeswoman Hope Roth said.

Gilroy used to serve on the zoos board of directors, but he said he stepped down when he began pursuing his plan for a safari park.

I have thought about the impact on the zoo, Gilroy said. I have no interest in harming the zoo or creating a problem for the zoo. I would love the idea of partnering with the zoo on something because theyre never going to put the capital together to do it.

Gilroy said he had his first planning meeting with consultants Monday. He acknowledged he has a lot on his plate with the expansion of WildLife Partners ranch operations.

I am not an operator  Im a dreamer, he said. So Im really good at putting these things together and getting other people to go execute. I am not qualified to operate a safari park of that magnitude. My only option is to hire the people to bring them in to do it.

pdanner@express-news.net
ICEYE is a pioneer in creating solutions relevant for natural catastrophe response with satellite imaging augmented with third-party data and real-time flood analysis. Earlier this month, the company announced a strategic partnership with Swiss Re , one of the world's leading reinsurers. Through this partnership, Swiss Re is able to generate fast and accurate portfolio and event-level loss numbers for the industry.

The $50M in contracts signed represents relationships with customers in governments and in the commercial sector serving several vertical markets. In order to meet the increased customer demand for data, ICEYE plans to launch more satellites this year than originally forecasted, with a total of 10 new missions. The next launch is booked for mid-2021, including a next-generation satellite with new and innovative capabilities. With these new launches, ICEYE strengthens its delivery of best-in-class persistent monitoring services for its customers.

"We are very excited to see the solutions business growing so fast. The satellites are primarily a data collection tool. ICEYE is a data company and its mission transforms businesses with the use of real-time earth observation," said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE. "With the momentum built up last year, ICEYE continues as the foremost provider of SAR data and solutions based on radar satellite imaging in the world."

As ICEYE's growth accelerates, key executives have been recently hired to its leadership team: Alan Thompson as VP Engineering, Shay Strong as VP Analytics, Marita Markkula as VP Marketing, Susan Repo as CFO and Steven Scheers as Head of People & Culture.

Alan Thompson, VP Engineering at ICEYE, is a leading satellite radar engineer with more than twenty years at MDA, including ten years as Chief Systems Engineer for the Canadian RADARSAT Constellation Mission. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT.

Shay Strong, VP Analytics at ICEYE, joins the company with over two decades in research and leadership in developing and deploying machine learning algorithms for remote sensing imagery. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, and has previously worked at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab,OmniEarth, EagleView, and Rebellion Defense.

Marita Markkula, VP Marketing at ICEYE, is a growth-driven branding, marketing, comms and business strategist with two decades of experience and high impact in international, commercial teams. She joins ICEYE from F-Secure Corporation.

Susan Repo, CFO at ICEYE, joins with more than twenty years of finance, legal and senior leadership roles, including serving as the finance executive leader at Tesla for five years where she served as VP Finance and Corporate Treasurer as well as CFO for Tesla Finance. She also served on the Board of Directors for Tesla's global subsidiaries from 2013-2018, including SolarCity during 2016-2017.

Steven Scheers, Head of People & Culture at ICEYE, has three decades of HR experience in international leadership positions including Chief Human Resources Officer at TNT Express, AVG and AVAST. He has guided several organizations through high growth periods and international expansions.

About ICEYE:

ICEYE empowers commercial and government partners with unmatched persistent monitoring capabilities for any location on Earth. The company helps customers make informed, data-driven decisions to address time-critical challenges in various industries, to ensure infrastructure safety, and to protect the environment. ICEYE's radar satellite imaging service, designed to deliver very frequent coverage, both day and night, helps clients resolve challenges in sectors such as maritime, disaster management, insurance, and finance. For more information, please visit: www.iceye.com

SOURCE ICEYE

Related Links

https://www.iceye.com


Britons have been left shocked after discovering that the Australian version of Just Eat is called MenuLog - but their famous catchy jingle and star-studded advert remains the same.

The memorable UK Just Eat advert features Snoop Dogg rapping about takeaways, including fried rice and chicken wings, before spelling out Just Eat a letter at a time at the end.

But after the Australian advert was shared on Twitter, British foodies were left surprised after seeing the highly-acclaimed artist rap about a song with the almost identical lyrics with one key difference.

Scroll down for video

Spot the difference! Britons have been left shocked after discovering that the Australian version of Just Eat is called MenuLog - but their famous catchy jingle and star-studded advert remains the same. Left the British logo, right the Australian one

While in the advert on British TV, Snoop Dogg spells out 'Just Eat', in the Australian version, the rapper instead spells out MenuLog one letter at a time, causing Brits to argue that the Australian version of the brand should change its name to Just Eat as well.

Hoards of shocked people took to Twitter to insist that 'nobody' will ever say 'MenuLog' as they insisted that the British Just Eat jingle is much catchier.

Other dedicated fans of the delivery service were surprised to learn that the exact same advert was used for both Just Eat and MenuLog, with Snoop Dogg even starring in both.

One person posted: 'Don't really think anyone would say just eat, absolutely certain no-one has ever said MenuLog'.

Another said: '"Did somebody say MenuLog" that is sooo strange'

Spot the difference: The adverts are almost identical with one key difference - the MenuLog and Just Eat logos are swapped

The Just Eat advert features Snoop Dogg rapping before spelling out Just Eat a letter at a time at the end, while the Australian version (above) sees him instead spelling Menulog

The pictured looks incredible similar, but Snoop Dogg instead poses instead of a 'Just Eat' logo instead of MenuLog

Hoards of shocked people took to Twitter to insist that 'nobody' will ever say 'Menulog' as they insisted that the British Just Eat jingle is much catchier

While a third penned: 'Absolutely no one said MENULOG.'

And a fourth fumed: 'Australia needs to grow up and realise that "Menulog" is actually Just Eat. It's actually sickening.'

A fifth wrote: Wait hold up! Just Eat in Australia is called MenuLog?!'

Subtle: In the Australian advert (left), Snoop Dogg rides a MenuLog bike, but in the UK one it reads 'JustEat'

Another asked: 'did you know that Just Eat is called Menulog in Australia and the Snoop Dogg advert is exactly the same but with the other name spelled out and sang? Or am I the last to know this?'

One person even said that the Australian name for Just Eat has 'upset' them 'greatly' while another outraged foodie said it made them feel 'sick'.

Just Eat bought MenuLog for a staggering 445million back in 2015, marking its expansion into both Australia and New Zealand.
US President Joe Biden has nominated an Indian American to be a judge in the local court system of the nation's capital after having withdrawn another's nomination made by his predecessor Donald Trump.

The White House announced on Tuesday that Biden was nominating Rupa Ranga Puttagunta to be a judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, which is a local court for Washington.

Last month, he withdrew the nomination of Vijay Shankar to a higher local court, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, that Trump had made as one of a spate of last-minute appointments in January before his term was to end.

Shankar needed the Senate confirmation for his appointment, which he could not get with the Democrats getting control of it.

Puttagunta is now an administrative judge for the District of Columbia Rental Housing Commission dealing with landlord-tenant issues and rental housing regulations.

She had earlier represented the poor in criminal cases and worked with victims of domestic abuse, according to the White House.

Meanwhile, Biden has appointed a Pakistani American, Zahid N. Quraishi, to be a federal judge.

He would become the nation's first Muslim federal judge if confirmed by the Senate.

Another Muslim, Abid Qureshi, was nominated by former President Barack Obama in 2016 to be a federal judge but the Senate did not act on his nomination before Trump took office and it lapsed.

The federal judgeship would be an elevation for Quraishi who is now a federal magistrate judge in New Jersey.

Magistrate judges are appointed by the federal judges to assist them on matters like first appearances by the accused in criminal cases and setting bail. Unlike federal judges, they are not nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate and, therefore, do not issue judgments or hear cases.

Quraishi is a former US Army captain who ad served in Iraq and has also worked as an assistant chief counsel in the Department of Homeland Security and as an assistant federal prosecutor.

The South Asian Bar Association welcomed their nominations, tweeting, "We are proud to see Judges Rupa Ranga Puttagunta and Zahid Quraishi on the list" of Biden's judicial nominees.

The White House said that the nominations announced on Tuesday reflect Biden's "intent to nominate highly-qualified candidates to federal courts that reflect his deeply-held conviction that the federal bench should reflect the full diversity of the American people -- both in background and in professional experience."

Biden, who has said that he would nominate an African America woman to the Supreme Court, named Ketanji Brown Jackson to be a judge on the Federal Appeals Circuit Court in Washington, which is considered the most important after the Supreme Court.

If she is confirmed, it would put her on a fast track to become the nation's first African American woman on the Supreme Court if a vacancy occurs during Biden's term.

Brown Jackson replaces Merrick Garland, who was Obama's unsuccessful nominee for the Supreme Court and is now the attorney-general in the Biden administration.

Trump's nomination of Shankar was not meant to be taken seriously as he had lost the election and was an attempt at asserting himself in the last days in office.
H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media

DANBURY  A city man has been accused of impersonating a cop while using hate speech and threatening a local business owner with severe physical injury, police said.

Austin Merritt Nolan, of Kenosia Avenue, was charged with second-degree breach of peace, second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, impersonation of a police officer, second-degree harassment and second-degree threatening.
Houston Chronicle Executive Editor Steve Riley said Wednesday that he will retire after a 41-year career in journalism, including more than three years at the Chronicle.

Riley, 62, led the Chronicles coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, the Texas blackouts and recent tropical storms, as well as investigations that garnered several national awards. During his tenure, the Chronicle was honored as Texas Newspaper of the Year and Newsroom of the Year by the Associated Press Media Editors. The papers stories exposing the Trump administrations family separation policy along the southern border in 2019 won the prestigious George Polk Award.

Steves leadership of the Chronicles newsroom is reflected in the outstanding coverage and investigative work done under his reign, Hearst Newspaper President Jeff Johnson said in a statement. This work has been recognized both statewide and nationwide, and most importantly, by our readers. Steves commitment to journalism and serving the Houston community is second to none, and we wish him the best in his retirement.

Prior to joining the Chronicle, Riley spent more than 30 years at The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., where he served as investigations editor for a decade. Previously he worked as a reporter in Mississippi for the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, The Sun in Gulfport and the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, he said he got into journalism after being inspired by journalists covering the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Riley came to the Chronicle in Nov. 2017 as senior editor for investigations, quickly taking over investigating why Hurricane Harvey was both a natural and man-made disaster. After former executive editor Nancy Barnes left to become senior vice president of news for National Public Radio in 2018, Riley took the papers helm as interim editor. He was named executive editor in May 2019.

Under Rileys leadership, the Chronicle investigated mistaken child abuse diagnoses by doctors, sexual abuse by clergy in the Southern Baptist Church and mismanagement of Texas school endowment, the largest in the country. Most recently, the Chronicle delved into the lack of oversight in the states mental health system and squalid living conditions in public housing.

Digital subscriptions have more than doubled during Rileys tenure.

RELATED: Houston Chronicle wins newsroom of the year

Riley said he was proud of the Chronicles investigative work, but also stories that helped Houstonians go about their daily lives, such as navigating the Department of Motor Vehicles or finding a COVID-19 vaccine. He has been a fierce defender of the Chronicles work, once responding to a readers email calling the paper yellow journalism.

Yes, there are media groups that like to inflame rather than inform ... but thats not us, Riley wrote to the reader in January. Im proud of the work that this staff does every day to inform the readers of Houston and beyond.

After three years splitting time between his family in North Carolina and his work in Houston, Riley said he wanted to spend more time with his family in the mountains of North Carolina. He said he looks forward to traveling, playing tennis and skiing during his retirement.

Riley plans to remain as editor while Hearst Corp. conducts a search for the Chronicles next executive editor. During the transition, Riley said he will focus on leaving a solid foundation for his successor.

Theres a lot of people doing great journalism but fewer and fewer places to do it, Riley said. There are not that many spots like the Chronicle left in American journalism. This is a good one.

RELATED: Houston Chronicle investigations win two national awards

John McKeon, publisher of the Houston Chronicle, said a national search for Rileys successor will start immediately. McKeon said he appreciated the job Riley did in developing the newsroom and establishing a team of leaders, including hiring managing editors Mark Lorando and Maria Reeve. He expects the search will take at least three months, and will consider a wide range of candidates both internally and externally who have an appreciation for the Chronicles focus on investigative journalism.

I appreciate what Steve was able to do and appreciate the journalism, but even beyond that, how he cared about journalists, McKeon said, adding that Hearst has not laid off or imposed furloughs for journalists during the pandemic. He knew that if you take care of journalists, they will pay you back with good journalism.
The US has received enough electronic applications during the initial registration period to reach the 2022 fiscal year cap for the H-1B foreign workers visa, the most sought-after work visa among

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency which screens and allocates H-1B applications, said it was randomly selected from among the registrations properly submitted to reach the cap.

The is a non-immigrant visa that allows the US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The USCIS has notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration.

The federal agency said that H-1B cap-subject petitions for fiscal 2022, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may be filed with the USCIS beginning April 1, if based on a valid, selected registration.

Last month, the USCIS said it received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the Congressionally mandated 65,000 regular cap and the 20,000 US advanced degree exemption, known as the master's cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2021.

The Biden administration in February announced that it was delaying the H-1B policy of the previous Trump administration on the allocation of the popular foreign work visas by continuing with the lottery system until December 31, 2021, to give the immigration agency more time to develop, test and implement the modifications to the registration system.

On January 7, the USCIS announced to do away with the traditional lottery system in deciding the successful applicants for the H-1B visas.

The Trump-era rule was scheduled to go into effect on March 9.

(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.)
31 March 2021

Altona Rare Earths Plc

("Altona" or "the Company")

INTERIM RESULTS

Altona (AQSE: ANR.PL), a rare earths exploration and mining company, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2020.

HIGHLIGHTS

Entered into Heads of Agreement to acquire Ugandan Rare Earths Exploration Project

Entered into Heads of Agreement to acquire Malawian Rare Earths Exploration Project

Exploration Licence granted at Ugandan Nankoma Rare Earths project

Completed first Placing to raise 140,000 at 6.5 pence in December

Appointed new Chairman and Geologist to the Board

Target generation and review of possible acquisitions in Africa

POST PERIOD END HIGHLIGHTS

Signed Option Agreement with Leadway Group to acquire 51% interest in Nankoma Rare Earths Project in Uganda

Completed further Placings to raise a further 642,000 at 6.5 pence

Two new highly experienced Non-Executive Directors appointed

Change of Company name to Altona Rare Earths Plc

Commenced Applications process for the LSE Standard Market

Entered into MoU with Mozambique Rare Earths Exploration Project and started legal due diligence

Due diligence on Malawian Rare Earths Project started

Identified three potential new Rare Earths projects currently being investigated

Christian Taylor-Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Altona Rare Earths, commented, "The Company has made a positive start with its investment strategy into rare earths mining, having now secured one acquisition and looking to finalise two more in the next quarter."

-ends-

For further information, please visit www.altonaenergy.com (a new website, currently being built, can be found at www.altonaRE.com) or contact:

Altona Rare Earths plc

Christian Taylor-Wilkinson, CEO

Martin Wood, Non-Executive Chairman

+44 (0) 7795 168 157 Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Ltd (AQSE Corporate Adviser)

Jon Isaacs / Nick Michaels



+44 (0) 20 3772 0021

Company Information

Altona is a exploration and mining company focused on the evaluation, development and extraction of rare earth metals in Central and East Africa.

The Company was admitted to trading on AIM on 10 March 2005 and was subsequently admitted to Aquis Stock Exchange on 1 February 2019. A copy of its admission documents dated 4 March 2005 can be accessed on its website, www.altonaenergy.com. This website is where items can be inspected under Rule 4.14 of the AQSE Growth Market Access Rulebook.

Operational Review

The period under review is significant for Altona and its shareholders, as it was the start of the Company's new mining investment strategy into Rare Earth Elements projects in Africa.

Rare Earth Elements form a group of 17 essential period metals used in many high-end technology industries, especially those with a focus on green energy, including, electric vehicle batteries and wind turbine motors, by their critical presence in the manufacturing of permanent magnets. Rare earths are also used in a number of everyday consumer items, such as mobile phones, computer memory drives, camera lenses and catalytic converters. Their vital use in military technology, such as missile guidance systems, nuclear submarines and aircraft electronic systems, gives an imperative to world's governments to establish new and sustainable sources of these "Critical Metals", as over 90% of the world supply is currently controlled by China.

Altona, by fulfilling its strategy to acquire majority interests in a number of African rare earth mining projects, hopes to be part of this valuable supply chain at some point in its future.

Chambe Rare Earths Project, Malawi

On 29 July 2020 the Company signed Heads of Agreement with Akatswiri Mineral Resources Ltd, a Malawian mining consultancy and 100% owner of Akatswiri Rare Earths Ltd ("ARE"). ARE had, in February 2020, been granted, pending approval, an Exploration Licence (APL 0153) over the area known as the Chambe Rare Earths Project ("Chambe"), in Mulanje, Southern Malawi.

Altona is looking to acquire an initial 51% interest, rising to 75% on certain milestones being completed. The Company is still in the process of completing its legal due diligence on this acquisition project, which it hopes to complete in the next two months.

Altona's African based director and geologist, Cedric Simonet, working with the consultancy team at Akatswiri Mineral Resources, has provided a conceptual exploration target of between 45 to 100Mt @ 500 to 900 ppm Total Rare Earth Oxide ("TREO"), based on data available, dimension of the basin, as well as a reasonable assumption of the thickness and density of the mineralised geological formation. Importantly, the exploration target grade is within range of the documented ionic clay deposits in Asia and Africa.

Chambe is a large, ionic adsorption clay-hosted Rare Earth Elements ("REE") project bearing appreciable quantities of critical heavy and light REEs, particularly Neodymium and Praseodymium, Ytterbium, Dysprosium and Yttrium. Extensive exploration work has been carried out on the site since September 2010, by the previous owners, confirming the presence of mineralised Rare Earth Oxide clays, similar to many of the larger REE mines in China. The benefits of extracting REE from ionic clay deposits include lower operating and capital costs (OPEX and CAPEX), as well as shorter times for development.

Nankoma Rare Earths Project, Uganda

The rationale for the acquisition of the Nankoma Rare Earth Project is based, at this time, on the close proximity of the tenements to Australian Stock Exchange ("ASX") listed Ionic Rare Earth Limited's ("IonicRE") REE exploration project, which lie immediately from the north-west to the east of the Nankoma tenement and has a similar geology and geomorphology. IonicRE has recently announced exceptional exploration data, showing high levels of critical REEs.

On 21 September, the Company announced it had signed non-binding Heads of Agreement with Leadway Group Ltd to acquire a 70% legal and beneficial interest in a greenfield mining project in Uganda, known as the Nankoma Rare Earth Project ("Nankoma") (tenement TN03385). The tenement covers an area of 67.5 km2 and is located approx. 50 km east of Jinja, which lies 130 km east of Kampala in Eastern Uganda.

The Company signed a binding option agreement over an initial 51% of the asset on 30 March 2021, ahead of conducting legal and technical due diligence and an in-depth study of the tenement's geology, by perforning a scout exploration drilling programme in Q2 2021.

The terms of the new Option Agreement state Altona will be responsible for 100% of the agreed budgeted costs to complete a Feasibility Study on the establishment of commercial scale REE mining and processing operations at the project site. Altona will be the manager and operator of the project.

Monte Muambe Rare Earths Project, Mozambique

The Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with Ussokoti Investimentos Limitada ("Ussokoti") on 20 March 2020, to start a legal and technical Due Diligence period of 90 days with a view to acquiring up to 70% in the Monte Muambe Rare Earths Project, via an earn-in arrangement.

The tenement is located in Tete Province, Northwestern Mozambique, held by Ussokoti Investimentos Limitada under Prospecting Licence 7573L. The licence covers a 4km diameter circular carbonatite intrusion.

The project has seen previous exploration for the mineral fluorspar, between 2010 and 2012, including 165 reverse circulation drillholes totaling over 12,000m. Drill holes intersected Rare Earth Elements ("REE") mineralisation in at least four different zones within the intrusion, all of which are open in several directions. Additionally, only about 5% of the surface area of the intrusion have been drilled so far, thus leaving significant potential for discoveries.

Available data indicate that REE mineralisation is at least partly bastnaesite-hosted, and that individual REE intercept grades reach up to 4.1%. Three significant intercepts have been reported:

49m at 2.51% Total Rare Earths Oxide ("TREO") from the surface,

36m at 2.53% TREO from the surface, and

96 m at 2.2% TREO from surface,

These intercepts show that the project has the potential to host a REE deposit amenable to open pit mining. Initial exploration work will focus on expanding the mineralised zones and identifying new ones while ascertaining the basic metallurgical characteristics of the ore, which is essential for REE projects.

Board Appointments

On 28 October, Martin Wood was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman and has brought to the Company a wealth of experience in both the financial and mining industries; his background being investment banking in the early part of his career and latterly, running Vicarage Capital, an FCA registered brokerage house working with junior resources companies, as well has being CEO of ASX listed, Kogi Iron Limited, providing him with experience of the African mining sector.

On 24 December, the board appointed Cedric Simonet as a Non-Executive Director. Cedric is highly experienced geologist, who has spent most of the past 25 years living and working in Africa and has been working with the Company since July 2020 as a consultant geologist. While the Covid-19 restrictions have made travel to Africa difficult for the rest of the board, Cedric has been the Company's local eyes and ears across the jurisdictions Altona has an interest in, maintaining the Company's presence and performing both technical and corporate roles with a high level of professionalism and success. His knowledge of the African mining landscape makes him a natural fit for Altona's board and Rare Earths mining strategy.

Financial Review

The financial loss of the Group for the six months ended 31 December 2020 was 119,000 (H1 2019: 78,000), reflecting the Group's increased activity in its pursuit of its rare earths strategy.

The Group had total liabilities of 536,000 at 31 December 2020 (H1 2019: 377,000), being made up of a bank loan and overdraft facility of 68,000 and the remainder relating to the deferred salaries of Mr Taylor-Wilkinson and Mr Sutherland and other accrued expenses. At the date of this report, the liabilities have been reduced to 189,000, with a portion of the amounts owing to Mr Taylor-Wilkinson and Mr Sutherland having been settled in shares. Any further payment of accrued salaries will not be made to the detriment of the business's planned future operations.

At the date of this report, the Group's cash reserves places it in a strong financial position to meet the immediate funding requirements of the contracts that it has recently signed in order to progress its strategy of acquiring new rare earth mining projects in Africa.

Outlook

The rare earths sector is among the fastest growing mining industries and its "technology metals" are among the most in-demand elements; a statistic which is only likely to grow as the world moves towards being more environmentally conscious and starts to fulfil its green potential. Altona, through the three mining assets it is working towards acquiring, will be excellently positioned to take advantage of this rising need for new sources of rare earths elements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes Unaudited

Half-year ended

31 Dec 2020 Unaudited

Half-year ended

31 Dec

2019 Audited

Year

ended

30 June

2020 '000 '000 '000 Other income - - 42 Impairment expense - - - Administrative expenses (120) (78) (270) Operating loss (78) (228) Operating loss and loss before taxation (120) (78) (228) Income tax expense 2 - - - Loss after taxation (120) (78) (228) Loss for the period (120) (78) (228) Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss: Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations - - (1) Unrealised gain 1 - - Total comprehensive loss attributable to the equity holders of the parent company (119) (78) (229) Earnings per share (expressed in pence per share) - attributable to the equity holder of the parent company Loss per share - Basic and diluted 3 (5.08p) (4.87p) (14.23p)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

Unaudited

31 Dec 2020

'000 Unaudited

31 Dec

2019

'000 Audited

30 June 2020

'000 ASSETS Non-current assets Intangible assets 25 - - Other receivables - 3 - Total non-current assets 25 3 - Current assets Trade and other receivables 4 92 21 20 Cash and cash equivalents - - - Total current assets 92 21 20 Total assets 117 24 20 LIABILITIES Current liabilities Trade and other payables 5 (536) (377) (524) Total current liabilities (536) (377) (524) Total liabilities (536) (377) (524) NET ASSETS (419) (353) (504) Capital and reserves attributable to owners of Altona Energy plc Share capital 1,462 1,431 1.431 Share premium 18,870 18,697 18,697 Merger reserve 2,001 2,001 2,001 Foreign exchange reserve 1,223 1,224 1,223 Retained losses (23,975) (23,706) (23,856) TOTAL EQUITY (419) (353) (504)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS

FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Unaudited

Half-year ended

31 Dec

2020 Unaudited

Half-year ended

31 Dec

2019 Audited

Year

ended

30 June

2020 '000 '000 '000 Operating activities Net loss for the period (119) (78) (228) Unrealised gains and losses (1) - - Cashflow from operations before adjustments (120) (78) (228) (Increase) / decrease in receivables (72) 11 12 Increase in payables and provisions 8 67 188 Shares issued for services/fees 93 - - Cash used in operations (91) - (28) Income tax benefit received - - - Net cash outflow used in operating activities (91) - (28) Investing activities Interest received - - - Net cash outflow from investing activities - - - Financing activities Proceeds from bank loans 25 - - Increase/ (decrease in overdraft) (55) - 3 Proceeds from Directors Loans 3 - - Proceeds from issue of shares 125 - 25 Costs of issue (7) - Net cash inflow from financing activities 91 - 28 Increase/decrease in cash and cash equivalents in period/ year - - - Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period / year - - - Cash and cash equivalents at end of period / year - - -

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Share capital Share premium Merger reserve Foreign exchange reserve Retained losses Total shareholders' equity '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 Balance at 30 June 2019 1,431 18,697 2,001 1,224 (23,628) (275) Total comprehensive loss for the period - - - - (78) (78) Balance at 31 December 2019 1,431 18,697 2,001 1,224 (23,706) (353) Total comprehensive loss for the period - - - - (150) (150) Other comprehensive income - - - (1) - (1) Balance at 30 June 2020 1,431 18,697 2,001 1,223 (23,856) (504) Total comprehensive loss for the period - - - - (119) (119) Issue of share capital 31 180 - - - 211 Share issue costs - (7) - - - (7) Balance at 31 December 2020 1,462 18,870 2,001 1,223 (23,975) (419)

NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT

FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2020

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Altona Rare Earths Plc, (the "Company") is a company registered in England and Wales. The Company changed its name from Altona Energy Plc on 27thFebruary 2021. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company for the six months ended 31 December 2020 comprise the result of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group") and have been prepared in accordance with the AQSE Growth Market Access Rulebook. As permitted, the Company has chosen not to adopt IAS 34 "Interim Financial Statement" in preparing these interim financial statements.

The consolidated interim financial information for the period 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020 is unaudited. In the opinion of the Directors the condensed interim financial information for the period presents fairly the financial position, and results from operations and cash flows for the period in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The condensed interim financial information incorporates unaudited comparative figures for the interim period 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2019 and extracts from the audited financial statements for the year to 30 June 2020.

The financial information contained in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by section 435 of the Companies Act 2006.

The comparatives for the full year ended 30 June 2020 are not the Company's full statutory accounts for that year. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified but did include a reference to the uncertainties surrounding going concern, to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis of matter and did not contain a statement under s498 (2) - (3) of Companies Act 2006. The interim report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditor. The key risks and uncertainties and critical accountancy estimates remain unchanged from 30 June 2020 and the accountancy policies adopted are consistent with those used in the preparation of its financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2020.

2. TAXATION

No current taxation has been provided due to losses in the period.

3. LOSS PER SHARE

The basic loss per share is derived by dividing the loss for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares in issue.

Unaudited

31 Dec 2020 Unaudited

31 Dec 2019 Audited

30 June 2020 Loss for the period ('000) (119) (78) (228) Weighted average number of shares - expressed in thousands 2,344 1,602 1,606 Basic loss per share - expressed in pence (5.08p) (4.87p) (14.23p)

As the inclusion of the potential ordinary shares would result in a decrease in the loss per share they are considered to be anti-dilutive and, as such, the diluted loss per share calculation is the same as the basic loss per share.

4. TRADE AND OTHER RECEVIABLES

Unaudited

31 Dec

2020

'000 Unaudited

31 Dec

2019

'000 Audited

30 June 2020

'000 Taxes and social security receivables 63 21 20 Prepayments and other receivables 29 - - 92 21 20

The prepayments is made up of the prepaid part of the Chairman's salary of 35,000 which was paid upfront in shares, on his appointment to the Board.

5. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Unaudited

31 Dec

2020

'000 Unaudited

31 Dec

2019

'000 Audited

30 June 2020

'000 Trade payables 214 115 166 Shares to be issued 32 - - Bank overdraft 43 100 99 Bank loan 25 - - Directors loans 28 - 20 Accruals and other payables 194 162 239 536 377 524

6. POST REPORTING DATE EVENTS

The following events occurred subsequent to period end:

On 27 January 2021, the subsidiary companies Arckaringa Coal Chemical Joint Venture Co Pty Ltd and Altona Australia Pty Limited were deregistered. On 18thFebruary 2021 Arckaringa Energy Pty Ltd was deregistered.

On 29 January 2021, the Company announced a further fundraising of approximately 523,000 before expenses at an issue price of 6.5 pence per share.

On 11 March 2021, due to excess demand in the initial raise, the Company announced a further fundraising of 259,000 at an issue price of 6.5 pence per share.

On 27 February 2021 the Company changed its name to Altona Rare Earths plc.

On 30 March 2021 the Company entered into an Option Agreement with Leadway Group Ltd to acquire a 70% interest in the Nankoma Rare Earths Project in Uganda.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a video showing two young sisters from Ecuador being dropped from the top of the border wall Tuesday evening near Santa Teresa.

An agency news release says the girls, ages 3 and 5, were dropped from the 14-foot barrier onto the north side of the wall by two human smugglers just west of Mount Cristo Rey.

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................................................................

The girls were uninjured and are in Border Patrol temporary holding, pending placement by Health and Human Services, according to the release.

Im appalled by the way these smugglers viciously dropped innocent children from a 14-foot border barrier last night. If not for the vigilance of our agents using mobile technology, these two tender-aged siblings would have been exposed to the harsh elements of desert environment for hours, Gloria Chavez, chief patrol agent of the El Paso Sector of the Border Patrol, said in a statement.

Chavez said CBP is working with authorities in Mexico to identify the ruthless human smugglers and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

In the video, a man can be seen straddling the wall as he carries one child over the side, dangles her by her arm and drops her. The child bounces off the ground and lays there, appearing stunned, before getting up.

The man atop the wall drops the second girl in the same fashion, then throws an object over the wall and jumps down.

Two people can be seen running away from the wall as the girls kneel beside each other on the other side.

The CBP release said an agent saw the two girls being dropped from the wall on a live feed and watched as the smugglers abandoned the helpless little girls.

The agents found the children, who were alert at the time.

Officials said the children were taken to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for a medical evaluation before going to a local hospital for precautionary reasons.
Female University of Rhode Island professor under fire for criticizing trans movement

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A University of Rhode Island professor is under fire for what has been deemed as "anti-transgender perspectives" for stating, among other things, that people cannot be born in the wrong body.

In an essay published in 4W last month, a "publication for cancelled women, brave feminists, and heterodox thinkers," Donna Hughes, a pioneer in the academic study of human trafficking and a professor of women's studies, wrote of the fantasy worlds that exist on both sides of the political aisle in the United States.

While many on the left are quick to accuse those on the right of falling for conspiracy theories, Hughes stressed in her piece titled, "Fantasy Worlds on the Political Right and Left: QAnon and Trans-Sex Beliefs," that "fake news and harmful politicized beliefs leading to real harm are not solely a right-wing phenomenon."

"The American political left is increasingly diving headfirst into their own world of lies and fantasy and, unlike in the imaginary world of QAnon, real children are becoming actual victims.

"The trans-sex fantasy, the belief that a person can change his or her sex, either from male to female or from female to male, is spreading largely unquestioned among the political left."

In an email to The Christian Post on Sunday, Hughes said that the gender identity movement is authoritarian and that the ferocious backlash to any criticism of it is part of the strategy to shut down all discussion of the subject. She also noted that she has received statements of support from trans-identifying people who are happy living as transgender but acknowledge they cannot change their sex.

"A tremendous amount of rage is generated toward those with 'privilege,' a very slippery, non-exact concept, so it can be applied to anyone. The same with accusations of racism," Hughes said.

There is a tremendous amount of money behind the transgender movement. They use their money to influence large institutions, such as medical centers, pharmacies, schools, and human rights groups. People refer to this as institutional capture. It is a corrupt process of becoming large donors to institutions, usually with a lot of money, come to dictate thinking.



In response to her essay, the University of Rhode Island released a statement saying that it "does not support statements and publications by Professor Donna Hughes that espouse anti-transgender perspectives and recognize that such discourse can cause pain and discomfort for many transgender individuals."

The statement was not part of a press release or in an email to students but was posted on the university's website, and noted the school is committed to transgender rights and the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence aimed at transgender individuals and the LGBTQIA+ community.

While acknowledging Hughes' "general right to 'academic freedom'" the statement argued that such freedom and free speech rights under the First Amendment "are not boundless, however, and should be exercised responsibly with due regard for the faculty members other obligations, including their obligations to the universitys students and the university community.

When asked by CP why university administrations seem hesitant to defend the free speech rights of their staff who criticize this movement, she replied that universities no longer teach about principles of democracy, except for specialized classes.

Administrators are frightened by the bullies. They rush to accommodate any complaints. They fear if they do not appear to be progressive enough, they will come under attack. On Twitter, some of the activists said they would take me down, and if the Gender and Womens Studies Department didnt support them, theyd go after the department, too, she said.

Many people don't know about the experimental nature of the medicalization of gender, she added, which she also detailed in her 4W essay.

The average member of the public likely thinks that men become transgender by starting to wear female clothing and makeup, while women cut their hair short and wear masculine clothes. Few know about the puberty-blocking drugs and the cross-sex hormones that effectively sterilize teens. They dont know the changes they cause, particularly to girls, are not reversible. They dont know about the girls getting double mastectomies, Hughes told CP.

The cosmetic gender surgeries that are done on women are disguised with euphemisms, she added, and the ways gender has become medicalized are forms of sterilization, but no one talks about that.

Its part of the fantasy that sex changes magically happen," Hughes added.

The ideology that accompanies the contemporary phenomenon of a self-declared "gender identity" is an attack against women's hard-won sex-based rights, Hughes wrote last month, and the "biological category of sex, particularly womens sex, is being smashed."

President Joe Biden's Jan. 20 executive order enshrining gender identity into federal administrative law, she said, "flies in the face of rationality and truth."

Speaking to the "hormonal and surgical horrors" young people are being encouraged to pursue to "de-sex" them, and the pharmaceutical companies, medical facilities and physicians who profit off these procedures, Hughes likened these to the eugenics movement where certain groups of people were deemed unfit to reproduce and then forcibly sterilized.

Hughes told the Boston Globe that she has the right to speak on issues of public concern as a private citizen.

"Its sad that we have reached a point in society where difficult issues cannot be freely and openly discussed without resort to personal attacks and calls for censorship, she said.
































ORLANDO, Fla., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- By purchasing an exclusive Ideal Homes International discounted resort condominium in Orlando, you can take the family to see Disney and use your vacation dollars that would otherwise be spent on hotels to build wealth.

"It's very safe in a gated community. Parents could leave their kids at the waterpark while having a nice meal at one of the four onsite restaurants. There's music playing all the time. There are also watersports, kayaks and paddleboards and you can go fishing with the kids at the lake," said White. The resort is near Florida's Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World theme parks and an hour from the ocean. It's on a lake and has plenty of activities for the family with two swimming pools, beautiful water park, lazy river, surfing simulator, spa, restaurants and bar.

"This luxurious condominium is already a good deal. It's even better now with our exclusive 10 percent discount, only for Ideal Homes International investors that isn't available to the general public. The deal applies to a limited number of two or three-bedroom condominiums starting at $337,000 before the discount," said Ideal Homes International President Chris White.

When you're not there, management will rent it out for you. You can use the income to pay your mortgage with maybe some extra money in your pocket depending on how often you use it. Now, you don't have to sacrifice your retirement savings for a Florida dream vacation.

It's a hands-off investment. The management takes care of everything for a cut of the rental income. You don't have to worry about any bookings, maintenance, insurance or upkeep. If something goes wrong with your unit, it's covered and part of management's guarantee.

The resort is near Florida's Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World theme parks and an hour from the ocean. It's on a lake and has plenty of activities for the family with two swimming pools, beautiful water park, lazy river, surfing simulator, spa, restaurants and bar.

"It's very safe in a gated community. Parents could leave their kids at the waterpark while having a nice meal at one of the four onsite restaurants. There's music playing all the time. There are also watersports, kayaks and paddleboards and you can go fishing with the kids at the lake," said White.

You can stay and not worry about transportation. The resort is only six miles away from Disney and 30 minutes to Universal theme park with free shuttles. Units also have laundry room and kitchen facilities so you can save money.

With the exclusive Ideal Homes International 10 percent discount, you could buy a $337,000 two-bedroom condominium for $303,300. When you purchase a unit, you could use it for two to four weeks a year for yourself, kids, grandkids and have a nice holiday while rentals pay off your mortgage when you're not there.

If you stay for a month during peak times, it will lower returns compared to someone who never uses it.

Florida currently has a booming real estate market that could continue to grow after the pandemic. If you decide to sell the condominium in five to eight years, it's likely to increase in value.

"If you decide to sell it for $500,000, it's possible to make about $206,000. It could be higher if rentals managed to pay off some of the mortgage. That depends on the rental market, how often and when you use it," said White.

This a great way to save for retirement, while taking your family on vacation at one of the most luxurious places in Florida.

You don't have to worry about finding renters. Demand is huge from the 22 million tourists visiting the area of Florida every year. Around Christmas or Easter, the resort is fully booked. Most of the time, it's 75 percent booked with renters spending about $300 a night.

Condominium ownership through this exclusive Ideal Homes International deal is also a great opportunity for people in the U.K. thinking about immigrating to Florida for its great year-round weather and lower tax rates.

White will be giving a Zoom four-hour presentation at the resort with his staff, management, and a mortgage broker from April 5 - April 9 from 10 a.m.  10 p.m. EST.

The resort will also be adding new units that can be secured for a 10 percent deposit. During the presentation, White will also be offering a number of incentives such as a 10-day package for your family to enjoy Disney and more.

"We can even arrange mortgages right on the spot making it easier for you to take part in this Florida dream vacation investment," said White.

If you're interested in attending the presentation, register at the Ideal Homes International website. You can also contact Chris White by phone at (407) 459-9280 or [email protected].

SOURCE Ideal Homes International

Related Links

https://www.idealhomesinternational.com


Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 30.03.2021 - Switzerland has pledged an additional 60 million of francs to help the Syrian population in Syria and the region, which has been facing war for ten years. FDFA Deputy State Secretary Johannes Matyassy announced this amount on 30 March 2021 on the occasion of the 5th High Level Conference chaired by the UN and the EU. He also reaffirmed Switzerland's support for the UN peace process and respect for international law in Syria. Since 2011, Switzerland has provided more than half a billion Swiss francs to help civilians affected by the conflict.

"We will not spare any effort in helping to set Syria back on a path towards peace" said the Deputy State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Johannes Matyassy at the conference, which is being held virtually for the second year in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHF 60 million will be made available to support people affected by the crisis in Syria and the region. The specific aim is to facilitate access to basic resources and services and to improve their livelihoods. Switzerland has participated in every high-level conference organised by the EU and the UN in response to the political and humanitarian crisis in Syria since 2017.

Switzerland's biggest ever humanitarian commitment

The humanitarian situation in Syria continues to worsen. While 11 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance in 2020, this figure has risen to 13.4 million, presenting the humanitarian organisations with a huge challenge. Moreover, the Syrian conflict and its devastating effects are also affecting neighbouring countries: more than 5.5 million people have fled Syria for surrounding countries, according to UN figures.

Since 2011, Switzerland has spent around CHF 522 million to combat the devastating effects of the conflict on the population in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. This is the largest humanitarian commitment in Swiss history.

Helping to advance a political solution to the conflict

In addition to humanitarian aid, Switzerland is also involved in diplomacy in order to contribute to peace in Syria. Switzerland has a direct interest in promoting peace, human rights, the protection of people in need and stability in the region. It uses its peace policy to contribute to the reduction of tensions and the stabilisation and pacification of this part of the world.

As host of the UN peace process in Geneva, Switzerlandcontinues to actively support the search for a political solution to the conflict. In addition it is committed to the respect and promotion of international humanitarian law and remains active in the fight against impunity.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




When he risked his life by walking into Westgate Mall in Westlands, Nairobi, in the middle of an attack by Al-Shabaab in 2013, little did Abdikadir Haji, popularly known as Abdul Haji, know his act of valour would come to change his life.

A photo of the father of four daughters wielding a pistol as he helped rescue hostages not only earned him a presidential commendation, but has also paid off politically after elders endorsed him to be Garissa County's next senator.

The elders argued that Abdul Haji was the bravest among probable candidates for the seat that fell vacant following the death of his father, Senator Yusuf Haji, at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, on February 15.

Nomination papers deadline

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to declare Mr Haji the winner as no one else had submitted nomination papers by Wednesday's deadline (March 30, 2021) for those intending to participate in the Garissa senatorial by-election scheduled for Tuesday, May 18.

"After receiving the nomination papers from only one aspirant, I have forwarded the information to IEBC headquarters for the commission to make a determination," Garissa County IEBC Returning Officer Hussein Gure told Nation.Africa Wednesday.

Mr Gure said that he had finalised his work as a returning officer as there is no election when a candidate has no opponents.

Elected unopposed

Mr Haji becomes the third politician to be elected unopposed in a by-election after Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi.

Following the death of his father Moses Mudavadi - a former powerful Cabinet minister in the late President Daniel Moi's government - in 1989, Mr Mudavadi was elected unopposed for the Sabatia parliamentary seat to succeed his father.

In 2014, Mr Kuria also went to parliament unopposed when his main challenger, Mr Kiarie Kamere of the New Democrats Party, quit the race for the Gatundu South parliamentary by-election in 2014. The by-election was occasioned by the death of former MP Joseph Ngugi Nyumu.

Elders' support

In a county where clan politics holds the key to power, Mr Haji managed to secure the support of all the major elders from the main clans in Garissa.

On Tuesday, the son of the late Senator Haji hosted 'Samawadhal Sagaales', respected traditional elders, at his residence in Garissa.

"Clan elders play an integral role in fostering unity and cohesion among the communities. It's a pleasure to have taken a keen consideration of the blessings, wisdom and the experiences of the elders," the senator-elect said after the meeting with the clan elders.

Mr Haji received the endorsement of the Abduwak, Aulihan and Abdalla clans, which recommended that he should succeed his father as senator. The three clans hold much sway in Garissa politics.

Mr Haji was cleared on Tuesday to run for the seat after he presented his Jubilee Party nomination papers to IEBC County Returning Officer Hussein Gure at the North Eastern National Polytechnic College.

He was accompanied by various leaders, among them Garissa Governor Ali Korane, Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane, Ijara MP Sophia Abdinoor, former Garissa governor Nathif Jama, former Garissa deputy governor Abdullahi Hussein and members of the Garissa County Assembly.

Before that, he had secured the support of ODM party after holding a meeting with ODM Deputy Party leader Hassan Joho and Deputy President William Ruto, and the latter pledged the support of the "Hustler Movement".

Westgate terror attack

Mr Haji, a businessman, first came into the national limelight during the Westgate terror attack in 2013, when he stormed the mall to rescue his elder brother, Noordin Haji, now the Director of Public Prosecutions, who was holed up in the besieged mall.

The businessman, who grew up shooting at the Athi River range, rescued many hostages and was among the key heroes from the tragedy.

Mr Haji, another unidentified man and three policemen, one of them armed with an Ak-47 rifle, entered the mall and rescued terrified people hiding in Java Restaurant. He was among the first responders to the tragedy.

Inherited political seats

Following his election, Mr Haji now joins a growing list of those who have inherited political seats from close relatives in a trend that serves to cement political families.

In the recent Msambweni by-election, independent candidate Feisal Bader, a nephew of the area's late MP - Suleiman Dori - was voted in to succeed him.

In the Machakos by-election, Wiper party's Agnes Kavindu Muthama, wife of former Machakos senator Johnson Muthama, was elected to succeed Senator Boniface Kabaka, who died in December last year after a short illness.

And in the Bonchari by-election, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party - a political outfit associated with DP Ruto - has fronted Ms Teresa Bitutu, wife of the area's late MP John Oyioka, to succeed him in the mini election scheduled for May 18.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya 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.

The late Bomet governor Joyce Laboso succeeded her sister Lorna Laboso as Sotik MP in 2008, following the death of the latter in a plane crash.

Mrs Beatrice Kones was also first elected MP following the death of her husband, former Cabinet minister Kipkalya Kones in a plane crash in Enoosupukia, Narok. Kones died alongside Lorna Laboso.

In Homa Bay County, Senator Moses Kajwang also won the endorsement of the ODM party to succeed his brother Otieno Kajwang, who died after a short illness in 2014.

And in Kitui, Edith Nyenze, wife of former Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze, was elected to succeed his husband after he died of cancer at the age of 60 in 2017.

Vihiga Senator George Khaniri was also picked in 1996 by President Moi to succeed his father as the MP for Hamisi Constituency.

In Makueni, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr succeeded his father, Mutula Kilonzo, as the senator of Makueni, after the latter died in 2013.

Former Labour minister Ahmed Mohamed Khalif, who died in a plane crash in 2003, was also succeeded by his son Mohamed Khalif.

In Kibra, Imran Okoth inherited the Kibra parliamentary seat following the death of his brother Ken, in yet another case of keeping political power within the family.

engisesa@gmail.com
Though we are celebrating the 75th year of Independence, March 31, 2021 marks 100 years since our Tricolour (National Flag) came into existence.

It was on March 31, 1921, when our National Flag designer Pingali Venkayya from Andhra Pradesh first designed the flag.

However, there are a few unknown facts about our National Flag and of Pingali Venkayya. In an Exclusive conversation with our Hyderabad correspondent Prasad Bhosekar, Pingali Venkayya's grandson Ghantasala Gopikrishna discloses these facts.

When and why Pingali Venkayya decided to make a National Flag for the country:

At the age of 19, Pingali Venkayya went to South Africa to fight for British Army as India was under their rule. And in South Africa, a British army officer made all the soldiers from the countries where Great Britain ruled salute Union Jack ( British flag ) by force. Pingali Venkayya did not like it and on that very day he decided that he would make a flag of its own for India.

How did Ashoka Chakra replace Charkha:

When the flag committee met on July 14, 1947, it was felt that Charkha' (weaving wheel) looked different from sides and hence it was decided to use Ashoka Chakra (a wheel with 24 spokes). The 24 spokes indicated 24 states in the country at the time of Independence.

Languages Pingali Venkayya spoke:

Pingali Venkayya was fluent in Telugu, Hindi, Sanskrit, English, Japanese and Arabic.

Did Pingali Venkayya die poor:

Pingali Venkayya did not ask money from anyone till his death. He also remained away from politics though he was known to all the Congress stalwarts before and after Independence. Just a few days before his death, some rice miller's association members in Vijayawada felicitated him and gave some money as a token of gratitude. That's about it.

Last wish of Pingali Venkayya:

Pingali Venkayya died on July 4, 1963. His last wish was to wrap the tricolour on his body which was fulfilled.
(Natural News) Renowned columnist and book author Glenn Greenwald called out in an opinion piece the reporters of USA Today, and the mainstream media in general, for targeting powerless private citizens.

USA Today on Sunday, March 28, reported that the defendants accused in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot were trying to crowdfund their legal fees online using popular payment processors and an expanding network of fundraising platforms.

In an article titled Insurrection fundraiser: Capitol riot extremists, Trump supporters raise money for lawyer bills online, USA Today reporters Brenna Smith, Jessica Guynn and Will Carless detailed how the Capitol rioters spring from one fundraising tool to another, using new sites, usernames and accounts.

Greenwald said the only purpose of the article was to pressure and shame tech companies to do more to block these criminal defendants from being able to raise funds for their legal fees and to tattle to tech companies by showing them what techniques those indigent defendants are using to raise money online.

The second-most circulated newspaper in the country behind the Wall Street Journal didnt merely report how the fundraising was being conducted. It also influenced a funding site and a payment app to terminate the accounts of two of those defendants  Joe Biggs and Dominic Pezzola. Both used the site Our Freedom Funding to raise funds for their legal fees.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Biggs fundraiser was listed as having received $52,201. Pezzola had received $730. Biggs campaign disappeared from the site shortly after USA Today inquired about it, the article said. It also stated that: A USA Today reporter was able to make a $1 donation to Pezzolas fundraiser using Venmo, a payment app owned by PayPal. After being alerted by USA Today, Venmo removed the account. 

Some journalists at major media outlets abuse their platform

Greenwald pointed out that nearly 60 percent of the people facing charges related to the Capitol riot showed signs of prior money troubles, according to a Washington Post analysis of public records for 125 defendants with sufficient information to detail their financial histories.

This USA Today article is thus yet another example of journalists at major media outlets abusing their platforms to attack and expose anything other than the real power centers which compose the ruling class and govern the U.S.: the CIA, the FBI, security state agencies, Wall Street, Silicon Valley oligarchs, wrote Greenwald, who had been placed on numerous Top 25 lists of columnists in the country and was named one of Americas Top 10 Opinionists by Newsweek magazine in 2012.

He went on to cite examples of how the media use their huge megaphones to humiliate and wreck the lives of ordinary private citizens who they judge to have bad political opinions. (Related: Trust in mainstream media plummets: Only 2% of young adults trust the media.)

CNN confronted an old woman on the front lawn of her Florida home for the crime of having used her little Facebook page to promote a pro-Trump event they claimed was engineered by Russians. The same network threatened to expose the identity of another private citizen who created an anti-CNN meme unless he begged and promised not to do it again. HuffPost doxed the real-life name of an anonymous critic of Islam and triggered a boycott of her familys business, Greenwald wrote.

Just last week, the Daily Beast decided to expose the identity of a private citizen at Spring Break in Miami and detail his marital and legal problems because a video of him went viral due to his being dressed as the Joker and uttering COVID truther phrases. The same outlet congratulated itself for unearthing and exposing the real name of an African-American Facebook user whose crime was posting videos mocking Nancy Pelosi.

Greenwald noted that everyone has the right to a legal defense and to do what they can to ensure they have the best legal defense possible  especially when the full weight of the Department of Justice is crashing down on your head even for non-violent offenses, which is what many of these defendants are charged with.

The right to a vigorous defense was the same principle that caused then-candidate Kamala Harris to solicit donations last summer that went to protesters charged with violent rioting, Greenwald added.

USA Today mum when Kamala Harris endorsed fund-raiser for Minnesota rioters

Interestingly, the USA Today article made no mention of the fundraising campaign by the Minnesota Freedom Fund (MFF) endorsed by Harris in June last year to post bail for rioters arrested in Minnesota.

Harris, a vice-presidential candidate at that time, tweeted: If youre able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota. (Related: Seven months ago, Kamala Harris bailed out criminal rioters; now she wants to punish Capitol insurrectionists.)

A quick Google search also showed no article from USA Today, or at least in its online platform, that has reported about Harriss controversial tweet.

The Minnesota riots reportedly caused millions in property damage to more than 1,500 locations as rioters tore through dense stretches of Minneapolis, St. Paul and other metro communities in retaliation to the George Floyd killing.

Buildings along Lake Street in Minneapolis and a 3.5-mile stretch of University Avenue in St. Pauls Midway area experienced some of the heaviest damage.

Pharmacies, groceries, liquor stores, tobacco shops and cell phone stores were ransacked, losing thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise. Many were looted repeatedly over consecutive nights. Gas stations, restaurants and even parked cars were set on fire.

Hundreds of rioters were arrested, but the MFF was able to raise about $20 million to fund their defense.

Follow Journalism.news for more on how mainstream media is misrepresenting the political unrest violence happening across the country for its own agenda.

Sources include:

Greenwald.substack.com

USAToday.com

StarTribune.com

NYTimes.com
[March 31, 2021] NDB Board of Governors held its 6th Annual Meeting online

SHANGHAI, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 30, 2021, the Board of Governors (the Board) of the New Development Bank (NDB) held its Sixth Annual Meeting. The theme of the 6th Board of Governors Annual Meeting was New Development Paradigms: The Evolution of Infrastructure. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented global environment, the Board Governors meeting took place virtually. It served as an important moment to not only celebrate the success story of NDB but also to reflect on new paradigms for development and the New Development Bank's role therein. The Board of Governors welcomed the crucial role played by NDB in the past year and in particular in the implementation of the Emergency Assistance Fund. In total, the NDB Board of Directors so far has approved eight COVID-19 related emergency assistance programs with a total amount of around USD 8 billion. Addressing the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Development Bank is effectively supporting economic recovery in its member countries, said Mr. Anton Siluanov, Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the NDB Board of Governors. "Further transformation of the NDB into a full-fledged practical platform for expanding economic cooperation between the BRICS economies should become one of the Bank's key goals for the next five years," said Mr. Anton Siluanov. During the Meeting, Mr. Marcos Troyjo, NDB President, delivered a presentation to the Board on the Bank's progress andfurther development.



"Our duty is to maximize the development impact," said Mr. Marcos Troyjo. "As the world battles COVID, both long-standing and unprecedented development needs abound." "For the NDB, cooperation is both a value and a method  and improving peoples' lives, our highest priority." An update on the formal negotiations with potential new members was delivered to the Board of Governors. It was highlighted that the expansion of the Bank's membership will continue to be a priority for the NDB. The Board welcomed the progress made in negotiations with potential new members and encouraged Management to continue pursuing the expansion of membership in a gradual and balanced way.

The Board of Governors was briefed on the process of preparing the Bank's second General Strategy for the period of 2022-2026. It was noted that going forward, NDB will continue to support their member countries in achieving their sustainable development priorities and climate-related goals. The Governors welcomed NDB's new focus areas of social and digital infrastructure and encouraged the Bank to enhance its capacity to mobilize private sector resources and engage in co-financing with peer institutions. The Board also discussed the setting up of an Integrated BRICS Digital Platform and approved the Annual Financial Accounts of the Bank for 2020. In accordance with the Rules of Procedures of Board of Governors of the New Development Bank, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance of the Republic of India, was elected as the Chairperson of the Board of Governors. Mr. Kun Liu, Minister of Finance of the People's Republic of China, was elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Governors. Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman and Mr. Kun Liu will serve in these positions until the end of the next Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors decided that the next Annual Meeting of the Board will be hosted by India in 2022. The NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ndb-board-of-governors-held-its-6th-annual-meeting-online-301259556.html SOURCE New Development Bank

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VFS Announces 2021 Group Recipients of Its Prestigious Awards This years group awards highlight the incredible technological advances and capabilities of vertical flight aircraft, and those who develop and operate them.

The Vertical Flight Society today announced the 2021 group recipients of its prestigious awards program. Since the establishment of the VFS awards program in 1944, they have paid tribute to outstanding teams in industry, government and academia working on vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, serving as a catalyst for stimulating technological advances. This years winners will be recognized virtually during the 77th Annual VFS Awards Ceremony, premiering on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 2:00 pm EDT at http://www.youtube.com/VTOLsociety. The ceremony is open to the public.

Since the first VTOL aircraft  the helicopter  began taking off in the 1940s, VFS has been the organization that has supported vertical flight advancements, said VFS Executive Director Mike Hirschberg. This years group awards highlight the incredible technological advances and capabilities of vertical flight aircraft, and those who develop and operate them.

The Societys Captain William J. Kossler, USCG Award is given for the greatest achievement in the practical application or operation of vertical flight aircraft, the value of which has been demonstrated by actual service during the preceding 18 months. This year, the Kossler Award is being presented to the California Army National Guard 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, which battled the raging fires that engulfed the Sierra National Forest in central California in September 2020. The CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk crews rescued more than 240 Mammoth Pool Reservoir campers trapped by the fires, flying in thick smoke, intense embers and 2030 kt (3756 km/h) winds.

The Grover E. Bell Award is given for an outstanding research and experimentation contribution to the field of vertical flight development. This years recipient is Bells Electrically Distributed Anti-Torque (EDAT) Development Program. Bells EDAT is a distributed anti-torque thrust system, using an array of electric fans with fixed-pitch blades. This concept offers greater simplicity than conventional designs and has the potential to reduce helicopter noise. Using a mix of custom-designed and commercial-off-the-shelf equipment, an international team developed and flew a Bell 429 demonstrator, providing valuable data on the practical use of hybrid-electric technology.

Survival Systems International (SSI) is this years recipient of the VFS Supplier Excellence Award. This award is given to a supplier who, through the quality, innovativeness and cost-effective technology of its products, has made a notable contribution to improving the state of the art of vertical flight aircraft. SSIs contribution and support to Bells V-280 Valor tiltrotor blade development and their recent creation of expanded polypropylene ballistic panels used on the US Navys CMV-22 Osprey variant exemplifies their commitment and dedication to the support of their customers advancing vertical flight.

The Robert L. Pinckney Award is given in recognition of notable achievement in manufacturing research and development for vertical flight aircraft or components brought to fruition in recent years. This years award is given to Sikorskys Raider X Main Rotor Blade (MRB) Spar Team, Eric Dunn and Keith Schenone, who developed novel tooling strategies, leveraging additive manufacturing and the digital thread, to rapidly implement robust manufacturing methods for a complex high-performance rigid main rotor blade spar to meet the demands of US Armys Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program.

The Harry T. Jensen Award is given for an outstanding contribution to the improvement of reliability, maintainability, safety or logistics support through improved design or technical achievement. This year, the joint US Army/Sikorsky H-60 Flight Safety Parts Program is being recognized. Initiated in the 1980s, the H-60 FSPP reached a major milestone this year: 20 million flight hours with no fatal accidents related to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) flight safety parts, demonstrating that it is a comprehensive and effective program for control of items directly affecting operational safety.

This years recipient of the Howard Hughes Award, given in recognition of an outstanding improvement in fundamental helicopter technology brought to fruition in the previous 18 months, is the SB>1 Defiant Main Rotor Gearbox Team, including team members from Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, and the Boeing Company. For the US Armys Joint Multirole (JMR) Technology Development program, the team developed an advanced coaxial main rotor gearbox that breaks performance barriers for medium lift rotorcraft through the strategic incorporation and maturation of low technology readiness level (TRL) technologies, and advanced analytical tools and/ methods.

The Frederick L. Feinberg Award is presented to the pilot or crew of a vertical flight aircraft who demonstrated outstanding skills or achievement during the preceding 18 months. This years award is given to US Air Force Special Operations Commands 7th Special Operations Squadron CV-22 Osprey crew. In October 2020, this special operations wing executed a short-notice, long-range clandestine mission throughout the night to a target 2,000 miles (3,200 km) away, which required multiple refueling over some of the harshest African terrain. Leveraging the speed and range of the CV-22, the crew successfully performed an exfiltration mission from a remote location  totaling 11 hours and required a 17-hour crew day  showing significant self-sacrifice and courageous conduct.

The Vertical Flight Heritage Sites Program is intended to recognize and help preserve locations with the most noteworthy and significant contributions made in both the theory and practice of helicopter and other VTOL aircraft technology. This year, the former Hughes Helicopter Culver City Plant  the site of all Hughes Helicopter research, development and production from 1948 to 1983  was selected for its historic significance. The enormous Building 15 was originally constructed in 1943 for the Hughes Hercules Flying Boat (aka The Spruce Goose). It was the home of the Hughes XH-17 and XH-28 tipjet flying crane helicopters, followed by the 1960s production lines of the Model 269A/TH-55 Osage trainer and Model 369/OH-6A Cayuse observation and attack helicopter. The AH-64 Apache prototypes were also designed and developed at this site. Today it is Googles Spruce Goose building, located in the Playa Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Learn more at http://www.vtol.org/heritage.

The Vertical Flight Society previously announced the winners of its individual awards for 2021, which will also be honored at the 77th Annual VFS Awards Ceremony on May 5, 2021. Descriptions of the awards and past recipients are available at http://www.vtol.org/awards.

The Vertical Flight Society was founded as the American Helicopter Society in 1943 by the pioneers of the helicopter industry, who believed that technological cooperation and collaboration was essential to advance vertical flight. VFS is the global non-profit society for engineers, scientists and others working on vertical flight technology. For more than 75 years, the Society has led technology, safety, advocacy, and other important initiatives, and has been the primary forum for interchange of information on vertical flight technology.
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. The Digital Initiative Fund of the Eurasian Development Bank is working on new digital projects. In particular, a new project is being developed for labor migrants in the territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the Eurasian Development Bank Tigran Sargsyan said in an interview to Respublika Armenia newspaper.

In line with this, we are also working with our partners of the Russian government on the second program which is called Work In EAEU. This one aims at facilitating the life of labor migrants and providing digital solutions remotely. On the one hand, this will enable the citizens, who work in the other territory of the EAEU, to use all the necessary state services which are provided in case of receiving a job, and on the other hand, it allows the respective state authorities to conduct a proper registration of citizens. At the same time, this can contribute to the creation of a reliable system to counter the illegal operations, which, unfortunately, exists within the Union, he said.

The project will be implemented through a digital platform and will have a form of an app. Moreover, there will be a whole collection of services which will be provided to the labor migrants. According to Tigran Sargsyan, this project is very relevant for Armenia, given that many labor migrants cross the border every year, find jobs in Russia, get salary, register, live there and then settle their families. Thanks to the Work In EAEU app, they can manage all of these processes from Armenia. Such as finding a respective job, reaching an agreement over the salary, getting all the required documents and signing the contract online. As for the cooperation of the respective authorities of the Unions member states, the Eurasian Development Bank is an international organization, the shareholders of which are the EAEU member states and Tajikistan, we definitely carry out a direct work with all shareholders who make decisions at our Banks Board level. And all our programs, initiatives and activity are transparent for our shareholders. The Digital Initiative Fund has a working plan for this year which describes all the actions we need to implement. Of course, all our shareholders are aware of our activities. And we in our turn are trying to be maximally transparent, he said.

Tigran Sargsyan also informed that they are preparing digital passports for the all the participating countries of the Bank, including for Armenia. The essence of this document is that it describes the current situation in the EAEU member states on how progressive they are in the digitization of this or that business processes, what infrastructure has been created, how the digital transformation is taking place in that countries, etc. The development of such passports will allow to reveal the problematic sides through discussions, the advantages which exist in the country. Our work must be more directed for supporting the Unions states in the context of overcoming the problems faced by them, Tigran Sargsyan said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
New Delhi, March 31 : Four years after his arrest, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Saifullah Mansoor, who infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to carry out terrorist attacks at different places in India, including Delhi, has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fine.

Mansoor, alias Bahadur Ali, along with his two associates Abu Saad and Abu Darda -- all trained Lashkar terrorists -- illegally infiltrated into the valley to carry out terrorist attacks at different places in India as per instructions given to them by their handlers based in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).

Security forces arrested Mansoor on July 25, 2016, from Yahama Mukam village in Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir.

The forces recovered large number of arms -- AK-47 Rifle, Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), ammunition, hand grenades, UBGL shells -- military map, wireless set, GPS, compass, Indian currency and Fake Indian Currency Notes from his possession.

On March 26, Special Judge for NIA cases in Delhi's Patiala House courts pronounced Mansoor's sentence.

This case was initially registered by NIA on July 27, 2016, pertaining to a larger conspiracy hatched by the LeT, a proscribed terrorist organization, based in Pakistan, to commit terror attacks in India.

During investigation, Mansoor revealed about the recruitment, various training camps of LeT, trainings to LeT terrorists about handling of weapons, explosives, wireless sets, night vision devices, GPS, Grid Reference and modus operandi for motivating the newly recruited cadres for jihad and terror acts in India by the leaders of LeT and also the details of launching pads of LeT in PoK.

The NIA on January 6, 2017, filed a charge sheet against Mansoor in the case.

Abu Saad and Abu Darda were killed in an encounter on February 14, 2017 in Kupwara district.

"During investigation two associates of Mansoor, namely Zahoor Ahmad Peer and Nazir Ahmad Peer both residents of Jammu and Kashmir were also arrested in this case. The trial in the case against other charge sheeted accused continues," the NIA said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
COVID-19 is no longer a valid excuse to get state unemployment in Michigan starting April 1, however, people sidelined from work for a virus-related reason can still get federal unemployment pay  if eligible.

The change is due to a piece of state law expiring and not being renewed by the Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Unemployment laws were modified last spring and most recently again in December to allow people to receive unemployment for virus-related causes.

Those provisions expire after March 31, per the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

The federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is still paying benefits to people out of a job due to COVID-19 reasons  so Michiganders could still be eligible for federal unemployment. Such virus-related reasons include testing positive for COVID-19, being exposed to somebody with the virus or having symptoms of the virus and awaiting a test result, among other things.

Other COVID-19 provisions of the law are also expiring  heres whats changing:

Filing deadline: New claims during the pandemic only needed to be filed within 28 days to not be considered late. That deadline now reverts back to 14 days from the persons last day of work.

Workshare program: During the pandemic, employers could reduce hours and wages for workers between 10% and 60% and still be eligible for the workshare program, where the state would pay workers partial unemployment benefits. Employers can now only reduce hours and wages between 15% and 45%, among other stricter requirements. Active programs are grandfathered under the pandemic rules until its time to renew the program.

Higher rates for employers: Pandemic rules took some pressure off businesses, by not penalizing the rate they pay based on how many people they laid off. The charging now reverts back to standard calculations, forcing employers to pay more into the system when they lay people off.

Hiring back retirees: To get more workers on the phones, Michigan allowed recent retirees from the UIA to return to work without having to forfeit their pension during the reemployment. That temporary change is ending.

Another component was supposed to expire March 31, but was never enacted in December  giving people 26 weeks of state benefits instead of 20 weeks. The move was tied to the state contributing $220 million into the employer-funded trust fund that pays claimants.

Whitmer line item-vetoed that provision, calling it a tax break for big businesses, which also vetoed the additional weeks of benefits.

As of March 6, nearly 640,000 Michiganders were still receiving unemployment pay  although 75% of them were receiving federal pandemic benefits and not state pay.

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[March 31, 2021] EQT AB's Annual and Sustainability Report for 2020 published

STOCKHOLM, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT AB (publ) has today published its Annual and Sustainability Report for 2020. The report is available at www.eqtgroup.com. The Annual and Sustainability Report for 2020 highlights how EQT works to put its purpose, to future-proof companies and make a positive impact, into practice. The report describes how EQT aims to contribute to a more inclusive and cleaner world through an active ownership philosophy, a thematic and sector-based investment approach and a well-defined and integrated sustainability agenda. EQT AB's Annual Shareholders' Meeting is scheduled to take place on 2 June 2021 and notice to the meeting will be given in due course. Contact Olof Svensson, Head of Shareholder Relations, +46 72 989 09 15 Nina Nornholm, Head of Communications, +46 70 855 03 56 EQT Shareholder Relations, shareholderrelations@eqtpartners.com EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com This is information that EQT AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 08:00 CEST on 31 March 2021. About EQT EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization solely focused on active ownership strategies. With a Nordic heritage and a global mindset, EQT has a track record of almost three decades of delivering consistent and attractive returns across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. Uniquely, EQT is the only large private markets firm in the world with investment strategies covering all phases of a business' development, from start-up to maturity. EQT has raised more than EUR 84 billion since inception and had as of 31 December 2020 more than EUR 52 billion in assets under management across 17 active funds within two business segments - Private Capital and Real Assets. With its roots in the Wallenberg family's entrepreneurial mindset and philosophy of long-term ownership, EQT is guided by a set of strong values and a distinct corporate culture. EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to future-proof companies, generate attractive returns and make a positive impact with everything EQT does. The EQT AB Group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which include general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds. EQT has offices in 17 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America with more than 700 employees. More info: www.eqtgroup.com Follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/eqt-ab-s-annual-and-sustainability-report-for-2020-published,c3317574 The following files are available for download:







https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/3317574/1395598.pdf EQT AB Annual and Sustainability Report 2020



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[March 31, 2021] Dilawri Group of Companies, Canada's Largest Automotive Group, Launches Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 at Audi Thornhill

AUDI THORNHILL OFFERS THE MOST DYNAMIC EXPERIENCE FOR PURCHASING A VEHICLE TORONTO, March 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Dilawri Group of Companies is proud to launch a reimagined vehicle purchase experience and a first in the automotive industry. Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 enables customers to enjoy a unique and seamless online and offline shopping experience by digitising and fully integrating the automotive purchase process. This new experience encompasses the entire customer journey under one vision  to provide the best in transparency, convenience and flexibility when purchasing a vehicle. Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 delivers a complete omni-channel experience where customers can connect through live video, chat, SMS text, email, phone and in-dealership. Customers can engage remotely with Online Experience Specialists at the dealership to explore inventory options and collaborate in a personalized purchase experience, ensuring any applicable rebates and programs are applied. The resulting purchase terms are pushed online to the customer's My Garage account in real time for convenient access anywhere and at any time. Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 takes the dealership experience and brings it forward into the virtual environment. "Working in collaboration with a customer remotely or in-person, we are able to provide an enhanced customer experience and identify any additional rebates and programs for which a customer may qualify. When we integrate these benefits into the customer's deal structure, the purchase terms in the customer's account are updated dynamically in real time and this information is always available at the customer's fingertips," stated Co-founder Kap Dilawri. Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 features include: Transparent website pricing and payment calculator with current lease and finance rates

Shopping progress and customized purchase terms updated and saved real-time in the My Garage account

Interaction via live video, chat, SMS text, email, phone, in-dealership or seamlessly between all channels

Collaborative purchase experience to personalize vehicle appraisal, financing arrangeents and any applicable rebates and programs

Vehicle reservation via an e-commerce checkout and digital paperwork signing with DocuSign

Choice between in-dealership or at-home vehicle delivery



"While a number of solutions have come to the market over the past few years, none has effectively bridged the physical to virtual gap through a singularly connected platform," said Dilawri. "This is where Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 stands apart from other solutions in the industry. The technology we are using in-store is the same technology the customer uses online, and it's seamlessly paired with dynamic communication tools and our other operating systems."

Audi Thornhill is the first dealership to launch Dilawri Anywhere 2.0. As a brand-new dealership serving the Thornhill and Richmond Hill, Ontario markets, Audi Thornhill was developed from the ground-up based upon the guiding principles of transparency, convenience, and flexibility. Dilawri Group of Companies has established a truly unique shopping experience, supported by real-time communication channels, seamless transition from online to offline, and an all new in-store environment at Audi Thornhill. "Audi Thornhill was the perfect dealership to launch Dilawri Anywhere 2.0. Whether in-store, online, or a combination of both, Audi Thornhill sets a new benchmark for the vehicle purchase experience and it sets the example of evolution in dealership experience planned for all Dilawri Group of Companies dealerships," said Dilawri. About Dilawri Group of Companies Dilawri Group of Companies is Canada's largest automotive group with 76 franchised dealerships representing 35 automotive brands throughout Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Privately owned and operated by the Dilawri family since 1985, the company continues to expand its footprint in Canada, building on its history of excellence in the automotive industry. With more than 4,000 employees, Dilawri Group of Companies is proud to offer exceptional products and customer service in every dealership. Visit us to learn more at: www.dilawri.ca About Audi Thornhill Audi Thornhill is Canada's newest Audi sales and service dealership. As a member of Dilawri Group of Companies, Canada's largest automotive group, we look forward to servicing you with pride, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to quality and convenience. At Audi Thornhill, we have changed the car buying experience. With Dilawri Anywhere 2.0, we offer transparent pricing, and a connected online and in-store experience, putting YOU in the driver's seat. With a focus on providing an easy and convenient purchase process, we invite you to shop online from the convenience of home or come and visit our brand-new boutique sales and service dealership to experience the Audi product in an environment like no other. Whether you are interested in purchasing a new Audi, Pre-owned vehicle, or looking to have your current Audi serviced, you can expect an outstanding customer experience at Audi Thornhill. Visit us to learn more at: www.audithornhill.ca SOURCE Dilawri Group of Companies

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The UN envoy on Myanmar on Wednesday implored the Security Council to take action amid the escalating crisis there, warning of the risk of civil war and an imminent "bloodbath" as the junta violently represses pro-democracy protests.

"I appeal to this Council to consider all available tools to take collective action and do what is right, what the people of Myanmar deserve and prevent a multi-dimensional catastrophe in the heart of Asia," special envoy Christine Schraner Burgener told the closed-door session, according to remarks obtained by AFP.

She said she remained open for dialogue with the junta but added: "If we wait only for when they are ready to talk, the ground situation will only worsen. A bloodbath is imminent."

More than 520 people have died since the military overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, thereby halting Myanmar's decade-old experiment in democracy, according to figures from monitors confirmed by Burgener to the Security Council.

Amid the turmoil, the military on Saturday launched the first airstrikes in Karen state in 20 years after a rebel group seized a military base -- raising fears of a return to armed ethnic conflict in the ethnically diverse nation.

"The military's cruelty is too severe and many (armed ethnic fighters) are taking clear stances of opposition, increasing the possibility of civil war at an unprecedented scale," Burgener said.

"Failure to prevent further escalation of atrocities will cost the world so much more in the longer term than investing now in prevention, especially by Myanmar's neighbors and the wider region."

Britain called the emergency session of the Security Council after the military dramatically ramped up its use of lethal force against protesters over the weekend.

Linda Thomas Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, raised the possibility of action if the military does not give up power.

Story continues

"We're hopeful that the situation will eventually resolve and the military will go back to their barracks and allow the democratically elected government to take its place," she told reporters.

"But if they do not do that, and they continue the attacks that they were making on civilian populations, then we have to look at how we might do more," she said.

The United States has already imposed targeted sanctions and suspended a trade pact with Myanmar.

Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti of India, which has warm relations both with the United States and the Myanmar military, wrote on Twitter that he emphasized at the meeting "our steadfast commitment to democratic transition" and welcomed diplomatic efforts by Southeast Asian nations.

sct/ft
Berlin, Germany -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- Germany has frequently been described as a European tech powerhouse. This name is bestowed upon the nation due to their world-leading research facilities that drive innovative and imaginative new technology ventures. They are established as the second biggest global tech investor, after the USA and are home to an unprecedented number of high-tech start-ups. Germany's status as a technological giant is set to continue over the next decade with a wealth of opportunities for promising professionals to get involved within an ever-growing and fast-paced industry.



Glocomms is a trailblazing IT and Technology recruiter that is reimagining the traditional recruitment processes. Founded in 2013, the firm has been actively developing a network of conscientious and thought-leading professionals. As part of the internationally-acclaimed Phaidon International Group, Glocomms is the chosen recruiting partner of 71 global enterprises. Glocomms has over a dozen offices around the world, with their German team headquartered in Berlin. With an unrivalled track record, the team work ardently to provide the finest recruitment solutions to their clients. Glocomms has invested heavily in the training of its advisors to ensure that they are using the best-in-class recruiting technologies  so that all parties involved benefit from quick and efficient recruiting decisions. From Belin to Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, and Cologne, the team of ambitious consultants can offer expert advice on industry leading career opportunities across Germany. The firm enables businesses to relax, knowing that one of their most pressing issues, talent acquisition, is in safe hands.



The firm not only offers permanent, contract and multi-hire recruitment to the cybersecurity sector in Germany but they also work across a range of specialist sectors including: commercial services, enterprise solutions, cloud and infrastructure, development and engineering as well as data and analytics. There are currently a wide range of job opportunities available through Glocomms including: Salesforce Developer, Mulesoft Developer, Mulesoft Architect, 3x SD-WAN Engineer, L1 Engineer, Account Executive Public Sector, Remote Scrum Master, Remote Release Manager, Remote Delivery Manager  Agile, Remote Business Analyst  ServiceNow and Linux Engineer to name just a few.



"Like many sectors, 2020 marked a defining moment for recruitment. Challenged by uncertainty, but unwavering in our commitment to our clients, we enter 2021 with a sense of duty to clients and candidates", commented Luis Rolim, Global Marketing Director at Glocomms. He went onto say, "as we reflect on the challenges of virtually securing and retaining talent, we're inspired by a team who have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and continue to help all our clients secure top talent on a global scale."



To find out more information about It and Technology Careers Deutschland visit



https://www.glocomms.de/.



For any media enquiries please contact Gary Elliott at Iconic Digital  020 7100 0726.



For all other enquiries please contact Glocomms Germany : +49 30 72 62 11 444.



For more information about Glocomms Germany services, please go to https://www.glocomms.de/.



About Glocomms Germany

Glocomms Germany supports organisations across Germany looking to secure key talent to help build the workforce of the future. The firm was established in 2013 and has extensive industry and candidate connections and a deep well of expertise in the specialist recruitment market.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. (CSE: CUBE) ("CellCube" or the "Company"), the Company announces the resignation of Brett Whalen as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company, John Dyer as Chief Financial Officer and the resignation of Henrik Mikkelsen and Chris Syme as Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors and management would like to thank Messrs. Whalen, Dyer, Mikkelsen and Syme for their contributions to the Company and wish them every success in their future endeavours. In connection with the foregoing, Ms. Carly Burk has been appointed a director, Chief Executive Officer and a Corporate Secretary of the Company.

Ms. Burk is a Corporate and Securities Law Clerk with Irwin Lowy LLP since February 2018. Ms. Burk holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Southampton, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Carleton University. Ms. Burk serves as the Corporate Secretary of Royal Coal Corp.

Ms. Burk will be reviewing the corporate and financial records of the Company with the intention of revoking the cease trade order issued by the securities authorities that affects the securities of the Company. Provided the cease trade order can be remedied management will then seek corporate transactions to enhance shareholder value. The Company has not established a definitive timeline to complete the revocation of the cease trade order and a strategic transaction and there is no assurance that the cease trade order can be revoked or any transaction will be completed as a result of this process. The Company does not expect to make additional public comments regarding these matters until the board determines that additional disclosure is appropriate in accordance with applicable securities laws.

About Cellcube Energy Storage Systems Inc.

CellCube is a Canadian public company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (symbol CUBE), the OTC Pink (symbol CECBF), and the Frankfurt Exchange (Symbol 01X, WKN A2JMGP) focused on the fast-growing energy storage industry which is driven by the large increase in demand for renewable energy.

For further information please contact:

CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc.

Carly Burk, Chief Executive Officer

(416) 361-2517

www.cellcubeenergystorage.com

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Delegates vote on party constitution items at the Conservative Party of Canada national policy convention in Halifax on Aug. 24, 2018. (The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan)

Pro-Life Influence Growing in the Conservative Party

The pro-life movement has gained unprecedented influence within the Conservative Party of Canada and seeks even more.

Ten allied groups rallied their supporters to buy Conservative Party memberships and become delegates at the partys recent online policy convention. This resulted in more than 100 pro-life delegates, five times the amount at the 2018 convention.

The impact was substantial. Of 35 proposed amendments to the partys constitution, positions recommended by one of the pro-life groups, RightNow, prevailed 29 times.

As RightNow hoped, delegates voted in favour of a national adoption strategy and tax credit, free speech on campuses, income tax splitting for families, an increase to the charitable tax credit, and continued opposition to assisted suicide.

The main thrust of changing party policy on abortion went nowhere. Prior to the convention, the boards of electoral district associations (EDAs) voted for their favourites among 196 policy proposals. A resolution to ban late-term and sex-selective abortions were not among the top 34 that qualified for debate.

RightNow co-founder Scott Hayward said the pro-life position was under-represented in the EDAs.

Theres examples of different EDAs that voted for an extreme pro-abortion policy proposed by one of the EDAs in the GTA. Yet, even though some of these EDA boards of directors voted for that policy, 100 percent of their slate of delegates for this convention are pro-life. So theres obviously a disconnect, he said.

Hayward wants to rally pro-lifers to take positions on Conservative EDAs prior to annual general meetings in autumn 2021 and spring 2022. He said that presence would impact far more than policy.

Were also making sure that when decisions are made by local party officials regarding candidacies for nomination contestants or leadership races, or how the EDA is going to invest their funds  that the pro-life voices are there on the board.

One important question is whether pro-life policy resolutions would result in the passage of abortion laws by a Conservative government.

It doesnt hurt, Hayward said, adding that he would also like more pro-life staffers in MP offices and elsewhere. Its making sure that our people and our voices are properly represented at all levels within the party, but also within other political parties as well.

Tom Flanagan, former chief of staff for Stephen Harper and professor emeritus at the University of Calgary, said election platforms are formed by the leader, not the party.

The leader has complete control over that. He appoints people to write it and, through his assistants, controls the whole process of consultation, drafting, editing, and publication. The platform doesnt usually contradict the policy book but often ignores many aspects of it.

In the 2019 federal election, the party didnt release its platform until the day after the final election debate. Flanagan explains why.

Opposition researchers will read it carefully to pull out items to embarrass the leader, saying this is what the party truly stands for. Thus the leaderships concern with the policy manual is mainly defensive in character, he said.

Convention delegates elected 8 of the 10 pro-life candidates for the 10 contested seats on the National Councilwhere federal decisions are made for the partyand an additional 2 pro-life candidates were acclaimed. This resulted in pro-lifers holding 10 of the total 18 seats on the council, a first in party history.

Peter Aarssen, a resident of Sarnia, Ont., was one of the pro-lifers elected to the National Council. His involvement began with the federal Progressive Conservatives prior to the 1988 election. Later, he hosted then-Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day for a campaign event at his home.

Those traditional values that are important to me that I lived and learned have a great compass for Canada. And I think the Conservative Party is the best party representing them, [although] its not perfect, Aarssen said in an interview.

Aarssen, who has been an EDA president and ran as a Conservative candidate nominee in two ridings, said early discussions with the National Council have been cordial.

Its the only place we can dialogue, where I can say to you that Im a social conservative, and I do not hide that fact. I feel an equal contributor at the council and heard.

Aarssen says he doesnt feel alienated by party leader Erin OTooles efforts to create a big tent of party support.

He might mention social conservatives more, but he doesnt mean to ignore them. Hes trying to say that we have to embrace the regional and ideological breadth and depth of Canadians to offer a formidable alternative to the Liberals, who have thrown the social conservatives under the bus.

A Dart & Maru/Blue poll in February 2020 found that 70 percent of Canadians wanted laws against third-trimester abortions and 84 percent opposed sex-selective abortions. Just 18 percent believe life begins at birth.

Of 120 current Conservative MPs, the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada determined 81 to be anti-choice, 7 to be pro-choice, and 32 to have an unknown or indeterminate stance.
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Jerusalem, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Apr, 2021 ) :Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on right-wing parties on Wednesday to join him in a governing coalition, in his first speech since elections last week.

The vote, Israel's fourth in two years, delivered the veteran premier's Likud 30 seats in the 120-seat parliament, making it the biggest party -- but a majority of 61 is required to form a government.

Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, faces a bloc of 57 lawmakers led by centrist part Yesh Atid, who are seeking to end his record-breaking 12 years in power.

Both camps are short of an overall majority, and Netanyahu is reaching out to small, undeclared parties which could take his government over the line.

In a brief televised address on Wednesday, Netanyahu insisted that "the people have given a majority to the right, with 65 seats" and urged undecided right-wing leaders to "come back home" and join a coalition.

"Let's put our differences aside to form, together, a stable government of the right, as the people want," he said.

The hard-right Yamina party of Naftali Bennett, with seven seats, could potentially join the six lawmakers of the New Hope party of Gideon Saar to help the premier form a majority.

Both Bennett and Saar are former Netanyahu allies.

Saar has repeatedly ruled out joining a Netanyahu administration, tweeting again on Wednesday that he would "neither join nor support a government led by Netanyahu".

Bennett has yet to say whether he would join a government led by his former boss.

Yamina said in a statement Wednesday that Bennett would "make every effort to form a stable government to save Israel from chaos".

Israel's President Reuven Rivlin said Monday he would pick a candidate by April 7 to form the next government.


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Republicans ask United States Department of Homeland Security Chief Alejandro Mayorkas last March 30 for documents that had a warning for the incoming transition team. Noting these papers already outlined the consequence of an open border.

Before the Democrats set foot in the White House a set, advice on policies was left. But, Biden decided against it and now has a significant blunder.

Republicans Ask DHS Mayorkas to counter irresponsible claims

On March 30, two House Republicans requested Mayorkas about the warnings' documents. The Biden transition team about reversing Trump-era immigration policies was forwarded. Currently, the border situation is getting worse as Biden has no solution, reported NTD.

The house GOP member wants Mayorkas to show the papers that prove the Department of Homeland Security was advised.

Republicans ask DHS Mayorkas last March 30 for documents that had a warning for the incoming transition team. Former Trump DHS official Chad Wolf chided Biden for ignoring the advice. But, Biden is a no show at the border when his leadership is expected.

A letter address to Mayorkas by Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) slammed the DHS secretary hard for non-transparency. They said the Biden border crisis gets chaotic as the president and his administration make worse decisions. President Biden and his Administration refuse to accept accountability for the rising humanitarian crisis.

A news article that claimed the administration was adequately warned that contradicts its stand. They blame Trump's policies were the cause, but an executive order signed canceled prior policies. Republicans ask DHS Mayorkas to clarify it is not his mistake.

Jim Jordan Asks if Biden Has Things Under in Control in Portland

Asking for documents from the DHS will prove that warnings were ignored. Whether Mayorkas will produce the documents is left to be seen.

The Republicans refer to an NPR report last fall that claimed professional DHS officials warned then-candidate Joe Biden's transition team. Stressed that revoking President Donald Trump's immigration policies would be a huge border surge. Last March 17, the Epoch Times wrote about these dire warnings, which were ignored.

Mayorkas was asked to hand over documents relating to communications for transparency purposes. The DHS and the Biden transition team should have the documents requested by Jordan and McClintock. However, the situation in the border shows how allegedly Majorkas would instead place blame.

According to the letter that indicated Trump, DHS officials allegedly had 'numerous briefings' with Biden transition officials. They advised them that reversing President Trump's policies will result in chaos. But the DHS is spinning another story to shield Biden's blunder.

President Biden signed executive orders dismantling the Trump administration's immigration policies and services with no hesitation. He single-handedly made the US-Mexico border less secure, prioritizing illegals over US citizens.

It was a chance for the cartels and criminals to take advantage of the situation. The administration limited the flow of information to prevent backlash. A Biden representative dared to block Senator Ted Cruz in a recent border visit.

Biden's reversal of border policies is the reason why aliens are entering illegally. The two Republicans ask DHS Mayorkas where the documents are to prove it's their blunder.

Trump Doubts Biden Saying He Must Be Dishonest, or Forgot Vaccines Were Ready Before December

Who Could be the 'Big Guy' Hunter Biden Refers to in His Emails? Jim Jordan Slams Bidens Alibis



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

A little more than a month after an 1880 Italianate Victorian home moved seven blocks in San Francisco, a historic apartment building in San Jose was also relocated to be given a second life.

The 110-year-old Pallesen Apartment building crawled three blocks over a period of five hours on Sunday to its new location at East Reed and South Fourth streets. The Mission Revival-style complex originally sat near the corner of South First and East Reed streets at 14 E. Reed St.
The head of the Suez Canal Authority says Egypt is still several days away from having its port return to normal. The waterway was clogged for about a week thanks to the enormous ship that ran ashore, got stuck, and captured much of the internets heart as it stayed stuck. My colleague Joshua Keating attributed our global fascination with the big ol boat to the fact that it was a rare massive global disruption during whichin stark contrast to the pandemic that also stretched global supply linesno one was hurt.

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Its true that no one was harmed physically, but with about 12 percent of all global trade typically passing through the Suez Canal, this mishap has disrupted $9.6 billion worth of goods. It cost Egypt specifically approximately $15 million each day. Which means that during the week that many spent making memes about the boat, Egyptians were worried about their global reputation, and their finances. Before the Ever Given clogged the canal, Egyptians were celebrating record breaking revenue earned in 2020, perhaps thanks to peoples pandemic purchasing boosting global shipping. But the canal seemed precarious enough that in January 2020, Egypt Independent, a local paper, remarked on how increased traffic in the narrow passing meant that improvements to the navigation course were probably necessary.

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Another reason why Egyptians were paying very close attention to this story is because of the countrys recent history with the canal. The Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi prioritized the Suez Canal immediately after seizing control via a military coup in July 2013. By 2014, construction for the 35 kilometer expansion was underway, and the larger canal was officially opened about a year later. Sisi called the $8 billion project Egypts gift to the world. It was supposed to be the turning point after years of political instability.

International critics doubted it was necessary, and brought attention to the deteriorating conditions for daily life of Egyptians in the capital and other major cities, like rolling electrical blackouts and food scarcity. Within Egypt, support for the expansion was split. Some saw wisdom in wanting to expand Egypts annual revenue, but some lamented how the money for the project simply could have been put to better use. But most were united in mocking the 4-kilometer-long (2.5 miles) red carpet the president used during the unveiling. (Spokespeople insisted they had it just lying around and that it wasnt purchased for the event.)

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The video of Egyptians celebrating just after freeing the massive ship, chanting number 1! was seen around the world.

Nonetheless, Sisi must be feeling pretty good right now. The ship got stuck south of the where the canal was expanded, but the president of Egypt has used the clogged waterway as proof he was right to spend so much to renovate it. We didnt hope for something like this, but fate was doing work, he said. It showed and reaffirmed the reality and importance [of the canal.] The world is joining him in celebrating the dislodging of the vessel, which was freed by a dredger named Mashhour (Arabic for famous), that removed sand from beneath the massive cargo ship. Local paper Al Masry Alyoum interviewed crewmates who were part of the mission to rescue the ship, emphasizing that the subjects were 100% Egyptian. An American with a travel channel on YouTube, who got closer to the trapped ship than most Egyptians have, congratulated Egyptian authorities because after seeing that ship, Im amazed that anyone was able to move it. After the ship was freed, Egypts largest newspaper, Al-Ahram, ran a cover story about the Suez Sea Shanty that went viral on TikTok, by British comedian Sophia Smith Galer. The video of Egyptians celebrating just after freeing the massive ship, chanting number one! was seen around the world, and was particularly celebrated in Egyptian WhatsApp groups. The Saudi regime was especially flattering, saying The Kingdom particularly appreciates the leadership.

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My family is Egyptian, and Im in regular contact with many of my family members who live mostly in Cairo and Alexandria. My cousins were happy to celebrate with me over the phone over Egypts achievement; one even called it Sisis pyramids. This is the best thing ever, another family member told me, saying that Egyptians need a tough leader like Sisi to rule like the ancient pharaohs did thousands of years ago. He gets things done, even things you dont think can be done. If they say five years, hell say do it in two, and it gets done. They pointed to his achievements in constructing a new capital city in record time, and a brand new mortgage system to increase home ownership for Egyptians as further proof.

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It seems as though this is something that most Egyptians can get behind, even if some doubted the expansion of the canal six years ago. Who wouldnt be pleased to see their countrys coffers resume filling up. But its difficult to know how genuine Egyptian newspapers lauding of the president is, because criticism of Sisi is typically rare in Egyptian media. Many locals fear even verbalizing their discomfort with the regime, fearing the incredibly loose counter terrorism laws that the UN says erode human rights. (The Egyptian government justified the establishment of state-of-emergency courts as necessary in the fight against terrorism, but critics have noted how the courts have been used to prosecute activists, journalists, and protesters.) United States legislators joined other countries in demanding Sisi release political prisoners, which included journalists being held for reporting fake news.

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As for my family, they seem content with the job hes done and reluctant to say anything further. When I ask about any criticisms they might have of Sisi, the subject quickly changes. Did you see what Ethiopia is doing? they say. This refers to the drama unfolding to Egypts south, a planned hydropower plant on the Nile that threatens to disrupt Egypts access to fresh water. (Sisi released a new statement today confidently saying Ethiopia wont take a single drop of the Nile away from the Egyptians.)

It does feel good to be an Egyptian right now. With the problem solved, and nobody hurt, Im looking back on the last week with a grin. Egyptians were faced with a seemingly insurmountable engineering catastrophe. Without the best equipment, I was expecting a much more drawn out saga before traffic could resume in the canal. But 5,000 years after the Pyramids of Giza were built by Egyptians, it feels good to think that were still capable of greatness.
COLLINSVILLE  Childrens Home and Aid, Soup n Share Outreach and Good Samaritan House in Madison County each received a $10,000 grant from AmerenCares to support community members near the Granite City-Roxford reliability project.

We are thrilled to receive a donation from Ameren Illinois to purchase food and other items, said Sherrie Hare, Executive Director of Soup n Share Outreach. We have struggled at times to meet the needs for so many people in Madison County and this gracious $10,000 donation from Ameren will help us meet our local need.
Investigators complete fraud probe into former Novgorod vice-governor

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

10:50 31/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 31 (RAPSI)  Investigation into the fomer vice-governor of the Novgorod Region Victor Nechayev charged with large-scale fraud has been completed, the Investigative Committees press service reports.

According to the probe, between May and June 2020, the defendant promised his acquaintance to job him into the post of the Moscow Regions governor for 35 million euros.

Nechayev was arrested in June 2020. He pleaded guilty giving himself up.

In 2016, Nechayev was convicted and sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for embezzling 6.5 million rubles (about $100,000). His accomplices Sergey Aleksandrov and Ulyana Zhuravskaya received a 3-year suspended sentence each. During pretrial investigation all accused persons pleaded guilty; Nechayev compensated 6.5 million rubles embezzled from a victim, according to the statement.

According to investigators, between July 30, 2013 and August 10, 2013 Nechayev and Aleksandrov promised a local woman to release her prosecuted husband from jail and help him receive a suspended sentence. Thus, the defendants got 6.5 million rubles by fraud. Moreover, between July and August 2015, Nechayev along with Zhuravskaya conspired to embezzle $47,000 from a man for assistance in closing criminal case against him. However, defendants could not manage the money because they were arrested by the Federal Security Service (FSB).




Two civil society groups have threatened to petition Parliament to impeach President Uhuru Kenyatta over the new Covid-19 protocols issued last Friday.

The lobby groups - Bunge La Mwananchi and Concerned Citizens Alliance (CCA) - hit out at the President and politicians, accusing them of punishing innocent Kenyans yet are the "super spreaders" of the deadly virus.

They accused the political class of betraying their constituents, "now left to suffer on their own in silence", following the issuing of tougher restrictions.

The groups have given President Kenyatta three days to reverse the new regulations, failure of which they will hit the streets in protests on Saturday.

Bunge La Mwananchi President, Mr John Mark Ababu, said the politicians are only concerned about forming new alliances ahead of the 2022 General Election yet the people they expect to vote for them are suffering.

"We are tired of your leadership, Mr President, and want you to reverse the new regulations, failure of which we will petition the National Assembly, once it resumes its sittings, to have you impeached and be the first President to suffer such a fate," said Mr Ababu.

He accused the government of selfishness, noting that a partial lockdown was imposed after officials ensured the passage of the BBI constitutional amendment Bill.

"Mr President, you were the first person to host hundreds of people in Sagana and hold several rallies. You also let your deputy do the same. Why are you now punishing innocent Kenyans for your sins?"

"Cash cow"

Mr Ababu further said the government has turned the pandemic into a cash cow for the who-is-who in the country, while embarking on a borrowing spree, only for the money to be misappropriated as exemplified by the Kemsa scandal.

"Why are you punishing Kenyans for the ineptitude and incompetence of your government? You cannot impose curfews and lockdowns without putting in place measures to cushion Kenyans against the effects of such measures," he said.

CCA boss Lawi Oyugi wondered why it was easier for the government to collect a million signatures for the BBI within a week than to test one million Kenyans for Covid-19 in the same period.

He said that instead of locking down the five counties as well as increasing the curfew hours, the President should use the Sh2 billion he says is lost daily to purchase vaccines for the public.

"We know Covid-19 is among us but some of the restrictions will hit the common mwananchi hard, as these are people who depend on small scale trade to put food on the table," he said.

"Not everyone in this country is rich. You have closed bars and only allowed restaurants to give takeaways. Where will the workers in the respective areas go?"

Matakwei Mobimba vowed to rally Kenyans to punish politicians who are not representing them sufficiently, come the next election.

"Raila Odinga, you have always been the voice of the voiceless in the society. Why the silence now?"

CCA Secretary-General George Bush said this is the time for Kenyans to say 'enough is enough' and stand up against the government's excesses.

"We have nowhere to get food or money for rent yet the virus was [spread] by the political class who were allowed to roam freely, holding rallies everywhere and traveling into and out of the country."

"Life above all else"

President Kenyatta locked down Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Nakuru and Machakos counties, declaring them disease infested, in his second address this year on the Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya.

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He also banned in-person gatherings in the five counties and revised their curfew hours to 8pm-4am, as the rest of the country remains with the 10pm-4am schedule.

Although the President acknowledged that the new measures will have adverse effects on the economy and constrain "our usual way of life", he said they are temporary and necessary to contain the spread of the disease and stop further loss of lives.

"I am convinced that the cost of not acting now would be far greater," the President noted.

"In moments like this, as a caring government, it is our solemn duty and cardinal responsibility to protect life above all else. One life lost is one too many. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have succumbed to this disease," he said.
Parents whose children are sexual minorities hold a press conference in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul, Wednesday, marking International Transgender Day of Visibility to promote rights of sexual minority communities. The leaflet reads: "Yes, my child is queer." Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen has quit Parliament, saying he needs to withdraw from public life to fight a rape allegation, forcing a byelection in one of the states most marginal seats.

Mr Johnsen on Wednesday denied the accusation he raped a sex worker in the Blue Mountains in 2019, while claiming media harassment had left him unable to continue serving the electorate.

I vehemently deny this allegation, which is devastating, unfair and unfounded, he said, describing himself as an imperfect human.

Given the harassment of some sections of the media, which has gone beyond that which could considered professional, the only way of navigating this situation has been to withdraw from public life.
One might be tempted to think that seat gains largely driven by economic prosperity favor Republicans while seat losses are found in impoverished and declining Democratic areas, SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor and James G. Gimpel, political scientists at the University of Maryland, write in their Feb. 21 article Reapportioning the U.S. Congress: The shifting geography of political influence.

In practice, Gaynor and Gimpel argue, Democrats have adapted most impressively to compete and win in the newly emergent districts in Florida and the Far West, narrowly eking out victories for control of Congress.

As states await census data to guide redistricting, there is one wild card in the mix: the possible enactment of voting rights reform, HR 1 or the For the People Act of 2021  the measure that passed the House on March 3 on a 220-210 vote, but faces the threat of a filibuster in the Senate.

I asked Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a law professor at Harvard whose specialties include election law, about the bill. He emailed me to say that

The voting legislation currently before Congress would revolutionize the redistricting process if it passed. It would require all states to use truly independent commissions, effective immediately. Separate from this structural reform, the bill would also include quantitative partisan bias thresholds that maps wouldnt be allowed to exceed. These thresholds would have real teeth.

At the same time, Stephanopoulos continued, the legislation would put the brakes on voter suppression laws:

The bill affirmatively requires a series of participation-enhancing policies for congressional elections: automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, at least 15 days of early voting, expanded mail-in voting, restrictions on voter purges, restrictions on photo ID requirements, etc.

David Lublin, a political scientist at American University, similarly described the transformative potential of HR1 in an email:

The proposed legislation before Congress could have a huge effect in two ways. First, by putting in place a new trigger for the Voting Rights Act, Section 5 would become operative again and the Biden administration could use it to block discriminatory maps as well as an array of laws designed to suppress voting.

Second, Lublin continued, by preventing

members of either party from using district boundaries to entrench their advantage through redistricting. Even though Republicans would undoubtedly benefit from the geographic concentration of Democrats and racial redistricting, it would prevent egregious abuses.

In the case of Republican voter suppression laws, Nicholas Valentino and Fabian G. Neuner, political scientists at Michigan and Arizona State Universities, found in their February 2016 paper Why the Sky Didnt Fall: Mobilizing Anger in Reaction to Voter ID Laws that

Surprisingly, empirical evidence for significant demobilization, either in the aggregate or among Democrats specifically, has thus far failed to materialize. We suspect strong emotional reactions to the public debate about these laws may mobilize Democrats, counterbalancing the disenfranchising effect.

In an email, Neuner cautioned that our research is about short-term evocations of anger that may spur mobilization and it is not clear how long such anger can be sustained.

Black voters have proven exceptionally determined in the face of electoral adversity, including Supreme Court rulings weakening the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and voter suppression legislation.

Kyle Raze, a graduate student in economics at the University of Oregon, studied turnout patterns in the wake of the 2013 Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder. The court declared Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which required jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to get preclearance from the Justice Department for any change in election law, unconstitutional. Shelby opened the door to the enactment of voter suppression measures.

Raze, in his February 2021 paper, Voting Rights and the Resilience of Black Turnout, writes that

Despite well-founded fears to the contrary, the Shelby decision does not appear to have widened the turnout gap between Black and White voters in previously covered states.

Instead, Raze found

an accumulating body of evidence that suggests that voters mobilize in response to increases in the cost of voting when those increases are perceived as threats to the franchise.

While 2020 census data is not yet complete, it will determine the specific allocation of House seats to each state. Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University, provided The Times with estimates of the number of House seats over which each party will exercise redistricting control. Levitt wrote in an email:

It looks like Democrats will control 73 congressional seats this cycle, Republicans will control 188, and 167 will be under split partisan control, plus 7 in states with one district.

These numbers represent a considerable improvement for Democrats compared with a decade ago, Levitt observes, when the party controlled 44 seats, with Republicans controlling 213.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 00:18:01|Editor: huaxia

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DAR ES SALAAM, March 30 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and 19 others were injured on Tuesday after their bus overturned in Tanzania's northern region of Manyara, according to police.

Paul Kasabago, the Manyara regional police commander, said most of the passengers were students travelling from schools in the capital Dodoma to Arusha to join their families for Easter holiday.

The police official said the bus overturned at 2 p.m. on a hill at Kiongozi village, which is slippery caused by rains that were pounding in the area.

Manyara regional commissioner, Joseph Mkirikiti, said the accident occurred five kilometers away from the district main bus terminal. Enditem
MCLEAN, Va., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KETTLER, leading Washington D.C. Real Estate Services company, announces a newly signed property management agreement with Capital Security Advisors and Tokyu Land US Corporation to manage a multifamily community in Dupont Circle, Madison House.

Madison House is a seven-story, 38,141 square foot, 51-unit community developed by May Riegler. It is located at 1772 Church St. NW and is two blocks from Dupont Circle, one of Washington's most affluent and desirable neighborhoods for the past 50 years. Madison House is a welcome addition to the KETTLER management portfolio.

"We are thrilled to partner with Tokyu Land US Corporation and Capital Security Advisors on this unique asset," said Robert Grealy, Executive Vice President at KETTLER. "Madison House will be KETTLER's first community in the exclusive Dupont Circle neighborhood and represent the newest addition to our lineup of luxury-grade properties in the District of Columbia. We look forward to future joint venture and management opportunities with these experienced and prestigious partners."

Built-in 2018, Madison House is a boutique apartment community that offers residents an intimate urban living experience with plentiful amenities including a rooftop terrace, spacious lounge, fitness center, underground parking, storage, valet, pet services, and more. The units are thoughtfully crafted with comfort and modern convenience in mind including the highest quality stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, frameless European cabinetry, and wide plank flooring.

Learn more about Madison House by visiting https://www.madisonhousedc.com.

About KETTLER

KETTLER is an award-winning, multifamily developer, real estate investment, and property management company. Founded in 1977, the company has developed over 25,000 multifamily units, 5 million square feet of commercial space, more than 71,000 homes in 25 master-planned communities, and many of the D.C. region's premier mixed-use communities. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the company manages approximately 20,000 apartments in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions. For more information, visit www.kettler.com.

About Tokyu Land US Corporation

Tokyu Land US Corporation is a subsidiary of Tokyu Land Corporation, a fully-integrated real estate development and investment company in Japan that operates an urban development business, a residential business, a wellness business, and other overseas businesses. Tokyu Land US Corporation has offices in Los Angeles and New York, and current investments in multifamily and office properties in New York, California, Washington, Oregon, Georgia, North Carolina and Washington D.C. For more information, visit https://www.tlusc.com/ .

About Capital Security Advisors

Capital Security Advisors (CSA) is a privately-owned investment and asset management firm focused on infrastructure and commercial real estate. CSA seeks to provide investors with attractive risk-adjusted returns from funds and direct investments in high quality assets that are beneficiaries of long-term demographic and secular trends. CSA also provides domestic and international investors with strategic advisory services to optimize portfolio values and to assist in transaction execution.

MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Fasano, 703-641-9000, [email protected]

SOURCE KETTLER

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By Scott Shepherd





A lot of anger has come about as a result of the recent announcements by the governments of Gyeonggi and Seoul that all foreign residents working in those regions must be tested for COVID-19.







There is obviously justification for the testing of workers in crowded workplaces where the virus can and does spread easily. Indeed, there have been a number of outbreaks in factories and crowded dormitories; testing workers there is of course a sensible policy.





That, however, is not what's being required. Plenty of people

the inconsistencies in the logic behind this mass-testing of foreigners, when the Koreans working side by side in the very same jobs have no obligation to get a swab up the nose. At the same time, there are plenty of foreigners working from home who have had little contact with the outside world for weeks or months.







Most disturbing of all is the fact that the Gyeonggi government ordered that employers must have foreign employees undergo

while there are no such restrictions on hiring Korean workers for exactly the same positions. As a preventative measure it is inconsistent and simply stokes understandable anger and resentment.







Have no doubt: if any Western government suggested these kinds of measures, even the most popular leader would be immediately toppled among shouts of racism, bigotry and xenophobia.





Korea, of course, isn't a Western country, despite its development and wealth. As David Tizzard quite rightly wrote in his Korea Times column last week, "Korean racism must be understood differently from

." The country has its own set of norms and traditions based on completely different axioms from the West. This is right and good; and, as I've written before, Korea has no obligation to become a multicultural nation on the model of Europe and North America.





But, as I've argued, it does need to protect those living here, and it does need to treat them fairly. And credit is surely due to President Moon and his administration for making a number of steps in the right direction. With recent revisions concerning

and

, it is clear that Moon and his administration are making serious efforts to redress the problems faced by foreigners here. It was all the more surprising, therefore, to read that this testing decision was made not on the local level by the leaders of Seoul and Gyeonggi, but on advice from the central government.







The tests in and of themselves are unlikely to have much of a direct detrimental impact on the hundreds of thousands of foreigners living in Korea  aside, of course, from the deeply unpleasant experience of having a giant swab thrust far up the nose and down the back of the throat.







But that is only temporary, if rather intense, discomfort. The problem is that this mandatory testing fiasco is a symptom of a wider disregard for minorities in Korea, a symbol of their disenfranchisement and neglect. In fact, Korean law may prohibit me from even writing this article, since it can be seen as a "political act," prohibited by Article 17 of

.







I'm under no illusions, by the way, that I'm anywhere near the worst affected by discrimination. As a white professor working from home, I have a lot of privilege even as a minority. I'm in a very different situation from the workers who sleep cheek to jowl in packed dormitories, or from the Cambodian woman found dead this past winter who had been living in a greenhouse provided by her

. The testing mandates pale in comparison to the discrimination that some here face daily.







As part of the bigger picture, these tests aren't a big deal. Ultimately, I'm happy to get tested as many times as necessary if that will help control the spread of COVID-19 in Korea. Well, maybe "happy" is pushing it; the bit up the nose really doesn't feel good. But I'm willing to do it, and I imagine that most of the foreign workers standing in lines across the region right now are willing to do their part too.







We can probably see the enforced testing in a positive light if we squint hard enough. At least it gives all foreigners the opportunity to find out if they are unknowingly carrying the virus. It could well save lives  and presumably it is this hope that inspired the government to impose these mass tests, rather than simply some kind of hatred or fear of foreigners.







It's all too easy to run around shouting "racist" every time a minority is treated differently. Living in Korea as visible outsiders, foreigners can really feel like outsiders sometimes. While it's so easy to get offended every time someone's rude, it's probably better for everyone involved not to. There are definitely plenty of examples of racism in daily life, but I find it's better to assume that a person hates me not for the color of my skin, but because of the content of my character. Plenty of people are just jerks.







For example, when I got a coronavirus test this week, the bureaucrat who was registering people was pretty rude to me. Given the context, it would have been easy for me to get angry and assume he was acting like this because of my race. The nice thing to note, however, is that he was simply a rude man: while queuing up, I had watched him as he scowled one by one at the people in front of me, and after I had filled out all the paperwork, I could hear him continue to grumpily register others, both Korean and foreign. Such inclusive misanthropy: how wonderful.







So is the decision to test foreigners racist? It's discriminatory for certain and doubtless based on flawed reasoning, but probably not racist: it's too broad for that. If anything, it's a well-meaning if illogical and poorly executed attempt to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. Even while we acknowledge its stupidity and unfairness, let's not let this mandate cause yet more anger and division in a world already so divided and so angry. Let's just brace ourselves, flare our nostrils and open wide. The test itself only takes a few seconds. Oh  and don't forget to blow your nose before you go.







Since this article was written, Seoul has withdrawn its testing order, and Gyeonggi has rescinded the requirement for new foreign workers to submit a negative test result before being hired.











Dr. Scott Shepherd is a British-American academic. He has taught in universities in the U.K. and Korea, and is currently assistant professor of English at Chongshin University in Seoul. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times.


Ryan Reynolds bared his muscular arms in a plain white t-shirt as he received his first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday morning.

In a new image posted on his Instagram account, the 44-year-old Deadpool star could be seen moments from getting jabbed as he sat on an exam table.

He used his caption to cheekily blast anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists, who believe the coronavirus pandemic is part of a strategy to implant microchips into humans with tracking chips that would later be activated by 5G.

Vaccinated: Ryan Reynolds bared his muscular arms in a plain white t-shirt as he received his first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday morning

'Finally got 5G,' he mused of the biologically impossible theory, which was debunked by scientists, according to the BBC.

Reynolds' fans on Twitter couldn't get enough of his joke, including YouTuber Sean William McLoughlin, known as Jacksepticeye.

'At least you have great reception everywhere now,' the 31-year-old video game commentator tweeted at the Canadian actor.

Too funny: Reynolds fans on Twitter couldn't get enough of his joke, including YouTuber Sean William McLoughlin, known as Jacksepticeye

'If you stand next to any TV you'll get HBO Max and Hulu!' another quipped

Origin story: Meanwhile, the entrepreneur followers also speculated: 'Is this the real story on how you become Green Lantern?'

Another quipped: 'If you stand next to any TV you'll get HBO Max and Hulu!'

Meanwhile, the entrepreneur followers also speculated: 'Is this the real story on how you become Green Lantern?'

Just a few hours later, his wife Blake Lively confirmed she also got vaccinated on social media with a very sweet caption: 'Find you someone who looks at you like I look at the heroic nurse vaccinating me.'

Last month, he and Lively donated $1 million to the food banks Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.

'Find you someone who looks at you like I look at the heroic nurse vaccinating me,' his wife Blake Lively captioned a photo of herself getting vaccinated

Giving hearts: Last month, Reynolds and Lively donated $1 million to the food banks Feeding America and Food Banks Canada amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Seen in 2018

This comes three months after they gave away $500,000 to the same organizations. 'We are honored and privileged to be able to continue our support of Feeding America and Food Banks Canada,' the power couple said in a statement.

'We know the struggles of so many of our neighbors faced last year are not over and we are grateful for the opportunity to help facilitate the important work of food banks across the US and Canada to be able to provide nourishing meals to the people in need,' the duo added.

Blake and Ryan - who wed in 2012 and have three children, Inez, Betty and James - each donated $500,000 in February to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.

For the people: Blake and Ryan each donated $500,000 this month to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, it was shared on social media
Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club and China Reform Friendship Medal recipient (Xinhua file photo)

Chinas two sessions this year were the most extraordinary ever in my 50 years association with China.

The COVID-19 disaster for the world was as huge in China as anywhere in the world. The TV scenes of tens of thousands of Chinese medical workers and doctors being flown into Wuhan will live in our memories for ever.

I also remember the days of the door-to-door checking for the ill, the building of special hospitals, and people wearing masks and staying indoors for two or more months without complaint.

These scenes were to be repeated across the world.

Today the world is vaccinating and trying to cooperate instead of competing. Today the world is beginning to show signs of having a strategy to overcome this terrible pandemic.

Meanwhile, Chinas "two sessions" brought us all together in a new way.

China aims to expand its economy by over 6 percent in 2021. We are now in a world of quality not quantity. The proposed level of around 6 percent is realistic and enables the move towards 2035 [Long-Range Objectives] and high quality development.

But Chinas GDP is very important for the world as well as for the people of China since the world needs Chinese GDP to drive the global economy.

Moreover, Chinas four new metropolises, [namely Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area, Yangtze River Delta Megalopolis, Jing-Jin-Ji Megalopolis (Beijing Metropolitan Area and Tianjin Metropolitan Area), and Chengyu Megalopolis (Chengdu Metropolitan Area and Chongqing Metropolitan Area)] , and the transport systems linking them will provide opportunities for foreigners to sell and invest in China.

And Chinas efforts to build its domestic market and a digital currency are all signs of China leading the world by the next decade or the one after.

China is on the right track through to 2035 [Long-Range Objectives] and 2049 the second centenary goal [of building a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious].

The two sessionshave provided a good opportunity for foreigners to learn about China.

(Contributed by Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club and China Reform Friendship Medal recipient, for Guangming Online)

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
By Prossy Kisakye

Justice Forum (JEEMA) Party President Asuman Basalirwa also Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament, has asked the government to ensure equal distribution of resources to political parties in the next elections.

Speaking at the release of a post-election campaign financing report by the Alliance for Finance Monitoring in Kampala this morning, Basalirwa noted that the continued unfair distribution of resources during electoral processes has undermined the oppositions effective participation in the countrys democratic processes.

He says he is planning to come up with a private members bill aiming to bring an amendment into the Political Parties and Organisations Act to compel the ministry of finance and the Electoral Commission to ensure all parties receive an equal share of funding.

Meanwhile, Democratic Partys Secretary General Gerald Siranda says they will also seek court guidance on the interpretation of the law on the same.

In the 2021 elections, the ministry of finance released Shs15bn for political parties out of which, the ruling NRM received Shs12bn, leaving only 3bn to be shared among the other parties.
Adhering to Connecticut COVID-19 guidelines, Region 12 Superintendent Megan Bennett has announced that Shepaug Valley High, which draws students from Bridgewater, Roxbury and Washington, will be holding an outdoor prom this year.

While the event is still being organized, it will be held May 22.

There will be activities in addition to dancing so that students will not be clustered, Bennett said. There are safety measures we are taking to allow for a safe prom to occur for seniors.

Bennett also mentioned another plus for seniors for the 2021 prom.

Our three towns are sponsoring the prom as a way to celebrate the seniors as well as thank them for their efforts and sacrifices for community health, Bennett said. Therefore, prom will be free for our high school seniors.

On March 19, Connecticuts plan to ease limitations on gatherings began and that gave schools the opportunity to host events like the prom for the Class of 2021, although restrictions will still apply.

Shepaug joins other high schools around the state that will also be holding outdoor proms in an effort to bring some normalcy to their senior experience despite the pandemic. Barlow recently announced it will be holding an outdoor prom and Bethel is hopeful it can hold an outdoor prom as well.

The selectmen from Bridgewater, Roxbury, and Washington were able to personally deliver the news to our seniors that they will be having a prom this year, Bennett said. It was a very exciting moment for the students and our towns.
Big Tech companies are cracking down on coronavirus-related content on social media platforms that speak out on information from top health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even if these organizations are known to repeatedly contradict itself.

From the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, tech giants Facebook and Google moved to implement policies that restrict user content shared on their platforms to those that are aligned with WHO and CDC's statements. However, both organizations have, on multiple occasions, negated their own findings and statements.

Back in March 2020, a slew of Big Tech companies came together to release a joint statement condemning coronavirus misinformation and to share updates strictly from "government healthcare agencies" only. These companies included Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit.

However, "government healthcare agencies" such as the CDC and WHO both have released guidelines that they retracted throughout the coronavirus pandemic, The Stream reported.

Facebook even established its "Coronavirus Information Center," which curates updates from organizations like the WHO. Its subsidiary, Instagram, implemented a new policy that read, "We're removing known harmful misinformation related to COVID-19, and when someone taps on a hashtag related to COVID-19, we show resources from WHO, CDC and local health authorities." Meanwhile, Google's YouTube, through its "Medical Misinformation Policy," barred content creators from spreading information that "contradicts the World Health Organization (WHO)."

Quite ironically, it was these organizations that released often contradicting statements and guidelines.

When the coronavirus was declared a pandemic in March 2020, the CDC downplayed the use of face mask coverings, saying that Americans need not use them and instead just use tissues to cover coughs and wash their hands frequently.

In March 2020, FOX News reported that U.S. surgeon general Dr. Jerome M. Adams took to Twitter to forbid people from buying masks, saying that these were "NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can't get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!"

Just a month later, CDC recommended that the general public should wear masks in public spaces as a "voluntary public health measure." Just this year, the CDC also even endorsed using two masks, the surgical mask which stocks became scarce during the early days of the pandemic, and the more commonly available cloth mask over it.

However, Johns Hopkins University medical experts said that wearing two masks is "not necessary as protection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus or its genetic variants" and reiterated the importance of wearing one mask properly without any gaps at the sides, top, or bottom.

Evidence of health offices' frequent backtracking could be seen in the early days of the global pandemic. In January, WHO said that travel restrictions were not necessary despite finding several COVID-19 cases in multiple countries. It was only on February 11 when they reversed their stance, encouraging countries to implement travel restrictions.

WHO also said in January 2020 that there was no human-to-human spread of the coronavirus, a statement they retracted just a week later. The frequent backtracking of these health offices made it difficult to gain public trust on top of Big Tech's censorship on posts that contradict the CDC and WHO.

Big Tech censorship has also drawn ire from both sides of the political spectrum, in which the handling of COVID-19 has been highly politicized given the timing of the U.S. Presidential Elections in November 2020.
Nomula Bhagat started the campaign from Abhangapuram of Maadgulapalli mandal in Nalgonda district after filing his papers on Tuesday. (Photo: Twitter@BagathNomula)

Hyderabad: Candidates stuck to their traditional customs while filing their nomination papers as well as for launching their campaign for the April 17 Nagarjunasagar Assembly byelection.

TRS candidate Nomula Bhagat started the campaign from Abhangapuram of Maadgulapalli mandal in Nalgonda district after filing his papers on Tuesday. TRS leaders said the Nomula family believes that launching the campaign from the village ensures victory.

His father late Nomula Narasimhaiah, who joined the TRS in 2013, had launched his campaign from Abhangapuram twice. He lost to Congress candidate K. Jana Reddy in 2014 but wrested the seat in 2018.

Interestingly, Abhangapuram holds sentimental value for Jana Reddy too. The seven-time legislator makes it a point to start canvassing for every election from the same village. Jana Reddy launched his campaign for the Nagarjunasagar bypoll from this village way back in February.

Jana Reddy performed puja at the Satyanarayana Swamy temple in Nagarjunasagar and in the Anjaneya Swamy temple at Alwala crossroads before filing his nominations  something he has done for every election since 1978.

Such sentiments are particularly strong among politicians. Since 1985, TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has visited a small temple of Lord Venkateshwara at Konaipally, a remote village in Nagunuru mandal of Siddipet district, before filing his nomination papers.
WASHINGTON - Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, a prominent, outspoken conservative and a close ally of former President Donald Trump who has been under federal investigation for a former relationship, would lose his House seat if convicted of a felony. But there are no rules addressing lawmakers under investigation.

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2021, file photo Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.,, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

WASHINGTON - Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, a prominent, outspoken conservative and a close ally of former President Donald Trump who has been under federal investigation for a former relationship, would lose his House seat if convicted of a felony. But there are no rules addressing lawmakers under investigation.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Wednesday that Gaetz would be removed from his committees if the charges were proven, but sidestepped the issue of what to do while the case is ongoing. Democrats called for him to step aside from the House Judiciary Committee, which oversees the Justice Department.

Those are serious implications, McCarthy, R-Calif., said on Fox News. If it comes out to be true, yes, we would remove him if that was the case. But right now Matt Gaetz says it is not true, and we dont have any information. So lets get all the information.

Gaetz, who represents parts of western Florida, has known for months that he was under federal investigation over accusations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid her to travel with him, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

During that time, he has remained on both the House Armed Services Committee and on the Judiciary Committee, which has congressional oversight of the Justice Department. He has been one of Trumps most vocal defenders on the Judiciary panel, fiercely defending the former president through two impeachments and other investigations.

Gaetz is under investigation to determine if he violated federal sex trafficking laws, said the people who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity.

The Justice Department has also been looking into whether Gaetz, 38, may have also been involved in relationships with other underage girls, the people said.

The case, which reached the highest levels of the Justice Department, has been going on for nearly a year and former Attorney General William Barr was briefed on the matter several times, the people said. Investigators have also interviewed several witnesses in the case and have been scrutinizing documents, including travel and financial records, the people said.

In at least one instance, a high-profile Washington defence attorney and his law firm declined the opportunity to represent Gaetz after the congressman reached out, seeking to hire him for his case.

Some Democrats have called for his committee positions to be revoked.

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., tweeted that Gaetz should resign and be prosecuted if sex trafficking allegations prove true. Lieu wrote that until then, You cant have Gaetz sitting on the Congressional Committee that has oversight over the Department that is investigating him.

Gaetz did get backing from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., the hard-right freshman whos had her share of run-ins since arriving in Congress this year.

Remember all the conspiracy theories and lies like Trump/Russia collusion and propaganda that the media has spread around. Take it from me rumours and headlines dont equal truth. I stand with @mattgaetz, she tweeted.

Gaetz told Axios that his lawyers were informed that he was the subject of an investigation regarding sexual conduct with women but that he was not a target of the probe. He denied that he ever had a relationship with any underage girls and said the allegations against him were as searing as they are false.

A subject is conventionally thought of as someone whose actions fall within the scope of a criminal investigation, whereas a target is someone whom prosecutors have gathered evidence linking to a crime. But during the course of an investigation, a subject can become a target.

It is a federal crime to transport a minor over state lines for sex.

Gaetz said the allegations were part of an extortion plot by a former Justice Department official, whom he identified as David McGee. The lawyer has been in private practice for more than two decades.

Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name, Gaetz said in a statement.

In response, McGee's Florida-based law firm released a statement saying the allegation that Gaetz made about the supposed extortion attempt was both false and defamatory." The firm said McGee had served in top positions at the U.S. attorney's office in Florida about 25 years ago and his reputation for integrity and ethical conduct was impeccable.

Gaetz said his family has been co-operating with the FBI and said his father was wearing a recording device, at the FBIs direction, to catch these criminals. He demanded the Justice Department release the recordings.

No part of the allegations against me are true, and the people pushing these lies are targets of the ongoing extortion investigation, he said.

The scrutiny of Gaetz stemmed from a separate Justice Department probe into one of his political allies and fellow Florida politician, Joel Greenberg, who was indicted last summer on sex trafficking and other charges that he stalked a political opponent, the person familiar with the matter said. A judge ordered the former tax collector back to jail earlier this month for violating the conditions of his release and federal prosecutors issued a superseding indictment in his case on Tuesday, though there is no mention of Gaetz in the court documents.

I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know, when I was a single guy, Gaetz told Axios.

I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women Ive dated, Gaetz said. You know, Ive paid for flights, for hotel rooms. Ive been, you know, generous as a partner. I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.

Gaetz has not been charged with a crime. The Justice Department did not comment.

__

Associated Press writer Curt Anderson in Miami contributed to this report.
A 13-year-old girl from Vietnams Mekong Delta has survived after attempting to commit suicide by drinking insecticide, as she had been cyberbullied by her classmates.

Doctors at the Ho Chi Minh City Childrens Hospital confirmed on Tuesday they were treating N.T.N., 13, who resides in Long An Province.

According to her family members, N. is studying in grade seven and lives with her father and grandmother.

The girl had a conflict with some classmates and was eventually excluded completely from the group.

She was also bullied by these classmates on Facebook.

The teenager once fainted at school last year.

As the pressure got out of control, N. decided to end her life by drinking insecticide.

After consuming the substance, the girl repeatedly vomited and suffered difficulty breathing, shaking hands, and drowsiness.

She later changed her mind and called her grandmother for help.

N. was rushed to a local hospital where she was given first-aid treatment, stomach flushing, and activated charcoal, before being transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City Childrens Hospital.

At the infirmary, she was diagnosed with insecticide poisoning, put on a ventilator, and treated with an intravenous antidote.

Following one week of treatment, N.s condition has improved and she no longer requires breathing support from the ventilator.

Many young people tend to commit suicide in order to solve their problems, sadness, or pressure in life, said Dr. Nguyen Cat Phuong Vu, who works in the intensive care unit of the Ho Chi Minh City Childrens Hospital.

We hope that each young person will cherish themselves more.

"There is no reason in this world that is worth destroying our lives.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Early on Wednesday afternoon health authorities told Sam he could go home and that he did not need to quarantine. He said he intended to get the advice in writing before getting on with his life. Its completely absurd that all this has happened, he said. COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria said in a statement that the Health Department advised that Brisbane residents wont be required to stay in hotel quarantine, based on the timings of their flight. We are working through the process with the department of getting those individuals released so they can return home, the statement said.

Acting Police Minister Danny Pearson, who has oversight of the hotel quarantine program, said a small number of travellers had been placed into hotel quarantine or sent back to Brisbane. Loading When pressed on the details of advice provided to travellers and the timeline of events, Mr Pearson said he did not have the information immediately to hand. Im sorry for any inconvenience thats been caused to you, he said. We dont want any inconvenience, but obviously we have to keep our borders safe, and we have to keep Victorians safe, and we will make no apology for protecting Victorians each and every day.

All the hard won gains from last year cant just be frittered away. Loading The bungle comes as Victoria recorded another day with no new coronavirus cases, and Queensland recorded two more locally acquired cases in an outbreak that has locked down the Greater Brisbane area and thrown Easter holiday plans into disarray.

The Queensland outbreak spread to NSW on Wednesday when a case emerged in Byron Bay Shire. The case, a man in his 20s who will be counted in Thursdays numbers, is the first in the area after two Queenslanders unwittingly attended a hen party in Byron Bay while infectious with the virus on the weekend. Victorians are now being urged to call off any Easter travel to Greater Brisbane  a designated red zone  and to the Gladstone region in Queensland and Byron Shire in NSW, which are now orange zones under Victorias travel permit system.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Wednesday the two new locally acquired cases were both linked to known patients, which was a good sign. The decision on whether the greater Brisbane lockdown would be extended would be announced at 9am on Thursday. There are two distinct coronavirus clusters in Brisbane that spread from an unvaccinated doctor and nurse working at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Eight cases have been linked to the doctor cluster and 11 cases to the nurse cluster since the start of the month. At least six Victorians are undertaking two weeks of quarantine after they spent time at tier 1 exposure sites in Brisbane and Byron Bay, but all have tested negative in their initial round of testing.

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the country was in the riskiest period since the beginning of the pandemic last year because of the relative lack of restrictions. At the moment, we are in a situation where we are at as high a risk as we have been since the beginning of the pandemic, he said. We know as were mostly open and there are very few restrictions on our movement, on the things we can do as a society, that means that the outbreaks can spread quickly, and so thats why that very strong public health response is absolutely crucial at the moment. Victoria has not recorded a local case of coronavirus for 33 consecutive days. There remains one single active case of COVID-19 in the state, a flight crew member aged in his 30s who is in hotel quarantine. There were 22,069 test results processed on Tuesday. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

The Victorian government has also revealed about 30 passengers who arrived in Melbourne from Brisbane after the Queensland capital was declared a red zone on Monday are being quarantined in the hotel that was at the heart of Victorias last COVID-19 outbreak. Health authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the Holiday Inn at Melbourne Airport would be reopened after work on the hotels ventilation system was completed. Loading The hotel has undergone a ventilation assessment, with minor remedial [work] completed this week. The hotel has been approved by the [Chief Health Officer] to resume quarantine activities, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, a new alert is in place for at least a dozen suburbs in Melbournes south-east after viral fragments were detected in a wastewater catchment between March 21 and March 25.
China has made significant reforms to Hong Kong's electoral law, tightening its grip on the territory. Along with allowing only patriots to contest elections, Xi has also reduced the number of seats in parliament to ensure 'mainland loyalty'.

China on Tuesday has brought a overhaul in Hong Kongs electoral law, in a move to tighten its grip over the territory. A pro-Beijing committee vetted future MPs to ensure mainland loyalty. The aim is to ensure that only patriotic people are employed. Carrie Lam, Hong Kongs chief, has said that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to democracy. She went on to say that the vetting committee would not exclude individuals based on their political beliefs. Rather, candidates will be eligible to compete if they can demonstrate loyalty to Hong Kong, follow the basic law, and pass national security tests.

The first election of members of Hong Kongs Legislative Council (LegCo) under the new rules will take place in December. The proposal was first endorsed by Beijings rubber-stamp parliament at the National Peoples Congress in March. This modifies the Basic Laws annexes, which are Hong Kongs mini-constitution.

Earlier in March, Chinas top legislature voted to change the citys electoral structure. Beijing is not leaving out pro-democracy candidates, according to Carrie Lam, the countrys chief executive. The chief of Hong Kongs largest pro-democracy party, on the other hand, isnt so confident. When asked whether his party would run, Lo Kin-hei declined to give a straight response. Residents should only strive on and hold hope, he said.

Also Read: EAM S. Jaishankar lands in Tajikistan to attend Heart of Asia ministerial conference

Also Read: WB Assembly Polls: Amit Shah, Mamata Banerjee to hold roadshows and rallies in Nandigram

The Chinese state news agency Xinhua has released a list of changes that will influence the formation of Hong Kongs parliamentary Legislative Council. The number of directly elected LegCo members is reduced from 35 to 20, although the number of seats in the LegCo is expanded from 70 to 90. Before running for the LegCo, all aspiring candidates would have to go through two rounds of screening by the influential pro-Beijing Election Committee. The reforms came months after many opposition members were disqualified, leading to the resignation of the whole LegCo opposition. The new laws will go into force on Wednesday.

Despite the one country, two systems concept, Beijing has steadily expanded its presence in Hong Kong in recent years. The contentious national security bill, passed in 2020, in particular, curtails Hong Kongs judiciary independence. Over the past one year, Beijing has intensified its crackdown on dissent leading to mass arrests of pro-democracy protestors.

Also Read: Myanmar Crisis : Thousands flee across Thailand borders following Myanmar airstrikes
EL CAJON, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC PINK:SIRC), an integrated, single-source solar power and roofing systems installation company, has engaged investor relations specialists MZ Group (MZ) to lead a comprehensive strategic investor relations and financial communications program across all key markets.

MZ Group will work closely with Solar Integrated Roofing management to develop and implement a comprehensive capital markets strategy designed to increase the Company's visibility throughout the investment community. The campaign will highlight Solar Integrated Roofing's robust growth initiatives, including both organic and acquisitive growth strategies within the Southern California market.

MZ has developed a distinguished reputation as a premier resource for institutional investors, brokers, analysts and private investors. The firm maintains offices worldwide and was recently ranked No. 7 in the world in business communication.

Lucas A. Zimmerman, Senior Vice President at MZ North America, will advise Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. in all facets of corporate and financial communications, including the coordination of roadshows and investment conferences across key cities and building brand awareness with all financial and social media outlets.

Ted Haberfield, President of MZ North America, commented: "Our engagement comes at an exciting time for the Company as the Company's solar division is better positioned than ever for growth given California's new mandates of solar installation on all new housing and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. At the local utility level, tiered electric rates heavily penalize increasing electric use and even small amounts of solar can drive disproportionately large savings on a monthly electric bill, making the economic case for residential solar clear in the Southern California market in particular.

"On the acquisition front, the Company maintains the optionality to acquire locally owned solar and roofing companies at a low single digit EBITDA multiple, enabling an exciting rollup opportunity in a growing market as aging owner-operators seek to enter retirement. Recent accretive acquisitions in the Company's transition to a national brand include Enerev, LLC and Cornerstone Construction, two leading roofing and solar solutions providers in their respective regional markets. To further support its burgeoning new EV Charging Station division and expand opportunities in the government contract market, Solar Integrated announced the acquisition of Pacific Lighting Management. With the recent completion of its audit and transition to a fully reporting public company, Solar Integrated has set the stage to begin a national rollup strategy and file an application to become listed on the OTC Market's OTCQB Venture Market in the near-term. We believe Solar Integrated Roofing is a compelling story and look forward to working with CEO David Massey to communicate what we view as a clear valuation disconnect to the capital markets," concluded Haberfield.

"Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation is a trusted leader, as our solar and roofing brands have served thousands of customers since inception," said David Massey, Chief Executive Officer. "With highly complementary solar, battery backup, EV charging and roofing segments, we are poised for healthy organic growth and to efficiently monetize exciting cross-selling opportunities across our client base. I look forward to working with the MZ Group team to share our story with investors."

For more information on Solar Integrated Roofing Corp., please visit the Company's investor relations website at www.solarintegratedroofing.com. To schedule a conference call with management, please email your request to SIRC@mzgroup.us or call Lucas A. Zimmerman at 949-259-4987.

About MZ Group

MZ North America is the US division of MZ Group, a global leader in investor relations and corporate communications. MZ North America was founded in 1996 and provides full-scale Investor Relations to both private and public companies across all industries. Supported by our exclusive one-stop-shop approach, MZ works with top management to support the clients' business strategy in six integrated product and service categories: 1) IR Consulting & Outreach - full-service investor relations and roadshow services; 2) IPO Advisory - preparation services for the Pre-IPO journey; 3) ESG Consulting - providing audit and roadmap guidelines to improve corporate ESG messaging and rankings; 4) SPAC Advisory - providing critical and timely guidance through IPO, business combination, investor relations and communications, marketing and final closing; 5) Financial & Social Media - lead generation and social media relations; 6) Market Intelligence - real-time ownership monitoring; 7) Technology Solutions - web hosting, webcasting, distribution services, conference calls, CRM, and board portals. MZ North America has a global footprint with offices located in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Aliso Viejo, Austin, Minneapolis, Taipei, and Sao Paulo. For more information, please visit www.mzgroup.us.

About Solar Integrated Roofing Corp.

Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation (OTC:SIRC), is an integrated, single-source solar power and roofing systems installation company specializing in commercial and residential properties in the Southern California market. The Company's broad array of solutions include sales and installation of solar energy systems, battery backup and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to roofing, HVAC and related electrical contracting work. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.solarintegratedroofing.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation.

Investor Relations Contact:

Lucas A. Zimmerman

Senior Vice President

MZ North America

Main: 949-259-4987

SIRC@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us

SOURCE: Solar Integrated Roof Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638217/Solar-Integrated-Roofing-Engages-MZ-Group-to-Lead-Strategic-Investor-Relations-and-Shareholder-Communications-Program
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MOSCOW  Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Wednesday he has started a hunger strike to protest authorities failure to provide proper treatment for his back and leg pains.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Navalny complained about prison officials refusal to give him the right medicines and to allow his doctor to visit him behind bars.

He also protested the hourly checks a guard makes on him at night, saying they amount to sleep deprivation torture.

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The 44-year-old Navalny, who is President Vladimir Putins most outspoken domestic opponent, was arrested in January upon his return from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Russian authorities have rejected the accusation.

Navalnys poisoning and conviction have further strained Russias ties with the United States and the European Union, which sank to post-Cold War lows after Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea, its meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, hacking attacks and other actions.

His arrest fueled a series of protests that drew tens of thousands across Russia. Authorities detained about 11,000 people, many of whom were fined or given jail terms of up to two weeks.

Navalny said the August poisoning made him wonder about the cause of his current ailments. He said he had no choice but to start a hunger strike because his physical condition has worsened, with back pains having spread to his right leg and numbness in his left leg.

What else could I do? he wrote. I have declared a hunger strike demanding that they allow a visit by an invited doctor in compliance with the law. So Im lying here, hungry, but still with two legs.

Last month, Navalny was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for violating the terms of his probation during convalescence in Germany. The sentence stems from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that Navalny has rejected as fabricated  and which the European ourt of Human Rights has ruled to be unlawful.

Navalny was moved this month from a Moscow jail to a penal colony in Pokrov in the Vladimir region, 85 kilometers (53 miles) east of the Russian capital. The facility called IK-2 stands out among Russian penitentiaries for its particularly strict inmate routines, which include standing to attention for hours.

Navalnys Instagram also had a picture of a letter to the prison chief, dated Wednesday, in which he announced the hunger strike.

Every convict has the right to invite a specialist for a check and consultation, he wrote. So I demand to let a doctor see me and declare a hunger strike until it happens.

In a sarcastic reference to the nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on Russias top security agency, the FSB, Navalny wrote to the prison chief that given a recent attempt by the FSB operatives to kill me with chemical weapons, which state-controlled medics cast as a metaboli problem, Im haunted by vague doubts about the cause of my illness and recovery prospects.

Russias prison service said last week that Navalny had undergone medical check-ups and described his condition as stable and satisfactory. In a statement that followed his declaration of a hunger strike, it claimed that Navalny is being given all the necessary medical assistance in accordance with his current health indicators.

But Navalny has complained that authorities only gave him basic painkiller pills and ointment for his back and legs while refusing to accept medications prescribed earlier by his doctor or to share the diagnosis from his examination.

In a note earlier this month, Navalny described his prison as a friendly concentration camp. He said he hadnt seen even a hint of violence there but lived under controls that he compared to those described in George Orwells novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Earlier this week, he said he already had received six reprimands  warnings that could lead to solitary confinement  for offenses such as getting up 10 minutes before the wake-up call and refusing to watch a video lecture that he called idiotic.

Navalny, whom prison authorities had earlier marked as a flight risk, said he was subject to particularly close oversight, including a guard waking him up every hour at night and filming him to demonstrate he is in the required place.

Instead of medical assistance, Im subjected to sleep deprivation torture, being woken up eight times every night, he said in Wednesdays statement.

The prison service insisted that Navalny has been treated in strict conformity with the law and the night checks are part of a regular routine that dont disrupt convicts rest.

During a video call with Putin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Russia to protect Navalnys health and to respect his rights in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, according to Macrons office.

The Kremlin said in its readout of the call that Putin offered an objective explanation in response to questions Merkel and Macron asked about Navalny.

Russian officials have rejected U.S. and EU demands to free Navalny and to stop a police crackdown on his supporters. Moscow also has rebuffed a European Court of Human Rights ruling in favor of his release as inadmissible meddling in Russias home affairs.

Navalnys associates have urged Russians to sign up for the next protest to demand his release, promising to set a date for the demonstration when the number of people willing to take part reaches at least 500,000 nationwide.

More than 360,000 have registered since a dedicated website opened on March 23.
"We are thrilled to launch our Pickle Salsa line, and to offer these innovative, flavorful new items to our pickle-loving fans," said Greg Smith, Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

Made with sea salt, Mt. Olive's Pickle Salsa has 0g fat and 0g added sugars. It is gluten free and contains only 5 calories per serving. It can be eaten alone, used as a dip, or added to your favorite dishes. Try it spooned over grilled fish with avocado, or served over chicken quesadillas and topped with sour cream.

The Pickle Salsa line addition comes on the heels of another new Mt. Olive product. For years, fans asked Mt. Olive to bottle and sell its famous pickle juice. Mt. Olive's new Pickle Juicers is made of Mt. Olive's 100% Kosher Dill Pickle Brine. It can be used in recipes, as a marinade, for cocktails, or sipped on its own.

Pickle Juicers are available in 3-packs of 2 oz., or in 64 oz. jugs. You can find them in select grocery stores, or online at www.mtolivepickleshop.com.

If you're a true pickle fanatic, you won't want to miss Mt. Olive's new online shop. There you will find Pickle Juicers, Munchies portable resealable pickle pouches, iconic hats, tote bags, koozies and more. www.mtolivepickleshop.com

Mt. Olive Pickle Company is a proud partner of Make-A-Wish Foundation. To support World Wish Day, Mt. Olive is pledging 10% of all sales from the online store during the month of April to Make-A-Wish Foundation. To contribute, simply make a purchase at www.mtolivepickleshop.com now through the end of April, and Mt. Olive will donate 10% of your purchase to fund life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses.

Earlier this year, Mt. Olive Pickle Company celebrated its 95th anniversary. Mt. Olive remains committed to the idea that a strong company makes for a strong community, focusing on producing quality, innovative products and serving customers well.

Contact:

Lynn Williams, Public Relations Manager

919.581.3628 / [email protected]

SOURCE Mt. Olive Pickle Co.

Related Links

http://www.mtolivepickleshop.com


Algiers  Ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Algiers, Abdelkader Taleb Omar, said Tuesday that Morocco imposes "prohibitive conditions" to hinder the settlement of the Sahrawi cause, calling on the United Nations (UN) to assume its responsibilities and compel Morocco to comply with international legality.

"The Moroccan occupation exaggerates in hindering the settlement of the Sahrawi cause by imposing prohibitive conditions, especially regarding the appointment of a new personal envoy of the UN SG in Western Sahara," Taleb Omar told APS on the sidelines of an award ceremony held at the headquarters of the SADR embassy in Algiers in favor of associations participating in a caravan of aid and solidarity that will go to the Sahrawi refugee camps before the month of Ramadhan.

The Sahrawi diplomat denounced, in this sense, the silence of the UN in the face of the practices of the Moroccan occupier.

The Sahrawi diplomat called on the United Nations to "assume its responsibilities and to put points on the letters concerning the parties that procrastinate in the implementation of UN decisions," adding that "the silence of the international community must stop, and the UN must announce who is the party that obstructs.

He also called on Spain to assume its "historical and legal responsibility" regarding the Saharan issue and to "move from words and positions in favor of a solution within the framework of the United Nations to a genuine attempt to settle the issue in accordance with international legality, emphasizing the need for "MINURSO to fulfill its mission and to put an end to Morocco's manipulation to obstruct the organization of the referendum of self-determination.
People wearing protective masks walk under cherry blossoms in Tokyo, March 26. AP



Japan's famous cherry blossoms have reached their flowery peak in many places earlier this year than at any time since formal records started being kept nearly 70 years ago, with experts saying climate change is the likely cause.



Japan's favorite flower, called ''sakura,'' used to reach their peak bloom in April, just as the country celebrates the start of its new school and business year. Yet that date has been creeping earlier and now most years the blossoms are largely gone before the first day of school.



This year peak bloom was reached on March 26 in the ancient capital of Kyoto, the earliest since the Japan Meteorological Agency started collecting the data in 1953 and 10 days ahead of the 30-year average. Similar records were set this year in more than a dozen cities across Japan.



Some say it is the earliest peak bloom ever based on records from historic documents, diaries and poetry books from Kyoto. Osaka Prefecture University environmental scientist Yasuyuki Aono, who tracks such documents, said the earliest blooms he has found before this year were March 27 in the years 1612, 1409 and 1236, though there are not records for some years.





People rowing boats enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms on Chidorigafuchi Moat, northwest of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, March 30. EPA
The Department of State ordered non-essential diplomats and their families to depart Myanmar in a Tuesday statement, according to AP.

Why it matters: The military junta that overthrew the country's democratically elected government in February has killed hundreds of non-violent protesters during anti-coup demonstrations, and the State Department expects the civil unrest and violence to continue.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

What they're saying: The Burmese military has detained and deposed elected government officials, the statement said, according to AP.

Protests and demonstrations against military rule have occurred and are expected to continue.

"Non-violent protesters in Burma have been killed, beaten, imprisoned, including on Saturday, when more than 100 people were reportedly killed by the military," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday.

"Among those reportedly killed, four children, the youngest a five-year-old boy."

"We continue to call on the military regime to release all whove been unjustly detained; stop its attacks on civil society members, journalists and labor unions; halt the killings by its security forces; and return to power the democratically elected government," Blinken added.

The big picture: The U.S. announced Monday that it will cut off its trade engagement with Myanmar until the democratically elected government is restored.

The department also implemented a travel advisory for Myanmar on Monday, warning Americans to stay away from the country because of heightened civil unrest and armed violence.

The State Department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

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Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi will set up an electric vehicle (EV) unit with an investment of US$10 billion over ten years, joining a competitive electric car market at home.

The Company will set up a wholly-owned subsidiary to operate the smart electric vehicle business, the consumer electronics giant best known for its smartphones said in a statement.

Lei Jun, chief executive officer of Xiaomi Corporation, will concurrently serve as the chief executive of the smart electric vehicle business.

Xiaomi hopes to offer quality smart electric vehicles to let everyone in the world enjoy smart living anytime, anywhere, the company said.

Other smartphone makers, including Apple and Chinas Huawei, are also said to be planning moves into the EV market.

Late last year, Apple was said to be planning to manufacture an electric passenger vehicle with its own breakthrough battery technology in 2024, in what could be a revival of the iPhone makers car project ambitions. Apple targets a mass passenger EV with a battery technology expected to radically cut the battery costs and boost the range, a source who has seen the battery design of the cell phone maker told Reuters at the time.

Chinas Huawei, for its part, is planning EVs under its own brand and could launch models as early as this year, sources told Reuters in February.

Xiaomis announcement about entering the EV market comes at a time when the Chinese electric car market is very competitive, with domestic brands and Tesla vying for dominance.

Analysts are growing increasingly bullish on the EV market globally and in the worlds largest automotive market, China, amid an increased push from governments to cut emissions and promote green recovery from the pandemic. China is set to lead the global EV sales, thanks to government targets for growing new energy vehicles (NEVs) sales, the competitive market, and the Chinese dominance in the supply chain of battery metals and materials, analysts say.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
He is constantly on the go thanks to his busy job.

And on Friday, former Bondi Vet star was seen arriving at Sydney's KIIS FM studios with a mystery woman in tow.

The 42-year-old looked relaxed and comfortable in a blue polo T-shirt, tan chinos and white Converse canvas shoes.

Who's that girl? Bondi Vet Dr Chris Brown cut a casual figure on Friday as he was spotted arriving at Sydney's KIIS FM studios with a mystery woman

Chris' female companion appeared to be a publicist, with no romantic connection to the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! host.

The television presenter carried a water bottle, with his hair slightly wet and styled to one side.

The raven-haired woman appeared to be an PA or publicist as she assisted with a box and was on the phone.

She wore a monochrome floral maxi dress with small heels and a black crossbody handbag.

Casual: The 42-year-old looked relaxed and comfortable in a blue polo T-shirt, tan chinos and white Converse canvas shoes

Strictly business: Chris' female companion appeared to be a publicist, with no romantic connection to the I'm A Celebrity host

In February, Dr Chris attended the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! wrap party in Sydney with his girlfriend, model Brooke Meredith.

Reports first surfaced Chris was dating the model in May last year.

According to Woman's Day magazine, the couple all-but-confirmed their romance when they were busted packing on the PDA while shopping for cleaning supplies at Bunnings Warehouse in Randwick, Sydney, in April 2020.

Still dating? In February, Dr Chris attended the I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! wrap party in Sydney with his girlfriend, model Brooke Meredith (pictured)

Chris and Brooke, who reportedly met through mutual celebrity friends, stayed in his Clovelly home during Sydney's lockdowns.

Not only is Brooke's a successful model, she is also the creator of health and wellness magazine, A Conscious Collection.

Chris was previously in a relationship with Channel Ten personality, Liv Phyland.
Western sanctions against China motivated by political interests in maintaining supremacy

17:43, March 30, 2021 By Md Enamul Hassan ( People's Daily Online

As a coordinated effort, the EU, US, UK and Canada have recently imposed sanctions on several Chinese officials accused of what the Western countries have said are human rights violations in Xinjiang. The sanctions  ranging from travel bans to asset freezes  were not unexpected as some Western politicians and their puppet media have long been running a propaganda campaign against China.

A handful of Western countries have imposed sanctions on the Chinese officials over a series of fake and fabricated allegations of so-called human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Farmers harvest pomegranates in Pishan county of Hotan, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Oct 8, 2020. (Photo/Xinhua)

Amid Western criticisms and propaganda, many journalists, diplomats, scholars, politicians, lawmakers, Islamic clerics, government and non-government officials, students, and human rights activists from around the world have visited Xinjiang and dismissed the allegations of abuse as mere rumors. They have instead highly praised the initiatives China has taken to develop and de-radicalize the region once-known as a hot-bed of terrorism.

Since 2018, more than 1,200 individuals from over 80 delegations and 100 countries have visited Xinjiang. The delegations included UN officials, foreign envoys in China, journalists and religious groups. All of them had a good impression of Xinjiang after witnessing the situation on the ground for themselves.

Most notably, diplomatic envoys posted in China from 20 Arab states and the Arab League toured Xinjiang in October, 2020. They visited local companies, schools, poverty alleviation projects and grassroots communities, and talked to villagers face-to-face to get an in-depth understanding of social stability, ethnic equality and unity, as well as improvements in people's livelihoods and economic development. They also visited Islamic institutes and mosques to learn about the protection of the freedom of religious belief in Xinjiang.

The 46th session of the Council of Foreign Minister of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) adopted a resolution on Xinjiang in 2019. The resolution commends China's efforts for the well-being of the Muslims within its territory. It vindicated China's position on Xinjiang, rejecting the negative propaganda of some Western countries to this effect. The OIC has also expressed its willingness to strengthen cooperation with China.

Prior to adopting the resolution, a delegation of the General Secretariat of the OIC visited Xinjiang to see the conditions on the ground for themselves. The Council welcomed the outcomes of the visit and commended the efforts of China in providing care to its Muslim citizens, including the Uygurs in Xinjiang.

At the most recent session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Belarus and Cuba respectively delivered the joint statements of 70 and 64 countries in support of China's policy in upholding human rights. These states have denounced unfounded allegations put forward by some Western countries aimed at curbing the growth of developing countries.

However, nothing can stop Western politicians and the media from running propaganda campaigns against China over Xinjiang. They are so pledged-bound to smear China that whatever the truth is, they will still never accept it. As such, Western anxiety over losing their supremacy to China has forced them to take a staunch position against the truth.

The sanctions have proved that they have intentionally been running smear campaigns against China despite knowing the truth. Their intention was to create a backdrop for taking measures to hamstring and withhold the development of China. The campaigns were designed to deceive their peoples into espousing their illegal actions against China.

The sanctions have nothing to do with human rights and are motivated solely by political interests in maintaining Western supremacy over the planet. This has now become an open secret as many Western leaders have begun expressing their acute desire in public, and without any ambiguity, to stop China from becoming the largest economy in the world.

Though the Western sanctions have been imposed on China on the false pretext of human rights violations in Xinjiang, the sanctions themselves will violate the economic, cultural, and other human rights of the people in the region. The sanctions on the cotton industry prove that human rights never really bothered the Western countries. They have sanctioned the industry based on some cock and bull stories spun by themselves and their own media organizations. Though they have brought forth allegations of forced labor in the industry, even though most of cotton is planted and harvested by machines.

Data shows that about 70 percent of cotton was harvested by machines in Xinjiang in the year of 2020.

There is absolutely no chance for forced labor in the cotton industry. Rather, many people today struggle to get a job in the industry as one general employee can earn a handsome amount of money. With the higher incomes in the industry alluring so many people to apply for a job, there is obviously not even a slight aura of truth to the allegations that there could be forced labor in the fields or otherwise.

Western countries know the truth well and know that they have targeted the industry only in an attempt to hit the economic backbone of China. They also know that the industry offers some 600,000 local jobs, producing around 19 percent of the world's raw cotton. They further know that China wants to transform Xinjiang into a textile hub.

They have sanctioned the industry knowing these facts. The sanctions are simultaneously aimed at making China economically a loser and Xinjiang's people jobless, pushing the region back into turmoil. The Western countries want to turn the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into a failure by destabilizing Xinjiang, which is at the heart of the initiative.

It is now crystal clear that the Western sanctions against China have nothing to do with human rights. Rather, they will violate the human rights of millions of Xinjiang people by leaving them jobless, while causing inhuman suffering to their innocent family members. The sanctions are also a sheer violation of the UN Charter and international laws on non-interference since, with their implementation, the Western countries will have interfered in the domestic affairs of China as well as violating its sacred national sovereignty.

Md Enamul Hassan is a news editor and broadcast journalist at China Media Group (CMG) in Beijing, China.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
More than five years ago my mobile was stolen. I reported this to Tesco Mobile and ended the 15 per month contract. In December I noticed two direct debits to the firm.

It turns out I've been paying for the lost phone ever since, as the direct debit was not cancelled.

Tesco says it has now closed the account and everything is fine, but I want my cash back.

N. L., Hayle, Cornwall.

Snub: Tesco Mobile refused to refund a reader who was charged for a phone he reported stolen five years ago, despite him staying loyal to the company to buy his replacement mobile

I've hit a brick wall on this one. But I think Tesco Mobile is so out of order that I've decided to run this as the main letter anyway.

Here's what it says: In February 2015 you took a two-year Anytime Upgrade Flex deal, with one contract for the phone and one for the airtime.

You reported your phone stolen in May 2015 when you were still in contract. Your payments for the phone continued for two years until the device was paid for  then these payments stopped. Fair enough.

Your airtime services were transferred to a new SIM and you used these until January 2017. But when you then upgraded to a new deal, Tesco Mobile kept charging you for your old contract as well.

Tesco says it does not automatically cancel an old contract without a request from the customer.

But you are still a customer, so when you upgraded it would be reasonable to assume your existing contract would stop.

Instead you have been paying 15 per month for a contract Tesco could see you weren't using. This adds up to 720 over four years.

Tesco says it sent monthly bill notifications and annual statements without you raising any concerns.

That's a valid point - we do all have a duty to read statements and bills and make sure we know what is leaving our bank account.

It says some people choose to have two contracts and it won't budge. This is a shame, as offering you perhaps half the money back wouldn't have made much of a dent in its 551 million pre-tax profits.

It offered a goodwill gesture which you turned down. You are pursuing this with Ombudsman Services. Good luck.

Tesco is refusing to pay a customer who was accidentally paying for two contracts for years

I pay off my credit card two weeks early so why am still being charged late fees?

Since October I've had problems with my Jaja credit card over late payment fees.

I told its customer services that my credit card payments were made by bank transfer or cheque at least two weeks prior to the due date.

Jaja waived the fee twice, and sent a very apologetic letter. Since then I have received a late payment fee, default notice and a reduction of my credit limit, then a replication of the apology.

In January, I requested a final settlement figure. I paid 187.75 only to later discover that Jaja had refunded me the same amount.

C. H, Hastings, Sussex.

It seems the problem may have been at least partly self-inflicted.

When making a payment you need to use the 16-digit card reference number. The one you used was not correct.

Jaja says it tries to match details in these cases but this is not always possible. The money is then returned to the bank account.

However, Jaja admits it didn't explain to you that this was the problem so you continued to make the mistake.

It has waived the outstanding balance, amended your credit file and restored your limit, so you decided to stay with the firm.
Rishi Sunak broke his silence over the David Cameron lobbying row today with a swipe at the former Tory prime minister.

The Chancellor did not deny that Mr Cameron directly contacted him seeking million in Covid aid cash to help bail out financier Greensill Capital before it went bust.

But in a cutting comment he added that: 'It's important that, whoever people are, whether they're prime ministers or anyone else ... that they follow the rules and the guidelines that we have in place for lobbying.'

He defended the right of the Treasury to speak with 'stakeholders' but added that the department 'rejected, ultimately, the suggestion' that it intervene to help Greensill, which collapsed earlier this year.

Mr Cameron was cleared last week of breaching lobbying rules after a probe by Harry Rich, the registrar of consultant lobbyists - a post set up in legislation passed by Mr Cameron's Government in 2014.

Today it emerged that a senior civil servant went to work for Greensill without getting approval from the ethics watchdog.

Bill Crother was chief commercial officer under David Cameron's premiership and worked alongside Lex Greensill, the firm's founder, while he was an adviser to the PM.

Mr Crother took up a post with Greensill Capital in 2016, a year after leaving Whitehall.

Last night it emerged that Australian financier Mr Greensill once had his own Downing Street business card, describing him as a 'senior adviser' in the 'Prime Minister's Office'.

Labour today repeated its demand for an investigation. Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves said: 'Taxpayers deserve to know the true extent of Government access given to Greensill Capital through the former Conservative prime minister.

'The Conservatives cannot keep turning a blind eye to David Cameron's behaviour and must get a grip of the cronyism at the heart of Government.'

The Chancellor did not deny that Mr Cameron directly contacted him seeking million in Covid aid cash to help bail out financier Greensill Capital before it went bust.

David Cameron (left) is facing further questions about his relationship with controversial Australian businessman Lex Greensill (right) after it emerged he had a No 10 email and landline during his time as a 'senior adviser' to Mr Cameron's government between 2012 and 2015

Asked today whether it was right that people liek Mr cameron can lobby senior ministers directly, Mr Sunak told ITV news: 'It's important for people to understand what happened there, that there was a company who approached the Treasury, asking for a change to be made to one of our coronavirus support schemes, which they thought would then help lots of other companies.

And as you said, we rejected, ultimately, the suggestion. And so I didn't want to take that that forward.

'But it is right that as an institution we engage with stakeholders and we do that all the time when people come with policy suggestions.'

The Times reported that Mr Crother worked with Mr Greensill when the later was in Downing Street.

In 2016, a year after leaving the public sector, he joined Greensill, but there is no record of the role having been vetted by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba).

Acoba has now written to the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for flagging up new jobs taken by former civil servants.

A source close to Mr Crother told the Times that he believed he had followed the rules when taking up the job.

Bill Crother was chief commercial officer under David Cameron's premiership and took up a post with finance firm Greensill Capital a year after leaving Whitehall

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: 'We will respond to the letter in due course.'

Mr Cameron was facing fresh questions about his relationship with Mr Greensill last night over his business card, unearthed by the Labour Party.

He had a No 10 email address during his three years as a financial adviser to the Cameron government, between 2012 and 2015, and a landline telephone number at Downing Street.

Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds said: 'This raises further serious questions about the special access Lex Greensill was granted to the heart of government. The public have a right to know what happened here.'

In 2016, two years after Mr Cameron quit as prime minister, the roles were reversed as he was appointed as a senior adviser to Mr Greensill's company Greensill Capital.

It came amid claims that Mr Cameron and Mr Greensill went on a desert camping trip with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia  who is accused of approving the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi  early last year.

The desert trip by Mr Greensill and also allegedly by his senior adviser Mr Cameron are believed to have been part of a bid to win a lucrative contract with state-run oil firm Saudi Aramco, the world's most profitable company, The Financial Times reported.

Pictured: Labour party has been handed what it claims to be a business card for Lex Greensill showing he had a No 10 email address and landline while advising the Prime Minister's Office

It comes after the Daily Mail told how Mr Cameron had previously given the headline speech at a Saudi summit known as 'Davos in the Desert' in October 2019.

Mr Cameron went on to lobby ministers, civil servants and the Bank of England in a failed bid to get Greensill Capital access to the biggest taxpayer-funded Covid loan fund.

His stake in the company could have been worth tens of millions of pounds, but the specialist lender collapsed into administration this month, putting thousands of British steel jobs at risk.

Labour is pressing Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to probe the access Mr Greensill and Mr Cameron had to the top levels of Government and Whitehall.

Leader Sir Keir Starmer said: 'What's happening with Greensill gets murkier by the day.'

However, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News yesterday: 'As far as I know, David Cameron did absolutely nothing wrong.' Mr Cameron's spokesman has declined repeated requests to comment.

It came as Mr Kwarteng said the Government could bail out Liberty Steel jobs and plants  but not owner Sanjeev Gupta's firm, GFG, which employs 5,000 people in Britain. About 3,000 of these work at Liberty.

GFG has been battling to stay afloat since Greensill Capital went into administration.

Mr Kwarteng said all options were on the table to save jobs and 11 Liberty factories. They could include nationalising the struggling steel maker.
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Govt approves for food processing sector

The government on Wednesday approved a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector, entailing an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the scheme which will help create 2.5 lakh jobs, boost exports and ensure availability of a wider range of value-added products for consumers. Read more

extends timeline for recurring online transactions

The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday extended the timeline by six months to comply with its guidelines related to recurring online transactions with Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA), but reprimanded players that the non-compliance is a "serious concern". had directed all banks including RRBs, NBFCs, and payment gateways to comply with AFA for automatic recurring payment by March 31, 2021, in order to make digital transaction safe and protect customers from fraudulent transactions. Read more

vaccine gives 100% protection at ages 12-15

Inc. said its Covid-19 vaccine was 100% effective in a final-stage trial in kids ages 12 to 15, a finding that could pave the way for shots for teens and pre-teens before the next school year. The vaccine is already authorized in the U.S. for people ages 16 and up. and its partner BioNTech SE said they planned to submit the data to regulators in the U.S and Europe as soon as possible, seeking to amend their vaccine authorizations to include the younger age group. Read more

Mamata writes to oppn leaders, underscores 'assaults' by BJP on democracy

West Bengal Chief Minister has written personal letters to non-BJP leaders highlighting the "assaults" by the BJP and its government on democracy and constitutional federalism of India. Ahead of the second phase of polls in the state, Banerjee's letter, which was released by the TMC on Wednesday, seeks to drum up support from opposition leaders by stating how non-BJP states have suffered due to the saffron party led Centre's actions.Read more

Biden plans $2-trn spending

President will unveil a $2.25 trillion U.S. infrastructure plan Wednesday -- paid for by steep tax hikes on businesses-- that his administration said will prove the most sweeping since investments in the 1960s space program. The four-part, eight-year plan dedicates $620 billion for transportation, including a doubling in federal funding for public transit. It would provide $650 billion for initiatives tied to improving quality of life at home, like clean water and high-speed broadband. Read more
Booka Nile declared her marriage to 'husband' Brett Helling over during an explosive dinner party on Married At First Sight last week.

And the 31-year-old looked tense as she stepped out in Sydney's CBD during filming in November, around the time of the events that are now playing out on screen.

The Make Them Suffer vocalist appeared downcast as she went on a stroll with a producer and grabbed a take-away coffee.

Is everything okay? Married At First Sight's Booka Nile looked tense as she stepped out in Sydney, after declaring her marriage to Brett Helling over at last week's dinner party

Out and about: The Make Them Suffer keyboardist appeared downcast as she went on a stroll with a producer (right) and grabbed a take-away coffee

Booka dressed casually for the outing in a floral mini dress and a short green coat.

The heavy metal musician teamed the ensemble with a pair of white sneakers and also wore a red beret.

Booka styled her long blonde hair in loose curls, carried a black bag, and opted for a neutral palette of makeup.

Style: Booka dressed casually for the outing in a floral mini dress and a short green coat

Accessories: The heavy metal musician teamed the ensemble with a pair of white sneakers and also wore a red beret

The details: Booka styled her long blonde hair in loose curls, carried a black bag, and opted for a neutral palette of makeup

The outing comes after Booka and Brett's marriage came to an explosive end during a dramatic dinner party last week.

The newlyweds appeared to have finally ruled out any chance of having a fairytale ending as they both declared their marriage over.

As soon as they arrived at the dinner party, Booka and Brett displayed obvious signs of tension following the 'poison letter' task earlier in the week.

Timeline: The photos were taken around the time of the events that are now playing out on TV

Is it over? The outing comes after Booka and Brett Helling's marriage came to an explosive end during a dramatic dinner party last week

The task left Booka storming out of her shared apartment with Brett after he accused her of thinking the world revolved around her.

She told her co-stars: 'This whole relationship I have been the bad person. He has been the good person.'

Booka explained that she wanted Brett to take accountability for speaking about her behind her back.

Not on good terms: The newlyweds appeared to have finally ruled out any chance of having a fairytale ending as they both declared their marriage over

Tension: As soon as they arrived at the dinner party, Booka and Brett displayed obvious signs of tension following the 'poison letter' task earlier in the week

'I'm not perfect and there's a lot that I need to work on, but you have never said I'm sorry for hurting you or sorry for offending you,' she continued.

An upset-looking Brett then exclaimed: 'Do you know how many times I've said please give me some space? I'm exhausted.'

Later in the episode, Georgia Fairweather asked: 'Hang on, are you guys good?'

Brett responded by saying, 'Nah, not at all,' before the camera turned to Booka, who confirmed: 'No, absolutely not.'

Frustrations: Booka told her co-stars: 'This whole relationship I have been the bad person. He has been the good person'

Done: She then apologised to her husband, before telling the table: 'I'm over being the problem. I'm done... I'm just done'

Having his say: Brett hit back, 'We're both exhausted. Nothing works, we've both tried. It just goes nowhere'

Booka explained: 'When you find out that your husband is making you out to be a horrible self-absorbed person, no.'

She then apologised to her husband, before telling the table: 'I'm over being the problem. I'm done... I'm just done.'

Brett hit back: 'We're both exhausted. Nothing works, we've both tried. It just goes nowhere.'

Married At First Sight continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine

Stressed: Booka appeared stressed as she glanced at her phone during the outing
A big clean-up operation took place at a popular south Dublin park last night after groups of people out enjoying the first taste of spring sunshine left piles of rubbish behind them.

Photographs and video posted on social media showed the unsightly mess at the popular and scenic park beside the Dropping Well pub in Milltown.

Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk today, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe described the scenes in the park as a slap in the face for everyone who was obeying the rules.

Read More

Last night, cans, bottles, wrappers and packaging were left strewn all around the park beside the river Dodder before gardai arrived to move the crowd on.

Quick action by the managers of a coffee dock on the site, as well as locals, meant the rubbish was cleared by this morning.

But local representatives criticised those who left the park the way they did.

The park and the walkway along the Dodder is used by locals for recreation and exercise, and to see it left the way it was is appalling, said local councillor Peter OBrien, a member of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

It shows a lack of civic responsibility, Mr OBrien said. The rubbish is inexcusable. Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown do a lot of education in schools about rubbish. This wasnt kids, this was adults who just walked away from the mess.

If you can take the stuff with you to the park you can take it away with you too.

Video footage on social media showed a large number of people in the park taking advantage of the first signs of summer weather.

But as gardai arrived people could be seen leaving in a hurry and walking away.

Gardai confirmed that they attended the area yesterday evening and moved on a large number of people.

All persons were compliant, a statement said.

This morning the park was tidy again, and people on morning walks were buying coffee at the Boxd Coffee Dock in the pub car park. Its manager said the facility is part of the pub business, and staff keep the park tidy.

We look at it as part of our job to keep the area clean and tidy up the grounds, said the manager.

Ive no problem with tidying up. There used to be bins here but they are gone now.

Local man Ronan Ward was critical of the people who created the mess yesterday evening.

It was mainly people in their 20s and 30s, and when they were all moved on from here they just went further up the river and gathered there, he said as he got a morning coffee at the coffee dock.

I think the take-away drinks is a catalyst for bringing people here and it needs to be better managed.

Two nearby Luas stations make the park very accessible, and locals said it has an impact on the nearby playground as well, with people congregating around it in the fine weather.
Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) ("Talon" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project ("Tamarack Nickel Project"), located in Minnesota, USA. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises the Tamarack North Project and the Tamarack South Project.





Figure 1: 5.1 Meters (16.7 feet) of Mixed Massive Sulphide Mineralization starting at 171.26 meters (Drill Hole 21TK0283).

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/78996_9b642679140bc83a_001full.jpg

HIGHLIGHTS

Talon has consistently intersected massive sulphide mineralization at shallow depths in a new area that extends to approximately 700 meters north-east of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area (known as CGO East). More specifically: Drill hole 21TK0283 intersected 34.34 meters (112.6 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 142 meters, including 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 171.26 meters; Drill hole 21TK0288 intersected 20.9 meters (68.6 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 148.6 meters, including 0.71 meters (2.3 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide starting at 168.79 meters; Drill hole 21TK0289 intersected 30.42 meters (99.8 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 181.52 meters, including 1.88 meters (6.2 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 210.06 meters; Drill hole 21TK0290 intersected 27.18 meters (89.1 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 151.79 meters, including 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 183.13 meters; Drill hole 21TK0291 intersected 13.91 meters (45.6 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 210.61 meters, including 1.86 meters (6.1 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 183.13 meters; Drill hole 21TK0294 intersected 16.3 meters (53.5 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 213.9 meters, including 0.58 meters (1.9 feet) of mixed massive sulphide starting at 230.57 meters; Drill hole 21TK0295 intersected 25.01 meters (82.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 140.15 meters, including 4.32 meters (14.1 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 160.84 meters; and, Drill hole 21TK0296 intersected 20.3 meters (66.6 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 190 meters, including 1.6 meters (5.24 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 208.7 meters.



This new area has been a recent focus for Talon because if a resource can ultimately be delineated, this could potentially add significant tonnage to the current resource and mine plan, and also potentially increase the mine life of the Tamarack Nickel Project.

"The consistent drilling success we are seeing in the CGO East area, which so far, extends approximately 700 meters north-east of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area, is just another example of how geophysics has proven to be an excellent tool for identifying additional nickel-copper mineralization at the Tamarack Nickel Project. So far, we are drilling what appears to be a continuous sheet of shallow mineralization in a new zone outside of our current resource area. This CGO East area will continue to be a focus for Talon's drilling program, as we look to delineate a brand new resource over the coming months," said Brian Goldner, Head of Exploration for Talon.

"The CGO East area, together with the other areas we have recently successfully explored towards the north of our resource area, could all potentially contribute to higher production tonnages per day, while potentially reducing the ultimate timeline to production and lengthening the mine life at the Tamarack Nickel Project. These factors all drive value," said Vince Conte, CFO of Talon.

SUMMARY

The CGO East target area is large, stretching over an area of 500 meters (east-west) by 900 meters (north-south) outside of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area (See Talon's press release dated November 2, 2020 for details).

Surface and Borehole Electro-Magnetic ("EM") surveys (geophysics) showed a potential for this area to host shallow, wide sheets of mineralization. In the summer of 2020, Talon began by drilling 4 successful holes in this new area (see Table 1 below for assays received to date). Since then, Talon has followed up with additional drilling with the following positive results (all assays pending):

Drill hole 21TK0283 intersected 34.34 meters (112.6 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 142 meters, including 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 171.26 meters;

Drill hole 21TK0288 intersected 20.9 meters (68.6 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 148.6 meters, including 0.71 meters (2.3 feet) of mixed massive sulphide starting at 168.79 meters;

Drill hole 21TK0289 intersected 30.42 meters (99.8 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 181.52 meters, including 1.88 meters (6.2 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 210.06 meters;

Drill hole 21TK0290 intersected 27.18 meters (89.1 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 151.79 meters, including 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 183.13 meters;

Drill hole 21TK0291 intersected 12.13 meters (39.8 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 210.61 meters, including 1.86 meters (6.1 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 222.74 meters;

Drill hole 21TK0294 intersected 16.3 meters (53.5 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 213.9 meters, including 0.58 meters (1.9 feet) of mixed massive sulphide starting at 230.57 meters;

Drill hole 21TK0295 intersected 25.01 meters (82.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 140.15 meters, including 4.32 meters (14.1 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 160.84 meters; and,

Drill hole 21TK0296 intersected 20.3 meters (66.6 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at 190 meters, including 1.6 meters (5.24 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at 208.7 meters.

So far, these results are confirming the initial continuous trend of nickel-copper mineralization that was modelled by Talon from the surface and borehole EM data (geophysics). Drill results thus far (for which assays have already been received) show a consistent pattern that begins with a large, shallow intercept of disseminated sulphide mineralization above a sheet of higher-grade massive sulphide mineralization.

Talon plans to continue drilling this large area with the goal of delineating a resource that could be added to the current mine plan.





Figure 2: Plan view map of the CGO East mineralization. The solid blue line shows the potential extent of the sulphide mineralization in the area. The dashed red line represents an approximate 800 meter trend.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/78996_9b642679140bc83a_002full.jpg

Table 1: Assays from the Initial Four Drill Holes within the CGO East Target Area

Drill Hole From To Length Results # (m) (m) (m) Ni (%) Cu (%) Co (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Au (g/t) NiEq (%) CuEq (%) 20TK0266 203 236 33 No significant mineralization 20TK0266 236 247.75 11.75 1.03 0.72 0.03 0.14 0.31 0.25 1.5 3.99 including 246.5 247.75 1.25 2.3 1.09 0.09 0.15 0.27 0.3 2.99 7.96 20TK0267 224.33 249.02 24.69 Assays pending 20TK0268 287.12 312.59 25.07 Assays pending 20TK0271 236 245.55 9.55 2.12 0.97 0.06 0.14 0.28 0.23 2.71 7.22 including 242.84 245.55 2.71 5.13 1.70 0.16 0.20 0.35 0.21 6.15 16.41

Length refers to drill hole length and not True Width.

True Width is unknown at the time of publication.

All samples were analysed by ALS Minerals. Nickel, copper, and cobalt grades were first analysed by a 4-acid digestion and ICP AES (ME-MS61). Grades reporting greater than 0.25% Ni and/or 0.1% Cu, using ME-MS61, trigger a sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES finish (ICP81). Platinum, palladium and gold are initially analyzed by a 50g fire assay with an ICP-MS finish (PGM-MS24). Any samples reporting >1g/t Pt or Pd trigger an over-limit analysis by ICP-AES finish (PGM-ICP27) and any samples reporting >1g/t Au trigger an over-limit analysis by AAS (Au-AA26).

NiEq% = Ni%+ Cu% x $3.00/$8.00 + Co% x $12.00/$8.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$8.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$8.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$8.00/22.04.

CuEq% = Cu%+ Ni% x $8.00/$3.00 + Co% x $12.00/$3.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$3.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$3.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$3.00/22.04.

No adjustments were made for recovery or payability.

QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

Please see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) #3 of the Tamarack North Project - Tamarack, Minnesota" with an effective date of January 8, 2021 prepared by independent "Qualified Persons" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Leslie Correia (Pr. Eng), Andre-Francois Gravel (P. Eng.), Tim Fletcher (P. Eng.), Daniel Gagnon (P. Eng.), David Ritchie (P. Eng.), Oliver Peters (P. Eng.), Volodymyr Liskovych (P.Eng.), Andrea Martin (P. E.) and Brian Thomas (P. Geo.) for information on the QA/QC, analytical and testing procedures at the Tamarack Project. Copies are available on the Company's website (www.talonmetals.com) or on SEDAR at (www.sedar.com). The laboratory used is ALS Minerals who is independent of the Company.

Lengths are drill intersections and not necessarily true widths. True widths cannot be consistently calculated for comparison purposes between holes because of the irregular shapes of the mineralized zones. Drill intersections have been independently selected by Talon. Drill composites have been independently calculated by Talon. The geological interpretations in this news release are solely those of the Company.

The locations and distances highlighted on all maps in this news release are approximate.

Dr. Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in Minnesota, USA, comprised of the Tamarack North Project and the Tamarack South Project. Talon has an earn-in to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Project. The Tamarack Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon is focused on expanding its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101; identifying additional high-grade nickel mineralization; and developing a process to potentially produce nickel sulphates responsibly for batteries for the electric vehicles industry. Talon has a well-qualified exploration and mine management team with extensive experience in project management.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com or contact:

Sean Werger

President

Talon Metals Corp.

Tel: (416) 361-9636 x102

Email: werger@talonmetals.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the timing and results of the exploration program, including assay results, grades, potential and results, and drilling plans; the potential to add significant tonnage to the current resource and mine plan; the potential to increase the mine life of the Tamarack Nickel Project; the likelihood of a continuous sheet of shallow mineralization outside of the Company's current resource area; the likelihood of delineating a brand new resource over the coming months; the potential for higher production tonnages per day, while potentially reducing the ultimate timeline to production and lengthening the mine life at the Tamarack Nickel Project. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Table 2: Collar Locations of Drill Holes Referred to in this Press Release

CGO EAST HOLE ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation

(masl) Azm Dip End Depth

(m) 21TK0283 491303.8 5169144.8 388.0 259.2 -78.0 203.3 21TK0288 491298.5 5169148.4 388.0 311.9 -75.2 198.3 21TK0289 491178.0 5168988.0 388.0 23.6 -79.5 233.9 21TK0290 491300.3 5169144.9 388.0 214.1 -71.8 209.7 21TK0291 491178.2 5168985.8 388.0 237.5 -80.1 247.5 21TK0294 491178.0 5168985.0 388.0 222.3 -72.9 301.1 21TK0295 491294.0 5169149.9 388.0 345.3 -67.3 188.5 21TK0296 491176.0 5168998.0 388.0 49.5 73.9 236.7 20TK0266 491022.0 5168949.1 388.0 110.0 -82.5 283.5 20TK0267 491021.2 5168949.1 388.0 78.7 -70.1 295.5 20TK0268 491021.9 5168951.8 388.0 218.1 -66.2 388.8 20TK0271 491019.0 5168955.0 388.0 111.0 -78.5 299.6

Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 15N, NAD83.

Azimuths and dips are taken from survey record at collar unless otherwise noted.

* No record of collar azimuth and dip. First record of downhole survey used.

Table 3: Quick Lithology Log for Recent Drill Holes in the CGO East Target Area

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Lithology % Sulphides 21TK0283 0 42.37 42.37 Overburden

42.37 142 99.63 FGO/MZNO Traces 142 171.26 29.26 FGO/MZNO 5 to 7% 171.26 176.34 5.08 MMS/MSU 15-85% 176.34 203.3 26.96 SED

21TK0288 0 43.89 43.89 Overburden

43.89 148.6 104.71 FGO/MZNO Traces 148.6 168.79 20.19 FGO/MZNO tr-8% 168.79 169.5 0.71 MMS 50% 169.5 198.27 28.77 SED

21TK0289 0 45.42 45.42 Overburden

45.42 181.52 136.1 FGO/MZNO Traces 181.52 210.06 28.54 FGO/MZNO tr-4% 210.06 211.94 1.88 MSU 85% 211.94 233.93 21.99 SED

21TK0290 0 44.2 44.2 Overburden

44.2 151.79 107.59 FGO/MZNO Traces 151.79 178.97 27.18 FGO/MZNO 7% 178.97 183.13 4.16 FGO/MZNO 1% 183.13 184.73 1.6 MMS/MSU 40-90% 184.73 209.7 24.97 SED

21TK0291 0 44.2 44.2 Overburden

44.2 210.61 166.41 FGO/MZNO Tr-3% 210.61 222.74 12.13 FGO/MZNO 5-15% 222.74 224.6 1.86 MMS/MSU 25% 224.6 247.5 22.9 SED

21TK0294 0 44.3 44.3 Overburden

44.3 213.9 169.6 FGO/MZNO Tr-2% 213.9 230.2 16.3 FGO/MZNO 3-6% 230.2 230.57 0.37 SED

230.57 231.15 0.58 MMS/MSU 15% 231.15 301.14 69.99 SED

21TK0295 0 44.81 44.81 Overburden

44.81 140.15 95.34 FGO/MZNO tr 140.15 160.84 20.69 FGO/MZNO 2-5% 160.84 165.16 4.32 MMS 15-70% 165.16 185.32 20.16 SED

21TK0296 0 44.2 44.2 Overburden

44.2 180.25 136.05 FGO/MZNO Tr 180.25 190 9.75 FGO/MZNO 2% 190 208.7 18.7 FGO/MZNO 3-8% 208.7 210.3 1.6 MMS/MSU 50% 210.3 236.88 26.58 SED



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/78996
The big thing lately has been the COVID infections, thats been the No. 1 concern over the last year, Clack said of warehouse workers. I think, rightly so, we call our health care workers heroes. We need to look at warehouse workers as heroes, too. They kept food on our tables. They kept goods in our households.
Palau to welcome first tourists in a year with presidential escort
Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Vincent Biruta, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Jean-Bosco Kazura, on Tuesday, March 30, attended the swearing-in ceremony of President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic (CAR) who won last December's election.

Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye and Cameroon PM Dion Ngute were among the other African leaders present at the ceremony in the capital Bangui as Touadera took oath of office for his second five-year term.

Touadera's government continues to determinedly battle, with help from allies Rwanda and Russia as well as a UN peacekeeping mission, a coalition of armed groups led by former President Francois Bozize.

Bozize, who faces an international arrest warrant, initiated by the CAR in 2013.

He now leads the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), formed by several armed groups last December as they looked to disrupt last year's presidential poll.

In the past two months, the CAR military was able to repulse rebels from several regions of the vast country.

A International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) mini Summit held in Luanda, Angola, in January on the political and security situation in the CAR ended with leaders backing Touadera and stating that they "won't allow that actors who oppose" last December's election results try to seize power by force.

Early this year, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) lost several peacekeepers, including one Rwandan, in rebel attacks. Rwanda is also one of the top troop contributors to MINUSCA which started in April 2014 to protect civilians in the country under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

The UN holds the Bozize's coalition responsible for the consequences of the violence on the civilian population.

The conflict in the CAR has seen Rwanda and Russia deploy troops, at the request of the government in Bangui, to help prevent a coalition of rebels and mercenaries from neighbouring countries from inflaming tensions in the troubled nation.

Kigali also deployed "force protection troops" - trained to conduct special operations - to the country on December 20, 2020, under a bilateral agreement on defence.
Northern Irelands health minister, Robin Swann, has urged everyone eligible for a coronavirus jab to come forward for it.

The minister, aged 49, received his first dose of the AstraZeneca jab at a Ballee Pharmacy in Ballymena, Co Antrim on the day the rollout was expanded to his age group.

The vaccination programme was widened on Wednesday to include the 45-49 age group.

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Mr Swann emphasised the importance of as many getting vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Today I came to community pharmacy and got the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine which is the one we are using mainly across Northern Ireland, he said.

It is important that we get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, thats why we are putting such a concerted effort into this programme, and thats why were seeing such a great uptake across Northern Ireland from those eligible.

For those people who are still hesitant, I am confident enough to come here today to take Oxford AstraZeneca because my age profile now fits in, so when yours does as well, Ill ask anyone, please come forward.

There are booking slots, were making them available across Northern Ireland, at regional centres, GPs and community pharmacy as well.

By Wednesday 887,598 vaccines had been administered in the region, 749,112 of which were first doses and 138,486 were second doses.

People queue to receive the vaccine at the newly opened Covid-19 vaccination centre in the SSE Arena, Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

All those who are eligible can book to receive their jab at a vaccination centre or participating community pharmacy, as well as the option of waiting for their GP to contact them to arrange their jab.

First Minister Arlene Foster received her vaccine in Co Fermanagh last weekend.

First Minister Arlene Foster receives her first Covid vaccination shot at Castle Park Leisure Centre in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)

Earlier this week saw the opening of a mass vaccination centre at the SSE Arena in Belfast as well as almost 350 community pharmacies joining the programme.

Booking where possible should be done online at: https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated

If online booking is not possible, then the telephone booking number is 0300 200 7813.
CLEVELAND, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OverDrive, the leading supplier of ebooks, audiobooks and other digital media to a global network of schools, public libraries, government and corporate knowledge centers, announced that Dr. Carla Hayden will present the day 1 keynote at Digipalooza '21, August 3-5, 2021. Since 2006, Digipalooza has been the leading industry event bringing together a global community of librarians, educators, publishers and technologists sharing insights, trends and best practices for expanding access for all communities and readers. Digipalooza 21 will be held as a virtual three half-day online event featuring programming and networking opportunities throughout.

Nominated as the 14th Librarian of Congress by President Barack Obama in 2016, Dr. Hayden is the first woman and the first African American to serve as chief executive of the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Hayden served as CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, as President of the American Library Association, and in various positions in libraries for over four decades.

"Every librarian, educator and publisher are welcome to join the conversation at Digipalooza 21 as Dr. Hayden provides her unique perspective from the Library of Congress," said Steve Potash, founder and CEO of OverDrive. "The insights that she will share will be a highlight for this year's event which also features presentations from many of the most accomplished public, school, academic and special librarians serving millions of readers in innovative ways."

In addition to Dr. Hayden, experts from U.S. and international schools and public, academic and corporate libraries will present data, trends and insights at Digipalooza '21. Panelists will share how data-driven decisions are shaping their planning and budgets in support of their mission to maximize the number of readers served and ROI of service delivery. This year Digipalooza is expanding to provide full tracks for K-12 educators as well as academic and corporate librarians.

Digipalooza '21 sessions include:

Equity Challenges Across All Markets

The Library's Role in Bridging the Digital Divide to Ensure Access to All

Publisher Advocacy Campaigns That Matter

Community Reading Programs, Digital Books Clubs and More

Scaling Up Your Digital Catalog Using New Content Access Models

Actionable Data and Intelligence from Your Digital Catalogs

Publisher Showcase for the Fall and Back to School

To learn more about and register for Digipalooza '21, visit https://digipalooza.com/.

About OverDrive

OverDrive strives to create "a world enlightened by reading." Serving a growing network of 65,000 libraries and schools in 84 countries, OverDrive delivers the industry's largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and other content through award-winning apps. The Libby reading app for libraries is one of Popular Mechanics' 20 Best Apps of the Decade, while the student reading app Sora is one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2019. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and was named a Certified B Corp in 2017. www.overdrive.com

Contact:

David Burleigh

Director of Brand & Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE OverDrive

Related Links

http://www.overdrive.com


Photo taken on Mar. 30, 2021 shows an intense working scenery of people harvesting kelp in eastern Chinas City of Rongcheng. The city has been long known as the biggest kelp-cultivation base in China with an area of 139 thousand mu (equals to 9266 hectares). Rongcheng has contributed to 80 percent of the kelp output of Shandong Province and 40 percent across China. (Yang Zhili/Guangming Picture)

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[ Editor: WXL ]
Lawyers under the East Africa Law Society have urged the new leadership in Tanzania to combat the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

The late president John Pombe Magufuli had largely been criticized for not putting in place measures to fight the spread of the pandemic and also stopping the publishing of statistics on the prevalence of the disease.

"One of the other things that Dr John Pombe Magufuli legacy will be defined on how he dealt with the Covid-19 crisis. I think, it is a lesson for us to learn that at the end of the day, there is preservation of life by taking Covid-19 measures to preserve the lives of our people," the president of East Africa Law Society, Mr Bernard Oundo, said on Friday while paying tribute to President Magufuli at the Tanzania High Commission in Kampala.

Mr Oundo lauded other East African leaders for their effort in containing the spread of the virus.

President Magufuli succumbed to heart-related complications on March 17, according to Tanzanian government.

However, the Opposition leaders claimed he died of Covid-19 which he had ignored.

Magufuli, who was nicknamed "the bulldozer" for his successful programme of building infrastructure when he was the Works minister, was immediately succeeded by his deputy, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan.

According to the Tanzanian Constitution, President Samia will finish Magufuli's five-year term, which he had served for a few months following his re-election last year.

Further, while paying his last respects, Mr Oundo urged the remaining African leaders to emulate the good that Magufuli did such as the fight against corruption, wasteful government expenditure but also learn from his mistakes.

"The message for the remaining East African Society leaders is to learn from and emulate the good he did. For us as the East Africa Law Society, we will choose to share the good lessons that Magufuli left behind but also caution the leaders in the East African Community to respect the rule of law because it's fundamental for the development of economies," Mr Oundo cautioned the regional leaders.

At his time of his demise, President Magufuli had been accused of suppressing dissenting voices like lawyers, journalists and civil society organisations.
MEDFORD, Ore. -- Governor Kate Brown and state officials announced last week that Oregon schools now only have to socially distance three feet instead of six feet while inside classrooms. This is part of the goal to get more student back into classrooms.

As local schools wrap up spring break vacation we're hearing from the Medford Education Association (MEA) and the Medford School District (MSD) about the changes being made to meet these new guidelines.

"Medford teachers, from the beginning, wanted their students back as quickly and as safely as possible. So to that extent, I think we're super excited about this change," said Troy Pomeroy, MEA President.

He said he believes there is a sense of frustration with all the changes schools have gone through this year.

"What people don't realize is that it takes a ton of energy resources, manpower. You mobilize a district of our size and that usually happens in the summer," Pomeroy said. "And that hasn't really happened this year. We have restarted the school year so many times, midstream with classes going on, while people are running schools and teaching classes at the same time. It's exhausting."

He said that despite the frustration, Medford teachers are still doing what they can to help the school year run smoothly.

"I know this about Medford teachers, they have been resilient and adapt," Pomeroy said. "And they have taken whatever is thrown at them and always done the best thing for kids through it all."

Dr. Bret Champion is the Superintendent of the MSD and he said that changes were made with the classroom set-up during spring break for when plans are finalized.

"Because folks were out for spring break, our amazing facilities crew got all that furniture back. It's not that we're making the change tomorrow," Dr. Champion said. "But we want to be able to make the change and not have the furniture be a holdup."

Pomeroy and Dr. Champion both said one of the challenges will be figuring out schedules for students to go to lunch, because six feet of social distancing is still required while eating.

"Figuring out how those schedules will work is part of the puzzle we'll need to solve as we move toward getting all of our students back," Dr. Champion said.

He also said a reopening task force committee for the MSD will be meeting this week to go over the best ideas to move forward in this process.

The Medford Online Academy will still be an option for families who are not yet comfortable with sending their kids back to in-person learning.
Special interests and political action committees are upping the ante as the April 6th Kansas City election approaches.



To wit . . .



URBAN CORE EDUCATION ORGANIZERS REVEALED MORE THAN 60 GRAND WORTH OF RECENT SPENDING IN HOPES OF SEIZING CONTROL OF THE KCPS!!!



Local news no longer reports on Kansas City Public Schools but our friends can fact check this report against the publicly available files on the Missouri Ethics website.



Money line . . .

INSIDERS EXPECT EAST SIDE POLITICAL POWER PLAYERS WILL SPEND MORE THAN $100K TO WIN A SWING VOTE ON THE KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD!!!

Here's the word regarding the controversial, upstart, urban core lobbying group who wants more charter schools and will likely move to fire Superintendent Mark Bedell if they take power . . .

"Blaque filed a non-committee expenditure report last night.

"The spend is $66,930.

"Blaque has spent at least 100k on this campaign. Dr. Cokethea Hill and her donors have made this one of the most expensive school board elections in KCMO history. This is ludicrous!!!"

A couple of other things to consider . . .

- This is DARK MONEY. The campaign reports are expenditures and not an accounting of donations. Blaque is listed as a non-profit and in Missouri they are not required to report donations.

- Let's not forget that KCPS SCHOOL BOARD POSITIONS ARE UNPAID. And so this level of spending is raising quite a few eyebrows given very little documented payoff for election winners.



To date, this is one of the most expensive Kansas City school board votes in recent memory as Blaque, The Kauffman Foundation along with several right-wing corporate backers hope to strip away more schools from the KCPS.

Developing . . .
Needless to say, this forces the South Koreans to invest heavily in the development of new technology. That involves not only building new features for its phones but also refining every little step from the moment a device leaves the assembly lines to the one when it lands in the hands of the buyer.And this last stage is the one that Samsung is now trying to completely overhaul, as the company has formed a partnership with Manna to ship phones to customers in Ireland using nothing else than drones.So heres how the whole thing is going to work.You order a Samsung Galaxy device , such as the S21, the Tab S7, the Galaxy Watch 3, or the Galaxy Buds Pro, from Samsungs online store, with the company then processing it in a matter of minutes. Thanks to custom aerospace-grade drones built by Manna, Samsung can then deliver the phone in no less than three minutes.So, in other words, you send your order, and by the time you put your shoes on and go outside, there should be a drone waiting for you to get the package.Flying at an altitude of up to 80 meters at a maximum speed of over 60 kph (37 mph), the drones currently operate in the Oranmore region. Still, Samsung likely wants to expand it to other parts of the country as well.The new service, which is a first for Samsung globally, will facilitate an end-to-end contactless experience for Samsung customers from their initial online order through the companys Irish eStore, right through to fulfillment. The service will first be made available to customers based in Oranmore with Samsung and Manna keen to expand this service nationwide in the future, the company explains The drone shipping is only available for devices ordered and paid for online.
STOCKHOLM, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 2015, AniCura has issued an annual quality report covering the developments within quality and patient safety as well as a reduction of antibiotic use among AniCura's clinics. The report for 2020 describes the developments during COVID-19 and best practices in veterinary care, people and the benefits of strong company values.

AniCura continues to stand strong and grow rapidly as a leading provider of modern high-quality veterinary care for pets. As our previous five reports, our aim is to share the learnings from our work and provide insights into AniCura. New for this year, is how we as a company have undertaken the many challenges caused by COVID-19 and how AniCura's strong company values have helped us to become even better, says Azita Shariati, CEO AniCura.

In 2020, AniCura's continued work in encouraging professional development and specialization has progressed with increased focus. In addition, the report describes AniCura's work within digitalization including digital veterinary services to pet owners in all Scandinavian countries.

Wiser antibiotic use is a never ending strive for AniCura. In a five-year period, the use of antibiotics in AniCura's veterinary hospitals and clinics in Europe has declined with almost 50 percent. In 2020, AniCura released its antibiotic guidelines for the eight most common indications for systemic antibiotic use.

Infection prevention

To ensure patient and employee safety, compliance with dress code and proper laundry procedures are important. For the first time, AniCura conducted a survey among 130 clinics in nine countries and completed 1,239 real-time dress code observations. The result show that 74% of the clinics have appointed an infection control practitioner for improved control and that 83% of the clinics have documented infection control routines in place.

Improved operational excellence in clinics

In 2018, the digital AniCura Patient Safety Improvement System (APSIS) was launched as a tool for enabling clinics to systematically document, analyze and learn from medical incidents. In 2020, 92% of the incidents were determined preventable. Enabling good incident handling takes time, requires correct communication skills, but is worthwhile to be able to improve better care for pets.

Investing in leadership development

Leadership and continuous development and specialization is critical for AniCura's ability to attract, retain and further develop the people needed for the transformation of the veterinary industry that AniCura started. As a result, AniCura launched a Leadership & Business development programme for all leaders. Also offered is the AniCura Graduate programme, an immersive two-year development programme for new veterinarians.

The full report can be found on our website www.anicuragroup.com

CONTACT:

Linda Nyberg

AniCura Group Communications Director

+46 760061915

linda.nyberg@anicuragroup.com

AniCura

Vendevagen 89

182 32 Danderyd

Sweden

www.anicuragroup.com

AniCura Shaping the future ofveterinary care

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Contracts are a foundational element of business and every company has gold hidden in the structures of its contracts.

Ursula Burns , former Chairman and CEO of Xerox and VEON Ltd. joins the Icertis Board of Advisors

, former Chairman and CEO of Xerox and VEON Ltd. joins the Icertis Board of Advisors Ursula, who regularly appears on Fortune's and Forbes' list of the world's most powerful women, will share her wealth of experience driving and building high value, enduring, and consequential companies

This addition comes on the heels of the company's $80 million Series F round and recognition as a clear leader in the fast-growing CLM category

Icertis, the contract intelligence company that pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM), today announced that veteran business executive Ursula Burns has joined its Board of Advisors. As a highly accomplished global leader who served as Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation and VEON Ltd., Ursula brings a wealth of experience leading and advising companies on digital transformation and growth while remaining grounded in values and culture.

"We are thrilled that Ursula is joining the Icertis Board of Advisors and look forward to her strategic input as we pursue our mission to be the contract intelligence platform for the world," said Samir Bodas, CEO and Co-founder, Icertis. "Her decades of experience driving digital transformation to achieve business success will be invaluable to us. I am eagerly looking forward to her guidance and counsel gained from her experience and extraordinary journey that has led her to the boardrooms of the most iconic companies in the world."

Ursula joins Icertis' advisory board on the heels of the company's announcement of an $80 million Series F round at a valuation of more than $2.8 billion  nearly triple the valuation of its last round in July 2019. Recognized as a clear leader in the fast-growing CLM category, Icertis manages 10+ million contracts worth more than $1 trillion. CLM is emerging as the next major enterprise SaaS category and is quickly becoming the must-have system of intelligence for the C-suite.

"Contracts are a foundational element of business and every company has gold hidden in the structures of its contracts waiting to be unlocked," said Ursula Burns. "Amid the pandemic and beyond, agile companies are looking at every facet of how work is done, and contract intelligence should be at the forefront of informing key business decisions. I am thrilled to join a company that takes a values-driven approach to business and look forward to working with Samir, Monish, and the Icertis team."

About Ursula Burns

Ursula began her career with Xerox as an intern in 1980 and was named president in 2007. During her tenure as chief executive officer, she helped the company transform from a global leader in document technology to the world's most diversified business services company serving enterprises and governments of all sizes.

Ursula, who regularly appears on Fortune's and Forbes' list of the world's most powerful women, is a board director of Exxon Mobil, Nestle, and Uber. US President Barack Obama appointed Ursula to help lead the White House national program on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) from 2009-2016, and she served as chair of the President's Export Council from 2015-2016 after service as vice chair 2010-2015.

She is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, The Royal Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Ursula holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University and a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York University.

For more information about Icertis, visit www.icertis.com.

About Icertis

With unmatched technology and category-defining innovation, Icertis pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM). The AI-powered, analyst- validated Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI) platform turns contracts from static documents into strategic advantage by structuring and connecting the critical contract information that defines how an organization runs. Today, the world's most iconic brands and disruptive innovators trust Icertis to govern the rights and commitments in their 10 million+ contracts worth more than $1 trillion, in 40+ languages and 90+ countries.

Icertis Media Contact:

Haley Flanagan

Corporate Communications, Icertis

[email protected]

SOURCE Icertis

Related Links

http://www.icertis.com


ALBANY  The Rev. William Love, who resigned as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany after a disciplinary panel determined he had violated church rules when he barred clergy from performing same-sex marriages, is leaving the church, Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry announced Tuesday.

The Episcopal News Service reported Love is joining the Anglican Church in North America. Love's decision was widely seen as a possibility after a five-member panel in October concluded that he had violated church doctrine, discipline and worship rules when he imposed the ban even though the church has allowed same-sex ceremonies since 2015  the same year marriage equality was made national law by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Curry said he acted on Love's request to be released and removed as an ordained minister of the Episcopal Church.

"Yesterday, I met with my Council of Advice and, with their advice and consent, granted Bishop Loves request," Curry said in a statement. "Deep in my heart I believe that as a church we are called, as Jesus once said, to be 'a house of prayer for all people,' where, as my slave ancestors used to sing, 'there is plenty good room for all of Gods children.'

"That conviction is not based on a social theory or capitulation to the ways of the culture," Curry continued. "Rather, it is born of my belief that the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross are the ultimate sign of the very love of God reaching out to embrace and welcome us all."

The diocese on Tuesday distributed a letter from Love. In it, he wrote: "There is no way to adequately express how truly honored and blessed I have been to serve as your bishop these past 14 years. It has been one of the greatest highlights and privileges of my life."

Love wrote that since his resignation he's prayed that God would guide him to "how I might best remain faithful to His Holy Word and serve Him and His Church in this next chapter of life."

"It is my hope and plan to be received into the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) in the very near future, at which time all the details of what I will be doing and where I will be serving will be shared in a separate announcement.

Love's stance on same-sex marriage led to a disciplinary hearing last summer that ultimately resulted in the decision that Love should be removed as bishop.

After that judgment, Love entered into an agreement to step down as bishop that resolved the disciplinary case against him. It was clear at the hearing that Love's opposition to same-sex marriage rites and non-heterosexual sexual relations was unlikely to budge regardless of the outcome of the hearing or any future moves by the church.

At the hearing, Love said "holy Scripture revealed that God only approves of sexual intimacy in the confines of marriage between a man and a woman.

Once the church took action, Love agreed to work with the presiding bishops office to foster a healthy transition for the diocese, church officials said at the time..

In 2018  three years after the Episcopal Church said the faith would recognize same-sex marriages  church leadership issued Resolution B012, which ordered bishops not to impede same-sex weddings. As a compromise, individual priests and bishops could recuse themselves from specific rites.

Shortly after that, Love issued a written rebuttal to the idea of same-sex marriage, contending that it violated Scripture.

Satan is having a heyday bringing division into the Church over these issues and is trying to use the Church to hurt and destroy the very ones we love, he wrote.

In response, the Rev. Mary Robinson White, the rector of St. Andrews Church in Albany, said she was prepared to implement Resolution B012 and that requests by same-sex couples would be overseen by Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe of the neighboring Diocese of Central New York.

Love, though, said the diocese church hadnt yet worked out plans for B012 and the prohibition on same-sex marriage should remain in effect.

The Anglican Church in North America, which split from the Episcopal Church more than a decade ago, bars same-sex marriage rites and views same-sex attraction as sinful and a "disordered affection" that can be changed through prayer and discipline, according to a pastoral statement released in January.
Hundreds of fortune seekers in Chinhoyi are counting their losses after a pyramid scheme in which they "invested" United States dollars collapsed recently.

The alleged founder of the scheme only identified as Ms Museka, who also owns Melting Pot College in the Central Business District, could not be reached for comment.

Police had not yet been called in by today, but the affected people claimed that Ms Museka proposed to reimburse them their money.

Chinhoyi Vendors Association's Calvin Musesengwe confirmed that some vendors were affected by the collapse of the scheme. They were lured through various social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp and Facebook.

Members paid a minimum joining fee of US$20 with hopes of reaping at least US$280 when they bring in more members who join with US$20 or more.

Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Margaret Chitove warned the public against such schemes.
The European Union (EU) will soon remove Ghana from the list of money laundering and terrorist financing countries.

The Head of the EU delegation to Ghana, Diana Acconcia, disclosed this on PM Express Business Edition on Joy TV.

According to Mrs Acconcia, the Union was taking this action because Ghana had made a lot of progress in taking corrective measures to deal with the issues raised by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

She said that the Union was now waiting for the FATF report or review to take further action on the issue.

"It's just a matter of time as that the Financial Action Task Force officials should be in town soon for its final review, physically or a possible virtual review. They are ready to remove Ghana from the list and I hope they can come and do that very soon, because the country has made a lot of progress," she explained.

Background on EU's action

The European Union on May 7, 2020 announced that it put 12 countries on the list of places with weak or deficiencies in Anti Money Laundering and Terrorism financing laws.

These include Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Cambodia, Ghana, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Panama and Zimbabwe.

In Ghana's situation, the action or directive was supposed to start from October 2020.

According to the EU, these weakness identified in these countries possess a serious risk to their financial system hence the action, based on recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force, the Union went ahead to put Ghana on the list.

Ghana's Finance Ministry, later in a statement, described the action as surprising and unfortunate, especially when government claimed that they had already steps to address all the issue, identified by the financial action task force. The action came with some scrutiny for Banks in the Ghana dealing with their counterparts in Europe.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison recently noted that the action impacted negatively on some banks.
Wearing the same diamond wattle brooch she was given during her first visit to Australia in 1954, the 94-year-old held court as she met serving RAAF members following the brief service which included a flypast by the Red Arrows. Speaking to one RAAF officer about Britains Typhoon fighter jets, the Queen asked if they were being sent off to chase the Russians? The officer replied: Thats correct Maam, its a lot of fun for us. The Queen first opened the Runnymede memorial in 1953. Credit:Getty Images In another light moment, the monarch asked Brandis about Australians stranded in the United Kingdom during the pandemic. When Brandis dutifully informed her about efforts to get as many home as possible, the Queen quipped: There are worse places to be stuck. She also beamed when Defence officials presented her with two RAAF-themed dog jackets for her new corgis.

In a formal statement, the Queen said she was delighted to congratulate the RAAF. As one of the oldest Air Forces in the world, it is fitting to pay tribute to the efficiency, skill and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in its ranks, in Australia and overseas, during the past one hundred years, she said. Throughout my reign, the Royal Australian Air Force has shown immense dedication to duty and defended our freedom in many conflicts around the world. High Commissioner George Brandis lays a wreath at the socially-distanced anniversary service. Credit:Getty Images Prince William  who flew for the Royal Air Force  also marked the centenary with a video message that reflected on the service, courage and sacrifice made by generations of Australians.

The Queen  who served as a driver and mechanic during World War II  first opened the Runnymede memorial in 1953. The then-26-year old had succeeded to the throne just one year earlier. Group Captain Adrian Maso, the most senior RAAF officer stationed in the UK, said Defence had been in contact with descendants of the lost Australians the Queen heard about on Wednesday and they are all very humbled by us telling their family story. Her appearance - just two days after restrictions were eased on how many people could gather outdoors in England  points to a more public profile this year as the COVID-19 risk subsides. She has been isolating at home and left Windsor Castle only three times before for public engagements. The first was in October 2020 to meet scientists at a defence facility near Salisbury; the other ventures were for the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey in November, and a service for Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph on Whitehall. The Queen and 99-year-old Prince Philip were given their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in early January and are thought to have since had the second shot. She did not wear a mask on Wednesday and each guest underwent a COVID-19 test before entry.

The Queen is nearly the same age as the RAAF and has reigned for more than two-thirds of its existence. Major Thomas White, Equerry to the Queen, prepares to lay a wreath on her behalf. Credit:Getty Images Under the so-called Imperial Gift of 1920, Britain gave Australia 126 planes which were either surplus to needs or replacements for Australian aircraft lost during battle. One aircraft  a SE5a fighter  was handed to the Australian War Memorial in 1929 and displayed at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne before being moved to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The skies over Europe were by far the most dangerous theatre of operations for Australians during World War II, with more than 4100 RAAF members killed while serving under the umbrella of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command.

More than one in three RAAF members who served in the Bomber Command were killed, amounting to 20 per cent of all Australian combat losses during the war. Flight Lieutenant James Clarke from the Royal Australian Air Force is on a three-year exchange program in the UK and is currently based with 3(F) Squadron Typhoon at Royal Air Force Coningsby Lincolnshire. Credit:Crown Copyright MOD 2021 Flight Lieutenant James Clarke is the only RAAF member flying fast jets in skies over the UK today, via an exchange program. The 32-year-old flies Typhoons - the same aircraft the Queen referred to when joking about chasing off the Russians - at speeds of up to 1500 miles per hour or twice the speed of sound. Life moves at a different pace - youre talking split-second decisions, Clarke told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Its eye-watering. Clarkes base at Coningsby is steeped in World War II history. The stresses we deal with today are nothing compared with the thought of taking off out of rural Lincolnshire in the fog, flying across really cold and dangerous water and then battling your way in to Europe and turning around and coming back, he said. It is awe-inspiring. The skill those men had were absolutely unbelievable.
One year after Seychelles legally designated 30 percent of its territorial waters as marine protected areas 10 years ahead of international targets, efforts are now underway to develop a legal and strategic framework as well as a management plan for each of these sites.

The principal secretary for the environment, Alain Decomarmond, said each site will have a plan that dictates what type of activities can be done as per the Blue Economy Strategy. The plans will also examine conservation issues, enforcement and research that can be done.

Decomarmond spoke last Friday at the presentation of a series of canvas printed materials to showcase the historic marine designation in which the island nation tripled the goal of having 10 percent of its marine area protected by 2030. The UN Convention of Biological Diversity Target 11 and the UN Sustainable Development Goal SDG-14 both call for 10 percent marine protection by 2030.

"We are at the implementation stage. The plan before COVID was to start implementation in 2021, but we have been delayed. But we have had many virtual consultations and gradually work on the framework has started," explained Decomarmond.

The principal secretary added that the remaining 70 percent of Seychelles' waters are also being looked at under the Marine Spatial Plan which will work as a land-use plan and will look at "what type of activities can happen at different areas."

"Thirty percent declaration is a big thing for Seychelles and we must carry that with us everywhere we go. It's a big achievement globally for Seychelles and was part of the commitment we made many years ago. Seychelles achieved it in a rather short time compared to many countries and I think it is something we should all be proud of," said the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Climate Change.

Flavien Joubert appealed to more young people to do like James Dupres - the creator of the canvases - to support environmental initiatives. Dupres told journalists that his work is a combination of colours and shapes of the ocean.

"These represent Seychelles' ocean, the Indian Ocean and also the elements that represent the underwater biodiversity, and when we were doing the project, we were thinking of the elements and colours that will come out very well on digital aspect and print as well, so we used the parrotfish, octopus, whale shark, we used a combination of these," explained Dupres.

The 30 percent represents 13 new areas now protected under the National Parks and Nature Conservancy Act, totalling 410,000 square kilometres of the island nation's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 1.4 million square kilometres.

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These new areas include the waters surrounding the Aldabra group, marine areas in the Amirantes including D'Arros to Poivre, and the South of Amirantes and Bird Island, one of the only two sand cays in the inner island group.

The rest which falls within the Amirantes to Fortune Bank are of medium biodiversity and designated for sustainable use where activities vital to Seychelles' economy will continue to operate but will be managed under new sustainability regulations.

The Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan is the first comprehensive, large-scale Marine Spatial Plan in the western Indian Ocean, one of the first for a Small Island Developing State, and the largest Marine Spatial Plan in the world, after Norway.

It is a government-led initiative with the support of the Nature Conservancy Trust, following the award-winning debt-for-nature swap, which was formalised through the creation of the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust in 2016.
Microsoft on Tuesday said it has helped over 30 lakh people in India gain access to digital skills amid Covid-19 when hundreds and thousands of students and laid-off workers turned to online courses to better prepare themselves for the job market.

Globally, the company has helped over 30 million people in 249 countries and territories gain access to digital skills.

Microsoft said it is also extending its commitment to help 250,000 companies globally make a skills-based hire in 2021.

From laid-off factory workers to retail associates and truck drivers, millions of people turned to online learning courses from GitHub, LinkedIn and Microsoft during the pandemic to help prepare for and secure the most in-demand roles, including customer service, project management and data analysis.

"Skills will be the new currency in the post-pandemic world. Over the past year, we've seen the pandemic affect people all across the world, including those who could bear it the least," Microsoft Asia President, Ahmed Mazhari, said in a statement.

"For us to emerge stronger from the pandemic, reskilling needs to be at the centre of our economic reset."

In India, Microsoft has partnered with the government, industry bodies and non-profit partners to create a strong digital skilling ecosystem in the country.

Last year, Microsoft joined hands with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in India to empower one lakh underserved young women across India with digital skills.

Microsoft has also partnered with the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Nasscom Foundation to create learning pathways for students at the Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in India.

To promote skilling as a national priority, Nasscom FutureSkills and Microsoft collaborated last year to launch a nation-wide AI skilling initiative that aims to skill 10 lakh students in Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2021.
Meghan Markle is 'likely' to launch a US presidential campaign but would 'struggle' with the barrage of criticism levelled at politicians because she is 'sensitive', her biographer has claimed.

Acid-penned Tom Bower, who has reportedly agreed a six figure sum to tell the pregnant Duchess's story, said she would need to learn to 'take the heat' if she entered politics because they are the public figures who cop the most backlash from the press.

Speaking to Closer magazine, he added that Meghan, 39, would need to be a 'team player' and build up an army of loyal staff - something she appears to have experienced issues with during her life as a royal.

'The prospect of Meghan running for president is possible and I'd even say likely. I really believe it's where she sees herself going,' he told the publication.

Meghan Markle is 'likely' to launch a presidential campaign but would 'struggle' with the barrage of criticism levelled at politicians because she is 'sensitive', her biographer has claimed (pictured during the Oprah interview)

Bower, who is renowned for his unsparing, unauthorised biographies of towering figures including Boris Johnson, Prince Charles and Robert Maxwell, said Meghan has 'all the qualities' needed for a strong political candidate, citing her drive, ambition, self-confidence, conviction and public speaking skills.

He claimed the former Suits star has 'had her time' in the acting world and is now aiming for the political stage, having already 'masterminded' a new life for her and Harry in California.

Bower said when Meghan wants something done, it happens - pointing to the multi-million pound Netflix and Spotify deals she and Harry, 36, have secured, as well as the Oprah interview which made headlines around the world as a result of their explosive claims about the Royal Family.

But the 'major' problem Meghan faces should she go into congress is the fact she is 'clearly sensitive', and while she may believe she's had a difficult ride with the press so far, politicians face a barrage of criticism on a daily basis.

'They're probably the public figures who face the most backlash,' Bower told Closer. 'I really think she would struggle. She'd need to learn to take the heat.'

The 'major' problem Meghan faces should she go into congress, according to Bower, is the fact she is 'clearly sensitive', and while she may believe she's had a difficult ride with the press so far, politicians face barrages of criticism on a daily basis. Pictured: the Duchess giving a speech during an Essex school assembly as part of a surprise visit in March 2020

He said another 'problem' is the fact that to get voted in and to build up a campaign, the Duchess would 'need to be a team player' and 'build up a team of loyal staff'.

'We've seen through the reports about her staff members quitting and moving on that she doesn't seem to be able to hold onto her team,' he observed.

A senior Palace aide has accused her of 'unacceptable behaviour' towards two personal assistants and undermining the confidence of a third, triggering Buckingham Palace to launch an inquiry into the claims - which the Duchess has denied and branded 'a smear campaign'.

Last week it emerged Harry and Meghan's chief of staff and executive director of Archewell, Catherine St Laurent, whom they head-hunted from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has unexpectedly quit after just 11 months into the job.

Insiders claimed the Canadian-born mother-of-two 'wanted out' after finding herself 'having to fulfill a great many functions for the couple' outside of her contract.

The Sussexes were dogged by a spate of departures from their ranks as working royals, losing at least two PAs as well as other key staff from their private office.

Bower added: 'Nonetheless I think she has a good chance of getting into the White House - and perhaps visit the UK to have tea with the Queen one day as President of the United States!'

Acid-penned biographer Tom Bower has reportedly agreed a six figure sum to tell the Duchess's story (pictured on GMB in 2018)

Bower will embark on 12 months of meticulous research to put together Meghan's unauthorised biography, speaking to friends, foes and associates of Harry and Meghan so that he can tell the Duchess's story.

A source told The Sun: 'This is the book Meghan will be dreading. Tom doesn't pull his punches, and is terrifyingly thorough in his research. No stone will be left unturned.'

Earlier this month a senior Labour figure  a veteran of Tony Blair's Downing Street administration with strong links to Washington  claimed to The Mail on Sunday that Meghan was networking among senior Democrats with a view to building a campaign and fundraising teams for a tilt at the US Presidency.

A source close to the Duchess declined to comment, but the couple have made little secret of their political beliefs.

During the US election last year they levelled a thinly veiled attack on Donald Trump by urging voters to 'reject hate speech', which a spokesperson for the couple described as 'a call for decency'. Trump himself declared that he was 'not a fan' of Meghan.

A source said: 'The Blairite, internationalist and Democratic party networks are buzzing with talk about Meghan's political ambitions and potential backers.'

During the US election last year, the Sussexes levelled a thinly veiled attack on Donald Trump by urging voters to 'reject hate speech', which a spokesperson for the couple described as 'a call for decency'. Trump himself declared that he was 'not a fan' of Meghan

Last year a friend of the Duchess told Vanity Fair magazine that one of the reasons she did not give up her American citizenship when she married into the Royal Family was to allow her to keep open the option of entering Washington politics.

US constitutional experts responded that she would have to renounce her title if she wanted to hold public office in the States, because it would cut across the US oath of allegiance.

Buckingham Palace tried to distance the Royal Family from the remarks made during the US election by issuing a statement saying that 'the Duke is not a working member of the Royal Family' and describing his comments as 'made in a personal capacity'.

The source added that the presumption was that the Duchess was eyeing 2024, when President Joe Biden will be 82 and deciding whether he wants to run for a second term.

If she made it to the White House, Meghan would be the first female US President  succeeding where Hillary Clinton narrowly failed four years ago  and the second non-white occupant of the Oval Office after Barack Obama.

She would also be following in the footsteps of President Ronald Reagan, who was a Hollywood actor for four decades before switching to politics. During the 2020 campaign, the Duchess addressed the When All Women Vote Couch Party, the organisation co-founded by Michelle Obama to encourage participation in elections.

Meghan's friends have previously encouraged speculation about her political ambitions  describing her rise from modest beginnings as 'the embodiment of the American dream'.
BAE Systems has received a $21 million contract from the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence to support the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) over the next four-and-a-half years.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005016/en/

The Common Missile Warning System, developed by BAE Systems, integrates hostile fire indication, missile warning, and countermeasure coordination capabilities into one system and is used on a variety of UK rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. Photo credit: UK Ministry of Defence

This contract ensures the continued support and sustainment of CMWS systems on various UK aircraft platforms. The award includes annual repair and engineering services.

"The UK Ministry of Defence has been a key partner on CMWS for decades," said Christopher Austin, BAE Systems' director of Threat Detection Solutions. "It is a privilege to continue to help ensure the safety of our ally's aircraft and personnel with the protection of CMWS."

CMWS, developed by BAE Systems, integrates hostile fire indication, missile warning, and countermeasure coordination capabilities into one system and is used on a variety of UK rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. It alerts crews to incoming threats and commands automated countermeasure dispensing, ensuring survivability of the aircraft and its crews.

Deployed across the U.S. Army rotary and fixed-wing fleet, as well as aircraft of 16 allied countries, more than 3,000 CMWS units have been installed on over 40 different platforms. Since BAE Systems first fielded the system in 2005, CMWS has logged approximately 4 million combat theater flight hours, saving dozens of aircraft and hundreds of lives in an ever-changing threat environment.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005016/en/

Contacts:

Shelley Walcott, BAE Systems

Mobile: 603-508-9107

shelley.walcott@baesystems.com

www.baesystems.com/US

@BAESystemsInc
Astrophysics student Ellen Price awarded 51 Pegasi B Fellowship

Ellen Price, a doctoral student at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, has been awarded the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship from the Heising-Simons Foundation. Price is one of only eight students in the nation to receive this prestigious award.

The fellowship will provide up to $375,000 in support for Price to conduct independent research in planetary astronomy over the next three years.

"It honestly still feels a bit unreal to be awarded this fellowship," Price says. "But I'm eternally grateful to all the mentors who enabled me to get here, and I'm looking forward to making the most of this opportunity!"

Price will earn a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Harvard University in May 2021. During her time at the Center for Astrophysics (CfA), she studied protoplanetary disks--the birthplaces of planets--under the mentorship of Astronomy Professor Karin Oberg. She was also advised by former CfA postdoc Ilse Cleeves and Leslie Rogers, assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Chicago.

Established in 2017, the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship is named for the first exoplanet discovered orbiting a Sun-like star. The fellowship supports the growing field of planetary astronomy, which focuses on objects within and beyond our solar system. From improving the understanding of planetary system formation and evolution, to advancing new technologies for detecting other worlds, 51 Pegasi b Fellows make a unique contribution to the field of astronomy.

Price has accepted a postdoctoral position at the University of Chicago, which will serve as the host institution of her fellowship. There she will be mentored by planetary science Professor Fred Ciesla and attend an annual summit that assists fellows with developing professional networks, exchanging information and ideas, and fostering collaboration.

Price thrives most when tackling complex problems with big picture implications. As a theorist, she uses her mathematical intuition and computer programming talents to create simulations that explore the diverse outcomes of planetary formation.

"One of the overarching themes of my work is that simple is better than complex," Price says. "My simulations provide results that are easy to analyze, and serve as a good benchmark for more complex approaches."

Using highly efficient code, Price simulates how protoplanetary disk materials evolve over time and at multiple scales, from miniscule grains to giant planets. Her work reduces the time it takes to make realistic evolving disk models.

During her fellowship, Price will extend her code to model the chemical reactions that occur as the rocky cores of planets materialize within a protoplanetary disk.

Simulating the ways dust and gas interact within these environments will advance the field by making an inventory of the chemical building blocks of planets.

###

Learn more about the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship at http://www. 51pegasib. org .

About the Heising-Simons Foundation

The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Altos and San Francisco, California. The Foundation works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people. Learn more at http://www. hsfoundation. org .

About the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is a collaboration between Harvard and the Smithsonian designed to ask--and ultimately answer--humanity's greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. The Center for Astrophysics is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with research facilities across the U.S. and around the world.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The United States's climate envoy John Kerry will travel to the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh ahead of a climate summit that Washington will host next month, according to a statement from the department Wednesday.

The leaders of the three countries are among 40 invited to a two-day virtual meeting starting April 22 and meant to mark the US's return to the front lines of the climate crisis fight, after former president Donald Trump disengaged from the process.

The US is expected to make ambitious new commitments to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions under the terms of the Paris climate accord soon, and will encourage others to boost their own goals.

Kerry will visit Abu Dhabi, New Delhi and Dhaka between April 1 and 9, the State Department statement said.

The Paris Agreement left countries in charge of making their own promises and taking their own measurements of emission reductions, but requires them to regularly revise their Nationally Determined Contributions.

Also read: Apple supplier partners including in India pledge to use 100% renewable energy

The agreement's goal is to limit the increase in global temperatures by the end of the century to around 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels -- or risk leaving much of the planet inhospitable to life.

The United States, the world's top economy, is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere.

The trip announcement comes as the administration of President Joe Biden was preparing to seek a multi-trillion dollar package from Congress to modernize ageing infrastructure, while shifting to renewable energy and electric cars.
(CNN) - Russia has registered the worlds first animal vaccine against COVID-19, Russian state media TASS reported Wednesday quoting Konstantin Savenkov, the deputy head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).

"Carnivak-Cov, a sorbate inactivated vaccine against the coronavirus infection (COVID-19) for carnivorous animals, developed by Rosselkhoznadzors Federal Center for Animal Health, has been registered in Russia. So far, it is the worlds first and only product for preventing COVID-19 in animals," Konstantin Savenkov said.

The vaccine will likely go into mass production as early as April, according to the TASS report.

Clinical trials of Carnivak-Cov began last October, Savenkov said. The research involved dogs, cats, foxes, Arctic foxes, minks and other animals.

"The outcome of the research gives us grounds to conclude that the vaccine is safe and has strong immunogenic effect, because all vaccinated animals developed antibodies to novel coronavirus in 100% Savenkov said, according to TASS.

The report said that the effect of the vaccine is estimated to last no less than six months," quoting Savenkov.

"According to Russian scientists, the use of the vaccine can prevent further mutations of the virus," the Russian official said, adding that multiple firms from Greece, Poland and Austria plan to buy the vaccine.

Savenkov added that companies from the United States, Canada and Singapore have also demonstrated interest".

In May last year, Denmark culled 17 million minks over concerns the animals were spreading a mutated form of coronavirus.
New York, March 31 : US President Joe Biden has nominated an Indian American to be a judge in the local court system of the nation's capital after having withdrawn another's nomination made by his predecessor Donald Trump.

The White House announced on Tuesday that Biden was nominating Rupa Ranga Puttagunta to be a judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, which is a local court for Washington.

Last month, he withdrew the nomination of Vijay Shankar to a higher local court, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, that Trump had made as one of a spate of last-minute appointments in January before his term was to end.

Shankar needed the Senate confirmation for his appointment, which he could not get with the Democrats getting control of it.

Puttagunta is now an administrative judge for the District of Columbia Rental Housing Commission dealing with landlord-tenant issues and rental housing regulations.

She had earlier represented the poor in criminal cases and worked with victims of domestic abuse, according to the White House.

Meanwhile, Biden has appointed a Pakistani American, Zahid N. Quraishi, to be a federal judge.

He would become the nation's first Muslim federal judge if confirmed by the Senate.

Another Muslim, Abid Qureshi, was nominated by former President Barack Obama in 2016 to be a federal judge but the Senate did not act on his nomination before Trump took office and it lapsed.

The federal judgeship would be an elevation for Quraishi who is now a federal magistrate judge in New Jersey.

Magistrate judges are appointed by the federal judges to assist them on matters like first appearances by the accused in criminal cases and setting bail. Unlike federal judges, they are not nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate and, therefore, do not issue judgments or hear cases.

Quraishi is a former US Army captain who ad served in Iraq and has also worked as an assistant chief counsel in the Department of Homeland Security and as an assistant federal prosecutor.

The South Asian Bar Association welcomed their nominations, tweeting, "We are proud to see Judges Rupa Ranga Puttagunta and Zahid Quraishi on the list" of Biden's judicial nominees.

The White House said that the nominations announced on Tuesday reflect Biden's "intent to nominate highly-qualified candidates to federal courts that reflect his deeply-held conviction that the federal bench should reflect the full diversity of the American people -- both in background and in professional experience." Biden, who has said that he would nominate an African America woman to the Supreme Court, named Ketanji Brown Jackson to be a judge on the Federal Appeals Circuit Court in Washington, which is considered the most important after the Supreme Court.

If she is confirmed, it would put her on a fast track to become the nation's first African American woman on the Supreme Court if a vacancy occurs during Biden's term.

Brown Jackson replaces Merrick Garland, who was Obama's unsuccessful nominee for the Supreme Court and is now the attorney-general in the Biden administration.

Trump's nomination of Shankar was not meant to be taken seriously as he had lost the election and was an attempt at asserting himself in the last days in office.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)
An elderly couple who vanished on Tuesday are still missing despite several sightings and an ongoing search.

Otto and Gerda, both 87, from Bentleigh in Melbourne's south-east were last seen leaving a car park on Kings Way around 6.30pm on Tuesday in their gold Lexus.

Victoria Police said the pair were spotted at least twice on Wednesday night, but responding officers found no sign of them.

The search continues for missing Bentleigh couple Gerda (left) and Otto (right) after their gold Lexus Sedan was found on Wednesday

The couple's sedan, with registration PYM-184, was first seen bogged near a lake north of Rainbow in Victoria about 5pm on Wednesday.

Police believe they were assisted by a truck driver and were seen driving north on Henty Highway towards Hopetoun.

The car was then spotted again on Sealake-Birchip Road in Birchip at about 9.10pm by a passer-by who drove past a parked gold sedan with two people inside.

But when police arrived the vehicle was gone.

Concerned family members raised the alarm on Wednesday morning after the couple failed to attend a prearranged medical appointment.

The couple's daughter Sylvie (pictured), said her father has a heart condition and both parents have short term memory loss

The couple's disappearance is out of character as they are usually in regular contact with family.

Police hold concerns for Otto and Gerda's welfare as both require ongoing medical treatment.

The couple's daughter Sylvie, said she spoke to her parents four days ago after making a desperate plea for them to return home.

She said her father has a heart condition and both parents have short term memory loss.

The pair are known to frequent the casino and restaurant in Brighton once a week.

Otto is described as 180cm tall, medium build with balding white hair and blue eyes.

Gerda is described as 170cm tall with short curly white hair and blue eyes.
A man charged with the murder of gangster Robbie Lawlor failed today in a new bid to be released from custody to see his newborn child.

Adrian Holland (37) was refused compassionate bail amid continued prosecution concerns that he could attempt to flee.

Lawlor was gunned down outside Holland's home at Etna Drive in Ardoyne, north Belfast on April 4 last year.

According to police a gunman emerged from the property and opened fire in broad daylight, shooting the 36-year-old underworld figure in the head and body.

Originally from Dublin, Lawlor had been heavily involved in a bitter dispute between rival Drogheda-based factions.

Previous courts were told he may have travelled to Northern Ireland because he feared he was going to be attacked as part of a deadly drugs feud.

But his assassination had already been commissioned three weeks earlier at a meeting in a Sligo hotel attended by an international drugs dealer, it has been alleged.

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Neither Holland nor 45-year-old co-defendant Patrick Teer, of Thornberry Hill in Belfast, are accused of being the gunman.

Instead, they have been charged as part of a joint enterprise to murder, based on their alleged involvement in events surrounding the shooting.



Holland mounted a fresh bid for temporary release to visit his child after a first application was denied earlier this month.

Defence barrister Joe Brolly told Belfast Magistrates' Court his client only wanted out of custody for up to six hours, with a solicitor prepared to act as chaperone.

He argued that in a separate case Holland previously complied with bail conditions, signing at a police station 126 times over a two year period.

"As soon as he was charged (with murder), all of a sudden he was going to create a new identity for himself, use a criminal network, go to Colombia, all of this stuff," Mr Brolly submitted.

"There has been in this case a retreat from reality."

With two other people suspected of involvement in the killing said to have left the island of Ireland, prosecution counsel said co-accused Teer has also been refused bail due to the risk of flight.

Ruling on the case, District Judge Steven Keown rejected defence claims that an error was made in a previous High Court determination.

He confirmed: "I refuse this application on the basis there is no change in circumstances."

Holland was remanded in continuing custody until April 9.
This latest funding follows the announcement in December that the UK Government  through the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), and Innovate UK  had awarded a 12.3m grant ($16.3m) to deliver a breakthrough 19-seat hydrogen-electric powered aircraft that is market-ready by 2023. The company announced its $21.4 million Series A funding round at the same time, accelerating its 600kW development program scheduled for commercial entry in 2024.

"This new funding, in conjunction with our other recent milestones, will significantly accelerate our path to zero-emission solutions for larger regional aircraft at a commercial scale," said Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia. "With many airlines lining up and ready to make the shift to zero-emissions, we expect to see wide-scale adoption of this technology. We are extremely grateful for our investors who are helping to speed up our progress and ultimately the aviation industry's adoption of zero-emission flight."

ZeroAvia expects to achieve commercialization for its hydrogen-electric powertrain as early as 2024. Its hydrogen aviation solutions will address various markets by initially targeting a 500-mile range in 10-20 seat aircraft used for commercial passenger transport, package delivery, agriculture, and beyond. Accelerated by this new capital infusion, ZeroAvia will also target entering the 50+ seat commercial aircraft segment by 2026.

"'Flying on jet fuel comes with an environmental cost, and finding an alternative for the aviation industry is vital. We believe ZeroAvia offers a real and practical solution for the aviation market to move towards cleaner options." says Patrick Poon from Horizons Ventures.

The round will also further derisk the company vision of powering a 100-seat single-aisle aircraft by 2030. ZeroAvia's achievements to date are the first steps in realizing the near-term transition from fossil fuels to zero-emission hydrogen as the primary source for commercial aviation.

"Innovative zero-emissions technology is advancing fast, and we support the development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source because we believe it has the potential to enable us to reach true zero emissions on short-haul routes by 2050," Sean Doyle, British Airways' CEO, said. "There is a huge amount of energy and excitement building around the possibilities of a zero-emissions future for aviation, and while there is no single solution to this challenge, we acknowledge the need for urgent action to tackle the impact flying currently has on our planet and are making progress on our journey to net zero."

As the company continues to scale its global operations, ZeroAvia also brings three new members to the senior team.

Christine Ourmieres-Widener joins ZeroAvia's Board of Directors and brings executive experience cultivated from her time spent in top leadership at airline and travel corporations, including Vice-President and GM USA for Air France-KLM, CEO and board member of CityJet, Chief Global Sales Officer of American Express Global Business Travel and CEO of FlyBe. She previously served on the Board of Governors for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and was a Non-Executive Director for the airline retailer Datalex.

Mike Friend, a retired Boeing Senior Technology Director and consultant for Mitsubishi Aircraft, joins the Technical Advisory Board to lend his extensive aerospace technology knowledge to the powertrain development programs. In the early 2000s, he led a historic Boeing Phantom Works project in Spain, resulting in the world's first manned hydrogen-electric airplane flight. Following that, he was a chief engineer in the New Airplane Product Development team at Boeing Commercial Aircraft, playing critical roles in developing multiple vehicle concepts, including Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Mark Blair, a retired FedEx VP of Air Operations and a former Director of Fleet & Government Sales for Cessna Aircraft Company joins ZeroAvia Advisory Board to lend his extensive knowledge in package delivery applications of various sizes of aircraft. Mark is also engaged with a number of cargo and passenger operators in advisory capacities and will bring this diverse operator perspective to ZeroAvia.

ZeroAvia offers hydrogen-fueled powertrain technology to replace conventional engines in commercial aircraft. Adoption of this technology results not only in true zero-emission flight but also in lower fuel and maintenance costs. The company previously completed its first electric flight in the US in 2019, then built the second flying prototype in the UK, and conducted its first electric flight in June of 2020. In September 2020, it achieved the world's first hydrogen-electric flight of a commercial-grade aircraft. Additionally, the company just completed a ground simulation of the complete power profile for its upcoming first cross-country flight. The ground test demonstrated a full battery shutdown in-flight using the company's unique fuel cell powertrain configuration, allowing for complete removal of the battery system in the next configuration of the powertrain.

About ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation, focused on hydrogen-electric aviation solutions to address a variety of markets, initially targeting 500 mile range in 10-20 seat aircraft used for commercial passenger transport, cargo, agriculture, and more. Based in the UK and USA, ZeroAvia has already secured experimental certificates for its two prototype aircraft from the CAA and FAA, passed significant flight test milestones, and is on track for commercial operations in 2024. The company's expanding UK operations are supported by grants from UK's Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, and ZeroAvia is part of the UK Government's Jet Zero Council. For more, please visit ZeroAvia.com, follow @ZeroAvia on Twitter , Instagram , and LinkedIn .

About Horizons Ventures

Horizons Ventures, the private investment arm of Mr. Li Ka-shing, is a leading investor in some of the world's most innovative companies and disruptive technologies, including Facebook, Spotify, Siri, Zoom, Impossible Foods and Perfect Day. For more information, please visit http://horizonsventures.com .

About Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Backed by many of the world's top business leaders, Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) invests in cutting-edge companies that will lead the world to net-zero emissions. BEV has more than $2 billion in committed capital to support bold entrepreneurs building companies that can significantly reduce emissions from agriculture, buildings, electricity, manufacturing, and transportation. BEV's strategy links government-funded research and patient, risk-tolerant capital to bring transformative clean energy innovations to market as quickly as possible.

The first fund was created in 2016 as part of the Breakthrough Energy network of initiatives and entities, which include investment funds, non-profit and philanthropic programs, and policy efforts linked by a shared commitment to scale the technologies needed to address climate change and achieve a path to net zero emissions by 2050. Visit https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/ to learn more.

About Ecosystem Integrity Fund

Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) invests in early growth-stage companies contributing to environmental sustainability across multiple sectors including renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste reduction, green chemistry, transportation, agriculture, and water. EIF takes a systems-based approach to sustainability investment, studying both the drivers for change as well as the constraints to innovation in market niches that are ripe for development. EIF invests in companies solving real problems, resulting in better investment opportunities and greater impact. For more information, visit: www.ecosystemintegrity.com .

About Summa Equity

Summa Equity is a thematic investment firm defined by a purpose-driven team that has come together to invest in companies that address some of our global challenges.

Summa Equity focuses on companies in industries supported by megatrends within three themes: Resource Efficiency, Changing Demographics and Tech-Enabled Business. The firm's investments across the three themes have the potential for long-term sustainable outperformance because they address some of the social, environmental, and business challenges we need to solve as a society.

Summa Equity have more than SEK 14 billion of assets under management. For further information on Summa Equity, please visit www.summaequity.com .

About Shell Ventures

Shell Ventures helps companies reach the next level. Established in 1996 as one of the first corporate venture funds in the oil and gas industry, Shell Ventures works with startups and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from their early stages to their scale and growth phases. Through minority investments and strategic partnerships, Shell Ventures helps innovative companies commercialise their solutions to accelerate the energy and mobility transformation.

About SYSTEMIQ

SYSTEMIQ is a leading specialist consulting and investment firm applying system thinking to prevent the worst effects from climate change. SYSTEMIQ focuses on clean energy, materials/circularity, and nature with three complementary business models: (a) building coalitions of actors around climate themes, publishing industry-shaping reports that outline sector transition pathways, (b) advisory services for corporates and investment managers, and (c) investments in (early venture) technologies that accelerate the transition. For further information on SYSTEMIQ, please visit www.systemiq.earth .

About British Airways

British Airways is a global airline and the UK's flag carrier, flying customers to where they need to be for more than 100 years. The airline connects Britain with the world and the world with Britain, putting customers and sustainability at its heart and providing service excellence. British Airways has a clear roadmap to meet its net zero 2050 target. More details of British Airways' sustainability strategy can be found here .

SOURCE ZeroAvia

Related Links

http://www.zeroavia.com




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Virgin Media Televisions Donate for Dementia fundraising and awareness week has raised 1 million for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

All last week, Virgin Media Television aired special programming around the disease, which affects half a million Irish families, with one in 10 of those diagnosed being under the age of 65.

The special week concluded on Sunday night with the highly anticipated broadcast of Finding Jack Charlton, which was commissioned by Virgin Media Television and the BBC. Over half a million people nationwide tuned into the programme which is now also available to view on the Virgin Media Player.

355,800 tuned in for Martin Kings documentary We Need To Talk About Dementia, with the entire week reaching over a million people.

All funds raised from the week will be used to fund The Alzheimer Society of Irelands dementia services that support the 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland including redeveloping day care centres, providing family carer training, and providing information and support across the country.

Pat McLoughlin, CEO of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, said: Everyone at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is absolutely delighted after the success of the Donate for Dementia week with Virgin Media Television, culminating in the powerful and thought-provoking Martin King We Need to Talk About Dementia documentary and the inspiring Finding Jack Charlton documentary.

"During this past week we have raised an incredible sum in donations for vital dementia supports and services, raised awareness of dementia, and really kick-started a national conversation around dementia.

"We have, through the partnership with the Virgin Media team, brought dementia out of the shadows.

"I am so grateful to everybody who took part and supported the week, whether you did a Jump for Jack challenge, shared your story and experience, supported on social media or made a donation. We are so grateful and really taken aback by everyones generosity of spirit.

"All money raised from the Donate for Dementia week will be used to fund our dementia services that support the 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland. We rely heavily on donations from the public to keep our supports and services in place, so any donation made really counts and means so much to the people who depend on these services."
Shocking bodycam video can be revealed showing a policeman grabbing a handcuffed woman by the throat and slamming her against a police truck.

The incoherent and dishevelled woman was sprung with stolen goods in a Sydney suburb one night on October 23, 2019 and surrounded by NSW Police officers.

The woman, who appeared to be under the influence, told the officers she was looking to 'score' from a friend.

She mouthed off at the police, was in such a state she lifted up her dress at the four officers and then took a 'useless' kick at one of them.

That's when a Senior Constable lunged forward and grabbed the woman's neck, leaving her gurgling and pinned up against the truck.

The officer's use of force has been slammed as 'inappropriate and excessive' by the police watchdog, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

'She was vulnerable. She was no threat,' the watchdog said in a report released to Parliament late on Friday night.

In footage released by the police watchdog, the woman is seen being held in a chokehold by the officer after a 'useless' kick at one of his colleagues

The watchdog rubbished the policeman's claims he believed he and his colleagues were 'in danger' from the woman and that he took 'split second' action to stop her.

In its report, the commission said the officers had first seen the woman unsteady on her feet with a bag and suitcase in Sydney about 9pm that evening.

Officers looked through her bags and found stolen goods with the tags still attached.

The wobbly woman tried to strike one of the police officers in the face before falling over, the report said. She was then handcuffed over fears she would self-harm and officers called in an ambulance.

It was then that the woman pulled up her dress against the car, before turning around and declaring: 'I'm an old body sculptor'.

She then lifted her knee toward the police, leading them to warn her 'don't'.

The officer then grabbed her by the neck. She was heard laughing through choking noises in the video.

At a hearing the police officer agreed with his lawyer he had a 'reasonable basis to believe either his own safety or the safety of others was in imminent danger'.

But the commission saw things very differently.

'None of (the three other cops) were threatened by the pathetic leg swing of (the woman),' the police watchdog found.

'None of the officers needed (the policeman's) assistance.'

The woman (in striped dress on right) is seen up against the police car earlier in the video, back turned to the officers

All three of the other officers present told the Commission they wouldn't have behaved the same way - although they were reluctant to criticise their colleague.

The commission found what the policeman did was 'an unreasonable use of force' albeit one at the lower end of the spectrum.

The watchdog recommended the officer face 'serious disciplinary action' including restricted duties or reprimands.

But any punishment wouldn't go as far as termination, demotion or having his pay docked.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said the Force is considering the report and the watchdog's recommendations.

The report was one of two issued by the police watchdog last week that were critical of officers' conduct.

A separate report found police officers with the elite Strike Force Raptor intimidated a lawyer who was representing a bikie.
press release

Washington  The World Bank today approved the $100 million Ghana Productive Safety Net Project 2 (GPSNP 2). The project will support the Government of Ghana to expand and strengthen its social safety net program which will directly benefit over 1.6 million people in the country. The project will help to improve the incomes and productivity of the poor and vulnerable.

In recent years, the pace of poverty reduction has slowed in Ghana, and the association between economic growth and poverty reduction has weakened. The coronavirus pandemic and accompanying global economic crisis has also served as a major setback to Ghana's prospects for further reductions in poverty.

"The World Bank is pleased to support this project as it will help to ensure that more poor and vulnerable people have access to basic services and can boost their productivity" said Pierre Laporte, World Bank Country Director for Ghana. "The project is aligned with the Government's COVID-19 relief and recovery plans which seeks to protect and restore the economic wellbeing of affected households, workers, and enterprises."

The project will benefit the poorest households in all regions of Ghana by: providing cash transfers to 350,000 households through the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) reaching 1.5 million individuals; reaching 60,000 beneficiaries through the Labor-Intensive Public Works (LIPW) program; and supporting 35,000 beneficiaries through productive inclusion activities to enhance the income-generating potential of the poor and vulnerable.

"The project will build on efforts of existing social protection projects by expanding coverage of social protection programs to strengthen performance and impact. Based on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to provide more comprehensive support for the urban poor", said, Iffath Sharif, World Bank Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice Manager for Western and Central Africa.

GPSNP 2 will extend coverage into urban communities to help tackle pockets of high poverty and vulnerability that exist in these communities. It will also scale up the provision of information, communication, and engagement services to safety net program beneficiaries in relation to education, health, financial well-being, gender, and social inclusion.

PRESS RELEASE NO: 2021/113/AFR
NORWALK  Three Norwalk High School students recently won awards in the 2021 Scholastic Art Awards juried competition.

Sophomore Tierna Mahoney won a Gold Key Award in Photography while studying under art teacher Duffy Franco. Junior Himani Narayan won a Silver Key Award in Photography and senior Eyesly Zuniga won a Silver Key award in Drawing and Illustration. Both are students of art teacher Lauren DeLong.

The 31st annual Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards is the largest juried student art exhibition in the state. As an affiliate of the National Scholastic Art Awards and The Alliance For Young Artists and Writers, the Connecticut region honors the creative efforts of students grades 7-12, in public, private and parochial schools.

The Scholastic Art Awards is now the largest and most senior program of its type in the country. Following the close of the Connecticut Regional exhibit, select Gold Key award winners from each national region will have their art works reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges. This National Jury will select "Gold Medal" national winners artwork to be exhibited virtually in New York City during the summer.

erin.kayata@hearstmediact.com
opinion

Every year, since Namibia attained independence in 1990, it has become a tradition that Namibia's President delivers a speech to mark the annual celebration of the country's attainment of independence. While this type of speech serves the purpose of remembering how the country transitioned from apartheid to self-rule, it also reminds the nation about the past suffering; as well as highlighting the importance of independence, the country's achievements, ongoing developments towards sustainability of the nation, challenges faced in the development of the country as well as any other developmental prospects tabled and those in the pipeline. Through rhetoric, presidents justify their stands and push their policies. In other words, speech delivery makes the modern presidency a crucial place for rhetorical leadership. Therefore, this justifies the presidency as a rhetorical institution.

In executing his constitutional mandate, Hage Geingob, the third democratically elected President of Namibia, presented a speech on 21 March 2021 as the country celebrated its 31st independence anniversary. Delivering a ceremonial speech like this is one of Geingob's constitutional mandate to lead the people who have elected him to power; therefore, rhetorically speaking, a president leads by speeches; the presidency is a rhetorical institution, through speeches, a president seeks to persuade the nation. The power to persuade the public is very crucial because presidents need the public to enact a specific agenda that they seek to accomplish. Besides, "rhetorical situation", is a theory presented by Bitzer (1968), the independence anniversary is a situation that calls for a president's rhetorical acts. Therefore, Geingob declared the 31st Namibia independence anniversary, "Today, as a nation, we celebrate 31 years of independence." This situation fulfils the role and functions of the rhetorical presidency.

Moreover, in his 31st independence anniversary speech, President Geingob's rhetoric commemorates the nation's past by honouring "those whose courage and patriotism delivered the promise of freedom". He also articulated that Namibia is home to people of all races and different backgrounds. Geingob asserted that, as he referred to the rhetoric of the founding President Sam Nujoma, who had stated that "...All Namibians, regardless of colour, creed or place of origin, have a place." and also, the President called all the Namibian people to guard their freedom jealously and foster unity as a cornerstone of development. Furthermore, Geingob emphasised the role the Namibian government placed on education access to its people, as the government has been increasing the number of higher education institutions countrywide since independence.

It should be noted that education is an essential key element for social changes and development in Namibia. Therefore, by highlighting education's progress to his audience, Geingob reveals shared values, needs and feelings. Moreover, in a way, Geingob rehearsed traditional values as he joined the present with the past.

A year ago, when the world pandemic Covid-19 reported the first cases in Namibia, the President, as the head of state and chief policymaker, was the first person expected to act. Therefore, with the power vested in him by the Namibian constitution, in article 26 (10), Hage Geingob had declared a state of emergency on17 March 2020 in response to the global pandemic Covid-19.

A national crisis is one of the important occasions of a presidency as a rhetorical institution; therefore, it should be noted that national crisis such as Covid-19 are linguistic constructions in the sense that it is mainly through presidential rhetoric that the country finds explanations, facts, course of action and ultimately a resolution to a crisis; this justifies presidency as a rhetorical institution.

Equally, in his launch of the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, President Geingob indicated how his presidency continues to prioritise the implementation of the targeted policy programmes to enhance service delivery, contribute to economic recovery, and engender inclusive growth. This, among others, presented the country's socio-economic progression. A strong economy is an essential ingredient to sustain presidential popularity in order to govern effectively. Therefore, it can be argued that rhetoric is an important resource for the presidency.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia 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.

From the academic perspective, the discipline of rhetoric studies, it is concluded that among the various events for demonstrating different types of situations for which presidential rhetorical discourse is required, the presidential Independence anniversary address is one such event. Therefore, Geingob utilised this occasion to instil the diverse nation with a sense of national unity using his discourse. As it is argued by Bitzer (1968), the rhetorical situation exists when certain circumstances are understood within the context in which the speaker or writer creates discourse. Therefore, it is clear that presidential rhetoric's key function is to define social reality, which qualifies the presidency as a rhetorical institution.

*Frieda Nanyeni-Kanyemba holds a PhD in Presidential Rhetoric Studies from the University of Cape Town.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





Argentina : Towards a possible Military collaboration

On March 25, Vilbert Belizaire, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Haiti in Argentina, had a fruitful meeting with Major General Agustin Humberto Cejas, Chief of the General Staff of the army, as part of possible military cooperation between the two countries.



Chile : 24 Haitians with fake PCR tests

Chilean investigative police reported detecting 24 Haitian passengers in possession of falsified Covid-19 PCR tests with a negative result for Covid-19. These passengers arrived from Port-au-Prince on two separate flights.



A public works vehicle set on fire

Tuesday, March 30, unidentified armed individuals set fire to a Nissan Patrol Public Works vehicle in street Mgr. Guilloux, near the Faculty of Sciences. Minister Nader Joiseus calls these pyromaniac individuals to civic and patriotic consciousness for a certain and better tomorrow.



Constitution or referendum, Moise open to dialogue

Guichard Dore, Advisor to the Head of State, declared "For those who would like to discuss issues related to the Constitution or to the referendum [on June 27], President Jovenel Moise is always open to dialogue."



Tribute to young Haitians in France

The Consul General of Haiti in Paris, Ms. Wedlyne Francois Pierre, paid tribute to young Haitians and young Haitians in France. She took advantage of a meeting in Noisy-Le-Sec to remind them that they are the hope of Haiti and that they have a great deal of responsibility for the development of the country declaring "Young men, young women, Haiti has faith in you and above all, Haiti is counting on you to improve its image. We believe in your active contribution to make the Haiti we all dream of becomes a reality."



Eden Berandoive will represent Haiti at Miss Universe

Eden Berandoive Miss Haiti Universe 2020 will represent Haiti at the international Miss Universe competition, the final of which will take place on May 16 in Miami, United States



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Cambodian operator Smart Axiata has announced plans to invest more than $90 million in its mobile network infrastructure in 2021.

The operator aims to expand and improve its network to ensure stable and fast mobile broadband connectivity for its eight million subscribers.

The main focus of the upgrade will be on enhancing the 4G LTE network. However, Smart also intends to ensure the network is ready for a major 5G upgrade once the government gives 5G the go-ahead.

In fact so strong has been the adoption of 4G by Smarts subscribers, that it has plans to shut down its 3G network over the course of 2021 and repurpose the residual frequency spectrum used for 3G to 4G.

Smart currently operates approximately 3,000 network sites across Cambodia, allowing its subscribers to use a 4G LTE network that covers 91.5 percent of the population.

By the end of 2021, Smart Axiata says it plans to add 350 sites to meet the growing demand for robust and dependable connectivity. Existing network sites will receive substantial capacity upgrades.

Smart says it is not only investing in expanding its network but also in producing clean energy to run its network sites, using renewable energy sources like solar power.
It continues to be a challenging year for school districts as confirmed COVID-19 cases keep popping up.

On March 24, the Ubly School District reported that cases of the virus were detected in some fifth-grade students, which prompted students in that grade to go to virtual learning.

So far the virus has not been detected in the young fives and lower grades, so face-to-face learning was able to continue in person learning.

The Ubly Community School District monitors students and makes the best decisions based on the health department's rules and our students and staff's safety," said Superintendent Joe Candella. "We are hopeful that students in grades sixth through 12th will be able to return to face-to-face after spring break. We believe that many high school activities that happen in spring, like awards, band concert, prom, and graduation, will be able to happen.

District officials are working with the Huron County Health Department to help with proper guidelines to make those events happen for students.

We have been able to go through most of our school year face-to-face and have an effective system in place that allows our students to transition quickly (to virtual), he said.

Candella reported that the third marking period has wrapped up, and there is only one more marking period left before the 2020-21 school year ends.

We will be offering summer school for our younger students," he said. "There will be additional information about this after spring break."

Spring break started March 29 and goes to April 2.

Also, the board approved a lease agreement with the village for the girls softball field.

This agreement allows us to put up a removable fence and a scoreboard," he said. "We are hopeful that this work will be completed by the first part of May."

For several years, the district has used the villages softball field for games without a formal agreement. The district wanted to make sure it had a permanent place to play ball so they wouldnt have to build its own field.

Under the agreement, the district pays the village $1 rent for the next 20 years.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Wood River woman faces theft and drug charges after a March 29 incident.

Kyla Simmons, 28, was charged March 30 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and retail theft over $300, both Class 3 felonies.

The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department.

According to court documents, on March 29 Simmons allegedly took makeup, childrens clothing and miscellaneous items valued at more than $300 from the Wood River Walmart, 610 Wesley Drive. She was also found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine.

Bail was set at $20,000.

Other drug-related felony charges filed March 30 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Ashley Weller, 30, of East Carondelet, Illinois, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. According to court documents, on Oct. 2 Weller allegedly was found to be in possession of more than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $40,000.

 Adaam S. Agney, 31, of Bethalto, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On March 29 Agney allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Tara L. Dalton, 42, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On March 29 Dalton allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Patrick E. Donnelly, 59, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On March 29 Donnelly allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 John C. Borth, 34, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On March 30 Borth allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Amanda K. Overstreet, 37, of Bethalto, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On March 29 Overstreet allegedly was found to be in possession of less than 15 grams each of clonazepam and Alprazolam. Bail was set at $15,000.
First announced in 2018, Run: Book One, a posthumous work by the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, is the continuation of his National Book Award-winning graphic memoir The March trilogy, and tells the story of his life and political career after the signing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The book will be published by Abrams ComicArts in August 2021.

Run: Book One is co-written by Lewiss longtime collaborator and congressional staffer Andrew Aydin, and illustrated by Nate Powell, artist for the March trilogy, and by L. Fury, a new artist added to the creative team and taking over from artist Afua Richardson, who was originally slated to draw the book. Publication of Run: Book One was delayed after being slated to be published in the fall of 2018.

Run: Book One continues the story of Lewiss life story and his fight for equal rights as he moves to make a run for political office after years of political activism in the streets. The book opens with Lewis and other civil rights activists facing arrest as they struggle for racial integration and equality at the same time the country is consumed with the Vietnam War and continued threats by the Ku Klux Klan and the forces of white supremacy.

In an interview from 2018 about the new book, Aydin said Run: Book One will look "at the forces of white supremacy, which were using the civil rights movement's tactics against [civil rights workers]." In the wake of the Voting Rights Act, Aydin said in the interview, "The Klan led the largest hooded march in decades. We'll show that challenges to the Voting Rights Act began days after it was signed into law. We can draw a line from then to the challenges [to voting rights] we see today."

"The Vietnam War will be a huge part of Run, and there's a shift in the civil rights movement's focus," Aydin continues. "The focus became, how do you use the right to voteit became, how do we secure political power."

The March Trilogy, a graphic history of Lewiss life as well as the Civil Rights Movement published by Top Shelf, won Eisner Awards for graphic nonfiction in 2016 and 2018; in 2016 March: Book Three was awarded the National Book Award for Young Peoples Literature, making it the first comics work to receive a National Book Award. The series has sold millions of copies since March Book One was released in 2013.

Run: Book One will be published at a time when the future of American democracy and the political process that supports it looks uncertain and in peril. Prior to his passing, Lewis, who died in 2020, said, of the new graphic memoir, In sharing my story, it is my hope that a new generation will be inspired by Run to actively participate in the democratic process and help build a more perfect union here in America.
Saudi Arabia announced plans Tuesday to pump investments worth $3.2 trillion into the national economy by 2030, roping in the oil-reliant kingdom's biggest companies in a major new economic diversification push.

The announcement by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscores an effort to jumpstart the domestic economy as the top crude exporter battles high youth unemployment and a coronavirus-triggered downturn.

"The total investment injected... into the national economy is expected to reach 12 trillion riyals ($3.2 trillion) by 2030," Prince Mohammed said in a speech carried by state television.

Twenty-four of the kingdom's biggest companies, including energy giant Aramco and petrochemical firm SABIC, will lead the investment drive by contributing five trillion riyals over the next decade, the crown prince told reporters later at a virtual briefing.

He said the companies, many of them listed, had agreed to lower their dividends and redirect the money into the domestic economy in exchange for incentives such as subsidies.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, will provide three trillion riyals.

And the remaining four trillion riyals will come from a new "national investment strategy", which will soon be announced, Prince Mohammed said.

The initiative will help boost economic growth, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and strengthen the private sector, he added.

- 'Grain of salt' -

The programme is part of a mammoth 27 trillion-riyal ($7 trillion) investment plan over the next decade, which will include huge government spending to spur the domestic economy, the prince said.

It is designed to "promote the development and diversification of the national economy", the state-run SPA news agency said, adding that it will "strengthen cooperation between public and private sectors".

But the investment push should be "taken with a grain of salt", said Ellen Wald, president of Transversal Consulting and author of the book "Saudi Inc".

Story continues

"It doesn't help grow the private sector to compel nominally private sector companies to invest in government programs at the expense of their shareholders or investment in their own endeavours," Wald told AFP.

The announcement comes after the crown prince said in January that the PIF would invest $40 billion annually in the domestic economy over the next five years.

Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy, is pushing to boost job creation and revive businesses decimated by the pandemic.

Joblessness in the kingdom touched 14.9 percent in the third quarter of 2020, dipping slightly from an all-time high of 15.4 percent in the previous quarter, according to official data.

Last year, the twin shocks of the pandemic and a drop in oil prices prompted the petro-state to triple its value-added tax and suspend a monthly allowance to civil servants to rein in a ballooning budget deficit.

Saudi Arabia, the biggest Arab economy, has also been struggling to attract foreign investment, a key pillar of the crown prince's "Vision 2030" economic diversification plan to boost non-oil revenue.

bur-ac/reb
The citys watchdog has found that the Chicago Police Department has fallen critically short on its vow to replace and improve its gang database, which reports have described as an error-laden tool of racial discrimination.

In a report released Wednesday, Inspector General Joseph Ferguson determined the department has made minimal progress toward a fairer and more accurate system promised in response to criticisms the watchdog made two years ago. The new report faults the police for failing to clearly establish who is in charge of the effort, lacking a timeline for completing it and giving the public potentially misleading information on the hot-button issue of who can be included in the new data collection.

Meanwhile, cops have sometimes continued to use the flawed system, Ferguson wrote.

Fergusons report indicates that Mayor Lori Lightfoot, nearly two years into her term, may yet be far from fulfilling the campaign promise she made to replace the gang database with a system strictly containing information that is relevant and credible.

Lightfoots office and the Police Department did not immediately offer comment.

Fergusons April 2019 report criticizing the so-called gang database  which is actually a set of data collections  reinforced the complaints of Chicago residents and reform advocates that cops have used flimsy evidence to tag people as gang members and gave them little recourse to challenge that label. Anything from tattoos to the word of informants to admissions by those arrested could lead to people being listed as gang members, and more than 134,000 names were included as of two years ago, Ferguson wrote.

Being in the database could increase the chances of receiving a more severe prison sentence or higher bond or losing out on a job, Ferguson wrote at the time.

His audit of one element of the database, gang arrest cards, found entries for some 90 supposed gang members with birth dates that would make them more than 117 years old. More than 15,000 people in the database had no specific gang tie listed.

Story continues

Ferguson found that African Americans and Latinos made up 95 percent of those listed on gang arrest cards. He wrote that officers had written occupations on those cards including scum bag, criminal, black, dork, looser, and turd.

While city officials have promised a host of technical changes, activists have voiced skepticism that the department can be trusted to do better and called for the databases abolition. Criticisms of the process of replacing the database align with complaints about the thus-far sluggish process of broadly reforming a Police Department with a long history of abuse and misconduct against minorities.

In response to Fergusons report two years ago, officials in the final days of Mayor Rahm Emanuels administration vowed to change the system. Most substantively, the department promised a new database that would come with clear standards, training for officers, reviews to ensure accuracy, the purging of bad information and a process for people to appeal their entries into the system.

Wednesdays report found little progress and no clear timeline for the project. Amid a shuffling of personnel, it was unclear for months who was responsible for managing the effort, Ferguson wrote. Only this month did city officials inform Fergusons staffers of which officers are managing the project and report that a vendors build out of the system was close to finished, the new report states.

Ferguson wrote that the department had not fully spelled out plans for training officers on using the new system, detailed the appeals process or explained how it will manage access by outside law enforcement.

Lightfoot and the City Council have, however, moved to prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using gang database information.

The report also faults the department for leaving on its website for months an outdated version of the departmental directive on the new system, concealing a change likely to displease critics of the gang database concerned about people being included who arent accused of a crime. A new version of the directive that wasnt shared online included a change that could allow more officers to designate people as gang members even when they werent arrested. Ferguson wrote that by failing to post the most current version, CPD risks misleading the public with respect to its most recent policy position.

Meanwhile, the department has continued to use its old system. For example, in 2020, the department objected to a state application for a concealed carry license and cited the database. The applicant, who was denied the license, allegedly self-identified as a gang member during a 2006 juvenile arrest, the report states.

In sum, CPD accessed a gang identification for a juvenile, recorded in its database 15 years ago, and then shared that information with the State of Illinois, after the publication of OIGs April 2019 report and CPDs acceptance of most of the recommendations contained therein, Ferguson wrote.

Underlying Fergusons specific criticisms is a philosophical one: CPD has consistently maintained that its collection of gang information is critical to its crime fighting strategy but has not yet clearly articulated the specific strategic value of the data to be collected.

Ferguson wrote that Chicagos gang factions are now smaller and involved in fluid alliances and conflicts.

A gang database that does not remain up-to-date, that cannot effectively track the shifting alliances and conflicts across many small gang factions, or that cannot distinguish gang members at high risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of violence from those at low risk, might be of little or no value, the report states.
"Oh, how sweet coffee does taste ... better than a thousand kisses..milder than Muscat wine."

Extract from Bach's musical line

Coffee drinking held its fascination even to the earliest coffee drinkers in Europe who, according to legend, imported coffee beans from the Middle East and made them popular by turning them into a beverage that quickly caught the imagination of the world. However coffee story on its origin does not stop here.

According to established conventional wisdom, Ethiopia is the origin of coffee. The very name 'coffee' is said to be originated from kaffa, a region in south-western Ethiopia which is one of the places where coffee is extensively cultivated for hundreds of years. However, what we may call "revisionist theories" are appearing on social or conventional media disputing the truth of the above assertion. There are a number of researchers who maintain that the origin of coffee is in Yemen or somewhere in Arabia, otherwise known as the Middle East.

According to an article entitled, "The Complete History of Coffee" the origin of coffee is outlined as follows, "Originally the Arabic word "qahwa" (wine of the bean) that later became "khave" (Turkish) and then "koffie" (Dutch), "coffee" is thoroughly borrowed word emerging in English-language Europe during the 1500s.Its consumption primarily involved early Islamic religious practices in Sufi monasteries in southern Arabia, although coffee eventually became such a popular beverage that public coffee houses emerged in Yemen and spread across the Middle East quickly."

This is of course a "revisionist" or a revised version of the story of the origin of coffee that is largely attributed to Ethiopia. However, even such a "revisionist" accounts do not deny Ethiopia's contribution to the emergence and growth this internationally acclaimed beverage that has caught not only the imagination but also the physiology of humanity for so many centuries.

Another line of reasoning in the same article says that, "Ethiopian ancestors of the Oromos are thought to be the first to recognize the stimulating effects of the coffee bean. An ethnic group living in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, the Oromos inhabited the Horn of Africa for thousands of years. Trade involving their highly treasured coffee and other cultural commodities brought the majority of Oromos in Ethiopia by the 17th century along with fanciful accounts of how coffee's energizing (magical at that time) properties were discovered."

If the energizing properties of coffee were first discovered in Ethiopia, there is no doubt that Ethiopia is the origin of coffee that was later on transported across the Red Sea and appeared on the Arabian peninsula and not vice versa. The article is therefore self-contradictory in its attempt to attribute the origin of coffee both to Ethiopia and the Arabian peninsula or Yemen, something that is unlikely to happen because Ethiopia had all the climatic conditions for growing coffee while the Arabian Peninsula or Yemen were largely deserts and unsuited for coffee cultivation. There are also other myths told by this revisionist account of the story of coffee that do not hold water although they are told to reinforce the belief that coffee originated from Arabia.

The story or history of the origin of coffee aside, blog pages on the social media these days are replete with long and short articles on coffee: Its history, evolution, economy, social impacts, and cultural implications, as well as its medical uses. One hypothesis maintains that drinking three or four cups of coffee every day would protect one from stomach cancer among other illnesses. This hypothesis needs further proofs in order to be accepted as established medical fact. Everyone knows from habit that a cup of coffee might relieve headache and depression by serving as a stimulant with it- mood boosting ingredients. This may be why coffee has initially turned from a plant growing in the forest wilderness fit for goats into the most likable human beverage.

Why do people drink coffee? Why has coffee become the most widely used beverage after water? What are the benefits of coffee? These are some of the questions the bloggers try to answer citing expert opinions and insiders of the coffee world. But why are the bloggers in particular and the world in general so fixated with this most famous global beverage these days? The answer to this question is not as easy as asking it. And more than half a dozen articles on various aspects of coffee that appear on social media almost every day f the week do not seem to be exhausting the answers to this question.

Writing in Medical News Today, an online blog page, Joseph Nordqvist, says that, "When people think of coffee, they usually think of their ability to provide an energy boost. However, according to some research, it can also offer some other important health benefits, such as lower risk of liver cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart failure." adding that coffee contains a number of useful nutrients, including riboflavin (vitamin B-2), niacin (vitamin B-3) magnesium, potassium and various phenolic compounds, of antioxidants. Some experts suggest that these and other ingredients in coffee can benefit the human body in various ways.

Another article in a blog page called "The Conversation" recently wrote by stressing the key medical benefits of coffee in an article entitled, The Biology of Coffee. One of the World's Most Popular Drinks". It says in part that, "The antioxidants in coffee may actually have a cancer-fighting effect. Remember that anti-oxidants fight cellular damage. One type of the damage that they may help reduce is mutation to DNA; and cancer is caused by mutations that lead to the deregulation of genes... Studies have shown that consuming coffee fights cancer in rats. Other studies in humans have shown that coffee consumption is associated with lower rate of some cancers."

It is true that most of us are drinking coffee without being aware of its health benefits and just as a matter of enjoyable habit. It is also true that no one would indulge in coffee if that caused immediate or long-term health hazards. Meanwhile if one thing in certain, it is the fact that recent scientific research on the health benefits of coffee drinking has definitely cleared one or two myths about coffee the public maintained for so long. One of the myths was about coffee causing hypertension and this is demystified as false since on the contrary, coffee can prevent or even reduce hypertension or high blood pressure in people. It is hard to know how popular medical myths start to circulate but most if not all of them are not supported with scientific facts as the myth about coffee causing hypertension is exposed by science as simply nonsense.

This does not however mean that coffee drinking cannot have medical side effects. According to the blog page we quoted above, some studies have found that women who drink a lot of coffee may have a high risk of bone fractures. The research added that coffee consumption may not be safe during pregnancy. In fact there is some evidence to suggest a link between high coffee consumption and pregnancy loss, a low birth weight or preterm birth. Consuming high amounts of coffee may increase the risk of anxiety, especially among people with panic disorder or social anxiety disorder. Less commonly it may trigger mania and psychosis n people who are susceptible.

Coffee continues to fascinate not only regular consumers but also insiders and connoisseurs alike who write about how coffee is consumed in some cultures. A blog dealing with coffee rituals around the world for instance recently published an article on the famous Ethiopian coffee ceremony. It says among other things that, " You can think of a coffee ceremony as a sort of ritual: a series of traditional steps taken to make, serve and drink coffee. The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony is the way it has been done throughout the years in Ethiopia the cradle of the first coffee trees.

"If you thought that this was anything like serving the afternoon tea in the United Kingdom or inviting someone to your favorite cafe, think this again. The entire ceremony to cup. The ceremony start off with green coffee beans and implies roasting, grinding, brewing, serving and finally drinking the coffee."

The world's growing fixation on coffee these days goes beyond cultural considerations and has something to do with its economics. Many developed as well developing countries are using coffee as a vital means of acquiring hard currency from international trade. Brazil is a Latin American country that introduced coffee plantation in the 1870s and quickly became the largest coffee producer in the world by the turn of the 20th century.

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There are also a number of countries have become major that started producing and exporting coffee as early as the 1990s and have recently become major coffee exporters in the world. Vietnam that has become the second biggest coffee exporter in the world after 1995 is one of them. On the other hand , Ethiopia whose quality coffee is an international sensation and discovered coffee many centuries back is still trailing in the business of coffee exports. It is a country whose coffee drinking ceremony is the most beautiful one in the world but has not so far been unable to turn this into an internationally marketable business. The United States imported coffee from abroad and turned it into the most lucrative business with the creation of the biggest coffee serving outlet in the world in the form of Starbucks that only opened its first shops back in the 1950s.

In Ethiopia, there are timid beginnings along the same line but these are baby steps compared to the huge steps taken by international coffee giants like Starbucks. It is indeed a big dilemma to think how a country that invented coffee and bases its main trade on it still lags behind in the global competition for coffee supremacy while newcomers are fast catching up with traditional producers.

Coffee will certainly continue to fascinate the world, and win more generations of drinkers and traders as Ethiopia struggles to turn its long history as the land of the aromatic coffee beans into an economic asset to lift millions of its farmers out of poverty. We are first in many things in the world. We are first in long-distance races, as the cradle of human beings, as the only independent nation in the world and as one of the most impressive and most fascinating land where nature conspired to make us the wonder of the world. That is also why wherever and whenever the story of coffee is told, it will be inevitable to tell the Ethiopian version of the story which is the most beautiful and the most enchanting story that is inexhaustible and never told even by the best storytellers in the world.
ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP)  Dozens of windows and doors in a San Francisco Bay Area church were smashed Monday by a vandal who was caught on surveillance video.

Police in Antioch in the East Bay were investigating after the 4 a.m. attack at Cornerstone Christian Center.

Steve Miner, the senior pastor, told KTVU-TV that 36 windows and doors were damaged.

Looks like a single person came in. We have river rock as decoration all around the campus and he just picked up rocks and went to town, Minor said.

Surveillance video showed a man with a backpack tossing rocks into the tall glass windows, smashing holes in them.

The property has a church for 200 people and a school with 400 students.

I drove in immediately thinking we had a couple of broken windows. Well turns out the storefront, really of the high school and church building, were all busted out, Minor said.

I dont think the guy was targeting us. It just seemed like an individual who was out of his mind a little bit, Miner said. Everybody pulled together and we came together. We got this swept up before most the kids got to school.

Its unfortunate, Miner said. We just had Palm Sunday. Weve got Easter coming up this Sunday.

However, Miner said an outdoor Easter service already planned will go on.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognni today announced it has been named a finalist for the Microsoft Security 20/20 Compliance Trailblazer award. The company was honored among a global field of industry leaders for demonstrating excellence in innovation, integration, and customer implementation with Microsoft technology.

"All of the team at Cognni are so proud to be recognized by Microsoft for the work we do in automating M365 security," says Guy Eisdorfer, Cognni's Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. "As information is the lifeblood of every organization, we want to ensure CISOs and InfoSec teams can sleep at night. Because of this we have created an AI platform that thinks like a human and understands when important information is at risk, enriching your Microsoft tools. Cognni puts your InfoSec on Autopilot, taking compliance and security to new frontiers."

At the second annual Microsoft Security 20/20 awards to be held May 12, 2021, we will celebrate finalists in 18 categories spanning security, compliance, and identity. Cognni has been nominated as a finalist for Compliance Trailblazer.

"The pandemic has forever changed our perspective on the world, the role of technology, and how we work, learn, and live," said Rani Lofstrom, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft Global Security Partnerships. "In recognition of our new reality, the theme for the Microsoft Security 20/20 Awards this year is 'PerspectiveThrough the Looking Glass.' The awards ceremony this year will honor our security partners who have gone above and beyond during an unprecedented time of change to support, secure, and protect remote workers everywhere."

The Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) was established to help further the security ecosystem, fostering an environment where solution providers can collaborate to create a future that's safer for people and organizations alike. This year, the industry veterans in MISA will vote to select the winners of the Microsoft Security 20/20 awards, providing an opportunity for colleagues to honor their peers for delivering exceptional work to our shared customers.

About Cognni

Cognni is a pioneer in delivering information intelligence with meaningful insights to organizations. Offering a unique platform Cognni enables infosec teams to make sense of shared activities by mapping, detecting and then investigating exposures. Cognni's AI can autonomously identify risky behavior that a company wouldn't even know about. Cognni is a member of the prestigious Microsoft Intelligent Security Association and is now offering its core services for free so that every company can access the insights to make actionable decisions, ensuring the flow of information remains secure.

Press Contact:

Shelley Levin+972543914695 http://cognni.ai

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SOURCE Cognni
Reece 'Honored' to be Finalist for KCTCS President

By Tim Brockwell

PADUCAH - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System has chosen West Kentucky Community and Technical College President Anton Reece as one of three candidates being considered to fill the position of KCTCS president.Reece, who has served as WKCTC president since 2016, says he is honored and humbled to be a finalist in the national search for a candidate to fill the position."I'm extremely fortunate to have the support and trust of the WKCTC faculty and staff to provide higher education access and support of student success daily," He said. "I look forward to engaging my peers and colleagues in the important next step in the selection process of the third president of KCTCS."KCTCS Interim President Paul Czarapata and Casey Sacks, who serves as deputy assistant secretary for community colleges at the U.S. Department of Education, are also being considered for the position.All three candidates will participate in a virtual forum on April 20 beginning at 9 a.m. You can watch the forum at the KCTCS Youtube page at the link below.On the Net:
Washington has signalled a desire for closer ties with

New Delhi, but major challenges are yet to be answered.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins recent visit to New Delhi was a chance for the United States and India to discuss the nature and depth of their strategic partnership  particularly against the backdrop of tensions with an aggressive China.

Austin visited New Delhi soon after leaders of the Quad  the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue involving Australia, India, Japan and the U.S.  pledged to promote a free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law to advance security and prosperity and counter threats to both in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. An editorial in Chinas state-steered Global Times scoffed at the intentions of the Quad. Yet Austins official travels clearly reflected the Biden administrations wish to strengthen ties with Americas partners and allies, having arrived in New Delhi via the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii and a trip to treaty allies Japan and South Korea.

Austins trip to India did leave unanswered several big questions about the closeness of U.S.-India ties. The U.S. sees India as a major defence partner, thanks to converging strategic interests, and Washington wants to encourage Indias leading role in the Indo-Pacific region. In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of bilateral defence cooperation.

Some of Austins statements in India did appear surprising. If, as he said at a press conference, India and China were never on the verge of war during the violent stand-off in eastern Ladakh last year, why did former president Donald Trump offer to mediate between the two countries? And why has Chinas aggressiveness in South and Southeast Asia helped drive India towards closer strategic collaboration with other Quad member states? Was Austin downplaying the seriousness of the confrontation with China, or does he not fully grasp the challenge?

The U.S. and India are undoubtedly drawing closer. This is not just a recent change, with the two countries in fact signing four major security pacts since 2002, including on logistics to allow each countrys military to use bases for repair and replenishment, communications, and for the sharing and sale of sophisticated American military technology to India. The Bush administration in the 2000s also moved to normalise civil nuclear cooperation with India.

National War Memorial, New Delhi (U.S. Secretary of Defense/Flickr)

Nevertheless, Indias decision in 2018 to buy Russias S-400 missile has created tension between New Delhi and Washington. Austin highlighted Americas wish that its allies and partners move away from Russian acquisitions which, as he put it, would trigger sanctions on our behalf. The U.S. Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) restricts defence purchases from Russia, Iran and North Korea. Yet the issue of sanctions was not discussed during Austins visit, because India has yet to acquire the S-400. CAATSA remains an elephant in the room, and the Biden administration  as with the Trump administration before it  has not ruled out imposing sanctions on India if it goes ahead with the deal.

India counters that the acquisition of the S-400 missiles was on its agenda before the U.S. introduced CAATSA, and that its military has a diversified portfolio. Russia is its top arms supplier, but it also buys weapons from the U.S., Israel and France.

What is clear is the incongruity of Indias military dependence on Russia as well as the U.S. in defending against China.

This leaves open a question for Washington: while discouraging New Delhi from buying the S-400, should the U.S. offer an alternative that would provide India with the same capability against China? India should remember that Russia started delivering the same missile to China in 2018, while delivery to India is expected to start in December. Both countries could wind up hitting each other with the same Russian missile.

The other unanswered question is whether U.S.-India cooperation against China could be affected as New Delhi seeks to buy the S-400 from Moscow and jointly manufacture arms for export with Russia. India must work its way through the tangle of conflicting interests created by Americas hostility towards Russia and China on one side, and how it responds to the joint challenge to the global primacy of the U.S., as well as Chinas threat to its territorial integrity.

What is clear is the incongruity of Indias military dependence on Russia as well as the U.S. in defending against China. The closeness of the Sino-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership was obvious from the meeting between foreign ministers Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi in the south-east Chinese city of Guilin, even as Austin held talks in New Delhi with Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

U.S.-India ties are not without tensions. Austins statement that he had discussed human rights issues, particularly about citizenship for Muslim minorities in Assam, with Indian ministers (although notably not with Modi). New Delhi maintained a public silence on this aspect of the talks, along with Austins remark that the U.S. values its partnership with India and partners need to be able to discuss such issues. During their election campaign, Joe Biden and his running mate, now Vice President Kamala Harris, criticised the Modi governments suppression of human rights in the Muslim-majority region of Jammu and Kashmir and the Citizenship Amendment Act. Could the Biden administrations strictures on such issues embolden Modis critics, while turning Indian public opinion against closer ties with Washington?

Also, if Americas wish for closer defence ties with India is challenged by what Washington may see as Indias illiberal domestic policies, could the U.S. itself come to question the nature of its closeness to strategically important India?

Anita Inder Singh is an independent cross-disciplinary writer on world affairs. She took her BA Honours degree in History from the University of Delhi  and her D.Phil. in Modern History from the University of Oxford. Her interests include the great powers and international security / the tension between international norms and the sovereignty of states / nationalism / diversity / democracy / human rights in Europe and Asia. Born in India she is a citizen of Sweden, currently on a sojourn in New Delhi.

This article appeared originally at Lowy Institute's the interpreter.
(Newser)  Among the many bombshells dropped during their now famous interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle and husband Prince Harry revealed they'd been secretly wed three days before the public Saturday ceremony in May 2018. The Sussexes claimed to have been married by Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, in their "backyard." At least one UK vicar didn't find that possible, noting that the couple couldn't have had two legally binding weddings. Now, Welby himself is speaking out, and his remarks also don't lend credence to Harry and Meghan's claim. "The legal wedding was on the Saturday," he said in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, per CNN.

story continues below

Welby, who NBC News notes is the head of the Church of England, said that he personally signed the wedding certificate, and that "I would have committed a serious criminal offense if I had signed it knowing it was false." The Guardian notes that the pre-wedding wedding that the duke and duchess referred to was more likely a simple exchange of vows, as the venue wasn't officially registered and there weren't enough witnesses to make it the real deal. "You can make what you like of that," Welby said of his revelation. He conceded that he'd had "a number" of other get-togethers with the couple before the wedding, "but I won't say what happened at any other meetings," citing clergy-congregant confidentiality. (Read more Meghan Markle stories.)
British tourists could be spared having to wear face masks on Costa beaches if they get to Spain this summer after the country's government bowed to pressure from regional health chiefs.

Plans for tourists to be fined 100 (85) if they flouted new rules making masks obligatory everywhere had caused uproar in tourist areas such as the Balearic Islands and the Costa del Sol.

Spain's health minister Carolina Darias announced today that further discussions will now take place to try to find a solution that will appease critics.

Less strict rules will remain in place for now on islands such as Ibiza and Mallorca under which people can take their masks off while sunbathing alone or with their household.

The Spanish government has put on ice a controversial move to make sunbathers wear face masks at all times on beaches and around pools (file photo)

Balearic Islands health secretary Patricia Gomez confirmed the new policy was being put on hold following a meeting between regional health chiefs and Spain's health minister Carolina Darias at a meeting in Valladolid.

Further discussion is now expected to take place on the exemptions each region wants to put in place within the framework of national legislation.

Overnight, leading epidemiologists had laid into the Spanish government as the Balearic Islands said it would lead the way into getting Madrid to rethink its new law.

Epidemiologist Alex Arenas, a professor at Rovira i Virgili University in the Catalan city of Tarragona, told local media: 'Life outdoors, where the risk of contagion is 20 times less, should be encouraged.

'Spain's health ministry lost its way months ago and scientifically they are very mediocre.

'This is what happens when you dismiss scientific advice from the best and only listen to those you want to listen to.

'Fresh air and social distancing, that's how you deal with coroanvirus.'

Spanish beaches re-opened for tourists last summer, including this one in Barcelona, but prospects for foreign holidays this year remain unclear

Ignacio Lopez-Goni, a professor of microbiology at the University of Navarra, added: 'If it's difficult to explain and understand, it's difficult to obey.'

Alberto Garcia Salido, an A&E doctor at a specialist children's unit at a Madrid hospital, said: 'Forcing people to wear face masks when there is social distancing leads to fatigue and non-compliance.

'People lose confidence in the decision-makers. I think this new rule is one that will be reversed fairly soon.'

Balearic health secretary Patricia Gomez had said ahead of the meeting the law had to be obeyed if the Spanish government stuck to its guns.

But she added: 'We consider that in the case of social meetings involving more than one family nucleus face masks should be worn, but when it's the same family composed of people who live under the same roof, it shouldn't be necessary.'

Regional civil service minister Mercedes Garrido added: 'If we're given the opportunity to make some exemptions, we'll use it.'

Spanish government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero had already indicated parts of the new legislation could be up for discussion.

It is not yet clear if Britons will be allowed to holiday abroad later this year.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Monday the door 'was not shut' on foreign holidays this summer, but added: 'It's just too early to say.'
(Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) AT&T Lobbies Against Nationwide Fiber Pitching 14-Year-Old Systems Capable of Just 10 Mbps Upload Speed: Lawyer Accuses Them of Overcharging

AT&T is now lobbying against proposals to directly subsidize fiber-to-the-home deployment for US citizens. The argument says that rural people don't really need fiber and should just be satisfied with internet speeds of 10 Mbps upload speeds.

AT&T definition of 21st century broadband

Joan Marsh, the AT&T Executive VP detailed the complete stance of the company last week, in a blog post that was even titled "Defining Broadband for the 21st Century."

The blog showed that the company's preferred definition of 21st-century broadband could be done with wireless technology or the 14-year-old VDSL systems that AT&T uses to bring fiber to neighborhoods but still uses the copper telephone wires to make the final connections to every home, according to the story by Ars Technica.

AT&T even pointed out that "overbuilding" areas that they say already have acceptable speeds would then devalue private investment and even "waste broadband-directed dollars." AT&T calls "overbuilding" what the industry calls "broadband competition" where one ISP building will be built despite another ISP in the area for them to compete for cheaper prices.

Opposing 100Mbps

The blog post was released just two weeks after the current administration proposed redefining "21st century high-speed broadband" to 100Mbps upstream and downstream. The subsidized deployment of symmetrical 100Mbps speeds would allow other ISPs to bring better internet connection to places that AT&T still uses their old phone lines.

AT&T has a record of going against increases in broadband-speed benchmark for years and years. In 2014, the company urged the FCC to retain the standard 4Mbps download and 1Mbps upload speed. They claimed 10Mbps would exceed the needs of Americans. The FCC was still able to raise the standard to 25Mbps and 3Mbps back in January of 2015.

Read Also: AT&T Claims Its 5G Network Reached 2 Gbps Speeds

AT&T accused of overcharging schools in need

According to DallasNews, an ex-lawyer for AT&T Theodore Marcus came to believe that AT&T did not actually charge the low prices that the law required and even misled the government regarding the company's compliance with the rules. A few months before he ultimately decided to leave AT&T, he reportedly handed the damning information to a lawyer suing the company.

AT&T then accused Marcus of "shocking" legal misconduct trying to dismiss the sweeping lawsuit. Marcus says AT&T is abusing a government program that was designed to help needy schools. For about two decades, even when Marcus was still working for AT&T, the program actually turned away schools due to lack of funding to cover all of their requests.

Back in 2015, the government even doubled the entire fund to a whopping $4 billion a year to reimburse all of their eligible applicants. In 2020, the total E-Rate subsidies covered a whopping $2.9 billion in Internet costs for over 21,000 libraries and schools. If Marcus' allegations prove to be true, the company deprived hundreds of school districts of millions of dollars they could have actually used for education expenses.

Related Article: $24,298: AT&T Phone Bill Of An 83-Year-Old Man Due To Problematic Dial-Up Modem

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian Buenconsejo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
On Wednesday, March 31, Maharashtra witnessed over 11,000 more daily COVID-19 cases with 39,544 persons testing positive for the novel coronavirus. This propelled the state's COVID-19 tally to 28,12,980. At present, there are 3,56,243 active cases in the state. With 23,600 COVID-19 patients discharged in the day, the number of recovered soared to 24,00,727. With Mumbai recording 5394 cases in the day, it remains a major novel coronavirus hotspot in the state.

227 deaths  49 from Nagpur, 26 from Pune, 22 from Nanded, 15 from Mumbai, 10 from Ahmednagar, 9 each from Nashik and Jalgaon, 8 from Jalna, 7 from Nanded, 6 each from Amravati, Parbhani, Solapur and Vasai Virar, 5 from Pimpri Chinchwad, 4 each from Buldhana, Yavatmal and Latur, three each from Raigad, Panvel, Sangli, Beed and Gondia, two each from Chandrapur, Akola, Kolhapur, Mira Bhayandar, Navi Mumbai and Thane and one each from Aurangabad and Washim were reported on Wednesday. Out of the total deaths reported in the day, 129 occurred in the last 48 hours, 61 in the last week and the rest from the period before. Until now, a total of 54,649 persons in the state have died owing to COVID-19.

So far, 1,97,92,143 samples have been tested for the novel coronavirus in labs operational across the state. While 17,29,816 persons are under home quarantine, 17,863 others have been admitted to institutional quarantine centres. The COVID-19 positivity rate, recovery rate and fatality rate in Maharashtra stand at 14.21 per cent, 85.34 per cent and 1.94 per cent respectively.

Today, newly 39544 patients have been tested as positive in the state. Also newly 23600 patients have been cured today. Totally 2400727 patients are cured & discharged from the hospitals Total Active patients are 356243bThe patient recovery rate in the state is 85.34%.  Rajesh Tope (@rajeshtope11) March 31, 2021

COVID-19 inoculation in Maharashtra

On January 3, the Drugs Controller General of India approved COVISHIELD and COVAXIN for restricted emergency use. Manufactured by the Serum Institute of India with technology transfer from Oxford University-AstraZeneca, COVISHIELD is a Recombinant Chimpanzee Adenovirus vector vaccine with its overall efficacy of 70.42 per cent. On the other hand, COVAXIN is a Whole Virion Inactivated Corona Virus Vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and NIV. On January 16, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the state and inaugurated the vaccination centre at BKC. While a total of 56,18,052 persons have been inoculated in Maharashtra so far, 7,51,635 of them have received the second dose of the vaccine too.
After touring the migrant facility in Midland County on Tuesday night, Mayor Patrick Payton said the children there were well cared for, had access to caseworkers and were receiving schooling.

Its a great camp for someone who came from the third world to find themselves in for food, exercise, discipline and education, Payton said in a phone interview. The people here are doing the best they can with what theyve been handed from the federal government.

Its very impressive but at the same time Im very sad and angry for what the feds have made happen here, he said.

Contrary to an Associated Press report that there were no case workers or Spanish-speaking staff available on-site, Payton said there are multiple case workers at the facility and the children are being tutored by Spanish speakers. He said Southwest Key Programs has taken over for the Red Cross, and staff with that organization are teaching the minors English.

RELATED: DA: DHS won't retrieve runaways from migrant facility

Payton said the facility is similar to a boarding school in that the children are receiving housing, an education and leisure time.

His only concern after touring the converted man camp is that the facility appears set up to be in operation longer than the government has told local officials. The agencies overseeing the facility previously said they would be using it for a few weeks; Cotton Logistics leased the man camp to the government for 90 days with the option for extensions.

It eased my mind that the kids are being taken care of and that the people who are paid to do the job are doing the job theyre supposed to be doing, Payton said. But it doesnt ease my mind at all about whats happening at the border, which is going to cause this to continue.

Payton will tour the facility again Wednesday with Sen. John Cornyn and County Judge Terry Johnson. They will hold a press conference following that tour at 3:20 p.m.
Washington, DC -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE offers foreign exchange programs that enable students to learn to appreciate and understand another culture, develop lifelong international friendships and make independent decisions. It is managed and coordinated by Rotary volunteers committed to the safety and protection of every student who desires to become a member of the global community. With the exchange programs, they hope to create and maintain a safe world environment for all people in the world.



The company spokesperson said, "Joining a foreign student exchange program is a great thing to do. The exchange program's main purpose is to offer the participant an opportunity to enjoy new experiences and expand their horizons. Those students who join the program come back aware of how people from other parts of the world live, socialize and communicate. The student exchange program is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and students should consider joining one when they get the chance. ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE is one of the reliable providers of these exchange experiences to join such programs. We offer a low-cost scholarship program that is perfectly appropriate to all students. Almost 10,000 students study abroad every year with us."



Looking for the best high school summer travel abroad programs? ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE offers a short-term foreign summer exchange program that is perfect for students who love adventuring and are ready to spend a whole school year abroad. The program involves a Rotary district-organized exchange of a son or daughter between two families. Still, they may also take international youth camps or tours that bring together students from many countries. The program usually takes place in the summer when school is not in session. It is open to students aged 15 to 19 and ranges from several weeks to a few months.



Responding to an inquiry on what does one need to take part in a foreign exchange student program, the company spokesperson said, "Before participating in a foreign exchange program, he or she should always be aware of the things that he or she will be provided and what will be his or her responsibility. If a student gets a scholarship, the program will often include room and board, meals with the host family, secondary medical and travel insurance, 24-hour emergency assistance, and primary tuition for the school they will be placed in. However, one needs to look closely because not all scholarships are the same. Often, one will be responsible for issues such as buying the roundtrip tickets to the country, getting their passports and any other travelling documents and paying for travel insurance."



ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE's international youth camps are mainly in Europe, with camps in Taiwan, India, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and the US. The camps enable cultural and social exchanges between youth from many different countries. Each camp's theme and focus are different. The focus may be on culture, sports, peace-building, arts, or sightseeing, but most camps contain a mix of several areas. To enroll in study abroad high school summer, individuals should complete a standard application form with their Rotary district and be sponsored.



About ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE offers the lowest cost student exchange program as volunteer Rotary club members completely administer the program.



Contact Details

Company Name: ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

Website: https://www.studyabroadscholarships.org/
Listed tech provider Spirit Technology Solutions has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire telecommunications provider Nexgen for $50 million and has also raised about $23.8 million from institutional investors.

The acquisition is expected to be completed on or about 8 April.

The company said in a statement to the ASX on Wednesday that it had also obtained an increased debt facility from the Commonwealth Bank, up by $10 million to $25 million to back the purchase.

Earlier known as Spirit Telecom, the firm changed its name to Spirit Technology Solutions last year along with its acquisition of security services provider Intalock.

The statement said Nexgen was forecast to report FY21 EBITDA of between $7.2 million and $7.6 million. The acquisition would bring 5000 new B2B clients and 100 salespeople to Spirit.

The buying of Nexgen is expected to generate $36 million in revenue, with 80% being recurring revenue.

The statement said Nexgen's business data and voice customers had an average contract term of 4-1/2 years with no customer concentration.

Nexgen sells the following products:

Data: Business Internet plans (NBN and high-speed fibre);

Business Internet plans (NBN and high-speed fibre); Voice: Local, national, international. Nexgen provides equipment and software technologies for communications across multiple modes and from multiple locations and/or devices.

Local, national, international. Nexgen provides equipment and software technologies for communications across multiple modes and from multiple locations and/or devices. Mobile: Vendor independent mobile plans.

This acquisition more than doubles the Spirit portfolio of business services and assets in telco and is consistent with our strategy to bring in right-fit, right price, high-margin IT and telco businesses," said Spirit Technology Solutions managing director Sol Lukatsky.

"Additionally, this transaction gives us a much deeper presence nationally and, in particular, in Sydney and Brisbane. Adding over 100 salespeople and 5500 new customers will immediately have a material impact on our organic growth via an increased sales pipeline.

Elie Ayoub and James Harb, joint managing directors of Nexgen, said: As two leading companies within the telecommunications space, a combined Spirit and Nexgen will be committed to delivering superior end-to-end business solutions to our combined SMB customer base.

"Our two companies amalgamated will also sell a wider range of telecommunications products and IT services, offering greater choice and more opportunities for all our customers. We are both excited about the journey ahead and look forward to working with Sol and his team.
Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit is also very active on social media. She keeps posting on her social media every day. Meanwhile, Madhuri has reached the Maldives for holiday. From where she has shared a picture of him which is no less than a gift for his fans. After seeing this picture, the fans have once again become madmen of Madhuri. She looks very amazing in this photo. Meanwhile, she is wearing a printed top and blue color shorts. Madhuri's look is really amazing.

According to media reports, this photo has been shared by Madhuri Dixit on her Twitter. However, apart from this, Along with sharing this picture, she wrote 'Hello from paradise'.

Let us tell you that Madhuri Dixit's dance reality show Dance Deewane has become in the discussion yesterday. On the set of the show, 18 members have been infected with covid-19 (Coronavirus). A Colors channel spokesperson confirmed the news saying that some members of the show have been found to be covid positive. Giving information about this, Ashok Dubey, general secretary of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, said that a total of 18 members of the show have been found to be suffering from covid.

Hello from paradise pic.twitter.com/gaTqMDCaKG Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) March 30, 2021

Also Read:

India delivers 6.4 crore doses to 84 countries in the world

Finance Minister suggests NDB to facilitate private sector participation

Giriraj Singh asks Mamata, "Is the tribe of infiltrators and Rohingyas also a shandilya?"
West Bengal wrote to the state's Chief Electoral Officer, complaining against Chief Minister and demanding action against her.

The state said, "On 29th March while addressing a public rally in Nandigram she was heard openly threatening workers, leaders and sympathizers to beware after 2nd May. (i.e. the day of counting)".

"This derogates the basic principle of democracy. Such statements are a threat to free, fair, and peaceful elections which have been seriously apprehended by the BJP and has been brought to the notice of the Commission. Threatening and criminal intimidation is not only an abuse of free and fair elections but also a criminal as well as electoral offence, which needs strong and immediate check," the letter read.

"...The strongest action must be taken against Smt for her irresponsible conduct unbecoming of a chairperson of a political party that is everyday harming the democratic fabric of our nation," it added.

Nandigram will witness the most interesting contest of the West Bengal election between Chief Minister and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari but there are other constituencies too where the contests will be closely watched in the second phase of polling on April 1.

Voting would take place in 30 Assembly constituencies in the second phase in the districts of South 24Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purba Medinipur.

The first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on March 27 saw nearly 80 per cent polling.The state will see eight-phased polling for its 294 seats.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PORTLAND, Ore.  Sen. Ron Wyden will be holding several town halls online in the coming days to hear from residents across multiple Oregon counties.

The first of the live events kicked off on March 29 for Clackamas County. They are hosted by Peoples Town Hall.

I very much look forward to resuming the ongoing conversations with Oregonians in communities large and small to hear residents priorities with the new Biden administration and Senate in its first weeks with the American Rescue Plan and more, Wyden said.

Below is the schedule for upcoming town halls:

If you live in one of the above counties and would like to submit questions, CLICK HERE.

Wyden has held 970 in-person town halls statewide as part of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregons 36 counties. In-person town halls are on hold due to COVID-19 precautions.
JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / ParkerVision, Inc. (OTCQB:PRKR) ("ParkerVision"), a developer and marketer of technologies and products for wireless applications, today announced results for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Year End 2020 and Recent Developments

The district court in the Western District of Texas issued a favorable Markman ruling in ParkerVision's infringement case against Intel scheduled for trial in early February 2022. ParkerVision has filed infringement actions against TCL, Hisense, Zyxel and Buffalo in the same court.

The district court in the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, issued an order that it will reschedule the jury trial against Qualcomm previously scheduled to commence in July 2021. Citing backlog due to the pandemic, among other factors, the court has not yet reset the trial date but indicated it is unlikely to be prior to November or December 2021. ParkerVision is seeking $1.3 billion in damages, excluding any interest or enhanced damages for willful infringement that the court may award.



ParkerVision received an aggregate of $5.6 million in proceeds in the first quarter of 2021 from the sale of debt and equity securities and the exercise of outstanding warrants and options. $3 million of recent proceeds was used to settle outstanding fees with one of the Company's litigation firms, including a significant reduction in future success fees owed to that firm.



Jeffrey Parker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are starting 2021 in a much improved liquidity position due, in large part, to the continued support of an investor base that shares our vision for the future. Although our 2020 results reflect a few significant non-cash items, our cash operating costs are comparable to the prior year."

Mr. Parker continued, "We are happy to put 2020 in the rear-view mirror, although the effects of the pandemic continue to carry over into 2021, as evidenced by the rescheduling of the jury trial in our Qualcomm case. The infringement of our technologies by Qualcomm and others for over a decade has adversely affected our ability to support ongoing innovation -- the foundation on which this company was built. We remain confident that our patent enforcement and licensing efforts will soon result in new licensees for our technologies, and we look forward to the day that we can return to a focus on innovation. U.S. leadership in innovation is ultimately our strongest national asset as we face ever-tougher competition from abroad. In addition to the technologies that we are fighting to monetize by enforcing our patents, ParkerVision has made significant past investment in the development of new and complementary wireless technologies that we plan to market once we have demonstrated the strength of our patents in court. We look forward to getting back to our real work: U.S.-based innovation that enhances the wireless experience for everyone."

2020 Financial Results

Net loss for 2020 was $19.6 million, or $0.42 per common share, compared to a net loss of $9.5 million, or $0.30 per common share for 2019. The increase in net loss is due to A non-cash charge of $7.2 million representing an increase in the estimated fair value of the Company's contingent payment obligations A non-cash charge of $2.2 million related to modification of existing equity-related agreements A $1.3 million increase in litigation expenses primarily related to the Company's infringement action against Qualcomm and Apple in Jacksonville district court

The Company used $4.8 million in cash for operations in 2020 and repaid approximately $1.3 million in debt obligations. This use of cash was funded with proceeds from debt and equity transactions.

The Company ended the year with $1.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and received approximately $5.6 million in proceeds from equity-related transactions in the first quarter of 2021.

About ParkerVision

ParkerVision, Inc. has designed and developed proprietary radio-frequency (RF) technologies that enable advanced wireless solutions for current and next generation wireless communication products. ParkerVision is engaged in a number of patent enforcement actions in the U.S. to protect patented rights that it believes are broadly infringed by others. For more information, please visit www.parkervision.com. (PRKR-I)

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, each of which speaks only as of the date made. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are disclosed in the Company's SEC reports, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated or projected.

Cindy French

Chief Financial Officer

cfrench@parkervision.com

ParkerVision, Inc.

Balance Sheet Highlights

December 31, (in thousands) 2020 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,627 $ 57 Prepaid and other current assets 607 622 Property and equipment, net 30 70 Intangible assets & other 2,192 3,177 Total assets 4,456 3,926 Current liabilities 5,989 6,138 Long-term liabilities 42,288 30,885 Shareholders' deficit (43,821 ) (33,097 ) Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit $ 4,456 $ 3,926



ParkerVision, Inc.

Summary of Results of Operations



Year Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) December 31, 2020 2019 Product revenue $ - $ 74 Product cost of sales - (73 ) Loss on impairment of inventory - (6 ) Gross margin - (5 ) Research and development expenses - 334 Selling, general and administrative expenses 10,664 7,602 Total operating expenses 10,664 7,936 Interest and other expense (547 ) (418 ) Change in fair value of contingent payment obligations (8,367 ) (1,094 ) Total interest and other (8,914 ) (1,512 ) Net loss before income taxes (19,578 ) (9,453 ) Income tax expense - - Net loss $ (19,578 ) $ (9,453 ) Basic and diluted net loss per common share $ (0.42 ) $ (0.30 ) Weighted average shares outstanding 47,019 31,461



ParkerVision, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows



Year Ended (in thousands) December 31, 2020 2019 Net cash used in operating activities $ (4,777 ) (3,373 ) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (1 ) 7 Net cash provided by financing activities 6,348 1,896 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,570 (1,470 ) Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year 57 1,527 Cash and cash equivalents - end of year $ 1,627 $ 57

SOURCE: ParkerVision, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638332/ParkerVision-Reports-2020-Results
Mar. 31Cleveland City Schools and other defendants named in a $10 million federal lawsuit filed in December 2020 have filed a formal answer denying that a middle school student was repeatedly sexually assaulted while officials did nothing and instead saying she was patted on the bottom one time.

"My clients deny any and all liability in this matter, and they intend to vigorously defend themselves in the lawsuit," the defendants' attorney, Jonathan Taylor, said Tuesday by email. "My clients have asserted a number of affirmative defenses and asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety and award them their attorney's fees and costs in the defense of this matter."

The suit seeks $5 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. It calls the school system's actions in the incidents "deliberate indifference to extreme student-on-student sexual harassment, sexual assault and bullying," according to the lawsuit filed by Monteagle, Tennessee, attorney Russell L. Leonard on Dec. 11, 2020, in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga.

The plaintiffs in the suit are dubbed anonymously as Jane Doe and her parents Janet Doe and John Doe. The suit names as defendants the Cleveland City Schools Board of Education; Cleveland Middle School; Principal Leneda Laing; Vice Principal Stephanie Pirkle; school resource officer Raul Cruz; sixth-grade counselor Lauren Latoria and the student's homeroom teacher, Terry Esquiance, and math teacher, Ashley Keith.

The defendants' answer was filed March 15.

"It is admitted that Plaintiffs allege multiple claims against these defendants, including deliberate indifference to student-on-student sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual battery, bullying, failing to take appropriative preventive measures, failure to adequately respond, failure to adequately investigate, failure to observe Title IX requirements, failure to offer appropriate assistance, civil rights violations, and the denial of educational opportunities," the response says. "These defendants deny each of these allegations and strict proof thereof is demanded."

Story continues

The 21-page response contains similar language denying most claims from the lawsuit, but in several cases says "these defendants do not have sufficient knowledge or information to admit or deny the allegations."

For the most part, the denials are general and offer no specifics about the officials' version of events, but in one instance the response states, "These defendants deny having any knowledge that the physical nature of the alleged assault was more than a pat on the bottom."

In another response, the officials said, "The only alleged assault" related to the student was "being patted on the bottom at school by another student. These defendants deny that the student involved in this alleged assault repeatedly sexually assaulted" the student.

The response says, "It is admitted that these defendants had knowledge of one alleged assault" against the student "allegedly being patted on the bottom by another student at school."

Individuals named in the suit "are entitled to qualified immunity under state and federal law," according to the answer.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claimed the assault "was done forcefully, with Jane Doe being shoved up against a locker, molested and brutalized, resulting in physical injuries from which Jane Doe had to recover more than a week after the assault," the suit states. "Her psychological injuries remain with her and shall remain for the foreseeable future."

Defendants in the lawsuit contend punitive damages are not recoverable from governmental entities or their employees or representatives under Tennessee's Governmental Tort Liability Act, according to the answer document, and defendants point to case law which establishes that "local school districts are not insurers of the safety of students while they are at school."

Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.
Lie No. 17: Xinjiang monitors Uygur Muslims through ubiquitous cameras, mobile phone apps, the internet and other high-tech means.

Fact check: In accordance with the law, Xinjiang has installed cameras in urban and rural public areas, major roads, transportation hubs and other public places in order to improve social governance and effectively prevent and crack down on crime. These measures have enhanced social security and won widespread support from people of all ethnic groups. The measures do not target any particular ethnic group.

-- The use of modern scientific and technological products and big data to improve social governance is a common practice in the international community. According to the South China Morning Post, a new study found that Britain, Germany, France and the Netherlands are among the top 10 countries in terms of the number of surveillance cameras in the world.

Lie No. 18: Chinese embassies and consulates have refused to renew the passports of overseas Uygur people, forcing them to return home to face extrajudicial detention or imprisonment.

Fact check: Chinese citizens' personal freedom and rights of exit and entry are protected by law. As long as they are Chinese nationals and admit themselves that they are Chinese citizens, and do not violate Chinese laws and regulations, they can apply to the Chinese embassy or consulate where they live for the renewal or replacement of passports.

Lie No. 19: The Chinese government bans foreign journalists from going to Xinjiang for reporting.

Fact check: Xinjiang is an open place. Foreign journalists are allowed to report in Xinjiang on condition that they abide by Chinese laws and go through relevant procedures. There are no circumstances in which the Chinese government forbids foreign journalists to report in Xinjiang.

-- Since the end of 2018, more than 1,200 people from over 100 countries and regions, including officials from international organizations, diplomats, journalists and religious leaders, have visited Xinjiang.

-- From Sept. 3 to 7, 2019, NBC reporters went to Xinjiang for reporting.

-- In December 2020, BBC reporters went to Kuqa County and other places in Xinjiang for reporting.

Lie No. 20: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will be restricted from visiting Xinjiang.

Fact check: China welcomes the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to visit China and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and has always maintained close communication with the United Nations.

[ Editor: JYZ ]
TORONTO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Ilias Konstantopoulos, CEO of the Great Gulf Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Aole Ansari as Chief Operating Officer (COO), of Great Gulf's Single-Family Build-to-Rent initiative in the US Sunbelt.

"On behalf of the Great Gulf Group, I am delighted to welcome Aole Ansari to the team. As the COO, Aole will be responsible for leading our US Single-Family Build-to-Rent platform, developing its strategic direction and successfully implementing the business plan. Our first communities currently under development comprise approximately 525 homes and are located in Charleston, SC, San Antonio, TX and Tampa, FL. Aole will liaise among Great Gulf, our capital partners, third party home builders and Ashton Woods in executing our business plan," said Ilias Konstantopoulos, CEO of the Great Gulf Group. "Aole is a seasoned and accomplished executive with a unique and diverse background. I look forward to working with Aole on this exciting new venture that is focused on purpose built single-family communities."

Aole has led multiple growth businesses for publicly traded and privately owned companies to raise capital, acquire, develop and sell properties across multiple asset classes. During his time at Corvias and Lendlease, Aole was the executive manager for its student housing, medical office, market residential development and hotel business units, respectively. Over the course of his career Aole has originated and closed more than a $1B worth of transactions. Prior to starting his real estate career in the private sector, Aole served for 11 years on active duty in the US Navy as a Surface and Special Warfare officer.

Aole holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics (BSc) from the United States Naval Academy and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Virginia. Aole also serves as a board member for the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority (MDHA), Nashville's largest owner/operator of affordable housing and Citizen's Bank and Trust, the oldest African-American owned bank in America.

About Great Gulf

Established in 1975, the Great Gulf Group including Great Gulf Homes an international award-winning, low-rise and landmark high-rise residential developer providing over 80,000 families with places to call home; Ashton Woods Homes, the 3rd largest private builder and 18th largest in the U.S.; First Gulf, an innovative market leader in sustainable, accessible and transit-oriented commercial developments and large scale design-build industrial facilities; Tucker HiRise, a leading construction management company, specializing in the construction of high-density, mixed-used projects; H+ME Technology, a precision engineering panelization manufacturing facility; and Taboo Muskoka, one of Canada's top-ranked golf courses, is one of North America's premier real estate organizations. With major projects in Canada and the United States, the company's fully-integrated activities span the entire real estate spectrum. Learn more at www.greatgulf.com

SOURCE Great Gulf Group
[March 31, 2021] Quantifind Awarded Department of Defense Contract to Enhance Its AI-Powered Investigations Platform

MENLO PARK, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantifind, a provider of a SaaS platform used to automate financial crimes investigations and screening, announced that it received a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), an organization within the U.S. Department of Defense. The contract will accelerate development of Quantifind's risk assessment capabilities beyond financial crimes, while also funding development of its knowledge graph technology to intelligently link vast amounts of complex structured and unstructured data into a single integrated framework. Quantifind's platform integrates a rich trove of open-source data and leverages AI to perform risk detection at scale. Organizations throughout government and industry are regularly exposed to risks associated with particular individuals, companies, and their networks, but the information connecting these entities is often scattered across a large array of data sources. Quantifind's platform integrates a rich trove of open source and proprietary data and leverages AI to perform entity linking and risk detection at scale. It can efficiently identify those data records most likely to refer to an entity of interest and discover signals indicating a variety of risk factors. "Having established Quantifind's technology in the banking world, we're excited to partner with DIU to address the government vertical," said John Stockton, Quantifind Co-Founder and public sector projecs lead. "Fighting malign activity has always been a joint public and private effort, so we think of this initiative as a natural extension of our prior work, and we anticipate significant development alignment between the verticals. Our platform can be quickly configured for defense and law enforcement use cases with customized data sets and risks, and the graph technology that we are building will unlock much more powerful versions of what we do today, resulting in 'forest versus trees' types of insights."



Quantifind's GraphyteSearch product responds to name queries in real-time with identity match confidence levels and signals of risk, including money laundering and fraud. The new knowledge graph, developed in partnership with DIU, will pre-compute entity links, relationships, metadata, and risks into a single schema, unifying data sets as distinct as structured corporate registrations and unstructured text from news articles. The integrated graph and underlying machine learning models will automate the production of insights to populate the intelligence collection funnel, with alerts based on graph algorithms including pathfinding, network identification, and anomaly detection. For more information, email Quantifind at public@quantifind.com. About the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)



DIU strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology throughout the military and growing the national security innovation base. DIU partners with organizations across the Department of Defense (DoD) and is the only DoD organization focused exclusively on fielding and scaling commercial technology across the U.S. military at commercial speeds. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, and the Pentagon, DIU is focused on six technology areas where the commercial sector is operating at the leading edge: advanced energy & materials, artificial intelligence, autonomy, cyber, human systems, and space. Learn more at www.diu.mil. About Quantifind Quantifind was founded in 2009 upon pioneering work building machine learning technology to discover meaningful patterns across large, disparate, unstructured datasets. Through continued growth in multiple industries, Quantifind built a SaaS platform to address financial risk management and anti-money laundering by helping banks improve the efficiency of their AML investigations. Today, Quantifind's platform embodies over a decade of R&D and deployment experience in machine learning, natural language processing, risk modeling, name science, and entity resolution, and is helping many large financial institutions and public sector agencies to combat crime. Its success is rooted in its fusion of science with design; machine learning innovations with intuitive, feature-rich web applications and APIs. Quantifind is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with teams in Boston, Washington D.C., and New York City. Learn more about Quantifind and request a demo at www.quantifind.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quantifind-awarded-department-of-defense-contract-to-enhance-its-ai-powered-investigations-platform-301259013.html SOURCE Quantifind

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[March 31, 2021] Extreme Tech Challenge Partners with TechCrunch, Extends Application Deadline, and Announces Four Specialized Awards for its 2021 Global Competition

The Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) has announced a partnership with TechCrunch to host its 2021 Global Finals event. XTC has also introduced four specialized awards -- COVID-19 Innovation Award, Female Founder Award, Ethical AI Award, and Positive Home Award -- to be presented alongside the seven existing category winners and one overall competition winner on July 22, 2021. With increased interest in this year's startup competition and the expansion of the XTC Global Finals with TechCrunch, the application deadline has been extended to 11:59PM PT on April 25, 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005837/en/ Extreme Tech Challenge Partners with TechCrunch, Extends Application Deadline, and Announces Four Specialized Awards for its 2021 Global Competition (Graphic: Business Wire) XTC is the world's largest startup competition for entrepreneurs addressing global challenges inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Last year, this competition attracted startups from 87 countries and the 52 finalists raised more than $120 million in venture investment since being selected. In the last eleven years, TechCrunch has helped 915+ companies raise over $9.4 billion in investments, including 117+ exits via its startup competition Disrupt. The new partnership between XTC and TechCrunch aims to generate increased opportunities and exposure for applicants pitching their ideas to world-renowned investors and judges at the 2021 Extreme Tech Challenge Global Finals presented by TechCrunch, to be held on July 22, 2021. "TechCrunch is a world leading publisher reporting on the business of technology, startups, and venture capital funding," said Young Sohn, Co-Founder of Extreme Tech Challenge, Former Corporate President and Chief Strategy Officer of Samsung (News - Alert) Electronics, and Charman of the Board at HARMAN International. "Our partnership with TechCrunch to host the 2021 Extreme Tech Challenge Global Finals elevates our visibility and reach to a tech community of more than 16 million people worldwide. We look forward to showcasing the dynamism of XTC finalists to this audience, and to inspiring more startups, corporations, VCs, foundations, policymakers, and universities to join our mission to build a better world through purpose-driven innovation."



In addition to the selection of one overall winner and seven category winners (Agtech, Food & Water; Cleantech & Energy; Education; Enabling Technologies; Fintech; Healthcare; Smart Cities & Transportation), four special awards have been established to highlight topical tech trends, to promote diversity, and to align with current events. Last year's COVID-19 Innovation Award and Female Founder Award are joined by two new awards for 2021:

Ethical AI Award -- this award focuses on several areas of interest in AI development including bias in algorithms, transparency, traceability, and privacy, among others. The winner is poised to receive a seed investment and direct mentorship from the award sponsors: BGV, Samsung Electronics, NXP Semiconductors (News - Alert) , Tech Mahindra and Global Corporate Venturing (GCV). Positive Home Award -- this award recognizes a startup with an innovative technology that creates a smart and sustainable home environment. Presented by the Adeo Group, a global home improvement specialist, this recognition evaluates energy/waste/water efficiency solutions that minimize carbon footprints; smart home solutions that enhance comfort; healthy and environmentally friendly cost-efficient materials; accessibility improvements for inhabitants; digital platforms that enhance interactions with the neighborhood and community; flexible solutions for different rooms in a domicile; and easy-to-install noise reduction solutions. All startup finalists will be invited to the XTC Category Finals in May and XTC Virtual Bootcamp in June, where they will gain the opportunity to engage directly with world-leading venture capitalists, corporate leaders and industry experts. Startups are encouraged to apply (here) to XTC by April 25. XTC is open to startups worldwide with innovative technologies addressing one of XTC's Tech for Good categories, inspired by the UN SDGs. For more information on the Extreme Tech Challenge competition, please visit: https://extremetechchallenge.org/faq About Extreme Tech Challenge Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) is the world's largest ecosystem and competition for entrepreneurs addressing global challenges. XTC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by leading corporations, VCs, foundations, policymakers, universities and tech conferences. XTC is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs creating new tech innovations to help build a sustainable future for humanity and our planet. Inspired by the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), XTC supports and showcases innovators that harness the power of technology for the benefit of humankind. Through its global startup competition, XTC provides top contenders the potential for global visibility, the opportunity to raise capital, the ability to network with global entities, and access to world-class mentorship to help them pioneer technological breakthroughs that address our most extreme global challenges. For more information, please visit www.extremetechchallenge.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005837/en/

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In line with its vision of Stronger Together, ZEE5 Global, the largest OTT platform for South Asian content has over the last year been steadily investing in creating local Bangla content with leading directors like Abrar Athar, Tanim Noor, Krishnendu Chattopadhyay, Anam Biswas and others, featuring much loved artistes like Afran Nisho, Chanchal Chowdhury, Arifin Shuvoo, Pritom Hasan, Shamol Mawla, Mithila, Bidya Sinha Mim, Zakia Bari Mamo amongst others to delight audiences not only in Bangladesh but across the globe.

In yet another milestone, ZEE5 has now announced the release of its very first full-length feature film and fourth Bangla Original, a romantic comedy web film  Jodi Kintu Tobuo at a virtual press conference on Tuesday. The announcement was made by Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer of ZEE5 Global, who also shared an exclusive look at the latest trailer of the movie.

Announcing the release, Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global said In 2020, we announced a pipeline of new content that we would launch in Bangladesh on ZEE5. Local stories that would be locally created with local talent for not only audiences in Bangladesh but around the globe. And all the Originals we have launched - Mainkar Chipay, WTFry and Contract have gone on to win audiences across countries. Today Im very happy to announce our fourth Bangla Original, Jodi Kintu Tobuo, which is also our very first full-length feature film. This light-hearted romantic comedy directed by Shihab Shaheen and bringing together some of the top talent of Bangladesh is a rich addition to our content bouquet, and Im sure it will win hearts across Bangladesh and the rest of the globe!

The online event also saw the star-studded cast of the film  Ziaul Faruq Apurba, Nusraat Faria, Imtu Ratish and Amaan Reza and the director Shihab Shaheen coming together to share their experiences of working on the film, and to talk about what makes the film the Bangladeshi Wedding of the Year.

Jodi Kintu Tobuo, directed by national award-winning director Shihab Shaheen, follows the love story of an urban couple - Abir and Preety, who experience a roller coaster of emotions and complex situations to realise their love for each other. The film will see Apurba and Faria being paired together for the first time as an on-screen couple, next to notable actors from the Dhallywood film fraternity including Tariq Anam Khan, Saberi Alam, Naziba Bashar, Imtu Ratish and Amaan Reza.

This ZEE5 Original has been presented by Evaly and co-presented by Godrej Good Knight.

The movie will be streaming on ZEE5 from April 1st, 2021 and like the other Bangla Originals, will be free to watch for audiences in Bangladesh.

Jodi Kintu Tobuo is a classic mix of romance, comedy and drama, and we couldnt have featured a better couple than Apurba and Faria to bring it to life. Its been a pleasure to work with ZEE5 and Im very happy that our work can be appreciated by not just the local audience here in Bangladesh, but also Bangladeshis living abroad and other audiences. We really hope people have as much fun watching it as we did making it. said Director Shihab Shaheen.

ZEE5 has already achieved massive success with cult thriller Mainkar Chipay in November, another romantic comedy WTFry in January, and a blockbuster action thriller web-series Contract in March.
Republic Media Network has announced that Republic TV and Republic Bharat will now be available on consumer electronics giant Samsungs new video streaming service Samsung TV Plus, starting March 30, 2021.

Samsung TV Plus will roll out in India will take Republic Media Network to people who have been wanting to get exposed uninterruptedly to exclusive national news.

The free service, Samsung TV Plus will offer 27 channels across genres, inclusive of Republic TV and Republic Bharat.

Indias over-the-top streaming (OTT) market is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, and over the past twelve months, spurred on by the Covid-19-induced lockdown, total domestic OTT consumption increased from 181 billion minutes to 204 billion minutes. India is now the world's fastest-growing OTT market that is estimated to be worth $5 billion by 2023.

The objective of this strategic partnership is to ensure an incremental traffic to Republic Media Network, by making it more accessible to the citizens of the nation.

Group CEO of Republic Media Network, Vikas Khanchandani said Republic Network has been building scale for linear consumption online in India with the massive growth of internet users. We are happy to have partnered with Samsung to get our content on the TV Plus platform and giving us access into the fast paced growth for connected TVs. The volume of linear News consumption has been scaling up tremendously and is adding significantly to incremental reach to Television. As a network we are future ready and have developed technology and skill to monetise the streams directly as well as with platform partners like Samsung which will bring incremental audiences and revenue for the network

To view Republic channels, the Samsung TV Plus service doesn't require any subscriptions or credit card-based logins in India, but users would need a Samsung Smart TV and a pre-existing internet connection to stream the content.

Along with Republic Media Network, TV Plus has globally partnered with 800 of the worlds leading broadcast networks, and lets users stream news, sports, cooking shows, music, movies, shows, and so on.

The Service is also supposed to be launched on Mobile Devices in India by Mid-April 2021.
South Africa: Minister Patel meets US trade representative

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has met with the newly-appointed United States of America Trade representative Katherine Tai.

Tuesdays virtual meeting served as an opportunity for Minister Patel to meet Ambassador Tai for the first time, where a range of bilateral and multilateral trade issues were discussed.

These include the United States Section 232 tariffs, agricultural market access, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and South Africas continued eligibility for the preferential tariffs established under the Generalised System of Preference.

The proposed waiver on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) - which South Africa has championed at the World Trade Organisation to provide access to developing countries for COVID-19 vaccines development - and strengthening multilateralism for development were also on the table for discussion.

Ambassador Tai was sworn in on 18 March 2021 by Vice President Kamala Harris as the 19th US Trade Representative, following her unanimous confirmation in the United States Senate.

The US Trade Representative is a cabinet-level position, responsible for trade matters.

Patel and the Ambassador also discussed the strategic importance of the trading relationship in the context of the overall South Africa-US relationship.

South Africa is the United States largest trading partner on the African continent, with R261 billion in bilateral trade between the two countries in 2020.

Minister Patel and Ambassador Tai agreed to engage on a regular basis to raise and discuss key issues. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New Delhi:

A fortnight after a senior journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead in front of house, a TV journalist covering agitation and road blockade by the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) was abducted and killed in Tripura.

The deceased journalist has been identified as Santanu Bhowmick. He was working for Dinrat News in Mandai.

Journalists in large numbers are holding protest outside Tripura chief ministers residence after the murder of the journalist. The protesting journalist are demanding immediate arrest of all the people involved in the abduction and murder of the scribe.

Abhijit Saptarshi, West district Superintendent of Police (SP) said, In our initial investigation we have learnt that the journalist was hit from behind and abducted. He was later found with fatal stab injuries.

The SP added the journalist was rushed to the Agartala Medical College and Hospital for medical treatment but the doctors of the hospital declared him brought dead.

According to the SP situation at Mandai is tense. Over hundreds of activist of the Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP), tribal wing of ruling CPI-M, were injured in a clash with Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura at Chhankhola area of Khowai district.

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On Monday, another brutal attack was caught on video.

A 65-year-old Filipino immigrant was walking in Midtown Manhattan when a man kicked her in the stomach, knocking her to the ground. The man repeatedly kicked her in the head and told her, You dont belong here, the police said.

The attack, which happened in broad daylight, was especially shocking after a yearlong nationwide surge of anti-Asian violence. Employees in the lobby of a nearby luxury building witnessed it, but none intervened.

[A video of a man brutally attacking a Filipino immigrant went viral online.]

Heres what you need to know:

The police have made an arrest.

Early Wednesday, after an image of the man taken from security footage spread widely on social media and on posters in Manhattan, the police charged Brandon Elliot, 38, with felony assault as a hate crime. Mr. Elliot was released from prison in 2019 and was on lifetime parole after he was convicted of fatally stabbing his mother in 2002, the police said.

The victim of the attack was Vilma Kari, who immigrated from the Philippines decades ago, her daughter said. A man who answered the door at Ms. Karis apartment said she was in the hospital recovering from a fractured pelvis.
By Felix Warom Okello

KOBOKO- Four Ugandan drivers have been shot dead by unknown gunmen on Yei-Juba highway while heading to Juba for business.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening between Ganji (Lanya County), 65kms to Juba and Kullipa, which is 58kms to Juba on Yei-Juba road in South Sudan.

Those confirmed dead are Stephen Amati, Dada Abugo, Ali Sonny and Sadam Noah.

The Koboko Resident District Commissioner, Mr Sazir Mayanja, said the drivers landed in an ambush.

"I can confirm that four people who were heading to Juba from Koboko District were gunned down and their bodies are at Ganji. At least 13 people who were passengers have been rescued and all are under the government of South Sudan," he said.

Mr Mayanja said they are coordinating with authorities of Yei in South Sudan to rescue those who were abducted.

It is not yet clear which armed group killed and abducted some of the passengers.

Efforts for peace

In June 2013, the former Inspector of General of Police for South Sudan, Gen Pieng Kuol, and former Inspector General of Police for Uganda Kale Kayihura signed a bilateral agreement in Arua to carry out joint patrols at the border to ensure that businessmen are safeguarded to promote cross-border trade.

The Oraba-Kaya-Yei-Juba road had become dormant after several attacks on businessmen plying the route, especially during the second outbreak of the war in South Sudan.

South Sudan had turned a lucrative place for business that attracted businessmen from Ethiopia, Uganda, Eritrea, Kenya and DR Congo after signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005.

But the business was dented by insecurity that cropped in South Sudan and led to attacks on foreign traders who were accused by locals of hijacking their businesses.

But during a cross border meeting early this month, Mr Emmanuel Adil, the governor for Central Equatoria state, said the absence of the local government structure on the South Sudan side has hindered their relations with Uganda.

"The border clashes, land and border disputes, illegal logging trade, high rate of smuggling that happens along the borders are derailing our progress. We need to identify those weak points and spoilers of our good reputations so that the resolutions that we have already made during our meetings in Koboko and Yei are implemented," he said.

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By the time of filing this report, efforts to get comments from River Yei County Commissioner proved futile as his phones could not go through.

Past attacks

In 2009, an Eritrean driver and a Ugandan were hacked to death in Kaya in South Sudan.

In 2009, armed Sudanese gunmen raided more than 500 head of cattle twice in Adjumani District

In 2011, two Ugandan casual labourers were in June severely tortured by Sudanese soldiers over theft.

In 2012, two Ugandan traders were shot dead by unknown assailants

In March 2021, three Ugandans and five South Sudan fishermen were killed by unknown gunmen from South Sudan in Moyo District.
New Delhi: Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has announced a new logo with refreshed new corporate visual identity, fusing oriental philosophy with the design concept of Alive.

Xiaomi said that this new branding aims to further strengthen the companys foothold in the premium market, while raising brand awareness with its audiences through its new dynamic logo.

New year. New look. New us. Together with @haraken_tokyo, we've changed our logo! How do you like our new logo? #XiaomiMegaLaunch pic.twitter.com/bqi33ZC3vE  Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) March 30, 2021

"Xiaomis brand new logo was designed by a world-renowned designer, professor of Musashino Art University and the President of the Nippon Design Center (NDC), Kenya HARA. Adopting a softer, rounder contour on the corners of the previously squared logo, along with redesigned MI typography, the new logo is now more aesthetically pleasing. Corporate color remains orange to continue to convey the liveliness and youthfulness of Xiaomi. Black and silver will also be used as supplemental colors to accommodate high-end product line applications," the company wrote in a blog.

Meanwhile, Twitterati had a gala time, sharing memes and hilarious tweets after the logo was made official.

Xiaomi's new logo... designed by the world-renowned designer Kenya HARA, infused with philosophical thinking. I think they need a refund. pic.twitter.com/P9KuBqmPGy  Stu (@StusReviewsUK) March 30, 2021

Chinese mobile phone giant Xiaomi has just unveiled its new logo, which took a famous Japanese designer three years. (The original is the square and the new one is the one with rounded corners) pic.twitter.com/wXcDrEVObr  Chris Derps (@ChrisDerps) March 30, 2021

Xiaomis brand new logo was designed by a world-renowned designer, professor of Musashino Art University and the President of the Nippon Design Center (NDC), Kenya HARA.

"Xiaomi adopts a new dynamic logo format for the first time, disrupting the traditional rules of brand logo usage of the past. The new logo is not fixed at the four corners of the square, instead, it adapts to content and is placed at the most suitable position. The new dynamic logo further embraces the philosophical thinking, making the logo truly come Alive," the Xiaomi blog added.
An Indonesian condom brand have created Mi Goreng flavoured condoms.

How random is this?!

The Fiesta condom brand have apparently launched a bunch of new flavours, and one of them is none other than one of the worlds favourite noodles.

On a recent Instagram post promoting it, the caption Google translates to Playing on the bed is more delicious plus addictiveOne is not enough, two is not enough!
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Hapbee Technologies, Inc. (TSXV: HAPB) (OTCQB: HAPBF) (FSE: HA1) ("Hapbee" or the "Company"), a wellness technology company developing the revolutionary Hapbee wearable, is pleased to announce it has signed a twelve-month marketing services agreement with BMD Publishing LLC ("BMD") for the production and marketing of corporate podcasts and related materials.

As part of its D2C e-commerce strategy, which is expected to ramp up in Q2 2021, Hapbee has put an emphasis on educating potential customers and fostering community engagement. The Company believes podcasts are an effective way to market its wearable product and corporate mission as they provide a favourable environment for long-form dialogue.

"This is a very important year for Hapbee  particularly from a marketing and brand awareness standpoint," said Scott Donnell, CEO of Hapbee. "To expand our user-base, we need to educate our target market on our product. I believe that a winning marketing strategy will utilize podcasts as they continue to grow in popularity. BMD are experts within the world of podcast marketing, and we aim to leverage their expertise during our D2C e-commerce rollout."

About BMD Publishing LLC

BMD Publishing LLC, located in Williamsville, NY, has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing direct response marketing firms in the U.S. BMD's products and services include podcast production, lead generation, and relationship retention.

About Hapbee

Hapbee is a wearable magnetic field technology company that aims to help people choose how they feel. Powered by patented ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE) technology invented and licensed by EMulate Therapeutics, Inc., Hapbee delivers low-power electromagnetic signals designed to produce sensations such as Happy, Alert, Focus, Relax, Calm and Sleepy.

You can learn more about how Hapbee works at www.hapbee.com/science.

Forward-Looking Information Disclaimer

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This news release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Any statements about the production and marketing of corporate podcasts and related materials; the effectiveness of podcasts to market the Company's products and corporate mission; the timing for marketing and brand awareness of the Company's products and anticipated popularity of podcasts; and the rollout of the Company's D2C e-commerce rollout, are all forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding the effectiveness of podcasts to reach and educate the Company's target markets and the ability to provide a favourable environment for long-term dialogue; the agreement with BMD will deliver production and marketing of corporate podcasts and related materials as anticipated; and podcasts will continue to grow in popularity.

Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, podcasts may not be as effective as anticipated or at all to help the Company achieve its goals; BMD may not produce and market corporate podcasts and related materials as expected pursuant to the agreement; podcasts may decline in popularity; changes in legislation and regulations; increase in operating costs; equipment failures; failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations; litigation; the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants and fees charged by service providers. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described in Hapbee's annual information form dated January 27, 2021, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Hapbee Technologies Inc.

Related Links

http://www.hapbee.com


press release

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) holds the Cameroonian authorities responsible for what happens to Amadou Vamoulke, a 71-year-old journalist who has been jailed arbitrarily for nearly five years and who reports in an open letter today to the justice minister that at least two of his cellmates have contracted Covid-19 in recent days. This journalist must be freed before it is too late, RSF says.

The former head of the state-owned national radio and TV broadcaster CRTV, Vamoulke reveals in his letter to justice minister Laurent Esso, one of the most influential members of President Paul Biya's government, that one of his eight cellmates has just returned with "suffocating chest pains" from a brief spell in hospital.

Vamoulke writes that, according to this detainee, another of their cellmates is still hospitalised with Covid-19 and has "40% of his lungs damaged," and that a third cellmate has symptoms of the virus and has just been placed under medical supervision. Their prison, Kondengui prison in the capital Yaounde, was built to house 1,000 inmates but currently holds around 3,500.

Vamoulke has been held since July 2016 while being subjected to a never-ending trial on a charge of "misusing funds" - not for his person benefit but for the benefit of CRTV, which he ran from 2005 until his arrest. He has several chronic ailments including a neurological condition described as "severe" by two neurologists who have examined him or seen his medical file and who agree that he needs medevacking for treatment abroad.

"This journalist, who has been held for years in a completely illegal manner, is now in danger of dying because of his age and poor state of health," said Arnaud Froger, the head of RSF's Africa desk. "Keeping him in detention in these conditions cannot be justified on any grounds. We urge the Cameroonian authorities to free him before it is too late."

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In his letter, Vamoulke voices amazement at the way the justice minister "declared war" on him and says he is aware that his open letter could result in his being transferred to "an even more inhuman place of incarceration" such as the defence ministry's prison. "But this matters little to me because, without ever having embezzled anything, I have already spend 1,708 days in illegal incarceration," he fatalistically concludes.

Vamoulke's trial is being conducted in a completely illegally manner. The court has so far held a record 64 hearings without getting any closer to reaching a verdict. No other Cameroonian journalist has ever been subjected to this kind of judicial treatment.

After RSF drew its attention to the case, the United Nations called for Vamoulke's release a year ago on the grounds that his detention had "no legal basis." The violations of his right to due process were so serious that they conferred an "arbitrary character" on his detention, the UN said.

Cameroon is ranked 134th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index.
BERLIN : Germany will from Wednesday limit the use of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to people aged 60 and above as well as high-priority groups following further reports of a rare brain blood disorder.

"We have to be able trust the vaccines," Chancellor Angela Merkel told journalists at a news conference on Tuesday. "And transparency is the best way to deal with such a situation," she added.

Acting on advice from Germany's vaccine committee, known as STIKO, Germany's federal and state health ministries agreed that under 60-year-olds should only receive the AstraZeneca vaccine if they belong to high-priority groups, which include high-risk patients and medical workers, in consultation with a doctor.

People aged below 60 who have already received a first AstraZeneca shot have the option of either receiving their second shot as planned, if they are high priority, or to wait for STIKO to issue its recommendation, which it is expected to do by the end of April.

The new limit on the use of AstraZeneca's vaccine is another setback in Germany's already sluggish vaccination campaign.

Earlier, STIKO recommended the shot only be used for people aged 60 and above "on the basis of available data on the occurrence of rare but very severe thromboembolic side-effects".

STIKO is also looking into the possibility of administering a second shot with a different COVID vaccine.

In a statement responding to the STIKO recommendation, AstraZeneca said patient safety was its highest priority and noted the European and UK medical agencies had not been able to establish a causal relationship between the shot and clotting.

"We will continue to work with German authorities to address any questions they may have," it added.

Germany will, however, allow anyone 60 and over to be given the AstraZeneca shot in an effort to speed its vaccination campaign. So far, it has only been vaccinating people aged over 70 and those in high priority groups.

Germany's decision followed further reports by the country's vaccine regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute, of cases of blood clots known as cerebral sinus vein thrombosis.

PEI said it had registered 31 cases of CSVT, which resulted in nine deaths, out of some 2.7 million people who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine. With the exception of two cases, all reports involved women aged between 20 and 63.

Because use of the vaccine in Germany was initially limited to those under 65, the shot has been administered among younger women, particularly medical staff and teachers.

Many European countries briefly stopped using AstraZeneca's vaccine earlier this month while investigating rare cases of blood clots.

Both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization said this month the benefits of AstraZeneca's vaccine outweighed the risks.

An EMA review covering 20 million people who took the AstraZeneca shot in Britain and the European Economic Area found seven cases of blood clots in multiple blood vessels and 18 cases of CVST.

Millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been safely administered around the world.

Nearly all countries have since resumed use of the vaccine. But France broke with guidance from the EMA and said on March 19 it should only be given to people aged 55 or older. France said the decision was based on evidence that the clotting affected younger people.

Canadian health officials said on Monday they would stop offering AstraZeneca's shot to people under 55 and require a new analysis of the shot's benefits and risks based on age and gender.

Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder criticised the "back and forth" around the vaccine, saying all recommendations showed that the danger of severe illness from the coronavirus outweighed any side-effects linked to the shot.

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The report card analyzes the nations infrastructure in 17 categories, including roads, schools, transit and drinking water. Bridges were the only category in which the grade had declined from four years ago, now sitting at a C. Eleven categories have a grade in the D range, reflecting the extent to which bridges and other transportation infrastructure have moldered in recent decades.

The coronavirus pandemic has heightened the need for federal assistance in a number of ways, including on the transit front, as a drop in ridership has sent revenues plummeting  putting more strain on already hard-up transportation systems at both the local and national levels.

But most of the nations infrastructure needs are longstanding, and many have to do with climate change. Storm-water infrastructure, for instance, was the one new category on the report card this year.

The extreme weather that compromised the power grid in Texas last month served as a stark reminder of the ways in which climate change can threaten systems that lacked strong public investment. And it highlighted the ways in which infrastructure systems are intertwined.

Bidens infrastructure proposal defines its purpose broadly, something that has pleased analysts at the engineering society. Its nice to see the comprehensive approach, Feenstra said. Not just roads, bridges, transit  which are important  but also water, schools, things that can alleviate storms impact. That really is key, because as much as we silo things into these 17 categories, we do emphasize that infrastructure is all interlinked, and events like Texas put that at the forefront.

Bidens proposal offers a framework, but he will have to work with Congress to write the legislation. Last year the Democratically controlled House trotted out a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill, the Moving Forward Act, elements of which could wind up in a final bill. It included hundreds of billions of dollars for repairing roads and bridges, funding other transit projects, making improvements to school buildings, constructing affordable housing and enhancing broadband access.

Parts of other bills floating around the House could also wind up in the final package, including the CLEAN Future Act, which would lay out a plan to eliminate fossil fuels from the United States electricity supply by 2035, and the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act, which seeks to stabilize Amtraks funding by creating a trust fund.
Joseph Kinyua Murimi, the main suspect in the death of 24-year-old waitress Velvine Nungari Kinyanjui, has been released on a cash bail of Sh200,000.

Murimi was granted bail by a Kiambu court in a virtual hearing in which the prosecution's application to continue holding him for 30 more days was rejected.

Delivering the ruling, Chief Magistrate Patricia Gichohi directed the key suspect to be reporting to Kiamumbi police station every Thursday.

The case will be mentioned on April 29.

Nungari, who worked at Ruiru's Destiny Park, was found in a room at Sinnot Hotel where she had been with Murimi and rushed to hospital after allegedly being raped before she later passed away on March 9 while undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital.

An autopsy report revealed that she had suffered three fractures on her spinal cord with bruises and fluid deposits consistent with sexual assault.
On some level, we know how often we are touched by men without our consent, from childhood onward: belly and cheek pinches, tickling, waist squeezes. But most of us rarely talk or even think about it. Really, you need look no further to understand why a woman would be very confused about who my body belonged to or even why she would consent to being cuddled by a stranger. Despite warnings of overt sexual molestation, we are mostly socialized not to reject the hands of others.

Shortly before we began social distancing, I went to a birthday party for a friend in Fort Greene, in Brooklyn. It was a warm and casual event attended mostly by artists and writers, a few children. My friends apartment on the third floor of a brownstone grew increasingly crowded as the night progressed. I stood in the kitchen, engrossed in conversation, when a tall man squeezed past me. As he did so, he rested his hand in the small of my back. It was a familiar gesture; my partner does it multiple times a day as we share our own kitchen. But the intimacy of this strangers touch startled me, enough that I glanced up but not so much that it interrupted my conversation. As the startled sensation flickered through my body, it became annoyance and then something sharper: a precursor to fear.

There are many gestures like this that would be welcome from a friend, but for a diminutive woman making my way through the world, they all carry a potential trace of menace when delivered by a stranger, or relative stranger, with the power to physically overwhelm me. I am barely over five feet tall and have spent most of my life looking up at other people, which is a constant reminder that they are looking down at me. The progression of feeling provoked by that strangers hand on the small of my back is so subtle and so common that it would be impossible to remember all the countless times it has moved through me and I have ignored it. I was not surprised to see how often the women I surveyed described giving empty consent because they feared something worse. Often, they negotiated a lesser act than the one a man wanted.

Sarah, a 39-year-old writer, described an incident during a college semester abroad. After being groped so forcefully by a fellow American student in a cab on the way back to her dorm that she felt almost certain the boy would rape her if she declined, she agreed to go back to his room. Even the slight chance (and it didnt seem slight) that he wouldnt listen to my no made me want to withhold it. It was my last opportunity to salvage any power, to decide what would happen and what it would mean.

Another woman described being groped, in her 40s, by an elderly man in an adjoining seat at the opera. She said nothing because she didnt want to make a scene or disturb the performance.

Here, I see two powerful imperatives that collaborate to encourage empty consent: the need to protect our bodies from the violent retaliation of men and the need to protect the same men from the consequences of their own behavior, usually by displacing the responsibility onto ourselves. I think again of my after-school encounter: my inability to say no and the embarrassment when I saw that boy afterward.

In 2014, California was the first state to pass into law affirmative-consent standards for colleges to apply to sexual-assault cases, followed by New York, Illinois, Connecticut and Colorado. The guidelines for affirmative-consent policy are similar to the code of conduct held by the cuddle party: Consent should be ongoing; should apply to each progressive act; can be rescinded at any time; and cannot be given if a person is incapacitated or under coercion, intimidation or force. As these new standards take hold across our countrys campuses, public discourse around consent has begun to reflect their ethos. That is, we are saying the right things, but the fact remains that we continue to live in a greater world where such statutes are not observed, let alone internalized.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- XPeng Inc. (XPeng), a Chinese EV startup headquartered in Guangzhou, kicked off on March 19 an autonomous driving expedition with a fleet of XPeng P7s to showcase the capability of Navigation Guided Pilot (NGP), the full-stack autonomous driving solution developed in-house by XPeng, on China's highways.

Ended on March 26, the expedition covers a total distance of 3,675km, the longest one to date for autonomous driving journey by mass-produced vehicles in China. During the 8-day period, the P7 fleet traveled across 10 cities, starting from Guangzhou, to Shantou, Quanzhou, Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, Qingdao, Jinan, finishing in Beijing.

Photo credit: XPeng

The NGP offers point-to-point navigation assisted autonomous driving based on the navigation routes set by drivers, and is available on highways covered by HD maps in China, said the company. During the 8-day expedition, it delivered stable performance in rainstorm conditions, passing through tunnels, and on highways in mountain areas, showcasing its high robustness and reliability handling the complex driving scenarios in China.

Photo credit: XPeng

According to the figures XPeng released on March 31, the average success rate for lane changing and overtaking was 94.41% for the 8 days. The average highway ramp entering and exiting success rate was 92.76% and average tunnel pass-through success rate was 94.95% during the same period.

Moreover, the XPeng P7 fleet, which drove from Guangzhou to Beijing with 2,930 km highway driving under the control of the NGP, achieved an average of 0.71 human driver interventions per 100 km, setting a new benchmark for long-distance autonomous driving by mass-produced passenger vehicles.

Photo credit: XPeng

XPeng invited 228 auto journalists, EV enthusiasts and industry experts to join the expedition. As one of them, Gasgoo did have some unique driving experience with a NGP-powered P7.

For the sake of safety, a driver must learn dos and don'ts through watching video and complete a quiz before he starts a journey. When the P7 enters urban expressways or motorways covered by HD maps, the NGP function can be activated by a very simple processjust pressing the shift lever on the back of the steering wheel twice with figures. Then the system will select a proper running speed based on the speed limit of the current road.

Controlled by the NGP, the P7 is able to perform a series of driver assistance actions, like automatic lane changing, overtaking and highway ramp entering & existing, by virtue of 14 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, 5 millimeter-wave radars as well as the integration of HD maps and high-precision positioning technologies.



Photo credit: XPeng

Specifically, if a driver wants to overtake the car ahead, the system will let the turn signal turned on once it ensures there are no other cars within the right and left safety distances, and make the P7 change lanes after delivering a voice instruction. Additionally, the P7 will move to the right lane in advance where a ramp is about two kilometers ahead of it.

It should be noteworthy that most NGP-enabled automatic operations were performed quite smoothly during Gasgoo's journey. The stiffness didn't exist even the driving was manipulated by a system.

The NGP used in the expedition will be shipped to P7's users as well. Compared to the engineering version for internal tests, it features some improvements in details. For instance, it delivers higher recognition rate of traffic cones when the vehicle runs in areas with roadworks.

The system can automatically complete operations like deceleration and lane changing, while it still warns of a take-over by the human driver to ensure safety. When overtaking a super wide and long truck, the NGP will help the car enlarge the transverse distance from the truck lest the driver felt mentally pressured.

Nonetheless, it seems that the concept defensive driving has not been infused into the NGPs mind. When a P7 runs at a speed close to the limit, it will not actively increase the transverse distance if there is a car running on the next lane at a similar speed. Running abreast for a long time will lead to unfavorable blind zone, which might endanger the driver.







Photo credit: XPeng

Restricted by current rules and regulations, the driver is not permitted to make their hands completely off the steering wheel. Being attentive to the roads all the time and rotating the steering wheel at proper moments are still the right attitude and behavior for drivers.
The mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine provides for the work of the Mission throughout Ukraine, including Crimea, according to Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Mission to the OSCE Courtney Austrian.

She said this at a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on Wednesday, March 31, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The United States reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters. We note that the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has a mandate to work throughout Ukraine, including Crimea," Austrian said, commenting on the decision to extend the OSCE SMM's mandate.

She added that all participating States must co-operate with the SMM and "must take no action to obstruct its access to Crimea or any other region of Ukraine."

"We call on Ukraine, Russia, and the forces Russia arms, trains, leads, and fights alongside, to ensure that the SMM has unfettered movement throughout the entire territory of Ukraine, and to guarantee the safety and security of SMM monitors as they carry out their duties," the U.S. diplomat said.

The OSCE Permanent Council on Wednesday approved the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine for another year. The delegations of the 57 participating states also approved the OSCE SMM's budget for the new annual period - from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

op
The flag of the World Health Organization (WHO) at their headquarters in Geneva amid the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak on March 5, 2021. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia Joins 13 Countries in Voicing Concerns Over the WHO Study on CCP Virus Origin

Australia has joined 13 other countries in expressing their shared concerns about the veracity of a World Health Organization (WHO) study into the origins of the CCP virus.

The WHO study, written jointly by a team of Chinese and international scientists, declared that the possibility of virus transmission from bats to humans via an intermediary animal was the most likely source of the COVID-19 disease. It also dismissed the theory that the virus leaked from a lab as extremely unlikely.

In a joint statement, signed on March 30, the governments of Australia, Canada, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, South Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States noted that they were concerned that the international expert study into the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples.

Scientific missions like these should be able to do their work under conditions that produce independent and objective recommendations and findings, they said.

We share these concerns not only for the benefit of learning all we can about the origins of this pandemic, but also to lay a pathway to a timely, transparent, evidence-based process for the next phase of this study as well as for the next health crises, they said.

The thirteen nations were not the only international group to make a comment on the study.

The European Union also echoed Australia and the other nations announcement with its own, saying that while the study was a helpful first step, it was hampered by the late start of the investigation, the WHO teams delayed entry of China, and the limited access to data and early samples.

Going forward, there must now be a renewed commitment by WHO and all Member States to access, transparency, and timeliness, the statement demanded, underscoring the need for a robust, comprehensive, and expert-led mechanism for expeditiously investigating outbreaks of unknown origin conducted with full and open collaboration.

However, The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus admitted in a thread written on Twitter that all hypotheses remain on the table.

This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end. We have not yet found the source of the #COVID19 virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do, Tedros said.

As far as @WHO is concerned all hypotheses remain on the table. This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end. We have not yet found the source of the #COVID19 virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do.  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 30, 2021

In my discussions with the team, they expressed the difficulties they encountered in accessing raw data, Tedros said in another post to Twitter. I expect future collaborative studies to include more timely and comprehensive data sharing.

The 10-member WHO team of international experts met with many obstructions upon their arrival in China.

Two members were also denied entry due to visa issues. Dominic Dwyer, a microbiologist at the University of Sydney and the only Australian member in the team, also revealed that the teams request to view the raw patient data on nearly 200 cases was only met with a summary by their Chinese counterparts.
[March 31, 2021] Hyundai Mobis will transform its business into a software and platform-oriented company

- Announced future growth strategy and vision at <2021 Strategies and New Technologies Conference> at R&D headquarters in Korea - Executing the 'Transformation X-Y-Z' strategy, advancing into new businesses including robotaxi and UAM - Disclosing new mobility concepts, M.Vision X and M.Vision POP, that safely connect people and cities SEOUL, South Korea, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Mobis will innovate its business structure to secure future technological competitiveness and long-term growth engines. It will shift its focus from automotive component hardware to software and transform its business model into a platform-oriented company. In accordance with the Hyundai Motor Group's future strategy in electric vehicles, autonomous driving and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Hyundai Mobis is to reinforce its technologies as a leading affiliate. On March 31st, Hyundai Mobis invited local and foreign media to the <2021 Hyundai Mobis Strategies and New Technologies Conference> at the R&D headquarters in Korea and announced its mid- to long-term Transformation strategy for sustainable growth. "In the automotive industry, which is quickly evolving into a mobility platform ecosystem, the role of automotive suppliers needs to change as well," said Jung Soo-kyung, head of the planning division (executive vice-president), who gave a presentation at the conference. "We will expand our business as a leading company in platform-based systems that have integrated hardware competitiveness with software." At the conference, Hyundai Mobis also disclosed new mobility solutions, the urban shared mobility concept cars, M.Vision X and M.Vision POP, and demonstrated new technologies, too. Innovating the business model with <Transformation X-Y-Z>Actively breaking new ground The mid- to long-term growth strategy (Tansformation X-Y-Z), presented by Hyundai Mobis, will be implemented largely in three directions.



First, 'Transformation X' is set to innovate continuously as a global enterprise for future growth. Hyundai Mobis will use its core technological competences in the field of autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity to expand its business to global automakers. To this end, the company will continue to carry out open innovation such as strategic investment in global enterprises with promising technologies. Currently, Hyundai Mobis is expanding its collaborations with various leading partners. As representative examples, strategic investments have been made in Velodyne, a global No. 1 lidar company, together with collaborative work for mass-production of a level 3 lidar system. Hyundai Mobis is also aiming to cooperate with Envisics, a UK-based AR-HUD specialist.

Secondly, 'Transformation Y' is to innovate its business model with the company's core technological competencies. Hyundai Mobis will expand its business scope in the new mobility service market to meet customer needs. Currently, Hyundai Mobis is known to be developing a level-4 autonomous robotaxi through a technical alliance with Yandex, a Russian IT company, giving shape to its business model. For business model innovation, Hyundai Mobis is planning to provide dedicated platforms to global automakers or Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) companies. To build the value chain of a new mobility service, the company is also trying to secure smart factory infrastructure utilizing AI and big data. Thirdly, Transformation Z is set to find long-term new growth businesses and is related to conducting new businesses based on innovative technologies. Hyundai Mobis will secure long-term growth engines in areas other than the existing automotive business in preparation for at least 10 years into the future. "Currently, we are looking for a business cooperation in the UAM business with the Hyundai Motor Group and reviewing areas that Hyundai Mobis can enter as well as other business models," said Mr. Jung Soo-kyung. "It is expected that it will be possible to utilize the business competencies of Hyundai Mobis to electric propulsion system and avionics in the UAM business." It seems that Hyundai Mobis recently adding the manufacturing and sale of aerial mobility components and robot components to its business purposes in its Articles of Incorporation was part of this initiative. To reinforce its R&D competency, a core driving force of its future growth strategies, Hyundai Mobis decided to continuously increase direct R&D investment from KRW 1 trillion (Approx. USD 0.8 billion) to KRW 1.7 trillion (USD 15 billion) in 2025. In particular, to secure an independent technology that will help the company gain the upper hand in the global market, Hyundai Mobis is planning to increase investments in prior art R&D. As part of this effort, the company is planning to increase the prior art R&D costs, which amount to about 14% of total R&D costs, to 30% in 2025. About Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis is the 7th largest leading automotive supplier. Founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Seoul, Korea, Hyundai Mobis is to become a lifelong technology partner for vehicles and people. Hyundai Mobis is excellent in sensors, sensor fusion in controllers and software design capabilities in safety control. Its products also include various electrification components, brakes, suspension, steering, airbags, lights and automotive electronics. Mobis currently has more than 30,000 employees and has been manufacturing in more than 30 regions in 10 countries. In addition to its R&D headquarters in Korea, Mobis has 4 technology centers in Germany, China, India and the United States. Media Contact Jihyun Han, jihyun.han@mobis.co.kr

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31) The Health Department is appealing to COVID-19 testing centers and laboratories nationwide to continue operations even during the Holy Week in order to monitor the trends and new cases coming in.

Nakikiusap kami na sa ating lahat ng laboratoryo, because of this increase in the number of cases that we are experiencing, we implore to all of our laboratories, please, do not close, Health Undersecretary and Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said Wednesday in a media forum.

Kailangan lang po tayong bukas para magkaroon pa rin tayo ng tuloy tuloy na pagmo-monitor nitong ating mga kasong pumapasok, she added.

[Translation: We are appealing to all laboratories, because of this increase in the number of cases that we are experiencing, we implore to all of our laboratories, please, do not close. We need to remain open so we can continue to monitor the new cases coming in.]

Vergeires appeal comes amid concerns that the DOH may report a lower number of new virus infections in the next few days if testing centers take a break for Holy Week.

She said the agency has released a memorandum for regional directors to ensure continuity in operations of all its laboratories this coming holidays.

The Philippines has been recording continuous spikes in new daily COVID-19 cases, which reached a record 10,016 on Monday.

Tuesdays nationwide tally stood at 9,296, but the latest figure did not include data from nine testing laboratories which have not submitted their reports, DOH noted.
Mexican Man Charged With Smuggling That Led to Deadly California Crash That Killed 13

A Mexican man has been charged with human smuggling that led to the deaths of 13 Mexican and Guatemalan people in a car crash near Holtville, California, earlier this month.

Jose Cruz Noguez of Mexicali, Mexico, was charged in federal court on Tuesday with coordinating the smuggling event on March 2 that resulted in a mass casualty crash just miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, killing a total of 13 Mexican and Guatemalan nationals.

Cruz was charged with Conspiracy to Bring Aliens to the United States Outside a Port of Entry Causing Serious Bodily Injury/Placing a Life in Jeopardy, and Bringing in Aliens Without Presentation for Financial Gain, the Department of Justice announced in a news release.

The crash was between a Ford Expedition SUV and a semi-truck, on Highway 115 at Norrish Road in Holtvillesome 115 miles east of San Diego.

A total of 25 people were in the SUV at the time of the crash. Of the 25, a dozen people died at the scene, and another person died on the way to the hospital. A dozen others survived and were sent to other hospitals. Many of the survivors suffered serious injuries, according to the complaint detailing charges against Cruz.

California Highway Patrol officers investigate a crash site after a collision between a Ford Expedition sport utility vehicle and a tractor-trailer truck in Holtville, Calif., on March 2, 2021. (Bing Guan/Reuters)

After the March 2 crash, Border Patrol agents and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) opened an investigation into possible human smuggling. Investigators were alerted to Cruz via another suspected smuggler who was arrested for an unrelated smuggling event on March 15.

The unnamed suspected smuggler told law enforcement that he had worked for Cruz in the past and was previously asked by Cruz to be the driver of the Ford Expedition SUV that crashed on March 2. Cruz had offered him $1,000 per passenger but he declined, according to the complaint.

A law enforcement officer examines the scene of a deadly crash in Holtville, Calif., on March 2, 2021. (Gregory Bull/AP Photo)

The complaint said that the suspected smuggler on March 26 secretly recorded a conversation with Cruz, in which Cruz confirmed that he was involved in the March 2 event. Cruz also stated that there were 60 customers in two vehicles headed to the border on the day, one of which was the Ford Expedition SUV, and that the driver was going to make $28,000.

The vehicle illegally entered through a border fence hole that Cruz said in the recording that his associates had cut.

Apart from the Ford Expedition SUV, Border Patrol agents found a separate vehicle that illegally went through a border fence hole that daya GMC Yukon SUV that was burning in Holtville. They also found more than a dozen people running away from the vehicle into the desert. This was the second vehicle that was part of the smuggling event Cruz organized for the day to cross the border to go to a stash house in Holtville.

Cruz was taken into custody late Monday at the Calexico Port of Entry on his way from Mexico to the United States, the Justice Department announced. He made his first appearance in federal court in El Centro on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro, who ordered that Cruz remain in custody. He is next scheduled to appear before court on April 5 at 9 a.m.

These smuggling networks seek maximum profit by moving as many people as possible across the border with zero regard for their safety and well-being, Randy Grossman, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, said in a statement.

Cramming dozens of people into eight-passenger vehicles and driving recklessly to avoid detection shows an utter disregard for human life. We will find and prosecute smugglers who use these methods and cause such tragic and avoidable deaths.
Police have issued a terror attack warning and asked Kenyans to look out for a Mr Rashid Mwalimu, whom they suspect will use his expertise as a pilot to carry out an aviation-linked attack on Kenya.

Mr Rashid, security authorities say, is currently in Somalia planning an attack on Kenya. The public has been urged to help the police with any information regarding his whereabouts should they see him for his immediate arrest.

"He is wanted by the Anti-Terrorism Police. He is a trained pilot on mission to carry out aviation attacks. Currently he is in Somalia and is planning on how to sneak back into Kenya. If seen, report to any nearest security agency," police said in an alert issued on Tuesday.

Al Shaabab, the terror group based in Somalia, has been on the receiving end of continuous airstrikes on its bases that has left several commanders dead. Kenyan security agencies now believe that the militant group is planning airstrikes to avenge the deaths of their colleagues, adding that it has trained pilots to carry this out.

Trained as pilots

Having joined Al-Shaabab in 2015, Mr Rashid, along with his friend identified as Cholo Abdi Abdulla, were trained as pilots in the Philipines. Cholo, however, is in US police custody.

The two became very close friends. Compared to their fellow operatives, their training and skillsets were much higher.

Together, the two are said to have conducted numerous attacks in Somalia shortly after training in Boni along the Kenyan coast. It is in Boni that their skills were noted and they were selected for an aviation course.

Security forces reported that the duo were close friends with Salim Gichunge Osman, the leader of the Dusit D2 attack that took place in January 2019 at Riverside, Nairobi. They also had a cordial relationship with Osman Gedi, another Dusit attacker.

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Intelligence wing

It is believed that Rashid, Cholo and Gichunge landed in Somalia at the same time and were shortly after set aside for training as part of the Amniyat, the Shabaab intelligence wing.

They later met Osman Gedi, the quartet became close friends and seldom left each other's presence.

When the airstrikes in their bases in Somalia proved troublesome, Mr Gichunge and Mr Gedi were assigned to the Dusit mission while Rashid and Cholo were trained how to not only fly airplanes but also hijack them.

Six months after the DusitD2 attack, Cholo was arrested in the Philippines where he was studying at the All-Ais Aviation Academy.

According to the US intelligence as at December last year, Cholo is facing six counts of terrorism-related offences arising from his activities as a Shabaab member. He is said to have been planning to hijack a plane and carry out a 9/11 style attack on the US.

Al-Shabaab always paid for their flights, ensuring they were first-class tickets so that they could check on security arrangements around the cockpit.

Reports indicate that Cholo exposed himself to authorities when he accidentally revealed future Shabaab operational plans to his lover.

Shortly after Cholo's arrest, Rashid fled to Somalia.
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Reckless sightseers have been pictured risking their lives by posing just inches away from a cliff-edge to take attention-grabbing selfies, despite the fragile Sussex coastline suffering fifty cliff falls over the past year.

Millions enjoyed their newfound freedom in the good weather this week after coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted on Monday, allowing up to six people or two households of any size to meet outdoors.

But for the hundreds of sightseers who flocked to the Sussex coast the crumbling chalk cliffs posed a very real danger of lethal cliff falls - made all the more likely by thrill-seeking crowds gathering near the edge.

Many photographed at the cliff edge in Birling Gap, Eastbourne, East Sussex, appeared completely unaware of the fragility of the cliffs, which have cracks extending beneath the turf as the base of the cliff erodes away.

Many photographed at the cliff edge in Birling Gap, Eastbourne, East Sussex, appeared completely unaware of the fragility

A woman leans back over the cliff edge for a photo, with her hands supporting her on the very crumbly chalk edge

East Sussex Council put out a warning this week following a 'significant' cliff fall at Birling Gap.

A statement from the council said: 'If you're heading out for a coastal walk this weekend, stay away from cliff edges and bases.

'There have been 50 cliff falls in the last year in East Sussex, where the chalk breaks away from the cliff and falls to the beach or sea below.'

Walkers are now being told to watch their heads and stay away from cliff tops or the beaches below to avoid plummeting boulders which break away from the soft chalk cliff faces.

Coastguards have also issued a warning over an 'actively moving cliff' at Seaford Head in the last few weeks.

Another woman is seen posing for a life-risking selfie, dicing with death to get the perfect shot despite recent cliff falls

A woman is seen perching on the cliff edge as someone else takes a photo. A man scoots towards the edge on his behind

People are seen on the beach below the cliff in Birling Gap, Eastbourne, East Sussex, as sightseers near the edge above them

As temperatures soared to 76.1F (24.5C) in parts of south England yesterday, and crowds flocked to beaches and areas of beauty spots to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family, Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote a Tweet urging Britons to 'enjoy the sun but let's do it safely', adding: 'We have come so far, don't blow it now.'

Yesterday photos of emerged of a group of campers who had set up camp on the edge of a crumbling cliff in Burton Bradstock, Dorset.

The campers defied lockdown rules - which prohibit overnight stays away from home - and ignored warning signs and common sense to scale a safety fence and erect two tents just a few feet from the edge of the 150ft cliff.

Immediately below them were the remnants of a huge rockfall that occurred there three months ago. On that occasion 600 tonnes of boulders the size of cars slipped from the top of the delicate sandstone cliff.

The location overlooks the same beach where tourist Charlotte Blackman, 22, was crushed to death by a rockfall in 2012.

Campers set up camp immediately above a rockfall at the top of a perilous sandstone cliff at Burton Bradstock, Dorset

The tents were set up behind a safety fence which has a warning notice to stay away from the cliff edge. The group of campers defied lockdown rules and warning signs to erect two tents just a few feet from the edge of the 150ft cliff

It is also just yards from the cliff-top mansion owned by songwriter Billy Bragg.

The campers were first spotted on a patch of grass between the safety fence and the precipice yesterday morning.

They ignored a red and yellow sign that urges visitors to stick to the South West Coast Path and warns them that the cliffs are seriously unstable. Locals tried to get them to move on but to no avail.

The police were eventually called an although officers arrived on the scene they only gave the party 'words of advice' before leaving them to it.

A spokesman for Dorset police said: 'We received a report of people camping in two tents in the area of Cliff Road in Burton Bradstock, in breach of COVID-19 restrictions.

Immediately below them was the remnants of a huge landslip that occurred three months ago. On that occasion 600 tonnes of boulders the size of cars slipped from the top of the delicate sandstone cliff at Burton Bradstock, Dorset

The location overlooks the same beach where tourist Charlotte Blackman, 22, was crushed to death by a rockfall in 2012

'Officers attended at around 1.30pm and gave words of advice to the occupants, who confirmed they were leaving imminently.

'We would urge people to continue to comply with the COVID-19 regulations that are in place.

'Our officers will continue to be out in our commnunities - engaging, explaining and encouraging people to act responsibly. We will take enforcement action where necessary.'

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they were aware of the situation but were leaving it to the police. The campers packed up and left the scene yesterday afternoon.
After raising prices by Rs 125 per cylinder last month, state-owned oil firms on Wednesday announced a Rs 10 per cylinder cut in LPG rates on softening international oil prices.

A 14.2-kg LPG cylinder -- both for subsidised and market price users -- will cost Rs 809 from April 1 as against Rs 819 currently, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) said in a statement.

The price cut, which traditionally is announced on the day the change is effective -- four times the rates went up in a span of one month -- was announced a day ahead of the second phase of voting in West Bengal. The politically-crucial Nandigram constituency from where state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is taking on her once-trusted aide Suvendu Adhikari, who is contesting on BJP ticket, is also going for polls on Thursday.

"Prices of crude oil and petroleum products in the international market have been on a constant uptrend since November 2020. As India is largely import-dependent on crude oil and the prices are market-linked, the increase in international prices resulted in an increase in the domestic price of petroleum products," IOC said.

However, due to growing worries about rising COVID cases in Europe and Asia and concerns over the side effects of the vaccine, prices of crude oil and petroleum products in the international market softened in the second fortnight of March 2021.

"Accordingly, oil companies have reduced the retail selling price of diesel and petrol by 60 paise per litre and 61 paise per litre, respectively, at Delhi market over the past few days. There was a corresponding reduction in prices at other markets during this period," it said.

This reduction has come as a relief to motorists and transporters across India.

"Further, with a view to give relief to domestic LPG consumers, the price of domestic LPG cylinder has been reduced by Rs 10 per cylinder from Rs 819 to Rs 809 per cylinder at Delhi effective April 1, 2021. The same reduction has been carried out in other markets," it said.

LPG prices had gone up by Rs 125 per 14.2-kg cylinder since the beginning of February, price data from state-owned oil marketing companies showed.

LPG is available only at one rate, market price, across the country. The government, however, gives a small subsidy to select customers.

However, this subsidy has been eliminated in metros and major cities through successive price increases over the past couple of years. So, in places like Delhi, there is no subsidy paid to customers since May 2020 and all LPG users pay the market price, which has now been reduced to Rs 809.

An oil company official said a small subsidy is paid to customers in remote and far-flung areas to make up for the higher price arising from freight charges.

LPG prices were hiked first by Rs 25 per cylinder on February 4, followed by a Rs 50 per cylinder increase on February 15 and a Rs 25 raise on February 25 and March 1.

After three reductions in one week, petrol now costs Rs 90.56 per litre in Delhi, down from a record high of Rs 91.17, and a litre of diesel comes for Rs 80.87.

Despite bouts of rate freeze, prices had gone up by a record Rs 21.58 per litre for petrol since the government raised excise duty in March last year. Diesel prices had increased by Rs 19.18 a litre.

"Driven by the vigorous thrust of the government on making accessible clean energy to all Indians, LPG has emerged as the preferred kitchen partner for almost every Indian. LPG penetration in India has improved from 55 per cent in 2014 to more than 99 per cent today," IOC said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thiruvananthapuram: The standoff between the Centre and Kerala government has further intensified over the gold smuggling case. In the latest developments the latter has filed a fresh case against the enforcement directorate (ED). This will be the third case against the central agency filed by the Kerala government.

The latest case filed by the state government in the much sought after gold smuggling case, is based on the statement by one of the accused, Sandeep Nair, who is still in EDs custody under COFEPOSA (Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act).

In his statement to the central agency, Sandeep alleged that he was under pressure to implicate Keralas CM Pinarayi Vijayan and state government in the case.

Additionally, the ED on monday (March 29) approached the high court with a plea stating that these steps are being taken as an effort to intimidate the agency. The plea also added that it was a way by those in question to weaken the investigation. ED further requested the court to quash the FIR against its officials.

Meanwhile, the infamous gold smuggling case came to light July 2020, after 30 kgs of gold was seized from a UAE consulate who was travelling with the consignment camouflaged as a diplomatic bag.

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Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff photographer

Among the many traditions in San Antonio is to celebrate Easter at Brackenridge Park. Families are known to camp out the night before in order to secure a coveted spot.

The tradition was canceled last year after the city shut down the park in response to the pandemic. This year, the park will be open on Sunday but no camping will be allowed.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 10:10:04|Editor: huaxia

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The video screenshot taken on March 30, 2021 shows Peter K. Ben Embarek, leader of an international team of experts to Wuhan, attending a virtual press conference. The World Health Organization (WHO) report on the joint WHO-China study of COVID-19 origins was a "consensus" effort of a "sheer size" but it was too soon to provide definitive conclusions in a work that is still in progress, a member of the WHO research team said on Tuesday. Peter K. Ben Embarek told a press conference that conclusions of the report were the results of a consensus between all members of the team, which included 17 foreign experts and 17 Chinese scientists. (Xinhua)

GENEVA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) report on the joint WHO-China study of COVID-19 origins was a "consensus" effort of a "sheer size" but it was too soon to provide definitive conclusions in a work that is still in progress, a member of the WHO research team said on Tuesday.

Peter K. Ben Embarek, leader of the international team of experts to Wuhan, told a press conference that conclusions of the report were the results of a consensus between all members of the team, which included 17 foreign experts and 17 Chinese scientists.

"Of course there were discussions forth and back, like always in this type of discussion," he said, stressing that "we were able to reach a consensus on all the issues."

Commended the collaboration with Chinese experts, Ben Embarek said, "the size of the report and the amount of material, results, analysis and data in the report speaks for itself in terms of how the collaboration went."

The 120-page document, available on the WHO website, shed light on the likeliness of different pathways for the origins of COVID-19, with the hypothesis of the transmission from animal to human through an intermediary host presented as "likely to very likely."

However, even though the report brought considerable amounts of data, definitive conclusions could not be brought in the report yet.

"That was never the intention or the expectation," Ben Embarek said, "this is work in progress."

"I think there is a consensus that these new studies need to be undertaken, preferably as soon as possible," he added.

"We owe to the world to get a better understanding of the origin of this virus" that "created havoc on the planet," he said. Enditem
Martin McGuinness spoke highly of Peter Robinson for how he handled the controversy surrounding his wife Iris and her affair, former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell has revealed.

He has detailed a conversation he shared with the former Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister in the latest instalment of his diaries, and said the ex-IRA leader, who died in 2017, told him he did not want unionists to have more power.

Campbell revealed he spoke with McGuinness at Stormont during a visit to Belfast in February 2011 as part of a book tour.

He said: "Had a good session with McG who was a bit heavier but on really good form.

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"He said the First Minister question would not arise. He thought he and [Peter] Robinson [First Minister] would be back.

"He was full of praise for him, not least at the way he had got through the problems with his wife.

"Also said he found him easy to work with but the institutions were set up to make sure there was power-sharing so to some extent it was inevitable to have the frustrations.

"He also did not want to give the Unionists any more power. He felt Trimble had been his own worst enemy."

He said McGuinness "was very generous to Tony Blair, Jonathan Powell and me, said we all made a massive difference and he felt it was wrong TB did not get more credit".

"As for himself he said he never got grief going around the place - including in Loyalist areas - and whenever he was in the UK he just got people saying keep it up.

"Gerry Kelly [minister] popped in.

"Much friendlier than usual and more relaxed. They were both - and so was Robinson later - contemptuous of Cameron. He took no interest.

"They had no regard for the special circumstances. It was impossible to get a meeting even with (Secretary of State Owen) Paterson, he said.

"He said there was a dissident threat but though they had desire they lacked capacity and the vast majority knew there was no going back."

Campbell (63) said he then went for a separate meeting with Robinson, who was "very relaxed and for him even jokey".

He added: "He was on the same pitch as McG re. the political situation and was even more contemptuous of the government. Cameron wasn't interested.

"He said Paterson was the worst SoS they had ever had and he was getting close to saying so."

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Campbell, who was ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair's director of communications, also told how he was contacted in April 2013 by Jonathan Powell to jet in to help Robinson and McGuinness handle media matters.

He wrote: "They were both at the end of their tether re. the EIS, Executive Information Service, which sounded like the GIS [Government Information Service] when we took over, reactive, not understanding etc."

Campbell said he held a long session with the DUP leader, who wanted him "to do a review" but he agreed to instead prepare some advice notes for a communications strategy as he didn't want to "become a controversy in it".

He continued: "He was scathing re. the government, said Cameron and co. just did not care. 'I've seen Obama five times and Cameron once'.

"He seemed to be getting on OK with McG, but was a bit jaded generally. Very down about the media negativity.

"I tried to get him to raise his head up above it but he kept coming back with stories of woe. Stephen Nolan's phone-in was just an incitement to whinge. I said he should engage with him."

Campbell said that after a run along the Falls Road the next morning, he met McGuinness and spad (special advisor) Vincent Parker at the Europa Hotel, where the fallout from the 2012 City Hall flag protests was mentioned.

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He said: "He echoed Robinson and also agreed with my strategy - no to review, yes to decide and do and take the hit.

"He asked after TB, shared my sense that it was crazy as well as sad he could not make a contribution without being seen as persona non grata.

"Asked me about the election, was clearly desperate for us to get back in because 'this lot just do not get it'. He felt David Cameron saw it all as Blair territory and only engaged when he really had to. Certainly didn't feel it.

"He asked me to get a message to Clegg which later I did. He said, as Robinson had last night, that they had been taken aback by the flags controversy, but they had more or less stuck together.

"It was a problem though for Robinson to be seen as being too close to McG, who was a hate figure for a lot of Unionists and for the dissident Republicans.

"We chatted a bit about old times, and he seemed to me genuinely to be on a different tack, in terms of how he pursued his objectives.

"He was even warm in the way he spoke of some of the Unionists.

"Both he and Robinson both seemed to think the need for sharpening the comms was urgent."

Campbell said he worked on a paper with suggestions, including politicians having "town hall and village hall meetings, regular press briefings and press conferences, radio phone-ins, Q&A sessions on Twitter and other social media sites".

He added: "It was clear they needed to modernise the systems that currently operate within the Executive.

"Current systems were essentially inherited from an era when Northern Ireland waited to be told what it had and what it should say about it.

"But now less reactive and more strategic approach was called for. Far from needing more money, it could be done with fewer people.

"I recommended a new body, the Executive Communications and Information Service, headed by a director of strategy and communications, with two deputies who should, in addition to their general roles as deputies, be the official spokespersons for the First Minister and his deputy respectively, based in their private offices.

"Both Peter and McG had said that far too often they have had to rely on press spokesmen for their parties to deal with legitimate media enquiries and stories relating to their work as ministers.

"I said the director of strategy should have working to him an official with responsibility for co-ordinating all government announcements and events.

"Each government department should have someone appointed, either full-time or as part of other functions, to liaise with this person so that all of government can be properly informed about what the rest of the government is doing.

"Also recommended a head of digital comms, building on the work of NI online, who will take responsibility for ensuring Northern Ireland is maximising the potential of the digital revolution in relation not just to media but also public services and inward investment; proper professional systems of media monitoring, rebuttal, the routine preparation of handling notes and so-called 'lines to take' on contentious or newsworthy issues."

Elsewhere in the publication - Alastair Campbell Diaries: Volume 8: 2010-2015 - he said of the Queen's historic Ireland visit, he felt it "was going well though without much regard to TB's contribution".

Campbell complained: "It would not be happening but for the progress under him and yet he was being written out of the script. I sent him a note saying I felt he really needed to think about a reputational strategy for himself."

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And he also told how he approached Lurgan-born Celtic boss Neil Lennon to get his support for the No vote in the Scottish referendum, but he turned it down because "he got enough s*** in Glasgow without adding to it".
A Collinsville man was killed in a crash early Monday morning.

Alabama State Troopers say it involved one vehicle and happened at approximately 5:05 a.m.

Fredy Mendoza Velasquez, 26, was killed when the Ford F-150 he was driving left the road and hit a tree. He died at the scene.

The crash happened on Interstate 59 near DeKalb County 483, about nine miles south of Fort Payne.

Troopers continue to investigate.
M23 fighters loyal to Bosco Ntaganda move along the road towards Goma as peacekeepers observe a gathering of armed people north of the city on March 1, 2013.

Dubbed the "Terminator," the former militia leader had appealed the ICC's 30-year prison sentence. The appeals chamber upheld both the verdict and the sentence.

The International Criminal Court on Tuesday upheld the war crimes conviction and 30-year sentence imposed on former Congolese warlord Bosco Ntaganda.

The sentence, handed down in 2019 on 18 counts of war crimes committed in the early 2000s, is the longest in the court's history.

Dismissing an appeal by Ntaganda, Judge Howard Morrison said the ICC's appeals chamber "confirms by a majority the conviction decision" and "confirms the trial chamber's sentencing judgement."

What was the previous ICC ruling?

Dubbed the "Terminator," the Rwandan-born 47-year-old was found guilty of crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual slavery, rape and using child soldiers.

The ICC convicted him in July 2019 and sentenced him in November 2019.

On March 8 this year, the ICC ordered a record $30 million (25.3 million) in reparations to Ntaganda's victims.

The court said it was offering "collective reparations with individualized components" for possibly more than 100,000 eligible victims.

Judges said Ntaganda was a "key leader" of the Union of Congolese Patriots rebel group and its military wing, the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo.

The group operated on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2002 and 2003, killing hundreds of civilians in the fight with rival militias over minerals in the region. Since 1999, tens of thousands of people have been killed in the area.

Who is Bosco Ntaganda?

Ntaganda was a former army general who later became a founding member of the M23 rebel group, which signed a peace deal with the government in 2013.

He was the first-ever suspected war criminal to surrender to the ICC in 2013 by walking into the United States Embassy in the Rwandan capital Kigali. An ICC warrant for his arrest was first issued in 2006.

He said during his trial that he was a "soldier not a criminal," insisting that the nickname "Terminator" did not apply to him. The name refers to the 1984 science fiction film depicting a relentless robot killer.

(AFP, AP, dpa)
Ashley J. Dearborn had been looking forward to her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which was scheduled weeks ago and supposed to take place Tuesday afternoon at a Gold Coast Walgreens. But she awoke to an unpleasant surprise Tuesday morning: an email from Walgreens canceling her appointment. She called the store and learned it only had the Moderna vaccine, not Pfizer, which she needed to match her first dose, she said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  An email from the leader of the Black Contractors Group sent Wednesday for wide distribution mistakenly announced that Mayor Frank Jackson will seek a fifth term and will get the groups endorsement.

Our organization the Black Contractors Group is pleased to announce that we are once again very excited and proud to endorse Mayor Frank G. Jackson for an unprecedented 5th term as Cleveland mayor, states the message from Norman Edwards, president of the group that promotes minority inclusion on construction jobs.

But not so fast.

In an interview with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, Jackson said again Wednesday that he has not yet decided whether to see another term.

When I make my decision, it will be a decision that will be fully expressed to the people, Jackson said. I have not decided for the reasons I have said in the past.

Jackson already has been mayor longer than anyone in Clevelands history. And the questions of whether he will run again has been a subject of speculation.

On that point, the mayor has been consistent. When asked if he will seek re-election or step down at the end of this term, his answer has been that hes not ready to say.

In Jacksons view, if he says hes running, then every decision from that point is wrapped in politics. If he says hes not, I couldnt even get a call back as people would view him as a lame duck.

Jackson and Edwards talked on Tuesday. Edwards, in an interview, said he came away convinced the mayor had decided to run.

Im running til I say Im not running, Edwards quoted Jackson as saying, adding, Hes definitely told me that hes definitely running.  I wouldnt put false rumors out there.

With the pandemic and the crises that we have had to endure  hes got a lot on his plate, Edwards said. I think he wants to see those projects come to fruition.

Jackson, while flattered that the Black Contractors Group would like him to continue, said that wasnt his meaning.

I appreciate, really appreciate, Norman Edwards and the Black Contractors Group for their support, Jackson said. He is in essence telling me weve come a long way together.

Indeed, the issue of equitable inclusion and access to jobs and wealth is a theme Jackson has promoted for the community, much as Edwards has sought equal access for minority contractors for years.

Its an issue that the next mayor, whether its me or somebody else, will have to address, Jackson said.

Jackson said that when he decides, an announcement will be clear.

Ill let the people know first, he said.

More from Cleveland City Hall

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson endorses Nina Turner for 11th District Congressional election

Cleveland City Council panel OKs tax sharing plan with Warrensville Heights on business expansion

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson offers brief look at plans for spending $541 million in federal aid

Cleveland council OKs borrowing $140M, including money for Sherwin-Williams downtown home and new police headquarters

Cleveland City Council approves land swap allowing school construction near where Tamir Rice was killed
Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers later at night. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
BRIDGEPORT  Former Police Chief Armando Perez, facing up to two years in prison for cheating on the police chief exam and lying to the FBI about it, appealed for leniency Tuesday.

The defendant, Armando A.J. Perez, is a 65-year-old, former police officer of 37 years, who faithfully served the Bridgeport community his entire adult life, before losing nearly everything over the last seven months  his career, his reputation and most of his lifes savings  on account of his willingness to cheat during the chief of police selection process, and then lie about it to federal investigators, states the memorandum filed in U.S. District Court by his lawyer. It is a cautionary tale that will be retold long after this case is over. What was supposed to be the crowning achievement of a public servants career has instead been his undoing.

In October, Perez and the citys former personnel director, David Dunn, 73, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making a false statement. Both men resigned their positions following their arrests in September.

Perez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari Dooley on April 12; Dunn is set for sentencing the following day.

In Perezs sentencing memorandum, his lawyer, Robert Frost, urges the judge to impose a period of probation or house arrest instead of prison time. It states that a prison term could put Perezs life at risk.

A.J.s age and hypertension make him susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19. Although he may be fully vaccinated soon, sending him into a prison environment would increase the likelihood of exposure to the disease or one of its variants. His vaccination would help protect him from infection, but it cannot ensure his safety, it states.

The memorandum also claims that Perez led the effort to address restitution to the city resulting in an agreement in which he and Dunn will pay a total of $299,407 at the time of sentencing.

To accomplish this, A.J. and his wife liquidated most of their lifes savings, leaving only a small portion (along with his pension and his wifes modest salary) to pay their mortgage and repay over $125,000 in school loans for their children, the memorandum states.

The memorandum includes letters of support from Perezs wife, his relatives and friends in the community. There is no letter of support from Mayor Joe Ganim.

Perezs lawyer declined to comment; city representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

There is no dispute about what happened when it comes to A.J.s involvement. He cheated during the process, and then lied about it afterward, the memorandum states.

Federal prosecutors said Dunn assisted Perez by providing him with the test questions in advance and two unnamed police officers helped Perez write his application and test responses.

Ganim had to pick a police chief from the top three qualified candidates, one of whom was Perez. He ultimately awarded the five-year contract to Perez.

He relied on assistance from two fellow officers to prepare his cover letter and resume, and these same officers helped him complete the questionnaire and the essay questions. A.J. did not issue an order to these officers that they do this for him  in fact, he thought they did so willingly  but he did not disclose that he received this help, states the sentencing memorandum.

It continued that to ensure that Perez made it into the top three, Dunn modified the search criteria to benefit Perez including eliminating any requirement that the candidate have a college degree, sharing with Perez a list of possible test questions in advance of both the telephone oral examination and the final panel interview and allegedly telephoning a member of the five-member panel to tell him that the mayor wanted Perez to be in the top three.

He (Perez) allowed his personal ambition and self-serving rationalization  such as the well-worn sentiment about how things are done in Bridgeport  to cloud his better judgment, the memorandum states.

When confronted by the FBI in February 2019, the memorandum states that Perez lied that he had received advance information about the chiefs test. When he was re-interviewed in May 2020, this time with his attorney, the memorandum states that Perez made false statements, including denials of facts that were supported by secret recordings provided to law enforcement allegedly by one of the police officers who had helped Perez during the examination process.

Why did he lie? To avoid the consequences of his wrongful conduct and to prevent the world from knowing that the process had been corrupted and that he did not get the Chief of Police position all on his own. He was desperate for those facts not to come out, the memorandum states.

Mr. Perez is a humbled man. He has been shamed and vilified both locally and nationally, confronting multiple lawsuits that threaten the financial security of his family, including one brought by the Connecticut Attorney General to reduce and/or revoke his municipal pension  a particularly harsh consequence given that said pension was earned and vested in its entirety prior to the instant offenses, the memorandum states.
Rogue Baron Plc - Sale by Gunsynd, Assignment of Lock-In Agreement

31 March 2021

ROGUE BARON PLC

("Rogue Baron" or "The Company")

Sale by Gunsynd and Assignment of Lock-In and Orderly Market Agreement

Rogue Baron PLC (AQSE: SHNJ), a leading company in the premium spirit sector, announces that it has agreed to allow Gunsynd plc to sell 3,000,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company to Chris Akers. Gunsynd plc is subject to a Lock-In and Orderly Market Agreement, and with the sale of the 3,000,000 Ordinary Shares, the Lock-In and Orderly Market Agreement, will be assigned to Chris Akers.

Following the sale on 31 March 2021, Gunsynd plc will be interested in 21,543,563 Ordinary Shares representing 25% of the Enlarged Share Capital. Gunsynd plc remains subject to the Lock-In and Orderly Market Agreement that is detailed in the Admission Document dated 25 February 2021.

Gunsynd plc has agreed to continue to abide by the Lock-In and Orderly Market Agreement, with any further sales subject to the consent of the Company and Company Corporate Adviser.

Following the sale of the 3,000,000 Ordinary Shares to Chris Akers, he will be interested in 3.48% of the Enlarged Share Capital.

Hamish Harris is both a director of Gunsyd plc and of the Company.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For further information, please contact:

The Company

Ryan Dolder

rdolder@roguebaron.com

AQSE Corporate Adviser:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Guy Miller +44 (0) 20 7469 0936

AQSE Corporate Broker:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Lucy Williams +44 (0) 20 7469 0936

Investor Relations +44 (0)7464 609025

info@roguebaron.com
Friedrich Karl Berger served as a guard of a Neuengamme concentration camp subcamp in 1945. He is pictured in 1959

German prosecutors have dropped their case against a former Nazi concentration camp guard for the second time after he refused to be questioned.

Friedrich Karl Berger, 95, was recently deported by the US and arrived in Frankfurt on February 20 in 'possibly the last' such expulsion by Washington of a former Nazi, an official said.

The former guard, who had lived undetected in Tennessee for 60 years but retained German citizenship and received a pension, was deported by a Memphis court for taking part in 'Nazi-sponsored acts of persecution'.

Prosecutors in the city of Celle, who had previously halted a probe of Berger, reopened investigations over suspicion of complicity in murders upon his return.

Berger initially said he was willing to be questioned despite previously insisting he was only 'ordered' to work at the camp.

But 'after exhausting all evidence, prosecutors at Celle have once again closed the investigation because of a lack of sufficient suspicion,' they said in a statement.

Pictured: A 2012 photograph of former Nazi guard Friedrich Karl Berger (left). German prosecutors have dropped an investigation into Berger citing a lack of evidence against him

Friedrich Karl Berger worked at a Neuengamme sub camp. The main concentration camp in Hamburg is pictured

After Berger arrived in Germany, he was assigned a defense lawyer.

The attorney then said after consultations that his client was 'not available' for questioning as a suspect, prosecutors said in a statement.

Berger served as an armed guard at the Neuengamme concentration camp system, the US Justice Department said.

He had been living in the US since 1959, and was stationed as a young man from January 28, 1945 to April 4, 1945, at a subcamp of Neuengamme, near Meppen, Germany.

German investigators had been examining whether during his time there, and in particular when 'monitoring a march evacuating the sub-camp, he had contributed to the death of many detainees'.

Berger had admitted guarding prisoners in the camps, which were part of the infamous Neuengamme network, but said he had not observed any mistreatment or overseen an evacuation. Pictured: Christmas celebration of the SS guards at Concentration Camp Neuengamme in 1943

The Memphis court found that he had helped guard prisoners during a forced evacuation that took nearly two weeks and claimed the lives of 70 people.

More than 40,000 prisoners died in the Neuengamme system, records show.

Widower Berger, who came to the US with his wife and daughter and has two grandchildren, previously told The Washington Post about his deportation: 'After 75 years, this is ridiculous. I cannot believe it. I cannot understand how can happen in a country like this. You're forcing me out of my home.

'I was 19 years old. I was ordered to go there.'

Berger never requested a transfer from the camp and he later received a German pension based partly on his wartime service, the Justice Department said.

Prisoners were held in Neuengamme during the winter of 1945 in 'atrocious' conditions

Germany has been hunting down former Nazi staff since the 2011 conviction of former guard John Demjanjuk on the basis he served as part of the Nazi killing machine set a legal precedent.

Since then, courts have handed down several guilty verdicts on those grounds rather than for murders or atrocities directly linked to the individual accused.

Among those who were brought to late justice were Oskar Groening, an accountant at Auschwitz, and Reinhold Hanning, an SS guard at the same camp.

Both were convicted of complicity in mass murder at the age of 94 but died before they could be imprisoned.

In February, German prosecutors charged a 95-year-old who had been secretary at the Stutthof camp with complicity in the murders of 10,000 people, in the first such case in recent years against a woman.

Days later, a 100-year-old former guard at the Sachsenhausen camp, north of Berlin, was charged with complicity in 3,518 murders.
She's the niece of the late Steve Irwin who became an Internet sensation back in September 2019, with her very racy Instagram posts.

And Rebecca Lobie, 33, attempted to steal the spotlight again on Saturday, one day after her cousin Bindi Irwin announced the birth of her daughter Grace with husband Chandler Powell.

The bombshell stretched out her toned frame on a towel at a Queensland beach, showing off her trim legs, pert derriere and tiny waist in a white G-string bikini.

Cheeky: Rebecca Lobie (pictured), 33, attempted to steal the spotlight again with a sizzling near-naked Instagram photo on Saturday... as her cousin Bindi Irwin continues to celebrate her baby joy with husband Chandler Powell

A generous glimpse of sideboob was also visible in the Instagram photo, and she concealed her face, soaking up the sun.

'This is my paradise,' Rebecca captioned the sizzling shot with a sun and pink love heart emoji, attracting more than 5,172 likes.

A day prior, Rebecca's cousin Bindi, 22, announced the birth of her first child with husband Chandler, 24, daughter Grace Warrior Irwin Powell.

In a lengthy Instagram post, that has garnered more than a million likes, Bindi explained that the baby's two middle names were inspired by her late father, wildlife warrior Steve Irwin.

Racy post: The blonde bombshell captioned the sizzling shot with the caption 'this is my paradise', attracting more than 5,172 likes

Family connection: Rebecca is the daughter of Frank Muscillo, who is married to Steve Irwin's sister Joy

'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,' Bindi wrote.

'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,' she continued.

'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.'

Baby joy: A day prior, Rebecca's cousin Bindi, 22, announced the birth of her first child with husband Chandler, 24, daughter Grace Warrior Irwin Powell (all pictured), on Instagram

Their bundle of joy: 'There are no words to describe the infinite amount of love in our hearts for our sweet baby girl,' Bindi wrote, after sharing an image of the baby's face

She accompanied the caption with a sweet image of herself and Chandler cradling newborn Grace 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.

She also posted an image of Grace's first onesie, which had an Australian koala printed on the chest.

'Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy': Bindi paid tribute to her late father Steve by referencing him in Grace's middle names

Flashback: A young Bindi is pictured with her mother Terri Irwin and late father Steve in 2002

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.

Rebecca is the daughter of Frank Muscillo, who is married to Steve's sister Joy.

Previously the managing director of the Irwin family business, Australia Zoo, Rebecca left in December 2015.

Bindi continues to run Australia Zoo's operations, alongside mother Terri Irwin and brother Robert Irwin.
Queenslands peak medical body has ramped up calls for a thorough investigation into how a third health worker from the same Princess Alexandra Hospital ward became infected with COVID-19 as part of twin clusters that plunged Greater Brisbane back into lockdown this week.

While the Australian Medical Associations Queensland arm expressed concern after the second nurse was revealed on Wednesday to have contracted the virus from the same returned international traveller, experts said the transmission could have come down to bad luck.

The nurse and a housemate were the only cases of community transmission reported on Wednesday  linked to the second cluster at the hospital  amid a daily record of 33,408 tests.

Eight cases have now been linked to an earlier cluster involving a doctor and 11 to the more recent cluster, including members of a bachelorette party who travelled across the NSW border to Byron Bay, sparking tightened restrictions and the cancellation of the Bluesfest music festival.
Early last April - as the country grappled with the arrival of COVID-19 - the lives of 150 workers at Debenhams in Tralee were thrown into further turmoil when the UK-owned chain announced suddenly that it was shutting all its Irish stores and laying off the entire workforce.

Ever since, the ex-workers - who have been promised only a basic statutory redundancy payment - have been protesting in demand of a fair settlement from the department store chain's liquidators.

As the first anniversary of their extraordinary protest nears, ex-Debenham's workers in Tralee remain as defiant as ever and say they will never back down in their fight for fair treatment.

The story of their long fight began last April when Debenhams announced it was shutting its 11 Irish stores - including its branch at Manor West in Tralee - with the loss of 2,000 jobs nationwide and 150 in Kerry.

Ever since, former staff have maintained 24-hour protests outside all 11 premises - often in freezing conditions - demanding 'fair' redundancy payments and blockading the shops to prevent the removal of valuable stock by agents of the liquidators.

The former workers are set to receive statutory redundancy payouts of two weeks of salary per year of service, the bare minimum that liquidators KPMG are legally obliged to pay.

The laid-off staff have condemned the mandatory "offer" as an affront to their years of service to the company and are seeking at least four weeks' pay per service year.

The Government has not intervened - despite expressing 'sympathy' to the workers - and a proposal, last December, from the Labour Court to set up a 3million training fund for the laid-off staff was described as an "insult" and "a kick in the teeth" by the workers.

One of the protesting workers, Deirdre Mangan from Tralee, said she and her colleagues are tired and worn out after a year on the picket line, but they have no intention of giving up the fight.

"It's sickening really, but we're still fighting and we're not going to give up," she said.

"None of us thought we'd be here this long, but here we are a year later".

Deirdre said the Debenham's lay-offs had, to some extent, fallen through the cracks due to the COVID pandemic and that the workers feel abandoned by their Government.

"They can throw money at everything else, but they say there's nothing to help us out. At times it feels like being homeless, were just being ignored," Deirdre said.

She is especially critical of Kerry's Government TDs Fianna Fail Minister Norma Foley and Fine Gael's Brendan Griffin whom, she says, have offered the workers no real support since their parties took office.

Sinn Fein's Pa Daly, by contrast, "has been brilliant", while People Before Profit and the Healy-Raes have also been very supportive.

"We'll all think of that when the next election comes," she said.

While Government aid has been next to non-existent, there has been no end to the public's support, something the protesters are enormously grateful for.

"A year on, the level of public support is the same as it was on the first day," said Deirdre."Even just yesterday, a man came down and gave us 50 so we could buy some supplies to keep us going. It was so kind.

"People have no idea how much their small gestures mean to us and how much we appreciate them. Getting a cup of tea or coffee can make all the difference and help keep you going," she said.

"We cannot thank the people enough for all their support."

Deirdre also said a special thank you to Irish Marquees in Tralee, who provided the protesters with the marquee that has often been their only shelter as they maintained their year-long, 24-hour vigil.

As the anniversary of the protest looms, the message from Deirdre and her colleagues is clear. They're as united as ever; they aren't going anywhere and the liquidators should be prepared for a long fight.

"We're going to fight this as long as we possibly can. We have our up days and our down days, but we're there for each other, and we'll keep fighting to the end," she said.
EUGENE, Ore.  Health officials in Lane County plan to give out more than 10,000 vaccines this weekend.

Jason Davis with Lane County Public Health said more than 61,000 people are now fully vaccinated in the county, about 20% of the adult population.

The county would like to give out even more vaccines this weekend at Autzen Stadium and the Lane Events Center, but theyre just not getting enough doses to do that, Davis said.

Our allocations are at or below last weeks number. That greatly affects ability to move forward with new advances and open new sites and scheduling appointments out further than one week, Davis said. That has been a point of contention for some time for folks because not everyone lives on a week-by-week basis.

Davis said theyre using all the vaccine supply they have each week.

Pharmacies are able to schedule out longer in advance because they get more doses from federal partners, Davis said.
If you are starting to feel like forces controlling the governments of the west are out to get you, then it is likely that you are either a paranoid nut job, or a stubborn realist.

Either way, it means that you have some major problems on your hands.

If you dont happen to find yourself among the tinfoil hat-wearing strata of conspiracy theorists waiting in a bunker for aliens to either strike down or save society from the shape shifting lizard people, but are rather contemplating how, in the 1960s, a shadow government took control of society over the dead bodies of many assassinated patriots, then certain conclusions tend to arise.

THREE ELEMENTARY REALIZATIONS FOR THINKING PEOPLE

The first conclusion you would likely arrive at is that the United States government was just put through the first coup in over 58 years (yes, what happened in 1963 was a coup).

Although it is becoming a bit prohibitive to speak such words aloud in polite society, Nancy Pelosis official biographer Molly Ball, recently penned a scandalous Time Magazine article entitled The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign that Saved the 2020 Elections which admitted to this conspiracy saying:

Even though it sounds like a paranoid fever dream- a well-funded cabal of powerful people, ranging across industries and ideologies, working together behind the scenes to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information.

(Lest you think that this was a subversion of democracy, Ball informs us that they were not rigging the election; they were fortifying it.)

Another conclusion you might come to is that many of the political figures whom you believed were serving those who elected them into office, actually serve the interests of a clique of technocrats and billionaires lusting over the deconstruction of western civilization under something called a Great Reset.

Where this was brushed off as an unfounded conspiracy theory not long ago, even Canadas Deputy Prime Minister (and neo-Nazi supporting Rhodes Scholar) Chrystia Freeland decided to become a Trustee of the World Economic Forum just weeks ago. In this role, Freeland joins fellow Oxford technocrat Mark Carney in their mutual endeavor to be a part of the new movement to decarbonize civilization and make feudalism cool again.

Lastly, you might notice that your having arrived at these conclusions is itself increasingly becoming a form of thought-crime punishable in a variety of distasteful ways, elaborated by a series of unprecedented new emergency regulations that propose extending the definition of terrorism.

Those implicated under the new definition will be those broad swaths of citizens of western nations who dont agree with the operating beliefs of the ruling oligarchy.

Already a 60 day review of the US military is underway to purge the armed forces of all such thought criminals while McCarthyite legislation has been drafted to cleanse all government jobs of conspiracy theorists.

Another startling announcement from the National Terrorism Advisory Bulletin that domestic terrorists include:

ideologically-motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority [and] perceived grievances fueled by false narratives.

While not yet fully codified into law (though it will be if not nipped in the bud soon), you can be sure that things are certainly moving fast as, before our very eyes, the right to free speech is being torn to shreds by means of censorship across social media and the internet, cancelling all opinions deemed unacceptable to the ruling class.

THE CONSPIRACY TO SUBVERT CONSPIRACY THEORIZING

This should not come as a surprise, as Bidens new addition to the Department of Homeland Security is a bizarre figure named Cass Sunstein who famously described exactly what this was going to look like in his infamous 2008 report Conspiracy Theories (co-authored with Harvard Law Schools Adrien Vermeule).

In this under-appreciated study, the duo foresaw the greatest threat to the ruling elite took the form of conspiracy theorizing within the American population using as examples of this delusion: the idea that the government had anything to do with the murders of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr, or the planning and execution of 9-11.

Just to be clear, conspiracy literally means two or more people acting together in accord with an agreed-upon idea and intention.

The fact that Vermeule has made a legal career arguing that laws should be interpreted not by the intentions of lawgivers, but rather according to cost-benefit analysis gives us a useful insight into the deranged mind of a technocrat and the delusional reasoning that denies the very thing which has shaped literally ALL of human history.

In their scholarly essay, the authors wrote:

the existence of both domestic and foreign conspiracy theories, we suggest, is no trivial matter, posing real risks to the governments antiterrorism policies, whatever the latter may be.

After establishing his case for the threat of conspiracies, Sunstein says that the best response consists in cognitive infiltration of extremist groups.

Not one to simply draw criticisms, the pro-active Sunstein laid out five possible strategies which the social engineers managing the population could deploy to defuse this growing threat saying:

Government might ban conspiracy theorizing. Government might impose some kind of tax, financial or otherwise, on those who disseminate such theories. Government might itself engage in counter speech, marshaling arguments to discredit conspiracy theories. Government might formally hire credible private parties to engage in counter speech. Government might engage in informal communication with such parties, encouraging them to help.

(Ill let you think about which of these prescriptions were put into action over the ensuing 12 years.)

Cass Sunstein was particularly sensitive to this danger largely because: 1) he was a part of a very ugly conspiracy himself and 2) he is a world-renowned behaviorist.

THE PROBLEM OF REALITY FOR BEHAVIORISTS

As an economic behaviorist and lawyer arguing that all human rights should be extended to animals (blurring the line separating human dynamics from the law of the jungle as any fascist must), Sunstein has spent decades trying to model human behavior with computer simulations in an effort to scientifically manage such behavior.

As outlined in his book Nudge (co-authored with Nobel Prize winning behaviorist Richard Thaler), Sunstein discovered that people tend to organize their behavioral patterns around certain fundamental drives, such as the pursuit of pleasure, avoidance of pain, and certain Darwinian drives for sex, popularity, desire for conformity, desire for novelty, and greed.

One of the key principles of economic behaviorism which is seen repeated in such popular manuals as Freakonomics, Nudge, Predictably Irrational, The Wisdom of Crowds, and Animal Spirits, is that humans are both biologically determined due to their Darwinian impulses, but, unlike other animals, have the fatal flaw of being fundamentally irrational at their core.

Since humans are fundamentally irrational, says the behaviorist, it is requisite that an enlightened elite impose order upon society while maintaining the illusion of freedom of choice from below.

This is the underlying assumption of Karl Poppers Open Society doctrine, which was fed to Poppers protege George Soros and which animates Soros General Theory of Reflexivity and his Oxford-based Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET).

This was at the heart of Obamas science Czar John Holdrens call for world government in his 1977 Ecoscience (co-written with his mentor Paul Ehrlich) where the young misanthrope envisioned a future utopic world governed by a scientifically managed master-class saying:

Perhaps those agencies, combined with UNEP and the United Nations population agencies, might eventually be developed into a Planetary Regime- sort of an international superagency for population, resources, and environment. Such a comprehensive Planetary Regime could control the development, administration, conservation, and distribution of all natural resources, renewable or nonrenewable.

The caveat: If Darwinian impulses mixed with irrational animal spirits were truly all that animated those systems which behaviorists wish to map and manipulate (aka: nudge with rewards, punishments), then a scientific priesthood would indeed be a viable and perhaps necessary way to organize the world.

Fortunately, reality is a bit more elegant and dignified than behaviorists wish to admit.

WHY COMPUTER MODELLERS HATE METAPHYSICS

On a closer inspection of history, we find countless instances where people shape their individual and group behavior around sets of ideas that transcend controllable material impulses. When this happens, those individuals or groups tend to resist adapting to environments created for them.

This incredible phenomenon is witnessed empirically in the form of the American Revolution, Warsaw Ghetto Uprisings, Civil Rights movements, and even some bold manifestations of anti-lockdown protests now underway around the world.

Among the most troublesome of those variables which upset computer models are: Conscience, Truth, Intentions, Soul, Honor, God, Justice, Patriotism, Dignity, and Freedom.

Whenever individuals shape their identities around these very real, though immaterial (aka: metaphysical) principles, they cannot be nudged towards pre-determined decisions that defy reason and morality.

Adherence to these principles also tends to afford thinking people an important additional edge of creative insight necessary to cut through false explanatory narratives that attempt to hide lies behind the appearance of truth (aka: sophistry).

As witnessed on multiple occasions throughout history, such individuals who value the health of their souls over the intimidating (and extremely malleable) force of popular opinion, will often decide to sacrifice personal comfort and even their lives in order to defend those values which their minds and consciences deem important.

These rare, but invaluable outliers will often resist policies that threaten to undo their freedoms or undermine the basis of their societys capacity to produce food, and energy for their children and grandchildren.

What is worse, is that their example is often extremely contagious causing other members of the sheep class to believe that they too are human and endowed with unalienable rights which should be defended.

THE INTENTIONS ORDERING WORLD HISTORY

Perhaps, most destructive of all is that these outlier people tend to look for abstract things like causes in historical dynamics shaping the context of their present age, as well as their current geopolitical environment.

Whenever this type of thinking is done, carefully crafted narratives fed to the masses by an enlightened elite will often fail in their powers to persuade, since seekers after truth soon come to realize that IDEAS and intentions (aka: conspiracies) shape our past, present and future.

When the dominating intentions shaping societys trajectory is in conformity with Natural Law, humanity tends to improve, freedoms increase, culture matures and evil loses its hold. Inversely, when the intentions animating history are out of conformity with Natural Law, the opposite happens as societies lose their moral and material fitness to survive and slip ever more quickly into dark ages.

While sitting in a jail in Birmingham Alabama in 1963, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. described this reality eloquently when he said:

A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.

From Platos organization of his Academy and efforts to shape a Philosopher King to beat the forces of the Persian Empire, to Ciceros efforts to save the Roman Republic, to Augustines battles to save the soul of Christianity all the way to our present age, conspiracies for the good and counter-conspiracies for evil have shaped history.

If one were to begin an investigation into history without an understanding that ideas and intentions caused the trajectory of history, as is the standard practice among history professors dominant in todays world, then one would become incapable of understanding anything essential about ones own reality.

It is irrelevant that behaviorists and other fascists wish their victims to believe that history just happens simply because random short-sighted impulses kinetically drive events on a timeline- the truth of my claim exists for any serious truth seeker to discover it for themselves.

BACK TO OUR PRESENT SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS

Now we all know that Sunstein spent the following years working as Obamas Regulatory Czar alongside an army of fellow behaviorists who took control of all levers of policy making as outlined by Time Magazines April 13, 2009 article How Obama is Using the Science of Change.

As the fabric of western civilization, and traditional values of family, gender, and even macro-economic concepts like development were degraded during this period, the military-industrial complex had a field day as Sunsteins wife Samantha Power worked closely with Susan Rice in the promotion of humanitarian bombings of small nations under Soros Responsibility to Protect doctrine.

After the Great Reset Agenda was announced in June 2020, Sunstein was recruited to head the propaganda wing of the World Health Organization known as the WHO Technical Advisory Group where his skills in mass behavior modification were put to use in order to counteract the dangerous spread of conspiracy theories that persuaded large chunks of the world population that COVID-19 was part of a larger conspiracy to undermine national sovereignty and impose world government.

The head of WHO described Sunsteins mandate in the following terms:

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries are using a range of tools to influence behavior: Information campaigns are one tool, but so are laws, regulations, guidelines and even finesThats why behavioral science is so important.

Today, hundreds of Obama-era behaviorists have streamed back into influential positions of government under the new scientifically managed, evidence-based governance coming back to life under Biden promising to undo the dark days of President Trump.

Ideologues who have been on record calling for world government, the elimination of the sick and elderly (see Obamacare architect Ezekiel Emmanuels Why I Hope to Die At 75), and population control are streaming back into positions of influence. If you think that anything they have done to return to power is unlawful, or antithetical to the principles of the Constitution, then these technocrats want you to know that you are a delusional conspiracy theorist and as such, represent a potential threat to yourself and the society of which you are but a part.

If you question World Health Organization narratives on COVID-19, or doubt the use of vaccines produced by organizations like Astra Zeneca due to their ties to eugenics organizations then you are a delusional conspiracy theorist.

If you doubt that global warming is caused by carbon dioxide or that implementing the Paris Climate accords may cause more damage to humanity than climate change ever could, then you must be a conspiracy theorist.

If you believe that the US government just went through a regime change coordinated by something called the deep state, then you run the risk of being labelled a delusional threat to the general welfare deserving of the sort of treatment dolled out to any typical terrorist.

It appears that the many comforts we have taken for granted over the past 50-year drunken stupor called globalization are quickly coming to an end, and thankfully not one but two opposing intentions for what the new operating system will be are actively vying for control. This clash was witnessed in stark terms during the January 2021 Davos Summit, where Xi Jinping and Putins call for a new system of win-win cooperation, multipolarity and long-term development offset the unipolar zero-sum ideologues of the west seeking to undo the foundations of industrial civilization.

Either way you look at it, conspiracies for good and for evil do exist now, as they have from time immemorial. The only question is which intention do you want to devote your life towards?

Originally published at Strategic Culture.
More than 100 people who are homeless were given their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Vatican, the papal city-state announced Wednesday.

The Papal Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who is in charge of carrying out works of mercy on behalf of the pope, welcomed the group into the Paul VI Audience Hall, which has been set up as a vaccination facility inside Vatican City and is where Vatican residents, including cardinals and church officials, have been vaccinated since the Vatican started their vaccination program.

MORE: Pope Francis once again confronts the specter of COVID-19 during Holy Week and Easter

Over a thousand more of the most vulnerable people living in Rome will receive the vaccination in the coming days leading to Easter, accompanied by volunteers from charities.

PHOTO: People wait after receiving a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, March 31, 2021. (Vatican Media/Reuters)

On Friday, Krajewski announced in a statement that a total of 1,200 "poor and most marginalized people" would be vaccinated in the Vatican during Holy Week "to reinforce the Holy Father's numerous appeals to ensure that no one be excluded" from receiving the vaccine.

All will receive the same Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine administered to the pope and other Vatican residents. Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI received their first vaccine dose at the start of the Vatican's vaccination campaign and their second dose in February.

In Friday's statement, the cardinal repeated the pope's "heartfelt appeal" made at Christmas during his Urbi et Orbi blessing in which he said: "I ask everyone -- government leaders, businesses, international organizations -- to foster cooperation and not competition, and to seek a solution for everyone, vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy of all regions of the planet. Before all others, the most vulnerable and needy."

The pope has strongly reiterated that "everyone must have access to the vaccine, with nobody being excluded because of poverty.'" He said that "in the face of a challenge that knows no borders, we cannot erect walls. All of us are in the same boat."

Story continues

MORE: Pope Francis holds historic meeting with religious groups, top Iraq Shiite cleric

Last January, when the COVID vaccination campaign began in the Vatican, Pope Francis requested that fifty needy people, mostly homeless, who live around St. Peter's Square and who are assisted daily and given shelter in residence facilities run by the Office of Papal Charities, be among the first vaccinated.

PHOTO: A person receives a dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, March 31, 2021. (Vatican Media/Reuters)

Friday's statement also appealed to people to make online donations at www.elemosineria.va to help the Vatican continue its work with "our poorest and most vulnerable brothers and sisters, and to give them the opportunity to access treatment and vaccination."

The Pope has repeatedly encouraged people to get vaccinated as a way of exercising responsibility toward one's neighbor. He is preparing to celebrate his second Easter inside the Vatican during this coronavirus pandemic, without the traditional crowds due to COVID restrictions and with the whole of Italy under the strictest lockdown for the holiday weekend.

Over 100 homeless, disenfranchised people given COVID vaccines at Vatican originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
New Delhi: India has been invited as a guest to the G7 meeting by the United Kingdom this year. The meeting will also witness involvement of other countries including Australia, South Korea and South Africa, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

On Tuesday (March 30), Suresh Prabhu, Indias Sherpa to G-20 and G7, attended the second virtual meeting of Sherpas of Group of Seven (G7) and guest countries. G7, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, is an intergovernmental organisation.

COP26 Summit and global health cooperation were the key issues which were discussed during the meeting, under the UK's G7 Presidency.

"Second meeting of the Sherpas of #G7 & Guest countries held today. Shri Suresh Prabhu, India's #G7 Sherpa, attended the meeting. Key priority issues under UK`s #G7 Presidency agenda discussed, including preparations for the COP26 Summit and global health cooperation," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Second meeting of the Sherpas of #G7 & Guest countries held today. Shri Suresh Prabhu, Indias #G7 Sherpa, attended the meeting. Key priority issues under UKs #G7 Presidency agenda discussed, including preparations for the COP26 Summit and global health cooperation. pic.twitter.com/FQUCRe997M  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 30, 2021

"India has been invited as a guest country of the #G7 by the UK this year, along with Australia, South Korea and South Africa," he added.

In January, the UK extended an invite to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a guest to the G7 summit, which is scheduled to take place in Cornwall from June 11 to 14 this year.

Taking it to his official Twitter handle, Prabhu said that the roadmap of the upcoming COP26 under the presidency of the United Kingdom was discussed.

"We also discussed the roadmap of the upcoming COP26 under the presidency of United Kingdom and focussed on the important challenge of climate change that is being faced by the world today," he said in a statement.

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Floodplains are exceptionally dynamic landscapes and key areas of Europe's cultural and natural heritage. Strategies for land reclamation and risk minimisation, such as flood defence systems, have meant that up to 95 per cent of Central Europe's floodplains have been extensively restructured or destroyed. Even floodplains that are still in a near-natural state have already been transformed by human intervention. The Priority Programme will investigate the extent to which humans have had an influence on changes to floodplains, and since when.

Christoph Zielhofer, Professor of Physical Geography at Leipzig University, is coordinating the first period of the project: "Floodplains are global hotspots of early human interference and socio-ecological mechanisms in the interplay between humans and nature. Case studies have shown that human-induced changes in floodplain surfaces and environments began long before industrialisation, in the medieval and pre-industrial modern periods. We want to find out when and why humans became the controlling factor in how floodplains change, and how exactly the interaction between human society and nature worked."

Professor Gerrit Jasper Schenk, Professor of Medieval History at the Technical University of Darmstadt, adds: "Floodplains are the cradle of our culture. Whether in Mesopotamia or on the Rhine, they are an incubator of sociocultural developments, while at the same time serving as sensors of the dangers posed by the increasingly dominant impact of humans."

Professor Natascha Mehler and PD Dr Lukas Werther from the Department of Medieval Archaeology at the University of Tubingen and Gerrit Jasper Schenk, Professor of Medieval History at the Technical University of Darmstadt, are also involved in the Priority Programme.

As model regions, the team's systematic comparative analyses will focus on the river systems of the Rhine, the Elbe and the Danube, all of which underwent transformation at an early stage and have long been of major socio-cultural importance. "Given the specific geographical and temporal framework, we also expect to draw conclusions about the development of other floodplains in Central Europe. This should provide insights of global relevance on the question of when and to what extent human activity has had a potentially harmful impact on the natural world. In this context, we speak of an anthroposphere," said Dr Lukas Werther. In the interplay between archaeology, geosciences and history, the interaction of humans with their environment "on the way to the fluvial anthroposphere" will be researched from a multidisciplinary perspective employing innovative methodological approaches.

Professor Natascha Mehler and Professor Gerrit Jasper Schenk are delighted by the funding decision: "To be awarded a Germany-wide funding programme - which will incorporate international expertise to research landscapes ranging from natural floodplains to those heavily influenced by human activity - for the next six years is fantastic news for the whole team."

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Six months before she discovered he was convicted of Schedule One Offence

Says she went into labour days after police ransacked the home they shared

irst husband and father to twins, was arrested and charged with paedophilia

Social media star Lynsey Crombie has revealed how her home was ransacked by police looking to arrest her then husband on child sex offences - causing her to go into early labour with her twins.

Lynsey, 41, who is known for her Queen of Clean Instagram account, which boast 232, 000 followers, spoke of her distress after learning her first husband was a child sex offender shortly after she gave birth to their daughters 18 years ago.

The mother-of-three - who is now happily married to second husband Rob, with whom she has one son - was left a single mother, and her children were placed on the Child Protection Register as soon as she left hospital with them.

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Social media star Lynsey Crombie, pictured with her two teenage daughters, revealed how 18 years ago, her home was ransacked by police hunting her then husband on child sex offender charges. She told the show she into an early labour with her twins days later

Lynsey, 41, spoke on This Morning of her distress after learning her first husband was a child sex offender shortly after giving birth to her two girls 18 years ago

The star boasts 232,000 followers on Instagram after her cleaning tips saw her win legions of followers

Lynsey admitted on This Morning she felt 'judged' as a parent, and was forced to attend several meetings with other women whose partners were also paedophiles - despite not knowing the full extent of her ex-husband's crime until six months later.

'They basically just ransacked my home and took loads of stuff and took him away and I had no idea', she told This Morning on Wednesday.

'I had been back to visit my parents for a few days and I thought "Whats gone on while Ive been away?", and a few days later, I went into early labour with the twins.'

Lynsey who was 25 at the time, had known her first husband, who she wont name and was seven years older, for just over a year at the time. They'd met while living in Kingston, Surrey.

'My mum used to call him catalogue man', said Lyndsey. 'He looked like he'd stepped out of a catalogue, business guy, with a really good job.

'I was young, very influenced by him and I saw a great life ahead, but what I didn't know was he wasn't that person I thought he was. He was a wine and diner, he would take me overseas all the time, and I was living a very good lifestyle at a very young age, he had a beautiful home.'

Lynsey admitted on This Morning she felt 'judged' as a parent, and was forced to attend several meetings with other women whose partners were paedophiles

She admitted that her ex-partner was exhibiting strange behaviour such as 'pulling the wires out of his computer', but that she didn't notice them because she was 'blinded by love'.

'He did a few things that werent quite right and now I'm older and I look back and think, why did he pull the wires out of the computer when I would go into the room? Why did he disappear at night? Why did random people knock on my door and accuse him of doing stuff?

'I just had no idea, I was blinded by the situation, the fancy wedding and blinded by love. I was very naive'.

Lynsey who was 25 at the time, had known her first husband, who she wont name and was seven years older, for just over a year. They'd met while living in Kingston, Surrey

After falling pregnant the couple re-located to be near her ex-partner's new job and shortly after moving, Lindsey's home was ransacked by police and her husband was arrested.

Due to the trauma of the arrest, Lindsey was sent into premature labour and gave birth in a special-care unit.

She explained: 'The girls went on the Child Protection Register as soon as they were released from hospital, which was a hell of a label to carry around with me.

'I felt like I was being judged as well and not a good parent for my children to be on this list, which was not a nice list to be on.

'I had to go to numerous meetings with ladies who were connected to these types of people. I never got the true story, this happened in late May, until November of what he had done.'

The mum admitted that cleaning started as a 'form of therapy' when counselling and medication did 'nothing' to deal with her trauma

Lynsey enjoys regular appearances on ITVs This Morning and has two books to her name, as well as a third to be released later this month

Lynsey - who first came to fame throwing hoarders junk into skips on Channel 4s Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners - enjoys regular appearances on ITVs This Morning and has two books to her name, as well as a third to be released later this month.

But the mum admitted that cleaning started as a 'form of therapy' when counselling and medication did 'nothing' to deal with her trauma.

'It was a coping mechanism', she said, 'Bottles of bleach, I would pour them onto my surfaces and scrub. It was like I was scrubbing away the pain.

'It was a way I felt I could deal with this I had counselling and medication and nothing helped I only felt happy when I was cleaning...for me it was like a form of therapy.'
Feed prices for pangasius, shrimp on the rise in Vietnam

by Toan Dao

March 31,2021 | Source: SeafoodSource

Pangasius and shrimp farmers in Vietnam are facing higher prices for their feed, with suppliers citing higher costs for imported raw material.



Pangasius feed prices in the Mekong Delta are expected to hit their fifth increase in early April, a source from a leading feed producer told SeafoodSource on 24 March. The cumulative effect of the previous four hikes brought the price up between VND 1,050 and VND 1,300 (USD 0.045 and USD 0.056, EUR 0.038 and EUR 0.047) per kilogram, the source said.



Other announcements from various feed producers in March, seen by SeafoodSource, have further revealed the trend of higher prices. For example, Tainan, Taiwan based Uni-President on 15 March announced to its agents an additional VND 500 (USD 0.022, EUR 0.018) price hike per kilogram of pangasius feed, effective 16 March. Another feed producer, Vietnam-based Proconco Can Tho, had tried to keep the prices of its feed products unchanged until the end of March. But an increase of VND 250 (USD 0.01, EUR 0.009) per kilogram will be applied from 1 April. And Ede, The Netherlands-based De Heus has also announced a hike of VND 250 (USD 0.01, EUR 0.009) per kilogram for its pangasius feeds, starting 1 April.



Most of the producers said the increase was unavoidable due to escalating prices of imported material for feed production, claiming supply chains for the material have been disrupted due to augmented control measures imposed to protect against spread of COVID-19.



While the more expensive feed has put pressure on local farmers, they have been able to offset the higher cost of feed with their own price increases. Data from Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) showed that pangasius was sold at between VND 21,000 and VND 21,500 (USD 0.91 to USD 0.93, EUR 0.77 and EUR 0.78) per kilogram for fish between 0.7 kilograms and 0.8 kilograms between 12 and 18 March. That was up from between VND 19,500 and VND 20,000 (USD 0.84 to USD 0.86, EUR 0.71 and EUR 0.73) per kilogram of the same size they received in the first three weeks of February.



Vinh Hoan just paid VND 21,500 [USD 0.93, EUR 0.78] per kilogram to buy more than 300 metric tons (MT) from farmers we have business with, the source said on 24 March, adding that the production cost now is in the range of between VND 20,500 and VND 21,500 (USD 0.88 and USD 0.93, EUR 0.75 and EUR 0.78) per kilogram.



According to price updates from local fisheries platform Tep Bac, the average farm-gate price on 25 March rose even higher, to VND 22,000 (USD 0.95, EUR 0.80) per kilogram for an average size of 0.82 kilogram per fish, up from VND 20,000 (USD 0.86, EUR 0.73) two months ago.



Prices are rising as processors are encountering growing global demand for their products.



Pangasius exports to many of Vietnams biggest markets, especially China and the United States, surged in the first half of March, data seen by SeafoodSource revealed.



For Vietnams shrimp farmers, the situation is very similar. Feed prices for shrimp have gone up by between VND 1,200 and VND 1,900 (USD 0.052 and USD 0.082, EUR 0.044 and EUR 0.069) per kilogram, up by between 1.69 percent and 5.03 percent over last year, the Ca Mau newspaper reported on 23 March. Ca Mau is a major seafood producing province in the Mekong Delta.



At the beginning of February, Tongwei Vietnam increased the prices of its vannamei feed product by VND 1,200 (USD 0.052, EUR 0.044) per kilogram and its black tiger shrimp product by VND 1,400 (USD 0.06, EUR 0.05) per kilogram. And at the start of this month, the cost of C.P. Vietnams shrimp feed product was up by VND 1,500 (USD 0.065, EUR 0.055) per kilogram. Beginning 1 April, Grobest Industrial (Vietnam) will follow suit and raise its shrimp feed prices (excluding Gold Shield product) by VND 1,200 (USD 0.052, EUR 0.044) per kilogram.



Similar to Vietnams pangasius feed suppliers, Vietnams shrimp feed producers have been forced to compensate for the higher costs of imported production materials caused by disrupted global supply chains. Rising shipping rates caused by a worldwide shortage of shipping containers and vessels also worsened the situation, the Ca Mau newspaper reported.



But unlike the pangasius market, shrimp prices were volatile in March, depending on sizes. For example, the average price for black tiger shrimp on 25 March VND 190,000 (USD 8.20, EUR 6.90) per kilogram for 40-count shrimp, down from the VND 200,000 (USD 8.60, EUR 7.30) per kilogram price recorded on 19 March but higher than the VND 170,000 (USD 7.30, EUR 6.20) per kilogram price on 11 March, data from Tep Bac showed.



The average rate for whiteleg shrimp on 25 March fell to VND 134,000 (USD 5.80, EUR 4.90) per kilogram for 50-count shrimp, down from VND 150,000 (USD 6.50, EUR 5.50) per kilogram on 19 March and VND 139,000 (USD 6.0, EUR 5.0) per kilogram on 11 March.



Vietnam saw its pangasius export value grow by 21.7 percent from a year earlier to USD 123.5 million (EUR 104.4 million) in January but drop 17 percent year-on-year to USD 90 million (EUR 76.1 million) in February.



Similarly, its shrimp export value declined 18 percent year-on-year to nearly USD 218.8 million (EUR 184.9 million) in February, following the year-on-year increase of 15.8 percent to USD 128.8 million (EUR 108.9 million) in January.

 2021 Diversified Communications. All rights reserved.

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A local disc jockey for Kiss FM was shot dead in Tagbilaran City on March 27. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) urge the Philippines police to investigate the death quickly and thoroughly.

Rizalino Inday Rufing Torralba, 45, was killed inside Room 8 at the Backpackers Inn around 10pm on March 27, in Mansasa, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The NUJP reported she died from a gunshot wound from an unknown calibre handgun.

Police said that Andrew Fontreras is suspected to have killed the radio presenter. Frontreras told police Rufing grabbed his gun, which was on the bed and allegedly fired it accidentally, killing the radio DJ instantly. Frontreras also claimed he was Rufings personal driver. He reported the incident and surrendered to police the next day, March 28.

An investigation was launched by police, which found Fontreras left their room at around 11pm on the night of the incident. The Tagbilaran police said they couldnt establish a specific motive yet but had already filed a murder complaint against Fontreras.

In a phone interview with Rappler, Police Lieutenant Colonel Mary Peralta said, the investigation is still ongoing, and we still have witnesses to interview so we can establish a certain motive.

The NUJP said: Although it is unclear if her death was related to her work, NUJP hopes for justice in the case. The loss of one media worker is a loss to the community, especially at a time when accurate and timely information is most needed.



According to the NUJP, Torralba is the 20th journalist killed under the Duterte administration.

The IFJ said: We are saddened by the death of Inday Rufing and express deep condolences to her family and friends and call for a swift resolution to the case.
New Delhi: The scavengers wait patiently for a dump truck to tip the trash on the summit of the landfill outside New Delhi. Armed with plastic bags, they plunge their bare hands into the rubbish and start sorting it.

Every day, more than 2000 tonnes of rubbish are dumped at the landfill at Bhalswa that covers an area bigger than 50 football ovals, with a pile taller than a 17-storey building. And every day, thousands of these informal workers climb the precarious slopes to pick through what can be salvaged.

Waste workers look for recyclables at Bhalswa landfill on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. Credit:AP

They are among the estimated 20 million people around the world  in rich nations and poor  who are pivotal in keeping cities clean, alongside paid sanitation employees. But unlike those municipal workers, they are usually not eligible for the coronavirus vaccine and are finding it hard to get the shots.

The pandemic has amplified the risks that these informal workers face. Few have their own protective gear or even clean water to wash their hands, said Chitra Mukherjee of Chintan, a non-profit environmental research group in New Delhi.
STOCKHOLM, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- China is the world's largest importer of softwood and hardwood logs, and for many decades, Russia has been a significant log supplier for them. This relationship may change in 2022 if Russia implements their proposed ban on exports of softwood logs and valuable hardwood logs, while also introducing export taxes on green lumber. All these policy changes are designed to encourage increased domestic production of higher-valued forest products.

The Russian parliament has not yet announced the final legislative proclamation, so it is not clear if there will be a complete or phased-in ban, a significant export tax, or even the possibility of a state-owned export monopoly. However, a signal has been sent to the marketplace that Russia will no longer be a major supplier of softwood and hardwood logs. One consequence of this decision is that Chinese wood manufacturers will need to explore new long-term log supply regions.

In 2020, China imported almost 6.5 million m3 of logs from Russia, predominantly softwood species. The trade was substantially less than in any year during the past two decades. Nevertheless, Russia was still the largest supplier of hardwood logs to China in 2020 (more prominent than any other source of temperate or tropical logs) and the third-largest supplier of softwood logs.

It is crucial to keep in mind that China has shifted from sourcing logs from Russia to European suppliers the past few years as insect-infested timber in Central Europe has been in temporary abundance. From 2018 to 2020, softwood log imports from Europe increased from 1.3 million m3 to 12.3 million m3, while Russian-supplied logs fell from 7.8 million m3 to 4.2 million m3. However, shipments from Europe are not sustainable long-term. According to the just-released study by the consulting firms Wood Resources International and O'Kelly Acumen (Russian Log Export Ban in 2022 - Implications for the Global Forest Industry), China is expected to source more sawlogs from Oceania, Europe, and the US short-term. Longer-term, the study anticipates that China is likely to shift further from importing logs to lumber, thus creating opportunities for lumber manufacturers, mainly in Europe and Russia, to increase shipments to this growing market.

The excerpt above is from the just-released Focus Report "Russia Log Export Ban in 2022 - Implications to the Global Forest Industry", published by Wood Resources International LLC and O'Kelly Acumen. For more information about the study or to inquire about purchasing the 60-page report in easy-to-read slide format, please contact either Hakan Ekstrom ([email protected]) or Glen O'Kelly ([email protected]). A Table of Contents of the report is available on our website. Click here!

CONTACT:

Wood Resources International LLC

Hakan Ekstrom

[email protected]

www.woodprices.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/wood-resources-international-llc/r/chinese-imports-of-softwood-and-hardwood-wood-products-will-be-significantly-altered-in-2022-if-russ,c3315463

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Police searching for missing student Richard Okorogheye are now combing through parts of Essex after new CCTV images showed him walking towards Epping Forest.

Detectives have moved their search to Essex after a new confirmed sighting showed the Oxford Brookes University student, 19, walking alone on Smarts Lane, Loughton, towards Epping Forest at 12.39am on March 23.

Mr Okorogheye is believed to have left his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of March 22 and was reported missing two days later.

Police enquiries have now established that Mr Okorogheye then took a taxi towards the residential street in Loughton.





Tonight specialist search teams, horses and dogs began searching Epping Forest as part of the investigation as officers continue to work around the clock to trace the student's steps.





Officers are also carrying out door-to-door enquiries in the area.





Police investigating the disappearance of Richard Okorogheye are now searching parts of Essex

The 19-year-old Oxford Brookes University student was spotted on CCTV walking alone on Smarts Lane, Loughton towards Epping Forest at 12.39am on March 23

Specialist search teams, horses and dogs began searching Epping Forest tonight

Officers have begun searches in and around the forest as well as carrying out door-to-door enquiries

Detective Chief Inspector Nicki Beecher, from the from the Met's Area West Public Protection Unit, said: 'It has now been nine days since Richard was last seen in person and we remain as committed as ever to locating him and bringing him home to his family.

'Our officers are working extremely hard to piece together the facts in order to build a picture of Richard's movements on the evening of Monday, 22 March.

'Latest information suggests he was last seen in Loughton in Essex and we are now focusing our attention here with specialist search officers from across the Met brought in to assist.

'Our enquiries also continue in the Ladbroke Grove, W10 area where local officers have been carrying out search patrols and also community patrols to gather information from local residents.

'I would once again like to renew our appeal to the public for any information which may assist with our enquiries. If you may have seen Richard - particularly in the Loughton area - or have any information at all, please contact police.'

The Met said Mr Okorogheye, who was in his first year of a business and IT degree at Oxford Brookes, left his home and headed in the direction of Ladbroke Grove on March 22 at approximately 8.30pm.

He was seen boarding the 23 southbound bus in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm and CCTV footage showed the student wearing an all-black outfit and carrying across his lower back a black satchel-bag featuring a white Adidas logo.

Police said it was unknown at which stop Mr Okorogheye got off the bus.

Mr Okorogheye's mother, Evidence Joel, previously said her son had spoken of 'struggling to cope' with university pressures.

She also said her son, who has sickle cell disease, had been shielding during the Covid-19 pandemic and would only leave the house to go to the hospital for his regular blood transfusions.

Officers have been carrying out door-to-door enquiries and searches of the area after the student was spotted on the residential street (GV of the street pictured)

The Metropolitan Police said the 19-year-old (pictured) left his home and headed in the direction of Ladbroke Grove on March 22

Mr Okorogheye was seen boarding the 23 southbound bus in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm on March 22

In a new statement on Tuesday, she said: 'Richard we love you and miss you very much, please can you come home? We aren't angry at you. We just want to know that you're okay.

'For anyone reading this, we are desperately missing our son. If you know anything or know where he might be, please come forward and speak to the police.'

Ms Joel last saw her son on March 22 when he told her he was going to a friend's house.

She had returned home from a nursing shift at around 9pm and assumed her son was in his room.

The alarm was raised after a locksmith helped her gain entry to her son's room where the student's wallet, bus pass and bank card were found.

This week Ms Joel claimed police said 'if you can't find your son, how do you expect us to?' when she went to them for help.

Ms Joel, a nurse, said when she phoned police to report her son missing and suggested they check CCTV near their home she was told they did not have the resources.

CCTV footage showed the student wearing an all-black outfit and carrying across his lower back a black satchel-bag featuring a white Adidas logo

She told Sky News: 'I told a police officer that my son was missing, please help me find him, and she said: 'If you can't find your son, how do you expect police officers to find your son for you?'

Family friend Claudine Rose added: 'We just felt like initially, it wasn't taken seriously enough.

'His mum was going into the police station every day and they hadn't put posters up or anything.'

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 21MIS008134, or they can call 999 in an emergency.
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- Stay up-to-date and exploit latest trends of Assistive Technology Market with latest edition released by AMA.

Assistive Technology Market Comprehensive Study is an expert and top to bottom investigation on the momentum condition of the worldwide Assistive Technology industry with an attention on the Global market. The report gives key insights available status of the Assistive Technology producers and is an important wellspring of direction and course for organizations and people keen on the business. By and large, the report gives an inside and out understanding of 2021-2026 worldwide Assistive Technology Market covering extremely significant parameters.



Key Players in This Report Include,

GF Health Products (United States), Invacare (United States), MED-EL (Austria), Sunrise Medical, Inc. (Germany), William Demant Holding A/S (Denmark), Beltone (Canada), Enabling Technologies (United States), GN ReSound (Denmark), Hoveround (United States), GN Store Nord AS (Denmark), Karma Mobility (United Kingdom).



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Brief Summary of Assistive Technology:

Assistive Technology is used in any product or device that is intended to improve the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities. According to estimates from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, one in four adults is living with a disability. Moreover, the baby boomer generation is more likely to have a disability than previous generations as they age, which means that this ratio is likely to grow in the future. Globally, more than 1 billion people of the world's population, experience some type of disability. As per the World Health Organization (WHO) by 2030, two billion people will require access to at least one assistive technology, and many will require two or more. This will drive the market growth in the forecast period.



Market Growth Drivers

- Increasing Adoption Of Technologically Advanced Devices

- Augment Sales Of Mobility Aids Due To Rising Number Of People With Cancer



Influencing Trend

- Adoption Of Hearing Aids With Rechargeable Batteries



Restraints

- High Cost Of Few Sophisticated Products



The Global Assistive Technology Market segments and Market Data Break Down are illuminated below:

by Type (Products, Services), Application (Kids, Adults), Device Type (Living Aids Devices {Hearing Aids)



This research report represents a 360-degree overview of the competitive landscape of the Global Assistive Technology Market. Furthermore, it offers massive data relating to recent trends, technological, advancements, tools, and methodologies. The research report analyzes the Global Assistive Technology Market in a detailed and concise manner for better insights into the businesses.



Regions Covered in the Assistive Technology Market:

- The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Egypt, etc.)

- North America (United States, Mexico & Canada)

- South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc.)

- Europe (Turkey, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.)

- Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia).



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The research study has taken the help of graphical presentation techniques such as infographics, charts, tables, and pictures. It provides guidelines for both established players and new entrants in the Global Assistive Technology Market.



The detailed elaboration of the Global Assistive Technology Market has been provided by applying industry analysis techniques such as SWOT and Porter's five-technique. Collectively, this research report offers a reliable evaluation of the global market to present the overall framework of businesses.



Attractions of the Assistive Technology Market Report:

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- The report covers in-detail insights about the competitor's overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies

- The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market

- The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and start-up's details that are actively working in the market

- The report provides plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenario



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Key Points Covered in the Table of Content:

Chapter 1 to explain Introduction, market review, market risk and opportunities, market driving force, product scope of Assistive Technology Market;

Chapter 2 to inspect the leading manufacturers (Cost Structure, Raw Material) with sales Analysis, revenue Analysis, and price Analysis of Assistive Technology Market;

Chapter 3 to show the focused circumstance among the best producers, with deals, income, and Assistive Technology market share 2020;

Chapter 4 to display the regional analysis of Global Assistive Technology Market with revenue and sales of an industry, from 2020 to 2022;

Chapter 5, 6, 7 to analyze the key countries (United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea & Taiwan), with sales, revenue and market share in key regions;

Chapter 8 and 9 to exhibit International and Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis, Trade Type Analysis;

Chapter 10 and 11 to analyze the market by product type and application/end users (industry sales, share, and growth rate) from 2020 to 2026

Chapter 12 to show Assistive Technology Market forecast by regions, forecast by type and forecast by application with revenue and sales, from 2020 to 2025;

Chapter 13, 14 & 15 to specify Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source of Assistive Technology market buyers, merchants, dealers, sales channel.



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Assistive Technology Market research provides answers to the following key questions:

? What is the expected growth rate of the Assistive Technology Market?

? What will be the Assistive Technology Market size for the forecast period, 2020  2026?

? What are the main driving forces responsible for changing the Assistive Technology Market trajectory?

? Who are the big suppliers that dominate the Assistive Technology Market across different regions? Which are their wins to stay ahead in the competition?

? What are the Assistive Technology Market trends business owners can rely upon in the coming years?

? What are the threats and challenges expected to restrict the progress of the Assistive Technology Market across different countries?



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Despite Offaly having the highest rate of Covid-19 and Tullamore having by far the highest rate of any local electoral area, the first mass vaccination centre in the Midlands will not be in the county.

Offaly's mass vaccination centre will be located in the Tullamore Court Hotel but in a statement released to the Tullamore Tribune and Midland Tribune on Tuesday, the HSE said the first such facility to be opened in the Midlands will be in Athlone.

No reason was given for Athlone's selection and no dates were disclosed for centres in Offaly or the other Midlands counties.

Latest figures from NPHET show that there were 19 new cases in Offaly on Monday leaving the rate for the county at 474.6 cases per 100,000 with 370 new cases in the last two weeks.

That is still by far the highest rate in the country with the rate for Ireland standing at 164.1 cases per 100,000.
Australia plans to begin developing its own guided missiles in cooperation with the US to enhance defense capability.

Australia launches AU$1bn plan to build guided missiles

The federal government proposes to spend AU$1 billion to expedite the building of a guided weapons facility, resulting in the development of a significant defense manufacturing industry. Under the AU$1 billion plan to fast-track a new weapons plant in cooperation with a multinational arms maker, Australia will develop its own guided missiles.

In response to a deteriorating strategic environment, the federal government plans to spend AU$100 billion on missiles and other guided weapons over the next two decades. The development of sovereign capabilities is crucial, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. "As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, self-reliance, whether in vaccine development or Australia's defense, is critical to meeting our own needs in a changing global climate," he added.

US President Joe Biden Does Not Intend to Meet with North Korea Leader, White House Claims

The declaration is in line with a pledge made during the by-election in Eden-Monaro last year. Labor is in favor of fast-tracking missile guidance systems made in Australia, Daily Mail reported. On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said that Australia does need to be more resilient when it comes to our protection, and the announcement is part of that.

Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Kongsberg are among the most possible bidders for the deal. It will allow Australia to replace missiles that had been brought in from other countries. Over the next 20 years, the government estimates that the new plant will produce AU$40 billion in local production and export sales.

White House Accuses China of Obstructing WHO into COVID-19 Origin

Australia to produce its own guided missiles

The Department of Defense will choose a "strategic industry partner" to run the production plant under a contract. According to ABC, the facility's site is yet to be confirmed.

Defense recently announced an agreement with the US to build and test an air-launched hypersonic cruise missile that can fly up to eight times the sound speed. Defense Minister Peter Dutton said that Australia and the United States would collaborate on the proposed domestic guided missile project.

Dutton mentioned that the project would address both Australia's and our most significant military partner's needs. The government plans to spend AU$270 billion on defense programs over the next ten years.

Melissa Price, the Defense Industry Minister, said that locally produced guided missiles would complement Australia's current military technology, including the Nulka decoy missile and explosives factories in Benalla and Mulawa. In the meanwhile, the Prime Minister will elaborate on the decision this morning.

Along with the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, Australia is a member of the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance. The Defense Minister said, "We will work closely with the US on this vital effort to ensure that we consider how our enterprise will better meet both Australia's needs and the growing needs of our most important military ally."

He believed that producing weapons in Australia would not only boost the country's capability. But would also guarantee that the government had enough weapons for military operations if global supply chains were interrupted, as per The AP News.

Australia, New Zealand Support Massive Sanctions Against China Over Human Rights Abuses

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Lakes store huge amounts of methane. In a new study, environmental scientists at the University of Basel offer suggestions for how it can be extracted and used as an energy source in the form of methanol.

Discussion about the current climate crisis usually focuses on carbon dioxide (CO2). The greenhouse gas methane is less well known, but although it is much rarer in the atmosphere, its global warming potential is 80 to 100 times greater per unit.

More than half the methane caused by human activities comes from oil production and agricultural fertilizers. But the gas is also created by the natural decomposition of biomass by microbes, for example in lakes. In their most recent publication, researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland outline the potential and theoretical possibilities for using methane from lakes and other freshwater bodies for sustainable energy production.

Methane from lakes and water reservoirs makes up about 20% of global natural methane missions. "That would theoretically be enough to meet the world's energy needs," says Maciej Bartosiewicz, a postdoc in the Department of Environmental Sciences of the University of Basel. Lakes continuously absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through the growth of phytoplankton. Microbes convert the carbon, fixed by photosynthesis, into methane when they process biomass. That way, carbon bound in the methane remains within the natural cycle during combustion. Fossil fuels could be partially replaced by "natural" renewable methane. Methane gas is already burned in gas-fired power plants for electricity production and used as a fuel in the form of liquid methanol.

Lakes as huge energy stores

The idea described in the article isn't completely new: since 2016, methane in Lake Kivu between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been extracted from a depth of 260 meters, cleaned and used for energy supply directly via generators. "Methane occurs in high concentrations in large quantities on the lake bed there," explains Bartosiewicz. "The methane concentration is about 100 times higher than in ordinary lakes." Low concentrations made extracting methane from conventional lakes seem too technically difficult until a few years ago. But new microporous membranes made of polymeric materials now allow the gas to be separated from the water much more efficiently.

The researchers have made the first concrete proposals in this regard: using a hydrophobic gas-liquid membrane contactor, a methane-containing gas mixture can be separated from water and the methane concentrated. Zeolite minerals are particularly suitable for enrichment, since hydrophobic crystalline substances can adsorb and release gases.

Potential positive effects on ecosystems

"With our idea, we wanted to start a broad discussion about the potential, feasibility and risks of a technology like this," says Bartosiewicz. "Until now, no studies have addressed the effects of methane removal on lake ecosystem functioning, but no immediate negative effects can be foreseen with our current understanding." However, removing excess carbon could even help curb excessive phytoplankton bloom formation and reduce natural greenhouse gas emissions from lakes. More work is needed before any practical implementation of this initial theoretical idea, says Bartosiewicz. But he's convinced: "This concept could one day make an important contribution to reaching our climate goals."

###
Peter Egan has revealed his wife of 45 years, actress Myra Frances, has passed away.

The screen star, 74, took to Twitter on Wednesday to share the tragic news about his 'friend and soulmate', admitting: 'My heart is broken'.

The grieving actor said: 'This is the saddest post I will ever have to make. My wonderful wife Myra, my friend & soulmate lost her battle with cancer at 1.30am on Tuesday.

'This message is for all her followers on her FB & Twitter @EganMyra. She was the most amazing human being. My heart is broken.'

'My heart is broken': Peter Egan has revealed his wife of 45 years, actress Myra Frances, passed away on Tuesday

Peter also recorded an emotional video revealing he'd be taking a break from social media as he came to terms with his wife's tragic death.

He said: 'Hi everyone this is probably the hardest video I'll ever have to make.

'I've been absent from social media quite a lot recently, people asking why and indeed so is my wonderful wife of 49 years Myra, who like me has been a very active campaigner for a long time for all of the animals of the world that we care about.

'I'm finding it very difficult to say that my wonderful wife died of cancer in the early hours of Tuesday morning at 1.30am, and I'm absolutely devastated and it's very hard to think straight at the moment.

'But I wanted to share this message with her followers and all of my followers just to say that I'll be taking a break from social media while I get myself together and while I arrange things for my wonderful wife Myra.

Moving: The actor took to Twitter on Wednesday to share the tragic news about his 'friend and soulmate', saying: 'My heart is broken' (pictured with their daughter Rebecca in 2003)

Sad: Peter also recorded an emotional video revealing he'd be taking a break from social media as he came to terms with his wife's tragic death

'She was the most amazing woman I've ever met, I miss her desperately and I will make a clearer announcement about this later and I will carry on my campaigning because she was the person who taught me to be human, to be compassionate to be kind and empathetic. Goodbye for now, and please everyone be kind.'

Peter met fellow thespian Myra in 1972 when they were both in TV drama The Organization, and they married four years later.

The couple moved from London into their Surrey home in 2016 with their five rescue dogs, and have both campaigned tirelessly for animal welfare.

Touching: He said: 'I miss her desperately... and I will carry on my campaigning because she was the person who taught me to be human

While Peter has had a slew of acting roles in series including Downton Abbey, Hold the Sunset and Afterlife, Myra had been retired for many years.

In an interview with the MailOnline back in 2019, Peter said the most prized possession in his living room was a framed photo of their wedding reception, which took place in 1976.

He said at the time: 'This photo was taken at our wedding reception in Surrey on Friday 13 February 1976  fortunately neither of us is superstitious.'

Tragic: Peter met fellow thespian Myra in 1972 when they were both in TV drama The Organization (pictured together in 1999)

TV star: Peter most recently starred in ITV's Unforgotten, which saw its fourth series come to an end on Monday night

It comes after Peter appeared in Unforgotten's heartbreaking series finale on Monday night, before ITV confirmed that show would return for a fifth season.

'Sobbing' fans watched as DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) lost her fight for life after sustaining fatal injuries in a car crash at the end of the previous episode.

The final moments saw DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) deliver a moving eulogy to his 'mentor and friend' and devastated father Martin Hughes (Peter Egan) weep freely as he listened to his daughter's last voicemail on repeat.

'Torn to pieces,' one Twitter user wrote. 'What heartbreaking TV.'

The departure prompted fans and critics alike to question whether this might be the end of Chris Lang's crime drama - but ITV has now confirmed the show will return with Sanjeev Bhaskar, who plays DI Sunny Khan, as the lead.

Devastating: It comes after Unforgotten's heartbreaking series finale aired on Monday night, before ITV confirmed that show would return for a fifth season

RIP: 'Sobbing' fans watched as DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) lost her fight for life after sustaining fatal injuries in a car crash at the end of the previous episode

She'll be missed: The heart-wrenching final moments saw DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) deliver a moving eulogy to his 'mentor and friend'

A statement read: 'ITV would like to thank Nicola Walker for playing the brilliant role of Cassie Stuart in four series of Unforgotten which has become one of the best loved and most critically acclaimed police dramas on TV.

'Nicola and writer Chris Lang decided that Cassie's story would come to an end last night, but that Unforgotten would continue, in series 5, with a new case, and a new "Partner in Crime" for DI Sunny Khan.'

Series five, which focused on the 1990 murder of Matthew Walsh, has been a 'record-breaking' season for Unforgotten.

Episodes 1-5 attracted an average of 7.5million viewers based on seven day consolidated data, which is up by 1.6million viewers and 26 per cent on the last series.

The identity of Matthew Walsh's killer was also revealed, thanks to the tireless work of DI Khan and the team who continued with their investigation in the wake of DCI Stuart's accident.

'If there's one thing I can be sure she'd want us to be doing right now is carrying on with our jobs,' Khan told the deflated team. 'And doing everything we can to find Matthew's killer. And as ever, I can see no good reason to go against her wishes.'

Although the most obvious murder suspect was detective Ram Sidhu (Phaldut Sharma), it emerged Dean Barton (Andy Nyman) was actually the man responsible.

He had stabbed Matthew Walsh in the allotment back in 1990 as revenge for the gangland death of his beloved older brother.

Channelling his boss, DI Khan was able to piece together the hitherto unnoticed connection between the two men. They had both been born into families with criminal ties and lived just streets away from each other.

Walsh had killed Dean's brother, and in turn Dean stabbed him with the fountain pen given to him by his slain brother shortly before his death.

Nicola's final goodbye Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar revealed he 'cracked' when he discovered a surprise goodbye message from co-star Nicola Walker. Nicola had put a handwritten note and a framed photograph in his character DI Sunny Khan's prop bag. The message reads: 'Dear Sunny, I love you, you know. It's worth saying sometimes. Love Cassie x.' Sharing a photo of the message on Twitter, Bhaskar wrote: 'The last of this series #sunnysbackpack was unbeknownst to me, packed by #NicolaWalker - with a note she wrote, when I opened it on set. I cracked.' Personal farewell: Nicola Walker left a note to Sanjeev Bhaskar in character Advertisement

He then convinced the rest of the gang, Sidhu, Fiona Grayson (Liz White) and Liz Baildon (Susan Lynch), it had all been a mistake.

All four members of the group were arrested on various charges. Fiona and Liz got off relatively lightly, while Sidhu faced charges for assisting Barton in the international drug smuggling operation that was touched upon earlier in the series.

All feelings of triumph were soon dwarfed by the death of DCI Stuart.

Her family was brought into a dimly-lit hospital waiting room to be given the devastating news.

'We knew from our scans she'd had a bleed on her brain,' the doctor said softly, 'but when we opened her up it was much worse than we had feared... Someone with that level of damage is, I'm so sorry to say, very unlikely to recover brain function.'

At the same time a jubilant DI Khan was on his way to the hospital to deliver the good news about the case to his boss.

But when he arrived he found Cassie's boyfriend DCI John Bentley (Alistair MacKenzie) sitting in the corridor alone. 'No,' he said, stopping short.

Outside Martin wept on a hospital bench as he listened to the voice message Cassie had left just moments before the crash, in which she apologised to him and told him she loved him.

'This job has drained me,' she said. 'But it's ten-and-a-bit more weeks and then I'm done. And then I hope we can get back to normal...

'I will be better, I promise. Then for however many years we will have together, we will try and get back to normal.'

She added: 'I love you so much.'

Sobbing, Martin put his phone back up to his ear to listen to the message again.

The final lines of the episode were given to DI Khan, whose eulogy was played over a moving sequence showing him laying flowers at her grave.

'People like Cass Stuart are extraordinary,' he said. 'So we can be sad we lost someone we adored. And who we will miss every day.

'But we can also be grateful for the time we did have with her, and the impact she had on all our lives.

'Cass Stuart was my colleague, she was my mentor, she was my friend. And I loved her.'
CHICAGO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Fetal Monitoring Market by Product (Ultrasound (3D & 4D), Fetal Electrodes, Telemetry Devices, Accessories and Consumables), Portability (Portable Systems), Method (Invasive), Application (Antepartum), End User (Hospitals) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to reach USD 5.2 billion by 2026 from USD 3.7 billion in 2021, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2021 to 2026.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Fetal Monitoring Market"

212 - Tables

41 - Figures

228 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=35700261

The growth of this market is driven by the escalating prevalence of preterm births, favorable government policies, advanced technologies of fetal monitoring systems, and active product launches.

"Ultrasound Devices is expected to hold the largest share of the market, by product in 2021."

Based on products, the fetal monitoring market is segmented into ultrasound devices, electronic maternal/fetal monitors, fetal electrodes, fetal doppler devices, uterine contraction monitors, telemetry devices, accessories & consumables, and other products. Ultrasound devices are the largest segment in this market. This segments growth can primarily be attributed to technological advancements, increasing congenital anomalies, maternal mortality, and rising regulatory approvals.

"Non-portable systems are expected to hold the largest share of the fetal monitoring market, by portability in 2021."

Based on portability, the market is segmented into non-portable systems and portable systems. In 2020, non-portable systems accounted for the largest share of this market, owing to wide applications in hospitals and diagnostic centers to assess fetal and maternal health.

"Noninvasive is expected to hold the largest share of the fetal monitoring market, by method in 2021."

Based on the method, the market is segmented into invasive and noninvasive. In 2020, the noninvasive accounted for the largest share of this market. Noninvasive methods are widely accepted for their safer method of diagnosing and monitoring the fetus, especially in high-risk pregnancies. The rising approvals of various noninvasive monitoring devices and the incoming advanced technologies drive the growth of this segment.

"Antepartum is expected to hold the largest share of the market, by application in 2021."

Based on application, the market is segmented into antepartum and intrapartum. The antepartum segment accounts for the largest share of the fetal monitoring market. Antepartum fetal monitoring is carried out throughout the gestation period to diagnose any congenital fetal abnormalities. The extensive monitoring regimes, recent product launches, surging prevalence of fetal anomalies, and maternal mortalities drive the growth of the antepartum segment.

"Hospitals are expected to hold the largest share of the fetal monitoring market, by end user in 2021."

The market is segmented into hospitals, obstetrics & gynecology clinics, and home care settings based on end users. In 2020, hospitals accounted for the largest share of this market. This segments growth can be attributed to several factors, such as highly advanced facilities in hospitals and the increasing number of pregnancy procedures. Technological advancements, coupled with government funding, are also encouraging the installation of new tools and devices in hospitals, thus supporting market growth.

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"North America commanded the largest share of the fetal monitoring market in 2021."

On the basis of region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. In 2019, North America commanded the largest share of the market. The large share of this market segment can be attributed to the presence of an established reimbursement structure coupled with availability of experts in the North American countries.

The major players operating in this fetal monitoring market are Cardinal Health, Inc. (US), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), GE Healthcare (US), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc. (US), Natus Medical Incorporated (US), Huntleigh Healthcare Limited (UK), The Cooper Companies Inc. (US), CONTEC Medical Systems Co., Ltd. (China), EDAN Diagnostics, Inc. (China), Neoventa Medical AB (Sweden), Bionet Co., Ltd. (South Korea), Progetti Srl (Italy), TRISMED Co., Ltd. (Republic of Korea), ShenZhen Luckcome Technology Inc. (China), MedGyn Products, Inc (US), Dixion (Germany), Promed Group Co., Ltd. (Hong Kong), Advanced Instrumentations (US), BRAEL-Medical Equipment (Poland), GPC Medical (India), BISTOS (Korea), Mediana (Korea), Life Plus (India), ChoiceMMed (China), Trivitron Healthcare (India), Dott Medical Co. Ltd. (China), Monarch Meditech (India), and Shenzhen Comen Medical Instruments Co., Ltd. (China).

Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=35700261

Browse Adjacent Markets: Medical Devices Market Research Reports & Consulting

Browse Related Reports:

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https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/patient-healthcare-monitoring-systems-devices-market-678.html

Ultrasound Market by Technology (Diagnostic (2D, 3D, Doppler), Therapeutic (HIFU, ESWL)), Display (Color, B&W), Portability (Trolley, Compact, POC), Applications (Gynecology, Urology, Cardiology, Orthopedic), End user (Hospitals) - Global Forecasts to 2025 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/ultrasound-market-467.html

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Ukraine continues negotiations with all Normandy format countries. No decisions on Ukraine can be and will be made without Ukraine's participation.

"We clearly adhere to the position that no decisions on Ukraine can be made without Ukraine. Leaders of other countries can mention and express their positions on the situation in a particular region or in a particular country. Just like the leaders of France, Germany and Russia discussed a broad agenda, including the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the situation in the Middle East, the EU-Russia relations. Among other things, they mentioned the situation in Donbas," Presidents Spokesperson Yulia Mendel said in a comment to Ukrinform.

According to her, the Presidents Office believes that it would be strange if the war in eastern Ukraine fell out of the international agenda, especially in the negotiations involving the Russian side.

"Nevertheless, Ukraine continues negotiations with all Normandy format countries at various levels and no decisions on Ukraine can be and will be made without Ukraine's participation," Mendel said.

Kyiv has warm relations with both Berlin and Paris, she added.

In addition, the President's Spokesperson noted that the European Union proved to be a reliable partner for Ukraine and strongly supported sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the occupation of Crimea.

"This position is very valuable for Ukraine. We will continue to use all opportunities and platforms to promote peace, which is our undeniable value," Mendel assured.

On Tuesday, President of France Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a conversation via a video conference, one of the topics of which was the situation in eastern Ukraine. The leaders of France and Germany, in particular, stressed that Russia needed to commit itself to ensuring the ceasefire in Donetsk and Luhansk and helping overcome the crisis in compliance with the Minsk Agreements.

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A British Airways flight from Los Angeles to London was forced into a priority landing after a sick passenger sparked a a mid-air emergency over Northern Ireland.

After the pilot alerted air traffic controllers of the situation, the plane was given 'priority' to land at London Heathrow on Wednesday afternoon.

It is currently unclear exactly what the passenger's medical emergency was, and how the events unfolded.

Flight number BA268 was flying from Los Angeles having left Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 21:46 local time on March 30.

Pictured: The flight path of BA268, which landed at Heathrow following a medical emergency

It was flying over Northern Ireland when the emergency was declared, and it landed at Heathrow at 15:27 local time - around half an hour before its scheduled arrival.

The pilot alerted controllers that there was an emergency underway by 'squawking 7700', the transponder code for a 'general emergency'.

A British Airways spokesperson told MyLondon: 'The plane has landed normally.

'The pilot requested a priority landing into Heathrow as a precaution due to a customer requiring medical assistance.'

The MailOnline has contacted British Airways for further comment.
OAKLAND, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California, the state of California's third-party administrator, today announced it has successfully transitioned the state's enhanced COVID-19 vaccine provider network that can administer 5.5 million doses a week to help save more lives.

The dramatically increased capacity is the result of collaboration among state health officials, local health jurisdictions and nearly 300 providers throughout the state that operate some 2,200 vaccination sites.

The network reaches more than 99 percent of Californians, and 99 percent of those who live in the Healthy Places Index lowest quartile areas, based on the state's requirement of access to providers within 10 miles in urban areas and 30 miles in rural areas.

"Equitable distribution of the vaccine is a top priority for the state of California and we have made great progress in building a statewide system that supports that goal," said Paul Markovich, president & CEO, Blue Shield of California. "There's still more work to do as more providers and local health jurisdictions join the statewide network. Together we can overcome this pandemic and save more lives, especially Californians living in the most vulnerable communities."

California continues to build positive momentum as it readies to receive increased supply of COVID-19 vaccines from the federal government in the coming weeks.

In addition to building the state's capacity to administer 5.5 million doses a week, other key milestones include:

34 local health jurisdictions (LHJs) have joined the state's enhanced vaccine network, representing the vast majority of Californians. More LHJs are expected to join in coming days.

1,400 clinics have onboarded to My Turn, the state's vaccine scheduling system.

Equity momentum is building with significant improvement in vaccination rates among Californians who live in Healthy Places Index lowest quartile communities.

More than 2 million appointments completed through My Turn, enabling the third-party administrator to more effectively track vaccines and make equitable allocation recommendations to the state, which makes the final allocation decisions.

It's important to note that providers whose patients are awaiting second doses will continue to receive vaccine allocation from the state in order to complete those vaccinations. In addition, Blue Shield will continue to onboard eligible providers who are interested in participating in the state's enhanced network to help ensure vaccines are available to as many Californians as possible.

The latest list of participating vaccine providers can be found at this link.

Blue Shield is a nonprofit health plan that's answering the call by the state to support its vaccine distribution efforts to help save lives. The health plan is working closely with each county, its public health leaders, and state officials to build a vaccine network to help meet the state's goal to ensure all Californians have access to the vaccines equitably, efficiently and as quickly as possible.

The health plan is taking on this effort at cost without making a profit from the state. Blue Shield is not charging the state for its staff time devoted to this effort. It will only bill the state actual expenses to support the network up to the limit of the contract.

More information about Blue Shield's support of the state's efforts can be found at this link.

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with over 4.5 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $21 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $150 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last four years to have an impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.

Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

###

CONTACT: Erika Conner

Blue Shield of California

510-607-2359

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California
Being charged with a crime is not an experience most people are very prepared for. Our education system does not leave most citizens with a strong understanding of how criminal justice actually works, and what knowledge we do have often comes second or third hand, through anecdotes and the media.

This is one of the reasons why it is so important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer like Jeff Reisman Law who can help you navigate the system and provide you with the best possible chance of clearing your name.

If you have been charged with a crime and are looking for a criminal lawyer who can get results, here are the four most important qualities to look for.

1. Experience with Relevant Areas of Law

While it might seem obvious that a lawyer needs to understand the laws that apply to an individual case, a good lawyer draws on thousands of hours spent working in particular legal areas both in and out of court to craft an airtight defense.

By exploiting loopholes or proving that evidence against their client was gathered illegally, they can turn their knowledge of the law to their client's advantage.

2. Negotiating Skills

Popular culture has taught us to believe that legal processes play out primarily in public courtrooms. But the truth is that a lot of the most important legal work is done behind the scenes, in negotiations between a defendant's team and the prosecution.

For this reason, you'll want to ensure that your lawyer is able to work effectively with a variety of different players to secure the best possible outcome, and perhaps even help you avoid going to trial altogether.

3. Tenacity

When you've been charged with a crime, your entire future is on the line. A criminal conviction can haunt you for years to come, making it harder to travel, find work, or volunteer in your community.

Your lawyer should care just as much about proving your innocence as you do - tenacity, determination, and a willingness to fight are essential qualities in any criminal defense lawyer.

4. Empathy

Facing criminal charges can impact every aspect of your life, and in many cases a defense lawyer isn't just the person helping you enter a plea or negotiate with the law - they're also the one person you can trust to be on your side through the process.

Finding a lawyer who can empathize with your situation, honor your confidence, and respect the emotional difficulty of the situation will make the experience less alienating and less fraught.

When considering different criminal defense lawyers, there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration, and it can be hard to know what to prioritize. The key thing to remember is that a lawyer shouldn't just be knowledgeable, but should also be deeply invested in the success of your case, and in your own wellbeing.

Finding an attorney who has the negotiating skills, legal background, determination, respect, and ability to empathize will help ensure that you have the support and counsel you need to stay the course while your case makes its way to trial.
Korean Air B787-10 / Courtesy of Korean Air



By Kim Hyun-bin



The melding of the country's two leading full-service carriers (FSC) is expected to create up to 400 billion won ($354 million) a year in synergy. Korean Air, the country's leading airline, plans to take over Asiana Airlines after two years of preparation, while three low-cost carriers (LCC)  Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul  run by the two airlines, are also being considered for acquisition to enhance efficiency and market share.



"Once the anti-trust authorities give their approval, we will immediately position Asiana as an affiliate of Korean Air for around two years until we finish all procedures for a takeover," Korean Air President Woo Kee-hong said during a press conference, Wednesday.



Once the global aviation market recovers from the COVID-19 crisis, the company believes the move will create up to 400 billion won in yearly synergy effect. However, substantial costs will be incurred in the preparation. Industry insiders believe it will take the company two years to see substantial profitability.



"More efficiency in overlapping routes, strengthened connecting flights and increased joint venture effects could boost profitability," Woo said. "By utilizing the facilities, personnel, terminal, sales organizations and other sectors could create economies of scale and enhance productivity and improve the financial structure, which could lead to a better credit rating and reduced financial costs."





Korean Air President Woo Kee-hong
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks edged lower in cautious trade on Wednesday as investors kept an eye on bond yields and awaited details of U.S. President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, expected to be worth around $2.25tn, according to the Washington Post. The benchmark DAX slid 0.1 percent to 14,991 after climbing 1.3 percent to a record high in the previous session. Delivery Hero shares shed around half a percent as Deliveroo shares plunged 30 percent on debut in London. Daimler edged up slightly. The automaker said it expects unit sales, revenue and EBIT in 2021 to be significantly above prior-year levels. Stratec SE, a manufacturer of automated analyzer systems, jumped nearly 4 percent after its fourth-quarter earnings per share climbed 76.1 percent. Knorr-Bremse AG, a manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, gained half a percent. The company said that its supervisory board has proposed to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting in May 2021 that Klaus Mangold be re-elected to the Supervisory Board of the company for a further two-year term. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Ukraine to receive first batch of COVID-19 vaccine under COVAX until April 15  Stepanov

Ukraine will receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines as part of the COVAX initiative by April 15, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said.

"The first batch of vaccines is 360,000 doses of AstraZeneca and 117,000 doses of Pfizer. According to COVAX, we should receive it by April 15. By the end of May we should receive 1.7 million doses," he said on the air of the Hard with Vlashchenko program on the Ukraine 24 TV channel.

Stepanov recalled that in total, Ukraine will receive 8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX.

At the same time, he noted that COVAX, first of all, provides vaccines to countries in which there is no access to vaccines and vaccination has not begun.

"COVAX gave vaccines primarily to those countries that have not started vaccination," he said.

At the same time, Stepanov stressed the difficulties with the import of vaccines.

"Countries are simply blocking exports, not paying attention to signed contracts, not paying attention to anything, they are simply blocking exports. If there is an appropriate amount of vaccines, we will be able to vaccinate up to 5 million people a month in a very quiet mode," he said.

Commenting on the situation with the spread of COVID-19, Stepanov noted that, in general, "there is no alarming information that in some city 90% of beds are filled, there are hospitals that are 90% full, even 96% full."

He said that the most difficult situation is in Kyiv and Odesa. At the same time, the Ministry of Health plans to send a commission to Odesa, which will have to "recalculate the occupancy of COVID-19 beds with oxygen." Stepanov said that such a commission is already working in Kharkiv.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 12:01:54|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks retreated Wednesday morning as a rise in long-term U.S. Treasury yields sent U.S. shares lower overnight sparking renewed concerns about corporate borrowing costs which dented investor sentiment.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 232.49 points, or 0.79 percent, from Tuesday to 29,200.21.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 12.76 points, or 0.65 percent, at 1,965.10.

Bank, mining and marine transportation issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break. Enditem
In a Monday phone interview, the man said he and a relative were able to track down the vehicles location with a GPS device, and spotted a female driving the car, then crashing into a Jeep Grand Cherokee and nearly hitting a mechanic who was working underneath an adjacent vehicle in the 6200 block of West Palmer Street.
Minnesota martial arts practitioner Donald Williams returned to the stand and concluded testimony that began Monday afternoon. He reiterated his observations culminating in Floyds death: tremendous pain in Floyds face, his eyes rolling back in his head, his mouth open, drooling, gasping for air. All the while Chauvin kept his knee on Floyds neck, Williamss energy did not let him feel he could intervene. After Floyd was loaded into the ambulance, Williams called 911 believing he had witnessed a murder.

The scope Judge Cahill afforded Williams on direct examination required penetrating cross examination. I didnt think defense counsel Eric Nelson rose to the occasion either in his attempts to distinguish mixed martial arts from police restraint or in his recitation of the vulgar names Williams had called Chauvin as Floyd lay prone under Chauvins knee. Like the bystanders who followed Williams to the stand, I thought Williamss anger was understandable given his perception of what he had witnessed.

Williams drew on his training in mixed martial arts to speak with authority on the issues in the case. He referred to his education at the academy (of mixed martial arts) and his experience in the ring as an artist.

An attorney friend wrote me to comment on Judge Cahills admission of Williamss testimony about chokeholds and related issues. He thought Judge Cahill should not have allowed it, but suggested that Nelsons cross should have pounded away at key points:

The easy stuffyou are not a physician, not a pathologist, have never seen anyone asphyxiated. You have never conducted an autopsy and have no idea how to do one. In your opinion did you assume that Floyds breathing was normal before he was restrained by Chauvin? Did you assume his lung function was normal? Did you consider whether he was suffering from fentanyl intoxication? Did you consider whether his lungs had an abnormal amount of fluid in

them due to fentanyl and were not functioning properly? Mr. MMA you understand that here in Hennepin County when anyone dies under suspicious circumstances the County Examiner, who is a pathologist, conducts an autopsy? You are not asking this jury to consider your opinion of the cause of

the death of Mr. Floyd as equal in weight to the official autopsy by

the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

The point is that Williamss pretensions to expertise should have been punctured on cross. I dont think Nelson put up a fight on the basic points.

After Williams we heard from five more bystanders whom I want to take up as a group:

1. Examined by Jerry Blackwell, Darnella Frazier just turned 18. She is the teenager who recorded the video that approximately everyone saw after she disseminated it via Facebook. The prosecution took her testimony as an opportunity to review the video. She was choked with emotion throughout her direct examination. After Nelson asked her on cross whether the video had changed her life  why? I dont know  Blackwell had her fill out the details on redirect. She sees Floyd as her father, her cousins, her brothers, her uncles, her friends, because they are all black. And I look at that and I look at how that could have been one of them. Its been nights I stayed up apologizing and, and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more

2. Darnellas nine-year-old cousin Judea testified briefly without cross examination. Judea can be seen in photos and stills with Darnella. She was wearing a t-shirt with LOVE printed on it. Judea saw Chauvin with his knee on Floyds neck. What she saw made her sad and kinda mad.

3. Examined by Assistant Attorney General Erin Eldridge, Alyssa is another 18-year-old bystander who recorded video of the scene. She lives in the neighborhood and went to Cup Foods with her friend Kailyn to buy snacks and an aux cord for her car. She saw Chauvin with his knee on Floyds neck, and two other officers holding him down. Alyssas testimony gave the prosecution another opportunity to play video of the incident.

At first he was vocal and then he got less vocal, she said. You could tell he was talking with smaller and smaller breaths, and he would spit a little when he talked, and he tried to move his head because he was uncomfortable. She described Floyds descent into unconsciousness: You could see in his face that he was slowly not being able to breathe, his eyes were rolling back, and at one point he just kind of sat there, she said. Or laid there. Talking about it with difficulty, she cried. It was difficult because I felt like there wasnt really anything that I could do as a bystander, she said. I felt like I was failing him.

4. Examined by Eldridge, Alyssas friend Kailyn accompanied Alyssa to Cup Foods on May 25. She lent Alyssa the cell phone she used to record her video of the incident. Alyssa asked her to remain in the car. A gut feeling prompted her to get out of the car. She heard Floyd calling out from under Chauvins knee. She felt that Chauvins restraint of Floyd wasnt needed. She had a gut feeling Floyd was dead before the ambulance arrived. Seeing Chauvin reach for his Mace in response to the bystanders, she was afraid of him. Nelson passed on cross examination.

5. Examined by Deputy Attorney General Matthew Frank, the last witness of the day was Minneapolis firefighter and EMT Genevieve Hansen. Her testimony continues this morning. She lives in the neighborhood of Cup Foods and was on a walk when she happened on the scene. She too took a video on the scene and called 911 after the ambulance left the scene to complain about the officers treatment of Floyd. It is evident that she is heavily invested in Chauvins conviction.

She walked around the scene after her arrival. She saw the officers restraining Floyd. She was concerned because he wasnt moving and he was cuffed, with three men restraining him. His face was swollen and smashed into the ground. She noticed fluid coming from his body. She assessed Floyd as having an altered consciousness in which he was oblivious to painful stimuli. She identified herself as an EMT and wanted to render medical assistance. She wanted Floyds pulse to be taken. She is totally distressed she was unable to do so.

Nelson began his cross examination. Among the points he made is that she didnt know that the officers had already requested Code 3 medical assistance on the scene before Hansen arrived. Hansen said she didnt believe it.

She is an argumentative witness, to say the least. She argued with Nelson. She argued with Judge Cahill. When she refused to relent, Judge Cahill excused her to return this morning. Im embedding the two-hour video of Hansens testimony yesterday below. It begins at about 5:00 with Hansens video and the recording of her 911 call. Nelsons cross begins at about 1:09:30.

The testimony of these bystander witnesses featured videos and photographs of the incident. The testimony was raw and emotional. Im not sure why, but the witnesses were allowed to testify to the effect of the incident on them. I didnt think that Nelson found a productive line of cross examination on either Darnella or Alyssa. Hansen is another story.
LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clear skies full of bright yellow are ahead for the Los Angeles basin all the way down to the tip of Baja Mexico. Today Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) announced plans to expand internationally from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after two decades of providing high value and low fares domestically. The airline will offer daily flights between LAX and Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) starting May 5, and nonstop flights to Puerto Vallarta's Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), starting on July 1. Images, interviews and B-roll can be found here: http://bit.ly/SpiritLAXexpansion.

Spirit will also offer Guests the only nonstop flights from LAX to Columbus (CMH), Milwaukee (MKE), LaGuardia (LGA) and Louisville (SDF), as well as a new nonstop flight to St. Louis (STL), substantially expanding the airline's flight offerings in Southern California.

"Our new nonstop routes to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta mark our first ever international service out of LAX and are great complements to our beyond continental 48 route map which now serves 30 destinations in Latin American and the Caribbean," said John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines. "In addition, our convenient new nonstop domestic flights, along with our low competitive fares, create even more great getaway options for our Guests in the LA Basin."

New Spirit Airlines Service in Los Angeles Destination: Flights Available: Start Date: Los Cabos (SJD) Daily May 5 Louisville (SDF) Daily May 27 St. Louis (STL) Daily May 27 Columbus (CMH) Daily June 9 LaGuardia (LGA) Saturday Only June 12 Milwaukee (MKE) Daily June 24 Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Daily July 1

"With travel beginning to rebound, we are excited that Spirit Airlines is adding international service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, as well as expanding domestic service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)," said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. "LAX is the West Coast gateway to the world and these new nonstop destinations will provide new options for travelers who are ready to fly again."

In 1999, Spirit launched its service in California with flights out of LAX, and later grew to serve Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK) and San Diego (SAN) as well. Recently, Spirit stepped up investments in the LA Basin by adding service to Burbank (BUR) and Orange County (SNA).

This year is off to a great start at Spirit Airlines. In January, the carrier launched its new Free Spirit loyalty program, which is the fastest way to earn rewards and status.* Spirit is also one of only three U.S. airlines listed on FORTUNE's 2021 list of World's Most Admired Companies, which measures companies with the strongest reputation within their industries. Spirit also earned "Platinum" status by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Health Safety initiative powered by SimpliFlying.

Guest Safety

Spirit's commitment to Safe Travels includes a multi-layered safety approach that requires all Guests and Team Members to wear face coverings. Each passenger agrees to that policy as part of a health and safety acknowledgement prior to boarding the aircraft. Every plane in our Fit Fleet uses state-of-the-art, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture 99.97% of particles and filter the air for contaminants every 3 minutes.

Between each flight, enhanced cleaning procedures focus on high-touch areas such as tray tables and armrests. Spirit also uses two EPA-registered fogging treatments. The first applies a safe, high-grade disinfectant that's effective against coronaviruses. The second uses an antimicrobial product that forms an invisible barrier on all surfaces that kills bacteria and viruses on contact for 30 days. Please visit Spirit's COVID-19 Information Center for more information on safety enhancements.

* Based on points earned on published fares (excluding sale fares) and optional services using the Free Spirit Credit Card (the "Card"), and includes status qualifying points earned by spending on Spirit and everyday purchases using the Card.

About Spirit Airlines:

Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) is committed to delivering the best value in the sky. We are the leader in providing customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare. This allows our Guests to pay only for the options they choose  like bags, seat assignments and refreshments  something we call A La Smarte. We make it possible for our Guests to venture further and discover more than ever before. Our Fit Fleet is one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the U.S. We serve destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean, and are dedicated to giving back and improving those communities. Come save with us at spirit.com.

SOURCE Spirit Airlines, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.spirit.com


Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 20:31:35|Editor: huaxia

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A resident receives nucleic acid testing for COVID-19 at Mengmao Village of Mengmao Township, Ruili City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 31, 2021. The city of Ruili on Wednesday launched a city-wide nucleic acid testing for COVID-19 after new cases were reported. Ruili found one positive case during regular COVID-19 testing among high-risk groups on March 29, and another eight positive cases in the following tracing. After further testing, six were diagnosed as confirmed cases and three as asymptomatic, said the provincial health committee. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

KUNMING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The city of Ruili in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Wednesday launched a city-wide nucleic acid testing for COVID-19 after new cases were reported.

According to the city's epidemic prevention and control headquarters, starting from 8 a.m. Wednesday, all residents in the urban areas will be quarantined at home for a week. During the period, all business premises except supermarkets, pharmacies and farm produce markets will be closed.

Ruili found one positive case during regular COVID-19 testing among high-risk groups on March 29, and another eight positive cases in the following tracing. After further testing, six were diagnosed as confirmed cases and three as asymptomatic, said the provincial health committee.

The tracing and testing of their close contacts are underway.

A working group sent by the National Health Commission has arrived in Ruili to guide COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, according to the commission.

According to the disease control and prevention center in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, which administers Ruili, local health authorities will launch large-scale vaccine inoculations to cover all residents aged over 18 in four border cities and counties including Ruili starting Thursday. Enditem
Gold Logie winner Samuel Johnson has revealed the heartbreaking inspiration behind his new book, Dear Mum.

Appearing on Wednesday's The Morning Show, the 43-year-old former actor described the inspiration behind his book, which features a collection of letters from Australian celebrities to their own mothers.

'It's a celebration of mums. As co-founder of [cancer charity] Love Your Sister, I represent about seven hundred thousands of mums in the breast-cancer space,' he told hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur.

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'I wanted to put together a fitting tribute': Samuel Johnson, 43, appeared on Wednesday's The Morning Show to discuss the inspiration behind his new book, Dear Mum

'I'm very passionate about repping our mums and I wanted to put together a fitting tribute, a homage, a celebration to all things mums,' explained Samuel, who has grown out his hair since retiring from acting a few years ago.

'So I asked over 90 Australian notables to contribute letters to their mums for publication so I could use the proceeds to fund cancer research.'

Samuel, who lost his own mother when he was a toddler, warned that Dear Mum isn't filled with 'fluffy Hallmark' tributes, but rather explores the complex relationships many people share with their mothers.

'Not all of them are fairy floss': Samuel, who lost his own mother when he was a toddler, said that Dear Mum isn't filled with 'fluffy Hallmark' tributes, but rather explores the complex relationships many people share with their mothers

Golden boy: Samuel won the prestigious Gold Logie in April 2017

'Some of the people have decided to clear the air with their mums, some of them are being very refreshing an honest. Not all of them are fairy floss,' he said.

The celebrity authors featured in Dear Mum include Patti Newton, Guy Pearce, Amanda Keller, Rebecca Gibney, Peter Helliar, Shane Jacobson and even The Morning Show's Larry Emdur.

It also contains a poem written to Samuel by his late mother, who tragically took her own life when he was just three years old.

A-list anthology: The celebrity authors featured in Dear Mum include Patti Newton, Guy Pearce, Amanda Keller, Rebecca Gibney, Peter Helliar, Shane Jacobson and Larry Emdur

The poem reads: 'All the seas of joy / Rise to sing for you boy / Surge and swell, and roar / All the seas of joy / Sound wonderfully near / Since you've been here.'

Reflecting on the poem in a Facebook post earlier this month, Samuel wrote: 'There exists only one photo of me and my mum, and that's always ok because I have that poem, burnt into my heart.'

Samuel went on to describe how greatly his mother's death affected his late sister Connie, who died from breast cancer in 2017.

'Connie felt mum's suicide much more deeply': Samuel went on to describe how greatly his mother's death affected his late sister Connie, (left) who died from breast cancer in 2017

'Connie felt mum's suicide much more deeply. From a very early age, she determined to become a mum and to see her kids through. To do what our mum couldn't. She was extraordinary,' he wrote.

The actor revealed that Connie's death, and the tragic impact it had on her two young sons, 'had a lot to do' with why he put together Dear Mum.

If you or anyone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Jason Statham has revealed he has 'such a crack' working with Guy Ritchie as he is allowed to improvise on set.

While other directors are less open to actors chipping in ideas, the movie hardman, 53, gushed that Ritchie, 52, is 'always up' for lettings actors try out their own ideas.

The duo are currently teaming up for the fourth time in action romp Wrath of Man after great success together in crime comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Teamwork: Jason Statham has revealed he always has 'such a crack' when working with Guy Ritchie as he is allowed to improvise on set (pictured left in their new film Wrath of Man)

Jason said: 'I remember the first films I ever did with Guy Ritchie, we were doing Lock Stock and Snatch, and he was always up for little lines or bits of improvisation.

'I haven't done any of that since then but it is a great way to work because you get new stuff. It's priceless when it comes off and it's good.'

The actor, who shares son Jack with his model partner of 10 years Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 33, also explained that the script can limit the amount of improvisation.

Jason said: 'Different movies I have been in are driven very much by you know, I don't say a lot or it's very hard to improvise in those situations and have alternate lines because a lot of alternate lines don't work within the context of the story.

Getting those moments: The movie hardman, 53, gushed that Ritchie, 52, (pictured in 2019) is 'always up' for lettings actors try out their own ideas

'Whereas a comedy sometimes it's just for a laugh - the playing field is a lot broader when you're doing these kinds of films in the end you have such a crack making the film.'

Jason and Guy first worked together on Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels in 1998 followed by Snatch in 2000 and the 2005 film Revolver.

The duo are also said to be working together on a new spy thriller, Five Eyes. The movie started shooting in Turkey and Qatar in 2021, reports Deadline.

Wrath of Man, written by Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, follows a mysterious and wild-eyed new cash truck security guard (Statham) who surprises his co-workers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills.

Intense: Jason was seen firing a gun at point-blank range at Post Malone in a new trailer released on Monday for the upcoming Guy Ritchie thriller Wrath Of Man

The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman's ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.

Wrath Of Man is based on the 2004 French film Cash Truck by Nicolas Boukhrief.

Jason was seen firing a gun at point-blank range at Post Malone in a new trailer released on Monday for the upcoming film.

The trailer opened with Jason's character being introduced as 'H' as he joined Fortico armored truck company that specializes in cash deliveries across Los Angeles.

'Do you have any idea how dangerous this job can be?,' a new co-worker asked him.

During their drive, robbers try to kidnap one of his colleagues, however Jason's character manages to shoot them and rescue his co-worker.

Bad guy: One of the accomplices was portrayed by 25-year-old Post Malone, real name Austin Richard Post

Tense scene: The trailer showed a Fortico employee being held at gunpoint

One of the accomplices portrayed by 25-year-old Malone, real name Austin Richard Post, fled and ran into a warehouse where H hunted him down.

H wounded Malone's villainous character who stumbled onto the ground before H pinned his gun hand with his foot and drew his weapon on him.

He then shot the robber at point-blank range.

While other scenes in the trailer showed H in flashbacks and recovering in hospital after being told he was in an accident.

He asked about his son who apparently was killed as a bystander during an armored car robbery. 'I need to know who killed my son,' H told a shadowy figure.

Wrath of Man is set to be released in May after a Covid delay.
(Natural News) More than 60 travelers in three states are currently being monitored for possible infection with the Ebola virus. Twenty-three individuals in Washington state are under observation for the pathogen, alongside 45 people in Ohio and four in Oregon.

Despite ongoing observation of these people, health authorities have insisted that the risk of Ebola entering the country is extremely low.

A March 25 statement by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) said the 23 low-risk individuals came from Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some regions in the two countries, both located in West Africa, are currently experiencing Ebola outbreaks. It added that local public health officials in the state have been in contact with the 23 people, who will be observed for 21 days following their arrival into the country.

Meanwhile, the Columbus Dispatch reported on March 26 that 45 people in Ohio are currently being observed for Ebola symptoms. According to their respective spokespersons, Columbus Public Health is helping monitor 42 individuals, while Franklin County Public Health is keeping tabs on three people. Franklin County Public Health spokeswoman Mitzi Kline told the outlet through an email that monitoring people who have traveled to outbreak-stricken areas is common practice. She added: This isnt the first time we have monitored like this. It is a public health prevention measure to assure we prevent local cases.

Also on March 25, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said four people in the state are being monitored for the disease. Local NBC affiliate KGW 8 reported that the states health agency did not say where the monitored individuals are located. OHA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Richard Leman said: We want to make sure these individuals have the support they need to monitor their health, stay in contact with public health officials and safely get help with medical services if it comes to that.

Despite the cases being monitored, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reassured Americans that there is little to no chance of an Ebola outbreak in the country. It said in a February 2020 press release that the risk of Ebola [coming] to the U.S. is extremely low. The CDC also added that it is closely following the outbreaks of Ebola in the affected countries, committing to collaborate with the said nations to end these outbreaks before they grow into epidemics.

Ebola is resurging in West Africa, concurrent with the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic

The three states monitoring recently-arrived travelers followed a shocking discovery by scientists. According to researchers, the latest Ebola outbreak may have been caused by an individual who contracted the pathogen some years ago. A comparison of the most recent virus and the earlier variant found that their genetic sequences were remarkably similar. (Related: Ebola survivor infected five years ago may have started new outbreak in Guinea.)

Based on the discovery, it would mean that the latest outbreak of the virus did not come from animal to human transmission. Rather, it would appear that it hid in a persistently infected survivor of the earlier Ebola epidemic which occurred from 2013 to 2016.

World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Program Executive Director Dr. Michael Ryan branded the findings as scary and said they suggested the infection could lie dormant for years and transmit itself through sexual intercourse. While scientists have long known that Ebola can persist in bodily fluids, it is highly unusual for it to remain undetected for such a period. (Related: If Ebola remains in semen of infected men, why were male Ebola victims in US cleared as virus-free?)

At least 18 cases and nine fatalities related to Ebola have been reported in Guinea as of writing. However, WHO officials said further testing would be needed and drawing conclusions about the actual cause of the outbreak is too premature. On the other hand, the last confirmed Ebola cases in the U.S. arrived during the earlier epidemic, where 11 people received treatment. Most of these involved people who had contracted the virus outside American soil.

Visit Outbreak.news to read more about the recent resurgence of Ebola in West Africa.

Sources include:

StrangeSounds.org

DOH.WA.gov

Dispatch.com

KGW.com

CDC.gov
MDHHS continues Flint mobile food pantries during April; Department and Food Bank to take extra precautions due to COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will continue to provide nutritious food by the truckload to Flint residents throughout April.

MDHHS has provided the Flint mobile food pantries since February 2016 in partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Michigan, food pantry distributors are taking extra precautions to keep customers and volunteers protected. Each site is requiring volunteers to wear gloves and masks, clean their hands with hand sanitizer often, and take steps to sanitize distribution buildings throughout the day. Customers do not have to step out of their vehicle to receive food - volunteers are asking the customer to simply open their trunk and they will load up the vehicle with food to reduce contact.

This month's mobile food pantry distribution will have plenty of delicious, vitamin-rich produce and proteins, including ground turkey, cheese, apples, and potatoes.

April dates for distributions are:

Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy. Thursday, April 1 at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 8, at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 15, at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 22, at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 29, at 10 a.m.

St. Luke's NEW Life Center, 3115 Lawndale Ave. Friday, April 2, at 10 a.m. Friday, April 9, at 10 a.m. Friday, April 16, at 10 a.m. Friday, April 23, at 10 a.m. Friday, April 30, at 10 a.m.

Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy. Monday, April 5, at 10 a.m. Monday, April 12, at 10 a.m. Monday, April 19, at 10 a.m. Monday, April 26, at 10 a.m.

Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road. Tuesday, April 6, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 13, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, at 10 a.m.

American Muslim Community Services, 4800 S. Saginaw St. Saturday, April 10, at 9 a.m.



Flint residents can also pick up free nutritional food at the three Flint Help Center locations:

Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Highway, open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays; Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road, open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Highway, open Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Information about additional food distributions will be announced as they are scheduled. To check food distribution schedules, visit the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan website at FBEM.org and find the updated schedule on the Mobile Pantry Distribution page, or call 810-239-4441.

# # #
Canada Life and Flybits collaborate on personalized insurance experiences Together, weve built an incredible platform that will undoubtedly further our commitment to supporting our customers health and well-being.

Flybits, the leading digital experience platform for financial services, has announced the successful launch of data-driven, contextual personalization on Canada Lifes GroupNet app. In 2020, Canada Life launched personalized offers with the objective of delivering high-impact experiences to its customers through their app.

When we teamed up with Flybits, we were looking for a new and innovative way to connect and service our customers as we continue our digitalization journey, says Ryan Weiss, Vice-President of Product and Experience at Canada Life. Together, weve built an incredible platform that will undoubtedly further our commitment to supporting our customers health and well-being.

Since its launch, Canada Life has deployed dozens of such experiences including the Best Doctors program, credit counseling, and several initiatives to promote health and wellness. Through these notifications, customers can learn more about their benefits and save time and money. For instance, they can receive reminders to use their wellness account, sign up for direct deposit, download their benefits card to their mobile device, and more.

Canada Life has taken a bold step in its digital transformation efforts, offering their customers data-driven digital experiences that few organizations in their industry are providing today, says Brian Jamieson, Chief Operating Officer at Flybits. Its exciting to be part of their journey as one of the first insurance companies in the world to offer this degree of customer engagement at scale.

In the coming year, Canada Life will initiate additional, contextually-aware experiences that will continue to support their customers well-being.

Media Contacts

Jannine Krish

Director of Marketing, Flybits

Telephone: +1 416 666 3707

Email: jannine.krish@flybits.com

About Flybits

Flybits is the leading customer experience platform for the financial services sector, delivering personalization at scale. With the most advanced capabilities in the market, its enterprise-level solution brings relevant content, products, offers, and information to a banks digital channels based on what each individual customer needs in the moments that matter. With Flybits, banks are able to design, launch, and measure data-driven consumer experiences that deliver the right information to the right customer at the right time, while preserving their privacy.

For more information, visit http://www.flybits.com.

About The Canada Life Assurance Company

Canada Life is a leading insurance, wealth management and benefits provider focused on improving the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. For more than 170 years, individuals, families and business owners across Canada have trusted us to provide sound guidance and deliver on the promises weve made.

On January 1, 2020, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life became one company  Canada Life, and today, we proudly serve more than 12 million customer relationships from coast to coast to coast.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
[March 30, 2021] LED CHINA 2021 Launched 1 to 1 Online Business Matching Service for Overseas Buyers

GUANGZHOU, China, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LED CHINA 2021 will be held during 14-16 April at Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, to provide more precise and comprehensive service for overseas VIP buyers, the organizer launched VIP Buyer Program and provide 1 to 1 online business matching service. Founded in 2005, LED CHINA is the initiator of international LED exhibition in the world and has been recognized as the benchmark of the global LED industry. The exhibition features 7 main topics and presents an "all-in-one" trading platform that comprises the vertical sectors extending from LED and LED displays, including LED display, LED lighting, pro sound & light, conference integrated systems, AV integration, digital signage, commercial displays. To meet the challenge of global travel restrictions, LED CHINA 2021 will be held both virtually and psychically. At LED CHINA Live virtual platform, online visitors will be able to enjoy the same visiting experience as offline visitor. To learn more information about the online show, please click: www.ledchina.com/en/virtual-led-china/



Besides the virtual platform, the organizer also improved VIP buyer service for 2021, VIP Buyer Program is exclusively designed for key buyers and senior decision makers from the show related industry. For those who have specific sourcing needs or purchasing plans. the organizer offers 1 to 1 customized service to help buyers fast connect with suppliers/exhibitors. Free privileges and amenities will be served to accelerate their sourcing efficiency.

As the core service from VIP Buyer Program, 1 to 1 Online Business Matching will be able to Free overseas buyers from the hassles of finding, evaluating, and arranging meetings with potential suppliers. As the leading Industry show, LED CHINA provides a FREE customized business matching service which will help overseas buyers to save time and connects overseas buyers with verified suppliers that fit their sourcing requirements. With the customized business matching service, overseas buyer can just sit back and relax as our dedicated team will handle the time-consuming work for overseas buyer  from screening suppliers to arranging meetings. Through the new online service, overseas buyer can do business in no time and without boundaries. To join 1 to 1 Online Business Matching, click https://informamarkets.wjx.cn/vj/wFUCbeE.aspx to submit sourcing demands. About LED CHINA: Established in 2005, LED CHINA is the initiator of international LED exhibition in the world. Being the benchmark of the global LED industrial chain, LED CHINA Shenzhen is devoted to build a one-stop trading platform with a wide range of LED related products, LED applications in different industrial fields. (For more, visit: www.LEDChina.com) Check LED CHINA 2021 Exhibitor List: http://public.informamarketstrust.com/en/exhibitor_list/sz2021/9.html About the Organiser: Informa Markets Trust, a joint venture of Informa Markets. Informa Markets is a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B event organizer in the world. It has over 11,000 staff and provides business service to over 40 countries for more than 50 different industries. Over 500 leading exhibitions across the globe are organised by Informa Markets SOURCE LED CHINA

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KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Caravan Health is continuing its commitment to reducing barriers to entry for rural providers in value-based care by offering no cost and no-risk entry into a Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO for January 2022. CMS has delayed the request for applications for the ACO Transformation Track of CMS' new Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) model from spring 2021 to spring 2022, meaning that federal CHART funding will not be available for ACOs that start in January 2022. Caravan's offering will bridge this gap with a no-cost, no-risk accountable care opportunity.

With Caravan Health, rural providers can benefit from Caravan's long expertise in rural value-based payment without delay. Caravan has experience in this area, having supported more than half the small rural ACOs in the ACO Investment Model (AIM), which saved more than $380 million from 2016 to 2018 for Medicare.

"While we are disappointed that CMS has delayed the start of the ACO Track of CHART, we intend to keep our commitment and offer a no fee, no risk option for rural providers to bring the benefits of accountable care to their communities with Caravan Health in 2022, transitioning to CHART when it becomes available," said Tim Gronniger, Caravan Health CEO and President.

Tim Gronniger and Caravan's Founder Lynn Barr are hosting a webinar this Thursday, April 1 at 4:00pm EST to learn more about Caravan's new offering and to discuss eligibility. Register here for more information.

About Caravan Health:

Caravan Health is a privately held company formed to create a sustainable model for health systems to excel in value-based payment models. Today, Caravan Health's team of more than 150 experts has supported more than 300 health systems with training, data, analytics, patient satisfaction surveys, and evidence-based medicine programs. Through its program of transparency and mutual accountability, Caravan Health has delivered more than 10 times the national average in real savings since 2015. In 2019 and 2020, Caravan Health partners earned $300 million in Medicare savings, over $120 million in shared savings and earned quality scores exceeding 94%. With Caravan Health, now the numbers work.

For more information visit www.caravanhealth.com.

SOURCE Caravan Health

Related Links

https://caravanhealth.com




Leigh King, from North Lanarkshire in Scotland, claimed her skin almost flared up after she got her first dose two weeks ago - and it still hurts today. The hairdresser was called for the jab because she is the only caregiver of Aidan, her 13 year old autistic son. Ms King said she could no longer watch the teenager because of her burning rashes

The Uncommon Side Effects

she said she had visited the hospital for assistance three times but was turned down by doctors despite the pain being too much that she was 'barely able to walk' on the last visit.

Britain's drug regulator lists hives as an 'uncommon' side effect gotten from the AstraZeneca jab, affecting up to one in 100 people - and 3,795 cases has been recorded so far. It is not clear if she suffered an allergic reaction to the jab, or if her rash was due to the natural overreaction of her immune system to the jab .

It doesn't list them as a possible reaction to the Pfizer vaccine but some thousand Britons also reported suffering from a rash after getting that jab. More than 34 million jabs are dispensed in the UK so far, with the majority being provided by AstraZeneca.

Also Read: COVID-19 Update : The Race to Keep Up with the Ventilator Demand

The Rashes Appeared to be Hive-like

British dermatologists said the rashes in nature looked hive-like and could be triggered by 'a number of other causes rather than the vaccine itself'. The NHS website says rashes can be triggered by food allergies, insect bites, and cold exposure.

She was still suffering from pain two weeks later, after getting her first dose of the jab on March 12. Ms King said she waited 48 hours before seeking treatment from doctors, in accordance with medical advice, but turned away each time. She is now waiting for a skin specialist to examine her.

Ms King added that she was not against vaccines but felt that she had been 'failed at every level' and that her case had not been followed up appropriately. It's not clear if AstraZeneca triggered its skin reaction - but it's a known side effect.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says all jabs go through a rigorous quality inspection to make sure they are safe before they are approved.

Yellow Card System

Officials ask anyone suffering from any health problems after they being vaccinated to report it to their Yellow Card system in case they have any major side-effects. The list shows rashes recorded both for the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines - the latter having 2,602 cases recorded since the first dose was discarded in December.

British Skin Foundation expert and Dermatologist consultant at Royal Free Hospital in London, Dr Adil Sheraz reported that the rash could have been caused by other factors.

'The issue here is of course very unfortunate and could be secondary to the vaccine, or more likely to one of the constituent that make up the vaccine,' he said to MailOnline.

Related Article: Dealing with Panic Attacks in Times of COVID-19

For more news, updates about the COVID-19 vaccine and similar stories don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Electric vehicles, transit and other forms of transportation could benefit significantly from a massive infrastructure and jobs creation plan put forward by President Joe Biden.The infrastructure proposal , known as The American Jobs Plan , is set to be released by the president today in Pittsburgh, Pa. With a price tag of some $2 trillion, the initiative will be one of the most significant public investments in the nations roads, bridges, tunnels, railways and transportation systems seen in generations.The American Jobs Plan, said Biden, is the biggest increase in our federal non-defense research and development spending on record.Its going to boost Americas innovative edge, he said on Wednesday, speaking from Pennsylvania.The American Jobs Plan would unfold over eight years, and represents the first phase of a two-part agenda to grow the U.S. economy, totaling some $4 trillion over the course of 10 years. Biden has proposed raising taxes on the very rich and corporations to help pay for the plan.President Bidens plan is the most visionary proposal for the nations transportation network since the dawn of the interstate highway system, said Janette Sadik-Khan, chair of the National Association of City Transportation Officials, in a statement. Rather than doubling down on building new roads that worsen Americas safety, climate, and equity crises, the Administration is laying the transformational groundwork to rebuild the streets that we have to prioritize people, safety and climateand going all-in on transit as the first mobility option for Americas future.Aside from shoring up the countrys aging and declining infrastructure, Biden hopes to use the federal government as an agent for jobs creation, and place the United States on a path toward more sustainable transportation as the administration takes on the causes of climate change.The American Jobs Plan will lead to transformational progress in order to tackle climate change with American jobs and American ingenuity, said Biden.The White House is proposing $174 billion in incentives to spur the domestic development of electric cars, provide for consumer purchase incentives and move to build out a national network of a half-million EV chargers by 2030.The presidents plan would invest some $651 billion in transportation infrastructure to modernize 20,000 miles of roads and highways, and upgrade thousands of bridges, according to a briefing report released by the White House. It would help to upgrade the nations public transit systems, sending them $85 billion, and would mothball 50,000 diesel transit vehicles, replacing them with electric vehicles.The proposal would also invest in freight and rail service, sectors that have rarely received much attention in the past. The president is calling on Congress to invest $80 billion toward Amtraks maintenance and repair backlog.The American Jobs Plan will build new rail corridors and transit lines, easing congestion, cutting pollution, slashing commute times, said Biden.Ports, waterways and airports would not be left out. The White House is proposing an investment of $42 billion toward upgrades and modernization.Equity also gets significant attention in Bidens infrastructure proposal, as the president urges Congress to put aside $20 billion for a new program which would reconnect neighborhoods cut off by historic investments and ensure new projects increase opportunity, advance racial equity and environmental justice, and promote affordable access, according to the plan.The Jobs Plan follows the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan , recently signed into law to help the nation dig out of the COVID-19 recession. It passed with no Republican support, a sign of the possibly chilly reception the infrastructure plan may encounter when it arrives on Capitol Hill.
Nearly two-thirds of the aircraft flying off U.S. Navy carriers could be unmanned someday, including the possibility of drone fighter jets, a top aviation leader said this week.

Like the Air Force, the Navy will take a "family of systems" approach to its next-generation air dominance, or NGAD, program, which will use aircraft, sensors and other equipment that complement one another and work together to stave off threats, Rear Adm. Gregory Harris, the chief of naval operations' air warfare directorate, said during a Navy League event Tuesday.

"We expect that that family of systems will be a combination of manned and unmanned right now, notionally looking at and driving toward an air wing that has a 40-60 unmanned/manned split. And over time ... shift that to a 60-40 unmanned/manned split," Harris said.

Read Next: Armed Services Committee Lawmaker May Quit Early to Take Job at Newsmax

The effort will "try to drive an air wing that is at least 50% or more unmanned over time," he added.

The approach will center on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's follow-on aircraft, which the Navy is studying now, Harris said. The service is weighing whether the fighter, known as F/A-XX for the time being, will be manned, unmanned or partially autonomous, he explained.

"We truly see NGAD as more than just a single aircraft," he said, echoing the Air Force's plan.

Air Force officials have said NGAD defies traditional categorization as a single aircraft platform or technology. Instead, it's made up of a network of advanced fighter aircraft, sensors and weapons, and could also include fighters and autonomous drones fighting side-by-side.

Harris said the Navy is whimsically referring to its drone pairing concept as a "little buddy," which would act as an air-to-air sidekick and potentially an electronic warfare platform.

"Could it be an adjunct advanced early warning platform? We'll have to replace the [E-2D Hawkeye] at some point in the future," he said, referring to the carrier-capable airborne early warning aircraft.

Many of these decisions are predicated on the performance of the MQ-25 Stingray, the Navy's new unmanned refueling aircraft, the admiral said.

Service leaders announced in November that they want to base a squadron of 20 MQ-25A tanker drones, which they expect to revolutionize carrier air wings, at Naval Base Ventura County in Point Mugu, California. The Navy is studying how the drone -- capable of refueling aircraft in flight, and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations -- amplifies carrier air wing operations.

"Just think about the complexity of the rules of the road for a surface vessel," Harris said. He added that humans may be the ones who have to err on the side of caution -- not necessarily the drones.

"It may be the manned aircraft interpreting what the unmanned aircraft is doing, incorrectly," he said. "We just have to get down to the rehearsal piece of operating in and around all those other aircraft."

The Navy revealed last year that it has established its own NGAD program office in an effort to speed up the fielding of a new fighter prior to the 2030s, according to USNI News.

The service is conducting separate studies for the F/A-XX follow-on and EA-18G Growler replacement aircraft, Harris said Tuesday.

In September, the Air Force revealed it had quietly built and flown a brand-new prototype that could become a future advanced fighter jet -- or something more, as part of its own "family of systems" initiative.

The NGAD program is being developed alongside the service's future fighter road map.

In the ongoing "TacAir study," Air Force officials are trying to determine the right mix of aircraft for the future inventory and assessing how future fighter concepts will fit into the current mix of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters.

-- Gina Harkins contributed to this report.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214.

Related: The Air Force May Soon Be Shopping for a New Fighter Jet
Angela Merkel last night defended Germany's decision to ban Oxford/AstraZeneca shots for under-60s as she and Emmanuel Macron made overtures to Vladimir Putin to get Moscow's Sputnik V jab into the EU.

The chancellor insisted that 'trust stems from the knowledge that every suspicion, every individual case will be examined' after 31 cases of a rare blood clot were found among 2.7million people who have had the jab in Germany.

But surveys show that public trust in the vaccine has slumped in EU nations during a months-long back-and-forth over the jab, which experts from the UK, WHO and EU have found to be safe and effective in preventing Covid-19.

With the AstraZeneca roll-out once again mired in chaos, Merkel and Macron last night discussed co-operating with the Kremlin to produce Sputnik V within the EU in what would amount to a major propaganda coup for Putin.

Some politicians in Germany have already called for Sputnik V to be approved as the AstraZeneca row hampers a jab programme already struggling to pick up the pace across the EU.

Merkel, who is 66 and a trained scientist, said she is open to getting the AstraZeneca jab herself, adding that 'the possibility of me being vaccinated is nearing'.

'I have said when it is my turn, I will get vaccinated, including with AstraZeneca,' she said.

Angela Merkel (pictured)last night defended Germany's decision to ban Oxford/AstraZeneca shots for under-60s, prolonging the EU's back-and-forth over the shots

GERMANY'S ASTRAZENECA FLOUNDERING January 29 - UNDER-65s ONLY: When the EU's medicines agency approves the AstraZeneca jab, German vaccine chiefs say there is too little data on older people to allow it for over-65s March 4 - ALL AGE GROUPS: The ban on over-65s is lifted after data from England and Scotland shows the jab is highly effective in preventing hospitalisation in older people March 15 - TOTAL SUSPENSION: Germany joins more than a dozen European countries in banning the shots altogether over sporadic reports of blood clots March 18 - JABS RESUME: EU regulators give their verdict that the jab is safe and the benefits outweigh the risks, prompting Germany to resume injections March 30 - OVER-60s ONLY: In a 180-degree U-turn from its earlier position, Germany is now only making the jab available for older people because most blood clots are in younger patients Advertisement

France already limits the use of the AstraZeneca jab to those aged over 55 while Canada this week imposed a similar restriction.

But several EU nations are using the jab without such restrictions following the European Medicines Agency (EMA)'s ruling that it is safe, including Italy, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Portugal.

Asked if there was a need to look again at the use of the jab in the UK, cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said today that 'no, we don't, we're 100 per cent

'That's borne out by study after study, by our own independent world-class regulators and by recent research, for example, by Public Health England that's shown that thousands of people's lives have been saved since the start of this year alone thanks to our vaccine programme,' he told Sky News.

'People should continue to go forward, get the vaccine, I certainly will when my time comes, it is a safe vaccine and the UK's vaccine rollout is saving people's lives right across the country every day."

In Italy, Prime Minister Mario Draghi and his wife, who are both 73, have received their first dose of AstraZeneca to show confidence in the vaccine.

The new reports which have spooked German regulators consist of 31 cases of the unusual blood clot known as a sinus vein thrombosis, with nine deaths.

Out of these 31 cases, 29 were in women aged 20 to 63, while two of them were in men aged 39 and 56.

EU regulators say it is not proven whether such blood clots are being caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine, though they say it cannot be ruled out.

But Germany's vaccine commission, STIKO, recommended that the jabs be halted for under-60s because of 'currently available data on the occurrence of rare but very severe thromboembolic side effects'.

STIKO's verdict was accepted by the German government and the health ministers of the 16 states on Thursday, after some areas including Berlin and Munich had already moved to limit jabs.

'They are findings that STIKO and finally us, cannot ignore,' Merkel said.

This chart shows how Britain is still racing ahead of the EU in vaccinating its population against Covid-19, more than three months after the continent started its jab programme

WHAT NEW EVIDENCE PROMPTED GERMANY'S U-TURN ON ASTRAZENECA'S JAB? German health chiefs based their vaccine ban on 31 reports of a rare type of brain blood clot called cerebral sinus vein thrombosis (CSVT). Twenty-nine of the cases have been in women and two in men, all of them under the age of 65. These clots are the same as the handful of cases that caused widespread European suspensions of the jab earlier this month and had a link to the vaccine ruled out by European regulators. The Germans are not known to have any more evidence to suggest that the vaccine might be causing the clots, but appear to have been spooked by the cases appearing. Cerebral sinus vein thrombosis (CSVT) is an extremely rare type of blood clot in the brain. It occurs when the vein that drains blood from the brain is blocked by a blood clot, resulting in potentially deadly bleeding or a stroke. Symptoms can quickly deteriorate from a headache, blurred vision and faintness to complete loss of control over movement and seizures. John Hopkins University estimates it affects five in a million people in the US every year, which would suggest 330 patients in Britain suffer from the condition annually. According to the university, it can affect patients with low blood pressure, cancer, vascular diseases and those prone to blood clotting. Head injuries can also trigger the condition. Britain's regulator said CSVT is so rare they aren't even sure how common it is in the general population. Advertisement

Rudolf Henke, an MP in Merkel's party and member of a health committee in the German Bundestag, told BBC Radio 4 that the commission was 'checking the cases which have been reported'.

'The reports have increased during the last two weeks and that is the reason of that intervention,' he said.

'We are looking at all the substances with the same kind of vigilance, we are vigilant to all cases.'

Asked whether the blood clot scares were specific to AstraZeneca's jab rather than linked to other vaccines as well, he said: 'That is our knowledge so far'.

One Berlin hospital, the prestigious Charite clinic, had earlier made an even more specific ruling by banning the vaccine for women under 55 because of the blood clot fears.

STIKO now intends to make another recommendation by the end of April on how to proceed with people under 60 who have already received a first dose of the vaccine.

Ministers said people who are due for their second jab can either choose to take it if cleared by their doctor, or they can opt to wait for the commission to deliver its verdict.

Other under-60s can still decide to take the vaccine following consultation with their doctor, the government says.

Health chiefs also looking into the possibility of administering a second shot with a different vaccine.

In Britain, which has been giving out AstraZeneca shots at full steam since December, Downing Street has stressed that the jab is 'safe, effective and has already saved thousands of lives'.

But confusion has reigned across the EU, with France making similar U-turns to Germany and Spain last night making another change by expanding the use of the jab to over-65s.

With Brussels also complaining about a shortage of AstraZeneca supplies, some politicians in the bloc have warmed to the idea of reaching out to Moscow for its Sputnik V jab.

Named after the Soviet space satellites of the Cold War, the jab was widely ignored in the West after being prematurely registered last year but the tide has turned after clinical trials suggested it was highly effective.

In its readout of the call with Macron and Merkel, the Kremlin said the three leaders had talked about prospects for registering of Sputnik V in the EU and the possibility of joint production inside the bloc.

Merkel and Macron's offices said they had discussed opportunities for co-operation in an otherwise frosty call, noting that Sputnik V would be evaluated by the same standards as other vaccines.

The EMA started a rolling review of Sputnik V earlier this month, but has yet to reach a conclusion.

Russia has been actively marketing Sputnik V abroad despite a slow pace of its rollout at home, in what was seen as an attempt to score geopolitical points.

Macron (left), Putin (right) and Merkel discussed 'cooperation', which would see the Sputnik jab made used in the European Union once regulators give it the go-ahead

The latest German U-turn comes with Merkel already under pressure over chaotic lockdown rules and spiralling infection rates in a country which was once seen as a star performer during the pandemic.

In the space of barely two months, Germany has banned the vaccine for over-65s, then cleared it for all age groups, then suspended it altogether, then resumed it again, only to now scale it back again.

British MPs called the German decisions 'ludicrous' and said they 'reek of total confusion', adding that regulators have repeatedly said the jab is safe and the rollout is urgent.

Scientists insist the risk of blood clots is no higher than in the general population, but Canada has also pressed ahead with a surprise ban on giving it to under-55s.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, said: 'There is no evidence that there is a problem but even if there was then you're reducing what, at worst, is a tiny risk and imposing a bigger one by not giving people the protection of a vaccine.'

He added that people who were more worried about the minute possibility of a blood clot than they were of Covid-19 'have their priorities all wrong'.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said that tens of millions of people worldwide have received its vaccines and noted the European Medicines Agency's conclusion that the benefits of the shot outweigh the risks.

The company said it would continue to work with German authorities to address any questions they might have, while also analysing its own records to understand whether the rare blood clots reported occur more commonly 'than would be expected naturally in a population of millions of people.'

The 31 clots spooking German officials are the condition that first worried regulators, known as cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT).

Most of them have been in younger women but the AstraZeneca vaccinations have been stopped for both men and women. People can still get the Pfizer and Moderna jabs that are being used on the continent.

CSVT is a rare clot in a vein draining blood from the brain that, left untreated, can cause a life-threatening brain haemorrhage or stroke.

It was this condition that panicked European drug regulators earlier in March but the EMA found no proof the jab was causing it. Scientists and politicians slammed Germany's move as a backwards step going over old ground.

Germany, as with many other countries on the Continent, has a spiralling infection rate amid a third wave of the virus

Deaths in Germany appear to still be declining from a second peak but are likely to tick up again within weeks in the wake of surging infection numbers

Dr Clarke told MailOnline: 'Whenever you do these things you need to have a reason to do them. It's all a balance of risk.

'There is no evidence that there is a problem but, even if there was, then you're reducing what, at worst, is a tiny risk and imposing a bigger one by not giving people the protection of a vaccine.

'People still get on airplanes and we know that there is a real risk of blood clotting if you're sat on a plane for hours, but people still do it because they want to go on holiday.

Spain extends AstraZeneca vaccine jabs to over 65s Spain's health ministry announced Tuesday that it was extending the roll-out of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to the over-65s, after recent scientific reassurances about its safety. The vaccine, restricted until now to the 55-to-65 age group, will now be made available to over-65s in priority groups such as health workers, police officers or teachers. 'In respect of the AstraZeneca vaccine, given the new scientific evidence ... the age limit is raised,' said a ministry statement Tuesday evening. Spain was among a number of European Union countries that suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this month after reports of blood clots in a very small number of people. But they resumed its use last week after the both the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency gave the vaccine a clean bill of health. Several countries are nevertheless taking precautions. Germany said Tuesday it should only be in general use for the over-60s: anyone under that age could only take it after consulting with their doctor about the risks. Spain has already cleared other vaccines for use among the over 65s. Spain is one of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus, having suffered more than 75,000 deaths. Advertisement

'So if people are more concerned about blood clots than they are Covid, I'd say they have their priorities all wrong.

'You have to wonder what the thinking is. Are they being entirely up front? Because it just doesn't make sense as it is presented. Maybe they know something they're not letting on.'

Berlin's state health minister, Dilek Kalayci, said 'everyone who has already received a first jab of AstraZeneca has very good protection' but that there were new worries about possible side effects.

As a result, all upcoming appointments for the vaccine would be cancelled in Berlin for the coming days.

Senior Tory backbencher Peter Bone said the decision to ban the drug 'reeks of total confusion within the European Union'.

'One thing is for sure, while the majority of our adult population has had its first jabs only a fraction in Europe have,' he said.

'None of it makes any logical sense, they seem to be in total confusion. The medical advice is that it does a great job.'

He added: 'My constituents are very happy to have it and if the Germans don't want it, send it over to us, we will use it, no problem.'

Another Tory MP said: 'This is ludicrous. The WHO has said it is perfectly safe. The EMA has said it is safe. Our regulator has said it is safe.

'It does look very much like a vendetta that the EU is maintaining both against AstraZeneca, because they are adhering to their contract, and the UK, out of spite.'

A Government spokesperson said: 'The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, effective and has already saved thousands of lives in this country. As the UK's independent regulator has said, when people are called forward, they should get the jab.

'Over 30million people have already received their first dose of a vaccine, and we are on track to offer jabs to all over 50s by 15 April and all adults by the end of July.'

Vaccine regulators in the UK saw five cases after the first 11million people had been vaccinated  a rate of around one per 2.2million.

This was lower than an estimate by Johns Hopkins University in the US which suggests CSVT affects around five people per million each year.

If left untreated it can cause blood vessels to burst when pressure builds up, causing a haemorrhage and stroke.

Symptoms may include a severe headache, blurred vision, losing consciousness or seizures.

Blood clots are reported as part of a routine system of logging every health problem that someone has after a vaccine to see if there are any trends.

Women under 55 will not get the AstraZeneca jab at a top German hospital because of fears of blood clots, despite EU regulators' ruling earlier this month that the vaccine is safe

Slovakian Premier and Government resign over Russian vaccine deal Slovakia's prime minister Igor Matovic and his government have resigned to ease a political crisis triggered by a secret deal to buy Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. It is the first European government to collapse due to its handling of the pandemic but the move will keep the four-party coalition in power and avoid the possibility of an early election. The coalition holds a comfortably parliamentary majority. President Zuzana Caputova accepted the resignation and asked Eduard Heger from Mr Matovic's Ordinary People party to form a new government. Mr Heger served as finance minister and deputy prime minister in the outgoing government. Mr Matovic, who had announced on Sunday that he would be making the move, is expected to assume the post in the new government. The crisis erupted when a secret deal came to light at the beginning of March involving Slovakia's agreement to acquire two million doses of Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine. The populist prime minister orchestrated the deal despite disagreement among his coalition partners. With few changes, Mr Heger's cabinet is expected to be the same as Mr Matovic's. The president could swear it in as soon as this week. Advertisement

The Charite hospital in Berlin, which employs 19,000 people at its clinics, ordered the new ban along with a handful of other healthcare providers in Germany, including another Berlin hospital group which also operates care homes.

A Charite spokeswoman that none of their staff had suffered any complications after around 16,000 jabs were handed out to hospital workers, mainly AstraZeneca ones.

But the clinic nonetheless claims that the ban is 'necessary because in the meantime further cerebral venous thromboses have come to light in women in Germany'.

One such case was a 47-year-old woman who reportedly died after developing a blood clot in the brain, although no link to the vaccine has been proven.

There was another case of a 28-year-old woman who developed a thrombosis after having the jab, but was said to be in a stable condition. Again no link to the vaccine was made.

Authorities in the district of Euskirchen said they had informed health authorities in Berlin about the two cases and stopped jabs for women under 55 in the meantime.

Others to have imposed the same women-only ban included university hospital in nearby Cologne, according to media reports.

EU regulators examined a series of reported blood clots across Europe earlier this month and found there was no increased risk, saying the number of clotting problems was actually lower than in the general population.

Safety experts at the European Medicines Agency said that 'most of these occurred in people under 55 and the majority were women'.

But they did not recommend limiting use of the jab, saying the blood clots were 'very rare cases' and that the benefits of preventing Covid-19 were greater than the risks.

France has since broken with the EMA's guidance and banned over-55s from having the vaccine, in a 180-degree turn from its earlier position.

In addition, Canadian health officials said on Monday that they would stop giving the jab to under-55s and ordered a new analysis of the risks based on age and gender.

'There is substantial uncertainty about the benefit of providing AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines to adults under 55 given the potential risks,' claimed Dr Shelley Deeks of Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

The Charite hospital in Berlin, a prestigious clinic which has previously treated Angela Merkel and Alexei Navalny among others, announced the ban on Tuesday

RESEARCHERS CLAIM IMMUNE SYSTEM REACTION TRIGGERS CLOTS Research teams in Germany and Norway claim the blood clotting issue may be caused by the jab, in very rare cases, causing the body to attack its own blood platelets. Platelets are tiny chunks of cells that the body uses to build blood clots when someone is injured, to stop them losing too much blood. But they are also components of unwanted clots. Experts from Oslo and Greifswald University believe the jab could cause the body to produce antibodies normally used to fight off viruses  which mistake platelets in the blood for foreign invaders and attack them. To compensate, the body then overproduces platelets, causing the blood to thicken and raising the risk of clotting. They admitted they 'don't know why this is happening'. But the researchers say the phenomenon is similar to one that can occur in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when sufferers take a drug called heparin. Experts say the condition has not been proven to be caused by the jab and may simply be showing up just because millions of people are being vaccinated and reporting their health conditions. They added that, if spotted early, it could be diagnosed with a simple blood test and quickly treated with blood-thinners. They stressed that even if the clots do turn out to be caused by the vaccine they are still extremely rare. Advertisement

The repeated U-turns and doubts raised by top officials have been blamed in part for the low uptake of the AstraZeneca shot, which was approved in the EU in January.

Germany has received more than 3.8million doses of AstraZeneca despite the EU's ongoing row with the firm over supplies.

But only 2.7million of these have been used, with fewer than 1,000 getting two doses - leaving more than a million shots lying unwanted.

Recognising the jab's poor image, German officials have sought to boost uptake by reassuring the population that the vaccine is safe and effective.

But a poll published last week showed that some 55 per cent of Germans regarded the AstraZeneca jab as unsafe in the wake of the blood clot row.

The position was even worse in France where 61 per cent said it was unsafe, weeks after Emmanuel Macron claimed it was 'quasi-ineffective' in older people.

By contrast, in Britain - which has never suspended use of the jab or limited it to certain age groups - only nine per cent said the AstraZeneca jab was unsafe.

The EU's jab roll-out remains far slower than Britain's more than three months after the bloc started vaccinating, leaving it vulnerable to a third wave.

Germany has given a first dose to barely 10 per cent of its population, reaching only 9.2million people compared to more than 30million in Britain.

While Germany has given higher priority to second doses than Britain, it is still barely ahead by that measure with 4.0million people fully vaccinated compared to 3.7million in the UK.

The slow progress means that nearly 90 per cent of Germans remain unvaccinated as infections climb rapidly in a resurgence blamed partly on the British variant.

Millions of Germans are facing tough new restrictions as cases rise, although Angela Merkel is struggling to persuade regional leaders to implement the new rules.

The chancellor last week had to abandon plans for an ultra-strict Easter lockdown which had been widely criticised as impractical.

France is also seeing a rapid increase in cases, which has already forced ministers to throw the Paris region back into full lockdown after months of a nationwide curfew.

The number of patients in French intensive care units yesterday surpassed the worst point of the country's last coronavirus surge in the autumn of 2020.
press release

The findings and recommendations of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Report on the social economic impact assessment of COVID-19 in Mauritius are currently being scrutinised at the level of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, and corrective actions, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, will be initiated as soon as possible.

This statement was made by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, at the National Assembly, yesterday. She said that the report was developed with the technical leadership and financial support of the UNDP as part of the advocacy efforts of the wider United Nations system, led by the Resident Coordinator, to support the socio-economic response and recovery efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, which was released on 2 March 2021, provided an initial assessment of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Mauritius.

The Minister affirmed that from a gender perspective, the report highlighted that an overview of the trends, across the lockdown and its aftermath, revealed a nuanced picture. Hence, at first sight during the lockdown, female employment showed a more important decline than male employment as at May 2020. However, female employment increased considerably by 7% between May and June 2020, and between June and July 2020, she indicated.

According to Mrs Koonjoo-Shah, the severity of the impact known to be happening elsewhere still appeared to be mitigated in Mauritius. She added that, the success handling of the crisis and the relatively short stalling of the economic activities and the recovery which the country has subsequently witnessed has, to a large extent, cushioned the impact in terms of female employment, except for some sectors which have been particularly vulnerable to the lockdown such as retail and tourism activities.
Dublin retail technology firm eShopWorld has been sold in a deal thats likely to value the business at about 1bn.

Founder and biggest shareholder Tommy Kellys decade old business has been wholly acquired by Asendia, a joint venture between units of Frances La Poste and La Poste Suisse. Asendia has been a shareholder since 2013 and had raised its stake in the business to 50.1pc in 2017.

Mr Kelly (61), whos chief executive, still owned the bulk of the remainder of eShopWorld, meaning he is likely to have reaped about 500m from the sale. The price has not been disclosed but a valuation of at least 1bn is likely.

Read More

eShopWorld works with retailers across the world, such as Nike, Calvin Klein and Victorias Secret, to help them localise their websites for about 200 markets.

Its technology helps to handle a range of services for clients, from dealing with taxes and tariffs, to delivery, returns, fraud protection and data security.

With headquarters in the north Dublin suburb of Swords, which are leased from Ryanair beside the airlines own base, eShopWorld employs about 500 people. It also has offices in the United States and Singapore.

The firm was on track to generate revenue of close to 1bn last year, as it benefited from a surge in online shopping due to the Covid pandemic.

Mr Kellys farming family hails from Ballyboughal in north Dublin, and the businessman had originally intended to follow that career, having studied agriculture.

He established eShopworld after leading TwoWay Vanguard, which was one of Irelands biggest transportation groups. He had founded that business with his brother in 1998. It was acquired in 2006 by Dubai-based logistics firm Aramex.

Mr Kelly and other senior management will remain with eShopWorld (ESW) following its sale, and the business will continue as a standalone entity.

This is a significant endorsement of ESW growth, sustainability and success in embracing the structural shift in favour of online shopping, said Mr Kelly. The recently concluded transaction marks a deepening commitment by Asendia who have been a highly supportive partner and provider of complementary e-commerce services".

Asendia chief executive Marc Pontet said that ESW has focused on making e-commerce frictionless, regardless of location, making it a coherent, strategic choice to make the Irish firm part of Asendia.

The move dovetails with our overarching aim to make worldwide e-commerce simple and reliable, and is a significant step in making this vision a reality, he said.

Mr Kelly praised what he said was ESWs exceptional workforce and Asendia's involvement in the business.

ESW is well poised for continuing growth and innovation, to better serve a growing demand for trusted online shopping, he said.

The firm expects to double the 1bn in turnover it generated last year in coming years.

The company behind eShopWorld made a 6m operating profit in 2019, the latest year for which accounts are publicly available.
The French Embassy in partnership with the World Health Organization and Papua New Guinea authorities has delivered 60 tents to assist PNG in its fight against COVID-19.

The French Aircraft CASA 235 arrived in Port Moresby yesterday from New Caledonia to deliver the tents.

This is the first batch of supplies of France assistance to PNG.

French Ambassador Guillaume Lemoine welcomed the arrival of the tents accompanied by a New Caledonia representative to PNG, Alexandre Lafargue.

The tents will be used to set up testing spots and other COVID-19 related purposes in the country.

The tents were sourced from Frenchs repositioned strategic stock in Noumea, established to bring assistance under the France agreement to countries in the region affected by the crises.

The French government is working closely with the PNG authorities and the other partners to combat the pandemic in PNG.

The next shipment will arrive next week from Paris with other equipment, and supplies such as PPE, 30,000 antigen tests, oxygen therapy-related devices such as oxygen generators, and high-concentration oxygen masks among other transportable ventilation devices.

France will also assist in transporting and delivering the supplies within PNG especially those that are difficult to be reached by vehicle or plane.

This assistance is organized from Paris under the supervision of the Crisis and Support Centre of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

NBC News / ONE PNG





Next : UNICEF specialist confident PNG's health system can withstand COVID-19 onslaught
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 78F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.
MEDFORD, Ore.  The Medford Police Department on Wednesday identified a man found dead on the Bear Creek Greenway near Railroad Park last week. Detectives have been investigating the case as an apparent homicide.

An autopsy on the body was completed on Tuesday, MPD said. The manner of death was ruled as a homicide, with the cause of death described as "homicidal violence."

"Details of the exact cause of death are not being disclosed at this time, to maintain the integrity of the investigation," the agency said.

The victim was identified as 46-year-old Aaron Michael Mather. His next of kin have been notified.

Medford Police said that Mather was "well known" to police officers. He was homeless, and tended to camp in the area where his body was located.

Officers originally responded around 10:15 a.m. on Friday to a report of a body found in the area north of Railroad Park. The officers confirmed that there was a body, located about 75 yards off the bike path between the path and Bear Creek.

"Based on the circumstances of the scene, the case is being treated as a homicide," MPD said in a brief statement at the time.

Medford Police detectives were assisted at the scene by the Oregon State Police Crime Lab and the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office.

At the end of February, Medford Police launched an investigation after a homeless man's body was discovered about 150 yards north of Railroad Park, dead from a gunshot wound. Police later arrested a 17-year-old suspect, who was accused of shooting the man during an argument.

Anyone with information on this murder investigation is asked to call 541-770-4783, reference case number 21-4424.
Syracuse, NY -- A DeWitt man will spend 30 years in federal prison after admitting that he lured a middle school girl into sex acts and separately, possessed dozens of child porn videos on his cell phone.

Derek Indivero, 28, has been jailed since 2018. He first admitted (but did not officially plead) to statutory rape in state court, and was promised four years in prison. But a federal investigation still loomed.

Indivero was later prosecuted by federal authorities on charges of coercion and enticement of a child, as well as child pornography he obtained from the internet. Those are the charges that will land him in federal prison for 30 years, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Indivero used the social media app Snapchat to lure a middle school girl -- either 11 or 12 years old -- to meet him for sexual acts in February 2018 with the promise of $50. Indivero met the girl, touched her private parts, and paid her $49, federal prosecutors said.

Later that month, federal prosecutors took over the girls Snapchat identity and communicated further with Indivero. He agreed to pay $50 to have oral sex with the girl and drove to an agreed upon location. But when he arrived, law enforcement was there to arrest him.

At the time of his guilty plea in federal court, Indivero also admitted to possessing 37 videos of child pornography.

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby sentenced Indivero on Wednesday to 30 years in federal prison to cover both of the crimes. Indivero will also serve 30 years on post-release supervision after his incarceration.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
The chief executive of the VHI, who received a Covid-19 vaccine at the Beacon Hospital, is stepping aside pending an investigation into the issue.

In a statement last night, the board of the countrys biggest health insurer confirmed that John ODwyer received a vaccine at the Beacon Hospital, and also that he had been receiving cancer treatment there.

The board is aware and, with Mr ODwyers consent, can now disclose that he has been a patient of the Beacon Hospital and St Jamess Hospital for osophegal cancer. The board is commencing an investigation to establish the facts, it said.

While the investigation is ongoing, John ODwyer has offered to step aside as CEO and the board has agreed to this. Declan Moran has been appointed acting CEO.

It is not clear when Mr ODwyer received the jab. People who are in active cancer treatment are entitled to a vaccine.

It came on another dramatic day of developments regarding scrutiny of the vaccination scheme at the Beacon Hospital.

The hospital board has already set up an independent review following revelations that 20 teachers at St Gerards School in Bray, Co Wicklow, were vaccinated. The children of Beacon Hospital chief executive Michael Cullen attend the school and he is reported to have contacted St Gerards himself.

Mr Cullen told the junior principal at St Gerards that the vaccination of teachers at short notice had HSE permission, according to a new letter from the chairman of the school board, John Behan.

In the letter sent to teachers and parents seen by the Irish Independent, Mr Behan said the principal of the junior school was assured on the call that the use of vaccines in this manner, which would otherwise go to waste, was appropriate and had HSE permission.

Mr Behan said that no person acting on behalf of the school sought early access to vaccines, and that unsolicited contact from the Beacon CEO resulted in the teachers being vaccinated.

Responding to queries from the Irish Independent last night, however, the HSE said that the vaccinations were administered contrary to our very clear guidelines and we certainly did not approve them.

Mr Behan also said that St Gerards was initially offered five vaccines at short notice but this number then grew to 15 and then 20 after further doses had been identified as surplus. Over the following 45 minutes, a further text and phone call were received from the hospital to explain that first an additional five and, then (at 5pm) a further 10 doses had been identified bringing the number of doses which would go to waste, if not used within the next hour, to 20, Mr Behan said.

He said that while the administration of vaccines is a matter of great sensitivity, the board are satisfied that the individuals in the school who dealt with this matter and those who received the vaccines did so in good faith, having had a number of assurances that using the vaccines in this manner in order to avoid waste had HSE permission.

The fact that the board of the Beacon Hospital has now confirmed that the decision to offer the vaccines was not in line with the sequencing guidelines in place from the HSE is deeply concerning, Mr Behan said.

In a statement on Monday, the Beacon Hospital board apologised to patients, staff and the wider community. It made no mention of chief executive Mr Cullen, who opposition politicians had asked to resign. He remains in his post. An independent review is to be conducted.
Hong Kong has great potential in I&T in national blueprint: experts

Xinhua) 15:07, March 31, 2021

HONG KONG, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Attenders at a seminar held on Tuesday on Hong Kong's opportunities in the national 14th Five-Year Plan said Hong Kong has a great potential in the field of innovation and technology (I&T) in the national blueprint.

The seminar, entitled "Strategic Planning of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Opportunities for Hong Kong", was jointly organized by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, the Hong Kong Coalition, and "One country, two systems" Research Institute. Government officials, experts and scholars from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong attended the seminar offline and online.

Leung Chun-ying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that the aim of the seminar was to interpret the 14th Five-Year Plan by authorized persons so that all sectors of Hong Kong can understand the national development plan, and help Hong Kong to actively integrate into the overall development of the country and seize new opportunities in the next five years.

Hu Zucai, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, elaborated on key points, main goals and other content of The Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and The Long-Range Objectives Through the Year of 2035.

He said the outline has a whole chapter on continuous support for the development of Hong Kong and Macao.

He added that in other relevant chapters, the speeding up of the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the development of Hong Kong and Macao are deliberated jointly. This has fully demonstrated that the central government's firm support for the prosperity and development of Hong Kong and Macao will remain unchanged, Hu said.

Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang said that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the country will give strong support to Hong Kong in building a state-level research platform and deepening collaborative innovation between Hong Kong and the mainland so as to turn Hong Kong into an international center for science and technology innovation at an early date.

Noting Hong Kong is an important component of the national science and technology innovation system, Wang said that Hong Kong's talents, with strong skills and enthusiasm on innovation, have taken the initiative to jointly promote the development of national science and technology innovation with the mainland peers.

Young talents from Hong Kong are encouraged to study and do research in the mainland. In particular, the country will create more opportunities for them in mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, he said.

Xu Ze, president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR have made substantial progress in cooperation on financial laws, health care, education and transport infrastructure since the launch of an outline development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area over two years ago.

He believed that participating in and promoting the Greater Bay Area is the most important way for Hong Kong to achieve greater development while integrating into the overall development of the country.

Xu also emphasized the importance of breakthroughs in key areas such as the International Science and Technology Innovation Center, as well as top-level design and implementation of policies among the three regions.

Liu Yuanchun, vice president of Renmin University of China, said Hong Kong's technological innovation positioning should shift from high-end and internationalized education to the technological innovation system and the real economy.

Lionel M. Ni, provost and chair professor of computer science and engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said Hong Kong should tap into its advantage in education and basic research, and cultivate an environment favorable for retaining technological innovation talents.

Charles Li, former chief executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, said that with its institutional advantages, Hong Kong plays a crucial role in the country's innovative development in the areas of talents, capital, intellectual property rules and others.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
New Delhi, March 31 : The 2018 Ministry of Defence (MoD) order asking officials not to depute any of the officials named in the Kanpur defence recruitment case on any crucial post till the time investigations are complete, has gone for a toss. One of the main accused in the case was given additional charge of Controller in the Material Division of the Controllerate of Quality Assurance or CQA(M).

According to documents accessed by IANS, S. K. Tiwari, the main accused named in the defence recruitment case, who is posted as Deputy Controller at CQA(M), Kanpur, was given additional charge of Controller for a day on March 10 this year after Controller Gurbachan Singh went on leave.

The MoD, in an order dated August 31, 2018 has stated that "it is requested that MoD/D(QA) may be apprised of the latest position in the matter at your end".

"Till the completion of investigation, ADGQA (S) may like to advise Estts to exercise restraint while entrusting sensitive duties or responsibilities to officers involved in the recruitment process, including sensitive posts, which require absolute integrity," the MoD order read.

It further stated that "ADGQA (S) may also like to issue necessary instructions to their Estts to keep all the documents pertaining to ibid Recruitment in which CBI inquiry has been ordered, in safe custody".

IANS tried to reach the MoD for a comment for the story. However, the ministry official said that he did not have any information regarding the same.

The CBI has named Tiwari, who was the presiding officer of the recruitment board and beneficiaries Ravi Kant Pandey, Utkarsh Srivatsava, Arti Gupta, Pratibha Mishra and Arpit Singh and other unknown persons in the case it registered in December last year.

When contacted, Tiwari told IANS, "I had taken the additional charge for a day." He further stated that the he has not anything wrong and the CBI will find out the entire truth.

Tiwari said, "I have shared all my bank statements and details of my properties with the CBI. And I am confident that after the CBI probe I will be vindicated." The case relates to recruitment drive for six posts of Lower Division Clerk (LDC) in the Directorate General of Quality Assurance which comes under the Union Ministry of Defence. For this purpose, advertisements were issued in 2015 and appointments were made in 2017.

An internal inquiry committee headed by Brigadier Sudhindra Itnal had found serious irregularities in the recruitment process. Following the submission of a report in this regard, the recruitment board itself was dissolved by the competent authority and the services of the appointed LDCs were terminated on November 28, 2018.

In a letter to the CBI on August 10, 2018, the Department of Defence Production (DDP) mentioned "serious irregularities" of a criminal nature concerning the appointment of six LDCs in 2016 by the now-dissolved recruitment board in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. This letter was sent to the apex investigative agency on the orders of Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre who acted on the advice of the Central Vigilance Commission.

The CBI had done a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Tiwari, Sunil Kumar, SSO-II, CQA (M) Kanpur (member) and Mohammad Alim, AE (QA), SQAE (GS), Kanpur (Member) and Colonel A.K. Gandhi, Joint Controller, CQA (M), CQA (GS) and CQA (T&C), Kanpur in 2020.

In its FIR, the CBI said, during PE, it was revealed that there were manipulations done in the selection process by Tiwari, who altered the marks obtained by candidates at the time of rechecking.

It alleged that Tiwari was also involved in evaluation of answer sheets of written exam wherein he evaluated overwritten answer sheets in contravention of the instructions of the DGCA.

It also pointed out that the alteration was done by Tiwari and some of the answers of the selected candidates were also changed by him after the evaluation. The answer sheets were re-checked by Tiwari and during rechecking he altered the final marks of the candidates without the knowledge of concerned invigilators.
EXCLUSIVE: Josha Stradowski, who is set to star opposite Rosamund Pike in the upcoming series The Wheel Of Time at Amazon, has signed with Range Media Partners.

Stradowski plays Rand AlThor in The Wheel of Time, a pivotal role in the series that was highly coveted by many of the rising stars in the industry. Based on Robert Jordans best-selling fantasy novel series, the story is set in a high fantasy world where magic exists, but only certain women are allowed to access it. The story follows Moiraine (Pike) as she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, a powerful individual who will either save humanity or destroy it.

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Most recently, Stradowski starred in the Dutch television drama High Flyers, which premiered in 2020. He also starred as one of the leads in Just Friends, the award-winning Dutch television movie that was recognized across the global festival circuit in 2018. That same year, he was recognized as a Shooting Star at the Subtitle European Film Festival. On stage, he starred in Toneelgroep Oostpools Gender and Bromance from director Timothy de Gilde; and in International Theater Amsterdams Oedipus from director Robert Icke.

In addition to Range, Stradowski is repped by Subtitle Talent, Favor Talents and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson.

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(Photo : Pixabay)

In mid-March, a US government watchdog warned the White House that the country's electrical grid is becoming ever more vulnerable to cyberattacks from everything from terrorist groups to state actors-China and Russia were singled out as particular threats. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report is just the latest indication that bad actors are increasingly attempting - and able - to disrupt energy systems the world over. The growing risk is primarily down to the digitalization, interconnectivity and transition to green technologies in critical infrastructure across the globe.

The green energy transition has created a greater surface area for malicious parties to attack, as well as providing a multitude of potential entry points into the systems in question. Meanwhile, the fact that many of the components most crucial to renewable technology are manufactured by Huawei and other firms with close ties to the Chinese state raises concerns over an unhealthy dependence on the Asian superpower - as well as the potential for Beijing to perform surveillance and sabotage through those self-same components. While certain governments (like the US) appear aware of the dangers, many others (including the EU) may be caught sleeping by the potentially disastrous ramifications of the situation.

A new threat landscape

The GAO report acknowledged that while the US has done a satisfactory job of policing the grid's power generation and transmission systems, it had largely neglected the risks associated with distribution networks. The interconnected nature of today's electrical grids (an average major power company in America operates 121 plants covering 94,000 miles of distribution, for example) means that if just one weak link is infiltrated, the whole chain could be compromised. A 2017 study demonstrated how a lack of segmentation between individual turbines meant that an entire wind farm could be hacked with relative ease, while a European incident in January 2021 showed that control of just 3W of the continental grid could cause outages across the entirety of its 873GW capacity.

With the proliferation of smart appliances and the IoT in our homes and businesses, these potential weak links are multiplying in number at an exponential rate. That has been reflected in a surge in attempts to leverage them for criminal purposes. In December 2015, an attack on Ukraine's power grid left almost a quarter of a million people without electricity; the problem was eventually rectified through manually resetting the control breakers - a solution that is simply not available to many western nations due to the automated nature of their setups.

Meanwhile, Mumbai suffered a serious loss of power in October last year, plunging homes, businesses, rail networks and even the stock market into temporary chaos. Most troublingly, the incident has been linked to border skirmishes between India and China, with a study suggesting that the outage was a warning shot fired by Beijing, proof that it has the capability to cripple India's electric grid if Delhi pushes too hard on geopolitical issues. According to research by cyber security specialists Recorded Future, Beijing directed a significant flow of malware into Indian infrastructure over the months preceding the outage, the vast majority of which has not yet been activated.

Renewable revolution not without its risks

The digitalization of electrical systems and the greater sophistication of their components is one risk factor, but it's not the only one. The green transition is also greatly expanding the surface area of the energy system that is vulnerable to potential attacks, while cyber security is often not a priority for the sustainably minded companies involved. At the same time, new concerns are being raised over the leading manufacturers of some key components in renewable energy systems. Huawei, for example, is the world's top manufacturer of solar inverters, with 22% of the global market share; indeed, Chinese companies make up over half (53%) of the entire industry. Given the reports of malicious incidents such as the Mumbai blackout and China's background in industrial espionage, it's unsurprising that alarm bells are ringing for many nations over the proliferation of Chinese components.

In the US, that ringing has been more prominent than anywhere else, where Huawei announced they would be shutting down their solar energy operations in June 2019 thanks to intense pressure on their business from American lawmakers. Indeed, even that move was not enough to appease the powers that be, with a cross-party group of senators writing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ask them to consider the ongoing threat Huawei poses to the country's energy infrastructure, given the company's ties with the Chinese Communist party and intelligence services.

Cyber security must be baked into strategies

Those major markets (including the EU) who have not yet taken the same similarly tough stance on cyber security in the energy industry must remedy their shortcomings with immediate effect. The hackers certainly aren't going to wait for them to get their house in order; a recent ransomware breach perpetrated against the Portuguese firm Energias de Portugal (EDP) is a troubling sign of things to come, while the fact that the energy sector is the number one target for cyber criminals (attracting 16% of all attacks in 2019) shows the scale and seriousness of the issue.

Barring problematic components (like those manufactured by Huawei) from energy systems is one important step in reducing the risk of electricity supplies becoming compromised, but it can't eliminate the threat entirely. Instead, cyber security must be viewed as part of the foundation upon which the energy systems of tomorrow are built, rather than an optional afterthought. Only through enhancing strategic intelligence of the threat landscape, integrating security features across all facets of a system and partnering with other at-risk parties in the industry can the energy economy pull off the prodigious feat of staying one step ahead of the criminals and keeping our increasingly technologically advanced grids safeguarded against infiltration or attack.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
MIDDLETOWN  Six city firefighters were formally sworn in to their posts Friday, an event thaty had been delayed because of the pandemic.

The six were sworin-in by the mayor in a ceremony at the Emergency Operations Center on Mile Lane. The late afternoon event included the fire company Honor Guard, in a procession that included bagpipe music.

Deputy Fire Marshal Al Lespier, Battalion Chief Dave Albert, Lt. Dan Canevari and firefighters Mike Sheehan, John Kloc and Jeff Albert were promoted during the pandemic, but the celebration was delayed until it was more safe to have it, according to Middletown Fire Department Chief Robert Kronenberger, who called it a very, very joyous event.

The chief said he derives much pride from these firefighters. Id say theyre going to do a fine job, but theyve already started to do a fine job back a couple months ago, he said.

Deputy Fire Marshal Al Lespier, formerly the assistant marshal, joined the company in September 2002, the chief said. At the Connecticut Fire Academy, Als experience was different than most, Kronenberger said. Lespiers wife stopped by the academy one day and told her husband she was pregnant  with twins.

The twins are now in high school, the chief said. It didnt stress him out too bad. Hes more stressed right now, he said, as everyone laughed.

Lespier has been a member of the marine operations, hazmat, dive and technical rescue teams. Hes earned many recognitions during his career, including, along with the department, a commendation from the FBI for his efforts during a terrorist incident at Middlesex Hospital in 2018, Kronenberger said.

He also received a meritorious service award for his actions in rescuing a person trapped in a sinking vessel, the chief said.

We are fortunate as a department to do work that really matters, Lespier said after his ceremony.

Albert, who joined the station in 2009, was one of four firefighters hired with FEMA funding in 2008, the chief said. He is co-commander of the dive team and a member of marine operations, and has received numerous commendations over his career, including a lifesaving award for a high-angle rescue on Beseck Mountain, a meritorious service award for his work during the Kleen Energy blast, and several lifesaving awards, Kronenberger said.

Albert is also three classes away from obtaining a master of science degree in public administration. He is one of only a few in the department and in the state to have his managing office certificate from the National Fire Academy, the chief said.

Being a battalion chief in such a prestigious and progressive department is a great honor. Its something I dont hold lightly, said Albert, who then told his wife he loved her. Who would have thought then  in 20 years, wed be here with all that weve been through, starting a family so young. Here we are.

Canevari, with a background in manufacturing and marine mechanics, is co-commander of the marine operations team and a member of the dive and tactical rescue teams, Kronenberger said. He received a medal of bravery for his actions at the Kleen Energy explosion, and citations for outstanding service for the rescue of a despondent person from the Coginchaug River.

Canevari also is a certified pump and aerial operator, and fire instructor. Ive been with this department for 13 years, he said. I call it my second home. Its a step in my career that I take very seriously, and Im going to do the best I can to keep the city going in the forward progress we made so far.

Sheehan came from Wallingford, where he was a volunteer firefighter, Kronenberger said. He graduated at the top of his 2020 class at the fire academy, where he was recognized for his leadership abilities.

Its been a long road to get here, but everything happens for a reason, Sheehan said. I ended up in the right place.

Kloc, formerly a volunteer at Westfield Fire in Middletown, has a background in building construction, Kronenberger said, adding he did very well at the fire academy, graduating at the top of his class. Kloc also was recognized for his leadership abilities there, and was named a platoon leader.

This has been an incredible journey, and it has only just begun, Kloc said. This is a dream come true.

Mayor Ben Florsheim has sworn in many city officials during his term. These days are always so exciting, he said. Every ceremony that we have, every promotion that we have, every new hire we have means a step in the right direction for the future of what I truly believe is the best firefighting service in the state of Connecticut.

It is only going to innovate and do more proactively and reactively  whatever it takes to keep people in this community safe, Florsheim said. It is an inspiration for me to be able to work with these folks.
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Xinuos, Inc., a software company headquartered in the U.S. Virgin Islands that provides commercial customers with server operating systems, today filed a copyright infringement and antitrust lawsuit against International Business Machines Corp. ("IBM") and Red Hat, Inc. ("Red Hat") in the United States District Court of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and St. John Division. Xinuos alleges that IBM and Red Hat, using wrongfully copied software code, have engaged in additional, illegal anti-competitive misconduct to corner the billion-dollar market for Unix and Linux server operating systems.

"While this case is about Xinuos and the theft of our intellectual property," said Sean Snyder, President and CEO of Xinuos. "It is also about market manipulation that has harmed consumers, competitors, the open-source community, and innovation itself."

According to the complaint, at their peak, Xinuos' operating systems were the most widely-used operating systems in the Unix/Linux server operating system market. Xinuos' UnixWare 7 and OpenServer 5 and 6 server operating systems were popular because they were stable, reliable, and easy to manage. Xinuos alleges that in or around this time, IBM's server operating systems were declining in popularity and new entrants to the market, such as Red Hat, were gaining market share and threatening IBM's server operating system business, its underlying business selling server hardware, as well as related software and services.

Xinuos' complaint alleges that IBM then took unlawful steps to improve its market position and safeguard its business from competition:

"First, IBM stole Xinuos' intellectual property and used that stolen property to build and sell a product to compete with Xinuos itself. Second, stolen property in IBM's hand, IBM and Red Hat illegally agreed to divide the relevant market and use their growing market powers to victimize consumers, innovative competitors, and innovation itself. Third, after IBM and Red Hat launched their conspiracy, IBM then acquired Red Hat to solidify and make permanent their scheme."

The complaint further alleges that IBM has been misleading its investors about its rights to use Xinuos' code for more than a decade:

"IBM has made demonstrably and materially misleading statements in securities filings about its ownership interest in the Code. In every annual report filed with the SEC since 2008, IBM has represented that a third-party owns all of the UNIX and UnixWare copyrights, and that this third-party has waived any infringement claim against IBM. These self-serving representations are demonstrably false and misleading to investors and potential asset purchasers."

The complaint also details IBM's and Red Hat's alleged conspiracy, summarizing it as follows:

"Thereafter, IBM and Red Hatdivided the market for enterprise clients to protect IBM's precious high-end server, software, and services business, they promoted each other's operating system products, and they granted each other special technical access and abilities that were not made generally available and from which Xinuos and others were specifically excluded. These bad acts continue to this day."

Xinuos alleges that the IBM and Red Hat conspiracy has harmed the open-source community and specifically Xinuos' OpenServer 10 product, which is based on FreeBSD, an open-source UNIX-based operating system and alternative to Red Hat's Linux-based open-source operating system, RHEL. "By dominating the Unix/Linux server operating system market, competing open-source operating systems, like our FreeBSD-based OpenServer 10, have been pushed out of the market," said Snyder. "This prevents developers and consumers from receiving the benefits that these products have to offer."

Xinuos asserts claims under the copyright infringement provisions of 17 U.S. Code 101, the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, the Virgin Islands Antimonopoly Law, and Virgin Islands Unfair Competition and Unjust Enrichment common law. Xinuos has asked for both monetary damages and injunctive relief.

About Xinuos, Inc.

Xinuos provides commercial customers with operating systems that are reliable, dependable, and secure for mission-critical applications that demand rock-solid performance. The Xinuos general-purpose operating systems are on pace with hardware and software industry advances and are designed to power any size business that requires stability, reliability, and scalability. Learn more at www.xinuos.com.

Contact:

Simone Jackenthal

[email protected]

(202) 923-5296

SOURCE Xinuos

Related Links

http://www.xinuos.com


Tires burn on a street as protests against the military coup continue, in Mandalay, Myanmar March 27, 2021.  REUTERS

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is appalled by the escalating violence in Myanmar and the resulting human suffering and displacement this is causing.

We are shocked by the indiscriminate violence against civilians across the country, in addition to the renewed fighting between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups in some border areas.

These events in Myanmar are driving people to flee within the country and across borders.

We urgently call on countries across the region to offer refuge and protection to all those fleeing for safety. It is vital that anyone crossing the border, seeking asylum in another country, is able to access it.

It is a proven fact that humane border practices can be upheld amid public health and other border control measures, to ensure that people in need of protection can access territory and asylum.

Children, women and men fleeing for their lives should be given sanctuary. They must not be returned to a place where their lives or freedom may be at risk. This principle of non-refoulement is a cornerstone of international law and is binding on all states.

Myanmars neighbours have a decades-long history of providing protection and assistance to refugees. As the situation in Myanmar deteriorates further, we call on states to continue their lifesaving humanitarian tradition of safeguarding the lives of all those forced to flee.

Across the region, UNHCR and partner organizations stand ready to step-up support to national and local authorities to ensure that refugees receive the protection they need.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  The Philippines on Wednesday expressed deep concern over North Koreas firing of two ballistic missiles on March 25, calling its actions a threat to regional peace and stability.

The East Asian country launched two short-range missiles from its South Hamgyong province toward the sea last week, CNN reported, citing South Koreas joint chiefs of staff. Japan has denounced the launch and said the projectiles were believed to have landed outside its territory and exclusive economic zone.

In a statement, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs said such actions seriously undermine regional peace and stability not only in the Korean Peninsula, but also in the entire region.

We reiterate our call on the DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) to comply with its international obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and commit to the process of constructive dialogue, the DFA added.

Several UN Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from conducting further launches that use ballistic missile technology and ask it to suspend all related activities.

On the weekend prior to March 25's launch, North Korea tested "long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons" in a "strike drill" overseen by its leader Kim Jong Un, according to another report from CNN, citing state-run Korean Central News Agency.
Google Chrome will soon receive a new feature to boost its security. The said upgrade is known as the DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), which was previously used by other web browsers.

Why Google Chrome Linux Did not Adopt DNS Earlier?

According to a report by Tech Radar, a group of security experts has questioned why Google Chrome took a long time before releasing the privacy feature to the Linux platform.

If Chrome finally allows this feature in its system, this means that all queries and responses connected to the DNS will be passed on the HTTPS. However, the case of Linux was slightly different from the other browser systems of Google.

Chrome could have accepted the addition of DNS-over-HTTPS on its Linux platform if it weren't for the built-in DNS client, which was automatically disabled by the system.

This made experts think that Google Chrome should enable the nsswitch.conf, a DNS configuration in Linux. However, it turns out that the said configuration seems to be complex for the system usage.

To solve this issue, the Chromium Project has built established solid browser support for reading and parsing the DNS configuration. Disabling DoH configurations that are unsupported by the system is another part of the solution.

Read Also: Mozilla Firefox 86: 'Total Cookie Protection' to Safeguard Users From Online Tracking

DoH Server Should be Selected First in the Google Chrome Settings

In a public document written by the Chromium Project in Google Docs, a seven-page design document revealed some explanation about the DNS configuration.

"As Chrome's resolver does not support changing such mechanisms or their order, Chrome's support for respecting nsswitch.conf will be limited to detection of whether or not the configuration is a common configuration compatible with Chrome behavior," the statement reads in the documents.

Moreover, the speed of the DNS was also mentioned in the document. It was also said there that the lookup times of the DNS have a direct impact on the load times of the page.

If the server shows poor performance when compared to the traditional DNS server, there could be a negative effect on the load performance of the page.

In earlier launches of DoH, the server was found to be slightly slower than the old DNS server. The difference seen in this issue was only minimal to the general performance of Google Chrome.

The team also noted the DoH's simplicity through its control surfaces that were already used by several platforms. If users want to control DoH, they need to get through the "Secure DNS" configuration page found in the security settings of Chrome.

The document also unveiled that automatic upgrading of DoH or relying on the built-in resolve will not happen when using Google Chrome. The only way to make that possible is by going to the configuration settings of the browser and selecting the DoH server.

At the time, the release of the DoH feature in Google Chrome Linux remains undetermined, yet it could come as v.91 or v.92. In the upcoming weeks, testing of the DNS client will now be open before officially launching it to the public soon.

Related Article: Google Phases Out User-Tracking Cookies, May Pursue FLoC as Replacement







This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joen Coronel

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Governor Henry McMaster, University of South Carolina, and Benedict College announce statewide education initiative with Apple products

Gov. Henry McMaster today awarded $6 million in Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds to the University of South Carolina, who, in partnership with Benedict College, will establish eight Apple computer labs statewide. The labs will be strategically located for use by local school districts, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the South Carolina Technical College System and citizens in the community.

The pandemic has made it abundantly clear that internet access is not a luxury but a necessity for millions of South Carolinians, said McMaster. The strategic placement of these labs will bolster South Carolinas premier workforce training efforts by giving our communities and people access to resources they need to expand participation in our states growing economy.

The collaboration will build a new network of learning labs that will feature Apple products and curricula. The network will include hubs in Columbias BullStreet District and at Benedict College, along with satellite labs at six of UofSCs Palmetto College and regional campuses. UofSC Palmetto College campuses are all located within 15 miles or less of a broadband desert, according to the South Carolina Broadband Map, providing reliable technology and internet access to these communities.

President Bob Caslen joined Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president of Benedict College, and Governor Henry McMaster to make the announcement on March 30.

As the states flagship institution, the University of South Carolina is committed to enhancing statewide economic and workforce development initiatives, said UofSC President Bob Caslen. By providing access to Apples coding curriculum and emphasizing creative learning, this partnership is a game changer for our state. The educational programs and training at these learning centers will give South Carolinians relevant skills that are in high demand in todays economy. We are proud to partner with Governor McMaster, Apple and Benedict College in this mission by investing in underserved communities across the state.

"At Apple, we believe education is the great equalizer, and that access to technology is key to learning and workforce opportunities today, said Susan Prescott, Apples Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise & Education Marketing. We are proud that Apple products and curriculum have been selected by the University of South Carolina and Benedict College for their new education labs. Together, we aim to ensure all South Carolinians have the opportunity to learn, code, create, and grow in new ways."

We are pleased to partner with the University of South Carolina to expand educational technology access to communities around the state. Benedict College remains fully committed to narrowing the digital divide for underserved communities in our state. This is a tremendous step in the right direction, said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President of Benedict College.

The campuses will provide computer lab space, maintenance, and utilities. Each site will be available for use by faculty, staff, students, and community members regularly at no cost to the user. Availability of lab access will be advertised in each community, including through each local chamber of commerce and economic development board.

The one-time grants are funded by monies received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump and allocated directly to each governor. Each state received an allocation for a GEER fund. South Carolinas share of GEER funds was $48 million.

As the states flagship institution, the University of South Carolina is committed to enhancing statewide economic and workforce development initiatives. Bob Caslen, UofSC President

GEER Funds Allocation

Apple computing labs: $6 million total

Operating budget for Columbia hub: $2 million

Operating budget for 7 Campus Labs: $571,429 each

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MANSFIELD  State police and University of Connecticut officials are investigating after reports circulated on social media about a fight at an off-campus party hosted by a fraternity.

Several posts on a popular subreddit for UConn students referenced the fight. One said as many as 30 people jumped a person who attended the party.

State police said troopers responded to a report of disturbance at an address on Storrs Road around 6:20 p.m. Saturday.

Troopers canvassed the area and were told an altercation happened before police arrived, said Trooper Josue Dorelus.

There were no parties on scene which exhibited any physical injuries or wished to make a formal complaints, Dorelus said. Police have not yet identified those who were involved.

UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said the school is aware of accounts circulating about an incident at an off-campus party.

She said the university is using the information from the posts and from state police  to determine facts and confirm details.

Once the University has that information in hand, it can determine what next steps would be appropriate to pursue, Reitz said.

State police also arrested two students later that same evening during an off-campus party involving UConn students. Reitz said in a statement Monday that the university received a referral about the gathering from state police.

She said the university will use the information from state police as part of its conduct process, but said records of those disciplinary proceedings cannot be released under federal law.

However, UConn takes the governors executive orders provisions very seriously, and expects its students to do the same to help protect the health and safety of its campus communities, Reitz said.

State police ask anyone with more information about the altercation reported Saturday or those involved to contact Troop C in Tolland in reference to case number 2100122717
Photo: The Canadian Press This June 2020 photo, shot from a television screen provided by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy shows damage to anchor support EP-17-1 on the east leg of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline within the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - AP, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Shutting down the Line 5 pipeline would create a "dangerous precedent" that would forever imperil future cross-border infrastructure projects between Canada and the United States, says Alberta's energy minister.

Sonya Savage joined counterparts from Saskatchewan and Ontario in warning a House of Commons committee Tuesday about the knock-on effects that could result if the cross-border pipeline is shut down.

"What is possibly most concerning to Alberta, as it should be for everyone here, is the dangerous precedent that a shutdown of a safely operating pipeline would have and would pose for future infrastructure projects," Savage testified.

"We are good neighbours and strong business partners. Our integrated energy sector and critical trading relationships are important for jobs and economies on both sides of the border, and any actions to shut down Line 5 would threaten that relationship."

Line 5, which runs through Michigan from the Wisconsin city of Superior to Sarnia, Ont., crosses the Great Lakes beneath the environmentally sensitive Straits of Mackinac, which link Lake Michigan to Lake Huron.

For weeks, experts have been telling the committee that the pipeline is a vital source of energy not only for Ontario and Quebec, but a host of northern U.S. states as well, including Michigan itself, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Enbridge wants to build a tunnel underneath the straits to house an upgraded version of the dual pipeline  a project Michigan has already approved  but needs the existing line to continue to operate in the meantime.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has revoked the 1953 easement that allowed the pipeline to operate without incident for more than 65 years, accusing Enbridge of violating the terms of the agreement. She wants the line shut down by mid-May.

Enbridge is fighting that decision in court in Michigan  and Savage, Saskatchewan Energy Minister Bronwyn Eyre and Associate Ontario Energy Minister Bill Walker want Ottawa to weigh in on that fight.

"This could include filing an amicus brief in court expressing the government's support for keeping the pipeline in operation," Walker told the committee.

One senior federal government official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal matters, said filing such a brief is currently under discussion, but a final decision has not been made.

Witnesses also urged the federal government to exercise its rights under the 1977 Transit Pipeline Agreement, a Canada-U.S. treaty that provides for the uninterrupted flow of energy between the two countries.

The Enbridge main line, and by extension Line 5, carry as much as 70 per cent of the crude oil produced in Saskatchewan to market, Eyre said.

Line 5 is a "welded-steel manifestation, a tangible symbol, of a traditionally strong relationship, a friendship, between the United States and Canada  one we must not jeopardize," she said.

"Pipelines produce no CO2  they are a mere mode of transport, and yet they have become a symbol of the fight (over climate change)."

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, whose city is a major refining hub in Ontario and the final juncture for Line 5, could barely contain his frustration with Whitmer, whom he said has been unresponsive to repeated entreaties.

"I've written more letters to the governor than St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians," he said, noting that Canada's consul general in Detroit and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have had the same experience.

"I can't fathom what is going on in the governor's mansion in Lansing ... does the governor not understand the damage (she's doing) to the ongoing relationship?"

In a letter to Whitmer earlier this year, Enbridge accused Michigan of refusing to acknowledge that the state's own experts say there are no clear alternatives to the pipeline.

The state "fails to acknowledge that Line 5 enables the safe transport of fuel essential to heat homes and provides energy to Michigan, neighbouring U.S. states and Canada's two largest provinces," Enbridge executive vice-president Vern Yu wrote.

"It also fails to account for the significant adverse social and economic impacts that will result from closure."

Scott Archer, a union leader in Sarnia, delivered a stark inventory of what those impacts might be if Line 5 is closed.

Archer warned of immediate gasoline shortages, "massive" fuel cost increases, and 800 more oil-laden rail cars and 2,000 tanker trucks per day on railways and highways throughout both central Canada and the U.S. Midwest  to say nothing of widespread job losses in a variety of industries, many of them only tangentially related to the energy sector.

"In short, shutting down Line 5 would effectively kill my hometown, and displace its families  and many more cities and towns like it in Canada and the U.S.," he said.

"This is not an exaggeration  it's cold, hard fact."
[March 31, 2021] Managed Hosting Provider Virtual Data Corp. Relies on Infinidat's Data Storage Solution for 100% Uptime

WALTHAM, Mass., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Infinidat, a leading provider of enterprise-class storage solutions, today announced that Virtual Data Corp. (VDC), a managed cloud hosting provider, has had 100% storage uptime over the past two years using the InfiniBox platform. This high availability enabled VDC to consolidate multiple arrays into a single rack for easier management and cost savings without any disruption. At the same time, VDC expanded its data storage capacity with InfiniBox beyond a petabyte to flexibly leverage storage as needed in support of the companys growth strategy. We realized that, if we wanted to truly grow to the next level, we needed substantially more storage capability. We had requirements for speed and availability to access the storage as we need it and at a price that is simple to understand, said Cole Thompson, President & CEO of VDC. With the InfiniBox solution, we get the speed and high performance but at a significantly lower cost. Steve Sullivan, EVP of Sales, North America, at Infinidat, said, The explosion of data usage among the customers of VDC and other managed service providers has created a significant need to scale data storage capacity while maintaining favorable economics, which our InfiniBox on-premises solution delivers. Treating our customers more as a partner, our service and support team has monthly calls with VDC to help our customer fully maximize the capabilities of our InfiniBox platform. The flexibility, predictability, lower total cost of ownership and ease of use that VDC has gained are what all our customers have come to expect from Infinidat. The transition to the award-winning InfiniBox storage platform supercharged VDCs high-quality, state-of-the-art data centers in Saskatoon, the largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, and Regina, Canada. As an IT solutions provider, VDC provides customers in Canada, the United States and around the world with public and private cloud hosting, cloud backup, managed colocation and disaster recovery, among other services. When VDC was first evaluating various storage suppliers, the company wanted to sell large amounts of storage space, so it needed to ensure diferentiation and deliver a better value than the competition. VDC was increasingly open to a disruptive technology for the data storage that is critical for its business. The high performance, resilience, reliability, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and 100% availability of the Infinidat storage platform not only met the requirements but also exceeded expectations.



With Infinidats assistance, we were able to consolidate five or six other SANs into a single SAN. Instead of managing multiple, separate other SANs and managing firmware upgrades, we got everything upgraded to InfiniBox, which makes the administration much simpler and resulted in substantial cost savings, said Thompson. We also love how Infinidat allows you to pay as you grow. For us, we really like the idea of being able to buy the entire box and leverage storage as required, while having the predictability of knowing exactly what our budget was. Furthermore, VDC has benefited from the broad range of integrations and capabilities that Infinidats primary storage platform has with VMware and Veeam, including disaster recovery (DR) solutions and speed to support cloud hosting solutions. The company has also leveraged Infinidats snapshotting. This, according to VDCs CEO, was another deciding factor to select Infinidat.

To read the VDC case study for more details, click here.



About Infinidat

Infinidat helps enterprises and service providers empower their data-driven competitive advantage at scale. Infinidats software-focused architecture delivers sub-millisecond latency, 100% availability, and scalability with a significantly lower total cost of ownership than competing storage technologies. The company was founded by storage industry pioneer, Moshe Yanai, in 2011 and has shipped over 7.1EB worldwide to date. The corporate headquarters are based in Herzliya, Israel, and U.S. headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.infinidat.com. Connect with Infinidat

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If in Tamil Nadu, DMK and its electoral allies were to win, one has to keep his fingers crossed about the political climate in the days to come in Tamil Nadu.

by N.S.Venkataraman

Elections are taking place in five states in India namely Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Union territory of Pondicherry. Amongst these regions, elections are being bitterly fought in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal with no holds barred campaign. Accusations and mutual allegations between the political leaders belonging to different parties are being made with or without basis. Foul languages are liberally being used.

One member of parliament belonging to the opposition party in Tamil Nadu went to the ugliest extent of questioning the birth of the Chief Minister and shamelessly stating that it was due to the illicit relationship of his mother. In West Bengal, the Chief Minister of the state has been using extremely foul language against the Prime Minister Modi, not leaving even Modis mother in making derogatory remarks.

There is huge concern today about the outcome of elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The concern is what Mamata Banerjee would do and how she would react if she were to lose the election. Almost similarly, there is concern as to how DMK and its electoral allies would behave and what would be the priorities , if DMK were to win the election.

It is well known that Mamata Banerjee is an unpredictable politician and has repeatedly shown in the past that she is prone to extremely negative reactions and emotional outbursts. On several occasions, she has walked out of the meetings and press conferences , with least care as to what others would think about her behavior.

Even as the campaign is now going on in West Bengal vigorously ,Mamata Banerjee has been accusing the election commission of showing bias and favourtism and acting against the interest of her party. Possibly, she is preparing grounds to say that the election has been rigged, in case she were to lose the election. She has always boasted herself as a street fighter and some people are concerned that she may resort to launching massive and violent agitation against what she would call a rigged election, in case she were to lose the election. She is unlikely to mind even if it would cost bloodshed and sufferings to common people and seriously disrupt the law and order. Some people even go to the extent of thinking that if she were to lose, she would give a call that Bengalis should stay united whether they are in West Bengal or Bangladesh. She is already stating repeatedly that outsiders from other parts of the country should not be in power in West Bengal. Not sure whether she would go to such an extreme level but her past reactions to many situations create suspicion that she may well resort to such tactics. This is why some concerned people have said that West Bengal should not go the Kashmir way.

In the case of Tamil Nadu, DMK was originally a party which advocated separate country for what they called as Dravidian region.

There are some allies in the DMK party who have been stating that the Sri Lankan Tamils and people in Tamil Nadu should be together ,which obviously means carving out a separate country for Tamils in Sri Lanka, which would virtually mean dividing Sri Lanka into two countries. DMK and allies have been thriving on what looks like essentially a hate campaign against the Hindi language , which virtually can be interpreted as a campaign against the Hindi speaking regions. In case the DMK would win, will the DMK party and its electoral allies start a campaign asking for separate identity for Tamil Nadu similar to what seperatists in Kashmir are demanding? One would not know whether the DMK party would resort to such extreme behavior ,if it were to win the election. Certainly, there is some concern atleast in some quarters.

Some pre poll predictions have opined that DMK in Tamil Nadu would win with a massive majority and Mamata Banerjee would also win by a slender majority.

If Mamata Banerjee were to win, there would be no need for her to complain about rigging of polls but would still continue to use abusive language, perhaps thinking that her capacity to use abusive language has been approved by the people.

If in Tamil Nadu, DMK and its electoral allies were to win, one has to keep his fingers crossed about the political climate in the days to come in Tamil Nadu.
(Bloomberg) -- The Houston Methodist hospital system will soon require its 26,000 employees get the Covid-19 vaccine, in what a spokeswoman said appears to be the first such move by a large U.S. hospital system.

The development was shared in an email Chief Executive Officer Marc Boom sent to managers on Wednesday. It gave them until mid-April to get at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine or get an approved exemption. No deadline for all employees was given in the email.

About 95% of management and all executives have received vaccines to date, compared with about 83% of employees, including everyone from doctors and nurses to cafeteria workers, according to Booms email. Religious and medical exemptions will be allowed in very rare cases, according to a document outlining frequently asked questions that was linked in the email.

As part of Houston Methodist management, we must lead by example and get vaccinated ourselves, Boom wrote. Thank you for getting vaccinated and thank you for leading your staff to make the right decision to help protect our patients.

Whether to mandate coronavirus shots is a question a broad swathe of employers are grappling with. Houston Methodists move comes at a time when experts say its not clear whether Covid-19 vaccines can, or should, be mandated. A central issue is that the shots now available have only received emergency-use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and not a standard approval, a lengthier and more comprehensive process.

Full Approval

Nancy Foster, the American Hospital Associations vice president of quality and patient safety policy, said that while hospitals and health systems are recommending vaccines for both their staff and the public, most will likely wait to decide about making it mandatory until the vaccines receive full approval from the FDA, which has not happened yet.

Amy Rose, a Houston Methodist spokeswoman, said that employment laws at both the state and federal level allow private institutions to mandate vaccines, and dont make distinctions around those that have been approved versus authorized on an emergency basis.

In the Wednesday email, Boom asked managers to start talking about the vaccine with staffers, and said they would receive a list of employees who were not yet immunized shortly. Houston Methodist has already made the shots compulsory for new employees.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Cloudera announced the Cloudera Data Platform (CDP) is now available on Google Cloud. CDP is a hybrid and multi-cloud data and analytics platform that offers unparalleled security and governance for the worlds largest enterprises. The addition of CDP for Google Cloud enables Cloudera to deliver on its promise to offer its enterprise data platform at global scale. Google Cloud is emerging as the public cloud of choice for a number of key enterprises and the availability of CDP on the platform will bring even more choice, capabilities, and scale to customers.

Finding hidden patterns in data can mean the difference between being a market leader or falling behind. Businesses have too much data and not enough time to analyze it. To stay ahead of the competition, unlocking real-time insights from data is critical. CDP Data Hub on Google Cloud allows companies to get positive business results fast with instant access to quality data on a scalable, open source, enterprise data cloud platform.

Cloudera Data Platform on Google Cloud uses Clouderas Shared Data Experience (SDX), to create secure data lakes in an organizations Google Cloud account and provision analytic and machine learning services in minutes instead of weeks. It replaces tedious scripting with set it and forget it convenience. With CDP on Google Cloud, companies can easily migrate existing data pipelines to Google Cloud or quickly set up new ones that can ingest data from a number of existing or new data sources.

Weve seen enterprises increasingly prioritize portability across cloud providers and between the public cloud and the enterprise datacenter to maximize agility and avoid lock-in, commented Dale Vile, CEO, Freeform Dynamics. As such, Clouderas support for GCP, in addition to AWS, Azure and on-premises environments, is in tune with the kind of hybrid/multi-cloud strategy organizations are putting in place to allow flexible data utilization across their business.

The pace of our digital transformation has accelerated exponentially this past year, said Nico Wolf, Chapter Lead  Big Data Platform Engineering at Commerzbank. Participating in an early test of Cloudera Data Platform on Google Cloud has been helpful in showing us how the combination of the two could deliver the speed and agility required by the business without compromising on data security or governance.

Mick Hollison, President, Cloudera, said, Fueled by our open source DNA, Cloudera helps companies make sense of every bit of data across hybrid, multi-cloud and on-premises architectures. Cloudera helps the majority of the top 100 companies included in the Fortune 500 harness insights while enabling secure, centralized governance and compliance over the entire data lifecycle. Were pleased to be bringing our expertise to Google Cloud.

Sudhir Hasbe, Senior Director, Product Management at Google Cloud, said, We are committed to delivering the technology and partnerships to support businesses data-driven digital transformations and to help them put data in the hands of every team. Bringing Cloudera to Google Cloud enables customers to rapidly deploy and manage its platform and applications at global scale.

Arun Murthy, Chief Product Officer, Cloudera, said, Cloudera Data Platform on Google Cloud is an ideal first step for our joint customers to support hybrid cloud. Companies can run advanced analytics from our data lifecycle platform and easily extend or replicate the use cases on premises to Google Cloud.

Vinod Ganesan, country manager  India, Cloudera, said, Leveraging the power of data securely, is top of mind for most Indian business decision-makers. With this partnership, we can now help enterprises run their enterprise data hub on Google Cloud architecture within a secure environment reinforced by strict data governance. This offers businesses more avenues to harness valuable insights, helping Indian firms unlock the true potential of data.

Availability and Pricing

CDP Data Hub on Google Cloud will be generally available on March 31, 2021.
Airplanes of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are parked at Incheon International Airport, March 31. Korean Air said Wednesday it plans to launch a merged entity with Asiana Airlines in 2024 after completing a takeover process next year. Yonhap



Korean Air Co., South Korea's largest airline, said Wednesday it plans to launch a merged entity with its smaller rival Asiana Airlines Ltd. in 2024 after completing a takeover process next year.



Korean Air, which announced plans to acquire the debt-ridden Asiana for 1.8 trillion won (US$1.6 billion) in November, has submitted a post-merger integration plan to the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), Asiana's main creditor.



Although Korean Air initially planned to finalize the deal within this year, it delayed the schedule due to regulatory review processes. It has received the first approval from Turkey and still needs nods from eight other countries, including South Korea, the United States, China and Japan.



"We are working closely with consulting companies in each country to complete the approval process by the end of the year," Korean Air President Woo Kee-hong said in an online press briefing. "Korean Air plans to fully integrate with Asiana Airlines about two years after (the acquisition)."



Once the merger is finalized, Hanjin KAL will serve as a holding company for Korean Air, which in turn controls Asiana Airlines, Woo said.



Korean Air and Asiana account for a combined 40 percent of passenger and cargo slots at Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway, below the level that constitutes a monopoly.



"As the aviation market provides customers with a wide range of options, I do not think the integration will cause monopoly issues in the Korean or global market," Woo said.



Earlier this month, Korean Air raised 3.3 trillion won in a share sale to finance the acquisition, which about halved its debt ratio to over 300 percent.



Of the proceeds, it plans to spend 1.5 trillion won to buy Asiana and use the remaining 1.8 trillion won to pay back its debts.



Korean Air said it will sell up to 300 billion won worth of debt next month for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak.



Although Korean Air does not plan to lay off Asiana employees following the acquisition, Woo said the company will reorganize redundant subsidiaries and their workforces, streamline flight schedule and mull ways to combine the two airlines' low-cost carriers.



The CEO said the global airline industry is expected to show a full recovery after 2022, noting the company will sell non-core assets and continue cost-cutting efforts to tide over the industry slump triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.



"After we integrate and are fully recovered from the impact of COVID-19, we estimate a synergy effect of around 300 to 400 billion won per year," Woo said. "However, as integration requires considerable costs, we expect it to take about two years to reach a break-even point."



The two airlines have suspended most of their flights on international routes since March 2020 as the countries have strengthened their entry restrictions to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.



They have focused on winning more cargo delivery deals to offset the pandemic-caused slump in travel demand.



As a result, Korean Air's net losses narrowed to 291.45 billion won in 2020 from 622.76 billion won a year earlier. Asiana's net losses also narrowed to 404.51 billion won from 817.89 billion won during the same period. (Yonhap)


Pat Collins, a Tony Award-winning lighting designer and a Broadway mainstay whose work was seen for nearly 50 years in plays, musicals and operas, died on March 21 at her home in Branford, Conn. She was 88.

The cause was pancreatic cancer, said Dr. Virginia Stuermer, her partner of 64 years and her only survivor.

Ms. Collins, who won her Tony for Herb Gardners Im Not Rappaport in 1986, was the lighting designer for more than 30 other Broadway productions, among them The Threepenny Opera, Aint Misbehavin and Doubt, which earned her a Tony nomination.

Her lighting was like her personality: She was nervy and intelligent but with a sensitive side, John Lee Beatty, a Tony-winning scenic designer and frequent collaborator, said in a phone interview. She really blossomed in tech rehearsals; she loved to create on the spot. He added: She could do conventional lighting, but she also wanted to try everything.
Violent clashes broke out on the streets of Britain as thousands of people stepped outdoors yesterday to celebrate the warmest day of the year so far.

Britons enjoyed a glorious day of sunshine as temperatures soared to 75F (24C) on Tuesday, with large crowds seen gathering to sunbathe in parks and beaches following Monday's easing of Covid rules.

But tempers flared as lockdown-weary Britons took advantage of the balmy weather, with violent scenes erupting outside the Welsh Parliament and a knife-wielding thug charging at crowds in a London park.

A major police response was also required in Liverpool, following a mass gathering of around 100 children in the city, which resulted in a boy sustaining a back injury following an altercation.

In Cardiff, dozens of young people gathered to enjoy the short-lived heatwave by the Senedd - but serene scenes soon descended into chaos when two men launched a punch-up outside Mark Drakeford's headquarters.

Footage posted to social media captured the violence, which left one of the men with a bloodied face, while another clip showed a young woman dancing in the road as a crowd of 50 watched on.

The 'despicable' gathering also saw revellers launch bottles and cans across Mermaid Quay, in scenes which left three police officers injured.

A 21-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and have since been released on bail. An investigation is ongoing to identify further participants in the disorder.

In Cardiff, dozens of young people gathered to enjoy the short-lived heatwave by the Senedd - but serene scenes soon descended into chaos when two men launched a punch-up outside Mark Drakeford's headquarters

Footage posted to social media captured the violence, which left one of the men with a bloodied face, while another clip showed a young woman dancing in the road as a crowd of 50 watched on

The 'despicable' gathering also saw revellers launch bottles and cans across Mermaid Quay, in scenes which left three police officers injured

A statement from South Wales Police said: 'During the course of the disturbance a number of missiles, including bottles, were thrown at officers. Three suffered minor injuries.'

An eyewitness, who saw the police making arrests from a nearby property, said: 'It is usually a very safe area where I live near Mermaid Quay, but I was scared.

'There were 10 plus police vans, and around 50 police on the streets chasing people. There was fighting, spitting, no face masks, drink, drugs and violence. I really feel for the police and their family.'

Cardiff council leader Huw Thomas said he had met with police and health teams on Wednesday morning.

He said: 'Intel suggests large numbers weren't local, but from Caerphilly and elsewhere in Gwent, who refused police requests to disperse.'

Talking about the amount of rubbish that was left in the Bay after on Wednesday morning, he added: 'Large 'event-style' bins already provided, but clearly too much effort for these selfish idiots.'

Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Chief Inspector Tony Williams said: 'The vast majority of people attending beauty spots throughout the area on Tuesday evening were doing so in accordance with current Covid restrictions and were respectful of others and the area they were visiting.

'We maintained a police presence at these locations to remind people of their obligations under the current restrictions.

'Crowds were dispersed at various points through the evening, and at around 10pm, officers were required to intervene in an incident of violent disorder in Cardiff Bay.

'Two people were arrested and a knife was also recovered from one of the suspects.

'The violence levelled at officers was despicable and will not be tolerated, nor will we tolerate the antisocial behaviour and criminality displayed by the minority on Tuesday evening.

'Throughout the pandemic, we have worked closely with our local authority partners to keep our communities safe and that approach will continue in the coming day and heading in to the bank holiday.

'Increased patrols will be carried out in key areas, and we will continue to liaise with the local authority and Welsh Government today to consider implementation of measures which further enable us to keep our communities safe.

'We appreciate the past year has been tough on us all, and with the recent relaxation to travel restrictions and improved weather we fully expect some of our beauty spots to busier.

'I would, however, appeal to the public to take a sensible approach and to continue supporting the restrictions that do remain in place, in order to keep us all safe.

'Those breaching the regulations or engaging in ASB and criminality can expect to be subject to enforcement action.'

Elsewhere, on London's Primrose Hill, a knife-wielding thug was caught on camera charging at crowds during a mass brawl.

The mobile phone footage recorded in the park at around 6pm on Tuesday appeared to show one man, who was wearing a high-vis jacket and motorcycle helmet, rushing into the melee with a blade in hand.

The mobile phone footage recorded in the north London park at around 6pm on Tuesday appeared to show one man in a high-vis jacket rushing into the melee with a blade in hand

The groups then charged through crowds during the mass brawl yesterday after thousands had flocked to the beauty spot on what was the warmest day of the year so far

No injuries were reported but police issued a Section 60 order in the area - giving officers the right to stop and search people without reasonable grounds.

The brawl came as revellers made the most of their newfound freedom this week after coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted on Monday - allowing up to six people or two households of any size to meet outdoors.

But many appeared to throw caution to the wind and gather in larger numbers as temperatures soared beyond 75F (24C) - in what was the warmest day of the year so far as well as the the hottest March day in Britain for 53 years.

In a clip shared on social media a group of young men, who have covered their faces with hoods and motorbike helmets, can be seen caught up in a dispute.

The yobs square up to each other and begin to exchange blows as crowds rush to get out of the way.

But one of the young men, wearing a high-vis jacket, appears to pull a knife as he lunges at rivals.

In apparent reaction to the blade being drawn, one man can be heard in the background saying: 'Wow, wow, wow. F*** that s***.'

Then one group of brawlers appears to chase their opponents down the hill and through the crowds.

A spokeswoman for the Met Police told MailOnline: 'Police were called at 17:50hrs on Tuesday, 30 March to reports of a male armed with a knife behaving erratically at Primrose Hill Park.

'Police attended and a search of the area was conducted with no trace of the male being found.

'There were no reported injuries. Enquiries continue.

The brawl came as revellers (pictured on Primrose Hill yesterday) made the most of their newfound freedom this week after coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted

Today the clean-up began in parks and beaches across the country after people left behind mounds of litter including disposable barbecues, beer cans and takeaway boxes (rubbish at Primrose Hill today)

'Anyone who witnessed this incident or has footage/images is asked to contact police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 6085/30MAR.

'To remain anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers_uk.org.

'Section 60 has been authorised and officers remain in the area.'

The Section 60, which was in place until 3am today, gives officers the right to stop and search people without reasonable grounds in a specific area for a certain period of time, in a bid to curb anticipated violence.

Meanwhile, as many as 20 police and ambulance vehicles lined up in Bold in St Helens following reports of large gangs of youths running riot.

Witnesses reported seeing up to 100 children involved in the incident, which resulted in an a 17-year-old boy being injured.

Police are probing the assault after he is said to have clashed with an unknown woman or girl.

In Sheffield, a woman was filmed falling to the ground after accidentally being hit in the back of the head with a football at a crowded Endcliffe Park.

The clip, originally shared on Snapchat, shows local personal shopper Christian Gibson holding a football in one hand and a beer in the other.

He can be seen swigging from the bottle and standing backwards before punting the ball into the air.

Christian brings his sunglasses down over his eyes and drops the ball out in front of him before catching it perfectly on his left foot.

However, his well executed kick ends terribly as it collides with the head of the woman who was casually walking past.

Christian Gibson can be seen swigging from a bottle and standing backwards (left) before punting the ball into the air (right)

However, his well executed kick ends terribly as it collides with the head of the woman who was casually walking past (left). The unknown woman is shown falling to the ground before lying in the foetal position as Christian covers his mouth in shock (right)

The unknown woman is shown falling to the ground before lying in the foetal position as Christian covers his mouth in shock.

Christian then makes his way over to his victim while an unknown cameraman can be heard laughing hysterically in the background before the short clip ends.

Since the video was posted on Twitter, it has been viewed more than 460,000 times and retweeted more than 2,300 times.

Today the clean-up began in parks and beaches across the country after people left behind mounds of litter including disposable barbecues, beer cans and takeaway boxes.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick urged people to make the most the latest easing of lockdown restrictions in England in a 'sensible, cautious' manner, enjoying the sunshine but also being careful and sticking to the rules.

He told ITV's Good Morning Britain today: 'We've all waited a long time to meet family and friends outdoors with these very limited freedoms we have now. We just need to exercise caution and be sensible and pragmatic.

'I think the vast majority of people will do that. They will enjoy the sunshine this week and over the Easter weekend, but they will do that in a sensible and cautious way.'

Ministers are concerned that infections could surge again if young people are too cavalier (groups gathered back at Primrose Hill today)

Mr Jenrick added that people should try 'to be careful, sticking to the rules', while Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted last night: 'Let's enjoy the sun but let's do it safely. We have come so far, don't blow it now.'

Their comments come after the Prime Minister said he hoped people would take advantage of the 'beautiful weather' to play sport or exercise, while also emphasising the country should still 'proceed with caution'.

Despite cases, hospitalisations and deaths all plunging to six month lows thanks to the vaccine roll-out, Ministers are concerned that infections could surge again if young people are too cavalier.
By 2030, the micro-mobility market is projected to exceed $300bn in the US and $900bn globally ( McKinsey ). ORION's founder and CEO Paul Perkins , says, "The millions of essential Americans who make less than $30k a year are the most in need of micro-mobility options but are being left out and overlooked by existing rideshare companies i.e., Uber, Lyft, Lime, Bird and etc., who are typically not readily accessible in low-income neighborhoods and too expensive for students and young professionals."

ORION believes, equitable access to quality, reliable and affordable transportation is the most important factor for a person to sustain a living and remove themselves from poverty in the 21st Century. The reality is someone yesterday, today and tomorrow will lose their job or miss a class or an opportunity simply because they couldn't afford or have access to transportation.

Their flagship product the ORION Bike and ORIONGo App is geared to solve the transportation problem for millions of Americans. The ORION Bike is a smart, affordable and innovative urban E-Bike, it has a top speed of 20mph, a 20mi distance and only takes 2-3 hours to charge!

It retails at just $899 for the Standard Edition and $999 for the Founder's Edition, only 200 Founder Edition bikes will be manufactured and sold. The ORION Bike is currently available for preorder for $50 on ORION's website.

The ORION Bike will also be available to the public via the ORIONGo (OGO) App, the first subscription only rideshare service. The OGO App will range from $10/month to $60/year for unlimited access, distance and time for riders. The OGO App will also allow ORION to partner with residential communities, corporations and educational institutions to provide "free" access to their bikes for a contractual fee.

**Investment Opportunity**

ORION Electronics Company, Inc is offering equity ownership via Wunderfund,Inc at $0.25 per share, which will be calculated as (your amount invested / $2.5M post-money valuation).

Post-money Valuation: $2.5M

Target Raise: $10.0K, up to $250.0K

Minimum Investment: $100.00 (for 400 shares minimum at $0.25/share)

Watch official ORION Bike commercial here.

Visit www.orionec.com to learn more and preorder your ORION Bike today!

Become an Early investor www.wunderfund.co/orion

About ORION Electronics Company, Inc

The ORION Electronics Company, Inc. is a global consumer electronics company founded at the Beijing University of Technology (BJUT) in 2013 by co-founders, Paul Perkins (CEO), Sydney Mwaimba (COO), Colin Curry (CDO) and Pius Gadosey (CTO). They are currently headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. ORION develops affordable, innovative and eco-friendly products for consumers in underrepresented markets. Their vision is to develop a more innovative and sustainable future, a vision they call the "Internet of Us".

You can connect with ORION below:

Twitter: @_orionec

Instagram: @_orionec

Facebook.com/holdtheuniverse

[email protected]

www.orionec.com

SOURCE ORION Electronics Company, Inc

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A federal appeals court has handed down a win to a commander in the Navy Reserve who claims he was placed on a performance improvement plan and ultimately removed from his NASA position for taking leave to perform his military duties.

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled March 11 that the Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent agency that evaluates the removal of federal employees, did not correctly evaluate the case of Fernando Santos, who had worked at NASA for 18 years when he was removed from his position in 2018. The court remanded Santos' case, appealing his removal from his job, back to the board for reconsideration.

Santos, a Navy engineering duty officer with over 20 years of service, had had a distinguished career at NASA, preceded by several years working for the agency as a contractor, according to court summaries. He'd worked as the lead engineer on projects, including the space shuttles Endeavour (OV-105), Atlantis (OV-104) and Discovery (OV-103), and had received NASA's prestigious Silver Snoopy award, which recognizes exceptional service beyond duty requirements that contributes to mission success. Only 1% of eligible recipients receive the award.

Santos' career appeared to take a turn, however, in 2017, when he joined the Ground Systems Branch in the Commercial Systems Division of the Engineering Directorate at John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida as a mechanical engineer. According to Santos' testimony to the Merit Systems Protection Board, his new supervisor at the job seemed to have a problem with his taking military leave, which he did for up to eight weeks at a time.

"Before the Board, Santos testified that, although he 'had never had problems with his use of military leave previously, he noticed as the year progressed that [his supervisor] was routinely taking a longer amount of time to approve his use of military leave,'" Circuit Judge Kathleen O'Malley wrote for the court.

Santos also claimed that he was held accountable for meetings he missed because he was on leave, including those scheduled after he'd requested the time out. In one case in November 2017, Santos said, he was tasked with compiling a report that required knowledge of a meeting that happened while he was out.

"Although Santos eventually obtained a copy of the meeting minutes and submitted the report, [the supervisor] informed Santos that the report was unsatisfactory and asked another employee to redo Santoss work," O'Malley wrote.

In early 2018, Santos received a "Letter of Instruction" regarding proper use of leave and recording work hours, just a day after he'd had another military leave request approved. According to the court's summary, this was followed by a series of reprimands over the next several months as Santos was held accountable for information shared in meetings held while he was out, and once for a lapsed training that he completed two days after returning from leave.

The cycle culminated, according to the court, with Santos' supervisor placing him on a performance improvement plan, or PIP, for 45 days. The PIP included 11 assignments and entailed multiple meetings between Santos and his supervisor to evaluate progress. At the end of the period, which also included some military leave, Santos' performance was deemed to be unacceptable, and he was removed from his job Sept. 26, 2018.

Santos appealed to the board, saying that his firing violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which protects Guard and Reserve members from losing their jobs or facing workplace discrimination because of the requirements of their military duties.

The board considered Santos' performance while on the PIP and decided that NASA had cause to remove him following that period. But, the court found, it didn't consider whether Santos had been placed appropriately on the PIP in the first place. It also rejected Santos' USERRA claim as not being supported by sufficient evidence.

"In reaching this conclusion, the Board concluded that there was no evidence supporting Santoss claim because [his supervisor] 'thanked him for his service,' was 'very patriotic,' and did not express to others that Santos took too much military leave," O'Malley wrote.

While the board has a longstanding practice of not considering pre-PIP performance, the court found that Santos' situation required that consideration so his claim that the PIP itself was retaliatory could get proper evaluation.

"An agency could establish a PIP in direct retaliation for protected conduct and set up unreasonable expectations in the PIP in the hopes of predicating removal on them without ever being held accountable for the original retaliatory conduct," the decision stated. "Indeed, these are the circumstances in which the issue of pre-PIP performance would be most relevant."

The court overturned the board's original decision in Santos' case and ordered the board to give further consideration to both the circumstances preceding the PIP and his claims of retaliation under USERRA.

According to Santos' LinkedIn profile, he stopped working for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in 2018 but began a new role as senior project manager for NASA based in Wallops Island, Virginia, in January 2020. He did not respond to a message requesting comment on the case.

A spokesperson for the Merit Systems Protection Board told Military.com in a statement that,

"Once the courts mandate issues, the remanded case will be processed in accordance with the courts decision." The board declined further comment on the case.

NASA fully supports our employees who proudly serve in the reserve components of Americas military," an agency spokesperson told Military.com in a statement. "It would be inappropriate, however, for NASA to discuss personnel matters.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
The 93rd Academy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, April 25 as an 'in-person ceremony' in Los Angeles with intense COVID-19 protocols in place, despite other award shows opting to go the 'virtual' route amid the pandemic.

But show producers Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher, seemingly in response to travel concerns, informed nominees in a virtual meeting on Tuesday that a 'British hub' will be added for international nominees.

The Los Angeles hub will also include a traditional red carpet component, with producers 'planning something special for the UK location.'

This comes shortly after it was reported that international nominees/attendees would be expected to quarantine for 10 days prior to the Los Angeles-based ceremony, while those living in LA (or flying in domestically) would have to isolate for five days.

Change of plans: Show producers Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher, seemingly in response to travel concerns, informed nominees in a virtual meeting on Tuesday that a 'British hub' will be added for international nominees for this year's Oscars

Further straying from their original 'No Zoom' policy, producers behind the 93rd Academy Awards are now no longer totally ruling out the video conferencing program, but are hoping it won't come to that point.

Producers are also working with local broadcast affiliates around the world to provide satellite links for other international nominees to accept the honors/attend.

On Monday, an email obtained by Showbiz411 alleged that all international nominees were advised to prepare to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival to Los Angeles.

The email also allegedly stated that the Academy would handle all COVID tests, with three tests being required leading up to the show for international travelers.

LA-based nominees and those located in other parts of the US are being asked to 'quarantine for 5 days'.

'There will be 2 COVID tests required leading up to the show,' the email reportedly reads.

The Academy is reportedly grappling with COVID-19 restrictions as it's revealed that international nominees will be expected to quarantine for 10 days while those living in LA or flying in domestically will have to isolate for five ahead of the Oscars (2020 pictured) show

According to the email, tickets for nominees are 'non-transferrable' and organizers 'will not be able to credential studio nor personal reps to be onsite'.

Variety and Deadline Hollywood reported last week that publicists and some studio executives have complained to the film academy about logistics, costs and quarantine issues raised by the decision to bar nominees from taking part in the ceremony remotely.

The Academy did not return a request for comment on the reports.

At least nine nominees, including Promising Young Woman director Emerald Fennell and star Carey Mulligan, live in Britain.

England this week is expected to ban nonessential international travel until mid-May.

Representatives of the five international feature films - submitted by Denmark, Hong Kong, Romania, Tunisia and Bosnia - could also face hurdles getting to Los Angeles.

Some of the other 200 or so nominees will be working on productions that require quarantine or living in restricted 'bubbles' with cast and crew.

Other awards shows in recent months have replaced the usual in-person gatherings at gala dinners and on stage with pre-recorded appearances or virtual events, or a combination of those with small in-person gatherings.

Unlike most awards shows this year, the Oscars will not be held virtually on April 25. The Academy will hand out the highest honors in the movie industry at the historic Union Station (pictured) in Downtown Los Angeles

The other part of the show will be held at the traditional home of the Academy Awards, the Dolby Theatre (pictured) in Hollywood

But television audiences have slumped, with the Golden Globes and the Grammys attracting the smallest numbers in decades.

The Academy will hand out the highest honors in the movie industry at the historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, April 25 and also at the traditional home of the Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Besides quarantining, attendees are also being told to bring a mask, even if the show is being designed so that people do not have to wear them on stage or in the audience.

There will also be a rotation of nominees in and out of the room throughout the evening.

The Hollywood Reporter reported that will be a 'state-of-the-art' testing facility just for the Academy Awards and that additional quarantining costs for nominees will be offset by partnerships with airlines and hotels.

And while most of the traditional events leading up to the Oscars have been canceled, there will be an outdoor celebration for nominees the day prior the show.

And while the option of 'Zoom-ing' into the show is still up in the air for nominees, winners not in attendance will be able to Zoom into the virtual press interview room following the ceremony.

The 93rd Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC on April 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Having a smartphone in the modern era is a privilege and a curse. It always transmits data to its respective companies, and hacking is always a threat in this digital age. Now, a research claims that Android transmits 20 times more information to Google compared to the data iOS sends to Apple.

Android Privacy vs iOS: Which is Better?

Ars Technica reported that a researcher named Douglas Leith from Trinity College in Ireland performed a test to see which OS transmits more data from the user's smartphone to its database. The researcher used a Google Pixel 2, which runs with Android 10 and an iPhone 8 powered by iOS 13.6.1. The iPhone was jailbroken with the use of Checm8, while the Pixel had pre-installed Google Play services.

Leith collected his finding and stated that even when the user has newly opened its smartphone device, it automatically sends telemetry data to their respective motherships. Not only that, Leith noted that the device sends data to their databases even when a device is idle or even when users are just browsing configuration settings on the screen.

In a further experiment, Leith found out that both Apple and Google's pre-installed apps also send data to their database. However, the iOS device only sends data from Siri, Safari, and iCloud. In contrast, Google sends data from Chrome, YouTube, Google Docs, Safetyhub, Google Messenger, the device clock, and the Google search bar. It is almost twice as Apple is sending to their respective company database.

Leith continued that Google devices stand out in this experiment, as they collect data upon booting up with a whopping 1MB of information. In contrast, the Apple device only collects 42KB of data. Leigh further stated that the Google device collects 1MB of data every 12 hours, while the Apple device only collects 52KB of data at the same period.

Also Read: Android Privacy Settings: 5 Ways to Protect Your Data From Google

Leith stated his concern that collecting data from user's private accounts is alarming since the data is linked to the user's basic information such as email, name, address, credit card information, and more of the user's identification. The researcher also addressed that the constant connections to back-end servers can reveal the user's IP address of the device, and by extension, the user's geographic location.

Google Denies Research Findings

Although the findings have been proven, a spokesperson from Google has disagreed with the tests and stated that the research is based on faulty methods for measuring data collected by each OS. The tech giant further contested that data collection is a base function for any internet-connected device. Google added that these findings are off by order of magnitude, all while sharing their methodology concerns with the researcher before publication.

Google continued that the experiment outlines how a smartphone work: cars can send primary data to their car manufacturers, and mobile phones are the same. It is also a method to keep the devices up to date, and its services are working as it should.

Even if people are using Apple or a Google device, there is no difference in it as everyone is using the internet to browse, view, and use the different benefits of the web. However, users can stop this by clicking on the video below. It is a YouTube video that makes Apple and Google stop spying on user's accounts and disables the data sharing from the phone to the device's respective database.



Related Article: DuckDuckGo vs. Google: Which Is the Better Search Engine for Your Privacy?
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 14:01:56|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA -- The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of Indonesia's crashed Sriwijaya Air passenger plane was recovered, which will significantly help investigators find out the cause of the incident that killed all 62 people on board, an official said here on Wednesday.

The CVR was recovered from the seafloor near the spot where the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was retrieved days after the crash, spokesman of the National Search and Rescue Office Yusuf Latief said. (Indonesia-Crashed Plane-CVR)

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HANOI -- The National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam on Wednesday elected here Vuong Dinh Hue as its new chairman at the ongoing 11th session of the 14th NA.

A resolution on electing Hue as the chairman of the NA and chairman of the National Election Council was adopted with an approval rate of 98.54 percent, Vietnam News Agency reported. (Vietnam-NA Chairman-Election)

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ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Pakistani people desire peaceful and cooperative relations with all neighbors including India, an official from the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan confirmed to Xinhua on Tuesday.

Khan was responding to a letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which the Indian leader had conveyed his best wishes for the people of Pakistan on Pakistan Day celebrated on March 23. (Pakistan-Neighbors-Ties)

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CANBERRA -- The chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has reneged on his decision to strip honours from thousands of soldiers who served in Afghanistan.

Chief of ADF Angus Campbell announced in November that 3,000 personnel would be stripped of their Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC) after special forces troops were accused of committing war crimes in Afghanistan by the Inspector-General of the ADF (IGADF). (Australian Soldiers-Crime Allegations-Afghanistan) Enditem
By Ritah Kemigisa

The Uganda National NGO Forum has launched a 5-year self-sustainability programme for NGOs to overcome the challenges caused by foreign funding.

Launching the programme dubbed Philanthropy for Development, the forums executive director Moses Isooba said its goal is to redefine and give ownership of development to the people by harnessing the power of domestic mobilization.

He adds that for a long time, development in the country has been from foreigners and yet Ugandans themselves have the resources including; space, time, expertise and knowledge to trigger development from the grassroots level.

According to Isooba, Ugandans and Africans at large are known to be givers and is as such optimistic that the programme that will be steered by communities in 14 regions of Uganda will yield fruit.

The programme is being supported by the Dutch Ministry of foreign affairs through the Giving for Change Alliance.
Hyderabad, March 31 : Telangana Police have started to crack down on those not wearing masks in public places despite the orders issued by the state government.

Taking a lead, police in Peddapalli district imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each on at least 54 people found violating the order on masks.

A police officer said a fine of Rs 1,000 will be imposed on anybody found without mask. Action was already initiated against the violators in Peddapalli, Godavarikhani and Sultanabad areas under the limits of Ramagundam police commissionerate.

The violators will have to pay the penalty in courts. Police have appealed to people to strictly follow the mask-on rule and avoid being penalised.

Worried over the surge in Covid-19 cases, the state government on March 27 issued new guidelines, making it mandatory for people to wear masks while stepping out into public places. It said those violating the diktat will be subjected to strict punishment, even imprisonment.

The order issued by Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar made wearing of masks mandatory in all public places, workspaces and public means of transport across the state.

"Any deviation in this regard shall attract prosecution under Section 51 and 60 of Disaster Management Act 2005 and Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant)," reads the order.

Under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, anybody found obstructing an officer or employee from performing duty will be imprisoned for a term, which may extend to one year or fine, or both.

The state government directed the District Collectors and Commissioner/Superintendent of Police to strictly implement the usage of masks.

However, there was hardly any action on the part of police during last four days to enforce the mask regulation. Not many people in the state capital and districts are seen wearing masks.

There were only a few instances of authorities imposing fine on violators. Authorities in the Secunderabad Cantonment area imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 on a supermarket for not following Covid-19 norms, including staff not wearing masks.

The police took up awareness campaign across the state on wearing of masks. They advised people to mask up or face a penalty.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said they were trying to create public awareness on the need to wear masks in view of the possible second wave of Covid.

Police at few places conducted programmes with performers wearing masks to create awareness among people.

Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat warned that those who do not wear masks will be prosecuted and Rs 1,000 fine will be imposed.
Fiat has launched special edition versions of its 500 lineup of cars with an unusual partner: Google. The Fiat 500 Family Hey Google not only brings Google tech to the 500 city car, 500X crossover and 500L MPV, but special design elements and Google badges  the first time those have appeared on any car, Fiat claims

Of course, the 500 Family Hey Google cars include the latest version of Google Assistant, allowing you to use voice control for navigation and other normal functions. However, it's also fitted with My Fiat Action and a telematics box, letting you remotely check settings using a smartphone or Google Nest Hub by saying "Hey Google, ask my Fiat..."

Google

Those include things like fuel levels, tire pressure, whether your car is locked, switching on the emergency lights and more. You can also remotely monitor your car's location or journeys and receive notifications in case of a possible theft or excess speeds. Special edition buyers can activate those services upon delivery and follow the procedures from Fiat.

Lots of other cars offer Google Assistant with various levels of integration, but what makes the 500 Hey Google editions stand out is the co-branding. All three models feature two-tone white and black color schemes along with Hey Google badges on the wheel arches and embroidered into the seats. The car's center pillars are also adorned with Google's primary-color "molecule" pattern.

Google

The Fiat 500 Family Hey Google will be available exclusively in Europe in 10 countries  and only in the ICE versions, not the 500 EV. It'll go on sale in Italy, the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland starting at 16,005 ($22,000) for the 500 hatchback, and going up to 23,264 ($30,000) for the 148 horsepower 500X. All buyers will also get a welcome kit including a Google Nest hub and branded key cover. Fiat launched the new models at is own virtual launch event explaining the integration and partnership with Google. It's 20-plus minutes long, but you can watch it below.
April Weaver, a former state representative and ex-Trump administration official, handily won Tuesdays special election Republican primary for a central Alabama Senate seat over two other contenders, according to unofficial results from the secretary of states office.

Meanwhile, another special election -- for Alabama House District 73, representing parts of Shelby County -- is headed to a runoff.

Weaver, who left Montgomery in May 2020 to become Regional Director for Region IV of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration, won Tuesdays election with 82 percent of the vote, according to preliminary tallies.

Weaver defeated Republicans Donna Stong, who got 11 percent of the vote, and Joseph Barlow, who received 7 percent of the vote.

We are excited that after spending time working for the Trump Administration, former State Rep. April Weaver will be our nominee for Senate District 14. She will work hard to keep that seat in the Republican column and be a strong representative for the residents of Bibb, Chilton and Shelby Counties, said Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl in a statement.

The Senate District 14 seat was left vacant when Cam Ward resigned to take over as director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. The districts includes parts of Chilton, Bibb and Shelby counties.

The House District 73 seat became vacant when former state Rep. Matt Fridy was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals last year.

Republicans Leigh Hulsey and Kenneth Paschal are headed to a runoff in the five-person race after no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote. Hulsey led the field with 31 percent of the vote while Paschal received 27 percent.

Congratulations also to Leigh Hulsey and Kenneth Paschal on advancing to the run-off election, Wahl said. We offer our thanks to all the candidates in both races. Running for political office is a huge commitment and sacrifice, and we wish them the very best.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Au Xchange Fine Gold Jewelry is partnering with Malala Fund to advance their common objective of empowering girls through education. The Malala Fund was established in 2013 by Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girls' education activist and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, and her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai to champion every girl's right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education. Au Xchange Fine Gold Jewelry was founded in November 2019 by attorney/jewelry designer Azra Mehdi who immigrated from Mumbai, India to the United States as a teenager for higher education.

Education is the undisputed path to financial independence and self-empowerment for girls and women. Tweet this AX-MOM Collection by Au Xchange Fine Gold Jewelry

With more than 130 million girls out of school, Malala Fund applies a multi-faceted approach to creating a future where every girl can learn. They invest in activists who are driving solutions to barriers to girls' education in their communities. They push for the policy change needed to help more girls access a secondary education. The organization also amplifies girls' voices through their digital publication, Assembly.

Au Xchange founder, Azra Mehdi, shares Malala Fund's vision of creating a better world for everyone by educating girls and encouraging them to use their voices. "Deprived of education herself, my mother was adamant about giving her daughters an equal opportunity to education as her sons. I attribute my professional success as an attorney as well as the confidence to pursue my passion for jewelry solely to education, which is why an essential component of Au Xchange's business model is supporting girls' access to education," says Mehdi. Recognizing that education is the undisputed path to financial independence and self-empowerment for girls and women, Au Xchange has committed to donate 10% of every sale to Malala Fund beginning April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022 to support their mission of educating and empowering girls to create a world where girls learn and lead.

About Au Xchange Fine Gold Jewelry:

Au Xchange Fine Gold Jewelry was founded in November 2019 in San Francisco, California by Azra Mehdi on the core principle of empowering girls and women through beauty and brains - exceptional quality and timeless jewelry designs supporting girls' education and creating tomorrow's changemakers. Learn more at auxchange.com, featuring the unique new AX-MOM collection of 10 mom necklaces in 5 different languages celebrating mothers and diversity. Price range $875 to $2,200.

About Malala Fund:

Malala Fund is working for a world where all girls can learn and lead. Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education, invests in local education leaders and amplifies the voices of girls fighting for change. Learn more at malala.org.

Press contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Au Xchange Fine Gold Jewelry

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Irish journalist Yvonne Murray has told of how she and her husband BBC China correspondent John Sudworth and their three children had to leave China because of mounting pressure from the Chinese Authorities.

Ms Murray told RTE radios News at One that they had made the decision to leave after the Chinese authorities began coordinated personalised attacks.

In the end we couldn't justify raising a young family in that atmosphere.

Two of the couples three children were born in China and they all speak fluent Chinese.

The family, who lived in China for 10 years, are now in quarantine in Taipei where they will remain and the couple will report on China.

Ms Murray said it had been upsetting for the children when the family was watched by plain clothes policemen as they loaded their luggage into the taxi and were followed to the airport where they were observed until they boarded their flight.

In the end its a sad departing memory. But they cant take away our wonderful memories.

Her husband said he had faced surveillance, obstruction and intimidation as he reported on issues including human rights abuses in Xinjiang province and the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

The BBC said he had exposed truths the Chinese authorities did not want the world to know and he would continue his work as China correspondent from Taiwan.

Mr Sudworth told BBC Radio 4s Today: Over the last few years the pressure and threats from the Chinese authorities as a result of my reporting here have been pretty constant.

But in recent months they have intensified, the BBC has faced a full-on propaganda attack not just aimed at the organisation itself but at me personally, across multiple Communist-party controlled platforms.

We have faced threats of legal action as well as massive surveillance now, obstruction and intimidation whenever and wherever we try to film.

In the end we, as a family based in Beijing, along with the BBC, decided it was just too risky to carry on  which is, of course, sadly precisely the point of that kind of intimidation  and we have relocated to Taiwan.

Mr Sudworth said other foreign journalists had been forced to make similar journeys to Taiwan, where there is much greater press freedom.

We left in a hurry, followed by plain clothed police all the way to the airport and through the check-in hall, the true grim reality for reporters here being made clear all the way to the very end.

The Global Times, a Chinese state-run website, reported that Mr Sudworth who became infamous in China for his many biased stories distorting Chinas Xinjiang policies and Covid-19 responses, has left the Chinese mainland and is now believed to be hiding in Taiwan.
CABINET Ministers and Members of Parliament have expressed their trust and confidence in the Vice President (VP) elect, Dr Philip Mpango, insisting that his ability to deliver is purely unquestionable.

Minister of Education Science and Technology, Professor Joyce Ndalichako described the nominated VP as a polite, calm, God fearing, hardworking and patriotic person who has deep love for his country.

"Dr Mpango's appointment was a true sign of President Samia Suluhu Hassan's vision in identifying people who are ready to offer their sacrifice to their country," she said.

Dr Mpango was appointed on Tuesday by the Head of State and later endorsed by 363 Members of Parliament (MPs) to become the VP. He will be sworn in Wednesday afternoon by Chief Justice, Professor Ibrahim Juma at Chamwino State House in Dodoma.

"I know Dr Mpango because we worked together at the University of Dar es Salaam, where he supervised ethics and integrity in academic matters."

He said that his ability to deliver is exhibited by his leadership as the Minister for Finance for almost six consecutive years, a ministry which was too tough for ministers to stay for a long time.

"I am sure that he will assist the President very well and he will be keen enough in making the country's economy to prosper as well as protecting the country's resources," said Prof Ndalichako who doubles as Kasulu Urban lawmaker.

She was supported by Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, who showered praise on the newly appointed VP, insisting that he also knows him for a long time and his track record in performance.

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Quoting some Biblical verses, Prof Kabudi who is also the MP for Kilosa Constituency, described Dr Mpango as a bold, polite and hardworking man.

"He had been baked well in leadership since President Jakaya Kikwete's administration, and therefore he has all the qualities to fit in the shoes of this position," he added.

The Minister for Lands and Human Settlement, William Lukuvi, said that Dr Mpango's appointment involved the hand of God and that he was a suitable person to hold the position.

"Dr Mpango is a quiet man and there is no way any person can quarrel with him, indeed this is the right person for the position of the VP," insisted Mr Lukuvi who doubles as Ismani MP.

Geita Rural MP, Joseph Kasheku alias Msukuma (CCM) praised Dr Mpango, describing him as a person who did not have political groups and who always listens to whoever approaches him.

"I remember when he was a minister, he used to listen to every member of parliament and his fellow ministers as well, therefore, we believe he will take this nation to the next level," he said.

Special Seats Lawmaker, Naghenjwa Kaboyoka (CHADEMA), described the newly appointed VP as a calm and composed person who has always been approachable any time.

"I am the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and all the time when we requested him to appear before our committee to offer clarification on some issues in his former ministry, he did not hesitate to collaborate," she said.
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Have you checked your car recently? If so, you've probably noticed a yellow, dusty film covering your vehicle. That, my friend, is pollen and it's annoying.



According to an allergy report by Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgery Center and Allergy/Immunology Research Lab, the pollen count is expected to be high for the rest of the week. The good news is that pollen season is almost over. It generally peaks mid-April.



However, the ice storm Texas saw back in February could be a reason why next month could be even more miserable for allergy sufferers. One Texas doctor told the Houston Chronicle they typically see higher tree pollen counts around early March. He says that was delayed when last month's ice storm killed trees and vegetation across the Lone Star state.

READ ALSO: San Antonio among Top 20 again for worst place to live with allergies, report says



"April could bring a combination of heavy tree pollen in addition to grass pollen that spikes this time each year, causing sore throats and headaches for those with allergies," the Houston Chronicle reported.
A frightening forecast could put as many as 39 million people in the Southeast at risk for severe weather as a weather system moves across a broad swath of the country today.

From the Gulf Coast of Louisiana all the way to the mid-Atlantic region and the Carolinas, the potential for serious storms exists.

Straight line winds will affect the region throughout the day, with isolated tornadoes being a possibility.

The possibility of severe storms ranges from possible to likely across the Southeast US

There is also a marginal to slight chance of excessive rainfall through Wednesday evening

According to WKRG, damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes can't be ruled out as possibilities as thunderstorms hit from 1pm to 9pm along the Gulf Coast.

As the day goes on, it is forecast to get increasingly windy, with an advisory going into effect in the evening.

In the Carolinas, part of North Carolina is under a severe weather risk on Wednesday.

Parts of the region in the Carolinas and Virginia are under flash flood watches on Wednesday

One of the biggest threats in the region are the damaging winds from several storms

11ABC reports that damaging winds are the biggest threat, but hail or an isolated tornado are possible.

Central North Carolina is expected to get hit with heavy storms beginning around 5pm, with the possibility it lasts through 10pm.

Showers will linger in the region through Thursday and the temperatures will plummet, possibly to the degree a frost advisory will be necessary.

Heavy rain is forecast to hit the Tennessee Valley region through Kentucky on Wednesday, particularly in the morning and early afternoon, which could put the area at risk for flash flooding.

Nashville could be targeted in the storm, a city still reeling from flooding over the previous weekend that left seven people dead around the area.

Five people died in Davidson County, while one died in Cheatham County and another in Hawkins County.

The potential for excessive rainfall reaches Tennessee, which saw deadly floods last week

Thunderstorms are likely to take hold of the Southeast US throughout Wednesday

Many of those who died drowned in their vehicles as they were driving during the flooding.

According to CNN, two victims were found at a homeless encampment in the area.

Over the weekend, Nashville saw its second-highest two-day rainfall of all-time, leading rivers and creeks to flood.

The flash flood reveals the exposure of over 20,000 people to flooding in Tennessee

A flash flood watch has already been put in effect in the Tennessee Valley, which will remain in place through Wednesday evening.

WRCBtv reports that anywhere from 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches of rain could fall on Wednesday in a region that has already seen 10.3 inches of rain fall during March alone.

By the later parts of the afternoon and the evening, the heavy rain is forecast to give way to spot showers.

Alabama and Georgia could see severe weather after they saw tornadoes last week that killed six people, according to CNN, including five in Alabama.

Those states were scattered with debris and homes and businesses were torn apart by the tornadoes.

Several people needed to be rescued from their homes after downed trees toppled their properties.

Tornadoes struck the Southeast United States last week (damage in Newnan pictured)

The tornadoes in Alabama and Georgia destroyed homes and left six people dead

In Newnan, sirens warned of the coming tornado just 15-to-20 minutes before it struck

'This stuff is unbelievable,' Coweta County Fire Chief Deron Patrick Wilson told CNN. 'kind of think about this kind of stuff when you look out in the Midwest, Oklahoma. I think you're going to see that same kind of damage here.'

Sirens needed to be activated in Newnan, part of Coweta County, which gave residents 15 to 20 minutes of warnings before Friday's tornado hit.

In total, 23 tornadoes formed in the region from last Thursday to Friday, including one in Mississippi.

Overnight, part of the country will see temperatures drop, potentially making way for snow from the Appalachians all the way to New England.
Newly branded combination of daVinci Payments and North Lane Technologies to become industry's preferred payments partner

daVinci Payments and North Lane Technologies announced today that they have become a single, unified payments brand: Onbe. The two payment firms unite over 25 years of experience, a market-leading team and innovative technology to create a dynamic, high-growth company.Onbe, derived from the words 'on behalf,' will embark on its new mission to innovate and co-create engaging experiences that deliver value beyond currency for all, seamlessly connecting partners with their recipients across the globe.

With the combined strengths of the legacy companies and a majority equity investment by Centerbridge Partners, Onbe is well-positioned to meet the accelerating demand for digital payments and shape the payments industry's future. The addressable market of the combined company is estimated to be $7.9T in annual payment volume.

"Innovation, co-creation and service are at the heart of everything we do," said Juli Spottiswood, Onbe's Chairman and interim CEO. "We're passionate about ensuring that our products not only meet our customers' goals, but far exceed them. By combining both daVinci and North Lane's unmatched teams of payments experts, Onbe is positioned to elevate its industry leadership and capture the massive global opportunity in digital payments."

As more businesses seek to engage their audiences and augment legacy payment methods, Onbe is capitalizing on the tremendous advancements in digital payments. The company meets the growing demand for digital experiences with a suite of industry-tailored solutions for consumers, workforces, and marketplace payouts. Offering a broad array of payment options across 200 countries and 9 currencies, Onbe is driving the evolution of digital payments through its best-in-class virtual payments offering, which enables seamless, real-time payments along with choice and flexibility for recipients. Payments can be provisioned to digital wallets for online, in-store, and in-app purchases, meeting customers wherever they choose to shop and pay.

Within its new, unified operating model, Onbe brings together the people, platform and products modern businesses need to create better payment programs. Highly configurable and purpose-built for large enterprises, its technology enables the world's most innovative companies to deliver payments and engage stakeholders flexibly and seamlessly. Onbe's team of payments experts collaborate with organizations to design strategic solutions that drive business growth and recipient satisfaction. Custom branding helps businesses connect with their most important audiences and turn every payment into a competitive advantage.

ABOUT ONBE

Onbe, based in Chicago and Philadelphia, creates engaging payment experiences on behalf of modern brands for consumers, workforces and marketplaces, delivering value beyond currency. Backed by top-tier investors and with over 25 years of industry experience, Onbe's team of experts and purpose-built payment issuing platform seamlessly connect brands to their constituents around the world. www.onbe.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005660/en/

Contacts:

Chris Pham

cpham@ideagrove.com
The Minneapolis convenience store where George Floyd used a counterfeit bill moments before he died is drawing in customers by playing a live stream of Derek Chauvin's murder trial.

A television mounted above an ATM at Cup Foods broadcasted the view from inside the Hennepin County Courthouse on Wednesday as a former employee took the witness stand.

The employee, Christopher Martin, testified about how his co-worker called the police on May 25, 2020, after he raised alarm about a fake $20 bill Floyd used to buy cigarettes.

Martin told the court how Floyd appeared 'high' and struggled to make a conversation as the prosecution released never-before-seen video from inside the store.

Speaking to the New York Times during Martin's testimony, Cup Foods owner Mike Abumayyaleh said: 'This is the first time I've seen this footage  it was seized the morning after.'

Derek Chauvin's murder trial is seen on a TV inside Cup Foods - the Minneapolis convenience store where George Floyd used a counterfeit bill moments before his death last spring

New video showing Floyd (center in a black tank top) inside Cup Foods on May 25, 2020, was played in court on Wednesday

Derek Chauvin (right) looks on during day three of his murder trial on Wednesday

Abumayyaleh, who owns the store with his brothers, said he and his employees were keeping a close eye on the trial that thrust Cup Foods into the international spotlight last spring.

'We'd like to know the outcome,' Abumayyaleh said, however he declined to specify what he hoped the outcome would be.

He said the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension 'asked us not to comment until after the trial is over'.

Across the street from the store, about two dozen activists and volunteers gathered for a meeting at the Speedway gas station, just a few yards from where Chauvin and two other officers pinned Floyd to the ground.

Some of the attendees told the Times they were keeping track of the trial, which others said they found it too draining to watch.

Cup Foods clerk Christopher Martin (pictured), who was working on May 25, 2020, took the stand on Wednesday to testify about how staff called the cops on Floyd because they believed he used a counterfeit $20 bill

Martin, the Cup Foods clerk who was working on the day Floyd died, testified in detail about the events leading up to the black man's fatal arrest.

It was Martin who had accepted Floyd's $20 bill before realizing that it was fake.

Looking back, Martin said he wished he'd never raised alarm about the bill because he believes Floyd might still be alive if he hadn't, telling the court: 'This could have been avoided.'

Across the approximately ten minutes of surveillance footage played in court, Floyd could be seen meandering through the small store where he had dropped off his cell phone to be fixed.

He rifled through his pants pockets, counting and recounting bills, taking them out and replacing them.

At times in the video, which did not have audio, Floyd appeared to be talking to himself or randomly at other customers.

After briefly exiting the store, knocking a piece of fruit to the ground as he left, he returned and again appeared agitated, high and distracted.

At one point he hopped on the spot, shuffled backwards before putting his arms over his head and jigging once more where he stood.

Twitchy and unable to stand still he made his way to the front of the store once more to buy cigarettes with the $20 bill that store clerk Martin immediately believed to be fake.

Floyd then walked outside as Martin held the bill up and examined it. Martin told the court that he became suspicious of the bill because it had an unusual 'blue pigment so I assumed it was fake'.

Floyd is seen holding the $20 bill he used to buy cigarettes before a Martin noticed it was fake

Floyd could be seen rifling through his pants pockets, counting and recounting bills, taking them out and replacing them

'The policy was if you took a counterfeit bill you had to pay for it out of your pay-check,' Martin explained. 'I took it anyways and was planning to just put it on my tab - until I second guessed myself and eventually told my manager.'

The manager then instructed Martin to go outside and bring Floyd back, he said. When Floyd refused, a co-worker called police. One of the responding officers was Chauvin.

Questioned by Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank, Martin said that the two things he noticed about Floyd were his 'size' and he appeared to be 'high'.

However he said that he did not find Floyd's demeanor to be threatening, saying: 'He seemed very friendly, approachable, talkative, he seemed just to be having an average Memorial Day living his life. But he did seem high.'

An autopsy found Floyd had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death. Chauvin's lawyers have argued that his true cause of death was a drug overdose, despite the county medical examiner ruling it a homicide resulting from the police restraint.

Martin then narrated a second video showing him speaking with Floyd and his acquaintances in a car parked outside Cup Foods. He said he took two trips out to the vehicle, bringing co-workers with him the second time.

Inside Cup Foods where George Floyd purchased cigarettes with a fake $20 dollar bill moments before his death, patrons and staff are glued to the live coverage of Dereck Chauvin's trial

Cup Foods owner Mahmoud Abumayyale watches the trial from the store

'I notified them that they needed to come back into the store and the bill was fake and my boss wanted to talk to them,' Martin said.

He recalled Floyd sitting in the driver seat 'kind of shaking his head, putting his hands on his head. Like: "Why is this happening?" kind of thing.'

Floyd repeatedly refused to come back into the store, at which point Martin said his manager instructed a co-worker to call the police.

He said officers arrived and spoke to the manager while Martin went back to manning the cash register.

Under continued questioning by Frank, Martin told how, as the store emptied, he became aware of a commotion at the front of Cup Foods. He went outside and was confronted by the already escalated situation.

'I saw people yelling and screaming I saw Derek [Chauvin] with his knee on George's neck on the ground,' he said.

'George was motionless, limp and Chauvin seemed veryhe was in a resting state, meaning like he just rested his knee on his neck.'

A second video from outside the store showed Martin (above in gray) talking to Floyd inside a car parked at Cup Foods

Martin is seen (bottom right) standing outside the store as police restrained Chauvin on the other side of a squad car

Martin, who lived above the store, said: 'I pulled my phone out first and called my mom and told her not to come downstairs. Then I started recording.

'Later on that night I deleted it because when they picked George up off the ground the ambulance went straight down 38th and the quickest way to get to the hospital is straight down Chicago Avenue.'

Martin said he assumed from this that Floyd was already dead and deleted his recording as he didn't want to have to show it to anybody or answer questions about it in the aftermath.

Asked how he had felt as he absorbed what he had just witnessed, Martin said 'disbelief and guilt'.

Martin, who had earlier told jurors that he had almost not reported the fake bill and only done so after second-guessing himself, said: 'If I would have just not taken the bill this could have been avoided.'

Asked if he still worked at Cup Foods, Martin's voice cracked as he said: 'No. I didn't feel safe.'

A memorial for George Floyd has been set up outside Cup Foods

Locals have left paintings, flowers and other tributes for Floyd
Freeze Warning Until 9 AM

By National Weather Service

PADUCAH - The National Weather Service in Paducah has another freeze warning until 9 a.m. this morning.Sub-freezing temperatures are expected for up to eight hours Friday morning, cold enough to challenge some records across the region.Paducah bottomed out at 27 degrees this morning. Its record low for today is 26 degrees, set 50 years ago today in 1961.This is definitely late in the season for a hard freeze. The average date for Paducah to see a freeze of 28 or colder is March 25.But, even on April 6 there's still a 50-50 chance that Paducah could see a 32-degree freeze.Paducah's latest freeze ever was on May 7, 1944.Temperatures will quickly recover to the mid-50s on Friday afternoon, the mid-60s on Saturday, and 70 on Easter Sunday.On the Net:
(Natural News) Failed presidential wannabe Pete Buttigieg, Joe Bidens transportation secretary, has a new idea for curbing global warming: taxing Americans based on every mile they drive.

As a teaser for fake president Joe Bidens upcoming infrastructure plans, Buttigieg announced that Hunters dad spoke fondly of a mileage levy, suggesting that the plan is already in the works.

When you think about infrastructure, its a classic example of the kind of investment that has a return on that investment, Buttigieg proudly stated.

Thats one of many reasons why we think this is so important. This is a jobs vision as much as it is an infrastructure vision, a climate vision and more. A so-called vehicle-miles-traveled tax or mileage tax, whatever you want to call it, could be a way to do it.

According to Buttigieg, there is a strong appetite for coming up with new sustainable funding streams for Americas already grossly bloated government. In order to continue paying for roads while saving the climate, Buttigieg believes that taxing people based on how much they drive is the way to go.

Youre hearing a lot of maybe here because all of these things need to be balanced and could be part of the mix, he added, calling the idea a user-pays principle.

Buttigieg also talked about issuing Build America Bonds, which he says hold a lot of promise in terms of the way that we leverage that kind of financing.

There have been ideas around things like a national infrastructure bank, too.

At some point, Democrats will run out of things to tax

Because everything is now failing due to the governments Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) response, more tax money is supposedly needed from new sources  as if our federal overlords do not already rake in enough as it is  to ensure that the United States does not become a full-on third world country.

Some would argue that it already has, but Buttigieg has a script to read and his ideas apparently sound promising to Democrats who do not understand things like economics.

There is near-universal recognition that a broader recovery will require a national commitment to fix and transform Americas infrastructure, Buttigieg contends.

The total cost for all this is between $3 and $4 trillion, which is nothing compared to the universal basic income (UBI) and other socialist proposals coming from the Biden regime.

Since Beijing Bidens open borders policies are generating upwards of $14 million per day for human traffickers, perhaps they could be taxed as well for every mile they drive across the border while hauling child sex slaves for the deep states.

The Biden regime could also just stop giving stimulus checks to illegal aliens and instead use that money for repairing roads. This would prevent already overtaxed Americans from being told to fork over even more of their hard-earned cash to pay for the Democrats pet initiatives.

Fuel taxes are already a mileage tax,' wrote one commenter at Zero Hedge. But Democrats are too stupid to understand that they already instituted a mileage tax.'

How about the spend American tax dollars on rebuilding roads and not foreign infrastructure bill,' suggested another.

Many other commenters offered similar commentary, noting that fraudulent elections have consequences such as this  especially when American patriots refuse to rectify fraudulent elections as the founders provisioned for such a time as this.

Dems are just getting warmed up, another wrote.

The birth tax, the just for living tax, the death tax, the big butt tax, the white skin tax, the Christian tax, the family tax, the straight person tax, the deplorable tax, the free thinker tax, the sunlight usage tax, the just because you are you tax 

More related news about the fake Biden presidency can be found at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Isabella Casillas Guzman (R), U.S. President Joe Biden signs the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) extension in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 30, 2021. (Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)

Biden Signs 2-Month Extension to PPP Loan Program

President Joe Biden on March 30 signed a two-month extension to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was created to help small businesses keep their workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measure (pdf), called the PPP Extension Act of 2021, extends the deadline to apply for a PPP loan to May 31, and gives the Small Business Administration until June 30 to process the applications and authorize the loans.

It is a bipartisan accomplishment, Biden said in remarks at the bill signing. Without somebody signing this bill today, there are hundreds of thousands of people who lose their jobs and small family businesses that might close forever.

And as you know, small businesses are the backbone of our economy, representing almost 50 percent of all the employees in America.

The House passed the bill on March 16 and the Senate approved it on March 25 by a vote of 927.

As our communities continue to confront this unprecedented economic crisis, it is critical that our small businesses and workers receive the support they need to stay afloat, Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) said when the Senate passed the bill. I am pleased to help the Senate pass this extension for the Paycheck Protection Program that will ensure that small businesses can continue to apply for federal relief.

Bidens COVID relief billthe American Rescue Plan, which Biden signed into law on March 11provides $7.25 billion for the PPP loan and expands PPP for nonprofits.

The Biden administration announced changes to the program in February, providing more financial support to sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals. The change also provided a two-week application window exclusively for small businesses with less than 20 employees.

The PPP was established by the Trump administration last year through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Edgar Cortez-Zelaya has admitted to his role in a drug-smuggling case in the District Court of Guam in Hagatna.

The Daily Guam Post file photo
Poem to Picture

Poetry is also the focus of Poem to Picture, coming up at the Gallery at the Yountville Community Center on April 11, from 2 to 4 p.m.

At this event, participants will be invited to view the current art exhibit, Flow by photographer Quinn Saine, and then write a poem about one of his artworks.

Saine will be on hand to discuss his creative approach at the event, presented by Yountville Arts. The Yountville Community Center is at 6516 Washington St.

Poem to Picture is the brainchild of Napa Countys new poet laureate, Marianne Lyon.

Verse written about a visual image was called ekphrastic poetry in ancient Greek times.

All those interested are invited to try their hand at writing this poetry. No experience with poetry is required; just bring a pen and paper or notebook.

Attendees will choose an image before going outside to write about it. After everyone has finished, writers will gather, with COVID distancing, to share their ideas about the process and possibly read a phrase or poem.

Lyon and Yountville Arts chairman Jim McDonald will provide assistance.
New Delhi [India], March 31 (ANI/The PRTree): Honored as the 'Youth Icon' of Maharashtra, Vishal Dilip Bhujbal provides help to HIV AIDS diagnosed children at Khamgaon. Inspired by the work of Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, Vishal is currently making an effort in the cleanliness drive for the Godavari and Narmada rivers.

After completing his Agriculture Business Management degree from the Mahatma Phule Agriculture University, Vishal has now opted to serve the society. Having faced a lot of challenges while growing up, he has decided now to make a difference in the life of others.

He is helping others with food, clothing, and other basic amenities.

During his teenage days, his family suffered a bad financial situation. At that time, Vishal decided to help his family by selling tea and borrowing a loan for his education. It can be rightly said that kindness and compassion are instilled in Vishal Dilip Bhujbal from childhood.

He works day and night to solve the problems of people from villages to cities. Cremating unclaimed bodies through the medium of Suryoday Parivar, Vishal has ensured to serve humanity in any way possible.

Social work helped him build a strong reputation which helped him make connections in different parts of the state. With strong support from his family, Vishal adopts 100 girls every year and takes responsibility for their upbringing and education. He also undertakes personality development program, rural development project, career guidance meets, blood donation camps, distribution of educational material to school children, distribution of seeds and fertilizers to ryots and peasants, conducting constitution awareness campaigns, water resource works in Osmanabad, and also mass marriages of poor and distressed youths in various districts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Due to his hard work, Vishal Dilip Bhujbal got honored as the 'Youth Icon' by the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shree Sanjayaji Dhotre. With his social work, Vishal wants to encourage today's youth to help others in any big or small ways they can. He also wants to emphasize basic amenities like health, education, food, shelter in the coming years. In the coming time, he will also work on issues that will help in the empowerment and safety of women.

Having worked with influential people like Sindhutai Sapkal, Medha Patkar, and Anna Hazare to name a few, Vishal has a message for today's youth, where he says "Today's youth should come forward and together, they should help in doing social work, collectively. Their contribution will help in the development of the society and ultimately, the nation." Vishal Dilip Bhujbal has shown us that no matter what your background or financial status is, we all have enough to help others.

This story is provided by ThePRTree. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/The PRTree)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Loss Control 360 will help to transform Utica Nationals risk management process and ultimately help to improve our customer experience  with a goal of helping to make businesses safer and reduce losses.

Utilant, an InsurTech leader providing the industrys best-in-class Survey Management SaaS Product Suite for Loss Control and Premium Audit surveys, signed on the member companies of the Utica National Insurance Group to the Loss Control 360 platform to improve the performance of both their Risk Management and Underwriting departments.

Utica National Insurance Group provides personal and commercial insurance products and services and was looking for a solution that would deliver data efficiencies, risk rating, workflow improvements, customer correspondence, and integrate seamlessly with other core systems.

Loss Control 360 will help to transform Utica Nationals risk management process and ultimately help to improve our customer experience  with a goal of helping to make businesses safer and reduce losses, said Bill Raab, MS-RMI, CPCU, ARM  Assistant Vice President and Director of Risk Management  Technical and Field Services at Utica National Insurance Group. Loss Control 360s core platform workflow, data mining and risk profiling capabilities combined with the Client Location Manager, Self-Survey and Guide Stream 360 modules will deliver solutions for our needs and those of our customers unlike any other product suite in the market.

The Utilant Loss Control 360 platform integrates artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data, and analytics into all aspects of loss control. The resulting insight into a risk allows Loss Control 360 to automatically suggest survey types to loss control personnel such as data-only surveys, self-surveys, guided surveys, and onsite surveys. Loss Control 360s automation model triggers an intelligent workflow based on criteria such as risk score, loss control, and claims data to transform the basis for underwriting, preventing future loss, and driving deeper insight into the insurance carriers business portfolio.

Utilants InsurTech Product Suite harnesses the power of loss control data through AI and ML and marries it to 3rd party and public record data to provide synthesized intelligence for better underwriting decisions, said Rob Mikulec, CRO at Utilant. "Its our mission to stay a step ahead of emerging technologies that push the boundaries of whats possible in loss control, providing unrivaled efficiency and insight to our customers.

About Utica National Insurance Group

Utica National Insurance Group is a nationally recognized group of insurers, providing personal and commercial insurance products and services, with the second-largest errors and omissions business in the United States. The member companies of Utica National sell their products through more than 2,500 independent insurance agents and employ over 1,200 people countrywide. The lead insurance company of the group, Utica Mutual Insurance Company, was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in New Hartford, New York, with eleven offices. For more information visit http://www.uticanational.com.

About Utilant and Loss Control 360

Utilant is an InsurTech leader providing the industrys best-in-class Survey Management SaaS Product Suite for Loss Control and Premium Audit surveys. Utilants Loss Control 360 platform drives predictive risk insights with intelligent loss control solutions for Property & Casualty Insurance Carriers and Top Risk Engineering Companies. The Loss Control 360 platform leverages the worlds largest repository of survey data, coupled with a suite of work-flow tools designed to inform smarter underwriting decisions. A typical implementation provides positive ROI within the first year. For more information visit http://www.losscontrol360.com.

###
VANCOUVER - A lawyer for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou says the case before a British Columbia Supreme Court judge is "unprecedented" in that the extradition request from the United States violates international law.

Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, arrives at B.C. Supreme Court to attend her extradition hearing, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER - A lawyer for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou says the case before a British Columbia Supreme Court judge is "unprecedented" in that the extradition request from the United States violates international law.

Gib van Ert told Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes on Tuesday that Canadian courts have stayed extradition proceedings because of international law breaches in the past, but in those cases the conduct around the request was unlawful.

The case against Meng is unique because the request itself is unlawful, as American authorities are seeking the Chinese national on fraud charges that have no connection to the United States, he said.

"We cannot find any such case. We don't believe that any requesting state has ever made such a request to this country," van Ert told the judge. "You find yourself in an unusual and even unprecedented situation."

Meng has denied allegations that she lied to HSBC in 2013 about Huawei's relationship with a subsidiary doing business in Iran, putting the bank at risk of violating American sanctions.

Her lawyer argued the allegations have nothing to do with the United States. Meng is a Chinese national, HSBC is an English-Chinese bank and the meeting between them happened in Hong Kong.

Meng would expect the laws of Hong Kong to apply to her in Hong Kong, van Ert said.

Payments between the subsidiary and HSBC were made in American dollars and cleared through U.S. banks, but van Ert said this connection is "incidental" and not genuine or substantial.

He said more than US$4.5 trillion is cleared through the American financial system every day and the transactions in question were just over $2 million over a 13-month period.

The heart of international law is that all states are equal and have sovereign legal authority, he said, and countries cannot extend their criminal law into other nations without a significant connection.

For example, if Meng was American, the U.S. request to extradite her would be appropriate, he said.

There are also some exceptions, such as when a crime in a foreign country poses a threat to another's national security or when it is a war crime or genocide, but none apply in this case, he added.

Meng was arrested while passing through Vancouver's airport in December 2018 and her lawyers are arguing that the extradition case should be tossed because of an abuse of process.

The alleged breach of international law is the last of four branches of arguments the lawyers are making at the hearing. The breach is both an abuse of the Canadian courts and unprecedented, van Ert said.

"How do you respond to that? That's what makes this case so difficult  so difficult in some ways, and so easy in others, I say," he told the judge.

Holmes questioned whether it could be known if the case is truly unprecedented, as the federal government is responsible for issuing an authority to proceed on extradition requests before the cases reach a court hearing.

The Justice Department issued an authority to proceed for the Meng case in March 2019.

The lawyer acknowledged that it isn't known whether "outrageous" extradition requests have been made in the past and rejected by the government.

However, van Ert said the fact that the government issued the authority to proceed doesn't mean the request is lawful. It's the court's job to decide on that issue, he said.

He also assured Holmes that the B.C. court has the authority to act upon international law breaches even though they are not part of the court's usual day-to-day business.

The Constitution does not have provisions that address international law, unlike other countries such as Germany, and instead it is the common law that deals with these principles, he said.

The court is a branch of the Canadian state for the purposes of international law, van Ert said.

"If this court renders a decision that condones the U.S. request, confirms the U.S. request, that is a decision by Canada condoning and confirming the request," he said.

"And we say that would be to put Canada in breach of its own obligations as well as condoning the U.S. breach."

The case has severely strained Canada-China relations. Beijing detained two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, shortly after Meng's arrest and their one-day trials were recently held behind closed doors, though no verdicts were released.

Meng is on bail and living with her husband and children in one of her multimillion-dollar homes in Vancouver. The final phase of the B.C. Supreme Court process, an extradition hearing, is scheduled for May.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly said Justice Minister David Lametti issued the authority to proceed in March 2019. In fact, the Justice Department issued the authority to proceed.
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / With the ending of Q1 2021, UEC announces the First Arab Cryptocurrency. United Emirate Coin is an open source, anonymous peer-to-peer Ethereum based Coin carefully developed by Industry experts based in the Middle East. United Emirate Coin is a global payment network that is fully decentralized without central authorities which enable people to store and invest their wealth in a digital Currency.

The total supply is just 20M making it a huge potential for astronomical increase in price value making investors tons of profits trading and holding UEC. Besides the UAE, cryptocurrencies have been banned outright in Algeria, Iraq, Morocco, and Libya. Jordan has warned the public against the use of bitcoin. Even where a ban is in place, internet postings suggest people often flout the law. Despite the ban in Morocco a blockchain summit was held there last month and a US private equity firm is planning a controversial project to build a wind farm to mine bitcoin in the occupied Western Sahara. United Emirate Coin aims to bridge the gap and encourage the usage of cryptocurrency in day to day financial transactions in the middle east and other Arab nations.

Kuwait does not recognize cryptocurrencies for official commercial transactions and prohibits the banking sector and state-controlled companies from trading them. Yet in January 2018 the CBK announced it would issue an e-currency, which it distinguished from a virtual currency, and in July a Kuwaiti financial firm announced the first ever blockchain-powered transaction in the country.

In Lebanon the Banque du Liban issued warnings about the dangers of cryptocurrencies and then last year announced it would launch its own. Media reports suggest some small businesses in Lebanon already accept Cryptocurrency.

Bahrain and Qatar both bar their citizens from engaging in any kind of activities involving cryptocurrencies locally but allow them to do so outside their borders. Qatar has its first Blockchain conference in October. Financial regulators from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Dubai are among a network of regulators collaborating with the UK Financial Conduct Authority to increase regulatory cooperation and explore policy issues arising from fintech.

United Emirate Coin (UEC) works with an unprecedented level of transparency that most people are not used to dealing with. All Bitcoin transactions are public, traceable, and permanently stored in the United Emirate Coin(UEC) network. United Emirate Coin(UEC) addresses are the only information used to define where bitcoins are allocated and where they are sent. These addresses are created privately by each user's wallets. However, once addresses are used, they become tainted by the history of all transactions they are involved with. Anyone can see the balance and all transactions of any address. Since users usually have to reveal their identity in order to receive services or goods, United Emirate Coin(UEC) addresses cannot remain fully anonymous. As the block chain is permanent, it's important to note that something not traceable currently may become trivial to trace in the future.

Why United Emirate Coin (UEC) is Useful?

Fast Transaction:

Send and receive payments anywhere in the World quickly. Quick block execution time, ensure unparalleled speed to conventional remittance and payment system.

United Emirate Coin is currently built and managed on the world's best crypto blockchain which is the Ethereum network.

Wallet Encryption:

Wallet encryption provides protection from wallet-stealing viruses and trojans as well as allows user to secure the wallet, so that user can view transactions and the account balance.

Decentralized System:

UEC uses decentralized blockchain transaction technology, so no centralized third party to trust. Transactions are performed directly between the users.

Anonymous Payment:

On the one hand, crypto currency is entirely anonymous. On the other, it is completely transparent and trackable.

It is anonymous in the sense that user can hold a crypto address without revealing anything about user's identity in that address. One person could hold multiple addresses, and in theory, there would be nothing to link those addresses together, or to indicate that the person owned them.

Sending and receiving virtual currency is like writing under a pseudonym. If an author's pseudonym is ever linked to their identity, everything they ever wrote under that pseudonym will be linked to them. United Emirate Coin seeks to serve as the perfect means of anonymous payment for residents in the Arab world and the world at large.

Media Contact:

Company: United Emirate Coin

Contact: Hassan Ahmed

Telephone: +44 203 807 6881

Email: admin@unitedemiratecoin.net

Website: https://unitedemiratecoin.net

Telegram: https://t.me/Unitedemiratecoinofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Coinemirate

SOURCE: United Emirate Coin

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638386/United-Emirate-Coin-UEC-the-First-Arab-Cryptocurrency
Exposure: March's blow-ups may wipe out more than a year of profits for Credit Suisse. Photo: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Credit Suisse Group hadn't finished the probe of its last crisis when the newest one hit.

The Swiss bank expects its loss tied to the implosion of Archegos Capital Management to run into the billions, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The firm spent Monday trying to calm its shell-shocked staff while facing heat from investors already reeling from the bank's exposure to Greensill Capital's collapse earlier this month.

March's blow-ups may wipe out more than a year of profits for the bank and threaten its stock buyback plans, as well as adding to the reputational hit from other missteps.

With the shares posting the only decline among Europe's major banks in 2021 and a new chairman starting next month, CEO Thomas Gottstein is facing questions over whether he and risk chief Lara Warner have a handle on the bank's exposures.

"Risk control at every level in this bank must be examined and changes made where there are deficiencies," David Herro, chief investment officer at Harris Associates, one of the biggest investors in the bank, said in an email. "But I state the obvious?"

The bank has warned it faces "highly significant" losses tied to Archegos. Analysts at Berenberg pegged the hit at 3bn Swiss francs, on top of 500m francs from the Greensill issues.

Mr Gottstein  who's been in almost constant fire-fighting mode since taking over about a year ago  attempted to calm senior bankers and traders in a call late Monday, sources say. Speaking alongside investment bank head Brian Chin, he said the lender was still working to figure out the size of the hit and told bankers this was a time to pull together and not focus on the potential impact on pay.

Senior bankers questioned when Credit Suisse would learn from the incidents. Executives also said it's too early to say if the dividend is at risk, one source said.

While Credit Suisse isn't the only bank to face losses from the family office of former hedge fund manager Bill Hwang, it's just the latest in a series of hits, write-downs and scandals that seem to occur at ever shorter intervals.

Mr Gottstein has ordered reviews and made adjustments, but by and large has defended the bank's appetite for risk.

Credit Suisse shares fell 3.2pc in Zurich yesterday and are down about 9pc so far this year.

The cost to protect its debt against default for five years continued to rise, reaching as high as 74.7 basis points, the highest since July, according to ICE Data Services. Its 4.875pc dollar bonds due 2045 were among the worst performers in the investment-grade market, widening 8.5 basis points, according to Trace.

In his first reshuffle last year, Mr Gottstein elevated Ms Warner to head both risk and compliance. The promotion made her perhaps the bank's most senior female executive and ended any questions of whether she would be held back by being a close confidante of Gottstein's predecessor Tidjane Thiam.

Mr Thiam had given Ms Warner a key role in cleaning up legacy issues and helping reset the risk appetite for his strategy, which focused on doing more business with the bank's wealthy clients.
EAST LYME  A correction officer who worked at York Correctional Institution has been accused of sexually assaulting an inmate, state police said Tuesday.

Wesley Applegate, a 38-year-old New London resident, has been charged with second-degree sexual assault, state police said. Applegate was held on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

Applegate, a correction officer since 2008, was placed on administrative leave on March 10, Department of Correction officials said.

The events surrounding Wesley Applegates arrest are still actively being investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction, as a result no additional information can be released at this time, DOC said in a statement.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, a witness reported seeing Applegate having sex with an inmate on Nov. 15 of last year in the officer mess hall. The witness told investigators she reported the incident because she feared the victim was being raped, the affidavit said.

In a statement, the victim initially denied having sex with Applegate, according to the affidavit. She later admitted the two had sex, but said she did not feel forced to do so, the affidavit reads.

During the investigation, state police reported that Applegate was transferred to Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Montville so he would not have contact with female inmates, the affidavit said.

When investigators returned to York Correctional Institution, the victim said she and Applegate had a physical relationship over the past year, the affidavit read.

In a statement, the victim said they had kissed pretty much every time he has worked and had other sexual contact in the officers mess hall five or six times in the past year, according to the affidavit.

The victim told investigators it seemed he did not want to pressure me to do anything that I was not comfortable with, and she did not see their relationship as anything beyond physical in nature, the affidavit read.

When police interviewed Applegate, they said he denied sexual involvement with the victim, but did not want to submit his DNA for testing, the affidavit said.

When investigators went on March 8 to serve a search warrant on Applegate for his DNA, they were informed he did not show up for his shift, the affidavit said. He was then scheduled to take vacation time for the following two weeks, according to the affidavit.

The investigators then applied for an arrest warrant. On March 29, Applegate was taken into custody in Wethersfield and transported to Troop H Barracks, where he was processed and charged.
Vancouver police arrested a 42-year-old man suspected of arson in three fires at Masonic lodges in Metro Vancouver on Tuesday morning.

The arrest came after an off-duty police officer driving past the Masonic temple near Rupert Street and East 29th Avenue in Vancouver noticed a man walking away from the building as it burned, according to Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Const. Tania Visintin.

Video taken by a bystander shows flames licking at an entrance to the temple as a man carries a red jerrycan to the trunk of a black van. He is then confronted by the off-duty officer.

The man managed to get away but was then arrested just before 10 a.m. in Burnaby near North Fraser Way and Marine Way, about a 20-minute drive from the location of the last of the fires, according to police.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  The government has signed a new concession agreement with east zone water concessionaire Manila Water.

This was confirmed Wednesday by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who said the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System signed on behalf of the government.

"The new concession agreement with Manila Water has been signed by the parties...I was informed that the signatures were completed today," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

However, he did not disclose further details.

"Spox Harry [Roque] will make the official announcement. Then I can disclose the salient features," Guevarra said.

Meanwhile, Manila Water welcomed the latest development.

This is a significant milestone as we are now able to continue implementing our Service Improvement Plan that will ensure sustainability of water supply as well as improve wastewater and sanitation services for our customers in the East Zone service area of the MWSS, the water company said in a statement sent to CNN Philippines.

Manila Water covers 23 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila and Rizal. These include Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, and parts of Quezon City and Manila. The firm also covers Angono, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Jalajala, Morong, Pililia, Rodriguez, Tanay, Taytay, Teresa, San Mateo, and Antipolo in Rizal province.

Guevarra said the government review panelcomposed of the Office of the President, the Finance and Justice Departments, the Office of the Solicitor General, and the Bases Conversion and Development Authoritywill next discuss a new agreement with west zone water concessionaire Maynilad after the Holy Week.

President Rodrigo Duterte himself ordered a review of the government's concession agreements with the two water companies after discovering "onerous" provisions in the existing contracts.

The existing concession deals were signed in 1997 and are set to expire in 2022 after the MWSS revoked the two companies' contract extensions until 2037, upon Duterte's order.

Manila Water and Maynilad were the targets of Dutertes ire after an international tribunal ordered the government to pay them over P10 billion, stemming from rejected water rate hikes back in 2015. However, the two companies later on said they would no longer demand refunds.

CNN Philippines correspondent Anjo Alimario and multi-platform news writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report
The ASTI has said it is shocked and dismayed by reports of a Government decision to abandon the vaccination of key workers, including school staff, as part of the national vaccination programme.

The Government has continuously stated that a key objective is to keep schools open. Yesterday's decision is totally at odds with and undermines this objective, said ASTI President Ann Piggott.

Teachers and other school staff are frontline workers. We want schools to remain open, however teachers have a right to safe working environment, just as other essential workers who cannot work remotely do.

It is particularly reprehensible that there has been no consultation prior to these reports. This news represents a major blow to teachers confidence.

Teachers are working in difficult circumstances, many of them spending a significant part of their working day in poorly ventilated buildings and in classrooms of 28 to 30 students. Socially distancing can be a major problem.

This is an unacceptable development and shows scant regard for teachers as frontline workers.

The ASTI said it will be demanding an urgent meeting with the Department of Education.
What about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study? The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, a 40-year project led by the United States Public Health Service between 1932 and 1972, has become a basis for distrust of the federal government, especially for people of color. Before World War II, syphilis was untreatable, and the study was set up to monitor the natural course of the disease in a group of Black farmers in rural Alabama (no patients were infected with syphilis during the study). After the war, when penicillin became available, the subjects remained untreated. It was an outrageous ethical breach and, understandably, it was perceived to be racism on the part of government doctors. The subsequent disclosure, though, led to the development of crucial safeguards that have been in place, and reinforced, in the intervening 50 years. The government now takes extraordinary measures to ensure vaccine equity for minorities. It is even more important for Blacks and Latinos to be vaccinated because they face a higher rate of hospitalization and death after infection with COVID-19.
By Ritah Kemigisa

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court has upheld the 30-year prison sentence handed to DRCs Bosco Ntaganda.

The chamber has delivered its judgments confirming, by the majority, the decision of Trial Chamber VI of 8 July 2019, which found Bosco Ntaganda guilty of 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2002-2003.

The Appeals Chamber also unanimously confirmed the Trial Chambers decision of 7 November 2019, by which Ntaganda was sentenced to a total of 30 years of imprisonment.

The conviction and the sentence are now final.

Ntaganda and the Prosecutor had appealed the verdict, while Ntaganda independently appealed the sentencing judgment.

In todays hearing, Judge Howard Morrison, Presiding Judge in these appeals, read a summary of the judgments in open court in the presence of Ntaganda.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the judgment was delivered on a partially virtual basis, with participation either from the seat of the Court or from separate locations outside the Court.

The Appeals Chamber found that Ntaganda did not demonstrate that his right to a fair trial was violated and also determined that, in convicting Ntaganda, the Trial Chamber did not exceed the facts and circumstances described in the charges.

The Appeals Chamber also rejected his challenge to the Trial Chambers finding that the crimes for which he was found to be criminally responsible were part of an attack directed against a civilian population pursuant to, or in furtherance of, an organizational policy.

It further rejected Ntagandas challenge to the Trial Chambers findings on indirect co-perpetration.

The Appeals Chamber also found that the Trial Chamber provided a reasonable assessment of the evidence regarding Ntagandas knowledge and intent of the crimes of rape and sexual enslavement of individuals under the age of 15, the recruitment, conscription, and use of individuals under the age of 15 in hostilities and in relation to the remaining crimes.

The Appeals Chamber also rejected the Prosecutors grounds of appeal on the interpretation of the term attack in article 8(2) (e)(iv) of the Rome Statute.

In relation to the appeal against the sentence imposed, the Appeals Chamber rejected Ntagandas challenge to the Trial Chambers assessment of his degree of participation in and knowledge of the crimes, including the crime of sexual enslavement and rape of civilians.
"We are honored to welcome the newest cohort of experts to the active community of Pew marine fellows," said Rebecca Goldburg, director of environmental research and science at The Pew Charitable Trusts. "These individuals are undertaking exciting new research projects that will directly address ocean conservation and management needs around the world. I look forward to working with them over the coming years."

For 25 years, the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation has supported midcareer scientists and other experts seeking solutions to problems affecting the world's oceans.

Fellows are selected by an international committee of marine science experts following a rigorous nomination and review process. Each fellow receives $150,000 over three years to address some of the most critical challenges facing the marine environment. Pew has recognized 189 marine fellows from 40 countries since the start of the program.

The 2021 Pew marine fellows are:

Amanda Bates, Ph.D.

Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada (through June 30, 2021)

University of Victoria, Canada (starting July 1, 2021)

Bates will examine the long-term impacts of the pandemic lockdown on marine biodiversity to advance scientific understanding of how humans affect natural systems.

Rachel T. Graham, Ph.D.

MarAlliance, Panama

Graham will study shark populations in Panama and explore innovative strategies to strengthen engagement of coastal fishing communities in shark research, conservation, and management.

Gakushi Ishimura, Ph.D.

Iwate University, Japan

Ishimura will examine how fisheries and coastal communities respond to extreme events, such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, to inform marine conservation strategies in Japan.

Mei Lin Neo, Ph.D.

National University of Singapore, Singapore

Neo will study threats to populations of giant clams in Southeast Asia to identify key drivers of ongoing declines and opportunities to improve conservation of these threatened invertebrates.

Kirsten L.L. Oleson, Ph.D.

University of Hawaii at Manoa, United States

Oleson will use natural capital accounting to evaluate the contributions of coastal ecosystems to the Hawaiian economy and inform decision-making about and management of marine resources.

Tries Blandine Razak, Ph.D.

IPB University, Indonesia

Razak will undertake research to support more effective restoration and conservation of coral reefs in Indonesia.

Yunne-Jai Shin, Ph.D.

French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development and Marine Biodiversity, Exploitation, and Conservation research unit, France

Shin will develop a comprehensive framework for quantifying uncertainty in ocean ecosystem models to make them more useful as tools for decision-makers.

Rick Stuart-Smith, Ph.D.

University of Tasmania, Australia

Stuart-Smith will develop a system to audit the effectiveness of global marine protected areas in delivering the intended benefits for people and biodiversity.

Wang Songlin, M.Sc.

Qingdao Marine Conservation Society, China

Wang will conduct ecological and socioeconomic research to support effective conservation and management of China's Bohai Bay eelgrass bed and will work with local fishers to co-develop eelgrass-friendly fishing practices.

Contact: Alicia Clarke, [email protected], 202-540-6571

SOURCE The Pew Charitable Trusts

Related Links

www.pewtrusts.org


PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel will be submitting an amendment to the Old Age Pension Law that would see pensioners receive their monthly funds a few days prior to the first of every month.

The MP said that if Members of Parliament and the Government can get pay on the 25th of every month, then the most vulnerable people in the community should be getting the same. It does not sit well on my conscience that seniors, depending on their bank or some other circumstance, have to wait until the 4th or even 5th of the month before receiving their money and suffering the consequences and indignity of such. It cannot stand, MP Emmanuel said.

He explained that seniors are confused about the change from being paid a few days before, to the first of the month. Although the Old Age Pension Law stipulates that pensions commence on the first of every month, SZV was transferring funds a few days prior to the first in line with regular payroll. The Windward Islands Bank would payout the same day, while seniors with accounts at other banks would wait three working days. In any case, seniors were getting their pension payments before the first of the month.

Seniors became accustomed to this system and some are still confused and very upset at the change since having to wait three business days means getting money four or five days into the months after the payments are processed on the first. It cant be that our seniors are at the mercy of a law that doesnt take realities and bank processes into consideration. Some seniors are solely dependent on this money, MP Emmanuel said.

The MP said he has started his due diligence in order to get the amendment on the floor of Parliament in the shortest possible time and will update the public accordingly.
Three years ago, veteran longshoreman Paul Moe Sr. was sentenced to two years in prison for fraud after he was convicted of submitting bogus timesheets that allowed him to collect a salary of nearly $500,000 while fishing on his boat, going to the movies, and vacationing in Aruba.

He has yet to serve a day behind bars.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 23:25:10|Editor: huaxia

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ROME -- Italy expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday due to alleged involvement in a spying case, said the Italian Foreign Ministry.

The decision came after Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio summoned Russian Ambassador to Italy Sergey Razov in the morning. (Italy-Russia-Expel)

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GENEVA -- The volume of world merchandise trade is expected to increase by 8.0 percent in 2021, continuing its rebound from the pandemic-induced collapse that bottomed out in the second quarter of last year, the World Trade Organization said Wednesday in its latest report. (WTO-World Merchandise Trade-Increase)

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CAIRO -- Egypt on Wednesday began a formal investigation into how the massive container ship Ever Given grounded in the Suez Canal, blocking the world's major waterway for almost a week, a canal official said.

"The investigation will include examining the ship's components and whether they were used correctly before the accident," Captain Sayed Sheasha, advisor to the Suez Canal Authority, told an independent TV program on Tuesday. (Egypt-Investigation-Suez Canal)

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MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan -- At least two persons were killed and 16 others sustained injuries as a blast rocked Balkh district in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province on Wednesday, provincial police spokesman Adil Shah Adil said.

"The terrorists planted explosive device inside a handcart that went off around 2:00 p.m. local time in Bandar Kalaft area of Balkh district, killing two civilians including a child on the spot and injuring 16 others including 13 civilians," Adil told Xinhua. (Afghanistan-Balkh-Blast) Enditem
ORLANDO, Fla., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the lingering pandemic, Authentic's vacation rental properties hit 86% occupancy rate in March, with some Orlando short-term rentals seeing 90-98% occupancy over spring break.

COVID-19 devastated industries around the world. Of these industries, tourism was one of the worst affected. However, in Florida, where attractions have been quick to reopen, and COVID restrictions relatively lax, domestic tourism is getting back up to speed.

Game Room in a Vacation Rental at Storey Lake Tiago Ferreira at a short-term rental in Kissimmee, FL

Now, as expanded vaccine eligibility rebuilds trust in travel, Orlando theme parks, restaurants, and attractions are seeing wait times and lines return to where they were before COVID. And vacation homes, as mentioned, are almost back at full capacity.

To find a vacation home in Orlando, go to our website: https://authenticorlando.com/

So how has Orlando managed to bounce back so fast? For one thing, it's been a long winter. Especially up north where the weather makes outdoor activities (the only safe kinds of activities in a pandemic) difficult. But Orlando's weather is perfect for outdoor activities all year round.

Then there are the theme parks. Both Disney World and Universal Studios have new and coming attractions, and Universal is building a whole new park  all good signs for the future of the tourism industry. And of course, the Orange County Convention Center, the second-largest convention center in the country, continues to bring in thousands of business tourists each year.

Drawn to this combination of established and growing tourist infrastructure, investors are clamoring for Orlando short-term rentals. They make great hybrid investments, letting owners use them as a second home when they visit Orlando, and rent them out the rest of the year.

"We haven't seen high occupancy rates like this in our vacation homes since December 2019," says Tiago Ferreira, broker at Orlando Homes for Sale group and Owner of Orlando Vacation Rentals. "April, which is still considered spring break season, and summer (June, July, and August) have many reservations in place already, and it looks like 2021 will be a prosperous year for short-term rental owners."

Of course, short-term rentals aren't the only kind of real estate heating up. With great weather, a high quality of life, and no state income tax, Florida is growing by a thousand people a day. And many are settling in Orlando, where jobs are concentrated. Moreover, news6 reports that as vaccines roll out, even more jobs will be made available throughout the state  meaning plenty of appreciation for residential real estate.

So, whether you're looking for a place to live, invest, or both, Orlando in 2021 is the place and time to do it. And Orlando Homes for Sale is the team to help. We're area experts specialized in Orlando short-term rentals, with an in-house booking agency serving over 100 properties. Contact our team today to find the short-term rental or residential home you've been dreaming of.

Contact Info:

Company: Orlando Homes For Sale

Brokerage: Authentic Real Estate Team

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (407) 440 1010

Address: 7380 Sand Lake Road, Suite 500, Orlando, FL 32819

Website: https://authenticorlando.com/

Google my Business: https://g.page/orlandohomesforsaleteam

SOURCE Orlando Homes For Sale
A 31-year-old Maine woman who had 123,000 followers on TikTok and earned more than 1.2 million likes on her comedic videos died after 50mph winds toppled the limb of a pine tree onto the roof of her 2015 Nissan Rogue on Monday.

Rochelle Hager, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene of what local investigators in Central Maine are calling a freak accident on Monday morning.

Hager was driving southbound just before 10am when the limb of a pine tree snapped off due to strong wind gusts.

The limb landed directly on top of the roof of her car, likely killing her instantly, police told the Lewiston Sun Journal.

Neighbors called authorities after the incident, which took place near 833 Knowlton Corner Road in Farmington.

Police closed the roadway for more than two hours while they investigated.

Rochelle Hager, 31, of Waterville, Maine was killed on Monday morning after a tree limb fell onto the roof of the car she was driving

Hager is a TikTok star who had 123,000 followers on TikTok and earned more than 1.2 million likes on her comedic videos

The image above shows Hager's 2015 Nissan Rogue after it was badly damaged by a fallen tree limb

The tree limb is seen above at the scene of the accident near 833 Knowlton Corner Road in Farmington. Wind gusts of up to 50mph were reported throughout the Central Maine region on Monday morning

The tree branch was blown off the tree by wind and then came down on power lines, snapping a utility pole nearby.

Hager was the only one in the car at the time of the accident. No one else was injured.

Farmington Police Chief Kenneth Charles said that the accident was tragic and unique.

Charles said that the accident was obviously the direct result of the high winds today and that there was nothing she could do to avoid it.

The area was hit with strong wind gusts that reached 50mph, according to local reports.

Brittanie Lynn (left), Hagers partner who is also a TikTok star with some 297,000 followers, posted several tributes to her on the social media platform on Monday

In her last Instagram post on February 4, Hager shared a photo of her and Lynn walking in the snow with the heartfelt caption: I will forever be there to laugh with you, to lift you up when you are down and to love you unconditionally through all of our adventures in life together.

On her TikTok account, Lynn also shared videos of her crying while looking at photos of her memories with Hager

By noon on Monday, there were at least 2,000 Central Maine-based customers who reported having no electricity.

Brittanie Lynn, Hagers partner who is also a TikTok star with some 297,000 followers, posted several tributes to her on the social media platform on Monday.

Thank you for showing me what true love is, Lynn wrote. Rest easy my love.

The video included a montage of the couple.

I lost the love of my life today. Thank you for being my everything and thank you for your support everyone, she wrote.

Rest easy my love. I dont know how were [sic] going to live life without you. But we have the best guardian angel to get us through it.

Who knew forever would end so soon? How do I live without you in my life.

Lynn also shared videos of her crying while looking at photos of her memories with Hager.

The couple were thought to be engaged as Lynn was often seen wearing a band on her ring finger in TikTok videos.

In her last Instagram post on February 4, Hager shared a photo of her and Lynn walking in the snow with the heartfelt caption: I will forever be there to laugh with you, to lift you up when you are down and to love you unconditionally through all of our adventures in life together.

Lynn is mother to two boys and often shared photos of them spending time together with Hager as a family.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 29: A patient receives their vaccine at a vaccination site at a senior center on March 29, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. Texas has opened up all vaccination eligibility to all adults starting today. Texas has had a slower roll out than some states and with the increase in eligibility leaders are hoping more and more citizens get vaccinated. (Sergio Flores/Getty Images/AFP)

The Spanish government has been working hard to find ways to open up international travel as soon as possible, with Spanish Ambassador to Vietnam Maria del Pilar Mendez Jimenez saying many Spaniards are homesick after a year away.

Data provided by Ambassador Jimenez shows that tourists to Spain amounted to about 84 million a year before the pandemic, around twice the population of the country. She believed that vaccine visa can help Spain recover its economy and re-establish a safe tourism industry.

More and more governments are supporting the idea of vaccine visas, allowing vaccinated people to not have to be tested or undergo quarantine. Therefore, it is not surprising that the strongest supporters for vaccine visa are countries whose economies are heavily dependent on tourism, including Spain and Greece.

In Vietnam, the government is preparing initial steps for the application of vaccine visas so as to create conditions for those who have been vaccinated abroad to enter the country. The Vietnamese government has also assigned the Ministry of Health and other ministries to prepare the infrastructure to apply vaccine visas, including a software system and a database to confirm information of vaccinated persons.

Such visas could relieve difficulties for economic development, especially the tourism industry. But up to this point, Vietnam has not made any changes in measures to prevent and control the pandemic. Among the recent batches of people entering Vietnam, at least one already had a vaccine visa. However, such visitors still have to comply with the 14-day isolation policy and two tests according to current regulations.

Open doors for international trade are the desire of businesses and people, but experts said that vaccine visas can only be effective if the pandemic is controlled at a near global level and that Vietnams testing system must be in sync with other countries.

Economist Nguyen Tri Hieu noticed, the probability for further outbreaks caused by foreign visitors is low because vaccinated people have the ability to slow the path of the virus in their body.

Hieu believed that Vietnam allowing foreigners to enter the country will be advantageous in many aspects. Firstly, the country still relies on foreign direct investment. Secondly, the tourism industry remains heavily affected if foreigners cannot enter Vietnam. Thirdly, vaccine visas will also be good for aviation.

However, issuance also means that large funding is crucial. Hieu called this the price to pay for the long-term benefits to the Vietnamese economy.

Hieu further believed that it is not too unbearable for the economy, although COVID-19 has made the budget revenue in 2020 plummet, reaching only 96.35 per cent of the plan, according to the State Treasury of Vietnam data.

Moreover, Hieu suggested that Vietnam can charge a fee for vaccine visa, as well as for Vietnamese travelling or investing abroad, with a fee of $50 per visa being reasonable.

The government may also charge foreigners coming to Vietnam, including those who want to come for investment and tourism.

Currently, Vietnam is working with other countries on the acceptance of vaccine visas through various means. However, the global acceptance of the Vietnamese vaccine visa, Hieu said, will not be easy.

According to him, Vietnams healthcare system is not considered advanced and developed enough yet, while the value of vaccine visas depends on the development of the healthcare sector. Therefore, the effectiveness of the initiative still depends on the international relations of Vietnam.

The European Parliament is considering before making a final decision, Giorgio Aliberti, EU Ambassador to Vietnam, told VIR on March 23 when talking about potential green passports.

The ambassador did not comment further on the global acceptance of the Vietnamese vaccine visa, but said that the EU has been using a multilateral mechanism to handle global problems when considering the COVID-19 vaccine as an effective response to the pandemic as well as future strains of SARS-CoV-2.

Aliberti stated that the EUs position is to prioritise the safety of the vaccine for humans.
SARL 80 m QSO Party on 1 April

The popular SARL 80 m QSO Party is on the air from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC (19:00 to 22:00 CAT) on Thursday 1 April.

It is a phone only contest and the exchange is your call sign, an RS report, and your name.

You earn 10 points for every contact with a South African station and 15 points for every contact with a station outside South Africa.

Log sheets in MS Excel format ONLY must be submitted by 23:59 on Tuesday 6 April 2021 by e-mail to louis.zs5lp@gmail.com and zs5d@durbanarc.org.za. The rules are on page 92 of the 2021 Blue Book.

SARL
When University of Miami junior Paul Douillon visited Washington, D.C., in early 2020, he took just one photo of himself at the Museum of African American History and Culture. It was next to a portrait of Frederick Douglass.

At the time, Douillon merely admired the pioneering abolitionist for his courage to escape slavery, educate himself, and become the first African American to serve appointed positions in the United States government.

Douillon never dreamed hed soon have the opportunity to walk in Douglass footsteps in Ireland, where the social reformer and statesman fled in 1845 with a bounty on his head and slavecatchers on his trail.

But during a St. Patricks Day video call, Douglass great, great, granddaughter, Nettie Washington Douglass, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the prime minister of Ireland, Michael Martin, congratulated Douillon for being named a 2021 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows. He is one of 14 high-achieving U.S. college students of color who will spend a month on the Emerald Isle learning about leadership, intercultural communication, and social justice.

Douillon at the Museum of African American History and Culture in January 2020.

Being the age Frederick Douglass was when he escaped slavery  I believe there is nothing stopping me from creating change, like he did, the 20-year-old criminology major, who transferred to the University last fall from Miami Dade College, told the panel. I firmly believe that it is time for the youth of my generation to be the change that we seek.

On the call, Harris noted how the acceptance Douglass found in Ireland shaped the former slaves writings and helped shift the U.S. perspective on slavery.

He wrote, In Ireland, I am not treated as a color, but as a man,  Harris said, adding, And he imagined Im sure  that you would be coming behind him, so Im counting on all of you to live up to that potential.

Her words were not lost on Douillon.

A first-generation college student and the son of Haitian immigrants who encourage their children to excel, Douillonwho is also a musician, political activist, skilled campaigner, and pre-law studenthas taken advantage of every opportunity he could in college. The first University student to win the Douglass fellowship funded by the Council on International Exchange and Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs, Douillon found a passion for improving campus life at Miami Dade Colleges Homestead campus, where he was elected student government president (his twin brother, Angelo, now holds the post). Through this leadership position, Douillon got involved in local and state politics to lobby for bills and ordinances affecting his campus, as well as to take the trip to D.C.

Meanwhile, to share his love of music with others, Douillon offered piano and guitar lessons to students in between classes through a group he founded with Angelo called Musical Minds (Douillon plays seven instruments). The group partners with the nonprofit Guitars over Guns to provide music instruction and mentoring to at-risk high school students, and it often plays music at Homestead Hospital to cheer patients as well.

Whatever I do, I want to find a way to serve others and improve their experience, he said. If I can just inspire one person to wake up and become a leader, not just a follower, and help steer our school, community, and country in the right direction, then its worth it.

At UM, after just three weeks of commuting to the Coral Gables Campus, Douillon was elected as a senator on the Student Government, where he represents transfer students. He is also treasurer of the Sociology and Criminology Club, co-project coordinator for United Black Students, social media coordinator for Tau Sigma National Honor Society, and serves as a Deans ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Paul is a great person, and I realized quickly that if he takes an interest in something, he will become an active participant, said Jan Sokol-Katz, a senior lecturer in sociology and director of the undergraduate program, who recommended Douillon for the fellowship. He is strongly concerned with social justice issues, and he wants to make a difference. I am proud of Paul and Im confident that this fellowship will help him make the difference he desires.

Douillons interest in criminal justice stemmed from his realization that many government policies intended to lower crime disproportionately penalizes Black residents. After completing his degree at the University, he plans to attend law school and then possibly run for elected office.

But like his other interests, Douillon does not just ponder these goals. He gets involved. When he met Miami-Dade Public Schools School Board candidate Luisa Santos, who was just 30 years old, at a Homestead City Council meeting, the two connected because of her dedication to ending the school-to-prison pipeline, which disproportionately affects young Black men. Soon, Douillon became Santos communications team lead. And in November, she defeated a career politician for the southeast Miami-Dade seat. At the same time, Douillon worked as the Creole phone-bank leader for state representative Dotie Joseph, whose district includes the North Miami area. Joseph also won her election.

We are the future religious, political, and economic world leaders and I think its important we begin to work in these spaces now, said Douillon, whose older sisters Sashine and Gina are also interested in government. I dont plan on waiting until I am 30 or 40 years old to do so, and I hope to inspire other young leaders to make a difference in our community and our world.

But he also recognizes the value of leaving the U.S. to gain perspective.

In London, I thought a lot about how their law enforcement system functioned and worked, and it taught me a lot about how we can reform ours, he said, noting that most police officers in the United Kingdom do not patrol the streets with guns. As future leaders, its important to look at the diversity of thought around the world. Then we can learn what works, what doesnt, and critique or fix what is broken in our country.

If he does go into politics, Douillon thinks that he is fortunate that he has already made an impression on the first female vice president. On the video call, just three fellows spoke, and Douillon was one of them. After his speech, he muted himself and watched as Harris grinned and said, well done. Then, he and his family cheered.

My family was so happy they could not contain their excitement, said Douillon, whose parents A.G. and Ruth have supported him wholeheartedly. Its a memory Ill forever cherish, and I am so grateful to be representing the University of Miami on this trip. To be able to walk the same path that Douglass did and to experience some of the same things he did in Ireland is something that will change my life forever.
On the night of May 13, 2017, a woman consumed five shots of vodka and a prescription narcotic before heading to the Dinkytown neighborhood of Minneapolis with a friend. After a bar turned them away, they met three men who invited them to a party.

But there was no party. One of the men, Francios Momolu Khalil, drove the group to a house in North Minneapolis, arriving early the following morning, where the woman blacked out on a living room couch. She woke up to Mr. Khalil sexually assaulting her. She lost consciousness and awoke later with her shorts around her ankles.

The facts of the case are not in dispute, but last week, nearly four years after the attack, the Minnesota Supreme Court overturned Mr. Khalils conviction on a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge. The woman, the court said in a unanimous decision, was voluntarily intoxicated at the time because she had made the decision to drink, and therefore did not meet the threshold for mental incapacitation under state law.

The ruling, which reversed an appellate court decision and ordered a new trial for Mr. Khalil, has been met with outrage, especially from womens rights groups and survivors of sexual assault, who noted that the law is applied similarly in about 40 states.
Thousands of people drive past 0 Wallace Lane every day and probably never notice it.

Its about 1.25 acres fronting Ashley River Road just a block from Tobias Gadson Boulevard  a mostly overgrown lot with a few live oaks and an old house.

Sometimes truckers park there, and occasionally someone will dump their trash in the weeds. It seems like an ideal candidate for redevelopment. The place apparently doesnt even warrant a street number.

But last week, when a developer asked Charleston County Council to build a dozen modestly priced homes (by local standards) on that property, the Wallace community fought it ... and council nixed the requested rezoning.

And that is exactly the problem were going to have with affordable housing in Charleston.

We had a private developer, meeting all the county specs in the West Ashley master plan, on an infill parcel  by every measure a no-brainer, said Councilman Brantley Moody, who represents the area. For this council to talk about affordable housing  how we have to do something  and you reject a layup? Thats pretty laughable.

Fair point. In many ways, 0 Wallace Lane was a perfect candidate for affordable housing. But council sided with the neighborhood, which is understandable. Thats local politics.

But if thats going to be the default position from local officials, there simply will never be enough affordable housing in Charleston.

A 2019 study from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce found the county needs 2,600 new units of affordable housing each year for the next decade to keep up with demand. A city study released this week says we need even more.

Since only 100 such homes were built in 2019, were already behind. And houses arent getting any cheaper.

On Tuesday, David Slade reported the number of homes in South Carolina priced under $200,000 is dwindling. Some local cities, notably Charleston, are underwriting and promoting multiple affordable and workforce housing developments. Still, theres a steep hill to climb.

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Charleston County put two affordable housing questions on the ballot last year, asking taxpayers to kick in a modest amount (about $25 per year for the owner of a $300,000 home) toward a program to subsidize affordable housing development. The proposals failed narrowly.

And here we are.

The folks who live on Wallace Lane, a small road off Richmond Street near the Salvation Army, say they dont want the additional traffic that 12 townhouses or duplexes would add to the 21,600 cars passing by on Ashley River Road every day. Their kids play in the street, and several pointed out that their neighborhood was all single-family housing.

A few noted that they had given up a third of their land to build Interstate 526, so their community has done its part.

The countys planning staff said this was an attractive project because it brought affordable housing to a rare undeveloped lot inside the 526 loop.

The property already has water and sewer infrastructure in place, and multifamily housing fit with the areas comprehensive plan (theres an apartment complex a block away). The price of the proposed homes  just under $250,000  mirrored the value of adjacent property, so it wouldnt hurt anyones resale.

Believe it or not, these days quarter-million-dollar homes qualify as affordable, or at least workforce, housing here. The average median income for a family of four in the county is about $74,500. The developer said anyone making 80% of that would qualify to buy one of the Wallace Lane townhouses or duplexes.

As Moody says, council missed a slam dunk. But truth is, a lot of residents simply dont want more housing of any kind in their neighborhood, so prepare for many more similar fights. Thats going to make building affordable housing difficult anywhere this side of Ravenel.

Moodys council colleagues took umbrage at his criticism, and recounted their efforts to expand affordable housing. They are trying, but Councilwoman Anna Johnson correctly notes they must do a better sales job.

We saw how one community, one settlement community, rejected a proposal  do we not think there are going to be others? Johnson says. Were going to need big money to have any impact (on affordable housing). And were going to need the support and approval of the public.

Shes right, too. But doing that, without raising the ire of existing neighborhoods, might prove harder than finding a home under $200,000 in Charleston County.
BOSTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the "Adviser") and subadvised by Wellington Management Company LLP (the "Subadviser"), announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.2900 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of March 11, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) with important information concerning the distribution declared on March 1, 2021, and payable on March 31, 2021. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: March 2021

Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.2900

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable March 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 1/1/2021-3/31/2021

For the fiscal year-to-date period

1/1/2021-3/31/2021 1 Source

Current Distribution ($)

% Breakdown of the Current Distribution

Total Cumulative Distributions ($)

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income

0.1158

40%

0.1158

40% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains

0.1026

35%

0.1026

35% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains

0.0514

18%

0.0514

18% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source

0.0202

7%

0.0202

7% Total per common share

0.2900

100%

0.2900

100%

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on February 28, 2021

6.34%





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2021

8.88%





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through February 28, 2021

2.35%





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2021

2.22%

__________________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2021 and will end on December 31, 2021.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the March 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.2900 per share, which will continue to be paid quarterly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

Wellington Management Company LLP is an independent and unaffiliated investment subadviser to John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.02 trillion) as of December 31, 2020. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
President Joe Bidens younger dog Major this week was involved in his second biting incident of the month, the White House said Tuesday.

The dog nipped someone while on a walk on Monday, said Michael LaRosa, press secretary to first lady Jill Biden, adding that the dog is still adjusting to his new surroundings. The individual was seen by the White House Medical Unit out of an abundance of caution and returned to work without injury, LaRosa added.

The dog had been seen by reporters on a walk around the White House South Lawn before the president and first lady traveled to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial early Monday evening.

The German shepherd only just returned to the White House last week, along with his sibling Champ, after causing a minor injury to an employee of the U.S. Secret Service on March 8.

After that incident, the president said Major was a sweet dog. In an interview with ABC News, Biden explained the biting by saying that the dog had turned a corner, theres two people he doesnt know at all, you know, and they move and moves to protect.

Biden added at the time that 85% of the people there love him.

Major, a 3-year-old rescue dog, and Champ, who is 12, were moved to the Bidens Delaware home after the incident. The president said Major was being trained in Delaware but disputed the idea that the pup had been sent away after the incident. He said the dogs went to Wilmington because the first couple was going to be out of town.

He was going home, Biden said. I didnt banish him to home. Jill was going to be away for four days. I was going to be away for two, so we took him home.

The dogs met the Bidens two weekends ago at Camp David in Maryland and came back to Washington on March 21. Last week, one of the two German shepherds waited on the balcony of the White House as Marine One landed on the South Lawn, having ferried the president back from a speech in Columbus, Ohio.

The dogs will come and go and it will not be uncommon for them to head back to Delaware on occasion as the president and first lady often do as well, said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

This weeks biting incident was first reported by CNN.
The central government has cautioned all the states and union territories that the current surge in COVID-19 cases could swamp the health infrastructure unless urgent measures were taken.

It added that the coronavirus situation is turning from "bad to worse" and is a huge cause for worry, especially for some states.The Centre simultaneously asked all states and union territories to adopt a district-centric approach to fight the upward swing in cases. Each district, irrespective of whether it is seeing a surge or is with low burden, should formulate an action plan with clear timelines and responsibilities, it said.

"We are facing an increasingly severe and intense situation, more so surely in some districts. But the whole country is potentially at risk and therefore all efforts to contain and save lives should be taken," NITI Aayog member (Health) V K Paul said.

"Hospitals and ICUs have to be readied. If cases increase rapidly, the healthcare system would be overwhelmed," Paul warned.

According to the Centre, the 10 districts with maximum active coronavirus caes are Pune (59,475), Mumbai (46,248), Nagpur (45,322), Thane (35,264), Nashik (26,553), Aurangabad (21,282), Bengaluru Urban (16,259), Nanded (15,171), Delhi (8,032) and Ahmednagar (7,952).

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said some districts that saw a high number of cases in August-November are again reporting a high growth rate.

"In addition, a number of new districts that saw a limited prevalence earlier are worryingly showing a surge in Covid cases. States, UTs and districts that have current low levels of cases, however, cannot be complacent," Bhushan added.

About the surge in case positivity rates, Bhushan said Maharashtra last week had an average of 23 per cent, followed by Punjab 8.82 per cent, Chattisgarh 8.24 per cent, Madhya Pradesh 7.82 per cent, Tamil Nadu 2.5 per cent, Karnataka 2.45 per cent, Gujarat 2.22 per cent, and Delhi 2.04 per cent.

The daily rise in COVID cases in the worst affected state of Maharashtra has increased from 5,493 on February 17 to 34,456 on March 24. The average per day deaths also increased from 32 on February 10 to 118 on March 24.

The average national positivity rate during last week was 5.65 per cent. About the coronavirus situation in Punjab, Bhushan said in the second week of February, 332 daily new cases were recorded which had now increased to 2,742. The average daily deaths were eight in February, which has risen to 52. The Punjab government, meanwhile, extended COVID curbs for another 10 days.

As per the union health ministry, active cases have risen to 5,40,720, which account for 4.47 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 94.19 per cent.

Also read: Drug regulator extends Covishield's shelf life from 6 to 9 months

Also read: SpiceJet ties up with Avenue Capital to buy 50 new aircraft
Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - The Guinean government on Tuesday opened an investigation into the capsizing of a dugout canoe on Sunday in the sub-prefecture of Kanfarande in the north, some 300 km from the capital, which claimed 15 victims
DECORAH, Iowa  A Fillmore County man has pleaded guilty to sex crimes in northeast Iowa.

Damian Eugene Anthony, 19 of Chatfield, took a plea deal and received a deferred judgment for enticing a minor and a jail sentence for indecent exposure.

Anthony was initial accused of third-degree sexual abuse in Winneshiek County District Court. The victim claimed the abuse happened in April 2019 and court documents state Anthony admitted to knowing his victim was under the influence of marijuana and possibly alcohol.

Hes been ordered to spend 30 days in jail and two to five years on supervised probation. If Anthony successful completes his probation, the conviction for enticing a minor will be removed from his record.
Cabinet approves compensation in case of death of employees deployed in Panchayat election

Patna, Mar 31 (UNI) Bihar cabinet today approved the compensation of Rs 30 lakh in case of death of an employee due to COVID 19 and Rs 15 lakh in case of otherwise death while remaining on duty in panchayat elections.

The cabinet further decided to provide an exgratia of Rs 30 lakh in case of death of an employee in extremists violence while on duty in Panchayat elections.

If an employee becomes disabled while on duty in panchayat elections Rs 7.5 lakh would be given as an ex gratis and the amount would be doubled in case the disability was due to an attack by the extremists or anti-social elements.
G. Gordon Liddy, the Richard Nixon associate who organized the Watergate break-in and later refused to testify at the congressional hearings on the matter, died Tuesday at his daughter's home in Virginia. He was 90.

Over the course of his life, George Gordon Liddy served in the Marines, unsuccessfully ran for Congress, and worked as an FBI agent and prosecutor, but he gained notoriety as a Nixon operative. He was first assigned to discredit Daniel Ellsberg after he leaked the Pentagon Papers, and went on to coordinate the 1972 burglary of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. The scandal led to Nixon's resignation.

Liddy didn't regret the break-in, saying, "I was serving the president of the United States and I would do Watergate again  but with a much better crew." Liddy, who also didn't testify at his criminal trial, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but had his sentence commuted, and ultimately served only 52 months.

After his stint in prison, Liddy became an actor, specializing in playing villains, and hosted a syndicated right-wing radio talk show, The G. Gordon Liddy Show. His wife of 53 years, Frances, died in 2010, and he is survived by five children and 12 grandchildren.

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(Newser)  With a third wave of coronavirus infections threatening to overwhelm hospitals, French President Emmanuel Macron has brought in a measure he had long resisteda third national lockdown. Macron announced Wednesday that the "lockdown light" measures introduced in Paris and 15 other regions almost two weeks ago will be extended across France for at least a month, the BBC reports. Schools and nonessential businesses will be closed, travel between French regions will be banned, and people will be barred from leaving their homes for nonessential reasons after 7pm. Authorities say that for the first time since last April, there are now more than 5,000 patients in intensive care.

story continues below

An average of more than 37,000 cases a day has been reported over the last week and the country has recorded close to 100,000 deaths. "We tried to push back this day for as long as possiblebut unfortunately it has now arrived," Macron said in a televised address Wednesday, per France24. "We will lose control if we do not act now." As COVID variants started to spread and cases started rising steeply in January, Macron gambled that a third national lockdown could be avoided if restrictions were moderately tightened while vaccination efforts were stepped up, the New York Times reports. But vaccine rollout has been slow: Around 12% of the population has received at least one dose of vaccine, compared to around 29% in the US and 46% in the UK. (Read more France stories.)
US Rep Matt Gaetz used an awkward interview with Tucker Carlson to claim that allegations he trafficked a 17-year-old girl are a lie and verifiably false  and even implied the Fox News host had met a woman involved in the investigation for dinner.

It came after The New York Times reported that the Justice Department is investigating whether Mr Gaetz paid for a girl to travel with him.

He has instead claimed that his family is being targeted by a former Justice Department official in an extortion scheme.

Mr Carlson said Tuesday nights appearance was one of the weirdest interviews Ive ever conducted.

The network requested an appearance from Mr Gaetz following The New York Times story, Carlson said, on the certainty that there is always more than what you read in the newspaper.

I dont think that clarified much, he added.

Read more:

At one point during the interview, Mr Gaetz addressed sexual misconduct allegations that once faced Mr Carlson.

Im not the only person on screen right now who has been falsely accused of a terrible sex act, Mr Gaetz said. You were accused of something that you did not do, so you know what this feels like, the pain it can bring to your family.

Mr Gaetz also said a woman he had introduced to Mr Carlson was harassed by the FBI.

You and I went to dinner, about two years ago, he said. I brought a friend of mine  youll remember her. She was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldnt cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay-for-play scheme, she should be in trouble.

Mr Carlson appeared taken aback and replied: I dont remember the woman you are speaking of or the context at all, honestly.

Mr Gaetz added that he believes people at the Justice Department are trying to smear him.

Providing for flights and hotel rooms for people that youre dating who are of legal age is not a crime, he said.

The Justice Department investigation is reportedly part of a larger probe into Joel Greenberg, a Florida official and political ally of Mr Gaetz who was indicted last summer on child sex trafficking charges.

Mr Greenberg faces 14 charges, including allegations of stalking a political opponent, using a state database to create fake IDs, and sex trafficking a minor. He faces a trial in June.

The probe reportedly began in the final months of Donald Trumps administration under then-US Attorney General William Barr.

The Justice Department has declined to comment.

While Mr Gaetz has denied wrongdoing, he also has insisted that a former Justice Department attorney has sought to bleed money from his family by promising to make the case disappear.

Mr Gaetz told Fox News that his father received a text message on 16 March demanding a meeting with $25 million in exchange for making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away.

He claimed that his family alerted the FBI and Justice Department, who were so concerned they asked my dad to wear a wire.

The recordings will prove my innocence, he said.

During the interview, Mr Gaetz named the former Justice Department official he alleges has sought to extort his family.

They were promising that Joe Biden would pardon me  obviously I dont need a pardon, Im not seeking a pardon, he said.

At another point, Mr Gaetz said that someone alleged there are photographs of him with child prostitutes.

Thats obviously false  there will be no such pictures because no such thing happened, Mr Gaetz said.
[March 31, 2021] D.A. Davidson Sells $45 Million of Bonds for 900-Acre Master Planned Business Park in Colorado Springs

D.A. Davidson & Co. has sold approximately $45 million of limited tax general obligation senior and subordinate bonds for the continued development of Peak Innovation Park located in Colorado Springs, Colo. The financings will fund critical infrastructure for the project, and bring significant technological and aeronautic innovation, employment and economic growth to the City of Colorado Springs. At full build-out, the Peak Innovation Park will encompass more than 900 acres with more than 12 million square-feet of customized commercial space including a new state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) facility for Aerospace Corporation (COS-2), Amazon fulfillment and distribution centers, offices with a focus on aerospace, defense, cybersecurity and technology tenants, hotels and industrial uses. "This is a significant project for Colorado Springs' business communities and surrounding regions, with Peak Innovation Park representing the largest speculative office complex built in this city since 2001," said Brooke Hutchens, managing director at D.A. Davidson. "Thanks to our financing model and ability to create strong partnerships involving the City, Peak Metropolitan District and Urban Frontier, D.A. Davidson has turned this vision into a reality. We are honored to be involved in this project and look forward to the positive impact that Peak Innovation Park will bring to its communities." Urban Frontier is the developer of the project. The developer entered into a Master Developer Agreement with the City of Colorado Springs by and through its enterprise, the Colorado Springs Airport providing a unique model for partnership between the airport and the Metropolitan District to fund public infrastructure on site. The Metropolitan District contains 485 acres within Peak Innovation Park, a commercial development located directly south of Colorado Springs Airport. Peak Innovation Park is situated within a federal opportunity zone, a state enterprise zone and a local commercial aeronautical zone that include certin tax breaks and incentives tied to employment levels. Within these zones, investors can defer capital gains taxes on the sale of stocks, business assets or property by investing in certain qualified investment funds called "Opportunity Funds."



"Colorado Springs is a reputable hub for industries across aerospace, defense, information technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, and more, with hundreds of manufacturers in the region. The continued development of Peak Innovation Park will likely attract additional Fortune 500 companies, national business operations and a highly educated workforce," said Garrett Baum, managing partner at Urban Frontier. "Given its close proximity to the Colorado Springs Airport, business centers and access to nearby interstates and city centers, the Peak Innovation Park is primed for strong economic activity and continued connection among industries nationwide. We appreciate the financial models in place and our partnership with D.A. Davidson, both of which have made this project possible." Representing the first of a two-phased development timeline on the larger 900-acre site the property, upon completion, the development property plans to include the following projects, several of which are already under construction:

Aerospace Corporation will deliver a second state-of-the-art, close to 90,000 square-foot research and development facility.

An approximately 278,000 square-feet facility.

Two office properties leased to a Denver-based commercial developer, the first phase consisting of nearly 215,000 square-feet, intended for aviation and space-related uses by design, and the second phase consisting of approximately 240,000 square-feet, intended for traditional office uses.

Several small pad retail sites intended for a mix of restaurant and retail uses.

Approximately 550,000 square-feet of speculative industrial space for warehouse, storage and related usage.

Two hotel properties to accommodate residents, visitors and the local workforce. These early-stage bond transactions were managed by the Special District Group at D.A. Davidson, comprised of 15 individuals exclusively dedicated to financing public infrastructure across the country. The group has extensive transaction experience, with more than 100 transactions and more than $2 billion of par amount issued in the past year. D.A. Davidson & Co.'s Fixed Income Capital Markets group is a national leader in raising capital through fixed income banking, distribution and depository strategy. With 33 locations in 19 states, the group is consistently ranked among the top firms in the country. The fixed income team serves new issue clients in public finance and taxable debt issuance, and maintains a diverse sales and trading group interacting with taxable and tax-exempt investors including banks, credit unions, insurance companies, bond funds, money managers and trust companies. About D.A. Davidson Companies D.A. Davidson Companies is an employee-owned financial services firm offering a range of financial services and advice to individuals, corporations, institutions and municipalities nationwide. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in Montana, with corporate offices in Denver, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle, the company has approximately 1,400 employees and offices in 27 states. Subsidiaries include: D.A. Davidson & Co., the largest full-service investment firm headquartered in the Northwest, providing wealth management, investment banking, equity and fixed income capital markets services, and advice; Davidson Investment Advisors, a professional asset management firm; D.A. Davidson Trust Company, a trust and wealth management company; and Davidson Fixed Income Management, a registered investment adviser providing fixed income portfolio and advisory services. For more information, visit dadavidson.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005154/en/

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After successfully trialing it on an international flight between Singapore and London earlier this month, the IATA says it will release its Travel Pass app in mid-April. The software allows airline travelers to store verified COVID-19 test results and vaccination certificates on their phones. The trade association told Reuters it expects to make the app available to download on iPhone around April 15th, with an Android version to follow later.

Starting on April 16th, Virgin Atlantic plans to pilot the digital pass on its London to Barbados route. The Caribbean island will accept the app at its border, making it one of the first countries to admit a digital pass instead of paper documentation.

In addition to storing vaccine certificates and the results of COVID-19 tests, you can use the software to create a digital version of your passport. It also includes a database of local travel restrictions and restrictions, so you can easily find out what you need before you fly somewhere. Any personal information you add to the app is stored locally on your device, and theres a secure, encrypted channel for labs to send over test results and vaccine confirmation.

The IATA Travel Pass isnt the first COVID-19 passport. In the US, that distinction goes to the digital Excelsior Pass New York state launched last week. The IATA is positioning the app as a way to speed up check-ins, particularly as more and more people feel its safe enough to fly again. Whether it actually helps will depend on airlines, airports and countries adopting the standard.
Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here.
(TNS) - Mar. 28The possible future of the pandemic: Most adults are vaccinated, including almost all of the oldest, who are most likely to die of COVID-19. People feel safe getting together. Warmer weather brings more people outside. It looks like the worst may be over.Or this: New coronavirus variants arrive that are immune to the vaccines. People wait in line for booster shots. States open up too quickly, removing mask mandates and crowd controls. Young people and older conservatives don't get vaccinated. Another major surge in infections and deaths ensues.Experts in public health and medicine say the pandemic could go either way, and it's difficult to predict which direction we are headed. There are both positive and negative signals."There's a lot of 'we don't knows'" when it comes to the coronavirus, said Dr. Howard Selinger, chairman of family medicine at Quinnipiac University's Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine. "They're studying it, but it's going to take time."One concern is how quickly states are opening up, especially in the South. "Between now and the end of summer, as states open up, we don't know if we're going to facilitate the spread of mutants that are both more easily transmitted and apparently make people sicker," Selinger said.If people aren't wearing masks and taking other precautions  especially if they are not vaccinated  infections can rise and "what creates mutation is transmission," he said. It's best "if you can tamp down the spread, not just through vaccination but through good old-fashioned masking and social distancing," he said."When the governor opens up bars and restaurants 100 percent but continues to keep the mask mandate in place, it's kind of a mixed message," Selinger said, because people take off their masks when eating and drinking."You are likely to see surges in those states that are not yet hitting the tipping point of 70 to 75 percent immunized," he said. That has happened in Italy, which is locking down parts of the country because of a surge in infections."So one scenario of states prematurely opening up: We lose the race because we can't immunize fast enough," Selinger said. "We get a lot more sick people as we continue to vaccinate, but at a high cost of death and illness."There is good news. "We do know there is going to be sufficient vaccine supply," Selinger said. By late summer, 70 percent to 80 percent of the population should be immunized, enough to create herd immunity.Connecticut ranks fourth in vaccination rates, according to Becker's Hospital Review, with 18 percent of the population fully vaccinated as of Thursday. Leaving out children 15 and younger, that percentage is 22.The state Department of Public Health reported that as of March 22, 36 percent of Connecticut residents 16 and older had received at least one dose of vaccine and 30 percent of all residents had.Some state residents over 16 have been vaccinated, but as of April 1, everyone from 16 to 44 years old will become eligible, totaling 1.9 million people, more than half the population.In looking at vaccination rates and variant strains of the coronavirus, "I think of them as very intertwined," said Lisa Cuchara, professor of biomedical sciences at Quinnipiac University. "The virus doesn't mutate in the air or in the water. ... It mutates inside human beings."If most people are vaccinated and aren't getting infected, there are far fewer hosts available to serve as mutation factories, she said.Cuchara said there are danger signs that young people and white conservatives are less likely to get their shots, making the 75 percent to 80 percent rate required for "herd immunity" harder to reach. She said it appears "young people aren't as worried about COVID and spring break reinforces that. ... They don't think that this is as serious for them, so they're not as leery."In addition, "they're more likely to do other risky behaviors," she said. "I don't think they have a scientific reason, a political reason. I just think they don't think this is a big deal to them."Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not ordered that masks be worn in the state and has kept businesses open. Thousands of young adults have jammed Miami Beach, where the city imposed an emergency 8 p.m. curfew as partiers have broken into fights and stampeded through the streets.According to a Civiqs poll, 27 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds don't plan to get vaccinated, while 64 percent do or already have gotten their shots.Another group that is resistant to vaccination is white Republicans. According to Civiqs, 43 percent of that group said they will not get the vaccine if it becomes available, compared with 2 percent of white Democrats and 26 percent of white independents. Twelve percent of Black Americans say they won't take the vaccine, a number that has declined over time, and 15 percent of Hispanics say they won't."I see a huge partisanship with people refusing to get vaccinated and that scares me the most," Cuchara said. In addition to those who have made COVID a partisan issue, there are those who get misinformation and even intentionally misleading propaganda from social media. "People who spend more time on Facebook are going to be more hesitant," she said."Being hesitant is normal but where do you get your information? Where do you get your answers from?" she said. "You've got to make sure that hesitancy is met with facts and not oddities," such as the president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, warning that women taking the Pfizer vaccine could grow facial hair or that men's voices might become effeminate.Dean Sten Vermund of the Yale School of Public Health said there is more good news for the state. "In the big national surveys, Connecticut has one of the lowest rates of vaccine hesitancy of all the states. I think it's in the bottom three to five," he said. "There are more willing people in Connecticut than nearly all the other states."Those who are unwilling to get vaccinated see a false choice, Cuchara said. "The decision isn't, get vaccinated / don't get vaccinated," she said. "The decision is, how do I want to get exposed to this virus? The whole virus or just the spike protein?" The messenger RNA in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines triggers antibodies because it has the same genetic code as the coronavirus' spike protein, which cannot cause infection.If we don't reach that 75 percent threshold of immunization, those who have compromised immune systems will be especially at risk and will put those around them in danger as well, Cuchara said. "They could actually harbor that virus for a long period of time."In one case, immunocompromised patients "were actually positive for COVID and shedding virus for five months," she said. "The variants are going to be allowed to occur within them. They are going to be the main source of the variants."Some good news is that viral mutations are not necessarily more lethal. However, if they are more contagious, those who get sick are at greater risk of death, especially if they are old or have underlying health conditions."We tend to think the virus wants to kill us. It really doesn't; it just wants to make more copies of itself," Cuchara said. "If you're a virus, your point of view is you would not want to kill people because you're not going to spread very far."That's why vaccination is so important. Unlike influenza, which can spread via pigs, birds and even dogs and cats, "99.99 percent of the spread [of coronavirus] is human to human," Cuchara said. If everyone is vaccinated, "there's nobody to make a variant in."It's also important even for people who have had COVID-19 to get their shots. "Natural immunity  immunity after infection  doesn't seem to last very long," Cuchara said.Another risk is that the vaccines we are receiving now won't work against future variants, but that we won't realize we are at risk of another infection because we believe we are safe. "Those variants could pop up that are basically immune to our immunity," Cuchara said. "We could have disease and death and hospitalizations occurring in vaccinated people."One question "that hasn't been answered definitively yet: Is the vaccinated person still a menace to other people?" Vermund said. "Are they infectious because they harbor virus in their nasal passages? The tentative answer is no, because there are some small studies that are very promising in suggesting that there is a lower viral load in the immunized person ... who's infected with the virus."According to current research, in someone who's vaccinated, "their immune system kicks in and knocks the viral load down very quickly," Vermund said. "And they also are unlikely to be major transmitters because there's also a dampening of virus in the nasal passage." But research still is being conducted, he said.Now, vaccinated people are able to get together and not risk infecting each other, Vermund said. In public, "We're still going to wear a mask ... because we're not 100 percent sure that we might not be a risk to someone else, but we are not going to be concerned about acquiring coronavirus."Vermund said getting to the critical tipping point of immunity is going to be essential to getting back to something resembling normal. "If we have a conspicuous shortfall on achieving herd immunity, then we may have continuing transmission in the subset of population that is still susceptible, the unvaccinated subset, and then it's very hard for society to go back to normal because we continue to drive cases, continue to drive deaths," he said.In that case, "there's going to be a lot of concern in society about going to the movie theater, about going to the bowling alley, about going to the arts event or music event, thinking about school and business as usual, restaurants as usual," Vermund said."You're going to be wondering whether you're really, truly safe. So even though I would be very secure, if I were ... fully vaccinated, to go and sit with somebody who's susceptible, a lot of people are not going to feel very secure," he said.Herd immunity works even if 20 percent of the population isn't vaccinated because "that transmission cycle becomes very inefficient and has a tendency to die out on its own, so that nobody gets infected from the infected person entering a group setting," Vermund said.As an example, at a party, "pretend like 80 percent of the people are wearing red and 20 percent are wearing green. You may simply not talk to the green person in that particular dinner party. ... So then there isn't the transmission at the event, and, after a couple of days, you're no longer infectious."Vermund said the reason we need to get flu shots every year is not just because of the different strains. "The reason we have between 10,000 and 50,000 deaths a year from from flu is because we only manage 65 percent vaccine coverage," he said. "If we managed 100 percent, we'd probably have 1,000 deaths, a very tiny number, if any."So it's all about the vaccine coverage. That is our easiest route to a COVID-free autumn and keeping COVID to a very minimum level next winter," Vermund said. "It's very plausible that COVID will surge in the winter like it did this year, but it may not surge very much. It may be much, much, much lower if there are many fewer susceptible individuals."edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382___(c)2021 the New Haven Register (New Haven, Conn.)Visit the New Haven Register (New Haven, Conn.) at www.nhregister.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.(TNS)Mar. 28The possible future of the pandemic: Most adults are vaccinated, including almost all of the oldest, who are most likely to die of COVID-19. People feel safe getting together. Warmer weather brings more people outside. It looks like the worst may be over.Or this: New coronavirus variants arrive that are immune to the vaccines. People wait in line for booster shots. States open up too quickly, removing mask mandates and crowd controls. Young people and older conservatives don't get vaccinated. Another major surge in infections and deaths ensues.Experts in public health and medicine say the pandemic could go either way, and it's difficult to predict which direction we are headed. There are both positive and negative signals."There's a lot of 'we don't knows'" when it comes to the coronavirus, said Dr. Howard Selinger, chairman of family medicine at Quinnipiac University's Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine. "They're studying it, but it's going to take time."One concern is how quickly states are opening up, especially in the South. "Between now and the end of summer, as states open up, we don't know if we're going to facilitate the spread of mutants that are both more easily transmitted and apparently make people sicker," Selinger said.If people aren't wearing masks and taking other precautions  especially if they are not vaccinated  infections can rise and "what creates mutation is transmission," he said. It's best "if you can tamp down the spread, not just through vaccination but through good old-fashioned masking and social distancing," he said."When the governor opens up bars and restaurants 100 percent but continues to keep the mask mandate in place, it's kind of a mixed message," Selinger said, because people take off their masks when eating and drinking."You are likely to see surges in those states that are not yet hitting the tipping point of 70 to 75 percent immunized," he said. That has happened in Italy, which is locking down parts of the country because of a surge in infections."So one scenario of states prematurely opening up: We lose the race because we can't immunize fast enough," Selinger said. "We get a lot more sick people as we continue to vaccinate, but at a high cost of death and illness."There is good news. "We do know there is going to be sufficient vaccine supply," Selinger said. By late summer, 70 percent to 80 percent of the population should be immunized, enough to create herd immunity.Connecticut ranks fourth in vaccination rates, according to Becker's Hospital Review, with 18 percent of the population fully vaccinated as of Thursday. Leaving out children 15 and younger, that percentage is 22.The state Department of Public Health reported that as of March 22, 36 percent of Connecticut residents 16 and older had received at least one dose of vaccine and 30 percent of all residents had.Some state residents over 16 have been vaccinated, but as of April 1, everyone from 16 to 44 years old will become eligible, totaling 1.9 million people, more than half the population.In looking at vaccination rates and variant strains of the coronavirus, "I think of them as very intertwined," said Lisa Cuchara, professor of biomedical sciences at Quinnipiac University. "The virus doesn't mutate in the air or in the water. ... It mutates inside human beings."If most people are vaccinated and aren't getting infected, there are far fewer hosts available to serve as mutation factories, she said.Cuchara said there are danger signs that young people and white conservatives are less likely to get their shots, making the 75 percent to 80 percent rate required for "herd immunity" harder to reach. She said it appears "young people aren't as worried about COVID and spring break reinforces that. ... They don't think that this is as serious for them, so they're not as leery."In addition, "they're more likely to do other risky behaviors," she said. "I don't think they have a scientific reason, a political reason. I just think they don't think this is a big deal to them."Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not ordered that masks be worn in the state and has kept businesses open. Thousands of young adults have jammed Miami Beach, where the city imposed an emergency 8 p.m. curfew as partiers have broken into fights and stampeded through the streets.According to a Civiqs poll, 27 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds don't plan to get vaccinated, while 64 percent do or already have gotten their shots.Another group that is resistant to vaccination is white Republicans. According to Civiqs, 43 percent of that group said they will not get the vaccine if it becomes available, compared with 2 percent of white Democrats and 26 percent of white independents. Twelve percent of Black Americans say they won't take the vaccine, a number that has declined over time, and 15 percent of Hispanics say they won't."I see a huge partisanship with people refusing to get vaccinated and that scares me the most," Cuchara said. In addition to those who have made COVID a partisan issue, there are those who get misinformation and even intentionally misleading propaganda from social media. "People who spend more time on Facebook are going to be more hesitant," she said."Being hesitant is normal but where do you get your information? Where do you get your answers from?" she said. "You've got to make sure that hesitancy is met with facts and not oddities," such as the president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, warning that women taking the Pfizer vaccine could grow facial hair or that men's voices might become effeminate.Dean Sten Vermund of the Yale School of Public Health said there is more good news for the state. "In the big national surveys, Connecticut has one of the lowest rates of vaccine hesitancy of all the states. I think it's in the bottom three to five," he said. "There are more willing people in Connecticut than nearly all the other states."Those who are unwilling to get vaccinated see a false choice, Cuchara said. "The decision isn't, get vaccinated / don't get vaccinated," she said. "The decision is, how do I want to get exposed to this virus? The whole virus or just the spike protein?" The messenger RNA in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines triggers antibodies because it has the same genetic code as the coronavirus' spike protein, which cannot cause infection.If we don't reach that 75 percent threshold of immunization, those who have compromised immune systems will be especially at risk and will put those around them in danger as well, Cuchara said. "They could actually harbor that virus for a long period of time."In one case, immunocompromised patients "were actually positive for COVID and shedding virus for five months," she said. "The variants are going to be allowed to occur within them. They are going to be the main source of the variants."Some good news is that viral mutations are not necessarily more lethal. However, if they are more contagious, those who get sick are at greater risk of death, especially if they are old or have underlying health conditions."We tend to think the virus wants to kill us. It really doesn't; it just wants to make more copies of itself," Cuchara said. "If you're a virus, your point of view is you would not want to kill people because you're not going to spread very far."That's why vaccination is so important. Unlike influenza, which can spread via pigs, birds and even dogs and cats, "99.99 percent of the spread [of coronavirus] is human to human," Cuchara said. If everyone is vaccinated, "there's nobody to make a variant in."It's also important even for people who have had COVID-19 to get their shots. "Natural immunity  immunity after infection  doesn't seem to last very long," Cuchara said.Another risk is that the vaccines we are receiving now won't work against future variants, but that we won't realize we are at risk of another infection because we believe we are safe. "Those variants could pop up that are basically immune to our immunity," Cuchara said. "We could have disease and death and hospitalizations occurring in vaccinated people."One question "that hasn't been answered definitively yet: Is the vaccinated person still a menace to other people?" Vermund said. "Are they infectious because they harbor virus in their nasal passages? The tentative answer is no, because there are some small studies that are very promising in suggesting that there is a lower viral load in the immunized person ... who's infected with the virus."According to current research, in someone who's vaccinated, "their immune system kicks in and knocks the viral load down very quickly," Vermund said. "And they also are unlikely to be major transmitters because there's also a dampening of virus in the nasal passage." But research still is being conducted, he said.Now, vaccinated people are able to get together and not risk infecting each other, Vermund said. In public, "We're still going to wear a mask ... because we're not 100 percent sure that we might not be a risk to someone else, but we are not going to be concerned about acquiring coronavirus."Vermund said getting to the critical tipping point of immunity is going to be essential to getting back to something resembling normal. "If we have a conspicuous shortfall on achieving herd immunity, then we may have continuing transmission in the subset of population that is still susceptible, the unvaccinated subset, and then it's very hard for society to go back to normal because we continue to drive cases, continue to drive deaths," he said.In that case, "there's going to be a lot of concern in society about going to the movie theater, about going to the bowling alley, about going to the arts event or music event, thinking about school and business as usual, restaurants as usual," Vermund said."You're going to be wondering whether you're really, truly safe. So even though I would be very secure, if I were ... fully vaccinated, to go and sit with somebody who's susceptible, a lot of people are not going to feel very secure," he said.Herd immunity works even if 20 percent of the population isn't vaccinated because "that transmission cycle becomes very inefficient and has a tendency to die out on its own, so that nobody gets infected from the infected person entering a group setting," Vermund said.As an example, at a party, "pretend like 80 percent of the people are wearing red and 20 percent are wearing green. You may simply not talk to the green person in that particular dinner party. ... So then there isn't the transmission at the event, and, after a couple of days, you're no longer infectious."Vermund said the reason we need to get flu shots every year is not just because of the different strains. "The reason we have between 10,000 and 50,000 deaths a year from from flu is because we only manage 65 percent vaccine coverage," he said. "If we managed 100 percent, we'd probably have 1,000 deaths, a very tiny number, if any."So it's all about the vaccine coverage. That is our easiest route to a COVID-free autumn and keeping COVID to a very minimum level next winter," Vermund said. "It's very plausible that COVID will surge in the winter like it did this year, but it may not surge very much. It may be much, much, much lower if there are many fewer susceptible individuals."edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382___(c)2021 the New Haven Register (New Haven, Conn.)Visit the New Haven Register (New Haven, Conn.) at www.nhregister.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) has won support for a 14-point plan to save the country's print media.

The plan, developed with representatives of the newspaper industry, was endorsed at a NUJU-organised conference of 200 editors and journalists held on 25 March. The demands, also supported by the International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ and EFJ), will now be sent to the Government and Parliament in a bid to save the sector, protect media jobs and protect freedom of information in Ukraine.

Demands agreed by conference participants to protect media and jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic, included:

The creation of a Media Support Fund following models in other European countries

Tax exemptions for the media until the end of the lockdown

Free access for journalists to all governmental activities and events during the pandemic

Soft loans for media development

Financial measures to save jobs

The creation of two working groups at the Ukrainian Parliament to discuss solutions and tax stimulus programs for Ukrainian media

It was also announced that the national postal operator Ukrposhta will not increase its tariffs for the delivery of newspapers in the second half of 2021.

High level Ukrainian officials also participated in the conference, including Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation.

A critically-hit sector by the pandemic

Prior to the conference NUJU carried out a survey among Ukrainian journalists and editors which revealed the critical impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the countrys media sector. 192 journalists and editors from 24 regions of Ukraine and Kyiv took part in the survey, conducted between March 1st and 25th.

86% of the publishers said they have lost advertising, 50% of them had reduced workers salaries and 40% had reduced staff. Results showed that 28% of the editors cancelled assignments with freelancers while 5% switched from print to online. 5% of the respondents stopped their activity completely during the pandemic.

NUJU, with the support of the IFJ, conducted a similar survey In April 2020. The new survey will help assess journalists' current situation one year after the beginning of the pandemic.

President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, Sergiy Tomilenko said: This contact with Government is very important for our Union. We strive to be a powerful voice for Ukrainian journalists. We do not politicize the issues of freedom of speech, journalists' rights and safety, media business, or postal delivery. We are just discussing a corporate issue - the survival of the media and the right to a profession.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: The Ukrainian government must hear NUJUs and the media sector demands and take prompt action to save media, freedom of information and jobs in the country. Launching a financial support fund for journalists and investing in media development will be key for the strengthening of Ukrainian democracy.
LA JOLLA--(March 31, 2021) Clinicians using a new viral screening test can not only diagnose COVID-19 in a matter of minutes with a portable, pocket-sized machine, but can also simultaneously test for other viruses--like influenza--that might be mistaken for the coronavirus. At the same time, they can sequence the virus, providing valuable information on the spread of COVID-19 mutations and variants. The new test, dubbed NIRVANA, was described online today by a multi-institution team of scientists in the journal Med.

"This is a virus detection and surveillance method that doesn't require an expensive infrastructure like other approaches," says Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, co-corresponding author and a professor in Salk's Gene Expression Laboratory. "We can accomplish with one portable test the same thing that others are using two or three different tests, with different machines, to do."

Around the world, more than 100 million people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. A staggering 500,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 to date. Testing the population is key to stopping the spread of the virus. In addition, tracking the spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants--some of which could respond differently to treatments or vaccines--is critical.

Today, the standard approach to determining whether a nasal swab is positive for COVID-19 is to run a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If the sample is negative, however, patients and clinicians don't get any information on what might be causing the coronavirus-like symptoms--unless they run separate PCR tests, using different swab samples, for other viruses. And if the sample is positive for SARS-CoV-2, they don't learn which COVID-19 variant a patient is infected with unless another set of tests is run; those require a large and expensive next-generation gene-sequencing machine.

Last summer, Mo Li, an assistant professor of bioscience at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, was pondering ways he could lend his expertise in genetic engineering and nanopore sequencing to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Li, who previously spent six years as a Salk postdoctoral researcher in the Izpisua Belmonte lab, wondered whether a gene-detection approach called isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) coupled with real-time nanopore sequencing might be more useful--and faster, cheaper and more portable--than the current COVID-19 testing approach. He teamed up with Izpisua Belmonte to find out.

Unlike PCR, which cycles through lower and higher temperatures to separate DNA strands and copy them, RPA uses proteins--rather than temperature changes--to accomplish the same thing in only 20 minutes. The technology lets researchers copy longer stretches of DNA, and probe for multiple genes at the same time.

"We quickly realized that we could use this technique to not only detect SARS-CoV-2, but other viruses at the same time," says Li.

In the new paper, Li and Izpisua Belmonte describe a small, portable device that can screen 96 samples at the same time using the RPA assay. They call the method NIRVANA, for "nanopore sequencing of isothermal rapid viral amplification for near real-time analysis."

The scientists designed NIRVANA to simultaneously test samples for COVID-19, influenza A, human adenovirus, and non-SARS-CoV-2 human coronavirus. In just 15 minutes, the researchers report, the device begins to report positive and negative results. And within three hours, the device finalizes results on all 96 samples--including the sequences of five regions of SARS-CoV-2 that are particularly prone to accumulate mutations leading to new variants such as the B.1.1.7 variant identified in the UK.

Li and Izpisua Belmonte tested NIRVANA on 10 samples known to be positive for SARS-CoV-2, 60 samples of unknown SARS-CoV-2 status, as well as samples of municipal wastewater harboring the SARS-COV-2 virus and others. In all cases, the assay was able to correctly identify which viruses were present. The sequencing data also allowed them to narrow down the origin of SARS-CoV-2 in positive samples; differentiating strains from China and Europe, for instance.

"The design of this assay is really flexible, so it's not just limited to the examples we've shown," says Li. "We can easily adapt it to tackle another pathogen, even something new and emergent."

With the small size and portability of the NIRVANA workflow, it could be used for fast virus detection at schools, airports or ports, the researchers say. It also could be used to monitor wastewater or streams for the presence of new viruses.

"The pandemic has provided two important lessons: first, test widely and quickly, and second, know your variants. Our NIRVANA method provides a promising solution to these two challenges not only for the current pandemic but also for possible future ones," says Izpisua Belmonte, who holds the Roger Guillemin Chair at Salk. Market analysis would be required to determine whether the initial cost of commercialization--and the constant tweaks to the test needed to make sure it detected new variants or new viruses of interest--are worth it, Belmonte adds.

###

In addition to Izpisua Belmonte and Li, other authors on the study were Concepcion Rodriguez Esteban of Salk; Chongwei Bi, Gerargo Ramos-Mandujano, Sharis Hala, Jinna Xu, Sara Mfarrej, Yeteng Tian and Arnab Pain of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST); Estrella Nunez Delicado of UCAM Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia; Fadwa Alofi of King Fahad Hospital; Asim Khogeer of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health; Anwar Hashem of King Abdulaziz University; and Naif Almontashiri of Taibah University.

The work described in the current paper was supported by a competitive research grant from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:

Every cure has a starting point. The Salk Institute embodies Jonas Salk's mission to dare to make dreams into reality. Its internationally renowned and award-winning scientists explore the very foundations of life, seeking new understandings in neuroscience, genetics, immunology, plant biology and more. The Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature and fearless in the face of any challenge. Be it cancer or Alzheimer's, aging or diabetes, Salk is where cures begin. Learn more at: salk.edu.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure plan could help rebuild Texas highways and ports and push broadband into rural parts of the state, where up to 31 percent of residents do not have access to high-speed internet.

It could help Texas weatherize the grid in a way that wouldnt stick consumers with the bill as well as guard the Gulf Coast against hurricanes and address racial disparities that have made Latino and Black communities particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.

The infrastructure pitch is the presidents latest attempt to offer up money for things Republican leaders in Texas have been looking for funds to cover, as well as some that state lawmakers have been reluctant to take on.

But the presidents latest proposal also comes with a heavy emphasis on clean energy that some Texas Republicans have framed as an attack on the states oil industry, and Biden is calling for corporate tax increases to foot the bill.

PUSHING BACK: Texas Senate passes bill aiming to counter federal subsidies for wind and solar power

BIDENS INFRASTRUCTURE PITCH $621 billion to improve roads, bridges, ports and other transportation projects $213 billion to retrofit 2 million homes and businesses to increase energy efficiency $174 billion to juice the electric vehicle market and toward building a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030. $50 billion to improve infrastructure resilience to hurricanes and other natural disasters - especially in lower-income communities the White House says are most affected. $100 billion expanding broadband access in rural areas. $100 billion for energy projects, including upgrades to electrical grids. $16 billion to plug old oil and gas wells. See More Collapse

Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady of The Woodlands, says it would be the biggest economic blunder of our lifetime.

Smart infrastructure investment can boost economy over time, GOP-Democrats agree, Brady tweeted. Imposing $2 tril taxes on U.S. job creators during recovery is a net loser for America. Less U.S. growth & investment, jobs moving overseas.

Biden pitched his plan as a once in a generation investment in America aimed at creating economic opportunity for low-income Americans and the great middle class.

Even before the crisis were now facing, those at the very top in America were doing very well, Biden said. Its time to build our economy from the bottom up and the middle out  not the top down.

Though Biden outlined the package in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the pitch may as well have been aimed at Texas.

As we saw in Texas and elsewhere, our electrical power grids are vulnerable to storms, catastrophic failures and security lapses to tragic results, Biden said, pledging to put hundreds of thousands of people to work rebuilding a modern, resilient and fully clean grid and capping hundreds of thousands of dry oil and gas wells, many in Texas.

The first phase would spend $2 trillion. To pay for it, Biden wants to raise the corporate tax rate, undoing some of former President Donald Trumps signature tax cuts.

Biden said he plans to bring Republicans into the Oval Office for a good faith negotiation and is open to alternative ideas for funding the plan. But we have to get it done, he said.

House Democrats are aiming to pass the bill this summer. Its fate in the evenly split Senate is less clear.

Ike Dike funding?

The proposal is a pretty good injection of effort into infrastructure we havent seen in 50, 60 years, said Michael Webber, an energy resources professor at the University of Texas at Austin. The implications for Texas are quite good.

Bidens plan commits $50 billion to improve infrastructure resilience to hurricanes and other natural disasters  especially in lower-income communities the White House says are most affected, noting, In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Black and Hispanic residents were twice as likely as white residents to report experiencing an income shock with no recovery support.

That includes a tax credit for low- and middle-income families to invest in disaster resilience. The plan would also lean on existing programs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

And while it doesnt specify projects, the presidents plan would appear to open the door to federal funding for the Ike Dike  an estimated $26 billion coastal barrier that would fundamentally alter the southeast Texas coastline to protect against storm surges. The plan says it will protect and, where necessary, restore nature-based infrastructure, calling for an unspecified investment in coastal resilience to sea-level rise and hurricanes.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Plan highlights Texas grid failures

Biden also wants to spend $100 billion expanding broadband access in rural areas  a goal shared by Gov. Greg Abbott, who has named broadband an emergency item for the Legislature this session. Abbott held a press conference in Beaumont earlier this week supporting legislation in the House that would create a state broadband office and a comprehensive plan for Texas.

The infrastructure bill could also help pick up the tab  if not cover completely  the cost of weatherizing Texas power grid, which state lawmakers are so far requiring the industry to cover. Consumer advocates have warned those costs would then be passed down to consumers.

So far the White House has not detailed specific projects, but the plan calls for $100 billion to be spent on energy projects, including upgrades to electrical grids. Webber said given that Texas accounts for about 8 percent of the U.S. population and 10 percent of the GDP, a proportionate slice of that $100 billion would cover the estimated $8 to $10 billion price of weatherizing the grid.

But the presidents push for green energy in the infrastructure package already has state leaders pushing back.

The Texas Legislature is working to counteract tax credits for clean energy Biden would extend as his proposal aims for 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. The state Senate passed a bill this week adding fees on solar and wind electricity production in the state in hopes of boosting fossil fuels.

More far-reaching proposals for clean energy in the plan could have major implications for the Texas oil and gas industry. Republicans are calling it Bidens latest attack on fossil fuels after moves to end the Keystone XL pipeline and pause drilling on federal lands.

As Biden is calling for pouring $174 billion to juice the electric vehicle market and another $213 billion to retrofit 2 million homes and businesses to increase energy efficiency, he is also proposing spending $16 billion plugging oil wells  an endeavor Webber said could be a multi-billion dollar industry in Texas offering plenty of jobs to oil workers worried about Bidens clean energy bent.

This is a multi-hundred million to multi-billion dollar economic opportunity, he said. If youre looking to be angry, you could be angry about what this might do to oil and gas  but I would say actually its a pretty good opportunity.

Plenty of roadwork in the pipeline

Any investment in transportation, meanwhile, would pour tens and possibly hundreds of millions of dollars more into Texas and the Houston region. Both have a long and diverse list of projects to widen roads, add and improve transit, rebuild key trucking routes and upgrade or maintain sidewalks and bike lanes.

The state has a sort of blueprint of possible projects already: A plan Texas Department of Transportation officials created to spend money voters approved in 2014 and 2015 for highway improvements. It includes work to widen parts of Interstate 45 toward Galveston and make Interstate 10 at least three lanes in each direction from Houston to San Antonio.

Maintenance alone could keep Houston area construction crews busy along roads and rail lines. Dozens of area maintenance projects await some or all of their funding - critical problem spots officials have long planned but have been unable to afford even as state highway spending increased.

In Harris County alone, five bridges along freeways are among the 250 nationally that are the most heavily-traveled structurally deficient spans. That includes Loop 610 across the Houston Ship Channel, built in 1973, and the I-45 northbound bridge across White Oak Bayou just north of downtown, built in 1961.

Dug Begley contributed reporting from Houston.

ben.wermund@chron.com
(CNN) -- When Javier Zaragoza wakes up in the morning, he rolls a blunt for breakfast. He repeats it four times a day.

For the past five years, he's been growing six marijuana plants for personal use at his home in Chimalhuacan, State of Mexico.

"It feels right because it's for personal use. I don't have to buy it from organized crime," he told CNN. "And somehow people no longer see you as a criminal."

Soon, it may no longer be a crime. In April, Mexico's Senate is expected to approve a new law to legalize cannabis, two years after the country's Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to ban the drug.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has already signaled his approval of the bill.

The legislation is expected to allow adults from the age of 18 up to smoke marijuana, grow as many as eight plants for personal use, and carry up to 28 grams of pot. It will also provide licenses to cultivate, research, and export cannabis.

Zaragoza said that as soon as it becomes law, he will feel safer, "Sometimes I'm scared for the authorities, they can easily arrest me for these plants; this law would make me feel safer at home," he said.

The General Health Law in Mexico currently allows people to carry up to five grams of cannabis, but carrying more can be cause for prosecution.

"Prohibition doesn't reduce addictions nor organized crime; it's the opposite, it gets stronger," Senator Patricia Mercado from the Citizen's Movement Party told CNN. She plans to vote for the legalization bill.

Last year, Mexico's Secretary of National Defense destroyed 2,807 hectares of cannabis plants and seized 244,112 kilograms of the stuff, according to official figures. But Mercado believes that legalizing the drug instead of fighting it could give the country a powerful economic motor.

"We've lost an industry that can be powerful during these times of economic crisis, unemployment; we could generate incomes and jobs, this is important," she said.

Mexico is the most significant foreign source for marijuana in the United States; in 2019, US Customs and Border Protection seized nearly 249,000 kilograms of it along its southwestern border, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment.

However, according to the same report, cannabis grown and produced in the US -- where it is already legal in several states -- has already supplanted Mexican-grown products in the American market.

Legalization amid Mexico's drug trade

Many in Mexico hope legalizing cannabis will remove one source of income from the country's powerful and violent drug cartels.

But experts say the historically high homicide rates partly associated with gang violence -- Mexico saw 34,515 homicides in 2020 alone -- are unlikely to decrease with the legalization of marijuana.

"It will affect (organized crime) in some ways, but when it comes to crime figures, it won't impact at all," said Mexico City-based security analyst Eduardo Guerrero, who added that cartel-related deaths are typically linked to activities other than the sale of cannabis.

"The violence and executions are no longer related to pot-selling; most of the hitmen in the country that generate violence are in other businesses. They are trafficking cocaine and heroin to the US, extorting people, and trafficking migrants," he said.

Ector Jaime Ramirez, a Congressman from the National Action Party who voted against the legalization bill, tells CNN, "We're pretty sure that (legalization) won't reduce violence because there's no evidence that it happened in another country."

However, legalizing cannabis in Mexico could reduce the threats that Mexican consumers face when buying it. "The real merit goes to the young people that want to buy it; they don't have to go to hidden spots and suffer aggressions or be recruited as dealers," Guerrero said.

Young people in Mexico are vulnerable to be recruited, robbed, or hurt while buying drugs from dealers. Common selling points are located in dangerous neighborhoods, and anything can happen during the purchase.

"Buying weed from a dealer is dangerous; I haven't done it for a while, but it was complicated," said Zaragoza, puffing on his joint as he spoke. "You don't know who you'll find. You might get robbed."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "The fight to legalize cannabis in Mexico"
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
09:54 | Lima, Mar. 31.

It must be noted that the first and second rounds were held on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

This final debate will take place in-person from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and has been divided in five thematic sections: measures against the pandemic, education, security, public integrity and fight against corruption, as well as candidates' final message.

Out of the five sections, two will feature dialogue among candidates (measures against the pandemic and citizen security), two will include questions by citizens (education and public integrity, as well as fight against corruption), and one will be a closing section.

According to a draw, tonight's debate will include the participation of the following presidential candidates : Yonhy Lescano Ancieta (Accion Popular), Julio Guzman (Partido Morado), Ciro Galvez (Renacimiento Unido Nacional), Daniel Salaverry (Somos Peru), and Rafael Santos (Peru Patria Segura).
This workshop took place under the framework of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which will take place in November 2021.

The workshop highlights the needs for cities to apply solutions to respond to climate change

The workshop aims to bring together different actors from the government, development partners, businesses, academia, youth, and local communities to discuss multiple aspects of urban resilience and climate change. It is an open platform for stakeholders to share information on specific challenges, benefits, best practices, and lessons learned on building urban resilience in Vietnam and the wider region. The workshops participants will explore and suggest ways forward on specific ideas for urban policy planning as well as actions required by relevant actors.

We are living in a world of cities, and that trend will continue in the future. Studies show that more than half of the world's human population has been living in cities since 2007, and urbanisation is calculated to rise to 80 per cent by 2050. In Vietnam, 76 cities accommodate 60 per cent of the total population and contribute to over 70 per cent of the GDP.

As cities continue to grow in population and infrastructure, they have to face several challenges  including housing, governance, urban mobility, and especially, the impacts of climate change. The increasingly variable trend of climatic conditions and its effects is adding pressure and uncertainties to urban areas. Vietnams 300 coastal cities are low-lying and frequently affected by natural disasters such as storms, floods, droughts, and saltwater intrusion. The costs of climate-induced disasters are climbing rapidly, taking an increasing toll on human life, assets, and livelihoods, as well as on valuable ecological systems.

Urban development that takes into consideration sustainable, climate-resilient measures will provide a safe and healthy environment for the citys economic development and enhance the resilience of the residents. While urban resilience refers to reducing risks and damages from disasters and to the ability to quickly bounce back to a stable state, climate adaptation, and resilience measures have not been always intensively incorporated into urban planning and budgeting processes.

Speaking on the workshop, British Ambassador Gareth Ward said, Studies show that adaption strategies integrated in land use planning can reduce cities vulnerability to the adverse impacts of climate change. Digitalisation plays an important role in this. The UK is contributing $135 million for five years until 2021 through UCCRTF (Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund) to support fast-growing cities in Asia, including Vietnam, to reduce the risks poor and vulnerable people face from climate change impacts. COP26 presents a significant opportunity to raise global ambition on this theme of strengthening urban resilience.

"In the run-up to COP26, alongside with other development partners, we look forward to working further with the government of Vietnam in this important agenda, he added.

Meanwhile, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Vietnam, Sitara Syed, also highlighted, The overall efforts to reduce risk and adapt to the changing climate on a national scale must also incorporate the reduction of risk specifically in urban areas.

Syed noted that most disaster-prone cities are unprepared either to handle future disasters or to reduce the associated risks. Vietnam, as one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, is no exception. Cities are at the very forefront of climate change, both in terms of what is at stake and in terms of their potential to create meaningful and lasting change. If there is one key message which I would like you to take away from today, its that without prioritising urban resilience, we risk losing Vietnams development gains to disasters that could otherwise have been avoided.

Echoing this view, Derek Murray, future cities smart technology and data advisor from Mott MacDonald also highlighted that a resilient city is one that operates in a smart way, focused on integrated and citizen-centric services, and prepared to respond to climate events through evidence-based decision making.

The UK governments Future Cities Programme works with cities across Southeast Asia to build capacity for resilience  in Ho Chi Minh City this includes flood resilience, where the programme supports digitalisation of the drainage network and provides technical assistance on data management and sharing between agencies, Murray said. As UK government delivery partner, Mott MacDonald brings data insights to help cities build long-term resilience and respond to climate extremes by bridging sector gaps and equipping communities, businesses and institutions with the awareness, knowledge, and capacity to prepare for the impacts of climate change.
[March 31, 2021] As Digital Currencies Gain Popularity, FPA and RIA Digital Assets Council Announce Education-Focused Partnership

DENVER, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the RIA Digital Assets Council, 80% of financial advisers receive questions from clients about bitcoin, but only 8% can adequately explain digital assets. As cryptocurrency becomes more mainstream, now is the time for financial planners to build competency in this asset class. To support financial planners, the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and RIA Digital Assets Council (RIADAC), a digital assets educational source for financial planners, announced a strategic partnership to provide education on the application of blockchain and digital assets. "I'm pleased FPA has this opportunity to work with RIADAC to build our members' competency in digital assets, which will allow them to augment their knowledge and better serve clients," says Patrick D. Mahoney, FPA chief executive officer. "As the leading membership association for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals, we need to be on the cutting edge of supporting our members as they look to sharpen their knowledge and build their competencies. This partnership with RIADAC is consistent with that objective." FPA and RIADAC will provide educational programming and a wide range of content to help FPA members understand the complexities of cryptocurriencies and provide expert advice on how this transformational asset class can impact their clients' financial plans. As an FPA partner, RIADAC's educational content and thought leadership will be available to FPA members through a variety of channels: RIA Digital Assets Council Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets: FPA members will receive a 50% discount when enrolling in RIADAC's certificate program that provides financial planners practical literacy on blockchain and digital assets and introduces available options for a firm's investment management strategy. The inaugural class debuts on Apr. 30, 2021 . FPA Blockchain & Digital Assets Community: FPA members will engage with dynamic guests and thought leaders from RADAC in virtual, interactive discussions and exchange ideas with peers in the FPA Connect Blockchain & Digital Assets community. Journal of Financial Planning: RIADAC will regularly contribute thought leadership content to help financial planners understand blockchain and digital assets in FPA's flagship publication, the Journal of Financial Planning. FPA Annual Conference: Ric Edelman , founder of RIADAC, will present an informative session on blockchain and digital assets at the FPA Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio , Sept. 22-24, 2021 .



Ric Edelman . "We're honored to be partnering with FPA to help financial planners who are committed to serving their clients' best interests." "Ric Edelman is known and recognized throughout financial services and his work to bring blockchain and digital assets education and awareness to the financial advisory community is commendable. I am pleased FPA members will have this opportunity to learn from Ric and his team at RIADAC," says 2021 FPA President Skip Schweiss, CFP, AIF.



Over the coming months, FPA and RIADAC will explore additional educational initiatives and thought leadership programs that can benefit FPA members, their clients and the broader financial planning community. About the Financial Planning Association The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals, educators, financial services professionals and students who are committed to elevating the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning. With a focus on the practice, business and profession of financial planning, FPA advances financial planning practitioners through every phase of their careers, from novice to master to leader of the profession. Learn more about FPA at financialplanningassociation.org and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/fpassociation. About RIADAC The RIA Digital Assets Council is dedicated to advancing the awareness, knowledge and understanding of blockchain and digital assets by Registered Investment Advisors so they can give their clients the advice they need about this new and transformational asset class. Advisors can further their education by enrolling in RIADAC's Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets. RIADAC was founded by Ric Edelman, one of the most prominent thought leaders in the investment advisory field. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-digital-currencies-gain-popularity-fpa-and-ria-digital-assets-council-announce-education-focused-partnership-301259006.html SOURCE Financial Planning Association

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Brisbanes lockdown will end at noon  five hours earlier than originally planned  after Queensland recorded just one new locally acquired coronavirus case on Thursday.

Ten new cases were detected in hotel quarantine overnight. The sole new local case was linked back to an existing cluster.

Brisbanes lockdown began on Monday. Credit: Attila Csaszar

Private gatherings will still be capped at 30 people and masks will remain mandatory indoors.

On Thursday morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a record 34,711 tests were conducted overnight.
Myanmar Massacre: GFA World Calls for Prayer Amid Military Coup

'Nowhere in Myanmar is safe,' Texas-based humanitarian agency says





MYANMAR MASSACRE, GFA WORLD CALLS FOR PRAYER: Texas-based GFA World -- one of the largest humanitarian agencies in Asia -- is calling on Christians to pray for Myanmar's suffering people in the throes of the South Asia nation's bloody military coup.



NEWS PROVIDED BY

GFA World

March 31, 2021



WILLS POINT, Texas, March 31, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- One of Asia's largest humanitarian agencies is calling on Christians to pray for Myanmar's suffering people in the throes of the South Asia nation's bloody military coup.



In the past few days, at least 114 people -- including children -- were killed across the country as protests continue against the military takeover, according to CNN. It brings the death toll so far to more than 400 since the coup began and the military seized control Feb. 1.



"As with any crisis, it's the innocent that suffer the most," said K.P. Yohannan, founder of GFA World. "At GFA World, we're asking people everywhere to join us in praying for peace, justice and God's protection over the people of Myanmar during the current turmoil."



Yohannan also urged people to pray for the release of the leaders and protesters who've been detained by the military.



"Nowhere in Myanmar is safe right now," he said. "Every single night is spent with fear, and dawn seems so hard to reach. The people are restless, and they're exhausted physically and mentally. Many businesses have been burned down."



World leaders have condemned the coup and the military's violence against the protesters. Hundreds have been arrested and detained, including members of parliament, doctors, and government officials.



"Myanmar's people need our prayers and support more now than ever," said Yohannan, whose Texas-based organization helps millions of children and families across Asia through its child-sponsorship program and clean water "Jesus Wells."



GFA World is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Asia and Africa, and sharing the love of God. In GFA World's latest yearly report, this included thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and teaching providing hope and encouragement available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry.



SOURCE GFA World



CONTACT: Gregg Wooding, 972-567-7660, gwooding@inchristcommunications.com


TP's solid expansion strategies, transformational growth and revamped HR practices assure the agility to cater to a constantly evolving customer base

SAO PAULO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the Brazilian customer experience outsourcing services market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Teleperformance (TP) Brazil with the 2021 Brazilian Company of the Year Award for consistently achieving a double-digit growth rate. It achieved this success by renewing its business with some of the most renowned local brands and adding 25 new logos since 2019. Its revamped HR processes, global standards, proprietary technological tools, and successful work-at-home agent (WAHA) program have reinforced its strong brand reputation in the Brazilian market.

"TP Brazil outpaced the overall market's growth rate, achieving the second highest market share of 8.5 percent. Unlike the approach of other established and traditional vendors in the local market, its long-term strategy is to avoid low-complexity, low-quality operations," said Juan Gonzalez Research Director. "In line with this strategy, the company is currently focusing on increasing its participation in digital sales, remote support, and eCommerce."

TP Brazil's consistent and repeatable success is based on long-standing client relationships. It leverages its Technology, Analytics, and Process Excellence (T.A.P.) practice that identifies rapid transformation opportunities and easily adapts to new environments. Based on the Lean Six Sigma methodology, T.A.P. offers a stepped approach to designing the right solution for each transformational opportunity. Leveraging its research practice (TP CX Lab), the company can anticipate market trends while acting as a trusted advisor to improve and incorporate future-proof solutions. Furthermore, by offering worldwide expertise with one of the largest portfolios of global cases in the industry and a strong suite of proprietary solutions, TP Brazil can consolidate its role as a strategic partner and pave the way for solid, long-standing relationships.

Even internally, TP Brazil has displayed exceptional agility and resourcefulness. When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Brazil, the company rapidly upgraded and updated its HR processes to provide a fully virtual employee journey. With its new approach to HR, it gained a competitive edge by creating an engaged, high-performance workforce, which is a key factor in delivering a best-in-class customer experience. It also successfully implemented a WAHA program before the pandemic and by November 2020, 60 percent of its agents were working and operating remotely in several cities in the country.

"TP Brazil's current footprint in the country includes 15 sites, with 13 in Sao Paulo and 2 in Rio Grande do Norte, and employs more than 26,000 people. It has built a solid and diverse portfolio, with clients from different industry verticals such as financial services, insurance, technology, and retail," noted Gonzalez. "It leverages strong support teams to offer the deployment speed and flexibility demanded by clients in an evolving marketplace, entrenching its position as the preferred Brazilian vendor for new economy companies."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Harley Gadomski

P: 12104778469

E: harley.gadomski@frost.com
A former lifeguard has been attacked at an idyllic holiday spot by an 'angry' octopus that wrapped its tentacles around his neck.

Lance Karlson, 34, first saw the marine creature when it lashed out at a seagull near Ramada resort at Geographe Bay in Dunsborough, Western Australia, while walking with his two-year-old daughter on the beach.

He videoed the octopus splaying in the crystal clear water, before it pounced on his neck when he turned his back.

'Angry' octopus lashed out at unsuspecting father, leaving vicious red marks on his neck

Mr Karlson described the animal as 'the angriest octopus in Geographe Bay'.

'I thought it was a stingray at first,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'[But then] I saw the tentacles of an octopus come out of the water and lash out at a seagull.

'I walked with my daughter in my arms up to the octopus and took the video [and] the octopus lashed out at us.'

Author Lance Karlson called his attacker a 'sea monster' in a scathing social media post

Mr Karlson said when he went for a swim about 20 minutes later he saw the 'sea monster' sitting on a large pile of crab shells.

'As I was looking at the shells underwater I was hit across my arm. I was then hit again over my neck,' he recalled.

'My goggles were too fogged to see what had happened and I swam back to shore in pain [and] the imprints of the tentacles quickly formed raised marks across my skin.'

The former lifeguard told his wife to pour Coke on his neck to stop the stinging.

'We did not have any vinegar/acid to pour over the stings so my wife poured coke over me, which helped enormously,' he said.

'The pain went away quickly, it was more the physical hit that had hurt.'

Mr Karlson was holidaying in Geographe Bay, Western Australia, when the incident occurred

Mr Karlson said he did not know the species but it may have been an Octopus tetricus, otherwise known as a 'gloomy octopus'.

A species of octopus closely related to the East Australian 'gloomy octopus' is found in Western Australia, and is known to hide in crevices on sand or in mud.

The carnivore is considered harmless.
With billions of federal stimulus dollars coming soon to Michigan communities, local government officials across the state are anxiously awaiting detailed spending guidelines from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Theres a lot of gray areas in the language of the law around eligible expenditures that we really want to make sure we understand upfront, said Rebecca Fleury, city manager in Battle Creek, which could receive nearly $31 million, according to preliminary figures.

Through the Michigan Municipal League and the National League of Cities, weve been gathering all questions and hope to get guidance from U.S. Treasury hopefully before the money comes, but at some point in the next 30 to 60 days.

The American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Joe Biden broadly outlines ways the $350 billion in aid for state and local governments  including $10.3 billion coming to Michigan  can and cannot be spent.

Communities can use it for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing its negative economic impacts, providing premium pay for workers performing essential functions, providing government services affected by revenue reductions and investments in water, sewer and broadband internet infrastructure.

It can include assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits; or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality.

And the law is clear on two things the money cannot be used for: pensions and offsetting tax cuts.

But local officials in Michigan are still hoping for more guidance before they make spending decisions.

We are still waiting on more clarification from the U.S. Treasury for exact uses and compliance expectations, which we hope to get before receiving the money in mid-May, said Molly Clarin, chief financial officer for Grand Rapids.

Once clarification is received, our administration will work with our City Commission to develop an overall spending plan which will be in line with the citys strategic plan.

Officials across the state say theyre grateful for the influx of federal aid  potentially over $94 million coming to Grand Rapids alone.

Without it, we would be challenged to maintain the current level of city services, continue pandemic support and help local economic recovery efforts, Clarin said.

Grand Rapids avoids potential layoffs, service cuts thanks to $94 million from the feds

In addition to $2.5 billion for Michigan cities and townships, preliminary figures show $1.9 billion for Michigans 83 counties and $5.9 billion for state government.

The U.S. Treasury has yet to make final calculations on how much will go to each community. See preliminary figures here.

Im told the money will come directly from the feds  and the guidance is the law at this point, said Catherine McClary, Washtenaw County treasurer.

Preliminary figures show $71.3 million for Washtenaw County and $36.3 million for its cities and townships. That amount would be game-changing, McClary said.

We have the opportunity for transformational change throughout all communities in Washtenaw County, she said, indicating shes urging county leaders to take a big-picture look at possibilities to make long-lasting changes that can benefit future generations.

McClary has talked with others about potential uses and some priorities include helping residents negatively impacted by the pandemic and mitigating poverty, she said.

Some ideas include bridge loans to help homeowners avoid tax foreclosure, creating a sustainable structure for poverty exemptions on property taxes and expanding affordable housing with a transitional program to move homeless residents out of shelter into supported housing. Still other ideas include expanding a housing rehabilitation and weatherization program thats currently closed to new applicants to eliminate blight and stabilize neighborhoods and expanding equity programs and programs to mitigate the pandemics effects on mental health, McClary said.

Officials are now measuring ideas like those against the initial guidelines in the law.

Tens of millions of dollars in stimulus money expected to pour into Washtenaw County

Because the law specifies three types of infrastructure the money could be used for  water, sewer and broadband  some officials are assuming that means it cannot be used for other capital projects, like streets.

And though water and sewer infrastructure are among permitted uses, some wonder if that also covers stormwater projects.

Fleury wants clarification on investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure, as the law is worded.

That little word or is really important to us, because is that telling us that we have to choose one of those three? Or can we use it on each one of those things? she asked.

Local governments will receive the first half of the money this May and the other half next year. They must provide reports to the Treasury Department accounting for use of the funds, which must be spent by the end of 2024.

For Battle Creek, our No. 1 priority is that it can be used to replace lost revenue due to COVID, Fleury said. And for us being one of the 24 local income tax communities (in Michigan), thats a big help for us, because were just starting to see the impacts of that.

Battle Creek, like many communities, also has seen hits to its public parking revenue amid the pandemic and its trying to quantify that, Fleury said.

Barriers block the upper floors of a parking garage in downtown Ann Arbor on March 26, 2021. Communities across Michigan have seen hits to their revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, including parking revenue losses.

In Bay County, County Executive Jim Barcia said he was meeting Wednesday with leaders from the northern area of the county to discuss using stimulus funds to expand broadband internet services in rural areas like Pinconning.

The fact that only about 25% of families there had internet access posed a challenge for Pinconnings school district when the pandemic hit, Barcia said.

Were anxious to see, with the guidelines, what role Bay County can play, Barcia said, noting the county is expected to receive $20 million in stimulus funding, in addition to the money for cities and townships.

We have some real needs and that money can be a lifeline to help us get back on our feet economically in Bay County, he said.

Barcia is hopeful some of it can help the cash-strapped Pinconning area address some of its other challenges like aging water and sewer infrastructure.

Theyve got a water tower thats very old and condemned, he said. Theyre financially pressed.

The countys civic arena also has taken a hit during the pandemic, Barcia said, pointing to that as another area stimulus funding could go to make up for lost revenue.

He also wants to channel a nice percentage of the money to Bay Future, the areas public-private economic development organization, to help businesses, and some money could go to the countys health department.

Barcia agrees the U.S. Treasury needs to do more to delineate what is acceptable and what isnt acceptable spending.

A Treasury spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Bay City could receive about $31 million, preliminary figures show. City officials are now talking through how that could be spent, Mayor Kathleen Newsham said, calling it the biggest windfall the city may see in her lifetime.

Its a lot of money and we want to spend it wisely or use it wisely, and we want to be able to fulfill a lot of projects that right now we cant afford to do, she said, indicating she also wants to use the money to give back to residents.

Theres things I know we can do to help the residents out in their neighborhoods, so thats one of my big ideas is to give back what we can to everyone in Bay City, she said.

The stimulus funding is going to be great for the whole state, Newsham said.

Everyone has gone through hell over the last year and some communities really were affected, she said.

One big cost facing some communities is replacing lead water pipes, as mandated by the state. Bay City could put some of its funding toward that, Newsham said.

She has other ideas, but the city is still waiting on more guidance on what is and isnt allowed, she said.

Thats kind of where were at, she said. Staff has their suggestions and ideas of things that would be feasible for Bay City, but were still kind of waiting just a little bit longer to see exactly what we can do without any issues or without making a mistake and having to return funding. Until we get more information on it, its kind of a wait and see.

MORE FROM MLIVE:

See how much your Michigan school district is getting from latest stimulus

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Tens of millions in coronavirus relief aid expected for Jackson County communities

DTE Energy pulls out of downtown Ann Arbor, leaving big void to fill on Main Street

University of Michigan regents call special meeting after Ron Weisers controversial comments
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/30/2021



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

alum Laura Jallali claims she has been dating a young American doctor for over a year now.Laura, who appeared on Season 1 of : The Other Way with her now ex-husband Aladin Jallali in 2019, dished on her dating life and current relationship status during a new episode of 90 Day Bares All that was released on Discovery's new discovery+ streaming service on Sunday night."What's been up with you recently? Anything fun been going on in your life?" 90 Day Bares All host Shaun Robinson asked Laura, a controversial alum whose history includes allegations that the then 52-year-old retiree made up a September 2019 announcement that she was pregnant with Aladin's child for media attention."I am so happy!" Laura replied. "I am home in Canada."Shaun pressed, "Okay, what about the dating life, Laura?""Ooh, well you know, I only attract weirdos on my social network. I swear to God," Laura joked."So this dude, he ran a slushie truck by day and at night, he cleaned up crime scenes. So I was like, 'Yeah, I don't want to date a man who knows how to kill me and then clean me up."Laura then revealed, "But I do have a honey!""Oh wait," Shaun said, taken aback. "You have a honey?!""Oh yeah," Laura replied, "and this time, I'm going within the walls of North America. So I have an American sweetheart. He is a doctor. He loves me for me -- because who wouldn't want a piece of this?!"Laura shared that she and this American doctor "have been together for over a year now.""But I have not seen him yet. I mean, I've seen him on video," Laura admitted."But I don't know if he's 6'2" and I haven't seen the physicality yet. I don't know about the noodle and things like that yet, but I'm going to find out... I mean, I've seen his whole body with clothes on; I just haven't seen the noodle yet. He has wanted to show it to me, but I don't want to see his noodle."Laura also revealed her new boyfriend "is just a little bit younger than" Aladin."I won't rush into marriage! I promise!" Laura noted.Laura and Aladin both revealed in October 2019 their marriage had ended after Part 2 of : The Other Way's Tell-All special aired on TLC and featured Aladin saying he wanted a divorce.The Tell-All special filmed roughly six weeks after Laura and Aladin had their traditional three-day wedding ceremony in Tunisia, so it took only six weeks or less for their relationship to completely fall apart.During a May 2020 episode of : Self-Quarantined, Laura, a Canadian who was living in Eustis, FL prior to her decision to move to Qatar and marry Aladin, said Aladin's request for a divorce had "really shocked" her."It really shocked me, but looking back now, I can't help but feel that Aladin was definitely using me to come to North America," Laura said on the series.After leaving Aladin in Qatar, Laura spent some time in Ecuador with her dog Emerald visiting fellow : The Other Way Season 1 co-stars Evelin Villegas and Corey Rathgeber However Laura's visit turned into an open-ended extended stay that lasted months and included her renting an apartment there, prompting online speculation she may have had an immigration issue that was preventing her from being able to return to the United States.(According to Laura's ex-husband, she had been experiencing U.S. immigration issues and had "just got deported from the States" before she went to Qatar to be with Aladin.)Laura's time in Ecuador was also further complicated when the coronavirus pandemic hit and borders began closing, but she was eventually able to book a flight back home to Canada after she allegedly encountered several difficulties and delays.Laura, however, had met a man online at the time named Tony, a 25-year-old dental student from California, with whom she really connected. Laura gushed about how Tony was "delicious to look at.""I actually worry that Tony is "too good to be true," Laura said.While FaceTiming with her then love interest, Laura had expressed concern Tony might think she's too old for him, but Tony assured Laura that he loved talking to her and loved her mind."It's just a special connection, my love muffin," Tony told her.Laura admitted she didn't like the nickname "love muffin" but appreciated how Tony professed his love to her frequently. However, Laura didn't say "I love you" back and noted Tony had some growing up to do.But Laura thanked Tony for being a source of strength and comfort in her life. She called him "sunshine."In late October 2020, Laura confirmed she still had a "hottie," but not an official boyfriend, in her life -- presumably Tony -- and announced on The Domenick Nati Show her divorce from Aladin had been finalized one year after their split."So I am now single. If there's any men who wanna put a ring on it, I will judge the diamond size and the quality. But yeah, totally, come on, DM me. Show me the ring. Let's get jiggy with it," Laura said at the time.Laura added, "I am officially divorced... A single lady. It's over! See ya later. Thanks for the ride. Hasta la vista, baby."When asked whether her divorce was nasty, Laura revealed Aladin owes her $30 per month per the terms of their divorce, which are written in Arabic, but he has yet to pay up.Laura also said on The Domenick Nati Show that she believed Aladin had cheated on her during their short-lived marriage.For Aladin's part, he told In Touch Weekly in October 2019 that he and Laura had split in late July 2019 and there was "no possibility of reconciliation" because Laura had tried to belittle, disrespect and humiliate him for fame and popularity.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
(@FahadShabbir)

Riyadh, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Mar, 2021 ) :Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced plans to pump fresh investments worth $3.2 trillion into the national economy by 2030, as the top crude exporter accelerates economic diversification efforts.

The announcement by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscores a push to jumpstart the domestic economy as the OPEC kingpin battles high youth unemployment and a coronavirus-triggered downturn.

"The total investment injected... into the national economy is expected to reach 12 trillion Riyals ($3.2 trillion) by 2030," Prince Mohammed said in a speech carried by state television.

That amount includes three trillion riyals from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund.

Twenty-four of the kingdom's biggest companies, including energy giant Aramco and petrochemical firm SABIC, will contribute five trillion riyals over the next decade, the crown prince told reporters later at a virtual briefing.

He said the companies, many of them listed, had agreed to lower their dividends and redirect the money into the domestic economy in exchange for incentives such as subsidies.

The remaining four trillion riyals will come from a new "national investment strategy", which will soon be announced, the prince said.

The initiative will help boost economic growth, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and strengthen the private sector, Prince Mohammed added.

The programme is part of a mammoth 27 trillion-riyal ($7 trillion) investment plan over the next decade, which will include huge government spending to spur the domestic economy, the prince said.

The announcement comes after the crown prince said in January that the PIF would invest $40 billion annually in the domestic economy over the next five years.

The kingdom is pushing to boost job creation and revive businesses decimated by the pandemic.

Joblessness in Saudi Arabia touched 14.9 percent in the third quarter of 2020, dipping slightly from an all-time high of 15.4 percent in the previous quarter, according to official data.

Last year, the twin shocks of the pandemic and a drop in oil prices prompted the petro-state to triple its value-added tax and suspend a monthly allowance to civil servants to rein in a ballooning budget deficit.

Saudi Arabia, the biggest Arab economy, has been struggling to attract foreign investment, a key pillar of the crown prince's "Vision 2030" economic diversification plan to boost non-oil revenue.
Bounce Children's Foundation received a $5,000 grant from SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic.

Chicagoland not-for-profit organization Bounce Children's Foundation (Bounce) improves the overall wellbeing of children with chronic illnesses. The organization offers a range of activities and resources that connect children and families to the compassionate Bounce community.

Bounce gives the children a chance to enjoy their childhood and provides a sense of hope to the entire family. As one Bounce dad put it, "Bounce helps families heal." This holistic approach recognizes the needs of children, and just as importantly, all members of their families.

Joan Steltmann, CEO of Bounce, says the organization "is honored and deeply grateful to receive a grant from SBB Research Group. This funding ensures Bounce can continue its essential work of serving nearly 2,000 Bounce kiddos, Bounce siblings, and Bounce parents and say YES to even more families in need."

"As someone who was diagnosed with a chronic illness as a child, Bounce's extraordinary work speaks to me personally," said Sam Barnett, Ph.D., CEO of SBB Research Group. "Bounce's support system and programs help so many children and their families during extremely challenging times."

For more information about Bounce Children's Foundation, visit www.BounceChildrensFoundation.org

To apply for a grant from SBBRG, please visit sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Any 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is encouraged to apply, and donations are awarded to different organizations every month.

About SBB Research Group

SBB Research Group LLC is a Chicago-based investment management firm that views the market through a systematic, interdisciplinary lens. Led by applied mathematician Sam Barnett, Ph.D., and Matt Aven, an experienced professional in economics and computer science, the company specializes in bespoke investments designed to protect and grow investor capital.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005946/en/

Contacts:

Contact: Katie Lach

Organization: SBB Research Group

Email: grants@sbbrg.org

Address: 450 Skokie Blvd, Building 600, Northbrook, IL 60062 United States

Phone: 1-847-656-1111

Website: https://www.sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant
Tunis/Tunisia  The Ministry of National Defence said Monday that during the last three years, 73% of public contracts in the sector of activity related to military uniforms are granted to local suppliers.

In a statement published on Monday, the Defense Department said that the use of foreign suppliers is considered only when the local market is not able to meet the demand.

This clarification comes after a post published by president of the Tunisian Textile Federation, Nafaa Ennaifer on social media, in which he said that the Ministry of Defense has conducted an initial consultation with two Chinese companies, two other Turkish companies and a single Tunisian company for the acquisition of 180,000 combat uniforms per year through a framework agreement, a duration of three years.

According to him, this would deprive Tunisian companies of a transaction worth between 70 and 75 million dinars over 3 years.

The Ministry of Defence favours local products and has been urging Tunisian producers, since 2017, to participate in renewable framework agreements.

It also encourages them to meet the technical requirements to achieve efficient production lines, the same source stresses.

"The requirement to meet the required standards and the ability to meet the needs expressed in real-time and at the best cost remains decisive in deciding between bidders," says the Ministry of Defence, noting that the participation of local producers has been low and not inline in the majority with the technical standards set in coordination with the Textile Technical Centre.
Sheriff M. Tambedou, yesterday appeared before the TRRC to help the Commission understand former President Yahya Jammeh and his interference with the Judiciary.

The Bar Association explained the series of illegalities that occurred in the Jammeh 22-year rule.

As president of the Gambia Bar Association, he said he was in the forefront of the tussles between the executive and the association.

He recollected that Yahya Jammeh as investigator in one of the cases testified at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court on a complaint that the former regime was corrupt.

"Jammeh while in a dock had a pistol with him but then Magistrate Sulayman Batchilly asked him to go out and remove his pistol but Jammeh said it was part of his uniform and refused to adhere to the order given but was later consoled by Fatou Bom Bensouda."

However, the case would continue after the 1994 Coup and he (Jammeh) came back to testify and the whole court was full with soldiers armed with guns and Jammeh was in utter defiance to remove his pistol.

Tambedou said the Bar Association condemned the coup, which did not go down well with Jammeh, saying that was one of the reasons he waged a war against lawyers.

"As a result of this experience, Jammeh termed lawyers as enemies and Magistrate Sulayman Batchilly was the first victim and then Borry Touray, B.Y. Camara and Yukasseh Darboe."

The witness said the former President considered the Bar as its own enemy; adding that the leader of the main opposition, Ousainou Darboe, a lawyer also contributed to Jammeh's perceived bias towards lawyers.

According to the witness, when he became the President of the Bar Association, the problems between them and Jammeh escalated and so many lawyers were arrested and judicial officials were sacked.

He alleged that Justice Paul was one of the members of the bench doing the bidding for the executive and as a result, they decided to boycott his court. He added that they also further wrote to the Nigerian Bar Association, complaining about his behaviour.

On the issue of mercenary judges, he admitted that these were the people that were treated with dignity and privileges to the extent they forgot about the ethics of the legal profession.

"There was so much distrust between the government and the lawyers?," Lead Counsel Essa Faal quizzed.

However, Tambedou said he would not say the government but Yahya Jammeh because the police and the NIA even invited lawyers to question them about their work.

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The veteran lawyer recollected that he was summoned both at the NIA and police concerning a judgement he obtained in favour of Guarantee Trust Bank against Baba Jobe and the Youth Development Enterprise.

"There was a time the Bar didn't have an office of their own, instead would have their meetings at the courthouse. There was a time we were to have a meeting and I saw some plain-clothed officers, whom I recognised as two NIA officers. My friend Lamin Jorbateh informed me not to go ahead with the meeting because we may be arrested."

On whether the Commonwealth judges were more independent, the witness agreed and confirmed that they work with dignity.

He said there was no independence of the judiciary and was against the Bar.

Dwelling on the judiciary corruption under former Chief Justice Emmanuel Agim, Tambedou said the then chief justice enjoyed the country to an extent that he wanted not to return to his country. He added that Agim was very close to the former Attorney General and the Solicitor General.

On the issue of Dawda Bojang, he said he was killed while his appeal was pending, adding that all those who participated in the killing committed murder.

"Jammeh had enablers to the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice who would help with his things."
A syringe is prepared with COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic in Montreal, on March 15, 2021. The two provinces hit hardest by COVID-19 are weighing stricter restrictions amid surging case counts, as health officials and politicians urge Canadians to stay home over the upcoming Easter holiday. (Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press)

Quebec, Ontario Weigh Tighter COVID Measures as Officials Raise Concerns Over Easter

TORONTOThe two provinces hit hardest by COVID-19 weighed stricter restrictions Wednesday while others adjusted their administration of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine following recent federal guidelines discouraging its use on younger patients.

The premiers of Ontario and Quebec have raised concerns about the rising number of active infections in the pandemics third wave, and suggested tighter measures could be imposed.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault is slated to make an announcement Wednesday afternoon, a day after issuing a warning to five regions where he said residents have been flouting pandemic rules.

The five regions under scrutiny, which include Quebec City and the Outaouais area across the river from Ottawa, had recently seen restrictions loosen.

In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford is poised to announce Thursday whether any new measures will be put in place to rein in the spread of the virus.

Im very, very concerned to see the cases go up, he said Wednesday as the province reported 2,333 new COVID-19 cases and 15 more deaths, as well as a new high for the number of patients in intensive care units.

Canadas top public health doctor, Theresa Tam, said while vaccine coverage is increasing across Canada and immunization programs are gaining momentum, the recent surge in infections and growing proportion of cases involving more contagious variants of the virus show strong public health measures and individual precautions must be sustained where COVID-19 is circulating.

She stressed that abiding by public health practices remains important even for those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, noting more information is needed on the shots ability to prevent transmission.

More people in British Columbia were able to schedule appointments to receive an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine Wednesday as bookings opened up to Lower Mainland residents between the ages of 55 and 65.

The response has been overwhelming, the pharmacy chain London Drugs said Wednesday, adding bookings at its three designated sites had been filled.

The province decided to bump up its age-based immunization plan for Oxford-AstraZeneca shots after the National Advisory Committee on Immunization opted to pause the use of that vaccine for anyone under 55 due to concerns over rare blood clots.

The move prompted several provinces to announce they would stop administering the vaccine to those under 55.

Out east, many doses initially earmarked for New Brunswick teachers were redistributed Wednesday to residents over the age of 55 in light of the committees decision.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs was among the 200 or so people offered a vaccine at a clinic in Fredericton.

In Manitoba, the provinces Vaccine Implementation Task Force said its current supply of COVID-19 vaccines will run out in a week, noting there are concerns about delays in future shipments.

The task force said Wednesday a shipment of 28,000 Moderna vaccines has been pushed back at least a week. The province is expecting 40,000 doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine per week and 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine next week.

Meanwhile, Pfizer Canada said it will be asking Health Canada to broaden the authorization for the use of its COVID-19 vaccine to include children 12 to 15 years old.

The Pfizer-BioNTech shot is currently approved for those as young as 16, but initial clinical trials didnt include younger adolescents.

On Wednesday, the drugmaker released preliminary data from a U.S. follow-up study involving 2,260 kids between 12 and 15, saying none of the children who got the vaccine developed a COVID-19 infection. In comparison, there were 18 infections among those given a placebo, the company said.

Officials across the country continued to urge caution regarding the upcoming Easter holiday, entreating residents to refrain from gathering with anyone outside their household and to limit non-essential travel.

By Paola Loriggio
New Delhi: The reality show, Bigg Boss 14 winner Rubina Dilaik and hubby Abhinav Shukla have been super busy after the show ended. With music video shoot and other commitments, Rubina and Abhinav sneaked-out some time on the festival of Holi and spent it well with the family.

Rubina posted a few pictures with her fam-jam and posed with a toddler. The couple's happy pictures with a baby left fans asking, 'we want RubiNav ka baby'. Well, their followers fondly call them RubiNav.

To add to a little fun chit-chat was Bigg Boss 14 contestant Nikki Tamboli who jokingly wrote: Awww such a cute little munchkin!!! @rubinadilaik @ashukla09 when shall we expect yours

Also, Rahul Mahajan wrote: Congratulations.

Well, the couple will decide when they have to, but their fans surely got some good news at least on social media.

Rubina Dilaik is all set to make her much-awaited comeback on Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki. The show made her a household name and after a brief hiatus, the actress will be making her grand comeback to the same show.
03/31/2021

Photo (c) SolStock - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 30,399,372 (30,335,188)

Total U.S. deaths: 551,118 (550,121)

Total global cases: 128,421,931 (127,818,432)

Total global deaths: 2,807,094 (2,794,820)

Pfizer reports 100 percent efficacy in tests on adolescents

It could soon be the kids turn to roll up their sleeves. Pfizer and BioNTech report that their coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine showed 100 percent efficacy on adolescents aged 12 to 15.

In a Phase 3 clinical trial of 2,260 adolescents, not one of the children who received the vaccine developed the virus. At the same time, 18 of the children who received a placebo instead of the vaccine tested positive. The study may have been small, but the companies say the results are highly encouraging.

Albert Bourla, Pfizers CEO, said the companies plan to submit the data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a proposed amendment for authority to vaccinate members of that age group. If granted, he says millions of children could be vaccinated well before the fall school term.

New cases dip slightly while deaths rise

The ebb and flow of the virus shifted this week. Health officials report a slight decline in the number of newly reported cases of COVID-19. At the same time, deaths from the virus, which had been trending lower, rose.

The COVID-19 Tracking Project at Johns Hopkins University reported slightly more than 60,000 new cases for Tuesday, down from 69,419 the day before. Health officials this week had expressed growing concern that rising cases might signal a new wave of the virus.

But the same dataset suggests that there were 804 deaths linked to the virus on Tuesday, up from 701 a day earlier. Health experts say deaths have been a lagging indicator throughout the pandemic, and this weeks rise in deaths may be related to the increase in cases over the last four weeks.

CDC: COVID-19 was the third-leading cause of death last year

It may come as no surprise, but COVID-19 was listed as the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020. Heart disease remained number one and cancer was second.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that there were 3.3 million deaths in the U.S. last year, with most of the deaths taking place between April 11 and Dec. 26.

The report says COVID-19 was listed as the underlying cause for 345,323 deaths, making it more lethal than unintentional injuries, strokes, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimers disease, diabetes, influenza, pneumonia, and kidney disease.

More organizations eye a return to the office

With vaccinations increasing, more companies are beginning to consider returning employees to the office. Wells Fargo announced this week that its aiming for September as a date when it would be safe for employees to return to an office environment.

JLL, a corporate consultancy, says organizations have an unprecedented opportunity to redefine how their spaces evolve to promote health and well-being. It says the goal should be offices that support a healthy post-pandemic workplace.

"A healthy workplace is one that promotes employees' physical, mental and social well-being," said Cynthia Kantor, chief product officer at JLL Corporate Solutions. "Creating that type of environment in the post-pandemic world will require taking a holistic, integrated approach to enhancing workplaces through improvements to the physical environment, enhanced policies, and procedures and the creation of continuous programming that bolsters a culture of health and well-being."

More Americans say the pandemic has delayed retirement plans

The year-long pandemic has been a major economic hardship on millions of people, as the unemployment numbers attest. But even people who managed to hang onto their jobs and are considering retirement have been affected.

A survey from Nationwide found that one in five Americans say they will likely postpone retirement because of the pandemic. Younger adults seem to be having the hardest time, with 62 percent of millennials and 51 percent of Gen Xers saying the pandemic has made their finances more complicated, compared to only 27 percent of baby boomers.

"COVID-19 has many Americans feeling financially insecure, especially younger ones," said Eric Henderson, president of Nationwide's Annuity business. "This presents an opportunity for financial professionals to not only get clients back on track, but ensure they have the right tools and education on topics like taxes in retirement, which can get them closer to their long-term goals."

Around the nation
The Forgotten Stocking tells the heartwarming tale of little Jenny who tries to figure out the contents of Jesuss Christmas stocking. The Forgotten Stocking is the creation of published author Claudia Yankovich Zielinski, an avid reader, retired elementary school teacher, and founder of a nursery school and day care.

Zielinski writes, If Baby Jesus had a Christmas stocking would a video game, a puzzle, or an action figure be inside? Or would the stocking contain things of far greater value? Heres a peek inside a Christmas stocking for Jesus through the eyes of a child.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Claudia Yankovich Zielinskis new book is a delightful tale of a precocious young girl who looks for the answer to the mystery of whats inside Jesuss Christmas stocking.

View a synopsis of The Forgotten Stocking on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase The Forgotten Stocking at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Forgotten Stocking, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Tesla just contributed to Bitcoin open source software.

The car maker disclosed a bug in the open-source Bitcoin payment processor and wallet BTCPay Server, and it also helped the projects team patch the flaw.

The electric vehicle and renewables company informed BTCPays team of the bug after reviewing the projects GitHub last week. It affects users who boot BTCPay from Docker Deployment, have a configured email server and enabled registration for users in Server Settings > Policies, according to a post on BTCPays GitHub that included a software patch.

Related: Coinbase Snags Ex-SEC Director Brett Redfearn Ahead of IPO

The security team did an audit and contacted us. We then focused on fixing most of the points they disclosed one by one. They are now helping us to improve our process for security related disclosure, BTCPay founder Nicolas Dorier told CoinDesk.

The BTCPay team wrote in its GitHub post that more information on the bug would be disclosed in its next major release.

We want to thank @teslamotors for filing a responsible disclosure, helping us with remediation, and handling the situation professionally. We also want to thank Qaiser Abbas, an independent web-security researcher, for an additional responsible vulnerability disclosure that was handled in this release, BTCPays team wrote in the software release fixing the bug.

Tesla + BTCPay Server?

BTCPays team would not comment on why Tesla was reviewing the projects code or if Tesla uses its platform (or a clone of the software) for its bitcoin payments. The code for their bitcoin checkouts invoices, however, shows traces of the same code found in most BTCPay invoices, and Elon Musk has said that the company uses an open source software to process payments.

Related: Phased Rollout for Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Digital Dollar Begins Wednesday

BTCPay Server was launched in 2017 by Dorier, a Bitcoin developer, in response to popular Bitcoin payment processor BitPays controversial statements regarding the 2016 SegWit soft fork. Since launching, BTCPay has been integrated as a donations portal for charitable efforts around the world, including Nigeria and Venezuela.

Story continues

The wallet is also used by many Bitcoin industry merchants and companies as a point of sale for online stores.

Since Elon Musk announced Teslas billion-dollar bitcoin holdings, the company has also started accepting bitcoin in return for its services. Musk has publicly stated the company plans to hold all bitcoin they receive and not convert it to cash.

Updated (March 31, 2021, 3:28 UTC): Comments from BTCPay Server founder Nicolas Dorier were added.

Updated (March 31, 2012, 12:27 UTC): Additional information about Teslas invoice code was added.

Related Stories
I know a lot of people get quite dispirited when reflecting on the past decade or two of climate change and emissions pricing policy in Australia. For those deeply involved in the policy debate, the hours of work wasted in trying to design the various iterations of Australias attempt at a carbon emissions trading scheme a decade ago dont bear thinking about.

Illustration by John Shakespeare. Credit:

But make no mistake. Australia is about to get a carbon price, one way or another. Unfortunately, the process is shaping up to be much more economically damaging than it could have been.

Economists believe, of course, that the best way to tackle the negative externality that carbon emissions do to our environment is to include that price among the costs of production.

Does your coal-fired power station impose an external cost on society through the degradation of air quality and the resultant impact on atmospheric temperatures? No worries. We will simply ask you  and your shareholders  to incorporate that cost burden into your business decisions, and not buck-pass it to future generations.
Oschadbank, the State Savings Bank of Ukraine, plans to immediately appeal against the judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal, which rejected the award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration of November 26, 2018, in the case against Russia over compensation for losses caused by the occupation of Crimea.

As it became known, today the Paris Court of Appeal rejected the award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration of November 26, 2018, in the case of Oschadbank v. the Russian Federation to compensate for the losses incurred in Crimea caused by the annexation of the peninsula. Oschadbank considers such a decision of the Court of Appeal to be erroneous from the point of view of law and contrary to the established case law both in France and in other European countries. The Bank plans to appeal against this ruling immediately, the press service of the Oschadbank informed on March 30.

As noted, the Paris Court of Appeal did not take into account the specifics of protecting the rights of foreign investors in accordance with international agreements and their relationship with the remedies offered by arbitration. In addition, the correctness of the application of procedural law and the scope of powers of the appellate court are currently being considered.

We are confident that the judgment of the Court of Appeal will be overturned in the next instance and the award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration of November 26, 2018, on compensation for losses caused by Russias annexation of Crimea will remain in force, as was done in other investment cases involving the Russian Federation, the press service stressed.

As a reminder, the Paris Court of Appeal upheld a position of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation about the absence of jurisdiction in arbitration on the $1.3 billion claim lodged by the Ukrainian Oschadbank.

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Her social media page is filled to the brim with sultry selfies.

And Eve Gale caught the attention of her Instagram followers once more on Wednesday as she showcased her jaw-dropping curves in neon green lingerie.

The former Love Islander, 21, captured her sensational figure in a two-piece from Savage X Fenty which boasted dotted mesh fabric and adjustable straps.

Send temperatures soaring: Eve Gale caught the attention of her Instagram followers once more on Wednesday as she showcased her jaw-dropping curves in neon green lingerie

Eve channelled Ariana Grande with a sleek high ponytail and full coverage make-up.

She gave a subtle pout as she posed on her living room floor and wrote: 'All good,' in the accompanying caption.

Eve and her twin sister Jess were just two of many celebrities who jetted to Dubai earlier this year, joining many other Love Islanders including Joanna Chimonides, Hayley Hughes and Francesca Allen.

After Dubai joined UK's travel ban list, celebrities have been flocking to Mexico's bars and beaches as it establishes itself as the latest COVID getaway destination.

Turn up the heat: The former Love Islander, 21, captured her sensational figure in a two-piece from Savage X Fenty after returning from her Dubai vacation earlier this year

The country appears to be the new destination of choice for global jet-setters and could rocket in popularity.

Travel abroad is now banned from the UK without a legally permitted reason, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced last month, as she criticised influencers for 'showing off in sunny parts of the world'.

Many stars insisted their trips are for 'work purposes', with several influencers forced to hit back at fans after they were criticised for jetting off on holiday during the global pandemic.

The twins rose to fame on the first ever series of winter Love Island back in 2020.

While Eve was booted off after less than a week, Jess made it to the final with Ched Uzor - with the pair going their separate ways shortly afterwards.

Eve is rumoured to be dating Casa Amour hunk, Jamie Clayton, after she was spotted having a romantic dinner date with him earlier this month.

She initially denied the rumours, but was spotted arm-in-arm with the former Love Islander just a few days later.

Jamie, 28, took to Instagram to share a cosy picture of himself with a glamorous Eve, at the Menagerie Restaurant & Bar in Manchester.

Finish line: She appeared on the 2020 winter series of Love Island with her twin sister Jess who made it to the final with Ched Uzor but the pair went their separate ways shortly afterwards

He captioned it: 'Twinning with angel face x.'

The snap sent his 61.8K followers into meltdown, as well as their Love Island co-stars, as they flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts.

Eve's twin sister Jess put: 'Wooo,' followed by love heart eyes and fellow co-star Demi Jones commented: 'Two babesssss.' (sic)

While Eve herself put underneath the picture two star-eyed emojis.

Cosy: Eve is rumoured to be dating Casa Amour hunk, Jamie Clayton, after she was spotted having a romantic dinner date with him earlier this month
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U.S. President Joe Biden / Reuters



U.S. President Joe Biden does not intend to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as his approach to Pyongyang will be "quite different," the White House said Monday.



During a press conference on Thursday, Biden said that the United States would respond accordingly if the North escalates tensions in the wake of its recent missile tests and that he is also prepared for some form of diplomacy.



"I think his approach would be quite different, and that is not his intention," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a press briefing in response to a question of whether Biden's diplomacy includes sitting with the North Korean leader.






Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called upon the major economies to pursue a holistic approach towards climate change and galvanize supportive finance for Pakistan and other vulnerable countries braving the climatic challenge

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Mar, 2021 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called upon the major economies to pursue a holistic approach towards climate change and galvanize supportive finance for Pakistan and other vulnerable countries braving the climatic challenge.

"We expect this to be a moment for the world's major economies to come forward and galvanize supportive finance for responsible countries like Pakistan, that are doing their best to reduce emissions," the prime minister wrote in his article published in The Times, a British national daily.

Prime Minister Imran Khan mentioned that the Global Climate Risk index ranked Pakistan as the eighth most vulnerable country to climate impacts with frequency and intensity of climate disasters constantly rising over the decades.

Since 2000, Pakistan has lost 9,989 lives, suffered economic losses worth $3.8 billion and witnessed 152 extreme weather events - all triggered by climate change, he wrote.

He pointed that while Pakistan was not a contributor to this globally changing climate and emitted less than one percent of the global carbon emissions, it was committed to be a part of the global solution by pushing the growing economy on to a "greener, cleaner and low carbon future".

The prime minister said adapting to climate change remained a challenge, compelling to invest in early warning systems, climate proofing of flood prone infrastructures, establishing cross-country disaster management networks and working with local communities.

He said Pakistan's climate change expenditure was already hovering menacingly around 6 percent of the annual Federal budget, a figure poised to rise further as impacts begin to bite.

"Pakistan's commitment and all these efforts to address global climate now need to be augmented with supportive climate finance and green investments,' he said.

He said adapting to inescapable climate change comes with acute economic costs, adding that "With rising impacts, our adaptation finance needs have been estimated at $7-14 billion every year".

In a situation of human and economic catastrophe of COVID-19, he said, the Glasgow COP26 Summit was critical as it gave a rare opportunity to address these challenges through understanding, collaboration and cooperation.

He recalled that in 2015, an analysis indicated that developing countries would need around $400 billion in climate finance support to shift towards low carbon development pathways.

He regretted that the drop in clean energy transition ironically coincided with the failure of developed countries to deliver the promised $100 billion/year of climate finance by 2020 - a commitment that remains weak on actual deliverance.

"Unless there is a debt relief programme for the global South and enhanced global climate finance leveraging clean investments in these regions, the default fossil fuel powered pathways will remain unchanged and the invaluable opportunity of a clean energy transition will wither away," he said.

Imran Khan stressed that Pakistan was piloting a sovereign debt linked nature bond to bring innovation to this dialogue, but much more needed to be done.

He expressed intention to travel to COP26 in Glasgow with hope and optimism showcasing Pakistan's positive climate actions, however said "without a strong climate finance deal on the table, there may not be any agreement at COP26  an outcome we can all ill afford".

Imran Khan mentioned that monsoon season in Pakistan was about both "hope and fear." "Hope because the rains irrigate our farmlands and refresh our cities after the intense summer heat. Fear that the rains will overwhelm us, bursting river banks and unleashing urban flash floods," he said.

He recalled that last summer, Pakistan experienced the heaviest rains in a century, with an unprecedented cloudburst leaving much of the sprawling metropolis of Karachi inundated, rendering thousands homeless and over 100 dead.

Pakistan is used to coping with heavy monsoon rains, he said, however 2020 was unexpectedly intense with the scientists saying that the situation would become increasingly common as the planet warms.

The prime minister said his government had set in motion plans to shift by 2030 a sixty percent of energy mix towards clean carbon free energy and thirty percent of transport towards green electric mobility.

"This clean energy shift is complemented by our ambitious vision for planting 10 billion trees, with $650 million being rolled out to plant the first 3.3 billion by 2023 and, thereby, aiming to restore over 1 million hectares of carbon absorbing forests," he said.

He mentioned that Pakistan was the only country in the world with an expanding mangrove forest that was helping to increase the carbon rich ecosystem by 300 percent in the past few decades and now further increasing it to over half a million acres within the next three years.

"My Government has put its trust and confidence in "nature-based solutions"  with the associated benefit of creating 85,000 new green jobs in the past year alone," he said.

The prime minister said the Green Stimulus programme included expansion of the country's protected area coverage to 15 percent land area and 10 percent of marine area by 2023.

During the pandemic, he said, the government announced 15 new National Parks covering over 7300 sq km of land - all acting as wilderness carbon sequestration zones.

He said also the investment was being made in protecting farmers through climate smart agriculture to cope with the growing climate unpredictability.

Imran Khan said Pakistan reflects the glory of nature with its lofty mountains and lush valleys, its gushing rivers and its burgeoning mangroves.

"But as glaciers melt and rains become erratic and unpredictable, my people are suffering. Climate change is already upon us and we are living through the era of forced adaptation," he said.

He vowed that Pakistan would fight for a deal that delivers a climate secure future for its citizens and the world. They deserve no less and they will settle for nothing less, he concluded.
Manitoba was scheduled to dole out between 8,000 to 9,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per day this week. So far, the province is doing a little more than half that. This weekend, the vaccine rollout is scheduled to scale down again, as it does most weekends. The province is expecting to administer just over 4,000 doses Easter Sunday.

Manitoba was scheduled to dole out between 8,000 to 9,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per day this week. So far, the province is doing a little more than half that. This weekend, the vaccine rollout is scheduled to scale down again, as it does most weekends. The province is expecting to administer just over 4,000 doses Easter Sunday.

Despite a shipment of over 123,000 doses expected to arrive in Manitoba this week from three separate suppliers, the province is projecting to administer only 5,000 to 9,000 doses a day over the next three weeks. Thats not even close to half the theoretical capacity of 20,918 daily doses the province claims it can do.

Despite a shipment of over 123,000 doses expected to arrive in Manitoba this week from three separate suppliers, the province is projecting to administer only 5,000 to 9,000 doses a day over the next three weeks. (Muhammad Sajjad / The Associated Press files)

There is still no urgency here.

The excuses are piling up: the province says its falling behind on data entry, so not all numbers are up to date; the government had trouble hiring "navigators" at the RBC Convention Centre "super-site," which caused bottlenecks over the weekend; next weeks Moderna vaccine shipment is going to be late; it takes longer to get vaccines through smaller supply chains like pop-up clinics and focused immunization teams; the province is still not getting enough supply from the federal government.

Daily vaccines administered Click to Expand March 17  4,794

March 18  5,075

March 19  5,455

March 20  5,088

March 21  2,642

March 22  3,262

March 23  6,938

March 24  5,810

March 25  5,060

March 26  5,738

March 27  5,385

March 28  5,026

March 29  4,733

March 30  5,282  Daily increases in total doses administered as reported on Manitoba COVID-19 vaccinations  summary statistics dashboard. Includes super-sites, pop-up clinics, focused immunization teams, pharmacies and medical clinics. Does not include First Nations.

The excuses are wearing thin. If there was a supply problem a month ago, there isnt one now. The province has received 248,180 doses of vaccine (all of which it's had since March 26) and has administered 199,322 of them, including on First Nations, in pharmacies and medical clinics. The province still has an inventory of almost 50,000 doses, an amount that is expected to soar with the arrival of more shipments this week.

If data isnt being entered into the system quickly enough, the province should hire data entry staff. While they're at it, they should fix the online vaccine reporting. Right now, the province is reporting two sets of conflicting data sets on how many vaccines are administered each day (both are showing the province is well behind in its projections).

Also, why the slowdown on weekends? The province has not been scheduling vaccinations through pop-up clinics or focused immunization teams on Sundays. People are still dying from COVID-19 and more contagious variants are spreading rapidly. This is not the time to take Sundays off.

A person sits outside the convention centre after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination Wednesday afternoon. (Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press)

Manitoba is getting at least 500,000 doses over the next nine weeks (likely far more), enough to do 8,000 doses a day, not including the nearly 50,000 doses sitting in freezers, or shipped to third parties.

Last week, provincial officials said all available doses were booked and they would run out in five days if no new supply arrived. New supply did arrive (just under 15,000 doses) and theyre nowhere near depleting their inventory. This week, the province said all available doses are booked and they would run out in seven days if more supply didnt arrive. Over 123,000 doses are scheduled to arrive. At this rate, the province will be further behind this time next week.

There has been no ramping up of the vaccine program. The province has been averaging around 5,000 doses a day (not including First Nations, which are doing around 2,000 doses a week). Manitoba has been stuck at that level for two weeks. Provincial officials cant blame it on delays in data entry because the data eventually gets caught up. If Manitoba was ramping up, an upward trend would emerge. It hasnt.

Premier Brian Pallister continues to blame a lack of supply for the slow rollout, insisting the province could do far more if it had more doses from the federal government. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Premier Brian Pallister continues to blame a lack of supply for the slow rollout, insisting the province could do far more if it had more doses from the federal government. Its no longer just a tired excuse, it's an insult to Manitobans (one of the many reasons the premier's approval rating has taken a nosedive in the polls).

"There are going to be hiccups along the way," he said Wednesday.

These arent hiccups. This is evidence of a poorly rolled-out program.

The tens of thousands of doses still sitting in freezers should be in Manitobans arms. If they were, more people would be protected against serious illness, including death. This is a major failure.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca
DUBLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Industry Convergence to Accelerate Adoption of Smart Solutions in the Global Industrial Equipment Industry" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Industry 4.0 revolves around integrating information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) with near-real-time connectivity to provide actionable intelligence to decision makers.

This research focuses on the adoption of digital technologies and smart devices in the industrial equipment industry. Industrial tools are the leading industry in commercial manufacturing. Such tools can produce metal machine parts for various industries, such as automotive, astronautics, national defense, machinery, modeling, electronics, and power generation. Just-evolved high technologies, such as semiconductors and panels, also require machine tools.

This research service provides an overview of digital technologies and smart devices in the industrial equipment industry and highlights major industry trends, technological advancements, new business models, and economic factors that drive the industry growth, not to mention the setbacks.

The study dives deep into the key drivers and restraints that influence short-, medium-, and long-term growth, and major growth opportunities. The study also identifies and assesses key market participants in the ecosystem, case studies that use key solutions available in the market, their performance, and offers a glimpse into their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Companies Mentioned

Emerson PlantWeb

ITT i-Alert

Siemens

Sulzer BlueBox

Four types of digital solutions are analyzed in this research service:

Connected Component: Technology is primarily used to gather basic operational data from the critical components of a machine, such as seals which are critical components in pumping systems and motors in rotating equipment. Connected component solutions collate data and offer simple insights on the health of a component by using green, amber, and red, as visual indicators of the severity of the problem.

Connected Machines: By employing a variety of sensors across the machine, connected machine systems help ascertain the health of the machine and predict its remaining operating life. They also aim to prescribe corrective actions to ensure optimal operations. For example, these systems provide insights on underlying problems, such as a closed valve in the upstream process that may be causing a pump to run dry and damaging the casing and impellers.

Connected Plant: A connected plant is one that implements IoT technology on a large scale to provide a host of solutions that transform critical operational data into actionable intelligence for operations, management, and maintenance. Connected plant solutions ensure top quartile performance of the entire plant and use various technologies to measure and monitor the performance and health of all critical and non-critical assets within a plant.

Connected Enterprise: Unlike a connected plant, a connected Enterprise solution focuses on managing people, processes, and operating assets across the entire organization. A connected enterprise solution enables companies to lower their operating cost, improve time to market, optimize asset utilization, and reduce enterprise risk.

Key Topics Covered

1. Strategic Imperatives

Why Is It Increasingly Difficult To Grow?

The Strategic Imperative 8

The Impact of the Top Three Strategic Imperatives on the Digital Technologies in the Industrial Equipment Market

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

2. Growth Opportunity Analysis, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market - Scope of Analysis

Digital Technologies in the Industrial Equipment Application Segmentation

Digital Technologies in the Industrial Equipment Regional Segmentation

Digital Technologies in the Industrial Equipment Category Segmentation

Digital Technologies in the Industrial Equipment End-user Industry Segmentation

Key Competitors for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Key Growth Metrics for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Distribution Channels for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Adoption of Digital Technologies by Equipment Type

Adoption of Digital Technologies by End-user Industry

Growth Drivers for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Growth Driver Analysis for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Growth Restraints for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Growth Restraint Analysis for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Forecast Assumptions, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Revenue Forecast, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Revenue Forecast by Region, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Revenue Forecast by End User, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Revenue Forecast by Application, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Revenue Forecast Analysis, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Revenue Forecast Analysis by Region, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Revenue Forecast by End User, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Competitive Environment, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Market Share, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

SWOT Analysis, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Market Landscape Analysis, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Digital Solution Offered by the Top 5 OEM in Each Equipment Category

3. Growth Opportunity Analysis, End-user Equipment Profile

Oil and Gas Industry (Upstream) - Equipment Profile

Oil and Gas Industry (Upstream) - Digital Coverage On Equipment

Oil and Gas Industry (Midstream) - Equipment Profile

Oil and Gas Industry (Midstream) - Digital Coverage on Equipment

Oil and Gas Industry (Refinery) - Equipment Profile

Oil and Gas Industry (Refinery) - Digital Coverage on Equipment

Chemicals Industry - Equipment Profile

Chemicals Industry - Digital Coverage on Equipment

Power Generation Industry - Equipment Profile

Power Generation Industry - Digital Coverage on Equipment

Food & Beverages Industry - Equipment Profile

Food & Beverages Industry - Digital Coverage on Equipment

Mining Industry - Equipment Profile

Mining Industry - Digital Coverage on Equipment

Water & Wastewater Industry - Equipment Profile

Water & Wastewater Industry - Digital Coverage on Equipment

4. Growth Opportunity Analysis, Americas

Key Growth Metrics for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, Americas

Revenue Forecast, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, Americas

Revenue Forecast Analysis, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, Americas

5. Growth Opportunity Analysis, EMEA

Key Growth Metrics for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, EMEA

Revenue Forecast, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, EMEA

Revenue Forecast Analysis, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, EMEA

6. Growth Opportunity Analysis, APAC

Key Growth Metrics for Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, APAC

Revenue Forecast, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, APAC

Revenue Forecast Analysis, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market, APAC

7. Case Studies

Case Study 1 - Connected Component (ITT i-Alert)

Case Study 2 - Connected Machine (Sulzer BlueBox)

Case Study 3 - Connected Plant (Emerson PlantWeb)

Case Study 4 - Connected Enterprise (Siemens)

8. Growth Opportunity Universe, Digital Technologies in Industrial Equipment Market

Growth Opportunity 1 - IIoT-based Solutions for Overall Plant Performance Management, 2020

Growth Opportunity 2 - Using IIoT Solutions to Disrupt Business Models for the End Users in Various Industries, 2020

Growth Opportunity 3 - Connected Distribution Network for Better Maintenance, 2020

Growth Opportunity 4 - Quality Control Management for Improved Plant Productivity, 2020

9. Next Steps

Your Next Steps

List of Exhibits

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fu3k7m

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


U.S. Capitol Police officers take positions as rioters enter the Capitol building during a joint session of Congress in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool via Reuters)

Capitol Police Officers Sue Trump Over Jan. 6, Alleging He Caused Injuries

Two U.S. Capitol Police officers on March 30 sued former President Donald Trump, asserting that he caused physical and emotional injuries suffered during the Jan. 6 breach of the Capitol building.

James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, both of Maryland, were on duty that day.

People in the mob were spurred on by Trumps conduct over many months in getting his followers to believe his false allegation that he was about to be forced out of the White House because of massive election fraud by his presidential adversary Joe Biden, and that the convening of Congress on January 6 to count the Electoral College results and declare the winner was their last chance to stop the steal,' according to the suit, obtained by The Epoch Times.

The insurrectionist mob, which Trump had inflamed, encouraged, incited, directed, and aided and abetted, forced its way over and past the plaintiffs and their fellow officers, pursuing and attacking them inside and outside the United States Capitol, and causing the injuries complained of herein.

As a result of Trumps speech at The Ellipse, about two miles from the Capitol, along with his conduct and statements leading up to Jan. 6, and his failure to take timely action to stop his followers from continued violence at the Capitol, the former president committed torts, or acts that give rise to injury or harm to another, lawyers for the officers argue.

The torts include directing assault and battery, aiding and abetting the same, and directing intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to the officers.

President Donald Trump at the Stop the Steal rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jenny Jing/The Epoch Times)

Trump repeatedly, and to this day, has said that he is the true winner of the 2020 election. President Joe Biden, though, was certified as the Electoral College victor by states and then Congress.

Trumps statements about the election being fraudulent and rigged stoked violence among his supporters, the suit alleges. One quote it uses is of Trump saying on Sept. 29, 2020, that there were some ballots found in the trash, which was accurate. The suit also notes that before the election, Trump declined to promise to tell his supporters to stay calm following the election.

It further noted that the president on and after Election Day cast doubt on election results and claimed that widespread fraud occurred. The suit includes a number of tweets Trump posted on the matter.

On Jan. 6, Hemby, one of the officers, along with colleagues, was confronted by a large group, many of whom were dressed in Trump gear and carrying large Trump flags, the suit states. The crowd chased the officers to the top of the East Front Capitol stairs and forced them against the doors. Hemby was crushed against the doors, trying in vain to tell the mob that the doors would only open outward. He was attacked relentlessly as he focused on trying to survive, the suit states.

Blassingame, meanwhile, was with a small group of officers inside the Capitol. He said they were helpless while watching officers pinned to doors at the West Front of the Capitol building.

Demonstrators clash with police officers outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

When he heard on the radio that people were entering the Capitol, he ran to intervene and saw a sea of people running toward him. The eight or nine officers present tried to face the mob by forming a line but were dramatically outnumbered and overwhelmed, the suit states.

Blassingame and colleagues were allegedly struck with fists and weapons.

Foremost in Officer Blassingames mind was the terrifying certainty that the insurrectionists were interested in him and the other officers not going home to their families that night, the suit states. People allegedly hurled racial slurs at him as the chaos unfolded.

Both officers were eventually able to extricate themselves from their respective situations and survived. But both have continued dealing with what happened; Blassingame still has pain in his back and is haunted by the memory of being attacked. Hemby is still in physical therapy and continues to sleep poorly.

The officers are seeking $75,000 each, along with interest, costs, and punitive damages.

Spokespersons for Trump didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, wrote in a blog post that the suit includes many of the same inherent flaws as a recent filing from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.).

Trump never called for violence and instead told his followers to go to the Capitol peacefully to cheer on those challenging the electoral votes. Such protests at capitals are common and, while reckless, Trumps speech could as easily be interpreted as a call for protest rather than violence, Turley wrote, adding that the suits represent serious threats to free speech and would likely fail on appeal if they survived trial-level litigation.
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Beneficiaries of the Kazi Mtaani programme under Cohort A will receive their latest payment just in time for the Ester holidays.

Principal Secretary of the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, on Tuesday apologized for the delays saying funds will be disbursed to Kenyan youth today, Wednesday, March 31.

To all Cohort A Kazi Mtaani youths, your payment is being processed, should be paid latest tomorrow. Once again apologies for the delay in payment, he said.

Hinga explained that the funds were delayed for two days due to administrative issues.

Since its a new phase there were few administrative issues delays but all has been sorted now, he said.

Unveiled in July 2020 to cushion Kenyan youth against the effects of COVID-19, Kazi Mtaani programme employs 280,000 young people in 900 informal settlements across the 47 counties.
Gaborone  Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet)/Huawei partnership has donated ICT equipment worth P450 000 to Gaborone Senior Secondary School as part of efforts to bridge the digital divide.

The equipment comprises 10 note pads, 20 computers and Internet connectivity worth P150 000.

Speaking at the presentation of the gifts on March 30, Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Thulagano Segokgo said the donation fulfilled the Maitlamo Policy aimed at making Botswana a globally competitive, knowledge and information-based society.

Mr Segokgo said the policy highlighted the ThutoNet programme pivotal to the provision of literacy, skills and knowledge required for both formal and non-formal learners.

The programme's aim, he explained, was to provide all schools in Botswana with modern computers and Internet access at all times.

"As part of this programme, all teachers will be trained on how to use ICT as a classroom tool and formal ICT education will be introduced into the school curriculum to help prepare the nation's children for success in the digital age," he said.

Mr Segokgo said one of the programme's initial targets was to have all schools and libraries connected with computers and Internet by December 31, 2010.

Even though some government schools were connected through different programmes, many still needed to be provided with modern ICT facilities to promote e-learning, said Minister Segokgo.

He said the 1:7 computer per student ratio in all schools recommended for implementation by December 31, 2012 was yet to be realised. Mr Segokgo said his ministry was working tirelessly to facilitate achievement of the goals but was hampered by the emergence of critical issues and unforeseen circumstances.

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Resources were not only limited but strained forcing the ministry to re-prioritise, the minister said.

He said faced with such challenges, government relied on organisations such as BoFiNet to assist in its efforts to develop a digital environment in the country.

Meanwhile, BoFiNet chairperson Ms Pelani Siwawa-Ndai has outlined the organisation's corporate social responsibility strategy which she said was aligned to the Maitlamo Policy.

"Today CSR handover is a result of the Fibre to the Home Phase 1 project. This project deployed an optic fibre cable network that provided high quality and high internet bandwidth in extension 3, 5, 11, 9 and 39," she said.

In addition, Ms Siwawa-Ndai revealed that BoFiNet had adopted a transformational partnership agreement across all its signed contracts. "These contracts stipulate that all signed projects should be associated with a CSR development initiative in the communities they operate within," she said.

Source : BOPA
Niger's government said on Wednesday an "attempted coup" by soldiers had targeted the country's democracy two days before President Mohamed Bazoum's inauguration.

"On the night of March 30-31, an attempted coup was thwarted," it said in a statement, condemning "this cowardly and regressive act which sought to threaten democracy and the state of law."

Read | Gunfire heard near presidency in Niger capital, say residents

A security source said earlier that elite troops had prevented a group of soldiers overnight from reaching the presidential palace in the capital Niamey, and local residents reported gunfire.
Ashley Cain has revealed that his seven-month-old daughter Azaylia will be required to undergo another round of chemotherapy amid her battle with leukaemia.

The media personality and his partner Safiyya Vorajee recently raised more than 1.5 million to fund a trip to Singapore for potentially life-saving transplant, but she is still being treated in the UK during the interim.

And in a heartbreaking update on Wednesday, Ashley revealed that doctors have found 'blasts of leukaemia forming in her cerebrospinal fluid'  forcing yet more chemo for his daughter.

Treatment: Ashley Cain has revealed that his seven-month-old daughter Azaylia will be required to undergo another round of chemotherapy amid her battle with leukaemia

Taking to Instagram to share a snap of himself with his daughter, Ashley wrote: 'Azaylia had to go into theatre yesterday, for a bone marrow test to read her leukaemia count, plus, a lumber puncture to extract samples to send off to Singapore.

'After that, doctors had to take 60ml of blood from her followed by a 4 hour blood transfusion. Later, she had chemotherapy with two separate drugs: Azacitidine and the drug weve been working tirelessly to get hold of, Venetoclax.

'That was a tough enough because of Azaylias pain and discomfort from the multiple procedures. Until we got told by consultants, that they had found blasts of leukaemia forming in her Cerebrospinal fluid, which can result in it finding the brain!'

He explained: 'This now means that Azaylia will now have to have another form of chemotherapy intrathecally, through the spinal tap to attack the leukaemia and protect her brain.

Update: In an update on Wednesday, Ashley revealed that doctors have found 'blasts of leukaemia forming in her cerebrospinal fluid'  forcing yet more chemo for his daughter

'This means today she will be having a CT scan on her head to make sure we can go through with this intrathecal procedure tomorrow.'

Touching on the strain of the experience on the family, he concluded: 'With 3 hours sleep in 2 days, the reality is that, there are no days off on this journey, no time out periods and no single second without worry or fear.

'If you asked me a year ago, I wouldve never imagined how strong I could or would have to be. That being said, you never really know how strong you are, until being strong is your only option. '

A day before, his partner Safiyya Vorajee revealed their daughter Azaylia is 'in a lot of pain' ahead of her planned treatment in Singapore.

Upsetting: Ashley's partner Safiyya Vorajee has revealed their daughter Azaylia is 'in a lot of pain' ahead of her potentially lifesaving treatment in Singapore

Keeping her followers updated on their journey, Safiyya detailed the blood transfusion and surgery Azaylia underwent on Tuesday.

Addressing her followers from the hospital, Safiyya explained: 'We've got a heavy morning today, we are getting a bone marrow test done and then Azaylia needs 60ml of blood taken from her.

'She needs to have a blood transfusion so that they can send the blood over to Singapore.

'She's very swollen this morning, she's on lots of fluid as that keeps the leukaemia from sticking.'

Determined: Safiyaa and partner Ashley Cain recently raised more than 1.5 million to fund the trip but she is still being treated in the UK during the interim

Speaking about the emotional toll it has taken on her, Safiyya continued: 'Watching your daughter being put to sleep, again, really pulls another level of heartstrings.

'These days feel so long and tough, but you'd do anything for your child - you don't care about how you are yourself.

'So many people ask how are you feeling, and we have one destination and that is to get to Singapore and get through this.'

Thankfully, the blood transfusion and operation went smoothly, with Safiyya later updating fans: 'The procedures are all done and we are currently on a blood transfusion. Azaylia has recovered, she had to have blood taken from her.

Update: Keeping her followers updated on their journey, Safiyya detailed the blood transfusion and surgery Azaylia underwent on Tuesday

'60ml can leave you very anemic and your blood pressure and heart rate can go anywhere while blood's being taken from your body but luckily Azaylia was very stable.'

She then wrote: 'What a tough day she's had, bless her. She's been in a lot of pain today.'

While Ashley shared a clip of his little girl captioned: 'The amount this little girl has battled through today.'

He later added: 'One hour sleep with this little one last night. She went through the whole lot of procedures yesterday and she's really feeling it.

Heartbreaking: Ashley later shared a clip of his little girl in hospital captioned, 'The amount this little girl has battled through today'

'Three hours sleep in the last two days. There are no days off or times out on this journey. We're going to get you across that line baby'.

It comes after Ashley revealed pharmaceutical companies are not releasing the life-saving drugs needed to beat his daughter Azaylia's leukemia battle.

Ashley, whose baby girl is currently undergoing her fourth round of chemotherapy, took to Instagram on Sunday to admit he's in 'heavy talks' with consultants and doctors in an attempt to change the businesses' decision.

The reality star said: 'We found out today that one of the essential drugs we need tomorrow to bring her leukemia counts down and get her into remission is not being released by the pharmaceutical companies.

Update: The following morning, Ashley revealed it had been a sleepless night for all as Azaylia recovered, with the EOTB star promising to get his daughter 'across the line'

'Not only today have I been looking after Azaylia, but going through heavy talks with consultants, doctors and the companies themselves to try and get this essential drug that Azaylia needs.'

The media personality had asked fans for help in donating earlier in the weekend, explaining the treatment his daughter needs is only available in Singapore.

As of Wednesday, the total of his fundraiser for his seven-month-old's treatment reached 1.5million, following donations from Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague and Maura Higgins.

Ashley penned a detailed account of Azaylia's health battle on his GoFundMe page and said that any extra funds the couple receive will be donated to other families in a similar situation to them.

According to the NHS, it is a 'highly complex and potentially risky treatment' but has been shown in trials to cure some patients when other treatments have failed.

Fighting for her: Azaylia was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia when she was just two months old and her parents have fought to save her life

Azaylia was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia when she was just two months old.

Ashley said he has spent the first seven months of fatherhood under Covid-19 restrictions in hospital as his daughter fought the cancer.

Doctors told the TV star and his partner Safiyya that chemotherapy would not be enough to cure Azaylia.
DONNA, Texas (AP)  The Biden administration for the first time Tuesday allowed journalists inside its main border detention facility for migrant children, revealing a severely overcrowded tent structure where more than 4,000 people, including children and families, were crammed into a space intended for 250 and the youngest were kept in a large play pen with mats on the floor for sleeping.

With thousands of children and families arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent weeks and packing facilities, President Joe Biden has been under pressure to bring more transparency to the process. U.S. Customs and Border Protection allowed two journalists from The Associated Press and a crew from CBS to tour the facility in Donna, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, the nation's busiest corridor for illegal crossings.

More than 4,100 people were being housed on the property Tuesday. Most were unaccompanied children processed in tents before being taken to facilities run by the Department of Health and Human Services and then placed with a family member, relative or sponsor.

The children were being housed by the hundreds in eight "pods" formed by plastic dividers, each about 3,200 square feet (297 square meters) in size. Many of the pods had more than 500 children in them.

MORE POLITICAL NEWS: The internet doesn't know how to feel about these NSFW Ted Cruz stickers

Oscar Escamilla, acting executive officer of the U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley, said 250 to 300 kids enter daily and far fewer leave.

The youngest children  among them, 3-year-old girl being cared for by her 11-year-old brother and a newborn with a 17-year-old mother  are kept out of the pods and sleep in a playpen area.

On Tuesday, journalists watched children being processed. They went into a small room for lice inspection and a health check. Their hair was hosed down and towels were tossed in a black bin marked Lice. The kids  many of whom have made long journeys to get to the border, including stretches on foot  were also checked for scabies, fever and other ailments. No COVID-19 test was administered unless a child showed symptoms.

Nurse practitioners also gave psychological tests, asking children if they had suicidal thoughts. All shoelaces were removed to avoid harm to anyone.

The children were then led down a green turf hall to a large intake room. Those 14 and older are fingerprinted and have their photo taken; younger children did not.

They went to a second intake room where they got notices to appear for immigration court. Border Patrol agents asked them if they had a contact in the U.S. and allowed the child to call that person.

Children were given bracelets with a barcode that shows a history of when they showered and medical conditions.

Outside the facility, the roar of construction equipment could be heard along with air conditioning units.

The Biden administration has continued expelling adults who try to cross the border under a coronavirus-related public health declaration enacted by former President Donald Trump. Biden also has tried to expel most families traveling together, but changes in Mexican law have forced agents to release many parents and children into the U.S.

Biden has declined to resume the Trump-era practice of expelling unaccompanied immigrant children. Several hundred kids and teenagers are crossing the border daily, most fleeing violence, poverty or the effects of natural disasters in Central America. In some cases, parents refused entry into the U.S. have sent their children across the border alone, hoping they will be placed with relatives eventually.

The Border Patrol is apprehending far more children daily than Health and Human Services is placing with U.S. sponsors, leading to a severe backlog in the system. The Border Patrol generally is not supposed to detain children for more than three days, but Health and Human Services lacks space.

More than 2,000 kids have been at the Donna facility for more than 72 hours, including 39 for more than 15 days.

HHS is housing children at convention centers in Dallas and San Diego and is opening large-scale sites in San Antonio, El Paso and elsewhere.

Biden has been sharply criticized by Republicans seeking to defend Trump's immigration record, which includes the separation of thousands of immigrant families under a zero tolerance" policy.
[March 31, 2021] ZPE Systems Announces the New Edge Transformation Partner Program

ZPE Systems, Inc., a leading innovator of network devices and cloud-based infrastructure management solutions, officially launched the Edge Transformation Partner Program. This program is designed for enterprise solution providers and integrators interested in differentiating their offering for distributed branch, edge, campus, and colocation applications. In order to expand an already growing partner ecosystem, this program features a drastically different engagement model and incentive structure to help partners build a profitable Nodegrid practice. ZPE Systems' customer-first culture means success is the cornerstone of the Edge Transformation Partner Program. ZPE Systems emphasizes partner quality, with recruiting practices based on technical competency and strategic commitment. In return, partners leverage proven differentiators for cloud and edge networking, and can deliver customers the highest ROI. Enterprises continue expanding beyond the datacenter, and must retire legacy solutions while optimizing performance of edge networks. ZPE Systems' Nodegrid helps partners modernize customer networks, with all-in-one solutions that are easy to deploy, secure, and manage - a growing requirement at the edge. Delivering the best ROI is a top priority, and partners unlock endless value-add opportunities using Nodegrid's modular hardware, extensible software, and integrated ZPE Cloud platform. Partners take advantage of best-in-class technologies thanks to ZPE Systems' strategic alliances. These include partnerships with industry leaders such as Intel (News - Alert) , Palo Alto Networks, Ciso, VMware, and others who guide networking into the future.



"Our strategy is to recruit a small number of solution providers and strategic partners interested in developing their brand and capabilities around ZPE Systems' Nodegrid ecosystem," says Steven Jehring, ZPE Systems' head of Channel and Strategic Partners. "Our priority is to create the best customer experience, and our enterprise edge platform makes this simple. It enables solution providers to offer complete implementations that are fully integrated with leading technologies from our strategic partners and alliances."

For complete details of the Edge Transformation Partner Program, or to submit an application, visit partners.zpesystems.com. About ZPE Systems ZPE Systems frees enterprises from today's networking challenges. Cumbersome environments, frequent downtime, and inefficient management are no match for ZPE Systems' Nodegrid, a vendor-neutral platform that lays the groundwork for open networking. Created by visionary engineers, Nodegrid's patented hardware, software, & cloud offerings empower companies to transform their networks into business value creators. Intel-based serial consoles & modular services routers deliver unparalleled power to datacenter & branch applications, while the Linux-based Nodegrid OS replaces vendor lock-in with limitless flexibility. With ZPE Cloud for fast & secure provisioning, it's the only networking platform to streamline the stack using virtualization, prevent downtime using automation, and offer convenience using in-depth remote management capabilities. ZPE collaborates with best-in-class technology partners, to add value by integrating with SD-WAN, firewall, IoT, and other solutions. The world's top companies trust ZPE Systems to provide advanced out-of-band management, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platforms, and SD-Branch networking. Based in Fremont, California, and with offices worldwide, ZPE Systems is ready to help enterprises take the work out of networking. Visit the ZPE Systems website at www.zpesystems.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005278/en/

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / ZincX Resources Corp. ("ZincX Resources" or the "Company")(TSXV:ZNX)(OTC PINK:ZNCXF)(FSE:M9R) is pleased to announce that the Company has engaged a drill contractor for the upcoming 2021 summer drill program. Drilling services will be provided by Discovery Diamond Drilling Ltd. of Stewart, BC. Discovery has 36 years of experience in the diamond drilling industry and provides a full range of diamond drilling services for mining and exploration companies.

The Company is pleased to have secured a drill considering the unprecedented demand for diamond drill services. The Company's highest priority was to secure a capable drill and crew that could be scheduled for the planned spring start-up. The Company has finalized contractual arrangements with the drill contractor, and engaged all other key support services including helicopter and camp catering. The Company is confident it can safely and successfully complete the proposed drill program.

Peeyush Varshney, CEO of the Company, stated: "2021 is shaping up to be a very busy market for the junior sector and we are pleased to be able to secure the key services we need to safely and successfully execute the planned drill program at our Akie Project. We look forward to working closely with our largest shareholder Tongling Non-Ferrous Metals this upcoming season."

2021 Drilling Program

The 2021 drill program will consist of approximately 2,000 metres of drilling with a primary objective of acquiring mineralised drill core sample material for advanced metallurgical testing. The holes will target specific areas of the deposit to provide material representative of the deposit across its strike and width. This material will be used to further investigate the metallurgical response of the mineralisation with a focus on enhancing the recoveries and boosting concentrate grades for both zinc and lead; using state-of-the-art metallurgical testing facility owned by Tongling Non-Ferrous Metals of China (Tongling).

The Company has scheduled a late May camp opening with drilling scheduled to commence the first week of June. The program is expected to require 6 weeks to complete.

About Tongling Non-Ferrous Metals Group Co. Ltd.

Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Holdings Company Limited is a state-owned enterprise involved in mining and smelting copper and other non-ferrous metals. It was founded in 1949 in Tongling, Anhui, China and the first mine was put into production in 1952. Over the past 60 years Tongling has grown to a large-scale, diverse, fully integrated mining and smelting enterprise engaged in mining, mineral processing, smelting and refining of copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver and other nonferrous metals. The subsidiary and listed company, Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Company Limited, was established in 1992 and listed on the main board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1996.

Tongling has established economic, technical and trade cooperation relationships with more than 30 countries and regions around the world. Its products are exported to over 10 countries including Japan, Germany, United States, and Singapore. The corporation also invests in resource exploration and development in many countries such as Canada, Ecuador and Chile. The Company's main products include cathode copper, gold, silver, copper wire, copper strip and copper foil, among others. The high purity cathode copper with the brand name of "Tongguan" is registered with the London Metal Exchange (LME) while the silver ingot with the same brand is registered with the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).

Tongling has other mining interests outside China; including the Mirador copper project in Ecuador which was acquired in 2010 by the CAN$678 million buyout of TSX listed Corriente Resources. The Tongling-led Chinese consortium put the US$1.4 billion Mirador copper mine into production in 2019.

The Akie Zn-Pb-Ag Project

The 100% owned Akie property is situated within the Kechika Trough, the southernmost area of the regionally extensive Paleozoic Selwyn Basin and one of the most prolific sedimentary basins in the world for the occurrence of SEDEX zinc-lead-silver and stratiform barite deposits.

Drilling on the Akie property by ZincX Resources since 2005 has identified a significant body of baritic-zinc-lead SEDEX mineralization known as the Cardiac Creek deposit. The deposit is hosted by siliceous, carbonaceous, fine-grained clastic rocks of the Middle to Late Devonian Gunsteel Formation.

The Company updated the estimate of mineral resources at Cardiac Creek in 2018, as follows:

5% Zinc Cut-Off Grade Contained Metal: Category Tonnes

(million) Zn (%) Pb (%) Ag (g/t) Zn (B lbs) Pb (B lbs) Ag (M oz) Indicated 22.7 8.32 1.61 14.1 4.162 0.804 10.3 Inferred 7.5 7.04 1.24 12.0 1.169 0.205 2.9

The Company announced robust positive results from the 2018 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The PEA envisages a conventional underground mine and concentrator operation with an average production rate of 4,000 tonnes per day. The mine will have an 18-year life with potential to extend the life-of-mine (LOM) through resource expansion at depth. Key parameters for the PEA are as follows:

Parameter Base Case1 Tonnes Mined 25.8 Mt Mined Head Grades 7.6% Zn; 1.5% Pb; 13.08 g/t Ag Tonnes Milled 19.7 Mt Milled Head Grades (after DMS2 upgrade) 10.0% Zn; 1.9% Pb; 17.17 g/t Ag Total Payable Metal (LOM) $3,960M3 Initial CAPEX $302.3M including $45.7M contingency LOM Total CAPEX $617.9M including $58.5M contingency All-in Total OPEX $102.4 per tonne milled Pre-Tax NPV7% $649M Pre-Tax IRR 35% Pre-Tax Payback 2.6 years After-Tax NPV7% $401M After-Tax IRR 27% After-Tax Payback 3.2 years

The base case used metal prices are calculated from the 3 year trailing average coupled with two year forward projection of the average price; and are: US$1.21/lb for zinc, US$1.00/lb for lead and US$16.95 for silver. A CDN$/US$ exchange rate of 0.77 was used. The NPV discount rate is 7%. 2. DMS = dense media separation. 3. All dollar amounts expressed in Canadian dollars.

The PEA is considered preliminary in nature and includes mineral resources, including inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of a mineral resource will be upgraded to mineral reserves. Therefore, there is no certainty that the results concluded in the PEA will be realized.

Kechika Regional Project

In addition to the Akie Project, the Company owns 100% of eight of eleven large, contiguous property blocks that comprise the Kechika Regional Project including the advanced Mt. Alcock prospect. The Kechika Regional Project also includes the Pie, Yuen and Cirque East properties which the Company maintains a significant 49% interest with partners Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.B) and Korea Zinc Co. Ltd holding 51%. These properties collectively extend northwest from the Akie property for approximately 140 kilometres covering the highly prospective Gunsteel Formation shale; the main host rock for known SEDEX zinc-lead-silver deposits in the Kechika Trough of northeastern British Columbia. These projects are located approximately 260 kilometres north northwest of the town of Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.

Ken MacDonald P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for the Company, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information contained in this release. Mike Makarenko P.Eng, JDS Energy and Mining, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the PEA technical information contained in this release.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ZINCX RESOURCES CORP.

"PEEYUSH VARSHNEY"

pEEYUSH vARSHNEY, LL.B

CEO & CHAIRMAN

Investor Relations Contact:

Phone: (604) 684-2181

Email: info@zincxresources.com

SOURCE: ZincX Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638303/Drill-Contractor-Secured-for-2021-Akie-Drill-Program
Russell Desmond, the bookstore owner is correct with his words: Our modern reformer seems unaware that statues are put up for people because 
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Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson looked every inch the loved-up couple as they attended Fitzy and Wippa's Married At First Sight dinner party on Wednesday night.

The smitten couple, both 31, couldn't keep their hands off each other during a rare appearance in Sydney.

Despite their tumultuous on-screen relationship, Bryce and Melissa only had eyes for each other as they posed for photographers at the exclusive event.

Newlyweds: Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson looked every inch the loved-up couple as they attended Fitzy and Wippa's Married At First Sight dinner party on Wednesday night

Melissa turned heads dressed in a sleeveless flowy black and white printed dress that featured a plunging neckline.

She was all glammed up for the outing and her makeup palette consisted of light foundation, nude lipstick and a subtle smokey eye.

Melissa wore her long blonde tresses out, styled in loose curls and had one side pushed back behind her ear to showcase her dazzling drop earrings.

So sweet! The smitten couple, both 31, couldn't keep their hands off each other during a rare appearance in Sydney

Happy in love: Despite their tumultuous on-screen relationship, Bryce and Melissa only had eyes for each other as they posed for photographers at the exclusive event

Stylish: Melissa turned heads dressed in a sleeveless flowy black and white printed dress that featured a plunging neckline

Company: At one point the couple were joined by fellow bride Joanne Todd (left)

The workplace trainer completed her look wearing black strappy heels.

Bryce was dressed to impress in a black denim jacket, which he paired with a plain white T-Shirt and khaki coloured boots.

Melissa and Bryce were joined by a slew of their fellow brides and grooms, including Patrick Dwyer and Belinda Vickers.

We found love! Melissa and Bryce were joined by a slew of their fellow brides and grooms, including Patrick Dwyer (left) and Belinda Vickers (right)

Perfect match! Patrick, 27, and Belinda, 29, couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces as they wrapped their arms around one another as they posed for photos

Patrick, 27, and Belinda, 29, couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces as they wrapped their arms around one another as they posed for photos.

Belinda put on a leggy display in a white mini dress that featured red sequin hearts.

She wore her long brunette tresses out and was all glammed up for the occasion wearing light makeup.

Wow! Belinda put on a leggy display in a white mini dress that featured red sequin hearts

The Melbourne based dancer completed her look wearing strappy platform heels and pink nail polish.

Meanwhile, Patrick looked every inch the handsome hunk in a button up shirt which he paired with a pair of black pants and white sneakers.

Joanne Todd, who was paired up with luxury car dealer James Susler also attended the event.

Stunning! Joanne was 'married' to luxury car dealer James Susler but called it quits after they failed to connect after a few weeks together

Wow! The blonde beauty looked as if she had just walked out of a photo shoot, all glammed up for the media appearance

The blonde beauty looked as if she had just walked out of a photoshoot, all glammed up for the media appearance.

She showed off her trim physique dressed in a black layered slip dress.

The Frankston-based barber added height wearing black stiletto heels.

Something to hide? Melbourne psych student Brett Helling (pictured) also attended the event without his bride Booka Nile or his wedding band

Who knew they were friends? At one point, Brett was seen posing for photos with fellow Melbournian Jo

Melbourne psych student Brett Helling also attended the event without his bride or wedding band.

The 31-year-old swapped his usually cool casual wardrobe for a white button-up shirt which he paired with black denim jeans that featured ripped bottoms.

He completed his look wearing black leather shoes and long socks.

At one point, Brett was seen posing for photos with fellow Melbournian Jo.

All smiles: The group of reality TV participants couldn't wipe the smile off their face as they hammed it up for photographers
Married At First Sight groom Chris Jensen has broken his silence following reports he was arrested on drugs charges prior to appearing on the show.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, the tattooed FIFO worker, 32, insisted that he's 'only human' and has never tried to be anything but authentic.

'I am not perfect, I am not trying to be however, I will always be real. I am human. If my heart is in the right place and I try my best then I am ok with this,' he wrote.

'I'm not perfect': Married At First Sight groom Chris Jensen, 32, (pictured) has broken his silence following reports he was arrested for allegedly trafficking dangerous drugs prior to the show

'I am a son, I am a brother, I am a father, I am an uncle, I am a friend. I take a great deal of pride in being all of these roles,' the single father-of-two continued.

Chris ended his post on a positive note by thanking his fans for their loyalty.

'Thank you to each of you who have accepted and supported me for ME. I appreciate it. I hope you each are appreciated to for who you are and being the real you,' he wrote.

'If my heart is in the right place and I try my best then I am ok with this': In an Instagram post on Tuesday, the tattooed FIFO worker insisted that he's 'only human' and has never tried to be anything but authentic

In the accompanying photo, a serious-looking Chris was seen posing for a shirtless selfie while swimming in the ocean.

Chris's heartfelt post comes almost a week after news broke that he was arrested on drugs charges prior to his appearance on Married At First Sight.

The reality star faces one count of trafficking dangerous drugs - serious organised crime.

Trouble with the law: Chris was arrested on alleged drug trafficking charges prior to his appearance on this year's season of Married At First Sight

He was due to appear for a mention before Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday, but the matter was adjourned until April 23.

Chris had previously been granted Supreme Court Bail, The Courier Mail reported.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Queensland Courts and the Department of Justice and Attorney-General confirmed the charges.

Busted: According to a report by The Courier Mail, Chris faces one count of trafficking dangerous drugs - serious organised crime

He was arrested alongside three co-accused, who are all facing similar charges.

A Brisbane Magistrates Court spokesman told The Courier Mail that Chris last appeared in court before on October 30, 2020, after being granted magistrates bail in 2018.

During his last appearance his bail was enlarged, and the matter was adjourned to July 23.

Hit and miss: Chris was a late-comer to this year's season of Married At First Sight, and was paired with Jaimie Gardner (right)

Chris also faces single charges of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in commission of a crime, possessing used utensils or pipes and two counts of possessing property suspected of being proceeds of an offence under the Drugs Misuse Act.

Chris was a late-comer to this year's season of Married At First Sight, and was paired with Jaimie Gardner.

The two failed to form a connection however, and opted to leave the series during last Monday night's episode.
Funcas, the Savings Banks Foundation in Spain, has conducted an analysis of direct aid to business in Spain, France, Germany and Italy. The comparison shows that Spain lags behind the other three and - certainly in the cases of France and Germany - by some considerable margin. The comparative figures are: Spain 7,000 million euros; Italy 11,000 million; France 20,400 million; Germany 50,000 million.

The Spanish government's aid package that was announced on March 12 is worth 11,000 million euros in total. However, only 7,000 million is in the form of direct aid. The remainder is for modification of the ICO loan scheme and for a special recapitalisation fund for small businesses and the self-employed.

Raymond Torres, the Funcas director of international analysis, points out that Spain's package and the rules governing it "have arrived several months later than in the other three countries". The coverage, he adds, is relatively low, "as it applies only to sectors most affected by the pandemic". More positively, Torres notes that the percentage of losses to be compensated is similar to that in the other three countries, while a minimum of 4,000 euros "will tend to favour small businesses".

There are differences in how the aid is applied. France's policy has been to compensate from the "first lost euro", while the other three countries have set a threshold of 30% lost turnover compared with 2019. Other differences lie with the speed with which aid has been made available and the business sectors that are covered.

In France and Germany, the aid first began to be granted last autumn. In principle it is available to all sectors. In Italy the aid is for all sectors. This isn't the case in Spain, where 95 activities have been specified within the most affected sectors of hospitality, leisure and retail. Apart from the aid not being as widespread, there are what appear to be some anomalies. For example, hairdressers and souvenir shops are not included.

Funcas notes that Germany has the most generous ceiling for aid - 1.5 million euros. This is calculated on fixed costs. In the other countries, assessment is made according to loss of turnover. In Spain this means that between 20 and 40 per cent of lost income is to be compensated. In Italy the range is 20 to 60 per cent; France up to 100% in the case of small businesses. Germany's compensation is up to 90%.

So, although Torres points to the compensation percentage for losses being similar, in maximum terms it is lower.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 18:38:32|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police killed one terrorist, a woman, in the compound of the national police headquarters on Wednesday afternoon, media TVone said here.

The woman carrying a pistol has already been inside the headquarters and pointed the gun to the policemen.

The policemen immediately shot dead the woman.

The woman entered the compound along with some other fellows, the report said, without giving details. Enditem
Andrew Owens

Owens, who owns A&M Transport, is the board chairman for the Oregon Trucking Associations. He lives in Glendale.

Idling. Gridlock. Frustrated commuters. For many who live outside of Portland, it can be difficult to comprehend the magnitude of congestion seen daily on portions of Interstate 5. However, as the owner of a trucking company that frequently runs trucks from Southern Oregon through the metro area, Ive witnessed firsthand how this gridlock affects productivity and our business. Commerce that drives Oregons economy is being stifled by several bottlenecks on Portlands freeway system.

If Portland is the heart of goods moving into and out of the state, then I-5 is the main artery, and there is a definite blockage.

The American Transportation Research Institute annually identifies the top 100 bottlenecks in the entire country. For the past few years, the I-5 interchange with Interstate 84, also known as the Rose Quarter interchange, has landed at number 28. Business activity at the Port of Portland, Swan Island and the surrounding region contributes to the trucking activity, which then contributes to this bottleneck and affects regions far beyond Portland. An estimated 17 million tons of cargo  automobiles, wheat and countless other products  move through Portland each year, mostly to or from the Port of Portland. The majority of U.S.- Canada and U.S.-Mexico cross-border freight is moved by trucks, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, with I-5 serving as the main conduit on the West Coast. In Oregon, close to 80% of Oregon communities depend solely on trucks to deliver goods and supplies, according to the research institutes latest analysis.

In 2017, the Oregon Legislature promised congestion relief and improved freight mobility through the Rose Quarter with the passage of HB 2017. The law required investment in new lanes and created a plan to improve connectivity across the freeway. As part of HB 2017, the trucking industry is already paying higher taxes as part of an overall increase of 53% in weight-mile taxes by 2025. With the scope of work reduced and progress practically at a standstill, I, along with other motor carriers around the state, am asking myself why I agreed to a significant financial investment in transportation infrastructure that is still not working for our businesses and many Oregonians.

The Oregon trucking industry paid $299 million in federal and state roadway taxes in 2020. Our agreement to take on additional taxes to improve congestion relief in Portland only added to the heavy tax load we haul and were not seeing any return on our investment.

While my business is based in a small town south of Roseburg, I was willing to take on this additional financial burden because I understand that I-5 serves all of Oregon. Localized concerns are stalling much needed improvements, but the fact remains that the 308 miles on I-5 belong to all of Oregon, not just specific segments of Portland. The one mile of freeway at the Rose Quarter is absolutely critical infrastructure for the states manufacturers, farmers, importers and exporters.

While the project sits as idle as a commuter during rush hour, the related funding mechanisms keep moving forward. The Oregon Legislature made the commitment to alleviate Portlands congestion problem, and its past time to keep that promise.

Sign up for our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Tata Motors Ltd is quoting at Rs 304.65, up 2.56% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 348.34% in last one year as compared to a 78.58% gain in NIFTY and a 112.46% gain in the Nifty Auto index.

Tata Motors Ltd is up for a third straight session in a row. The stock is quoting at Rs 304.65, up 2.56% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.71% on the day, quoting at 14739.45. The Sensex is at 49683.89, down 0.9%. Tata Motors Ltd has dropped around 7.2% in last one month.

Meanwhile, Nifty Auto index of which Tata Motors Ltd is a constituent, has dropped around 4.96% in last one month and is currently quoting at 9865, up 0.31% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 393.24 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 697.64 lakh shares in last one month.

The benchmark April futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 307.65, up 3.1% on the day. Tata Motors Ltd is up 348.34% in last one year as compared to a 78.58% gain in NIFTY and a 112.46% gain in the Nifty Auto index.

The PE of the stock is 0 based on TTM earnings ending December 20.

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George Russell thinks Williams is finally moving in the right direction in Formula 1.

The once-great British team has been the sport's permanent backmarker in the recent past, but in 2021 appears to have moved away from the very rear of the grid.

It comes after the Williams family departed Formula 1 last season and sold the Oxfordshire based team to Dorilton Capital, who appointed VW's Jost Capito as the new CEO.

"I am impressed with the motivation and good mood he has brought to the team," Russell, who starts his third season in F1 and with Williams this year, said.

"He's an incredibly approachable guy who talks to everyone in the garage. He'll have a positive impact on Williams for the next few years," the 23-year-old Mercedes junior added.

In Bahrain, it emerged that Capito had appointed his VW colleague Francois-Xavier Demaison to be technical director, filling the position left vacant by the ousted Paddy Lowe in 2019.

"During all of my time at Williams we had no technical director, which is pretty crazy when you think about it," said Briton Russell.

"It means a lot of people have been doing jobs they weren't supposed to do. If a technical director gets it right, those mechanics or engineers can focus on their jobs again," he added.

However, Russell says he doesn't blame Claire Williams for focusing on more important tasks than appointing a technical director in the past few seasons.

"The priority was to keep the team alive rather than to build the fastest possible Formula 1 cars," he said.

(GMM)
While the number of coronavirus cases is rising rapidly in France, and the health care system risks being completely overwhelmed, there is a growing movement among teachers for the closure of schools and the adoption of a lockdown policy opposed by the Macron government.

Yesterday, more than 30,000 coronavirus cases were reported across France. The seven-day average for cases is now 33,500, but is rising rapidly. For three days last week, the number of reported cases was between 40,000-45,000. On average, almost 300 people die every day.

There is every indication however that the death toll is on the verge of a major increase. The hospital system is already at a critical point. Yesterday, the total number of patients in intensive care surpassed 5,000, eclipsing for the first time the peak set during the second wave in November last year.

Students leave their school in Cambo les Bains, southwest France, Thursday November 5, 2020 (AP Photo / Bob Edme)

In the Ile-de-France region around Paris, the number of patients in intensive care units is 1,484. Yesterday, however, the Public Assistance of Paris Hospitals (AP-HP) warned that, based on the accelerating hospitalisation rate, even assuming a strict lockdown is imposed beginning April 1, the number of ICU patients will more than double to 3,470 in the Paris area within three weeks. If the government waits an additional week to order a lockdown, this would rise to 4,466 by April 29.

In an interview last week with the Journal du Dimanche, President Macron defended his governments refusal to impose a lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. Behind the homicidal policy of allowing the virus to spread through the population stand the interests of the French financial elite, which rejects any restriction on non-essential production or schools that would threaten the flow of corporate profits. Faced with a wave of denunciations by scientists and doctors, Macron is due to deliver a national televised address this evening.

The sharp edge of Macrons herd immunity policy has been the policy of open schools. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer boasts continuously that France has kept schools open longer than any other country in Europe throughout the pandemic. In truth, schools are being used as child-minding services so that parents can be kept at work.

This has now produced a catastrophe. An unknown number of friends and family members of teachers and students have died due to Macrons policy. Its impact is systematically covered up by the lack of official data on deaths attributable to cases occurring in schools.

The case of the Eugene Delacroix high school in Seine Saint-Denis, the working class suburb north of Paris, is a horrific demonstration of the homicidal character of French policy. Between the beginning of the pandemic and December last year, 20 parents of students died from coronavirus. The spread of the virus in the school is continuing. Since the beginning of the month, almost 60 students and 20 teachers have contracted the virus.

The staff at the school have gone on strike to close the school, exercising their right protected under French law to refuse to work under conditions placing their life in danger. On Friday, the staff addressed an open letter to President Macron, denouncing an alarming health care situation. They state: We demand the urgent and temporary closure of the school, with a complete transition to online teaching in order to ensure continuity of learning.

Other schools are also being either fully or partially closed by strike action by teachers. At the Blaise-Cendrars in Sevran, also in the Seine-Saint Denis region, 20 teachers have refused to work.

Opposition among teachers is mounting rapidly as the number of infections in schools is exploding throughout the country.

Throughout the month of March, the number of classes closed jumped from week to week because more than three coronavirus cases had been detected within the same class. On Friday, March 26, the education ministry revealed that 3,256 classes were closed, up by 1,238 within the space of a week, a rise of 60 percent.

The highest concentration of closed classes is in the Academy of Creteil, which encompasses Seine-Saint Denis, Seine-et-Marne and Val-de-Marne. More than 536 classes have been closed in these areas alone. In the Academy of Lyon, 177 classes were closed last week, up from 24 the week before, a rise of 640 percent.

On Friday, Blanquer announced a change in the health protocol, ordering a class to close upon the detection of a single case, rather than three, as previously.

This is an acknowledgement that the governments policy has contributed to a massive spread of the virus among youth. Yet the government is determined to keep schools open as long as possible.

Blanquer stated that he was opposed to bringing forward the beginning of holidays in April, absurdly claiming that it has not been demonstrated that the holiday period, i.e., with schools closed, lead to fewer contaminations than during the school period.

On Monday, a group of 56 educators as part of the Stylos Rouges collective filed a suit against Blanquer, accusing him of not protecting staff in contacting with children, who are spreading the virus.

The Macron government is widely accused of covering up the true extent of cases in schools. There is a continuous disparity between the official number of student coronavirus infections with those of school-aged children. On March 26, for example, the education system counted 21,183 positive cases from pre-school to high school in a week. However, Public Health France reported 57,000 cases among those aged under 20, with approximately 80 percent of these cases (or 45,600) estimated to be minors aged under 18.

To enforce its homicidal policy of keeping schools open, however, the Macron government has depended entirely upon the complicity and active support of the education trade unions. These unions helped organize the school opening policy with Macron, opposing calls for closure of schools and a transition to online learning. Even amid the explosion of cases in schools and widespread demands among teachers for their closure, the National High School Teachers Union (SNES-FSU) is continuing to demand only a reduction of class numbers in half.

In November, strikes broke out organised by teachers in schools across the country to oppose the reopening of classes after the holiday break amid a surge in cases. The national union federations, including the Stalinist General Federation of Labour (CGT), intervened to shut down the strike action and oppose calls for the extension of the strike and closure of schools.

Against this policy, teachers should form their own independent rank-and-file safety committees in every school. These would provide a basis for organising a nationwide strike to enforce the closure of schools. An appeal must be made for the development of European-wide strike action to impose a lockdown across the continent. Families must be provided with a comfortable income so that a parent can remain at home with their child and all non-essential production must be stopped.
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Veteran Nigerian actor, Pete Edochie, has said that feminism should be blamed for the prevalence of domestic violence in marriage.

In an interview with BBC Igbo on Tuesday, the celebrated actor said feminism was alien to the African culture and blacks in general.

Women who cant cook arent supposed to call themselves women. And feminism is what causes women to be beaten up in marriages. You complain to a woman and she retorts.

It becomes unbearable, so you stretch your arm and deal her a slap. Domestic violence starts. I dont like seeing women crying because it hurts me deeply. But it is the fault of the woman herself a lot of times he said.

The actor, who recently explained why Nigerian women are no longer submissive to their husbands, also reiterated that when a woman leaves her parents to meet her husband and takes his surname, she is to be submissive to him.

If she wasnt married, she can do whatever she wants. Our women now plunge into feminism nowadays. They cant even keep their husbands anymore. Is that a good thing? These women are schooled but a lot of wives now cant even cook  one thing that a woman should be good in so as to be able to keep her husband.

My mother was not educated but she would cook all sorts of soups. My father would always get back home hurriedly to eat what his wife had cooked. Today, our wives cant even cook anymore.

The actor, who said he isnt a misogynist despite associating with a lot of misogynists at work , maintained that blacks dont worship women as the whites do.

Im a strong adherent of culture. Until my dad died at 96, he never knelt to propose.Its just like kneeling down on entering a church because theres a higher being to whom youre paying respect. Men climb trees to tap palm wine. How does it look if women do the same? Today women dictate to men.

It wasnt like that in our days. How women talk to men nowadays isnt how we were raised. My mother was never beaten. My wife and I have been married for 52 years. I never beat her. My five married sons dont beat their wives.

A year ago, the respected movie star also stirred a controversy about marriage and relationships when he kicked against the idea of Nigerian men getting down on their knees to propose to women.

In a video that went viral in February 2020, the Lion Heart star said, any young man who gets on his knees to propose to a girl, is not just an idiot, hes a bloody fool, a compound buffoon.
Limits: Glanbia says it will be unable to process peak milk supplies from its suppliers from 2022 to 2024 and a penalty of up to 30pc will apply to milk supplies above the new peak season limits

A number of politicians, including former ministers have called on An Taisce to withdraw its objection to a planned cheese plant by Glanbia.

Four current Fine Gael TDs and former Ministers, Charlie Flanagan (Laois/Offaly), Paul Kehoe (Wexford), John Paul Phelan (Carlow Kilkenny) and David Stanton (Cork East) have strongly criticised An Taisce and accused the body of delaying a 140m investment in a cheese plant on the Kilkenny Waterford border.

The decision by the state-funded non-governmental organisation, An Taisce, is a serious blow to dairy farmers in Leinster. The decision to block the new Glanbia cheese plant at Belview is bad for jobs, bad for rural Ireland and bad for farm families," they said in a statement.

Earlier this month, a High Court case commenced between Glanbia Ireland and An Taisce over proposed plans to build a 140m continental cheese plant in Belview.

According to the politicians, the proposed new Cheese plant is fully in line with government policy on dairy production and recognises the need for the dairy industry to diversify and mitigate against the damage caused by Brexit.

This new exciting cheese plant received permission from the local authority and has the backing from An Bord Pleanala. Many young progressive dairy farmers have decided to invest in rural Ireland and Agriculture. They have borrowed heavily to acquire modern technology. They have invested in the rural economy and they now face serious financial loss. Jobs will be lost.

It is clear to me that the Court action taken by An Taisce chose a clear anti-rural economy bias and is vexatious. An Taisce should withdraw this divisive Court Action."

Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher also issued a statement saying that "iIt appears to me that certain NGOs feel that they, rather than the Irish government, should set government agri-food policy.

An Taisce have opposed the development on the basis that any increase in dairy production, which would be needed for the cheese plant to operate, would be untenable.

The Department of Agriculture, and the Irish Government, have decided that they want to increase dairy production in Ireland. An Taisce do not get to decide what government policy is; the Irish Government do. It is planned, and supported by the Government, to increase dairy production to 9.49 billion litres by 2027.



This milk has to go somewhere. The proposed Glanbia cheese facility where they plan to make Gouda for the European market is an ideal destination for this additional milk supply.



An Taisces planning and legal challenges are damaging to job creation in terms of construction, and damaging to Irish dairy farmers who will feel the pinch in 2022 when Glanbia apply caps on production due to the failure of the new plant to open on time.



We need a quick decision on their spurious challenges so that we can move on with developing the production facility and ensuring that dairy farmers do not lose out.



Furthermore, I would call on Glanbia to work with dairy farmers to find alternatives to cuts in production levels. With all the additional ferry capacity, perhaps milk can be shipped to plants overseas rather than seeing farmers lose out? he said.
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Today is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).







The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Mally Mokoena, said it was a momentous occasion that not only highlights the citys significant feat in creating and maintaining a formidable police force but also heralds the start of a new decade that promises to see this police department soaring to much greater heights.





It was on this same date in 2001 that Chris Ngcobo was inaugurated as the first chief of the JMPD. The first group of JMPD officers included former traffic officers who had to undergo further training in Police Ethics, South African Law, Criminal procedure and arrest procedure, among other subjects, that were needed for them to be absorbed as Metropolitan Police Officers in terms of the South African Police Act. 1995.





JMPD has grown by leaps and bounds since then. Currently, there are approximately 4500 Metropolitan Police Officers in the citys employ. Furthermore, the police department has reached several milestones in the past two decades, including the formation of key units such as the Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre (IIOC), the Freeway unit, the K9 unit, an Equestrian unit, the By-law Management unit; to enforce City By-laws and the Anti-Land Invasion unit.





I am most proud of the extent of transformation in the JMPD throughout the years. In contrast to the approximately 40 female Metropolitan Officers that were in the system 20 years ago, the department currently has 1351 female officers, said MMC Mokoena.





She admitted that the department still has much ground to cover in improving this number, but expressed confidence that we will attain their goal.





Perhaps one of the Public Safetys greatest achievements since the founding of the JMPD, particularly in my current term of office, is the appointment of the first female Acting Chief of the JMPD, Ms Angie Mokasi. Her appointment is a testament to our resolute resolve to bring about change, especially as it relates to the advancement of women in the Public Safety Department, said MMC Mokoena.





At the time of its inception, none would have imagined that the JMPD would become a permanent and important face of policing in the city. Throughout the two decades of its existence, the JMPD has pioneered and led in the law enforcement fraternity both in the City and countrywide. Undoubtedly, our police department has firmly established itself as an esteemed institution among both its peers and the citizens of the City. This is primarily due to its members unwavering commitment to their calling to serve and protect.





Today, I can proudly declare that the JMPD remains steadfast in defending this glorious city against lawlessness and criminality. On this important occasion, the Public Safety Department wishes to extend its earnest appreciation and gratitude to all the men and women in the JMPD, especially those who have been part of the police department since its establishment. Your sterling service and commitment to the city and its residents has not and will never go unnoticed. May you hoist the JMPDs flag even higher as we start a new decade.





I salute those we lost in the line of duty. We tip our hats to them in their honour. Their memories will forever live on, and in their name, may our JMPD officers continue to serve the city with pride and distinction. I also salute those we lost to the Covid-19 pandemic, concluded MMC Mokoena.


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A new scheme delivered in partnership between Failte Ireland and Longford County Council will help tourism and hospitality businesses in Westmeath to develop and increase their outdoor seating capacity, the Fine Gael Minister for Planning and Local Government has said.

Funding allocated under the scheme will also enable Local Authorities to develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces in towns and urban centres across the country, similar to those that exist in various European cities.

Peter Burke said: Earlier this week, government launched a new policy entitled Our Rural Future, the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in decades.

Developing outdoor dining and socialising spaces will help to improve the vibrancy of our towns across Longford and bring them more in line with the European model. This is a key commitment in our new policy.

Todays announcement regarding the new Outdoor Dining Scheme has two aims. It will enable individual tourism and hospitality businesses to increase their dining and seating capacity in the short-term and will also create a long-term strategy for our local authority to develop appropriate, permanent, weatherproofed outdoor dining infrastructure in Longford.

This will support jobs and businesses and transform appropriate outdoor spaces across Longford as welcoming, vibrant places that will help support economic recovery.

Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin TD and Failte Ireland announced details of the new 17million Scheme for developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide this morning.

The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme comprises two parts and will be delivered in partnership between Failte Ireland and Local Authorities across the country. Part One of the Scheme will provide funding for individual tourism and hospitality businesses to develop and increase their own outdoor seating capacity. Funding allocated under Part Two will enable Local Authorities to develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces in towns and urban centres, similar to those that exist in various European cities.

Minister Martinis today officially launching the Scheme, which opens for initial applications on April 12.

Announcing the Scheme Minister Catherine Martin said:

This Scheme has two main objectives: firstly, to enable individual tourism and hospitality businesses increase their dining and seating capacity in the short-term and secondly to enable a long-term strategy for local authorities to develop appropriate permanent weatherproofed outdoor dining infrastructure. The aim is to support jobs and businesses and to transform appropriate outdoor spaces within our cities and towns as welcoming, vibrant places that will help support economic recovery. This funding announcement further strengthens this Governments commitment to the development of rural towns, as outlined in the Our Rural Future plan announced earlier this week.

Paul Kelly, CEO of Failte Ireland added:

I want to thank Minister Martin for securing this funding and the CCMA for its support with designing and administering it. Part One of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme relates to Outdoor Seating and Accessories to help tourism and hospitality businesses offset some of the costs incurred in upgrading premises for outdoor dining and seating. Part Two of the Scheme relates to Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure which focuses on the development of medium to large scale permanent public dining spaces in towns and centres in preparation for welcoming back visitors when it is safe to do so. Each Local Authority can apply for up to 200,000 under this element of the scheme. We have been working closely with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) on behalf of the Local Authorities to design a scheme that will be efficient and practical. We look forward to seeing the results across the country.

Moira Murrell, Chair of the CCMA Rural Development, Community, Tourism, Culture and Heritage (RCTCH) Committee stated:

Local Authorities are looking forward to administering this Scheme for individual businesses, as well as delivering year-round all-weather outdoor seating options to boost the appeal and attractiveness of our cities and towns. Following the success of the Street Furniture Grant Scheme, implemented by some Local Authorities in 2020, we look forward to creating outdoor dining experiences around the country that not only benefit locals, but are also attractive to domestic and overseas visitors when the sector re-opens. Developing outdoor infrastructure is a key element of answering the consumer demand for more flexible dining options.

Read also: 'Our Rural Future' will help develop and revitalise communities all across Longford
Infosys and LivePerson, Inc., a global leader in Conversational AI, today announced a new 360 partnership to help brands manage AI-powered conversations with consumers and employees over SMS, web sites, apps, and the messaging channels they use every day.

The partnership will enable brands to unlock higher growth by combining Infosys Cobalt, a platform and set of services to accelerate an enterprise's journey into the cloud, with LivePerson's Conversational Cloud, a complete set of applications and APIs for creating and managing conversational experiences.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Katherine Schwarzenegger has revealed why she and Chris Pratt will not be sharing photos of their daughter Lylas face on social media, explaining that the decision stems from the privacy she was afforded by her own parents growing up.

Schwarzenegger, the daughter of actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and journalist Maria Shriver, who gave birth to her first child in August 2020, discussed her decision during an interview with Todays Hoda Kotb on Wednesday, where she said that privacy was one of the greatest gifts that her parents gave her.

I didnt grow up with social media being a thing at all, so its a little bit different in that way just because I feel like we share so much in todays world, she said. But I think one of the greatest gifts that my parents ever gave me and my siblings is the gift of privacy and having a really normal upbringing, or as normal of an upbringing as possible.

According to the 31-year-old, having a really normal and magical childhood, despite being born to two famous parents, allowed her and her three siblings to be our own people.

We had a really normal and magical childhood, and we were allowed to kind of be our own people and have our own identity and kind of choose to step into whatever form of being public we wanted to when we felt comfortable. That was such an incredible gift to have given us kids, she told Kotb.

Read more:

The experience has shaped how Schwarzenegger plans to raise her own children, with the author acknowledging how important privacy is to her and Pratt.

Its something thats really important to my husband and I to be able to give to our kids and to be able to have that privacy, and not necessarily show as much of them on social media, she continued. All four of us kids would say that it has been such an amazing thing that our parents gave us, and so I want to be able to give that to our baby, too.

Schwarzenegger and Pratt, who is also father to son Jack from his previous marriage to Anna Faris, announced the birth of their daughter on 10 August with an Instagram photo of the couple holding the babys hand.

We are beyond thrilled to announce the birth of our daughter Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger Pratt, the couple captioned the photo. We couldnt be happier and we feel extremely blessed! Love, Katherine and Chris.

In the months since,Schwarzenegger has shared a few photos of their daughter in which the babys face has always been covered.

However, her explanation for her and her husbands dedication to maintaining their daughters privacy comes as fans have continuously urged Schwarzenegger to share pictures of the childs face in the comments under her Instagram photos.

Schwarzenegger is not the only celebrity to limit her childs exposure on social media, as Eva Mendes has also revealed that she will not post photos of her and Ryan Goslings children until theyre old enough to give consent, while Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden revealed that they would not be sharing additional details about their daughter when they announced her arrival in January because they feel a strong instinct to protect our little ones privacy.


By Sandip Kumar Mishra





Most North Korea watchers were surprised that the joint statement issued on March 12 after the first summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, better known as Quad, mentioned the issue of North Korean denuclearization in one of its five points. Actually, the issue of abduction of Japanese citizens was also mentioned in it.



The statement read "We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, and also confirm the necessity of immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees."



It may be taken as a strong commitment and priority of the United States to deal with North Korea issues, but the addition of Quad countries in North Korea's denuclearization would in fact complicate the issue further for the following reasons.



First, it is no secret that the Quad is a mechanism to counterbalance China in the region or so China perceives. If the North Korean nuclear issue is approached via the Quad, it means that getting China's cooperation in the process would become more improbable.



It is important to underline that insufficient connections between the U.S. and China was one of the reasons why the three summits between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un in Singapore, Hanoi and Panmunjeom did not lead to any forward movement. Kim had prior consultations with China before all his summits with Donald Trump.



Two, it also means that there could be a gap between the U.S. and South Korean approaches to denuclearize North Korea, as the Moon Jae-in administration has underlined on multiple occasions that China's role is critical. It is important to recall that on March 5, 2018, South Korean envoys Chung Eui-yong and Suh Hoon met Kim in Pyongyang and North Korea agreed to hold denuclearization talks with the U.S.



Chung visited Washington on March 9 the same year and conveyed this message to the U.S. and immediately afterward went to Beijing on March 12 to convey the same to China. South Korea would not consider it pragmatic on the part of the Biden administration to bypass China.



Three, North Korea could also object to shifting goals, as the U.S. had agreed to "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" in the joint statement after the Singapore summit on June 12, 2018, but now speaks of "complete?denuclearization of North Korea" in the Quad joint statement. Actually, the Moon administration might consider the change in the U.S. stand unnecessary as there in no tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea at the moment anyway.



Four, by mentioning the abduction issue of Japanese citizens by North Korea in the joint statement of the Quad, the U.S. apparently has unnecessarily connected an emotional issue with the already complex issue of North Korean denuclearization.



The abduction issue is a five-decade-old issue between Japan and North Korea and part of it has already been resolved. Raising the abduction issue, which is largely an emotive one, on par with North Korean denuclearization appears unreasonable.



Five, even though India has had continuous diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is also ready to contribute positively in the process of North Korean denuclearization, New Delhi's role remains limited. Expecting much from the involvement of Australia is very strange as it does not have even an embassy in North Korea or vice versa.



Six, it is true that the Biden administration's North Korea policy is still in the making and we should not overanalyze the joint statement of the Quad on the issues of North Korea's denuclearization or abduction of Japanese citizens.



However, it indicates that, rather than the U.S., it was Japan which called the shots and was able to connect the abductee issue with the denuclearization issue through the joint statement. Japan wanted to do so in the past also and made requests to Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in before almost every summit they had with the North Korean leader.



It was considered myopic on the part of Japan to raise an emotive domestic issue and complicate the denuclearization issue. It was even alleged that it was basically an attempt of Japan to derail the engagements with North Korea as Japan was marginalized in the process.



Seven, it is also possible that by overtly mentioning the North Korean denuclearization issue in the joint statement of the Quad leaders, the U.S. wants to push South Korea to join the Indo-Pacific strategy which has been avoided by the Moon Jae-in administration so far.



In conclusion, it could be said that whatever the context and motive of the mentioning the North Korean denuclearization issue in the Quad joint statement, it appears that the Biden administration has been inching toward moving backward by connecting denuclearization with other issues and rather than taking a proactive lead in resolution of the issue, trying to have a broad but ineffective network which may look good but its utility would be limited.



Sandip Kumar Mishra (sandipmishra10@gmail.com) is an associate professor at the Centre for East Asian Studies, the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.


Cannabis plants grow in the greenhouse at Vireo Healths medical marijuana cultivation facility in Johnstown, New York. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana on Wednesday, making New York the 16th state to do so. Cuomo signed the bill a day after it passed in the State Legislature. Parts of the law went into effect immediately, as the New York Times explains:

Individuals are now allowed to possess up to three ounces of cannabis for recreational purposes or 24 grams of concentrated forms of the drug, such as oils.

New Yorkers are permitted to smoke cannabis in public wherever smoking tobacco is allowed, though localities and a new state agency could create regulations to more strictly control smoking cannabis in public. Smoking cannabis, however, is not permitted in schools, workplaces or inside a car.

Other changes will go into effect in the coming months when officials create the regulatory framework that will govern every aspect of a brand new, highly regulated market.

The long-awaited legislation legalizes recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over. In addition to permitting the possession of up to three ounces for personal use, it allows adults to grow three mature and three immature plants at a time, and legalizes the sale of weed with a 13 percent sales tax  which the state expects will raise $350 million in tax revenue every year, in addition to providing some 60,000 jobs. New York residents will be able to smoke weed in public wherever cigarette smoking is allowed.

Crucially, the legislation also expunges the criminal records of people convicted of marijuana-related offenses. 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 color across our state, and to use the economic windfall of legalization to help heal and repair those same communities, the bills Senate sponsor, Liz Krueger, said in a press release.

Of the sales tax revenue, 9 percent will go to the state  of which 40 percent will go to fund education, 40 percent will go to support communities of color that have suffered the most from the war on drugs, and 20 percent will go to fund anti-addiction efforts. The other 4 percent of the sales tax will go to local governments. Though cities, towns, and villages will be able to opt out of allowing weed stores in their communities, those that elect to allow them will be entitled to 75 percent of the local share of the sales tax, with the remaining 25 percent going to the county. Applications for licenses to operate marijuana-related businesses run by women and people of color will be prioritized under the new law.

The law will also allow those who have sold marijuana illegally in the past to have a chance to gain a legal sales license, while limiting the permits for large multi-state marijuana companies already operating medical dispensaries in New York to four additional stores, two of which must be in underserved communities.

This is a historic day in New York, one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, embraces an industry that will grow the Empire States economy, and prioritizes marginalized communities so those that have suffered the most will be the first to reap the benefits, Cuomo said in a statement.

This post has been updated.
Myanmar: Rubbish piled up on the streets of Myanmars main city on Tuesday (March 30) after activists launched a "garbage strike" to oppose military rule as the toll of pro-democracy protesters killed by the security forces since a February 1 coup rose to more than 500.

Out of 14 civilians killed on Monday, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said at least eight were in the South Dagon district of the biggest city, Yangon.

Security forces in the area fired a heavier calibre weapon than usual on Monday (March 29) towards protesters crouching behind a barricade of sandbags, witnesses said. It was not immediately clear what weapon it was but it was believed to be some type of grenade launcher.

State television said security forces used "riot weapons" to disperse a crowd of "violent terrorist people" who were destroying a pavement and one man was wounded.

A South Dagon resident said on Tuesday security forces had been cracking down in the area overnight, raising concern for more casualties." There was shooting all night," said the resident who declined to be identified.

Residents found a badly burned body on a street in the morning, the resident said, adding it was not known what had happened to the person and the military took the body away.

Police and a junta spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Myanmars generals to stop the killings and repression of demonstrations.

In a new tactic, protesters sought to step up a civil disobedience campaign by asking residents to leave garbage at main road intersections.

"This garbage strike is a strike to oppose the junta," read a poster on social media. "Everyone can join." Pictures posted on social media showed piles of rubbish building up in Yangon.

The campaign comes in defiance of calls issued via loudspeakers in some neighbourhoods of Yangon on Monday urging residents to dispose of garbage properly.

UNACCEPTABLE

At least 510 civilians had been killed in nearly two months of opposition to the ouster of an elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and the return of military rule after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy, according to a tally by the AAPP advocacy group.

The total killed on Saturday, the bloodiest day of the protests, had risen to 141, its figures showed.

One of the main groups behind the protests, the General Strike Committee of Nationalities, called on Monday in an open letter for ethnic minority forces to help those standing up to the "unfair oppression" of the military.

In a sign that the call may be gaining more traction, three groups - the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Arakan Army (AA) and Taang National Liberation Army - called in a joint statement on Tuesday for the military to stop killing protesters and resolve political issues.

If not, they said they would cooperate with all ethnic groups "who are joining Myanmar`s spring revolution" to defend themselves.

"This kind of brutal killing of innocent civilians is unacceptable," AA spokesman Khine Thu Kha told Reuters in an audio message.

Insurgents from different ethnic groups have battled the central government for decades for greater autonomy. Though many groups have agreed to ceasefires, fighting has flared in recent days between the army and forces in both the east and north.

Heavy clashes erupted on the weekend near the Thai border between the army and fighters from Myanmar`s oldest ethnic minority force, the Karen National Union (KNU), which has also denounced the coup.

About 3,000 villagers fled to Thailand when military jets bombed a KNU area after a KNU force overran an army outpost and killed 10 soldiers, an activist group and media said.

Thai authorities denied accounts by activist groups that more than 2,000 refugees had been forced back, but a Thai official said it was government policy for the army to block them at the border and deny access to outside aid groups.

Myanmar`s military has for decades justified its grip on power by saying it is the only institution capable of preserving national unity. It seized power saying that November elections won by Suu Kyi`s party were fraudulent, an assertion dismissed by the election commission.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the United States was suspending all trade engagement with Myanmar until the return of a democratically elected government.

But foreign criticism and Western sanctions have failed to sway the generals and Suu Kyi remains in detention at an undisclosed location and many other figures in her party are also in custody.

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The City of Milan joins the MITN Purchasing Group Registered vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information.

The City of Milan has officially joined the MITN Purchasing Group, one of BidNets regional e-procurement solutions, providing vendors throughout Michigan easy online access its upcoming solicitations. The City of Milan invites all vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn.

The regional purchasing group connects local governments with vendors looking to do business with public agencies. On the MITN Purchasing Group, vendors seeking business with nearly 250 participating agencies can register online to gain access to a single point of entry for opportunities throughout Michigan. By posting upcoming bids and RFPs on the MITN Purchasing Group, the City of Milan ensures an entire community of vendors can view their solicitation, download documents, and receive notification of addenda. The vendors self-register and ensure their contact information is up to date.

Because we arent the only agency posting and distributing bids, the MITN Purchasing Group provides the City of Milan more vendor competition, which we hope will help cut costs. said Stan Kirton, Director of Public Works of the City of Milan when asked why their department decided to join the MITN Purchasing Group. We also like that it can help our current vendors expand their business opportunities.

The City of Milan invites all local vendors to visit http://www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn and register to receive access to its upcoming solicitations as well as the upcoming bids and RFPs from 245 other public agencies participating on the MITN Purchasing Group. Registered vendors have the option to upgrade their service to receive customized bid alerts, notification of term contract expiration, and notification of a real-time addendum.

About the City of Milan:

In Milan, we have approximately 6,000 residents who enjoy tree lined streets, a charming historic downtown, beautiful parks, safe neighborhoods and great schools. These are just the first impressions of what makes the City of Milan the best city for anyone looking for a great community to buy a home, open a business, raise a family and pursue a wonderful small town life experience.

About BidNet Direct:

BidNet Direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. BidNet Direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the MITN Purchasing Group, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers
To understand how body cameras can improve policing, picture a domestic disturbance, a call for help that Winnipeg police attend an average of 44 times a day. Body cameras affixed to arriving officers record the immediate details of the conflict, such as injuries and witness statements, while the clash is still fresh and accounts are more likely to be accurate. If the officers are later accused of racism or unnecessary violence, data from the cameras are available.

To understand how body cameras can improve policing, picture a domestic disturbance, a call for help that Winnipeg police attend an average of 44 times a day. Body cameras affixed to arriving officers record the immediate details of the conflict, such as injuries and witness statements, while the clash is still fresh and accounts are more likely to be accurate. If the officers are later accused of racism or unnecessary violence, data from the cameras are available.

Such outcomes will be possible if Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth gets his way. Winnipeg Police Board chair Markus Chambers asked Smyth last Friday to explore the idea, and the chief said he will prepare a pitch that will be part of the citys 2022 budget talks.

It would be unrealistic to tout body cameras as a magic-wand solution to the considerable problems that currently plague relations between Winnipeg police and some demographic groups, particularly citizens who are Indigenous or Black.

Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth will prepare a pitch for officer-worn body cameras as part of the citys 2022 budget talks. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press files)

The use of such cameras has been well researched, including major studies  one by the University of Toronto, another out of Washington, D.C.  that evaluated experiments in dozens of police jurisdictions. They found police didnt change their use-of-force strategies when they knew their actions were being recorded, so violent incidents didnt decrease.

But more encouragingly, some studies found the cameras make police accountabililty more transparent. Video evidence can provide a relatively objective account in disputes between arresting officers and citizens who say they were abused physically or verbally. Such evidence would be welcome in cases that go to court or to Manitobas Independent Investigation Unit.

Body cameras can also be valuable as a training tool to help police analyze potential problems during interactions with citizens. In the same way professional athletes study game film, officers with access to body-camera footage can unpack troubling encounters and think of ways to improve.

Its not the first time police body cameras have been promoted in Winnipeg. Coun. Kevin Klein tried last September to raise the issue, but his proposal didnt make it past the committee stage. A pilot project was promised in 2015 and then scrapped a year later for budget reasons.

The push is more important this time around, however, because public trust in Winnipeg police seems to have hit rock bottom. Local protests last summer against police brutality attracted thousands of people, and about 63,000 people have signed a petition to defund and abolish the Winnipeg Police Service.

Its not the first time police body cameras have been promoted in Winnipeg. Coun. Kevin Klein tried last September to raise the issue, but his proposal didnt make it past the committee stage. A pilot project was promised in 2015 and then scrapped a year later for budget reasons.

This lack of public confidence is partly because the IIU, which was initiated in 2015 to improve accountability, has turned out to be a weak watchdog, with only 23 of 81 accused officers fully co-operating with the bodys investigations.

Improved IIU oversight is another way in which body cameras can help. Even if officers continue to stand on their right to decline to speak to the IIU, video from their mandatory cameras would be available.

The stumbling block to outfitting WPS officers with the cameras is expected to be the cost. Last year, police estimated such a system could cost up to $10 million to implement for roughly 1,350 officers, although other cities have found systems that are less expensive.

Whats more alarming than the pricetag, however, is the cost of doing nothing. Only 34 per cent of Manitobans "strongly trust" police, according to a Statistics Canada survey last November.

Council should approve a pilot project to test the cameras. Theyre not a quick fix, but they can be a useful diagnostic tool to identify policing problems, a necessary step toward restoring trust in the WPS badge.
Homegrown carrier SpiceJet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New York-based Avenue Capital Group for financing, acquisition and sale and lease-back of 50 new planes. The MoU sets out the next steps and conditions upon which Avenue, as part of the deal, will assist with placing SpiceJet's new aircraft portfolio. It includes sale and lease-back of and also the assumption of ownership of potentially up to 50 of these aircraft.

Avenue Capital Group specialises in the field of aircraft leasing and has identified the new planes to be ordered by SpiceJet as a unique opportunity for investment.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, "We are delighted to enter into this strategic alliance with Avenue Capital Group and we look forward to closely working with them. This alliance will ensure a seamless induction of the planes in our fleet and help us plan better for the long term."

Besides, the no-frills carrier has said it will add 66 new flights, including additional services on certain routes, in its domestic network from this week. These new flights, which will be operated with Boeing 737s and regional jet Bombardier Q400s, are aimed at augmenting connectivity between metro and non-metro cities as part of its enhanced network.

Also read: SpiceJet to include 66 new flights in domestic network

Also read: Canadian aircraft maker De Havilland wins $43 million claim against SpiceJet
FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 file photo, a worker completes an electric car ID.3 body at the assembly line during a press tour at the plant of the German manufacturer Volkswagen AG (VW) in Zwickau, eastern Germany. Volkswagen plans six large battery factories in Europe by 2030 so it sell more electric cars while driving down battery prices and making electric mobility more affordable, an effort that would reduce dependence on Asian suppliers and help the company compete with newcomer Tesla. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, file)
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the signs for Easter are looking positive as she revealed the decision on whether the greater Brisbane lockdown would be extended would be announced at 9am on Thursday.

The state recorded three new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours - two acquired locally and one detected in hotel quarantine.

The locally acquired cases were linked to the COVID-19 ward at Princess Alexandra Hospital, a nurse who had received her first vaccine dose and her roommate.

The nurse was infected by a returned traveller from India. The person infected another nurse, who passed the virus onto a group of women who had attended a bachelorette party at Byron Bay.
The NDP has hung on to its lead provincially and overtaken the governing Progressive Conservatives in vote-rich Winnipeg, including battleground constituencies and Tory strongholds.

The NDP has hung on to its lead provincially and overtaken the governing Progressive Conservatives in vote-rich Winnipeg, including battleground constituencies and Tory strongholds.

Not since the "heyday" of premier Gary Doer has the NDP led in the polls throughout the entire city, says Probe president Scott MacKay about the firm's latest survey.

"If there were an election tomorrow, the Tories would be thrown out of office," the pollster said Tuesday.

The oppositions lead over the PCs provincewide has expanded to six percentage points, with 42 per cent of Manitobans saying if an election were held tomorrow, they'd vote for or were leaning towards a vote for the NDP, compared with 36 per cent who'd vote PC. The survey of 1,000 adults in Manitoba was conducted from March 10 to 26.

"It's the beginning of a trend," said MacKay. In December, for the first time since the 2016 provincial election, the NDP led the PCs in the province.

An earlier Probe survey conducted from Nov. 24 to Dec. 4 showed the NDP ahead of the Pallister government by five percentage points. In Winnipeg, where many election campaigns are won or lost, the NDP pulled even further ahead. The opposition party's advantage over the PCs has grown to 22 points from its 16-point lead in December.

Click to Expand The Probe Research Inc. survey of a random and representative sampling of 1,000 adults in Manitoba was conducted from March 10 to 26. The survey results are plus or minus 3.1 percentage points of what they would've been if the entire adult population had been surveyed with 95 per cent certainty. The number of undecided voters in Manitoba rose from 11 per cent in December to 17 per cent in March, which Probe president Scott MacKay said isn't significant when an election is a year or more out.

The latest polling numbers indicate that the strong Winnipeg showing by the NDP in December was not a "blip," said Christopher Adams, adjunct political studies professor at the University of Manitoba. In fact, the NDP pulled even further ahead.

"It really shows in Winnipeg the (Progressive) Conservatives are continuing to decline," Adams said.

The party has dropped from 32 per cent support in Winnipeg in September, to 30 per cent in December, to 27 per cent in March. With the city and surrounding area home to the majority of the population  and 32 of the legislature's 57 seats  the NDP would have a majority if an election were held tomorrow, said Adams.

Among rural Manitoba voters, the PCs  who usually win rural seats by huge majorities  have 50 per cent support compared with 32 per cent for the NDP. But winning all the races outside Winnipeg and its bedroom communities can only get the Tories 25 of the 57 seats.

The NDP's growing citywide lead in the polls  including places where Tories would traditionally lead - the southwest, southeast and parts of northeast Winnipeg  hasn't been seen in more than a decade, said MacKay.

"I think we would have to go back to the heydays of the Doer government  to the elections of 2003 and 2007  when they won so handily," MacKay said.

"The battles really are won or lost in the city," said MacKay. "These urban and suburban Tories should be worried." While the Tories have an 18-point lead in rural constituencies, "the city is not working for them, these days," he said.

Women are the other reason the NDP is surging ahead of the PCs, figures Adams.

"In survey data across Canada, people have noticed that women are more sensitive to social and community issues," the political studies professor said. "There's more of a tendency to be concerned with social and community issues in a pandemic," he said. "Women are more sensitive to schools, what's happening in seniors homes and losing jobs disproportionately (compared to men)," Adams said.

In Manitoba, 48 per cent of women support the NDP compared to 26 per cent of women who'd likely vote PC.

The fate of the NDP in Manitoba and Saskatchewan is tied to female voters, said Adams. If the NDP has the support of women, the party takes power.

"When that advantage disappears, the NDP lose," he said. In the 2016 election, when he beat NDP premier Greg Selinger, Brian Pallister "softened his image in the media," Adams observed. The PC leader, who wore sweaters as he campaigned outside hospitals and schools, won the election. Support from women has withered since the PCs formed government five years ago.

When asked to comment on the latest Probe poll results Tuesday, the government's director of media relations declined.

Opposition NDP Leader Wab Kinew said he thinks the PC government's handling of COVID-19 is a big reason Manitobans are leaning toward the NDP.

"I think people across the province looked at the government during the pandemic and found a lot of mistakes and a lot of the wrong priorities being emphasized by the PCs," Kinew told the Free Press Tuesday.

"I think that we focus on a lot of issues that matter to people across the province  health care, education, hydro  the stuff we're focusing on is relevant to those folks." The NDP leader said he doesn't want to "downplay" or "over-exaggerate" poll results.

"The reality is we have a ton of work to do as the NDP to form the next government."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
A new team of pioneering pancreatic cancer researchers has been formed to predict which treatments might work best for individual pancreatic cancer patients based on the molecular traits of tumors. The Pancreatic Cancer Convergence Dream Team is funded by the Pancreatic Cancer Collective, an initiative of the Lustgarten Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), SU2C Canada and Pancreatic Cancer Canada.

The team will be led by Jennifer Knox, MD, the Lewitt Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, part of University Health Network, and professor of medicine at the University of Toronto in Canada, and Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, a professor of oncology and deputy director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.

This team's cutting-edge work to better understand the makeup of pancreatic cancers will benefit tens of thousands of cancer patients in the United States and around the world. Pancreatic Cancer Collective-supported research has already contributed to a 2013 FDA approval of a combination therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer; the work of this Dream Team is an important next step in determining if that treatment, or another leading treatment, will work best for different pancreatic cancer subtypes." Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, Chair, SU2C Scientific Advisory Committee, Co-Chair, SU2C Canada Scientific Advisory Committee and Institute Professor, David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in both the United States and Canada and is exceptionally difficult to treat. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is around 10% in the United States and 8% in Canada. Additionally, Black people in the U.S. and Canada are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than whites. In the U.S., the incidence of pancreatic cancer is 19% higher in Black men compared to white men, and 36% higher in Black women compared to white women. The Dream Team hopes to address this disparity by making recruitment of diverse patients a top priority in their research.

The Dream Team recently opened a phase II clinical trial entitled Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Signature Stratification for Treatment (PASS-01) Trial looking more closely at the two leading treatments for advanced pancreatic cancer. One of those treatments is Modified FOLFIRINOX, which is a combination of four chemotherapy drugs. The other treatment is a combination of chemotherapy drugs gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved that treatment in 2013 based, in part, on the work of a previous SU2C Pancreatic Dream Team, which was a part of the Pancreatic Cancer Collective portfolio.

The two treatments are helpful for some pancreatic cancer patients but have little effect for other patients. The goal of the PASS-01 trial is to uncover more about how the two treatments work. Currently, precision medicine for pancreatic cancer patients includes a comprehensive evaluation of the tumor's genomic profile. But, doctors still don't know enough about the different types of pancreatic cancer to determine whether either treatment will help an individual patient, and if so, which treatment might work best. Building on the findings from a pancreatic cancer clinical trial conducted by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research--which also is a collaborator on the PASS-01 trial--potential predictors of patient response to chemotherapy will be further tested by Knox and Jaffee and their Dream Team colleagues. They also hope the trial will help them learn more about biomarkers within patients' tumors. Their goal is to be able to identify specific biomarkers that indicate whether a pancreatic cancer will respond better to one treatment versus the other.

At the same time, the clinical trial will explore another promising method in fighting pancreatic cancer by uncovering the unique characteristics of individual patients' tumors. Collaborators at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Cold Spring, New York, will create patient-derived organoids (PDOs) from biopsies of trial participants' tumors. The miniature 3-D structures are grown in lab dishes from tiny bits of tumors taken from patients. Scientists then see how the PDOs react to different types of cancer drugs. This work may lead to more effective individualized treatments for pancreatic cancer.

"We have brought together some of the finest pancreatic cancer researchers in North America; the time is right to dig in much deeper to help understand pancreatic cancer," Knox said. "We need to stop assuming one size fits all and instead advance the field by gaining a better understanding of every tumor. We believe our work can help doctors treat patients optimally today while providing a better understanding of this deadly disease into the near future."

"There is a critical need to identify ways that medicine can better treat pancreatic cancers," Jaffee said. "We believe by identifying and learning more about these biomarkers, we can help make that happen. We can give patients more hope that their cancers can be treated effectively."

"Personalized medicine has been a game changer in the treatment of many other cancers and this trial is a significant step toward offering this type of individualized care to metastatic pancreatic cancer patients," said David Tuveson, MD, PhD, chief scientist for the Lustgarten Foundation and director of the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Lab at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory where pancreatic cancer organoids were co-developed. "The international partnership between these organizations is a great example of collaboration between labs to help physicians make faster, better informed decisions in efforts to provide patients with better outcomes."

Knox and Jaffee have already begun enrolling clinical trial participants at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Johns Hopkins. The team hopes to enroll 150 patients in the trial, with four additional locations throughout the United States and Canada opening soon, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, Northwell Health in Long Island, Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and BC Cancer in Vancouver, B.C.
China stealing tech, talent due to trade war: Taiwan

Taiwan has long worried about Beijing's efforts to copy its technology success, through fair means or foul. Image: Shutterstock

The China-US trade war is pushing Beijing to step up its efforts to steal technology and poach talent from Taiwan to boost the mainland's semiconductor industry's self-sufficiency, the government of the tech-powerhouse island said on Wednesday.



Washington has taken aim at China's tech industry during the bitter trade dispute, putting sanctions on firms including telecoms equipment giant Huawei Technologies, saying they are a threat to national security.



Taiwan is home to a thriving and world-leading chip industry, and the government has long worried about Beijing's efforts to copy that success, through fair means or foul.



Speaking at a parliamentary committee meeting on how to respond to the "red supply chain", Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua said the trade war had created new risks.



"Affected by the US-China technology war, the development of China's semiconductor industry has been obstructed, but they are still committed to the industry's development," she said.



"In order to achieve self-sufficiency in the supply chain, poaching and infiltration are the quickest way for China to do this," Wang added.



Taiwan's chip workers have deep experience and speak the same language, meaning they are a "natural target for poaching China has latched onto", she added.



Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Hu Mu-yuan, deputy head of Taiwan's National Security Bureau, said Beijing's efforts were a threat to not just Taiwan, but also Japan and South Korea, threatening global trade and fair competition.



"Moreover, the Chinese communists are stealing other countries' intellectual property to boost their own power," he added.



Taiwan has strict laws to try and prevent this from happening, but officials have warned that Beijing tries to skirt them by setting up front companies on the island, using Taiwanese headhunters and other methods.



"Preventing Taiwan's key technology and high-tech personnel from being infiltrated by the 'red supply chain' has become an important task to protect our industry's competitiveness and ensure our economic security," Hu said. (Reuters)
ZURICH (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday recommended against using generic anti-parasite drug ivermectin in patients with COVID-19 except for clinical trials, because of a lack of data demonstrating its benefits.

The recommendation follows the European Medicines Agency's warning last week against the drug. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also recommended it not be used for COVID-19.

Officials in the Bolivian city of Trinidad launched a campaign in May last year to give out free doses of ivermectin to combat the coronavirus, although the South American country's health ministry noted the lack of evidence for it as a treatment.

Ivermectin tablets have been approved for treating some worm infestations and for veterinary use in animals for parasites. Merck, an ivermectin manufacturer, has also said its analysis did not support the drug's safety and efficacy for COVID-19.

"This applies to patients with COVID-19 of any disease severity," Janet Diaz, a top WHO official for clinical care response, told reporters of the WHO recommendation, saying it was "based on very low certainty of evidence" that ivermectin helps.

The WHO's review was based on a survey of 16 trials of ivermectin involving 2,400 people, including those comparing it with hydroxychloroquine, an older malaria medicine that has been discredited as a COVID-19 treatment. There were very few placebo-controlled studies of ivermectin.

"We certainly need more data in order to make informed decisions," said Bram Rochwerg, an associate professor at Canada's McMaster University and a co-chair of the WHO panel that reviewed ivermectin.

He said the data available was sparse and likely based on chance, though he said "high quality, trustworthy trials" were still merited.

"We did see an increase in adverse effects in patients that were randomised to ivermectin," he said, citing gastrointestinal upsets and headaches.

Story continues

Worldwide, he said, there are 66 trials of ivermectin registered, with 60,000 participants, so more data on its impact on the pandemic could be coming.

"We are fighting this overuse of unproven therapies - especially some of these repurposed drugs - in various parts of world without evidence of efficacy," Diaz said. "There can be more harm than any good."

(Reporting by John Miller in Zurich and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; Editing by Nick Macfie)
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature

Latin America

Argentine oilseed workers threaten new strike if company reneges on promises

Oilseed workers union SOEA has threatened to carry out new protest actions at key Rosario, Argentina crushing and export facilities Buyatti if management fail to fulfill key demands made by a group of sacked workers.

The threat followed the shutdown by Buyatti of its crushing facilities in Puerto San Martin, dismissing 84 workers.

Earlier this month, SOEA had carried out blockades at grain export facilities across the San Lorenzo hub. The actions were suspended after talks with the Argentine labour ministry began.

At that time, the union had agreed it would suspend protest actions after it agreed to schedule talks for March 29. At the meeting SOEA and government representatives agreed to continue with additional talks after a ruling by the national labour ministry that confirmed that management would be expected to pay full compensation to the workers it sacked.

However, in that meeting SOEA representatives and government officials agreed to continue additional talks in the week ahead, bolstered by a ruling from the national labor ministry that confirmed the crusher was expected to pay full compensation to dismissed workers.

Chile copper mine up for sale

The Chilean private equity fund Mineria Activa is putting its Pampa Camarones mine in Arica y Parinacota region in the countrys far north up for sale.

According to a report in daily Diario Financiero, the company decided to sell the open pit copper mine earlier this year. There are at least 10 firms that are interested.

The sale is expected to be completed by the end of the year and a price has not been disclosed.

Pampa Camarones was acquired by Mineria Activa in 2016 after its previous owners declared it bankrupt. The mine was reactivated in 2019 after Japans Mitsu agreed to provide $10 billion in working capital.

Chile supplies about one third of the global supply of copper. Mines have been declared an essential industry during the pandemic and workers forced to remain on the job, where they have suffered massive rates of infection.

United States

San Francisco janitors strike, demanding contract improvements and COVID-19 protections

Some 700 San Francisco janitors carried out a three-day strike starting March 24 demanding COVID-19 protections and increased living standards. The workers are employed by building maintenance services such as AMB Industries and Able Services, and clean 600 buildings, including those of tech giants Google, Facebook and Salesforce.

Service Employees International Union Local 87 has been in negotiations with the San Francisco Maintenance Contractors Association, an employer group, for eight months and have been unable to achieve workers demands for increased wages, sick pay, better health insurance and equipment to guard against the coronavirus, including better ventilation systems the run during their night shifts.

We're still picking up trash without masks or hand sanitizer, Ramiro Rodriguez told Bay City News. The companies give us 1-2 masks every 2-3 months and expect us to ration it out. And while I'm struggling to cover my expenses because my hours have been cut, employers don't want to cover increased costs to our health insurance! Its unacceptable, especially in the middle of a pandemic.

Workers are calling attention to the fact that 26 janitors have died from COVID-19 and are demanding the rehiring of 3,000 janitors who were laid off at the onset of the pandemic.

Steelworkers strike Atchison, Kansas foundry over seniority rights

The 131 Steelworkers at the Bradken Foundry in Atchison, Kansas, launched an unfair labor practices strike March 22 after two months of failed bargaining. United Steelworkers Local 6943 provided few details. President Gregg Welch said the strike was about protecting our seniority rights and keeping our senior people working.

Ken Bean, vice president of operations with Bradken, has sent letters to workers asking them to cross picket lines by either resigning from the union or becoming dues paying members only. The company has indicated it has experienced financial difficulties in the recent period.

Bradken, which is owned by ANI, an Australian-based company with additional operations in China, the United States, England and New Zealand, produces mining equipment, cast iron and steel. In June of 2020, Bradken paid the US Justice Department $10.9 million in a deferred prosecution agreement for providing subpar metal for the construction of US Navy submarines.

Canada

Lockout at Molson Coors in Toronto continues

About 300 production, packaging and warehouse workers at Molson Coors giant Toronto brewery are now in the fifth week of a lockout. The strikers are members of the Canadian Union of Brewery and General Workers, a subsidiary of the National Union of Public and General Employees.

The company has insisted that most workers be moved from a defined benefit pension program to an inferior defined contribution plan based on the vagaries of the stock market. The move is part of a steady drive to greatly increase the number of workers labouring for inferior second-tier wages and benefits. In addition, management seeks to put an end to the eight-hour day and traditional overtime payment provisions.

The company has continued production without its unionized workforce, mobilizing managerial staff. As advertisements for a scab workforce continue to appear in various outlets, it is expected that strikebreakers are also part of production plans should the lockout continue.

The move by the company to impose a new and brutal shift schedule system similar to the much-hated Alternate Work Schedules spreading out in North American and European workplaces has drawn the particular ire of workers. Destroying the hard-fought for principles of the 40-hour work week, the eight-hour day and overtime pay for all work beyond those parameters, management proposes the imposition of a 12-hour work day and 60-hour work week followed by 12-hour shifts for four days the next week and then for 3 days the next week. Those working on weekends can be declined overtime pay.

Just over the past year in the auto plants, Unifor also agreed to the introduction of an alternative work schedule in their new three-year Canadian contracts. This grants the plants management authority to organize shifts as they see fit, and eliminates overtime pay for most work on weekends or beyond the traditional 8-hour workday.
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Direct-to-consumer materials science company improves transparency and efficiency with Centric SMB technology

CAMPBELL, Calif., March 30, 2021 Using technology to drive their Impact agenda, materials science company PANGAIA has selected Centric Softwares Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution for emerging brands, Centric SMB. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to plan, design, develop, source and sell products such as apparel, footwear, sporting goods, furniture, home decor, cosmetics, food & beverage and luxury to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.

The partnership will support PANGAIAs mission to fully-digitize their supply chain, helping to streamline processes, improve communication with suppliers and drive a more circular business model.

As a materials science company, innovation runs through every strand of the PANGAIA business. This has never been truer for our supply chain and the adoption of the Centric SMB solution is supporting our mission to create a fully-digitized product journey, where our products can be responsibly sourced, managed and revalued, all within one platform. Creating efficiencies, greater transparency and improved traceability, this innovation is helping us realize our ambitious vision to become an Earth Positive business by 2023  one which gives back more than it takes.  says Yael Gairola, Chief Operating Officer, PANGAIA.

Centric Software is delighted to partner with PANGAIA and play such an integral part in their Impact strategy, comments Chris Groves, President and CEO of Centric Software. We are excited to start this journey with such a forward-thinking and sustainably-focused company.

PANGAIA (www.thepangaia.com)



PANGAIA is a direct-to-consumer materials science company on a mission to save the environment. A global collective of one heart and many hands  scientists, technologists, designers  they are creating essential products from innovative and bio-engineered materials.







Centric Software (www.centricsoftware.com)

From its headquarters in Silicon Valley, Centric Software provides a Digital Transformation Platform for the most prestigious names in fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor and consumer goods including cosmetics, beauty, food and beverage. Centrics flagship Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform, Centric 8, delivers enterprise-class merchandise planning, product development, sourcing, quality and collection management functionality tailored for fast-moving consumer industries. Centric SMB provides innovative PLM technology and key industry learnings for emerging brands. Centric Visual Innovation Platform (VIP) offers a new fully visual and digital experience for collaboration and decision-making and includes the Centric Buying Board to transform internal buying sessions and maximize retail value and the Centric Concept Board for driving creativity and evolving product concepts. All Centric innovations shorten time to market, boost product innovation and reduce costs.

Centric Software is majority-owned by Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and PLM solutions.

Centric Software has received multiple industry awards and recognition, including being named by Red Herring to its Top 100 Global list in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Centric also received various excellence awards from Frost & Sullivan in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2021.

Centric Software is a registered trademark of Centric Software Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contacts:

Centric Software

Americas: Jennifer Forsythe, jforsythe@centricsoftware.com

EMEA: Kristen Salaun-Batby, ksalaun-batby@centricsoftware.com

APAC: Lily Dong, lily.dong@centricsoftware.com
UTICA, N.Y.  Three teens are facing weapons charges after Utica police found two guns in a vehicle during a traffic stop on March 30.

The Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) unit stopped the vehicle on the 1200 block of Seymour Avenue around 9:45 p.m.

Officers interviewed the three people inside the vehicle, and found cause to do a search.

Two loaded handguns were found, one under the driver's seat and the other under the passenger seat.

Police arrested 19-year-old Quamire Palmer, 18-year-old Kaivon Hamell and a 16-year-old whose name will not be released.

All three were charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.

Police say one of the weapons, a pink SKY 9mm, was stolen out of Georgia, so additional charges are likely.
The trial of former Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd resumed Tuesday morning after an interruption in Mondays live video feed forced Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill to end the session earlier than scheduled.

In this image from video, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill discusses motions before the court Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Court TV via AP, Pool)

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder after he pressed his knee into Floyds neck for more than nine minutes as two other officers held him down. Chauvin faces up to 15 years in prison.

Floyds death on May 25, 2020 sparked mass multiracial protests across the United States and on every continent, demanding justice and an end to police brutality. Video of his killing in broad daylight and in front of a crowd of witnesses went viral online, fueling the protests.

The proceedings are being followed closely throughout the US and internationally, with the full trial being livestreamed online by all the major news networks and online newspapers. Judge Cahill cited limitations due to COVID-19 in making the extraordinary decision to broadcast a trial for the first time in the state of Minnesota.

Donald Williams, a bystander who witnessed the officers pin Floyd against the pavement, resumed his testimony after it had been interrupted by a technical error Monday. Williams said after Floyds limp body was loaded into an ambulance, he called 911 to report a crimewhat Williams said was a murder committed by Chauvin and the other officers.

When asked why he called, Williams said, Because I believe I witnessed a murder. He added, I felt the need to call the police on the police.

Williams again told the court that Chauvin acknowledged him when he said Chauvin was using a blood choke on Floyd. On Monday, Williams, a trained mixed martial arts fighter, explained a blood choke is a form of strangulation that disrupts blood flow to the brain.

Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank showed Williams the infamous image of Chauvin pressing his knee into Floyds neck. In the photo, Chauvin is looking up at the direction of the camera.

This is what I saw, Williams told Frank. The only reason why hes looking at me right now is because I told him it was a blood choke.

The witness described being concerned for his own safety and of those around him. He said he became emotional during the altercation because police were nonresponsive to the objections of himself and other bystanders.

Defense attorney Eric Nelson, who has argued that the scope of events are not relevant to the more than nine minutes Chauvin kneeled on Floyd, sought to portray Williams perspective as limited. Nelson stated Williams had arrived at the scene after officers had already called for an ambulance and stepped up to a more urgent code.

Nelson declared that Williams had no knowledge of the 15 minutes officers interacted with Floyd before he walked over to the incident. Nelson added that Williams did not see the other two officers at the scene and could not hear what they were saying to each other.

Chauvins attorney then attempted to blame witnesses for distracting officers and getting upset as they witnessed Floyd being choked to death. Nelson described Williams as growing angrier as he confronted the officers and quoted an FBI interview in which Williams told agents he really wanted to beat the shit out of the police officers.

Williams admitted to telling that to federal agents but insisted that he was not angry because he felt the situation required him to practice controlled professionalism. He grew frustrated with defense attorney because he focused on Williams use of profanity towards the officers and asked Williams to confirm that he called Chauvin and Officer Tou Thao names, such as tough guy, a real man, bogus and a bum. Williams insisted that he maintained his composure, I stayed in my body. You cant paint me out to be angry.

The next witness was 18-year-old Darnella Frazier, who was not shown on camera because she was a minor when she witnessed what happened between Floyd and officers. Frazier was one of many bystanders who recorded what occurred last May. Her footage is the video which initially went viral on social media.

Frazier told the court she was on the way to the Cup Foods convenience store with her nine-year-old cousin when she saw an officer kneeling on a man. After she saw this, Frazier ushered her cousin inside the store.

She explained that she has stayed up some nights apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and not saving his life. Frazier added that Chauvin was the one who had the ability to save Floyds life and should have.

When prosecutor Jerry Blackwell asked Frazier about the character of the crowd, she said she did not think they were unruly. She stated no one threatened the officers or became violent with them. Frazier said the only violence she witnessed came from police officers at the scene. She described feeling threatened when Chauvin repeatedly reached for his mace as others tried to move closer to help Floyd.

Fraziers young cousin also testified Tuesday morning off camera. I saw an officer put the knee on the neck of George Floyd, she said, referring to Chauvin. The ambulance had to push him off of him. ... They had some guys take him off of him.

When prosecutor Jerry Blackwell asked the girl how she felt about what she saw, she said she was sad and kind of mad because she felt as if Chauvin was stopping Floyds breathing and hurting him.

Alyssa Funari, who recorded three videos of the encounter with her friends phone, also took the stand. Funari told prosecutor Erin Eldridge she stopped to record the incident because what was happening seemed serious. She said Floyd looked like he was fighting to breathe, and knew he would not live if officers continued to pin him down.

Funari stated she saw Chauvin staring at Floyd while he kneeled on him. I saw him put more and more weight on him. I saw his leg lift off the ground, and his hands go in his pocket, she said.

Eldridge played for the court a video Funari took where she can be heard calling out to Chauvin, Why are you kneeing him more? and Hes about to knock out. When asked to explain the statement, Funari said she could see Floyd go unconscious as his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

Nelson attempted to discredit Funaris recollection, pointing out she told prosecutors that she did not see officers check for Floyds pulse but initially told investigators at the scene she had seen officers check for a pulse multiple times. Nelson asked the witness if she was angry, in another attempt to suggest bystanders distracted officers.

Funari said that she was angry but added she did not distract or try to attack officers. I was upset because there was nothing we could do except watch them take a life in front of our eyes.

Her friend, a 17-year-old high school student, told the court she arrived with Funari as bystanders were already asking officers to lift Floyd from the pavement. She also said she heard Floyd struggling to breathe and calling out for his mother.

You could tell he was talking with, like, smallsmaller and smaller breaths, and he would spit a little when he would talk, and he would try and move his head tobecause he was uncomfortable, she said.

The final witness called Tuesday was Genevieve Hansen, 27, a Minneapolis firefighter with EMT certifications. Hansen said she approached the scene because she saw flashing lights and heard people yelling.

I was concerned to see a handcuffed man, who was not moving, with officers with their whole body weight on his back and a crowd that was stressed out, she said.

Hansen said that she recognized Chauvin from a call she responded to the previous day. As Hansen approached, she recalled that Chauvin seemed very comfortable with his weight on Mr. Floyd and had his hand in his pocket.

Hansen said that she was immediately concerned for Floyd because he was not moving, and his face looked swollen. She testified that she could tell Floyd was not conscious because he was not responding to painful stimuli, such as having a knee pressed into his neck. She was not on duty but immediately identified herself as a firefighter because she thought Floyd needed medical attention.

In a video played for the court, Hansen is heard begging officers to check Floyds pulse. She insisted that she was trained to give medical assistance, but officers did not let her intervene at the scene.

There was a man being killed, Hansen testified. I would have been able to provide medical attention to the best of my abilities, and this human was denied that right.

In a recording of a 911 call Hansen made following the incident, she said, I literally watched police officers not take a pulse and not do anything to save a man.

While under cross-examination, Nelson asked Hansen if the crowd of bystanders was angry and upset, expanding on his earlier narrative that the crowd was threatening to officers. Hansen became visibly upset and replied, I dont know if youve seen anybody be killed, but its upsetting.

Nelson tried to poke holes in her testimony, drawing on her own experience as a firefighter to suggest that she should have assumed that police had already called for medical assistance because it was protocol. He also scrutinized Hansens statement that she gave to investigators after Floyds death, leading to an argument breaking out between the pair.

Judge Cahill excused the jury and told Hansen she must answer questions directed at her without arguing with Nelson. Cahill told Hansen to return Wednesday morning, when the trial will continue.
Dundo  The governor of eastern Lunda Norte province, Ernesto Muangala, on Tuesday urged the related bodies to impose stricter environmental supervision in order to avoid pollution, poaching, indiscriminate felling of trees, among other phenomena.

Ernesto Muangala, who was speaking at the swearing in ceremony of the new municipal administrator of Chitato and the director of the Provincial Environment and Solid Waste Management Office, Lazaro Celestino and Claudio Muteba, respectively, said that hard work should be done with mining companies to create joint policies to preserve the environment.

He defended that wood production should be accompanied by a forest replanting process, an action that should have the participation of the companies that exploit this resource.

To this end, he considered it fundamental to carry out increasingly active and permanent supervision, in order to allow loggers to meet their responsibilities.

To the new Chitato municipal administrator, the governor recommended team work and priority to dialogue, in the search for solutions to the problems that affect the communities.

Ernesto Muangala, who was speaking at the swearing in ceremony of the new municipal administrator of Chitato and the director of the Provincial Environment and Solid Waste Management Office, Lazaro Celestino and Claudio Muteba, respectively, said that hard work should be done with mining companies to create joint policies to preserve the environment.

He defended that wood production should be accompanied by a forest replanting process, an action that should have the participation of the companies that exploit this resource.

To this end, he considered it fundamental to carry out increasingly active and permanent supervision, in order to allow loggers to meet their responsibilities.

To the new Chitato municipal administrator, the governor recommended team work and priority to dialogue, in the search for solutions to the problems that affect the communities.
VMware describes VMware Cloud as "a distributed, multi-cloud platform that enables organisations to accelerate application modernisation across the data centre, edge, and any cloud."

This, it says, enables IT to modernise infrastructure and operations with better economics and less risk.

VMware Cloud is initially offered in three components.

VMware Cloud Universal is a flexible subscription plan for VMware multi-cloud infrastructure and management services. Customers purchase credits for VMware's multi-cloud infrastructure and management and apply these credits to deployments of VMware Cloud Foundation on premises, VMware Cloud on AWS, or VMware Cloud on Dell EMC.

VMware Cloud Console provides for the cross-platform monitoring and management environment if VMware Cloud infrastructure.

It delivers end-to-end visibility and control of all VMware Cloud infrastructure across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments, and allows customers to redeem their VMware Cloud Universal credits.

VMware App Navigator helps assess and prioritise app transformation initiatives across an entire application estate based on the value of each app.

Customers work alongside VMware practitioners to rationalise their app portfolio, identify modernisation strategies and environments for different apps based on business and IT goals, and build an outcome-oriented roadmap.

"We are on the cusp of the next evolution of cloud and apps. Architectures are becoming distributed and increasingly multi-cloud, while modern applications will soon outnumber traditional apps. The challenge for any CIO is to take advantage of this new innovation without introducing more complexity and risk," said VMware COO for products and cloud services Raghu Raghuram.

"VMware Cloud is the only cloud solution today that customers can use in the data centre and on any cloud, accelerating their modernisation journey with speed, simplicity, and better security. With VMware Cloud Universal, customers make a single purchase and gain the ability to deploy apps across any environment, then move them as business or application requirements change."

According to a VMware survey, 90% of app initiatives are focused on modernisation, and 80% of app deployments are distributed across data centre, cloud, and edge.

VMware Cloud supports deployments to VMware Cloud Foundation across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud, VMware Cloud on Dell EMC, and hundreds of VMware Cloud Verified partners.

"AWS is VMware's preferred public cloud provider for vSphere-based workloads, and VMware Cloud on AWS is the preferred service from AWS for vSphere-based workloads," said AWS vice president of sales and marketing Matt Garman.

"Customers love how fast and easy it is to adopt a VMware-based hybrid environment that spans their on-premises data centres and AWS. We are seeing significant global adoption across all industries from customers who are adopting VMware Cloud on AWS to enable faster application modernisation.

"With this announcement, customers have the ability to use the same VMware Universal Credits towards the deployments of VMware Cloud on AWS as well as VMware on premises."

Dell Technologies global infrastructure solutions group president Arthur Lewis said "Dell Technologies and VMware are committed to driving the future of IT infrastructure through deep collaboration.

"VMware Cloud on Dell EMC is a fully managed, secure and scalable cloud platform that provides all the benefits of on-premises infrastructure, delivered as-a-Service. For customers who prefer to manage their private cloud infrastructure, we offer a portfolio of solutions tightly integrated with VMware Cloud Foundation. VMware Cloud Universal simplifies the choice by enabling customers to invest in hybrid and multi-cloud solutions while maintaining flexibility in deployment."

VMware Cloud Universal is available immediately in all English-speaking countries and regions.

VMware Cloud Foundation Subscription is only available through VMware Cloud Universal.

Convertibility of VMware Cloud Foundation Subscription to VMware Cloud on AWS and VMware Cloud on Dell EMC is expected to be available in a month or so.

VMware Cloud Console and VMware App Navigator are available immediately.
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.

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Catholic Bishop known for LGBT advocacy comes out in support of the Equality Act

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A Catholic bishop has joined a growing list of Christians who've come out in support of the Equality Act, a sweeping legislative initiative recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bishop John Stowe of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, long criticized by conservative Catholics for his stance on LGBT issues, sent a letter to the top senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which was obtained by the Jesuit publication America magazine.

Addressing his letter to Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Stowe proclaimed that, As a Catholic bishop, I hate to see any form of hateful discrimination protected by law and it is consistent with our teaching to ensure that LGBTQ people have the protection they need.

In the letter, Stowe asserted, LGBTQ people reflect the image and likeness of God, just as anyone else, and so it is our duty to love and defend them. He also expressed gratitude for the many LGBTQ Catholics who serve and lead their communities with distinction, adding, Their perseverance, their grace, and devotion to the common good has made Catholic communities holier and has edified our nation.

Stowes view of the Equality Act is widely divergent from the opinion held by the majority of U.S. Catholic bishops, who believe that the bill represents a grave threat to religious liberty and religious Americans in general.

On Feb. 23, just before the House voted to approve the Equality Act on a largely party-line vote, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote a letter to members of the House and Senate outlining their concerns.

The Equality Act purports to protect people experiencing same-sex attraction or gender discordance from discrimination. But instead, the bill represents the imposition by Congress of novel and divisive viewpoints regarding gender on individuals and organizations. This includes dismissing sexual difference and falsely presenting gender as only a social construct, they wrote.

Rather than affirm human dignity in ways that meaningfully exceed existing practical protections, the Equality Act would discriminate against people of faith, they warned. It would also inflict numerous legal and social harms on Americans of any faith or none.

The bishops listed provisions of the Equality Act they took issue with, expressing concern that it would punish faith-based charities such as shelters and foster care agencies, and in turn their thousands of beneficiaries, simply because of their beliefs on marriage and sexuality and force both people and organizations in many everyday life and work settings to speak or act in support of gender transitions, including healthcare workers and licensed counselors, even when its against their professional judgment.

Additionally, they predicted that the Equality Act would exclude people from the careers and livelihoods they love, just for maintaining the truth of their beliefs on marriage and sexuality and discriminate against individuals and religious organizations based on their different beliefs by partially repealing the bipartisan Religious Freedom Restoration Act, an unprecedented departure from law and one of Americas founding principles.

The bishops also worried that the Equality Act would force girls and women to compete against boys and men for limited opportunities in school sports, and to share locker rooms and shower spaces with biological males who claim to identify as women.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, one of the five bishops who signed the letter, along with the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Religious Liberty, expanded on the implications of the Equality Act in a March 16 op-ed for The Public Discourse.

According to Dolan, the Equality Act expands the meaning of public accommodations, meaning that if a church has a banquet hall that it rents out for events and refuses to host a reception for a same-sex wedding ceremony, it would be engaging in discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The Equality Act also sneaks in an abortion mandate by defining sex to include pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition  a phrase that courts have interpreted to include abortion, he continued. With this trick, the Act can effectively say that refusing to perform an abortion constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex.

The Catholic Church teaches that while LGBT people must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, like all human beings, homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.

The Vatican recently doubled down on this teaching by releasing a statement of its own affirming that God cannot bless sin, and therefore, the Catholic Church cannot endorse same-sex marriages.

Stowe is not the only religious leader to buck the national trend and express support for The Equality Act.

As the progressive think-tank the Center for American Progress reported, more than 100 faith groups have endorsed the Equality Act. Sister Simone Campbell, an outspoken progressive Catholic nun, Maine-based Rabbi Jared Saks, Muslim Advocates Public Advocacy Director Scott Simpson and Yvette Flunder, the presiding bishop at the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries were listed among the legislations supporters.

According to the Center for American Progress, more than 17,000 religious leaders and people of faith have endorsed the Equality Act. Following its passage by the House, Campbell and other members of the Faith for Equality Coalition presented Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., with a compilation of statements supporting the legislation.

A vote on the Equality Act has yet to take place in the Senate, where it has encountered unanimous opposition from the chambers 50 Republican senators as well as Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., leaving it short of the required support for passage.

A group of congressional Republicans and faith leaders have rallied behind The Fairness For All Act, billed as an alternative to the Equality Act that would enshrine protections for the LGBT community into law while enabling religious organizations to abide by their traditional beliefs about marriage and sexuality.

In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee spearheaded by the AND Campaign, a progressive civic engagement organization that highlights the voices of urban Christians, along with a group of black pastors, faith leaders and other prominent Christians, echoed many of the concerns shared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The signatories proclaimed that the Equality Act would remove many of the basic rights that allow religious institutions to operate according to the tenets of their faith and allow LGBT rights to be used as a sword against faith institutions rather than a shield to protect the vulnerable.
Katie Price has confirmed that she's had her twelfth boob job.

The television personality - who first went under the knife in 1998 - revealed that when she visited her favourite surgeon in Belgium at the end of last year, it was the twelfth time she'd had her breasts altered.

Katie, 42, first told her fans about the procedure last October, explaining that it was to correct previously 'botched' work done in Turkey.

Busty: Katie Price has confirmed that she's had her twelfth boob job

Katie visited BeClinic in Belgium to have Dr Frank Plovier - the Brussels surgeon behind much her cosmetic work - leave her with 1,050cc implants.

Katie told The Sun: 'I had my boobs done in Turkey and they looked deformed, they were absolutely awful.'

'That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic. His first words were: "What the f*** have they done?"

'I did it when I came out of the Priory - they're just so much better. I didn't get an infection or anything.

Natural beauty: The television personality first went under the knife in 1998 (Pictured in 1996)

New look: Katie first told her fans about the procedure last October, explaining that it was to correct previously 'botched' work done in Turkey

The glamour model insisted she's 'so pleased' with her latest results and asserted that she has full confidence in Frank.

MailOnline has contacted Katie Price's representatives for comment.

Speaking last October, as she sat in the car during the drive to a surprise trip away with beau Carl Woods, Katie said: 'I just thought I'd give you some info, some secret info, what will be coming out on my YouTube soon.

'Last year I had my boobs done abroad and basically one of my boobs looked deformed so yet again I went back to the B Clinic, Dr Plovier.

Always changing: Katie has now had 12 boob jobs in total as well as multiple other cosmetic surgeries (Pictured left in 2011; Pictured right in 2017)

'And don't know why I went anywhere else when he's done an amazing job before on my boobs and he's the one who look after me during my Big Brother stint so he's rectified it [the deformed shape] and my boobs look absolutely amazing now.'

The mother-of-five lavished her surgeon with praise, saying his clinic was 'absolutely amazing' and recommending him to her followers.

Signing off from her video, Katie said: 'I hope you look forward to seeing my drama again - that ends with a happy ending.'

Taking to Instagram, Katie again posted about her boob job, adding that her breasts now look 'the best EVER' and she 'will have a body of my dreams finally'.

So happy: Katie said her breasts now look 'the best EVER' and she 'will have a body of my dreams finally'

She wrote: 'I did this message last night to let you know that after having my boobs done about a couple of years ago they went wrong and looked deformed!

'I went back to @beclinic_brussels who I originally go to for surgery and thank god in the recent months he re did my boobs and they are the best EVER! I will have a body of my dreams finally!'

Katie has previously spoken about how she risked sepsis during her time in the Big Brother house because her breast implant was 'hanging out' of her.

The former glamour model went on to win the 2015 version of Celebrity Big Brother however her success was tainted by her painful breast implant.
When Miami Beach declared a state of emergency recently due to spring break partyers who overwhelmed the city, Notre Dame dHaiti Catholic Church was providing about fifteen hundred meals on Friday night for people in their neighborhood who might not have enough to eat. The story was so significant that it was reported in the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is back in the news. Last December, they raised millions of dollars to help churches, charity groups, and individuals, including giving one needy family a car and money to buy a house. This was part of their culture code of generosity by which they set aside ten percent of their income to help those in need. Now they have donated more than two hundred MacBook laptops to high school seniors and staff at a school in their area.

And a church in West Virginia has responded to the escalating drug abuse crisis of our day by opening an addiction recovery house. David Stauffer, lead pastor of Gateway Christian Church in Saint Albans, was called to serve on a grand jury a few years ago. He recalled that around forty-eight of the fifty cases presented in just a few days were drug related. I was convicted in that courtroom, he told the Christian Post. His churchs recovery house is one response.

American church membership falls below 50 percent

According to Gallup, the proportion of Americans who consider themselves members of a church, synagogue, or mosque has fallen below 50 percent for the first time since Gallup first asked the question in 1937. At that time, church membership was 73 percent.

Heres the other side of the story: as author Glenn T. Stanton notes, church attendance is at an all-time high, both in raw numbers and as a percentage of the population. Baylor University sociologist Rodney Stark reports that the percentage of Americans who attend a local church has grown from 17 percent in 1776 to 69 percent today. And Baylor scholar Byron Johnson adds that theologically conservative denominations (evangelical churches, Pentecostal churches, and especially non-denominational churches) are not in decline but are alive and well.

Dr. Johnsons point is especially relevant to todays Daily Article. Many of the churches and denominations that are in decline track and prioritize membership; many that are experiencing growth measure success in other ways. Many do not keep membership rolls, and they are reaching people in nontraditional ways such as weekday services, outreach events, and community ministries.

We can define success by numbers on membership rolls or by members engaged in spiritual growth and cultural transformation. The two are not exclusive, of course. But if we must choose, we should choose the latter.

Why Jesus wanted a silent Wednesday

Jesus illustrated our point powerfully on this day of Holy Week. The gospels record no activities on this Wednesday. As best we can tell, he spent the day with his disciples at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany, a village two miles east of Jerusalem.

Solitude with his Father was Jesus consistent pattern, from early in the morning (Mark 1:35) to evening (Matthew 14:23) and through the night (Luke 6:12). Writing on this subject, I noted that Jesus knew he needed what only his Father could supply. If he needed his Father to guide and empower him, how much more do we?

Heres an observation I would add today: Jesus not only needed intimacy with his Father, he wanted intimacy with his Father.

He spent time with his Father because he wanted to speak with him, listen to him, and commune with him. His spiritual life was driven not just by what he needed from his Father but by who he knew his Father to bea God of infinite love (1 John 4:8), power (Psalm 147:5), wisdom (Romans 11:33), mercy (Ephesians 2:4), and unconditional grace (Romans 5:8).

We need to spend time with people for transactional reasonswe need their help, support, forgiveness, or guidance. We want to spend time with people for transformational reasonswe want to be with them and to become more like them.

"He it is that bears much fruit"

A transformational relationship with our Father empowers us to feed the hungry, meet the needs of students, and minister to drug addicts. It drives us to measure success by spiritual growth and cultural transformation more than by membership rolls in institutional churches.

On this Silent Wednesday, lets accept Jesus invitation to abide in him (John 15:4) by spending time alone with him in his word, worship, and world. Lets claim his promise that whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit (v. 5a). Lets remember his warning that apart from me you can do nothing (v. 5b).

John Donne testified: I count all that part of my life lost which I spent not in communion with God or in doing good. As we have learned today, the first leads inevitably to the second.

When was the last time you prayed, read Gods word, and spent time in worship because you needed something from Godhis forgiveness, guidance, or help?

When was the last time you prayed, read Gods word, and spent time in worship because you wanted simply to be with your Father?

Why not today?

Publication date: March 31, 2021

Photo courtesy: Amaury Gutierrez/Unsplash

For more from the Denison Forum, please visit www.denisonforum.org.

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MIDDLETOWN  Environment, clean energy and community activists submitted comments Friday to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in opposition to its tentative approval of air permits for a Middletown fossil fuel power plant.

The current Middletown Repowering owner, NRG, is pursuing air permits for a new turbine, which will be allowed to emit up to 1 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere per year  a net increase of 891,701 tons per year above the existing facility, according to a press release from the Sierra Club.

That is equal to 13 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from current power generation in Connecticut, it said.

For context, this level of pollution will be the equivalent of introducing almost 175,000 cars to the road in one year, the Sierra Club said.

At the Middletown generating facility, NRG plans to replace two nearly 70-year-old power generators with one lower emitting, state-of-the-art fast-start generator that is capable of being converted to operate on renewable hydrogen fuel in the future, NRG Energy communications specialist Veronica Adamcik said.

Repowering with new, more flexible technology will result in significantly lower emissions while supporting increased use of renewable energy resources like wind and solar in Connecticut, she said. NRG appreciates the importance of community and being good stewards in providing safe, affordable, and reliable power to Connecticut.

DEEPs tentative approval was issued despite Gov. Lamonts calling for 100 percent zero-carbon electricity by 2040 and the states Global Warming Solutions Act, mandating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of 45 percent below 2001 levels by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050, the news release said.

We have a climate emergency on our hands, and siting this new turbine would be irresponsible and put the people who are already suffering from high rates of asthma and other health issues even more at risk, Middletown resident Rebecca MacLachlan said in a prepared statement.

We should be exploring and supporting renewable energy at this point and not supporting antiquated fossil-fuel generation any longer, MacLachlan said.

DEEP has also approved all of the permits requested for a proposed new gas plant in Killingly, the Killingly Energy Center, according to the Sierra Club. Additionally, DEEP is requiring ratepayer funded subsidies for 900 miles of new gas pipelines and infrastructure within the state.

Instead of cleaning Connecticut's energy grid in a way that is supported by state residents, these actions lock customers into climate-destroying fracked gas precisely when the state should be planning to transition customers off of dirty fuels, the press release said.

First it was Killingly. Now it is Middletown. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection continues to greenlight additional unnecessary fracked gas generation and increased carbon emissions, polluting our communities and speeding up the climate crisis, Samantha Dynowski, state director of Sierra Club Connecticut, said in the statement.

Governor Lamont must direct his environmental and energy protection agency to halt new fossil fuel infrastructure if he is serious about acting on climate and protecting our state, she said.
Elon Musk is inviting people to relocate to Starbase or on Greater Brownsville Texas and work for SpaceX as the company is hiring for more personnel to work on its projects and soon ventures focused on space travel. Musk teases Starbase to be a home that has renewable energy sources, along with the state soon having a Boring Loop tunnel project.

Elon Musk Starbase: SpaceX Needs Engineers, Other Personnel

On Tuesday, March 30, the multi-company CEO released in a series of tweets that SpaceX is hiring for additional employees to focus on its upcoming ventures and activities that would all be intended for its forthcoming projects in the future. Alongside this, Musk said via Twitter (@elonmusk) that Starbase would also be a good place to relocate in conjunction with the job offer.

Please consider moving to Starbase or greater Brownsville/South Padre area in Texas & encourage friends to do so!



SpaceXs hiring needs for engineers, technicians, builders & essential support personnel of all kinds are growing rapidly.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 30, 2021

Apart from engineers, SpaceX is also searching for technicians, builders, and additional support personnel that would be essential for the work to be done, particularly with the focus of the company in the coming years. SpaceX is known to be aiming for its Mars mission within the decade that would be using the Stainless Steel spacecraft known as the Starship.

Musk teased that Starbase is an upcoming city in the Lone Star state, featuring renewable home energy sources that come from the nearby wind-power farm, soon paired with Tesla's Solar Roof project. Additionally, Musk mentioned that Starbase would grow to thousands of people residing within the area, in the coming years.

Read Also: 'Genshin Impact' Windsong Lyre Challenges Guide-How to Unlock Songs, Complete the Challenges

The Boring Company Loop Tunnel

On the other hand, a fan asked about the possibility of having The Boring Company work on a loop tunnel project for Starbase and South Padre Island towards Texas' Brownsville International Airport. The question was directed to Musk, who is also the CEO of the company.

I sure hope so!  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 30, 2021

Here, Musk said that he "sure hopes so" for this project to come through, meaning that this is a venture that The Boring Company has already planned on, or is aiming to accomplish in the coming years. The latest venture for the tunnel-digging company was the Austin loop, which is hundreds of miles away from the said venture.

SpaceX All-Civilian Crew

The SpaceX Inspiration4 Mission which would historically have an all-civilian crew on its upcoming flight has also named the two final members of the team after the initial two were named months ago. According to NBC Today, Chris Sembroski, a 41-year-old retired Air Force Pilot and Lockheed Martin employee was selected, alongside entrepreneur and pilot, Dr. Sian Proctor to complete the team.

They would join the initially selected cancer survivor Hayley Arcenaux who is 29-years-old, with the CEO of Shift4, mission leader, and main benefactor of the trip, Jared Isaacman. They would be boarding SpaceX's spacecraft, which would venture to the skies along with four civilians on the mission to experience cosmic flight.

Related Article: SpaceX Starship Prototype SN11 that was Successfully Launched Last Week was Destroyed During Landing

This article is owned by Tech Times





Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Sir Keir Starmer has entered the row over Boris Johnson's flat refurbishment to demand a formal probe into whether he should face criminal proceedings.

In a major development, lawyers acting for Labour wrote to the electoral watchdog accusing the Prime Minister of attempting to 'conceal' donations for the work.

It comes after the Daily Mail revealed details of the lavish redecoration of the Downing Street apartment shared by the PM and his fiancee Carrie Symonds.

Sir Keir Starmer has entered the row over Boris Johnson's flat refurbishment to demand a formal probe into whether he should face criminal proceedings

In the letter to the Electoral Commission, Labour's lawyers wrote: 'The sequence of events outlined both in this letter and elsewhere merit a full and detailed investigation including whether the facts as you are able to establish warrant criminal proceedings.'

The revamp at No11 by upmarket designer Lulu Lytle is said to have cost six figures and included gold wall coverings.

Sir Keir's intervention will ramp up the pressure on No10 to publish details of 'secret' payments for the redesign.

The letter  sent by lawyers for Labour's democracy spokesman Cat Smith  calls on the commission to begin a formal investigation.The watchdog is currently probing a secret 60,000 payment for the makeover to determine whether it broke the rules. This does not constitute a formal investigation. But Labour's lawyers argue the case meets the Commission's requirements to begin one.

In the letter, they refer to a 60,000 payment from the Tory Party for the work, and a secret reimbursement to the party for the same amount from donor Lord Brownlow.

The money does not appear in the list of political donations published by the Commission or in Mr Johnson's Commons register of interests.

The lawyers said they were concerned he may have tried to 'conceal' the true donor by arranging for the Tory Party to pay the amount. The law states donations must be reported to the relevant authority within a month, the lawyers added.

'There would appear to be a prima facie breach in the Prime Minister having failed to report the donation within the requisite statutory time limit as the funds appear to have been paid several months ago, and as we understand it no report has been made by him,' they said. Mr Johnson still had an obligation to declare the donation by Lord Brownlow if it had been made through the party, they added.

The revamp at No11 by upmarket designer Lulu Lytle is said to have cost six figures and included gold wall coverings

The Labour letter went on: 'We are concerned there appears to have been an attempt to conceal the true donor of the funds by arranging for the Conservative Party to pay for the substantial part of the refurbishment.'

It said: 'The reports from several reliable media sources regarding an issue that is very likely to be of great concern to the general public mean that this is a clearly appropriate case where the Electoral Commission ought to use its statutory powers to investigate further.'

The Commission has asked Tory chairman Ben Elliot to explain if the party has complied with electoral rules. He and Mr Johnson deny impropriety. A spokesman for the Commission said it would respond to the letter in due course. A Conservative spokesman said: 'Party funds are not being used to pay for any refurbishment to the Downing Street estate.'
BEND, Ore.  A coffee shop in Bend faces more than $27,000 in fines from Oregon OSHA for "willful" violations of the state's coronavirus restrictions, the agency said on Tuesday.

OSHA launched an investigation of Kevista Coffee back after "multiple complaints," reporting that the shop opened up indoor dining on December 3 when Deschutes County was under Extreme Risk restrictions.

"During the inspection, the owners of Kevista  Krista and Kevin Lauinger  said they chose to re-open the coffee shop even though they were aware that it went against workplace health requirements," OSHA said.

Businesses that knowingly flout state COVID-19 restrictions have been hit with large fines, particularly since the beginning of the year. A Salem fitness center received a fine of more than $126,000 in January, and two restaurants in Florence were each fined at least $17,800 in February.

In Kevista's case, Oregon OSHA administrator Michael Wood imposed a $26,700 penalty for the willful violation  three times the usual minimum penalty. In addition, Kevista was fined $385 for failing to develop an infection control plan, and another $385 for not conducting a COVID-19 risk assessment.

Through engagement and education, weve helped many employers understand and follow on-the-job health and safety rules during the pandemic. And most employers have chosen  and continue to choose  doing the right thing as we work to defeat this disease in Oregon, Wood said. As for the vocal few who insist on defying standards and putting their workers at risk, we will continue to bring our enforcement tools to bear.

OSHA said that Kevista was fined $8,900 back in July of 2020 for failing to implement face coverings.

"Ongoing refusals to correct violations and come into compliance with workplace health and safety standards can lead to additional higher penalties," the agency said. "Meanwhile, if an Oregon OSHA inspection documents violations while a county is at extreme risk, but the countys risk level drops before the citation is issued, the citation will still be issued. The change in risk levels may affect how the violation needs to be corrected, but not whether it is cited."

Employers fined by Oregon OSHA have 30 days to appeal a citation.
If you're planning a Hawaiian vacation soon and hope to rent a car to get around, you might want to think again. With much of the Aloha State easing its travel restrictions, visitor numbers  and rental car prices  are skyrocketing.

During the pandemic, rental car companies were forced to sell vehicles and thin out their fleets when a lack of visitors left them with nowhere to park all of the unused cars. Now that visitors have returned  and done so quite quickly  the companies that usually service them have been left with a much smaller inventory than usual.

Some companies in Honolulu had only large vans for $500 a day and convertibles for $1,000 a day or more, Hawaii News Now reported on Monday. On Maui, another tourist hot spot, the cheapest available rental car was $722 a day. According to the Associated Press, rental car fees on Kauai are still under $100 per day, but some suspect that's because the island still has stricter quarantine and testing rules in place until April 5.

Some locals say the rise in visitors is already reminiscent of pre-pandemic days.

"It feels like we went back to 110 mph just in the last couple of weeks," Lindsey Dymond, owner of Kalapawai Cafe, told Hawaii News Now. "I was over here at the Kailua town location over the weekend on Saturday, and it looked like Kailua from 2019."

Beyond increased rental car prices and traffic that Dymond described as a "nightmare," the sudden rise in visitors to Hawaii has also caused a spike in COVID-19 cases in some areas, like Maui.

After police had to shut down an illegal concert on Maui, Mayor Mike Victorino issued a stern warning to visitors.

"You see these people on the beach back here, they're visitors and they're not wearing masks," he said, Hawaii News Now reported. "I tell you right now, as far as I'm concerned if you can't obey our rules, don't come if you can't wear a mask or do what is right."

Story continues

He added, "I don't care if you come from Texas, I don't care if you come from Mississippi, or any state that doesn't require it. Here in Hawaii and Maui County, it is a mandate."

According to Hawaii News Now, Maui saw more than 25,000 visitors last Friday to Sunday alone.

Jessica Poitevien is a Travel + Leisure contributor currently based in South Florida, but she's always on the lookout for her next adventure. Besides traveling, she loves baking, talking to strangers, and taking long walks on the beach. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
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Tourism Malaysia pledged partnership for the second consecutive time at the second edition of the virtual Gulf Travel Show on March 31 and April 1 as diamond partners.

Tourism Malaysia has its own pavilion with 13 booths consisting Tourism Malaysia Dubai, Tourism Malaysia Jeddah, Tourism Malaysia India with three DMC/Tour Operator partners and seven hotels and resorts from different areas in the country. This platform will allow them to share the necessary precautions that they have implemented to ensure the safety of all travellers that will come when the borders open.

Manoharan Periasamy, Senior Director of International Promotion Asia & Africa Division  Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, said: The India and Middle East market has been a key source market for us mainly due to the historical and traditional ties we have with them. Summer has always been a key Middle East market driver as we receive many travellers during this period whilst the month of May is the peak for Indian tourists. Over the past year, the pandemic however did hinder the situation, but now we are preparing once again to welcome our friends from India and the Middle East to a safer destination which would provide them what they require in terms of a secure, family friendly holiday escape."

"Our partnership for the second consecutive time with the virtual event Gulf Travel Show provides us the opportunity to renew partnerships and seek new connections that will help us when the time is right, he said.

Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia  Dubai, shared: Tourism Malaysia Dubai, Jeddah & India join forces with major tourism partners to spearhead Malaysia promotion in the virtual Gulf Travel Show 2021. Tourism Malaysia has become the Diamond partner in GTS 2021 to further communicate the Malaysia Truly Asia brand to the travel industry fraternity in the Mena and India markets. This time we are planning to showcase Malaysia with our 10 selected tourism partners who will engaged with Middle East & India potential buyers during the two-day virtual show. This a great opportunity for us to interact with the industry players and plan for the New Normal once Malaysia opens its borders to welcome tourists. For this year, we are promoting the hashtag #WeMissYou to the market indicating that we miss the tourists coming to our beautiful country and can't wait to see them again at the Malaysian shore soon.

Travel agents visiting Tourism Malaysia Pavilion in GTS 2021 two-day virtual event will enter a lucky draw with many prizes for hotel stays and holiday packages in Malaysia. As GTS 2021 Diamond partner, Tourism Malaysia also conducted an interactive virtual press conference on March 31 morning for 77 registered media from Middle East and India, who participated and got the opportunity to ask questions to Tourism Malaysia officials. - TradeArabia News Service
A man charged with the serious assault of his former partner has had his case adjourned to June 1 for sentencing following a lengthy hearing last week.

Lee Goodchild, 2 Auburn Village, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at a sitting of Longford Circuit Court, which was held in Mullingar last Wednesday.

He was charged with punching his partner, causing bruising around her left eye. It is also alleged that Mr Goodchild chewed the injured partys lip, causing a laceration to the left side of her mouth.

The court heard that Mr Goodchild accepted he had punched his former partner but he denied allegations of chewing her lip.

The injured party told the court last week that, on May 13, 2020, she and Mr Goodchild were having a few drinks in the sitting room of her Ardnacassa home when Mr Goodchild became aggressive towards her about her family.

My brother and my family didnt like him and he started talking about what he would do to them. I tried to get him to stop and he started getting aggressive with me for standing up for my family, the woman explained.

He grabbed me by the throat and pushed me down on the couch. I got him off me by agreeing with him and I managed to calm the situation down.

Ten minutes later, I said I was going to the toilet but I went to bed because I was tired. I fell asleep but I was woken up by punches to the head. He had me by the hair with one hand and was punching me in the head with the other, she continued.

He had his two knees pinning me to the bed and I started screaming and crying. Thats when he choked me. He was mocking me because I was crying.

He grabbed me by the hair on the two sides of my head and leaned down and grabbed my lip with his teeth. He pulled like a dog. Thats the only way I can describe it. It was like being attacked by a dog. I thought that was it. I thought I wasnt going to get out of this. He put his hand around my neck and he choked me until I passed out.

The whole incident took approximately 15 minutes, the court heard, with the victim losing consciousness for a time.

I woke up and I was all bloody. He said how does it feel to nearly die? I could take your life very easily. He stopped and lay down in the bed and I waited for ages, shaking, said the woman.

He shouted at me to stop crying. I waited until he fell asleep and I ran downstairs. I couldnt open the front door because I was in a panic, so I went into the sitting room and theres a big window, so I climbed out of that and I ran to the neighbours house.

The woman explained that she knocked on her neighbours door but got no answer. She ran to the next house and got no answer. There was a light on in a house around the corner, she added, and a girl looked out the window.

She asked the woman to call the guards and said they came very quickly but couldnt tell prosecuting barrister, Shane Geraghty, what time it was.

Two gardai arrived and brought me to the garda station and rang an ambulance. I was taken to Mullingar Hospital and had to have a brain scan because there was a lump at the back of my head and I was dizzy, the injured party explained.

I was given painkillers and anti-nausea pills because I was being sick. I was released the next evening at about five or six oclock.

The hospital arranged for a taxi to bring me from the hospital to the station to make a statement.

Ms Suzanne Dooner, Bl, for the defence, noted that Gda David Buckley and Gda Ian McEntee arrived at Ardnacassa at 2.30am and that the injured party had told Gda Buckley she had been struck in the face with a fist.

You made no reference to Mr Goodchild kneeling on you, said Ms Dooner.

Thats because it wasnt a full statement. I just wanted to get out of the estate, so I wasnt giving a full account, said the injured party.

Today you said he grabbed you by the throat in the sitting room but that wasnt in your initial statement, said Ms Dooner.

He had assaulted me that many times but this was the most serious. But every time he drank, he lashed out in some way, said the woman.

You gave the doctor an account two hours later. Do you recall? asked Ms Dooner.

The injured party said she didnt remember because she wasnt feeling well at the time. Ms Dooner explained that the hospital records kept by the doctor at 4.43am stated that the woman was brought to the hospital in an ambulance after an assault from her boyfriend who she said had punched her in the cheek and choked her, but that there was no mention of him biting her lip.

It was clear to see that there was no way a punch could cut my lip like that. I still have a jagged scar on my face which couldnt come from a fist, the woman insisted.

You did not tell the doctor that he chewed your face. You also said he choked you, which is a different account to the one you gave to Gda Buckley, said Ms Dooner.

You attended the garda station the next day and gave a very colourful account of a ferocious attack, she added.

A true account, the injured party insisted.

I have to put it to you that if this was all true, youd have told Gda Buckley, said Ms Dooner.

No, my priority wasnt to get Lee Goodchild in trouble, it was to get to safety, the woman replied.

You didnt tell the doctor about him chewing your lip, which is evidence that you fabricated it, Ms Dooner insisted before noting that the photographs of the attack showed no evidence of teeth marks.

On June 20, the victim made a statement of withdrawal at Longford Garda Station but Mr Geraghty noted to the court that she said she didnt want to go through with it, not that she lied.

Garda David Buckley, when giving evidence, confirmed that he and Gda McEntee had arrived at Ardnacassa and found the injured party in a dishevelled state on the footpath.

She was visibly upset with bruising to her face and blood from a cut in her lip was streaming down the side of her face into her hair, he said, adding that she was put into the patrol car for her safety and taken to Longford Garda Station where an ambulance was called for.

He confirmed that, when interviewed, Mr Goodchild denied all allegations of assaulting his former partner and that he told gardai he and the injured party had ended their relationship but that she wanted him back and that he went to her house to talk.

Mr Goodchilds clothing was seized by gardai for the purpose of obtaining possible DNA samples to prove that he had assaulted the injured party.

However, Ms Dooner noted, the clothing had never been sent, despite Gda Buckley stating that he had been told they were sent off for examination.

The doctor who attended to the injured party when she presented at the hospital confirmed that the patient had alleged an assault by her boyfriend who punched her and tried to strangle or choke her.

Her injuries were swelling on the left side of her face and a laceration on her lower lip to the left side. She was kept in for observation. A CT scan of the brain and facial bones was carried out and there were no abnormalities, he said.

Under questioning from Ms Dooner, the doctor confirmed that alcohol had been taken and that the injured party had not mentioned that Mr Goodchild had latched onto her lip.

Judge Keenan Johnson noted that the medical reports would be useful in this case and adjourned the case overnight to Tullamore Circuit Court where those reports were made available to him.

In his direct evidence at Tullamore Circuit Court last Thursday, Mr Goodchild said that on May 13, 2020, the date of the assault, he and the victim had an argument over issues in the relationship after a feed of drink and drugs.

He admitted grabbing the woman and hitting her a punch in the face, adding that she fell and got up and after five or 10 minutes of them both sitting on the couch he carried her to the bed and went into the next room.

When it was put to him by Ms Dooner that the injured party had said he had knelt on top of her he said he did not know what to say about that.

He denied that he chewed on her face and asked why he would stay in the house until 11am the following morning if he had done that.

I thought when I first woke up with the hangover I had I was disgusted with myself for hitting her the way I did hit her, he said.

He said he left that house and walked around Longford for a few hours and by the time he was interviewed by the gardai he had been on a five-day bender and had drink and drugs in him when he was being questioned.

Cross-examined by Mr Geraghty, Mr Goodchild agreed that when questioned he denied punching the woman and he admitted telling a series of lies to the gardai.

If I didn't have alcohol and drugs in my system I would have admitted to hitting her, he said.

While he admitted the punch, he insisted that he had not bitten her on the lip: I'm pleading guilty to hitting her a punch because that's what happened.

Summing up the case, Judge Johnson said that the fact the accused lied consistently to gardai put a question over his credibility.

He said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the injuries sustained by the woman were inflicted on her by the accused.

They consisted of a punch to the face in addition to a bite injury to her lower lip and sentence will be dealt with on that basis, he said.

He also noted that, from the medical records on her admission it is quite clear that not alone on one occasion but on two occasions she advised the hospital authorities that she had been bitten by the accused.

Adjourning sentence to June 1, Judge Johnson ordered a probation report, a prison governor's report and analysis of the accused's urine.

Mr Goodchild remains in Castlerea Prison.
Doggie doo in the White House?

One of President Joe Bidens dogs apparently deposited the pile of poo in the hallway outside the Diplomatic Reception Room, just off the South Lawn, on Wednesday.

Reporters accompanying Jill Biden on an upcoming trip to California spotted the brown stuff on the red-carpeted hallway as they waited just inside the mansion to be escorted to the first ladys motorcade.

It was unclear which pooch  Major or Champ  dropped the poo.

Earlier this week, Major, the younger dog, was involved in his second biting incident in March.

President Joe Biden's dog Major was spotted playing on the White House lawn this morning after biting a second person this week, sparking calls for him to be euthanized.

Major, a 3-year-old rescue, was kept on a leash as aides took him and his brother Champ out onto the White House South Lawn for a walk on Wednesday morning. Either Major or Champ pooped inside the White House, thought it is currently unclear

The dog pooped in the hallway outside the Diplomatic Reception Room, just off the South Lawn, on Wednesday

Major appeared on the South Lawn on Wednesday morning - two days after he bit a National Park Service employee

Major, a 3-year-old rescue, was kept on a leash as aides took him and his brother Champ out onto the White House South Lawn for a walk.

It came a day after it was revealed Major had nipped a second person in the space of a month.

After the first incident in early March that involved a Secret Service agent, Major and his sibling Champ were whisked back to Biden's home in Delaware.

The two dogs had only just returned to the White House last week before Monday's second biting incident occurred.

The First Lady's press secretary, Michael LaRosa, revealed that Major had 'nipped someone while on a walk' on Monday, adding that the dog 'is still adjusting to his new surroundings'.

The person, a National Park Service employee, was treated by the White House Medical Unit 'out of an abundance of caution' and returned to work without injury.

Major had been seen by reporters on a walk around the South Lawn before Biden and First Lady Jill traveled to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial early Monday evening.

It came three weeks after the first biting incident, which occurred on March 8, when a Secret Service agent suffered a minor injury.

Major and Champ, who is 12, were immediately moved to the Bidens' Delaware home after the incident with the president saying the pup was undergoing training.

The second incident sparked calls for Major to be euthanized.

Among them was MSNBC's Joe Scarborough who, on his show Morning Joe on Tuesday, repeatedly suggested Major be sent to 'dog Jesus'.

Others on Twitter said they would be forced to put down their dogs if the animals bit even one person.

Major, a 3-year-old rescue, was kept on a leash as aides took him and his brother Champ, 12, out onto the White House South Lawn for a walk

The two dogs had only just returned to the White House last week before Monday's second biting incident occurred

One aide could be seen carrying a towel as he followed Major on the South Lawn

Major's sibling Champ spent much of his time lying on the grass as they spent time on the South Lawn

Following the first incident, Biden disputed the idea that the pup had been banished away after the incident.

He said the dogs went to Wilmington because the first couple was going to be out of town.

'I didn't banish him to home. Jill was going to be away for four days. I was going to be away for two, so we took him home,' Biden said at the time.

The dogs met the Bidens two weekends ago at Camp David in Maryland and came back to Washington on March 21.

Last week, one of the two German shepherds waited on the balcony of the White House as Marine One landed on the South Lawn, having ferried the president back from a speech in Columbus, Ohio.

'The dogs will come and go and it will not be uncommon for them to head back to Delaware on occasion as the president and first lady often do as well,' said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

The president adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Society in 2018 after serving as vice president under former President Barack Obama.

Biden's other dog Champ is an old Washington hand having joined the family in 2008 when Biden was elected vice president.
How many times have you heard your children cry Thats not fair!, in response to a perceived injustice? There are many situations that can arise where children feel hard done by. An older sibling is allowed a privilege that they are not. A younger sibling is allowed to behave in a way they feel they would be pulled up for. Someone else in the family gets a treat that your son or daughter didnt receive.

I can imagine that you may have let a similar cry when you heard stories like the Beacon Hospital arranging to vaccinate teachers in what is reported to be the school that the CEOs children attend. Or similarly when you hear about the way nations hog vaccine supply, leaving others, especially developing countries, short. You may even have felt that jolt of injustice if you heard about friends or neighbours ignoring some of the restrictions that you are sticking by.

Children seem to have an in-built sense of justice and it can underlie a lot of sibling rivalry. Children, from an early age, can hate what they perceive to be inequality, and, in my experience, it really shows itself between the ages of seven and 14. During this period of their lives, children love to grapple with concepts like good and bad, justice, fairness and equity.

Children of this age love that games have rules and are insistent that the rules are applied evenly to everyone. They can often be really upset if someone cheats (even though, ironically, they may be willing to cheat themselves in order to avoid the disappointment of losing).

You may have found yourself, eyes in line with the countertop as you fill various beakers with juice, trying to ensure that they are all level and all equal. Sometimes sharing out a pizza can require surgical precision as every segment you cut might be scrutinised.

Most of us will have tried to demonstrate equality in how we treat our children. The examples I just gave are easy ways to ensure everyone gets an equal share. When it comes to our love, our time and our attention, however, we are rarely equal in how we distribute them.

It is often our childrens perception of an inequality in the allocation of time or attention that leads to frustration or enmity towards siblings. If a child feels like they are more often the one to be in trouble, or the one who gets less, generally, in most situations, they may feel cross with you. Rather than show it directly to you (for fear of further perceived rejection) they may be more likely to take it out on the brother or sister that they will hold to be equally responsible for taking you away, or being too good and making them look bad.

Many parents might recognise this dynamic, or one like it, yet oftentimes they feel powerless to shift it. You might feel, for example, that you treat all of your children the same, and it may even be infuriating that they dont seem to see that! If, however, you were to examine your own relationship with your children, you would probably find that you actually treat them all differently.

You dont treat them differently because you are a bad parent. In fact, you treat them differently because you recognise that they have different needs. Sometimes these needs are based on their age and stage of development, and sometimes their needs are greater or lesser because of a huge range of circumstantial and environmental factors (like how they are doing at school, with friends, their mood, their energy levels, their hunger, tiredness, etc.).

As a consequence, parents differentiate, pragmatically, in dealing with their children. The key is not to be equal, but to be fair. The difficulty, however, is that children dont always understand the rationale for why we treat them differently.

To bring it back to the Beacon Hospital situation, the teachers do have an equal right to be vaccinated, along with everyone. However, what wasnt fair was that someone decided they should skip the queue and that the sequence for distribution of vaccines didnt need to apply to them. It is the unfairness, and lack of rationale, that rankles with the general population, just as any unfairness that you show as a parent will rankle with your children.

So, if your children do complain to you about being unfair in how you treat them, or their siblings, it is always worth looking at what you have been doing. It is possible that you have been unfair, or it may have been the case that you had to respond differently as they had different needs. Rather than trying to explain to your children that you are being fair, perhaps admit that you do treat them differently and explain why it is the case that you do that.

In my experience, children appreciate when we admit that we treat them differently and are subsequently much more open to understanding why this is the case. But if you are sharing out the pizza, it might just be easier to measure carefully!
Former Episcopal bishop punished for not allowing gay marriages in diocese leaves denomination

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A bishop of The Episcopal Church who was punished for refusing to allow the blessing of same-sex marriages in his diocese has decided to leave the mainline Protestant denomination.

William H. Love, former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, was disciplined last year for refusing to enforce a church resolution mandating the blessing of gay marriages in every diocese, including those previously opposed to the practice.

In a statement released Wednesday, Love explained that he was leaving the Episcopal Church effective April 2 and planning to join the Anglican Church in North America, a more theologically conservative denomination.

As a cradle Episcopalian (with nearly 30 years of ordained ministry as a deacon, priest and bishop), that was not an easy decision, but given all that has transpired these past couple of years and the constraints placed upon me as a theologically conservative and orthodox bishop within TEC, I believe it is the right decision, wrote Love.

It is my hope and plan to be received into the Anglican Church in North America in the very near future, at which time all the details of what I will be doing and where I will be serving will be shared in a separate announcement.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, leader of the denomination, released a statement in response to the announcement, explaining that he had granted Love's request.

Without specifically mentioning the issue of same-sex marriage, Curry went on to argue that his belief was that as a church we are called, as Jesus once said, to be a house of prayer for all people, where, as my slave ancestors used to sing, there is plenty good room for all of Gods children.

That conviction is not based on a social theory or capitulation to the ways of the culture. Rather, it is born of my belief that the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross are the ultimate sign of the very love of God reaching out to embrace and welcome us all, stated Curry.

To believe that is to commit to Gods work of creating what some have called the beloved community. It is to pray not only with our lips but with our lives, as Jesus taught when he said, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

In July 2018, the Episcopal Church General Convention passed Resolution B012, which mandated that all dioceses must bless same-sex unions  despite being in conflict with the biblical standard of marriage  even ones where leadership objects.

While the resolution allowed clergy to refuse to perform same-sex weddings, it also required bishops who oppose gay marriage rites to let another bishop provide pastoral support for the same-sex couple as well as clergy for the ceremony.

In addition to the Diocese of Albany, the resolution impacted the dioceses of Dallas, Texas, North Dakota, Springfield, Illinois, Tennessee, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Diocese of Florida, and the Diocese of Central Florida.

That November, Love released an open letter stating that he was not going to enforce the resolution in his diocese, stating that he believed Jesus Christ is calling the Church to have the courage to speak His Truth in love about homosexual behavior  even though it isn't politically correct.

Sexual relations between two men or two women was never part of God's plan and is a distortion of His design in creation and as such is to be avoided, stated Love in the 2018 letter.

To engage in sexual intimacy outside of marriage between a man and women, is against God's will and therefore sinful and needs to be repented of, NOT encouraged or told it is ok.

In January 2019, Presiding Bishop Curry officially restricted Loves ministry and last October, a disciplinary panel concluded that Love had violated canon law by opposing the resolution.

The Title IV Hearing Panel, created to focus on issues of ecclesiastical discipline when a member of clergy is accused of misconduct, released a unanimous opinion at the time finding Love guilty.

Loves actions in issuing a Pastoral Direction to his clergy that they refrain from performing same-sex marriages violated the Discipline and Worship of the Church as Bishop Love promised in his ordinal vows. His actions, therefore, constitute a breach of Canon IV.3.2(a), ruled the panel last October.

The panel added that Resolution B012 allowed for bishops and clergy who oppose same-sex marriage to be exempted from blessing such unions, as long as a replacement could be found.

Importantly, an accommodation is offered to diocesan bishops who oppose same-sex marriage to invite another bishop into the diocese to provide pastoral support for same-sex couples who seek to be able to utilize the rites in their local congregation or worshipping community, continued the panel.
As Gov. Phil Murphy prepares to face the voters this November for a second term. a Stockton University Poll released Wednesday said that nearly 6 in 10 New Jerseyans approved of the job he was doing in office.

Murphys approval rating stood at 58% with 36% disapproving, according to the poll. It was Murphys highest rating ever in the Stockton poll. It was also the first poll on his job performance released this year.

While the poll did not specifically ask the question, John Froonjian, executive director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University, attributed the high poll rating to Murphys handing of the coronavirus pandemic.

Crises give leaders a chance to show their chops, Froonjian said. Theres a sense that people got that when the chips were down, he stood tall and did what he had to do.

Murphys stewardship hasnt been without controversy. His administration has faced criticism for how the pandemic hit nursing homes in the state especially hard, as well as big problems with the states unemployment system and the operation of Motor Vehicle Services offices. In addition, small businesses criticized Murphys actions to shut down the state in the pandemics initial phase and how his administration responded afterwards.

Murphy is up for a second term this November. Former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is the frontrunner in the race for the Republican nomination, which also has drawn former Franklin Mayor Brian Levine, pastor Phillip Rizzo, businessman Joseph Rudy Rullo, and businessman Hirsh Singh.

The Stockton poll has given Murphy lower approval ratings than other surveys throughout his first term as governor. His previous high was 53% approval and 39% disapproval in October.

That compared with a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released in November that had Murphy at 62% positive and 33% negative, and a Fairleigh Dickinson University survey released in October giving the governor 60% approval and 31% disapproval ratings.

Also in the Stockton poll, a plurality, 49%, said the state was going in the right direction, with 40% saying wrong direction and 10% unsure.

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Froonjian said that Murphy, like predecessor Chris Christie, got high marks for leadership during a crisis. A year after Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey, Christie was re-elected with 60% of the vote in 2013.

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There are impressions that are formed when elected officials demonstrate leadership, Froonjian said.

Hes been flexible in recent months in terms of trying to open up where possible. People see him as trying to walk the line between protecting our safety and our health and trying to give small businesses and restaurants a break.

The survey of 647 New Jersey adults was conducted March 11-22 with margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @JDSalant.

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VANCOUVER - A member of a Masonic lodge says he doesn't understand why Freemasons would be targeted after fires were allegedly set at three buildings operated by the society in Metro Vancouver on Tuesday.

Fire fighters attend a fire at a Masonic Temple in North Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, March 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

VANCOUVER - A member of a Masonic lodge says he doesn't understand why Freemasons would be targeted after fires were allegedly set at three buildings operated by the society in Metro Vancouver on Tuesday.

"We've never heard any negative words or negative intents directed towards us," Cole Harvey said in an interview as fire crews blasted water at the smouldering North Vancouver Masonic Centre.

"I'm just absolutely shocked and quite heartbroken."

A 42-year-old suspect was arrested a few hours after the fires, Vancouver police Const. Tania Visintin told a news conference.

The man was picked up in the nearby suburb of Burnaby and Visintin said police will recommend arson charges to Crown counsel.

Investigators are working to determine a motive in the fires, she said, but she wasn't aware of any past threats to local Masonic centres.

Any connection between the fire at the Masonic lodge in Vancouver and the fires at two Masonic centres in North Vancouver is still under investigation, said Sgt. Peter DeVries of North Vancouver RCMP.

"There does appear to be some co-ordinated effort between our investigations," he said.

The fires are "unsettling for a lot of people," DeVries added.

The first fire was reported just before 6:45 a.m. at the Lynn Valley Lodge.

A second fire reported minutes later severely damaged the North Vancouver Masonic Centre located four kilometres away, police said in a statement.

No one was inside when the fire engulfed the Masonic centre, said North Vancouver fire Chief Greg Schalk.

He described the structure as a "total loss."

"A number of parts of the building have collapsed inward as well as outward onto the sidewalk and into the back of the building."

The building dates back to the early 1900s and housed a library of old books, art and photographs, Harvey said.

"It's a stunning loss."

A third fire at a Masonic hall in east Vancouver was reported at about 7:30 a.m. Fire officials said it caused little damage.

An off-duty police officer was driving in the area around the time the fire was reported, said Visintin, and he saw a man leave the building.

"The building was partially on fire. He confronted this man. A physical fight ensued between the man and the off-duty police officer."

The man got away, but Visintin said the officer "probably stopped anything further, anything more serious from happening."

Visintin could not confirm that the man confronted by the officer is the same man who is in custody. But she said the off-duty officer gave dispatchers observations that led to the arrest in Burnaby.

Police do not believe there is any further threat to Masonic halls in Metro Vancouver, she said.

The Society of Freemasons was founded more than 300 years ago as a trade group and continues today as a social organization operating around the world.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2021.

This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump debuted on Monday a website called 45 Office, with hopes to stay in touch with supporters and coordinate appearances amid the ban of his social media accounts.

Trump's representatives said that the president's own website will allow people to submit correspondence, schedule, requests, and press inquiries for Trump and the former first lady, according to a Fox News report.

"President and Mrs. Trump are continually strengthened by the enduring spirit of the American people, and they look forward to staying in touch," Trump's office was quoted in a report.

Trump was earlier banned on Twitter and Facebook for inciting the Capitol riot that took the lives of people, including a police officer.

READ MORE: Twitter Permanently Suspends Accounts of Trump, Flynn, and Powell

45 Office Website

The website contains Trump's time in the White House and another page where supporters can submit comments to the former president, according to The Sun report.

A message on the homepage says Trump will remain a champion for the hardworking men and women of the country, adding that Trump supports their right to live in safety, dignity, prosperity, and peace.

45 Office's launch comes in less than three months of being out of office.

Facebook and Google are still deliberating whether to make the ban on Trump permanent. Meanwhile, Twitter has permanently banned the former president after a Trump mob breached the U.S. Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the election results.

Trump spokesman Jason Miller has announced on Mar. 21 that Trump is going to establish his own social media platform, according to a USA Today report.

At the time, Miller did not provide any further details about the launch of the former president's own website.

Trump's launch of his own website raised questions whether the former president will run for office once again. However, one distinguished professor declared that it is very unlikely Trump will run for office again in 2024.

Allan Lichtman cited Trump's $400 million-plus loans coming due, his huge IRS audit, and losing his Twitter account.

"That's a lot of baggage for somebody to run for president," Lichtman was quoted in The Grio report.

Lichtman predicted Trump's victory before 2016 elections, when all the major polls were saying that Hilary Clinton would be the next president.

Aside from financial burden, Trump is facing at least 29 civil and criminal lawsuits against him or his properties, according to The Miami Herald report.

Trump Twitter Ban

Twitter head Jack Dorsey said that banning Trump on the social media platform was the right thing to do. He added that the ban was in part of a failure of Twitter's, saying that it has not done enough to encourage healthy conversation on its platforms.

Twitter's chief said he did not feel the need to celebrate or feel bride in light of the ban, which came after the Capitol riot, according to a BBC report.

Dorsey added that the move would have consequences for an open and free internet.

READ ALSO: Trump to Lose Special Twitter Protections in January

WATCH: Trump launches his own website, 45office.com - from Sky News Australia
The signature lighting up front is unique, theres no mistaking it, and the same can be said about the angular motifs on the front doors. Equipped with five-spoke wheels featuring a two-tone finish, the dual-cab pickup further boasts a small bed with a drop-down tailgate, as most pickup trucks have.T-shaped taillights give the Santa Cruz the sensation of width, and the stamped nameplate on the tailgate brings the point home with uppercase letters. According to Hyundai , a highly maneuverable all-wheel-drive platform is hiding under the skin. A few bits and bobs are obviously shared with the Tucson and Santa Fe because the unibody pickup will be made at the Montgomery, Alabama assembly site alongside both crossovers.The South Korean company has also mentioned powerful and efficient powertrain options, which means that well get at least two engines. Whatever may come our way, be it aspirated or turbocharged, its worth mentioning that Montgomery exclusively makes four-cylinder powerplants.Expected to start from approximately $25,000 or thereabouts, the Santa Cruz is likely to feature an eight-speed automatic instead of a stick shift because theres no market for a row-your-own transmission. Estimated to measure four feet (1.2 meters) in length, the bed seems to be more than adequate for a Tucson-based model aimed at lifestyle-oriented individuals. Dont, however, expect the newcomer to feature the same kind of payload as the Honda Ridgeline.In terms of towing capacity, 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms) is the most the Tucson can muster. The Santa Fe fares a little better (3,500 pounds or 1,588 kilograms), but it still cant rival the Ridgeline. When equipped with all-wheel drive, Hondas truck is able to pull 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms).
Imperial Valley News Center

Memphis Native, Navy Chief Reflects on Two Decades of Service

Fort Worth, Texas - The average time an employee spends at the same job is a little over four years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For military service members, it is between seven and eight years. Only one in five active duty service members make it to full retirement of 20 years or more. Statistically, one or two contracts leads to an honorable discharge and other civilian life callings.

Chief Aviation Ordnanceman John Baxter had no way of knowing when he joined the U.S. Navy as a 17-year-old high school senior in 2002 that he would defy statistics and accomplish so much in his career before the age of 40. He could not have fathomed setting up pyrotechnics for Blue Angels Flight Demonstrations, dining with former presidents or becoming a decorated Iraq Veteran.



He did all of this and more with retirement now on the horizon, a lifetime of stories, and a career to be proud of.



Baxter enlisted through the delayed entry program and graduated from Kirby High School in Memphis, Tennessee in 2002. He admits that his path to the Navy formed less from choice than pure happenstance.



I did not really know what I wanted to do after high school, but I knew that I did not want to go to school anymore, he said. I had always thought that joining the military would be something I would like, so I figured why not?. I joined the Navy because my recruiter at the time, Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Sam Neil, was the first recruiter to talk to me. I was not exactly a hard sell.



When it came time to choose a rating, Baxter was nudged toward the aviation community by Neil due to his own familiarity, but he was immediately disqualified from one option. Standing tall at 6 feet 9 inches, he knew becoming a pilot was not in the cards and landed on Aviation Ordnance (AO).



My recruiter pushed that side of the fleet, and when they got to AO they mentioned explosives and bombs. That sounded pretty cool to a 17-year-old, so I said, Done; sign me up., Baxter explained.



After graduating at the top of his class from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes and completing A school at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, Baxter was selected for the Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) Program career path, now known as the Full-Time Support, or FTS program. Enlisted FTS personnel serve in demanding billets both at sea and ashore, providing the support necessary to prepare Navy Reservists to deploy when needed.



For Baxter, all of his early billets as a junior Sailor would remain within the United States at Naval Air Stations in Oceana, Virginia and Fort Worth, Texas. He would still make the most of those opportunities, often assisting with explosive demonstrations at various air shows for the Blue Angels, as well as serving on honor guard details for funerals and events. During one such event while stationed in Texas, he even met and had a chance to be photographed with former President George H.W. Bush



In 2007, an opportunity presented itself to then Petty Officer Second Class Baxter to serve overseas, but not at sea.



Strangely enough for a Chief with over 18 years of service, I have never set foot on a Naval vessel underway, said Baxter. None of my billets have taken me to a ship, but I had a chance to volunteer for a deployment to Iraq, so I have more sand time than sea time.



He deployed to Basra, Iraq with the U.S. Armys 3rd Infantry Division as an individual augmentee to their security quick reaction force out of Camp Bucca, a forward operating base near the Kuwait border. While there, he would spend his mobilization enhancing security forces during convoy and internment facility operations, and he would earn his Combat Action Ribbon for demonstrated performance and engagement while under enemy fire.



Working with Air Force and Army units while I was there gave me a deep appreciation for Joint Force concepts, and, honestly, serving with a combat infantry unit teaches you a lot about yourself, Baxter said.



While he was mainly operating in the South out of Bucca, Baxters younger brother, then an Army Civil Affairs Specialist, was simultaneously serving in Iraq supporting the 3rd Infantry Division out of Salman Pak. While the elder Baxter was getting ready to end his deployment and return home around Christmas 2007, his brother was due home for his two-week, mid-tour leave, and they hoped to spend some time together around the holidays.



An odd string of missed flights in Kuwait and pure luck would find the two surprised brothers reuniting at the same airport gate in Atlanta, and they would catch the same flight home, unbeknownst to family and friends waiting in the Memphis airport lobby until they showed up side by side.



Prior to his deployment to Iraq, Baxter met a girl - Christine - while out one night with friends in downtown Fort Worth, and they made a strong connection that would lead to the pair staying in touch while he was overseas. After his return home, the two would reconnect and be married later in 2008.



Back in the states, his career continued to advance while his wife began her secondary education to become a physician assistant, and the pair would move from Virginia to Texas to New Orleans. In 2012, Baxter was selected to advance to Chief Petty Officer, hitting a Navy professional milestone, and he found one of his most memorable units to date.



Hands down, my favorite duty station was Strike Fighter Squadron 204 (VFA-204), he recalled. The morale at that command was unmatched, from top to bottom, and I am extremely proud of the work we accomplished while I was the Ordnance Officer there.



Baxter and his wife welcomed two sons over the next five years and continued the journey of constantly moving, this time ending up back in Fort Worth for his latest assignment. He currently serves as the Explosive Safety Leading Chief Petty Officer for Naval Munitions Command Atlantic, Detachment Fort Worth.



Despite the challenging circumstances of COVID-19 over the last year, his units mission was not altered dramatically, and he has been more concerned with decisions about hanging up the uniform and transitioning out of the Navy.



Making the choice to put in for retirement and not re-enlist was difficult, since I still love the Navy and what I do, he said. The time has come for me to start the next evolution of my life.



In a little under two years, Baxter will make it to full retirement status and begin the next chapter. He is currently finishing his online bachelors degree in supply chain management with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and he has turned over the geographic decision-making to his wife.



I guess I will be going wherever she tells me we are going, he said, lightheartedly. She has been following me around for the last 13 years, so I figure it is my turn to follow her and go wherever her career takes us.



Scattered across two walls of his upstairs family room, the photographs, engraved paddles, plaques and other memorabilia tell the story of Baxters Navy career and accolades, but his most rewarding achievement after all this time is not an award or tangible item.



I am most proud when I see the Sailors who have worked for me in the past achieve rank, he said. It has always been a point of pride that the Sailors in my ordnance departments promote well, and it has been my great honor to watch some of them promote all the way up to Chief Petty Officer and to be able to welcome them into the Mess.
Police have released a picture of the 23-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in south London last night as people gathered for a vigil to remember another recent knife attack victim.

Reece Young was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called to reports of three men fighting on Alpha Road in Croydon at 9.10pm on Tuesday.

Two men suffering from stab wounds left the scene in a vehicle and later attended a hospital where they were both arrested on suspicion of murder.

One of the suspects, thought to be aged in his 30s, assaulted officers and NHS staff before fleeing from hospital following his arrest. Police launched an urgent manhunt and he was returned to custody on Wednesday evening.

Reece Young (pictured above), 23, was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called to reports of three men fighting on Alpha Road in Croydon at 9.10pm on Tuesday

The other man, 33, is being treated for non-life threatening injuries and remains in hospital.

Mr Young's family have been informed and a murder investigation is underway, said a spokesperson for the Met Police.

In a statement, the force said: 'Officers attended and found a man who had been stabbed. Paramedics also attended but despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'Detectives are confident the man is 23-year-old Reece Young. His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

'Two men had left the scene in a vehicle before police arrived. They later presented themselves at a south London hospital with stab wounds that are believed to have been sustained in the same incident.

'Officers attended the hospital and arrested both men on suspicion of murder.

Police and forensics at the murder scene in Croydon today. Mr Young's family have been informed and a murder investigation is underway, said a spokesperson for the Met Police

Police officers pictured at the scene last night. Two men suffering from stab wounds later attended a hospital and were both arrested on suspicion of murder

'The first, [A], aged 33, remains in hospital where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

'After his arrest, the second man, [B], believed to be in his 30s, assaulted police officers and NHS staff before forcing his way out of the hospital.

'An urgent search was carried out and he was returned to custody on the evening of Wednesday, 31 March.'

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Vandenbergh, who is leading the investigation, said: 'We believe this incident was witnessed by a number of people.

'They had gathered for a small vigil in remembrance of another recent fatal stabbing victim when an altercation began.

'Some of those people have already spoken to police, but I believe there are others who captured images and video of what happened. I need those people to contact us immediately.

Two police officers on Alpha Road today. The force is hunting for one man, thought to be aged in his 30s, who assaulted officers and NHS staff before fleeing from hospital after his arrest

Emergency vehicles at the scene. The Met Police said: 'Paramedics also attended but despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the man was pronounced dead at the scene'

A forensics tent and police van on Alpha Road in Croydon last night. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Vandenbergh said: 'We believe this incident was witnessed by a number of people'

'The information they have could prove vital in establishing the chain of events that has led to a young man losing his life.

'One arrest has been made and my team are working with colleagues across the Met to establish the whereabouts of the second man. We believe he suffered injuries that require urgent medical attention. He is urged to make contact with us immediately.'

The stabbing took place on the same street where 19-year-old Tai Jordan O'Donnell was stabbed to death on March 3, with a woman later charged with murder.

Multiple attacks also took place in Croydon on February 5 with 10 stabbings in the space of two hours, leaving one man dead and 10 others injured.

No official link has been made by police between these stabbings and last night's murder.

A crime scene is still in place today at the scene and enquiries are continuing, police said.

Police urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting CAD 7449/30MAR or to get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers.
Two Congressional sources revealed that Russian hackers are accused of hacking thousands of US State Department emails last year.

Russia is suspected of hacking US State Department emails

The cyberattack is the Kremlin's second in a decade to compromise the State Department's email server. According to Politico, the hackers accessed emails from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. The hackers are thought to have been unable to obtain access to the classified network.

The breach follows an intrusion operation in which Russian hackers used SolarWinds tools to gain access to federal and private networks. Software developed by SolarWinds, which was compromised in a hack, is used by the government and private sector, as per Daily Mail.

According to a White House official, the hack attacked at least nine federal agencies and 100 private organizations, and they squarely blamed the Russian government for the attack. It's unclear if the most recent hack was part of the same effort to exploit the security bug. "The Department takes seriously its duty to safeguard its information and takes regular measures to ensure information is secure," a State Department spokesman said.

Anne Neuberger, the White House's Deputy National Security Adviser for Cyber and Emerging Technology, said the White House would not comment on the latest hack. She claimed that the administration had found five cybersecurity bugs through federal departments that were being addressed to avoid potential vulnerabilities.

NLRB: Elon Musk Tweet Threatens to Retaliate Against Workers, Tesla Violates Labor Law

"Several federal agencies have been hacked in the last year," she added. We found significant gaps in cybersecurity protections through federal agencies as part of the Administration's SolarWinds review.

The most recent email hack indicated that hackers had access to more information than previously thought. The bureaus focused their efforts on issues affecting US allies such as NATO, as well as European and Indo-Pacific partners.

The Kremlin has used Cyber Warfare to spread misinformation, obtain access to classified data, and sow discord. In 2015, Russian hackers hacked the State Department and the White House in the "worst ever" cyberattack against a federal agency.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have been operating from home this year, leaving computers less secure, making federal workers more vulnerable to threats. On Monday, it was reported that the SolarWinds initiative had endangered top State Department leaders, including former acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf.

Australia Reveals Plan to Build Missile Guide to Boost Defense, Collaborates with the US

Solarwinds hack was a significant breach in the US history

They have had access to the Energy Department and the National Security Administration's network, which deal with nuclear weapons. The current Joe Biden administration is looking at the full extent of the SolarWinds hack but hasn't said anything about it publicly.

Russia has threatened US election campaigns before, and in 2016, it obtained access to Hillary Clinton's campaign leader, John Podesta. To stop the cyberattacks, the US has imposed sanctions on Russian officials, and a series of Kremlin hackers have been charged. It comes amid strained relations between Washington and Moscow, following Biden's assertion that Putin was a "killer," causing Putin to recall his US ambassador.

The SolarWinds hack was revealed to have breached emails from top officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday. Hackers allegedly gained access to the accounts of the DHS staff, including Chad Wolf, the department's former acting secretary.

Former Energy Secretary Dan Brouilette's personal schedules were also reportedly accessed by hackers. But the Energy Department told The Hill that it had found "no proof that the network that manages senior officials' schedules was compromised."

The SolarWinds data leak is one of the most significant in US history. The Biden administration is also trying to figure out how big the SolarWinds hack is indeed. According to US intelligence agencies, Russian hackers "actually" exploited vulnerabilities in applications from IT firm SolarWinds.

Russia Vows To Block Twitter for 30 Days

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The suns out, temperature is up, and we are wondering if we have to go back to work physically. That would mean having to leave our lounge clothes and athleisure behind and dress appropriately. But how to do that when youre sweating like a pig even in one layer?

You go for something light and breathable. What Is Linen? Derived from the fibres of the flax plant, linen is one fabric that has unparalleled breathability. Originally produced in Egypt, only royalty and priests used to be dressed in their priced linen. Luckily you dont have to be a pharaoh in order to dress in a summer linen wardrobe. Linen clothing is fairly priced higher than cotton due to the higher cost in production and limited quantity available for use. How To Wear Linen? Given linens texture, absorbency, breathability and accessibility, you should definitely give it a shot. Here are 7 ways men can wear linen in comfort and style. Check them out! 1. Classic Blue Linen Button Down This shirt, cut in the cotton-linen blend is comfortable and a classic way to dress formally. Or wear over your boxers for an urgent zoom meeting. Keep the outfit cool and relaxed by pairing this simple silhouette with white or beige colour trousers. We recommend wearing open toes flats to even let your feet breathe during hot summer days.

2. Must-Have Black Linen Trousers Truly an essential in every guys wardrobe might as well get them in linen to experience luxurious comfort. The contemporary silhouette of these trousers makes them so versatile. Cropped just at the ankles, they are great for a day to night look. Style it with a solid white tee and a navy blazer. Accessorise with a pair of Chelsea boots and a fedora to complete the look.

3. Polished Off-White Linen Trousers Often underrated but still as essential as a black pair, off-white linen trousers look great on men. With a laid back appeal, they are great for business casual outfits. Pair it with a white linen shirt and some brogues. You can also go for a traditional look by styling this pair of off-white linen trousers for men with your favourite pastel coloured kurta. Add a pair of Kolhapuris and youre sorted.

4. Casual Short Sky-Blue Linen Kurta If youre a kurta guy, we suggest you own a few linen kurtas in a couple of different colours. Starting off with a cool colour like sky-blue would be a wise choice this summer. Dress it up or dress it down with your favourite pair of rugged, ripped jeans or a pair of beige/off-white chinos. Add in some summer shoes to finish the comfortable look.

5. Style it Like Nehru A Nehru jacket in linen is perhaps the most unusual pairing. This green one in green with a royal appeal to it is great for the festive season. The mandarin collar and the straight placket add a contemporary touch to it. Dress it up with a green kurta and off-white churidar pyjama for a minimalist look. Add in brogues or mules and a mask to complete the outfit for a wedding.

6. Classic White Linen Kurta Again, a white linen kurta is a must-have in the wardrobe of a guy who enjoys polished, put-together looks. A gentlemans favourite, this one has a boxy fit that hangs on the body with ease. To keep the look fresh and clean, wear your classic kurta with a pair of black cotton trousers. You can go bold by styling it with a sorbet coloured bottom and achieve a quirky eclectic look.

7. Sunshine Chic Pyjama-Kurta Set Keep it chill and easy by wearing this yellow linen kurta-pyjama set at your next family get together. Not only is it a fashion must-have, but is also one that can elevate your look. The mandarin collar and the two side pockets on the kurta add subtle details. The white pyjama in straight fit complements the bright kurta beautifully. These two pieces of the set though look great together, you can also be paired with different accessories like a Nehru jacket to get the most out of this linen pair.
(Newser)  Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had a goal of administering 4 million COVID vaccines by the last day of March. Not only did the country fail to hit that goal, it failed to even come close. Just 597,000 have been vaccinated so far, meaning Australia is 85% short of its goal, the BBC reports. The goal has been revised to 4 million by the end of April, but if the current pace does not increase, that goal won't be met either, the Guardian reports. Critics say the government is moving too slowly; vaccines did not even start getting administered there until Feb. 22. But officials have said the country's low coronavirus numbers (just 909 deaths and 29,300 cases) allow it to be less urgent with vaccine delivery. Supply issues, booking problems, and even natural disasters have played a role in the slow rollout. More COVID news:

AstraZeneca: The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine continues to make not-great headlines due to the (not yet confirmed, but apparent) risk of blood clots among those who've gotten that vaccine. Germany has decided to suspend routine use of the vaccine in those under 60; Canada did the same for those under 55, the BBC reports. But in Italy, the PM and his wife got their first doses of AstraZeneca in a display of confidence. The Atlantic has more on the blood clot issue here.

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How long do we have? Experts say new formulations for COVID vaccines will be needed within a year, the Guardian reports. Many countries simply won't have very high vaccine coverage, and vaccine-resistant mutations could easily appear there. Fortunately, the mRNA technology used in the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines can be tweaked quickly. The Seattle Times has more on how long vaccines could confer immunity upon those who receive them; it's difficult to predict, but some experts think two years could be a possibility before a booster is needed.

Experts say new formulations for COVID vaccines will be needed within a year, the Guardian reports. Many countries simply won't have very high vaccine coverage, and vaccine-resistant mutations could easily appear there. Fortunately, the mRNA technology used in the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines can be tweaked quickly. The Seattle Times has more on how long vaccines could confer immunity upon those who receive them; it's difficult to predict, but some experts think two years could be a possibility before a booster is needed. Brazil: "The situation is completely out of control." That's the word from a Sao Paulo reporter who spoke to NBC News about COVID in Brazil, where more than 3,700 coronavirus deaths were recorded Tuesdaya record for the country.

"The situation is completely out of control." That's the word from a Sao Paulo reporter who spoke to NBC News about COVID in Brazil, where more than 3,700 coronavirus deaths were recorded Tuesdaya record for the country. Vaccines seem to work well: Cases are once again rising across the US, but the new cases are being driven by those under 60a good indication that the vaccines, which have largely been delivered to older people, are working, NBC News reports.

Cases are once again rising across the US, but the new cases are being driven by those under 60a good indication that the vaccines, which have largely been delivered to older people, are working, NBC News reports. Fourth wave? There's been ample warning that it's likely coming in the US, and the Washington Post has a visual of what that could look like. CNN notes that it could look very similar to what Europe started experiencing weeks ago, with new lockdowns imposed in many countries. Of particular concern is that more contagious variants, including B117, are increasing in the US.

(Read more COVID-19 stories.)
Kaduna  The conference of States Civil Society Networks yesterday demanded an immediate probe of the alleged $1 billion arms deal, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently set up a special panel of investigation on the matter.

In a communique issued by Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, president, Kano Civil Society Forum on behalf of eight civil society groups across northern states, at the end of its two-day meeting held in Kano, supported the efforts of the federal government in the fight against corruption, as well as promotion of transparency and accountability in governance.

The communique called on the National Assembly to support the advocacy for the setting up of the panel of investigation by the Presidency on the alleged missing $1 billion released for the procurement of arms and ammunitions to fight insecurity ravaging the country.

Recalled that, Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), had claimed in an interview with BBC that funds for arms purchase were missing under former service chiefs, though he later said he was misquoted.

The communique however, condemned the alleged plot to remove Gen. Babagana Munguno (Rtd) as national security adviser, NSA.

"The states based civil society networks express serious concerns about the scale of the insecurity in the northern region and Nigeria in general, ranging from insurgency, abductions, kidnapping and violent conflict that have become too common. As civil society organisations, we identified the need to promote a common understanding on the genesis and current state of these unfortunate developments which have overwhelming implications on the lives and safety of citizens and which have equally degenerated in overheating the nation's polity, and dividing Nigerians along those lines."

According to the communique, Kano Civil Society Forum, Jigawa Network of NGOs, Zamfara Civil Society Forum, Katsina State Coalitions of Civil Society Organizations, Network of Yobe CSOs, Kebbi State Civil Society Forum, North East Civil Society Forum and West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP), Plateau State chapter attended the meeting.
Juntas foes woo ethnic allies with new Myanmar constitution View Photo

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)  Opponents of Myanmars military government declared the countrys 2008 constitution void and put forward an interim replacement charter late Wednesday in a major political challenge to the ruling junta.

The moves, while more symbolic than practical, could help woo the countrys armed ethnic militias to ally themselves with the mass protest movement against the militarys seizure of power in February.

The actions were taken by the CRPH, an underground, self-styled alternative government established by elected lawmakers who were not allowed to take their seats when the military staged the coup and ousted and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the national Parliament, made the announcements on social media.

The 2008 constitution, implemented under army rule, ensured the military maintained its dominance during the countrys decade of progress toward democracy, such as by reserving it a quarter of the seats in Parliament and retaining responsibility for state security. The junta that seized power from the civilian government Feb. 1 cites emergency provisions in the charter as giving its takeover constitutional legitimacy.

The CRPH also presented a Federal Democracy Charter as an interim constitution. It aims to end Myanmars long history of military dictatorship as well as meeting the longstanding demands of its myriad ethnic minority groups for greater autonomy in their regions.

The proposals are politically significant because the protest movement against military rule has been seeking an alliance with the ethnic minority armed groups and would like them to form a federal army as a counterweight to the government armed forces.

Largely peaceful demonstrators in cities and towns have been facing police and soldiers armed with war weapons that they have used freely. At least 536 protesters and bystanders have been killed since the coup, according to Myanmars Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which counts those it can document and says the actual toll is likely much higher.

The CRPH has sought to be recognized as Myanmars sole legitimate government body. Foreign governments and international organization have not yet granted it formal status, but some acknowledge it as a stakeholder that must at least be consulted. The junta has declared it treasonous.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting, an envoy urged the council to take significant action or risk Myanmar facing a civil war and disintegrating into a failed state.

The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, painted a dire picture of the military crackdown and what could happen if it escalates. She urged the council to prevent a multidimensional catastrophe in the heart of Asia.

China, a permanent council member with veto power, has called for dialogue previously, but Schraner Burgener noted the junta has limited engagement with the outside world. If we wait only for when they are ready to talk, she said, a bloodbath is imminent.

Myanmars junta announced earlier Wednesday it is implementing a unilateral one-month ceasefire, but made an exception for actions that disrupt the governments security and administrative operations  a clear reference to the movement that has held protests against it daily.

The protest movement focuses on civil disobedience, including work stoppages. Medical staff and railway workers have been among those involved and have been targeted by security forces in response.

The ceasefire announcement came after a flurry of combat with at least two armed ethnic minority organizations that operate on the countrys borders. Ceasefires between the ethnic militias and central government forces have always been fragile, and the ethnic minority forces had no immediate reaction to the announcement.

Several of the major groups  including the Kachin in the north, the Karen in the east and the Rakhines Arakan Army in western Myanmar  have publicly denounced the coup and have said they will defend protesters in the territory they control.

The Kachin Independence Army, the armed wing of the Kachin Independence Organization, attacked a police station in Kachin states Shwegu township before dawn Wednesday, according to local news outlets The 74 Media and Bhamo Platform. The attackers were reported to have seized weapons and supplies and wounded one police officer.

The Kachin have staged a series of attacks on government forces in their territory since the coup, saying the latest round of fighting was triggered by government assaults on four Kachin outposts. After one Kachin assault in mid-March, the military retaliated with a helicopter attack on a Kachin base.

Wednesdays Kachin attack came after fresh conflict in eastern Myanmar, where Karen guerrillas seized an army outpost Saturday. Myanmars military followed with airstrikes through Wednesday that killed at least 13 villagers and drove thousands more across the border into Thailand, according to the Free Burma Rangers, an established humanitarian group that provides medical assistance to the areas villagers.

The conflict in eastern Myanmar spread the crisis to neighboring Thailand, where an estimated 3,000 Karen took temporary shelter. Most had returned by Wednesday.

Meanwhile, an outside visitor was able to see Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time since she was detained during the coup. She spoke by video link with one of her lawyers, Min Min Soe, according to the online news site The Irrawaddy.

Suu Kyi, who is thought to be held somewhere in the capital Naypyitaw, has been detained on several minor criminal charges, and the army said it is investigating more serious allegations of corruption against her. Her supporters dismiss the legal actions as politically motivated, aimed at discrediting her and preventing her from returning to the political arena, where she is the countrys most popular figure.

She is in good health, said Suu Kyis lawyer, according to the report. she even urged us to stay healthy. She was smiling and looked relaxed,

An unconfirmed report late Wednesday by the online news service Khit Thit Media said the government has filed six serious new charges against her, including treason and corruption, but as of Wednesday night there was no official announcement.
UK Office of Communications - UK telecommunications regulator - Will regulate wholesale markets underpinning landline and mobile calls in the UK from April 2021 to March 2026.

Will cap termination rates for calls made and received in the UK, based on the cost of connecting a call. For calls to mobile, will have a cap of 0.379 pence per minute next year, lower than the current cap of 0.468p. Will also continue applying this mobile termination cap to calls from '070' numbers.

Also, as landline calls become increasingly carried over more modern Internet Protocol networks, Ofcom will deregulate wholesale call origination, as providers will no longer need to purchase it from BT.

By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on TuesdayMarch 30,2021 thanked workers of the Suez Canal after the successful operation of refloating the gigantic Ever Given vessel.

President Sisi arrived here earlier in the day on a visit to the Suez Canal Authority headquarters.

The president noted that the canal is one of the major elements of world trade as up to 12-13 percent of the world trade transit the waterway.

Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki and other senior officials and leaders of the Suez Canal Authority received the president upon arrival here.
STOCKHOLM, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerba HealthCare, leading player in medical diagnosis, together with Partners Group, and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board ("PSP Investments") have entered into exclusive discussions with EQT Private Equity to enable the Company to pursue its long-term innovation services strategy and enhance services for patients and the medical community.

Cerba Healthcare, headquartered in France and firmly established in Europe and Africa through its historical routine and specialty biology expertise, also operates globally through its clinical trials business unit for the validation of new compounds and vaccines. It stands as a unique group in the diagnosis market, covering the needs for diagnostic tools and expertise for patients, physicians, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.

With this new partnership, Cerba HealthCare reinforces its capital structure with its existing shareholders -more than 400 long-time biologists and managers- and its long-term partner, PSP Investments, to sustain the Group's development strategy and current transformation.

Catherine Courboillet, CEO, Cerba HealthCare, states, "Over the past four years, Partners Group has shown a comprehensive understanding of our market and unwavering support in sustaining Cerba HealthCare's growth strategy. In order to continue to fulfill the Group's long-term development, we are excited to welcome a partner that shares the same vision and values, as well as a strong understanding of the importance of cutting-edge, personalized services. It is critical to keep on investing heavily in innovation, IT security and talents in order to drive further and faster our on-going transformation towards better healthcare services for patients. With EQT, we have chosen an experienced partner that will strengthen our European positioning while helping us expand into new markets."

Nicolas Brugere, Partner, Investment Advisor at EQT Partners and Head of EQT France, comments, "EQT has followed Cerba HealthCare for a long time and we are deeply impressed with the company's unique platform for medical diagnoses and superior scientific expertise. Cerba HealthCare is a purpose-driven company with a culture that is well-aligned with EQT's values and we are happy to partner with its management team and with PSP Investments. EQT Private Equity is committed to invest in and future-proof Cerba HealthCare for the long-run to best serve patients and healthcare professionals."

Kim Nguyen, Partner, Private Equity Services, Partners Group, adds, "Cerba HealthCare operates in an important sector and we are proud to have successfully contributed to the sustainable growth strategy of the Company over the last four years. In line with Partners Group's focus on positive stakeholder impact and entrepreneurial governance, Cerba HealthCare has not wavered in its commitment to responding to the COVID-19 crisis. During our holding period, the Company has transformed into a market leader, penetrating new international markets, including in Africa and Italy, further consolidating its expertise in clinical trials and securing leadership in the veterinary biology sector. We are convinced Cerba HealthCare is poised for lasting success and that, after our strong and collaborative partnership, it is the right time and opportunity for all stakeholders that the Company move into its next phase of growth."

Simon Marc, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Private Equity, PSP Investments, said, "Since our initial partnership with Cerba HealthCare in 2017, the company has gone from strength to strength, and we are excited to continue supporting Catherine and her talented management team as long term-partners. We look forward to welcoming EQT who has been one of PSP Investments core partners for many years, and who brings tremendous expertise in European healthcare. Together, we will provide the long-term strategic capital to support Cerba HealthCare in achieving its full potential through its next phase of development as a European leader in medical diagnostics."

Following the completion of the deal, which is subject to administrative notifications and regulatory approvals, EQT Private Equity and PSP Investments will work with Cerba HealthCare's management team, led by CEO Catherine Courboillet, to support the numerous growth opportunities of the business. These include the continuation of the Company's highly successful M&A strategy on a global scale, as well as the acceleration of organic growth and development in other segments.

With this transaction, EQT IX is expected to be 40-45 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication) based on its target fund size, and subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Contact for EQT

French media inquiries: Brunswick Paris, +33 679 99 27 15

EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with more than EUR 84 billion in raised capital and over EUR 52 billion in assets under management across 17 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America with total sales of more than EUR 27 billion and approximately 159,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com

Follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram

About Cerba HealthCare

Cerba HealthCare, a leading player in medical diagnosis, aims to support the evolution of health systems towards more prevention. It draws on more than 50 years of expertise in clinical pathology to better assess the risk of diseases development, detect and diagnose diseases earlier, and optimize the effectiveness of personalized medicine.

Every day, on 5 continents, the Group's 8 500 employees sustain the transformation of medicine, driven by one deep conviction: to advance diagnosis is to advance health.

Cerba HealthCare, enlightening health.

About PSP Investments

PSP Investments is one of Canada's largest pension investment managers with approximately $169.8 billion of net assets as of March 31, 2020. It manages a diversified global portfolio of investments in public financial markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and private debt. Established in 1999, PSP Investments manages net contributions to the pension funds of the federal Public Service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. Headquartered in Ottawa, PSP Investments has its principal business office in Montreal and offices in New York, London and Hong Kong.

For more information, visit investpsp.com or follow PSP Investments on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Partners Group

Partners Group is a leading global private markets firm. Since 1996, the firm has invested over USD 145 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally. Partners Group is a committed, responsible investor and aims to create broad stakeholder impact through its active ownership and development of growing businesses, attractive real estate and essential infrastructure. With over USD 109 billion in assets under management as of 31 December 2020, Partners Group serves a broad range of institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and private individuals globally. The firm employs more than 1,500 diverse professionals across 20 offices worldwide and has regional headquarters in Baar-Zug, Switzerland; Denver, USA; and Singapore. It has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2006 (symbol: PGHN).

For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/cerba-healthcare-to-welcome-eqt-private-equity-as-new-shareholder,c3317723

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Claudia Conway has been hospitalized, telling fans 'let's hope that my appendix isn't about to burst' in a TikTok video showing off her IV drip.

The 16-year-old daughter of Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway shared a clip from her hospital bed Tuesday.

In she referenced Lil Baby and Gunna's song Drip Too Hard, writing: 'drip too hard? yall rocking w/ IVs?'

In Tuesday's clip she danced as she showed her followers her hospital room. She later appeared to confirm her illness, asking 'y'all rocking w appendicitis?'

Wearing a mask and a medical gown Claudia held up her arm, complete with drip. It is unclear if she remains in hospital or her current condition.

Claudia was last week voted off American Idol, with judge Katy Perry praising her for 'taking control of your life'.

Claudia shot to fame on TikTok last year due to her vocal stance against former president Trump.

Kellyanne Conway's daughter shared a clip from her hospital bed Tuesday

The 16-year-old danced as she showed her followers her hospital room

Claudia spoke of heated exchanges with her mother who she accused of abuse on numerous occasions.

Some of her videos have sparked concerns about the teen's safety, as well as calls and emails to authorities.

Just last month, police in her hometown of New Jersey launched an investigation after Claudia accused her mother of posting a topless photo of her on Twitter before she later backtracked and said Kellyanne wasn't to blame.

Wearing a mask and a medical gown Claudia held up her arm, complete with drip

Referencing Lil Baby and Gunna's song, she wrote: 'drip too hard?' It is unclear if she remains in hospital or her current condition

She later appeared to confirm her illness, asking 'y'all rocking w appendicitis?'

Her 54-year-old mother Kellyanne danced onto the screen as Claudia waited her chance to sing on American Idol earlier this month.

Before hitting the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Claudia stated that 'it is okay for you to have different views than the people that you love.'

Some viewers of the show called her appearance the 'worst sort of exploitation of a minor' on reality television.

During the audition, Claudia, right, addressed her relationship with her mother, left

Claudia was last week voted off American Idol; she was praised by Katy Perry

During the audition, Claudia addressed her relationship with her mother.

'I'm Claudia Conway. I'm 16. My mother is Kellyanne Conway. She worked for Donald Trump. And my dad is George Conway. He's a lawyer he worked against Donald Trump,' she said.

'I had to move to DC when I was 12 and I hated it. When your mom is working for the President of the United States who you very much disagree with, it's hard.'

Perry immediately asked her: 'Are you okay?'

'No,' Claudia replied. 'No but yes.'

Claudia said it was 'hard' growing up with her mother working for Trump and that she believed her 'feelings had been suppressed' before she joined social media and started posting about her own views.

'Most of my life, my feelings had been suppressed so then I got social media and I was like, 'Well, yeah. Now my voice is being heard,' she said.
Google has started testing its alternative to third-party cookies in the Chrome browser.

Called the Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC), the technology aims to replace invasive third-party cookies that track individuals with a system that groups internet users into broad categories based on their browsing history.

In a blog post on Tuesday, product manager of Googles Privacy Sandbox, Marshall Vale, confirmed the advertising company was beginning the first public trials of FLoC with users who have not already opted out of third-party cookies in their browser settings.

FLoC is a new approach to interest-based advertising that both improves privacy and gives publishers a tool they need for viable advertising business models, Vale said.

FLoC is still in development and we expect it to evolve based on input from the web community and learnings from this initial trial.

The technology works by measuring a Chrome users browsing history locally, on their browser, and determining which larger group or cohort they belong to based on their personal information and internet activity.

Each member of the same cohort will be assigned the same identification number and the cohorts will be large enough to mitigate against the risk of individual re-identification.

When a Chrome user with FLoC enabled enters the domain of an advertiser, such as a news website, the embedded adtech will see which cohort the user belongs to and serve relevant advertisements.

Cohorts will be effective enough at delivering targeted ads, Google hopes, that companies wont miss being able to follow individuals across the web.

And because the users cohort is measured locally and apparently not sent to a Google server, the Chrome keeps their browsing history private.

How FLoC will keep ad revenue flowing and browsing history private. Image: supplied

FLoC is a purpose-built alternative to third-party cookies.

Cookies, small pieces of code stored locally on your computer that help sites know which user is which, are useful for websites so they can implement persistent features like online shopping and other forms of authentication.

Unfortunately, third-party cookies  that is, those which are not created and used by the site you are directly visiting  have been co-opted by advertising companies like Google to surveil people across the internet and learn about their shopping habits, personality traits, and political leanings.

There has been growing push-back against the technology, leading to more browsers disabling third-party cookies by default.

Googles position, stated by Vale, is that the broader move to block cookies has led to privacy-invasive workarounds like device fingerprinting.

Overall, we felt that blocking third-party cookies outright without viable alternatives to the ecosystem was irresponsible, and even harmful, to the free and open web we all enjoy, Vale said.

Such a movement away from third-party cookies and individual tracking also threatened Googles business model which relies on using massive swathes of private data to sell targeted advertising to businesses.

Its solution was to develop a new set of web standards that aims to stop individual surveillance, combat fraud, and improve advertisements.

For Google, the Privacy Sandbox is a win-win: it gets to send a positive message that the same company which has routinely mined its users personal lives for advertising revenue is now a champion of privacy, while also being the ones to build the technology that it hopes will become a new standard.

The UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently investigating Googles Privacy Sandbox and features like FLoC as it has concerns about the company developing new standards to entrench its market dominance.

FLoC is rolling out for testing to some Chrome users in Australia, New Zealand, US, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Indonesia, and Mexico who have not chosen to block third-party cookies in Chrome.

The browser will soon feature an opt-out function for FLoC and Privacy Sandbox features.
The Victorian government was forced to apologise for putting travellers from Queensland into hotel quarantine, despite informing them that it would be unnecessary.

Passengers on board Qantas flight QF635 said they were detained on Monday night despite seeking multiple assurances from Victorians authorities that they would not face quarantine once Brisbane became a coronavirus red zone while they were mid-flight.

Emergency Services Minister Danny Pearson. Credit:Justin McManus

Sam, 27, who did not want to disclose his surname, said after Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced that Brisbane would be turning from an orange to a red zone at 6pm under the states traffic light border restrictions scheme, he called the coronavirus hotline for advice.

He said both he and his mother had confirmed with four different people that he would be required to isolate only until he received a negative COVID-19 test result, but he was still forced into hotel quarantine when the flight arrived on Monday.
The COVID pandemic, coupled with a number of serious errors by the Department of Children and Families, created a perfect storm that led to the death of David Almond, a 14-year-old boy released from the agencys custody last year, according to Maria Mossaides, director of the Office of the Child Advocate.

While speaking to reporters at a press conference Wednesday, Mossaides suggested that the pandemic-related closure of schools, businesses and other sectors of the economy may have played a critical role in department decisions that put the teenager, his brother and a half-sibling in harms way.

I believe that if we had not been in lockdown mode, and those boys were able to go to school and to be seen in-person by the Department of Children and Families social worker, the stress that caused their behavior to regress would have been quickly identified, and I do believe that appropriate action would have been taken by the Department of Children and Families, she said.

Mossaides added, however, that does not excuse the poor decision-making that happened.

In this case, every single safeguard failed David, she said.

Almond, a triplet boy who lived in Fall River, died in October. Police were sent to a residence at 107 Green St. on Oct. 21 for a report of an unresponsive person and found the boy bruised, emaciated and living in abhorrent conditions, authorities said.

Michael Almond, David Almonds brother, also suffered serious bodily and emotional harm and was a victim of neglect, prosecutors noted. Their younger paternal half-sibling, Aiden, a pseudonym to protect the childs identity and privacy, was emotionally injured as well.

John Almond, the boys father, and Jacyln Marie Coleman, his girlfriend, have since been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury.

Following David Almonds death, OCA began a full-scale investigation based on the egregious circumstances surrounding the boys death, the harm done to his brothers, concerns about pandemic-related complications on DCFs management of the familys case, according to the agencys 107-page report. As part of the investigation, roughly 50 people were interviewed, according to Mossaides.

The report identified a number serious error that was compounded by the pandemic. Those failures include, according to Mossaides, a lack of inter-agency collaboration and information-sharing, hesitation in reporting abuse and neglect, and professionals not knowing whether they should or how to report concerns about the departments decision-making.

David and Michael Almond were returned to their father and Coleman on March 13, 2020, while their third sibling remained in DCF custody. Gov. Charlie Bakers COVID state of emergency was declared several days later.

Mossaides said the Fall River Public Schools had attempted to reach out to the family on a number of occasions.

They offered Chromebooks; they offered to send packages home; they continued to communicate with DCF their concerns that the family was unreachable, she said.

Mossaides said the family exploited the circumstances of the pandemic to shield themselves from the department and the school districts inquires and efforts to check in on the children.

There was some excuse about some member of the family being ill or having been exposed to COVID, she said. Although it is unfortunate, it is certainly understandable that people were reticent, and recognizing that families were also not allowing people into their home for their own fear of being exposed to COVID. So we had, and I hate to use the term, but a perfect storm for a family who wanted to hide themselves from public authorities.

But Mossaides stressed that DCF missed numerous warning signals. She said John Almond and Coleman would stage virtual visits with department officials by keeping the children out of view and answering questions on their behalf.

We believe there were multiple opportunities ... that had anyone seen the boys in person, given the state of their starvation, it would have been very evident that they were being starved to death, she said.

In response to a series of recommendations that emerged from the investigation, DCF said it would continue to pursue changes, noting that some revisions are already ongoing as part of systemic reforms initiated by the Baker administration in 2015.

Some of the changes include creating a new position of Director of Disability Services, who would work with agency social workers, supervisors and managers on cases involving families and children with disabilities, and hiring staff suited to assess child safety risk and parental concerns.

Additionally, the state agency said it had fired one Fall River DCF office manager. Another was supposed to be fired, by retired instead, officials said.

DCF is deeply appreciative of the thorough and comprehensive investigation by the Office of the Child Advocate that was requested by the Secretary of Health & Human Services, the state agency said, in a statement. The OCAs investigation highlights critical areas for improvement across multiple providers, mandated reporters, the courts and DCF.

Despite the serious efforts in this case, I do not want to diminish or fail to acknowledge the good work that happens every single day on behalf of the children of the Commonwealth, Mossaides said.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday signed into law the Employment (Amendment) Bill of 2019 and Business Laws (Amendment) Bill of 2021.

The new Employment (Amendment) Act, 2019 amends the Employment Act of 2007 to, among other provisions, include a one-month pre-adoptive leave with full pay to parents who apply for the adoption of children.

On its part, the Business Laws (Amendment) (No.2) Act of 2021 amends several statutes to facilitate the ease of doing business in Kenya.

The Law of Contract Act (Cap. 23), The Industrial Training Act (Cap. 237), The Stamp Duty Act (Cap. 480), and The National Hospital Insurance Fund Act, 1998 are among the statutes amended by the new law.

Others are The National Social Security Fund Act, 2013, The Companies Act, 2015, The Insolvency Act, 2015, and The Small Claims Court Act, 2016.

The signing ceremony at State House, Nairobi was attended by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Majority Leader Amos Kimunya and Clerk Michael Sialai.

Also present were Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua, Solicitor General Ken Ogeto and Treasury PS Dr Julius Muia.
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!
WINNIPEG - It was a clear afternoon when a man driving down a rural road in Alberta with his son saw a pie-shaped object levitating in the sky just before the thing rotated, turned black and suddenly disappeared.

UFO researcher Chris Rutkowski is photographed in his Winnipeg home, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. A new survey suggests more Canadians saw unidentified flying objects during the pandemic in 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG - It was a clear afternoon when a man driving down a rural road in Alberta with his son saw a pie-shaped object levitating in the sky just before the thing rotated, turned black and suddenly disappeared.

"There were no windows, lights, lines or markings on the object's surface and the edges were all rounded," says a transcript of the man's report made to Winnipeg's Ufology Research.

"Within (one minute) of us seeing the object, we witnessed a military plane flying in the direction of our sighting."

The report of the unidentified flying object was one of hundreds counted during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, says a report released Tuesday.

Chris Rutkowski with Ufology Research said sightings of UFOs across Canada  levitating discs, erratic spaceships and floating triangular objects  increased by 46 per cent in 2020.

He said the total of 1,243 sightings last year is one of the highest recorded in a single year. Roughly 30 per cent of the sightings were in Ontario and 24 per cent came from Quebec.

The high number of reports suggests an average of three UFO sightings every day, he said.

"Anything that is seen in the sky that a person doesn't think is a star, planet or plane is (a) UFO," said Rutkowski, who has been collecting unusual sightings in the sky since 1989.

"That's strictly an unidentified flying object by the definition."

One person in Toronto reported seeing a UFO levitating 1 1/2 metres away from his balcony before it folded in on itself. A pilot flying from Thunder Bay, Ont., reported an object about a metre in diameter passing over the plane's right wing even though his radar reported zero traffic in the airway.

Some sightings turned out to be a satellite, a plane flying at an awkward angle or light playing tricks, Rutkowski said. But 13 per cent were classified as unexplained.

"There's a persistent phenomenon that won't go away," he said.

"It certainly is very, very impressive and causes (people) to report them to various agencies from police, RCMP, to national defence and other agencies."

The astronomer said he doubts UFOs are being operated by an extraterrestrial being.

"As an astronomer, my background suggests there probably is alien life out there, but travelling between stars is very, very difficult."

But, Rutkowski said, once in a while a police officer or a pilot, who are considered credible observers, report a UFO sighting and researchers have to take their sightings seriously.

"What do you do with those cases? Do you just chalk them up to one of those things? Or does that make you think there is something behind all the mystery and milieu?"

He suggested there could be two reasons why more Canadians saw objects that seemed out of this world.

Early in the pandemic, the U.S. government released videos of unidentified aerial phenomena recorded by the navy.

"That (drove) some people to look a little more carefully in the sky and believe that UFOs are a little more popular and frequent than one believes."

It's also possible the pandemic has caused people to think a bit more about their lives and to wonder if we're alone in the universe.

"People were spending more time with their families, in their own backyards, and were ... appreciating nature and what's surrounding them (and) UFOs are a part of human culture.

"This is probably a way of just imagining what life is like in the universe, beyond the borders of our little blue speck in space."

Rutkowski encourages Canadians to continue reporting UFOs.

"We really have no information about what aliens might be like."

He adds that any being intelligent enough to travel between stars should have figured out some of the problems that exist on Earth, such as wars, famine and climate change.

"So, if you've seen a UFO, you're in very good company."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2021

 By Fakiha Baig in Edmonton

This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
Russian vessel Akademik Cherskiy is transiting to Danish waters to start preparatory work before commencing laying pipes for the gas pipeline Nord Stream 2, the consortium said on Tuesday.

It will join another Russian vessel, Fortuna, which is laying pipes in Danish waters, despite the threat of sanctions from the United States, Reuters reported.

The pipeline from Russia to Germany on the bed of the Baltic Sea is 94% completed and a portion of around 138 km is left to be built, the consortium said earlier on Tuesday.
It is customary for retiring company chief executives to hold media interviews on their exits, letting in journalists into intimidating soundproof offices, mahogany desks, name plaques, and an enviable view of Nairobi from the top floor of the corner office.

Sleeves tucked back, easy laughter of relief, befuddled memories and a fairy tale are usually aspects of such functions.

Retired Britam boss Benson Wairegi had this chance but his team of trusted lieutenants were not so lucky.

Their exits were silent and hollow after their roles were purged and most of them were shown the door in one of the most brutal boardroom shakeups in Kenyan history.

Smart Business can reveal that a rift between local and international owners emerged after some owners tried to endorse one of the managers Gladys Karuri to take over from Dr Wairegi.

"She was seen as a safe pair of hands, an insider who could protect the vested interests of the establishment," a source who requested anonymity told Smart Business last week.

Foreign owners, on the other hand, including Swiss Re, AfricInvest and IFC with combined ownership of 51 per cent wanted a fresh impartial face, an outsider who could bring back the company to profitability.

Foreign owners

According to inside sources, the balance was tipped in favour of foreign owners who had raised issues about board strategies over the last couple of years, investment decisions, recruitment processes and conflict of interest queries to justify a radical gutting of top management.

Sources say wrangles exposed the ills that have been bedevilling the company over the years, cast board decisions on the spotlight and unearthed skeletons of vested interest that had haunted the company from within.

Britam did not respond to emailed queries by the time we went to press despite sending them days earlier.

According to insiders, Britam's problems started way back in 2013 when it bought Real Insurance for cash payment of Sh825 million and issuance of new shares worth Sh550 million. Its owners through Royal Ngao Holdings included former KenGen chief executive Eddy Njoroge, Sam Kamau, Joe Muchekehu and Ian Mukuria.

Sources say it was not a good deal as the company was facing financial strain at the time of acquisition.

According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), as at December 2013, the firm carried underwriting provisions of Sh1.2 billion and debt of Sh580 million against Sh342 million assets invested in related companies, Sh703 million outstanding premiums and Sh621 million receivables.

Two years later Real insurance owners had sold off their shares at a premium with more than 20 per cent stock rally and dropped off the list of major shareholders. Between 2014 and 2017 Britam annual reports have showered plaudits on its ERP, integrated software system Jawabu. Then silence over the last two years speaks volumes.

Consumed billions

Insiders say the unit led by Jack Maina has consumed billions of shillings in premium rates for third party supply of software but has done little in improving profitability.

A decision to build the famous Britam Tower has also been questioned given at the time it was evident there was a glut in office space.

"A running joke was that since UAP had 31 floors and Britam had 30 floors they decided to mount a pike on top to make it the tallest building, we call it the tower of hubris," a source who spoke to Smart Business in confidence said.

The building constructed using pensioners' money (Britam Life Insurance) is only partly occupied and has whittled down returns.

According to the IRA, Britam long-term insurance made a Sh1.6 billion profit in 2013, Sh1.6 billion profit in 2014, Sh235 million loss in 2015, Sh2.9 billion profit in 2016, Sh500 million profit in 2017, Sh1.1 billion loss in 2018 and Sh3.1 billion profits in 2019.

In April 2015 the Mauritius government seized Britam shares belonging to Dawood Rawat, a billionaire accused of Ponzi-like schemes in the Indian Ocean country.

Billionaire and top shareholder Peter Munga set up a company called Plum LLP, which bought the 452 million shares or 23.3 per cent stake at Britam and sold 348.5 million shares to Swiss Re in two years.

The price at which the Munga consortium bought and sold the shares has not been disclosed but insiders said he sold at a premium to Swiss Re, a decision that would later haunt the top owner when the ownership tipped the balance over to foreigners.

Britam is also said to have lost up to Sh800 million in Chase Bank and was fined by the capital markets regulator over disclosures in the investment.

New owners' reservations

All these issues were raised by the new group of foreign owners who felt they had bought a shell company that kept issuing profit warnings and low returns, along with a depressed share price and wrong strategy. They also felt the board was too big and earning super scale salaries that kept operational expenses very high.

Some employees also doubled as board members including Mr Muthoga who served in Mozambique board and was Marketing and Corporate Affairs before retiring and returning as the External Affairs Director. Ms Gladys Karuri, who was pipped to replace the MD, also served in Uganda's board while retaining her position as an employee.

Britam announced it had scrapped several board positions including principal executive director, chief of staff, group chief operating officer, corporate affairs director, chief actuary & product development, chief investment, Britam asset manager, group commercial, finance, head of internal audit, legal and company secretary.

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Executive clean-out

It also scrapped executive positions heading life assurance, general insurance and micro insurance.

The firm announced a new 11 man board where only six former board members, James Maitho (Human Resources), Carol Misiko (Risk and Compliance), Ambrose Dabani (Retail), Jackson Theuri (Corporate) Saurabh Sharma (Emerging Consumers Business) and Kennedy Aosa (International Business) made the cut.

Ms Eva Kimani was promoted to director partnerships and digital while Charles Kimani was hired from outside as the new finance director. Three slots - Strategy & Investor Relations, Customer Experience and Legal & Compliance Director - remain unfilled.

The purge has left out Muthoga Ngera, Fridaclare Katusya, Gladys Karuri, Nancy Kiruki, Susan Kariuki, Edward Kuria, Kenneth Kaniu, Jack Maina, Betty Muthoni Mwangi, Steve Magati and Jude Anyiko.

The changes come just two months after the exit of the company's long serving managing director Benson Wairegi who had led the firm for 40 years.

Mr Wairegi's exit set stage for cleaning shop after he was quickly followed by the board chairman Andrew Hollas.

Britam then hired Tavaziva Madzinga as MD and replaced the Chairman with Mohamed Said Karama in an acting capacity.
Adrian's Restaurant & Bar will soon be a new City Pork location.

The eatery initially wasn't on Stephen Hightower's radar earlier in the year. The managing partner of City Group Hospitality, which owns City Pork, was too busy refurbishing former Juban Family Restaurant space, Beausoleil Creole Cuisine, to think about taking on another property.

But then opportunity presented itself.

The Juban Restaurant Family not only closed Beausoleil during the state's coronavirus pandemic lockdown but also its Adrian's Restaurant & Bar in Highland Park, 18143 Perkins Road, along with Christina's Restaurant, 320 St. Charles St. downtown.

Royal Taste of Jamaica, the shipping container eatery on Florida Boulevard, has since moved into Christina's. And when Beausoleil was up and running in January, Hightower began considering possibilities for the 6,870-square-foot Adrian's.

"We offered different foods at each of our City Porks," Hightower said. "Just the size of Adrian's gives us the opportunity to bring all of these things together in one place. We'll have all the great dishes from our other City Porks."

Hightower signed paperwork on March 30 to lease the restaurant from the Juban's group. He is now converting it into a City Pork that will incorporate all of the concepts of his previous City Pork restaurants in one place.

Plans are to open the new restaurant by mid-May.

And, Hightower added, new menu items will be added, including barbecue options and a new "triplex" cut of beef.

Hightower also will be bringing over pie offerings from City Pork Kitchen and Pie, which closed in 2017.

"We won't have all the pies at first, but we'll be offering a pie of the week," he said. "And we'd also like to offer some items from City Taco on the menu, too."

But the menu isn't the only thing that will see changes. An outdoor patio will be added with access to the bar, called the Wild Boar Bar and Patio.

The eatery will be City Group Hospitality's fifth City Pork location, the others being City Pork Brasserie & Bar, City Pork Catering & Events, City Pork LSU and Three Little Pigs Cafe & Eatery in the LSU School of Veterinarian Medicine.

Along with Beausoleil, the restaurant group also owns and operates Rouj Creole, Turning Point Food Services, City Slice Pints & Pizza, City Taco and upcoming Spoke 'N Hub, slated to open later in the year on Government Street.

Hightower said he plans to hire some 50 workers for the new City Pork.

"We've been able to get into the building and start working," he said. "Our target of opening by mid-May should be doable."
The wives of the presidents of Ukraine and France, Olena Zelenska and Brigitte Macron, have discussed priority topics for cooperation, including achieving the goals of the Biarritz Partnership, strengthening Ukrainian-French cultural ties and further introducing Ukrainian-language audio guides in France, the Ukrainian president's press service has reported.

According to the report, the first ladies of the two states talked about it via videoconference.

"The world has changed significantly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Soft power, which is the main tool of the first ladies, has become even more important. I am thrilled to see Ms. Brigitte's initiatives to support health professionals and institutions in France, as well as the mental health of the entire nation," Zelenska said.

She also invited the First Lady of France to take part in the opening of a Ukrainian-language audio guide in Versailles.

"Over the past year, we have been actively introducing Ukrainian-language guides in cultural institutions around the world. I am very glad that we have also received approval from the Versailles administration. We plan to launch a Ukrainian-language audio guide in the palace in mid-April," Zelenska said.

Macron, in turn, praised Zelenska's commitment to the issue of equality and equal opportunities for men and women.

The first ladies of Ukraine and France agreed to continue a close dialogue on cultural projects and equality.

op
New Delhi:

It is hard to believe that objecting to public smoking can cost a life. But, in an ugly incident, it turned out so for a 21-year-old student.

On a dreaded night, Gurpreet Singh (21) and his friend Maninder Singh (22) went on a night shoot in New Delhi. The students of photography were out to shoot a documentary on pavement dwellers.

The students stopped at a food joint near Safdarjung Hospital. When they were having their food, a person who is said to be son of a visiting IIT-Delhi professor started smoking near them. The accused, Rohit Krishna Mahanta, was reportedly drunk.

Gurpreet and Maninder objected to smoking as the smoke was coming directly on their faces. Both of them objected to smoking which turned out to be an ugly altercation. Mahanta started abusing both of them which led to violence.

As the altercation turned violent, people intervened and asked both students to leave the place. Gurpreet and Maninder pushed off on their bike. As they have moved only 400 meters ahead, Mahanta rammed his car to the bike.

Both students fell from bike and suffered injuries. Gurpreet succumbed to his injuries and Maninder is battling for life at a hospital. After hitting the bike, Mahanta managed to flee from the spot.

Mahanta was arrested and later released on bail, police said.

Gurpreet's family has launched a social media campaign, alleging that it was not an accident but attempt to murder.

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Photo: (Photo : Natalie from Pexels)

A New Orleans baby survives COVID-19 and liver failure. She has battled and done these just before her first birthday. And because of such, Winter has spent more of her life inside the hospital than out.

On the other hand, Winter's family is more than happy and relieved that their baby survives COVID-19 and liver failure. They see her as a miracle and a strong survivor.

In an interview, Tia Nicholas, Winter's mother, said she was just glad that her baby is alive and well.

The New Orleans baby was born on February 25, 2020. After leaving the hospital, Nicholas noticed that Winter's eyes were yellow, and she suspected that it was jaundice.

Based on what she noticed, Nicholas shared that Winter's eyes got worse to the point where they started turning almost green. After a month or so, Winter's eyes remained the same. So, Nicholas brought her to Children's Hospital.

COVID-19 and the Baby

Although the New Orleans baby does not show the usual symptoms for COVID-19, she was still tested for it. This was during the beginning of the pandemic, hence the importance of being tested for one.

After such a test, the doctors confirmed that Winter is positive for the disease. They added that it was inside of her liver, explaining the color of her eyes.

ALSO READ: Florida Woman Survives Three Heart Surgeries, Now Delivers Miracle Baby

Baby and Liver Failure

Aside from having the COVID-19, baby Winter is also experiencing liver failure.

And if the situation is not worse enough, more tough news follows. Doctors believed that Winter needed a new liver. And after nearly four months at Children's Hospital, Winter was taken to a Texas hospital where she waited for a liver transplant.

Few months in, the family received a call. It was in September when they received the news that baby Winter is finally getting a liver through an anonymous transplant. The liver came from a mother who happened to lose her newborn baby.

When the doctors spoke to her, Nicholas said that the doctors never saw a liver take a liking to a body as it did to Winter. Proving that Winter is doing well and is recovering well with her new liver.

ALSO READ: Baby Is Possibly Sole-Survivor in the Collapse of a Building in Egypt

Baby Is a Survivor

The baby survives COVID-19. Although she has sickle cell and has regular checkups, the doctors said that she is doing fine. The doctors assured Nicholas, Winter's mother, that her baby is thriving and is doing very much well, considering the recent and tough battles that she just fought in.

Nicholas also shared that her baby's doctors were shocked at how her baby is doing. Thankfully, Winter is doing pretty good and is operating as a normal baby. Nicholas, together with their family, is beyond happy and grateful that their baby survived such battles at such a young age.

The baby survives COVID-19 and liver failure, and she just turned one last February this year. Her survival and her battles just prove every day how she is a brave and strong survivor.

ALSO READ: Mom Who Survived COVID Coma and Gave Birth Prematurely, Discharged from the Hospital
Chennai, March 31 : While it houses several manufacturing and information technology (IT) industries in its various industrial estates, State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) plans to locate a large number of 'oxygen plants', said a top official.

The Tamil Nadu government undertaking has set up 21 industrial estates and seven sector specific special economic zones (SEZ) across Tamil Nadu.

Recently SIPCOT set up an oxygen park at its IT park in Siruseri near here.

"All our industrial parks are away from Chennai and only the Siruseri IT park is nearer. Hence, we decided to have an oxygen park in half-an-acre," J. Kumaragurubaran, Managing Director told IANS.

The oxygen park he talks about is literally a park with about 1,000 Beema Bamboo saplings that would grow into trees soon.

"The bamboo trees give out more oxygen and take in more carbon dioxide. So, we decided to go for the Beema Bamboo variety. If successful, the Siruseri model can be replicated in other estates," Kumaragurubaran added.

The Sirseri oxygen park is designed in such a manner so that there will be a walking track and the bamboo trees are planted alongside.

"A Beema Bamboo tree takes in about 450 kg of carbon dioxide and emits about 320 kg of oxygen per year. The tree grows about 1.5 ft per day. A human being needs about 280kg of oxygen per year," N. Barathi, Founder Director, Growmore Biotech Ltd told IANS.

Growmore Biotech is an agri-technology company that supplies the tissue cultured Beema Bamboo plants.

"While it is true that all trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, the amount of oxygen emitted by Beema Bamboo is high. One acre of Beema Bamboo trees will emit about 62 ton of oxygen per year while other trees will emit far less oxygen," Barathi remarked.

Corporates like Infosys, Wipro have sourced bamboo plants to be planted in their software centres, he added.

Queried about bamboo thorns, Barathi said Beema Bamboo is thornless while its biomass is far higher.

"The bamboo's calorific value equals that of the coal. Cement plants are now buying Beema Bamboo as firewood to replace coal for their boilers," Barathi said.

Growmore Biotech exports bamboo plants to South Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia, Argentina, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has affected exports during 2020-21 as borders were closed. In fiscal 2021-22 we expect overseas shipments to get back to normal," Barathi said.

Apart from being used as firewood, bamboo fibre is used by the textile industry to make fabric and garments.

Barathi lists out various other uses of bamboo like furniture, structures, utensils, activated charcoal and others.

Be that as it may, Kumaragurubaran said SIPCOT estates has about 1,200 acres of open space which would be turned into green space.

"We have already planted about 2.5 lakh native tree species and another 4 lakh tree saplings will be planted. The idea is to have over six lakh native species trees in our estates. These trees will live for over 50-60 years," Kumaragurubaran said.

Normally industrial estates will be barren, devoid of trees with factories like concrete jungle. If SIPCOT's plans succeed then the concrete jungle will be in the midst of green jungle or oxygen factories.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The Association of Romania's Pharmaceutical Distributors and Retailers (ADRFR) said on Wednesday that it is prepared to offer Covid rapid antigen testing in pharmacies, with qualified staff, noting that an "important" step is thus taken towards mass testing.

"We are ready to be part of the program for the population's testing for SARS-CoV-2 with rapid antigen tests administered by trained staff, an activity that is already successful in many European countries that set an example of best practice such as France, Italy, Germany and Spain," said ADRFR president Iulian Trandafir, as cited in a release.

ADRFR stated that pharmaceutical staff needs to be trained for the screening of the population in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, within a regulated framework, under the supervision of the Health Ministry and with the support of the Public Health Directorates (DSPs), and of the College of Romanian Pharmacists.

"In addition to the successful implementation in other European countries of rapid testing in pharmacies for the detection of Covid infections, we believe that proximity and accessibility as health professionals, as well as the high level of continued professional education of Romania's pharmacists are basic elements that will improve the population's access to fast and efficient testing," the release states.

Health Minister Vlad Voiculescu informed on Tuesday that testing kits will be delivered to pharmacies, which can determine on their own the cost for this service.

"We will deliver free of charge, via DSPs, testing kits to pharmacies, and they can set their testing costs by themselves. We are confident that it will be a competitive, let's say reasonable price, so that as many people as possible can take the test. (...) It could take a week, it could take a month [until the start of testing in pharmacies]," the Health Minister explained.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Tuesday March 30,2021 that Egypt has come out of a "very big" crisis over the past eight years.

Delivering a speech to celebrate the refloating of "Ever Given" at the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) headquarters, Sisi said he is not only talking about the grounded ship.

The way Egyptians reacted to the news was "eye-catching" and was clear on the media, Sisi said.

He directed the SCA chairman to act to secure all equipment needed to cope with the transit of mega vessels through the Suez Canal.

The president thanked all SCA workers and wished them best of luck.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty

Just down the street from West Virginia University in the city of Morgantown, sandwich shop owner George Pierre Tanios had a terrible reputation. Ex-employees say hed berate employees in public and physically fight customers. Online reviews show hed even shove Trump propaganda in your face.

So it was no surprise to Cory Denkert, a former employee, when he checked Facebook one day and saw a selfie Tanios took during the insurrection on Jan. 6one that law enforcement later determined was taken at the U.S. Capitol Building. It matched an FBI flyer of Photograph #254, a MAGA hat-wearing bearded guy wanted for assaulting a federal officer, including one Capitol Police officer who died. Tanios was even wearing a hoodie with his shops name emblazoned on the chest, Sandwich U.

DOJ

I was laughing, Denkert told The Daily Beast. This is exactly what George would do. Hes always been angry, trying to start fights with people. It doesn't matter how wrong he is, he's going to be outspoken, in somebody's face, trying to start something.

Denkert sent Tanios selfie to the FBI with a curt message: Hey, I know this guy. This is George Pierre Tanios. It was taken off of his Facebook.

After a few weeks, Denkert received an afternoon phone call while driving home from work. The FBI special agent wanted to be sure this was Tanios. Was there someone else whod seen him recently? Denkert connected him with a Morgantown businessman whose partnership with Tanios had fallen apart.

According to an FBI affidavit reviewed by The Daily Beast, that ex-business partnerwho Tanios allegedly owed $435,000told the FBI special agent that he was 100% sure it was Tanios. The Daily Beast searched Monongalia County court records and found that the only person who sued Tanios seeking nearly half a million dollars was Kenneth Dufalla.

Im surprised it took this long for him to do something stupid, Dufalla told The Daily Beast.

Hes an embarrassment, to fellow hard-working, God-fearing, humble citizens of Morgantown and fellow Trump supporters, Dufalla added. I cant imagine how many of his former employees and fraternities are enjoying his apparent downfall right now. He was easily the most hated man in Morgantown.

Story continues

The FBI special agent asked both of them to keep quiet, concerned that Tanios would run if he discovered the FBI was onto him. The Bureau was about to connect Tanios with the attack on Officer Brian Sicknick, the only cop who collapsed and died after fighting insurrectionists. A few days later, on Sunday, March 14, FBI agents from Washington and Pittsburgh teamed up to arrest Tanios at his West Virginia home.

Former employees at Sandwich University were ecstatic. The Daily Beast spoke to four people who all said they were forced to endure years of abuse by their boss. Tanios once used a bullhorn to scream at employees, said Denkert. He fired people on the spot without apparent reason, and frequently threatened to mace rowdy customers in the face, said another, Daniel Dentzler.

This has really been a long time coming for him, Denkert said. He's always treated people badly, and he's always acted like he's gonna get away with something. He thought he was untouchable.

Tanios and a fellow college-town restaurateur from another state, Julian Elie Khater, were indicted on March 17 for attacking three police officers at the Capitol with bear spray. In court documents, federal agents described how they used several different pictures and videos to piece together how Tanios carried the chemical irritant in his backpack and directed his buddy. Prosecutors allege that the pair intentionally timed their attack on the officers with the pepper spray to coincide with other rioters efforts to forcibly remove the bike rack barriers that were preventing the rioters from moving closer to the Capitol building.

Give me that bear shit, Khater allegedly said to Tanios while they stood on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to court papers. Prosecutors say that entrance is where Sicknick and at least two other officers were standing guard behind metal bicycle racks.

Hold on, hold on, not yet, not yet its still early, Tanios responded, according to the court documents.

The feds say Khater then deployed the powerful spray into the faces of Sicknick, U.S. Capitol Police Officer C. Edwards, and District of Columbia Police Officer B. Chapman.

Brian Sicknick / Public Domain

The Daily Beast reached out to several of Tanios family members, who did not respond to phone calls or direct messages on Facebook. And the publicly funded defense attorneys now representing Tanios in federal court declined to comment. But S. Sean Murphy, an attorney in Morgantown who represented Tanios on business matters for years, said: George was never anything but a consummate gentleman or kind to me. I never heard him say anything untoward or aggressive in my presence.

I like George. I genuinely liked him, he said.

According to two former employees, Tanios had a long history of using mace.

Daniel Dantzler worked at Sandwich U for five years and eventually ran the place as a night shift manager. The small shop was a hotspot for drunk West Virginia University students, who occasionally got out of control.

We always had a can of pepper spray behind the counter, and there's been several times he would pull it out and mace somebody, Dantzler said.

But the fight was usually started by the shop owner himself, several ex-employees said. Online reviews on Google and Yelp dating back to 2015 allege several instances in which Tanios would offend customersthen threaten or harass them if they responded.

Dantzler said: He would usually come out from behind the counter and, you know, be confrontational with them. Then he'd say to the register girl: Give me the mace.

He sprayed people in the shop, on the way out the door, outside the shop, on the street, Dantzler said, incredulously. I'm not sure if the surveillance footage still exists. It'd be pretty funny.

Tanios business lawyer, Murphy, had this to say in his defense: It gets wild on High Street at two oclock in the morning. All kinds of shit goes down there. I wouldn't be surprised. People are fighting left and right on High Street every Thursday, Friday, Saturday night.

Tanios embraced the caricature of an overly aggressive shop owner so thoroughly that Dantzler and Denkert say he even referred to himself as The Sandwich Nazi, and kept a framed photo of the Seinfeld character The Soup Nazi behind the counternext to photos of customers and ex-employees who were no longer allowed inside the restaurant.

Courtesy of Daniel Dantzler

I guess it was a role model for him, Dantzler said. He'd say: No sandwich for you!

One reviewer in 2019 summed it up this way: complete asshole self entitled owner with zero empathy and total lack of basic social cues. More recent interactions complain that Tanios was an obnoxious Trump supporter and COVID denier.

Tanios did, however, receive a COVID-related bailout through the federal governments Paycheck Protection Program, according to publicly available records. He got a $52,110 small business loan to support 18 listed employees for his sandwich shop in May 2020. The money went to Lebanese Connection LLC, which does business as Sandwich University, according to state business records.

Tanios did run into money troubles. Dufalla, the ex-business partner, sued him a decade ago alleging that Tanios breached their contract and embezzled the business proceeds. Tanios rejected that accusation but finally decided to strategically declare bankruptcy last year to get rid of the embezzlement lawsuit, according to Murphy and the bankruptcy attorney he hired for the case, John Scott.

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

Online reviews are full of horror stories, as well as sharp rebukes from Tanios himself, who frequently responded to customers with gleeful malice.

Last year, Emily Fitzgerald wrote, My goodness this is no way to run a business. No, the customer is not always right, but these immature responses, from the ownerwow. Men are wildly emotional, in a bad way.

Tanios responded with this: Thank you for your review. Please contact noone@sandwichU.com to complain about your previous visit. We will gladly give you a $0 Gift Card for a future visit.

According to the Morgantown Police Department, things escalated in October 2020, when someone threw a brick through his sandwich shop window. Tanios told cops he felt that it was a hate crimeretribution for the Trump 2020 sign he had outside.

Three months later, prosecutors say, he stormed the Capitol. Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi ordered Tanios to remain behind bars pending his trial. In court, prosecutors said the FBI had received a tip that his mother allegedly planned to find a way to get him to his familys native country of Lebanon. It was an accusation Maguy Tanios later denied, saying: Who tell you that?... This is my country. God bless the United States... We are American.

Texas Lifestyle Coach and QAnon-Obsessed Boyfriend Nabbed for Capitol Riot

Tanios and his alleged co-conspirator, Khater, have not been charged with causing the cops death, as the Washington medical examiner has not yet completed Officer Sicknicks autopsy results. On Tuesday, the medical examiners office told The Daily Beast it will make the results public when they are ready.

I don't think it's a deep-seated hatred of blue. Nor do I think that what happened was because he was a Trump supporter, Dantzler said. I don't think Trump brainwashed him into macing a police officer. George liked to be in the middle of chaos.

He's been doing things the same way with no fear of repercussions for so long, and it finally bit him, said the other employee, Denkert. Karma is a thing, and it finally got him.

with additional reporting by Pilar Melendez

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Vuong Dinh Hue, Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, was elected as Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Election Council (NEC) at the 11th sitting of the 14th legislature on March 31 morning.

Vuong Dinh Hue, Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, was elected as Chairman of the National Assembly and the National Election Council. In photo: Vuong Dinh Hue takes the oath of office.

All of the 473 deputies present at the sitting, or 98.54 percent of the total number of NA deputies, cast yes ballots. (Photo: VNA)

Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue is the new Chair of the 15th-tenure National Assembly and the National Election Council.

He was sworn in on March 31 morning after receiving 100 per cent of the votes from the 473 legislators during the 11th sitting of the 14th-tenure legislature.

Hue, 64, is the 12th parliament chair since the first general election was held in Vietnam in 1946, and the second Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee to be in this position after the incumbent Secretary-General and State President Nguyen Phu Trong.

Addressing the legislature, Hue thanked the NA for electing him as Chairman of the NA and pledged absolute loyalty to the Fatherland, the people and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

He also committed to doing his utmost to fulfil the tasks assigned by the Party, State and people.

As the Chairman of the National Assembly, I promise to try my best, together with the NA Standing Committee, NA agencies, NA Standing Committee agencies, and NA deputies, to inherit and promote the good tradition and great achievements of the NA in the past tenures, continue reforming methods, enhance the quality and efficiency of the NAs operations for the supreme target of serving the nations interests and for the peoples happiness, Hue stressed.

As the Chairman of the NEC, Hue pledged that he will work with the councils members to seriously perform the councils functions, missions and power as stipulated by law, and successfully organise the elections to elect competent deputies who are able to represent the peoples will, aspirations and right to mastery in the legislative body and the Peoples Councils at all levels in the next term.

He also thanked former NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and other predecessors for their important contributions to the legislatures operation and the enhancement of the Vietnamese NAs position on the international arena.

Hue succeeds Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, 66, the first woman elected to hold the top legislator position in the country's history five years ago, after her term came to an end and a resolution on the official dismissal of Ngan was adopted by the NA on Tuesday.

Hue was born in the central province of Nghe An and began his career as a lecturer at the Hanoi Finance and Accounting University in the late 70s-mid-80s. He studied abroad at the University of Economics in Bratislava (Slovakia) from 1986-90, returned as a lecturer and moved up in the ladder until he became the vice director of the Hanoi Finance and Accounting University in 1999.

He has a doctorate degree in economics, knows English, Russian, and some Czechoslovakian.

Since being admitted to the Party Central Committee of the Party in 2006, Hue has held various high-ranking positions: State Auditor General (2006-11), Minister of Finance (2011-13), Head of the Central Economic Commission (December 2012-April 206), Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economics (2016-2020), and currently Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee since February 2020.

Also during the sitting, the NA Standing Committee will present proposals on relieving certain NA Vice Chairpersons and the legislators will hold group discussions on this issue.

The legislature will cast secret ballots to relieve several NA Vice Chairpersons.

Following the release of the voting results, the deputies are scheduled to debate and vote on a resolution on relieving these NA Vice Chairpersons.

Later in the day, the NA Standing Committee will present a list of candidates for the positions, and the legislators will discuss in groups the candidates.

VNA/VNS
Holiday-starved Australians can get their hands on half-price flights that will go on sale on Thursday as part of an unprecedented package to boost the ailing tourism sector.

Interstate tickets to and from 13 holiday hotspots will be subsidised by the federal government under its $1.2billion plan until July 31.

Airlines will ramp up their flight schedules to deal with an expected surge in demand over the next three months.

The locations on offer are the Gold Coast, Cairns, the Whitsundays and Mackay region (including Proserpine and Hamilton Island), the Sunshine Coast, Lasseter and Alice Springs, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie, Broome, Avalon, Merimbula, and Kangaroo Island.

The tickets are for trips booked between April 1 and September 30 with around 46,000 discounted airfares on offer each week.

Australians can get their hands on half price tickets to a variety of holiday spots around the country from Thursday (pictured Elyse Knowles in the Whitsundays)

Holidaymakers can nab the tickets by going on to Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin websites or through travel agents.

The fares will be for economy travel only.

The government initially expected around 800,000 discounted tickets to be bought, but there will be no limits on the number of seats passengers can buy.

The half priced fares mean a one-way flight currently going from Sydney to Hamilton Island could be as little as $75.

The same deal from Melbourne to Kangaroo Island in South Australia could be available at $130, while a single flight from Sydney to Broome could be discounted to $396.

The areas involved have been chosen because they rely on tourism for their wealth and are particularly dependent on aviation for their visitor numbers.

The scheme is part of a huge bail-out package for the tourism sector which employs 611,000 Australians and has been crippled by the Covid-induced international border shutdown.

But a worrying outbreak of coronavirus cases in Queensland and New South Wales could throw many travel plans out the window.

Brisbane recorded two more locally acquired cases on Wednesday after eight new infections were found on Tuesday.

Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk said the lower cases on Wednesday raised hopes Brisbane's three-day lockdown may end on time at 5pm on Thursday - but refused to rule out an extension.

The tickets are for trips booked between April 1 and September 30 with around 46,000 discounted airfares on offer each week (pictured Broome in WA)

Around 46,000 half priced tickets will go on sale each week until July 31 (pictured Kangaroo Island SA, a destination included in the package)

The local cases are linked to a Princess Alexandra Hospital nurse who visited Byron Bay in northern New South Wales on the weekend of March 26-28 with her sister - with 11 infections now connected to that cluster.

A second cluster linked to a separate Princess Alexandra patient who had recently returned from Europe sits at eight cases.

One case was recorded in New South Wales on Wednesday prompting a string of restrictions to be enforced.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the new rules for Byron Bay and the surrounding Ballina, Tweed and Lismore local government areas, which come into effect 5pm Wednesday and will continue over the Easter long weekend until midnight April 5.

Gatherings in homes, including holiday rental properties have been restricted to a maximum 30 people in the four northern NSW local government areas.

Public indoor settings including hospitality venues must revert back to the one person per four square metre rule while the wearing of masks in shops, public transport and taxis will be mandatory.
Russians have been warned to limit their vodka consumption after receiving the Sputnik V jab, as the country registered the world's first vaccine for animals.

The head of the Gamaleya Research Institute, which created Russia's coronavirus vaccine, has said Russians should not drink more than one and a half shots of vodka a day if they want its protection to remain effective.

Alexander Gintsburg said that the cells of the immune system 'stop multiplying' if there is a higher level of alcohol in the body.

'Cells must multiply for antibodies to be produced,' he added.

The average Russian drinks 110 shots of the national drink each year, but the figure is believed to be far higher for men.

Recipients of the Sputnik V vaccine were previously advised to abstain from alcohol for nearly two months before and after receiving the jab to avoid straining the body's immune system.

Russians have been warned to limit their vodka consumption after receiving the Sputnik V jab, as the country registered the world's first vaccine for animals [Stock image]

The head of the Gamaleya Research Institute, which created Russia's coronavirus vaccine, has said Russians should not drink more than one and a half shots of vodka a day if they want its protection to remain effective. Alexander Gintsburg said that the cells of the immune system 'stop multiplying' if there is a higher level of alcohol in the body [Stock image]

Gintsburg's warning came as Russia registered the world's first vaccine for animals, named Carnivac-Cov.

'The next stage [of the pandemic] is the infection of farm and domestic animals,' the microbiologist said.

'And when we protect humanity with the help of good vaccines within a year, pets will be infected by that time. And no one is going to get rid of their beloved pets.

Gintsburg said that the pathogen will continue to evolve and be present in communities.

'One must be prepared for a long existence with this pathogen,' he added.

Carnivac-Cov was developed by the Federal Centre for Animal Health, according to Russian media.

'It is the world's first and currently only coronavirus vaccine for animals,' Konstantin Savenkov, head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, a watchdog.

Carnivac-Cov was developed by the Federal Centre for Animal Health, according to Russian media. Pictured: A rabbit receives an injection during the development of a covid vaccine for animals in Russia on December 9, 2020 [File photo]

'All the tested vaccinated animals developed antibodies to coronavirus in 100 per cent of cases,' he claimed.

Military dogs have been vaccinated ahead of their appearance at a Red Square parade on May 9th to mark the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Virologist Dr Nadezhda Rakhmanina said: 'This particular vaccine is needed, first of all, in fur farming.

'Cases of mass deaths of fur-bearing animals abroad, including in Denmark, were described last year.

'In general, fur-bearing animals are susceptible to many infectious diseases of humans, they even have a susceptibility to influenza.

'These animals can get sick with the coronavirus en masse. So the vaccine is really needed.

However Rakhmanina was less certain about the need for a jab for pets.

Demand for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, currently among the world's most effective, is rising in Europe and elsewhere. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin was in talks with France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Angela Merkel to discuss prospects for EU registration of the vaccine as well as shipments and joint production in EU nations [Stock image]

'Over the past year, it has not been proven that pets can be a source of Covid-19 infection for humans.

'There are isolated cases of infection in cats, which have been described and proven. But there is no mass [evidence] yet.'

Demand for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, currently among the world's most effective, is rising in Europe and elsewhere.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin was in talks with France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Angela Merkel to discuss prospects for EU registration of the vaccine as well as shipments and joint production in EU nations.

Russia has administered some 11.12million jabs of the virus among its more than 144.4million people but is struggling to combat high levels of vaccine hesitancy.

On Tuesday, the country recorded 8,162 new infections and 404 deaths. At least 4.49million cases of coronavirus have been reported in Russia since the pandemic began last year. A total of 96,817 people have died from the disease.
The death has occurred of Teresa Conway (nee Burke)

Sundays Well, Naas, Kildare



Conway (nee Burke), Teresa, Sundays Well, Naas, Co. Kildare, March 29th 2021, peacefully at St. Brigid's Hospice, The Curragh, beloved wife of the late Michael, deeply regretted by her loving daughters Michele and Sharon, sons-in-law Robert and Martin, grandchildren Harry, Lorcan, Eva and Ellen, sister Patricia, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, godchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Rest In Peace

Due to current government guidelines, a private family funeral will take place for Teresa. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to the current restrictions cannot, please leave a personal message for the family in the condolence section below. Teresa's Funeral Service can be viewed on Thursday morning at 10am by clicking on the following link :

https://www.naasparish.ie/our-parish/naas-webcam/

Oliver Reilly Ltd. Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues.

Family flowers only please. Donations if desired, to

https://friendsofstbrigidshospice.ie/donate-now/

The family thank everyone for their support and messages of condolence, but ask that due to the current pandemic that the house be kept for family only.

The death has occurred of John (Tony) Higgins

Formerly Ardreigh, Athy, Kildare



Deeply regretted by his loving sisters Maureen and Anne, brothers Laurence and Joseph, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Rest in Peace

Due to government restrictions a private family Funeral Service will take place at 11am on Thursday morning (1st April) in St. Michael's Parish Church, Athy, limited to 10 people. The service will be livestreamed, see www.parishofathy.ie. Burial afterwards in St. Michael's New Cemetery, Athy.

Those who would have liked to attend the funeral but cannot due to current restrictions may leave a message in the 'Condolences' section below.

The death has occurred of Hugh Thomas O'Reilly

Crodaun, Forest Park, Celbridge, Kildare / Beaumont, Dublin



Late of Coolgreena Road, Beaumont, Dublin 9. Suddenly and peacefully at his home, beloved son of the late Jane and Larry O'Reilly; sadly missed by his loving wife Martina, sons Alex and Jamie, brothers and sisters Fran, Liam, Marie and Robert, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours, friends, his much loved work colleagues in the Aviation Industry and his beloved dog and loyal companion Ringo.

May Hugh Thomas Rest In Peace.

Due to Government advice regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral will take place on Friday 2nd April (Good Friday) max. 10 people in church. Those who would have liked to attend but who cannot due to the current restrictions, please leave your message for the family in the Condolence Section below. The family would like to thank you for your support and understanding at this most difficult time.

The funeral cortege will leave Hugh Thomas' home at 10.30a.m. on route to the church, those who wish to line the route may do so in a safe and socially distanced manner.

Hugh Thomas' Funeral on Friday at 11.00a.m. maybe viewed on the following link:

https://www.celstra.ie/live-feed/

The death has occurred of Patrick (Paddy) Barrett

Gorey, Wexford / Baltinglass, Wicklow / Moone, Kildare



Patrick (Paddy) Barrett, Gorey and formerly of Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, Finsbury Park, London, and Stratford-on-Slaney, Wicklow. (Died suddenly on the 27th March, 2021 surrounded by his loving Family and the Nursing Staff of Middletown House). Pre-deceased by his sisters Sarah and Nan, brothers Jack, Jim and Robert. Sadly missed by his loving wife Mary, sons Sean and Kevin, daughter Angela, sisters Nora and Mary. Deeply regretted by his wife, sons, daughter, sisters, grandchildren Mark, Rosie, Lily, Terri, Emma, Isla, son-in-law Leo, daughters-in-law Sandra and Siobhan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives and friends.

May She Rest In Peace

Funeral arriving to the Church of the Blessed Trinity, Moone on Wednesday, 31st March, for Funeral Mass at 12 noon followed by Burial in the adjoining cemetery.(Social Distance Rules will apply in the Church and the Cemetery). For those who cannot attend the Funeral, Mass can be viewed on the following link : https://narraghmoreandmoone.ie

Family Flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Carers Ireland (Wexford Branch). The family very much appreciate your support and co-operation during this very sad and difficult time and would be grateful if you would express your message of sympathy on the Condolence link below this notice.

The death has occurred of Brendan DUNNE

Allenview Heights, Newbridge, Kildare



DUNNE Brendan (Allenview Heights, Newbridge, Co. Kildare) - 29th March 2021 (peacefully) in the wonderful care of the doctors, nurses and staff of Bloomfield Care Centre. Sadly missed by his wife Anne, children Evin, Lorcan and Aoife, Evin's partner Faye, Lorcan's partner Jean, son-in-law John, brother Sean, sisters Breda and Eileen, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.

May Brendan Rest in Peace





Funeral Arrangements Later
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 17:41:31|Editor: huaxia

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An Afghan woman poses for photos at a designing shop managed by Madiha Amiri in Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of Balkh province, Afghanistan, March 13, 2021. (Photo by Kawa Basharat/Xinhua)

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Like other regions of the insurgency-battered Afghanistan, the northern Mazar-i-Sharif city has been facing security threats that undermine businesses, but Madiha Amiri is ambitious and brave enough to open a designing shop here.

"Running a business is difficult but you have to persist, be patient and struggle to win," said Amiri.

Walking around her shop to check the work of her employees, Amiri, 26, told Xinhua that her aim is to design and produce new style outfits to cater to more clients and earn more money.

Attired in traditional dress to respect local culture, the ambitious entrepreneur muttered that as a woman, running a business in a conservative society like Afghanistan is difficult, if not impossible.

In the insurgency-plagued and conservative country, where many people, especially in rural areas, regard women working outside home as a taboo, it is not free of risk for her to run a business.

Among recent attacks on women in Afghanistan, unidentified armed men gunned down three female health workers in the eastern Jalalabad city on Tuesday.

Amiri, a graduate of Balkh University majoring in engineering, said softly that she preferred to run a business instead of working as an engineer with government or private companies.

Running a business can create job opportunities, she said.

"I established my business two years ago and currently 50 women are working for me," Amiri said with pride.

In addition to supplying a variety of Afghan traditional clothes, her team also introduces new designs and new style outfits to the market by internet, she said.

Needlework and embroidery have also been promoted by Amiri's designing shop to find more customers, she said.

The northern Balkh province with Mazar-i-Sharif as its capital has been the scene of increasing militancy over the past more than a decade as militant groups particularly the Taliban outfit are active in parts of the province.

Downplaying all the security threats, the valiant Amiri suggested that waiting for a peaceful environment to work would reduce your chance to become someone in society.

Amiri is satisfied with her income, saying the monthly income of her designing shop is "enough to pay salaries of all the 50 employees." Besides, she could save some money for the future every month.

She also hopes that she could employ more women and girls by further developing her business in future.

"Both tailoring and designing are fine arts and I have learned a lot from the designing shop and get reasonable income here to support myself and my family," said Basira Nazari, a staff of the shop. Enditem
of Americas purported name change to Voltswagen was an April Fools joke gone bad.

On Monday, the automaker briefly posted, then removed, a draft press release on its website supposedly announcing it was changing its name to promote electric vehicles. VW then put out a media release Tuesday pledging to rebrand itself Voltswagen in the U.S. as a public declaration of the companys future-forward investment in e-mobility.

Later Tuesday, the company fessed up.

The renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fools Day, VW said in a statement after removing the earlier release from its U.S. media site. We will provide additional updates on this matter soon. Earlier, a VW spokesperson at the German manufacturers headquarters in Wolfsburg called it an interesting idea from the marketing department.

VW may have gone too far in its effort to gin up buzz for its electrification push and the electric ID.4 crossover, which is just arriving in U.S. showrooms. Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess has taken on a more active role in getting the message out that the company can challenge Tesla Inc. as an electric leader and distance itself from a disastrous diesel-emissions scandal.

Not funny



Those stakes are too high to joke about, said Tom Morton, chief strategy officer for the U.S. at advertising firm R/GA in New York.

This is the most pressing challenge of the auto industry: Can you go electric? Morton said. Choosing to joke about it undermines their commitment.

VW has become a stock-market darling of late with its rapid-fire EV announcements. Its common stock has soared about 80% this year, giving the company a market value of roughly 140 billion euros ($165 billion). The shares fell as much as 3.2% in early intraday trading Wednesday in Frankfurt.

Diess held a Tesla-esque Power Day presentation earlier this month in which he pledged to build six new battery factories in Europe. VW plans to deliver 1 million plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles this year, and Diess aims to surpass Tesla in EV sales no later than 2025. Some analysts predict it will happen much sooner.

Its not unheard of for companies to use humor to gain publicity for a radical change, Morton said. IHOP famously renamed itself IHOB -- the International House of Burgers -- in a temporary stump to draw attention to its lunch menu.

Thats mainly being done by fast-food brands, where the stakes are lower and they need a bit of hoopla, Morton said, drawing a distinction with VWs situation. This is about a fundamental change of direction for a world-shaping industry and also one where theres a lot of baggage.

Prior gaffe



Its the second major marketing gaffe for VW recently. The automaker caused an uproar last year with a video clip that showed a black man being controlled by a giant white hand.

The clip produced by Omnicom Group Inc.s Berlin-based subsidiary Voltage sparked widespread criticism and tensions within the company. The automakers powerful labor representatives called it a low point and demanded an overhaul of social-media marketing.

VW vowed to tighten internal marketing controls but stopped short of removing executives and severing ties with agencies.
For the push for a fourth stimulus check, Senate Democrats sent a letter to the White House on Tuesday, prompting President Joe Biden to support recurring monthly payments. Text of the letter surfaced in early March, but the legislators stalled sending it until they obtain more signatures.

Americans Desperate for Funds

Americans are calling for a fourth stimulus check as they remain in dire need of funds to relieve their financial woes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The third stimulus check of $1,400 reached 90 million people this week. However, this only ignited demands for further financial assistance as the initial installments were not adequate to get them through.

Momentum Grows for Recurring Payments

A rising number of Democrats are prompting Biden to send recurring stimulus checks for low-income Americans as part of his sprawling infrastructure package. They contended cash payments are necessary until the American economy fully recovers from the novel coronavirus pandemic. In a Tuesday letter addressed to Biden, 21 senators -- spearheaded by Oregon's Ron Wyden  requested the administration to automatically extend unemployment insurance benefits and transfer recurring direct payments that would be tied to particular economic conditions, reported Yahoo Finance.

Senate Democrats nearly doubled backing for recurring monthly stimulus checks, going from 11 supporters to 21. This includes the chairs of the Finance and Budget committees. According to the letter, the crisis is far from ending, and families deserve affirmation they could put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. It added families should not be at the mercy of ad hoc solutions and constantly-shifting legislative timelines, reported Newsweek.

Thousands of United States citizens have signed a petition for monthly payments. They affirmed that receiving money directly into people's accounts is important. The online petition, signed by over 43,300 people as of Friday, demands a fourth stimulus plan for grappling Americans. It claims that recurring checks are the only way to recuperate from the global health crisis.

Illegal Immigrants to Be Sent $4.38 Billion Stimulus Checks

In the course of one month, the coalition secured the support of another 11 Democrats, including Senator Majority Whip Dick Durbin and moderates including Senator Gary Peters, D-Mich., Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Senator Jack Reed, D-R.I. The senators did not mention several specifics, such as the size and frequency of the payments. They also did not mention the economic conditions that would result in the federal government cutting off the funding and the income qualifications level for recipients.

Among the senators who signed the letter were Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Initially penned on March 1, the legislators prompted Biden to include automatic unemployment extensions tied to economic conditions in his Build Back Better plan and recurring direct payments.

A number of people are taking to social media to convey concern that the three stimulus checks over the past year are insufficient to buy groceries and pay off debt. Some asked the president to immediately commence the talks for the fourth stimulus negotiation. This is despite Biden failing to secure the approval of Republicans with his recent $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, reported The Sun.

IRS to Send Second Batch of Third Stimulus Checks on March 24

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The program will run for about two weeks, from April 26 to May 12, and will be held as a virtual online course due to COVID-19 this year. GIN is an Austrian government-led network that connects Austrian and Asian startups. Since 2016, it has been offering annual incubation programs for 10 startups in Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, and Singapore.

Dtonic is a big data company that deals with spatio-temporal big data. The company started as an in-house venture by Hyundai Motor Company and was spun off in 2014. It has successfully developed technology necessary to process spatio-temporal big data and is currently expanding into the field of smart cities.

Dtonic's technology Geo-Hiker resembles a boosting engine that helps speed up processing and analysis of spatio-temporal big data. It utilizes a top-notch indexing algorithm based on the spatio-temporal characteristics of big data. In addition, advanced data distribution technology is applied for optimal channel load between nodes to maximize data processing performance. This technology was introduced to Hyundai Motor Company and the Korean Road Traffic Authority and will be used in the Busan Eco-Delta Smart City and Bucheon Smart City Challenge projects as well as projects for autonomous vehicles and future mobility, smart factories, and smart farms.

Spatio-temporal big data technology developed by Dtonic is regarded as the core of Korea's COVID-19 Epidemiological Investigation Support System (EISS), which played a pivotal role in the success of Korean quarantine. Today, EISS is being exported worldwide. This contribution by Dtonic proved excellence of Korea's quarantine system to the world. Dtonic is also preparing to enter Europe and the Middle East through and arrange technology transfer with local companies.

Yong-Joo Jun, CEO of Dtonic, "We are systematically preparing to launch our European branch this year thanks to the all-round support of Born2Global Centre and of various incubating programs. These include Spanish incubating program in which our company was the only Asian-Pacific participant selected last year, the Sweden K-Startup Centre (KSC)'s incubating program, and the Austrian incubating program in which our company was selected this year," He added, "We will quickly promote global commercialization with our development centers and sales centers in Southeast Asia, which are scheduled to be established in the first half of the year, to make Dtonic's technology world-famous."

For more detailed information on Dtonic, visit https://www.dtonic.io/.

Media contact

Dtonic: [email protected]

Born2Global Centre: [email protected]

SOURCE Born2Global Centre
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) delivered a speech on the floor of the United States Senate in support of the For the People Act.

Padilla was Wednesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

I rise to speak today on the For the People Act.

But before I do, I want to take a moment to honor the lives of those tragically lost in Colorado yesterday by yet another senseless mass shooting in our country. My heart breaks for their families.

But the sobering and harsh reality is that it is easier to buy a gun in some parts of the country than it is to cast a ballot.

In 25 states, voters must be registered and have IDs in order to cast a ballot. But those same states allow people to buy rifles without permits and require no background checks for some sales. Think about that.

It seems to me that we have our priorities entirely backward when we make it easier to buy a weapon than we do to cast a vote.

Mr. President, as we work to rebuild our economy for all of our people, we must acknowledge that to build an inclusive economy, we need an inclusive democracy.

Just as the pandemic put a spotlight on the historic inequities in our economy and health care systems, so too did it shine a light on inequities in access to the ballot.

The 2020 election  held in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic  demonstrated once again that we have made it easier for some citizens to vote than others. That is not an accident.

Depending on where a voter lives, they may or may not be able to register to vote online. They may or may not be able to participate in same day registration. They may or may not be able to vote early or by mail. All of this varies state-by-state.

This patchwork has a direct and dramatic effect on whose voices are heard in our democracy.

Too often, its working-class communities, communities of color, and young voters who are silenced.

For voters whose work schedule does not allow them to wait in line to vote, the denial of vote by mail and early voting denies the opportunity to vote altogether.

For voters who do not have a specified form of state identificationeven though they are American citizens of voting age and otherwise eligible  lack of ID can mean that they will not be given a ballot, even if they can verify their identity in another way.

For voters who want to vote by mail, unreasonable ballot receipt deadlines and a scarcity of ballot return locations, and slow, unreliable postal service delivery times can mean ballots not being counted.

For young voters, and for those who move frequently, antiquated registration systems and unreasonably early registration deadlines can leave them unable to register or update their registration record to exercise their fundamental right to vote.

All of these voting restrictions have a disproportionate impact on communities of color.

Just like the poll taxes and literacy tests of the Jim Crow era, the truth is plain for all to see: voter suppression laws are rooted in white supremacy.

The For the People Act presents an opportunity to establish a baseline of voting rights and ballot access for all voters.

I know that the For the People Act will improve voting rights in America because as Californias Secretary of State, I helped adopt and implement these best practices.

These include:

 automatic and same day voter registration,

 online registration,

 expanded access to vote by mail,

 extended early voting periods, and

 widespread and convenient access to secure, official ballot drop off locations.

Together, these policies help ensure equitable access to the ballot and, in so, strengthen our democracy.

While California has led the way in making our elections more accessible to all voters, the policies we implemented are not unique to our state:

 States like Maine and Alaska have also adopted automatic voter registration policies.

 States like Utah, Iowa, Idaho, and Wyoming, also permit same-day voter registration.

 States like Florida and Ohio also allow no-excuse vote by mail and provide voters with early voting options as well.

The election reforms within the For the People Act are not Democratic or Republican policies, they are common sense and they are proven to work.

All voters deserve equal voting rights and equal access to the ballot.

We are a stronger democracy and a better nation when we hear all voices from all corners of our nation, and when those voices are not just heard, but counted.

By passing the For the People Act we can ensure that more voices are heard and more voices are counted.

Thank you Mr. President. I yield the floor.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Byron Bay's Bluesfest has been cancelled thanks to the Queensland Covid outbreak that has spread to the idyllic coastal town.

The popular annual music festival was set to be one of the biggest the world has seen since the pandemic - but has been called off at the last second due to fears the carnival could lead to a super-spreader event.

New South Wales recorded one coronavirus case overnight after an infected nurse working in Brisbane attended a hen's party in Byron Bay over the weekend.

Bluesfest has become the first major casualty of the new case as the holiday destination now regresses into tight restrictions to prevent further cases.

Artists that were due to play over the weekend included Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana John Butler and Pete Murray.

Organises behind Bluesfest are believed to be looking to relocate the festival to better days rather than cancel the event completely.

The popular annual music festival was set to be one of the biggest the world has seen since the pandemic - but has been called off at the last second due to fears the carnival could lead to a super-spreader event

Bluesfest has become the first major casualty of the new case as the holiday destination now regresses into tight restrictions to prevent further cases

Tash Sultana (left) and Jimmy Barnes (right) were due to headline Bluesfest over the weekend

The popular annual music festival was set to be one of the biggest the world has seen since the pandemic but has now been cancelled

Festival goers leave the Bluesfest site after it was cancelled on Wednesday

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon acknowledging it was 'disappointing' but in the best interests of the state.

'Infectious Queensland travellers attended a number of venues in the Byron Bay area and the new locally acquired case was infected at one of these venues,' a statement released by Mr Hazzard said.

'NSW Health acknowledges that the cancellation of Bluesfest is disappointing for ticket holders and event organisers.

'However while urgent investigations and contact tracing are ongoing, NSW Health is adopting a cautious approach to keep everyone safe.'

The northern NSW man aged in his 20s tested positive on Tuesday night after sitting within close proximity to an infected hen's party from Queensland at the Byron Beach Hotel last Friday. He is now in isolation.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced new rules for the far northern NSW holiday hotspot and the surrounding Ballina, Tweed and Lismore local government areas, which come into effect 5pm Wednesday and continue over the Easter long weekend until midnight April 5.

Gatherings in homes, including holiday rental properties have been restricted to a maximum 30 people in the four northern NSW local government areas.

Public indoor settings including hospitality venues must revert back to the one person per four square metre rule while the wearing of masks in shops, public transport and taxis will be mandatory.

Bluesfest has become the first major casualty of the new case as the holiday destination now regresses into tight restrictions to prevent further cases. Pictured: Festival goers leave the Bluesfest site after it was cancelled on Wednesday

Byron Bay's Bluesfest has been cancelled thanks to the Queensland Covid outbreak that has spread to the idyllic coastal town

Ocean Alley were one of the headliners of the the event which has since been cancelled

Byron Beach Hotel was one of the venues attended by confirmed cases of coronavirus over the weekend that have led to the cancellation of Bluesfest

The Farm has also been put on alert after the infected nurse visited the popular cafe

Thousands of festival revellers will be left extremely disappointed just a day out from the event after the NSW government cancelled Bluesfest

More venues in Byron Bay have also been added to NSW Health's COVID-19 exposure site list, including a burger bar, surf shop and women's clothes store.

Two Ballina venues have also been added after the NSW case attended a tavern and golf course while unknowingly infectious on Sunday March 28.

Anyone who attended the Henry Rous Tavern on Sunday between 1.20pm- 2.20pm or the Ballina Golf and Sports Club pro shop 2:25pm-2:35pm must immediately get tested and self-isolate until further advice is provided by NSW Health.

NSW Health has adopted a cautious approach to minimise the risk of further transmission.

'We want you to limit the number of people that come to your home to 30 and, as we know, during this time of year, there may be house parties or other events,' Ms Berejiklian said on Wednesday.

'We want all of those limited to 30 and please make sure you have a list of everyone who attended or is attending your home.'

Organises behind Bluesfest are believed to be looking to relocate the festival to another date rather than cancel the event completely

Organises behind Bluesfest are believed to be looking to relocate the festival to better days rather than cancel the event completely

All public indoor settings, including hospitality venues must revert back to the four square metre rule, where customers must stay seated at all times.

'The positive news in all of this is we're not saying to businesses shut your doors, quite the opposite,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'We are saying you can keep your doors open but because of the risk that is there, we want you to be extra cautious.

'Until the end of Easter, you are able to keep your doors open but make sure you revert to the four square metre rule and make sure that all of your patrons are seated and not standing up and mingling.'

'Given what has been identified since 8pm last night, the community and our citizens would understand why we are taking these measures.'
Younger people in New Jersey are increasingly being hospitalized at higher rates for the coronavirus as the number of new daily cases continues to climb.

COVID-19 hospitalizations in New Jersey are up 28% over the past two weeks  a trend officials say is concerning. New models Gov. Phil Murphy unveiled Wednesday showed the pandemics latest wave may not peak until mid-May under a worst-case scenario.

But unlike the early days of the pandemic, its not elderly people who are driving the increase.

When we compare hospitalizations in the first and last weeks of March by age group, were seeing the percentage of younger individuals being hospitalized, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said during the states latest coronavirus briefing in Trenton.

That includes:

A 31% increase among hospitalizations in individuals between the ages of 20 and 29.

A 9% increase among people between 30 and 39.

A 48% increase among people between 40 to 49.

A 29% increase among people 50 to 59.

A 27% increase among people 60 to 69.

A 7% increase among people 70 to 79.

A 1% increase among people over 80.

That mirrors a national trend. Cases among people ages 50 to 65 are increasing more than those older than 65 as positive tests rise throughout the U.S., according to reports.

Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, medical advisor to the New Jersey COVID-19 response team, said Wednesday that this is partially because people 65 and older  including in nursing homes  are more likely to be vaccinated.

We know that the efficacy of the vaccine in the older population who are eligible from the beginning or pretty close to the beginning has made a difference, Bresnitz said. The younger population, whether they have underlying diseases or not, have not been in the highest priority area.

Thats not to say that we dont have older people who arent being hospitalized, too, he added. There are plenty who havent been vaccinated yet. I will say that I want to remind folks, though, while I have the opportunity, Governor, to say that we do have a therapy, monoclonal antibodies, that can prevent hospitalizations, particularly those who are eligible.

In all, there were 2,363 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases across New Jerseys 71 hospitals as of Tuesday night  the most since Feb. 16.

Patients in intensive care have increased 16% across the state over the last two weeks, Persichilli said, though ventilator use is down 4%. The health commissioner said the increase in younger hospitalized patients could explain the drop in the latter.

COVID-19 hospitalizations in New Jersey.

The virus has proven much more deadly for older residents, especially those with preexisting conditions. Nearly half the states COVID-19 deaths have been among residents 80 and older (46.9%), 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%).

But officials warn that younger people can still suffer severe cases and can pass the virus to older and more vulnerable people.

New Jersey on Wednesday reported another 4,586 confirmed cases and 44 additional confirmed deaths as officials say the new wave is being fueled by numerous, more contagious variants spreading and people being lax with safety restrictions. The states seven-day average for newly confirmed cases is 3,977, up 19% from a week ago and 36% from a month ago.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

The modeling released Wednesday shows the state would peak with 5,405 cases and 2,669 people hospitalized with COVID-19  including 574 people in intensive care, with 319 on ventilators  on April 18 under a moderate scenario.

Under a high scenario, the state would peak at 8,162 cases and 3,644 people hospitalized on May 18, the models show. There would be a peak of 2,030 patients in intensive care, with 778 on ventilators, on May 20.

Persichilli said the state is also expecting deaths to increase and warned the state could be in for a long and difficult summer if these numbers materialize. But she added that hospitalizations likely wont reach the levels they did during the first wave last spring and the state now has adequate supplies to battle the pandemic.

Officials stressed these numbers are only projections and that masking, social distancing, and increased vaccinations can help avoid them.

We must work together and be vigilant so we can ensure we dont slip backwards, Persichilli said. We have to redouble our efforts. There is still an uncertainty ahead with this relentless virus.

(Is the chart not displaying? Click here.)

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
Summary

[Project objective] A very promising approach to reduce malaria transmission is the development of so-called "Transmission Blocking Vaccines" or "TBVs" that could block the transmission of the parasite from humans to the mosquito. Targeted vaccination of individuals in high transmission areas promise an immediate and effective reduction in the number of malaria cases. Although a TBV would not directly prevent immunized individuals from developing the disease, it has a clear, delayed clinical benefit for the population. Moreover, a TBV could provide effective means to prevent the spread of antimalarial drug-resistant parasites, and parasites that break through the most advanced malaria vaccine (Mosquirix) to date. Thus, the development of new TBVs is one of the research priorities for a cost-effective intervention that can directly support the malaria eradication effort. The development of TBVs has mostly focused on P. falciparum ookinete surface protein 25 (Pfs25) and its P. vivax homolog Pvs25, for which Phase 1 clinical trials have been initiated, as well as gametocyte proteins such as Pfs48/45 and Pfs230. However, successful suppression of malaria transmission in most parts of the world will require TBVs that effectively block transmission of both P. falciparum and P. vivax, as the most common causes of disease. A parasite-centric approach requires the development of multiple TBVs using protein immunogens from different species. Instead, the partners focused our studies on developing a vaccine based on a highly conserved mosquito protein that acts as a receptor for the parasite and has the potential to block malaria transmission regardless of the Plasmodium species, i.e., a so-called universal malaria TBV. [Project design] The anopheline mosquito midgut-specific alanyl aminopeptidase N (AnAPN1) is a luminal midgut surface protein involved in blood meal digestion. At present, AnAPN1 is the only TBV candidate, which blocks parasite transmission of P. falciparum and P. vivax in different Anopheles species. Working with a mosquito protein further reduces the risk that the parasite could develop resistance against the intervention, potentially allowing for a long-term use of the vaccine under elimination settings. AnAPN1 has been studied extensively in transmission-blocking experiments, where the protein induced very high titers in immunized animals. A detailed analysis of the protein structure and consecutive mapping of epitope domains identified critical transmission-blocking epitopes of AnAPN1 that can elicit antibodies that completely reduced parasite development in the mosquito. Since any TBV will require very high antibody titers within vaccinated individuals to be effective, it is mandatory to develop an optimized antigen to ensure transmission-blocking activity. The partners have achieved this goal, by re-designing the AnAPN1 antigen and immuno-focusing the humoral response to the key epitopes. The optimized AnAPN1 immunogen, UF6b, has no purification tags, and when formulated with the GLA-LSQ adjuvant elicits potent transmission-blocking activity in mice and non-human primates against natural P. falciparum strains. This project represents a joint effort by the University of Florida, CellFree Sciences, Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, Center of Medical Research Lambarene (CERMEL), and the University Hospital Tubingen. The partners envision that during the two-stage project they will complete preclinical manufacturing of UF6b and toxicology testing to obtain ethical approval for use of the vaccine and then enter directly into Phase IA/B clinical trials in Lambarene, Gabon. As the end points of the clinical trial, safety and dose will be confirmed. Antibodies obtained from immunized individuals will be fully evaluated using a set of functional, immunological, and biological assays established at the University of Florida and CERMEL.
Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda on Tuesday, March 30, unveiled a new charging station, thanks to a partnership between the company, Siemens and Radisson Blue Hotel.

The new facility is located at Kigali Convention Centre and becomes the second of the kind after the one established in Kigali Special Economic Zone.

According to Serge Kamuhinda, the CEO of Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda, the new station is a stepping stone to a more environmental friendly transportation.

He said: "This milestone is in line with the country's vision to curb the spread of carbon emission and preserve the environment. Also, this is a strategic location that will help both event organizers and participants using electric cars among other beneficiaries."

An electric Volkswagen polo car charging at the new station that was opened at Kigali Convention Centre on Tuesday, March 30. Photo: Craish Bahizi.

"Three more charging stations are in the pipeline, and we hope to establish more and increase the number of electric cars as soon as the government policy on electric vehicles is announced," he added.

Volkswagen began enrolling electric cars on Rwandan market in 2019, and so far there are 20 of them that are hired by public institutions or operate as cabs.

The company says that, in partnership with the government and other partners, it is still in the phase of data collection and analysis on aspects such as performance of the e lectric cars and their suitable conditions before allowing the public to start purchasing them.

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During the ceremony to launch the new charging station, Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya, Minister for Environment, commended Volkswagen's efforts towards green transportation.

"This further advances Rwanda's transition to clean and green transportation," she noted.

"For more than two decades, Rwanda has fostered a green growth approach to economic development through progressive environmental policies and the protection of our natural heritage. Investing in e-mobility is a continuation of this approach," she explained.

Meanwhile, Okechukwu Daniel Ogbonnaya, the Country Representative of Global Green Growth Institute in Rwanda, highlighted that for the country to be successful as far as e-mobility is concerned, a couple of things need to be put into consideration.

"It will be due to carefully crafted policies and regulations that can attract forward-thinking, and intrepid companies such as Volkswagen Mobility Solutions to make it a reality," he said.

He added: "We see Rwanda as a hotbed for testing new innovations and technologies, particularly when it comes to smart cities and green growth."

Tuesday also saw Volkswagen unveil a new vehicle dubbed 'Polo Sedan' that comes to add to other products assembled in Rwanda by the company.
W.Va. implements nation's 'most expansive' school choice program by helping pay for private, homeschool

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School choice advocates are praising West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice for enacting the most expansive education savings account policy in the country after he signed a bill into law giving parents money to help pay for private or homeschool education if they opt to take their children out of public school.

Justice signed House Bill 2013 into law Saturday. The bill established the Hope Scholarship Program, which will provide the option for a parent to better meet the individual education needs of his or her child. Under the Hope Scholarship Program, which will go into effect on July 1, 2022, eligible recipients can receive funding that is equal to 100 percent of the prior years statewide average net share aid allotted per pupil based on net enrollment adjusted for state purposes.

According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail, House Bill 2013 will enable families who withdraw their children from public schools to receive a currently-estimated $4,600 per-student, per-year (scholarship) for private- and home-schooling expenses. The publication reported that Parents could use the vouchers for a nearly unlimited list of educational expenses, including online education programs, tutoring, books and private schooling, whether religious or secular.

The Hope Scholarship is available to all students who were enrolled full-time and attending a public elementary or secondary school program in this state for at least 45 calendar days during an instructional term at the time of application and until an award letter is issued by the board or are eligible to be enrolled in a kindergarten program in the state. The funds for a Hope Scholarship must be placed in a personal education savings account to be used for qualifying education expenses on behalf of the eligible recipient.

EdChoice, a national school choice advocacy group, described House Bill 2013 as the most expansive education savings account policy in the United States. This is an incredible accomplishment for the families of West Virginia, who will now have access to educational options they might never have been able to access before, said Robert Enlow, the CEO and President of EdChoice.

As we reflect on how drastically K-12 education has changed during the pandemic, we look forward to education savings accounts as a way to empower families with the kinds of choices they need moving forward, he continued. House Bill 2013 also received praise from Garrett Ballengee, president of the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, a conservative think-tank.

With this program becoming law, West Virginia is a national leader in its approach to K-12 education by placing front-and-center whats most important: children, he said. The Hope Scholarship will open up great opportunities to generations of West Virginians who, prior to the Hope Scholarship becoming law, would not have been able to access an education best suited to his or her learning needs.

As of right now, students currently attending non-public schools are not eligible for Hope Scholarship funds. However, if by July 1, 2024, the number of Hope Scholarship students is equal to less than 5% of public school enrollment, the Hope Scholarship Program will become available to all West Virginia students beginning on July 1, 2026.

The passage of House Bill 2013 comes as many public school students in the U.S. have not attended in-person classes in more than a year as a result of the widespread shutdowns implemented because of the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the enactment of the legislation comes at a time when some public schools have faced criticism for the enactment of controversial sex education programs as well as the adoption of anti-Christian philosophies and the embrace of the Black Lives Matter movement.

While school choice advocates cheered the new legislation, the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to the West Virginia House of Delegates, urging the states lower chamber to reject it. The group contended that the legislation discriminates against students because schools that discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity, disability, and religion would be eligible to receive funding through the state via the Hope Scholarship accounts.

Although a significant number of Republicans and all Democrats opposed the bill, it managed to pass due to substantial Republican supermajorities in both chambers. The House of Delegates passed House Bill 2013 by a margin of 57-42 on March 4 and the West Virginia Senate passed it by a margin of 20-13 two weeks later.
The government will start vaccinating Cambodians with the recently-purchased CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech, while also expanding priority groups to legislature staffers, garment workers and public utility workers.

Cambodia received 1.5 million doses of the CoronaVac vaccine earlier this week, purchased for $15 million. Before, the government had used 324,000 doses of the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine and a donation of 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, with an additional 700,000 doses expected to arrive Wednesday evening.

The Ministry of Health also increased the priority groups that will get the vaccine, including National Assembly and Senate officials and their families, news reporters, subnational officials and armed forces personnel, Electricite du Cambodge staff, lawyers at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal and garment workers.

The vaccines have been tested for safety and effectiveness and have been in use in the region and in the world where many countries have been using it to vaccinate millions of their population, the statement reads.

Youk Sambath, a Ministry of Health spokesperson, said last week that the Sinovac vaccine was as effective as the Sinopharm vaccine. But, while Sinopharm cannot be used on those aged over 60 years, Sinovac could be used for all adults, she said.

Yang Sophorn, who heads the Cambodian Confederation of Union, said it was good news that garment workers were being added as a priority group. She said the lack of proper information had also cast doubts among workers about the vaccines.

I think the information that garment workers received is limited. Thus, it could confuse them, leading to some reluctance to get vaccinated, she said.

Meas Nee, a social and political analyst, said it was normal for any country to have priority groups since vaccine availability is limited. He said the government still needs to reassure citizens to take the Chinese vaccines.

I see that the government is still finding it hard to instill confidence among the citizens to receive the Chinese vaccines because the question of their quality is still uncertain, Meas Nee said.
Update April 7, 2021: New York wont exempt unemployment payments from state taxes

Syracuse, N.Y.  New York has yet to adopt the federal governments exemption on the first $10,200 in unemployment payments, forcing many New Yorkers still struggling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their finances to delay filing their 2020 tax returns.

The American Rescue Plan exempts the first $10,200 in unemployment compensation received in 2020 from federal income taxes ($20,400 for married couples, though the individual limit of $10,200 still applies to each).

The exemption applies to individuals or couples who made less than $150,000 in adjusted gross income last year. It could save an individual $1,000 or more in federal income taxes.

But its up to states with income taxes to adopt the same exemption when it comes to state taxes.

Some states automatically adopt changes to the federal tax code. But as its stands right now, New York is not one of them. And state lawmakers have not decided whether to change state tax law to adopt the same exemption for unemployment benefits.

That could change soon. A bipartisan bill introduced in the state Senate (Senate Bill S5125A) would exclude from state taxes the first $10,200 in unemployment payments received by New York residents last year, matching the federal exemption.

During this exceptionally difficult time, New Yorkers deserve help with no strings attached, said Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Midwood, Madison, Boro Park), who introduced the bill. When the government extends help with its right hand, the left hand has no business taking it back. Unemployment benefits are a lifeline to families struggling to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and to pay for necessities.

A similar bill was introduced in the Assembly earlier this month by Assemblyman Peter J. Abbatte (D- Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights).

If adopted, the exemption could save the average taxpayer in New York around $500 in state taxes on their unemployment compensation.

But unless state lawmakers adopt the exemption, every dollar that New York residents received in unemployment payments last year will be taxed by the state. (More than $59 billion in unemployment was paid to nearly 4 million New Yorkers from March 2020, when the pandemic started, to the end of the year, an average of about $15,000 a person, according to the Daily News.)

Felders bill sits in the Senate Budget and Revenue Committee.

But a faster route would be the 2021 state budget. Its possible the exemption could simply be included in the budget, which is due Thursday. Gov. Andrew Cuomos office and the state Department of Taxation and Finance have not responded to requests for comment.

In the meantime, New Yorkers who received unemployment payments in 2020 have been forced to hold off on filing their tax returns. Otherwise, they might have to file amended state returns later this year to claim the exemption on their state taxes.

Fortunately, taxpayers have extra time to file their returns this year. The IRS has extended the federal deadline from April 15 to May 17, and New York has followed suit.

Taxpayers who received unemployment payments and filed their federal returns before the American Rescue Plan was approved dont have to do anything. The IRS will calculate the exemption for them and simply give them a larger refund.

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
The officer had been brought up before the villages police and fire commission on a charge of official misconduct, but the charge was not of a sexual nature, Mick said.
Fueled by new more contagious and lethal variants of COVID-19, a third wave of the pandemic is rapidly developing in Pakistan, leading to a surge in infections in the countrys densely populated cities. Despite the gravity of the situation, Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Islamist populist Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) government continue to adamantly rule out taking the social and public health measures necessary to prevent mass infections and deaths.

Two weeks ago, the government was forced to admit that the more contagious B.1.1.7 or British variant was dominant in the country amidst a surge of new cases, and that the country was facing a dangerous situation.

A man holds his 10-month-old baby daughter who suffers from polio, in Suleiman Khel, Pakistan, May 6, 2020 (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)

Since last week, new COVID-19 cases have remained above 4,000 a day for the first time since June, while the test positivity rate remains above 10 percentan indication that only a fraction of the infections are being officially identified.

Those who have been infected during the current surge, which began in early March, include Khan himself, the countrys president, Arif Alvi, and Defense Minister Pervez Khattak.

Khan, who throughout the pandemic has sought to downplay the threat from the virus, has previously been criticized in the media for appearing in public without a mask. Unsurprisingly, with callous disregard to the personal health of his own media team, Khan convened an in-person meeting at his palatial residence just days after testing positive.

Khans refusal to adopt measures to curb the latest wave of infections is in line with his opposition all along to any measures to suppress the spread of the virus.

Islamist right-wingers seized upon the reports of Khans infection to escalate their anti-vaccination campaign, deliberately misconstruing the significance of Khan having tested positive for COVID-19 just two days after he received the first dose of a two-dose vaccine.

Islamic fundamentalists have long campaigned against vaccinations. But they have become further emboldened in recent years, because Khan and the entire Islamabad establishment have repeatedly made concessions to them so as to cultivate a reactionary bulwark against the working class. Health workers administering the polio vaccine have repeatedly been targeted for assassination in recent years.

Prime Minister Khan, the president and defence minister are all reportedly in stable condition with ample medical care and facilities available to them. However, for the vast majority of the impoverished Pakistani population, it is an entirely different story. The new wave of the pandemic presents them with a health and economic catastrophe. Many households have only one breadwinner, meaning that they must make the choice between risking their health under dangerous working conditions or putting food on the table for their family. There is no space to quarantine in these crowded dwellings. Getting tested for coronavirus is virtually impossible, as is access to adequate health care in general.

Asad Umar, the minister leading the PTI governments response to the pandemic, has ruled out implementing a complete lockdown to contain the virus spread. He announced the governments decision after convening a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) last week. Provincial governments and local authorities are continuing with haphazard and insufficient measures, including smart and micro-smart lockdowns in localities where the test positivity rate is higher than 8 percent. Businesses in some areas have been asked to shut down by 6 p.m.

The government also has no serious vaccination plan. Initially it allotted no money for procuring vaccines and relegated all responsibility for supplying the Pakistani people with vaccines to COVAX, a vastly underfunded World Health Organization (WHO) initiative tasked with providing free vaccines to poor countries.

With the delivery of doses from COVAX delayed due to production mishaps and the vaccine nationalism of the major capitalist powers, the government with much fanfare launched a vaccination program for health workers after China donated 500,000 doses of its Sinopharm vaccine and pledged an additional 500,000.

Sinopharm, like the majority of COVID-19 vaccines, requires that recipients receive two doses to be fully effective. Facing widespread criticism, the government subsequently announced that it would purchase 7 million additional doses from China. This would be enough to fully vaccinate 3.5 million of Pakistans 216 million people or less than 1.5 percent.

The government has also now set price caps for commercial vaccine imports, reversing an earlier decision to exempt COVID-19 vaccines from the countrys vaccine-price regulatory regime. However, the price remains prohibitive for the vast majority of the Pakistani population. Thus the commercial imports will benefit only a tiny minority comprised of the elite and more affluent.

The underlying thrust of the governments policy was made clear when Umar blamed the poverty of the population for the governments inability to enforce a complete lockdown. It is not the solution, the former business executive said, cynically adding, You cannot shut down the entire country and steal peoples livelihoods.

In other words, the government will not attempt to suppress the third wave of the pandemic because it does not want to incur any cost doing so. It has refused to provide any economic assistance to those in need and intends to wait for someone to supply vaccines free of charge to the vast majority of Pakistanis. Khans main concern remains averting any impact on business profits and the wealth and investments of the capitalist elite, regardless of the cost to the lives and wellbeing of the working class and rural poor.

Umar, as the minister for Planning, Reforms and Special Initiatives in Khans cabinet, plays a key role in the governments implementation of International Monetary Fund-championed pro-market reforms. These include the elimination of subsidies, tax increases, the sell-off of publicly owned enterprises, and restrictions on borrowing from the countrys central bank. These measures had drastically increased poverty among the masses even before they were hit by the pandemic. Vastly underestimated official figures show that 60 million people live in poverty, an increase of 10 million from prior to the pandemic.

According to Sania Nishtar, a special assistant to Khan, the pandemic affected the livelihoods of 24.9 million last year. Yet, when the government announced an emergency assistance program, 139 million people applied for support.

Concerned only with averting mass social unrest, the government ultimately provided a meagre sum of roughly 12,000 rupees per head (about US$75) to 16.9 million people. In total, it spent 203 billion rupees or $1.2 billion, leaving tens of millions to suffer in destitution.

The amount it spent was even less than the $1.4 billion it borrowed from the IMF in April 2020 under an emergency financing program the agency established to mitigate the pandemics economic fallout. In comparison, Pakistans overall defense related expenditure last year was estimated at $11 billion, which represented an increase of at least 12 percent over the previous year.

Khan and his government similarly resisted any measures to contain the pandemic last year. As the social crisis intensified due to the governments refusal to provide adequate financial support, the PTI government seized on the distress and misery of wide layers of the population to intensify its campaign against any economic shutdowns. It demanded the reversing of limited lockdown measures enforced by local governments, and the reopening of factories and other economic activities regardless of the spread of the virus.

For the impoverished population, the basic necessities for any effective response to the pandemicsuch as decent housing, running water and free access to well-equipped health facilitiesare luxuries beyond imagination. In 2014 an estimated 32 million people lived in slums in the nuclear-armed South Asian nation, a figure which must have increased substantially over the past seven years given the countrys rapid urbanization and population growth.

For the vast majority of the poor, health facilities are abysmal. A UNICEF report in 2020 provided a bleak picture of the health of slum dwellers in Pakistans largest cities. Its in-depth study to determine the vaccination coverage against childhood diseases for children aged between 12 and 23 months revealed that only 53 percent were fully vaccinated. Fully 33 percent of mothers did not know that vaccinations protect their children from diseases, and 44 percent were unaware of the vaccination services provided in their neighborhood, if any.

In the past 12 months, Pakistan conducted just over 10 million tests for COVID-19, with the daily test rate currently hovering around 40,000. The severe lack of testing and reporting, combined with the lack of access to health care, have led to Pakistan having comparatively moderate and undoubtedly vastly undercounted official figures for COVID-19 infections and deaths663,200 and 14,356 respectively.
In the memo, Mr. Bastian said it was only after the law was passed that he truly understood the degree to which it would impose restrictions on Black voters.

After having time to now fully understand all that is in the bill, coupled with discussions with leaders and employees in the Black community, its evident that the bill includes provisions that will make it harder for many underrepresented voters, particularly Black voters, to exercise their constitutional right to elect their representatives, he said. That is wrong.

Mr. Bastian went further, saying the new law was based on false pretenses.

The entire rationale for this bill was based on a lie: that there was widespread voter fraud in Georgia in the 2020 elections, he said. This is simply not true. Unfortunately, that excuse is being used in states across the nation that are attempting to pass similar legislation to restrict voting rights.

Several other companies also weighed in on the issue on Wednesday.

Larry Fink, the chief executive of BlackRock, issued a statement on LinkedIn saying the company was concerned about the wave of new restrictive voting laws. BlackRock is concerned about efforts that could limit access to the ballot for anyone, Mr. Fink said. Voting should be easy and accessible for ALL eligible voters.

The Battle Over Voting Rights Amid months of false claims by former President Donald J. Trump that the 2020 election was stolen from him, Republican lawmakers in many states are marching ahead to pass laws making it harder to vote and changing how elections are run, frustrating Democrats and even some election officials in their own party. A Key Topic : The rules and procedures of elections have become a central issue in American politics. The Brennan Center for Justice, a liberal-leaning law and justice institute at New York University, counts 361 bills in 47 states that seek to tighten voting rules. At the same time, 843 bills have been introduced with provisions to improve access to voting. The Basic Measures: The restrictions vary by state but can include limiting the use of ballot drop boxes, adding identification requirements for voters requesting absentee ballots, and doing away with local laws that allow automatic registration for absentee voting. More Extreme Measures: Some measures go beyond altering how one votes, including tweaking Electoral College and judicial election rules, clamping down on citizen-led ballot initiatives, and outlawing private donations that provide resources for administering elections. Pushback: This Republican effort has led Democrats in Congress to find a way to pass federal voting laws. A sweeping voting rights bill passed the House in March, but faces difficult obstacles in the Senate. Republicans have remained united against the proposal and even if the bill became law, it would likely face steep legal challenges. Florida: Measures here include limiting the use of drop boxes, adding more identification requirements for absentee ballots, requiring voters to request an absentee ballot for each election, limiting who could collect and drop off ballots, and further empowering partisan observers during the ballot-counting process. Texas: The next big move could happen here, where Republicans in the legislature are brushing aside objections from corporate titans and moving on a vast election bill that would be among the most severe in the nation. It would impose new restrictions on early voting, ban drive-through voting, threaten election officials with harsher penalties and greatly empower partisan poll watchers. Other States: Arizonas Republican-controlled Legislature passed a bill that would limit the distribution of mail ballots. The bill, which includes removing voters from the states Permanent Early Voting List if they do not cast a ballot at least once every two years, may be only the first in a series of voting restrictions to be enacted there. Georgia Republicans in March enacted far-reaching new voting laws that limit ballot drop-boxes and make the distribution of water within certain boundaries of a polling station a misdemeanor. Iowa has also imposed new limits, including reducing the period for early voting and in-person voting hours on Election Day. And bills to restrict voting have been moving through the Republican-led Legislature in Michigan.



Mark Mason, the chief financial officer of Citi, in a post on LinkedIn, called out the Georgia law as discriminatory.

I am appalled by the recent voter suppression laws passed in the state of Georgia, said Mr. Mason, who is Black. I see it as a disgrace that our countrys efforts to keep Black Americans from engaging fully in our Constitutional right to vote continue to this day.

Chuck Robbins, who is the chief executive of Cisco and grew up in Georgia, said on Twitter that voting is a fundamental right in our democracy and that governments should be working to make it easier to vote, not harder.
Positive Technologies, a global cybersecurity company specialising in telecom security, announces the appointment of Santhosh Kumar as Managing Director to spearhead the companys Middle East and Africa and South Asia operations.

Positive Technologies unique cybersecurity products and services are designed to help operators stay secure and achieve their business goals. Currently, the companys solutions are being successfully deployed by a multitude of telecom operators, spanning 43 countries around the globe.

Kumar brings almost 20 years of experience within the technology industry, 10 of which were dedicated to cybersecurity. Prior to his appointment at Positive Technologies, Kumar held several regional leadership roles with renowned global companies, including Sophos and F-Secure, where he was recognised for his outstanding work which contributed to the exponential growth of those businesses. Moreover, Kumar has established a number of startups from the ground up to multimillion-dollar businesses.

Amit Nath, CEO of Positive Technologies said: Having almost two decades of experience under his belt, we believe that Kumar will play a pivotal role in delivering Positive Technologies global business acceleration strategy. Our objectives go beyond expanding our operations and footprint; in these unprecedent times, Covid-19 has significantly changed the way organisations work and forced them to expedite their digital transformation and security strategies, which has put CTOs and CIOs under immense pressure.

As a global leader in the telecom security industry, we take pride in our long-standing record within the cybersecurity industry and deep knowledge of telecom-related specialties; we felt compelled to play an active role in sharing our expertise and help in educating organisations on the risks cybersecurity threats impose on their continuity. We are positive that Santhosh Kumar will offer his unwavering commitment to this role, reinforce our existing relationships and foster new strategic alliances and more, Nath continued.

Kumar said: I am excited to be part of Positive Technologies team and embark on this aspiring journey in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. I would like to thank our CEO for his trust, and I look forward to scale-up our efforts in this region, work closely with all our partners and customers, and gain in-depth insights of the organisations and markets needs. I believe that with my experience and the backing of the unparalleled team of experts at Positive Technologies, we will be strongly positioned to collaborate further with our customers and create the right solution that is specific to their requirements and drive their business performance and value.

Positive Technologies have a long-standing relationship with most of the mobile operators in the Middle East region including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, amongst other countries. -- Tradearabia News Service
India on Tuesday said that it supports a regional process convened under the aegis of the United Nations for permanent peace in

A statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the 9th Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) on in Dushanbe, said: "We support a regional process to be convened under the aegis of the United Nations. UN stewardship would help to take into account all relevant UN resolutions and improve the odds for a lasting outcome."

Pakistan has been for long involved in negotiations among the US, Taliban and Afghan government, Russia, China and Iran over Though Jaishankar did not explicitly mention Pakistan or any other member of Asia, he was referring to the broad dialogue among all the key players in the region.

The term 'Heart of Asia' should not be taken lightly, he said, adding that for what happens in Afghanistan will surely affect the larger region. "A stable, sovereign and peaceful Afghanistan is truly the basis for peace and progress in our region. Ensuring that it is free of terrorism, violent extremism and drug and criminal syndicates is, therefore, a collective imperative."

However, the situation in Afghanistan continues to be grave. Violence and bloodshed are daily realities and the conflict itself has shown little sign of abatement. The last few months have witnessed an escalation in targeted killings of civil society. 2020 marked a 45 percent increase in civilian casualties in Afghanistan over 2019. The involvement of foreign fighters in Afghanistan has continued. Jaishankar said that 'Heart of Asia' members and supporting countries should, therefore, make it a priority to press for an immediate reduction in violence leading to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

"For a durable peace in Afghanistan, what we need is a genuine 'double peace', that is, peace within Afghanistan and peace around Afghanistan. It requires harmonising the interests of all, both within and around that country. India has been supportive of all the efforts being made to accelerate the dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban, including intra-Afghan negotiations," he said.

If the peace process is to be successful, he said, then it is necessary to ensure that the negotiating parties continue to engage in good faith, with a serious commitment towards reaching a political solution. India welcomes any move towards a genuine political settlement and a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan.

India, he said, remains committed to steadfastly supporting Afghanistan during this transition. Our development partnership of USD 3 billion, including more than 550 Community Development Projects covering all 34 provinces, is aimed at making Afghanistan a self-sustaining nation. The promise of more drinking water to Kabul is the latest in that list.

As the lead country on Trade, Commerce and Investment CBMs under the HoA-IP, India will continue to work on improving Afghanistan's connectivity with the outside world. Projects like the Chahhabar Port in Iran and the dedicated Air Freight Corridor between the cities of India and Afghanistan are part of our efforts, he said.

--IANS

aat/ash

(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 Straits Times)  Singapore can play a key role in the external part of Chinas new dual circulation economic strategy, and can be a base for Chinese companies looking to expand into Southeast Asia, given the island-states strong trade and logistic links to China.

Chinas dual circulation strategy is aimed at spurring domestic consumption and self-reliance while at the same time encouraging foreign investment and catering to export markets.

As a key regional financial hub, Singapore is also able to support Chinas opening up of its financial and capital markets, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in an interview with the official Xinhua News Agency ahead of his visit to Wuyishan in Fujian province in eastern China.

Singapore has been Chinas largest foreign investor over the past seven years, and Singapore companies can continue to tap the large Chinese market in areas where its expertise best matches the needs of Chinas domestic economy, said Balakrishnan in the interview published on March 30.

The Singapore foreign minister will meet and be hosted to a meal by his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Wednesday.

We are well positioned to serve as a gateway for Chinese investors to access ASEAN markets and opportunities, as well as a key node to channel investments into China from the rest of the world, he said, adding that a quarter of all Chinese outward investments to Belt and Road countries flowed through Singapore.

Despite the pandemic, China and ASEAN have also continued their economic cooperation and are working on upgrading their free trade agreement so that it remains fit for purpose in a post-pandemic world, said Balakrishnan.

Chinese data shows that ASEAN has become its largest trading partner last year.

The updated FTA will include new priorities stemming from the Covid outbreak, such as the digital economy, public health and the reduction of non-tariff measures, he said.

ASEAN also signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) last November with China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, a trade bloc that is the biggest in the world, accounting for 30% of global GDP.

When RCEP comes into force, it will send a strong signal that our region remains committed to free and open trade. At the same time, the door remains open for other like-minded partners to join us, he said.

Balakrishnan and Wang are expected to pick up from last Decembers Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation meeting and discuss progress on the agreements made.

As many as 10 deals, ranging from food safety to the environment, were inked at this apex meeting between the two countries. Both sides also agreed to work together in new areas such as public health.

The two foreign ministers are also expected to discuss the resumption of cross-border travel as both countries have successfully managed the Covid-19 outbreak and have begun rolling out a vaccination program for their populations.

Balakrishnan said Singapore welcomes Chinas recent proposal on the mutual recognition of health certificates, adding that it was important to get started early to make sure the systems are interoperable.

The foreign ministers of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will also be visiting Fujian and meeting Wang over the next few days.

This article was originally published by The Straits Times

Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)

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California-based minister Mario Murillo confronted the "demonic hedge" surrounding those pushing the leftists' agenda through a shift from a regular prayer to an intercessory prayer.

On Sunday, Murillo wrote on the lack of accountability of Biden and his administration despite the whole nation watching the catastrophic consequences of their approved legislation. He also lumped the media, 'woke' corporations, and the Silicon Valley as "acting in concert with Biden."

"I saw a taste of this under Obama's sad presidency, but it was nothing like what we see to today," he lamented.

Murillo highlighted a report from Sky News Australia where Benji Irby stated in his analysis that the Biden administration is "fueling racial tensions" in order to use it as a "smokescreen" and a distraction so they could enforce their policies.

"The left and the Biden administration are fueling racial tensions and using it as a smokescreen," defined the US political commentator. "No one's ask asking about Hunter Biden and this new gun scandal, no one's asking about Joe Biden being bought and sold by China. 'No one's talking about the fact that China now has a larger navy than the US, and that China is making moves towards Taiwan, and is taking over our country as far as business is concerned. 'We're so busy enthralled in race, enthralled in fighting one another.'"

Following this narrative, Murillo appealed that Christians in the United States are not left without help.

"I knew there was something more that I could do. I knew I had to learn a better way to fight back against this indefinable evil. Then I got my answer from the Lord, "I want you to change the way you pray," shared the California-based minister.

He also detailed parts of his meditation where God's Spirit gave him a peek on how America's politics appears in the spirit realm. Murillo said that he saw a "demonic hedge of protection around Biden and the leftist agenda."

"This hedge is what is blinding millions. It is dulling the natural sense of danger and outrage that America should be feeling right now," he said.

"The America we once knew is under a spell.," he continued. "The focus of our prayers must shift to a declaration of war against those devils. We must cast them down. The Bible says we can. We can do it by preaching. We can do it by casting out devils. But our greatest weapon is to tear down this hedge with intercessory warfare."

Quoting 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Murillo explained that this is a "direct promise" for the body of Christ in the U.S. that it "has authority over the Biden hedge of protection."

To illustrate his point, Murillo went on to apply what God revealed him through the sharing of his prayer points.

"The weapons I am using now will tear down strongholds!" I believe the power of God will move through prayer-mighty prayer:

1. To confuse the media. Just as God came down and confused the languages at the tower of Babel, I declare that confusion and division will come between the leftist powers in the media and government.

2. To derail the agenda of the Democrats, 'woke' billionaires, and China. According to 2 Chronicles 20:22-23, "Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another."

3. To bring greater fire into the hearts of vessels of God as well as terrifying conviction upon lukewarm preachers, until the church rises as one voice to rebuke the workers of iniquity for their depravity.

Understanding that not every believer shares his theological perspective and spiritual practice, Murillo used the Exodus 17 account, where Joshua's victory in the battlefield was credited to Moses's prophetic act on top of a mountain, to explain the significance of intercessory prayers.

Instead of caving in to fear and anger, Murillo showed a better way to deal with all perceived evil and injustices.

"We must funnel all the energy that you used to expend worrying and being angry over the evil in our nation, into a new way to pray for America," he argued.

"Join me in prayer and, together with Lord of the Armies of Heaven, let's tear down these strongholds!"
Members of Fighters for a Free North Korea, an organization of North Korea defectors, fly leaflets to the North in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in this 2016 photo. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



The U.S. Department of State released a human rights report Tuesday (local time) slamming South Korea's anti-North Korea leaflet ban as a significant violation of human rights and freedom of expression.



The report also listed scandals involving ruling bloc figures as examples of corruption that have delivered a hefty blow to the ethical reputation of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the Moon Jae-in administration, mentioning sexual harassment allegations raised against former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, the influence-peddling scandals of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, and corruption allegations involving Rep. Yoon Mee-hyang of the DPK.



According to the report, "2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices," major human rights issues involving South Korea include "restrictions on freedom of expression, including criminalizing the sending of leaflets and other materials into North Korea; the existence of criminal libel laws; corruption; and laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults in the military."



Regarding freedom of expression, the report picked a revision to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, which bans sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets and other material across the inter-Korean border, as a major case. The revision was passed at the National Assembly in December and took effect Tuesday. It has been widely believed as the Moon administration's efforts to engage with the North, but the government said it was aimed at protecting residents in border regions as the North often reacted with attempts to shoot down the balloons carrying propaganda leaflets.



The report cited former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's previous comment calling for the South Korean government to rectify human rights concerns raised by the revision, as well as criticism from human rights groups and opposition political leaders that the revision infringed on freedom of speech. It also mentioned that the ruling party and the Moon administration's rationale that the right to freedom of expression was not absolute and must be balanced against national security concerns.



The report said the country's law guarantees freedom of speech and the government has generally respected this, but its "interpretation and implementation of the National Security Law limited freedom of speech and expression."



In response to the report, an official at the Ministry of Unification said the government was "aware of the importance of the influx of information into the North and the North Korean people's right to know" but "it was inappropriate if those activities are put into practice while infringing on the rights of residents in border areas."



The official added that the government will cooperate with non-governmental organizations in and outside Korea to let North Korean people get more precise information about the outside world more effectively.





Seo Hye-jin, right, a lawyer representing former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's secretary, speaks during a press conference in Seoul, March 17. The secretary had alleged Park sexually harassed her. Joint Press Corps
Laika, the Hillsboro animation studio owned by Nike co-founder Phil Knight, plans to make its first live-action film.

Laika said Wednesday it has acquired the rights to Seventeen, the forthcoming debut novel from screenwriter John Brownlow, and wants to turn it into a live-action film.

The Oregon studio has made five animated movies, most recently the comedy Missing Link, which won a Golden Globe for best animated film. All five of Laikas films have been Oscar nominees for best animated feature and the studio says its at work on a sixth but it hasnt announced a title, director or release date.

Laika makes its animated films in its Hillsboro studio, a converted warehouse just south of U.S. 26 near Hillsboro Stadium. Live-action movies, though, dont need a physical studio and could theoretically be filmed anywhere.

Laika didnt say why it wants to make a live-action movie, but studio CEO Travis Knight  Phil Knights son  directed Bumblebee, the latest installment in the Transformers franchise. That wasnt a Laika film; it may be that Knight wants to line up another movie for himself or that he wants to expand his studios breadth.

Laika gave no indication of when it might film Seventeen; many times studios buy the rights to a book or screenplay but never actually make the film. Laika, for example, acquired the rights to Wildwood, the fantasy novel by Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy, in 2011 but hasnt produced it.

The company laid off 56 employees last summer, blaming the coronavirus pandemic for limiting the number of people that can work inside its studio.

-- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699
More than 40 cases of a mysterious brain illness that resembles mad cow disease have been reported in Canada.

According to CBC, the illness has similarities to the rare and fatal brain disorder known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and its variants, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy, which is also known as mad cow disease.

But although it is similar to CJD, officials say it is not the same disease.

Health officials in New Brunswick, Canada, are now scrambling to understand how 43 people contracted the illness and what the unknown neurological disease is.

Five people have died, officials confirmed.

More than 40 cases of a mysterious brain illness (brain scan file image) that resembles 'mad cow disease' have been reported in Canada

As the investigation and research continues to figure out what the disease is, neurologist Dr Neil Cashman says he believes it could be an environmental toxin

According to CBC, the first diagnosed case in the area occurred in 2015, but the cases have continued to rise over the years. In 2020, there were 24 reported cases and so far in 2021, there have been six cases.

Bertrand Mayor Yvon Godin told the news site that residents are 'very, very worried' about the disease.

'Residents are anxious, they're asking 'Is it moose meat? Is it deer? Is it contagious?' We need to know, as fast as possible, what is causing this disease,' Godin said.

As the investigation and research continues to figure out what the disease is, neurologist Dr Neil Cashman has offered some insight into what it's not.

He says there's no evidence that points to it being a prion disease like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

'There is no evidence, not a hint  even in the three autopsies that have been performed  of a human prion disease. That came as a surprise to me, frankly,' he told the CBC.

WHAT IS MAD COW DISEASE? Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is a fatal neurological disease in cattle caused by an abnormal protein that destroys the brain and spinal cord. The disease was first identified in Great Britain in 1986, although research suggests the first infections may have spontaneously occurred in the 1970s. It is believed to be spread by feeding calves meat and bone meal contaminated with BSE. Nicknamed mad cow disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy was first diagnosed in the 1980s Humans can contract variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD) if beef products contaminated with central nervous system tissue from cattle infected with mad cow disease are eaten. There is no treatment and 177 people have been killed by the variant. There were 36,000 diagnosed cases of mad cow disease in Great Britain in 1992, leading to British beef exports being banned and dozens of people dying. In August 1996, a British coroner ruled that Peter Hall, a 20-year old vegetarian who died of vCJD, contracted the disease from eating beef burgers as a child. The verdict was the first to legally link a human death to mad cow disease. Advertisement

'So in essence, this is something new, and we need to get on the stick and figure out what this is.'

As Cashman and a team of experts continue to search for more answers, he says due to the cases being limited to certain regions, the illness 'fits with the notion of an environmental toxin'.

'A lot of scientific acumen will be required to pin it down to a cause,' he said, adding that it's uncertain when they will have a more concrete answer for the public.

'It's possible ongoing investigations will give us the cause in a week, or it's possible it will give us the cause in a year,' he said.

Cashman encouraged locals to continue about their usual day-to-day routines and 'stay calm'.

The outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)  a degenerative brain disease  in cattle in the mid-1990s decimated Britains livestock farming and led to the slaughter of 4.4 million animals.

The human strain, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, killed more than 170 people in the UK.

Nicknamed mad cow disease, BSE was first diagnosed in the 1980s but the worldwide ban on British beef was imposed by the European Union in 1996 following the British outbreak.

The EU lifted the ban in 2006, but many countries continued to refuse to allow imports of British beef. They included Canada, which finally lifted its embargo in 2015.

British farmers recently secured five-year deals with China and Japan valued at $317million and $175million respectively.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic spreading rapidly across the US, American officials lifted the British beef ban.

The move followed a series of inspections by US officials at British farms and abattoirs in the summer of 2019.

British farmers believe they can exploit a growing demand in America for high-end cuts of grass-fed beef driven by consumers concerned about the growth hormones pumped into US cattle.
The Calabar seaport, Cross River State, has recorded a historic 7,000 metric tonnes of cocoa export shipment to the United States of America, USA, the first time of such cargo since its concession over 14 years ago. The export was handled from the Ecomarine Terminals.

Speaking at the load-out ceremony in Calabar, Governor Ben Ayade, called on the Federal Government to implement the agreement reached with the concessionaires on dredging of the Calabar port.

Boasting that the state was rich in agricultural resources, the governor asserted that the dredging of the port's channels would be strategic in terms of employment opportunities.

Ayade who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs. Rosemary Archibong, lauded Starlink Global and Ideal Limited, for choosing to convey its cargo through the Calabar Port, noting that it was a plus to the Ecomarine Terminal and Cross River State to have a vessel departing to the USA.

He stated: "Calabar Port is very strategic to the economic empowerment of Nigerians in view of the employment opportunities here. All we are appealing for now, is for the Federal Government to expedite the dredging of the Calabar channel to really kick-start economic activities".

Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, described the development as a sign of better things for the nation, urging other shippers to emulate Starlink.

Usman who was represented by the Port Manager, NPA Calabar, Marie Asan, said the authority was pursuing Federal Government's economic recovery agenda through consistent improvement on service delivery at the nation's seaports, especially the eastern ports.

She stated that Calabar Port did not fall short of revenue generation, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, an indication she attributed to service improvement.

She said "the Executive Management of NPA is pleased by this development , as it shows that the strategic measures put in place to make all the nation's seaports viable and vibrant are beginning to produce positive outcome".

The NPA boss informed that the management had introduced an inclusive governance system which had "brought modest milestones to Calabar Port in the areas of wreck removals, stimulation of container traffic, attraction of flat-bottom vessel traffic, restoration of broken down crafts and more".

Also in his remark, Managing Director of Starlink Global and Ideal Limited, Adeyemi Adeniji, disclosed that the cocoa beans were sourced from Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State which he said constituted a factor in utilizing the Calabar Port.

Describing the shipping of non-oil products from the Calabar sea port to the United States of America as an epoch making event, he explained however, that "in our search for a solution to different dimensional problems facing export in Nigeria, we opened a direct export from Calabar to the United States of America using a chartered vessel.

"As a proud Nigerian company, our reserve is to elevate Nigeria's name internationally by doing all we can to prove that we are resilient, resourceful , innovative and forward looking".

He however disclosed that the cost of shipping directly from the Calabar seaport to the U.S. was higher when compared to the Lagos port.

"He said:" the company is spending as much as 200,000USD to guarantee the safe passage of the chartered vessel. We are exporting 7,000 Metric Tonnes of Cocoa. It will take five days to load nearly one million bags of Cocoa into the vessel which will spend 17 days to arrive the United States of America".

On his part the Manager, ECM Terminal, Edward Akpan, called for the re-introduction of the rebate regime to attract other shippers and integrate the Calabar seaport to the national rail link to further enhance access

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He also urged the Federal Government to address critical challenges at the Calabar Port since tackling congestion of the ports in Apapa, Lagos State was critical.

He informed that ECM Terminal was a member of the EcoMarine Group and concessionaires of the Calabar Port Terminal 'B' with 30 years concession from the NPA, adding that "dredging of the Calabar channel is critical; the deplorable state of the access road is another factor impeding the full potential of the port and requires urgent attention".

Also present at the occasion were the Managing Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Olusegun Awolowo , his counterpart at the Nigerian Export Import Bank, Abubakar Bello , among others, who described shipping of 7,000 metric tonnes of cocoa through the Calabar seaport as a step in the right direction.
Highlights Google will launch Pixel Buds A as its next-generation wireless earbuds.

Pixel Buds A will be available in two new colours - white and green.

The launch is expected to take place mid-year, prior to the Made by Google hardware launch in the fall.

Google has often resorted to the A moniker for its devices. We have seen this in its Pixel lineup with the likes of Pixel 3a and Pixel 4a. It is now being reported that the next wireless earbuds from the tech major will carry a similar tag and will be called Pixel Buds A.

The confirmation of the name comes in a report by 9to5google that cites industry sources for the same. It states that the next generation of wireless earbuds by Google will be available later this year in two new colours.

For those unaware, the Pixel Buds A will come as the successors to the 2020 Pixel Buds that featured the first true wireless earbuds offering by Google. The lineup is built on the 2017 edition of the Google headset that featured a wired connection two buds behind the wearer's head.

The report now states that the next generation of wireless earbuds by Google will be very similar to last year's offering. The only noticeable change will be in the colour options available. For now, these are expected to be white and green.

The white Pixel Buds A will feature an all-white design, this time for the buds as well as their case. In comparison, last year's Pixel Buds in white featured a black plastic on the ear tips, wings, and the interior of the case.

As for the green Pixel Buds A, a dark forest green will be seen on the ear tips and wings of the buds as well as on the inside of the charging case. This will be in contrast to the lighter, Quite Mint colour of the 2020 model.

What to expect from new Google Pixel Buds A

The previous generations of Google earbuds came with several features that we can expect on the upcoming version too. These include touch control for calls, media as well as Google Assistant access.

The report mentions that the touch controls should be almost identical to what was seen in last year's version.

As for the price, the A in the name can possibly result in a more affordable version of the Google earbuds this year. This trend can be observed in the Pixel phones by Google and is expected to be the same for the Pixel Buds A.

The report also hints at a mid-year launch for the wireless earbuds by Google. It bases the expectation on the recently-discovered FCC listings that point to an earlier launch than the usual Made by Google hardware launches in the fall.
EDITORIAL: Register to Vote: Thursday is the deadline to ensure your voice will be heard in city, school board elections
analysis

Appalling atrocities occurred under the flag of apartheid as the white minority government sought to impose a racist system on the majority of South African citizens. Many of the atrocities were subsequently investigated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and are now seared into public memory.

But not all. One of the more notable gaps in the country's collective memory is a massacre that took place in 1952. It was never officially investigated and few people know about it.

I set about trying to rectify this in my book, Bloody Sunday: The nun, the Defiance Campaign and South Africa's secret massacre. After seven years' extensive research, I have written an account of what happened on 9 November 1952, in what was then East Bank Location, now called Duncan Village. This is an area that was set aside for black people in East London, a medium-sized town in the south east of the country.

The book is about the life, death and memorialisation of Sister Aidan Quinlan, an Irish nun and medical doctor, who lived and worked in Duncan Village and was murdered on that fateful day. Based on multiple archival and oral sources, the book breaks the silences surrounding the violence - on both sides. In the words of historian Jacob S. Dlamini, who wrote an endorsement for the book, it is

about the need for South Africans to learn to listen to voices from the past in order to re-imagine the telling of their haunted history.

9 November 1952

On the day in question police armed with batons, .303 rifles with fixed bayonets, revolvers and military sub-machine (Sten) guns dispersed a meeting in East Bank Location (Duncan Village) that had been organised by the East London branch of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League. The police later admitted to killing eight people and injuring 27.

In retaliation, mobs of mainly young people spread through the area, looting and burning symbols of white control. They also killed two white people who happened to be in the area. An insurance salesman was beaten to death with sticks. Sister Aidan, who is believed to have driven into the area to help the wounded, was stoned, stabbed, and burned to death in her car. Her body was also mutilated.

The police responded by rampaging through the area in troop carriers for hours, shooting at people and into houses. Informed but unofficial estimates of the death toll ranged from over 80 people killed immediately to over 200 if one counted those who died later.

Bodies were buried secretly by relatives who feared being implicated in the murders of the two white people.

The government in Pretoria dispatched the Minister of Justice, C.R. Swart, to East London. Following his visit there was a clampdown on media reporting. And the government and East London City Council rejected calls for a commission of inquiry. The massacre became a secret.

The context

The killings took place at the height of the ANC's Campaign of Defiance against Unjust Laws. The campaign, which began on 26 June 1952, involved ANC volunteers flouting discriminatory laws, inviting arrest and choosing to be jailed rather than pay a fine.

The ANC has claimed that its membership grew from 7,000 to 100,000 in the campaign and it was brought to an end only because of the government's repressive measures including the banning, arrests and charging of leaders, and new, heavier penalties.

However, in October and November 1952, there were outbreaks of violence across the country. Scores, maybe hundreds, of people were killed by police and six white people were murdered in mob retaliation.

The events in East London were the last and most violent - and politically embarrassing to the ANC. Sister Aidan ran a clinic for black people and the savage mutilation of her body shocked white and black communities alike. The ANC distanced itself from all the "outbreaks". Nelson Mandela, who was volunteer-in-chief, said they "had nothing whatever to do with the campaign".

In the wake of the tragic events in East London the Defiance Campaign came to an end in the eastern Cape and limped to closure elsewhere in the country.

I argue in my book that by disassociating itself from the riots, the ANC missed an opportunity. It could have - but did not - place on public record a massacre alleged to be larger than the Sharpeville massacre eight years later in which 69 people were killed.

There were a number of reasons for the silence. One was due to the fact that the ANC leaders who might have spoken out were banned and in hiding elsewhere in East London at the time and fled the town afterwards. Another is that the police did not allow journalists into the area so there was no one to record what happened.

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In contrast, a Drum reporter and photographer attended the Sharpeville protest and captured what happened in iconic reports and photographs.

Half a century later another opportunity was missed when the ANC tasked the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with investigating gross human rights violations of the apartheid era from 1 March 1960. This left 12 years of apartheid rule - and the tragic killings during the Defiance Campaign - unexplored. The limitation was set in the belief that the worst atrocities of apartheid occurred after that date and because the commission needed to complete its work as speedily as possible.

Remembering the massacred

While Sister Aidan's death has been memorialised in East London in recent decades, there has been no formal memorialisation of the black people who died that day. I hope that my book Bloody Sunday will help to fill that gap.

Mignonne Breier, Honorary Research Associate, School of Education, University of Cape Town
Fiore Gold Drills 45.7 Metres of 2.01 g/t Gold and 42.7 Metres of 1.17 g/t Gold, Continues to Expand Mineralization at Its Gold Rock Project, Nevada

Posted by Publisher Internet

FIORE GOLD LTD. (TSXV: F) (OTCQB: FIOGF) (?Fiore? or the ?Company?  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/fiore-gold-ltd/ ) is pleased to report additional results from the resource expansion and exploration drilling program at its Gold Rock project in Nevada (Figure 1). These latest results from Gold Rock and the surrounding exploration areas show:

several holes with wide, higher-grade gold intercepts have defined mineralization extending at least 400 m beyond the northern end of the currently defined Gold Rock mineralization, and;

a new discovery of oxide gold mineralization at Jasperoid Creek approximately 1.4 km north of the current Gold Rock Preliminary Economic Assessment (?PEA?) pits.

These outstanding drill results show mineralization remains open particularly to the north, supporting our belief that Gold Rock will continue to grow beyond the scope of the project outlined in the most recent PEA.

Highlights from the seventeen holes reported here include:

5 m of 0.79 g/t gold in hole GR20-091 from the planned South Pit area

3 m of 0.96 g/t gold in hole GR20-102 from the Jasperoid Creek target

7 m of 1.17 g/t gold in hole GR20-110 north of the planned North Pit

3 m of 0.99 g/t gold in hole GR21-001 north of the planned North Pit

7 m of 2.01 g/t gold in hole GR21-002 north of the planned North Pit

The northern extension of mineralization at Gold Rock can be seen in section 1 (long-section, Figure 2) and section 2 (cross-section, Figure 3), where holes GR20-110, GR21-001, GR21-002 and GR21-003 each intersected mineralized and silicified Joanna limestone well beyond the northern margins of the currently proposed open pit. The intercept in GR21-002 is particularly significant with 45.7 m of 2.01 g/t gold, one of the highest-grade assays encountered to date on the project.

Section 3 (Figure 4) shows results from three holes at the Jasperoid Creek target, located approximately 1.4 km north of the PEA north pit. This is an area with very little previous drilling but with highly anomalous gold values in surface samples. The prospective Joanna limestone and Pilot shale horizons outcrop at surface in the area, suggesting mineralization may be relatively shallow. Hole GR20-102 intercepted 18.3 m of 0.96 g/t gold, confirming that this target merits significant follow-up drilling.

Tim Warman, Fiore?s CEO stated, ?The holes to the north of the North Pit shell include some of the highest-grade intercepts we?ve seen at Gold Rock and highlight a very promising area that we?ll return to with further drilling. To date we?ve completed all the planned HQ core holes and about 75% of the planned RC holes that were aimed at expanding the Gold Rock resource ahead of the Feasibility Study. We currently have gold assays in hand for all of the RC holes completed to date and are incorporating these results in an interim, in-house resource estimate that will help measure our progress and identify areas for further drilling with the remaining 25% of the planned RC holes. Results for most of the 20 HQ core holes, representing 4,667 m of drilling, are still pending although the first two holes are included in this release. We?re also pleased with the results from the Jasperoid Creek target approximately 1.4 kilometres north of Gold Rock. This is an area that has seen minimal drilling, and which highlights the prospectivity of the entire Gold Rock belt, a zone of gold and pathfinder element anomalies that extends for over 15 km north and south of Gold Rock.?

Work on the FS is progressing well although assay turnaround times for drill samples have been significantly longer than normal due to the impacts of COVID-19 at the assay laboratories. These delays have impacted the original schedule for the RC drilling program and in turn the overall Feasibility Study, which is now expected to be completed in the latter part of calendar Q1 of 2022. The delay in completing the FS is not expected to impact our proposed timeline for putting Gold Rock into production by early 2024.

Complete results for the fifteen RC and two HQ core holes referenced in this press release are shown in the table below.

Assay highlights are calculated with a cutoff of 0.006 opt (0.20 g/t) Au.? Highlighted intervals contain less than 10 feet (3 m) of material below cutoff grade. GR-series are RC holes, GC-series are HQ core holes.

With this release, results for all the reverse circulation (?RC?) holes from the most recent round of drilling are now in hand. A total of 113 RC holes representing 78,955 feet (24,065 m) of drilling were completed in 2020 and early 2021. As well, the first two of 20 HQ core holes are included in this release. Total planned footage for the drilling program to support the FS will be approximately 198,000 ft (60,000 m), with approximately 115,000 ft (35,000 m) focused on resource expansion to add Measured and Indicated resources for inclusion in the FS.

The reverse circulation (RC) drilling was performed by Boart Longyear of Salt Lake City, Utah and Alford Drilling from Elko, Nevada. All holes were drilled at angles of -50 to -90 degrees at azimuths designed to intersect targeted structures as nearly as possible to perpendicular. Consequently, all intercepts reported here are believed to be approximately true width. Drill sampling was supervised by Fiore Gold geologists, with samples transported directly to ALS Minerals Lab in Reno, Nevada where samples were prepared, and pulps generated. Fire assays were determined on a 30-gram charge with an AAS finish. An additional cyanide leach assay was also completed.? Selected holes were also analyzed for a 48-element geochemical suite by ICP-MS.? Fiore Gold conducts a significant QA/QC program which includes the insertion of assay standards, blanks, and duplicates in the sample stream to ensure the assay lab results are within specified performance levels. Down hole deviation surveys are provided by International Directional Services, utilizing a surface recording gyroscope, and by trained drill crews operating a north seeking gyroscope supplied by REFLEX.

Gold Rock Project and PEA Highlights

The federally permitted Gold Rock gold project (\Gold Rock\, or the \Project?) is located approximately 8 miles southeast of the Pan Mine in White Pine County, Nevada. The recently released Gold Rock Preliminary Economic Assessment (?PEA?) provides an updated mineral resource estimate and a base case assessment of developing the Project as a satellite open pit operation that will share significant infrastructure and management with the adjacent Pan Mine. The PEA also identifies a considerable number of opportunities to enhance the project economics as Gold Rock advances to the Feasibility stage by drilling to increase the mineral resource, further metallurgical testing aimed at optimizing recoveries, and geotechnical drilling aimed at reducing the stripping ratio. Further updates will be provided as we progress work in these areas. The PEA was prepared in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators\-\- National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (?NI 43-101?). A Technical Report with the details of the PEA is available on SEDAR under the Company\-\-s profile.

Gold Rock Mineral Resource Estimate

The Company\-\-s updated Gold Rock Mineral Resource Estimate (\MRE\; effective date of March 31, 2020) was completed by APEX and forms the basis for the PEA. A summary of the MRE is highlighted in the table below.

Key Assumptions, Parameters, and Methods related to the Mineral Resource Estimates:

Mineral Resources were prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards (2014). Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Troy ounces per short ton (?opt?) / grams per tonne (?gpt?)

This estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues.

Open pit Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.003 opt/0.09 gpt gold that is based on a gold price of US$1,500/oz. A revenue price of US$1,400 is used for the base case economic model.

The Mineral Resources are constrained by a pit shell with appropriate mining costs, processing costs, metal recoveries, and pit slope angles.

Rounding may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content.

Contained gold ounces are in troy ounces.

Technical Report & Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information relating to Fiore Gold?s properties contained in this news release was approved by Paul Noland (AIPG CPG-11293), Fiore Gold?s VP Exploration and a \Qualified Person\ under National Instrument 43-101. References to the Gold Rock project PEA are taken from the ?Technical Report on the Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Gold Rock Project, White Pine County, Nevada, USA? (the ?Technical Report?).? The Technical Report, which is dated April 30, 2020 with an effective date of March 31, 2020, was prepared in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 ? Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects (?NI 43-101?) and is available under Fiore?s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company?s website at fioregold.com. The report is authored by Michael B. Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., Gregory B, Sparks, B.Sc., P.Eng., Sam J. Shoemaker, Jr., B.S., SME Registered Member, Warren E. Black, M.Sc., P.Geo., and Steven J. Nicholls, BA.Sc., MAIG.

Virtual AGM and Webcast Presentation

The Company will hold a Virtual Annual General Meeting on April 8, 2021.? Please refer the Company?s Management Information Circular in respect of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders available under the Company?s profile on SEDAR and available at https://fioregold.com/agm/ for additional information regarding the meeting.? To streamline the virtual meeting process, the Company encourages shareholders to vote in advance of the meeting using the Voting Instruction Form or the Form of Proxy mailed to them with the meeting materials.? Shareholders wishing to attend the AGM may call the number below, and instructions will be provided as to how shareholders entitled to vote at the AGM may participate.?? All shareholders may still attend the meeting, while having voted previously by proxy.? Following the formal meeting, the Company will present a webcast presentation regarding the Company and its mineral properties. A link to the webcast is provided below.

Virtual AGM Details:

Date: April 8, 2021

Time: 11:00 am EST

Participant Access: 877-407-2991 (toll free number)

Webcast: https://78449.themediaframe.com/dataconf/productusers/fgd/mediaframe/43545/indexl.html

Corporate Strategy

Our corporate strategy is to grow Fiore into a 150,000 ounce per year gold producer. To achieve this, we intend to:

grow gold production at the Pan Mine while also growing the reserve and resource base;

advance exploration and development of the nearby Gold Rock project; and

acquire additional production or near-production assets to complement our existing operations.

On behalf of FIORE GOLD LTD.

\Tim Warman\

Chief Executive Officer

Contact Us:

info@fioregold.com

1 (416) 639-1426 Ext. 1

www.fioregold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains ?forward-looking statements? and ?forward looking information? (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management?s best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to any future mining operations at Gold Rock, projections and expectations based on recent drill results noted in this release, plans for a Gold Rock Feasibility Study, timing of a Gold Rock Feasibility Study, timeline for putting Gold Rock into production, prospectivity of the Gold Rock belt, ?future drilling at Gold Rock, enhancing the Gold Rock project economics at feasibility stage, including by drilling to increase the mineral resource, further metallurgical testing aimed at optimizing recoveries, and geotechnical drilling aimed at reducing the stripping ratio, future updates regarding progress of feasibility work, anticipated results, the Company?s future gold production,? corporate strategy, goal to become a 150,000 ounce producer, goal to acquire additional production or near production assets, and other statements, estimates or expectations. Often, but not always, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ?expects?, ?expected?, ?budgeted?, ?targets?, ?forecasts?, ?intends?, ?anticipates?, ?scheduled?, ?estimates?, ?aims?, ?will?, ?believes?, ?projects? and similar expressions (including negative variations) which by their nature refer to future events. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Fiore Gold?s control. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, as well as a number of assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company concerning, among other things, anticipated geological formations, potential mineralization, future plans for exploration and/or development, potential future production, ability to obtain permits for future operations, drilling exposure, and exploration budgets and timing of expenditures, all of which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Fiore Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward looking statements include, but not limited to, risks related to the Pan Mine performance, risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including government restrictions impacting the Company?s operations, risks the pandemic poses to its work-force, impacts the virus may have on ability to obtain services and materials from its suppliers and contractors; risks related to the company?s limited operating history; risks related to general economic conditions, actual results of current or future exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; increases in market prices of mining consumables; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results, test results and the estimation of gold resources and reserves; failure of plant, equipment or? processes to operate as anticipated; the possibility that capital and operating costs may be higher than currently estimated; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work programs; availability of financing; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of exploration, development or construction activities; the possibility that required permits may not be obtained, renewed or amended in a timely manner or at all; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and other factors identified in Fiore Gold?s filings with Canadian securities authorities under its profile at www.sedar.com respecting the risks affecting Fiore and its business. Although Fiore has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fiore disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.
(SEFL) has received an expression of interest from international investors for a proposed capital infusion, the company said on Tuesday.

SEFL has been continuously exploring opportunities to strengthen its capital base. The expression of interest from renowned global institutional investors reflects the confidence that international investors have on Srei's business. The company will be working towards resolving matters with the creditors at the earliest, the company said.

The capital infusion in the form of equity will be in tranches. Earlier in March, Care Ratings downgraded Srei groups debt totalling Rs 29,240.30 crore to default, making debt raising difficult.

At its board meeting held on Tuesday, SEFL constituted a strategic coordination committee (SCC) comprising independent directors to raise fresh capital from strategic or private equity investors. The SCC will coordinate, negotiate and conclude discussions with potential strategic and/or private equity investors to raise fresh capital for the business in consultation with the management.



ALSO READ: Srei Infra Finance Q3 loss at Rs 3,811 cr versus Rs 60 cr year-ago profit

The committee will take forward the expressions of interest received from international investors and will also initiate discussions with other potential suitors who have been in touch with the company over the last year in consultation with the management, the company said. The committee will be assisted by advisors and investment bankers who will be working closely with the members.

The SCC will be chaired by Malay Mukherjee, independent director and the other committee members will be independent directors, Suresh Kumar Jain, Tamali Sen Gupta, Uma Shankar Paliwal and Shyamalendu Chatterjee with invitees having relevant domain knowledge.

Mukherjee has over 41 years of experience in banking and NBFCs including venture funding, factoring and broking; he was the chief executive officer and managing director of IFCI Limited.

The SCC will be the nodal point for a comprehensive cash flow realignment plan with banks and financial institutions and for all external service providers, including investment bankers, lawyers and consultants.

Srei has been in the spotlight for a while now as Covid-induced stress led to an asset-liability mismatch. In the third quarter, Srei Infrastructure reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 3,810.93 crore on account of higher and accelerated provisioning, which came on the back of a special audit conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) into the company and SEFL.

The company has also seen about 200 exits across various levels since December last year as banks capped salaries at Rs 50 lakh a year for senior executives.
[March 31, 2021] Yadea Launches the Champion 2.0 Series of E-Scooters, Further Empowering Green Travel

WUXI, China, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Yadea Technology Group Co., Ltd. ("Yadea", 01585.HK), leading e-scooter brand, held a new product launch event on March 27 in Wuxi, Jiangsu province in Southeast China, where it launched the Yadea Champion 2.0 series of e-scooters to great anticipation and fanfare. Yadea Technology Group Co., Ltd, leading e-scooter brand, held a new product launch event on March 27 in Wuxi. At the event themed "High Technology Leads Green Travel", Yadea unveiled the new models of the Champion 2.0 series, equipped with the world-leading TTFAR 8 extended range system. With the slogan "One charge, double the mileage", it attracted significant attention and widespread recognition from the industry and the flagship smart scooter series, the Yadea Smart 2.0 series, was also showcased at the event. "As the leader of e-scooter industry, Yadea has independently developed a number of core technologies to empower our products and unleash a real technological revolution in e-mobility," said Zhou Chaoyang, vice president of Yadea "As we move forward, Yadea will continue to foster new technology and products so that they propel the industry forwards. In doing so, we'll create a new global era that is continuously enhanced by Chinese innovation," Zhou added. The Chapion 2.0 series boasts breakthroughs in power and mileage with a lifespan of three times that of ordinary batteries and a maximum range of up to 140 kilometers. This not only realizes long trips but can be charged very quickly. Thanks to Yadea's cutting-edge fast-charging technology, a one-hour charge fills 80 percent of the battery. Besides the Champion 2.0 series, Yadea's new Smart 2.0 series has also been warmly received by fans. Connecting with the designated app, which creates a comprehensive statistical analysis of the scooter while interacting with the user, the Smart series paves the way for the future intelligent development of the industry.



After more than 20 years of rapid development, Yadea has now become a premium, two-wheel e-vehicle manufacturing enterprise. With integrated research and development, production and sales of electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric mopeds, kick scooters and their components and accessories, Yadea has taken the lead in the two-wheel e-vehicle industry. Yadea continues to increase its influence in the research and development of core technologies for two-wheel e-vehicles, including power, energy, and intelligent systems. To realize green travel, Yadea has embarked on a mission to bring its e-mobility solutions to users around the world with a sales network spanning 83 countries, serving 50 million users. As the largest producer of two-wheel e-vehicles, Yadea draws on its eight production bases across the world to ensure reliable, large-scale manufacturing. Moreover, it has a wide range of global partners, including LuXshare, BMW, CATL, Beckers, and Powerland, to bring world-leading technology together and create a smart future for all.

Innovative and representative of Chinese smart manufacturing around the world, Yadea was a pioneer in the two-wheel e-vehicle industry. Since 2007, export sales of Yadea have topped the list in China's two-wheel e-vehicle industry. In line with its mission to bring users exceptional e-scooter experiences and help move green travel one step forward, Yadea is committed to nurturing a new generation of technologies, to innovate the industry and expand possibilities. For more information, please visit:

Facebook: YADEAIG/YADEA_global

Twitter: YADEA About Yadea Yadea's mission is to create world-leading electric vehicle (EV) solutions by building innovative technologies that meet and exceed international standards for safety and quality. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yadea-launches-the-champion-2-0-series-of-e-scooters-further-empowering-green-travel-301259290.html SOURCE Yadea

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They were made for the Russian Tsars as Easter gifts for their wives and mothers

The 50 Imperial Eggs, 43 of which survive, are most famous of the Faberge eggs

London was home to the only branch of Carl Faberge shops outside of Russia

Three of Carl Faberge's most exquisite eggs will be displayed in the UK for the first time at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The exhibition on the Russian goldsmith, who died in 1920, will open in London in November and reflect on his connections to the capital, which was home to the only branch of his shops outside Russia.

Faberge was famous for intricately creating golden bejewelled egg-shaped ornaments for Russian Tsars to give to their wives and mothers.

The collection includes the Moscow Kremlin Egg, from 1906, the Alexander Palace Egg, from 1908, and the Romanov Tercentenary Egg, from 1913.

They will be displayed alongside a Faberge cigarette case featuring a snake laid in diamonds biting its tail, which was given to Edward VII by his mistress, Mrs George Keppel, plus a model of the King's dog, Caesar, and his racehorse, Persimmon.

Handout photos issued by the Moscow Kremlin Museums of the Moscow Kremlin Egg (left), from 1906, and the Romanov Tercentenary Egg, from 1913 (right)

The Alexander Palace Egg, from 1908, which is part of a collection of Carl Faberge's golden eggs that is to be displayed at London's V&A Museum in November

Kieran McCarthy and Hanne Faurby, curators of the exhibition, said in a statement: 'The story of Carl Faberge, the legendary Russian Imperial goldsmith, is one of supreme luxury and unsurpassed craftmanship.

'Celebrating Faberge's extraordinary achievements, this exhibition focuses on the over-looked importance of his London branch, the only one outside of Russia.

'It attracted a global clientele of royalty, aristocrats, business titans and socialites.

'Through Faberge's creations the exhibition will explore timeless stories of love, friendship and unashamed social climbing.

'It will take the visitor on a journey of sublime artistry and patronage towards the revolution that tragically closed Faberge - but will send visitors away on a high, by honouring Faberge's greatest legacy, with a dazzling final display of his iconic Easter eggs.'

The 50 Imperial Eggs, 43 of which survive, are the most famous of the Faberge eggs, which were virtually all manufactured under the goldsmith's supervision between 1885 and 1917.

Faberge (pictured above) was famous for intricately creating golden bejewelled egg-shaped ornaments for Russian Tsars to give to their wives and mothers

The ornaments were made for the Russian Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II as Easter gifts for their wives and mothers.

Tsar Alexander III (of the Russian royal family) commissioned the first Imperial Faberge egg as a gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna.

She loved the egg so much that Alexander commissioned a new one for every Easter afterward until his death in 1894, after which his son Nicholas II kept up the tradition, gifting two a year - one to his wife and one to his mother.

Ten eggs were produced from 1885 to 1893 during the reign of Emperor Alexander III and a further 40 were created during the rule of his dutiful son, Nicholas II - two each year  one for his mother the dowager, the second for his wife.

Faberge In London: Romance To Revolution will run from November 20 this year to May 8, 2022.
A steel mill in the Izmir region booked the cargo, comprising HMS 1&2 (80:20) at $430 per tonne, shredded at $435 per tonne and plate & structural (P&S) scrap at $440 per tonne cfr. However, the cargo breakdown was not immediately clear at the time of publication.The previous transaction from the US to Iskenderun in Turkey took place on March 26 at $427 per tonne cfr for HMS 1&2 (80:20).The daily scrap indices continued to increase on Wednesday in response to the new deal.Fastmarkets daily index for steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), US origin, cfr Turkey was calculated at $430 per tonne on Wednesday up by $2.37 per tonne.And the daily index for steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), North Europe origin, cfr Turkey was $420.64 per tonne on Wednesday, also up by $2.37 per tonne on the day, leaving the premium for US material over European scrap at $9.36 per tonne on March 31.Turkish steel mills, that have sold rebar to the export market or are taking part in sales negotiations are now interested in buying scrap, while others were waiting for rebar deals to go through, sources told Fastmarkets.The steel mill that recently bought the US scrap cargo at $430 per tonne cfr, was in negotiations [to sell] 50,000 tonnes of rebar to Southeast Asia, a Turkish mill source said.At least two steel mills had sold around 200,000 tonnes of rebar to Southeast Asia at $625 per tonne fob on an actual-weight basis during the past week.And those mills were now offering rebar at $630-640 per tonne fob on an actual-weight basis, while other steel mills, which still have material available for May, said that $615-620 fob was a workable price for firm bids, another Turkish source said.Fastmarkets weekly price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar), export, fob main port Turkey , was $610-620 per tonne on Thursday March 25, down from $620-630 per tonne fob.However, the mills were still struggling with the weak demand in the domestic market, caused by the downturn in the countrys currency.The Turkish lira was trading at 8.307 lira to $1 on Wednesday March 31, compared with the 7.929 lira to $1 on March 25, according to Oanda.com.The weakening of the Turkish lira against the US dollar led to a rise in finished steel prices because mills in Turkey buy most of their raw materials in US dollars before selling them to the domestic market in the local currency.The demand for long steel product in the local market is almost dead. Nobody wants to buy anything at the current exchange rates, said a Turkish mill source.
Built for unparalleled visibility and control of the network user experience, Juniper Mist cloud service is a modern microservices cloud environment that prioritizes user experiences by providing insight into user behaviour, minimizing ICT operational costs with automation and proactive actions for the wireless network administrator.

Tony Pace, specialist technician, eduSTAR.TSS, Information Management and Technology Division, Alamanda College, did his research, and liked what he found out about Junipers Wireless Access Points driven by Mist AI. Pace wanted to set up a proof of concept to validate his expectations. After a 15-minute conversation with Juniper, Pace had the network up and running.

Juniper Networks recently also provided services to Philadelphia on a citywide scale to support municipal operations and constituent services. Staff in police, firefighting, public health, tax and other departments access critical data and applications over a Juniper network. CityNet provides a foundation to launch smart city services, and the city is rolling out 100,000 smart LED streetlights to support public safety at low energy expenses

The demand for networking infrastructure is growing fast.

In December 2020, ThaiSri, one of Thailands largest insurers, selected Juniper Networks AI-driven solutions to upgrade and automate the management of its network infrastructure.

Juniper Networks AI-Driven solutions have addressed ThaiSris fast-growing networking infrastructure demands, and has further strengthened the reliability of ThaiSris digital sales platform that is accessed round-the-clock by its agents, brokers, and company staff.

Junipers EX4300 Switches enhanced with Mist Wired Assurance, leverages AI-powered automation that configures, troubleshoots, and protects the companys network while minimizing human errors and reducing bottlenecks.

Junipers Access Points driven by Mist AI also provides a unified approach to managing the overall network infrastructure by providing IT administrators with a single plane of glass with real-time visibility across connected network devices and servers.

With the Virtual Chassis technology, up to 10 interconnected EX4300 switches operate as a single logical device, reducing operational expenses and simplifying management.

A leader in secure, AI-driven networks

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Juniper Networks has over 9,000 employees in 70 countries and $5 billion in revenue. Its customers include the top 100 global service providers and 30,000 enterprises, including the Global Fortune 100 as well as hundreds of federal, state, and local government agencies and higher educational organizations.

Juniper Networks delivered the first AI-driven network five years ago to address the need for self-driving networks that optimize user experiences and lower IT costs through end-to-end automation and insight.

In the second half of 2020, Juniper Networks announced their fourth expansion of the AI-driven enterprise to bring artificial intelligence to the LAN, WLAN and WAN for end-to-end optimization of user experiences and proactive troubleshooting driven by Mist AI.

In August 2020, the company announced four new wireless access points that extend benefits of the AI-driven Wi-Fi 6 to additional verticals and use cases. This brings all the benefits of the Juniper AI-Driven enterprise to cost-conscious small businesses, locations with extreme weather conditions, unique form factor requirements and enterprises looking to address the huge increase in remote workers.

From stores and schools to homes and hospitals, companies of all sizes and with a wide array of deployment requirements can now take advantage of the insight, automation, performance, and actions uniquely delivered by Juniper Networks' wireless solutions.

Juniper Networks aims to support enterprises on their digital transformation journey.

While relatively new to the Vietnam market, Juniper Networks is determined to apply the same type of highly innovative services and solutions to its local customers, which are all aiming to leverage on technology for business competitiveness in line with the countrys vision and goals towards digital transformation.

The push towards digital transformation is well on the way; to note, the National Strategy on the 4th Industrial Revolution aims to have at least 40 percent of local companies applying new technologies. Priority fields where new technology will be applied: public administration, electricity and water supply, education, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, trade, communication, finance and banking.

The Covid-19 pandemic served to push the program further. In June 2020, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc approved the national digital transformation roadmap to 2025, with a vision toward 2030. The proposed reforms highlight the need to foster learning of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, Big Data, and the Internet of Things.

Juniper Networks is well-placed to support enterprises in Vietnam as they fast-track their digital transformation while pushing the boundaries of connectivity through continuous innovation in network connectivity. Its accumulated experience in building intelligent networks also enabled several Vietnam enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation journey.

Global recognition

Gartner, Inc. in the 2020 Magic Quadrant for Data Center and Cloud Networking named Juniper Networks a leader for the third consecutive year.

In research published in June 2020, which aims to help I&O leaders determine vendors' ability to address current and future data center networking requirements, Gartner praised network strength as a strong portfolio of hardware and software, with feature depth and excellent automation capabilities.

"As a result, the vendor can meet the technical needs of nearly all use cases in this market," the research found.

It also revealed Juniper Networks' roadmap to apply AI to improve data center networking efficiency aligns with the emerging needs of customers and that the network had recently demonstrated a renewed focus on enterprise customers as noted by making large investments to grow its enterprise sales force.

"We think Gartner's latest data center networking report validates Juniper's vision and our ability to execute in the most important network environments," Manoj Leelanivas, chief product officer at Juniper Networks, told Globe Newswire as the network received the recognition.

"As technology leaders are driving the digital transformation of their business and rethinking how they measure the advancement of their data center and cloud infrastructure, I take great pride in how Juniper has continued to empower our customers in innovative new ways," he said.

Read here to find out how Junipers complete Data Center solution assures experiences and drives business outcomes.

Visit website to learn how Juniper Networks can transform business.
Panel also inquired from forest officials whether there is a proposal to develop a plantation at the dump yard to minimise its impact on the environment.(DC file photo)

VIJAYAWADA: The six-member panel constituted by National Green Tribunal (NGT), headed by former judge B. Seshasayana Reddy, inspected the dump yard at Moola Lanka in Polavaram of West Godavari on Tuesday.

Panel members inquired from officials about the muck deposited in the dump yard located over 203 acres land, its impact on the environment, and compensation paid to affected farmers for acquiring their lands for setting up the dump yard.

As some affected farmers had got compensation while others did not, the panel members asked for details of those who have failed in getting relief and reasons for the delay in making payments to them.

They also inquired from forest officials whether there is a proposal to develop a plantation at the dump yard to minimise its impact on the environment.

Panel members will hold a public hearing on Wednesday morning at the government high school grounds in Polavaram village on the dump yard and its impact on people and the environment.
New U.S. administration examining ways to expand support for Ukraine, but practice of state guarantees suspended now  U.S. Embassy counselor

As a result of post-Maidan reforms, in recent years Ukraine also has been able to effectively access world capital markets to meet its borrowing needs, and a successful program of reforms will only improve Ukraine's market standing and lower borrowing costs, Economic Counselor of the U.S. Embassy Megan Bouldin has said.

"The new administration is examining many ways it can expand support for Ukraine, but the United States has not provided this type of guarantee for several years," she said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Bouldin noted that Ukraine continues to have access to significant volumes of low-cost financing through its deals with the IMF, the World Bank and the EU.

"To access this financing, Ukraine will need to continue with the types of reforms we have been discussing in relation to anti-corruption institutions, the judiciary, the energy sector, land reform, the budget and the central bank," she stressed.

Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said on March 30 that the beginning of the work of the new White House administration makes it possible to raise the issue of the U.S. allocation in 2021 of new guarantees for Ukraine's Eurobonds in the amount of $1 billion, which will allow refinancing a similar issue of 2016 Eurobonds.

"(...) We got the opportunity to raise this issue again in terms of negotiations with our international partners. And as soon as we have any result, we will inform you separately," the minister said at a press conference in Kyiv on Tuesday.

As reported, Ukraine on September 23 placed five-year $1 billion eurobonds under United States guarantees at the yield rate of 1.471%. The organizers of the placement are: Citi, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley.

Before that, Ukraine and the United States in June of the same year had signed an agreement to provide the country with a third tranche of credit guarantees for $1 billion. The funds were to be used for social support of the most vulnerable segments of the population.

The first U.S. secured $1 billion eurobonds were issued in 2014. The yield was 28 basic points more than U.S. bonds due April 30, 2019  1.844% per annum. JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley organized the deal.

A year later, in May 2015, Ukraine again placed five-year Eurobonds for $1 billion under U.S. guarantees with a yield that exceeded similar U.S. government bonds by 32 basis points. The deal was organized by Citi, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley.

According to the agency, during the Donald Trump administration, attempts to obtain the allocation of such guarantees to refinance the first two issues ended in vain. They were repaid on time and in full.
The Biden administration is expanding the pause on student loan interest and collections to the more than a million borrowers who are in default on loans made by private lenders, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

"This step particularly protects 800,000 borrowers who are at risk of having their tax refunds seized," Psaki said at a White House briefing.

The pause on collections covers loans made as part of the Federal Family Education Loan Program. It does not apply to borrowers who are not in default.

Biden has resisted calls from top congressional Democrats -- including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren -- to use his executive authority to forgive $50,000 in federal student loan debt per borrower.

But Biden, who has said he would support canceling $10,000 per borrower, has repeatedly argued that the government shouldn't forgive debt for people who went to "Harvard and Yale and Penn." He's also indicated that he believes Congress should make changes through legislation, which would make them harder to undo, though Psaki said Tuesday that the White House is "still taking a closer look at our options on student loans."

"This includes examining the authorities we have, the existing loan forgiveness programs that are clearly not working as well as they should," Psaki said.

Psaki continued: "This includes borrower defense, total and permanent disability charges, there's a lot of steps we're looking at and we'll continue to review those and be in touch of course with Leader Schumer about our process."

A broad cancellation of federal student loan debt would be unprecedented. But a memo from lawyers at Harvard's Legal Services Center and its Project on Predatory Student Lending says the Department of Education has the power to do so.

The department already has some more targeted debt cancellation policies in place. It wipes away debt for defrauded students as well as disabled veterans. Biden could provide relief for hundreds of thousands of more borrowers just by expanding those programs, according to the National Student Legal Defense Network.

In one of his first acts in office, Biden extended the pause on student loan payments and interest, a Covid relief benefit put in place by Congress last year that had already been renewed by the Trump administration. Federal student loan borrowers won't have to make payments until October 1 at the earliest.

And the administration earlier this month reversed a controversial Trump-era policy that will lead to the cancellation of roughly $1 billion in student debt for borrowers who were defrauded by their colleges.

The change will deliver full loan forgiveness to 73,000 people who were deemed eligible for the relief under former Education Secretary Betsy Devos but received only partial loan forgiveness after she changed the cancellation calculation.

Last week, the administration waived a paperwork requirement during the pandemic for disabled borrowers to receive approval for loan forgiveness. But advocates say much more could be done to help these borrowers, like automatically discharging their debt.
The family of a three-year-old Ethiopian refugee stabbed to death in 2018 have called for the perpetrator to face the death penalty after he pleaded guilty to murdering her and wounding eight others, including five children.

Timmy Kinner, 33, has admitting carrying out a stabbing rampage in the Wylie Street Station apartments in Boise, on June 30 2018.

On Tuesday, Kinner pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder, eight counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of use of a deadly weapon, Ada County Prosecutors office said.

Kinner had been staying at the apartment complex when he launched an attack at the birthday party of a three-year-old girl being held outside the building. He initially targeted the children before then wounding some of the adults.

Three-year-old Ruya Kadir died from her injuries two days later. Five other children were badly injured, along with the three adults who tried to protect them.

Relatives of those killed or wounded in the attack have called for Kinner to face the death penalty.

Anmar Lafta said: 'What he did to children, to the family, he broke family hearts and he killed children.

'Those people should go to death without even thinking about it They're not adults, they hadn't seen life yet. They ran away from war to come here, and look what happened to them', Lafta told the Idaho Statesman.

Kinner appeared in front of 4th District Magistrate Judge Russell Comstock in the hearing on Tuesday.

Timmy Kinner, 33, has pleaded guilty to several crimes, including first degree murder, after he allegedly killed a three-year-old girl and wounded eight others in Idaho in 2018

Ruya Kadir was stabbed, and later died from her injuries, at her third birthday party in Boise, Idaho

Court records show the guilty plea was part of a plea agreement, but it remains unclear what the terms are and if they preclude Kinner from facing the death penalty.

Kinner's plea means he will not appear for a jury trial, which was expected to take place in September.

Instead, he will now be sentenced by the court on June 10.

Kinner's decision to plead guilty will prevent victims from having to relive the stabbing attack in front of a court as part of a lengthy trial.

Relatives of those killed or wounded in the attack have called for Kinner to face the death penalty. Pictured is Ruya Kadir's mother Bifituu

Kinner's decision to plead guilty will prevent victims from having to relive the stabbing attack in front of a court as part of a lengthy trial. Pictured is three-year-old Ruya Kadir, who was killed in the rampage

Alex Mutlak, the brother of Mustafa Mutlak, whose wife and two children were injured in Kinner's rampage, said the family were 'relieved' by the guilty plea.

Mr Mutlak said the family were hoping for justice because it 'was terrifying to see a grown man attacking kids at a birthday party'.

He said: 'We just want everybody to be safe, because the crimes he did against kids are horrible...We just wish that justice will take place and we pray for his soul to be forgiven by God.'

He also thanked the police department and justice system for making the family feel safe in their homes after the attack.

Court records show the guilty plea was part of a plea agreement, but it remains unclear what the terms are and if they preclude Kinner (right) from facing the death penalty

Kinner's plea means he will not appear for a jury trial, which was expected to take place in September. Instead, he will now be sentenced by the court on June 10

Kinner's trial was delayed in 2018 after he was declared unfit to face the court and remanded in a mental health facility.

However, in October 2019 the court declared he was then able to stand trial.

Kinner moved to Boise from Memphis, Tennessee, in June 2018, just before the attack took place, according to the Statesman.

Police say Kinner had been asked to leave the apartment complex a week before the attack because of bad behavior.

He was arrested shortly after the stabbing. Investigators recovered the knife he was believed to have used in a nearby canal.

Kinner has a lengthy criminal record. He has served prison time in Kentucky and has been arrested for 'violence against others' in the past.

Police said Kinner did not know the victims and that there was no evidence the attack was a hate crime.

Many of those he attacked were refugees who had moved to the US after escaping violence in their home countries.

Kadir and her family had fled violence in Ethiopia and travelled to the US in December 2015. Other victims of the attack had come to the US from Syria and Iraq.

Kinner was reportedly made homeless a week before the rampage when he was asked to move out of the apartment complex (pictured) where the attack eventually took place

Boise residents held vigils and memorials for the slain three-year-old in the days after her death, remembering Ruya as 'an angel' whose favourite colours were pink or purple

Boise residents held vigils and memorials for the slain three-year-old in the days after her death, remembering Ruya as 'an angel' whose favorite colors were pink or purple.

At a memorial, her mother Bifituu Kadir said: 'She was my world. And if no one stopped me, I could talk forever about my Ruya.

'She was a gift from God.  She came to us on her birthday, and she left on her birthday. Her name in Turkish means dream. And she came to us like a dream.'

Executive director of the International Rescue Committee in Boise, Julianne Donnelly Tzul, said: 'Our heartfelt care goes out to the families who were impacted, and our gratitude goes to the Boise community who wrapped services and support around our Wylie neighbors in an extraordinarily difficult time.

'We, at the IRC in Boise, are grateful that the families who survived the Wylie mass stabbing attack will be spared the experience of reliving the incident with a lengthy trial. We once again thank the community for respecting the privacy of the impacted families.'

Alex Mutlak, the brother of Mustafa Mutlak, whose wife and two children were injured in Kinner's rampage, thanked the police department and justice system for making the family feel safe in their homes after the attack
Blinken Sheds Crocodile Tears for Syrians Forced into Poverty by U.S. Sanctions

March 30 , 2021 (EIRNS)The UN Security Council held its monthly meeting on Syria yesterday, focusing heavily on the humanitarian situation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who chaired the virtual meeting, delivered a statement about the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria without once referring to the economic sanctions that the U.S. and its European allies have imposed on the country that have worsened living conditions for millions of Syrians. While todays session is focused on the humanitarian crisis in Syria, its important to note that the only long-term solution to this suffering is through a political settlement and permanent resolution to the conflict, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2254, Blinken said. But even as we work to that solution, we cant lose sight of the urgent needs of the Syrian people that weve heard described so eloquently today. Its clear that these needsincluding having enough to eat and access to essential medicineare not going to be met by the Assad regime.

Blinken followed this posturing with the demand that the UNSC authorize the opening of two border crossings in the northeast and northwest into areas of the country that are not under the control of the government. We have a responsibility to ensure Syrians have access to lifesaving assistance, no matter where they live, he said. Given that goal, there was no good reason at the time for the councils failure to reauthorize these two humanitarian crossings.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin, who delivered the Russian response, minced no words about the roles of the U.S. and Turkish occupying forces in creating the current conditions that prevail in all parts of Syria. It is paradoxical, yet truea significant deterioration in the life of the Syrian population has been observed precisely within the past year, when a significant reduction in violence was achieved on the ground, Vershinin stressed, reported TASS. He also drew attention to the fact that the most difficult situation is developing in the regions not under the control of Damascus in the northwest, north and northeast of Syria, the responsibility for which, let me reiterate, is with the de-facto occupying countries and local authorities.

Vershinin accused Western powers of openly discriminating against the areas of the country controlled by Damascus, including with respect to deliveries of humanitarian supplies, the return of refugees, and efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic. It is done in a bid to undermine Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity, due to political motives, he said.

Then theres the matter of unilateral U.S. and European sanctions, which are greatly hindering the economic reconstruction of Syria. The reaction of Washington and Brussels to the call of the UN secretary general to ease and lift unilateral sanctions amid the coronavirus pandemic was, on the contrary, to tighten in an unprecedented way the restrictions adopted bypassing the UN Security Council, including the introduction of the infamous Caesar Act in June 2020, Vershinin said. Unfortunately, the honorable representative of the U.S. and other Western colleagues spoke about a lot of things in todays speeches but for the U.S. and EU sanctions and their dramatic negative effect on ordinary Syrians.

Vershinin also pointed out the U.S. looting of Syrian oil and wheat. Reports continue to come in that American convoys are trucking out oil and grain from Syria to Iraq daily. The information [we] receive suggests that 300 oil tank trucks and more than 200 cargo trucks with grain had crossed the Syrian-Iraqi border by March 23 since the beginning of the month, he said.

It turns out while Syrians are suffering from acute shortage of basic products, including bread and petrol, a wide stream of Syrias smuggled natural resources is flowing from the Trans-Euphrates region controlled by the U.S., while the country is simultaneously suffocated with unilateral sanctions which essentially are a form of collective punishment,

he underlined.

Prior to the U.S. and Russian (and other) statements, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock reported that the need for aid has jumped 20% from last year and humanitarian organizations coordinated by the UN are seeking an estimated $4.2 billion to reach 12.3 million Syrians inside the country. He said another $5.8 billion is required for support to countries hosting Syrian refugees in the region. We need more money, not less, if we are to avoid a further deteriorationthe consequences of which could be dramatic and widespread, Lowcock said.

Henrietta Fore, executive director of the United Nations International Childrens Fund, or UNICEF, said Syrias worst economic crisis is plunging 90% of the population into poverty, and across the country nearly 90% of children now require humanitarian assistance.
This is the finding of a study published online March 31 in Communications Biology , an open access journal of Nature . It builds on work published in 2018 , in which pathologists from NYU Grossman School of Medicine revealed that widespread layers of the body thought to be solid connective tissues instead contained fluid-filled spaces, comprising a previously unknown, body-wide system called the interstitium.

The 2018 study suggested that the natural movements of the body  the pulsing of heart and blood vessels, the rhythmic squeezing that moves food through the digestive tract, the flexing of muscles  push fluid through the network, supported by a mesh of connective tissue proteins, creating the possibility that it carries signals.

What remained to be proven was whether these compartments  found below the skin's surface, and lining organs, arteries and veins, nerves, and fascia between muscles  are separate units confined to their local tissues, or are interconnected throughout the body and across organ boundaries.

"Our experiments suggest that interstitial spaces are continuous, creating a potential superhighway through the body, distinct from blood and lymphatic vessels, though which cells and molecules circulate," says lead study author Odise Cenaj, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Pathology at NYU Langone Health. "This finding may have significant implications for how the body signals to itself across long distances to maintain health, as well as for the spread of certain cancers."

"Clear imaging of this network of spaces is difficult with standard radiologic imaging techniques," says senior study author, Neil Theise, MD, professor in the Department of Pathology at NYU Langone Health. "To study the question of continuity, we had to find new ways to map them."

Tattoos and Silver

The team first sought to reveal interstitial connections by tracking movement through them of non-biological particles -- of tattoo ink and silver  from the point where they were first deposited. In tissue samples taken from skin biopsies, injected tattoo ink particles and silver particles applied on the skin surface were observed to move via interstitial spaces through all skin layers and then further, through the connective tissue layer underneath them (the fascia). The very small silver particles also moved into the connective tissue surrounding nerves and blood vessels thereby potentially passing along them to distant parts of the body.

Tattoo ink is also used to mark some cancerous colon polyps prior to surgical removal, a standard procedure that let the team examine pigment movement there as well. As in the skin, the ink particles deposited in the colon's inner layers travelled through all deeper layers of the bowel wall, and out into the connective tissue of the mesentery beyond.

A third set of experiments exploited a naturally occurring substance called hyaluronic acid (HA), a large molecule known to hold water and contribute to fluid balance. Interstitial spaces appear white (empty) in anatomical studies using standard stains, but when the research team stained HA brown, they found the gel-like substance to occupy every interstitial space. Observing no gaps in the HA throughout all interstitial spaces, the authors concluded that such spaces are continuous, with open channels running through all connective tissues.

Theise says the results may have implications for questions surrounding the growth of certain cancers, including some in the skin (in-transit melanomas) and colon (mesenteric colon cancer implants distinct from the main tumor). These cancers originate in one spot and then spread to another distant location despite having no clear anatomical pathway (e.g. nerve, artery, or lymph vessel) to follow. In their tissue slides, the study authors saw evidence suggesting that cancer cells could be spreading from their sites of origin through the local interstitium, but further studies will be needed to confirm this theory.

Some cancer cells emit enzymes that eat through the surrounding tissue to make way for invasive growth, say the authors. However, research in the field has shown that early on, such invasion often proceeds without tissue breakdown by enzymes, and could happen instead through pre-existing spaces.

"Our study supports this concept, and now we are mapping those spaces," says Theise. "Again, more work will be needed to determine the mechanisms by which cancer cells may migrate through interstitium."

Moving forward, the team is also developing techniques to examine the protein content in interstitial spaces to understand whether or not nearby tumors alter interstitial spaces to enable cancer cell movement through them. Their goals are to determine if signals predict whether a certain cancer type, such as melanoma, is likely to spread through the interstitium, and if so, to find ways to block it.

Along with Cenaj and Theise, authors of the study from the Department of Pathology at NYU Langone Health were Douglas Allison, Rami Iman, Briana Zeck, Lilly Drohan, Luis Chiriboga, and Cheng Liu. Also authors were Jessica Llewellyn and Rebecca Wells of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Young Nyun Park, in Department of Pathology at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea. The study was funded by a Perlmutter Cancer Center support grant, and by National Institutes of Health grants P30CA016087, S10OD01058, and S10018338.

CONTACT: Gregory Williams, [email protected]

SOURCE NYU Grossman School of Medicine
A man was today charged with sexual assault following an alleged incident in Derry's city centre this week.

Derry Magistrates Court was told that two women were walking towards Quayside Shopping Centre car park at 9pm on Monday when they were approached by a man.

A police officer told the court that the man told one of the women that she was 'pretty and beautiful' and that he 'would love to touch you down there and hurt you down there'.

The officer said the woman believed the man was talking about her vagina.

The man then grabbed the woman in the 'inner thigh area' before raising his hand up to her groin area.

Both women ran off towards Strand Road police station but were followed by the man.

He shouted abuse at the women and said he was from Belfast 'but Belfast couldn't control' him.

The women flagged down a passing police patrol and the man was arrested.

Raymond Fitzpatrick, a 62-year-old man with an address at Victoria Street in Belfast, appeared before the local magistrates court today in connection with the incident.

The police officer said that when arrested and taken to the nearby station, Fitzpatrick shouted abuse and made sexual suggestions towards police officers.

He also spat at police and a spit guard was place over his mouth.

He continued to be abusive towards the officers and also grabbed for a police officer's groin area.

Fitzpatrick was subsequently charged with sexual assault and common assault in relation to the incident involving the two women and assaulting a police officer.

During interview, Fitzpatrick denied all the allegations against him.

The officer told the court that Fitzpatrick has 112 previous convictions, with ten of these for sexual offences.

The officer said that police would object to him being released on bail as they believe there is a 'very high risk' of him re-offending and that police would deem Fitzpatrick a 'risk' to the public.

The court was told that Fitzpatrick had been living in Derry for the last week at an address at Lawrence Hill but that that address had been withdrawn as a l bail address.

The judge highlighted that Fitzpatrick currently was of no fixed abode. A bail application was refused and Fitzpatrick was remanded in custody until April 24.
New Delhi, March 31 : The Indian Navy monitored 1998 incidents -- including 267 cases of piracy and armed robbery -- related to various maritime security challenges in 2020, the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) stated on Wednesday.

The IFC-IOR, an information sharing hub of maritime data based in Gurugram, in its annual report released on Wednesday, stated almost half of piracy and armed robbery incidents - about 49 per cent -- were recorded in and around the waters of Gulf of Guinea, leading to the region being assessed as the global piracy hotspot.

"The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) were assessed as the hotspot in Asia," the report stated.

In total, the Centre had monitored 267 incidents of piracy and armed robbery which includes attempted incidents. This included 188 successful boarding onboard vessels and 79 failed attempts by perpetrators.

The report also stated 40 per cent of the reported incidents involved carriage of weapons by the perpetrators, with firearms being widely used in Gulf of Guinea, and knives in South East Asia.

All three incidents of hijackings recorded by the Centre were reported in the Gulf of Guinea. A major concern was the kidnapping of 140 seafarers, in 26 separate incidents, in the Gulf of Guinea.

The report stated that as per data available, 126 of these seafarers have been safely released from captivity at the time of publishing of the report. Further, the three fishermen from Fishing Vessel Siraj held hostage by Somali pirates since March 2015, returned home after being held in captivity for more than half a decade.

As the year progressed, the attacks in the Gulf of Guinea were observed to shift further away from coast. While this may indicate better near-coast surveillance by coastal states, it also alludes to better training, sustenance, and organisation among the Pirate Action Groups (PAGs). "This, in itself, is dangerous, considering the limited capabilities of several coastal states," stated the annual report adding that 2020 was also a year without any hijacking or major incident in Gulf of Aden, the primary piracy hotspot in the first decade of the century. By and large, incidents in Asia over the last year may be categorised as petty thefts.

In addition to the threat of piracy and armed robbery, the Centre monitored the emergence of certain hybrid threats which have the potential to have a (negative) disruptive impact on the safety of seafarers.

The use of traditional means like mines and newer ones like Water Borne IEDs (WBIEDs) and Remote Controlled Water Borne IEDs (RC-WBIEDs) are broadly a fallout of regional conflicts in parts of Indian Ocean Region.

"These pose a challenge to the safety of seafarers as the Indian Ocean Region is a region of intense mercantile traffic and maritime activities," the report stated.

Further, the Centre monitored 421 incidents of contraband smuggling. The monthly average of reported incidents was observed to be higher in the second half of the year. A total 222 of the reported incidents involved seizure of various types of drugs, as 2020 witnessed some of the largest seizures of methamphetamine and ketamine in recent years.

The Covid-19 pandemic is assessed to have had a major impact on the flow of drugs, and in some cases led to changes in the modus operandi of the traffickers. The governing factors in this regard were reduced air travel, shift in maritime transportation routes and methods, increased unemployment across multiple sectors, impact on personal consumption habits and enhanced enforcement by authorities in the region.

Major drug seizures included large shipments of cannabinoids, Amphetamine Type Substances (ATS) such as methamphetamine, and opioids such as heroin.

The Centre observed that small vessels (including fishing vessels) and shipping containers were the most preferred modes of shipment of contraband by traffickers.

In addition to drugs, seizures of banned fauna, tobacco products, natural resources and some domestic products, along with illegal fuel transfers were also observed.

The Centre monitored 379 reported incidents of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing with majority of the incidents monitored between June to November. About 65 per cent of the reported incidents were local IUU fishing, with a majority of these reported in South Asia.

The 70 per cent of the poaching incidents were recorded in South East Asia and majority of the reported incidents were monitored in the waters of Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Centre also monitored 337 attempted/ successful irregular migrant crossings during the year, which involved 19217 migrants - amounting to an average of about 1600 migrants per month.

Majority of the overall incidents were recorded across the waters of Mediterranean. Crossings off Mayotte accounted for a large share of IHM in South West Indian Ocean Region.

The Centre monitored 592 incidents that could be classified as maritime incidents. The monthly average of reported incidents was observed to be higher in the second half of the year.

More than 37 per cent of the incidents involved Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) of affected seafarers. About 22 per cent of the incidents involved vessels capsizing or sinking at sea and another 20 per cent involved collisions at sea.

As an annual summary, on an average 36830 vessels were observed in Indian Ocean region per month in 2020. The Centre monitored nearly 145,000 vessels operating in the IOR during the year with many vessels undertaking multiple trips across the waters of Indian Ocean.

The average number of vessels observed in IOR per day was about 13000 - 15000 in 2020.

"On an average 5300 vessels transited through Malacca, 1800 through Gulf of Aden and 2100 through Strait of Hormuz per month in 2020," stated the reported adding that the numbers only serve to depict the importance of free seas and the key role played by seafarers in maintaining smooth and uninterrupted flow of global trade.

(Sumit Kumar Singh can be reached at sumit@ians.in)
HOLYOKE  A memorial ceremony Tuesday featured 77 seconds of silence, one for each of the residents of the Soldiers Home in Holyoke lost to COVID-19.

The blustery evening kept American flags waving fiercely as families, staff and supporters gathered on the grounds of the state-run facility that became an emblem of grief during the coronavirus pandemic.

On March 30 of last year, the facilitys superintendent was fired and the National Guard arrived to quell the outbreak. When it was over, 77 fathers, brothers and husbands were gone. A sampling of those who loved them turned out Tuesday, some holding signs or carrying framed portraits. Some wept openly while others were quiet in their remembrance.

Eileen Driscoll and her sister Patricia Creran, both of Holyoke, joined other family members holding pictures of their late father, Alfred Healy, a Korean War veteran who died of COVID-19 on April 10, relatively early in the crisis.

Its hard to be here, because I feel like if it wasnt for this, my dad would still be walking around, Driscoll said tearfully.

Cheryl Turgeon lost her father, Dennis Thresher, much later. Her father survived the initial outbreak and received a vaccine, only to die of pneumonia and complications from COVID-19 in January.

The pain never goes away, but Ill always find comfort in the other families here and we will not stop fighting until a new facility is built, said Turgeon, of East Longmeadow, an active member of the Holyoke Soldiers Home Coalition, a grassroots group formed to advocate for the home after the pandemic hit.

Turgeon came to the ceremony with her friend, Roberta Twining, whose husband survived the virus and remains a resident at the home, with a window that overlooked Tuesdays vigil.

Weve all come through this together  the stress and the grief, Twining said.

The ceremony featured Sarah the Fiddler, an employee of the home who played the national anthem and Amazing Grace.

Nurses and social workers who also endured the pandemic spoke briefly at the ceremony, along with the Rev. Robert Gentile Jr., a Catholic priest with long ties to the home, who advocated for forgiveness.

Its not an easy thing to forgive, Gentile told the crowd of about 200 who gathered around the horseshoe driveway at the home, likely referring to the anger many families have over the deaths of their loved ones.

After the labor union-hosted ceremony  which did not formally feature a veteran family member nor a member of Gov. Charlie Bakers administration  the coalition quietly organized a small affair near the gazebo on the grounds.

When I worked here, this was one of my favorite places to sit and reflect, and youll always have this, said John Paradis, former deputy superintendent at the Soldiers Home and one of the leaders of the coalition. Youll always have this.

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By Ted Hesson and Steve Holland

(Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to allow a proclamation from his Republican predecessor that had blocked many temporary foreign workers from coming into the United States to expire on Wednesday, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The Democratic president has rolled back many of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies since taking office on Jan. 20 including last month revoking a proclamation that had blocked many applicants for permanent residency - known as a green card - from entering the United States.

Trump first issued his directive on temporary foreign workers in June 2020 and renewed it through March 31 before leaving office, portraying it as necessary to protect American workers amid high unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. jobless claims dropped to a one-year low in mid-March as the public health situation improved and temperatures warmed. Still, a Labor Department report last week showed a large number of Americans - nearly 19 million - were still receiving unemployment checks.

Major U.S. business associations, including the National Association of Manufacturers and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, sued in July to try to overturn Trump's temporary worker ban. A California-based federal judge in October blocked the policy as it applied to hundreds of thousands of U.S. businesses with membership in the associations that had sued.

The judge found Trump's policy would cause "irreparable harm" to the businesses by interfering with their operations and leading them to lay off employees and close open positions.

Bloomberg News first reported Biden's plan to allow the foreign worker ban to expire.

Among those affected by the restrictions are skilled foreign workers on so-called H-1B visas that let U.S. employers temporarily hire foreign employees in specialty occupations. Companies that provide outsourcing services typically make up the bulk of the H-1B program's top users.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson and Steve Holland in Washington; Additional reporting by Aishwarya Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Chris Reese and Michael Perry)
By Kelsey Kloza

Ive never been particularly good at being Asian.

I was adopted from South Korea as an infant and have no memory of the place, its people or my biological parents. I was raised by a Caucasian family in a majority-Caucasian New Jersey town  I know more about ravioli than dumplings, and I can speak more Polish than Korean. My Central Jersey upbringing never made me feel like I stuck out, and beyond the occasional stereotypical joke (no, Im not good at math) or a bad pick-up line (really, youre going with konnichiwa as your opener?), Ive been fairly insulated from racism most of my life. At least thats what I thought.

The increasing violence against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) these past 13 months, on the rise since former President Donald Trump and his constituents began calling COVID-19 the Chinese virus and Kung Flu, affected me more than I thought it should. I felt my husband was over-reacting when he said hed prefer I didnt go to the grocery store alone. After all, Ive never been violently attacked nor had any hateful speech directed at me before, nor had to deal with the systemic racism that affects Black people every day.

But after months of reflection about my own experiences, as well as stories from my handful of Asian American friends, I realize the casual bigotry that was always simmering beneath the surface of every joke and bad pick-up line was never really casual at all. My husband was and is right  I dont feel safe going to the store alone.

This week, a 65-year-old Asian woman was kicked and stomped on in broad daylight in the middle of Manhattan. The suspect charged in the March 16 Atlanta shootings  attacks on Asian-owned spas that left eight people dead, six of them Asian women  blames his sex addiction and his need to eliminate temptation as his motive. Whether the women were sex workers or not, they were considered by the shooter to be a sexual temptation, conflating sex with Asian women.

Within his rationale to target these spas, and not a more obvious sexual temptation location such as a strip club, lies an ideal I have experienced my entire adolescent-into-adult life: Asian fetishization.

Look, I understand that people have preferences when it comes to partners  some people prefer blondes or brown eyes or a certain height. But the number of white men Ive dated who felt the need to tell me that they only date Asians or that theyve been with an Asian before, wink certainly outnumbers the times my white female friends have been told theyre not their boyfriends first blonde. Im a person with much more to offer than just my Korean face. Despite how the media portrays Asian celebrities and characters (the few that there are), I am not an exotic and erotic two-dimensional object designed only for tempting male characters into forbidden pleasures. And neither were the women who were gunned down at their jobs.

These perceptions of me as a model minority or oxymoronic positive stereotype are little more than racism with a smile, and admittedly, I have sometimes basked in the rays of certain assumptions  frankly, the blind belief that I was hard-working and/or a brilliant mathematician benefitted my academic career. I had no idea that I was being used as a vehicle for racists to perpetuate all their misguided beliefs: Look at this Asian girl, shes successful even though shes a minority because Asians are hard-working and dont complain; so everything I think about Black people and brown people must be true, too. Of course, there is no equating the history of racism against Asians with hundreds of years of slavery and dehumanization of Black people, but I digress.

This idea also implies that Asians dont experience higher rates of poverty than others because theyre so successful and thats simply not true. According to a study by the National Academy of Sciences, Asian Americans have a 12.3% poverty rate, compared to 9.8% for non-Hispanic whites.

Although I am fortunate enough to not be impoverished, most of that fact is due to the many privileges Ive been given as the daughter of a hetero-white-couple and nothing to do with some kind of inherent need-to-succeed in my Korean blood. Nevertheless, because of my appearance, Ive still been affected by the societal pressure this model minority ideal puts on all Asians, which can be damaging to self-esteem and measures of self-worth. Did I laugh about being the worst at math in high school? Sure! But I still have stress nightmares about failing my AP Calculus class.

All of this is to say we need to do better. The Stop Asian Hate marches around the country, including Sundays rally in Fort Lee, and viral social media videos supporting Asian lives are a great start, but its just that  a start. We all need to keep the conversation going and truly examine how the things we do and say affect everyone around us, for better or worse.

To some extent, this begins with me. I need to do better. I need to stop laughing at jokes about how Asians are bad drivers and correct the comments made about happy endings because, as small as these remarks may seem, they help perpetuate harmful ideas that snowball into horrific tragedies.

I need to unlearn the lessons American society has taught me about who Im supposed to be.

I need to start being good at being Asian, on my terms.

Kelsey Kloza is a data analyst and Monmouth County resident.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 03:15:05|Editor: huaxia

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Daniela Pancalli, who owns a home decor shop in the Rome neighborhood of Trastevere, poses for a photo in Rome, Italy, on March 30, 2021. The Italian government is struggling to find the right balance between measures designed to halt the spread of the coronavirus and those that allow people the freedom to move around and business to be at least partially open for business. (Str/Xinhua)

ROME, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Anna Maria Caprioli was several kilometers from her apartment Tuesday morning. That fact alone gave her a big smile.

"I haven't been this far from home in three weeks," she told Xinhua. "It's a beautiful day, the sun is out, and I'm taking advantage of the new rules and enjoying Rome as much as possible."

Caprioli, a 43-year-old office worker, was referring to the temporary loosening of coronavirus restrictions effective on Tuesday.

Lazio, the region that includes Rome, switched to "orange" the second most restrictive of Italy's four-color system. Until Monday, Lazio had been a "red" zone. The change means that shops can open and people can venture out of their homes for non-essential purposes as long as they stay within the limits of the city where they live.

"I could have never guessed that I'd be so thankful to have permission to walk around the city but it makes such a difference," she said while on a walk with her husband that took them to Rome's Campidoglio, one of the city's most picturesque spots.

"You move a few kilometers in the city and the views are different, the air is different," Caprioli said. "I feel relaxed."

However, the latest change is a brief one. Lazio will return to being a "red" zone Friday, ahead of Easter, a major religious holiday. Three weeks ago, it was a "yellow" zone, the second least-restrictive category. The changes are made on a region-by-region basis based on how fast the coronavirus is spreading in that area along with the anticipation of potential spreader events, like holidays.

The Italian government is struggling to find the right balance between measures designed to halt the spread of the virus and those that allow people the freedom to move around and business to be at least partially open for business.

That is why the whole country will remain in either the "red" and "orange" category until at least the end of April, as the country tries to slow a new wave of infections. Italy has had 20 days so far this month with at least 20,000 infections nationally, a level topped only three times over the first two months of the year.

For Matteo Tremolada, a 29-year-old coffee bar worker, the changes between the "yellow," "orange" and "red" categories can create a kind of whiplash.

"I know we have to take precautions but changing the plan so often seems disorganized," Tremolada said in an interview with Xinhua. He was walking his dog in Rome's Aventino neighborhood, where his parents live.

"I'm happy to have the freedom to be outside and to visit my parents, but the way these things change back and forth is confusing," Tremolada said. "I really just want this to be over."

Daniela Pancalli, who owns a home decor shop in the Rome neighborhood of Trastevere, agreed.

"I don't think all these changes are good for anyone, whether we're talking about people's mental well-being, or for the shops that open one week and close the next," said Pancalli, who reopened Tuesday but said she had only one client by early afternoon.

"This is a terrible situation for everyone and it doesn't do any good to blame anyone," she told Xinhua. "The virus has us in our hands and all we can do is to keep going until enough people can get vaccinated and we can put this pandemic behind us." Enditem
Bindi Irwin's road to motherhood will be detailed in a new television special titled 'Crikey! It's a Baby'.

The 22-year-old conservationist and her husband Chandler Powell welcomed their daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, into the world on March 25, which was also the same day as their first wedding anniversary.

And it has now been confirmed the couple's journey through their pregnancy and the eventual birth of their daughter will be chronicled in a special spin-off called Crikey! It's the Irwins, which will air on April 25.

Baby joy: Bindi Irwin's road to motherhood will be detailed in a new television special titled 'Crikey! It's a Baby'. Pictured: Bindi, 22, her husband Chandler Powell, 24, and their daughter Grace

The show will also detail how Bindi's mother, Terri Irwin, and her brother Robert reacted to the baby news, as well as how they supported her through the journey.

The special features poignant and intimate moments leading up to the birth of Bindi and Chandler's daughter, and viewers will get to meet Grace for the first time when the program airs exclusively on Discovery Plus.

Bindi announced she had given birth on Instagram last Friday with a sweet picture of herself and Chandler holding baby Grace.

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. Grace Warrior Irwin Powell.

Family support: The show will also detail how Bindi's mother, Terri Irwin, and her brother Robert reacted to the baby news, as well as how they supported her through the journey. Pictured, Robert (far left), Terri (left), Bindi (right), and Chandler Powell (far right)

'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 (sic).'

Bindi continued: '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.'

Adorable: 'There are no words to describe the infinite amount of love in our hearts for our sweet baby girl,' Bindi wrote, after sharing an image of the bub's face

'Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy': Bindi paid tribute to her late father Steve by referencing him in Grace's middle names
Los Angeles, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mount Saint Marys University (MSMU), Los Angeles, today released its 10th annual Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California. This years report, The Impact of COVID-19: Amplifying Inequities, is the most comprehensive study in California on the impact of the pandemic on women and girls in the state.

We knew we had to produce a comprehensive, timely report that examined the pandemic and how it has disproportionately affected women and girls, said Ann McElaney-Johnson, President of MSMU. The pandemic has underscored that gender, race, ethnicity and socio-economic status continue to determine women and girls health, wellness, safety, access to education, and economic security.

The report was developed by the Center for the Advancement of Women at MSMU. Its findings were announced today during a virtual event that gathered leaders from various industries to discuss the report, how women are faring in the wake of COVID-19, and how we can our communities can recover without jeopardizing the gains women have towards gender parity in the last decade.

At the event, Los Angeles County Supervisors Kathryn Barger, Sheila Kuehl and Holly J. Mitchell discussed leading Los Angeles out of the pandemic, the historic nature of an all-female LA County Board of Supervisors, and what womens leadership means for the most powerful local government body in the country.

I think we have a deep sensibility to the unique needs of our constituents. We, in our ordinary life experience, understand the dynamics that our constituents experience every day and we govern from that space, said Supervisor Mitchell. There is too much work to do. There is more work to be done than any of us hope to accomplish individually so we understand collectively were stronger. So, we just get it done. And I think thats what makes an elected body of all women unique, and quite frankly beneficial to our shared constituents.

To access the 2021 Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California: https://www.msmu.edu/center-for-the-advancement-of-women/events/status-of-women-and-girls/read-the-latest-report/

Watch The Report event: https://www.facebook.com/MountSaintMarysU/videos/2882776225338414

ABOUT MOUNT SAINT MARYS UNIVERSITY

Mount Saint Marys is the only womens university in Los Angeles and one of the most diverse in the nation. The University is known nationally for its research on gender equality, its innovative health and science programs, and its commitment to community service.

As a leading liberal arts institution, Mount Saint Marys provides year-round, flexible, and online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Weekend, evening, and graduate programs are offered to both women and men. Mount alums are engaged, active global citizens who use their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their communities and the world.

msmu.edu

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

The Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Marys University is a hub for gender equity research, advocacy and leadership development. Its vision is to find solutions to persistent gender inequities and work with partners to eradicate those inequities in our lifetime. That goal includes eliminating obstacles that women face in the workplace, in their communities, in the media and beyond to make a positive difference in the lives of women and girls in California and our nation. The Center also creates public programming, research guides and training opportunities to engage more partners in its work.

Center for the Advancement of Women
Saudi Arabia's HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs of Saudi Arabia, has inaugurated a programme that aims to unleash up to SR5 trillion of private sector investment by 2030.

Establishing a vibrant and thriving private sector is one of the kingdom's national priorities, and is the driving force behind the creation of the large corporate investment programme called Shareek.

The programme aims at developing a stronger partnership between the government and the private sector and accelerating the achievement of strategic objectives to increase the resilience of the nations economy and support sustainable growth and prosperity, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

The programme is designed to provide support via various pillars including financial, monetary, operational and regulatory cooperation and asset investment.

"Shareek" Program, which is headquartered in Riyadh under the management of the General Secretariat of the programme, aims to enhance the development and resilience of the Saudi economy by increasing the gross domestic product, providing job opportunities and diversifying the economy, in addition to launching private sector as well as the accumulated investments across all economic aspects with a target of SR5 trillion by 2030, and add up to SR2 trillion to the GDP by 2025 and provide hundreds of thousands of new job opportunities.

The programme will also help, as a strategic enabler, to accelerate investment plans for major companies.

Saudi Arabias government will manage "Shareek" under the directives of HRH the Crown Prince, while the large companies investment board will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of the programme, which includes in its membership the Ministers of Investment, Tourism, Finance, Communications, Information Technology, Human Resources and Social Development, the Governor of the Public Investment Fund, the Secretary of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning.

The programmes name embodies the promotion of the spirit of partnership between the public and private sectors, as the philosophy guiding the new program, which was established to achieve enormous benefits for large private companies in the kingdom.

The programme was established to accelerate the growth of business opportunities within the Kingdom and support the achievement of Vision 2030. It is not a direct response to the negative economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, but rather it achieves a number of goals, most notably to support the sustainable growth of the kingdom's economy, the report said.

The launch of the programme is also another step for the Kingdom paving the way towards a resilient and diversified national economy.

The programme will become an essential part of the national investment strategy and the broader economic development plan, and it will enhance the kingdom's reputation as a business-friendly environment that attracts investments seeking remunerative returns, in addition to providing practical and accurate support to accelerate the growth of large companies' projects in the kingdom, given the framework of the large companies investment board and clear guidelines for large companies that qualify them for support, and enable them to participate in the plan voluntarily which is designed to achieve major benefits for these companies.

Each company will receive special support and benefit from government support that is most closely linked to it, which will accelerate its investment plans and programmes. The broad-based support will cover many areas that may include regulatory, financial, operational affairs, asset investment, and cooperation based on the specific needs of each major company with a view to achieving its long-term investment ambitions.

To benefit from the programme, large companies must prove their ability to invest a minimum of SR20 billion over the next decade, and the ability to invest SR400 million in each additional project, to possess the necessary qualifications to obtain the programme's support.

The Public Investment Fund constitutes a leading party from the newly created General Secretariat to assist in managing the program, and the Fund Governor, Yasser Al-Rumayyan, holds the position of Chairman of the Executive Committee for Large Corporate Investments.

The program is expected to enable large companies to increase their investment targets by more than 50% of their current plans. There are no specific investment targets for the programme due to the specific nature and requirements of each large company. However, the program was established to ensure that ambitious investment strategies are leveraged and achieved much faster than before.
The Junior Achievement Florida Foundation has announced today that it has received a $60,000 grant from State Farm. The state-wide initiative will support Junior Achievement learning experiences in eight localities throughout Florida, enabling thousands of young people to participate in JAs nationally recognized financial literacy and work readiness learning experiences.

The mission of State Farm remains committed to ensuring that young people receive financial literacy and work readiness education programs, said Jose Soto, Corporate Responsibility Analyst at State Farm. Junior Achievement programs help all students improve their financial literacy, especially the low to moderate income students who derive greater benefits from the programs.

Each JA area will use the support to advance learning experiences most needed in their region. JA Tampa Bay will deliver JA Inspire Virtual Career Expo supplemented with the JA Digital Career App. The virtual platforms provide middle and high school students with a highly interactive virtual career fair, where they engage with over 100 businesses and educational institutions. JA Miami will advance the JA Stock Market Challenge, empowering students to visualize, first-hand, how the laws of economics unfold in the real world, encapsulated in a virtual competition. JA Space Coast will provide third and fourth grade students a virtual component of JA More Than Money; a learning experience designed to introduce concepts of money management, goods and services, and global markets. JA South Florida and JA Southwest Florida will provide the JA Personal Finance learning experience to high school students, educating young people on the relationship between todays financial decisions and future financial freedom. JA Central Florida, JA North Florida, and JA Palm Beaches will deliver the newly enhanced JA Finance Park Virtual; where students will build a foundation for making intelligent and informed personal finance decisions. JA Northwest Florida will provide JA Economics for Success through a virtual delivery platform, where students explore their skills, interests, values, and the world of work to make informed education, career, and life decisions.

We are grateful to State Farm for this grant because it helps make what we do possible, said Claudia Kirk Barto, President. Our K-12 programs on work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy are offered to schools and students completely virtually, and free of charge because of grants like this and State Farm grants from previous years.

About Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast

Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire and prepare young people throughout Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Hendry counties to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievements over twenty K-12 programs are taught by volunteer mentors in the classroom, after school, and through on-site adult for a day simulations. Program funding comes through contributions from businesses, individuals, foundations, and special event fundraisers. For more information please visit http://www.JuniorAchievement.com.

The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its 19,200 agents and 59,000 employees serve approximately 84 million policies and accounts  over 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and over 2 million financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2020 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue," or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control which could, and likely will materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy, and liquidity. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Nursing and other healthcare students who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19 are now banned from taking up clinical placement in HSE facilities.

The HSE decision could see some students fail the clinical placement module of their course or require them to repeat a year.

The new rule relates to unpaid clinical placements and does not apply to fourth-year nurses considered part of the HSE workforce.

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In a letter to third-level institutions, the HSE's chief clinical officer, Dr Colm Henry, said the new measures are necessary for "the safety of patients, staff, and students".

"We are all agreed that the safety of patients, staff, and students remains a shared key priority.

"Following consideration, the HSE Covid-19 Vaccination Working Group has taken the following decision, and I ask that your institutes now apply this to all student placements in HSE facilities with effect from April 1, 2021.

"Students that are eligible for vaccination, that has been offered vaccination and decline vaccination should not be assigned to clinical placements in HSE facilities.

"This may be reviewed as the epidemiological situation evolves."

The HSE says the rules apply to all students except in "very exceptional circumstances where there is specific and documented medical contraindication to vaccination for a healthcare student."

One second-year student nurse told the Irish Independent she does not wish to be vaccinated with the mRNA vaccines  Moderna or Pfizer - but would consider another Covid-19 vaccine.

The Galway womans position on mandatory vaccination for students has cast her in the minority among her classmates.

"Almost all of my classmates have taken the vaccine already, but when I discussed it with them, I heard many say we should all have a choice. Nobody should be forced.

"I am not against the vaccine, and I am happy for anyone who wants it and has received it.

"And I'm sure it is a very good vaccine for a lot of vulnerable people.

"We have the right to body autonomy. Nobody can force anyone to take any medication they don't want to take.

"We are taught about informed consent all through college.

"I think they would need to change the law before they could force people to leave their course after two years of studying.

"I am not anti-vaccine. My children are all vaccinated."

Prof Pete Lunn of the ESRI behavioural research unit said he and his colleagues have carried out an extensive study on vaccine hesitancy which will be published shortly.

He said they have found a slow and steady increase in acceptance in the vaccine with people saying they are definitely going to take it.

In the study, Dr Lunn said, "one of the fascinating things that showed up is that it wasn't so much scare stories or worries about side-effects that were the primary things driving vaccine hesitancy.

"The people who were the most hesitant were actually not understanding or knowing the benefits.

"We did some explicit tests on people's knowledge, and we found those who are hesitant were the least likely to be following Covid news and the least likely to have read about the vaccines.

"And therefore, were the least likely to know how effective they are.

"I think that tells you something important, in that there is still an awful lot of the message to get out about how effective these vaccines are to a significant minority of the population.

"What is partly driving the increasing numbers of people saying 'Yes, I will take it,' is people becoming more aware of how effective these vaccines are."

Deputy chief medical officer Ronan Glynn said there was "absolutely no complacency at policy level about vaccine hesitancy or confidence.

"I have been talking about it since last December; I am very concerned about the issue of vaccine hesitancy.

"It will be one of our major challenges to ensure people's legitimate concerns are answered.

"We know, looking at the issue of vaccine hesitancy over the last number of years, it will be the GP, it will be the community pharmacist, it will be health care professionals living and working in their communities who sit down with people who have concerns - it is those conversations that will ultimately convince the majority of people to take the vaccine," he said.

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Tradespeople are being offered salaries of $108,000 per year to move interstate for work.

Western Australian building giant Buckeridge Group of Companies is offering bricklayers across Australia the six-figure sum to relocate to Perth and keep the state's building boom on track.

Superannuation and annual leave are offered on top of the hefty salary, which is about $40,000 higher than the average income of a bricklayer, along with a relocation incentive of $2,500.

Pictured: Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan talking with construction workers in Perth

The housing boom in Western Australia is a result of federal and state building grants being offered to people looking to build a new home (pictured: a house under construction)

The demand for trade workers has soared since state and federal building grants of about $45,000 were offered to people looking to build a new home.

According to the Housing Industry Association, the number of homes being built will sky rocket from 10,585 last year to 17,880 in 2021 across the nation.

While Premier Mark McGowan said the state is on the cusp of a 'jobs bonanza', the strained building sector - which sold a series of housing contracts during the grant offerings - is under strain to deliver the homes.

Michael Bartier, executive general manager of BGC Housing Group, told the West Australian that skills shortages meant there were 'some delays' on construction sites.

He blamed the skills shortage on the demand for new property going from the lowest point in history to the highest in a short period of time.

Michael Bartier, executive general manager of BGC Housing Group, said the skills shortage is a result of a sudden property boom in Perth (pictured)

But some employees said propping the sector up with transient workers was not the right way to sustain industry.

Bricklayer James Parrish, who does not work for BGC, told the publication that employers should focus on training young or mature local workers to keep the industry going long-term.

He also said people from interstate were not accustomed to WA's regulations, unique building styles and materials and would need at least six months of training to get up to speed.

New bricklayers will likely also find it difficult to rent a temporary home.

'There's no quick fix here,' Mr Parrish said. 'It is just going to take longer to build all these homes.'
Peru's Interim President Francisco Sagasti on Tuesday confirmed the death of one of the remaining leaders of the Shining Path rebel group.

Sagasti said Jorge Quispe Palomino, known as "Comrade Raul," had been among the heads of Shining Path in the Valley of the Rivers Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro, also known as the VRAEM.

Sagasti said the government will keep fighting remmants of the "terrorist groups" which were "subjugating" the VRAEM, a fertile region where coca leaves are a common crop.

Peru's Defense Ministry earlier published a statement detailing Quispe Palomino died of a chronic kidney ailment on January 27, which had been aggravated after he was wounded during an aerial attack in October 2020.

The statement said the rebel group kept Quispe Palomino's death a secret.

A truth commission found that between 1980 and 2000, fighting among the Shining Path, Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, the government and self-defense patrols left up 70,000 dead.

Analysts estimate the Shining Path has a few hundred remaining fighters holed up the cocaine-producing region of the valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro rivers.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The suspect wanted in an attack of an Asian American woman near New York Citys Times Square has been arrested and charged with felony assault as a hate crime, police said early Wednesday.

The arrest comes after the man was seen on video kicking and stomping the woman on Monday. In a statement, police identified him as Brandon Elliot, 38, and said the New York City man was living at a hotel that serves as a homeless shelter a few blocks from the scene of the attack.

He faces charges of assault as a hate crime, attempted assault as a hate crime, assault and attempted assault, police said. It wasnt immediately known whether he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.

Elliot was convicted of stabbing his mother to death in the Bronx in 2002, when he was 19. He was released from prison in 2019 and is on lifetime parole.

The 65-year-old woman, whose name has not been made public, was walking to church in midtown Manhattan, a few blocks from Times Square, when police said a man kicked her in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, stomped on her face, shouted anti-Asian slurs and told her, you dont belong here before casually walking away.

The woman was discharged from the hospital Tuesday after being treated for serious injuries, a hospital spokesperson said.

This image taken from surveillance video provided by the New York City Police Department shows a person of interest in connection with an assault of an Asian American woman, Monday, March 29, 2021, in New York. The NYPD is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the man. (Courtesy of New York Police Department via AP)AP

The attack Monday was among the latest in a national spike in anti-Asian hate crimes, and happened just weeks after a mass shooting in Atlanta that left eight people dead, six of them women of Asian descent. The surge in violence has been linked in part to misplaced blame for the coronavirus and former President Donald Trumps use of racially charged terms like Chinese virus.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called Mondays attack absolutely disgusting and outrageous. He said it was absolutely unacceptable that witnesses did not intervene.

I dont care who you are, I dont care what you do, youve got to help your fellow New Yorker, de Blasio said, evoking the post-9/11 mantra of see something, say something.

The attack happened late Monday morning outside an apartment building two blocks from Times Square.

Two workers inside the building who appeared to be security guards were seen on surveillance video witnessing the attack but failing to come to the womans aid. One of them was seen closing the building door as the woman was on the ground. The attacker was able to casually walk away while onlookers watched, the video showed.

Warning: The following video contains graphic content.

The buildings management company said they were suspended pending an investigation. The workers union said they called for help immediately.

If you see someone being attacked, do whatever you can, de Blasio said. Make noise. Call out whats happening. Go and try and help. Immediately call for help. Call 911. This is something where we all have to be part of the solution. We cant just stand back and watch a heinous act happening.

Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang, the son of Taiwanese immigrants, said the victim could easily have been my mother. He too criticized the bystanders, saying their inaction was exactly the opposite of what we need here in New York City.

This year in New York City there have been 33 hate crimes with an Asian victim as of Sunday, police said. There were 11 such attacks by the same time last year.

On Friday, in the same neighborhood as Mondays attack, a 65-year-old Asian American woman was accosted by a man waving an unknown object and shouting anti-Asian insults. A 48-year-old man was arrested the next day and charged with menacing. He is not suspected in Mondays attack.

The NYPDs Hate Crime Task Force has asked anyone with information to contact the departments confidential hot line or submit tips online.

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced last week that the department would increase outreach and patrols in predominantly Asian communities, including the use of undercover officers to prevent and disrupt attacks.

The neighborhood where Mondays attack occurred, Hells Kitchen, is predominantly white, with an Asian population of less than 20%, according to city demographic data.

Shea called Mondays attack disgusting, telling TV station NY1: I dont know who attacks a 65-year-old woman and leaves her on the street like that.

According to a report from Stop AAPI Hate, more than 3,795 incidents were reported to the organization from March 19, 2020, to Feb. 28. The group, which tracks incidents of discrimination, hate and xenophobia against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S., said that number is only a fraction of the number of hate incidents that actually occur.
Commentary: BCI's cotton boycott against China is hasty and doomed to fail

Xinhua) 16:54, March 30, 2021

GENEVA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Shortly after the Swiss-based Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) launched its so-called Xinjiang cotton boycott, the group's Shanghai representative office confirmed last weekend it has never found a single case related to "forced labor" in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Though the BCI claims to be "not-for-profit" and "the largest cotton sustainability programme," a close look at its behavior would find that it is anything but professional, independent and transparent.

Firstly, the BCI has proven itself a part of the western smear campaign against China. When some institutions in the United States and Australia fabricated inaccurate reports on Xinjiang last year, the BCI, without any field investigation, immediately suspended its assurance activities in Xinjiang and wrongfully cited concerns about so-called increasing risks of forced labor in Xinjiang.

In fact, the baseless accusation intentionally ignores the fact that cotton production in Xinjiang has already achieved a high degree of mechanization.

After its team in China refuted findings of any incident related to forced labor in Xinjiang, one would expect that since its own branch had a first-hand on-site investigation, the BCI headquarters should have responded promptly by correcting its previous wrongdoings. Instead, the BCI headquarters chose to remain silent and indifferent.

Secondly, though the BCI bills itself as a non-profit, independent organization, one of its major funding partners is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which bluntly admits that its work "advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity."

For decades, the USAID has repeatedly been accused of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. Its nature as a tool to maintain American hegemony overseas is self-evident. With such a financial backer, it is hard not to question BCI's independence.

What is more, Marc Lewkowitz, the current chairperson of the BCI Council, is also the president and CEO of Supima, the promotional and marketing organization for American Pima cotton growers. Since Pima cotton and Xinjiang cotton are competitors, one cannot help raise concerns of any conflict of interest.

Lastly, the BCI has serious problems with transparency. Xinhua correspondents were recently refused an interview at BCI's headquarters in Geneva. To the reporters' surprise, its headquarters has just a few rented offices on the first floor of an office building and a few researchers.

In the past year, the BCI repeatedly issued false statements on the issue related to cotton production in Xinjiang without presenting any reliable evidence except botched-up reports by anti-China organizations in the West. It appears the BCI in this regard doesn't have a mind of its own.

The BCI may profess to preach decent labor and high environmental standards, but its own operations are not decent and of low standards. By selling a contemptible lie to the world, the BCI is risking its own credibility.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
Zoom CEO Eric Yuan joined hundreds of other Asian business executives to condemn AAPI violence. Kena Betancur/Getty Images

Nearly 1,000 Asian-American business executives donated $10 million to ending anti-Asian hate.

DoorDash founder Tony Xu, YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, and Zoom CEO Eric Yuan signed the letter.

"We are tired of being treated as less than American," the business leaders wrote.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Chief executives and other powerful Asian American Pacific Islander business executives have donated $10 million to groups reporting on hate crimes and supporting the AAPI community.

DoorDash founder Tony Xu, YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, and Zoom CEO Eric Yuan joined nearly 1,000 other business executives in signing a letter calling to end violence against Asian Americans, including the March 16 Atlanta shooting that killed six Asian women.

"We are tired of being treated as less than American, subject to harassment and now, every day, we read about another member of our community being physically attacked - simply for being Asian," the letter, signed by the group Stand with Asian Americans, read.

The $10 million donation will go in part toward the Bay Area nonprofit Asian Pacific Fund, the StopAAPIHate research group, and the legal advocacy group for hate crime victims Asian-Americans Advancing Justice. The group said they will complete the $10 million pledge over the next year.

Read more: We identified the 194 most powerful people at Google under CEO Sundar Pichai. Check out our exclusive org chart.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella - perhaps the two most prominent Asian-American tech CEOs - did not sign the commitment.

Other high-profile signatories include Facebook vice president of product George Lee, Boxed CEO Chieh Huang, Peloton Interactive co-founders Yony Feng and Hisao Kushi, and Alfred Lin, partner at Sequoia Capital.

Asian Americans hold significantly higher jobs in tech and business than Latino, Black, and Native-Americans, but are the least likely racial group to be promoted into Silicon Valley's management and executive levels, according to Harvard Business Review.

Story continues

Asian-American hate crimes in 16 US cities increased 149% in 2020, according to an analysis of police data by researchers at California State University in San Bernardino. The United Nations found Trump and other Republicans' use of "Chinese virus" and "Kung flu" to discuss COVID-19 might have prompted the uptick in xenophobia.

The Associated Press reported corporate support to AAPI groups surged after the March 16 shooting. Verizon donated $15 million to AAPI groups, and PlayStation, Tarte Cosmetics, and Sephora pledged additional support.

President Joe Biden condemned the attacks on Asian-Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this month.

"It's wrong, it's un-American, and it must stop," Biden said in a national address.

Stand with Asian Americans was not immediately available for additional comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The nucleus is the headquarters of a cell and molecules constantly move across the nuclear membrane through pores. The transport of these molecules is both selective and fast; some 1,000 molecules per second can move in or out. Scientists from the University of Groningen and Delft University of Technology, both in the Netherlands, and a colleague from the Swedish Chalmers University of Technology, have developed an artificial model of these pores using simple design rules, which enabled them to study how this feat is accomplished. Their results were published on 31 March in Nature Communications.

Nuclear pores are extremely complicated structures. The pore itself is a big protein complex and the opening of the pore is filled with a dense network of disordered proteins called nucleoporins. These proteins regulate selective transport, but exactly how they do this is still unclear. 'The nuclear pore complex is one of the biggest protein structures in the cell,' explains Patrick Onck, professor of Micromechanics at the University of Groningen. 'We previously studied the pores in all their complexity, but for this study, we created a drastically simplified 'designer' pore to investigate the essential physical mechanisms of transport.'

Nanopore

First, the team analysed the composition of the nucleoporins to design a simplified, 'average' version, which they termed nucleoporin X, or NupX for short. These proteins are made up of domains comprising phenylalanine (F) and glycine (G) amino acids in tandem, and these play an essential role in transport. These FG repeats are separated by 'spacers' of other amino acids. In addition to the FG repeats, some nucleoporins also contain domains of glycine, leucine, phenylalanine and glycine, or GLFG repeats. The team designed proteins that contain both domains, separated by spacers of ten amino acids.

NupX was tested in two different systems: it was studied experimentally, attached to a surface and added to artificial nanopores that were 'drilled' in a 'membrane' of silicon nitride, and through molecular dynamics simulations. The experiments were performed at Delft University of Technology, while the simulations were prepared and executed in Groningen, mostly by Henry de Vries, a PhD student in Onck's laboratory.

Transport ticket

The nucleoporins were tested for interactions with non-specific proteins and with chaperones, which are proteins that act as transport tickets through the pore. In the cell, large molecules that must be transported into or out of the nucleus can only do so when they are attached to such a chaperone. The artificial nucleoporins selectively interacted with the chaperones but not with the non-specific proteins. This demonstrated that the NupX pores are fully functional: they are able to facilitate selective transport. De Vries: 'However, the experiments showed that transport through the artificial pores occurs but not what happens inside the pore. With our simulations, we showed what exactly happens inside the pore as the chaperones translocate, while the non-specific proteins do not interact with the pore at all.'

The simulations also revealed how the FG and the GLFG nucleoporins were distributed inside the pore. 'Recent studies suggested that they would be in different places in nuclear pores and that this might help to create selectivity,' says De Vries. 'However, we found that they were homogenously distributed and yet we still saw selectivity.' Another suggestion was that the amino acids that make up the spacers are important for the selectivity. 'Our results showed that the specific sequence of amino acids in the spacer doesn't matter since we used random sequences. The only important part is the ratio of charged amino acids to hydrophobic amino acids within the spacers, which determines the stickiness of the proteins.'

Redundancy

The final conclusion of the study is that a very simple system in nucleoporins that has limited variation still produces a selective pore. 'What is needed is a certain density of these FG nucleoporins,' says Onck. 'These form a barrier, which can only be breached by the chaperones.' This begs the question of why the pores contain a very large number of different nucleoporins in nature. Onck: 'We know that nature doesn't always come up with optimized solutions. However, their redundancy could very well have a function in natural pores.'

The fact that the very simple artificial system already reproduces selective transport mechanisms means that the scientists now have an excellent tool to study the physical principles that regulate nuclear pore function. Onck: 'This could lead to new fundamental insights but also to new applications, for example in creating filtration systems, or in the design of artificial cells.'

Simple Science Summary

The nucleus of a cell is very important since it acts as the headquarters for the entire cell. It is surrounded by a barrier, the nuclear membrane. Pores in this membrane allow communication between the nucleus and the rest of the cell. The pores are filled with special proteins, called nucleoporins, which select what can move in or out of the nucleus. It is not known exactly how this selection takes place. Therefore, scientists constructed artificial pores in which they placed a designer protein that mimicked the most common characteristics of real nucleoporins. This gave them a first insight into how these proteins act. With this knowledge, it might, for example, be possible to design new pores that can act as selective filters.

###

Reference: Alessio Fragasso, Hendrik W. de Vries, John Andersson, Eli O. van der Sluis, Erik van der Giessen, Andreas Dahlin, Patrick R. Onck, Cees Dekker: A designer FG-Nup that reconstitutes the selective transport barrier of the nuclear pore complex. Nature Communications, 31 March 2021
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.
Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong speaks during a press conference at the government complex in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong expressed hope Wednesday for an early meeting with his Japanese counterpart, as South Korea seeks to improve ties with Japan in resuming diplomacy with North Korea amid the U.S.' calls for stronger trilateral cooperation with its two Asian allies.



Seoul has sought unsuccessfully to arrange phone talks between Chung and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi since Chung's inauguration last month amid tensions over wartime history and trade.



"Personally, I hope for early foreign ministerial talks," he told a press conference, noting that his ministry sent Lee Sang-ryeol, the foreign ministry's director-general for Asia and Pacific affairs, to Tokyo as part of efforts to strengthen communication with Japan.



The minister also said that he is willing to meet with Motegi "in any format" in a show of his strong desire to set up bilateral talks.



"Whether that be bilateral talks between South Korea and Japan, or trilateral foreign ministerial talks among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan like this week's planned meeting among the national security advisers of the three countries, I am willing to meet," he said.



"Whether I go to Japan or the Japanese minister comes to Korea or in a third region, I reiterate that I am willing to meet," he added.



However, the minister made clear that though Seoul will continue outreach for bilateral cooperation, it will respond sternly to Tokyo's distortion of their shared history and its repeated claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo.



Asked about the idea of the U.S. playing a role to mediate between South Korea and Japan, Chung said Seoul would welcome that effort.



"For the U.S., South Korea and Japan are very crucial allies, and thus it hopes the relations between Seoul and Tokyo will get back on a normal track and be soon restored," he said.



"But basically, it is a matter for South Korea and Japan to address," he added.



Touching on the diplomatic difficulty Seoul faces in the midst of an acrimonious Sino-U.S. rivalry, Chung noted that Washington and Beijing are not a "subject of choice" as both are crucial partners for cooperation.



"The U.S. is our only ally, and the alliance is the foundation of our diplomatic and security policy, while China is our close neighbor, largest trading partner and our strategic partner," he said.



"Our position is clear and not ambiguous at all. The firm position is that based on the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance, we will strive to harmoniously develop relations with China," he added. (Yonhap)


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The Bayelsa State Government is unhappy that a state High Court in Yenagoa granted bail to a government critic charged for sedition, after he accused Governor Douye Diris administration of diverting N3 billion agricultural loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The critic, John Idumange, is a former head of a state-run radio station, Radio Bayelsa, and was also an aide to the former governor of the state, Seriake Dickson.

Mr Idumange was arrested on March 10 by the police, apparently on the order of the Bayelsa government, at the gate of a private radio station in Yenagoa, where he was expected to speak on his allegations against the government.

He was arraigned before a chief magistrate who gave the police power to remand him for 30 days to enable the police conclude investigation.

But the order was vacated by the state High Court judge, Ebiyerin Omukoro, who granted bail to Mr Idumange on March 15, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN reported that the case was scheduled for hearing before Justice Umukoro on Tuesday but was stalled because the Chief Judge of the state, Kate Abiri, reassigned it to another judge, following a request by the Attorney-General of the state, Biriyai Sambo (SAN).

Mr Sambo, according to the NAN report, had expressed doubt over Justice Omukoros fairness in the case.

He said the judge vacated the remand order by a lower court and granted Mr Idumange bail without hearing the opposition to the bail application.

Governor Diri, Dickson speak on the case

The former governor of Bayelsa, Mr Dickson, who is now a senator representing the state, had discredited Mr Idumange over his remark against his successor and the state government.

The senator said he had no hand in the attack against Mr Diris administration.

He said he remained supportive of the administration.

I want to advise that no one who is supportive of me, a member of our party or who claims to be, should be publicly critical of our government. This is unacceptable, he added.

Mr Diri, meanwhile, has dismissed Mr Idumanges allegations as a ploy to blackmail and arm-twist his administration to give appointments.

Let me say it clearly before the full glare of the press that we are open to criticism if they are constructive, but this one is entirely not based on facts, the funds are being managed by CBN and warehoused at Access Bank.

The N3 billion is not in the treasury of Bayelsa Government to be disbursed and the CBN has come here to say that no funds are missing.

I want to tell Chief Idumange that I am not the type of person to be blackmailed into giving out appointments, the governor said.

(NAN)
Dream A Dream: an inspiring illustration about dreams, fantasies, adventures, and imagination. Dream A Dream is the creation of published author Jared Presser, a native Nevadan who went to college in Oregon. He created a project called Food & Thought that combines his two passions of writing and serving others throughout the world.

Presser shares, Dream a Dream is about never letting go of our imagination. About remembering those exploration adventures in caves and the ocean deep that would keep us busy for hours. Remember discovering dinosaurs in the backyard and the joy it would bring to each day. Riding rocket ships to space to find new planets and to play on the moon. We are given this creativity, this opportunity, to dream about life and the joy it brings to us.

Dream a Dream is not just for kids. Its for teenagers and adults to remember what it was like when we used to dream before we got too busy with life. Dream a Dream is to remind us were never too old to stop dreaming about flying with planes and dancing in the rain. A dream is only a dream if we wake up and dont achieve it.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Jared Pressers new book is a simple yet loving message about embracing dreams and holding on to ones youthful hearts as they grow up.

This book was written based upon the authors love for his children and never wanting them to give up on their dreams.

View a synopsis of Dream A Dream on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Dream A Dream at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Dream A Dream, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
NEW YORK  New York received a key approval Tuesday to move ahead on a long-delayed plan to charge motorists an additional toll to enter Manhattans core, a move aimed at reducing congestion and raising money for public transit systems.

If the plan is implemented, New York would become the first U.S. city to use so-called congestion pricing  following in the footsteps of London, Singapore, Stockholm and other cities.

New York would use the revenue, estimated at about $1 billion annually, to issue bonds to fund $15 billion in capital improvements over the next four years to refurbish an aging and underfunded subway and bus system whose revenues have plunged during the pandemic.

The state Legislature approved a conceptual plan for congestion pricing two years ago and it was initially projected to be in place by early this year.

But the pandemic and a lack of guidance from federal regulators on the type of environmental review that was required combined to stall the project.

In a letter Tuesday, the Federal Highway Administration notified local officials that an environmental assessment will be required that will include a public comment period.

Environmental assessments are less time-consuming than environmental impact statements normally required of large infrastructure projects, the highway administration wrote Tuesday, providing no significant environmental impacts are identified.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called Tuesdays development long overdue.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye said in a statement, Its more important than ever that our region has a strong and robust MTA to help power the economic recovery from this unprecedented crisis, and as traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels we must tackle congestion.

Numerous details still need to be completed, including the price of tolls, how theyre collected and which vehicles might be exempted or receive discounts.

The tolls are expected to be levied in an area from the southern border of Central Park to Battery Park at the bottom of Manhattan. Several hundred thousand vehicles per day entered that section of Manhattan during pre-pandemic times, a city study estimated.

The plan has drawn some opposition, notably from lawmakers representing New Jersey, where residents driving into New York already pay as much as $16 in cash to cross the Hudson River.

Thousands of Jersey drivers from my district, who commute every day, will face a new congestion tax of about $3,000 a year, Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer said Tuesday. Thats a joke. This is absurd double taxation at its finest, and its absolutely ridiculous.

David Porter of The Associated Press wrote this story.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The delays come amid concerns healthcare workers are attempting to vaccine shop, with reports from two of Melbournes major hospitals that some staff were requesting the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine over the more readily available AstraZeneca version. In Queensland, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the signs for Easter are looking positive as she revealed the decision on whether to extend Greater Brisbanes three-day lockdown would be announced at 9am on Thursday. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video A fresh infection in northern NSW, linked to the Brisbane outbreak, has shut down the Byron Bay Bluesfest for the second year in a row. The festival had been due to start on Thursday. The war of words over the national vaccination program, which had an initial target of inoculating 4 million Australians by the end of March, began when federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the states had left these [vaccines] in the rack when they could have put these things in peoples arms.

Mr Hunt on Wednesday said a national total of 670,369 vaccinations had been reached after a record 72,826 vaccines were administered on Tuesday. Mr Hazzard hit back and Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Mr Littleproud should give himself an uppercut. Mr Foley said Victoria had the capacity to inoculate greater numbers of people but its efforts had been hampered due to low levels of vaccine provided by the federal government. He said Victorian officials had distributed the states share of vaccines as soon as it received them and had not been stockpiling doses, despite the Commonwealth not providing any certainty on future supply.

Mr Foley said Victoria had administered 100,000 doses and the federal government had allocated  but not supplied  177,000 doses over a five-week period. Perhaps the Commonwealth owes the states and public health officials an apology, Mr Foley said. The mass vaccination centre at Melbournes Royal Exhibition Building. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid said all governments were accountable for the timely delivery of vaccines. Vaccines only protect the community when they are in peoples arms and governments need to work together to maximise access to available vaccines. There is no excuse for them sitting in fridges and freezers, he said.

Stephen Duckett, a health economist with think tank the Grattan Institute and former head of the Commonwealth Health Department, said the responsibility for the rollout was ultimately the federal governments. Hunt has all along seen this as a political opportunity ... that the vaccine rollout was going to go smoothly and then they would go to an election on the glory of the government taking sole responsibility for its success, Dr Duckett said. It was understandable that states were frustrated, having had no idea how many vaccines they were going to get week to week, he said. They were completely in the dark ... Its almost impossible for the states to do any planning at all.

Meanwhile, an email sent out to all staff at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne last week from chief executive Andrew Way, seen by The Age, said while anxiety around vaccinations was understandable, demands by hospital workers for one vaccine over another would not be tolerated. Let me be clear, Professor Way wrote. Our vaccination program is agnostic on the actual vaccine used. There is no choice ... we vaccinate with the vaccine provided by our hub. It is highly likely that most of us, including me, will receive AstraZeneca. One staff member who works at The Alfred, who spoke to The Age on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said concerns from staff had been fuelled by global media reports about a small number of adverse reactions to the AstraZenca jab. A similar letter similar was also sent out by management at the Northern Hospital in Epping.

The head of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, Alison Verhoeven, said it was not appropriate for anyone to request one vaccine over another. Meanwhile, elderly people and others with underlying medical conditions were turned away from the mass vaccination centre at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday. Denis Fitzpatrick, 91, was turned away from the mass vaccination clinic at the Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday after inquiring about getting a jab there. Credit:Joe Armao People older than 70 and those with medical conditions are part of phase 1b of the vaccine rollout, but they must get their vaccinations done through their general practitioner. Mass vaccination clinics are currently operating to inoculate healthcare staff and other critical workers including police, but concerns have been raised that sites are not yet running at full capacity.
He was infamously dubbed 'Gonzo' by co-star Sam Carraro, in reference to his allegedly large nose.

And Kyle Sandilands attempted to put the matter of Bryce Ruthven's nose to bed once and for all by measuring the Married at First Sight 'villain's' most famous feature live on air.

The shock jock compared Bryce's beak to that of The Kyle and Jackie O Show's newsreader Brooklyn Ross.

Winner by a nose: Kyle Sandilands attempted to put the matter of Bryce Ruthven's [pictured with 'wife' Melissa Rawson] nose to bed once and for all by measuring the Married at First Sight 'villain's' most famous feature live on air

In the stunt, the show's intern Pete brought in a ruler with which to measure Bryce and Brooklyn's snouts.

Bryce's nose was then measured at six centimeters long.

However Sandilands didn't believe the initial 'four and a half' centimeter ruling for newsreader Ross' nose.

''Bulls**t!' exclaimed Kyle, demanding it be measured again.

Nose off: The shock jock compared Bryce's beak to that of The Kyle and Jackie O Show's newsreader Brooklyn Ross [right]

Skeptical: However Sandilands didn't believe the initial 'four and a half' centimeter ruling for newsreader Ross' nose

A subsequent ruling of 6.2 centimeters was celebrated by Bryce, who exclaimed, 'I've got the second smallest nose in the country!'

'Who's Gonzo now?' asked Sandilands.

Bryce's former MAFS rival Sam began the 'Gonzo' taunt in reference to the Muppet Show character with the notably long nose.

Cheering: A subsequent ruling of 6.2 centimeters was celebrated by Bryce, who exclaimed, 'I've got the second smallest nose in the country!'

Reference: Bryce's former MAFS rival Sam began the 'Gonzo' taunt in reference to the Muppet Show character with the notably long nose [pictured right]

Earlier in their interview, the controversial groom and partner Melissa Rawson revealed they're getting hitched - but this time it's for real.

The pair, whose televised nuptials weren't legally binding, confirmed on Wednesday they were already thinking about marriage and children.

Bryce, 31, said he and Melissa had discussed 'making it official' and starting a family.

Wedding bells! Married At First Sight's most controversial couple, Bryce and Melissa, are getting hitched - but this time it's for real

'That's the plan,' he said, adding that they 'want a normal family life' together once the furore surrounding their relationship dies down.

The former radio announcer confirmed he hadn't proposed yet, but had chosen an engagement ring for workplace trainer Melissa.

'[I'm] just waiting for the right time. I've got some big grand plan that doesn't involve Channel Nine,' he laughed.

I do: The pair, whose televised nuptials weren't legally binding, confirmed on Wednesday they were already thinking about marriage and children

KIIS FM host Kyle Sandilands then suggested measuring Melissa's finger live on air, but settled for measuring the dimensions of Bryce's nose instead.

The radio interview comes after Melissa defended her partner, who has been accused of 'gaslighting' her on Married At First Sight.

'I know the real Bryce. What everyone is seeing is a great edit - I'll say that,' she told Daily Mail Australia after jetting into Sydney Airport on Wednesday.

Happily ever after: During a joint appearance on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Bryce, 31, said he and Melissa had discussed 'making it official' and starting a family

Meanwhile, Married At First Sight may be investigated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority after outraged viewers filed multiple complaints about the show.

According to a report by The Wash on Monday, many viewers took offence at scenes involving Melissa and Bryce.

ACMA revealed it had received 14 complaints about this year's season of MAFS, and four of those were about the divisive couple.

Looking into it: Married At First Sight may be investigated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority after outraged viewers filed multiple complaints about the show

'Under the co-regulatory system, the ACMA will refer complainants to the broadcaster in the first instance,' the media watchdog said.

'If the complainant does not receive a response from the broadcaster within 60 days, or is not satisfied with the response, they may refer their complaint to the ACMA who may choose to investigate.'

According to ACMA, many viewers raised 'concerns over the scenes involving Melissa and Bryce'.

Problematic: A Change.org petition is demanding Channel Nine issue an apology for airing 'triggering' scenes involving the 'gaslighting' groom and his long-suffering wife

Bryce's problematic behaviour on Married At First Sight Voting 'wife' Melissa the fourth-hottest in a relationship task

Saying Melissa was 'not his type' during an 'honesty box' challenge

Despite Melissa sharing her history with low self-esteem, Bryce tells her 'well, you're not ugly'

Flirted with co-star Beck Zemek at the gym

Lied at the dinner party about the conversation he had with Beck at the gym

Initially voting to 'leave' Melissa at Sunday's commitment ceremony, but crossing out his answer and writing 'stay' at the last minute

Accusing the cast of creating a 'toxic environment' for his wife, spreading lies about him and being bullies - despite him being toxic, a liar and a bully Advertisement

On Monday, a Change.org petition began circulating that demanded Channel Nine issue an apology for airing 'triggering' scenes involving the 'gaslighting' groom and his long-suffering wife.

The petition, which received 2,500 signatures in under 24 hours, is also calling for Nine to acknowledge its alleged 'failure of duty of care' towards Melissa.

'This season of Married at First Sight Australia features a couple, Melissa and Bryce, who portray an excessive amount of [troubling] signs which are not being handled by the network appropriately,' the petition states.

'There is a clear failure of duty of care to Melissa during filming of the show, allowing her to remain in a toxic and dangerous environment with her partner for the 'benefit' of the network.'

'She is being subject to gaslighting, emotional manipulation, isolation, and countless other textbook signs of a controlling and or abusive relationship,' the petition goes on to claim, adding that the scenes are 'incredibly triggering and stressful to watch'.

Fan fury: According to a report by The Wash on Monday, many viewers took offence at scenes involving controversial couple Melissa and Bryce

It continues: 'This petition is for the Nine Network to acknowledge and apologise for letting Melissa go through this and also airing such a horrible relationship on TV without doing anything to showcase that the relationship is clearly not healthy.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.

Similar outrage has exploded on Twitter, where many viewers are calling for the show to be cancelled or boycotted over its depiction of toxic relationships.

Bryce and Melissa's 'marriage' has also been an issue of contention for the show's other couples, who largely disapprove of the relationship.

Unpopular: Bryce and Melissa's 'marriage' has also been an issue of contention for the show's other couples, who largely disapprove of the relationship

On Sunday's episode of Married At First Sight, Bryce humiliated his bride at the commitment ceremony by revealing he'd initially voted to leave the experiment, before ultimately deciding to stay.

Bryce later defended writing leave, saying he didn't want to break up with Melissa but instead wanted the couple to exit the 'toxic environment' of the experiment.

The other couples lashed out at him, citing a string of incidents in which he repeatedly showed disregard for Melissa's feelings.

Angered: According to ACMA, many viewers raised 'concerns over the scenes involving Melissa and Bryce'

Bryce tried to justify his behaviour in a lengthy post on Instagram on Sunday.

'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 wrote.

'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.'

Married At First Sight continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House on March 30, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

White House Defends Prioritizing Unaccompanied Minors for In-Person Learning

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday defended sending San Diegos public school teachers to teach unaccompanied minors in person, while American students in the California city still entirely rely on remote learning.

Psaki was questioned during a White House press briefing whether she think its fair that children who entered the United States illegally are being provided with in-person instruction at the San Diego Convention Center, while some 130,000 American children within the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) remain blocked from classrooms.

Im just saying that context is important, Psaki replied, adding that SDUSD is planning to offer a combination of in-person and remote learning starting from April 12.

We of course want that to be five days a week, and were confident well get there early next month, she said.

Psaki then emphasized that the unaccompanied minors are being taught by teachers who volunteer to be there during spring break.

I believe theyre also on spring break right now, Psaki said. Im not sure if its volunteer or paid; youd have to ask the local school district, while the kids are on spring break, which I think the context is pretty important.

According to a Fox News report that cited an SDUSD spokesperson, teachers had been offered an opportunity to teach in person unaccompanied minors who are being held at the San Diego Convention Center. The spokesperson didnt say if the teachers would be paid for their teaching.

A spokesperson for the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) told Fox News that the classes would include English language development and social emotional learning, and the teachers who volunteer to participate would follow public health measures recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All children in California, regardless of immigration status, have a constitutional right to education. We also have a moral obligation to ensure a bright future for our children, the SDCOE spokesperson said.

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond criticized the move, noting that SDUSD schools have been shut down for more than a year.

Its great that theres in-person learning for those unaccompanied minors from Central America, but I wish every child in San Diego County was allowed the same opportunity for in-person teaching, Desmond told Fox News.

Following months-long back-and-forths over whether and how to reopen schools, the SDUSD earlier this month reached a deal with its teachers union to allow some students to return to classrooms.

According to the agreement between the school district and the union leaders, the number of days SDUSD students will be able to attend classes in person depends on how many of their schoolmates also choose in-person learning. For example, a school where all families choose to return to classrooms may be offered two days a week of in-person classes for each student, but a school where only half of families choose to return may be offered four days a week of in-person classes.
Figure 1 This research shows that alternative seafood networks help to make seafood supply chains more diverse. - Dr. Joshua Stoll

In a new peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, research led by the University of Maine shows that local alternative seafood networks (ASNs) in the US and Canada, which are often regarded as a niche segment of the overall seafood economy, experienced unprecedented growth during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic while the broader seafood system faltered.

The researchers argue that the spike in demand is reflective of a temporary relocalization phenomenon that appears to occur during periods of systemic shock, highlighting the need for greater functional diversity in supply chains. The study also lays out potential policy changes and opportunities for investment to strengthen local and regional seafood networks, and comes on the heels of US President Bidens Executive Order on Americas Supply Chains establishing a policy to strengthen the resilience of Americas supply chains.

The study was led by Dr. Joshua Stoll, Assistant Professor of Marine Policy at the University of Maine School of Marine Sciences, Dr. Philip Loring, Associate Professor and Arrell Chair in Food, Policy and Society at the University of Guelph, Dr. Hannah Harrison, Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Guelph, and MA student Emily De Sousa at the University of Guelph, with contributions from colleagues and community supported fisheries from across the US and Canada.

This research shows that alternative seafood networks help to make seafood supply chains more diverse, said Dr. Joshua Stoll. In doing so, it brings attention to the critical role that local seafood systems play in supporting resilient fisheries in times of crisis.

ASNs emphasize shorter supply chains and direct-to-consumer models, said Dr. Philip Loring. Theyre not locked into a single system. They have access to diverse fisheries, they know how to get straight to the consumer. All these things came together and made a unique ability to pivot quickly.

Seafood is a highly perishable commodity that demands utmost speed and efficiency in distribution and cannot afford even temporary disruptions. Alternative seafood networks distribute seafood through local and direct marketing, conducted by the very people who caught it, as opposed to the long and complex supply chains of their global counterparts. According to the study, this physical and social connectedness may help to insulate local and regional seafood systems from the deadlock caused by systemic global shocks that disrupts the broader seafood trade.

The researchers drew their conclusions from four lines of quantitative and qualitative evidence: national Google search term data, website analytics data from ASN, SafeGraph foot traffic data for more than 3,000 fish and seafood markets, and in-depth interviews with practitioners from 16 ASNs across the US and Canada.

Key Takeaways



The globalization of seafood has made food systems more vulnerable to such systemic shocks, which can have devastating impacts on those who are dependent on seafood for sustenance and employment.

Data suggests a seafood relocalization phenomenon occurs during periods of systemic shocks, and that this inverse, yet complementary relationship between global and local seafood systems contributes to the resilience of regional food systems and the global seafood trade.

Policy changes and greater investments in data collection and infrastructure are needed to support ASN development, increase functional diversity in supply chains and bolster the resilience and sustainability of regional food systems and the global seafood trade.

Access the full study: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.614368/abstract.

For questions or more information, please contact Joshua Stoll at Joshua.stoll@maine.edu.
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) President and CEO Lise Grande and Sudanese Ambassador to the United States H.E. Nureldin Satti signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday pledging to support Sudan's historic transition.

"Sudanese peacebuilders are an inspiration to the world," said Grande. "They have advanced peace, justice and freedom under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable."

USIP has been working in Sudan for more than 30 years helping Sudanese peacebuilders who promote nonviolent action, justice and security.

As part of its new engagement, USIP will expand and accelerate its efforts to promote citizen engagement, facilitate women's leadership, and deepen dialogue on national security policies. In the months ahead, USIP will work closely with public institutions, civil society, the private sector, experts and practitioners to establish and strengthen genuine partnerships and through these, to inform U.S. policies.

"Sudan's Transitional Government is ready to build on its recent progress on peace and reform together with USIP. We value this partnership and look forward to sustained engagement," said Satti.

"All of us have a responsibility to support and stand in solidarity with Sudan at this historic time," said Grande. "We are proud to be part of this and fully committed to doing everything we can to help make peace sustainable in Sudan."

For information on USIP, visit: https://www.usip.org/about

SOURCE United States Institute of Peace

Related Links

http://www.usip.org


SALINAS, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gary Thelander is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Attorney for his professional excellence in the legal field and his unwavering dedication to serving the legal community with Thelander Law.

Gary Thelander

Proudly serving Salinas, Santa Cruz, and San Benito, Thelander Law, takes pride in providing services that will exceed your expectations. The well-respected firm includes a team of skilled paralegals, investigators, and local bail bondsmen, and more specializing in all facets of criminal law. Thelander Law demonstrates the highest standard of professionalism, honesty, and integrity so that you can make the right decisions under challenging circumstances.

Admitted to the California State Bar, Criminal Law Attorney Gary Thelander has garnered 25 years of vast knowledge and experience in his field. He is the founder of Thelander Law, where he is devoted to providing a haven where even the most difficult conversations are had without judgment or criticism. In his 25 years of practice, Mr. Thelander has personally participated in the defense or prosecution of the following types of cases: domestic violence, murder charges, weapons charges, gang-related charges, drug-related charges, theft-related charges, and more. He works with his team of highly trained investigators in case assessment, analysis, and presentation. In addition, Mr. Thelander served the community as a public prosecutor, both as an Assistant Deputy District Attorney in Santa Cruz County and Deputy District Attorney in Monterey County.

In light of his academic achievements, Mr. Thelander obtained his Associate of Arts degree from Cabrillo College in 1991 and his Juris Doctor degree at the Monterey College of Law. He remains abreast of the latest legal developments in criminal law by maintaining active memberships with the California Bar Association, Monterey County Bar Association, California Lawyers Association, Criminal Law Section, and Monterey School of Law Alumni Association.

As a testament to his professional excellence, Mr. Thelander was honored with the Outstanding Achievement award from the Constitutional Rights Foundation in 1997 and recognized as an Elite Lawyer in 2020.

To learn more, please visit https://www.salinascalawyer.com/.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


A woman holds two cellphones in this photo illustration, Monday March 29, 2021 in Chelsea, Que. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology is holding hearings about a proposed takeover of Shaw Communications and Freedom Mobile by rival Rogers Communications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Launches Industry Leading Solutions to Influencers in India and Thailand

VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - BBTV Holdings Inc. (TSX: BBTV) (OTCQX: BBTVF) ("BBTV" or the "Company") is the leader in influencer monetization which provides a one stop comprehensive solution, helping influencers earn income from the content that they create and become more successful. Today it announces:

Expansion into key markets India and Thailand , further accelerating the company's market leading position. BBTV now has local presence in 30 countries, providing solutions in 12 languages.

and , further accelerating the company's market leading position. BBTV now has local presence in 30 countries, providing solutions in 12 languages. International expansion and market diversification is a key driver of BBTV's ongoing growth, and this launch will further extend BBTV's viewership and monetization to influencers in India and Thailand .

and . Based on projections, digital video ad spending in India is expected to show market volume of US$397m by 20251, and reach US$131m by 20252 in Thailand .

"Expansion into new territories and content verticals is a key pillar of our growth strategy, enabling us to tap into an even larger global ad market.," comments Shahrzad Rafati, Chairperson & CEO, BBTV. "India in particular is a critical market for international expansion as the country's multi-billion dollar digital advertising industry is undergoing burgeoning growth."

BBTV is a true global leader in its space. In January 2021, the company had the second most unique monthly viewers among digital platforms with more than 600 million globally, who consumed more than 50 billion minutes of video content. BBTV achieves 40bn monthly views which provides a strong baseline for monetization across BBTV's Plus Solutions.

For more information, please visit bbtv.com .

Footnotes !Statista Video Advertising; India https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/digital-advertising/video-advertising/india 2Statista Video Advertising; Thailand https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/digital-advertising/video-advertising/thailand

About BBTV

BBTV is a media and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The company's mission is to help influencers become more successful. With influencers ranging from individual content creators to global media companies, BBTV provides a comprehensive, end-to-end solution to increase viewership and drive revenue powered by its innovative technology, while allowing influencers to focus on their core competency  content creation. In January 2021, BBTV had the second most unique monthly viewers among digital platforms with more than 600 million globally, who consumed approximately 50 billion minutes of video content, the most among media companies ( www.bbtv.com ) [1] .

1] Comscore's "Top 12 Countries = January 2021 comScore Video Metrix Media Trend - Multi-Platform - Top 100 Video Properties Report"; Top 12 countries represent ~50% of world's digital population

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information") which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including the Company's expansion into Thailand and India, total addressable market revenues in 2021, the Company's use of technology enabled solutions to help influencers earn income from the content that they create and become more successful, and the Company's mission to help influencers become more successful. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that we consider appropriate and reasonable as of the date such information is given, including but not limited to our assumption that statistics and projections reported by third parties are accurate and reasonable, our assumptions regarding continued changes and trends in our industry or the global economy, and the performance of our technology and strategic partners. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the risk that our assumptions on which our forward-looking information is based may not be accurate, the effect of competition, that historical or previous results are not necessarily indicative of future results, as well as the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the final prospectus of the Company dated October 22, 2020 filed on sedar at www.sedar.com and in our other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Media Contacts

Dan Gamble

Head of PR & Corporate Communications

[email protected]

+1778 873 0422

Ashley Buck

PR and Corporate Communications Specialist

[email protected]

+17788751346

BBTV-C

SOURCE BBTV Holdings Inc.
According to information published by US Navy on March 31, 2021, U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) operated with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) JS Kongo (DDG 173), March 29, 2021 as a test of the partner nations combined maritime skills and intercommunication capabilities.

According to information published by US Navy on March 31, 2021, U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) operated with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) JS Kongo (DDG 173), March 29, 2021 as a test of the partner nations combined maritime skills and intercommunication capabilities.

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USS Blue Ridge LCC 19 and JS Kongo DDG 173 (Picture source: US Navy)

This bilateral exercise was an excellent display of solidarity with our host nation and the JMSDF, said Blue Ridge Commanding Officer, Capt. Tim Waits. It provided important training and experience that enables both crews to operate and communicate safely and effectively while working closely together."

The exercise consisted of multiple ships sailing in formation while practicing communications and maneuvering procedures, with an aim toward increasing and improving cooperation and interoperability with naval counterparts in the region. Unique to this exercise was the participation of aircraft embarked aboard Blue Ridge, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12, which flew in formation with the ships and transferred Capt. Waits from Blue Ridge to Kongo during maneuvers to engage with leadership and visit the ships crew.

In addition to improving the JMSDFs tactical capabilities, we have deepened interoperability with the U.S. Navy. said Capt. Fujisaki Masaru, commanding officer of JS Kongo, I am convinced that we can improve deterrence and interoperability in response to possible contingencies through regular bilateral exercises such as the one we conducted.

Blue Ridge has been forward-deployed and operating in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) for more than 40 years, continuing her primary mission of supporting Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet while conducting sustained operations at sea. Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy, and as U.S.7th Fleet command ship, is responsible for patrolling and fostering relationships within the Indo-Asia Pacific Region.

This combined exercise consisted of two forces from different nations working together toward a single end, which to me, represents strengthening alliances at the fleet level, and is something our Sailors, their families back home and our country can be proud of, said Waits.

As the U.S. Navy's largest forward deployed fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates between 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors. 7th Fleet's area of operation spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South Pacific, providing security and stability to the region. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security while conducting a wide-range of missions to support humanitarian efforts and uphold international laws and freedoms of the sea.

USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is the lead ship of the two Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ships of the United States Navy, and is the flagship of the Seventh Fleet.

JS Kongo (DDG-173) is a Kongo-class guided missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

The Kongo class of guided missile destroyers in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force are equipped with the Aegis Combat System.
The CDC Group, a development finance institution (DFI) and an impact investor in the UK, has partnered with for its first-ever pooled bond issuance (PBI) transaction in India. The PBI worth Rs 320 crore will support six leading Indian microfinance institutions.

CDCs investment in the transaction is supported by a partial guarantee provided by Northern Arc. It is a milestone for CDC as it is the first transaction structured by CDC under a PBI structure, according to a release.

CDCs Rs 320 crore investment in a pool of senior secured NCDs will provide systemic liquidity to the six leading Indian microfinance institutions including Annapurna Finance, Arohan Financial Services, ASA International, Asirvad Microfinance Limited, Chaitanya India and Fusion Microfinance.

This investment is expected to support MFIs in providing over 630,000 new micro-loans to low-income households, primarily female and rural borrowers, increasing their access to finance and enabling them to manage cashflow and maintain or grow their businesses.

Srini Nagarajan, managing director and head of Asia at CDC, said, This exciting partnership with Northern Arc marks CDCs first pooled bond Issuance in India, and comes at a time when systemic liquidity is critically needed to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable population in India. We are pleased that our investment will facilitate access for small businesses and will especially ensure that more women in India have improved access to finance, helping to uplift their livelihoods, households and communities. Moreover, this PBI forms part of the Strengthen pillar of CDCs Covid-19 response and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring availability of long-term funding that supports business growth and low-income customers, who are most severely impacted by the pandemic. We expect that this would be the first of many other similar structures in which CDC would invest in future.

The PBI product, developed by Northern Arc, pools together a set of debentures issued by diverse entities for one investor. These debentures are partially guaranteed by Northern Arc.

Dr Kshama Fernandes, chief executive officer of said, Northern Arcs forte has been to introduce impact sectors to investors through its innovative products and structures. CDCs first investment in a pooled bond issuance in the microfinance sector in India is testament to this. The structure has enabled originators to efficiently access a global DFI and avail long tenor debt on their balance sheet. We see this as a beginning of a long-term partnership that will enable our clients to raise capital through cycles.

The is UKs first impact investor with over 70 years of experience of successfully supporting the sustainable, long-term growth of businesses in South Asia and Africa.

The company has investments in over 1,200 businesses in emerging economies and a total portfolio value of $6.2 billon. This year CDC will aim to invest over $1.75 billion in in Africa and Asia with a focus on fighting climate change, empowering women and creating new jobs and opportunities for millions of people.

CDC is funded by the UK government and all proceeds from its investments are reinvested to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa and South Asia.

Limited (formerly IFMR Capital Finance Limited) is a leading digital debt platform that addresses the credit requirements of the underbanked in India.

These include financial institutions, mid-market enterprises, small businesses and individuals. Through its deep credit-insights, varied risk-models, structuring capability and agile technology, Northern Arc offers suitable debt products that meet the requirements of borrowers and lenders.

Since inception, Northern Arc has enabled over $10 billion of financing to its partner institutions through reputed domestic and global investors. Northern Arcs exposure is spread across over 570 districts in 35 states and Union Territories in India, as on Mar 2021. It is backed by marquee private equity players like Leapfrog, IIFL, Accion, Affirma Capital (erstwhile Standard Chartered Private Equity), Dvara Trust, Eight Roads and Sumitumo Mitsui Banking Corporation.


Cristiano Ronaldo threw his captain's armband to the ground in disgust at the failure to award a goal for his shot that had clearly crossed the line against Serbia, leaving Portugal with a point instead of all three.

However, the Portuguese superstar's moment of outrage could end up being a life saver, given that the armband was recollected and is now being used to raise money for a sick child in Serbia.

A stadium worker picked up the armband from the ground and donated it to a children's organisation, which was seeking funds for a six-month-old Serbian child with spinal muscular atrophy.

The child needs 2.5 million euros for his treatment and operation, and the children's charity has put the bracelet up for auction.

Serbian newspaper Telegraf has reported that, in the first few hours of it going up for auction, it had already become a national record in regards to sporting equipment and it appears reaching the necessary figure will not be a problem.
Coronavirus patients have different symptoms--ranging from mild to inflammation of vital organs, including the heart. One of the most important lessons we learned is that telehealth and virtual care are really important augmentations to our healthcare matrix and theyre here to stay.

The statistics surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be startling, despite the ever-growing mental and physical fatigue that weve all experienced living through this frightening, intimidating and unprecedented era. More than 125 million cases worldwide have resulted in a death toll closing in on three million, while in the United States alone, 30 million reported infections have resulted in a death toll closing in on 550,000. (1) One thing that can be said for certain about COVID is that it has changed the medical field drastically.

One of the most important lessons we learned is that telehealth and virtual care are really important augmentations to our healthcare matrix and theyre here to stay, says Stuart Long, CEO of Infobionic, which has been adapting and improving its own cardiac monitoring technology to meet these new needs.

The umbrella term for the advances that Long is describing is telemetry, which refers to the automatic measurement and transmission of data at a distance, generally via wireless technology these days, yet typically seen only inside the hospital. While Infobionic focuses on remote cardiac monitoring technology and rising importance around always on remote health are drivers to extending telemetry beyond the hospital walls are indicative of its future importance. He firmly believes that the future of healthcare will be a hybrid model, one that combines virtual, noninvasive monitoring with consultations with physicians as well as traditional physical exams. He explains that brick-and-mortar facilities may not be the best places for patients right now, while the hybrid model thats emerging gives patients more choice and autonomy over their health care decisions.

In the wake of the worldwide COVID-19 health crisis, even traditional healthcare systems are adapting. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a sweeping array of new rules and waivers being promoted as Hospitals Without Walls. The initiative is designed to empower hospitals and health care facilities to provide services beyond their existing facilities, not only to enable COVID-19 treatment but also to support healthcare needs that were traditionally delivered within physical locations. Patients could use something like InfoBionics evolving MoMe Kardia cardiac monitoring platform, where an individual wears a small monitor that streams their cardiac data in near real-time to the cloud. The information and a complete record are then proactively delivered to the cardiologist, who can access the information anytime, anywhere.

The medical evidence that has emerged from COVID studies has also lent itself to the rise of remote monitoring technologies. The Coronavirus is a terribly tricky disease for the major reason that it affects each patient differently. Some people have symptoms that are no worse than a mild cold, while a thus-far misunderstood inflammatory syndrome attacks a variety of vital organs, among them the liver, lungs (5) and heart. (6)

Long affirms that remote patient monitoring is here to stay, not just because of urgent medical needs that have emerged this year, but also because of patient demand. According to a study by McKinzie, consumer use of telehealth services has risen from 11 percent in 2019 to 46 percent now using telehealth to replace traditional healthcare visits, while providers are now seeing between 50 and 175 times the number of patients via telehealth. (7) Monitoring services for conditions beyond cardiac care may include obesity, diabetes and arrythmias and atrial fibrillation (AFIB), which could potentially create a market for telehealth that could total over $250 billion in healthcare spending within the next few years. (8)

The landscape has wholly shifted in the realm of telemedicine due to the pandemic, says Long. Hybrid models are patient centric, easily portable to the virtual world, and theyre much safer for patients whether theyre at risk for COVID-19 or not. The biometric solutions that InfoBionic and other partners are creating arent just fueling the meteoric rise of telehealth. Were changing how our patients access healthcare, improving timely and accurate data analysis, and improving patient outcomes. This is a rare win-win scenario for everyone.

About InfoBionic

InfoBionic is a digital health company transforming the efficiency and economics of ambulatory remote patient monitoring processes by optimizing clinical and real-world utility for the users that need it most  physicians and their patients. The Massachusetts-based team of seasoned entrepreneurs have had successful careers in healthcare, IT, medical devices and mobile technology, and bring specific expertise in remote monitoring and cardiology. They have seen first-hand the complexities of traditional cardiac arrhythmia detection and monitoring processes and designed the transformative MoMe Kardia platform to remove the roadblocks hindering faster, more effective diagnosis and decision-making. Frost & Sullivan bestowed the 2019 North American Remote Cardiac Monitoring Technology Leadership Award upon InfoBionic. Visit infobionic.com.

1. Johns-Hopkins University & Medicine. COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html Accessed March 2021

2. Phillips. Philips completes the acquisition of BioTelemetry, Inc. philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/press/2021/20210209-philips-completes-the-acquisition-of-biotelemetry-inc.html

3. Healthcare IT News. Phillips Will Buy Remote Patient Monitoring Company Biotelemetry

healthcareitnews.com/news/philips-will-buy-remote-patient-monitoring-company-biotelemetry Accessed March 2021

4. Medical Device and Diagnotic Industry. Connecting the Dots on Recent ECG Monitoring M&A Spree mddionline.com/digital-health/connecting-dots-recent-ecg-monitoring-ma-spree Accessed March 2021

5. USA Today. Fact check: COVID-19 can cause worse lung damage than smoking usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/01/26/fact-check-covid-19-can-cause-worse-lung-damage-than-smoking/4237874001/ Accessed March 2021

6. American Heart Association. What COVID-19 is Doing to the Heart, Even After Recovery. heart.org/en/news/2020/09/03/what-covid-19-is-doing-to-the-heart-even-after-recovery Accessed December 2020

7. McKinsey COVID-19 Consumer Survey, various dates in 2020

8. CMS.gov Medicare telemedicine health care provider fact sheet, March 17, 2020
[March 31, 2021] Rogers-Shaw Merger Could Harm Competition, Consumers: TekSavvy

ISP says the CRTC and Competition Bureau must set strict regulatory conditions to ensure competitive markets for internet and mobile services. CHATHAM, ON, March 31, 2021 /CNW/ - TekSavvy Solutions Inc. (TekSavvy) today appeared before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, during its study of the proposed Rogers-Shaw merger. TekSavvy told MPs that the proposed merger is the product of a federal regulatory system that favours the big-players over consumers and smaller competitors. The company said federal regulators must set strict conditions to ensure competitive markets and affordable prices. "The merger of these two massive vertically integrated companies needs to be made contingent on effective and efficient regulatory measures that promote competition for services and that protect consumers' interests in the Canadian telecom sector," said Andy Kaplan-Myrth, Vice-President Regulatory and Carrier Affairs. "It is clear that fewer viable competitors and further consolidation of market power will esult in even worse outcomes for internet and mobile users in Canada."



TekSavvy outlined key conditions for regulators deciding whether to approve the proposed merger. The company said the CRTC should implement its long-delayed 2019 wholesale internet rates decision, enable consumer choice on fibre, and mandate wholesale on mobile with Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) rules. In addition, the Competition Bureau must actively protect consumers and competition from abuses of market power, so that large companies don't squeeze out their competitors with targeted anticompetitive practices, such as by using flanker brands to undercut them with retail pricing below wholesale costs. TekSavvy noted that these practical regulatory measures would not only bring down prices for consumers, but also drive independent investment in network facilities, including in rural and underserved areas.

"Canada needs to accelerate the building of networks to people in underserved areas," said Andy Kaplan-Myrth, Vice-President Regulatory and Carrier Affairs. "To accomplish that, our broadband plan must include competition-by-design, and it must reject the false dichotomy between investment and competition. As TekSavvy continues to demonstrate, we can have both." About TekSavvy TekSavvy has been proudly serving Canadians award-winning telecom services and fighting for consumers' rights for more than 20 years. TekSavvy is committed to providing quality competitive choice and closing the digital divide in Canada. With over $250 million of planned broadband infrastructure investments by 2026, TekSavvy will continue to better connect underserved Canadians. TekSavvy has offices in Chatham, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec and is Canada's largest independent telecom service company serving over 300,000 customers from coast to coast. SOURCE TekSavvy Solutions Inc.

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Contemporary artist Amy Sherald with her painting 'As American as apple pie' prior to her first West Coast exhibition at Hauser & Wirth in L.A. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Amy Sherald began experimenting with her signature style  painting Black people in gray monochrome  around 2008. At the time, she was working in her Baltimore studio and painting people true to their complexion when another artist suggested she paint figures using grayscale to speed up the artistic process.

It became an aesthetic choice that eventually clicked. Since her 2012 work Equilibrium, Sherald has painted only Black people, often set against vibrant backgrounds or wearing colorful outfits. But the people themselves  including her most famous portrait subject, former First Lady Michelle Obama  are gray.

Over time, Sherald, 48, realized that the choice to interpret the rich complexity of Black skin in gray tones could be a response to the marginalization of Black art  the conversation and discourse around and just solely being about identity, she said. I wanted it to exist in a world in a more universal way.

I'm not trying to take race out of the work, Sherald added. I was just trying to figure out a way to not make it the most salient thing about it.

Sherald's 2020 oil on canvas painting "An Ocean Away." (Amy Sherald, Hauser & Wirth)

Sherald, who now lives in the New York area, recently unveiled paintings in her first West Coast solo show, which is on view through June 6 at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles. The Great American Fact features five paintings made in 2020 centering Black ordinary life. One painting, about 11 feet by 9 feet, depicts two Black surfers at the beach in wetsuits.

Sheralds portraits often depict people she encounters in public. She notices a spark, something that is really probably only seen and felt by me, people that just kind of have a weight to their energy and spirit, Sherald said. There's usually something a little awkward and quirky about them that really starts to get my mind thinking that I want to pursue them and make them into a painting.

Sherald began two works before the pandemic. She found the model in her 54 inch-by-43 inch painting Hope is the thing with feathers (The little bird) onstage at an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance.

Story continues

When nationwide closures and quarantines forced people inside last year, Sherald turned to Instagram, scouring hashtags and using six degrees of separation to find new inspiration. Social media is how she found the woman in her painting A Midsummer Afternoon Dream, who seems at ease posing against a yellow bicycle in a billowy blue dress.

My work doesnt commit Black life to grief, Sherald said. There's an assumption of a whole Black life being inextricably tied to struggle. I think it becomes all-consuming and really can codify our existence and our whole experience.

Sherald's 2020 oil on canvas painting "A Midsummer Afternoon Dream." (Amy Sherald, Hauser & Wirth)

Instead of painting what she describes as the exclamation points and periods  when there's loss of life, it's a period at the end of a sentence, she explained  Sherald sees her work representing the dash of life, the in-between moments of everyday living. I feel like I'm returning us to our rightful place, which is in all of our natural elements like a fully functional person.

Born in Columbus, Ga., Sherald received her bachelors degree in painting at Clark Atlanta University and masters degree from Maryland Institute College of Art. After receiving first prize in the 2016 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery commissioned Sherald to make the official portrait of the former first lady, which was unveiled in 2018.

Her second commission came last summer from journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, who asked her to create a portrait of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Black woman killed by police inside her Louisville apartment, for the cover of Vanity Fair. Sherald spent time talking to Taylors mother, Tamika Palmer, to get a deeper understanding of her daughters personality, creating a painting that rendered Taylor graceful and regal.

Sheralds painting of Taylor will be jointly owned by the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and by the Speed Museum in Louisville. I needed to find an institution that would be a good steward of this work and to place her life in this painting into a context where it could continue to tell a story, Sherald said.

Amy Sherald's painting of Breonna Taylor as the cover of Vanity Fair. (Amy Sherald / Vanity Fair)

Museum spaces are important, for some an introduction to the Black experience. A lot of people really have no perception of who we are and how we live, Sherald said. We live very boring lives, just like everybody else.

She referred to the group of Black middle school students who said they experienced racism from staff and patrons at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in 2019.

They were stared at and made to [feel] as if they didn't belong there, Sherald said. I think about work like mine being in spaces like that, and the kind of introduction that that would have made  not only to the white viewers that were in the gallery, but the sense of ownership that those Black children would have had.

She was recently tagged in an Instagram post that brought her to tears.

Someone snapped a picture of her painting As American as apple pie, zooming in on the detail in the mans hair, writing: Ive never in my entire artgoing life, from adolescence to now, seen the brush waves of my youth immortalised on canvas with such care, nuance, love, + unique understanding.

A detail from Sherald's 2020 painting "As American as apple pie." (Amy Sherald, Hauser & Wirth)

Sherald feels nostalgic thinking about how her father wore his hair in this way, creating sleek waves with pomade and meticulous brushing.

The beauty of that one simple, everyday, boring little banal action is something that's a part of our culture, Sherald said. And a part of our cultural history.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Union on Tuesday approved the much-anticipated production-linked incentive scheme for the sector, paving the way for a rapid expansion of Indian packaged food majors. With an approved outlay of Rs 10,900 crore, the scheme aims to boost local production and export of food items in four categories, apart from special support for innovative items and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the sector.

Effective from the financial year 2021-22, the scheme has been designed to offer incentives to select food producers from India to expand their presence in foreign markets by growing production base, retail presence, and marketing and branding in export markets. Taking 2021-22 as the base year, the government aims at achieving an incremental production of worth Rs 33,494 crore by 2027-28. It also estimates to add 250,000 jobs by 2026-27.

Primarily, four key categories -- ready to eat (RTE) and/or ready to cook (RTC), processed fruits and vegetables, marine products, and mozzarella cheese -- will be given preference, where manufacturers will get incentives based on their committed investments and incremental sales. SMEs with innovative and organic portfolios in free-range eggs and poultry meat will be covered by the scheme.

A total of Rs 9,040 crore over six years have been allocated for larger producers against their incremental sales, with the biggest chunk of Rs 2,169 crore earmarked for 2025-26.

ALSO READ: Govt cuts interest rates on small savings schemes effective from April 1

Further, Rs 1,500 crore will be offered as an incentive to large manufacturers for their efforts in brand building in foreign markets and marketing initiatives like in-store branding and shelf-space renting.

Announcing the measures, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the scheme has potential to create employment opportunities. It is aimed at farmers getting better prices, while cutting farm produce wastage. he said, adding the plan will help increase the share of the processed food sector in Indias exports.

A senior government official said several domestic and global companies like Nestle, Mother Dairy, Amul, ITC, Hindustan Unilever, and Kelloggs have already expressed willingness to avail of the scheme. According to Secretary Pushpa Subramanyam, the ministry will issue an expression of interest (EoI) by the end of April.

According to sources, leading packaged food companies of Indian origin, such as ITC, Adani Wilmar, and Marico, are expected to benefit from the new as they have already chalked out expansion plans in the RTE and RTC categories.

While Adani Wilmar is rapidly growing its branded packaged RTC/RTE portfolio under its flagship Fortune brand, Marico has recently ventured into the space under its brand, Saffola. According to Pawan Agarwal, chief financial officer, Marico, growing the food business will be the firms primary focus area for the next couple of years.

ALSO READ: Govt to infuse Rs 14,500 crore in 4 banks, issue recapitalisation bonds

The will be a game-changer, in boosting investments, agri-exports, farmer incomes, and building Indian brands for global markets, said Sanjiv Puri, chairman, ITC.

Apart from growing its presence in the RTE and RTC categories, ITC is working on expanding its processed vegetables, value-added dairy and marine products businesses.

The conglomerate has an established exports business for packaged shrimps.

Varun Berry, MD, Britannia said, it will provide much-needed boost to the food processing sector and also promote growth and investments. "While the initiative paves the way for many Indian brands to go global, it will also generate sizeable employment opportunities in the sector."

Sudhir Sitapati, executive director, foods & refreshment at Hindustan Unilever said, as one of the largest food processing companies in India, it will readily assist in making the scheme a success. "Less than 10 per cent of food grown in India is processed compared to 40 per cent in South East Asia. We hope that the PLI dramatically increases value addition in the food sector, generates employment in agriculture, and boosts Indias exports".

Amul, according to sources, is keen on setting up additional production lines for mozzarella cheese.

Among foreign multinationals food and beverages major, Nestle is expected to benefit from the scheme. Suresh Narayanan, chairman and managing director at the India unit, had earlier told Business Standard the company was open to availing the PLI benefits once details were in. Nestle has already unveiled a Rs 2,600-crore capacity expansion plan (until 2024).

ALSO READ: Govt keeps inflation target at 2-6% for 5 years: DEA secretary Tarun Bajaj

Currently, it exports instant noodles to a large number of countries having Indian diaspora; most of the items it sells in Nepal and Bhutan are exported from here. In 2020, it got Rs 647 crore or a little over 5 per cent from export sales.

Welcoming the new scheme, a Nestle India spokesperson said: We will be studying the details of the scheme and accordingly decide on next steps.

To keep leakages in check, the government has kept a cap on fund and, in case, manufacturers exceed initial commitment, the allocation wouldnt be raised. Further, the scheme would be monitored by the Empowered Group of Secretaries chaired by the secretary. The food processing ministry, the nodal agency for the scheme, will prepare an Annual Action Plan covering various activities for implementation of the scheme, apart from the selection of applicants for coverage under the scheme, and sanction and release of funds as incentives. Moreover, a third-party evaluation and mid-term review mechanism would be built in, the government said.

Besides supporting the farm sector and building global food brands, the scheme aims at cutting agri-waste. According to estimates, over Rs 90,000 crore worth of agri-produce gets wasted in India every year.

Mohit Singla, chairman of the Trade Promotion Council of India, said value-added exports will get a leg up with the expansion of processing capacity and branding abroad.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DLP Real Estate Capital, a financial services and real estate investment firm, has named Bonnie Habyan as Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Habyan joins the company's senior executive team and will lead the corporate marketing strategies across the entire DLP family of companies.

DLP Real Estate Capital

Ms. Habyan comes to DLP with nearly 20 years of experience in real estate finance marketing with a proven track record in traditional and digital marketing, and new business development. She also has extensive experience in brand building, customer relationship management, marketing technology, events and conferences, corporate communications, and public relations. She previously served as the Chief Marketing Officer for publicly-traded real estate finance firm Arbor Realty Trust.

In her new role, Ms. Habyan will be responsible for leading an innovative and rapidly growing marketing team to support DLP's mission of passionately creating prosperity through real estate while effectively making a significant impact on America's housing affordability crisis.

"I am pleased and proud to join the DLP family and look forward to helping support their rapid growth creatively, strategically and with the discipline that follows CEO and author, Don Wenner's, core philosophies," said Habyan. "I look forward to the scope of challenges that come with helping a company like DLP succeed and am honored to be joining them on their successful journey of both making an impact and becoming a leading industry franchise."

Don Wenner, Founder and CEO of DLP Real Estate Capital commented, "Bonnie's vast experience in marketing, specifically in the real estate industry, will undoubtedly help support our goals and vision across all lines of our growing business. She brings a high level of energy, creativity, and innovation and has a track record of marketing success. I am excited to welcome Bonnie to the team and look forward to celebrating our future successes with her in the marketing drivers' seat."

Ms. Habyan has a Bachelor's Degree from Bethany College in Mass Communications and a Master's Degree in Communications from New York Institute of Technology. She also holds an MBA in Banking and Finance from Dowling College and attended Harvard Business School's Executive Education Program on Digital Marketing.

Contact: [email protected]

About DLP Real Estate Capital

DLP Real Estate Capital, under the leadership of Founder and CEO Don Wenner, is a leader in the single and multi-family real estate sectors of brokerage, investment management, asset management, property management, construction, and private lending. DLP RE Capital leads and inspires the building of wealth and prosperity through the execution of innovative real estate solutions. The company generates consistent returns and results for its investors and partners and gives back through its Positive Returns Foundation. The family of companies includes DLP Capital Partners, DLP Lending, DLP Real Estate Management, DLP Realty, Alliance Servicing, and Alliance Property Transfer.

DLP Real Estate Capital has over $1.25 billion in assets under management, over 700 loans in portfolio, and has closed over 16,000 real estate transactions totaling more than $4 billion. DLP has been ranked in the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S. for eight consecutive years; earned the #3 spot for Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2020 in the real estate and property category by Financial Times and has been named by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top 15 real estate firms in the U.S. for the fifth straight year, including the #1 team in PA and NJ for sales.

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SOURCE DLP Real Estate Capital
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - A Tupelo health care worker said she's seen a tremendous drop in positive coronavirus cases at a local clinic.

But other places across the nation are experiencing the opposite - prompting a plea from the CDCs top official.

COVID-19. COVID-19.

Mississippi was one of the first states to lift all restrictions on March 3. Since then, Mississippi hasnt seen a tremendous rebound in cases.

But some other states have not been as fortunate. National health leaders continue to urge Americans to use caution.

I took this COVID thing seriously," Samuel Amos said. "It scared me to death; it really did. And almost having a near positive test myself, I'm just not going to take no chance on it, no kind of way.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky pleaded with Americans on Monday to continue to take precautions like wearing face coverings and social distancing. She also urged state leaders to re-think re-opening plans.

I so badly want to be done; I know you all so badly want to be done, Walensky pleaded. We are just almost there, but not quite yet.

Her plea came after several states have recently experienced a rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Some places in Mississippi; however, are seemingly on a downward trend when it comes to the coronavirus.

It has gone down drastically, Lindsay Edmondson, a nurse practitioner at Tupelos MedPlus said. We were seeing 30 positives a day out of 100, 150 patients. Now Ive seen two or three in the past three days total.

Edmondson still encourages the public to follow safety measures.

So far, more than 1.2 million vaccine doses have been administered in Mississippi. More than 450,000 people have been fully vaccinated.
A group of prominent Black business leaders is calling on corporate America to do more to fight a raft of Republican-inspired restrictive voter laws being pushed in state legislatures across the country. The effort, led by former American Express chief executive Kenneth Chenault and Kenneth Frazier, the head of the pharmaceutical company Merck, is a direct response to the recent passage of a restrictive voter law in Georgia and many more on the horizon just like it that will make it harder for Black and minority communities to vote. The group published a full-page ad Wednesday in the New York Times to raise awareness and spur action.

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The push by Chenault and Frazier comes as corporate America has been relatively silent on the issue of voting rights, other than to issue milquetoast affirmations of voting and democracy in general. Meanwhile, Georgias Republican-heavy state legislature plowed full speed ahead with a set of new voting laws enacted after the GOP lost the 2020 presidential election as well as both Senate seats. The law tightens ID requirements for absentee voting, curtails early voting options, and, perhaps more worryingly, gives the state legislature more authority over the local administration of elections, something that would have made it easier for Donald Trump to overturn the election last time, and possibly in the future.

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The Black business executives are attempting to increase pressure on corporate America to do something. Corporate pressure has been applied on a host of issues, notably bathroom bills and anti-LGBTQ laws, creating a new set of consequences for local Republican lawmakers looking to discriminate. You had 60 major companiesAmazon, Google, American Airlinesthat signed on to the statement that states a very clear opposition to harmful legislation aimed at restricting the access of L.G.B.T.Q. people in society, Chenault told the Times. So, you know, it is bizarre that we dont have companies standing up to this.

As African-American business executives, we dont have the luxury of being bystanders to injustice, Frazier said. We dont have the luxury of sitting on the sidelines when these kinds of injustices are happening all around us.
Swiss Re warned insurers Tuesday that secondary perils such as thunderstorms and wildfires are making up a growing share of the losses caused by natural catastrophes, even in a year that experienced an abnormally active North Atlantic hurricane season.

The reinsurer said in its annual catastrophe report that secondary peril events accounted for 71% of 2020 natural catastrophe insured losses, which totaled $81 billion. Primary perils caused $23 billion in insured losses.

There were a record-breaking 30 named storms during hurricane season 2020 and a further record was set when 12 of those made landfall in the US, stated Martin Bertogg, Swiss Res head of catastrophe perils. It cost the insurance industry $21 billion in claims. Yet, incredibly, we would regard that as somewhat of a lucky escape.

The report says climate change and urban sprawl are driving the increased losses.

A graphic that accompanies the report shows that losses caused by secondary perils have fluctuated from 20% to 90% of insured losses since 1970, but have exceeded 50% of insured losses in each of the last 10 years.

Severe thunderstorms including the tornadoes that they spawn  consistently cause the greatest insured losses among the secondary peril types, accounting for $36 billion in insured losses in 2020.

But wildfires are growing in significance, accounting for $11.6 billion in insured losses last year.

The report says wildfires have caused a cumulative $56.3 billion in insured losses from 2011 to 2020. By comparison, wildfires caused a cumulative $8.7 billion in losses from 2001 to 2010, $5 billion from 1991 to 2000 and $1.4 billion from 1981 to 1990. All of those figures are converted to 2020 values.

Wildfires made up 23.3% of insured losses caused by secondary perils from 2016 to 2020, the report says, calling the share of losses unprecedented. Before 2016, wildfire losses rarely exceeded 5% or 10%.

Floods that arent associated with named storms are also a growing risk, Swiss Re says, accounting for a $67.3 billion in insured losses globally from 2011 to 2020. Flooding caused by hurricanes and typhoons is considered a primary peril.

Primary perils are well-monitored by the insurance industry, but secondary-peril risks less so, the report says. Risk assessment efforts need to rebalance to make secondary perils a priority.

But Swiss Re also urges insurers not to forget primary perils. The reinsurer said while secondary peril losses have accumulated faster in the last five years, history shows that it can take just a few peak-event strikes to demonstrate the very large magnitude of losses that primary peril risk poses, as in the case of Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita in 2005.

About the photo: This image taken by a drone shows two trees resting on the badly damaged property at 733 Branch Drive following a day of extended severe weather, Friday, March 26, 2021, in Helena, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Brussels  The European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, said that the European Union does not fund the European companies operating in occupied areas of Western Sahara, and support United Nations efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully.

"The European Neighborhood Mechanism does not provide funding to companies based in Europe or their subsidiaries, nor does it fund any operation in Western Sahara territories," Vahelyi said as he answered of European parliamentarian, Sandra Barbara.

In this regard, the Commissioner, who answered the question on behalf of the Commission of the European Union, affirmed that the latter "is aware" of the published report, but denied that any of these companies received EU funding.

He added that the EU "looks forward to the relaunch of negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and looks forward to the urgent appointment of a new personal envoy of the Secretary General to Western Sahara".

The Center for Franco-Sahrawi Studies and Documentation denounced the agreements signed by the European Union with Morocco, which illegally includes the territory of Western Sahara, adding that these agreements violate the European Court rulings and also encourage European companies to pursue investment in the occupied Sahrawi territories.
Massachusetts lawmakers plan to dig deeper into the systemic failures that led to the death of 14-year-old David Almond following the release of a scathing report from the Office of the Child Advocate.

House Speaker Ronald Mariano said the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities will hold an oversight hearing to determine what happened leading up to the boys death and how the state is enforcing existing child protection laws.

The tragic death of David Almond was a failure on the part of those who had a legal and moral responsibility to ensure his safety and wellbeing, the Quincy Democrat said in a statement. DCF and its partner agencies have multi-layered safeguards and protocols in place intended to protect our most vulnerable children, however, its clear from the OCAs report that all of these policies and protocols failed David Almond.

The House plans to review the recommendations made in the OCA report and look into legislation and regulations that could help prevent deaths like Almonds, Mariano said.

The OCA report highlighted multiple warning signs in the Almond household after David and his siblings were placed back into the care of their father, John Michael Almond, and his girlfriend, Jaclyn Marie Coleman. According to the OCA report, there were multiple instances where the Department of Children and Families failed to intervene before Davids death.

Police went to the Almond household in Fall River on Oct. 21 after receiving a report of an unresponsive person. Officers found David, who had autism, bruised, emaciated and living in filth. He was taken to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His brother, Michael, also suffered serious bodily and emotional harm and neglect, prosecutors said. He was hospitalized, but survived.

John Michael Almond and Coleman have been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury.

The OCA report not only detailed months of squalor, neglect and red flags, but multi-system failures on the part of DCF and Fall River Public Schools. Among other issues, the OCA report noted that DCF only scheduled virtual visits between March and Davids death in October, citing the COVID-19 pandemic. When an anonymous complaint accused the parents of neglect and substance use, DCF continued with virtual visits instead of opening an investigation into the tip.

In a statement, DCF said it planned to implement reforms based on the OCA report recommendations and had already started to make some changes in the months before the reports release.

After the reports release, DCF fired one Fall River Area Office manager and said another who was set to be fired had retired early. The department did not name those employees.

At the end of the day, this is a failure of all parties to abide by the laws that are currently in place, Mariano said. Its time for DCFs leaders and others to step up, be transparent and take action to address this failure.

Senate President Karen Spilka said her chamber is fully committed to addressing the failures and preventing such an incident from happening in the future.

I am heartbroken this morning to read the Office of the Child Advocates report on David Almond, said Spilka, an Ashland Democrat who has worked as a social worker and attorney. It paints a devastating picture of a systemic failure to save a child with special needs. David desperately needed protection, and he did not receive it.

Sen. Adam Gomez, co-chair of the committee, lamented the horrific and senseless death.

I will be reviewing this report in greater detail and am interested in hearing more from the administration and other stakeholders about what systemic changes need to be made so this tragedy doesnt happen to another child, Gomez said. My sincere condolences go out to Davids siblings and family as they continue to grieve their tragic loss.

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Maybe historians will look back on this as the year of Old Power.

Think about it. Older people, who were some of the first in line for the vaccine shots, are now being celebrated as the leaders of the post-Covid social scene  Good news: I just got vaccinated! tweeted Steve Martin. Bad news: I got it because Im 75.

Meanwhile, President Biden, 78, is going like a house on fire. A few weeks ago Congress passed his $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill. Now hes introducing the world to his $2 trillion infrastructure plan. Second big whopper of an initiative from a guy lots of Americans expected to be sort of  mild, like a mellow aging uncle who might own a very nippy German shepherd.

Everything Biden is big! This infrastructure plan is so large its going to require a lot of pondering on the part of serious citizens. Your first question is probably going to be 

What exactly is a trillion?

OK, I know it doesnt come up in your normal check-balancing. A trillion is a thousand billions, and the next thing after that would be a quadrillion, which is 1,000 trillions. A quadrillion is  a lot. If you traveled back in time a quadrillion seconds youd be able to watch the Antarctic ice sheet form. Were talking about 31.7 million years.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been slammed after telling her supporters to stop calling the record number of migrants arriving at the border a 'surge', as it places the crisis in a 'militaristic frame'.

During a lengthy Instagram Live session on Tuesday night, AOC implored people to exercise caution with how they described the border crisis.

'They wanna say, 'But what about the surge?'' Well, first of all, just gut check, stop. Anyone who's using the term 'surge' around you consciously is trying to invoke a militaristic frame.'

'And that's a problem because this is not a surge, these are children and they are not insurgents and we are not being invaded, which by the way is a white supremacist idea-philosophy, the idea that if another is coming in the population that this is an invasion of who we are,' the congresswoman said.

Critics have labeled the comments 'peak AOC', and ridiculed her for not knowing the difference between the word 'surge' and 'insurgent'.

AOC told her massive Instagram following that the use of the word surge to describe the border crisis was placing the border crisis in a 'militaristic frame'

A family of migrants cross the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in to U.S Border Patrol agents to request for asylum in El Paso, Texas, US, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, March 30

Tom Bevan, the co-founder of conservative political news site Real Clear Politics, said: 'Not knowing the difference between the meaning of 'surge' and 'insurgent' - and then using it as a talking point about white supremacy - is peak AOC.'

Journalist Tim Pool, who describes himself as a 'disaffected liberal' in his Twitter bio, posted: 'It's like no matter what happens she has some half-brained complaint that has nothing to do with what's going. 'Surge' is racist? What the f*** do you even do?'

Surge and insurgent: similar-sounding words with very different origins and meanings Surge Surge is defined as a sudden large increase in something that has previously been steady, or has only increased or developed slowly. It originates from the Latin word surgere, meaning 'to spring up or rise' and first appeared in the English language in the early 16th Century, when it is thought to have been adapted from the French word sourge. It can be a noun or a verb. Insurgent Meaning people who are fighting against the government or army of their own country, the word insurgent comes from the Latin word insurgentem, literally meaning 'to rise against'. Its English roots can be traced to 1745, the year Charles Edward Stuart - better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie - launched the Jacobite uprising to regain the British throne for his father, James II. Insurgent can be a noun or an adjective. Source: Collins dictionary, Etymonline.com nationalarchives.gov.uk Advertisement

And Fox News contributor Tom Homan said the people who know the situation best, Border Patrol, are calling it a surge.

He said: 'The men and women of the Border Patrol say it's a surge. The men and women at the Border Patrol say it's a crisis. The men and women of the Border Patrol know that these cartels are using these children and family units to drive them across the border and tie up their assets.

'This is a national security crisis. If [Ocasio-Cortez] can't understand that or accept that, then she shouldn't be in Congress at all.'

Approximately 16,000 minors crossed the southern border in March, a record high.

The influx of children is leading to a bottleneck at custody centers and makeshift facilities along the border.

There were 5,767 children in Customs and Border Protection custody on Sunday, up from 5,495 children on Thursday, according to CBP data. In June 2019, when Donald Trump was president, the highest number of unaccompanied minors in custody was around 2,600, according to CBP data.

Additionally, there are 11,886 children in the custody of Health and Human Services.

Combining the HHS and CBP figures, the Biden administration has more than 17,500 children in custody.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden's administration allowed journalists inside its main border detention facility for migrant children for the first time, after weeks of shutting the media out and releasing their own photos.

The tour on revealed a severely overcrowded tent structure in Donna, Texas, where more than 4,000 migrants, including children and families, are crammed into pods.

The youngest are kept in a large play pen with mats on the floor for sleeping, because the facility is at 1,700% capacity and the dormitories are full.

Border guards say 14 per cent - roughly one in seven - of the migrant children have tested positive for COVID while photos also show detainees being treated for lice, amid fears of an outbreak.

Children are being crammed into the at the shelters like the one above, the Donna Department of Homeland Security, for weeks on end after a huge increase in March in the number of unaccompanied migrants

Media were allowed in to see the facilities this week, with shocking scenes like the one above at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility (file photo)

Two thousand children have already overstayed their 72-hour legal limit and at least 39 have been stuck in the cramped quarters for two weeks.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection allowed two journalists from The Associated Press and a crew from CBS to tour the facility in the Rio Grande Valley.

Last week 18 GOP senators traveled to the border to see conditions firsthand and criticized the Biden administration's immigration policies.

Republicans argue Biden's decision to roll back many of Donald Trump's stricter border policies has led to the recent migrant surge.

Cruz posted photos of children being held in crowded conditions - many sleeping on the floor - in one of the shelter.

'Democrats like to pretend their open-borders policies are somehow humane,' Cruz told 'Fox News Sunday.'

AOC and several other progressive Democratic congresswoman lhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, refer to themselves as The Squad.

They were joined by Jamaal Bowman of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri after the 2020 election.
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March 29, 2021 by Flannary Collins

Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Courts and Criminal Justice System



On February 25, 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court in State v. Blake declared unconstitutional Washingtons strict liability drug possession statute, which criminalized unintentional, unknowing possession of controlled substances without a prescription. This decision is having a massive impact on counties and cities throughout the state, with the state legislature and some local governments considering next steps.

Overview of the Case

RCW 69.50.4013(1) made it a felony to possess controlled substances, even if the person had no knowledge of the drug possession. The basic problem with the statute was that it found strict liability even if the person was possessing drugs unknowingly. Prior to the State v. Blake decision, Washington courts read a knowledge element into the statute, but the Blake Court stated it could no longer take that approach:

To be sure, at one time, it might have been possible for this court to avoid this constitutional issue by interpreting RCW 69.50.4013 as silently including an intent element and thereby saving it from unconstitutionality. But that time has long since passedGiven the interpretive principles of legislative acquiescence and stare decisis, only the legislature, not the court can now change the statutes intent.

Holding that the law exceeds the states police power and violates the due process clauses of the state and federal constitutions, the Court found that,

[a]ttaching the harsh penalties of felony conviction, lengthy imprisonment, stigma, and the many collateral consequences that accompany every felony drug conviction to entirely innocent and passive conduct exceeds the legislatures powers.

The end result is that the state law criminalizing possession of controlled substances has been struck down as unconstitutional; in other words, it is no longer a crime for someone to possess controlled substances, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

Repercussions

As explored in a March 18, 2021, Seattle Times article and a Department of Corrections March 12 press release, the repercussions are significant, and include:

Invalidation of simple drug possession convictions for nearly 100 individuals incarcerated and nearly 7,000 individuals who have been sentenced to community supervision on a simple possession conviction.

Potential resentencing for nearly 2,600 individuals incarcerated and nearly 3,900 individuals who are serving community supervision on a simple possession and an additional conviction(s).

Some matters remain unclear including:

Whether the opinion applies retroactively to old drug possession cases. A motion for reconsideration has been filed, which may give the Court an opportunity to clarify this uncertainty.

Whether Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) that were paid by those convicted of simple possession must be reimbursed.

The expected monetary impact of the ruling is significant, with the Washington State Association of Counties calling it a $100 million issue, as quoted in this Crosscut article. This is no doubt in large part because of two factors: (1) the potential LFO repayment  which, according to Crosscut, could be as much as $47 million  and (2) the potential resentencing  which is landing at a time when courts are already backlogged because of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Legislative Response

Two bills (Senate Bill 5468 and Senate Bill 5475) were introduced earlier this legislative session, both providing a simple remedy for prospective drug possession matters by reenacting RCW 69.50.4013 and inserting the word knowingly prior to the word possess. Neither of those bills have progressed at this point. Instead, a third bill (Senate Bill 5476), just introduced on March 24, 2021, significantly departs from previous policy by focusing more on public health rather than criminal justice. The highlights of the bill are:

For those aged 21 and over, it allows possession of a set personal use amount of controlled substances (e.g., 40 grams of oxycodone, 1 gram of heroin). Knowing possession of any amount above the personal use amount is a Class C felony.

For those under 21, it makes possession of any amount of controlled substance a gross misdemeanor.

It makes it unlawful to open a package containing a counterfeit or controlled substance or consume those substances in view of the general public or in a public place. This is punishable by a civil infraction with a maximum penalty of $125 and will be deposited in the State v. Blake reimbursement account (described below).

It decriminalizes the injection, ingestion, inhalation, or introduction of a controlled substance into the body.

It expands the role of forensic navigator to be used by law enforcement to provide evaluation, treatment, and recovery and support resources for those who possess controlled substances, counterfeit substances, or legend drugs within the personal use amount.

It creates a State v. Blake reimbursement account in the state treasury, to be used only for state and local government costs resulting from State v. Blake and to reimburse LFOs paid for invalidated simple possession charges.

Local Government Response

Meanwhile, some local governments are taking matters into their own hands by considering local ordinances on drug possession. Both the City of Marysville and Grant County adopted an ordinance making it a gross misdemeanor to knowingly possess a controlled substance unless pursuant to a valid prescription, order of a practitioner, or as otherwise authorized by chapter 69.50 RCW. Lewis Countys proposed ordinance criminalizes knowing possession of controlled substances and mirrors the state penalty by making it a felony.

While the state fully occupies and preempts the entire field of setting penalties for violations of the controlled substances act pursuant to RCW 69.50.608, the crime of simple possession has been struck down and preemption arguably no longer applies for this type of crime. If the legislature passes a new law addressing the Blake decision, preemption will once again be in effect.

MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington State. Eligible government agencies in Washington State may use our free, one-on-one Ask MRSC service to get answers to legal, policy, or financial questions.
Despite its limited terms of reference, a new inquiry into the working conditions of public school teachers in New South Wales (NSW), Australias most populous state, has revealed an escalating crisis in the sector. Teachers confront soaring workloads, endless policy changes and wholly inadequate resources to address the complex challenges facing students in the public education system.

The inquiry, entitled Valuing the Teaching Profession, was commissioned by the New South Wales Teachers Federation (NSWTF). The union appointed Geoff Gallop, former Labor premier of Western Australia, to chair the investigation. Gallop is a pro-business figure who won office in 2001 after a campaign that denounced the state Liberal government for supposedly overspending and endangering the states budget surplus.

Gallop handing the report to NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos (Credit: NSWTF)

Others on the inquiry panel were Dr Tricia Kavanagh, former justice of the NSW Industrial Court and Patrick Lee, who previously worked at the NSW Institute of Teachers.

Without providing any explanation, the report noted that the inquiry was the first to be held in 17 years. This was a period, it stated, during which changes in public education dwarfed those of any other era, going back half a century.

The disastrous state of the sector revealed by the inquiry is the result of bipartisan policies implemented by state and federal governments, Labor and Liberal alike, that threaten the very future of public education. The NSWTF and the Australian Education Union (AEU) have refused to mobilise teachers against these attacks, instead functioning as indispensable props enforcing each new government measure.

In its 200-page report, the inquiry found that as a result of increased compliance measures, constant curriculum changes, greater administrative requirements, the imposition of data collection and other regressive policies, Australian teachers work among the longest hours in the developed world.

The inquiry revealed that full-time classroom teachers averaged 55 hours per week and school principals some 62. In a chapter headed A cascade of policies, the report listed hundreds of new policies announced through the media without prior communication with schools. Schools are then required to provide evidence of their compliance with these often confusing and contradictory directives.

The report also revealed the increasing prevalence of casual employment, especially in schools with disadvantaged students. While permanent full-time tenure had traditionally been the norm in the sector, the proportion of permanent teachers is now down to 59 percent. Government cost-cutting measures, including the 2012 NSW school autonomy model, Local Schools Local Decisions (LSLD), have driven the change.

At the same, enrolments of students with high needs have increased. The inquiry found that in 2002, 4.2 percent of students had a disability. By 2019, the proportion had risen to 15.6 percent. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student enrolments were up from 4.7 percent in 2004, to 8 percent in 2019. Over the same period, the proportion of students with a language background other than English increased from 26.4 percent to 35.9 percent.

Part of the LSLD school autonomy brief was to abolish 800 positions responsible for providing support services to public schools. The state education departments Education Equity Strategy Unit, which had specialised bodies to assist disadvantaged and high needs pupils, was replaced by a monetised fund devolving responsibility for finding support for these students to the schools.

The inquiry also revealed a growing teacher shortage. At the start of the 2021 school year 1,250 permanent teacher positions across NSW were reported as unfilled. At a recent meeting of union members, NSWTF President Angelo Gavrielatos claimed 15,000 new teachers would be required annually to meet an expected growth in student enrolments.

The report highlighted the effects on teachers working conditions of the constant changes to the school curriculum over the past decade. A revised national school curriculum was introduced into NSW schools between 2014 to 2018. Before educators were able to finalise the changes to lesson planning and teaching methods that this required, a further redesign of the curriculum was demanded in the 2018, Gonski 2.0 report.

In line with Gonski 2.0., NSW Liberal Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the biggest shake-up to the states curriculum in three decades. A centre-piece of the new plan is the abolition of the existing year structure of syllabuses and its replacement with many hundreds of learning progressions.

The inquiry described the policy as an untimed syllabus. This is misleading. The Gonski 2.0 report directed that each student achieve at least one years growth in every learning year and stated that a school principals performance review would be judged on that basis.

Teachers will be tasked with endlessly ensuring that each student is on track to attain their own learning target. An online tool will identify each students progress via their unique identifying number. Thus, students are to become individual automatons in programs devised and evaluated by edu-businesses.

Moreover, if principal performance is to be judged on the basis of annual student progressions, greater teacher accountability and threats to job security for those who do not meet the targets will follow.

The inquiry expressed no opposition in principle to this regime, merely calling for more time and resources to implement it. Trials of the program are due to start in schools over the coming months.

The report noted an explosion in mental distress and illness among children and adolescents and an increasing reliance on schools to deal with these issues. It pointed to statistics showing that the poorest children were three times as likely to suffer mental health issues, yet the Inquirys recommendation, for 1 counsellor to 500 children, is worse than inadequate.

None of the inquirys recommendations challenges any of the underlying policies responsible for the crisis in the states public schools.

Its recommendation that teachers be given an extra two hours a week to deal with their workload is a call for window-dressing that would resolve nothing.

The report did not demand an end to the National Assessment ProgramLiteracy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing regime, which was the centrepiece of the Rudd Labor governments pro-business education revolution. Instead it merely called on the government to commence a process to establish NAPLAN testing on a random survey basis. A recent review of NAPLAN conducted by the state premiers of NSW, Queensland and Victoria, already ruled this out.

As for the inquirys call for a 10-15 per cent pay rise, teachers can have no confidence the NSWTF will carry out a serious fight to attain this. In October last year, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) decreed that public sector workers in the state should receive a mere 0.3 percent annual pay increase, instead of the 2.5 percent they had expected on July 1. Not a word of opposition was heard from the NSWTF.

The reports terms of inquiry did not address funding policies, which have exacerbated a glaring socio-economic divide between public and private schools. From 2009-2018, government funding increases across the country were nine to ten times greater for private schools than for public institutions.

The NSWTF has mounted no opposition to the states new 2021 model, School Success, which aims to further cut costs and institute an even more intensive monitoring of student and school performance, without restoring any of the 800 curriculum support positions axed.

The inquiry was a cynical attempt by the union to halt a decline in its membership and to secure a place at the bargaining table with the government and education authorities.

This is of a piece with mini-walkouts of 20 minutes currently being orchestrated by the NSWTF in some schools around the state. These stoppages are aimed at letting-off steam among teachers, without any genuine struggle against the conditions they face, while facilitating closer union collaboration with education department officials, the Labor Party opposition and the Greens.

The Gallop Inquiry is the latest fraud being perpetrated by the NSWTF against teachers and students alike.

It recalls the 2002 Vinson Inquiry, also commissioned by the union. The resulting report documented the impact of funding cuts, including mounting workloads, inadequate facilities and a growing education crisis in working class areas.

The Vinson Inquirys paltry recommendations were ignored, while the NSWTF and the Australian Education Union proceeded to openly support, or demobilise opposition to, one attack after another on public education. The consequence is that 17 years on, all of the problems identified by the Vinson Inquiry are an order of magnitude worse than in 2002.

This underscores the fact that a fight by teachers for decent wages, conditions and permanent jobs, and for high-quality and fully-resourced public education, can only proceed through a rebellion against the NSWTF and the unions.

New organisations of struggle, including independent rank-and-file committees, are required, as is an alternative socialist perspective which rejects the subordination of education to the dictates of big business, governments and the corporations.

The Committee for Public Education (CFPE), which fights for this perspective, can be contacted here:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: @CFPE_Australia
Sevinj Sadigova, wife of detained Azerbaijani journalist and editor of Azel.TV Afghan Sadigov, has made several statements on the Internet and in the media claiming that law-enforcement authorities have placed a camera in her bathroom to blackmail her, Azerbaijani presses report.

The law-enforcement authorities are threatening to spread intimate scenes, thinking they can intimidate me with that, Sadigova said, adding that, in her opinion, they are pressuring her to force her husband to stop his hunger strike. Sadigova supports her husband, and now they have started threatening her and hinting that her child may fall from a 16th story building.

The Prosecutor Generals Office of Azerbaijan has warned Sadigova by referring to her statement as defamation and has warned about liability in case such actions continue.

Sadigov was detained in 2020 under the charge of taking a 10,000 manat bribe along with editor of xeberfakt.az Sakit Muradov, but only Sadigov was sentenced under this charge for seven years. On November 3, Sadigov launched a hunger strike after the Court of Appeal rejected the appeal for his release.
Chennai, March 31 : The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has taken custody of a Sri Lankan fishing boat and seized 300.323 kg of heroin along with five AK-47 rifles and 1,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.

In a statement, NCB Zonal Director Chennai Zone Amit Ghawate said on specific intelligence received by Indian Coast Guard and NCB, a Sri Lankan fishing vessel 'Ravihansi' was intercepted by the Coast Guard on March 25 in Indian waters off the coast of Vizhinjam, Kerala.

The NCB Chennai Zonal Unit took over the custody of the boat and seized 300.323 kg of heroin along with five AK -47 Rifles and 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

A number of incriminating documents were also seized from the occupants of the vessel, the statement issued here on Wednesday said.

The heroin was found concealed inside the water tank of the vessel in 301 packets. Image of a flying horse was found on all the heroin packets, which is a usual practice of drug trafficking syndicates to brand their drugs.

Further, investigations so far indicate that an unknown vessel carried the heroin and arms consignment from Chabahar Port, Iran and handed over the same to Sri Lankan fishing boat Ravihansi in the high seas near Lakshadweep.

Ravihansi was then trafficking the consignment to Sri Lanka when the Indian authorities intercepted it.

All the six Sri Lankan crew members namely L.Y. Nandana, HKGB Dassppriya, AHS Gunasekara, S.A. Senarath, T. Ranasingha and D. Nissanka present in the boat were arrested on March 27 by NCB and remanded to judicial custody.

The intelligence inputs and the investigations so far indicate that a Pakistan-based drug trafficking network was involved in the current seizure.

There have been seizures of huge quantities of heroin in the Arabian Sea by both Indian as well as other enforcement agencies, which are believed to have been trafficked by the same network.

This seizure also unveils the nexus between narcotics trafficking and extremist elements.




Haiti - DR : A Dominican coalition condemns the interference of the UN and the OAS in Haiti





As part of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with Haiti (March 29, 2021), a coalition of political and civil society organizations from the Dominican Republic condemned in front of the offices of the United Nations (UN) in the National District, the interference of this organization and that of the OAS in the neighboring sister Nation and demanded to let the Haitians decide for themselves their future.



"We condemn the interference of the United Nations in the internal affairs of the Republic of Haiti, which violates the most elementary principles of international law and of its self-determination, which manifests itself in inadmissible colonialist positions and interventionist actions" declared the Coalition.



The Coalition considers that these organs intend to impose a constitutional reform adapted to the current leader, ignoring the popular demands and those of certain political sectors which propose a Government of democratic transition without external supervision.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















[March 30, 2021] Air Lease Corporation Announces Delivery of First of Ten New Boeing 737-8 Aircraft to Blue Air

Today Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced the delivery of one new Boeing (News - Alert) 737-8 aircraft on long-term lease to Blue Air (Romania). This aircraft, featuring CFM LEAP-1B25 engines, is the first of ten new Boeing 737-8s confirmed to deliver to Blue Air from ALC's order book with Boeing. The nine new 737-8 aircraft that follow are scheduled to deliver to Blue Air April 2021 through 2022. "ALC is pleased to deliver this first of ten new 737-8 aircraft to Blue Air, Romania's largest airline, today," said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. "Once all of the ALC 737-8s are delivered, Blue Air will have the largest fleet of new 737-8s in Eastern Europe. The 737-8 will provide the most modern, fuel-efficient technology to advance the airline's overall growth and route expansion objectives." "Today marks a new milestone in Blue Air's journey. The delivery of this first of ten Boeing 737-8s comes in line with our airline's commitment to provide European customers The Better Way to Fly. As we increasingly acknowledge the responsibility of the airline industry for a greener future, Blue Air joins the airline community as an active player in delivering the lowest carbon emissions known to date by a narrow body passenger aircraft. The accelerated replacement of our classic fleet is ensured by the long-lasting strategic partnership with Air Lease Corporation as Blue Air's main lessor. A special acknowledgment and thanks goes to the ALC team that made this delivery possible amid these challenging COVID times. This and the next projected eliveries will ensure Blue Air's resilience and will secure our company position as the main Romanian player in the passenger aviation market," said Cristian Rada, Majority Shareholder of Blue Air.



In addition to the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft that delivered today, Blue Air currently has six Boeing 737-800s and one Boeing 737-700 on long-term lease with ALC. Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) ALC is a leading aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. ALC routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the "Investors" section of ALC's website at www.airleasecorp.com. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult the ALC website regularly for important information about ALC. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, ALC's website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release. About Blue Air As Romania's leading Airline Company, Blue Air was founded in Bucharest in 2004 and developed throughout the years to become a pan European Smart Flying operator with bases in Romania and Italy. Since 2016, it has become the largest Romanian airline by scheduled passengers flown, operating flights to more than 100 destinations in 16 countries. The Better Way to Fly model provide superior passenger satisfaction through proven safe operations, reliable wide network schedule, and a customer centric approach offering our guests an affordable and friendly experience. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210330006143/en/

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Research Announcement:

Moody's - Outlooks on Russian, Azerbaijani

and Kazakh banking systems turn stable on improving economic

prospects

London, March 31, 2021 --

 Improving macroeconomic conditions and receding asset risk underpin outlook revision

 Risks to banks include uneven recovery, delayed recognition of problem loans and political

uncertainty

The outlooks on the Russian, Azerbaijani and Kazakh banking systems have been changed to stable

from negative to reflect the improving economic outlook one year on from the start of the coronavirus

pandemic, Moodys Investors Service said in reports today.

The changes in the three banking system outlooks reflect our expectation that the gradual lifting of

pandemic restrictions and recovering global oil prices will underpin GDP growth and ease operating

conditions for banks and their borrowers, said Yaroslav Sovgyra, Associate Managing Director

at Moodys in Moscow. Nonetheless, business conditions will still be challenging as government

support measures are gradually withdrawn and recovery paths remain uneven across the CIS

region.

Banking System Outlooks represent Moody's assessment of fundamental credit conditions that will

affect the creditworthiness of banks in a given system over the next 12-18 months.

Concurrently, Moodys has maintained its stable outlooks on the Ukrainian and Uzbek banking

systems and kept its negative outlooks for the banking systems in Armenia and Belarus.

The stable outlook on the Ukrainian banking system reflects the gradual economic recovery along

with the banks solid capital levels and ample liquidity. The stable outlook also reflects a stable

outlook for the Ukraines sovereign rating, to which the health of the country's banks is closely linked.

The outlook on the Uzbek banking system has been maintained at stable through the pandemic as

the country's economy has demonstrated strong resilience to the coronavirus-induced shocks, and it

Story continues

will see a swift recovery in 2021.

Maintaining the negative outlooks on the banking systems in Belarus and Armenia reflects Moody's

view that the two countries political uncertainty, coupled with the coronavirus fallout, will hinder their

economic recovery prospects, negatively affecting banks' business activities. At the same time, the

two countries governments capacity to give support to the domestic banking systems will remain

limited.

To see the complete banking sector outlook reports, click the link for each country:

Azerbaijan:

https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1269526

Kazakhstan:

http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1269146

Ukraine:

http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1272243

Uzbekistan:

https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1269527

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Armenia:

http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1272165

Belarus:

http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1268880

Russia:

http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1268835

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Yaroslav Sovgyra, CFA

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Sean Marion

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Governor Newsom Issues Proclamation Declaring Cesar Chavez Day

Sacramento, California - Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring March 31, 2021, as Cesar Chavez Day in the State of California.

This afternoon, Governor Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom will join First Lady Jill Biden in Delano to participate in a Day of Action at The Forty Acres with the Cesar Chavez Foundation, United Farm Workers (UFW) and the UFW Foundation.

The text of the proclamation can be found here and a copy is below:

PROCLAMATION On this day in 1927, Cesar Estrada Chavez was born in Yuma, Arizona. Throughout his life of work and service, Chavez moved thousands to stand together for their rights and led our nation toward a fuller recognition of the dignity of work. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Chavezs enduring legacy is at the forefront of our minds as Californians are reminded of our deep debt of gratitude to the farmers and farmworkers working tirelessly to supply food to supermarket shelves, food banks and our tables. The son of farmworkers who lost their home and livelihood during the Great Depression, Chavez left school in the seventh grade to work alongside his family in the fields of California. It was here that he confronted dismal working conditions, racism, abuse and exploitation. These experiences showed him, in his own words, that the only answer, the only hope was in organizing. Founding the United Farm Workers (UFW) in 1962, Chavez challenged Americans to recognize that the crops on their dinner tables were picked by human hands  often the hands of people who were denied the most basic human rights. Chavez inspired ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, including a historic march of farmworkers from Delano to Sacramento in 1965. He more than once sacrificed his own health and comfort to raise awareness of the plight of the farmworkers, undertaking several hunger strikes as part of his lifelong commitment to nonviolent resistance. We also honor Chavezs leadership in protecting farmworkers and their children from exposure to harmful pesticides. As Chavez rightfully reminded us, the first ban on certain pesticides in the United States was not by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1972, but a UFW contract with a grape grower in 1967. Chavez understood the power of relentless effort to restore safe drinking water for thousands in the Central Valley, an urgent need that persists today. Recognizing the outsized burden borne by our farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic, whose essential role in securing our food supply puts them at greater risk, California is committed to redoubling our efforts to protect these workers. The Administration has worked to provide safe isolation spaces and additional financial assistance and services to agricultural and farmworkers who test positive or were exposed to the virus, and continues to prioritize the distribution of vaccines to our essential workers, including in the agricultural industry. Americans everywhere continue to draw inspiration from Chavezs life and legacy. On this anniversary of his birth and day of service, I ask all Californians to join me in recommitting to the principle that all workers deserve to share in the prosperity they help create and honor Chavezs life and work by finding ways to safely give back in your community. NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2021, as Cesar Chavez Day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 26th day of March 2021. ___________________________________ GAVIN NEWSOM Governor of California ATTEST: __________________________________ SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D. Secretary of State
WESTPORT, Conn., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Balance Point Capital ("Balance Point"), in conjunction with its affiliated fund Balance Point Capital Partners II, L.P, is pleased to announce its follow-on investment in Trendline Interactive ("Trendline"). Balance Point invested debt and equity capital in support of Trendline's acquisition of LeadMD , a leading performance marketing consultancy in the U.S. Growth Catalyst Partners ("GCP"), a middle market private equity firm and majority owner of Trendline, led the transaction. The LeadMD acquisition comes on the heels of continued growth for Trendline, which acquired data and analytics company Data Insight Group in February.

"This second wave of funding furthers Trendline's evolution into a leading buyer experience powerhouse," said Morgan Stewart, CEO of Trendline. "Our platform, with the additions of Data Insight Group and now LeadMD, enables our team to deliver a comprehensive service mix that parlays high-level strategy into action through expert planning, technology, top talent and cutting-edge tactics. As a value-added financial partner, we are thrilled with Balance Point's continued support and shared vision as we continue to grow."

LeadMD was founded in 2009 out of the need for lead generation, marketing automation and CRM consulting services, and has evolved into a performance marketing consultancy that has empowered thousands of marketers to drive revenue and operational success through strategy and tactics that work. The acquisition was spurred by the lines between B2C and B2B blurring for years. By merging their business operations, Trendline and LeadMD create one centralized consultancy that provides a full breadth of strategic and performance marketing services to both B2C and B2B clients.

Justin Kaplan, a Partner at Balance Point, said "We are excited to continue our partnership with Trendline and GCP and pleased to welcome the LeadMD team to the company. The combination of Trendline and LeadMD creates a deep and comprehensive service offering that can meet the needs of customers across the B2B and B2C markets."

About Trendline Interactive

Trendline Interactive is a digital agency and consultancy that inspires brands to create meaningful engagement through cross-channel communications. With a team of nearly 200 marketing professionals consisting of strategists, creatives and technologists, Trendline deploys the best mix of consulting, agency and analytic services to complement clients' needs and exceed expectations. Trendline serves Fortune 1000 companies and was recently ranked no. 1862 on the 2020 Inc. 5000. The company is headquartered in Austin, TX, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Portland, OR and Guelph, ON, Canada. For more information, please visit www.trendlineinteractive.com .

About LeadMD

LeadMD is the number one performance marketing consultancy in the U.S. Launched in 2009, LeadMD empowers marketers to drive revenue and customer success. The company focuses on people, processes, and technology that create predictable and sustainable revenue for high growth and enterprise brands. LeadMD has helped thousands of brands improve and deliver value through strategy and proven tactics that work. For more information, visit www.leadmd.com or email at [email protected] .

About Balance Point Capital

Balance Point Capital is an alternative investment manager focused on the lower middle market. With approximately $1.5 billion in assets under management as of March 2021, Balance Point invests debt and equity capital in select lower middle market companies across a variety of investment vehicles. Balance Point takes a long-term, partnership approach to investing and is committed to building lasting relationships with its partners, management teams and intermediaries. Balance Point Capital Advisors, LLC (referred to herein as Balance Point Capital) is a registered investment adviser. Further information is available at www.balancepointcapital.com .

Media Contact:

Justin Kaplan, Partner

Office: (203) 652-8264

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Balance Point Capital

Related Links

http://www.balancepointcapital.com


European Union states are expected to receive 107 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of March, an EU Commission spokeswoman said on Wednesday, hitting an earlier target but far below initial plans.

Under contracts signed with drugmakers, the bloc had expected to receive 120 million doses by the end of March from Anglo-Swedish firm AstraZeneca alone and tens of millions more doses from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.



Germany suspends use of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine for under-60s

EC chief warns AstraZeneca must honour contract before exporting doses elsewhere

But after major cuts from AstraZeneca, the EU had revised down its target until the end of March to about 100 million doses.

The Commission spokeswoman told a news conference that AstraZeneca was expected to deliver 29.8 million doses by Wednesday, in line with its revised-down goal.

Pfizer-BioNTech will deliver 67.5 million doses and Moderna nearly 10 million, figures that the EU has said are in line with their initial commitments.

The EU expects a major ramp-up of deliveries in the second quarter that it says will be sufficient to inoculate at least 70% of its adult population by July, and speed up its so far slow vaccination drive.

SOURCE: REUTERS
MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - BMW Group said it has launched an initiative to protect the deep seas in cooperation with a World Wildlife Fund. Google, Samsung SDI and Volvo Group have already joined the initiative to protect the deep seas. The companies commit not to use deep-ocean minerals or finance deep-sea mining until comprehensive scientific research into the impact of deep-sea mining can be conducted and the consequences for the environment are clearly assessed. BMW said that deep-sea deposits of mineral raw materials have recently received greater public attention, due to growing demand for raw materials in general. The company noted that Manganese nodules, cobalt-rich iron and manganese crusts, as well as massive sulphides and ore sludge, could attract the interest of mining companies. Individual experts believe this could offer an attractive alternative to minerals from terrestrial mining. However, the majority of experts remain sceptical overall, due to the lack of scientific analysis. Those are the key materials commonly used to make batteries. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Friction between the US and China could give India the boost it needs to become a global tech hub, as long as the South Asian nation addresses longstanding roadblocks including excessive red tape and government inefficiency.

Washingtons technology cold war with Beijing has resulted in strategic decoupling, prompting manufacturing supply chains to shift to new locations, according to a report released Tuesday from the Asia-based Hinrich Foundation set up by US entrepreneur Merle Hinrich. India finds itself well-positioned to absorb these supply chains.

A number of factors are working in Indias favour right now, according to the foundation, which cited US President Joe Bidens call for China-free supply chains in certain sectors, as well as Indias membership in the Quad grouping with the US, Australia and Japan.

Leaders from those four nations held their first summit earlier this month, partly to address concerns about Beijings growing economic and military heft. India and China engaged in violent clashes along their disputed Himalayan border in 2020, though efforts to cool tensions this year led to both armies pulling back troops in February.

Read | India freezes bank accounts of China's ByteDance in tax case; company mounts challenge

Tech giants like Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. that have relied on China for years are shifting production to India and Southeast Asia, a move that accelerated as tensions between Washington and Beijing mounted.

The pandemic is hastening the shift as companies take advantage of Indias new productivity incentive programs, enormous labour base, and rapidly growing domestic market for devices and internet services.

Everybody that I talk to in the tech sector is moving stuff out of China, anything that they consider sensitive, said Alex Capri, a Singapore-based research fellow who authored the report. India is also looking to reduce its own dependence on China, he said.

New Delhi will also have to address issues that have hampered growth of manufacturing, the report said, adding that excessive regulations, taxes and a lack of coordination between the central and state levels of government have deterred investors.

Also Read | China sanctions US, Canadian citizens in Xinjiang row

Indias path to tech hub status will depend on its ability to develop smartphone manufacturing, the report said, noting that China still has a large lead in the industry.

India could lobby Washington to persuade top chipmakers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to open certain plants in the South Asian country, the Hinrich Foundation said.

India faces a lot of scepticism it can deliver, Capri said, but more than ever people are saying if India is going to do it, theyve got to do it now.
Jeffrey Epstein repeatedly raped a Florida real estate agent with the help of Ghislaine Maxwell, in front of her eight-year-old son, and then threatened to feed her to alligators when she said she would report the crime, according to a new lawsuit.

The Turkish-born woman was 26 at the time that the attacks began, in January 2008.

They continued for at least five months, culminating in Epstein forcing the woman to undergo vaginal surgery to make her appear as a virgin. The surgery, she said, was carried out 'in a wealthy person's home by a man with a Russian accent' and left her mutilated and permanently damaged.

The court documents, obtained by The Miami Herald, were filed on March 22. A hearing is scheduled in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, seen in 2005, are accused of raping a woman in 2008

Epstein was arrested in July 2019, aged 66, and killed himself a month later, while awaiting trial

Maxwell, pictured in 2009, was arrested in July and is currently awaiting trial in a Brooklyn jail

Epstein died by suicide in August 2019, aged 66, while awaiting trial in jail. His estate is facing numerous civil suits.

Maxwell, 59, his former girlfriend and alleged accomplice, was arrested in July in New Hampshire and is currently in jail in Brooklyn, awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

On Monday additional charges were filed against Maxwell, alleging that she trafficked a 14-year-old girl for sex.

The Turkish woman was older than some of the other accusers, but in court documents said that she looked much younger, and was told to tell the men she was trafficked to that she was 17.

She said that she met Epstein and Maxwell sometime in late 2006 or early 2007 at a barbeque hosted by her employer, who knew Epstein well.

She was told by her boss that Epstein wanted to rent a property in the area, and she found Epstein a place for $10,000 a month. He paid in cash, she claimed, and she was directed not to identify the tenant.

Epstein bought the Palm Beach mansion (pictured) in 1990, where he abused dozens of girls

Epstein is accused of sexually abusing dozens of women and girls, some as young as 14

Epstein told her he wanted to hire her to work for him, and began showering her with gifts and the promise of finding her and her then-husband 'highly-placed' employment, the Miami Herald reported.

In the middle of 2007, Maxwell took her passport for 'safekeeping'.

The woman said she later learnt Epstein kept it in a locked box inside his Palm Beach estate.

In January 2008, after repeated requests from Maxwell, the woman - also a trained hairdresser - agreed to go to Epstein's Palm Beach mansion and give him a haircut.

She arrived at the house to find Epstein naked. With Maxwell's assistance, the paper says, Epstein raped her - threatening her with the guns he kept at home to end her resistance.

He gave her $200 after the attack.

When she said she would call the police, Maxwell claimed that she had already called the police and two men arrived, claiming to be officers.

They threatened to arrest her for prostitution, to take away her son and deport her, according to the suit.

Epstein and Maxwell got into the accuser's car, and ordered her to drive, picking up her eight-year-old son along the way. They pulled over by a waterway filled with alligators.

'Epstein then ushered the plaintiff to the body of water and told her in explicit detail that - as had happened to other women in the past, according to the pair - she would end up in this body of water and be devoured should she ever reveal what Epstein had done to her,' the suit says.

Maxwell, a wealthy British-French heiress, met Epstein around 1991 when she moved to NYC

The woman said that she was taken to a hotel in Naples, Florida, where over several days she was repeatedly raped by Epstein and Maxwell in the presence of her son.

She claims that, over the next five months until May 2008, they threatened and intimidated her by emphasizing Epstein's influence over the FBI, immigration authorities, and Florida state and local law enforcement.

She was repeatedly photographed and videotaped naked and performing lewd activities during this time, she said.

Epstein promised to help find her husband a job with the FBI, and used that incentive and others as leverage to force her to have sex with other men, including an older, heavyset man named 'Walter,' and another older man who said he was a local judge.

In April 2008 she was directed to keep a locked box for Epstein, which she was instructed she could never open or she would be killed.

She was also given burner phones and other electronic devices that Epstein was seeking to hide from law enforcement authorities.

Maxwell retrieved the materials after a month.

Epstein and Maxwell, his right-hand woman, are seen together in June 1995 in New York City

In May 2008 she was taken to the house for the vaginal surgery, against her wishes, at the request of a 'high profile client', according to the suit.

She did not specify when the abuse ended.

Epstein's attorneys at the time were negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors over sexual offenses.

He was sentenced on June 30, 2008, and immediately sent to the Palm Beach County jail, where he would serve 13 months, much of it on work release at a nonprofit company he set up in West Palm Beach.

Epstein completed his sentence in 2009, and was free until he was indicted again in July 2019 on sex trafficking charges in the Southern District of New York.

Maxwell's attorney has not commented on the latest case.
A new modular design will lay the foundation for the design and manufacture of future vehicles

Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc ( ), the space tourism company founded by Richard Branson, has unveiled its third generation of spaceship and said it is gearing up for its next test flight in May after postponing plans due to engine troubles.

The VSS Imagine, a new modular design of spaceship, is beginning ground testing ahead of glide flights planned for this summer from the company's New Mexico base.

Virgin Galatic said the modular design will lay the foundation for the design and manufacture of future vehicles, enabling improved performance in terms of maintenance access and flight rate as the company targets flying 400 flights per year per space-port once it gets fully up and running.

Last month, a crucial flight test was delayed, meaning the company is unlikely to begin accepting passengers until 2022, after further anomalies were discovered with its ignition systems.

While the VSS Imagine begins ground testing, the company is also fine-tuning the manufacture of the VSS Inspire, another of the third-generation space vehicles.

Chief executive officer Michael Colglazier said: Today we unveiled our SpaceShip III class of vehicles, marking the beginning of the Virgin Galactic fleet.

Branson added: Virgin Galactic spaceships are built specifically to deliver a new, transforming perspective to the thousands of people who will soon be able to experience the wonder of space for themselves.
Patna, March 31 : Seven students tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday at the Rajendra Agriculture University Pusa in Samastipur district. Following the development, the vice chancellor of the university shut the hostel premises and and initiated rapid antigen and RT-PCR tests.

The cases of Covid-19 have been rising in Bihar with health department registering 1,487 cases in last 10 days, of which over 600 were in last three days, an official said.

"We have started contact tracing of students. Accordingly 100 students are undergoing Corona test every day. We have also formed a isolation center in the premises," said Ramesh Chandra Srivastava, the VC.

"All Corona positive patients are admitted there. I appeal the the parents of students to not to panic. We are providing best medical facilities. The situation is under control," Srivastava said.

The health department suspects that the figures rose due to large number of migrant labourers returning home from Maharastra, Delhi and NCR cities, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala for Holi.

"The administrative officers from block to district level have been alerted. They were asked to keep testing visitors at bus stand, railway stations, hospitals, primary health centres, blocks etc. The officers have been also directed to strongly take action against violators not following social distancing norms and wearing masks at common and market places," said Mangal Pandey, Bihar Health Minister.

"The situation in Bihar, compared to other state is not bad. We are keeping close watch on the development but the situation has not reached that stage where we should impose a lockdown. As per the guidelines of Union Ministry of Health, it has allowed us to take decision according to the situation," Pandey said.

"In the build-up to and following Holi, we have initiated special drive on the direction CM Nitish Kumar to conduct test at airports, railway stations, bus stands etc. We have conducted 65,104 Rapid antigen test on March 28; 70,062 on March 29 and 29,224 in the last 24 hours," Pandey said.
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MRFR is Leading Brand in Research Sector who recently published Medical Automation Market Research Report which includes Growth Study, Regional Analysis, Top Industry Players Formation, Major Drivers, Upcoming Trends and Forecast to 2023.

Global Medical Automation Market - Scenario

The Global Medical Automation Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period. In recent years, various technological advancements led to the automation of the medical sector which enabled the controlled use of medical systems and related technologies.

GET EXCLUSIVE SAMPLE COPY @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5184

This reduced the need for human work in the production of goods and services. Increasing prevalence of the chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and others along with the growing pharmaceutical & biotechnology sector are the major drivers for the market growth during the forecast period.

In 2015, according to the World Health Organization, cancer was the second leading cause of global deaths, killing as many as 8.8 million people.

Medical Automation Market  Leading Key Players

Koninklijke Philips N.V

General Electric

Stryker

Accuray Incorporated

Siemens AG

Medtronic

Danaher

Medical Automation Market  Segmentation

Medical automation technologies marketIs Segmented On The Basis Of Type, And End Users.

On the basis of type, the market is segmented into diagnostic & monitoring automation, therapeutic automation, lab & pharmacy automation, medical logistics & training, and others.

On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospitals and diagnostic centers, pharmacies, research labs & institutes, research labs & institutes, and others.

Medical Automation Market  Growth and Analysis

Moreover, it was estimated that about 70% of the reported deaths were accounted by the middle and low middle-income countries. Moreover, according to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council in 2015, the U.K biotechnology businesses spent approximately USD 2.6 billion on equipment, materials, and services.

Additionally, rising demands for robotic surgery and rising healthcare expenditure is boosting the market growth. In 2014, according to the Health Research Funding, in 2012 approximately 400,000 robotic surgeries were performed across all types of surgeries in the U.S.

In 2017, according to a case study published in the Journal of Public Health Research, the unified automated laboratory in Brescia called Core-Labs equipment cost increased approximately from USD 17.7 million to USD 24.2 million due to lab automation.

Moreover, it was estimated that the physicians need a rigorous training for the surgical application of the medical robots. Approximately, USD 3,000 is the training cost per physician.

OBTAIN COMPLETE 106 PAGES PREMIUM RESEARCH REPORT DETAILS ENABLED WITH RESPECTIVE 40+ TABLES AND FIGURES @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medical-automation-market-5184

Global Medical Automation Market - Regional Analysis

The Americas dominate the global medical automation market owing to an increasing prevalence of the diseases like cancer, diabetes, and others. Moreover, growing biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sector within the region is fueling the market during the forecast period.

In 2016 according to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 1,685,210 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States and approximately 595,690 deaths were reported due to the same, Europe is the second largest market for the global medical automation.

In Asia Pacific region growing biotech and biopharmaceutical factor, increasing patient population and rising healthcare expenditures along with the increasing demands for the robotic surgery is driving the market growth.

Moreover, favorable government policies are boosting the market growth within the region. The Middle East & Africa & Africa holds the least market share.

About Us

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR) ), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
A British multinational catering company received $32 million in JobKeeper funds while growing its profits and winning a major NSW government contract to feed hotel quarantine guests, prompting fresh criticism of the federal governments stimulus program.

Financial records filed to the corporate regulator earlier this year reveal that Compass Group, one of the worlds largest foodservice companies, was eligible for $32.3 million in JobKeeper payments after revenue at its education, business and venue-focused subsidiaries dropped due to COVID. A total of 1671 workers were supported through the scheme.

Compass Group was selected by the NSW government to cater for its quarantine hotels.

Compass is a British business and is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of 26 billion ($47 billion). Last financial year, the company reported a profit of 561 million, down nearly 70 per cent on the prior year due to the impact of COVID-19.

However, the companys Australian subsidiary reported a 28 per cent jump in profits for the 12 months to the end of September, coming in at $57.2 million. Revenue also rose 4 per cent to $1.29 billion.
Luanda  The Attorney General Office of the Republic will continue to fight, in a committed way, the crime, in all its dimensions and forms of manifestations, fulfilling the assumptions in the performance of the criminal area.

According to the Attorney General of the Republic, Helder Pitta Gros, who was speaking on Tuesday in Luanda at the opening ceremony of the 2021 judicial year, this stems from his constitutional responsibilities to protect the community and defend the legality.

He said that, in the area of economic crime, the PGR had opened 1,522 criminal cases, of which those of fraud, active and passive corruption, as well as money laundering, stand out.

"The result of this work is the trials and sentencing that are taking place all over the country and which are in the public domain," he said.

Pitta Gros said that the PGR has adopted the view that crime cannot compensate, under any circumstances, and therefore cannot be a source of property acquisition.

He stressed that the PGR has been carrying out a thorough investigation into property resulting from criminal proceedings and had promoted the loss of illicitly acquired property, as well as the consequent recovery of assets belonging to the state.

According to the Attorney General of the Republic, Helder Pitta Gros, who was speaking on Tuesday in Luanda at the opening ceremony of the 2021 judicial year, this stems from his constitutional responsibilities to protect the community and defend the legality.

He said that, in the area of economic crime, the PGR had opened 1,522 criminal cases, of which those of fraud, active and passive corruption, as well as money laundering, stand out.

"The result of this work is the trials and sentencing that are taking place all over the country and which are in the public domain," he said.

Pitta Gros said that the PGR has adopted the view that crime cannot compensate, under any circumstances, and therefore cannot be a source of property acquisition.

He stressed that the PGR has been carrying out a thorough investigation into property resulting from criminal proceedings and had promoted the loss of illicitly acquired property, as well as the consequent recovery of assets belonging to the state.
Holdings Inc.s chief executive officer was having a bumper inaugural year in charge -- until a U.S. family office spoiled the party.

Just days before Kentaro Okudas first anniversary as head of Japans biggest brokerage, the company warned of a significant loss from an unnamed U.S. client. Thats tied to the massive unwinding of leveraged bets by Bill Hwangs Archegos Capital Management, according to people familiar with the matter.

The debacle triggered a record 16 per cent drop in Nomuras shares on Monday, wiping $3.5 billion from its market value and threatening a turnaround executives had hoped would herald a new era of more sustainable profits. Instead, a $2 billion claim on a single client risks largely erasing Nomuras pretax profits for the second half of the year ending March 31, according to a Jefferies Financial Group report.

 may still have a lot to learn from other about how to control loss limits, said Hideyasu Ban, an analyst at Jefferies in Tokyo. Its hard to deny that their top management has responsibility for whats happened.





ALSO READ: Biggest Japan bank joins Nomura in bracing for Archegos loss: Report

has begun assessing the cause of the possible loss and its too early to say how it might impact profit, according to an executive at the firm, who asked not to be identified and declined to say how much it has unwound the Archegos positions. Under Okuda, who became CEO last April, net income reached a 19-year high of 308.5 billion yen ($2.8 billion) in the nine months ended December, driven by a boom in trading and investment banking at home and abroad.

The unexpected loss may end the relative honeymoon for Okuda, said Michael Makdad, an analyst at Morningstar Inc. Okudas term so far had shown a remarkable turnaround from losses in 2019 to very strong earnings in 2020, thanks to its U.S. operation.

The U.S. business has been a big driver of the profit recovery, led by operations such as equity derivatives and securitized products.

While Nomura said the potential loss wont impact its financial soundness, analysts expect it will be forced to trim dividends and scale back share buyback plans. The stock was down for a third day on Wednesday, falling 1 per cent at 9:35 a.m. in Tokyo, paring its gain over the past 12 months to 30 per cent.

Nomura representatives werent immediately able to comment.

Global gathered on a hastily arranged call with Hwang last week as executives realized they might be facing the biggest hedge fund blowup since Long-Term Capital Management in the 1990s. Nomura was involved in the effort among some of Archegoss prime brokers to reach a temporary standstill to figure out how to untie positions without sparking panic, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named discussing a private matter.

By Thursday night, however, some banks had shot out notices of default to Archegos and by Friday the unprecedented selling began.

Credit Suisse Group AG has also said it may face significant losses. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.s securities unit estimated a potential $300 million loss. Goldman Sachs Group Inc., ahead of the pack on unloading positions, is telling investors the impact on its financial results will probably be immaterial. Deutsche Bank AG said it escaped too.

The episode may lead to concerns over the brokerages risk management and whether it could be just a one-time loss, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Shin Tamura wrote in a note. The focus may turn to issues over upper trading limits, required margin and risk calculation, he said.

Nomura has had a long relationship with Hwang, an executive at the Japanese firm said Tuesday. While its unclear when the dealings started, Hwang has a checkered past. He shuttered Tiger Asia Management and Tiger Asia Partners after settling a lawsuit with U.S. regulators in 2012 accusing them of insider trading and stock manipulation. Hwang and the firms paid $44 million, and he was barred from the investment advisory industry.

Japanese authorities are now looking at Nomuras role in the blowup. The Financial Services Agency will probably discuss risk management and other issues with the brokerage, an FSA official told reporters on Monday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said the government will monitor the situation while sharing information with the regulator.

Overseas Woes

The issue is the latest in a series of setbacks for Nomura as it tries to compete with around the world to make up for limited opportunities at home. Most famously, its ill-fated acquisition of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. assets during the 2008 global financial crisis caused costs to swell and culminated in writedowns and a rare annual loss a decade later.

Nomura embarked on a $1 billion restructuring of its global wholesale division two years ago, which its on course to complete well ahead of its March 2022 target. Under then-CEO Koji Nagai it began focusing on more stable revenue earners such as asset management, a move that his successor Okuda has been following through on.

Okuda, 57, was the first CEO in years to come predominantly from the wholesale business, spending most of his three-decade-long career working with companies, advising on mergers and pitching fundraising ideas. He is pushing an expansion in that area by forging deeper ties with unlisted

His experience also set him apart, gathered first during an MBA at the Wharton School and more recently as head of the Americas.

The nature of Nomuras overseas business, particularly in New York, leads it to sometimes generate very large profits and sometimes significant losses when adverse events occur, said Morningstars Makdad. The firm may tighten its willingness to take risk in some areas where it has recently been aggressive, such as U.S.-listed equity options.
State conservation officers responded recently to an incident where a wild turkey got into a Western NY home and was flying about, causing all sorts of problems.

That incidens and others involving officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation took place between March 15-26. All information below was supplied by the DEC.

Turkey Caught Breaking and Entering - Erie County

On March 23, an Erie County woman had a rude awakening when a turkey broke into her home. The woman heard a large bang and crash from her upstairs bedroom and discovered a turkey had busted through a glass window. The woman confined the bird to an upstairs bathroom by closing the door until an Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) arrived to assist. The turkey flew around the bathroom, crashing into mirrors and walls, leaving broken glass everywhere. The officer contacted another officer for assistance to remove the turkey. The two officers used a neighbors fishing net to pin down the turkey and then grabbed the bird and brought it outside before it could cause further damage. The ECOs then set the turkey free and helped the woman clean-up the mess left behind.

Pups on Thin Ice - Greene County

On March 24, An ECO received a call from State Police in Catskill about two dogs that fell through the ice on the Potic Reservoir in the town of Cairo. A motorist driving by the reservoir saw the dogs struggling in the broken ice and called police for help. The officer responded to the location and found one of the dogs had freed itself from the ice and made it to shore while the other animal was still stuck on the broken ice approximately 70 feet from the shoreline. Utilizing a throw bag and Personal Flotation Device (PFD), the officer accessed the ice and shuffled out to the dog. The officer pulled the dog from the water and slid her off the ice on the PFD. He eventually located the owner of the dogs and returned the pets to their home. The owner said the dogs had escaped their home by digging and removing a barricade.

Noises in the Dark - Steuben County

On March 16, An ECO received reports from New York State Police of a dead bear in Bradford. The officer responded, along with two other officers. They determined the bear had been shot in the head and interviewed the suspect. The man said he was in his house getting tools when he came out and was startled by an animal approximately 20 yards away. The man went back into the house and grabbed his spotlight and gun and then realized it was a bear. The man said he yelled and shot in the air to frighten the bear, but when it didnt leave, he shot the bear. The suspect was charged with taking a bear out of season and multiple other violations.

K9 Cramer Tracks Down Suspected Hunter  Suffolk County

On March 26, a Westchester County man signed an Order on Consent and paid a $1,200 fine related to the illegal taking of a deer at Nissequogue River State Park. On Oct. 6, 2019, an ECO spotted a man walking on a side road near the park and became suspicious that the subject may have been illegally hunting. After securing his patrol vehicle, the officer returned to the area on foot, but the man was gone. The officer deployed K9 Cramer, which located evidence of a deer being taken in the park, including a bow, camo sweatshirt, and bloody arrow that matched those in the quiver of the bow. The officer worked with a local archery shop to track down the purchaser of the bow. With assistance from a DEC conservation investigator Sulkey, the officer contacted the hunter, who lives in Westchester County but whose hunting license showed an address not far from the park, and he claimed his bow had been stolen. However, as the officer presented more evidence against him, the hunter eventually admitted to shooting a doe in the State Park and fleeing in his vehicle once he noticed K9 Cramer and ECO DeRose on the other side of the road.

The Goose is Loose  Queens County

On March 15, Two ECOs were conducting U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shellfish checks during low tide at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens County when they noticed a Canada Goose struggling to walk. After a closer look, the ECOs discovered the goose had fishing line wrapped around each leg. The officers successfully removed the lines without injury and the goose flew away. One of the officers kept the green braided fishing line and now uses it as a teaching aide about the effect of litter and pollution on the environment and the species directly affected.

Burn Ban Keeps ECOs Busy - Greene County

Throughout the month of March, ECOs across the State increased patrols for illegal open burns. Dry conditions combined with high winds can easily lead to wildfires. The statewide prohibition on the open burn of brush began on March 16 and lasts through May 14. Since the beginning of the ban, ECOs in Greene County have responded to eight open burn calls with tickets issued for burning construction and demolition (C&D) debris, violating the burn ban, and failing to remain in attendance of a campfire. Burning C&D debris and garbage is prohibited year-round. Burning can emit potentially harmful chemicals and be difficult to extinguish. Even in heavy rain, one pile cited by ECOs reignited an hour after the landowner doused it with water.

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Bengaluru, March 31 : The state-run National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) on Wednesday rolled out a revamped 2-seater trainer aircraft Hansa-NG for training rookie pilots to fly passenger and cargo planes.

"The new generation indigenised trainer is retro-modified with a glass cockpit, bubble canopy design and avionics, with smart multi-functional displays," said NAL director Jitendra Jadhav on the occasion.

The aerospace firm (NAL) is an arm of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and funded by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.

"The 2-seater trainer is fitted with a digitally controlled Rotex 912 ISC engine for superior performance, range and endurance," said Jadhav on the occasion.

The aerospace firm signed an agreement with the state-run Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy to deliver 5 Hansa aircraft at an undisclosed price.

The pilot training academy is based at Fursatganj airfield in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district.

"We have received enquiries from flying schools across the country for 30 Hansa aircraft to train their rookie pilots," said Jadhav.

The aviation regulator (DGCA) certified the new trainer after several test flights.

CSIR director-general Shekhar Mandi also hoped NAL would develop the 19-seater Saras passenger aircraft and 100-seater regional transport aircraft, which have in the development mode for over the last 2 decades.

NAL delivered 11 trainers of earlier versions to flying clubs across the country from 2000-2007. The aircraft logged about 4,000 hours so far.

As the world's third largest civil aviation market before the Covid-induced disruption, demand for trained pilots grew exponentially since 2016.

"Many flying clubs were looking for cost-effective trainer aircraft, which could meet statutory needs of commercial pilot licensing. Realising the potential, we have decided to revitalise Hansa to meet the growing demand for trainer aircraft," Jadhav recalled.

State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) chairman R. Madhavan and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) director-general G. Rajasekar were present at the event.
As the IRS continues to push out the third round of stimulus checks, a group of Senate Democrats are already pushing President Joe Biden to included more direct payments to Americans.

According to Newsweek, 21 Democratic Senators signed a letter sent to Biden Tuesday calling on him to include recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment extensions as part of his next economic plan.

Biden is expected to unveil his Build Back Better program Wednesday during a stop in Pittsburgh, where he will discuss the details of his $3 trillion plan. The plan is expected to include billions for infrastructure improvements, helping with manufacturing and tackling climate change.

However, the senators who signed the letter believe Americans are still in need of cash payments from the the government during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A spokesperson for Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), confirmed the letter would be sent Tuesday. Wyden currently serves as the chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

This crisis is far from over, and families deserve certainty that they can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, reads a portion of the letter. Families should not be at the mercy of constantly-shifting legislative timelines and ad hoc solutions.

The letter included the signatures of Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan both signed the letter as well according to Fox Business.

In January, 53 House Democrats sent a similar letter to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris that also pushed for monthly payments.

Along with monthly payments, the senators are asking that automatic unemployment extensions also be included, but that both the monthly payments and unemployment extensions be tied to economic conditions.

Americans have received three stimulus checks since the pandemic began, with the latest round of checks beginning to be sent out earlier this month.

According to the Associated Press, Biden wants his Build Back Better plan to pass this summer and wants to see progress made on the bill by Memorial Day.

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Six families in Papamoa will receive keys to their new rental homes today.

The keys are being presented as part of stage four of a papakainga project providing safe and affordable housing in the regions.

Minister for Maori Development Willie Jackson congratulates Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks Incorporated on the opening of three affordable rentals and three social housing whare.

Stage four of this papakainga also includes the completion of infrastructure for three additional sites where whanau will soon build and own their own homes.

The six affordable rental and social housing whare have been specifically built to support single tane (men) who are sole parents, says Jackson.

The Mangatawa whanau have a great understanding of where the need lies within their community and have taken the steps to get help to those who need it most.

Te Puni Kokiri has invested $1.1 million into this project and Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks Incorporated contributed more than $746,000 to bring stage four to life.

Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks Incorporated, a Maori incorporation formed in 1957, whanau have been building their housing stock since 2011, and currently manage 36 whare on their papakainga in the Bay of Plenty.

They have done this through different stages of the development and Te Puni Kokiri have supported the project since stage two.

Stage 1: Original papakainga established including kaumatua flats

Stage 2: Feasibility support for papakainga planning

Stage 3: Infrastructure support for three home ownership whare

Stage 4: Three affordable rentals, three social housing whare, infrastructure complete for three home ownership whare (current).
As vaccine appointments open to everyone 16 and over in Connecticut Thursday, state officials said more than 100 new pharmacies across the state will start administering the vaccine within the next several days.

With Connecticut officials estimating about half the 1.3 million people age 16 to 44 will rush out for the vaccine, the new pharmacy locations may ease efforts to find appointments as the state works to quickly vaccinate this new group.

As we prepare to expand vaccine eligibility to the final group of adults on Thursday morning, there is going to be an initial rush of people who attempt to make appointments during the first couple of days, similar to what we experienced when we expanded to other age groups, Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday.

Josh Geballe, Lamonts chief operating officer, said Wednesday the state has asked providers to update their registration platforms no later than 8 a.m. Thursday as the wave of newly eligible people come online.

Lamont and Geballe urged people who are not initially successful to keep checking back for appointments as providers frequently update schedules.

This last phase of the program comes as Connecticut received about 240,000 first doses of the vaccine this week. Its the most the state has received in a single week and a significant increase from previous weeks.

We are confident we will be receiving enough vaccine over the next four weeks that everyone will be able to get vaccinated, Geballe said, repeating an assurance that he and Lamont have been offering since the state sped up eligibility last week.

Geballe said the federal government has given early indications that next weeks supply of vaccines will also be very strong.

While the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine supply has lagged in recent weeks, Geballe said there was an increase in the states allotment this week.

As state officials estimate about 600,000 people in the newly eligible group will immediately seek appointments, Johnson & Johnson vaccine supply is expected to quickly ramp up.

We are going to see a significant increase in Johnson & Johnson vaccine next week, Geballe said.

Wednesday evening, the pharmaceutical company said a batch of doses did not pass quality controls and could not be used. The company said an ingredient produced by another company did not meet quality control.

Maura Fitzgerald, a spokeswoman for Connecticuts Department of Public Health, said the state is aware of the issue and has been in contact with federal officials. She said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the state will receive its full shipment of the single-dose vaccine next week.

We anticipate no interruption or delay in tomorrows opening of the vaccine program to all Connecticut residents over the age of 16. No doses of J&J that we will receive or have received were impacted by this incident, she said in a statement.

She said no doses have been shipped, or will be shipped from the facility involved, so people should remain confident in the safety of the J&J vaccines administered in Connecticut. We anticipate further information and guidance from the White House and CDC tomorrow.

At Yale New Haven Health, one of the largest vaccine providers in Connecticut, last week was a record for the amount of doses administered. But with 22,000 first doses received this week, officials said the record will be broken.

And we still think we can continue to ramp that up if we get access to more vaccine, said Dr. Tom Balcezak, YNHHs chief clinical officer.

In addition to hospitals, community health organizations and local health departments, pharmacies, which receive an independent allotment from the federal government, have been a crucial part of the states efforts to reach vulnerable populations.

The new pharmacy vaccine locations announced Wednesday include nearly two dozen Rite Aid stores, and as well as ShopRite, Big Y and Price Chopper supermarkets. Smaller, locally run pharmacies are also among those that will start administering the vaccine.

The broad expansion and bump in supply comes as Connecticut is grappling with a recent uptick in infections. Quickly moving through this final age group is seen by state officials as a way to stave off any potential surge in new cases.

With the recent increase in cases in Connecticut, it is crucial that everyone who wants a vaccine, gets one as quickly as possible, Connecticut Acting Public Health Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford said.

On Wednesday, the state reported a daily positivity rate of 3.74 percent for new COVID-19 tests. Hospitalizations dropped by five net cases to a total of 513 statewide. The state reported a single death from COVID-19 for the first time since early September.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions data showed Wednesday that Connecticut remains third in the nation for COVID-19 cases per capita over a seven-day period, behind New Jersey and Michigan.

While general availability of vaccines is a cause for celebration, we must also remember to keep up our guard against the spread of COVID-19, Gifford said. Even after you are vaccinated, you should continue to wear masks, social distance, avoid large gatherings and test and isolate if you are sick.

Connecticut officials touted this week that 41 percent of all people 16 and older had already received at least a first dose of the vaccine. That ranked Connecticut second in the nation for percentage of population to receive a dose, according to CDC data.

As of Monday, nearly 1.2 million first doses of the vaccine had been administered in Connecticut and a total of 684,400 people were fully vaccinated.

Connecticuts health care providers have been doing a tremendous job getting the vaccine to our residents, and the reason why our state is among the most vaccinated in the country is because of the remarkable work they have been doing, Lamont said.
Institutional racism is a charge too often bandied about 'willy-nilly', according to the author of a landmark report declaring Britain a model multi-ethnic society.

Dr Tony Sewell said many people deploy the term too readily as a catch-all phrase - and that they 'don't even know what they're talking about'.

He argued that institutional racism should be limited to 'deep-seated' biases and that breezily throwing out the allegation risked devaluing its seriousness.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report found no evidence of institutional racism and hailed the UK a 'beacon to the rest of Europe and the world'.

It was commissioned by Boris Johnson in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests - but Dr Sewell insisted he was not part of the 'war on woke'.

'If you ask me about taking the knee, I've got two bad knees. I'm not about gestures,' he added.

But the findings have already come under criticism from campaigners and politicians who claim the report ignores key issues.

Britain is a model to the world of a successful multi-ethnic society, a major review concluded last night Pictured: Black Lives Matter protest in central London, 07 June, 2020

RACE REPORT'S KEY FINDINGS The review's conclusions will be controversial, partly thanks to the involvement of Dr Sewell, who runs the educational charity Generating Genius Britain's success in creating a multi-ethnic society means that it should be considered a 'model' for other white majority countries.

The Commission has seen no evidence that the UK is institutionally racist.

Britain is not yet a 'post-racial' society and 'overt racism' is still prevalent, particularly online.

Children from many ethnic minority communities do at least as well or substantially better than white pupils at school.

This success is creating fairer and more diverse workplaces.

Organisations should stop using the acronym BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) to describe minorities.

The use of 'unconscious bias' training should be phased out in the workplace. Advertisement

Defending the findings, Dr Sewell told Good Morning Britain: 'No one denies that racism exists. In fact in this report we're doing the opposite.

'We actually think that institutional racism is being used in a way that's wrong. They use different terms... structural racism, systemic racism.

'A lot of people don't even know what they're talking about. They just use it willy-nilly in a way, in a sense that it's not being defined properly.

'We think it should be deep-seated racism, so we want to protect the term.'

Appearing on the programme later, Labour's shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said she believed structural racism does exist in society, pointing to high exclusion rates among African-Caribbean communities.

The landmark review found children from many ethnic minorities do as well or better at school than white pupils, which was creating fairer and more diverse workplaces.

It concluded: 'Education is the single most emphatic success story of the British ethnic minority experience.'

Matthew Ryder QC, lawyer to Stephen Lawrence's family during their case against the Metropolitan Police, and an ex-deputy mayor of London, said there were 'glaring' problems with the report.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Even when white working class boys have lower educational qualifications and a lower likelihood of going to university, they have higher employment rates and higher social mobility, and that was highlighted in 2019 by the University of Aberdeen, and they called this the "white working class paradox".

'If you simply trot out what we've known for 10 years about access to education and say 'that shows racism has been solved', it doesn't show what the problem is.'

The report also called on firms to phase out 'unconscious bias' training because other approaches were needed to 'advance fairness in the workplace'.

The report warned that Britain is not 'a post-racial society' and that 'overt and outright racism persists in the UK', particularly online.

But it said: 'We also have to ask whether a narrative that claims nothing has changed for the better, and that the dominant feature of our society is institutional racism and white privilege will achieve anything beyond alienating the decent centre ground  a centre ground which is occupied by people of all races and ethnicities.'

A spokesman for the commission said: 'We have not seen conclusive evidence of institutional racism in the areas we have looked at.

'That is not to dismiss it out of hand, but our report is built on data and evidence. There is definitely disadvantage, discrimination and there are barriers. That is what our report is about and how to overcome them.'

The report warned that Britain is not 'a post-racial society' and that 'overt and outright racism persists in the UK', particularly online (stock image)

The review's conclusions will be controversial, partly thanks to the involvement of Dr Sewell, who runs the educational charity Generating Genius.

He chaired an inquiry into schools for Mr Johnson when he was Mayor of London, and when his appointment was announced the Muslim Council of Britain claimed he was 'keen on downplaying race disparities'. The Prime Minister chose him to lead the commission in the wake of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations last summer.

Dr Sewell was asked to explore race disparities in education, employment, the criminal justice system and health.

The report concluded that the success of many of Britain's ethnic minorities in education and, to a lesser extent, the economy 'should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries'. It said that the aspirations and hard work of many ethnic minority communities had transformed UK society over the last 50 years into one offering far greater opportunities for all.

'Education is the single most emphatic success story of the British ethnic minority experience,' it concluded.

'The Commission notes that the average GCSE attainment score for Indian, Bangladeshi and Black African pupils was above the White British average.'

Pictured: A Black Live Matter Protest, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, June 9, 2020

Earlier this month, the Duchess of Sussex used a US television interview to make allegations about racism in the Royal Family. And Prince Harry claimed racism from the tabloid press that filtered into the rest of society was a 'large part' of why he and his wife left the UK.

But the report suggested that the well-meaning 'idealism' of many young people who claim Britain is still institutionally racist was not borne out by the evidence.

While there remain disparities at the top of the public and private sectors, it is an improving picture and there are increasing levels of diversity in elite professions such as law and medicine.

The report also noted the pay gap between all ethnic minorities and the white majority population had shrunk to 2.3 per cent. It concluded issues of race and racism were becoming less important and, in some cases, were not a significant factor in explaining disparities. Different outcomes had as much to do with social class and family structure as race, it said.

The report added: 'We found that most of the disparities we examined, which some attribute to racial discrimination, often do not have their origins in racism.'

The commission said some minority groups continue to be 'haunted' by 'historic cases' of racism. This creates 'deep mistrust' in the system which could prove a barrier to success. 'Both the reality and the perception of unfairness matter,' the report warned.

It concluded that as the differences between ethnic groups were at least as important as the things they shared, the use of the acronym BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) should be stopped. And it called on organisations 'to move away from funding unconscious bias training'.

Dr Sewell said: 'The report highlights the significance of education as the single most powerful tool in reducing ethnic disparities.

'Another revelation from our dive into the data was just how stuck some groups from the white majority are.'

The ten-person commission also featured Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist and co-presenter of the BBC's The Sky at Night, and former police superintendent Keith Fraser, chairman of the Youth Justice Board.
The Minister of Health Dr Daniel Ngamije has said that Rwanda will effective April 2, kick-off the second phase of the nationwide vaccination against Covid-19 as the country aims to keep the virus at bay.

Ngamije was speaking at a press briefing to among others shed more light on the revised Covid-19 guidelines announced on Monday, March 29.

The Minister was joined by the Minister of Education, Dr Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Education, the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, as well as Rwanda National Police Spokesperson CP Jean Bosco Kabera.

"Starting on April 2, the second phase of the vaccination program will get underway, with priority to those who received their first doses," he said.

Referring to the first phase of the inoculation drive, Ngamije noted that over 290,000 citizens had been vaccinated with AstraZeneca vaccine while 51,000 others had received their Pfizer first doses.

Journalists during the press conference

"Recipients of the Pfizer vaccine are mainly from the city unlike those for AstraZeneca. This is because it requires unique storage conditions which are not yet in other parts of the country."

However, the Minister also decried that following the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, there has been reluctance among the public, citing a misconception that (one dose of) the vaccine protects them from the virus.

"This is completely false and people should not deceive themselves. The vaccines are meant to help our bodies fight the virus, leave alone the first shot even the second (one) doesn't assure us of normalcy. The only weapon against this pandemic is through observing the preventative measures."

Over 800,000 dozes expected

Ngamije said the government has already placed and paid for an order of 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines.

The Minister was responding to concerns that the Astrazeneca vaccine was in low quantities on the market, which would mean that recipients of the first dose could wait longer than expected.

"We are not worried about the quantity of the AstraZeneca vaccines especially for the people who received their first dose. Apart from the vaccines paid by the government, we are also expecting over 200,000 from the Covax facility."

Call for heightened vigilance

With the third wave of Covid-19 cases in the region, Ngamije gave a stern warning that there has never been a better time to adhere to the Covid-19 measures.

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This, he said, will ensure that the country doesn't suffer from more Covid-19 restrictions.

"We have countries in the region that have started recording a spike in cases, a similar thing happened to our country in August last year. This should only remind us that this is a collective effort. Everyone should make this their own battle."

Ngamije shared similar sentiments with Gatabazi who reminded Rwandans to remain vigilant especially now that boarding students are returning back home.

"It is important that all citizens feel part of the journey to ensure that all measures are observed. The country expects to inoculate 30 per cent of the population this year, and all that cannot be achieved without everyone's collaboration."

Already in Rwanda, nearly 350,000 people from the most exposed groups - frontline workers, people working in security, those with underlying conditions, and people of advanced age among others - have received their first doses and the second ones are on their way.

Since the outbreak of the virus in March 2020, the virus has claimed a total of 305 people out of 21,490 cases recorded in the country.

Dr Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Education speaks to media

Rwanda National Police Spokesperson CP Jean Bosco Kabera.

Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi
For many parents, the COVID-19 pandemic has made life's everyday juggling act--managing work, school, extracurricular, and household responsibilities--much, much harder. And according to a new study led by Penn sociologists, those extra burdens have fallen disproportionately on mothers.

The research, shared in the April issue of the journal Gender and Society, investigated how shifts in work and school that arose due to the pandemic triggered changes in the division of labor in families. Using data on two-parent households from a nationwide survey conducted in April 2020, the researchers found that gender disparities in unpaid labor were most apparent when a mother was the only parent working from home, or when neither parent was able to work remotely.

"It turns out that when the mother is working remotely and her partner isn't, she ends up taking on a ton more responsibilities," says Jerry Jacobs, a sociology professor in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences and one of the paper's authors. "When a father is working remotely and his partner isn't, somehow he doesn't take on as much extra work. This seems to be a deeply gendered issue."

As the pandemic has worn on, the toll on women has been hard to ignore. Each month, hundreds of thousands of women lost their jobs or dropped out of the workforce to meet new demands at home.

Yet remote work also seemed to open the possibility of greater equity between the genders in domestic responsibility, as two parents would be at home and accessible.

To tease out the effects of a shift to remote work on domestic labor during the pandemic, Jacobs, Penn doctoral student Allison Dunatchik, and colleagues turned to data from a New York Times survey, conducted by marketing research firm Morning Consult. Of 2,200 respondents, 478 were partnered parents, and 151 were single parents.

While the gender of each survey respondent's partner was unknown, the gender of the respondents themselves played a key role in how the pandemic affected their domestic responsibilities, which, with children largely at home, increased across the board.

Families where both partners worked remotely had the most egalitarian split of household and parenting duties, the researchers found. Both mothers and fathers reported similar increases in housework and childcare responsibilities, as well as in the pressure they felt about managing their children's schooling. Yet even this best-case-scenario was imbued with gender disparity, as pre-pandemic disparities endured. Mothers working remotely whose partners were also were more than twice as likely as fathers to report being the partner primarily responsible for housework and child care.

When only one parent worked remotely and the other worked out of the home, the gender disparity in domestic labor was far more evident. Mothers who worked from home essentially absorbed the extra labor, while fathers who worked remotely reported less uptake of the extra housework and child care than either mothers working from home alone or fathers who worked at home along with their partner.

"The disparity, how this affected remote dads versus remote moms, was just so stark," says Jacobs. "Even for a hard-boiled, data-driven sociologist like me, I was surprised."

"I had a similar reaction," Dunatchik says. "It's interesting when you compare the fathers working remotely alone to the fathers whose partners are also working from home. There's something interesting about the partner dynamics, it seems, that makes fathers more likely to pitch in in the presence of a partner."

When neither partner was able to work remotely, again mothers bore the brunt of the extra labor. In these couples, mothers were twice as likely as fathers to report increases in time spent on household labor and were seven times as likely to say they were the person responsible for the majority of children's home learning.

While the survey data had only 151 responses from single parents, most of which were women, the researchers found that, perhaps unsurprisingly, single mothers were spending more time on domestic labor, though they were less likely to have increased their time spent on housework during the pandemic than partnered mothers. "They were also less likely to report feeling significant pressure about their children's home learning compared to partnered mothers," says Dunatchik.

The survey was conducted about one month into the pandemic, so the researchers can only speculate about the lingering impact on gendered division of labor. Yet the researchers' findings provide a window into the pressures that may have driven some women's voluntary exit from the labor market. As more children return to in-person school, "some of that pressure will be reduced," Jacobs says. The longer-term impacts on women's seniority and loss of wages, however, could be significant and enduring, he says even if they do eventually return to full-time work.

One silver lining of the pandemic's "natural experiment" on remote work, the researchers say, may be increased work flexibility. With more opportunities for all parents to work from home, there may be more opportunities to move toward a more egalitarian division of responsibilities. "That's something that scholars have been pushing for a long time," Jacobs says.

###

Allison Dunatchik is a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology in the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences.

Jerry Jacobs is a professor of sociology in the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences.

In addition to Dunatchik and Jacobs, coauthors of the study were Kathleen Gerson of New York University and Jennifer Glass and Haley Strizel of the University of Texas at Austin.

The research was supported in part by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Grant CHD042849).
One of the shops most recent projects is this here C10 from 1968, the second generation of the line. It has been extensively modified to be a worthy proposition on todays roads, while at the same time retaining the iconic look of the pickup truck.The list of added hardware is long, and it kicks off with the crate 6.2-liter LS3 engine fitted under the hood. Thats the powerplant one also gets on the fifth-generation Camaro SS, and the Corvette C6, rated out of the box at 430 hp and 425 lb-ft (575 Nm) of torque.The engine does its thing with the help of a 4L70E transmission and breaths through a custom 3-inch stainless exhaust, but the shop does not say whether the performance numbers of the powerplant in this application are different.As said, the truck's overall look has not changed, but we can safely say it was improved. The dark green C10 rides prouder on a RideTech suspension with coilovers that end in four Forgeline 3-piece wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-zero tires. Moser axles and a 3.73 rear end with Positraction are also on deck for the build.Inside, the black bench seat sits in front of a very elaborate-looking dashboard with Dakota digital gauges, a Kicker audio hardware, and a vintage air system.This particular C10 is for sale, being on the lot of cars scheduled to go under the Mecum hammer in Houston in the early days of April. TTI Speed Shop also has the truck on its website , saying that part of the proceeds from the sale of the C10 will go to charity.
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Say hello to #XiaomiSmartElectricVehicles.



Get all the information at our #XiaomiMegaLaunch Part II tonight! 19:30 (GMT+8), 2021! pic.twitter.com/gq3Kue2pF1  Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) March 30, 2021

To do this, Xiaomi is creating a new wholly-owned subsidiary with an initial investment of $1.5 billion, with CEO Lei Jun himself being in charge of theproject.It is the living proof Xiaomi has made the building of an EV a high-priority project, though right now, its not exactly known when the car could become available. People familiar with the matter have previously indicated Xiaomi was eyeing a 2023 release of its electric car, as the company wants to bring it to the market before Apple unveils the Apple Car.At this point, its believed the Apple Car would land in 2024 or 2025 at the earliest.Xiaomi hopes to offer quality smart electric vehicles to let everyone in the world enjoy smart living anytime, anywhere, the company explains in a filling.At first glance, this statement indicates Xiaomi aims for an international launch of its EV, so in theory, the car wouldnt be limited to just the Chinese market.A recent report revealed that Xiaomi has already found a traditional carmaker to build its EV . Great Wall Motors would be in charge of all operations, and whats more, it would even assist Xiaomi with the necessary know-how to help the development of the EV.The tech world is becoming more and more interested in the automotive market. In addition to Xiaomi, both Apple and Huawei are said to be actively working on an electric vehicle. Apple is currently seeking a partner to manufacture its car , with the company expected also to involve Foxconn, which right now is the one in charge of building the iPhone.
[March 31, 2021] Thomas Carter, Stepping into the Future with DealBox and TNS

Dallas, TX, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (via Blockchain Wire) Jan 6th, 2021, when cryptocurrency breached $1 trillion in market capitalization, was predicted by Thomas Carter, solidifying his reputation as someone who could foresee trends in the market. Carter also gained respect in his industry by creating DealBox in 2018. He possesses a unique ability to analyze investment platforms and regulatory compliant tokenized securities and see their potential. DealBoxs success since 2018 has been considerable, as it has generated millions in annual sales under Carters leadership. Key to its growth has been its production of state-of-the-art technology, ultimately landing the business at the top of its industry. As Carter states, "What makes DealBox unique is that our technology stack runs on the Tezos blockchain and its powerful capabilities. This is crucial because with this, our clients - investors and issuers alike - get a smart, reliable way to invest and raise capital. Using smart securities issuance technologies has been the main reason we have attained our amazing success. It has really driven where weve gone. There is a key difference between traditional securities and DealBoxs tokenized assets, Carter notes, What makes our tokenized assets so much better is that ours are more efficient, affordable, secure, and easier to regulate due to the novel features of blockchain technology. We also, of course, fall under the regulation of the CFTC and the SEC. For those who are unsure what a blockchain is, Carter explains. What a blockchain essentially does is record information so that its difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system. You can think of it as being akin to a digital ledger. After it is duplicated, it is distributed across the entire network of computer systems. These days, Carter is leading DealBoxs fintech innovation team to begin a usability campaign, make crypto easy. Carter started the campaign to solve a problem he noticed. Those long, alpha-numerical addresss used in digital wallets are too hard to remember. Why is that? Why do crypto addresses need to be so difficult? They dont have to be, so I started Digital Names with Total Network Service Corp (TNS). We have ultimately simplified the sending and receiving of cryptocurrency. Our clients tell us that this will really help them out.



Digital Names for cryptocurrency and digital wallets will accomplish what domain names did for the internet in the 1990s. Rather than remember a numerical IP address for a website, you can just enter a business or term into a search engine and arrive at the desired destination. The $6 billion in annual gross profits the domain service industry has seen gets you thinking, doesnt it? Its not outside the realm of possibility that profits of this size will come to my own industry.

Carter has lately been guiding TNS to work with a consortium of telco and manufacturing companies on a stealth project aimed at delivering an interoperable solution that will bring an entirely new spectrum of networked communication between the traditional internet, blockchains and IoT (Internet of Things) enabled devices. Carters website states: The significance of the crypto space breaching $1 trillion in market cap isnt so much the number, as that certainly will fluctuate over time. I think the takeaway for investors and entrepreneurs is in realizing that the market cap milestone was fueled by institutional investment activity which seems to validate the intrinsic value and utility of the blockchain technology Ive been evangelizing for the past several years. Blockchain is truly novel. There are things you can do with blockchain that you just cant do with any other technology. The things you can do only with blockchain technology have one thing in common and that is empowerment of the individual and democratization of transactional activities whether that be in logistics, finance, communications, etc. My career focus has been on empowerment and providing value in the fintech space. The advent of blockchain tech has increased that capability 1000x and represents a generational disruption across all the industries that can benefit from distributed ledger technology. Im excited to be among those leading the charge. Carter is always thinking about the next innovation. I love this industry. Its so exciting! This is where change is happening, and each day, I get to drive it. Now thats satisfying. Read more about Thomas Carter, Founder and Chairman at DealBox, Inc. and CEO of Total Network Corp., through this press release: Cryptocurrency $1 Trillion Dollar Market Cap Prediction Comes True as Thomas Carter Shares Insights on Digital Assets for 2021, or connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram. About DealBox Deal Box, Inc.s mission is to democratize wealth for all. Deal Box, Inc. is the new standard for venture investment and funding. We are a specialty capital markets consulting firm focusing on traditional and digital securities industries, utilizing blockchain-based technologies, enhancing capital formation for entrepreneurs, and early ventures to growth-stage companies. Contact:

Thomas Carter

DealBox

thomas@dlbx.io

760 212-4283



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Still, Mitch noted, compare the country to where we were in January, its hands-down way better.

Short-term worry, longer-term optimism

What happens next? Cases could continue to rise in the coming weeks, Apoorva says. Between vaccinations and prior infections, half the country may have some form of immunity to the virus, according to Jha: That still leaves a lot of vulnerable people who can get infected.

But the success of the countrys ongoing vaccination drive should keep deaths and hospitalizations well below their January peaks. Many of the people at the greatest risk of severe illness have already been inoculated, which means new cases are likely to be concentrated among younger and healthier people.

And there are many reasons to expect the state of the pandemic to improve as summer approaches. More and more Americans will get vaccinated. The arrival of warmer weather will let more people spend time outside, where the virus spreads less easily. And cities and states could blunt some new cases by keeping indoor mask mandates.

Caution in the immediate term and hope in the longer term can make for difficult public health messaging. President Biden walked that line this week, celebrating expanded vaccine access while warning that reckless behavior could lead to more infections.

The solution, Jha believes, is honesty. Theres been this debate throughout the whole pandemic: Should we be more optimistic or should we be more pessimistic? My personal strategy has been to just be honest with people, he says. Be honest with people and give it to them straight. I think most people can handle it.

In other virus news:

Researchers in Britain are exploring the possible benefits of pairing doses from different Covid vaccines.

An elite New York City hospital repeatedly billed patients more than $3,000 for a Covid test.

THE LATEST NEWS

Politics
Massive shipments of Mexican methamphetamine mixed in with concrete tiles and house paints were intercepted in late March by federal drug agents in Miami, leading to the arrests of four alleged traffickers who faced narcotics importation charges Wednesday in federal court.

The Mexican-produced crystal stimulant was shipped by truck in two loads  the first holding 200 kilos, the second 350 kilos through Texas to South Florida in multimillion-dollar meth deals investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration undercover informants and agents, according to a criminal complaint.

The DEAs seizure of the 550 kilos of crystal meth  1,200 pounds  is the largest in Miami-Dade County history, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Over the past three months, DEA undercover meetings took place with members of the meth syndicate in Colombia, Mexico and the Miami area, including plans to use a plane to fly more than $4 million in cash from a local airport to Mexico to pay off the narcotics exporters, the complaint says.

As the threat of methamphetamine continues to grow in Florida, this was yet another brazen attempt by a highly organized and dangerous foreign criminal group to set up a significant methamphetamine pipeline from Mexico directly into the Miami metro area. DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis said in a statement.

Appearing in federal court Wednesday were the narcotics organizations alleged leader, Adalberto Comparan-Bedolla, the son of a former Mexican mayor who is described as his boss in the complaint, and an associate, Carlos Basauri-Coto, who is described as a money launderer with shoe and investment companies.

Comparan-Bedollas lawyer, assistant federal public defender Elizabeth Blair, could not be reached for comment. Basauri-Cotos attorney, Michael Nadler, declined to comment.

Both men are charged along with Silviano Gonzalez-Aguilar and Salvador Valdez, who also appeared in federal court Wednesday. All four defendants are accused of conspiring to import more than 500 grams of methamphetamine into the United States and related offenses, according to federal prosecutor Frederic Shadley.

Story continues

A separate DEA criminal complaint charges Comparan-Bedollas father, Adalberto Fructuoso Comparan-Rodriguez, the former mayor of Aguililla, Mexico, and the leader of the United Cartels in Michoacan, along with Alfonso Rustrian, a partner in the alleged meth syndicate. Both were arrested Tuesday in Guatemala and await extradition to Miami on drug-trafficking charges.

The Miami case, which contrasts with the typical cocaine, heroin and opioid distribution probes in South Florida, reflects a resurgence of meth shipments pouring over the southern border of the United States, authorities say.

The new wave of meth is shifting the focus from opioids to this crystal stimulant  a drug that used to be common, then faded, but is resurging  via illegal imports from meth superlabs in Mexico. And much of whats being sold is no longer low-grade meth home-cooked in some ramshackle Florida trailer park.

In recent years, crystal meth has racked up more overdose victims and spurred bigger law enforcement probes into trafficking of the highly addictive drug.
LENZING, Austria, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After a year that brought sudden change to the world, a key focus in 2021 has been to restore life to the way it should be. Bringing the theme of this year's Earth Day, "RESTORE OUR EARTH" to life, Lenzing's TENCEL brand will rollout a new action-oriented social media campaign, checkwhatsgood. The campaign aims to bring attention to sustainable fashion and purchase habits alongside a variety of global and regional brands, designers and influencers. In addition, the TENCEL brand will continue its partnership with One Tree Planted for the third consecutive year and develop new partnerships with NGOs to drive consumer actions.

TENCEL makes a difference with checkwhatsgood

With numerous fashion brands to choose from, consumers have been looking for ways to identify brands that truly emphasize on responsible production. As brick-and-mortar stores became inaccessible during the pandemic, shopping habits have shifted to almost exclusively online in many countries. To help restore consumer trust, Lenzing is launching checkwhatsgood, an eco-conscious movement that runs on social media channels.

The campaign aims to encourage consumers to join the environmental responsible movement by making smart choices in fashion purchases. One of the campaign's main goals is to highlight the TENCEL logo as a mark of conscious design.

Additionally, the TENCEL brand will be running different activations. Instagram filters, pop quizzes and a few surprise influencer engagements are all in the lineup for Earth Day celebrations. The Instagram campaign will begin on April 01, and users can share photos and videos of what exactly is good for the planet and fashion industry.

Helping the world with existing and new partners

To build and create partnerships in support for a brighter future, Lenzing is supporting various Earth Month activations regionally. In the U.S. since 2019, Lenzing has supported the planting of more than 26,000 trees through partnership with One Tree Planted, a charity that helps global reforestation efforts. To reaffirm Lenzing's commitment, the TENCEL brand will initiate the planting of 10,000 trees.

Lenzing is also partnering with Lindungi Hutan, an NGO from Indonesia that focuses on website crowdfunding for planting trees, reforestation and one of the platforms that aim to save Indonesia from deforestation. The partnership will feature a campaign to drive donation for tree-planting in Indonesia.

Given consumer education is key to driving sustainability efforts, Lenzing will partner with Fashion Revolution Japan to conduct educational panel discussion and interactive workshops for consumers. Lastly, Lenzing will join hands with DripbyDrip, an NGO from Germany committed to tackling water issues in the fashion and textile industry. DripbyDrip will introduce an educational program to showcase how high water consumption and subsequent waste can be in manufacturing garments and highlight ways to reduce one's water footprint.

Championing sustainability from home

Nowadays, public safety is the first priority. While vaccinations have been rolled out, the rate of resuming to "normal" varies. As a result, Lenzing is developing a 7-day manual weekly checklist for followers to learn how to reduce carbon footprint and make the world a better place from the safety of their homes. The manual will highlight accomplishable little changes, including how and where to choose sustainable wear.

Earth Month is a valuable period to reflect on one's own ecological footprints and consider ways to reduce any impact on the planet. The TENCEL brand is committed to supporting the fashion industry's eco-movement and bringing sustainable choices for consumers.

Please check out checkwhatsgood campaign on the TENCEL website and social media platforms from April 01, 2021 onward.

https://www.tencel.com/earth-day-2021

Photo link: HERE
SAN FRANCISCO, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American healthcare consumers remain hesitant about reentering hospitals and instead are looking to urgent care clinics to aid in health-related needs, according to Deputy's COVID-19 Healthcare Urgency Report, launched today. The report also reveals that many Americans question the validity of the emergency authorization of three vaccines, despite mounting evidence of efficacy and recommendations by the CDC.

The uncertainty may stem from the fact that 42 percent of respondents incorrectly believed only hospitals can administer the COVID-19 vaccine, indicating a significant knowledge gap among Americans. Americans have largely avoided hospital settings for the last year: 35 percent have done so for fear of contracting COVID-19, and 44 percent said they did not want to clog their hospital's patient load.

Instead, healthcare consumers in the US are opting for urgent care facilities or healthcare clinics. The urgent care market is currently worth $29.2B, up three percent since last year. Urgent care facilities  which have existed for the last half-century in the US  have become increasingly popular with younger generations that are unlikely to schedule visits with a general practitioner. In fact, urgent care serves 89 million patients per year, including over 29 percent of all preliminary care visits in the US.

In the last year, pharmaceutical companies have partnered with the US government to create and roll out vaccinations for COVID-19. They've seen incredible success in flattening infection rates as 331 million vaccinations have been administered across the country, and 13.5 percent of the US is now fully vaccinated  with eligibility expanding daily.

Despite this, some Americans are still raising questions about how quickly Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have manufactured COVID-19 vaccines in the last year. Deputy's survey reports that about half of those surveyed cited fear of side effects as a vaccination concern, 43 percent cited vaccine safety, and another 38 percent said they were concerned with vaccine effectiveness. Further, 66 percent of respondents plan to get vaccinated once they're eligible and 23 percent don't plan on vaccinating at all. The remaining 12 percent are unsure if they will vaccinate.

"Clinics have seen a rise in popularity consistently over the years, and have really taken off during the pandemic as many Americans feel less exposed going to a smaller clinic over a hospital," said Dave Zinman, Global President, Deputy. "Deputy has seen a rise in clinician accounts activated, driven not only by consumer demand, but the need for practice owners to streamline operations and create thriving workplaces.

"Although it's widely understood that administrative tasks are the norm when you own or run a practice, your doctor, vet, or dentist didn't go to medical school because they were passionate about operating a business. Instead, they are passionate about providing medical care in their community. Our scheduling software is perfectly positioned to help reduce administrative burden, providing medical teams with much-needed flexibility and functionality, so they can provide better patient care."

Download Deputy's COVID-19 Healthcare Urgency Report to read the full report, and visit https://www.deputy.com/industry/healthcare/clinics for more on Deputy.

Methodology

The COVID-19 Healthcare Urgency report was commissioned by Deputy and conducted by OnePoll. The poll included a census-balanced study of 2,000 Americans and inquired about topics like, essential worker treatment, hazard pay, minimum wage, current hazard pay legislation, and more.

This random double-opt-in survey was conducted by OnePoll - a market research company and corporate member of both the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR) - and adheres to the MRS code of conduct. For more information about OnePoll's research in the media, find its portfolio here.

About Deputy

Founded in 2008, Deputy's mission is to make it easy for workplaces and employees to navigate the changing world of workforce management. The company simplifies scheduling, timesheets, tasks and communication for business owners and their workers. Deputy's software navigates workforce legislation calculating correct wages, entitlements and penalties - keeping your business compliant and employees protected. More than 250,000 workplaces globally are leveraging Deputy to make it easier for millions of shift workers to manage their work lives. For more information, visit www.deputy.com, or find us on Twitter, Facebook, the App Store or Google Play.

Media contact

Maya Varma

US PR Manager, Deputy

[email protected]



SOURCE Deputy
Top legislature's adoption of amended HKSAR Basic Law annexes reflects aspirations of all Chinese people: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 09:26, March 31, 2021

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), fully reflecting the common aspirations of all Chinese people, including compatriots in Hong Kong, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

The spokesperson said that it is a move to systemically revise and improve the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and for the formation of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR.

It will provide strong institutional safeguards for the full and faithful implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy and the "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle, and ensuring the stability of Hong Kong in the long run, the spokesperson noted.

The move to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR aims to develop, in a gradual and orderly manner, a democratic system that is in line with the constitutional order of Hong Kong and suits the actual situation of Hong Kong, the spokesperson said.

It will better ensure extensive and balanced political participation of Hong Kong residents; serve the interests of all social strata, sectors and parties of Hong Kong society; help improve the governance efficacy of the HKSAR; and safeguard the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and promote its long-term development, according to the spokesperson.

"We are convinced that the new electoral system will help foster a better political, social, legal and business environment and usher in brighter development prospects for Hong Kong," the spokesperson said.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, the spokesperson said.

"The Chinese government has the resolve and confidence to safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. It has the resolve and confidence to ensure the continued success of the 'one country, two systems' policy, under which 'the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong' with a high degree of autonomy," the spokesperson said.

"Any attempts to meddle in Hong Kong affairs and put pressure on China are doomed to fail," the spokesperson warned.

(Web editor: Wen Ying, Liang Jun)
Gardai have identified five criminal gangs operating in the Sligo/Leitrim division and are targeting them and their assets are part of a push to address drug dealing, intimidation and other associated criminal activity last Monday's Leitrim Joint Policing Committee meeting heard.

The online meeting was attended by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and members took the opportunity to highlight concerns over drug dealing in the Leitrim and the wider north west area.

In a discussion on the restructuring of the garda operating model, Cllr Enda Stenson said that there needed to be extra gardai on the ground in places like Mohill to deal with low level drug dealing which was starting to occur in the town.

He stressed the need for local knowledge and said that it was vital gardai assigned to an area were on the ground and in the community.

Cllr Justin Warnock pointed out this problem wasn't just seen in parts of South Leitrim noting that drugs can be found everywhere and asking the Garda Commissioner if we can see a stage where we can get a grip on it. The dogs on the street know who is at it, he added.

Cllr Sean McGowan also noted the widespread availability of drugs in every community in rural Ireland adding this is why stations like Mohill, Drumshanbo and Ballinamore need to be open on a full time basis.

Sligo/Leitrim Deputy Martin Kenny agreed that the reach of drugs in all areas is quite serious and required an investment in community policing.

Minister Frank Feighan said that moves were already underway at national level to develop a Health Diversion programme for early drug offences giving gardai discretion to divert those found in possession of drugs into alternate programmes rather than just solely through the courts.

Responding to calls for action on drugs Garda Commissioner Harris noted An Garda Siochana had made the decision to prioritise the targeting of street dealing and mid level drug dealers in 2020. In tandem with this the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) began to pursue smaller amounts of amounts of money as proceeds of crime.

He noted that 40m in drugs has been seized in 2021 already by gardai and acknowledged that Covid appears to have driven the demand for drugs nationally.

We can't bring drugs under control through enforcement alone, he said, noting that the public has to play their part by knowing the impact of drugs, by being aware of the violence and intimidation that comes as a result of drug production including the trafficking of workers for drug houses and also being aware of the ecological impacts of drugs in other countries like Columbia, where huge tracks of the rainforest are being destroyed for drug production.

People speak about recreational drug use but there is no such thing. It's all tied into organised criminal behaviour and has significant moral and ecological impacts, he said.

Sligo/Leitrim Division Chief Superintendent, Aidan Glacken, said gardai in the division had identified five criminal gangs who were engaging in drug dealing, intimidation, extortion and other crimes in the region.

As part of this 15 primary targets have also been identified and gardai are also profiling the assets of 21 people across the division. He said that to date 170 searches have resulted in 54 detections of drugs totaling 400,000 and the further seizure of 152,000 in cash.

He noted that in Leitrim there have been four drug seizures since the start of 2021 including the most recent on March 21 which resulted in the seizure of cocaine with a street value of 16,000.

He said gardai are also working in Sligo and Leitrim to support young people who are the victims of intimidation from criminal gangs, especially in matters before the court and he urged people to continue to place your confidence in us and the justice system.
Age will becoming the sole factor in deciding when people are vaccinated, ignoring previous hierarchies relating to certain occupations, it was announced yesterday.

This change will come into effect once everyone at very high risk due to a medical condition and all people aged over 70 is vaccinated.

What do we know about the Governments new plan so far  and how have people reacted?

Read More

What does the new plan mean?

Age will becoming the sole factor in deciding when people are vaccinated, ignoring previous hierarchies relating to certain occupations.

This means that gardai, teachers, childcare workers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and other workers will not be a priority for vaccination based on their jobs.

Why were the changes to the vaccine roll out made?

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said the change comes after advice from doctors who believed dividing those to be vaccinated into 15 different cohorts might slow the vaccination programme down.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Varadkar said that based on advice from doctors and health experts that 15 cohorts are too many,

He added: Trying to stick to it might actually slow it down, so it is better to have nine.

Age is the main predictor of a bad outcome from Covid and thats why this will be done by age.

The Tanaiste acknowledged that people such as family carers, teachers, gardai and retail workers had a strong case to be vaccinated but said the Government was going with the science.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said that based on advice the Government received if no change was made the vaccination rollout would be slower.

"The clear advice that we are getting from our medical experts is that there is a far greater risk on the basis of age than there is on the basis of occupation, he told Morning Ireland.

"We are so in debt to all the work that our frontline public service have done so we will be engaging with them today.

The advice that the government received is that if done on the basis of occupation it would slow down the ability to roll out a large amount of vaccine, and by doing so pose a challenge to the public health objectives that we have.

What are the Garda Representative Association saying?

The change in the priority list for vaccinations is a "shocking disregard for frontline workers, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said.

GRA President Frank Thornton said the announcement is a shocking disregard for frontline workers, including his members.

When we heard the news yesterday evening we were absolutely furious and in dismay of the change in the vaccination programme, Mr Thornton said.

The change effectively downgrades our profession and completely ignores the risk and exposure that our members have had to endure while policing this pandemic.

Yesterday's decision which lacks logic and consultation portrays a shocking disregard for full-time members who have been and continue to be a key element in the Government's fight to suppress this virus and the new variants.

He said the morale of frontline members is absolutely on the floor.

How have childcare workers reacted?

Teresa Heeney, chief executive of Early Childhood Ireland, which represents childcare providers, said the change is of particular concern to her members and the sector has a very low rate of sick pay.

"72pc of our sector is between the ages of 18 and 44, a very very young workforce, so we will be the very last to be vaccinated which is not good enough, she told RTE.

Our sector, because of very low levels of investment enjoys a very low rate of sick pay scheme, about 80pc of our workers dont have access to a sick pay scheme and that leads to staffing challenges which leaves this announcement even more stunning.

 and teachers?

Martin Marjoram, President of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said the bombshell announcement should not have been made without prior consultation with teaching unions.

He said the change will not be used as a bargaining chip by teachers to have schools closed, and said his members have co-operated and worked extraordinarily hard to ensure they open and stay open.

It is the state priority of Government that education be opened fully in a safe way and in a way which demands the confidence of the entire school community and announcements like this are not helpful in this regard, he said on Newstalk this morning.

What do the immunologists think?

Trinity College Dublin immunologist Prof Kingston Mills said he does not agree with this approach, and thought it incredible that the Taoiseach said the change would simplify the rollout.

He said there is a strong argument for vaccinating people who are more in contact with others, which would reduce transmission of the virus.

Will there be any special cases?

It is understood Travellers, Roma and homeless people are to be fast tracked for vaccination under the Governments new rollout plan, as they are considered at higher risk of hospitalisation or death.
U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary Lisa Peterson of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor speaks during the release of the "2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" at the State Department in Washington, DC, March 30. Reuters



The United States will hold North Korea accountable for its "egregious" human rights violations, a State Department official said Tuesday, as it released an annual human rights report.



Lisa Peterson, acting assistant secretary of state in the bureau of democracy, human rights and labor, made the remarks, reaffirming human rights will be an "indispensable" element of the Joe Biden administration's policy toward Pyongyang.



The State Department published the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which cited reports of North Korean authorities committing "arbitrary and unlawful" killings and other abuses, such as forced disappearances by the government.



"The State Department, together with the interagency, is currently undergoing a North Korea policy review process, and human rights will remain an indispensable component of our overall policy towards the North Korean Government," Peterson said during a press briefing.






MONROE COUNTY, MI  A white man accused of beating a Black teen with a bike lock in a racially-motivated attack almost a year ago has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge.

Lee James Mouat Jr., 42, of Newport, pleaded guilty Tuesday, March 30, to one count of violating the federal Hate Crime Prevention Act, which makes it illegal to injure, or attempt to injure, someone because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion or national origin.

He was originally indicted on two counts of the federal charge for attacking two Black teens at a state park in Monroe County, fracturing one teens skull with a bike lock. The second count was dismissed as part of his guilty plea.

Hate-fueled incidents like this one have no place in a civilized society, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela Karlan for the Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department is committed to using all the tools in our law enforcement arsenal to prosecute violent acts motivated by hate.

Michigan man accused of beating Black teen with a bike lock indicted on hate crime charges

The victim and two other African American teenagers were in the parking lot of Sterling State Park June 6 when Mouat used a racial slur when telling them they didnt belong on the beach. according to the criminal complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Mouat said he had something for them in his car, and the teen assumed he was leaving, but Mouat returned with a chain and hit the victim in the face, knocking several teeth out, and attempted to hit a second teen, the affidavit says.

The teen hit with the bike lock lost several teeth and suffered a skull fracture in the assault, records show.

Prior to the attack, a witness saw Mouat walking with his family and complaining about the music the teens were playing, the affidavit says. The witness said they heard Mouat use racial slurs and call the teens monsters multiple times.

Several other witnesses at the park told investigators they heard Mouat yell Black lives dont matter followed by more racial slurs leading up to the attack, records show.

Mouats hateful and violent conduct, motivated by racial intolerance, was intended to physically harm the victim as well as create fear within the African American community, Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters of the FBIs Detroit Division said. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that if a crime is motivated by bias, it will be investigated as a hate crime and the perpetrators will be held responsible for their actions. We encourage anyone who has been the victim of or witness to such a crime to report it to the FBI.

Mouat is scheduled for sentencing June 24 before U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

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When mosquitos ingest the blood of a person who has malaria but who has received the vaccine, they can no longer infect other people

University of Florida researcher Rhoel Dinglasan, Ph.D., was awarded $6 million today by the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund to test a new malaria vaccine in people. The process leading to a phase 1 clinical trial begins this April.

Dinglasan is a professor of infectious diseases in UF's College of Veterinary Medicine, who joined the faculty under the state's preeminence initiative. He has worked most of his career to end malaria which disproportionately affects people living in poverty in developing countries.

His vaccine has an unusual twist: It immunizes mosquitos against infection by the blood-borne Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria, after they ingest the blood of a person who has malaria but who has received the vaccine. After being exposed in this way, the mosquitoes cannot transmit the parasites and infect other people.

"Many of the existing malaria vaccines and drugs have failed because the Plasmodium parasites have coevolved with mosquitos and people," says Dinglasan, who is also a faculty member in UF's Emerging Pathogens Institute. "They know how to dodge our immune system and live within mosquitos, and that's a hard game to circumvent. What we're doing is completely different. We're focusing on stopping the mosquitos from transmitting the parasites to people in the first place."

The vaccine targets a surface molecule in the midgut of Anopheles mosquitoes that the parasites need to complete their life cycle. This molecule is not transmitted to people when they are bitten by the insects; but when introduced to animals in lab studies, the animals made antibodies against it. When these antibodies were introduced back into mosquitos along with Plasmodium, the parasites were blocked from infecting the mosquito. This breaks a key step in the malaria transmission chain.

"We're immunizing mosquitoes," Dinglasan explains. "We know that the concept works in laboratory studies, and now we need to begin testing if it also works safely in people."

It's an entirely different way of thinking about ending malaria. But Dinglasan says that disruptive thinking and innovative technologies are precisely what's needed now.

Laying the groundwork

His team recently conducted surveys in Sierra Leone to evaluate whether people would accept a vaccine that would not prevent malaria in individuals immediately, but that would provide protection at the level of communities and nations. The findings were promising and have been accepted at Malaria Journal, where they are in press.

In 2007, Dinglasan identified a specific mosquito midgut protein, called AnAPN1, that could be a leading target for a transmission-blocking vaccine. Since then, with multiple rounds of funding from GHIT Fund, he has worked to develop a vaccine formula focused on eliciting an immune response to this protein within mammals. His research group then established a process to produce the protein in bacterial cells, named UF6b, for use in the vaccine formula. Recent tests in animals showed that the UF6b produced powerful and lasting transmission-blocking antibodies in animals.

Lab studies prove that Dinglasan's transmission-blocking vaccine is effective against several known species and genetic variant strains of Plasmodium parasites that infect human and mice. Because it disrupts the life cycle in mosquitoes, the parasites are not thought to be capable of developing resistance to it -- as they have to many anti-malarial therapies and drugs.

The next step is to test whether what works in the laboratory works in people and in communities where malaria is endemic. The first-in-human trial will begin in 2022 with a small number of people in Gabon to test its safety.

"It's important to test this in the target population, and to let them tell us if it works or not," Dinglasan says. "So many vaccines for malaria have failed because we tend to test them on Westerners and not account for the myriad of physiological and nutritional differences across populations."

Mopping up malaria

Alongside the vaccine, Dinglasan is also developing a saliva-based diagnostic test that can detect whether someone carries the parasites that cause malaria, even if they don't feel sick. Adults and children who harbor the parasites but don't have symptoms are parasite reservoirs that transmit the pathogen when they are bitten by mosquitos. The infected mosquitos then pass the parasites to new, uninfected people and the cycle continues.

The new saliva-based diagnostic test can help pinpoint infected but symptomless people, who can then be treated and cleared of the parasites.

Dinglasan envisions using his saliva-based diagnostic and transmission-blocking vaccine in tandem to "mop up" residual malaria in areas where current tools have driven down the frequency of the disease, but not eliminated it. Although a huge funding investment from the nonprofit Gates Foundation has refocused efforts to eradicate malaria since 2007, the new gains have essentially driven malaria levels lower, but it's proved difficult to produce further dramatic reductions in disease burden.

Dinglasan will partner with Ayola Akim Adegnika, MD, Ph.D., who directs the Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene in Gabon. The center is the clinical sponsor that will conduct the phase 1 trial.

"I am excited to be involved in this endeavor, which represents an important step in the longstanding efforts to reduce malaria transmission," says Dr. Adegnika, a professor of immuno-epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Tubingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, in Germany. "It will hopefully prove to be the crucial element for the realization of the age-old dream of living in a malaria-free world."

Former director of the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Christian Loucq, M.D., says it is exciting to see Dinglasan's concept moving toward a clinical trial.

"There are very interesting issues to be addressed in this project which span the technical, immunological, strategic, regulatory and behavioral," says Dr. Loucq, who also formerly directed the International Vaccine Institute. "A transmission-blocking vaccine would be the most elegant solution to the problem of malaria."

Dinglasan is the principal investigator and his global partners in the clinical trial include:

Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund), which is providing $6 million in funding to advance the vaccine into human trials.

Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, a biotech firm which will cGMP manufacture UF6b.

Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene (CERMEL), the Gabonese research institution and clinical sponsor who will conduct the Phase 1 trial.

University of Tubingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, which will provide the clinical analysis platform for the clinical trial.

CellFree Sciences Co. Ltd., a biotech company, which will assist Dinglasan in program management.

###
Croke Park is the latest GAA stadium to become a vaccination centre as Ireland prepares to ramp up its vaccine rollout programme. The centre, which will have ten booths, will open in May.

Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork and the Aviva Stadium and Citywest Convention Centre in Dublin are among the other locations being prepared for an increase in capacity.

The Helix in DCU, which has already been involved in the vaccine rollout, will have 48 booths and the immediate priority is to have full capacity at this centre, according to the HSE.

Both centres will have the capacity to operate from 8am to 8pm by appointment seven days a week. Rollout will be dependent on a number of factors including vaccine supply.

Read More

It is important to note vaccine roll-out plans must be flexible to accommodate unforeseen events and to operate in what is an evolving situation internationally, said a spokesperson for the HSE.

HSE guidance advises that the appointment will take about 30 minutes including registration and observation when the vaccine has been administered.
The company has implemented several operational changes to improve efficiencies and will continue to focus on ways to improve systems and processes.

A target has been set to ship 4 million WMT of bauxite between April and December this year.

( ) (FRA:6ME) will restart operations from April 19, 2021, at the Bauxite Hills Mine in Far North Queensland following the end of the northern Australia wet season.

Metro is directly employing more than 120 people from Cape York communities and the Cairns region at the mine with an additional 130 people employed by contractors who provide services to the mine.

The company has set a target to mine and ship 4 million wet metric tonnes (WMT) of bauxite between April and December this year.

An initial 2.3 million WMT is committed under Metros longstanding contract with Xinfa and the negotiations for additional sales for 2021 and beyond are progressing well.

Keen to get back to work

Metro mining managing director and CEO Simon Finnis said: The Metro team and our contracting partners are keen to get back to work and we are in the fortunate position of being able to welcome back many people who have experience working at Bauxite Hills before.

We have implemented several operational changes that will improve efficiencies and will continue to focus on mining and shipping rates and lowering operational costs, as we are always looking for improvements in our systems and processes.

From what were seeing in the market and from our ongoing negotiations, the demand for Metro bauxite is returning, and confidence is returning to the market more widely.

Shares were as much as 9% higher to 6.2 cents intra-day.

Stage 2 expansion

Metros planned stage two expansion to an annualised rate of 6 million WMT remains the core strategy for the long-term development of Bauxite Hills.

The largest component of the stage 2 expansion is the construction and mobilisation of a floating terminal enabling faster loading of larger ocean-going vessels.

The company will meet the majority of the financing need for this expansion through a $47.5 million loan facility offered by the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).

This was originally signed in 2020 and the financial close sunset date for the loan facility has recently been extended to September 30, 2021.

Last year, Metros target to produce 4 million WMT was thwarted by the worldwide impact of COVID-19 on market conditions across the aluminium supply chain.

Despite record mining and shipping rates, and lower operational costs, the mine was forced into an early wet season shut down in September.
Jimmie Edwards III will not be deterred in his mission to honor veterans.

Vietnam veteran Edwards and members of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission are forging ahead for the next phase of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park.

The commission is set to dedicate four new memorials in the current park at Interstate 45 and Texas 105 on Memorial Day, which is May 31.

The commission is also currently accepting applications for those who want to honor their veteran loved one on The Line monument at the park. The first phase of The Line will be dedicated as well on May 31. On May 30, the commission is planning a Kid Fish and Family Fun day with kids activities, Kid Fish, a parade and patriotic concert.

The deadline to submit applications for this cycle is April 15. The deadline for the next phase of The Line is Sept. 15 for a Veterans Day dedication.

Edwards is excited for the progress at the park and thankful to those who have made it happen.

Were going to hit it with everything weve got, Edwards said, discussing the progress on the four memorials to be dedicated May 31.

Park history

Edwards approached the Montgomery County Commissioners Court in January 2017 seeking a new location for the existing Veterans Memorial Park. The park was previously located in downtown Conroe adjacent to the Montgomery County Tax Office.

Edwards sought a more visible and accessible location for the park and the previous park  dedicated in 1976  was decommissioned in November 2017 and moved to the southeast corner of Interstate 45 and Texas 105.

Slowly more features have come to the park since its move. Victory Row on the eastern side features a line of county, state, national, military service and first responder service flags.

In June 2019, the Conroe Noon Lions Club partnered with the commission to dedicate the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Monument. Most recently, the new foot bridge leading into the parks south side was named the Luther James Dorsey Memorial Bridge honoring his place as the countys only Buffalo Soldier.

As Memorial Day approaches, work is taking place on four monuments to be dedicated May 31.

The Line

The Line segment of the park will allow individuals to submit their veteran loved ones name for inclusion on a panel. The Line monument will start in the northeast corner of the park and continue on the eastern side of the park.

Any individual from any branch of service, location and time period of service from 1776 to now can be included on The Line.

The individual must be presently serving, Honorably Discharged, retired, KIA or passed away from the United States Armed Forces. Proof of Honorable Discharge is required. Nominations must include a copy of a DD214, valid proof of service or official documentation for each nominee. The entry will include the persons name and branch of service.

A $150 donation is asked for one submission. For more than one name its $125 each. For more than 10 names its $100 per each name.

The deadline to submit applications for this cycle is April 15. The deadline for the next phase of The Line is Sept. 15 for a Veterans Day dedication. The dedications for The Line will continue on this cycle.

To request an application, call the commission office at 936-521-3668, email Janeen McSwain, Chief of Operations for the Commission, at jmcswain@mcvetmemorialpark.org or Jimmie Edwards at jedwards@mcvetmemorialpark.org.

The Historical Montgomery County Veterans Monument

The Historical Montgomery County Veterans Monument will feature plaques and pieces from the old park in downtown Conroe that was dedicated by President Gerald Ford when he came to Conroe in 1976.

The granite monument will be in the center, surrounded by the previous plaques arranged in a circle around the granite monument.

These plaques honor 166 local men killed in action during their military service. According the Edwards, these plaques will be placed as is at the new site. Also there will be a plaque that honors those who launched the first park starting in 1972.

This feature will be at the northeast end of the park.

The Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Monument

This portion of the park will be displayed along Texas 105 on the northern side of the park. This monument will honor fallen Montgomery County soldiers from each war and conflict. There will be a panel that names and gives the dates for each war or conflict and then separate panels next to it to list the fallen.

Edwards said the inspiration for the design of these memorials comes from talking to people over the past few years and visiting other memorial parks across the state.

Hes working with local firms and contractors like L2, LDF-Lynn Foster, Bakers Signs, MTS and Buzzard Industries in Conroe and others to make the monuments a reality.

Remembered Whispers Monument

The Remember Whispers Monument will be located at the south end of the park near the Luther James Dorsey Memorial Bridge.

This feature honors the female soldiers or WASPS during World War II. During World War II, 1,074 women graduated from the Women Air Force Service Pilots program approved by the US military in 1943 at the height of World War II. These Avenger Girls flew non-combat missions across the US. The program was abruptly disbanded in 1944 and the WASPS were denied official recognition as a part of the military.

This monument will include iron triangle chimes in various sizes hanging from a metal frame.

Future plans call for an educational center and meeting space at the park. Edwards said this will be on their agenda for next year. They are also working with state Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, to get the Veterans Park along with the Lone Star Flag Park on signage along I-45.

We have persevered so far, he said. We will not and shall not be deterred.

For more information about the park, visit https://mcvetmemorialpark.org/. Or visit https://www.facebook.com/montgomerycountyveteransmemorialpark to keep up with their happenings on Facebook.

shernandez@hcnonline.com
press release

The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, condemns in the strongest terms the spate of shooting incidents in Mfuleni on Sunday, 28 March 2021, and Monday, 29 March, resulting in the death of ten. Minister Fritz calls on any members of the community with information to immediately come forward and to report such to SAPS.

Among the incidents include:

The fatal shooting of three men by four suspects in Ligwa Street on Sunday afternoon. A fourth victim was injured and hospitalized;

The fatal shooting of a 29-year-old in a tavern by an unknown assailant on Sunday evening;

The fatal shooting of two men in Bosasa on Sunday evening. One victim was found inside and the other next to the vehicle; and

The suspected revenge shooting which killed four people in the COVID-19 informal settlement and injured three.

Minister Fritz said, "I call on any members of the community with information to immediately come forward and to report such to SAPS. We cannot allow our communities to tormented and traumatised by dangerous criminals. These acts are akin to terrorism and we must not protect those who hold our communities at ransom."

The SAPS provincial management in the Province has ordered that additional police be deployed to the area. The forces are currently on patrol and executing operations at identified hotspots within Mfuleni. As part of the SAPS 72-hour Activation Plan, provincial organised crime detectives are pursuing leads.

Minister Fritz said, "The Western Cape Safety Plan aims to halve the murder rate over the next ten years through a combination of law enforcement and violence interventions. To this end R350 million has been earmarked towards placing additional boots in the ground in communities most affected by crime."

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Minister Fritz continued, "In February 2020, we deployed approximately 500 law enforcement to assist in crime fighting interventions. In October 2020, we then redeployed these officers to communities including Delft, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Bishop Lavis and Philippi (including Hanover Park). This month, we deployed a new tranche to Mitchells Plain. By the end of the year, we will deploy our next cohort of law enforcement officers to communities including Mfuleni."

As mentioned by the Department of Community Safety during the Standing Committee on Community Safety today, the Department is further:

Co-chairing a Steering Committee on Safety which meets weekly;

Convening the Law Enforcement Technical Working Group which meets weekly and has undertaken an evidence-based policing model workshop with Hanover Park SAPS.

Launching Law Enforcement Area Tactical Teams in the six communities were LEAP are currently deployed.

Deploying additional LEAP in Gugulethu, Mfuleni, Harare and Kraaifontein by the end of 2021.

Promulgating quick wins in the amendments to the Western Cape Liquor Act.

On-boarding violence prevention pillars in Area Based Teams which will include Urban Design and Social Cohesion Technical Committees.

Anyone who has information that could assist SAPS in their investigations is urged to come forward and to report such either to their local SAPS station, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the "Tip Off" function on the MySAPS cellphone application.
New Delhi: Would you consider the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad as treason? Or would you consider it freedom of expression?

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Wednesday (March 31) started off DNA with these striking questions. He questioned America, which often supports anti-India forces, what authority it has to pass judgment on our country.

Chaudhary analysed a recent report by America-based watchdog Freedom House, which downgraded India's status from "free" to "partly free".

America wants there should be no action against the anti-India forces living in the country. From being the world's biggest weapons manufacturer, America now wants to use human rights as a weapon too.

The United States feels that freedom of expression in India has been diminished, restrictions on freedom of the press has been imposed and that fundamental rights of citizens have been curtailed. These are some of the things mentioned in the Freedom House report.

Like a headmaster, America is teaching the whole world what steps they should take regarding human rights. Ironically, America has not mentioned itself anywhere in the report.

In America, there has been a historic decline in people's faith towards democracy and racial discrimination is steadily increasing and there is a sense of insecurity among black citizens. A former soldier, Lee Wong, has to prove his patriotism by showing his injuries.

But in spite of all this, America does not mention itself anywhere in this report regarding human rights but says a lot about India.

The report covers various issues such as illegal arrests, restrictions on expression and freedom of the press, corruption, religious freedom, internet prohibition and increasing violence against minorities.

The US has reviewed human rights in India on all these subjects. Is it not interference in India's internal affairs?

The report even suggests that the Supreme Court, which held Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court, also acted against the freedom of expression. That is, the US officials who prepared this report consider themselves above the Supreme Court of our country.

We believe that this is a big attack on the judicial system of our country and through this report, an attempt has been made to discredit this entire system.

In the months of 2019 and early 2020, there were mass demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act. During this, a girl named Amulya Leona shouted slogans of Pakistan Zindabad at a rally in Bangalore. The police had then filed a case of treason against her and she was also granted bail during the hearing of the case in court.

But according to this US report, the action taken by the police in this case and the imposition of sedition was against the freedom of expression. Is shouting slogans of Pakistan Zindabad not treason?

When its own citizens entered the White House protesting against the results of the presidential election on January 6, why did America not respect the expression of these people?

Twitter had then suspended the accounts of several leaders including President Donald Trump. Why then America did not mention these in its report?

The fact is that America never writes anything about the state of human rights in their own country. It simply preaches India and other countries because it suits its foreign policy.

The second part of the report has raised concerns about the rights and safety of the refugees. It has been written that Rohingya refugees have been kept in detention centres in many states of India. The US has criticized the Indian government's decision to send Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar.

The thing is that America, which lectures India on the issue of refugees, forgets how it treats the refugees coming from Mexico and other countries. When Donald Trump was the President of the United States, strong action was taken to stop the refugees from coming to the US from Mexico.

The US had brutally separated children from their parents in detention centres. Then the pictures of these innocent crying people had become a matter of debate and concern all over the world.

America says that it is proud that it has been leading the whole world in protecting human rights and democratic values for the last 244 years. But we feel that this is nothing but a 'designer image' of America, which it has created with the help of such reports and Think Tanks.

The bitter truth is that the real America is that about which former soldier Lee Wong is telling the whole world. Violence against black people and people of Asian descent including Indians, mass killing and gun culture - these are the realities of America, which it has always tried to hide.

Live TV
'Captured alive on May 8, killed on May 17 in alleged clash with Sabah police' FIVE ABU Sayyaf terrorists were killed following an a...
Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has addressed the Knowledge Revolution Conference 2021 held at the local hotel in Accra, Ghana from March 26 - 27, 2021.

The conference was organized by the Evans Oppong Ministries under the stewardship of Dr. Evans Oppong , founder and Pastor of the City of Faith Ministries based in London, the United Kingdom.

Dr. Oppong is a renowned Preacher and Educator who has authored several books packed with wisdom and life transforming knowledge. Serving as Guest Speaker, the Vice President spoke on the theme: "Knowledge Revolution".

In her splendid presentation, Madam Vice President intimated that the essence of knowledge revolution is our ability to obtain a clear understanding of the truth, which will change our perception and help us utilize the Knowledge obtained to dominate our world.

Vice President Howard-Taylor according to a dispatch highlighted three questions which must be answered in order to enlighten our perspectives on the Knowledge Revolution.

She proffered that we must find answers to how are biblical teachings relevant to the Knowledge Revolution? How does the right mindset enable us to obtain the shift of the Knowledge Revolution? and how does one develop a growth mindset?

The Vice President stated that the answers to these questions are existential to our collective understanding that Knowledge Revolution comes from the mind, adding that the mind is our most powerful weapon of defense.

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VP Howard-Taylor stressed that the world is talking about the 4th Revolution but Africa is far behind in infrastructure, technology, accesseducation, skills, strategies, and artificial intelligence.

She argued that for Africa to move forward in the dispensation of knowledge revolution, we must invest in education, reinforce service delivery, improve access to technology, create a singular digital market, and enhance human and natural resources.

Madam Vice President called on Africa to look inwardly, build human capacity, and develop human resources instead of natural resources in order to fit in the information and digital age. While in Accra, the Vice President paid courtesy visit on Dr. Mohamadu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.

The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and spoke highly of the existing cordial diplomatic relations between both Nations.The Vice President welcomed Vice President Howard-Taylor to Ghana and applauded her efforts to contribute to the discourse on knowledge revolution in Africa.
By Abhirup Roy

MUMBAI (Reuters) - An Indian court on Wednesday granted no relief to China's ByteDance, owner of the TikTok video app, in a case where the company challenged the local tax authority's decision to block its Indian bank accounts, dealing a blow to its operations.

Indian authorities in mid-March blocked ByteDance's bank accounts for alleged tax evasion, prompting the company to ask a court to quash the directive which it feared would hurt its operations.

A two-judge bench at the High Court in Mumbai city heard the plea of a ByteDance counsel who said the company was "bleeding" and needed funds to pay staff salaries and rent, but the court gave no relief.

"Im completely hanged. I need some oxygen to survive. All bank accounts are frozen. I have to pay salary to the staff," ByteDance's counsel Prakash Shah told the court, adding that four of the company's bank accounts had been blocked.

After hearing objections from a government counsel, the court said the case will next be heard on April 6.

ByteDance, which has said it disagrees with the Indian tax authority's decision, said in a statement late on Wednesday it was confident in its legal position and was looking forward to a ruling by the court.

ByteDance in January cut its Indian workforce after New Delhi retained a ban on its popular video app TikTok, first prohibited last year following a border clash between India and China. China has repeatedly criticised India's move.

ByteDance still has around 1,300 employees in India, most of whom service its overseas operations, including work on activities such as content moderation.

Authorities ordered ByteDance India's accounts at Citibank and HSBC to be blocked this month because of alleged evasion of certain taxes in online advertising dealings between the ByteDance unit in India and its parent entity in Singapore, TikTok Pte Ltd, Reuters reported.

Last year, Indian tax authorities inspected documents at ByteDance's office and questioned some executives in relation to the advertising and other transactions with its parent entity.

(Reporting by Abhirup Roy in Mumbai; Writing by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Bernadette Baum)
COLUMBIA  South Carolina election officials would need to receive confirmation from the state Senate before taking the job under a bill the chamber approved March 31, but the legislation would not expand the state's authority over counties, the proposal the House passed a few weeks earlier.

The two chambers will now need to decide which of the two bills should make it to Gov. Henry McMaster's desk or whether they can reach a compromise.

In a 37-7 vote, the Senate passed S.499, which would add confirmation votes for each of the five members of the state Election Commission, as well as the agency's executive director. Under current law, the governor appoints the commissioners without any confirmation vote.

The commission's partisan makeup would be left in tact: Up to four of the commissioners could come from the majority party in the Statehouse, and at least one would need to come from the minority party. Republicans currently hold sizable majorities in both the House and Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, sought to change that by making it a 3-2 breakdown rather than 4-1. But state Sen. Chip Campsen, who authored the bill, noted that Democrats established the 4-1 composition decades ago when they had control in the Statehouse and Republicans should get the same benefit.

"This bill already gives the minority party a lot more ability to restrain or prevent someone from ascending to the election commission than current law does" by adding confirmation votes, said Campsen, R-Isle of Palms.

Earlier in March, the House passed a bill spearheaded by Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Hartsville, that would give the state election agency more power over counties to ensure a uniform process at ballot boxes.

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But Campsen sided with some county election officials, including in his native Charleston, who voiced concern that Lucas' bill, H.3444, would jeopardize their flexibility to take their own actions to fit their unique needs. In a February letter to lawmakers, Charleston Countys elections board wrote that "one size does not always fit all."

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, said he had not yet spoken to Lucas about how the two chambers could resolve their differences. But he said he understands why Lucas wants to ensure a standardized process

The Senate bill would also compel the election commission to notify lawmakers if lawsuits are filed challenging state election laws and allows lawmakers to intervene in those cases.

That idea stemmed from the lead-up to the 2020 election, when several lawsuits were filed that Massey said he and other top legislators only learned about when they read about them in the newspaper.

Massey also expressed concern with a letter that the current election commission executive director, Marci Andino, wrote to lawmakers months before that election recommending several changes to absentee voting laws, which Massey said may have aided some of the legal challenges.

"It's just to ensure that somebody's going to defend the law because that was one of our concerns last year," Massey said of the Senate bill.

McMaster weighed in on the election proposals earlier this month, backing the House bill in a letter to lawmakers because he said it would help the state preserve "election integrity."
Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that in a bid to secure the nation's maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy recently participated in the eleventh edition of Exercise Obangame Express, an annual multinational maritime exercise borne out of the need for Gulf of Guinea Navies to work together for regional maritime safety and security.

For the Nigerian Navy (NN), its constitutional responsibility has always been mapped out; protecting the nation's maritime domain from internal or external threats, which might come in form of piracy, crude oil theft and trafficking. As expected, the navy constantly seeks ways to hone its skills in carrying out their constitutional duties and one of such ways is participating in sea exercises or operations, either local or international.

Thus for the eleventh time, they actively participated in the international and regional Exercise Obangame Express, a maritime interdiction and interoperability exercise, designed to not only boost the capacity of individual navies that participate, but also provide opportunity for partner nations to work together, share information and refine tactics, techniques and procedures to assist African maritime nations in building capacity to monitor and safeguard their territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

This year, for the Nigeria Navy, their focus was majorly on anti-crude oil theft, anti-piracy, and protection of oil and gas facilities.

Sponsored by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the exercise is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea (GoG) and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.

Objectives

The multi-national annual maritime exercise was sponsored by U.S Africa Command and is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of GoG and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.

In essence, the purpose of Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS is to create realistic scenarios that reflect past maritime incidents. During the exercise, the Maritime Operations Centres (MOCs) are challenged to recognise these illicit acts appropriately and share with other MOCs. Additionally, the exercise will test each individual maritime force to patrol their EEZ and detect and prosecute illegal activity accordingly.

Also, the operation seeks to assess and improve GoG law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security, inform African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership planning and operations, and shape security force assistance efforts.

Therefore, it won't be out of place to state that to a large extent, Exercise Obangame Express has been effective in terms of boosting surveillance at sea, given that each member nation in the region has specific exercises geared towards tackling the prevalent maritime challenges in their domain.

Participating Countries

This year, the exercise was conducted in phases within the territorial waters of the participating nations and being the eleventh edition, the exercise had 32 participating countries from four continents with scheduled and specific pre-planned scenarios initiated by the Exercise Control Group (ECG) and Maritime Observation Centres (MOCs), who tracked suspect vessels through Regional Maritime Awareness Centres (RMAC), Falcon Eye and other maritime capability gadgets.

The nations include Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, and Niger.

Others include Nigeria, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the United States. Also participating will be the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

NN Fleet Contribution

For this operation, six NN ships, two tugboats, and two helicopters were deployed by the NN. The ships include Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) THUNDER, PROSPERITY, KARADUWA, NGURU, EKULU, and OSE, while the tug boats were TUG DOLPHIN RIMA and TUG DOLPHIN MIRA, which participated alongside the French Navy Ship DIXMUDE.

Additionally, a Nigerian Airforce ATR42 aircraft

joined the exercise, including an element of the NN Special Boat Services (SBS). The Nigerian phase of the exercise was conducted in the nation's waters.

Exercises at Sea

At sea, the fleet conducted several exercises including Anti-Piracy Operations, Protection of oil and gas facilities, fleet maneuvers, communication, Vessel Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), Search and Rescue, among others, in conjunction with other regional navies and international partners.

Although the vessels were at sea, there was a behind the scene Maritime Operations Centres (MOCs), monitoring activities and telling them what has happened, which cuts across all stakeholders within ECOWAS and ECCAS.

Flag Off

At the flag off onboard NNS THUNDER, at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, who declared the 11th edition of Exercise Obangame Express 2021 open, noted that the multinational maritime exercise was birthed for regional maritime safety and security.

Reiterating that the event was an annual multinational maritime exercise, borne out of the need for GoG Navies to work together for regional maritime safety and security, he added that "this is as a result of the huge resources and vast potential being continuously undermined by multifaceted domestic and cross border threats. This challenges the dwindling prosperity of member states".

Stressing that the exercise presented an ample opportunity for the Nigerian Navy to work together with other national and regional navies in the spirit of the Yaounde Code of Conduct, Gambo noted that "this code is designed to improve operational readiness, maritime domain awareness, information sharing practices and tactical interdiction expertise.

"This will enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activities. It will also enhance the operational capability of the Nigeria Navy in its fight against various forms of maritime crime through information and intelligence sharing".

While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring support to the development of the Nigerian Navy, the CNS also appreciated the United States of America government through the U.S. African command and other international partners for facilitating and sustaining Exercise Obangame Express over the years, adding that the sustenance of the exercise was critical to Nigeria's national interest, given the huge contributions of the nation's strategic maritime resources to national prosperity and development.

Decentralised Deployments

According to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, said the exercise was focused on maritime crime hotspots to improve maritime security operations in the GoG, adding that it

involves decentralised deployments of assets by all the GoG navies and international partners, including the USA, Brazil, France, Italy and Canada, amongst others, to conduct a combined Maritime Security Operation in the GoG.

He said: "The exercise, therefore, is an avenue for participating Gulf of Guinea nations and international partners to collaborate towards addressing the maritime security concerns in the Gulf of Guinea. Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS comes against the backdrop of piracy cases, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, illegal exploitation of mineral resources, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and other local and international threats in the Gulf of Guinea.

"Within this context, maintaining Nigeria's strategic deterrence posture and influence in the maritime environment is critical to our economic prosperity and regional stability. It is my firm belief that OBANGAME EXPRESS 2021 will give additional impetus to our overall operational maritime combat experiences to ensure that the nation's territorial integrity is maintained in line with the Nigerian Navy constitutional mandate. On our part, we will continue to work

with our regional navies and partners to stamp out criminalities in the Gulf of Guinea in general and our maritime domain in particular."

Role of US Government

The role of the United States government in this operation cannot be ignored as it is sponsored by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

According to Director of Maritime Headquarters, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Rear Admiral Michael Baze, "Obangame Express allows us to develop skills, with our regional partners, that will have a lasting impact on regional security in the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Our past exercises led to tangible, real-world success stories and OE21 is a chance for us to build upon those successes."

Meanwhile, at the flag off in Lagos, U.S. Consular General, Ms. Claire Pierangelo, who noted that maritime threats in the GoG had continued to evolve and were becoming increasingly difficult to address, noted that a secured maritime environment is integral to other dimensions of security.

About Exercise Obangame Express

Since Nigeria relies heavily on the sea for commerce and international trade like any other maritime nation, the kick off of Exercise

Obangame Express was timely and quite germane given the need to jointly tackle the security challenges of piracy, poaching, smuggling, oil theft, trafficking and other transnational crimes. Thus, the exercise entailed interoperability and creating a maritime domain awareness, as part of a multinational training organised by America and African Partnership Station (APS).

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The exercise is a maritime interdiction based on simulated scenarios of the most prevalent transnational crimes at sea, also designed to improve cooperation among participating nations for the benefit of the GOG. Its core objectives is geared towards improving the maritime domain awareness capability of concerned nations, enhancing the maritime interdiction capabilities of maritime forces and inculcating the spirit of interagency and sub-regional co operations amongst maritime forces and concerned countries. This is because the insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, has led to the loss of billions of dollars by countries within the coast of West Africa, particularly countries like Nigeria which relies on sea for commerce and international trade.

Thus, it gives cause for concern when such huge resources and potentials in the Gulf of Guinea are being undermined by multifaceted domestic, regional and international threats and vulnerabilities. So collaborative opportunities like this seek to curb maritime illegalities, which is also in line with the navy's vision of zero tolerance to such maritime illegalities.

Started in 2010 as one of the four United Nations Naval-Forces Europe-Africa-facilitated regional exercises, it focuses on increasing capabilities to deter piracy, illicit trafficking and other maritime threats. Over the years, it has gone from basic tactics to regional cooperation, with the core essence being to improve the capacity of the African navies to combat crime in order to allow economic activities at sea to flourish.

The exercise serves as an aim to increase the collective ability of African, European, South American and United States maritime forces to work together in order to increase maritime security and sustain global commerce. Furthermore, it was an avenue to buttress the cliche that 'there is strength in numbers', as well as strengthened regional cooperation to help address challenges that no nation is capable of tackling alone.

In all, this year, the operation afforded the navy the opportunity to sharpen their skills on anti-piracy operations, test their ability to share information and contend criminalities within the GoG. It also tested the tactical skills in Vessel Boarding Searching and Seizure (VBSS), seamanship and Communication Exercises (COMMEX).

Thus, having participated in this year's exercise despite the hitches, it behooves the Nigerian Navy to tap into the benefit of the exercise, especially as regarding training and capacity building, which in effect will be a force multiplier in tackling head long maritime illegalities and criminality on the GOG waters.
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

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A woman who was the sole beneficiary of her grazier partner's estate has gone on trial for murder accused of sedating and gassing him.

Natasha Beth Darcy pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting suicide, but prosecutor Brett Hatfield told the jury the Crown rejected the plea and contended she killed Mathew Dunbar.

The 46-year-old has pleaded not guilty in the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney to murdering the 42-year-old sheep farmer on his property Pandora in the NSW Northern Tablelands town of Walcha in the early hours of August 2, 2017.

He was found in his bed with a plastic bag over his head, in which was inserted a tube connected to a gas cylinder.

Natasha Beth Darcy (right) pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting suicide, but the plea was rejected and prosecutors allege she killed Mathew Dunbar (left)

In the crown opening address on Wednesday, Mr Hatfield said the property was valued at $3.5 million and in 2015 Mr Dunbar made a new will leaving all of his estate to Darcy.

He alleged this was Darcy's primary motive to murder her partner by faking his suicide.

Much of the crown case centred of many internet searches made over a period of months on various phones and a computer, searches which Mr Hatfield alleged were made by Darcy.

'The accused acknowledges she made some but not all the searches,' he said.

Darcy (pictured) was married to paramedic Colin Crossman, but they had been separated for some time

'She has suggested the deceased made a number of them.'

Search topics included poisonous spiders and mushrooms, toxic plants, suicide methods, how to commit murder and 'can police see websites you visit on your mobile'.

After the couple had dinner and shared red wine, Darcy allegedly mixed a number of sedatives in a blender, which she gave to Mr Dunbar in a drink in a glass tumbler.

Darcy was married to paramedic Colin Crossman, but they had been separated for some time.

At 1.14 am on August 2, Mr Crossman received a text from Mr Dunbar's phone which said 'tell police to come to house, I don't want Tash or kids to find me'.

Darcy rang triple zero at 2am saying she had discovered her partner in his bed with a plastic bag over his head and gas or something going into it.

Mr Dunbar's (pictured) property was valued at $3.5 million and, in 2015, he made a new will leaving all of his estate to Darcy

Mr Hatfield said the Crown would rely on evidence from Mr Crossman to 'prove a number of tendencies on behalf of the accused to act in a particular way'.

He referred to a January 2009 episode when she asked her husband how hard a person would have to be struck in order to cause damage to the temple.

During the night she obtained a hammer and at about 4 am when her husband was sleeping, she struck him across his temple.

She alleged he had been attacked by an intruder but later admitted being the culprit, the prosecutor said.

Mr Hatfield said on another occasion when her husband was asleep she took a tin of petrol from the garage and poured it on the bedroom floor and set it alight.

She had earlier given him a meal of tacos and samples later showed he had sedatives in his system, drugs he said he did not knowingly take.

'There will also be evidence about financial circumstances and the insurances at the relevant time,' he said.

Darcy's barrister will give the defence opening later on Wednesday.

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South Korea will start coronavirus vaccinations for people traveling overseas to do business starting next month, the industry ministry said Wednesday.







South Koreans planning on essential overseas business trips to high-risk countries should apply for new coronavirus shots in advance in order to get vaccinated.







The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) will give the go-ahead for the inoculation of businesspeople who visit countries with massive infections or outbreaks of COVID-19 variants.







Coronavirus jabs will also be administered to South Koreans when their visiting countries or organizations require a certificate of vaccination.







The ministry said it had received a total of 632 applications for COVID-19 shots from local businesspeople for eight days from March 17.







Vaccination will kick off in April after the industry and 12 other government agencies complete the deliberation process and the KDCA gives the green light, it added.







South Korea is ramping up efforts to bring the new coronavirus under control. Last week, AstraZeneca COVID-19 shots for elderly citizens aged 65 and older started.







Pfizer vaccines for around 250,000 people arrived here a week ago for the inoculation of those aged 75 or older, part of Pfizer vaccines for 13 million people, which will be provided under a deal with the U.S. pharmaceutical firm.







Under a state vaccination program that began on Feb. 26, South Korea is aiming to vaccinate 12 million people by June and to achieve herd immunity by November. (Yonhap)


BUTTE COUNTY, Calif.- Former Paradise Councilman Mike Zuccolillo was in court on Tuesday as he was accused of contacting a minor with intent to have sex, disturbing harmful matter and trying to meet a minor for lewd purposes, according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey.

A judge found sufficient evidence to hold Zuccolillo to answer for all three charges in a jury court, Ramsey said.

Zuccolillo will next appear in court on April 29 when he reenters a plea and his trial date will be set, according to Ramsey.

The case began in February of 2020 when Butte County Sheriff's Office was notified by a man who said he had evidence that Zuccolillo had been sending sexually explicit messages and photos of his genitals to a person Zuccolillo believed was a 16-year-old female visiting Sacramento from China, Ramsey said.

According to Ramsey, the subject said an ongoing conversation had texts, photos and a discussion about Zuccolillo going to Sacramento to have sex with the 16-year-old and her adult sister.

The subject told deputies he got the evidence by targeting Zuccolillo in what was described as a self-initiated "to catch a predator" style operation, Ramsey said.

A bad business deal led the subject to take on the persona of a 16-year-old female and targeted Zuccolillo due to a strong feeling of dislike he had for Zuccolillo, Ramsey said.

Ramsey said the sheriff's detectives were leery of the information obtained from the subject due to the subject's motivation. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, deputies did not dismiss or ignore the allegations by conducting an independent investigation.

Detectives consulted the Butte County District Attorney's Office and Special Agents of the FBI.

Ramsey said phone records of Zuccolillo and the subject were obtained through a search warrant.

A sheriff's detective then established the persona of the 16-year-old female from China when the detective began exchanging texts with Zuccolillo, according to Ramsey. Zuccolillo sent sexually explicit messages and photos of his genitals to the undercover sheriff's detective.

Additional search warrants were obtained from Zuccolillo's home, vehicles and electronic devices. He was arrested and booked in the Butte County Jail on April 14, 2020, with a bail of $135,000 and was released the same day, Ramsey said.

Ramsey said Zuccolillo is out of custody due to pursuant to his bail bond.
President on Wednesday will call for a dramatic and permanent shift in the direction of the with a roughly $2 trillion package to invest in traditional projects like roads and bridges alongside tackling climate change and boosting human services like elder care.

He also aims to put corporate America on the hook for the tab, which is expected to grow to a combined $4 trillion once he rolls out the second part of his economic plan in April.



Coupled with his recently enacted $1.9 trillion relief package, Biden's initiative would give the federal government a bigger role in the than it has had in generations, accounting for 20% or more of annual output.



The effort, to be announced on Wednesday at an event in Pittsburgh, sets the stage for the next partisan clash in Congress where members largely agree that capital investments are needed but are divided on the total size and inclusion of programs traditionally seen as social services. How to pay for them will be a fractious issue in its own right.



Biden is ignoring a campaign promise to raise taxes on wealthy individuals, at least for now, with none of the expected increases in the top marginal rate or capital gains tax.



The plan would instead increase the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% and change the tax code to close loopholes that allow companies to move profits overseas, according to a 25-page briefing paper released by the White House.



The plan would spread the cost for projects over an eight-year period and aims to pay for it all over 15 years, a senior administration official said.



Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the nation's largest trade group, the US Chamber of Commerce, said while the organization shares Biden's sense of urgency on infrastructure, his plan is "dangerously misguided."



"We strongly oppose the general tax increases proposed by the administration which will slow the economic recovery and make the U.S. less competitive globally a the exact opposite of the goals of the plan," Bradley said.



The plan includes $621 billion to rebuild infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, highways and ports, and a historic $174 billion investment in the electric vehicle market that sets a goal of a nationwide charging network by 2030.



In many cases, the White House cast those goals in the language of addressing economic inequities born of historic racial discrimination, such as spending on interstate highway developments that split communities of color or air pollution that affects Black and Hispanic communities near ports or power plants.



Congress will also be asked to put $400 billion toward expanding access to affordable home or community-based care for aging Americans and people with disabilities. It's aimed at "underpaid and undervalued workers in that industry, who are disproportionately women of color.



There is $213 billion provided to build and retrofit affordable and sustainable homes along with hundreds of billions to support US manufacturing, bolster the nations electric grid, enact nationwide high-speed broadband and revamp the nations water systems to ensure clean drinking water.



SECOND LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE COMING



Biden is moving forward with the massive job and effort as he navigates an ambitious timeline to provide enough COVID vaccines for all adults by the end of May and the deployment of pandemic relief.



The White House is also dealing with a rise in the number of migrants at the southern border, the fallout from back-to-back mass shootings and a looming showdown over the Senate filibuster.



That package is expected to include an expansion in health insurance coverage, an extension of the expanded child tax benefit, and paid family and medical leave, among other efforts aimed at families.



House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has signaled that she hopes to pass the infrastructure plan by July 4, though that timeline could easily slip as Democrats race to write the legislation and agree on details.



The jockeying has already begun, as allies push for inclusion of their priorities and Republicans signal early concerns about the package's size and scope.



Moderate Democrats have said the package should be more targeted to traditional infrastructure projects to attract Republican votes, seeking a return to bipartisan policymaking.



Liberal lawmakers want to use the party's slim majorities in Congress to tackle some of the nations biggest problems, such as climate change and economic inequality, with resources that reflect the size of those challenges.



Representative Pramila Jayapal, a leading progressive Democrat, said on Tuesday that outside groups like Americans for Tax Fairness pegged the infrastructure and jobs plan that Biden rolled out on the campaign trail at between $6.5 trillion and $11 trillion over 10 years.



"We'd like to see a plan that goes big," Jayapal said. "We really think that there's ample room to get the overall number up to somewhere in that range in order to really tackle the scale of investments that we need to make." Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, suggested he was unlikely to support the package in the form being proposed by the White House.


A new center that will provide specialized care for patients with Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases will begin seeing patients this summer at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The Cohen Center for Health and Recovery from Tick-Borne Diseases, supported by a $16 million gift from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, will be the first in New York City to offer dedicated treatment for people with Lyme and related diseases.

The foundation's gift will also fund a national clinical trials network that will focus on identifying more effective treatments for patients with Lyme and tick-borne diseases.

"There is a growing need for evidence-based treatments for patients with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases," said Anil Rustgi, MD, interim executive vice president and Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine at Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

"This generous gift from the Cohen Foundation will allow us to build on our faculty's expertise in Lyme and tick-borne disease patient care and research, providing access to comprehensive, coordinated treatment."

"We know firsthand the devastation that Lyme and tickborne diseases can cause, and we are thrilled to support this innovative center and clinical trials network to help bring treatments and hope to patients and their families," said Alex Cohen, President, Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.

Growing need for lyme disease experts and research

The estimated incidence of Lyme disease in the United States has been steadily rising, to approximately 476,000 new cases (including individuals who are newly diagnosed or treated for the disease) annually.

Despite antibiotic treatment, approximately 10-20% of these new infections will lead to distressing and potentially disabling symptoms, such as severe fatigue, joint and muscle pain, neurologic symptoms, and cognitive problems that may last for months or years.

There is limited expertise in treating the acute and chronic aspects of tick-borne diseases, making it difficult for patients to find high-quality, specialized care. In addition, little research has been done to determine which treatments are most effective for persistent symptoms, which can interfere with daily activities and work.

"Like COVID-19 'long-haulers,' many people with tick-borne diseases were completely well until their infection precipitated a cascade of chronic, multi-system effects," says Brian Fallon, MD, director of the Cohen Center for Health and Recovery from Tick-Borne Diseases.

"A comprehensive evaluation takes time. In addition, the cost of care for patients with chronic symptoms can be prohibitive, requiring multiple visits to physicians who may not be aware of the latest research on tick-borne illnesses. Our center will be the first to address all of these issues by offering access to affordable care with experienced physicians while at the same time integrating research and physician training into our clinical model."

Fallon plans to hire additional clinicians to begin seeing patients via telemedicine in July. New clinicians will include family, integrative, and behavioral medicine specialists. Patients with acute or chronic symptoms are expected to be able to see the Cohen Center team this fall in the center's new clinical space in the Neurological Institute.

"Many patients with chronic symptoms related to tickborne illness are misdiagnosed with conditions such as depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, or even psychosomatic disorder," says Shannon Delaney, MD, co-director of the Cohen Center. "Children infected with a tick-borne illness may have dramatic and disabling neurologic or psychiatric symptoms that seem to occur overnight."

Cohen Center patients will be invited to enroll in clinical trials, as well as brain imaging studies and neuropsychiatric studies. Studies that identify biological markers can help determine treatment approaches.

The Cohen Center will provide training for family medicine fellows and medical students on how to evaluate and treat patients with tick-borne diseases.

"Our educational component will allow us to create a pipeline of family medicine and primary care physicians with experience in caring for patients with the unique and varied set of symptoms associated with tick-borne diseases," says Krishna Desai, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and director of family and integrative medicine at the center.

First clinical trials network for lyme and tick-borne diseases

The Cohen gift expands Lyme and tick-borne diseases research by establishing the first clinical trials network for multi-site clinical trials and pilot studies to assess treatments. Columbia will be the coordinating site for the trials.

Experts at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Children's National Hospital are key members of the national network.

Academics, community physicians, and the general public will be invited annually to submit treatment study ideas to the clinical trials network for consideration.
Perkins was at a club between midnight and 4 a.m. on Sept. 26 with a group of friends when, shortly before 5 a.m., the group returned to the 200 block of North Latrobe Avenue in the Austin neighborhood, where Perkins and other friends lived, prosecutors said.
TUNIS - Clashes between demonstrators and police officers resumed on Wednesday morning in Tataouine, in southern Tunisia. Police officers on Tuesday night used tear gas against demonstrators who were asking for the implementation of all clauses included in the agreement of "El Kamour", in favor of employment in the region, signed in 2017 and modified in November 2020, and the resignation of the governor.

Demonstrators set tires on fire and blocked a road, local media reported. A total of 10 demonstrators were arrested, five protesters and two police officers were injured in the violence on Tuesday.


MILFORD  After a century in business, Arciuolos Shoes continues to innovate.

Theres a lot of tradition that goes into a business like ours but theres also got to be constant updates as well, said Matthew Joseph Arciuolo II. The reason why we are still here and a lot of stores similar to us arent, is that we will keep our head on a swivel. We are constantly staying on top of what people are buying and making sure that we are as convenient and helpful as possible.

Arciuolos is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. In addition to being a Milford landmark that competes with chain stores and online sellers, the Milford institution has become something of a social media rite of passage.

My kids got their first shoes there, and that was where they took their first steps in shoes, said Economic Development Director Julie Nash. Now the thing to do is take a picture and put it on Instagram - first pair of shoes at Arciuolos.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

The start

In 1920, Francesco Arciuolo, his wife Pauline and their firstborn son, Matthew Joseph Arciuolo, moved from Italy to Bridgeport. A year later, Arciuolos Shoes was started, in Milford, on Naugatuck Avenue. The store moved to its current downtown location in 1989.

I think about this every day, but this is an actual legacy that my grandfather left, Arciuolo said. He made such an impression on these people that they have been coming back. My father continued that good impression and I hope Im creating an experience that they have come to expect from a small business.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

He noted that Arciuolos Shoes is one of the only stores where he can say that it has had four generations of customers. The store also spans multiple generations. Arciuolo, 31, has been working in the store since 2015.

Sometimes customers come up to me and say that this is where their grandmother got her first pair of shoes, he said. We owe so much of our success to our amazing and loyal customers. Its humbling to be part of a business that is larger than yourself.

Simon McDonald, marketing director for the Milford Chamber of Commerce, has accounted for two generations of customers himself, although not in the usual order.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

We took our children there for the school shoes every year, he said. Now, when I need orthotics and custom-fit shoes, thats where Im going.

When Arciuolos Shoes first started they specialized in shoe sales and repairs, but as the years have gone by, shoe repair has decreased, although the store will fix damaged or worn shoes.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

Throughout those 100 years of business, Arcuiolos Shoes has had to figure out how to stay open during several major events.

Weve survived the Great Depression, World War II, economic downturns and every major conflict of the last 100 years, said Arciuolo Every single time our business was faced with challenges, weve adapted, weve kept our head on a swivel and have been proactive.

McDonald named a few more challenges.

They survived the big boxes and online sellers, the how many shoe stores are in the mall? he said. Its really exciting to see a local business still there and still such a big part of the community.

Nash, who helps local businesses compete with online sellers, said Arciuolos has always done exactly what she encourages new businesses to do.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

When you shop online or in a big box, you dont get greeted by someone who knows how to fit you, she said. Theres a play area in the back so one kid doesnt have to sit and wait while the other one gets fitted. They create an experience that cant be duplicated online.

New challenges

After years of fending off online competition, though, another challenge has Arciuolos moving into online sales too.

COVID forced all of us (business owners) to adapt to it very quickly, said Arciuolo. I told my father (Matthew Arciuolo Jr.) that COVID forced the retail industry to evolve 10 years in a matter of months. It became apparent that some people still might not feel comfortable coming into the store for a while, so we needed to pivot very quickly.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

The result was an online store that retained its local customer service. The staff uses the website to answer questions from customers who want to shop local but dont feel comfortable coming into the store, Arciuolo said.

If they are a previous customer, we can look back at their purchase history and make more of an educated recommendation for them, he said.

With all the changes in the store, Arciuolo said he was looking forward to many more years in business.

Its been a cool ride. We are constantly growing and we are very blessed to continue to enjoy success even in this climate,he said. We cant wait to serve you for another 100 years. We are just getting started.
South Africa: Parliament to launch Men's Parliament Programme of Action

Parliament, in partnership with the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) and the Department of Social Development, will launch the Mens Parliament Programme of Action.

The launch will take place on Thursday.

The 2020 to 2022 Mens Parliament programme of Action, which will be held under the theme Takuwani Riime - Institutionalising a Responsive Mens Movement, follows the two biennial national Mens Parliaments, held in 2018 and 2020.

The biennial national Mens Parliaments were held under the banner of the Takuwani Riime Mens Movement - a civil society movement led by men.

The movement seeks to address the role of men in combating the spread of HIV and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), amongst others.

The Mens Parliaments is aimed at assisting to develop and coordinate the Men Championing Change Programme in order to reach the targeted population of mens and boys formations across the country.

This includes building strategic partnerships and alliance with different stakeholders and development agencies on issues including GBV, social cohesion, crime, substance abuse and mens health.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Senate joint committees on Health and Industry Trade and Investment, have summoned the Ministers of Health and Trade and Investment  Osagie Ehanire and Niyi Adebayo, respectively.

The committees have also summoned the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye.

The trio are being invited over importation of syringes and needles from China and India despite policy guidelines against it in Nigeria.

The invitation came shortly after the Senate President, expressed his displeasure at the absence of Mr Ehanire and the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, at a public hearing on some health bills  despite invitations sent to them.

Tuesdays summon was sequel to a motion that the Senate had considered titled, The need to regulate the manufacturing, importation and use of syringes and needles to protect the lives and safety of Nigerians as well as the economy of the country.

The Senate had in February, complained that the majority of the imported syringes and needles are substandard, unsterile that are used and rewashed syringes from the Asian continent and thereafter imported into the country.

The committees were thereafter mandated to carry out a holistic probe into the state of manufacturing, importation and policy guidelines for syringe and needles in Nigeria.

Members of the committees queried the Ministry of Trade and Investment for its failure to implement the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) of 2017 on local production of syringes five years after validation and why it has not been presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval.

NAFDAC was also queried for licensing companies in India and China to import syringes and needles into the country.

Chairman of the health committee, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, who issued the invitation, said the health minister needs to explain why a policy of 2017 by the federal government has not been implemented and also the manufacturing, importation, and policy guideline for syringes in Nigeria.

He berated NAFDAC for licensing companies in India and China to import syringes into the country.

You cant keep licensing agents outside Nigeria to import syringes, while local firms are dying. There is no complexity in the production of syringes. There is no complexity in the production of syringes, he said as he threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the ministers and the NAFDAC DG should they fail to appear on April 15.

Members of the committees who were disappointed that the ministry of trade and investment has failed to implement BIP on local production of syringes five years later, said because tariff on imported syringes and needles is not implemented, imported ones have become cheaper than the locally produced ones.

Despite the capacity of the local firms to meet the market demands, an estimated over one billion units per annum of syringes and needles were being imported into the country, thereby making the country lose what he described as huge foreign exchange, they noted.

While Mr Ehanire is to appear and explain why public-owned hospitals do not use locally-manufactured syringes, the NAFDAC boss is to provide the list of companies that have been importing syringes into the country in the last 15 years, the quantity imported as well as evidence of checks on licensed foreign companies and licensing fees.

Earlier, the President of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MEDMAN), Akin Oyediran, explained that all the seven licensed local manufacturers have the potential to produce 2.4 billion units of syringes per annum if provided with a favourable business environment.

The syringes needed in Nigeria is between 2 billion to 2.5 billion annually. All seven local manufacturers have the capacity to produce 1. 95 billion a year.

But if we have the support of the government, especially the implementation of Backward Integration Policy, they will scale up and would be able to produce all the demands in a matter of months. The quality is world-class. The quality is not questionable, he said.

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Speaking on the losses incurred from importing syringes, Mr Oyediran said the main issue was how much Nigerians were being exposed to substandard syringes coming into the country.
Dozens of the most prominent Black business leaders in America are banding together to call on companies to fight a wave of restrictive voting bills being advanced by Republicans in at least 43 states. The campaign appears to be the first time that so many powerful Black executives have organized to directly call out their peers for failing to stand up for racial justice.

The effort, led by Kenneth Chenault, a former chief executive of American Express, and Kenneth Frazier, the chief executive of Merck, is a response to the swift passage of a Georgia law that they contend makes it harder for Black people to vote. As the debate about that bill raged in recent weeks, most major corporations  including those with headquarters in Atlanta  did not take a position on the legislation.

There is no middle ground here, Mr. Chenault said. You either are for more people voting, or you want to suppress the vote.

[The chief executive of Delta called the Georgia bill unacceptable on Wednesday, a reversal from earlier, general statements in support of voting rights.]
Covid: first 360,000 vaccines arrive in Yemen, UNICEF Through Covax mechanism

(ANSAmed) - ADEN, MARCH 31 - Yemen has received the first batch of 360,000 doses of the vaccine against coronavirus through the Covax mechanism, UNICEF has announced.



The vaccines arrived in Aden, the provisional capital of the government recognized by the international community and are part of a total of "1.9 million doses which Yemen should receive in 2021", according to a statement issued by the UN agency.



(ANSAmed).




WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st April, 2021) The United Nations Security Council has announced its concern over the continuing violence in the Kivu and Ituri regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the body said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The members of the Security Council expressed concern at the continuing inter-communal violence and at the increase of armed group activity in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly by the Allied Democratic Forces in North Kivu and Ituri, and numerous local armed groups in South Kivu," the statement said.

The members of the Security Council further expressed concern at the current humanitarian situation, marked by a significant increase in the number of people in need of protection and humanitarian assistance, the statement continued.

The Security Council members "called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to address the underlying drivers of the current humanitarian situation and on partners to step up their support to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in tackling these challenges," the statement added.

The statement followed a Security Council meeting on the issue on Tuesday and a Twitter acknowledgement from the governor of North Kivu that at least 23 people had been killed by suspected Islamic militants in the province in the eastern part of the country.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

This announcement is not a prospectus and not an offer of shares for sale in any jurisdiction, including in or into Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States.

Neither this announcement, nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever in any jurisdiction. Investors should not subscribe for or purchase any shares referred to in this announcement except solely on the basis of the information contained in the prospectus (the "Prospectus"), including the risk factors set out therein, published by Deliveroo Holdings plc (the "Company") on 22 March 2021 in connection with the offer of class A shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares") and admission of such Shares to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") and to trading on the main market of London Stock Exchange plc ("Admission"). A copy of the Prospectus is available on Deliveroo's website at https://corporate.deliveroo.co.uk/ subject to certain access restrictions.

31 March 2021

Deliveroo Holdings plc

Announcement of Offer Price

Following its announcement on 22 March 2021 of the offer price range and publication of the Prospectus, Deliveroo ("we", "us", "our") today announces the successful pricing of the initial public offering of class A shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares") at 3.90 per Share (the "Offer Price"). Based on the Offer Price, the market capitalisation of the Company will be approximately 7.59 billion at the commencement of conditional dealings on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

Will Shu, Founder and CEO of Deliveroo, said:

"I am very proud that Deliveroo is going public in London - our home. As we reach this milestone I want to thank everyone who has helped to build Deliveroo into the company it is today - in particular our restaurants and grocers, riders and customers. In this next phase of our journey as a public company we will continue to invest in the innovations that help restaurants and grocers to grow their businesses, to bring customers more choice than ever before, and to provide riders with more work. Our aim is to build the definitive online food company and we're very excited about the future ahead."

Offer Highlights

 The Offer Price has been set at 3.90 per Share, equating to a market capitalisation at Admission of 7.59 billion (excluding any over-allotment shares).

 The Offer comprises 384,615,384 Shares (excluding any over-allotment shares), equating to a total Offer size of approximately 1.50 billion or approximately 21.3 per cent. of Deliveroo's issued share capital at the time of Admission. This includes 256,410,256 new Shares to be issued by the Company, raising gross proceeds of approximately 1 billion, and 128,205,128 existing Shares to be sold by certain existing shareholders raising gross proceeds of approximately 500 million.

 In addition, a further 38,461,538 Shares in the Company are being made available pursuant to the over-allotment option which, if exercised in full, would increase the offer size to approximately 1.65 billion, representing 423,076,922 Shares in total and approximately 22.9 per cent. of Deliveroo's issued share capital at the time of Admission.

 Deliveroo intends to use the net proceeds from the issue of the new Shares to continue to invest in the growth opportunities available:

- Bringing the food category online represents an enormous market opportunity. The way we think about it is simple: there are 21 meal occasions in a week - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - seven days a week. Right now, less than one of those 21 transactions takes place online. We are working to change that.

- We will continue to invest in the innovations that we believe will further enhance our core marketplace for consumers, restaurants and grocers, and riders, while also continuing to further develop our growth businesses, in particular, Editions, Plus and Signature.

- We have executed well, from a growth, expansion, and profitability perspective, but we are just truly starting our journey.

 Commencement of conditional dealings on the London Stock Exchange is expected to take place at 8 a.m. on 31 March 2021 under the ticker "ROO" (ISIN: GB00BNC5T391). Investors should note that only investors who applied for, and were allocated, Shares in the institutional offer will be able to deal in the Shares on a conditional basis.

 Admission of the Company's Shares is expected to occur and unconditional dealings in the Shares on the London Stock Exchange are expected to commence at 8 a.m. on 7 April 2021.

 The pricing statement related to the Offer will be published later today on the Company's website at https://corporate.deliveroo.co.uk/.

Enquiries:

Finsbury Glover Hering (Public Relations adviser to Deliveroo)

Dorothy Burwell / Rollo Head

+44 (0)207 251 3801

Deliveroo-lon@finsbury.com

Joint Global Coordinators

Goldman Sachs International

Anthony Gutman / Richard Cormack / Alex Garner / Bertie Whitehead

+44 (0)207 774 1000

J.P. Morgan Cazenove

Matt Gehl / Aloke Gupte / Chris Wood / Barry Meyers

+44 (0)207 742 4000

Joint Bookrunners

BofA Securities

George Close-Brooks

+44 (0)207 628 1000

Citigroup

Patrick Evans

+44 (0)20 7986 4000

Jefferies

Rob Leach

+44 (0)20 7029 8000

Numis

Luke Bordewich

+44 (0)20 7260 1000

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The contents of this announcement, which have been prepared by and are the sole responsibility of the Company, have been jointly approved by Goldman Sachs International ("Goldman Sachs") and J.P. Morgan Securities plc (which conducts its UK investment banking activities as J.P. Morgan Cazenove) ("J.P. Morgan Cazenove") solely for the purposes of Section 21(2)(b) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended.

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, nor an offer or invitation to sell or issue, or a solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for, any securities in the Company, in any jurisdiction, including in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.

The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness. Each of Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Merrill Lynch International ("BofA Securities"), Citigroup Global Markets Limited ("Citigroup") is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") and regulated by the FCA and the PRA in the United Kingdom (the "UK"). Each of Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies") and Numis Securities Limited ("Numis") is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK. Each of Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Cazenove, BofA Securities, Citigroup, Jefferies and Numis (together, the "Banks") is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Offer, and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this document) as their respective clients in relation to the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any transaction, matter, or arrangement referred to in this announcement.

In the European Economic Area (the "EEA"), this announcement is only addressed to and directed at persons in member states of the EEA who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended) ("Qualified Investors"). In the United Kingdom, this announcement and the Institutional Offer is only addressed to and directed at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended), which forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, who are also: (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"); or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; or (C) are other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons referred to in (B) and (C) together being "Relevant Persons"). This announcement must not be acted or relied on (i) in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not Relevant Persons and (ii) in any member state of the EEA by persons who are not Qualified Investors. Any investment activity to which this announcement relates (i) in the United Kingdom is available only to, and may be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons; and (ii) in any member state of the EEA is available only to, and may be engaged only with, Qualified Investors.

Any offer or sale of the Shares in Canada will be made only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that (i) are "accredited investors", as defined in National Instrument 45-106 -Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), as applicable, and (ii) are "permitted clients", as defined in National Instrument 31-103 - Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of Shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws. Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this announcement or the Prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor. Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts ("NI 33-105"), any dealers or placement agents used in connection with this offering are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this Offer.

This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. No public offering of the securities referred to herein is being made in the United States.

This announcement may include forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and projections about future events. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "target", "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "may", "anticipate", "estimate", "plan", "project", "will", "can have", "likely", "should", "would", "could" and any other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and its subsidiaries and its investments, including, among other things, the development of its business, trends in its operating environment, and future capital expenditures and acquisitions. The forward-looking statements in this announcement speak only as at the date of this announcement. These statements reflect the beliefs of the Directors, (including based on their expectations arising from pursuit of the Group's strategy) as well as assumptions made by the Directors and information currently available to the Company.

Further, certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of future events which may not prove to be accurate and none of the Company, the Banks nor any member of the Group, nor any of such person's affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and/or advisors, nor any other person(s) accepts any responsibility for the accuracy or fairness of the opinions expressed in this announcement or the underlying assumptions. Actual events or conditions are unlikely to be consistent with, and may differ significantly from, those assumed. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events in the forward-looking statements may not occur. No representation or warranty is made that any forward-looking statement will come to pass. No one undertakes to update, supplement, amend or revise any forward-looking statements. You are therefore cautioned not to place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Any subscription or purchase of Shares in the possible Offer should be made solely on the basis of information contained in the Prospectus published by the Company on 22 March 2021. The information in this announcement is subject to change. Before subscribing for or purchasing any Shares, persons viewing this announcement should ensure that they fully understand and accept the risks set out in the Prospectus. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to acquire, whether by subscription or purchase, any Shares or any other securities, nor shall it (or any part of it), or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, or act as any inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever.

The date of Admission may be influenced by a variety of factors, which include market conditions. There is no guarantee that Admission will occur. Potential investors should not base their financial decision on this announcement. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing all of the amount invested. Persons considering making investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning a possible offer. The value of the Shares can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of a possible offer for the person concerned.

Nothing contained herein constitutes or should be construed as (i) investment, tax, financial, accounting or legal advice; (ii) a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate to your individual circumstances; or (iii) a personal recommendation to you.

None of the Banks nor any of their respective affiliates and/or any of their or their affiliates' directors, officers, employees, advisers and/or agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) and/or any other information relating to Group and/or its associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available, or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of the announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.

In connection with the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the Banks may, at their discretion, undertake their obligations in connection with the potential IPO by any of their affiliates based in the EEA.

In connection with the Offer, each of the Banks and any of their respective affiliates may take up a portion of the Shares in the Offer as a principal position and in that capacity may retain, purchase, sell, offer to sell or otherwise deal for their own accounts in such securities and any other securities of the Company or related investments in connection with the Offer or otherwise. Accordingly, references in this Prospectus to the Shares being issued, offered, subscribed, acquired, placed or otherwise dealt with should be read as including any issue, offer, subscription, acquisition, dealing or placing by the Underwriters and any of their affiliates acting in such capacity. In addition, certain of the Underwriters or their respective affiliates may enter into financing arrangements (including swaps or contracts for differences) with investors in connection with which such Underwriters (or their respective affiliates) may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of Shares. None of the Underwriters intends to disclose the extent of any such investment or transaction otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so.

In connection with the Offer, Goldman Sachs, as stabilising manager, or any of its agents, may (but will be under no obligation to), to the extent permitted by applicable law, over allot Shares or effect other stabilising transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the Shares at a higher level than that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The stabilising manager is not required to enter into such transactions and such transactions may be effected on any securities market, over the counter market, stock exchange or otherwise and may be undertaken at any time during the period commencing on the date of the commencement of conditional dealings in the Shares on the London Stock Exchange and ending no later than 30 calendar days thereafter. However, there will be no obligation on the stabilising manager or any of its agents to effect stabilising transactions and there is no assurance that stabilising transactions will be undertaken. Such stabilisation, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time without prior notice. In no event will measures be taken to stabilise the market price of the Shares above the Offer Price. Except as required by law or regulation, neither the stabilising manager nor any of its agents intends to disclose the extent of any over allotments made and/or stabilising transactions conducted in relation to the Offer.

In connection with the Offer, Goldman Sachs, as stabilising manager, may, for stabilisation purposes, over-allot Shares up to a maximum of 10% of the total number of Shares comprised in the Offer. For the purposes of allowing the Stabilising Manager to cover short positions resulting from any such over-allotments and/or from sales of Shares effected by it during the stabilising period, the Company has granted to it the Over-allotment Option, pursuant to which the stabilising manager may subscribe or procure subscribers for additional Shares representing up to 10% of the total number of Shares comprised in the Offer (the "Over-allotment Shares") at the Offer Price. The Over-allotment Option is exercisable in whole or in part, upon notice by the stabilising manager, at any time on or before the 30th calendar day after the commencement of conditional dealings of the Shares on the London Stock Exchange. Any Over-allotment Shares made available pursuant to the Over-allotment Option will rank pari passu in all respects with the Shares being issued or sold in the Offer, including for all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid on the Shares, will be subscribed for on the same terms and conditions as the Shares being issued or sold in the Offer and will form a single class for all purposes with the other Shares.

For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of the Company's website, including the websites of the Company's business units, are not incorporated by reference into, and do not form part of, this announcement.

Information to Distributors

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all permitted distribution channels (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, "distributors" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) should note that: the price of the Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offer. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Underwriters will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapters 9A or 10A respectively of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own Target Market Assessment in respect of the Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.
Chennai, March 31 : Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against DMK MP and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran over his "unparliamentary words" against late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the complaint, AIADMK's Joint Secretary R.M.Babu Murugavel said Maran had violated the model poll code with his "filthy, unparliamentary words tarnishing and maligning the image of Jayalalithaa and Modi" at an election rally on March 28 in Kinathukadavu constituency.

As AIADMK members refer Jayalalithaa as Amma (mother), Murugavel complained that Maran, in his address at the rally, had said: "Our Amma is Mummy for us, Modi is Daddy for us. See what kind of relationship..." He said Maran made the "filthy comments" referring to the speech made two years back by AIADMK Minister K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji, who, for "rhyming purpose", had said: "Modi is our Daddy".

Maran, with an intention to defame Jayalalithaa and Modi, made the comments "with the blemish meaning of 'Relationship of Mummy and Daddy between them'," he said in his complaint, demanding the poll panel register a criminal case against Maran and also ban him from election campaigning.

Recently, another DMK MP and former Minister A. Raja had stirred up a row by allegedly insulting Chief Minister K. Palaniswami's late mother. This had evoked an emotional response from Palaniswami.
She returned to work earlier this month following her holiday at the Malliouhana Auberge Resort in Anguilla.

And Kimberley Garner was reminiscing on her trip as she flaunted her physique in a series of throwback bikini snaps.

The swimwear designer, 30, showcased her gym-honed figure as she took to Instagram to share the snaps on Tuesday.

Sizzling: Kimberley Garner flaunted her physique in a series of throwback bikini snaps that she posted on Instagram on Tuesday from her recent Anguilla holiday

She slipped into a white criss-cross swimwear set by her eponymous line as she posed against a series of landscape framed paintings.

Commanding attention in the snaps, the former Made In Chelsea star writhed about on a beige sofa and fixed the camera with a smile.

Kimberley styled her golden locks in a half up half down hairstyle while she sported a sun-kissed complexion.

Wow! The swimwear designer, 30, showcased her gym-honed figure in the white criss-cross swimwear set

Glowing: She slipped into the two-piece by her eponymous line as she posed in front of framed paintings of green scenery

She accessorised with a pair of gold hooped earrings and added a pretty white flower to her hair for the ultimate beach look.

The beauty penned: 'An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all. Oscar Wilde - bikini @kimberleylondon'.

While international travel is currently prohibited from her native Britain, Kimberley 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.

Bikini babe: Commanding attention in the snaps, the former Made In Chelsea star writhed about on a beige sofa as she posed for the camera

But it hasn't all been carefree partying as she took to Instagram to defend herself from backlash over her international travel.

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.

Work it:

'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.'

Beauty: Kimberley styled her golden locks in a half up half down hairstyle while she sported a sun-kissed complexion
Every year around this time, without fail, companies attempt to show they're funny with a little April Fools' Day gag. And every year, without fail, it backfires.

April Fool's Day or otherwise known as prank day is an annual custom on April 1 consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes people play on one another. Over the years, large companies such as Google have come to enjoy April Fool's Day while managing to prank their customers.

The day is not a public holiday in any country except Odessa in Ukraine, where the first of April is an official city holiday. The custom of setting aside a day for playing harmless pranks upon one's neighbour has been relatively common in the world historically.

Origin of April Fool's Day

The day started being celebrated after Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, and ruled that the new calendar would start from January 1 back in 1952. Prior to this, New Year was celebrated at the end of March.

It was April 1, as believed, when the change of calendar from Julian to Gregorian was initiated, hence making it the most commonly believed reason for celebrating the day. Reportedly, while many refused to accept the change and continued following the Julian calendar, France was the first country to accept and implement the new calendar.

Thus, the story goes that the ones who did not follow the new calendar were considered foolish and made fun of by those who did.

The day is filled with jokes and laughter and is looked forward to for all the happiness it generates. It is that one day in the year when people can get away with almost anything.

However, there are other theories as to where April fools derived from.

In 1561, Flemish poet Eduard de Dene wrote of a nobleman who sent his servants on foolish errands on April 1.

In 1686, John Aubrey referred to the celebration as "Fooles holy day", the first British reference. On April 1, 1698, several people were tricked into going to the Tower of London to "see the Lions washed".

Customs worldwide

England

In the UK, an April Fool prank is sometimes later revealed by shouting "April fool!" at the recipient. In England, the custom ceases at noon, after which time it is no longer acceptable to play pranks. Thus a person playing a prank after midday is considered the "April fool" themselves.

Scotland

In Scotland, April Fools' Day was traditionally called 'Huntigowk Day'. The traditional prank is to ask someone to deliver a sealed message that supposedly requests help of some sort.

In fact, the message reads: "Dinna laugh, dinna smile. Hunt the gowk another mile."

The recipient, upon reading it, will explain he can only help if he first contacts another person, and sends the victim to this next person with an identical message, with the same result.

Ireland

In Ireland, it was traditional to entrust the victim with an "important letter" to be given to a named person. That person would read the letter, then ask the victim to take it to someone else, and so on. The letter when opened contained the words "send the fool further".

Poland

In Poland, 'prima aprilis' is a day when many pranks are played.

Hoaxes are prepared by people, media (which often cooperate to make the "information" more credible) and even public institutions. Serious activities are usually avoided, and generally, every word said on April 1 can be untrue.

Nordic countries

Danes, Finns, Icelanders, Norwegians and Swedes celebrate April Fools' Day (aprilsnar in Danish; aprillipaiva in Finnish; aprilskamt in Swedish).

Most news media outlets will publish exactly one false story on April 1; for newspapers, this will typically be a first-page article but not the top headline.

April fish

In Italy, France, Belgium and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada, April 1 tradition is often known as "April fish" (poisson d'avril in French, april vis in Dutch or pesce d'aprile in Italian).

This includes attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim's back without being noticed.

So buckle up and don't believe a word you read tomorrow or you might find something smelling fishy!
When it comes to prescription drugs, some truths cant be denied: Theres no price someone wouldnt pay for medications to extend their life or the lives of their loved ones, and theres no limit to how far pharmaceutical companies will go to deny responsibility for skyrocketing medications costs. As you read this, Big Pharma is running deceptive advertisements and testifying in Salem in hopes of killing any legislation that might harm their highly profitable bottom line.

Ive experienced the ever-increasing costs of prescription drugs. Im a health care worker and caregiver for my father, who has late stage lung cancer, and my mother, who has Parkinsons disease. My father takes Gilotrif (or Afatinib), a life-saving cancer drug that costs $11,000 a month. This drug was only $4,000 a month in 2018. This drug costs only $82 a month in The Netherlands.

This doesnt have to happen. The Oregon Legislature is considering a package of bills that would lower the cost of prescription drugs: Senate Bill 763 would require pharmaceutical sales representatives to register with the state and disclose financial transactions. SB 764 would prohibit pharmaceutical companies from paying generic drug manufacturers to delay distribution of medications at a substantially lower cost. SB 844 would establish an Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would identify prescription drugs that create affordability challenges and set an upper payment limit for excessively priced drugs. The Oregon Legislature should do the right thing for Oregonians and pass these bills.

Joan Morgan, Happy Valley
A24 has shared the first trailer for Zola, a movie that is based on a now-infamous 148-part Twitter thread from 2015 (via Variety). Penned by Aziah Zola King, the thread recounts a road trip she took with a woman named Jessica. In the movie, the two are played by Taylour Paige and Riley Keough. After meeting at the Hooters where King worked at the time, the two decided to head to Florida to earn money dancing at strip clubs. As might imagine, things quickly got weird and unsavory. Wells has since admitted that parts of the story she shared on Twitter were exaggerated, but the movie itself has garnered praise during its festival run.

Twitter might seem like a strange place for Hollywood to turn to ideas, but this isnt the first time it has mined the social media network for inspiration. For instance, WarnerMedia announced last year it was adapting the One Perfect Shot account into an HBO Max series. As for Zola, it will hit theaters on June 30th.
Queensland would stop stockpiling coronavirus vaccines if the Commonwealth publicly released the number of doses scheduled to arrive each week, the Premier said.

The state has been hoarding vaccines vials because it does not trust the consistency of supply coming from the federal government.

On Tuesday, Australias Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said no states or territories needed to hold vaccine supplies for second doses as the Commonwealth had made it clear from the beginning how many doses were coming to Australia, and how much was being distributed.

Queensland authorities said this was not the case.
A huge fish was just caught in San Antonio.

Inland Fisheries San Antonio District celebrated the catch on its Facebook page Wednesday, calling it one of the "largest catfish" it has ever seen in the San Antonio area.

"Congratulations to local angler, Matt S. on his waterbody record Blue Catfish," the post stated. "Matt caught this 39.7-pound catfish in the San Antonio River along the Saspamco Paddling Trail using cut bait."

READ ALSO: Watch: Rattlesnakes fighting in a Texas bluebonnet patch

Check out the post below:

Matt Sontag, 28, caught the fish in June of last year but didn't get the official word that he set the San Antonio-area record until Wednesday, the longtime fisherman told MySA.com. Inland Fisheries said his 39.7-pound fish beat the records set at Calaveras (36.19 pounds in 2014), Braunig (35 pounds in 2010), and Medina (14.32 pounds in 2011) lakes.

Sontag said his fish didn't put up a fight as he reeled it in three minutes. He called the catch "a dream come true."

"Once I saw the fish, I knew it was something special," he said. "I've been chasing a record catfish my whole life."

The local said he tried to weigh it alive to release it back into the water but couldn't find a Texas Parks and Wildlife office in time due to the coronavirus pandemic. He weighed it at a local meat shop, but the fish didn't make it.
That if is a big one, though. Two recent studies, neither of which has yet been peer-reviewed, found substantial vaccine hesitancy among parents. In one study, concerns about the vaccine came mostly from mothers, particularly white, Republican mothers.

Amid the spread of both accurate information and politicized disinformation about possible side effects, many mothers feel more capable of controlling the risks of the coronavirus itself than the risks of the coronavirus vaccine, Jessica Calarco, one of that studys authors, wrote in an opinion piece in The Washington Post.

Part of the challenge in persuading parents to vaccinate their children is that it is currently rare for children to experience severe illness from the virus. But experts say that it is critical to vaccinate children to achieve herd immunity and to prevent new variants from emerging.

Another unanswered question is whether students will ultimately be required to be vaccinated against the coronavirus to attend school. The superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the countrys second largest district, said in January that, when vaccines for children were available, students would be required to get them to come back to campuses; non-vaccinated students would learn remotely, he said.

But generally it is states, not districts, that decide which vaccines are required for students to attend school. Some governors have already said they will not mandate coronavirus vaccines for children. And experts say that requiring the vaccine could backfire, by creating resistance to it.

Since politically conservative areas have been more willing to open schools as normal during the pandemic, the limited vaccine uptake may not make a difference to how schools operate. But the fear is it will leave opportunities for the virus to continue spreading and mutating.

For a deeper listen: Apoorva spoke about childrens vaccines on The Daily last month. Shes a science reporter, and she said shes signing her kids up for a shot as soon as she possibly can.
Border Patrol agents arrest seven illegal immigrants who tried to evade capture near Penitas, Texas, on March 15. 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Illegal Border Crossings Jump to 150,000 in March

MISSION, TexasU.S. Border Patrol apprehended more than 150,000 illegal border-crossers during the month of March50,000 more than Februaryaccording to former Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Mark Morgan.

A further 30,000 evaded capture, according to Morgan, who has received the provisional CBP numbers from internal sources.

The March total edges out the highest month in 2019, during the most recent border crisis. In May 2019, Border Patrol apprehended 144,000 people between ports of entry.

The border is wide open.  Its not secure. Drugs are pouring in, and criminal aliens are pouring in right now, Morgan said during a press conference along the Rio Grande on March 30.

In his first press conference since taking office, President Joe Biden on March 25 said his focus is to rebuild the system that can accommodate thewhat is happening today.

The administration has opened several holding facilities for illegal immigrants, particularly to accommodate the increase in children crossing alone. The San Diego Convention Center is currently holding 500 children, while another 500 were sent to a site at the Fort Bliss military base in Texas on March 30.

In total, more than 12,000 children are being held by CBP and Health and Human Services.

When asked about the spike in illegal crossings, Biden said: Id like to think its because Im a nice guy, but its not. Its because of whats happened every year.

However, Morgan said the current surge cant be explained away as a normal seasonal uptick.

They created this crisis, and theyre trying to spin and blame everybody but themselves, Morgan said. The only thing thats really been put out there thats honest is that were going to see numbers that we havent seen in over 20 years.

In a media call on March 26, a senior Border Patrol official said that 85 percent of the 2,200 individuals within family units who were apprehended the day prior were released into the United States. The official said that if a parent brings a child under the age of 7, they are automatically released into the interior rather than being expelled under the Title 42 health emergency provision.

Morgan said CBP had provided exhaustive briefings to Bidens transition team to warn them of an unmitigated crisis if Biden ended the Migrant Protection Protocol program and the Asylum Cooperative Agreements with the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

We told them that again and again. We told them that the surge numbers would skyrocket and the Border Patrol facilities would be overwhelmed.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  Private firms looking to get their hands on COVID-19 vaccines still need to approach the national government for negotiations with foreign drug makers, Malacanangs economic adviser said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said hes allowing businessmen to import COVID-19 vaccines at will, telling vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. to give them a free rein in the brands and amounts of doses they want to bring into the country.

Nothing really changes. Maybe what will change it the tripartite agreements can be done within maybe in a day, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.

The tripartite (deal) is necessary because we dont have the power to indemnify, thats a lot of money and youre dealing with so many corporations, he added. Theres no other option, believe me.

With COVID-19 vaccines only approved for emergency use  and therefore banned to be sold commercially while final phase 4 trials are still underway  Concepcion explained that all vaccine purchases must involve the state.

Meanwhile, indemnification entails compensating an individual who experiences adverse reactions to the vaccine jabs.

The Philippine government is mandated to provide coronavirus vaccines to all eligible Filipinos, but the private sector decided to step in to help fast-track the inoculation program and revive jobs and the economy. However, doses bought by the private sector back in November 2020 are yet to arrive by May at the earliest  a six-month wait.

READ: More companies bare free vaccinations for employees

Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry president Henry Lim Bon Liong appealed for tripartite deals to be made simpler and easier for private companies to enter into.

Bon Liong added FFCCCII has a pending order of 500,000 vials of China-made Sinovac vaccines, but that their agreement has not been signed because he was told that he had to seek clearance from the Department of Finance first. Concepcion said the AstraZeneca deal signed last year only involved the Department of Health and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr.

Both Concepcion and Bon Liong lamented that even if direct imports are allowed, global supply has become scarce. FFCCCII said it placed an order for 1 million doses but was only assured half the amount.

The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) said separately that the government should "extend all the help necessary" for vaccine acquisitions by the private sector, with an appeal for some tax breaks.

"The government should allow employers tax deduction for the cost of the vaccines for their employees. That will be big help for businesses," FINEX President Francis Lim said in a text message. He added this should be included in the proposed Bayanihan 3 law "to remove any doubt."

Galvez earlier said vaccine shipments will be tax-free.

The private sector has signed deals with AstraZeneca and Moderna with the government standing in as middleman. Concepcion added that future agreements should be easier to finalize as theres already a working template using the previously signed contracts with manufacturers.

Ivermectin use

Some members of the private sector have been supporting calls to allow the emergency use of the Ivermectin drug on humans despite repeated warnings from health authorities.

Bon Liong said he has taken the pill as a prophylactic or preventive drug against COVID-19. Such claim, however, has not been proven by scientists.

Many people from PCCI (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry) are also taking this medicine. If I can also mention some of them, even George Barcelon, even Jun Ortiz-Luis, theres no harm done, he said. Barcelon confirmed this to CNN Philippines, saying he tried the medicine for a month.

At this point in time where we cannot get the vaccines yet, whatever you try as much as possible if theres a second line of defense you can use, Bon Liong added.

Food and Drug Administration chief Eric Domingo said Tuesday there are no applications for emergency or compassionate use of Ivermectin on humans, which is currently approved for the prevention or purging of parasites in animals.

Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the representative of the World Health Organization to the Philippines, also told House lawmakers that the medical evidence for Ivermectin as a preventive or curative drug against COVID-19 is not strong enough.

Dr. Edsel Salvana of the Department of Healths Technical Advisory Group, citing a study, previously said that while Ivermectin is generally safe, at the doses required for possible antiviral activity, it can cause brain damage.

READ: Ivermectin drug is not effective at treating mild COVID-19, study finds
Aramco and its subsidiary SABIC will spearhead a $1.3-trillion private investment drive in Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy away from oil, the Kingdom's Crown Prince, Mohammed, announced at a virtual conference.

"Building a vibrant and prosperous private sector is one of the national priorities for the Kingdom and that is why we are today inaugurating a new and more powerful era in terms of cooperation and partnership between the government and private sector.," Mohammed said.

"The Shareek program we are announcing will strengthen the partnership with the private sector and has the objective of supporting local companies and enabling them to unlock new local investments valued at SAR 5 Trillion through the end of 2030."

This amount is equal to roughly $1.3 trillion, and its unlocking will be enabled by investments from Saudi Arabia's largest private companies, the Kingdom's Public Investment Fund, and a National Investment Strategy, for which the details have yet to be released. The total investment poured into Saudi Arabia's private sector will amount to some $3.20 trillion (12 trillion riyals).

On top of this, the Saudi government will spend another $2.67 trillion (10 trillion riyals) over the next decade. It will also add to that an estimated consumer spending level of another 5 trillion riyals or $1.3 trillion.

"The total across all these sources reaches 27 Trillion Riyals, or $7 Trillion US Dollars over the next ten years," the Crown Prince said.

"The importance of the Shareek program is not limited to enhancing the private sector's role in the sustainable growth of the national economy. We see it as a long-term investment in the Kingdom's future and prosperity, based on stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors," he added.

Saudi Arabia has been trying to diversify its economy away from oil for years now, with little success so far, because of unfavorable fluctuations in the price of oil, on which its diversification plan is built as most of the money for all its ambitious projects have nowhere else to come from but oil export revenues.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Maun  Kgosi Gokgatlhang Moalosi of Sankoyo is optimistic that the review of management plans for NG 33 and 34 will strike a balance between tourism and agriculture, so that they equally benefit the communities.

He revealed in an interview recently that Sankoyo villagers were traditionally dependent on agriculture, but it was a pity that yearly, they reap nothing, because of elephants.

This year, he said villagers ploughed in large numbers, but the elephants had raided their fields leaving them empty-handed.

Kgosi Moalosi said the villagers were pinning their hopes on the review of the management plan to address the human/wildlife conflict.

He explained that consultations on the review of the management plans, aimed at articulating the priority areas and ensuring their zones were used to the maximum for the benefit of the community, were ongoing.

Kgosi Moalosi noted that human/wildlife conflict was a burning issue, stating that villagers were frustrated that they could not enjoy the fruits of their labour despite government introducing initiatives for communities to venture into farming to feed themselves and the nation.

"We expect the plans to come up with interventions that will encourage peaceful sharing of space," he added.

He said prior to the hunting ban, elephants destroyed their fields, but it was nothing compared to nowadays, where they clear the fields.

He said they were also pinning their hopes on the lifting of the ban to reduce the effects of wildlife on human settlements.

Meanwhile, it was reported in a recent executive committee meeting that the Director of Wildlife and National Parks had released the 2021 hunting quota.

Kgosi Moalosi hailed the move, saying it would make a huge difference.

Source : BOPA
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea has expressed disgust over some statements by the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia regarding the approval of Finance Minister-designate Ken Ofori-Atta.



The NDC General Secretary, in an interview with Kwame Nkrumah Tikese on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' morning show, revealed reasons why the Minority Caucus on the Appointments Committee approved Ken Ofori-Atta.



He disclosed that there was a consensus at the NDC hierarchy that the Minority Caucus approves Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister, because in their estimation, he performed abysmally in President Akufo-Addo's first term; hence maintaining him in office will inure to the benefit of the opposition party in the 2024 general elections.



Mr. Asiedu Nketia expounded that keeping the Finance Minister is a strategic plan by the NDC intended to show Ghanaians his lousy deals and deeds.



We have strategies as a political party and some of the NDC leaders sat down and considered the approval of the nominee as to whether passing or failing him, which one will be in the interest of the party. So, we all decided that if we allow him to be the Finance Minister, it will be in the interest of the NDC . . .



We realised during the vetting of the Finance Minister, he was exposed in all his wrong deeds . . . The banks he collapsed, PDS deal and bad financial decisions he superintended over; we needed him to be there to remind Ghanaians what he has brought on this country, he stated.



"Tell Nana Akufo-Addo that if it is this lame-back Finance Minister he wants to still be in control of the countrys finances, so be it, and that is why we told our people to approve him.



Reacting to Asiedu Nketia's comments, Nana Akomea said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" that the NDC General Secretary's comments show the lack of respect NDC has for Ghanaians.



He described the comments as "distasteful. It's a disgrace on Ghana and the NDC as well as Ghana's politics and democracy".



"A whole political party's aim is to work to cripple the economy so that Ghanaians will vote for your party. It's a dicey thing. It's a disgrace to the NDC party and our democracy . . . A responsible political party, a responsible General Secretary say something like this to Ghanaians openly on air meaning you don't have respect for the Ghanaian electorate and you don't understand democracy . . .They came for their selfish interest. They don't think about Ghanaians," he rebuked.







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
United Nations:

More than 40 countries on Wednesday signed a treaty to ban nuclear weapons, a pact that the worlds nuclear powers spurned but supporters hailed as a historic agreement nonetheless.

You are the states that are showing moral leadership in a world that desperately needs such moral leadership today, Beatrice Fihn, executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, said as the signing ceremony began.

Within an hour, 42 states had put their names to the treaty, and more were signing afterward. Guyana, Thailand and the Vatican also have already ratified the treaty, which needs 50 ratifications to take effect among the nations that back it.

They would be barred from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, otherwise acquiring, possessing or stockpiling nuclear weapons under any circumstances. Seven decades after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan during World War IIthe only use of nuclear weaponsthere are believed to be about 15,000 of them in the world today.

Amid rising tensions over North Koreas nuclear and missile tests, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday that the threat of a nuclear attack is at its highest level since the end of the Cold War.

This treaty is an important step towards the universally held goal of a world free of nuclear weapons, he said today. Supporters of the pact say its time to push harder toward eliminating atomic weapons than nations have done through the nearly 50-year-old Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Under its terms, non-nuclear nations agreed not to pursue nukes in exchange for a commitment by the five original nuclear powersthe US, Russia, Britain, France and Chinato move toward nuclear disarmament and to guarantee other states access to peaceful nuclear technology for producing energy.

More than 120 countries approved the new nuclear weapons ban treaty in July over opposition from nuclear-armed countries and their allies, who boycotted negotiations. The US, Britain and France said the prohibition wouldnt work and would end up disarming their nations while emboldening bad actors, in US Ambassador Nikki Haleys words.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has called the treaty wishful thinking that is close to irresponsible. The nuclear powers have suggested instead strengthening the nonproliferation treaty, which they say has made a significant dent in atomic arsenals.

Brazil was the first country to sign onto the ban today, followed by nations from Ireland to Indonesia, and from Algeria to Uruguay.

Those who still hold nuclear arsenals, we call upon them to join this date with history, Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis said as he prepared to sign.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Per TDOT Specifications, there will be no temporary lane closures permitted between Thursday, April 1, 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 5, 6:00 a.m. in observance of the Easter Holiday!

District 47 - West TN  Northern

DYER COUNTY, SR-3 (US-51): The repair of bridges on US 51 (SR 3) over SR 211 in Dyersburg will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 55 MPH.

DYER COUNTY, SR-3 (US-51): The repair of bridges on US 51 (SR 3) over the South Fork Forked Deer River will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

Restrictions: Beginning January 25, 2021, Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction with a 12 6 lane restriction.

DYER COUNTY, SR-20: The repair of bridge on US 412 (SR 20) over Hogwallow Road will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 55 MPH.

GIBSON COUNTY, SR-5:

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7: There will be lane and shoulder closures in the north and southbound lanes for resurfacing and pavement markings along SR 5 between LM 4.65-5.82.

HENDERSON COUNTY (New Lexington By-Pass): The grading, drainage, construction of bridges and retaining walls, signals and paving on US 412 (SR 459) from US 412 (SR 20) west of Lexington to near SR 22 south of Lexington. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.



HENRY COUNTY, SR-54: The grading, drainage, construction of bridges, retaining wall and paving on SR 54 from near Rison Street to near Smith Road. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway. *Speed limit has been reduced to 35 MPH.

OBION COUNTY, Future I-69 (Phase 3): Grading, drainage, construction of bridges and paving on future I-69 from west of SR 21 to US 51 (SR 3) will cause possible lane closures throughout the project.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020: Bethlehem Road north from Clifford Rives Road to Lindenwood Road will be closed. Claude Tucker Road north from Cloys Road to Section Line Road will be closed. Detour routes are posted.

WEAKLEY COUNTY, US 45E (SR-43): The repair of bridge on US 45E (SR 43) over the North Fork Obion River and Overflow will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

TDOT DISTRICT 47 MAINTENANCE:



Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures at various locations in Region IV in order to repair pavement on an as needed basis.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures at various locations in Region IV in order to repair pavement on an as needed basis.

District 48 - West TN  Middle/Southern

DECATUR/HENDERSON COUNTY, I-40: Wednesday, April 7, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: There will be lane closures on I-40 east and westbound in Decatur and Henderson counties MM 95.0-126.0 for pothole repair.

HARDIN COUNTY, SR-69: The construction of a Bulb Tee bridge over Doe Creek along with grading, drainage, and paving may cause temporary lane closures on SR 69 at LM 10.06. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.



HARDIN COUNTY, SR-128: The grading, drainage and paving on SR 128 from south of Pyburns Drive (LM 3.11) to north of SR 226 (Airport Road) (LM 6.54). Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.

HAYWOOD COUNTY, SR-19 (Brownsville Bypass): The construction of an I-Beam bridge along with grading, drainage, and paving may cause temporary lane closures on SR 19 (Brownsville Bypass) from east of SR 87 to west of Windrow Rd. One lane will remain. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway. Speed limit is reduced to 45 MPH within the project limits. Shaw Chapel and King Road are closed at SR 19 and a detour put in place. . Haralson St (Old SR19) is now open.



HENDERSON COUNTY, SR-22: The repair of the bridges on SR 22 over Big Beaver Creek and Little Beaver Creek. Motorists should watch for crews and equipment in the roadways. One lane will remain open in both directions.

Restrictions: February 1, 2020 there was a 12 width restriction put in place.

MADISON COUNTY, I-40: Resurfacing on I-40 westbound from the Haywood County Line to near Lower Brownsville Rd.

Wednesday, March 31, 7:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime temporary inside and outside lane closures on I-40 westbound from MM 67 to MM 74.4 for OGFC paving operations. Speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH during active closures.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 7:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime temporary inside and outside lane closures on I-40 westbound from MM 67 to MM 74.4 for OGFC paving operations. Speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH during active closures.

MADISON COUNTY, I-40: The widening of I-40 east of US 45 (SR 5) MM 82.0 to east of US 70 (SR 1) MM 87.0 in Jackson, including bridges, retaining walls and installation of TDOT Smartway Intelligent Transportation System.

Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: (AS NEEDED) I-40 east and westbound from MM 82.0-87.0 will have intermittent left and right lane closures to patch potholes.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: I-40 east and westbound from MM 82.0-87.0 will have intermittent left and right lane closures to repair any potholes.

Closed until Summer of 2021: Campbell St. will be down to one lane in each direction over I-40 for Phase 1 bridge construction activities.

Closed until Summer of 2021: Old Henderson Rd. Bridge over I-40 will be closed to thru traffic for Phase 1 bridge demolition activities. Detours will be posted for traffic.

Closed until Summer of 2021: Watson Rd. Bridge over I-40 will be closed to thru traffic for Phase 1 bridge demolition activities. Detours will be posted for traffic.

LOOK AHEAD

Wednesday, April 7 through Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. -6:00 a.m.: (AS NEEDED) I-40 east and westbound from MM 82.0-87.0 will have intermittent left and right lane closures to repair any potholes.

Friday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. through Monday, April 19, at 6:00 a.m.: I-40 east and westbound will be reduced to one lane and routed up and over the ramps at Exit 83 to allow for steel beam installation on the Campbell St. bridge.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-186 (US 45 Bypass) and I-40: Interchange improvements on SR 186 (US 45) north and southbound from the I-40 ramps to Old Hickory Blvd for paving and construction of retaining walls. Widening of I-40 from just east of Exit 79 to just east of Exit 82.



Thursday, April 1, 9:00 a.m.3 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for signal installation activities.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for signal installation activities.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 7:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for Bridge 4 texture coating.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 8:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.: I-40 both east and westbound will have intermittent left and right lane closures from Exit 79 to Exit 82 for removal of barrier rail.

LOOK AHEAD

Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for signal installation activities.

Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9, 8:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.: I-40 both east and westbound will have intermittent left and right lane closures from Exit 79 to Exit 82 for removal of barrier rail.

Thursday, April 8 through Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for Bridge 4 texture coating.

Monday, April 12 through Wednesday, April 14, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for signal installation activities.

MADISON COUNTY, I-40 (Concrete Repair):

Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: The On ramps and Off ramps at Exit 93 will have construction activity but will remain open. Flaggers will be present on the ramps.

Wednesday, March 31, 7:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: I-40 eastbound from MM 87.6 to MM 95.0 will be down one lane for saw cutting and removal and replacement of damaged concrete. The On ramps and Off ramps at Exit 93 will have construction activity but will remain open. Flaggers will be present on the ramp.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.: The On ramps and Off ramps at Exit 93 will have construction activity but will remain open. Flaggers will be present on the ramps.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 7:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: I- 40 eastbound from MM 87.6 to MM 95.0 will be down one lane for saw cutting and removal and replacement of damaged concrete. The On ramps and Off ramps at Exit 93 will have construction activity but will remain open. Flaggers will be present on the ramps.

LOOK AHEAD



Wednesday, April 7 through Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.: The On ramps and Off ramps at Exit 93 will have construction activity but will remain open. Flaggers will be present on the ramps.

Wednesday, April 7 through Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: I- 40 eastbound from

MM 87.6 to MM 95.0 will be down one lane for saw cutting and removal and replacement of damaged concrete. The On ramps and Off ramps at Exit 93 will have construction activity but will remain open. Flaggers will be present on the ramps.

TDOT District 48 MAINTENANCE:

Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures at various locations in Region IV in order to repair pavement on an as needed basis.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures at various locations in Region IV in order to repair pavement on an as needed basis.

TDOT REGION IV ON-CALL RETRACE:



Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be lane closures for pavement markings at various locations along SR 15 (LM 9.9914.38) in Hardeman County.

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be lane closures for pavement markings at various locations along SR 15 (LM 9.9914.38) in Hardeman County.

District 49 - West TN  Southwest



FAYETTE COUNTY, SR-196: The repair of bridge over Shaw Creek will cause a lane closure with temporary traffic signal near MM 7.0.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-4: Grading, drainage, construction of a concrete bulb-tee bridge, retaining walls and paving on US-78 (SR-4) from the Mississippi State line (LM 0.00) to south of Shelby Drive (LM 1.48).



Monday, April 5 and Tuesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime lane closures of the NB outside lane on SR 4 to allow for AT&T utility work. Weather Permitting.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: The grading, drainage, construction of concrete Bulb-Tee and I-beam bridges, signals and paving on SR 14 from east of Old Covington Pike to SR 385 will cause possible lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.



SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: Construction on SR 14 for a widening project from SR 385 to east of Kerrville Rosemark Rd. There will be possible temporary lane closures throughout the project. Access to SR 14 from McCalla Rd West will be permanently detoured to Donnell Rd. *Speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.



SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: Bridge repair Over Wolf River Overflow. Construction on SR 14 to complete bridge repairs over the Wolf River. There will be lane closures and traffic shifts throughout the project. Detours will be in place. Advisory speed limit 30 MPH.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-205 : The addition of turn lanes on SR 205 (Airline Rd) from Brooks River Drive to south of I-40 will have lane closures throughout the project.

Wednesday, March 31, Thursday, April 1, Monday, April 5, and Tuesday, April 6, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 205 north and southbound from Brooks River Drive to just south of I-40 to perform temporary road widening work. There will be one lane traffic with flaggers present at times. *Speed limit has been reduced to 35 MPH. Weather Permitting.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-385: The signalization and safety modifications on Ridgeway Road from

Mt. Moriah Road to Quince Road in Memphis, including grading, drainage and paving.

LOOK AHEAD:



Tuesday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.: At the EB SR 385 Off ramp to NB and SB Ridgeway, there will be nightly ramp closures to install traffic signalization items at the Ridgeway Rd intersection. Thursday, April 15 is a backup date and may not be used. Weather Permitting.

TIPTON COUNTY, SR-59: The emergency slide repair of SR 59 near MM 1.0 will cause a road closure with full detour signed.

TDOT District 49 On-Call Guardrail/Concrete Barrier Rail Repair

Wednesday, March 31, Monday, April 5, and, Tuesday, April 6, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be night time lane closures at various locations on SR-3 (Shelby County), SR-385 (Shelby County), SR 14 (Shelby County), I-40 (Fayette and Shelby Counties), I-269 (Shelby and Fayette Counties), I-55 and

I-240. One lane will be CLOSED to repair damaged guardrail. THP will assist with traffic control. Weather Permitting.

Wednesday, March 31, Monday, April 5, and, Tuesday, April 6, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime ramp closures in Shelby County at I-40 EB EXIT 8 On ramp from SB SR 14, I-40 WB EXIT 10 Off ramp to SR 204, I-40 WB EXIT 18 On ramp from SR 15 (US 64), I-240 WB EXIT 24 Off ramp to Millbranch, and I-240 EB EXIT 13 Off ramp to EB Walnut Grove. Weather Permitting.

If weather prohibits, the closures will be on the next available night.

Thursday, April 1, 9AM-NOON and Monday, April 5, through Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be daytime lane closures at various locations in Lauderdale County, SR 3,

MM 7.0MM 21.0. Flagmen will be used to direct traffic where necessary. Weather Permitting.

LOOK AHEAD:



Wednesday, April 7 through Tuesday, April 13, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime ramp closures in Shelby County at I-40 EB EXIT 8 On ramp from SB SR 14, I-40 WB EXIT 8 Off ramp to SR 14, I-40 WB EXIT 10 Off ramp to SR 204, I-40 WB EXIT 18 On ramp from SR 15 (US 64), I-240 WB EXIT 24 Off ramp to Millbranch, and I-240 EB EXIT 13 Off ramp to EB Walnut Grove. Weather Permitting.

TDOT District 49 MAINTENANCE



Thursday, April 1, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Monday, April 5 through Wednesday April 7, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures on all interstates and state routes in District 49 for routine maintenance activities on an as needed basis.

TDOT REGION IV ON-CALL RETRACE:

Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be lane closures for the installation of stop lines and cross walks at various intersections along SR-1 (US-70) from Shelby County Line (LM 30.82) to Florida St. (LM 0.29).

Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be lane closures for the installation of stop lines and cross walks at various intersections along SR-1 (US-70) from Shelby County Line (LM 30.82) to Florida St. (LM 0.29).

Non-TDOT Work:

SHELBY COUNTYI-40 westbound Exit Ramp at Appling Rd (Exit 15):

LOOK AHEAD:

Sunday, April 18, 5:00 a.m.-7:00 a.m.: MLGW will close off I-40 WB Off Ramp to Appling Rd. (Exit 15) for repairs to existing transmission tower.

SHELBY COUNTYSR-205 (Navy Road at Newport Road LM-35.2:



LOOK AHEAD:

Sunday, April 7 through Tuesday, April 23: MLGW will close off a section of SR 205 to construct a new gas main, and will need to close the outside, westbound lane.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel or for West Tennessee follow https://twitter.com/NicLawrenceTDOT .

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

In 2016, the Tennessee Department of Transportation lost three workers in the line of duty. All three were struck by passing motorists. Those tragedies bring the total number of TDOT lives lost to 112. We dont want to lose another member of our TDOT family. Were asking you to WORK WITH US. Click on the WORK WITH US logo to learn more.
Joining superstars like Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Lana Del Rey, Foo Fighters and Tyler, the Creator at Bonnaroo 2021 will be Connecticuts own Goose, whose popularity has grown steadily over the last few years.

The festival, which takes place at the Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tennessee from Sept. 2-5, is being billed as celebrating 20 years of magic on the farm.

Goose performs on Saturday, Sept. 4. Tickets go on sale beginning on March 31 at noon. Four-day tickets range from $329-$3,275.

Other acts include Tame Impala, My Morning Jacket, Phoebe Bridgers, Janelle Monae, Primus, G-Eazy, Brittany Howard, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Leon Bridges, the Disco Biscuits, Grace Potter, Greensky Bluegrass, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Marcus King Band, Andy Frasco, Big Something and others.

Organizers canceled last years event due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many of the 2021 acts, including Lizzo, Tame Impala Megan Thee Stallion and Lana Del Rey, were originally scheduled to perform in 2020.

A COVID-19 warning on the 2021 event website said that enhanced health and safety measures for attendees, employees and artists were being put into place.

By attending Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, the event website states.

A press release states that local health and public safety officials will continue to abide by relevant recommendations. Festival-goers will receive regular updates with the important information needed to plan their trip to The Farm, including any changes to policies and procedures theyll need to know before entering the festival and campgrounds.

Last week, Tennessee announced that all residents 16 and older would be eligible for vaccinations beginning on April 5.

In a statement, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said Its exciting to see Tennessee stages come back to life in time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this internationally acclaimed festival. Fans are ready to gather together and celebrate their shared love of music once again. We welcome them back for a full Bonnaroo and what is sure to be a truly unforgettable event!

Goose currently has two Connecticut shows planned at Westville Music Bowl in New Haven on June 12-13. (A ticket lottery is in progress.)

The Norwalk bands new studio album, Shenanigans Nite Club  named for a hometown CT venue  comes out on June 4.

Last year, Goose sold out four shows at South Farms in Morris, Conn.

Fridays Bonnaroo show will feature a Grand Ole Opry-style set with a number of artists contributing.

Turkuaz, a band that performs frequently in Connecticut, will pay tribute to the Talking Heads Remain in Light album, with former Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison and guitarist Adrian Belew joining in.

michael.hamad@hearstmediact.com
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 MBA in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 210 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 210 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top MBA in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-mba-in-entrepreneurship-degree-programs/

2021 MBA in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

American Public University System

Ashland University

Azusa Pacific University

Babson College

Ball State University

Bay Path University

Bellevue University

Benedictine University

Brandman University

California Lutheran University

Carnegie Mellon University

Cedarville University

City University of Seattle

Colorado Technical University

Concordia University, Chicago

Concordia University, Wisconsin

DePaul University

Eastern Michigan University

Endicott College

Golden Gate University

Independence University

Indiana University

Lindenwood University

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University, Shreveport

Messiah College

Missouri State University

National Louis University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Oklahoma State University

Pennsylvania State University

Pepperdine University

Post University

Regent University

Samford University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia

Southern New Hampshire University

Strayer University

Suffolk University

Syracuse University

University of Arizona

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

University of South Florida

University of Texas, Dallas

University of West Florida

William Woods University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
The quick-hitting storm that generated powerful winds Sunday night not only damaged a Neptune hotel, but also tore the roof of a Trenton manufacturing facility.

Stone Tech Fabrication, located on Route 1, was left with a part of its roof missing, exotic marble and granite slabs destroyed and lots of debris, the company said.

Nobody was injured during the storm and the company said it was in the process of assessing the damage and evaluating the complete impact of the storm.

The storm formed so quickly and unexpectedly, we are lucky it hit at a time where our facility was not in operation, Dino Vogia, president of Stone Tech Fabrication, said in a statement.

Our goal is to continue our installation business as usual, but unfortunately we will have to delay our showroom visits for a few days until our facility is cleaned and restored to offer customers a safe place to shop once again, said John Condon, COO of the company.

Large sections of the roof at Stone Tech Fabrication in Trenton were blown off during a strong thunderstorm Sunday night.Stone Tech Fabrication

National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Staarmann told NJ Advance Media Monday straight line winds were to blame for the damage across the state Sunday night.

Straight line winds are a strong surge of winds that descend from the atmosphere that are all blowing in generally the same direction.

There was early speculation that a tornado may have caused the damage to Americas Best Value Inn in Neptune Township, but meteorologists said that was not the case and the damage patterns were more consistent with straight line winds.

Large sections of the roof at Stone Tech Fabrication in Trenton were blown off during a strong thunderstorm Sunday night and deposited in the street, causing the closure of New York Avenue to traffic.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Large sections of the roof at Stone Tech Fabrication in Trenton were blown off during a strong thunderstorm Sunday night and deposited in the street, causing the closure of New York Avenue to traffic.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Several Church leaders have come out and criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta for closing places of worship in five counties which have been declared disease infested areas.

At Kahawa West in Kiambu County, PEFA church Bishop Peter Ambuka on Sunday blamed President Kenyatta and other political leaders for the third wave of Covid-19.

"Mr President, you and your fellow politicians are to blame for this devastating third wave of Covid-19 infections in the country. Unfortunately, it is we the common Citizens who have to suffer the consequences," he said.

During a sermon on Sunday, Bishop Ambuka noted that the political leaders going around the country campaigning for the BBI is the main cause of the resurgence of Covid-19 infections.

He added that it was unfortunate as the measures put in place were only meant to make citizens suffer more at the expense of the political class which continues to live lavishly.

"Dear Mr President, do you really have a strategy for fighting this pandemic or your only strategy is lockdowns and curfews?" the cleric posed.

The pastor stressed that "careless" actions by politicians led by the Head of State while popularising the Building Bridges Initiative in rallies that acted as super-spreader events.

He added that Kenyatta's deputy William Ruto also picked cue from him to relaunch his 2022 presidential campaigns.

He called on the government to launch mass testing and vaccination programmes to remedy the situation, noting that curfews and lockdowns will do little to reverse Covid-19 infections.

Last week, President Kenyatta ordered the cessation of all movement into and out of the capital Nairobi and four other counties following a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases.

The other affected counties are Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru, with political rallies and church gatherings in the affected counties also banned.

The president also ordered a revision of curfew hours for the five counties from 8pm-4am.
A Tses farmworker, who was on trial for allegedly murdering his friend, was convicted yesterday in the Windhoek High Court.

Judge Naomi Shivute found Thomas Klein Pieterson (35) guilty of murder with direct intent when he hit Josef Olifand with an axe and or sledgehammer on the head resulting in his death during November 2017.

"The accused by assaulting the deceased with an axe and or sledgehammer on the head, which is a vital part of the body and the injury suffered by the deceased, the only inference that can be drawn from the circumstances is that he had the intent to kill his victim," said Shivute.

She further convicted him on a charge of theft instead of robbery with aggravating circumstances, citing the state failed to prove that at the time of the assault, Pieterson had the intent of stealing the car.

Pieterson was also found guilty of obstructing the court of justice for dragging Olifand's body from the farmhouse and disposing it of by burying it with rocks.

The court, however, acquitted Pieterson on a charge of acquiring, possessing or using the proceeds of unlawful activities.

According to undisputed evidence presented in court, Pieterson murdered Olifand while he was visiting him at a farmhouse where he was living in the Tses area.

Pieterson killed Olifand by hitting him with an axe or hammer. After murdering Olifand, he tied a wire around his neck and further tied it to Olifand's car. He then used the car to drag Olifand's body away from the farmhouse to dispose it of in a ditch.

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He drove off Olifand's car, which he used to transport passengers for money. He eventually abandoned the car along the B1 road near Tses after the vehicle had broken down.

Olifand's body was later discovered by passers-by but Pieterson allegedly returned to the place where he had dumped it and dragged the corpse to a ditch, where he allegedly tried to hide it again by burying it under rocks.

During the trial, Pieterson denied guilt on all charges. In his defence, he was acting in self-defence on the date in questions.

Although he opted not to testify in his defence, his reply to the state's allegation contained in the pre-trial memorandum was used as evidence against him in which he confessed to the crimes.

Pieterson is expected to return to court on 12 April for submissions before sentencing.

During his trial, Pieterson is being represented by Titus Mbaeva, whilst Tangeni Iitula is prosecuting.
Lara Trump has accused the Biden administration of 'outrageous' neglect of the American public, saying that teachers educating migrant children while U.S. pupils remain out of classrooms shows their warped priorities.

Teachers from the San Diego County Office of Education as well as other nonprofit organizations started providing educational services on Monday to some of the 500 minors currently at the San Diego Convention Center.

The youngsters arrived from Texas and Arizona over the weekend - a week before full in-person learning begins in the city.

Of more than 700 unaccompanied girls transferred to the center, at least 82 have tested positive for the virus as of Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told Fox News on Tuesday evening.

That means that there is a far higher COVID infection rate among the children being taught in-person, than those who are currently still barred from their classrooms and having to learn remotely.

Trump, who is strongly suspected to be eyeing a run for the Senate seat in North Carolina next year, said it showed Biden's contempt for his own people.

She noted he is yet to visit the border, and suggested that Donald Trump would soon be traveling to the region to see for himself the situation. She said he was going because Border Patrol agents 'want some support', and felt they were not getting it from the Biden administration.

Lara Trump, 38, appeared on Fox on Tuesday night to discuss the situation at the border

A group of migrants arrives in the United States from Mexico on Tuesday night

Migrants are pictured wading through the Rio Grande to cross into Roma, Texas on Tuesday

A Border Patrol agent processes the migrants who arrived on Tuesday night in Roma, Texas

Migrants cross the Rio Bravo into Texas on Tuesday from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

A member of the Guardia Nacional (National Guard) speaks with a family of migrants before crossing the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves into U.S Border Patrol in Texas on Tuesday

A family of migrants walk across into the United States at El Paso, Texas on Tuesday

Migrants are detained by the Border Patrol in El Paso on Tuesday

The Border Patrol says that around 5,000 people are crossing illegally into the U.S. each day

'They stopped prioritizing the American people a long time ago, in case nobody noticed,' she told Fox News on Tuesday night.

'The fact that these kids - it has been over a year since so many of them have been in school.

'Parents are struggling. Do I go to work, or do I stay home and try to teach my kid remotely, which is nearly impossible.

'The migrant kids get to go to school.'

The COVID rate among the migrant children at the Convention Center - 82 cases out of roughly 700 - is about 9 per cent, compared to the .0018 per cent rate of to San Diego residents.

'That's a case rate of 10,933 per 100,000  or 437 times higher than the case rate threshold that schools are allowed to reopen in California,' said Scott Davison, who is suing the state to try and force a quicker school reopening.

'Threshold for reopening in California is 25 per 100,000.'

Trump also pointed out that $86 million of taxpayer money was being spent on putting 'people who have come to our country illegally, broken our laws, in hotel rooms.'

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that $86.9 million would be spent over a period of six months to house migrant families who cross the U.S.-Mexico border into the United States.

Migrant families were similarly housed in U.S. hotels under the Obama and Trump administrations.

'It is so outrageous,' she said.

Migrant children are seen at the Border Patrol facility in Donna, Texas, on Tuesday

The Donna facility is meant for 250 people, but 4,100 people were being held there on Tuesday

The Border Patrol has encountered an average of 5,000 undocumented immigrants a day over the past 30 days, a senior Border Patrol official said last week.

In May 2019, the Border Patrol encountered more than 144,000 undocumented immigrants, a 12-year high.

March is likely to surpass that, reaching 150,000 crossings.

Many of the immigrants are still being turned back to Mexico under an authorization from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to combat the spread of COVID-19, but unaccompanied children and some migrant families are staying in the U.S.

Trump, 38, said that the White House was trying to cover up what was going on along the U.S.-Mexico border, after weeks of denying access to migrant shelters.

The government finally relented and allowed camera crews in on Tuesday in Donna, Texas, where thousands of migrants are being kept in cramped 'pods' where they sleep on mats on the floor.

Migrants from Ecuador are seen Monday arriving illegally from Mexico to seek asylum in the US

A Border Patrol agent is seen on Monday processing migrants who have crossed into the U.S.

The pandemic capacity of the south Texas intake facility is 250 people, but 4,100 people were being held there Tuesday.

Over 3,400 of them were children, the youngest of them four months old.

Under CDC guidelines, each of the pods in the facility should hold only 32 children. The three reviewed by the media had 516, 576 and 615 per pod.

'Could you imagine for a second if Donald Trump was in charge of any of this?' she said.

'He was so transparent. He always answered questions of the media. He let everybody into see the facilities.'

And she said the attitude of her father-in-law dissuaded migrants from making the journey, which meant they were spared the horrors of the journey from their home countries across Mexico to the border.

'Around a quarter of the women that make this trek up through Mexico and to our southern border are sexually assaulted,' she said.

'These young girls are sexually assaulted. They are sold into child slavery. They are sold into sex trafficking. It is absolutely abominable.

'The best thing possible is to never have anyone make that journey.

'Under President Donald Trump, he made it very clear they were not going to try and do it because they knew they would be sent home.

'The president of Mexico calls Joe Biden the migrant president because he is allowing all of these people to flow into America. It is a joke. We look ridiculous. It is a security issue.

'If we allow this to continue, we are going to lose America as we have always known it.

'It is a terrifying thing to see.'
[March 31, 2021] GS1 US Celebrates 50 Years of Digital Commerce and Facilitates Collaboration Toward Next-Generation Barcodes to Engage Consumers

EWING, N.J., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifty years ago today, on March 31, 1971, leaders from the biggest names in commerce came together and transformed the global economy forever by developing the Global Trade Item Number (known as the "GTIN")  also commonly called the Universal Product Code (U.P.C.). This numerical code uniquely identifies products and is the core of the barcode, the most important supply chain standard in history. Approximately three years later  on June 26, 1974  a U.P.C. barcode was scanned for the first time on a pack of Wrigley's chewing gum at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. Today, the barcode is scanned over six billion times daily and remains one of the most trusted symbols in the world. It is present on more than 100 million products and used by 2 million companies globally. "This is one of the great untold stories in the history of the modern economy. Half a century ago, fierce competitors came together, put aside their differences and remade global commerce for the better with the development of the GTIN, which in turn led directly to the creation of the barcode. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we call on businesses to collaborate once again to meet the needs of the 21st century economy by rapidly deploying and implementing new technologies, including data-rich, next-generation barcodes," said Kathy Wengel, executive vice president & chief global supply chain officer of Johnson & Johnson and chair of the GS1 Management Board. The 1971 historic meeting took place in New York City and included leaders from the biggest names in grocery, retail and consumer goods at the time, including H.J. Heinz Company, General Mills, Inc., The Kroger Company and Bristol Myers Company. The executives agreed to create a system to uniquely identify every single product, calling it the Global Trade Item Number, or GTIN. With great foresight, they believed that the GTIN could have a positive impact even beyond the grocery store  from warehouses to boardrooms  and would boost speed and efficiency of transactions and processes that could transform everything from supply chains to consumer experiences. They agreed at the meeting to continue to innovate together to create a system that would benefit businesses and consumers alike. Decades later, the BBC named the resulting outcome one of "the 50 things that made the world economy." "From the visionary meetings of the founders of GS1 to the first scan at Marsh Supermarket, the early 1970s were enormously exciting and challenging. I am honored to have been a part of something so beneficial to our world, seeing companies joining forces and allying for the common good. Now it is time for a new generation of industry leaders to come up with new forms of standards that will have the power to transform business for the next 50 years," said Tom Brady, an engineer who developed and installed the scanner system used at Marsh Supermarket to scan the first barcode with GTIN in 1974. GS1 Standards such as the GTIN embedded in the barcode symbol continue to help make the vast complexity of modern global business flow quickly, efficiently and securely, simplifying supply chain processes in almost every sector around the world. However, as consumers demand more and better product information, industry is collaborating to bring barcodes to the next level. A 2020 GS1 US research study titled "Powering the Future of Retail" revealed that 82% of retailers and 92% of brand owners support transitioning from the U.P.C. to a data-rich two-dimensional (2D) barcode (e.g., QR Code, GS1 DataMatrix), digital watermark and/or RFID.



Developments towards these next-generation barcodes, which can hold vastly more information, will be used to empower consumers with trusted information and reshape global commerce for a new century. Their use, for example, can tell consumers if a product contains allergens, if it is organic and information on its carbon footprint. Ultimately, this gives consumers a greater level of trust and loyalty relating to the products they buy. These data carriers will also tell the supply chain, in machine-readable format, additional information about the product, like the batch/lot number and expiration date. Industry is prioritizing this effort and has aligned to have all products marked with a 2D barcode and retailers equipped to scan these new barcodes by 2027. To meet this date, GS1 US collaborated with industry to develop a GS1 US Advanced Data Carriers at Point-of-Sale Getting Started Guide. GS1 US has also published a guideline to help the retail industry implement GS1 Digital Link, a standard that allows brands to web-enable barcodes and provide consumers with rich product information. With a single scan of a 2D barcode that's encoded with GS1 Digital Link, consumers can gain access to unlimited instantly updated and brand-authorized content online. GS1 Digital Link embeds the GTIN in a 2D data carrier and connects the physical product to the web. The standard can help eliminate the need for multiple on-pack barcodes, freeing up space for brand expression and supporting industry's need for a more robust data carrier.

"Our ultimate objective is to ensure transparency, satisfaction, safety and trust to our customers, our partners and our employees," said Ozgur Tort, CEO of Migros Ticaret a.s. and co-chair of The Consumer Goods Forum. "Like our predecessors half a century ago, we as business leaders must come together now to develop standards that deliver even more useful and accurate product information. This type of collaboration and partnership can advance emerging technologies in ways that will benefit both businesses and consumers all over the world." For more information about GS1 US, visit www.gs1us.org. GS1 US Media Contact:

Shannon Sullivan

ssullivan@gs1us.org

+1 609.620.4534 About GS1 US? GS1 US, a member of GS1 global, is a not-for-profit information standards organization that facilitates industry collaboration to help improve supply chain visibility and efficiency?through the use of?GS1 Standards, the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world. Nearly 300,000 businesses in 25 industries rely on GS1 US for trading partner collaboration that optimizes their supply chains, drives cost performance and revenue growth, while also enabling regulatory compliance. They achieve these benefits through solutions based on GS1 global unique numbering and identification systems, barcodes, Electronic Product Code (EPC)-based RFID, data synchronization and electronic information exchange. GS1 US also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC). For more information, please visit www.gs1us.org. U.P.C. Disclaimer* *In this publication, the letters "U.P.C." are used solely as an abbreviation for the "Universal Product Code," which is a product identification system. They do not refer to the UPC, which is a federally registered certification mark of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to certify compliance with a Uniform Plumbing Code as authorized by IAPMO. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gs1-us-celebrates-50-years-of-digital-commerce-and-facilitates-collaboration-toward-next-generation-barcodes-to-engage-consumers-301259239.html SOURCE GS1 US

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Just as the province ramps up its COVID-19 immunization effort to deliver more than 6,000 doses daily, the Manitoba government has fallen behind in reporting its performance owing to data entry delays.

Just as the province ramps up its COVID-19 immunization effort to deliver more than 6,000 doses daily, the Manitoba government has fallen behind in reporting its performance owing to data entry delays.

Last week, officials with the COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force said Manitoba would perform as many as 7,000 immunizations at the provinces five mass vaccination clinics on Monday.

And with more appointments scheduled at pop-up clinics, pharmacists and doctors' offices on Monday, it would have been the greatest single day of immunizations since the campaign began in mid-December.

However, according to provincial data, just 2,914 doses were administered across the province on Monday.

A provincial spokesman said the data reported Tuesday was accurate, but subject to adjustments, as more data is input.

"Due to the large number of vaccinations, there is a lag in data inputting on site," a spokesman said in a statement to the Free Press.

From now on, the province has said there will be a 48-hour to 72-hour delay in reporting immunizations performed at mass vaccination clinics, despite the provinces Public Health Information Management System being updated in real time as the doses are given to people at the clinic.

Based on provincial data, 17,687 doses have been administered in the past four days, with 7,230 doses given on Friday.

As of Tuesday, 194,040 doses had been given to people in Manitoba, including doses offered to First Nations individuals, representing about 78 per cent of the inventory the province has received from the federal government.

Previously, public health officials have noted that data entry delays of up to two days should be expected for doses administered by physicians and pharmacists as well as by focused immunization teams.

The Manitoba First Nations COVID-19 Pandemic Response Co-ordination Team reports its immunization data independently of the provincial government and updates its figures on a weekly basis.

Data entry lags have factored into the provincial governments pandemic response since early in the second wave. Since the fall, active COVID-19 cases have been over reported due to lags in updating recoveries.

More recently, the provincial government did not update the number of COVID-19 cases connected to outbreaks in personal care homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals between March 3 and 28, as "staff responsible for this work were deployed to front-line positions in the public health response," a provincial spokesperson said.

NDP Opposition Leader Wab Kinew said the most recent delays in data entry for COVID-19 immunizations, particularly at mass vaccination clinics, are not acceptable.

"They should be the most able to update the data in real-time and I do think its a very important accountability issue," Kinew said Tuesday. "In order for the public to have confidence in this vaccination campaign, the government needs to make sure the information is updated in real time.

"The government needs to make sure that those numbers are up to date and the media acting as the publics accountability mechanism has access and confidence in those numbers."

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
A targeted opioid that only treats diseased tissues and spares healthy tissues relieves pain from inflammatory bowel disease without causing side effects, according to new research published in the journal Gut.

The study, led by researchers at New York University College of Dentistry and Queen's University in Ontario, was conducted in mice with colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease marked by inflammation of the large intestine.

Opioids, which are used to treat chronic pain in people with inflammatory bowel disease, relieve pain by targeting opioid receptors, including the mu opioid receptor. When opioids activate the mu opioid receptor in healthy tissues, however, they can cause severe and life-threatening side effects, including difficulty breathing, constipation, sedation, and addiction.

"We wanted to understand whether it is possible to activate this receptor only in diseased tissues and not in normal tissues," said senior study author Nigel Bunnett, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Pathobiology at NYU College of Dentistry. "Essentially, can you control pain without triggering these devastating side effects?"

The answer may lie in a novel opioid called NFEPP, discovered by Christoph Stein, MD, of Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, a collaborator on the Gut study. NFEPP is a reengineered form of the opioid fentanyl; an added fluorine atom helps the drug to only bind to the mu opioid receptor in an acidic environment. This steers NFEPP to diseased tissues--sites of inflammation or injury--which become acidic due to changes in the tissues' metabolism.

The researchers investigated the use of NFEPP and fentanyl in mice with colitis, which caused their gut tissue to be mildly acidic. Both NFEPP and fentanyl inhibited colon pain in mice with colitis. However, in sharp contrast to fentanyl, NFEPP did not cause side effects such as constipation, suppressed breathing, and altered movement. In healthy mice without inflammatory bowel disease, NFEPP did not alter pain activity or cause side effects.

"The preference of NFEPP for activating opioid receptors in acidic tissues accounts for its ability to selectivity relieve pain in the inflamed but not healthy colon," said Bunnett. "By sparing healthy tissues, we avoided the detrimental side effects seen with fentanyl use."

The researchers are now collecting tissue samples from people with inflammatory bowel disease to determine whether their colons, like those in mice, are also acidic environments. If so, they plan to test NFEPP's ability to inhibit pain in the human gut and ultimately conduct clinical trials.

"Treatments designed to preferentially engage opioid receptors in diseased tissues could offer the potential for effective pain relief without the side effects. These drugs would represent a major advance in the treatment of painful diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and cancer," said Bunnett. "More broadly, engineering drugs beyond pain treatments that target only diseased tissues could open the door to more effective and precise therapies for a wide range of disorders."

###

The study's first authors are Nestor Jimenez-Vargas and Yang Yu of Queen's University and Dane Jensen of NYU College of Dentistry. In addition to Bunnett, Stephen Vanner of Queen's University is the study's senior author. The study included additional collaborators from Queen's University, NYU College of Dentistry, Columbia University, and Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin. The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NS102722, DE026806, DK118971, DE029951, RO1NS01554), U.S. Department of Defense (W81XWH1810431, PR160365), Crohn's Colitis Canada, and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

About NYU College of Dentistry
Staff at Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC have their samples taken for Covid-19 tests, February 4, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Trung Son.

Ho Chi Minh City has requested urgent approval for 6,000 more Covid-19 vaccine doses to inoculate all Tan Son Nhat airport staff.

In a statement sent to the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the city administration said Tan Son Nhat International Airport became a Covid-19 hotspot in early February when an infected baggage handler later transmitted the virus to other members of his team.

Until today, the source of transmission behind the outbreak remains unclear.

Giving priority to the group of staff working inside the airport and those who usually come into close contact with passengers is essential to ensure safety for a facility that plays a crucial role in economic development and transportation for not just HCMC but the entire nation, it said.

The city has already received 8,000 vaccine doses as allocated by the Ministry of Health and given the majority to frontline medical workers.

In all, Vietnam has ordered 30 million doses, with 117,600 having arrived. A large-scale vaccination program was launched on March 8, with priority given to medics, military, and police forces that directly fight the pandemic.

The national Expanded Program on Immunization said last month more than four million doses of the Covax-funded AstraZeneca vaccine and 1.48 million other doses Vietnam has ordered would arrive this month and next.

Five days ago, HCMCs streak of 42 days without community transmission was broken after a Vietnamese woman returned home illegally from Cambodia and traveled to the city where she tested positive. As of Wednesday, there had been no new cases detected in the city.

Vietnam expects to receive 60 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in total this year from multiple sources, though the plan may be partially delayed into 2022.

Of these, the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines sourced via Covax, containing 811,200 doses, would arrive early next month, said the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

The country seeks to secure 150 million Covid-19 vaccine doses this year to cover 70 percent of its population. It expects to start producing its own Covid-19 vaccine by the end of the third quarter, according to the health ministry.

Over 48,000 Vietnamese, mainly frontline workers in the Covid-19 fight, have received their first Covid-19 vaccine shots.
Jamaicas PM Andrew Holness lashed out at entertainers who glorify violent lifestyles in popular music citing a negative impact on the minds of societys children.

Holness made the statements while speaking during a parliament session on March 30. In our music and our culture, in as much as you are free to reflect what is happening in the society, you also have a duty to place it in context, he said.

Dat yuh tek up the AK-47 and tun it inna a man head  That is not right. And though you have the protection of the constitution to sing about it, you also have a duty to the children who are listening to you, Holness said.

The issue of violence in society has been emphasized over the last week, following the tragic murder of 20-year-old Khanice Jackson who was found in Portmore, three days after she went missing. A 50-year-old mechanic, Robert Fowler, was yesterday officially charged with her murder.

Gender Minister Olivia Grange also used the session to highlight the issue of violence especially towards women in Jamaican society.

It is on a sombre note and with pain in my heart that I stand to give voice to the now suppressed voices of our sisters who have been brutally killed in the epidemic of domestic violence in our country. Killed because some man felt he had the right to decide whom she should love or that she should continue in an abusive relationship, regardless. Killed because she did not have the physical strength to fight back, as, intimidated and threatened, she kept silent till the moment of her death, Grange said.

She also called on entertainers and media practitioners to do their part to end the scourge of violence.

Following the comments from the PM, Jamaicans took to social media to express their outrage at his comments, something that he also predicted would happen when delivering his remarks.

Some saw the statements as disingenuous and wondered if the PM would still use Dancehall artists when elections time rolls around again like this person, who said: Hope next election every dancehall artiste do an anti Holness dub.

Lmfao is this the same Andrew Holness and his party link up with every single dancehall artiste fi ave sound clash and rope in young voters to turn around and condemn them for their lyrics? That same Andrew? one person said on Twitter.

Lmfao is this the same Andrew Holness and his party link up with every single dancehall artiste fi ave sound clash and rope in young voters to turn around and condemn them for their lyrics? That same Andrew?  Cute like Patoo (@mentallyfinish) March 31, 2021

Most others stated that they were confused by the PMs statements since he accepted the title Bro Gad some time ago from a Dancehall artist. The hypocrisy from a man who accepted the Bro Gad moniker. Him think Daddy 1 & 6ix mek Gospel music ????? another person said.

Over on Instagram, there were also many angry comments.
The health minister and others are being invited over importation of syringes and needles from China and India despite policy guidelines against it in Nigeria.

The Senate joint committees on Health and Industry Trade and Investment, have summoned the Ministers of Health and Trade and Investment - Osagie Ehanire and Niyi Adebayo, respectively.

The committees have also summoned the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye.

The trio are being invited over importation of syringes and needles from China and India despite policy guidelines against it in Nigeria.

The invitation came shortly after the Senate President, expressed his displeasure at the absence of Mr Ehanire and the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, at a public hearing on some health bills - despite invitations sent to them.

Tuesday's summon was sequel to a motion that the Senate had considered titled, 'The need to regulate the manufacturing, importation and use of syringes and needles to protect the lives and safety of Nigerians as well as the economy of the country."

The Senate had in February, complained that the majority of the imported syringes and needles are substandard, unsterile that are used and rewashed syringes from the Asian continent and thereafter imported into the country.

The committees were thereafter mandated to carry out a holistic probe into the state of manufacturing, importation and policy guidelines for syringe and needles in Nigeria.

Members of the committees queried the Ministry of Trade and Investment for its failure to implement the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) of 2017 on local production of syringes five years after validation and why it has not been presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval.

NAFDAC was also queried for licensing companies in India and China to import syringes and needles into the country.

Chairman of the health committee, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, who issued the invitation, said the health minister needs to explain why a policy of 2017 by the federal government has not been implemented and also the manufacturing, importation, and policy guideline for syringes in Nigeria.

He berated NAFDAC for licensing companies in India and China to import syringes into the country.

"You can't keep licensing agents outside Nigeria to import syringes, while local firms are dying. There is no complexity in the production of syringes. There is no complexity in the production of syringes," he said as he threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the ministers and the NAFDAC DG should they fail to appear on April 15.

Members of the committees who were disappointed that the ministry of trade and investment has failed to implement BIP on local production of syringes five years later, said because tariff on imported syringes and needles is not implemented, imported ones have become cheaper than the locally produced ones.

Despite the capacity of the local firms to meet the market demands, an estimated over one billion units per annum of syringes and needles were being imported into the country, thereby making the country lose what he described as huge foreign exchange, they noted.

While Mr Ehanire is to appear and explain why public-owned hospitals do not use locally-manufactured syringes, the NAFDAC boss is to provide the list of companies that have been importing syringes into the country in the last 15 years, the quantity imported as well as evidence of checks on licensed foreign companies and licensing fees.

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Earlier, the President of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MEDMAN), Akin Oyediran, explained that all the seven licensed local manufacturers have the potential to produce 2.4 billion units of syringes per annum if provided with a favourable business environment.

"The syringes needed in Nigeria is between 2 billion to 2.5 billion annually. All seven local manufacturers have the capacity to produce 1. 95 billion a year.

"But if we have the support of the government, especially the implementation of Backward Integration Policy, they will scale up and would be able to produce all the demands in a matter of months. The quality is world-class. The quality is not questionable," he said.

Speaking on the losses incurred from importing syringes, Mr Oyediran said the main issue was how much Nigerians were being exposed to substandard syringes coming into the country.
A wandering walrus sunk a dinghy as it tried to hitch a ride in a Welsh seaside town - in its latest adventure after straying thousands of miles from its Arctic home.

The walrus, nicknamed Wally, capsized the dinghy in front of onlookers as it tried to flop aboard.

It was then spotted attempting to climb onto the fishing boat moored in the harbour of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, where the walrus has been spending the last few days.

Animal welfare groups are monitoring the giant mammal believed to have previously visited Ireland after travelling from the Arctic on an ice floe.

Beachgoer Martyn Thomas, 36, said he was walking along the harbour when he noticed other people looking out to sea.

Wally the Walrus, pictured, was been spotted swimming in Tenby, Pembrokeshire

The juvenile Arctic walrus, pictured, was first spotted off the Irish west coast before continuing on to Wales

The giant mammal sank this dinghy after trying to clamber aboard - possibly in the search for food

He said: 'I wondered what was going on and you could see the walrus by an overturned dinghy. Someone said that it flipped it over as it tried to get on.

'The next thing it was trying to get up to a fishing boat and had its flippers right up to the deck. It was like it wanted to get aboard.'

Mr Thomas, who is a father of one, said it was an impressive sight during the morning's high tide.

He said: 'It's a huge creature. It was just swimming around lazily and looked happy enough.'

Wally the Walrus was first spotted in County Kerry in the Irish Republic before travelling to Pembrokeshire. He has been seen in the Tenby area over the course of several days

Wally the Walrus is believed to have travelled across the Atlantic from Greenland on a sheet of ice before arriving in Co Kerry in the Irish Republic. He later swam into the Irish Sea, arriving in Tenby, Pembrokeshire

Plumber Sean Roche, of Pembrokeshire-based SR Plumbing, spent more than 20 minutes watching it as it played with the boats.

He said: 'I was slightly late for work this morning. This is the best excuse.'

The walrus is believed to have crossed the Irish Sea after being spotted in County Kerry earlier this month.

It was first seen in Wales on rocks near Broad Haven South beach before swimming further south to Tenby days later.

In the past few days it has taken refuge on the RNLI slipway where lifeboat chiefs are keeping the crowds away from it.

Cleopatra Browne, of Welsh Marine Life Rescue, visited the walrus when it first arrived in Wales, saying: 'It was about the size of a cow.

'It was a whopper. I've seen them on telly and the news but it was huge.'

Walruses are more often seen in the Arctic, and are not usually seen this far south.

Ms Browne watched the walrus from about 40m away and believed it was a young animal as its tusks were 'about 3in long'.

'There is a tale going around that it fell asleep on an iceberg and ended up drifting across and woke up in Ireland,' said Ms Browne.

'And then ended up in Wales on the way home.'

It was first seen on the coast of County Kerry in west Ireland on March 15 before making the 450km journey to Pembrokeshire in Wales on March 21.

The RSPCA were called out to check on the creature  which is 'underweight'  at the bottom of a cliff near Broad Haven South beach last week.

Experts believe the walrus is a young adult, but it is not possible to determine the gender, as both males and females have tusks.

They said the animal may have dozed off on a block of ice and drifted across the ocean in its trip to Ireland.
Pandemic shapes ex-officers trial in Floyd death

The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in George Floyd s death is being conducted under special circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The biggest single difference is that the trial is televised, which is common in many states but not in Minnesota. But there many other changes, ranging from the physical layout of the courtroom to the plastic barriers between participants, to the way sidebars are conducted.

Minnesota allows cameras in court, but only when the prosecution and defense agree  something that hasnt happened before in trials where interest was high enough that cameras were even considered.

By that rule, cameras wouldnt have been allowed at Chauvins trial because Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison opposed them on the grounds that they could scare away potential witnesses.

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But Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ordered them anyway, citing intense interest in the trial, the limited courtroom space and the need for transparency. Cahill also cited Chauvins right to a public trial.

COURTROOM SETUP

There is no traditional jury box and gallery. Jurors are seated at widely spaced desks, as are the prosecution, the defense, a court reporter, one seat each for the Floyd and Chauvin families and two for pool reporters. Plastic barriers have been erected throughout the courtroom, hand sanitizer is everywhere and participants wear masks most of the time.

Chauvin was initially supposed to be tried at the same time as the other three officers at the scene of Floyds arrest, but Cahill determined that the countys largest courtroom simply couldnt be made to accommodate four defendants and their defense teams all at once. The other three officers go on trial in August.

SIDEBARS

At ordinary trials, the judge and attorneys huddle around the judges bench  a nonstarter with the pandemic. Instead, the attorneys, the judge and Chauvin all put on headsets to talk over any legal or procedural issues out of the jurys hearing.
It is not often that the publication of obscure academic articles becomes the subject of global media attention, but thats what has happened with J. Mark Ramseyer, a professor at Harvard Law School.

In recent weeks, thousands of activists, academics, and prominent politicians have condemned a paper Ramseyer published in the International Journal of Law and Economics that dealt with the politically charged issue of wartime brothels used by the Japanese military. Now the activists want the journal to retract the paper as well as his other scholarship, and for Harvard to fire the professor or otherwise end his career.

This has been a scorched earth campaign by any measure. Members of Congress such as Rep. Michelle Steel have condemned the paper. A resolution was passed by the Philadelphia City Council calling for its censorship. Major media outlets have covered the petitions, and The New Yorker dedicated a 5,000-word longform article to the affair.

Whether or not the arguments in Ramseyers paper have merit -- indeed probably there are flaws, especially with this level of scrutiny -- it is extraordinarily worrying to see such a ferocious, unchecked attack on academic freedom, one that makes it all but impossible for any future scholar to ever bring any criticism to bear on the subject of comfort women.

The outsized reaction to the article is indicative of much broader problems concerning what happens when we have highly inflexible, intolerant versions of historical memory.

The comfort women activists calling for Ramseyers cancellation say that ultimately their goal is to make Japan apologize. And why shouldnt they? After all, this is a deeply unpleasant, uniquely dark period from the most catastrophic war to have taken place in the history of our civilization. Nobody in their right mind, Ramseyer included, would deny that immense suffering took place.

The problem is that Japan has already apologized, many times. As far back as 1994, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama expressed Japans profound remorse for the unbearable suffering and sorrow and specifically for everything which stained the honor and dignity of comfort women. More than a dozen similar apologies were issued in following years, capped off by the 2015 final and irreversible agreement brokered by the Obama administration to settle the issue.

But the activists, for various reasons, say that they were never satisfied with apologies and have rejected reconciliation efforts, going so far as to dissolve the $9.3 million fund which had already paid reparations to 35 out of 47 surviving comfort women and relatives of 64 out of 199 former comfort women. Instead, a relentless campaign against Japan has continued, with activists seeking to build statues abroad -- an action that has been perceived as highly offensive to Japanese who feel they have already expressed regret and offered settlements.

The Harvard episode helps to explain this impasse. Ramseyers paper may be offensive, but it is hardly a threat to South Korea, Korean American identity, or even the interests of surviving comfort women. Based on the extraordinary reach of the attack against Ramseyer, it is clear that the activists wield an immensely powerful cultural influence machine. But what the paper did do was point attention to areas of ambiguity around this period and unsettled questions which, for Korean nationalists, are deemed as strictly taboo and absolutely unacceptable for debate.

The South Korean version of this period of history is neat and tidy. They say there were some 200,000 women who were taken against their will, forcefully mobilized and coerced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military. Any deviation from this victim narrative is subject to public condemnation, and in some cases, criminal prosecution in South Korea, such as the case of Sejong University Professor Park Yu-ha.

But the reality was likely more nuanced than that. Japan and Korea never fought in a war. During the 1910-1945 annexation of Korea, despite grievances related to the occupation, the two countries were effectively governed as a single nation. Korean soldiers fought alongside Japanese soldiers, and some 148 were similarly convicted of war crimes by the Allies in postwar tribunals. As some historians have pointed out, it is implausible that Korean men in these communities would allow 200,000 abductions of their women to take place without resistance, without some sort of major incident.

Ikuhiko Hata, a highly respected professor emeritus at Nihon University in Tokyo and a former researcher at Harvard and Princeton in the United States, traveled to the island of Jeju to investigate claims of these comfort women abductions and discovered these accounts to have been fabricated. As he told the Asia Times upon publishing his findings, the truth is complicated.

The term slavery to describe comfort women was a relatively recent innovation -- allegedly introduced against the wishes of some surviving comfort women because activists believed stronger language would gain more traction with public. Activists point to a 1996 United Nations report authored by special rapporteur Radhika Coomaraswamy, which has come under criticism for relying on the debunked, retracted testimony of self-proclaimed former soldier Seiji Yoshida.

Part of the problem is that the brothels used by the Japanese military were privately managed by contractors, many of them being Korean, who may have been involved in exploitation of comfort women. For Japanese critics of the comfort women activists, they feel subjected to double standards. They question why these organizations appear concerned about the plight of Korean comfort women, not Japanese comfort women, who made up the vast majority, or why they arent building statues acknowledging all incidents of sexual abuse allegations related to military deployments, such as the well-known cases of the Lai Dai Han victims of Korean soldiers in Vietnam.

The reason why Ramseyers paper has touched a third rail is because there are aspects of this history which go against a fundamental value of Korean nationalist identity, one that absolves any and all responsibility under the vast umbrella of being victims of Japanese colonialism. To oppose that narrative is unthinkable and terrifying -- even though it is clear from the evidence that there is nothing absolutist about this period in history.

According to George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley, the purpose of this attack on Ramseyers economic freedom is to not only silence opposing views but also to intimidate others in supporting or publishing such views in the future.

As a history nut, I would like to read both sides of this issue, including the views of Professor Ramseyer, Turley argues. However, many are seeking to prevent me and others from having access to those views.

Professor Robert Carmona-Borjas has taught at both George Washington University and American University and serves as the CEO and Founder of the Arcadia Foundation, a 5013 not for profit organization that seeks to curb corruption in developing governments. The views expressed are his own.

Image: National Archives
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Roambee, the Silicon Valley-based supply chain visibility solutions provider announces the appointment of Michael Culme-Seymour in Singapore as its Vice President & Managing Director of APAC to drive growth in Asia and further increase the company's global life sciences footprint. Roambee is a major player in the world's COVID-19 vaccine distribution endeavour through its proven active cold chain monitoring solution used by one of the largest global vaccine makers.

Supply Chain Expert & Former WHO Advisor, Michael Culme-Seymour

Michael is a supply chain expert with more than thirty-five years of experience in airline, freight, and life science logistics industries. Apart from his independent advisory roles to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Economic Forum, he held leadership roles during the expansion stage of well-known companies, namely as CEO of DHL Global Mail APAC, Vice President for Special Cargo with Swissair, and Vice President APAC for Marken (a UPS company).

Roambee is scaling rapidly with a large focus on the Asia market and real-time cold chain visibility for the pharma and food industry. It more than doubled its orders in 2020 even amidst the pandemic owing to an unmet market need for reliable, real-time supply chain visibility solutions. Roambee enables real-time decisions and logistics automation through sensor-driven supply chain signals and an immersive location-aware platform. It recently completed its Series B1 funding in excess of US$18M led by Temasek-backed Reefknot Investments.

Driving Roambee's expansion in the region will not be new for Michael. During his tenure at Swissair, DHL, and Marken, he led the business growth in Asia. He delivered innovative supply chain solutions, addressed governmental monopoly conflicts, and fronted complex negotiations. His experience in the region includes establishing a network of offices to service customers in Singapore and sixteen other locations, driving commercial growth and a high quality of service.

Michael Culme-Seymour says, "Roambee has demonstrated its success in the Americas, Europe and India. It is now time to continue to drive this growth in the APAC region. Whilst clients have enjoyed Roambee's services in the region for some years, the establishment of our presence in Singapore will allow us to increase the customer response time, enhance technical support, and solution design. The opportunities in the region are endless and we are currently working with and continue to seek partnerships to accelerate our footprint in key markets. I am excited to be part of the Roambee team during its inaugural days in this region."

Michael, who began his career with the UK's Royal Navy has been residing with his family in Singapore for 22 years. Michael is an active member of the Executive Committee of The Logistics and Supply Chain Management Society.

Roambee's CEO, Sanjay Sharma says, "Singapore will not only be Roambee's center for APAC, it will also drive technology innovation in partnership with governmental and educational institutions. Michael's proven leadership and domain experience, when combined with the backing of major investors in the region, will aid our swift expansion in Asia. I welcome Michael into our team of Responsible Rebels."

About Roambee

Roambee's end-to-end supply chain monitoring solutions transform businesses on demand with unfettered access to verifiably better visibility. It puts you in control of goods and assets - indoors, outdoors, and in-transit - with sensor data monitoring, analytics, alerts, and automated response. Roambee's services are on demand and CAPEX-free; you only pay for what you monitor.

300+ global enterprises have chosen Roambee to improve product velocity, compress order-to-cash cycles, and forecast demand accurately. Roambee is continuously investing in AI and data analytics to make trusted business recommendations. Its cloud platform is powered by purposefully built multi-sensor IoT hardware and clever use of global connectivity options to monitor at scale, while Robotic Process Automation (RPA) automates processes for transparent business operations. With a 60+ strong global partner network, Roambee has created a strong business eco-system for visibility.

Roambee is headquartered in the Silicon Valley, USA with regional offices in Mexico, Brazil, UK, Germany, UAE, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to service its worldwide customer and partner base.

Media Contact

Premsai Sainathan

Sr. Director, Global Marketing

Roambee

[email protected]

+1 (408) 461-5221

SOURCE Roambee
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 10:10:15|Editor: huaxia

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A doctor collects samples from a patient at the Zhongfaxincheng campus of Tongji Hospital affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 14, 2020. (Photo by Cui Meng/Xinhua)

Since the start of the pandemic, science and common sense have been wrestling with conspiracy theories and lies. Now that science has spoken, the world community needs to take it as an opportunity to recognize COVID-19 origin-tracing for what it is: scientific research, not a political game.

by Xinhua writer Shi Xiaomeng

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) late Tuesday released a report on its joint mission with China to trace the origins of the coronavirus.

This time those in the West who hoped to find a smoking gun in the report are surely feeling disappointed. The report practically denies the unfounded speculation that the pandemic was caused by a leak from a lab in China's central city of Wuhan.

It also stands as a powerful repudiation of the shameless lies some Western politicians and pundits have churned out to slander China over the months, and a sobering reminder that more hard work is needed to decode the secrets of the virus.

Now that science has spoken, the world community needs to take it as an opportunity to recognize COVID-19 origin-tracing for what it is: scientific research, not a political game.

Countries around the world need to first settle on a broad consensus that future origin-tracing missions should not be arbitrary probes that are based on the presumption of guilt. The aim of the missions should be about getting to know the virus better and understanding how it has evolved so as to help the human race beat the virus at an early date as well as prevent future outbreaks of the disease.

A sign advertising a face mask requirement is displayed at the Moynihan Train Hall in New York, the United States, Jan. 23, 2021. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

Since the start of the pandemic, science and common sense have been wrestling with conspiracy theories and lies. And so the battle for truth continues.

It is unfortunate to see that immediately before and in the wake of the report's publishing, some anti-China politicians and biased media outlets in the West are still trying to peddle their lies about China, manipulate public opinion and question the authority of the WHO report.

The world community should not forget that it is those despicable political tricks that have assaulted facts and science, fostered fear and misinformation, stoked prejudice and hatred, and jeopardized trust and solidarity among nations. As a result, the already exhausting battle against the deadly pathogen has been rendered even more onerous.

Compared with the lethal coronavirus, the political viruses those politicians and press have incubated and spread are even more hateful. As COVID-19 origin-tracing is still underway, the international community might as well trace back this political virus to see the ugly faces of those perpetrators, and hold them accountable.

While placing science front and center, the origin-tracing work also demands time, patience from the general public and perhaps a little luck.

Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows an exterior view of the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia)

And sometimes even with these, such complicated quests might still end up with no definite conclusions. History does not lack such examples. For many infectious diseases such as AIDS and the 1918 influenza, scientists are still unable to tell where exactly those viruses originated.

What is also key to solving the puzzles of the cunning coronavirus in a scientific fashion is to stay open. This means that targeting one single country for tracing back the origin of the virus can hardly be helpful in research.

Again, origin-tracing is a serious scientific endeavor. China was the first country to report COVID-19 infections. That does not mean the world's "patient zero" is in China.

It has been widely reported that a series of studies done in various countries have already found traces of the coronavirus elsewhere in the world long before the epidemic broke out in China.

Therefore, similar WHO origin-tracing missions that China has embraced should also be conducted in more countries and regions worldwide.

There is still a long road ahead to get to the bottom of the virus. Vanquishing political viruses and letting science prevail will bring the human race one step closer to the truth. 
Tory chiefs used party funds to pay Boris Johnson's legal bills in the row over his affair with Jennifer Arcuri, it emerged last night.

Party co-chairman Ben Elliot is said to have approved payments of more than 10,000 to the Prime Minister's lawyers.

The cash was handed over weeks after Mr Johnson entered No10 in July 2019.

He was at the time facing police watchdog inquiries over whether as London mayor he had any influence over the payment of 126,000 of public funds to Miss Arcuri. The Independent Office for Police Conduct cleared him last year.

The disclosure follows the Daily Mail's revelations concerning a secret 60,000 Conservative Party donation to pay for new decor for Mr Johnson and fiancee Carrie Symonds' Downing Street flat. The Tory Party last night confirmed that it had paid Mr Johnson's legal bills after his four-year affair with Miss Arcuri was revealed.

Tory chiefs used party funds to pay Boris Johnson's legal bills in the row over his affair with Jennifer Arcuri, it emerged last night

He was at the time facing police watchdog inquiries over whether as London mayor he had any influence over the payment of 126,000 of public funds to Miss Arcuri. The Independent Office for Police Conduct cleared him last year

It defended the decision, saying it was a 'party political matter' in response to a 'politically motivated' attack by Labour, but it refused to say how much it spent. A Conservative HQ source said the Commons authorities had ruled there was no need for the Prime Minister to declare the payment as a donation.

But the disclosure that Tory funds have been used to pay for the consequences of his affair with Miss Arcuri and fiancee Miss Symonds' expensive taste in wallpaper is certain to lead to more criticism of Mr Johnson's colourful and costly love life. It also highlights the influential role of Mr Elliot, nephew of the Duchess of Cornwall and a close political and personal ally of both Mr Johnson and Miss Symonds.

A Conservative grandee said: 'Ben's attitude is, 'What Boris and Carrie want, they get'. It is causing increasing resentment among our supporters.

'Some small donors make big sacrifices to give us a couple of hundred pounds a year. They don't expect it to be doled out behind closed doors to fund the PM's chaotic love life.'

Mr Johnson is facing the threat of a new inquiry by the Greater London Assembly's oversight committee over claims that he gave preferential treatment to Miss Arcuri and her companies.
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Mark Rains, professor and director of the USF School of Geosciences, has been appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the states chief science officer. The chief science officer leads the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency, a division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and is responsible for ensuring information about priority environmental issues is clearly communicated to the public, as well as organizing agency resources and scientific expertise, data and research.

Rains is a leading expert on hydrological sciences and has played a vital role in informing water-related law, policy and decision making. Through his Ecohydrology Research Group, Rains has conducted various studies pertaining to wetlands, headwater streams, rivers and estuaries and has published in multiple journals regarding Floridas water quality, a key cause of harmful algal blooms. In early 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court utilized his expertise in the case County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, that closed a massive loophole in the Clean Water Act, which affirmed for the first time that pollutants that flow through groundwater and then emerge into surface waters are in fact covered by the act.

I am honored that Governor DeSantis and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein have entrusted me with this important responsibility, Rains said. Florida is already a leader in the application of science in crafting sound environmental policy, and I look forward to working alongside our many stakeholders as we continue to build on this foundation.

Science must be at the heart of environmental policy for it to be effective and successful, DeSantis said. I am proud to announce that Dr. Rains will be the states next chief science officer to lead us in this charge. Under his leadership, I am excited to see the task force build on the success of its efforts and their additional recommendations to protect Floridas water quality through science-based, transparent initiatives. I know that with this continued focus, Florida will remain a national leader in innovation and water quality protection.

The Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency spearheaded the development of the Protecting Florida Together website, an online resource that allows the public to access the states first-ever comprehensive water quality dashboard encompassing multi-agency water quality data and initiatives. The platform provides users access to water quality data and nutrient information, including active projects and the status of water quality in Florida communities. Additionally, the office completed development of an education center and a preference center that allowsFloridians to sign up for blue-green algae and red tide email notifications.



The University of South Florida congratulates Dr. Rains for his appointment to this key position in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said USF President Steven Currall. With Dr. Thomas Frazer, now dean of USFs College of Marine Science, serving as the states first chief science officer and the appointment of Dr. Rains, USF is proud to represent the scientific expertise and leadership needed to support our states environmental management and stewardship goals.

Rains replaces Frazer, who was recently appointed to the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission, which sets standards and rules pertaining to water quality, air pollution and waste management in the state. Frazer was recruited from his position as chief science officer and has been tasked with strengthening the College of Marine Science's national and global profile and helping to advance USF in its effort to become a top 25 national university eligible for membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU). He is working to envision and develop an interdisciplinary center of academic and research excellence in oceanographic and environmental sciences.

Frazer joined USF in June 2020, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience at the University of Florida, including leadership positions in the universitys Water Institute, the School of Forest Resources and Conservation and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. He also served an eight-year term as director of the School of Natural Resources and Environment. Throughout his career, Frazer has produced nearly 200 publications and has garnered extensive federal and state grant funding to support his research, which includes work on the ecology of coral reefs, water quality and restoration of degraded ecosystems.
A Portland woman who told police less than two weeks ago that she feared she would be harmed by the man who shot her boyfriend in early March was found dead Sunday.

The suspected gunman had come uninvited into Kim Lambrights tent in a Southwest Portland homeless encampment, placed his handgun near her and threatened he would shoot her if she helped police investigate the shooting that required her boyfriend to undergo emergency surgery, she told police. Lambright was terrified for hours, she told an officer March 17.

Eleven days later, Lambright, 53, was found shot to death at the homeless encampment at Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Capitol Highway near the Hillsdale and South Portland neighborhoods, Portland Police said in a statement.

Police have not named a suspect in the fatal shooting.

But hours after Lambrights death, the Portland Police Bureau asked the public for help locating Noah Charles Smith, 34, whom prosecutors charged with attempted murder and first-degree assault in the non-fatal shooting of Lambrights boyfriend in the same camp where she was found dead. Police have not confirmed if the two shootings, which occurred three weeks apart, are related.

On the evening of March 7, Christopher Barrett, 39, was alone in the tent where he and Lambright lived when someone fired two bullets through the nylon walls, hitting him in the leg and the abdomen. Inside the green domed tent covered in a blue tarp and white canopy, Barrett lay in a pool of blood.

About 15 minutes later, around 8:30 p.m., Lambright came home after running errands. She found Barrett moaning in pain. Lambright called police and led responders down an access road to the wooded area where the two camped. Barrett was transported to the hospital for emergency surgery and survived.

In the minutes before the shooting, Barrett told police he heard Smith, whom he and others in the homeless community knew as Ody, outside of his tent ask in his distinctive voice, Wheres Kim? Barrett responded through the thin tent walls that he didnt know where she was. Seconds later, he was shot, he told police.

A neighbor later told police he saw Smith with a gun at the encampment before the shooting. Nearly an hour later, that witness heard two gunshots but never looked outside his tent to see who fired the gun.

About a month before the initial shooting, Smith threatened Lambright at her tent by pointing a gun at her from what she estimated was 15 feet away. Lambright said she believed that threat was a response to her having gone to Smiths tent to ask about a friends stolen bicycle he might have seen, because he repaired bikes. She told police Smith misinterpreted that as accusing him of stealing the bike, according to court documents.

As Barrett recovered from the gun wounds at the hospital, Lambright spent days sleeping and camping in solitude, without the protection that a home with a locked door brings. On March 17, Lambright was alone when Smith unzipped her tent and crawled in to sit next to her, setting a handgun down between them.

Lambright was certain Smith was going to kill her, court documents state.

Smith was upset because he believed Lambright told police that he had shot her boyfriend. Smith then told her he had to shoot Barrett because he believed Barrett was homosexual and that Barrett wanted to engage in sexual relations with him. Smith told her he didnt want people to think he was also gay, according to the court filing.

Smith insisted to Lambright that he had no choice but to shoot Barrett, according to police.

Lambright told police she played along and agreed with what Smith said out of fear he would kill her or sexually assault her if she didnt  he was touching her thigh in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. She lied to him, asking him why he didnt tell her earlier that her boyfriend was gay and agreeing Smith had to shoot him.

Smith put away the gun but took Lambrights phone because he didnt want her talking to police. Smith eventually left, leaving Lambright terrified.

For hours, she sat inside of her tent, frozen in fear. She now had no way to immediately call for help. Eventually, Lambright walked to a nearby Safeway to use the customer service phone to call police. She informed police that she still wanted to help with their investigation but asked they not call her cellphone because she believed Smith will kill her if he finds out she is helping the police with this investigation, the report read. She told police she would feel safe staying with a friend that night.

Crime victims in Oregon have a constitutional right to protection that requires responders to work with victims to determine what is best for that individual, said Meg Garvin, director of the National Crime Victim Law Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School.

Police made repeated offers to Lambright for services including housing alternatives to provide a safe place for her to stay, said Portland Police Lt. Greg Pashley.

Unfortunately, she refused those offers, Pashley said.

Sometimes offers of housing or mass shelter can seem daunting to some individuals who have lived in an encampment for an extended period of time, advocates say. Some people feel they are unsafe in other ways at a shelter.

I wish we could develop a protocol for people who are victims of assault or witnesses to a crime where we could move them to a safer location that feels safe to them, said Raven Drake, an outreach worker for Street Roots, a homeless advocacy organization. Honestly, retaliation from people can be quite brutal and there is this mentality among the streets that regardless of how it happened, when you tell on someone you become a snitch.

Drake, who was assaulted when she previously experienced homelessness in Portland, said afterward she felt largely powerless and spent months afraid each night that the person who assaulted her would return. She said the threat to women living on the street is very high.

But for me, as a trans woman, when I went to a womens shelter for one night, I didnt feel accepted there so I didnt stay, she said, adding that the alternative housing offered for victims or witnesses should be tailored to each persons need.

Noah Smith, 34, is suspected in a March 7 shooting near Barbur Boulevard and Capitol Highway.Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

Since the incident, police have made several attempts to locate and arrest Smith but have been unsuccessful. A judge signed a warrant Smiths arrest on March 23. He is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weights 150 pounds. He has light-colored hair, a receding hairline and close-set eyes.

If anyone has information about the incident, they can contact Detective William Winters at William.Winters@portlandoregon.gov or by calling 503-823-0466 or Detective Scott Broughton at Scott.Broughton@portlandoregon.gov or by calling 503-823-3774.

Nicole Hayden reports on homelessness for The Oregonian. She can be reached at nhayden@oregonian.com or on Twitter @Nicole_A_Hayden.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Wednesday making New York the latest state in the country to have legalized adult-use recreational marijuana.

The state expects the new industry to generate up to $350 million in tax revenue annually and create as many as 60,000 jobs, according to a media release from the governors office.

This is a historic day in New York - one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, embraces an industry that will grow the Empire States economy, and prioritizes marginalized communities so those that have suffered the most will be the first to reap the benefits, Cuomo said.

The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act passed both chambers of the State Legislature Tuesday night, and establishes an Office of Cannabis Management that will oversee oversee the medical-use, adult-use and cannabinoid hemp industries.

The legislation provides licensing for participants in the cannabis market, and creates a social and economic equity program to assist individuals disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement that want to participate in the industry.

Localities have an opportunity to opt-out of allowing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries or on-site consumption licenses by passing a local law by the end of the year, but cannot opt-out of adult-use recreational legalization.
An LGBT Group is reported to be on the move to remove the government-mandated "religious exemption" from Title IX for Christian schools.

On Tuesday, Christian Headlines said that a 33-member coalition of LGBT students who call themselves the Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP) and composed of current and former students from Christian and religious schools filed on Monday a federal lawsuit that asks the declaration of "religious exemptions" as unconstitutional.

The said lawsuit is projected to dramatically change how 200 faith-based U.S. schools would be operating when approved.

The Christian Headlines explained that Christian colleges and universities "often prohibit LGBTQ content in student handbooks, based on scriptural teaching" and this is one of the things the lawsuit is eyeing to change in U.S. schools, which claims that over 100,000 LGBT students are attending.

The lawsuit is asking the federal government to declare as unconstitutional the Title IX religious exemption and to "enforce the protections of Title IX at all taxpayer-funded educational institutions, including at those institutions that discriminate and cause harm on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs."

"Religious exemptions to civil rights statutes come at a price. The price is paid by the young and vulnerable who find themselves at the mercy of religiously affiliated, taxpayer-funded social service and educational institutions that often turn them away or force them into the closet. REAP's lawsuit asserts the constitutional and basic human rights of LGBTQ+ students, seeking to end the sexual, physical and psychological abuses perpetrated under the religious exemption to Title IX at thousands of federally-funded schools, colleges and universities across America," REAP said in their website.

The said website includes photos of the 33 plaintiffs though it does not indicate if they actually represent the LGBTQ+ students from the religious schools and seminaries indicated they come from, which is from across the United States.

Specifically, the schools the plaintiffs come from are: Union University, Brigham Young University, George Fox University, Dordt University, Cedarville University, La Sierra University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Grace University, Westmont College, Bob Jones University, Eastern University, Clarks Summit University, York College, Baylor University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, Colorado Christian College, Indiana Wesleyan University, Liberty University, Moody Bible Institute, Toccoa Falls College, Messiah University, Seattle Pacific University, Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma Christian School, Lipscomb University, and Nyack College.

"The Constitution guarantees equal rights for all Americans, holding space for religious belief and practice, while ensuring that religion does not serve as a government-funded vehicle to harm racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, religious or other minorities. Government action that ignores this central principal, including the religious exemption to Title IX, is unconstitutional and must be remedied immediately," the plaintiffs stated in the website.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that the United States Department of Education is "duty-bound by Title IX and the U.S. Constitution to protect sexual and gender minority students at taxpayer-funded colleges and universities, including private and religious educational institutions that receive federal funding." It asks the federal court to "ensure that all federally-funded educational institutions respect the sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression of their students".

The Christian Headlines cited an interview of the U.S. Department of Education with The Washington Post that said that President Joe Biden's Administration actually considers as valid the said religious exemptions for religious organizations' controlled educational institutions despite being reported to claim that sexual orientation and gender identity apply to Title IX.
SALEM, N.H., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Standex International Corporation ("Standex") (NYSE: SXI) today announced that it has divested Enginetics Corporation, its jet engine components business, to Enjet Aero, LLC, a privately-held aerospace engine component manufacturing company, for approximately $11.5 million in cash. Enginetics generated approximately $9 million in revenue in the first nine months of fiscal 2021.

Standex expects to incur non-cash charges associated with the divestiture including goodwill charges in the fiscal third quarter of 2021. Standex expects that the pre-tax charge including transaction costs will range from $14.5 million to $15.5 million with approximately $13 million attributable to goodwill and other intangible assets.

"Today's sale of Enginetics enables our Engineering Technologies Group to focus on the higher growth and margin opportunities of its core spin forming solutions business that serves the space, commercial aviation and defense end markets. In addition, our significant financial flexibility and strong balance sheet continue to position us very well to pursue an active pipeline of organic and inorganic opportunities and further drive profitable growth. The transaction will also be immediately accretive to our operating margin," commented President and Chief Executive Officer David Dunbar.

"We believe Enjet's stewardship and complementary business will be beneficial to both customers and employees of Enginetics. I want to thank the employees of Enginetics for their dedication and contributions to Standex," concluded Dunbar.

Seale & Associates acted as exclusive financial advisor to Standex on the transaction.

About Standex

Standex International Corporation is a multi-industry manufacturer in five broad business segments: Electronics, Engraving, Scientific, Engineering Technologies, and Specialty Solutions with operations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, India and China. For additional information, visit the Company's website at http://standex.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this Press Release that are not based on historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "should," "could," "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "anticipate," "intend," "continue," or similar terms or variations of those terms or the negative of those terms. There are many factors that affect the Company's business and the results of its operations and that may cause the actual results of operations in future periods to differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. These factors include, but are not limited to: the impact of pandemics such as the current coronavirus on employees, our supply chain, and the demand for our products and services around the world; materially adverse or unanticipated legal judgments, fines, penalties or settlements; conditions in the financial and banking markets, including fluctuations in exchange rates and the inability to repatriate foreign cash; domestic and international economic conditions, including the impact, length and degree of economic downturns on the customers and markets we serve and more specifically conditions in the automotive, construction, aerospace, transportation, food service equipment, consumer appliance, energy, oil and gas and general industrial markets; lower-cost competition; the relative mix of products which impact margins and operating efficiencies in certain of our businesses; the impact of higher raw material and component costs, particularly steel, certain materials used in electronics parts, petroleum based products, and refrigeration components; an inability to realize the expected cost savings from restructuring activities including effective completion of plant consolidations, cost reduction efforts including procurement savings and productivity enhancements, capital management improvements, strategic capital expenditures, and the implementation of lean enterprise manufacturing techniques; the potential for losses associated with the exit from or divestiture of businesses that are no longer strategic or no longer meet our growth and return expectations; the inability to achieve the savings expected from global sourcing of raw materials and diversification efforts in emerging markets; the impact on cost structure and on economic conditions as a result of actual and threatened increases in trade tariffs; the inability to attain expected benefits from acquisitions and the inability to effectively consummate and integrate such acquisitions and achieve synergies envisioned by the Company; market acceptance of our products; our ability to design, introduce and sell new products and related product components; the ability to redesign certain of our products to continue meeting evolving regulatory requirements; the impact of delays initiated by our customers; and our ability to increase manufacturing production to meet demand; and potential changes to future pension funding requirements. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent management's estimates only as of the day made and should not be relied upon as representing management's estimates as of any subsequent date. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company and management specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if management's estimates change.

SOURCE Standex International Corporation

Related Links

www.standex.com


Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement, is set to release her memoir later this year. Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement will publish on Sept. 14, 2020, Oprah Daily first announced. In the book, Burke will share the experiences that led her to found the movement, including the sexual assault that upended her childhood, says the announcement.

The memoir, which will be published by Flat Iron Books (an imprint of MacMillan Publishers), will also be an Oprahs Book Club selection.

Burke tweeted news about the forthcoming release with a link to the Oprah Daily article, which also details the story behind the books cover art designed by American fiber artist Bisa Butler.

Its been a long time coming...but Im so excited to announce that my memoir will be released this fall Sept. 14th.



Im so grateful to the amazing @BisaButler for this beautiful artwork. You can read all about it in this exclusive for @OprahDaily https://t.co/kLuEfsAKfa pic.twitter.com/ycQtIWK89a  Tarana (@TaranaBurke) March 29, 2021

Burke, an activist and organizer since the late 1980s, has devoted her career to working at the intersection of racial justice and sexual violence. She credits the time she spent in Alabama, particularly in Selma, for laying the groundwork that would later evolve into the Me Too movement.

Burkes early life was steeped in activism and Burke was discovered at age 14 by the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement, an organization founded by Faya Rose Toure Sanders (an activist and the states first African American female judge) in 1985 to educate young people about voting rights and the political process. Burke continued to organize in college, starting at Alabama State before transferring to Auburn University.

After graduation, Burke went to work in Selma. While working as a camp counselor for the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement, she met a girl named Heaven.

As a counselor, she had started workshops where young girls could speak openly and reveal stories about sexual violence and assault. In a 2018 lecture at UABs Alys Stephens Center, she told the audience that one day, Heaven made a beeline for her after a workshop session. Burke said she avoided Heaven at first because she didnt feel equipped to provide guidance for what she knew would be devastating news.

I thought to myself Im not a counselor, Burke told the audience. But in my heart, I thought, that happened to me too.

In Selma, Burke went on to start Just Be, Inc., an organization focused on the health and well being of young girls of color.

21st Century is largely responsible for shaping me and my political ideology, and also grounding me in an organizing foundation that I still employ today, she told Birmingham Magazine in a 2019 interview.

Tarana Burke poses for photographs with friends and fans in the Alys Stephens Center at UAB

More than a decade later, October 15, 2017, actress Alyssa Milano sent a tweet in response to initial reports of allegations that Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted numerous women. The tweet asked women who had been sexually assaulted to reply with " me too. The tweet made waves and the hashtag #MeToo spread across social media. Many people initially credited Milano with starting the Me Too movement. But Burkes work on behalf of sexual assault survivors had been known long before Milanos viral tweet, and it was Black women who collectively spoke up to tell the actress that Burke had founded a Me Too movement years before hashtags existed.

Milano, who was unaware of the activists work, tweeted an apology. She also publicly credited Burke, and reached out to ask Burke how she could help amplify her work. Burke was catapulted into the national spotlight, becoming both the spokeswoman and symbol for the national movement. Soon, organizations began to celebrate Burke in her own right. She was invited to the 2018 Academy Awards. She also appeared on magazine covers including one of the six covers of TIME magazines 100 Most Influential People issue. In 2019, Burke also appeared in Lifetimes six-hour docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly.

In 2021, me too. International, the group founded by Burke, the National Womens Law Center; and the TIMES UP Foundation, launched the We, As Ourselves initiative which will focus on Black survivors of sexual assault who have often felt left out of the #MeToo movement.

Related:

How Tarana Burke founded the Me Too movement in Selma, Alabama

How #MeToos founder made an Alabama movement national

1 year after #metoo, founder says movement, born in Selma, isnt about punishing powerful men
Press Release

31 March 2021

An expanding collection of hotel chains, hotel management companies and independent properties around the world is coming together with the newly-announced Hotel Employee Rate travel program, offering hotel employee teams the extraordinary benefit of exceptional-value, employee-rate hotel stays, similarly offered by major hotel brands. The innovative global initiative is opening new worlds of travel for hotel employees while helping hotels build guest room occupancy during traditionally low demand periods, tapping into an expanding and highly devoted leisure travel market of hotel employees internationally.

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The Hotel Employee Rate program represents an innovative, new incentive that hotels can offer their teams as the lodging industry is working to restaff their operations. It is the only global travel platform providing hotel employees and up to ten of their friends and family fixed hotel employee rates and/or preferred rates discounted up to 50% at hotels across various hotel brands and independent properties in over 100 countries worldwide. The new Hotel Employee Rate program has offices internationally, with locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. In support of hotel employee travel, the International Society of Hotel Associations (ISHA) is collaborating with the Hotel Employee Rate program to inform ISHA's member associations across the United States, Canada and the Bahamas on the program's benefits for hotel employees.

"The excitement independent hotels and hotel companies around the world have expressed in joining the program is tremendous," says Co-Founder and Managing Director John Lacle. "We recently had an extraordinary showing at ITB Berlin. With the commitments we received during this conference and our recent business expansion into Latin America and Asia-Pacific, we are expecting a myriad of additional hotels and resorts from all over the world to join the program in the next 30-60 days with many more to come later in the year."

The innovative program is affordable for hotels to join, is flexible, and easy to administer. To join the Hotel Employee Rate travel program, hotels and resorts contribute a minimum of their inventory at hotel employee rates. "We've designed this program to be hotel friendly," Lacle noted. "It is intended to help fill hotel rooms over low demand periods when they need business the most while providing their employees with the extraordinary benefit of employee hotel rates at properties globally." Hotels pay a small annual membership & administrative fee, depending upon the size of the hotel. "With little administrative supervisory work required, our annual membership fees are an exceptional value," Mr. Lacle asserts. "There are no authorization forms to complete, and the program is automated." Hotels and resorts joining the program complete an initial onboarding process. The properties gain access to an online extranet whereby they can manage their own employees' participation and properly yield manage their inventory. In addition, each hotel employee can add up to ten friends and family into the program on their own through their account. The Hotel Employee Rate program directly connects to the majority of hotel systems allowing for seamless inventory control and reservations fulfillment.

Employees, their friends and family can book hotel employee rate accommodations in destinations internationally at www.hotelemployeerate.com, gaining access by using creditials given by their employer that are provided by the Hotel Employee Rate program. Hotel employee rates are password-protected, and are therefore 100% unpublished and opaque. "Hotels are concerned with rate-parity and rate-integrity in the marketplace," says Co-Founder and Managing Director Julia Mayrhofer. "We are keenly aware of this and have taken great strides to protecting this information from the general public." Hotel employee rates are fixed annual rates, based on a hotel destination's historical performance and the hotel's classification.

A wide variety of independent hotels and resorts have already signed on to the Hotel Employee Rate program. Notable hotels and resorts offering employee rates for Hotel Employee Rate members include the exquisite four-star Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, the four-star Chateaux at Deer Valley, Utah, the four-star La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino Aruba, Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire, Element Amsterdam, Courtyard City Center Berlin, Dr. Holms Hotel Norway, the five-star Lotte Hotel Seattle, to name a few. While the Hotel Employee Rate program was developed to benefit independent hotels, a number of smaller hotel companies and franchise properties based in the USA, Europe and the Caribbean have already signed on, representing such major hotel brands as Marriott, Doubletree, Crowne Plaza, Hyatt Place, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Wyndham, Element by Westin, Courtyard by Marriott, Tapestry by Hilton, Tru by Hilton and several others.

Co-Founders and Managing Directors, Julia Mayrhofer and John Lacle, founded the company in 2020 as an initiative to help the hotel industry recover from the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. Both are hotel veterans with global experience in operations and revenue management with major brands such as Hilton Worldwide and Marriott International as well as smaller companies and independent properties. This enabled them to tap into a vast area of expertise and understanding of hotel sales, revenue management, distribution and hotel operations. "The concept of the Hotel Employee Rate program was inspired by the hoteliers working the front-lines during Covid-19," Lacle states. "The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our industry. The Hotel Employee Rate program is designed to help bring travel back as the world gets vaccinated. We believe all hoteliersespecially today--deserve to receive the benefit of hotel employee rate travel. We recognize the contribution this has for the recovery of travel and tourism and the benefits it offers our colleagues in the hotel industry."

The Hotel Employee Rate program is providing those hotels and resorts affiliated with a lodging association that is a member of the International Society of Hotel Associations with 20% savings on their first-year's annual membership fee by emailing Hotel Employee Rate at [email protected].
CHICAGO

March 30, 2021

Communicating openly with communities, members and employees about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Stressing how safe and effective the vaccines are

Making it easy for employees to get vaccinated by reducing barriers that might otherwise complicate or delay the process

Making it mandatory for individuals to social distance and wear masks in the workplace

Peter Costello

Oakbrook Terrace

Tiffany Kayar

/PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to protect its employees and communities from COVID-19, BCS Financial is joining the national Rally for Recovery Commitment. Standing with Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies (BCBS) across the country, BCS Financial is taking measures to share information about mitigating the spread of the virus, encourage community members to get vaccinated, and protect its employees.BCS Financial is putting the pledge into action by committing to the following:"It is up to each and every one of us to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Only then can our communities recover fully from this devastating pandemic. By working together and taking the appropriate measures, BCS Financial is honored to help fulfill the Rally for Recovery Commitment," said, President and CEO of BCS Financial.The Rally for Recovery Commitment was established by business leaders and the federal government. The purpose of the pledge is to get companies proactively involved in defeating COVID-19 by taking concrete steps.BCS Financial, along with its BCBS Companies, has shown strong support of its communities, members and employees throughout the pandemic.Visit bcsf.com to learn about how BCS Financial offers customized solutions to BCBS companies.For over 70 years, BCS Financial Corporation has delivered a wide range of insurance and financial solutions primarily designed for Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations and their customers nationwide. Through its subsidiaries, BCS Insurance Company and 4 Ever Life Insurance Company, BCS is licensed in all 50 states and is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best. BCS Financial is headquartered in, Illinois.tiffanyPR@newswiremail.io

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bcs-financial-joins-its-blue-cross-blue-shield-in-national-effort-to-combat-the-spread-of-covid-19-301257927.html



SOURCE BCS Financial




South Africa: Concerns over EC initiation school fatalities

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has expressed concern at the 13 initiation school fatalities in the Eastern Cape in December.

The committee raised the concerns during an engagement with the Department of Traditional Affairs and the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) on Tuesday.

The committee heard that the fatalities occurred as a result of dehydration and alleged fighting, despite the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the NHTLs undertaking to put safety measures in place.

It also heard that the Eastern Cape Provincial government had a risk-adjusted plan to prevent fatalities.

Committee chairperson, Faith Muthambi, said the committee has requested a comprehensive report regarding the fatalities.

The report should include, among other things, the number of initiates that were discharged with injuries and support given to the bereaved families. The committee should be provided with a report on consequence management in order to make sure that there is accountability on the matter, Muthambi said.

Muthambi said the committee is of the view that initiation schools in the Eastern Cape require a serious intervention, and that the Provincial Monitoring Team should come and brief the committee about the December fatalities.

There also needs to be measures in place to support parents whose children die in the initiation schools. The Department of CoGTA should work with the law enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal schools.

Also, the department of CoGTA should make a provision to include implementation plan of the Customary Initiation Bill into its annual performance plan, as soon as the bill is assented into law by the President, Muthambi said.

The chairperson emphasised that Parliaments role does not stop with the conclusion of the legislative process, but continues in respect of monitoring and oversight.

We will therefore be continuously engaging all the relevant stakeholders as to be kept abreast of developments in the implementation of this important statute, Muthambi said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Dustin Lance Black has called for the British government to 'act now' in banning the controversial practice of conversion therapy.

The film director, 46, who is married to diver Tom Daley, 26, said gay people around the world look to the UK as a 'beacon of hope' but feels the government is 'very behind' on not banning the practice.

Conversion therapy claims to change a person's sexual orientation from gay or bisexual to heterosexual, with medical institutions warning it is potentially harmful.

Speaking out: Dustin Lance Black has called for the British government to 'act now' in banning the controversial practice of conversion therapy (pictured with husband Tom Daley)

Various jurisdictions around the world have passed laws against conversion therapy with Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously vowing to ban it in the UK.

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine on Wednesday, Dustin said: 'Gay people, LGBT people around the world look to the United Kingdom as the beacon of hope. What they hope their country will do for them and protect them and value them and here we are, and the United Kingdom is very, very behind.

'In the United States, even the state of Utah, which is predominantly Mormon, the church I came from, known for being incredibly homophobic, they've even seen the wisdom in banning conversion therapy.

'Yet here, we're still waiting for this '"soon" that Liz Truss [Minister for Women and Equalities] says is coming. When is it coming? Soon has come and gone. It's time to introduce this.'

'Hope': Dustin said gay people around the world look to the UK as a 'beacon of hope' but feels the government is 'very behind' on not banning the practice

Dustin added that LGBT organisations have said conversion therapy is linked to depression and suicidal thoughts.

He said: 'Right now there are religious groups in the UK who are advocating for keeping conversion therapy. But let me tell you, conversion therapy can be done in a psychological setting, a psychiatric setting, religious setting - that yes, they 'pray the gay away'. None of these are reputable.

'The UK's own studies and LGBT organisations like Stonewall say that the predominant outcome of conversion therapy is depression, thoughts of suicide and suicide. Can you believe that?

'Lorraine, if there was a therapy for heterosexual people, where the predominant outcome is they considered taking their own life, it would be banned in a day.

Dustin said: 'Gay people, LGBT people around the world look to the United Kingdom as the beacon of hope' (pictured with Tom and their son Robbie, two)

'We are at 1000 days since the government promised to end this practice the UN calls torture. Many, many LGBTQ people are still being subjected to it.'

In a statement given to Lorraine a government spokesperson said: 'As the Minister for Women and Equalities has set out, we're committed to taking strong action to ban the abhorrent practice of conversion therapy, we will bring forward plans to do so very soon.'

Dustin said: 'I'm very happy to hear them say they're going to ban it, which is what it ought to be. It ought to be banned.

'Every single day that this government doesn't act, more and more LGBTQ people are being subjected to this therapy, right here.

'A therapy whose predominant outcome is self harm. Soon came and went Liz Truss, that's gone. The UK government needs to act now, because you missed soon and people suffer.'

Dustin added: 'I'm very happy to hear them say they're going to ban it, which is what it ought to be. It ought to be banned' (pictured with Tom in 2019)

Dustin and Tom are parents to son Robbie, two, with the filmmaker saying he wants his children to grow up with 'strong self-esteem'.

He said: 'I'm a parent now  the things that are most important to us is to make sure our children are happy. They have a strong self-esteem, a strong sense of self-worth.

'So I would appeal to all parents, parents of LGBTQ kids and parents of heterosexual children and parents who don't know yet, to write to your ministers, to your representatives, to make your voices heard.

'I think every parent would be heartbroken to learn that their child was approached by someone saying, "We can change you and you need to be changed, something fundamental about you needs to be changed."

'That is so crushing, it is self-esteem robbing and we understand the outcomes. Speak up, make your voice heard, it could help and it could save lives frankly.'

Support: Dustin also spoke about Tom's Olympic prep saying: 'He's working very, very hard for Tokyo. And I think he's doing very, very well'

Dustin also spoke about Tom's Olympic prep saying: 'He's working very, very hard for Tokyo. And I think he's doing very, very well. I do believe he'll get in one or two competitions just before the Olympics.'

He said of not being allowed to go as a spectator: 'We'll be here making enough noise that he hears us on top of that 10m platform all the way in Tokyo.'

And of Tom's new love of knitting and crochet, he laughed: 'Send help  everything in this house is covered in knitting and crochet!

'I love that he does all this fashionable stuff, but let me show you what he was crocheting last night He knit a cat sofa! He crocheted a cat sofa! I'm married to my grandmother, I had no idea. This is outrageous!'

Lorraine weekdays from 9am on ITV, and catch up on ITV Hub.
The two-year revenue growth of 69% is something were all very proud of at 4SIGHT.

Inc. magazine today revealed that 4SIGHT Supply Chain Group is No. 157 on its second annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: New York City Metro list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing New York City area-based private companies. Stemming from the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at highly successful companies within the NYC area economys most dynamic segmentindependent small businesses. The companies on this list show stunning rates of growth across all industries in the New York City area.

4SIGHT, a leading supply chain consulting, engineering, and IT services provider, fueled its growth by helping clients build smarter supply chains for their customer fulfillment needs. 4SIGHT accredits this growth to their responsive operating model, expanded partnerships with clients, diversified projects, relentless commitment to core services, and growing experience with automation, innovation, and technology leaders in this space.

The two-year revenue growth of 69% is something were all very proud of at 4SIGHT. Its a privilege to work alongside our clients helping them build smarter, more efficient supply chains which in turn fuels our growth as an organization, says Frank Camean President and CEO of 4SIGHT. Thanks to our clients, partners, and staff for contributing to this success, and congratulations to all the other NYC Metro Region recipients of this years award.

To view the full list of Inc. 5000 Regionals: New York City Metro recipients, visit: https://www.inc.com/inc5000/regionals/new-york.

This list proves the power of companies in the New York City area no matter the industry, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. The impressive revenues and growth rates prove the insight and diligence of CEOs and that these businesses are here to stay.

About 4SIGHT Supply Chain Group

4SIGHT specializes in supply chain consulting, engineering, and information technology. Our seasoned professionals average more than 19 years of experience helping companies across all industries solve their distribution, fulfillment, and transportation challenges. As a testament to the value our clients place on our expertise, experience, and integrity, 4SIGHT has received multiple industry awards. For more information, please email us at in4mation@go4sight.com or visit http://www.go4sight.com.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.
Macao SAR voices support for NPC's adoption of amended annexes to HKSAR Basic Law

Xinhua) 15:42, March 31, 2021

MACAO, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR and the Office of the Commissioner of Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Macao SAR on Tuesday said they firmly support the adoption by the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, of the amended Annexes I and II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR.

The amendments were passed at the closing meeting of the 27th session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee on Tuesday.

The Annexes I and II to the HKSAR Basic Law, which concern the method for the selection of the HKSAR Chief Executive and the method for the formation of the HKSAR Legislative Council and its voting procedures, respectively, are a key component of the HKSAR political system, the Macao SAR government said in a statement.

The Macao SAR government said the NPC move will help safeguard the national sovereignty, security and development interests and ensure Hong Kong's long term prosperity and stability, noting that it is a significant step taken in fully implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" as well as an action by the central authorities in exercising constitutional powers and duties.

Voicing its firm support for the NPC move, the liaison office of the central government in the Macao SAR said in a statement that it marks the latest effort by the NPC after formulating the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR in the implementation of "one country, two systems", which will help maintain the constitutional order of HKSAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law.

A spokesperson of the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Macao SAR noted that ensuring Hong Kong is administered by patriots will help remove the risks of external forces and their political agents meddling in Hong Kong affairs.

Patriots administering Hong Kong is the common aspiration of all Chinese people including compatriots in the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, the spokesperson said, stressing that any scheme to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and exert pressure on China is doomed to fail.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
Major, one of President Joe Biden's German Shepherds, has bitten another White House employee. According to a Mail Online report, the incident was confirmed by First Lady Jill Biden's press secretary Michael LaRosa.

It happened three weeks after the first biting incident in the White House that involved a security officer. At the time, reports said Major was displaying aggressive behavior, including barking, jumping, and charging at White House staff and security members.

Because of what happened, the Biden family was forced to send both Major and Champ home to Wilmington, Delaware earlier this month.

The two dogs received training there. But last week, the two German Shepherds were transferred back to Washington, D.C.

READ NEXT: American Pit Bulls - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Major's Second Biting Incident

In the recent biting incident, LaRosa told CNN that a National Park Service employee was taken to the White House Medical Unit for treatment after Major "nipped" him while out for a walk.

LaRosa said the individual was sent to the hospital "out of an abundance of caution" and then returned to work.

According to BBC, LaRosa noted that the biting incident on Monday was due to Major still adjusting "to his new surroundings."

Major, 3, and Champ, 13, both German Shepherds, moved to the White House about a week after President Biden's inauguration last January. Major is the White House's first ever rescue dog.

President Biden and His Dogs

Although Major is expressing violent episodes, considering his two biting incidents that involved two different White House employees, President Biden continued to take the side of his beloved pet.

"Eighty-five percent of the people [from the White House] love him," said Biden in an interview earlier this month. The President noted that Major is a sweet dog that keeps on wagging his tail and licks the employees.

He said Major moves to protect and reacts to people that he doesn't know. However, he acknowledged that there are people who are afraid of dogs, to begin with, and he understands that.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki also earlier defended the German Shepherd. Psaki said that Major was only "getting acclimated and accustomed to their surroundings and new people."

President Biden and the first lady adopted Major in 2018 from an animal shelter. On the other hand, the Bidens adopted Champ after former President Barrack Obama's winning in 2008.

Reports said the German Shepherds of the Biden family were allowed to roam on the White House grounds without their leash, and they were often featured on Oval Office photos' background.

Some presidential families who resided in the White House have dogs who also accompanied them during their terms.Among these famous dogs are Portuguese Water Dogs, Bo, and Sunny, of the Obamas.

Former President Donald Trump was the only president who stayed in the White House without a pet dog.

READ MORE: Best Dog Breeds for People with Allergies: Maltese, Portuguese Water Dog, Poodle, Schnauzer and More

WATCH: President Joe Biden's Dog Major Involved In Another Biting Incident at White House - From CBS Philly
South Australia Tourism has denied responsibility for a cheeky travel ad with the tagline 'go down south, with your mouth'.

The marketers responsible for a 2019 stunt called CU in the NT - ostensibly about driving tourism to the Northern Territory - are believed be behind the latest release called Taste Down South.

The press release launched with a Youtube channel, social media, website and merchandise, including t-shirts, stubby holders, caps and stickers.

A campaign called 'Taste Down South' for tourism in South Australia has been launched

In a launch video, a sultry female voice talks over a montage of location shots and footage such as red wine poured into a glass, a red steak and a woman running through a vineyard.

'Why does it taste so much better, when you go down south?' the narrator said.

'Taste can decide our destiny and transport us back in time.

'But not any mouthful will do. Your tongue yearns for a certain sensation.

'It's time to go down south, with your mouth.'

Merchandise with the tagline 'go down south, with your mouth' is already available online

Queensland marketer Adam Blackburn is believed to be behind the stunt and a similar 2016 campaign called CU in the NT

The official Facebook page of 'Taste Down South' told Daily Mail Australia 'we have hired the same team of marketers' that were behind CU in the NT.

Queensland digital marketers Adam Blackburn and Blaze Tripp are believed to be responsible for both campaigns through a company called ICBM Pty Ltd.

According to his LinkedIn profile Mr Blackburn has been the Director of Constant Supply, a 'brand fulfilment for the digital age [offering] a unique approach to personalised branded merch and fulfilment' for the last four and a half years.

When asked whether the business was behind the 2016 stunt, the Taste Down South page said 'to be honest, we find [CU in the NT's] appeal a bit dry.'

When asked if the remark was on the record, the account replied: 'Naturally. We are about promotion, after all.'

The page did not respond to further questioning.

The CU in the NT campaign has been very successful and merchandise is available to buy

Like the CU in the NT campaign, the business has merchandise for sale.

All with the tagline, 'go down south, with your mouth', a shirt costs around $40, a cap will set you back $35 and a wine carry cooler is $25.

The CU in the NT Facebook page was active last week and photos posted on Instagram show tourists wearing CU in the NT branded gear, including face masks and thongs.

South Australia Tourism told the ABC, 'it's so not us,' when asked whether they were responsible for the cheeky campaign.

Daily Mail Australia has also contacted Tourism SA.
At a time when highly leveraged U.S. exploration and production (E&P) companies have been struggling with dwindling valuations, shrinking credit lines, and mounting bankruptcies, Middle East state-owned oil and gas companies (NOCs) appear to be having little trouble courting foreign investors. The majority of investors are aware of oil giant Saudi Aramcos moves, including its IPO and (self-estimated) $2 trillion valuation. Few, however, know about the other Middle East oil giant that could actually beat Aramco to the public punch: The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

Faced with a specter of shrinking oil demand and a global shift to greener energy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)of which Abu Dhabi is the capitalis pulling all stops to fully monetize its considerable hydrocarbon resources.

The Emirates latest exploit: Opening trade in its Murban crude to compete with WTI and Brent crude.

Abu Dhabi has just launched the Murban crude futures contract, offering a potential rival benchmark for trading Middle East crude.

The contract will be traded on the new ICE Futures Abu Dhabi (IFAD) oil exchange.

IFAD partners include PetroChina (NYSE:PTR), BP Plc (NYSE:BP), Total (NYSE:TOT), Vitol, Inpex, Japans Eneos Holdings, South Koreas GS Caltex, and Thailands PTT Plc. The IFAD launch was delayed by nearly a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Murban is a light sweet crude with an API gravity of 39.9 degrees and a sulfur content of 0.78%.

Related: Saudi Arabia Ready To Extend Huge Oil Cuts Into June



Middle East Benchmark Abu Dhabi has an ambitious plan for Murban crude to benchmark Middle East crude, good for a fifth of global crude supply.

The Murban contract will price the flagship Abu Dhabi grade that accounts for more than half of ADNOCs production, thus offering an alternative benchmark to Oman crude futures traded on the Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME) and Dubai, operated by S&P Global Platts.

The Gulfs biggest producersincluding Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iraqhave traditionally priced their crude using foreign benchmarks from other regions. The Arab nations have mostly sold their crude directly to refiners or international companies with stakes in their fields but also crucially prevented those customers from re-selling that oil and benefiting from arbitrage opportunities.

Abu Dhabi hopes that relinquishing control over prices of Murban to investors and traders will fortify its position in the international oil market. The main goal is to make crude more attractive to refiners in Asia, where oil producers are battling for customers as Western governments attempt to phase out fossil fuels.

Once sold, Murban will be sent by pipeline to Fujairah, where Abu Dhabis desert fields connect with global markets. To help this cause, ADNOC plans to spend nearly a billion dollars building ~40 million barrels of storage space in caverns beneath Fujairahs mountains. By adding to ADNOCs existing storage, the port will have ample space to hold enough Murban to manage any future supply disruptions.

In fact, Fujairah will hold enough Murban to provide a level of liquidity in-line with, or greater than, that by leading benchmarks such as WTI and Brent.

Related: Will 2021 Mark The Start Of A Major Shale Recovery?

ADNOC has pledged to provide the exchange with ~1 million barrels of Murban per day over the next year, comparable to benchmarks such as Brent and West Texas Intermediate.

Will traders readily take up the Murban futures?

The big risk here is that oil traders tend to dislike change, especially when they believe the markets are already doing a good job matching supply and demand. For instance, S&P Global Platts was forced to shelve plans to overhaul Dated Brent indefinitely after the announcement caused a major uproar on trading desks. Further, Murban will have to contend with competition from well-established regional benchmarks. There is also the danger that the Murban exchange and capacity boost could raise tensions with OPEC as the organization continues to curtail production in a bid to balance the markets.

The UAE, though, has moved to allay those fears by saying that Murban futures wont affect OPEC or its ability to stabilize oil prices.

Its still too early to tell, but early signs have been pretty good, with prices for Murban futures rising 0.6% on Monday to $63.90 a barrel. Trading was brisk, with more than 6,300 lots, equating to over 6.3 million barrels of crude, changing hands by 5 p.m. local time, or 9 a.m. ET. Each lot is 1,000 barrels.

Some experts have slated Murban to become a major hit.

Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne has told CNBC that volumes at the new benchmark might very quickly overpass these existing benchmarks.

Weve seen an evolution--Aramco is all listed, you know, you trust the markets or going from a traditional economy and weve seen that governments in the region are all going towards free markets which I think is good for the global economy and for the future of the region.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
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EastEnders' vast 87 million set has taken a step closer to completion as builders were seen packing up their supplies on the costly project on Wednesday.

New images of the vast production show that a revamped version of the Queen Victoria pub is close to being finished along with a new parade of shops and the surrounding marketplace that have become staples on the BBC soap.

What began as a rubble patch of land adjacent to the show's original London set has been transformed into the fictional East London enclave, after builders returned to work following a disruption prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak and Britain's subsequent lockdown last year.

Nearly done! EastEnders' vast 87 million set has taken a step closer to completion as builders were seen packing up their supplies on the costly project on Wednesday

New snaps of the sprawling EastEnders set offer a glimpse at the newly-built houses and flats that will become the base for never-ending domestic disputes between characters on the soap.

Many of Albert Square's most iconic landmarks have been recreated for the new set, including the Mitchell brothers' mechanics garage, the Beale's fish and chip shop and Ruby Allen's night club.

As building on the set comes close to completion, ladders could be seen being brought into the Queen Vic pub for redecoration while other workers packed up their supplies to finish work on the vast project.

Not long now! New images of the vast production show that a revamped version of the Queen Victoria pub is close to being finished along with a new parade of shops and the surrounding marketplace that have become staples on the BBC soap

Vast: What began as a rubble patch of land adjacent to the show's original London set has been transformed into the fictional East London enclave

Iconic: New snaps show the famous Albert Square marketplace surrounded by the houses and flats that have been base for many a domestic dispute on the BBC soap

We're done! Builders loaded up their supplies onto the back of a lorry as they finally reached the end of their renovations

Big job: Many of Albert Square's most iconic landmarks have been recreated for the new set, including the Mitchell brothers' mechanics garage, the Beale's fish and chip shop and Ruby Allen's night club

The BBC was accused of 'complacency' over the astonishing 87 million bill for its new EastEnders set in March 2020.

The massive build, nicknamed E20 after the soap's fictitious postcode, went 27 million over budget and is not expected to be fully completed until May 2023, nearly five years late.

MPs said BBC bosses 'badly' managed the construction and that they made 'a serious error' by failing to consider what project management skills they needed. The public accounts committee said they secured a contract poorly, drastically increasing costs.

Expensive: The BBC was accused of 'complacency' over the astonishing 87 million bill for its new EastEnders set in March 2020

Not done yet! The massive build, nicknamed E20 after the soap's fictitious postcode, went 27 million over budget and is not expected to be fully completed until May 2023, nearly five years late

Blunder: MPs said BBC bosses 'badly' managed the construction and that they made 'a serious error' by failing to consider what project management skills they needed

Delayed: The committee also found that contract negotiations took six months longer than planned, partly because of discussions about what bricks to use for the set. Meanwhile, the corporation spent 50,000 on samples

The committee also found that contract negotiations took six months longer than planned, partly because of discussions about what bricks to use for the set. Meanwhile, the corporation spent 50,000 on samples.

MPs added that they were 'disappointed by the BBC's complacency in managing this project, particularly in its early stages'.

And they said the BBC 'underestimated the scale and complexity of the project, including how it would age the new sets so that they either exactly replicate what viewers are used to, or look realistic where there are new locations'.

The set consists of a 'front lot'  a brickwork replica of the current set  and a 'back lot', which will provide extra locations to 'better reflect modern East End London'.

A shame: MPs added that they were 'disappointed by the BBC's complacency in managing this project, particularly in its early stages'

Revamp: The set consists of a 'front lot'  a brickwork replica of the current set  and a 'back lot', which will provide extra locations to 'better reflect modern East End London'

A BBC spokesman said at the time: 'We strongly reject the notion that there has been any complacency in managing this project.

'Like any building work of this scale, there have been challenges along the way including construction market issues beyond our control and working on a brownfield site.'

The extended sound stage sees a new railway line and block of flats in place, replicating the soap's original set up.

EastEnders' brand new set was first announced four years ago when it was also revealed that the show's old 1984 set was in poor condition.

Hitting back: A BBC spokesman said at the time: 'We strongly reject the notion that there has been any complacency in managing this project'

Time for a change: EastEnders' brand new set was first announced four years ago when it was also revealed that the show's old 1984 set was in poor condition

According to The Telegraph, ongoing maintenance issues on the old set hampered the show's filming schedule and presented health and safety concerns.

The updated set will allow the crew to film the programme in HD as bosses feared filming above standard definition on the current set would allow viewers to notice that the fronts of the Queen Vic and its surrounding buildings are made of plaster and plywood.

EastEnders returned to TV screens on Monday September 7 after the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the show going off air for the first time in its 35-year history.

Updated filming techniques now adhere to social distancing guidelines, however bosses have 'cheated' the social distancing rules with CGI trickery, Perspex screens and the use of stars' real-life partners, who served as body doubles for intimate scenes.

Investment: The updated set will allow the crew to film the programme in HD as bosses feared filming above standard definition on the current set would allow viewers to notice the ageing set
Health official proud of residents turning out for vaccine shots
SAN FRANCISCO (dpa-AFX) - Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) is reportedly planning to bring its employees back into offices in September, after Labor Day. Wells Fargo, the bank with the largest workforce of about 200,000 employees in US, is extending its work from home arrangement until September 6. The bank plans to return to a 'more normal operating model' on September, according to a memo from Chief Executive Officer Charlie Scharf and Chief Operating Officer Scott Powell. 'We are encouraged by the significant increase in vaccination availability and have started to plan for a return to a more normal operating model in September, soon after the Labor Day holiday in the U.S.,' Scharf and Powell wrote. The memo was not clear about whether employees would return full-time or part-time and said many of the details have yet to be worked out. 'We know you have many questions about what this means for you,' Scharf and Powell wrote. 'We will be candid: We don't have the answers yet. We will spend the next several weeks and months developing them, and we will share our progress along the way.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Police at Worawora Monday arrested two persons for allegedly buying suspected G-3 ammunitions and possession of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at Kwamekrom Abdulkordzi, a suburb of Worawora in the Oti Region.



The two are Godwin Kpodo Agbevitor, a landlord, and Samuel Agbeshi, alias Adah Emma, who were arrested through police-public cooperation.



Sixteen wraps of dried leaves, suspected to be Indian hemp, had been retrieved from Agbevitor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) John Nchor, the Acting Oti Regional Public Affairs Officer, said in a release copied to the Ghana News Agency.



He said 181 rounds of suspected G-3 ammunition had also been retrieved from Agbeshi.



ASP Nchor said the suspects were currently in police custody following their remand by the Jasikan Circuit Court on would re-appear on March 30, 2021.



He encouraged the public to report persons involved in criminal activities to face the rigours of the law and assured informants of their absolute confidentiality.

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
Biden Announces Diverse First Slate of Judicial Nominees

President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled his first slate of judicial nominees, a racially diverse and mostly female field that is a sharp departure from the largely white and male picks during Donald Trumps administration.

Bidens group includes candidates who, if confirmed by the U.S. Senate, would be the first Muslim federal judge in U.S. history, the first Asian American Pacific Islander woman to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the first woman of color to serve as a federal judge for the District of Maryland.

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Three of the picks are Black women who were nominated to the federal courts of appeals, a pathway to the Supreme Court. The most prominent of the three is U.S. District Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, whom Biden says he will nominate to the seat left vacant on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit by Judge Merrick Garlands departure to become Attorney General.

The D.C. Circuit, in particular, is a place where presidents have searched for Supreme Court justices. Three of the high courts current nine members have served on the D.C. Circuit.

Biden pledged during the campaign to nominate a Black woman to the high court if a vacancy opens during his term.

The White House said the 11 nominees are attorneys who have excelled in a range of legal positions, including as jurists, public defenders, prosecutors and public servants, as well as in the private sector and the military.

This trailblazing slate of nominees draws from the very best and brightest minds of the American legal profession, Biden said in a statement. Each is deeply qualified and prepared to deliver justice faithfully under our Constitution and impartially to the American people _ and together they represent the broad diversity of background, experience, and perspective that makes our nation strong.

The White House said Bidens choices reflect his strong belief that the federal courts should reflect the full diversity of the American people in background and professional experience.

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Trump leaned heavily on white men to fill judicial vacancies. More than 75% of Trumps judicial nominees were men, and 85% were white.

Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said the organization was gratified that Biden was taking steps to diversify the federal bench.

Such diversity will greatly enhance the judiciary and judicial decision-making, Ifill said in a statement.
We love how Arjun Kapoor's style has matured over the years.



The guy who used to step out wearing a basic T-shirt and jeans, has a newfangled way now to experiment with his sartorial sense.

Now, even people follow his neat street-style aesthetics and try to infuse the same in their style statement too.

 Viral Bhayani

 Viral Bhayani

He still has an understated sense of style but what we are actually fond of is the way he elevates his outfits.



From wearing a pair of cactus sneakers to stepping out carrying an expensive backpack, Arjun has time and again sported some stellar, extravagant pieces.

This time, as he was seen chilling with his friends, he wore yet another inspiring ensemble with an awe-inducing pair of sneakers.

Take a look:

 Viral Bhayani

Firstly, taking a peek at his outfit, this seems like the usual Arjun Kapoor.



A T-shirt paired with black pants and layered with a hoodie on top. Despite that, he clearly knows how to set the trends right.

We also like how he has accessorised this look with a minimal silver neck chain. In fact, even his sunnies are adding more appeal to his chilled out outfit.

 Nike

As far as his sneakers are concerned, we have often seen him wear some zany shoes. These are Nike Air Max 90 (Off-White)



These sneakers are designed in a unique silhouette and are a true masterpiece when it comes to blending colourful and quirky aesthetics. For the upper and the back tab, leather and suede have been used.

The oversized tongue with an icy blue sole, adds extra quirkiness to the pair.

 Nike

As for the price of these sneakers, when these were launched on the official website of Nike, they used to cost Rs 10,333.



But now, they are selling approximately for Rs 1,16,231 as per Stockx, which is quite high and will take a while to sink in, it seems.

 Viral Bhayani

Well, say what may but we think, he still managed to hit it out of the park. Thanks to these sneakers, as they are the icing on his outfit.


The $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package passed earlier this month has less money for businesses than in previous rounds of relief. But the funding is aimed at hard-hit smaller firms that are minority owned or in hospitality industries, making it a key lifeline in the New Orleans area.

The American Rescue Plan, signed by President Joe Biden on March 11, includes about $50 billion that is specifically targeted at bars, restaurants, shuttered live venues, and businesses in lower-income communities, where Black and women-owned businesses predominate.

+11 After a wrenching year, heres why New Orleans restaurants see better times ahead In March, Marna and Frank Brigtsen renewed the lease on the Riverbend cottage that their Brigtsens Restaurant calls home. It was an affirmati

The package expands two Small Business Administration programs that have been the main lifelines for businesses during the pandemic: the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

The PPP received an additional $7.25 billion, a relatively tiny amount compared to the nearly $1 trillion provisioned in three previous rounds last year. But the program still has an estimated $88 billion left over from earlier packages. And on Tuesday, Biden signed into law an extension of the program until the end of May.

The disaster loan program, or EIDL, was topped up by another $15 billion and in this package, priority was given to smaller businesses  those with fewer than 300 employees  located in lower-income communities that have suffered an economic loss of more than 30%. One third of those funds are set aside for businesses with ten or fewer employees that have suffered an economic impact of at least 50%.

There is also $175 million of business grants available through a pilot program for underserved and underbanked communities, and the SBA has an interactive map that shows which areas are considered low-income. Dozens of census tracts in the New Orleans metro area qualify.

The targeting of these funds is to make up for the fact that many smaller, minority-owned businesses found themselves near the back of the line in the early rounds of relief as better resourced companies moved quicker. A report by the SBA's Inspector General after the first PPP round found that up to 90% of minority and rural businesses were left out.

Iam Tucker, who runs a New Orleans-based civil engineering firm, said it was frustrating last year to see companies that seemed less in need gobble up, in two weeks, the entire $349 billion first round of PPP.

+3 $375M in relief aid is headed to New Orleans, an 'extraordinary' step in stabilizing finances New Orleans is set to receive a whopping $375 million from the federal coronavirus relief legislation passed last week, an infusion equal to m

"What was terrible to look at was large businesses getting a million, two million. Im fighting to get $350,000 and seeing people who didnt need it, businesses that have cash reserves of millions, getting more than you," said Tucker, a former Baton Rouge police officer who took over running the firm from her father 12 years ago.

She did manage to get funds from both EIDL and PPP programs when they were subsequently topped up late last spring. But she was further frustrated in December when the $284 billion PPP round was prioritized until March 9 for firms with 20 or fewer employees.

She employs 30 and didn't qualify, even though as a 100% Black and women-owned business, ILSI Engineering qualifies as a "small disadvantaged business" under the SBA.

"The sweet spot is never where I'm at," said Tucker, who also noted that her firm, which oversees roadbuilding and other infrastructure projects, has had to wait longer to get paid over the past year as local government agencies ran out of tax dollars.

Few sectors have been as hard hit as hospitality and more than half of the latest small business package  $28.6 billion  has been earmarked specifically for qualifying bars and restaurants. To be eligible for a grant of up to $10 million, applicants must have no more than 20 outlets and companies cannot be publicly traded. Also, $5 billion of the fund is set aside for owners that grossed $500,000 or less in 2019.

The priority given to smaller operators, which has been welcomed by local owners, is to avoid the situation seen in the early rounds last year, when some large chains and franchise operators got a lion's share of the grants. Some were embarrassed enough to return the funds.

Other rules for the new Restaurants Revitalization Fund include prioritizing outlets owned by women, military veterans and those who meet the "socially and economically disadvantaged" criteria.

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GNO Inc., the regional economic development agency, has scheduled a webinar on Wednesday, Mar 31, to help guide restaurateurs, bar owners, food truck operators and others who qualify through the rules and application procedure for the new grants.

The rescue package also tops up the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, which was in December's stimulus package, by $1.25 billion to bring it to $16 billion.

The Small Business Administration said it plans to open applications in April and has a web page showing the eligibility criteria and the priority order for making the grants, which will start with those that have lost at least 90% of their business.

Michael Hecht, CEO of regional economic development agency GNO Inc., said that though it is hard to quantify, anecdotal evidence and data like parish tax returns show that probably about one-fifth of regional businesses didn't make it through the pandemic.

Black and other minority business owners and employees suffered disproportionately in the past year, according to studies by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a think tank. NBER data show that African-American-owned business failed at an astonishing rate in the first few months of the pandemic, with a 41% drop in active businesses nationally from February to April last year.

They were also least likely to recover in subsequent months, with active businesses still 20% down by June.

+2 Millions in federal stimulus money coming to Jefferson, St. Tammany. How will it be spent? Though dwarfed by the nearly $400 million in federal stimulus money New Orleans is expected to receive, government leaders in St. Tammany and 

That was partly because of the kind of businesses that minority owners and employees tend to be engaged in, which includes hospitality and other service industries.

The point is borne out by the unemployment numbers for the metro area. Even though it has halved since April last year, the unemployment rate was still 9.1% in January, three percentage points above the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Also, when taking into account the 20,000 people who've left the workforce and are no longer count as unemployed, there are about 70,000 fewer people working in the New Orleans metro area than prior to the pandemic.

"This has been a difficult year and a lot of people are in intense pain," said Quentin Messer, CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance, the city's economic development agency. He said it is likely that New Orleans will take longer to recover than cities like Austin or Nashville, given the hospitality sector's disproportionate reliance on conventions and cruise ships, which are expected to take years to recover.

Digging out will depend as much on how local government's spend their bail-out money, including the $375 million on its way to the city of New Orleans, as on funds targeted at small businesses, Messer said. The city and NOLABA are expected to publish a priorities plan in coming days.

Lacy Davillier, who owns Davillier Photography & Design with her sister, Kari Baltimore, reckons that even with the federal assistance they got from the final round of PPP last year, she will still be about $100,000 in the hole.

Her firm specializes in helping businesses market themselves, and Davillier said her survival is linked to how other small businesses in New Orleans are doing.

"Things are getting better, a lot better," Davillier said. "But Im still playing catch-up."

Chris Ferris, CEO of Fidelity Bank, which counts Davillier's firm among the more than 3,000 SBA loans his bank secured in the past year, said the process has become a lot less frantic than it was in the early months.

But he said that there are still a lot of potential pitfalls around the terms of forgiveness for the loans, the tax treatment, how companies should document and account for how they've spent the money. He's also concerned that some businesses still won't make it, despite all the federal relief.

"Credit quality remains strong for now," Ferris said. "But once the stimulus and payment assistance goes away, that's when you'll start to see if these businesses can be viable in the new environment."
- This round brings the company's total private funding to over $53 million

- The round is led by Horizons Ventures, with participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Shell Ventures, Summa Equity, and SYSTEMIQ.

- British Airways has also joined as a new investor in this round

- As the airline industry reels from the reduction in travel due to the pandemic, sustainable aviation may be key to recovery.

CRANFIELD, United Kingdom and HOLLISTER, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Propelling their mission towards delivering airlines zero-carbon, hydrogen-fueled flight, ZeroAvia is launching the development program for a 2MW hydrogen-electric powertrain for full-size regional aircraft. The program kick-off is supported by a new raise of $24.3 million, led by Horizons Ventures, joined by a new investor British Airways. Existing investors Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Summa Equity, Shell Ventures, and SYSTEMIQ also participated in the financing. This new round accelerates the larger hydrogen-electric engine development for the 50+ seat aircraft and supports additional commercial airlines initiatives to adopt hydrogen in aviation. Today's announcement brings the company's total private investment to over $53 million and the total funding raised since inception to nearly $74 million.

This latest funding follows the announcement in December that the UK Government  through the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), and Innovate UK  had awarded a 12.3m grant ($16.3m) to deliver a breakthrough 19-seat hydrogen-electric powered aircraft that is market-ready by 2023. The company announced its $21.4 million Series A funding round at the same time, accelerating its 600kW development program scheduled for commercial entry in 2024.

"This new funding, in conjunction with our other recent milestones, will significantly accelerate our path to zero-emission solutions for larger regional aircraft at a commercial scale," said Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia. "With many airlines lining up and ready to make the shift to zero-emissions, we expect to see wide-scale adoption of this technology. We are extremely grateful for our investors who are helping to speed up our progress and ultimately the aviation industry's adoption of zero-emission flight."

ZeroAvia expects to achieve commercialization for its hydrogen-electric powertrain as early as 2024. Its hydrogen aviation solutions will address various markets by initially targeting a 500-mile range in 10-20 seat aircraft used for commercial passenger transport, package delivery, agriculture, and beyond. Accelerated by this new capital infusion, ZeroAvia will also target entering the 50+ seat commercial aircraft segment by 2026.

"'Flying on jet fuel comes with an environmental cost, and finding an alternative for the aviation industry is vital. We believe ZeroAvia offers a real and practical solution for the aviation market to move towards cleaner options." says Patrick Poon from Horizons Ventures.

The round will also further derisk the company vision of powering a 100-seat single-aisle aircraft by 2030. ZeroAvia's achievements to date are the first steps in realizing the near-term transition from fossil fuels to zero-emission hydrogen as the primary source for commercial aviation.

"Innovative zero-emissions technology is advancing fast, and we support the development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source because we believe it has the potential to enable us to reach true zero emissions on short-haul routes by 2050," Sean Doyle, British Airways' CEO, said. "There is a huge amount of energy and excitement building around the possibilities of a zero-emissions future for aviation, and while there is no single solution to this challenge, we acknowledge the need for urgent action to tackle the impact flying currently has on our planet and are making progress on our journey to net zero."

As the company continues to scale its global operations, ZeroAvia also brings three new members to the senior team.

Christine Ourmieres-Widener joins ZeroAvia's Board of Directors and brings executive experience cultivated from her time spent in top leadership at airline and travel corporations, including Vice-President and GM USA for Air France-KLM, CEO and board member of CityJet, Chief Global Sales Officer of American Express Global Business Travel and CEO of FlyBe. She previously served on the Board of Governors for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and was a Non-Executive Director for the airline retailer Datalex.

Mike Friend, a retired Boeing Senior Technology Director and consultant for Mitsubishi Aircraft, joins the Technical Advisory Board to lend his extensive aerospace technology knowledge to the powertrain development programs. In the early 2000s, he led a historic Boeing Phantom Works project in Spain, resulting in the world's first manned hydrogen-electric airplane flight. Following that, he was a chief engineer in the New Airplane Product Development team at Boeing Commercial Aircraft, playing critical roles in developing multiple vehicle concepts, including Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Mark Blair, a retired FedEx VP of Air Operations and a former Director of Fleet & Government Sales for Cessna Aircraft Company joins ZeroAvia Advisory Board to lend his extensive knowledge in package delivery applications of various sizes of aircraft. Mark is also engaged with a number of cargo and passenger operators in advisory capacities and will bring this diverse operator perspective to ZeroAvia.

ZeroAvia offers hydrogen-fueled powertrain technology to replace conventional engines in commercial aircraft. Adoption of this technology results not only in true zero-emission flight but also in lower fuel and maintenance costs. The company previously completed its first electric flight in the US in 2019, then built the second flying prototype in the UK, and conducted its first electric flight in June of 2020. In September 2020, it achieved the world's first hydrogen-electric flight of a commercial-grade aircraft. Additionally, the company just completed a ground simulation of the complete power profile for its upcoming first cross-country flight. The ground test demonstrated a full battery shutdown in-flight using the company's unique fuel cell powertrain configuration, allowing for complete removal of the battery system in the next configuration of the powertrain.

About ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation, focused on hydrogen-electric aviation solutions to address a variety of markets, initially targeting 500 mile range in 10-20 seat aircraft used for commercial passenger transport, cargo, agriculture, and more. Based in the UK and USA, ZeroAvia has already secured experimental certificates for its two prototype aircraft from the CAA and FAA, passed significant flight test milestones, and is on track for commercial operations in 2024. The company's expanding UK operations are supported by grants from UK's Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, and ZeroAvia is part of the UK Government's Jet Zero Council. For more, please visit ZeroAvia.com, follow @ZeroAvia on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Horizons Ventures

Horizons Ventures, the private investment arm of Mr. Li Ka-shing, is a leading investor in some of the world's most innovative companies and disruptive technologies, including Facebook, Spotify, Siri, Zoom, Impossible Foods and Perfect Day. For more information, please visit http://horizonsventures.com.

About Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Backed by many of the world's top business leaders, Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) invests in cutting-edge companies that will lead the world to net-zero emissions. BEV has more than $2 billion in committed capital to support bold entrepreneurs building companies that can significantly reduce emissions from agriculture, buildings, electricity, manufacturing, and transportation. BEV's strategy links government-funded research and patient, risk-tolerant capital to bring transformative clean energy innovations to market as quickly as possible.

The first fund was created in 2016 as part of the Breakthrough Energy network of initiatives and entities, which include investment funds, non-profit and philanthropic programs, and policy efforts linked by a shared commitment to scale the technologies needed to address climate change and achieve a path to net zero emissions by 2050. Visit https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/ to learn more.

About Ecosystem Integrity Fund

Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) invests in early growth-stage companies contributing to environmental sustainability across multiple sectors including renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste reduction, green chemistry, transportation, agriculture, and water. EIF takes a systems-based approach to sustainability investment, studying both the drivers for change as well as the constraints to innovation in market niches that are ripe for development. EIF invests in companies solving real problems, resulting in better investment opportunities and greater impact. For more information, visit: www.ecosystemintegrity.com.

About Summa Equity

Summa Equity is a thematic investment firm defined by a purpose-driven team that has come together to invest in companies that address some of our global challenges.

Summa Equity focuses on companies in industries supported by megatrends within three themes: Resource Efficiency, Changing Demographics and Tech-Enabled Business. The firm's investments across the three themes have the potential for long-term sustainable outperformance because they address some of the social, environmental, and business challenges we need to solve as a society.

Summa Equity have more than SEK 14 billion of assets under management. For further information on Summa Equity, please visit www.summaequity.com.

About Shell Ventures

Shell Ventures helps companies reach the next level. Established in 1996 as one of the first corporate venture funds in the oil and gas industry, Shell Ventures works with startups and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from their early stages to their scale and growth phases. Through minority investments and strategic partnerships, Shell Ventures helps innovative companies commercialise their solutions to accelerate the energy and mobility transformation.

About SYSTEMIQ

SYSTEMIQ is a leading specialist consulting and investment firm applying system thinking to prevent the worst effects from climate change. SYSTEMIQ focuses on clean energy, materials/circularity, and nature with three complementary business models: (a) building coalitions of actors around climate themes, publishing industry-shaping reports that outline sector transition pathways, (b) advisory services for corporates and investment managers, and (c) investments in (early venture) technologies that accelerate the transition. For further information on SYSTEMIQ, please visit www.systemiq.earth.

About British Airways

British Airways is a global airline and the UK's flag carrier, flying customers to where they need to be for more than 100 years. The airline connects Britain with the world and the world with Britain, putting customers and sustainability at its heart and providing service excellence. British Airways has a clear roadmap to meet its net zero 2050 target. More details of British Airways' sustainability strategy can be found here.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zeroavia-secures-additional-24-3-million-to-kick-off-large-engine-development-for-50-seat-zero-emission-aircraft-301259265.html

SOURCE ZeroAvia
By Dr. Deborah Elms - Executive director, Asian Trade Centre Singapore

As the text and schedules for all existing members are already available, it is possible to see where likely obstacles may be found and to identify gaps between existing practices, laws, and regulations of a potential member and the requirements of the CPTPP.

An incoming member is meant to canvas the current membership on a bilateral basis and ensure that any potential obstacles are highlighted, discussed between the two sides in detail and, potentially, and removed. While many trade irritants can and should probably be tackled through group negotiations, sometimes a potential member has a specific issue of concern to only one member. In this circumstance, it can be addressed prior to entry to negotiations.

Assuming the current members have no objection, the applicant country can proceed to file a formal request to join. This letter, as the UK has demonstrated, gets sent to New Zealand, as Wellington serves as the official repository location for the CPTPP.

In the absence of a secretariat, the CPTPP is managed through a rotating appointment of commission chairs. The rotation is dictated by the order in which members joined the agreement.

A CPTPP secretariat would make accession talks significantly easier. It would come with a built-in group of officials well versed in CPTPP rules and regulations, familiar with the existing membership and important sensitivities, as well as the current individuals for each member that are actively involved in various chapter activities. Secretariat staff could serve as neutral parties, shepherding new members through accession.

Without a secretariat, CPTPP accession will be started by the current chair. It will help members decide on the composition of a working group to manage the process. It may be that all aspiring members are grouped together into one working group or that members opt to hold separate working groups for each potential member. The chair of the working group(s) will be decided by members and the group(s) will include representatives from all active members.

Accession to the CPTPP is not like launching free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. The process is closer to that of joining the World Trade Organization. It will likely take some time to organise, as there is no sitting working group for members.

New members are not negotiating over changes to existing rules, and the nearly 600 pages of text need not be adjusted in accession. Instead, work will get underway on crafting new members specific schedules which include:

- Tariff cuts (order and timing of cuts to reach tariff elimination quickly);

- Services, including financial services, and investment restrictions which will remain in place after joining the CPTPP (all other services and investments will be opened for all parties);

- Government procurement entities that will not be bound by CPTPP rules to open federal level procurement above the specified thresholds;

- State-owned enterprises (SOEs) that will not be bound by CPTPP rules; and

- Temporary entry of business persons commitments (such as how many inter-corporate transferees are to be allowed or whether spouses have access).

Of course, the start of accession provides a potential opportunity for CPTPP members to adjust the agreement, if all agree. The CPTPP was always designed as a living agreement which meant it was pitched as open for adjustment from the very beginning.

An agreement that effectively closed in 2015 is likely to benefit from a careful review in 2021 and beyond. CPTPP members have been enthusiastic participants in a range of FTAs, including the work on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership which closed late last year and a growing set of digital economy agreements.

Some of these later agreements have innovations that might be brought into the CPTPP  such as the creation of a secretariat or the inclusion of MoUs to cover topics of collaboration that are still evolving and not yet ready for binding into the CPTPP texts.

Members could potentially take advantage of an opportunity to adjust their own commitments. Some of the more innovative areas of the CPTPP, like the scheduling of SOEs or government procurement, might look unnecessarily cautious in hindsight.

Such adjustments to texts and existing schedules are not part of the accession process, per se, but members might find it useful to review such elements as negotiating teams are gathering together for the first expansion of the CPTPP.

In short, the receipt of the UKs letter of interest moves the ball forward for the CPTPP. The start of new negotiations on accession should be a trigger for additional possible members to come forward.
According to a press release published by BAE Systems on March 31, 2021, BAE Systems Australia announced that it will increase its investment in Australia to support the rapid development of a sovereign high speed weapons capability.

According to a press release published by BAE Systems on March 31, 2021, BAE Systems Australia announced that it will increase its investment in Australia to support the rapid development of a sovereign high speed weapons capability.

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A RIM-66 Standard 2 missile leaving its cell of HMAS Hobart's Vertical Launch System VLS (Picture source: BAE Systems)

BAE Systems will also draw on the wide-ranging capabilities and expertise across Australian industry and academia to build an Australian high speed weapons eco-system with the aim of demonstrating a sovereign capability over the next four years.

The companys Project Javelin builds on more than three decades of world leading research by BAE Systems in the design and development of Australian weapons, autonomous and hypersonic technologies including the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Nulka and the Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM).

BAE Systems has invested more than $11 million in hypersonics and high speed weapon research in Australia in the past decade in collaborative programs with Defence, industry and academia.

Recognising the Australian Defence Forces requirement for this disruptive technology based capability, the company will spend $5 million fast tracking technology development in 2021 with additional investments planned for the next four years.

Project Javelin complements the companys existing industrial capabilities in advanced manufacturing and prototyping, battlespace management systems and flight vehicle platform technologies.

The development of a sovereign high speed weapons capabilities will create new opportunities for Australian industry and academia, through the investment of new and complementary design, development and manufacturing capabilities and could lead to potential defence exports.

BAE Systems has been assembling weapons in Australia for the ADF and for export to the US and Canada for more than two decades. As well as hypersonics weapons technologies and capabilities, BAE Systems is also developing technologies to support the nations defence against high speed weapons.

Todays announcement follows the Australian Governments commitment to the development of long-range strike capabilities at the end of last year. The 2020 Force Structure Plan includes an investment of around $30 billion for both high speed strike and defence capabilities, including hypersonics development, test and evaluation.
Directed by Florian Zeller, screenplay by Zeller and Christopher Hampton, based on the play by Zeller.

The Father, nominated for an Oscar as Best Picture at this years Academy Awards, deals with the difficult and emotional subject of an aging parent afflicted by dementia. The powerful cast includes Anthony Hopkins as an 80-year-old retired engineer and Olivia Colman as his daughter Anne.

The film is the first effort as a director for Florian Zeller, a young French novelist and playwright, and is based on Zellers play of the same name, which premiered in Paris in 2012 to great acclaim, and has since been staged in Britain, the US and many other countries around the world.

Olivia Colman and Anthony Hopkins in The Father

Anne has been caring for her father, Anthony, who lives alone in London, but is no longer able to do without regular help. As is typical for many in the face of their growing inability to go about the tasks of daily life, Anthony has been lashing out angrily at a succession of caregivers that his daughter has found for him. Now Anne has just informed him that she wont be able to help on a daily basis as before. Ive met someone  he lives in Paris, she explains. Youre abandoning me  whats going to become of me? says Anthony, with a mixture of anger and fear.

There have been a number of films in recent years dealing with families facing Alzheimers and other dementias. What sets The Father somewhat apart is its unique perspective: the viewer experiences many of the events from Anthonys standpoint itself. To some extent, we share his confusion and disorientation. He speaks to Anne at one point, and later he hears someone and finds a strange man in his flat. Later a different Anne returns. The conclusion of the film reveals who the strangers are.

Meanwhile Anthony and Anne try to navigate the common but painful relationship between an aging parent and an adult child who has reversed roles and is now caring for a father who is by turns angry, frightened, irritable and vulnerable.

The cast is uniformly superb, including Rufus Sewell as Annes husband, and Imogen Poots, Mark Gatiss and Olivia Williams as others involved in Anthonys care. Colman and Hopkins in particular are a major part of the reason The Father holds the viewers interest throughout. When Anthony demands to know where his watch is, and insists that his latest caregiver must have stolen it, Hopkins makes the incident completely believable and moving, despite the fact that it is such a familiar symptom of the illness.

Imogen Poots, Olivia Colman and Anthony Hopkins in The Father

The dialogue in playwright Christopher Hamptons screenplay adaptation is gripping and naturalistic in the best sense, and there is scarcely a false note. Hopkins is of course celebrated for his work over the last five decades and more. Here he displays an emotional range that is both remarkable and will unquestionably strike a chord with any who have cared for a parent in such circumstances.

The Father includes original music by Ludovico Einaudi. It also contains, as musical background in several scenes, a few famous operatic excerpts, including Maria Callas rendition of Casta Diva from Vincenzo Bellinis Norma, and Je crois entendre encore from Georges Bizets The Pearl Fishers. These are obviously among Anthonys favorites (the Bizet is played twice, in fact), which he is still able to enjoy, and they add a note of pathos and beauty to the depiction of his decline. The name of the Bizet aria, perhaps chosen for this reason, translates as I think I can still hear, suggesting Anthonys struggles to remember.

As noted above, The Father is not the first film to deal with this painful subject. Among the most well-known are Iris (2001), based on the memoir by John Bayley, the husband of the famous British novelist Iris Murdoch who succumbed to the disease in 1999, and with a cast that included Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor; Away From Her (2007), starring Julie Christie, who was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress; and Still Alice (2015), with Julianne Moore as a 50-year-old professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers. Moore won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

What the WSWS pointed out about Still Alice applies to a large degree to the other films, and to The Father as well. They are all confined to the lives of the upper middle class. The fathers flat in London is, judging from the fleeting sight of a street sign that must have been included intentionally, located in the affluent Maida Vale residential district of West London. The apartment is spacious and comfortable. The family clearly has the ability to arrange for home care and plan for Anthonys future care as well.

Of course, Alzheimers and other dementias know no boundaries as far as class. The impact of the disease on a middle-class family like Anthony and Anne is certainly a legitimate subject, but a problem arises when the subject is approached so narrowly that it excludes such elementary questions as the kind of job Anne has, how long Anthony has been retired and how he has occupied himself during this period, and the circle of family friends and relations, if any. There is only one family member mentioned, Annes sister Lucy. These decisions were undoubtedly intentional, but the emphasis on Anthony and his suffering produces something that is an example of superlative acting, but without enough context and content. The focus is on Anthony, as it must be, but we are left with little except an examination of the impact of a terrible illness.

In addition, there is the issue of the impact of dementias on the vast majority of the population, the working-class families who do not have the resources to care for their loved ones, who are then shunted into nursing homes where they are left without enough attention and enough stimuli to provide, at least as long as possible, some pleasure and a decent if diminished quality of life. The double whammy of poverty and dementia is also a subject that would be worth cinematic treatment.
Chinese ships are lined up at the Whitsun Reef within the Philippines exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, March 27, 2021.

Updated at 5:48 a.m. ET on 2021-04-01

China has not withdrawn all of its vessels moored at a reef within Manilas exclusive economic zone, the Philippines said Wednesday, as it amplified its demand that Beijing pull out Maritime Militia ships from disputed South China Sea waters.

As of Monday, 44 Chinese Maritime Militia ships remain moored, anchored and stationary at Julian Felipe Reef, the governments National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said in a statement, referring to Whitsun Reef by its Philippine name. The West Philippine Sea is also the name that Manila uses for the South China Sea.

The reef is about 175 nautical miles off the Philippine island province of Palawan and within the countrys 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Philippines calls on China to immediately withdraw these vessels flying its flag, the NTF-WPS said, adding that it has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over a swath of islands and reefs in the Spratly Group, which Manila calls Kalayaan, and the waters surrounding them.

The task force also expresses deep concern over the continuing unlawful presence (swarming) of the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM), which did not pull out and have remained in Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef and are now in other areas of the Kalayaan Island Group in the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, according to the statement.

While only 44 ships were lingering at Whitsun, others had dispersed to other areas of the Spratlys  115 at Kennan Reef, 45 around Thitu Island and another 50 among Mischief, Fiery Cross and Subi reefs  the task force said.

The task force said military patrols also located four Chinese naval ships at Mischief Reef, one of several submerged natural features, which China has reclaimed and transformed into military installations.

The Philippine military began keeping a closer watch following a report earlier this month that about 220 Chinese militia vessels moored at Whitsun Reef. It deployed naval and aerial assets last week to monitor the region.

A week ago, Philippine military representatives met with their Chinese counterparts to convey a government demand that the ships leave Whitsun Reef. Chinese military officials responded that the ships were fishing boats taking shelter because of inclement weather.

On March 22, the Chinese embassy in Manila rejected Philippine allegations that hundreds of Beijings militia ships were clustering in Philippine-claimed waters, after Manila lodged a diplomatic protest with China over the matter earlier this month.

Recently, some Chinese fishing vessels take shelter near Niue Jiao due to rough sea conditions, the embassy said in a statement then, referring to Whitsun Reef by its Chinese name.

It has been a normal practice for Chinese fishing vessels to take shelter under such circumstances. There is no Chinese Maritime Militia as alleged.

In its Wednesday statement, the task force said the Philippines stands by its observation that these so-called fishing vessels are maritime militia, and their presence poses a threat to the peaceful exercise of the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its EEZ.

It mentioned a July 2016 U.N.-backed tribunals ruling that affirmed the Philippines sovereign rights in the South China Sea.

China has rejected the ruling and escalated its military build-up in the waterway, deploying ships and aircraft to the region.

Six other Asian governments  Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam  have territorial claims or maritime boundaries in the South China Sea. While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ.

Neither the Philippines nor the international community will ever accept Chinas assertion of its so-called indisputable integrated sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea, the task force said.

ASEAN ministers to go to Beijing

Even as Manila has called for Beijing to move its ships, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced he had invited Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to visit Wednesday through Friday.

Through this visit, China hopes to step up communication with [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries on regional and international situation, implement important consensus of the leadership, strengthen strategic mutual trust, deepen anti-epidemic and development cooperation, boost quality [One Belt, One Road] cooperation, scale new heights in bilateral relations and China-ASEAN relationship, and better safeguard regional peace, stability and development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

The Chinese announcement came two days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washingtons position supporting Manila, a longtime ally.

We will always stand by our allies and stand up for the rules-based international order, Blinken said in a tweet.

Late Wednesday, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan backed up this promise in a phone call with his Philippine counterpart, Hermogenes Esperon.

The National Security Advisors discussed their shared concerns regarding the recent massing of Peoples Armed Forces Maritime Militia vessels at Whitsun Reef, the White House said in a statement.

It said the United States reaffirmed the applicability of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty in the South China Sea and that the two officials agreed their governments would continue to coordinate closely in responding to challenges in the South China Sea.

Officials from Canada, the U.K., Japan and Australia have issued similar statements supporting the Philippines position regarding Whitsun Reef.

This report was updated to add the statement from the White House.
China in Focus (March 30): China Consul General Attacks Canadas PM Trudeau

A Chinese consul general takes aim at Canada. The diplomat accused the country of becoming a running dog for the United States, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of being a spendthrift.

Whats behind Beijings ramped-up aggression? Some tie the countrys wolf warrior diplomacy back to the 1960s Cultural Revolution.

Disney Studios expressed thanks to organizations tied to the Chinese Communist Party for allowing the companys live action film Mulan to shoot in China. An insider shares more on how Hollywood is yielding to China.

The Oscars will not air in Hong Kong because a film documenting Hong Kongs pro-democracy protests has been nominated for an award.

And Chinas economy appears to have suffered much less than other nations, based on Beijings economic data. But an expert explains why that data may not be trustworthy.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
British passenger Stuart Miller (pictured), a 47-year-old offshore worker from Manchester, said the situation at the Spanish airport was 'absolutely diabolical'

Spanish border officials refused entry to dozens of Britons and sent them back to Manchester on the same plane despite them having post-Brexit residency.

Forty passengers were left angry and confused after they were turned away from Alicante on Monday and sent home, with their luggage stuck in Spain until Friday.

Immigration officials in Alicante had written to the Britons asking them to collect their new residency permits or TIE Cards, a system put in place after Brexit.

The passengers were allowed to leave the UK despite the current ban on foreign travel because people who are resident abroad are not subject to the 5,000 fine for leaving Britain.

And the UK government says paperwork proving a successful residency application should be enough to enter Spain.

But passengers say they were denied entry by obstructive border guards who were flanked by armed police.

Stuart Miller, a 47-year-old offshore worker from Manchester, told Olive Press that the situation was 'absolutely diabolical' and asked: 'What more proof do you need of residency?'.

Passengers say Ryanair airport staff had approved their departure from Manchester but they were surprised to find a sign at the Spanish terminal saying 'NO TIE CARD, NO ENTRY'.

The stranded passengers included a woman who had travelled to Spain to see her sick father who was alone in hospital.

British passengers had been told by immigration officials in Alicante (file photo) to collect their residency permits, which the UK government says should be enough to enter Spain

Spain seeks to repatriate 3,000 tourists from Morocco Madrid said today it was working to repatriate some 3,000 Spanish tourists who are stranded in Morocco after it suddenly imposed a blockade on passenger flights to Spain because of the pandemic. The Moroccan government announced on Monday that all passenger flights to and from Spain and France would be suspended from midnight Tuesday to contain the spread of the virus. 'This is another example of how we have to be extremely responsible with our trips at this moment,' said foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez. The government is looking into ways to help Spaniards who are affected by the flight ban to get home, the minister added, without giving details. The ban comes during Easter week, a peak travel period as Thursday and Friday are holidays in much of Spain. Morocco is one of Africa's most popular tourist destinations, welcoming 13 million foreign tourists in 2019, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Advertisement

Miller said the the Britons' 'fury' had been heightened by the fact that armed police were patrolling the checkpoint in addition to the border agents.

Those refused entry had to get back on board the plane they had just flown on, along with scores of others making a one-way trip from Alicante.

As the dozens of passengers reboarded the plane, the flight was subsequently delayed, adding further to tension in the cabin.

To rub salt in the wound, they were then informed that their hold luggage would not be sent back to Manchester until Good Friday, April 2.

Miller said: 'There was no advice, no help and - to be fair - no good reason for us being turned back at Alicante.'

Mr Miller's wife Caz warned other travellers: 'Whatever paperwork you have with you, and whoever tells you that you're okay to travel, be prepared to be carted back on to the plane and sent back.'

She added: 'The most confusing thing is the double-standards. I think the airport policy depends on nothing more than the mood of the officials at the border.'

At the time of the flight, Spain was only allowing those who could prove residency in the country to enter from Britain because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Early confusion when the ban came in on December 23 saw people being turned away despite having the correct paperwork to prove residency.

But the UK government says that Spanish authorities have 'formally confirmed' that relevant paperwork should be enough to enter the country.

The TIE Card system was introduced after Brexit to confirm residency for UK nationals who are allowed to stay under the EU withdrawal agreement.

Passengers were sent back to Manchester Airport (pictured) with their luggage only due to follow four days later in an additional setback

Documents that should be accepted include a 'receipt of application for the TIE' or a 'confirmation of the positive outcome of your residence application,' the UK says.

Ryanair staff had apparently assured travellers that their documentation, including passports and coronavirus tests, was sufficient to get into Spain.

As it happens, Spain is loosening its border restrictions from this week - but Britain's continued ban on foreign holidays makes a resumption of tourism unlikely.



A spokesman at the British Embassy in Madrid said they had been made aware that travellers had faced issues at Alicante-Elche airport.

'When making plans to travel from the UK to Spain, a UK national must make sure that they meet both the requirements to leave the UK and those to enter Spain, bearing in mind that they are not the same,' the spokesman said,

'Until 6pm on March 30 only those who are legally resident or have sufficient documentation to prove residency [were] allowed to enter Spain,' they said.

From March 31, entry to Spain will also be granted to passengers who can prove that their journey is essential, as well as to legal residents.

The embassy spokesman added: 'Ultimately, the decision on whether to grant entry into Spain is made by Spanish border officials.'
Mike Nguyen, owner of Noodle Tree, is once again taking a break from his restaurant.

Nguyen announced Monday that he will be closing the Northwest restaurant until Thursday, April 8. In a Facebook post, he noted that the continued hate, harassment, threats, [and] social media hacks prompted the much needed break.

Between the hate, harassment, threats, social media hacks this is a much needed break yall Posted by Noodle Tree on Tuesday, March 30, 2021

The temporary closure comes after weeks of online attacks and a serious case of vandalism. Nguyen was the target of racist comments after he denounced Gov. Greg Abbotts decision to no longer require Texans to wear masks in a CNN appearance earlier this month. He also said masks would still be required in his restaurant given that he has lymphoma and is at-risk.

Since then, Nguyen said hes received backlash on social media. It wasnt until Noodle Tree was vandalized with racist graffiti that he realized why the hate  which eventually included death threats  was so bad.

I think my interview with CNN was a contributing factor, but the fact that Im Asian-American makes it easier, Nguyen, who has Vietnamese and French ancestry, told MySA earlier this month. Somehow, this whole pandemic is Asian-Americans fault.

RELATED: San Antonio shields Noodle Tree owner with support after racist attack spurred by masks

Through the ongoing harassment and threats, city leaders, restaurant owners, and good-spirited San Antonians have stepped up to support Noodle Tree both in-person and online. In Mondays post, Nguyen received well-wishes from both San Antonians eager to stop by the business when it reopens as well as supportive Facebook users from across the U.S.

While I hate the reason behind your need for this, I totally support you and your staff, one woman commented. I hope this time will bring you all some peace and rest and fill your cup with renewal.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 09:13:56|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported six new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.

The same day saw five new imported cases, two of whom were in Guangdong, and one each in Fujian, Henan and Shaanxi, the commission said in its daily report.

One new suspected COVID-19 case arriving from outside the mainland was reported in Inner Mongolia, but no new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Tuesday, the commission said.

Tuesday saw the discharge of four COVID-19 patients from hospital following their recovery.

A total of 5,290 imported cases had been reported on the mainland by the end of Tuesday. Among them, 5,119 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 171 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 90,201 by Tuesday, including 180 patients still receiving treatment, two of whom were in severe condition.

A total of 85,385 patients had been discharged following recovery on the mainland, and 4,636 had died as a result of the virus.

There were three suspected COVID-19 cases on the mainland on Tuesday.

Tuesday also saw eight asymptomatic cases newly reported, three of whom were in Yunnan Province. On the same day, two asymptomatic cases were re-categorized as confirmed cases.

A total of 255 asymptomatic cases were under medical observation on Tuesday.

By the end of Tuesday, 11,461 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 205 deaths, had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), while 48 cases had been reported in the Macao SAR, and 1,024 cases, including 10 deaths, had been reported in Taiwan.

A total of 11,085 COVID-19 patients in the Hong Kong SAR had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, while 48 had been discharged in the Macao SAR, and 981 had been discharged in Taiwan. Enditem
Kiss rocker Gene Simmons shared on KTLA that he's saying goodbye to California  and moving to Nevada for "a change of pace with less of the hubbub, with no more traffic jams, no more earthquakes and no more fires."

The God of Thunder and his wife, Shannon Lee Tweed, an actress and Playboy Playmate, are selling their opulent 14,000-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion on two acres  with all the accoutrements, including "swimming pool and back rubs"  and moving to the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.

Simmons, 71, said they bought a 4-acre property and hopes to buy the 96 neighboring acres as well.

While Simmons is bound to find a mellower life amid so much open land, anyone familiar with the region knows that gridlock traffic is common around the lake, summer wildfires fill the Tahoe Basin with smoke in summer, and the ground still shakes in Nevada.

Simmons told the New York Post he was moving to Nevada for a quieter life but also that the taxes in the Silver State are much more appealing, while California has become uninhabitable due to its tax rates.

We have been exploring our primary residence options outside of California for a couple of years, Simmons said in a press release shared with the Post. We considered various properties in various states but ultimately decided that Nevada is a better choice for us. We are at a place in our lives where a big city lifestyle is just not our thing anymore.

The couple raised their two children in their LA home, and Simmons told KTLA the kids have gone on to buy their own homes in the Hollywood Hills.

"It's time for Shannon and I to move out of LA and California," he said. "It's very sad, but also a happy time. It's sad because we raised our kids in this gorgeous home and it's also a happy time because it's the next phase."

Simmons joked he'd be leaving behind celebrity tour buses at the front door.

Simmons first put his seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom Beverly Hills house on the market in October for $22 million, and the price on the listing with the Altman Brothers Team increased to $25 million in March.

Simmons' family was featured in the reality show "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" from 2006 to 2012.
Good news about teen vaccines

A clinical trial found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was highly effective in adolescents aged 12 to 15, the companies said today. The trial found no infections among the children who received the vaccine, and the vaccines produced even stronger antibody responses in the children than they did in young adults. The children experienced no serious side effects.

The findings have not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, but they excited experts.

Oh my god, Im so happy to see this  this is amazing, Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University, told our colleague Apoorva Mandavilli.

Pfizer and BioNTech plan to request an amendment to the emergency-use authorization for their vaccine from the Food and Drug Administration, and immunizations of older children could begin before the start of the next school year. Trials are planned or underway in younger children, and the companies hope to make the vaccine available for children under 12 early next year.
Detectives are investigating a formal complaint in relation to allegations against Liberal MP Andrew Laming for an incident in which he allegedly took photos of a young woman.

Crystal White, who alleged Mr Laming took photos of her bending over with her underwear visible in 2019, attended Cleveland police station on Monday, saying she had documented the incident.

Liberal MP Andrew Laming. Credit:Andrew Meares

Ms Whites colleague, Sean Blinco, also fronted the police station on Monday to tell his version of the event.

Ms White alleged Mr Laming took a photo of her as she bent over filling a bar fridge at a Queensland landscaping supplies company.
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Creditors for Jocelyn Wildenstein, the plastic surgery queen dubbed Catwoman, have sold off one of her three Trump World Tower units in Manhattan for just under $2million.

The apartment, on the 51st floor of 845 United Nations Plaza, has been completely gutted and looks drastically different from the lavish associations it once had. The unit sold for $1,980,000, according to property records.

The apartment was sold last month and Jason Haber of Warburg realty was the broker for the listing. Wildenstein, 80, had three apartments at the tower but was forced to relinquish them as creditors seek to get money she owed.

Her other two apartments at the property are still for sale by her creditors for $5.59million for both, though they can be sold separately, the New York Post reports.

Altogether, the three apartments were around 5,200 square feet.

It isn't clear where Wildenstein is living now.

The Swiss-born socialite, who earned the nickname Catwoman in a nod to her cosmetically-altered feline features, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2018 according to federal court papers.

The apartment, on the 51st floor of 845 United Nations Plaza, has been completely gutted and looks drastically different from the lavish associations it once had

The Swiss-born socialite, who earned the nickname Catwoman in a nod to her cosmetically-altered feline features, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2018 according to federal court papers. Pictured in August

Wildenstein first became a fixture in the New York press around the time of her 1999 split from Alec N. Wildenstein - where she got a $2.5billion settlement - as she bragged about the high costs of her lavish lifestyle and penchant for plastic surgery.

Two decades later, the woman who once purchased a capuchin monkey as a pet found herself with no checking or savings accounts, no retirement fund or pension plans and no investments, according to her filing.

The bankruptcy filing, in 2018, came after an involuntary petition was filed against Wildenstein by three of her creditors including the Board of Managers at Trump World Tower Condominium.

The other two petitioners were the law firms of Carter Ledyard & Milburn and Matalon Shweky Elman, who claimed to be owed $124,605.46 and $78,474.23 respectively for unpaid legal services.

The once exquisite unit sold for $1,980,000, according to property records

The filing came after an involuntary petition was filed against Wildenstein by three of her creditors including the Board of Managers at Trump World Tower Condominium

Remnants of the kitchen after that too was gutted before the sale of the property

Meanwhile, Wildenstein's longtime beau Lloyd Klein, 54, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2013. He had a tumor the size of an orange removed from his armpit and underwent three rounds of grueling chemotherapy.

In 2017, he was told the cancer had spread to his spine and liver and he only had six months to live. In Jan. 2019, he reported to Dailymail.com that he was in remission.

The couple have been engaged since 2017 when Lloyd presented the New York socialite with a 32-carat diamond ring which is reportedly 'worth millions.'

Wildenstein is said to be in talks to produce a 'docu-series' about her life, the New York Post reported earlier this month.

'She now really wants to talk about her life, what drove her, how she built a business with her fiance in the craziness of their life together in New York,' spokesman Brandon Cohen told the publication.

In 2017, Jocelyn and Lloyd hit headlines as they dismissed claims of a late night fight.

Lloyd Klein is Wildstein's longtime beau and in 2017 presented her with a 32-carat diamond ring reportedly 'worth millions'

A view showing how the bedroom used to look at the listing before it was gutted entirely

A look at the kitchen shows Wildenstein enjoyed living on the wild side when it came to her interior design

The living room was adorned with a number of peculiar furniture pieces, giving a very eclectic vibe

They insisted they injured themselves having passionate sex after a dish of beef bourguignon exploded.

Neighbors had heard screaming coming from their apartment and police arrested both after they arrived at 1am to find the shattered casserole dish on the kitchen floor, bruises to Wildenstein's neck and arms and a cut to Klein's forehead.

Canadian-born couturier Lloyd said he had raced to the shower to wash the scalding broth off his legs where he says he slipped and fell, suffering a small cut to the forehead.

Wildenstein joined him the bathroom to check he was OK but before long the couple had moved to the bedroom and started to have sex.

Wildenstein's plastic surgery has given her the nickname 'catwoman', and some friends say they have rarely seen her when she's not recovering from a procedure. Wildenstein still gets out-and-about in the New York scene despite her bankruptcy filing that claimed she had lost it all

Only a few fixtures still remain in the home and they are mostly for viewing purposes

The wood floors remain, but the rest of the apartment has been essentially stripped to the rafters as it was prepared for sale

Her other two apartments at the property are still for sale for $5.59million; all offer sweeping views of the East River

The apartments in Trump World Tower are a far cry from their dressed-up days when Wildenstein was known for high living

They told DailyMail.com that neighbors overheard their noisy lovemaking and wrongly leapt to the conclusion that Wildenstein was being attacked.

In December 2016, Wildenstein was arrested for sinking her claws into Kleins face and scratching him with scissors in a now-notorious catfight.

The designer escaped by bundling her into a closet before Wildenstein called the police herself only to be arrested when they saw her partner's wounds.

Klein would face the ignominy of arrest himself just days later when police accused him of pushing Wildenstein when he went back to collect his belongings

Additional photos show the surrounding neighborhood on the East Side of New York for the Trump World Towers
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NEWTOWN  A man who has worked as a city planner in Ohio is facing felony charges after allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a child using a social media app last year, according to police.

Gregory Voltz, 34, was extradited from Sandusky, Ohio, this week and charged with enticing a minor by computer and risk of injury to child following a months-long investigation into a complaint filed by parents of a child in Newtown.
Exclusive: EU set to sanction more Iranians for rights abuses, first since 2013, diplomats say

The Iranian flag waves in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters, before the beginning of a board of governors meeting, (Photo : REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo)

The European Union is set to agree to sanction several Iranian individuals on Wednesday for human rights abuses, the first such measures since 2013, three EU diplomats said.



EU envoys are expected to agree to impose travel bans and asset freezes on the individuals, the diplomats said, and their names would be published next week, when the sanctions take effect. They gave no further details.



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The European Union declined to comment.



Like the United States, the European Union has an array of sanctions over human rights since 2011 on more than 80 Iranian individuals which have been renewed annually every April. Those will also be renewed on Wednesday, the three diplomats said.



Asked why the latest measures were being taken now, one of the diplomats said the EU was seeking to take a tougher stance to uphold human rights. This month, the EU sanctioned 11 people from countries including China, North Korea, Libya and Russia.



"Those responsible for serious rights violations must know there are consequences," an EU diplomat said.



The United Nations has regularly complained that Iran arrests political opponents in a clampdown on freedom of expression. On March 9, U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, presented a report documenting Iran's high death penalty rate, executions of juveniles, the use torture to coerce confessions and the lawful marriage of girls as young as 10 years old.



Iran has repeatedly rejected accusations by the West of human rights abuses. Iranian officials were not immediately available for comment.



NUCLEAR ACCORD



Despite the human rights situation, no Iranians have been added to that list since 2013, however, as the bloc has shied away from angering Iran in the hope of safeguarding a nuclear accord Tehran signed with world powers in 2015.



The three diplomats said the sanctions were not linked to efforts to revive the nuclear deal, which the United States pulled out of but now seeks to re-join. That deal made it harder for Iran to amass the fissile material needed for a nuclear bomb - a goal it has long denied - in return for sanctions relief.



"Tehran has grown increasingly exasperated with Europe, especially in the past several months, as the nuclear issue remains stuck, and the new sanctions will probably further fuel frustrations that Europe is simply falling in behind Washington," said Eurasia Group analyst Henry Rome.



"For its part, Europe has a very delicate balancing act. It is trying to demonstrate that its desire to revive the nuclear agreement will not come at the expense of human rights, while also trying to ensure that its support of human rights does not come at the expense of the nuclear agreement."



The EU revoked its broader set of economic and financial sanctions on Iran in 2016 after the nuclear deal was struck, although it did impose sanctions on an Iranian intelligence unit and two of its staff in 2019, alleging Tehran plotted attacks in Denmark, France and the Netherlands. Iran rejects the accusations.



In a rare move last September, France, Britain and Germany summoned Iran's envoys to admonish them over their country's human rights record in what France's foreign ministry said were "serious and constant violations."



The three European countries had pushed for sanctions over Iran's missile programme and its involvement in Syria in March 2018, when Britain was still a member of the EU.



But other EU governments feared it could also upset European firms' chances of winning lucrative contracts in Iran as the country tried to open up after decades of isolation.


The logline of the film reads: In the once booming home of the pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying Midwestern town. The companys exodus left the city a wastelandwith great evil brewing below the surface. When that evil is unleashed, the townspeople are foreverchangedand a small group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind Umbrella and make it through the night.
DETROIT - Volkswagen of America issued false statements this week saying it would change its brand name to Voltswagen, to stress its commitment to electric vehicles, only to reverse course Tuesday and admit that the supposed name change was a joke.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 file photo, a worker completes an electric car ID.3 body at the assembly line during a press tour at the plant of the German manufacturer Volkswagen AG (VW) in Zwickau, eastern Germany. Volkswagen plans six large battery factories in Europe by 2030 so it sell more electric cars while driving down battery prices and making electric mobility more affordable, an effort that would reduce dependence on Asian suppliers and help the company compete with newcomer Tesla. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, file)

DETROIT - Volkswagen of America issued false statements this week saying it would change its brand name to "Voltswagen," to stress its commitment to electric vehicles, only to reverse course Tuesday and admit that the supposed name change was a joke.

Mark Gillies, a company spokesman, confirmed Tuesday that the statement had been a pre-April Fool's Day joke after having insisted Monday that the release was legitimate and the name change accurate. The company's false statement was distributed again Tuesday, saying the brand-name change reflected a shift to more battery-electric vehicles.

Volkswagen's intentionally fake news release, highly unusual for a major public company, coincides with its efforts to repair its image as it tries to recover from a 2015 scandal in which it cheated on government emissions tests and allowed diesel-powered vehicles to illegally pollute the air.

In that scandal, Volkswagen admitted that about 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide were fitted with the deceptive software. The software reduced nitrogen oxide emissions when the cars were placed on a test machine but allowed higher emissions and improved engine performance during normal driving. The scandal cost Volkswagen $35 billion (30 billion euros) in fines and civil settlements and led to the recall of millions of vehicles.

The company's fake news release, leaked on Monday and then repeated in a mass email to reporters Tuesday, resulted in articles about the name change in multiple media outlets, including The Associated Press.

In falsely announcing a name change, the company went beyond telling reporters that its news release was legitimate. On Tuesday, the company emailed to reporters a press release that quoted its CEO announcing the fake change:

"We might be changing out our K for a T, but what we arent changing is this brands commitment to making best-in-class vehicles for drivers and people everywhere," Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Volkswagen of America, said in the release.

The fake release could land Volkswagen in trouble with U.S. securities regulators because its stock price rose nearly 5% on Tuesday, the day the bogus statement was officially issued. Investors of late have been responding positively to news of companies increasing electric vehicle production, swelling the value of shares of Tesla as well as of some EV startups.

James Cox, who teaches corporate and securities law at Duke University, said the Securities and Exchange Commission should take action to deal with such misinformation, which can distort stock prices.

"The whole market has gone crazy," Cox said. "We need to throw a pretty clear line in the sand, I believe, about what is permissible and what isnt permissible."

This week's Volkswagen incident bears some similarity to one in 2018 in which Tesla's CEO Elon Musk tweeted that he had the funding secured to take the company private  a comment that drove up the stock price, Cox noted. Later, it was revealed that the funding had not been lined up. Musk and Tesla each agreed to pay $20 million in penalties to the SEC.

Erik Gordon, a business and law professor at the University of Michigan, said he thought that for the SEC to be interested, it would have to believe that VW knowingly issued the fake news release to manipulate its stock price.

"I dont think the SEC is going to see this as stock price manipulation any more than when General Motors or Ford or Toyota or anybody talks about their (electric vehicle) future," Gordon said. "It is incredibly stupid, but if being stupid were illegal, a third of the CEOs in the U.S. would be in jail."

A message was left Tuesday seeking a comment from the SEC.

Late Tuesday, VW issued a statement confirming that it won't be changing its brand name to "Voltswagen."

"The renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fool's Day," the company said.

Tim Calkins, a clinical professor of marketing at Northwestern University, said April Fools jokes are common in marketing. But he said it's rare for a company to deliberately mislead reporters.

"The problem is that in the short run, you can fool people, and it seems cute and entertaining," Calkins said. "But in the long run, you really do need positive and good relations with the media. For a company that already has credibility problems, this is really a strange move."

Calkins said that while the incident might not hurt VW with consumers, the company needs good relations with reporters to build its brand image over time.
At the root of the enrollment decline are the long-term obstacles of a falling birthrate and ever-rising housing costs that have priced out the younger and lower-income households that drive much of the influx of children into public schools, according to Rob Murray, King Consultings director of demographics and planning.

Smaller incoming groups of kindergarten-age children foretell a wave of smaller classes that will ripple through the middle and high school levels as the decade progresses, he told board members.

For 2017 and 2018 you really see there are just fewer births and, a few years later, fewer school-age children who are available, said Murray, who described the trend as a matter largely beyond the scope of recruitment by the district. This is not a matter of attracting students; this is a matter of the students existing.

From a total of 1,262 in 2016, births in Napa, American Canyon, and Yountville fell to 1,157 in 2017 and then 1,067 in 2018, according to data from the state Department of Public Health. Virtually the entire decline resulted from a drop of 198 births in Napa and Yountville during that span, as births in American Canyon remained essentially flat.
The market is driven by the increasing demand for autonomy of vehicles. In addition, the development of autonomous vehicles for cab and parcel delivery services will positively influence the growth of the autonomous vehicles market.

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Autonomous Vehicles Market: Type Landscape

Based on the type, the market witnessed maximum growth in the passenger cars segment. This can be attributed to the growing demand for luxury vehicles. The market growth in the segment will be significant over the forecast period.

Autonomous Vehicles Market: Geographic Landscape

40% of the market's growth originated from North America in 2019. Factors such as the development of self-driving semi-autonomous vehicles and the growing consumer demand for safety and convenience are fueling the growth of the autonomous vehicles market in North America.

The US and Canada are the key markets for autonomous vehicles in North America. Market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in APAC.

Develop Smart Strategies for Your Business: Download a Free Sample Report Now!

Major Five Autonomous Vehicles Market Vendors:

Alphabet Inc.: The company offers Waymo One, a self-driving ride-hailing service.

BMW AG: The company offers the BMW Personal CoPilot Technology for autonomous driving.

Daimler AG: The company offers a line of technologies such as Software-Defined computing architecture, DRIVE PILOT, and SaFAD among others to implement automated driving.

Ford Motor Co.: The company is testing and offering self-driving vehicles in partnership with Argo.AI.

General Motors Co.: The company is offering electric-only self-driving vehicles to eliminate human driver errors.

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Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include:

Global Autonomous Bus Market  Global autonomous bus market is segmented by type (fully autonomous and semi-autonomous) and geography (Europe, APAC, North America, MEA, and South America).

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Global Autonomous Vehicle Sensors Market  Global autonomous vehicle sensors market is segmented by product (radar sensors, image sensors, LiDAR sensors, and other sensors) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America).

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March 31, 2021

Cheshire and Merseyside consortium (NHS) is the first region to have achieved this milestone for the UK's National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database (NCCID)

The deployment of a single SMART box server has provided access to 15 years of imaging data across 2.5 million people in the region, the largest single data source for NCCID

Data integration capabilities as a result of this deployment will allow Cheshire and Merseyside to validate the use of AI technology across a variety of conditions

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Guildford, United Kingdom - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), today announced it has supported the NHS' Cheshire and Merseyside consortium [1] to become the first regional hub supplying the United Kingdom's National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database (NCCID). The NCCID is a centralized database containing X-Ray, CT and MRI images from hospital patients across the country. It aims to support a better understanding of the COVID-19 virus and develop AI-powered technology which will enable the best care for patients hospitalized with a severe infection [2]. This first regional hub is integrating data across 13 NHS trusts in the consortium. The deployment of a single centralized and secure server has provided access to 15 years of imaging data across 2.5 million people in the region, the largest single data source for NCCID.

The Cheshire and Merseyside consortium engaged with Philips to help with enabling access to the entire region's imaging data through a single hub. Philips' advanced data integration solution for radiology, Philips Global worklist , was used to enable easy integration with the NCIDD's secure central SMART Box server that will be required to support mass data collection, management and de-identification and can facilitate multiple trials/research projects simultaneously.

"One of the findings coming out of the end of this project will definitely be to focus on regional hubs that will be able to coordinate and better centralize the data, a hub just like Cheshire and Merseyside," said Prof Mark-Halling Brown, Head of Scientific Computing at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. "It can take many months or even years to set up SMART boxes at individual trusts, so doing it regionally is the only way to scale up nationally."

"Most District General Hospitals average 250,000 to 350,000 imaging exams per year," said Steve Sparks, Professional Services Manager Radiology Informatics at Philips UK&I. "With a single regional SMART box we have been able to gain access to the images from the 13 Trusts within the Cheshire and Merseyside consortium."

Save Radiologists' time, increase the safety and consistency of care

The NCCID database is developed in collaboration with NHSX , an organization driving the digital transformation of the NHS, The British Society of Thoracic Imaging . The database is being used for the validation of AI products for use in the NHS, aiding the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in the UK population. This data has the potential to enable quicker patient assessment when arriving at hospital's emergency departments, save Radiologists' time, increase the safety and consistency of care across the country, and ultimately save lives. It is being made available to researchers, clinicians, technology companies and all those wanting to investigate the disease and develop solutions that can support the COVID-19 patient care pathway.

The SMART box server technology will also enable Cheshire and Merseyside to participate in research into many areas requiring large volumes of clinical imaging data. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the potential for medical imaging systems powered by AI. The NHS AI Lab, created last year within NHSX, is developing a National Medical Imaging Platform with the purpose of creating a pipeline for patient data to be used within AI technology across conditions other than COVID-19. The NCCID is one workstream taken forward by the NHS AI Lab at NHSX, which will accelerate the safe, ethical, and effective adoption of AI in the healthcare sector. The power of large-scale data collection has already been demonstrated in various studies, including breast cancer screening studies such as OPTIMAM . Setting up regional hubs, such as the SMART box deployment in Cheshire and Merseyside, will aid the creation of these large-scale National databases and AI technology to help combat a variety of conditions.

Comprehensive portfolio for COVID-19 high-quality care

Philips has a comprehensive portfolio of products, services and solutions to support the delivery of high-quality care to COVID-19 patients worldwide. Solutions include secure, connected and intelligent approaches to diagnosis, treatment and predictive monitoring in the hospital, plus screening, remote patient monitoring and care at home. Philips' telehealth and AI-enabled data analytics can help support workflows, facilitate remote collaboration and optimize resources. Philips' COVID-19-related solutions are designed for rapid deployment and scalability.

[1] Cheshire and Merseyside is a consortium group of 13 NHS trusts providing healthcare provision for a population of over 2.5 million people in the region.

[2] https://www.nhsx.nhs.uk/covid-19-response/data-and-covid-19/national-covid-19-chest-imaging-database-nccid/

For further information, please contact:

Joost Maltha

Philips Global Press Office

Tel.: +31 6 10 55 81 16

E-mail: joost.maltha@philips.com

Emily Wells-Burr

Integrated Communications Manager, Philips UKI

Tel: 07825 105 685

E-mail: emilywellsburr@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips.

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A man in his 40s has been charged over the fatal stabbing of Isaac Horgan at his home in Dublin city centre on Monday.

Isaac Ike Horgan (52) bled out after suffering a significant knife wound to his upper leg at the Markievicz House apartment complex in Dublin 2.

Emergency services were alerted to the scene at around 11am and Horgan was rushed to St James's Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Yesterday investigating detectives arrested a man and woman, aged in their 40s and 30s, in relation to the stabbing.

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The man has since been charged and is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning at 10:30am.

The woman in her 30s arrested has been released without charge. A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Dr Da Costa Aboagye, Director of Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Service and a Fellow of Higher Education Academy of England and Wales has been nominated to present new evidence on human impact, public health and social measures in Africa amidst covid-19 on Thursday 1st April 2021.



Dr Da Costa Aboagyes nomination was done by Partnership for Evidence-Based Response to Covid-19 (PERC), a consortium made up of the World Economic Forum, Africa Union, Africa Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies, the World Health Organization, the United Kingdom Public Health Rapid Support Team, the United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicines and private sector firms such as market research company, Ipsos and NOVETTA



PERC is expected to share the new evidence with African governments, scientists, public health experts, organizations, academia, and journalists. The assessment will also touch on the performance of 55 member states of the African Union in managing the pandemic, support for essential services, vaccine acceptability and Risk Perception.



Speaking to Peace Fm, Dr Da Costa gave a gist of the yet to be published a report that Ghanas President is expected to be rated as one of the best leaders who managed the pandemic successfully among the 55 member states of the African Union during the first and second waves in Africa but down by six percentage points from 86%.



He added that, specifically, satisfaction with the governments response was six points lower than in last year August; thus, the trust in the President is high at 80% compared to 86% in August.



International institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) will be rated on support to essential health services after routine health care was largely halted in the early days of the pandemic and trust for such institutions within the continent.



Vaccines Acceptability on the Continents



Dr Da Costa on behalf of PERC will also reveal that about two-thirds of the African population have expressed their willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccines, but the sentiment has varied across the continent.



Giving a little more summary of the findings, Dr Da Costa Aboagye hinted that among the 55member countries, 91 per cent of the people in Morocco were most interested in receiving the vaccines, while Tunisia and Cameroon had the lowest number of people at 35 per cent.



Levels of acceptability of covid-19 vaccine in other African countries include Ghana 58 per cent, South Africa, 61 per cent, Zimbabwe 61 per cent, Nigeria, 72 per cent, Zambia, 53 per cent; Mozambique 75 per cent, Egypt, 78 per cent, Kenya, 59 per cent, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, 52 per cent.



Fewer than six in 10 respondents in Ghana plan to get a vaccine when it becomes available. This was 10 percentage points lower than the regional average, despite Ghana launching its vaccination campaign after becoming the first Member State to receive a COVAX vaccine delivery in February.



Of those who did not plan to get vaccinated, about half (51%) cited a lack of information, suggesting that a concerted community engagement effort could improve vaccine uptake.



Social media discussions of the vaccine surged in February, highlighting public interest, but also raising concerns that people may be relying too heavily on social media for informationwhere misinformation has been prevalent.



Risk Perception



On risk perception, Dr Da Costa Aboagye will reveal that perception of COVID-19 risk among Africans remain low and particularly in Ghana perception is lowboth in terms of general risk posed by COVID-19 and personal risk of contracting the virus.



Despite having the highest cumulative incidence rate among the Member States surveyed in Western Africa (testing variability notwithstanding), evidence from Ghana suggests similar or lower levels of risk perception than the regional average across each PERCs framework metric. Low-risk perceptions were driven by low perceptions of personal exposure to the virus.



Furthermore, the evidence suggests that there is a high level of knowledge and understanding of asymptomatic carriage and transmission of the virus as well as high levels of belief that herbal medicine can cure COVID-19.







The report according to Dr Da Costa Aboagye will comment on food insecurity, loss of income and covid-19 related mental health issues in Africa given the untold hardship and anxiety of the pandemic.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Fiore Cannabis (CSE: FIOR) (OTCQX: FIORF) ("Fiore" or the "Company"), a licensed multi-state cannabis cultivator, producer and retailer, today announced that it has signed a Definitive Agreement to sell, through a wholly owned subsidiary, a surplus cultivation license for its Apex cannabis cultivation and production facility in Las Vegas, Nevada to Allied Corp. (OTCQB:ALID) ("Allied") for US$1.5 million. Allied is a company actively increasing its involvement in the international cannabis space.

"We are building a great partnership with the team at Allied as we work collaboratively to drive our business plan forward. Selling this surplus licence advances us along our strategic path. The funds generated mean we can push forward on our expansion program for our Apex facility in Las Vegas to enhance cultivation capacity and deliver additional cannabis products into the growing and high-margin Nevada market," said Erik Anderson, President and CEO of Fiore Cannabis.

Calum Hughes, CEO of Allied, said: "We see great opportunity in acquiring this licence from Fiore and building out our own facilities to serve local medical markets. We look forward to working with their team and have them assist us in operating the new facility. Fiore is the perfect partner which also sees the potential massive opportunity that U.S. legalization presents."

A revenue-sharing agreement for incremental sales from the facility has been negotiated between the parties. Fiore will be assisting Allied with the genetics and selection of cannabis strains for their new operation as well as consulting on the marketing of eventual cannabis products through Fiore's already established medical and retail partnerships.

Fiore is preparing to apply the proceeds from this sale to its expansion program for its own Apex facility which sits on a seven-acre parcel of land. A significant increase of cultivation and production space from 10,000 square feet to approximately 80,000 square feet is being planned at this time. The Company has developed strong relationships with the Nevada retail market for distribution of additional product as Fiore's award-winning organic cannabis product is in high demand.

About Fiore Cannabis

Fiore Cannabis (CSE: FIOR) (OTCQX: FIORF) is a publicly traded company that has been investing in the development of medical and recreational cannabis products since 2014. Fiore has expanded its operating portfolio to include cultivation, production and retail offerings in our key North American legal jurisdictions of Nevada and California. For more information, please visit www.fiorecannabis.com.

For Further Information

Erik Anderson, President and CEO

1-877-438-5448 Ext. 713

eanderson@fiorecannabis.com



Cannabis Industry Involvement

The Company owns marijuana licenses in California and Nevada. Marijuana is legal in each state; however, marijuana remains illegal under United States federal law and the approach to enforcement of U.S. federal law against marijuana is subject to change. Shareholders and investors need to be aware that federal enforcement actions could adversely affect their investments and that the Company's ability to support continuing U.S.-based operations and its access private and public capital could be materially adversely affected.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements or information that relate to our current expectations and views of future events, including in respect of the future sale of the cultivation license, the entering into of definitive agreements in relation thereto, the strategic goals of the Company, the future growth and expansion plans for the Apex facility, the construction of the Allied facility, the collaboration between Allied and the Company in respect of a new facility, the entering into of a cost-sharing and revenue sharing arrangements between the Company and Allied, the involvement of the Company in the operation of such facility, the assistance by the Company with certain aspects of marketing and product development in collaboration with Allied and the use of proceeds of the sale of the cultivation licenses. Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, outlook, expectations or intentions regarding the future including words or phrases such as "anticipate", "objective", "may", "will", "might", "should", "could", "can", "intend", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "plan", "is designed to", "project", "continue", or similar expressions suggest future outcomes or the negative thereof or similar variations. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current projections and expectations about future events and financial trends that management believes might affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, and on certain assumptions and analysis made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors management believes are appropriate.

Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein. Such factors include, among others: the risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's reports and filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulators, risks and uncertainties related to the entering into of definitive agreements on terms acceptable to the Company or at all, risks and uncertainties related to the successful transfer of the cultivation license, receipt of the purchase price thereof, the effects and outcomes of any collaboration between the Company and Allied, changes to the legislative regime to which the Company and Allied are subject to, the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis products in Nevada and the saleability of future harvests. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/78966
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "Since the start of the pandemic countless acts of harassment, including violent and verbal attacks, have occurred against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The continued increase in hate crimes is both disheartening and abominable. From the recent tragic killing of eight innocent people in the Atlanta area, six of whom were Asian, to the daily attacks against members of the AAPI community in cities and towns throughout the nation, these racist attacks cannot be tolerated.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is committed to fighting for the fair treatment and equity of all groups as that is the core of working towards a more diverse and inclusive organization or society. We remain devoted and determined to prioritize this issue, especially for the patients we serve, the staff we employ, and our volunteers and members.

In February, we launched our first-ever Health Equity Advisory Committee (HEAC) responsible for directing and championing NKF's health equity, community health, and social justice efforts through research, education and key partnerships. This committee will work collaboratively with kidney patients, other NKF committees, as well as boards and staff to advise in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs that support stronger and healthier communities.

As we continue to advocate for change to address the significant healthcare disparities facing communities of color, we express our sincerest support for the AAPI community and strongest condemnation against continued acts of violence against them."

Kidney Disease Facts

In the United States, 37 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney diseaseand approximately 90 percent don't know they have it. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Blacks or African Americans are almost 4 times more likely than White Americans to have kidney failure. Hispanics are 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanics to have kidney failure.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive, and longstanding patient-centric organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S. For more information about NKF, visit www.kidney.org.

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twitter.com/nkf

www.kidney.org

SOURCE National Kidney Foundation

Related Links

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Lindsey is the North Augusta reporter at the Aiken Standard and North Augusta Star. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2017, and grew up in Hodges, SC.
Formerly licensed insurance agent, Mandy Pruitt, 42, of Visalia, Calif., was arraigned today on one count of grand theft after she allegedly stole more than $4,400 from a client and used the money to pay for personal expenses.

The alleged crime was reported to the California Department of Insurance after the victim noticed several unauthorized charges on their bank statement totaling $4,429. An investigation by the CDI reportedly revealed that Pruitt worked for an insurance agency that sold insurance to the victim and had access to their bank account information.

Investigators found the unauthorized charges were made by Pruitt and that the funds were used to pay for her personal expenses, including her car loan, electric bill, and satellite TV bill.

Pruitts insurance license was revoked by the CDI on Sept. 30, 2020. She is scheduled to return to court on May 26. The case is being prosecuted by the Tulare County District Attorneys Office.

Topics California Agencies Fraud
Telephone conversation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland

On March 31, 2021, at the initiative of the Finnish side, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland Pekka Haavisto.

The parties exchanged views on topical issues of the bilateral and international agenda, discussed the prospects for cooperation within the OSCE.

The Finnish side shared its assessments of a number of processes taking place today, including those concerning national minorities and the interaction of Belarus with the European Union.

In turn, V.Makei informed the interlocutor in detail and objectively about the dynamics of the ongoing constitutional process in Belarus, the development of intra-social dialogue and other issues. The preservation of the approaches and principles on which Belarus is ready to build interaction with Western partners was soundly confirmed.

The conversation passed in a constructive and mutually respectful manner. The interlocutors stated the mutual interest in preserving communication channels, continuing working contacts and maintaining the dialogue.

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IRB Infrastructure Developers jumped 6.43% to Rs 110 after the company said that its total order book stood at Rs 14,509 crore, providing revenue visibility of more than 2 years.

In a regulatory filing made after market hours yesterday, the company said that it had received letter of award from NHAI for six laning of National Corridor NH-19 from Palsit to Dankuni (up to NH-6 Connector), the total design length of which 63.830 kms, in West Bengal under Bharatmala Pariyojana to be executed on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. The project cost is Rs 2,421 crore.

Further, IRB Infra has emerged as the preferred bidder for NHAI's project of rehabilitation and upgradation to four lane configuration & strengthening of Pathankot-Mandi Section of NH-20 (New NH-154) on the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh Border in Himachal Pradesh on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). The design length is 28.70 kms. NHAI's project bid cost was Rs 758.04 crore and the company's bid project cost was Rs 828 crore.

The road construction company said that it is dosing its financial year after successfully securing new orders amounting to a total of Rs 5,004 crore. This works out to approximately, 5% of the total market share of awards on PPP basis issued by NHAI in this financial year.

The total order book of the company now stands at Rs 14,509 crore including construction order book of Rs 7,583 crore - providing revenue visibility of more than 2 years.

IRB Infrastructure Developers is India's largest private toll roads and highways infrastructure developer, with an asset base of over Rs 51,000 crore across the parent company and two InvITs.

The company's consolidated net profit fell 56.5% to Rs 69.48 crore on 11.2% decline in net sales to Rs 1,547.16 crore in Q3 December 2020 over Q3 December 2019.

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Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani speaks during his inauguration as president, in Kabul, Afghanistan (Photo : REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail/File Photo)

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani outlined his plans for peace at a regional summit in Tajikistan on Tuesday, saying that he would step aside if an election was held.



The ninth Heart of Asia summit, aimed at promoting peace and security in Afghanistan, this year comes at a sensitive time as the United States and other powers attempt to jumpstart the peace process with a proposal for a new transitional government.



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Ghani has resisted the proposal, saying elections must take place before he will step aside.



"I ... strongly support holding elections at the earliest possible time," Ghani said at the conference in Dushanbe. "My greatest honour will be to hand over authority to my elected successor."



Reuters reported last week that Ghani would propose new presidential elections within six months under a plan he intended to put forward as a counter-offer to the U.S. proposal that he rejects, according to two government officials.



Ghani, who took office in 2014 and was sworn in for a second five-year term last year, added details on Tuesday, saying that once a political settlement was reached, it should be endorsed by an Afghan assembly known as a loya jirga and followed by a ceasefire with international monitoring.



The Taliban have so far rejected a ceasefire and said they would not directly join an interim government.



Tuesday's conference was one in a series of high-profile meetings on Afghanistan as Washington reviews its plans for the peace process. Violence has risen while progress stalls at peace negotiations in Doha.



Earlier in the month, major regional players met with Afghan political and government leaders as well as Taliban negotiators in Moscow. Washington is preparing for a conference it has asked the United Nations to hold soon in Turkey, though the date has not been announced.


New Delhi:

A soldier was killed as Pakistani troops opened fire at an Army patrol along the Line of Control in Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.



An Army official said that necessary and adequate response has been given to the Pakistani firing.



"Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC in the early hours today. One soldier was injured in the incident," the Army official said.



The injured jawan was airlifted to a hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed to injuries.

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The insurance industrys stubborn refusal to adapt digital technology into its operations is costing them millions of dollars in missed opportunities. We need to improve insurance for the masses. We do this with advanced technology, which makes the products more accessible to the consumers, and increases the scope for the agents.

The insurance industrys stubborn refusal to adapt digital technology into its operations puts the future of legacy companies in peril as its reliance on antiquated actuarial tables continues to deny policies to millions of people. Thats real money that these outdated companies are bleedingmillions, if not hundreds of millionsof dollars. We need to improve insurance for the masses. We do this with advanced technology, which makes the products more accessible to the consumers, and increases the scope for the agents, said Paul Ford, co-founder and CEO of Traffk, an insurance underwriting and distribution platform.

Analyzing more than 4,000 robust data points, Insurtech solutions can help a company rapidly design, develop and distribute bespoke insurance products. Risk management services including proprietary alternative data sets, streamlining portfolio management and digital risk experience monitoring can also help improve efficiency, profitability and growth for carriers, reinsurers, underwriters, agents and distributors while giving consumers new and in-demand products.

Typically, life insurance companies use 5 categories to determine what type of life insurance a person qualifies for, and if you have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or mental health issues, you might automatically be disqualified or only offered a very expensive policy.(1) With the use of the right insurance technology, potential policyholders dont have to visit the doctor or answer the same questions over and over to get insurance. Robust data points are used to calculate risk and compile digital data from previous doctors appointments and medical records to create a wider spectrum of options for consumers so that if you have a pre-existing condition but have been managing it well and are otherwise healthy, you have options. The newer companies that embrace technology, offer fast results and that have an agent just a click away are leaving legacy insurance companies in the dust.

Digital products, such as New Spectrum Life Insurance, are designed for everyday people with average health or pre-existing conditions so that their family has the monetary support they need, said Brandon Potter, Product Director for Traffk. The focus has to be in making the process fast and easy to empower agents and help consumers so that they no longer have to worry about increasing financial burdens for their families.

Traditional policies are very limited, and it is very time consuming to qualify for one or to find out what your options are. According to a Munich RE report, 50% of consumers are more likely to purchase an offer that appears quicklyand the traditional way of qualifying for life insurance has too many barriers and takes too long. By the time consumers spend hours filling out applications and answering the same questions over and over, taking a medical exam, and then wait for weeks while the insurer checks and reviews background information including prescriptions and driving history, most consumers have lost interest.(2)

New Spectrum Life Insurance uses technology to reduce the wait time from weeks to minutes, the application process takes 20 minutes after which the consumer receives information about policies that are customized to fit his or her life and situation. This not only benefits the consumers, but with New Spectrum Life Insurance, agents are able to be more responsive, have more applicable products to offer their clients and are able to be more profitable for themselves in the end.

While many legacy life insurance companies were not able to quickly pivot to a work-from-home lifestyle for their agents, insurance technology gives agents the tools and processes they need to successfully work from any space.

Lots of companies talk about giving consumers options and the ability to buy a product any way they want but then dont follow through on that promise. New Spectrum Life Insurance does. It combines technology with personal knowledge to give consumers life insurance that is relative and useful to them and agents new opportunities to help more clients, said Kevin McKenna, COO of Traffk.

About Traffk

Traffk is an innovative insurance underwriting and distribution platform designed to build and launch modern insurance products and brands that scale. With more than 25 years combined leadership in insurance and AI, Paul Ford and Glen Hibler co-founded Traffk as a solution to the problems of inefficient, assumption-based underwriting and slow processing in the insurance industry. Traffks goal from the start has been to comprehend the risks and modernize the insurance underwriting process by leveraging modern-day tools. Traffk enables risk bearers to leverage the underwriting process with its data-enrichment technology and integrates and analyzes data to glean insights pertinent to insurance. Traffk works with agents as partners, providing them with the digital tools to work with an efficient sales process and engage consumers with a fast, accurate process for insurance policies, changing the insurance landscape for the better, forever. Visit http://www.traffk.com and http://www.newspectrumlife.com.

1. Severino, Carly, Life insurance with pre-existing conditions. | 11 February 2021; Bankrate, bankrate.com/insurance/life-insurance/pre-existing-conditions.

2. Forberg, Sigrid, Why Is Buying Life Insurance So Difficult? | 18 March 2021; MoneyWise, moneywise.com/a/why-is-buying-life-insurance-so-difficult.


Japan's Hitachi on Wednesday said that it will acquire US-headquartered digital engineering services company GlobalLogic for $9.6 billion.

Hitachi said the acquisition will help the company expand digital operations in a number of businesses, including IT, energy, industry and mobility.

It will accelerate the advanced digital transformation of social infrastructure such as rail, energy, and healthcare at a global scale, the company said.

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals and expected to be completed by the end of July 2021.

Through the acquisition, Hitachi expects the addition of GlobalLogic's advanced digital engineering capabilities, and its solid client base including major technology companies, to strengthen the digital portfolio of "Lumada."

Lumada is the name of Hitachi's advanced digital solutions and services for turning data into insights that drive digital transformation of social infrastructure.

"The acquisition of GlobalLogic creates an exciting new opportunity for Hitachi to expand our offerings of Lumada solutions and services, provide value to customers in their digital transformation journey, and grow our Lumada business globally," Hitachi President & CEO Toshiaki Higashihara said in a statement.

"The synergy of GlobalLogic's leading experience design and innovation with Hitachi's expertise in IT, operational technology, and products, will help us realise our goal to be the leading digital transformation innovator in social infrastructure worldwide."

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, GlobalLogic is a leading company in the fast-growing digital engineering services market.

With over 20,000 professionals in 14 countries, it operates design studios and software product engineering centres around the world.

GlobalLogic has deep "chip-to-cloud" advanced software product engineering technology as well as experience design skills and vertical industry expertise.
Land Rover has announced a three-year extension to its global partnership with Virgin Galactic, the worlds first commercial spaceline as the latters latest spaceship was unveiled on March 31, supported by a Range Rover Astronaut Edition.



Land Rover will remain an integrated part of Virgin Galactics day-to-day operations as the company completes test flights with SpaceShipTwo and begins a regular commercial service.



Land Rover vehicles are part of daily life for the Virgin Galactic team, with roles which include towing the space vehicles, carrying equipment and clearing runways before take-off. They played key roles during the companys first two spaceflights which saw Virgin Galactic become the first private company to fly humans to space on a spaceship designed for commercial service. A fleet of Land Rovers also supported Virgin Galactics relocation from its manufacturing and test facilities in Mojave, California, to Spaceport America in New Mexico  the worlds first purpose-built commercial spaceport.



Virgin Galactic has already signed-up around 600 Future Astronaut customers, who will be transported to their flights from Spaceport America, in Land Rover vehicles.



In 2019, Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson and Jaguar Land Rover Chief Creative Officer Prof Gerry McGovern OBE unveiled the Range Rover Astronaut Edition. Created by Land Rover SV Bespoke and offered exclusively to Virgin Galactic Future Astronauts, these luxury SUVs celebrate the partnerships shared values and the Future Astronaut communitys historic contribution to the democratization of space.



Virgin Galactic has a team of eight highly experienced pilots and is preparing for its next rocket-powered flight in New Mexico. Founder Sir Richard Branson is planning to fly to space later in 2021.



Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, said: Accessible space travel for explorers worldwide is the next great big adventure. Land Rover is proud to work alongside the Virgin Galactic team to support all future astronauts as they push the boundaries of personal adventure even further.



Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Galactic, said: Land Rover vehicles provide invaluable support on the ground in Mojave and at Spaceport America in New Mexico. It is also fabulous to see our Future Astronauts around the world enjoying the unique Range Rover Astronaut Edition. We are delighted to be able to extend this strong partnership. With a shared pioneering spirit, pursuit of adventure and vision to push the boundaries of travel, this is a natural collaboration between our two companies and one that will take exploration to new heights.  TradeArabia News Service
Tasteless comments make a joke of the Liberal party Like her fearless leader, Teena McQueen is a slow learner; she has also borrowed Scott Morrisons tin ear (I would kill to be sexually harassed at the moment, March 31). Furthermore, shes blessed with an unfailing ability to plant both feet firmly in her mouth. With leaders like her, the Liberals really are in trouble. David Gordon, Cranebrook At a time when were trying to get key messages across society to build momentum for equality and respect, why is it that the Liberal party is giving their train wreck McQueen a voice to counter the movement? Why do we need double dutch and jokes from her? As we saw in Letters this week, approaching 80 isnt a deterrent to sexual advances or unwanted commentary either. Or is it the case that being tone deaf is good for the PM so its good for everyone in the Coalition? Ted Bush, North Epping The latest revelation coming from Teena McQueen expressing her wish to be sexually harassed may have been in jest but it certainly raises further questions about the Coalitions stewardship. Perhaps the Governor-General General David Hurley should write to the Queens Private Secretary for his advice of how to deal with the incumbent government going forward. Ian McKenzie, Mt Annan What: McQueen is still vice-president of the federal Liberal party more than two years after her disastrous train-smash appearance on the ABCs Q&A program? Ha ha. Sorry, cant help myself. Max Fischer, Wollongong

Given the current audience restrictions on live comedy, please can McQueen do Q&A again? She really has not lost her timing. Jo Rainbow, Orange Teena McQueen is a good name for a stand-up. Not sure what the difference is, but at 58 I am still regularly sexually harassed; most recently only yesterday. Whats your secret, Teena? Suzanne Saunders, Brunswick Heads I think there will be few women of any age who have not either experienced sexual assault or been supporters to loved friends and family members who have been raped (Letters, March 31). Conversation on the topic is not academic but often personal. It is wearing and reactivating to many women. So if you wish to be empathic and and increase your understanding, keep comments positive and supportive and understand that engagement on every occasion is not always easy for us. Janice Windsor, Greenwich Rape is not about desire or passion. Its an opportunistic display of power over another. It aims to keep people in their place. Rape is a weapon of war. In peacetime: the gender war. Anne Matheson, Gordon Actions too late

A conservative government is not proactive; it is reactive (Letters, March 31). Why should we have a multitude of women given promotions and fancy titles today when they were not needed last week. Obviously there is neither admission nor understanding that these actions are decades late. Peter Bourke, Rockdale I have doubts the Coalition introducing quotas for women is a panacea that will solve issues of sexism and sexual assault. Look at the current crop of women in senior positions in the government. The problem is the Coalition parties, their ethos and their supporters and I have no idea how you fix that. Nicholas Triggs, Katoomba I am so relieved Scott Morrison has elected a prime minister for women . Now he never has to listen to our little lady problems, or our annoying lady voices, or wait while our lady brains process things or our lady bodies get in the way of his ministers and staffers. What a relief. Rachel Andrew, West Hobart (Tas) If the Coalition was serious about merit selection, Julie Bishop would be our PM. Mary Schulha, Springwood Fool to be kind

April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other 364. So once said Mark Twain. So say all of us today?

Edward Loong, Milsons Point Rollout shortcomings putting us at risk Your story demonstrates the urgency of everyone getting vaccinated as soon as possible (Lingering effects of COVID-19 revealed, March 31). The trickle of vaccines in Australia is inexplicable since the vaccines are now being produced locally. The Americans are vaccinating over 3.5 million people each day. At that rate, they would have vaccinated the entire Australian population in one week. At current rates, the Americans may be fully vaccinated by the end of May. This creates an opportunity for Australia. While we must accelerate the AstraZeneca vaccination program, at the same time, the government should seize the opportunity and use its special relationship with the US to license or import the vaccines which are probably more effective at preventing symptomatic disease as soon as possible. Public health must be the number one priority. Harry Melkonian, Vaucluse The federal government has achieved 600,000 COVID vaccinations by March 31 instead of 4 million (Vaccine feud erupts between NSW and federal government, smh.com.au, March 31). Perhaps we will now see a Minister for Vaccinations and a Minister for COVID Protection and a Minister for Vaccination Safety as yet another exercise in diversion instead of doing anything. Michael McMullan, Five Dock

The slow rollout of vaccines in Australia risks creating new waves of infection, as exemplified by the latest outbreak in Brisbane. The vaccine does not guarantee immunity from catching the virus and infecting others but it does reduce the symptoms. A robust education program and controls must be undertaken, otherwise vaccinated people will believe they can safely travel among unvaccinated populations  and the disease will spread exponentially. Peter Allen, Castle Cove Myanmar injustice Kevin Rudd is right to push for action in Myanmar (UN must step in to stop the bloodbath, March 31). But the prospects for a serious resolution from the UN Security Council are remote, given Chinas right of veto. However, it has massive economic and geo-political interests in Myanmar and could be convinced to push for compromise before it suffers more damage, such as the recent arson at Chinese-owned factories in Yangon. The junta itself may seek to retain some respectability in the eyes of the rest of the world: the opening up of Myanmar a decade ago was largely a reaction by the military government to its over-dependence on China. Clay OBrien, Mosman This governments political protests about Myanmar are in stark contrast to the governments apathy towards the plight of the Rohingyas. We watched as they were butchered, raped and subjected to attempted genocide. And now again as their tragic camp is engulfed in fire. It is clear the government is sympathetic to all except Muslims. With the government in disarray and our Foreign Minister otherwise occupied, does anyone in the government care at all for these people? And these government ministers call themselves Christians. Adrian Bell, Davistown

Its fair at this point to say that the UN Security Council has failed in its responsibilities and that the situation in Myanmar constitutes a threat to international peace and security. Its time to pursue the Uniting for Peace Resolution and call an Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly. The question is, which member states will have the will and the backbone to take this forward? Will Australia? Shane Brady Rose Bay Politics as usual Now that the NSW upper house inquiry has delivered an adverse finding on the Berejiklian governments Stronger Communities Fund, perhaps the Premier will simply claim: Everybody does it! ($252m used to win seats, punish councils: inquiry, March 31). It seems that if my own local council had not meekly allowed the disastrous amalgamation to go ahead, it would have been punished, which would mean that its ratepayers would have been disadvantaged. All in the interests of the Berejiklian empire building of the Coalition government. Derrick Mason, Boorowa West thinks its best

Chris Uhlmann mourns our loss of moral compass and unity (An Australia divided against itself cannot stand, March 31) but the truth is that the First Australians were dispossessed by force and were never treated as equals in practice. Until this is acknowledged and restitution made by treaty, there is a gaping hole in our foundation story. The Uluru Statement from the Heart and the establishment of a Truth and Justice Commission by the Victorian government provide the way forward. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer Power to the people Thank you Labor for addressing two key means for ordinary Australians to contribute to lowering emissions: electric vehicles and battery storage (Labor plans to cut EV taxes, but puts brakes on big climate policy, March 31). Hopefully these policies will send a message to manufacturers that Australia is a ready and willing market, which should also help to reduce prices to a point where we all can afford an EV. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls Track record Blowouts in infrastructure projects; council amalgamations; icare; the sale of Hunter Valley TAFE to Racing Australia; huge increases in home unit development against community wishes (Ten years of action, refusing to take the easy optino and theres more to come, March 31). No thought for local infrastructure, leading to public schools being overcrowded and forced into demountable, losing open space for playing. And $252 million in grants to mainly Coalition seats before the last state election, admitted by the Premier to have been pork-barrelling. A piece of land at Camellia, deemed worthless, bought for $53.5 million and now needing $116 million to clean it up. Let alone the moving of the Powerhouse Museum against community and expert advice.

Dominic Perrottet tells us there is more to come. I cant wait. Anita Hart, Greenwich Conservative conservatism For the NSW Coalition it seems a philosophical struggle between keeping up with the opinions of the Alan Joneses of this world or be invigorated by the Kean by name, keen by nature reset of politics (Kean tries to turn tide on Coalitions poor green record, March 31). Steve Dillon, Thirroul Tell him hes dreamin Steve Smith back as captain (Smith on front foot in bid for captaincy, March 31)? Never. He had a dig and he stuffed it. Badly.
A woman locked out of her mother's final journey - an hour before the gates at Roselawn Cemetery were opened for the funeral of Bobby Storey - has told of her anger at the lack of prosecutions.

Lynn Paul said she was "hurt and angry beyond words" after the Public Prosecution Service decided there was no prospect of successful prosecutions over the events of that day.

The Lisburn woman had been left at the cemetery gates at 11.30am on June 30 last year as she bid a final farewell to her mother, Evelyn McMullen.

She said the PPS's decision against pursuing prosecutions in relation to the Storey funeral has left her devastated all over again.

"I'm hurt and angry beyond words," said Lynn, a nurse who knows only too well the reasons why restrictions had to be followed.

"This has actually hurt me more than I thought it ever would."

Her mother Evelyn had been taken from Bobby Morrison's funeral home in Lisburn to Roselawn.

It was hours after her funeral, with no family and friends permitted to attend, that Lynn learnt of another funeral for which rules had been changed.

"At this time the only words in my head are profanities," Lynn told the Belfast Telegraph after hearing of the PPS decision yesterday.

"I'm frustrated beyond words, actually feel sick to my guts and so, so angry because I feel so let down by every system that exists in Northern Ireland right now.

"As a nurse and a daughter I abided by every rule set. They seemed quite clear to me and, I would imagine, to the rest of Northern Ireland.

"But for some reason on June 30, the day my mum was cremated, those rules were not followed." She added: "How do I feel today? Let down, awfully angry but truthfully, not one bit surprised.

"We've all had to deal with such mental anguish this year - unfortunately mine will continue for a long time to come but I will not let the events of last year tarnish the memory of my special mum. She's worth every bit as much as anyone else.

"But I'm absolutely devastated. It's like you've been made a fool of, both as a nurse following these rules and then the nonsense the day my mum was cremated. It's another bitter pill to swallow."

Looking back on the events of June 30 last year, the distress remains to this day and Lynn said her family will be "psychologically distressed for a long time to come".

"We followed the hearse to Roselawn and the gates were open to let only the hearse in. We had to watch as my mother's coffin was driven up to the crematorium without us. We knew we had been told to remain standing at the gates.

"It was heartbreaking."

She added: "What made my mother less deserving of a proper funeral?"
A DUP councillor prompted a heated exchange in the virtual chamber after accusing Sinn Fein of trying to impose 'mob rule' over proposed changes to the Council's Irish language policy.

Cllr Adrian McQuillan, Chair of Causeway Coast and Glens Environmental Services Committee, made the remark in response to a defeated motion at the last committee meeting.

The motion had called on Council to adapt their policy so a 15% threshold of positive responses was required instead of the current two thirds figure.

Cllr McQuillan said Sinn Fein were aware the motion had a 'snowball's chance in hell' of passing the committee, and accused them of bringing it to 'annoy and upset' people.

This was brought just to upset the council and create an argument. Sinn Fein need to learn that these notices of motion aren't going to be passed, they're going to have to stop, he said.

This has been an ongoing fact through the last two years. To think that two members of a street could impose their will on the rest of the street goes back to where you would have mob rule.

I don't think motions like this here should be brought before the Council in future.

Benbradagh councillor Kathleen McGurk, who brought the original motion, said it was brought in response to requests from constituents, and proposed the Council re-vote on the issue.

Gaelcholaiste Dhoire, the only NI Irish Medium School outside Belfast, is in the Council area.

We brought forward evidence this motion would bring us into line with charters the British government have already signed up to, she said.

Yet we have to sit and listen to someone say we don't have the right to bring a motion before Council. Are we to go back to the days where we just sit in the corner and pretend our culture doesn't matter?

Cllr William McCandless said it was 'regrettable' the motion had come before Council, quoting 2011 Census figures to claim less than 0.2% of the NI population used Irish as their home language.

The Coleraine councillor said the motion had been brought to cause division and was an attempt to impose the language on others 'in the guise of street signage'.

Limavady councillor Brenda Chivers told the meeting there were five Irish medium schools between Limavady and Dungiven.

Those aren't there because of Sinn Fein. They are there for the love of the language and the culture. They have every right to come to us and ask to put in a motion on street signs, she said.

Everybody has an equal say in street signage on their street and nobody is going to put up a sign just to annoy their neighbours.

Cllr John Finlay raised concerns around the percentage guide, and said 'the 15% should not be allowed to dictate to the 85%'.

Cllr McGurk's amendment, that the council reconsider the motion and vote on it again, was defeated by 22 votes to 16.
The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for further investigation of suggestions the coronavirus may have spread from a Wuhan laboratory, as nations including the US and the UK expressed concerns over Beijings lack of transparency during a probe into the origins of the virus.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said data had been withheld from investigators looking into the source of the virus, which is believed to have originated in the city of Wuhan.

The UN agency said China had refused to give raw data on early Covid-19 cases to the WHO-led team, potentially complicating efforts to understand how the global pandemic began.

And while investigators concluded that a leak from a Wuhan-area laboratory was the least likely hypothesis for the origins of SARS-CoV-2, Dr Tedros said the matter required further analysis  potentially including additional missions back to China.

It comes after accusations, particularly from the US under the Trump administration, that the organisation had been too sympathetic to China despite a lack of cooperation in international approaches to investigating the cause and spread of the virus.

Read more:

I do not believe that this assessment was extensive enough, the Dr Tedros said. Further data and studies will be needed to reach more robust conclusions.

He added: In my discussions with the team, they expressed the difficulties they encountered in accessing raw data. I expect future collaborative studies to include more timely and comprehensive data sharing.

The WHO teams leader, Peter Ben Embarek, told a separate virtual press briefing on Tuesday that it was perfectly possible Covid-19 cases were circulating in November or October 2019 around Wuhan, potentially leading to the disease spreading abroad earlier than documented so far.

He said the team felt political pressure, including from outside China, but that he never was pressed to remove anything from its final report.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by 14 predominantly western nations raised concerns over Beijings response to the UN bodys investigation, as well as supporting further studies of animals to understand the transmission of the virus into humans.

It is equally essential that we voice our shared concerns that the international expert study on the source of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples, the joint statement said.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 27 May 2021 A man waits to receive a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, in the rooms of the Claudia Comte exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Castello di Rivoli near Turin AFP/Getty World news in pictures 26 May 2021 A girl, with her face painted with the colours of the opposition flag, looks on during a demonstration against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and presidential elections, in the opposition-held Idlib, Syria Reuters World news in pictures 25 May 2021 A Buddhist monk climbs atop a giant statue of Buddha, to wash and decorate on the eve of Buddha Purnima, a holiday traditionally celebrated for Buddha's birthday also known as Vesak celebrations, in Bhopal AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 May 2021 Lava from the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo cuts through Buhene north of Goma, Congo AP World news in pictures 23 May 2021 Cyclists at the start of the 15th stage of the Giro dItalia, a 147km race between Grado and Gorizia AFP/Getty World news in pictures 22 May 2021 Swiss Guards take their position prior to the arrival of the European Commission President at San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican for a private audience with the Pope AFP/Getty World news in pictures 21 May 2021 A dog that has been trained to sniff out the coronavirus disease, screens a sweat sample at Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters World news in pictures 20 May 2021 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr in action during a F1 practice session at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo Reuters World news in pictures 18 May 2021 Horse-drawn carriages drive through the mudflats near Cuxhaven, northern Germany dpa via AP World news in pictures 17 May 2021 Kanoya Onishi in action during the Cycling BMX Free Style of Tokyo 2020 Olympics test event at Ariake Urban Sports Park in Japan EPA World news in pictures 16 May 2021 Rescuers carry Suzy Eshkuntana, 6, as they pull her from the rubble of a building at the site of Israeli air strikes, in Gaza City Reuters World news in pictures 15 May 2021 A ball of fire erupts from the Jala Tower as it is destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city AFP/Getty World news in pictures 14 May 2021 Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers inside the Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh AP World news in pictures 13 May 2021 Muslim girls ride on a mini train after attending the Eid Al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 May 2021 Israeli artillery fire as the escalation continues between Israeli army and Hamas at the Gaza Border EPA World news in pictures 11 May 2021 Maya Nakanishi competes in the womens long jump - T64 category during a para-athletics test event for the 2020 Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo AFP/Getty World news in pictures 10 May 2021 A Palestinian man helps a wounded fellow protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque compound, ahead of a planned march to commemorate Israels takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War AFP/Getty World news in pictures 9 May 2021 Falconer Giovanna Piccolo performs with her Eurasian eagle-owl at 'Roma World' theme park, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Rome Reuters World news in pictures 8 May 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) is introduced as a starter against the St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena. USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 6 May 2021 Buddhist monks and believers attend a lantern parade in celebration of the upcoming birthday of Buddha at a temple in Seoul, South Korea Reuters World news in pictures 5 May 2021 Russian MiG-29 jet fighters of the Strizhi (Swifts) and Su-30SM jet fighters of the Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic teams fly in formation over the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin in Moscow during a flypast rehearsal for the WWII Victory Parade AFP/Getty World news in pictures 4 May 2021 An elevated metro line collapsed in the Mexican capital on Monday, leaving at least 23 people dead and dozens injured as a train came plunging down, authorities said AFP/Getty World news in pictures 3 May 2021 Lightning bolts strike buildings during a thunderstorm in Bangkok AFP/Getty World news in pictures 2 May 2021 Samaritan worshippers arrive to take part in a Passover ceremony on top of Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus AFP/Getty World news in pictures 1 May 2021 A Gilet Jaune, or yellow vest, protestor stands in front of a burning barricade holding his hand up with an inscription calling for President Macron to resign as May Day Protest turn violent near Place de la Republique in Paris, France Getty World news in pictures 30 April 2021 A demonstrator from the Rio de Paz human rights activist group digs a symbolic grave in front of rows of bags symbolising bodybags on Copacabana beach, during a protest against the Brazilian governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, in Rio de Janeiro AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 April 2021 An aerial picture shows dead carp fish flushed to the shores of al-Qaraoun reservoir in Lebanons Western Beqaa District in the countrys east. Tonnes of fish have washed up dead on the shoreline of the highly polluted artificial reservoir in eastern Lebanon in recent days AFP/Getty World news in pictures 28 April 2021 Health workers wearing PPE attends to coronavirus patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care centre in New Delhi AFP/Getty World news in pictures 27 April 2021 The full moon, known as the Super Pink Moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City, Reuters World news in pictures 26 April 2021 Balinese people lay wreaths with names of the crew on board the sunk Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala during a prayer at the sea near Labuhan Lalang, Bali, Indonesia EPA World news in pictures 25 April 2021 An Ethiopian Orthodox Christian worshipper walks around the Edicule, the place believed to be where Jesus Christ was buried, during Palm Sunday celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 April 2021 Fans of Wuhan Three Towns FC cheer for their team during the 1st round match Wuhan Three Towns FC and Beijing Institute of Technology FC during Chinese Football League One in Wuhan, China Getty World news in pictures 23 April 2021 A girl prays in front of the Dome of the Rock, in the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalems Old City, on the second Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, as coronavirus restrictions ease around the country, in Jerusalem Reuters World news in pictures 22 April 2021 People walk through the art work 'THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS' by Yayoi Kusama, during the press preview of a retrospective exhibition of the Japanese artist at the Martin Gropius Bau museum in Berlin, Germany AP World news in pictures 21 April 2021 Hungary's Sara Peter competes in the Women's floor qualifications during European Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the St Jakobshalle, in Basel AFP/Getty World news in pictures 20 April 2021 South Korea university students gets their heads shaved during a protest against Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, in front of the Japanese embassy, in Seoul Reuters World news in pictures 19 April 2021 A spectator wearing a football jersey of Argentina's forward Lionel Messi attends the ATP Barcelona Open tennis tournament singles match between Japan's Kei Nishikori and Argentina's Guido Pella at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona AFP/Getty World news in pictures 18 April 2021 People raise their fist during a demonstration near the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota AFP/Getty World news in pictures 17 April 2021 Security personnel stand guard outside a polling station during the 5th phase of West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections in Kolkata AFP/Getty World news in pictures 16 April 2021 Palestinians take part in the first Friday prayers of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty World news in pictures 15 April 2021 A firefighter inspects the site of a car bomb attack in Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 14 April 2021 This picture shows the 100 days countdown till the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games displayed on the illuminated Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo on April 14, 2021 AFP/Getty World news in pictures 13 April 2021 This photo taken and received courtesy of an anonymous source shows Buddhist monks gesturing while taking part in a demonstration with protesters against the military coup in Mandalay during the Myanmar New Year festival of Thingyan AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 April 2021 An Indian holi man during the Kumbh Mela royal bath (Sacred Hindu Pilgrimage) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Thousands of pilgrims are gathering and taking holy dip in Kumbh Mela that is a mass Hindu pilgrimage which occurs after every twelve years and rotates among four locations EPA World news in pictures 11 April 2021 Nasa released images of of sand dunes on Mars captured using infrared reflections NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU World news in pictures 10 April 2021 People watch devotees pulling a chariot in Biska Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal AP World news in pictures 9 April 2021 Maintenance workers clean the monument of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in Moscow on April 9, 2021. - Sixty years ago Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, marking it a new chapter in the history of space exploration. 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The statement was signed by the governments of Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Chinas foreign ministry said the Chinese members of the investigative group "offered necessary facilitation for the team's work, fully demonstrating its openness, transparency and responsible attitude".

Additional reporting by agencies
A large increase in Iranian oil production pushed overall OPEC oil output higher in March compared to February, the monthly Reuters survey found on Wednesday, suggesting that higher supply from members exempt from the OPEC+ cuts could spoil the cartels efforts to rebalance the market.

OPECs crude oil production increased by 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) from February to stand at 25.07 million bpd in March, according to the Reuters survey of OPEC sources, sources at oil firms, and tanker-tracking data.

The biggest contributor to the higher OPEC production this month was Iran, whose supply increased by 210,000 bpd to 2.3 million bpd, offsetting cuts from other OPEC members. Irans production rise was also the single-largest jump in production among OPEC members.

The second-biggest increase came from OPECs second-biggest producer, Iraq, which boosted production by 40,000 bpd, according to the Reuters survey.

Libya and Venezuela, the other two OPEC members exempted from the OPEC+ cuts along with Iran, also saw small rises in their respective production.

Last month, total OPEC oil production averaged 24.85 million bpd, a drop by 650,000 bpd compared to January, thanks to the extra cut from top producer and de facto leader Saudi Arabia, according to the cartels Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) for March.

In February, all three OPEC members exempted from the OPEC+ cuts had also increased their oil production.

In March, the Saudis achieved the 1-million-bpd additional cut, the Reuters survey found today.

In recent months, Iran is estimated to have started to increase its oil production and significantly raise its oil exports to China, the worlds top oil importer.

Some estimates suggest that China is set to import nearly 1 million bpd from Iran in March. Currently, Iran is masking the crude it sells to China as originating from other countries to avoid U.S. sanctions. It is also undermining the efforts of its fellow OPEC members to keep prices stronger.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
China-Namibia jointly built oil storage facility handed over to Namibia's state-owned petroleum firm

Xinhua) 14:09, March 31, 2021

WINDHOEK, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's state-owned oil company, the National Petroleum Corporation (NAMCOR) has taken over the national oil storage facility, jointly built by Chinese and Namibian firms.

The construction of the multi-billion-dollar facility commenced in January 2015, and was done by a joint venture between China Harbour Engineering Company, the Roads Contractor Company and Babyface Civils. It consists of tanker jetty product pipelines and a terminal consisting of seven tanks with a capacity of 75 million liters.

At an official handover ceremony held on Monday, NAMCOR board chairperson, Jennifer Comalie, thanked the Namibian government for strategically investing in such a facility and showing confidence in NAMCOR and its leadership to operate and manage the facility.

"This facility was designed and constructed as a strategic storage facility with the primary aim of increasing Namibia's security of fuel supply from the previous 7 to 10 days to 30 to 45 days in situations where the country will be unable to import petroleum products from the international market," Comalie said.

Speaking at the same event, NAMCOR managing director, Immanuel Mulunga said the facility will not only be used for NAMCOR's own trading purposes but also to host other international oil marketing companies such as Vitol, Gunvor, Vivo and Total to ensure that it is utilized optimally and that Namibia becomes a strategic gateway through which neighboring African countries are supplied.

The first shipment of commissioning stock arrived on Dec. 1, 2020, which heralded the facility's testing and commissioning.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
At Bridgepoint, we take pride in helping our clients succeed through genuine partnership."  Manuel Azuara, Managing Principal, Bridgepoint Consulting

Bridgepoint Consulting, an Addison Group company and a leading management consulting firm that helps organizations drive innovation and successful business transformations, today announced it has strengthened its leadership team through four key management promotions.

The promotions span Bridgepoints Texas offices including Ross Goolsby to Managing Director in the Houston market, as well as the promotions of Lucas Walters to Managing Director, Nora Foster to Director of Financial Operations and Kent Brorman to Director of NetSuite Consulting all in the Austin market.

Promotion of Ross Goolsby to Managing Director

Were proud to promote Ross to Managing Director in Houston, said Michael Johnson, managing principal at Bridgepoint. Even after a tumultuous 2020, Rosss devotion to continuous growth and innovation for both our own firm and our clients was unwavering. His level of integrity and commitment to a client-first mindset is a driving force behind our continued success in Houston.

Goolsby brings more than 20 years of financial experience in both the private and public sectors to his role as Managing Director with extensive experience in capital markets, including the venture capital and IPO process, international expansion, and merger and acquisitions with high growth companies. In his new position, Goolsby will primarily focus on continuing growth for Bridgepoint in the Houston market across several key industries such as SaaS, manufacturing, distribution and oilfield services. Goolsby joined Bridgepoint in 2015 and has held positions of increasing responsibility, including CFO Consultant and, most recently, Director of Financial Operations.

Promotion of Lucas Walters to Managing Director

Since joining Bridgepoint, Lucas has been a tremendous asset to our organization and clients, said Manuel Azuara, managing principal at Bridgepoint. There are a lot of exciting things happening in the city of Austin right now and Lucas is the perfect person to help Bridgepoint continue growing in this quickly emerging market.

In his new role, Walters will work closely with the Austin leadership team on marketing and business development initiatives on a global scale in several key industries such as CPG, manufacturing, SaaS, real estate and insurance. Additionally, Walters will focus on expanding his team in Austin as Bridgepoint continues to focus on creating long-term, valuable client relationships through a unified approach to consulting. Walters brings more than 20 years of experience in finance and accounting to Bridgepoint. He joined Bridgepoint in 2016 and has held positions of increasing responsibility, including Financial Operations & CFO Consultant and, most recently, Director.

Promotion of Nora Foster to Director of Financial Operations

We are honored to promote Nora to Director of Financial Operations and to have her lead the finance side of the business in Austin, said Johnson. Noras expertise in the financial sector coupled with her methodical, thoughtful approach to consulting will help us continue to deliver the exceptional service our clients expect of us as we scale our business in the Austin market.

Foster has more than 30 years of experience as a financial business adviser for businesses of all sizes. In her expanded role, Foster will work closely with clients and the Bridgepoint leadership team, as well as consultants to ensure the best possible outcomes for its clients. Foster joined Bridgepoint in 2013 and spent several years working directly with organizations on the consulting side. She will also work closely with Walters on business development initiatives within Austin.

Promotion of Kent Brorman to Director of NetSuite Consulting

Kent has played a monumental role in building out Bridgepoints NetSuite practice and were thrilled to promote him to Director of NetSuite Consulting, said Azuara. At Bridgepoint, we take pride in helping our clients succeed through genuine partnership. Kent embodies this value through and through and were excited to have him take the lead as we continue to grow our NetSuite expertise.

Brorman joined Bridgepoint in 2015 and has seen the NetSuite team grow nearly tenfold over the last several years. In his new role as Director, Brorman will work closely with the Bridgepoint leadership team on business development and employee engagement initiatives to ensure the organization is upholding  and improving  its standard of excellence to all new and existing clients. Prior to joining Bridgepoint, Brorman worked as a financial analyst within the Austin market.

Bridgepoint Consulting is hiring across its offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Denver. Experienced consultants looking to join the Bridgepoint team can learn more at https://bridgepointconsulting.com/management-consulting-firm/careers/

About Bridgepoint Consulting

Bridgepoint Consulting, an Addison Group company, is a leading management consulting firm that helps organizations throughout their business lifecycle. Offering a broad range of finance, technology and risk/compliance services, Bridgepoint supports clients from the startup phase all the way to IPO readiness and beyond. Since 1999, the firm has been helping executives and management teams reduce their business and operational risks, bridge resource gaps and improve overall performance. Whether an organization needs interim expertise to improve infrastructure and processes, or strategic management of a major transition or transaction, Bridgepoints team of leaders is able to provide the critical support needed to ensure success. The firm is headquartered in Austin and has offices in Dallas, Houston and Denver with additional presence in Seattle, Minneapolis and Philadelphia. To learn more about Bridgepoint Consulting and how it can help serve your organization, please visit https://bridgepointconsulting.com.
This weekend's plans got a lot more exciting with news that movie theaters are open again. All but one of Bakersfield's theaters are set to op
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 22:44:49|Editor: huaxia

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KIEV, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said that Ukraine will receive its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility by April 15, Ukrinform news agency reported on Wednesday.

"The first batch of vaccines is 360,000 AstraZeneca doses and 117,000 doses of Pfizer. According to COVAX, we should receive it (them) by April 15," said the minister on a local TV channel.

COVAX is a World Health Organization-led initiative aimed at ensuring equal access to COVID-19 vaccines by various countries.

The vaccination campaign in Ukraine started on Feb. 24, and 231,566 shots have so far been administered.

As of Wednesday, 1,674,168 COVID-19 cases have been registered in Ukraine, with 11,226 of them recorded over the past 24 hours.

There have also been 1,313,481 recoveries in the country, as well as 32,825 deaths, according to the health authorities. Enditem
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

Police in San Francisco arrested a man on Tuesday after he allegedly threatened to shoot people of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent inside a Tenderloin business.

According to police, 45-year-old Darrell Hunter allegedly went to the same business in the 300 block of Golden Gate Street on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday and threatened to get a gun and shoot Asian American and Pacific Islander customers.

Officers located Hunter in the 800 block of Eddy Street around 5:50 a.m. Tuesday and arrested him on suspicion of making criminal threats, burglary, stalking, hate crime enhancements, and probation violation.

Hunter remains in custody and is being held without bail, according to jail records.

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It's very nearly a year since she gave birth to her first child with husband Joshua Jackson.

And on Tuesday, Jodie Turner-Smith headed out to run a quick errand by herself in New York City.

The actress and model, 34, looked relaxed as she strolled through the Soho neighborhood in an off-white 'Parisienne' sweatshirt and matching joggers.

Solo: It's nearly a year since she gave birth to her first child with husband Joshua Jackson. And on Tuesday, Jodie Turner-Smith headed out to run a quick errand by herself in New York City

She stepped out in trainers and made sure to cover up with a face mask.

Her long braids were styled back from her face and she sported a pair of sunglasses.

Jodie checked her phone as she walked along carrying a green reusable shopping bag.

Casually stylish: The actress and model, 34, looked relaxed as she strolled through the Soho neighborhood in an off-white 'Parisienne' sweatshirt and matching joggers

Stayed safe: She stepped out in trainers, carried a green reusable shopping bag and made sure to cover up with a face mask

Errand: Her long braids were styled back from her face and she sported a pair of sunglasses

The British-born Queen & Slim star welcomed her daughter Janie in April 2020.

And earlier this month, she revealed that she had had a plaster cast made of her heavily pregnant belly.

Taking to Instagram, she shared the process with her social media followers, posting images of the plaster cast covering her bump and breasts.

She also posted a selfie she took with part of the cast as well as uploading a picture of the finished mould.

Memory: The British-born Queen & Slim star welcomed daughter Janie in April 2020. And earlier this month, she revealed she had had a plaster cast made of her heavily pregnant belly

Pregnancy journey: She posted a selfie she took with part of the cast as well as uploading a picture of the finished mould while sharing the process with her Instagram followers

Jodie previously told Vogue that she had given birth to her child at home in Los Angeles and spent nearly four days in labor.

She also spoke to Elle about the challenges of motherhood during a pandemic.

'Navigating parenthood at any time is difficult, and its even more difficult without support, when everything is shut down and you cant really see other people or go anywhere,' the explained.

Jodie and Dawson's Creek alum Joshua, 42, started dating in 2018 and they wed in 2019.
BEIRUT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st April, 2021) Damascus does not accept the holding of a donor conference on Syria in Brussels without the participation of a delegation from the Syrian government, the chosen format violates the foundations of the UN charter, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Syria declares that it is unacceptable to hold this conference for the fifth time without the invitation of the Syrian government  the interested party representing the Syrian people and the main partner of the UN and the international community in humanitarian programs in Syria," the ministry said in a letter sent to the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General, as quoted by state agency SANA.

The Syrian foreign ministry stressed that "the participation of the UN in this conference without the government of the state, which is directly concerned, is a clear violation of the foundations of the UN Charter, which calls on everyone to respect the sovereignty and independence of Syria, the integrity and security of its territories."
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) selected Genesis Automation as its partner of choice for a five-year strategic initiative to deploy complete clinical traceability in hospitals across the country. This partnership will improve supply chain visibility and control to enhance patient safety, reduce costs, and realise greater clinical efficiency. The agreement represents a strategic investment that will enable NHS Scotland sites to alleviate specific pain points in the height of the pandemic while paving the way for long-term improvements.

NSS's pursuit of complete clinical traceability was initially prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in global shortages of PPE and ICU critical consumables. Genesis Protect, a data-driven module designed specifically for PPE management, will provide Scottish hospitals with accurate and up-to-date insights on PPE and consumable stock levels, availability, expiries, consumption patterns, and projected demand. Genesis formalised the launch of this solution last year in direct response to its clients' urgent need to better manage certain supplies at the height of the pandemic. In addition to significantly improving visibility and mitigating shortages, the Genesis solution also dramatically simplifies recall management in the event of a quality issue.

"The pandemic has introduced challenges around forecasting demand, keeping track of supply recalls and expiries, and ensuring that we have the necessary PPE and ICU critical consumables where and when they are needed," said Gordon James, Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities for NHS National Services Scotland. "In addition to helping NHS Scotland to alleviate the immediate pain points associated with the pandemic, Genesis will enable us to embrace a more dynamic and data-driven approach to managing our vital supplies long into the future. With Genesis, we will be able to maintain an accurate, cross-site view of supplies at all times."

The roll-out of Genesis Protect is the first step in a site-wide clinical traceability initiative that will transform efficiency, visibility, and patient safety across hundreds of Scottish hospitals. After the successful implementation of Genesis Protect in Phase 1 of the project, NSS will turn its efforts to Phases 2 through 4 of the project, which will focus on enterprise inventory management using Genesis Inventory, as well as point of care scanning in theatres and clinical wards using Genesis Point of Care. As specified in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)'s Scan4Safety initiative, Genesis supports accurate procedure costing, notifications of recalls and expiries, and the delivery of other essential insights at the point of care. In turn, healthcare systems gain the ability to better understand and analyse expenses, reduce costs, and improve care quality at scale.

Genesis will replace a legacy inventory management system that has been used by NHS Scotland for 15 years. As a fully-integrated solution that is cloud-based and GS1 compliant, Genesis will deliver the contextualised, real-time data Scottish hospitals require to maintain an accurate view of consumption at all times and make data-driven decisions about the procurement, allocation, and utilisation of supplies. Genesis will integrate seamlessly with existing systems for theatre management, patient management, pharmacy, and catering to streamline data capture and automate key workflows. In addition to significantly improving patient safety and unlocking substantial cost reductions, Genesis will also offer transformative time savings for busy clinical staff.

"Genesis will reduce the time clinical staff spend manually counting stock, improving visibility and allowing for proactive rather than reactive supply management. The ability to link products with patients at point of use and highlight expiry dates, left and right mismatch, and recall stock will add another layer of security in preventing serious clinical errors," said Jane McDonald, General Manager, Anaesthetics, Critical Care Theatres at NHS Lothian. "I am confident that the system will allow our teams to focus on their areas of expertise, and I am hugely optimistic about the opportunities it will offer to improve patient safety."

Though Genesis has worked in close partnership with the NHS in England since its founding in 2010, this agreement marks Genesis' first time working with the Scottish government.

Speaking about the agreement, Noel O'Hanlon, Founder and Group CEO of Genesis Automation, said, "We have found great success working with the NHS in England, and we are thrilled to be bringing our complete clinical traceability solution to Scottish hospitals. Our partnership marks a major strategic milestone for NSS, who has made a strategic investment in the safety of patients, the cost effectiveness of services, and the satisfaction of clinical staff across all sites. Our solution will empower Scottish hospitals with the contextual insights they need to continue to put patient safety first."

About NHS National Services Scotland

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively. NSS offers shared services on a national scale using best-in-class systems and standards to underpin the work of the NHS in Scotland. Its primary aim is to help customers achieve best value and free up resources so they can be re-invested into essential services. NSS also provides consultancy and support to help public bodies join up health and social care. Its priority is always the same. To support Scotland's health by offering whatever's needed, whenever and wherever it's needed and to whoever needs it.

To learn more, visit https://www.nss.nhs.scot/

About Genesis Automation

Genesis is a clinical traceability solution that brings new automation and intelligence to the management of care-critical supplies at every point in The Clinical Supply Lifecycle. Capable of managing the lowest cost consumable to the highest cost implant, Genesis enables true enterprise-grade traceability in the clinical environment. Set apart by its unique ability to affect every part of the revenue cycle while radically improving the lives of clinicians and their patients, Genesis empowers the hospital system to transform its clinical supply chain into a pillar of value maximisation.

To learn more, visit genesisahc.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005019/en/

Contacts:

Maria Celusniak

m.celusniak@voveo.com
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has launched a new website, ChangeStartsHereBCPS.org, to share achievements, opportunities and lessons learned thus far in the Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) transformation.

This district-wide effort began in 2017 after a New York University study of the community's education system unearthed significant disinvestments in BCPS, which compared to surrounding districts had higher needs and fewer resources.

The study revealed that racial bias and segregation, compounded by income inequality, had resulted in a higher concentration of poverty among families of color in the school district, causing further economic and racial disparities in the community. It also revealed achievement gaps between BCPS and other Battle Creek area school districts in educational metrics such as test scores, grade-level reading and graduation rates.

With a $51 million grant to BCPS, the Kellogg Foundation committed to transparency about how the funds were spent and the district's progress to achieve its strategic plan, which is rooted in six goals to greatness.

"The past year has revealed to all of us how urgent it is that we work together to achieve racial healing and racial equity in communities across the country," said La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. "We know that educational equity is a huge part of that. While we know it will take more than five years to undo the damage done by decades of disinvestment in the district, we believe the extraordinary work of Battle Creek Public Schools to transform so much in such a short period of time can serve to inform equity-driven educational transformation nationwide."

This website features stories and data of the transformation, with firsthand experiences and insights of students, parents, teachers, community partners and leaders in the district, city and foundation. The site, which includes a timeline of the transformation, what's been achieved and what's been learned, is categorized into three areas: Racial Equity, Community Engagement and Partnerships and Excellence in Education.

The district has built an educational environment that centers racial equity, seeing every student by name, need and strength. This individualized education effort is rooted in culturally-responsive teaching practices and the understanding that every student arrives at school with different experiences and needs. This approach positioned BCPS extremely well to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The district distributed 491,128 meals to students between March 17 and June 30 of 2020 and made a $1.5 million investment in new technology to close the digital divide for students.

"Four years ago, we asked the Battle Creek community to Believe in the Change. Today, it's clear how much we've accomplished. BCPS families now have more options than ever before for their students, depending on their interests and talents," said BCPS Superintendent Kimberly Carter. "We couldn't have done this without the support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the devotion from our staff, teachers and leaders and the collaboration from every Bearcat family member and community partner. The success of the transformation is a testament to the strength of our community!"

The district has supported leaders and staff with training and education from the National Equity Project and Transformational Teacher Institute. It has also lowered teacher turnover by offering pay increases, continuing education opportunities, mentoring, classroom supports and encouragement to live in the district with a real estate improvement plan.

BCPS has also offered many new programs and supports for students:

A summer learning program for pre-K students that has contributed to a community continuum of early childhood opportunities that has led to the improvement of the kindergarten readiness rate in Battle Creek from 15.5% in 2013-14 to 50.1% in 2020-21.

from 15.5% in 2013-14 to 50.1% in 2020-21. Two new magnet schools:

Fremont International Academy, an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme candidate school



Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center, a middle school featuring project-based learning and cutting-edge technology

A new focus on helping students graduate career path-ready:

A new career academy structure in partnership with Ford Next Generational Learning



A cutting-edge healthcare simulation lab where students can gain full Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification



A partnership with Grand Valley State University to offer scholarships, advice and counseling to students at a new Battle Creek -based outreach center

WKKF's five-year grant is in Year Four, so the partnership continues and the site will be updated periodically to reflect new developments, achievements and learnings.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation: The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti.

About Battle Creek Public Schools: Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) is a school district located in Calhoun County, Mich., serving the City of Battle Creek as well as parts of Emmett, Pennfield and Bedford townships, and the City of Springfield. With a bold goal of achieving 100% success for every Bearcat, the district offers a broad range of educational experiences to meet the individual needs of students at all levels, including experiential learning, individualized instruction, advanced and accelerated curricula, and outdoor education. In 2017, BCPS received a historic investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The district is now in the second year of a five-year transformation plan, advancing bold, top-to-bottom changes to provide a world-class career-, college- and culture-ready education for every student, in every grade, at every school.

SOURCE W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Related Links

http://www.wkkf.org


GUANGZHOU, China, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 129th Canton Fair, which will be held online from April 15-24, 2021, hosted its first "Promotion on Cloud" event for New Zealand businesses on March 30. The online gathering was attended by Huang Yuefeng, Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, Chu Shijia, Secretary General and Vice President of Canton Fair, Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, and Martin Thomson, Chair of the New Zealand China Trade Association.

The event introduced the online exhibition with a focus on popular categories, such as electronic products, home appliances and consumer products.

Canton Fair creates a digital channel for New Zealand to do business with China

With more than 80 buyers from New Zealand trade hubs such as Auckland and Wellington joining online, the event, built on the previous two digital Canton Fair sessions successfully held in 2020, has established a virtual network for Canton Fair's buyers to discover business opportunities with China.

China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, largest export market and import source, and the Canton Fair normally welcomes more than 800 New Zealand buyers to each session. This promotional event aims to help these buyers become familiar with the changes of the online fair format.

Martin Thomson noted that the 129th Canton Fair is a valuable platform which will enable buyers to have stay-at-home business negotiations with exhibitors despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought to international trade. He encourages local companies in New Zealand to seize the opportunity at the Fair to develop their business and promote their quality products.

Sino-New Zealand cross-border businesses enter a new era

Supported by Chinese embassies and consulates around the world, the Canton Fair's "Promotion on Cloud" events promote multilateral business-to-business relationships in a creative way.

Chu Shijia said that it is because of the joint efforts of people of the two countries that the continuous bilateral economic and trade development is being promoted. Following the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, New Zealand and China have taken actions to upgrade the bilateral FTA and further deepen this relationship.

In 2020, the bilateral trade kept a stable momentum, said Huang Yuefeng. He believes that the 129th virtual Canton Fair will help smooth the stable international supply and industrial chain. He invites New Zealand companies attend the trade show, boost trade cooperation, and further tap the potential of China-New Zealand trade.

More online promotional events will be held for countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, South America and Europe. For more details and register for the following event, please visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/news/article/5ece1f25fad2cb6087348122

Register for the Canton Fair at https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/en/register/selectiveId for more opportunities!

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1478360/The_129th_Canton_Fair_hosted__Promotion_Cloud__event_New_Zealand.jpg
A Northern Ireland-born Scottish National Party MP has branded a suggestion separatists are on the cusp of plunging the country into an era of violence as "outrageous".

Dr Philippa Whitford said the comments by author and columnist Jamie Blackett were "bizarre".

A column of his in the Daily Telegraph headlined 'We are hurtling towards a Scottish Troubles' criticised the emergence of new independence party Alba, founded by former SNP leader Alex Salmond.

Mr Blackett, who is deputy leader of Scottish unionist party All For Unity, which is led by George Galloway, said the move was unwelcome amid the current political climate.

He also criticised the use of what he termed "the Sinn Fein playbook" by some Scottish nationalists.

He wrote: "Just when we thought the situation in Scotland could not be any more toxic, we are confronted by Alex Salmond's re-entry into politics with the inflammatory announcement that 'peaceful street protests' will form part of the strategy of the new nationalist front that has, in effect, been formed by the emergence of his new party Alba to fight alongside the SNP, much to the dismay of some, but by no means all, in the latter party.

"Those of us with direct experience of the Troubles in Northern Ireland have been warning for some time about the 'Ulsterisation' of Scotland and the slide towards a 'Scottish Troubles'."

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The retired Army officer drew a parallel between Irish and Scottish nationalism.

"This deliberate use of the Sinn Fein playbook should set alarm bells ringing," he claimed in the article.

"The two movements have close links and have always used similar tactics."

Referring to the Scottish Parliamentary elections, which are due to be held next month, he cited the failure of unionists there to unite, thereby splitting the anti-nationalist vote, and added this will help Mr Salmond create the "nationalist super-majority" he craves.

"It has to be remembered that the recent Troubles in Northern Ireland started when civil rights marches spiralled out of control," he said.

"But in Ulster the police were under direct control of a unionist civil power and resolutely British, whereas in Scotland the newly centralised Police Scotland is under the direct control of a Scottish Government that is likely to be separatist."

He called for a "very bright light" to be shone on "any attempts at 'Ulsterisation' and condemn it robustly. And pray".

Dr Whitford, who represents Central Ayrshire, lived in Belfast until she was 10, when her family relocated. She said the claims were baseless. "Mr Blackett's political affiliation shows his antipathy to Scottish independence but, as someone who grew up in Belfast, I find his claims outrageous and it is rather bizarre to see them printed in a mainstream newspaper," Dr Whitford added.

"The SNP, and the broader independence movement, have never threatened violence in any form, and the campaign for Scottish self-determination remains a completely peaceful one."

Alba was contacted for comment but hadn't responded at the time of going to press.
The Minister for Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has directed the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to take immediate steps to pull down all private and commercial buildings that have encroached the Sunyani Airport lands.



He has further directed the GACL to ensure all buildings with silver roofing sheets that are closer to the Sunyani Airport are removed or replaced with roofing materials that meet Aviation standards.



Affected victims who fail to comply with this directive will also have their roofing sheets being removed.



The directive is expected to be carried before the project is completed by end of May 2021. This is to ensure the safe arrival and departure of airplanes that will be using Sunyani Airport facility.



According to the Transport Minister, the directives are not only meant to comply with Aviation standards but also to ensure the health safety of the people.



We dont want an accident to occur before they will come and say that we saw the building project and did not act, he noted.



Hon. Asiamah made these observations when he paid a working visit to Sunyani in the Bono Region on Monday, March 29, 2021, to inspect the rehabilitation of the Sunyani Airport project.



The Transport Minister was accompanied by the Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Transport, Madam Mabel Sagoe, Director of Policy and Planning, Ministry of Transport, Madam Irene Messiba, Managing Director, GACL, Yaw Kwakwa, and some technical staff from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ministry.



Commenting further, Hon. Asiamah said if an action is not taken to restore the encroached land, it will also affect future plans of the airport, thus, if they want to expand the facility.



Compensation package



Asked whether the encroachers will be compensated, the Transport Minister answered in the negative.



We will not give anybody compensation package knowing that the land does not belong to them. It is wrong for them to come and build on government land  the land that we are going to use to build airport for the benefit of everybody in this country, particularly, for the people of Bono, you cannot come and build an individual house there hoping that government should come and compensate you. When the time comes, we will not compensate anybody, he stressed.



Project within schedule



Touching on the level of progress made on the project, Hon. Asiamah said the contractor is on course and on time. I was afraid that maybe because of the COVID-19, they were going to have the issue of project overrun cost but the contractor has assured me that they are within time and have completed about 95% of the project. We are hoping that by the end of May, the project will be completed for the airlines to start flying there. If this airport starts running again.



Background



Since 2015, no plane has been able to land at the Sunyani airport as a result of damages on the runaway. Even though the then government secured US$400million loan facility from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to construct terminal 3 and other airport projects, priority was not given to that of the Sunyani Airport, therefore, abandoning the runaway to further deteriorate.



On June 25, 2019, government signed a contract agreement with Messrs Resources Access Limited (RAL) for the Rehabilitation of the Sunyani Airport at an estimated cost GH48,694,733.69. The consultant to the project is Engineering Services Provision Company Limited (ESPCo).



The project, with a nine-month timeline, was expected to have commenced on October 25, 2019 and completed on July 24, 2020.



However, the contract period was revised, making the duration seventeen months. The project is expected to be completed by end-May, 2021.



The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, commenting on the project said once it is completed, it will ease trade and boost economic activities in the region.



She assured of teaming up with the Municipal Chief Executive of Sunyani West to educate those who have encroached on the airport lands to vacate the land, stressing that encroachment should be out from the project site.



The MD of GACL, Yaw Kwakwa on his part was hopeful that the project will be completed on schedule. He indicated that the runaway which has been extended from 1,280 meters to 1, 400 meters with additional 60 meters at each end, may be extended to 1,900 meters as far as their future plans are concerned.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) Spotlight Initiative has embarked on creating public awareness on existing laws and policies on sexual gender - based violence (SGBV), Harfum Practices (HPs) and Sexual Representative Health and Rights (SRHR) including access to legal redress by survival in Liberia.

The awareness is being implemented in the five Spotlight Counties with a cross sector of state actors including traditional leaders, students, disable, marginalized group, women and men in the Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape and Montserrado Counties, respectively.

The public awareness on laws and policies on Sexual Gender - Based Violence, Harmful Practices (FGM, Early, child marriage), Sexual Representative Health and Rights including accessing to legal redress by survival is being implemented by the He For She Crusaders Liberia ( HEFOSEL) with support from UN Women under the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative through West African Peace Building Network ( WANEP/ WINEP).

Speaking recently at the start of the awareness dialogue with 41 National Tribe Governors of Liberia and other traditional leaders in Monrovia, the Founder and National Coordinator of He for She Crusaders Liberia Mr. Tamba F. J. Johnson, appreciated the traditional leaders for their willingness to always accept and get involved with issues of national concerns.

He recalled that in 2020, the traditional leaders pledged their support toward the fight against violence in Liberia including awareness on COVID- 19. "Today, we are where we are with our elders taking the lead, we can be assured that SGBV, HPs, SRHR and access to legal redress can equally be handled," he noted.

According to the Human Rights advocate, "laws and policies are meant to protect and provide real rights, leaving no one behind including Disability, people with different sexual orientation, women, girls, boys and men."

He further mentioned that the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, declared Liberia a Secular State, meaning all have rights to be given equal opportunities, equal protection and equal access to seek legal answers to their dissatisfaction.

Mr. Johnson further mentioned that laws like the Inheritance Law, Rape Law, Domestic Violence Law, and Convention on Elimination of all forms of violence against women (CEDAW), Mapotu Protocol, all call for ending violence against women, girls and marginalized group and as well called for opportunities to be given to all irrespective of their gender and sexual identity.

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For her part, Madam Musu K. Thompson, President of the National Tribal Governors of Liberia, extends thanks and appreciation to EU/ UN Spotlight for the level of supports given to Liberia and to He For She Crusaders Liberia for always reaching out to the " Owners of the Land." She says "This shows respect and further developed trust to work together."

"We traditional leaders of Liberia, will go out but we are asking He For She Crusaders Liberia to talk to EU/ UN support to our engagement, if this is done, we traditional leaders will provide the needed answers to SGBV, HPs and SRHR, as for the access to legal redress," she says.

"We will ensure that courts and families don't compromise issues, because our ears and eyes will be opened, when we hear noise, we will use traditional intervention to solve that issue. So, we, traditional leaders, accept this initiative [and] pray for more engagements," she concludes.
Archaeologists working on the Yorkshire coast have unearthed the oldest salt-making complex ever found in western Europe, in a discovery that is set to revolutionise our understanding of prehistoric Britains economy.

Dating back almost 6,000 years, the site  complete with salt-making kilns, or hearths  predates the oldest previously known British salt factory by almost 2,400 years.

The discovery has huge implications for our understanding of how Neolithic Britains economy functioned  and suggests that it was far bigger and more efficient than previously thought.

The economy was based substantially on cattle  without salt, however, efficiently operating such an economy would have been impossible.

The discovery in Yorkshire therefore suggests that Britains earliest agriculturalists were able to produce much more food than was previously considered to be the case  and that that would have enabled more rapid population expansion, thus accelerating social and political change.

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The discovery also has substantial implications for prehistorians understanding of the nature of early trading activity in Britain.

The archaeologists  excavating near Loftus, Yorkshire  have so far discovered three salt-making kilns and fragments of dozens of ceramic bowls used in the process.

Scientific tests on those fragments have shown very high levels of salt on their interior surfaces.

This discovery changes our understanding of key aspects of the Neolithic economy, said the director of the excavation, Dr Stephen Sherlock, an archaeologist working for Highways England.

The new discovery suggests the crucial role that Boulby Cliffs played in the economy of Neolithic Britain (Tony Bartholomew)

In Britain, it pushes back salt-making, an extremely important industrial process, by almost 2,400 years, he said.

There are no sources of rock salt in the Yorkshire area (and, in any case, rock-salt extraction would not have required kilns), so the salt was almost certainly being made from sea water.

The process probably had two stages: first, the Neolithic salt makers would have had to turn sea water into brine through natural evaporation, achieved through exposure to wind and sometimes the warmth of the sun; second, they would then have used kilns or hearths to turn the brine into salt crystals.

The initial process of turning salt water into brine would have involved using wide, shallow pans, probably clay-lined depressions, near the seashore  or on the clifftop near the kilns.

Extracting salt from seawater is a time-consuming and complex operation, requiring considerable skill. Any ancient coastal culture that was able to master that technology would have been able to expand their economy substantially, said one of Britains top authorities on sea-salt production, David Lea-Wilson, who runs a traditional sea-salt extraction operation, Halen Mon, in Anglesey, north Wales.

The discovery that Neolithic people had the technology to make salt has major implications for the modern worlds understanding of how Britains early agricultural economy functioned.

Salt would have enabled Neolithic people to very substantially increase their beef and dairy production  by making it possible for them to properly preserve meat.

Without salt, they would have been unable to efficiently manage their cattle assets  the basis of much of their economy.

Half of newborn calves would inevitably have been male  and therefore had only limited economic value. As well as not being able to produce milk for dairy production, their testosterone levels would have given their meat an unpleasant taste after their first year of life. In addition, if allowed to grow into adulthood, they would have been very difficult to control, and would have unproductively consumed pasture and required the provision of additional winter fodder.

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It would therefore have been much more efficient to cull most male cattle before, or when, they completed their first year of life. But without salt, there was no way of fully preserving the meat (because smoking is much less efficient  and Britain and most of northern Europe is too humid for drying in air).

The newly discovered fact that salt was available would therefore have revolutionised early agriculture by enabling the meat from slaughtered young male cattle to be preserved and used as a continuous year-round food source, and also freeing up pasture for milk-producing female cattle, boosting dairy yields as a result. It would also have reduced the quantities of winter fodder required. A year-round supply of salt-preserved meat would also have removed the necessity to slaughter many milk-producing female cattle  and that would have further increased milk supplies and any yoghurt, cheese and butter production.

Without salt, it would have been virtually impossible for these early agriculturalists to properly preserve their beef in the damp British climate, said James Swift, a leading authority on traditional meat preservation technologies, who runs one of the UKs longest-established traditional meat-curing operations, Trealy Farm Charcuterie, in Monmouthshire.

Whats more, salt was easy to trade and transport. The discovery that Neolithic Britons were able to mass-produce salt therefore has substantial implications for the expansion of trade  and the ability of inland peoples to also acquire salt and, in turn, preserve their meat stocks.

The newly discovered Yorkshire salt-making kilns were built in about 3,750 BC  approximately 750 metres from the top of a 200-metre high cliff overlooking the North Sea.

The location of the salt works was probably determined by the availability of timber that could be burned to heat the kilns  and by the water-evaporation-inducing wind speeds (sometimes more than 70mph) near the cliff edge. The site is arguably one of the most ideal locations in Britain for salt production because the coastal topography at that point (known as Boulby Cliffs, part of the North York Moors National Park) is higher and windier than anywhere else along Englands east and south coasts; indeed, they are almost twice as high as the white cliffs of Dover.

It is conceivable that the first stage in production (turning seawater into brine) was carried out near the seashore  but the sea was a one and a half mile walk away, down a winding valley path. It is perhaps more likely therefore that ropes and animal-skin bags were used to lift large quantities of seawater to the clifftop, where the higher wind strengths would have dramatically accelerated any salt-pan evaporation process needed to turn the seawater into a denser briny liquid, suitable for final drying in the kilns.

Today the cliff edge is 200 metres nearer the kilns than it would have been in Neolithic times; in that area, an average of seven metres (about 125,000 cubic metres of rock per 100 metres of cliff) is being eroded by the North Sea every century.

The dating of the newly discovered Neolithic salt works was carried out by the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, an institution administered by Glasgow University, while the scientific analysis of the salt residues on the ceramic containers used in the kilns, or hearths, was carried out by the University of Sheffield. The discoveries at the site are being published today in the UK-based archaeology journal Antiquity. Not only is the site the oldest salt-making complex in Britain, but it is also the oldest known in western Europe by several hundred years.
We have over 400, almost 500 cases on average as of today. Thats a quantum leap from where we were even three weeks ago, Lightfoot said Monday. Thats concerning, and that is obviously dictating that we have to proceed with caution as we open up. Were not going to see anything more significant in the reopening front until we see those numbers stabilize and start to come down.
More than 40% of Americans have experienced some kind of online hate or harassment, with many of those instances taking place on large social media sites, according to a report from the Anti-Defamation League.

A new state bill wants to hold large social media companies to account for how they police that kind of harmful content.

Introduced by California Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, D-Woodland Hills (Los Angeles County), AB587 is directed at social media giants like Facebook and others with gross revenue in excess of $100 million annually.

If signed into law, the legislation would require social media companies to make public their policies on how they monitor hate, disinformation, extremism, harassment and foreign interference on their sites.

The bill also would force those companies to disclose whether they use human or artificial intelligence to monitor instances of harmful content, and to provide data on the effectiveness of their efforts to stop it.

Californians are becoming increasingly alarmed about the role of social media in promoting hate, disinformation, conspiracy theories and extreme political polarization, Gabriel said in a statement. Its long past time for these companies to provide real transparency into their content moderation practices.

Facebook, Twitter and Google, which owns YouTube, did not respond to emailed requests for comment about the bill.

The goal of the legislation is to create consistency and a mechanism to help the public better understand how content moderation is operating on these platforms, said Lauren Krapf, national policy counsel at the Anti-Defamation League.

Krapf said the recent survey found that close to three-fourths of respondents wanted the companies to report on incidents of hate that crop up on their sites, adding that she hopes the bill can be part of a larger strategy to confront online extremism and its offline consequences.

Krapf pointed to the fluidity between online violence, which does exist, and offline violence, which weve seen too frequently these days.

The legislation also comes at a time when some studies have shown the U.S. population is increasingly mistrustful of technology and Big Tech companies, particularly when it comes to weaponized disinformation.

The bill aims to rein in not only some of the largest social media companies in existence, but some of the largest companies overall in terms of value and revenue. That is no small task, with the likes of Facebook and Google spending millions of dollars annually on federal lobbying to influence policy, in particular with respect to the much-debated Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields them from legal liability for what is said on their sites.

With that much legal and lobbying heft, enforcing any potential state law could be a challenge.

Weve seen companies get million-dollar fines and not blink, said Krapf, noting an enforcement mechanism is still being debated as the bill moves through the legislative process.

Without one, she said, There would be an opportunity to not take this as seriously as it needs to be taken.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
Kevin, Sam Sorbo say media lies played 'pivotal role' in getting abortion legalized nationwide

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ORLANDO, Fla.  Actors Kevin and Sam Sorbo say the media played a "pivotal role" in helping to get abortion legalized nationwide in 1973 and encouraged Christians to use new media to combat the lies and censorship of today's mainstream press and big tech.

Together, the Sorbos attended the movie premiere of Roe v. Wade that was held at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 26, where they shared their stance against abortion, the media and big tech, following Facebook's decision to ban Kevin Sorbo from its platform.

"I'm a pro-life person, just as my wife is. I've done a lot of pro-life speaking through the years as well. I'm here to support a movie that I wish I could have been in. I love what they did, Sorbo told CP of why they wanted to attend the premiere.

"What's amazing to me and sad to me is that so many people think it's OK to murder unborn babies. They are babies, they are life; there's a heartbeat at 22 days, he emphasized. We're at the point now where some of these governors are even talking about killing babies the minute they're born. I find it so horrific and evil what's happening in America.

In 2019 Virginia's Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam faced backlash after he voiced his support for late-term abortion and seemed to suggest he was also in favor of infanticide.

[Third-trimester abortions are] done in cases where there may be severe deformities. There may be a fetus thats nonviable. So in this particular example, if a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen, Northam, a pediatric neurosurgeon, told Washington radio station WTOP. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if thats what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.

Roe v. Wade is based on the events that led to one of the nation's most contentious U.S. Supreme Court rulings, which legalized abortion nationwide.

The film, which hits theaters on April 2, depicts the history of "what happened from 1966 through 1973" that led to the court's decision declaring existing state laws banning abortion unconstitutional.

"You can't be against slavery and for choice, Sam Sorbo emphatically told CP of those who claim to be pro-choice.

A major aspect of the film is the role the media played throughout the abortion debate, both before and after Roe v. Wade was decided.

"Media tells the story and stories are compelling and they're convicting. But they're also very convincing, Sam Sorbo said. You'll see in the movie, the media played the pivotal role in this whole saga, telling a lie, a story about a young woman that was an outright lie. Then perpetuating this myth that it's not a human being, that it's a clump of cells, that the young woman will never have to think about it again. All of these other stories that they tell, and none of which are true.

"I think it's incumbent upon new media to retell the story with truth and with facts, she added.

The movie 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 walk away from performing abortions. Later on, he exposed all of the deceptions which helped Jane Roe's case win at the high court.

In his 1983 book, The Abortion Papers: Inside the Abortion Mentality, Nathanson wrote that he and his team fed deceptive data to the media.

Knowing that if a true poll were taken we would be soundly defeated, we simply fabricated the results of fictional polls, he detailed. In one instance, he claimed that 60% of Americans favored abortion.

Nathanson and Lawrence Lader often traveled to the Caribbean island of St. Croix to devise their plans. The pair also lied about the number of illegal abortions that were being performed annually in the U.S. at that time. The actual figure was about 98,000, Nathanson shared in his book.

The figure we gave to the media repeatedly (and the figure in Laders book) was one million, he wrote.

A fact check resource on the Roe v. Wade movie website revealed that they also lied about the number of women who died each year from illegal abortions. According to Nathanson, the actual number of women who died was 250, but the number they fed to the media was up to 10,000. The false narrative was spread by willing news media companies that never questioned the data they were being given.

In February, Kevin Sorbo said he was targeted by Facebook, which removed his page from its platform.

The social media site told Fox News that the 62-year-olds account was removed from the platform because of his posts about the novel coronavirus and vaccines.

We removed Kevin Sorbos page for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines, Facebook stated. However, Facebook's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has himself made statements opposing the COVID-19 vaccine. In a leaked video, Zuckerberg is seen warning Facebook employees against the vaccines, " ... we just don't know the long-term side effects of basically modifying people's DNA and RNA."

Sam Sorbo defended her husband, telling CP, Facebook just took him down without ceremony, just digital assassination and then buried the body.

Kevin Sorbo added that he believes censorship in this manner is something people should stand up against.

We got to fight back, Sorbo declared. Apathy is a big killer and I think a lot of people on the right just say, 'Oh, what can we do? We can't do anything; media owns everything.'

"I think we just got to raise our voice and be a little more strong, the openly conservative actor concluded. We have to have the same passion that the left has, on the right, without the hate and anger and divisiveness. We just have to have the same strong passion.

As previously reported by CP, Roe v. Wade, a Nick Loeb-directed film, also encountered several obstacles, including Facebook banning their ads as well as losing cast members who opposed the film's mission.

The featured 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.

It features a star-studded cast, including Hollywood actors Jon Voight, Robert Davi, Corbin Bernsen, John Schneider, Stacey Dash and Loeb.

Despite many setbacks, the film will be in theaters nationwide on April 2. For more information, visit "Roe v. Wade" movie.com.
Mumbai, March 31 : The Malayalam crime drama "Joji" will release digitally on April 7. The film stars Fahadh Faasil, who made his mark with roles in "C U Soon" and "Kumbalangi Nights", along with Baburaj, Shammi Thilakan, Alistair Alex and Unnimaya Prasad, and has been directed by Dileesh Pothan.

Talking about how he came on board, Fahadh says: "The moment I got to know about my character and his journey, I knew I had to be part of the movie. I love to watch movies with unconventional plot twists, and 'Joji' definitely packs in some surprises." "I give myself enough time to understand my character and essentially become it, but Joji is one such character that had an edge to it which made the role interesting and appealing to me," he adds.

Director Pothan says "Joji" was a "special" film for him.

"As a filmmaker I enjoy telling stories, and every film has its own journey. 'Joji' is a special film, the story will keep audiences hooked till the end. With 'Joji', I also reunited with a fine actor like Fahadh. It was an amazing experience to work with such a brilliant and hardworking team. Every actor embraced their characters so beautifully," he says.

The film also features Baburaj, Shammi Thilakan, Alistar Alex, Unnimaya Prasad, Basil Joseph and Sunny PN. It has been written by Syam Pushkaran.

"We are thrilled to bring the World Premiere of Malayalam film Joji to our customers across 240 countries and territories. Fahadh and Dileesh have made some exceptional films together and this one is their latest notable addition," said Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video, the platform where the film will drop.

-- Syndicated from IANS
We all have a story to share when it comes to our struggle to build a family, and RESOLVE looks forward to empowering people to share their stories during National Infertility Awareness Week.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association will recognize National Infertility Awareness Week, April 18 through April 24, 2021. The movement brings together millions of Americans who want to remove the stigmas and barriers that stand in the way of building families. RESOLVE will rally the infertility community to raise awareness about the significant lack of access to family building options and emotional support for millions of women and men struggling to build a family.

We all have a story to share when it comes to our struggle to build a family, and RESOLVE looks forward to empowering people to share their stories during National Infertility Awareness Week, said Barbara Collura, RESOLVEs President/CEO. The collective power of our stories can change policies, make someone realize they are not alone, and help erase the stigmas and biases so many of us face.

Throughout NIAW, the family building community will take action to increase awareness of infertility in order to remove stigmas and improve access to all family building options. NIAW activities will include:



During the United for RESOLVE Virtual Event, RESOLVE and host, actress and Egg-vocate, Kellee Stewart will explore how to talk about the issues facing our community with storytelling expert and Senior Peloton instructor, Christine D'Ercole. Advocates who are raising awareness in unique ways will also share their stories.

Social media will be ablaze with the NIAW 5 Day Challenge, when the infertility community will share a different photo or video every day using the hashtags #NIAW2021 #WhatIWantYouToKnow.

New data on attitudes of employers on family building and infertility benefits from Mercers National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans will be released.

Members of the infertility community will share their stories and lead the conversation about challenges to family building and methods of resolution.

Together with our partner, Infertilidad Latina Podcast, a podcast in Spanish that discusses infertility issues in the Latinx community, we will release important RESOLVE resources in Spanish. Included will be our popular Coverage at Work Toolkit, which will help the Latinx community talk to their HR departments about adding infertility benefits.

RESOLVEs National Infertility Awareness Week 2021 is supported by its NIAW Partners: California Cryobank, Cooper Surgical, EMD Serono, First Response, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fertility Centers of Illinois, Merck & Co., Inc., ORM Fertility, and Weill Cornell Medical Center Ronald O. Pearlman Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine.

NIAW became a federally recognized health observance by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2010. RESOLVE can provide experts for interviews on all aspects of infertility, as well as personal patient stories from women and men living with infertility. Find out more about NIAW at infertilityawareness.org.

About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association:

Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age has trouble conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit http://www.RESOLVE.org.
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 to help prevent a civil war in Myanmar. VOA Khmer's Sreng Leakhena narrates.
We had mentioned in Tuesdays closing report that Nifty, Sensex may rally more. On Wednesday, the indices opened lower and suffered major losses. On the NSE, there were 923 advances, 1,006 declines and 80 unchanged.

The trends of the major indices in the course of Wednesdays trading are given in the table below:

Lending major State Bank of India has entered into a loan agreement amounting up to USD 1 billion with Japanese government owned financial institution, JBIC.

Tata group stocks were up after Tata Sons released the pledged shares in several leading companies of the group.

Sterling and Wilsons US subsidiary won an order worth USD 121.7 million in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States of America.

TVS Motor announced that its two-wheeler exports clocked 100,000 units in March 2021.

KNR Constructions received a letter of acceptance for an NHAI project on hybrid annuity mode under Bharatmala Pariyojana in Kerala.

SpiceJet signed a memorandum of understanding with New York-based Avenue Capital Group for financing, acquisition and sale and leaseaback of up to 50 aircraft.

IRB Infra won two highway projects in West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh. It said on March 30 that the two new works had taken the total project wins in fiscal 2021 to Rs 5,004 crore.

GSK Pharma board approved the sale of the company's business undertaking i.e., manufacturing facility together with the land, plant and machinery, assets, software and equipment located at Vemgal, Karnataka to Hetero Labs.

Kalpataru Power received a letter of acceptance for a project in Kerala which is on hybrid annuity mode under Bharatmala Pariyojana.

BHEL secured an order worth over Rs 400 crore to set up a 525 TPD sulphur recovery unit at IOCLs Paradip Refinery in Odisha.

The Reserve Bank of India said that non-banking financial company - micro finance institutions (NBFC-MFIs) will charge an applicable average base rate of 7.81% from their borrowers during the April-June quarter.

Vedanta Ltd is planning to set up a 5,00,000 ton per annum (tpa) copper smelter plant in a coastal region in India.

The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below:

The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below:
NGHIINOMENWA ERASTUS

GOVERNMENT offices, ministries, and agencies (OMAs) have only sourced 5% of their fruit and vegetable requirements from local hubs, denying the local agricultural sector the needed growth.

According to the Agro-Marketing and Trading Agency (Amta) financial report for 2019, these state organs only bought 200 metric tonnes of fresh produce from local hubs in 2019 despite their annual requirements of 4 000 metric tonnes.

"Considering that these state organs require 4 000 metric tonnes of fresh produce per year, this remains a challenge," the agency noted, adding that the low volumes procured from the hubs are despite a government directive for agencies to source through these hubs.

Cabinet directed all OMAs to include in their food supply tender specifications, a requirement that produce should be sourced locally, particularly from and inclusive of the national fresh produce business hubs (NFPBHs).

The directive was repeated last year when Iipumbu Shiimi took over as finance minister and it also came under the spotlight recently when the Public Procurement Board demanded it is followed through various criteria and requirements under the cancelled N$3,6 billion food tender.

Various companies and members of parliament are challenging the directive to source locally.

Amta was established and mandated to manage the national strategic food reserves (NSFRs); create (NFPBHs); enforce compliance with standards and enforce border control to support government priorities regarding national food safety and security.

Amta provides marketing, storage, and trade facilities for agricultural produce to more than 300 local farmers, 20 formal traders, and over 350 informal traders (street vendors) countrywide.

As a result of OMAs' defiance and the low production of some fresh produce, the country recorded its lowest market share promotion (MSP) at 28% in February 2019.

The highest MSP percentage of 48% was achieved in November 2018.

Namibia imported 57 581 metric tonnes of fresh produce during the reporting period, while locally sourced fresh produce stood at 31 501 metric tonnes.

Amta attributes the increase in imports to an increase in domestic demand for fresh fruits and vegetables.

This is due to the introduction of closed border periods for controlled products.

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The total produce marketed through the formal market increased from N$221 million in 2017/2018 to N$240 million during the current financial year.

Imports meanwhile decreased from N$421 million in 2017/2018 to N$417 million. This reduction does not represent quantities imported but rather a decrease in prices.

Exports decreased from N$817 million in 2017/2018 to N$779 million in 2019 - attributed to a decrease in export volumes, particularly for table grapes.

PICKY RETAILERS

Amta has indicated that from last year, there has been a significant change in the uptake of produce from the hubs by retailers compared to 2019/2020.

"Yes, there is a reasonable difference to the previous years, and some big retailers have come on board to source fresh produce from the hubs," said Amta spokesperson Pasval Elijah.

She added: "The demand has been overwhelming despite challenges of a shortage of some local fresh produce."

The increase in volumes and value procured is due to retailers, not OMAs.

The retailers that source fresh produce from Amta are Oceano, Woermann Brock, Cash 'n Carry, OK Foods, Check-In Stores, Tondoro Supermarket, Choppies, Spar, FRESHCO, Ranni Traders, Fresh mark Namibia (Shoprite, Checkers and U-Save), and Namibia Fresh Produce Market.

Elijah highlighted that Amta is not the only supplier of fresh produce to these retailers as some farmers also directly sell to them.

Currently, Amta procures about 30% of its fresh produce from commercial farmers in the Kaarst area (Tsumeb-Grootfontein-Otavi area).

Email: [email protected]
USM Receives $2.9 Million from Lamar W. Powell to Establish Scholarships

Wed, 03/31/2021 - 11:03am | By: Megan Burkes

During a trip home to Mississippi for a family reunion, a relative told Chief Warrant Officer (U.S. Army Retired) Lamar W. Powell the story of Oseola McCarty and her unprecedented gift to support students at The University of Southern Mississippi. Powell called the USM Foundation soon after returning home, and a few weeks later, a check arrived for $30,000. That was the beginning of an amazing friendship between Mr. Powell and USM.

His hope was that, with higher education, young and eager students would continue to make Mississippi and the United States a great place to live.

Mr. Powell passed away at the age of 97 on Dec. 30, 2015. In a remarkable gift of philanthropy, Southern Miss and South Carolina State University were made the remainder beneficiaries of his trust. Cumulatively, USM has received $3.1 million, with the largest portion of $2.9 million coming from Mr. Powells estate and trust. This distribution creates scholarship opportunities for students with financial need, as his desire was for students "to get an education, strive for the top, save all you can save, and give back when you can."

The Lamar W. Powell Scholarship Endowment provides incoming freshmen a four-year scholarship to include the JUMP program, which is an early-start curriculum. The first cohort of freshmen will begin this fall. As the program matures, Powells philanthropy will grow to provide scholarships for 80 students per year. The program will also include unique opportunities for peer engagement, academic support and skill development.

Mr. Powell will long be remembered for his service to our country and his vision for higher education in Mississippi, said Stace Mercier, executive director of the USM Foundation.

His generosity is astounding, and to learn how Ms. McCarty inspired him is such a beautiful story. These were two individuals who never attended Southern Miss, yet were so passionate about contributing to its mission.

Powell was born on Jan. 4, 1918, in the Jerusalem Community outside of Liberty, Miss. One of seven children, he was raised on the 80-acre farm passed down through two generations of his family. The attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, was the catalyst for his enlistment in the Civilian Conservation Corp and later the United States Army.

Powell served in multiple war arenas, including the Pacific Theatre in WWII and Okinawa during the Korean War. Throughout his military career, he took correspondence business courses at the University of Chicago, which sparked his interest to dabble in the stock market. This led to constant and consistent investments in the market over time, slowly accumulating into financial success.

He retired from the Army after a 23-year career and continued to serve with distinction as an employee with the United States Department of State. He was an avid believer in giving back as well as an advocate for higher education.

Founded in 1959, the USM Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the University community by overseeing fundraising efforts to raise private support for scholarships and other academic needs at Southern Miss.

For more information on supporting The University of Southern Mississippi, call the USM Foundation at 601.266.5210 or visit usmfoundation.com.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard has accused the federal government of undermining his states vaccine rollout over claims NSW has been slow to administer COVID-19 shots, revealing a shipment of 45,000 doses was dumped at our front door with no warning.

On Wednesday, Mr Hazzard said reports emanating from the federal government suggesting NSW had administered 50 per cent of the vaccines in its possession were misleading, offensive and undermined the states healthcare workers fighting on the front line of the war with the virus.

What is also extremely unfair, is that when we are given 24 or 48 hours notice about how many new doses were getting, the Premier said. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Im extremely angry, and I know there are other health ministers in the country who share similar views, state and territory health ministers, Mr Hazzard said, adding that he believed the federal government needed to apologise.

An article in News Corp papers quoted federal government figures suggesting NSW had distributed 96,273 doses of the 190,610 supplied by the Commonwealth.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Director of Animal Care Dianne Cameron said she was thrilled to see the park fully reopen.

Now that we have the rides coming back, we feel whole again, said Cameron. Its like the first step to normalcy. Theres such a sense of relief.

Cameron, who lives in Napa, has worked at Six Flags for about 13 years. The best part of my job is building relationships with animals and being able to share them with our guests, she said. Its the best job ever.

So what was it like being closed to guests for so long?

Challenging, Cameron admitted. And not just for the humans. For the animals too. The animals like to socialize, she said. Just like humans, they also need enrichment so they dont feel isolated.

Before the Marine World Experience opened, Cameron and staff were hosting Facebook live, TikTok and Zoom events, to bridge that gap while we were closed.

Could the animals tell the park was shut down?

Absolutely, said Cameron. Animals like routine and constancy, she said. When its missing, they notice it.
analysis

The government has pushed out the timeframes for reaching Covid-19 population immunity to 28 February 2022, it emerged from a health department presentation in Parliament.

It's the latest change in South Africa's vaccine roll-out debacle of missed deadlines - initially the end of 2021 was set as the deadline to inoculate 67% of adults for population immunity - amid uncertainties around the procurement of sufficient jabs. But the government has been moving to limit further critique, and to move beyond words into action.

The new vaccination roll-out timelines have Phase One reaching 608,295 healthcare workers by 17 May, or about half the initially announced 1.25 million healthcare workers over an additional six weeks after the first deadline of the end of March.

Phase Two runs in two stages. First, from mid-May to end-July 2021 to reach 5,449,980 people, including the over-60s, people in congregate settings like old age and care homes and workers with access to occupational health programmes. The second stage, from August to the end of October, aims to reach 12,900,160 people, including the over-40s and workers in high-risk settings.

The final inoculation phase is scheduled from November 2021 to 28 February 2022...
She's been quite the busy mom since welcoming daughter Khai Hadid Malik last September.

So Gigi Hadid balanced style and comfort while taking her beautiful baby girl to NYC's Washington Square Park on Wednesday.

The cover girl, 25, went for casual-chic donning a lightweight, heather grey, zip-down jersey sweatshirt with matching jogger-style sweatpants that were cropped mid-calf.

Hot mama: Gigi Hadid pushed daughter Khai around NYC's Washington Square Park on Wednesday

Gigi, who shared baby Khai with boyfriend Zayn Malik, made sure she was ready for a long walk as she opted for sporty, silver running shoes on foot.

The star added a bit of flair to her look with mod-looking white sunglasses and gold chain necklaces while sporting a white evolvetogether NYC face mask.

She kept her hair out of her face and slicked back into a tight bun.

Gigi was accompanied by a friend during the walk. At one point the trio stopped to rest on a park bench, where they were seen having an animated chat.

After getting enough outside time they headed back to the model's $5.8million NoHo-area apartment.

Sweet: The 25-year-old model has been loving motherhood since Khai's birth last September

Simple: Gigi went for casual comfort in a grey zip-down sweatshirt and matching joggers

Chit chat: Hadid was with a walking buddy who stopped to sit on a park bench with her at one point

Gigi gave birth to Khai back in September, reportedly at her mother Yolanda Hadid's farm in rural Pennsylvania, where she stayed with her sister Bella throughout much of 2020.

Zayn seems to be loving life as a father, and he gushed about how 'amazing' parenthood has been for him on the iHeartRadio show Valentine in the Morning.

'Honestly, it's amazing,' he said. 'A lot of people that I was speaking to, obviously, before she was born and stuff were like, "It's a big adjustment, and it's going to be a massive change and stuff."

Walking shoes: The girlfriend of Zayn Malik made sure she was ready for a long walk as she opted for sporty, silver running shoes on foot

Details: The star added a bit of flair to her look with mod-looking white sunglasses and gold chain necklaces

'But honestly, she's an amazing baby. It's been really easy for me and Gig to kind of just ease into it. She kind of made it easy for us, she sleeps really well, she loves her milk. It's just feeding and changing diapers at the moment. It's wicked. I'm enjoying it, for sure.'

Gigi and Zayn have been dating since 2015, though they were rumored to have broken up briefly in late 2016, and they officially broke up in March 2018.

Yet the two were seen together only a month later and resuscitated the relationship later in 2018.

So sweet: Gigi gave birth to Khai back in September, reportedly at her mother Yolanda Hadid's farm in rural Pennsylvania, where she stayed with her sister Bella throughout much of 2020

The two reportedly broke up again in January 2019, but after hints of a reunion (including a cooking post in which Gigi made a recipe from Zayn's mother) the two confirmed their romance was in good health again in January 2020.

The lovebirds announced just two months later that they were expecting their first child together.

Although Gigi has been careful to preserve her infant daughter's privacy, she has shared several sweet photos of herself caring for little girl since giving birth.

Earlier in March, the daughter of Yolanda Hadid made her return to the runway when she appeared with her sister at the Versace show for Milan Fashion Week.
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo) Phase 2 of the COVID vaccine has opened in Missouri.

"I think the more people we can get vaccinated, the faster this will go away," said La Mesa employee Sarah Downs.

This phase opens the door for another 880,000 Missourians to get the shot, including restaurant employees.

Places like La Mesa won't require employees to be vaccinated, they will just encourage them.

"We cannot obligate it to nobody, but they really understand what is the La Mesa position, what is the restaurant business position," said La Mesa Owner David Torres.

Some employees say the vaccine will make customers and themselves feel safer.

"I want us workers to be safe plus the customers and the kids that come in from newborns to young age," said La Mesa employee Christy Harman.

"It does make me feel safe, I can't wait for it (COVID) to go away its just really hard to speak to people with a mask on face to face, but as for now its (masks and vaccines) a good thing," said Downs.

La Mesa employees say the COVID vaccine is like any other situation.

You always want to feel safe, but it's up to every employee to make the right decision for themselves.

"It's in any situation, the flu situation, the cold situation and in any vital situation we need to try and feel safe," said Torres.

As restaurant employees become eligible, some say it is important for those eligible to receive it.

"I think it's highly important. I mean there's a lot of people you know that cant receive it cause they can't get there or they have no transportation so it's very helpful for everyone just to do their part so that we can all get through this and move on," said Downs.
The study suggests more flights are being taken by a narrow proportion of the population (Tim Ockenden/PA)

The majority of flights are being taken by a small group of frequent flyers in countries which produce the most aviation emissions, a study has suggested.

Climate campaign group Possible said 70pc of flights were taken by 15pc of people in the UK, and there was a tendency for frequent flyers to have higher incomes.

In calling for a Frequent Flyer Levy, the group said a progressive tax which goes up as someone takes more flights would allow climate change to be tackled in a more equitable way.

Their literature review, Elite Status: Global Inequalities in Flying, says the pattern of a large proportion of flights being taken by a small proportion of society is mirrored in other countries.

Targeting climate policy at the elite minority responsible for most of the environmental damage from flights could help tackle the climate problem from flying Leo Murray, director of innovation

In the US, 12pc of adults take two-thirds of flights, while 22pc of the Canadian population take 73pc of flights and 8pc of adults in the Netherlands account for 42pc of all journeys.

Meanwhile, for 17 Asia-Pacific countries  including Australia, China, India and Singapore  76pc of overseas trips were taken by 29pc of middle and high income households, the review said.

Leo Murray, director of innovation at Possible, said he was genuinely shocked by the data.

In a foreword, he wrote: The implications for climate change policy were clear. The politically sacrosanct annual family holiday was not at fault when it came to rapidly rising aviation emissions.

Rather, most air travel was down to a small, relatively well off demographic taking ever more frequent leisure flights.

So targeting climate policy at the elite minority responsible for most of the environmental damage from flights could help tackle the climate problem from flying without taking away access to the most important and valued services which air travel provides to society.
There has been many a spring break in Manitoba where there was no break from the pressing need to save ourselves from a flood.

Sandbags would be made. Sandbags would then be handed down the line from one volunteer to the next. Eventually, there would be enough sandbags in place to hold back the rising waters of the Red or the Assiniboine.

Theres no water to hold back this spring, which is a good thing given we have our hands full holding back something far more devastating.

But if the dikes we need today are being measured by the number of COVID vaccine doses that have gone into the arms of Manitobans, then we still have a lot of heavy lifting to do.

Some perspective: the first Manitoban vaccinated was an ICU doctor who got his dose of Pfizer-BioNTech on Dec. 16. To underscore the urgency of the vaccination program, 15 COVID deaths were announced that day. In the 105 days since that first shot, Manitoba has administered 194,040 doses. That works out to an average of 1,848 per day.

If an average of 1,848 sandbags a day isnt enough during a flood, then an average of 1,848 vaccine doses aint going to cut it when you are in a race against a more contagious variant.

I know there have been vaccine supply issues that are the fault of the Trudeau Liberals. I get there have been hiccups that led to long lines and longer waits at the Winnipeg supersite in recent days. I understand the recent uncertainty surrounding AstraZeneca has created problems everywhere.

However, the urgency weve seen in Manitoba when it comes to fighting floods hasnt quite translated into our vaccination efforts. Or to be more accurate, urgency always seems to be just around the corner. To wit: last week the province said it would hit 7,000 immunizations on March 29. Alas, the current tracking shows only 2,914 doses were given on Monday, although the province says further data adjustments might still be made.

As we prepare to enter the fifth month with the vaccine in hand but not yet in enough arms, Manitobans dont need to hear more boasts about a theoretical 20,000 daily dose capacity, they need to see more shots going into more arms faster and faster.

The water is still rising.

 Paul Samyn, Winnipeg Free Press editor

THE LATEST NUMBERS

Note: Manitoba and Canada figures may not match due to differences in data sources.

THE LATEST IN MANITOBA

 Provincial health officials announced 77 new cases of COVID-19, 11 variant cases and no new deaths on Tuesday. There are 1,197 active cases in Manitoba and 150 people in hospital, including 31 patients in intensive care. Of the new cases announced Tuesday, 43 are in the Winnipeg health region; 27 in the Northern Health region; five in Southern Health; and one case each in Interlake-Eastern and Prairie Mountain. The five-day test positivity rate is 4.3 per cent in Manitoba and 3.5 per cent in Winnipeg.

 For the latest information on current public health orders, restrictions, essential items and other guidance, visit the provincial government's website.

 For up-to-date information about which Manitobans are eligible for vaccination, click here. Only individuals who meet the criteria on that page can make an appointment; provincial officials ask that you do not call if you are not yet eligible to avoid tying up phone lines.

THE LATEST ELSEWHERE

 Slovakias prime minister and his government have resigned to end the political crisis triggered by a secret deal to buy Russias Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. The countrys president has accepted the resignation of Igor Matovic and asked Eduard Heger from Matovics Ordinary People party to form a new government. The crisis erupted when a secret deal became known at the beginning of March involving Slovakias agreement to acquire two million doses of Russias Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. The populist prime minister orchestrated the deal despite disagreement among his coalition partners.

 The top health care official in Sicily has resigned amid a criminal investigation into allegations he and others knowingly provided false coronavirus data to the Italian government. Sicilys health assessor, Ruggero Razza, denied having provided false information. Citing telephone intercepts, prosecutors allege a half-dozen regional officials worked to spread out COVID-19 cases and deaths over several days, from November to March, to prevent single-day reports from showing spikes that would have resulted in a lockdown, the news agencies said.

 More than 20 heads of government and global agencies have called for an international treaty for pandemic preparedness they say will protect future generations, but there are few details to explain how such an agreement might actually compel countries to act more co-operatively. "The world cannot afford to wait until the pandemic is over to start planning for the next one," World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a news conference. He said the treaty would provide a framework for international co-operation and solidarity and address issues such as surveillance systems and responding to outbreaks. Canada and other nations, including China, Russia and the United States didnt join in signing the statement.

 Syrian President Bashar Assad and his wife have recovered from COVID-19 and returned to their regular duties on Tuesday, three weeks after they tested positive for the coronavirus, the presidents office said. Syria is witnessing a sharp increase in cases. This month, state media has reported intensive care units in state hospitals in the capital of Damascus were full and that medical staff have been called to stay on alert to deal with coronavirus patients.

QUOTE, UNQUOTE

"We were never pressured to remove critical elements in our report."

 Peter Ben Embarek, a member of WHO's team researching the origins of COVID-19, discusses political pressure while compiling the study

LOCAL NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

COVID-19 BASICS
(Adds detail, comment)

By Jamie McGeever

BRASILIA, March 30 (Reuters) - Brazil's Treasury on Tuesday warned that the 2021 federal budget approved by Congress threatens one of the government's key pillars of fiscal stability, and urged the estimates for mandatory spending be brought up to a more "realistic" level.

"The underestimation of mandatory spending in the budget causes problems for the ceiling because such spending will have to be compensated for by cuts in parliamentary amendments or discretionary spending," the Treasury said.

"Mandatory expenditures should be brought (up) to a realistic value," it said, adding that Brazil continues to face a "very challenging year both for the health of the population and the health of the public finances."

The Treasury's comments echo warnings a day earlier from the Independent Fiscal Institute (IFI) watchdog that the government is on course to break its spending cap by 39 billion reais ($6.8 billion) this year.

Some 95% of Brazil's near 1.5 trillion reais annual federal budget is accounted for by mandatory spending on things, such as salaries and public sector services, leaving very little room for maneuver to respect the spending ceiling.

The spending cap stipulates that growth in public spending cannot exceed the previous year's rate of inflation. But public finances are stretched like never before due to the COVID-19 crisis, and the government is under pressure to spend more to cushion the impact of the deadly second wave.

Earlier on Tuesday, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said that expenses to fight the COVID-19 pandemic may not necessarily have to meet the spending cap rule.

Treasury's warnings accompanied figures that showed the government's budget deficit excluding interest payments in February was 21.2 billion reais ($3.7 billion). That was less than the 26.5 billion reais shortfall economists in a Reuters poll had forecast and down 22% in real terms from a year ago.

Story continues

Net revenue was 95.3 billion reais, up nearly 10% in nominal terms from a year earlier, Treasury said, while spending totaled 116.5 billion reais, up 2.3% in real terms from a year ago.

The accumulated primary deficit in the 12 months through February was 776.8 billion reais, worth 9.9% of gross domestic product, Treasury said.

($1 = 5.75 reais) (Reporting by Jamie McGeever Editing by Chris Reese and Aurora Ellis)
KYODO NEWS - Mar 31, 2021 - 15:03 | Feature, All, Japan

Japan ranked 120th among 156 countries in the gender gap rankings in 2021, remaining in last place among major advanced economies, a Swiss-based think tank said Wednesday.

Japan inched up one place from 121st in 2019, when the ranking was based on 153 countries, but stood far behind Italy, the next worst-ranked member of the Group of Seven industrialized countries, in 63rd place. The World Economic Forum said the level of women's participation in the political and economic arenas remains low in Japan.

The country's continued poor performance in narrowing the gender gap was highlighted recently by sexist remarks by Yoshiro Mori, a former prime minister who was forced to step down as head of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee after saying meetings with women tend to "drag on" because they talk too much.

The WEF report said that although Japan fully closed its gender gap in primary education, the country ranked 147th in political empowerment and 117th in economic participation and opportunity.

The overall gender gap ranking was topped by Iceland for the 12th consecutive year, followed by Finland, Norway and New Zealand. All four top-ranking countries are led by female prime ministers.

The other G-7 countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany and the United States -- ranked between 11th and 30th. In Asia, the Philippines was the best-performing country at 17th, while South Korea came in 102nd and China 107th.

"While other countries are boosting their efforts for gender equality, I think it shows that our efforts are lagging, relatively," Japan's top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told a news conference, noting that the country ranked behind other advanced economies and Asian nations such as China and South Korea.

To achieve the government's goal of raising the ratio of female candidates running in national elections to 35 percent by 2025, Kato said it will work with opposition parties in efforts to improve women's empowerment.

Women accounted for 18 percent of all candidates in Japan's House of Representatives election in 2017 and 28 percent in the House of Councillors election in 2019, according to a Kyodo News survey released in early March.

The WEF report, which tracks progress toward gender equality in the fields of the economy, politics, education and health, noted only 9.9 percent of Japan's parliamentarians were women and 10 percent of ministerial positions were held by females. It also noted the country has never had a female prime minister.

The think tank pointed out that women are employed in just 14.7 percent of senior roles as judged by its economic participation index despite 72 percent of Japanese women being in the labor force.

The share of women working part-time was almost twice that of men and the average Japanese woman's income was 43.7 percent lower than that of a Japanese man, it added.

"The perception that Japan is a nation with a low awareness of human rights and gender equality has been spreading, due partly to Mori's remarks," said Toko Tanaka, a professor at Otsuma Women's University.

She warned the view might have a negative economic impact such as a decrease in foreign investment.

The WEF estimated it would now take some 135 years to fully close the global gender gap as disparities may have widened amid the coronavirus pandemic. The organization said in its 2020 report, published in December 2019 before the public health crisis, the predicted timeframe was 99 years.

The gender gap report has been released around fall and winter by the think tank every year since 2006, but the latest edition was postponed due to the pandemic.

Related coverage:

Ex-Tokyo Olympics chief makes another offensive remark toward women

80% of art scene workers in Japan harassed within last decade: survey

FEATURE: Female financial analysts urge change in male-dominated profession
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 04:18:38|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran reported 10,330 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking its nationwide caseload to 1,885,564. Meanwhile, Palestine received another batch of COVID-19 vaccines.

The pandemic has so far claimed 62,665 lives in Iran, up by 96 in the past 24 hours, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during her daily briefing.

A total of 1,617,333 people have recovered from the disease, while 3,970 remain in intensive care units, she noted.

Meanwhile, Iran has vaccinated roughly 80 percent of its medical staff dealing with the COVID-19 patients, the official news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday, citing Maryam Hazrati, the country's deputy health minister.

Palestine on Wednesday received 25,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is the first batch of 2 million vaccines purchased by the government from vaccine manufacturers, Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said.

The vaccination campaign against coronavirus is proceeding at a positive pace, especially after Palestine received a batch of the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China, al-Kaila said.

So far, 78,379 people have received COVID-19 vaccines, including 8,687 people who received the second dose of the vaccines, according to al-Kaila.

On Wednesday, Palestine recorded 2,288 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths, according to the Health Ministry.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health reported 6,664 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily increase since the outbreak of the pandemic, raising the total nationwide infections to 850,924.

The ministry said that 37 new deaths were recorded during the day, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 14,323, while the total recoveries in Iraq climbed by 4,210 to 759,560.

It said that 17,180 people were vaccinated during the past 24 hours across the country, bringing the total number of doses received to 56,985.

Turkey on Wednesday confirmed 39,302 new COVID-19 cases, including 1,401 symptomatic patients, as the total number of positive cases in the country reached 3,317,182, according to its health ministry.

The death toll from the virus in Turkey rose by 152 to 31,537, while the total recoveries climbed to 3,014,226 after 19,193 more cases recovered in the last 24 hours.

The country started mass vaccination for COVID-19 on Jan. 14 after the authorities approved the emergency use of the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine. More than 9,140,000 people were vaccinated so far.

Israel's Ministry of Health reported 466 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total confirmed tally in the country to 833,040.

The death toll from the virus rose to 6,203, with 14 new fatalities. The total recoveries in Israel rose to 819,564, with 1,058 newly recovered cases.

The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Israel has surpassed 5.24 million, or 56.3 percent of its total population, since the vaccination campaign began on Dec. 20, 2020.

Algeria reported 131 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the North African country to 117,192.

The death toll from the virus rose to 3,093 after four new fatalities were added. Meanwhile, 96 more patients recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 81,538.

Lebanon registered 3,393 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to 468,400. Meanwhile, death toll from the virus went up 50 to 6,234.

The Qatari Health Ministry announced 780 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 179,964. Meanwhile, 437 more recovered from the virus, bringing the overall recoveries to 164,121, while the fatalities increased by two to 291.

The Omani Health Ministry announced 1,162 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 159,218.

Meanwhile, 568 people recovered during the past 24 hours, taking the overall recoveries to 143,966 while nine deaths were reported, pushing the tally up to 1,678.

The Kuwaiti Health Ministry reported 1,282 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections in the country to 232,103. The ministry also announced five more fatalities, taking the death toll to 1,313, while the tally of recoveries rose by 1,330 to 216,580.

Morocco announced 676 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally in the North African country to 496,097. The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased to 483,363 after 198 more were added.

The death toll rose to 8,818 with five new fatalities during the last 24 hours, while 411 people are in intensive care units.

Meanwhile, 4,320,349 people have received the first vaccine shot against COVID-19 in the country so far, and 3,674,251 people have received the second dose. Enditem
Photo: The Canadian Press Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Australia announced Wednesday it would begin building its own guided missiles in close collaboration with the U.S. as it seeks to boost its defence capabilities.

The news comes amid growing unease in the Pacific region about China's increasing assertiveness and military abilities.

Citing the "changing global environment, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it would partner with a weapons manufacturer to build the missiles in a plan that would create thousands of jobs as well as export opportunities.

Morrison said it would initially spend 1 billion Australian dollars ($761 million) on the plan as part of a huge 10-year investment in defence and the defence industry.

Creating our own sovereign capability on Australian soil is essential to keep Australians safe, Morrison said.

It has been decades since Australia last manufactured advanced missiles, and it currently relies on importing them from allies including the U.S. Australia does currently build a decoy rocket aimed at disrupting incoming missiles.

Michael Shoebridge, the director of defence, strategy and national security at the independent think-tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the announcement was welcome news and filled a strategic gap.

Its being driven by the two Cs, China and COVID, Shoebridge said.

He said China's increasing aggression was a big concern for Australia, as was the vulnerability of global supply chains that had been exposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

He said Australia's most pressing need was for long-range anti-ship missiles that could be fired from warships or aircraft. He said that new army fighting vehicles also needed missile capabilities.

Shoebridge said it would make sense for Australia to build a new generation of hypersonic missiles in collaboration with the U.S. He said potential commercial partners included large U.S. weapons manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, although other manufacturers might be involved in developing specific systems, for instance propulsion.

Australia is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, along with the U.S., Canada, Britain and New Zealand.

We will work closely with the United States on this important initiative to ensure that we understand how our enterprise can best support both Australias needs and the growing needs of our most important military partner," Defence Minister Peter Dutton said.
Faux socialite Anna Sorokin is reportedly in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to The New York Post, the 30-year-old German citizen, who posed as an heiress named Anna Delvey with a $60m trust fund, reported to immigration authorities in Manhattan on 25 March. She is now reportedly being held at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Ms Sorokin was freed on parole from Albion Correctional Facility in February. She was arrested in 2017 on charges of grand larceny, tried in 2019 and sentenced to 12 years in prison, including the two she had already served in Rikers Island.

According to The Post, Ms Sorokin was freed, she had an immigration detainer for overstaying her visa and was ordered to check in with authorities and was scheduled to return to Germany on 26 March. It is unclear if Ms Sorokin formally challenged the deportation.

She overstayed her visa and has a conviction on top of it. Shes immediately removable unless she filed some application for relief, attorney Steven Pugliese, an immigration lawyer, told The Post.

Read More:

If theres an application pending she would most likely remain in custody until its adjudicated.

Since her release from prison, Ms Sorokin recently told the BBC that says she has been keeping busy with media requests and other projects. I am writing my book, I have my NFT [non-fungible tokens] project, and my merch, and [I am working on] prison reform, she says. I am trying to turn the attention I am getting into something positive.

Ms Sorokin was also paid $320,000 by Netflix for the rights to her story, which is currently being made into a series starring Julia Garner. She was not able to keep all the money, however, due to a New York law that prevents criminals from profiting from their crimes. At least $170,000 was used to pay back banks Sorokin is accused of scamming.
Courtesy of the Bubble Bath Car Wash

Since its opening in 2005 by Dr. Larry and Rosemary Lopez, Bubble Bath Car Wash has made an impression with its state-of-the-art car wash tunnels and multiple San Antonio locations. Because theyre more than just a car wash, its easy to see why Bubble Bath was voted as the Best Car Wash in San Antonio in this years Readers Choice Awards.

As a family-oriented business, serving San Antonio means more than just washing cars. Recently, they sponsored the creation of a new tiny-tot car wash in Little Town at the Doseum for the littlest among us. Their commitment to the community is second to none.
Three cabinet ministers on Tuesday, March 30 hosted a press conference to among others give an insight to the latest Covid-19 guidelines that were announced on Monday.

The officials addressed various topics related to the Covid-19 current situation in the country, the vaccination programme, new measures put in place, as well as the anticipated Easter holidays slated for this weekend.

They included ministers; Dr Daniel Ngamije of health, Valentine Uwamariya of education and local government minister Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, as well as Rwanda National Police Spokesperson CP Jean Bosco Kabera.

Here are nine takeaways

1. Government to roll out second phase of vaccination

Effective Friday, April 2 Rwanda will kick off the second phase of the nationwide vaccination against Covid-19 as the country aims to keep the virus at bay.

According to the Minister of Health Ngamije, priority will be given to people who received their first shots.

He said that priority groups include-frontline workers, people working in security, those with underlying conditions, and people of advanced age among others.

"When we roll out the second phase, we will begin with those who got their first doses. We have their full information and none of them should be worried."

2. More people to receive first dose

In a bid to reach the country's target of vaccinating at least 30 per cent of the population, Ngamije said that during the second phase of the nationwide vaccination programme, more citizens are expected to receive the jab.

This, he said will see the number of people to be vaccinated double from the current 342,000.

"While this sound like good news however, it should be understood that we are at no point to go back to normalcy," Ngamije asserted.

3. Rwanda to acquire 1 million Johnson&Johnson doses

On the sidelines of the event, Minister Ngamije told The New Times that Rwanda is in advanced stages to acquire nearly a million Johnson&Johnson Covid-19 vaccines before September this year.

When pressed for details, Ngamije noted that that the single-shot Covid-19 vaccine has numerous advantages including but not limited to conservation.

"It can easily be conserved and it is also a single-dose among other benefits," he said.

4. Students cautioned as they return home

In her remarks, the Minister of Education Valentine Uwamariya called upon students to observe the existing Covid-19 measures as they return to their families.

Schools will close this week to allow students to return home for Easter Holidays.

Uwamariya said that her ministry had organised four-day shifts to assist boarding students to return to their homes in line with the Covid-19 guidelines.

"We have a plan to help them return to their families in a safe manner. The activities will take four days, where each student will be transported to their respective district through which they will allowed to board and then return home."

She added, "These are not holidays to celebrate for, we have lost a lot in terms of the academic year, and this should serve as an opportunity for self-revision especially for the candidates."

5. Alarm over Easter holidays

While Easter holidays are normally much-anticipated ceremonies in Rwanda, the officials gave a stern warning that the public should not 'get too excited' to violate the measures that have been in place.

According to the officials, when celebrated without vigilance, such events lead to a spike in Covid-19 cases thus waning the country's efforts to stem the tide.

Minister Ngamije shared the experience during the festive season a few months back, which turned into a 'super spreader' of the virus. Subsequently, he said, the country was losing over 10 people in a week, which was unprecedented.

6. Local government to engage church leaders ahead of Good Friday

Minister Gatabazi said that the local government is in touch with religious leaders to ensure that Easter holidays are streamlined with the existing measures to curb the virus.

Gatabazi said that a detailed agenda will soon be announced by his ministry adding that most services will be conducted virtually owing to the pandemic.

7. Misconception about the vaccines

Ngamije said that concerns have emerged where Rwandans are complacent to observe the measures after some received the first dose of the vaccine, thinking they are safe.

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"This is totally wrong. The vaccines are meant to help our bodies fight the virus, leave alone the first shot even the second (one) doesn't assure us of normalcy. The only weapon against this pandemic is through observing the preventative measures."

He said that the vaccine will only be more effective if the largest portion of the population has been vaccinated.

8. 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines waiting for shipment

During the press-conference, Minister Ngamije also revealed that Rwanda has already purchased 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines and that they are waiting for shipment.

He was responding to concerns that the country has largely relied on the Covax framework as well as the AU facility.

"We are part of those two programmes and in addition the country has also ordered more than 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines. They are currently waiting for shipment."

9. Pandemic not alarming in schools

As students break-off from their schools, Education Minister Uwamariya reassured that the virus is still at hand in all the schools.

"We don't want to reverse this trend. We ask the students in guidance with their families to stay vigilant so that we don't risk to miss any more time in this academic year," she asserted.
While concerns about COVID-19 variants and predictions of a third wave loom, many experts believe schools must stay open. The pressures for schools to stay open or reopen has existed since late spring 2020.

Opinion

While concerns about COVID-19 variants and predictions of a third wave loom, many experts believe schools must stay open. The pressures for schools to stay open or reopen has existed since late spring 2020.

Teachers have faced immense pressure from politicians, health-care professionals, parents and even the general public. On the one hand, we have seen advocacy and awareness from child development professionals and politicians that schools are essential to support the well-being of students.

Politicians and policy researchers have also noted that schools are essential to the vitality of the economy. Yet, at the same time, provisions to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19 have been wanting.

This is the case while even before the pandemic, teachers were already showing signs of being stretched thin. Research from Alberta shows an uptick in reports of mental-health distress from teachers, educational assistants and administrators. Ontario teachers have been taking more sick days than they did almost 10 years ago, a situation that many have related to increased classroom demands.

The increased pressures of the pandemic are taking their toll on teachers. Many teachers emotional well-being and mental health are suffering: the Canadian Federation of Teachers conducted a survey in the fall of more than 15,000 teachers and found 70 per cent of them reported being "very stressed, struggling to cope and increasingly feeling unhappy."

Substitute teachers and viral transmission

Teachers are concerned about being vectors for COVID-19 transmission, as are substitute teachers who often work in different schools. Across the country, in such places as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Ontario, substitute teachers do not have paid sick leave or employer-paid medical benefits.

The number of available replacement teachers has been significantly reduced, even though the need for them is greater. And in many areas there is an extreme shortage of substitute teachers.

Across Canada, education ministries and school boards have the monumental task of averting a crisis. If next year sees a departure of those who are emotionally exhausted, and there is an inadequate supply of new teachers or substitute teachers to mitigate what could easily be a higher than usual attrition rate, student learning will suffer.

There needs to be a commitment to develop and implement supports to address increased levels of teacher stress and anxiety to ensure they dont leave the profession prematurely. In some provinces, teacher attrition in the first five years of a teachers career can be as high as 40 per cent.

Teacher shortage

Reasons cited for the reduced number of currently available teachers include the rising number of teacher retirements, reduced funding to teacher education programs and the reduction in applicant interest as a result of being told there were no jobs.

COVID-19 has only made teacher shortages worse. As September 2020 approached, some teachers chose to prioritize their health and families and took leaves or did not return to the profession. Others chose early retirement, and some, who under normal circumstances might have registered as substitute teachers, chose not to.

Additionally, prior to the pandemic, a teacher might have taken one day off for a cold, returning the following day. Now they must get a COVID-19 test. The president of the Saskatoon Teachers Association relayed in January that this has meant taking on an average of two days to schedule and two more days for the results. Thats a minimum of four days off with the best-case scenario of a negative test result.

Growing safety concern for schools

A Saskatchewan school board noted that in December 2020, it experienced a chronic shortfall of replacement staff due to more employee absences and a reduced pool of available substitute staff. Staffing availability is a growing safety concern.

Saskatchewan and Ontario are now offering final-year bachelor of education students temporary teaching permits to substitute teach.

Manitoba has created a 30-hour program that teaches basic classroom skills for people who hold a limited teaching permit to address staff shortages. Prince Edward Island has removed the annual fee for a temporary non-certified substitute teacher permit to encourage more people to apply. In Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario, school boards are imploring retirees and non-certified instructors to fill the gap.

Risking ones life?

Teachers entered the profession to help students learn. That hasnt changed. But many feel now like they are being asked to risk their own lives, and those of their family members.

The emotional weight of the risks educators are exposed to is increased by the uncertainties they encounter daily. These include shifting public health or school policies, fluctuating attendance or increased duties such as covering other classes and teaching combined classes to cover for absent teachers. Such changes to routines have not only reduced the preparation and planning time required to meet students needs, but have also increased teachers risk of viral exposure.

Even though education is a local and provincial matter, we recommend the establishment of an expert national roundtable that listens to educators to develop a more comprehensive national framework. Such a framework should consider both the pre- and post-pandemic well-being of educators. We need to approach pandemic educational recovery with a national strategy, looking backward to the factors shaping how we got here, and forward in anticipation of what may come.

Nathalie Reid is director of the Child Trauma Research Centre and a sessional lecturer in the faculty of education and Jerome Cranston dean and a professor in the faculty of education at the University of Regina.

This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca.
Kirsten Dunst announced her pregnancy in grand style this week, on the cover of W Magazine.

No one who saw the latest issue could miss Dunsts baby bump.

Director Sofia Coppola, who has worked with Dunst in films including The Virgin Suicides (1999), Marie Antoinette (2006) and The Beguiled (2017), directed the photo spread for the magazines directors issue.

The photos also feature Elle Fanning and Rashida Jones, two other actors who have starred in Coppolas films. She directed the photo shoot remotely from Belize while photographer Zoe Ghertner was at the Beverly Hills home where Dunst posed for the photos.

The theme of the photo shoot (or photo story): All Dressed Up With Nowhere to Go, or the opulence of 1980s society hostesses.

The idea is that these women are lying around like theyre tired after trying on so many gowns, Coppola told the magazine, marking the change from exhausted-in-pandemic sweats to exhausted-in-formal attire.

Dunst, 38, grew up in Point Pleasant and Brick before moving to California as a child actress.

In 2018, Dunst announced her first pregnancy in an @OfficialRodarte lookbook. Now, Dunst debuts her second pregnancy in the pages of W, wearing a custom white lace dress made by her friends, the Rodarte designers Laura and Kate Mulleavy. See more here: https://t.co/ch30ROdSgW pic.twitter.com/QBHatK6fkd  W Magazine (@wmag) March 30, 2021

She stars in and is an executive producer of the Showtime series On Becoming A God In Central Florida, about a Florida woman trapped in a pyramid scheme who tries to turn the tables to her advantage. The show was originally renewed for a second season, but production was later canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This will be Dunsts second baby with actor Jesse Plemons (Judas and the Black Messiah).

Dunst got engaged to Plemons, 32, her Fargo co-star, in 2017. Their son Ennis was born in 2018 and will turn 3 in May.

In the main image of the magazine photo series, Dunst reclines on a bed wearing a lace dress that showcases her bump. The custom dress is the work of Rodarte. Designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy are Dunsts friends, and the label is something of a tradition for Dunsts pregnancy announcements. For her first baby, she told the world she was pregnant in the 2018 Rodarte lookbook.

In this latest photo shoot, Dunst had to perform some difficult maneuvering.

Every shot was on the floor, Dunst told the magazine. I was like, I cant get up. I felt like Urkel.

Dunst first worked with Coppola on The Virgin Suicides when she was 16.

I felt really protected, she told W. She made me feel like I was cool, like my teeth were cool, and I was pretty. At 16, I did not think anything of myself. And its nice to have had another woman celebrate that transition, rather than it having been sexualized through a mans perspective.

Dunst said she treasures her longtime relationship with Coppola, 49.

Its just so beautiful to have that kind of friendship where youve seen each other have children, Dunst told the magazine. There are few collaborations, to be honest, where it lasts, where someone knows you that long thats not your family.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter.
Africa accounted for only two percent of global renewable energy deployment despite the abundance of renewable energy resources. This means that the Continent has not yet scratched the surface of the opportunities in this sector. To do this, barriers inhibiting progress in the sector including the policy, legal, finance, and technological barriers must get solved in order to realize universal energy access, in the African Continent stressed Dejene Taye (Ph.D) Project Manager at COOPI in his exclusive interview to The Ethiopian Herald.

The Project Manager, who is also an expert on the sector, said that the Foundation of RES4Africa is looking to put solutions to improve the renewable energy deployment for Africa.

Since 2000, many parts of Africa have been experiencing rapid economic growth and improving social conditions. The continent's average real gross domestic product growth reached 3.6 percent in 2017 and is projected to rise to around 4 percent in 2018 and in 2019. Given the continent's large and growing population, energy demand will rise quickly in the decades to come, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

IRENA, the principal platform for international co-operation, a center of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy has been promoting the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.

Endowed with substantial renewable energy resources, Africa can adopt innovative, sustainable technologies and play a leading role in global action to shape a sustainable energy future. Supply unreliability is a concern holding back economic development, with most countries facing frequent blackouts and often relying on expensive and polluting solutions. Clean, indigenous and affordable renewable energy solutions offer the continent the chance to achieve its economic, social, and environmental and climate objectives. Sustainable development and use of the continent's massive biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind power have the potential to rapidly change Africa's current realities.

Africa can adopt innovative, sustainable technologies and play a leading role in global action to shape a sustainable energy future. The continent could meet nearly a quarter of its energy needs from indigenous and clean renewable energy sources by 2030 and increase the share of renewables in its total energy mix to as much as two-thirds by 2050.

It has pursued strategic, results-oriented partnerships with African organizations and development partners since its inception in 2011. In July 2011, IRENA convened a high-level consultative forum where Sub-Saharan African nations identified priority areas for joint action between intergovernmental agencies, governments and regional partners.

The resulting "Abu Dhabi Communique on Renewable Energy for Accelerating Africa's Development" called for an assessment of existing conditions and needs, strengthening national, regional and continental policy frameworks to stimulate investment in renewables, and support for technological research and development through South-South co-operation.

Accordingly, IRENA has adopted a comprehensive, practical approach, providing technical support through regional, country-specific and thematic initiatives. These aim to develop knowledge, establish stronger policy and investment frameworks, and enhance institutional and human capacities to accelerate renewable energy deployment.

Africa's economy is growing at unprecedented speed. One of the core challenges as African countries continue to grow and develop is energy: meeting rising demand for power, transport and other uses in a way that is economically sustainable and safeguards livelihoods. Economic growth, changing lifestyles and the need for reliable modern energy access is expected to require energy supply to be at least doubled by 2030. For electricity, it might even have to triple.

Africa is richly endowed with renewable energy sources, and the time is right for sound planning to ensure the right energy mix. Decisions made today will shape the continent's energy use of decades to come. The world is increasingly embracing modern renewable energy technologies. For many years they have been supported because of environmental and energy security concerns but in a rising number of situations they are now seen as the most economic option.

The use of modern renewables is growing in Africa, and fostering this growth is imperative. African countries are in a unique position: they have the potential to leapfrog the traditional centralised-utility model for energy provision.

Africa 2030 is part of IRENA's global REmap 2030 analysis, which outlines a roadmap to double the share of renewables in the world's energy mix within the next 15 years. It is based on a country-by-country assessment of energy supply, demand, renewable-energy potential, and practical technology choices for households, industry, transport and the power sector. The results are shown for five African regions.

Four key modern renewable energy technologies with highest deployment potentials for Africa are modern biomass for cooking; hydropower; wind; and solar power. The power sector presents significant opportunity to be transformed through the increased deployment of renewable energy technologies. The share of renewables in the generation mix could grow to 50% by 2030 if the REmap Options in this report are implemented. Hydropower and wind capacity could reach 100 GW capacity each, followed by a solar capacity of over 90 GW. For the power sector, this would be an overall tenfold renewable energy capacity increase from 2013 levels. It would result in a reduction of 310 megatonnes of carbon dioxide (Mt CO2) in emissions by 2030 when compared to the baseline scenario. In all regions of Africa except the North, hydropower will continue to play an important role. North, Eastern and Southern Africa can all derive renewable power from other sources, such as wind energy, while concentrating solar power (CSP) will matter specifically in North Africa.

There is high need for stable and "bankable institutional and regulatory frameworks, perception of risks, more crucial than appropriate return on investments; requires the development (at least partial) of a risk mitigation facility in Africa. Noneconomic factors are perceived to be very relevant by many investors.

Develop a suitable market aggregation approach to attract industry, clear and simplified local permitting process, strength the support from supranational financial institutions, technology transfer and capacity building, are some of the solutions for African countries to transform their energy sector into renewable.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Ethiopia 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.

Southern and Eastern Countries are setting ambitious targets for the deployment of renewable energy generation in their territory to cover the internal demand and to exploit the enormous renewable.

Opportunities for productive energy transitions

Water, energy and food underpin economic and social development and are deeply interconnected. North Africa faces important climate change vulnerability and resource security issues in water-scarce, energy-intensive and agriculture-focused countries; The region's high climate impact vulnerability impacts future energy infrastructure; mainstream integrated multi-sectoral approaches and climate resilience into future energy planning can improve resource efficiency, productivity and security; nexus and climate-resilient energy practices should be at the core of countries' clean energy transitions pathways.

However, the region has shown important wins on renewables, with more progress needed on energy efficiency; and vast potential across the board; COVID-19 and countries' energy, economic and climate goals places clean energy transitions firmly as a solution to transform how energy is supplied and consumed.

According to the continental energy organization, Africa Case shows that meeting economic objectives and SDG 7 is possible provided the right policy mix and investment financing; clean energy transitions are key for economic recovery, with renewables and energy efficiency as vectors of development.
SHANGHAI, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and HKEX: 2057), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China ("ZTO" or the "Company"), today announced that its board of directors has approved changes to the Company's share repurchase program launched in November 2018 (the "Share Repurchase Program"), increasing the aggregate value of shares that may be repurchased from US$500 million to US$1 billion and extending the effective time by two years through June 30, 2023.

The Company's proposed repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Company's board of directors will review the Share Repurchase Program periodically, and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size.

About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

ZTO is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.

For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about ZTO's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in ZTO's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and ZTO does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor inquiries, please contact:

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +86 21 5980 4508

SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 13:18:27|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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LA PAZ -- A second batch of vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm arrived in the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba on Tuesday to advance the country's mass immunization campaign against COVID-19.

Bolivian Foreign Affairs Minister Rogelio Mayta, Health Minister Jeyson Auza and Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia Huang Yazhong were on hand to receive the shipment.

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ADDIS ABABA -- Ethiopia registered 1,976 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 204,521 as of Tuesday evening, the country's ministry of health said.

Meanwhile, 16 new deaths from the virus were reported across the country, bringing the national tally to 2,841, said the ministry.

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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil on Tuesday registered the highest daily count of 3,780 COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, the country's ministry of health said.

The latest figure has raised the nationwide death toll to 317,646 since Brazil's first case was detected on Feb. 26, 2020.

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SEOUL -- South Korea reported 506 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 103,088.

The daily caseload was up from 447 in the previous day, rising above 500 in four days.

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BERLIN -- The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine should generally only be used for people aged 60 and over from Wednesday, German federal and state governments decided Tuesday evening.

People aged under 60 could be vaccinated with AstraZeneca "at the doctor's discretion and in the case of an individual risk analysis after careful explanation," according to the decision.

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PARIS -- France registered 30,702 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the total count above 4.5 million. The country's hospitals are nearing the breaking point and a third nationwide confinement is very much on the cards, figures released by the health authorities showed on Tuesday.

In a single day, 188 people have been hospitalized, bringing the total to 28,510. COVID-19 patients currently occupy 5,072 resuscitation beds, the largest number since mid-November 2020, when the country entered its second confinement.

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TUNIS -- Tunisian Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 1,002 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections in the country to 252,171.

The death toll from the virus rose by 28 to 8,788, the ministry said in a statement.

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QUITO -- Ecuador recorded 2,201 new COVID-19 infections and 34 more deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the number of cases to 327,325 and deaths to 11,912, the Public Health Ministry reported on Tuesday.

The province of Pichincha, where the nation's capital Quito is located, is the hardest hit by the pandemic, reporting 834 infections, including 799 in Quito, in the last day.

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HAVANA -- Cuban health authorities reported on Tuesday 1,008 new COVID-19 infections in the last day, the highest figure in two weeks, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 74,212, as well as four more deaths to total 421.

"Today's indicators show the complexity of the epidemiological situation, since there is significant transmission in a large part of the country," the Public Health Ministry's national director of hygiene and epidemiology Francisco Duran said during his daily broadcast.

- - - -

BEIJING -- China believes that the joint research carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) and China will play a positive role in promoting global cooperation in COVID-19 origin tracing, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

The spokesperson made the remarks after WHO released a report earlier on Tuesday on the joint research with China on the global tracing of COVID-19 origins. Enditem
Yogi Adityanath will be visiting Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Wednesday and Thursday. Yogi will reach Tamil Nadus Paliyamkulam to flag off a bike rally before heading towards addressing a rally at Therinilai Thandal and Virudhnagar. His visit comes amidst DMK's accusations that BJP is running a proxy government through AIAMDK.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took on Tamil Nadus opposition DMK today over its senior leader A Rajas insult to Chief Minister E Palaniswami, calling him an outdated 2G missile. He also recalled the episode in Tamil Nadu Assembly on March 25, 1989, when the late AIADMK chief and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa (then the leader of opposition) was attacked allegedly by DMK leaders and asked the people to never forget that day. Addressing a grand public meeting of the NDA at Dharapuram in Tirupur district where the partys state chief L Murugan is contesting, Modi said the DMK and the Congress would never guarantee women empowerment if DMK comes to power in Tamil Nadu.

While PM Modi was addressing a rally in Palakkad while campaigning for BJP candidate Metro Man E Sreedharan, he remarked that people of Kerala are aware of the match-fixing between the LDF and UDF. He even took a swipe at two dominant political players in the poll-bound state ahead of Assembly elections and accused them of having a friendly agreement. PM Modi in his address commented that Judas betrayed Lord Christ for a few pieces of silver and LDF has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold.

On the other hand, Yogi Adityanath will be visiting Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Wednesday and Thursday. Yogi will reach Tamil Nadus Paliyamkulam to flag off a bike rally before heading towards addressing a rally at Therinilai Thandal and Virudhnagar. His visit comes amidst DMKs accusations that BJP is running a proxy government through AIAMDK. Not only that, he will thereafter be addressing a rally at Haripad before his roadshow at Adoor.

Also Read: Myanmar Crisis: Thousands flee across Thailand borders following Myanmar airstrikes

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Not only that, AIMIM has been allotted three Tamil Nadu seats with a significant Muslim population: Vaniyambadi, Sankarapuram and Krishnagiri. Dhinakaran has said the AMMK would try and contest as many seats as possible. Owaisis alliance with Dhinakaran and his strong campaign for the uplift of the Muslim community has been received well in Tamil Nadu even though his party does not have a solid electoral base.

Tamil Nadu assembly polls will be held in a single phase on April 6, despite the main battle between the DMK-Congress alliance and the AIADMK-BJP coalition. However, TTV Dhinakarans Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) has entered into an electoral pact for the Assembly polls with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Asaduddin Owaisi and Kamal Hassans decision to contest election from Coimbatore South against both BJP and Congress have sprung up a surprise for voters. Three years after floating Makkal Neethi Maiam (MNM), Kamal Hassan is contesting his first election in Tamil Nadu polls.

Also Read: Indonesia church attack: Police raids find explosives and militant suspects
PHILADELPHIA, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The India Fund, Inc. (NYSE: IFN) (the "Fund"), a closed-end equity fund, today announced that it paid on March 31, 2021, a distribution of US$0.58 per share to all shareholders of record as of March 24, 2021 (ex-dividend date March 23, 2021).

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. At Aberdeen, asset management is our business. We only manage assets for clients, allowing us to focus solely on their needs and deliver independent, objective investment advice. We know global markets from the local level upwards, drawing on more than 1,900 staff, across 32 offices in 23 countries. Investment teams are based in the markets or regions where they invest, delivering local perspective in a global investment environment. (PRNewsFoto/Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.)

The Fund's distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy") is to pay quarterly distributions at an annual rate, set once a year, that is a percentage of the average daily NAV for the previous three months as of the month-end prior to declaration. In February 2021, the Board determined the rolling distribution rate to continue to be 10% for the 12-month period commencing with the distribution payable in March 2021. The Distribution Policy is subject to regular review by the Board. The Distribution Policy seeks to provide investors with a stable quarterly distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.

Your Fund's policy is to provide investors with a stable distribution rate. Each quarterly distribution will be paid out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.

Under U.S. tax rules applicable to the Fund, the amount and character of distributable income for each fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related Rules, the Fund may be required to indicate to shareholders the source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distribution for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the Rules adopted thereunder. The table has been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The table includes estimated amounts and percentages for this distribution and for the cumulative distributions paid fiscal year to date (01/01/2021  02/28/2021), from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated composition of the distributions may vary from quarter to quarter because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.

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Estimated Amounts of Current Quarterly Distribution per share ($) Estimated Amounts of Current Quarterly Distribution per share (%) Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per share ($) Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per share (%) Net Investment Income - - - - Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains* $0.0406 7% $0.0406 7% Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains $0.1334 23% $0.1334 23% Return of Capital $0.4060 70% $0.4060 70% Total (per common share) $0.5800 100% $0.5800 100%

*includes currency gains

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the Distribution Policy.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2021 will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides information regarding the Fund's total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Fund's annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 02/28/20211 13.12% Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV2 N/A* Fiscal Year to Date (01/01/2021 to 02/28/2021) Cumulative Total Return on NAV1 0.04% Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV2 N/A*

1Return data is net of all fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of February 28, 2021. *The Fund's fiscal period to date is 1/1/2021 to 2/28/2021 and there were no distributions in this period.

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2010, the Fund may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Fund during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Fund, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the terms of the distribution policy. The final determination of the source of all distributions will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. The Fund's Board of Directors has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Ltd., Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the NAV of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact Investor.Relations@aberdeenstandard.com

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SOURCE The India Fund, Inc.
Failure to comply with international exposure recommendations for air pollution, noise, heat and access to green space is associated with more than 1,000 deaths per year in Barcelona and more than 900 in Madrid, accounting for 7% and 3% of overall premature mortality, respectively.

This is the conclusion of a new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation. This study is the first to estimate premature mortality impacts and the distribution by socioeconomic status of multiple environmental exposures related to urban planning and transport in the two cities.

Today, more than half of the global population lives in cities. In Spain, this trend is even more pronounced, with 80% of the population living in urban areas. Madrid and Barcelona are two of Europe's most populous cities, and they also have some of the highest rates of socioeconomic inequality among inhabitants. Recent studies in European cities such as Vienna, Bradford and Barcelona have shown that a considerable proportion of the premature mortality burden--between 8% and 20%--is associated with poor urban and transport planning.

The new study, published in Environmental Research, estimated the impact of non-compliance with international exposure level recommendations for air pollution--fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)--as well as excess heat, traffic noise and lack of green space on residents over 20 years of age in Barcelona and Madrid, cities with different urban planning practices. Whereas Madrid is structured around a central nucleus where most economic activity is concentrated, Barcelona is a compact city whose economic activity is distributed across different neighbourhoods.

The study focused on identifying environmental inequities. "Our goal was to identify the population groups that were most exposed and most vulnerable to the effects of poor urban and transport planning," commented ISGlobal researcher Tamara Iungman, lead author of the study.

As for methodology, the researchers used a tool called Urban and Transport Planning Health Impact Assessment (UTOPHIA), which was developed by a team at ISGlobal.

We compared current exposure levels with international recommendations and estimated the fraction of preventable premature deaths that could be avoided if we were to comply with those recommendations." Tamara Iungman, ISGlobal Researcher

Attributable deaths

The findings showed that non-compliance with WHO's exposure recommendations for air pollution, noise, and access to green space, along with excess heat, were associated with 1,037 premature deaths per year in Barcelona (1). Fine particulate air pollution was the exposure associated with the highest premature mortality, accounting for 524 deaths per year (48% of total attributable deaths), followed by lack of green space (277 deaths), exposure to traffic noise (124 deaths), heat (112 deaths) and exposure to NO2 (12 deaths).

For Madrid, the total number of deaths attributable to non-compliance with international recommendations was 902. Lack of green space was the exposure associated with the highest premature mortality (337 deaths per year), followed by excessive heat (244 deaths), NO2 air pollution (207 deaths), PM2.5 air pollution (173 deaths) and noise (148 deaths).

An earlier ISGlobal study attributed 20% of premature mortality in Barcelona to poor urban and transport planning. "The lower values obtained in this health impact assessment of Barcelona and Madrid--7.1% and 3.4%, respectively--could be attributed to the fact that physical activity was not included in this study, in addition to improvements in adverse exposure levels in recent years, as well as the different methodology used to estimate the mortality attributable to noise," commented Iungman.

Differences between Barcelona and Madrid

With better urban and transport planning, Barcelona could avoid nearly twice as many deaths as Madrid: 72 versus 33 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. "This difference can be partly explained by the fact that the scientific evidence associates higher mortality with exposure to PM2.5, which is higher in Barcelona; another explanation would be the greater traffic and population density in Barcelona than in Madrid, given that its area represents 1/6th of Madrid's", explained ISGlobal researcher Natalie Mueller, coordinator of the study.

With an annual average of 15 g/m3, Barcelona exceeded the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for PM2.5 (10 g/m3). For NO2 levels, however, the city's annual average of 37 g/m3 was under the recommended maximum of 40 g/m3. Madrid exceeded the WHO recommendations on both counts, with an annual average of 11 g/m3 for PM2.5 and 42 g/m3 for NO2.

The main difference between the two cities was in air pollutants. The findings showed higher levels of fine particulate matter in Barcelona and NO2 in Madrid, as well as different spatial distributions: high levels of PM2.5 throughout Barcelona and higher levels of NO2 in the centre of the Spanish capital. "While the main source of NO2 emissions is local motor-vehicle traffic, fine particulate matter has a higher dispersion capacity and is also associated with other combustion sources besides traffic," commented Mueller. "The port and the large industrial areas near Barcelona could influence the high levels of fine particulate matter in the city."

As for green space, the vast majority of the population in Madrid and Barcelona--84% and 95%, respectively--did not have adequate access to these natural environments according to the standards of the WHO, which recommends that people should live within 300 metres of a green space measuring at least half a hectare. This widespread lack of access to green space shows that "in order for green spaces to have health benefits--in addition to mitigating other exposures such as noise and excess heat--it is necessary to consider not only their availability in the city, but also their distribution so that residents can access them on foot," commented Mueller.

With regard to noise, 97% of the population of Madrid and 96% of the population of Barcelona were exposed to traffic noise levels higher than the WHO's recommended values. "Both cities had a considerable mortality burden attributable to traffic noise, which underscores how important it is to reduce noise to improve the health of the population," argued Mueller.

Although there are no specific guidelines for heat, the researchers calculated the temperature corresponding to the smallest number of heat-related deaths in each city: 22.5C for Barcelona and 21.5C for Madrid and estimated the impacts of a potential reduction of 1. "The two cities had similar attributable mortality rates and we found correlations between less green space and higher levels of heat and noise," added Iungman.

Environmental inequities

The findings show that poor urban and transport planning in Barcelona is associated with higher mortality in census tracts with lower socioeconomic status, whereas in Madrid the attributable mortality burden varied by environmental exposure. Although air pollution, lack of green space and excessive heat are widespread problems in Barcelona, attributable mortality rates were overall higher in the most deprived areas. Thus, populations in the most deprived census tracts had a mortality risk 1.26 times higher than that of the least deprived groups, probably because of an already higher underlying vulnerability.

In Madrid, the most deprived neighbourhoods had higher exposure to PM2.5 and heat than the least deprived neighbourhoods, while the inverse was true for NO2 and noise. This is probably due to the fact that lower socioeconomic population subgroups reside more peripheral and closer to industrial areas, where the cost of living is cheaper -and thus they are more exposed to PM2.5 and heat-, while middle and upper middle socioeconomic population reside in Madrid highly trafficked city center, with greater exposure to NO2 and traffic noise. With respect to green spaces, lack of access affected people of both low and middle socioeconomic status. This pattern was also reflected in its attributable mortality, where only the least deprived areas were the ones having less adverse impacts, probably due to lower underlying vulnerability and better general health status.

Co-author Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative at ISGlobal, commented: "This analysis is in line with previous research showing that people living in more deprived neighbourhoods tend to be more exposed to harmful environmental exposures compared to those living in wealthier areas, although this inequity varies according to the design characteristics and historical development of each city."

"This study shows that environmental exposures have a large impact on premature mortality and underscores the importance of designing cities with health impacts in mind, valuing the specificities of each urban environment and prioritising disadvantaged populations," concluded Nieuwenhuijsen. "Health impact assessments are a powerful tool for guiding policymakers towards cities that are healthy, sustainable and fair for all residents."
Chandigarh, March 31 : With an intent to make quality healthcare services accessible to the underprivileged, the Vardhman Group has made a financial contribution of Rs 30 lakh to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here.

The group has been annually providing this amount to the hospital for several years in a row, the hospital said on Wednesday.

The amount is utilised for the treatment of patients having a below poverty line (BPL) card in the hospital's emergency care unit as also the OPD.

People with serious health concerns, including cancer, heart and kidney diseases, across North India visit PGIMER for quality treatment and healthcare support.

The cheque was handed over to the hospital management in the presence of Jagat Ram, PGMIER Director, among others.

The management of PGIMER acknowledged the efforts of the Vardhman Group saying that the organisation has been doing appreciable work for social welfare.

The sum provided to the PGIMER at present will be utilised for the treatment of patients belonging to the economically weak backgrounds who cannot afford the treatment.
Kansas medical marijuana supporters have found support from some conservative Republican legislators, allowing a proposal to advance on March 29 after weeks of deliberations.

Some Republicans say they have been motivated by conservative neighbors Missouri and Oklahoma legalizing medical marijuana in 2018 through ballot initiatives, while others say many of their constituents support it.

Legalization advocates are glad state lawmakers are seriously considering the matter. But the measure has received pushback, mainly from law enforcement groups that say that theres not enough evidence that marijuana can treat medical conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinsons disease.

The state House Federal and State Affairs Committee approved the bill 13-8, sending it to the full House for approval.

I think the majority of Kansans want it and I think we need to listen to our voters, said Rep. John Eplee, an Atchison Republican committee member and a physician, told The Associated Press.

The bill would authorize the state health department to issue medical marijuana identification cards to patients and caregivers for a list of conditions that include cancer, Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Medical marijuana could be sold as oils, tinctures, patches or potent edibles, but not in smoking or vaping products. The bill would also set up a licensing process for growers and dispensary owners.

An amendment prohibits a cap on the number of licenses state agencies can issue to dispensaries, laboratories and cultivation facilities. It also lowered license fees about half.

I certainly never want to see us at recreational marijuana, Eplee said without elaborating. I think we have the capacity and the ability as a state to make it medical marijuana and leave it at that.

In testimony to lawmakers last month, Darrell G. Atteberry, legislative chair of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, noted that the federal Department of Veterans Affairs states on its website that theres no evidence that marijuana is an effective treatment for PTSD and that it could be harmful for those with the condition.

But medical marijuana advocates note its been tough to get evidence due to pots legal status in the U.S. Parents of children with disabilities have testified to lawmakers that marijuana would help relieve symptoms such as seizures. Veterans pushing for the bill say marijuana has reduced trauma-induced dreams by helping them get a deep sleep.

Todd Scattini, a Platte City, Missouri, resident and Afghanistan veteran, testified to Kansas legislators in last months meeting. In an interview, Scattini said marijuana helped him treat chronic pain from military exercises and manage recurring nightmares.

For a lot of veterans today, theres a lot of survivors guilt and I suffer from that as well, Scattini said. A lot of people spend their time asking Why did my buddy go who was a way better soldier and person than me and Im still here? So theres a lot of nightmares and anxiety and depression, bad dreams and negative thoughts that take place.

Christine Gordon, former vice president of the advocacy group Bleeding Kansas, said she has worked for six years to legalize medical marijuana. In 2018, she moved from Lenexa to Littleton, Colorado, seeking cannabis treatment for her now 9-year-old daughter, who has Dravet syndrome and severe autism.

The fact that theyre even looking at it seriously, not just trying to appease the community, but theyre actually working it is pretty exciting, Gordon said.

Rep. Randy Garber, a conservative Sabetha Republican, said hearing stories like Gordons has played a role in his support of medical marijuana legalization.

I understand the law enforcements concerns, I really do. But what is our job? In my opinion, as a legislator, it is to help the people of Kansas, Garber said. And I believe this medical marijuana does help people in need.

Andy Tsubasa Field is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.

Topics Cannabis Kansas
When a former employee of a belligerent West Virginia deli owner known locally as the 'Sandwich Nazi' recognized his old boss from an FBI photo depicting a suspect wanted for taking part in the deadly US Capitol riots, he wasted no time turning him in.

George Pierre Tanios, 39, and a friend, Julian Elie Khater, were arrested earlier this month on multiple criminal counts, including assaulting police with a deadly weapon and obstructing an official proceeding.

Tanios is suspected of buying the bear spray that was used on three US Capitol police officers, including Brian Sicknick, who later died.

George Tanios, 39, a suspected US Capitol rioter and the owner of a West Virginia deli, was turned in to the FBI by a former employee, who recognized him from a 'wanted' poster

Tanios owns the 'Sandwich U' shop in Morgantown, West Virginia, where he is said to have a reputation for being combative and aggressive

Tanios has been known to publicly air his pro-Trump views. Pictured: A Donald Trump campaign sign is displayed in the deli's window

Sandwich U's Yelp page features a litany of negative reviews, many of which are focused on the owner and his pugnacious demeanor

Tanios does not shy from a fight and has a habit of responding to his critics on Yelp

Khater and Tanios are not charged with killing Sicknick, whose cause of death is still pending.

According to reporting by The Daily Beast, Tanios operates a shop called 'Sandwich U' in Morgantown, where multiple people have described the business owner as combative and quick to anger.

Several people who have dealt with Tanios in the past told the outlet he has been known to publicly berate workers, deploy mace against unruly customers and air his pro-Trump, COVID-denying views.

Cory Denkert, a former employee at Tanios' store, told The Daily Beast it came as no surprise to him when he went on Facebook and saw a selfie depicting his ex-employer posing up at the US Capitol on January 6 in a hooded sweatshirt with the 'Sandwich U' logo.

'I was laughing,' Denkert told site. 'This is exactly what George would do. Hes always been angry, trying to start fights with people. It doesn't matter how wrong he is, he's going to be outspoken, in somebody's face, trying to start something.'

Tanios (left) and a friend, Julian Elie Khater (right), were arrested earlier this month on multiple criminal counts stemming from the deadly riots

This screenshot from body camera video shows the moment a man believed to be Khater deploys the bear spray against the police, including Sicknick

Sicknick is seen rubbing his face after he was struck by bear spray during the riots

Another view of Sicknick shows the officer touching his face after being sprayed

Denkert quickly sent Tanios' selfie from the Capitol to the FBI with a brief message that identified him by name.

A few weeks later, he received a call from an FBI special agent, who asked to be connected to another person who could confirm the identity of the bearded man in the Facebook selfie.

Denkert put him in touch with Tanios' former business partner Kenneth Dufalla, who confirmed without hesitation that the man in both the FBI flyer and the selfie was Tanios.

Tanios is accused of buying bear spray that was used against US Capitol police on January 6, including Officer Brian Sicknick (pictured), who later died

'I cant imagine how many of his former employees and fraternities are enjoying his apparent downfall right now,' Dufalla told the news outlet. 'He was easily the most hated man in Morgantown.'

On March 14, FBI agents raided Tanios' home and arrested him. He appeared in court last week and was ordered held in jail pending future court dates.

During the court hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that Tanios had purchased the bear and pepper sprays that he brought with him to the Capitol that were then allegedly used by Khater on the officers, including Sicknick.

Back in Morgantown, West Virginia, Tanios' former employees were said to have reacted with glee to the news of his arrest.

'This has really been a long time coming for him,' Denkert said.

According to the disgruntled former employee, Tanios on one occasion used a bullhorn to scream at staff and was known to fire people for no apparent cause.

Another ex-worker, Daniel Dentzler, told the outlet that Tanios kept a can of mace in the shop and sometimes used it on customers.

Tanios' former employer and a former business partner confirmed his identity to the FBI, leading to his arrest

Dentzler speculated that his former boss modeled his behavior on the classic Seinfeld character 'The Soup Nazi,' so much so that he referred to himself as 'The Sandwich Nazi' and would tell people 'No sandwich for you!' in a nod to the famous catchphrase from the sitcom.

Tanios is said to keep a framed photo of 'The Soup Nazi' character from Seinfeld, who was played by Larry Thomas (pictured)

He even kept a framed photo of the fictional TV character, as played by actor Larry Thomas, next to photos of fired workers who were not welcome at the deli.

During last week's court hearing, Tanios' mother, Maguy Tanios, told the court in tears that she had escaped war-torn Lebanon to start a new life after several of her family members were killed.

She denied that she had ever entertained the idea of helping her son flee to Lebanon if he is released from jail pending trial.

'This is my country,' she said. 'I raised my kids here. They are American.'

She said her son goes to church and is a family man who has three small children.

'My son is not a bad kid,' she said, and explained his role at the Capitol as him being 'in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

In ordering that Tanios be detained, the judge lamented a 'culture, radicalized by hate' that played out at the Capitol during a peaceful transition of power.

'It is hard for me to look at this as anything other than an assault on this nation's heart,' the judge said.

Tanios appeared in court last week and was ordered held in jail pending future court dates

'They were supporting a president who would not accept the fact that he was defeated in an election.'

'We've created this culture, radicalized by hate, and refusal to accept the result of a democratic process... And given that, two college friends decide let's go. Why?'

Addressing Tanio directly, the judge said: 'Why wouldn't you just turn the other way and go home? The fact that all of them weren't thinking that - it's just frightening to me.'

More than 300 people have been charged in connection with the January 6 attack that led to five deaths after a mob of then-President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the building in a failed bid to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's November election victory.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- World leaders from more than two dozen countries have called for a treaty to help guide the response to future pandemics, while a new test could help detect COVID-19 mutations like those found in the U.K., South Africa and Brazil.

Cleveland.com is rounding up some of the most notable coronavirus news making headlines online. Heres what you need to know for Wednesday, March 31.

World leaders call for treaty to prepare for future pandemics

The leaders of the U.K., Germany and Kenya are among more than two dozen leaders who signed a letter calling for an international agreement to deal with future pandemics. The letter  which is not signed by the U.S., China or Russia  says an agreement could help to dispel the temptations of isolationism and nationalism during a future pandemic. Its unclear whether any international agreement could be enforced, according to NPR.

Test could detect coronavirus mutations

A team led by scientists in Singapore has developed a test to detect the virus that causes COVID-19 even when it mutates, according to a study published in Nature Communications. The test uses a gene-editing tool known as CRISPR to analyze a sample and deliver results within 30 minutes. The scientists noted that such a test could be needed as variants from the U.K., Brazil and South Africa continue to spread worldwide.

Key part of immune response to COVID-19 still recognizes variants

The T cells that play a key role in the immune systems response to a coronavirus infection still recognize COVID-19 variants, according to a study by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The findings are based on a study of the blood of 30 individuals who had contracted and recovered from COVID-19 before variants emerged. The findings suggest the T cell response in someone who was previously infected, and likely in someone who has been vaccinated, remains active against variants. More research is needed to provide a fuller picture of how variants could alter the immune response, the researchers noted.

Study shows schools can safely reopen with COVID-19 testing and restrictions

A study of two K-12 schools found coronavirus testing and measures like mask requirements and social distancing can keep transmission low even as infections rise in the community. The study, published in the Journal of School Health, involved two schools that required testing of students and staff in addition to other mitigation measures. Ventilation and air filtering also proved effective at keeping transmission low, the study says.

Pandemic disproportionately affected the careers of female scientists

The pandemic disproportionately affected the careers of female scientists, who bore the brunt of the responsibility of caring for children and older relatives, according to a report published in National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report is based on data from a survey of 700 students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty members. It found the pandemic negatively affected female scientists work-life balance, productivity and mental health.

Your coronavirus vaccine questions answered:

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Coronavirus vaccine misinformation permeates social media: Here are the facts to counter six false claims

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Who should skip the second shot of coronavirus vaccine? Weve got answers

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Hong Kong Logistics Unicorn GogoX Weighs $400 Million IPO

By Bloomberg / Mar 31, 2021 11:38 AM / Business & Tech

Hong Kong-based logistics unicorn GogoX is considering an initial public offering that could raise $400 million to $500 million as soon as this year, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The company is in preliminary discussions with several investment banks about its proposed share sale in Hong Kong, which could value the startup at about $2 billion, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the information is private. GogoX, the on-demand delivery services platform, is also exploring going public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company in the U.S., the people said.

GogoX, founded in Hong Kong in 2013, has expanded to countries including Singapore, India, Vietnam and mainland China, covering more than 300 cities and having eight million registered drivers, according to its website. It is competing with larger rivals such as Lalamove and Full Truck Alliance Group in a crowded sector where Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing also made an entrance last year.

Deliberations are at an early stage and GogoX could still weigh other options to raise funds, said the people. A representative for GogoX declined to comment.

Full Truck Alliance, meanwhile, is working with Morgan Stanley and China International Capital Corp. on a proposed U.S. IPO, people with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg News earlier.

Contact editor Marcus Ryder (marcusryder@caixin.com)

Related: In Depth: Blood and Sweat Dont Pay Off for Chinas Army of Delivery Workers
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a meeting today with Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Dr. Assem El-Gazzar, Presidential Advisor for Urban Planning Major General Amir Sayed Ahmed, Chairman of the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces Major General Ihab Al-Far, and Director of the Information Systems Department Major General Yasser Abu Mandour.

The Spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the meeting addressed the latest developments of the relocation of the ministries and government agencies to the New Administrative Capital (NAC).

In this respect, the President was posted on the work progress in the government district in the New Capital, especially with regard to the development of information infrastructure and all digital services. The meeting also discussed the developments of the technological equipment procured for the buildings in the government district, data transmission networks, the messaging system and electronic archiving, video and audio equipment, and surveillance cameras, as well as automatic gates to control individuals' and vehicles' access on and off the Capital.

The President directed that attention be devoted to the issue of cybersecurity of the information infrastructure in the NAC and that advanced training programs be devised for workers to raise their level of knowledge and expand their know-how in the application of cybersecurity standards. This was underpinned by relying on digitization and modern electronic systems in the government's daily work after its relocation to the New capital.

The President also directed that the institutional and human development efforts be expanded by preparing cadres and offering them digital skills training. The importance of launching a trial run of the electronic system in the New Capital, with the participation of all concerned parties, before the actual relocation to the Capital was further underlined by the President.

Moreover, the meeting discussed the latest developments of the transfer of government agencies to the New Capital, including the main communications centers and the state's unified data system. This is in addition to the provision of digital equipment, operation and security for buildings and facilities, security and traffic systems, and the mobile phone network coverage.

Egyptian presidency
It is significant that the Mizoram government had also issued guidelines directing officials to provide shelter to those coming from Myanmar after the violence. (Representational image: Twitter/@APRRN_)

Guwahati: In what has led to serious embarrassment for the Manipur government, it has been compelled to withdraw an administrative order barring district administrations and civil society organisations from opening shelters or providing food to refugees from Myanmar who may have crossed the border following the ongoing military action against the agitating civil society protesters against the coup.

The state home department, in an order signed by Mr Gyan Prakash on March 26, had stated that only medical attention could be provided in case of grievous injuries on humanitarian considerations. The notice was addressed to the deputy commissioners of the border districts --Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Ukhrul and Churachandpur -- adjoining the international border with Myanmar.

People trying to enter or seek refuge should be politely turned away, the order said. Aadhaar enrollment should be stopped immediately and Aadhaar enrolment kits to be kept in safe custody, it added.

This order was issued on March 26 -- when large-scale violence by the security forces that led to the deaths of 114 protesters was reported in Myanmar. The same day, the Indian government decided to send representatives to attend a military parade organised by the coup leaders. The pro-democracy movement in Myanmar had then asked why one of the greatest democracies in the world sent a representative to shake hands with the generals whose hands are soaked with our blood.

Myanmars ambassador to the United Nations, who is supporting the government-in-exile and has broken off with the military junta, has appealed to all border states in India to provide shelter to all those fleeing Myanmar while reminding them: The two countries have a long history, lets never forget that.

The situation along the international border with Myanmar in Manipur and Mizoram still remains very fluid, amid reports that a large number of people are continuing to cross over into India for shelter.

The first Manipur government order was criticised by various quarters on the social media, including from former national security adviser Shivshankar Menon, who called the order beyond shame. In the wake of widespread criticism, the Manipur government on March 29 withdrew the earlier order. Issuing a fresh notification, the government said the contents of the [earlier] letter have been misconstrued and the state government continues to provide all aid.

Indias former ambassador to Myanmar, Gautam Mukhopadhyay, said that the earlier circular gave a very wrong message to the Myanmar people fighting for democracy. The main concern seems to be to prevent a flood of refugees, but it is against sentiments, especially tribal sentiments, in the Northeast, which are in favour of victims of repression and conscientious objectors and sends a very wrong message to the Myanmar people who are fighting for freedom and democracy, he said.

Mr Mukhopadhyay expressed relief that the Manipur government had realised its mistake and withdrawn the March 26 notice.

Though the earlier order has been withdrawn, a section of civil society leaders supporting the democratic movement in Myanmar pointed out that the border is still being heavily guarded by the Assam Rifles, making it difficult for refugees to cross over.

It is significant that the Mizoram government had also issued guidelines directing officials to provide shelter to those coming from Myanmar after the violence. However, guidelines were withdrawn after the intervention of the Union home ministry.
Minister Files Federal Lawsuit to Hold Good Friday Service at US Capitol Building After Request to Hold Service was Denied NEWS PROVIDED BY

Christian Defense Coalition

March 30, 2021



WASHINGTON, March 30, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rev. Patrick Mahoney filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.



Both Vice-President Kamala Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, acting in their Official Capacities, are defendants in the lawsuit.



Rev. Mahoney will be seeking injunction relief to conduct his Good Friday Service and prayer vigil at the Capitol.



Rev. Mahoney was told last week by the US Capitol Police the Good Friday Service would not be allowed because it was in a "restricted area."



Below is a picture from the lower western terrace of the Capitol where last year's service was held. It is the same location where Rev. Mahoney intended to have this year's Good Friday Vigil.







While peaceful First Amendment activities are being prohibited at the US Capitol, other business is going on as usual. For example, members of Congress and their staff are entering and using the Capitol. Vendors, the media and their crews, invited guests, lobbyists and so many more are also allowed to enter and use the Capitol grounds.



However, American citizens who want to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights at the "People's House," are being prohibited from the Capitol,



Brian Chavez-Ochoa, of Chavez-Ochoa Law Offices and an attorney for Rev. Mahoney, comments; "The systematic trampling of our First Amendment Rights must come to an end and the Capitol must be reopened to the people. The right sought by Rev. Mahoney to pray at the lower western terrace of the Capitol on Good Friday, asking God to heal this nation and bless our leaders with wisdom, should and must be honored." Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition, states; "The 'People's House,' as the US Capitol Building is so rightly called, must be a place where all Americans are afforded the right to come and peacefully celebrate and express their First Amendment Rights. Tragically, those rights and freedoms are being denied and prohibited.



"Business is going on as usual at the Capitol. Members of Congress and their staff are entering and using the Capitol. Vendors, the media and their crews, invited guests, lobbyists and so many more are also allowed to enter and use the Capitol grounds.



"Yet, I am being prohibiting from holding a Good Friday Service to pray for God to heal our nation from division and bring hope and comfort to all those struggling during the pandemic. I am filing this federal lawsuit to ensure the 'People's House' is returned to the people and the First Amendment is once again celebrated and honored at the United States Capitol." For more information or interviews call:



Brian Chavez-Ochoa at: 209.772.3013

Rev. Patrick Mahoney at: 540.538.4741



SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition



CONTACT: Brian Chavez-Ochoa, 209-772-3013;

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741



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About 26 days after Nigeria commenced vaccination of its citizens against the COVID-19 virus, over 700,000 people have received the first dose of the vaccine.

As of Wednesday evening, 718,412 eligible Nigerians have been vaccinated, according to an update by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Nigeria commenced COVID-19 vaccination in early March, having received 3.94 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX facility.

The vaccination started with healthcare workers who are often at the risk of exposure to infections being the first responders to patients.

The country recently received another 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from telecom giant, MTN, as part of the latters contribution to Africa.

COVID-19 vaccination has since commenced in all states across the country except for Kogi which is yet to receive doses for the vaccines.

Kogi, which has reported only five cases since the onset of the pandemic, was not supplied with doses of the vaccines.

This is because their cold store is still under repairs following vandalisation during the EndSARS protest, the NPHCDA head Faisal Shuaib, said at a briefing.

The agency in a tweet on Monday said Mr Shuaib met with Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to resolve issues around vaccine storage and provision of security at the Cold Store.

According to the Wednesday update, Lagos, the epicentre of the disease in Nigeria, has vaccinated 136,356 people; making it the highest in the country.

This is followed by Ogun with 50,870, Kaduna- 46,474, Katsina- 37,819, Bauchi- 33,368 and Kano- 33,258.

The states with the lowest number of vaccinated people are Abia- 697 and Taraba with 1,568 people vaccinated so far

COVID-19 vaccination

The Nigerian government had announced its plan to vaccinate 109 million people against the COVID-19 virus over a period of two years.

Health authorities said only eligible population from 18 years and above will be vaccinated.

To achieve this, the vaccine roll-out will be in four phases, starting with health workers, frontline workers, COVID-19 rapid response team, laboratory network, policemen, petrol station workers and strategic leaders, Mr Shuaib said at a recent briefing.

Phase 2  Older adults aged 50 years and above. Those with co-morbidities aged 18  49 years of age

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Phase 3  Those in states/LGAs with high disease burden and who missed phases 1 and 2.

Phase 4  Other eligible population as vaccines become available.

Although there has been controversy over the safety of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines which prompted some countries to suspend its use, Nigeria has chosen to continue the rollout of the vaccines, saying it is safe for use.

The World Health Organisation and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have also declared the vaccine safe.

The Nigerian government also said it has yet to record any serious side effect from taking the vaccine.

As of Tuesday night, Nigeria has recorded 162,726 COVID-19 cases and 2,056 deaths, according to an update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
To commence their voyage out of the Suez Canal, the bridge of the oil tanker Navig8 Aronaldo erupted in merriment after Capt. Malik Naushad ordered his crew to prepare to weigh anchor at midnight on Tuesday. They had been stuck there for six days by the Ever Given's grounding.

Suez Canal Opens, but Effect of Ever Given Saga Will Be Felt

The mammoth cargo ship is now free. However, while traffic has now continued through the vital waterway, according to experts, the weeklong maritime jam could have a lasting impact.

Oil Falls as Suez Canal Opens

Oil prices diminished on Tuesday as the Suez Canal reopened to traffic. This is while the focus was shifted to an OPEC+ meeting this week. In the meeting, analysts expect an extension to supply curbs to offset unfavorable demand prospects, reported The Economic Times.

Brent crude decreased by 84 cents, or 1.3%, to settle at $64.14 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate US oil ended the session, decreasing at $1.01, or 1.6%, at $60.55 per barrel. According to sources, the benchmarks held their losses in post-settlement trade following industry information displaying United States crude inventories swelling by 3.9 million barrels the previous week. They cited the American Petroleum Institute's weekly report. Analysts in a Reuters poll report a build of an estimated 100,000 barrels, reported Reuters.

Ships were sailing through the Suez Canal again one day following tugs refloating the Ever Given container carrier. The carrier had barred the passage for nearly a week. According to the canal's chairman, the backlog of 422 ships should be cleared by three and a half days.

Ever Given: Ship That Blocks Suez Canal, Now Partially Free

Ships That Have Started Sailing Again

After the massive container vessel blocking the vital trade route was freed, 37 ships struck at the midway point cleared the waterway overnight. Seventy others are slated to travel its whole length on Tuesday. The canal authorities are looking to clear the traffic jam of an estimated 300 vessels, reported BBC.

At the Jan Held's German offices, whose family firm has three varying ships stuck at Suez Canal, the mood was not as jubilant. Upon watching a live feed of the Ever Given moving off the bank, Held was aware uncorking the largest traffic jam in global shipping in the past few years could take a long time to tackle. This set off a scramble for clear routes and berths.

The maritime jam has already held up $9 billion in global trade one day. The jam also further hassled supply chains that were already strained by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ever Given saga left over 400 vessels, transporting everything from cattle to crude oil, stockpiled on either end of the canal as they awaited for the shipwrecked container ship to be refloated.

According to Rystad Energy's oil markets analyst Louise Dickson, the price gains that cumulated amid the Suez blockade were, as expected, short-lived. They are now being removed with the slow return to normal traffic. Saudi Arabia is geared toward accepting an extension of production cuts through June. It is also ready to prolong its own extra cuts during the most recent wave of coronavirus lockdowns.

China: Warships On Route To Syria To Join New Alliance With Russia With The Goal To Bring Down ISIS

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The Indiana Attorney General is proud to give 6% of affected Hoosiers a $80 stipend for Equifax allowing a data breach which puts their identity at risk forever? This is not near enough for the damage done and leaves the other 94% out in the cold. $80 doesnt do anything but release Equifax from future liability against claims from these Hoosiers. In other words, the punishment doesnt fit the crime. Equifax should have to provide everyone that was harmed identity protection forever as well as be liable for any loss suffered in the future due to their negligence. That would actually constitute working to protect Hoosiers in my opinion.
The 82-km phase 2 and 4 of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) will open for the public on April 1. With this inauguration, the expressway will help cut travel time between Delhi and Meerut from two hours to about 50 minutes.

Additionally, it will also help people travelling from Delhi to Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, as well as people of Uttarakhand. The DME will help reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun to just two hours from the present 6-7 hours.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, the highway authority will not charge any toll at least for a week after the opening of the expressway. Mudit Garg, NHAI project director told the daily that they are looking for a more efficient tolling system, wherein they are testing linking of automatic number plate reader (ANPR) to the FASTag system.

It must be noted that in the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, the officials have installed an ANPR system of high definition, high-speed cameras that are meant to catch traffic violations. And FASTag is a system that would enable digital transactions of toll.

The DME comprises four phases, of which 14-km phase 1 (Akshardham to UP Gate) and 22-km phase 3 (Dasna to Hapur) are already operational. Phase 2 stretches for a distance of 19 km and links UP Gate and Dasna. On the other hand, phase 4 is 32 km long and links Dasna and Meerut. The NHAI has installed about 5,000 streetlights on all four phases.

The DME will provide 14 lanes connectivity--three expressway lanes on each side while the four outer lanes on each side will be highway lanes.

The speed limit on the expressway has been restricted to 70 kmph in Delhi (Package 1), 100 kmph in Ghaziabad (Package 2) and 120 kmph between Dasna and Meerut (Package 4). Autos and bikes are not allowed on the expressway's six express lanes, according to the NHAI.

Also read: Cabinet approves Rs 10,900 crore PLI scheme for food processing industry

Also read: Russia registers world's first COVID-19 vaccine for cats, dogs
Russia: Navalny on hunger strike to protest prison treatment View Photo

MOSCOW (AP)  Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Wednesday he has started a hunger strike to protest authorities failure to provide proper treatment for his back and leg pains.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Navalny complained about prison officials refusal to give him the right medicines and to allow his doctor to visit him behind bars.

He also protested the hourly checks a guard makes on him at night, saying they amount to sleep deprivation torture.

The 44-year-old Navalny, who is President Vladimir Putins most outspoken domestic opponent, was arrested in January upon his return from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Russian authorities have rejected the accusation.

Navalnys poisoning and conviction have further strained Russias ties with the United States and the European Union, which sank to post-Cold War lows after Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea, its meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, hacking attacks and other actions.

His arrest fueled a series of protests that drew tens of thousands across Russia. Authorities detained about 11,000 people, many of whom were fined or given jail terms of up to two weeks.

Navalny said the August poisoning made him wonder about the cause of his current ailments. He said he had no choice but to start a hunger strike because his physical condition has worsened, with back pains having spread to his right leg and numbness in his left leg.

What else could I do? he wrote. I have declared a hunger strike demanding that they allow a visit by an invited doctor in compliance with the law. So Im lying here, hungry, but still with two legs.

Last month, Navalny was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for violating the terms of his probation during convalescence in Germany. The sentence stems from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that Navalny has rejected as fabricated  and which the European ourt of Human Rights has ruled to be unlawful.

Navalny was moved this month from a Moscow jail to a penal colony in Pokrov in the Vladimir region, 85 kilometers (53 miles) east of the Russian capital. The facility called IK-2 stands out among Russian penitentiaries for its particularly strict inmate routines, which include standing to attention for hours.

Navalnys Instagram also had a picture of a letter to the prison chief, dated Wednesday, in which he announced the hunger strike.

Every convict has the right to invite a specialist for a check and consultation, he wrote. So I demand to let a doctor see me and declare a hunger strike until it happens.

In a sarcastic reference to the nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on Russias top security agency, the FSB, Navalny wrote to the prison chief that given a recent attempt by the FSB operatives to kill me with chemical weapons, which state-controlled medics cast as a metaboli problem, Im haunted by vague doubts about the cause of my illness and recovery prospects.

Russias prison service said last week that Navalny had undergone medical check-ups and described his condition as stable and satisfactory. In a statement that followed his declaration of a hunger strike, it claimed that Navalny is being given all the necessary medical assistance in accordance with his current health indicators.

But Navalny has complained that authorities only gave him basic painkiller pills and ointment for his back and legs while refusing to accept medications prescribed earlier by his doctor or to share the diagnosis from his examination.

In a note earlier this month, Navalny described his prison as a friendly concentration camp. He said he hadnt seen even a hint of violence there but lived under controls that he compared to those described in George Orwells novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Earlier this week, he said he already had received six reprimands  warnings that could lead to solitary confinement  for offenses such as getting up 10 minutes before the wake-up call and refusing to watch a video lecture that he called idiotic.

Navalny, whom prison authorities had earlier marked as a flight risk, said he was subject to particularly close oversight, including a guard waking him up every hour at night and filming him to demonstrate he is in the required place.

Instead of medical assistance, Im subjected to sleep deprivation torture, being woken up eight times every night, he said in Wednesdays statement.

The prison service insisted that Navalny has been treated in strict conformity with the law and the night checks are part of a regular routine that dont disrupt convicts rest.

During a video call with Putin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Russia to protect Navalnys health and to respect his rights in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, according to Macrons office.

The Kremlin said in its readout of the call that Putin offered an objective explanation in response to questions Merkel and Macron asked about Navalny.

Russian officials have rejected U.S. and EU demands to free Navalny and to stop a police crackdown on his supporters. Moscow also has rebuffed a European Court of Human Rights ruling in favor of his release as inadmissible meddling in Russias home affairs.

Navalnys associates have urged Russians to sign up for the next protest to demand his release, promising to set a date for the demonstration when the number of people willing to take part reaches at least 500,000 nationwide.

More than 360,000 have registered since a dedicated website opened on March 23.

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

Associated Press
Here are 3 things Boris Johnson must do to make the Glasgow climate change summit a success

Here in Africa we watch our friends in the UK closely. The legacy of Empire is still with us in our institutions, and cultural and economic ties, and so we take an interest in how our Commonwealth partner is getting on. We hear the talk of Global Britain, and of the UK renewing old relationships, and creating new ones in the wake of departure from the EU. The UK's hosting of the UN climate summit this November in Glasgow could be a turning point in these relationships, given how much is at stake for poorer, climate vulnerable countries, including my home country of Kenya.

However the early signals are not inspiring optimism. We've seen the UK government slash the aid budget by a third during a global pandemic that has led to spiralling poverty rates in Africa. This feels like closing fire stations in the midst of an inferno.

The UK breaking its aid commitment makes it harder for developing countries to trust the promises made by richer countries on climate change. Rich nations have promised to deliver $100 billion in climate finance to climate vulnerable countries but this is also being missed by a big margin. There's a danger that African countries, and small island states, lose faith in the Glasgow summit before it's even underway.

It's obvious that poorer countries are first and worst affected by the climate crisis, but have done least to contribute to the problem. We see it as a basic matter of trust that the big carbon emitters like the UK support us to make the transition to green energy, tackle environmental degradation, become more resilient to the extremes of drought and flood, and deal with the unavoidable damage that climate change has already caused.

If the UK Government is going to make their Glasgow summit a success, here is what Boris Johnson needs to do, starting this week with the UK's hosting of an international meeting on climate change and international development.

Firstly, the UK should demonstrate that it's serious, by reversing cuts to the aid budget. Boris Johnson indicated that he wants to reinstate the target of giving 0.7% of national income in aid, when he launched the UK's Integrated Review of Security and International Policy. But so far, nothing's been committed in writing.

Secondly, we need to see progress in cancelling unpayable debts, which have accumulated during the pandemic as revenues have fallen and pressures on public spending have increased. Poorer countries don't have the luxury of taking advantage of the low borrowing rates available to the UK, and without debt cancellation, they risk losing a decade to the pandemic and its economic fallout. With a fresh start, they will be better placed to make a green recovery and tackle poverty.

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Thirdly, we need to see the UK putting the issue of 'climate finance' firmly on the agenda, as a key piece of the UN climate talks which poorer countries have been waiting on since it was promised in 2009, and then reiterated at the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Even if we don't get all the progress we want on climate finance in 2021, making a start now is crucial to the success of the next UN climate summit in 2022, which will be hosted in Africa.

Some people will inevitably object that the UK cannot afford to step up in this way, after the financial pressures created by COVID. I would say that it's inaction by rich countries that's unaffordable. Countries like mine have an abundance of solar and wind potential but we need help to harness it and leapfrog the dirty development of the 20th century. As our populations grow and our economies recover, it's in everyone's interest that we follow a green path out of poverty. The $100 billion climate finance pledge from wealthy countries sounds like a lot, but to put it in context, is less than the expected cost of the HS2 railway from London to Manchester.

2021 has to be the year is where the can-kicking stops and climate finance is finally delivered. There are few clearer tests of whether Global Britain is living up to its billing, and few better opportunities to set the world on a trajectory towards climate justice.

Karimi Kinoti is the head of Christian Aid's Africa division.

Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
On this map from Outbreak.info, darker colors show increased levels of the Sars-CoV-2 variant, B.1.1.7, in various states. Credit: The Scripps Research Institute

The faster-spreading B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 first detected in the United Kingdom, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is quickly on its way to becoming the dominant variant of the virus in the United States, according to a study from scientists at Scripps Research and the COVID-19 test maker Helix.

The findings, which appear today in Cell, suggest that future COVID-19 case numbers and mortality rates in the United States will be higher than would have been otherwise. The analysis suggests that the variant, which has been detectable in an increasing proportion of SARS-CoV-2 samples, is 40-50 percent more transmissible than SARS-CoV-2 lineages that were previously dominant. Other studies have found evidence that the B.1.1.7 variant may be about 50 percent more likely to cause fatal COVID-19.

"B.1.1.7 rapidly became the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the U.K. and other countries after its emergence late last year, and the U.S. is now on a similar trajectory," says study co-senior author Kristian Andersen, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research and director of Infectious Disease Genomics at the Scripps Research Translational Research Institute. "We need immediate and decisive action to minimize COVID-19 morbidity and mortality."

In addition to Andersen, the other senior author was William Lee, Ph.D., vice president of science at Helix, which provides PCR-based COVID-19 testing to organizations across the United States. The study was also authored by Nicole Washington, Ph.D., associate director of research at Helix, and Karthik Gangavarapu of the Andersen Lab.

"B.1.1.7 has a doubling rate of a little over a week and an increased transmission rate of 40-50 percent, which means it could have a meaningful impact on public health," says Lee. "It is critical that we continue to monitor the spread of this and other emerging variants, but our current level of surveillance is inadequate and lags behind that of other countries. We need a more comprehensive national SARS-CoV-2 genomics surveillance program to address this."

The B.1.1.7 variant emerged in southern England last year and has since become the dominant variant in the U.K. In December, Andersen's team at Scripps Research with colleagues at University of California, San Diego confirmed the first evidence of the variant in California.

A pattern of dominance

The B.1.1.7 variant contains several mutations, including several in the gene that encodes the viral spike protein. These mutations increase the spike's ability to bind to the ACE2 receptor on human cells. Although there is no evidence yet that the B.1.1.7 variant can evade COVID-19 vaccines, public health officials fear its relatively high rate of spread will significantly worsen the pandemic before vaccines can end it.

Standard swab tests for the coronavirus check for distinctive genetic sequences at three sites on the viral genome; the B.1.1.7 variant, due to its mutations, shows up as positive for two of those sites, but negative for the third site, which is within the virus's spike gene.

The new analysis of roughly 500,000 Helix test results since July 2020 revealed that this two-of-three pattern, known as S-gene target failure, or SGTF, became consistently evident at a low frequency (0.2 percent) in mid-October. By the third week of February, it had risen to a frequency of 10.6 percent and was detected in patients from 25 different U.S. states and territories.

The SGTF pattern can occur with other SARS-CoV-2 variants that have spike gene mutations, but the researchers found by sequencing every SGTF sample they had from December through February, 662 of the 986 samples (67 percent) contained the B.1.1.7 variant. This suggests that the SGTF pattern on the swab tests can provide a quick albeit rough indication of B.1.1.7 prevalence.

Variant entered the country many times

The analysis also indicated that B.1.1.7 since December has accounted for a rapidly rising proportion of SGTF resultsfor example, reaching about 95 percent in California by mid-January. In addition to the 659 B.1.1.7 cases they detected via the SGTF method the researchers found three other cases of the B.1.1.7 variant among samples gathered as part of unbiased SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance efforts in California.

The 662 instances of B.1.1.7 sequenced in the study were from samples gathered in 10 U.S. states, although the researchers note that other testing labs covering a total of 33 U.S. states and territories have by now reported to the CDC at least one B.1.1.7 case.

The researchers' family tree-type analysis of the detected B.1.1.7 sequences show the variant has been introduced to the U.S. multiple times since at least late November 2020, especially in California and Florida, and in periods coinciding with increased travel, including Thanksgiving week.

The scientists also found that the variant, on the whole, appears to be spreading 40-50 percent faster than the variants of SARS-CoV-2 that previously dominated. They estimated that by the first week of February 2021, B.1.1.7 made up about 4.3 percent of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., including 4.2 percent of cases in California and about 11.5 percent of cases in Florida.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

More information: Nicole L. Washington et al, Emergence and rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 in the United States, Cell (2021). Journal information: Cell Nicole L. Washington et al, Emergence and rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 in the United States,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.052
[March 31, 2021] Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces 150 New High Tech Jobs in Ireland

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) today announced its plans to recruit 150 experienced technologists in Ireland over the next two years. The company has also named Galway as its European hub for cyber security operations and is establishing a new Hybrid Cloud Practice to help Irish customers accelerate their digital transformation. This strategic investment underscores HPE's long-term commitment to Ireland and will enable the company to grow its operations and employee base in the country, increase its R&D, product development and global cyber security services, as well as continuing to make positive contributions to local communities. "This year HPE will celebrate a fifty year legacy of operations in Ireland, so I am delighted to be building on our strong history of investing in Ireland with today's announcement of new jobs and operations in the country," said Antonio Neri, President and CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise. "Ireland has an incredible technology-focused economy and a highly skilled workforce, and our investment in the country will further develop the country as a critical market for HPE's global business, as well as benefitting our customers, partners, team members and the citizens of Ireland." Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD said: "I'm really pleased to see that Hewlett Packard Enterprise is expanding its operations in Ireland by creating 150 highly skilled jobs over the next two years. It's also great news that the company has chosen Galway for its European hub for cyber security operations. "Hewlett Packard Enterprise has been long-established in Ireland and is a significant source of employment in both Galway and Kildare. This announcement demonstrates the company's continued commitment to our country and shows that we have the right infrastructure and ecosystem to enable leading technology companies to grow and thrive. I wish the Hewlett Packard Enterprise team all the best with their expansion plans." Developing Ireland as a global center of excellence To support Ireland's continued growth as a strategic market for HPE's global business, HPE plans to increase its workforce in Ireland with 150 new roles over the next two years. In particular, HPE will hire experienced talent with expertise in areas of critical importance to customers such as cyber security, software development, global R&D and cloud consulting. The jobs will be based at HPE's sites in Galway and Kildare, but thanks to HPE's Edge-to-Office initiative the majority of work can be carried out from flexible locations, thus opening up these roles to applicants from anywhere in the country. HPE has also taken the decision to locate global centers of excellence focused on cyber security and software development in Ireland. HPE has been building its cyber security footprint in Galway over the past five years and Ireland has been made the European hub for cyber security operations. Galway is the home of HPE's Cyber Defense Center which protects HPE and its customers from global cyber threats utilizing the latest Machine Learning and AI technologies. The Galway site already has the largest footprint of cyber professionals within HPE globally and is set to expand with new roles for data scientists and incident response practitioners. Ireland is an R&D hub for the HPE GreenLake cloud services business with the latest developments to HPE's hybrid cloud platform being architected by Irish engineers and software developers. Ireland is also the EMEA hub for HPE Financial Services (HPEFS), HPE's fully licensed international bank. HPEFS funds digital transformation across the world and is at the heart of HPE's leading circular economy program. Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, also hosts a global operations team in Cork. These global HPE businesses are hiring now.



Benefits for customers and citizens As well as making global investments in Ireland, HPE is also investing to ensure that Irish customers and partners can access the latest enterprise technologies and services. HPE is establishing a new Hybrid Cloud Practice in the country to help businesses accelerate their digital transformation and bring the cloud experience to apps and data everywhere with hybrid cloud solutions.

"With these strategic investments in Ireland we will enhance our ability to support HPE's customers globally and in Ireland with the latest cyber security and cloud technologies bringing resilience and agility to their operations," said Maeve Culloty, MD, HPE Ireland. "I am excited to foster our culture for growth and innovation at HPE Ireland and I look forward to welcoming exciting new talent to our organization." HPE is supported by the Irish Government through IDA (News - Alert) Ireland. Welcoming the investment, CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan said: "The addition of 150 highly skilled roles by HPE is testament to the company's ongoing commitment to Ireland. Today's announcement that Galway has been chosen as HPE's European hub for cyber security operations is an important endorsement of Ireland's advanced technology ecosystem. This is a strategically important investment by HPE for Ireland and reflects the importance that the Galway and Leixlip sites play in the company's global business." HPE has a legacy of fifty years in Ireland, going back through multiple former entities, and the company continues to build on this legacy by supporting Irish government initiatives to apply technology to drive community benefits in critical areas: Higher Education - In order to address a national cyber security skills shortage, HPE has collaborated with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology to create a world-class industry-focused curriculum for students.

- In order to address a national cyber security skills shortage, HPE has collaborated with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology to create a world-class industry-focused curriculum for students. Working in the community - Since 2015, HPE has been a flagship partner of the Government sponsored Skillsnet and Job Bridge programs to provide candidates with valuable workplace experience. HPE has supported hundreds of candidates to secure paid employment following their work placement, including many with HPE.

- Since 2015, HPE has been a flagship partner of the Government sponsored Skillsnet and Job Bridge programs to provide candidates with valuable workplace experience. HPE has supported hundreds of candidates to secure paid employment following their work placement, including many with HPE. National cyber resilience - HPE is actively engaged with the Irish National Cyber Security Center and the Health Service Executive to offer assistance and support in the event of a significant cyber incident which threatens Irish institutions, in particular the ability of healthcare providers to deliver critical services.

- HPE is actively engaged with the Irish National Cyber Security Center and the Health Service Executive to offer assistance and support in the event of a significant cyber incident which threatens Irish institutions, in particular the ability of healthcare providers to deliver critical services. Academic research - HPE has invested in the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). The center is dedicated to solving complex problems through further research into extreme climate events and was selected by HPE for its expertise in extreme scale software research. Additional Sources Learn more about the new Hybrid Cloud Practice in this blog post. Open roles are listed on the HPE Careers website. About Hewlett Packard Enterprise Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud platform as-a-service company that helps organizations accelerate outcomes by unlocking value from all of their data, everywhere. Built on decades of reimagining the future and innovating to advance the way people live and work, HPE delivers unique, open and intelligent technology solutions, with a consistent experience across all clouds and edges, to help customers develop new business models, engage in new ways, and increase operational performance. For more information, visit: www.hpe.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210330005739/en/

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Tanzania's President elect John Pombe Magufuli addresses members of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi Party (CCM) at the party's sub-head office (Photo : REUTERS/Sadi Said/File Photo)

A stampede at a Tanzanian stadium crushed 45 people to death as mourners paid last respects to late President John Magufuli, police said on Tuesday, many times more than the five fatalities initially announced after the disaster on March 21.



Police in the port city of Dar es Salaam, where the stampede occurred, attributed some of the deaths to people being starved of oxygen at the event due to overcrowding.



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"It is true that 45 people died because of stampedes and failing to get enough air," Lazaro Mambosasa, Dar es Salaam's zonal police commander, told Reuters.



Another 37 mourners were injured, he said, adding that they had all been treated in hospital and discharged.



Tanzanian media reported that the crush happened when large numbers of mourners sought to force their way into the stadium through unofficial entrance points.



Police initially said five people had died, identifying them as members of the same family including a mother and her two children.



Police had originally planned to provide further information about the incident on March 23, but the briefing was cancelled without explanation.



Magufuli, who played down the threat of COVID-19, was buried last Friday after succumbing to what the government said was heart disease. Before the burial, his casket was taken to several major urban areas to give mourners a chance to pay their respects to him.



Magufuli was succeeded by Samia Suluhu Hassan who had served as his vice president. On Tuesday, the new president nominated the Finance Minister Philip Mpango as her vice president.


The first death from COVID-19 in Alabama was reported just over one year ago, on March 25, 2020. That death was reported in Jackson County in the hills of northeast Alabama. Since then, more than 10,500 Alabamians have died due to the virus.

Even before the virus arrived in Alabama, though, coronavirus skeptics - including former President Donald Trump - compared the virus to the flu. But the death tolls arent even close.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

Between March 25, 2020, and March 25, 2021, Alabama had more deaths from COVID-19 than it has had deaths from the flu in the last 10 years combined.

One year after the first reported death, the Alabama Department of Public Health now shows 10,526 people died in Alabama due to the coronavirus. From 2010 to 2019 - the last year for which flu death data was available, 10,447 Alabamians died of the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since at least 1999, Alabama hasnt had more than 1,268 influenza and pneumonia deaths in a year. Thats the official designation for flu deaths at the CDC. Alabama passed that number of coronavirus deaths by mid July last year, less than four months into the pandemic.

And many of the coronavirus deaths in Alabama were reported more recently.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

Alabama reported more COVID deaths in either January or February than flu deaths in any year since at least 1999. Alabama recorded nearly three times more COVID deaths in January than the annual average for flu deaths.

The way coronavirus deaths are reported often leads to delays. That means many of the deaths reported in January and February actually happened early. And this data is presented by date of report.

Use the play button or slider on the map below to see a time lapse of when and where the death rates due to the coronavirus were highest within Alabama.

[Cant see the map? Click here.]

Do you have an idea for a data story about Alabama? Email Ramsey Archibald at rarchibald@al.com, and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here.
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low around 75F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
hansslegers/iStockBy MORGAN WINSOR and CONOR FINNEGAN, ABC News



(WASHINGTON) -- The United States has ordered some American diplomats and their loved ones to evacuate Myanmar amid escalating violence two months after the military junta seized power.



The U.S. Department of State announced in a brief statement Tuesday that it would require non-essential U.S. government employees and their family members to depart the conflict-torn Southeast Asian nation. That means only a skeleton crew, including the U.S. ambassador, will stay behind in Yangon, the country's commercial capital and largest city.



The order is an upgrade of the State Department's previous instructions from Feb. 14 that had allowed those individuals to leave voluntarily.



The State Department also repeated an earlier warning for Americans not to travel to Myanmar, referring to the country as Burma, its former name under British colonial rule.



"The Burmese military has detained and deposed elected government officials," the department said in the statement Tuesday. "Protests and demonstrations against military rule have occurred and are expected to continue."



Although the U.S. embassy in Yangon will remain open to the public and continue to provide consular services, the State Department said it "has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens" in select Burmese townships with heightened civil unrest and armed violence "as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these locations."



Myanmar plunged into turmoil after the country's military ousted the civilian-led government on Feb. 1, detaining the de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other members of her National League for Democracy party. Peaceful protests against the apparent coup have erupted nationwide, spreading from city to city, despite weeks of internet shutdowns, threats and mass arrests.



But the junta, which calls itself the State Administration Council, has become increasingly violent in its efforts to quell the opposition, with security forces at times firing live rounds into crowds of demonstrators. On Saturday, as the military celebrated the annual Armed Forces Day holiday with a parade in the capital, authorities elsewhere killed scores of protesters in what's believed to be the deadliest bloodletting since the Feb. 1 coup.



"On Myanmar's Armed Forces Day, security forces are murdering unarmed civilians, including children, the very people they swore to protect," U.S. Ambassador Thomas Vajda said in a statement Saturday. "This bloodshed is horrifying. 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. We call for an immediate end to the violence and the restoration of the democratically elected government."



As of Tuesday, a total of 2,608 people were detained in Myanmar in relation to the Feb. 1 coup, and 521 others have been killed, though the actual number of fatalities is likely much higher, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a human rights organization based in Yangon.



A 26-year-old activist who is on the front lines of the anti-coup protest movement and spoke to ABC News on condition of anonymity said she lives in a neighborhood where demonstrations take place every day. She said it's safer nowadays to live in an area with protests because the military is raiding homes and shops with impunity in quieter areas and abusing residents.



Every few days, someone is shot in the arm or leg, she said. One of her fellow protesters recently was shot dead and their group had to fight to get the body back from authorities, who tried to remove it, she added.



Fleeing from gunfire every day once frightened her, but now she's used to it, she said, and she knows that if they don't protest the junta will win.



Since Saturday night, the military has also been conducting daily airstrikes in Myanmar's southeastern Karen state, where an ethnic minority armed force is fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen minority. The Karen National Union, the leading political body representing the Karen people, said in a statement that many civilians, including children, have been injured or killed in the bombings and that its armed wing may have to respond. The attacks have forced thousands of Karen to go into hiding or flee into neighboring Thailand, according to Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian relief agency that provides medical assistance in the region.



The Karen National Union, which has battled government forces for more than 70 years, signed a ceasefire agreement with the central government in 2015 but tensions have surged since the Feb. 1 coup. The airstrikes are the most significant attacks the region has seen in years.



Meanwhile, the armed wing of the Kachin Independence Organization, another ethnic rebel group that has long fought for self-determination against the central government, has reportedly staged a series of attacks on government forces in northern Myanmar since the Feb. 1 coup, signalling the deepening role of ethnic minority armed groups in support of the anti-coup movement.



The military previously ruled Myanmar for nearly 50 years before appearing to slowly transition to democratic rule a decade ago, holding its first general elections in years in 2015 -- a landslide victory for the NLD. Suu Kyi had spent 15 years under house arrest while leading the struggle for democracy against the Burmese junta and was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her "nonviolent" efforts.



Suu Kyi is understood to have had a tentative shared power agreement with the military since she was named state counsellor in 2016, offering the government a veneer of democratic legitimacy as they embarked on a decade of reforms. The role of state counsellor, akin to a prime minister or a head of government, was created because Myanmar's 2008 constitution barred Suu Kyi from becoming president because her late husband and children are foreign citizens.



The Nov. 8 general election was meant to be a referendum on Suu Kyi's popular civilian government but her party expanded their seats in Parliament, securing a clear majority and threatening the military's tight hold on power. The constitution guarantees the military 25% of seats in Parliament and control of several key ministries.



Suu Kyi's newly elected government was supposed to convene for the first time on Feb. 1 but power was instead handed over to Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar's armed forces, who's already under U.S. sanctions for his role in the military's atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority. An order signed by the acting president granted full authority to Hlaing to run the country and declared a state of emergency that will last for at least one year, citing widespread voter fraud in the November election.



Hlaing's office said in a statement that the military would hold a "free and fair general election" after the state of emergency ends. Voter rolls will be checked and the nation's election commission, which last week rejected the military's allegations of voter fraud, will be "re-established," according to the statement.



Suu Kyi is still revered in Myanmar despite losing some of her international luster for her refusal to condemn the human rights abuses against the Rohingyas. She is believed to be under house arrest at her residence in the capital, Naypyidaw, and faces a slew of charges, including illegally importing walkie-talkie radios and inciting public unrest.



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Social media users have been calling for Joe Biden's dog Major to be put down after he bit another staffer at the White House.

A National Park Service employee was taken to the White House Medical Unit for treatment Monday when the German Shepherd 'nipped' him while out for a walk on the White House South Lawn.

The staff member returned to work soon after but it marked the second time since Major moved to the White House that he has found himself in the doghouse with the team.

Just three weeks ago, the three-year-old bit another staff member in an incident that saw him temporarily banished to the family home in Delaware.

Social media users have been calling for Joe Biden's dog Major to be put down after he bit another staffer at the White House , as the rescue pup was made into a meme and novelty merchandise went on sale. The German Shepherd walking with an aide on Monday at 5pm

Major found himself in the doghouse again with some calling for him to be put down

Many people took to Twitter Tuesday night calling for Major to be euthanized after CNN first reported on Monday's incident.

'If my dog bit as many people as #MajorBiden id be forced to put him down,' one person tweeted.

'Put the dog down! One bite should have told the Biden's that Major would damage Joe's presidency. BUT two........?' wrote another.

'Kill Major, Biden's killer attack dog,' one person wrote.

Another person chimed in: 'I hate to be this way, because it's a beautiful dog and I hate it when people are like this, but there's a double standard here, if Major Biden was any one else's dog, it would have been put down over this second incident if not for the first because "safety".'

'All I know is, I better hear about major Biden has being put to sleep!!! I've seen dogs put down for less!!!' wrote another person.

Others claimed Democrats would have been up in arms if a pet belonging to former president Donald Trump had bitten a White House staff member.

'If #PresidentTrump had a dog in the White House that bit, there would be leftists screaming have it put it down,' claimed one person.

'The same people that think Biden's dog Major deserves ANOTHER second chance after attacking someone else are the same animal rights activists who are totally cool with killing unborn babies,' wrote another.

'Vicious dogs though? They're just misunderstood. Put him down.'

A hilarious meme surfaced online of Major sitting opposite Oprah Winfrey, replacing Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in their bombshell interview

Another reimagined some of Meghan's comments about the Royal Family failing to protect her as Major retelling his version of events

Others shared links to buy a novelty t-shirt range featuring a cartoon image of Major along with the slogan 'Major Biden: Bite Back Better'

Despite the comments online, it is very rare that a dog will be put down for biting.

If someone is bitten by a dog in Washington DC, they can file a suit against its owner under the one-bite rule.

This rule means that, if the dog has bitten someone before, the owner is expected to have taken extra steps to prevent another attack.

However, the district's laws also state that if the victim teased or provoked the dog at all, they are partly liable and would not be eligible for compensation.

While some people rushed to criticize the president's beloved pooch, other social media users found the more humorous side and said they would wait to hear Major's side of the story.

A hilarious meme surfaced online of Major sitting opposite Oprah Winfrey, replacing Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in their bombshell interview.

'Im gonna wait for Major Biden's side of the story, he deserves to be heard,' one person wrote alongside the meme.

Another reimagined some of Meghan's comments about the Royal Family failing to protect her as Major retelling his version of events.

'I was upset because I felt that the Bidens didnt protect me. The Secret Service kept acting like they threw the ball, but it was in their hands the whole time. They told me Id be protected from that but I wasnt,' they wrote.

Others shared links to buy a novelty t-shirt range featuring a cartoon image of Major along with the slogan 'Major Biden: Bite Back Better.'

'Major Biden is still better than Stephen Miller,' one person wrote, in reference to Trump's senior advisor for policy and White House director of speechwriting.

The online pooch community also backed Major, with one fellow German Shepherd appearing to write: 'I understand Majors struggle! We look alike and my human has had to teach other humans how and when or when not to approach me. You got this #MajorBiden.'

Joe and Jill Biden rescued the pair of German Shepherds in 2018 and have moved them into the White House

Jill Biden's press secretary Michael LaRosa confirmed Monday's biting incident to CNN Tuesday: 'Yes, Major nipped someone on a walk.

'Out of an abundance of caution, the individual was seen by WHMU and then returned to work.'

It comes just three weeks after Major bit another security guard, and was banished to Biden's family home in Delaware.

He received training alongside the Bidens' other dog Champ.

Major was last spotted on a walk on Monday at around 5pm on a leash. It's unclear when exactly the latest biting incident occurred.

At the beginning of March, press secretary Jen Psaki defended the first biting incident, saying the first dogs were 'still getting acclimated and accustomed to their new surroundings and new people'.

She said Major, whom Biden and his wife Jill adopted in November 2018 from an animal shelter, 'was surprised by an unfamiliar person and reacted in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual, which was handled by the White House medical unit with no further treatment needed.'

She declined to say if the person was a Secret Service agent or give any other identifying information.

Major is the first rescue dog to have lived in the White House, having moved in after Biden's inauguration in January.

The Bidens adopted him as company for 14-year-old Champ after being told it would help the health of the older dog to have a younger companion.

It comes just three weeks after Major bit another security guard, and was banished to Biden's family home in Delaware

Biden's predecessor Donald Trump did not have any pets at the White House.

First Lady Jill Biden said in an interview last month she had been focused on getting the dogs settled into their new home in Washington.

'They have to take the elevator, they're not used to that, and they have to go out on the South Lawn with lots of people watching them. So that's what I've been obsessed with, getting everybody settled and calm,' she said on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show.'

The dogs joined the Bidens at the White House shortly after they relocated to Washington.

Since then, they have been allowed to roam unleashed on the White House grounds and often feature in the background of Oval Office photos.
Ng Han Guan / Associated Press

A new international report on the coronavirus origins doesnt dispel every reasonable doubt about the beginnings of the pandemic in China. But rational questions must be distinguished from the reckless scapegoating and conspiracy theorizing that have distracted from our own governments failures and contributed to a wave of anti-Asian bigotry and violence.

A World Health Organization-led team of researchers concluded in the report released Tuesday that the novel coronavirus likely made the transition from bats to humans through an intermediate species, though researchers were unable to identify the animal or the point of transmission. The team also found that the virus is extremely unlikely to have come from a laboratory such as the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
A group of blue-state Democrats is pushing for its top tax priority as part of President Joe Bidens next major legislative package  a possible voting bloc that could make or break the bill if they stay united on the House floor.

The House Democrats stepping forward want to see a Biden infrastructure package that repeals the Trump-era limit on state and local tax deductions, known as the SALT deduction. The repeal is popular among blue-state members of their party but carries a significant budgetary cost, making it one of the emerging fault lines in Democrats' coming infrastructure talks.

I think that if it doesnt happen now, its not going to happen, said Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), who this week became the first Democrat to vow he'd oppose any future tax increases without a restoration of the SALT deduction. Theres certainly a lot of support" among House Democrats for reviving the full SALT deduction, he added. "The question is, whos willing to draw a line in the sand on this issue?

Four House Democrats  Suozzi and Reps. Mikie Sherrill, Josh Gottheimer and Bill Pascrell of New Jersey  have gone public so far with their insistence on SALT reinstatement in the upcoming package. Privately, though, several more lawmakers are in conversations about the effort and plan to formally join in the coming days, according to multiple members and aides. And right now, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team can only afford to lose three Democratic votes as she prepares to shepherd a Biden infrastructure package that, despite the bipartisan potential of the issue, might not attract any GOP support.

Sherrill struck a positive note about the group's prospects of prevailing, even as she characterized the SALT deduction as a must-have in any infrastructure deal that's paid for by rolling back parts of the 2017 GOP tax cuts.

Any changes to the disastrous 2017 Republican tax bill need to address the SALT deduction cap," Sherrill said in a statement. "Ive been working to get rid of the SALT cap since my first day in office and Im confident that well be able to find common ground with the Biden administration."

Story continues

Biden had plenty of warning that some Democratic lawmakers would dig in on reversing Trump's changes to the SALT deduction. 11 Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee sent a letter to the president late last month that called for the deduction's addition to the upcoming infrastructure package. The 11 said they chose not to raise the issue earlier to avoid interfering with Bidens Covid aid bill but that now it's time to act on a critically important tax priority.

We were willing to briefly postpone discussions of this subject, the group wrote in the previously unreported letter, which was obtained by POLITICO. Given the gravity of this issue for our constituents, however, we must ask to open a dialogue with you immediately about including SALT relief in the upcoming infrastructure package.

The push to revisit SALT  which comes as Biden unveils his multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure proposal on Wednesday  comes with a hefty price tag: $88.7 billion for 2021 alone, and far more for a permanent repeal of the cap that former President Donald Trump and Republicans imposed four years ago. Some liberal groups have argued against repealing or modifying the deduction, noting that a return to unlimited SALT write-off would mostly benefit wealthier families.

But the rank-and-file Democrats speaking out this week aren't alone in calling for a return to the past SALT deduction. The GOP cap, imposed as part of a tax bill that passed with zero Democratic votes, sparked vocal complaints from blue-state Democrats of all ideological persuasions, particularly in areas with the highest property values. Restoring the SALT deduction has won support in the past from moderate frontliners such as Rep. Tom Malinowski in New Jersey as well as senior progressives like Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Jackie Speier of California.

Its too early to know how many House Democrats would be willing to oppose a future infrastructure package over the tax issue, which would put themselves at odds with their own president. Still, the four who've made their positions known amount to a notable coalition of Democrats willing to lay down an early marker for Bidens next major agenda item after nearly every member of the party fell in line behind the presidents $1.9 trillion coronavirus response bill.

The demand to expand the state and local tax benefit further illustrates the tightrope that Democrats must walk as they craft their next package  which is likely to pay for new roads, bridges and other jobs programs using a complex set of tax increases and other revenue-raisers  while trying to hold the party together on the floor.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer himself has been forceful in his calls to restore the unlimited SALT deduction and once said eliminating it would be  one of the first things I will do  if elected to his current leadership post. But Schumer hasn't indicated how he'll handle the issue in the infrastructure package.

When it comes to taxes that affect families, my line in the sand is SALT, Gottheimer said in an interview. And I think others share that view.

House Democrats have tried to reverse the GOP's limit on the deduction several times since retaking the majority. The House passed a standalone bill to temporarily repeal the cap in late 2019 and again as part of the massive Democratic coronavirus relief bill in the spring of 2020. Both attempts were rebuffed by the GOP-controlled Senate, though some of their own members were in favor of the change.

Despite the pushback from liberals who view the deduction as predominantly helpful to wealthier taxpayers, Democrats from higher-tax states argue that it is also a middle-class issue. Some of Congresss most prominent progressives have previously backed repeal of the SALT cap, including Rep. Katie Porter of California and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

There are some members who feel very strongly about it, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) told reporters Tuesday when asked about the issue. Nonetheless, she added, Im not sure that our members will see it as one of the fundamental reforms for the tax system that would make the system more fair.
Since it broke out in China more than a year ago, the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has hit every aspect of life, halting progress in every human endeavour.

Total lockdowns, social distancing, wearing of facemasks and other measures taken to mitigate its spread have impacted negatively on all sectors of global economy with some suffering devastating blows.

Tourism, a gold mine that rakes in billions of dollars annually, appears worst hit as international travels were banned, while social gatherings and non-essential activities were grounded in most countries of the world.

In Nigeria, the sector suffered a huge blow as all tourist sites were shut down.

Worried by that negative impact and dwindling fortunes, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) recently organised a stakeholders forum in Jos to brainstorm on ways to recover from the impact of the menace.

John-Likita Best, Managing Consultant, Tourism Ideas Promotion Services, painted a scary picture of the situation when he disclosed that 120 million jobs were at risk globally, due to the negative impact of COVID-19.

Quoting United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO) report, he said that N1.2 trillion dollars was being lost globally, because of the pandemic.

In a paper titled: The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Nigeria and the Way Forward, he reported that international tourists arrivals worldwide was reduced by 1.1 billion.

The Director General of NTDC, Folorunsho Coker, said that the NTDC was aware of the far-reaching impacts of the virus on tourism and hospitality eco-system in Nigeria, hence the initiative to put together the stakeholders forum.

Mr Coker explained that the forum was organised to collectively develop proactive and sustainable ideas that would help the sector to recover from the pandemic.

Its negative impacts are correspondingly reflected in the loss of revenues, employment and livelihoods at varying degrees for our stakeholders.

I extol your steadfast commitment to the growth of the sector even in the face of huge economic and social challenges occasioned by the impacts of the devastating virus. We must sustain that resilience, he said.

He suggested that Nigeria must consider and deploy innovative recovery solutions that were home grown and practically tailored for its specific environment and people.

The solutions should offer healing for the people, healing for prosperity and healing for destinations, he said.

Mr Coker explained that NTDC conceived the Tour Nigeria brand to drive domestic consumption of tourism products in Nigeria, commercialise tourism and generate employment.

The brand identifies, explores, exposes, enhances and promotes creative assets across the country, using sustainable approaches.

We believe that an entrepreneurial mindset to tourism business brings a fresh innovative perspective to tourism governance, he said.

Revival

As part of the initiative toward reviving the sector, Mr Coker said that the NTDC was developing some key sites to make them national treasures.

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One of such sites, he said, is the Kurra Falls located in Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau.

The falls has been captured in the 2021 budget, he told the excited stakeholders.

Mr Coker advocated a review of tourism laws in the country so as to ease its development.

The laws in use are obsolete and unable to drive the sector as required. We need a legal framework that is 2021 compliant with best global practices for the industry to fully takeoff and thrive.

We have laws that are very old; for example, there is a difference between a 30-year-old Mercedes car and a brand new Mercedes. The old laws need to be reviewed and other ones enacted.

Look at Dubai for instance; it has made new laws that now allow a man and woman that are not married to share a room and they now allow alcohol.

They are changing their religion-based laws because of their desire to promote tourism, he explained.

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau lauded the NTDC initiative to brainstorm and devise ways to help cushion the impact of COVID-19 on the sector, pointing out that Plateau was blessed with abundant tourism potential waiting to be harnessed.

He urged the NTDC to consider developing other tourist sites when it completes making Kurra Falls a national treasure.

He told the NTDC boss that Kurra Falls was where the first hydro power plant in Nigeria, if not in Africa, was sited.

Mr Lalong regretted that lack of attention had thwarted the dream of making the plant a major electricity generating outfit and, of course, a tourists delight.

The governor stated that the Board and management of the Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC) had recently visited Kurra Falls to consider ways of reviving the plant.

If that is achieved, the best place for tourism to thrive will be the Kurra Falls.

Your coming is timely; when you finish with Kurra Falls, I will invite you to come back and take another site because we have many of them, he said.

Tamwakat Weli, Plateau Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, said that the interaction was vital and critical to the tourism sector development, not only in Nigeria, but the world over.

The choice of this theme: The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Nigeria and the Way Forward is very apt as the industry is the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is an obvious fact that since the emergence of the pandemic, there have been international, national and state restrictions on travels and movements of people.

Equally, there were series of lockdowns which led to massive cancellations of tourism and hospitality services at destinations across the globe.

This unfortunate development led to unprecedented huge financial losses, folding up of many corporate tourism businesses and job losses for tourism/hospitality industry workers, she said.

Isaac Sanda, Chairman, Trustees of Wayfarers of Jos Hiking and Adventures Club, remarked that domestic tourism industry had been suffering from little awareness and poorly packaged and advertised tourism opportunities prior to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Sanda added that the sector was being drawn down by poor physical infrastructure, very bad communication systems, insufficient security and healthcare, as well as unclear tourism visions.

These myriads of complexities have been worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the end of 2020, the World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that about 75 million tourism jobs were lost worldwide.

The International Air Travel Association says 50 per cent of lost jobs in aviation may be permanent. These damning statements should be a cause for grave concern.

But there is a way forward  the country and, indeed the whole world, must seek innovative ideas and solutions to jumpstart economies and regain employment numbers as we also seek medical and scientific remedies to the pandemic, he said.

Credits: Peter Amine, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Las Vegas is one of the brightest-lit cities in the US that attracts people from around the world, but the artificial lights also lured 46 million grasshoppers in one summer night in 2019.

A new study analyzed the invasion using radar data, finding that artificial light awakened the rather idle insects and did so in masses - one that weighed 30 tons.

The grasshoppers lifted up after dusk and the radar bounced off the flying swarm as it would any rain droplets and ice crystals.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) picked up the scene that looked like a cloud resembling that of an intense thunderstorm.

The data also showed that the densest clouds of grasshoppers were centered over the most brightly lit parts of the city

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) picked up the scene that looked like a cloud resembling that of an intense thunderstorm. Researchers used this radar to determine there were 46 million flying insects in the shot

The new details were uncovered by the University of Notre Dame and the University of Oklahoma, who set out to understand how artificial light impacts insects on a regional scale  previous works focused on a local level.

Using an integrated set of remote-sensing observations, we quantify the effect of a large-scale attractive sink on nocturnal flights of an outbreak insect population in Las Vegas, USA, reads the study published in the journal Biology Letters.

At the peak of the outbreak, over 45 million grasshoppers took flight across the region, with the greatest numbers concentrating over high-intensity city lighting.

In the middle of July 2019, people in Las Vegas began to notice grasshoppers filling the air at night.

The grasshoppers lifted up after dusk and the radar bounced off the flying swarm as it would any rain droplets and ice crystals

Each day, the numbers grew, peaking on July 27 to a baffling size that locals named it "the great grasshopper invasion of 2019."

To learn more about the night of the grasshoppers, the researchers obtained data from weather stations around Las Vegas and the

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration archives. They observed a cloud resembling a thunderstorm that appeared on radar screens around and over the city of Las Vegas.

They then used the data from the radar (the size and density of the clouds) and grasshopper data (their average size and weight) to calculate the number of grasshoppers that appeared that night.

Residents have noticed the insects along the strip and in other parts of the Nevada city, but experts claimed that people should not be alarmed by their presence

The data showed that on the peak night, the number of grasshoppers was approximately 46 million, which, the researchers note, would weigh approximately 30 tons.

It also showed that the densest clouds of grasshoppers were centered over the most brightly lit parts of the city.

Las Vegas is known for its huge, bright neon signs, which attract visitors and their money. In this instance, however, it appears the bright lights attracted the grasshoppers.

It is still not clear why the grasshoppers amassed into such numbers on that fateful night, but local weather reporters noted that the prior winter had been unusually wet.

The researchers noted that the grasshoppers appeared to arrive into the city during daylight hours, landing and settling on every available surfaceit was only after the sun set and the bright lights came on that the grasshoppers took to the sky.

It is still not clear why the grasshoppers amassed into such numbers on that fateful night, but local weather reporters noted that the prior winter had been unusually wet

They suggest that the behavior of the grasshoppers is ample evidence of the impact artificial lighting can have on insect behavior.

Jeff Knight, state entomologist with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, told CNN in 2019 that the adult pallid-winged grasshoppers are traveling north to central Nevada and are a common desert species.

He said: 'It appears through history that when we have a wet winter or spring, these things build up often down below Laughlin and even into Arizona.

'We'll have flights about this time of the year, migrations, and they'll move northward.'

He explained that the large presence of grasshoppers could be caused by the wetter-than-average winter and spring.

Las Vegas saw almost double its usual amount rainfall in the first six months of the year from January to June. Knight explained that the grasshoppers do not pose a threat as they do not carry infection or bite.
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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has assured that the killers of Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Ngugban would be arrested and prosecuted.

Ortom made the promise in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase on Wednesday in Makurdi.

Ngugban, the assistant parish priest of St. Paul Catholic Church, Aye-Twar village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, was killed on Tuesday inside the Parish house.

Ortom who condemned the act, assured that the killers of the priest would be brought to justice.

"I reassure the people of Katsina-Ala and Sankera that the State Government will not relent until those responsible for the killing and other attacks in the area are brought to justice," he said.

The governor described the attack as "mindless and wonders why a harmless priest would become the target of armed men."

He reaffirmed the resolve of his administration not to handover the state to criminals and urged Benue people to continue to support security operatives with timely and useful information.

Ortom sympathised with the bereaved family and prayed that God grants the soul of Ngugban eternal rest. (NAN)




By Jun Ji-hye







Tickets for domestic flights departing on Tuesdays are the cheapest compared to others, while tickets for flights departing on Fridays, when the weekend begins, are the most expensive, according to global travel search engine Kayak.







The findings were the results of the company's analysis on its flight search data from Nov. 1 last year to Jan. 31.







Kayak carried out the analysis as demand for domestic travel has increased due to COVID-19 pandemic-induced travel restrictions around the world.







According to the data, searches for domestic flights last year increased by 11 percent compared to 2019. Korea reported its first case of COVID-19 in January last year.







The company said the most-searched domestic route by users during the three-month period was the Seoul-Jeju route, noting that it was one of the world's busiest air routes with an average of 48,000 passengers using it per day.







Kayak said Jeju's popularity as a domestic travel destination is expected to continue this year as the resort island has become an alternative to overseas trips.







"Kayak recommends leaving on Tuesday if you are planning a trip to Jeju Island," a Kayak official said. "In particular, when analyzing the Seoul-Jeju route by number of nights, a two-night schedule is usually the cheapest. When you are trying to plan a trip to Jeju for a reasonable price, you'd better remember the schedule of Tuesday departure and Thursday arrival."







While the Seoul-Jeju route took the top spot among the most-searched domestic routes, the Busan-Jeju route ranked second, followed by the Daegu-Jeju and Busan-Seoul routes.


Dozens of migrants including children and a pregnant woman were led ashore in Dover this morning after crossing the Channel following the hottest day of the year so far.

People smugglers took advantage of good weather conditions to send around 70 people across the world's busiest shipping lane overnight.

Early this morning a Border Force vessel pulled into Dover with one group of life jacket-clad migrants they had intercepted on an inflatable boat shortly after 5am.

Hours later another group of around 12 people landed on a pebble beach at nearby Dungeness after evading search boats.

Almost 150 people were picked up by Border Force yesterday as temperatures hit 76F (24.5C) in the south of England - the hottest March date in 53 years.

This means 229 migrants have been reported as crossing the Channel in the last two days, while another 142 were stopped by French border agents.

Over 1,300 migrants have made the 21-mile journey so far this year, which is almost triple the 466 who arrived in the first three months of 2020. Last year saw an overall record of 8,400 arrivals.

At Dover this morning, onlookers spotted a family walking together, including a pregnant woman who appeared to be in pain and needed help getting up a ramp.

People smugglers took advantage of good weather conditions to send up to 50 people on the dangerous English Channel crossing overnight

Onlookers spotted a family walking together, including a pregnant woman who appeared to be in pain and needed help getting up a ramp

One migrant was spotted being walked away in handcuffs by two Border Force agents

At least three children were spotted being brought ashore from the boat by Border Force agents. Some appeared to be with family members

A smaller boat containing around 12 migrants managed to make it across the Channel and land at Dungeness 30 miles away

The group of migrants at Dungeness were soon found by Kent Police who detained them before Border Force agents took over

Almost 250 migrants have made the crossing to Kent in the last two days. Another 142 were stopped by French border agents

One Border agent was seen walking up the jetty with a small child before picking them up and carrying them along a ramp to dry land.

An older migrant was seen being escorted away in handcuffs.

A smaller boat containing around 12 migrants managed to make it across the Channel and land at Dungeness 30 miles away.

Five officers stood next to two Kent Police vans as the group were detained before Border Force took over.

A spokesman for the force said: 'We were called at just after 8am to a report of suspected migrants at Dungeness.'

Their arrival comes after the mercury soared above 20C across the country for the first time this year. Waves were expected to be strongest yesterday but this didn't stop people smugglers jumping at the opportunity to facilitate crossings.

The Home Office is still yet to confirm how many people made the dangerous 21-mile journey yesterday - but onlookers estimate the number of arrivals could come close to the daily record for the year of 183 in six boats on March 23.

It is feared similarly good weather today will encourage more people to attempt the crossing before conditions worsen towards the weekend.

One Border agent was seen walking up the jetty with a small child before picking them up and carrying them along a ramp to dry land

One Border agent was seen walking up the jetty with a small child before picking them up and carrying them along a ramp to dry land

Their arrival comes after the mercury soared above 20C across the country for the first time this year. Waves were expected to be strongest yesterday but this didn't stop people smugglers jumping at the opportunity to facilitate crossings

Around 50 migrants arrived on Border Force vessels at Dover at 5am today after setting off from the French coast late yesterday

It comes ahead of a crackdown on immigration by Priti Patel, who is pushing to introduce maximum life sentences for people smugglers

The Home Office is still yet to confirm how many people made the dangerous 21-mile journey yesterday - but onlookers estimate the number of arrivals could come close to the daily record for the year of 183 in six boats on March 23

It also comes ahead of an immigration crackdown announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel to target criminal organised gangs running crossings and also change rules for asylum seekers.

Speaking to the Commons, Ms Patel said she was introducing a 'comprehensive, fair but firm' plan which would address those entering the UK 'illegally'.

For the first time, people who arrive in the UK illegally will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive legally under the Home Office plan.

There is also a push to introduce maximum life sentences for people smugglers.

Minister for Immigration Compliance and Justice Chris Philp said at the time: 'We announced the most significant overhaul of our asylum system in decades - a new fair but firm long-term plan to fix the UK's broken asylum system.

It also comes ahead of an immigration crackdown announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel to target criminal organised gangs running crossings and also change rules for asylum seekers

Over 1,100 migrants have made the 21-mile journey so far this year, following on from a record 8,400 in 2020

'Under these plans, we will break the business model of these cruel criminal gangs and protect the lives of those they endanger.'

In 2020, four times as many migrants made the dangerous crossing than in 2019, official figures revealed.

Almost 8,400 made the dangerous crossing, up from 1,844 the previous year.

The latest official Home Office figures mean 1,133 migrants have made the 21-mile journey so far this year.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A judge on Wednesday sentenced a Cleveland man to spend life in prison after she convicted him of murdering a Willoughby man.

Treal White, 22, will not be eligible for parole until he serves at least 27 years in prison in the September 2019 killing of 25-year-old Tauvausion Waller in the citys Collinwood neighborhood.

Judge Kelly Ann Gallagher imposed the sentence two days after she convicted White of murder, felonious assault and other charges at the end of the week-long trial. Gallagher acquitted White of an aggravated murder charge. White waived his right to have a jury decide his case and instead chose to try it to the bench.

Prosecutors said White, Waller, a 27-year-old man and other men were hanging out outside a house on Alhambra Road in Collinwood when an argument broke out. White went to his car, retrieved a semi-automatic rifle and opened fire at Waller and the other man, then ditched the rifle in the garage of a nearby house and sped away, prosecutors said.

White shot Waller five times, including in the head, chest, arms and feet, prosecutors said. He died at the scene. The 27-year-old man was shot twice and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Investigators found bullet casings at the scene and the rifle next door. DNA pulled from the casings matched Whites, and ballistics testing on the bullets matched the rifle, prosecutors said. They also relied on testimony from a single eyewitness to the crime.

Court filings show that in closing arguments, an assistant prosecutor said the woman deserved credit for coming forward and testifying because she still lives in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred. Whites defense attorney pointed out that the woman had moved to a different city and recited her address, which prompted prosecutor to accuse the attorney of endangering the victim.

Whites defense attorney filed a motion for a mistrial based on the encounter, and Gallagher denied it.

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Press Release

March 31, 2021 "WE CAN NO LONGER FALL SHORT"

Hontiveros urges NTF to establish official 'national mass testing system' Senator Risa Hontiveros has urged the National Taskforce on COVID-19 (NTF) to establish an official mass testing system for the COVID-19 response, after Testing Czar Vince Dizon announced that they would only now increase the country's testing capacity. The senator stressed that the Department of Health (DOH) had earlier recommended the use of antigen tests to massively screen for cases. She questioned why the NTF was 'only now paying attention to the suggestion'. "I urge the NTF to be more vigilant. We have all the tools and information, but we keep on acting too late. This is what happened when we didn't close our borders the first time, and again, when we failed to close them as the new variants started to spread. Ngayon, sisisihin natin ang variants at mutations para lang pagtakpan ang mga pagkukulang natin? Any public health expert will tell you that if the virus had been contained, walang magaganap na mutation," she said. "We need a 'prevention mindset' para hindi na tayo laging natataranta. Nalulunod na tayo sa iba't ibang krisis. This is yet another example of gross mismanagement. Bakit ngayon lang naisipang pakinggan yung recommendation? I really hope no one is profiting from this, " she added. Hontiveros said that although the targeted 90,000 tests was a good start, it should 'be the floor, not the target ceiling'. Citing from the DOH COVID-19 tracker, Hontiveros said the country tested as few as 28,000 cases in the month of March even if cases were soaring. "Dahil huli at hindi naging magaling, naghahabol tayo ngayon sa ating testing. We need an official and national mass testing system to hit our targets and to hit them smartly. We need to increase the magnitude of testing and sustain the quality so that we do not post artificial improvement, " she said. "Today we have an average of 13 tests for every confirmed COVID-19 case. This is an extremely far cry from the 111 tests per case of Thailand, and the 1000 tests per case of Vietnam. Habang sa kanila, bumababa ang cases, dito sa atin, sa unang step pa lang, missing link na agad. The first step to making any good decision is mass testing, but we aren't even doing nearly enough to make the rest of the steps contact tracing and isolation fully effective," she said. Hontiveros remarked that as early as May 2020, the Testing Czar had been saying that testing needed to be ramped up, but has failed to meet the thousandfold target since then. She added that the country also wanted to hit 10 million by the first quarter of 2021, but fell short by almost 500,000 tests. "It's been 10 long months since we set new targets which we have drastically failed to hit. So what has kept our Testing Czar busy since then? Why were we setting targets we had no interest in fulfilling?" she asked. "The truth is we have no choice but to set high targets, and hit them. No ifs or buts. We cannot just say we will do more and better, we have to actually do it. We need to test more and sustain it so we can achieve a 5% or less positivity rate, until we complete the national vaccination program. We can no longer fall short because the consequence is the disturbing outbreak we are facing and will continue to face," Hontiveros concluded.
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Coucillor Guddi Devi created a stir when she entered the well of Delhi Assembly with a bottle of kerosene threatening to immolate herself.

The Malka Ganj councillor entered the well threatening to immolate herself if the number of sanitation workers was not increased in her ward.

She claimed that the number of staff was reduced from 206 to 85 in 2018 and it was getting difficult to manage the situation.

The mayor condemned the act saying she was compromising the safety of other members of the House and assured to solve the problem in the next two days.

The Delhi Assembly witnessed high drama on Tuesday with councillors staging protest against the GNCTD (Amendment) Act.

Meanwhile two new AAP councillors took Ram Chander and Sunita Mishra took oath to office.
April Fool  Springtime Temperatures Will Give Way to Cold, Snow

Here is the Late night Weather Brief on the detailed breakdown of the potential snowfall Thursday...esp well north and west.



as of 11pm. pic.twitter.com/9iM0G12WCd  Steve Caporizzo (@SteveCaporizzo) March 31, 2021

It's not over yet.

Berkshire County residents can expect some snow Thursday, according to AccuWeather.

In North Adams, snow is expected to start falling around 2 p.m. and continue until about 8 p.m. Temperatures will hover around 40 degrees and drop throughout the day, hitting the low 20s overnight.

Total accumulation should be around an "inch or two."

It is a different story in Central County. According to Accuweather, Pittsfield residents can expect a coating to an inch of snow Wednesday night through Thursday morning and the same thing Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m.

South County is getting away with little to no accumulation with Accuweather predicting some light snowfall on Thursday from 2 until 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service currently has a hazardous weather outlook for the region with warnings and advisories to the west and north. NWS is forecasting rain mixed with snow across the region with possible light snowfall amounts. "There remains some uncertainty regarding the storm track and snowfall amounts," according to the agency.

WTEN Meteorologist Steve Caporizzo said folks can expect some "heavy and wet snow in some areas." He did not anticipate a "real big impact" in and around the Capital Region but said:

"If you are going north and west the snow picks up. The farther northwest, the higher elevation, the more snow you will get."

But rest assured, Berkshire County residents should not expect more than 1 to 2 inches (knock on wood).

Too soon to park the snowblower? That is not a question iBerkshires.com can answer.

Rain will change to snow late tonight into Thursday morning. Moderate/heavy snow is expected across the SW Adirondacks/western Mohawk Valley, with lighter amounts elsewhere. However, a slight shift in the storm track could bring greater amounts farther south and east. pic.twitter.com/LcHfg5GNmx  NWS Albany (@NWSAlbany) March 31, 2021

Early call on potential snowfall locally from late Wed. night through Thur. There is uncertainty in how fast a switch from rain to snow will occur, as well as precip. rates during the day Thur. both of which can impact amounts. https://t.co/SrboJXIGQw pic.twitter.com/3kxUOwSMYB  Steve LaPointe (@CBS6Steve) March 30, 2021

It may look like a late April Fool's prank, but we assure you the chilly temps in Friday's forecast are no joke. Daily records over the eastern US may be broken as lows dip 10 to 15 degrees below normal into the 20s and 30s while parts of the South could experience a late freeze. pic.twitter.com/tGCK8qCA1M  NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) March 30, 2021
Christians are pleased with this months ruling by a Malaysian court that a government prohibition on non-Muslims using the word Allah is illegal and irrational. However, the ruling has expectedly stirred much emotion within the Southeast Asian nations Muslim community, which has always held the word to be exclusive to Islam and for use by Muslims only.

I will leave comments on the extensive grounds of the High Courts recently released 96-page judgement, released March 17, to the legal community. My more modest purpose here is to address the social-religious implications of the case for the church at large.

The Allah Debate

The debate over Christians referring to God as Allah has a longstanding history. Beginning with concerns about the proselytization of Muslims in the 1980s, the federal government issued an executive directive in 1986 banning the use of four words by non-Muslims in order to allay Muslim fears. One of the four words was Allah. Its important to note when this was issued, there was a context. The directive was not a total or complete ban, as the government was well aware that Christiansin particular those in East Malaysiaand indigenous peoples were using the Malay language and the word Allah in their religious worship, rites, and spiritual activities.

As time went by, Bibles and other Christian publications in the Malay language were either impounded or confiscated. In 2008, Jill Ireland, a Melanau Christian from Sarawak who was flying home had eight educational CDs (containing worship songs) seized by customs at the Kuala Lumpur international airport. The Home Affairs Ministry informed her the CDs were withheld due to their prohibited use of the word Allah. Being dissatisfied with the seizure of the CDs, Ireland sued for the return of the CDs and a declaration that as a Christian, she is entitled to use the word based on her constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief.

Split Reactions

Malaysias Christian community is of course pleased with the March 10 ruling in Irelands favor. The bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, Datuk Danald Jute, told the Borneo Post the decision to allow the word Allah to be used by Christians all over Malaysia is a victory for common sense and must not be construed or interpreted as being a victory by one person or group of persons over another.

Religious Demography



According to the last



Ethnic Malays, who are defined by the Federal Constitution as Muslims from birth,



Rural areasespecially on the east coast of the peninsulaare predominantly Muslim, with Islam being the majority religion in all 13 states except the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, where its 200,000-some Christians are in the majority. Meanwhile, the East Malaysian state of Sabah has a large Christian minority, while large Buddhist minorities exist in the peninsular states of Penang and Selangor. According to the last census , in 2010, about 61 percent of Malaysias 32 million population practices Islam, 20 percent Buddhism, 9 percent Christianity, 6 percent Hinduism, and the rest other religions or none. Some religious groups such as Shia, Ahmadiyya, Bahai, and Al-Arqam are deemed deviant by Islamic authorities and banned.Ethnic Malays, who are defined by the Federal Constitution as Muslims from birth, account for 63 percent of the population in Peninsular Malaysia and 55 percent of the nations total population when including East Malaysia, which shares the island of Borneo with Indonesia and Brunei.Rural areasespecially on the east coast of the peninsulaare predominantly Muslim, with Islam being the majority religion in all 13 states except the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, where its 200,000-some Christians are in the majority. Meanwhile, the East Malaysian state of Sabah has a large Christian minority, while large Buddhist minorities exist in the peninsular states of Penang and Selangor.

This response is indeed measured. While acknowledging the decision was correct, the bishop was careful not to portray a triumphalist spirit. The reason is obvious to fellow Malaysians. In 2010, a total of 10 churches were either attacked or vandalized following an initial legal victory by the Catholic archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, on behalf of the Herald newspaper, who filed a suit on the same issue. The series of arsons resulted in several churches suffering considerable damage and one totally burned down. This led to police increasing security at all churches for a period of time.

Malaysias Muslim community, on the other hand, is shocked and upset by this months ruling. Gathering to discuss the decision, a group of conservative Malay-Muslim NGO leaders expressed their displeasure and disappointment. They felt the decision was inconsistent with judicial precedent. In essence, these conservative groups viewed the decision as an affront and the weakening of Islam as the religion of the country.

These Malay-Muslim NGOs therefore proposed several resolutions, asking for the government to appeal the decision and for Islamic authorities to intervene in the case since they have a direct interest in its outcome. They are also asking for the Malay language board, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, to take active measures to standardize the use of the word Allah to be consistent with Muslim theological understanding.

Court Concerns

Christian leaders have not responded publicly to these demands. However, civil society organizations have called upon the government to withdraw its case before the Court of Appeal, put the matter to rest, and move on with addressing the more critical issues at stake in Malaysian society.

While Christians accept the High Court decision as correct, we should recognize that a sizable segment within the Muslim community feels aggrieved by the decision. In all fairness, they have the right to appeal it.

The aggrieved feelings are compounded by two recent legal decisions that impacted the Muslim community.

The first found Malaysias Federal Court (equivalent to the US Supreme Court) drawing a fine line between two circumstances of legal conversion out of Islam. In one situation, where the background facts reveal a Malaysian was never born a Muslim and never practiced Islam, that person is entitled to a court declaration that he or she is not a Muslim. However, this right would not to be available via the civil courts to those born Malay-Muslim or found to have practiced Islam.

Whether this is a correct reading of the law is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say, the decision was generally accepted by the Muslim community as correct. It did, however, leave some to wonder if the civil courts were beginning to encroach more and more into matters relating to Islam. A pertinent matter, as Malaysia practices a dual legal system of civil and sharia courts.

The second Federal Court decision had a greater impact, and brought the Muslim community much uncertainty and trepidation. In this case, the court took the view that the act of engaging in unnatural sexan offense under Islamic lawshould fall within the jurisdiction of the federal criminal courts rather than the sharia courts. While the substance of this decision is still debated by both sides of the divide, in the mind of many Muslims, one implication is clear. It confirmed their suspicion that the civil legal system is now encroaching into the jurisdiction of the sharia courts and matters pertaining to Islam.

So, when the Ireland decision was delivered, it fell like a ton of bricks upon the Muslim community. With past rhetoric by state and non-state actors politicizing religionclaiming Islam is under threat and creating a siege mentality in the mind of many Muslimsit makes achieving a rational and objective response difficult and almost out of reach. Whether Muslims and Christians in Malaysia are able to navigate this deadlock in a harmonious way for the common good is the subject of discerning interfaith engagement that the church in Malaysia must embark on.

A Missional Response

The calling of Christians in a multicultural society like Malaysia has always been to be a salt and light for the ever-expanding presence and reality of the kingdom of God. Christians are never called to live for themselves, but for the sake of the kingdom of God; to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before the Lord (Micah 6:8). In doing so, we have been, in the words of the apostle Paul, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. This should not be understood as confined to sinners being reconciled to God but as having a lateral dimension of creation, and hence humanity becoming reconciled to God and each other in the already/not yet eschatological vision of the new heaven and new earth.

This eschatological vision motivates a concrete expression for Christians in Malaysia to strive for the flourishing of diversity of cultures. This multicultural dimension encourages Christians in Malaysia towards a respectful social engagement and creative dialogues between different cultures, their respective moral vision, and social good. It presents opportunities for Christians to not only uphold the rights of Christ followers to their own cultural bearings, but also cultivates the self-imagination and moral empathy needed to build bridges and bridge the divide for the well-being of everyone. This then, is the Christian redemptive story in Malaysia for such a time as this in this longstanding controversy.

We must therefore ask: What really are the concerns of Malay Muslims and Christians in this longstanding controversy? What are the differences and disagreements between Christians and Muslims? Are their disagreements and concerns perceived (rhetorical or politicized) or real?

There is no doubt the Muslim community in Malaysia has been using the word Allah to denote God for a long time. If the word is now legally used by Christians or any other faiths to reference God, they fear this may lead to confusion within their own ranks, including their younger generation. Many Muslims feel that when Christians use the word freely in their religious worship and evangelistic activities, it will lead to greater proselytization of Muslims. In their eyes, this is regrettable as it will only cause disruption and conflict within their own household and community, eventually leading to a breakdown of the family unit. Tensions will arise between siblings, parents, and close relations if and when one member of their household leave Islam for another religion. The embarrassment to the family and household is something all Muslims wish to avoid.

Further, there is also the unspoken apprehension that religious syncretism and accommodation may arise within the Muslim community if the word is used simultaneously by two different religious communities with different theological meaning, history, and trajectory.

On the other hand, Christians are fearful that Muslims are beginning to impose their will on the Christian community. Many Christians feel Muslims are telling the Christian community what or what not to do in their worship, liturgy, and expression. In their eyes, this is surely a slow and sure start that will only lead to the eventual subjugation of the Christian community in East Malaysia. This fear, together with the ongoing efforts at converting Christian natives to Islam, adds to the feeling of animosity already present. Thus, they believe any such attempts at the tyranny of the majority must be resisted at all cost.

While acknowledging that there are legitimate fears and concerns between Christians and Muslims in this longstanding Allah debate, it is imperative for the church in Malaysia to move beyond fears to find avenues for the concrete expression of the Christian redemptive story. To this end, Scripture reminds us we are to love our neighbors in affirmation and understanding, not simply tolerating them. Mutual understanding requires adjustments and therefore moderation in the interests of social harmony.

It is in this sort of dialogue that embraces the ethos of diversity and differences as the norm that an acceptable outcome and solution may be found. This form of dialogue and engagement also seeks to enhance relationships and build trust with those whom we often say cannot and will not agree with us. The building of trust and relationship should not be for utility but because God commands all believers to love our neighbors. As we genuinely love and respect our neighbors, suspicion and caution will be minimized and openness created. This presents the Christian and Muslim with the opportunity to search for acceptable solutions.

As the search for an acceptable solution is underway, it is necessary to espouse a middle-ground narrative that attempts to balance the keeping of human relations intact while at the same time finding an appropriate landing for consensus and agreement. Such an enterprise would require the exercise of practical reasonableness and practical concordance, a principle of German constitutional law that I apply to the Malaysian context. The term concordance implies harmonious, consistent relations to each other. In practical terms, this may require Christians in Malaysia to use the word Allah with certain conditions attached. In the past, such conditions appear in Christian materials such as a note or a stamp with the words A Christian Publication, or For Christian Use, or A Christian Material. Other ideas may appear as we dialogue together.

Muslims on the other hand, may need to concede that East Malaysian Christians have for generations been using Allah in their worship and liturgy and must therefore be permitted to use the word. In a way, these and other similar ideas are accommodation or compromises in a practical concordance that must be seriously considered or explored if both sides are to come to some consensus and resolution. Admittedly, this is a formidable task for both sides. Yet it is one in which Christians in Malaysia must necessarily take the lead.

The right to freedom of religion or the exercise of religious liberty must not only be confined to the singling out of violations and discriminations. It must, as its true purpose, enable all faiths and religious communities the room and space to contribute in a meaningful fashion towards the well-being and the flourishing of all people, communities, and cultures at anytime, anywhere, and for all generations.

Eugene Yapp is a Kuala Lumpur-based senior fellow for South and Southeast Asia with the Religious Freedom Institute, and writes for the St. Charles Institute. He was previously the secretary general of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Malaysia.

Speaking Out is Christianity Todays guest opinion column and (unlike an editorial) does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publication.
Max Lucado teams up with Chris Tomlin for 'hope'-filled Good Friday service on TBN

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On the heels of a difficult year, pastor and author Max Lucado is teaming up with Chris Tomlin and other chart-topping artists for Good Friday Worldwide, a worship service that will bring hope, peace, and reflect on the meaning of Christs suffering and death.

Airing on TBN this Friday at 8 p.m. ET, Good Friday Worldwide will feature a sermon from Lucado, along with worship led by Tomlin, Pat Barrett and We The Kingdom. The program will also feature an unannounced award-winning musical guest for an unforgettable and powerful moment, according to a press release.

We deeply need the message of Good Friday this year, Lucado told The Christian Post. The last months have taken their toll on our emotional strength, relationships, and stability. The Good Friday message is much needed and welcomed this year. Im honored to partner with Chris Tomlin in an effort to bring hope to the viewers of Good Friday Worldwide.

In addition to airing on TBN, Good Friday Worldwide will simulcast with radio partners K-LOVE and Air1, along with 30 radio stations across the country. The program will reach audiences in at least 32 countries with the hope of the Gospel.

TBN Chairman Matt Crouch said, This Good Friday, believers across the Earth will take time out of their day to reflect on the meaning of Christs suffering and death. Here at TBN, were blessed to welcome Chris Tomlin and Pastor Max Lucado and some talented worship artists as we invite viewers to join us in thanking Jesus for His incomparable gift of salvation.

Good Friday Worldwide is the made-for-pandemic broadcast version of Tomlins popular Good Friday concert, typically held every spring at Bridgestone Arena. The concert, which has sold out every year since 2017, will return to live audiences on April 15, 2022.

"Seeing different people with different resources come together to do this is so special," Tomlin told The Tennessean. "It'll be on TV with TBN and it'll be on K-LOVE and many, many different radio stations across the nation. One effort, on Good Friday, sharing this message. Sharing the hope and the love of God with people."

Tomlin previously told CP that whether hes working on an album or leading a congregation in worship, his goal is the same: To present simple songs that encourage listeners to lift their eyes to something greater than themselves.

For me, it will always be worship music," he said. "I love writing, and when I sit down, worship music is just what comes out. I love making songs that give glory to God.

Music has a way of connecting people to God, he added. Im always listening for what God is saying to me through His Word or through other people. Usually, something will pop out at me, and Ill run with it.

Amid COVID-19, We The Kingdoms Franni Cash offered the reminder that God is in control, regardless of what the future holds.

He is here and He is doing something, she told CP. Our hope is in the fact that Jesus is coming, and we're going get to be with Him one day. In the meantime, lets just trust Him and lean into that promise that He's given us.

I love the Scripture that says that all the promises of God are yes and Amen, she continued. We know that one day we'll see all those promises fulfilled.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has disclosed that his administration is spending over N350 million to renovate Government Secondary School, Zaki in Zaki Local Government Area of the state.

The governor who made this known, recently, during an inspection of projects awarded by his administration across the state, said 12 more schools will be built and 12 others in dilapidated condition will also be renovated across the 20 LGAs.

"We were here a year ago and we saw the dilapidation of the school. It has been abandoned and neglected for 40 years and we decided, because of this school and in recognition of the support and assistance that the people of Zaki has given us, to make this place an example of how we are going to do the educational renewal of Bauchi.

"We have the highest number of out-of-school, we have the highest number of dilapidated schools, we decided to start with Zaki and we are spending about N350 million and we are going to add more because there are areas that have not been procured," he stressed.

The governor added that his administration had also observed that 12 more schools needed to be renovated.

"This procurement will be done this year. In order to catch-up with our neighbours and our counterparts as states, we are building 12 more schools because we want to borrow, we want to copy our leader and father, Alhaji Tatari Ali of blessed memory.

"Everything you see in terms of infrastructure services in education and health, it was him, the former governor of Bauchi, who showed us the way. He built schools in every local government, he was the one who built all the local government headquarters, he was the one who built all the roads we are enjoying today in Bauchi," Mohammed stressed.
The French champion miler has been aimed for the race on May 15

FRANCE'S top miler The Revenant could add an international flavour to the 350,000 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, run at Newbury on Saturday, May 15, for which he is one of 31 entries, announced today.

The Francis Graffard-trained winner of last years Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot is joined by Britains best at the distance Palace Pier and Order Of Australia, the Aidan OBrien-trained winner of the Breeders Cup Mile, in the nominations for the first older horse Group 1 of the British Flat Turf season which forms part of QIPCO British Champions Series.

The Revenant has earned close to 1 million in prize-money, winning nine times since joining Graffard and has never finished out of the first three in 13 career starts.

The Revenant is owned by Al Asayl Bloodstock, whose racing manager Harry Peter-Hoblyn, said: It's important for us to take one race at a time with The Revenant who runs this Saturday at Saint-Cloud in the Group 3 Prix Edmond Blanc, which he won in 2019.

But if all goes well, we would love to bring him over to Newbury for the Lockinge in May. It was the target last year before sadly it was lost to COVID and looking at the race, its a perfect fit on paper.

Roseman, Palace Pier and Lord Glitters, second, third and sixth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, are also engaged in the 1m contest for which total prize-money has been set at the 2019 pre-COVID value of 350,000, representing a significant investment in the race and commitment to the sport by sponsors, Al Shaqab Racing.

Alison Begley, Racing Manager for Al Shaqab Racing said: Al Shaqab Racing feel its important to maintain sponsorship levels to an industry which has been hit hard with prizemoney levels having dropped significantly due to the pandemic. We are delighted that so many of the top European milers have been entered for this years renewal.

Aidan OBrien, who has won the straight mile contest on two occasions, has entered five in the race, with Armory, Innisfree, Lope Y Fernandez and Mogul joining Order Of Australia.

Other Irish entries include the Johnny Murtagh-trained fillies Champers Elysees and Know it All. Champers Elysees progressed through handicaps to win the Group 1 Matron Stakes last year, in which Know It All finished fourth.

They have just started a bit of fast work now so the plan is to run one or both of them in the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh [April 17] and if they shot the lights out, they could take their chance, said Murtagh.

We ran Champers Elysees in the Sun Chariot on her last start last year. It was decided to keep her in training as a four-year-old. They have both done well over the winter. We will see how they get on at the Curragh. Its exciting even entering them in the Lockinge.

Local trainers Andrew Balding, Charlie Hills and Ed Walker all hold entries for the race. Happy Power (Balding), Pogo and Tilsit (both Hills) and Stormy Antarctic (Walker) are amongst the 31 entries.

Clerk of the course for Newbury, Keith Ottesen, said: It's exciting to see strong entries for the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes this year after it was sadly lost to COVID in 2020. Thanks to the ongoing support of sponsors Al Shaqab, the total prize fund on offer for the race is set at the pre COVID level of 350,000.

This significant investment reflects their ongoing commitment to the sport and their supporting races, the Al Rayyan Stakes (registered as the John Porter) and Haras de Bouquetot Fillies Stakes, will also be holding their values of 100,000 and 70,000 respectively.

These are probably the strongest entries we could have hoped for including The Revenant, a very strong Irish contingent from the stables of Aidan OBrien and Johnny Murtagh along with the very best milers in the UK and we are delighted with the entries at the first stage.

Sadly, we narrowly miss out on welcoming crowds back for our Group 1 showpiece, but positively, are looking forward to welcoming owners back through our gates for our upcoming Flat Season and are grateful to them for their ongoing support of Newbury Racecourse.
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Market Definition:

Thioglycolic Acid Market, as per the recently released study report by Market Research Future (MRFR), is expected to register a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% during the forecast period. The market is primarily driven by the rising demand for high purity grade TGA in leather processing chemicals, oilfield chemicals, and PVC heat stabilizer applications. Moreover, it is also reported that the market is gaining pressing demand from the personal care and cosmetics industry. This is most likely expected to support the growth of the market in the forthcoming years. The evolving consumer lifestyle and changing perspective towards their own personal health and wellbeing is projected to spike the demand graphs for thioglycolic acid. Lastly, the booming youth demographic and the high disposable income among these consumer group is also forecasted to be a key factor positively impacting the global thioglycolic acid market in the coming years.

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Market Overview and Growth Factors:

However, if exposed for long periods of time, certain thioglycolic acids can be fatal as they are carcinogenic in impact. The price of the product is inversely dependent upon the availability of raw materials. This is another key factor that can severely hamper the growth trajectory of the market during the forecast period.

Thioglycolic acid or TGA is an organic compound that is often referred to as mercaptoacetic acid. It is a colorless liquid with a highly unpleasant odor and comprises the functional groups of thiol and carboxylic acid.

Competitive Landscape:

The global COVID 19 Impact on Thioglycolic Acid Market is expanding with decent numbers. A major factor pushing the growth of the market is the presence of various prominent players. Some of the key players anticipated to boost the market positively are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Bruno Bock Chemische Fabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Arkema, Merck KGaA, Qingdao LNT Chemical Co. Ltd., Daicel Corporation, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., and others.

Market Segmentation:

The global Thioglycolic Acid Market segmentation is done on the basis of type and application.

By type, the market segments into low purity grade, high purity grade, and technical grade. The high purity grade segment holds the maximum potential and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.06% with a projected reach of USD 56,532.2 million by the end of the forecast period.

By application, the market includes PVC heat stabilizer, cosmetics, oilfield chemicals, leather processing chemicals, metals recovery, cleaning formulations, chain transfer agent, and others. The cosmetics segment is reported to garner a growth rate of 4.17% during the review period. Furthermore, the valuation of the market is expected to reach an approximate figure of USD 39,676 million by 2025.

Browse key industry insights spread across 144 pages with 166 market data tables & 19 figures & charts from the report, Thioglycolic Acid Market Research Report: Information by Type (High Purity Grade, Low Purity Grade and Technical Grade), Application (Cosmetics, PVC Heat-Stabilizer, Oilfield Chemicals, Cleaning Formulations, Leather Processing Chemicals, Chain Transfer Agent, Metals Recovery, Agrochemicals and others) and Region (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa) - Forecast till 2025 in detail along with the table of contents @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/thioglycolic-acid-market-6453

Regional Analysis:

The regional segmentation of the global thioglycolic acid market covers the following regions: Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

The Asia Pacific region holds the dominant share in the global market and is growing with each passing year. The region holds 42.49% market share and is expected to grow with the fastest CAGR of 4.24% during the forecast period. The region is further anticipated to reach a market valuation of USD 50,289.4 million by the end of the forecast period; strikingly higher than the other covered regions. The regional market is spearheaded by China, which contributes significantly to the overall growth and revenue generation of the Asia Pacific region.

North America holds the second largest share in the global market and is expected to grow significantly in the forthcoming years of the forecast period. The valuation of the market is calculated to touch USD 25,646.8 million by the end of 2025. A monumental share of the overall North American regional market can be attributed to the US, which holds a massive potential and is anticipated to achieve USD 19,956 million by the end of the forecast period.

The European market stands third in the global regional standings. However, the region is expected to significantly contribute to the overall welfare of the global market. The European region is primarily spearheaded by countries like the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and others. Among these pioneering nations, Germany hogs the spotlight with the largest market share and is forecasted to reach a valuation of USD 5,246.7 million by 2025.

Access Complete Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/thioglycolic-acid-market-6453
The federal government has unveiled the express passport processing centre of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The centre, dubbe...

The federal government has unveiled the express passport processing centre of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).





The centre, dubbed the premium passport processing centre, is expected to cater to Nigerians seeking to obtain their passports within a maximum of 72 hours.

At the unveiling of the centre in Abuja on Tuesday, Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, said the facility is the first of its kind, adding that other centres will be open across the country.

He also categorised the offers available, stating that the speed of the passport processing is based on the option selected.





It is a first of many more to be established and designed to offer specialised services to Nigerians, Aregbesola said.

Every Nigerian has the right to a Nigerian passport and it is our responsibility to put it in the hands of anyone desirous of it within the shortest possible time, without stress. The passport should be available in a maximum 72 hours of a successful application.

Where there are issues, the applicant must be notified within 48 hours. It will also afford Nigerians the opportunity of getting their passports within 24 hours, at the high premium service and 72 hours at the ordinary premium service, albeit with added value and a little bit of extra cost.





A centre like this is necessary to reduce stress. Secondly, by minimising human contact, it eliminates the prospect of corruption.

The commencement of the operations of this world-class facility will offer Nigerians services of convenience and pleasure by taking away the hitherto stress in the conventional passport offices.

On his part, Muhammed Babandede, NIS comptroller-general, promised that the centre will offer effective and efficient passport services to applicants.
RTHK: UK review into race inequality 'a whitewash'

Britain should be seen as a "model for other white-majority countries" but more still needs to be done, a review into race inequality said on Wednesday, a conclusion that provoked fury from critics who branded it a "whitewash".

The report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities was ordered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government after widespread Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests last summer, triggered by the death of George Floyd in police custody in the United States.

"Put simply we no longer see a Britain where the system is deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities," Tony Sewell, the commission's chairman, said in a foreword to the report.

"The impediments and disparities do exist, they are varied, and ironically very few of them are directly to do with racism. Too often 'racism' is the catch-all explanation, and can be simply implicitly accepted rather than explicitly examined."

The BLM movement, which saw tens of thousands of Britons join demonstrations, caused Britain, like other Western countries, to look more closely at race relations and its colonial past, with campaigners demanding action to end structural bias.

At the time, protest organisers said Johnson's choices for the commission did not represent their views and should be replaced because those appointed, like Sewell, a Black educational consultant, did not believe that Britain had a problem with institutional racism.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed "this important piece of work" which he said was a detailed, data-led examination of inequality and the Conservative government would now consider its 24 recommendations.

"The entirety of government remains fully committed to building a fairer Britain and taking the action needed to address disparities wherever they exist," he said.

However, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was disappointed by the report, while campaigners called it a whitewash instigated to gloss over deep-rooted problems, such as why Black people were nine times more likely to be stopped and searched by police.

"Another total whitewash. While the Tories pat themselves on the back, their report just sets back the clock on ending racial inequality even further," Labour lawmaker Bell Ribeiro-Addy said on Twitter.

"Ignoring the deep racial disparities afflicting people across UK society gets us nowhere."

Halima Begum, head of the Runnymede Trust race equality think tank told BBC television: "All it is is a whitewash and a script that has been written to 10 Downing Street."

The report said overt and outright racism did persist, particularly online, and Britain was not yet a "post-racial society" of equal opportunity.

But it concluded geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture and religion were more significant factors on life chances than the existence of racism.

It highlighted educational attainment by ethnic minority groups as demonstrating that institutional racism was not to blame for disparities, pointing out that Black Africans performed better than those from Black Caribbean as well as white backgrounds.

The country had come a long way in 50 years and "the success of much of the ethnic minority population in education and, to a lesser extent, the economy, should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries", the commission said.

Its recommendations included ending the use of the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) acronym because of the differences in the experiences of minorities, and changes to policing and the criminal justice system. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Minister of High Technological Industry Hakob Arshakyan has announced his resignation in a statement on social media.

Today is my last working day as Minister of High Technological Industry.

As a citizen of Armenia, I consider unacceptable the use of force by an official against any citizen, we ought to move on the path of having a violence-free society.

As a high-ranking official, a person representing Armenia in the international arena, I ought to serve the public with my own experience as an example. Thus, I am expressing my intolerance to violence, both psychological and physical. I hope what has taken place will serve as a lesson for our public and we will love each other a little bit more and will respect everyones right to personal, family life.

I first of all want to thank Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for the trust and the opportunity of serving our Homeland in this high position. I also want to thank our colleagues of the government for the joint productive work, he said and also thanked the ministry, its whole staff for the joint work.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan


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Trump Says Hes Considering Holding Rally Soon

Former President Donald Trump says hes considering holding one of his signature large rallies in the near future.

Were thinking about doing one relatively soon just to let everybody know that theres hope in the future, the former president told his daughter-in-law Lara Trump in an interview for her new podcast on March 30.

Trump hasnt held a public event since leaving office on Jan. 20.

I love doing them. But more importantly, I think we get the word out, he said.

When you have rallies, you know if you won a state. I can tell if were going to win a state by a rally. When we set up a rally 24 hours before and we have 35,00040,000 people show upin Florida, we had 55,000. In Butler, Pennsylvania, we had 52,000.

When you have 52,000 people show up quickly for a rally  and the people line up for four days in advance, they stay in tents and thingsits the most incredible thingand you get there, you leave, and say Theres no way I lost Pennsylvania. And we didnt, by the way. It was a hoax; the whole thing was a hoax.

President Joe Biden was certified the winner in Pennsylvania by approximately 80,000 votes.

An attempt to object to the states results when Congress met in January to certify the 2020 election was voted down.

President Joe Biden answers a question during his first press briefing in the East Room of the White House on March 25, 2021. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Congress ultimately confirmed Biden as the election winner, and he was sworn in later that month, though Trump has continued to maintain he was the true victor in 2020.

Trump said that since entering office, Biden has done things he never spoke of while on the campaign trail.

The things that he said, whether we debated or whether he just made a statement, all of those things are not what hes doing. This is more liberal, more radical than what Bernie Sanders ever had in mind, Trump said, referring to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a self-described socialist.

Bernie could not be happier. But this is something Bernie never would have suggested, whats happening. [Biden] never talked about what hes doing to destroy energy, and the Second Amendment now is going to be next, theyre going to destroy the Second Amendment. All of the things that theyre doingraise taxes at a level, the biggest tax increase in historythose were not things that were discussed during the election.

Trump noted that people can have hope that he will run for president again in 2024.

You do have hope, that I can tell you. We love our country, he said. This country, we all owe a lot to our country, but now we have to help our country.
[March 31, 2021] PARSIQ's IQ Protocol Launches, Powering the Tokenized-SaaS Ecosystem of the Future

TALLINN, Estonia, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PARSIQ has launched their revolutionary IQ Protocol on testnet (Ethereum) - a decentralized finance (DeFi) solution for the SaaS market. IQ Protocol is the world's first risk-free, collateral-less DeFi protocol to tokenize SaaS subscriptions in the DeFi space with a circular economy. IQ Protocol features several standard DeFi services, including staking, lending, and borrowing. The launch marks PARSIQ's official entry into the DeFi space. If the testnet release is successful, IQ Protocol's mainnet is scheduled to launch in Q2 this year, and the team already has interest from several DeFi projects. Furthermore, the PARSIQ team is considering launching the mainnet on several other chains, including Binance Smart Chain (BSC), and Solana (SOL), with which PARSIQ has already integrated. IQ Protocol & Power Tokens

The IQ Protocol brings a new perspective to DeFi solutions for the mainstream environment. Not only is the maintenance of the protocol's network fully-trustless, but the protocol itself is open-source. Additionally, PARSIQ's innovative decision to remove the requirement of collateral to participate in or build on IQ is another first for the DeFi space, nullifying the risks associated with DeFi participation. IQ Protocol also takes an innovative approach to token utility through the introduction of Power Tokens. Unlike conventional utility tokens which represent a fixed amount of utility, Power Tokens generate utility over time. Therefore, holders of Power Tokens "subscribe" to utility rather than possessing a fixed quantity. For example, the conventional "tomato token" would represent rights to collect 1 kg of tomatoes, whereas a Power "tomato token" (with weekly flow and expiry in 1 year) would represent a right to collect 1 kg of tomatoes per week for a year. Power Tokens are housed in a "Power Enterprise" - a series of smart contracts which aggregate several IQ Protocol features, including governance, funding, and the ability to mint new Power Tokens. The shift to a subscription-first model provides huge performance benefits for blockchain-based networks including off-loading a significant load of transactions away from the main-chain. And in the best case, most main-chain transactions aren't needed anymore. Tokenomics

A new, upgraded tokenomics model also accompanies IQ's launch, requiring users to hold PRQ, PARSIQ's native token. IQ allows users to borrow or "rent" PRQ via IQ Protocol by paying a fee. In effect, they pay a subscription fee, with the proceeds rewarding lenders in a risk-free fashion. Accordingly, IQ's model rewards holding in a simple but effective way which also ensures the long-term security of its network.



Strong Partnerships & Developments

IQ's launch comes after a successful start to the year for the PARSIQ team. The current network recently integrated with the Solana ecosystem, allowing SOL users to combine data streams and write custom scenarios using PARSIQ's user-friendly scripting language. PARSIQ also integrated its Smart Triggers feature with data marketplace platform Ocean Protocol. The integration gives Ocean users the ability to automate reactions to specific data inputs using PARSIQ's unique monitoring solution.

This was also extended to Binance Smart Chain (BSC), with BSC users able to benefit from the same Smart Triggers feature. As part of the BSC integration, PARSIQ also became part of Binance's $100 million accelerator fund as part of the top-exchange's efforts to encourage innovative new projects to build on BSC. Moreover, PARSIQ has integrated with several other projects in the DeFi space, including Balancer, PAID Network, Injective Protocol, and many more. For more on these integrations, check out PARSIQ's blog. About PARSIQ

PARSIQ is a next-generation blockchain analytics platform built to connect blockchain activity to off-chain applications and devices. It provides a number of innovative solutions for actionable data including customizable event-based triggers, data monitoring solutions, and real-time automation targeted at the SaaS space. For more about IQ Protocol, PARSIQ, and its future plans, visit PARSIQ's website. Connect with PARSIQ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parsiq

Follow PARSIQ on Twitter: https://twitter.com/parsiq_net

Join the PARSIQ community on Telegram: https://t.me/parsiq_group

Read PARSIQ's blog on Medium: https://medium.com/parsiq Media Contact Details

Contact Name: Bitcoin PR Buzz Press Team

Contact Email: press@bitcoinprbuzz.com About Bitcoin PR Buzz

Bitcoin PR Buzz has been proudly serving the crypto press release distribution needs of blockchain start-ups for over 9 years. Get your Bitcoin Press Release Distribution today. PARSIQ is the source of this content. This Press Release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest. Related Images

image1.jpg View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parsiqs-iq-protocol-launches-powering-the-tokenized-saas-ecosystem-of-the-future-301259292.html SOURCE PARSIQ

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External Affairs Minister on Wednesday met Speaker Zokirzoda Mahmadtohir Zoir and appreciated the strong parliamentary support for Indo-Tajik cooperation.

Jaishankar, who is in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe, attended the 9th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the minister paid his respects at the monument of the founder of the first Tajik state.

At Dusti Square in Dushanbe. Paying respects at the monument of Ismoili Somoni, founder of the first Tajik state, Jaishankar said in a tweet.

After visiting the Dusti Square, he called on the Speaker.

Glad to meet Speaker Zokirzoda Mahmadtohir Zoir of Appreciated the strong parliamentary support for Indo-Tajik cooperation, Jaishankar said on Twitter.

On Tuesday, the minister called on President Emomali Rahmon and discussed expanding bilateral economic and development cooperation.

Jaishankar also conveyed the greetings of President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Rahmon.

"Thank President @EmomaliRahmon of Tajikistan for receiving me. Conveyed the greetings of President Kovind & PM Modi. Discussed expanding our bilateral economic and development cooperation. Appreciated his assessment of the Afghan situation," he tweeted.

Talking to reporters, Jaishankar said he discussed with President Rahmon bilateral cooperation and also the situation in Afghanistan.

"We discussed how to expand our economic, trade and investment cooperation. How to expand more in terms of capacity building, how to strengthen our political cooperation and how to work more closely on Afghanistan," he said.

He also expressed India's strong solidarity with Tajikistan in the fight against COVID-19.

Later, Jaishankar met Tajikistan's Defence Minister Colonel General Sherali Mirzo and discussed ways to further strengthen defence and security cooperation.

"Productive discussions with Defence Minister Colonel General Sherali Mirzo of Tajikistan. Focused on further strengthening our defence & security cooperation," Jaishankar tweeted.

Tajikistan shares a 1,400-km-long porus border with Afghanistan and has immense geo-strategic significance for which has been providing military assistance to the key Central Asian country as part of counter-terrorism cooperation.

has also developed the Ayni airbase near the Tajik capital Dushanbe.

(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.)
Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, said the Government is committed to providing Ghanaians with potable water to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-6) by 2030.



We always say that water is life, and I want to add that good quality water is life because if you drink dirty, polluted and contaminated water, you know what will happen to you, she said.



Therefore, we have a Manifesto and an agenda as a government to provide potable water for the people.



Madam Dapaah said this when Mr Andras Szabo and Madam Ergun Ulueren, the Hungarian and Turkish ambassadors, respectively, called on her to discuss the expansion of water projects to 16 towns and 130 villages in the country.



The Turkish and the Hungarian governments would support the projects through their respective Exim Banks.



Madam Dapaah said it was an honour to have the two ambassadors working together on one platform to use Ghana as a gateway to execute development in Africa.



She expressed President Akufo-Addos support, through the Ministry, to the water projects, adding:

Last year we were privileged to have his Excellency cut the sod for seven major water projects and that is a feat, which is really commendable.



We have the Yendi water, Tamale, Damongo, Wenchi, and Sekondi/Takoradi water projects, then Sunyani and Keta water projects, Techiman is in the pipeline by Korea Exim, Oti and all new regions would have their share so that the projects are evenly distributed around the country, the Minister said.



Madam Dapaah gave the assurance that the Ministry would provide collaborative support to the projects and was looking forward to speeding things up as the Minister of Finance takes office.



Mr Szabo said the water and health sectors had been of great concern to the two countries, hence working with their respective Exim banks to get on board to support.



Madam Ergun Ulueren, on her part, said Turkey and Hungary had decided to assist in developmental projects, particularly in ECOWAS countries like Ghana, and that feasibility studies had already begun on the water projects in 16 towns and 130 villages.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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WASHINGTON  Doggie doo in the White House?

One of President Joe Bidens dogs apparently deposited the pile of poo in the hallway outside the Diplomatic Reception Room, just off the South Lawn, on Wednesday.

Reporters accompanying Jill Biden on a trip to California spotted the brown stuff on the red-carpeted hallway as they waited just inside the mansion to be escorted to the first ladys motorcade.

It was unclear which pooch  Major or Champ  dropped the poo.

Earlier this week, Major, the younger dog, was involved in his second biting incident in March.

Michael LaRosa, a spokesperson for Jill Biden, said the 3-year-old German shepherd nipped someone while on a walk on Monday. The person, who was not identified, was examined by the White House medical staff and returned to work without injury, LaRosa said.

He said Major was still adjusting to White House life. Both dogs had lived with the Bidens in Delaware before Joe Biden took office.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Champ, 12, and Major recently had returned to the White House after Major caused a minor injury to a Secret Service employee on March 8. They had spent some down time back in Delaware, and the president had said Major was being trained.

Champ and Major were later seen on the South Lawn before the first ladys motorcade departed Wednesday. Major was on a leash while Champ roamed freely.

What happened Wednesday wasnt the first known instance of dog poop inside the White House, given the long history of presidential dog ownership.

President Barack Obamas dog Sunny liked to sneak off and poop in the mansion, his wife, Michelle, once said.

President Donald Trump did not have a pet at the White House.
Collins attorney, Shay Allen, called the charges a blatant attempt to squeeze his client and get her to cooperate in the ComEd case, even though she knows nothing whatsoever of that alleged scheme. Allen said she intended to fight the charges, which he characterized as minor.
(Natural News) According to the Pharma controlled CDC, from mid-December through March 19, theyve over 44,600 adverse events from covid mass-jabbing in the US.

(Article by Stephen Lendman republished from StephenLendman.org)

Around 7,100 were serious ones, including anaphylactic shock that risks death.

Over 2,000 (avoidable) deaths were reported.

Over roughly the same timeframe, European public health authorities reported over 162,600 mass-jabbing adverse events and nearly 4,000 deaths.

As in the US, the above numbers are the tip of a much larger iceberg of mass casualties and exponentially rising numbers of deaths.

Instead of warning about the hazards of covid mass-jabbing, the CDC, other US public health agencies, their European counterparts and press agent media call for everyone to be inoculated with what no one should touch.

As explained earlier, CDC data are the tip of the iceberg.

True numbers of mass casualties and deaths in the US are over 100 times greater than the above data suggest.

The risk of harm to health from covid jabbing is unacceptably high both short and longer-term.

Whats going on is unprecedented.

In cahoots with the Trump and now Biden regime, along with Congress, US public health officials OKd use of rushed to market, experimental drugs that dont protect against seasonal flu-renamed covid and pose a high risk of contracting the disease and many others.

Over 100 million Americans have been jabbed so far as part of the largest-ever-scale experiment with human health already turning out very badly.

Millions of Americans and countless others abroad were harmed.

Many millions more face contraction one or more major diseases in their lifetime from toxins in covid jabs.

The elderly, others with weakened immune systems, individuals with allergies, pregnant women, others infected with flu, and everyone on a cocktail of drugs with potentially harmful side effects in dealing with one or more serious diseases are most vulnerable to harm from covid jabs.

Medical professionals and scientists  unconnected to Pharma or Western governments  are sounding the alarm against use of hazardous experimental covid drugs.

Preserving and protecting health depends on rejecting them  not playing fast and loose with whats too precious to lose, and once lost perhaps not being able to regain.

Its crucial to resist and rebel against US darks forces that aim to destroy public health while helping Pharma cash in big on a bonanza of profits.

Instead of returning to normality ahead, a permanent new abnormal is planned.

It includes state-sponsored dystopia  aka the Great Reset  under hardened, police state enforced totalitarian rule on a fast track toward full-blown tyranny.

Whats planned is what Orwell called a boot stamping on a human face  forever.

He envisioned a diabolical future in the West and elsewhere thats unfolding in plain sight.

What was inconceivable long ago when I was a boy, adolescent and youth is now reality.

The choice is clear. Resist and rebel or face Dantes hell.

Theres no in between.

Read more at: StephenLendman.org and VaccineInjuryNews.com
DUBLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2019 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The ambulatory surgery centers market is projected to grow steadily with a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period from 2019 to 2029. The number of outpatients has increased significantly as a result of increased public health awareness and initiatives by the government to provide ambulatory healthcare services.



Need for Minimally Invasive Procedures Boosting the Demand for ASCs:



More than 70% of the deaths are from Non-communicable disease states the World Health Organization (WHO). Ophthalmic surgery leads the surgical segment revenues of the ambulatory surgery center market. The market for ophthalmic surgery is expanding due to advances in the technology of ophthalmic surgical instruments and increase in the number of patients suffering from eye disorders. There has been consistent increase in eye disorders among children due to increased screen time. WHO reports that cataract remains the key reason of blindness attributing up to 51% of blind population.

Ophthalmologists currently recommend laser technology to treat common eye disorders such as myopia, hypermetropia, diabetic macular edema. There has been a significant increase in the demand for minimally invasive surgeries as the led to early discharge and quick recovery of patients. Similar is the case of endoscopic procedures that offers both effective diagnosis and therapeutic solutions to gastrointestinal disorders. Increasing awareness among the patients with respect to procedural and cost efficiency of minimally invasive surgeries have led to increasing demand for such surgeries. Ambulatory surgery centers are very efficient in facilitating the minimally invasive surgeries and endoscopic procedures and therefore have gained popularity for the same.



Impact of COVID-19 and Improving Healthcare Infrastructure Turned to be a Big Favor for the Market Growth



In the current situation, the developing infrastructure and focus on therapeutic solutions that requires minimal time for recovery has uplifted the significance of ambulatory surgical centers. Increasing scope of insurance to cover unconventional surgeries that may not require hospital stay has enhanced the affordability among the patients to opt for minimally invasive procedures. These trends have increased the number of outpatients. Surgical technological advancements and patient affordable reimbursement programs provide a powerful driving force for the treatment of ailing patients. Introduction of innovative diagnostic kits, have enhanced the precision levels also reducing the process and time involved in conventional diagnostic process. With reducing the complexity of diagnosis, ASCs became ideal facilitating point.



Additionally the importance of ambulatory surgical centers has been reinforced post covid 19. Due to the pandemic the patients had limited access inside the hospital to restrain the spread of infection. The priorities were given to emergency procedures where the health condition of the patient is critical. Many suitable procedures were referred to be performed in ambulatory surgical centers. This increased the demand for ASCs and also opened opportunities for wider acceptance and has begun to be an integral part of service delivery.



North America remains to be the Market Leader



North America contributed to the highest revenue in 2019 in comparison to other geographic segment. NA accounted to over 45% of the total market revenues. The key driver for the growth of North America is increasing public health awareness and demand for minimally invasive surgery. The key market players include Aspen Healthcare, Amsurg and IntegraMed America, Inc. Key strategies include mergers and acquisitions and strategic partnerships focused on key therapeutic segments and innovative solutions. In case of Europe government initiatives to focus on delivering healthcare accessibility in remote location has urged the need of ASCs. However, Asia Pacific is expected to record highest CAGR during the forecast period 2021 to 2029. Increasing funds and government initiatives, rising incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases are the key factors driving the ASCs market in APAC.



Historical & Forecast Period



This research report presents the analysis of each segment from 2019 to 2029 considering 2020 as the base year for the research. Compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each respective segment are calculated for the forecast period from 2021 to 2029.



Key players in the market include AmSurg., Aspen Healthcare, IntegraMed America, Inc., Mednax Services, Inc., Surgery Partners, Inc., Surgical Care Affiliates, SurgCenter Development, Tenet Healthcare, Team Health Holdings and United Surgical Partners International.



Key questions answered in this report

What are the key market segments in current scenario and in the future by product categories?

What are the key market segments in current scenario and in the future by regions?

What is the key impact of Covid 19 over market revenues and market determinants in the ambulatory surgery centers market?

What are the primary and secondary macro and micro factors influencing the market growth currently and during the forecast period?

What are the primary and secondary macro and micro factors deterring the market growth currently and during the forecast period?

How to overcome the current market challenges and leverage the opportunities in each of the market segment?

Who are the key players in the medical aesthetics market and what are their key product categories and strategies?

What are the key strategies - mergers/acquisitions/R&D/strategic partnerships etc that companies are deploying to enhance market revenues and growth?

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Preface

1.1. Report Scope and Description

1.1.1. Purpose of the Report

1.1.2. Target Audience

1.1.3. USP and Key Offerings

1.2. Research Scope

1.3. Research Methodology

1.3.1. Phase I-Secondary Research

1.3.2. Phase II-Primary Research

1.3.3. Approach Adopted

1.3.4. Top-down Approach

1.3.5. Bottom-up Approach

1.3.6. Phase III-Expert Panel Review

1.3.7. Assumptions

1.4. Market Segmentation



Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Global ASC Market Portraiture

2.2. Global ASC Market, by Surgery Type, 2019 (US$ Mn)

2.3. Global ASC Market, by Services, 2019 (US$ Mn)

2.4. Global ASC Market, by Geography, 2019 (US$ Mn)

2.5 Impact of covid 19



Chapter 3. Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) Market: Dynamics and Future Outlook

3.1. Market Overview

3.2. Drivers

3.3. Challenges

3.4. Opportunities

3.5. Attractive Investment Proposition, by Geography, 2019

3.6. Competitive Analysis: Global ASC Market, by Key Players, 2019



Chapter 4. Global Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) Market, by Surgery Type

4.1. Overview

4.2. Dental

4.3. Ophthalmology

4.4. Orthopedic

4.5. Cardiovascular

4.6. Endoscopy

4.7. Obstetrics

4.8. Cosmetology



Chapter 5. Global Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) Market, by Services

5.1. Overview

5.2. Diagnosis

5.3. Treatment



Chapter 6. Global Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) Market, by Geography

6.1. Overview

6.2. North America ASC Market Analysis, 2019 - 2029

6.2.1. North America ASC Market, by Surgery Type, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.2.2. North America ASC Market, by Services, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.2.3. North America ASC Market, by Country, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.2.3.1. U.S.

6.2.3.2. Canada

6.3. Europe ASC Market Analysis, 2019 - 2029

6.3.1. Europe ASC Market, by Surgery Type, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.3.2. Europe ASC Market, by Services, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.3.3. Europe ASC Market, by Country/Region, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.3.3.1. U.K.

6.3.3.2. Germany

6.3.3.3. Rest of Europe

6.4. Asia Pacific ASC Market Analysis, 2019 - 2029

6.4.1. Asia Pacific ASC Market, by Surgery Type, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.4.2. Asia Pacific ASC Market, by Services, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.4.3. Asia Pacific ASC Market, by Country/Region, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.4.3.1. China

6.4.3.2. Japan

6.4.3.3. Rest of Asia Pacific

6.5. Latin America ASC Market Analysis, 2019 - 2029

6.5.1. Latin America ASC Market, by Surgery Type, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.5.2. Latin America ASC Market, by Services, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.5.3. Latin America ASC Market, by Country/Region, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.5.3.1. Brazil

6.5.3.2. Mexico

6.5.3.3. Rest of Latin America

6.6. Middle East and Africa ASC Market Analysis, 2019 - 2029

6.6.1. MEA ASC Market, by Surgery Type, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.6.2. MEA ASC Market, by Services, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.6.3. MEA ASC Market, by Country/Region, 2019 - 2029 (US$ Mn)

6.6.3.1. GCC

6.6.3.2. Rest of MEA



Chapter 7. Company Profiles

7.1. AmSurg

7.1.1. Business Description

7.1.2. Financial Information (Subject to data availability)

7.1.3. Surgery Type Portfolio

7.1.4. News Coverage

7.2. Aspen Healthcare

7.3. IntegraMed America, Inc.

7.4. Mednax Services, Inc.

7.5. Surgery Partners, Inc.

7.6. Surgical Care Affiliates

7.7. SurgCenter Development

7.8. Tenet Healthcare

7.9. Team Health Holdings

7.10. United Surgical Partners International

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3i9tj1

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Gandhinagar, April 1 : On the penultimate day of the Budget session on Wednesday, the Gujarat Assembly passed eight Bills, including one to amend Section 195 of the CrPC and sanctioning of eight new private universities.

State Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama tabled the Gujarat Private Universities (Amendment) Bill to include eight new private universities, and change the sponsoring body of an existing private university. The Bill was passed by the majority in the House.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who also holds the finance portfolio, tabled the Gujarat State Tax on Professionals, Traders, Callings and Employments (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to cover suppliers under the Gujarat GST Act, 2017 who were earlier covered under the VAT Act.

As per the amendment, suppliers exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh per annum will now have to pay Rs 2,500 in tax. The Bill was passed on the basis of majority.

The Gujarat Professional Medical Education Colleges or Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Fixation of Fees) (Amendment) Bill was also tabled by Education Minister Chudasama, which seeks unaided colleges or institutions in the disciplines of ayurveda, homeopathy and naturopathy to fill 15 per cent of government seats on the basis of a merit list prepared by Central government authority.

This was required due to the regulation of centralised counselling for admission to AYUSH under under-graduate and post-graduate courses. The Bill was passed unanimously.

The Code of Criminal Procedure (Gujarat Amendment) Bill amends Section 195 of the CrPC that makes it mandatory for the public servant issuing notification to be the complainant against the violators of Section 144 of CrPC (for violating the notification) if the police need to take legal action against incidents of violation under Section 188 of IPC (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). The Bill was opposed by the opposition Congress, which dubbed it as blunting the sharpness of democratic edge.

Another amendment Bill, the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2021, was presented by the BJP government. Through the amendment, 15 per cent of vacancies of teaching and non-teaching staff in private secondary and higher secondary institutes have been reserved for SC and ST candidates.

It also makes amendment for people aggrieved over dismissal or removal etc. in private schools to approach the Gujarat Educational Institutions Services Tribunal constituted in 2013. The amendment shall also be applicable to religious and linguistic minority institutions. The Bill was passed in the house on the basis of majority.

The Gujarat Panchayat Service Selection Board (GPSSB) will be able to carry out recruitment of all cadres of panchayat service Class III employees in a centralised manner "to bring uniformity in direct recruitment" through the Gujarat Panchayats (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Congress MLA from Danilimda, Shailesh Parmar, at the start of the day's business raised a point of order regarding the unavailability of copies of three Bills which were to be tabled in the House. As the legislators were not provided the copies of the Bills four days prior to their tabling, they should not be tabled, as per the provisions of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly Proceedings Act, he said.

The leader of the opposition Paresh Dhanani urged Speaker Rajendra Trivedi to reprimand the government for this. Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Minister of Legislative Affairs, and Deputy CM Nitin Patel admitted that there was a lapse on the part of the government.

However, the Speaker allowed the three Bills to be tabled, while also reprimanding the government over the lapse.
The stone was rolled away is a popular phrase and song lyric among Christians. Where do the words come from? Why are they so important? Lets take a closer look at this phrase in context.

What Does 'The Stone Was Rolled Away' Mean?

Jesuss crucifixion took place before a special Sabbath day. The Jewish leaders didnt want bodies hanging on crosses for the occasion so they made a request. They asked Pilate to have the legs of the convicted men broken to speed up their impending deaths. First, soldiers went to the other two criminals to carry out the task. When they approached Jesus, however, they noticed he was already dead.

Later, a disciple of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesuss body. Joseph had his own unused tomb he wanted to give Jesus. The gravesite was carved out of a rock. After Pilate permitted Joseph to take the body, he wrapped him in clean linen and placed him in the tomb.

Matthew Henry explains  Providence ordered it that Christs sepulcher should be in a solid entire rock, that no room might be left to suspect his disciples had access to it by some underground passage, or broke through the back wall of it, to steal the body; for there was no access to it but by the door, which was watched.

Then Joseph rolled a huge stone in front of the grave and went away. Women who had come with Jesus from Galilee stood by witnessing the burial. Jesuss body was secluded from the world, cut off from the living. There was no way in and a guard was placed outside to keep watch,

Luke 24:1-6:On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!

Jesus wasnt lying in the tomb anymore. He had risen from the dead. An angel of the Lord rolled the stone away to share the good news.

Matthew 28:2-4: There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

Jesus could have rolled the stone away himself, but he chose not to. Matthew Henry explains that Jesus rolling the stone away would mirror a prisoner breaking out of jail. He didnt want anyone to think he was breaking the law or taking undesirable action. The angel signifies an officer opening the tomb for Jesus, freely and justly. Henry goes on to explain that the stone represents our sins and when it was rolled away, it represents our sins being overtaken by Jesuss resurrection.

Get your FREE 8-Day Prayer and Scripture Guide - Praying Through the Holy Week HERE. Print your own copy for a beautiful daily devotional leading up to Easter.

What Do We Know about the Stone and Guards in Front of Jesus' Tomb?

The Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology explains stones used to close graves weighed tons. They could not be moved by a single person. This is confirmed in a conversation by three women on the third day after Jesuss death. They ask who will move the stone. They realize that even together they are unable to roll the stone away.

We also cant assume Joseph rolled the stone by himself. John 19:39 tells us Nicodemus helped with the essential tasks. Together, they wrapped Jesuss body and laid him in the tomb. It can be assumed that Joseph oversaw the burial rituals and did not act alone, including rolling the stone in front of the grave.

Since Jesuss gravesite was cut out of a rock, the stone ensured complete enclosure of the tomb. Stealing Jesus would be impossible without opening the entrance. Matthew 27:66 says, So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. The chief priests and Pharisees were nervous one of Jesuss disciples would steal his body since Jesus promised he would rise from the dead on the third day. They didnt want to take any chances of a fake resurrection.

Where Do Stones Show Up Elsewhere in Scripture?

1 Samuel 14:33: Then someone said to Saul, Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it. You have broken faith, he said. Roll a large stone over here at once.

In this passage, the stone represents the guilt of sin. Jesus overcame sin and the stone with the resurrection. We are all imperfect and unable to remain completely faithful to God. Sin causes guilt and shame. The heaviness of these emotions can make us feel trapped. Jesus overcame this entrapment and allows his followers to walk in freedom with him.

Before his death, Jesus went to Galilee. While he was teaching, teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought a woman convicted of adultery to the temple courts. The law issued that she be stoned. Jesus challenged any spectators without sin to throw the first stone. No one, however, threw a rock at the woman. They realized they too had sinned. In the end, Jesus is left alone with the womanand her iniquities. He overcame the required stoning of those with transgressions. When we are in community with Jesus our stones, or sins, are left on the ground and no one has the power to hurl condemnation at us.

Why Is it Important to Christianity that the Stone Was Rolled Away?

When the stone was rolled away, Jesus proved he was who he said he was, the Son of God. The emptied grave showed the world he had risen from the dead and completed his mission of coming to earth to save the world from their sins. Instead of lying lifeless in a grave, he is now alive, sitting at the right hand of the father.

The woman didnt see the risen Jesus, they saw the empty grave. The angel told them to remember what Jesus had said about rising from the dead. Like the woman who had to remember Jesuss promise, we too can take Jesus for his word. When we believe Jesus is the Son of God, we are made right with him and ensured salvation.

Without a rolled-away stone, Christians wouldnt have much to celebrate at Easter. When the stone was rolled away, it showed that Christ had overcome death on the cross and the sins of all his people. The stone couldnt stop Jesus. Guards couldnt stop Jesus. Death couldnt stop Jesus. Jesus is alive today, and like the angel who sat on the stone, he is sitting at the right hand of the father offering his good news to all who will accept his gift.

Photo credit: Getty Images/jchizhe

Jenna Brooke Carlson is an elementary dual language teacher in the Chicago suburbs. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Word Weavers, she enjoys spending time with other writers and perfecting her craft. She recently signed a contract for her first young adult novel, A Big Hot Mess, with Elk Lake Publishing. Along with writing, shes pursuing her dreams of creating a community of brave young women, who she can encourage to live out their dreams amid challenges and imperfection. Her days are busy, but shes determined she can conquer anything with a fuzzy blanket and a hot cup of tea. To find out more about Jenna, visit her website at jennabrookecarlson.com.
Mumbai, March 31 : Actor Aadar Jain got a chance to work with veteran star Jackie Shroff in the upcoming film "Hello Charlie", and he cannot stop gushing about the senior actor.

"I've always been a big Jackie Shroff fan and after working with him, I've become an even bigger fan of his. He's a rockstar in the truest sense and hands down the coolest person I've met! I had a blast working with him, we share a great bond and I just have the most amount of love and respect for him, as an actor and as a human being," said Aadar.

He added: "I've known him for many years now even before I became an actor. We met first on the sets of Farah Khan's 'Happy New Year' where I worked as an assistant director and I always wanted to share screen space with him. So, to finally get the opportunity to work alongside him in 'Hello Charlie' was really special." Jackie was a big motivator for Aadar on the sets: "To be honest, he just always showered me with a lot of love and praise, and that in itself was really encouraging and motivating for a young actor like me. If at all, he just said 'bindaas bidhu just enjoy yourself!" "Every minute with Jackie Shroff sir on set was a laugh riot or an exchange of warm words. We heard a lot of young cool African music together and exchanged many interesting stories about my family and his," said Aadar.

"Hello Charlie" will premiere on April 9. Directed by Pankaj Saraswat, the film also features Shlokka Pandit, Rajpal Yadav and Elnaaz Norouzi. It has been produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Abahlali founder S'bu Zikode wins international human rights prize

The award of a Swedish government prize for human rights activism will offer him some protection, says winner S'Bu Zikode.

Zikode, founder of shack dwellers' movement Abahlali BaseMjondolo, has faced death threats, arrest, torture and the destruction of his house.

He says the Per Anger award, to be handed over on 21 April, is a reminder to those who undermine Abahlali's efforts that "the world is watching".

Housing minister Lindiwe Sisulu congratulated him, in a press release in which she was described as "patron" of Abahlali, but Abahlali said it had no patron and Sisulu had not helped the movement.

Winning the Swedish government's Per Anger award will offer some sense of security, says Abahlali baseMjondolo founder S'bu Zikode, who says he has lived "in the shadow of death" for years.

The Per Anger Prize for human rights and democracy was established in 2004 in recognition of diplomat Per Anger's efforts during the second World War, when he saved Hungarian Jews from the Holocaust.

The award will be presented to Zikode on 21 April.

"This year, the Per Anger Prize goes to a man who revolts against poverty. He fights for the most vulnerable in South Africa's shack settlements and for their rights to a home and a dignified life," said Ingrid Lomfors, who chaired the jury. "S'bu's long lasting and tenacious struggle impressed the jury."

Zikode has repeatedly faced death in the fight for land on which to build shacks. He still faces death threats, he says, and often has to operate from hiding in Durban.

In 2006 he was arrested and tortured in police custody on seven fabricated charges. "I successfully sued the police for damage and won in court."

In September 2009, his home was destroyed in Kennedy Road settlement in Durban, and his belongings were lost. The home, he says, was broken down in the presence of law enforcement agencies in that province who did nothing. "I was forced into hiding and eventually placed in a safe home through the support of international human rights organisations."

"I have been living in the shadow of death because of my efforts to have people get land, decent housing, and to be treated with dignity and respect," he says.

He says he has been arrested and tortured in police custody. He has been beaten and slandered in the media. His vehicle was fiddled with and he escaped a terrible accident in 2016. "I have had to leave my family and work underground," he says.

This award, Likode says, will provide some sense of security.

"It makes me realise that the work that I do is important," he says. "It is enough to receive the recognition from the Swedish government especially when your own government doesn't see the value of Abahlali's work."

When he sees vulnerable people smiling because they have what they call a home "my heart gets fulfilled", says Zikode. He says he learned leadership as a Boy Scout and is motivated by "my love for my country and its people ... duty to God and duty to my country".

"All my teachings I learnt from the Boy Scout movement shaped me to who I am today."

The Swedish government's award confirmed for him that "our Abahlali struggle is 'just' and legitimate".

"But it also says that whoever undermines the Abahlali struggle, the world is watching those who rubbish us through violence and repressive means."

Soon after the award was announced, Minister of Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu issued a statement congratulating Zikode. She said her ministry would continue to work closely with "our various stakeholders including Abahlali". The statement described Sisulu as "the Patron of Abahlali Basemjondolo".

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In a responding statement, Abahlali welcomed Sisulu's congratulations but said it was not true that the minister was a patron of the movement.

"Our movement does not have a patron. Moreover, all our efforts to engage the Minister on violent and unlawful evictions in eThekwini have failed. Even during the Covid lockdown when all evictions were stopped by law by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and the UN had announced a world-wide ban on all evictions she did not bother to stop the eThekwini Municipality from evicting Abahlali," said Abahlali's statement.

Asked to comment, Steven Motale, spokesperson for Sisulu, said his boss was "seized with pressing matters of service delivery [and] doesn't have time for a public spat with any individual or organisation."

Motale said, however, Sisulu supported the members of Abahlali and would engage them as well as their community leaders.
Scenes of the massive destruction after more than a decade of conflict in Syria (AFP or licensors)

The Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States calls for long-term, joint efforts from the international community to help restart the Syrian economy in the face of its decade-long conflict and massive humanitarian crisis.

By Vatican News staff writer

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher has called for a renewed and decisive commitment from the international community in support of Syria, amid its long-running situation of conflict and violence.

The Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States made the appeal on Tuesday during the Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.

The meeting, held in a virtual format in view of Covid-19 restrictions, aimed at reasserting the international communitys continued support for the country, as well as mobilizing a comprehensive and credible political solution to the conflict in line with resolutions of the UN Security Council.

On 15 March, Syria marked ten years of hostilities, in which an untold number have died and several million have been displaced, creating a humanitarian crisis that has been further exacerbated by the Covid-19 health emergency.

Visible signs of hope and solidarity

Archbishop Gallagher, in a video message during the conference, highlighted the urgent need to find timely, realizable solutions to the dramatic situation.

In order to help Syria and to restore faith in their country and their future, visible signs of hope and solidarity are the sole remedy, said the Archbishop. These, he insisted, are the only antidote to fatigue and despair.

However, he noted, the pressing question is, How can we give the people what they desperately need?

The role of the Church

The Archbishop underscored that, in the decade-long conflict in Syria, the Church has emphasized the response to the humanitarian needs of the population.

He noted that more than 80 Catholic institutions intervene in various sectors in solidarity with multiple actors and institutions in Syria and in neighboring countries, employing roughly 6,000 professionals and more than 8,000 volunteers, who join the network of priests and religious present in the various territories.

At the same time, the ecclesial network has committed nearly two billion USD to reach about 4.5 million beneficiaries per year - of which about half, more than two million, are in Syria.

Nonetheless, he stressed that humanitarian aid destined for the region cannot remain bound to exclusively support immediate needs, as medium- and long-term programs for rehabilitation, peace-building and development, which are necessary for the economic recovery and reconstruction of the social fabric of the country, must be produced.

He added that in light of the immense needs and sufferings of the people, all of this aid is a mere pipeline of water in the desert as reported by the Apostolic Nuncio in Syria, Cardinal Mario Zenari during a meeting with the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See in October 2020.

Appeal to the international community

Archbishop Gallagher went on to emphasize that aid from the international community is still urgent and necessary at this time, but is not an adequate long-term solution.

Do we want to build peace in Syria? he asked.

If so, he said: then we must begin to direct significant, adequate channels of resources to build hospitals, schools, houses, factories and to restart the economy. Solutions exist, but peace will not come to Syria without reconstruction and without jumpstarting the economy. We must find a way forward.

Re-echoing the words of Pope Francis at the interreligious meeting at the Plain of Ur during his recent Apostolic Journey to Iraq, the Archbishop said, Peace does not demand winners or losers, but rather brothers and sisters who, for all the misunderstandings and hurts of the past, are journeying from conflict to unity.

Concluding, Archbishop Gallagher reiterated Pope Francis appeal for a renewed commitment by the international community, so that those in conflict would lay down their arms and allow for the social fabric in Syria to be mended and for reconstruction and economic recovery to begin in earnest.
Google told workers in an email Wednesday that it expects some U.S. employees to be able to return to the office in the coming month.

Why it matters: Tech companies, among the first to shut their offices a year ago, are largely shifting to hybrid work environments, allowing some employees to continue working remotely part or all of the week.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

The big picture: Google's move follows similar announcements from Facebook, Microsoft and other companies.

Details:

Google is encouraging workers to get vaccinated but is not requiring it.

Employees wont be required to come into the office until at least September.

Google is expanding some pandemic-related benefits.

What theyre saying:

In the United States, the situation is also mixed and we must continue to stay vigilant to prevent a new wave of the virus. We are also seeing some hopeful improvements in parts of the country. Im happy to say that over the next month, it is likely well begin to welcome Googlers back to some of our U.S. offices on a voluntary basis.

Fionna Cicconi, SVP and Googles chief people officer, in an email to workers seen by Axios

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OCEAN SPRINGS, MS / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / As Women's History Month comes to a close, the Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS) is celebrating the contributions of the women students and staffers who are a driving force behind the Center's current success, and who are essential to our important fisheries science research.



Clockwise from top left: Laura Solinger, Alexandria Marquardt, Alyssa LeClaire, Alexis Hollander, Jillian Sower, and Kathleen Hemeon

SCEMFIS operates two main research centers, the Gulf Coast Research Lab at the University of Southern Mississippi and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at the College of William and Mary. This year, we have an amazing team of PhD and Master's degree students working at both sites, contributing to our work on finish and shellfish.



Here are the stories of the students and scientists that are part of the SCEMFIS team, who will make up the next generation of leaders in marine science.



Kathleen Hemeon is a third year PhD candidate at the Gulf Coast Research Lab at the University of Southern Mississippi. In her second year as a PhD student, she participated in a National Science Foundation non-academic internship, which funded a six-month collaborative research study at the Population Biology Branch of the NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA. As an intern, she worked to develop age-error estimations and protocols that arise when aging the commercially harvested ocean quahog (Arctica islandica), the longest-lived bivalve on Earth. These data will help researchers identify age-reader bias and precision to report with age estimations, in addition to standardizing aging procedures for an animal that is notoriously difficult to age.



Kathleen will continue her work on ocean quahog with her dissertation, which will better explain the population dynamics of two, Mid-Atlantic quahog populations. This dissertation follows Kathleen's previous work with green sturgeon, inland fisheries, and natural resource management, in addition to an earned B.S. from Western Washington University and M.S. from James Madison University.



Jill Sower is a second-year Master's student at the Gulf Coast Research Lab. Her work at GCRL focuses on examining population dynamics for ocean quahogs off the coast of New Jersey in comparison to different quahog populations from along the coast of New England.



Jill received a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation and a B.A. in Spanish from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. She hopes to graduate in Spring 2022, and after finishing her degree, she would like to continue working in a research position at a coastal university along the East Coast.



Alyssa LeClaire is a Master's student at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Working in collaboration with Virginia Institute of Marine Science, her work includes collecting samples from archived ocean quahog shells found offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula. Carbon dates will be used to determine the time scale of the ocean quahog's range shift across the continental shelf in Mid-Atlantic Bight, coinciding with fluctuation of the Cold Pool and historical climate events. She has sampled shells that are over 4000 years old.

She is applying for an NSF nonacademic internship to work with NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). This five-month internship would be to determine if the Cold Pool has significantly changed, in terms of size and location, and if this change is impacting the available habitat of ocean quahog. Alyssa received her BS in Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina.is a PhD student in the Gulf Coast Research Lab. Her work focuses on developing a risk-based approach to assess the effectiveness of different management strategies on fisheries resources, including summer flounder and Atlantic surfclam. Laura was awarded an NSF non-academic internship to collaborate with the stock assessment lead for Atlantic surfclam, Dr. Daniel Hennen, at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and she has also collaborated on projects for management of gulf oysters, abalone disease transmission, and forecasts of clam fisheries given projected offshore windmill construction.Laura received her BS in Biology with a focus on Marine Science from the University of South Florida, and is currently finishing her MS in Fisheries Biology with Humboldt State University. After her PhD, Laura hopes to work with private and public fisheries organizations to develop stock assessment models, assess their effectiveness and continue advancements to incorporate new data sources and environmental variables into models.is a Master's Student at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Dr. Roger Mann's Molluscan Ecology Lab. For her Master's research, Alexis is investigating the impacts of climate change on the growth and distribution of Atlantic surfclams (Spisula solidissima). The moving footprint of the range of exploited surfclams in these regions over the past four decades is now well documented in both Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) stock assessment surveys and the gradual northeasterly movement of harvest activity. This project is developing a 33-year retrospective, spatially explicit time series of growth rates in surfclams collected over the surveyed range to both document the moving footprint in terms of population productivity and provide an explicit forward projection of future productivity.Alexis has a career goal of serving as an educator and mentor to college students.is an ecologist and PhD student in the Department of Fisheries Science at Virginia Institute of Marine Science studying Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) biology and population dynamics in the Chesapeake Bay. Her work focuses primarily on marine invertebrates and addresses applied questions that directly inform management and restoration of harvested species. Alex's PhD research investigates post-settlement growth and mortality in oysters in the Chesapeake Bay and compares existing and fossil oyster reefs. Alex is collaborating with SCEMFIS this spring, assisting with ocean quahog and surf clam research, while searching for fossilized oysters.Her career goals are to work on research and monitoring programs that engage local communities and stakeholders to share knowledge, build relationships, and facilitate participation in scientific research. Alex completed her BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Science at Oregon State University and MS in Biological Sciences working with Dr. Ben Ruttenberg at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.SCEMFIS utilizes academic and fisheries resources to address urgent scientific problems limiting sustainable fisheries. SCEMFIS develops methods, analytical and survey tools, datasets, and analytical approaches to improve sustainability of fisheries and reduce uncertainty in biomass estimates. SCEMFIS university partners, University of Southern Mississippi (lead institution), and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, are the academic sites. Collaborating scientists who provide specific expertise in finfish, shellfish, and marine mammal research, come from a wide range of academic institutions including Old Dominion University, Rutgers University, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, University of Maryland, and University of Rhode Island.The need for the diverse services that SCEMFIS can provide to industry continues to grow, which has prompted a steady increase in the number of fishing industry partners. These services include immediate access to science expertise for stock assessment issues, rapid response to research priorities, and representation on stock assessment working groups. Targeted research leads to improvements in data collection, survey design, analytical tools, assessment models, and other needs to reduce uncertainty in stock status and improve reference point goals.Stove Boat Communications(202) 844-2502john@stoveboat.com

SOURCE: Science Center for Marine Fisheries

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638518/Science-Center-for-Marine-Fisheries-Recognizes-Its-Women-Scientists-in-Celebration-of-Womens-History-Month
By the time Kimberly Virguez finally took the wrenching choice to leave her native Venezuela, widespread food shortages there had left her 15 kilos lighter. In Peru, where she sought asylum, she quickly put the weight back on.

But then the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Kimberly lost her job, and she and her husband had to start skipping meals to have enough to feed their growing twin boys. After months of eating just once a day, Kimberly again weighs about what she did when she left Venezuela in 2018.

"We're absolutely desperate."

Its terrible because theres nothing you can do. The cupboards are empty, but because of the restrictions, you cant go out there and get a job and earn money for food, said Kimberly, who lost her job as a chefs assistant as the virus began its deadly spread through Latin America in March 2020. She was then let go from another position she had briefly held before Peru locked down a second time this January.

Were absolutely desperate, she said.

Situations like Kimberlys are playing out across the globe, with coronavirus restrictions costing hundreds of millions of jobs worldwide and plunging untold numbers of people into financial freefall. Amid the downturn, displaced people  who are sometimes forced to flee their homes with little more than what they can carry  are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity and malnutrition. After scraping by as best they could for the past year, many now find themselves in dire straits, having to skip meals, line up at soup kitchens or resort to begging or searching for food scraps.

No country has been spared the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, said a recent report by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Organization for Migration, examining the close links between global hunger and displacement. The report notes that most displaced people live in urban areas, where the economic impact of COVID-19 has been most pronounced and where they are often the first to lose jobs in times of crisis.

The WFP estimates that as a result of the pandemic, some 270 million people may have been acutely food insecure by the end of 2020. That is around double the 135 million estimated to have been food insecure in 2019  a record year for hunger. And given that an estimated 80 per cent of displaced people worldwide find themselves in areas affected by high levels of malnutrition and acute food insecurity, the pandemic has made an already desperate situation even worse.

Lockdowns worsen hunger for displaced Afghan families

Putting food on the table has been a struggle for Chinar Gul, 45, ever since 2016, when a rocket hit her home in Kunduz, Afghanistan, killing her husband and forcing her to flee to the capital, Kabul, with her five children. Without her husband, who had been the familys main breadwinner, Chinar had no choice but to send her 10-year-old son out to collect food that local hotels were discarding.

The family survived on those handouts until the pandemic, when Kabuls hotels shut down as the city went into lockdown to staunch the spread of the virus.

Chinar Gul with four of her five children. The family have been relying on food gifts from neighbours since the start of the pandemic.  UNHCR/Lima Haidari

After that, we were in trouble, said Chinar. During the lockdown, we missed one or two meals a day. I was just giving my children water and telling them that I would give them food later.

Now, Chinars 10-year-old son spends his days collecting rubbish they can burn to stay warm, while the family relies on gifts of food from their neighbours. When the neighbours have nothing to spare, we sleep hungry at night, Chinar said.

Even before COVID-19, decades of conflict, recurring natural disasters and a weak economy had been steadily eroding the ability of millions of Afghans to feed themselves. By early in the pandemic, the country was already facing one of the most severe food crises in the world, and by the end of the year, 16.9 million people  a staggering 42 per cent of Afghanistans population  were facing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity. Nearly half of all children under five are estimated to be at risk of acute malnutrition this year.

In response, UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations committed to providing food and other life-saving support to 15.7 million needy Afghans in 2021.

Food ration cuts deepen hardships

Aid is also critical to help keep displaced people in Eastern Africa from going hungry, particularly at a time when COVID-19 lockdowns have seen income from small businesses and casual work dry up, but recent funding shortfalls have led to food ration cuts for over 3 million refugees in the region. UNHCR and the WFP have warned that the cuts  which have seen rations slashed by more than half in some countries  could lead to an increased incidence of malnutrition, anaemia and stunted child growth.

The pandemic has been devastating for everyone, but for refugees even more so, said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UNHCRs Regional Bureau Director Bureau for the East, Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes. Unless more funds are made available, thousands of refugees  including children  will not have enough to eat.

"We used to eat twice a day. Now we eat once."

That is already the case for Vicky Comfort, a 17-year-old from South Sudan living in the Rhino Camp refugee settlement, in north-western Uganda. Her family of six have relied on food rations since fleeing home. But amid a US$77 million funding shortfall for operations in Uganda  which hosts the largest refugee population in Africa  the WFP was forced to cut food assistance to some 1.27 million refugees in February, by 40 per cent.

We used to eat twice a day. Now we eat once, said Vicky, adding that she has noted the effects that the familys reduced food intake has had on her health. I have lost weight and my immunity is low. Im always falling sick because of poor feeding.

Besides skipping or reducing meals, Nkweta-Salami of UNHCR said the food ration cuts were resulting in refugees resorting to various other negative coping strategies, including taking out high-interest loans, selling off belongings and sending children out to work.

There is often a desperation and a feeling of no alternative, she said.

Basirika Doro, a 26-year-old South Sudanese woman living in the Imvepi refugee settlement, also in north-western Uganda, said that the experience of hunger has led her family to rethink their decision to leave South Sudan.

This always forces us to think about our home country and wonder if we had not fled to this camp, maybe life would be better, she said.

Reporting by Abdul Basir Wafa in Kabul; Peter Eliru in Ugandas Rhino Camp refugee settlement; and Vincent Kasule in Ugandas Imvepi refugee settlement.


New mitigation measures will help protect aquatic insects and their environments

OTTAWA, ON, March 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, following a special review that included broad public consultation and science-based assessments, Health Canada released its decisions on the risks to aquatic insects from two neonicotinoid pesticides: clothianidin and thiamethoxam.

To protect aquatic insects, Health Canada will be updating the use of some uses of clothianidin and thiamethoxam, and introducing additional mitigation measures and restrictions on some of the uses that remain registered. The new information collected during the special reviews allowed the Department to determine that some uses do not pose a risk to aquatic insects, while other uses do pose risks of concern. The revised conditions of use must be reflected on all product labels no later than 24 months from today. A small number of uses for which there are no suitable alternatives will continue for an additional 24 months. Adjustments to the use of pesticides will be in accordance with the Health Canada's Policy on Cancellations and Amendments Following Re-evaluation and Special Review.

For this special review, Health Canada undertook significant engagement and consultation with industry, stakeholders, and Canadians, receiving more than 47,000 comments from the public through this process. The reviews also considered a significant amount of new water monitoring data and scientific studies and papers.

As part of its commitment to openness and transparency, Health Canada is publishing information related to these special review decisions, including the outcome of the science evaluation as well as next steps.

Quick Facts

Neonicotinoids are a class of pesticide used to control insects on a variety of agricultural crops, including as a seed treatment, and on turf and ornamental plants as well as other uses.

When used according to new mitigation measures, clothianidin and thiamethoxam will not pose additional risks to aquatic insects.

The new measures for the uses that remain registered include: revised label instructions such as reduced application rates, a reduction in number of applications, and spray buffer zones.

To be approved for sale in Canada , all pesticides must undergo a rigorous science-based review. Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada .

Related Products

Associated Links

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: Cole Davidson, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709
The company is undertaken a comprehensive soils program after receiving assays from selective sampling of outcropping veins, which returned grades of 1.62 g/t gold and 5.89 g/t gold in rock chips.

The final soil program is expected to be completed in one week before drilling can begin.

Platina Resources Limited ( ) (OTCMKTS:PTNUF) (FRA:P4R) is a step closer to its first drilling program at the wholly-owned Challa Gold Project in Western Australia with the final soil sampling program underway.

Since starting exploration activities in November 2020, more than 1,880 soil samples have been completed and the final soil program is expected to take one week to complete.

The comprehensive soils program follows assays received from the selective sampling of outcropping veins, which previously returned grades of 1.62 g/t gold and 5.89 g/t gold in rock chip samples.

Once the assay results are received a maiden rotary air blast (RAB) drilling program will be implemented to target a number of prospects generated by the soil sampling.

Sampling identified prospective targets

Platina managing director Corey Nolan said the companys innovative soil sampling program had successfully discriminated anomalous bedrock through the transported cover.

He said: Historically, Challa has not been systematically explored due to the transported sands and silts which cover a large part of the project area.

The soil sampling has identified a number of prospective targets which were looking forward to drilling.

Strategic location

Acquired by the company last June as part of Platinas strategy to refocus on Australia, the Challa tenements, E58/552 and E58/553, cover 293 square kilometres and are between the prolific Mt Magnet and Sandstone gold districts in Western Australia, 500 kilometres northeast of Perth.

The Sandstone province has produced over 1.3 million ounces of gold from numerous underground and open pit mining operations, while Mt Magnet produced over six million ounces since discovery in 1891.

Nearby, the Youanmi Gold Mine produced 670,000 ounces of gold throughout its lifetime and is currently the focus of new resource drilling of high-grade gold lodes.

New gold opportunities

Nolan also confirmed that Platina is continuing to examine a number of new gold project opportunities.

He said: The company is committed to expanding its gold presence in Western Australia.

We have identified several assets that would be great additions to our portfolio and our negotiations with the relevant pares are progressing positively.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. High 76F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm during the evening, then some lingering showers still possible overnight. Low around 65F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
A photo posted to social media showing a normal aspect of life in parts of Australia has intrigued, appalled and amused users.

The image, posted to Reddit, shows hundreds of flies crawling on the back of a tradie's work shirt with the title 'Just a regular day out west / up norf in 'Straya'.

'Tradies do stink though,' one poster responded.

'Jeez, they should just send prisoners to the place,' one smart alec wrote.

But wildlife-hardened Australian commenters were not too bothered.

A Reddit post showed hundreds of flies crawling over one man's back - with the poster saying it was a 'regular day out' in parts of Australia

'Get down to the floods, and find the guy with the spider fence,' someone replied.

Another put a swarm of flies in perspective: 'People who can freely walk around the street with guns scares me way more than anything here.'

Why Australia has so many flies is not a new question, it's even a common search term on google.

Maybe because there are more than 30,000 different species, and because their brain, body and nervous system is perfectly designed to avoid being swatted.

That doesn't stop people trying to swat them - and over time the action of trying to swipe away flies has become known as 'the Australians' salute'.

One theory as to why they're attracted to human is that they do so to get water - and they will fly up to 5km to do so.

'Flies seek out humans who act as mobile water drinking fountains for them,' said University of Western Australia Associate Professor Theo Evans, from the School of Biological Sciences.

'They are trying to find moisture, and that is why they go straight for our eyes, noses and mouths.'

'They are not smart creatures but smart enough to know that if they fly over the ocean instead to find water, they will probably die.'

Another theory is it's mainly the females that hover around and land on humans - because they are trying to glean protein from bodies to help them produce the nutrients to produce eggs.

But locals are right to be wary of them, according to the CSIRO.

'Flies are responsible for the transmission of a wide variety of disease-causing micro-organisms in humans and animals,' the CSIRO's research on flies said.

But fortunately for Australians, most of those diseases are not widespread here.

'Most of these diseases are absent from Australia, with exceptions such as dengue fever and some types of encephalitis. Mosquito-borne malaria has been eradicated from Australia.'
LOS ANGELES  Some people know Karon Davis mostly by association  with her husband, the acclaimed artist Noah Davis, who died at 32 in 2015; with the Underground Museum that the pair founded in 2012, which features the work of Black artists; with her father, the Broadway song-and-dance man Ben Vereen.

But recently, Davis has been carving out an independent professional identity as an artist, a process that has led to her first solo exhibition in New York at Jeffrey Deitchs gallery, through April 24.

I always wanted to do it on my own, Davis said in a recent interview at her studio in Arlington Heights here, to prove to myself that I was good enough  I got it. No one is going to give it to me.

While she has shown her work in relatively few shows and spent most of the last few years juggling the museum, her husbands estate and their 11-year-old son, Moses, Davis has already made a strong impression on the art establishment.
Overview

The world of forex trading is massive, and it can be tricky to navigate. For this reason, it is crucial that Latin American traders have a broker that caters for their unique trading needs, their level of experience, and their trading style, ensuring that they get the best out of their trading experience.

Through best free forex signals, professional traders find market gaps and provide you with easy-to-follow trading signals.

The list of brokers below are some of the best brokers that offer their comprehensive services to traders based in Latin America.

AMarkets

Established in 2007, AMarkets is a STP and ECN broker that offers online trading services to a variety of clients around the world. Traders can expect access to popular trading platforms, a variety of trading account types, and a choice in trading tools and educational material.

Pros and Cons

PROS CONS MetaTrader offered US and numerous other clients not accepted VPS offered Spreads are not the tightest Trading tools and education offered



RoboForex

RoboForex is a multi-award-winning broker that offers traders with the trade in more than 9,400 financial instruments that are spread across several asset classes. Traders are also offered with flexible account types, a range of trading platforms, trading tools, and in-depth market analysis.

RoboForex offers its services to more than 800,000 traders in 169 countries, providing the broker with true global coverage.

Pros and Cons

PROS CONS Negative balance protection applied to retail accounts US clients not allowed Variety of tradable instruments Restricted leverage for EU clients Flexible account types Fixed spreads not offered

IC Markets

Established in 2007, IC Markets is a reputable and well-regulated ECN broker that offers the trade in more than 285 financial instruments which can be traded through powerful trading platforms. IC Markets offers competitive conditions with zero-pip spreads, deep liquidity, and rapid trade execution speeds.

Pros and Cons

PROS CONS Strict regulation US clients not accepted Low fees, tight spreads, fast execution speeds Fixed spreads not offered True ECN model



You might like: How to trade forex

LiteForex

Established in 2005, LiteForex is a CFD and forex broker that offers comprehensive online trading on a range of tradable financial instruments. These can be traded through the powerful MetaTrader trading platforms. Traders also have competitive trading conditions, a range of social trading opportunities, market analysis, and a variety of educational material.

Pros and Cons

PROS CONS Social trading offered No free VPS MetaTrader provided Not the lowest commissions Multilingual, dedicated clients support Clients from US, Japan, and Israel not accepted

XM

XM has been in operation since 2009 and is a well-regulated, reputable, and popular Market Maker broker based in several jurisdictions, with corresponding regulation and authorisation.

XM has won multiple rewards throughout its operations and offers traders from 196 countries with no-requotes, tight spreads, fast and reliable trade execution, a range of trading accounts, and negative balance protection which is applied to all retail accounts.

Pros and Cons
Seoul:

North Koreas foreign minister has brushed aside US President Donald Trumps fiery threat to destroy his nation, comparing it to a dogs bark and suggesting Pyongyang would not be deterred by the rhetoric.



Trump used his stormy maiden address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to warn the North that Washington would totally destroy it if the US or its allies was attacked.



The bellicose speech came after months of escalating tensions over advances in the rogue weapons programme operated by Pyongyang, which has defied tough sanctions to launch its sixth and largest nuclear test and to fire a series of missiles over Japan.



Arriving in New York for the UN meetings, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho was mobbed with questions from reporters about the Trump speech and replied with a proverb.

Read | President Donald Trump at UNGA: United States may have to 'destroy' North Korea



There is a saying that marching goes on even when dogs bark, he said as he entered his hotel yesterday.



If they are trying to shock us with the sound of a dogs bark they are clearly having a dog dream.



Isolated and impoverished, the North says it needs a sturdy nuclear deterrence to protect it from an aggressive US and the autocratic regime has made militarism a central part of its national ideology.



Pyongyangs stated aim is to be able to target the US mainland and the nation has flaunted the advances in its weapons programme in recent weeks, with the September test of what it said was a miniaturised H-bomb capable of being loaded onto a rocket.



The country also tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles in July that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range.



The increasingly brazen provocations have frayed the patience of the US and its allies.



Trump dubbed the Norths leader Kim Jong-Un Rocket man and said he was on a suicide mission.



A day later Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the UN that dialogue with the North would not work.



The comments are likely to dismay Chinathe Norths only major ally and trading partnerwhich has consistently called for a resumption of talks.

Read | Trump, Xi to push for greater pressure on North Korea through UNSC



Observers say that despite the tough rhetoric, any military response to the crisis would risk a devastating conflict that would imperil millions.



The North has fortified its southern frontier with a hefty arsenal of artillery that has the Souths capital Seoul, just 55 kilometres away, in its sights.



Japan is also within range of missile strikes, while the North itself has a population of millions ensnared by the Pyongyang regime.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 12:56:59|Editor: huaxia

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President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe in Skopje, North Macedonia, March 30, 2021. (Photo by Li Xiaowei/Xinhua)

TIRANA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe, respectively, in Skopje on Tuesday.

North Macedonia and China trust each other and enjoy friendly bilateral relations, said Pendarovski, adding that North Macedonia firmly supports the one-China policy and has full confidence in the joint construction of the Belt and Road.

North Macedonia appreciates China's great achievements in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and thanks China for its anti-epidemic assistance, he said, expecting more frequent and in-depth exchanges and cooperation between the two countries after the situation of the pandemic improves.

For his part, Zaev said North Macedonia has received tremendous support and help from China ever since its independence, for which his country is deeply grateful.

The two countries have huge potential for cooperation, he said, adding that North Macedonia hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as economy and trade, investment, infrastructure construction, defense and security, so as to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

Wei briefed them on China's epidemic prevention and control, economic and social development and China-U.S. relations, while clarifying China's principled position on the Taiwan question and issues related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

China appreciates North Macedonia's firm adherence to the one-China policy and hopes that North Macedonia will continue to support China in issues concerning China's core interests, he said.

China is willing to work with North Macedonia to make full use of the Belt and Road and "17+1" platform to deepen pragmatic cooperation and achieve mutual benefits, win-win results and common development, Wei said.

The Chinese military attaches great importance to developing relations with the military of North Macedonia and is committed to deepening exchanges and cooperation, so as to push for deep and solid relations between the two militaries, he said.

Also on Tuesday, Wei held talks with Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska. They held in-depth exchanges of views on relations between the two countries and two militaries, as well as the situation of the international and regional security. Enditem
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has nominated Finance and Planning Minister Dr Philip Mpango to be her Vice President.

The Parliament is expected to endorse him by majority votes, National Assembly Speaker Job Ndugai announced Tuesday in Dodoma.

Dr Mpango becomes the 14th Vice President since the country's independence and the fifth Vice President after the multiparty general elections of 1995. He has been the minister for finance for five years.

He said in his acceptance speech: "it is God responsibility."

He said he was dismayed by the death of President John Magufuli saying he cried over and over.

He believes the only right thing to do for Magufuli is to change Tanzania and oversee the country's natural resources.

"We have to move from lower-middle-income country to high middle-income country in a short time," he said when begging for the parliamentarians to endorse him as he insisted: "I will work with all the power I have as a son of a peasant."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 17:45:28|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on March 6, 2021 shows citizens displaying China's national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in support of implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" at Tamar Park in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

More than 20 years into the 21st century, some Western countries are still obsessed with their obsolete and biased view of Eurocentrism, attempting to take every chance to boss China around.

It is time for those Western countries to wake up to that, and stop their double standards on the "patriots-administering" principle.

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Tuesday adopted a package of legislative changes to improve Hong Kong's electoral system. This justified move marked an important institutional guarantee for the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and a new stage of development of democracy in Hong Kong.

Patriotism is what any country would expect of its public servants. However, some Western countries have for long resorted to double standards on the "patriots-administering" principle for their ulterior motives of disrupting and slowing down the pace of China's development.

While they apply the same "patriots-administering" principle as an effort to safeguard their own national security, they unscrupulously launch anti-China smear campaigns and discredit the rule of law in Hong Kong when China seeks the steady development of democracy and the realization of good governance in Hong Kong.

A close look at the selection process of public servants in the Western countries would reveal that they have clear demands on the loyalty of public officials.

For example, patriotism is a criterion for all public officials in the United States, which explicitly prohibits people from holding public office if they have violated their duty of loyalty. In Britain, the Civil Service management code also states that "civil servants are servants of the Crown and owe a duty of loyal service to the Crown as their employer."

A citizen signs at a street counter in support of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in Hong Kong, south China, March 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

To ensure that patriots govern the country, western countries have also worked hard on drawing up election rules. The U.S. federal government is in charge of the improvements of the country's electoral system. With specific election rules, it ensures that only the "patriots" could be elected. In Britain, the central government plays a leading role in local elections in a bid to maintain national electoral security and constitutional order.

In addition, though their politicians do not hesitate to interfere in China's internal affair of improving Hong Kong's electoral system, both the United States and Britain go to great lengths to either limit foreign influence on candidates during the election process or strictly restrict foreign donations to its political parties.

To ensure the successful operation of the political system, it is also well accepted to improve the electoral system to help plug the loopholes. In the past two years, members of U.S. Congress have introduced more than 40 bills to improve the U.S. electoral system. In fact, on the same day when China's top legislature announced its agenda for improving Hong Kong's electoral system in Beijing time, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a "For the People Act" to improve the electoral system and ensure election security.

It should be pointed out that the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system is an absolute and urgent necessity. In the past few years, the world has witnessed how the anti-China and destabilizing forces in Hong Kong, with the help from Western forces, exploited longstanding loopholes in the existing electoral system to disrupt the local governance.

It is thus imperative to improve Hong Kong's electoral system and ensure that the city is administered by patriots, so as to safeguard China's sovereignty, national security and interests and ensure the implementation of "one country, two systems" policy.

Hong Kong residents celebrate the passage of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Causeway Bay of south China's Hong Kong, June 30, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

Improving Hong Kong's electoral system will also effectively address the city's various deep-seated problems, and better protect the basic rights and freedoms of the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens.

The smear on Hong Kong and China by those Western countries is in no way tenable, and the melodramatic cry of those external forces for so-called "end of Hong Kong's democratic dream" is nothing but ludicrous.

The principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" is to guarantee that those who do not love the city and the country are knocked out of Hong Kong's bodies of power and other parts of the administrative structure once and for all.

However, it does not mean that Hong Kong's political life will not tolerate different views and voices. Patriots in any political party can still stand for election and be elected in accordance with the law.

More than 20 years into the 21st century, some Western countries are still obsessed with their obsolete and biased view of Eurocentrism, attempting to take every chance to boss China around.

"Allowing that narcissism to guide our frame of reference to the world is a mistake with potentially serious repercussions," wrote a recent opinion piece in U.S. magazine Newsweek. Indeed, it is time for those Western countries to wake up to that, and stop their double standards on the "patriots-administering" principle. 
Tech giants need to wake up and take responsibility for the role they play in facilitating fraud.

Time and again we hear from devastated scam victims who have lost their life savings after falling foul of rogue adverts online.

One campaigner, Mark Taber, told Money Mail he alone has reported 750 investment scam adverts to the City watchdog in the past 15 months.

And Google claims it took down an extraordinary 123 million financial services ads in 2020.

Clampdown: Campaigners and top industry experts have repeatedly called for scams to be included in the Online Harms Bill before it passes through parliament later this year

But why on earth are fraudsters not prevented from posting these adverts in the first place?

It's not as if they are bothering to be subtle. Just search the web for 'best fixed bonds' and there they are, brazenly waving their fraudulent flags from the very top of the results page.

Even if an ad is eventually removed, crooks just post another using a slightly different name.

Instead of continuing to play this very costly game of Whack-A-Mole, we must start policing the internet properly.

Campaigners and top industry experts, including Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey, have repeatedly called for scams to be included in the Online Harms Bill before it passes through Parliament later this year.

This new law is aimed at creating a safer internet, so it makes perfect sense that online fraud should come under its scope.

It would mean regulators finally have the power to force internet giants such as Google, Microsoft and Facebook to take down suspect financial websites.

And Ofcom could fine firms if they fail to protect their users. With investment fraud up 164 per cent in just two years, it would be criminal for ministers to miss this chance.

Fraudsters are so sophisticated that even the most sensible investors struggle to tell a genuine and scam website apart.

And as we reveal today, you can't even bank on the old adage 'If it looks too good to true', with some dodgy investment deals offering as little as 1.89 per cent.

The best way to protect savers is to prevent rotten ads for unregulated firms appearing online in the first place.

Without a clampdown, tech firms will continue to profit from the proceeds of crime. Not just once by accepting payments from fraudsters to advertise scams  but twice, with regulators also paying to publish warnings.

These firms boast some of the best minds in the world. They can - and must - do so much more to help stem this fraud epidemic.

NS&I qualms

Rarely a day goes by without at least one Money Mail reader writing to ask what's happening with Premium Bond cheques.

NS&I had originally planned to phase out prize cheques - or warrants - from December.

But the move was later delayed until spring following a customer service meltdown.

You say you feel as though you are in limbo and are worried you could miss out on prizes.

Fret not. If you have not yet provided your bank account details, you will continue to receive a letter informing you of any wins as usual.

As for when NS&I intends to revive its deeply unpopular plan to ditch cheques, there is no update as of yet. But we are following this closely and will alert you to any announcements.

Disloyal insurers

Last week, I wrote about how disappointing it was that plans to stamp out the loyalty penalty had been delayed until the end of the year.

And your response proves just why we need swifter action.

Money Mail reader Pete Wood, from Cheltenham, said his car insurance premium jumped by 43 to 297 this month. He later found the same cover for just 183.

Fiona Paterson said her 97-year-old father's home insurance jumped from 100 to 149 in a year. She has just renewed the policy for 95 with a different provider.

Insurers should be cleaning up their act ahead of the City watchdog clampdown, not cashing in while they can.

But as it's clear they have no shame, you must take matters into your own hands. Often just the threat of leaving is enough to shake down the price.

v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk


Secures 80% Ownership of Wee MacGregor Tenements

Melbourne, Mar 31, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cohiba Minerals Limited ( ASX:CHK ) is very pleased to announce that it has provided notice to Mining International Pty Ltd (MIPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cyclone Metals Limited ( ASX:CLE ) in relation to the earn-in of 80% interest in the Wee MacGregor group of tenements in Queensland.The Wee MacGregor group comprises three granted mining licences, ML 2504, ML 2773, and ML 90098. These licences are located approximately 60km southeast of Mt. Isa with access via the sealed Barkly Highway and the unsealed Fountain Springs Road.In April 2017, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Cobalt X Pty Ltd, entered into a Farm-in Agreement with a right to earn an 80% ownership in the tenements. Under the Farm-In agreement Cobalt X Pty Ltd was only required to ensure the tenements were in good standing. Since concluding the agreement the Company has maintained the tenements in good standing and paid all costs associated with them.The previous project operator estimated a 2012 JORC Inferred Resource of 1.65 Million tonnes @ 1.6% Cu for 25,818 tonnes of contained copper1, using a 0.5% Cu cut-off grade (COG). An additional Exploration Target was estimated, with a range of between 1.0 - 1.5 Mt @ 2.5 - 3.7% Cu (using a 0.5% Cu COG) as a direct extension to the Inferred Resource1.The Company is wasting no time in exploiting this opportunity. The Board has allocated potentially up to $0.5m to better understand the copper potential at Wee MacGregor and its consultants have already commenced an initial review of the existing Inferred Resource and then next steps with respect to the Exploration Target. Further information on forthcoming activity at Wee MacGregor will be released in coming Quarters.Chief Executive Officer Mr Andrew Graham said, "We are pleased to add the additional tenement package to the Company's exploration portfolio. Whilst our focus remains on our initial success at Horse Well in South Australia's Gawler Craton, Wee MacGregor is consistent with our focus on copper but adds further optionality to our portfolio. We have already budgeted for a material spend at the Project and with the resource open along strike and at depth, including high grade zones from surface, we are excited by its potential."To view tables and figures, please visit:About Cohiba Minerals Limited

Cohiba Minerals Limited (ASX:CHK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with the primary focus of investing in the resource sector through direct tenement acquisition, joint ventures, farm in arrangements and new project generation. The shares of the company trade under the ticker symbol CHK.

The Company recently acquired 100% of the shares in Charge Lithium Pty Ltd, which holds exploration licences in Western Australia.
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BOISE, Idaho (AP)  U.S. officials have released the latest plan to send low-level radioactive waste to Idaho from a South Carolina facility that converts enriched uranium into fuel for nuclear reactors.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a notice published Friday signed off on sending the material from Westinghouse Electric Company's Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in South Carolina to US Ecology Idaho's waste storage facility near Grandview, about 60 miles south of Boise.





. . .
LAFAYETTE, Colo.  From helping someone with a flooded basement after a water main break to collecting memorabilia for a boy with cancer who wanted police stuff for Christmas, Officer Eric Talley was remembered Tuesday as a man of faith who put others first, long before he rushed into a Colorado supermarket where a gunman had opened fire.

Officer Eric Talley. (Boulder Police)

More than 1,000 people, including relatives, community members and officers from as far away as New York City, honored the 51-year-old father of seven at a memorial service just over a week after he was credited with preventing more people from dying by hurrying into the store with other officers. Besides Talley, nine others were killed in the March 22 shooting in Boulder.

During the service at Flatirons Community Church in nearby Lafayette, Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Talley's personnel file was filled with thank you letters from people he had helped during his decade with the department. A former information technology worker, Talley felt a calling to become an officer at age 41.

Since his death, behavioral health professionals have been calling to let the department know how grateful they were for Talley's compassionate approach to those in trouble, she said. Herold also noted that he helped found the department's drone unit, seeing the technology as an important advance that could help the public while protecting the safety of officers.

His supervisor, Sgt. Adrian Drelles, said Talley was enthusiastic about his life and the job, calling his boss so many times a day about what he was up to that Drelles had to limit him to 10 calls a day. He said the turnout at the service showed that Talley had character, which comes from the Greek word for leaving a mark.

I would say he has left his mark, but not because of how he died but how he lived, he said.

The Rev. Dan Nolan said a traditional Catholic requiem Mass celebrated in Latin on Monday was what Talley wanted for himself but that Tuesday's service is what he would have wanted for fellow officers who also would have tried to get into the store as others tried to escape. He said seeing the honor shown to Talley should assure them that their sacrifices will not be taken for granted and should also serve as a reminder to everyone else that law enforcement is there to protect them.

Story continues

Love your officers, care for them, respect them, honor them. They are not here for themselves. They are here to lay down their lives for you if necessary, said Nolan, adding that Talley's faith is what motivated his response to the shooting.

The program for the ceremony included a poem written by Talleys seven children for Christmas 2019, called Our Unsung Hero. It praises Talley for doing whatever they asked of him and risking his life. It ends with a line asking for his protection: May God bless and protect you/And bring you home each day.

Last week, officers arrived at the grocery store one minute and 40 seconds after being alerted to the shooting, police say. They said Talley led an initial team of officers inside within 30 seconds of arriving and that the gunman fired at them, killing Talley.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder over shots fired at another officer. Prosecutors expect to file more charges as the investigation progresses.

One of Alissas public defenders told a judge during his first court appearance that they needed to assess Alissas mental health but did not provide details about his condition.

His next court hearing will be May 25. His attorneys asked for at least two months before returning to court so they could evaluate him and review evidence gathered by investigators.
DIDCOT, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Altus Strategies Plc (AIM:ALS)(TSX-V:ALTS)(OTCQX:ALTUF) announces that in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules ("DTRs"), the total issued share capital of the Company with voting rights is 80,384,269 Ordinary Shares of five pence par value each.

The Company does not hold any shares in treasury. This figure of 80,384,269 Ordinary Shares should be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the DTRs.

For further information you are invited to visit the Company's website www.altus-strategies.com or contact:

Altus Strategies Plc Steven Poulton, Chief Executive Tel:+44 (0) 1235 511 767 E-mail: info@altus-strategies.com SP Angel (Nominated Adviser) Richard Morrison / Adam Cowl Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 SP Angel (Broker) Grant Barker / Richard Parlons Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0471 Shard Capital (Broker) Isabella Pierre / Damon Heath Tel: +44 (0) 20 7186 9927 Yellow Jersey PR (Financial PR & IR) Charles Goodwin / Henry Wilkinson Tel: +44 (0) 20 3004 9512 E-mail: altus@yellowjerseypr.com

About Altus Strategies Plc

Altus Strategies (AIM:ALS)(TSX-V:ALTS)(OTCQX:ALTUF) is a mining royalty company generating a diversified and precious metal focused portfolio of assets. The Company's focus on Africa and differentiated approach, of generating royalties on its own discoveries as well as through financings and acquisitions with third parties, has attracted key institutional investor backing. The Company engages constructively with all stakeholders, working diligently to minimise its environmental impact and to promote positive economic and social outcomes in the communities where it operates. For further information, please visit www.altus-strategies.com.

TSX Venture Exchange Disclaimer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Market Abuse Regulation Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 ("MAR") until the release of this announcement.

SOURCE: Altus Strategies Plc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638149/Total-Voting-Rights
ROME, MAR 31 - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday that the foreign ministry had sent to Rome prosecutors a United Nations report on the slaying in the Democratic Republic of Congo of Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio, his Carabiniere escort Vittorio Iacovacci, and their World Food Programme driver Mustapha Milambo on February 22. Rome prosecutors are investigating the ambush in which the three were killed, which the DRC government has blamed on Rwandan Hutu rebels operating in the area, who allegedly wanted to kidnap the envoy. (ANSA).
In a year that saw a historic oil crash caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Houston specialty chemical maker Huntsman Corp. nearly doubled its profits to $1.03 billion from $562 million in 2019, even as revenues slipped 11 percent year over year to $6.02 billion.

The Woodlands-based company, under the direction of CEO Peter Huntsman, has refocused its operations with a portfolio that includes specialty chemicals such as polyurethanes used in foams, insulation, textiles and automotive manufacturing.

Peter Huntsman, 58, worked his way up the corporate ladder at the company founded by his father Jon Huntsman Sr., in 1974. Starting as a truck driver at the petrochemical company, he took over as chairman just before his father died in 2018.

The company has transformed under his leadership. Gone are units that made low-margin base chemicals such as ethylene oxide. The company sold its chemical plant in Port Neches to Indorama Ventures in January 2020 as part of a $2 billion deal that sold Huntsmans chemical intermediates and surfactants businesses to the Thailand-based company. Huntsman held onto the portion of the facility producing amines, derivatives of ammonia.

The move was a push into downstream markets to create a more stable cash flow for the company as it left behind production of base chemicals.

Huntsman has also grown by acquiring smaller competitors, allowing the chemical-maker to further develop its technologies and specialty products. In January, Huntsman completed the $250 million, all-cash acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products, a chemical manufacturer of additives and epoxy curing agents based in Akron, Ohio.

The business traces its roots to the senior Huntsmans creation of the clamshell container for McDonalds Big Mac. From there, the company grew organically and through a series of major acquisitions. Peter Huntsman became chief executive in 2000 and the company went public in 2005.

The family legacy extends well beyond Texas. Huntsmans older brother, Jon Jr., is a former Utah governor who served as ambassador to China from 2009 to 2011 under former President Barack Obama and as ambassador to Russia from 2017 to 2019 under former President Donald Trump.

The Chronicle spoke with Huntsman about expansion, focus and staying profitable through a global downturn.

Q: The company posted a $1.03 billion profit in 2020 at a time when other chemical firms were struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic. How did you accomplish this?

A: Weve gotten out of yesterdays businesses and are getting into tomorrows businesses. In the past couple of years, weve probably sold off about 40 percent to 50 percent of our company. We now have a far more renewable-oriented portfolio. What you will see, over the next decade in particular, will be the groundwork laid for a greening economy.

If you want to get into wind, batteries, solar, lightweighting (building automobiles that are less heavy as a way to achieve better fuel efficiency and handling), and carbon fiber manufacturing, the whole next generation is going to be built on technologies that by-and-large come out of the chemical industry.

People think of the petrochemical sector as yesterdays old-line making plastic containers. But you look at the electric vehicles of the future and they have very little metal on them if any. Its going to be lightweighting, not welding. It is going to carbon fiber, not metal. Its going to be battery operated, not internal combustion engines.

Q: What does that mean for the oil industry?

A: Oil will be the technology that we will eventually replace, or in some cases, use as a raw material. And when I say that, there will come a time in the next couple of years, not decades, where you will see carbon dioxide starting to be a very valuable raw material for this industry.

If you look at where the future is, a lot of its going to be based on the chemistry thats been developed in the last few years and will be developed in the next two or three years.

Q: Its happening that quickly?

A: Looking at the number of homes that are being built, how people are transporting themselves, how theyre communicating, how they are shopping  if youre on the right side of that, I think youre doing quite well.

If you are on the wrong side of that, and you happened to have put all your money into a restaurant chain or hotel, youre probably really struggling.

For big chunks in the economy, these are actually pretty good times. For other chunks of the economy, it is an unmitigated disaster.

Q: The company in 2018 outlined a plan to invest as much as $2.2 billion in small acquisitions through 2020. That included the December acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products. Will the company continue to make acquisitions in 2021?

A: I would hope that this year we would be on an even greater pace. We call this strategy a string of pearls. Rather than going and trying to get just one big diamond, or one big acquisition, we are looking for where we can fill certain niches of our portfolio.

Lets take electric vehicles. We want to be able to supply the seating for Tesla, which we are already doing. We also want to build the epoxy that encases the motors going to be in its cars.

Electronic vehicles will have five times the number of circuitry and electronics than a diesel vehicle has. There is an opportunity. How do you capitalize on it? It is usually not just one big acquisition.

Q: You oversee more than 70 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries, with approximately 9,000 employees. How do you define your leadership style?

A: My leadership style is incredibly easy, and Im incredibly successful at it. That is to surround myself with people that are smarter and better than me.

I want a diverse group of people around me and I want to listen to them. I want a spirited debate and I want people to question my ideas. At the end of the day, when I come up with a conclusion, I want their support. But in the meantime, it is fair game. My ideas arent any better than anybody elses.

Q: You didnt finish college, did you?

A: I went to college for a few months and found that Id rather drive a truck than sit through psychology 101. With the last name Huntsman, Ive obviously felt incredibly privileged to have the parents that I did and the opportunities. But Ive found it so easy to find people that are better educated. Surround yourself with them, and theyre automatically going to lift and inspire you. So my leadership style is to get as good of people as I can find.

Q: Your interests extend beyond the chemical business

A: My father started the Huntsman Cancer Foundation in Utah 25 or 30 years ago. I would argue with him about how much money he was taking out of the company and putting into it. And then a couple of years before he died, my father passed away two years ago, he asked me to get involved.

I needed that balance in my life to be able to walk into the infusion center, to be able to walk to the imaging center, and to be able to see the children and the impact  it puts a human face on so much of what we do.

We have been very privileged as a family to be able to give more than $1 billion into cancer research and care over the past 25 years. Our foundation also made a $150 million downpayment, we intend to do more than that over the next 10 years, into mental health.

These are two things that affect your family and my family, regardless of race or gender or economic status. Long after the chemistry business is gone, I think our legacy will be what we actually leave for society.

Q: Youve also responded to the recent freeze that left millions in Texas without power.

A: Just because the weather improved doesnt mean peoples finances improved.

I decided to see if I could raise $10,000 to $20,000 over a 24-hour drive with our associates here in Montgomery County and Harris County. We raised $100,000 in less than 24 hours. That ballooned to $600,000.

Why do we have to wait for a freeze for something like this to happen? Why dont we look at what we can be doing on a sustainable basis going forward? I think theres a lot more we can be doing.

Q: Such as?

A: If we could get every petrochemical company in the Houston area to give $1 a day, and each employee does $1 a day  I am looking into the numbers. I dont know how to get the word out to get something going, but we need a catalyst for something like that.

The energy and chemical industry would be known as ending hunger in the fourth largest city in America. It would be a great legacy for an industry to be able to say, Yeah, we provide energy but we also provide relief.
Financial Services Commission Chairman Eun Sung-soo, second from left, speaks during a meeting with officials from the small- to mid-sized enterprise industry in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap



Financial authorities urged to preemtively weed out nonviable firms



By Lee Min-hyung



Economic organizations here and abroad have urged Korean financial authorities to seek ways to preventively weed out nonviable, money-losing "zombie companies" as continuing support for them could result in unwanted outcomes for financial firms.



They warn that the Korean government may pay an unwanted price for keeping afloat such firms and ineffective capital distribution will end up hurting the nation's overall industrial competitiveness.



According to a recent report by the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), authorities here should enhance monitoring on financial institutions to check whether their financial assistance to zombie firms does not pose any threat to their soundness after the pandemic.



"Given the weakening financial status of zombie firms, there stands a chance for financial institutions' soundness to deteriorate as well," the AMRO report said. AMRO is Asia's regional macroeconomic surveillance unit. It is the Asian equivalent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).



Another report recently released by the Bank of Korea (BOK) also raised the need for uncompetitive and financially insolvent companies to shut down their businesses.



"With a transparent and swift restructuring measure, uncompetitive companies should be expelled," the report said.




Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  As the country grapples with the surge in COVID-19 cases, the families of some patients said they were not able to make it inside health facilities even hours after waiting in line to be accommodated.

They include the family of Angelo Barrera, whose father died of COVID-19.

Barrera recalled how quickly everything happened.

"One day my parents were COVID positive, ten days later my father struggled to breathe and then that night he's gone," he said Tuesday.

In a series of tweets that have gone viral, Barrera recalled the moments that happened on March 27 leading to his father's passing. He said his father began struggling to breathe past 8 p.m. and was brought to different hospitals, but none could accommodate him.

"We called 20 hospitals, all of them gave us the same answers. I think Asian Hospital at that time had 40 patients waiting and Medical City had 80 patients waiting," he said.

In the early morning of March 28, Barrera's father stopped breathing and they sustained him through oxygen and CPR. But they gave it another shot and decided to wait for a slot at an intensive care unit in another hospital.

The emergency room was full so Barrera's father was put on a stretcher outside, hooked up to a hospital-grade oxygen tank, with his vitals being monitored.

At around 4 a.m., Barerra and his siblings knew their father wouldn't make it.

"I think just how fast things happened and knowing that we did the best that we could, but it still wasn't enough. I think that was the hardest part," he said.

Barrera's father died at 5:20 a.m., right next to the door of the hospital's emergency room and just a few minutes from being able to enter the ICU.

"He was in critical condition  all of us siblings, we said the same thing 'kaya mo yan, dad' pero he still passed away," Barrera said.

[Translation: He was in critical condition  all of us siblings, we said the same thing 'you can do this, dad' but he still passed away.]

READ: Treatment czar seeks public patience as calls swamp hospital command center

The family of Rica Papa experienced the same fate of struggling to find an available hospital to accommodate her 73-year-old aunt, who tested positive for COVID-19 and died on Wednesday.

"Walang tumatanggap na sa kanya na ospital, mga tatlo yun and then may isa na they have to waitlist her na mga pang-50. So my cousin drove all night trying kung sino tatanggap sa tita ko," she said.

[Translation: There were around three hospitals who said they couldn't admit her, and another said she could be waitlisted but there were 50 people ahead of her. So my cousin drove all night to find a hospital which would admit my aunt.]

After what seemed to be an endless search for an available hospital, one facility in Quezon City opened up. But still there were challenges.

"After namin makarating sa hospital, di pa pala tapos ang problema kasi the hospital ran out of medicine," she said.

[Translation: The problems didn't end when we reached the hospital because they were out of medicine.]

The country has recorded over 740,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 13,000 deaths.

But for the families of those left behind, they are more than just numbers and statistics. They have names and faces.

They are the casualties of an overburdened healthcare system

It's a battle that's far from over as cases continue to soar.
SALEM, Ore.  Governor Kate Brown on Wednesday issued an official drought declaration for Klamath County  Oregon's first for the year, though it's unlikely to be the last.

An official drought declaration is an administrative step via executive order that allows water users to access state and federal resources for relief when water supplies are scarce. Klamath County was under a drought declaration last year as well, one of many over the past decade. The area saw a brief respite during 2019.

"The Klamath Basin faces one of the most difficult water years in recent memory. Moving forward, we must look for long-term solutions to the underlying issue in Klamath and many other Oregon counties: there is too little water to go around, and as the climate changes we are experiencing hotter, drier summers," said Governor Brown. "After last year's wildfire season, we are closely monitoring drought conditions in the Klamath Basin and statewide."

According to Brown's office, the snow-water equivalent in Klamath County was 77 percent of a "normal" water year as of March 8  and forecasted conditions are not expected to see any improvement. Officials said that drought, severe weather conditions, and the coming fire season pose major threats to the Klamath economy, agriculture and livestock, natural resources, and recreation.

"I am committed to doing everything possible to make state resources available to provide immediate relief and assistance to water users throughout Klamath County," Governor Brown continued. "As we brace for another record-breaking drought year, collaborating with our federal partners will also be critical as we work towards locally supported, long-term solutions. I am confident that the collaborative spirit and ingenuity of the people in Klamath will provide lasting solutions."

With the drought declaration in place, the state Water Resources Department can expedite review processes and reduce fee schedules. Local water users will also become eligible for assistance.

Klamath County made a request for the drought declaration on March 9, citing low snowpack, low precipitation, low streamflows, and warmer temperatures.
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.
This image taken from surveillance video provided by the New York City Police Department shows 38-year-old Brandon Elliot believed to be connected with an assault on an Asian American woman in New York City on March 29, 2021. (Courtesy of New York Police Department via AP)

NYC Parolee Convicted for Killing His Mother Charged for Brutally Assaulting Elderly Woman

A man sought after by police after assaulting an elderly Asian-American woman in New York City was arrested on Wednesday and charged with a hate crime, authorities said.

The New York Police Department Hate Crime Task Force said in a statement that detectives arrested 38-year-old Brandon Elliot for allegedly assaulting 65-year-old Vilma Karian Asian woman who immigrated from the Philippinesin broad daylight on Monday.

Authorities charged the suspect, a parolee convicted of killing his mother nearly two decades ago, with a felony assault as a hate crime.

Thanks to assistance from the public and excellent investigative work by @NYPDHateCrimes Detectives, the individual wanted for Mondays assault of a 65 year-old Asian female, at 360 West 43rd St, was arrested and charged with Felony Assault as a Hate Crime. pic.twitter.com/ZQRVGZEAb2  NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) March 31, 2021

Police said the attack happened at about 11:40 a.m. on Monday on 360 West 43rd Street two blocks from Times Square. Elliot was seen in a video approaching the woman and then kicking and stomping her while also making anti-Asian statements.

A hospital spokesperson told The Associated Press the woman was discharged from the hospital one day after the attack after being treated for serious injuries.

Elliot was living at a hotel that serves as a homeless shelter a few blocks from the scene of the attack, authorities said.

The suspect was released from prison in 2019 and is on lifetime parole after being convicted more than a decade ago for stabbing his mother to death in the Bronx in 2002.

Hate crimes against Asian-Americans have risen in New York City in recent months. Twenty-seven incidents were recorded in 2020 by NYPD, up from a single report the year prior.

New York Police Department Officer Rodney Hierro keeps an eye on pedestrians walking on Main Street in Flushing, a heavily Asian neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York on March 30, 2021. (Kathy Willens/AP Photo)

That jump happened even as the total number of reported incidents dropped from 420 to 265.

Like much of America weve seen a disturbing spike in hate crimes targeting Asian-Americans in New York City, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said during a press briefing earlier this month.

Other large cities also saw a rise in numbers last year, though overall Asian Americans rarely face such incidents. The majority of hate crime victims in New York City are Jewish.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.

From NTD News
First, French Country Wines was a book written by Steven Spurrier, the English oenophile who, while living in Paris, changed everything for Californias winemakers by masterminding a little competition that will forever be remembered as The Judgment of Paris. Many, many years later, a shop called French Country Wines surfaced in Rice Village.

As it happens, theres fewer than six degrees of separation between the former and the latter. Spurrier, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 79, would earn considerable renown after he launched a wine bar/wine school on the Right Bank. Not long thereafter, a Houstonian named Tim Smith, having relocated to Paris for his job with Lehman Brothers, signed up for classes at Spurriers LAcademie du Vin.

Id tasted a lot of fine wines  on an expense account, of course  at Maxims downtown, Smith said. (Owner) Camille Bermann was always bringing out something special, but I didnt know much about any of it. LAcademie du Vin was something of a gathering place for Americans and ex-pat Brits, and without a doubt, it became my real introduction to French wine.

With his wife, Phyllis Adatto, Smith would open French Country Wines in Houston some three decades later. However, he was unaware of that Spurrier book, the first of several odes to wine he published through the years, until I told him about it recently.

Really? A subliminal message of some kind, I guess, Smith suggested. I had no idea.

Smith and Adatto sold French Country Wines several years ago and have since moved to Basalt, Colo., a short drive from Aspen. When he returned to Houston last week to visit family and check in with the shops current proprietor, Jean-Philippe Guy, it seemed a timely opportunity to ask him what he most remembered about being a tasting student of Spurriers.

When they met, both were in their early 30s. Smith recalled Spurrier being blessedly heavy-handed (i.e., generous) with his pours, he said. Wed have a pretty good high going by the end of the evening. I particularly remember one time when we were tasting champagnes. I was with my wife at the time and her mother, who really liked her champagne. That turned into an interesting night.

He wasnt chatty, but he was extremely informative in that proper British kind of way. Six or eight of us would sit around him at this little U-shaped bar. I remember the space well, and I cant recall him never not being there. He enjoyed himself, and we enjoyed learning from him.

Spurrier was anything but a snob. He relished discovering wines that were neither French nor globally famous.

Thats how he wound up proposing a blind taste-off pitting some of Frances most famous fabled labels against then-relatively unknown Napa Valley wineries such as Jim and Bo Barretts Chateau Montelena and Warren Winiarskis Stags Leap Wine Cellars. Spurrier had crossed paths with enough of the upstart California offerings to understand that they were already playing in the big leagues, never mind how Frances hidebound wine aristocracy was wont to look down on them.

The event came to pass in 1976 in a ballroom at Paris InterContinental Hotel and, fortunately, one lone young reporter for Time showed up to cover the proceedings. Like Smith, George M. Taber had gotten to know Spurrier while visiting the wine bar. Taber filed a 2,000-word story on the Americans shocking triumph and, although his editor cut it to just a few paragraphs, the headline Judgment of Paris  borrowed from the name of two 17th-century Rubens masterpieces  resonates to this day.

Taber eventually wrote his own memoir about the proceedings. And a documentary on the tasting from Jason Wise, who so deftly directed the Somm TV series, will be released late this summer. Needless to say, Spurriers voice will be prominent.

By the time the Judgment took place, though, Smith was long gone. He stayed just a year in Paris before Lehman Brothers closed its office there and transferred him to London. He lived there for 17 years before returning to Houston in 1991. He and Adatto married in 2000, and not long after that they began brainstorming the idea of opening a shop/tasting room featuring wines from off-the-beaten path boutique producers turned friends they had come across on frequent travels to France.

Smith never crossed paths with Spurrier again. Fortunately, I would eventually have the pleasure of getting to know him, at least peripherally, by attending two tasting events held in Frances Southern Rhone Valley. At the second, in the summer of 2017, he presented sparkling wines under the Bride Valley Vineyard label  he wanted to celebrate his bucolic Dorset neighborhood, not his own famous name  made from grapes grown around his home in Litton Cheney. That project defined the final chapter of a life well lived.

Smith and Adatto, meanwhile, may be gone from the big city and out of the sales business, but their passion for and consumption of French country wines hasnt abated all that much despite their new address in rural Colorado. He admitted, Were ordering about a case a month from (Guy).

sportywineguy@outlook.com
A new report is highlighting ways we can fight COVID-19 while indoors during cold weather periods.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, there was a lack of empirical evidence on the virus's airborne transmission. However, an increasing body of evidence - gathered particularly from poorly ventilated environments - has given the scientific community a better understanding of how the disease progresses. Information on the asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission of the virus strongly supports the case for airborne transmission of COVID-19.

In a study published by the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A, scientists from the University of Surrey, together with other members of the Royal Society's Rapid Action in Modelling the Pandemic (RAMP) initiative, conducted a literature review of how two types of indoor spaces - open-plan offices and school classrooms - condition and ventilate their environments.

Their primary recommendation was that assessments of ventilation provision, or where practical the monitoring of CO2 levels to indicate ventilation provision, should be carried out to help manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission via the airborne route.

The researchers also found that humidity can influence the spread of the virus. While higher humidity might help to reduce the spread, it could also lead to other health issues related to the growth of mould and other pathogens. The researchers recommend that in cold weather, humidity should be maintained at between 40 and 50 per cent.

The report also confirms that social distancing and the use of face masks continue to play an essential role in reducing the risk of transmitting the virus when combined with good ventilation of indoor spaces.

The researchers were unconvinced by any evidence of the effectiveness of using desk and ceiling fans to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. However, there may be some overall health benefit to using a fan to increase air circulation in certain enclosed spaces.

Dr Oleksiy Klymenko, co-author and lecturer in Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Surrey, said: "This awful year living with COVID-19 has motivated the scientific community to understand all that we can about how this dangerous virus behaves in an indoor environment. We hope that our review will be a valuable tool for managing the virus in future."

Dr Michael Short, co-author and lecturer in Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Surrey, said:

"While sustainability and temperature control have been important considerations during the construction process of a built environment, the pandemic has shown us the importance of moving air quality and ventilation processes up on that agenda. We hope this report will contribute to future debate about how to make sure our indoor environments are safer for all."

###

Read the full review here.
GUILFORD  On a blustery, rainy Saturday morning, the Guilford Free Library was buzzing with activity.

Throughout the pandemic, the Guilford Free Library has remained open  except for the two months immediately following the shutdown last March.

Were a very busy, bustling library, said Director Rob McCoole.

Wearing masks and practicing social distancing, patrons perused the bookshelves and filled their arms with books.

I read to my grandchildren, Sunday, in London, over Facebook, said Ian McClure.

Its become a kind of standard ritual, said the Guilford resident, looking over a copy of Jack by Tomie dePaola.

Since reopening at the end of June last year, the library has averaged between 150 and 200 people entering the building each day to browse. The hours accommodate a cleaning every two hours.

There were a lot of folks that just wanted a library, said McCoole. They didnt necessarily want our clever, new spins on what a library could be.

But We did a lot of that and plenty of people did embrace that, he said.

Hours and restrictions have changed slightly throughout the pandemic, as McCoole keeps a very close eye on the local COVID-19 positive cases.

January 12, the local caseload just kept rising and rising and thats really what Ive focused on every day, McCoole says. I look at the numbers every single day.

Since mid-March, the library has expanded hours.

McCoole anticipates being at the pre-pandemic summer schedule by June 21.

McClure has taken advantage of being able to walk around the corner from his house to visit.

They have a very, very good system of letting people in and keeping people distanced, he says. Im very keen on observing distance and masks.

Every single person who enters the library is required to stop at a host desk set up right inside the entrance.

Masks are required and patrons are asked to use the available hand sanitizer. A tally of the guests is kept to ensure there is no overcrowding.

Im really glad that people are using the library still, said Angelina Carnevale, head of Childrens Department, while she was manning the welcome table.

We work really hard to try and keep things safe and its good that people have that faith to come in and use our services that are available, she said.

Patron Joan Shrewsbury applauds the library staff for keeping the library open and safe.

Theyve all been given odd jobs, not what you think a librarian should be doing, the Friends of the Library volunteer said. But theyre doing all kinds of things now and theyre doing it with a smile on their faces.

Theyre happy to see people. Theyve been very supportive.

These jobs have included assisting residents with registering for COVID-19 vaccinations and working at the weekly vaccination clinic at the Nathanael B. Greene Community Center.

Librarian Tim Smith, sitting at his desk on the rainy Saturday, assisted, via telephone, with computer access to COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

He said that many elderly local residents dont have email accounts or knowledge of the computer, so he is available to help the process run smoother.

Its been difficult, but also very rewarding at the same time, he said.

Smith is also readily available to take phone calls with queries from the public.

Carnevale says she cant wait to get back to normal where we can have fun and do all the childrens programs and all that fun stuff that we do.

Yet, over the last eight months the library has adapted and continues to offer many virtual programs.

These include Babytime, storytime, Harry Potter Book Club for Tweens and Teens, Musical Instrument Tutoring Program, book discussions, virtual talks, a computer programming club and a music mentoring service for children and teens. In addition, patrons continue to request curbside pickup.

In February, alone, 806 people attended a library program via Zoom, according to McCoole.

Attendance at our Zoom programming actually allows us to reach more people than would fit into our meeting room, he said.

He noted that one recent event, 102 people attended a talk by Superintendent of Guilford Public Schools Paul Freeman on Equity and Social Justice in Guilfords Schools, and at the same time 50 people attended a talk by former Connecticut Poet Laureate Marilyn Nelson.

Online services doubled while the library was closed and according to McCoole they make up 25 percent of the librarys circulation, with a total of 5,500 digital checkouts last month alone.

Before the pandemic, the library offered Libby eBooks and audiobooks. In March, immediately after the shutdown, some $3,000 was used to increase the availability of popular titles.

We have continued to fund this service well above pre-pandemic levels, said McCoole.

In addition, for the first six months of the pandemic the checkout limit for Hoopla eBooks, audiobooks, music, comic books, television, movies was increased from five to 10 titles per month for six months.

More than twice as many movie buffs accessed Kanopy to watch movies during the shutdown and for those interested in genealogy, remote access to ancestry.com was made available and continues today.

Magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times, New Haven Register, Hartford Courant, The Day and Wall Street Journal are new features available to all Guilford residents.

All of these changes, McCoole said, is thanks to the public support from Guilford.

McCoole cites the money raised by Friends of the Library, some $100,000 in 2019, and Guilford Library Association which raises about 15 percent of the librarys operating budget, as important factors in being able to keep the library open.

When the weather was nice, tents with tables and heaters were set up outside the library to welcome patrons. Those will be back up when the weather gets a bit warmer.

Throughout the last year, McCoole said that keeping the library open was forefront in his mind.

Just knowing how busy we were in normal times and how the library is an essential part of peoples lives, I didnt think I had a choice but to figure it out, said McCoole. So that was my mission.

Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Guilford, 203-453-8282; Facebook Guilford Free Library; Instagram guilfordfreelibrary
Suva, March 31 : China on Tuesday donated 1 million Fijian dollars (about $490,000) to Fiji to support the island nation's reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the tropical cyclones Yasa and Ana.

At a ceremony held at the Fijian Prime Minister's Office, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo, on behalf of the Chinese government, handed over the cheque to Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ambassador said that both China and Fiji are developing countries. The Chinese government and people fully understand what Fijians have suffered in the tropical cyclones.

He was confident that the Fijian people will overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homes under the strong leadership of the Fijian government.

Noting that China has been a tested and reliable partner of Fiji, he said that China is willing to continue to help Fiji within its own capacity in the future.

Bainimarama thanked the Chinese government for the timely assistance to the Fijian government's efforts on economic recovery and building climate resilience.

The prime minister said that China's assistance affirms the strengthened collaboration between his country and China as well as China's commitment to advancing the level of its engagement with Fiji.

Tropical cyclones Yasa and Ana hit Fiji in December and January, respectively, causing extensive damages to the island country.
Leali said the April 12 date was selected to get the buildings ready for the additional students, and she anticipates more staff would be fully vaccinated by then, with two weeks having passed since they got the second dose.
In rural Alabama, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a harsh light on the crumbling foundations of the states public health system. Alabama was recently ranked 46th in the nation for overall COVID-19 safety by Wallethub.com; the same study ranked it 50th for COVID-19 death rate and 50th for vaccination rate. This is the direct result of decades of criminal cuts to the public health budget.

Alabama has delegated the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the county health departmentsa scheme bound to result in failure. Many of the county health departments have no full-time nurse on staff. Nurse practitioners are often shared between several different counties, and some departments only operate a few days a week.

Health care workers talk outside a Lowndes County coronavirus testing site in Hayneville, Alabama on May 27, 2020 (AP Photo/Jay Reeves, File)

Rural Coosa County, which has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 in Alabama, has no county health department at all. The Alabama State Department of Public Health (ASDPH) made no arrangements for alternate vaccination sites in the county; instead, it gave 500 vaccines slated for Coosa County to neighboring Tallapoosa County. The distance needed to travel to get vaccinated will cause added hardship and financial burden for the poor in this heavily rural state.

The problems are not new. They have developed over the years under successive budget cuts, as well as the states refusal to expand Medicaid coverage. Alabama has some of the nations most stringent Medicaid eligibility requirements; childless adults without a disability are denied coverage. The impact of this decision has not only been borne by the numerous impoverished, uninsured Alabamians, but by the states rural hospitals as well. Coosa County, for example, is one of eight counties without a hospital. There is a lot of slack for an underfunded, understaffed public health system to take up.

Jim Carnes, Policy Director of the Montgomery-based advocacy group Alabama Arise, wrote in the Montgomery Advertiser in February: Fulfilling Alabamas vaccination target goals will require levels of personnel, data management, communications and community engagement that ASDPH alone simply does not have.

The chaos wrought in Alabama by the COVID-19 pandemic was not inevitable, but it was predictable. Alabama Public Health Officer Scott Harris told the Montgomery Advertiser on February 21: Its not any one persons fault theres a lot of competing needs out there and theres never enough resources to go around. But its become really difficult to try to keep up with all the things that were statutorily required to do. Things like inspecting restaurants, taking care of septic tanks and following up on animal bites.

Alabama Department of Public Health has hemorrhaged staff for years. The agency has seen a 65 percent reduction in staffing over the past 12 years; it was stretched to its maximum capabilities well before COVID-19 hit the United States.

Lowndes County is located within the Black Belt, a region notable for the richness of its soil and the poverty of its residents. The county is infamous as the birthplace of disgraced Trump-era Attorney General Jeff Sessions and as Bloody Lowndes, the epicenter of some of Alabamas most violent crackdowns on the civil rights struggle. Now, the sparsely populated county is notable for having the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in Alabama. The county is home to fewer than 10,000 people, but over 50 residents have died of COVID-19-related causes.

In 2017, UN Special Rapporteur Phil Alston brought international attention to the deplorable state of Lowndes Countys sanitation, where raw sewage frequently runs directly out of homes into the surrounding soil and creeks.

I think its very uncommon in the First World, Alston remarked incredulously to a reporter at the time. This is not a sight that one normally sees. Id have to say that I havent seen this.

The state of the countys sewage systems had been well-known to public health experts in Alabama for at least a decade before Alston visited. Conditions resulted in a 2017 hookworm outbreak that garnered international attention. Hookworm is well-documented in impoverished, so-called third world countries in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The backwoods of Lowndes County became infamous as the seamy underside of the richest country in the world.

The spotlight of international infamy did not lead to an amelioration of Lowndes Countys substandard sanitation. With a skeleton staff and a derisory budget, Alabamas Department of Public Health is not equipped to offer resources or oversight.

In 2016, an unprecedented tuberculosis (TB) outbreak brought national attention to another Alabama Black Belt county. The tiny town of Marion, in Perry County, became the epicenter of a TB outbreak on a scale unseen in the industrialized world for over 100 years. With an incidence rate of 253 cases per 100,000 people, Marions tuberculosis infection rate was 100 times higher than the states rate.

Perry County is Alabamas poorest county and is one of the most impoverished counties in the United States. As the Harvard School of Public Health noted, Marions TB infection rate was also worse than many developing countries, including Afghanistan, India, and South Sudan.

Phyllis Kanki, professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvards T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said in 2016 that Marions TB outbreak illustrates the impact of poverty on healthcare delivery and epidemic control.

Marions 2016 TB outbreak sounded a clear and insistent warning about the dangers of epidemics in Alabamas rural communities. Alabamas government responded by plugging its ears. Like Lowndes County, Perry County has fewer than 10,000 residents. It has reported 1,071 cases of COVID-19 at the time of this writing, with 27 deaths.

Alabama has long functioned as an illustration of the poverty, ignorance, and violence which accompanies the piling up of wealth by Americas capitalist elite. The state governments wretched dereliction of duty regarding public health was well-documented before the pandemic, and the coronavirus has served to give clearer focus to that dereliction.

There was nothing inevitable about the alarming rates of COVID-19 transmission or death in rural Alabama; had the state acted when Lowndes sewage crisis became evident, or when Marions TB outbreak startled epidemiologists, the public health system would not be so woefully unprepared for COVID-19 testing, treatment, and immunization.

The reason for this crisis is the same as it is across the US. Throughout the pandemic, the stock market has enjoyed historical gains. The wealthy have become wealthier. The cost is borne, as always, by the working class, who must contend with sluggish vaccine rollouts and overburdened healthcare systems. Alabamas pattern of public health crises and governmental disinterest will not change.

Workers throughout Alabama must recognize that the solution for these unconscionable conditions lies with them and within themselves and the working class internationally. They must act to halt capitalisms assault upon their well-being and reorganize society to meet human need, not profit. In short, they must take up the fight for socialism.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 16:22:40|Editor: huaxia

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CHANGSHA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A new freight train service linking central China's Hunan Province and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was launched Wednesday.

A cargo train loaded with industrial products such as silicon dioxide and hot rolled bars left Changsha, Hunan's capital, Wednesday morning. It will arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, in about seven days via south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The route is expected to operate on a weekly basis after a three-month trial run, according to China Railway Guangzhou Group Co., Ltd. It is expected to further boost the trade between Hunan and ASEAN countries.

ASEAN was China's largest trading partner in 2020. Data from Changsha Customs show that in 2020, the total trade volume between Hunan and the 10 ASEAN countries reached 81.03 billion yuan (about 12.35 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 30.9 percent year on year, and accounted for 16.6 percent of Hunan's total foreign trade.

The Hunan-ASEAN trade volume further soared by 86.3 percent year on year to 10.15 billion yuan in the first two months of this year, the data showed. Enditem
The Central Election Commission (CEC) and the Verkhovna Rada will have to respond if the Security Service of Ukraine confirms the information about the Russian citizenship of Andriy Aksionov, who has won the by-election to parliament in constituency No. 50 in Donetsk region, as well as the fact of his involvement in organizing a "referendum" in Dobropillia about the self-determination of the "Donetsk people's republic," said first deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk.

"I am convinced that everything in Ukraine should take place within the limits stipulated by the Constitution. If such facts about Aksionov are legally valid, then, I think, the Central Election Commission and the Verkhovna Rada should react to this," Stefanchuk said in an interview with Interfax Ukraine.

According to the first deputy speaker, "it cannot be so that a person with dual citizenship, registered and confirmed, occupies one of the highest positions in the state, that is, he is a member of parliament of Ukraine."

Regarding the possible involvement of Aksionov in the organization of the pseudo-referendum, Stefanchuk is convinced that this should also be "certified by the relevant legal fact, and the person who was involved in this, accordingly, should be limited in rights."

At the same time, he stressed that the relevant facts should be confirmed by the Security Service of Ukraine.

As reported, on March 28, 2021, midterm elections to the Verkhovna Rada were held in single-mandate constituencies No. 50 in Donetsk region and No. 87 in Ivano-Frankivsk region, in which 32 candidates took part.

According to the results of electronic processing of 100% of the protocols, representative of the political party Order Andriy Aksionov won in the 50th constituency, gaining 65.46% of the votes.

At the same time, representative of Ukraine to the Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement of the situation in Donbas, Denys Kazansky, noted on his Facebook page that Aksionov in 2014, being the village head of Dobropillia, allegedly contributed to the organization of a "referendum" on the self-determination of the "Donetsk People's Republic". In support of this, a video dated May 12, 2014 was published in the internet, where "DPR fans" from neighboring towns thank Aksionov for organizing a "referendum."

Also, according to Kazansky, Aksionov has dual citizenship - of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which is confirmed by information from the database of the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation.

In addition, in May 2018, the prosecutor's office of Donetsk region, together with the SBU in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, informed Aksionov of suspicion of official forgery (Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code), forgery and the use of documents (Part 4 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code), misappropriation, embezzlement of property or taking possession of it through abuse of office (Part 2, 3, Article 191 of the Criminal Code). According to the investigation, Aksionov committed such actions with the aim of illegally visiting the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea. On January 29, 2019, Kramatorsk City Court chose for Aksionov night house arrest for two months as a preventive measure.
HEALTH Minister Stephen Donnelly has promised a new timetable for when people in particular age cohorts can expect to receive their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine within the next week.

The move follows controversial changes to the State's vaccination programme, which Mr Donnelly said, will reduce the risk of Covid-19 and allow the country to reopen as quickly as possible.

"So certainly, within a week for each of those cohorts, what I will be able to provide is indicative timelines for dose one," he said.

An aged-based system for vaccines once those aged 70 years and older, the vulnerable and people with underlying conditions are immunised, is to be rolled out in May, June and July. The changes have sparked criticism from a number of groups including those representing gardai and teachers who had expected to be prioritised as key workers.

Mr Donnelly promised to produce new indicative timelines for when each age cohort can expect to be vaccinated within the next week.

When we talk about accelerating the vaccine programme, really what we're talking about is accelerating the benefit of the programme, Mr Donnelly said at a briefing in the Department of Health on Wednesday.

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He said by reducing the risk of Covid as quickly as possible it means we can open the country back up as quickly as possible.

Mr Donnelly said that the change will be more efficient, more transparent and more effective in protecting the most vulnerable as quickly as possible.

He said that the allocation of vaccines was not a measure of how valid or important people are and said that options for opening society depend on vaccinating those at highest risk first.

The Cabinet decision on Tuesday to change the programme came on foot of advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Council (NIAC) whose chair Professor Karina Butler said that overwhelmingly the evidence in terms of risk of severe outcome, be it from hospitalisation, entering ICU or death, is age.

She gave an example of a person aged between 55 and 65 who contracts the virus who, she said, is 70 times more at risk of death than a healthy 20-to-34-year-old who contracts Covid-19. The older person is also 20 times more at risk of ICU admission and five times more at risk of hospitalisation.

The other issue is that this will accelerate the rollout, its clearly definable so there wont be the delays in hunting and searching, so everybody can get protected more quickly, she said.

People 16-64 living or working in crowded settings will be vaccinated in parallel with the new age-based process.

Professor Butler said that groups to be included in a cohort of those working in crowded settings will include Travellers, members of the Roma community and the homeless. Other groups may be added, but it will not include teachers, Mr Donnelly confirmed.

Mr Donnelly said that by vaccinating the most vulnerable first the risk profile week-on-week in the country falls. By adjusting the vaccine plan according to risk it will accelerate the reduction in risk and speed up the reopening of the country, he argued.

He said that the Beacon controversy did not play a role in the move and was a separate decision.

Mr Donnelly said he was willing to meet with groups representing teachers and gardai and brief them on the evidence and science underpinning the decision. He said he had spoken to Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Education Minister Norma Foley on the issue.

The Fianna Fail minister said that within the next three months if supplies arrive four-out-five adults will be offered a vaccine.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said he understood that people in their 20s and 30s in particular occupations will be disgruntled but that the decision will drastically impact on mortality.

The quicker we get this out the quicker there is a benefit to everybody, he said.

Mr Donnelly said that the HSE will be administering 250,000 doses a week in one of the later weeks in April. In relation to supply issues with AstraZeneca, Mr Donnelly said it was really galling that other regions including the US and UK appear to have been made whole and the European Union has not . I am not remotely happy with that, I dont think thats right, he said.

Professor Butler also said that as a paediatrician she was hopeful that children will eventually be vaccinated and that NIAC was waiting for the data from studies on children.
Restarting the economy "is important" notwithstanding the current "difficult situation", Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

We want to get ahead of others, overtaking in the bend, he said in a video posted on Facebook. The prime minister noted that he was travelling to the Uzbek capital Tashkent for talks to expand the business opportunities of Hungarian companies.



In the first phase of our economic policy, we invited foreign investors to Hungary to bring modern technology and create jobs, Orban said in the video.



In the second phase we strengthened small and medium-sized enterprises so they could sell their products produced in Hungary abroad in the form of exports, he added.



We have reached the third phase when the most capable Hungarian corporations can establish companies abroad, make investments and the profits generated there will be brought home to Hungary.



This way, we will restore the financial balance of the Hungarian economy, Orban said.



He said he was travelling to Uzbekistan for talks, and big successful Hungarian companies like OTP and medium-sized companies are also coming with us.





Photo: PM's Press Office Zoltan Fischer
G. Gordon Liddy, the tough-guy Watergate operative who went to prison rather than testify and later turned his Nixon-era infamy into a successful television and talk show career, has died at age 90.

Liddy died Tuesday at his daughters house in Virginia, his son Thomas P. Liddy told The Washington Post. He did not give a cause of death.

While others swept up in the Watergate scandal offered contrition or squirmed in the glare of televised congressional hearings, Liddy seemed to wear the crime like a badge of courage, saying he only regretted that the mission to break into the Democratic National Committees headquarters had been a failure.

He drove around Washington in a Volvo with license plates reading H2OGATE, openly discussed the botched burglary on talk radio and late-night TV, took villainous television roles that seemed to trade on his soiled reputation and mocked his fellow Watergate operatives as bumblers.

I was serving the president of the United States and I would do a Watergate again  but with a much better crew, he said.

Here are more stories of those we have lost in 2021

Tight-lipped, Liddy refused to testify at either the Watergate hearings or at his own criminal trial, accepting his fate and a 20-year prison term. My father didnt raise a snitch or a rat, he explained to the Los Angeles Times in 2001.

But when his sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter and he was freed after 52 months in prison, Liddy couldnt stop talking.

He became a sought-after public speaker, a far-right radio talk show host who called himself the G Man  This is Radio Free D.C., and Im G. Gordon Liddy  and a prolific writer. He also fit comfortably into the skin of TV villains, playing a recurring bad guy role on Miami Vice and similar characters on MacGyver and Airwolf.

I played only villains, and that way, as Mrs. Liddy says, I dont have to act. I just go there and play myself, he told Playboy magazine in a 1995 interview.

He was born George Gordon Liddy in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Nov. 30, 1930. He recalled an overwhelming sense of fear and dread as a child  the hulking dirigibles that flew silently over his house, the rats that skittered along the electrical lines, the nuns who would berate him at school. He claimed that the first reassuring voice he heard was that of Hitler.

Hitlers sheer animal confidence and power of will entranced me, he recalled in a 2004 interview. He sent an electric current through my body.

Liddy would often cite the nearly sadistic tests and challenges he claimed he put himself through to toughen his will, some straining the boundaries of credibility: standing in front on an ongoing train and jumping from the tracks at the last minute or climbing a tree during an electrical storm to see if he would be struck. Later, he would famously describe how he won the confidence of his Watergate associates by holding his palm over a candle flame until his skin burned.

He joined the Marines but never fulfilled his dream to fight in the Korean War. Instead he went to law school, became an FBI agent and then a prosecutor. When he ran for a New York congressional seat, one of his favorite campaign ploys was to peel off his jacket before he spoke, revealing the shoulder holster he was fond of wearing. He lost the campaign and joined the Treasury Department, where he was remembered as a troublesome employee and was ultimately let go.

That led Liddy to the White House and a clandestine unit known as the plumbers, whose first assignment was to discredit former defense analyst Daniel Ellsberg, who had leaked the so-called Pentagon Papers, leaving President Richard Nixon smarting. Hoping to find something that would undermine Ellsbergs credibility, Liddy and the others broke into the office of a Beverly Hills psychiatrist who had been treating Ellsberg. They came away empty-handed, though undetected.

From the start, Liddy seemed eager to do what was needed to get Nixon reelected. In Will, his 1991 autobiography, Liddy explains that in meetings with the plumbers he came up with an assortment of potential plans to bolster the president  break-ins, wire-tap jobs, counterdemonstrations and even a scheme he called Sapphire, in which escorts would be hired to lure powerful Democrats to a rented houseboat in Miami Beach where their intimate conversations and actions could be recorded.

Liddy said that as he shared his plans with Nixons associates, the idea that quickly gained traction was to break into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate in Washington and tap the phones, review files and photograph revealing documents. The first burglary was a success, but when the team returned to adjust microphones and add additional listening devices, it all unraveled.

A security guard noticed that someone had put tape over a self-locking door at the office and residential complex, and five people were arrested at the scene. Liddy, who had kept his distance from the actual dirty work, was later indicted as the mastermind of the scheme.

After his conviction, Liddy said he alternately worked on his autobiography and on staying alive during his five years behind bars. He told The Washington Post in 1979 that for protection he armed himself with an ax handle attached to a jagged piece of steel and a sharp-edged steel bar.

I dont believe in being a victim, he said.

When his sentence was commuted and he became a free man, Liddy repackaged himself as a showman. He did radio and he did television, he spoke on college campuses with LSD guru Timothy Leary, and he pitched corporate chiefs on the value of hiring the commando-style security team Hurricane Force he planned to form.

Brash, pointed, funny and brimming with stories  some believable, others less so, he earned up to $12,000 an appearance. He told listeners he still admired Nixon, thought liberals were ruining the country, didnt regret Watergate, approved of group sex and believed it fair that he went to prison.

I broke the law, he told the crowd during a speech at George Washington University. I took a risk and lost.

In 1992, Liddy became the host of The G. Gordon Liddy Show, four hours of radio talk fare in which the host swung from a matter-of-fact reading of the daily news to bombastic outbursts. He told listeners he had used photos of Bill and Hillary Clinton for target practice to improve his aim and spoke firmly about the need to be skilled with weaponry for self-protection.

I love my home so much, a caller on WJFK told him, expressing concern about being burglarized.

Then protect it. Get a shotgun, he advised. After you kill him, say a little prayer for his soul. You wont want to be brutal.

For his occasional role on Miami Vice, Liddy shaved off what hair he had but kept his bushy dark mustache. The look was properly sinister. But the hair never returned, the mustache turned white, and his short, stocky frame eventually gave way to a stooped, frail figure.

Liddy also tried to change the Watergate narrative.

The accepted version of the break-in  from Bob Woodward and Carl Bernsteins All the Presidents Men to the national archival material at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library  put the blame directly on the White House, where some of Nixons most trusted signed off on a plot to slip into the Democratic headquarters and plant the necessary devices to listen in as their opponents drew up election game plans.

Liddy initially said he went to prison accepting that version, too.

But later, the Watergate mastermind said he began subscribing to a theory that has been advanced by a far lesser known pair of journalists, Len Colodny and Robert Gettlin, the authors of Silent Coup. The book, published in 1991, shifted the blame, putting it squarely on former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean.

The burglary, Liddy began telling listeners on his radio show, was motivated by Deans feverish concern that the Democrats had evidence that his girlfriend and future wife had a connection to a woman who was running a call-girl ring.

The book was dismissed by scholars as revisionism. Woodward brushed it off as fiction. A scandalous fabrication, said Alexander Haig, Nixons former chief of staff. Garbage, Dean said.

Dean, whose testimony during the Watergate hearings helped bring down the president, sued for defamation, as did a Louisiana school teacher who briefly worked as a secretary at the Democratic Committee headquarters at the Watergate hotel. The book suggested she helped arrange dates between visiting Democrats and escorts.

The trial in Baltimore became a fresh battleground to settle old scores.

This, Liddy testified, was a John Dean op.

During the trial, nearly every brick in Liddys account of Watergate was chipped away. The Los Angeles Times reported in 2001 that one of the sources who had provided information to the books authors acknowledged that he had mental disabilities, took a variety of medications and had a drinking problem. He testified he had little memory of the details of Watergate and no memory of the secretary whod been linked to the supposed call-girl operation.

But both suits were dismissed and the books publishers reached an out-of-court settlement with Dean.

But under all the brass, there could be a softer side to the person Nixon once described as the most dangerous man in America. A Washington Post reporter who spent a late afternoon in 1992 at Liddys home on the Potomac found him to be just another grandfather, someone who dutifully rearranged the cars in the driveway when his wife came home, cheerfully discussed plans for finding a painter for their house and bantered about with the grandkids.

In a 1997 appearance on Late Night with Conan OBrien, Liddy  there to pitch a wall calendar of barely clad women armed with high-powered weaponry  seems jovial and light, even as he demonstrates on fellow guest Don Rickles how he could quickly and effectively kill someone with nothing more than a pencil.

Colodny, the journalist and author, was unsure whether Liddy was fully satisfied with his post-Watergate life.

I think he would have liked to have done something more serious with his life, he said.

Liddy is survived by five children and 12 grandchildren. His wife of 53 years, Frances, died in 2010.

___

2021 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
RTHK: Italy expels Russian diplomats over spy case

Italy expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday after police said they had caught an Italian navy captain passing secret documents to a Russian military official in return for money.

The Italian frigate captain and the Russian embassy staff member were arrested in a car park in Rome and accused of "serious crimes tied to spying and state security" after their meeting on Tuesday night, Italian Carabinieri police said.

The suspects were not officially identified. A police source said the captain was called Walter Biot and had accepted 5,000 euros (US$5,900) in return for the information.

It was not immediately possible to contact Biot, who was in custody, and the name of his lawyer was not disclosed.

Ansa news agency said Nato documents were among the files that the Italian had handed over, raising potential security worries for other members of the Western military alliance.

Italy immediately summoned the Russian ambassador Sergey Razov and expelled two Russian officials believed to be involved in what Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio called an "extremely grave matter".

"The accusation of espionage against Italian and Russian officers shows that we must continue to work closely with Europe and our allies to constantly improve our means of protecting the safety and well-being of our citizens," Di Maio said.

Russian news agencies, citing the Russian embassy in Italy, said the pair who were expelled worked in the military attache's office. Officials did not say whether the Russian army official who had met the captain was one of those ordered to leave.

Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a Russian lawmaker as saying Moscow would reciprocate for the expulsions, standard practice in such cases.

However, statements from Moscow suggested Russia was keen to play down the incident. The Russian Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying that it regretted the expulsions, but that they did not threaten bilateral relations. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Spring is in the air with temperatures rising across the UK.

And Helena Bonham Carter embraced seasonal style on Wednesday in a raspberry pink dress which aptly featured a pattern of the delicious fruit.

The actress, 54, cut a relaxed figure in the loose-fitting number as she met up with a friend in London for a walk.

Making the most of the day: Helena Bonham Carter embraced seasonal style on Wednesday in a patterned pink midi dress as she met up with a friend in London for a walk

Her outfit boasted a plunging V-neckline and delicate pleats trailing across her collar bone.

Helena draped a black satchel handbag across her torso while sipping on a smoothie from Joe And The Juice.

The Crown star added height to her frame with platform trainers which she teamed with grey socks.

Her wispy brunette locks were tucked back in a loose up-do and her clear shades perched on the crown of her head.

Eclectic taste: The actress, 54, cut a relaxed figure in the loose-fitting number which boasted a raspberry pattern, a plunging V-neckline and delicate pleats trailing across her collar bone

She appeared to go make-up free for the outing as she was seen deep in conversation with her pal.

Helena appeared without her other-half, Rye Dag Holmboe, who frequently joins her for ambles around the city centre.

The couple first went public with their romance in October 2019, five years after she split from her partner of 13 years, Tim Burton.

The film executives are parents to 16-year-old son Billy and 12-year-old daughter Nell.

TV and film star Helena previously credited the writer, Rye, for being 'a bit of unexpected magic in my life'.

Going strong: Helena was seen on the outing without her partner Rye Dag Holmboe, who she has been been dating for the past 17 months, marking her first relationship in five years (pictured together in October 2019)

Helena had a famously unconventional with director Tim, 62, as they lived in two adjourning houses in London.

On finally moving on from the American animator, the Enid star - who previously dated Irish actor Kenneth Branagh between 1994 and 1999 - admitted she grew tired of 'grieving' their relationship, and now leads a 'happy' life with her boyfriend.

Helena told Harper's Bazaar UK: 'You break up, you grieve, you get bored of grieving.

'And then you finally move on. Im very happy with someone else. Its been a bit of unexpected magic in my life.'

The thespian's outing came after it was announced last month that she and David Mitchell have joined the stellar cast on BBC One's new comedy series, The Cleaner

The sitcom has been written by The Inbetweeners star Greg Davies, who will play the lead role of cleaning technician, Paul 'Wicky' Wickstead.

Screenwriter Greg, 52, said he is 'thrilled' Helen and Peep Show's David, 46, will star in the series.

The Cleaner is based on the multi-award-winning and long-running German comedy series, Der Tatortreiniger (Crime Scene Cleaner) created by Ingrid Lausund.

It will follow Paul 'Wicky' (Greg), who is a crime scene cleaner responsible for the removal of any signs of death.

Armed with chemicals, scrubbing brushes and cleaning rags, Wicky removes the gruesome mess at the scene of a crime.

When carrying out his duties, he stumbles across the strangest of people, from the victim's relatives, employers, neighbours and acquaintances, to occasionally even the murderers themselves.

Also starring in the upcoming series is Stephanie Cole from Open All Hours, Game Of Thrones' Donald Sumpter and Four Weddings and a Funeral actress Shobu Kapoor.
"This partnership represents a strong investment into the safety of the organizations IPRF serves," says Michael Fackler CSP, ARM, Director Risk Management Services at Trinity Safety Group, "We are honored and excited to be a chosen partner. COVID has changed the way organizations manage their health and safety. We believe our battle-tested approach to safety and risk management can be a catalyst for change, and greatly enhance our IPRF members safety programs through blending technology, a people-centered approach, and accessible safety management and loss control."

"We want to provide members with the tools and resources to build a robust and successful workplace safety and loss control program," says Jodi Steel , Risk Manager at Illinois Public Risk Fund. "Through careful consideration, we chose to partner with Trinity Safety Group because of their experience, innovative approach, and their utilization of technology that will improve our members safety and loss performance."

In this COVID era, the focus is rightly on protecting the health and wellness of public workers. This partnership is unique in that Trinity Safety Group will be implementing and leveraging technology to provide remote service and monitoring through field applications, data-driven analytics, and transparent process improvement analysis. Member organizations will also be provided opportunities to listen to podcasts, join roundtables, participate in webinars, and access training and resources through a comprehensive learning management system.

About Trinity Safety Group: Trinity Safety Group is working to change the way businesses manage their risk by putting people at the center of the program. Since 2002, Trinity has built systems around people to take control of their safety. Knowing safety and risk is more than a bottom line, Trinity Safety Group works with organizations to empower people to work safer through engagement and collaboration.

Using Trinity Safety Group's proprietary business framework and mobile technology, companies are realizing transformational behaviors ensuring safer operations. Trinity Safety Group is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN with offices in Kentucky and Virginia. For more information, visit https://www.trinitysafetygroup.com .

About Illinois Public Risk Fund: IPRF was established in 1985 to provide a cost-effective alternative to escalating workers compensation premiums and related costs. Today, IPRF has proudly served countless governmental entities and public agencies throughout Illinois.

IPRF is an intergovernmental joint insurance pool providing for the defense and payment when due of all compensation and other benefits under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act and the Illinois Workers' Occupational Disease Act on behalf of its governmental entity and public agency members.

IPRF's mission is to provide comprehensive and responsive risk management solutions while controlling costs through a unified loss prevention and claims management program that supports governmental entities and public agencies throughout Illinois.

Michael Fackler, CSP, ARM

Trinity Safety Group

502.492.5484

[email protected]

SOURCE Trinity Safety Group

Related Links

https://www.trinitysafetygroup.com


The patients had all had chemotherapy and radiation followed by surgery to remove their cancers. As usually happens, pathology reports showed that the surgery did not remove all of the cancer cells, which still lurked in lymph nodes and elsewhere, setting the stage in these patients for their cancers to return as incurable metastases.

Nivolumab is approved for some patients with other cancers, like Hodgkins lymphoma, melanoma and colorectal cancer. With the new study, experts expect the drug will readily win approval for treatment of early-stage esophageal cancer.

Dr. Ronan Kelly, director of the Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor University Medical Center and lead author of the new study, said he and the other researchers urgently wanted to help the 75 percent of patients who go through extraordinarily difficult sequences of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery that disfigures the digestive system, only to learn that cancer is still present or has a high likelihood of recurring.

Without some other form of treatment, we knew many would recur quickly, Dr. Kelly said. Additional chemotherapy not only was difficult for patients to tolerate, but it also did not seem to help. Nivolumab has few side effects and seemed worth a try.

Esophageal cancer is rare in the United States, accounting for 1 percent of all cancers; about 15,000 patients die each year. But it is the seventh most common cancer globally, and frequently seen in East Asia, although it is not clear why, Dr. Ilson said.
FOR Deo Persad, who knew nothing but family, work, and church, life was complete.

That was evident in the trademark grin on his resting face, hence his nickname Smiley Boboy.

Then one day, his heart-warming and comforting smile, even when he was angry, was lost, and the man who never took a vacation day in his life walked out of his familys home on August 6, 2020, leaving confusion, hurt and grief at their doorstep.

On Deos 53rd birthday on December 14 last year there was nothing but hope that he would walk back into their lives.
Chandigarh, March 31 : Taking exception to the Centre's criticism of his government's management of the Covid-19 surge, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said not only was the state consistently doing more tests per million than the national average, but the situation would perhaps have been better had the opening up of vaccination for 45-plus group not been delayed.

Had the Central government acceded the state's request to allow vaccination of all 50 plus category population earlier, instead of delaying the decision to include 45 plus age population by almost two months, he said.

Reacting to the Centre's allegation that the state was not doing enough testing and isolating affected people, Amarinder Singh noted that his government had put severe restrictions on social gatherings and closed all educational institutions, with night curfews imposed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in severely affected 11 districts.

He observed the state had been repeatedly requesting the Centre in writing, as well as in meetings attended by the Chief Secretary, that the current strategy of immunisation needs review.

Vaccination in a campaign that covers all age groups in selected areas will lead to better outcomes than the periodic cycles of vaccination targeting a small section of the population at each cycle, he stressed, underlining the need for such approach in any area where weekly testing shows a doubling of positivity rate.

He reiterated his demand for permission for occupation-based immunisation for school and college students and teachers, judges, bus drivers and conductors, etc, everywhere.

Amarinder Singh also took note of the delay in receiving reports of genome sequencing. Of the 874 samples sent, only 588 reports had been received so far, of which 411 samples were found positive for B.1.1.7 (the UK variant) and two samples positive for N440K).

The implication of presence of the UK variant needs to be looked into and appropriate advice is required to be shared with the state, he urged the Centre.

Citing the factual position on the testing front, Amarinder Singh said during the first peak, which happened in September 2020, the positivity rate was around 10 per cent and the state was testing 30,000 Covid samples per day. Now, when the positivity is over seven per cent, the state is testing around 40,000 samples per day.

The state is consistently testing around 90 per cent RT-PCR and about 10 per cent rapid antigen tests, and its per million testing figure is 196,667 while the national average is 182,296, he said.

The state had very limited capacity of testing by RT-PCR when the pandemic started. It was about 40 samples per day and within a very short span of time, the state ramped up its own RT-PCR testing capacity to more than 25,000 tests per day, he added.
Cherokee Nation leaders joined Sequoyah County Water Association representatives on March 26 to celebrate the completion of the Sequoyah County Water Treatment Plant, which will provide fresh, cleaner and safer drinking water to about 5,300 residents and businesses.
Williamson, WV (25661)

Today

Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.
Regulatory News:

In a major step as they move towards the completion of their Joint Venture as announced on 26 January 2021, Stellantis and Engie EPS (Paris:EPS) today announce the composition of the Board of Directors and the corporate name of the new entity:

Free2Move eSolutions has the ambition to support and ease the transition to electric mobility by offering innovative and tailor-made electric solutions for both private and business actors of the value chain.

An active role in contributing to affordable and clean mobility

Through a digital and seamless journey across all product lines, the scope of Free2Move eSolutions activities will range from charging infrastructures (installation, servicing and operations), public and home charging subscriptions withmonthly fee, to battery lifecycle management and advanced energy services such as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) integration and energy management solutions to reduce the total cost of vehicle ownership.

The joint venture between Stellantis and Engie EPS will simplify the access to e-mobility and will complement Free2Move current portfolio, with a new set of offers 100% dedicated to electric mobility

Free2Move (part of the Stellantis Group) is a mobility tech company, created in 2016, whose objective is to simplify and guarantee mobility for both private and business customers with solutions adapted to all needs, anywhere and anytime from 1 hour, 1 day, to 1 month or more, via a single platform. It also provides solutions supporting energy transition and fleet management for professionals.

The new company is founded at global level and is supported by a team with great skills and specific knowledge, to design, develop, produce, distribute and sell simple, innovative electric mobility solutions across Europe, with potential and a plan for future international extension.

Board of Directors of Free2Move eSolutions

The Board of Directors of Free2Move eSolutions will be comprised of six members, subject to closing of the transaction. Roberto Di Stefano, representing Stellantis, will be the CEO, and Carlalberto Guglielminotti, hailing from Engie EPS and Young Global Leader 2020 of the World Economic Forum, will be the Chairman. The other members of the Board of Directors will be Brigitte Courtehoux (CEO of Free2Move Brand and member of Stellantis' Global Executive Committee) and Davide Mele (Deputy Chief Operating Officer Enlarged Europe) from Stellantis, with Luigi Michi (formerly Head of Strategy and System Operation in Terna and Executive Vice President in Enel) and Giovanni Ravina (Chief Innovation Officer) representing Engie EPS.

Having obtained all antitrust clearances, completion of the joint venture is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2021.

About Engie EPS

Engie EPS is the technology and industrial player within the ENGIE group, developing technologies to revolutionize the paradigm in the global energy system towards renewable energy sources and electric mobility. Listed on Euronext Paris regulated market (EPS.PA), Engie EPS forms part of the CAC Mid Small and CAC All-Tradable financial indices. Its registered office is in Paris, with research, development and production located in Italy. For more information: www.engie-eps.com.

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About Stellantis

Stellantis Stellantis is one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider, guided by a clear vision: to offer freedom of movement with distinctive, affordable and reliable mobility solutions. In addition to the Group's rich heritage and broad geographic presence, its greatest strengths lie in its sustainable performance, depth of experience and the wide-ranging talents of employees working around the globe. Stellantis will leverage its broad and iconic brand portfolio, which was founded by visionaries who infused the marques with passion and a competitive spirit that speaks to employees and customers alike. Stellantis aspires to become the greatest, not the biggest while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates.

Twitter: @Stellantis Facebook: Stellantis LinkedIn: Stellantis YouTube: Stellantis

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005421/en/

Contacts:

Engie EPS

Media Contact

Press Office: Simona Raffaelli, Image Building, +39 02 89011300, eps@imagebuilding.it

Corporate and Institutional Communication: Cristina Cremonesi, +39 345 570 8686, ir@engie-eps.com

Stellantis

Media Contact

Marco Belletti, +39 334 6004837, marco.belletti@stellantis.com
ATLANTA  Georgia lawmakers on Wednesday approved a bill gutting a Civil War-era law that allowed residents to arrest one another, a move championed by critics who said such laws have historically been used by white citizens to justify the killing of African-Americans.

The near unanimous support for the bill in both chambers of the State Legislature marks an important moment for Georgia, whose Republican governor, Brian Kemp, fully supported the bill and is almost certain to sign it into law, as he did last June with new hate crimes legislation. Both measures were inspired by the killing last year of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man who was chased and then gunned down by three white men in a coastal Georgia neighborhood.

But the changes to the citizens arrest law, a version of which dates to 1863 and has been seen by many as a relic of the Old South and Wild West eras, also comes just days after Georgia Republicans passed a sweeping measure to restrict voting access that Democrats and voting rights groups said unfairly targets voters of color.

Republican support to invalidate much of the citizens arrest law demonstrates a party keenly interested in combating charges of racism. Mr. Kemp is likely to face off in an electoral rematch next year against Stacey Abrams, the former State House minority leader and a leading critic of restrictive Republican-backed voting laws.
Pakistan's Economic Coordination Council (ECC) has allowed the import of cotton and cotton yarn from India. The proposal was presented before the top committee for approval at a meeting convened by the country's commerce ministry officials. The Pakistan ECC met on Wednesday and decided to allow import in an effort to reopen the Indo-Pak trade, Pakistan's Geo TV reported.

Pakistans Economic Coordination Council allows the import of cotton and yarn from India, reports Reuters quoting sources pic.twitter.com/I3SGsKcqtV  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

The panel took up two summaries of the commerce and textile ministry to lift the ban on the import of cotton and cotton yarn, and white sugar from India. The country's economic coordination committee has also reportedly approved 0.5m metric tonne sugar import from India.

The low yield of cotton bales in Pakistan has created problems, paving the way for imports from India. Imran Khan government's decision to lift the ban comes as a relief for the country's textile sector, which desperately needs access to cheap raw materials. Some cotton industry stakeholders in Pakistan, however, believe the decision is going to hurt the country's farmers.

"We have already imported our required cotton from Central Asia and other parts of the world, so there is no need to grant this permission," a textile sector official told Geo TV. The government officials, however, believe the decision to allow cotton import from India will help meet the domestic demand at reasonable rates.

Pakistan had suspended trade ties with India after New Delhi revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. The positive developments between India and Pakistan continue since Indian and Pakistani armies agreed to strictly observe the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors on February 28.

Both countries have recently shown commitment to revive ties after the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack and withdrawal of the special status to J&K in August 2019.

PM Modi wrote a letter to Imran Khan on Pakistan Day last week on March 23, talking about India's desire to have cordial relations with Pakistan, adding an atmosphere of trust without terror and hostility is "imperative".

In return, Khan also wrote back, seeking the creation of an 'enabling environment' suited for a constructive and result-oriented dialogue to resolve outstanding issues, including that of J&K. "We are convinced that durable peace and stability in South Asia is contingent upon resolving all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, in particular, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," Khan wrote.

Also Read: Pakistan suspends import of cotton from India due to rising tension in ties

Also Read: Pakistan likely to resume import of cotton from India
Power stocks were trading in the negative zone, with the S&P BSE Power index falling 26.24 points or 1.05% at 2482.64 at 13:48 IST.

Among the components of the S&P BSE Power index, Adani Power Ltd (down 4.97%), Adani Green Energy Ltd (down 2.65%),Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (down 2.59%),NHPC Ltd (down 1.79%),ABB India Ltd (down 1.14%), were the top losers. Among the other losers were NTPC Ltd (down 1.11%), Thermax Ltd (down 0.78%), Torrent Power Ltd (down 0.06%), and K E C International Ltd (down 0.04%).

On the other hand, Adani Transmission Ltd (up 3.57%), Tata Power Company Ltd (up 0.48%), and Siemens Ltd (up 0.47%) moved up.

At 13:48 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 529.65 or 1.06% at 49606.93.

The Nifty 50 index was down 117.3 points or 0.79% at 14727.8.

The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 43.58 points or 0.21% at 20586.97.

The S&P BSE 150 Midcap Index index was down 2.72 points or 0.04% at 6849.21.

On BSE,1393 shares were trading in green, 1340 were trading in red and 191 were unchanged.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
document

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has expressed a concern over initiation school fatalities in the Eastern Cape, where 13 initiates lost their lives in December 2020.

The committee had an engagement yesterday with the Department of Traditional Affairs and the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) on issues of initiation.

The committee heard that fatalities occurred as a result of dehydration and alleged fighting despite the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), and the NHTL's undertaking to put safety measures in place. Furthermore, the Eastern Cape provincial government had a risk adjusted plan to prevent fatalities.

The committee has asked to be provided with a comprehensive report regarding the fatalities. It said the report should include, among other things, the number of initiates that were discharged with injuries and support given to the bereaved families.

The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Faith Muthambi, said that the committee should be provided with a report on consequence management in order to make sure that there is accountability on the matter.

The committee is of the view that initiation schools in the Eastern Cape require a serious intervention and that the Provincial Monitoring Team should come and brief the committee about the December incident.

Ms Muthambi said that there also needs to be measures in place to support parents whose children die in the initiation schools. She further said that department of CoGTA should work with the law enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal schools.

Also, Ms Muthambi said that the department of CoGTA should make a provision to include implementation plan of the Customary Initiation Bill into its annual performance plan as soon as the bill is assented into law by the President.

"Our role as Parliament does not stop with the conclusion of the legislative process, but continues in respect of monitoring and oversight. We will therefore be continuously engaging all the relevant stakeholders as to be kept abreast of developments in the implementation of this important statute," said Ms Muthambi.
High-level corruption and threats against minorities. US report evaluates human rights practices in Slovakia

Slovakia alongside its closest allies and partners is considering improving human rights and democracy as a central pillar of its interest and value policies at home and also abroad.

High-level corruption, violence and threats against Roma and other minorities, and the violence and threats targeting LGBTI people, are among the most significant human rights issues Slovakia had to face last year.

This stems from the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, presented by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The 45th edition monitors the situation in almost 200 countries across the globe.

Investigation of mafia in the police resulted in detention of a million in cash Read more

The government investigated reports of abuses by members of the security forces and other government institutions, although some observers questioned the thoroughness of these investigations, the report reads. Some officials engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.

The document also mentioned the trial of the case of the murder of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova, restricted movement during the Covid-19 pandemic and the investigation of high-ranking figures due to corruption.

The police initiated a series of interconnected, high-level, and unprecedented corruption investigations beginning in March and continuing through December, leading to the arrests of more than 30 current and former officials as well as notable members of the business community, the report reads, mentioning Dusan Kovacik, Tibor Gaspar, the suicide of Milan Lucansky and the detention of Jaroslav Hascak of Penta.

Slovak ministry responds

The Foreign Affairs Ministry responded that Slovakia, alongside its closest allies and partners, is considering improving human rights and democracy as a central pillar of its interest and value policies at home and also abroad.

Korcok: Slovakia is on thin ice in foreign policy as well Read more

The world is confronted with the growth of authoritarian regimes and it is ever more vital that democracies talk together openly and cooperate actively, said Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO), currently at the helm of the foreign affairs department. I therefore appreciate the return of the United States to effective multilateralism, in particular its commitment to the UN Human Rights Council as well as other international human rights platforms.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry will share the evaluation and information concerning Slovakia with the ministries nationally responsible for improving the human rights situation in the country.

Disclaimer: The Penta financial group has a minority share in Petit Press, the publisher of the Sme daily and the co-owner of The Slovak Spectator.

31. Mar 2021 at 11:38 | Compiled by Spectator staff
A look at the major movers on the London market on Wednesday

Norcros PLC (LON.NXR) has built up a good gain after saying its results would be better than previous expectations.

The bathroom and kitchen products group said that trading since 7 February - when it last issued an update - had continued to be strong despite what it called the "testing external environment." By that it meant of course COVID-19 and disruptions in the supply chain.

So it is now forecasting underlying profits for the year to be no less than 31m, compared to the previous guidance of 28m. It also expects to end the financial year with no debt, compared to borrowings of 36.4m a year ago.

The shares have climbed 4.3% or 11p to 267p..

2.56pm: Exchange group upbeat

Aquis Exchange PLC (LON.AQX) has seen its own shares move higher after the company unveiled a maiden profit.

The stock exchange operator made a full year pretax profit of 0.5mln compared to a 0.9m loss, helped by a 50% increase in average monthly users.

With an upbeat assessment of the outlook, the company's shares have climbed 22.5p or 3.95% to 592.5p.

1.23pm: Minerals group in demand

Strategic Minerals PLC (LON.SML) has moved higher on hopes of approval of a copper mining application in Australia.

The company's subsidiary, Leigh Creek Copper Mine, announced it had lodged a response to an information request from the South Australian Department of Energy and Mining, relating to an application to mine its Paltridge North deposit.

Managing director John Peters said: "The submission of the further information sought reflects the on-going dialogue that LCCM has maintained with the DEM and reflects the prudent policies the South Australian government follows in ensuring mining projects are environmentally robust.

"It is the board's view that this is likely to be the final submission required for approval and that this is likely to occur in the second quarter of 2021.

"Subject to receipt of the...approval and funding, the company expects to commence mobilisation and mining in the third quarter of 2021 with revenue commencing in the last quarter of 2021."

Its shares have added 5.76% or 0.024p to 0.45p.

Meanwhile UK Oil & Gas PLC (LON.UKOG) has jumped 17.02% or 0.02p to 0.14p after the company, which has assets in southern England, was given a three month extension by AIM to report its results. They were due by today but have been delayed by COVID-19.

12.09pm: Sleep company board changes

Eve Sleep PLC (LON.EVE) has changed its chairman and seen its shares rise, which may perhaps be a little hurtful to the outgoing executive.

The departee from the company - which likes to call itself a sleep wellness business - is Paul Pindar who will be replaced by Mike Lloyd, currently chief operating officer at McCarthy & Stone.

The announcement of the appointment can only be called a bit of a love-in.

Pindar said chairing the company for five years had been a privilege. He said now that the company's rebuilding strategy was complete - it started revamping its business in 2018 - it was time to inject fresh thinking and called Lloyd an exceptional candidate.

Chief executive Cheryl Calverley said working with Pindar had been "unexpectedly delightful" and added: "Mike will bring a different energy to the role, challenging and stretching the eve business to accelerate for growth. He's a remarkable character, and is the perfect fit to help eve take advantage of what lies ahead. I'm personally both excited, and slightly awed by the opportunity that having Mike as chairman places in front of us."

And Lloyd said: "Eve is at a positive inflection point - having now created sound foundations it can look to profitable growth. I am excited to be joining at this time, and to be able to put my experience and energy into supporting eve in grasping this opportunity."

The shares are up 12.24% or 0.6p at 5.5p.

10.58am: Biogradeable technology group positive on outlook

Symphony Environmental Technologies PLC (LON.SYM) is in demand after an upbeat results statement.

The company, which develops additives to turn ordinary plastic into a biodegradeable substance, is up 13.8% or 2.25p to 18.5p after it reported a fall in full year losses from 0.7mln to 0.44mln. Revenues rose from 8.22mln to 9.77mln.

During the year its d2p (designed-to-protect) antibacterial technology was approved by US FDA for bread packaging while its antimicrobial product was proven by an independent laboratory to kill coronavirus within one hour of contact.

It has launched legal action against an EU directive which it says incorrectly includes its technology: "We believe that the EU's unsubstantiated ban on what they call "oxo-degradable" plastic has caused unwarranted confusion about the proven efficacy of our d2w oxo-BIOdegradable masterbatch. More importantly this confusion has denied the opportunity for European consumers and businesses to utilise one of the most effective and economic technologies to address the problem of plastic pollution on land and at sea. The EU institutions have until 14 April 2021 to serve their defences."

9.48am: Parsley Box drops 7.5%

It's not a good day for food delivery companies to join the market.

has slumped around 20% on its market debut and Parsley Box Group PLC (LON.MEAL) is also heading in the wrong direction.

Parsley Box, founded in 2017, specialises in delivering ready meals which do not need to be stored in a fridge or freezer to what it calls the "underserved Baby Boomer+ consumer", i.e. people aged 60 and over.

As part of its entry to AIM it raised 5mln for the company and 12mln for shareholders who sold part of their stakes.

At the placing price of 200p, it was capitalised at around 83.8mln. But it is worth 7.5% less than that now, with the shares down 15p to 185p

8.27am: Mining group upbeat after rock sample results

Rockfire Resources PLC (LON.ROCK) has attracted attention after an update from its Lighthouse site in North Queensland, Australia .

The company said it had received positive rock samples from the Bell Rock gold prospect at the 100% owned area, and also confirmed an early stage copper discovery.

Chief executive David Price said: "The receipt of multiple, highly encouraging rock sample results from Bell Rock...is an exciting advancement of the prospect.

"A new copper prospect within the Lighthouse tenement, called "Otway", was identified from structural interpretation by Rockfire's geologists.. During Rockfire's first exploration visit to conduct mapping and sampling, one rock sample returned 0.25 % copper and a highly unexpected result of 0.28 % cobalt. Three other rock samples returned elevated copper above 300 ppm Cu. Further work is needed to understand the geology of this early-stage prospect."

Rockfire's shares have risen 6.45% or 0.05p to 0.83p.

Bigblu Broadband PLC (LON.BBB) has bounced 5p or 4.65% to 112.5p after what it described as "a transformational year."

It said: "We commenced the year with a reconstitution of our entire debt facilities at highly competitive rates with our lead banking partner Santander Bank UK plc. During the year, we successfully disposed of the UK and European Satellite operations to our industry leading partner Eutelsat for maximum aggregate consideration of up to 39.3m, a value that the Directors believe was extremely attractive. We ended the year with the announcement of three substantial contract wins in Quickline and a fourth just after the year end worth a combined total of around 30m under the BDUK Superfast Programme to improve connectivity in deep rural communities to around 30,000 premises using a combination of fixed wireless and fibre technologies."

Full year like-for-like revenues rose 4.3% with earnings up 29.7% to 6.2m.

Proactive news headlines

( ) has reiterated its guidance for 2021 as it said the year looks to be promising as it ramped up progress with its projects.

Seeing Machines Limited ( ) said it expects 30 car models to be fitted with its driver monitoring technology within the next two calendar years just from existing customers.

PLC ( ) said it split off its anti-piracy business TCAT into a new subsidiary to capitalise on the evolving music streaming market.

(NASDAQ:AMYT, ) said has completed the rolling submission process that it hopes will end with the fast-track sign-off from the US Food & Drug Administration a gel for a rare and distressing skin disease.

( ) said its partner has received authorisation in Spain for its bio-fungicide.

Scotgold Resources Ltd ( ) said it raised 1.5mln through a placing and will use the proceeds for working capital through the current production ramp up at the Cononish gold and silver mine in Scotland. It still expects production for calendar year 2021 to be within the guidance range previously provided.

( ) said it is aiming for continued growth in 2021 as the plastics specialist reported revenue growth last year despite the challenging conditions in the global economy.

( ) remains confident that consumption levels for its products will return quickly as the UKs eases lockdown measures ahead of peak tanning season, it said in an outlook statement accompanying final results.

( ) sees 2021 as a pivotal year as it continues exploration programmes in Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Chad, the company said alongside its interim results.

(LON:TXP, ) said it encountered light oil at Chinook-1, part of the Ortoire block, and that further evaluation is required to determine commerciality.

( ) told investors the Cameroon authorities are supporting the companys plans for the Thali license and it is working with its contractors to organise a schedule for the NJOM-3 well.

s (LON:CNR, ) key objective this year is to continue to advance La India project in Nicaragua to production, the company said alongside its 2020 financial results. Pretax losses narrowed to 1.3mln, from 1.5mln in 2019, for the exploration and development company.

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited ( ) the mining and metals investor, increased net asset value 6% to a record 16.1p in the half-year to end-December.

(LON:88E, ) has confirmed that wireline logging operation are now underway for the Merlin-1 well, in Alaska. Hotly anticipated preliminary results are expected over the weekend, it noted.

The Tavistock Investments PLC ( ) board has reiterated that the takeover approach by is without merit.

A new service has been launched by commodity broker to help individuals offset their cars CO2 emissions, called ClimatePositive.

( ) has appointed Ariane Murphy as its new chief investor relations officer.

Ltd ( ) announced that Sue Inglis has decided to step down as a director of the company with effect from 31 March 2021.

( ) said this years annual general meeting will be held at The CORE, 9th Floor, Ebene CyberCity, Mauritius on Wednesday 28 April 2021 at 10am GMT.

(LON:THR, ASX:THR, ) said a webinar will be hosted by OTC Markets and Murdock Capital Partners at 3:30pm US Eastern Standard time on 30th March 2021.
An OPEC+ panel advising the group has revised down its global oil demand forecast for 2021 by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in light of the renewed lockdowns in Europe amid a third wave of the pandemic, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a report from the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) it had seen.

The committee met on Tuesday, beginning the monthly OPEC+ meetings that are expected to decide how the alliance will proceed with the production cuts in May.

The most recent edition of OPECs Monthly Oil Market Report projecting growth of 5.1 per cent in 2021, while world oil demand is estimated to rise by 5.9 mb/d, OPEC said at the end of the meeting.

But the JTCs base-case scenario, according to the report Reuters has seen, now forecasts demand growth of 5.6 million bpd, down by 300,000 bpd.

Global oil supply, on the other hand, is set to rise by 1.6 million bpd this year, the JTC now expects. This is 200,000 bpd higher than its previous supply growth estimate.

At the JTC meeting, OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo expressed cautious optimism about the positive trajectory of the recovery in the oil market and global economy, OPEC said. Related: Oil Prices Fall As Bearish Sentiment Returns

One of the Arab Gulf members of OPEC, Kuwait, also said on Wednesday that it was cautiously optimistic about global oil demand growth this year, its Oil Minister, Mohammad Abdulatif al-Fares, said, as per Kuwaits state news agency KUNA. Kuwait reiterated its full support to OPEC+ efforts to rebalance the market, the minister added.

The cautious optimism messages coming from OPEC and the OPEC+ group this week suggest that the group is more likely than not to roll over the current cuts into May, analysts say.

Russia is reportedly favoring a rollover of the alliances oil production cuts, but it is seeking a slight increase for itself to meet higher domestic seasonal demand, a source with knowledge of Moscows plans told Reuters on Monday.

OPECs top producer and de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, is also reportedly ready to extend current OPEC+ production cuts over May and June and also keep cutting 1 million bpd in oil output unilaterally, according to an unnamed source who spoke to Reuters.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Laura Jacksons husband, Charlie, died on May 17, in a veterans hospital in North Carolina, from complications related to COVID-19. At the time, Jackson, who is forty-seven, hadnt seen Charlie in person for three weeks; like him, she had tested positive for COVID-19, but she had been asymptomatic, and recovered. Mourning Charlie was difficult; public health restrictions in Charlotte limited the size of indoor gatherings to ten people. That was the hardest part, says Jackson, who was able to see her three children as well as some close family, but few others. It still is the hardest part, grieving in a pandemic when its when you need people the most.

Jackson found relief sharing her storyon CBS Weekend News, in December, in a short segment about the hardships faced by grieving families during the holidays, then on social media. Jackson created a Twitter account, to post about her grief; she kept it secret, even from her children. One of the first accounts Jackson connected with was @FacesofCOVID, which is dedicated to sharing photographs and stories of people who died from COVID. Seeing the losses of so many other families helps you put your grief into perspective, Jackson says. Comments were supportive, and there was a notable absence of negativity and trolling. After months of following @FacesofCOVID, Jackson asked her children for permission to share their familys story, and they consented. She recorded the basic details of Charlies life and death, along with a short remembrance, in a Google form; shortly after, @FacesofCOVID published them:

CHARLIE JACKSON, 50, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died of COVID on May 17, 2020. "A loving husband & father that served this country honorably in the US ArmyLike other families our world has been destroyed as a result of his senseless death." pic.twitter.com/jTWf96dlPn  FacesOfCOVID (@FacesOfCOVID) March 10, 2021

The details of Charlies life had gone to the inbox of Alex Goldstein, who is thirty-six years old and the CEO of a communications firm. Since March 31, 2020, Goldstein has run @FacesofCOVID from his apartment in Boston. At first, he drew details from obituaries and local newspapers. On a top line, Goldstein would write a victims name, age, hometown, and date of death. Beneath, hed paste a quote from their obituary, or write his own brief summary. Since then, hes made minor stylistic changes to posts. Passed away was replaced with died, for brevity and directness. Names are now in all caps. This month, Goldstein began to include the year of the victims death. As his following grew, Goldstein began soliciting submissions via the form Jackson filled out. Now a year old, @FacesofCOVID has nearly a hundred and fifty thousand followers.

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What I remember from those really early daysbesides the fear of sort of just being hurtling into the unknown with this pandemicwas that the story that was being put out there, that I think was a critical story, was a data-driven story, Goldstein says. He designed his project to make sure that the human side didnt get lost. I think that one of the most important ways that we could help people make better decisionsor hold our government accountable and to actually respond to the pandemic in ways that they completely were notwas to allow people to interface more intimately with the losses that were happening.

What began as an exercise in personal catharsis has grown into a living memorial, as well as a community for those seeking or offering support and a conduit for connecting journalists with the families and friends of lost loved ones. On the submission form, people can check a box to indicate whether theyre comfortable being connected with reporters. Goldstein says roughly 80 percent check either Yes or Maybe, and that journalists now reach out once a week.

The project, Goldstein says, has become a daily ritual. At night, he repairs to the guest bedroom of the Boston apartment he shares with his wife, Alyssa. (The couple married in early March 2020, less than a week before Goldstein closed his office due to concerns about COVID.) He reads new submissions, logs them in a spreadsheet, turns them into tweets, and then emails the author of each submission to let them know before a tweet goes live. His dog, Tillie, often sleeps next to him. In the morning, starting around 6:45, he works from the living room couch, usually with a cup of coffee and copies of the Boston Globe and Wall Street Journal. When he receives a story submission, he condenses it to the essentials, often including a quote. He schedules tweets to go out regularly, about every two hours.

Karen Nascembeni wrote to @FacesofCOVID with a remembrance of her husband, Steven Richard, who was hospitalized last year on Saint Patricks Day, and later died. Nascembeni was hospitalized as well, and put in a medically induced coma as part of her treatment; when she woke a month later, she learned that Steven had died, as had his father. On November 28, 2020, Goldstein tweeted Nascembenis remembrance; Nascembeni saved screenshots of the replies:

STEVEN RICHARD, 58 of Lynnfield, Massachusetts died of COVID on Mar. 24. He "was a kind, funny gentle soul whose heart & hands were always open to helping others. He was a gifted photographer, known for beautifully capturing the essence of his subjects." Submitted by his wife. pic.twitter.com/cqmN3jMbo1  FacesOfCOVID (@FacesOfCOVID) November 29, 2020

Nascembenis story of her late husband was shared in media outlets including WBUR, Voice of America, WGBH, and ABC, often as the result of Goldstein connecting her with reporters. She hopes her story reminds people of how serious the disease can be, as well as of the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. I never thought I was going to be an advocate, but I do feel incredibly passionate about this, Nascembeni said.

Unless you know somebody who has died, I guess people arent grasping the severity of it, she continued. What Alex is doing is keeping this top of mind and not letting people forget that this is someones mother or father or grandmother.

Though theyve never met in person, Nascembeni feels a great fondness for Goldstein. After meeting as guests on a WGBH news segment, the two have kept in touch. They have standing plans to get a drink on the first day that there are no new cases in Massachusetts.

I worry about him, because every day hes writing dozens of these stories, and taking in all of this energy and sadness, Nascembeni says. Its a gift, what hes doing, giving back to all of us families. She hopes that the Faces of COVID Twitter feed is memorialized somehow when the pandemic is over. Put it into the Smithsonian or wherever you put these things that we want to memorialize forever, she says.

As reporters have struggled to communicate the human toll of a story thats been measured in curves, charts, benchmarks, and case numbers in the millions, Goldsteinwho doesnt consider himself a journalistis content with the immediacy of Twitter. The community hes built has offered something that traditional journalists have not, even as some have looked for ways to expand the boundaries of the craft. When the death toll reached one hundred thousand, in May, the New York Times turned its front page into a memorial, printing nearly a thousand names culled from hundreds of local newspapers and obituaries. Local outlet The City created a Missing Them project; many of the faces of those whose lives it documented were projected onto the Brooklyn Bridge on March 14 for New York Citys first Day of Remembrance.

Goldstein has no timeline for when he plans to stop posting or close the account. Lately, hes been thinking about doing more work through @FacesofCOVID, not less. Were behind on processing this griefwe are way behind, Goldstein says. If theres anything that I can do to help us do that, I want to do it. And if nothing else, as long as its meaningful for those families, then thats worthwhile.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Ian W. Karbal is a CJR fellow.
(Newser)  A Japanese man has been fined $80 over online abuse directed at a reality star who later took her own life. Pro-wrestler Hana Kimura committed suicide last May after suffering social media abuse related to her appearance on Netflix's Terrace House, a reality show following six young people who live together in one house in Japan. The abuse increased after an episode, aired only in Japan, showed Kimura arguing with one of her roommates in Tokyo, per the BBC. The 22-year-old reportedly posted images of self-harm and worrying messages on Twitter before she was found dead. "You have such an awful personality. Is your life worth living?" the man who was fined had written on her social media account, per the Japan Times. "When will you die?" he added. Many other users had directed similar abuse at the wrestler.

story continues below

The unidentified man, believed to be in his 20s and from Osaka, was charged with insults," which brings a maximum fine of 9,999 yen or $90. He was fined 9,000 yen or $80 but does not need to face trial, per the Times. For many onlookers, the penalty is too lenient. "If he can get away with 9,000, I'm worried that the number of cyberbullies will increase," one Twitter user writes, per the Times. "There is no justice," writes another. The BBC notes it's unclear why the man wasn't charged with defamation, which brings a maximum fine of 500,000 yen. Kimura's mother has sued the man for emotional distress, per the Washington Post. She's also fighting to hold Terrace House producer FujiTV accountable, saying it treated cast members as "mere pawns." The network was cleared of a human rights violation Tuesday, but vowed to "make efforts to tackle social media related issues." (Read more suicide stories.)
Syracuse, N.Y.  A 27-year-old Syracuse man admitted to trafficking heroin and cocaine Wednesday and faces up to 30 years in federal prison, according to federal prosecutors.

Aaron Acevedo pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute more than 40 grams of heroin and more than 120 grams of cocaine, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York said in a news release.

Acevedo was previously one of 15 people charged by federal prosecutors in September of 2020 as part of a ring that moved drugs from Puerto Rico to New York City and to Syracuse.

Packages of cocaine were sent from Puerto Rico to a house at 2218 Midland Ave. in the South Side of Syracuse, according to a complaint filed by DEA task force officer Kelly Baart in federal court in September.

An investigation into the ring lasted four months and also led law enforcement to three other houses -- 722 E. Laurel St., 300 Woodruff Ave. and 534 Stafford Ave. -- Baart said. In all, the searches yielded more than 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 40 grams of heroin and four guns, according to Baart.

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.
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The Queen 'got her second Covid jab' before facing the public without a face mask today during her first official engagement after five months in lockdown.

The 94-year-old monarch visited the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey, to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force.

While she has been seen in video calls this year, today is the first time the Monarch has been seen in public since December, when she welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back to Windsor after their whistle-stop tour of Britain.

It is reported that she made her appearance, which ties in closely with 12 weeks since she received her first Covid jab, after getting her second dose of the vaccine.

The event was her first in-person official engagement of 2021 - and the first since last October, when she visited the Defence Laboratory at Porton Down alongside her grandson Prince William.

It is also the first time she has been seen since Harry and Meghan's bombshell Oprah interview.

But in a light moment today, the Queen quizzed one Australian serviceman about his work with Typhoon jets and asked if they were 'being sent off to chase the Russians?' and was told, 'That's correct, ma'am, it's a lot of fun for us!'

The Queen, who had her first dose of the jab in January, did not wear a face covering but donned a bright spring-inspired ensemble; an ivory Angela Kelly dress, green coat and matching hat adorned with faux daffodils and orchids, and the Australian wattle brooch presented to her on her first tour of the country in 1954.

She joked: 'It's a very long time since I've been here,' as she arrived at the memorial - which she had opened in her coronation year, on October 17, 1953.

The event comes as her husband Prince Philip recovers at home after undergoing heart surgery at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London earlier this month.

Today also marks the first anniversary of 'Megxit' - when the Queen's grandson Harry and former Suits actress Meghan Markle stepped down from royal duties and stopped using their HRH styles, on March 31 last year.

The visit comes amid a tumultuous time for the family, in the wake of the Sussexes' televised sit-down with Oprah Winfrey at the start of this month which left the royal family facing one of its worst crises for generations.

The Queen issued a statement afterwards, saying that the issues raised - including accusations of racism in their explosive interview - would be dealt with privately as a family, but that 'some recollections may vary'.

The Queen was in good spirits as she arrived at the CWGC Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey

The Queen's equerry Major Tom White laid a wreath on her behalf in honour of fallen airmen and women

The 94-year-old viewed panels bearing the names of Australian war dead and a display of fallen airmen and women in the memorial cloister, before meeting serving RAAF personnel

When the Queen arrived at Runnymede she was greeted by Claire Horton, director general of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and George Brandis, High Commissioner for Australia

Service personnel at the event looked delighted to have Her Majesty in their company, as she happily chatted to them all ahead of the service

She chatted to the Honourable George Brandis (left), High Commissioner for Australia

Left, The Queen opening the memorial at Runnymeade in Surrey in October 1953. Right, the Queen today, March 2021

The monarch was animated at the display today, cheerily greeting fellow guests and enjoying the Red Arrows fly past

The Monarch was all smiles as she happily chatted to service personnel at the event, her first public outing this year

The Queen bowed her head as prayers were said for Royal Australian Air Force servicemen and women who have lost their lives in service of their country

The 94-year-old clutched a programme of the day's events as she made her way around the memorial in Runnymede, Surrey

The Queen at the memorial, which commemorates more than 20,000 Commonwealth airmen and women who died during operations in north and west Europe and have no known grave

She joked: 'It's a very long time since I've been here,' as she arrived at the memorial - which she had opened in her coronation year, on October 17, 1953 (pictured here)

More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation in 1921, fighting in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to others in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 11,100 losing their lives in service

After spending the morning chatting with members of the Australian Air Force and taking part in centenary celebrations, the Queen made her way back to Windsor Castle

The ceremony began with a flypast by the Red Arrows, but with white smoke only instead of the familiar red, white and blue. As they do not normally perform at this time of year, their smoke pods are in for maintenance

Her Majesty was pictured leaving Windsor this morning, en route to the War Memorial at Runnymede

Generations of Royal Australian Air Force members (pictured with the Queen in 1953), have provided outstanding service to Australia in conflicts including WWII, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq

'Are they chasing Russians?' Queen probes pilots about RAF jets The Queen was in typically good spirits today as she laughed and joked with fellow attendees - and even asked an RAAF officer working with Typhoon jets if they were 'being sent off to chase the Russians?' Her Majesty asked the air force personnel about working with Typhoon jets in Northumberland. The Queen asked: 'Are they being sent off to chase the Russians?' He replied: 'That's correct ma'am, it's a lot of fun for us!' The Queen responded simply, 'Hmm' Advertisement

A source told The Sun: 'Given the Queen has decided to make a public appearance so close to 12 weeks after the announcement of receiving her first vaccine it is clear she has already had her second.

'Aides wont have wanted to put her at any risk.

'It is obviously much more reassuring to know that anyone who has received two doses of the vaccine is so well protected  even aged 94.'

When the Queen arrived at Runnymede she was greeted by Claire Horton, director general of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and George Brandis, High Commissioner for Australia.

The ceremony began with a flypast by the Red Arrows, but with white smoke only instead of the familiar red, white and blue. As they do not normally perform at this time of year, their smoke pods are in for maintenance.

Prayers were then said for Royal Australian Air Force servicemen and women who have lost their lives in service of their country before Her Majesty's Equerry Major Tom White laid a wreath on her behalf.

It bore a note reading, 'In memory of the glorious dead, Elizabeth.'

She said to one member of the Royal Australian Air Force who'd recently been posted to the UK: 'It's rather bad luck to have arrived in lockdown isn't it?

'I hope in the next couple of years you'll be able to travel a bit more'.

As she arrived at the memorial, which she opened in 1953, the Queen remarked on how long it was since she had last been there.

She added: 'You've got a good day for it. It's a very windy spot normally.'

The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was admitted to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London on February 17 after feeling unwell.

He underwent surgery for a pre-existing heart condition - three months before his 100th birthday - before returning to King Edward VII hospital.

The couple - who had their first Covid vaccine in January - have spent the pandemic in lockdown at Windsor Castle with a team of staff dubbed 'HMS Bubble.'

Brothers in arms: The RAF and the RAAF An RAF Typhoon intercepting a Russian 'Bear' bomber off the Scottish coast last September The Royal Air Force has always had a strong relationship with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). They have an active personnel exchange programme - the officer the Queen was talking to is an RAAF squadron leader currently seconded as an air traffic controller to a Typhoon unit working as the Quick Reaction Force that intercepts Russian planes over the North Sea when they fly into British or NATO airspace. Earlier this year, the Guardian revealed how Australia's air force personnel had been piloting deadly British air force drone strikes on enemy combatants in Iraq and Syria. More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation, fighting in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 11,100 losing their lives in service. During World War Two, 65 Australians lost their lives flying from RAF Coningsby, and at least 50 are known to have been decorated for gallantry. Advertisement

Today the Queen was also given the promise of a present, to be delivered later when they have been made: two RAAF dog jackets for her new corgis.

'That's very kind,' she said. 'I look forward to it.'

HMQ wrote in a foreword to the order of service: 'As one of the oldest Air Forces in the world, it is fitting to pay tribute to the efficiency, skill and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in its ranks, in Australia and overseas, during the past one hundred years.'

The Queen's visit today comes after it emerged Prince Andrew's sex accuser could testify about him at Ghislaine Maxwell's trial.

The original photograph showing the Her Majesty's son, the Duke of York with his arm around Virginia Giuffre's waist at Maxwell's home in 2001 has been requested.

Ms Giuffre's lawyer Sigrid McCawley revealed in court documents that Maxwell's team want access to original copies of various photographs, reported The Sun.

It is thought Ms Giuffre, 37, who currently lives in Australia with her husband and three children, could give evidence alongside victims Maria and Annie Farmer.

It comes after new criminal charges against Maxwell renewed pressure on Prince Andrew because they fall within the time frame that he was meeting paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation in 1921, fighting in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to others in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 11,100 losing their lives in service.

The Duke of Cambridge will also mark the centenary with a video message being released later on Wednesday that reflects on the service, courage and sacrifice made by generations of Royal Australian Air Force men and women.

The message will be played at the RAAF centenary dinner being held in the Australian capital Canberra with guests featuring the country's prime minister Scott Morrison and the governor-general, retired General David Hurley, who is the Queen's representative.

Since the pandemic began the Queen has carried out a handful of official events beyond the walls of Windsor Castle.

She was last seen outside her Berkshire residence in November during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and, a few days before that, wore a face mask in public for the first time during a poignant visit to the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of his burial.

In October the Queen joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge when she visited the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down in Wiltshire and formally opened the Energetics Analysis Centre.

Today the Queen was also given the promise of a present, to be delivered later when they have been made: two RAAF dog jackets for her new corgis. 'That's very kind,' she said. 'I look forward to it'

The Queen pinned a broach to her coat and teamed pearl earrings with a matching necklace

A radiant Queen conducts her first engagement outside of Windsor Castle this year

The Queen, who had her first Covid vaccination in January, did not wear a mask at the event today

Good to be back: Her Majesty was all smiles at the centenary event today, paying tribute to Australian air force personnel

The Queen opened the memorial at Runnymeade in her coronation year, 1953

The event is the head of state's first public engagement outside Windsor Castle this year and is being held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Since the pandemic began the Queen has carried out a handful of official events beyond the walls of Windsor Castle.

Her Majesty was last seen out in public last December, when she welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back to Windsor after their whistle-stop tour of Britain. Pictured, the Queen leaving her home this morning

The Queen smiled and joked with members of the Australian Air Force during her visit this morning

She said: 'It's a very long time since I've been here,' as she arrived at the memorial - which she had opened on October 17, 1953.

While she has been seen in video calls this year, today is the first time the Monarch has been seen in public since December.

The Queen donned a pair of black gloves and clutched a programme as she watched the flypast

The Queen said to one member of the Royal Australian Air Force who'd recently been posted to the UK: 'It's rather bad luck to have arrived in lockdown isn't it. I hope in the next couple of years you'll be able to travel a bit more'.

The Queen wore a spring-inspired ensemble for the occasion, donning a green coat and matching hat, adorned with faux daffodils and orchids

The visit also comes amid a tumultuous time for the family, in the wake of the Sussexes' two-hour televised sit-down with Oprah Winfrey at the start of this month which left the royal family facing one of its worst crises for generations

Last night, the Queen sent box of daffodils on behalf of herself and the Royal Household, to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London. The annual gift is sent by the Queen to NHS hospitals as a thank you to staff and to cheer up patients

The Queen has been carrying out her duties as head of state throughout the pandemic and has taken part in a number of memorable virtual royal engagements via video call, including one where she encouraged those who were hesitant to have the vaccine to 'think about other people rather than themselves'.

A number of high-profile events have been staged in the grounds of Windsor Castle including a ceremony last summer where the Queen knighted veteran NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Last night, the Queen sent box of daffodils on behalf of herself and the Royal Household, to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London.

The annual gift is sent by the Queen to NHS hospitals as a thank you to staff and to cheer up patients.

The hospital tweeted: 'Reverend Chris van D'Arque and team took delivery of the flowers, which will be appreciated by patients and staff!'

MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
New York, March 31 : "The government continued taking steps to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir by gradually lifting some security and communications restrictions," according to the State Department's annual human rights report.

The report released in Washington by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday noted the release of detained political activists, the restoration of some internet access and the holding of local elections where an opposition coalition won most seats.

The report also drew attention to the killing and torture of government officials and civilians by terrorists while also mentioning human rights abuses by security forces.

The separatists, the report said, "committed serious abuses, including killings and torture of armed forces personnel, police, government officials, and civilians, and recruitment and use of child soldiers." The 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which took a comprehensive look at the human rights situation across India, devoted a part of it to Kashmir. It was based on secondary and tertiary sources, including government reports and statements, news stories and reports by nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).

The State Department report quoted the United Nations special rapporteurs as saying that since August 2019 when Kashmir's special status was rescinded, "the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir has been in free fall" and that they were "particularly concerned that during the Covid-19 pandemic, many protesters are still in detention and internet restrictions remain in place." But the report also said, "The government released most political activists from detention. In January, the government partially restored internet access; however, high-speed 4G mobile internet remained restricted in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir." The State Department said that according to the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) 662 individuals were arrested under the Public Safety Act in 2019, of whom 412 remained under detention as of August.

The report said that the government released most political activists from detention and that on September 15, the Home Affairs Ministry said that only 223 Kashmiri political leaders who had been detained after August 2019, remained in detention "but added 'no person is under house arrest'." On the political front, it said "Local district development council elections took place in December in which a coalition of Kashmiri opposition parties won the majority of seats." The report took note of the plight of Kashmiri Pandits and said that tens of thousands of them "fled the Kashmir Valley after 1990 because of conflict and violent intimidation, including destruction of houses of worship, sexual abuse, and theft of property, by Kashmiri separatists." It said that according to the Home Affairs Ministry, there were "65,000 registered Kashmiri migrant families across the country." The Prime Minister's Development Package announced in 2015 included the creation of 3,000 state government jobs for "Kashmiri migrants" and according to the government "the selection process had concluded for 1,781 posts and that 604 of the positions had been filled as of February 22," the report said.

According to the report, the Home Ministry has accused Mohammed Yasin Malik and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) that he led of participating in the "genocide" of Kashmiri Hindu Pandits in 1989.

Malik, who was arrested and charged with murder in the death of four Air Force officials in 1990, was denied the right to be physically present in court for his trial, it said.

The report said while there were killings by "insurgents and terrorists", there were also extrajudicial killings by government forces.

Overall, it said that the JKCCS "reported 229 killings in 107 incidents in the first six months of the year. JKCCS also reported 32 extrajudicial killings in the first half of the year in Jammu and Kashmir." Till July terrorists had killed six political party leaders, according to the report.

The report took note of government action against security force personnel accused of excesses.

The Army initiated disciplinary proceedings against those involved in an incident in which three labourers were killed in July and in December it charged an officer and two others with extra-judicial killings, while local police also filed charges against them, the report said.

It added that the National Human Rights Commission can also ask for information about incidents involving the Army or the paramilitary forces.

The report said, "Insurgent groups reportedly used children to attack government entities." It said that according to the United Nations, at least five children were recruited by militant groups in Kashmir, and at least two of them died in encounters with security forces. It added that according to the UN, 68 children between the ages of nine and 17 were detained by security services in Kashmir on national security-related charges.

The report mentioned the killing of a prominent journalist allegedly by the Lashkar-e-Taiba which has not been resolved and the perpetrators are still at large.

It said, "Formal charges have yet to be filed in the 2018 killing of Rising Kashmir Editor-in-Chief Shujaat Bukhari and his two police bodyguards. A police investigation alleged that terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba targeted Bukhari in retaliation for his support of a government-backed peace effort. While a police special investigation team arrested three persons in 2019 'for their alleged role in arranging the logistics,' the perpetrators were still at large, and the case remained open." The State Department quoted an Amnesty International report on the situation in the year since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution abrogating Kashmir's special status that documented 14 instances of detention, police interrogations, and assaults on journalists.

"The government also introduced a new media regulation policy in Jammu and Kashmir empowering local administration to determine 'fake and anti national news' and to initiate related action against journalists," the report said.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)
Press secretary Jen Psaki has defended the high-profile branding of the 'Biden-Harris White House' because it emphasizes the vice president as an 'important partner' in the new administration.

A reporter asked Psaki if there was anything which should be read into the re-branding of the Biden administration to the Biden-Harris administration.

Psaki was referring to how the website broke from tradition, with the Trump and Obama administrations referring simply to 'The Administration' on their web pages.

She replied: 'I would take from it that Vice President Harris is an important partner. She's the first in the room, the last in the room on most occasions if she's in town and not travelling around the country.

'It's a reflection of the important role that she will play moving forward.'

The website makes it clear that this is the 'Biden-Harris Administration' whereas previous sites have referred to it as simply 'The Adminstration'

As well as the whitehouse.gov website, the Twitter page says: 'Welcome to the Biden-Harris White House!'

The White House site provides further information and invites people to 'learn more about the people who carry out the priorities of the Biden-Harris administration'.

Under Donald Trump's tenure the site referred to 'The Administration,' while also containing pictures of First Lady Melania and VP Mike Pence, similar to the layout of Biden's page.

The Barack Obama webpage similarly referred to just 'The Administration,' while referring to the 'Obama-Biden Administration' lower down.

Harris is playing a leading role and was last week nominated by the president to handle statements on the crisis at the Mexican border.

She has also taken a number of calls with world leaders on her own, despite only having domestic policy experience.

Psaki said: 'I would take from it that Vice President Harris is an important partner. She's the first in the room, the last in the room on most occasions if she's in town and not travelling around the country. It's a reflection of the important role that she will play moving forward.'

The Biden administration has so far been characterized by trying to put forward the president's policy agenda and the work that his staff are undertaking, rather than have the focus on his personality.

Unlike the Trump administration, Biden has shied away from the spotlight and only gave his first White House press conference last week - after a record-breaking 65 days in office.

Republican critics claim that Biden has been put in top spot by the Democrat party solely to secure the White House but that the policies shining through are those of a hard-left wing which is now the prevailing force.

The 78-year-old president is the oldest in the history of the United States and Harris would succeed him under the 25th amendment if he died.
(Reuters) -Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in good health on Wednesday in her first video meeting with one of her lawyers since she was detained in a coup, as the United States ordered non-essential embassy staff to leave the country.

The Nobel laureate, who has been held in custody since the military seized power on Feb. 1, had wanted to meet lawyers in person but ended up being allowed a video conference in the presence of police, lawyer Min Min Soe told Reuters by telephone.

"Amay looks healthy, her complexion is good," Min Min Soe said, using an affectionate term meaning "mother" to refer to Suu Kyi.

With police observing, only the legal cases against her filed since the coup were discussed, the lawyer said.

Suu Kyi, 75, was arrested the same day the military seized power and faces charges that include illegally importing six handheld radios and breaching coronavirus protocols.

The military has also accused her of bribery in two recent news conferences. Her lawyers say the charges were trumped up and dismissed the accusation of bribery as a joke.

The next hearing in her case is on Thursday.

The military has justified the coup by saying that a November election won by Suu Kyi's party was fraudulent. The election commission said the vote was fair.

The reimposition of military rule after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy has triggered unrelenting opposition.

At least 521 civilians have been killed in protests, 141 of them on Saturday, the bloodiest day of the unrest, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

Fighting has also flared between the army and ethnic minority insurgents in frontier regions. Refugees fleeing the turmoil are seeking safety in neighbouring countries.

POTS AND PANS PROTEST

Thousands of protesters were out again on Wednesday in different parts of the country.

Residents in the main city of Yangon banged pots and pans and honked their car horns in a clamour of defiance as a news crew from CNN was shown around in what its correspondent said was a heavily armed convoy.

Story continues

A Myanmar national working for South Korea's Shinhan Bank was shot in the head and critically wounded in Yangon when a member of the security forces fired at the minivan she was travelling in, the Myanmar Now news portal reported.

A bank representative was not immediately available for comment after office hours.

Media also reported a gun battle between security forces and civilians near the northwestern town of Kale. Voice of Myanmar said one villager was killed and several policemen wounded.

A branch official from Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), U Kyaw Kyaw, died at an interrogation centre on Tuesday, two weeks after he was detained, a party colleague, Phyo Zewa Thaw, said on Facebook. He was the third NLD member to die in custody since the coup.

Police and a spokesman for the junta did not answer calls seeking comment.

The United States on Tuesday ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members due to concern over what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the "increasingly disturbing and even horrifying violence" against demonstrators.

AIR ATTACKS

City-based opponents of military rule have called for a united front with insurgent groups that have battled the government for decades in border regions.

Ousted members of parliament, mostly from Suu Kyi's party, on Wednesday vowed to set up a federal democracy, addressing a long-standing demand from ethnic minority groups for autonomy.

The military rejects such proposals and sees itself as the only institution capable of holding the country together.

Myanmar's oldest rebel group, the Karen National Union (KNU), said on Tuesday it was bracing for a major government offensive on its areas of operation along the eastern border with Thailand.

Military aircraft have been bombing KNU positions for the first time in more than 20 years and thousands of villagers have fled from their homes, many into Thailand.

Fighting has also flared in the north between government forces and Kachin Independence Army insurgents.

Separately, people have also been crossing from northwest Myanmar into India to escape the turmoil.

Western countries have condemned the coup and called for Suu Kyi's release but those pressing for change have limited leverage in a country that was largely isolated for decades under strict military rule, and which retains the support of countries such as Russia and China.

In Washington, Blinken said foreign countries and companies with significant investments in enterprises that support Myanmar's military should reconsider those stakes.

India's Adani Group said it would consult authorities and stakeholders on its port project in Myanmar, after human rights groups reported its subsidiary had agreed to pay millions of dollars in rent to a military-controlled firm.

(Reporting by Reuters Staff; Writing by Ed Davies, Robert Birsel; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Alex Richardson)
A Nashville, Tennessee, restaurant worker and his mother who face felony charges related to the Jan. 6 riot at the United States Capitol were granted bond Monday and will be allowed to return home after being held for more than two months.

Eric Gavelek Munchel and Lisa Marie Eisenhart, a nurse from Woodstock, Georgia, were among the hundreds who flooded into the Capitol and boasted about it to the press when they emerged. Both were arrested in the days after the attack and had been held in jail without bond despite a Nashville magistrate judges order to release them. That decision was appealed and a district court judge in Washington, D.C., sided with federal prosecutors claims that the pair were too dangerous be released before trial.

The mother and son appealed that decision and last week the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered District Court Judge Royce Lamberth to rehear the bond request immediately. Rather than argue they be kept in jail, prosecutors relented and asked Lamberth to place them under house arrest.

The judges order requires Munchel and Eisenhart to stay in their homes, except for a lengthy list of errands including work, school, religious services, medical appointments, attorney and court visits, and other pre-approved activities. They cannot possess firearms and must wear a GPS monitor and submit to drug tests.

Munchel is prohibited from traveling outside the Middle District of Tennessee; Eisenhart is restricted to the Northern District of Georgia.

The duo were among the first wave of accused insurrectionists to be arrested after Munchel was identified by online sleuths who compared photos of a masked man in black tactical gear with photos of the unmasked Munchel taken in their D.C. hotel after the riot. Photos showing Munchel carrying handfuls of plastic wrist restraints through the visitors gallery in the Senate chamber earned him the nickname zip-tie guy by Twitter users who worked in the days following the riot to identify suspects.

Prosecutors argued Munchel and Eisenhart should remain in jail because of their alleged behavior during the attack. According to court documents, Munchel carried a Taser on his hip into the Capitol and the pair urged other rioters to push farther into the building. Prosecutors based much of their evidence on a recording of the event Munchel made with his smart phone, which he mounted to the front of his tactical vest, and interviews they gave to reporters in the wake of the attack.

The point of getting inside the building [was] to show them that we can, and we will, Munchel told a reporter for The Times of London, with Eisenhart adding she would rather die than live under oppression.

The pair join a growing number of people charged in the Jan. 6 attack who were initially held without bond only to have a judge later send them home. Milton, Georgia, resident Bruno Cua and Americus, Georgia, attorney William McCall Calhoun both successfully challenged their bond status and have returned to Georgia to await trial for their alleged roles in the unrest.

Attorneys for Munchel and Eisenhart argued there was a gross disparity in the treatment of these defendants compared to defendants charged with more serious conduct who had already been granted bond. The attorneys also argued the pair posed no significant danger to their communities. The appeals court agreed, pointing out that no evidence was provided showing Munchel or Eisenhart vandalized any property or physically harmed any person, which could suggest they posed an ongoing danger.

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, the three-judge panel wrote.

Even with home confinement, the prospect of release will be a significant improvement for the two. Suspects in the Jan. 6 riot in the Washington, D.C. jail are held separately from other prisoners, and Eisenhart had been held in solitary confinement as one of the relatively few women among the hundreds so far arrested.

___

Chris Joyner of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote this story.

(c)2021 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.)

Visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.) at www.ajc.com

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A former Australian soldier who was at the centre of a 60 Minutes abduction scandal in Lebanon has been convicted in Sweden of assaulting two teenage boys but acquitted of threatening a childcare centre employee.

Adam Whittington, who spent almost four months in a Beirut prison in 2016 after the failed abduction recovery of Brisbane mother Sally Faulkners two children, was handed a small fine by the Attunda District Court north of Stockholm on March 30.

Adam Whittington was imprisoned in Beirut in 2016 after the failed abduction of two children he was trying to reunite with their mother, Brisbane woman Sally Faulkner. Credit:YouTube

Whittington, who is the head of Child Abduction Recovery International, was accused of assaulting a boy in the small Swedish town of Akersberga in January 2019.

The attack, which Whittington denied, was alleged to have occurred in a gymnasium following a verbal dispute between the pair.
We American citizens have free will and are entitled to our opinions. Problems arise when someones opinions are confused.

Paul Bunkins recent letter, " Dreadful moves to limit voter access, asserts that Republican lawmakers in many states are legislating to deny millions of citizens the right to vote, or at least make it very difficult. He wrote that these anti-voter fraud measures are designed to keep the Republicans in office.

Then, the writer makes an often-used, hateful reference to Hitlers Nazi propaganda to bolster these accusations about questions raised about the 2020 election results raised by Donald Trump and other Republicans.

Does Bunkin realize that, if you go to a polling place and someone has already voted in your name, you may get to cast a provisional ballot? But you do not receive written assurance about which vote was voided, if both were counted, or if neither of them were.

For the November 2020 election, voting regulations in some states were adjusted to make voting easier during the pandemic. Absentee-ballot due dates were revised and, in New Jersey, every supposed registered voter received a mail in-ballot. Some judges who rejected lawsuits on Trumps behalf about these changes were elected partisans, so the claims were barred from the sunlight.

It is always prudent to adjust legislation to prevent fraud, minor or wholesale.

Gerald Keer, Turnersville

Press should challenge, not cheer, Biden

It is obvious, as U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., once wrote, our public square is plagued by habitual, brazen lying. Many, though not all, of our politicians and the mainstream media lie because they think we are not paying attention or weve come to accept whatever they say.

President Joe Bidens March 25 press conference was full of misrepresentation, if not outright lies. He took credit for continued success of former President Donald Trumps Operation Warp Speed vaccine program, blamed the Trump administration for the challenge his own polices advanced at the Mexican border, and totally distorted legislation the radical-left Democrat Party is seeking to ram through Congress.

The leftist Democrat press may have been satisfied with Bidens one-act play, where the answers appeared to be scripted, but freedom-loving Americans and people who believe in Judeo-Christian values should be outraged.

Between Dec. 14 and Jan. 20, the day of Bidens inauguration, 16.5 million vaccine shots had already been administered thanks to Trump. Biden predicted the economy would grow by 6% this year, but did not give Trump credit for his pro-growth policies.

Biden also said that during his 120 years in the Senate  he actually used those words  he supported the filibuster rule as it then existed. But, now, he calls the current version racist in connection with voting rights and being abused in a gigantic way. The Democrats, then in the Senate minority, were the ones who abused the 60-vote threshold for the previous four years.

Biden does not look like he is in charge. The loss of commitment to truth, fairness and honesty by the media is also disturbing. The press should be asking tough questions of this administration, not covering up stories that doesnt fit a leftist narrative.

Rather than fulfill his promise to unite the country, Joe Biden is the divider-in-chief, and the press needs to call him out on that.

Barbara Essington, Carneys Point Township

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Emirates has announced it will resume its direct service between Milan Malpensa and New York John F Kennedy International Airport from June 1.

The Milan-New York JFK flight will be an extension to Emirates' existing flights to Milan EK205, operated by the Boeing 777-300 ER, offering 8 seats in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business and 304 ergonomically designed seats in Economy class.

The airline's service to and from New York JFK will increase to three times daily to support the newly resumed link, facilitating trade and tourism while providing customers worldwide with more connectivity, convenience and choice.

Emirates flight EK205 will depart Dubai (DXB) at 09:45hrs, arriving in Milan (MXP) at 14:20hrs before departing again at 16:10hrs and arriving into New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 19:00hrs the same day. The return flight EK206 will depart JFK at 22:20 hrs, arriving in Milan at 12:15hrs the next day. EK206 will depart once again from Milan the next day at 14:05hrs bound for Dubai where it will arrive at 22:10 hrs (all times are local).

Emirates has recently reaffirmed its commitment to the US with the resumption of services to 11 gateways (including Orlando and Newark in June). The resumed service between Dubai-Milan-JFK will offer more choice to travellers heading from Europe, the Middle East, West Asia, and Africa via Dubai or Milan as well as give seamless access to other US cities beyond New York via the airline's codeshare agreement with Jetblue.

The airline has safely and gradually restarted operations across its network. Since it safely resumed tourism activity in July, Dubai remains one of the world's most popular holiday destinations, especially during the winter season, it said. - TradeArabia News Service
The state-run bank informed on Tuesday that the NPA account IL&FS Transportation Network (ITNL) with outstanding dues of Rs 149.98 crore has been declared as fraud.

The bank said it has reported it to the RBI on Tuesday as per regulatory requirement. The account has been fully provided for as per existing RBI norms, the bank said.

Shares of Punjab & Sind Bank hit an upper circuit of 5% at Rs 17.60 on BSE.

On a standalone basis, Punjab & Sind Bank reported a net loss of Rs 2,375.53 crore in Q3 December 2021 as compared with a net loss of Rs 255.49 crore in Q3 December 2020. Net sales declined 4.5% to Rs 1,982.52 crore in Q3 December 2020 over Q3 December 2019.

The PSU lender's business segments include treasury operations, corporate/wholesale banking, retail banking and other banking operations. The bank offers international banking and domestic banking services.

As of 31 December 2020, the Government of India held 83.06% stake while Life Insuarnce Corporation of India held 5.99% stake in the bank.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEWBURGH  With a ruling expected inside of a year, nearly 300 speakers signed up for a web-based public hearing Wednesday afternoon on a proposal to rebuild and re-activate the Danskammer power plant along the Hudson River near here.

A second hearing before the Public Service Commissions Electric Generation Siting and the Environment also was set for Wednesday evening.

Even though, the plan submitted to the Public Service Commission has been deemed to be complete, most of Wednesdays speakers said they opposed the plant due to the pollution that an expanded larger natural-gas fired facility would emit.

We have clean energy programs on the way, said Beth Hoeffner, an Orange County resident, referring to the states push, under a landmark 2019 law calling for greenhouse gas reductions in the coming decades.

The emissions will worsen climate change, said Caroline Fenner, with Mothers Out Front, a nearby Dutchess County group.

Im not the only person that needs clean air, said Ann Logan, a resident of New York Citys Upper West Side.

Like some others who spoke against the plant, she lived outside the plants immediate location in the Newburgh area. But like others, she referenced the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which lays the groundwork for a transition to green energy such as wind and solar to meet future power needs. The law calls for carbon free electricity in the state by 2040.

Others noted that the plant would use fracked natural gas from out of state, even though New York has banned drilling for such gas amid fears of harming the water supply.

The Danskammer plant isnt new or closed. Dating to the 1950s and originally built to burn coal, the facility currently operates as a peaker, plant which is fired up during periods of peak power need, usually in summer when air conditioning use strains the grid.

But owners Danskammer Energy Inc. are proposing a $500 million plan to retire its current equipment and rebuild the plant, user newer cleaner technology for a 600-megwatt capacity plant to operate on an ongoing basis. Part of that could be to fill any energy holes created by the coming shut-down of the last unit at Indian Point nuclear plant near Peekskill. They say the plant would run 60-70 percent of the time but because it would use new equipment, would offset pollution such as nitrogen oxide that older gas plants in the area currently emit.

Danskammer also wants to be able to eventually transition to using cleaner hydrogen fuel rather than gas, although that plan has drawn its own controversies.

Hydrogen proponents cite its abundance  it can be made from water  and its cleanliness, as advantages.

But skeptics say its relatively unproven for large-scale power plants. And they note that extracting hydrogen from water, the H in the H20, requires energy.

Others believe the push for hydrogen is a way to buy time for the natural gas and the pipeline industry, when the focus should be on solar or wind.

Hydrogen also is found in natural gas.

There were some supporters on Wednesday including local officials who say their community would get a property tax boost and a new plant would be an improvement.

To know we have this tax base for the next 20 years will help Marlboro families, said Alphonso Lanzetta, Marlboro supervisor.

Christopher Cerone, a local labor union representative, noted that the re-built plant would be air-cooled rather than using Hudson River water.

The Public Service Commission and its Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment has in the past asked for more information on the plan, especially regarding its proposal to use hydrogen or even biofuel to see if that is feasible.

The Commission is expected to approve or disapprove the plan within the next 11 months.

Department of Public Service spokesman James Denn said in a prepared statement that The public hearings that are being held are part of the Siting Board review process. The Siting Board must review the comments that have been received and make explicit findings regarding statewide electrical capacity; ecology, air, ground and surface water, wildlife, and habitat; public health and safety; cultural, historical and recreational resources; transportation, communication, utilities, etc.; and cumulative impact of emissions on the local community according to environmental justice regulations.

This stringent and exacting 12-month review, he added, includes determining whether the facility is a beneficial addition to or substitute for generation capacity and that it is in the public interest.
Chinese smartphone maker vivo, one of the three main brands owned by B.B.K. Electronics, has announced discounts on some of its models from 1 April as an Easter promotion.

In a statement, vivo said those who bought one of its products, either at a bricks-and-mortar store or online, would be able to get up to $90 in savings.

The promotion, which is divided into two periods, runs for the entire month of April and covers vivo products sold at JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Big W, The Good Guys, Mobileciti, Amazon and the AusPost online store.

From 1 to 14 April, vivo Y11s, Y20s and Y70 smartphones can be purchased at 80% of the regular price. Between 15 and 28 April, the vivo Y12, Y30 and X50 Lite will be on offer with a 20% discount.

vivo does not have a very high profile in Australia, compared to the other brands from the same company: OPPO and realme.
Deputy parliament speaker Alen Simonian, another leading Pashinian ally, said on Wednesday that Minister for Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Suren Papikian will be the ruling teams chief campaign manager.

Papikian oversees Armenias provincial governors and elected heads of local communities.

Simonian said that Environment Minister Romanos Petrosian, the chief of Pashinians staff, Arsen Torosian, and a senior aide to the prime minister, Arayik Harutiunian, will also play a major role in the campaign for snap elections expected in June.

All four officials are senior members of Pashinians Civil Contract party, the dominant component of the ruling My Step bloc that won 70 percent of the vote in the last general elections held in December 2018.

Simonian told reporters that Pashinian and his party have not yet decided whether to preserve My Step, form a new electoral alliance or participate in the elections on their own.

Asked whether new figures could join the ruling team ahead of the polls, he said: I cannot name any names. But nor can I exclude that there will be new people on our list.

Pashinian announced on March 18 plans to dissolve the current Armenian parliament and hold the elections on June 20 amid continuing opposition protests against his rule. He has since toured two Armenian provinces to hold rallies in about a dozen local villages.

Opposition leaders say Pashinian has effectively launched his election campaign in breach of Armenian law and is abusing his government levers in a bid to hold on to power.

It is clear that Pashinian has used and will use all [government] resources at his disposal to do well in the race, said Gevorg Gorgisian of the opposition Bright Armenia Party.

Simonian dismissed the opposition allegations of foul play. He insisted that Pashinians rallies in Armavir and Aragatsotn provinces did not amount to illegal campaigning.

The Armenian authorities are now in the most disadvantaged position because they have not only moral but also legal obligations, he claimed. They dont have the kind of financial resources that the opposition has now. The Armenian opposition is now much wealthier and more competitive in terms of resources than the current authorities.
Nepals major cities including Kathmandu and Pokhara are blanketed by the smoke from the raging wildfires across the country over the last few days. In the absence of strong winds, the smog remains suspended over the Nepali sky. On March 26, Kathmandu was ranked the worlds most polluted city, by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. The severe air pollution has forced the government to close schools in many districts including the capital, Kathmandu, for four days. Flights to and from Kathmandu and other airports have been suspended or diverted due to poor visibility.

Social media users have taken to Twitter and Facebook to draw the worlds attention to the disaster. On March 31, the #PrayforNepal hashtag trended on Twitter. Social media users have shared various pictures of the wildfires. The photos have been shared here, here on Twitter and here, here on Facebook. But we found that some of these photos are misleading. They were from other countries.

South Asia Check has fact-checked four of the photos circulating on social media.

Photo 1

This photo of a deer fleeing the flames is almost 17 years old and from the USA. It was taken on October 28, 2003, in California, according to the American television channel CBS. The channel has credited the photo to the Associated Press, an American news agency.

Photo 2

According to the National Geographic website, this photo of a cow against a fiery background is from the Yosemite National Park in California of the US. The photo was taken on August 24, 2013, by Noah Berger of the European Photo Agency (EPA).

Photo 3

This is a photo taken during a forest fire in Canada in the summer of 2017. According to the Digital Journal, the blaze in British Columbia had caused extensive damage.

Photo 4

According to The Conversation, a network of non-profit media outlets, this photo of the fire is from Indonesia. The digital outlet said the photo was taken by Rony Muharrman for Antara Foto, a photo agency based in Indonesia.

So, it is now clear that the social media users shared misleading photos of wildfires from the US, Canada and Indonesia portraying them as Nepals photos.

This article first appeared on South Asia Check.
Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a telephone conversation on Tuesday in which they discussed Romania's contribution to NATO, energy security and the rule of law.

"During the conversation, the importance of coordination with partners who share the same values and strategic priorities was emphasised, as well as the need to promote democracy and the rule of law, including by strengthening strategic resilience at the international level," reads a press statement released by the Foreign Ministry (MAE).

Aurescu assured that Romania will continue to be a strong and reliable strategic partner to the USA, as well as a staunchy NATO ally.

According to the US Department of State, Blinken "commended Romania for being a stalwart NATO Ally and for its commitment to bolstering security in the Black Sea region."

The two officials also reviewed the recent developments in the bilateral relationship between Romania and the US in strategic areas, expressing interest in the implementation of initiatives aimed at strengthening energy security. Bilateral development co-operation in the civilian nuclear area and efforts to diversify gas supply sources in Europe were also discussed with emphasis on the importance of strategic gas resources on the Black Sea continental shelf, the exploitation of which could significantly improve regional security energy, according to MAE.

MAE quotes Blinken as praising Romania for its progress with the rule of law, judiciary reform and the fight against corruption, which is relevant at a regional level as well. He is also quoted as saying these measures contribute decisively to the creation of an attractive business and investment environment for American economic partners, emphasising that the development, expansion and diversification of the economic relationship with Romania remains a priority for the US.

Aurescu mentioned the priority of the Romanian government regarding Romania's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and expressed his conviction that the US will continue to support this desideratum.

The head of the Romanian diplomacy also reiterated the importance of the two major regional interconnection projects: Rail2Sea and Via Carpathia promoted by Romania, including under the Three Seas Initiative, with a direct positive strategic impact on both the region's economic development and military mobility. He pleaded for the US financial involvement in carrying out the two projects, emphasising that, in addition to an increased US military presence in the region, it is necessary to strengthen the US economic and investment presence.

He also highlighted Romania's interest in fast access to the Visa Waiver programme and the importance of making tangible progress following the intensification of the political and technical dialogue in recent months on that matter. Also discussed was deepening co-operation in combating negative phenomena such as human trafficking, according to AGERPRES.

Blinken also commanded Romania for its actions as Chairman-in-Office of the Community of Democracies and expressed US interest in cooperating with Romania on that level.

The telephone conversation also included an exchange of views on Black Sea security, which is essential for transatlantic security, and reiterated a joint assessment of the persistent security challenges at NATO's eastern border. Aurescu presented the main components that guide Romania's action, including the need to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence posture in the Black Sea, NATO's eastern flank.

He highlighted the importance that Romania attaches to increasing US military presence in Romania.

The two heads of diplomacy also had an exchange of views on NATO adaptation and NATO 2030, the process of reflection on the future of the alliance. Support for the process coordinated by NATO secretary general and for the proposals put forward by him was highlighted along with the need to adopt a new NATO strategic concept that fits the current security context.

Sectoral co-operation in other areas of common priority interest was also discussed, such as strengthening the resilience of the transatlantic community, to which Romania will contribute by the establishment of a Euro-Atlantic resilience centre. At the same time, Aurescu invited American resilience specialists to join the Bucharest-based centre. Blinken commended the initiative and agreed to keep a close dialogue on it.

Bilaterally, the two dignitaries mentioned the 10th anniversary this year of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between the United States of America and Romania and ten years since the coming into force of an agreement on the deployment to Romania of parts of the US ballistic missile defence system, as well as five years since the ballistic missile defence system facility at Deveselu became operational.
BLACKMAN TWP., MI -- A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Tuesday in Blackman Township.

Police officers were dispatched at 1:08 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, to the block of 2600 East Michigan Ave. for the incident.

A 41-year-old woman driving a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban westbound struck a 53-year-old female crossing the roadway, Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety Director Mike Jester said.

The driver was unable to avoid striking the pedestrian and wasnt ticketed, Jester said.

The pedestrian stated that she did not see the vehicle coming, he said.

The pedestrian was transported to Henry Ford Allegiance Health with non-life threatening injuries, Jester said.

Read more:

Driver may have intentionally crashed into historic Jackson building, police say

Vehicle in Jackson struck by multiple gunshots

Jackson man dies in single-car crash
Phuket among top-choice destinations of tourists already vaccinated, says TAT Governor

PHUKET: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn in Phuket yesterday revealed that Thailand was among the top-choice destinations of people who are already vaccinated and looking to travel  on one condition: that they are not required to observe a mandatory quarantine.

COVID-19tourismeconomics

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 31 March 2021, 01:21PM

The news came via a survey of 17,000 people conducted through the TATs 29 branches worldwide, Mr Yuthasak told a meeting at the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket resort yesterday (Mar 30).

The meeting was held to discuss the plan and preparations to reopen Phuket to vaccinated international tourists on July 1, in the hope of reopening the whole country to vaccinated tourists from Oct 1.

Present at the meeting were Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew and a host of other top-ranking Phuket officials, along with TAT Phuket Office Director Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Phuket Tourist Association President Bhummikitti Raktaengam.

To open the island without quarantine, we will open for only vaccinated tourists, and our people must be vaccinated before the reopening is allowed, Governor Yuthasak explained.

As for tourists, Mr Yuthasak stressed, Some people will be vaccinated with vaccines requiring two injections, others will be vaccinated by only one injection, either way only tourists who have been vaccinated will be allowed to come.

Mr Yuthasak noted that the government will support Phukets request for more than 900,000 doses of COVID vaccine to inoculate at least 70% of the islands population to make the July 1 reopening possible.

For the coming 100,000 doses of vaccines, they will be provided to people who work in the tourism industry first in order to boost confidence among tourists, he said.

Regardless, Mr Yuthasak also stressed the point, We must follow what the CCSA [Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration in Bangkok] approves.

So far the plan is for the 0+7 sealed route plan to be in effect  in Phuket only  from tomorrow (Apr 1) through to June 30, Mr Yuthasak explained.

Under the 0+7 policy, vaccinated tourists must observe seven days quarantine after arriving in Phuket. If they test negative on arrival, tourists can immediately venture out to designated areas within the hotel, but which may include separated beach areas in front of the hotel.

After seven days, if the tourists still test negative, they are allowed to engage in leisure tourism activities in specified areas.

The big push was to launch the Phuket Tourism Sandbox model on July 1, under which Phuket will serve as the testbed for the country in allowing vaccinated international tourists to land on the island and enjoy their holidays without serving any mandatory quarantine.

From July 1, inPhuket only, there will be no quarantine for vaccinated tourists, Mr Yuthasak said.

However, tourists must show evidence that they have been vaccinated, they must test negative on arrival, and they must install the ThailandPlus tracking app on their phones.

Also from July 1, the 0+7 sealed route plan is to start in Krabi, Phang Nga, Koh Samui, Chonburi (Pattaya) and Chiang Mai, Mr Yuthasak said.

From Oct 1, the plan is for no quarantine at all for all vaccinated tourists entering the country, he said.

Mr Yuthasak said that a mass survey conducted through TAT offices worldwide has indicated very strong demand among potential travellers wanting to come Thailand, especially among potential tourists who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.

We have conducted a survey of 17,000 people by officers in our 29 overseas offices. The result showed that people from countries both near and far listed Thailand as their first choice as a travel destination, Mr Yuthasak said.

Of the 17,000 respondents, 4,518 were already vaccinated against COVID-19, he said.

Most of them explained that they want to go to the places where local people are vaccinated, and where they were not required to observe quarantine, Mr Yuthasak explained.

The destinations they want to go are Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Hua Hin, respectively. They would also rather come this year than next year, he added.

However, Mr Yuthasak pointed out that just reopening the borders was not enough to attract vaccinated tourists.

Phuket must develop the existing tourist attractions and create new places to attract more tourists in order to archive the central governments goal for economic recovery, he said.
(Newser)  Almost 140 filmmakers, including some who work with PBS, have signed a letter calling out the public broadcaster for a "systemic failure to fulfill [its] mandate for a diversity of voices." The letter, implying an overemphasis on white creators, notes Ken Burns, a white man, has created about 211 hours of programming for PBS over the last 40 years as part of an exclusive partnership, which hurts filmmakers of color. "Public television supporting this level of uninvestigated privilege is troubling not just for us as filmmakers but as tax-paying Americans," reads the letter sent to PBS President Paula Kerger and ombudsman Michael Getler on Tuesday, per NPR. It was drafted by BIPOC-led collective Beyond Inclusion and signed by high-profile filmmakers including Oscar-winning director Laura Poitras and Emmy-winning editor and director Sam Pollard.

story continues below

It was also signed by Grace Lee, a producer for the PBS series Asian Americans, who penned an October essay calling on the broadcaster to diversify. She noted Burns' upcoming films dedicate six hours to Ernest Hemingway, and four hours each to Benjamin Franklin and America's bison. But "on Asian Americans, we got five hours to tell 150 years of American history," Lee tells NPR. PBS, which has a program to support "emerging" BIPOC filmmakers, says it's actually aired more programming from Henry Louis Gates Jr., an African American filmmaker, than from Burns in the past five years. It also says 35% of the 200 hours of nonfiction programming set for primetime in 2021 comes from diverse filmmakers. Kerger says she disagreed with Lee's essay, per the AP. But she says she'll sit down with concerned parties to discuss how "to move even more voices forward." (Read more PBS stories.)
The NuQ platform looks for molecular signatures of cancer by focusing on the nucleosomes  a section of DNA wrapped around a core of proteins  in the blood

The paper, entitled "A Novel Proteomics Approach to Epigenetic Profiling of Circulating Nucleosomes, was authored by Volition Research and Development Director Marielle Herzog

Limited (NYSEAMERICAN:VNRX) announced Wednesday that a paper discussing the companys Nu.Q Capture assays ability to detect certain modifications in the circulating nucleosomes in the blood of cancer patients has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Nu.Q Capture acts to isolate circulating nucleosomes from human plasma for further downstream proteomic and/or genomic analysis, the company said. It enables the quantification of histone modifications using less than 1 milliliter of human plasma and the analysis of the global alterations of histones Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) associated with cancer.

The paper, entitled "A Novel Proteomics Approach to Epigenetic Profiling of Circulating Nucleosomes, was authored by Volition Research and Development Director Marielle Herzog and focuses on mass spectrometry analysis.

Our novel method detects and quantifies histone modifications present in the circulating nucleosomes in the blood of cancer patients, Herzog said in a statement. We believe that our work has highlighted for the first time that histone H2A1R3 citrulline is, in plasma, upregulated in colorectal cancer patients and so could be a biomarker we target for future Nu.Q immunoassay development.

Furthermore, the use of Nu.Q Capture may open up the possibility of using mass spectrometry not only for biomarker discovery but also as a high throughput platform for screening and/or diagnostics, Herzog added. It is also very good to see that this Nu.Q Capture assay was found to be robust, reproducible and easy to use in laboratories in both the U.S. and Europe. Finally, we are delighted that our report was published in such a good impact factor journal."

The NuQ platform looks for molecular signatures of cancer by focusing on the nucleosomes  a section of DNA wrapped around a core of proteins  in the blood. As cancer cells multiply, they are modified in a way that distinguishes them from healthy cells and the traits of the malignant disease appear on the nucleosomes, which the platform analyzes.

"Nu.Q Capture is one of Volition's four key pillars and this publication is another very important step forward for the company, CEO Reynolds said in a statement.

I am extremely pleased that we continue to be on the very cutting edge of epigenetics, and aim for Nu.Q Capture to be an important enabling technology in the liquid biopsy space. We believe the Nu.Q Capture technology will be useful not only when used in combination with mass spectrometry to discover new biomarkers as per this paper, but also as a DNA enrichment technology which could aid diagnosis, treatment selection and treatment/ disease monitoring when used in combination with either sequencing and/or our Nu.Q assays."

shares added around 7% in New York to $3.57 each.

---Updates for share price---

Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel
While redesigning its website, its main channel for engagement with potential students, Wilkes University prioritized incorporating advanced, more modern search because its legacy experience wasn't powerful enough to understand nuanced queries beyond a handful of FAQs. With search activity on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilkes University selected Yext Answers, an advanced search experience powered by natural language processing (NLP) and Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) technology, to deliver official answers to questions about COVID-19 safety protocols, virtual tours, tuition, admissions, programs of study, financial aid, and more.

Using search intelligence from Yext Answers, Wilkes University was able to identify the information that its most frequent site visitors, including prospective students, enrolled students, and faculty, were asking for, and used it to inform the site's ongoing redesign. It took the Wilkes team just 20 days to load 80 academic programs onto its Answers experience, and 25 days to launch 176 searchable FAQs. Two months after implementing Answers, the university saw a 54% click-through rate on site search results.

"Yext Answers has really helped us better understand what students are searching for  and what their expectations are," said Mandy Pennington, Director of Digital Marketing at Wilkes University. "By providing students with accurate answers and updates about COVID-19 and beyond, we're creating an infinitely better experience for them."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that just being digital-first doesn't cut it  you have to be digital best," said David Rudnitsky, President and Chief Revenue Officer at Yext. "By implementing a modern search solution with Yext Answers, Wilkes University is differentiating itself from other educational institutions by meeting students where they primarily are this year  online  with the answers they need to make important decisions."

Learn more about Wilkes University's success with Answers here.

About Yext

The ultimate source for official answers about a business online should be the business itself. However, when consumers ask questions on company websites, too often they are left in the dark with wrong answers. Yext (NYSE: YEXT), the Search Experience Cloud, solves this problem by organizing a business's facts so it can provide official answers to consumer questions  wherever people search. Starting with the company website, then extending across search engines and voice assistants, businesses around the world, like T-Mobile, Jaguar Land Rover, BBVA USA, and Kiehl's  as well as organizations like the U.S. State Department and World Health Organization  trust Yext to radically improve the search experience on their websites and across the entire search ecosystem.

Yext's mission is to help businesses and organizations around the world deliver official answers everywhere people search. Yext has been named a Best Place to Work by Fortune and Great Place to Work, as well as a Best Workplace for Women. Yext is headquartered in New York City with offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, Chicago, Dallas, Geneva, London, Miami, Milan, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, and the Washington, D.C. area.

About Wilkes University

Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, Wilkes is on a mission to create one of the nation's finest doctoral universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Brookings Institution ranked Wilkes 14th in the nation for middle-class mobility. In addition to 45 majors, Wilkes offers 24 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing.

CONTACT: Amanda Kontor, [email protected]

SOURCE Yext, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.yext.com


Majority of the groups in Marsabit County that received loans from the government's Sh5 billion Uwezo Fund to promote their enterprises have defaulted on payments.

The government has consequently halted the disbursement of the funds in the county after numerous debtors, mainly first borrowers, failed to meet loan obligations.

Marsabit Central Assistant County Commissioner Paul Langat told the nation.africa during an interview that out of the Sh20.6 million disbursed to youths in Saku constituency, only Sh900,000 has been repaid.

"We appeal to the youth groups that benefited from the Uwezo Fund loans to remit back the loans to give room to other deserving groups to benefit from the revolving fund," Mr Langat said.

He lamented that the cases of loan defaulting were worrying the authorities since other potential beneficiaries were locked out of such opportunities.

The administrator encouraged officials of the groups in question to ensure they remit the funds, saying this will increase their chances of benefiting from other related funds at both national and county government levels.

More than 186 of the groups are yet to repay the loans.

The loans were disbursed to 196 youth groups in Saku constituency alone yet only 10 groups have attempted to repay their loans.

This means new women and youth groups will not benefit from the fund.

Further disbursement

The defaults amounted to Sh16.8 million while the government was forced to halt further disbursement of the remaining Sh3.8 million. The loans were disbursed between 2014 and 2017.

The groups were recommended and registered by the Social Development Office and applied for the loans with the approval of chiefs and assistant chiefs.

This was part of the Sh5 billion Uwezo Fund that was disbursed by the government across the nation to promote enterprises in 2014.

Mr Langat explained that they have resolved to take recourse to stem repeated adjournments in debt payments.

He added that the government is looking to revamp policies on loan defaulters defining timelines to ensure that those with unpaid revolving fund loans do not vanish.

He explained that the government had resorted to using the local chiefs and the constituency management committee in an attempt to trace the youth groups that have since vanished.

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He assured the residents that the government was trying to resolve the matter diplomatically without treating them as willful defaults due to the hard economic times that currently plague the majority of youths across the nation.

However, he said the repayment challenges could have been deepened by the Covid-19 pandemic economic woes.

The administrators said that a turnaround in the future disbursement of the funds to youths and the increase of the volume of the loans in the region was dependent upon the successful recovery of loans from the first borrowers.

Further, the government was seeking to create avenues for enhancing the supervision of the loan beneficiaries and loan recovery.

Meanwhile, Youth Fund loan beneficiaries were advised to visit the regional offices or the offices of the sub-county headquarters, to check on the status of their loans.

Marsabit County in total received allocations of Sh87.4 million. Its constituencies of Saku constituency got Sh18.6 million while groups in Laisamis received Sh21.3 million. Those in Moyale received Sh23.8 million and those in North Horr Sh21.7 million.
Mumbai, March 31 : Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Wednesday had a sarcastic response for a fan who enquired about the colour of his innerwear. Shah Rukh was engaged in a fun interactive session with fans on Twitter when this happened.

"I only do these #asksrk for such classy and educated questions," SRK replied to a fan who tweeted, "Sir what's ur underwear color?? #AskSRK." Shah Rukh responded to any other questions from fans during the #AskSRK session. More weird questions followed, which the actor tackled with his trademark humour and sarcasm.

A fan asked the actor why he takes a lot of time while using the washroom, to which SRK replied: "Will send you a video.... ur inquisitiveness and yearning for learning is very touching." When a fan asked what does wife Gauri love about him, the actor replied: "That I cook and clean and look after the babies. And I guess being so handsome helps too..." Responding to a fan asking which of Aamir Khan's films are his favourites, Shah Rukh replied: "Raakh QSQT Dangal Lagaan 3 Idiots." Replying to a fan who accused him of being egoistic, the actor said: "Nahi yaar main itna Great hoon mujh mein bilkul ego nahi hai!! Ha ha. (No buddy, I am so great I don't have ego issues)." When a fan asked why he didn't meet them at his residence Mannat on his birthday in November, SRK mentioned the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. He wrote: "Hope the virus is contained and we are all back to normalcy. I miss you all on my birthday." The actor slammed another fan who asked for tips to "patana" or impress girls. Shah Rukh wrote: "Start with not using the word 'Patana' for a girl. Try with more respect gentleness and respect." A fan enquired why the actor doesn't have a Twitter bio, to which he replied: "It's still being compiled.... so much of life has happened to me my friend, it's difficult to restrict it in a bio." However, the actor did not give any clear answer about his upcoming films and projects, which multiple fans asked him during the interactive session.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Paul Robson, 50, was in breach of his prison licence when he murdered his ex-partner

A cage fighter jailed for life today for killing his ex girlfriend and trying to murder her underage lover was captured on film throwing a tantrum at officers when they finally caught him after days on the run.

Paul Robson, 50, was arrested six days after subjected his former partner Caroline Kayll, 47, to 60 injuries during the attack in her home in Linton, Northumberland, last year.

He had gone on the run but the law caught up with him six days later.

Footage of him in his cell featured him pathetically whine put your hands on me and Ill put my hands on you.

A week earlier Robson knocked Miss Kayll to the floor and then repeatedly kicked her in the head while wearing heavy work boots.

Branded 'a cruel and calculating coward' by the prosecution, Robson then took a pair of scissors to her lifeless body, cut off her hair and slashed her buttocks.

During the frenzied attack Robson stabbed and bit Mrs Kayll's 15-year-old lover, who cannot be named, 45 times but the teenager miraculously survived.

Mr Justice Lavender said 'this is almost a double murder' and jailed Robson for life.

The judge told him: 'When you found out Mrs Kayll had started an inappropriate and unlawful relationship with a boy you used the threat of exposing their relationship to make her pay you 29,000 in eight instalments between November 1 and November 11 2020.

'Then, on November 15 you went to her home and when she let you in you grabbed her, causing her bruising to her arms. She fell or was pushed to the floor and you kicked her repeatedly in the face and head with your steel toe cap boots, fracturing bones in her face and causing cardiac arrest and fatal brain injuries.

'In effect, you used those boots as fatal weapons. Not content with that, you slashed her buttocks with a knife and sprayed ammonia on her.

'You ended her life and brought grief and misery to the life of others.

'Miss Kayll's ex husband has said there are absolutely no words to describe her family's feelings about her loss.'

Caroline Kayll, who died in hospital after attack in Linton, Northumberland on November 15

Instead of answering police questions, Robson prepared a statement to say he was 'broken' by her death and that someone attacked him when he visited her home. Pictured, during a police interview last year

The judge said the youth suffered 'gruesome' injuries and that the boy's mother has described his ordeal as a 'living nightmare' that he and his family will never recover from.

Robson stole their phones  later updating Mrs Kayll's social media while he was on the run, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

It was a tragic end to Robson and Mrs Kayll's relationship, which began with a secret affair when he was serving ten years for drugs and firearms offences and she was working as a prison teacher.

When he was freed on licence they moved in together, but after they split up he discovered her illegal activities with the child and began blackmailing her for 29,000.

Robson should not have been free to kill after he was recalled to prison in March 2019 because he breached his release terms, but the authorities could not find him.

Instead, Newcastle Crown Court was told on November 15, 2020, he travelled 150miles from Glasgow to her home.

Video shows Robson skulking around Mrs Kayll's home. He later messaged one of her friends to say: 'I went up there and they are cuddled up on the sofa, watching TV.'

He had with him a locksmith bar, a magnetic GPS car tracker, screwdrivers, pliers, a wrench and the ammonia which he kept in a washing-up liquid bottle.

The jury heard as Robson left the scene he told a neighbour, who he knew was a nurse, that he had 'done something and she's in a bad way'.

The killer then went on the run for six days before he was located by police in Glasgow and arrested on suspicion of murder.

Instead of answering police questions, Robson prepared a statement to say he was 'broken' by her death and that someone attacked him when he visited her home.

Robson, of Wallsend, North Tyneside, denied murder, attempted murder and blackmailing his ex-partner. Today he was found guilty of all three charges.

The jurors were shown pictures of Robson stopping off on his way from Glasgow

The 'very harrowing evidence' jurors heard led to the judge excusing them from further service for ten years.

During his trial, career criminal Robson told the court he first met Mrs Kayll when imprisoned in HMP Northumberland in 2005 and it was then that their clandestine relationship began .

Robson was further jailed for 10 years in 2014 for drugs and firearms offences and returned to HMP Northumberland where he was re-united with Mrs Kayll.

At this time she was employed as a teacher in the education department of the prison and the pair re-ignited their secret affair.

Robson was released in 2018 but this time their relationship did not stop and they soon moved in with each other at the property in Linton.

The pair remained together until October 2020 but separated when Robson became aware of Mrs Kayll's relationship with the teenager.

The court was told how Robson then took the opportunity to blackmail Mrs Kayll, threatening to 'ruin' her if she did not pay him.

In a bid to ensure his silence a desperate Mrs Kayll transferred 29,000 to him  but just two weeks later she was dead.

Barrister Richard Bennett told the court Robson was jailed in 2014 for a total of 10 years for drugs and firearms offences, and that while at HMP Northumberland he gained 'trusted' status and worked in the education department, where Mrs Kayll was a teacher.

He was released on licence in November 2018, but was then recalled to prison in March 2019 because he had breached his licence, the court heard.

'Following this, Paul Robson was unlawfully at large,' Mr Bennett said.

After the murder police found an electronic copy of Robson's CV on a memory stick, in which he said he was a ex-professional fighter and amateur powerlifter who wanted to become an assessor and verifier.

The court heard Ms Kayll met her husband Ian Kayll in 2002 after she started work at HMP Northumberland, where he was a manager.

It is said he drove for three hours from Glasgow to Linton, having bought a locksmith's bar, a magnetic GPS car tracker, screwdrivers, pliers, a wrench and ammonia

Here Robson is pictured with a drink bottle that he picked up on journey, Newcastle Crown Court heard

They remained on good terms after they separated and would still meet up every few weeks.

Giving evidence, he admitted he heard rumours she was seen with Robson, but she denied the relationship.

Teenage lover's terror as he escaped murder In a video recorded interview, the boy said he was in an upstairs bedroom about to have a cigarette when a man, who was a stranger to him, came in, jumped on his back and stabbed him. He told detectives: 'He was on my back, I was face down on the bed. 'He was pushing me down and stabbing.' The youth said he tried to get his attacker off him and added: 'He said 'wait there, don't move or I will kill you' then comes back with a bigger blade.' He said what happened next was 'the same thing again but more of a struggle'. The teenager said he was told to go downstairs with his attacker. There he saw Mrs Kayll lying on the floor, face down. He added: 'He cuts her hair off and he was doing stuff to her. 'He gets another blade.' The teen said his attacker had taken a meat cleaver from a kitchen drawer and added: 'He hits my head, twice.' Advertisement

He told the court: 'I asked Caroline if the rumours were true and she categorically said no and got quite upset I had asked her.

'She really enjoyed her job working with the children and got on well with the staff.

'Caroline had a good lifestyle, she worked very hard for what she had.'

A pathologist at the court told jurors Ms Kayll had 60 injuries and died from blunt force to her head.

The boy was found to have suffered 45 injuries, having been stabbed, chopped and slashed, he had bite marks to his arm and defensive injuries to his hands, the court has heard.

Robson claimed in a defence case statement that he was attacked from behind while talking to Ms Kayll.

He said he came round from unconsciousness to find the youth standing over her as she lay motionless on the floor of her house last November.

But pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper, asked if Robson's injuries match up with Robson's own account, replied: 'No they don't.

'Usually the victim has injuries worse than the assailant. There's an enormous discrepancy in the number of injuries between (the boy) and Mr Robson. They are consistent with Robson being the assailant and (the youth) being the victim.'

Dr Cooper told the court Ms Kayll had a 'catastrophic brain injury'.

As well as multiple areas of bruising to various parts of her head, face, and body, arms and legs, there were cuts to both buttocks. She also had fractures to both cheekbones.

She suffered multiple fractures to her eye socket and nose.

Her brain was found to have been badly damaged by a lack of blood and oxygen. It was also severely swollen, there was nerve fibre damage and a small amount of bleeding.

Shortly after this picture was taken the powerfully-built defendant was seen on CCTV in heavy boots 'prowling' outside her house, the jury heard

Pictured: Police at the scene in November

Referring to the neuropathologist's report, Dr Cooper said: 'He says severe force has been applied to Caroline's head, including an action causing a violent rotational movement of the head.

'The brain has twisted violently inside the head to cause the fibre damage.'

Referring to causation of the brain injuries, Dr Cooper said a pathologist believes someone kicked or stamped on her head.

He added that it would require a 'severe' level of force.

Prison love triangle of the murdered teacher Murder victim Caroline Kayll told 'white lies' about the illicit relationship she had with a prisoner and the illegal one she started with an underage boy, jurors heard. The 47-year-old, married at the time to a senior prison officer, started a clandestine relationship with Paul Robson when he was serving at HMP Northumberland where she taught. She had previously worked as a social worker, a police officer in Cumbria, a prison officer, took on a teaching role behind bars, then moved into a school role, Newcastle Crown Court heard. She met her husband Ian Kayll in 2002 after she started work at HMP Northumberland, where he was a security manager. Robson was to claim he had a secret relationship with her during two jail stints, the second of which continued after he was released. Mrs Kayll remained on good terms with her husband after they separated and they would still meet up every few weeks. He heard a rumour she had been seen with Robson and said: 'I asked Caroline if the rumours were true and she categorically said no and got quite upset I had asked her.' After Robson broke up with her, she started an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy, claiming he was her godson if anyone asked. Nicholas Lumley QC, prosecuting, acknowledged she told 'white lies' about these illicit relationships and that she had made 'some life choices that not all of us in this room would make'. A keen horse-rider, she had two horses at a farm and a border terrier called Boxer who was always by her side. She owned her own home and pick-up truck but after paying Robson 29,000 in blackmail after he threatened to expose her, her savings were gone. Robson was convicted of murdering his ex-partner after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court. Advertisement

Meanwhile, Dr Cooper said the youth suffered three stab wounds, 19 slashing or chopping injuries, a chop wound to his face with an underlying fracture, seven scratches or similar marks which may or may not have been caused by a sharp weapon and superficial puncture wounds from something used repeatedly, possibly scissors.

The teenager also had four bite marks to his arms and four blunt force injuries.

There were other indistinct injuries and injuries to his hands, including to tendons, which could have been defensive.

Robson claimed he was struck from behind while speaking to Ms Kayll.

He said he remembered someone throttling him but didn't know how long he was unconscious and came round feeling dazed.

The statement said he saw the youth standing over Ms Kayll, who was lying motionless on the floor.

His defence statement added: 'He said he chased (the youth) who ran upstairs. The defendant says (he) was in a rage, calling Caroline a liar and a c*** and he was trying to stab the defendant.

'At one point he stabbed with such force his hand slipped down the hilt onto the blade.'

The statement went on to say Robson disarmed the youth of the knife but that the youth was in a rage and forced him out of an ensuite bathroom and into the bedroom and that he ended up on top of Robson and was saying 'she's a f****** liar'.

It added: 'He was intent on driving the scissors into the defendant's face.

'He bit him and managed to wrestle the scissors from him. He accepts stabbing him a number of times to subdue him.'

The statement went on: 'The defendant dragged him downstairs. He then went to Caroline Kayll and realised a lot of her hair had been cut off.

'The defendant attempted mouth to mouth but her mouth was full of blood.

'He sprayed her face with a hose to clear away the hair and wash away the blood.

'He tried mouth to mouth and put her in the recovery position.'

Robson then claimed the youth 'came at him again' with a meat cleaver but that he got the better of him and disarmed him.

He accepted he struck him a number of times with the knife but insisted he inflicted the injuries lawfully in self-defence.

Following the case, senior investigating officer at Northumbria Police, Detective Inspector Graeme Barr, welcomed the guilty verdicts.

He said: 'This is one of the most violent offences I have investigated in my policing career and I welcome the guilty verdicts of the jury.

'Paul Robson has been fuelled by a jealous rage and attended his former address that night with one thing on his mind.

'His attack on Caroline and his teenage victim was pre-meditated and demonstrated horrendous levels of violence.

'There is no doubt he wanted to kill or permanently disfigure both of his victims. He succeeded in killing his former partner and has left his teenage victim scarred for life.

'Not only that, but he spent the days that followed trying to avoid police before attempting to pin Caroline's murder on a vulnerable, teenage boy.

'Those actions have put the teenage victim, his family and Caroline's family through the ordeal of a trial and I want to praise the bravery they have shown throughout these proceedings.

'I know that for them no punishment will be enough, but today's verdicts do mean that Paul Robson will be handed a life sentence.

'There is a very real chance he will never experience freedom again and I hope that can bring some justice to his victims.'

Robson was remanded in custody until Mr Justice Lavender will pass sentence at 2pm on Wednesday at Newcastle Crown Court.
(Photo : Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images) Founder of Global Rapid Rugby, Andrew Forrest poses for a photo during the Global Rapid Rugby match between the Asia Pacific Dragons and Western Force at Queenstown Stadium on May 5, 2019 in Singapore. (Photo : John Lamparski/Getty Images) Andrew Forrest speaks during Monaco Better World Forum Gala 2019 at Westin Grand Central on September 22, 2019 in New York City.

Andrew Forrest, Australia's Iron Ore Tycoon, took a swipe on Tesla CEO Elon Musk as he questioned the EV manufacturer's "green" credentials.

Andrew Forrest vs. Elon Musk: What Started This Feud?

On February 23, 2019, CNBC reported that the Tesla CEO strongly believes that the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' success is "simply not possible."

Musk had also called using hydrogen fuel cells as "mind-bogglingly stupid," adding that he does not have anything good to say about the technology.

He also called hydrogen fuel cells as "fool sells," a "load of rubbish," and "staggeringly dumb" on separate occasions.

Fuel cells should be called fool sells! Such a silly choice for cars. Not great even for a rocket upper stage imo, but at least not absurd.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 11, 2021

Also Read: Scientists Turn CO2 Into Jet Fuel: Is it Better than Hydrogen and Water Conversion?

His sentiments are backed by the chief engineer for Toyota's Mirai, Yoshikazu Tanaka, who said that the Tesla CEO is correct, adding that charging electric cars directly by plugging it in is much better that its hydrogen-powered counterpart.

This remark seemed to draw the ire of the Australian philanthropist, who is a stauch supporter and strong advocate of hydrogen fuel cells.

During his speech at the "Boyer Lecture for 2021," Forrest said that Musk has every reason to fear the use of hydrogen fuel cells.

"His description is perhaps better suited to someone who peddles a battery technology as green - when it runs on fossil fuel," he said.

Andrew Forrest: Who Is He?

Dr. Andrew Forrest, known to many as "Twiggy," is the former CEO of Fortescue Metals Group - a mining company that obtains and ships out iron ore to China.

His Forbes profile, which was updated on Monday, March 29, states that the 59-year-old billionaire is Australia's most prominent philanthropist after donating AUD 655 million ($500 million) to multiple causes.

As an active philanthropist, he and his wife Nicola co-founded the Minderoo Foundation in 2001, in which the couple had donated more than AUD 2 billion ($1.5 billion) and had so far supported over 300 initiatives.

He recently toured the globe, visiting nearly 50 countries in four months to study other countries and companies' ways to lower their greenhouse emissions.

Forrest said that the world's thirst for green energy gave him the optimism to utilize hydrogen as an energy source.

Andrew Forrest's Stance on Alternative Energy Source

ABC Australia published Forrest's speech at the "Boyer Lecture for 2021" on January 24 titled "Oil vs Water: Confessions of a Carbon Emitter."

During his speech, Forrest strongly advocated using hydrogen as an alternative energy source, stressing that it is the purest energy source in the world.

He added that using "green hydrogen" could replace up to three-quarters of global emissions if experts improve the technology to harness the abundant resource.

"Right now, we don't use it for energy," he said. "Green hydrogen - the good stuff - is virtually ignored by the economic world."

Forrest continued that zero-emissions energy must be available to everyone globally, and the price must compete with fossil fuels.

The Australian tycoon also stressed that switching to green hydrogen right now could create revenues up to $12 trillion by 2050.

Related Article: Elon Musk Hypes up "Battery Day" on 9/22: Could Tesla have been Secretly Manufacturing Batteries As Well?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Lee Mercado

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
More than 500 hawkers have been evicted from Nairobi's Muthurwa Market. Their sheds were demolished to pave way for the construction of a perimeter wall.

The traders have been operating in open spaces between grills of the old wall.

Mr Nelson Waithaka, the market's chairman, said the hawkers have been dealt a blow after another bunch of traders who operated near Wakulima market were evicted early this year. This was after the Kenya Railways built a perimeter wall.

"This is the second time the traders are being evicted from the market amid rising unemployment rate due to the Covid-19 pandemic, "Mr Githinji says.

Mr Githaiga asked the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to persuade the contractor to build new stalls for the traders as soon as he completes the construction of the perimeter wall.

Similarly, Mr Githaiga lauded the NMS for giving Muthurwa market a new look compared to when it was under the control of Nairobi County government.

He also asked the NMS to launch a water project that was completed last year inside the market.
A team of British Covid scientists are set to rake in millions after a biotech firm they founded unveiled plans for a 2.3billion stock market float.

Gordon Sanghera, 60, Hagan Bayley, 70, and Spike Willcocks, 44, could pocket up to 150million between them if Oxford Nanopore - the firm they founded - exceeds its predicted value.

Oxford Nanopore helped to sequence the virus that causes Covid-19 and was awarded a 113million Government testing contract last year.

The firm is valued at about 2.3billion by a top investor but analysts believe that could easily top 4billion.

It needs to hit 2.3 billion for its three founders to see their payouts.

Gordon Sanghera, 60, (pictured), Hagan Bayley, 70, and Spike Willcocks, 44, could pocket up to 150million between them if Oxford Nanopore - the firm they founded - exceeds its predicted values

Business development chief Mr Willcocks (right) could make a paper fortune of 34million, and co-founder biochemistry professor Mr Bayley (left) could see 32million

During the Covid crisis, Oxford Nanopore's technology has been used to identify one fifth of virus genomes by scientists in 85 countries.

The firm - which employs around 500 people in Britain - believes its DNA and RNA-tracking technology can be used in a plethora of other areas, including rapid detection of other diseases, virus immunity checks and tumour sequencing.

IP Group, which owns a 15 per cent stake in Oxford Nanopore, has implied the firm has an overall business value of about 2.3billion.

But analysts believe the company could 'comfortably' fetch a price tag of 4billion.

That would mean chief executive Mr Sanghera, 60, could see his 1.6 per cent stake valued at more than 62million.

Business development chief Mr Willcocks could make a paper fortune of 34million, and co-founder biochemistry professor Mr Bayley could see 32million.

Prof. Bayley's ex-wife, Orit Braha, is also in line to receive almost 22million, according to filings at Companies House.

Oxford Nanopore - which is headquartered in Oxford Science Park but has offices in Shanghai, Beijing and San Francisco - was awarded a 113million testing contract by the Government in July.

Oxford Nanopore - which is headquartered in Oxford Science Park (pictured) but has offices in Shanghai, Beijing and San Francisco - was awarded a 113million testing contract by the Government in July

But it was later revealed that the firm's vice president Emma Stanton finished a job at England's Test and Trace programme shortly before joining - raising concerns about conflict of interest.

Investor eyes profit Start-up funder IP Group could net 500million when Oxford Nanopore floats. The investor, which helps to commercialise ideas coming out of universities, owns a 15 per cent stake it values at about 340.3million, implying Oxford Nanopore is worth about 2.3billion. Analysts believe the price tag could rise to 4billion, meaning IP Group could be in line for as much as 516million. IP claims to have helped create more than 300 companies, owning assets worth 1.2billion. Previous successes including Ceres Power and Hinge Health. Advertisement

Oxford Nanopore said Ms Stanton did not make decisions on what contracts were given to the firm.

Mr Sanghera said Oxford Nanopore's decision pursue an initial public offering (IPO) followed a 'pivotal year' when the coronavirus 'demonstrated the importance of life sciences'.

He said: 'We believe an IPO is the start of the next phase of our journey. Access to deeper, international pools of capital would support our ambitious growth plans, enhancing our ability to innovate and scale our manufacturing and commercial functions.'

Mr Sanghera, Mr Bayley and Mr Willcocks started Oxford Nanopore as an Oxford University spinout in 2005.

Its technology is based on moving DNA samples through tiny holes  called nanopores  and measuring how they react to electrical currents.

It provides rapid gene sequencing services for labs studying infectious diseases, cancer, crops, food and the environment.

Its portable device - Minion - for this type of testing is the size of a smartphone, and removes the need for heavy equipment. It has been used in the field to sequence strains of the Ebola virus, zika and Covid-19.

Disgraced fund manager Neil Woodford was among Oxford Nanopore's backers before he was ousted from his funds, but investors in his flagship fund will miss out on profits from the listing later this year.

Administrators sold his 12 per cent stake to US firm Acacia for 20.8million last year. Those shares are now thought to be worth at least 80million.
Public school teachers will no longer be allowed to check the colour of their students' underwear after Japanese authorities banned the controversial practice.

Saga Prefecture, on the south-west Japanese island of Kyushu, announced the change after officials discovered 14 of its schools required students to wear white underwear.

Previously, teachers would pull at female students' bra straps and watch teenagers undress in the changing room to make sure they were complying with uniform rules.

Japanese public school teachers will no longer be allowed to check the colour of their students' underwear after a controversial rule was scrapped. Japanese school girls are pictured at a graduation ceremony on March 3

The underwear rules will be abolished when the Japanese school year starts in the second week of April, NewsOnJapan reported.

The Saga Prefecture's board of education has also removed rules forcing students to wear gendered uniforms to promote the inclusion of those who identify as non-binary.

Rules in the prefecture regulating the colour of students' socks will also be scrapped.

A study conducted in the nearby city of Fukuoka last year found more than 80 per cent of its schools had rules on the colour of students' underwear.

The report found some students were made to remove their underwear at school if they were the wrong colour.

Citing the strict disciplinary action students could face if they broke the rules, the report's authors said their treatment was an 'infringement of human rights'.

The change came after a study found 14 of the schools in Saga Prefecture in the country's south required its students to wear white underwear

The strict guidelines for Japanese school kids are laid out in a list known as the 'black rules' and also include the length of girls' skirt hems and the use of hair products.

Other punishable offences included shopping while on the way home from school, leaving behind textbooks in class and being sat down for a lesson before the bell rings.

Another report conducted in Shizuoka Prefecture west of Tokyo found students were afraid to speak out against the rules under the threat of their grades being affected.
GARDAI are warning that thieves are targeting parked at the vaccination centres in Limerick.

While some people are receiving their Covid-19 jabs at GP clinics, others are being referred to the Mass Vaccination Centre at the Radisson Blu Hotel on the Ennis Road.

"Our vaccination centres are open and a steady stream of mainly elderly people are arriving for their vaccination," said divisional crime prevention officer Sergeant Ber Leetch who is is appealing to those travelling for vaccines to be vigilant when parking their cars given one recent incident.

"Unfortunately a lady who drove herself for her vaccination discovered on her return that she didnt lock her car properly. Her car had been entered and items taken," she said.

Sgt Leetch added: "I understand that vaccination day is a big day and there is great excitement and relief in getting it but pause, dont leave your car until you have checked the handle of the door to make sure that its properly locked and bring anything of value with you or leave it at home."
This just tears it. The cancel madness has now set its gaze on Spongebob Squarepants. CNN reports that two inappropriate episodes are being pulled from rotation, one because of a plot line involving a virus that leads to a quarantine, and a second episode that involves a panty raid, which is now thought not kid appropriate.

Cmon, man! This is getting beyond ridiculous. Except that it is a sneak attack by the cultural left, because everyone knows that Spongebob is a conservative show. Spongebob and Patrick Starfish are clearly Trump voters; this goes without saying for Sandy Cheeks, the squirrel from Texas. The Krusty Krab is fast food culture at its finest, and the proprietor, Mr. Krabs, a model entrepreneur. And best of all, Squidward is a neoconservative. Squidward would not approve of yanking these two episodes. (Just ask your kids about all this.)

My all time favorite episode is the sendup of suburban sprawl, where Squidward moved to a new development known as Tentacle Acres. Heres a small segment:

Meanwhile, at Yale University. . . do I even need to finish this sentence? Yes, yes I do, because this latest episode is stupid even by Yales low standards. William Kahrl and Henry I. Miller over at Issues & Insights have the story:

Last fall, the university sponsored a convocation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the admission of the first women undergraduates as well as 150 years of women attending the universitys graduate and professional schools. Many distinguished alumnae attended and members of the first three undergraduate classes contributed their reminiscences in video compilations as well as essays about their experience. So far, so good. Two of the 141 women who wrote essays asked to keep their submissions anonymous for personal reasons. But when the books were published, the Yale Alumni Association had deleted the names of all the women  without asking the authors permission or even warning them of what had been done to their work. After centuries of women being suppressed, diminished, pushed into the background, or having their work appropriated by others, this unexpected anonymization produced the reaction you might expect. The complaints raised in a first letter of protest were dismissed by the administration, and when the campus newspaper took up the story in February, the people responsible responded placidly, assuring readers that only a few people were upset  saying, in effect, lets move on, theres nothing to protest here. This turned out to be not even a little bit true and led inevitably to an even longer letter signed by scores of people rallying to the side of the women who had been wronged. At first, the alumni association proposed producing two versions of the book, one with no names for public distribution and one with the authors identified that would be kept under wraps at the university library. Since this only compounded their initial error, the powers that be convened a meeting of angry people including the responsible administrators, the culpable editors, and numerous representatives of their victims, for one of those collegial discussions that sometimes leave blood on the woodwork. On March 18, in a Dear Friends letter couched in the joyless happy talk of the bureaucratically impaired, Yale announced, Success  Its a win-win for all! What did they decide? Theyre going to burn the books! Destroy the evidence! According to their decree, all 500 copies of the book that dare not speak its names will be destroyed. (We are not making this up.) The digital file of this abomination will go onto the pyre as well.

Exit question from Issues & Insights:
4Motion

In recent years, VW made small attempts in this direction with a couple of concepts. The Atlas Tanoak , which is derived from the Chattanooga-built crossover, comes to mind with its 3.6-liter engine,all-wheel drive, and quirky design cues. The slightly smaller Tarok is underpinned by the previous concepts platform, but on this occasion, the German automaker went for the 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder engine utilized by the Jetta sedan.Overseas, we have the Amarok mid-size pickup that is due to receive a refresh with Ford Ranger underpinnings. Theres talk of a plug-in hybrid powertrain, too, most likely derived from the Blue Ovals truck, but Volkswagen isnt likely to bring the Amarok stateside because it would clash with the Ranger.This gets us to senior vice president of product marketing and strategy Hein Schafer , who told Autoline After Hours that a combustion-powered pickup is, for us, definitely a thing of the past. If we do build a large SUV on the MEB platform, maybe a large pickup might potentially also make sense.Reading between the lines, the option is still open for the Wolfsburg-based automaker that controls Skoda, SEAT, Cupra, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Bugatti, in addition to motorcycle manufacturer Ducati. Our friend Kleber Silva imagined an e-pickup based on the companys newest design language, blending stylistic elements from the ID.4 and Atlas SUVs.The full-width taillights and light bar that connects the headlamps are pretty cool too, and the length of the bed is appropriate for a unibody pickup as well. Volkswagen would also escape the Chicken Tax by making this fellow in Tennessee at Chattanooga, where the ID.4 will enter production in 2022.Be that as it may, it will be a slow burn. VW doesnt have as much experience as the Big Three in Detroit in terms of pickups, which is probably why the German automaker is probably waiting for the Blue Oval, GM, and Stellantis to roll out the electric Ford F-150, Silverado, and Ram 1500.
Bay Area counties have a message for hundreds of thousands of 50- to 64-year-olds who become eligible for a coronavirus vaccination as of Thursday: Stay patient.

We just dont have the supply right now, said Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, which sent a letter over the weekend begging state health officials for more vaccine. Hopkins told the state that the county could vaccinate 40,000 people each week, but has been getting only 15,000 doses a week  and fewer than 13,000 this week.

Were going to be in a situation where demand greatly exceeds supply, she said at a news briefing Monday during which Dr. Urmila Shende, the countys vaccine chief, suggested that newly eligible people voluntarily continue to wait for their shots if they are healthy enough to do so.

Public health officials across the Bay Area and California have similar concerns now that Gov. Gavin Newsom has opened eligibility for the lifesaving inoculations to people 50 and over beginning Thursday, and to everyone else as young as 16 on April 15. It could take weeks for vaccine supply, which federal officials vow is coming soon, to catch up to demand.

California has 7.2 million people in the 50-to-64 age group, 17% of whom are fully vaccinated because of their jobs or health status, reports the California Department of Public Health. That leaves nearly 6 million people in the group who still need one or both shots.

Theres also an urgency to vaccinate everyone, counties say, because even more dangerous coronavirus strains, including the virulent Brazilian variety, have reached the Bay Area.

Except we dont have the vaccine, Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, Santa Clara Countys vaccine officer, said at a news briefing last week. He said the county has 400,000 people aged 50 to 64, and the ability to vaccinate 200,000 each week. But with just 58,000 doses coming in weekly from the state  not counting thousands of doses that go to Kaiser  the county has been able to vaccinate only a third of the eligible people.

And that was before eligibility was set to swell like a tidal wave with the expanded age criteria.

At that point, if we dont have enough vaccine supply, its going to be pandemonium at the sites, said Peter Shih, in charge of vaccinations for the San Mateo County Health Department.

In San Francisco, the mass vaccination site at City College of San Francisco was celebrating Thursdays expanded eligibility quietly: It was closed.

Were not open till Friday because we dont have any vaccine, said Kim Murphy, operations director for the site, which is run by UCSF.

Im extremely concerned, said Tina Valentine, 57, an events producer in San Francisco who sometimes has to work with others in person. Im really concerned that I will get shut out, and as soon as April 1 hits, the system will be flooded with requests and there will not be enough vaccine available.

Her husband, Mark Valentine, 59, had no problem finding an appointment for Friday through the Kaiser site. But when Tina tried, it said she wasnt eligible  possibly because Kaiser does not have enough vaccine for even the currently eligible groups. In Northern California, Kaiser has more than 900,000 members age 50 to 64, and more than 2 million members 16 to 49, but says it gets only 55,000 to 75,000 vaccine doses each week.

Im vexed and perplexed by the system, Tina Valentine said. And annoyed that our local and national governments havent been able to come up with something better and more consistent. It seems random.

Since December, California has slowly expanded the groups of people eligible for the vaccine. Health care providers were first, followed by other essential workers, people over 75, then 65, and this month, younger people with health conditions that make them especially vulnerable to the coronavirus. But as a movement to recall Newsom has gained ground  fueled by Republicans and others impatient to reopen Californias economy  the governor has stepped up vaccine eligibility.

In what could be a preview of whats to unfold statewide over the coming weeks, Contra Costa County  which on Tuesday became the first Bay Area county to expand eligibility to everyone  said it will probably take three to four weeks to get through the backlog of people seeking appointments. About 375,000 people in the county became newly eligible Tuesday, far exceeding the 20,000 open appointment slots.

Overnight, 30,000 people in the county went online to request appointments, county officials said Wednesday.

State officials and the Biden administration have promised that vaccines will soon become plentiful, but it hasnt happened yet.

Every city, county and state has more capacity to administer vaccines than there is supply, said Darrel Ng, spokesman for the states COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.

Ng said the problem rests with manufacturers that havent produced enough vaccine  but he said that is changing.

California has been allocated 2.4 million doses next week, an increase of 300,000 from this week, he said. By contrast, the state a month ago was getting just 1.5 million doses each week, he said.

Napa County, however, is getting fewer vaccine doses than in prior weeks, said county spokeswoman Janet Upton.

San Franciscos COVID Command Center said that vaccine coming into San Francisco is limited, inconsistent and unpredictable. Because of that, and because many of the neediest people still need to get vaccinated, as do people needing a second dose, the center warned that newly eligible people may experience difficulty securing their first vaccine appointment in the coming weeks.

As well, not everyone in the older and more vulnerable groups has yet been vaccinated. In Marin County, for example, just 68% of people over 65 are fully vaccinated, and 13% are halfway there, still needing a second dose of the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer regimen, the county reported.

In the last couple of weeks, a handful of counties across the state  including Contra Costa and Solano in the Bay Area  began expanding eligibility early to people as young as 50. Within 24 hours of that expansion at John Muir Health in Contra Costa County, 90% of its open appointments were snapped up, said Ben Drew, a John Muir spokesman.

So will the next two weeks give enough time to vaccinate the newly eligible people before so-called open season starts, with everyone over 16 eligible, on April 15?

Thats a crystal ball question, said Shende of Sonoma County. It really depends on vaccine supply, over which we have no idea or no control.

It will also depend on how many people choose to get vaccinated, and whether shots will be made more accessible to people who dont have internet access, time or transportation to get to vaccination sites that in many places are largely relying on online booking. National polls show that an increasing proportion of Americans want to get vaccinated, but there will likely be holdouts.

In Butte County, where eligibility was extended Monday to everyone 16 and over, its not clear if there will be enough supply because that depends on how many of the newly eligible want vaccinations, said county health director Danette York. It may turn out that younger people are not as eager as older people, and some people may want to hold out for when more of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine becomes available.

Theres no way of telling until we open it up and see what kind of response we get, York said. It seems like theres a couple things maybe going on. One is the younger the group gets, the less of them want the vaccine, which is fine. Its everyones personal choice. ... The other thing Im concerned about is people are waiting until we have more of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine available because its a single dose.

Nanette Asimov and Catherine Ho are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com, cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov, @Cat_Ho
Tesla customers have been sharing horror stories of being double-charged for their new electric vehicles up to $71,000, and then having their pleas for refunds ignored.

CNBC, which first reported on the story, has spoken to multiple car buyers in Southern California, who were said to have had large sums of money improperly withdrawn from their bank accounts by the automaker, ranging from $74,000 to $142,000.

To add insult to injury, three of the customers in question, identified as Christopher T Lee, Clark Peterson and Tom Slattery, said that when each of them complained to the Palo Alto-based company and demanded their money back, they were given the runaround.

Scroll down for video

YouTuber Christopher T Lee released a video on March 27 that included a screen shot that he said showed Tesla debiting two charges of more than $56,000 from his account

'Did I just get SCAMMED by Tesla???' was the title of the video posted by YouTuber Christopher T Lee on March 27, recounting how Tesla double-charged him more than $56,000

Meanwhile, Tom Slattery (left) said he also was double-charged: $53,000 for his 2021 Model Y, and Clark Peterson (right) said Tesla charged him $142,000 instead of $71,000

More than a week later, some were said to still be waiting for their refunds.

And it is believed the trio of owners are not the only people to have encountered this problem: CNBC reported that at least two other customers, who chose to remain anonymous, told the news outlet that they, too, had been double-charged for their new vehicles, leaving at least one of them facing steep overdraft penalties.

DailyMail.com reached out to Tesla on Wednesday seeking comment on the scope of the problem and the company's efforts, if any, to address it. Tesla did not immediately respond.

Clark Peterson, from suburban Los Angeles, said he was excited to finally get his luxury 2021 Tesla Model Y crossover SUV, which comes with a hefty price tag of $71,000.

Before the vehicle could be delivered to his home last Thursday, Peterson said he was instructed to provide his driver's license, proof of insurance, as well as his routing and checking account number, so that the cost of the vehicle could be withdrawn as part of Tesla's contactless service.

'Its a very impressive online process where you dont have to speak to a human being. They tell you they are going to bring the car to your house,' Peterson told CBS Los Angeles.

But Peterson said he later received a phone call that he has been doubled-charged, with Tesla taking $142,000 directly from his bank account without authorization.

Peterson said he has been doubled-charged for his 2012 Model Y crossover SUV, with Tesla taking $142,000 directly from his bank account

This is Peterson's new Tesla vehicle that cost him $142,000

'And I said well okay, just please put that back and the Tesla person said, oh no, just call your bank and see if they can stop payment. And I said its a wire transfer, its already gone and he said no, no call your bank and of course the money had already left our account and was in Teslas account,' Peterson said.

Peterson said after multiple failed attempts to get someone from Tesla on the phone to secure a refund, he finally got a call on Sunday from a company representative, who told him they are aware of the issue and will be sending him the funds back 'soon.'

'I asked them to put that in an email but I never received an email,' Peterson said.

Peterson is not alone: Tom Slattery and his family were excited to receive their new Model Y Tesla last week.

Slattery has been tweeting at Tesla and founder Elon Musk about his woes

Slattery, like Peterson, was instructed to provide his driver's information and complete the payment through Tesla's contactless delivery program, which the company has adopted during the coronavirus pandemic.

Slattery selected the automated clearing house (ACH) direct debit payment option, put in his account and routing numbers, and authorized the payment, only to discover the following day that Tesla double-charged him $53,000, withdrawing a total of $106,000 from his account without permission.

Slattery, who is currently in the process of moving his family to another state and is in need of readily-available funds to qualify for a mortgage on a house, said he spent a day trying to get someone from Tesla to give him a refund, but to no avail.

After getting the runaround on the phone, Slattery drove to the Tesla Burbank location and spoke to staff in person.

Lee, whose YouTube channel is called Everyday Chris, said he had been saving up for a Model Y for two years

He paid for the vehicle by providing his account and routing numbers

Video shows a beaming Lee picking up his brand-new 'dream car' last week

'They told me to call my bank and have my bank reverse the charge,' he said. 'That was not acceptable. When you debit more than $50,000 and tell a customer to solve it on their own? I kept pushing.'

According to Slattery, one of the employees at the dealership said he has heard from hundreds of customers complaining of being double-charged.

Slattery has been airing his grievances against Tesla on Twitter and tagging CEO Elon Musk in his sarcastic posts.

'Things @Tesla has done for me in the past 2 days: 1) stolen 5 figures directly from my bank account, and that of at least 400 other buyers 2) not delivered the car that was promised yesterday and paid for (TWICE, as it turns out) 3) provided zero contact. Thanks, @elonmusk,' he tweeted.

On Tuesday, Slattery tweeted that he has filed a fraud complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, and was planning to file a complaint with the state attorney general as well.

When Musk tweeted on Tuesday that he was donating a total of $30million to California schools and an urban revitalization project, Slattery shot back: 'it's nice to know my stolen money is going to a good cause.'

Another unhappy Tesla customer, part-time consumer tech vlogger Christopher T Lee, went a step farther, producing a video documenting his woes.

A Tesla is displayed in a showroom; customers say they were double-charged by the company (file photo)

Tesla's factory has been pumping out cars even during the pandemic - now some people who bought cars and had them delivered by the company say they've been double-charged

In a March 27 YouTube video, titled 'Did I just get SCAMMED by Tesla???!' Lee, who has a channel called Everyday Chris, explains how he saved up for two years to buy his 'dream car,' the 2021 Tesla Model Y.

After picking up his new vehicle, Lee said he paid with ACH through an app on his phone by providing his account and routing numbers to complete the transaction.

Lee stresses in the video that he pressed the 'Pay' button 'just once,' waited for the conformation number and accepted delivery.

'I slept like a baby, dreaming of my new Tesla...and having it for the rest of my life,' Lee says.

But when he woke up the next morning to check whether Tesla has withdrawn the funds, his dream turned into a nightmare.

'Oh, they removed the money, alright! They removed it real good!' He exclaims in the video. 'I was supposed to only pay $56,578.63 for my Model Y. .... They ended up charging me twice for the car.'

He added: 'I'm not a famous YouTuber. I don't have that much money lying around. So I literally have no more money on my bank account now.'

Lee said he spent hours trying to reach someone at Tesla. When he finally got through to a representative, he was told that there was no record that he had been double-charged.

Lee said he was urged to contact his bank, even though the funds were withdrawn instantly from his account.

He was later provided with an email address to Tesla's finance department and eventually got an employee on the phone to explain what happened. He is still waiting for a refund.

'It was so quick for them to take the money out of my account, however, to get the money back into my account is going to take much longer,' Lee said.
Raine Squares major tenant has issued an expression of interest for commercial leasing properties as it eyes moving its head office from the struggling CBD retail precinct.

Bankwest was the drawcard tenant at the $200 million development owned by billion-dollar Sydney fund manager Charter Hall but a spokesperson told WAtoday last Friday the bank was exploring other city-based leasing options for its flagship branch and head office.

Bankwest is Raine Squares major tenant but could be on the move from the troubled retail precinct. Credit:David Prestipino

Our priority is to provide a workplace environment that enables our colleagues to deliver the best possible experiences for our customers, the Bankwest spokesperson said.

As a major WA employer, Bankwest remains committed to its head office being in Perth and the call for expressions of interest for commercial leased premises is part of a normal review process to identify potential workplace options.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 22:24:54|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Arab Parliament (AP) on Wednesday voiced full support and solidarity for Egypt and Sudan in ensuring their legitimate share in the Nile River water.

The AP said in a statement that "it supports any efforts that contribute in settling the crisis via reaching a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in a way that preserves the interest of all parties and maintain the economic and water rights of the Nile downstream countries based on the international laws."

The statement stressed Egypt and Sudan are basic pillars for the Arab national security, and their water security is an indispensable part of the Arab national security.

Many collective positive solutions could prevent impacts of the dam dispute on the regional security and stability, it added.

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.

On Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi urged for a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam. Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain expressed their solidarity with Egypt's efforts to resolve the dispute on the same day.

The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday confirmed the diplomatic dialogue and fruitful negotiations for overcoming the disputes among the three countries.

Sudan called for the formation of an international quartet committee of the African Union, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations as the mediator.

Ambassador of Ethiopia in Cairo said on Wednesday his country hasn't received an official request from Sudan about the quartet committee, adding his country welcomes resuming the negotiations. Enditem
IRISH journalist, Yvonne Murray, has had to flee China with her children over sinister threats to her husband.

Ms Murray, an RTE journalist, is married to John Sudworth who is Beijing Correspondent for the BBC.

The couple left China to move to Taiwan following after what was described as constant surveillance of Mr Sudworth by Chinese police, threats of legal action, official obstruction and increasing levels of intimidation.

Mr Sudworth has won numerous awards for his coverage of various controversial issues in China including the treatment of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang and cotton produced by forced labour.

His coverage sparked a major backlash by the Chinese authorities who were furious at such issues being highlighted.

China also hit out at major western firms including Nike and H&M over the cotton issue.

Ms Murray and Mr Sudworth decided to leave for Taiwan amid concern for their three young children.

"We left in a hurry last week and it was really because the pressure and threats from the Chinese Government became too much," she told RTE's News At One.

"This has been going on for some time. The authorities in Beijing took issue with my husband's reporting - he works for the BBC and he has reported extensively on the incarceration of the Uyghurs as well as the origins of the virus in China.

"This was something they took great issue with. They started trying to hinder his reporting about three years ago by putting him on shortened visas for three months or one month rather than for the full 12 months that other journalists were getting.

"Then when the BBC continued to report on stories that the Government didn't like, they continued to ratchet up the pressure - with co-ordinated personalised attacks by State media and then legal threats.

"It is worth noting there is no way for us as foreign correspondents to counter-act those kind of campaigns in China. Foreign news outlets are blocked here.

"We put up with this for a very long time but in the end we couldn't justify raising a young family in that kind of atmosphere.

"In a way, to confirm that it had become intolerable, on the morning of our departure there were actually plain clothes police outside our home watching us and our children load our suitcases into a taxi.

"Then we were followed all the way to the airport, watched by the secret police in the check-in area - this was very frightening for the children and it definitely confirmed to us we were making the right decision."

The couple are now in Taiwan and intend to continue to work from there.

"We are now in Taipei - holed up in a quarantine hotel for 14 days. There is very strict quarantine in Taiwan. Then we plan to continue to report on China and the wider region from here.

"There are already some foreign correspondents based in Taipei now following a round of expulsions from mainland China last year, mainly US journalists.

"But there are others who left China during the pandemic and are trying to get back in but China has cancelled the journalists visas and they cannot get back in and are staying in Taipei.

"Our experience here speaks to the wider situation in China for foreign journalists - conditions have deteriorated rapidly in recent years. The space for reporting in the country is ever shrinking as is the pool of foreign correspondents there.

"There are very few US journalists left and no Australian journalists. Now, because I have gone, there are no Irish journalists left."

Ms Murray has worked in China for almost a decade.

"It has been very tough to leave - it has been a very long time, nearly a decade. Two of our three children were born in China and they all speak fluent Chinese. For them, it is home and it was particularly distressing for them facing the reality that they might never be able to go back to the place where they were born so long as the Chinese state is so determined to target and punish journalists for simply doing their job.

"The Chinese Government tells us that our reporting suggests that we hate China - that is not the case. We would not have stayed so long if we did not like China - it is an extraordinarily colourful, vibrant and culturally rich country.

"In terms of the memories and the friendships we forged with Chinese people over the years, they cannot be taken from us. As the secret police followed us as we left, it is a sad memory but it cannot erase all the other happy memories we have from China."

The BBC insisted it was very proud of Mr Sudworth and his reporting and confirmed he remains its China correspondent.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the authorities had not been given prior notice.

"Only in recent days when we were faced with the task of renewing Sudworth's press card did we learn that Sudworth left without saying goodbye. After he left the country, he didn't by any means inform the relevant departments nor provide any reason why," Hua Chunying told a news conference in Beijing.

The BBC said: "John's reporting has exposed truths the Chinese authorities did not want the world to know."

Last year China expelled correspondents for the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, among others.

And in September 2020, the last two reporters working in China for Australian media flew home after a five-day diplomatic standoff.

The Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) of China says foreign journalists are "being caught up in diplomatic rows out of their control".

"Abuse of Sudworth and his colleagues at the BBC forms part of a larger pattern of harassment and intimidation that obstructs the work of foreign correspondents in China and exposes their Chinese news assistants to growing pressure," the FCC warned on Twitter.
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Gov. Michele Lujan Grisham has called for a special session of the New Mexico Legislature to pass legislation legalizing the production and sale of cannabis. She has called the special session mid-Holy Week. Legislators may feel pressured to passing legislation so they can return to their families for Easter celebrations the following Sunday.

The only information shared by this administration has been the financial incentive of increased employment and tax revenue. There has been no discussion of the real profiteers of Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol. Nor has there been a legitimate discussion of the social cost of policing, disruption of the social fabric, broken homes and depletion of the employment pool due to inevitable intoxication, an agricultural shift away from traditional crops, and an increased attraction of the homeless population, as has occurred in other states.

New Mexico will be forever changed as the result of:

 Water consumption for chile crops and other crops diverted to marijuana production

 A substantial increase in substance abuse of both soft and hard drugs

 Traffic accidents and death increases as the result of slower response times

 Domestic violence will be sustained at COVID-19 levels

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 Marketing to teens via such consumables as chewables and beverages

 Overdose hospitalization and deaths

 And a concentration of pot shops, especially in border towns.

An intoxicated nation has never been able to maintain itself. In the midst of Holy Week and the COVID-19 pandemic, our New Mexico leadership is engaged in an act of betrayal.
There are so many true and rotten things one can say about progressive values, but I think most will agree that one of the worst things progressives do is attack boys. There's a reason for this: if raised right, boys are hardwired for courage. We see this in a wonderful way in a video someone posted showing an unknown teen in Loudon County, Virginia (which is famous for canning Dr. Seuss and trying to dox "white supremacist" parents) politely refusing to go along with his white teacher's insistent racism.

The short video brings together a lot of newsworthy trends. The first one is that Loudoun County Public School District, which is located in the wealthiest county in America, just north of Washington, D.C., is populated with the worst kind of public school teachers: leftist activists.

While leftists have been attacking Dr. Seuss for years because of both real and imagined racism, it was the Loudon County Public School District that catapulted the issue to the national level when it announced that Seuss was henceforth to be banned from Read Across America Day, a day that, upon its inception, was deliberately set to take place annually...on Dr. Seuss's birthday.

That was bad. Worse was to come. Three weeks after the Seuss kerfuffle, it emerged that a group of current and former Loudon County teachers had formed a Facebook group in which they plotted to attack parents within the school district who were not on board with the district's wholesale adoption of Critical Race Theory, including its rabid white racehatred. And "not on board" did not mean opposing CRT. It also meant failing to be sufficiently enthusiastic about that pernicious racist ideology.

Another thing the short video highlights is the left's relentless war on boys. Schools seek to feminize students. They punish boy energy; bore them to death with books about feelings; and, in Australia, have even gone so far as to demand that boys apologize merely for being boys.

Thankfully, parents are beginning to push back, although they're frightened. When my son started college, I went to the orientation regarding sexual harassment issues because I wanted to ensure that my son would get due process. I ended up derailing the presentation because, once I (politely but insistently) opened that door, every parent of a boy lined up behind me. Afterward, they all thanked me for focusing on boys' rights. The school's presenters, ready to assure us that boys would be presumed guilty, ended up promising that due process would be a priority.

But back to race and boys. One of the reasons leftists hate boys is because of boys' best qualities, especially their raw courage. Teenage boys can be total jerks because they don't know when to stop. They just keep pushing and pushing, without any sense of self-preservation. You can punish this trait, or you can channel it for good things.

One mellow, respectful, but insanely courageous male student at a Loudon County public school in Ashburn refused to let his white, middle-aged, leftist teacher force racism on him. The subject was a photo of two smiling young women. The young man described their aspect  "chilling"  only to have the teacher relentlessly demand that the boy define them by their race.

In words that should be engraved on every classroom wall, the boy refused: "Well, at the end of the day, wouldn't that just be feeding into the problem of looking at race instead of just acknowledging them as two normal people?"

The race-obsessed teacher denied this commonsense, all-American attitude. "No," he said. "It's not. Because you can't not look at, you can't look at the people and not acknowledge that there are racial differences."

The teacher is wrong. One can note racial differences in passing, just as one notices freckles, hairstyles, and eye color without doing what the teacher really wanted, which was to ascribe political meaning to race. Or worse, to read a hierarchy of victim and victimizer into it.

I wish I could shake the hands of that young man's parents. They did a splendid job raising their son. Most students won't have that moral courage and will be browbeaten into accepting the teacher's racist premises.

The school district, incidentally, denies that Critical Race Theory is a standard part of its lesson plan. I believe that. If even half of the faculty members are as racially fanatic as that teacher, the district doesn't need to formalize CRT. It's oozing out of the teachers' pores and will inevitably poison the classrooms in which they teach.

Image: Student schools teacher. YouTube screen grab.
ANN ARBOR, MI  The University of Michigan Board of Regents has called a special meeting Friday to address recent events.

Although university officials said they cant confirm it, the meeting, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. April 2, will center around regent Ron Weiser, sources and other media reports say.

Weiser has come under fire for comments he made during a North Oakland Republican Club event on March 26, when he called Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Attorney General 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.

Weiser, Michigan Republican Party chairman, also referenced the concept of assassination when asked what could be done about Republican U.S. Reps. Peter Meijer and Fred Upton, who voted in favor of impeaching former Republican President Donald Trump.

Weisers comments were captured in a video shared on social media.

Since those comments, many have called for Weiser to resign from his UM regent seat, including other UM regents and leaders of the Congregations of Catholic Sisters in Michigan.

In a statement released Wednesday, March 31, UMs Lecturers Employees Organization also called on Weiser to resign immediately. If Weiser chooses not to resign, which he has said he wont, LEO called on the regents to remove Weiser from all committees and his name removed from Weiser Hall, an academic building on campus.

LEO commits to work with other members of the (UM) community to bring other forms of nonviolent pressure to bear on Mr. Weiser to resign his position as regent, should this prove necessary, the statement reads. We stand with women and non-binary members of the UM community in opposition to this hateful rhetoric and pledge to make the university a more inclusive and welcoming place.

Other officials spoke against his comments, including UM President Mark Schlissel, Board of Regents Chairwoman Denise Illitch, Provost Susan Collins and 21 deans at the university, but did not call on him to resign.

Several University of Michigan deans condemn comments made by GOP chairman

Weiser apologized for his comments in a March 27 statement and has since suspended his social media and email accounts due to threats of violence he said he has received in recent days.

Weiser did not immediately return a message seeking comment about the meeting.

There will be no public comment at Fridays meeting, but the public can view the meeting from the main UM website, university officials said.

READ MORE:

Another group asks University of Michigan, GOP chair to resign after witches, assassination comments

Some University of Michigan regents call on Weiser to resign following three witches, assassination comments

Several University of Michigan deans condemn comments made by GOP chairman
Syracuse, NY  A native Syracusan, who graduated Syracuse University before becoming a career prosecutor, is poised to take the reigns of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York.

Carla Freedman, 57, appeared on track to become the districts chief prosecutor Wednesday after U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) recommended her to President Biden. Because the senator and the president are both Democrats, Biden is expected to take Gillibrands suggestion and submit Freedmans name to the Senate for confirmation.

Sources had floated Freedmans name as a candidate for the post earlier this week. Gillibrand confirmed the recommendation in a 1 p.m. news release Wednesday.

After graduating SU, Freedman got her law degree from New York University before cutting her teeth in the Manhattan district attorneys office from 1988 to 2004 under longtime DA Robert Morgenthau. She specialized in gang prosecutions.

Three years later, she returned to Syracuse as a federal prosecutor, rising to become chief of the districts narcotics unit, opioid coordinator and lead task force attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

If everything goes as expected, Freedman will become the first woman nominated and confirmed by the Senate to lead the sprawling Upstate federal prosecutors office, Gillibrand noted in the news release.

Freedman would replace another woman, current acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette Bacon, who was appointed by former President Trump in a temporary capacity, but was never confirmed by the Senate.

Im proud to recommend Carla Freedman to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District. She is an accomplished and passionate attorney who has dedicated her career to equal justice under the law, Gillibrand said in a news release, calling Freedman a brilliant legal leader, and a woman of outstanding character.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement he agrees with Gillibrands recommendation of Freedman for U.S. Attorney. The states senior senator had deferred to Gillibrand to make the announcement and recommendation.

Carla Freedman is a talented and deeply experienced attorney with the rare combination of legal acumen, management experience, and vision to make her a wonderful  and historic  choice to lead New Yorks Northern District, Schumer said.

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) also supported Freedmans nomination, noting that he had supervised her during his time as a federal gang prosecutor.

I witnessed firsthand her astounding work ethic, meticulous work product, and zeal for justice, Katko said in a statement. By any measure, Carla Freedman is a superb prosecutor who has a dogged determination to do the right thing, whatever that may be.

The 32-county Northern New York federal district sprawls from Central New York and parts of the Southern Tier up to the North Country and east to the Capital Region. It has not had a permanent U.S. Attorney since Grant Jaquith departed in September 2020 to to become a federal appellate judge for veterans claims. His replacement, Bacon, has overseen the office since then.

Freedmans confirmation would bring the districts chief prosecutor back to Syracuse. The downtown federal building had housed the districts chief prosecutor for decades before Jaquith, who ran the office from Albany. Bacon followed suit.

Freedman has made the news frequently over the years in regards to a myriad of drug prosecutions, from cocaine to molly. She personally prosecuted bath salts cases back in the early 2010s -- including head shop owner John Tebbetts -- when that type of synthetic marijuana was plaguing Central New York.

Retired Assistant U.S. Attorney John Duncan recalls prosecuting a different synthetic marijuana trial with Freedman involving former Common Council candidate Bill Harper.

Shes very methodical, very hard-working, Duncan told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard of Freedman.

Freedman comes from a family with Syracuse roots: her father, Michael, was the chairman of SUs anthropology department, while her mother, Paula, was deputy director of the Onondaga County Youth Bureau.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Two Democratic state lawmakers will face off Wednesday in a runoff to determine who will be the partys nominee in a special election for New Mexicos vacant seat in the House of Representatives.

The Democratic Party of New Mexico announced Tuesday night that state Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and state Rep. Melanie Stansbury were the top vote-getters during an election decided by members of the partys state central committee on Tuesday. Sedillo Lopez earned 37.2% of the vote and Stansbury received 21.6%.

There were eight candidates in the race that was decided by about 200 members of the state central committee.

Because neither candidate earned more than 50% of the vote, the two finalists will head to a runoff, which will also be voted on by the state central committee.

Sedillo Lopez had a strong showing Tuesday. Of the 199 party officials who voted in the election, she earned 74 votes and Stansbury received 43 votes.

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Albuquerque attorney Randi McGinn was the first candidate left out of the runoff. She received 34 votes.

The Democratic party is focused on running a fair election in accordance with our rules and state law, said Marg Elliston, the chair of the state Democratic Party. I want to extend my gratitude to all of the incredible candidates who will not be advancing. Were grateful to all of our candidates for running strong, issue-focused campaigns, and we look forward to determining our nominee in the coming days.

The candidates are seeking the House seat that is vacant after Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland resigned after being confirmed to the Cabinet position. Whoever wins between Sedillo Lopez and Stansbury will be the Democratic partys nominee in a June 1 special election.

Over the weekend, the Republican party selected state Sen. Mark Moores as its candidate. And New Mexico Libertarians tapped Chris Manning, a Farmington war veteran, as its nominee.
NASHVILLE - A woman living in Rossville, Georgia is charged with TennCare fraud for allegedly reporting she lived in Tennessee for the purpose of obtaining healthcare insurance benefits through TennCare.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of sheriffs departments in Hamilton County, Tennessee and Walker County, Georgia, today announced the arrest of 23-year old Tracy Farthing. She is charged with TennCare fraud and theft of services, which are class D felonies. Investigators allege that Farthing resided in Georgia when she reported a Tennessee address to TennCare for the purpose of obtaining health care services through TennCare. As a result, TennCare paid more than $8,470 in fees and claims on behalf of Farthing and her son.

We appreciate the efforts of sheriffs officers in Tennessee and Georgia in this arrest, Inspector General Kim Harmon said. Their collaborative efforts with our office help us make sure state and federal dollars in TennCare are reserved for Tennesseans.

The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney General Neal Pinkston of Hamilton County.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated more than 5,760 criminal cases leading to more than $10.8 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 3,107 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

The OIGs most wanted for TennCare fraud are posted online at https://www.tn.gov/finance/fa-oig/fa-oig-most-wanted.html. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is urged to use the contact information on the page.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982, toll-free or by logging on to www.tn.gov/oig/ and following the prompts that read Report TennCare fraud.
24 March 2021

WAF Press release/statement in Support of Women in Turkey

Womens Action Forum is appalled that Turkeys government has announced its withdrawal from the international Istanbul Convention, an accord designed to prevent, prosecute and eliminate all forms of domestic violence that ironically enough is named after the city in which it was launched 10 years ago: Istanbul, Turkeys famous city.

The Istanbul Convention is the worlds first binding treaty intended to specifically prevent and prosecute all forms of domestic violence as well as sexual harassment, sexual violence, forced marriages, forced abortions and sterilisations amongst other things. WAF is deeply concerned that the withdrawal is tantamount to the Government condoning domestic violence and sending a signal that it is okay to beat, maltreat and even kill women at home. We also fear this may encourage other states to backtrack on commitments made or stall measures to protect respect and promote womens human rights in the domestic and public spheres.

We therefore urge the government of Turkey to withdraw the decision and fully implement the convention. Womens Action Forum stands in solidarity with all our Turkish sisters who are strongly protesting this decision.

.

Social media please use

Hashtags from Turkish women

@KadinKaolisayonu

# IstanbulSozlesmesiYasatir

# IstanbulSozlemesiBizim

There is also statement e.g.

Turkey must rejoin the Istanbul Convention to end domestic violence & implement the convention #EndVAWG

One tweet from Major Womens Group

Strong violation of womens human rights happened today in Turkey-withdrawing Istanbul Convention. International community must take an action to remind that.

Actual sites not opening any more

https://en.morcati.org.tr/news/we-refuse-to-withdraw-from-the-istanbul-convention/ #EndVAWG

Site not opening

https://en.morcati.org.tr/news/we-refuse-to-withdraw-from-the-istanbul-convention/ #EndVAWG
The minister says with the support of the National Assembly, his ministry will consolidate on its current strides and ultimately achieve sustainable tranquillity.

Despite rising crimes and violent attacks across the nation, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, on Tuesday, said the military has recorded a progressive return of peace to the North-east region "and other parts of the country".

He stated this when the Senate Committee on Defence, led by its Chairman, Aliyu Wamakko, visited the ministry for oversight.

Mr Magashi, a retired major general, who said Nigeria had been contending with diverse internal security challenges, noted that peace was returning to some parts of the country affected by insurgents.

"Nigeria has been contending with diverse internal security challenges even as it grapples with the unconventional warfare waged against her by the terrorist group, Boko Haram and banditry in some states like Niger, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara," he said.

"The armed forces are confronting the emerging threat of banditry in other parts of the country especially in the North-central and the North-west.

"These challenges have tasked the constructive capabilities of our armed forces with attendant losses of our gallant officers and men in the line of duty.

"The armed forces have continued to contend with the challenges of ensuring insurgents' intermittent incursions are constantly repelled.

"However, we have achieved a level of tranquillity."

The minister, however, said that with the support of the National Assembly, the ministry would consolidate on its current strides and ultimately achieve sustainable tranquillity.

In his remarks, Mr Wamakko said he was confident that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges.

"The entire country wants to know where we are in terms of security. I am confident that we will overcome our challenges as daunting as they are," he said.

More funding

Meanwhile, the Director-General, Defence Research and Development Bureau, Ubrufih Uzezi, an air vice marshal, on Tuesday, appealed to the National Assembly to increase its annual budgetary allocation for research and development.

Mr Uzezi made the appeal when the committee visited the bureau in Abuja, for oversight.

Providing a breakdown of the bureau's budget performance for 2019 and 2021, Mr Uzezi lamented the paucity of funds for research and called for more funds to be allocated to the bureau.

He said an upward review of the funds for research would enable the military to effectively prosecute the war against insurgency in the North-east, as well as tackle other security challenges in other parts of the country.

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"The money appropriated has been well spent and for the things we are doing, a lot has to do with funding to solve a lot of problems that our troops are facing in the North-east, North-west and North-central; the issue of insurgency, banditry.

"For the 2019-2020 budget you will see that a very paltry sum was given to research and development. Research and development cost a lot of money," Mr Uzezi said.

The director-general further said Nigeria was experiencing a lot of insecurity, especially in the North-east, which required the military to prosecute with superior firepower; pointing out that the military research centre was expected to be the driving force.

"Our country is going through very challenging times and the armed forces is at the fore of resolving the challenges that we are facing," he said.

"And for any armed forces to function effectively, they need equipment, they need capabilities that are technology-dependent.

"I believe that those who initiated the idea of a bureau like this to be established, foresaw and indeed there is no country that can attain self- reliance in technology without research and development."

In his opening remarks, Mr Wamakko said the visit was aimed at carrying out a first-hand assessment of the military facility with a view to understanding its challenges.

"We are here as part of our mandate to have an assessment of the constraints. We want to also hear about your 2019 and 2021 capital budget. We are concerned about the security situation, what is being done and what the constraints are. We are here to have a first-hand assessment", he said.
President Joe Biden plans to allow a pandemic-related ban on visas for certain temporary workers, enacted by former President Donald Trump, to expire Wednesday, according to people familiar with the matter.

The moratorium, which affected H-1B visas used by technology companies to hire foreign coders and engineers, was imposed last June. Biden is opting not to renew it, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the decision hasnt been announced. The White House declined to comment.

Bidens decision will please business groups, which had pressured the administration to lift the ban ever since the new president took office. Executives have grown frustrated that the directive was not immediately revoked, arguing it hurt U.S. companies.

Trumps restrictions on guest-worker visas, which also covered non-agricultural seasonal laborers, au pairs and others, had been under review by the Biden administration.

Biden last month withdrew a related Trump executive order that stopped the issuance of new green cards, citing the pandemic -- a move that drastically cut legal immigration to the U.S. Trump had argued the policies were necessary to protect the American economy as it emerged from the pandemic-induced recession.

To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here," Biden said in a presidential proclamation at the time. It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world."

The ban on guest-worker visas was not revoked at the same time. Temporary work visas are unpopular with labor unions and other worker groups who argue that they put American workers at a disadvantage to their foreign counterparts.

Despite the Trump administrations extension of the visa ban at the end of 2020, opponents of the restrictions had already found some success in court.

A federal judge in California granted a preliminary injunction on Oct. 1 in a lawsuit brought by several large business groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The groups argued Trump exceeded his authority by imposing immigration restrictions in his June 22 proclamation.

The Trump Justice Department appealed that ruling to the San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In February, the appellate court requested a status report from the parties by April 7.

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Sri Lanka's Catholic church called Monday for the former president and his officials to be prosecuted for failing to prevent the suicide bombings two years ago that killed 279 people.

An investigation ordered by ex-leader Maithripala Sirisena soon after the April 21 bombings found that he and his intelligence officials had precise information from India about the impending attack 17 days earlier, but failed to prevent it.

The report, parts of which were released last month, held Sirisena -- now a member of successor Gotabaya Rajapaksa's party -- criminally liable.

"It is absolutely necessary to prosecute without any hesitation and further delays all those political leaders and officials... seconded for prosecution in the report," Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said in a statement, without directly naming Sirisena.

He said such individuals must be held accountable "for shirking their duty so callously and doing absolutely nothing to prevent the massacre".

The statement -- signed by 12 other Sri Lankan church leaders -- warned they would organise a national demonstration next month if those named in the report were not prosecuted.

In March, the church had asked the faithful to wear black and attend Sunday Mass as a sign of protest against the delay in ensuring justice for the victims.

The church also called for an ongoing investigation to cover military and intelligence officers said to have had contacts with the local jihadist who led the coordinated suicide bombings.

The inquiry heard testimony from officials who claimed that jihadist Zahran Hashim had dealings with security forces during the country's Tamil separatist war that ended in May 2009.

Church leaders urged a further investigation.

Sri Lanka has arrested over 200 people in connection with the attacks, but is yet to prosecute a single individual.

However, the US Justice Department in January charged three Sri Lankans with supporting terrorism for their alleged participation in the attacks, which were claimed by the Islamic State group.

All three are in custody in Sri Lanka but have not been charged locally. The Justice Department said it would support their prosecution in the country.

At least 45 foreigners, including five Americans, were among those killed.
That the financial services sector is regulated and under the "licence-format" is well-known. This includes banks, non-bank lending entities, ARCs, mutual funds, wealth management firms, insurance companies, microfinance institutions, and payment entities.

The widely held perception that the licence is worth a valuation-premium is misplaced.

Almost every financial services brand that expanded into multiple other financial services spaces, had this "license-scarcity" mentality and got into those businesses. Of course, the strategic pitch to their investors in explaining the diversification could have been - "to capture the share of wallet of the consumers &/or to offer complete financial products needed by the over 1.2 billion Indians".

Also Read: Tata Sons plans stake sale in Tata Capital, other financial services units

Needless to say, consumer behaviour when it comes to borrowing ("taking money") is very different from when it comes to "investing" ("giving money"). So obviously, unless there is a strong brand-pull and superior product(s), the consumers don't use the same brand for all their financial needs.

Many of such companies in the Indian financial services space have sub-standard operations &/or sub-scale business volumes, that it does not make economic sense for them to be in that business at all. And it does not solve anything for the consumers' financial needs. Sub-scale companies cannot afford to attract cutting-edge talent and hence the consumers end up paying a heavy price. If the sponsors of these sub-scale companies are further low in their ability to bring additional equity capital, greater issues arise.

Most BFSI sectors also have their own industry associations. The usual thumb-rule works in favour of big-boys who dominate the industry with their sheer size and share of consumer acquisition. Smaller entities may not have the necessary influencing power to voice their opinions or even to share their business challenges.

Regulatory idea

For BFSI regulators and supervisors, their responsibility includes handling these sub-scale businesses too. It would take similar effort, trained (and much scarce) supervisory manpower, time, and cost to regulate and supervise these entities, compared to large-scale businesses. A consumer-friendly regulator has to solve all consumer issues regarding any of their industry brands - irrespective of their scale of business.

Also Read: Soon, AI-based robots to replace financial advisers: Oracle study

Regulators are also expected to steer the sector towards stable growth, in a way to better the offerings for consumers. In this endeavour, the regulators would want to increase financial literacy, build industry scale, product choices, and a talented sector that can contribute to national economic growth and social development.

To be efficient for all stakeholders' benefit, can the financial services regulators have simple licencing conditions?

"If the industry-entrants (licence applicants) don't achieve certain business scale within a set time (say five years), do those sponsors lose their sponsor status and have to compulsorily merge their current-ops into an existing player to achieve a certain scale?"

This would ensure the attention and seriousness of business-sponsors in choosing the right talent and business model mix, be prudent about capital allocation, and focused on consumer insights of their financial product needs.

Mere license-hoarding won't help anyone.

(The author is an independent markets commentator.)
(Reuters) - The England squad are not planning a social media boycott to tackle online racism and bullying but may discuss it if the problem continues, midfielder Declan Rice said.

England coach Gareth Southgate said players should consider joining former France international Thierry Henry in quitting social media to avoid online abuse.

Henry, 43, last week deleted his social media accounts to protest against platforms for not taking action against anonymous account holders who are guilty of racism and bullying.

"There's been way too much, within the last year especially, with social media abuse, things being said," West Ham United midfielder Rice said.

"For someone like me who runs my own account and has that interaction and love with the fans ... I don't have any problems with social media. I think it's important that a player like me can have that interaction with fans.

"But ... Henry has obviously boycotted. I've seen (Gareth) Bale come out and say something. Maybe it's a decision that may be spoken about in the future between the players, but at the moment, no."

England, who top their 2022 World Cup qualifying group with six points after two games, host Poland later on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Toyota Celebrates 25th Anniversary As A Hoosier - Launches Hybrid Sienna Minivan

Come'on Ladies Time To V-up!

PRINCETON, Ind. (March 31, 2021)  Toyota Indiana has celebrated numerous milestones over the past year6 millionth vehicle, 2 millionth Highlander and 30 millionth U.S. assembled vehiclejust to name a few. During an event today, Toyota Indiana celebrated the companys all-new, all-hybrid 2021 Sienna. And, theres even more to celebrate!

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the facilitys groundbreaking. To kick off this milestone, the company cemented their dedication to the community by pledging a major gift at todays gathering.

Toyota Indiana president, Leah Curry, announced a $1 million-dollar donation to the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana to create a new facility in Gibson County, which will be located in the heart of downtown Princeton at the site of what was once Lowell Elementary School.

Were proud of the work we do and everything weve built through the yearsin the plant and in the community, said Toyota Indiana president, Leah Curry. The new Toyota Indiana YMCA will provide access to all, helping Gibson county residents with the resources they need to live better lives. And a resilient community benefits us all.

The nonprofit has plans to create areas for a STEM lab, teaching kitchen, gymnasium, childcare area and more with a timeline to open January 2022.

This project came about in answer to a need and aligns perfectly with our mission, said YMCA of Southwestern Indiana President & CEO, Jonathan Pope. By collaborating with a community partner like Toyota, we will be able to offer access to wellness programs and activities. But, more importantly, we will provide a community resource for the entire family.

And, as a mobility company would, Toyota Indiana gifted the Gibson County Veterans Services the keys to a brand new 2021 Sienna. The Siennaamong Toyotas most American vehicleswill help remove transportation barriers and enable the organization to continue to serve local veterans as they so graciously served their country. Whats more American for a veteran than a vehicle designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S.?
A woman claims she was fired from evangelical radio star Dave Ramsey's company because she fell pregnant.

Former administrative assistant Caitlin O'Connor filed a federal lawsuit against Tennessee-based Ramsey Solutions late last year, alleging bosses gave her the boot when she told them she was expecting.

O'Connor alleges her termination is a violation of the Family Medical Leave Act and says she was discriminated against because of her gender.

But in a motion to dismiss the case, Ramsey Solutions now says O'Connor was actually terminated because she had premarital sex.

Ramsey Solutions - a media and events company - say they have terminated at least eight other employees for engaging in premarital sex since 2015. Sex outside of marriage is a violation of the company's 'core values'.

Five of those terminated have been men. Thus, the company claims that O'Connor was in no way discriminated against because she is a woman.

O'Connor was not married to her partner at the time she announced her pregnancy, meaning that she inadvertently admitted to having sex outside of wedlock.

Tennessee is an 'at-will state' meaning private companies are able to fire employees for reasons not protected by law.

A woman claims she was fired from evangelical radio star Dave Ramsey's company because she fell pregnant. Ramsey's business has hit back saying she was booted for having premarital sex - a violation of its values

Caitlin O'Connor filed a federal lawsuit against Tennessee-based Ramsey Solutions late last year, alleging bosses gave her the boot when she told them she was expecting last June

According to a report in The Tennessean, Ramsey has a list of 14 core values that he has described as 'righteous living.'

According to the motion submitted by Ramsey Solutions, the company 'does not maintain an exhaustive list of conduct that can lead to employee discipline because 'it is neither practical nor required'.

Rather, the company's handbook simply states: 'Should a team member engage in behavior not consistent with traditional Judeo-Christian values or teaching, it would damage the image and the value of our good will and our brand.

'If this should occur, the team member would be subject to review, probation, or termination.'

O'Connor claims the fact that the company handbook does not explicitly ban premarital sex is crucial.

She says her interpretation of Christianity does not preclude sex outside of marriage.

O'Connor says she believes that 'Christianity should not be punitive, hateful, vengeful, or judgmental' and that it does not 'give a right to invade people's private lives.'

According to a report in The Tennessean, Ramsey has a list of 14 core values that he described as 'righteous living'

Meanwhile, one legal scholar told The Tennessean that termination for premarital sex may actually still be discriminatory to women, because male employees are more easily able to hide such activities.

'It is going to be more obvious if a woman is engaging in premarital sex than a man [if she falls pregnant],' the professor stated.

Ramsey Solutions is based in the city of Franklin and boasts several hundred employees.

The company hit headlines last year when it hosted a maskless indoor Christmas party in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Ramsey - who has a popular syndicated radio show - has expressed skepticism as to the severity of the coronavirus.
Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, MP, Secretary of the Parliamentary Committee for Ukraines integration into the EU, Co-Chair of the Group for Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Finland

The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is ongoing since 2014. Seven years of a debilitating war for our state, occupied Crimea and Donbas, civilian casualties, almost daily military losses, over a million of IDPs, hundreds of illegally imprisoned by Putins regime Ukrainians. Ukraine has temporally lost control over some of its territories but proved to be a strong and reliable shield to protect the EU from further Russian aggression.

Nevertheless, the strongest weapon against the aggressive and hostile regimes is the multilateral international sanctions. The more intense and the better such restrictive measures are coordinated internationally, the more effective they are.

Today, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and others  41 countries in total  keep sectoral and individual economic sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine. Bloomberg Economics estimated the losses suffered by the Russian economy during the sanctions period (2014-2019) at 10% or 150 billion US dollars compared to figures expected if no restrictive measures have been imposed.

Having adopted the Law on Sanctions in 2014, Ukraine has also imposed a number of its restrictive anti-Russia measures. However, the Law is often described as "smoke screen" and almost ineffective. The sanctions policy of Ukraine, to include its legal regulations, has significant shortcomings and requires improvements by incorporating the best international experience in applying restrictive measures.

Firstly, one of the reasons for the poor effectiveness of national legislation is the unclear terminology in the field of imposing sanctions.

Secondly, the legal regulations lack a mechanism to control and monitor imposition of sanctions.

Thirdly, the Law lacks any provisions that preclude going beyond sanctions, including the possibility of using controlled companies registered in other countries.

Fourthly, there is no proper control over money/goods from Russia, which are received by the strategically crucial enterprises of Ukraine.

Fifthly, unlike the US legislation, that imposes severe penalties for violation of sanctions, Ukraines legal regulations lack any stipulation for obligations of legal entities and individuals to abide by the sanctions regime and be responsible for its violations. The rules on liability for breaches the sanctions regime make the law ineffective, thus there is no case of imposing a fine on a company or an individual during six years of its existence, unlike the US and the EU countries practice.

The success of the EU and the US sanctions is due not only to existence and effective performance of the supervisory authorities; it is also inevitability of the punishment for a breach, and the transparency of sanctions policy. In particular, this transparency is achieved by communications on imposing sanctions to persons liable for breaches, with detailed explanations of the reasons, calculation of fines and conditions to be met for relief or eliminating sanctions.

I think that the existence of the Law "On Sanctions", providing for no systematic sanctions process, its proper methodical support and the strategy of imposing sanctions, cannot counter not only the Russian invasion, but it has also causes reputational damage to our country on the international stage.

Whereas, I am convinced the sanctions must be expanded and imposed primarily for the aggression of the Russian Federation, its military crimes, crimes against humanity and other crimes that have occurred and are occurring on the temporarily occupied territories.

As a Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, I drafted a Law On the National and International Sanctions.

My draft law, inter alia, specifies how sanctions  national and international  should be imposed, implemented and monitored in Ukraine by all authorities, citizens and legal entities.

In particular, I propose that the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, together with the State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine, should be the central executive body that implements and monitors the sanctions policy. It is a reliable agency that is supposed to control and monitor primarily the financial, economic and other aspects of sanctions.

While improving the existing sanctioning mechanisms I would also strongly recommend that Ukraine and the allies consider related information from NGOs, civil activists, experts in the field and investigative journalists, especially when it comes to personal targeting and sanctioning or violation of the applied restrictive measure.

It is my conviction that the adoption of such a law will strengthen Ukraines position both in the Normandy Format and in the Minsk process in regard to deoccupation and the restoration of peace.

Sadly, the Nordic countries learnt from their own history what occupation and aggression from the East is. But it brings us closer in confronting Russias aggression.

While sanctions remain a key tool in pressuring the aggressor to change its hostile foreign policy, the multilateral international sanctions against Russia must be extended and strengthened till the complete deoccupation of Ukraine.
The Old Town Road rapper sparked major controversy when he released his Satan Shoes on Palm Sunday, along with his new music video, Montero (Call Me By Your Name), which shows Lil Nas X dancing explicitly with the devil.

The 21-year-old rapper announced the collaboration with the company MSCHF, a Brooklyn-based streetwear brand. The limited-release red and black sneakers purportedly contain one drop of human blood. They also include a pentagram, along with the verse reference Luke 10:18 which speaks to satans fall from heaven. The production made 666 pairs of the sneaker and sold them for $1,018 each.

Nike hurriedly distanced itself from Lil Nas Xs Satan Shoes, saying they had nothing to do with the rappers sneakers. While MSCHF used Nike Air Max 97s to create the shoe, Nike was not involved in the project.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was among the many Christians outraged by the vulgar music video and shoe release and trolled by the rapper.

Noem tweeted, Our kids are being told that this kind of product is, not only okay, its exclusive. But do you know whats more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul. We are in a fight for the soul of our nation. We need to fight hard. And we need to fight smart. We have to win.

Lil Nas X responded to the governor, tweeting, ur a whole governor and u on here tweeting about some shoes. Do ur job! Noem replied, What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeits their soul? Matthew 16:26.

Defenders of the song say its artistic expression and of his sexual identity. Lil Nas X made history as the first openly gay black artist to win a CMA Award. Others feel like he has taken it too far with the satan imagery.

Lil Nas X is unapologetic about the video and shoe release. He responded to the uproar on social media about the shoes by posting a video on YouTube called Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe, which ended up being a video cut of him dancing provocatively with Satan. It doesnt appear the rappers trolling will end anytime soon.

Learn more about the controversy behind Lil Nas Xs Satan Shoes in the video below.


It only took one meeting for hopes of a reset in US-China relations under a Biden presidency to evaporate -- instead alliances are fast forming on either side of an old dividing line: democracy.

The mood music ahead of the mid-March meeting in the Alaskan town of Anchorage between the two countries' top diplomats was upbeat, but their meeting quickly collapsed into mud-slinging in a pattern that has not let up since.

Instead, the US has cosied up to its 'Quad' allies in China's backyard -- Japan, India and Australia -- while cajoling the EU, UK and Canada into aiming sanctions at Chinese officials over their treatment of Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region.

China has swung back with tit-for-tat sanctions of its own against several European Union and UK lawmakers, while sealing deals with Iran and reaffirming friendships with Russia and North Korea.

That has opened up a chasm between Beijing and the West, one increasingly explained in ideological terms but framed by bigger fears of competition over tech, trade and defence.

"We are heading towards a bipolar order and a new Cold War between the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys'," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, political science professor at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Biden is hankering after allies to counterbalance China's rise, a departure from the unilateral actions and trade wars of the Trump era, with human rights and democracy emerging as galvanising causes for the new anti-Beijing bloc.

"There is a new sacred union of democracies on (the issues of) Xinjiang, Hong Kong, human rights in China," Cabestan said.

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken again labelled China's treatment of its Uyghur population a "genocide" and vowed to rally allies to the defence of human rights.

- Poles apart -

But the Biden administration's retread of the traditional ground of 'freedom' has deeper aims for democracies challenged by China, said Hua Po, an independent Beijing-based political analyst.

Story continues

Even if the US and their allies have divergent interests, "they agree on the question of human rights. It is a symbol of solidarity," Hua said, amounting to a "multifaceted policy of encirclement" on the strategic, technological and commercial fronts.

In the first face-to-face meeting between China and US diplomats on March 18 in Anchorage, Alaska, civilities quickly fell aside.

China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi furiously attacked US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying the United States "does not represent international public opinion, and neither does the Western world."

Foreign minister Wang Yi has since embarked on a frenzy of friend-making, largely with countries also at loggerheads with the West and the US in particular.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov was received in China last Monday in a meeting which saw both countries agree that "there is no single model for democracy".

Wang followed up with a tour of Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia, where he received Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's support for China's policies in the Xinjiang region, where it has been accused of detaining over a million Uyghur Muslim people.

On Saturday, Wang signed a 25-year strategic and commercial cooperation pact between China and Iran with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

"Beijing is demonstrating that it has friends and other options," said Bonnie Glaser, Senior Adviser for Asia at the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

- 'Policy of encirclement' -

On the US side, the Anchorage talks followed a virtual summit Biden held with India, Australia and Japan under the "Quad" framework, an informal alliance intended to counterbalance China's influence in the Asia-Pacific.

Blinken continued his diplomatic charm offensive in Brussels, where he promised to rebuild the US alliance with the EU against China and Russia.

At the same time, the US, EU, Britain and Canada announced co-ordinated sanctions against a handful of senior Chinese officials deemed responsible for rights abuses in Xinjiang.

These sanctions provoked the fury of Beijing, which took similar measures and then supported a boycott of several western clothing brands, saying that it had no lessons to learn in the area of human rights.

The collapse in relations has seen China's diplomats launch indignant -- and at times bizarre -- attacks on their rivals.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has in turn reminded Germany of the crimes of the Holocaust, France of its massacres in Algeria, the US and UK of the horrors of the slave trade and Canada of its treatment of Indigenous people.

But behind the angst-ridden rhetoric, redemptive notes from the Anchorage meeting have flickered on Chinese state media.

And one expert said there remain hopes for a potential rapprochement over larger shared interests such as climate change and vaccines.

"China is clearly signalling that it wants a stable US-China relationship," CSIS' Glaser said.

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Moldova's parliament on March 31 voted to introduce a 60-day state of emergency to fight the coronavirus pandemic, a decision condemned by allies of pro-Western President Maia Sandu as a ploy to delay early elections.



The Eastern European country of 3.5 million has been in political limbo since Sandu defeated the Moscow-backed incumbent Igor Dodon in the presidential election last November.



Moldova had recorded 228,370 coronavirus cases and 4,915 deaths as of the evening of March 30. Acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi said the rate of infection had climbed to 635 per 100,000 over the past two weeks.



Ciocoi said the measure was needed to contain the rapid spread of the virus, reduce the pressure on hospitals, and give the government more powers to enforce lockdown measures that were being resisted.



"Two patients apply for every vacant bed," he told parliament. Fifty-two out of the 101 members of parliament voted in favor of the measure.

Sandu is pushing for a snap election to consolidate her power after accusing parliament, which is controlled by Dodon's Socialist party, of undermining her authority and her anti-corruption agenda.



Dan Perciun of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which Sandu led before winning the presidency, said the vote was solely designed to delay snap parliamentary elections, which cannot legally be held during a state of emergency.



Sandu and Dodon have wrestled over the formation of an interim government, putting forward rival candidates for prime minister.



Sandu has asked the Constitutional Court to allow her to dissolve parliament in order to break the deadlock.

With reporting by Reuters and Interfax
Activists demonstrate near the Hennepin County Government Center following the start of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on March 29, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who is accused of murder in the death of George Floyd. Indian American writer Neera Kuckreja Sohoni says the Floyd video vividly captures how justice is administered by some of its rogue officers who can be beastly when tackling crime. But it is its racist roots that really shook this country and in fact much of the world. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Gandhinagar, April 1 : With an intention to provide more space and time to the police in discharging their duties, the Gujarat government on Wednesday amended the provisions of Section 195 of the CrPC by passing the Criminal Procedure (Gujarat) Amendment Bill, 2021 on the penultimate day of the Budget session of the state Assembly amid opposition from the Congress.

Passed in the House on the basis of majority, the amendment Bill allows the police to file chargesheet which the court shall take cognisance of, eliminating the process of framing of chargesheet by the appallete authorities.

Section 195 of the CrPC made it mandatory for the public servant (the magistrate or the police commissioner) to issue the notification to the complainant against the violators of Section 144 of CrPC (for violating the notification) in the event if the police need to take legal action against incidents of violation under Section 188 of the IPC (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).

The new amendment will empower the police to directly file an FIR against the violators of the notification under Clause 144.

Tabling the bill in the House, state Home Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja said that Section 195 of the CrPC prohibited the courts from taking cognisance of the offences except on a complaint in writing from the public servant who has issued the notification under Section 144 of the CrPC.

The amendment will facilitate registration of criminal cases based on the information received from the police officers regarding commission of cognisable offences under Sections 174-A and 188 of the IPC.

Jadeja said, "The law can be stable but not directionless, and looking at the present circumstances, there is a need to make some changes." However, the leader of opposition Paresh Dhanani disagreed with the justification given by the Home Minister.

"This amendment is giving the powers of a magistrate to an advocate. The Clause 144 has been constantly used against the public for an average of 300 days a year, in some or the other parts of the state. According to the existing provision, only the district magistrate or the police commissioner was empowered to issue the notification under Clause 144. According to the Criminal Procedure Act, 1973, Clause 195, it was mandatory for a public servant to become the complainant against the violator, meaning that if a notification under Clause 144 was violated, the notifier had to be the complainant," said Dhanani.

"Through this amendment, an attempt is being made to cuff the peaceful protester's expression of disagreement towards the government through notification issued under Clause 144. The common man will be put behind bars through this notification, if he or she wishes to express his or her dissent, which is his/her right," added Dhanani.

"In the existing provision, the police's role was that of an advocate who had to file charges and prove them regarding the notification issued by the magistrate. According to the amendment, the powers of a magistrate will be accorded to an advocate. I request the Home Minister not to go ahead with this amendment, which will blunt the sharpness of democracy of expression of dissent in the coming days," Dhanani said.
A 13-year-old Primary Seven candidate in Mpigi District has given birth to a baby boy during a Mathematics examination in the ongoing Primary Leaving Examinations.

The incident happened at St Balikuddembe Primary School, Jalamba Ward in Buwama Town Council, Mpigi District.

The girl, according to Mr Godfrey Ssemanda, the head teacher of the school, developed labour pains during a Mathematics examination.

"After 20 minutes, she alerted the invigilator who called colleagues and rushed the girl to a nearby medical centre," Mr Ssemanda said.

Ms Goreth Mirembe, the nurse at the clinic said that after helping the girl to deliver, she was taken back to the school to complete her paper in an isolated environment.

Mr Ssemanda said that the invigilator gave the girl extra 45 minutes to write the examination.

"She also wrote the paper and this morning [Wednesday], she's here to write another paper," Mr Ssemanda said on Wednesday morning.

The girl's parents attributed their daughter's pregnancy to last year's Covid-19 lockdown.

"She was lured into conjugal acts during this Covid-19 lockdown by a certain boy because they were not going to school," one of the parents said.
How To Be Eligible For An E-Transfer Payday Loan?

Dealing with the remaining days before the next paycheck comes in is probably one of the most frustrating scenarios experienced by the workforce in different sectors. It is common to face financial challenges before you get your next pay regardless of a well-crafted budget that you may have. Unforeseen expenses like car repairs or medical bills usually necessitate the need for extra money. If you find yourself in this situation, the only viable option that you can consider is getting a payday loan. However, there are different things that you should do to be eligible for this kind of loan. Read on to learn the steps you can take to improve your eligibility for an E-Transfer payday loan.

Why E-Transfer Payday Loan?

E-Transfer payday loans are digitally based, and they are quite convenient since the funds are transferred through an e-Transfer. A payday loan is a short-term credit service that is designed to help workers to cover cash flow challenges in between paychecks. The loan includes annual percentage rates (APRs), and these are applied to the money you borrow. Repayment of the money should be on or before your next paycheck. In other words, this type of loan is more like a salary advance, but the only difference is that it comes with interest.

Traditionally, people used to visit the lender and apply for loans directly. However, the e-Transfer service has made the loan application process convenient and more accessible. While e-transfer payday loans are increasingly becoming popular, accessing them can be tricky if you fail to satisfy the lender's requirements.

Provide Proof of Income

First and foremost, you must know that payday lenders are in business, and they are interested in dealing with people who have a steady income. While your credit score might not affect your eligibility to get a short-term credit, the lender wants to know if you have a stable source of income. Therefore, you must provide proof of revenue to be eligible to get a payday loan. As the term payday loan suggests, this kind of credit is specially designed for employed people. The borrowers should repay the money they borrow on or before their next paycheck.

Other lenders can only approve loan applications for people who earn a specific gross income per month. Additionally, you must be with the same employer for at least three months to be eligible to get a payday loan. As you can see, payday loans are not for everyone. The lenders are not worried about your credit score. The major assurance they need from the applicant is a stable source of income.

Choose the Right Lender

Payday lenders significantly differ in their operations. You need to shop around to obtain a great loan. You can get e-transfer loans at any time by applying online and providing all the required details. It is essential to stick with reputable lenders to increase your chances of getting the credit you want. It is essential to contact the lender first and get details about the requirements to get a loan before submitting your application.

Provide Your Details

You need to provide verifiable personal details to the lender as part of the loan application process. You must input your name, ID number, phone number, email address, and physical address. Make sure that the information you provide is error-free, or else your application may be declined. With new technology, it is very simple to verify the details provided by the applicant. Therefore, you should never be tempted to falsify information, in a hope that this will increase your chances of getting a loan. Instead, this can only jeopardize your application.

Provide Your Borrowing Needs

The lender will require your borrowing needs, so you must indicate the total amount you wish to get. You should note that the money you want to borrow should not exceed the amount that you earn on your paycheck. In most cases, the lenders restrict the amount you can borrow to 50% of your total income. This will help you to repay the loan plus interest when you get your next paycheck. A payday loan must be paid in full, on or before your paycheck. If you fail to repay your credit on time, you may be penalized and charged higher interest. Therefore, it is essential to understand all the terms and conditions of the loan before signing the agreement.

You Should be a Canadian Citizen

Payday loans are specifically designed for Canadian citizens. If you do not have citizenship, you may not be eligible to get a payday loan. All payday loan applicants should be above 19 years, and there is certainly no compromise on this requirement. The other important aspect is that you must have a valid bank account with a reputable institution in Canada. Additionally, you must also be willing to have your money deposited directly into your account. All the funds are transferred electronically, so you must provide correct banking details to facilitate a smooth transfer of funds.

Dealing with the period between paychecks can be challenging for different workers. Even if you have a perfect budget, unforeseen financial needs may arise before you get your pay. When you are in such a situation, an e-Transfer payday loan can be a viable option that you can consider. With todays digital lifestyle, e-Transfer loan offers convenience, efficiency, and a quick approval process. You can apply for this type of loan online in the comfort of your home, and the funds will be deposited into your account shortly.

However, getting a payday loan might not be as easy as it sounds since the lenders demand different things before approving any loan application. To be eligible to get an e-Transfer payday loan, you must be employed and earning a stable income. You also need to provide your details, must be over 19 years and a Canadian citizen. To get the best loan, you must shop around so that you deal with a reliable lender. Above all, you must understand all the terms and conditions before you sign any loan agreement.

By Steve Barker

 2021 Copyright Steve Barker - All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




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Especially after more than a year out of the classroom, ensuring our kids brains get more in-person education should be a no-brainer.

State lawmakers have wisely approved legislation that funds extended learning next school year for districts willing to participate. But they stopped short of making it mandatory, so assuming Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs the measure, its up to school districts around the state to opt in. Opting in is exactly what should happen, because its the right thing to do for students  many of whom have suffered significant learning loss during New Mexicos extended in-person learning shutdown due to COVID-19.

While it would have been better for the state to make the program mandatory for all public schools, the legislation puts up $280 million to pay for extra days. And it allows schools to implement the additional time  typically 25 days under the K-5 Plus program or 10 extra days for other grades  in ways they believe are most effective and efficient. And this is NOT an unfunded mandate. Teachers will be compensated for the extra time, making an average of 6% more under extended learning or 14% more under K-5 Plus. Educators need to recognize a longer school year will become the new template.

Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, a retired teacher, said that the state has seen promising results with the programs and that theyre even more crucial now because we are facing massive learning loss for our most at-risk students. She said there wasnt enough House support to make the program mandatory.

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The Governors Office has signaled its support, and Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said that because of its flexibility, we fully expect many more districts and schools to adapt an extended school year program in the coming year as a powerful tool to accelerate learning.

Lets hope so.

There is plenty of flexibility. Districts have the ability to add days during winter break or at the beginning or end of a school year. Stewart also said a school could, for example, add extra days for a math boot camp in sixth grade or a robotics program in high school.

While the legislation streamlines the application process, it eliminates extra testing requirements for K-5 Plus students  one of the flaws, because it will be more difficult to measure achievement gains. It requires a good faith attempt to keep students with the same teacher; this is crucial, because there is general agreement students get, by far, the most bang for the buck if they have the same teacher for the extended days of K-5 Plus. Research on New Mexicos current K-5 Plus program shows it was only effective if it was done with the same teacher, said Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rancho. They are from different political parties, but teacher continuity is an essential ingredient Brandt and Stewart agree on. So does Amanda Aragon, executive director of New MexicoKidsCan. Its critical, she said, for schools to keep a cohort of students with the same teacher for the extra learning time.

But that ultimately will be up to local administrators and school boards, and APS and other districts have struggled with finding teachers willing to take on the extra time even if they are being paid. APS had limited participation this year, just 10 elementary schools. Associate Superintendent Antonio Gonzales said the district will evaluate its steps for the 2021-22 academic year once the governor takes final action on the bill.

This is an important piece of education reform  one that focuses on high-quality time in the classroom. Legislators have laid the groundwork and put up the money. Now, its time for the governor to sign it into law and local districts big and small to step up and fully participate.

The positive impact this will have on our students is proven; and after this past year, our children need whatever support we can give them.

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.
Chinese medical team deserves appreciation in fight against COVID-19: Ghanaian diplomat

Xinhua) 16:37, March 31, 2021

ACCRA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese medical team in Ghana deserves appreciation for its immense contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, a Ghanaian diplomat said here Tuesday.

During a meeting with the team, Ghanaian Ambassador to China Edward Boateng said the Chinese medical team has helped Ghana to confront the pandemic as the Ghanaian medical experts are stretched to their limits during the pandemic.

"They are filling the gaps, which is important," Boateng said, adding the Chinese experts have helped alleviate the stressful situation of medical care, especially in areas where they are working.

"Cooperation between the doctors of both countries is really important," said Zhuang Shaohui, chief of the Chinese medical team.

Zhuang said that over the years, the Chinese government has sent 10 batches of medical teams, consisting of top-notch Chinese medical experts, to Ghana.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
HOUSTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL) today announced changes to its executive leadership team structure that will help the Company capitalize on evolving market conditions and better position Bristow for long-term growth. The changes are effective April 1st, as the Company begins its new fiscal year.

"As we continue to make progress on post-merger integration, we are reorganizing Bristow's executive leadership team to enable the transformation of the Company's business mix through strategic diversification into new markets, while redoubling Bristow's commitment to remain the market leader in search and rescue and offshore helicopter solutions," said Chris Bradshaw, President and CEO of Bristow. "These changes will optimize the talents and experience of our existing leadership team members and better align resources with the Company's long-term strategic priorities, which include a focus on new markets such as renewables, additional government services work, and advanced air mobility."

Under the revised structure, the following changes will be made to the executive leadership team:

David Stepanek will become Executive Vice President, Sales and Chief Transformation Officer (CTO). In his new role, Stepanek will be responsible for all sales, marketing and commercial functions of the business. In addition to activities in Bristow's existing end markets, his focus will include the transformation of Bristow's business mix through strategic diversification into new markets.

will become Executive Vice President, Sales and Chief Transformation Officer (CTO). In his new role, Stepanek will be responsible for all sales, marketing and commercial functions of the business. In addition to activities in Bristow's existing end markets, his focus will include the transformation of Bristow's business mix through strategic diversification into new markets. Alan Corbett will continue to lead as Senior Vice President, EAMEA and SAR. Reporting directly to the CEO, Corbett will remain responsible for overseeing Bristow's operations and service delivery in Africa , Australia , Norway , and the U.K., as well as Bristow's UK Search and Rescue operations.

will continue to lead as Senior Vice President, EAMEA and SAR. Reporting directly to the CEO, Corbett will remain responsible for overseeing Bristow's operations and service delivery in , , , and the U.K., as well as Bristow's UK Search and Rescue operations. Samantha Willenbacher will become Senior Vice President, Americas. In this role, Willenbacher will be responsible for Bristow's operations and service delivery in Brazil , Guyana , Suriname, Trinidad , and the United States . She will also work with our partner, Cougar Helicopters Inc., in Canada .

will become Senior Vice President, Americas. In this role, Willenbacher will be responsible for Bristow's operations and service delivery in , , Suriname, , and . She will also work with our partner, Cougar Helicopters Inc., in . Stuart Stavley will assume an expanded role as Senior Vice President, Global Fleet Management, which will include the addition of Supply Chain Management and Global Standards. In this role, he will be responsible for globally standardized maintenance programs and maintenance execution standards, operational standards, MRO and operational software standards, aircraft specifications and lease agreements, as well as all original equipment manufacturer relationships, global supply chain operations and aircraft acquisitions and sales.

will assume an expanded role as Senior Vice President, Global Fleet Management, which will include the addition of Supply Chain Management and Global Standards. In this role, he will be responsible for globally standardized maintenance programs and maintenance execution standards, operational standards, MRO and operational software standards, aircraft specifications and lease agreements, as well as all original equipment manufacturer relationships, global supply chain operations and aircraft acquisitions and sales. Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Whalen will receive the added responsibility of overseeing our Information Technology department. She will also remain responsible for accounting, decision support, financial reporting, internal audit, investor relations, strategy and M&A, tax, and other financial functions of the Company.

will receive the added responsibility of overseeing our Information Technology department. She will also remain responsible for accounting, decision support, financial reporting, internal audit, investor relations, strategy and M&A, tax, and other financial functions of the Company. There are no changes to the roles performed by Crystal Gordon , Senior Vice President, General Counsel; Mary Wersebe , Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer; and James Stottlemyer , Vice President, Health, Safety and Environment.

, Senior Vice President, General Counsel; , Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer; and , Vice President, Health, Safety and Environment. Reporting to Stepanek will be David Martin , who will become Vice President, Commercial and New Markets. In this new role, the Company's regional business development and sales teams focused on existing Bristow markets will report into Martin, and he will also support Stepanek in the pursuit of strategic diversification into new markets.

, who will become Vice President, Commercial and New Markets. In this new role, the Company's regional business development and sales teams focused on existing Bristow markets will report into Martin, and he will also support Stepanek in the pursuit of strategic diversification into new markets. Reporting to Whalen will be Joe Pitzinger as Vice President, Treasurer & Corporate Development.

"As the global leader in vertical flight solutions, Bristow remains steadfast in our commitment to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable service to our valued customers, while also continuing our heritage of progress through continuous improvement and innovation," added Bradshaw. "We believe these changes are aligned with the evolving global Energy Transition and the transformation initiatives that are being implemented by many of our existing customers."

About Bristow Group

Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. Bristow provides commercial search and rescue ("SAR") services in several countries and public sector SAR services in the United Kingdom ("U.K.") on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency ("MCA"). Additionally, the Company also offers ad hoc helicopter and fixed wing transportation services. Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the U.K. and the U.S. To learn more, visit our website at www.bristowgroup.com.

SOURCE Bristow Group

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The same apartment complex on Alabama Street in San Franciscos Mission District has been home to four generations of Deborah Carlos family. Its where she was raised, where she left in the early 90s to protect her son from gang violence, where she moved back a decade later to care for her mother and where her grandchildren were born.

But like many San Franciscans, Carlos is not sure how much longer shell be able to stay. For two years shes been battling an effort by the new property owner to evict the tenants of her rent-controlled building by removing it from the rental market, an outcome she said would probably force her to leave the Bay Area for somewhere cheaper.

My heart hurts, because thinking about all this makes me sad that things changed so much, said Carlos, 61, a retired caregiver. For so many years, things were so wonderful.

These evictions, allowed under a state law called the Ellis Act, are coming under scrutiny again at the state Capitol, where a resurgent tenant rights movement has won several unexpected victories in the past few years that long seemed out of reach.

Lawmakers recently revived legislation that would severely curtail when property owners can invoke the Ellis Act, which gives them a path to exit the rental market by evicting tenants if they plan to move themselves or family members in, sell the units or demolish the building. Tenant rights groups argue that the law has morphed into a tool for speculators to flip a dwindling supply of affordable rental housing in the state.

Theyre in the business of going out of business, said Steve Collier, a staff attorney at the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, which represents more than 250 clients facing Ellis Act evictions in San Francisco, including Carlos.

Collier said the law has been perverted by serial evictors who buy up regulated housing and promptly kick out the tenants. The property owners can make far more money by converting the buildings into single-family homes or condominiums, or tearing them down and building new housing.

You should have to be in the rental business in order to give you a remedy to go out of it, Collier said.

The strains of the coronavirus pandemic on the rental market are also raising alarms among advocates, who worry that struggling property owners may be more inclined than ever to offload their units to corporate interests that will take them off the market.

Peter Dreier, a professor of politics and urban policy at Occidental College, said the state is not producing enough new housing to offset those losses and rein in rents for the lowest-income Californians.

Its much more cost-effective to preserve what weve got, he said.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

A bill introduced this month in the Legislature, AB854, would require that property owners hold onto a unit for at least five years before they can invoke the Ellis Act to evict tenants. It would also restrict their ability to use the law to one property per decade.

Assembly Member Alex Lee, the San Jose Democrat carrying the bill, says the changes would balance the rights of long-term property owners who want to retire from the rental business with protections against speculator abuse.

Lawmakers have unsuccessfully tried to add a holding period to the Ellis Act at least other three times in the past two decades. But Lee said he believes Sacramento has a greater moral urgency to do something now, as the affordable housing shortage spreads far beyond Californias biggest cities. When the Legislature adopted the first-ever statewide cap on rent increases and new eviction protections in 2019, it marked a monumental shift in the political landscape.

Its now in every district, Lee said. Every single person feels it. Right now, I think there is momentum and there is the desire to solve our housing crisis aggressively.

The measure will face determined opposition from organizations representing property owners. Debra Carlton, a lobbyist with the California Apartment Association, said they will not compromise on the Ellis Act, which she characterized as a backstop for owners who are losing money on a rental or need their building for themselves or relatives.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

Tenant advocates argue that property owners who want to exit the market can sell to a new owner. But Carlton said rent-controlled buildings are unlikely to attract a buyer, because the low rents do not cover the mortgage, repairs and other costs.

Rent control creates this cause and effect, and unfortunately, this is one of the effects, she said.

The Coalition for Economic Survival, which organizes tenants in Los Angeles, has tracked about 27,000 removals of rental units in that city over the past 20 years because of the Ellis Act. San Francisco Rent Board records show petitions to withdraw 5,055 units during the same period.

After a dip during the recession a decade ago, San Franciscos numbers surged with the recovery of real estate prices. Nearly a fifth of the petitions over the most recent five years of data available were for units in the Mission, more than any other neighborhood.

The restrictions proposed by Lee could cut rental withdrawals sharply. An analysis of Ellis Act evictions in San Francisco from 2009 through 2013 by the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project found that more than half were filed within a year of the property owner buying the units, and 78% came within five years. The group also determined that from 1997 through 2013, nearly a third of the petitions were from owners who used the Ellis Act on multiple properties.

They certainly dont need to use it, but they realize they can make money with it, said Erin McElroy, founder and co-director of the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project.

That has been the complaint against Michael Campesino, who has bought numerous apartment complexes in the Mission District and is facing multiple lawsuits over his efforts to evict the residents. He has invoked the Ellis Act for at least two of his properties in the past two years, including the five-unit building where Carlos lives.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

Carlos said that even before Campesino took ownership of her building in November 2018, he called the residents into a meeting, told them he couldnt afford to maintain the property with the rents they were paying and offered them each $100,000 to move out. The rent on Carlos three-bedroom apartment is about $870 per month, a fraction of the market rate.

The tenants declined to leave and within four months, in March 2019, Campesino served them notice of his intent to withdraw the units, starting a legal battle that has played out for more than two years.

Campesino said he is trying to unlock the value of buildings that have been stifled by rent control by converting them into tenancies in common, an arrangement in which residents purchase a share of the property rather than a unit. He said he gives tenants generous buyout offers that they can use as down payments for a home.

My interest is turning every tenant in San Francisco into an owner. I think well be better off if were all owners, he said. Everybody can win.

Carlos said the uncertainty has left her exhausted and reluctant to leave her home, afraid she could lose it at any time. While the apartment complex on Alabama Street carries painful memories now, especially after her mothers death in January, it still brings her a sense of security and comfort.

It would be nice to stay in my neighborhood, because they just remodeled the pool on Harrison Street, she said. I cant wait to go take a swim.

Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff
Police tape seals off the family home of a woman police shot dead for an alleged attack on the national police headquarters in Jakarta, March 31, 2021.

Indonesian police shot dead an Islamic State sympathizer who fired at officers at the national police headquarters on Wednesday, the countrys police chief said, about the alleged terrorist attack days after a suicide bombing at a church in South Sulawesi province on Palm Sunday.

The attacker in Wednesdays incident, who was a woman, was identified as 25-year-old Zakiah Aini, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo said.

She attacked officers guarding the post by firing shots six times. We took firm action against a terrorist who tried to carry out an attack at the national police headquarters, Listyo told a press conference.

Listyo said the woman, a university drop-out, had posted social media messages expressing support for the Islamic State extremist group, or IS.

The person was a lone wolf who followed the radical ideology of ISIS, which was shown in her social media posts, he said, using another acronym for IS.

The day before the attack, the woman had created an Instagram account and posted a black IS flag with a caption calling for a holy war, Listyo said.

The woman left a goodbye letter for her family, the police chief said.

In her letter, which circulated online and was published on news websites, Zakiah allegedly urged her family to shun usurious banks, democracy, and elections, calling them the creation of idolatrous infidels.

Mama, Im sorry. I love you Mama. But God loves his servants more. Thats why I have chosen this path as his prophets and messengers did to save me and, by the grace of God, to ask for the salvation of our family in the hereafter, the letter said.

In a video widely circulated on social media and messaging apps, the woman at the national police headquarters appeared to be pointing at officers before falling to the ground.

The police questioned the womans parents as officers cordoned their house in an East Jakarta neighborhood.

Indonesia has been on high alert since the Sunday attack in South Sulawesi.

Listyo urged police stations across the country to increase vigilance while continuing to provide the best service to the public

On Sunday, a newlywed couple carried out the suicide bombing at a church in the city of Makassar, police said.

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, as worshippers were leaving a Sunday Mass service, police said.

At least 20 people were injured in the attack, which killed the bombers.

Listyo said police had arrested 23 people in connection with the Makassar bombing, including a suspect identified only as W, who is believed to have assembled the bombs used in the attack.

Police said the suspects killed in the explosion were members of a local cell of the pro-IS Jamaah Ansharut Daulah militant group, which Indonesian authorities linked to a deadly twin-bombing in the southern Philippines two years ago that was also carried out by an Indonesian couple.

Retaliation

Ridlwan Habib, a security analyst at the University of Indonesia, said militants were trying to retaliate for the recent arrests of their comrades. Police have snared nearly 50 suspects from an al-Qaeda-linked militant group in recent weeks.

The police must be more vigilant, especially as we approach the fasting month of Ramadan, Ridlwan told BenarNews.

Terrorists often took advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to launch attacks.

Al Chaidar, a counterterrorism expert at the Malikussaleh University in Lhokseumawe, said the police could have avoided using lethal force against the woman in Wednesdays alleged attack.

It would have been better if she had been captured, because we would find out her motive and affiliation, he told BenarNews.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council condemned the suicide attack on the Makassar church on Palm Sunday  the first day of Holy Week on the Christian calendar  calling it heinous and cowardly, in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, the Security Council said.

The council reaffirmed the need for all countries to combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, meanwhile, said a comprehensive and collective effort remains necessary to fully defeat the IS.

[W]hile Daesh/ISIS no longer controls territory and nearly eight million people have been freed from its control in Iraq and Syria, the threat remains, a joint communique by the foreign ministers of member-nations of the coalitions so-called Small Group said on Tuesday, referring to the militant group by another of its names.
According to information published by UK Department of Defence on March 31, 2021, the Royal Navy has completed its first deployment into the Arctic in 2021 after a joint operation with the Norwegians. Frigate HMS Lancaster linked up with HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl and F-16 jets for a patrol of the Norwegian Sea and combined training in the confined waters of Norways fjords.

According to information published by UK Department of Defence on March 31, 2021, the Royal Navy has completed its first deployment into the Arctic in 2021 after a joint operation with the Norwegians. Frigate HMS Lancaster linked up with HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl and F-16 jets for a patrol of the Norwegian Sea and combined training in the confined waters of Norways fjords.

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HMS Lancaster and HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl shelter from Arctic storms in a fjord (Picture source: Royal Navy)

On entering the Arctic Circle, Lancaster and Thor Heyerdahl worked together to improve the smooth operation of the two allies across the full range of naval warfare in the High North: navigation, communications and dealing with threats below, on and above the waves.

Two Norwegian Air Force F-16s provided the two ships with a realistic foe in the Arctic skies.

Late winter storms caused the warships to seek the shelter of the fjords which afforded extra training for bridge teams in confined waters  and allowed the ships company some rare Arctic sightseeing while conducting damage-control drills.

The HMS Lancaster is a Duke-class Type 23 frigate in service with the British Royal Navy that was launched in May 1990. She underwent a life extension refit (LIFEX) at HMNB Devonport from 2017 to 2019 which included fitting the Artisan 3D radar, Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles, and strengthening the backbone of the ship.

The HMS Lancaster frigate is armed with 32-cell GWS.26 VLS canisters able to launch Sea Ceptor air defense missiles, two quad Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers two twins 12.75 in (324 mm) Sting Ray torpedo tubes, one BAE 4.5-inch Mk 8 naval gun, two 30 mm DS30M Mk2 guns, or, two 30 mm DS30B automatic cannons, two Miniguns, General-purpose 7.62mm machine gun and now .50 heavy machine guns.

The Type 23 frigate or Duke-class is a class of frigates built for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic, the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates have proven their versatility in warfighting, peacekeeping and maritime security operations around the globe. Thirteen Type 23 frigates remain in service with the Royal Navy, with three vessels having been sold to the Chilean Navy.
Ecobank Ghana last week held a capacity-building webinar for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across the country to deliberate on various topics related to national development.



The forum, which was held via Microsoft Teams brought together over one hundred participants, mainly local organisations to discuss also financial inclusion and general improvement in the livelihoods of individuals and communities.



Organised under the theme; Leveraging Technology to Enhance Efficiency of NGO Business, the platform positioned Ecobank as a leading financial services provider, partnering and providing support for the growth and developmental needs of CSOs and NGOs.



In a welcome address, Mrs Charlotte Amanquah, Regional Head of Commercial Banking at Ecobank indicated that Ecobanks relationship with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Ghana has been a long-standing one, beginning right from the inception of the Bank, in the early 1990s.



She maintained that this relationship with NGOs has deepened over the years and we continuously explore further opportunities for improvement in meaningful ways that inure to our mutual benefit.



Todays forum, therefore, is one of the many initiatives by Ecobank to bring together relevant stakeholders, on a common platform to provide capacity-building for CSOs and NGOs in Ghana, she added.



Mrs Amanquah concluded that the forum provides the opportunity for Ecobank to discuss its variety of Digital Banking Solutions and the benefits thereof in enhancing business operations and promoting financial inclusion, in support of the Governments agenda towards building a cash-lite economy.



Speaking on the topic; Relevance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to NGOs today and how to make an impact as an NGO, the Special Advisor to the President of Ghana on SDGs, Dr Eugene Owusu, said the world has now entered a 10-year count-down to achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, which represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and bring prosperity and enduring peace to the world and its peoples by 2030.



He further emphasized that the SDGs are everybodys business including the Government, Private sector, civil society, traditional leaders, religious leaders and communities.



Dr Owusu, subsequently, encouraged NGOs to continue to contribute meaningfully to the realization of the 3 pillars of sustainable development; economic, social and environmental, as there is a clear point of intersection between these SDGs and the fundamental objectives of NGOs, which is to improve the lives and livelihoods of communities within which they operate and to help transform the world.



He commended Ecobank for the interest shown in NGO work, and the focus on SDGs during these extraordinary times when the world is grappling with the consequential effects of the deadly COVID 19 pandemic.



On his part, the Country Director of SEND Ghana, Mr George Osei-Bimpeh, who spoke on Networking as a Development Strategy for NGOs took participants through the importance of networking for NGOs, the principles of effective networking, networking strategies and a step-by-step approach to building workable networking structures for NGOs.



He explained the need for NGOs to establish platforms and coalitions, resulting in stronger partnerships to promote and coordinate their work at the local, national, regional and international levels.



Contributing from the Ecobank Group Head Office, the COO of Ecobank Foundation, Mr Carl Manlan said the alignment of national priorities to building social impact locally, based on metrics and measurements, is critical to leaving no one behind.



Collectively, we can shift the narrative by creating awareness of the work of NGOs at the country level, while strengthening non-financial support, in the areas of; good governance, accountability, capacity building and the adoption of digital financial services, for efficient performance, he encouraged.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









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HILLSDALE, Mich., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillsdale College is excited to announce the publication of The 1776 Report through Encounter Books. In addition to the full text from the original report of The President's Advisory 1776 Commission, this 113-page, full-color edition includes a new preface, notes, and commentary by Dr. Larry P. Arnn, Hillsdale College president; Dr. Carol Swain, former professor of political science and professor of law at Vanderbilt University; and Dr. Matthew Spalding, Hillsdale College vice president and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at the College's Washington, D.C., campus.

"This report is the effort of many fine and intelligent people. I am glad to work with them," said Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, who served as the Chairman of the 1776 Commission. "We as a country must continue to work together to protect the principles it articulates and the liberties they promise." Dr. Spalding served as the Executive Director of the 1776 Commission.

The 1776 Report addresses the meaning of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, challenges to the principles of 1776 posed in the past by slavery, progressivism, fascism and communism, and racism and identity politics today, and considers the task of renewing those principles. The addition of explanatory notes and endnotes incorporate commentary from contemporary historians as well as source quotes and documents cited in the original text.

The purpose of the Commission's report was to advise the president and the nation regarding preparation for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in July 2026.

The 1776 Commission was also tasked with considering ways to recover and sustain an honest teaching of American history in the face of initiatives such as the 1619 Project that encourage contempt for the American Founding and its principles.

From the new preface of The 1776 Report:

"While we are partisans of the cause of our country, this report is not a partisan effort. Most of the history set forth in this report enjoys broad agreement among scholars. Our task was to summarize that history, make note of some contentious issues, and ponder how the story of the American Founding might be best taught to our students. We composed that report and submitted it to one president with the full intent to advise that one, or the next, whatever might come."

"The 1776 Report rehearses some evident and essential features of American history [including] the imperfections in and stains upon American history, small and large, especially the blight of slavery and race discrimination, and they include the obvious fact that those particular practices are condemned with eloquence and lasting fame by the Declaration of Independence."

"The 1776 Report was submitted to the President and released as a public document on January 18, 2021Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The President's Advisory 1776 Commission was abolished by an Executive Order of the next President on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021."

"[The 1776 Report] was written not for professional historians as much as for the American people. We intend it to inform but also to inspire. We encourage you to read it for yourself."

"While a Commission can be formally dissolved, and a document may be removed from a website, these principles and our history can never be erased."

About Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College is an independent liberal arts college located in southern Michigan. Founded in 1844, the College has built a national reputation through its classical liberal arts core curriculum and its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. It also conducts an outreach effort promoting civil and religious liberty, including a free monthly speech digest, Imprimis, with a circulation of more than 5.6 million. For more information, visit hillsdale.edu.

CONTACT:

Emily Stack Davis

517-803-3745

[email protected]

SOURCE Hillsdale College

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Royal Coal Corp. (the "Company") announces that further to its press release of October, 9, 2020, the proposed transaction with Climb Credit Inc. ("Climb Credit") has terminated in accordance with the amalgamation agreement dated October 9, 2020 (the "Amalgamation Agreement") between the Company and Climb Credit. The Company will continue to seek out further opportunities to enhance shareholder value.

For more information, please contact:

Elia Crespo

Director

Tel: (416) 867-9087 ext 2321

Email: elia@griffis.ca

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79097
TERNI, MAR 31 - An Italian man got seven years and two months in jail Wednesday for supplying methadone to two Italian teenagers who died of an overdose in their sleep in Terni last July. Aldo Maria Romboli, 41, from Terni, was found guilty of causing a death as a consequence of another crime, and of drug pushing, in the deaths of Flavio Presuttari and Gianluca Alonzi. Romboli is currently under house arrest at a drug rehab community facility. He gave the pair the methadone for 15 euros. (ANSA).
( ) is well-positioned to move into its next phase of growth  the generation of JORC mineral resources at its key tungsten and lithium projects and the initiation of feasibility studies  following its successful listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in October 2020.

The company is focused on building a pipeline of battery and critical metals assets, which are at or near the bottom of their peer group cost curves.

Pan Asia has a 100% interest in four projects - two tungsten project areas and two lithium project areas, with three of them fitting the companys strategy of downstream, value-adding development opportunities in low-cost environments proximal to end-market users.

The company owns three projects in southern Thailand - Khao Soon Tungsten Project, Reung Kiet Lithium Project and Bang Now Lithium Project - and the Minter Tungsten Project in Australia.

Whilst Minter does not directly fit Pan Asias strategy, it is seen as a potential source of tungsten concentrate to feed future South East Asian-based downstream processing operations.

Depending on the results of its drill programs, the company is targeting to have maiden resource estimates at two projects and hopes to be commencing work on scoping studies for the projects late in the year.

Advantage over many peers

The company is specifically focused on South East Asia for geological and economic reasons - low-cost operating environment with greater potential to move downstream and value-add in certain circumstances.

Pan Asia has an advantage over many of its peers as its projects are located where balance sheet requirements are expected to be much less demanding due to their close proximity to the advanced industrial centres in Thailand and Malaysia.

These countries offer competitively priced process inputs as well as being low-cost operating environments  something, which applies to South East Asia in general and is why processors and manufacturers choose to locate there.

Its projects are in the South East Asian Tin-Tungsten Belt, which extends from Myanmar in the north through Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia to the Tin Islands in the south.

This belt appeals due to the occurrence of a suite of specialty metals associated with granite related tin, tungsten, lithium, tantalum, niobium, rubidium, caesium, rare earths and other rare metals.

It contains some of the largest historical tin producing districts in the world, specifically in Southern Thailand and much of Peninsula Malaysia, and has experienced very limited modern exploration.

Pipeline of project opportunities

PAM is focused on speciality metals and value-added products that are in high demand in South East Asia and the companys business model is to develop its key assets while simultaneously building a pipeline of future project opportunities.

The company targets assets that have the potential to be positioned in the lower third of the cost curve, which are likely to have lower capital requirements and have the potential to present downstream value-adding opportunities.

Executive chairman and managing director Paul Lock said: PAMs tungsten and lithium projects potentially offer low opex and capex solutions for two critical metals, with balance sheet requirements expected to be much less demanding as the projects are in low-cost environments and close to the advanced industrial centres of Thailand and Malaysia.

We are also continuing to develop our target generation program, which will see us acquire additional assets that fit our criteria.

Our aim is to build a pipeline of target assets in battery and critical metals, and rare earths (specialty metals) which fit our criteria.

The company has conducted due diligence on several projects in Asia and Australia.

Simple strategy

Lock added: At Pan Asia our strategy is simple, we aim to secure assets, which have the potential to place future operations at the bottom of the cost curve and which offer the option to extend down-stream and value add.

If we achieve this, then our operating margins will naturally be higher, allowing the company to prosper in all price environments.

The company has built a strong reputation in South East Asia and as a result, Pan Asias shareholders and stakeholders will benefit as the current assets are developed and new assets are secured.

Khao Soon Tungsten Project

Pan Asias Khao Soon Tungsten Project is a significant historical producer.

Modern exploration has discovered potentially world-class, district-scale tungsten mineralisation across numerous prospects.

Pan Asia started its second drilling campaign at Khao Soon just before listing and both drilling programs have intersected robust widths and tungsten trioxide (WO3) grades associated with strong surface anomalies, from which exploration targets have been estimated.

Additional drilling has been undertaken to support mineral resource estimation

Earlier this week, the company intersected near-surface tungsten mineralisation with good grades over robust widths while drilling at Than Pho West (TPW) prospect within the Khao Soon Project.

PAM will use laboratory results to enhance geological interpretations and grade modelling at TPW to update the exploration target.

Reung Kiet Lithium Project

Its Reung Kiet Lithium Project in southern Thailand is in a region of previous large-scale tin mining.

Pan Asias exploration discovered lepidolite and muscovite (lithium-rich micas) occurring in pegmatites over a combined strike length of 2.5 kilometres.

Rock-chip and trench sampling have generally defined consistent high grades across good widths and initial diamond drilling has also resulted in some encouraging intersections.

The company started its second drilling campaign in mid-January 2021, targeting the previously undrilled Bang I Tum (BIT) prospect.

Last week, Pan Asia Metals intersected relatively wide pegmatite dyke swarms in the first two diamond drill holes at Reung Kiet prospect, which forms part of the Reung Kiet Project, with a further six holes planned.

The intersections followed an earlier trenching program that returned lithium grades of up to 1.99%.

Bang 1 Tum (BIT) prospect

Also in March, Pan Asia Metals Ltd intersected pegmatite dyke swarms over substantial widths in all six diamond drill holes completed at BIT prospect within the wider RKLP.

Spot hand-held XRF analysis of drill core by the company identified the presence of elevated tin and niobium along with elevated lithium indicator elements, such as rubidium and manganese.

Lock said: Whilst we await results from the lab we are buoyed by the hhXRF results and visual indications which support the presence of lepidolite and muscovite and therefore the potential for lithium to be hosted in both.

The presence of elevated tin and niobium, the latter as a proxy for tantalum, is also very encouraging.

Minter Tungsten Project

The Minter Tungsten project, within the central portion of the Lachlan Orogen, also known as the Lachlan Fold Belt, includes the broadly-defined Wagga Tin Belt in New South Wales.

This tin belt hosts numerous granites of particular composition that give rise to tin, tin-tungsten, tungsten and gold mineralisation hosted within the granite intrusions and/or adjacent metasediments, and commonly in quartz veins.

It plans to start drilling the Doyenwae prospect within Minter Tungsten Project after receiving State Government approval for a six-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program of 1,000-1,200 metres.

The program aims to test the potential for near-surface tungsten mineralisation that may be amenable to open-pit mining.

It will also test a revised interpretation of the controls on tungsten mineralisation at Doyenwae.

Exploration by previous explorers at Minter has defined a belt of prospective tungsten mineralisation hosted in quartz veins occurring within metasediments near a granite contact and has identified elevated tungsten over a relatively large area.

Buoyant tungsten market

Lock noted the general buoyancy in the APT market - the reference price for tungsten, adding: Fastmarkets MB recently reported that the APT price was $25,000-25,500 per tonne, the highest level since 2019.

The strong price was attributed to tightness in the scrap and raw materials market and the demand side facing the prospect that several large Chinese and Russian mines are reaching the end of their respective lives.

We believe Khao Soon will be one of the few new tungsten projects with the potential to work in the current price environment, Lock said.

IPO

Pan Asia Metals completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker code PAM on October 8, 2020, which coincided with the start of drilling at the key Khao Soon Tungsten Project in Thailand.

The IPO, which raised A$4.28 million at 20 cents per share, resulted in an implied market capitalisation at listing of A$25.2 million.

PAM's IPO was met with strong demand from a range of investors across Australia, resulting in a share register of 414 shareholders and shares have traded in the range of A$0.15 to A$0.20.

Following the listing, Lock said: Listing on the ASX is a major milestone and the beginning of a new phase of growth for the company.

The company intends to use the majority of the IPO proceeds for exploration.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 01:08:44|Editor: huaxia

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres briefs an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly plenary on the situation in Syria at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 30, 2021. Guterres on Tuesday regretted the lack of progress in the work of Syria's Constitutional Committee. (Evan Schneider/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday regretted the lack of progress in the work of Syria's Constitutional Committee.

"We must pursue a negotiated political settlement in line with Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015. A first step must include credible progress within the Constitutional Committee in order to implement Resolution 2254's call for the drafting of a new constitution, allowing for the conduct of free and fair elections, administered under United Nations supervision with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate," he said.

"My special envoy (for Syria) has convened five sessions of the Constitutional Committee. The results of the committee's work so far have fallen short of my expectations. More importantly, they have fallen short of the Syrian people's expectations," he told the General Assembly in a briefing on the situation in Syria.

"That is why I fully support my special envoy's call that a sixth session needs to be different from what has gone before -- with clear goals, credible working methods, enhanced co-chair cooperation and a future work plan."

Meaningful work within the Constitutional Committee could at last begin to build trust, and move away from the present level of distrust. It could begin to open the door toward a broader political process and much-needed compromise, he said.

However, the United Nations cannot move forward alone. Nor can the Syrians as the issues are not solely in their hands. After all, several foreign armed forces, even if with different status, conduct military operations in Syria, he noted.

"I am convinced that mutual and reciprocal steps by the Syrian parties and among key international stakeholders on the comprehensive set of issues outlined in Security Council Resolution 2254 can unlock the path," he said.

He said that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Syria and that ending the conflict is a collective responsibility. Enditem
The French government is set to open a Covid vaccination mega centre in Disneyland Paris next month amid surging case numbers in the country.

The amusement park is one of 35 vaccinodromes being opened throughout France in an effort to accelerate its vaccination roll-out, which has so far been among the slowest in Europe.

The site will be staffed by 40 local firefighters and nurses, who will administer the Pfizer vaccine to up to 1,000 people every day, according to Le Parisien.

The theme park was set to reopen on 2 April but a third national lockdown announced earlier this month has put those plans on hold.

New cases have continued to climb since then, with more than 5,000 Covid-19 patients currently in intensive care. French president Emmanuel Macron is set to make another announcement on Wednesday evening, during which he is expected to unveil even stricter confinement measures.

Read more:

Mr Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed possible cooperation on vaccines with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a joint video conference on Tuesday.

The Kremlin said in a statement that the trio had discussed the outlook for Russia's flagship Sputnik V vaccine being registered across the EU as well as potential deliveries and joint production of the vaccine inside the EU.

The European Union's regulator  the European Medicines Agency  has yet to grant its approval to Sputnik V, but is reviewing it, and some individual EU member states have either approved it or are assessing it for approval at a national level.

Use of the Russian vaccine has divided the 27-nation bloc with some such as Thierry Breton, the EU's internal market commissioner, saying it has no need for Sputnik V and others, such as Charles Michel, who chairs EU summits, accusing Moscow of using vaccines for propaganda, something it rejects.

Behind the scenes, the bloc is showing increased interest in the Sputnik V shot, EU diplomatic and official sources told Reuters.

Less than 12 per cent of the French population has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, compared to more than 45 per cent of the population in the UK.

Additional reporting from agencies.
CHICAGO  It was nearly two years ago that Elizabeth Oyarzun had last seen her grandparents. And every day for the past year, she prayed she would see them again.

After what seemed like an eternity, the two arrived at OHare International Airport from Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday night, she said.

Oyarzun, the couples oldest granddaughter, who they raised as their daughter, used the money from her most recent stimulus check to fly them to Chicago to get a COVID-19 vaccine. She feared they wouldnt get it in time in Monterrey.

Her grandmother, Irma Rodriguez, 70, contracted COVID-19 in October, and though she survived, the fear that her grandfather, Jose Perez, 74, would eventually get the coronavirus haunted her, Oyarzun said.

But it was the distance that hurt the most, Oyarzun said.

Oyarzun, 30, lives in University Village, on Chicagos West Side. Her grandparents have spent long periods living with her in Chicago. But the two are retired and, since before the pandemic began, have been in their native Monterrey, where Oyarzun was born, although theyre legal U.S. residents, she said.

I just hoped I would see them again, Oyarzun said.

Her hope gave her the strength to overcome the anxiety and pain of being apart from two of the people she cherishes most in the world.

I wish my grandparents were eternal, she said, and paused for a long time.

But the reality is that they are not, so I will do my best to keep them safe and healthy for as long as possible, she said.

The two have diabetes and high blood pressure, and about seven years ago, Perez had open heart surgery that put his life in danger.

At least then, we knew we could go see him and say farewell, but with COVID-19, it would have been impossible, Oyarzun said.

Even the thought of that stings, Oyarzun said.

In their native town in Mexico, vaccine distribution seemed distant and almost impossible, her grandmother said. While in Chicago the distribution of vaccines to those 65 years and older began in late January, in Mexico the distribution of vaccines to those 60 years and older began mid-March, according to news reports.

Story continues

We were worried because we just didnt see it coming to us anytime soon, Rodriguez said in Spanish.

And even when there was news that the vaccine was finally arriving in Monterrey, the city where Rodriguez and Perez have been living, the two didnt trust the process.

For nearly a year, Perez said, they had been isolated, lonely and taking care of each other.

They saw firsthand the suffering of their neighbors and other families. Ten of Perezs friends died from COVID-19 in the last year, and Rodriguez recalled how some people had to sell their properties to pay for their hospital stays and medications.

We missed our family dearly, Perez said. Its been a very difficult time, he said in Spanish.

But beyond the difficulty, its been heartbreaking to live far away from our loved ones, especially during these times, Rodriguez said.

So when Oyarzun got her stimulus check and realized that her grandparents qualified to get vaccinated in Chicago, she made the appointment and bought the tickets.

The family decided that flying them to Chicago was a risk worth taking.

On Monday, the day after they arrived in Chicago, Oyarzun drove her grandparents to the United Center to get their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

It felt surreal, I felt extremely happy. I was more excited than they were, Oyarzun said, after Perez and Rodriguez both had their first shot.

Rodriguez sobbed, unable to contain her emotions.

Im deeply grateful for our granddaughter, for worrying about us and taking care of us, Rodriguez said. And I thank God that she has the opportunity to do this for us.

Oyarzun said it is thanks to her grandparents that she has been able to have what she has now.

When she finally saw them again, they walked more slowly and had more wrinkles than they did the last time she saw them, she said.

Distance between loved ones is a terrible thing, said her grandmother.
Adrian Mateos Clinches First Super MILLION$ Title ($428,624)

March 31 2021 Matthew Pitt

There are very few major poker titles that Adrian Mateos has not one. Mateos can scratch the GGPoker Super MILLION$ off his list of to-do events after he took down the 42nd edition of the $10,300 buy-in tournament on March 30.

Super MILLION$ Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Adrian Mateos Mexico $428,624 2 Aliaksei Boika Mexico $330,514 3 Nator Mexico $254,861 4 Art Papazyan Mexico $196,525 5 David Coleman Canada $151,541 6 Joao Vieira Luxembourg $116,854 7 RRomashka Russia $90,170 8 Sam Greenwood Canada $69,482 9 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil $53,578

Last week's Super MILLION$ champion Yuri Dzivielevski sat down at the final table seventh in chips, which was the same spot he begin his title-winning final table in. There was no epic comeback this week because the Brazilian was the first player out of the door.

Blinds were 25,000/50,000/6,000a, and Mateos open-shoved from the small blind with king-ten. Dzivielevski tank-called off his 1,267,199 stack with pocket sixes, and it was off to the races. A ten on the flop handed the pot to Mateos and sent Dzivielevski to the showers.

Back-to-Back Pocket Nines Send Greenwood Home

Another superstar in the shape of Sam Greenwood was the next to fall. Aliaksei Boika min-raised on the button with queen-ten, and David Coleman ripped it in from the small blind for 1,377,276 with ace-five of clubs. Greenwood shoved for 1,678,373 with pocket nines, which folded out Boika. An ace on the turn left Greenwood with only 3.5 big blinds in his stack. That micro stack went into the middle on the next hand, again with pocket nines. Joao Vieira called in the big blind with king-ten of clubs before improving to a Broadway straight on the river.

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Russias RRomashka saw his tournament end in seventh-place, for $90,170, the last prize not to weigh in at six-figures. RRomashka open-shoved five big blinds with king-ten of spades from late position, and Nator looked him up with pocket deuces on the button. The pair of twos held despite RRomashka having a plethora of outs.

Sixth-place and $116,854 went to Vieira who raised to 126,000 at the 30,000/60,000/7,500a level. Nator three-bet to 393,750 with ace-queen in the small blind, and Vieira called. Nator flopped a boat, aces full of queens, and the writing was on the wall. Nator bet 294,525 and Vieira called with his diamond flush draw. The turn completed a diamond flush for Vieira; Nator checked its arrival. Vieira bet 390,000 and was called. A brick river saw Nator check again. Vieira took the bait and 660,000 into the 2,261,550 pot, leaving himself only 395,000 behind. Nator raised, and Vieira called off his remaining chips with what turned out to be an expensive second-best hand.

Coleman Loses Key Coinflip

Coleman lost all but 6.5 big blinds when his jacks lost to the ace-queen of Boika. Unsurprisingly, Coleman was the next player out of the door. Cash game specialist Art Papazyan min-raised to 200,000 with king-ten of diamonds, and Coleman called in the big blind with eight-seven. Coleman paired his seven on the flop and shoved his last 3.5 big blinds and was called. A king on the turn sent Coleman home.

Papazyan could not put those chips to good use because he was the next player eliminated. His demise came at the hands of Boika, who open-shoved from the small blind with jack-eight of spades, and Papazyan called off his 13 big blinds with ace-five of hearts. An eight on the flop put Boika into the lead, which is where he stayed through the turn and river.

That hand pushed Boika further into the lead. he had, in fact, more than twice the number of chips as Mateos and Nator combined. Mateos cut that lead by helping himself to Nators stack.

Nator raised three-times the big blind, from the small, blind with ace-ten, and Mateos called with four-three of hearts. The flop fell jack-high with two hearts, and Nator greeted it with a 252,450 bet. Mateos jammed, and Nator did not believe him because he called off the 1,690,388 chips he had behind. The queen diamonds turn changed nothing, but a three on the river sent Nator to the rail.

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Mateos Trails At The Start of Heads-Up

Mateos trailed by 7,562,628 to 13,637,372 chips to Boika but a player of Mateos stature is always in with a shot with even a single chip at their disposal. Mateos pulled level in the opening exchanges, before claiming the lead for himself. Boika reclaimed the lead, but Mateos went on a charge to take down the tournament.

The final hand took place during the 125,000/250,000/30,000a level and saw Mateos raise to 550,000 with queen-jack. Boika three-bet to 1,826,000 with seven-six, which Mateos called. Boika paired his seven, but Mateos paired his jack. Both players checked. A five on the turn saw Boika lead for 1,224,960 and Mateos call. The turn was a queen, Boika checked, Mateos set him all-in for his 5,925,156 stack, and Boika called only to discover the bad news.

Boika collected $330,514 while Mateos banked $428,624. No doubt we will see both these poker Goliaths in action during the upcoming $150 million guaranteed Spring Series.
By Ahn Ho-young





Two weeks ago in this column, I wrote why I believe in institution-building and how I used to work to regularize 2+2 foreign and defense ministers' meetings between Korea and the U.S. It was one day before the 2+2 meeting in Seoul on March 18.



Around the time of the meeting and afterwards, I have observed lively debate taking place in Seoul concerning whether Korea should participate in the Quad activities among Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. Let me join the debate. I think there are at least three compelling reasons why Korea must participate.



First, it is in line with how Korea as a nation has developed so far since 1948. We have made consistent efforts to engage the world rather than withdraw from it. That made it possible for Korea to achieve the economic, political and diplomatic progress we have made so far. What I wish to add is that we must not be so complacent as to take our progress for granted. We started from a very difficult place.



When I joined Korea's government service in 1978, what impressed me was how isolated Korea was as an international actor. So much so that Kenneth Adelman at the time used to call Korea a member of "the Club of Pariahs" along with Israel, South Africa and Taiwan. Since then, we fought the odds and have come a long way. Think about the launch of APEC in 1989, and Korea's globalization campaign of the early 1990s and accession to the OECD in 1996.



When Korea faced the Asian financial crisis in 1997, we recovered from it through further engagement rather than withdrawal from the world. That made it possible for Korea to get over the 2008 global financial crisis relatively unscathed, and join the G20 as a key member. More recently, we hosted summit meetings for the G20 and the Nuclear Security Summit.



We succeeded in inviting the Global Climate Fund to come to Songdo and launching the Global Green Growth Institute in Seoul. I used to be part of these efforts, and can tell you from personal experience that the process was not always easy. What is more important to remember is that our achievements and reputation can recede, unless we stay the course that Korea so wisely chose and so persistently implemented.






PALO ALTO, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Striim, Inc., provider of a leading real-time data integration platform, has announced a $50 million Series C financing led by Goldman Sachs Growth Equity. Summit Partners, Atlantic Bridge Ventures, Dell Ventures, Bosch Ventures are also participating in the round.

As part of the transaction, Bob Kelly, former Microsoft executive and current Operating Partner for Goldman Sachs, will join Striim's Board of Directors.

Striim's platform provides an enterprise-grade streaming data integration solution for moving data in real-time to the cloud. Its technology collects data from on-premises or cloud enterprise databases leveraging non-intrusive, change data capture technology. This data can then be delivered to virtually any target on-premises or in the cloud with sub-second latency utilizing over 3,500 out-of-the-box source/target combinations. The company boasts a strong customer base in the Financial Services, Retail, Healthcare, Logistics, Telecom and Manufacturing markets in addition to a strategic partnership network with leading cloud database providers including Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure.

Based in Palo Alto, CA, Striim is led by Founder & CEO, Ali Kutay, and was founded by the core team from GoldenGate Software, Inc. (acquired by Oracle in 2009). "From day one, our vision has been to enable access to real-time data at enterprise scale  across massive, heterogeneous environments. We are seeing firsthand the tremendous rate at which the world's largest enterprises are joining the digital-first economy through the adoption of modern data platforms especially in the cloud," said Ali Kutay, CEO and Chairman of Striim. "We are thrilled to partner with Goldman Sachs to scale out and accelerate Striim's adoption in our core enterprise and adjacent markets where we see clear demand for an exceptional cloud data integration product. I would also like to welcome Bob Kelly as a member of our Board designated by Goldman."

"I am very excited to be joining Striim's Board at this critical time in the company's trajectory," said Bob Kelly. "Ali and the team are world class, and what they have built and are scaling is in one of the hottest spaces in enterprise tech  modernizing the data stack for real time business needs. The team's prior successes and Striim's current inflection point make us very optimistic that Striim will become a leading company in the digital transformation of data."

The Company recently announced a preview release of StreamShift, a new managed service offering that helps enterprises migrate databases from on-premise to the cloud quickly and securely. A full release of the managed service offering is expected in Q2 2021, allowing customers to migrate to databases across clouds including Google Cloud, Azure and AWS.

Building on their recent product developments and the increasing demand for enterprise-grade real-time data integration solutions, the company has continued to hire aggressively and now has over a hundred full-time employees across offices in Palo Alto, CA and Chennai, India.

"We're excited to partner with a management team that has deep domain experience in the real-time data integration market. Striim has a best-in-class product that helps enterprises integrate streaming data across distributed, heterogeneous infrastructure environments while having the ability to service customers across multiple deployment models. The Striim team understands the multi-faceted needs of its growing enterprise customer base, and we believe this approach will allow Striim to meaningfully outperform its peers over the coming years in the evolving, modern data integration market as companies focus on migrating data to the cloud," said Mike Reilly, a Vice President on the Goldman Sachs Growth Equity team.

About Striim

The Striim platform is an enterprise-grade streaming data integration solution for moving data in real-time to the cloud. Striim makes it easy to continuously ingest, process, and deliver high volumes of streaming data from diverse sources (both on-premises or in the cloud) to support multi and hybrid cloud infrastructure. Striim collects data in real time from enterprise databases (using non-intrusive change data capture), log files, messaging systems, and sensors, and delivers to virtually any target on-premises or in the cloud with sub-second latency. For more information, visit www.striim.com, read our blog at www.striim.com/blog, follow @striimteam, or download the Striim platform.

About Goldman Sachs Growth Equity

Founded in 1869, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking is the primary center for the firm's long-term principal investing activity. Goldman Sachs Growth Equity is the dedicated growth equity team within Goldman Sachs, with over 25 years of investing history, over $8 billion of assets under management, and 9 offices globally. For more information, please visit www.growth.gs.com.

Media Contact:

Dex Polizzi

Lumina Communications

201-452-7424

[email protected]

SOURCE Striim
"Full-service card issuing programs, especially with technology and support for commercial cards, are becoming an increasingly important part of a successful financial institution, said David Luther, Chief Business Officer, Corserv."

Columbia Bank Taps Corserv to Launch Business Credit Card Program

Fair Lawn, N.J. - based Columbia Bank ($8.8 billion in assets) is now leveraging business and commercial credit cards powered by Corserv, a company that empowers banks and fintechs with payment programs for commercial, small business, and consumer customers.

After learning of Corservs program from an existing Corserv client, Columbia Bank selected and implemented Corservs card program to offer sophisticated Columbia-branded card products, including purchasing cards, virtual cards, ghost cards, an expense reporting system, self-service admin portals, limits controls and alerts, and ePayables, initially for commercial and business customers.

Our customers value our approach to delivering the best products in a personal way. As their bank of choice, we want to be sure we are not only continuing to deliver the products and services that we are known for, but identify the products and services our customers will want to see in the future, said Matt Clements, Head of Retail Sales and Product, Columbia Bank. With Corservs card products, we were able to implement and now manage the program without adding staff or infrastructure. We also value the ability to own the credit decisioning and P&L, including revenue from interchange, interest, and fees, without the need to create a credit card policy, compliance program, and disclosures.

Prior to selecting Corserv, Columbia Bank considered implementing a direct issuer program offered by leading card processors. The direct issuer program would have required Columbia to separately contract for an underwriting solution and fraud control solution. The bank would have also been required to obtain its own BINs from Mastercard, implement a compliance program, hire additional staff, and implement settlement with Mastercard among additional considerations.

Full-service card issuing programs, especially with technology and support for commercial cards, are becoming an increasingly important part of a successful financial institution, said David Luther, Chief Business Officer, Corserv. Columbia Bank understood this and sought not to only deliver the best card issuance experience to its customers but also own the growth and profits from the program. Corservs technology enables Columbia Banks program to share operating scale with multiple banks, leverage compliance support from a sponsor bank, and provide hosted and secure applications with automated underwriting, mobile capabilities, servicing, fraud management, rewards, reporting, marketing, and more.

About Columbia Bank

Headquartered in Fair Lawn, NJ, Columbia Bank has an asset base of approximately 8.8 billion and 61 full-service offices throughout New Jersey. Columbia Bank offers a wide range of consumer and commercial products, including online and mobile banking, localized lending centers as well as title, investment, and wealth management services. For more information about Columbia Banks full line of products and services, visit their website at ColumbiaBankOnline.com.

About Corserv

Corserv provides payment services including a turnkey issuing program for credit cards, P-cards, and virtual cards that enables Banks and Fintechs to deliver competitive, branded payment services to their customers. Corservs secure hosted programs combine credit, compliance and marketing expertise with modern online solution and open APIs  key elements clients need to quickly build a successful card-issuing business. Corservs clients increase their earnings per share by benefitting from loan interest, interchange, fee income and economies of scale from Corservs client base. Most importantly, they deepen their customer relationships. For more information, please visit http://www.corservsolutions.com.
Medical doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan have suspended all surgical operations in the hospital till further notice. ...





Medical doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan have suspended all surgical operations in the hospital till further notice.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the reason for the suspension of the surgeries is due to lack of water supply to the hospital.

On Wednesday our correspondent discovered that the teaching hospital has been experiencing water scarcity in the last few days.

At UCH, hundreds of patients on admission and their relatives have had to go through stress for the lack of potable water in the health facility, Daily Post reported.

Some of the patients who are currently on admission in the hospital said they buy bags of water to bathe and flush the toilets in the hospital.

A relative of one of the patients told newsmen on Wednesday that doctors in the hospital told his family member that they have suspended surgical operations in the hospital as a result of scarcity of water.

He said, Someone who has been on admission at UCH for days just called me now that there has not been water supply to UCH for four days now.

Patients buy bags of satchel water to bath and flush toilet. He is on admission for surgery and because of the water situation, doctors told him no surgery for now.

One of the patients in the hospital said that he was admitted on Tuesday but there is no water to bath or flush.

He said, I was admitted to the haematology daycare unit in UCH yesterday. There was no water to even flush the toilet.

The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Toye Akinrinlola when contacted told newsmen that the water scarcity was caused by ongoing renovation in the hospital.

He added that the renovation is expected to be completed in the next three weeks.

When you visited UCH what did you observe? You will observe that there is a massive renovation ongoing. We are replacing the sewage system, that is why we have to shut down some facilities.

When such renovation is ongoing, we have to shut down five blocks. We do not admit patients except for a few critical cases.

The renovation is to be completed in three weeks. The issue of water scarcity that came up this morning is very strange to me. We have shut down our water plant and we cannot bring water from outside because we have our own water treatment plant. The best is for our patients to be patient with us.

Recall that the suspension of surgical operations in UCH occasioned by water scarcity is coming few hours after President Muhamadu Buhari left Nigeria for a medical checkup in London.

Buhari had on Tuesday left the country for his health needs despite the huge amount of money budgeted for the State House clinic and other health facilities in the country.
The Head of the Local Government Service (LGS), Dr Nana Ato Arthur, has cautioned staff and officials of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) against reporting late to work.

He observed that some of the staff and officials had developed the habit of reporting to work late as if they were under no rules or authority.



Such an attitude, he said, was detrimental to the general performance of the assemblies.



Dr Arthur gave the caution during a working visit to the Ashanti Region to assess the performance contract signed by the assemblies in 2020.



Schemes



He observed that some of the staff reported to work at 9a.m. or 10a.m. and left their offices earlier than the closing time.



He said in some instances, the staff lied about the time they reported to work in the attendance book.



For instance, someone who reports to work at 9:15a.m. in trying to cover up, will go into the attendance book and record that he/she reported to work at 8:01a.m. Sometimes, others who report to work at 9:30a.m. will look at the time of the last attendant and also follow the sequence.



So, if the last person records 8:01a.m. then the rest will record from 8:02a.m., 8:03a.m., 8:04a.m., 8:05a.m. in that order, he lamented.



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Weekend travels



Dr Arthur indicated that he had been informed that majority of the local government staff, especially the senior staff travelled outside their districts every weekend and reported to work on Monday around midday.



He said he was honestly not happy about the situation and cautioned those who use distance as justification for their lateness to refrain from it.



He disclosed that the LGS introduced the Biometric Clocking System as part of measures to fight lateness but reverted to the use of the attendance book due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



Flexible



Dr Arthur noted that with the current dispensation where the local government staff were enjoying flexible working hours or where staff had to come to work twice or thrice in a week due to COVID-19 pandemic, there was no justification for staff to report to work late.



"The government still pays their salaries and allowances in full even though they work for 15 days or less in a month," he stated.



Social media



Dr Arthur also condemned the attitude of staff who sat in their offices with earphones in their ears, making needless video and phone calls, chatting on Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram even when there are official duties to perform.



He blamed the situation on bad leadership at some of the assemblies, saying, If you are a good District Chief Executive (DCE) or coordinating director, you will never allow your staff to report late for work."





Source: graphiconline.com









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Unconscious bias training should be scrapped for employees and replaced with more effective practices, urges a landmark review into racial inequality.

The Race Commission today recommends organisations and firms pull the plug on such sessions because they do not tackle disparities in the workplace.

It said the 'intense soul-searching' of some employers in the wake of last year's Black Lives Matter protests has amounted to 'tick-box exercises' that don't get results.

Instead it recommends funding be diverted to developing core skills that could benefit disadvantaged employees.

Whitehall departments have already phased out unconscious bias training following research last year that found it did not help stamp out workplace prejudices.

But many taxpayer-funded bodies such as the Met Police, the NHS and the BBC are still believed to implement unconscious bias training for staff.

Private firms also lay on sessions, and earlier this year the chairman of KPMG resigned after upsetting staff by branding unconscious bias 'complete c**p'.

The wide-ranging report also warns that a narrative that rails against white privilege could backfire.

Unconscious bias training should be scrapped for employees because it's useless, urges a landmark review into racial inequality

The Race Commission (chair Dr Tony Sewell pictured) today recommends organisations and firms pull the plug on such sessions because they do not tackle disparities in the workplace

Today's report, which makes 24 recommendations to Government, says: 'The Commission calls on organisations to now move away from funding unconscious bias training.

'The existing training should be replaced with new interventions that when implemented, can be measured or evaluated for their efficacy, such as the use of sponsorship to ensure wider exposure of ethnic minority individuals to their peers, managers and other decision makers.

'[And] training and routine skills support for all employees in their professional and personal lives (for example on collaboration, confidence, communication, and presentation skills), which could disproportionately benefit more disadvantaged groups.'

Today's report finds that Britain is a model multi-racial society for Europe and the world

It adds that the common measures adopted by organisations - 'this training scheme, that equality initiative, a newly designed culturally neutral form' - focuses on process rather than outcomes.

And it warns that the constant attacks on people's white privilege could backfire.

It says: 'We also have to ask whether a narrative that claims nothing has changed for the better, and that the dominant feature of our society is institutional racism and white privilege will achieve anything beyond alienating the decent centre ground  a centre ground which is occupied by people of all races and ethnicities.'

A spokesman for the commission said: 'We have not seen conclusive evidence of institutional racism in the areas we have looked at.

'That is not to dismiss it out of hand, but our report is built on data and evidence. There is definitely disadvantage, discrimination and there are barriers. That is what our report is about and how to overcome them.'

Unconscious bias is a term used to describe when people make assumptions about others without realising they are doing so. It is mostly associated with the 'woke' movement - while critics dismiss it.

At a glance: What does the landmark review recommend? Social media: Firms 'far too often' fail to take 'decisive action' to tackle racist content. Failure to act should lead to 'substantial penalties' and 'public naming and shaming'. Body cameras: There should be a 'strong presumption' that all police body-worn video cameras will be switched on during stop and search. Officers who do not turn on their camera should be required to provide a written explanation as to why it was not switched on. Police training: Provide de-escalation training to all new police officers and improve training to increase the efficacy of stop and search. Unconscious bias training: Organisations should 'move away from' the training in favour of employee sponsorship schemes and routine skills support for all employees. Pay disparities: All employers that publish ethnicity pay data should also publish a 'diagnosis and action plan' to set out how they will improve the situation. Office for Health Disparities: Set up a new independent body to work alongside the NHS to improve healthy life expectancy across the UK and in all groups. Drug possession: Young people with 'low level Class B drug possession' should be diverted away from the criminal justice system. Offenders would be offered 'public health solutions' instead. Longer school day: Education Secretary should 'urgently consider phasing in an extended school day', with the most disadvantaged areas and communities prioritised. Education: Improve careers advice for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and increase outreach programmes to help reduce disparities in applications to higher education. National curriculum: Should be updated to make it more 'inclusive' and to 'tell the multiple, nuanced stories of the contributions made by different groups that have made this country the one it is today'. Police recruitment: London policy of recruiting locally should be rolled out to all police forces in England and Wales to create police workforces that 'represent the communities they serve'. BAME: The Government should 'move away' from using the BAME acronym 'to better focus on understanding disparities and outcomes for specific ethnic groups'. Advertisement

In December last year the Cabinet Office announced that unconscious bias training - which had been launched in 2015 - was being wound down for lack of sufficient evidence it was worthwhile.

Minister Julia Lopez said: 'Despite a growing diversity training industry and increased adoption of unconscious bias training programmes, a strong body of evidence has emerged that shows that such training has no sustained impact on behaviour and may even be counter-productive.'

She urged other public organisations to also review their practices, but it is understood to have fallen on deaf ears.

Last month the BBC announced a new diversity directive which will require 95 per cent of staff to complete unconscious bias training.

It is also understood the NHS and Met Police embrace unconscious bias training.

Last year Parliament put on sessions for MPs but it was boycotted by several Tories.

Last month the Bill Michael, the UK chair of KPMG, stepped down after MailOnline revealed he had told employees that the notion of unconscious bias was 'complete and utter c**p'.

A spokesperson for the CBI, which represents big business, said: 'Unconscious bias training can be part of a company's inclusion strategy, but it's not a guarantee of success and certainly isn't sufficient by itself.

'The Commission is right to highlight the importance of businesses doing more than just training, including interventions like sponsorship, mentoring and reverse mentoring.'

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities insisted racism is a 'real force' in Britain and must be tackled, while hailing progress over recent decades.

But it said that 'geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture and religion have more significant impact on life chances than the existence of racism'

The report - which has already been criticised as an 'insult' by Labour - said in terms of overall numbers white boys from low income families were the most disadvantaged.

It also also hit out at the 'casual' use of the term 'institutional racism', saying there was little evidence to support the claims.

It said the term 'racism' was often 'misapplied' to 'account for every observed disparity' - suggesting that firms should 'move away from' unconscious bias training.

Chair of the Commission Dr Tony Sewell this morning insisted he was not denying the existence of racism - but railed against people deploying the charge of institutional racism 'willy-nilly'.

He argued that institutional racism should be limited to 'deep-seated' biases and that breezily throwing out the allegation risked devaluing its seriousness.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report found no evidence of institutional racism and hailed the UK a 'beacon to the rest of Europe and the world'.

It was commissioned by Boris Johnson in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests - but Dr Sewell insisted he was not part of the 'war on woke'.

'If you ask me about taking the knee, I've got two bad knees. I'm not about gestures,' he added.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: 'The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities was launched to conduct a detailed, data-led examination of inequality across the entire population, and to set out a positive agenda for change.

'I want to thank Dr Tony Sewell and each of the commissioners for generously giving their time to lead this important piece of work.

'It is now right that the Government considers their recommendations in detail, and assesses the implications for future government policy.

'The entirety of government remains fully committed to building a fairer Britain and taking the action needed to address disparities wherever they exist.'

But the findings have already come under criticism from campaigners and politicians who claim the report ignores key issues.

Shadow justice secretary David Lammy, who is black, said the report was an 'insult to anybody and everybody across this country who experiences institutional racism'.

Speaking on LBC this morning, he said: 'British people, white and black, are dying to turn the page on racism.

'They are working in food banks to support the marginalised. They are teaching in after-school clubs to raise awareness. They are working in rehabilitation centres to end the cycle of disproportionate mass incarceration.

'Boris Johnson has just slammed the door in their faces by telling them that they're idealists, they are wasting their time. He has let an entire generation of young white and black British people down.'

Landmark report says poor white boys are most disadvantaged as it urges UK to 'look beyond race' saying there are NOT widespread 'institutional' issues and where people live is MORE important for life chances

By James Tapsfield and Jack Maidment for MailOnline

A landmark report today urged the UK to look 'beyond race' as it insisted where people live is more important for their life chances.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities insisted racism is a 'real force' in Britain and must be tackled, while hailing progress over recent decades.

But it said that 'geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture and religion have more significant impact on life chances than the existence of racism'

The report - which has already been criticised as an 'insult' by Labour - said in terms of overall numbers white boys from low income families were the most disadvantaged.

It also also hit out at the 'casual' use of the term 'institutional racism', saying there was little evidence to support the claims.

It said the term 'racism' was often 'misapplied' to 'account for every observed disparity' - suggesting that firms should 'move away from' unconscious bias training.

Chair Tony Sewell thanked the 'mainly young people' behind the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement for putting the focus on race, but cautioned that progress cannot be achieved by 'cleaving to a fatalistic account that insists nothing has changed'.

The document said 'historic experience of racism still haunts the present' and identified a 'reluctance to acknowledge that the UK had become open and fairer'.

The commission called for more funding for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and also urged a crackdown on social media firms who fail to tackle online abuse.

'The evidence shows that geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture and religion have more significant impact on life chances than the existence of racism,' the report said.

'That said, we take the reality of racism seriously and we do not deny that it is a real force in the UK.'

It added: 'We have argued for the use of the term 'institutional racism' to be applied only when deep-seated racism can be proven on a systemic level and not be used as a general catch-all phrase for any microaggression, witting or unwitting.'

The report said: 'The life chances of the child of a Harrow-raised British Indian accountant and the child of a Bradford-raised British Pakistani taxi-driver are as wide apart as they are, partly because of the UK's economic geography.

'Meanwhile, the numerically largest disadvantaged group is low income White boys, especially those from former industrial and coastal towns, who are failing at secondary school and are the people least likely to go to university.

'Unlike many other reports on race and ethnicity we have included the White group in our deliberations.

'For a range of outcomes, White working class children trail behind their peers in almost all ethnic minority groups, although the extent of these disparities vary by area.'

The commission, set up by Boris Johnson in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, concluded that although Britain is not yet a 'post-racial society', its success should be a model for white-majority countries.

Dr Sewell said the UK had progressed into a 'successful multi-ethnic and multicultural community' which was a 'beacon to the rest of Europe and the world'.

He warned ministers must also consider the needs of the white working class, saying his report had uncovered how 'stuck' some groups were.

Dr Sewell this morning insisted he was not denying the existence of racism - but railed against people deploying the charge of institutional racism 'willy-nilly'.

He argued that institutional racism should be limited to 'deep-seated' biases and that breezily throwing out the allegation risked devaluing its seriousness.

The Commission's review, published in full this morning, set out 24 recommendations to the Government.

They included ending the use of the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) acronym, urging organisations to move away from funding unconscious bias training and calling for the school day to be extended, starting in disadvantaged areas.

Britain is a model to the world of a successful multi-ethnic society, according to a major review. Pictured: Black Lives Matter protest in central London, 07 June, 2020

The Equality and Human Rights Commission welcomed the report, with chair Baroness Kishwer Falkner stressing that 'race inequality is complex and there are links with other factors such as social and family background, poverty and geography'.

'This report rightly identifies the varied causes of disparities and by making recommendations to address them gives the government the opportunity to design policy targeting the sources of inequality,' she said.

What IS 'unconscious bias'? 'Unconscious bias' is a term used to describe when people make assumptions about others without realising they are doing so. It is mostly associated with the 'woke' movement - while critics dismiss it. The University of California, San Francisco, claims 'everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups'. Edinburgh University says it can result in people being treated unfairly because of their gender, ethnicity or disability. 'Workplace relationships experts' Acas say unconscious bias sometimes stems from stereotypes. They give the example of assuming someone with tattoos is unlikely to follow rules. The term has only recently entered common discourse, but is already prompting corporations to implement specialist training for staff. MPs were also invited to undergo unconscious bias training - although some refused. Critics argue the training is nothing more than a corporate box-ticking exercise. Dr Frank Dobbin, Harvard University social sciences professor, argues that compulsory diversity training simply doesn't work and can often make things worse. Advertisement

'While Britain has made great progress towards race equality in the last 50 years, there is still much more to do. As the report says, we need to find a way to take our successes, learn from them, and apply them to where we need to make further improvements. A joined-up approach is needed.'

But shadow justice secretary David Lammy, who is black, said the report was an 'insult to anybody and everybody across this country who experiences institutional racism'.

Speaking on LBC this morning, he said: 'British people, white and black, are dying to turn the page on racism.

'They are working in food banks to support the marginalised. They are teaching in after-school clubs to raise awareness. They are working in rehabilitation centres to end the cycle of disproportionate mass incarceration.

'Boris Johnson has just slammed the door in their faces by telling them that they're idealists, they are wasting their time. He has let an entire generation of young white and black British people down.'

The landmark review found children from many ethnic minorities do as well or better at school than white pupils, which was creating fairer and more diverse workplaces.

It called on firms to phase out 'unconscious bias' training because other approaches were needed to 'advance fairness in the workplace'.

The report warned that Britain is not 'a post-racial society' and that 'overt and outright racism persists in the UK', particularly online.

But it said: 'We also have to ask whether a narrative that claims nothing has changed for the better, and that the dominant feature of our society is institutional racism and white privilege will achieve anything beyond alienating the decent centre ground  a centre ground which is occupied by people of all races and ethnicities.'

The long-awaited study warned that the focus on race as the cause of all inequality could be self-defeating.

'This matters because the more things are explained as a result of racial bias, the more it appears that society is set against ethnic minorities, which in turn can discourage ethnic minority individuals from pursuing their goals,' the report said.

'If more precise language does not become a feature of our national conversation on race, we can expect to see tensions increase across communities  despite determined action by government and civil society to reduce discrimination.'

The review's conclusions have already been controversial, partly thanks to the involvement of Dr Sewell, who runs the educational charity Generating Genius.

He chaired an inquiry into schools for Mr Johnson when he was Mayor of London, and when his appointment was announced the Muslim Council of Britain claimed he was 'keen on downplaying race disparities'. The Prime Minister chose him to lead the commission in the wake of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations last summer.

Dr Sewell was asked to explore race disparities in education, employment, the criminal justice system and health.

The report concluded that the success of many of Britain's ethnic minorities in education and, to a lesser extent, the economy 'should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries'.

It said that the aspirations and hard work of many ethnic minority communities had transformed UK society over the last 50 years into one offering far greater opportunities for all.

'Education is the single most emphatic success story of the British ethnic minority experience,' it concluded.

The report warned that Britain is not 'a post-racial society' and that 'overt and outright racism persists in the UK', particularly online (stock image)

RACE REPORT'S KEY FINDINGS The review's conclusions will be controversial, partly thanks to the involvement of Dr Sewell, who runs the educational charity Generating Genius Britain's success in creating a multi-ethnic society means that it should be considered a 'model' for other white majority countries.

The Commission has seen no evidence that the UK is institutionally racist.

Britain is not yet a 'post-racial' society and 'overt racism' is still prevalent, particularly online.

Children from many ethnic minority communities do at least as well or substantially better than white pupils at school.

This success is creating fairer and more diverse workplaces.

Organisations should stop using the acronym BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) to describe minorities.

The use of 'unconscious bias' training should be phased out in the workplace. Advertisement

'The Commission notes that the average GCSE attainment score for Indian, Bangladeshi and Black African pupils was above the White British average.'

Earlier this month, the Duchess of Sussex used a US television interview to make allegations about racism in the Royal Family. And Prince Harry claimed racism from the tabloid press that filtered into the rest of society was a 'large part' of why he and his wife left the UK.

But the report suggested that the well-meaning 'idealism' of many young people who claim Britain is still institutionally racist was not borne out by the evidence.

While there remain disparities at the top of the public and private sectors, it is an improving picture and there are increasing levels of diversity in elite professions such as law and medicine.

The report also noted the pay gap between all ethnic minorities and the white majority population had shrunk to 2.3 per cent. It concluded issues of race and racism were becoming less important and, in some cases, were not a significant factor in explaining disparities. Different outcomes had as much to do with social class and family structure as race, it said.

The report added: 'We found that most of the disparities we examined, which some attribute to racial discrimination, often do not have their origins in racism.'

The commission said some minority groups continue to be 'haunted' by 'historic cases' of racism. This creates 'deep mistrust' in the system which could prove a barrier to success. 'Both the reality and the perception of unfairness matter,' the report warned.

It concluded that as the differences between ethnic groups were at least as important as the things they shared, the use of the acronym BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) should be stopped. And it called on organisations 'to move away from funding unconscious bias training'.

Dr Sewell said: 'The report highlights the significance of education as the single most powerful tool in reducing ethnic disparities.

'Another revelation from our dive into the data was just how stuck some groups from the white majority are.'

This morning he told ITV's Good Morning Britain programme: 'No one denies that racism exists. In fact in this report we're doing the opposite. We actually think that institutional racism is being used in a way that's wrong.

'They use different terms... structural racism, systemic racism. A lot of people don't even know what they're talking about.

'They just use it willy-nilly in a way, in a sense that it's not being defined properly. We think it should be deep-seated racism, so we want to protect the term.'

Dr Sewell, a former teacher who grew up in Brixton, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the term 'institutional racism' was 'sometimes wrongly applied' as a 'sort of catch-all phrase for micro-aggressions or acts of racial abuse'.

The ten-person commission also featured Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist and co-presenter of the BBC's The Sky at Night, and former police superintendent Keith Fraser, chairman of the Youth Justice Board.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'disappointed' by the findings from the report published so far as he insisted there were structural problems that needed to be addressed.

He told reporters on a visit in Leeds: 'I haven't seen the full report yet and, obviously, I'll want to read that. I've seen the briefings out of it and I'm disappointed.

'On the one hand, there's an acknowledgement of the problems, the issues, the challenges that face many black and minority ethnic communities. But, on the other hand, there's a reluctance to accept that that's structural.'

Sir Keir said there had been 'report after report' on the issue as he called for action and the creation of a full race equality act.

Dr Halima Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank, said it was 'deeply, deeply worrying' that the commission had denied the existence of institutional racism.

She said she feels 'massively let down' by the review and added: 'Institutionally, we are still racist, and for a Government-appointed commission to look into (institutional) racism, to deny its existence is deeply, deeply worrying.'

Matthew Ryder QC, lawyer to Stephen Lawrence case and ex-deputy mayor of London, was also critical of the review this morning.

Pictured: A Black Live Matter Protest, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, June 9, 2020

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'm glad this work's being done, but from what I've seen I'm not optimistic this is going to be a helpful report and there are some glaring things I would mention.

'The report seems to rely very strongly on access to higher education of being a determination of racial equality. And it relies quite strongly on statistics that suggest working class white boys often have the lowest education attainment.

'We've known this for about 10 years so this isn't new, but if you put that statistic in context, it tells you something much more important that isn't mentioned in the report at all.

'And that is: even when white working class boys have lower educational qualifications and a lower likelihood of going to university, they have higher employment rates and higher social mobility, and that was highlighted in 2019 by the University of Aberdeen, and they called this the 'white working class paradox'.

'If you simply trot out what we've known for 10 years about access to education and say 'that shows racism has been solved', it doesn't show what the problem is.'
Passengers arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi from South Korean capital Seoul, September 25, 2020. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Airlines.

Vietnamese aviation authorities proposed allowing vaccinated foreign passengers into the country from September without requiring centralized quarantine.

In a proposal sent to the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) said it is scheduled to resume regular international flights with countries and territories that have approved the same type of Covid-19 vaccines as Vietnam.

There will be seven flights a week.

Passengers will be exempt from 14-day centralized quarantine if they show a certificate confirming they had tested negative for the novel coronavirus and an international vaccination certificate proving they had been inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine recognized by Vietnam.

So far, Vietnam approved AstraZeneca's ChAdOx1 vaccine and Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine.

After entering the country, passengers must declare to local authorities their place of residence and isolate themselves here for seven to 14 days.

Passengers who do not have both a Covid-19 negative and international immunization certificate are required to be quarantined at a centralized facility for 14 days.

It said the plan can start in September, but it depends on progress in the country's mass vaccination campaign, which started on March 8. Over 48,000 Vietnamese, mainly frontline workers in the Covid-19 fight, have received their first Covid-19 vaccine shots.

CAAV also proposed resuming regular flights with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan from July with each side operating four flights a week. However, all passengers will be quarantined upon arrival as per the Health Ministry protocol.

It is expected there would be around 6,000 to 7,000 passengers entering the country each week from those three Asian destinations.

The government has closed national borders and canceled all international flights since March last year with only Vietnamese repatriates, foreign experts and highly-skilled workers allowed in with stringent conditions.

Many foreigners who have been kept out of Vietnam due to travel restrictions have pleaded with the government to reopen the borders and resume international flights so they could reunite with their families.
Burma Myanmars Detained leader Suu Kyi Meets Lawyer for the First Time

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (Center) in 2016. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars ousted leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met her lawyer for the first time since her detention two months ago and is in good health, her lawyer said.

The State Counselor has been under house arrest since the militarys Feb 1 coup.

The meeting via video on Wednesday came one day prior to Daw Aung San Suu Kyis latest court hearing. The meeting happened after the regime last week approved two junior lawyers from her legal defense team to represent her in court.

She is in good health. She even urged us to stay healthy. She was smiling and looked relaxed, said Daw Min Min Soe, the lawyer who spoke with her on Wednesday.

The lawyer said that during the meeting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi requested the regime to allow her to meet her lawyers in person, as she is not comfortable talking via video.

Daw Min Min Soe said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also agreed for other lawyers from the defense team to represent her in court because of the growing number of cases filed against her.

So far, the junta has filed four charges against her under Article 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law for allegedly interacting with a crowd during the coronavirus pandemic, Article 8 of the Export and Import Law for alleged possession of unlicensed walkie-talkies and other foreign equipment and Article 67 of the Telecommunications Law and Article 505(b) of the Penal Code for sedition.

The regime has also announced that corruption probes against the State Counselor are under way. She has been accused of accepting money and gold from the ousted Yangon chief minister and a businessman.

Her Thursday court hearing will be conducted via video. Her previous two hearings were both cancelled due to the regimes internet blackouts.

Since the coup protests have erupted daily across Myanmar, with anti-regime demonstrators demanding the restoration of democracy and the release of the countrys democratically-elected leaders and all others arrested.

However, the regime has responded to the protesters with lethal force, killing nearly 500 civilians so far.

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency session on Myanmar on Wednesday.

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Amazon has acquired a startup in India that is helping offline stores go online, the e-commerce groups latest attempt to make inroads in the worlds second most populous nation where brick and mortar continue to drive more than 95% of sales.

The American e-commerce group said on Tuesday evening that it has acquired Perpule, a four-year-old startup. A regulatory filing showed Amazon Technologies paid $14.7 million to acquire the Indian startup in an all-cash deal. The company is expected to spend an additional $5 million or so to compensate Perpules employees.

Perpule, which had raised $6.36 million (per insight platform Tracxn), offers a mobile payments device (point of sale machine) to offline retailers to help them accept digital payments and also establish presence on various mini app stores including those run by Paytm, PhonePe and Google Pay in India.

Perpule has built an innovative cloud-based POS offering that enables offline stores in India to better manage their inventory, checkout process and overall customer experience," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement.

"We are excited to have the Perpule team join us to focus on providing growth opportunities for businesses of all sizes in India while raising the bar of the shopping experience for Indian customers."

Founded in late 2016, the Indian startups first product was focused on helping customers avoid queues at superchains such as Shoppers Stop, Spar Hypermarket and Big Bazaar. But the product, said Abhinav Pathak in a recent interview, wasnt scaling, which is when Perpule pivoted.

The Bangalore-based startup -- which counts Prime Venture Partners, Kalaari Capital and Raghunandan G (founder of neobank Zolve) among its investors -- has further expanded in recent years, launching products like StoreSE, which enables a business to support group ordering.

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Last year, it also expanded geographically, bringing its offerings to Southeast Asian markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Amazon has aggressively engaged with physical stores in India in recent years, using their vast presence in the nation to expand its delivery network and warehouses and even just relying on their inventory to drive sales.

The companys push into physical retail comes as Flipkart, and Reliance Jio Platforms (backed by Facebook and Google), which last year raised over $20 billion, also race to capture this market. The acquisition of Perpule comes less than a week after Google backed DotPe, a startup that offers several similar products.

These neighborhood stores offer all kinds of items, are family run and pay low wages and little to no rent. Because they are ubiquitous  there are more than 30 million neighborhood stores in India, according to industry estimates  no retail giant can offer a faster delivery. On top of that, their economics are often better than most of their digital counterparts.
2021-03-30

Maeci

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benedetto Della Vedova, opened the event organised by ISPI in partnership with PMI IMPACT, on Rethinking international cooperation against trafficking. The event is the first in a series of regional meetings in the run up to the seventh edition of the MED Dialogues.

The event, held behind closed doors, was attended by all the most relevant national and international actors, featuring Italian Institutions and International Organisations, the private sector, the academic community and law enforcement agencies. The event served as an opportunity for an in-depth examination of the increasingly important issue of illegal trafficking, in view of the multiple implications this has on the security landscape in the context of the enlarged Mediterranean, especially in relation to the very close ties with organised crime and terrorist groups.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that the pandemic crisis has reminded us that multilateralism is the only way forward. We must strengthen international cooperation. We must develop strategies to address the root causes that lead to organised crime and strengthen cooperation between law enforcement and judicial actors in the different countries.

Italy, he continued, attaches the utmost importance to international cooperation in the fight against transnational challenges, as demonstrated by our commitment to the Palermo Convention on Transnational Organized Crime. Today, by launching the Review Mechanism  which Italy has strongly promoted  we are particularly committed to ensuring that the Convention remains a living instrument, capable of adapting to the evolving security scenario.

Last but not least  the Deputy Minister concluded  our actions should always be guided by respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. This is central to our efforts in preventing and countering organised crime, even in exceptional circumstances such as the current pandemic.
The electric-car makers net orders reportedly fell by nearly 50% in May in what is considered to be one of the most important markets for the industry

Jun 04, 2021 02:27 PM
Mar. 30A group of residents asked a judge to temporarily suspend a building permit issued by the town of Rockport to a developer that plans to construct a 26-room hotel downtown during a hearing Tuesday afternoon.

The building permit was issued to developer, 20 Central Street LLC, on March 10. But the residents, through their attorneys, are arguing that the building permit should be temporarily suspended while an appeal of the planning board's approval of the project, as well as a lawsuit against the town, play out in court.

Justice Bruce Mallonee heard arguments on March 30 on the request to suspend the building permit, which was filed with the court on March 17. Mallonee didn't immediately issue a decision during the hearing on whether or not he would impose a temporary restraining order to halt construction from happening at the site.

Since it was proposed in 2019, the Rockport Harbor Hotel has faced opposition from some Rockport residents who feel the project was too large for downtown.

When it was initially proposed, developers planned to build a 35-room boutique hotel on the vacant lot between 18 Central Oyster Bar and Seafolk Coffee in downtown Rockport. Aftering hearing concerns from people involved with a citizen's group  the Friends of Rockport  the developer reduced the number of rooms to 26 and removed an entire floor, although the project would still consume the entire lot.

The hotel is being developed by 20 Central Street LLC, which is made up of Stuart, Marianne and Tyler Smith, the local family behind Maine Sport Outfitters and several Camden hotels.

After the town's planning board approved the 26-room project last year, voters passed an ordinance amendment that limits the size of hotels downtown to 20 rooms. Several residents filed a lawsuit against the town, alleging that the town must apply the results of the August vote to the Rockport Harbor Hotel project.

Both the appeal of the zoning board's approval and the civil lawsuit are still pending in Knox County Court.

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In order to prevent any interim harm  such as the obstruction of views or traffic  attorney Kristin Collins, who is representing the group of residents, is arguing that a temporary restraining order on the construction of the project is needed until the court rules on the larger legal matters.

Work on the site began in October of last year when the developer received an excavation permit for the project, though nothing has been built on the lot thus far.

Prior to the March 10 issuance of the building permit, Mallonee imposed a temporary restraining order on work at the site at the request of the group of residents on Jan. 8. However, he withdrew the order less than two weeks later and said he would consider reimposing the order when a building permit was issued. Now that the permit has been issued, the residents are seeking a new restraining order.

However, the town's attorney, Daniel Murphy, said that if the group wants to challenge the issuance of the building permit, they must do so through the town's zoning board of appeals, not through the court.

"It's extraordinary that residents would prevent the town from performing administrative actions," Murphy said.

An attorney representing 20 Central Street LLC said Tuesday that any further delays on the development of the site will cost about $70,000 per month.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has ordered to quickly disburse compensation for the families of the deceased and those injured in the Sohag train collision, Social Solidarity Minister Nevine el-Kabbaj said Saturday 27/03/2021

He also issued directives to provide all means of health, psychological and social care, as well as offer accommodations for families coming from other governorates, the minister told a press conference in Sohag, Upper Egypt.

All the needed measures to pay the compensation will be completed within a week in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Population and the Public Prosecution after issuing the death certificates, she added.

EGP 100,000 will be paid as compensation for the families of each victim, as well as those suffering total permanent disability (TPD), Kabbaj said.

The injured with a total permanent disability will also receive a monthly life-long pension, she added.

Those who suffered a permanent partial disability (+50%) will get EGP 75,000, while those who suffered from disability at lower rates will get between EGP 75,000 to 40,000 based on their medical reports, the minister said.

She added that the injured would also be paid compensation ranging between EGP 40,000 to 5,000, depending on their injury degree, and hours they spend at hospitals.

Also, the ministry is urgently undertaking measures, in cooperation with NGOs and several other bodies, to disburse EGP 20,000 for the victim's families, as well as an amount ranging from EGP 10,000 to 5,000 pounds for the injured, Kabbaj announced.

Those amounts would be paid today, she added.

At least 19 people were killed and 185 others injured in Sohag train accident on Friday.
MACDOEL, Calif.  The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office says that a man reported missing from Bend may be somewhere in Siskiyou County after the discovery of his vehicle.

47-year-old Patrick Gillespie was last seen in the Bend area on March 11. His vehicle was found in the area of Mt. Hebron along Highway 97 on March 26, the Sheriff's Office said.

According to previous information from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Gillespie's vehicle was a 2002 Honda Accord 4-door with Oregon plate number 312 MPR.

Gillespie is described as a Caucasian man, about five-foot, ten-inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

If you have any information on the case or have had contact with Gillespie, please call the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office at 530-841-2900.
World-leading Tauranga marine scientist Professor Chris Battershill will be speaking about the importance of ocean biodiversity and the sustainable management of this important natural resource in a Tauranga Public Lecture Series on April 12.

The free event, held at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus, will reveal how derivatives from sea sponges can fight a variety of cancers and how red seaweed has been used to create drugs for HIV/Aids and potential for treatment of the Covid-19 virus.

The hour-long talk, Drugs from the Sea: Biomedicines, Biodiversity and Biopirates, is billed as a must-attend for those interested in this ground-breaking area of medical and marine science, and for anyone interested in the sustainable management of our ocean resources.

New Zealands natural marine environment has played an important role in the discovery of many important drugs and continues to be an important resource for drug leads, says Chris, who heads the Coastal Marine group at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus.

It plays a part in something that has a significant impact on peoples lives around the planet.

In 1986, Chris was part of a team of international scientists who discovered a rare sea sponge off the coast of Kaikoura in the South Island, which has since been used in the creation of the late phase breast cancer drug Halaven.

A protein isolated from a New Zealand species of red algae is being investigated as a highly effective HIV/AIDS and SARS-CoV treatment, and has shown promise in prevention and treatment of the Covid-19 virus.

One of the reasons the New Zealand marine biodiscovery team has been successful in identifying these biomedicinal leads is that the marine biodiversity of Aotearoa is extremely high. This due to evolution in isolation, says Chris.

New Zealand has a really large number of native plants and animal species on both land and sea that are endemic to New Zealand  60-80 per cent are unique to this country, and found nowhere else. So, the likelihood of finding unique chemical leads here is high.

In addition, our approach to discovery in the sea, was to understand why marine organisms would have bioactive chemicals in the first place. What is their role in nature? Answering that question allows us to target especially rich habitats and species that use chemical weapons for their own purposes, thereby enhancing discovery rates of useful compounds for human applications.

New Zealand is an especially rich spot for finding diverse bioactive chemicals of relevance to human health.

In the past, scientists and conservationists were concerned about the impact bio-prospecting may have on future biodiversity, says Chris.

The harvesting of these organisms for medical research, if not carefully managed, could result in the loss of species, including those that could offer a future cure or medicine to fight disease.

One issue is the amount of active ingredients required to advance a pre-clinical trial, says Chris.

In the case of Halaven, 1 tonne of a marine organism was required to create just one gram of purified active material.

The research team in New Zealand led the way globally by factoring in the abundance and sensitivity to collection of the marine species that were being looked at as biomedicinal leads and with our Australian counterparts, coming up with alternate means of producing the target compounds including aquaculture.

Building on a growing demand for new marine products, the Aquaculture programme at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus takes a sustainable and culturally sensitive approach to this growth industry. The Bay of Plenty provides a unique living laboratory to students, with the universitys Coastal Marine Field Station located at Sulphur Point in Tauranga.

A much more insidious issue is the near catastrophic loss of marine biodiversity due to land runoff of sediments and pollutants, sea temperature increases and ocean acidification in a fast changing climate, says Chris.

This perfect storm of events are resulting in our coastal reefs systems being smothered by mud and kelp forests succumbing to low light in murky waters and outbreaks of invasive species.

Despite the fact that much of our coastal estate has been influenced by land runoff, we are still finding new species all the time that are brand new to science in what are becoming refugia for diversity, says Chris.

Just recently, together with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, we conducted a deep camera survey off Motiti Island. We found some amazing reef systems wed never seen before with representative species more well-known, north of the Poor Knights Islands.

There is a race against time with the loss of diversity, to find medicinal and other leads of value to humanity from nature, says Chris.

Its part of an important discussion we need to be having now, which will impact future generations.

Register here to attend Drugs from the Sea: Biomedicines, Biodiversity and Biopirates on April 12.

To find out more about studying Aquaculture and Marine Science at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus, see here .

About Chris Battershill

Professor Chris Battershill combines a life-long love of the sea with a passion for medicine and science in his role as the inaugural Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair in Coastal Science, based at the University of Waikatos new Tauranga campus.

Amongst other national and international collaborations, he oversees the New Zealand operation of the INTERCOAST programme, established by the University of Waikato and Bremen University in Germany to create a major centre of marine research excellence in the Bay of Plenty.

Professor Battershill also heads the Coastal Marine Group in the School of Science and is the inaugural Director of the Coastal Marine Field Station in Tauranga.

Formerly Principal Scientist and Research Team Leader (Supporting Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity) at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and a Programme Leader at NIWA, his research spans the tropics to the Antarctic and focuses on marine ecology, and environmental science, and biodiscovery for medicinal and agricultural sectors.
COLLEGE PARK, Md., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Women don't speak up as much as men do in organizations because they lack confidence. But they can gain confidence to contribute more if they see women leaders speaking up first, finds new research from Maryland Smith, forthcoming in the Journal of Applied Psychology as "How Employees Learn to Speak Up from Their Leaders: Gender Congruity Effects in the Development of Voice Self-Efficacy".

Management professor Subrahmaniam Tangirala at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business worked with Thomas Taiyi Yan of University College London, Abhijeet K. Vadera of Singapore Management University and Srinivas Ekkirala of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. They looked at how often both women and men speak up in the workplace and found that women do, in fact, remain silent more frequently than men.

"Women can lack the confidence to speak up in groups," says Tangirala. "One of the reasons is that they don't have, throughout their lifetime, many experiences of speaking up because it's much more encouraged in men than women."

Girls are often not taught to be assertive and don't have as many opportunities to speak up as boys, which translates to the workplace. But the researchers point to a remedy: More female managers to model how to speak up.

"The solution, then, is that you need to have good role models in organizations for women to learn the skills and develop the confidence to speak up," Tangirala says. "That means having female leaders who speak up."

The researchers used data from a field study involving 368 employees and their leaders from a variety of industries in India, along with a study in an online panel of 546 U.S.-based workers.

"What we found through both an experiment and field study was that you need your immediate supervisors to act as good role models," says Tangirala. "We found that women were more positively affected and gained more confidence when they saw women leaders speaking up. You need to have relatable role models. It's not just seeing any manager. It's much more symbolically processed when she sees women leaders speak up."

Tangirala points to two reasons why:

"People need to realize that men and women have different experiences," he says. Women employees in the researchers' sample felt they could relate more to the experiences of female leaders. That made them feel more likely to want to emulate those leaders' behaviors.

Reason No. 2: "Men and women have different ways of speaking and different ways of communicating. We found that women said they felt they could learn more from a female manager than from a male manager on how to speak up because the style of the female manager makes them more comfortable."

"Women continue to have low confidence because there are not as many women leaders in organizations," he says. "The lack of women leaders to role model this behavior might be a reason why women's voices are not visible in the workplace."

Organizations can change that by hiring and promoting more women, he says. And not necessarily only at the top (though that would be good, too) but throughout the management structure: "Women need to see immediate managers  women who are one level above them  taking these actions," Tangirala says. "Women need to see relatable role models who speak up and engage in these behaviors."

Organizations also need to actively encourage employees to contribute, and listen when they do, Tangirala says. "For organizations, it's very clear that they need to encourage women to speak up at all levels, and especially middle management and frontline supervisors. When they do that, it helps all the people below to learn from them and do the same."

Visit Smith Brain Trust for related content at http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/faculty-research/smithbraintrust and follow on Twitter @SmithBrainTrust.

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, specialty masters, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact: Greg Muraski at [email protected] or 301-892-0973.

SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
According to a McKinsey report, the total number of mobile money services worldwide was 282 in 2017, with more than half of those operating in sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2020, these numbers increased significantly, but the ratio remained similar. In 96 countries, there are 310 live mobile money services, according to a GSMA report. Out of that number, 171 are from Africa, while 157 are in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Tanzania, mobile money services can be relatively difficult to use due to unstable internet and high service fees. Benjamin Fernandes noticed this as a national television host while building a mobile money service to enable people to pay for TV subscriptions in East Africa back in 2011.

Six years later, he would start his own mobile money and wallet aggregator, NALA, to solve these issues. Its first mobile application allowed users to make mobile money payments and utilize mobile banking without an internet connection. The business grew to 250,000 users in over a year after its official launch.

Last year, the WorldBank predicted a sharp decline of international remittances to Africa. But even though Africa is still the most expensive region to send money to, with averages of 10.6% in transaction fees, the opposite happened. There was an increase in remittance activity on the continent.

Kenya, for instance, had its highest-ever inbound remittance at $3 billion, while WorldRemit acquired Sendwave in August 2020 for $500 million and Mama Money claimed to have grown 500% within the year.

NALA also noticed an uptick in remittance requests where one in seven users wanted to receive money internationally. This happened despite not being in that business at the time. It's not hard to see why: Presently, more than 70% of money sent to Sub-Saharan Africa is transacted through physical stores. When many over-the-counter services were suspended or limited due to coronavirus restrictions, people were left with expensive, unreliable or hard-to-access alternatives.

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Combined with the increasing trend for digital-first financial services and listening to some users' requests, NALA began testing international money transfers in August 2020 to facilitate payments from the U.K. to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. By building a multi-currency ledger where people can send money from the U.K. to Tanzania and back to the U.K., Fernandes says NALA can build a Wise for Africa.

I believe international payments are only 1% built today. Until you can send money both ways seamlessly, our work isnt done," Fernandes told TechCrunch. We believe African markets should be sender markets, too; there is a lot of trade happening with other countries, and most of the money is sent via costly bank wires or at physical stores. It doesnt need to be this way; its time for something better.

Various platforms are trying to achieve this, but none specifically targets the East African region. That is NALA's play, according to the CEO. "This is where we see a big advantage for us. We are local, we understand mobile money, we built bill payments on our previous product, and this is an extension of that," he added.

Benjamin Fernandes (CEO, NALA)

Since graduating as the first East African company from Y Combinator in 2019, NALA has brought other interesting investors on board to support its mission. The most notable is Accel, which has been kept under wraps for some time. The VC firm rarely makes deals on the continent and has only invested in NALA and Egypt's Instabug. Other backers include NYCA Partners and angel investors like Shamir Karkal (co-founder of Simple), Peeyush Ranjan (former Flipkart CTO and current head of Google Payments) and Thomas Stafford (DST Global).

NALA also enlisted the services of Nicolas Esteves (who was the VP of engineering at Osper and had a stint at Monzo) to become the company's CTO which, according to Fernandes, will considerably improve the company's chances of achieving its goal. "When we brought someone of his calibre on our team, it just opened up the doors of what we could accomplish because he has built multi-currency ledgers across different large companies."

For now, though, the company will be rolling out a beta product next month for U.K.-based customers sending money to Kenya and Uganda (Tanzania will come later). The company claims that the service will support instant payments to all major mobile money accounts and says it is closing some banking partnerships that will allow it to facilitate money transfers from East Africa to the U.K.
U.S. misleads public, diverts attention through human rights issues

16:58, March 30, 2021 By Chen Zi ( People's Daily Online

Northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region enjoys social stability, economic development, ethnic unity, and religious harmony. Residents of all ethnic groups in the region, including the Uygurs, are living peaceful and happy lives.

The Xinjiang-related sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies have interfered in Chinas internal affairs and grossly distorted basic facts about the region. Anyone who seeks truth from facts and abandons the presumption of guilt can understand the real situation in the region.

A child riding on an electric tricycle visits a bazaar in Hami City of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

The total population of Xinjiang has continued to grow steadily. From 2010 to 2018, the number of permanent residents in Xinjiang increased by 13.99 percent. Among that number, the population of ethnic minorities increased by 22.14 percent.

The Uygur population in Xinjiang saw an increase of 25.04 percent, much higher than the 2 percent growth rate of the Han population in the region.

These figures clearly reveal how baseless the claim of "genocide" in Xinjiang is. The U.S. should reflect on its own history of genocide of native Indians, rather than pinning the genocide label on Xinjiang.

Xinjiang enjoys a sound development momentum. The regions gross domestic product grew 3.4 percent year on year to about 1.38 trillion yuan (about $210 billion) in 2020. The annual per capita disposable income of urban residents stood at 34,838 yuan, up 0.5 percent from the previous year. The region also ranked first in terms of the growth rate of fixed-asset investment nationwide.

Peoples livelihoods in Xinjiang have also steadily improved. Last year, 3.06 million rural residents living below Chinas current poverty line shook off poverty, and 3,666 impoverished villages and 35 poverty-stricken counties were lifted out of poverty.

Furthermore, 70 percent of Xinjiang cotton is harvested by machines. Cotton farmers can order machine picking services via mobile phone applications.

All this data serves as the most convincing of evidence. Xinjiang has seen improvement in peoples livelihoods and economic development, and its people enjoy legitimate rights and share with other people in China the dignity of being Chinese.

The U.S., while touting itself as a world human rights defender, has exposed its true face in front of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it failed to guarantee the most basic rights of Americans, including the rights to life and health, let alone their dignity.

Despite having the most advanced medical technologies and the most abundant medical resources in the world, the U.S. failed to save its people. As of March 29, 2021, the U.S., home to less than 5 percent of the worlds population, accounted for more than one-fifth of the worlds confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly one-fifth of the global deaths from the disease. More than 500,000 Americans have lost their lives due to the virus.

The U.S. seems to champion the slogan of all being equal, but fails to give fair treatment to African Americans. The pandemic has further exposed the systemic racial discrimination in American society.

African Americans are three times as likely as whites to be infected with the coronavirus, and twice as likely to die from it. The rights of American Indians are violated and Asian Americans are being bullied, while hate crimes remain at a high level.

U.S. police officers take an oath to protect citizens lives and property, but at the same time, they point guns at Americans.

American police shot and killed a total of 1,127 people in 2020, with no killings reported in just 18 days of that year, according to Mapping Police Violence, a research and advocacy group. African Americans made up 13 percent of the U.S. population, but accounted for 28 percent of the people killed by the police. African Americans were three times as likely as white Americans to be killed by police.

The U.S., though dubbing itself a lecturer on human rights, turns a blind eye to the forced separation of migrant families along the U.S.-Mexico border.

According to U.S. media, of the 266,000 immigrant kids who were held in custody by the U.S. government in recent years, more than 25,000 had been detained for longer than 100 days.

The U.S. claims to value human rights, but does not care about the lives of ordinary people. This is not protection of human rights, but shows that Americas intention behind smearing Xinjiang is to shift domestic attention and cover up its own serious human rights violations.

Perhaps the seemingly successful U.S. style of human rights has made the country feel morally right and serves as a strategic tool for Washington to infringe on the interests of other countries. However, in China, a people-centered concept of human rights is upheld by the Chinese people, as it better protects the fundamental interests of the largest possible number of Chinese people, and reflects the essence of human rights.

If the U.S. truly cares about human rights, it should, in line with the principle of mutual respect, deliver on its commitment and advance the global human rights cause. After all, any efforts made to protect human rights will end up being pointless if they fail to serve the people.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
A stunned motorist has spotted four mobile speed cameras stationed on the same street - with one even posing as a P-plater.

The group of unmarked vehicles were parked within 100metres of each other on the Biggs Street footpath in St Albans, north-west of Melbourne, Victoria on Tuesday.

The first was a red Nissan Pathfinder parked on the left side of the road with a high-tech camera poking out from the back window.

A few steps ahead was a second mobile camera - tucked away inside a red Mitsubishi Outlander.

A stunned motorist spotted four unmarked mobile speed cameras parked along Biggs Street in Melbourne on Saturday

Next was a car with a provisional plate.

'He's a P-plater the cheeky bugger', the man filming the video said.

'I've never seen this before!'

A green P-plate was slapped onto the back window of the grey Kia Sorrento next to the mobile camera set-up.

The driver then came across the final vehicle - a black Kia Sorrento at the end of the road.

The motorist's discovery took an unexpected turn as the third vehicle posed as a green P-plater (pictured)

'The fourth one right over here, have a look at this bloke', he said.

'All on one street, this is unbelievable.'

Despite Biggs St being a government approved mobile camera location, the footage has shocked Australian motorists, with some condemning the unmarked cameras.

'They should get all fines issues to them for parking in the nature strip,' one commented on Facebook.

'Surely that's against the law to be so many that close,' another said.

Other motorists believe the four vehicles were undergoing a training course.

'Surely it's training and/or calibrating the equipment', one argued.

'This is near our place. Everyone freaking out why there's 4 of them, they are training new staff. A few weeks ago there was about 7 or 8,' a woman said.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety confirmed that a mobile camera can legally park on a footpath.

'While using a mobile camera, the operator can park the vehicle on a footpath, a nature strip or a dividing strip.'

'There are no technical or legal restrictions on placing a mobile road safety camera on a slope, gradient or hill.'
It might have been a publicity stunt, but this isn't the kind of publicity any brand should aim for. A day after Volkswagen put out a press release that it is rebranding as "Voltswagen," the company now says it was a joke.

The move was widely reported on Tuesday after a press release "accidentally" leaked on the company's website. Later, the company told The Wall Street Journal that it was meant as an April Fool's joke. The problem is, it's still March. Also, no one gave any indication that it wasn't real.

In fact, the company emailed reporters and included a link to a press release touting the change. The press release has since been removed from the company's website, but the company had previously confirmed to CNBC that the rebranding was real.

Except it wasn't.

Volkswagen said in a statement that the stunt was meant to draw attention to the company's efforts to build an electric vehicle, the ID.4. "We didn't mean to mislead anyone," a spokesperson for the company told The Wall Street Journal. "The whole thing is just a marketing action to get people talking about the ID.4."

Sure, you can argue that it's all a marketing stunt, but if you make people believe that it's more than that -- that you're doing something you have no intention of doing -- it costs you your credibility. That, for a brand, is the one thing it should never do.

And this isn't the first time Volkswagen has been caught being less than truthful. The company was caught installing software to evade emissions tests on diesel-powered vehicles in a scandal that resulted in criminal charges against the company and its former CEO, Martin Winterkorn.

I think it goes without saying that if your company has a history of lying to the public, April Fool's jokes are probably a bad idea in general. In fact, you should probably just let the products speak for themselves instead of drawing unnecessary attention.

Of course, the company has been trying to draw attention to its efforts to manufacture electric vehicles, with the head of Volkswagen Group, Herbert Diess, even poking at Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, on Twitter earlier this year. Diess highlighted the fact that the company had taken market share from Tesla, which is certainly something it should be proud of.

Hello @Twitter! I'm here to make an impact with @VWGroup, especially on political issues. And, of course, to get some of your market shares, @elonmusk - after all, our ID.3 and e-tron have won the first markets in Europe. Looking forward to productive discussions! -- Herbert Diess (@Herbert_Diess) January 20, 2021
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 19:09:04|Editor: huaxia

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HARARE, March 31 (Xinhua) -- There will not be Easter cheer for pupils in boarding school after the Zimbabwean government ordered that they should not break for the long weekend holiday which begins Friday and ends on Monday as the government strives to contain the spread of COVID-19.

As of Monday, the country had recorded 1,520 deaths from 36,839 infections.

This year's Easter commemorations, in which the country's predominantly Christian population marks the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, is bound to be low-key again as happened in 2020 when the first national lockdown was announced.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa issued a statement Tuesday night announcing additional lockdown amid fears of a third wave of the pandemic.

"School learners who are in boarding schools will not be permitted to travel back home. Equally, no parents will travel to concerned schools for purposes of visits," Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe experienced a second wave of COVID-19 infections and rising deaths between January and February following the Christmas holidays when people were allowed to travel across borders and throughout the country.

The government has now become warier of the problem associated with such holidays and has, therefore, advised against unnecessary travel.

The wearing of masks, sanitizing of hands and social distancing remain mandatory, while bars and nightclubs remain closed over the holidays.

Mnangagwa said all travelers to Zimbabwe have to be cleared for COVID-19 infections through PCR tests at least 48 hours before their entry into the country.

"Those with a valid PCR negative certificate will self-quarantine at home or in a hotel for 10 days from the day of arrival into the country," he said.

Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to get vaccinated so that the country attains herd immunity.

"People from different localities are encouraged to come forward to designated centers for vaccination so that our nation builds towards herd immunity," he said.

"Tourists who volunteer to be vaccinated can access vaccination available in our country at their own cost," Mnangagwa said.

The government has already expressed concern over the relaxed mood of many people who are failing to adhere to precautionary measures instituted to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

More worrisome is the fact that even some police officers who are supposed to be enforcing the measures are at times found not wearing face masks and failing to practice social distancing. Enditem
Here we speak to Tim Harvey and Ashwin Tirodkar, chief executive, and chief operating officer respectively of NTree International. Their blurb says NTree serves as a bridge between investors and Chinese asset managers. But as well find out, theres more to this task than meets the eye. Complementary is NTrees interest in commodities through its partnership with the Global Palladium Fund.

There have been notable instances where Western companies have moved into the lucrative Chinese market only to come a cropper.

Ignoring local customs and practices or failing to understand the rachets and levers that drive the economy stand out among the most egregious failures.

So commonplace are the mistakes that it cannot be long before an enterprising business school provides a course on how not to do business in China.

Not often considered is the failure of Chinese companies to observe Western conventions - and what happens (or doesnt happen) when they turn up ill-prepared.

was set up to smooth this difficult transition from East to West for some of Chinas most interesting funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Creating a bridge

The immediate question is why? Why did industry veteran Tim Harvey see the need?

He cites the rush of Chinese ETFs to Britain after David s visit to Beijing in 2013, as they took the then Prime Minister at his word that Britain was open for business.

As part of its internationalisation, Chinas A-Share market was opening up to foreign investors.

So, this was a period of opportunity  not all of it realised at the time. Crucial elements were lost in translation.

So, for example, Chinese ETF providers didnt think about distribution planning or whether the management fee structure was correct.

Neither, it seems, did they consider what differentiated them in a crowded market where local providers such as and Lxyor were already selling low-cost products with Chinese exposure.

But then they were never told any of this, says Harvey.

NTree, which also has expertise in the natural resources and commodities markets, provides marketing and distribution expertise, as well as offering an educational component.

Practically, this might mean helping the client devise an optimal sales strategy that maximises the chances of success or setting up conference calls, meetings, or webinars with asset allocators and investors.

It will also help by getting the message out for clients through PR and promotion, seminars, white papers and thought leadership pieces.

The China Green Bond is an excellent example of the East-West/West-East failure to communicate, says Harvey.

While European and American experts are agreed on the lack of identifiable, investment-ready and bankable projects, for the Chinese, the problem is not opportunities, but just what qualifies as a green investment.

As Harvey points out: The EU hopes to have a European Green Bond definition in second-quarter of the year, but today there is still no European definition; so theres no benchmark.

Basically, it comes down to one thing  education.

Education, education, education

The E word works both ways: So, providing the Chinese with the essentials for Western success is just part of the challenge.

Investor communities on this side of the world require the right information to understand what makes a stand-out long-term Chinese investment.

For example, Chinese government debt has long been prized in the West for providing a decent return when some G7 bond yields have collapsed to near zero.

However, the real insiders trick is knowing that pseudo-government bonds issued by the countrys policy banks might provide an even better coupon still.

Harvey believes there are opportunities in the corporate debt markets too, which are subject to much closer scrutiny and supervision than they are in the US and Europe.

The wider Western world hasn't quite been as quick on the uptake on these pockets of unrealised value.

The NTree founder says hes no apologist for the Chinese political regime though he does reference the double standards sometimes applied by the West.

Very few people have exposure to China, and, as I keep repeating, we think that's education, we think it's lack of information, Harvey says.

Change and evolve

China has changed, and continues to evolve, but its dogged by certain stereotypes. What I see is a country that is now telling the West, we are not going to take your crap anymore.

Quite literally, it would seem, given China banned the importation of foreign waste three years ago. This ban left many of the worlds western economies scrambling to find waste and garbage disposal solutions.

Helping deliver the message is a team drawn from investment management, research, and sales that also has experience raising significant sums.

CEO Harvey worked with ETF Securities and Velocityshares, and before that he held senior positions in equity sales.

Chief operating officer, Ashwin Tirodkar, meanwhile, was an algorithmic and programme trading strategist at , before becoming a commodity trader at Unicredit in London.

Tirodkar says: We bring the expertise that doesnt necessarily exist in-house, and that expertise helps ensure products are successful.

We are also shifting mindsets of potential investors so they can make good, well-reasoned decisions.
A controversial life-sized bronze sculpture of environmental activist Greta Thunberg has been unveiled by a university after being branded a vanity project.

The statue of the inspirational Swedish climate change protester has been created by the University of Winchester to reflect its values on sustainability and social justice.

File photo dated 23/4/2019 of Greta Thunberg (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

But the Winchester University and College Union (UCU) posted a motion of censure on social media calling the sculpture a vanity project and stating the 24,000 cost should have been spent on preventing redundancies and cuts following a period of sustainability at the Hampshire university.

It added: To be clear: our concerns are about the expenditure and transparency of decision making by the university, which have long been opaque, not the subject of the statue.

We have just passed the following motion regarding @_UoWs decision to spend 24k on a statue of Greta Thunberg after years of austerity @winchestersu @dailyecho @hantschronicle: pic.twitter.com/CeDOCCqJe4  Winchester UCU (@WinchesterUCU) March 24, 2021

The universitys vice-chancellor Professor Joy Carter said that no funds were diverted from student support or from staffing.

She said: The universitys approach to art is to commission or purchase unusual and striking pieces which embody our distinctiveness and values.

Greta is a young woman who, in spite of difficulties in her life, has become a world leading environmental activist.

As the university for sustainability and social justice we are proud to honour this inspirational woman in this way.

We know that many find her a controversial figure.

As a university we welcome reasoned debate and critical conversations.

We hope her statue will help to inspire our community, reminding us that no matter what life throws at us we can still change the world for the better.

That is a message we want all our students and all young people to hear.

The sculpture, titled Make a Difference, was created by artist Christine Charlesworth.

She said: It is hard to deny her courage and determination.

As is often the case with people on the autism spectrum, social interaction is difficult for her.

It is therefore even more remarkable that she has been able to forefront the mobilisation of young people in support of global environmental protection and to address world leaders on a face-to-face basis.

The University of Winchester declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and has eliminated all unnecessary single-use plastic across and aims to be carbon neutral by 2025.
Myanmars ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi appears in good health despite two months of detention, her legal team said Wednesday as diplomatic pressure on the military junta ramped up.

Daily protests demanding the restoration of the elected government have been met with a crackdown that has left more than 520 civilians dead in the weeks since the February 1 coup.

The juntas violent response has triggered international condemnation  and threats of retaliation from some of Myanmars myriad ethnic armed groups.

The US State Department ordered the departure of non-essential diplomatic staff and their families from Myanmar, and Japan  a top donor to the country  halted new aid payments.

The 75-year-old Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since she was deposed by the military and detained in the early hours of February 1.

But a member of her legal team, Min Min Soe, was summoned to a police station in the capital Naypyidaw for a video meeting with her on Wednesday.

Suu Kyi is facing a raft of criminal charges and conviction could see her barred from political office for life.

The physical situation of DASSK (Suu Kyi) seemed good according to her appearance on video screen, her legal team said in a statement.

Suu Kyi noted that during the meeting, police officers remained at the lawyers side, and guards monitored her at her end, the statement said, adding that the Nobel laureate had asked whether this was legal.

She faces a court hearing on Thursday, though another of her lawyers, Khin Maung Zaw, said it was likely to be fairly brief and deal with administrative matters.

The junta is also probing Suu Kyi over allegations she took payments of gold and $600,000 in cash, but Khin Maung Zaw said these were not likely to become formal charges at this stage.

 Japan cuts aid 

The US said it had decided to pull its staff out of the country to protect their safety and security.

World powers have repeatedly condemned the violent crackdown on dissent and hit top junta figures with sanctions.

Japan has halted new aid to the country, according to the countrys foreign minister, but stopped short of imposing sanctions.

What stance is Japan taking in terms of economic assistance? There is no new aid. We are taking this clear position, Toshimitsu Motegi told parliament on Tuesday

But so far the pressure has not swayed the generals.

Saturday, the annual Armed Forces Day, saw the biggest loss of life so far, with at least 107 people killed.

The spiralling bloodshed has angered some of Myanmars 20 or so armed ethnic groups, who control large areas of territory mostly in border regions.

Three of them  the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army  on Tuesday threatened to join protesters fight unless the military reined in its violence.

Brigadier General Tar Bhone Kyaw from the TNLA told AFP on Wednesday that they were mulling whether to end their ceasefire with the military, which he accused of war crimes.

While the trio has yet to act on their warning, two other outfits  the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)  have stepped up attacks on military and police in recent days.

A police station in Bago was reportedly hit with a rocket attack that injured five officers on Tuesday, though it was not clear who was responsible.

The KNU, one of the biggest rebel groups, took over an army base in eastern Kayin state at the weekend, prompting the military to respond with air strikes.

Further strikes were launched on Tuesday, but Padoh Saw Taw Nee, the KNUs head of foreign affairs, said the group would continue its position of strongly supporting peoples movement against (the) military coup.

The KNUs Fifth Brigade on Tuesday condemned the air strikes and warned it had no option but to confront these serious threats posed by the military.

 Wounded cross border 

Around 3,000 people fled through the jungle to seek safety across the border in Thailand after the weekend strikes.

Thai authorities say around 2,400 have returned voluntarily to Myanmar, and another 200 have also agreed to go back.

Thai police said they had intercepted 10 parcels containing 112 grenades and 6,000 rounds of ammunition in northern Chiang Rai province that had been destined for Myanmars notorious border town Tachileik.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on Myanmar on Wednesday, requested by former colonial power Britain.

burs-pdw/oho
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 22:34:31|Editor: huaxia

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Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Cambodian ambassador to China Khek Caimealy Sysoda in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi met with Cambodian ambassador to China Khek Caimealy Sysoda, Lao ambassador to China Khamphao Ernthavanh, and Kuwaiti ambassador to China Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat respectively on Wednesday, calling for efforts to enhance bilateral relations with these Asian countries.

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said China is ready to work with the three countries to promote cooperation. It includes fighting the pandemic, jointly building the Belt and Road with high quality, enhancing multilateral coordination, and jointly safeguarding international justice, as well as regional peace and stability.

China's top legislature on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Yang stressed that this is a move to improve Hong Kong's electoral system, aiming to implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong." It also aims to ensure long-term stability in Hong Kong and the steady implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy.

"This move complies with the common interests of China as well as of the international community," Yang said.

China is determined to safeguard Hong Kong's stability, national sovereignty, security and development interests, said Yang, adding that China would continue to protect other countries' lawful rights in Hong Kong and welcomes the international community to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Hong Kong across the board.

The ambassadors from the three countries expressed gratitude for China's support in fighting the pandemic. They said they would continue to promote friendly relations and cooperation between their countries and China.

They said Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, and their countries would continue to firmly adhere to the "one country, two systems" policy. They would also support China's legitimate position on Hong Kong issues and believe that Hong Kong would achieve prosperity and stability in the long run. Enditem
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, gave service chiefs the marching order to identify and take out sponsors, leaders of kidnappers and bandits terrorizing Nigerians, especially in the North.

He warned that his administration will not tolerate a situation where criminal elements continue to dictate the pace in the fight against insecurity.

The President's warning came as men of Operation Puff Adder II attached to Kaduna State Police Command rescued eight travellers kidnapped on the Zaria-Kaduna highway on Monday, March 29, 2021, whie on their way to Delta State.

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Major-General Babagana Monguno, retd, who disclosed the President's order while briefing State House correspondents at the end of his meeting with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said President Buhari told the service chiefs that he would no longer tolerate a situation where the nation's security is reactionary, instead of being proactive.

The NSA added that President Buhari also insisted that all decisions approved at the National Security Council meeting last month, including a ban on mining activities in Zamfara as well as no-fly zone remained enforced until further notice to curb the rising insecurity in the state.

He said: "After meetings with governors of the North-West and North-Central zones, Mr. President decided to call an emergency meeting with heads of defence and security organisations.

"Prior to this meeting, he had also met with the chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum on issues directly linked to the state of insecurity in the nation.

"Today's meeting was not a very long one but the President looked at certain issues that were presented to him in the last one week.

"Mr. President, in particular, emphasised that the comprehensive reports he has received from the Chief of Defence Staff and the service chiefs, following their recent appointment, has illuminated the need for him to look deeper into certain aspects that need to be taken care of.

"He is particularly inspired and impressed by the manner the new service chiefs have started their assignment, with all the operational visits they've made to the theatres, where they have been able to address the troops, look into their immediate needs and come up with immediate, medium and long term proposals.

"Mr. President is going to look into these things with the urgency they require, but he is particularly delighted that from what he has received from the Chief of Defence Staff, there is now a renewed vigour, there is now a willingness on the part of all the operational elements to work together, as well as work hand-in-hand with the intelligence organisations.

On kidnapping and banditry

"On the issue of kidnapping and banditry, this menace still persists, especially in the North-West and the North-Central zones. Mr. President has been very emphatic, he has stated very clearly that this problem must be brought to an end.

"Mr. President has made it very clear to both the intelligence and operational elements that the first assignment will be to identify the leaders of these bandits, kidnappers and take them out in order to restore confidence in those areas.

"Mr. President has said that he will no longer tolerate a situation where bandits and kidnappers are the ones dictating the pace and setting the tone and he will not also condone a situation in which our own operations are reactionary, rather than being proactive."

Willingness to provide funds

"He has also indicated his willingness to provide all the resources required by our troops to put down these criminals. They must be brought down with all the ruthlessness that is required and whoever is working in collaboration with them will be brought to book.

"He has also declared that there will be no adjustment in whatever the National Security Council has already laid out until normalcy is restored.

Elements working with kidnappers

"He is also aware of attempts by certain elements, working in cahoots with all kinds of people in and out of the country, to continue exploiting the minefields, especially In Zamfara State.

"A ban has been placed on mining and that ban has to be enforced, people have to comply with whatever the President has laid out.

"Of course, we, in the intelligence domain, are aware that there are individuals and groups who are planning to link up with all kinds of non-state actors to frustrate the efforts of government in implementing the ban on mining, as well as enforcing the no-fly-zone so that no rotary aircraft will land, drop whatever and pick up whatever. That has to be enforced."

The NSA lamented that some wealthy elements are sponsoring bandits and kidnappers to undermine the government and warned that the administration is closing in on such elements.

"I am also to send out a warning to those people who think they can continue to behave in a manner that undermines national security.

"Those people engag-ing in all kinds of under-handed, unscrupulous, mischievous and deceitful practices, people who are working with those that are in government, in particular, critical agencies of government should beware.

"We have been able to identify certain areas that are weak and these areas have to be strengthened so that these characters who are engaging in acts that you can describe as outright acts of brigandage, people who are behaving in a manner that portends a lot of danger to innocent lives, have to be fished out.

"This is the directive from the President. I am to send a warning to those people who think they're in close proximity with those who have the instruments to make the space easy for criminals, those people who think they have some kind of authority, who are engaging in all kinds of hocus-pocus, jiggery-pokery or skullduggery, those people will be brought down to their knees.

"I am sending out a message to them that anybody who thinks he can continue to pool whatever resources he has at his disposal, to frustrate the efforts of the central government in bringing about peace and security will have himself to blame.

"The new service chiefs, as well as the intelligence community, and the constabulary forces have been given clear directives by the President to target those people who are the ones leading in creating chaos, disunity, and disharmony."

Those in attendance included the Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor who arrived at the State House shortly before 10.00 am; the Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Gambo, and the Chief of Air Staff, Marshal Isiaka Amao.

Others are Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; the National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno; and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

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8 kidnapped travellers rescued

Meanwhile, men of Operation Puff Adder II attached to Kaduna State police command,have rescued eight travellers who were kidnapped on Zaria-Kaduna highway on Monday.

Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State command, ASP Muhammed Jalige, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said the Puff Adder operatives, while on routine patrol along Galidamawa/Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area, intercepted a group of armed bandits and some victims in their posse-ssion.

He said on sighting the operatives, the bandits took to their heels abandoning their victims and one AK-49 rifle.

The police scribe stated further: "In the process, eight victims were rescued unhurt, including a female.

"They include Bala Ibrahim, Ede Gloria (Ebonyi State); Japheth Sani, (Kebbi State); Kingsley Edgbue (Delta State); Anthony Okafor (Anambra State); Gabriel Agu (Anambra State); Chibuzo Nwokorie (Anambra State); and Ifenyi Samuel (Enugu State).

"The victims later stated that they were abducted along Zaria-Kaduna expressway aboard a luxurious bus on February 29, 202,1 en route Delta State. However, the victims are currently receiving medical attention in preparation for reunion with their respective families."

Jalige said the operatives were in hot pursuit of the fleeing bandits, noting that "Kaduna Police command under the leadership of CP UM Muri is in appreciation of the gesture and robust support rendered by the Inspector General of Police for deploying men and resources to compliment the efforts of the command in tackling banditry in the state."

Vanguard News Nigeria
The suspended Masaka District Kadhi, Sheikh Burhan Bagunduuse, has declined to hand over office to the caretaker Kadhi, Sheikh Badru Kiruta, despite a directive from Mufti Shaban Ramathan Mubajje in February.

Sheikh Bagunduuse was suspended to allow investigations into his alleged incompetence.

He has also refused to hand over the official car, saying he is still the substantive district Kadhi.

Sheikh Bagunduuse claims his suspension was illegal because such a decision can only be made by the Muslim district executive committee with approval of West Buganda Muslim regional executive committee, which was not done.

"Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has no office premises here, this place belongs to some well-wisher who has over the years been supportive of Muslim activities in Masaka," he said last week.

Despite being denied access to the offices, Sheikh Kiruta yesterday said he has already started work as a Kadhi.

"I have already started my tour of duty and serving [God] , we have already moved to a place where we are building an office and a mosque in Soweto within Masaka City ," he said.

Sheikh Kiruta, who is also the Imam of Mariam Mosque in Lukaya Town, Kalungu District, said he is also in the process of acquiring an official UMSC stamp since Sheikh Bagunduuse also refused to hand it over.

Mr Hakimu Lubega, one of the lawyers who has been handling cases on the perpetual power struggles in the Muslim community, said Mufti Mubajje had no authority to discipline his subordinates given the scandals he has been involved in.

He cited the 2010 incident where the Mufti was impeached by the UMSC general assembly following his alleged involvement in illegal sale of property in Kampala, but he has continued to occupy the same office to date.

"Muslim leadership politics is very complex. A leader at any level can get suspended or impeached, but remains in office as long as he has favours from those with state power. It is a bad practice, but it has been like that for many years ," he said.

Mr Lubega said Muslim leaders could be using the existing administrative structures to resolve their internal disagreements, but the structures are 'dead'.

"The council has no structures, secondly their constitution of 1989 has never been amended and it has lacunas which require amendments to suit the interests of all Muslims," he said.

The UMSC secretary general, Mr Ramathan Mugalu, described Sheikh Bagunduuse's action as insubordination.

"It is unfortunate that Sheikh Bagunduuse wilfully disobeyed a superior's legitimate directive, he is trying playing politics, but we shall handle him administratively. Let him remember that he is a spiritual leader, an administrator not a politician," Mr Mugalu said.

Regarding the car which Sheikh Bagunduuse refused to hand over, Mr Mugalu said:"We are engaging the people who donated that car to see how we can get it back to do official work of the council."

Muslim factions in Masaka

Like it is the case in many districts, Muslims in Masaka have two factions, one that subscribes to the Kibuli leadership and the one loyal to UMSC at Old Kampala.

At Masaka Main Mosque, whose leaders subscribe to the Kibuli Muslim faction, the Supreme Mufti Silman Kasule Ndirangwa, sacked Sheikh Yasiin Kakomo ,the Masaka Regional chairperson in charge of Zakat.

He also fired Sheikh Yasiin Kakomo for allegedly subscribing to both old Kampala and Kibuli, which reportedly aided Sheikh Mubajje's group to access documents ,leading to sale of some properties in the area.

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Last month, Mr Yasiin Lubowa resigned as chairperson of Masaka Muslim District council and defected to the Kibuli faction with 40 other Muslim leaders in Masaka.

Divisions emerged after Mufti Mubajje's leadership was accused of illegally selling Muslim property on William Street in Kampala.

Those opposed to his leadership took the matter to court which later exonerated him.

However, they were dissatisfied with the ruling and went ahead to establish a parallel leadership based at Kibuli Mosque.

Although the property has since reverted to Muslims andMufti Mubajje publicly apologised, a section of Muslims still believe that this is not enough since he has not reconciled with other top leaders at Kibuli.
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At a glance: What does the landmark review recommend? Social media: Firms 'far too often' fail to take 'decisive action' to tackle racist content. Failure to act should lead to 'substantial penalties' and 'public naming and shaming'. Body cameras: There should be a 'strong presumption' that all police body-worn video cameras will be switched on during stop and search. Officers who do not turn on their camera should be required to provide a written explanation as to why it was not switched on. Police training: Provide de-escalation training to all new police officers and improve training to increase the efficacy of stop and search. Unconscious bias training: Organisations should 'move away from' the training in favour of employee sponsorship schemes and routine skills support for all employees. Pay disparities: All employers that publish ethnicity pay data should also publish a 'diagnosis and action plan' to set out how they will improve the situation. Office for Health Disparities: Set up a new independent body to work alongside the NHS to improve healthy life expectancy across the UK and in all groups. Drug possession: Young people with 'low level Class B drug possession' should be diverted away from the criminal justice system. Offenders would be offered 'public health solutions' instead. Longer school day: Education Secretary should 'urgently consider phasing in an extended school day', with the most disadvantaged areas and communities prioritised. Education: Improve careers advice for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and increase outreach programmes to help reduce disparities in applications to higher education. National curriculum: Should be updated to make it more 'inclusive' and to 'tell the multiple, nuanced stories of the contributions made by different groups that have made this country the one it is today'. Police recruitment: London policy of recruiting locally should be rolled out to all police forces in England and Wales to create police workforces that 'represent the communities they serve'. BAME: The Government should 'move away' from using the BAME acronym 'to better focus on understanding disparities and outcomes for specific ethnic groups'. Advertisement

A landmark report today urged the UK to look 'beyond race' and warned complaints about 'White Privilege' are counterproductive as it insisted where people live is more important for their life chances.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities said racism is a 'real force' in Britain and must be tackled, while hailing the country's 'model' progress over recent decades.

But it said that 'geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture and religion have more significant impact on life chances than the existence of racism'.

The report - which was criticised as an 'insult', 'whitewash' and 'disgraceful sham' by Labour MPs - said in terms of overall numbers white boys from low income families were the most disadvantaged.

It also hit out at the 'casual' use of the term 'institutional racism', saying there was little evidence to support the claims.

As well as condemning barbs about 'White Privilege', the report said the term 'racism' was often 'misapplied' to 'account for every observed disparity' - suggesting that firms should 'move away from' unconscious bias training.

Chair Tony Sewell thanked the 'mainly young people' behind the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement for putting the focus on race, but cautioned that progress cannot be achieved by 'cleaving to a fatalistic account that insists nothing has changed'.

The document said 'historic experience of racism still haunts the present' and identified a 'reluctance to acknowledge that the UK had become open and fairer'.

The commission called for more funding for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and also urged a crackdown on social media firms who fail to tackle online abuse.

Boris Johnson, who ordered the study, said Dr Sewell had been tasked with producing a 'positive agenda for change' and the government will study its findings 'in detail'.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he had not yet read the full 250 pages but believed it was a 'very comprehensive piece of work', and the UK should feel 'proud' of the 'enormous progress' made.

'If I think about the things that happened to me when I was a kid, I can't imagine those things happening to me now,' the Richmond MP said.

The report said: 'The evidence shows that geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture and religion have more significant impact on life chances than the existence of racism.

'That said, we take the reality of racism seriously and we do not deny that it is a real force in the UK.'

It added: 'We have argued for the use of the term 'institutional racism' to be applied only when deep-seated racism can be proven on a systemic level and not be used as a general catch-all phrase for any microaggression, witting or unwitting.'

The report said: 'The life chances of the child of a Harrow-raised British Indian accountant and the child of a Bradford-raised British Pakistani taxi-driver are as wide apart as they are, partly because of the UK's economic geography.

'Meanwhile, the numerically largest disadvantaged group is low income White boys, especially those from former industrial and coastal towns, who are failing at secondary school and are the people least likely to go to university.

'Unlike many other reports on race and ethnicity we have included the White group in our deliberations.

'For a range of outcomes, White working class children trail behind their peers in almost all ethnic minority groups, although the extent of these disparities vary by area.'

The commission, set up by Boris Johnson in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, concluded that although Britain is not yet a 'post-racial society', its success should be a model for white-majority countries.

The pay gap between all ethnic minorities and the white majority population had shrunk to 2.3 per cent overall and was barely significant for employees under 30.

Dr Sewell said the UK had progressed into a 'successful multi-ethnic and multicultural community' which was a 'beacon to the rest of Europe and the world'.

He warned ministers must also consider the needs of the white working class, saying his report had uncovered how 'stuck' some groups were.

Dr Sewell this morning insisted he was not denying the existence of racism - but railed against people deploying the charge of institutional racism 'willy-nilly'.

He argued that institutional racism should be limited to 'deep-seated' biases and that breezily throwing out the allegation risked devaluing its seriousness.

The Commission's review, published in full this morning, set out 24 recommendations to the Government.

They included ending the use of the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) acronym, urging organisations to move away from funding unconscious bias training and calling for the school day to be extended, starting in disadvantaged areas.

Britain is a model to the world of a successful multi-ethnic society, according to a major review. Pictured: Black Lives Matter protest in central London, 07 June, 2020

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities insisted racism is a 'real force' in Britain and must be tackled, while hailing progress over recent decades

The landmark review found children from many ethnic minorities do as well or better at school than white pupils

The review highlighted the different fortunes of ethnic groups, pointing out that white British boys from poorer backgrounds are among the most disadvantaged. These figures show the difference between the mean score for the group and the grand mean score across all pupils - which is equivalent to zero

The commissioners behind the report Dr Tony Sewell (chairman): Brixton-born son of Jamaican immigrants who has previously questioned claims of institutional racism in Britain. The 62-year-old was raised in London and worked as a teacher, first in London and then for two years in Jamaica. He gained a PhD for a thesis called 'Black masculinities and schooling'. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock: Space scientist and presenter of The Sky At Night since 2014, when she replaced Sir Patrick Moore. Born in London to Nigerian parents. The married mother-of-one, 53, is a physicist and mechanical engineer once helped create a hand-held landmine detector. Works to inspire schoolchildren to work in science and technology. Aftab Chughtai: A retail businessman who runs Aftabs in Alum Rock, Birmingham. A member of the Grenfell taskforce he was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to business and the community. chairman of the West Midlands Police Independent Advisory Group and co-founder of Brexiteer group Muslims for Britain. Keith Fraser: A former police officer who worked for the Met and West Midlands police in a career spanning 32 years, rising to the rank of superintendent. Currently chairman of the Youth Justice Board. Birmingham-born son of Jamaican immigrants who became a bus driver and secretary respectively. Last year he spoke of being a victim of stop and search when a serving officer and accused forces of 'unconscious bias'. Naureen Khalid: Experienced school governor and educatuion blogger who set up @ukgovchat, an online forum for school governors. Mother of three who originally trained as a geneticist before moving into education. Dr Dambisa Moyo: Economist and author who was previously on the board of Barclays Bank. Born in Zamia and educated at Oxford and Harvard she was one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2009. Author of 'How Boards Work' and 'Dead Aid', which criticised post-war economic support for African countries. Her website described her as 'a pre-eminent thinker, who influences key decision-makers in strategic investment and public policy'. Mercy Muroki: Oxford-educated social policy researcher at the Centre for Social Justice, commentator and columnist. Born in Kenya to parents who moved the family to Northampton. Became a single mother at the age of 18 to daughter Rosalind and has spoken about surviving on Universal Credit. Brexiteer Tory who introduced Sajid Javid at the 2019 Conservative Party Conference. This month she told the Sun: 'I just don't subscribe to woke, academic culture.' Martyn Oliver: Teacher, chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust which runs more than 30 schools and runs a zero-tolerance discipline regime. He backs moves to extend the school day, especially in deprived areas. He told Schools Week today: 'The evidence is clear: give schools the resources to extend the school day and they will enrich the social and cultural capital of every child while boosting their academic performance.' Dr Samir Shah: TV producer, a former deputy chairman of the Victoria and Albert Museum and a non-executive Director on the BBC Board. His firm Juniper TV produced Boris: The London Years and Theresa Vs Boris: How May Became PM for the BBC in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Kunle Olulode: Director of the Voice4Change England charity which has more than 400 organisations as members. A member of the Government's Windrush Working Group in 2018 he co-curated the Black And Banned season at Londons South Bank which 'considered the impact of censorship in black film, literature and music'. Blondel Cluff: Chairman of the National Lottery Community Fund, which hands out money to charity, since February. Solicitor and former diplomat for the British Overseas Territory (BOT) of Anguilla, who is chief executive of the West India Committee charity Advertisement

The Equality and Human Rights Commission welcomed the report, with chair Baroness Kishwer Falkner stressing that 'race inequality is complex and there are links with other factors such as social and family background, poverty and geography'.

'This report rightly identifies the varied causes of disparities and by making recommendations to address them gives the government the opportunity to design policy targeting the sources of inequality,' she said.

'While Britain has made great progress towards race equality in the last 50 years, there is still much more to do. As the report says, we need to find a way to take our successes, learn from them, and apply them to where we need to make further improvements. A joined-up approach is needed.'

But shadow justice secretary David Lammy, who is black, said the report was an 'insult to anybody and everybody across this country who experiences institutional racism'.

Speaking on LBC this morning, he said: 'British people, white and black, are dying to turn the page on racism.

'They are working in food banks to support the marginalised. They are teaching in after-school clubs to raise awareness. They are working in rehabilitation centres to end the cycle of disproportionate mass incarceration.

'Boris Johnson has just slammed the door in their faces by telling them that they're idealists, they are wasting their time. He has let an entire generation of young white and black British people down.'

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the commission had 'chosen to deny the experiences of black and minority ethnic workers', and insisted that institutional racism trapped people in poverty, insecurity and low pay.

The review's conclusions have already been controversial, partly thanks to the involvement of Dr Sewell, who runs the educational charity Generating Genius.

He chaired an inquiry into schools for Mr Johnson when he was Mayor of London, and when his appointment was announced the Muslim Council of Britain claimed he was 'keen on downplaying race disparities'. The Prime Minister chose him to lead the commission in the wake of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations last summer.

The ten-person commission also featured Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist and co-presenter of the BBC's The Sky at Night, and former police superintendent Keith Fraser, chairman of the Youth Justice Board.

Dr Sewell was asked to explore race disparities in education, employment, the criminal justice system and health.

The PM said after the publication today: 'The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities was launched to conduct a detailed, data-led examination of inequality across the entire population, and to set out a positive agenda for change...

'It is now right that the Government considers their recommendations in detail, and assesses the implications for future government policy. The entirety of government remains fully committed to building a fairer Britain and taking the action needed to address disparities wherever they exist.'

The UK is not 'post-racial' but situation has dramatically improved

The report warned that Britain is not 'a post-racial society' and that 'overt and outright racism persists in the UK', particularly online.

But it said: 'We also have to ask whether a narrative that claims nothing has changed for the better, and that the dominant feature of our society is institutional racism and white privilege will achieve anything beyond alienating the decent centre ground  a centre ground which is occupied by people of all races and ethnicities.'

The long-awaited study warned that the focus on race as the cause of all inequality could be self-defeating.

'This matters because the more things are explained as a result of racial bias, the more it appears that society is set against ethnic minorities, which in turn can discourage ethnic minority individuals from pursuing their goals,' the report said.

It noted that on many measures of quality of life ethnic minorities placed below the White British group  but this was 'in part to the lack of a substantial affluent group for those minorities'.

'It is the poorer White people, outside London, who are the largest group to be found in areas with multidimensional disadvantages, from income to longevity of life,' the report said.

'The English region with the worst life expectancy is one of the Whitest  the North East. And the number of years people can expect to live in good health is generally lower in the northern parts of England compared with the south.'

The commission said the Index of Multiple Deprivation for England showed that the local authorities with the highest number of deprived neighbourhoods were all in the north - Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Knowsley, Hull and Manchester.

'All except Manchester have a disproportionate representation of the White British population,' it said.

The report highlighted that the overall percentage of White British people living in the 10 per cent of most deprived neighbourhoods was 9.1 per cent.

That is 'disproportionately low' and compared to 31.1 per cent to Pakistani groups and 19.3 per cent for Bangladeshi.

'But it is also worth noting that the White British percentage translates into nearly 4 million people. The Pakistani ethnic group is the next highest group, with 346,000 in absolute numbers,' the report said.

The authors also stressed that unlike other places, the 'proportion of deprived neighbourhoods in London is falling'.

'There is a sense of stagnation about the fate and life chances of poorer White groups, which is less the case with ethnic minority groups,' the document said.

'Until the recent focus on the ''left behind'' towns and ''levelling up'', there was no national narrative encouraging the advancement for this group in the way there has been for ethnic minorities.

'White children on free school meals lag behind every other group in Progress 8 attainment levels at secondary school.

'They are also least likely to progress to university. Poor White groups, and especially poor White boys, do badly in the education system everywhere, whereas in some areas at least, especially London, poor ethnic minorities are improving rapidly.'

The 250-page report included a wealth of data that the commission had considered as part of its investigation

Brixton-born son of Jamaican immigrants who chaired committee that has challenged mainstream racism narrative The chair of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities is the Brixton-born son of Jamaican immigrants who has previously questioned claims of institutional racism in Britain. Dr Tony Sewell, 62, was raised in London and worked as a teacher, first in London and then for two years in Jamaica. He gained a PhD for a thesis called 'Black masculinities and schooling'. He set up the charity Generating Genius and in 2012 ran a probe into education in London for then mayor Boris Johnson which resulted in the creation of the London Schools Excellence Fund to improve teaching in the capital. He has previously attracted criticism of his views on racism. In a 2010 column for the Prospect magazine he claimed that underachieving black schoolboys were not victims of institutional racism, saying the evidence it existed was 'flimsy'. Instead he said they failed their exams in larger numbers than other ethnic groups 'because they did not do the homework, did not pay attention and were disrespectful to their teachers'. 'Instead of challenging our children, we have given them the discourse of the victima sense that the world is against them and they cannot succeed,' he wrote. He had previously accused schools of failing boys by using 'feminised' lessons. He told the BBC in 2006: 'We are often frightened by the traditional idea of the male, where we think it's wrong to be overtly competitive, and boys often lack an outlet for their emotions. 'Young women have lots of support, with magazines and programmes devoted to them, and boys often do not.' Last summer he apologised for 'wrong and offensive' remarks he made in 1990 after the footballer Justin Fashanu announced he was gay. In a column for the Voice, a newspaper aimed at the UK's Afro-Caribbean community, he wrote: 'We heteros are sick and tired of tortured queens playing hide and seek around their closets. 'Homosexuals are the greatest queer-bashers around. No other group of people are so preoccupied with making their own sexuality look dirty.' After the comments were unearthed by the Guardian he said: 'They do not reflect my views today nor indeed the views of modern society. I am committed to championing the cause of equality and diversity across all of our communities, including for LGBT people.' Advertisement

'If more precise language does not become a feature of our national conversation on race, we can expect to see tensions increase across communities  despite determined action by government and civil society to reduce discrimination.'

The report concluded that the success of many of Britain's ethnic minorities in education and, to a lesser extent, the economy 'should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries'.

It said that the aspirations and hard work of many ethnic minority communities had transformed UK society over the last 50 years into one offering far greater opportunities for all.

'Education is the single most emphatic success story of the British ethnic minority experience,' it concluded.

Earlier this month, the Duchess of Sussex used a US television interview to make allegations about racism in the Royal Family. And Prince Harry claimed racism from the tabloid press that filtered into the rest of society was a 'large part' of why he and his wife left the UK.

But the report suggested that the well-meaning 'idealism' of many young people who claim Britain is still institutionally racist was not borne out by the evidence.

While there remain disparities at the top of the public and private sectors, it is an improving picture and there are increasing levels of diversity in elite professions such as law and medicine.

The report also noted the pay gap between all ethnic minorities and the white majority population had shrunk to 2.3 per cent. It found issues of race and racism were becoming less important and, in some cases, were not a significant factor in explaining disparities.

The commission said some minority groups continue to be 'haunted' by 'historic cases' of racism. This creates 'deep mistrust' in the system which could prove a barrier to success. 'Both the reality and the perception of unfairness matter,' the report warned.

While condemning the phrase 'White Privilege', it pointed to the idea that 'even in a relatively open society like today's UK a psychological comfort can be derived from looking like the majority of people around you'.

'A better term, which usefully captures the tendency for groups to favour their own, is the concept of 'affinity bias'. Racism is not just about words. Bias, bigotry and unfairness based on race may be receding, but they still have the power to deny opportunity and painfully disrupt lives.

Life chances vary widely between ethnic groups - with poor white boys among the most disadvantaged

The landmark review found children from many ethnic minorities do as well or better at school than white pupils, which was creating fairer and more diverse workplaces.

It called on firms to phase out 'unconscious bias' training because other approaches were needed to 'advance fairness in the workplace'.

'The Commission notes that the average GCSE attainment score for Indian, Bangladeshi and Black African pupils was above the White British average.'

It found that in many instances different outcomes had as much to do with social class and family structure as race.

The report - which used analysis from Professor Steve Strand of figures for England - added: 'We found that most of the disparities we examined, which some attribute to racial discrimination, often do not have their origins in racism.'

The study accepted that the 'most concentrated pockets of deprivation' were found among ethnic minority groups - particularly the Pakistani, Bangladeshi and black communities.

The report highlighted many ways in which some ethnic minority communities were disadvantaged compared to others

The commission considered health factors such as obesity in coming to its conclusions for the report

From 'explained' to 'structural': The report's five categories of racial disparity Explained racial disparities: this term should be used when there are persistent ethnic differential outcomes that can demonstrably be shown to be as a result of other factors such as geography, class or sex. Unexplained racial disparities: persistent differential outcomes for ethnic groups with no conclusive evidence about the causes. This applies to situations where a disparate outcome is identified, but there is no evidence as to what is causing it. Institutional racism: applicable to an institution that is racist or discriminatory processes, policies, attitudes or behaviours in a single institution. Systemic racism: this applies to interconnected organisations, or wider society, which exhibit racist or discriminatory processes, policies, attitudes or behaviours. Structural racism: to describe a legacy of historic racist or discriminatory processes, policies, attitudes or behaviours that continue to shape organisations and societies today Advertisement

Terms like 'White Privilege' and BAME are unhelpful and should be ditched

The report concluded that as the differences between ethnic groups were at least as important as the things they shared, the use of the acronym BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) should be stopped. And it called on organisations 'to move away from funding unconscious bias training'.

'Use of the term BAME, which is frequently used to group all ethnic minorities together, is no longer helpful,' the authors said.

They argued the acronym 'disguises huge differences in outcomes between ethnic groups' because it is too broad.

Dr Sewell said: 'The report highlights the significance of education as the single most powerful tool in reducing ethnic disparities.

'Another revelation from our dive into the data was just how stuck some groups from the white majority are.'

The report looked at use of the 'highly controversial and contested' phrase 'White privilege'.

'The phrase, coined in the USA, is undoubtedly alienating to those who do not feel especially privileged by their skin colour,' it said.

'Phrases like 'White privilege' and 'White fragility' imply that it is White people's attitudes and behaviours that primarily cause the disadvantage experienced by ethnic minorities.

'It also reinforces the perception that being an ethnic minority in the UK is to be treated unfairly by default. The evidence we have studied does not support this.'

Social media firms failing to take 'decisive action' to tackle racist content

The Commission's review blasts social media firms for failing to do enough to take down racist content posted on their platforms.

It states that the companies have a 'social responsibility' to do more on the issue and questions the claim made by firms that they prohibit racist abuse on their services.

The review states that 'far too often they fail to take decisive action' and enforcing their own terms and conditions should be a 'minimum requirement'.

'Failing to comply should, in the Commission's view, lead to substantial penalties  and public naming and shaming for their seeming intransigence to the pain racism causes its victims,' the report recommends.

The review said social media is an example of one of the areas of British society where 'overt and outright racism persists'.

It warns that over the last 30 years 'attitudes towards racism and hate crimes have changed dramatically' but the 'advent of social media seems to have partly undermined this apparent march of progress'.

Abandon plan to 'decolonise' curriculum and tell 'new story' about 'transformation' during slavery period

In a foreword to the report, Dr Sewell said the commission was providing a new Making of Modern Britain teaching resource in response to 'negative calls for 'decolonising' the curriculum'.

'Neither the banning of White authors or token expressions of Black achievement will help to broaden young minds,' he wrote.

'We have argued against bringing down statues, instead, we want all children to reclaim their British heritage. We want to create a teaching resource that looks at the influence of the UK, particularly during the Empire period.

'We want to see how Britishness influenced the Commonwealth and local communities, and how the Commonwealth and local communities influenced what we now know as modern Britain.'

Dr Sewell suggested that 'one great example' would be a dictionary of well known British words which are Indian in origin.

'There is a new story about the Caribbean experience which speaks to the slave period not only being about profit and suffering but how culturally African people transformed themselves into a re-modelled African/Britain,' he added.

Longer school day to help the disadvantaged and a more 'inclusive' National Curriculum

The National Curriculum should be made more 'inclusive' and the school day should be extended to help disadvantaged pupils catch up with their peers, the review recommends.

The report calls on the Department for Education to work with a panel of independent experts to develop teaching resources to 'tell the multiple, nuanced stories of the contributions made by different groups that have made this country the one it is today'.

It also suggests the creation of a 'credible, high-quality, online national library' which all schools could access so all children 'can learn about the UK and the evolution of our society'.

On the issue of longer teaching hours, the report recommends Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary 'urgently consider phasing in an extended school day'.

It states there is evidence showing such a move would have a 'positive impact' on disadvantaged pupils and that initially it should be rolled out in the most disadvantaged areas and communities.

Physical and cultural activities should be included in the additional hours with extra funding needed for schools to make the longer school day a permanent change.

The report also calls for careers advice for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to be improved while higher education outreach programmes should be bolstered to 'reduce disparities in applications at an earlier stage'.

'Strong presumption' body cameras should be used during stop and search

Police officers who fail to switch on a body-worn camera during a stop and search should be required to provide a written explanation as to why they did not record the interaction, the report recommends.

The authors of the document said that the 'legitimacy and accountability' of stop and search could be improved by better use of body-worn video.

The report said there is a 'strong presumption' that all police services should turn on body worn cameras in a situation which officers 'believe could lead to a stop and search'.

'The Commission recommends that for instances where BWV cameras are not switched on during a stop and search, the officer is required to provide a written explanation as to why it was not switched on,' the review states.

The written explanation 'must be available for the individual who was stopped and searched to access following the encounter'.

All instances of a camera failing to be turned on should also be reviewed by a senior officer to determine whether the explanation is 'reasonable', with misconduct procedures facing those who fail to justify their actions.

Introduce 'local' recruitment requirement for police

Police services should 'recruit locally' to ensure their workforces represent the communities they serve, according to the review's recommendations.

The Commission said an existing 'residency requirement' policy in London of local recruitment should be rolled out across all police forces in England and Wales.

It also calls for police forces to increase engagement and outreach with communities in order to improve the 'pipeline' of potential candidates, for example through cader programmes.

Meanwhile, all new recruits should be offered 'de-escalation' training so they can better interact with communities.

The report warned that Britain is not 'a post-racial society' and that 'overt and outright racism persists in the UK', particularly online (stock image)

Firms should ditch unconscious bias training and publish plans for tackling pay disparities

Companies that publish ethnicity pay figures should also have to set out a 'diagnosis and action plan' for how they intend to improve the situation, the report recommends.

The authors argue that more must be done to investigate existing pay disparities and action plans would have to spell out the reasons why there are pay differences.

The Commission wants the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to draw up official Government guidance for employers to use on the issue.

Meanwhile, the review also calls for employers to 'move away from funding unconscious bias training'.

It said the 'Commissioners were not impressed by those companies that pointed to their 'unconscious bias' training as proof of their progressive credentials'.

'We were impressed by more conscious attempts to foster talent from a wide range of backgrounds,' the report said.

As a result, it recommends that the training should be replaced with sponsorship schemes to 'ensure wider exposure of ethnic minority individuals to their peers, managers and other decision makers' and 'routine skills support for all employees'.

Office for Health Disparities should be set up to improve health across all of UK

Ministers should set up a new Office for Health Disparities to improve healthy life expectancy across Britain, the report recommends.

The new organisation would be independent and work alongside the NHS and Public Health England.

The report said the coronavirus pandemic had 'shone a light on disparities in the health and wellbeing of people in the UK'.

But it warned its analysis had 'shown again just how inappropriate it is to consider these issues under the term 'BAME' as there are such deep differences in the prevalence and outcome of some health conditions both between and within ethnic groups in the UK'.

The authors said they rejected the 'common view that ethnic minorities have universally worse health outcomes compared with White people' because the 'picture is much more variable'.

They said evidence showed that 'ethnicity is not the major driver of health inequalities in the UK but deprivation, geography and differential exposure to key risk factors'.

The report recommends targeting the most deprived communities for 'tailored health interventions' and so-called 'health education'.

'Divert' young people with 'low level' drug offences away from criminal justice system

Young people guilty of 'low level' Class B drug possession offences should be 'diverted' away from the criminal justice system, the report recommends.

The authors stressed they are 'not advocating or endorsing the legalisation of Class B drugs'.

But they said there is a need to 'urgently address the disproportionate number of ethnic minority young people' being punished for such offences.

It suggested the wider rollout of so-called 'drug diversion' programmes 'to keep these young people away from gaining a criminal record, while trying to address the root cause of their drug use'.

It recommended the creation of a pilot scheme which would see young people offered 'public health solutions' instead of being punished.

Individuals would 'automatically be considered for a drugs referral in lieu of traditional criminal justice routes'.

Pictured: A Black Live Matter Protest, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, June 9, 2020

This morning Dr Sewell told ITV's Good Morning Britain programme: 'No one denies that racism exists. In fact in this report we're doing the opposite. We actually think that institutional racism is being used in a way that's wrong.

'They use different terms... structural racism, systemic racism. A lot of people don't even know what they're talking about.

'They just use it willy-nilly in a way, in a sense that it's not being defined properly. We think it should be deep-seated racism, so we want to protect the term.'

Dr Sewell, a former teacher who grew up in Brixton, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the term 'institutional racism' was 'sometimes wrongly applied' as a 'sort of catch-all phrase for micro-aggressions or acts of racial abuse'.

Labour leader Sir Keir said he was 'disappointed' by the findings from the report published so far as he insisted there were structural problems that needed to be addressed.

He told reporters on a visit in Leeds: 'I haven't seen the full report yet and, obviously, I'll want to read that. I've seen the briefings out of it and I'm disappointed.

'On the one hand, there's an acknowledgement of the problems, the issues, the challenges that face many black and minority ethnic communities. But, on the other hand, there's a reluctance to accept that that's structural.'

Sir Keir said there had been 'report after report' on the issue as he called for action and the creation of a full race equality act.

Dr Halima Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank, said it was 'deeply, deeply worrying' that the commission had denied the existence of institutional racism.

She said she feels 'massively let down' by the review and added: 'Institutionally, we are still racist, and for a Government-appointed commission to look into (institutional) racism, to deny its existence is deeply, deeply worrying.'

Matthew Ryder QC, lawyer to Stephen Lawrence case and ex-deputy mayor of London, was also critical of the review this morning.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'm glad this work's being done, but from what I've seen I'm not optimistic this is going to be a helpful report and there are some glaring things I would mention.

'The report seems to rely very strongly on access to higher education of being a determination of racial equality. And it relies quite strongly on statistics that suggest working class white boys often have the lowest education attainment.

'We've known this for about 10 years so this isn't new, but if you put that statistic in context, it tells you something much more important that isn't mentioned in the report at all.

'And that is: even when white working class boys have lower educational qualifications and a lower likelihood of going to university, they have higher employment rates and higher social mobility, and that was highlighted in 2019 by the University of Aberdeen, and they called this the 'white working class paradox'.

'If you simply trot out what we've known for 10 years about access to education and say 'that shows racism has been solved', it doesn't show what the problem is.'
PHILADELPHIA, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE American: FAX) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund, today announced that it paid on March 31, 2021, a distribution of US $0.0275 per share to all shareholders of record as of March 24, 2021 (ex-dividend date March 23, 2021).

Your Fund's distribution policy is to provide investors with a stable monthly distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.

Under U.S. tax rules applicable to the Fund, the amount and character of distributable income for each fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related Rules, the Fund may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distribution for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the Rules adopted thereunder. The table has been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The table includes estimated amounts and percentages for this distribution and for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date (11/01/2020 - 02/28/2021), from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated composition of the distributions may vary from month to month because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.



Estimated Amounts of Current Monthly Distribution per share ($) Estimated Amounts of Current Monthly Distribution per share (%) Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per share ($) Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per share (%) Net Investment Income $0.0135 49% $0.0674 49% Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains* $0.0058 21% $0.0289 21% Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains - - - - Return of Capital $0.0082 30% $0.0412 30% Total (per common share) $0.0275 100% $0.1375 100%

*includes currency gains

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

As of February 28, 2021, after giving effect to this payment, the Fund estimates it has a net deficit of $7,114,000. A net deficit results when the Fund has net unrealized losses that are in excess of any net realized gains that have not yet been distributed.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy").

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2021 will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides information regarding the Fund's total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Fund's annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 02/28/20211 6.00% Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV2 6.93% Fiscal Year to Date (11/01/2020 to 02/28/2021) Cumulative Total Return on NAV1 4.97% Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV2 2.31%

1Return data is net of all fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of February 28, 2021.

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2010, the Fund may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Fund during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Fund, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the terms of the distribution policy. The final determination of the source of all distributions will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. The Fund's Board of Directors has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Ltd., Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the NAV of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact [email protected]

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Ewing said during Tuesdays meeting that board members will vote until one of the proposed names receives four of the seven votes. More than 400 names were suggested, and narrowed to six choices for each school. The three nominees were decided by a vote of the students, parents, teachers and administrators at each school.
Shelby Read, Greg Ley, Meena Fernald, Susan Scarlata, Adrian Croke, Colleen McHugh, Caroline Croft Estay, Tisa Djahangiri, Joe Petrick, Jody Donovan, Wendy Martinez, Jr Rodriguez, Leah Shlachter, Heather Devine, Seadar Davis, Pastor Inger and Megan Kohli. JH DEI Collective, JHDEI.com, is a group of local leaders working to make the community equitable, inclusive and racially just. Guest Shots are solely the opinion of their authors.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly reduced demand for products made by the company which produces Tullamore Dew whiskey.

According to directors for William Grant & Sons Irish Manufacturing Ltd, higher costs resulted in the company recording a pre-tax loss of 3.73m in 2019.

That loss followed a pre-tax profit of 320,000 in 2018.

The business recorded the pre-tax loss in spite of revenues increasing by 7pc to 46.35m from 43.29m.

The directors said that in 2019 production volumes at Tullamore were lower than in 2018.

They state that overall capital expenditure continued to focus on initiatives to improve efficiency, increasing distilling and packaging capacity and increased warehouse capacity.

The companys costs increased by 18.5pc to 49.9m from 42.1m during the year.

On the drop in demand for the companys products due to the pandemic, the directors said: How demand will evolve going forward is at this time unclear. However, the impact on the wider group could be considerable in a worst-case scenario.

The directors said the group has taken measures to help communities in which the business operates in response to the Covid crisis.

This includes the groups distilleries stepping up to supply alcohol for hand sanitiser on a grand scale currently approaching eight million litres of pure alcohol and hand sanitiser production is under way at the companys own bottling location.

In the response to the evolving situation the group has implemented a number of actions to preserve cash and manage expenditure.

The directors said that the financial strength and geographical spread of the business allows them to conclude that the company is well placed to manage its business successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.

Scottish drinks group William Grant acquired Tullamore Dew, along with three other spirits, from Irish drinks group C&C in 2010 for 300m.

The loss in 2019 takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of 8.3m.

Media and social media attacks have also been labelled a major threat to the company by the directors.

They said that through the increasing number and growing influence of social media networks, the company faces the risk of being exposed to significant media coverage of inappropriate publications or messages. This could have a significant impact on the companys reputation.

Numbers employed by the group increased to 78 from 70 in 2019 and staff costs increased from 3.95m to 4.56m.
Delta will stop blocking the middle seat on its flights as of May 1 - making it the last major airline to take the safety precaution that had been implemented in the wake of the pandemic.

Their decision comes as more people prepare to brave airline travel for work and vacation as the United States tries to recapture the pre-pandemic travel bug.

'Our customers have always been the voices that guide us at Delta, and that was amplified during the pandemic,' Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement announcing the shift.

'During the past year, we transformed our service to ensure their health, safety, convenience and comfort during their travels. Now, with vaccinations becoming more widespread and confidence in travel rising, were ready to help customers reclaim their lives.'

Delta is reversing its pandemic-era policy of blocking offf the middle seats on flights

Other safety and health guidelines, including mask mandates, will remain in place for Delta

Bastian stated that 65 percent of the people who flew Delta in 2019 will be at least partially vaccinated by May 1, helping prompt the revival of the middle seat.

Most major airlines started selling their middle seats months ago, but Delta stood out by keeping their April 2020 ban in place for what will be over a full year.

It had even become the deciding factor among some travelers who chose Delta specifically because of the middle seat restrictions.

Masks will continued to be required for flyers and other cleanliness measures taken by the company will remain in place, including onboard hand sanitizing stations.

Delta also extended the credit on canceled tickets for both 2020 and 2021 until the end of 2022.

All major airlines will now allow middle seats to be booked (Bulgaria Air flight pictured)

Pictured: An airport employee disinfects a plane at Ronald Reagan National Airport

Delta worked with the renowned Mayo Clinic to come up with many of their current policies.

The airline is also set to reintroduce in-flight snacks and beverages to flyers on April 14, with design influence from the Mayo Clinic.

'We take great pride in the trust weve built with customers by listening and delivering on what they said was most important, and that is the approach you can continue to expect,' Bastian continued.

According to a study referenced by Delta, the likelihood transmission of COVID-19 on a flight where everyone wears a mask is nearly 1 in 1,000,000.

Delta is also planning on extending credits for canceled flights and resuming drink service

Still, that didn't stop the airline from blocking out the middle seat to enforce more distancing, likely at its own financial expense.

'It's expensive,' Bastian said to CNN in February about keeping the middle seat blocked. 'No question about it.'

Resuming sales of tickets for the middle seat doesn't mean everything is reverting to the old ways for Delta, though.

Delta first started blocking off sales of the middle seat of their planes in April 2020

'Don't confuse these actions with a return to 'normal,'' Bastian said in a memo to employees obtained by CNN Business.

'We're still operating in a pandemic, and many of the changes we've made over the past year, such as strengthening our cleanliness protocols and eliminating change fees, will be permanent.

'Importantly, masks remain critical to our ability to safely welcome more people onboard our planes, and we remain committed to enforcing these requirements.'

In a previous interview with NBC Nightly News, Bastian suggested vaccine passports may become a requirement for international flights, but not domestic ones.

'I don't see that happening in the U.S, but I think internationally that's probably going to be a requirement,' Bastian said of the possibility.

Airline travel appears to be rebounding after slowing during the height of the pandemic, with the TSA screening a record number of passengers during spring break season.

According to CBS News, the TSA screened at least one million passengers across the United States for at least 17 straight days beginning in mid-March.

The industry still isn't anywhere near 2019 levels, however, with the 1.4 million passengers screened on Sunday minuscule compared to the 2.0 million screened on the same date two years ago.

The volume of air travel remains at around 66 percent of the pre-pandemic levels as the CDC continues to encourage people to postpone travel plans.

'Travel increases your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19,' the CDC website says.

'Delay travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, even if you are vaccinated.'
Washington: US President Joe Biden has unveiled a massive $US2 trillion ($2.6 trillion) infrastructure plan he says will allow America to beat China economically and position the country as a global leader in clean energy technology.

Biden has proposed paying for the plan by lifting the US corporate tax rate from 21 to 28 per cent, reversing a cut his predecessor Donald Trump signed into law at the end of 2017.

Biden said the plan would allow the US to beat China and tackle the climate crisis. Credit:AP

Im convinced that, if we act now, in 50 years, people are going to look back and say this was the moment that America won the future, he said during a speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a city in Americas post-industrial Rust Belt.

The plan would create millions of new jobs and show that democracies can still deliver for their citizens by helping the US win the global competition with China.


SAN DIEGO (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission or FTC has challenged Illumina Inc.'s proposed $7.1 billion acquisition of cancer detection test maker Grail, alleging that a merger would harm competition for life-saving Multi-Cancer Early Detection or MCED tests in the United States.



In a statement, the FTC said it has filed an administrative complaint and authorized a federal court lawsuit to block the proposed acquisition. The FTC will file a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction to stop the deal pending an administrative trial, which is scheduled to begin on August 24.



Meanwhile, Illumina opposed FTC's challenge saying it will pursue its right to proceed through all legal options to complete the acquisition. The company expects the deal to accelerate the adoption of a breakthrough multi-cancer early detection blood test - Galleri multi-cancer screening test - which is seen as the most promising new tools in the fight against cancer.



Grail was founded by Illumina and was later spun off as a standalone company in January 2017, powered by Illumina's NGS technology. It was in September last year that Illumina agreed to buy GRAIL in a cash and stock transaction then valued at about $8 billion. Illumina already holds 14.5% of GRAIL's shares, and approximately 12% on a fully diluted basis. Illumina was expecting to close the deal in the second half of 2021.



Grail's investors also include Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, among others.



Grail makes a non-invasive, early detection liquid biopsy test that can screen for multiple types of cancer in asymptomatic patients at very early stages using DNA sequencing. It is in the process of developing the technology and providing clinical data required to launch Galleri.



Meanwhile, Illumina is the only provider of DNA sequencing that is a viable option for these MCED tests in the country. MCED tests could be used to detect up to 50 types of cancer.



According to FTC, Grail is one of several competitors racing to develop these liquid biopsy tests, which analyze a sample of a patient's blood or other fluid through DNA sequencing.



In the complaint, the FTC alleged that the proposed deal would reduce innovation in the U.S. market for MCED tests.



The agency also contended that Illumina, as the only viable supplier of a critical input, can raise prices charged to Grail competitors for NGS instruments and consumables. In MCED tests, developers have no choice but to use Illumina NGS instruments and consumables.



It is argued that Illumina can also impede Grail competitors' research and development efforts, or refuse or delay executing license agreements that all MCED test developers need to distribute their tests to third-party laboratories.



However, Illumina said it has offered contractual guarantees for clinical oncology customers of equal and fair access to Illumina sequencing, and a commitment to drive down prices by more than 40 percent by 2025.



In December 2019, the FTC had challenged Illumina's proposed acquisition of Pacific Biosciences of California.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

ILLUMINA-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / CopperBank Resources Corp. ("CopperBank" or the "Company") (CSE:CBK) is pleased to announce locations for drill targets that will assist in future drilling campaigns on its 100% owned Copper Creek Cu-Mo-Ag project, in Pinal County, Arizona. In total, there are 20 distinct prospects at Copper Creek and the design of the early phases of future drilling campaigns aim to target 11 of these priority brownfield and greenfield prospects. Maps of all of the targets can be found in the corporate presentation that can be downloaded from the Company web site.

A conceptual phase 1 drilling program would consist of 12 drill holes and 6000m (19,700 feet) located on patented ground owned by CopperBank. The design of the phase 1 drill program would target priority near-surface mineralization in breccia pipes, vein swarms, disseminated porphyry hypogene mineralization, and secondary enrichment zones. All drill holes would be drilled at low angle dips at -45 to -60 with completion depths at no more than 1000 feet (325m) beneath the surface while maximizing structural zone intersections and improving data density on high priority prospects.

Gianni Kovacevic, CEO of CopperBank comments, "The visual presentation of how the CopperBank team is endeavoring to expand historical resources, and more importantly, the near surface potential of Copper Creek is extremely important. We continue to stress the fact that only 10% of the 400 known hydrothermal breccias have been drill tested. With higher copper prices, we will also explore various copper equivalent cut-offs and open-pit scenarios for any future resource estimations using the historical 2012 resource estimation as a good starting point."

Four additional drill holes are optional and located on patented ground, pending initial results. This will be followed by a Phase 2 drilling program, currently designed at 13 dill holes on mixed patented, unpatented, and Arizona State prospecting lease ground. Drill hole locations will be adjusted as historic geophysical results are reprocessed by Resource Potentials of Perth with results anticipated by May 2021.

CopperBank expects to publish an updated technical report and resource estimation in the future after multi-phase drill programs would be completed.

Qualified Person

Mark I. Pfau of Tellurian Exploration, Inc., is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical portions of this press release. Mr. Pfau is an exploration and resource targeting specialist in the porphyry and related geologic environments.

About CopperBank

CopperBank is a Canadian exploration mining company focused on energy related metal exploration in The United States of America. The Company trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange - CSE- under the symbol "CBK".

On behalf of CopperBank Resources Corp.

"Gianni Kovacevic"

Address: Suite 1500, 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2

Tel: 604-889-0852

E-mail: gk@copperbankcorp.com

Website: www.copperbankcorp.com

Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this release constitutes forward looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws and necessarily involves risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, CopperBank does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management of CopperBank's expectations or beliefs regarding future events. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's ongoing review of its existing portfolio, the involvement of CopperBank in any potential divestiture, spin-out, partnership or other transactions involving the Company's portfolio assets, and the ability of the Company to complete any such transactions, the ability of CopperBank to enter into transactions that will ultimately enhance shareholder value, and potential future work or activities in respect of the Pyramid project or the Contact project. Although CopperBank believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information available to CopperBank. Forward-looking statements are based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to identify and complete one or more transactions involving the Company's portfolio assets that enhance shareholder value as part of management's ongoing review of strategic alternatives in the current market conditions. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Company will not be able to identify and complete one or more transactions involving the Company's portfolio assets that enhance shareholder value as part of management's ongoing review of strategic alternatives in the current market conditions. Although CopperBank has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For more information on CopperBank and the risks and challenges of its businesses, investors should review the continuous disclosure filings that are available under CopperBank's profile at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: CopperBank Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638292/CopperBank-Announces-Targets-for-Multi-Phase-Drill-Program-at-Copper-Creek
document

Dear Mr. Mamo Boru Mamo,

Our lakes are dying and so are the fish. On the shores of Lake Victoria, piles of dead fish have been washed up. There has also been several incidents of fish dying in Lake Nakuru, prompting the government to issue a warning on consumption of fish from the lake.

The evidence of dying lakes in Kenya is irrefutable as the lakes have for a long time been a sink to excessive waste and untreated effluent from industrial and municipal activities. The rising pollution has led to fish poisoning threatening the livelihood of communities and the health of consumers, international and domestic tourists that visit the lakes.

Despite the increased levels of lake pollution in Kenya, there has been no commitment from your office which is mandated to oversee and implement policies relating to environment protection.

As NEMA's director general, you have the power to implement laws and policies that protect Kenya's rivers and lakes from pollution. Greenpeace Africa is asking NEMA to take action on the water pollution issue in Kenya and specifically on protecting lake Nakuru and lake Victoria and the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on these resources.

Greenpeace Africa demands NEMA to:

Design and implement proper waste management infrastructure including proper sewage and drainage systems for settlements near the lakes.

Relocate sewage treatment plants in Lake Nakuru to a location that will not lead to the mixing of lake water and raw sewage whenever water rises in the lake.

Implement policies that regulate the disposal of industrial and municipal waste by ensuring that all waste is properly treated before disposal to avoid pollution.

Urgently and immediately ensure a stop to the ongoing Lake Nakuru and Victoria pollution.

This letter was originally published in the Daily Nation on 31 March 2021.
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
In some respects, Timon As is one of the most accomplished horses entering the first leg of the John Brennan Trotting Series, which begins Wednesday night (March 31) at Yonkers Raceway.

His 19 wins, including six so far this year, make him the winningest of the 32 first leg entrants. However, the five-year-old gelding has only seen a half-mile track once in his career, and it didnt go well.

Timon As started at Northfield Park July 20, 2019, and missed the gate by about two lengths. After taking back from post seven, Timon As went off stride around the first turn and was distanced from the field for the rest of the mile.

If hes good and he gets around the track, hes going to be a contender, said trainer Melanie Wrenn. If he doesnt like the track, then were going to be out of luck.

Timon As has come a long way since that start at Northfield Park. He joined the Wrenn stable in the fall of 2019 and things started to click. Timon As won three straight overnights at Pompano Park by a combined margin of nine lengths from Nov. 27, 2019, to Dec. 10, 2019. However, as Timon As moved up the class ladder following those wins, he lost confidence and started making breaks again.

Peter has done a really nice job brining this horse along. He was pretty green when we got him. Racing him the way that hes raced him, I think hes helped make that horse who he is, Melanie Wrenn said. Mentally, the horse was very immature. We were winning all these races and all the sudden, he had to step up in class. He was just like, 'No, thank you.' Peter was very patient with him. He does a pretty nice job putting him in the right spots.

The Wrenns campaigned Timon As primarily at Hoosier Park throughout 2020, and a result other than a win or a break in stride was a rarity. Timon As went 7-for-20 last year, but also broke in seven starts. However, after returning to Pompano Park this winter, things started to click again. Timon As has stayed flat and has seven wins in his last 13 starts dating to Dec. 21.

The Wrenns raced Timon As in $30,000 claiming handicaps at Pompano throughout the winter, and Timon As crossed the finish line first in three straight tries at the level Feb. 8 through Feb. 22 (although he was placed second in one start). Not wanting to lose him, Timon As stepped up to the $11,500 Open Trot and won in a lifetime best 1:53.1 March 2. After two off-the-board finishes from outside posts, Timon As will make his way to Yonkers for the series.

Honestly, it seems like hes been overachieving. He got down (to Pompano) and he really seemed to like it. Hes just been racing really well, Melanie Wrenn said.

His last start before the Open, he went pretty big. Peter didnt want to lose him. In the beginning, we thought if we got $30,000 for him, thats pretty good. But after he won a couple nice starts, we thought we better not give this horse away, she continued. We tried the Open and he went that really big start. Then, we drew bad. Peter took him off and he sort of lost interest. He deserves a shot to try a nice series with some nice horses out there and go for some good money.

Previously the SOA of New York Bonus Trotting Series, the John Brennan Trotting Series was renamed to honour the longtime SOA of NY horsemens representative who passed away from complications of COVID-19 in March 2020. The series is for three-year-olds and older who were non-winners of six pari-mutuel races or $100,000 through Feb. 1, 2021, with winners over $150,000 as of that date not eligible. The series features three preliminary legs on March 31, April 7 and April 14 with a $50,000 added final and a consolation April 21.

Wednesdays first leg features four divisions, each with eight entrants. Timon As is the 3-1 morning line favourite in the second division (race five) with Tyler Buter set to drive for the first time.

We race a couple horses here and there out at Yonkers. Why not give him a chance? Why not give him a shot and see how good of a horse he is. Its pretty much trial by fire. Even at Sunshine Meadows, the inside track is a five-eighths. We really havent had him on a small track, Wrenn said. He likes going into the last turn and floating around there and zooming by everyone at the end. He wont have quite as much room to get that done on a half. If it doesnt work out, well just bring him back to Hoosier.

I just hope he has some luck because his owner, Mike Guest, is a super nice guy. It would be fun for him to have a nice horse go out there and do some good, Wrenn continued. Over the years, weve usually had a couple for him. Weve had quite a bit of luck. We had Perfect Chapter As with him and he won a lot of races. He keeps one or two with us, generally. This is the only one we have right now. Maybe hes just a lucky guy, well see.

Yonkers Raceway features live harness racing Monday through Friday with a first post time of 7:15 p.m. For entries to the races, click here.

(SOA of New York)
Burma Karen Refugees Flee Repeated Myanmar Military Airstrikes for Thailand

Thai medics prepare to send wounded Karen villagers to hospital on Tuesday.

Repeated airstrikes by the Myanmar military have pushed thousands of Karen refugees across the Thai border into northern Thailands Mae Hong Son Province. About 2,000 Karen refugees have sought refuge in Mae Sariang and Khun Yuam districts, Mae Hong Son Governor Sithichai Jindaluang told a press conference on Tuesday.

As for those who refuse to return or are unable to do so right now, the province will treat them under guidelines to be issued by the Thai government, he said. But the governor added, If the situation in Myanmar worsens and more refugees enter Thailand, the province may consider building a refugee center, subject to approval by the Interior Ministry.

At least seven wounded Karen refugees have been admitted to three different hospitals in the province.

Thailand was initially criticized for refusing to admit refugees fleeing the Myanmar military regime, but Thai media reports on the juntas lethal crackdown in the country and recent air strikes targeting Karen insurgents and civilians along the Thai-Myanmar border appear to have prompted a change of heart.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on March 30 that refugees fleeing Myanmar will be allowed into Thailand on humanitarian grounds if the violence escalates.

Thailand will not turn them away. When they are in trouble, we will not deny them entry to our country. However, this does not mean we will allow them in with open arms, Prayut said, according to the Bangkok Post.

The Mae Hong Song governor said that troops from the Naresuan Task Force, which is responsible for security in the border areas in his province, have been deployed to look after the Karen refugees, according to the Nation newspaper.

Asked about reports that some Karen were denied entry at the border, Prime Minister Prayut said that it was necessary for the Thai authorities to enforce requirements for legal entry.

If there is a war, thats another scenario. In the event the situation escalates, leading to deaths and injuries, the government will put in place measures to deal with an influx, he said.

We have years of experience, with nine refugee centers sheltering refugees.

Thailand already hosts around 100,000 mostly Karen and Karenni refugees from Myanmar in camps along the border.

Prayut said the Thai government would return the latest refugees when the situation across the border was deemed to be safe.

Since the Myanmar military began its brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters in early March, hundreds of activists, politicians and civil servants refusing to work for the junta have fled to insurgent-controlled areas along the frontier with Thailand.

You may also like these stories:

Japan Suspends New Aid Programs to Myanmar After Massacres

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Late on Tuesday afternoon, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospitals emergency department was running at more than 20 patients beyond capacity.

It was the second day in a row the busy ED was handling more patients than it was equipped for as Western Australias health crisis continues to spiral.

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospitals emergency department was running beyond capacity on Monday. Credit:Getty Images

Three ambulances ramped outside the departments door were waiting to offload patients into the overcrowded emergency room, while at least another two sat on standby at the ambulance bay.

Inside the waiting room, where a crowd of people awaited urgent care, a doctor tasked with checking arrivals to the hospital for COVID-19 symptoms gave first aid to a tradie with an injured hand, who was bleeding on the floor in front of onlookers.
Law & Politics

BY FITSUM GETACHEW

Many Ethiopians believe that by any standard in the world the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, GERD, Project has had a long delay. When it was first launched ten years ago it fascinated every Ethiopian and filled their heart with warm hope and great expectations. Even if it was declared then that it was estimated it would require from five to seven years to complete it, the hope was bright. And even if many people contained their exclamation they however did not hide their commendation as a breakthrough. The project looked very far away in time just as the famous 'piece of bread hanging high up in the sky and practically unreachable'. It looked like an impossible dream because people were impatient to see it realized.

Too many Ethiopians live in the dark and it would be hard to justify such delay. For many it is a shame that we were never able to harness at least a part of our mighty river Nile (or Abay) until this epoch. Many wondered what prevented us from converting a part of the water of Abay to power.

However, few people seem to realize that the issue of building a dam on the Nile is not a simple issue just as it would be building a dam on Awash, for instance. This is because the Nile is a 'transboundary river' and involves the lives of millions of people downstream perceived as totally dependent on it and considering the river as untouchable! We have come to know that Egypt has gone to the extent of putting the river Nile as part of its 'sovereign wealth' and hence any attempt to harness any portion of the flow of the river could be taken as 'an attack on its sovereignty'. Ethiopia's efforts to secure a loan to build such a dam was repeatedly frustrated by such stance of Egypt! How can such measure be described except as an indirect infringement on the sovereignty of all upstream countries which have an evident and legitimate stake in the water?

The question remains: who gives Egypt the 'authority' to consider the Nile that originates from far off lands, as part of its internal resource to be enjoyed singularly!? It is clear that the only answer that can come to one's mind is one of 'might, force and arrogance', pure and simple! Would Egypt have taken the same liberty to decide that the Nile water be part of its resource if the upper riparian country was not Ethiopia, let us say, for instance, Israel or the US for that matter, or any other power that could easily 'confront' or challenge Egypt on this account, militarily, diplomatically or otherwise?

It is interesting to see that Egypt has shown us across the years several ways of claiming the famous 'sovereignty' over the Nile water? Its politicians pull out several cards from their pockets depending on the situation in which they find themselves. At times, you hear them argue that the Nile belongs to Egypt because Egypt was founded because of the Nile. Nile is the raison d'etre of Egypt, they say! Egypt would not have existed without the Nile and that is why it does exist. It is in fact said repeatedly 'Egypt is the gift of the Nile'. Without the Nile there would never be Egypt beginning from ancient times, the argument goes! This is a reasoning that may sound logical and convincing to Egyptians and neutrals, but does not go down the throats of Ethiopians who happen to be the very source of the river!

In other times or circumstances, you hear Egyptian politicians and 'activists' saying the Nile is Egyptian because it is written in the Bible! Hence, they argue, no earthly power on earth could separate the Nile from Egypt! But they forget that the same could be claimed by Ethiopia as well!

And then you hear Egyptian politicians argue Egypt has 'historical rights' over the Nile because it has always belonged to it and no other nation can be entitled to think otherwise, including Ethiopia, irrespective of Ethiopia being the tangible and visible source of the water! In any place in the world similar rivers belong to those which give rise to the water, but international rules and practice determine the equitable usage of the flow.

And finally, the most grotesque of all justifications and claims refer to the 'colonial treaty' signed between the UK, Egypt and Sudan! This is a treaty that was signed in 1959 and at no time during the signing of the so-called treaty has Ethiopia been consulted or notified! The three forces blatantly excluded totally Ethiopia, the actual material origin of the water, from any negotiations on the share of the flow!

It looks logical to assert that it was colonial times and colonial treaties are exactly of this kind. They are unjust and irreverent of the rights of people. We all know what sort of injustices colonialism committed against the colonized, for centuries! We all know, and the colonizers cannot deny it, that untold suffering and injustices have been committed by colonizers against the colonized!

For instance, recent revelations have been made by the French government describing and admitting the various atrocities and violations of basic human rights have been committed against the Algerian people during their occupation and the fight the Algerian people conducted for years! The French even admitted torturing and killing one of the iconic freedom fighters of Algeria, going against what was sustained for years that the leader of the revolution had committed suicide or died in a mysterious accident!

These are indications of how atrocious colonial days were, what colonial mentality was like; and there are records of millions killed, tortured and/or displaced due to the colonial invasions of imperial powers such as the UK, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy and Germany.

These colonial powers decreed whatever they felt like on their colonies and protectorates and acting together with other colonial powers determined the lives and identity of entire populations!

They decided which population was to be a part of which country with the borders they established; they decided the fate of millions of Africans dividing even families, let alone people of the same stock or language group. And so we have a plethora of peoples divided arbitrarily by artificial borders that were demarcated by the colonial masters just because they felt like it or it was convenient for their rule, and for their respective relations.

Today, it is not a few countries who are busy fighting for borders and demarcations inherited from colonial masters. We can easily cite as examples the cases of Sudan and Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, Kenya and Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya etc. There are all sorts of controversies regarding these borders and what the AU did was immediately consecrate all the artificial borders as 'untouchable' so that untold misery and suffering may not follow if and when controversies rise while attempting to restructure the colonially fixed borders. Many of the African states were also 'created' by these colonizers and the last thing that bothered them was the fate of the indigenous population!

By the same token, the UK, Egypt and Sudan decided on the fate of the Nile water in complete disregard of Ethiopia, a sovereign and independent state, and this was a shame on the part of these powers, particularly the UK. They never admitted Ethiopia as a party to such an arrangement and that is the kind of pact or treaty that Egypt today has the irreverent and shameless courage to cite as a basis for its 'monopoly over the water of the Nile'.

It is of course scandalous to see that in the twenty first century with all sorts of colonialism done and dusted, there are countries such as Egypt or Sudan who refer their 'rights' to those 'treaties'! Any politician of this day would just be ashamed of such reference because it is obvious that it means nothing to a country such as Ethiopia which has never been consulted about it. Without even informing it about the treaty, how can they have the moral authority to ask Ethiopia to abide by it? This shows to what extent they are able and ready to travel the path of shame and arrogance in a world that can hardly tolerate such stance anymore! At least in a world when officially such stances are unjustifiable, some Egyptian politicians have the guts to present this argument before the international community! And what is even more dangerous is the way they present the case by stating that Ethiopia, by constructing the GERD, it is trying to exterminate Egyptians! And yet they know that this can never be the stance of any Ethiopian government and it has been repeatedly disclosed by the leaders.

Since the project began three successive prime ministers have gone to Cairo to explain the way the GERD is about to be realized and the rationale behind it. And yet Egyptian politicians insist that this is not true. Their experts know exactly what kind of project the GERD is! The truth has been reached by people who do research on the Nile however and that is 'Egypt wants to maintain its age old hegemony over the Nile' depriving all riparian countries from any significant share of the waters! But this cannot be accepted in the modern era!

Apparently Egyptian politicians do not seem to want to wake up from their deep sleep that the colonial times have passed, and for good! Fairly tales are no more credible among Ethiopians and others on the continent who have a real stake on the Nile water. The only solution that is commensurate with the needs of the times is a negotiated settlement of every possible misunderstanding and dispute over how to use the waters of the Nile. It is evident that the Nile cannot belong to one nation in monopoly and the only win-win solution is one of concerted cooperation with frequent peaceful consultations and talks in friendly manner.

Transboundary rivers have their own legal regime in the world even if there is not always consensus. But the fact remains that states must decide to cooperate on the basis of some form of legal arrangement, or it would be complete chaos everywhere.

The question arises what is the current status of the Nile and what is the current status of the GERD?

Taking into consideration the historical background of the Nile, we can now begin to look at what needs to be done by Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.

Ethiopia's claims and needs are clear and logical. There is no mystery or contradiction on it. It needs to develop its resource and benefit its citizens. In the process of developing the water of the Nile, Egypt and Sudan may be affected slightly but how much is such effect on them and for how long? What are the rights of Ethiopia vis -a -vis those of downstream countries?

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These are crucial issues to resolve before we talk of any controversy or conflict. The major stumbling block in this process is the attitude of Egyptian politicians who present the Nile issue as a political issue. As long as the colonial mentality and the idea of monopoly over the Nile exists in the minds of politicians, it would be hard to address the issue permanently. There have been some veiled at times open threats by certain Egyptian military officials against Ethiopia if it dared build a dam on the Nile. And it is not the first time that Egyptians tried to attack Ethiopia in the hope of controlling the flow of the Nile. But this seems an antique way of tackling reality!

Today, we have reports of Egypt trying to meddle in Ethiopia's internal politics in several ways, beginning with supporting any party that opposes the government in Addis Ababa and any other force that works against Ethiopia, in any way! They support not only financially but even with arms and bases; and we have heard of so many means of colluding with opposition politicians in Ethiopia so that the nation is 'destabilized' and can never realize the dream of finishing the GERD project and thus avail power to its impoverished citizens.

This is sad but Ethiopians are not too naive not to know about it! This is a fact which all Egyptians must come to terms with. They must know that Ethiopians cannot live in darkness any more. Ethiopians cannot continue to be deprived of their resources just because some colonial powers fixed their own treaties fulfilling their own geopolitical interests. This is simply unacceptable in 2021 because it is not only a matter of sovereignty but also one of existence just as many Egyptian politicians are fond of saying when they talk about their relation with the Nile.

What Ethiopia must do is abide by all international practices and apply all the relevant legal provisions while trying to make the maximum use of its resources that involve also the interest of other parties. Egypt must take the opportunity to close the sad chapter of being an obstacle to Ethiopia's growth which is now irreversible. We are talking about more than one hundred ten million people seventy per cent of whom are below the age of thirty! It is a demanding generation and nothing can stop it from doing so!!! The current Ethiopian government has no choice but to attend to the basic needs of its ever growing population.
Line of Duty's costume designer has revealed the hidden meanings behind the style choices in the show's sixth season.

Maggie Donnelly, who has worked on the show since series two, explained how each character's choice of clothing gives subtle hints about their personality, approach to fashion, and financial situation.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Maggie said even something as small as Steve Arnott's waistcoats have a deeper meaning behind them, as do Kate Fleming's signature coats.

The classic cop and the risk-taker: Maggie Donnelly, who has worked on the show since series two, explained how each character's choice of clothing gives subtle hints about their personality. Pictured, Vicky McClure as Kate Fleming and Kelly Macdonald as Joanne Davidson

Moving up in the world: Martin Compston's Steve Arnott has been given custom suits for series six to reflect his upcoming promotion to DI

This series returning stars Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston have been joined by Kelly Macdonald, who plays DCI Joanne Davidson and presented a fresh set of challenges to Maggie.

The DCI, who viewers learned on Sunday has links to the OCG (Organised Crime Group), is a natural risk-taker.

To reflect this, Maggie has dressed her in bolder colours like mustard yellow that other characters wouldn't wear.

'For Jo, clothes are armour,' explained Maggie.

DCI Davidson also wears high-end labels such as Belstaff, Maje and Agnes B, which might be an early clue that she is being paid off.

There are also practical elements to consider. Any police officer carrying a gun, for example, would have to wear a suit or jacket that fits over their holster.

Capsule wardrobe: Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) dresses in staples like a shirt, blazer and trousers in shades of blue, black and grey that can be easily mixed and matched

Getting money from somewhere? DCI Davidson also wears high-end labels such as Belstaff, Maje and Agnes B, which might be an early clue that she is on the take

Both Vicky and Kelly are dressed with this in mind.

For her part DI Kate Fleming's fuss-free nature is reflected in her wardrobe, which is made up of staples like a shirt, blazer and trousers in shades of blue, black and grey that can be easily mixed and matched.

The character is also given a new coat each season, which she wears on repeat.

'But Vicky [McClure] is very happy to wear pieces from past seasons,' added Maggie.

However the character has invested more money in her clothes since receiving her promotion to inspector, Maggie noted, with DI Fleming given pieces from brands like Brora and A.P.C.

Signature look: Martin Compston's Steve Arnott is best known for his waistcoat collection

Even Steve Arnott's signature waistcoats have a secondary purpose: the allow for a better view of the character's back issues.

Like Fleming, his costumes have also been given an upgrade to reflect his raised standing (he is about to be promoted to a DI.

This series actor Compston is being dressed in a custom-made suit designed specifically for him by upmarket tailor Suitors of Belfast, rather than his usual Ted Baker offering.
MILFORD  The iconic Micalizzis Italian Ice is opening a store in downtown in mid-May and city officials expect the menu of frozen treats will be so popular that the business will draw visitors to the city.

We are so thrilled they have chosen Milford as their new home, said Julie Nash, Milfords director of economic and community development. Micalizzis is place people travel to visit so I think they will bring more people to our downtown shops and restaurants. It will also be an additional treat for the boaters coming in at the harbor.

Nash also said Micalizzis, headquartered in Bridgeport at 712 Madison Ave., is a community-minded business, so we look forward to them joining the Milford business family.

Jay Piccirillo , owner of Micalizzis Italian Ice and known widely as The Ice Man, said he is partners in the Milford venture with Alex, John and Rick Vazzano, and Vincent Pezzella.

Although Micalizzis Italian Ice is a household name, sold in grocery stores, restaurants, on carts and even at an Italian restaurant in Daytona Beach, Fla., the Milford location is only the second retail shop. Numerous restaurants in Fairfield County feature alcoholic drinks containing Micalizzis ices.

Piccirillo said they have been looking to open in Milford for years because theres a lot of foot traffic downtown, but the circumstances never worked out. Finally, he said, they found a good rent in a prime spot at the site of the former Subway sandwich shop.

We knew we could make this happen. It just took awhile, he said.

The location, next-door to the popular Seven Seas Restaurant, is a stones throw from Lisman Landing Marina, which attracts thousands of tourists per year, its right in the midst of Oyster Festival territory, an event that draws tens of thousands annually, and a quick walk from the booming Stonebridge Restaurant and train station, Piccirillo said.

Hearst Connecticut Media

He said its also good timing because the COVID-19 pandemic cost him a lot of money in lost event sales through carts and trucks.

The Milford locale will have a peace and love theme with a tie dye, Woodstock theme and in addition to offering 12 flavors of Italian ice, eight flavors of ice cream - including cannoli and other unique flavors  six types of store-baked cookies, and will offer a peace cookie, which he described as an ice cream sandwich on steroids.

They will also offer seasonal holiday ice cream pies - like the Easter pie sold in Bridgeport: a pink shade of vanilla ice cream, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips and marshmallow Peeps.

Employees will wear tie-dye aprons and, when customers leave, will tell them to Have an ice day, instead of a nice day.

Piccirillo is about as iconic as the business, known for his community spirit and generosity. The community recently threw him a 50th birthday parade and Piccirillo has had a blue raspberry flavor hard seltzer named after him - The Ice Man - at Brewport Brewing Co. in Bridgeport.

Piccirillos late father took over the initial business from founder Sal Micalizzi in the early 1980s and when Sal passed soon after, Piccirillos mother, Lucille, took over the business while raising two children, something Piccirillo admires. Micalizzi started the business in 1937.

He said his fathers dream years ago was to get the product out into different places besides Bridgeport and his heart is warmed that it has happened through the years - and now, Milford. Piccirillo said use of social media has greatly helped to promote his companys products.

For me the most satisfying part is I can carry on my family legacy ... carry on dads legacy, he said.
The State Department has ordered the departure of all non-emergency US government personnel and their family members from Myanmar as deadly crackdowns by the country's military continue.

Hundreds are said to have been killed and injured in the wake of the military coup that deposed Myanmar's civilian leadership as security forces have used lethal force against protesters.

In February, the State Department allowed for the voluntary departure of non-emergency personnel from the country -- the ordered departure announced Tuesday makes it mandatory and leaves only select employees at the Embassy in Yangon.

"The Department of State made the decision to authorize ordered departure from Burma because the safety and security of US government personnel and their dependents, as well as private US citizens is the Department's highest priority," a State Department spokesperson told CNN.

The embassy "will remain open to the public and continues to provide a limited range of consular services to both US citizens and visa applicants due to Covid-19 restrictions," the spokesperson said.

The State Department continues to warn American citizens against traveling to Myanmar "due to COVID-19 as well as areas of civil unrest and armed violence," according to a travel advisory.

"We ask US citizens to assess their own personal circumstances, while carefully considering that the reduced footprint of the mission as a result of this decision could have future impacts on our ability to assist US citizens. If they decide to depart, they should do so as soon as practicable," the spokesperson said. "At this time, commercial flights are still available, and we encourage US citizens to use those options. We are monitoring the availability of flights departing Burma and will consider a charter flight should it be necessary."

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Tony Blinken again condemned the deadly violence "in the strongest terms."

"Nonviolent protestors in Burma have been killed, beaten, imprisoned, including on Saturday, when more than 100 people were reportedly killed by the military. Many of those killed were protesting on Armed Forces Day; others simply bystanders. The military said in advance that they might shoot protestors in the back or the head. And they've made good on that threat. Among those reportedly killed, four children -- the youngest a 5-year-old boy," he said.

"We continue to call on the military regime to release all those people who've been unjustly detained; stop its attacks on civil society members, journalists, labor unionists; halt the killings by its security forces; and return to power the democratically elected government," he said. "The United States is committed to working with its allies and partners to hold the perpetrators of these abhorrent acts accountable."

The Biden administration has taken a series of actions aimed at pressuring the military junta, leveling sanctions against its leadership, cutting foreign assistance to the government and most recently cutting all diplomatic trade engagement.
On Tuesday, March 30, Apple recently accepted a scam app into the App Store capable of stealing Bitcoin from users. Unfortunately, it robbed someone out of $600,000, and Epic's CEO expressed his displeasure in a tweet.

Treznor scam app on the Apple App Store

According to AppleInsider, Cryptocurrency owner Philippe Christodoulou downloaded a cryptocurrency app on his iPhone from the Apple App Store. In February, he discovered that the app was a fake scheming software.

With the mistake, Christodoulou reportedly lost 17.1 bitcoin, worth roughly $600,000 at the time. The app called as Trezor was fake and turned over the cryptocurrency to scammers.

Surprisingly, his Trezor wallet showed that no funds were stored in the wallet at all.

Why did he download it at the first place?

According to Christodoulou, based on its reviews, the app had close to five stars, which helped him trust it enough to download it.

The application was listed in the App Store under Treznor's brand name, even though Trezor does not produce applications for its hardware wallets. If thieves produced the application and hosted it on the App Store, they could steal the funds.

Because of the recent events, he is no longer content with the company, which he pointed out that does not review apps before they appear in the store.

He said that Apple has betrayed his trust adding, "Apple is not justified in getting away with this."

The CEO of Epic Games, Tim Sweeny, a known rival of Apple, also expressed frustration over Twitter, claiming that the App Store cannot protect its users.

Apple says it must block all competing stores on iOS because it alone can protect users. This is a lie. The App Store is full of scams, and competition - including competing on app quality - is desperately needed. https://t.co/Vqtrl25xl4  Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) March 30, 2021

Tim Sweeny views Apple as a monopoly over the apps that can be downloaded onto Apple hardware. He has been opposing the company for some time now after it removed Fortnite from the app store.

Other people have also tweeted in agreeance with the CEO.

Not only that, by doing so, and limiting privileges, not only that they block competition, they also prevent important security investigations on the device - essentially helping threat actors to hide on the iOS platform.https://t.co/tJb623FgHU  Zuk (@ihackbanme) March 30, 2021

The App Store is way to large for its own good and has become unmanageable. In addition, Apple does not invest enough in policing the App Store (they proudly claim they have 500 reviewers), preferring instead to reap the profits.  damien geradin (@GeradinLaw) March 30, 2021

Read Also: US Top Secret Data Gets Leaked to Lebanese Terrorist Group: Minnesota Suspect Pleads Guilty

How did Trezor app gets into the App Store?

According to a MacRumors report, Apple reviews all submissions to prevent scam apps, but there are still plenty of copycat apps such as the fake Trezor app that slip through and cause problems for iPhone users.

The fake Trezor was crafted with the companies logo and color scheme, but it was deemed a "cryptography" app, which encrypted iPhone content and stored passwords. The developer of the scam app told Apple that the company wasn't involved in any cryptocurrency.

Following the fake app's submission, the app changed itself into a cryptocurrency wallet, undetectable by Apple.

Apple confirmed that it had removed other cryptocurrency scams from the App Store but did not provide specific details on how many or whether counterfeit Trezor apps had existed in the past. Trezor, the actual company, also pointed out that it had been notifying Apple and Google for years about fake Trezor apps.

Also, Information from Sensor Tower suggests that the fake Trezor app was on the App Store from January 22 to February 3 and was downloaded nearly 1,000 times. Christodoulou lost 17,1 bitcoin valued at more than $1 million, and the company says nothing has been heard from them.

Meghan DiMuzio, the Executive Director for Coalition of App Fairness, a group of companies that works with anti-Apple companies, including Epic Games, said that Apple promotes the myths about user privacy and security to withstand competition with anti-Apple practices.

Related Article: Microsoft Bitcoin Payment? Xbox Rumors to Follow Tesla's Crypto Purchase

This article is owned by Tech Times





Written by Lionell Moore

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.




Video by Lee Min-young, Kim Kang-min



For almost a year, world has been fighting a battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, a truly unprecedented, once-in-a-century health crisis, and while many countries hoped they were past the worst, many, including South Korea, are now grappling with new outbreaks.



However, in an attempt to create COVID-19 vaccines and end this health crisis there has been an incredible level of cooperation and rapid mobilization in the biotech world on a global scale.



The Korea Times sat down with Francis Van Parys, commercial vice president of Cytiva Asia Pacific, to learn more about how the scientific community is responding to the pandemic and the great demand for COVID-19 vaccines from around the world.



Cytiva is the world's leading provider of technologies and equipment for bio-manufacturers, helping them to produce treatments quickly and efficiently. Cytiva is currently teaming up with numerous biotech companies including biotech giants in Korea to expedite COVID-19 vaccine development and manufacturing.





Below is the full transcript of the interview with Francis Van Parys, who joined us on the third episode of our series of interviews with CEOs and top executives of global companies.





Q. For our viewers to better understand what your company does to enhance global health, could you tell us what Cytiva actually does to support the development of protein-based therapeutics and future treatment?



: So we are a start-to-finish bioprocessing provider so we essentially provide them with manufacturing solutions. If you kind of simplify and compare to what you do in a kitchen, in fact we sell the pots, the pans and the ingredients for the soup so essentially it's a combination of hardware and raw materials that are being used in the process to ultimately develop a protein-based drug. Protein-based drugs are biological drugs with a biological function as opposed to chemical drugs. They're typically more efficient, more impactful than typical chemical drugs and so they require a complex manufacturing system and developing system and so Cytiva is there to support the research and development as well as the manufacturing of those therapies.



Q. South Korea has some of the world's most innovative biopharma companies today. What does investing in the Korean market and supporting the growth of the industry here really mean for Cytiva?



: Well, remarkably Korea is our third biggest market globally so the innovation, the academic power, the scale that's happening here in Korea is unprecedented. We have some of the biggest infrastructure for manufacturing of biological drugs based in Korea. We have some of the biggest biosimilar product producers based in Korea and so we've been working with them for multiple years, more than decade. The concentration of the manufacturing scale in Korea is very important which is one of the reasons why we have a consultancy center based in Song-do which ultimately helps both large companies as well as starting bio-techs as well as academic partners with scale-up services, process development services, training center.

Our mission today with these companies is to enable them with further productivity so they can manufacture at lower cost and therefore provide more access to more patients for these drugs as well as provide additional infrastructure as they are continuing to expand and expanding their production capacity and we are honored and privileged to be part of that ecosystem.



Q. South Korean biotech companies such as Samsung Biologics, Celltrion and Seegene are also part of your extensive list of clients. What are the crucial technologies that Cytiva provides for these companies that enable them to efficiently develop healthcare products?



: Seegene is another example of a diagnostic company where we are the tools providers so we provide components which then are used in diagnostic tests. In this case, most recently for COVID-19. What it actually means to them is not necessarily purely the manufacturing scale. It's also how we help them drive productivity, drive their costs down, do more with less so minimize the usage of raw materials, optimize and introduce new technologies that help them produce faster, lower doses and therefore you know giving access to a broader scale of patients.



Q. So as a global life sciences leader in development and manufacturing, how is your company specifically responding to today's pandemic?



: Large players in every continent have asked us to accelerate the production of some of those critical raw materials which they need and we have responded to that. We are also adding shifts around the manufacturing facilities around the world including in Asia but also in the U.S. We are expanding by adding new production lines and we're looking at doing further investments which we haven't announced yet but adding more manufacturing capacity to ensure that the ongoing demand for vaccine manufacturing which will likely go into 2022, we anticipate, to ensure that we are ready for it. In fact, we've hired globally about 1,700 people over the last five months and that's on a total of 7,000 so you can see the scale at which we are doing this.

And that's happening across the industry at the same time. The logistics providers are doing the same. People like FedEx, UPS, DHL are investing to ensure the cold chain is there to be distributing those vaccines. The pharmaceutical companies are looking for additional capacity for those that are not manufacturing COVID-19 treatments to ensure that they can use the excess capacity for COVID-19 applications so I think it's happening across the industry, creative solutions and that's coming together into what will be an unprecedented delivery of vaccines that we haven't seen before.



Q. Cytiva has also partnered with various companies in the Asia Pacific region recently to combat COVID-19 and facilitate vaccine development. Can you tell us more about these collaborative efforts?



: Well, you mentioned the word collaboration and I think that's a really important one because the challenge that we are facing, no single institution or private company or government can face this alone and so collaborations are absolutely critical. With Takara Bio, a company in Japan, we've looked to improve their manufacturing process so that they can manufacture in more doses and also go to market faster.

In Korea, we have a number of examples where we are the tools provider for diagnostic tests. We're working with some of the major players here as well to develop their monoclonal antibody for therapeutics for COVID-19.

So we have a diverse set of collaborations which we play different roles in different stages of the development of the drug and you know that keeps us very busy at the moment.



Q. You have mentioned before that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought together the scientific community across the world so can you tell us about the effect that the pandemic has had on the scientific community worldwide and in Korea?



: I think we have not seen an effort of this scale before and if you think about the challenges that are involved with developing a vaccine starting from understanding the disease, understanding the biological mechanisms that are involved with treating it or providing a vaccine for it then studying the efficacy, the safety of that drug, looking at what manufacturing process we need, making it robust, ensuring there is a supply chain behind that manufacturing process and then later on the distribution. That whole set of challenges requires a lot of different stakeholders to collaborate in a way that has never been needed and never been possible to this extent. To develop a therapeutic and vaccine program for things like Ebola it took about 40 years for 300 programs to be active. It took about five months for a thousand programs to be active for COVID-19. So just in terms of scale, it's unprecedented for sure. It shows that the scientific community can do amazing things when the need is high. It shows that the innovation is at the sky high level at the moment and that's very promising for the overall healthcare ecosystem and the healthcare industry.



Q. There are more than five billion vaccine doses in advanced orders. Sounds pretty sizable. So what challenges are you seeing in fulfilling this demand?



: There's logistical challenges. There's obviously the infrastructure of the pharmaceutical companies which is insufficient. There's the supply of the raw materials which is somewhat insufficient and so there are challenges at every step of the way. Will we have sufficient vaccines available to serve the needs? Most likely. Depends on the number of programs that will be approved but I think the industry is doing a heroic job in terms of getting to the number of doses that we need.



Q. Since the COVID-19 outbreak global demand for South Korea's medical products, for example the COVID-19 test kits, has soared and local drug makers are also speeding up vaccine development. Is Cytiva looking for further collaboration with South Korean biotech companies?



: Yes, absolutely. So we are supporting various programs. We are actually involved in most of the active programs in South Korea in various forms. So I mentioned already being a tools provider to some of the diagnostic tests including people like Bionote or Seegene. We are involved in the manufacturing of the therapeutic that Celltrion is developing in terms of the raw materials that they use to do so for clinical trials at the moment but that's progressing quite well. We're enabling other players to manufacture some of the global vaccines so you may be aware some of the U.S.-based vaccines are also being manufactured in different locations around the world by partners of that pharmaceutical company and so where that is the case we enabled that as well. There's a number of biotech companies that are doing their own development of vaccine candidates and therapeutic candidates and we are helping them with scale-up developments and research services.



Q. South Korea has received praise across the globe for its proactive and thorough response to the pandemic early on. What are some steps the Korean government can take to continue this positive momentum as the pandemic continues?



: They've done a terrific job they also recently announced the purchase of 40 million doses of vaccine which shows that the Korean government is acting with determination and very swiftly to ensure the population has access to the vaccine. It's now to the companies to deliver those and they have an efficient distribution system for the population to have access to those vaccines. I have no doubt whatsoever that will be organized in a highly efficient and organized manner. Clearly the strategy is working while the economic impact is actually minimal so I think we should be considering ourselves very lucky to be in this country and be able to benefit from going through a challenging situation in a very well managed manner.



Q. What can we expect to see from Cytiva in the next five years especially in Korea?



In our industry, innovation is very fast. We talked about that before, we need to stay current with new therapies that are being developed and so as a solution provider and a manufacturing enabler we need to continue to invest in technologies. You know, one of the key elements of our future is to grow with biotech. There's so much innovation happening at the biotech community that we feel we need to be very close to them and so in order to help them with scale-up services, training personnel. I mean, one of the biggest limiting factors in the industry is we don't have enough professionals that can actually work in this industry so training is a big thing and with that we look with a very positive mind toward the future and we're optimistic about where we'll be in five years from now.




JACKSON, MI  The Jackson County Courthouse is once again closing its doors to the general public after a surge of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county.

After less than a month of being in phase three of a four-phase plan created by the Michigan Supreme Court to return court operations to full capacity, Jackson County courts announced Tuesday, March 30, they would be returning to phase two of the plan.

Recent COVID-19 data indicates an ongoing, upward trajectory in documented cases and positivity rates within the last 14 days in Jackson County. As a result of this increase, and the guidelines set forth by the (Michigan) Supreme Court, Jackson County Courts are required to revert to Phase 2 operations with restrictive conditions for in-person services until further notice, according to a statement.

The courthouse had moved to the more-open phase two on March 8, allowing the general public to enter the building, while still adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

As of March 31, Jackson County has had 10,997 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 226 deaths attributed to the disease, according to the Jackson County Health Department.

A graph showing the daily confirmed case count posted online by the health department shows a steady increase in reported cases since early March.

All courthouse services are being severely limited for in-person activities until Jackson County sees a steady decline in confirmed COVID-19 cases for 14 days, officials said.

How Michigan courts determine when to hold jury trials again after pandemic shutdown

People can be allowed into the courthouse, but only under specific conditions, such as after receiving a notice to appear in-person for a specific hearing or for an appointment with court staff, officials said.

For more information on court hearings, services and emergency filings, please call:

Circuit Court cases/County Clerk: 517-788-4268

County Clerk Vitals: 517-788-4265

District Court cases: 517-788-4260

Probate Court cases: 517-788-4290

Jackson County Public Defenders office: 517-768-6842

District Court on-line services can be found by visiting d12.com

For County Clerk on-line services: click here

Friend of the Court: 517-788-4470; or click here

Elections office: 517-768-6759

More from The Jackson Citizen Patriot:

Glitter, wings and magic return to Jackson with ticketed Fairy Festival

15 things the pandemic changed for now -- and maybe forever

Mental health should be funded same as health care below the neck, Debbie Stabenow says in Jackson visit
Two Russian spy planes entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone early Monday morning, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command.

"At 4:50 a.m. (AKST), the Alaskan NORAD Region positively identified and tracked two Tu-142 Russian maritime patrol aircraft entering the [ADIZ]," the North American Aerospace Defense Command said in a news release Monday.

The two TU-142 aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace, the release said.

Read Next: Reservist Who Claims He Lost NASA Job for Taking Military Leave Gets Win in Court

Though the Russian aircraft never left international airspace, Capt. Lauren Ott, director of public affairs for the Alaskan Command, said they came within 60 nautical miles of the Alaskan coastline. By international convention, a nations' sovereign territory extends 12 miles from the coast.

"At their closest approach, while still in international airspace, the aircraft were approximately 60 nautical miles off the nearest Alaskan coastline," Ott said in a statement. "We have a number of response options available to any aircraft entering North American Air Defense Identification Zones."

At least four TU-142 Russian aircraft have entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone in 2021, according to NORAD news releases. Two TU-142 Russian aircraft entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on Jan. 25, though the aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace on that occasion, either, the news releases said.

Maj. Cameron Hillier, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, told Military.com on Tuesday that NORAD has taken a "proactive communications approach for Russian intercepts" within the past few years.

"Since Russia resumed long-range aviation patrols in 2007, there's been an average of about six to seven intercepts per year. That number over the years has ranged as low as zero and as high as 15," Hillier, a NORAD spokesman, said.

While Hillier declined to speculate about the number of Russian ADIZ incursions in 2020, he said, "We were able to detect, monitor, identify and intercept them each time they entered the ADIZ."

Continued Arctic presence is essential to defense and deterrence, Hillier said.

"It all comes down to, again, establishing that presence, even through the Arctic. Recognizing, of course, that the Arctic is a potential avenue of attack," Hillier said. "Therefore, it's a matter of establishing a credible defense posture and a deterrent for any potential attack."

Citing "an increase in human activity in the region" and changes in "the Arctic's physical environment," Ott echoed that maintaining an Arctic presence remains critical for the U.S. and Canada.

"Demonstrating NORAD's capabilities and investment in the Arctic is imperative to the defense of North America," Ott said in a statement. "Bolstering our Arctic presence and commitment to the region will protect the sovereign airspace of Canada and the United States to deter, deny and defeat potential threats to our air and maritime approaches."

Related: US and Russia Scramble Jets in Another Exchange of Aerial Intercepts
With several months from the signing of the trilateral agreement which ended the Second Karabakh War, it is important to look at how various stipulations are being implemented. Below the focus is placed on the evolving connectivity patterns in the South Caucasus. Caucasus Watch reports that in the South Caucasus new railways and trade corridors emerge, while abandoned routes are being revived. The primary drivers were Russia and Turkey. Both aspired towards deeper penetration into the South Caucasus through advancement of their respective railway and pipeline infrastructure as well as establishment of more intensive alliances.

Russians saw their influence curtailed because of the blockage of the railway links following the First Karabakh War of the early 1990s. For Moscow the conflict was an opportunity to upset the established blockages and revive Soviet-era connectivity. On January 30 a trilateral meeting of Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian vice-premiers led to establishing the mechanism for unblocking transport infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh and the rest of the region. This was the stipulation from the November 2020 agreement which envisioned "unblocking of regional economic and transport links. The meeting followed-up on established discussions on January 11, 2021, at a meeting in Moscow between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia and Armenian PM.

Though Russias Overchuk was cautious about possible results, some practical moves were made  the sides agreed to form expert groups. Still, the problem with the negotiation process is the existence of several alternative road and railway routes. Baku and Yerevan seem to be backing the opening of opposing corridors which depend on internal political, purely economic and military aspects. The restoration of the old routes follows Soviet patterns. For instance, there were two corridors from Azerbaijan to Armenia and both guaranteed the connection to Turkey via the Nakhchivan exclave. One route was from Ijevan, a town and urban municipal community in Armenia, and Yerevan, and the second  southern  one through Zangilan.

The two corridors were fully operational in the Soviet period, but were completely closed since the early 1990s, as a result of the Karabakh conflict. The closing of these routes constrained Russias and Turkeys ability to penetrate the South Caucasus. Various economic and military conditions apply as to which side prefers the opening of one of the corridors. Armenia is more willing to open up the northern route, while Azerbaijan would support the southern alternative. From Bakus perspective, the latter corridor would go through the newly claimed territories, as a result of the war, and a narrow swath of Armenian land which would make it easier to control security-wise.

For Yerevan the restoration of the northern railway section would be more profitable as most of the route is in working condition. The line runs through from Yeraskh, a village in Armenias Ararat province, into Nakhchivan then enters into southern Armenia to then enter Azerbaijan proper and heads north into Russia.

Over the past three decades, Georgia served as a major lifeline for Armenia as it connected the country to Russia. Trains from Armenia head only north to Tbilisi, and trade with Russia is made via the Georgian Military Highway. But the road is largely unreliable because it is often closed due to natural cataclysms such as snow and landslides. Though Armenian leadership has been searching for additional routes to the Georgian one, for the moment Yerevan seems to be more interested in the railway openings rather than road routes. After all, an alternative to the Georgian road route would be the one through Azerbaijan or some 900 km more, which would be less profitable economically for Armenian and Russian businesses.

Participants of the two January meetings in Moscow claimed that the opening of the routes would benefit all regional states, including Georgia, Iran, and Turkey.

In Georgias case the potential gains are not as clear cut though. The country benefits from being the only connection route between Armenia and Russia. Alternatives could naturally bite at transit revenues. To hold initiative Georgia might play the Abkhazia Railway card. Long-supported by Armenia and Russia, the opening of this Soviet-era connection would have to go through Georgias Moscow-controlled region of Abkhazia. This raises numerous questions as to which stamps  Georgian or Abkhazian  would have to be on official documentation. Furthermore, economic benefits from the project are far from clear as gains of using the railway for Armenia-Russia trade might not suffice to cover the restoration and operation of the route. Still, the Russians have been consistent in their efforts to have the connection come back to life. Various reports from previous years hinted at parts of the Abkhaz section being cleared and near-ready for operation.

If previously the opening of the Abkhaz section would bring about deterioration of Georgias relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, because of probable Russian military supplies to Gyumri, today, following the Karabakh war, Tbilisi is unencumbered. However, wider geopolitics might serve as a major obstacle. For Iran, the new arrangement following the war seems less favorable than to other regional powers. The proposed restoration of the rail connections from Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan limits the clout Iran has held over Azerbaijan for decades since 1994 when the First Karabakh War ended. Azerbaijan depended on Iranian transit to reach its exclave. Travel to the area has been possible only by air, or through the territory of Iran. This is likely to change. Iran, though it has been developing a direct railway line to Russia via Azerbaijan, the restoration of the Abkhaz railway would be seen as an additional tool to increase its connection to the South Caucasus. Beyond a direct reach to Russia, Iran would be also able to link to the Black Sea. However, this scenario is unlikely to be welcomed by Georgias major supporter  the US.

Ankara on the other hand comes out as a clear winner from the Moscow negotiations, without an official presence at the negotiating table. Both proposed railway lines give Azerbaijan a direct rail link to Turkey through Nakhchivan. Turkey has already announced its plan to build a new railway link to the exclave. Though there is no obstacle in terms of Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands around Nagorno-Karabakh, it is still unclear if Armenia will renew trade with Azerbaijan or Turkey once one of the railway links is operational.

Much remains to be found out in regard to the details for the revival of the Soviet-era railway lines, but the overall push towards this goal is now clear. Russia and Turkey will increase their ability to penetrate the region through various railways. Iran and Georgia will be gaining the least as both states benefited from the post-1994 arrangement, which no longer holds.

Potential Development

Russia seems to be successfully peddling the project of restoring Soviet-era railways. It would grant Moscow bigger tools to penetrate the region and most notably reach its ally Armenia via rail, an opportunity Moscow has been denied since the early 1990s. Turkey and Azerbaijan will also see advantage as both are likely to be directly connected again. Restored railways are likely to boost regional trade, but Armenia-Azerbaijan animosity will limit the opportunity. Revival of the routes will bring further pressure on Armenias Pashinyan from the opposition as he faces critical challenges to his position. It is also likely that Iran will increase the pace of work on its railway line to Russia via Azerbaijan to counterbalance its diminishing role in the region.
Orange Belgium will publish its results for the first quarter of 2021 on Wednesday, April 21 at 07:00 CET.



Orange Belgium Investor Relations is pleased to invite investors and analysts to participate in a conference call hosted by:

Xavier Pichon, CEO

Antoine Chouc, CFO

Koen Van Mol, Investor Relations

The conference call will start at 2:00 pm CET (1:00 pm UK / 8:00 am EST). To access the call, please dial one of the following numbers 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call in order to avoid waiting time. Consequently register with following pin code: 48339699# and provide your name and the company you work for.

Belgium +32 24035816 Canada +1 4162164194 France +33 172727403 Germany +49 69222225429 Ireland +353 15060451 Italy +39 0236013817 Luxembourg +352 27300163 Netherlands +31 207095119 Spain +34 911140101 Switzerland +41 445831805 United Kingdom +44 2071943759 United States +1 6467224916

The recorded session will be available after the conference call and can be downloaded from our website. You will find the link to access the recorded session on the website below.

The press release for the first quarter of 2021, the roadshow presentation and the results toolkit will be available on Wednesday, April 21 on the financial section of the corporate website at Financial results

About Orange Belgium

Orange Belgium is a leading telecommunications operator on the Belgian market with over 3 million customers; Orange is also active in Luxembourg through its subsidiary Orange Communications Luxembourg.

As a convergent actor, we provide mobile telecommunications services, internet and TV to private clients as well as innovative mobile and fixed-line services to businesses. Our high-performance mobile network supports 2G, 3G, 4G and 4G+ technology and is the subject of ongoing investment.

Orange Belgium is a subsidiary of the Orange Group, one of the leading European and African operators for mobile telephony and internet access, as well as one of the world leaders in telecommunications services for enterprises.

Orange Belgium is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange (OBEL).

For more information: corporate.orange.be , www.orange.be or follow us on Twitter: @pressOrangeBe.

Investors contact

Koen Van Mol - koen.vanmol@orange.com- +32

Press contacts

Younes Al Bouchouari - younes.albouchouari@orange.be - +32 (0)477 69 87 73

press@orange.be

Attachment
On Tuesday prosecutors continued presenting the case against Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer facing multiple charges in connection with the death of George Floyd last summer.

The case garnered international attention and sparked global protests that formed part of the Black Lives Matter movement. Chauvin was filmed pressing his knee into Floyds neck for nine minutes but has pleaded not guilty to all three counts brought against him.

Yesterday Minneapolis firefighter Genevieve Hansen gave testimony in which she said the police officers at the scene would not let her carry out potentially life-saving medical assistance to the unconscious man.

Hansen told the court: "There's a man being killed, and had I had access to a call similar to that, I would have been able to provide medical attention to the best of my ability, and this human was denied that right.

This could well be crucial in the prosecutions case as they look to prove Chauvins guilt, but what has the former officer been charged with?

Second-degree unintentional murder

Of the three charges brought against Chauvin, second-degree unintentional murder is the most serious and holds the longest prison sentence if found guilty.

To do so the prosecution must prove that Chauvins actions caused the death of a human being without intent to effect the death of any person, while intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm upon the victim when the perpetrator is restrained under an order for protection and the victim is a person designation to receive protection under the order."

The maximum sentence for this charge is 40 years, but Minnesota sentencing guidelines recommend a prison term between 10 years and nine months to 15 years.

Third-degree murder

The other murder charge brought against Chauvin is third-degree murder, a recent reintroduction that prosecutors hope will provide another pathway to conviction.

Chauvin will be found guilty if he is proved to have without intent to effect the death of any person, cause[d] the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evidencing a depraved mind, without regard for human life."

The former officer could face up to 25 years in prison if found guilty, although the only other Minnesota police officer to be convicted for murder while on duty received half that. In 2019, former officer Mohamed Noor was convicted of third-degree murder for the death of Justine Damond, who he shot while attending a 911 call made by the victim.

Second-degree manslaughter

The final charge facing Chauvin is one of second-degree manslaughter, which will be easier for the prosecutors to prove but carries a lighter prison sentence than the two murder charges. Minnesota prosecutors must argue that Chauvin is guilty of "culpable negligence whereby the person creates an unreasonable risk and consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily harm to another."

If found guilty he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. However state guidelines recommend a sentence of between 41 and 57 months in prison.
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. -- A married couple from Yreka were killed last week when a redwood tree fell on top of their car while they were driving on Highway 199 in Del Norte County. Jessica and Jake Woodruff leave behind five children.

36-year-old Jake and 45-year-old Jessica were driving along U.S. Highway 199 on March 25, heading to celebrate Jessicas birthday with a trip up the coast. It was an annual tradition for the couple.

According to California Highway Patrol, they were heading southbound through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, just a few miles from the town of Hiouchi, when a large redwood tree fell from the east side of the road  landing on top of their 2016 Honda Accord. Both Jake and Jessica were killed.

The first thing that went through my mind is there's no way that it's real, and are we sure that this was even something that could happen? said Amanda Maffei, Jessicas first cousin.

The two were married almost 13 years, and their five children range in age from 8 to 24 years old.

Well, myself, my sister and, and my cousin, Rachel, we all just decided that, you know, from here on out, this is when our family just sticks together and we do whatever we can for these children, Maffei added.

Now, as families do, loved ones of the Woodruffs are making sure that everyone is cared for. Amanda started a GoFundMe to help with expenses and support. The page has already raised more than $200,000.

You know, raising children is, is not inexpensive. And for them to have their lives towards sort of . . . completely rocked this way. And now they have the responsibility to look after the little ones we knew it was going to be an incredibly difficult position that they were in. And that's what we decided to do, by starting the GoFundMe," Maffei said.

I think that they're going to find strengths within each other," Maffei continued. "They're going to look out for each other and, you know, just the generosity of so many different communities and the support that they've received. I'm hoping that they find strength in that as well.

While the tragedy that claimed the lives of Jake and Jessica Woodruff happened near the southern end of Redwood Highway in California, it marked the beginning of a deadly two days on the highway as a whole. 35-year-old Paul Taylor was killed in a crash near Cave Junction the next morning. A few hours later, Oregon State Police said that another crash near Wonder eventually resulted in the death of an infant child who was brought to OHSU in Portland for treatment.

The families and friends of Paul Taylor and baby Easton have also set up GoFundMe campaigns to support the people they leave behind.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Embark Delta Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Embark Health Inc. ("Embark" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has successfully completed its first shipment of products to the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis ("AGLC") with The Hank Co. Bubble Hash. The AGLC is the province of Alberta's regulator, wholesaler and operator of Alberta's only legal online non-medical cannabis store, AlbertaCannabis.org.

The Hank Co. is part of Embark's line of 2.0 solventless concentrate brands. Embark looks forward to continuing the rollout of this and other concentrate products within the provinces combined with the launch of other product Cannabis 2.0 SKUs in the very near future.





Embark Health Inc.'s The Hank Co. Available in Alberta, Canada

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7351/79095_3cc987b45441ea1a_002full.jpg

"The entire Embark team is thrilled to announce that our best-in-class bubble hash is available in the province of Alberta," said Dr. Luc C. Duchesne, CEO of Embark. "We look forward to fulfilling continued demand in Alberta. The market has been waiting for quality concentrates such as The Hank Co. Bubble Hash and we look forward to the continued the rollout of concentrate products within the Hank brand portfolio."

Embark's next generation 2.0 product portfolio will continue to expand into the adult-use market in 2021 with the inclusion of the company's solventless concentrate products, (rosin, dry sift and pressed hash), combined with the Embark Nano beverages and topicals launching throughout 2021. Solvents-based extracts are expected later in the year.

About Embark Health Inc.

Embark Health Inc. is a leader in solventless cannabis extraction, with a focus on the formulation and production of advanced 2.0 products for the B2B, medical and adult-use markets. Embark continues to be at the forefront of production of concentrate products including bubble hash, traditional pressed hash, rosin, and dry sift. With the acquisition of Embark Nano Inc. ("Nano", formerly, Axiomm Technologies Ltd.) in Q3 of 2020, Embark is preparing to launch the next generation of Cannabis 2.0 products. The acquired portfolio of products and formulations support the mass production and distribution of advanced 2.0 products including cannabis-infused beverages, topicals, edibles and water-soluble powders. For more information, please visit www.embarknano.com.

It is Embark's mandate to pursue best-in-class production processes resulting in premium quality commercial and consumer extraction products. Embark Health Inc. is dedicated to unleashing the full potential of the cannabis plant through scientific approaches to extraction and the production of quality products to enhance everyday life. For more information, please visit www.embarkhealthinc.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

IR@embarkhealthinc.com

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including statements regarding the ability to leverage its existing Cannabis 2.0 products for the Canadian market, access to future markets, Embark's ability to increase production and offer new products and services following receipt of applicable licences, the continued business-to-business activities of Embark, and the effects of the aforementioned activities on the operational and financial condition of Embark. Although Embark believes in light of the estimates by management, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them. Accordingly, Embark can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, changes in economic conditions or financial markets; regulatory delays; increases in costs; litigation; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; and technological or operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79095
[March 31, 2021] Dtonic Picked for GO AUSTRIA Spring 2021

SEOUL, South Korea, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dtonic, a member company of Born2Global Centre, has taken an opportunity to enter the European market via Austria. The company has been selected as a participant in GO AUSTRIA Spring 2021, an incubation program operated by Global Incubator Network Austria (GIN). This will be a chance for Dtonic to search for promising potential partners such as local investors, large companies, and startups. The program features professional training, including a tailored mentoring program, workshops, and seminars. A personal mentor assigned to each participant provides various consulting services including tips on overseas expansion strategies and how to establish a business model that will attract investment. Dtonic has been an active member of Born2Global Center since 2019. The program will run for about two weeks, from April 26 to May 12, and will be held as virtual online course due to COVID-19 this year. GIN is an Austrian government-led network that connects Austrian and Asian startups. Since 2016, it has been offering annual incubation programs for 10 startups in Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, and Singapore.



Dtonic is a big data company that deals with spatio-temporal big data. The company started as an in-house venture by Hyundai Motor Company and was spun off in 2014. It has successfully developed technology necessary to process spatio-temporal big data and is currently expanding into the field of smart cities. Dtonic's technology Geo-Hiker resembles a boosting engine that helps speed up processing and analysis of spatio-temporal big data. It utilizes a top-notch indexing algorithm based on the spatio-temporal characteristics of big data. In addition, advanced data distribution technology is applied for optimal channel load between nodes to maximize data processing performance. This technology was introduced to Hyundai Motor Company and the Korean Road Traffic Authority and will be used in the Busan Eco-Delta Smart City and Bucheon Smart City Challenge projects as well as projects for autonomous vehicles and future mobility, smart factories, and smart farms.

Spatio-temporal big data technology developed by Dtonic is regarded as the core of Korea's COVID-19 Epidemiological Investigation Support System (EISS), which played a pivotal role in the success of Korean quarantine. Today, EISS is being exported worldwide. This contribution by Dtonic proved excellence of Korea's quarantine system to the world. Dtonic is also preparing to enter Europe and the Middle East through and arrange technology transfer with local companies. Yong-Joo Jun, CEO of Dtonic, "We are systematically preparing to launch our European branch this year thanks to the all-round support of Born2Global Centre and of various incubating programs. These include Spanish incubating program in which our company was the only Asian-Pacific participant selected last year, the Sweden K-Startup Centre (KSC)'s incubating program, and the Austrian incubating program in which our company was selected this year," He added, "We will quickly promote global commercialization with our development centers and sales centers in Southeast Asia, which are scheduled to be established in the first half of the year, to make Dtonic's technology world-famous." For more detailed information on Dtonic, visit https://www.dtonic.io/. Media contact Dtonic: noora90@dtonic.io

Born2Global Centre: jlee@born2global.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dtonic-picked-for-go-austria-spring-2021-301259146.html SOURCE Born2Global Centre

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The SolarWinds hack had gained access to emails of the Department of Homeland Security top officials under former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.

This also includes emails of the members of DHS's cybersecurity staff.

Meanwhile, the DHS said that the Biden administration is working on closing a dozen action items, which would be included in the executive order to strengthen the government's cybersecurity.

"We continue to work urgently to make the investments necessary, and the administration is working on close to a dozen actions for an upcoming executive order," a senior DHS official was quoted in The Hill report.

Sen. Rob Portman said that the SolarWinds hack was a victory for foreign adversaries, while it shows proof of failure on the part of DHS.

The Biden administration has tried to mute the situation and the scope of the SolarWinds attack while deliberating counterattack measures against Russia.

However, new details about the breach showed that aside from DHS, other agencies such as the Energy Department were also breached. Hackers also accessed top officials' schedules, according to an Associated Press report.

READ MORE: FBI Gets Involved as Russian Cyberhackers Suspected Behind High-Risk U.S. Government Hack

Cybersecurity Issues

Officials discovered in December a sprawling cyberespionage done largely through a hack of a widely used software from Texas-based SolarWinds Inc.

At the time, at least nine federal agencies were hacked, with dozens of private-sector companies.

U.S. officials said that the breach might have been a work of Russian workers. Leading the Pentagon's cyberforce, Gen. Paul Nakasone, said that the Biden administration is eyeing a range of options in response.

However, Russia has denied the allegations of cyberattack.

Brandon Wales, who leads the cybersecurity agency, said during a recent House committee hearing that the U.S. must raise their game, according to a New York Post report.

Anthony Ferrante, a former director for cyber incident response at the U.S. National Security Council and current senior managing director at FTI Consulting, said that part of the problem is the lack of skilled workforce both in the government and private sector.

The Biden administration has named Anne Neuberger to respond to the SolarWinds and Microsoft breaches. Neuberger is the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emergency technology.

Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Emily Horne said that cybersecurity is a top priority, adding that the administration is reviewing how best to set up the new position.

Series of Hacks

Aside from the alleged Russian attack, revealing emails of DHS's top officials, one hacker tried to poison the water supply of a small town in Florida in February.

The hacker was unsuccessful.

The hacker breached the system controlling the water supply plant and tried to taint the water supply with a chemical, according to another A.P. report.

A supervisor saw the chemical being tampered with when a mouse controlled by the intruder moved across the screen, changing settings.

The supervisor immediately intervened and reversed the action, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

He added that the public was never in danger but said that the intruder took the chemical to dangerous levels.

READ NEXT: US Probes Network Hacks of Government Agencies



WATCH: DHS DOJ And DOD Are All Customers Of SolarWinds Orion - from Business News




Russia and Venezuela, following a meeting of the intergovernmental commission in Caracas, signed 12 documents in various spheres, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said.

"Twelve documents were signed on cooperation in the financial, energy, military spheres, in the sphere of health care and food, in the sphere of guaranteeing medicines and vaccines for Venezuela", Maduro said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov visited Caracas on 30 March, where he held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission, and also met with Maduro.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gives a speech in Caracas, Venezuela March 3, 2021.

On the Russian side, the high-level delegation included representatives of the leadership of ministries and departments in charge of projects within the framework of bilateral cooperation.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has welcomed the adoption by the OSCE Permanent Council of a consensus decision to extend the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine until March 31, 2022, which provides for observers' access to the entire territory of Ukraine, the ministry's press service has reported.

"Ukraine is grateful to the Swedish OSCE Chairmanship and the participating States for supporting the Ukrainian government's request to continue the mission's work for the next 12 months. [...] The extension of the mandate will ensure continuous monitoring of the OSCE SMM in Ukraine to objectively and timely inform the international community about Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. [...] The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasizes that the OSCE SMM's mandate provides for safe and secure access for observers to the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol," the report reads.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called unacceptable the actions of the Russian Federation aimed at restricting the monitoring activities of the OSCE SMM in the temporarily occupied territories in eastern Ukraine and blocking the mission's access to the temporarily occupied Crimea.

"The Russian side must immediately stop obstructing the mission in fulfilling its mandate. We expect the OSCE SMM to also strengthen the monitoring of other illegal actions of Russia: the ongoing militarization of Crimea, restrictions on freedom of navigation in the Azov-Black Sea region, violations of fundamental OSCE principles and commitments, including respect for sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of the state," the report reads.

The OSCE Permanent Council at a special meeting on Wednesday, March 31, extended the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine for another year - until March 31, 2022.

On March 26, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling unacceptable the fact that some OSCE participating States were blocking the decision to extend the OSCE SMM's mandate for the next 12 months.

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Central Michigan University has retained former U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider to conduct an investigation after sexual harassment allegations at a firm the university sent students to came to light last week.

Former employees have described sexual harassment and inappropriate office behavior from Vanguard Public Affairs owner TJ Bucholz, a CMU alumnus who recruited heavily at his alma mater. For years, the university sent him a steady stream of female interns, and the firm employed many recent graduates.

Now, Schneider will investigate whether members of the university community knew about Bucholzs behavior before the stories broke.

It is critical that we bring in outside counsel to provide an independent and thorough review of what took place, CMU Board Chair Richard K. Studley said. We are determined to be very transparent. We want to understand what policies, practices and procedures may need to be examined to ensure we have structures to protect our students when they are placed in workplaces meant to provide them with invaluable and practical experiences to successfully pursue their careers.

Vanguard is a political communications firm based in Lansing. The firm has done work on high-profile Democratic political campaigns, as well as campaigns for local offices. It also does communications for unions and corporate clients.

A Facebook post by Emily Dievendorf brought to light allegations about Bucholz, the firms owner last week. In subsequent news reports, former employees of the firm identified unpredictable behavior from Bucholz and situations that made them uncomfortable.

He would allegedly call women into his office to comment on the appearance of news anchors on television, and talk to young, female employees about trading in his wife for a younger model.

Related: CMU suspends staff, launches investigation after students it sent to Lansing PR firm report sexual harassment

One woman who interned there as a student in 2016 recalls him asking her to address him as Daddy, and calling attention to the bodies of female employees by comparing them to the Hooters of PR firms. She told MLive she raised general concerns about the work environment to a CMU employee, though she didnt have the vocabulary at the time to describe what was happening as sexual harassment.

CMU President Bob Davies had previously announced the university would retain counsel to conduct an investigation, and the university announced Tuesday it would be Schneider.

Schneider, now a private attorney with Honigman, is a former U.S. Attorney and also previously worked as chief legal counsel under former Attorney General Bill Schuette. Some have speculated he could run for governor.

Matthew is a well-known and well-respected lawyer and trusted advisor, Davies said. His background enables him to provide effective counsel in a number of areas, including internal investigations. Retaining outside counsel will assure that CMU proceeds in a fair and impartial manner and that this investigation goes where the facts lead it.

The university has not named the employees under investigation, but the universitys student newspaper, Central Michigan Life, reported they are journalism faculty member Steve Coon and student media adviser Dave Clark. MLive has contacted both Coon and Clark for comment.

Davies said the goal of the investigation was to protect students as they pursued internships and off-campus learning opportunities.

We take the safety of our students seriously and will pursue fully any accusation that conflicts with our commitment to their health, safety and well-being, he said in a press release.

We respond to these situations as transparently as possible and with every resource possible. Integrity is an essential core value at CMU, along with compassion, and any behavior that does not align with these values is contrary to the culture and expectations for which we stand.

More on MLive:

CMU suspends staff, launches investigation after students it sent to Lansing PR firm report sexual harassment

Ann Arbor council member resigns from political consulting firm amid controversy

Michigan Press Association suspends CMU staffer amid investigation into Lansing PR firm
THE top 16 Miss Namibia finalists for this year were announced over the weekend at a preliminary event in Windhoek.

The pageant aims to celebrate beauty with a charitable cause.

The title-holder is expected to bring charity to the less privileged, promote deserving social causes, serve as an example of purposeful living to the young, and to bring honour and pride to our nation as a representative of goodwill.

The Namibian recently spoke to some of the finalists.

News presenter, journalist, make-up artist, model and actress Prisca Anyolo, better known as 'The Chocolate Barbie' on social media, says she entered the competition to represent her country on an international platform.

She says this platform would provide her with the opportunity to market herself and her skills to the people of Namibia and beyond. "I love the sisterhood this pageant brings," Anyolo says.

She says if she wins she would work towards helping to reduce poverty in Namibia. "I would definitely invest in and establish my own food-security organisation to help alleviate extreme poverty in the country," she says.

Shahida van Zyl (25) has an honours degree, with psychology and sociology as majors, and is currently pursuing her degree in human resource management.

She says she is passionate about youth development. "I have a passion for girl children to instil hope and confidence, and to be our future leaders. I also see this platform as an extension of my degree, through which I can impart knowledge and be an ambassador of change to the betterment of my country," Van Zyl says.

She says if she scoops the crown she would like to actively work on her 'Beauty with a heart' project, which is directed at working with hospitalised children.

Aurelia Samuyenga (23) is a final-year student doing her BSc degree in business management at Kingston University in London. "I chose to study business, because I plan on creating and owning one of the biggest hotel chains in the world," she says.

Samuyenga says if she is this year's winner, she would encourage women in leadership positions. "Being a woman leader is a very difficult thing to do . . . However, my support of women and girls as leaders does not mean I am diminishing boys and men. It simply means I would like to see more women cement their positions as leaders in our society..," she says.

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Annerie Mare (26) is a traveller and influencer. "I like new adventures and to explore life and culture," she says. She says if she wins she would like to be actively involved in developments in the agriculture, tourism and entrepreneurship sectors "I would work hard for agriculture in various villages and small towns in Namibia."

Stella da Costa (23) from Opuwo has a certificate in business management and is currently working as an administrator. She says she is part of the 'We Care' community project at the Opuwo Town Council, which donates food to the less fortunate, and she would like to expand it to the rest of the country.

"I want to urge young girls to . . . not just sit at home and throw their lives away because of our cultural beliefs ... We are capable of doing a lot," Da Costa says.

Lizandri Erasmus (24) studied performing arts, including dance, music and acting.

She says she is passionate about the youth and raising awareness on mental health issues. "I like making people laugh and try to not take myself too seriously all the time ... I would like to use my charity, 'The Pencil Drive', to provide much-needed stationery to underprivileged children across the country," Erasmus says.

The judges included principal judge Gerine Hoff, acting marketing manager of Pupkewitz Toyota Steve Venter, 2014 Miss Namibia Brumhilda Pachawo, general manager of Janeel Financial Services Innocentia de Klerk, and Degasias Kashibongo from Torga Optical.

The other finalists are Happy Auala, Helvi Amadhila, Chane-Ann Marshall, Ester Ashipala, Milumbe Katowa, Chantay Ndjawella, Chloe Brandt, Michelle Mukuve, Helvi Amadhila and Andeline Wieland.
TORONTO, March 31, 2021and on the Company's website at www.mandalayresources.com.



Mandalay has also filed an updated National Instrument 43-101 compliant Technical Reportand on the Company's website at www.mandalayresources.com.

The Technical Report for Bjorkdal entitled "Technical Report on the Bjorkdal Gold Mine, Sweden" was prepared by SLR Consulting Ltd. ("SLR") and the Mineral Resource estimate was carried out under the supervision of Reno Pressacco, M.Sc.(A)., P.Geo., Principal Geologist and an employee of SLR and is independent of Mandalay. He is a Qualified Person for the purpose of NI 43-101. The Mineral Reserve estimate was carried out under the supervision of Rick Taylor, MAusIMM CP (Min), Principal Mining Engineer, Kathleen A. Altman, Ph.D., P.E. and Alessandra (Alex) Pheiffer, M.Sc., PrSciNat, all employees of SLR and are independent of Mandalay. They are all Qualified Persons for the purposes of NI 43-101.

The Technical Report for Costerfield, entitled "Mandalay Resources - Costerfield Property NI 43-101 Technical Report", was prepared by Mining Plus, and the Mineral Resource estimate was carried out under the supervision of Andrew Fowler, MAusIMM CP (Geo), an employee of Mining Plus and is independent of Mandalay. He is a Qualified Person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. The Mineral Reserve estimate was carried out under the supervision of Aaron Spong, MAusIMM CP (Min) and Simon Walsh, BSc (Extractive Metallurgy & Chemistry), MAusIMM CP(Met), both employees of Mining Plus and are independent of Mandalay. They are both Qualified Persons for the purposes of NI 43-101.

For Further Information:

Dominic Duffy

President and Chief Executive Officer

Edison Nguyen

Manager, Analytics and Investor Relations

Contact:

647.260.1566

About Mandalay Resources Corporation:

Mandalay Resources is a Canadian-based natural resource company with producing assets in Australia and Sweden, and care and maintenance and development projects in Chile. The Company is focused on growing production at its gold and antimony operation in Australia, and gold production from its operation in Sweden to continue being a significant cash flow generating Company.
Maria Ruiz admitted she was "afraid" but the 48-year-old nurse was determined to play her part in helping Cuba's ambitious drive to produce its own Covid-19 vaccine.

"It's not the same when I give it to a patient or when I receive it," she said, waiting for her shot of the Soberana 2 vaccine.

"Whenever it's good for me and for wider society, I'm there!"

Launched a week ago, the initiative aims to vaccinate 150,000 hospital workers, including technicians and maintenance staff, even before it has conducted clinical trials.

Cuba wants it to be the first vaccine made in Latin America to combat the deadly global virus.

The Russian Sputnik V vaccine was another to be administered widely before clinical trials were complete.

And unlike in traditional trials, this time "we're not using a placebo, it's the vaccine straight up," said Osiris Barberia Elejalde, a doctor and deputy director of epidemiology at the Heroes of Corinth hospital in the capital Havana.

The program has targeted hospital staff "because they are the ones in contact with the infected patients. That is to say, on the front line," she added.

- Gamble -

The search for a vaccine, begun in April 2020, quickly became a source of national pride in Cuba.

Hamstrung by more than half a century of US sanctions, Cuba has had to develop its own shots since the 1980s.

Faced with this pandemic, Cuba neither tried to buy vaccines from the world's leading manufacturers, nor benefit from the global Covax initiative to ensure jab access for poorer nations.

It may have seemed like a gamble but Cuba has four vaccines currently at various stages of clinical trials, including two in the final phase three: Soberana 2 and Abdala.

If either receives final authorization, it will be the first Covid vaccine developed and produced in Latin America.

Cuba is hoping to roll out its vaccination campaign in June, but will rely on intervention studies before then to start immunizing its population of 11.2 million.

Story continues

Almost all 2.1 million residents of the capital Havana are due to receive their vaccine by May with six million people vaccinated by early August.

"Can you believe it, that in such a short space of time, a country under embargo, with so many needs, has made a quality vaccine," said Barberia, who insisted that while the intervention study is voluntary, so far "everyone" wants to take part.

Some "even want to bring their families but we said no!"

- Friendly countries -

In the Heroes of Corinth clinic, doctors, nurses and even pest controllers rub shoulders during the different vaccination stages: temperature checks at the entrance, blood pressure test and questionnaire on the first floor.

Following the jab, everyone must wait an hour before leaving in case of an adverse reaction.

Alejandro Larrinaga, a 64-year-old doctor wearing a mask, arrived just after 9:00 am.

He took part in medical missions in the past to Mozambique, Angola and South Africa.

This time he has a different mission.

"I was happy to come and get vaccinated, to boost my immune system," he said.

But, he added, "self-protection is more important than the vaccine."

It can take three weeks for a vaccine to take full effect.

Cuba, though, has been relatively unscathed by the pandemic, with almost 69,000 cases and 405 deaths.

Authorities want to complete their vaccination program this year and then offer the jabs to friendly countries.

In March, 100,000 doses of Soberana 2 were sent to Iran for testing, and 30,000 doses of Soberana 2 and Abdala will be sent to Venezuela in April.

ka/at/bc/st
The Middle East launch of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Case for Investment will take place on April 6 at 12:00 AST in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank and Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

This will be a key milestone in GPEs Raise Your Hand campaign which aims to secure at least $5 billion to help transform education in 90 lower-income countries and territories which are home to one billion children. The campaign will culminate on July 28-29 in London at a landmark summit to finance GPE, co-hosted by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta.

With a deeply rooted tradition of generosity, Gulf countries have played a vital role in supporting education systems in lower-income countries.

As Covid-19 hollows out entire economies and worsens the global education crisis, GPEs financing campaign is a unique opportunity to create systemic changes to education systems and provide the most vulnerable children with a chance to learn.

The launch of GPEs Case for Investment in the Middle East will feature a virtual event including remarks by high-level dignitaries from GCC countries along with other senior officials representing their development funds. The launch event comes as part of a three-day visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Minister for Water and Sanitation of Senegal and Vice-Chair of GPEs Board of Directors, and Dr Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares and GPE Regional Champion.

Dr Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares and GPE Regional Champion commented: The launch of the Global Partnership for Educations Case for Investment in the Middle East comes at a time when the world is grappling with a major learning crisis that can only be addressed through sustained funding and support. We are pleased to collaborate with the Global Partnership for Education to further enhance the momentum that has been created with the Raise Your Hand campaign and remain committed in our efforts to advocate for education financing and investment in the region and beyond.

Islamic Development Bank President, Dr. Bandar Al Hajjar, asserted: The combined impact of school closures and economic hardship could push millions of vulnerable children out of education, thereby reversing decades of hard-won gains and negatively impacting on our fight against poverty. To mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable children, the GPE replenishment campaign is an opportune moment for the IsDB and the Arab donors to step up and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling the fundamental right of every child to quality education. Our joint commitment to invest in quality education now will help shape the future ahead.

Thiam said: GPEs replenishment is a major opportunity for Middle East leaders to prioritise transformative investments in education. Through the Middle East launch of the Case for Investment, we hope to unlock educations global potential to boost mutual respect, strengthen social cohesion, generate prosperity and build more inclusive education systems that leave no one behind. Our aim of raising at least $5 billion will be a major step towards creating more inclusive education systems that support the most vulnerable children. -- Tradearabia News Service
March 30 (Reuters) - U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan will on Friday meet with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts and discuss issues including maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, a White House statement said late on Tuesday.

North Korea launched two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan last week, underscoring steady progress in its weapons programme and ramping up pressure on the new U.S. administration as it reviews North Korea policy.

Sullivan will meet National Security Secretariat Secretary General Shigeru Kitamura of Japan and National Security Adviser Suh Hoon of South Korea at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the White House statement added. (Reporting by Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar)


BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Knorr-Bremse AG (KNRRY.PK, KNBHF.PK), a German manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, said that its supervisory board has proposed to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting in May 2021 that Klaus Mangold be re-elected to the Supervisory Board of the company for a further two-year term. The proposal is intended in particular to ensure continuity following death of Heinz Hermann Thiele.



In addition, the Supervisory Board elected Theodor Weimer as a member of the Presiding Committee with immediate effect and as a further Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board.



Stefan Sommer (58), previously for many years Chairman of the Board of Management of ZF Friedrichshafen AG and member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting for election to the Supervisory Board.



The company said it will postpone initially planned election of Nicolas Peter to the Supervisory Board.



The Supervisory Board also decided to re-elect Kathrin Dahnke, Thomas Enders, Mrs. Thiele-Schurhoff and Theodor Weimer to the Supervisory Board.



With the re-election of Mrs. Thiele-Schurhoff, the Thiele family, which holds around 59% of Knorr-Bremse shares, remains represented on the Supervisory Board.



The company noted that it will appoint Claudia Mayfeld (57) to the Executive Board on May 1, 2021 for an initial period of three years. She will head the newly created department Integrity and Legal.



In addition, the company has decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of 1.52 euros per share for the 2020 financial year.



The Supervisory Board and Executive Board have also decided to give employees a share in the company's success through a global stock program.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

KNORR-BREMSE-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
A combination of the effects of the pandemic, irregular expenditure and budget cuts mean prospective students are being stopped from registering for the 2021 academic year.

Students at universities and technical and vocational education and training colleges have been protesting against financial exclusion because those with debt were stopped from registering for the 2021 academic year.

Protests and violent responses from institutions of higher learning and the state occur regularly during registration. The South African Police Service killed a passerby, Mthokozisi Ntumba, in Braamfontein on 10 March while responding to protest action outside the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Severe budget cuts at universities have left students struggling with financial exclusion, which has been a problem for over a decade and which adds to the country's inequality as impoverished hopefuls are kept out of the university system.

Ahmed Bawa, a professor and chief executive officer of Universities South Africa, says the pressure the country's higher education system is under threatens its financial sustainability. "Further cuts imply taking away from the already-low infrastructure grants and teaching and research subsidies," he says. "This gradually erodes the quality of teaching, research and universities' ability to maintain their research infrastructure - all of which brings into question the long-term sustainability of the system."

Universities South Africa said in a media statement on 17 March: "In a democracy such as ours, the fact that the higher education system is unaffordable to the vast majority of households is antithetical to the purpose and role of our universities as drivers of national development, of producing a more equal society, of strengthening and deepening our democracy and contributing to the emergence of a more inclusive, competitive economy."

Mandisa Nyikili, student representative council (SRC) deputy secretary-general at Wits, says in 2020 students were "defunded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), [while] others were dropped by their bursaries due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and these students are left with [debts] from last year ... [they] are expected to pay before registering."

Along with budget cuts, "the subsidy per student has been in decline for more than a decade", Bawa says. "The full bursary solution granted by the government to qualifying NSFAS students in December 2017 was not a sustainable solution for South Africa, given our underperforming economy, now exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic."

The missing middle

Earlier this year, NSFAS announced a R5.6 billion shortfall in funding. According to Bawa, the shortfall adds to the existing problem of the missing-middle students, who are from households earning above the NSFAS threshold of R350 000 a year, but who are not wealthy enough to fund themselves or to qualify for study loans from banks.

"Missing-middle students, therefore, typically struggle with tuition fees and are mostly responsible for the enormous debt owed to the university system, estimated at R14 billion to date. The Covid-19 pandemic has likely left families in financial difficulties, thus adding to the number of missing-middle students in the university system. Hence, these current students' demands for free registration and that historical debt be scrapped," Bawa says.

Responding to financial exclusion and police violence, the South African Union of Students (SAUS) held a meeting, in which 26 university SRCs agreed to support a national shutdown on 15 March until their demands are met.

Among others, the SAUS demands include that students be allowed to register and that their historical debts are cleared. "The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has set a good precedent in this regard. A failure to clear debt is setting [up] universities for protest and unrest," reads a statement by the SAUS.

In a university communication, UWC rector and vice-chancellor Tyrone Pretorius said: "The university understands the difficulties many students are experiencing and has decided to financially clear all students to allow them to register."

Department of Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande responded to the SAUS, saying: "We are aware that there are many students whose families struggle to keep up with fee payments, and indeed many families who have also been negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, given the difficult fiscal situation, all government departments, including the Department of Higher Education and Training have been subject to budget reductions in 2020 and 2021."

Nzimande, who has shown insensitivity towards students, including saying during the #FeesMustFall protests that he will start his own movement called #StudentsMustFall, recently said of the yearly protests: "I'm concerned. Every year it is like a soapie now, The Bold and the Beautiful."

For Bawa, "any funding crisis on the part of NSFAS implies a crisis to historically disadvantaged universities, for whom NSFAS-funded students constitute up to 60% of their enrolment".

Irregular expenditure at the NSFAS

Students have questioned the competence of NSFAS, which does not communicate well and often pays late, affecting tuition, accommodation and living expenses. In its defence, Sibongile Mncwabe, NSFAS chief corporate services officer, says: "NSFAS is working tirelessly to improve on its system efficiency to ensure that responses to students are communicated on time."

She also says NSFAS received 813 938 applications for 2021, and to date 719 413 have been confirmed eligible, with the rest not meeting the funding criteria while others await documents.

In mid-March, funds students were told were unavailable suddenly materialised. Nzimande announced that "Cabinet agreed that funding should be reprioritised from the budget of the Department of Higher Education and Training to ensure that all deserving NSFAS-qualifying students ... receive funding support for the 2021 academic year".

But Bawa says reprioritising funds from the higher education budget to make up for the NSFAS shortfall is a short-term solution.

"Although this resolves the problem for the qualifying first-entering NSFAS students for 2021, it does not provide a medium- [or] long-term solution for the sector."

Administrative problems at the NSFAS also contribute to funding woes. During a parliamentary portfolio committee meeting on higher education, science and technology on 10 February, the Auditor-General of South Africa showed irregular expenditure of R50 billion by the financial aid scheme.

During the meeting, a presentation for the 2019/20 audit outcome of the scheme revealed that "irregular expenditure was materially understated due to the NSFAS failing to consult with the minister when setting conditions and criteria for eligible students in relation to bursary awards, and failing to gazette those conditions and criteria".

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Part of the Auditor-General's recommendations include a reassessment and update of the NSFAS Act "to be in line with [the] fee-free education announcement". The scheme's operations must be aligned accordingly.

The chairperson of the committee, Philly Mapulane, says: "This report is for 2019/20 and members must agree that the past two years represent the worst NSFAS has been. Items meant to be achieved through the administration were not achieved and matters got worse. The findings that propelled NSFAS to be placed under administration were still in existence."

Mncwabe, from the NSFAS, says: "It is important to indicate that there was no fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred. Secondly, the irregular expenditure was totalling R7.5 billion and not R50 billion. Thirdly, this was not because of the monies that were unaccounted for but rather [because] the previous board approved the reallocation of historic debt to fund first-time entrant students for 2016, 2017 and 2018 academic years due to very low utilisation received by universities without obtaining approval from National Treasury as they thought it was not required. [And because of] erroneous disbursements due to inadequate controls in place, and thus in non-compliance to S51 of the Public Finance Management Act."

In a meeting held between university vice-chancellors, the minister and his team on 16 March, a consensus was reached that for this year's registration process, individual universities would use whatever means and mechanisms they had to address the issue with each student.

"But that this would be on the basis that the minister would establish a process to seek a long-term solution, which would also ensure a solution for 2022. Vice-chancellors are anxious that the solution should be an effective, sustainable one," Bawa says.
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. (OTC: LCTC), a global leader in the development and manufacturing of breath alcohol testing devices, has announced financial results for the 2020 fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

2020 Financial Highlights

Lifeloc Technologies posted annual net revenue of $6.357 million resulting in 2020 after tax net loss of $922 thousand, or a loss of $0.38 per diluted share. These results compare to net revenue of $8.752 million for 2019, with net income of $626 thousand, or $0.26 per diluted share. The 2019 results included a one-time gain of $225 thousand from a licensing settlement.

The COVID-19 global pandemic and the government ordered shutdowns that came along with the pandemic significantly impacted our business. These unprecedented circumstances caused a departure from Lifeloc's consistent annual profitability and resulted in a 27% decline in revenues for 2020. This pandemic has impacted operations, adding costs while suppressing our workplace, law enforcement and international markets. Ironically, a recent study published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network shows an average increase in heavy alcohol drinking days of 19% during the pandemic and lockdown, indicating a greater need for Lifeloc products and potentially a pent-up market demand. On top of the pandemic, extended protests across the country impacted domestic law enforcement, diverting attention and funding. On a brighter note, with a greater emphasis on workplace hygiene, the pandemic did create openings and demonstrated the value of our hands-free Sentinel access control unit.

The Federal government's response to the pandemic included efforts to stabilize the economy and employment. The most relevant program to Lifeloc was the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). As previously reported in 2020, Lifeloc received a $465 thousand SBA guaranteed loan, which could be completely forgiven by the SBA if the proceeds were spent in accordance with the program rules. Lifeloc complied with this program and applied for forgiveness in 2020, which was granted by the SBA in early 2021. The financial impact of the forgiveness will be realized in the first quarter of 2021. The PPP program was quite successful in mitigating the negative effect of the significant demand suppression on cash flow from the pandemic while allowing Lifeloc to carefully reduce structural costs and retain critical personnel, thus enabling us to continue our product development efforts.

Lifeloc qualified for and received a round two PPP loan of $471 thousand in Q1 of 2021. As with the first loan, Lifeloc intends to comply with all requirements and will apply for forgiveness of this loan when the program conditions are satisfied and the opportunity to apply becomes available.

Despite all the challenges of 2020, Lifeloc has made substantial progress on several fronts toward our vision of becoming the leading company in real-time drug and alcohol detection and monitoring. In 2020, Lifeloc was audited and achieved first time accreditation under the ISO 17034 standards. As a result, our Plus 4 alcohol simulator solution can now be called Certified Reference Solution. As a result, we now have a few additional state governments evaluating Lifeloc as a preferred vendor of these solutions to their various facilities. We believe we can manufacture and distribute this product more cost effectively than can the individual states.

Concerns over virus spread led to significant attention to the hygiene and safety of every activity in the marketplace, including breath alcohol testing. As previously reported, Lifeloc commissioned an independent third-party laboratory to test for any potential of viral cross contamination of test subjects using Lifeloc brand breath alcohol testers. The conclusion was there is no risk of viral cross contamination using Lifeloc brand breath alcohol testers, which has increased confidence in the Lifeloc brand.

Our new platform LX9 and LT7 devices were introduced late in 2019. Even in the difficult market conditions of 2020, the features and performance of the new L-series products has driven penetration and opened previously unaddressable market needs, such as requirements for a wide temperature range and fast customization in local languages. We expect that most L-series sales will be incremental to FC-series devices rather than replacing FC-series sales.

We continue to invest in the significant growth opportunities of alcohol monitoring and drug detection. The monitoring opportunity will be addressed primarily through the redesigned Real-Time Alcohol Detection and Reporting (R.A.D.A.R.) device. Manufacture of the second generation R.A.D.A.R. 200 protype devices began in early 2020. Testing of these redesigned R.A.D.A.R. devices and integration with the monitoring system has been extensive, requiring additional modification before final release. This design has been finalized with several devices now in field testing and sales release planned very soon.

Rapid detection of drugs of abuse is the best convergence of current market need and Lifeloc's capabilities, and therefore this is our most important goal. Additional resources are being deployed to finalizing the development of the SpinDx technology and the rapid, quantitative marijuana breathalyzer built on that platform. We have improved the detection sensitivity for delta-9-THC as well as the device robustness. Work continues to build this system into a device that can be used for roadside testing.

"2020 was a difficult year with the global pandemic adding costs and impacting demand and the way that we work," commented Dr. Wayne Willkomm, President and CEO. "We hope to see the continued pickup of our general business conditions as well as the broader adoption of the new LX platform and the imminent release of the redesigned R.A.D.A.R 200 devices return Lifeloc to growth and profitability. Following the release of the R.A.D.A.R. 200 device, the next big milestone for Lifeloc will be the commercialization of the SpinDx platform. Speeding the SpinDx commercialization will be prioritized even at the expense of short-term profitability."

About Lifeloc Technologies

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. (OTC: LCTC) is a trusted U.S. manufacturer of evidential breath alcohol testers and related training and supplies for Workplace, Law Enforcement, Corrections and International customers. Lifeloc stock trades over-the-counter under the symbol LCTC. We are a fully reporting Company with our SEC filings available on our web site, www.lifeloc.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements expressed or implied in this press release, including statements about our strategies, expectations about new and existing products, market demand, acceptance of new and existing products, technologies and opportunities, market size and growth, and return on investments in products and market, are based on information available to us on the date of this document, and we assume no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. Investors are strongly encouraged to review the section titled "Risk Factors" in our SEC filings.

EasyCal and R.A.D.A.R. are registered trademarks of Lifeloc Technologies, Inc.

Sentinel and Plus 4 are trademarks of Lifeloc Technologies, Inc.

SpinDx is a trademark of Sandia Corporation.

Amy Evans

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc.

http://www.lifeloc.com

(303) 431-9500

LIFELOC TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Balance Sheets

ASSETS



























December 31, CURRENT ASSETS:

2020



2019

Cash $ 2,195,070

$ 3,185,996

Accounts receivable, net

523,603



641,239

Inventories, net

2,498,126



1,986,299

Income taxes receivable

220,657



6,750

Prepaid expenses and other

77,962



18,857

Total current assets

5,515,418



5,839,141













PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:











Land

317,932



317,932

Building

1,928,795



1,928,795

Real-time Alcohol Detection And Recognition equipment and software

569,448



569,448

Production equipment, software and space modifications

958,785



976,621

Training courses

432,375



432,375

Office equipment, software and space modifications

216,618



208,986

Sales and marketing equipment and space modifications

226,356



232,600

Research and development equipment, software and space modifications

190,818



172,429

Less accumulated depreciation

(2,277,839)



(1,959,541)

Total property and equipment, net

2,563,288



2,879,645













OTHER ASSETS:











Patents, net

144,702



145,323

Deposits and other

164,798



74,027

Deferred taxes

148,142



86,658

Total other assets

457,642



306,008















Total assets $ 8,536,348

$ 9,024,794













LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES:











Accounts payable $ 333,851

$ 261,798

Term loan payable, current portion

46,936



44,879

Paycheck Protection loan payable

465,097



-

Customer deposits

155,295



214,031

Accrued expenses

266,266



290,458

Deferred revenue, current portion

41,053



45,874

Reserve for warranty expense

46,500



45,000

Total current liabilities

1,354,998



902,040













TERM LOAN PAYABLE, net of current portion and











debt issuance costs

1,277,531



1,324,467













DEFERRED REVENUE, net of current portion

3,177



6,066

Total liabilities

2,635,706



2,232,573













COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES























STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:











Common stock, no par value; 50,000,000 shares











authorized, 2,454,116 shares outstanding

4,633,655



4,603,304

Retained earnings

1,266,987



2,188,917

Total stockholders' equity

5,900,642



6,792,221















Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 8,536,348

$ 9,024,794

LIFELOC TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Statements of Income









Years Ended December 31, REVENUES:

2020



2019

Product sales $ 6,122,348

$ 8,251,570

Royalties

148,398



411,111

Rental income

85,956



89,142

Total

6,356,702



8,751,823













COST OF SALES

4,176,156



4,815,820













GROSS PROFIT

2,180,546



3,936,003













OPERATING EXPENSES:











Research and development

1,007,297



1,038,227

Sales and marketing

1,074,249



1,240,773

General and administrative

1,254,503



1,175,788

Total

3,336,049



3,454,788













OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

(1,155,503)



481,215













OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):











Settlement proceeds

-



225,199

Interest income

14,294



38,750

Interest expense

(56,129)



(57,802)

Total

(41,835)



206,147













NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR TAXES

(1,197,338)



687,362













BENEFIT FROM (PROVISION FOR) FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES

275,408



(61,536)













NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (921,930)

$ 625,826













NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE, BASIC $ (0.38)

$ 0.26













NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE, DILUTED $ (0.38)

$ 0.26













WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES, BASIC

2,454,116



2,454,116













WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES, DILUTED

2,454,116



2,454,116

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. Statements of Stockholders' Equity































Years Ended December 31,



2020

2019 Total stockholders' equity, beginning balances $ 6,792,221

$ 6,160,737













Common stock (no shares issued during periods):











Beginning balances

4,603,304



4,597,646

Stock based compensation expense related











to stock options

30,351



5,658

Ending balances

4,633,655



4,603,304













Retained earnings:











Beginning balances

2,188,917



1,563,091

Net income (loss)

(921,930)



625,826

Ending balances

1,266,987



2,188,917













Total stockholders' equity, ending balances $ 5,900,642

$ 6,792,221

LIFELOC TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Statements of Cash Flows





















Years Ended December 31, CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 2020

2019

Net income (loss) $ (921,930)

$ 625,826

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash











provided from operating activities-











Depreciation and amortization

364,336



412,529



Provision for doubtful accounts, net change 24,000



-

Provision for inventory obsolescence, net change

20,000



20,000

Deferred taxes, net change

(61,484)



(6,789)

Reserve for warranty expense, net change

1,500



5,000

Stock based compensation expense related to











stock options

30,351



5,658

Changes in operating assets and liabilities-











Accounts receivable

93,636



33,897

Inventories

(531,827)



(715,692)

Income taxes receivable

(213,907)



83,879

Prepaid expenses and other

(59,105)



16,298

Deposits and other

(90,771)



66,425

Accounts payable

72,053



(81,985)

Customer deposits

(58,736)



194,766

Accrued expenses

(24,192)



39,546

Deferred revenue

(7,710)



(490)



Net cash provided from (used in)













operating activities

(1,363,786)



698,868















CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:











Purchases of property, equipment and space modifications

(27,477)



(256,906)

Patent filing expense

(18,796)



-



Net cash (used in) investing activities

(46,273)



(256,906)















CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:











Proceeds from Paycheck Protection loan

465,097



-

Principal payments made on term loan

(45,964)



(44,293)



Net cash provided from (used in)













financing activities

419,133



(44,293)















NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

(990,926)



397,669















CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

3,185,996



2,788,327















CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 2,195,070

$ 3,185,996















SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:











Cash paid for interest $ 55,045

$ 56,717

















Cash paid for income tax $ -

$ 38,000

SOURCE Lifeloc Technologies

Related Links

http://www.lifeloc.com


As per the Union health ministry, the presence of foreign mutant variants of Covid-19 in the country is low. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Union health ministry on Tuesday said the situation of Novel Coronavirus in India is going from "bad to worse over the last few weeks and the whole nation is potentially at risk. Trends show the virus is still very active... just when we think we can control it, it sparks back We are facing an increasingly severe and intensive situation in some districts but the whole country is potentially at risk. The virus needs to be eliminated," said Dr V.K. Paul, the chairman of the National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration.

He, however, denied that the mutated strains have a role to play in this surge. He also denied there is an Indian variant of the virus. There is a concept of virus shift, drift and shift. There is no such thing as an Indian strain. It is not a cause to panic. Mutations are sporadic and not significant, he said.

As per the Union health ministry, the presence of foreign mutant variants of Covid-19 in the country is low as out of the 11,064 genome samples sequenced only 807 cases of the UK variant, 47 of South African variant and one of the Brazilian variant have been detected so far.

On Tuesday 271 deaths and 56,211 cases were detected in the last 24 hours. With several states and UTs reporting a huge surge in Covid-19 cases, state health authorities are scrambling to reserve more beds for patients to prevent fatality.

"We have taken pride that fatality has been low. But the death rate is now at four times -- at 271 from 73. The virus needs to be eliminated. We want to emphasize that without contact tracing, quarantining, isolation etc. we cannot contain the virus," said Dr Paul. He added states have been told to enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour, including the use of masks and increased testing and tracking of patients. "Use the law, use fine as an option... people need to wear a mask," he said.

Already the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a circular saying passengers not adhering to Covid-19 safety protocols should be fined at airports. Our fight against Covid-19 continues. Advisory issued to all airports to ensure compliance of Covid-19 protocol. People must wear face masks (covering nose and mouth) and maintain social distance. We are moving in the direction of punitive action by police against passengers who do not comply, Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted.

Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said states reporting higher cases are neither testing enough nor isolating infected persons in time. The top 10 districts in India with active Covid-19 cases are Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, Aurangabad, Bengaluru Urban, Nanded, Delhi and Ahmednagar. Eight of the top 10 districts with active cases are in Maharashtra, Mr Bhsuhan said. Maharashtra has 3.37 lakh active cases.

He added that Punjab too is reporting high cases and it is neither doing adequate number of tests, nor is it isolating infected people properly, and Karnataka too needs to improve testing and isolation. Schools and colleges have been shut till April 10 in Punjab and chief minister Amarinder Singh has ordered intensifying of vaccination drive.

Similarly, Delhi, taken as one district, is among the top 10 Covid-19 high-burden districts in India. The Centre has written to states and UTs asking them to focus on district-level action to curb the surge in Covid infection.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand has said that from April 1, travellers from Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab. Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan need to carry negative RT-PCR test report.
Naeema Ismail, Jenny Lo

Finn Partners appoints Naeema Ismail and Jenny Lo as managing directors, effective immediately. Ismail is based in Singapore and Lo works out of Shanghai. Ismail was previously senior partner and general manager at Ying PR, which was acquired by Finn in 2017. In her new position, she takes on overall responsibility for Finns Singapore operations, delivering integrated marketing communications services to clients in Singapore and across the region. Lo has been promoted from general manager, China, and will now be responsible for growing Finns footprint in client and talent acquisition. Asia is a very important region for Finn and we continue to look for opportunities to grow our presence here, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, said Finn Partners CEO Peter Finn. We are especially excited about the world-class talent that weve found here. Naeema and Jenny are two great examples of this.

Li Hua

Brunswick Group hires Li Hua as a partner in its Beijing office, effective April 1. Li joins Brunswick from Squire Patton Boggs, where she was a partner in the firms global corporate practice in Beijing. She was previously a partner at Gide Loyrette Nouel, and began her career with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (now Ministry of Commerce) in Beijing before becoming vice-director of foreign trade at the former State Commission for Economy and Trade. At Brunswick Group, she will focus on M&A, antitrust and public affairs. Huas valuable expertise in M&A and antitrust and her deep understanding of the public affairs space in China will further bolster our senior advisory capabilities both in Asia and around the world, said Brunswick CEO Neal Wolin.

Caitlin Scott

Full Court Press Communications promotes Caitlin Scott to vice president. Scott has been with the agency since 2015, most recently serving as communications director. Before coming to FCP, she worked at Trainer Communications, Mindshare PR and DCI Group. In her new post, Scott will oversee client projects and direct campaign strategies, as well as continuing to offer virtual trainings for clients on topics including media relations, social media and public speaking. FCP has also brought on Veronica Avila as a communications coordinator.

Elizabeth Solomon

Overstock.com hires Elizabeth Solomon as chief marketing officer. Solomon comes to Overstock from Amazon, where she was head of marketing for the companys global private brands portfolio. She has also held executive marketing posts at Samsung, Walmart and Cadbury. Solomon will oversee Overstock's marketing efforts, including customer acquisition and retention, marketing communications, and marketing technologies. Elizabeths extensive track record in growing, building and repositioning brands is just what we need as consumers continue to turn online for their home furnishing needs, said Overstock CEO Jonathan Johnson.
New Delhi, March 31 : India's technology services industry could accelerate growth by 2-4 per cent over the next five years, reaching $300-350 billion in annual revenues, said a Nasscom report on Wednesday.

This will require closer collaboration among stakeholders across the private sector, academia, and the government, said the report titled "Future of Technology Services -- Winning in this decade." The technology services sector now produces about 27 per cent of India's exports and provides livelihoods to about 44 lakh people, Nasscom said.

Fuelling over 50 digital initiatives across sectors like banking and finance, healthcare, governance, etc, the technology services industry continues to be a prime driver of India's digital dream with a contribution of 8 per cent to the overall economy.

With the ongoing pandemic and the pace at which almost every sector has accelerated their digital transformation journeys, the increasing cloud consumption and other digital services like Artificial Learning (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are making way for the digital and cloud services.

Coupled with cybersecurity and IoT digital spending, the technology services are expected to reach $300-350 billion in revenue by 2025, according to the report.

"The Indian Technology services sector can utilise the potential of deep technologies like cloud, artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, etc., through effective transformational practices, thereby contributing to the overall economy in the coming decade," Nasscom President Debjani Ghosh said in a statement.

"The government needs to encourage and support digital literacy and skilling to ensure its talent, energy, imagination, knowledge, and unmatched commitment unites to address the customers' surging needs." The next decade will continue to witness growth in technology spend -- primarily driven by the rise of technology natives and digital reinventors, new tech-enabled business models like ecosystems, direct-to-stakeholder channels and a rise in demand for Digital 2.0 accelerated by the industrialisation of cloud, AI and cybersecurity, Nasscom said.
I have spent several years as the psychologist in the child and adolescent gender clinic of a major medical facility in Alabama. In my role there, Ive met hundreds of families, from all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Families come to our clinic from all over the state, from rural and urban settings, and sometimes from as far away as Mississippi or Florida. As diverse as these families are, they all share a deep sense of love and concern for their children, aged 4 to 19, who know themselves to be transgender or gender diverse, even if they dont understand exactly what that means for them yet.

Almost all of these families have been searching for answers for quite some time. Many have been to counselors, whose lack of training caused harm to their child and their family by telling them their child could change this if they were under enough pressure to do so. Some found knowledgeable and supportive counselors, who knew a clinic like ours could dramatically change their childs prognosis. Many have been to their pediatrician, who referred them to us, either because they knew it would help or they didnt know what else to do.

Walking into the patient rooms to meet a new family is frequently an emotional experience. These families have suffered, and we are there to hear how. Many of the kids are depressed and socially isolated. They endure high levels of social anxiety and are often bullied at school, leading many to turn to homeschooling. Some kids have stopped talking because their voice doesnt sound like them. Many parents feel lost and alone. They put their faith in our team and the decades of science we rely upon to take care of their children.

By the time most families come to us, they know that, in order to help -- and more poignantly, to make sure their children arent at such high risk of suicide -- they have to understand and support their child. For little kids, this generally means supporting the childs choice of clothes and toys and calling them what they liked to be called. Young people with gender differences are usually fine if their parents do these things -- indeed young people without gender differences appreciate this kind of parenting as well.

For kids who identify as trans, puberty is especially challenging. Adolescence brings an unwanted transformation. Their bodies start to develop the secondary sex characteristics of a gender that doesnt align with their brains understanding of who they are. When trans kids see these changes coming, they often start to collapse, developing anxiety, depression, or other issues. For many, this change makes it necessary to talk about who they are for the first time, and parents are often surprised, which can complicate things.

Talking with parents whose children have said they want to die has been a regular part of gender clinic. Seeing the terror that thought puts in parents eyes never stops being overwhelming. More than once, I have walked in to find a child who has hit puberty and starved themselves in an effort to shut down their endocrine system, rather than let themselves grow and develop the body of the gender they arent. These children will not eat if that would allow their body to betray who they know they are. The risk that they might die is not enough to stop them, and their parents are helplessly staring grief in the face.

None of the families I have met have been there on a whim. None of the kids got the idea from a friend and came to the clinic alone in defiance of their parents. Not one.

What we offer is not a quick fix, either. Our initial visit is a conversation with the family and a physical exam. The families have to wait months, or even years, for subsequent visits and interventions, if they are appropriate. Any potential interventions depend on the childs individual development, desires, and needs, as well as the familys support. Our informed consent process is extensive, and the risks and benefits are fully discussed.

Many of the services we offer are fully-reversible -- facilitating social transition so that kids can interact with the world in the way that feels right for them, or administering hormone blockers to delay the onset of puberty so the family can have more time to be certain of what path to take. The rest are partially-reversible, including hormone therapies that help the adolescents appearance correspond to their identity. We do not offer or perform surgeries. We follow well-researched best practices, endorsed by countless medical and psychological associations. These practices encourage a thoughtful and patient approach that includes the whole family in decision making.

What we offer cannot fix everything, but it makes a huge difference for these children and their families. We refer kids for counseling with knowledgeable providers. We interact with their schools, if they are enrolled in traditional environments, to help them access bathrooms or other things kids should take for granted. With the help of community agencies, we have set up support groups for parents to learn from each other.

We also offer hope. Hope for our younger clients that they can move into adolescence with their friends and family seeing them the way they see themselves. Hope for our adolescent clients that their bodies will match their sense of self. Hope for the parents and families that their child can have a future as bright as anyone elses child.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job has been watching the lives of these children and their families improve over the years. Kids, who came in despondent, not wanting to keep living in the bodies that betrayed them, have begun to thrive with support and care. The ones, who had starved themselves to prevent puberty, have found hope, and they eat and begin to live again. The parents, who felt so lost and confused by their childrens anguish, have found support and resources, and their relationships with their children have strengthened. I have no doubt our work has done good and saved countless lives.

Sadly, the future of our work is uncertain. A bill is advancing through the legislature, which will make it a felony for doctors, nurses, and psychologists to provide care that supports trans and gender non-conforming youth. It will force providers, like us, to withhold treatment. It will leave thousands of kids and their parents in this state without medically-proven resources. And, it will add to the stigma that these children and their families already face.

I know, from my years of doing this work, that these families will suffer immensely if this bill becomes law. For some families, this will mean leaving the state for treatment. For others, it will mean watching their child suffer for years, until they reach the magical age our lawmakers have decided that their children can know a basic feature of their identity. And, for some of these parents, it will mean grieving an unimaginable loss -- that of their child.

But, this doesnt have to be the case. Alabamas lawmakers can stop this harmful legislation and spare these families from suffering. These kids need us. Ask your legislators to support our kids and their parents by rejecting this dangerous, damaging law. And if the legislature wont do what is right, Gov. Kay Ivey must veto the bill. Dont let the state deprive these families of their right to help their children in the way they know is best.

Lara Embry, PhD is a psychologist and co-founder of the gender clinic at a major medical center in Alabama
Courtesy of Lucy's Doggy Daycare and Spa

Having a pet groomer you know and trust is one thing, but having a pet groomer that also gives their time to help other pets in need  thats love. At Lucys Doggy Daycare and Spa, pet groomers do just that, earning them the title of Best Pet Groomers in San Antonio in this years Readers Choice Awards.

Lucys Doggy Daycare and Spa is a tribute to Lucy, a rescue pup, honored every day as owner Max Golman embraces pets as family. We partnered with San Antonio Pets Alive! and other foster programs to give back to pups in need. Award-winning groomers are giving their time to take these dogs and give them a new lease on life.
Responsive Education Solutions, a charter school company that operates several different models of schooling, is moving forward with its plans to open Founders Classical Academy of Conroe next school year and named Ron Bergez as the schools director.

ResponsiveEd currently has over 70 campuses in Texas and Arkansas, with five different education models. The organization started in 1998 when it received its first 15 charters for dropout recovery and prevention schools. In Montgomery County, ResponsiveEd already operates The Woodlands Classical Academy and iSchool High-The Woodlands. Starting this year, the organization is also opening a k-8 feeder school in Shenandoah for The Woodlands Classical Academy.

Bergez, 63, is currently the director of Carrollton Classical Academy, also within the ResponsiveEd organization. He has been working in charter school education for nearly 20 years. Before that, he taught at Providence High School in California for almost four years, and at J.F. Flannery Company, a textbook publisher, for eight years. He joined ResponsiveEd in 2019 as the headmaster at Carrollton.

Related: Montgomery County school leaders reflect on changes spurred by COVID-19

I love this work, its hard work, Bergez said. Education, its about the formation of a huge part of the human mind and character  as well as what the family is doing because they are the primary educators, always will be. But Im really excited about starting a school because I really love what this option has offered to people.

He said he is looking forward to speaking with the community and addressing the hard questions that potential students and their families may have.

Bergez said he does not want Founders Classical Academy of Conroe to feel like a competitor to local public schools, but just another option.

There are great things going on in schools, and there are hugely dedicated teachers in the public school sector in the district schools, and so this is not about thumbing our nose at anyone, or saying this is the antidote to whatever problems are in education, Bergez said. This is about saying this is for families that just had a different model in mind and people need to find whats the place where my child is going to flourish according to what we understand to be the best thing. I think theres, frankly, a huge amount of room for all of us to operate.

In 2019, ResponsiveEd bought almost 17 acres of property from Grace Crossing Church in Conroe for the new Founders Academy. This coming school year, the academy will be opening up for grades k-two at the church while the new school building is constructed on the 16.9 acres next door. Grades three through eight will be opened up starting next year, the 2022-23 school year. High school classes will be added one grade each year after that.

The Founders academies, one of the five educational models from ResponsiveEd, is based in classical education in the liberal arts and sciences, according to the organizations website. Bergez wants to make the school mascot the Voyagers, inspired in part by ancient classic literature like the Odyssey and the main characters hunger to explore.

There is so much that we will never know completely and thats a good thing, Bergez said. I think the worst fate that we could have is to become all-knowing and stop learning.

Families interested in learning more can meet Bergez at two community meetings at 6:30 p.m. April 13 and April 20, both at Grace Crossing Church of Conroe at Texas 105 and FM 1488.

jamie.swinnerton@chron.com
A civilian working for the U.S. Air Force has been temporarily dismissed from his duties after allegedly voicing support for the overthrow of the U.S. government.

The unnamed civilian, who is assigned to an Air Force Material Command base, is currently barred from entering his job site, AFMC spokesman Derek Kaufman confirmed to Military.com. The news was first reported by Air Force Times.

"I can confirm a Department of the Air Force civilian employee assigned to an AFMC installation is currently barred from entering the installation where he is employed for supporting violent behavior against the U.S. Government," Kaufman said in an email Tuesday.

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Citing privacy concerns, and administrative and "investigatory activities" into the person's employment status, Kaufman said the service would not release further information, including their name and duty station. Air Force Times reported that the individual is male and claims to have a connection to the Proud Boys, a far-right group.

The civilian was used as an example during a mandatory stand-down presentation to address the threat of extremism within the ranks, Stars and Stripes reported. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Feb. 5 ordered the one-day events to take place across the service within 60 days.

AFMC is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, but has roughly 87,000 civilian and military personnel across seven other bases. They include Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn.; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; and Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

While U.S. troops are bound by fairly strict rules prohibiting them from partisan endorsements, they are allowed to vote and participate in political gatherings as private citizens; they may not take part in uniform. They are also barred from political shows of support bigger than a bumper sticker. However, the rules are more relaxed for civilians who work for the Defense Department.

Earlier this month, Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez, the senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a press conference that, during the stand-down discussions, some troops have drawn equivalencies between the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol and last year's protests for racial justice.

Social media posts by military members and veterans have been in the spotlight since the Jan. 6 riot. But Colon-Lopez said the confusion some younger troops have expressed shows why the training sessions on extremism are needed.

The military remains an apolitical organization, he said, adding that it doesn't matter whether an extremist group is far right or far left -- both are off limits.

"If it's an organization that is actually imposing harm, threat, destruction, criminal activity and so on, then we don't condone that behavior," Colon-Lopez said. "We're focusing on letting people know exactly what the oath tells us to do when it comes to obeying lawful orders, remaining apolitical and basically being good stewards of society."

-- Stephen Losey contributed to this story.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: 'Beijing Biden Is Not My President:' Troops' Social Media Posts in Spotlight After Capitol Riots
OTTAWA - Canada's promised spring supply of COVID-19 vaccines grew Tuesday with millions of additional doses now expected to arrive from three different suppliers before Canada Day.

A health worker closes a door as she prepares doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine at the Edouard Herriot hospital, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 in Lyon, central France. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pool via AP-Olivier Chassignole

OTTAWA - Canada's promised spring supply of COVID-19 vaccines grew Tuesday with millions of additional doses now expected to arrive from three different suppliers before Canada Day.

But the news was tempered by ongoing concerns about the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and signs in much of the country that the pandemic still has a lot more misery to unleash.

"We're entering the final stretch of this crisis," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a news conference in Ottawa. "We just need to stay strong, a little longer. More and more vaccine doses are coming every week. So there's reason to be hopeful."

Trudeau said Pfizer and BioNTech will send another five million doses of their mRNA vaccine to Canada in June, bringing their total shipments in the spring to 17.8 million. The company is expected to ship more than one million doses a week in April and May, and more than two million every week in June.

Moderna remains on course to ship more than 12 million doses between April and the end of June.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand added that Canada now expects 4.4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine by June 30, and said the first shipments of Johnson & Johnson's single-dose vaccine are set to arrive at the end of April. She doesn't know yet how many doses will be in that first shipment.

Even without J&J, and barring any unexpected interruptions in production or export of vaccines, Canada is in line to get more than 44 million doses before Canada Day.

That should mean all adults over 18 will be offered a vaccine faster, and that the wait for a second dose may not be as long as the current four months.

Canada needs about 31 million doses to offer at least one shot to every adult. Studies of the vaccine on children and adolescents are ongoing, so nobody under 18 can get most vaccines yet, while Pfizer is approved for youth as young as 16.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said those trials could move faster depending on how much COVID-19 spreads. In Canada, the signs are worrisome.

The number of new daily cases grew to an average of 4,600 on Tuesday from 3,600 last week, said Tam.

"The ongoing increase in infection rates is now playing out in our hospitals with rising trends and severe and critical illnesses placing renewed strain on the health system," Tam warned.

She said hospitalizations were up six per cent in the last week and the number of patients needing critical care was up 14 per cent.

Much of that spread is linked to the more contagious variants of concern. Confirmed variant cases almost doubled in the last week alone, going to more than 9,000 from 5,500 on March 30. Tam warned there are thousands more cases that have screened positive for a variant and are just awaiting full sequencing to identify which one.

The growth is fuelling new or extended public health measures.

British Columbia initiated a three-week 'circuit-breaker" lockdown starting today, and Saskatchewan extended a lockdown in Regina by a week until at least April 12.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province reported more than 2,000 cases for the sixth day in a row Tuesday, said he is considering additional restrictions to combat the surge in disease.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault said rising case rates in five regions where restrictions were recently loosened may see them return if the case counts keep growing.

Medical experts across Canada also stepped up efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy Tuesday, following the news Monday that every province and territory will stop using the AstraZeneca vaccine for people under age 55, pending further analysis of the risks it might pose from blood clots.

Health Canada requested more analysis from the company after more reports from Europe about blood clots. Most of those patients were women under the age of 55 who developed the clots between four and 20 days after getting the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The risk is still considered extremely rare  between one in 100,000 and one in one million  but it wasn't picked up during the clinical trials and the additional cases were enough to ask for further study to ensure the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh the risk for all age groups.

No blood clots linked to the vaccine have been found in Canada. About 309,000 doses have been given in Canada to date from the initial shipment of 500,000 two weeks ago. Many provinces initially reserved those doses for people in their 50s and early 60s.

Another 1.5 million AstraZeneca doses are arriving this week.

Alberta's medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Monday that Alberta got 58,500 AstraZeneca doses and only 900 went to people under 55.

Others, like Prince Edward Island, which were using AstraZeneca entirely on younger adults, have stopped its use for the moment.

The federal government also joined an international effort seeking answers about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic this week. Canada signed a joint declaration with 13 other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Israel and Denmark, who are voicing concerns about a report on the early days of COVID-19.

The statement outlines the nations' unease after World Health Organization experts went to study the original outbreak of the virus in China's Wuhan province and encountered delays and a lack of access to original data.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2021.
Regular followers of the Tribune's Facebook page know that the coronavirus pandemic and the guidelines surrounding it have been a hotly debated topic in Huron County and the Upper Thumb.

Following the recent national attention the region received by the New York Times, which published data showing Huron County ranked 10th in the nation for its recent sharp upward trend in new cases, community members had a lot to say on the issue.

One commenter suggested the increase was necessary for people in the area to finally take the pandemic seriously.

It needed to get bad here for people to care it seems, Ynez Madaio said on Facebook. We werent hit hard before, and many people up here followed the its just a flu, most people live rhetoric.

According to Madaio, prior to the most recent shutdown in November, she went to Sterling Heights for a weekend and was surprised at the difference.

I went to Sterling Heights for a weekend and was shocked at literally everyone wearing a mask, no one complaining (that I witnessed) about stores enforcing capacity, everyone distancing as best as possible, she said. Things are not like that here.

Madaio said she recently contracted the coronavirus and just got out of isolation.

I have no idea where or when I contracted it, but I do know I spread it to my daughter and one individual I worked with, she said. Luckily no complications other than feeling like I was hit by a bus and taking care of a sick toddler by myself during it.

Many others wont be so lucky, she said.

On the other side, some commenters turned to the politicized nature surrounding the pandemic and restrictions, suggesting that Trumpers were the ones not wearing masks or following guidelines.

One commenter stated there was a 99.3% survival rate and another said, Whatever, if youre afraid then stay home. Living in fear, thats not living.

Vicki Luffman-Kennedy was one of the commenters that suggested schools were part of the issue.

People need to stop sending their kids to school sick too, Luffman-Kennedy said.

Pandemic or not, people need to stop sending sick kids to school and daycare, Sara MacInnis Elliott added.

Another commenter added that schools across the state have failed communities.

Kids get exposed to the virus and the schools by us have sent one of our kids home half a week after being in close contact to someone that tested positive, St. Clair resident Ryan Rogers said. By then, he only has to be home few days, but if he was positive, then he just infected a lot more kids. If your kid looks, or even says they feel sick, let them stay home.

Sandra Hann said some restaurants in the area are not following guidelines. Hanns comment received rebuttals from several other people who suggested, if youre scared dont go to restaurants.

Easy solution, Lori Lynn Jock said.

Kayla Booms commented back stating that Jocks solution is ridiculous.

Why should people who want to stay healthy not be able to go into an establishment, Booms said. You dont like someone telling you to wear a mask in their establishment then dont go in.

Mary Cooper said the coronavirus pandemic in the Upper Thumb was bad before restaurants opened. However, regular reporting by the Tribune has shown that the increases began around the same time restrictions on restaurants and sporting events were loosened.

Laurie Mince from Hartland replied to Cooper stating similar.

Actually no it wasn't as bad, Mince said. Ive been watching your stats because I had to visit the Thumb. They really started to climb fast after restaurants were opened at 50%. If it wasn't restaurants spreading it the option is sports.

Mince continued by saying people wanted things to open back up, but have ignored guidelines.

The Tribune story about the NYT's data was shared by dozens across the region, with many shares receiving even more input about peoples feelings.

The first thing I notice whenever I go back home is that I seem to be one of three people in the county who actually wear a mask, Laker graduate and former Pigeon resident Joshua Swathwood said when sharing the post. Not surprised, disappointed, but not surprised.

On one of the shares by Joseph Ankley, Darcy Lipskey pointed out staffing shortages could be some of the cause.

Our region is understaffed, Lipskey said. People test positive and dont get calls on when and how they should quarantine. Contact tracing isnt happening for every patient. Some people have been tested positive for over a week and no one from these departments reach out to them. Theres so many unknowns and all these people are told is that theyre understaffed to be able to help.

Although the story and comments have prompted comments from both sides of the aisle, many people who comment or share the story are doing so hoping to prompt more caution.

Danielle Rene, a family nurse practitioner at Port Hope Medical Clinic urged people to use precautions.

First of all I'm thankful I'm vaccinated because this is just crazy, Danielle said. Id much rather see our county be making national headlines for something good. Our county ranks No. 1 in percentage of COVID-19 cases in Michigan and No. 10 in the entire country. Please take precautions this variant that is spreading is very contagious. It presents mostly as sinus congestion, sometimes only gastrointestinal symptoms.

If you have any symptoms get tested that way you'll know to stay home, she continued. Im hoping we will see a slow down soon. Also I would encourage everyone to think about getting vaccinated.

Danielle continued by stating the region is fortunate that many elderly have been vaccinated, so although there have been fewer hospitalizations, the symptoms are lasting longer.

Kaylee Briolat, a registered nurse at McLaren Thumb Regions emergency department, added to Danielles comments with her own perspective.

We are seeing people who had the virus four-plus weeks ago and they are still coming in for shortness of breath, weakness, falls, renal failure, heart attacks, etc. and they are sick, she said. Our hospitalization and transfer rates have risen exponentially the last two weeks. We arent quite where we were a few months ago with a bed shortage, but if we continue this way we will get there soon enough.

Both stated they wish people would take the situation seriously.

It is just unreal how bad it has gotten here, Danielle said. I wish people could see what we see working in health care.
Kathmandu, March 31

The government of Nepal recently finalised a five-year Pashmina Export Strategy to boost the pashmina business in Nepal.

The strategy was developed as a part of the European Union-Nepal Trade and Investment Programme (TIP), implemented by the International Trade Centre.

A workshop held in Pokhara on March 25 and 26 validated the strategy. The workshop was attended by people representing the entire value chain from fibre production to manufacturing and export.

The participants also discussed the pilot support activities in Mustang planned under the EU-Nepal Trade and Investment Programme to create business synergies between the manufacturers and the goat farmers harvesting pashmina fibre, the EU Delegation to Nepal says in a statement.

Farmers harvesting the pashmina fibre in the remote parts of upper Himalaya can now look forward to increased support for their endeavours that will result in increased quantity and improved quality of the fibre and most importantly likely higher prices.

The Pashmina Sector Export Strategy includes a detailed five-year plan of action with a set of activities to provide a solid foundation for the growth of the sector, including the development of backward integration.
After NOLA Public Schools solicited the public's input in the district's process to rename those schools and buildings that honored "racist legacies," officials received hundreds of suggestions from the community.

In light of that interest, the public school district said this week it would extend the public feedback period to April 30.

The intent is to allow "a thorough examination of the many historical figures offered as replacements; and a continued review of the names currently on the list to ensure that proper historical context has been rigorously applied," district officials said in a release.

Some community members have applauded the district's efforts, while others have publicly pushed back on the plan to rename certain schools, including the Martin Behrman Charter School in Algiers and Benjamin Franklin High School in Gentilly.

"We have been encouraged by the level of public interest and the outpouring of well-reasoned debates around the names of our schools," NOLA Public Schools Director of Community Engagement Justin McCorkle said. "Its our duty to ensure that any changes we make are thoroughly vetted and align with the core values of NOLA-PS."

The latest initiative to rename some Orleans Parish public school buildings gained momentum over the summer, when renewed scrutiny was given to the names of local institutions while protests over racism proliferated following the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a White police officer.

In August, the Orleans Parish School Board said schools with names that honored former slave owners, Confederate officials or segregation supporters would be targeted.

The district enlisted 10 historians who in early March released an initial list of 19 public school buildings to be renamed. Officials also asked community members for their opinions and to submit names they think should be honored instead.

A renaming committee will send final suggestions to schools Superintendent Henderson Lewis, Jr., and eventually to the full Orleans Parish School Board for final approval, a process School Board members and some students and alumni have lauded.

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But Donald Costello, a Behrman High School graduate and president of the Algiers Historical Society, bemoaned that the city was renaming streets honoring the longest serving mayor in New Orleans history, who took the helm in 1904.

In putting Behrman's name on the list, the district pointed to a New Orleans City Council report noting that Behrman fought to end Reconstruction and advocated for segregation and voting restrictions for Black residents. But Costello, who gathered with about a dozen other Behrman supporters outside the school one recent afternoon, pointed to the former mayor's work to improve city services and public facilities by modernizing city roads and replacing cisterns with a new public water system.

"To us, Behrman is a hero, and he was a good man," Costello said.

Some Ben Franklin High School alumni have also pushed back. They've said that while the scientist and founding father owned two slaves, he later protested the institution of slavery.

Franklin became president of a Pennsylvania abolitionist society and in 1790 petitioned Congress to free "those unhappy men who alone in this land of freedom are degraded into perpetual bondage," according to the Center for Legislative Archives.

"By removing Franklin's name from our school, New Orleans is focusing on this aspect of his life, failing utterly to learn from his storythat once an error is recognized it must be corrected," Pamela Title, a Ben Franklin graduate who owns a New York real estate company, in a letter to the editor published in The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate.

"Removing Franklin's name fails to recognize so many of his accomplishments that our institution stands for  a free press (he was one of America's earliest, mast accomplished publishers and editors), scientific curiosity and invention (his work in electricity), and above all his embrace of democracy and opposition to tyranny," Title wrote.
Getty

An off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy was killed in a freeway accident involving an errant tire that also sparked a separate incident that severely injured a second deputy, according to local reports.

Deputy Jeffrey McKee, 35, was off-duty and driving on Interstate 5 Sunday morning when a tire crashed through his windshield around 5:30 a.m., the California Highway Patrol said, according to the Associated Press.

The tire had reportedly come off a Toyota Tundra traveling in the opposite direction, and it bounced into McKee's lane before striking the roof and windshield of his Volvo S40.

McKee  who reportedly suffered head injuries and died at the scene  was headed home from work following a shift at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Daily News reported. He was a 15-year veteran of the department.

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"We are deeply saddened with this tragic loss of Deputy Jeff McKee," James Wheeler, president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, told the outlet in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and our law enforcement family."

Meanwhile, the same tire that killed McKee was also the catalyst behind a second incident that injured Deputy Norman Anpree, the Daily News reported.

RELATED: Tx. Mom Killed After Tire Crashes into Her Car While Driving Home from Son's Baseball Tournament

Anpree, 57, was driving home from his shift at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center when the tire, having already struck McKee's Volvo, bounced back to the southbound lane and hit Anpree's Toyota Sienna, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Jason Lopez told the Daily News.

Anpree got out of his car, and shortly after, his Sienna was reportedly rear-ended, causing it to hit him.

In a statement to the Daily News, the sheriff's department said the deputy was injured, and that he "faces a long road to recovery."

Story continues

"We are very sad to announce that one of our deputies passed away as a result of the traffic collision," the statement said. "A second deputy was injured as part of the traffic collision. As a result of his injuries, he faces a long road to recovery Our hearts are heavy and saddened over the passing of our partner, friend, dad, and husband. We send prayers and many blessings to the family during their time of grief."

RELATED: Michigan Mom Dies Saving 5-Year-Old Twins in Crash by Shielding Them with Her Body, Says Family

A GoFundMe page arranged for the deputies by ALADS CARES (Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Cops and Relatives Emergency Support) is currently raising money on behalf of the men.

"ALADS CARES is currently collecting donations for two deputies who were involved in a tragic vehicle accident on the I-5 early Sunday morning, one of whom died and the other who was severely injured and transported to the hospital," the page read.

A GoFundMe page for McKee, meanwhile, has since raised more than $45,000 for the married father of two's family. Those interested in donating can do so here.

A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Election 2021: The second phase of in will be held on Thursday. More than 7.5 million voters will decide the fate of 191 candidates in 30 seats, even as all eyes are set on the high-profile constituency where Chief Minister is pitted against her former follower Suvendu Adhikari.





All 10,620 booths where polling will be held this phase have been declared as sensitive by the Election Commission, which has deployed around 651 companies of central forces to provide security, a PTI report said.



Besides, the state police will also be deployed at strategic locations during the polling which will begin at 7 am. A total of 199 companies of Central Armed Police Force will be deployed in Purba Medinipur, 210 companies in Paschim Medinipur, 170 in South 24 Parganas and 72 in Bankura.

Assembly Election Phase 2 (Important Dates)

Date of Polling : April 1, 2021

: April 1, 2021 Date of Counting : May 2, 2021

: May 2, 2021 Total number of seats: 30

2021: Assembly seats

A total of 294 assembly seats will be going to polls, of which 68 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 16 for the Scheduled Tribes (STs). The for phase two will take place in 30 assembly seats. to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is being conducted in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

Gosaba

Patharpratima

Kakdwip

Sagar

Tamluk

Panskura (204)

Panskura (205)

Moyna

Nandakumar

Mahisadal

Haldia

Nandigram

Chandipur

Kharagpur Sadar

Narayangarh Paschim

Sabang Paschim

Pingla Paschim

Debra Paschim

Daspur Paschim

Ghatal Paschim

Chandrakona Paschim

Keshpur Paschim

Taldangra

Bankura

Barjora

Onda

Bishnupur

Katulpur

Indas

Sonamukh

Polling will take place amid strict Covid-19 guidelines in nine seats of Paschim Medinipur, eight in Bankura, four seats in South 24 Parganas and nine in Purba Medinipur - the home ground of turncoat and leader Suvendu Adhikari. falls in Purba Medinipur district.



West Bengal Asembly Election 2021: Date and Schedule

1st phase: March 27

2nd phase: April 1

3rd phase: April 6

4th phase: April 10

5th phase: April 17

6th phase: April 22

7th phase: April 26

8th phase: April 29

Counting on May 2

West Bengal Election 2021: Important Documents

Here is a list of documents eligible voters need to carry for identification at polling stations:

Voter ID card

PAN Card

Driving License

Indian Passport

MNREGA Job Card

Bank/Post Office Passbooks with photograph

Pension document with photograph

Service Identity Cards with photograph issued by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies.

West Bengal Assembly election 2021

The legislature has 294 seats. A party has to secure 148 seats to attain a majority. In 2016, West Bengal were held between April 4 and May 5, where the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC), under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, was re-elected in Vidhan Sabha.

About West Bengal Assembly

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly consists of 294 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), elected from single-seat constituencies, with five years term, unless dissolved. The current term will end on May 30, 2021. Since May 2011, Biman Banerjee has been the Speaker of the Assembly. READ MORE HERE...



With inputs from Press Trust of India and India Today.
Like most unionists, I have long been in favour of Scotland receiving more than its fair share of public spending. If this was the price of keeping the United Kingdom in one piece, we should pay it.

But is it possible that these transfers of money under the so-called Barnett formula are having the opposite effect  and that, far from cementing the Union, they are giving a boost to the Scottish Nationalists, who want to dismember it?

The question arises following a report by the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies(IFS). It finds that public spending per person in Scotland is almost 30 per cent higher than in England.

That's right. For every 1 received by John Brown from the public purse south of the border, north of Hadrian's Wall Hamish McTavish is getting nearly 1.30. The discrepancy is apparently wider than ever.

Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon

Bribe

You may say that this unfairness has been going on for a very long time, and there is no reason suddenly to get particularly hot under the collar about it. But there is.

According to the IFS, the Scottish government  which is of course led by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP  has pocketed an additional 9.5 billion from the UK government for coronavirus-related funding.

The IFS says not all this extra money is being spent on Covid measures. Some of it is being used by the crafty Ms Sturgeon to expand free school meals and bus travel.

Scottish parliamentary elections take place on May 6, and the SNP is dipping into Covid funds supplied by Westminster to bribe the electorate. Free bus travel is being extended to Scots aged under 22, and all primary school pupils are being offered free school meals.

It doesn't end there. The SNP has offered health workers in Scotland a 4 per cent increase whereas nurses in England have been offered just 1 per cent. Ms Sturgeon can only be so generous because of extra resources funnelled her way by the Tory Government in London.

Isn't this all very odd? The Scots Nats say if they win an overall majority in May they will demand another referendum on independence, which they believe they would win.

And so in order to improve their electoral prospects, and get a step closer to breaking up the Union, they are splashing money about which Westminster has obligingly contributed.

By the way, although a little extra income is raised by the Scottish government by tweaking income tax rates, this is minimal, and does not begin to cover much higher public expenditure north of the border.

I wonder how many Scots are fully aware of what is going on. At the best of times the Barnett formula looks complex. Meanwhile, the SNP has been adept at muddying the waters over the years.

From the 1970s onwards its cry was that the bulk of North Sea oil belonged to Scotland, and so the enormous revenues flowing into the Treasury easily outweighed any transfers of cash from London.

Always a dishonest argument  it's British, not Scottish, oil  it has become increasingly threadbare as the oil price has dropped, and less and less of the stuff is being extracted from the North Sea. For many environmentally aware SNP politicians, oil has also become a dirty word.

Even so, it is all but impossible to get them to admit the Scottish government receives huge subsidies from south of the border. They would scream like billy-o if the payments dried up, but as things stand they treat them as though they are a natural right.

Pictured (left to right): Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie, Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon, presenter Sarah Smith, Scottish Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross during a Scottish party leaders' debate ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election

The fact remains that, as a result of significantly greater public expenditure in Scotland, our fellow British citizens north of the border get a much better deal than the rest of us.

Scottish students do not pay university tuition fees  a spectacular advantage over their English counterparts, who are burdened with tens of thousands of pounds of debt that can take half a lifetime to pay off. There are no prescription charges in Scotland.

As I say, for as long as it could reasonably be argued that subsidies helped keep the Scots sweet, and the Union together, it seemed to be sensible to go on paying them, even though gratitude was in short supply.

But the spectacle of Nicola Sturgeon using Westminster money to bolster her chances in the forthcoming elections is more than your columnist, passionate unionist though he is, can stomach.

Isn't it time someone spoke a few home truths to the Scottish people, some of whom seem to exist in a kind of make-believe world fabricated by the manipulative Ms Sturgeon?

False

It's not only the existence of massive subsidies  which would disappear in the event of independence  that voters tempted by the false allure of SNP should confront.

Despite what Ms Sturgeon implies, the European Union wouldn't admit Scotland as a member state for many years, Spain might oppose it for fear of giving encouragement to separatists in Catalonia.

Even if Scotland did manage to clamber into the clammy embrace of Brussels, it would jepordise by far its biggest market. Scotland's exports to the rest of the UK are more than three times those to the EU.

Membership of the EU would inevitably entail a hard border between England and Scotland, with much form-filling and probable visa restrictions. Do most Scots want that?

Joining Brussels would, almost certainly, mean adopting the euro. Scotland would be a tiny and insignificant member of a vast currency union, whereas at present it is part of a sovereign state that controls its own currency.

During the election campaign, it would be wonderful if the unionist opposition parties in Scotland, and the Tories in particular, were prepared to point out some of these home truths.

But will they? Just as many Scottish voters don't seem fully aware that they are lucky beneficiaries of the Barnett formula, so there is an apparent lack of recognition of the stark consequences of independence.

Weaker

With a combination of deceit and guile, Nicola Sturgeon has pulled the wool over many credulous eyes. The Scottish Tories, much weaker after the resignation of the gifted Ruth Davidson, seem incapable of exposing her conjuring tricks.

Many Scots believe Ms Sturgeon has had a magnificent Covid campaign, though the high death rates in Scottish care homes tell a different story. Moreover, I doubt an independent Scotland would have enjoyed such a stunningly successful vaccination programme.

Meanwhile, many English people look northwards with increasing resentment as they bankroll public expenditure for their fellow Britons on a scale they can only dream of.

The lesson of all this is that unionists should stop treating the Scots as spoiled children who must be protected from reality. We want them to stay part of the Union, but cosseting them won't achieve that.

In truth, throwing money at Scotland has done nothing to curb the Scots Nats. Quite the opposite. The SNP takes the credit for Westminster's subsidies. The more the English fund the Scots, then the greater the clamour for independence.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has directed the application of all measures to achieve balance between the comprehensive upgrading plan of the railway system and the operation of trains nationwide.

He particularly stressed the importance of promoting safety and security criteria for travelers in his instructions during a meeting with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly on Saturday morning just a few hours after a train crash which claimed the lives of at least 32 people and left scores injured in central Egypt.

"A full upgrade of the railway system is the only way to end such kind of disasters," Sisi said.

Some delay will be accepted in times, when trains will arrive or depart until the upgrading plan is fully implemented, he also said.

The meeting was attended by Justice Minister Omar Marawan, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Local Development Minister Mahmoud Shaarawy, Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfiq, Health and Population Minister Hala Zayed, Transport Minister Kamel el Wazir and Minister of Social Solidarity Neveen el Kabbag.

Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said the meeting followed up the train collision, which took place in Sohag governorate in Upper Egypt on Friday.

Sisi was informed about all details pertaining to the accident and the latest developments of ongoing investigations, Radi said.

Radi added the meeting also discussed reports about medical care that is offered to the injured as well as the provision of compensations to the victims.
BUKOBA Municipal Council has embarked on a crackdown to ensure that usage of banned plastic bags is under strict control, it has been disclosed.

Bukoba Municipal Environmental Management Officer, Joseph Dotto said starting April 1 this year, a special operation will be conducted in all the 14 Wards, warning that traders who will be found hiding the plastic bags will be arraigned before the court.

The warning comes amid reports indicating that many water sources, including rivers and the Lake Victoria were under a big threat due to rampant plastic bags. Pollution of the Lake Victoria poses a big threat to fishery resources, endangering other living creatures depending on the lake.

The Lake Victoria fishery contributes immensely to the socio-economic development of the riparian states.

The East African Community has designated the lake basin as an 'economic growth zone', with the potential to develop into a major economic region.

The fisheries are vital in creating employment opportunities, mostly rural-based, thereby helping to reduce rural-urban migration. Fish is also a rich source of animal protein for human consumption and provides raw material (fishmeal) for processing animal feeds.

The fish industry contributes to the GDP and has continued to be an important source of foreign exchange earned from fish exports.

Besides, the fish industry contributes to the national and local government revenues through levying of various taxes, levies and licence fees.

The sector has also contributed directly and indirectly to the improvement of physical infrastructure and social facilities, such as roads, schools and hospitals, particularly in remote fishing communities.

Based on current stock estimates, the lake has the potential to yield fish valued at over US$ 800 million annually on a sustainable basis.

Further processing and marketing the fish in the local and export markets could provide opportunity to generate additional earnings.
KEARNEY, Neb., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Carol A. Larson MSEd, MA, LIMHP, LPC is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Counselor for her remarkable contributions in Mental Health Counseling, her unwavering devotion to helping her community, and her professional excellence as the owner of Family Life Counseling.

Carol A. Larson

Proudly serving Kearney and the surrounding areas, Family Life Counseling has strived in the last ten years to be a safe environment where you can begin the process of trusting yourself, respecting others, and building healthy relationships. As a locally owned business, Family Life Counseling provides quality counseling services to address depression, anxiety, and trauma. Carol Larson, LIMHP, LPC, counselor, and owner of Family Life Counseling, offers a variety of counseling approaches, including Individual therapy (for adults and adolescents), Couples therapy, Family therapy, and Giving presentations to community groups.



Licensed in the state of Nebraska, Ms. Carol Larson is an independent mental health practitioner and certified professional counselor. She brings years of experience in medical laboratory science and education prior to establishing her practice, Family Life Counseling. In her current capacity, she offers a vast repertoire of expertise in anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, spiritual concerns, grief, and relationships. She is highly equipped to address the aforementioned concerns through hope and healing with a Christian worldview. Striving to help her clients find balance, Ms. Larson focuses on the four dimensions of life  mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Using a variety of effective counseling skills, she is devoted to helping her clients as they work to reach their full potential. In addition to her practice, Ms. Larson is currently writing a book, "Cyber Secrets  A woman's guide to overcome the bondage of pornography." She was recently published in a devotional  "She Writes For Him  Stories of Living Hope."



A native of Nebraska, Ms. Larson graduated from Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska in 2010 with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Arts from Dana College, a Medical Technology certificate from Nebraska Methodist Hospital, and a Master of Science in Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.



Throughout her extensive career, Ms. Larson served in various positions to further her professional development. She worked at Good Samaritan Hospital for 12 years and later became the director for the Rural Health Education Distance Learning Research Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. After receiving a grant to study rural distancing learning, Ms. Larson played a major role in providing education to place students in smaller groups in a rural setting. She was proud to have had 100% placement of students upon graduation. Subsequently, she gained valuable knowledge as an Associate Professor for the Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The concept of the Medical Laboratory Science program expanded to surrounding states and was established at the University of Missouri, the University of Iowa, the University of Colorado  Colorado Springs, and Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.



In a constant pursuit to remain aware in her field, Ms. Larson maintains active memberships with the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors. She devotes her time to support charitable endeavors, including Woman's Bible Studies and volunteering at the HelpCare Clinic. She is involved with her church, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and serves as a pianist and Bible study leader there.



In her spare time, Ms. Larson loves sports, photography, playing piano, reading, and traveling to national parks.



To learn more, please visit https://www.flckearney.com/, https://carolalarson.com/ and https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/carol-a-larson-kearney-ne/83897.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


Tim Tetrick is undoubtedly one of harness racing's most decorated drivers, with over 12,000 wins and myriad accolades to his credit, but in recent years, he has also found a renewed enjoyment in his experience as a Standardbred owner.

"I've owned horses since I was 13 or 14 years old with my dad," Tetrick told presenter Dave Little in last Saturday's (March 27) "In The Sulky" segment of the Meadowlands pre-race show. I remember going to the fairs, and my dad would always give me and my brothers one horse, and we got to make whatever we did there. At the end of the year, you make two, three, four, five thousand (dollars), and it's a bonus. And I've got a few broodmares, and I love going to the yearling sales and picking out one or two bargain prices. I've had a little luck doing it. I enjoy it; it's just something I like to do."

To this day, while years and miles removed from the Illinois fairs where he cut his teeth on harness racing, the 39-year-old Tetrick still enjoys being able to browse low- to mid-price yearlings and claimers in search of a sound equine investment with what little free time he has.

"(My dad) taught us how to make money on a very tight budget, so you watch and you try to find one  that diamond in the rough  that you give a little money for and you can double or triple your profits," he continued. "I've got horses that I've watched over three or four years. It might take five years to finally get the one I want, but you just have to be there and be ready."

While not a bargain-basement yearling by any means, Tetrick's recent involvement with the recently-retired Shartin N  the first United States Harness Writers Association Horse of the Year not to be born in North America  was no doubt augmented by his minority stake in the double millionaire, whom he co-owned with Richard Poillucci and JoAnn Looney-King.

"She was gutsy as they come, she had great big lungs, and she could just go really fast," Tetrick said. "All those things together make a great horse, and she was one of the best. She's the dominant mare of her time; I was happy to be part of her career."

Tetrick feels fortunate to have been able to team up with Looney-King and her husband, trainer Jim King Jr., not just with Shartin N, but on a number of other horses, as well.

"Jimmy and JoAnn are great partners. They run a great barn; they take super care of their horses.... What they get, they deserve. They're hard workers, and I'm just glad they let me ride their coattails."

The entire interview appears below.
Google is always looking into new ways to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their products and apps. The company has begun rolling out multiple new features and experiences in Google Maps that have been made possible by AI, such as providing the most fuel-efficient routes, more information about the weather and air quality, Live View for indoor locations and more.

Thanks to the advancements they achieved in AI, Google is bringing a version of their outdoors Live View to the indoors now. In locations such as airports, transit stations and malls, Live View can now help users find the nearest elevator and escalators, platform, ticket office, restrooms, ATMs and more. It will show arrows and accompanying directions to point users in the right way, similar to when navigating outdoors.

The feature is first rolling out now to malls in Chicago, Long Island, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. In the coming months, it will roll out to airports, malls, and transit stations in Tokyo and Zurich, and more cities later.

Rolling out globally to all users, Maps will now use data from the Weather Company, AirNow.gov and the Central Pollution Board to provide users with better weather information for an area, including current and forecasted temperature.

More air quality information will also be shown, which can be especially useful for users with allergies and for users living in a smoggy or fire-prone area. This feature is coming to Australia, U.S.A. and India, and later will come to more countries.

When searching for directions and routes, if there are multiple routes with approximately the same ETA, Google Maps will now calculate the route with the lowest carbon footprint and suggest it instead of simply showing the fastest route. If an eco-friendly route significantly increases the ETA, Google will show users a comparison between the routes and let the users choose.

Maps will also inform users if their particular route goes through a low emission zone, where certain vehicles are restricted. This feature is rolling out to Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and the UK, and later will come out to more countries.

When traveling to a location within a city, Google Maps will soon show a comprehensive view of all routes and transportation modes available. This will help users quickly compare different routes to their destination and make an informed decision. It will be rolling out to both iOS and Android users globally in the coming months.

And lastly, for select stores in the U.S., Business Profiles in Maps and Search will now show extra information such as delivery providers, pickup and delivery windows, fees, and order minimums.

Google Maps is available for download on the Play Store for Android and App Store for iOS.
CITY authorities in Gweru have rejected residents' pleas for a rate slash by atleast half.

The request was made early last month by Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director Cornilia Selipiwe.

The representative group had written to city mayor Josiah Makombe indicating the rate hike was beyond the reach of most residents.

"As residents of Gweru, we wrote to your good office concerning the implementation of the approved budget that is already in effect," Selipiwe said in the letter to the city father.

"Before the enforced Covid-19 business closures, residents whole-heartedly paid the little they had through our 'Demonstration by paying' initiative which was a game changer.

"The mandatory shutdown of all non-essential businesses has led to the current financial hardships for residents.

"The time away from work since majority of residents are within the vending sector has significantly reduced their income, making it difficult for them to pay rent and this time please accept this letter as residents of Gweru's plea for the reduction of council rates by 50% since residents cannot afford the council rates demanded."

However, acting Town Clerk Vakai Chikwekwe told residents their request had been turned down.

"Reference is made to your letter to His Worship the Mayor Cllr. J Makombe dated 9th March 2022. The matter was deliberated. Your request was regrettably not acceded to," Chikwekwe said in statement.

But Selipiwe later told NewZimbabwe.com council has left residents with no choice but to stage demonstrations.

"We are going to approach the DA, the Minister of State and the Minister of Local Government. We also have other options which we can pursue. We can also exercise our right to demonstrate or we can do boycotting in terms of paying tariffs," he said.

Government has since approved Gweru City's 3,2 billion budget which have seen tariffs going up by more than 60%.
In certain parts of Acadiana, its not a question of if it will flood but when. For this very reason, the State of Louisiana has set out to receive funding to help with flood mitigation. On March 23rd Governor Jon Bel Edwards announced that 15 parishes would be receiving a sum of 163 million dollars as part of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. This includes several local parishes including Vermillion Parish which will see 2 projects funded. District 14 Representative Chad Vallo says this flooding has been a very important issue for his district for a while.

It has always been a concern and has always been something that was addressed. You know it is very very disheartening when you have a close friend who is calling you constantly telling you the water is 3 inches away; the water is 2 inches away from getting in his/her house. Naturally, everybody especially in those areas that are prone to flood are looking for some kind of help that would somewhat prevent this or at least let the water get out much quicker.

The Mermentau Basin Inundation Relief project which is the larger project for the parish is still in early phases with no timetable for completion as of right now.

Projects receiving funding include:

$42 million for construction and drainage improvements on the Louisiana Highway 22 bridge in Ascension and Livingston Parishes.

$25 million for Mermentau Basin inundation relief project in Cameron and Vermillion Parishes.

$15 million for drainage improvements in Livingston Parish.

$14.3 million for watershed improvements along Anacoco Creek in Vernon Parish.

$12.8 million for flood surcharge management for Bundick Lake in Beauregard Parish.

$10.2 million for retention improvements and critical infrastructure hardening along Turkey Creek in Franklin Parish.

$10 million for residential elevations and buyouts in St. Tammany Parish.

$10 million for residential elevations and buyouts in Vermillion Parish.

$6.6 million for structure hardening and runoff retention improvements along Black Bayou in Caddo Parish.

$5 million for the University Lakes flood risk reduction project in East Baton Rouge Parish.

$3.7 million for drainage improvements at LSU Alexandria in Rapides Parish.

$2.9 million for backwater flood reduction at Three Mile Lake in St. Landry Parish.

$2.7 million for flood surcharge management at Caney Lake in Jackson Parish.

$2.2 million for runoff retention and critical infrastructure improvements along Bayou Cocodrie in Rapides and Evangeline Parishes.

$1.1 million for Latt Lake drawdown improvements in Grant Parish.
Bir Lehlou  Sahrawi Minister of the Public Health, Kheira Bulahi Abad, received Sunday members of the Algerian Muslim Ulemas Association (AOMA), taking the opportunity to hail the support provided in favor of Sahrawi people in multiple humanitarian fields.

"The meeting focused on the examination of ways and means to strengthen cooperation between the Sahrawi Ministry of Public Health and the Algerian Muslim Ulemas Association (AOMA), in

addition to the pursuit of support in terms of drugs and medical equipment," reports the Sahrawi News Agency (SPS).

The Sahrawi minister took this opportunity to express "her gratitude to the association's members for their ongoing efforts to provide assistance to the Sahrawi people in various humanitarian fields."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 11:12:40|Editor: huaxia

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BRASILIA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Ministry of Defense on Tuesday announced the resignation of the commanders of the three branches of the armed forces: Army General Edson Pujol, Navy Admiral Ilques Barbosa and Air Force Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez.

In the statement, the ministry did not provide the reason for their departure or announce their successors.

It is the first time since 1985 that the commanders of all three branches have left their posts at the same time without being part of a government power transition.

The announcement came a day after Gen. Fernando Azevedo e Silva stepped down as Defense Minister.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced six changes to his cabinet on Monday. Enditem
Amber Heard called herself the 'vaccine queen' as she received her vaccination against coronavirus on Tuesday.

The actress, 34, took to Instagram to share a snap of her plastered arm after getting the jab at a clinic.

Amber captioned the shot: 'Did someone say vaccine queen?', as she posed next to a sign which said: 'Covid-19 Vaccination clinic'.

'Did someone say vaccine queen?' Amber Heard called herself the 'vaccine queen' as she received her vaccination against coronavirus on Tuesday

The Aquaman star rolled up the sleeve of her plain black T-shirt to show the tiny plaster on her arm after her appointment.

Amber cut a casual figure as she teamed the look with dark jeans and wore her blonde hair back in a high bun.

The actress showcased her flawless complexion as she went make-up free for her visit to the doctors and donned a pink face mask.

Jab: Amber captioned the shot: 'Did someone say vaccine queen?', as she posed next to a sign which said: 'Covid-19 Vaccination clinic'

Who will be first in line to be vaccinated against coronavirus? Health workers will be first in line to be vaccinated

Those most vulnerable to the targeted infection are a high priority: It includes 12 million critical health, national security and essential workers

110 million people at high risk from the coronavirus: This includes those over 65 who live in long-term care facilities, or those of any age who are in poor health, or who also are deemed essential workers

Those living where the outbreak is currently worst will also be a priority

Volunteers taking part in the final stage trials of vaccine testing who receive dummy shots will be given the real thing once an injection is created

The remaining general U.S. population of 205 million other people would come later Advertisement

Late last month, President Joe Biden welcomed the 50th millionth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine since his swearing in.

Biden added they are on course to exceed his promise to deliver 100 million shots within his first 100 days in office.

Health care workers, essential workers and 110 million people at high risk from coronavirus have been prioritised first in the vaccine roll out in the US.

Achievement: Late last month, President Joe Biden welcomed the 50th millionth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine since his swearing in

Amber's vaccination comes after the actress responded to the injuries she sustained at the hands of Johnny Depp.

Among the Twitter users was Adam Waldman - a former member of Johnny's legal team - who tweeted a picture of the actress on Friday as he tried to discount her allegations against her ex-husband.

Alongside the images he wrote: '12/15/15 allegation 'I had bruised ribs. Bruises all over my body, bruises on my forearms from trying to defend the blows. I had 2 black eyes. I had a broken nose. I had a broken lip'

Response: Amber's vaccination comes after the actress responded to the injuries she sustained at the hands of Johnny Depp (both pictured at the libel trial last summer)

'Justice Nichols - I believe her. UK Appeals Court - we believe him. But oops ... PHOTO SHOOT! [sic]'

Responding to the post, the actress shared: 'Yes Mr Waldman, I may be wearing makeup on this occasion but on every occasion you will still be short.'

As another Twitter user responded, 'I'd rather be short than an abusive gold digger Woman shrugging', Amber hit back, 'It's good to be realistic with your goals'.

The posts come after Heard and British tabloid The Sun said they were vindicated after a UK court refused Depp the right to appeal against a ruling that he was a wife-beater.

Tweets: Adam Waldman - a former member of Johnny's legal team - tweeted a picture of the actress on Friday as he tried to discount her allegations against her ex-husband

The Hollywood actor had sought to challenge a November 2020 ruling in a high-profile libel action that upheld claims in the newspaper that he beat Heard during their stormy marriage.

A spokeswoman for Heard said she was was 'pleased - but by no means surprised by the decision', adding the 'evidence presented in the UK case was overwhelming and undeniable'.

The Sun said the newspaper 'had every confidence that this leave to appeal application would not be granted and are pleased with today's decision'.

Two judges at the Court of Appeal dismissed his application to challenge the High Court ruling, finding that the original hearing had been 'full and fair'.
Elon Musk's SpaceX suffered another setback Tuesday when one of its experimental rockets malfunctioned during a test flight at the company's Texas facility.

The incident occurred as the Starship SN11 prototype was attempting to land after what the company called a normal ascent to roughly 12 kilometers in altitude.

Heavy fog obscured observers from seeing exactly what happened, but an explosion seems most likely, as there were reports of fire and debris.

"At least the crater is in the right place!" Musk tweeted.

This is the third time the experimental rocket has crash-landed or exploded.

John Insprucker, a SpaceX engineer, said all was going well when data feeds and the on-board cameras stopped working as the vehicle entered a thick layer of fog while trying to land.

The company said it will provide more information as it gets it but added it does not expect to be able to recover video footage.

Starship SN11 is the vehicle Musk hopes will carry the first humans to Mars. The company wants to send it into orbit by the end of the year. NASA has also awarded SpaceX a $135 million contract to potentially use the Starship SN11 to take astronauts to the moon.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 00:30:27|Editor: huaxia

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ALGIERS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Algeria on Wednesday reported 131 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the North African country to 117,192.

The death toll from the virus rose to 3,093 after four new fatalities were added, said the Algerian Ministry of Health in a statement.

Meanwhile, 96 more patients recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 81,538, the statement added.

A donation of Chinese Sinopharm vaccines arrived in Algeria on Feb. 24 to help combat the pandemic. Enditem
MONTEREY, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) is pleased to announce that Robert Mazurek will become our Executive Director on April 1, 2021. Robert will lead the organization's overall strategic direction and organizational development protecting our coast, ocean, and watersheds.

Robert has spent over two decades leading national and international efforts to strengthen ocean governance, enhance marine policy, and create resilient coasts. He has turned his life-long passion for ocean conservation into a career that has spanned the globe. Internationally, Robert's work with the Pew Charitable Trusts helped lead to the creation of some of the largest marine reserves in the world including Australia's Coral Sea Marine National Park, Chile's Easter Island Marine Reserve, and the U.K.'s Pitcairn Island Marine Reserve. Robert worked to strengthen maritime governance and fight illegal fishing by starting the Secure Fisheries program, where he worked across ten Indian Ocean countries. Additionally, he is also a maritime expert for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's Global Maritime Crime Program.

Here in California, Robert helped create the California Ocean Alliance, developed the management plan for the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, helped launch the Monterey Bay Aquarium's world-renowned Seafood Watch Program, and spent more than a decade on CMSF's Board of Directors.

Robert said, "I can't be more honored to help lead this amazing organization. For 25 years the Foundation has been at the forefront of California's coastal resilience work around MPAs and watersheds, fusing science with education and outreach. I feel like my whole career has been in preparation to take on this important role. I look forward to working with the Board, our staff, and all of our partners as we continue to grow our work while advancing the understanding and stewardship of ocean resources in California and beyond."

Scott Hennessy, President of the Board, commented, "The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation is fortunate to continue our over 25-year history of commitment to California's communities, coast, and ocean with the appointment of Robert as Executive Director. The entire staff and Board participated in an extensive search and are delighted with the results. We are all looking forward to many years of continued growth and positive impact under Robert's leadership."

www.californiamsf.org

SOURCE California Marine Sanctuary Foundation

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https://www.californiamsf.org


The Easter Triduum, which begins tomorrow, was the theme of Francis' catechesis for the general audience. Recalling that Jesus said: "There are two lords in the world, two: God and money", Francis affirmed that "Whoever serves money is against God". " Christian men and women have been paid not to acknowledge in practice the resurrection of Christ.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Do not forget the many, too many crucifixes of today". This is the warning issued by Pope Francis for Good Friday, when " Adoring the Cross, we will relive the journey of the innocent Lamb sacrificed for our salvation. We will carry in our minds and hearts the sufferings of the sick, the poor, the rejected of this world; we will remember the "sacrificed lambs", the innocent victims of wars, dictatorships, everyday violence, abortions... ".

The days of the Easter Triduum, which begins tomorrow, were the theme of Francis' catechesis for today's general audience, which was still held in the private library. A catechesis of unscripted reflections during which, he recalled the phrase of Jesus " There are two masters in the world, two, no more: two. God and money. He who serves money is against God. And here it is money that changed reality. They had seen the wonder of the resurrection, but they were paid to keep quiet. Think of the many times that Christian men and women have been paid not to acknowledge in practice the resurrection of Christ, and did not do what Christ asked us to do, as Christians."

In these days, he had previously said, "we will live the central days of the liturgical year, celebrating the mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord."

The evening of Holy Thursday, he recalled, is "when Christ left his disciples the testament of his love in the Eucharist, not as a remembrance, but as a memorial, as his everlasting presence. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, as I said at the beginning, we renew this mystery of redemption. In this Sacrament, Jesus substituted the sacrificial victim  the Paschal lamb - with himself: his Body and Blood grant us salvation from the slavery of sin and death. The salvation from every form of slavery is there. It is the evening in which he asks us to love one another by becoming servants to one another, as he did in washing the disciples' feet, a gesture that anticipates his bloody oblation on the cross. And indeed, the Master and Lord will die the next day to purify not the feet, but the hearts and the entire life of his disciples. It was an oblation of service to us all, because with that service of his sacrifice he redeemed us all."

Good Friday is a day of penance, fasting and prayer. We will be like gathered on Calvary to commemorate the Passion and the redemptive Death of Jesus Christ. " Before the image of the crucified God, we will bring, in prayer, the many, the too many who are crucified in our time, who only from Him can receive comfort and meaning in their suffering. And nowadays there are many: do not forget the crucified of our time, who are the image of Jesus Crucified, and Jesus is in them.

" Ever since Jesus took upon himself the wounds of humanity and death itself, Gods love has irrigated these deserts of ours, he has enlightened our darkness. Because the world is in darkness. Let us make a list of all the wars that are being fought in this moment; of all the children who die of hunger; of children who have no education; of entire populations destroyed by wars, by terrorism. Of the many, many people who, just to feel a bit better, need drugs, the drug industry that kills  It is a disaster; it is a desert! There are small islands of the people of God, both Christian and of all other faiths, that hold in their heart the desire to be better. But let us tell the truth: in this Calvary of death, it is Jesus who suffers in his disciples.

"Holy Saturday is the day of silence, lived by the first disciples in mourning and bewilderment, shocked by Jesus ignominious death. While the Word is silent, while Life is in the tomb, those who had hoped in him were put to a difficult test, they feel like orphans, perhaps even orphaned by God. This Saturday is also Mary's day: she too lived it in tears, but her heart was full of faith, full of hope, full of love. The Mother of Jesus had followed her Son along the path of sorrows and remained at the foot of the cross, with her soul pierced. But when it all seemed to be over, she kept watch, she kept vigil, in expectation, maintaining her hope in the promise of God who raises the dead. Thus, in the worlds darkest hour, she became the Mother of believers, the Mother of the Church and sign of hope. Her witness and her intercession sustain us when the weight of the cross becomes too heavy for each one of us.

In the darkness of Holy Saturday, joy and light will break through with the rites of the Easter Vigil and, in the late evening, the festive singing of the Alleluia. It will be an encounter in faith with the Risen Christ, and the joy of Easter will continue throughout the following fifty days, until the coming of the Holy Spirit. He who was crucified is risen! All questions and uncertainties, hesitations and fears are dispelled by this revelation. The Risen One gives us the certainty that good always triumphs over evil, that life always conquers death, and it is not our end to descend lower and lower, from sorrow to sorrow, but rather to rise up high. The Risen One is the confirmation that Jesus is right in everything: in promising us life beyond death and forgiveness beyond sins.

The Pope concluded: Again this year we will live the Easter celebrations in the context of the pandemic. In many situations of suffering, especially when they are borne by people, families and populations already tried by poverty, disasters or conflicts, Christs Cross is like a beacon that indicates the port to ships that are still afloat on stormy seas. Christs Cross is a sign of the hope that does not disappoint; and it tells us that not even one tear, not one sigh is lost in Gods plan. Let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace of serving him and acknowledging him, and of not letting ourselves be paid to forget him..
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The Queen entertained service personnel as she quipped about Typhoon jets being 'sent off to chase the Russians' during her first official royal engagement in five months today.

The 94-year-old monarch visited the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey, to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force.

While she has been seen in video calls this year, today is the first time the Monarch has been seen in public since December, when she welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back to Windsor after their whistle-stop tour of Britain.

It was her first in-person official engagement of 2021 - and the first since last October, when she visited the Defence Laboratory at Porton Down alongside her grandson Prince William.

It is also the first time she has been seen since Harry and Meghan's bombshell Oprah interview.

But in a light moment today, the Queen quizzed one Australian serviceman about his work with Typhoon jets and asked if they were 'being sent off to chase the Russians?' and was told, 'That's correct, ma'am, it's a lot of fun for us!'

The Queen, who had her Covid vaccine in January, did not wear a face covering but donned a bright spring-inspired ensemble; an ivory Angela Kelly dress, green coat and matching hat adorned with faux daffodils and orchids, and the Australian wattle brooch presented to her on her first tour of the country in 1954.

She joked: 'It's a very long time since I've been here,' as she arrived at the memorial - which she had opened in her coronation year, on October 17, 1953.

The event comes as her husband Prince Philip recovers at home after undergoing heart surgery at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London earlier this month.

Today also marks the first anniversary of 'Megxit' - when the Queen's grandson Harry and former Suits actress Meghan Markle stepped down from royal duties and stopped using their HRH styles, on March 31 last year.

The visit comes amid a tumultuous time for the family, in the wake of the Sussexes' televised sit-down with Oprah Winfrey at the start of this month which left the royal family facing one of its worst crises for generations.

The Queen issued a statement afterwards, saying that the issues raised - including accusations of racism in their explosive interview - would be dealt with privately as a family, but that 'some recollections may vary'.

The Queen was in good spirits as she arrived at the CWGC Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey

The Queen's equerry Major Tom White laid a wreath on her behalf in honour of fallen airmen and women

The 94-year-old viewed panels bearing the names of Australian war dead and a display of fallen airmen and women in the memorial cloister, before meeting serving RAAF personnel

When the Queen arrived at Runnymede she was greeted by Claire Horton, director general of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and George Brandis, High Commissioner for Australia

Service personnel at the event looked delighted to have Her Majesty in their company, as she happily chatted to them all ahead of the service

She chatted to the Honourable George Brandis (left), High Commissioner for Australia

Left, The Queen opening the memorial at Runnymeade in Surrey in October 1953. Right, the Queen today, March 2021

The monarch was animated at the display today, cheerily greeting fellow guests and enjoying the Red Arrows fly past

The Monarch was all smiles as she happily chatted to service personnel at the event, her first public outing this year

The Queen bowed her head as prayers were said for Royal Australian Air Force servicemen and women who have lost their lives in service of their country

The 94-year-old clutched a programme of the day's events as she made her way around the memorial in Runnymede, Surrey

The Queen at the memorial, which commemorates more than 20,000 Commonwealth airmen and women who died during operations in north and west Europe and have no known grave

She joked: 'It's a very long time since I've been here,' as she arrived at the memorial - which she had opened in her coronation year, on October 17, 1953 (pictured here)

More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation in 1921, fighting in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to others in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 11,100 losing their lives in service

After spending the morning chatting with members of the Australian Air Force and taking part in centenary celebrations, the Queen made her way back to Windsor Castle

The ceremony began with a flypast by the Red Arrows, but with white smoke only instead of the familiar red, white and blue. As they do not normally perform at this time of year, their smoke pods are in for maintenance

Her Majesty was pictured leaving Windsor this morning, en route to the War Memorial at Runnymede

Generations of Royal Australian Air Force members (pictured with the Queen in 1953), have provided outstanding service to Australia in conflicts including WWII, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq

'Are they chasing Russians?' Queen probes pilots about RAF jets The Queen was in typically good spirits today as she laughed and joked with fellow attendees - and even asked an RAAF officer working with Typhoon jets if they were 'being sent off to chase the Russians?' Her Majesty asked the air force personnel about working with Typhoon jets in Northumberland. The Queen asked: 'Are they being sent off to chase the Russians?' He replied: 'That's correct ma'am, it's a lot of fun for us!' The Queen responded simply, 'Hmm' Advertisement

When the Queen arrived at Runnymede she was greeted by Claire Horton, director general of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and George Brandis, High Commissioner for Australia.

The ceremony began with a flypast by the Red Arrows, but with white smoke only instead of the familiar red, white and blue. As they do not normally perform at this time of year, their smoke pods are in for maintenance.

Prayers were then said for Royal Australian Air Force servicemen and women who have lost their lives in service of their country before Her Majesty's Equerry Major Tom White laid a wreath on her behalf.

It bore a note reading, 'In memory of the glorious dead, Elizabeth.'

She said to one member of the Royal Australian Air Force who'd recently been posted to the UK: 'It's rather bad luck to have arrived in lockdown isn't it?

'I hope in the next couple of years you'll be able to travel a bit more'.

As she arrived at the memorial, which she opened in 1953, the Queen remarked on how long it was since she had last been there.

She added: 'You've got a good day for it. It's a very windy spot normally.'

The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was admitted to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London on February 17 after feeling unwell.

He underwent surgery for a pre-existing heart condition - three months before his 100th birthday - before returning to King Edward VII hospital.

The couple - who had their first Covid vaccine in January - have spent the pandemic in lockdown at Windsor Castle with a team of staff dubbed 'HMS Bubble.'

Brothers in arms: The RAF and the RAAF An RAF Typhoon intercepting a Russian 'Bear' bomber off the Scottish coast last September The Royal Air Force has always had a strong relationship with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). They have an active personnel exchange programme - the officer the Queen was talking to is an RAAF squadron leader currently seconded an an air traffic controller to a Typhoon unit working as the Quick Reaction Force that intercepts Russian planes over the North Sea when they fly into British or NATO airspace. Earlier this year, the Guardian revealed how Australia's air force personnel had been piloting deadly British air force drone strikes on enemy combatants in Iraq and Syria. More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation, fighting in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 11,100 losing their lives in service. During World War Two, 65 Australians lost their lives flying from RAF Coningsby, and at least 50 are known to have been decorated for gallantry. Advertisement

It is not known if the the Queen and Philip have had their second jabs.

Today the Queen was also given the promise of a present, to be delivered later when they have been made: two RAAF dog jackets for her new corgis.

'That's very kind,' she said. 'I look forward to it.'

HMQ wrote in a foreword to the order of service: 'As one of the oldest Air Forces in the world, it is fitting to pay tribute to the efficiency, skill and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in its ranks, in Australia and overseas, during the past one hundred years.'

The Queen's visit today comes after it emerged Prince Andrew's sex accuser could testify about him at Ghislaine Maxwell's trial.

The original photograph showing the Her Majesty's son, the Duke of York with his arm around Virginia Giuffre's waist at Maxwell's home in 2001 has been requested.

Ms Giuffre's lawyer Sigrid McCawley revealed in court documents that Maxwell's team want access to original copies of various photographs, reported The Sun.

It is thought Ms Giuffre, 37, who currently lives in Australia with her husband and three children, could give evidence alongside victims Maria and Annie Farmer.

It comes after new criminal charges against Maxwell renewed pressure on Prince Andrew because they fall within the time frame that he was meeting paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation in 1921, fighting in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to others in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 11,100 losing their lives in service.

The Duke of Cambridge will also mark the centenary with a video message being released later on Wednesday that reflects on the service, courage and sacrifice made by generations of Royal Australian Air Force men and women.

The message will be played at the RAAF centenary dinner being held in the Australian capital Canberra with guests featuring the country's prime minister Scott Morrison and the governor-general, retired General David Hurley, who is the Queen's representative.

Since the pandemic began the Queen has carried out a handful of official events beyond the walls of Windsor Castle.

She was last seen outside her Berkshire residence in November during the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and, a few days before that, wore a face mask in public for the first time during a poignant visit to the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of his burial.

In October the Queen joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge when she visited the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down in Wiltshire and formally opened the Energetics Analysis Centre.

Today the Queen was also given the promise of a present, to be delivered later when they have been made: two RAAF dog jackets for her new corgis. 'That's very kind,' she said. 'I look forward to it.'

The Queen pinned a broach to her coat and teamed pearl earrings with a matching necklace

A radiant Queen conducts her first engagement outside of Windsor Castle this year

The Queen, who had her first Covid vaccination in January, did not wear a mask at the event today

Good to be back: Her Majesty was all smiles at the centenary event today, paying tribute to Australian air force personnel

The Queen opened the memorial at Runnymeade in her coronation year, 1953

The event is the head of state's first public engagement outside Windsor Castle this year and is being held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Since the pandemic began the Queen has carried out a handful of official events beyond the walls of Windsor Castle.

Her Majesty was last seen out in public last December, when she welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back to Windsor after their whistle-stop tour of Britain. Pictured, the Queen leaving her home this morning

The Queen smiled and joked with members of the Australian Air Force during her visit this morning

She said: 'It's a very long time since I've been here,' as she arrived at the memorial - which she had opened on October 17, 1953.

While she has been seen in video calls this year, today is the first time the Monarch has been seen in public since December.

The Queen donned a pair of black gloves and clutched a programme as she watched the flypast

The Queen said to one member of the Royal Australian Air Force who'd recently been posted to the UK: 'It's rather bad luck to have arrived in lockdown isn't it. I hope in the next couple of years you'll be able to travel a bit more'.

The Queen wore a spring-inspired ensemble for the occasion, donning a green coat and matching hat, adorned with faux daffodils and orchids

The visit also comes amid a tumultuous time for the family, in the wake of the Sussexes' two-hour televised sit-down with Oprah Winfrey at the start of this month which left the royal family facing one of its worst crises for generations

Last night, the Queen sent box of daffodils on behalf of herself and the Royal Household, to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London. The annual gift is sent by the Queen to NHS hospitals as a thank you to staff and to cheer up patients

The Queen has been carrying out her duties as head of state throughout the pandemic and has taken part in a number of memorable virtual royal engagements via video call, including one where she encouraged those who were hesitant to have the vaccine to 'think about other people rather than themselves'.

A number of high-profile events have been staged in the grounds of Windsor Castle including a ceremony last summer where the Queen knighted veteran NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Last night, the Queen sent box of daffodils on behalf of herself and the Royal Household, to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London.

The annual gift is sent by the Queen to NHS hospitals as a thank you to staff and to cheer up patients.

The hospital tweeted: 'Reverend Chris van D'Arque and team took delivery of the flowers, which will be appreciated by patients and staff!'
By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. border official said on Tuesday he expects more than a million migrants will arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border this year, a sign of a growing humanitarian challenge for President Joe Biden on the southwest border.

If the figures reach 1 million, it could mirror a similar increase in border crossings in 2019 during Donald Trump's presidency, when nearly 978,000 migrants were taken into custody.

Border Patrol arrested about 100,000 migrants in February, the most in a month since mid-2019. More migrants typically cross between April and June, Raul Ortiz, deputy chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, told reporters.

"We're already starting to see some higher days of 6,000-plus apprehensions," Ortiz said. "So I fully expect our border patrol agents to encounter over a million people this year."

The Biden administration allowed several reporters to interview border officials and tour a crowded migrant processing facility in Donna, Texas, on Tuesday following growing demands from news outlets for more access. The footage was shared with Reuters and other outlets.

The Donna facility is holding 4,100 migrants, most of whom are unaccompanied minors, according to a pool report, four times its pre-COVID capacity.

More than 2,000 unaccompanied migrant children have been held there for longer than a legal limit of 72 hours, Border Patrol official Oscar Escamilla said. Of those, 39 children had been stuck in the tent facility for more than 15 days as they await placement in a shelter overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"It's out of my hands," he told reporters. "For whatever reason, they have fallen through the system or through the cracks."

The HHS refugee office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tens of thousands of Central American migrants have trekked to the U.S.-Mexico border in recent months. The increase is driven by poor economic conditions in the region, the effects of devastating hurricanes last year, and hope among migrants that they will be allowed to remain in the United States as Biden reverses some of Trump's restrictive immigration policies.

Story continues

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a written statement that federal officials were "working around the clock" to quickly move children out of the packed border facilities.

During the tour of the Donna facility, reporters visited an area for young children, who sat inside a playpen, used coloring books and watched a movie.

The children, as young as 3 years old, also sleep in the area, Escamilla said, since other areas for unaccompanied children were too crowded.

Escamilla said one young girl told him she did not know the U.S. state to which she was traveling, just that "it snows there." He said another girl had lost the phone number of a contact in the United States.

In video footage from inside the facility, children were crowded into plastic-walled "pods," laying on floor mats and covered with Mylar blankets. Other footage showed shelves stocked with snack bars, diapers and baby bottles.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Richard Chang)
RTHK: Indonesia military finds black box of crashed jet

The cockpit voice recorder from a crashed Indonesian passenger jet has been found, the country's transport ministry said on Wednesday, more than two months after the accident that killed all 62 passengers and crew.

Officials said a press briefing "regarding the discovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder" from the Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 would be held later on Wednesday morning.

The 26-year-old plane  previously flown by US-based Continental Airlines and United Airlines  plunged around 3,000 metres into waters off Jakarta just minutes after takeoff on January 9.

Divers had been searching the Java Sea for the missing voice recorder  one of the plane's two "black boxes"  which records flight crew conversations.

A flight data recorder was earlier plucked from the wreckage-littered seabed.

A preliminary report into the crash last month said Indonesian pilots had reported multiple problems with the ageing jet's throttle system before the fatal crash.

But investigators had said it was too early to pinpoint an exact cause.

The cockpit voice recorder could provide vital clues to what the desperate crew was saying when the flight from Jakarta to Pontianak in Borneo went down.

Indonesia, a Southeast Asian archipelago that relies heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands, has suffered a string of deadly plane crashes in recent years.

In October 2018, 189 people were killed when a Boeing 737 MAX jet from Lion Air plunged into the sea.

That accident  and another in Ethiopia  led to the worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX over a faulty anti-stall system.

The 737 that crashed last month was not a MAX variant. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Responding officers found the male of an unknown age lying on the kitchen floor of an apartment, covered by a rug and a blue tarp, suffering from several sharp force injuries to his face, neck and chest.
ST. LOUIS, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Missouri filed today with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) requests to adjust its electric and natural gas base rates next year.

The new rates would take effect in 2022 to reflect major upgrades to electric and natural gas system reliability and resiliency for customers, as well as investments to support the transition to cleaner energy for the benefit of customers and local communities.

Ameren Missouri customers have seen rate decreases in recent years, including two electric base rate decreases since 2017 and a natural gas rate decrease in 2019. Electric rates today are 8.3% lower than they were in 2017.

If approved by regulators, the rate adjustment in 2022 would cost an average electric customer about $12 a month (based on approximately 1,029 kilowatt-hours of usage per month). For Ameren Missouri's natural gas customers, largely located in central and southeast Missouri, the adjustment in base rates would cost about $4 a month for the average residential customer. If approved, the new electric rate request reflects a 5.4% total increase over an almost five-year period, a yearly average of approximately 1%.

"Customers are experiencing better reliability and benefiting from cleaner energy because of infrastructure upgrades," said Marty Lyons, president of Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, (NYSE: AEE). "Following a thorough review by the PSC, rates reflecting recent electric grid upgrades and new renewable generation won't take effect until 2022. Due to COVID-19, we delayed our rate review requests associated with these investments. We've also been reducing our expenses to keep costs as low as possible, which is why our electric rates are well below the average in other Midwest states and across the country, and are positioned to remain relatively low even after this adjustment."

Lyons said Ameren Missouri's investments have made a difference for customers. For example, Ameren Missouri has accelerated smart technology upgrades, which are delivering up to 40% improvement in reliability on circuits with the new technology. The value of these investments was also demonstrated by the company's system performance during the extremely cold weather in February that stressed the electric grid and natural gas systems in parts of the United States.

"As the weather created challenges in several areas of the country, Ameren Missouri did not experience any significant reliability issues," Lyons said. "Investments in infrastructure pay off every day for our customers in terms of improved system performance and reliability. We are seeing fewer outages with shorter durations."

"We're working to keep rates as low as possible, while building a stronger, smarter and cleaner energy system for our customers," said Warren Wood, vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs at Ameren Missouri. "That means making necessary and prudent investments in the system our customers depend on, while continuously finding ways to reduce our operational costs. Finding the right balance is critical to meeting the needs of our customers today, while transitioning to a stronger, smarter, cleaner, more reliable and resilient grid for future generations."

Key components of the rate review requests include:

Eliminating processing fees for customers paying their energy bills by credit card, saving those customers approximately $1.10 - $1.85 per transaction.

for customers paying their energy bills by credit card, saving those customers approximately - per transaction. Strengthening the grid through Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, including infrastructure upgrades bolstering reliability and resiliency, more renewable generation, installation of smart meters, and the addition of programs to stimulate economic growth for communities across the state.

through Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, including infrastructure upgrades bolstering reliability and resiliency, more renewable generation, installation of smart meters, and the addition of programs to stimulate economic growth for communities across the state. Investing in state-of-the-art wind generation , including the acquisition of the Missouri -based High Prairie and Atchison renewable energy centers that make Ameren Missouri the largest operator of wind generation in the state.

, including the acquisition of the -based High Prairie and renewable energy centers that make Ameren Missouri the largest operator of wind generation in the state. Advancing the retirement of coal-fired energy centers , while ensuring the energy system remains reliable and resilient.

, while ensuring the energy system remains reliable and resilient. Expanding rate options to offer choices that fit a customer's lifestyle, thanks to how smart meters communicate with the updated grid. Customer benefits include the opportunity to save on their bill by using information from their smart meter to help shift the timing of their energy usage, quicker restoration after outages and faster connection when moving or starting service.

that fit a customer's lifestyle, thanks to how smart meters communicate with the updated grid. Customer benefits include the opportunity to save on their bill by using information from their smart meter to help shift the timing of their energy usage, quicker restoration after outages and faster connection when moving or starting service. Making Ameren Missouri's popular Community Solar program permanent and allowing eligible customers to enroll up to 100% of their energy use in the program at a locked-in rate. The expanded solar program also works in step with new rate options enabled by the smart meters Ameren Missouri is installing.

and allowing eligible customers to enroll up to 100% of their energy use in the program at a locked-in rate. The expanded solar program also works in step with new rate options enabled by the smart meters Ameren Missouri is installing. Enhancing Ameren Missouri's natural gas infrastructure system to increase safety, efficiency and resiliency.

While upgrading the electric grid, Ameren Missouri has been able to keep rates stable and affordable for customers, with residential rates more than 20% below national and Midwest averages, according to the Edison Electric Institute Typical Bills and Average Rates Report. Ameren Missouri has reduced electric rates in two previous rate adjustments  a 6% reduction in 2018 and a 1.5% reduction in 2020. The last natural gas rate review occurred in 2019 and resulted in a 1.34% rate decrease.

To help customers who have faced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ameren Missouri provided $5 million in energy assistance to families across the state and voluntarily enacted a moratorium on disconnections in 2020. Ameren Missouri continues to offer energy assistance grants and flexible payment options for those struggling to pay their bills. Ameren Missouri also is helping customers gain access to critical government and community assistance funding programs through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

"We know there are many families who have been deeply impacted by the pandemic and need help to make ends meet," Lyons said. "We care about our customers and want them to know we are here to help in this critical time of need. Any customers struggling to pay their bills should contact us today for access to energy assistance grants and to arrange flexible payment options."

Ameren Missouri's request will be carefully reviewed by the PSC and many other stakeholders during a process that can take up to 11 months. A decision by the PSC on this rate adjustment is expected with new rates effective early next year.

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 134,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

SOURCE Ameren Missouri
New York, Dec. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Renewable Energy Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2025)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05986857/?utm_source=GNW

7 billion. The growing investment indicates the growth in the renewable energy market across the globe. The drivers of the renewable energy market primarily include the policies from the national and international bodies to stabilize or to control CO2 emission and the growing focus on alternative fuels to achieve an imperishable form of energy. For instance, the Paris Agreement contracting all nations to combat the changing climate and to adopt a sustainable, low-carbon source of energy is one of the significant drive factors. However, power grid expansion, delay in renewable energy connection, and financing access to the projects are the major restraints that slowdowns the market to expand.



- The wind energy market is expected to expand as the worlds significant source of renewable electricity generation by 2025 and is expected to play a critical role in decarbonizing the power system and improving flexibility.

- By 2050, solar PV, wind, and hydro, together, are estimated to produce approximately 80% of the global electricity generation, which in turn is expected to create an opportunity for the market to grow in the future.

- Asia-Pacific region is one of the largest regions in the renewable energy market, which is concentrating on the cleaner version of fuels rather than just focusing on crude oil and its products. The deviation of energy sources would not only reduce the dependency of fossil fuels but would also help to control the rising air pollution within the region.



Key Market Trends

Wind Energy as a Significant Electricity Source



- Harvesting energy from wind has been done for several decades, but it is only in the last few years that it has become more concerned about global climate change. The usage of wind power has reached a point where it has become a noticeable contributor to the worlds energy mix.

- The depleting fossil fuel reserves, declining cost of wind power generation, growing sensitivity toward environmental issues, and support from various governments across the world, through financial incentives support the exponential growth in the wind energy market,

- Global wind power installations increased from 14.86 GW in 2006 to 591 GW in 2018. The overall growth of the number of turbine installations made between 2006-2018 was primarily driven by declining costs due to improved materials and design and favorable government policies for wind power in major wind power countries, such as China, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and India.

- Government policies and targets play a crucial role in wind power development. As countries become increasingly concerned about climate change and the role of renewable energy in curtailing it, wind power, along with other renewable energy types, is expected to have more focus from all the countries, during the upcoming years.



Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Market



- Asia-Pacific renewable energy market majorly consists of 18 countries, with 52% of the worlds population, represent 88% of the people living in the region and account for nearly 39% of the global primary energy supply. China and India dominate the region, with 28% of the global energy supply.

- In 2018, the region has dominated the renewable energy market with the highest installed capacity of around 1000 gigawatts and generating more than 2000-terawatt hour of electricity. China is the dominating country within the region, with a majority share in electricity generation from the renewal sources.

- Among all the available renewable technology, hydropower dominates the region with maximum market share. During 2018, hydropower installed capacity exceeds 500 gigawatts, follows by the wind with installed capacity more than 200 gigawatts.

- During 2018, an investment of around USD 288 billion was put into the renewable energy sector, with China as the primary investor, accounting for 32% of the global investment. Investment in solar energy decreased drastically by 54%, while in wind energy investment declined by 6%.



Competitive Landscape

The renewable energy market is fragmented. Some of the key companies in the market include Siemens AG, Vestas Wind Systems A/S, General Electric Company, NextEra Energy Inc., Orsted A/S, Suzlon Energy Limited, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., and Avangrid Inc. among others



Reasons to Purchase this report:

- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

- 3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05986857/?utm_source=GNW



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ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Glynn Lunney, the NASA flight director who led the rescue of three Apollo 13 astronauts when their spacecraft ran into trouble en route to the moon, has died aged 84. Lunney passed away on March 19 in Clear Lake, Texas from stomach cancer.

The success of the United States space program would have been impossible without the work of people like Lunney, an aerospace engineer based at NASAs command center in Houston when the radio crackled with the words Houston, weve had a problem here, on April 13, 1970.

He joined NASA from its earliest days in 1958 and became the agencys chief flight director in 1968, in time to oversee humanitys maiden moon landing led by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on board Apollo 11.

His work was key to developing the Apollo 11 flight procedures and enabling its pioneering journey, when the space race was an inseparable part of the Cold Wars strategic deterrence doctrine. Lunney was part of a team pushing scientific boundaries while providing thrilling propaganda material for the United States, which the country broadcast across the globe.

But Lunney will be best remembered for his work bringing the astronauts onboard Apollo 13  James Lovell, Fred Haise and John Swigert  back to safety, remaining calm under the immense pressure of the mission while barely into his thirties.

Glynn Lunney (second left) standing at the flight director's console of NASAs mission control center on July 1966. NASA

When the spaceships service module, which housed its oxygen tanks and generator, was damaged in an explosion, the astronauts were told to stay inside their lunar lander instead, which was battery-powered. They abandoned a lunar landing and remained inside the lander, though it was intended to be used by two men for two days only.

The crew swapped back into their command module just before the spacecraft re-entered Earths atmosphere, and they were able to make a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Lunney described his cool-headed decision-making as the best piece of operations work I ever did or could hope to do.

We built a quarter-million-mile space highway paved by one decision, one choice and one innovation at a time, repeated constantly over almost four days to bring the crew safely home, he said in an interview recorded as part of NASAs oral history project. This space highway guided the crippled ship back to planet Earth, where people from all continents were bonded in support of these three explorers-in-peril. It was an inspiring and emotional feeling, reminding us once again of our common humanity.

It was far from his last NASA mission, however. In July 1975, another Apollo spacecraft with three astronauts docked with the Russian Soyuz spaceship. As the last mission of the Apollo program, and the first joint mission of two great rivals in space, it was a signal of rapprochement. The crews conducted experiments together and exchanged flags and gifts, laying the groundwork for what would later become the International Space Station.

Lunney, a great behind-the-scenes operator and space choreographer, watched all these developments from Earth. His efforts in guiding Apollo 13 home were later immortalized in the Ron Howard movie of the same name starring Tom Hanks.
Biden, in Pennsylvania, Details $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan It is not a plan that tinkers around the edges, President Biden said of his proposal to fix aging bridges, roads, rail lines and utilities. He wants to pay for it by raising the corporate tax rate to 28 percent, from 21 percent.

Biden introduces his infrastructure plan, calling it a once-in-a-generation investment in America. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:48 - 0:00 transcript Rebuild the Backbone of America: Biden Unveils Infrastructure Plan President Biden on Wednesday outlined his $2 trillion infrastructure plan that would rebuild and upgrade Americas physical infrastructure, funded primarily by an increase in corporate taxes. Two years ago, I began my campaign here in Pittsburgh, saying I was running to rebuild the backbone of America. And today, I return as your president to lay out the vision of how I believe we do that  rebuild the backbone of America. Its time to build our economy from the bottom up, from the middle out, not the top down. It hadnt worked very well. For the economy over all, it hadnt worked. Because Wall Street didnt build this country, you  great middle class  built this country, and unions built the middle class. The American jobs plan will modernize 20,000 miles of highways, roads and Main Streets that are in difficult, difficult shape right now. Well also repair 10,000 bridges, desperately needed upgrades to unclog traffic, keep people safe and connect our cities, towns and tribes across the country. Its not a plan that tinkers around the edges. Its a once-in-a-generation investment in America, unlike anything weve seen or done since we built the interstate highway system and the space race decades ago. In fact, its the largest American jobs investment since World War II. It will create millions of jobs, good-paying jobs, will grow the economy, make us more competitive around the world, promote our national security interest and put us in a position to win. The global competition with China in the upcoming years. Its big? Yes. Its bold? Yes. And we can get it done. President Biden on Wednesday outlined his $2 trillion infrastructure plan that would rebuild and upgrade Americas physical infrastructure, funded primarily by an increase in corporate taxes. Credit Credit... Anna Moneymaker for The New York Times President Biden introduced what he called a transformational plan to overhaul and upgrade Americas physical infrastructure on Wednesday afternoon, promising it would create the most resilient, innovative economy in the world. It is not a plan that tinkers around the edges, Mr. Biden said. It is a once-in-a-generation investment in America. Unlike anything we have seen or done, since we built the interstate highway system and the space race decades ago. In fact, the largest American jobs investment since World War II. Mr. Biden appeared at a carpenters training center outside Pittsburgh to unveil his $2 trillion infrastructure plan, a far-reaching proposal that he will seek to pay for with a substantial increase in corporate taxes. The scale of the infrastructure program he is rolling out  one of the most ambitious attempts in generations to shore up the nations aging roads, bridges, rail lines and utilities  is so big that it will require 15 years of higher taxes on corporations to fully offset eight years of spending. The measure, called the American Jobs Plan, is the first step in a two-part agenda to overhaul American capitalism, fight climate change and try to improve the productivity of the economy. He said the second step, the American Family Plan, would come in a matter of weeks. Despite his ambitious programs, Mr. Biden had pledged that his long-term economic agenda would not add further to the growing national debt. But the fact that his proposed tax increases would not cover his spending over the same period shows the challenge he has in balancing his big goals and the deficit. Mr. Biden pitched the first phase of his plan in a variety of terms, including global competitiveness, racial justice and the fight against climate change. But he also appealed to Americans daily routines, promising higher wages, less expensive internet service and new transit lines that would reduce commuting times. These are investments we have to make, he said. Mr. Bidens proposals include raising the corporate tax rate to 28 percent from 21 percent and efforts to force multinational corporations to pay significantly more in tax to the United States on profits they earn and book overseas. The corporate tax rate had been cut under President Donald J. Trump to 21 percent from 35 percent. Mr. Biden said on Wednesday that his proposed tax changes on global income alone would raise $1 trillion over the span of 15 years. Republicans and business groups criticized those tax proposals, calling them non-starters for bipartisan negotiations. Mr. Biden acknowledged the criticism, even as he defended asking companies to pay more in taxes. And he said he would continue to work on winning Republican support for his proposal. He had already spoken with Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, about the bill and planned to invite other Republicans to the White House. Mr. Biden challenged critics to offer their own proposals to pay for the plan. Im open to other ideas, he said, so long as they do not impose any tax increase on people making less than $400,000. The new plans come on top of the $1.9 trillion stimulus plan Mr. Biden signed into law this month, which was financed entirely by borrowing and was passed with no Republican support. The programs reflect Mr. Bidens campaign promises and a leftward shift in his party in recent years. If his full set of proposals become law, they would mark a new era of ambitious federal spending to address longstanding social and economic problems. Their odds of passing Congress have risen in the midst of a pandemic in which lawmakers have approved record amounts of government spending to rescue the economy from recession. The spending in the first phase of Mr. Bidens two-part agenda includes a wide range of investments in physical infrastructure, including highways, mass transit and electric vehicle charging systems and upgrades to water pipes, the electric grid and veterans hospitals. It also includes a big increase in federal research and development spending and efforts to provide home-based care to older and disabled Americans. The second step will feature spending and tax credits meant to invest in what liberal economists call human infrastructure. It will include aid to the poor, paid leave for workers and measures meant to reduce the cost of child care and help women work and earn more. Together, those two proposals could cost as much as $4 trillion between spending increases and tax incentives. The second phase of the proposals is expected to include tax increases on high-earning individuals. Jim Tankersley and

House Democrats want to pass the infrastructure bill by July 4. Republicans are lining up to oppose it. Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised to move President Bidens infrastructure legislation through the House as quickly as possible. Credit... Anna Moneymaker for The New York Times Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has signaled that she hopes to pass President Bidens big infrastructure bill as early as July 4  even as Republicans lined up on Wednesday in near-lock-step opposition to the tax hikes planned to fund the $2 trillion measure. The ambitious timetable could slip as debate intensifies over aspects of the plan, particularly since Democrats hold such a slim majority and cannot afford to lose many votes in the House. In a statement, Ms. Pelosi called Mr. Bidens big proposal a a visionary, once-in-a-century investment in the American people and promised to move it through the House as quickly as possible. The potential timeline was reported earlier by Punchbowl News. Even before the president unveiled the package during a speech outside Pittsburgh, Democrats began rallying around the plan with statements of effusive praise. The measure includes a large scale upgrade of the nations bridges, roads, water treatment facilities, green energy programs, housing initiatives and improvements to the power grid. Republicans have begun weighing in, and mostly negatively, on Mr. Bidens proposal to hike taxes on corporations. Representative Kevin Brady of Texas, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, warned that the proposed tax increases could be the biggest economic blunder in our lifetimes. Despite a long history of bipartisan agreement on the economic benefits of infrastructure, he added, President Biden has chosen a partisan path that severely weakens Americas competitiveness overseas and has China, Europe and our other economic competitors cheering. At an event in Kentucky on Wednesday, Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, said Mr. Biden had called him about the proposal on Tuesday, but suggested he was unlikely to support the package, calling it a Trojan horse. Inside the Trojan horse is going to be more borrowed money and massive tax increases on all the productive parts of our economy, Mr. McConnell said at the eventWhite House officials hope to pick off a few moderate Republicans, in part to nominally assert that the bill has bipartisan support. But Republican operatives were already working Wednesday to keep their troops in line. When you are talking about tax hikes of this magnitude, I dont see there being any Republican support on the Hill, Marc Short, a longtime aide to former Vice President Mike Pence, said in an interview. Mr. Short, a veteran of anti-tax campaigns who worked for the Koch Brothers political network, has launched a new group, the Coalition to Protect American Workers, that is planning to raise $25 million to $50 million from conservative donors to fight Mr. Bidens plan. He said that if the White House succeeds in enlisting any Republican support for the bill, his group would be messaging in those districts. All of this foreshadows a partisan battle on an issue that Mr. Biden had long pointed to as an area for bipartisan work. It now seems more likely that Democrats will have to resort to budget reconciliation, the tactic used to ram through Mr. Bidens $1.9 trillion relief pandemic bill, which leaves party leaders no room for defections in the Senate. Glenn Thrush and

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Democrat Rita Hart ends election appeal in Iowa, sparing her party a politically awkward fight. Rita Hart during a debate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Credit... Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette, via Associated Press Rita Hart, a Democrat who ran for Congress in 2020 in southeastern Iowa and lost by only six votes, withdrew her request on Wednesday to have the House overturn the election results, ending a bitter dispute that had threatened to become a political liability for her party. The decision cemented Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican doctor, as the winner of one of the closest House contests in American history. It also spared Democratic leaders from having to weigh in on whether to throw out the results of a contested election, only months after former President Donald J. Trumps false claims of a stolen election fueled a partisan clash and a deadly riot at the Capitol. Republicans had signaled they were ready to turn the dispute into a political cudgel against the majority party, and some vulnerable Democrats who had come under attack on the issue in their districts were deeply uncomfortable with the prospect of intervening. In a statement on Wednesday, Ms. Hart repeated her claim that voters had been silenced, but acknowledged that the contest had become politically fraught. Despite our best efforts to have every vote counted, the reality is that the toxic campaign of political disinformation to attack this constitutional review of the closest congressional contest in 100 years has effectively silenced the voices of Iowans, Ms. Hart said. It is a stain on our democracy that the truth has not prevailed and my hope for the future is a return to decency and civility. Ms. Harts campaign had identified 22 ballots that they believed were legally cast but wrongfully uncounted by state election officials during a districtwide recount in the fall. Rather than taking her case to court in Iowa before the election was certified, Ms. Hart opted to wait and appeal the results to the House Administration Committee, invoking a 1960s law. With Democrats in control of the chamber, they would have run the review and had the power to order their own recount and a vote by the full House on whether to unseat Ms. Miller-Meeks and seat their own candidate instead, which could have added to their 8-seat majority. Democratic leaders had argued that they were obliged to take the appeal seriously, but Republicans mobilized, charging them with hypocrisy and attempting to steal an election that had been verified by state officials. To drive home the point, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the Republican leader, flew to Iowa on Wednesday before Ms. Harts announcement to rail against what he termed an attempted political power grab designed to pad their margin of control. Iowans made a decision, Mr. McCarthy said. And its their voice, and they have a right to have Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who they elected, to continue to serve them. The dispute became a particularly tricky issue for politically vulnerable House Democrats, who became the targets of a coordinated pressure campaign on the matter. Republicans campaign arm found that the issue polled overwhelmingly favorably for them in the competitive districts they hope to flip in 2022.

Ray LaHood, Obamas transportation secretary, failed to disclose a $50,000 check from an associate of a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire. Ray LaHood with President Barack Obama at the White House in 2013. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times Ray LaHood, who served as transportation secretary for President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013, took $50,000 from an associate of a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire in 2012 and failed to disclose it, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday. Mr. LaHood, a former Republican congressman from Illinois, paid a $40,000 fine, according to the announcement from the U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles. He also repaid the $50,000 he had received. The office said that Mr. LaHood, who was suffering financial difficulties at the time, admitted to accepting a $50,000 check from an associate of the billionaire, Gilbert Chagoury. The memo of the check said Loan, the office said. Mr. LaHood did not disclose the check on two government ethics forms because he did not want to be associated with Chagoury, and he later made misleading statements to F.B.I. agents, the office said. Efforts to reach Mr. LaHood or a representative Wednesday evening were not immediately successful. In a separate matter, the office said Mr. Chagoury had paid $1.8 million to resolve allegations related to illegal foreign campaign contributions.

Pentagon issues new rules overturning Trumps ban on transgender troops. In a news conference, Stephanie Miller, the director of the Pentagons Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said an estimated 1,000 to 8,000 service members identify as transgender. Credit... Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times The Pentagon on Wednesday erased a Trump-era ban on transgender people serving in the military, issuing new rules that would offer them access to gender transition care and medical services denied under the Trump administration. The sweeping guidelines allow transgender people to enlist and serve openly as the gender they identify with and receive medically necessary care authorized by law. They also prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity. The change follows an executive order signed by President Biden in January that restored protections put in place during the Obama administration that had opened the ranks of the armed services to transgender people. The order gave the Defense Department 60 days to evaluate the guidelines. The Pentagon announced the shift on the same day that Mr. Biden proclaimed a transgender day of visibility. The president and top administration officials posted on Twitter that transgender rights are human rights and called for Americans to stamp out discrimination against transgender people. Advocates for the reversal of the ban were elated. We have consistently said that restoring a policy of full inclusion for transgender troops would be straightforward, Aaron Belkin, the director of the Palm Center, said in a statement. This is a big step toward making our military stronger and fairer, and it recognizes years of research showing that a single standard for all service members improves readiness and allows for the widest possible pool of qualified personnel. John F. Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said during a news conference that the Defense Department would lead by example on the issue of transgender rights.

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Investigators say a Trump aide took it upon himself to award hefty pandemic contracts. Peter Navarro speaking to reporters outside the White House in October 2020. Credit... Anna Moneymaker for The New York Times The Trump administration was so slow to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic that a top aide to President Donald J. Trump took matters into his own hands. That aide, Peter Navarro, Mr. Trumps deputy assistant and trade adviser, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, a preliminary investigation by House Democrats has found. Mr. Navarro sounded an early alarm about supply shortages, according to emails and other documents released by a House committee overseeing the federal coronavirus response. In a memo dated March 1, 2020, he complained that movement has been slow. After that, documents show, he prodded the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award a $96 million sole-source contract for respirators to AirBoss Defense Group, a defense industry supplier, telling a company executive everything you requested is OK, even though no contract had been signed. The agency awarded the sole-source contract six days later. AirBoss was represented by a retired Army general, Jack Keane, who had been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Mr. Trump just days before the contract was issued. In a statement, Mr. Navarro said he wanted to move aggressively to combat the threat of the virus. In a war, you need to move with warp speed, he wrote. My mission was to assist the president in saving lives, which we undeniably did. Given the same set of facts, I would do everything exactly the same. Full stop! But the Democrats, led by Representative James C. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 House Democrat, questioned Mr. Navarros efforts. They noted that officials in Mr. Navarros office had coordinated with executives at the Eastman Kodak Company, best known for its photography business, which then entered into a letter of intent in June 2020 to collaborate on the domestic manufacture of pharmaceutical agents, even though the company had no experience in that field. Mr. Navarro also pushed for the Trump administration to award a $354 million contract to Phlow, a brand-new company in Richmond, Va., to manufacture generic medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients  an effort aimed at building up an American manufacturing base for products that were needed to treat Covid-19 but were made overseas. The Democrats investigation found that Mr. Navarro had been introduced to Phlows chief executive in November 2019. My head is going to explode if this contract does not get immediately approved, Mr. Navarro wrote to top federal health officials in March 2020. This is a travesty. I need PHLOW noticed by Monday morning. This is being screwed up. Lets move this now. We need to flip the switch and they cant move until you do. FULL funding as we discussed.

Jill Biden visits a pop-up vaccination site for farmworkers on trip to California for Cesar Chavez Day. Jill Biden, the first lady, delivered remarks for Cesar Chavez Day, a holiday honoring the labor organizer. Credit... Pool photo by Anna Moneymaker DELANO, Calif.  Jill Biden, the first lady, traveled to California on Wednesday to visit a pop-up vaccination site for farmworkers who have lobbied for priority access to shots amid the pandemic. She told them that their work  and their health  had been essential to a nation crippled by the virus. We depended on those who kept going to work every single day, Dr. Biden told a crowd of about 100 farm workers who had gathered to mark the birthday of Cesar Chavez, the labor organizer who formed the countrys first successful farmworkers union. Without the farmworkers who kept harvesting our food, or the factory workers who packaged it, the grocery store clerks who stocked shelves, no one would have made it through this year. When she arrived at the Forty Acres property just west of Delano, a National Historic Landmark that became the headquarters of the United Farm Workers of America, the first lady was greeted by several members of Mr. Chavezs family. Dr. Biden heard from a group of women farmworkers who picked grapes and blueberries in nearby fields. They asked the Biden administration to provide pathways to citizenship, protection from discrimination, and stronger union representation. Were a union couple, Dr. Biden replied. At one point, the first lady heard from a 27-year-old mother of three that some women were forced to bring their babies and young children to the fields because they did not have access to child care. The first lady told the woman that she hoped some money from the $1.9 trillion stimulus package would reach those workers, but the woman replied that many were undocumented. In a sign of the labor movements significance to the Biden administration, a member of the Chavez family had traveled with her from Washington: Julie C. Rodriguez, the White Houses director of intergovernmental affairs, is Mr. Chavezs granddaughter. During her remarks, Dr. Biden said that President Biden supported the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bill that would grant temporary legal status to seasonal farm workers, many of whom are undocumented, and offer a 10-year path to citizenship. As president, Joe is fighting for people who often go unseen, Dr. Biden said. And thats exactly the kind of immigration policy hes working to build  one that treats children and families with dignity and creates fair pathways to citizenship, including for essential workers. Thousands of Central Valley farmworkers are scheduled to receive the coronavirus vaccine at Forty Acres over six weekends in March and April. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat, and his partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, joined the first lady at the site. Earlier this year, California kicked off a landmark effort to get vaccines to farmworkers, many of whom are undocumented and whose close-quarter working conditions have left them particularly vulnerable to the virus. Researchers from Purdue University estimate that about 500,000 agricultural workers have tested positive for the virus and at least 9,000 have died from it. The virus has killed over 550,000 people in the United States, according to a New York Times count. Over the course of Mr. Bidens first two months in office, union leaders have praised his administration as one of the most labor-friendly in modern history. One of Mr. Bidens first official acts was to move a bust of Mr. Chavez into the Oval Office, a decision Dr. Biden pointed out to applause at the event. Dr. Biden also frequently repeated the farmworker unions motto, Si, se puede, (Yes, we can) several times during the course of her speech. Cesar dared to believe that our country could change  that we could change it, Dr. Biden said. Now, its on us to live up to that promise.

Some major companies are denouncing Georgias new voting law after prominent Black executives spoke out about it. Kenneth Chenault, left, a former chief executive of American Express, and Kenneth Frazier, the chief executive of Merck, organized a letter signed by 72 Black business leaders. Credit... Left, Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; right, Spencer Platt/Getty Images Companies that remained silent last week as Georgia Republicans rushed to pass a law to restrict voting access reversed course on Wednesday in the face of mounting outrage from activists, customers and a coalition of powerful Black executives. Delta, Georgias largest employer, had made only general statements in support of voting rights last week and had declined to take a position on the legislation. That muted response drew fierce criticism, as well as protests at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and calls for a boycott. But on Wednesday, Ed Bastian, Deltas chief executive, made a stark reversal. I need to make it crystal clear that the final bill is unacceptable and does not match Deltas values, he wrote in an internal memo that was reviewed by The New York Times. Coca-Cola, another of Georgias largest companies that had also declined to take a position on the legislation before it passed, made similarly worded statement. I want to be crystal clear, said James Quincey, Coca-Colas chief executive. The Coca-Cola Company does not support this legislation, as it makes it harder for people to vote, not easier. The abrupt reversals came less than a day after 72 prominent Black executives called on companies to publicly oppose a wave of similarly restrictive voting bills that Republicans are advancing in almost every state in the country. That effort was led by Kenneth Chenault, a former chief executive of American Express, and Kenneth Frazier, the chief executive of Merck. There is no middle ground here, Mr. Chenault said. You either are for more people voting, or you want to suppress the vote. The executives did not criticize specific companies, but instead called on all of corporate America to publicly and directly oppose new laws that would restrict the rights of Black voters, and to use their clout, money and lobbyists to sway the debate with lawmakers. This impacts all Americans, but we also need to acknowledge the history of voting rights for African-Americans, Mr. Chenault said. And as African-American executives in corporate America, what we were saying is we want corporate America to understand that, and we want them to work with us. In the days before the Georgia law was passed, almost no major companies spoke out against the legislation, which introduced stricter voter identification requirements for absentee balloting, limited drop boxes and expanded the legislatures power over elections. The executives are hoping that big companies will help prevent dozens of similar bills in other states from becoming law. The Georgia legislature was the first one, Mr. Frazier said. If corporate America doesnt stand up, well get these laws passed in many places in this country. Andrew Ross Sorkin and

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The E.P.A. administrator purges its scientific advisory boards, which included many Trump appointees. Michael Regan, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator, said he intends to reconstitute, restore and create new committees to better address E.P.A. priorities. Credit... Pool photo by Caroline Brehman Michael Regan, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, on Wednesday fired dozens of independent scientific advisers, many of whom were installed under the Trump administration, in an effort to rebuild what he described as a balanced group of experts to inform clean air and water policy. The scientists and experts sat on independent boards which play a critical role at the E.P.A., advising the agency on everything from air quality standards to pesticide use. In a statement, Mr. Regan said resetting the Science Advisory Board and the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee will ensure the agency receives the best possible scientific insight to support our work to protect human health and the environment. Mr. Regan added that he intends to reconstitute, restore and create new committees to better address E.P.A. priorities. But the decision was criticized by the American Chemistry Council as irregular, and some former board members said the move was every bit as political as decisions made under the Trump administration. John Graham, who was appointed during the Trump administration to lead the Science Advisory Board, said the move showed the progression of Washington D.C. into the notion that everybody gets to pick their own scientists, and called it very sad. Now for the first time in the agencys 50-year history, we have an administrator interested in scientific advice only from those scientists he has personally appointed, said Dr. Graham, who does not intend to seek reinstatement to the board. Supporters of the ousting noted that President Donald J. Trumps administrators transformed the advisory boards in ways that courts ultimately found to be illegal, and prevented many independent scientists from serving, instead packing the boards with industry-funded specialists. Chris Zarba, who previously served as director of the E.P.A.s Science Advisory Board, called Mr. Regans purge necessary. It has not ever been done before, Mr. Zarba said. But, he argued, the advisory boards have never been in this situation before, so I think its absolutely the right thing to do. I dont see any other alternative. Mr. Trumps first E.P.A. administrator, Scott Pruitt, barred anyone who had received grants from the agency from serving on its boards, leading to the firing of several academic researchers and shutting out others from applying. A court later ruled the policy was illegal, but the agency did not restore those scientists. In recent weeks, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security have also cleared out advisory boards that had been filled with Mr. Trumps appointees.

Biden bets that tackling climate change will create jobs, not kill them. Windmills dot the landscape on a wind farm in Carbon County, Wyo. Credit... Benjamin Rasmussen for The New York Times In 2017, as President Donald J. Trump was announcing the United States withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, the largest global effort to attack planetary warming, he declared, I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. On Wednesday, President Biden traveled to Pittsburgh to try to make the opposite case: that the workers Mr. Trump was appealing to have more to gain from combating climate change than to lose. It is going to be a tough bet. To Mr. Biden, a $2 trillion infrastructure plan is about creating union jobs, hundreds of thousands of them, in wind and solar power, electric cars and road- and bridge-building. Even those more basic infrastructure projects would have a climate angle: the new roads and bridges would be built to withstand the high waters and brutal storms of a changing climate. I am a union guy. I support unions, unions built the middle class. It is about time you start to get a piece of the action, Mr. Biden said in Pittsburgh. He promised good paying jobs for American workers making American products. That is not a new pitch. For decades, Democrats have insisted jobs versus the environment is a false choice. But in the scale of his proposal and the audacity of his promises, Mr. Biden may be laying his political future on that idea. He faces a lot of skepticism. In Pennsylvania, which put Mr. Biden over the top in November, and then hosted his speech on Wednesday, some union workers dont see how skills honed over decades in fossil fuel industries would translate in a clean-energy future. They keep saying, Were going to transition you into solar jobs. Thats not how it works, said Shawn Steffee, a leader of the Boilermakers Local 154 in Pittsburgh. We build power plants, petrochemical plants and maintain steel mills. He asked, Would you ask Tom Brady to play middle linebacker just because hes a football player? Coral Davenport, Noam Scheiber and

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The Biden administration lets a Trump-era ban on some foreign work visas expire. An I.T. management consultant worked from New Delhi in June after President Donald J. Trumps executive order suspending H-1B visas prevented him from returning to the United States. Credit... Manish Swarup/Associated Press President Biden will let a ban on certain temporary foreign work visas expire on Wednesday, according to two administration officials, reopening a labor pool that was cut off by his predecessor during the coronavirus pandemic. Former President Donald J. Trump blocked visas for a variety of jobs in a sweeping order last June, including those for computer programmers and engineers who enter the United States on H-1B visas, students on work-study programs and seasonal workers in the hospitality industry. The Trump administration said at the time that the ban on temporary work visas, as well as a separate block on green cards, was necessary to protect employment opportunities for Americans who lost their jobs because of the economic toll of the pandemic. But numerous studies have shown that immigrants benefit the economy. Business leaders openly criticized the orders as blocking critically needed employees willing to work jobs that Americans are not willing to do or capable of doing. After business associations filed a lawsuit against the order on foreign workers, a federal judge in California in October lifted the ban on a large number of the work visas. The ruling at the time only applied to members of organizations that sued the administration, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Retail Federation, Intrax Inc., which sponsors cultural exchanges, and TechNet, a technology industry group. Mr. Biden had already revoked Mr. Trumps ban on new green cards, saying it did not advance the interests of the United States. Even during the pandemic, Mr. Biden said the restrictions harmed the nation by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here. It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world.

Virginias governor announces his support for a sweeping voting rights bill. Virginias bill protecting and expanding access to voting comes at a time when Republican legislatures across the country have been seeking to erect new barriers to the ballot box. Credit... Alyssa Schukar for The New York Times Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia cleared the way for a landmark voting rights bill to become law in his state on Thursday, announcing his approval of a sweeping proposal that recreates one of the core components of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 that has since been hollowed out by the Supreme Court. The bill, called the Virginia Voting Rights Act, would recreate a process known as preclearance for any changes to election administration and logistics that would impact voting. Any locality in Virginia wishing to make changes to precinct locations, move elections offices and other changes would have to either hold a public comment period or seek approval from the state attorney general. At a time when voting rights are under attack across our country, Virginia is expanding access to the ballot box, not restricting it, Mr. Northam said in a statement. With the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, our Commonwealth is creating a model for how states can provide comprehensive voter protections that strengthen democracy and the integrity of our elections. I am proud to support this historic legislation, and I urge Congress to follow Virginias example. The provision is very similar to section 5 of the original federal Voting Rights Act, which forced states with a history of segregation and racially targeted voter suppression laws to obtain approval from the Department of Justice before making any changes to voting laws, regulations or administration. Virginia was one of the states under preclearance. But the Supreme Court hollowed out enforcement of section 5 in a landmark decision in 2013, Shelby v. Holder, effectively removing the protection across the country. Virginias bill protecting and expanding access to voting comes at a time when Republican legislatures across the country have been seeking to erect new barriers to the ballot box. Georgia passed a law last week overhauling the states election process with a host of new restrictions, and Texas, Arizona, Florida and other states are continuing efforts to pass similar bills. Mr. Northam, a Democrat, said that he made minor technical adjustments to the bill, which was sponsored by Senator Jennifer McClellan and Delegate Marcia Price, two Black lawmakers who are also Democrats. It is expected to be ratified by the state legislature when they reconvene on April 7 for final passage.

Hunter Bidens new memoir comes out next week. Here are some key takeaways. Hunter Biden in his art studio in Los Angeles in late 2019. Credit... Elizabeth Weinberg for The New York Times Hunter Biden doesnt beat around the bush when it comes to personal revelations in his new memoir, Beautiful Things, which comes out on April 6. Im a 51-year-old father who helped raise three beautiful daughters, writes President Bidens younger son, who now has a year-old son of his own, in the prologue. Ive bought crack cocaine on the streets of Washington, D.C., and cooked up my own inside a hotel bungalow in Los Angeles. He added, In the last five years alone, my two-decades-long marriage has dissolved, guns have been put in my face, and at one point I dropped clean off the grid, living in $59-a-night Super 8 motels off I-95 while scaring my family even more than myself. The book is equal parts family saga, grief narrative and addicts howl. Here are some key takeaways: In 2016, while his father was vice president, Mr. Biden spent a month in a Washington apartment bingeing on vodka. He had relapsed after the death of his brother Beau the previous year. He recalls his fathers words toward him at the time: He never let me forget that all was not lost. He never abandoned me, never shunned me, never judged me, no matter how bad things got  and believe me, from there they would get much, much worse.

When it comes to his board membership at the Ukrainian company Burisma Holdings, Mr. Bidens account is as dry as toast. An 18-page chapter that reads like a research paper compiled by a reluctant student. The episode that led to the impeachment of a president and landed me in the heart of the decades biggest political fable is most remarkable for its epic banality, he writes.

He credits his wife, Melissa Cohen, for his sobriety. They met in early 2019, when he was at a low point. An hour into their first dinner, they declared their love to one another. An hour after that, Mr. Biden told Ms. Cohen that he was a crack addict. She said, Not anymore. Youre finished with that.

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Matt Gaetz is said to face Justice Dept. inquiry over sex with an underage girl. Representative Matt Gaetz said in an interview that he had no plans to resign his House seat and denied that he had romantic relationships with minors. Credit... T.J. Kirkpatrick for The New York Times The Justice Department is investigating whether Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican of Florida and a close ally of former President Donald J. Trump, had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him, according to three people briefed on the matter. Investigators are examining whether Mr. Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws, the people said. A variety of federal statutes make it illegal to induce someone under 18 to travel over state lines to engage in sex in exchange for money or something of value. The Justice Department regularly prosecutes such cases, and offenders often receive severe sentences. It was not clear how Mr. Gaetz met the girl, believed to be 17 at the time of encounters about two years ago that investigators are scrutinizing, according to two of the people. The investigation was opened in the final months of the Trump administration under Attorney General William P. Barr, the two people said. Given Mr. Gaetzs national profile, senior Justice Department officials in Washington  including some appointed by Mr. Trump  were notified of the investigation, the people said. The three people said that the examination of Mr. Gaetz, 38, is part of a broader investigation into a political ally of his, a local official in Florida named Joel Greenberg, who was indicted last summer on an array of charges, including sex trafficking of a child and financially supporting people in exchange for sex, at least one of whom was an underage girl. Mr. Greenberg, who has since resigned his post as tax collector in Seminole County, north of Orlando, was at the White House with Mr. Gaetz in 2019, according to a photograph that Mr. Greenberg posted on Twitter. No charges have been brought against Mr. Gaetz, and the extent of his criminal exposure is unclear. Mr. Gaetz said in an interview that his lawyers had been in touch with the Justice Department and that they were told he was the subject, not the target, of an investigation. I only know that it has to do with women, Mr. Gaetz said. I have a suspicion that someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward. Mr. Gaetz called the investigation part of an elaborate scheme involving false sex allegations to extort him and his family for $25 million that began this month. He said he and his father, Don Gaetz, had been cooperating with the F.B.I. and wearing a wire after they were approached by people saying they could make the investigation go away. In a second interview later Tuesday, the congressman said he had no plans to resign his House seat and denied that he had romantic relationships with minors. It is verifiably false that I have traveled with a 17-year-old woman, he said. Representatives for the Justice Department and the F.B.I. declined to comment, as did a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorneys office in Central Florida. Michael S. Schmidt, Katie Benner and

2 Capitol Police officers sue Donald Trump over the Jan. 6 riot. Police officers attempt to push back a pro-Trump mob at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Credit... Samuel Corum/Getty Images Two Capitol Police officers who were on duty during the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol sued former President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday, saying he was responsible for the physical and emotional injuries they had suffered as a result of the days events. Supporters of Mr. Trump overran the Capitol as Congress was certifying Joe Bidens victory over Mr. Trump in the November presidential election. Before the incursion, Mr. Trump spoke at a nearby rally, where he urged his supporters to show strength and fight like hell. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died in the mayhem. Mr. Trump was later impeached by the House of Representatives on a single charge of incitement of insurrection, but was acquitted in February after a brief Senate trial in which few Republicans broke ranks to vote guilty. The Capitol Police officers who sued Mr. Trump, James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, filed their complaint in the Federal District Court in the District of Columbia, and are each seeking compensatory damages in excess of $75,000, plus punitive damages. The lawsuit is the first to be brought against the former president by Capitol Police officers. The force has more than 2,000 officers. Lawyers for the officers and for Mr. Trump could not be reached for comment early Wednesday. Mr. Trump has previously denied responsibility for the attack. The complaint said the insurrectionist mob that stormed the Capitol was spurred on by Trumps conduct over many months in getting his followers to believe his false assertions of widespread electoral fraud in November. The complaint also said that Mr. Trumps supporters believed swarming the Capitol was their last chance to stop Mr. Trump from being unfairly forced out of the White House. Mr. Trump inflamed, encouraged, incited, directed, and aided and abetted the mob that overran the building and attacked police personnel inside, the complaint said. It cited Mr. Trumps Jan. 6 speech and other conduct, including what it said was his failure that day to take timely action to stop his followers from continued violence.

Analysis: Biden is using his infrastructure week to argue that government can do big things that the private sector cannot. President Bidens infrastructure plan is a mammoth public investment that amounts to about 1 percent of gross domestic product for each of the next eight years. Credit... Anna Moneymaker for The New York Times It has been 40 years since President Ronald Reagan declared in his first inaugural address that government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem. The infrastructure plan that President Biden described on Wednesday  $2 trillion in federal investment in poured concrete, electric car chargers, artificial intelligence and social engineering  is a bet that government can do colossal things that the private sector cannot. In fact, when the long-awaited infrastructure week finally arrived in Washington, it turned out to be about a lot more than just new highways and the replacement of old lead pipes. Urged on by the left wing of his party, and reminded by historians that Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson went big, Mr. Biden is using the framework of rebuilding crumbling highways and bridges to try to reshape the American economy by focusing more on long-range problems like climate change and inequality that have been caught up in the culture wars. It will take years to know whether Mr. Bidens initiative will have the lasting power of the New Deal or the Great Society, or whether it can change the paradigm, as he argued a few weeks ago. Yet it is already clear it is based on the gamble that the country is ready to dispose with one of the main tenets of the Reagan revolution, and show that for some tasks the government can jump-start the economy more efficiently than market forces. Mr. Biden has also made a bet that the trauma of the coronavirus pandemic and the social and racial inequities it underscored have changed the political center of gravity for the nation. It is not the first time Reagans reliance on markets to fix the nation has been challenged, but no previous effort in recent decades was on the scale Mr. Biden presented on Wednesday.

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FBI agents recruited a Proud Boys leader to provide information about antifa networks months before he was charged with storming the U.S. Capitol alongside other members of the far-right extremist group, a defense attorney said.

Proud Boys 'thought leader' and organizer Joseph Biggs agreed to provide the FBI with information about anti-fascist activists in Florida and elsewhere after an agent contacted him in late July 2020 and arranged to meet at a restaurant, Biggs' lawyer, J. Daniel Hull, wrote Monday in a court filing.

The two agents who met with Biggs wanted to know what he was 'seeing on the ground,' Hull said. Over the next few weeks, Biggs answered an agent's questions in a series of phone calls.

'They spoke often,' said Hull, who is petitioning a judge to keep Biggs out of jail pending trial.

Biggs, 37, of Ormond Beach, Florida, and three other Proud Boys leaders were indicted March 10 on charges they planned and carried out a coordinated attack on the Capitol on January 6 to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's electoral victory.

Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs, center with hat and glasses, walks toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in support of President Donald Trump on January 6

At least 20 others in the group were charged in federal court with offenses related to the riots. About 350 people have been charged in the riot that killed five people, including a Capitol police officer.

Proud Boys members describe themselves as a politically incorrect men's club for 'Western chauvinists.' Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes, who founded the group in 2016, sued the Southern Poverty Law Center for labeling it as a hate group.

The law center said Proud Boys members often spread 'outright bigotry' over the internet and have posted social media pictures of themselves with prominent Holocaust deniers, white nationalists and 'known neo-Nazis.'

Proud Boys leaders Enrique Tarrio, left, and Joe Biggs at a rally in Portland, Oregon, on August 17, 2019

Proud Boys leaders Joe Biggs, in green hat, and Enrique Tarrio, holding megaphone, march with members of the group and other right-wing demonstrators march across a bridge during an August 17, 2019, rally in Portland, Oregon

Biggs is not the first Proud Boys informant.

The group's chairman and top leader, Enrique Tarrio, previously worked undercover and cooperated with investigators after he was accused of fraud in 2012, court documents show.

Justice Department prosecutors want to jail Biggs while he and the others await trial because he 'presents a danger not only based on his own potential violence, but violence by others who undoubtedly still support him.'

J. Daniel Hull, defense attorney for Proud Boys organizer Joe Biggs

Biggs' lawyer said the incarceration attempt hinges on evidence that is speculative at best.

'Importantly, the FBI has known about his political commentary and role in planning events and counter-protests in Portland and other cities since at least July 2020 and arguably benefitted from that knowledge in efforts to gather intelligence about Antifa in Florida and Antifa networks operating across the United States,' Hull wrote.

Antifa was the Trump administration's scapegoat for much of last year's social unrest following the death of George Floyd. Trump and then-Attorney General William Barr blamed antifa activists for violence at protests over police killings of black people across the U.S.

FBI agents responded to police stations in several cities to question suspects arrested during protests, focusing on those who self-identified as followers of the movement, a bureau official said.

FBI Director Christopher Wray is sworn in during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington D.C., on March 2

Wray has said there was no evidence antifa was to blame for the January 6 Capitol violence, when rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to stop the certification of the election results confirming Joe Biden as president

But investigators struggled to make any cases, in part because there is no hierarchical structure to antifa. It is not a single organization, but rather an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups confronting or resisting neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations, the official said.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has said there was no evidence antifa was to blame for the January 6 Capitol violence.

Eric Ward, executive director of the Portland-based Western States Center, which tracks hate groups, said it was 'deeply concerning' to learn that Biggs worked with the FBI, particularly because law enforcement has 'frequently maintained inappropriately close relations with far-right groups.'

Proud Boys members describe themselves as a politically incorrect men's club for 'Western chauvinists.'

Proud Boys and protesters who self-identify as antifa frequently clash at public events, including a rally in Washington, D.C. where police used pepper spray against activists

Antifa and conservative activists have both been accused of violence, but a center tracking hate groups says law enforcement has 'frequently maintained inappropriately close relations with far-right groups'

The Proud Boys actively promoted violence and street brawling at the rallies in Portland, Ward said, and Biggs 'called for violence in the streets.'

'Law enforcement has no credible reason for working with someone like Biggs. It's long past time for a clear accounting of institutional and professional law enforcement relationships with groups espousing political violence at home and abroad,' Ward wrote in an email.


Christian woman says she asked God to stop deadly Alabama tornado and He did

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As a deadly tornado tore through parts of Alabama last Thursday, demolishing property and taking lives, a devout Catholic woman who sought refuge in a basement closet inside her now destroyed home said she asked God to stop the tornado and it did.

I was praying to God, Mary Rose DeArman told AL.com as Gov. Kay Ivey surveyed the damage from the tornado in her state Monday. When we got in that closet, I prayed to God, Let it stop, and it stopped.

Mary Rose, 69, and her husband Larry, 74, had to climb up two ladders to get out of the rubble of their home in the Eagle Point subdivision of Shelby County. The only thing that was left standing was an armless angel statue.

Never in my life did I think I would be climbing a ladder, she told the publication. I climbed that ladder like a monkey up a flagpole.

She further told Ivey in an interview that it was by the grace of God and good neighbors that she and her husband survived after their home was leveled.

The neighbors dug me out and I had to climb up two sets of ladders to get out and then they had to dig him out, she said of her husband. But we only got a few scratches.

The couple attends weekly mass at Our Lady of the Valley Church, and Mary Rose, who prays the rosary every morning, believes their lives were spared for a purpose.

It had to be from God, she told AL.com. Gods got a purpose. We dont know what that purpose is. Well have to wait and see.

If she had to take a guess as to what that purpose is, she said, it would be to get the message out that God is in control of everything.

I dont know why we got spared, she said. Most people look at that and say no way anybody could have survived.

State Rep. Arnold Mooney told the publication that volunteer crews from the Church of the Highlands and Meadowbrook Baptist Church helped clear debris from the road so emergency vehicles could enter the neighborhood to provide assistance.

While the DeArmans were celebrating surviving the tornado, however, Kalvin Bowers of Ohatchee told Ivey how he lost three family members and almost everything in Thursdays tornado.

We really dont have nowhere to stay, Bowers told Ivey, speaking of his 10 surviving family members who lived among five destroyed mobile homes on his property, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.

Bowers sister, Barbara Harris, 69; her husband, Joe Wayne Harris, 74; and their 38-year-old daughter, Ebonique Harris, died in the tornado. Two other residents of Calhoun County also died on Thursday. James William Geno, 71, died at his mobile home in Ohatchee, while Emily Myra Wilborn, 71, died at her Wellington home.

Bowers said his family has been gathering whatever personal items they can find from the rubble on their property until we can get past the funerals and begin to rebuild.

Its kind of a bad situation, he told Ivey. It looks like nobody ever lived here.

At a press conference at a volunteer station set up at Oak Bowery Missionary Baptist Church at the start of her tour, Ivey promised that she would do everything in our power to help those impacted come back, and come back stronger.
The Editor of 'The Informer' newspaper, Andy Kankam has chastised the Deputy Director of Legal Affairs of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Baba Jamal, for asserting that former President John Dramani Mahama is bigger than the NDC.



In an interview with the host of Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Kwame Nkrumah 'Tikese', the Editor of The Informer Newspaper said that Baba Jamal on his show has stated clearly that the opposition NDC needs Mahama more than he needs the party to win the next election.



But the Editor of the pro-NDC newspaper responding to the comment of the former Member of Parliament for Akwatia Constituency said it is rather unfortunate and not proper.



According to him, former President John Mahama cannot be bigger than the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC); thus, it is not possible for anybody to be considered bigger than the political party they belong to.



What Baba Jamal said on Okay FM, was it proper? How can somebody be bigger than a political party? Can I be bigger than the Republic of Ghana? What Baba Jamal said was a big goof. He should not have said that? Can the President of the Republic of Ghana be bigger than the country?, he quizzed.



Without doubting the popularity of former President John Mahama, Mr Andy Kankam lambasted Baba Jamal for saying that the NDC needs the former leader of the party than he needs the NDC through which he became the President of the Republic.



Was former President Mahama not sponsored by the NDC? He stood the election 2020 on the ticket of the NDC; he did not go independent and per the logic of Baba Jamal and many others who share the same view that the NDC needs former President Mahama more than he needs the party, then he should go into the next election as an independent candidate. It is a valid point to ask that he goes independent since he is bigger than the NDC," he argued.



He, therefore, reminded Baba Jamal that the popularity and the power former President Mahama possesses is due to the political party he belongs to.



What he [Baba Jamal] should not forget is that the NDC as a party is solid; it is strong. Instead of them addressing the main issues and concerns of party foot soldiers as well as many Ghanaians about vague utterances they speak in the media and address the indiscipline and putting party structures in place, they are there talking about Mahama is bigger than the NDC, he chided.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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No one should show hostility to an effort that can help New Jerseys local retail businesses, as well as take a slice off of homeowners highest-in-the-nation property taxes.

But a bill that just landed on Gov. Phil Murphys desk merits an exasperated Cmon, man, as our current president likes to say, followed by a Cant you do better than this?

The well-meaning legislation authorizes towns to set up programs in which shoppers get a discounts on their property tax bill if they sign up for an affinity card linked to the tax office, a vendor  such as a bank  that administers the program. Businesses must sign up, too. Especially for restaurants, which have been in COVID-19 purgatory lately, it could provide a nice boost in sales. Frequent diners, or repeat customers of places like auto service shops or dry cleaners are most likely to amass some savings.

Several towns, including Haddonfield and Voorhees Township in South Jersey, have offered these programs for a few years. Theres apparently no huge gray area that requires a new law to authorize them. But, its still OK that the bill skated through the state Senate 37-0, and the Assembly 72-0, on the same day last week. It would also be fine if Murphy were to sign it without hesitation.

Heres the rub, though. This is legislation that makes elected officials feel good about telling constituents that they are doing something about property taxes when, in reality, theyve done next to nothing.

Every municipality that rolls out one of these programs does so with a great deal of fanfare. For the Live Voorhees, Shop Voorhees! version, there are still large lawn signs as a reminder of the rebates. At launch time in each town, officials will deliver a version of this statement from Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti, D-Hudson, the bills main sponsor:

Municipalities across New Jersey have found a way to do the impossible; encourage residents to support local businesses, while at the same time lowering their property taxes. Businesses do more business. Shoppers know every dollar they spend at participating local stores and restaurants will lower their property tax bill.

Heres what shoppers also know. Youd have to order an awful lot of hoagies from the neighborhood deli, have exceptionally dirty dress clothes and a car that is always broken in order to build enough savings to make any headway against outrageous tax bills that can be double those of neighboring states.

An NJ Advance Media article about the bills passage noted soberly that the average property tax bill last year was $9,112. Thats a $159 increase from 2019. In Marlboro Township, which claims it was first in the nation to launch one of these rebate programs, the reward averages about 8% of a restaurant check or sales bill, but can range from 1% to 12%.

Another truth is that these programs deliver the most savings to households with the highest disposable incomes. You dont see listed among participating businesses Walmart, McDonalds or ShopRite, places where commoners spend most of their money. Whats good for the day-spa and latte crowd is not as good for ordinary homeowners, including seniors.

This year is likely to be better than 2020 in terms of property tax escalation. A boosted state budget has returned full Homestead Benefits to those who are eligible. Yet, the system remains imbalanced and regressive. A succession of legislative leaders and governors, including the current one, continue to congratulate themselves for slowing the rate of increase.

If your town has a card program, or starts one, by all means sign up and claim your rewards. You know who gets no reward? Those in Trenton who keep refusing to to consider alternatives to local property taxes, especially as a means of paying for schools.

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As COVID-19 vaccine supplies ramp up across the country, most provinces and territories have released details of who can expect to receive a shot in the coming weeks.

As COVID-19 vaccine supplies ramp up across the country, most provinces and territories have released details of who can expect to receive a shot in the coming weeks.

The military commander handling logistics for Canada's vaccine distribution program says there will be enough vaccine delivered to give a first dose before Canada Day to every adult who wants one.

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin says that's if provinces follow the advice to delay second doses up to four months.

He also cautions that it is dependent on having no production delays again.

Health Canada anticipates a total of 36.5 million doses from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India by June 30.

Canadian provinces suspended use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in people under age 55 on Monday, acting on an advisory committee's concerns about a possible link between the shot and rare blood clots.

Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief medical officer of health, said the risk of developing a serious problem after being immunized is "very, very low."

She said people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine should look for symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, sudden onset of severe or persistent headache or blurred vision and skin bruising elsewhere than the site of vaccination, developing four to 20 days after vaccination.

There are approximately 31 million Canadians over 16, and no vaccines are approved for anyone younger than 16.

Here's a list of the inoculation plans throughout Canada:

Newfoundland and Labrador

Health officials say vaccinations have begun for first responders. They say pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccines has opened for people aged 70 or older and for home-support workers.

Newfoundland and Labrador announced March 3 it was extending the interval between the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to four months.

Public health officials said the change will help them vaccinate 40,000 more people with a single dose by the end of March. Liberal Leader and incumbent Premier Andrew Furey said the decision is a game changer for the province's vaccination prospects.

Nova Scotia

Health officials say people aged 60 to 62 became eligible to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine starting March 18.

Nova Scotia plans to have vaccine available to at least 75 per cent of the population by the end of September 2021.

The province is planning to use mobile van clinics to vaccinate about 900 people who work at or use homeless shelters in the Halifax area.

Public health is partnering with pharmacists and doctors to provide the vaccines at 25 locations.

Nova Scotia, meanwhile, has added front-line police officers to the list of people eligible for vaccination during the second phase of the province's rollout plan, joining groups such as long-haul truck drivers and hospital workers over the age of 60.

Prince Edward Island

Health officials in Prince Edward Island say they will shift their focus to getting a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all adults by July 1, even if it means delaying the second shot for some.

The province is offering the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine people ages 18 to 29 who work in gas stations and convenience or grocery stores.

The announcement on March 16 came after the province opened AstraZeneca vaccination appointments a week earlier to young people in the food and beverage sector.

New Brunswick

Health officials announced March 18 that people 80 and older, health-care professionals who have close contact with patients, and people with complex medical conditions are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

People 80 and over, a caregiver or a family member acting on their behalf can make an appointment for a vaccine at a pharmacy.

The province says all residents of long-term care homes have been offered at least one dose of vaccine. As of March 19, all residents of First Nations communities who are aged 16 or older were given access to their first dose of vaccine.

Quebec

Quebec started vaccinating older seniors on March 1 after a first phase that focused largely on health-care workers, remote communities and long-term care. In Montreal, mass vaccine sites, including the Olympic Stadium, opened their doors to the public as the province began inoculating seniors who live in the hard-hit city.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments opened March 10 for residents 70 and older across Quebec. The minimum age is currently set at 65 in Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Cote-Nord. However, Montreal is dropping the age limit to 60.

Premier Francois Legault says his government's goal is for all adult Quebecers who want a COVID-19 vaccine to get at least one dose by the province's Fete nationale on June 24. He also said the province's vaccination campaign will allow all Quebecers aged 65 and over to be vaccinated with one dose by mid-April.

Quebec, meanwhile, is looking to enlist between 20 and 50 companies across the province to operate vaccination hubs to help accelerate its immunization campaign for people under 60.

Health Minister Christian Dube says he's hoping the companies can administer a total of one million vaccines.

To be part of the program, companies must commit to vaccinating between 15,000 and 25,000 people over a 12-week period between May and August.

Quebec will provide the vaccines and necessary equipment and run the online appointment portal. The program will begin when residents under the age of 60 become eligible to be vaccinated, with a goal of fully vaccinating 500,000 Quebecers.

Ontario

Ontario launched its COVID-19 vaccine booking portal and call centre on March 15.

People aged 80 and older were the first eligible to use the system. Starting March 22, people age 75 and older were able to make appointments through the booking system.

On Mar. 28 the government lowered the minimum age for vaccine eligibility in several public health units from 75 down to 70.

It also announced that people aged 70 and older in York Region, who had previously only been able to book vaccines through the regional service, could start using the provincial system to make appointments.

Also in York Region, a drive-thru, appointment only, vaccination site opened at Canada's Wonderland theme park on Mar. 29.

Two more mass vaccination sites are also expected to open in Toronto, where people as young as 70 started getting vaccinated on Mar. 27.

Ontario focused its initial vaccine effort on those in long-term care, high-risk retirement home residents, some health-care workers and people who live in congregate care settings.

It has said the rollout will look different in each of its 34 public health units. Some public health units are ahead of the provinces schedule for vaccinations.

A pilot project at more than 300 pharmacies in Toronto, Kingston and Windsor Oxford-AstraZeneca started offering shots to those aged 60 to 64 in mid-March.

That program expanded on March 22 to offer shots to people aged 60 and older. Some primary care physicians are also offering Oxford-AstraZeneca shots to eligible patients in that age range.

The pharmacy pilot will expand to 700 locations across the province in the coming weeks, then to approximately 1,500 sites as supply becomes available.

Other currently eligible people include front line health-care workers, Indigenous adults and chronic home health-care recipients, and some health units have started vaccinating people experiencing homelessness.

The interval between vaccine doses has been extended to four months in Ontario.

Manitoba

Manitoba is starting to vaccinate people 64 and older and First Nations people 44 and older. Health officials plan to reduce the age minimum, bit by bit, over the coming months.

Manitoba has now given at least one dose to more than 10 per cent of adults.

This week, immunization teams are going to more than 100 congregate living facilities to provide vaccines. More than 11,100 doses have already been administered to people living in these locations.

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of the province's vaccine task force, has said all adults in the province could have their first dose by the end of June, if supplies are steady. There are supersites in cities where people can get vaccines and pop-up clinics have begun in rural and northern communities for people who are eligible.

Health officials say the province has capacity to deliver 20,000 doses each day, but are currently hindered by limited supply.

Manitoba has already indicated it would opt for a four-month interval between doses.

The military has also been deployed to northern Manitoba to help vaccination efforts in 23 remote First Nations. Up to 200 members are helping to set up sites, transport people and administer doses. The goal is to vaccinate 100,000 First Nations people in 100 days.

---

Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is booking vaccinations for residents 62 and older. The minimum age drops to 50 for people living in the Far North.

Those deemed to be medically vulnerable and those who have underlying health conditions can also get a shot, but have to wait to receive a letter first. Priority health-care workers are also on the list.

The province plans to open more drive-thru vaccination clinics once it receives its next shipment of Oxford-AstraZeneca shots.

Alberta

Health Minister Tyler Shandro has said the province expects to offer all Albertans 18 and over a first dose of vaccine by the end of June.

On March 15, residents aged 65 to 74, and First Nations, Inuit and Metis aged 50-plus, were allowed to begin booking. The province had originally not expected to begin this stage of vaccination until April.

On March 30, the Alberta government was to begin offering shots to some 945,000 people with underlying health conditions. That includes people with certain lung, kidney, liver and heart diseases, people treated for cancer in the past year, those with severe mental illness and substance use disorders, and pregnant women.

Initially, Albertans born in or before 1963 will be able to book appointments through pharmacies in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer.

Starting April 5, Alberta Health Services sites will begin taking bookings for those with eligible health conditions born in or before 1959.

More birth years will be added as more vaccine supply arrives.

After that, vaccines will be available to more health-care workers and people with jobs in certain congregate living settings, such as jails and homeless shelters. Meat plant workers will also qualify in this phase.

Alberta has also said it will follow other provinces by extending the time between the first dose and the second to four months.

British Columbia

British Columbia has decided to bump up its age-based vaccination plan by offering Oxford-AstraZeneca shots to Lower Mainland residents between the ages of 55 and 65.

The move comes after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a pause on use of the same vaccine for anyone under 55 on the advice of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization over concerns about rare blood clots.

Beginning Wednesday, those between 55 and 65 can call their local pharmacy and book an appointment. Drop-in service may also be an option at more than 150 participating pharmacies.

The province had previously accelerated the timeline for the COVID-19 vaccine by allowing people who are "extremely clinically vulnerable" and some seniors to book their shots earlier than expected.

That means people at higher risk from COVID-19 due to existing medical conditions, including transplant recipients and those with cancer and severe respiratory conditions, can register for their vaccine.

Nunavut

Nunavut has opened vaccinations to anyone 18 and older.

The territory expects to finish its vaccine rollout of first and second doses by the end of April.

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories is also providing vaccine to those 18 and older and expects to finish its rollout by the end of April.

Yukon

Yukon says it will receive enough vaccine to immunize 75 per cent of its adult population by the end of March.

Priority for vaccinations has been given to residents and staff in long-term care homes, group homes and shelters, as well as health-care workers and personal support workers. People over the age of 80 who are not living in long-term care, and those living in rural and remote communities, including Indigenous Peoples, are also on the priority list for shots.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2021.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) greets supporters after speaking to a crowd during a rally against Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) on January 28, 2021 in Cheyenne, Wyoming (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

The former Department of Justice official accused by Matt Gaetz of a $25 million extortion plot has strongly denied the allegations.

The Florida lawmaker named David McGee after the congressman confirmed that he was under federal investigation for an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

Mr Gaetz fiercely denied any inappropriate relationship with a minor on Tuesday before claiming that he was helping the FBI probe the extortion plot against him.

Now Mr McGee has branded Mr Gaetzs allegations a blatant attempt to distract from the ongoing Department of Justice investigation.

Mr McGee is a former federal prosecutor in Florida, who now works for the Beggs & Lane law firm in the state.

Read more:

It is completely false, Mr McGee told the Washington Post.

Its a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that hes under investigation for sex trafficking of minors.

And Mr McGee added, I have no connection with that case at all, other than, one of a thousand people who have heard the rumors.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that the investigation into Mr Gaetz began in the final months of the Trump administration under attorney general William Barr.

They are reportedly looking into whether the rising GOP star and close ally to Donald Trump had a sexual relationship with the teenager two years ago and whether he paid for her travel across state lines, in violation of sex-trafficking laws.

Mr Gaetz has claimed that his father wore a wire as part of an investigation into the alleged extortion plot.

Mr McGee confirmed that he had spoken with Mr Gaetzs father and welcomed the congressman releasing any recording of it.

Story continues

If there is a tape, play the tape, said Mr McGee.

There is nothing on that tape that is untoward. It is a pleasant conversation of a dad concerned about his son and the trouble his son was in.

Read More

Matt Hancock 'thrilled' 30 million people have had Covid-19 vaccination

Florida man guilty of setting store on fire during unrest

Louisiana man allegedly used Grindr in attempt to kill and eat gay men
Investigation into Arashukov case completed

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

11:23 31/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 31 (RAPSI)  Investigators have completed probe into a criminal case against Raul Arashukov, ex-advisor of a CEO of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz and his son, ex-senator Rauf Arashukov, the Investigative Committees press service informs.

According to the Investigative Committee, the Arashukovs and their accomplices have committed several grave crimes since 2003. Depending on their alleged role in the crime, they are charged with organization of a criminal community, murder, embezzlement, corrupt practice, and abuse of office.

Investigators claim the defendants have embezzled natural gaz worth 3.8 billion rubles in the Stavropol Krai and Karachay-Cherkessia and 747 million rubles disguised as construction contractual payments and wage payment to their relatives.

Moreover, the Arashukovs are charged with masterminding murders of a Karachay-Cherkessia public youth movements deputy chairman Aslan Zhukov and the republican presidents advisor Fral Shebzukhov in 2010.

Three alleged gang members pleaded guilty to the gaz embezzlement and participation in the criminal community.

Earlier, the lawyer for Raul Arashukov, Vladimir Postanyuk, told RAPSI that his client asked court for jury trial.




My other great cultural love, alongside visual art, is comics. I think its because the form combines writing and pictures, the two media to which Ive devoted my career. Whether it's a comic or just a meme, I find it immensely satisfying and kinetic when images and words are brought together in such a way to add up to something greater than the sum of those parts.

That something is the theme of my picks this month. Each of these accounts brings text into the Instagram frame, albeit in very different ways. After years of scrolling in search of only pictures, it seems Ive finally accepted that this social media platform has more creative possibility than I thought.

Mira Jacob

@goodtalkthanks
Manitobas public education is about to undergo its biggest overhaul in more than 60 years. Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act, will see to that. Not surprisingly, this bill has attracted the ire of several unions, politicians and journalists.

Opinion

Manitobas public education is about to undergo its biggest overhaul in more than 60 years. Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act, will see to that. Not surprisingly, this bill has attracted the ire of several unions, politicians and journalists.

The Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) dramatically claimed that replacing school boards with 15 larger regional associations will make it almost impossible for parents to ensure their children receive the education they need. Carl DeGurse, Niigaan Sinclair, and the Winnipeg Free Press have echoed this concern.

The Manitoba Association of School Trustees (MAST) claimed its members will not be close at hand to bring the concerns of parents to the officials in the board offices. Not to be upstaged, the president of the Manitoba Teachers Society (MTS), James Bedford, has said the new policies will mean the "collegial working environment" in public schools will disappear, and the education of almost 200,000 students will get worse, not better.

With the battle heating up, isnt it time to stop thinking about negative outcomes and start thinking about positive ones? What new possibilities can Bill 64 bring for students and their parents?

One of the most important changes is separating principals and vice-principals from the MTS, letting them form their own professional association. This change will give administrators the freedom to be leaders without the interference of the teachers union.

But schools wont transform right away. The most likely change is that the majority of school administrators will continue doing what they have been doing. Parental councils may become stronger and a little more active, but seasoned administrators will easily take that minor change in stride.

Some school administrators, with the support of their teachers and parents, are likely to see an opportunity to break away from the status quo and try something new. These leaders will use Bill 64 to take control of their schools in ways they could only dream about when they were burdened by overbearing school boards, trustees and the teachers union.

There are well over 1,000 public school administrators in Manitoba, and at least some of them have studied the literature on school and teacher effectiveness. Surely, a few of these instructional leaders will realize their desire to create more effective schools is now within reach.

Surely some administrators have been impressed with the alternative programs discussed in the school improvement literature. These educators will know about the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) that has taken over an increasing number of schools in the U.S. Now, with Bill 64, these school leaders will have an opportunity to reorganize their schools in ways similar to KIPP schools.

What is the KIPP model?

The three KIPP objectives are simply the basis of good educational practices.

First, poor children can learn. KIPP teachers work hard to support their students learning. When educators, politicians and journalists say poor children cannot learn because of their poverty, they are giving up on poor kids. Millions of people have, in fact, pulled themselves out of poverty because good educators believed they could do it.

Second, the KIPP philosophy stresses that students need to be well prepared for post-secondary education and for living a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Third, these schools focus on structured courses, continuous assessment and helpful feedback. KIPP teachers agree to inform all students on what they have been doing well, what needs to be improved and how they can work with their teachers to ensure they understand what has been taught.

Of course, changing the status quo in education will not be easy. Nonetheless, the Manitoba government is giving principals, teachers and parents a great opportunity to improve the lives of children. And it is up to all these interest groups to make public education work better.

Moving away from the status quo is not to be feared. Public school principals  instructional leaders  need to take their new responsibilities seriously, working co-operatively with teachers and parents to create knowledge-based programs that are responsive to the educational needs of their students.

That is an opportunity that should not be turned down. Its time to put away the swords and start rebuilding better schools in Manitoba.

Rodney A. Clifton is a professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba and a senior fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. His most recent book, edited with Mark DeWolf, is From Truth Comes Reconciliation: An Assessment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.

rodney.clifton@umanitoba.ca
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- HTF MI Analyst have added a new research study on Title Global Experiential Travels Market Research Report with Opportunities and Strategies to Boost Growth- COVID-19 Impact and Recovery with detailed information of Product Types [, Food Experience, Cultural Experience, Natural Experience & Other], Applications [Group Travel & Personal Travel] & Key Players Such as Ctrip.Com, Airbnb, MakeMyTrip, Backroads, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Gray and Co, Asia Transpacific Journeys, TCS World Travel, Hays Travel, Expedia, CheapOair.Com, Priceline, Tuniu, Hotel Urbano, Hostelworld, Heritage Tours, Journeys Within, Booking, Yatra Online, TripAdvisor & Classic Journeys etc. The Study provides in-depth comprehensive analysis for regional segments that covers North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Rest of World with Global Outlook and includes Clear Market definitions, classifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures, development policies and plans. The facts and data are well presented in the report using diagrams, graphs, pie charts, and other pictorial representations with respect to its Current Trends, Dynamics, and Business Scope & Key Statistics.



If you are a Experiential Travels manufacturer and deals in exports imports then this article will help you understand the Sales Volume with Impacting Trends. Click To get SAMPLE PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures)@ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/3175312-global-experiential-travels-market-1



Covid-19 Impact Update  Global Experiential Travels Market Research

Analysts at HTF MI constantly monitor the industry impacts of current events in real-time  here is an update of how this industry is likely to be impacted as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic:



Demand from top notch companies and government agencies is expected to rise as they seek more information on COVID-19. Check Demand Determinants section for more information.



Key Highlights from Experiential Travels Market Study.



Revenue and Sales Estimation  Historical Revenue and sales volume is presented and further data is triangulated with top-down and bottom-up approaches to forecast complete market size and to estimate forecast numbers for key regions covered in the report along with classified and well recognized Types and end-use industry. Additionally macroeconomic factor and regulatory policies are ascertained in Experiential Travels industry evolution and predictive analysis.



Manufacturing Analysis the report is currently analyzed concerning various product type and application. The Experiential Travels market provides a chapter highlighting manufacturing process analysis validated via primary information collected through Industry experts and Key officials of profiled companies.



FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS: In order to better understand Market condition five forces analysis is conducted that includes Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, Threat of rivalry.



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Geographically, the following regions together with the listed national/local markets are fully investigated:

- APAC (Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, India, and Rest of APAC; Rest of APAC is further segmented into Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka)

- Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe; Rest of Europe is further segmented into Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania)

- North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico)

- South America (Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Rest of South America)

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Market Growth by Applications: Group Travel & Personal Travel



Heat map Analysis, 3-Year Financial and Detailed Company Profiles of Key & Emerging Players: Ctrip.Com, Airbnb, MakeMyTrip, Backroads, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Gray and Co, Asia Transpacific Journeys, TCS World Travel, Hays Travel, Expedia, CheapOair.Com, Priceline, Tuniu, Hotel Urbano, Hostelworld, Heritage Tours, Journeys Within, Booking, Yatra Online, TripAdvisor & Classic Journeys



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Introduction about Global Experiential Travels



Global Experiential Travels Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) [, Food Experience, Cultural Experience, Natural Experience & Other] in 2018

Experiential Travels Market by Application/End Users [Group Travel & Personal Travel]

Global Experiential Travels Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications

Global Global Experiential Travels Sales and Growth Rate (2014-2025)

Experiential Travels Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application

Experiential Travels (Volume, Value and Sales Price) table defined for each geographic region defined.

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Key Raw Materials Analysis & Price Trends

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Fourteen years later, there is some resolution for the family of the assassinated Turkish-Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink.

But not enough.

The judgment given today is quite far from the truth, said the family in its official statement on March 26.

Not the evil itself but its leakage was punished.

In 2007, Dink was shot four times in front of the Istanbul office of his bilingual newspaper, Agos. A proponent of reconciliation between Turks and Armenians, he aroused official opposition through his passionate focus on the 1915 genocide. Two years earlier he had been arrested and convicted of insulting Turkishness.

The killer, a 17-year-old unemployed youth, was given a 23-year sentence in 2011.

But one week before his death, Dink had written an article stating he felt like a pigeon, targeted by the deep state to make me know my place.

Around 100,000 people attended his funeral, chanting, We are all Armenians.

Last week, the Turkish judiciary put 76 people on trial, convicting 26 and handing out 4 sentences of life imprisonment. Two were given to the former director of police intelligence and his deputy, for murder and the subsequent cover-up.

The family is not convinced this includes the entire mechanism.

Some officials are still at large, said Erol Onderoglu, the representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in Turkey.

This partial justice  leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

RSF ranks Turkey No. 154 out of 180 nations in its 2020 index on respect for press freedom.

Soner Tufan, spokesman for the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey, said the verdict was not surprising. It fits the pattern of accountability whenever a crime is directed at the Christian minority.

There were so many connections to the murder, with penalty given only to some, he said. This is not real justice.

Born, married, and buried in the Armenian Apostolic Church, Dink was also a member of the Gedikpasa Armenian Evangelical church. At age 7, he and his two younger brothers were sent from rural Anatolia to be raised in its Istanbul orphanage.

I praise the Lord for that church, Dink told the United Armenian Congregational Church in Hollywood, California, in 2006. To this day, I consistently apply what I learned there.

Born in 1954, Dink helped build the churchs Tuzla summer camp in the 1960s. He met his wife, Rakel, at the orphanage, and together they raised their children while serving on the camp staff. In 1978, he took over leadership when the camp founder, Hrant Guzelian, was arrested on charges of raising Armenian militants.

For five years he kept the facility open, preaching on Sundays. But in 1983, the state confiscated the property, which became the site of luxury beachfront villas on the Asian side of Istanbuls Marmara Sea.

[This] left such a deep scar on the psyche of Hrant, said Zaven Khanjian, executive director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America, in a 2015 speech commemorating both Hrants.

[It] went on to be the driving force in his struggle for justice, for fairness, freedom of expression, minority rights, and true democracy for all Turkish citizens under Turkish law.

The camp was returned to the evangelical church in 2015, after decades of pressure and lawsuits. Today, plans exist to rebuild a cultural center there for Armenian youth.

Khanjians friendship with Dink began only four months before his murder.

Armenian evangelicals, he said, received Dink with total enthusiasm. But in Turkey, there were no expectations the trial would bring closure.

Since the premeditated genocide of Armenians living peacefully in their ancestral home, said Khanijan, justice has never seen the light of day in Turkey.

Dink worked to make it so, respectful of all.

Agos, named after the Turkish and Armenian word used to describe the tilled soil where a seed can be planted, was the nations first bilingual publication. Dink founded it in 1996, as accusations stirred that the Armenian community was allying with the Kurdish PKK, designated a terrorist organization.

Created to forge solidarity between the two ethnicities, Agos advocated for neighborly relations between Turkey and Armenia, and in support of ongoing democratization.

Of the genocide, Dink shifted the discussion from an accusatory focus on raw numbers to an empathetic memory that recognized the trauma of the period for both sides. He received criticism from Armenians in the diaspora for his strong opposition to Frances law that criminalized genocide denial.

April 24 is Genocide Remembrance Day in Armenia and its worldwide diaspora.

Upon Dinks assassination, journalist Robert Fisk labeled him the genocides 1,500,001st victim.

Early investigations into the assassination focused on the nationalist Ergenekon organization, suspected of linkage with Turkish security. Accused of plotting a coup in 2003, in 2013 hundreds of alleged members were imprisoned. Led by current president Recep Erdogans AKP party, support was lent by the network of popular Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen.

Since then, the two allies have clashed. Gulen took exile in Pennsylvania, and his network was branded the FETO terrorist organization and accused of plotting the 2016 attempted coup. Hundreds of alleged members have been imprisoned.

At Dinks trial, public prosecutors stated that the clues point to FETO involvement. A new case was opened against four defendants.

The FETO link is the joke of the trial, said Khanjian. A ridiculous and comical end to 14 years of deceitful coverups.

Dinks family will appeal the verdict.

Meanwhile, the hearts of many Turks and Armenians go out to them.

Im so sad, said Tufan. How can his wife and family live here, waiting so long for justice, without result?

But Rakel, his wife, is resolute.

A climate and ideology similar to when Hrant Dink was murdered prevails today, said the family statement. We will never give up our legal struggle, until the whole mechanism is exposed.
Group is looking to set up a new copper smelter plant in the coastal region of the country at a cost of around Rs 10,000 crore.

This comes at a time when the groups copper plant in Tamil Nadu remains shut for nearly three years, causing a Rs 5 crore loss every day. The plant was shut in 2018 after protests from locals. This led to police opening fire, killing 13 people.

Ltd, a subsidiary of Resources, has called for expressions of interest (EoIs) from state governments for setting up a copper smelter unit in a coastal region. A Vedanta spokesperson said Indias copper requirements are set to grow exponentially in the coming years. He added that having ample supplies of copper is critical to ensuring successful implementation of new-gen technologies such as electric vehicles and clean energy.

We are, therefore, actively on the lookout for a suitable partner state to help take forward the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. We want to ensure that our nation enjoys unfettered access to copper, through a state of the art manufacturing plant. The operational and environmental parameters of this will be comparable to the best in the world. The proposed copper smelter plant will have a capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum. It would require around 1,000 acres near a port along with logistics connectivity to handle 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of material movement.

According to the EoI, this mega project has investment potential of Rs 10,000 crore and will provide direct and indirect employment to 10,000 people. It will contribute around Rs 3,000 crore to the exchequer annually. The development comes at a time when Vedanta Groups Sterlite Copper facility continues to remain shut for the last three years.

The 400,000 tonne capacity plant in Thoothukudi, which used to cater to around 35-40 per cent of the countrys total copper requirement, was shut down in May 2018 by the Tamil Nadu government after the states pollution control board made a recommendation to this effect.
Authorities have identified the motorcyclist killed Saturday in a Lindenwold crash that left a pedestrian seriously injured

Thomas McKenna, 58, of Collingswood was riding west on the White Horse Pike when his motorcycle struck a pedestrian crossing the road, according to Lindenwold police.

The collision caused McKenna to lost control of to lose control and hit an eastbound car, Capt. Mike Cavallaro said.

The pedestrian, a 34-year-old from Camden, was hospitalized with serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle was brought to a hospital for an evaluation but suffered no apparent injuries, according to police.

There is no indication that McKenna was speeding or impaired ahead of the crash, which took place at about 7:45 p.m. just north of White Horse Avenue.

McKenna was a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Local 13, a union representing more than 50,000 workers in construction, repair, maintenance, manufacturing and professional emergency medical services.

He was an avid motorcyclist, and loved riding his Harley, according to an online obituary. Thomas loved spending time with his family, going fishing, going to the beach and boating.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

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This is one of the most significant political developments in Fatah since Abbas became president in 2005, said Mr. al-Omari. Barghouti and Kidwa are a combination that cant be easily dismissed by the Fatah leadership. They have a very deep reservoir of legitimacy in the party and they represent a major challenge to Abbass hold on power in it.

Mr. Barghouti ran for president of the Palestinian Authority in 2004, before withdrawing and supporting Mr. Abbas. He had been a leader of the Palestinian uprisings in late 1980s and early 2000s, and was convicted in 2004 for involvement in the killings of five Israelis.

He was sentenced to five life terms and campaigned for office from his jail cell.

Fatahs supporters will now be forced to choose among three Fatah-linked factions  the official party, the Barghouti-al-Kidwa alliance, and a third splinter group led by an exiled former security chief, Muhammad Dahlan.

Members of Mr. Barghoutis alliance said they had created the new faction to revitalize Palestinian politics, which has increasingly become a one-man show centered around Mr. Abbas, who has ruled by decree for more than a decade.

The Palestinian political system can no longer only be reformed, said Hani al-Masri, a member of the new alliance, at a news briefing on Wednesday night. It needs deep change.

A Fatah official dismissed the group as turncoats.

Even with our prophet Mohammed, there were turncoats, said Jibril Rajoub, the secretary-general of the Fatah Central Committee, at a separate press briefing outside in Ramallah, West Bank. Fatah is strong and sticking together.

Mr. Abbas has canceled elections in the past, and some believe he may seek to do so again in the coming weeks.
Rian Johnson's whodunit Knives Out will have a sequel, in fact it's getting two. Variety and Deadline report that Netflix has cut a deal with producer Media Rights Capital that's worth over $450 million for two sequels, with Johnson directing and Daniel Craig returning as the oddly-accented detective Benoit Blanc.

That's a hefty price to pay, but the first movie was fantastic  it has a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and some deleted scenes that shouldn't be missed  and Netflix needs to buff up its lineup with more competition in streaming than ever. Recent Netflix releases have felt a bit underwhelming next to big budget lineups like Warner's 2021 HBO Max slate, and Disney's constant barrage of MCU and Star Wars expansions, maybe this can help turn things around.
NEW BRITAIN, Conn., March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) will broadcast its first quarter 2021 earnings conference call on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The call will begin at 8:00AM ET.

A news release outlining the financial results will be distributed before the market opens on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. A slide presentation which will accompany the call will be available at www.stanleyblackanddecker.com and will remain available after the call.

The call and an accompanying slide presentation will be available through a live webcast on the "Investors" section of Stanley Black & Decker's website, www.stanleyblackanddecker.com under the subheading "News & Events." The event can also be accessed by telephone within the US at (877) 930-8285, from outside the U.S. at +1 (253) 336-8297. Please use the conference identification number 1498930. A replay will also be available two hours after the call and can be accessed on the "Investors" section of Stanley Black & Decker's website, or at (855) 859-2056 / +1 (404) 537-3406 using the passcode 1498930.

Stanley Black & Decker, an S&P 500 company, is a diversified global provider of hand tools, power tools and related accessories, electronic security solutions, healthcare solutions, engineered fastening systems, and more. Learn more at www.stanleyblackanddecker.com.

Stanley Black & Decker Investor Contacts

Dennis Lange

Vice President, Investor Relations

(860) 827-3833

[email protected]

Cort Kaufman

Director, Investor Relations

(860) 515-2741

[email protected]

Christina Francis

Director, Investor Relations

(860) 438-3470

[email protected]

SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker

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www.stanleyblackanddecker.com


TRINIDAD and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) executive director, Nigel Edwards, says the changes the 39-year-old financial institution is undergoing at this time are transformational.

The UTC is now in the middle of a three-year cycle of strategic changes that will culminate in 2023 and beyond, he said.
An Italian woman has revealed how she was horrified to discover that her aborted foetus was buried in a grave marked with her name without her consent.

Marta Loi, from Rome, read about so-called 'fields of angels', sections of cemeteries where the remains of foetuses are buried, and wanted to investigate what happened after her own termination.

She phoned the hospital and was told the remains had been buried in Flaminio cemetery, Italy's largest cemetery, under a cross bearing her name, despite Marta specifically requesting not to have a 'physical place of remembrance'.

The grave was also marked with a cross, even though Marta is an atheist.

Marta Loi (pictured), from Rome, found out that her aborted foetus had been buried in a grave under a cross, a Christian religious symbol, despite her being an atheist

Speaking to the BBC, Marta said: 'After my second-trimester termination of pregnancy, I found a grave with my foetus buried beneath a cross, a religious symbol, that I don't identify with because I'm atheist, bearing my first and last name.'

Marta initially wrote a long post on social media to share her story after her discovery last year, which led to dozens of other women realising that they had also been named on the graves of their aborted foetuses.

Speaking about the grave, Marta continued: 'I had made a clear choice, I did not want to have a physical place of remembrance. But despite my decision, that physical spot exists.'

Italian law states that after 20 weeks, a foetus has to be buried, often in mass graves, but a religious burial has to be specifically requested by the woman.

Abortions are only allowed under Italian law after 12 weeks if there is a threat to the life or health of the pregnant mother.

Marta was told by the hospital that she would find her foetus buried at Flaminio cemetery, Italy's largest resting place, under a cross bearing both her first and last name, despite her not wanting a grave

They were legalised in Italy in 1978 under law 194, after protests from the Italian women's movement in the 1970s, but the same law gives health professionals the option to refuse to perform the abortion if they are a 'conscientious objector'.

Although abortion is legal in Italy, 71 per cent of gynaecologists are registered as conscientious objectors due to their religious or moral beliefs, according to Science Direct.

The mother's names are passed on by hospitals for administration purposes only, but the woman's names were shockingly put on the graves without their consent.

Marta described the graves as a 'blatant abuse and violation' of the rights of the women who 'did not know that this was happening'.

In the Flaminio cemetery, they have now started to replace the names of the women with numbers to protect their identities.

Christian and Catholic doctor Giuseppe Noia (above) claimed 80 per cent of women who have the intention to abort 'changed their minds' after he made the 'science clear' to them

Italian law states that after 20 weeks, a foetus has to be buried, often in mass graves, but a religious burial has to be specifically requested by the woman

She also said that she hopes Italy will be able to provide abortions for women in both a safe and 'dignified way', and give them support throughout the process.

She added: 'My hope is that the state and its institutions guarantee the right of women to choose and to access abortion in a dignified way and that the woman is supported from beginning to end.'

Christian and Catholic doctor Giuseppe Noia claimed that 80 per cent of women who have the intention to abort 'changed their minds' after he made the 'science clear' to them 'without any pressure'.

He continued: 'Mother Teresa once told me: abortion is the greatest enemy of peace.

'In my experience, 80 per cent of the women who come here with the intention to abort changed their minds because I explained things to them.'

MailOnline has contacted AMA, who run Flaminio cemetery, for comment.
Social bond of the year - sovereign: Republic of Guatemala

Central America and the Caribbean's first social bond aims, in its second tranche, to finance social projects related to Guatemala's Covid-19 prevention, containment and mitigation efforts.

The $1.2 billion bond is split into two tranches, the first $700 million aggregate principal amount of additional 6.125% are due in 2050 and will be used for general budgetary purposes. The second social tranche of $500 million with aggregate principal amount of 5.375% are due in 2032 and will target social projects related to Covid-19.

The country believes that proceeds from the social bond tranche will address the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, and quality education.

One of the Environmental Finance Bond Award judges praised its broad impact categories and detailed impact reporting, while noting it could be a template transaction for other emerging market sovereigns.

A second judge agreed that as the first sovereign bond of its kind in the region it may attract other issuers. In addition, the bond is the first from Latin America without guarantee from multilateral organisations.

"We are delighted to be recognised for this prestigious award  a ground-breaking transaction in so many ways. We are proud to have worked collaboratively with the Bank of America ESG and debt capital markets teams to assist the Republic of Guatemala on this novel transaction, making it the first Latin American country to include Covid-19 response efforts, among other eligible social projects, in the use of the proceeds of a sovereign social bond issuance," said Hugo Triaca, partner at Clifford Chance, who provided representation to BofA as global coordinator, sole bookrunner and social bond structuring agent on the issuance.
NEW ORLEANS, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trusted Provider Network ( TPN.health ), a digital platform that offers learning and engagement opportunities to behavioral health professionals, is honored to announce that Dr. Rebekah Gee will join TPN as a senior advisor.

TPN.health is Honored to Announce That Dr. Rebekah Gee Will Join TPN as a Senior Advisor

Dr. Gee is the former Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and a practicing Obstetrician Gynecologist. During her career in public office, Dr. Gee has been a consistent voice for healthcare quality and patient safety. She has implemented numerous successful quality improvement projects at the state level and led national discussions on quality in various areas. Dr. Gee is a policy expert and a widely published health services researcher who has served in numerous additional state and national policy roles. In 2017, Dr. Gee was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

According to Dr. Gee, "Awareness of the critical need to expand and improve behavioral health services has grown exponentially during COVID 19. TPN's unique platform for clinicians and treatment centers allows a fragmented industry to embrace technology to improve transparency to best practices and optimal patient care."

"TPN's mission is to improve behavioral health outcomes by leveraging technology and prioritizing clinically matched care." said Trevor Colhoun, CEO of TPN. "Dr. Gee will help us accelerate the adoption of TPN as a central platform for education, engagement and patient management in North America."

As a senior advisor, Dr. Gee will help TPN expand its presence through her role in addressing national issues concerning behavioral health.

About TPN.health; TPN.health is a leading digital platform for behavioral health treatment professionals and is based in New Orleans, LA. Since its founding in 2019, TPN has become one of the largest and fastest growing networks of licensed behavioral health clinicians in the country. TPN is committed to providing a safe and ethical environment for professionals and treatment organizations to share best practices and optimize clinically matched patient referrals.

To find more information about upcoming Continuing Education events and behavioral health services, visit TPN.health or follow them on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter , or Instagram .

Mia Fenice

Social Media & Content Coordinator

TPN.health

[email protected]

SOURCE TPN.health

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The U.S. government says it cannot confirm the accurate figure of casualties from last Octobers Lekki tollgate shooting in Lagos during a protest against police brutality.

The U.S. Department of States said this in its 45th annual human rights report.

The report said accurate information on the fatalities from the shooting remain fuzzy because apart from Amnesty International which reported 10 persons died during the event, no other organization was able to verify the claim.

One body from the toll gate showed signs of blunt force trauma. A second body from another location in Lagos State had bullet wounds. The government acknowledged that soldiers armed with live ammunition were present at the Lekki Toll Gate. At years end the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution continued to hear testimony and investigate the shooting at Lekki Toll Gate, the report noted.

The U.S. report, now in its 45th edition, examines the human rights standing of 198 countries with a focus on seven sections, including press freedom, corruption and transparency.

U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, announced the publication of the report Tuesday, saying that his country acknowledges the work ahead and expects all nations to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Honored to release the 45th annual Human Rights Report. It demonstrates that human rights, transparency and accountability are at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy. We acknowledge the work ahead and expect all nations to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. #HRR2020 pic.twitter.com/G7BO475AoG  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 30, 2021

Controversy

Despite media reports and investigations, the Nigerian government had strongly pushed back at the claims that the shooting led to massive death tolls.

An investigation by this newspaper, which involved on the ground reporting and interviews with eyewitnesses and residents at adjoining communities at the site of the event, detailed how authorities tried to cover their trails including dumping bodies inside a nearby lagoon.

Other media investigations also told stories of protesters who went into hiding after they received strange calls and death threats if they spoke. The report went further to identify 20 victims and their families, including those who died as a result of the event.

The protests, tagged #EndSARS, which preceded the shooting, had sparked unprecedented agitation across Nigeria as young citizens hit the street due to years of arbitrary abuse in the hands of the notorious police unit, SARS, which was later scrapped during the protest.

The agitation ushered in five-point demands from the protesters, one of which included setting up judicial panels across states to investigate past cases of right abuses.

While some panels are yet to conclude their sittings, some have ordered the payment of damages to some victims.

Abuses

The report said there were instances where the Nigerian government and its agents committed arbitrary, unlawful, or extrajudicial killings.

At times authorities sought to investigate, and when found culpable, held police, military, or other security force personnel accountable for the use of excessive or deadly force or for the deaths of persons in custody, but impunity in such cases remained a significant problem. State and federal panels of inquiry investigating suspicious deaths did not always make their findings public, the report read.

The national police, army, and other security services sometimes used force to disperse protesters and apprehend criminals and suspects. Police forces engaging in crowd-control operations generally attempted to disperse crowds using nonlethal tactics, such as firing tear gas, before escalating their use of force, it added.
We start by teaching our students to design their college experience and then we provide them with the tools to design their life. People believe college is about a degree, about finding a job. We know that students can accomplish this at most universities.

COVID-19 has taught us that plans changesometimes in big ways like a global pandemic and sometimes in small ways like changing a major. Weve been working on a new approach to education, and there is no better time to launch Life Design at BGSU.
A new scheme delivered in partnership between Failte Ireland and Leitrim County Council will help tourism and hospitality businesses in Leitrim to develop and increase their outdoor seating capacity.

Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin TD and Failte Ireland this morning announced details of the new 17million scheme for developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide.

The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme comprises two parts and will be delivered in partnership between Failte Ireland and Local Authorities across the country.

Part One of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme relates to outdoor seating and accessories to help tourism and hospitality businesses offset some of the costs incurred in upgrading premises for outdoor dining and seating.

Part Two of the Scheme relates to weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure which focuses on the development of medium to large scale permanent public dining spaces in towns and centres in preparation for welcoming back visitors when it is safe to do so. Each Local Authority can apply for up to 200,000 under this element of the scheme.

Announcing the Scheme Minister Catherine Martin said:

This Scheme has two main objectives: firstly, to enable individual tourism and hospitality businesses increase their dining and seating capacity in the short-term and secondly to enable a long-term strategy for local authorities to develop appropriate permanent weatherproofed outdoor dining infrastructure.

The aim is to support jobs and businesses and to transform appropriate outdoor spaces within our cities and towns as welcoming, vibrant places that will help support economic recovery. This funding announcement further strengthens this Governments commitment to the development of rural towns, as outlined in the Our Rural Future plan announced earlier this week.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State, Frank Feighan said: Earlier this week, government launched a new policy entitled Our Rural Future, the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in decades.

Developing outdoor dining and socialising spaces will help to improve the vibrancy of our towns across Leitrim and bring them more in line with the European model. This is a key commitment in our new policy.

This will support jobs and businesses and transform appropriate outdoor spaces across Leitrim as welcoming, vibrant places that will help support economic recovery, he said.
A former official with the New York City Probation Department pleaded guilty Tuesday to child pornography charges, a federal prosecutor announced.

Robert Costello, 53, of Bethlehem Township, faces a maximum 90 years incarceration, lifetime probation and a $1.25 million fine at sentencing scheduled for July 15 before U.S. District Judge Joseph Leeson Jr. at the Edward N. Cahn Courthouse and Federal Building in Allentown. The mandatory minimum sentence is five years imprisonment, and the probation term could be as short as five years.

Costello was indicted last month on three counts of receipt of child pornography, one count of access with intent to view child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, authorities said. He pleaded guilty before Leeson to all five charges, authorities said.

Costello admitted to having received sexually explicit images of children over the internet and possessing thousands of sexually explicit images and videos of children on several devices that he kept and stored at his residence, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams.

During the time that he committed these crimes, Costello was employed as assistant commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation.

Robert Costello possessed and viewed visual depictions of the sexual exploitation of children, images that cause lasting harm to real, innocent victims, Williams said in a news release announcing the plea. As an Assistant Commissioner working for the City of New York, the defendant held a position of trust and leadership  which we now know was woefully misplaced.

Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in all jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute child sexual exploitation offenses.

A message seeking comment from Costellos defense counsel was not immediately returned.

Records show he remained Tuesday in Lehigh County Jail. He was arrested in October 2020.

The New York City Department of Probation last month said Costello had been fired in 2020 when he was first charged in the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, according to Williams office. Project Safe Childhood coordinates federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims, the prosecutor said. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Bethlehem Township Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Francis A. Weber and Kelly Harrell, and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Adedayo Akinwale examines how Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State is gaining the confidence of his people with developmental projects, not minding, the crisis rocking the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress

During the 2019 general election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) did what many thought was impossible in Kwara State when it pulled off one of the most surprising results of the election with the demolition of former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki's dynasty in the State of Harmony.

Though the revolution against the Saraki dynasty did not start in 2019, it dated back to 2007 or thereabout, but it was not meant to be until an amalgam of politicians disenchanted with the political hegemony of the Saraki dynasty under the 'O to Ge' movement dismantled the 40-year reign of the Saraki family in the state.

It wasn't long after the victory of APC at the polls that a war of supremacy started between the governor's camp and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Minister of State for Transport, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Prince Sunday Fagbemi and Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo.

The Kwara APC was further neck-deep in crisis in December 2020 when the deadline for every state chapter of the party to pick its Caretaker Committee members ahead of the party's June 2021 national convention.

Expectedly, the governor, who is trying to hold a firm grip on the party structure in the state pushed for the chairmanship of Fagbemi, his long-time political ally. But the proposal did not sail through. Eventually Bashir Bolarinwa who was the chairman when the 'O to Ge' movement emerged victorious was retained.

However, the disharmony in Kwara APC degenerated from bad to worse a few days to the commencement of the ongoing party membership revalidation and registration exercise. The governor had written a petition intimating the Caretaker Committee led by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni of his discomfort working with Bolarinwa as the state party chairman. Instead, he opted for Bolarinwa's deputy, Abdullahi Samari.

Due to the supremacy battle for the control of the party, there has been a well coordinated and sustained campaign of calumny by the opposing camp aimed at bringing the government of AbdulRazaq into disrepute.

This, however, has not stopped the governor who has the determination to turn the state around. He has quietly been gaining the confidence of his people with various developmental projects going on in the state.

For instance, before his administration came into being, pipe-borne water was hard to come by in the state. Most residents relied on water tankers for their daily usage, while some who have the means provided. Even the Government House was not left out as it equally patronised the water tankers.

To put an end to this ugly situation, within his first year in office, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq embarked on projects that will ensure seamless supply of water in the state. These include; rehabilitation of Lafiagi Water Works, rehabilitation of Asa-Dam Water Works, rehabilitation of Patigi Water Works, rehabilitation of Igbaja Water Works, rehabilitation of Kaiama Water Works, rehabilitation of Gwanara Water Works, rehabilitation of Up Kwara Water.

The Governor also ensured the refurbishment of Agbabiaka Water Tanks Ilorin, rehabilitation of Yashikira Waterworks, rehabilitation of Oro-Ago Water Works, Inter-connection of Eastern Reservoir and Awolowo Road in Tanke, diversion of ductile iron pipes across Alagbado stream, repair of Lafiagi Water Works and its environment, among others.

A former member of Kwara State House of Assembly Hon. Abdulmumin Katibi said, "In May 2019, water tankers were the source of potable water in most parts of Ilorin, the capital city, even in the Government House. Today, pipe-borne water is back and stable in the metropolis while nearly 500 boreholes have either been dug or rehabilitated across the state. No fewer than nine water works have been fixed since this governor came on board while contracts for more have been awarded."

The governor has also given priority to the education sector in the state. The sector had hitherto suffered neglect by previous administrations leading to the state being blacklisted from accessing from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund for more than seven years before his emergence as the governor.

Nevertheless, Abdulrazaq's intervention in the education sector has ensured that the state accessed a backlog of N7.1 billion UBEC counterpart funds with a matching grant of N7.1 billion to gradually reposition the schools. The state is also carrying out renovation works in, at least, 43 basic schools. With the grants from UBEC now in the state coffers, about 600 basic schools are to get facelifts while teachers are also to be trained.

In order to increase the quality of education in the state, the governor has recruited 4,701 qualified and competent teachers into the public primary, junior and senior secondary schools in the state.

Also, the private school owners have also tasted his developmental efforts in the sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Proprietors of 1,119 privately owned schools in the state were given soft loans to help cushion the effects of the pandemic due to shutdown.

Moreso, since AbdulRazaq assumed office, urban and rural road infrastructure has continued to receive attention. The largest road reconstruction and rehabilitation projects across the nooks and cranny of the state was embarked on through his rural-urban renewal initiative project with a view to bridging the wide infrastructure in rural communities across the state and boost economic growth and development.

The administration has fixed over 100 rural and urban roads/culverts/bridges. Many agrarian communities are now getting standard roads, while those hitherto cut off from civilisation are being linked. About 500 rural roads are to be fixed under the World Bank-enabled Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) arrangement for which the administration had earlier paid counterpart funds. These road projects are spread across the senatorial districts, deliberately linking agrarian areas to the urban centres.

Some of these road projects have either been completed or nearing completion as at today. The projects include: Construction and repair of box culvert at Pampo Town, Asa Local Government Area; construction of 1.1km Market Junction, Emir's Palace Road, Gwanara; construction of 33km Ilesha Baruba, Gwanara Road, Baruten (ongoing), construction of 87km Kaiama Kosubosu Rural Road Reconstruction, Baruten/Kaiama (ongoing); construction of 1.5km Secretariat Road, Lafiagi, Edu; Construction of 1.5km Tsaragi Market -Batakpan Box Culvert, Edu.

Others are: Construction of 3.5km Osi Township road (3.5km), Ekiti; construction of 2.3km Oro Ago - Oyate Road, Ifelodun; rehabilitation of 1.7k.CAC,Ogere, Babanloma road, Ifelodun; construction of Oriza bridge - Oro-Ago, Ifelodun; rehabilitation of 1.2km Zango Akerebiata Road, Ilorin East; construction of 2km Sobi Specialist Hospital Road, Gaa Osibi - Medina (2km), Ilorin East; construction of 1.3km Awolowo- Danialu Road, Ilorin South, among several other ongoing projects.

A chieftain of the party and a former presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Mr. Ganiyu Galadima, said the governor is redefining leadership and governance in Kwara State in an unprecedented manner.

He stated: "First is his simple and humble approach to leadership which has distinguished him from the previous leaders produced by the state. He carries himself with all simplicity that demystified the office he is occupying. Sometimes you wonder if he is a governor save for the authority inherent in his office. He goes about his official duties quietly without harassing or intimidating anyone. He is a low profile and a meticulous resource manager; a goal getter and a result oriented leader. A very sincere leader of his people that is not trapped by the aura of the office he is occupying, but providing services that will benefit the entire people of the state."

"The achievements of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq in less than two years cut across all the sectors of governance. From health to water, education, agriculture and rural development, roads and unrivaled social safety nets and empowerment for the most vulnerable members of the society and the old people in Kwara State. His rural transformation agenda is second to none and I believed that on completion of his first tenure of four years in office he would have achieved in concrete terms, what the previous governments could not achieve in 16 years of projects and programmes that benefits the people directly."

The health sector is not left behind in the ongoing transformation of the state by AbdulRazaq's administration. At the moment, massive rehabilitation and equipment of some major general hospitals in the state with modern gadgets will be covered. Dozens of primary health care facilities will be upgraded and equipped - in addition to those already undergoing similar facelifts. The upgrade will include an electronic medical record system for the state, significantly boosting the quality of healthcare delivery in the state. Kwara holds the unattractive trophy as the state with the highest prevalence of open defecation. A massive anti-open defecation campaign, or Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), worth N500 million would be funded with the bond to complement some existing initiatives that recently won Kwara State a pledge of 1000 pour-flush toilets from the private sector stakeholders.

Also, what mentioning is the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), a multi-faceted and non partisan response to the question of extreme poverty and government's poor attention to the vulnerable. The programme is modelled after the Federal Government's Social Investment Programme. Under the scheme, at least 21,623 petty traders have accessed soft loans, while over 10,000 transporters who could not work during the COVID-19 lockdown were supported. In addition, 10,000 vulnerable and poor senior citizens, from age 60, are now getting monthly stipends under what would be the state's first ever institutionalised social protection scheme.

The scheme is also offering free digital training to young people to help them cope in the new economy. Over 3,000 persons received training in July last year while 10,000 more are undergoing a richer version of the course in the second phase of the programme in conjunction with Wootlabs Innovation and Grow With Google. A total of 30,000 young people are billed to benefit from the training within three years.

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The Kwara State version of TraderMoni (Owo Isowo) has been commended by the Federal Government for its innovative features, such as the inclusion of BVN of the beneficiaries. This is just a few of the many interventions Governor AbdulRazaq has made to lift his people out of poverty. As far as the governor is concerned, governance transcends party loyalty, hence his increased popularity with the masses.

In addition,the AbdulRazaq administration has positively changed the narrative of staff welfare in the state civil service. There is now regular payment of salary. No more percentage payment and promotion of staff has resumed while arrears of salaries and allowances dating back to as far back as 2012 are now being paid. Besides, pensioners now enjoy regular payment of pensions. A sustainable arrangement for payment of gratuities on a monthly basis has now been put in place.

The state government has concluded plans to establish a fully-integrated Kwara Garment Village and an industrial park is estimated to gulp N5 billion. The expansive facility will be equipped with fully automated equipment and uninterrupted power supply, generating at least 3,000 direct jobs, affordable quality wear, technology transfer, and revving up revenues. The facility is planned to come with backward integration that would lead to large-scale cotton cultivation involving 2,000 farmers. The industrial park, for its part, will lead to improved infrastructure for development of free trade zones, agro-processing facilities, reduced transaction costs, and better the living conditions of the people.

Even, with the internal crisis within the state chapter of the party, the governor appears not to be slowing down in his determination to transform the state. Within two years of his administration, Governor Abdulrazaq has redefined governance and leadership. But the crisis, no doubt, is a distraction. However, AbdulRazaq keeps marching on.

QUOTE

Due to the supremacy battle for the control of the party, there has been a well coordinated and sustained campaign of calumny by the opposing camp aimed at bringing the government of AbdulRazaq into disrepute. This, however, has not stopped the governor who has the determination to turn the state around. He has quietly been gaining the confidence of his people with various developmental projects going on in the state
Nairobi police commander Augustine Nthumbi has cautioned bar owners and their revelers against violating President Uhuru Kenyattas closure order.

Nthumbi said bar owners risk losing their licenses while patrons could find themselves cleaning city streets and markets.

And we have done it in the previous few days. We break in and arrest all the people in there. We are grateful that the judiciary has been helping us on that. Around 74 people were sentenced under a community service order and that is where the Nairobi Metropolitan Service came in and assigned them to clean city streets and markets for a day, said the police chief.

Nthumbi noted that some bars have been locking revelers inside the establishments to drink. He warned that his officers are monitoring bars closely to bring culprits to book.

We are going to the bars and listening from outside to confirm that there are no people inside. There is no escape. We are everywhere, he said.

Nthumbi added that officers have heightened surveillance in Nairobi to ensure total compliance with the 8 pm -to 4 am curfew.

At the same time, Nthumbi said police roadblocks have been mounted in all sub-counties to enforce the curfew and cessation of movement directives.
But I was here to lap up the luxury of a mid-week escape with my husband, sans children, so I really wanted to love Samphire as I was prompted to do when connecting to the suites internet. (For those with kids just be warned the TV streaming does not work with Apple devices  only Android. Not that youre in Rotto for screen time.) Loading I kicked off our stay with a blissful 90-minute salt compress massage, at a special rate of $130, admittedly outside the resort at Karma Spa in town. We also discovered the highlight of our culinary adventure  The Lanes Cray Dog: a crayfish burger that was cooked to order and oozed garlic butter with the right amount of jalapeno mayonnaise, all for $20. Heaven! So the night we were told by the resort to line up and have our pre-ordered cocktails and seafood platter  costing $150 in lieu of signature restaurant Lontara being closed  served at the main hotel with every other pub customer, we did a double take. Surely they could have afforded us the luxury of having it in our suite with our private ocean views?

But no; that was only if we wanted pizza, so instead we were greeted by a flustered waitress who was struggling to keep up with seating, dishing resort patrons platters, and remembering their choice out of the only two cocktails on offer. It made me yearn for the pre-tablet tradition of taking out a notepad and pen. Its our responsibility to give the staff the tools to deliver on that and as a group we all agree that policy should not get in the way of commonsense sometimes, especially if it means delivering great service and again thats an operating flaw that we are working through at the moment, Warwick Prendiville later told me. Later, when the poolside menu app failed and the friendly staffer hosting solo across the mostly concrete lake jovially asked patrons just to yell out their orders, it became clear there was a disconnect between expectation and what our money was actually buying. I need to pause here to say that in the middle of a pandemic these are infinitesimally small problems to have  ones I would be more than willing to wash away on a blissful Rottnest ocean tide. But like any tidal erosion, our stay kept getting eaten away at by ongoing issues and heres the sticking point: when your Premier effectively locks you into holidaying in your state and implores you to spend like you would on overseas travel, knowing what our otherwise hard-earned cash would buy abroad, youre reminded why we dont do this traditionally and feel appalled for future international visitors.

It was made worse by the fact that there were recognisable hospitality faces seated at Lontara last Wednesday, with Sydney-based celebrity chef Matt Moran finding it difficult to rave about the service beyond a nod to head chef Will Meyricks delicious smoked ocean trout betel leaf entree. Matt Moran at Samphire Rottnests Lontara restaurant, (inset) Will Meyricks betel leaf entree. Credit:Aja Styles WA hospitality guru Andy Freeman of Hadiqa and Flour Factory fame was also holidaying on the island with extended family and left unimpressed by Lontaras mish-mash of wait times that fed some of the kids but left the adults wanting. And an ex-manager at one of the Prendiville Groups other hotels privately complained to us about how they had booked at 8pm on the Sunday and only got served by 10.20pm, by which time they were intoxicated and no longer hungry. Mr Prendiville is nowhere near satisfied with services they are currently providing and they were in the process of appointing a new general manager.

Its just the absolute perfect storm out there in terms of access to staff and access to internationals and people that have experience in the industry, he said. Trying to scale up Samphire during the pandemic and with all the staffing restraints for what is typically a seasonal business that does attract backpackers, without that base to work off it has been very hard and unstable for personnel levels. Everyone is working very hard to rectify these issues. He said an unbelievable amount of work was going into fixing problems, and agreed training and confidence of staff needed to be improved given how busy their opening had been. Over 30 per cent of staff that we have on site this week are contract staff that we have to bring in from a third party that really dont have experience on the venue, and that is the extent of the problem we are seeing at the moment, and that is on us as the management  but I think the environment is making it very tough to achieve that consistency. But let this be said, despite the slow delivery  and I mean at least 30 minutes between dishes  Meyricks menu was outstanding and the loss of him as head chef only speaks to more problems ahead.

For the first hour my husband and I were sailing away on the delights of a roe-popping betel leaf, $8, and perfectly caramelised scallop, $12, each. Much later followed by plump, quandong-enticing crispy pork belly squares, $25, and mains of lip-smacking crisp lamb ribs done in shrimp paste and sweet fish sauce, $28, and the showcase of crispy spangled emperor with pineapple in tamarind, $44. Loading Made all the more soaring by a very worthy WA wine list, ranging from $44 to $170 magnums, and superior cocktails, $18-$21; as opposed to the hotels more casual offering on Monday night. Everything could have been forgiven there and then had this been solely in the teething weeks of a new venture with staffing issues  but Samphire Rottnest has been open since October last year. And its problems do not look like slowing down, with its beleaguered rooms manager Shashank Vasta trying to do his utmost to compensate frustrated customers, including us  who were refunded a nights worth of accommodation.
New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard has slammed the federal government for accusing his state of being slow to rollout Covid-19 vaccines.

A news report on Wednesday morning featured federal government figures implying NSW had only administered 50 per cent of the vaccines provided by the Commonwealth.

But hours later, Mr Hazzard hit out at claims 'emanating from the federal government' that NSW had been slack by only handing out 96, 273 of 190,610 available doses to residents across the state.

'Let's get this clear. The NSW government was asked to rollout 300,000 vaccinations to the groups in [phase] 1A and 1B. Of that, we have done 100,000,' Mr Hazzard said during a press conference.

New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard said he is 'extremely angry' (pictured at a press conference on Wednesday) over federal government figures that suggest NSW is being slow to reach its Covid-19 vaccine target

'The federal government were asked, and are responsible for, five million, and they have rolled out 50,000. I think the figures speak for themselves.

'I'm extremely angry, and I know there are other health ministers in the country who share similar views, state and territory health ministers.'

Mr Hazzard said the claims were misleading and offensive as NSW and other public health teams work their hardest to distribute supplies from 'the frontline of a war'.

He said a shipment of 45,000 doses was 'dumped at our front door' with no warning, when the state government was only expecting 13,700.

'And now, less than a few days later, there's a press report saying we haven't distributed them all. Well, you get 45,000 [doses] dumped on your front door at night and told you have to have it out by the next morning, no one will be able to do that,' he said.

'I really, I really find this very offensive,' Mr Hazzard said.

'If you're going to win a war you can't have the tanks and the artillery all dropped at the airport and told about it, and then go public about it. A few days later, you've got to know [what your] supply lines are and you've got to be able to work to those.'

Gladys Berjiklian (pictured on Wednesday) said the reports were 'not true' and were 'unfair' after state authorities were only given less than two days notice that they would be receiving more doses than initially anticipated

The irate reaction from the state's top health boss came after two federal ministers accused NSW and QLD of stockpiling doses.

'Our biggest issue with the vaccines at the moment is to make sure that the states and territories rollout the supply of the vaccines that they have,' Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said.

Mr Tehan said he wants states to use their 'stockpiles', especially to cover vulnerable groups.

Ministerial colleague David Littleproud said he wants states, particularly his home state of Queensland, to 'pull their finger out' as frontline workers wait for the jab.

According to federal figures, NSW had used only half of the 190,610 doses it had received, and Queensland was at 55 per cent.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the reports are 'not true'.

'What is also extremely unfair, is that when we are given 24 or 48 hours notice about how many new doses we're getting, and as you can appreciate, disseminating that within 24 hours or 48 hours is a difficult task,' Ms Berejiklian said

She warned the only way of meeting the federal target of vaccinating the Australian population by October is for federal and state governments to work cooperatively.

'Our government wants to speed things up,' she said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said more than 650,000 people had been vaccinated nationwide and that would hit one million next week

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said Scott Morrison promised four million people would be vaccinated by the end of March and was 3.4 million short.

It would be good if the federal government took responsibility for something,' Mr Albanese said.

Concerns are also growing about what will happen to community immunity if states don't have the second dose available.

'If the Commonwealth can tell us what their supply is, we are more than happy to roll out the rest of that as quickly as possible,' Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.

NSW wants the federal government to apologise to all state and territory governments.

The Queensland premier remains concerned about supplies of vaccines and the nursing home rollout, both of which are in the hands of the Morrison government.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants the federal government to publish daily figures on the number of vaccinations and the supply of vaccines to each state and territory.

Ms Berejiklian called for a national vaccination plan and has put the Byron, Ballina, Lismore and Tweed areas on 'extra high alert' with new social restrictions until the end of Easter.

Pictured: Packaging and fridges used to store Covid-19 vaccine at a DHL facility in Sydney, on Sunday February 14

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said more than 650,000 people had been vaccinated nationwide and that would hit one million next week, as he hinges economic recovery plans on the rollout.

'We're on track for our first dose for everyone by October,' he said.

'We're not relying like most countries in the world for vaccines to come from somewhere else.'

The debate came as Queensland weighs up ending its lockdown on Thursday, as health officials make good progress on tracing cases linked to health workers.

Queensland reported two new local cases on Wednesday - one being a nurse from Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital who had received her first vaccine dose, and the other is her housemate.

NSW also reported the case of a man in his 20s who last weekend attended the same Byron Bay venue as a hen's party which is linked to several COVID cases in Queensland.
China providing vaccine aid to 80 countries, 3 int'l organizations: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 11:11, March 31, 2021

A worker checks a container of CanSino COVID-19 vaccines at Islamabad International Airport in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 30, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- China is providing vaccine aid to 80 countries and three international organizations, exporting vaccines to more than 40 countries, and cooperating with more than 10 nations in vaccine research, development and production, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a press briefing after World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Monday against a widening gap between numbers of coronavirus vaccines in wealthy countries and those distributed to poorer nations through the global COVAX initiative.

According to statistics, rich countries, which account for 16 percent of the world population, now own 60 percent of the world's vaccines. Several rich developed countries have ordered two to three times as many vaccines as their own populations, while poor developing countries now do not have or have no access to Western vaccines, Hua noted.

Saying vaccine is a powerful weapon against viruses and a hope to save lives, Hua added it should serve the whole world and benefit all mankind. China took the lead in promising vaccines as global public goods and striving to improve the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.

China has joined COVAX and made a clear commitment to provide an initial 10 million doses of vaccine to meet urgent needs in developing countries, she added.

China has also responded to the call of the United Nations to donate vaccines to peacekeepers from all over the world, Hua said. "We are also willing to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee to provide vaccines to athletes preparing to participate in the Olympic Games."

China opposes the immoral and irresponsible behavior of "vaccine nationalism" and creating "immunity gap", Hua said. "We also call on all countries with the ability to do their best to provide vaccines to countries in need, especially developing nations, so that people of all countries can afford them."

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)
An official of the Hygienic and Anti-epidemic Center in Phyongchon District disinfect the corridor of a building in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021.

Authorities in North Korea have purged a local government official for allowing a coronavirus quarantine center to operate at reduced capacity at a time when Pyongyang is trying to maximize defenses against the deadly virus, sources in the country told RFA.

North Korea publicly claims it is virus free, but it has employed strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus through the country, including locking down cities and counties, cancelling major cultural events, and forbidding travel between provinces.

In November 2020, the government upgraded the countrys emergency quarantine posture, in place since the beginning of the pandemic, to a policy of ultra-high-level emergency quarantine measures, all while telling the international community that it had not confirmed a single case.

The purged official was the head of a county-level office of the ruling Korean Workers Party in North Pyongan province, in the countrys northwest. Unconfirmed reports of his execution are now making other local officials nervous.

In February, the head of the party organization in Uiju county was purged for the crime of having disobeyed the Highest Dignitys order to maximize the coronavirus emergency quarantine, a North Pyongan official told RFAs Korean Service Monday, using an honorific term to refer to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

They say he was quietly executed under the direction of the Central Party, but this is not confirmed, said the source, who requested anonymity for professional reasons.

According to the source, the purge came after the Central Committee received an anonymous complaint from another Uiju county official.

The complaint said that the head of the party organization gave orders to reduce the capacity of Uijus quarantine facilities for suspected coronavirus patients, said the source.

The Central Party then dispatched a team to investigate the case, and they found that Uijus quarantine facility was not operating properly, the source said.

Uiju county had been under financial stress at the time, and had to make some cutbacks, the source explained.

They had insufficient operating funds. The countys quarantine authorities proposed to the county party that they would tell patients with mild symptoms to self-isolate in their homes, with the high-fever patients using the quarantine center, said the source.

They reduced the capacity of the quarantine facility with approval. The official who approved the plan was the head of the countys party organization, the source said.

Operating the center at reduced capacity went against directives not to be lax with quarantine rules.

They made an example out of him for neglecting the Highest Dignitys order to maximize public quarantine projects during the prolonged national emergency. It rang an alarm for the officials who are themselves becoming less thorough in implementing the quarantine, said the source.

Another source, also from North Pyongan, confirmed the purge to RFA Tuesday, saying that Uijus administrative organizations are in chaos due to anxiety on the part of officials.

After the head of the county party organization was purged, the chairman of the Peoples Committee was also dismissed for failing to properly manage the quarantine facility, said the second source, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

Officials believe the purge is the result of a power struggle between party leaders. They wonder why the chief secretary of the Uiju county party, who is in charge of the case, was not punished, the second source said.

Authorities held a lecture session for the officials last week, saying that the party leaders negligence of the emergency situation was a threat to the nations existence, according to the second source.

They again delivered the Highest Dignitys message that mistakes in economic projects can be corrected, but mistakes in implementing the quarantine should not be tolerated, the second source said, adding that the increased scrutiny was causing officials to feel more anxious.

The second source also said that 10 North Pyongan officials, including military personnel, had been purged between March and May 2020 for violating quarantine guidelines, while in December nine officials and others involved with smuggling at the Chinese border in the countrys northern Ryanggang province were purged for the same reason.

RFA reported in December that a smuggler was publicly executed the previous month in the northwestern province of North Pyongan for violating emergency quarantine measures by trying to conduct business with his Chinese partners.

Sources in that report said ordinary residents in North Koreas border region felt that the execution was meant to scare them into not complaining that the emergency quarantine measures affect their livelihood.

Reported by Hyemin Son for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 delivers a complete omni-channel experience where customers can connect through live video, chat, SMS text, email, phone and in-dealership. Customers can engage remotely with Online Experience Specialists at the dealership to explore inventory options and collaborate in a personalized purchase experience, ensuring any applicable rebates and programs are applied. The resulting purchase terms are pushed online to the customer's My Garage account in real time for convenient access anywhere and at any time.

Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 takes the dealership experience and brings it forward into the virtual environment. "Working in collaboration with a customer remotely or in-person, we are able to provide an enhanced customer experience and identify any additional rebates and programs for which a customer may qualify. When we integrate these benefits into the customer's deal structure, the purchase terms in the customer's account are updated dynamically in real time and this information is always available at the customer's fingertips," stated Co-founder Kap Dilawri.

Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 features include:

Transparent website pricing and payment calculator with current lease and finance rates

Shopping progress and customized purchase terms updated and saved real-time in the My Garage account

Interaction via live video, chat, SMS text, email, phone, in-dealership or seamlessly between all channels

Collaborative purchase experience to personalize vehicle appraisal, financing arrangements and any applicable rebates and programs

Vehicle reservation via an e-commerce checkout and digital paperwork signing with DocuSign

Choice between in-dealership or at-home vehicle delivery

While being physically present at the dealership is not required, when customers come to the dealership the boutique environment is designed for casual and collaborative conversation. The dealership software is directly integrated with the customer's My Garage account and allows the dealership to push the outcome of the conversation to the customer's account in real time.

"While a number of solutions have come to the market over the past few years, none has effectively bridged the physical to virtual gap through a singularly connected platform," said Dilawri. "This is where Dilawri Anywhere 2.0 stands apart from other solutions in the industry. The technology we are using in-store is the same technology the customer uses online, and it's seamlessly paired with dynamic communication tools and our other operating systems."

Audi Thornhill is the first dealership to launch Dilawri Anywhere 2.0. As a brand-new dealership serving the Thornhill and Richmond Hill, Ontario markets, Audi Thornhill was developed from the ground-up based upon the guiding principles of transparency, convenience, and flexibility. Dilawri Group of Companies has established a truly unique shopping experience, supported by real-time communication channels, seamless transition from online to offline, and an all new in-store environment at Audi Thornhill.

"Audi Thornhill was the perfect dealership to launch Dilawri Anywhere 2.0. Whether in-store, online, or a combination of both, Audi Thornhill sets a new benchmark for the vehicle purchase experience and it sets the example of evolution in dealership experience planned for all Dilawri Group of Companies dealerships," said Dilawri.

About Dilawri Group of Companies

Dilawri Group of Companies is Canada's largest automotive group with 76 franchised dealerships representing 35 automotive brands throughout Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Privately owned and operated by the Dilawri family since 1985, the company continues to expand its footprint in Canada, building on its history of excellence in the automotive industry. With more than 4,000 employees, Dilawri Group of Companies is proud to offer exceptional products and customer service in every dealership.

Visit us to learn more at: www.dilawri.ca

About Audi Thornhill

Audi Thornhill is Canada's newest Audi sales and service dealership. As a member of Dilawri Group of Companies, Canada's largest automotive group, we look forward to servicing you with pride, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to quality and convenience.

At Audi Thornhill, we have changed the car buying experience. With Dilawri Anywhere 2.0, we offer transparent pricing, and a connected online and in-store experience, putting YOU in the driver's seat. With a focus on providing an easy and convenient purchase process, we invite you to shop online from the convenience of home or come and visit our brand-new boutique sales and service dealership to experience the Audi product in an environment like no other.

Whether you are interested in purchasing a new Audi, Pre-owned vehicle, or looking to have your current Audi serviced, you can expect an outstanding customer experience at Audi Thornhill.

Visit us to learn more at: www.audithornhill.ca

SOURCE Dilawri Group of Companies

For further information: David Boots, Vice President, Strategic Development, [email protected], (647) 789-2439

Related Links

https://www.dilawri.ca/


Mumbai, March 31 : The Covid-19 virus tightened its grip in Maharashtra with a staggering 227 new deaths on Wednesday and the case tally crossing the 28 lakh mark, with over 100,000 patients added in just 72 hours, health officials said on Wednesday.

Recording 39,544 new cases, down from the highest 41,404 on March 28, the state tally crossed 28 lakh to reach 28,12,980, the highest in India.

Three days after the death toll cross the 54,000 mark, the state saw 227 more fatalities, taking the toll till date to 54,649, again the worst in the country, amid looming fears of a Lockdown 2.0.

The state recovery rate also dropped from 85.71 per cent on Tuesday to 85.34 per cent, while the death rate worsened from 1.96 per cent a day earlier to 1.94 per cent, and the number of active cases jumped up from 340,542 to 356,243 now.

Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur circles remained a cause for huge concern as deaths and cases continue to gallop, followed by the Akola, Aurangabad, Kolhapur and Latur circles.

Of the 227 fatalities, Nagpur led the state with 49 deaths, while 31 died in Pune, 22 in Nanded, 15 in Mumbai, 10 in Ahmednagar, nine each in Nashik and Jalgaon, eight in Jalna, seven in Nandurbar, six each in Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Solapur, Parbhani, and Amravati, four each in Latur, Yavatmal, and Buldhana, three each in Sangli, Beed, and Gondia, two each in Kolhapur, Akola, and Chandrapur, and one each in Aurangabad and Washim, besides two from outside.

Meanwhile, the number of people in home isolation stood at 17,29,816, while those shunted to institutional quarantine reached 17,863 on Wednesday.
Costco is one of the best places to shop for a big holiday dinner because it sells items in bulk. The store also carries delicious seasonal bakery items like carrot cake cupcakes and Easter egg layer cake that will be a huge hit with your family.

If youre deciding when youre going to do your holiday shopping, you may be wondering, is Costco closed on Easter? Heres the scoop on Costcos 2021 holiday hours to help you decide if you should do your shopping there or somewhere else.





Is Costco Closed on Easter?

Costco isnt open this Easter. So unfortunately youll have to do your last minute grocery and gift shopping somewhere else. But luckily Costco is open on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, so you can get all the fixings you need for Easter dinner as long as you shop a day or two in advance.

Costco will also be open on Easter Monday. But make sure you check your local stores website for more detailed information about its schedule and hours. Costco has made some changes to its operating hours in light of the pandemic, so its a good idea to verify that the store is open before you head there.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that some of Costcos departments may be closed due to the coronavirus. At certain locations, there may be no or limited service in these departments:

Hearing aid

Optical

Jewelry

Floristry

So if you want some tulips for your Easter table, youll have to call and see if the florist is open at your store.

Get a $10 Costco Shop Card

Is 2-Day Delivery Available on Easter?

Since you cant shop at your local Costco on Easter, you may be hoping that you can still get items delivered to your door on the holiday. Unfortunately, Costcos 2-day delivery service doesnt operate on the weekends. So dont make the mistake of ordering the ingredients you need for Easter dinner on Friday thinking theyll be delivered by Sunday.

Grocery Stores That Are Open on Easter

Sadly you cant go to Costco on Easter, but these stores will be open to fulfill all of your grocery and gift needs.

Fresh Market

Walmart

Wegmans

Whole Foods

Meijer

Safeway

Stop & Shop

Kroger

Harris Teeter

Hours vary by location, so make sure you check with your local store to see how late theyre going to stay open on Easter.

Costco Holiday Hours

If youre wondering is Costco closed on Easter, you may also want to know what other holidays the store is closed on. Costco usually shuts its doors for six other holidays besides Easter.

You cant shop at your favorite warehouse store on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day. But luckily there are other grocery stores that stay open so you can get the last minute items you need.

Its inconvenient when your go-to stores are closed on the holidays. But with a little advance planning, youll be able to get everything you need to celebrate.

Give the gift of savings! Learn more

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Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.
CHICAGO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Frederic & Jocelyne Scheer Foundation announced today that it would be sponsoring An Evening with Chopin, a concert dedicated to showcasing the talents of young pianists from around the world. The concert will be available for streaming on April 10 at 2pm CDT on Valhalla Media Live for one week from the time of release.

The Scheer Foundation

According to the foundation, "the pandemic and following civil unrest has created a dire situation for the world of arts and especially for young promising artists, the Board of our Foundation has decided to redirect its efforts to support and strengthen local community in attributing grants to young artists in the United States and overseas."

Filmed in Latvia, Azerbaijan, and Italy, three rising stars were chosen to participate in the Chopin-centric program hosted from Australia by Madeline Cross Parkin, the foundation's Director of Grants (Brisbane, Australia). Audiences can expect to hear from Katrina Suroveca (Riga, Latvia), Murad Abasov (Baku, Azerbaijan), and Martina Consonni (Como, Italy) in the 60 minute concert stream. The repertoire will range from Chopin classics to rarely heard gems.

Valhalla Media Live and its team has been tasked with spearheading the filming logistics and post-production of the multi-country offering, aiming to fulfill their mission of bringing world class artistry to viewers around the world. The stream will be viewable on any smart device and remain available for 72 hours after initial purchase.

Tickets are $8.95/student suggested price & $14.95/adult suggested price and available for purchase at valhallamedia.live , however a pay what you want option is enabled for this concert.

"The world of music is international and does not know borders. Music brings peace and joy around the world." - The Frederic & Jocelyne Scheer Foundation

About the Scheer Foundation

The Frederic & Jocelyne Scheer Foundation ("Scheer Foundation") is a US Private Foundation (501-c 3) dedicated to fight malnutrition and children mortality in Africa in promoting local agricultural and industrial project to build up local and regional employment. The Foundation recently expanded its reach to Arts & Music in 2020 and is sponsoring young promising artists around the world. Learn more at www.scheerfoundation.org

About Valhalla Media

Re-energizing the world of classical music in a new digital realm, Valhalla Media is committed to providing online performing arts content that features fresh and creative programming, while helping artists and arts organizations re-imagine the ways in which they can broaden and connect with their audiences. Together, working directly with artists and producing organizations, Valhalla Media will elevate its colleagues and help them thrive on the stage of the 21st Century. Learn more at valhallamedia.live

Media Contact:

Shelby Homiston, 312 894 6064, [email protected]

SOURCE The Scheer Foundation
Muhammad Imran, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India

New Delhi [India], March 31 (ANI): The international community must strive towards achieving the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homelands, said Bangladesh High Commissioner Muhammad Imran on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's Independence at the High Commission in Delhi, the envoy said that Rohingyas, a minority ethnic group from Myanmar faced the worst forms of human rights violations owing to their religion and race.

"Rohingyas, a minority ethnic group from Myanmar have faced the worst forms of human rights violations owing to their religion and race. Prolonged uncertainty over repatriation has led to widespread despair among them and host community, regarding untoward incidents," he said.

The envoy stated that hosting the community is becoming increasingly difficult to provide support to the minority community. "We all want to avoid any rise of radicalism which could seriously impact peace and stability in the region and beyond," he said.

He added, "The international community must strive towards achieving the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to their homelands."

Nearly one million Rohingyas, who fled from their native Myanmar in 2018 to escape atrocities from the armed forces, are living in refugee camps across the world, mostly in Bangladesh.

While pointing out how Bangladesh has been able to manage the coronavirus pandemic under control, he said that the country began its vaccination programme last month where he thanked India for providing COVID-19 vaccines to the nation.

"Thanks to our Indian friends for sending 3.2 million doses of Covishield as a gift which has been a great help for us. Thank you, to the people and the Government of India," he said. (ANI)
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.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 23:09:33|Editor: huaxia

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Citizens display China's national flag in support of implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" at Tamar Park in Hong Kong, south China, March 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The British parliament members and U.S. congressmen should care about the welfare of their own people and manage their own affairs well, rather than interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

"Elected by their voters, they have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, but are expected to do practical deeds for their own people," said spokesperson Hua Chunying at a press briefing when commenting on British and U.S. doubts about the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and accusations that China violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

She noted that the "patriots administering" principle has long been a common practice in all countries in the world, noting Britain, the United States, and other countries have long-established, strict standards for patriotism and loyalty in their laws, especially for public-official loyalty to the country.

She said the British accusation against China disregards facts and reverses black and white.

Noting the Chinese government governs Hong Kong under the Constitution and the Basic Law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the spokesperson said Britain has no supervision power and so-called moral responsibility for Hong Kong after its return to China. Neither does it have the qualifications and legal basis to interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

"In fact, during the more than 150 years of Hong Kong colonial rule, Britain did not give Hong Kong any democratic freedom," Hua said. She added that the Chinese central government is the defender and promoter of Hong Kong's democracy.

When it comes to China's obligations, Hua said that the Chinese government's primary responsibility is to ensure the country's territorial sovereignty and security, including Hong Kong. It must prevent a "color revolution" endangering Hong Kong's security, stability, development, and prosperity instigated by external forces and their political agents. It must also ensure that Hong Kong governors effectively serve the interests and well-being of the compatriots.

Hua stressed that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs. She said the Chinese government has the resolve and confidence to safeguard the sovereignty, security, and development interests of the country and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

It has the resolve and confidence to ensure the continued success of the "one country, two systems" policy, under which "the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy, she added.

"No external forces should attempt to intervene in Hong Kong affairs and put pressure on China. Otherwise, they will suffer a shameful failure," Hua said. 
The organisers of ITB China have announced plans to host an offline industry gathering at the end of June in place of the ITB China Special Edition trade event originally scheduled in Beijing from May 7- 8.

The industry gathering will be an invitation-only networking event for China-based industry professionals to exchange updates and insights on the future of the Chinese travel market.

ITB China Special Edition had been designed at the end of last year as a complementary event to ITB China 2021 in November and to serve as an industry-hub for informational and commercial exchange towards an expected gradual recovery of Chinas international travel market.

With strict cross-border travel restrictions still being in place in China, the prospects of international travel to and from China are not reliably predictable at this point in time and Chinese travel agencies are therefore not yet ready to resume regular business activities with regards to purchasing, packaging and promoting international travel products.

Reflecting the current market situation, the trade-focused event - ITB China Special Edition - could not fulfill its intended function and thus would not meet the standard of business value that ITB China had committed to deliver to its partners and customers, said David Axiotis, General Manager of ITB China. However, the industry's desire to stay in touch in person continues unabated, and that is exactly what we will be doing in the first half of 2021 by providing a pure networking occasion to meet face-to-face. At the same time, backed by the anticipation of a powerful resumption of Chinese cross-border travel shared by all our partners, we are moving ahead on the coming ITB China in November with innovative solutions for our exhibitors, buyers and partners to connect and meet with each other, helping them to shape the new business landscape of the Chinese travel market.

The fourth edition of ITB China, the largest B2B exclusive travel trade show in China, and the accompanying ITB China Conference will take place in Shanghai from November 24  26 with a comprehensive hybrid concept that will allow all exhibitors  regardless of their location  to meet with Chinas top-buyers. More details will be published on the website in the following weeks: www.itb-china.com/ - TradeArabia News Service
Just after 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, emergency medical technician Shakera Brown pulled up to a brown house with green trim in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans.

This time last year, most of the houses she visited were for people with symptoms of COVID-19 who had called 911 because they couldnt breathe. She went into houses fully gowned with a respirator. She got COVID anyway.

But she has a different job today. In a hospital bed tucked into a backroom as television reruns played in the background, Deidra Howard, 59, watched intently as Brown sunk a needle into her arm.

Thank you, thank you, Howard repeated quietly as her older sister, Deborah Lemon, 65, looked on.

Howard, who has cerebral palsy and mental impairment after a car accident 16 years ago left her bedbound, is one of 20 people in New Orleans who would receive a second dose of the Moderna shot at home on Tuesday.

New Orleans EMTs have vaccinated 121 people so far with another 125 on the waitlist. But the program is making a small dent in getting vaccinations to one of the state's most medically fragile populations.

There are over two million people in the U.S. who are confined to their homes. While its not clear how many people have medical conditions that keep them from leaving their homes in each state, researcher and epidemiologist Katherine Ornstein of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City estimated it would be around 5% to 6% of people over 65 in the state, plus younger people who are bedridden like Howard.

That means about 37,000 people over 65 in Louisiana are likely homebound  a population that is by definition invisible in many ways, said Ornstein.

Although many have been eligible for months, homebound people have so far had little hope of receiving a vaccine. Until recently, the process has required long waits on the telephone or scouring websites for open appointments. There are programs in some cities, such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Monroe, but most vaccinations happen at clinics, pharmacies, hospitals and mass vaccination events, which the homebound cannot get to.

While residents in New Orleans can get on the at-home vaccine list by dialing 311, there is no similar service available in nearby Jefferson Parish right now, for example.

It would take an ambulance ride to get them anywhere, said Jonathan Fourcade, spokesperson for New Orleans Emergency Medical Services. "Its just a whole lot easier to come to them.

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Though people who are bedridden cannot leave their residences, theyre still at high risk because of the people they live with and the close proximity they share with caregivers, who feed, bathe and dress patients. In Howards home on Tuesday, there were five other people sharing the 1,261 square-foot space, including her niece, who serves as her caregiver, and her nieces two children.

The vulnerability of medically fragile people was demonstrated by the earliest COVID-19 deaths. Nursing homes were quickly ravaged by the disease, accounting for nearly a third of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. and over 4 in 10 deaths in Louisiana by the end of 2020, even though they made up just 5% of cases in the state.

The states early vaccination plan accounted for nursing home residents, but not homebound residents.

That changes next week, when the state will launch a hotline to address the lack of universal at-home vaccinations for people who cannot leave their homes.

Some workers who were contract tracing are now being shifted to vaccine scheduling, according to Kevin Litten, a spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Health. Seven teams across the state will work with regional medical directors to implement at-home vaccinations.

As New Orleans has done, the state is advising regions to use the medical evacuation list for hurricanes and is working with the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities and Office for Aging and Adult Services, along with Medicaid to begin outreach to homebound people.

Lemon found out about the homebound vaccination program through a friend, who told her to call 311. Someone came out to her house the next day to give her sister the first shot.

Everybody else in the family and all of us have been vaccinated, said Lemon, who got the Moderna vaccine in February. I want to make sure shes safe, too.

After Howards shot, Brown, the EMT, has nine more doors to knock on, where she'll spend around 30 minutes with each patient.

Every patient I go to, they all say the same thing, said Brown. They just thank us so much.

CORRECTION: Earlier versions of some photo captions with this story said Howard received her first vaccine Tuesday.
The United States is expressing concern about what it called ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine amid reports of a buildup of Russian troops along Ukraine's border and in Crimea.



Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, and U.S. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called top military leaders in Russia and Ukraine, the State Department and Pentagon said on March 31.



Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine in the face of Russias ongoing aggression and expressed concern about the security situation in eastern Ukraine, the State Department said.



Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said the Pentagon is aware of Ukrainian military reports concerning Russian troop movements near Ukraines borders.



"Russia's destabilizing actions undermine the de-escalation intentions that had been achieved through an OSCE-brokered agreement back in July of last year," Kirby told a briefing, referring to a cease-fire brokered by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.



"We are discussing our concerns about this increase in tensions and cease-fire violations and regional tensions with NATO allies," Kirby said.



The OSCE's civilian Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has reported hundreds of cease-fire violations in recent days. On March 26, four Ukrainian soldiers were killed and two others injured in the eastern part of the country.



The Ukrainian military said its soldiers were hit by a mortar attack it blamed on Russian troops. Russia denies having a military presence in eastern Ukraine, where it backs separatist forces.



Milley spoke with General Valery Gerasimov, the Russian Armed Forces chief of staff, and General Ruslan Khomchak, chief of the general staff of Ukraines Armed Forces.



Kirby referred questions about the specifics of Milleys calls to his office.

Khomchak on March 30 accused Moscow of conducting a buildup near the Ukraine-Russia border and reiterated claims that pro-Moscow separatists continue to violate the July cease-fire.



The buildup is taking place under the guise of preparing for strategic exercises and is in addition to thousands of troops in combat brigades, regiments, and supply units deployed in the occupied Donbas with the support of Russian regular troops, the Ukrainian army chief said in an interview with Voice of America.



The Armed Forces of Ukraine respond accordingly to such actions of our eastern neighbor, Khomchak said. We are preparing for all possible provocations and reactions to the actions of the enemy.



Khomchak first made the accusations of a military buildup in a speech to Ukraine's parliament on March 30.



The comments drew a response from Russian President Vladimir Putin during a March 30 video conference call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Kremlin said.



Putin placed the blame for tensions on Ukraine and urged Kyiv to enter into direct dialogue with local separatist forces.



"The Russian side expressed serious concern over the escalation of armed confrontation that is being provoked by Ukraine along the line of contact and its effective refusal to implement the agreements of July 2020to strengthen the cease-fire regime," the Kremlin said in a statement late on March 30.



Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in comments to reporters on March 31, said Putin has not drawn any red lines regarding the situation in eastern Ukraine.



In general, the issues on the agenda were the absence of any alternatives to compliance with the Minsk accords and the problem situation that has taken shape in connection with the noncompliance with these agreements," Peskov said, according to TASS, referring to a 2015 agreement brokered by France and Germany.



A statement from the French presidency indicated that during the video conference call Macron and Merkel urged Putin to take steps to de-escalate.



"The need for Russia to make a determined commitment to stabilize the cease-fire in Ukraine and work out a way out of the crisis while respecting the Minsk Agreements was underlined," the Elysee Palace said.



Germany, Russia, France, and Ukraine are part of the so-called Normandy Format set up to try to resolve the simmering conflict.



Cease-fire violations and flare-ups in violence in eastern Ukraine are common. Fighting between government forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 13,000 people since April 2014.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and TASS
LOOKING TO OTHER STATES

(TNS)  New York added to its reputation for strict regulation of cryptocurrency platforms with an $18.5 million fine against the companies behind the stablecoin known as Tether and its related digital asset exchange.The states reputation on financial technology, which experts say may be inaccurately based on such enforcement actions, stands in contrast with other states, such as Wyoming and Colorado, that are enacting pro-crypto legislation and conducting outreach to attract investment. Lawyers who work with cryptocurrency companies say a patchwork of complex and divergent approaches to regulation is emerging. Some say the federal governments lack of action on setting clear rules for fintech presents a major risk for innovators in the burgeoning industry.Its still pretty messy, said Karen Ubell, an attorney at Goodwin Procter LLP in San Francisco. Ubell advises clients on cryptocurrency issues and noted that federal and state enforcement has been robust, but neither have offered as much guidance to foster fintech. New York sued Tether Ltd.; Bitfinex, the parent company iFinex Inc.; and related entities in 2019, alleging that Tether wasnt truly backed 1-to-1 by U.S. dollars as the companies claimed. In February, the companies settled without admitting any misconduct. In addition to the millions of dollars in fines, the companies promised to cease all business within the state.Dan Roeser, a litigator in Goodwin Procters New York office, said the Tether case wasnt a broad indictment of fintech, but some clients dont understand that. They tend instead to be more focused on the overall activity level of regulators rather than the outcome of any particular case, he said.Kayvan Sadeghi, an attorney at Schiff Hardin LLP in New York, said much the same. Even though hes been alerting clients to activity by the New York attorney generals office for years, he said, the Tether settlement isnt as significant as it sounds considering Tethers market value of $40 billion.New York unveiled a separate lawsuit against Coinseed Inc. last month over allegations that its initial coin offering should have been registered as securities and subject to broker-dealer registration requirements.Unregulated and fraudulent virtual currency entities, no matter how big or small, will no longer be tolerated in New York, state Attorney General Letitia James said in a Feb. 17 statement regarding Coinseed. The case is pending, but James made clear that she intends to use state anti-fraud laws to prosecute cryptocurrency businesses over misconduct.Sadeghi said that even before these enforcement actions, some clients tried to avoid New York due to the requirement for most businesses dealing in cryptocurrency to register and obtain a BitLicense from the Department of Financial Services. Merchants and consumers using it as a medium of exchange are exempt, but issuers, administrators and exchange services for virtual currency must register.While New Yorks registration requirements might provide some businesses more clarity upfront, they come with costs. The BitLicense state processing fee is $5,000 and involves a 44-page application. Sadeghi estimated that the total costs including professional fees can exceed $100,000 to fulfill the registration requirements, depending on the specific situation.Wyoming, meanwhile, has tried to welcome cryptocurrency business. The state passed more than a dozen laws aimed at providing clarity on digital asset property rights and custody rules. It also chartered special depository trust institutions to provide banking services to blockchain-focused companies.The Wyoming Utility Token Act defined the cryptocurrency for the first time as an asset class separate from securities and commodities. Colorado also signaled its friendly approach to cryptocurrency regulation by convening a working group to study state-chartered banking solutions for blockchain-based innovation. It also passed legislation similar to Wyoming that exempts digital tokens from its securities laws and broker-dealer rules.The Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and several federal courts have gone the other way, classifying many cryptocurrencies as subject to their jurisdiction. The New York attorney generals office on March 1 posted an industry alert reminding stakeholders that most cryptocurrencies are either securities or commodities under state law.These divergent approaches can create confusion and risk for industry innovators that want to play by the rules. Some international fintech projects also await more regulatory clarity before entering U.S. markets, according to experts.You get more robust and resilient markets if there are clear rules of the road, said Linda Jeng, an adjunct law professor at Georgetown and the global head of policy at fintech startup Transparent, which offers a digital platform for business-to-business payments that utilizes blockchain technology. Jeng also formerly worked at the SEC.A small number of bad actors can give the entire industry a bad name by taking on too much risk because its still the wild, Wild West, Jeng said. Good for New York for going after something that was so egregious. Jeng, Ubell and Roeser said President Joe Bidens pick to lead the SEC, Gary Gensler, has excited the industry.There is a lot of hope in the industry, knowing Gary Gensler has a deep knowledge and understanding of cryptocurrencies, but it remains to be seen whether that knowledge will transfer into additional rulemaking on cryptocurrency, Ubell said. Gensler, a former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission who has taught courses on blockchain at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was asked about cryptocurrency during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee on March 2.Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have brought new thinking to financial planning and investor inclusion, Gensler said. Id work with fellow commissions both to promote the new innovation but also, at the core, ensure investor protection. Gensler didnt offer any further specifics at the hearing. His confirmation was approved by the committee and is awaiting a floor vote. Even if confirmed, experts recognize that issuing cryptocurrency guidance isnt likely to be Genslers first priority.The federal system moves slowly, and I dont expect that to change, Sadeghi said.A bipartisan bill introduced in the House this month would exclude digital tokens from federal securities laws, but similar proposals introduced in prior sessions failed to garner enough support to advance. If we dont act quickly, the United States will be left behind. Other countries have found ways to regulate blockchain projects and, in doing so, have made themselves more attractive to entrepreneurs, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, one of its sponsors, said in a statement. The window is closing.
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Deliveroos market debut falls flat

Shares in the British food delivery service Deliveroo tumbled as much as 30 percent in their first day of trading this morning, after the company priced its I.P.O. at the low end of expectations. It was an inauspicious debut for Britains biggest initial stock sale in a decade.

Anticipation for Deliveroos I.P.O. was high, especially since the companys decision to list in London was praised as a victory for a post-Brexit Britain. Its debut was seen as a test for European stock investors willingness to back a company that, like many American rivals, runs up huge losses, relies on a gig-economy model and gives its C.E.O. outsized control. British regulators have also been studying ways to make Londons stock market more attractive to keep the city competitive in finance.

It turns out that many major British investors werent that eager. Deliveroos valuation dropped as low as 5.3 billion pounds ($7.3 billion), weeks after the company hoped to be valued at as much as 9 billion. Asset managers like Legal and General said they wouldnt invest in the I.P.O., citing concerns about the compensation of the companys drivers and a dual-class stock structure that gives Will Shu, Deliveroos C.E.O., more power than other investors for three years.

Investors also generally worry that food delivery services will lose steam as pandemic lockdowns ease.

Tech investors questioned whether Europe would welcome other start-up listings. Deliveroos frosty reception may persuade other European tech businesses to list elsewhere, two of the companys backers told DealBook. A potential alternative is merging with a U.S.-based SPAC, as the British used-car marketplace Cazoo and the German air-taxi maker Lilium are doing.

Cazoos founder, Alex Chesterman, specifically called out British investors risk aversion as a reason to list across the Atlantic: U.S. investors tend to be prepared to take bigger risks on bigger outcomes, he said.

They did what they thought was most efficient for themselves  make the ships big  and they didnt pay much attention at all to the rest of the world.

 Marc Levinson, an economist, on the risks that ever-larger container ships pose to supply chains

How to fix SPACs

One of the biggest criticisms of blank-check funds is the misalignment of interests between the companies sponsors and later investors, particularly retail buyers. In his latest column, Andrew proposes a fix that takes advantage of a unique aspect of the way SPACs are run.

The key is the companies financial forecasts. Unlike with traditional I.P.O.s, which restrict what a company can say about its business, a company that goes public by merging with a SPAC is free to make financial forecasts. Because many of these companies are too young to have profits  or in many cases, revenues  these projections can be all that prospective investors have to go on. Companies may make promises they struggle to deliver, particularly for projections several years in the future. Virgin Galactic, which published projections out to 2023 when it merged with a SPAC in 2019, has had to revise its forecasts as its flight timetable has slipped.
A former Nigerian beauty queen and doctorate student from Philadelphia has been shot dead while sitting in her car in front of her family's home, and now her parents are in hiding out of fear for their lives.

Najeebat Sule, 24, who was known to her loved ones as Najee, was killed shortly before 6pm on March 12, just steps away from her residence in the 8800 block of Frankford Avenue.

Nearly three weeks later, police have not found a motive and have made no arrests, leaving Sule's family and friends searching for answers.

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Nigerian pageant queen Najeebat Sule, 24, was shot multiple times and killed in Philadelphia on March 12. She had only recently earned a Master's degree in public health

Sule was sitting in her Toyota and texting with a friend outside her parent's home when a gunman approached her and opened fire

'I cant think of anything that would make anyone want to kill her,' Sule's close friend Habibat Magaji, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Magaji was among the last people to have seen Sule alive before she was gunned down.

The two women had spent the night before at Magaji's home, eating snacks and watching Netflix together.

Less than 24 hours later, Sule was sitting in her gray Toyota Corolla, exchanging text messages with Magaji, when an unidentified man walked up to the vehicle with a gun drawn and shot her several times.

Sule's father, Adewale Sule, heard the gunfire and emerged from the house just in time to see the suspect fire the last of the shots at his daughter.

'I saw the guy shooting my daughter. He shot the last round and I pursued him,' said the father. 'He ran back to his car.'

In 2019, Sule became second runner-up at Miss Nigeria International

At the time of her violent death, Sule was pursuing a doctorate

Najeet was rushed to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.

Her mother, Tawakalitu Sule, said she last heard from Najeet less than two hours before the shooting, when her daughter asked her when she was going to be home.

'All of my children have been crying every day because of their big sister. They really miss her. I miss my daughter,' she said.

Najeet is survived by her parents and two sisters.

'She was very talented, smart and funny,' one of her siblings told 6abc.

The family are currently staying at an undisclosed location over unspecified concerns for their safety.

Sule and her family immigrated to Philadelphia from their native Nigeria in the early 2000s.

Sule had only recently earned a Masters degree in public health from West Chester University and was pursuing a doctorate.

In 2019, she was crowned a second runner-up at the Miss Nigeria International pageant.

'Queen Najibat was an amazing young lady whose presence at the Miss Nigerian beauty pageant left a great ripple that continues to resonate,' pageant organizers wrote on Facebook. 'She was a breath of fresh air and her presence added a distinct touch that made the event memorable. She carried herself with great dignity and grace and her strength of character and approachability made her such a joy to work with.'

Friends remembered Sule for her love of travel and fashion, and her feminine style

Nearly three weeks later, Philadelphia police have no motive and no suspect

Friends said Sule loved shopping and travel, and had an ultra-feminine style that was reflected in her all-pink, sparkly bedroom decor.

Sule is among 120 people who have been killed in Philadelphia so far this year

Her Instagram page, which has more than 3,000 followers, features photos of the glamorous PhD student modeling a wide variety of fashionable outfits and accessories.

'Our joke was that she was like a Nigerian princess,' Sule's high school friend Tamira DeSeignoria told the newspaper. 'Whatever Najee wanted, Najee got.'

Sule's shooting death comes amid a surge in gun violence in Philadelphia, which has seen a 29 per cent homicide rate increase over the last year.

In the first three months of 2021, there have been 120 killings in Philadelphia, with 15 of the victims being children, reported Fox 29.

'This is absolutely unacceptable,' Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said on Wednesday during a meeting about the latest crime statistics, stressing that 'these are human beings that we're talking about.'
(@FahadShabbir)

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador to Rome after a Russian military diplomat was detained on espionage suspicions, a spokesman for the ministry told Sputnik on Wednesday

ROME (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st March, 2021) The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador to Rome after a Russian military diplomat was detained on espionage suspicions, a spokesman for the ministry told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"I confirm this. More details will be provided later," the spokesman said.

The ministry later specified that Elisabetta Belloni, the foreign ministry's secretary general, summoned Russian Ambassador to Rome Sergey Razov at the request of Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.

Earlier on Wednesday, Italy's national gendarmerie announced that it detained a Russian military officer accredited by the Russian embassy, and an Italian navy captain on espionage suspicions. The detention took place at a secret meeting, immediately after the Italian officer leaked classified documents in exchange for money.
Emily Mieure covers criminal justice and emergency news. She also leads the News&Guides investigative efforts. She has reported for WDRB TV in Louisville, Ky., WFIE TV in Evansville, Ind., and WEIU TV in Charleston, Ill.
Well folks, here we are. 6 years later, and we've gotten our last taste of the Ozark Highlands Cloud 9 craziness. But, going into this two-part finale, many pressing questions still remained: would tragic exes Jonah and Amy reunite? Will Garrett and Dina make their probably will/possibly won't-they a definite "will?" And who was the mysterious St. Louis serial foot-chopper? Read on for my review of the Superstore series finale:

After some digging, Amy discovers that Zephra is making Cloud 9 an online-centric retailer, meaning that 95% of phsycial stores will be closing down. Amy, along with the Store 1217 management, vow to make sure their location isnt one of the corporations victims, whatever it takes. However, no one is particularly hopeful about their control over the outcome; even Jonah is out of ideas - Weve been flattened by these guys over and over.

When a professional analyst is scheduled to inspect the Ozark Highlands store, the Cloud 9 employees know that its now or never. Amy travels over from California to help make the store the most super its ever been, leading to much awkwardness with Jonah and the rest of the crew, especially after the details of Jonahs current relationship with Hannah are unceremoniously leaked during a breakroom meeting.

Romantic entanglements aside, Amy suggests that aesthetics are part of the decision making process, so for the rest of the day, the employees spend the day making the store perfect. And it almost works, too, if it werent for the infamous St. Louis Foot Murderer, striking once again. This time, Justine finds a duffle bag full of not one or two but 8(!) severed feet (thats 4 peoples worth!).

Dina wont let anyone move or further touch the evidence, but to prevent the store from becoming a crime scene (admittedly a bad look), the gang decide to not tell anyone else about the duffle bag and hide it by surrounding it by boxes of Lacroix (definitely the weirdest product placement Ive seen in a while, but I love it) until the analyst leaves.

Megan the Zephra analyst arrives at the store, and the Cloud 9 higher-ups all try to play their parts. Amy, who is supposed to still be in California, hides out in the backroom giving the others advice on the walkie talkie while trying to prevent Megan from seeing her. While things initially go to plan, it's not long before Marcus discovers the bag of feet and makes an enormous scene. Jonah tries to talk him down, but its too late - the analyst sees everything.

Like buzzards, police and media descend upon the store dubbed Toe-zark highlands. In lieu of damage control, Jonah agrees to do an interview on the news where he highlights the stores good qualities, dodging all the gritty questions to promote the store in a last-ditch effort to convince Megan to spare everyones jobs. Finally, he gives a frustrated, impassioned speech about the store's imperfections.

"We're just us. But we're here every single day. When it rains, when it snows, when it tornadoes. When there's a plague and you're all safe at home, except for when you come here to cough - we're here, just trying to get you what you need, and all we want is to keep doing that."

Amy and all the other workers who hear Jonah's words seem truly touched - and let me tell you, as a retail worker myself, this moment definitely got me - but did it work to save Cloud 9?

Amy comes to Megan, encouraging her to not close the store. Megan reassures her that Zephra still wants to keep the Ozark Highlands location - but as fulfillment center. Most of the employees will lose their jobs, but not everyone. And, Megan adds pointedly, Amy will keep her job.

No I wont, Amy says in a moment of moral clarity, and quits.

A month later, Amy returns on the stores closing day to help out and say goodbye, and we see what plans our Cloud 9 crew has for their now-uncertain future.

Glenn is retiring, and trying to figure out what he should do if he isnt working. He makes such a big deal about not being able to work anymore that he frustrates Mateo - worried because he won't be able to work by law, not choice. Mateo, emphasizing that choice left for Glenn, convinces him to not retire and re-open his familys hardware store instead. As a thank-you, Glenn offers Mateo a job at the re-instituted Sturgis and Sons.

Dina, meanwhile, has been appointed manager of the new fulfillment center. The good news that accompanies this is that she can choose parts of her team from the old roster of Cloud 9 employees. The bad news is that she can only choose 5 employees in total, meaning that the majority of the crew will still be out of a job. Dina struggles with this decision all day, until Sandra comes in and, seeing her dilemma, offers her help. Sandra immediately picks 5 employees - including herself, as your Assistant Manager. Dina wholeheartedly agrees to the choices, not only marking the end of both her and Sandras individual arcs, but also that ye olde Sandra/Dina feud is long in the past.

Speaking of Dina, our beloved assistant manager-turned-manager plays one more role in the shows final hour when she reveals to Amy that in the month of downtime, Jonah and Hannah broke up. Amy tries to mask her reaction to this news, but it seems to affect her in some way.

Later, Jonah and Amy talk, and when Jonah explains that he and Hannah are no longer an item, Amy pretends to not have known. However, Dina overhears the conversation and accidentally reveals she already told Amy, indicating to Jonah that Amy lied - and is pretty clearly still interested in him. Still doing Jonah-related recon, Amy asks a few of the others how upset Jonah was when she left. I think I made a mistake not marrying Jonah, she admits.

YA THINK? asks Sandra, storming away.

Finally, Amy finds Jonah again, and (in a romantic gesture equivalent to The Notebooks infamous rain scene) tells him that she finally watched The Americans. She apologizes for how she left him, noting that she realized in hindsight that she was just overwhelmed by the sudden availability of options in her life. He tells her not to apologize for not wanting to marry him, but she refutes him; I didnt know what I wanted, and I know now.

However, Jonahs not just going to come back willingly. Im not something you can schedule whenever youre free, he says. The two are left in the reverse situation of their break-up, with Jonah unsure of what he wants, and Amy asking him to let her know when he figures it out.

The whole crew gathers in the electronics section after Glenn finds video recordings of everyones job interviews, which he not only took, but kept, for whatever reason. One by one, we go through the adorable, uncomfortably relatable interviews that really hammer home the growth each character has experienced through their time at the store (an aside: was it just me, or did they CGI the actors faces to look younger? What a weird expense to make for such a tiny part of the show overall).

By the time we get to Jonahs interview, the interviewee in question leaves in embarrassment (although not before we get a clever nod to Jonah previously working at an ad agency, a shout-out to Ben Feldmans memorable recurring role on Mad Men). However, as the tape goes on, 2015-Jonah poignantly echoes his moments of beauty speech from the pilot, talking about the magic of retail work. He also makes it clear that he never stays at a single job for long, and - at least at the time - he kind of expected the Cloud 9 gig to be the same, a couple months just not using my brain.

Once again touched by his words, Amy seeks out Jonah a third time and asks him, point blank, why he stayed at Cloud 9 for 6 years if he had, before then, been somewhat of a floater.

Why do you think, Amy? He asks.

Amy then tells him that - after she stopped hating him for it - his belief that life could be better than it was changed her own life. She acknowledges that she messed up, but insists that You waited six years for me, so if I have to wait another m-

She is cut off as (soundtracked to the cheers of Superstore fans everywhere), Jonah kisses her, officially reuniting Simmosa once and for all.

And with that, we reach the end of the road. Glenn officially passes the store onto Dina, and Cloud 9s Ozark Highlands store closes forever. In commemoration, we first flashback to some highlights of the shows 6 seasons, then flash-forward, to a montage of where all the characters end up in some indistinct, COVID-free era in the future.

Glenn, Cheyenne and Mateo work at Sturgis and Sons Hardware( A sitcom I would definitely pay to see), Dina (who is now officially dating Garrett), Sandra, Marcus and Justine stay on at the fulfillment center, Eric and Mateo get married (as indicated in a blink-and-youll miss it shot in the final barbecue scene), Amy becomes an executive and Jonah runs for city council. Its also revealed that Jonah and Amy got married and had a son named Carter, who shares a room with Parker. One of the last shots we see is their shared room - with glow in the dark stars on the ceiling.

In the end, however, its Garrett who gets the very last lines of the show (in the same way he got the first ones 6 years ago!). As the blue neon signage shuts off for the last time -

At any rate, thank you for shopping with us. Cloud 9 is now closed.

Its hard not to love this finale. I certainly take some issues with it - mainly its hasty clipping of long-gestating plot threads that deserved more consideration, including Carols lawsuit, the St. Louis severed foot murderer (which was Elias, by the way!), Eric and Mateos engagement, and Jonah and Amys fraught relationship status. However, my #1 criteria when rating finales is how much thought went into them - where each character should end up and why - and, on that scale, Superstore ranks highly. While certainly not the greatest pair of episodes (nothing, to be fair, can top Tornado), the business practices of major corporations were criticised one last time and our characters ended up happy - what more could I ask?

Superstore is a special show. So few shows in general, much less comedies, managed to be so funny while remaining unfalteringly honest to the effects of the growing wealth gap in America. The idea that Jonah - a representative, to an extent, of the rich elite - would enter the minimum wage workforce expecting an easy few months and get consistently beaten down by it instead is something the writers never wasted. Jonahs character entered the show fresh-faced, convinced that anything was possible if you believed in it hard enough. But that ideology was soon torn out of him. And the show was never about the Cloud 9 employees' victories against the big bad of Corporate; every single showdown, the Goliaths always won, even down to the store closing.

Instead, what the Store 1217 employees found over the course of 6 years was a way to become themselves outside of the constraints of work. They found a hope for the future and a self-confidence that is often depicted as being unbecoming on the working class. Jonah - quite possibly like much of the shows audience - came into the fold with little regard for retail work or workers.

And what Superstore did, without fanfare, for more than half a decade, was portray some of the least-respected members of American society with honesty, hilarity, occasional irreverence, and - most importantly - dignity.

As a retail worker myself, I want to thank the cast and crew of Superstore. This show was a comfort in a difficult time in life, and it made me feel seen and understood in ways I didnt think possible. The world needs more media like this. And with spin-off Bo and Cheyenne now officially DOA, TV has some Super-sized shoes to fill.

What did you think of the Superstore series finale? Any changes you would have made? Let me know in the comments!
One man has been arrested after cash, drugs, and high-end watches were seized in a search operation in Dublin today.

The operation, involving the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) with the assistance of the Garda Emergency Response Unit and the Revenue Customs Dog Unit, targeted a "significant drug trafficker" operating within this jurisdiction.

64,000 in cash, cocaine and cannabis valued at 45,000 and high-end designer watches were seized during the search.

A bank account containing 40,833 was also frozen along with computers, drives, phones and documentation in relation to property ownership.

A garda spokeswoman said: "The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) with the assistance of the Garda Emergency Response Unit and the Revenue Customs Dog Unit conducted a search operation in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR West) this morning Wednesday, 31st March, 2021.

"The operation targeted a significant drug trafficker operating within this jurisdiction.

"The CAB investigation in to property and assets funded with the proceeds of crime was originally referred to the Criminal Assets Bureau by the DMR West Roads Policing Unit and prior to this mornings search had resulted in the seizure of 150,000 in cash.

"Today's operation involved the search of a single dwelling and resulted in the following seizures:

 The seizure of 64,000 in cash

 The freezing of a bank account containing 40,833

 The seizure of 45,000 worth of controlled drugs (Cocaine and Cannabis)

 The seizure of three Rolex watches

 The seizure of a Hublot watch

 The seizure of an Audemars Piguet watch

 The seizure of computers, drives, phones and documentation in relation to property ownership.

"One man was arrested during the course of the search and is currently detained under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Dublin.

"This mornings search operation is a positive development in an on-going Criminal Assets Bureau investigation targeting assets accumulated by a significant drug trafficker."
[March 31, 2021] Blue Ridge Bank and SK2 Capital Launch EasyPPPzy Online Platform for Self-employed Workers to Receive Forgivable PPP Loans

Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. ("Blue Ridge Bank"), the national bank subsidiary of Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (NYSE American: BRBS), announced today their continued partnership with SK2 Capital Inc. on the launch of its EasyPPPzy online platform following the news that the Small Business Administration's Payment Protection Program ("PPP") loan application deadline has been extended to May 31st. The EasyPPPzy platform is a digital PPP application portal built from the ground up to assist with applying for and distributing forgivable PPP loans to self-employed professionals and independent contractors. Gig economy workers, freelancers, drivers, and contractors can now complete their PPP application 100% online with SK2 Capital's EasyPPPzy online platform, backed by Blue Ridge Bank as the exclusive lender. All self-employed individuals, whether they are gig economy workers, sole owners or contractors, can apply for PPP funding in as few as five minutes on www.easypppzy.com. "Self-employed professionals, including freelancers and gig economy workers, are a crucial part of our economy and we realized early on that they were facing substantial barriers to accessing COVID-19 relief funds," said Roger Saad, CEO and Founder of SK2 Capital. "We endeavoured to change that by using technology to make it easie for eligible people to access and apply for a PPP loan online. Our new platform allows us to offer our services for free to all, regardless of how small their loans may be."



Blue Ridge Bank and SK2 Capital first partnered in March 2020 when PPP was announced as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Blue Ridge Bank was the exclusive funding partner for all SK2 Capital's clients who were eligible to receive PPP funding. The partnership has since expanded into the online offering known as EasyPPPzy . "We're excited SK2 Capital has chosen to extend its partnership with Blue Ridge Bank," said Michael Knotts, Senior Vice President of Government Guaranteed Lending and Business Development at Blue Ridge Bank. "Our shared commitment to supporting Main Street resulted in hundreds of small businesses across America gaining access to critical funding. We look forward to continuing our work together to reach even more borrowers to access this crucial funding, particularly the long tail of small businesses that have had the most difficulty to date in accessing PPP funds."

The EasyPPPzy platform is built to streamline, simplify, and assist all eligible self-employed individuals obtain a PPP loan through an intuitive online platform. It is powered by The NoCheck Group LLC's award-winning financial services platform to ensure the security and privacy of all applicants' private financial information. The platform has already assisted customers with loans approved under the Small Business Administration's new rule changes announced March 5th. About Blue Ridge Bank Blue Ridge Bank, N.A., is the wholly owned banking subsidiary of Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, Blue Ridge Bank provides a wide range of financial services including retail and commercial banking, payroll, insurance, card payments, wholesale and retail mortgage lending, and government-guaranteed lending. The bank provides commercial banking services to customers located throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Visit mybrb.com to learn more. About SK2 Capital Inc. SK2 Capital Inc. (www.sk2capital.com) is a financial services and fintech company on a mission to help underserved SMEs obtain access to financial resources and services through dedication and innovation. Our purpose during these turbulent and uncertain financial times is to help as many small businesses and self-employed professionals as possible get access to the financial services and advice they need in order to help their businesses survive and grow. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005833/en/

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U.S. President Joe Biden inked the PPP or the Paycheck Protection Protection extension into law, the day before it is set to expire, pushing it until May 31. The law aims to extend the help towards small businesses.

In both the House and the Senate, the said bill passed with immense bipartisan support. The Senate sent the PPP Extension Act five days prior to its signing, as the bill was immediately approved by the Senate. It extends the small-business lending program within a two-month period, permitting the Small Business Administration to continue processing loan applications through the end of June, CNN reported.

Bipartisan accomplishment

According to Business Insider, before signing the bill, the U.S. President shared that before signing the bill, Biden declared the law as a bipartisan accomplishment. Biden also said that if he will not be signing the bill within the day, there will be hundreds of thousands of individuals who would lose their jobs, aside from the possibility of closures of small family businesses permanently.

In addition, even lawmakers praised the passage of the PPP extension, as they acknowledge the fact that a lot of small businesses are still struggling financially after taking hits from damages brought by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. president also included in his stimulus plan a $50 billion budget for small businesses, and specifically $7.25 billion allocated for the PPP when he signed the American Rescue Plan.

ALSO READ: Emails from Hunter Biden's Ex-Wife Details Affair with Sister-in-Law Leaked from Laptop

Based on the latest data from the Small Business Administration, as of the latest record, the PPP has given out 8.2 million small-business loans, which sums up to $718 billion, aiding a huge portion of small businesses in continuing their payment in their bills throughout the global health crisis. But despite its good intentions, since its establishment under the CARES Act in March 2020, the PPP's loan disbursement has come in for criticism, Fox Business reported.

One of which is the issue connected with the fast-food chain Shake Shack, wherein the company was able to get $10 million of loan. Critics complained about the issuance of the loan as the program is only intended for businesses with 500 or fewer employees. After the investigation done with some large companies who were able to get the loan funds, later on, the company returned the loan funds.

Aside from the not qualified companies who got into the loan program, the Office of the Inspector General also found that the PPP had distributed duplicate loans to more than 4,000 borrowers because of problems in the Small Business Administration's control, which would have to be paid back. However, despite some inconsistencies with the loan program, lawmakers still support its intentions.

Moreover, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have stated that the benefits of the PPP outweigh its detriments and are needed in order to provide relief to small businesses around the U.S. during the pandemic. Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland said on the Senate floor last week that the loans by the government saved small businesses all over the nation and they would not be still there without this program.

RELATED ARTICLE: Federal Eviction Moratorium Extended Until June, CDC Says

WATCH: Biden Signs PPP Extension Act | NBC News - NBC News


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While attending a luncheon hosted by the American Renewal Project, I was privileged to hear Ken Graves, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Bangor, Maine. Graves and his church are currently embroiled in a legal battle with Maine Gov. Janet Mills over what are now the strictest rules on church gatherings during the pandemic. Graves explained that churches in "The Pine Tree State" are being denied their God-given right to meet as God commanded.

Then Graves made a powerful statement directed straight at the pastors in attendance. He said something he had noticed, which troubled him deeply, was that so many pastors were under the "oppressive burden of the question" of what the public would think of them if they took a principled stand against the state's egregious actions.

"The fear of man is a snare," warned Graves. "Our pastors have forgotten that the cause itself, the Gospel, is an offense. Far too many of them are trying to pull the teeth out of a passage that God intends to bite with," Graves declared. He said pastors are often unwilling to do the work of the Good Samaritan, who poured both cleansing wine and soothing oil into the wounds of the injured traveler "Wounds cleaned with wine heal better. That certain Samaritan stung him, but did him no wrong," Graves continued. "I want to remind you it is our job to sting. It is our job to soothe. the festering wounds in this nation. It is the Gospel of our King that brings solace on the other side of the sting."

In the fifth chapter of his epistle to the Galatians, the apostle Paul speaks of the offense of the Cross of Christ (Gal. 5:11-13). What is it about the message of the Cross that is so offensive to people?

In the Expositor's Bible Commentary, C. Truman Davis, a medical doctor, describes what it was like for an individual to be crucified by the Romans:

"What is crucifixion? The Cross is placed on the ground, and the exhausted man is quickly thrown back with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the writs. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The Cross is then lifted into place.

"The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain  the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of the feet.

"As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the bloodstream, and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.

"Hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rendering cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from this lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.

"It is now almost over  the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level  the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues  the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air.

"He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues.Finally, he allows his body to die."

Most anyone who would read this would likely contend, "No one, no matter how great their crime, deserves so dreadful a punishment."

Yet the Bible teaches that Christ's death on the Cross was substitutionary. In other words, when Christ died on the Cross, although he was innocent, he was taking our punishment (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 6:23; Rom. 5:8). What happened to Christ on the Cross is what ought to happen to each of us. He was standing in our place. He was enduring the penalty which we deserve for our sins.

The Cross of Christ is an offense because we characteristically have too high an opinion of ourselves. We see ourselves as generally good, perhaps very good, or at least much better than so many others. But the Cross strips us of any pride and says that everyone is so sinful, so wretched, so morally bankrupt in the eyes of a Holy God, it took the Son of God's substitutionary death on that cruel instrument of execution to redeem us.

Such a message is an insult to many. Such a message bites. Such a message stings when applied to the festering wounds of the diseased soul. But for those who will believe it, there is solace on the other side of the sting. There is cleansing, healing, and liberation from the penalty and power of sin. We must be broken down before we can be rebuilt and empowered to live as God pleases.

Pastor, why must you bear that "oppressive burden" of being overly concerned about the public's adverse reaction if you should boldly speak God's Word to the social issues of our day?

When effectively delivered, the Cross, Christianity's core dispatch, is itself an offense to the unregenerate heart  it will always result in making someone angry  always! The fear of man is a snare. If you truly preach the Cross, offenses cannot be avoided. Furthermore, it's the message and spirit of the Cross proclaimed over all of life, which alone can save a wayward nation.
Oregon lawmakers could get a 3 1/2 month extension on their deadline to produce new legislative electoral maps, under a proposal outlined recently by the state Supreme Court.

That could allow the Legislature to come up with maps that are fairer to all Oregonians and particularly to people of color, who account for most of the states population gains since districts were last redrawn, its leaders say.

House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney asked the court earlier this month to extend lawmakers July 1 constitutional deadline to redraw legislative district boundaries, because of significant pandemic-related delays in U.S. Census Bureau data that states use to draw new districts.

Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, who would get to redraw the electoral lines if lawmakers miss their deadline, has maintained the Legislature can produce passably accurate initial electoral maps by July 1 using preliminary estimates of population counts by race and location. Fagan, Courtney and Kotek are all Democrats.

In a March 19 memo to the legislative leaders and Fagan, the Supreme Court laid out tentative alternative deadlines for redistricting and asked the elected leaders for their input on how the proposal would impact accuracy and other redistricting issues. Under the courts tentative plan, lawmakers would have until Oct. 15 to redraw legislative districts, which could give them more than a month to analyze the delayed census data and raise the chances they would generate a map sufficiently accurate to withstand any court challenge. The courts tentative redistricting timeline was first reported by OPB Tuesday.

The proposal would result in final legislative district boundaries as early as Jan. 3, 2022, and no later than Feb. 14, a little more than three weeks before the March 8 deadline for candidates to file for the May primary.

Through their lawyers, Oregons legislative leaders expressed support for the Supreme Courts tentative redistricting schedule.

The secretary of state, however, responded by reiterating the merits of her own previously proposed initial timeline, which would maintain the July 1 deadline for the Legislature to complete redistricting and the Aug. 15 deadline for the secretary of state to redraw the electoral map if the Legislature fails to meet the deadline.

Fagan also proposes an entirely new step in the redistricting process that is not included in the state constitution. She wants the Legislature or secretary of state  whichever completed the initial redistricting plan  to make any necessary corrections in the expected two- to four-week window after the state receives final census data.

The other extensions Fagan proposed were in the legal process that would ensue if someone files a challenge to the redistricting plan. If the Oregon Supreme Court finds the maps out of compliance with state and federal standards, Fagan would get a chance to redo them, The Oregonian/OregonLive has reported. She wants the entire process, including any court challenge and any ensuing changes, settled earlier than the Supreme Court proposed so that candidates of color and candidates from other traditionally under-represented communities have more time to know which district their home lies in and consider running for office, her lawyers wrote.

A central question in the case is whether giving the Legislature enough time to receive census data and use it to draw maps would result in more accurate maps, not solely by population numbers but also to represent communities of interest and in particular Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Fagans lawyers argued in their response to the Supreme Courts proposed timeline that lawmakers could complete maps by July 1 using yet-to-be-published data from Portland State Universitys Population Research Center, Oregons federally-designated expert outlet for analyzing and sharing Oregon-specific census data.

Fagan claimed the forthcoming data, which she is paying the center to produce under a $68,000 contract, would be good enough to create equally apportioned new legislative districts based solely on population numbers. She also noted she is proposing a new stage of allowing lawmakers or herself to revise district lines if needed in the short window after final census data arrives.

Fagans lawyers acknowledged the Population Research Centers data on the racial distribution of Oregons population comes mostly from samples of a limited share of households that the Census Bureau conducts annually. That data is much less accurate than the agencys decennial count, which includes virtually all households and group quarters.

The center intends to bolster the strength of this data using other administrative sources of data, such as school and health records, Fagans lawyers wrote. But they also conceded, It is unclear how many of these resources may be available on short notice. It is also unclear how refined (Population Research Centers) data can be with the addition of those resources.

Lawyers for the Legislature raised numerous concerns about the preciseness of Population Center Data and the viability of relying upon it in redistricting. That is of particular concern when it comes to ensuring the rights of voters of color, whose influence can easily be diluted in an overwhelmingly white state like Oregon.

Legislative lawyers wrote that basing redistricting on good data is particularly important because more than 60% of Oregons population growth since the 2011 redistricting has been among Black, Indigenous and people of color or ethnic minorities.

If the Legislature followed the secretary of states suggestion to use the substitute data, it would necessarily mean that the Legislative Assembly is using something less than the best evidence to create a reapportionment plan that ensures fair representation of Oregons voters (including racial and ethnic minorities), and that could fall short of the requirements in the Voting Rights Act, the Legislatures lawyers wrote.

It is also unclear whether (Population Research Centers) data will be sufficient to allow racial and ethnic minority advocacy groups or the Legislative Assembly to fully determine whether and where majority-minority districts are required under the Voting Rights Act, the lawyers wrote. The Census has a long history of collecting such data.

Clarification: This story has been updated to clarify that Secretary of State Shemia Fagan proposed an additional step in the 2021 redistricting process, not included in the state constitution, to allow any redistricting plan approved by the Legislature or secretary of state to be corrected by Sept. 15 if necessary once census data becomes available.

-- Hillary Borrud

hborrud@oregonian.com
Press Release

March 31, 2021 'ANTIGEN TESTING, A HIT-AND-MISS STRATEGY' --SEN NANCY

Binay calls for thorough review of testing policies Senator Nancy Binay expressed her concern on the government's plan to use rapid antigen test kits in an effort to ramp up coronavirus testing in the country According to Binay, the use of antigen tests is a "hit-and-miss testing strategy" and that the money spent in procuring these tests would be better spent on more reliable testing methods. "Antigen testing is a hit-and-miss testing strategy. With dwindling resources, the government must use its money wisely and sparingly," the senator tweeted. Binay also warned that using rapid antigen tests can do more harm than good because it is not reliable in detecting asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. Medical professionals had earlier warned the government that over reliance on these tests could lull people into a false sense of security. "Antigen only detects infectiousness, di ang infection. It can only scan high viral loads, pero di sya reliable sa mga asymptomatic. Sa madaling sabi, it can do more harm than good," Binay pointed out. She added the use of polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR), dubbed the gold standard in COVID-19 test, remains the best option. The government had earlier announced its plan to procure 500,000 antigen test kits that will be used to screen people in the NCR Plus bubble. The price of an antigen kit ranges between P750 and P1500 per unit depending on the brand. With 500,000 kits to be procured, the government will be spending between P375 million and P750 million for greater-NCR alone. "I think the IATF and the DOH should seriously consider its testing policies. For one, antigen may not be the better option as far as mass testing or individual testing is concerned dahil maraming instances na false negative ang resulta. The close to a billion peso price tag for a consumable quick fix testing ay sayang lang, na sana ay ipatayo na lang ng mga RT-PCR centers and facilities," Binay pointed out. However, Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire of the Department of Health said that based on WHO (World Health Organization) recommendation, antigen test can be used as a confirmatory test in areas where there are outbreaks or areas where there is a high number of cases. "We understand the convenience and the shorter waiting time, but I don't think it's a wise and practical move to spend close to a billion pesos on antigen kits, dahil may dagdag na gastos pa rin ang gobyerno. Di nahahagip ng antigen yung mga asymptomatic. So, kung taga-probinsya ka, at nagpa-antigen ka na, kailangan mo pa ring magpa-PCR para uli sa confirmatory test," she said, adding, "baka pwedeng mas dagdagan ng gobyerno yung suporta for more Red Cross 'saliva testing' in key areas para mas mapabilis din ang resulta." Currently, only those who tested positive through RT-PCR tests are considered as confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Switzerland will soon allow female members of the army to wear women's underwear for the first time, reports local media. This is being done to boost recruitment. As per the current recruitment system, only men's underwear is included in the standard uniform which is issued to military recruits. According to the reports by BBC, women members hold up only 1 per cent in the Swiss armed forces. The country hopes to increase that figure to 10 per cent by 2030.

As per the reports by BBC, Marianne Binder, a member of the Swiss National Council said that offering women a more suitable underwear would further encourage more women to apply for the military. She also said that if the army wants to become more feminine, appropriate measures need to be taken. Army spokesman Kaj-Gunnar Sievert said that clothing and various other items which are issued by the military were becoming outdated. He further highlighted that the new "functional underwear" for female recruits would consist of "short underwear" for the summer and "long underwear" for the winter.

Switzerland police grooves to African song

In another significant incident, a video of Switzerland police officials grooving to the tunes of a popular African song recently went viral. The netizens were left amused by the video as they liked and shared it on social media forums. However, what made the whole charade even more exciting is that it ended in the Swiss cops throwing a challenge at their Irish counterparts and the latter blatantly accepting it.

It all started after law enforcement agents in Switzerland posted a video of them dancing to African hit Jerusalema, composed by musician Master KG and sung by African gospel vocalist Nomcebo Zikode. The over four-minute video shared on their official handle on Facebook gained more than 8 million views and the numbers are still rising. The video features field agents in riot gears to those in the control room, all performing coordinated dance moves.

(Image Credits: Pixabay)
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Rep. Matt Gaetz's father has backed up his claim that he was extorted over claims he slept with a 17-year-old and says he wore a wire to try help his son expose it.

Yesterday it emerged that Gaetz is under investigation by the Department of Justice over claims that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid her to travel with him.

The New York Times first reported it, citing three unnamed sources who said the alleged relationship happened two years ago.

Gaetz responded, denying all of the allegations, and claiming a Justice Department official - David McGee - was trying to extort him over it. McGee angrily denied his claim.

On Wednesday, Politico reported that not only was the sex trafficking investigation underway, but that Bill Barr, the AG at the time, knew about it and had no objection to it.

It also cited Gaetz's father, former Senator Don Gaetz, who said Matt was being extorted and that he was working with the FBI to help Matt expose it.

Rep. Matt Gaetz has claimed he is the victim of a $25 million extortion plot by a former Justice Department employee after it was revealed he is under investigation for sex trafficking over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a girl, 17, and paid to have her travel with him

Attorney David McGee insisted he was not part of a plan to extort Gaetz, nor was he connected to the DOJ's sex trafficking probe

'The FBI asked me to try and get that information for Matt and an indication we would transfer money to Mr. David McGee,' he said. McGee told The Washington Post he was not part of a plan to extort Gaetz nor was he connected to the DOJ's sex trafficking probe.

Rep. Gaetz had on Tuesday claimed he is the victim of a $25 million extortion plot after it was revealed he is under investigation for sex trafficking over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl, 17, and paid to have her travel with him.

The Republican congressman and close ally of Donald Trump accused McGee live on Tucker Carlson of trying to extort millions of dollars out of him and his family in exchange for 'making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away.'

Gaetz claimed he had been working with the FBI and his father Don Gaetz had been wearing a wire to expose the alleged scheme after learning of it earlier this month.

TUCKER CARLSON MAY HAVE MADE HIMSELF A WITNESS WITH HIS GAETZ INTERVIEW Tucker Carlson may have made himself a witness in the DoJ investigation into sex trafficking that Gaetz is a part of by interviewing him about it on his FOX News show. Florida State Attorney for Palm Beach County Dave Aronberg appeared on Morning Joe on Wednesday morning to talk about thew Gaetz saga. He said: 'He may have made Tucker Carlson a witness because on his show, he said "Hey, you remember the woman I was with. She was overage." Tucker replied to Gaetz that he didn't remember the woman or any of what he was talking about. Advertisement

But McGee, an attorney at Beggs & Lane law firm and the former lead attorney for the DOJ's Organized Crime Task Force, said: 'It is completely false. It's a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that he's under investigation for sex trafficking of minors.

'I have no connection with that case at all, other than, one of a thousand people who have heard the rumors.'

The attorney said Gaetz's father had 'called me and asked to talk to me' and said he would welcome a tape of their conversation being made public. He did not detail what the conversation was about but insisted it was nothing 'untoward' but simply 'a pleasant conversation of a dad concerned about his son and the trouble his son was in'.

He added: 'If there is a tape, play the tape. There is nothing on that tape that is untoward.'

Florida lawmaker Gaetz made the bombshell allegations on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tuesday night, hours after the New York Times revealed the DOJ had launched a probe to investigate whether Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws.

Three sources told the Times an investigation was launched into his alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl during Trump's final months in office under then-Attorney General Bill Barr.

The inquiry is said to be part of a wider probe into Florida official Joel Greenberg, who was slapped with a string of charges last year including sex trafficking a minor between the age of 14 and 17. No charges have been filed against Gaetz.

Gaetz claimed Tuesday night the sex trafficking allegations against him were 'verifiably false' but said he and his family were victims of an extortion effort by McGee to make the allegations and the DOJ investigation 'go away.'

A separate probe was launched by the FBI into the extortion plot, he said. Gaetz claimed the Times report had then foiled a plan to transfer a bribe of $4.5 million to McGee Wednesday which would have then exposed the alleged plot.

However Times' reporter Katie Benner told MSNBC it is the congressman who has in fact 'blown up' the alleged extortion investigation in an effort to divert attention away from the fact the sex trafficking concerns were serious enough for the Trump administration to launch an investigation - even though Gaetz is a close ally of the president.

Gaetz, 38, is close to Trump and got engaged to food analyst Ginger Luckey, 26, at his Mar-a-Lago club in late December.

The FBI declined to comment Tuesday night while the DOJ did not return DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Reports of the two investigations came just hours after it was revealed Gaetz is considering retiring from Congress and taking a job at right-wing news outlet Newsmax.

Gaetz's alleged encounters with the 17-year-old girl took place around two years ago with the DOJ investigation focusing on whether the lawmaker paid for her to cross state lines, the Times reported.

Under federal law, it is a crime to transport someone under the age of 18 across state lines, or coerce them to travel across state lines, to engage in sex in exchange for money.

It is not clear when or how Gaetz allegedly met the teenager.

Gaetz, who was the only member of Congress to vote against a largely bipartisan human trafficking bill back in 2017, insisted the allegations are false.

'It is a horrible allegation and it is a lie,' he told Carlson.

'The New York Times is running a story that I have traveled with a 17-year-old woman and that is verifiably false. People can look at my travel records and see that that is not the case.'

When asked about his alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, Gaetz said such a person 'doesn't exist'.

'The person doesn't exist. I have not had a relationship with a 17-year-old. That is totally false,' he said.

Gaetz on Tucker names person he claims is extorting his family, claims its a former DOJ official named David McGee pic.twitter.com/Pl5GeBEpG1  Elizabeth Nolan Brown (@ENBrown) March 31, 2021

Katie Benner says the person named by Matt Gaetz is not involved in the investigation pic.twitter.com/ze13YFy9gp  Acyn (@Acyn) March 31, 2021

Times' reporter Katie Benner told MSNBC McGee is not involved in the DOJ probe and said it is the congressman who has 'blown up' the alleged extortion investigation in an apparent effort to divert attention away from the sex trafficking probe

Gaetz accused David McGee, an attorney at Beggs & Lane law firm and the former lead attorney for the DOJ's Organized Crime Task Force, of trying to extort millions from him and his family in exchange for making sex trafficking allegations 'go away' on Fox News Tuesday

Tucker Carlson says Gaetz interview was his 'weirdest ever' Fox News' Tucker Carlson was stunned by Rep Matt Gaetz's appearance on his show Tuesday night, calling it one of the 'weirdest interviews' ever. Gaetz claimed he is the victim of a $25million extortion plot after the New York Times revealed he is under investigation for sex trafficking over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl, 17, and paid to have her travel with him. During the interview Gaetz denied all of the allegations against him. 'It is a horrible allegation and it is a lie,' he told Carlson. 'The New York Times is running a story that I have traveled with a 17-year-old woman and that is verifiably false. People can look at my travel records and see that that is not the case.' Fox News' Tucker Carlson was stunned by Rep Matt Gaetz's appearance on his show Tuesday night When asked about the alleged sexual relationship with the teen, Gaetz said such a person 'doesn't exist'. However, Gaetz recalled a dinner with Carlson, his wife and 'a friend of mine' who he said has since been 'threatened' by authorities to 'cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme'. 'I can say that actually you and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there and I brought a friend of mine, you will remember her,' he said. 'And she was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldn't cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme that she could face trouble and so I do believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to smear me.' In response to that claim, Carlson says: 'I don't remember the women you're speaking of or the context at all honestly.' Following the segment, Carlson told his viewers: 'You just saw our Matt Gaetz interview. That was one of the weirdest interviews Ive ever conducted.' 'That story just appeared in the news a couple of hours ago, and on the certainty that theres always more than you read in the newspaper, we immediately called Matt Gaetz and asked him to come on and tell us more. Which, as you saw, he did. I dont think that clarified much, but it certainly showed this is a deeply interesting story and well be following it,' Carlson added. Advertisement

However, Gaetz recalled a dinner with Carlson, his wife and 'a friend of mine' who he said has since been 'threatened' by authorities to 'cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme.'

'I can say that actually you and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there and I brought a friend of mine, you will remember her,' he said.

'And she was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldn't cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme that she could face trouble and so I do believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to smear me.'

Instead, Gaetz claimed he and his family have fallen foul to a plot to extort money.

The congressman told Carlson the alleged scheme came to light on March 16 when he claims his father got a text message 'demanding a meeting wherein a person demanded $25 million in exchange for making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away'.

Gaetz's father is Don Gaetz, former member of the Florida State Senate from 2006 to 2016 and Senate President from 2012 to 2014. Don has not publicly commented on the apparent extortion plot.

Gaetz claimed his family were told about 'pictures of me with child prostitutes' which he insisted are 'obviously false'.

Gaetz named McGee on air on the Fox News show, accusing the lawyer of being behind the extortion plot.

'His name is David Mcgee. He was a top official in the leadership in the northern district of Florida as a prosecutor,' he said. 'He currently works at the Beggs & Lane law firm.'

He claimed: 'There was a demand for money in exchange for a commitment that he could make this investigation go away along with his co-conspirators.'

Gaetz said he contacted the FBI and the DOJ and has been working with them to expose the plot.

'Our family was so troubled by that, we went to the local FBI and the FBI and the Department of Justice were so concerned about this attempted extortion of a member of Congress that they asked my dad to wear a wire, which he did with the former department of justice official,' he claimed.

Gaetz claimed that, prior to the Times' report of the sex trafficking inquiry, his family and federal authorities had made a plan to send $4.5 million as a down payment to McGee.

He claimed this plan 'would have shown even more evidence of David McGee's work in this extortion scheme' but that it was 'foiled' by the Times' report.

'What was supposed to happen was the transfer of this money that would have implicated the former colleague of these current DOJ officials.

'But that's obviously not going to happen tomorrow because the New York Times story was leaked in order to quell that investigative effort,' he claimed.

Gaetz called on the FBI to release the tapes of his family's alleged encounters with the extorter in order to prove his 'innocence.'

'If the FBI and department of justice will release the tapes that they are in possession of, the American people will see what is really going on,' he said.

New York Times' Justice Department Reporter Katie Benner hit back at Gaetz's claims telling MSNBC that McGee is not involved in the DOJ's sex trafficking probe as he works in private practice.

'No that person is not involved in the investigations. That person is currently in private practice and does not work at the Justice Department,' she said.

Benner questioned Gaetz's motive for speaking out about the alleged extortion plot in a move that she said has 'destroyed and blown up' the FBI investigation into it.

Gaetz was first to publicly expose the FBI probe into the alleged extortion plot, with no mention made in the Times' initial report.

The Republican congressman and close ally of Donald Trump fired out a series of tweets Tuesday claiming a former Justice Department employee had been trying to extort $25 million from him and his family while 'threatening to smear my name'

Benner said she believes Gaetz was speaking out to deflect from the fact that the sex trafficking probe was 'serious enough' to be launched by Trump's DOJ.

'Keep in mind this is an investigation that if you look at the timeline was very serious and was taken seriously by Trump administration officials in the Justice Department,' she said.

'I think that one of the reasons why he has talked publicly about this extortion plot, one of the reasons why he has publicly said that the FBI has asked his own father to wear a wire is in order to try to get people to not pay attention to the fact that it was in fact the Trump admin that felt it was worthy to investigation him.'

She hit back at his claim that the Times' report had 'foiled' the FBI plot.

'In publicly talking about the extortion plot that he has described and publicly saying that his father wore a wire he has basically destroyed and blown up an FBI investigation which is in itself something you would think would be against his own interests,' she said.

'You would think he wold be wanting to work with the FBI and would think he would be wanting to keep this quiet... in doing this and basically blowing up an FBI investigation into people trying to extort his family he has both complicated that investigation and also cast aspersions on something that was serious enough that Attorney General Bill Barr proved it.'

Gaetz went on the defense as soon as the Times story broke Tuesday evening, going on a tweet storm describing the alleged extortion plot and slamming the allegations as 'lies'.

'Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name,' he tweeted.

The congressman said he and his family had been working with the FBI on the plot to extort money from his family.

'We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter and my father has even been wearing a wire at the FBI's direction to catch these criminals.

'The planted leak to the FBI tonight was intended to thwart that investigation. No part of the allegations against me are true, and the people pushing these lies are targets of the ongoing extortion investigation.'

Gaetz denied the accusations against him after the New York Times revealed Tuesday that the DOJ had launched a probe to investigate whether he had violated federal sex trafficking laws. Pictured Trump and Gaetz

Gaetz and his father Don Gaetz. Don served as a member of the Florida State Senate from 2006 to 2016

Gaetz called on the Justice Department to release tapes he said shows the alleged scheme by an ex-DOJ employee.

'I demand the DOJ immediately release the tapes, made at their direction, which implicate their former colleague in crimes against me based on false allegations,' he tweeted.

Gaetz went into damage control mode after news of the inquiry surfaced.

He told the Times his attorneys had been told by the DOJ that he was the subject and not the target of the probe.

'I only know that it has to do with women,' he said. 'I have a suspicion that someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.'

The congressman confirmed the DOJ probe in an interview with Axios and doubled down that the allegations are 'false' and 'unclear' as he blamed the apparent extortion plot.

'The allegations of sexual misconduct against me are false,' he said. 'They are rooted in an extortion effort against my family for $25 million in exchange for making this case go away.'

Axios reported that it had seen screenshots of text messages, emails and documents from Gaetz purporting to show the alleged scheme.

'I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know when I was a single guy,' he said.

The 38-year-old said while he often 'provided for' women he was dating when he was single, such as paying for flights and hotel rooms, he was 'absolutely' confident none of the women were underage.

'I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women I've dated. You know, I've paid for flights, for hotel rooms. I've been, you know, generous as a partner,' he said.

'I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.'

Sources told the Times that senior Justice Department officials, including some Trump appointees, were aware of the investigation due to its nature and the congressman's profile.

The inquiry is said to be part of a wider probe into Florida official Joel Greenberg (pictured) who was slapped with a string of charges last year including sex trafficking of a minor between the age of 14 and 17

Gaetz shared this image on Facebook in July 2017 of himself with Greenberg and Roger Stone

They said it is part of a larger probe into Greenberg, a former tax collector of Seminole County, Orlando, accused of paying for sex with an underage girl and illegally using Florida's DMV database to look up information on her and other women with whom he was engaged in 'sugar daddy' relationships with.

Greenberg was indicted last summer on 14 felony charges including child sex trafficking, fraud, identity theft and stalking a former political rival.

The sex trafficking charge involves alleged encounters with a girl aged between 14 and 17 across a six-month period in 2017.

He was also accused of violating the Driver's Privacy Protection Act by using his access as an elected official to illegally look up information about the minor in The Florida Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID).

He reportedly looked up the girl's photo, driver identification number, in addition to other information.

Prosecutors say he also used the database to look up other people, with whom he was embroiled in 'sugar daddy relationships' with.

Greenberg had first been indicted by a federal grand jury in June on charges that he stalked political opponent Brian Beute in the Republican primary for the Tax Collector's race and for identity theft.

Greenberg resigned the following day and the additional charges were added in August.

Gaetz, 38, and his fiancee Ginger Luckey, 26, in a photo shared on Twitter by Gaetz on December 10 under a photograph of Ronald Reagan

Gaetz is a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago and even proposed to his now-fiancee Luckey there in December. Pictured the couple when they got engaged

He was arrested earlier this month for violating the terms of his bond after he allegedly traveled to Jupiter and was involved in some type of police incident there.

The extent of Gaetz's relationship with Greenberg is unclear but the ex-tax collector shared a photo on Twitter of the two men together at the White House in 2019.

The year before, Gaetz backed Greenberg's successful bid for local office.

And back in July 2017, Gaetz shared a photo on his Facebook of himself with Greenberg and Roger Stone - Trump's aide who was convicted of lying to Congress before being pardoned by the former president.

News of the sex-trafficking inquiry came the same day reports surfaced that Gaetz is mulling quitting politics altogether for a career as a media personality.

Gaetz has told friends he is considering not seeking re-election in 2022 and may even leave Congress before the end of his term for a job at conservative outlet Newsmax, according to Axios.

The congressman lost much of his personal power in DC when Trump, a close ally, lost the White House and Republicans failed to take back control of the House of Representatives.

Newsmax, meanwhile, has become a favored outlet for conservatives after Trump started criticizing Fox News, leaving an opening for it and competitor One American News.

Gaetz is already a frequent guest on the network, which recently hired former White House staffer Andrew Guiliani, the son of Rudy Giuliani, and former Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller.

News of the sex-trafficking inquiry came the same day it emerged Gaetz is considering leaving Congress before the end of his term for a job at conservative outlet Newsmax

He has previously called for harsher criminal penalties for child sex offenders, with a 2014 Facebook post pushing for minimum 50-year mandatory minimum sentences for violent predators

Gaetz is a staunch Trump ally and defended the former president during both impeachment trials.

He also pushed the false claims that the MAGA mob that stormed the US Capitol on January 6 in a riot that left five dead were from Antifa. Investigations have proven they were not.

Gaetz also made a name for himself when he became the only House lawmaker to vote against a bill to provide greater funds to fight human trafficking.

The legislation - the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act - gave the federal government more money to tackle human trafficking.

It was backed by both Republicans and Democrats and sailed through the House and Senate.

'Unless there is an overwhelming, compelling reason that our existing agencies in the federal government can't handle that problem, I vote no because voters in Northwest Florida did not send me to Washington to go and create more federal government,' he said at the time.

He also hit headlines for wearing a gas mask on the House floor during the COVID pandemic and criticizing Democrats for banning guns in Congress.

He has previously called for harsher criminal penalties for child sex offenders, with a 2014 Facebook post pushing for minimum 50-year mandatory minimum sentences for violent predators.

Outside of DC, Gaetz is a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago and even proposed to his now-fiancee Luckey there in December.

The couple met at an event at the club sometime earlier in 2020.

Luckey works for a company called Apeel, that says it 'works with nature to reduce food waste and create abundance for all.'
Seen is a screen capture of Affinity Equity Partners' website.





By Park Jae-hyuk







The nationality of Affinity Equity Partners has come under controversy, since the foreign private equity firm's (PEF) recent takeover of JobKorea has drawn severe backlash from some users of Korea's top recruitment portal, who fear possible leakage of their personal information to China.







Regardless of the location of its official headquarters on paper, Affinity has long been considered a Hong Kong-based firm by most global market insiders because Chairman Park Young-taeg and other key decision-makers are said to reside there.







Although JobKorea's previous owner, H&Q Korea, was also under control of H&Q Asia Pacific's Hong Kong office in the past, most market insiders now regard it as a domestic PEF after its spin-off in 2004.







Some JobKorea users therefore believed that the online portal was sold to a Chinese company.







Korean users started a campaign to delete their accounts, sharing ways to remove their resumes, photos, phone numbers and academic background information from the websites of JobKorea and its affiliate, Albamon, a part-time listing service provider. Previous movements were seen here among users of TikTok and WeChat after U.S. authorities alleged those apps had been collecting their user information illegally.







Their movement has been seen as a seriously unfavorable factor for Affinity that acquired an entire stake in JobKorea for an estimated price of 900 billion won ($800 million), considering that the PEF needs to sell the online portal for a higher price within a few years to make a profit to be distributed to its investors.







JobKorea logo / Courtesy of JobKorea





In response to the anti-China sentiment among its users, JobKorea emphasized in its Wednesday press release that its new owner's official headquarters is in the Cayman Islands, not Hong Kong, saying Affinity is a North America-based firm that has managed funds by raising money from various global enterprises and institutional investors.







"Since it spun off in March 2004 from UBS Capital Asia Pacific, a private equity arm of Switzerland's UBS, Affinity has mainly made investments in the Asia-Pacific region with its offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul and Sydney," JobKorea wrote in its press release. "It has made 54 investments so far, and 22 among them were made in Korea."







The recruitment portal dismissed concerns about user information leakage, saying it is subject to Korean law and the change in its largest shareholder will not cause any change in its personal information management policies. It also emphasized its server is located in Korea.







As of 2018, JobKorea accounted for about 40 percent of the nation's job listing market, while Albamon held more than 60 percent of the part-time market. Based on its strong grip on the local market, the site has logged an annual average growth rate of around 20 percent.


The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on global tourism has carried on into 2021, with the Middle East recording a drop of 84% during January, said the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in a call for stronger coordination to restart tourism.



Asia and the Pacific, the region which continues to have the highest level of travel restrictions in place, recorded the largest decrease at 96% in international arrivals in January, while Europe and Africa both saw a decline of 85%.



International arrivals in the Americas decreased by 79% in January, following somewhat better results in the last quarter of the year.



Globally, new data shows an 87% fall in international tourist arrivals in January as compared to 2020, said UNWTO.



The outlook for the rest of the year remain cautious as continues to call for stronger coordination on travel protocols between countries to ensure the safe restart of tourism and avoid another year of massive losses for the sector.



Following a difficult end to 2020, global tourism suffered further setbacks in the beginning of the year as countries tightened travel restrictions in response to new virus outbreaks. According to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, all world regions continued to experience large drops in tourist arrivals in the first month of the year.



Mandatory testing, quarantines, and in some cases the complete closure of borders, have all hindered the resumption of international travel. In addition, the speed and distribution of the vaccination roll-out have been slower than expected, further delaying the restart of tourism.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: 2020 was the worst year on record for tourism. The international community needs to take strong and urgent action to ensure a brighter 2021. Many millions of livelihoods and businesses are depending on it. Improved coordination between countries and harmonized travel and health protocols are essential to restore confidence in tourism and allow international travel to resume safely ahead of the peak summer season in the northern hemisphere.



Outlook for 2021



With 32% of all global destinations completely closed to international tourists at the beginning of February, UNWTO anticipates a challenging first few months of 2021 for global tourism.



Based on current trends, UNWTO expects international tourist arrivals to be down about 85% in the first quarter of 2021 over the same period of 2019. This would represent a loss of some 260 million international arrivals when compared to pre-pandemic levels.



Looking ahead, UNWTO has outlined two scenarios for 2021, which consider a possible rebound in international travel in the second half of the year. These are based on a number of factors, most notably a major lifting of travel restrictions, the success of vaccination programmes or the introduction of harmonized protocols such as the Digital Green Certificate planned by the European Commission.



The first scenario points to a rebound in July, which would result in a 65% increase in international arrivals for the year 2021 compared to the historic lows of 2020. In this case, arrivals would still be 55% below the levels recorded in 2019. The second scenario considers a potential rebound in September, leading to a 30% increase in arrivals compared to last year. Still, this would be 67% below the levels of 2019.  TradeArabia News Service
Betsy Peters at a glance

Betsy Peters

305 McNab Drive

AGE: 64

OCCUPATION: Retired physician (pediatrician-neonatologist), current landlord

EDUCATION: Medical degree from MU; pediatric residency and fellowship at Riley Childrens Hospital, Indiana University in Indianapolis

CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: BetsyPetersforCouncil.com

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Facebook

OTHER RELEVANT BACKGROUND: Incumbent Sixth Ward councilwoman; active at the Newman Center, city volunteer, usually for trash pickup; precovid volunteer at the Columbia Senior Center, former alternate member of the Columbia Board of Adjustment and officer in the East Campus Neighborhood Association.
This originally appeared as part of our daily coronavirus newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

A review of state COVID data shows cases among school-aged children are rising as more students are attending classes in-person, but officials say transmission is not happening inside schools.

Weve seen an uptick in kids, Tom Balcezak, chief medical officer at the Yale New Haven Health System, said this week.

The number of students with confirmed cases of COVID-19 has risen from 501 on Feb. 17, to 756 on March 24, according to state data.

School districts are still routinely informing parents of coronavirus cases among students.

In Weston, the district notified parents this week of four new COVID cases among students, one at the districts elementary school and three at Weston High School.

In Trumbull, parents are texted almost daily about more COVID-19 cases among students. Trumbull Nursing Director Lynn Steinbrick said that increase is mirroring a surge in cases across the state.

Our schools are a direct reflection of the population, she said. Were seeing a surge in Connecticut and its reflected in the schools.

Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents, put that number into context, noting there are 525,000 students in Connecticut schools.

Im not saying that is not an increase, she said. But its not a huge number of kids, certainly.

At the same time, the number of staff coronavirus cases has decreased. There were 33 fewer coronavirus cases among school staff week over week, a total of 143 statewide on March 24, state data shows.

Teachers and other child care professionals in Connecticut became eligible to be vaccinated on March 1.

As those 16 and older become eligible Thursday, the state has directed municipalities and school districts to hold vaccine clinics for eligible high school students. A study of the Pfizer vaccine showed that it was 100 percent effective among children 12 to 15 years old at preventing a severe coronavirus infection. It has not been approved yet for children that age.

As the number of children with confirmed coronavirus infections has increased, so has the number of students studying in schools.

Over the last couple of weeks, certainly the number of kids in-person have increased, Rabinowitz said.

According to state data, the number of in-person students has increased by 56 statewide in the last week.

But officials are reluctant to say that transmission is happening inside schools. Steinbrick said kids are catching the virus outside of school.

What were seeing more now than we used to is that if one household member tests positive, everyone gets it, she said. So, moms not feeling great and gets tested, but the kids go to school. Then the test comes back positive, you take the kids out of school, and then the kids test positive.

Steinbrick also said the weather has something to do with it.

Were also seeing social gatherings on the rise, she said. There are more playdates and parties. As the weather gets nicer and people are getting vaccinated, people are letting their guard down. There are a lot of activities going on.

Balcezak agreed. He said more infectious variants are primarily to blame, and he would hesitate to suggest that the reopening of schools is responsible for the surge in cases among young kids.

I think its the variant more than anything else, he said.
As India experiences a fast-growing second wave of Covid-19, only 25 per cent parents are willing to send their wards to school in April, as per a survey by LocalCircles.

With B.1.1.7 known for high transmissibility within children, the majority of parents have expressed concerns.

There are 73 per cent of parents who believe that physical schools must not operate if active cases in the district are above 100.

As per feedback in the survey and given the massive surge in the Covid cases experienced in the last three weeks, the default option for the schools should be closure from April to June.

Exceptions may be taken on the basis of active case numbers in a particular district along with the variant-type reported, the daily case curve to authorize District Magistrates to permit schools to operate as long as active cases are less than 100.

As far as the scheduled Board Exams for Class 10 and 12 in the month of May is concerned, the Central and State Boards will need to make a decision based on the national situation. The feasibility of conducting the board exam both online and offline does deserve consideration.

The survey found that three data points released last week are of great concern.

First, the Chief Minister of Punjab announced that of the genome testing done by the state, 81 per cent of the Covid-19 samples were found to be of B.1.1.7 i.e., the UK variant of SARS-COV2.

The next day, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that the B.1.1.7, which is fast spreading in the country, is more transmissible than the original strain and is more dangerous to children and young people, and we need to put the protection of schools more front and centre than with the original virus.

The day after she said this, the city of Bengaluru in the month of March reported approximately 500 cases of Covid in children under the age of 10.

The kind of Covid surge experienced in many parts of India that have led to 6 times growth in daily cases in the last 45 days, indicates that there is a different strain or two from the original one that is propagating in the country.

With limited genome testing (being done on less than 5 per cent of the samples), only 700 or so cases of B.1.1.7 have been officially identified.

Taking cognizance of the alarming rise of Covid-19 in several states and districts across the country in the last 45 days, LocalCircles decided to conduct another survey to understand if parents are willing to send their children to school in April, and also to determine a criterion that can be used to open schools.

Given the latest rise in Covid cases, only 25 per cent parents willing to send their children to school in April.

The first question in the survey sought to understand parents' perception to send their children or grandchildren to school in April if the Central or State Government or District administration decide that schools should remain open or re-open.

In response, only 25 per cent of parents said "Yes". The majority of 58 per cent of parents said "No". There were also 10 per cent of parents who said that "schools for my children or grandchildren are shut in April for summer break", while 7 per cent couldn't say. The poll in the survey received 9,687 responses.

The Covid-19 daily caseload in India has again crossed the 65,000-mark, more than 6 times of cases recorded in early February. Maharashtra, the top contributing state is seeing the highest-ever peaks to date with over 40,000 cases being reported in a day.

With data from many European nations demonstrating the dangerous nature of the B.1.1.7 strain of the Coronavirus, confirmation that Punjab has 81 per cent of the cases of the B.1.1.7 type, and the fact that it is proven to be impacting children much more than the previous strain of 2020, it is time to be more cautious than before.

At the same time, realising that many districts in the country still have double-digit active Covid cases, board exams are around the corner for classes 10 and 12 and many schools do not have the facility to conduct online classes, LocalCircles sought the opinion of parents on what should be the criteria for re-opening physical schools.

In response, 29 per cent said "in-person schools be closed whenever active cases in a district exceed 100"; 18 per cent said "in-person schools be closed whenever active cases in a district exceed 200"; 7 per cent said "in-person schools be closed whenever active cases in a district exceed 500", and 5 per cent said "in-person schools be closed whenever active cases in district exceed 1000".

Breaking down the poll, 21 per cent said "schools should be kept closed till there are any cases in the district", while 6 per cent couldn't say. The findings of the poll indicated that 73 per cent of parents want schools from the next session to be open as long as there are less than 100 active Covid cases in their district.

--IANS

san/in

(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.)
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA)  Viral Facts Africa, a first of its kind African initiative to combat health misinformation online, was launched on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a network of fact-checking organizations and leading public health bodies
Hyderabad, March 31 : A police officer in Hyderabad, who lost his life while on duty, gave a new lease of life to eight people as his family donated his organs.

Assistant Sub-Inspector of Cyberabad police, Mahipal Reddy was severely injured when a cab rammed him and was later declared brain dead.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar lauded the family of the police officer for donating his organs and saving the lives of eight people.

Education Minister Sabhita Indra Reddy visited the bereaved family to pay her respects.

Sajjanar and other senior police officers lent their shoulders for carrying the body of their deceased colleague to the crematorium.

"It was not just a mark of showing respect for the colleague who is no more but also reaching out to the deceased family in their hour of grief. It is an irreparable loss to the family. But it gives them a feeling that the entire police force was behind them, especially a commissioner level officer carrying the corpse," an officer said.

Police gave a customary salute to the departed colleague with a police band and full honours bestowed on him.

Mahipal Reddy, a 1989 batch police officer, was on duty at the scene of an accident caused by a drunk car driver in Nizampet under KPHB police station limits on the night of March 27. He was hit by a cab driver who was driving recklessly at high speed resulting in severe injuries. He was immediately admitted to the hospital but could not be saved.

Mahipal Reddy was declared brain dead by the hospital. His family members were magnanimous even in their grief to donate his organs.

The police commissioner appreciated the family for donating organs and assured them all help as per policy.

He also urged the public to understand the importance of organ donation in society. Sajjanar said the family stood as a role model to many in society as despite their grief, they thought about others' welfare.
Commenting on a column from USA Today accusing Oral Roberts University (ORU) of "bigotry" over its stance on sexual promiscuity, Albert Mohler warns Christian schools that they might suffer the same fate in the future if the trend continues.

Speaking on "The Briefing" on Thursday, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president discussed the way news columns frame issues to discredit Christian worldviews. Specifically, Mohler highlighted a column by USA Today written by Hemal Jhaveri who criticized Oral Roberts' policies on maintaining sexual purity.

Jhaveri said the "university's deeply bigoted anti-LGBTQ+ policies can't and shouldn't be ignored." She believed that this should be enough ground for the faith-based university to be banned from NCAA competition.

"Founded by televangelist Oral Roberts in 1963, the Christian school upholds the values and beliefs of its fundamentalist namesake, making it not just a relic of the past, but wholly incompatible with the NCAA's own stated values of equality and inclusion," she wrote.

Founded in Tulsa, Okla., ORU's mission is to "develop Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole person education to impact the world." Hence, their student handbook requires students to avoid "sexual promiscuity" including adultery, premarital sex and any homosexual behavior.

"Certain behaviors are expressly prohibited in Scripture and therefore should be avoided by members of the University community," the school's handbook says.

"That Oral Roberts wants to keep its students tied to toxic notions of fundamentalism that fetishize chastity, abstinence and absurd hemlines is a larger cultural issue that can be debated," Jhaveri submitted.

"What is not up for debate however is their anti-LGBTQ+ stance, which is nothing short of discriminatory and should expressly be condemned by the NCAA," she declared

Mohler cautioned that this is "an indictment of any Christian college, any Christian university, any institution, any chartered organization, any church and denomination that would dare to stand against, or even against the tide, of the moral revolution."

"Just imagine the language that was used in this article ... and recognize if it's said about Oral Roberts University today, it will be said about you, your school, your church, your organization, your Christian congregation, tomorrow. Count on it," he said in his podcast.

Noting that his own seminary in Louisville, Ky. has the same code of conduct, Mohler added that other religious groups like Orthodox Judaism, traditional Roman Catholicism, and even Islamic institution would get implicated in a society that shares Jhaveris' views.

Mohler also expressed concern about the NCAA adopting policies meant to cripple faith-based institutions' stand on Bible-based morality and definitions of gender. The responsibility, Mohler maintained, will still be on the shoulders of those leading the institutions as to what extent they will compromise.

"We're about to find out just how many Christian schools are going to be willing to stand on biblical standards, and those who are determined they have to be members of the NCAA, no matter what," said Mohler.

"In other words, we're about to find out just how many schools are actually serving the cause of sports, and how many are going to serve the cause of Christ," he emphasized.




Toyota City, Japan, Mar 31, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, and B Medical Systems S.a r.l. announced today that the vehicle with a dedicated refrigerator for transporting vaccines at the appropriate temperatures developed jointly by the three companies has obtained Performance, Quality and Safety (PQS) prequalification for quality of medical devices and equipment as set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The company registered for the prequalification is Toyota Tsusho and this is the first refrigerated vehicle for vaccines in the world that has obtained PQS prequalification.1. BackgroundVaccination is an effective measure against infectious diseases. General mandatory vaccines for infants usually require storage at 2 to 8degC, and cannot be used if not stored under proper temperature management. Although developing countries receive assistance from international agencies such as GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF for the supply of vaccines, approximately 20% of the volume supplied (equivalent to JPY 40 billion per year) are disposed annually because they become unusable due to temperature changes during transportation when distributing to hospitals and clinics within the respective countries, as the road infrastructures are inadequate and there is no proper means for refrigerated transportation. Each year, the lives of 1.5 million children are lost to vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) with insufficient effective utilization of vaccines being one of the reasons.2. WHO's PQS and Significance of PrequalificationPQS is a system for the qualification of medical devices and equipment by WHO that was established to promote the development of medical devices and equipment applicable for the United Nations' procurement as well as to set quality standards. Medical devices and equipment which have obtained PQS prequalification also meet the equipment selection standards of agencies related to the United Nations and leading NGOs and charity organizations.Also, it is easier for developing countries without their own qualification system for medical devices and equipment to receive support for transportation equipment procurement by using PQS as the qualification standard, and effective use of vaccines can be expected.This initiative contributes to the effective use of vaccines, addressing a social issue in developing countries. At the same time, it has the significance of being able to demonstrate initiative in the field of global health transportation. In addition, this refrigerated vehicle for vaccines can now be used under the international framework COVAX, which seeks to distribute vaccines for COVID-19 fairly to developing countries, and its use as a means of transportation for COVID-19 vaccines can also be expected.3. Overview of Refrigerated Vehicle for VaccinesThe features of the refrigerated vehicle for vaccines which obtained PQS prequalification this time are as follows:- The base vehicle is Toyota Land Cruiser 78, which is equipped with the B Medical Systems' CF850 vaccine refrigerator.- The refrigerator has a storage capacity of 396 liters, or 400 vaccine packages.- With its independent battery, the refrigerator can be operated for approximately 16 hours without a power supply.- The refrigerator can be charged by the vehicle while driving and from an external power source when parked.4. Roles of Each Company1. Toyota Tsusho uses the knowledge and awareness of issues developed through business in Africa to provide the refrigerated vehicle for vaccines as the company obtaining PQS prequalification.2. Toyota provides the Toyota Land Cruiser 78.3. B Medical Systems provides the CF850 vaccine refrigerator.4. Toyota Tsusho Group company CFAO SAS and Toyota Group company TOYOTA CUSTOMIZING & DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd. conduct vehicle installation and conversion."We aim to deliver Safety and Security".For this project, Toyota Tsusho, Toyota, and B-Medical Systems, have joined forces with the same goal in mind. We will continue to make efforts so that the obtainment of PQS for the refrigerated vehicle for vaccines will contribute to the Safety and Security of the region.Source: Toyota Motor CorporationCopyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  No fresh aid will be available to affected individuals should the NCR Plus bubble remain under the strictest quarantine classification after Easter, as the government is so hard-up for cash that it now plans to seek Congress' intervention, the Philippines' budget chief said Wednesday.

Already, economic managers regrouped last March 29 via the interagency Development Budget Coordination Council (DBCC) to reassess how bad the new round of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has bludgeoned an economy that has been trying to crawl out of recession, and how the protracted health crisis is straining state coffers.

Budget Secretary and DBCC chairman Wendel Avisado said the P23-billion emergency subsidy to be handed out during the week-long quarantine is a "one-time" deal.

That's because funds under the Bayanihan Two law have already been maxed out at P165.5 billion.

"Even if the ECQ were to be extended, there is nothing more that the government can provide. Because this is just really an effort to recoup whatever's left of the unutilized funds under Bayanihan 2," Avisado told CNN Philippines.

But help will still come, albeit at the eleventh hour, as the nation deals with the pandemic's twin blows of joblessness and hunger.

Economic managers will lobby a budget supplemental to the P4.506-trillion allocation under the 2021 General Appropriations Act before Congress. Either that or a third version of the Bayanihan law, Avisado said.

"Ang pinagusapan namin sa DBCC meeting the other day, kung paano makakalikom uli at kung panong paraan makapag-source out ng pondo para sa third resurgence ng virus, not anymore in Metropolitan NCR Manila and adjourning provinces but in other regions in the country," Avisado explained, noting that Cagayan Valley is also experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

[Translation: What we talked about at the DBCC the other day was how to collect and source out funds for the third resurgence of the virus, not anymore in Metropolitan NCR Manila and adjourning provinces but in other regions in the country.]

"'Yun ine-expect namin na kailangang matugunan [We expect that to be addressed]. We will need support of Congress already to enact a supplemental budget or Bayanihan 3 for that purpose," the Budget chief said.

Macroeconimic targets under review

As the return to ECQ again forces non-essential businesses to temporarily shut down as well as dampen consumption and tourism, macroeconomic targets are now up for review.

The last time the DBCC met in December, the economic team wanted the economy to recover at a pace of 7% on the average in 2021, give-or-take half a percentage point.

Avisado said a technical working group is preparing data ahead of an April 8 meeting where the DBCC is expected to finally decide on the revisions.

"We might really need to make some adjustments in our targets, owing to this current situation now nagdeklara tayo ng ECQ. Kung ma-extend pa yan, anong impact niyan sa macroeconomy natin," the DBCC chairman said.

[Translation: We might really need to make some adjustments in our target, owing to this current situation where ECQ was declared. If that continues, how that can impact the macroeconomy.]

In the past decade, the government has done quite well in keeping its fiscal house in order that economists from global institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank said the Philippines had the wiggle room to spend more to soften the pandemic's impact on vulnerable sectors.

The deficit ceiling originally for this year was set at 8.9% of gross domestic product or economic output, but the Budget Department said that ratio could be bumped up further without hurting the country's credit standing with lenders.

"Under review po yan, siguradong tataas pa yan [That is under review, and it's sure to go up]," Avisado said, referring to the deficit-to-GDP ratio.

"Fiscal space in the sense we really need to focus on the essentials," he added.

By "essentials," he meant spending more on building infrastructure that are labor-intensive, and therefore give jobs to those who lost income sources.

Also a top priority would be investing in quarantine facilities and hiring more health workers to strengthen the health system and pandemic response.

"We're making sure we keep a balance of strengthening both our health facilities and absorptive capacity considering the increase in the number of cases in our hospitals. But at the same time providing the much-needed infrastructure programs and projects to give our people the opportunity to earn," the Budget chief said.
Humans are creating or exacerbating the environmental conditions that could lead to further pandemics, new University of Sydney research finds.

Modeling from the Sydney School of Veterinary Science suggests pressure on ecosystems, climate change and economic development are key factors associated with the diversification of pathogens (disease-causing agents, like viruses and bacteria). This has potential to lead to disease outbreaks.

The research, by Dr Balbir B Singh, Professor Michael Ward, and Associate Professor Navneet Dhand, is published in the international journal, Transboundary and Emerging Diseases.

They found a greater diversity of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted between animals and humans) in higher income countries with larger land areas, more dense human populations, and greater forest coverage.

The study also confirms increasing population growth and density are major drivers in the emergence of zoonotic diseases. The global human population has increased from about 1.6 billion in 1900 to about 7.8 billion today, putting pressure on ecosystems.

As the human population increases, so does the demand for housing. To meet this demand, humans are encroaching on wild habitats. This increases interactions between wildlife, domestic animals and human beings which increases the potential for bugs to jump from animals to humans." To date, such disease models have been limited, and we continue to be frustrated in understanding why diseases continue to emerge," said Professor Ward, an infectious diseases expert. This information can help inform disease mitigation and may prevent the next COVID-19." Navneet Dhand, Associate Professor

Other zoonotic diseases that have recently devastated human populations include SARS, avian (H5N1) and swine (H1N1) flu, Ebola and Nipah - a bat-borne virus.

Factors predicting disease

The researchers discovered country-level factors predicting three categories of disease: zoonotic, emerging (newly discovered diseases, or those diseases that have increased in occurrence or occurred in new locations), and human.

Zoonotic diseases: land area, human population density, and area of forest. Areas with high zoonotic disease diversity include Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, and China.

Emerging diseases: land area, human population density and the human development index. Areas with high emerging disease diversity include Europe, North America,

Human diseases: high per capita health expenditure, mean annual temperature, land area, human population density, human development index and rainfall. Areas with high human disease diversity include North America, Latin America, China and India.

"Countries within a longitude of -50 to -100 like Brazil, developed countries like United States and dense countries such as India were predicted to have a greater diversity of emerging diseases," Professor Ward said.

The researchers also noted weather variables, such as temperature and rainfall, could influence the diversity of human diseases. At warmer temperatures, there tend to be more emerging pathogens.

The analyses demonstrate that weather variables (temperature and rainfall) have the potential to influence pathogen diversity These factors combined confirm human development - including human-influenced climate change - not only damages our environment but is responsible for the emergence of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.

Using data to help prevent outbreaks

"Our analysis suggests sustainable development is not only critical to maintaining ecosystems and slowing climate change; it can inform disease control, mitigation, or prevention," Professor Ward said.

"Due to our use of national-level data, all countries could use these models to inform their public health policies and planning for future potential pandemics."

Methodology: The authors used 13,892 unique pathogen-country combinations and 49 socioeconomic and environmental variables to develop this model. Information from 190 countries was analysed using statistical models to identify drivers for emerging and zoonotic diseases.
Akure  Principals in Public Secondary Schools and parents of students sitting for the 2021 West African Examinations Council, WAEC, yesterday, disagreed over directive by the Ondo State government that fees paid, on behalf of their wards must be refunded.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had ordered the refund, after his administration paid N360 million as WAEC fees for students in public schools.

A total of 25,736 students in Public Secondary Schools across the state will benefit from the gesture.

Vanguard, however, gathered that the directive had generated controversy from stakeholders in the education sector across the state.

It was also gathered that most school principals are at a loss on the amount to be refunded to parents of students.

Some parents, who spoke with Vanguard in confidence, said the principals have decided not to refund the exact amount paid for the examination.

A parent said they were informed that "registration fees paid by WAEC students was N16,750, but an administrative charge of N2,800 will be deducted from each student and we will end up collecting N13,950 as a refund."

But a school principal, however, said the deduction from the WAEC fee to pay the outstanding debts by some students would be done in agreement with the parents.

He said: "There is also a suggestion by some principals that parents might be advised that rather than collect the refund, they could use it for the payment of the forthcoming NECO exams and if there is a balance, it will be refunded or if higher than the money paid, they will balance up."

Vanguard, however, learned that the refund arrangements were turned down by the state government through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

ANCOPPS reacts

When contacted, the President, All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Secondary Schools, ANCOPPS, in Ondo State, Mr. Johnbull Mebawondu said school principals must ensure strict compliance with the state government directive.

Mebawondu said: "All principals, who collected money from the students, will have to refund the WAEC registration fee. There is a template given to us by the ministry of education on how much we should collect from the students before the announcement by the government.

"What the government instructed us now was that the N13,950 for the WAEC registration per candidate should be refunded to them without any condition."

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"The only condition we had was that the money should not be refunded to the candidates directly but we should rather invite the parents and hand over the money to them.

"We have resolved that the principals should not also give the money to the parents anyhow.

"Principals are to summon the meeting of parents of the affected students and ensure that parents put down their signatures before they collect the money as evidence of refund.

"It must be transparent and that will make the parents appreciate the good work that the governor is doing and at the same time save principals from accusations of complicity.

"Again, it was resolved that there is no provision for payment by substitution for NECO exams. Principals have to refund the money, even when such a candidate is owing, they should not use the money to pay for the collectibles unless the parents willingly want to use the money to offload the debts of their children. But they must first sign for the refund.

"As of today, we don't know how much the NECO will cost, so it will be wrong for any principal to say he is using the money to pay for NECO."
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said childrens shoes can be bought online when asked if shoe shops should be open for essential reasons.

He also hit back sharply at a suggestion that the issue is linked to Fine Gaels notorious 1982 budget under Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald and Finance Minister John Bruton after an RTE presenter said his party has a particular history when it comes to childrens shoes.

The collapse of a Fine Gael-Labour coalition occurred in 1982 after the budget failed to pass and a general election occurred.

The failure of the controversial budget was largely due to opposition to the introduction of tax on childrens shoes.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1s Morning Ireland today, Minister Donohoe said: I appreciate the needs that our parents have to their very young children and we are prioritising that with the decisions made in relation to schools opening.

Read More

But, in relation to the specific question of when children's shoes will be made available, what we will do as we move into May is we will look at decisions that we will make on non-essential retail that will offer the prospect.

My understanding of this issue is that there are many retailers either delivering these shoes online or if parents call retailers that are called arrangements are made for those shoes to be available.

Over the past days the difficulties faced by parents in getting properly fitting shoes for their children without being able to physically visit a shoe shop have been highlighted.

After a comment was made by presenter Gavin Jennings about the Finance Ministers party having a history with childrens shoes, Mr Donohoe reacted angrily, saying: You are referring to a budgetary decision that was made decades ago before I was even in politics about how we were handling a budget decision then.

"Your question has in it an implicit suggestion that my party and myself are not aware of the health needs that young children have and I want to reject in its entirety.

The presenter apologised for his phrasing of the question, to which Minister Donohoe replied: The way you phrased that question was more than just the phrasing of the question, you were making an inference regarding how my party and myself view this issue.

He added that if shoe shops were open for particular reasons that he would be on the programme being asked why every other non-essential retial is still closed.

"I absolutely appreciate the challenges that young families and young children face, everything our government and party is doing is motivated on keeping them safe, Mr Donohoe said.

There are circumstances in which those shoes are available and when we get to May and we are in a better place with this disease those retailers, I hope, will be able to meet the important needs that you are referring to.
Rileys Appear in Court on Drug Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MCCRACKEN COUNTY - A Paducah couple facing drug trafficking charges appeared in court Tuesday.The McCracken District Court Clerk said 57-year-old Marland Riley and 40-year-old Ashley Riley appeared for a preliminary hearing. The hearing was continued to April 20 at 1 pm.Both were arrested on January 6 following a traffic stop. McCracken County deputies said a search of their vehicle yielded 93 grams of marijuana packaged to sell and 100 oxycodone pills.A search of their home reportedly uncovered two pounds of marijuana, valium pills, and drug paraphernalia.They both face charges of trafficking in marijuana (2nd or greater offense), trafficking in a controlled substance - Oxycodone (2nd or greater offense), trafficking in a controlled substance - Valium, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence, and prescription not in its original container. Marland is additionally charged with disregarding a stop sign.
The minister says the application had been developed and would be installed at the sites of 300 ongoing projects across the country.

Clem Agba, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning says the Federal Government had devised an app that would assist citizens to monitor and evaluate ongoing projects across the country.

Mr Agba disclosed this, on Tuesday, during a visit to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin, to assess the utilisation of the N49 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government to 52 Federal health institutions in the country.

The minister said the monitoring application had been developed and would be installed at the sites of the over 300 ongoing projects across the country.

According to him, the innovation is to ensure integrity and transparency, in the handling of infrastructural projects in the country.

"As the co-chairman of Open Government Partnership, the use of the technology will enable the citizens to monitor and evaluate the over 300 project currently undertaken by the Federal Government across the country.

"This will aid transparency, as the three cardinal focus of our ministry is planning, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation," he said.

The minister, who was later conducted round the equipment purchased by the psychiatric hospital, explained that the Federal Government approved the fund, to better reposition the country's health system following the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that three of the benefiting health institutions in Edo, received an average of N950 million, for the procurement of equipment in four areas.

The minister identified the areas as; the building of a molecular laboratory, setting up of a minimum of 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), isolation centre equipment and purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Mr Agba explained that his visit was to assess how the 50 per cent of the fund. earlier released to these health institutions, was spent.

He stated that the balance of the fund was intact, but would, however, be released only to those who made judicious use of the first payment.

Meanwhile, Imafidon Agbonile, Medical Director of the hospital, who conducted the ministerial team on an inspection of the facilities, commended the Federal Government for the intervention. (NAN)
29 Mar 20

Military.com | By Patricia Kime

Members of Congress introduced legislation last week that would elevate the Coast Guard's role on the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- a move they say would bring it "in line" with the Defense Department services.

Reps. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., and Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., have sponsored a bill that would give the Coast Guard commandant full voting rights on the Joint Chiefs. The panel includes six military service chiefs -- the heads of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force and National Guard -- along with a chairman and vice chairman.

Currently, the Coast Guard's head is a de facto member, a setup Crist said potentially omits the service's "unique perspective on national security concerns." "The Coast Guard plays a very important role in our national defense strategy, and it is past time they have an equal role when it comes to advising the president, the secretary of defense and the National Security Council," Palazzo added.

The Coast Guard, the only branch of the U.S. armed forces not housed within the Defense Department, is responsible for a number of national security missions and has seen activity pick up in the past several years.

Since 2019, it has participated in freedom of navigation operations with the U.S. Navy in the Taiwan Strait; stepped up its counter-narcotics role in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific as part of an overall push by U.S. Southern Command to crack down on drug trafficking; and sent its only heavy-duty icebreaker to the Arctic to assert America's maritime sovereignty in the region.

The service has forged relationships with the coastal forces of numerous nations in the Western Hemisphere; is expanding its footprint in the Indo-Pacific region; stepping up diplomatic relations with strategic partners; and strengthening its oversight of illegal fishing -- a "threat to global food sustainment, marine ecology and national security," according to Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz.

"The counter-drug mission is just one example of our global maritime operations. Throughout our 230-plus-year history on the global maritime stage, we have earned the reputation of being a 'preferred partner' for like-minded countries who support the international rules-based order," Schultz said in a speech to Coast Guard members March 11. "Our broad authorities, multi-mission capabilities, and suite of international agreements with partner nations and allies make the U.S. Coast Guard a 'preferred partner' to strengthen the United States government's multi and bilateral relationships in key regions."

The Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security, where it is responsible for 11 statutory missions, including five homeland security or national security missions and six non-homeland security missions such as search and rescue, marine safety, aids to navigation and environmental protection.

Questions sometimes arise as to whether the service is housed in the appropriate Cabinet department. Since its consolidation in 1915, it has moved among the Departments of the Treasury, Navy, Transportation and Homeland Security.

In 2017, then-Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr., R-Calif., wrote President Donald Trump saying the service deserved to be "housed in a department that recognizes the importance of its mission."

Coast Guard officials said at the time that they believed the service fits appropriately in the Department of Homeland Security. "Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul F. Zukunft has said 'the best place for us is the Department of Homeland Security, and I agree with him,'" then Vice Commandant Adm. Charles Michel said during a conference of defense journalists on March 31, 2017.

Neither Crist nor Palazzo has advocated for moving the Coast Guard. They said, however, that the extension of a vote on the Joint Chiefs would "reinforce the value" of the service to national defense.

"While the U.S. Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security, its work with the Pentagon is constantly growing," Palazzo said.

"[It would] bring the Coast Guard in line with other military services, and elevate the Coast Guard's role in Florida and across the globe," Crist said.

The Coast Guard declined to comment on the proposal, saying it does not weigh in on proposed legislation.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.
Three more Rafale combat aircraft landed in India on Wednesday night after flying non-stop from France, an Indian Air Force (IAF) official said.

The fourth batch of the three IAF Rafales landed at the Jamnagar base -- on Indian soil -- after a direct flight from Istres Air Base in France.

With three more jets, the IAF has received 14 jets till now out of the 36 ordered from France.

"The three Rafale aircraft landed at an Indian Air Force base a short while ago. They flew over 7,000 km with in-flight refuelling. The aircraft got airborne earlier in the day from Istres Air Base in France," the Indian Air Force official said.

The jets were refuelled mid air by UAE Air Force tankers, completing a 7,000 km journey in 10 hours.

he Rafale combat aircraft is manufactured by French company Dassault Aviation.

Earlier on Wednesday, Embassy of India in France said: "Another batch of Rafale takes to the skies on non-stop flight to India with mid-air refueling by UAE."

The remaining aircraft are likely to be in India by April 22. Currently, IAF pilots are being trained in France.

Earlier in March, the Air Force said that they are to raise second squadron of Rafale jets at Hasimara Air Force base in West Bengal by April to counter threats from China.

It is a strategic base for Air Force operations because of its proximity to Bhutan.

The Chumbi Valley where the tri-junction lies between India-Bhutan and China is close to Doklam where a standoff took place in 2017. The tri-junction has been matter of concern for all the three nations.

"Second Rafale Squadron is being raised at the next Main Operating Base (MOB) Hasimara in mid April this year," an Indian Air Force official had stated.

The first squadron was raised in Ambala after the first batch of the five Rafale aircraft landed on July 29, 2020.

hese aircraft were inducted on September 10 at Ambala Air Base to 17 'Golden Arrows' Squadron.

The two squadrons of Rafale will add wings to the IAF's depleting fleet strength.

The two squadrons with 18 jets each at Ambala and Hasimara have been planned keeping in mind the operations against Pakistan on the western front and China in the eastern sector.

Hasimara earlier had a MiG 27 squadron that has now been decommissioned.

India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore.

The Rafale is a 4.5 generation aircraft and has the latest weapons, superior sensors and fully integrated architecture.

It is an omni-role aircraft which means it can carry out at least four missions in one sortie.

The fighter aircraft have HAMMER missiles. It will also be armed with beyond visual range missiles like Meteor, SCALP and MICA, increasing their ability to take on incoming targets from a distance.
A fried chicken chain will soon call the Alamo City home.

A sign for the Tennessee-based restaurant has popped up in Southtown at 812 S. Alamo Street across from Rosarios. While a bright yellow sign sits over the front door, Gus's is not expected to open until about mid-May, said co-owner Wendy McCrory.

"San Antonio has always been such a cool city and the people there are awesome," McCrory said. "It was such a good fit to come here because it is an eclectic market. You have all walks of life that come through our doors and I think this market reflects that."

The restaurant franchise has 31 locations across 14 states, including several Texas locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Fort Worth, according to its website.

The San Antonio location has been in the works for over a year in part because the restaurant had to set up during the pandemic. MySA reported Tuesday that the project was expected to be completed by September 2020, per the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Gus's is known for its Memphis-traditional hot and spicy chicken and comfort food sides like coleslaw, mac and cheese and potato salad.

McCrory believes the restaurant will stand out in San Antonio's vast food scene with their dining experience and nationally awarded recipes.

"People think we are just some fast food joint that has chicken sitting under the warmers," McCrory said. "But that isn't true, we cook to order and we are a true Southern fried chicken with a little bit of kick to it. We rest on our laurels and our experiences, and I think that's what helps us come into a new market."

McCrory said Gus's will donate 100 percent of their profits to a local non-profit from the profits they make during their soft opening.

"We hope it shows our commitment to being a part of the community by putting our money, work and time into it," McCrory said.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
Rio de Janeiro: The leaders of all three branches of Brazils armed forces have jointly resigned following President Jair Bolsonaros replacement of the defence minister, causing widespread apprehension of a military shake-up to serve the Presidents political interests.

The Defence Ministry reported the resignations in a statement released without giving reasons. Replacements were not named. But analysts expressed fears Bolsonaro was moving to assert greater control over the military.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, left, talks with Army Commander General Edson Leal Pujol, during a military ceremony. Pujol has resigned along with the chiefs of the navy and the air force. The Armed Forces have repeatedly said they would not be drawn into politics. Credit:AP

Since 1985, we havent had news of such clear intervention of the President with regard to the armed forces, said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo. Brazil was under authoritarian military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985.

Bolsonaro, a conservative former army captain who has often praised the period of dictatorship, has relied heavily on current and former soldiers to staff key cabinet positions since taking office in January 2019, but Melo said the military itself has so far refrained from politics.
Kampala  Even with vaccination underway, Ugandans have been warned of the possibility of the country being hit by another wave of the Covid-19 pandemic due to complacency.

In her address last week to mark one year since the pandemic hit the country, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister for Health, said: "We must not abandon scientifically proven prevention and control measures like consistently and correctly wearing masks while in public, social distancing of at least two metres and washing hands with soap and alcohol based sanitisers."

Since the partial lifting of the lockdown, many Ugandans have abandoned standard operating procedures including wearing facemasks and social distancing.

Experts have warned that this is a ticking time bomb.

In Kenya, on March 27, the country announced a number of measures, taking major parts of the country including the capital Nairobi back into lockdown.

Kenya is battling the third wave of the pandemic that has outstripped hospital capacity and escalated the deaths.

Dr Alfred Driwale, the head of immunisation at Uganda's Ministry of Health, says Ugandans should be wary and resume standard operating procedures.

"Nairobi is closed, what message does that send to Uganda? Last time when Kenya was getting overwhelmed, after how long did we get hit? If Kenya is getting problems in March, then I can assure you that our problems will be in April," Dr Driwale said.

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"This is the time to be encouraging people to wear masks because this is a new reality that is coming our way. If you are being prioritised for vaccination you better come and seize that opportunity," Dr Driwale added decrying the negative propaganda about the vaccine.

"We are going to intensify our efforts of looking for vaccines and if we vaccinate the three million Ugandans who are above 50, we would have made impact on this disease. They are the ones who develop severe forms of Covid. In the public health perspective, what you want to avoid is that hospitalisation, the cost on oxygen, congestion," he added.

Measures

On March 26, we reported a boost in the surveillance at various border points following a surge in Kenya.

Uganda has since registered new Covid-19 strains, first discovered in South Africa and Nigeria that are said to be more contagious.

At the peak of infections at the end of last year, both government and private hospitals were filled to capacity and many patients struggled to find admissions especially in Intensive Care and High Dependency units.

Even with cases going down, experts warn that the country is not yet out of the woods.
Special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry (L) listens to President Joe Biden speak on tackling climate change, creating jobs, and restoring scientific integrity at the White House in Washington on Jan. 27, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Bidens 2030 Carbon Goal Will Failand Bankrupt America

Commentary

President Joe Biden followed his raft of heavy-handed climate executive orders by announcing his loftiest goal yet: slashing U.S. carbon dioxide emissions in half by the end of the decade.

Bidens ambitious climate fantasy is doomed to failnot only failing to reach his emissions target but also failing utterly to have the slightest effect on climate change.

The best solution for preserving the natural beauty of our nation, contrary to the presidents pontificating, is to fully embrace domestically produced energy. Long-term environmental quality is a product not of big-government mandates, but of freedom and economic prosperity.

Bidens plan is hopeless because modern life depends intrinsically on electricity. We need only recall the blackouts that plagued Texas last month, California last year, and New York City the year before that to see how quickly society grinds to a halt without power. The basic necessities such as cooking, finding water, and sanitation become all-consuming labor without the power-dependent conveniences we so often take for granted.

Its more than just the convenience of lights, air conditioning, and internet access, although those things are nice. At least 80 people died in the Texas blackouts, including an 11-year-old boy who froze to death in his bed. A woman in Venezuela described the weeks-long power outage that plagued her country in 2019 as a return to the Middle Ages.

Energy is a necessity, not a luxury; because of this, even the most draconian federal emissions rules wont exterminate fossil fuels. The American people wont stop using the resources that give us 80 percent of our energy. Theyll just be forced to import more from overseas, ceding economic and political power to unstable nations, instead of supporting responsible U.S. energy producers.

Ironically, this means Bidens emission mandate will actually increase, not decrease, global carbon dioxide emissions. U.S. energy companies have developed such rigorous emissions controls that natural gas shipped to Europe from the United States produces far less greenhouse gas emissions (pdf) than gas imported half the distance from Russiaor even a quarter of the distance from North Africa. (Ultimately, however, neither result will have any meaningful impact on global temperatures, according to the same climate data models used by the U.N.)

More importantly, shifting energy production overseas will also increase emissions of pollutants that actually cause human harm. While you wouldnt know it from most of the medias apocalyptic headlines, the United States is a world leader in environmental quality, No. 1 in the world for access to clean drinking water, and far outranks other developed nations in clean air (pdf). We are the only highly populated nation to meet the World Health Organizations safe air standards for particulate matter and have reduced the six main air pollutants by 77 percent in the past 50 yearsall while significantly growing our economy, population, and energy consumption.

The foreign companies providing the energy we need wont be held to our rigorous environmental standards. Bidens plan would allow Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia to pollute with abandon while responsible U.S. energy producers are penalized and driven out of business.

If Biden really wanted to protect our environmentplus fight poverty and boost our economyhe would embrace, not penalize, American-produced fossil fuels.

When I visited Egypt with a delegation of young political leaders in 2012, I was shocked by how many times I saw people deliberately pushing piles of trash into the canals that feed the Nile River. Yet for much of the world, this is the norm. In impoverished communities, where food and water are scarce and people have to spend their days focused on survival, its no wonder theres little regard for the environment. People simply have more pressing needs.

Thats why highly developed countries around the world have the strongest commitments to environmental protection, from robust park systems to the air quality standards that have made Americas air so clean that its near natural levels. The more that communities flourish, the more time and energy they have to devote to causes such as protecting the environment. And the strongest catalyst for human flourishing is affordable, reliable energy, the force that makes nearly everything else in our lives possible.

America isnt leading the world in environmental quality despite our use of fossil fuelswere leading because of them. Biden could uphold his promises to Build Back Better by unleashing the power of the reliable fuels that have catapulted our nation into 21st-century prosperityand have unmatched potential to share that prosperity with the rest of the world.

The Honorable Jason Isaac is director of Life: Powered, a national initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation to raise Americas energy IQ. He previously served four terms in the Texas House of Representatives.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Former Prime Minister on Wednesday said he and his wife Chennamma have tested positive for COVID-19.

"My wife Chennamma and I have tested positive for COVID- 19.

We are self-isolating along with other family members," the 87-year-old JD(S) patriarch tweeted.

"I request all those who came in contact with us over the last few days to get themselves tested.

I request party workers and well-wishers not to panic," he added.

However, the Manipal Hospital, where thecouple is currently being treated, said Deve Gowda is negative at present and is being appropriately investigated and closely monitored by medical experts.

"...Deve Gowda is admitted today at Manipal hospital old Airport Road for evaluation of fever.

He was tested for COVID 19 which is negative at present. He is being appropriately investigated and closely monitored by a team of medical experts. Currently he is cheerful and is in stable condition".

Gowda's son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in a video statement said there was no reason for worry and his parents were getting good treatment.

"I request the friends and well wishers of the family not to worry, expert doctors are giving them the best treatment.

I request everyone not to come near the hospital, also no one will be allowed there," he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Gowda and enquired about his and his wife's health.

"Spoke to former PM Shri H Deve Gowda Ji and enquired about his and his wifes health. Praying for their quick recovery," Modi tweeted.

Gowda later thanked the Prime Minister for inquiring about his health.

"I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling and enquiring after my health.

I am also deeply moved by his offer to get me treated in any hospital of my choice in any city.

I assured him that I am being looked after well in Bangalore, but will keep him informed," he tweeted.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has wished for the speedy recovery of the former Prime Minister and his wife.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Siddaramaiah and state Congress President D K Shivakumar wished that Gowda and Chennamma return to good health at the earliest.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 18:10:47|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese expert members of a WHO-China joint team introduce the report on the WHO-convened global study of COVID-19 origins at a press briefing in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China is the first country to conduct a joint study on the origins of COVID-19 with the World Health Organization (WHO), a senior Chinese expert said on Wednesday.

The history of infectious diseases tells us that it generally takes a long time to identify the origin of a new infectious disease and have the findings accepted worldwide, said Liang Wannian, the team leader from the Chinese side of the WHO-China team studying the origins of COVID-19.

Speaking at a press briefing from the Chinese experts participating in the joint study, Liang noted that the place a virus is first reported is not necessarily the originating point of the virus. Enditem
The United Kingdom Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Girls' Education, Ms Helen Grant, has said educating girls is one of the smartest investments we can make to grow economies.

Mr Boris Johnson's envoy was in Uganda to see first-hand the work the UK is doing to help girls access and benefit from quality education in Uganda to build back better together from coronavirus. Her visit included a meeting with the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Ms Janet Museveni.

"Uganda is an incredible country, and I was blown away by the warm welcome I received and the ambition and potential in the young women and girls I met.

"Educating girls is one of the smartest investments we can make to grow economies, save lives, and build back better from Covid-19. I am heartened by the progress being made, with the UK's support, in Uganda to get girls learning.

But we're not there yet. The UK has set out ambitious global targets of getting 40 million more girls in school, and a third more girls reading by the age of 10, in low- and middle-income countries.

"I look forward to working with Uganda ahead of the Global Education Summit: Financing GPE 2021-2025 in July to urge countries to invest in education and improve access for girls."

Uganda was the Special Envoy's first overseas visit since her appointment, highlighting the importance the UK places on girls' education in Uganda and beyond.

Ms Grant was appointed Special Envoy for Girls' Education by UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in January 2021 as part of the UK government's global commitment to stand up for the right of every girl to 12 years of quality education.

The UK has set out ambitious global targets of getting 40 million more girls in school, and a third more girls reading by the age of 10 by 2025.

Ms Grant's visit was an important opportunity to reinforce the UK's message on the need to continue to get girls learning.
Three academics from Renmin University have revealed Chinese plans to replace the United States as the leading world power.

Renmin University is equivalent to Harvard or Yale, a university where future leaders are groomed. In 2016, Professor Jin Canrong suggested that one of the most effective methods was to infiltrate the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2020, Dr. Li Yi claimed, "We are ahead of schedule in terms of overtaking the United States. There will be no problem reaching this goal in 2027. The U.S. will not survive. We will drive the U.S. to its death."

Perhaps the most revealing talk was delivered by Professor Di Dongsheng. Di's talk was televised and may have been the equivalent of a wardrobe malfunction, approved by the CCP as a provocation: "We own you, and what are you going to do about it?" China expert Gordon Chang said, "Di Dongsheng's comments show the breathtaking arrogance of the Chinese elite, which now has no hesitation about expressing in public its belief that with a President Biden, China will once again control the highest levels in Washington." Di's talk was deleted, but like everything else on the web, it could not be entirely erased. It can be found here.

Di claimed, "For the past 30 years, 40 years we have been utilizing the core power of the United States." He complained that Chinese influence began to "dry up" under the Trump administration. Also, "The CCP began tugging on the sleeves of their friends on Wall Street, in Congress, and in the media, but got nowhere with the White House." He claimed, "Wall Street had a very profound influence over America's domestic and foreign affairs since the 1970s. We used to heavily rely on them." But, he claimed, "Wall Street couldn't control Trump." Trump was imposing tariffs, luring back U.S. companies, and forcing concessions on unfair trade practices.

Di provides an example of the power the CCP yields. He attempted to provide a financial incentive to a bookstore-owner to hold an event for a book by Chinese president Xi Jinping. The owner refused. Di reported this to his superiors and was later told to continue with the original plan. He explained why he was able to continue: "a hero had helped us out." A CCP official introduced him to an "an old lady with a big nose, obviously a Jew simply by that look." She was a Chinese citizen, lived in China, and spoke perfect Mandarin. Di said, "I suddenly realized she is one of the Chinese people's 'old friends." He claimed she oversaw Asian operations for a major Wall Street financial institution. He asked her how she had convinced the recalcitrant store-owner to change his mind. She cunningly replied, "I reasoned with him."

Di's most damning comments concerned Hunter Biden. He claimed, "Trump has been saying that Biden's son has some sort of global foundation. Have you noticed that? Who helped him [Biden's son] build the foundations? Got it? There are a lot of deals in all these." Di does not explicitly say China helped him build the foundations. However, why else would he mention it?

Chinese methods of suborning American officials are illustrated by the case of Congressman Eric Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence Committee. Swalwell was romantically involved with a Chinese student named Fang Fang. When she learned that the FBI was closing in on her, she fled back to China. Minority leader Kevin McCarthy was given a briefing on Swalwell by the FBI. Afterward, he remarked, "I can't tell you about what [was in the briefing], but I can tell you this. What I learned today  and anyone who was in that room with me would never allow Swalwell to be on the Intel Committee, or to continue to be on it." The fact that Swalwell remains on the Intel Committee is testimony to Chinese influence on committee assignments.

During the 20192020 school year, 372,532 Chinese were enrolled in U.S. universities. It is unlikely that the Swalwell case is an isolated incident.

In addition to China's extensive espionage network, the country has the advantage of a cheap labor source. China's use of slave labor is well documented. CEOs and athletes can overlook the use of slave labor by the CCP. After all, they are not Uyghurs. But how do black athletes deal with the incredible racism exhibited by the Chinese? David Goldman reports, "In Chinese media, Africans are often characterized as backward or primitive and blackness as unattractive. Virulent racism common on social media is largely unchecked by censors, including claims that Africans are rapists, drug dealers, or AIDS carriers." Chinese television run racist advertisements, like a laundry ad showing a black man dumped into a washing machine and coming out as a light-skinned Chinese.

Bill Maher recently asserted, "We're not losing to China. We lost. We're just waiting for the returns to come in." People who have done their best to tear down and ridicule American values are beginning to realize that they are coming with us deplorables when things go south in America.

John Dietrich is a freelance writer and the author of The Morgenthau Plan: Soviet Influence on American Postwar Policy (Algora Publishing). He has a Master of Arts degree in international relations from St. Mary's University. He is retired from the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. He is featured on the BBC's program "Things We Forgot to Remember:" Morgenthau Plan and Post-War Germany.

Image via Max Pixel.
Astronomers have detected X-rays from Uranus for the first time, using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. This result may help scientists learn more about this enigmatic ice giant planet in our solar system.

Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and has two sets of rings around its equator. The planet, which has four times the diameter of Earth, rotates on its side, making it different from all other planets in the solar system. Since Voyager 2 was the only spacecraft to ever fly by Uranus, astronomers currently rely on telescopes much closer to Earth, like Chandra and the Hubble Space Telescope, to learn about this distant and cold planet that is made up almost entirely of hydrogen and helium.

In the new study, researchers used Chandra observations taken in Uranus in 2002 and then again in 2017. They saw a clear detection of X-rays from the first observation, just analyzed recently, and a possible flare of X-rays in those obtained fifteen years later. The main graphic shows a Chandra X-ray image of Uranus from 2002 (in pink) superimposed on an optical image from the Keck-I Telescope obtained in a separate study in 2004. The latter shows the planet at approximately the same orientation as it was during the 2002 Chandra observations.

What could cause Uranus to emit X-rays? The answer: mainly the Sun. Astronomers have observed that both Jupiter and Saturn scatter X-ray light given off by the Sun, similar to how Earth's atmosphere scatters the Sun's light. While the authors of the new Uranus study initially expected that most of the X-rays detected would also be from scattering, there are tantalizing hints that at least one other source of X-rays is present. If further observations confirm this, it could have intriguing implications for understanding Uranus.

One possibility is that the rings of Uranus are producing X-rays themselves, which is the case for Saturn's rings. Uranus is surrounded by charged particles such as electrons and protons in its nearby space environment. If these energetic particles collide with the rings, they could cause the rings to glow in X-rays. Another possibility is that at least some of the X-rays come from auroras on Uranus, a phenomenon that has previously been observed on this planet at other wavelengths.

On Earth, we can see colorful light shows in the sky called auroras, which happen when high-energy particles interact with the atmosphere. X-rays are emitted in Earth's auroras, produced by energetic electrons after they travel down the planet's magnetic field lines to its poles and are slowed down by the atmosphere. Jupiter has auroras, too. The X-rays from auroras on Jupiter come from two sources: electrons traveling down magnetic field lines, as on Earth, and positively charged atoms and molecules raining down at Jupiter's polar regions. However, scientists are less certain about what causes auroras on Uranus. Chandra's observations may help figure out this mystery.

Uranus is an especially interesting target for X-ray observations because of the unusual orientations of its spin axis and its magnetic field. While the rotation and magnetic field axes of the other planets of the solar system are almost perpendicular to the plane of their orbit, the rotation axis of Uranus is nearly parallel to its path around the Sun. Furthermore, while Uranus is tilted on its side, its magnetic field is tilted by a different amount, and offset from the planet's center. This may cause its auroras to be unusually complex and variable. Determining the sources of the X-rays from Uranus could help astronomers better understand how more exotic objects in space, such as growing black holes and neutron stars, emit X-rays.

###

A paper describing these results appears in the most recent issue of the Journal of Geophysical Research. The authors are William Dunn (University College London, United Kingdom), Jan-Uwe Ness (University of Marseille, France), Laurent Lamy (Paris Observatory, France), Grant Tremblay (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian), Graziella Branduardi-Raymont (University College London), Bradford Snios (CfA), Ralph Kraft (CfA), Z. Yao (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing), Affelia Wibisono (University College London).

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Chandra X-ray Center controls science from Cambridge Massachusetts and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.
BELMONT, MI  Residents living near the infamous Wolverine World Wide dump on House Street say they want a real solution to the issue of how to clean up toxic chemical waste from leather manufacturing buried in their neighborhood.

Planting trees over the dump isnt one, they said.

You break it, you buy it, said Barbara Brundage, whose family owns property on Clear Bottom Lake next to the footwear companys tannery waste dump. Its quite obvious that they dont want to spend any more money than they have to be dragged kicking and screaming to spend.

They can do a lot better than covering it up and putting pretty trees on top, she said.

That was the prevailing sentiment among those gathered Tuesday, March 30 to speak with reporters on House Street, where dump neighbor and PFAS activist Sandy Wynn-Stelt hosted a press conference to demonstrate neighborhood opposition to the companys cleanup proposal.

Wolverine is seeking approval from regulators to remediate its House Street dump through a process called phytoremediation, which would attempt to use 4,000 trees to suck up forever chemicals buried there in the 1960s.

Wolverine marketed the limited cleanup to residents and local officials this winter as a way to avoid deforestation and potentially develop the dump into a nature preserve.

The proposal, submitted as the preferred option in a cleanup feasibility study, hasnt wowed neighbors or local experts, who say the experimental approach would make little dent in the problem and would allow contamination to continue leaching into the nearby Rogue River, where it would eventually end up in Lake Michigan by way of the Grand River.

Wolverines study compared the feasibility of several options, ranging from a potential $200 million total waste removal to the potential $12 million phyto-cap project, which would combine tree planting with small areas of impermeable capping at the already wooded 76-acre property.

The state of Michigan is holding an online meeting to discuss the proposal on Wednesday, March 31 at 6:00 p.m. and is taking public comment until April 17.

Related: Expert: Phyto plan close to doing nothing

Dump neighbors who spoke Tuesday said they dont believe the phytoremediation plan will adequately protect the wider community from contamination spread. They called on the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to reject the proposal.

EGLE must approve whatever plan Wolverine proposes and a 30-acre unlined cap over the waste is the default option under a consent order approved by a federal judge last year if EGLE and the company cant reach an agreement.

Capping contamination under an impermeable layer of clay is a common practice at closed landfills and other pollution sites to reduce infiltration from rain and meltwater.

Wynn-Stelt said dump neighbors feel overwhelmed and outmanned at the prospect of fighting with Wolverine over the cleanup proposal. Many are also involved in civil litigation with Wolverine over health and property-related legal claims.

We are forced to try and fight against this giant company that has the resources and ability to pretty much bully us and overwhelm us into doing this, she said. I feel like Im fighting in a war with a flyswatter. Its not really a fair fight.

About 20 people stood behind Wynn-Stelt. Some held signs promoting community resilience. A group of kids ran around, underscoring the fact that many nearby residents are raising children whove been exposed to the contamination because their homes relied on water drawn from private wells.

The plumes were discovered in 2017 and Plainfield Township municipal water mains have since been extended to some streets in an ongoing project paid for though a $69.5 million settlement with Wolverine in late 2019.

Homes unable to connect to the Plainfield system expansion are relying on in-home filtration in most cases. With exposure to the chemicals though drinking water being largely cut off at this point, focus is shifting to the Rogue River and the future of the persistent underground contamination problem.

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-created community advisory group, which includes some dump neighbors, has also criticized the phyto-plan.

Brenda Harris, who lives on House Street, said the phyto-plan would leave to chance the future health of the community and surrounding environment.

This method of remediation is experimental, and it is not scientifically proven with forever chemicals like PFAS, she said. It is not a solution for this contamination site.

We want a real solution, Harris said.

Paul Jozwiak, who lives on Imperial Pine Street near the dump, said the ecological impacts of the dumps contamination has already traveled well beyond the neighborhood. He said theres a disconnect between the companys cleanup plan and neighbor feedback.

Phytoremediation should be a secondary option that supplements more robust approaches to cleanup that remove the pollutants from the environment, he said.

Were not interested in a community park, Jozwiak said. We want the contaminated soil removed. We want the contaminated groundwater remediated and cleaned up. We do support an impermeable cap liner to be applied where applicable and appropriate.

We as a community want an appropriate plan executed to remove any future concerns about this pollution continuing to spread below ground, he continued. This means that we measure success with the area of clean up completed, and not with dollar signs.

Denise Trabbic-Pointer, a retired DuPont chemical engineer consulting for the Michigan Sierra Club chapter, said the phyto-plan would take hundreds of years to make measurable progress toward reducing contamination entering the river.

The plan simply is not adequate, she said.

Wolverine released a comment Wednesday.

Wolverine Worldwide was neither aware of nor invited to the press conference held last night by community members near our House Street property. We welcome feedback on the Phyto-Cap remediation plan we proposed for our House Street property, and have held several meetings with community members and other stakeholders both before and since submitting the plan. Complete details of the plan are available on our blog, www.WeAreWolverine.com, along with a set of FAQs that address many of the questions raised last night and will be updated to address any new questions or concerns.

Related stories:

Timeline: The Wolverine, 3M Scotchgard disaster

Wolverine submits plan to clean dump with 4k trees

Michigan PFAS site list surges past 100

Blue soils dug from under polluted Wolverine tannery

3M, Wolverine settle pollution lawsuit with Michigan family

3M to pay $55M in Michigan PFAS settlement

How citizen sleuths cracked the Wolverine tannery case

PFAS activist says blood testing probably saved her life
A string of terror attacks targeting non-locals in Mandera County left dreams shattered, homes broken, bread winners killed and young women widowed.

Scores of men from Nyeri, who were in search of greener pastures in Mandera quarries, were either killed or incapacitated by gunshot wounds.

The biggest casualties of these occurrences, however, were women and children, who had to learn how to navigate about life by themselves.

At a quarry in Chaka, Kieni Constituency, women who have had to fill the shoes of their husbands, killed by Al Shabaab militia, tough it out with their male counterparts, under the scorching sun to feed their families.

Theresa Wangu, a mother of five dreads the day she got news of her husband's death. He left behind five children - a two-weeks-old infant and the rest in primary and high school.

And without letting her grieve the loss of her husband, her in-laws gave her verbal dress-downs and consequently chased her out of their home.

"They justified their actions saying he had not finished paying my dowry, thus I was not part of the family and neither were my children. They said I could not inherit anything that belonged to him," she says.

Extreme embarrassment

Jane Wairimu and a couple of other widows' stories replicate Ms Wangu's. They say they were subjected to extreme embarrassment and harassment in the hands of their in-laws. This drove them out of their homes to the quarries and other menial jobs to support their livelihoods.

Majority of Chaka people predominantly depend on working in quarries but they started migrating to Mandera as local quarries were getting empty and paid less.

Quarry owners in Mandera are known to pay well, which attracted quarry workers.

But things got out of hand from 2014 when Al Shabaab started targeting them, with the worst massacre happening in 2016 where dozens of the quarry workers were killed.

They opted for Mandera quarries because the local ones are risky; you have to dig deep to get the raw material, which is not the case there," says Ms Wairimu.

To fend for their families, these women formed a self-help group, Change Ambassadors Beekeepers, comprising of 40 women widowed by terrorism.

They rear bees for honey production, process wax and candles, and other by-products with the intention to tap on the international market.

Menial jobs

"Honey market is broad and it cannot be satiated hence, we are in talks with the government to explore ways we can export our honey to Europe and other countries," notes Ms Theuri.

This venture has helped them move on and improve their livelihoods by augmenting their earnings from the quarry and other menial jobs.

"Our lives are not (comfortable) as they used to be, but we are glad we are together and that our stories are similar; this has helped us trudge on with life a day at a time," says Ms Mary Wairimu, another of the widows.

The women were brought together by Nyeri-based psychologist Rose Theuri and youth leader Richard Waithaka who, touched by their destitute state, figured a way to assist them.

Mr Waithaka took up the role to offer technical support while Ms Theuri offered psychological support.

"We settled on beekeeping because we realised the area has a favourable environment for the venture and it was not a demanding one, which means they could do other things and still have this going for them," says Ms Theuri.

She states that the beekeeping business was inspired by the fact that it does not require huge amounts of money to start.

"We ensured the women underwent the process of psycho-social support and were trained on entrepreneurship and financial literacy as a way to equip them with basic knowledge on how to run a business and savings," she adds.

The biggest challenge among the women Ms Theuri notes, is relapsing.

300 beehives

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"One moment they are doing well, the next they are back to grieving their husbands. They suffer from long-term trauma," she says.

To reverse this, the counsellor has ensured they are not exposed to situations that trigger past thoughts.

So far, they have 300 beehives and intend to increase them to 1,000 through support from the local and central government that will also help them get a fully-fledged processing unit that will make their venture commercially viable.

Besides increasing the number of hives to bolster production, they want support in acquiring protective clothes and gears as well as harvesting tools and equipment which they say are costly.

"We want to establish a value chain for honey and by-products, but it is expensive and we cannot afford it," she notes.

They harvest the honey twice a year, with each season giving them eight to 15 kilos on average. A kilogramme goes for between Sh800 and Sh1,000.

Ms Theuri says the women require more training to equip them with knowledge on how to maintain and process the honey.
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Philippines logs 9,296 new COVID-19 cases, India's tally reaches 12,095,855

Xinhua) 11:02, March 31, 2021

HONG KONG, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Asia-Pacific countries as the Philippines reported 9,296 new cases on Tuesday while India's tally reached 12,095,855.

The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 9,296 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the country's total tally to 741,181.

The COVID-19 related death toll rose to 13,191 after five more patients died from the coronavirus epidemic, the DOH said.

The Philippines reverted Metro Manila and its four adjacent provinces to the highest quarantine level on Monday following a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases this month. The seven-day lockdown ends on April 4.

India's COVID-19 tally rose to 12,095,855 as 56,211 new cases were reported from across the country, according to the latest figures released by the federal health ministry.

Besides, 271 more deaths were reported, taking the death toll to 162,114.

There are 540,720 active cases in the country, while 11,393,021 people have been discharged from hospitals after medical treatment.

There was an increase of 18,912 active cases during the previous 24 hours, out of which the maximum cases were reported from the southwestern state of Maharashtra.

Malaysia reported 1,133 new infections, the Health Ministry said, bringing the national total to 344,018.

Five more deaths have been reported, bringing the death toll to 1,265.

Another 1,148 patients have been released after recovery, bringing the total number of cured and discharged to 328,554 or 95.5 percent of all cases.

Cambodia confirmed 105 new cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 2,377, said a Ministry of Health (MoH) statement.

The Southeast Asian nation has officially registered a total of 2,377 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic in January last year, with 11 deaths and 1,176 recoveries, the MoH said.

The country began an anti-COVID-19 inoculation drive on Feb. 10. As of Monday, more than 391,000 people in priority groups had been vaccinated against the virus, a government report showed.

The death toll of COVID-19 in Afghanistan has increased to 2,484 after eight patients lost their lives within the past 24 hours, the country's Ministry of Public Health reported.

The ministry also confirmed 70 new cases during the cited period, bringing the number of infected people across the country to 56,454 including 2,597 active cases, the ministry said in a statement.

Laboratories across Afghanistan have completed over 346,000 COVID-19 tests since the outbreak of the pandemic in February last year.

Thailand confirmed 48 new cases, according to a report of the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Thailand has so far confirmed a total of 28,821 cases, 25,742 of which were reported as domestic while 3,079 others were imported cases.

So far, 27,379 patients have fully recovered and been released from hospitals while 1,348 others are currently hospitalized and 94 fatalities have been reported.

Australia's Brisbane reported another eight locally acquired COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases in this outbreak to 15.

The cases in the state of Queensland have more than doubled overnight as Greater Brisbane entered a snap three-day lockdown from Monday afternoon.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told a press conference on Tuesday that six new local cases were linked to previously confirmed cases, while the other two were still under investigation.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
Renovation

31 March 2021

Nestled among the palm-trees on a rocky outcrop between two secluded coves lies the idyllic haven of Curtain Bluff. With two spectacular beaches offering surfing waves as well as tranquil waters to float in, this is quite possibly the most beautiful corner of Antigua. Opened in 1962 by Howard Hulford and situated on the southern coast of the island, Curtain Bluff is an all-inclusive five-star sanctuary within easy reach of the historic English Harbour, the former stomping ground of Admiral Nelson that is now home to an astonishing fleet of super-yachts. Following an extensive 13 million-dollar refurbishment in 2017, the hotel possesses state-of-the-art facilities, two restaurants and 72 luxurious bedrooms that mix old-school glamour with understated contemporary chic.

The much loved Curtain Bluff in Antigua will temporarily close its doors from May 31st through to October 23rd, in order to undergo a series of exciting enhancements to further amplify the guest experience, including updates to the pool areas, gym, yoga deck and accommodation offering. Those visiting from October 2021 will be the first to experience the enhanced Curtain Bluff product and a new guest experience. The reopening will coincide with the exciting celebration of the resort's 60th season, a milestone moment for this Caribbean icon.
James Wosochlo Jr. tells the story of an area man considered Americas first unofficial serial killer in his debut novel.

Appalachian: Schaumbochs Tavern, based on true events, is about Matthias Schaumboch, who owned the tavern in Albany Twp., Berks County, on Hawk Mountain from 1850 to 1889.

On his deathbed, Schaumboch confessed to murdering between 11 and 14 people.

There was rumor of mysterious people, travelers and peddlers, that would come and go, north and south of the mountain, and if they stayed at the tavern, some were never seen again, Wosochlo said. It was never proven that anything was happening until his deathbed confession.

Wosochlo, who now lives in Colorado, lived in the Orwigsburg and Deer Lake area. He collected Native American and colonial artifacts from around Hawk Mountain, and he was president of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, a founding member of the Hawk Mountain Archaeology Society and president of the Forks of the Delaware Archaeology Society in the Lehigh Valley.

Wosochlo said he heard about Schaumboch from a bartender at the Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company, which Wosochlo belonged to until 2019.

I couldnt believe, living in the area for long, I had never heard about it before, Wosochlo said. It intrigued me, and because of my big interest in history, I wrote a novel about it.

Wosochlo said Schaumbochs tale does not have much documentation in local history.

It was swept under the rug back in the late 1800s, Wosochlo said. It was like a bad memory that everybody wanted to forget about.

Wosochlo said response to the book has been positive so far, and he has even been contacted about making it into a movie.

Its doing really well, Wosochlo said. I dont know how to handle it, but its going really well.

He noted the book has surprised some of his family members.

Its kind of bittersweet, Wosochlo said. Its selling really well, but I have a lot of relatives who are calling me and saying, We never thought you would think of things like this. My wife said she had to sleep with one eye open for three nights after reading the novel.

Wosochlo had never written a horror story but took inspiration from Stephen King books and the movies The Revenant and Silence of the Lambs.

I tried to keep the book as much as possible true to history, but there are some things that I had to speculate (about) because there was no record of it, he said.

The way that Schaumboch carried out the murders was one aspect left to Wosochlos imagination. He also left out some details about the location, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, to protect what is now private property of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and restricted from trespassing.

Wosochlo now is working on another novel, Unexhumed, a ghost story set in Philadelphia not based on true events. He also will hold book signings on Wednesday, April 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Schuylkill County Historical Society, Pottsville, and Thursday, April 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Orwigsburg Historical Society, where there will be a question-and-answer session at 7.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 17:09:33|Editor: huaxia

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The first cargo train linking central China's Hunan Province and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is ready to leave the provincial capital Changsha in central China. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)



CHANGSHA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A new freight train service linking central China's Hunan Province and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was launched Wednesday.

A cargo train loaded with industrial products such as silicon dioxide and hot rolled bars left Changsha, Hunan's capital, Wednesday morning. It will arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, in about seven days via south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The route is expected to operate on a weekly basis after a three-month trial run, according to China Railway Guangzhou Group Co., Ltd. It is expected to further boost the trade between Hunan and ASEAN countries.

ASEAN was China's largest trading partner in 2020. Data from Changsha Customs show that in 2020, the total trade volume between Hunan and the 10 ASEAN countries reached 81.03 billion yuan (about 12.35 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 30.9 percent year on year, and accounted for 16.6 percent of Hunan's total foreign trade.

The Hunan-ASEAN trade volume further soared by 86.3 percent year on year to 10.15 billion yuan in the first two months of this year, the data showed. 
After a trip to Texas last week to visit the Mexican border, Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he came away with a distressed perspective on the countrys border security and lacking immigration policies.

We dont have control of the border, no, we do not, Tuberville said Wednesday morning in a visit with reporters in Huntsville.

The freshman senator said children are making up a large number of those crossing illegally into the U.S. and he reiterated concerns about new cases of COVID-19 being brought into the country. Tuberville also maintained that Mexican drug cartels near the border are using those crossing into the U.S. to smuggle drugs.

I didnt know what to expect at the border but it wasnt good, Tuberville said. It was not good at all.

While speaking again in support of former President Donald Trumps desire to build a wall on the Mexican border, Tuberville on Wednesday did not point a finger at President Joe Biden.

However, Tuberville said that Congress failed efforts to establish new immigration laws is contributing to the situation at the border  echoing comments the senator made in Texas last week.

Theyve been through administration after administration  Democrat and Republican, Tuberville said of conversations he had with border patrol agents in Texas. This is not a Democrat and Republican problem. This is basically a policy problem. We never, for some reason, got a handle on our immigration policy. We need new immigration policy.

Tuberville also promoted a bill he introduced last week that would require illegally entering the U.S. to not be released until they have a date to appear before a judge. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was among the original cosponsors of the bill.

I proposed a bill when they come in, weve got to know they have a court date, Tuberville said. Right now, (border officials) put people on plane all over the country and they dont have a court date.

In a press release last week announcing the bill, Tuberville said, This bill would prohibit migrants who came into the country illegally from being released into communities without a notice to appear in immigration court. The Biden Administration says they want humane and compassionate improvements to our immigration system  releasing someone without a (notice to appear) is neither. President Biden dismantled the successful policies President Trump put in place, but this bill will help restore integrity in our immigration system.

Tuberville said border agents are being overrun by new arrivals growing in number because of loosened immigration policies from the Biden administration.

Tuberville touts vaccine

Tuberville said he had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and encouraged everyone to get the shot.

He also said Alabama is getting the vaccine distributed slower than other states.

Alabama is behind, Tuberville said. Weve been asking and talking to people about it, making sure we get as many vaccines as we possibly can. That will pick up now that weve got three vaccines available. We need to get more in the state not just for (military) veterans but for everybody. The herd immunity and people getting the vaccinations is going to put this in the rear view mirror for us.

I know the state is working at it hard. Gov. Ivey, weve talked to her staff and theyre working at it. Its one of those things. Weve got to get more vaccines.

Alabamas infrastructure has been an obstacle in vaccine distribution, Tuberville said, pointing out that only a fraction of distribution locations across the state had adequate refrigeration for the Pfizer vaccine.
Originally built as condominiums in 1985, then converted to apartments, the property was built to condominium specs, with spacious units averaging 1,034 square feet on 18.5 acres. The property's unique location further adds to its appeal, featuring a suburban environment with urban conveniences. Ample retail and major grocers, including Sprouts, Trader Joes and Ralphs, are within walking distance, and Mission Ridge is just a short drive from the beach and downtown Encinitas.

Walker & Dunlop's Hunter Combs, Blake Rogers, Alexandra Caniglia, Javier Rivera, and Kevin Sheehan represented both the property ownership and the buyer. Jeff Burns, Chris Botsford and Justin Nelson, of Walker & Dunlop's multifamily finance group, worked alongside the sales team to arrange acquisition financing on behalf of Interstate Equities Corp. (IEC), the buyer.

Said Mr. Combs, "This was an extremely rare transaction in the coastal submarket of Encinitas; this transaction represents the first time that Mission Ridge Apartments has traded hands in over 30 years." He added that, "In addition to being located in a highly desirable and notoriously 'low-trade' submarket, this asset presents an unparalleled value-add investment opportunity with significant upside."

"IEC is pleased to acquire Mission Ridge Apartments in Encinitas. Mission Ridge represents the exact property profile that can be elusive in Coastal San Diego; a large apartment complex in a supply constrained sub-market that is both walkable to retail and commutable to major employment nodes," stated Brendan Gibney of IEC. "Mission Ridge's vintage and condo-spec construction added to its appeal. We would like to thank the entire Walker & Dunlop team for facilitating this transaction. IEC is excited to expand its footprint in San Diego."

Walker & Dunlop is a leader in multifamily property sales, having completed $6.1 billion in property sales volume in 2020. The firm was also the top provider of capital to the U.S. multifamily market, originating $30.8 billion in transactions and lending over $24 billion for multifamily properties in 2020. For information about Walker & Dunlop's view on the apartment market, including expert perspectives on markets, leadership, and the road ahead, visit our Driven by Insight information center.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The company provides a comprehensive range of capital solutions for all commercial real estate asset classes, as well as investment sales brokerage services to owners of multifamily properties. Walker & Dunlop is included on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and was ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Walker & Dunlop's 1,000+ professionals in 38 offices across the nation have an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.

SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

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http://www.walkerdunlop.com


A Thai woman alleged to have scammed $9.7million out of lonely men in a series of financial crimes has been denied bail - for the third time.

Siriluck Fatima Chimmalee, 28, unsuccessfully represented herself at a bail hearing in the New South Wales Supreme Court on Tuesday - and will later face 103 charges.

She is alleged to have claimed to be a pilot, a lawyer, medical student and a handbag designer as part of alleged scams, which were believed to support her luxury lifestyle.

Siriluck Fatima Chimmalee (pictured, right) was arrested in February 2020 in relation to an alleged money laundering and fraud syndicate. She faces 103 charges, including those related to an alleged romance scam she ran

Her crimes are alleged to have included collecting money from Thai nationals to remit on their behalf and using the personal information of men she met online to apply for loans and credit cards and to register businesses intended to securing more credit.

NSW Police seized thousands of dollars worth of high-end fashion shoes and clothing (Chanel shoes pictured) from Chimmalee's home in February

Chimmalee is alleged to have offered Thais in Australia better foreign exchange rates than banks to remit money to Thailand in a series of social media posts.

Some Thais were also offered involvement in complex 'money-saving schemes', it is alleged.

'For example, if you invest $1,000 with [the scammer], they will give you interest of $60 fortnightly for the duration of three months,' Kai told SBS Thai.

Kai, who invested $25,000, is believed to be one of hundreds of Thais caught in just one alleged scam.

Police investigations into a money laundering and fraud syndicate - under the name Strike Force McKeon - uncovered her alleged romance scams.

When police raided her South Strathfield home they seized high end fashion items including Louis Vuitton and Gucci shoes, Prada and Chanel bags and mobile phones.

The collection contained a Prada Saffiano Cuir bag valued at $4,015 brand new, which can be sold for around $2,000 second hand.

Police also took a Chanel Graffiti Crocodile Embossed Boy small bag worth $6886.

The charges Chimmalee faces include fraud and money laundering, dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage or causing disadvantage by deception, as well as identification fraud, dishonestly obtaining property and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.

In a bail hearing at the NSW Supreme Court, she told Judge Richard Button the claims against her - of stealing $9.7milion - were 'unacceptable, unforgivable and untrue', the Daily Telegraph reported.

A Chanel Graffiti Crocodile Embossed Boy Chanel Small Bag worth almost $6900 AUD was also collected by police

A sample of one of the social media posts used to allegedly scam Thais in Australia

'I completely reject that kind of money was in play,' she said.

Judge Button denied Chimmalee bail saying there was a chance she may not reappear, and may contact a Crown witness.

In court she responded to claims she had contacted an alleged victim from jail were 'impossible' as she had been on the phone with her lawyer at the time.

It was the third time Chimmalee has been denied bail.
McGarry is the latest in a long line of distinguished academics, writers, artists, journalists, librarians, and notable public figures whose significant contributions to Irish cultural and intellectual life have earned them the position of Burns Scholar. Appointees teach courses, offer public lectures, and use the Universitys John J. Burns Library in their ongoing research, writing, and creative endeavors related to Irish history, art, and culture.



A member of the Royal Irish Academy, the Dublin-area native has written or edited 11 volumes on Irish history. His earlier work, including studies of Ireland and the Spanish Civil War, explored Ireland in an interwar-European context. His recent research, presented in publications including The Rising and The Abbey Rebels of 1916: A Lost Revolution, focuses on the Irish revolution and the cultural and political revival from which it emerged.



McGarry needed little in the way of introduction to Boston College when he arrived to begin his Burns Scholar appointment. Hes done research at the Burns Library and spoken at the University several times, including at the 2016 conference organized by BCs Irish Studies Program to commemorate the centenary of the Irish Easter Week Rising. McGarry also has worked with Boston College Ireland on Century Ireland, an online historical newspaper that details events in Irish life from a century ago.



I had a big ambition to come here, he said. The Burns Scholar chair is a very prestigious, sought-after honor in Ireland. The facilities at BC are outstanding, particularly the resources at the Burns Library. But it also gives you a lot of space and time to advance your research and write your book, and theres the opportunity to teach as well, which is fun.



McGarrys class, Modernity and Tradition in Interwar Irelandopen to undergraduate and graduate studentsalong with the theme of his forthcoming lecture, reflect his longstanding interest in using a more expansive research lens on the Irish Revolution, which encompasses the 1916 rising and subsequent war for independence from Britain, as well as the 1922 Irish civil war.



As McGarry notes, perspectives about this crucial period in Irish history have shifted in recent decades. In past generations, including his schoolboy days, the focus was on the heroism and sacrifice of Irish rebels such as Padraic Pearse, and Irelands eventual success in winning independence. Over time, there has been an increased desire for a more thorough, diverse, and nuanced reading of the Irish revolution, including the important role women played and the range of radical ideologies among those involved.


[March 31, 2021] VyStar Announces Agreement to Acquire Heritage Southeast Bank

VyStar Credit Union announced today it has signed a Definitive Purchase and Assumption Agreement to acquire Heritage Southeast Bank (HSB), a state-chartered bank headquartered in Jonesboro, Georgia. "VyStar has made an ongoing strategic commitment to search for partnerships that help us bring the benefits of credit union membership to more people while reinforcing our position as a strong and reliable financial institution with better rates and lower fees for all our members," said VyStar President/CEO Brian Wolfburg. "HSB has exceeded our expectations as the optimal partner to help us expand our footprint and ensure financial services are accessible to more Georgia residents." When finalized, the acquisition will be VyStar's second in 24 months and bring its total assets to approximately $12.5 billion, full-service branches to 88 and membership to over 850,000, making VyStar the 13th-largest credit union in the country by asset size. The transaction is expected to close later this year and is subject to standard closing conditions as well as shareholder and regulatory agency approvals. "The acquisition of HSB will bring together two strong financial institutions that share a common goal of supporting our commuities and members," said VyStar Executive Vice President/COO Chad Meadows. "In 2020, VyStar's community support resulted in more than $3 million in monetary donations and thousands of employee volunteer hours."



Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc. (HSBI) serves as the holding company for Heritage Southeast Bank, which operates as Heritage Bank, Providence Bank and The Heritage Bank in its various markets. HSB has $1.5 billion in assets and 22 branch locations across Southeast Georgia, through Savannah and into the Greater Atlanta Metro area. "As with our last merger, we stand committed to our customers and employees," said Leonard Moreland, CEO of HSBI. "We look forward to working with VyStar to continue our tradition of fostering relationships to best serve our customers and having a positive impact in our local communities."

In August 2019, VyStar successfully finalized a partnership with Citizens State Bank headquartered in Perry, Florida. "We look forward to another seamless transition with HSB," said Chief Strategy Officer Ryan McIntyre, who leads VyStar's efforts in identifying potential strategic partners. "The emphasis VyStar places on employees, members and communities is proving to create successful results." VyStar is being represented in the transaction by McGuireWoods LLP as legal counsel, and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. as financial advisor. HSBI is represented by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP as legal counsel, and Hovde Group as financial advisor. VyStar is the largest credit union headquartered in Northeast Florida and now serves over 750,000 members with assets totaling more than $10 billion. VyStar is the largest mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and one of the major employers in the region with over 2,000 employees. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 10 Southern Georgia counties and past and present military members and their families all over the world. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005814/en/

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This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 - also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes Covid-19 - isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like.

press release

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends,

At the World Health Assembly last year, Member States requested that I, as Director-General, carry out a vital and specific task.

In resolution 73.1, you asked me, I quote, "to work closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and countries, as part of the One Health approach, to identify the zoonotic source of the virus and the route of introduction to the human population, including the possible role of intermediate hosts, including through efforts such as scientific and collaborative field missions, which will enable targeted interventions and a research agenda to reduce the risk of similar events occurring."

As you know, an international scientific and collaborative field mission travelled to China in January of this year, and worked with scientists there for four weeks.

The team has now completed its initial studies, and the report was made available to both the WHO Secretariat and Member States over the weekend.

The team of scientists came from around the world: Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Qatar, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Viet Nam.

I offer my gratitude to this group of experts from all over the world, who worked tirelessly on this report, under intense pressure. And I would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment.

Now, I would like to invite the co-leads of the international team, Dr Peter Ben Embarek and Professor Liang Wannian, to present their key findings.

Dr Ben Embarek and Professor Liang, thank you so much once again for your collaboration and hard work.

You have the floor.

===

Dr Peter Ben Embarek and Prof Liang Wannian present their findings.

===

CLOSING REMARKS

Thank you, Dr Peter Ben Embarek, Professor Liang and the whole team for sharing your report and presenting your findings.

I welcome your report, which advances our understanding in important ways.

It also raises further questions that will need to be addressed by further studies, as the team itself notes in the report.

As Member States have heard, the report presents a comprehensive review of available data, suggesting that there was unrecognized transmission in December 2019, and possibly earlier.

The team reports that the first detected case had symptom onset on the 8th of December 2019. But to understand the earliest cases, scientists would benefit from full access to data including biological samples from at least September 2019.

In my discussions with the team, they expressed the difficulties they encountered in accessing raw data. I expect future collaborative studies to include more timely and comprehensive data sharing.

I welcome the recommendations for further studies to understand the earliest human cases and clusters, to trace the animals sold at markets in and around Wuhan, and to better understand the range of potential animal hosts and intermediaries.

The role of animal markets is still unclear.

The team has confirmed that there was widespread contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in the Huanan market in Wuhan, but could not determine the source of this contamination.

Again, I welcome the recommendations for further research, including a full analysis of the trade in animals and products in markets across Wuhan, particularly those linked to early human cases.

I concur with the team's conclusion that farmers, suppliers and their contacts will need to be interviewed.

The team also addressed the possibility that the virus was introduced to humans through the food chain.

Further study will be important to identify what role farmed wild animals may have played in introducing the virus to markets in Wuhan and beyond.

The team also visited several laboratories in Wuhan and considered the possibility that the virus entered the human population as a result of a laboratory incident.

However, I do not believe that this assessment was extensive enough. Further data and studies will be needed to reach more robust conclusions.

Although the team has concluded that a laboratory leak is the least likely hypothesis, this requires further investigation, potentially with additional missions involving specialist experts, which I am ready to deploy.

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We will keep you informed as plans progress, and as always, we very much welcome your input.

Let me say clearly that as far as WHO is concerned all hypotheses remain on the table.

This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end. We have not yet found the source of the virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do.

Finding the origin of a virus takes time and we owe it to the world to find the source so we can collectively take steps to reduce the risk of this happening again. No single research trip can provide all the answers.

It is clear that we need more research across a range of areas, which will entail further field visits.

Before I conclude I want to express my thanks to the experts from around the world and China who participated in the report, and look forward to continuing this important work.

Excellencies, as always, we are grateful for your continuing engagement, and we look forward to your questions and comments.

I thank you.
The Columbia University graduate workers strike, now well into its third week, pits graduate student-workers against the wealthy Ivy League university and the political and financial interests it represents.

At the latest bargaining session Tuesday, the administration rejected the Graduate Workers of Columbia (GWC) proposal, which made significant concessions to the university, essentially out of hand.

Columbia Graduate Workers picketing on Tuesday

The lead Columbia negotiator, lawyer Bernie Plum, estimated that the GWC proposal is significantly more than $30 million apart from what Columbia has decided they are willing to spend. He insisted that the GWC select a handful of priorities and promised graduate students they would not get all of the already limited demands for which they are striking.

Rank-and-file graduate workers have demonstrated immense courage and militancy in their strike for better wages, benefits and working conditions, even as their own bargaining committee has maneuvered behind their backs.

The entire experience of the Columbia graduate students up to this point in their struggle with the administration underscores the need for the workers to adopt a political and socialist strategy to advance their struggle.

As the World Socialist Web Site has previously shown, the Columbia Board of Trustees amounts to a collection of multi-millionaire and billionaire hedge fund managers and CEOs with deep ties to Wall Street, corporate America, the Democratic Party and the military-industrial complex. In many cases, these are the very figures who make up the ruling class in the United States (among them are TOMS Capital CEO Noam Gottesman and former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson).

Their attitude toward workers can be summed up by the very fact that they have chosen to dock strikers pay in the middle of a pandemic.

There is no doubt that the Board of Trustees at Columbia University is in regular discussions with other Boards of Trustees at schools across the country. This conglomerate of well-connected millionaires have agreed upon a minimal bar for working conditions for graduate students. They are well aware that a successful strike at one campus would prompt more strikes at others. In fact, those bargaining on behalf of the university implicitly referenced this at Tuesdays session, saying that compared to other universities, Columbias wages and benefits proposal is not under-market.

Far from being an argument for graduate workers to accept Columbias proposals, the very fact that the proposed starvation wages at Columbia are within the normal range of the graduate labor market is only a further indictment of the exploitative character of higher education at large.

Notably, the GWC bargaining committee (BC) used this same tactic to try to tamp down expectations among the rank and file. At a general body meeting Monday, BC members pointed to the sell-out contracts pushed through by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)which has forced its members into unsafe in-person work environmentsand the Teamsters union at Hunts Pointwhich failed to win even the meager demand of a $1/hour raiseas examples of strikes winning.

As the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) warned would happen, the GWC used this argument to justify their plans to put forward their concessionary proposal on Tuesday. It should be noted that this proposal was roundly rejected by members at general body meetings and in a poll taken over the weekend, which revealed immense support for the strike and its demands among the rank and file.

The argument being made by Columbia is based on one simple lie repeated ad nauseam by every employer, in every strike: there is not enough money to provide workers decent wages and benefits. With an endowment of $11 billion and a Board of Trustees made up of millionaires and billionaires, graduate students should reject this assertion with the contempt it deserves.

Even more contemptible is the universitys attempt to portray strikers as selfish for demanding raises while Columbia staff have suffered a pay and hiring freeze during the pandemic.

The fierce opposition that workers face from Columbia is bound up not only with their own bottom line, but with the needs of the ruling class more broadly, which is determined to smother any opposition that emerges in the working class.

The ruling elite, Democratic and Republican alike, is terrified of the seething anger among workers as they seek to implement further austerity in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. They know that any opposition has the potential to spark a mass movement of workers across industries who are fighting for the very same demands.

Over the past year, both big business parties organized a historically unprecedented bailout of the rich, while leaving workers to fend for themselves. Trillions of dollars were made available to Wall Street and major corporations through the nearly unanimous vote of both Democrats and Republicans for the CARES Act last March.

Having taken measures necessary to secure its wealth, the ruling class immediately began its back-to-work campaign and then its back-to-school campaign. As a result, billionaires in the US alone have increased their wealth by $1.4 trillion in the past year.

Now the capitalists are determined to impose ferocious austerity measures on workers, including education workers, in order to pay back the trillions of dollars that were handed over to the corporations. Their plan necessitates a complete restructuring of class relations, including in higher education, at the expense of students, adjuncts, professors and staff, to further benefit the rich.

The strike at Columbia involves fundamental questions for the working classthe right to a living wage, the right to high quality health care and child care, access to higher educationamong others. However, these questions cannot be resolved within the university alone.

In the same way that Columbia University has a strategy which extends well beyond the walls of the campus, workers must understand that the issues involved in their struggle are mass issues that require the intervention of the working class throughout the country, and indeed internationally.

What is involved is a fight against an entire social and economic systemcapitalismwhich subordinates social need to private profit and the accumulation of wealth by the rich.

The fundamental question in this strike, as in all workers struggles, remains: who controls the resources in society? The ruling class, represented in part by the Board of Trustees, or the working class?

At every general body meeting, a great deal of effort is made to talk about bargaining strength and building power. However, the real strength that remains untapped in the Columbia struggle lies within the working class. Every effort must be made to expand the strike to other universities where dozens of graduate struggles are brewing.

Appeals must be issued to adjuncts, faculty and other school staff at universities across New York Cityincluding at New York University (NYU), where graduate workers are voting on strike actionand more broadly to K-12 teachers and educators who have been on the front lines of the fight against a premature return to in-person learning.

Above all, graduate students must reject the entire framework being imposed by Columbia and the United Auto Workers (UAW), with which the GWC is affiliated. The UAW has done everything possible to isolate the strike, including preventing the linking up of the strike at Columbia with graduate students at NYU, who are a part of the same amalgamated UAW Local 2110. They have not called out Columbia postdoctoral workers, who are also UAW members with whom the university negotiated a contract in July 2020, or the tens of thousands of autoworkers across the US suffering terrible working conditions.

It speaks volumes about the close connections between the UAW and the university that the universitys interim provost, Ira Katznelson, is a former political strategist for the UAW.

Every section of workers and young people has a stake in the struggle at Columbia. The ultimate outcome of increased austerity measures on graduate student workers will be the further restriction of higher education to only the richest in society who can afford to be paid poverty wages for years on end.

Columbia graduate workers are fighting not only for their own conditions and for graduate workers everywhere, but for the right of the working class to higher education.

We encourage strikers to participate in the New York City Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee meeting this Wednesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register here .
From the French role during the Rwandan genocide to its colonial-era crimes in Algeria and looting of indigenous art, President Emmanuel Macron has gone further than predecessors in recognising some of the darker chapters of his countrys past in Africa.

But historians say more needs to be done to restore Frances image on a continent where its long history of meddling in former colonies has created a poisonous legacy, particularly for young Africans.

The latest development in Frances reckoning with its past came on Friday, when a historical commission set up by Macron concluded that France bore overwhelming responsibilities in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The report accused France, which had close ties to the Hutu regime behind the massacre of ethnic Tutsis, of being blind to preparations for the mass killings, though it found no evidence of French complicity in the bloodshed.

The French presidency said it hoped the report would engineer an irreversible reconciliation between France and Rwanda, which welcomed the historians findings as an important step.

But for Macron, the endgame is bigger, a French presidential adviser said.

Beyond Rwanda, we think this report will have an impact on our whole relationship with Africa, said the adviser, who asked not to be named.

 Smashing French taboos 

As Frances youngest post-war president, born after the end of the colonial period in the 1960s, Macron has attempted to smash several taboos around his countrys past since winning power in 2017.

While campaigning for president, the 43-year-old declared that the colonisation of Algeria was a crime against humanity  an admission that deeply upset conservatives in France, where colonial rule was long portrayed as benign.

In 2018, Macron followed up by acknowledging that France had instigated a system that facilitated torture during the 1954-1962 Algerian war of independence, and in March this year he acknowledged for the first time that French soldiers had murdered a top Algerian independence figure.

On his watch, France has also agreed to return prized artefacts that were looted by colonial forces from Benin and Senegal, and to cut some of its links with West Africas CFA franc, a currency seen as a colonial relic that has been renamed the Eco.

 Hidden agendas 

The overtures to Africans come at a time of rising anti-French sentiment in several West African countries, fuelled, according to Le Monde newspaper, by the colonial image, the idea of hidden agendas, exploitation and alleged neo-colonialism.

Long after countries including Mali, Ivory Coast and Algeria had gained their independence, Paris continued to pull the strings, propping up authoritarian strongmen who looked after French interests.

Frances meddling, known pejoratively as its Francafrique policy, left a deep well of resentment that has endured despite attempts by successive leaders since Nicolas Sarkozy to create more balanced relationships.

During a visit to Burkina Faso in 2017, Macron stressed that his youth spelt real change.

Im from a generation that doesnt come to tell Africans what to do, he said.

But his call for young Africans to move on from a past that they too did not personally experience got short shrift.

 Jostling for influence 

The fact of being from a new generation and a young president does not change the course of relations between France and African countries, Gilles Yabi, president of Senegals WATHI think-tank, told AFP.

Its as if youre asking young Africans to consider that a page has been turned just because you say so, said Yabi, who views Macrons outreach as a continued attempt to defend Frances interests on a continent where China, Russia and Turkey are gaining influence.

Algerians particularly have expressed disappointment at Macrons refusal to issue an official apology for abuses committed during the colonisation.

For Antoine Glaser, a journalist specialised in Franco-African relations, Macron is trying to erase the colonial and post-colonial period, as if by magic.

But young Africans, he argued, are more concerned about being able to move to France to study or work, and about the glass ceiling they slam into once here.

A recent survey by the French Council of Investors in Africa showed France lagging behind the United States, Germany and Canada in terms of its image among African opinion leaders.

France ranked seventh, just ahead of Turkey.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  The Tippecanoe County Health Department announced that starting April 6, the Health Officers order pertaining to restaurants and bars will be amended to allow up to 100% capacity indoors and outdoors provided that social distancing of 6 feet is maintained.

According to a press release, even though capacity will not be limited based on a percentage of overall occupancy, seating must be arranged and maintained so that individuals, households, and parties are spaced at least 6 feet apart from any other individual, household, or party.

The Tippecanoe County Health Department also announced it strongly recommends that everyone older than two continue to wear face coverings in businesses, indoor public spaces, and outdoor spaces where social distancing of at least six feet is not possible.

The amended order can be seen below:
[March 31, 2021] Dialpad Earns a 2021 Top Rated Award From TrustRadius

Dialpad Inc., the industry leader in AI-powered communication and collaboration, today announced that TrustRadius has recognized Dialpad Talk with a 2021 Top Rated Award. With more than 125 verified reviews, Dialpad Talk is recognized by the TrustRadius community as a valuable player in the Call Recording Software category. "Dialpad Talk has earned a Top Rated award for the Call Recording Software category based entirely on feedback from their customers," said Megan Headley, VP of Research at TrustRadius. "Reviewers on TrustRadius rate Dialpad Talk an 8.5 out of 10 for overall ease of use. Reviewers also love the platform's built-in web conferencing and call/voicemail transcription capabilities." Since 2016, the TrustRadius Top Rated Awards have become the industry standard for unbiased recognition of B2B technology products. Based entirely on customer feedback, the TrustRadius Top Rated Awards are not influenced by analyst opinion or status as a TrustRadius customer. For complete details on the methodology and scoring used to determine Top Rated winners, please review the TrustRadius criteria breakdown page. Hear from verified users on how much they value Dialpad Talk: "[Dialpad] has helped us solve the work-from-anywhere problem (pre-COVID-19), as well as making the different call centers easily managed by the different teams themselves. They can seamlessly update their messaging, change routing options, and add/remove users on their own without involving the support team for help. It also helps the training team spend more time coching instead of trying to sort through call recordings." - Mike Monteiro, Telecommunications Manager, EF Educational Tours "Dialpad Talk helps all our departments communicate, not only via phone, but chat, and has a lot of features and apps that we can integrate. We use it on our desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more, and you can receive notifications on any and/or all devices, so we would never miss a call or a message. Beyond that, Dialpad Talk is such a nice app that requires less effort on the customer's end." - Jonatan Serna Higuera, Supervisor, Edge Logistics



Voice Intelligence and real-time transcription help our user community get the most out of every conversation," said Craig Walker, CEO and founder of Dialpad. "We take user input seriously and thank our customers for sharing feedback on TrustRadius, which in turn, enables us to build technology that makes business communications more efficient and productive." Additional Resources

Looking to share your own feedback on TrustRadius? Please leave a review here. Learn why Dialpad is a Major Player in the IDC (News - Alert) MarketScape: Worldwide UCaaS Service Providers for SMB and Enterprise 2021 Vendor Assessments Discover how Dialpad utilizes AI to unify UCaaS and CCaaS Dialpad ranks as a leader in VoIP with more than 400 5-star reviews on G2 (News - Alert) About Dialpad

Dialpad is the leading cloud communications platform for AI-powered calling, conferencing and contact centers. Dialpad's proprietary, real-time Artificial Intelligence engine, Voice Intelligence (Vi), helps businesses make smarter decisions by giving real-time insights on every call. Built on the Google Cloud Platform for unmatched security and reliability, Dialpad is easy to deploy, integrate and scale. Today, more than 70,000 of the world's most innovative businesses use Dialpad and its seamless integrations with Google Workspace, HubSpot, Microsoft (News - Alert) Office 365, Salesforce, Zendesk and others to allow every user to be more productive. Customers include T-Mobile, Twitter, WeWork, Uber, Stripe, Netflix, Motorola Solutions, Splunk (News - Alert) and Domo. Dialpad is backed by the world's leading investors including Amasia, Andreessen Horowitz, Felicis Ventures, GV, ICONIQ Capital, OMERS Growth Equity, Salesforce Ventures, Scale Ventures, Section 32, SoftBank Corp., T-Mobile (News - Alert) Ventures and Work-Bench. Dialpad is headquartered in the United States, with offices in Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan and the UK. Visit www.dialpad.com for more information and to request a demo. About TrustRadius

TrustRadius helps technology buyers make better decisions and helps vendors tell their unique story, improve conversion, engage high-intent buyers, and gain customer insights. Each month over 1 million B2B technology buyers, over 50% from large enterprises, use verified reviews and ratings on TrustRadius.com to make informed purchasing decisions. Headquartered in Austin, TX, TrustRadius was founded by successful entrepreneurs and is backed by Mayfield Fund, LiveOak Venture Partners, and Next Coast Ventures. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005337/en/

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Nai Palm From Hiatus Kaiyote performs live for fans at the 2016 Byron Bay Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Australia on March 24, 2016. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Byron Bay Bluesfest Cancelled Due to CCP Virus

The Byron Bay Bluesfest has been cancelled for a second consecutive year as a preventative measure to minimise the risk of transmission of the CCP virus which has been spread in the local area.

The NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard signed a public order on Wednesday afternoon to cancel the popular annual music festival which was expecting to attract 15,000 music lovers over the Easter period.

NSW Health acknowledges that the cancellation of Bluesfest is disappointing for ticket holders and event organisers, however, while urgent investigations and contact tracing are ongoing, NSW Health is adopting a cautious approach to keep everyone safe, the states health department said in a media release on Wednesday afternoon.

Hazzard implored ticketholders to hold onto their tickets until the festival is rescheduled.

While the cancellation of Bluesfest is disappointing for music lovers and the local community, I hope that ticket holders would support Bluesfest and hold on to their tickets as I understand Bluesfest will be working on a new date as soon as possible, Hazzard said.

This comes after a local man in his 20s contracted the virus while seated near a bachelorette party while attending the Byron Beach Hotel last Friday night. It was the first local case in 14 days.

The bachelorette party was attended by a Queensland nurse from Princess Alexandra Hospital who visited the region while unknowingly infectious, after contracting the virus from a COVID-19 patient.

The festival organisers have not yet released a statement, but earlier today wrote in a post on Facebook that they were working through the issues.

New Local Restrictions

Restrictions will be in place from 5 p.m. on Wednesday until midnight on Monday for the local government areas of Tweed Shire Council, Ballina Shire Council, Byron Shire Council, and Lismore City Council.

It will be compulsory to wear a face mask on public transport, in retail stores, and in all public indoor settings.

There can only be one person per 4 square metres at all public indoor settings including hospitality venues. And the number of household visitors will be capped at 30, including holiday rental properties.

Easter Plans Left in Disarray

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that local clothing store owner Melia Borg said she feels for the businesses that were relying on tourism dollars over the Easter period.

Running a business from home, its all business as usual at the present but I feel for the businesses in town, they will be relying on the Easter trade, that might be in jeopardy now, Borg said.

Meanwhile, the ABC has reported that Jess Shanahan, a local Hawkesbury resident, about nine hours drive from Byron Bay, was seven hours into a drive to attend the festival when she heard the news.

Were pretty annoyed and not sure what to do, she told ABC. Obviously, if we go to Byron its riskyspending five or six days will mean the possibility of going into a place a COVID case has been, she said. Then again only two cases, so its bad, but not as bad as it could be.

Shanahan had been looking forward to attending Bluesfest after it was cancelled last year.

This years festival was supposed to be one of the first festivals that has gone back to normal, she said. The only place in New South Wales where theres a COVID case is Byron, so its just disappointing that this is where this is all happening.
Throughout these early months of 2021, automobile companies been busy letting everyone know that, much like Bob Dylan, theyre going electric. General Motors, Ford, Jaguar, Volvo, and the federal government have all announced this year that theyre planning to heavily ramp up electric vehicle production, with the goal of greening their fleets and, in some cases, entirely phasing out traditional gas-powered combustion vehicles by 2030. Auto lobbying groups have also petitioned President Joe Biden to extend tax credits for EV purchases in order to incentivize production, while the chief executives newly unveiled infrastructure plan clearly wants to make EVs more of A Thing. Its happening, folks!

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On Monday, it seemed like Volkswagen was doing its best to make sure its own yearslong pivot to electric didnt get overlooked, by announcing a snazzy name change for its U.S. division on its website: Voltswagen. The German brand that literally translated to peoples car would now be known in the States as  the volts car, I guess?

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Except that Volkswagen is now explaining it was apparently an elaborately overdesigned April Fools prank, one that somehow launched three days before the holiday and burned through its entire life cycle before the end of March.

It began with CNBC reporting that Volkswagen had accidentally posted a press release to its website, which was meant to announce the rebranding of its U.S. operations as Voltswagen of America by May. That press release was dated April 29, making the release a month premature, and it wasnt quite yet finishedthe sloppy copy said it still needed a quote and a photo. It also stated that all the companys newly produced EVs would feature the new Light Blue Voltswagen logo, with gas-powered cars retaining the symbol treated with the iconic VW Dark Blue.

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The company took the announcement down, but according to CNBC, a person familiar with the companys plans confirmed the authenticity of the release. Volkswagen U.S. again confirmed the plan to the Verge on Tuesday and put the release back up on its site, with a new dateline of March 30 and no lingering quote-and-photo request to boot.

But then! Later that same day, a company worker from Volkswagens international headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, told the Wall Street Journal that there will be no name change, calling new branding a premature April Fools joke that was part of a marketing campaign for the companys first all-electric SUV, the ID.4, which went on sale in the U.S. this month.

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A short news item from Reuters backed this up, citing three sources briefed on the matter who claimed the press release was a marketing stunt and that the automaker currently plans to announce on Wednesday it is not serious about changing its name. Another anonymous spokesperson from the Wolfsburg headquarters told Bloomberg that the voltage is part of a hoax meant to draw attention to VWs electrification strategy that came from the marketing department.

The Reuters report also said Wolfsburg would clarify the unseriousness of the name change Wednesday; CNBC, the original news breakers, chimed in with an update featuring a statement from Mike Tolbert, Volkswagens U.S. spokesmanThe renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fools Day, highlighting the launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUVand quoted another anonymous person who claimed VW would clear the air Wednesday morning.

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But Wednesday morning came and went, and as of this writing the only clarification the Wolfsburg execs have provided seems to be a one-note statement provided to ReutersWe regret if it appeared to some that we overshot the mark of the campaign. Volkswagen of America, meanwhile, seemed to cop to the joke in a tweet that was then retweeted by the German headquarters news account.

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In fairness to Volkswagens comms artists in both Germany and the U.S., the company left a lot to clarify here. If this was indeed a prank pegged to April Fools Day, why did it launch ahead of schedule? If the campaign was meant to launch at the end of the month instead, how would that square with Tuesdays release of the ID.4, if this had been meant to boost the ID.4s stateside debut? Why was the press release reinstated on Volkswagens site and then taken down hours later? Why did sources inside Volkswagen appear to mislead or straight-up lie to various reporters?

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And since, as the WSJ reported, the announcement caused VWs stock to rise in both Germany and the U.S. before it fell again following the revelation of the joke, could the Securities and Exchange Commission get involved, seeing as false statements that juice stocks are considered legal liabilities? (I have reached out to the SEC for comment and will update if I hear back.)

What began as an April Fools effort got the whole world buzzing. Turns out people are as passionate about our heritage as they are about our electric future. So whether its Voltswagen or Volkswagen, people talking about electric driving and our ID.4 can only be a good thing. pic.twitter.com/Rzx8mJgxkT  Volkswagen (@VW) March 31, 2021

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Dear Volkswagen: You lied to me. You lied to AP, CNBC, Reuters and various trade pubs. This was not a joke. It was deception. In case you hadnt noticed, we have a misinformation problem in this country. Now youre part of it. Why should anyone trust you again? https://t.co/1rcKT7p0u5  Nathan Bomey (@NathanBomey) March 30, 2021

Whatever VW was doing, it was doing it with a head-spinning degree of elaborateness. On Tuesday morning, the Twitter account for the Volkswagen USA brand at @VWbut not the accounts for the parent company Volkswagen Group or for the central German headquarterschanged its display name to Voltswagen and posted a brief video with the new name doused in pretty lights.

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We know, 66 is an unusual age to change your name, but weve always been young at heart. Introducing Voltswagen. Similar to Volkswagen, but with a renewed focus on electric driving. Starting with our all-new, all-electric SUV the ID.4 - available today. #Voltswagen #ID4 pic.twitter.com/pKQKlZDCQ7  Volkswagen (@VW) March 30, 2021

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Meanwhile, if this was all a big event for the ID.4, the company already seemed to have a different marketing plan in place. On Monday, a MediaPost piece noted that Volkswagen is launching a campaign tonight for its ID.4 that shows how electric vehicles will change the world, in a campaign meant to be witty and relatable (a quote from the company). This initiative included three 30-second ads meant to air Monday, which you can watch on Volkswagen USAs YouTube channel. But none of the ads use Voltswagen, and neither do their YouTube descriptions.

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Speaking of YouTube, its worth noting that for a brief moment on Tuesday, the Volkswagen USA channel was renamed Voltswagen USA, with the new Voltswagen logo as its cover image. This was the case across all social media. The official Facebook account for the central company didnt change its display name, but its cover photo featured the Voltswagen logo. (The cover images for both YouTube and Facebook now just use photos of the ID.4.) The Instagram account for @VW (but not the official German account at @Volkswagen) changed its display name to Voltswagen and also posted the same rebranding video that was seen on Twitter; the display name is now back to normal and the most recent Instagram post is a copy of the Watt Happened? tweet.

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So clearly, the U.S. division of Volkswagen was going all-in on this. Indeed, the press release that kicked this off featured this quote from Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Volkswagen America: We might be changing out our K for a T, but what we arent changing is this brands commitment to making best-in-class vehicles for drivers and people everywhere.

As a full fake-rebranding ploy, like the infamous IHOP/IHOB switch in 2018, it seems like an odd choicelike an advertising officer told Bloomberg, why would you make a joke out of such an important announcement? A first all-electric SUV is a huge deal in a time thats seen sales of both electric vehicles and SUVs rise significantly, but the company ended up subordinating the rollout of the ID.4 to a bunch of noise about branding and publicity strategy.

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And considering the fallout from 2015s diesel scandal, which saw Volkswagen get caught gaming the Environmental Protection Agencys emissions tests for its supposedly environmentally friendly vehicles, youd think VWs next attempt to promote a climate-conscious green technology would be less  duplicitous. Plus, it seems that investors, whove been psyched about EV companies as of late, were really into the Voltswagen idea, which caused them to up the value of the company under falsified circumstances. After the company already once got in heavy trouble with the EPA, why would it wish to possibly rankle the SEC as well?

Interesting comment from Adam Jonas at Morgan Stanley about how some investors actually believed Volkswagen was changing its name to Voltstwagen, and bid up the price of the shares pic.twitter.com/RE1yAhTTp7  Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) March 31, 2021

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The company formerly known as Voltswagen of America claimed that people talking about electric driving and our ID.4 can only be a good thing. If this has indeed brought more attention to VWs latest electric vehicle outputs, is paving the way for more such announcements and rollouts in the future, and manages to avoid regulatory or legal scrutiny, then perhaps the Voltswagen gag was a successful experiment all along. At least you now know that Volkswagen has an interesting-looking all-electric SUV. Maybe youll even want to buy it now and slap your own custom-made Voltswagen bumper sticker onto it while you celebrate cutting gas-engine emissions from your carbon footprint.

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Or maybe this has all been a horrible mess that will deepen distrust in Volkswagen far more than even before. However it goes, it will be hard for reporters to believe whatever else Volkswagen may say about itself.

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Update, April 1, 2021, at 3:27 p.m.: After publication, a Volkswagen of America spokesman provided this statement to Slate:
Three jets will join the Indian Air Force when they land in Gujarat on Wednesday. The jets will fly from and will fuelled mid-air by the UAE, said reports. At least 10 new 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 fighters would be arriving in India in next two to three days directly flying from 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 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.
A staff member at a KT global store provides information to foreign customers about the telecom firm's latest services, which lets international customers receive discounts in their mobile phone plans by teaming up with friends of the same nationality. / Courtesy of KT



By Kim Bo-eun



KT said Wednesday it launched a service that lets foreign customers receive phone plan discounts when teaming up with friends. The telecom firm is also expanding its foreign-language services for customers.



Under the mobile plan service, foreign customers are able to receive discounts when five people of the same nationality team up. KT said it launched the service taking into account that foreigners are less able to benefit from family-based discounts.



According to KT, about 70 percent of Korean customers are receiving discounts under the program, while the figure is less than 10 percent for foreign customers, given many foreign residents here are students or workers who are here without family members.



The new program enables a foreign customer to get discounts of up to 11,000 won a month for two years, according to the plan they sign up for.



Foreign customers can sign up for the program from today until Sept. 30. KT only requires an ID showing the individual's nationality. KT is issuing a free wire transfer coupon worth 20,000 won to foreigners signing up for the program in April.



KT is also sending out notices via text messages in Korean and foreign languages. Customers can sign up for their language of choice by visiting a KT store or dialing the customer center for foreigners at 080-448-0100.



The customer center assists foreign customers in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese. Starting in May, the foreign customer center will also provide services in Russian. Customers will be able to get real-time services in English. For other languages, when the customer leaves inquiries they will be called back to be provided information in their language.



In addition, KT plans to expand the number of stores with foreign and Korean staff able to offer services in foreign languages. KT is operating 157 such stores as of this month. The stores also have guidebooks with information in various languages. Customers are able to check the locations of these stores at globalshop.kt.com.



KT has also upgraded the website, to provide specialized information for foreigners. The website can be viewed in English, Chinese and Vietnamese.



"KT will continue to make efforts so that foreign customers can feel like they are using the telecom services of their home country," KT's senior vice president and head of Customer Strategy Business Unit Park Hyun-jin was cited as saying in a press release.


Kang Wook, CEO of Contents Creator of Culture (CCOC), a co-organizer for the exhibition "Street Noise" held in Seoul's Lotte World Mall, points to the vandalized work of the American graffiti artist JonOne, March 28. Yonhap





By Park Han-sol







The art of a renowned U.S. graffiti artist displayed in southern Seoul's Lotte World Mall has been found to be damaged by two viewers who claimed they mistook it for a participatory, interactive painting.







On March 28 at around 1:40 p.m., a couple in their 20s came across graffiti artist JonOne's "Untitled" displayed at the "Street Noise" exhibition, according to the police. The two grabbed brushes and paint buckets  strewn in front of the piece as part of the exhibit  to apply several blue-green colored brushstrokes on the piece. No staff was present at the time of the incident.







The event organizers, after discovering their unsanctioned addition half an hour later, caught them shopping nearby and reported their whereabouts to the police.







Asked about their motives, the two reportedly said, "It was graffiti on the wall and since there were brushes and paint at the scene, we thought we were allowed to doodle something as well."







The organizers decided that the case wasn't an act of deliberate vandalism and will continue to exhibit the artwork as it is. They are currently in the process of contacting the artist JonOne to suggest against filing a suit or making an insurance claim, adding that "if he doesn't accept their request, the patrons will need to compensate him for the damage."







Public opinions regarding the event were surprisingly divided. Some claimed that it is only natural for a third party with no relation to the exhibited piece be held fully responsible for compensation.







Meanwhile, others argued that the fault lied more with the organizers, who failed to clearly indicate that the brushes and paint buckets scattered in front of the artwork were part of the display and not to be used.







"And the added brushstrokes, which almost look like three dancing figures, seem to express the free spirits of today's younger generation, while complementing the painting well. I think it suits the theme of the exhibition 'Street Noise,'" one user wrote.





The work "Untitled" in question was created by JonOne during his visit to Korea in 2016. The artist, originally from New York and now mainly working in Paris, made a name for himself within French-American art circles for his works filled with vibrant colors and instinctive strokes that evolved beyond its street art roots. He was the recipient of France's premier award The Legion of Honor in 2015.




Abuja  Bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors have every reason to be afraid after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the nation's security chiefs to identify and liquidate them.

The president's marching orders to the security chiefs was disclosed yesterday by the national security adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd), after a meeting between the president and security chiefs at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Monguno said that on the issue of the persistent kidnapping and banditry, especially in the North West and the North-Central zones. Mr. President had been very emphatic and had stated very clearly that this problem must be brought to an end, but using the traditional methods that the armed forces have been trained to deploy.

"Mr. President has made it very clear to both the intelligence and operational elements that the first assignment will be to identify the leaders of these bandits, kidnappers and take them out, in order to restore confidence in those areas," he said.

Monguno told State House correspondents that the president warned the security chiefs that a situation where bandits and kidnappers dictate the pace in the fight against insecurity will no longer be tolerated.

According to the NSA, Buhari told the service chiefs that the armed forces cannot continue to be reactionary rather than proactive.

"Mr. President has said that he will no longer tolerate a situation whereby bandits and kidnappers are the ones dictating the pace and setting the tone and he will not also condone a situation in which our own operations are reactionary rather than being proactive.

"He has also indicated his willingness to provide all the resources required by our own troops in order to put down these criminals. They must be brought down with all the ruthlessness that is required and whoever is working in collaboration with them will be brought to book," the NSA said.

The NSA pointed out that some of the sponsors and collaborators of violence against Nigerians are government officials, but said they would be dealt with.

"I'm also to send out a warning to those people who think they can continue to behave in a manner that undermines national security.

Those people engaging in all kinds of underhanded, unscrupulous, mischievous and deceitful practices - people who are working with those that are in government, in particular, critical agencies of government - we have been able to identify certain areas that are weak and these areas have to be strengthened so that these characters who are engaging in acts that you can describe as outright acts of brigandage, people who are behaving in a manner that portends a lot of danger to innocent lives, have to be fished out.

"This is the directive from the president. I am to send a warning to those people who think they're in close proximity with those who have the instruments to make the space easy for criminals, those people who think they have some kind of authority, who are engaging in all kinds of Hocus Pocus, in all kinds of jiggery pokery or skullduggery; those people will be brought down to their knees.

"It is extremely important for these people; I'm sending out a message to them: anybody who thinks he can continue to pool whatever resources he has at his disposal to frustrate the efforts of the central government in bringing about peace and security will have himself to blame.

"The new service chiefs, as well as the intelligence community, and the constabulary forces have been given clear directives by the president to target those people who are the ones leading in creating chaos, disunity, and disharmony," he said.

Monguno noted that the president had called for an emergency meeting with the heads of defence and security organisations after meetings with governors of the North West and North Central zones.

"Prior to this meeting, he had also met with the chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum on issues directly linked to the state of insecurity in the nation. Today's meeting was not a very long meeting, but the president looked at certain issues that were presented to him in the last one week.

"Mr. President, in particular, emphasised that the comprehensive reports he had received from the chief of defense staff (CDS) and the service chiefs, following their recent appointment, had illuminated the need for him to look deeper into certain aspects that need to be taken care of.

"He is particularly inspired and impressed by the way the new service chiefs have started their assignment, with all the operational visits they've made to the theatres (of operation), where they've been able to address the troops, look into their immediate needs and come up with immediate, medium and long term proposals.

"Mr. President is going to look into these things with the urgency they require, but he is particularly delighted that from what he has received from the chief of defence staff. There is now renewed vigour, there is now a willingness on the part of all the operational elements to work together, as well as also working hand in hand with the intelligence organisations.

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NSA added that President Buhari also insisted that all the decisions approved at the National Security Council meeting last month including a ban on mining activities in Zamfara State as well as the no-fly zone remain in force until further notice in order to curb the rising insecurity in the state.

"He has also declared that there will be no adjustment in whatever the National Security Council has already laid out until normalcy is restored. He's also aware of attempts by certain elements, working in cahoots with all kinds of people in and out of the country, to continue with exploiting the minefields, especially in Zamfara State.

"A ban has been placed on mining and that ban has to be enforced. People have to comply with whatever the president has laid out. Of course, we, in the intelligence domain, are aware that there are individuals and groups who are planning to link up with all kinds of non-state actors in order to frustrate the efforts of government in implementing the ban on mining, as well as enforcing the no-fly zone so that no rotary aircraft will land, drop whatever and pick up whatever. That has to be enforced," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 00:16:19|Editor: huaxia

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KIGALI, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda is set to conduct a second-dose inoculation for its citizens against COVID-19 on April 2, Minister of Health Daniel Ngamije said Tuesday.

"All citizens who received the first dose of the vaccine will get the second jab at the right time. Rwanda is ready to receive more than 500,000 procured vaccine doses for the second inoculation," Ngamije told journalists during a press conference in Rwandan capital city Kigali.

To avoid big gatherings, the minister said those to be vaccinated will be invited through mobile phone messages.

The central African nation launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on March 5, starting with people from risk groups, including health personnel, frontline workers and those older than 65 years or with underlying health conditions.

It was later extended to other groups, including people 60 years and above, market vendors, and commercial motorcyclists.

Rwanda targets to vaccinate 30 percent of the population by the end of 2021 and 60 percent by the end of 2022, according to the ministry.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Rwanda reached 21,490 as of Monday evening, with 19,860 recoveries and 305 deaths. Enditem
Prime Minister Florin Citu declared on Wednesday that the right to protest belongs to all Romanian citizens, but highlighted that the law needs to be respected.

"I am a liberal and the right to protest, to have a different opinion than mine is a right which belongs to all Romanian citizens. There is but one thing I ask from the Romanian citizens: Let us all respect the law. We can protest, we can have opinions against me, against what I do, but let us respect the law. That is all! Other than that, protests, or public manifestations are part of a strong democracy, a consolidated democracy," Citu said at Victoria Palace, asked about what message he has for those that contested him in the street these days during the protests against the government imposed restrictions.

Asked about the fact that a reporter from Digi 24 was verbally assaulted by some protesters who were present on Monday evening at Victoriei Square, without any reaction from the gendarmes present at the scene, and whether if he discussed with the Minister of Internal Affairs about this topic, Citu said: "You are right here and I did speak with Mr. Bode and I told him what I have been saying for a long time: Nobody is above the law."

"I understand the right of having a different opinion, but with respecting the law and the state's authorities in order to apply the laws each time and that is what I will keep on supporting," he added.

In the same context, the Prime Minister criticized the "politicians' populism", in the context of the street protests.

"I would also like to comment here (...) the most toxic thing that I have seen during this period represents the populism of politicians, politicians unfortunately, some, and actually, from all parties. It is not the time to look for electoral capital today. We are going through a difficult period, and all these populist messages have no place here today. So, the politicians can - we have a campaign in 2024 - let it wait until then," Citu also declared.
In recent weeks the Australian government has faced much criticism over its response to the illegal military coup in Myanmar. Indeed, it took more than a month to formally suspend defence ties.

While Australia has since 2018 imposed sanctions on a limited number of individuals linked to the Myanmar military, army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is not on this list and to date no concrete measures have been taken to expand sanctions against the junta.

By way of comparison, within a little over a week of the coup neighbouring New Zealand had suspended all high-level contact with Myanmar and imposed a travel ban on its military leaders, while other Western nations, including the EU, the US and the UK, have been more vocal than Australia on the Myanmar crisis and imposed additional sanctions targeting the militarys economic interests.

Anti-coup protesters put out fires during a protest in Thaketa, Myanmar, on Saturday. Credit:AP

Given this, it seems fair to categorise Australias response to the crisis in Myanmar as sluggish, half-hearted and ineffective. And Foreign Minister Marise Paynes recent assertion that there is no clear path for nations in the region to address the crisis in Myanmar hints at a worrying degree of resignation within Australia on the issue.
Labour productivity rates in Vietnam increased 6.2 per cent on-year in 2019. Photo: Le Toan

Moodys Investors Service on March 18 reaffirmed the Vietnamese governments long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings at Ba3 and changed the outlook to positive from negative. The drivers of the positive outlook include signs of improvements in fiscal strength and potential improvements in economic strength that may strengthen Vietnams credit profile over time. Sustained fiscal consolidation has led to improvements in fiscal and debt metrics, which Moodys expects to be only briefly interrupted by the pandemic. Moreover, Vietnams economic strength may benefit from global shifts in production, trade and consumption following the coronavirus pandemic and support Vietnams economy. Over time, indications of higher fiscal and economic strength may point to improving policy effectiveness, also putting upward pressure on Vietnams credit profile. Meanwhile, Moodys has determined that the drivers of the previous negative outlook assigned in December 2019 have receded. The negative outlook, which followed a review for downgrade, related to the risks posed to Vietnams credit profile from administrative failures leading to payment delays on government guaranteed debt. In Moodys assessment, the government has enhanced administrative scrutiny on forthcoming payments. The affirmation of the Ba3 rating is underpinned by ongoing credit strengths and weaknesses, including a large, diversified economy with high growth potential offering resilience to shocks, and increasing capacity in the domestic financial system to finance government borrowing at low costs. At the same time, ongoing risks stem from persistent governance weaknesses related to the lack of transparency of the management of state-owned enterprises and lingering risks in the banking system.Source: Moodys Investors Service

About two weeks ago Standard Chartered Bank hosted an investment webinar on Vietnams Investment Landscape for 2021, drawing the participation of clients based in Vietnam and overseas who are seeking opportunities in the country.

The presentations focused on giving clients the latest information about the investment landscape in real estate, stocks, fixed-income, and funds in Vietnam in the context of a post-pandemic era and the strategies they can devise to capitalise on the prospects.

Standard Chartered Global Research forecasts that Vietnams economic growth will get back to 6-8 per cent in 2021 and onwards. Given its economic prospects, advantages of social stability, and success in managing the pandemic along with profitability of the local stock market and real estate market, which is growing at a higher pace than that of ASEAN, Vietnam continues to offer exciting investment opportunities, said Harmander Mahal  consumer, private, and business banking head for Vietnam and Asia Cluster Markets at Standard Chartered Bank.

The banks acknowledgement of Vietnams economic prospects and attractive investment climate is not irrational as since 2016 the economy has been weathering numerous difficulties to reap impressive growth achievements, with growth quality increasingly improved and a rise in investors confidence like Standard Chartered.

The 11th session of the 14th National Assembly, scheduled to be wrapped up on April 8, officially will elect the new state president, vice president, prime minister, deputy prime ministers, chair of the National Assembly, deputy chairs of the National Assembly, members of the cabinet, chief justice of the Supreme Peoples Court of Vietnam, and prosecutor general of the Supreme Peoples Procuracy. At this session, the National Assembly will use half of a day to consider and approve the revised Law on Preventing and Fighting Drugs. Deputies will also discuss the report on the NAs 14th term and summary reports of the state president, government, National Assembly Standing Committee, Ethnic Council, the National Assemblys Committees, Supreme Peoples Court, Supreme Peoples Procuracy, and State Audit of Vietnam.

Striking attainments

In the last government tenure (2016-2020), the Vietnamese boat has been riding out economic storms and since early 2020, COVID-19 has been sabotaging the global economy with aftermaths yet to be calculated.

In the last tenure and amid the ongoing pandemic, the government and the prime minister have taken timely solutions to remove difficulties for domestic production and business, boosting public investment, ensuring social security and order, and recovering the economy in the new normal, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the National Assembly (NA) last week.

Vietnams GDP in 2020 increased 2.91 per cent, making it the sole economy amongst Southeast Asias six largest economies with positive growth.

Vietnams average annual growth in the 2016-2019 period hit 6.8 per cent, higher than the 5.91 per cent of the 2011-2015 period, belonging to the worlds group of nations with the highest economic growth.

Thanks to accumulated incomes and significant improvements in the fiscal space, especially during 2016-2019, great contributions have been made to helping the whole economy and the public to weather difficulties caused by the pandemic, PM Phuc said. According to many international rating organisations, Vietnams rank has been on the rise. On March 18, Moodys raised Vietnams economic outlook to positive from negative (see box 1). This shows that Vietnam has a solid foundation for further growth which continues being improved even during COVID-19.

Vietnam has taken advantage of new-generation free trade agreements to develop export markets and partner networks. Its total export-import has risen by seven times, from $328 billion in 2015 to $545 billion in 2020, with five consecutive years of increased trade surplus.

Analysis from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) showed that the economys growth quality has significantly improved over the past few years. Specifically, the industrial-construction sector and the service sector are occupying over 76 per cent of GDP, and creating 95 per cent of the economys growth in 2019.

Meanwhile the ratio of the total-factor productivity (TFP) in the economys growth rose from 33.6 per cent on average in the 2011-2015 to 44.5 per cent on average in the 2016-2019 period, exceeding the strategic goal of 35 per cent earlier set for the 2011-2030 period. This has helped the economy improve its competitiveness.

Science and technology have been playing a very important role in the economys growth, said MPI Minister Nguyen Chi Dung.

The economys productivity was calculated at $4,790 per labourer in 2019, up by $272 against 2018, while labour productivity increased 6.2 per cent on-year in 2019.

Moreover, the economys incremental capital output ratio (ICOR), which is the additional capital required to increase one unit of output, has also clearly improved. The ICOR was 6.25 in the 2011-2015 period to 6.14 in the 2016-2019 period. In 2020, due to COVID-19, the ICOR rose to 14.28, leading to an average ICOR of 7.04 in the 2016-2020 period.

Major praise

The NA Standing Committee has praised the great efforts, responsibility of, and impressive achievements created by the government in the 2016-2021 tenure.

Amid difficulties, the government has increasingly renewed itself, with strong reforms which have accomplished all goals and duties set out in resolutions of the Party and the NA, making important contributions to the national socioeconomic achievements, said a committee statement on assessing the work of the government in the 2011-2016 tenure.

Global analysts FocusEconomics last week told VIR that it highly values the governments efforts to drive the economy forward.

Economy activity has likely gained further momentum in the first quarter of the year. Vaccination of frontline workers began in early March, although difficulty in sourcing sufficient doses could hamper the campaign to vaccinate the wider population, the analysts said.

This year, economic activity is forecast to accelerate rapidly, with growth set to outstrip regional peers on improving domestic and foreign demand dynamics. Our panelists expect GDP to expand 7.4 per cent in 2021, and 6.9 per cent in 2022.

Fitch Solutions under global rating firm Fitch Group also told VIR that one of the key drivers for Vietnams economic growth in 2021 will be a climb in public investment initiated by the government and foreign direct investment.

In 2021, we forecast state budget expenditures to grow by 16.6 per cent as a rebound of economic activity as well as government exorts to expedite public capital expenditure should drive rapid growth in expenditures, said the statement. We forecast real GDP growth to recover to 8.2 per cent in 2021, from 2.91 per cent in 2020, although we do ag some downside risks to our 2021 forecast from persisting economic challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the World Bank attributes Vietnams good economic performance to the governments good management and resilience of both its domestic economy and external sector.

Beyond the containment of the pandemic by bold, early, and innovative measures, the government has also used its fiscal and monetary policies to provide breathing space to the private sector and jumpstart the recovery. For example, public spending started rising again after three years of fiscal consolidation. The first nine months of 2020 saw a 40 per cent year-on-year increase in the disbursement of the public investment program, said a World Bank report recently released. Looking ahead, Vietnams prospects appear positive as the economy is projected to grow by about 6.8 percent in 2021 and, thereafter, stabilise at around 6.5 per cent.

A few weeks ago, Standard Chartered also released its fresh forecast for Vietnams 2021 GDP growth, saying that with its bright economic outlook, Vietnams GDP growth will largely come from manufacturing and help the country outperform the rest of Asia.

The economy emerged from the worst of the downturn in the third quarter of 2020, and we think recovery remains intact. Vietnam has been one of the best-performing economies for the past decade, and we expect this to continue, said Tim Leelahaphan, Standard Chartered economist for Thailand and Vietnam.
Austin has something of a mythic reputation in the Bay Area. The Texas capital has come to represent a land of opportunity for those priced out of San Francisco, and especially during the coronavirus pandemic, an escape route for tech workers no longer bound by physical offices.

The moniker Silicon Hills, a nickname thats seldom spoken aloud within the Lone Star State, has come to represent the citys burgeoning reputation as a tech hub. From Dells ascent in the 1990s to the SXSW conferences function as a start-up launching pad to Apples forthcoming second campus, the city has long punched above its weight in the tech world. And every day more tech companies seem to be fleeing for triple digit temperatures and zero digit state income taxes.

BYE, CALI: Texas is primed to be the next Silicon Valley

As more and more Silicon Valley workers decamp for Austin, the expectation is that the grass will be greener, and likely located not far from a swimming hole. To find out if that myth is true, we spoke to five tech industry professionals ranging from Salesforce alums whove experienced the work culture in both places, to founders who left S.F. during the pandemic, to the CEO of Austins premiere tech incubator.

The consensus was that the grass is definitely a different color, and for now, it looks very green.

Perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, San Franciscos technology culture is all-encompassing and leaves little time or energy for a life outside the bubble of a tech campus or hacker house. In Austin, working as a coder or data analyst or web developer still means you qualify as a techie, but it isnt exactly the same as working in tech. Since theres simply so many more people working in other industries, tech doesnt feel like something youre necessarily inside.

Tech is an industry [in S.F.], wherein other parts of the country, tech is a subset of other existing industries, says Vivek Sodera, co-founder of email client Superhuman, who recently moved to Austin. I think were going to start to see Austin not just be a subset of existing industries itself.

Like San Francisco, Austin has plenty of issues of diversity, but on a professional level, youre much less likely to find yourself at a bar surrounded entirely by tech workers.

TECH TAKEOVER: Nevada could let tech companies create their own local governments. Could Texas do the same?

It was just everywhere in San Francisco, you're running into somebody from Snowflake or Uber or whatever. In Austin, you're free from that a little bit, says Holly Firestone, who worked in Salesforce for several years in both cities, and now is the vice president of community for Venafi in Austin. I have tons of friends that aren't in tech, which is just not something you experienced in San Francisco at all.

Anthony Brown, co-founder and CEO of music platform Breakr, moved to Austin in the fall and has found that the smaller pond has been simpler to navigate than Silicon Valley, where elite gatekeepers make it hard to access certain strata of the industry. Even with limited networking options due to the pandemic, hes found it easier to build connections.

There's less of the tech community here. So I feel like you can get connected to the right infrastructure faster in Austin. So I think that's actually a competitive advantage for Austin; there's enough high quality people here in the city that if you do come and you are in the tech ecosystem, that you can actually build a really powerful kind of network.

A small pond, or what some tech investors have described as a tier two city, also has its drawbacks. For some (especially those working outside the tech world), the ubiquity of hoodie-wearing coders in San Francisco can be a negative, but that density is part of whats allowed Silicon Valley companies to flourish. Some of that simply comes down to a matter of geography and the fact that not everyone is driving to work.

In San Francisco in particular, you're confined to 7 by 7 miles, and there's a lot of serendipity that happens when you're walking down the street and you bump into people. I think that is going to be a challenge that Austin needs to figure out, which is how to create that level of serendipity that you get here, says Sodera.

One Austin tech founder and CEO, Joah Spearman of travel recommendation site Localeur, has noticed that Austin does have a talent gap.

There is not this deep bench of director- and VP-level tech talent in Austin. And there's this belief that if there was that here, the companies that get to $200 million evaluations would get to a billion, says Spearman.

But according to Joshua Baer, CEO of one of Austins biggest incubators, Capital Factory, that gap is getting smaller.

The type of people that were attracting, certainly from my own personal experience and somewhat logically, are educated entrepreneurial people who can live anywhere and they're choosing to come here and that's a good thing. That's going to fuel our talent. It's bringing in people who have Silicon Valley ethos, you know, who think big and want to go do big things, says Baer.

What makes Austin so appealing to many tech workers is that although youll still be able to do big things professionally, theres opportunity for a richer personal life. To state the obvious, home ownership is much more achievable for transplants, however that's caused a ripple effect that's made it harder for many Austinites to own real estate (the average home price rose 10.1% in the past year to $433,493). It has also amplified long-running issues of racial diversity.

The rising cost of living in Austin is worthy of a story of its own, but the difference in culture between Austin and San Francisco is broader than just affordability. According to Spearman, much of it simply comes down to mindset, describing Austin as a work to live city, compared to the nonstop pace of San Franciscos live to work culture.

In more rigid tech cultures, from the moment you leave your house, to get in a bus or a van to go to Silicon Valley to work at Apple or Google or et cetera, youre kind of like property of your job until you get back to your house, he says. There are people that live like that in S.F. Austin doesnt have that.

Although these days its hard to find the archetype of the Austin slacker outside indie films from the '90s, the work culture is still undeniably more relaxed than a place like the Bay Area. Firestone notes that pre-pandemic, it was unusual to see coworkers in the office past 7 p.m. in Austin. That felt much closer to the norm in San Francisco. Brown, who spent several years working in finance in New York, said neither city compares to his time there, but that Austins certainly slower paced than San Francisco.

I think theres just something about the Texas vibe that makes people chill out and be a little bit more relaxed, he says.

Quality of life and affordability may be the largest factors driving San Francisco tech workers to Austin, but it begs the question what will happen once they arrive. Many Austinites were already priced out of one of the nations hottest real estate markets years ago, but another issue is the effect on Austin culture at large. The exodus out of San Francisco cant just be about leaving the problems of the city behind, but rather an active desire to become a part of something new.

Being an Austinite is an experience. It's about showing up and participating, being part of what's happening in Austin, says Baer.

If you want to move to Austin, the thing that you should be expecting is that you're going to have a closer relationship with the city that you're living in, not a more distant relationship, says Spearman. I think for a lot of people who are in S.F. and work in tech, their closest relationship in S.F. is with their job. Whereas in Austin, your job should be secondary to your relationship with the place that you live in.
In brief: A surge of fake Twitter accounts claiming to be Amazon employees has flooded the microblogging site with anti-union sentiment and praise for the company's working conditions. The deluge of tweets arrives just as votes are being tallied at the company's Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse that will decide if its workers unionize.

Twitter has suspended many of these accounts, most of which were created in the last few days. They use handles that begin with "AmazonFC," followed by a first name and a warehouse designation.

"What bothers me most about unions is there's no ability to opt out of dues," @AmazonFCDarla tweeted, even though Alabama state law prohibits this. "Amazon takes great care of me," she added.

The BBC highlights another account that wrote, "Unions are good for some companies, but I don't want to have to shell out hundreds a month just for lawyers!" It later changed its profile picture after being exposed as a fake.

Amazon didnt even really try with this one lol pic.twitter.com/Q9dyTzKqns  Tim Sullivan  (@timjsully) March 29, 2021

The format of these fake accounts' handles is also used by Amazon's ambassadors. In 2018, the company started the ambassador program, which involves employees sharing positive experiences of working at the firm on social mediayou're unlikely to see them mention urinating in bottles.

Without revealing specific numbers, Amazon confirmed "many" of the accounts don't belong to its employees. "Many of these are not Amazon FC Ambassadorsit appears they are fake accounts that violate Twitter's terms. We've asked Twitter to investigate and take appropriate action," said an Amazon spokesperson.

This is so great. Remember those extremely real Amazon workers who were tweeting nice things about working there? Well Leo is now Ciera, Michelle is now Sarah, Rick is now James, etc. pic.twitter.com/q5LgITjMQ4  Karen Weise (@KYWeise) January 30, 2019

Twitter told the BBC that Amazon ambassadors are subject to the site's rules on spam and platform manipulation. It added that any non-parody accounts impersonating or falsely claiming to be affiliated with a company can be temporarily suspended or removed; parody accounts must include disclaimers in their bios.

Amazon found itself in the middle of another PR disaster last week after claiming its workers don't urinate in bottles and that it was a "progressive workplace."

Image credit: Sheila Fitzgerald
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 05:20:58|Editor: huaxia

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VALLETTA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Malta is planning to start welcoming back tourists as from June, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said on Tuesday, as he unveiled the island's new plan to restart the industry badly dented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bartolo said at a press conference that the government will inject 20 million euros (23.4 million U.S. dollars) through an aid package designed specifically to kickstart the tourism industry devastated by the pandemic.

In 2019 the tourism industry injected 2.2 billion euros into the country's economy.

Bartolo said discussions were under way with the European Commission as it was hoping to allow the use of green passports for those who are already vaccinated and which would allow them to travel without any restrictions.

He said the first tourists are expected to come to Malta from European countries which by summer will have a higher rate of vaccinations as well as from the United Kingdom, which has always been Malta's biggest tourism market.

Malta is currently on a semi-lockdown with all schools, restaurants, bars, cafeterias and non-essential services shut since March 10 as part of a series of measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, and which will remain in place until at least April 11.

Health authorities are currently working on a pandemic exit plan as the numbers of infections drop but no details have been made public yet. Health authorities on Tuesday announced 55 new cases, the lowest this year and the current number of active cases dropped to less than 900. Enditem
President Biden will let a ban on certain temporary foreign work visas expire on Wednesday, according to two administration officials, reopening a labor pool that was cut off by his predecessor during the coronavirus pandemic.

Former President Donald J. Trump blocked visas for a variety of jobs in a sweeping order last June, including those for computer programmers and engineers who enter the United States on H-1B visas, students on work-study programs and seasonal workers in the hospitality industry.

The Trump administration said at the time that the ban on temporary work visas, as well as a separate block on green cards, was necessary to protect employment opportunities for Americans who lost their jobs because of the economic toll of the pandemic. But numerous studies have shown that immigrants benefit the economy. Business leaders openly criticized the orders as blocking critically needed employees willing to work jobs that Americans are not willing to do or capable of doing.

After business associations filed a lawsuit against the order on foreign workers, a federal judge in California in October lifted the ban on a large number of the work visas.
Syria Update: EU, US pledge more than $1 billion to tackle Syrias Crisis

The European Union and the United States pledged a combined $1.2 billion in aid Tuesday to help tackle war-ravaged Syrias deepening humanitarian and economic crises.

The promise of aid comes amid a worsening coronavirus pandemic and as the war enters its 11th year without a political solution in sight. The 27-nation EU and the U.S. announced their commitments on the final day of an annual pledging event co-hosted by the United Nations.

The virtual event gathered dozens of countries and international organizations. The total amount pledged was expected to be announced Tuesday night.

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The U.N. and other aid groups are seeking more than $4 billion for aid to Syria at this years conference, their biggest appeal yet. Another $5.8 billion is requested for nearly 6 million Syrian refugees who fled their homeland.

Underscoring the added suffering imposed on Syrians by the COVID-19 crisis, the EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said the blocs pledge of 560 million euros ($656.6 million) was equal to the amount pledged last year.

This is not something to be celebrated. It just shows how tragic and prolonged the situation is for the Syrian people, he said.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced more than $596 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance. The State Department said the aid will benefit people in Syria and refugees in neighboring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

The decade of bloodshed in Syria has killed more than a half million people and sparked an exodus of refugees that has destabilized neighboring countries and impacted Europe. According to the U.N., 13.4 million people in Syria _ more than half the countrys pre-war population _ need assistance. Thats a 20% increase from last year.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Syrias humanitarian situation has worsened. The local currency has crashed and food prices have soared _ increasing by 222% from last year. Nine out of 10 people live below the poverty line and in northwestern Syria, an area that is held by the rebels, close to three-quarters of the 4.3 million residents are food insecure.

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The situation for Syrians in their own country and neighboring countries is worse than it has been at any time really over the previous nine years U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said. There is less violence, but there is more suffering.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pledged 1.738 billion euros ($2 billion) on Germanys behalf Tuesday, an amount he described as the countrys largest pledge in the last four years.

The Syrian tragedy must not last another ten years, he said. Ending it begins by restoring hope.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom cut its pledge to at least 205 million pounds ($281 million), compared to 300 million ($411.8 million) last year.

Coming just weeks after the 10-year anniversary of the conflict, this decision is deeply concerning, especially given the high impact that British aid has had over the last ten years, said David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee aid group.

Calling for a political resolution of the conflict, Borrell said the future of Syria belongs to none of the factions and to none of the outside powers. Its for Syrians to shape, in Syrian-owned and Syrian-led negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.

The Syrian government has taken back control of the countrys biggest cities, but large swaths of Syria are still held by rebels. President Bashar Assads supporters include Russia and Iran, while Turkey and Western powers have backed the opposition.

Geir Pedersen, the U.N. special envoy for Syria, said a cease-fire remains more urgent than ever and expressed worries about the threat posed by extremist groups.

The resurgence of these groups and the territorial hold of some of them cannot leave the international community indifferent, he said. At the same time, it is clear that this challenge can only be addressed in manners that uphold international law and the principles of the protection of civilians.

Lowcock insisted on the crucial importance of providing support for Syrian children, not only on humanitarian grounds, but also for strategic reasons.

What do we think those children will be like as adults, if they never go to school, if all they have known is a world of war, if all they see is suffering? he said.

According to the U.N. childrens agency, the civil war has killed or wounded almost 12,000 children and left millions out of school.
Facebook will allow users to restrict who can and can't comment on posts they share, in a bid to 'limit potentially unwanted interactions,' the social network said.

The change follows similar moves by Twitter, and means people who publish content visible to everyone now have the option to only allow comments from their friends.

Users will even be able to restrict commenting further than just friends, so that only those users and pages tagged in the post can comment.

Ramya Sethuraman, Facebook's News Feed manager, said it would particularly help public figures 'feel safe and engage in more meaningful conversations.'

Facebook will allow users to restrict who can and can't comment on posts they share in a bid to 'limit potentially unwanted interactions,' the social network said

HOW TO CHANGE WHO CAN COMMENT ON YOUR POSTS By default, everyone can comment on your public posts, even people who don't follow you. To change who can comment: Go to the public post on your profile that you want to change. Click the three dots in the top right of the post. Click Who can comment on your post? Select who is allowed to comment on your public post: Public

Friends

Profiles and Pages you mention If a profile or Page who wants to comment on your post isn't in your selected comment audience they won't be given the option to comment. However, they will see you've limited who can comment on your post. SOURCE: FACEBOOK Advertisement

The changes to commenting come as all social media firms continue to grapple with hate speech on their platforms.

'By adjusting your commenting audience, you can further control how you want to invite conversation onto your public posts and limit potentially unwanted interactions,' Sethuraman explained.

'This new tool is the latest example of how we're helping you control and curate your News Feed to best reflect who you are as your interests and priorities evolve.'

It will particularly benefit public figures, creators, and brands, giving them the ability to control who can comment on their organic, public posts.

People will be able to choose from a menu of options including 'anyone who can see the post' to 'only the profiles and Pages they tag'.

Nick Clegg, former deputy prime minister and Facebook Vice President of Global Policy wrote an article on transparency from social media.

In the piece, shared on social journalism platform Medium, Clegg said services using algorithmic systems should be more open over how it works.

Medium was founded by Twitter co-founder Ev Williams and has been the subject of takeover rumours from both Facebook and Twitter, although never confirmed.

'Companies like Facebook need to be frank about how the relationship between you and their major algorithms really works. And they need to give you more control,' he said.

The vision is for a two way partnership between people and algorithm to deliver the best service, Clegg explained.

As part of a move to be more transparent Facebook is also making it easier for people to decide how their News Feed is prioritised, with the introduction of a Feed Filter Bar.

Android app users can access the Feed Filter Bar when they scroll up on News Feed, with the same functionality available in the iOS app 'in the coming weeks'.

'You can choose to keep an algorithmically-ranked News Feed to keep seeing your favourites or switch it up to order your posts chronologically with the newest posts appearing first,' the firm explained.

Alternatively filter your feed to show just your Favourites, or the top friends and Pages whose posts you want to see more frequently.

The Favourites tool allows users to control and prioritise posts from the friends and Pages they care about most in News Feed.

By selecting up to 30 friends and Pages to include in Favourites, their posts will appear higher in ranked News Feed and can also be viewed as a separate filter.

'When you think of how you experience Facebook, what you probably think of first is what you see on your News Feed,' Clegg said.

'This is essentially Facebooks front page, personalized to you: the vertical display of text, images, and videos that you scroll down once you open the Facebook app on your phone or log into facebook.com on your computer.'

The firm uses an algorithm to highlight the most interesting and relevant posts.

The change follows similar moves by Twitter, and means people who publish content visible to everyone now have the option to only allow comments from their friends

INFLUENCING FACTORS FOR 'SUGGESTED POSTS' IN THE NEWS FEED Related engagement: A post may be suggested for you if other people who interacted with the post also previously interacted with the same group, Page, or post as you. Related topics: If youve recently engaged with a certain topic on Facebook, we may suggest other posts that are related to that topic. Location: You may see a suggested post based on where you are and what people near you are interacting with on Facebook. SOURCE: FACEBOOK Advertisement

'The goal is to make sure you see what you find most meaningful - not to keep you glued to your smartphone for hours on end,' Clegg added.

'You can think about this sort of like a spam filter in your inbox: it helps filter out content you wont find meaningful or relevant, and prioritizes content you will.'

The tech giant is aiming to make the reasons for suggested posts clearer, by expanding the 'Why am I seeing this?' box with more context.

'You should be able to better understand how the ranking algorithms work and why they make particular decisions, and you should have more control over the content that is shown to you,' Clegg said.

'You should be able to talk back to the algorithm and consciously adjust or ignore the predictions it makes  to alter your personal algorithm in the cold light of day, through breathing spaces built into the design of the platform.'

It will explain factors that influenced a recommendation, which range from the types of content a person has recently engaged with on the platform, to their location.

'This means that you'll be able to tap on posts from the friends, Pages, and Groups you follow as well as the posts we suggest to you and get more context on why they're appearing in your News Feed,' the firm said.

There are three main factors that go into determining which suggested posts appear in your News Feed, according to Facebook.

A post may be suggested for you if other people who interacted with the post also previously interacted with the same group, Page, or post as you.

Alternatively, if youve recently engaged with a certain topic on Facebook, the platform may suggest other posts that are related to that topic.

The other main area is location. You may see a suggested post based on where you are and what people near you are interacting with on Facebook.

'A better understanding of the relationship between the user and the algorithm is in everyones interest,' Clegg said, adding that 'people need to have confidence in the systems that are so integral to modern life.'

'Tech companies need to know the parameters within which society is comfortable for them to operate, so that they have permission to continue to innovate.

'That starts with openness and transparency, and with giving you more control.'
A team of paleontologists trekked all the way from New York to Shasta Lake in pursuit of fossils.

Researchers from the American Museum of Natural History sought to find fossils of a particular ammonite species  a prehistoric antecedent of squids, octopi and other sea invertebrates  that lived in the area more than 200 million years ago.

And, according to the Record Searchlight in Redding, located right by the lake, they were able to find dozens of them on their first day of fossil hunting working in collaboration with a team of local researchers.

The Tropites subbullatus is from the Triassic period, the time following one of historys most significant mass extinction events that left a mere tenth of the planets species intact. Sea creatures such as this ammonite, according to National Geographic, were the rare ones that survived the extinction and inhabited prehistoric waters before they flourished.

These fossils were small  ranging from half an inch to 18 inches in length, Randy Reed, a professor of earth sciences at Shasta College, told the Record Searchlight. Others, however, have been found that were nearly three feet long.

Lake Shasta is the only place in the state of California where these fossils can be found. But because it is on federally protected land, the area where they found these fossils is off limit to prospectors and other amateur diggers.

Representatives from the American Museum of Natural History did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.
India builds new school building for Shree Rashtriya Primary School in Nepal

Kathmandu [Nepal], March 31 (ANI): As part of efforts to boost the education sector in Nepal, a new building for the Shree Rashtriya Primary School in the Chitwan district has been constructed with assistance from India.

An Indian Embassy release said that the building was constructed as part of development cooperation between India and Nepal.

"The new building of the Shree Rashtriya Primary School, Sultana (renamed as Basic School Sultana) Khairahani VDC-5, Chitwan district was built with the Indian government's financial assistance of Nepali Rs 18.66 million under 'Nepal-Bharat Development Cooperation'," it said.

The new building was jointly inaugurated on Wednesday by Nitesh Kumar, Consul General of India in Birgunj and Manejer Chaudhary, Chairman, Ward No.7, Khairahani Municipality, Chitwan.

"The Government of India's grant under 'Nepal-Bharat Development Cooperation' was utilized for construction of double-storey school building having 12 classrooms and sanitation facilities," the release said.

The project was taken up as a high-impact community development project under an agreement between the government of India and Nepal.

The Shree Rashtriya Primary School was established in 1973 at Sultana, Chitwan. However, the school was completely ruined by floods in 2004.

India's financial assistance for the school building is aimed to benefit the community children and boost their learning experience. The building has been built keeping in mind the needs of the school.

The project is a reflection of India's development partnership with Nepal and complements the effort of the government of Nepal in augmenting infrastructure in the field of education, the release added. (ANI)
Not much changes in the rankings year to year for the workhorses of the graduate business education world. That much is plain from the latest U.S. News ranking of nearly 300 part-time MBAs in the United States, released Tuesday (March 30).

For the third straight year, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business sits atop the ranking, followed by UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business, which has been No. 2 since 2019. Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, a top-four school in the U.S. News full-time ranking released this week that also boasts the top one-year MBA, was third once again, as it has been since 2018. Ditto for fourth-place New York University Stern School of Business, fifth-place UCLA Anderson School of Management, and sixth-place University of Michigan Ross School of Business, all of which have now been in those spots in the rankings for four years running.

Prior to Booths ascendancy, UC-Berkeley Haas was the top dog in U.S. News part-time MBA ranking for several years in a row in the early to middle part of the last decade. But since Booth ousted Haas, little has changed in the top portion of the ranking in the last three years. Nor does Booth seem likely to give up the crown anytime soon. With more than 1,200 students currently enrolled, it is one of the largest programs, offering distinct weekend and evening options that appeal to professionals  mostly outside Chicago  uninterested in leaving their jobs while they pursue a degree. Not to mention that the University of Chicago imprimatur goes a long way: Once again in 2021, Booths full-time MBA was named a top-three program by U.S. News.

THE HIGH COST OF A TOP PROGRAM & THE BARGAINS IN THE LOWER RANKS

U.S. News part-time MBA rankings are based on five factors, the biggest of which, comprising 50% of a schools overall score, is an average peer assessment score based on surveys in fall 2020 and early 2021 of B-school deans and MBA program directors. These school officers are asked to rate the other part-time programs on a scale from marginal (1) to outstanding (5). Also included in the ranking methodology are a number of key data points for part-time MBA students entering in fall 2020: average GMAT score and average GRE quantitative, verbal and analytical writing scores (15%); average undergraduate GPA (12.5%); number of years of work experience (10%); and percentage of a schools fall 2020 total full-time and part-time MBA enrollment that is in the part-time MBA program, with a higher percentage that is part-time scoring higher in the rankings (12.5%). Read more about U.S. News methodology here.)

Story continues

All of this provides a treasure trove of data on programs that are otherwise difficult to find. The ranking is the only repository of average GMAT, acceptance rate, tuition, and enrollment data for many ranked part-time MBA programs, which paradoxically fly under the radar despite their popularity.

For example, thanks to U.S. News data, we can calculate that average enrollment for the 12 schools in the top 10 (three are tied at No. 10) is 675, with No. 7 Carnegie Mellon Teppers small 80-person program on the low end and Chicago Booths 1,267 on the upper. We can further calculate that the average acceptance rate, excluding the top three schools that refused to provide the data, is 64%, with Teppers 33.7% the lowest and No. 10 Minnesota Carlsons 88% the highest. And finally we see that the average GMAT score for the 12 schools is 653.7, with Berkeley Haas 691 leading the way sand Minnesotas 594 trailing. (See the next page for all this data for U.S. News top 50 ranked part-time MBA programs.)

And what about cost? Neither Booth nor Kellogg provided data on student indebtedness to U.S. News, but Berkeley did: Average indebtedness of a part-time Haas MBA student is $79,270, with 45% carrying debt. At all three schools, the cost of getting an MBA part-time exceeds $140,000. Based on price tag alone, then, its worth considering the value in a smaller, lesser-known program  like No. 28 University of Utah Eccles School of Business, for example, where the degrees per-year cost is $29,400; or No. 41 University of Florida Warrington College of Business, where its $32,971.*

A DOWNWARD TREND IN ENROLLMENT FOR SOME SCHOOLS

Though they continue to be the most popular form of MBA, before coronavirus part-time MBA programs in the U.S. faced a troubling decline. In GMACs 2019 Application Trends Survey, a majority of responding schools reported total application declines among part-time lockstep MBA (53% report declines), part-time self-paced MBA (54%), and flexible MBA (56%) programs. Segmenting part-time lockstep and self-paced programs by their scheduling options showed similar results, as most weekend (56%) and evening (55%) programs were also down that year.

Even the top part-time programs have not been immune: just about all have seen declines in enrollment since 2016. Chicago Booths program shrank from 1,366 students that year to 1,267 currently, a 7.2% decline; UCLA Anderson School of Management, ranked fifth, saw a more significant loss, from 986 students to 857 (13.1%). No. 4 NYU Stern School of Business saw enrollment decrease by 130 students, 1,381 to 1,251, equaling 9.4%. No. 10 Indiana Kelley fell from 294 to 278, a loss of 5.4%.

The biggest drop-offs occurred at No. 6 Michigan Ross, which went from 430 to just 213 currently, a whopping decline of 199 students, or 46%; and Carnegie Mellon Tepper, which dropped from 143 to 80, a decline of 44%. But two schools have bucked the trend: Enrollment is up at both Northwestern Kellogg (from 804 to 1,098, 36.6%) and Berkeley Haas, which grew its part-time population from 802 in 2016 to 919 in 2021, a 14.6% increase.

There are other positive signs for part-time MBA programs, including renewed interest stemming from the pandemic. Read more here.

LISTEN: OUR BUSINESS CASUAL PODCAST ON THE PROS & CONS OF PART-TIME MBA PROGRAMS

See the next page for U.S. News ranking of the top 50 part-time MBA programs in the United States.

Chicago Booths part-time MBA program is once again the best in the United States, according to U.S. News. Booth photo

DONT MISS HOW CORONAVIRUS HAS IMPACTED PART-TIME MBA PROGRAMS

LISTEN: OUR BUSINESS CASUAL PODCAST ON THE PROS & CONS OF PART-TIME MBA PROGRAMS

*This paragraph was corrected April 15; it originally contained speculation about costs at Haas, Booth, and Kellogg that omitted key details. Here is the original wording: And what about cost? Neither Booth nor Kellogg provided data on student indebtedness to U.S. News, but Berkeley did: Average indebtedness of a part-time Haas MBA student is $79,270, with 45% carrying debt. Consider that per-credit tuition at Haas ($3,464) is less than half of either Booth ($7,344) or Kellogg ($7,273) and you have some idea of the debt picture for those students; assuming a standard credit requirement of 36 credits, the Haas degree can cost more than $120K, and a degree from one of the other two schools upward of $250K. Those are very similar to full-time MBA prices  Haas full-time MBA tuition is $68,444 per year, while Booths is $73,440 and Kelloggs is $74,871. Once again, based on price tag alone its worth considering the value in a smaller, lesser-known program  like No. 28 University of Utah Eccles School of Business, for example, where the degrees per-year cost is $29,400; or No. 41 University of Florida Warrington College of Business, where its $32,971.

The post U.S. News Top 50 Part-Time MBA Programs appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 9 Master's in Web Development Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 68 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 68 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 9 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Web Development Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-web-development-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Web Development Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Arizona State University

Boston University

Fort Hays State University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Lynn University

Southern New Hampshire University

The Art Institutes

University of Denver

University of Florida

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
The International Criminal Court on Wednesday upheld the acquittal of Ivory Coasts former president Laurent Gbagbo on crimes against humanity charges, paving the way for his return home after a decade away.

Judges dismissed an appeal by prosecutors against the ICCs 2019 shock decision to clear Gbagbo and his former youth leader Charles Ble Goude over a wave of post-electoral violence in 2010-11.

The first head of state to stand trial at the tribunal, Gbagbo, 75, had denied all charges over the bloodshed in which 3,000 people were killed after he disputed the results of the 2010 vote.

Appeals judges reject the appeal of the prosecutor and confirm the decision of the trial chamber which dismissed the case against Gbagbo and Ble Goude in 2019, presiding judge Chile Eboe-Osuji said.

The judge said the ICC hereby revokes all remaining conditions on the release of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Ble Goude and ordered court officials to make arrangements for the safe transfer of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Ble Goude to a receiving state or states.

Gbagbo was in court for the verdict.

Gbagbo has been living in Brussels under the courts orders since his release from detention in 2019, but had planned to return to Ivory Coast if cleared, thanks to an olive branch offered by his erstwhile rival Alassane Ouattara.

After elections in 2010, Gbagbo refused to hand over power to Ouattara, the current president, but French troops eventually intervened and Ouattaras loyalists drove Gbagbo from his bunker.

He was sent to the ICC in The Hague in 2011.

Gbagbos trial started in January 2016, but three years later judges said they had found that prosecutors had failed to satisfy the burden of proof to the requisite standard.

 ICC failures 

Gbagbos acquittal was one of the ICCs biggest failures since it was set up in 2002 as the worlds only permanent war crimes court.

Prosecutors then appealed, focusing on what they said was a procedural error when judges in 2019 did not make a proper written judgment but handed down the decision orally.

The verdict on Wednesday was being closely watched in Ivory Coast, where Gbagbos shadow still hangs over a nation that remains mired in political crisis.

Gbagbo was president from 2000 to 2010, a time of turmoil in the worlds top cocoa grower, formerly a haven of peace and prosperity in troubled West Africa.

His old foe Ouattara ignited fresh unrest last year when he announced he would seek a third term in office  a scheme that critics said sidestepped constitutional limits.

Clashes claimed 87 lives while most of the opposition snubbed the October ballot  which Ouattara won by a landslide.

But after Ouattara offered to give Gbagbo passports to aid his return, Gbagbos Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party ended a years-long electoral boycott.

Wednesdays judgment was key for the credibility of the ICC after a series of high-profile failures and controversies over the fact that it has largely focused on African suspects.

Outgoing ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda suffered a series of setbacks including the Gbagbo case and the acquittal on appeal of DR Congo former vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also saw charges of crimes against humanity over electoral bloodshed dropped by Bensouda.

Bensouda meanwhile is under US sanctions for an ICC probe into Afghanistan, while her investigation into the Palestinian territories has enraged Israel and Washington.
France will enter a third national lockdown for four weeks, French president Emmanuel Macron announced in an address to the nation on Wednesday night.

From Saturday, all of mainland France will be under a 7 p.m. curfew, working from home will be expected from those that can, gatherings will be limited, non-essential shops will be closed, and travel restrictions will be imposed.

This brings the whole country in line with 19 virus hot-spot territories, and cities like Paris, which have had a limited lockdown imposed for the past two weeks.

The President also announced a three-week closure of nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools, that will have a staggered reopening from April 26.

The decision comes as a third wave of Covid-19 - blamed largely on the so-called 'British variant' of the virus - surges across Europe, and as countries face a race against time to vaccinate their populations.

'The epidemic is accelerating, and we are likely to lose control, so we must find a new way of reacting. We must therefore set ourselves a new framework for the coming months,' the head of state said during the dramatic address.

The 43-year-old blamed the 'British variant' for creating 'a pandemic inside a pandemic' that was more contagious and 'more deadly.'

This meant the situation had changed since he was resisting calls for another lockdown amid spiralling infections, despite experts urging him to act sooner.

'We are faced with a new situation,' he said. 'We are involved in a race. Propagation of a new variant that was identified by our British neighbours must be dealt with.'

Current efforts to limit the virus 'were too limited at a time when the epidemic is accelerating'. The spread of the variant meant 'we risk losing control', he added.

France will enter a third national lockdown for four weeks, French president Emmanuel Macron announced in an address to the nation on Wednesday night, expanding current measures in 19 territories to the whole country. Pictured: Macron seen on TV on Wednesday night

'With regards to schools, we've all got to be aware of our responsibilities as far as our youth are concerned,' said Mr Macron. 'We've kept them open since September 2020, but this will now change.'

The president said non-essential shops would remain shut, along with businesses such as cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Under the restrictions, people are allowed to go outside for leisure, but only within a 6 miles radius from their homes - and without gathering.

The French finance ministry said the new lockdown would see 150,000 businesses close nationwide, at an estimated cost of more than 9 billion for every month their doors are shut.

In a call for unity, Macron added: 'If we stay united in the coming weeks ... then we will see light at the end of the tunnel.'

Striking a more optimistic tone for the medium term, he said some cultural venues and cafe terraces would reopen in mid-May 'under strict rules' and a calendar drawn up for a progressive reopening of other facilities.

'Thanks to the vaccine, the way out of the crisis is emerging,' he said.

He also announced that the vaccine drive would be open to all those over 60 from April 16 and those over 50 from May 15.

The lockdown represents an embarrassing U-turn for Mr Macron, who ignored a call from his scientific advisers to introduce a tougher lockdown at the end of January.

But the French president took a gamble on curfews and local restrictions in the hope of giving the economy a chance to recover from a deep slump.

His options have narrowed in recent weeks as the feared British variant sweeps across France and Europe, and with presidential elections scheduled for 2022, Mr Macron is having to weigh both political and health considerations.

Acknowledging criticism from opponents, Macron struck a more humble tone than last week when he said that he had no reason to apologise for his handling of the pandemic.

'At every stage of this epidemic, we could say to ourselves that we could have done better, that we made mistakes. That's all true,' he said.

'But I know one thing: we have stood firm, we've learned and at every stage we've improved.'

At the end of January, the president bucked the European trend and went against the recommendation of his scientific advisers by deciding that France would not enter a third lockdown.

For a month, the bet looked to have paid off as new cases flatlined at around 20,000 a day in February, with France in a state of semi-openness - under a night-time curfew, but with shops and schools open.

But with daily cases having doubled to around 40,000 and hospitals in infection hotspots like Paris overflowing, the tide looks to have turned as medics pleaded for tighter restrictions.

The new measures stop short of a full national lockdown observed in France during the first wave of the pandemic in March and April 2020, when people were only allowed out for essential business or for exercise once a day.

'We have adopted a strategy since the beginning of the year that aims to contain the epidemic without shutting ourselves in,' he said.

A survey Wednesday by the Elabe polling group for BFM news channel showed that 70 percent of French people supported a strict lockdown in the most affected areas and 81 percent expected it to be announced.

Macron again defended not locking down in January.

Not locking down in January meant 'we gained precious weeks of liberty, weeks of learning for our children, we allowed hundreds of thousands of workers to keep their head above water, without losing control of the epidemic,' he argued.

'Many of our neighbours decided to lock down, like our German neighbours who have been locked down for four months. Our Italian friends are on their fourth lockdown.

'With our collective choices we gained precious weeks of liberty, weeks of learning for our children, we allowed hundreds of thousands of workers to keep their head above water, without losing control of the epidemic,' he argued.

France's infection rate has soared in recent weeks in a resurgence blamed on the British variant of Covid-19, which has now resulted in a third national lockdown

The question in the coming days will be whether the new measures are enough to reverse the sharp rise in infections which have been running at more than 40,000 a day, double their level at the beginning of the month.

More than 53,000 new cases were announced late Wednesday, but that number covered two days after no numbers were made public on Tuesday.

The country also recorded 304 new deaths, bring its total toll to 95,667.

Exhausted intensive care doctors and hospital directors have pleaded for a strict lockdown to stem the influx of new patients.

With warm weather and sunshine on Wednesday, groups of young people could be seen congregating in public spaces around Paris, ignoring rules barring the consumption of alcohol outside.

The French Hospitals Federation (FHF) urged Macron to order 'a strict lockdown immediately' on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Mr Macron refused to apologise for his country's Coronavirus strategy, saying: 'I can tell you that I have no mea culpa to offer, no remorse, no acknowledgement of failure.'

But the French president has been running out of options to stop the spread of the virus. All of France's restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas and museums have been closed since October.

Death rates are also climbing and the total is nearing the tally of 100,000 which has already been reached by the UK and Italy

The new lockdown is a departure from the government's policy in recent months, which has focused on regionalized restrictions. School closures in particular had been seen as a very last resort.

A debate is scheduled in parliament Thursday that will address the virus situation and the new measures.

'The key factor in our decision-making remains the situation in hospitals,' government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Wednesday after Macron hosted his weekly coronavirus strategy meeting and a Cabinet meeting.

After Paris hospital officials warned they would have to start refusing needy patients for lack of space, he said, 'One thing is clear: France will not refuse care for any sick patients. Choosing patients is not an option.'

Earlier this month, Mr Macron refused to apologise for his country's Coronavirus strategy, saying: 'I can tell you that I have no mea culpa to offer, no remorse, no acknowledgement of failure.'

The limited lockdown was imposed in 19 departments two weeks ago, including the greater Paris region, where some patients are being evacuated out of the capital city because of a lack of beds.

France is well behind countries such as Britain in its vaccine roll out, especially after a series of U-turns by Mr Macron over the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab.

He at first said it was not suitable for those over 65, before announcing that it should not be given to those under 55.

People gather on the Saone river banks in Lyon on March 31, 2021, before the start of the daily curfew aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19

Macron was holding a weekly defence council meeting on the pandemic on Wednesday morning ahead of his address.

A government source said options included a strict lockdown in hard-hit parts of France, school closures, and a massive operation to transfer patients from overloaded hospitals to lesser-hit regions.

France's National Council of the Order of Doctors had demanded another full shutdown, telling Macron in an open letter that 'we must lock down'.

'Until we are massively vaccinated, wherever the situation is serious, we must confine ourselves,' the letter said.

Professor Philippe Juvin from Paris's Georges Pompidou hospital said last week that a strict lockdown may be the only way to prevent a major healthcare crisis.

Juvin told French TV that hospitals risked being overwhelmed to the point where they could neither treat Covid-19 patients nor others.

'The situation is critical,' added Juvin, who is also the mayor of La Garenne-Colombes in the Paris region.

Pictured: People in Nice enjoy the sunshine on Wednesday ahead of Macron's announcement

France added more than 30,000 new infections on Tuesday, taking the daily average to 38,902 - a figure which has jumped by more than 50 per cent in a fortnight.

Meanwhile the death toll is nearing 100,000 and daily fatalities have climbed to nearly 350 per day.

Ten days ago, the government closed non-essential stores and limited people's movements in Paris and other regions ravaged by the virus.

Mobility data analysed by Reuters showed those measures were having markedly less impact than prior lockdowns.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo meawhile told BFM TV that schools should be closed, after ministers pointed to continued teaching as an improvement on the first lockdown.

France also used medical evacuations to ease the load on hospitals during the first two waves, but there has been more resistance from families in recent weeks.

Still, a government source said the evacuations under discussion would not require family consent.

France's tightening of measures come just as Britain slowly emerges from the lockdown imposed by Boris Johnson in early January.

Macron had hoped France's vaccine campaign would reduce the numbers falling gravely ill, but the vaccine rollout is still only now finding its stride.

Only 12 per cent of the population has received a first dose, leaving the vast majority of French citizens still vulnerable to the disease.

Macron has openly blamed the British variant for the resurgence, after scientists at the Institut Pasteur warned vaccines were coming too slowly to rein it in.

A Covid-19 patient is evacuated from the Paris area to Biarritz airport as authorities look to ease the pressure on overwhelmed hospitals

Pictured: President of the French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) and MP Marine Le Pen attends a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly in Paris on March 30, 2021

At stake in France's current crisis is above all the health of nearly 70 million people and the fate of the eurozone's second-biggest economy, but also Macron's political future one year from presidential elections.

His handling of the twin health and economic crises caused by the pandemic will be foremost in voters' minds next April and May, analysts say.

Acknowledging criticism from opponents, Macron said: 'At every stage of this epidemic, we could say to ourselves that we could have done better, that we made mistakes. That's all true.'

Stephane Zumsteeg, head of public opinion surveys at the Ipsos pollster in France, said voters would ultimately judge Macron's performance based on a comparison of France with its EU neighbours.

And he underlined that polls still show the pro-business centrist as the frontrunner.

'Of course lots of things can happen in the next year but at this point the main favourite for next year's election is Emmanuel Macron, not because he's the best or the most loved but because there's no credible alternative other than Marine Le Pen.'

Britain's Covid infection rate plunges below those in 25 EU nations thanks to the jab rollout success  as our cases fall by 28% in week to 4,052 and deaths halve to 43

The UK's successful vaccine rollout means it is now in the best position of all major European nations

Weekly infection rate in France, where intensive care units are overwhelmed, is around 8x higher than in UK

In Germany, which recorded 23,681 cases on March 30, the infection rate is nearly three times higher

Over the past week, the UK has recorded an average of 73 cases per one million people every day

Yesterday another 43 deaths and 4,052 cases were recorded. Deaths are now averaging 50 a day in Britain

Britain's coronavirus infection rate is now significantly lower than 25 of the EU's 27 countries - as the country's daily Covid cases plunge by 28 per cent in a week, official figures revealed.

The UK's successful vaccine rollout means it is now in the best position of all major European nations, despite being the worst hit in January.

The weekly infection rate in France, where intensive care units are overwhelmed, is around eight times higher than in the UK.

In Germany, which recorded 23,681 cases on March 30, the infection rate is nearly three times higher.

Over the past week, the UK has recorded an average of 73 cases per one million people every day. This is a lower rate than all 27 EU nations apart from Denmark and Portugal, which have both adopted strict lockdowns.

Hungary, the worst affected EU nation, has a daily rate of 882 cases per one million.

In France it is 571, while the rate in the Netherlands is 449 and in Italy it is 334. As Europe battles a third wave, UK cases, deaths and hospitalisations have fallen to a six-month low.

On Wednesday, another 43 deaths and 4,052 cases were recorded. Deaths are now averaging 50 a day, down from a peak of 1,284 deaths on January 19. It also marked a 56 per cent week-on-week drop in deaths on last Wednesday.

EU REGULATOR SAYS THERE'S 'NO EVIDENCE' TO BACK GERMAN ASTRAZENECA BAN FOR UNDER-60s Europe's medical watchdog slapped down Germany for suspending AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab after a small number of vaccinated people developed deadly brain clots. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said there was 'no evidence' to support halting the jab for people under 60, adding that the benefits of protecting against Covid far outweighed the risk of the extremely rare condition. Analysis by the regulator found just 62 out of 9.1million people vaccinated with the British-made jab worldwide had developed the brain clot, known as cerebral sinus venous thrombosis  a rate of about five per million. Emer Cooke, the EMA's executive director, told a press conference this afternoon there was no proof the vaccine had caused CSVT in any of the cases and admitted those people might have developed the condition regardless. The EMA's ruling puts the watchdog at odds with many other major EU member states which have also restricted the jab's rollout in certain age groups, including France, Spain and Norway. Cases of CSVT have been most common in Germany, where 31 out of 2.7million vaccinated people suffered the deadly brain clot - a rate of one in 90,000. It led to the nation banning the vaccine in under-60s last night. The EMA revealed twice as many women had received AstraZenca's vaccine in Europe than men, before adding that the people normally most at risk of CSVT are females aged 35 to 45, possibly explaining the higher rates. Until recently Germany had banned the AZ jab for over-60s due to initial fears about blood clots, meaning its rollout had for weeks targeted those most susceptible to CSVT. Ms Cooke said: 'At present, the experts have advised us that they have not been able to identify specific risk factors, including age, gender or previous medical history of clotting disorders, for these very rare events. 'And, as I mentioned previously, a causal link of the vaccine has not yet been proven but it is possible, and further analysis is still ongoing. According to the current scientific knowledge, there is no evidence to support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population.' Advertisement

The contrasting fortunes of Britain and mainland Europe are largely down to our successful vaccination programme. Nearly six in ten adults in the UK have now received at least one dose.

But across the EU, just 11 per cent of the population have been vaccinated.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens is urging all over-50s and younger people with health conditions yet to be vaccinated to book an appointment now.

During April the NHS will focus on second doses but appointments for all over-50s not yet protected will also be available.

Yesterday, the number of second doses of Covid-19 vaccine outnumbered first doses for the first time.

A total of 270,526 second doses were registered on March 30, compared with 224,590 first doses, according to government figures. Previously the number of first jabs per day had always exceeded second jabs.

A total of 4.1million people in the UK are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, around one in 13 adults.

Sir Simon said: 'We're well on track to meet our April 15 goal of offering NHS Covid vaccination to everyone aged 50 and over, as well as other high risk groups.

'In just the past two weeks we've now jabbed nearly 85 per cent of people aged 50-54, and over three million of the highest risk people have also now had their top up second dose.'

But last night Dr Yvonne Doyle, of Public Health England, warned: 'As restrictions lift and the weather improves, we cannot drop our guard. We're not out of the woods quite yet.'

She said: 'There are still as many people in hospital now as there were at the start of the second wave, and tens of thousands of us are getting infected every week and may become seriously ill.

'As restrictions lift and the weather improves, we cannot drop our guard. We're not out of the woods quite yet.'

She urged Britons to continue washing their hands, wearing facemasks and social distancing to stop coronavirus spreading, adding: '[Covid] case numbers are still high in certain places and looking forward they are certainly not predictable, so your actions are still saving lives.'

It came as police seized beer from revellers and poured it on the grass on Wednesday as Brits once again flocked to parks and beaches to enjoy 75F (24C) temperatures.

Hundreds of young people gathered at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham this afternoon with bottles of alcohol, despite officers saying yesterday that this would be seized from anyone entering parks in the city.

And the officers stuck to their word as officials clamped down on anti-social behaviour in the city after large crowds broke the rules at Nottingham's Arboretum on Monday, brawling and leaving huge amounts of litter.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick urged people to make the most the latest easing of restrictions in England in a 'sensible, cautious' manner, enjoying the sunshine but also being careful and sticking to the rules.

Police officers confiscate alcohol at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham this afternoon

Germany has reported significantly more cases of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) than other major European countries and the reasons for it are unclear. The UK has vaccinated five times as many people but seen just one sixth as many CSVT cases, while France, Italy and Spain used the AstraZeneca jab on similar age groups but also had much lower rates of CSVT. There is still no evidence the vaccine is causing the condition, experts say

Several member states have paused rollouts of the AstraZeneca vaccine after a tiny number of inoculated people, predominantly women under 55, suffered deadly brain clots

It comes after EU regulators slapped down Germany for suspending AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab after a small number of vaccinated people developed deadly brain clots.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said there was 'no evidence' to support halting the jab for people under 60, adding that the benefits of protecting against Covid far outweighed the risk of the extremely rare condition.

Analysis by the regulator found just 62 out of 9.1million people vaccinated with the British-made jab worldwide had developed the brain clot, known as cerebral sinus venous thrombosis  a rate of about five per million.

Emer Cooke, the EMA's executive director, told a press conference this afternoon there was no proof the vaccine had caused CSVT in any of the cases and admitted those people might have developed the condition regardless.

Tourism bosses have also said that the UK's successful jabs roll-out means it is safer for Britons to take summer holidays to more than 130 countries across the world.

A study commissioned by Manchester Airports Group says that most of Europe, the Caribbean, north Africa and the United States should be on the destination list.


Sixteen people from Northern Ireland contracted HIV as part of the infected blood scandal, a public inquiry has heard.

Yesterday, the Infected Blood Inquiry examined evidence relating to the Northern Ireland Haemophilia Centre, which was based at the Royal Victoria Hospital from the late 1950s until the early 2000s.

Thousands of people across the UK were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C during the 1970s and 1980s after receiving contaminated blood during medical treatment for haemophillia.

A total of 99 people from Northern Ireland were infected in what has been described as "the worst scandal in the history of the NHS".

On Tuesday the inquiry heard written evidence from Dr Elizabeth Mayne who was director of the centre from 1978 until her retirement in 1999. She also worked at the centre from 1968.

In her evidence Dr Mayne detailed how treatment worked through the Northern Ireland Haemophilia Centre.

She explained that in the mid 1970s advances in drugs to treat blood disorders had meant suitable patients could now be treated from home.

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Until the invention of cryoprecipitate in the mid 1960s there were few options for treating haemophillia. Factor VIII concentrate became available in the early 1970s.

As a result Dr Mayne claimed she drew up a policy for the centre detailing how all home patients would be treated with Factor VIII from one drug company (Kryobulin), inpatients another (Hemofil) while the majority of children continued to receive cryoprecipitate.

She said at the time there was little scientific basis for her policy, "merely my innate apprehension about injecting material repeatedly and at frequent intervals by the intra venous route into young patients".

In her written evidence Dr Mayne detailed that of the 110 annually treated patients, 43 were treating themselves at home.

She said of this group 15 contracted HIV, with the 16th person testing positive being the spouse of someone in the home treatment group.

There were no positive patients in the inpatient group and and no children tested positive, she said.

A March 1988 profile of the management of haemophilia in Northern Ireland authored by Dr Mayne put forward her belief Northern Ireland had fared better than the rest of the UK as a result of her policy.

"The HIV antibody positive rate for severely affected patients in the UK is 54%, with some centres having ratings of 75-80%. In Northern Ireland only 16 patients have been showing to be antibody positive. This is equivalent to 25% of the most severely affected patients and 16.5% of all treated patients in the province," she wrote.

"The figures may be explained on the basis of the transfusion policy operated in the haemophilia centre since home treatment began in 1974. A single commercial product was used for all home treatment patients and a second was used for the rest. Thus patients were exposed to a regular and restricted number of donors.

"It is probable that exposure to many different commercial products resulted in the higher positivity ratios in other centres."

However, lead counsel to the inquiry Jenni Richards QC noted that the centre's records showed patients on occasion receiving different drugs depending on the circumstances.

"It would appear part of Dr Mayne's policy to keep patients on one product, the extent to which that was successful or not is unclear because certainty annual return information shows there were a number of patients who received a range of different products," she told the inquiry.

The centre moved to the Belfast City Hospital in the early 2000s and now forms part of the hospital's Northern Ireland Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre and Thrombosis Unit.
Aktia Bank Plc

Press release

31.3. 2021 at 8.00 a.m.

Swedes save and invest their money more actively and diversely than Finns, according to a consumer survey commissioned by Aktia. Few Finns have prosperity plans and even fewer have the investments or other assets necessary to accumulate wealth.

A survey commissioned by Aktia indicates that Finnish people are far behind the Swedes as savers. The average savings and investments of Finns are, by all measures, smaller than those of Swedish people; 46 per cent of Finns responding to the survey and 62 per cent of Swedes had stock or fund holdings. Half of Finns still keep their savings on their bank account, and approximately a third of Finnish respondents did not have any savings or investments whatsoever.

Positive developments are on the horizon, however. Compared to Aktia's 2019 survey, Finnish people increasingly invest in stocks and especially in different fund holdings, the share of which has increased by five percentage points. The number of Finns saving or investing regularly has also grown. The share of Finnish people making investments at least several times per year has increased from the 2019 survey especially among women, young adults and those with low income. However, the share of Finns saving monthly (41%) is considerably lower than that of the Swedish (51%).

"The results indicate that Finnish banks certainly have a lot of work to do in raising awareness of investing as a form of saving, especially among lower-income households. We want to help Finnish people to plan their personal finances in uncertain times and to aid the Finnish saver in accumulating wealth systematically. We feel that now is a good time to start," says Carola Nilsson, Executive Vice President of Aktia's Private Customers business area.

Finns live in a daydream when it comes to gaining wealth

Only 37 per cent of Finnish respondents said that they have a prosperity plan for the next 10-20 years - and 55 per cent had no plan at all. Prosperity plans were the most common among the youngest respondents as well as the respondents with the highest income. Of female respondents, only 33 per cent had a prosperity plan.

Furthermore, Finns lay out their prosperity plans in very broad strokes: 40 per cent of Finns who said that they plan to accumulate wealth had no investments in, for instance, stocks, funds, apartments or forest. Meanwhile, nearly 80 per cent of Swedes planning their wealth said that they make investments.

According to the survey results, only one in six of the Finns with a prosperity plan also has the versatile tools necessary for accumulating wealth, while this share is double in Sweden. Such a toolset is a combination of own house or apartment, investments (stocks, funds, real estate or forest property) as well as life and disability insurance.

Appetite in both countries for investing alongside mortgage

Attitudes in Finland and Sweden are surprisingly similar toward investing while paying off the mortgage: more than a fourth of the respondents are interested in downscaling their instalments in order to invest, whereas approximately a third think that mortgage should be paid off as quickly as possible. High-income households in Finland have a much more positive view than low-income households toward extending mortgage periods to increase the amount of funds available for investing. In Sweden, investments were common also in lower income groups.

The key factor explaining the attitudes in Finland as well as in Sweden is how the respondents view their competence with regard to stocks: of those estimating their competence as excellent, over 60 per cent believed that it is financially more sound to pay off their mortgage more slowly and invest in, for instance, stocks and funds alongside mortgage repayment, whereas the view was shared by only under a third of the respondents who estimated their stock-related competence as weak.

Swedish consumers who invest are more used to diversifying their investments geographically as well as between several companies and funds, whereas the majority of Finns invest in a few listed companies in one country - of the respondents, 41 per cent in Finland and 59 per cent in Sweden held shares in more than six companies. Respectively, 42 per cent of Finnish stock investors had centralised their investments to one country only, whereas in Sweden, 31 per cent had done so.

"Digitalisation has made investing easier than ever before, and it is now truly within everyone's reach. Any one of us can gain wealth, but that requires doing something about it today," Carola Nilsson says.

The survey commissioned by Aktia was conducted in December 2020 and January 2021, with a total of 1,729 Finnish and 1,000 Swedish respondents aged 18-75 participating. For results analysis, the data was weighed to correspond to the Finnish and Swedish populations in terms of age, gender, region of residence and income. The study was conducted by Prior Konsultointi Oy.

Further information:

Carola Nilsson, EVP Private customers, carola.nilsson@aktia.fi

Katja Korsinkin, Communications manager, tel. +358 10 247 6294, katja.korsinkin@aktia.fi

Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 930 people around Finland. Aktia's assets under management (AuM) on 31 December 2020 amounted to EUR 10.4 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 10.6 billion. Aktia's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.
Vials of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine are placed in this illustration picture, March 24. Reuters-Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-jin



The government may need to consider introducing Russian or Chinese COVID-19 vaccines amid lingering production uncertainties, as many countries worldwide are competing to secure the products that are in limited supply.



Although vaccines from Russia and China were not included in the nation's initial procurement plan, the health authorities have been considering them as alternative options in the case of continued unstable vaccine shipments.



Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong stated in February that Russia's Sputnik V was being considered as an alternative option, saying, "We will continue to review the need for additional vaccines due to uncertainties about new variants or supply issues."



TASS news agency reported Tuesday, citing the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Korea, that the Korean government was reviewing the registration of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, with all the necessary documents already handed over at the beginning of the year.



"Registration of our anti-coronavirus medicines including Sputnik V is being considered by the Korean authorities. All documents that are needed for vaccine registration were submitted to authorized agencies at the beginning of this year," the agency reported.



This was also written on the Russian section of the embassy's website.



But the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the KDCA said Wednesday that they have not received official documents on Sputnik V and no discussions were underway.



Sputnik V became the world's first registered COVID-19 vaccine after Russia approved its use in August 2020. According to global market research firm Statista, the vaccine has been approved in 57 countries around the world as of March 29.



Although the vaccine initially met skepticism worldwide as Russia had cleared its use ahead of full clinical trials, a recent study published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, showed it was 91 percent effective against the coronavirus.



The Chinese-made vaccine, Sinovac, which has shown a protection rate of 80 percent to 90 percent within two months after administering two shots, is largely being used across countries in the Middle East and Asia.



Some called on Korea to consider introducing the Russian and Chinese vaccines, as its plan to secure AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines has recently faced setbacks due to their unstable supply.



Cheon Eun-mi, a pulmonologist at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, said that although the government faces challenges in securing enough doses in a short period of time, it should be prudent in introducing new products that were not included in its initial plan.



"Although Sputnik V has been proven to be safe through Phase 3 clinical trials, there is not enough accumulated real-world data on the vaccine to this date. As for Sinovac, it is still going through Phase 3 clinical trials in China," she told The Korea Times.



Cheon also pointed out that aggressively securing vaccines that are less effective against the virus may not be a good idea in case of the emergence of new variants.



Therefore, she advised, instead of bringing in new products, which may lead to public anxiety over the overall vaccination plan, the government should put a bigger focus on curbing the virus spread through tightened social distancing measures and lowering cases of severely ill patients by using domestically developed COVID-19 treatments.


Legislators of the National Assembly on Monday welcomed and debated during the second reading of the Elections Bill 2021, presented by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dawda Jallow.

Moving the motion, the minister said the objectives and reasons of the bill is to repeal the Elections Act and to enact it in line with the best practices to achieve the cardinal principles to free and fair elections in The Gambia.

According to him, the bill has taken cognizance of the fact that electoral laws must conform to the needs and aspirations of the electorates in a true democratic society for the full participation of all eligible citizens through casting of votes.

"This bill seeks to introduce a detailed procedure and analysis in the publication of final results by the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), after the conduct of a particular elections or referendum and during the declaration of results," he noted.

Throwing light on the general merits and principles of the bill, the member for Jarra West, Hon. Kajali Fofana, stressed over the lateness of the bill to be presented to the National Assembly, noting that this is a bill that was long awaited and since the change of government, all Gambians have been waiting for the bill.

He added that what the election bill is seeking, is one of the reasons why Gambians came together to change a government, so that there would be a good electoral system in the country and free and fair elections at all times as expected in every democratic country.

"My appeal now goes to the Assembly Business Committee (ABC), to whom the bill will be committed to, to open up to all members to give their inputs so that the number of proposals and interventions during consideration stage will be limited," Fofana appealed.

He further said there are members amongst them who have worked with the electoral system in the country for many years and those are very experienced people on the issue. Therefore, he urged the Assembly Business Committee (ABC), to invite those people to take part in their activity due to their experiences.

"Election normally predicts everything in a country, if there are free and fair elections in any country, that country is fully democratic but in the absence of free and fair elections, democracy is of no meaning in that particular country unless good laws are brought to the electoral system and make sure those laws are enforced," he stated.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - COVID-19 cases in the United States are rising again, with nationwide infection rate almost level with surge seen last summer.



With 61,240 new coronavirus cases reported in the U.S. in past 24 hours, the total number of cases in the country are 30.39 million, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Around 875 new deaths were reported, taking the total number of deaths to 550,996.



Michigan reported the highest number of new cases during the period at 6,306; while New York 5,875; Pennsylvania 5,111; Florida 5,062 and New Jersey 4,871.



The country has witnessed steep increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations for past couple of weeks. The seven-day average for new coronavirus cases in the U.S. is currently at 64,252. While that's well below the peak of almost 260,000 it hit back in early January, it represents an increase of more than 10 percent from two weeks ago. Last summer, the country had recorded average daily case counts of nearly 70,000.



Number of people hospitalized across the U.S. has increased to about 40,709, with around 9,127 patients in the ICU.



US President Joe Biden has urged all the states to make it mandatory for citizens to wear mask to curb the spread of the coronavirus as cases continues to rise across the country.



Meanwhile, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pfizer and Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines were found to be 90 percent effective in the real world conditions,



A new CDC study provides strong evidence that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections in real-world conditions among health care personnel, first responders, and other essential workers, a report released by the CDC states.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
(Clarifying that Kore Potash and Parsley Box are listed on AIM.)

(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-caps on Wednesday.







SMALL-CAP - WINNERS







Amigo Holdings PLC, up 6.5% at 17.04 pence, 12-month range 4.84p-35.59p. The guarantor loans provider late Tuesday says court approved plan to hold a customer vote to settle compensation claims. Customers will vote online on May 12. If they approve the scheme of arrangement, final court hearing will be on May 19. "We are delighted that the court agreed that the scheme should go ahead," says Chief Executive Gary Jennison.







Norcros PLC, up 5.9% at 271.00p, 12-month range 119p-275p. Says that trading momentum has continued since early February, and it now expects underlying operating profit for the year ending on Wednesday to be no less than GBP31 million on a post-IFRS 16 basis. This compares to previous underlying operating profit guidance for the year of no less than A28 million.







Arrow Global Group PLC, up 5.7% at 304.50p, 12-month range 63.28p-307p. Hits this 12-month high earlier on Wednesday after accepting a GBP563 million takeover offer from TDR Capital LLP. TDR will buy Arrow for 307.5 pence per share in cash through a scheme of arrangement. The price is a 33% premium to Arrow's closing price on February 5, before the start of the offer period. Arrow, a Manchester-based debt investor, had EUR4.3 billion in assets under management as of December 31. It swung to a pretax loss of GBP114.8 million in 2020 after writing down the value of its portfolio.







SMALL-CAP - LOSERS







Kore Potash PLC - down 22% at 1.40p on AIM market, 12-month range 0.45p-1.90p. The stock falls 15% in Sydney but is trading flat in Johannesburg. Loss narrows in its most recently ended financial year as it continues the development of its main project in Africa. The UK-based developer of a potash project in the Republic of Congo says its pretax loss for 2020 totalled USD3.1 million compared to a USD4.2 million loss reported the year before. The company explains that its loss narrowed amid a reduction in administrative expenses to USD985,438 from USD1.3 million year-on-year, while salaries, employee benefits and consultancy expenses fell to USD1.2 million from USD1.7 million in 2019. "We have made good progress during the course of 2020. Despite the difficult circumstances facing the global economy Kore has been able deliver on planned workstreams and advance the projects," says Chief Executive Brad Sampson.







Parsley Box Group PLC - down 6.5% to 186.9p on AIM market from IPO price of 200p - Shares debut on London's AIM market, having raised GBP17 million in its initial public offering. The Edinburgh-based company delivers ready meals to the 'baby boomer' generation, born after the World War Two and broadly defined as aged 60 and over. Its London Stock Exchange ticker code is MEAL. However, Parsley Box is faring better than much-larger food delivery peer Deliveroo Holdings PLC, down 23% at 298.41p in conditional trading in London on Wednesday following its own IPO at 390p. Parsley Box had a GBP83.8 million market capitalisation at its IPO price, compared to GBP7.59 billion for Deliveroo.







By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
COLUMBIA  Every school district in South Carolina must offer full weeks of in-person learning by April 12 and keep the classroom doors open in the coming academic year under legislation approved by the Senate.

The bill approved March 31 without opposition ensures students statewide can benefit from full face-to-face learning in the last month of the school year.

"I think there is significant support across party lines to get children back in school as soon as possible," Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, said about the unanimous vote that required no roll call.

"All of us recognize the significant loss of children not being in school," he continued. "All of us have seen or heard from constituents about the insufficiency of long-term online learning for children, especially at the elementary and middle school levels."

The measure also bars administrators from requiring teachers to do double-duty next school year in teaching students both in person and online, since many districts are already planning to continue offering an online-only option. And it gives districts more flexibility in rehiring retired teachers over the next three years in an effort to help fill shortages and get students back on track.

Whether the legislation ultimately requires a mid-April return will depend on if  and how quickly  the state House acts on it. The chamber returns April 6 after a one-week break.

Twenty-five of South Carolina's 79 traditional school districts remain in a weekly mix of in-person and online learning. None are still operating fully online, according to the state Department of Education.

Those numbers are already set to improve post-spring break. Just seven school districts expect to still operate in a hybrid format April 12. Three of those  Orangeburg and Sumter counties, and Florence 3 in Lake City  had planned for a full return a week later. Colleton County set a full return for May 3.

Greenville County, where elementary and middle schools are already operating on a full-week schedule, has not set a date for high schoolers to transition to five days weekly but plans to do so in the coming weeks.

The only districts that had planned no full return this school year are the two in poor, rural Hampton County, according to the K-12 education agency.

State Superintendent Molly Spearman applauded the Senate's action, which ensures "every school will be fully open for in-person learning now and into the future."

"Every family must be given the option of sending their child to school five days a week face to face, and the science shows that this can be done safely in every community," she said, thanking educators in districts who made the option available throughout the school year. Nineteen  or a quarter of the state's districts  had offered a full return by Thanksgiving.

Many teachers protested returning to the classroom before widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines.

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Teachers and other K-12 employees became eligible for vaccination March 8, among an estimated 2.7 million South Carolinians who could newly sign up for a shot. Many districts were able to quickly schedule vaccine clinics for their staff through prearranged plans with local providers.

Colleton County was the last district March 31 to hold a vaccine clinic, after its initial one was postponed due to weather, said Spearman's spokesman, Ryan Brown.

It's unclear how many of the state's 123,000 public K-12 employees have taken advantage of the clinics and how many are choosing not to get a shot. Spearman's agency is in the process of surveying districts, Brown said.

The state's biggest teacher advocacy group supported the bill.

"The five-day return, at this point, is appropriate," said Patrick Kelly with the Palmetto State Teachers Association. "It feels like the appropriate move in the best interest of our students."

It follows not only teachers getting access to vaccines but also the federal government revising safety guidelines for adequate separation in schools, from 6 feet to 3 feet, and plenty availability of protective equipment, he noted.

Beyond the tens of millions of dollars' worth of safety items provided to districts by Spearman's agency last summer, the federal government has allocated $3 billion to school districts statewide over the last year for local officials to spend on a variety of items, including safety measures.

But it's the other two provisions in the bill that the teachers' group is happiest about.

Many teachers have had to essentially teach the same lesson twice this school year to students in the classroom and in the online mode. The measure would bar that in 2021-22 except in "extreme and unavoidable circumstances," and when that happens, the teacher would have to be paid extra.

The dual-instructional mode is "burning teachers out and having a detrimental affect on learning because teachers' attention is so divided," they can't give sufficient time to either group, Kelly said.

He also hopes the ability to rehire retired teachers at a salary of up to $50,000 a year without losing their pension payments will encourage teachers to come back to the classroom. That would be a good use of the federal stimulus money, he said.

"At the end of the day, remediating learning loss will come down to one-on-one time," Kelly said. "We need as many instructors as possible."

Clarification: This story has been updated April 1 to reflect that Greenville County school officials plan a full return to high school classrooms in the coming weeks but have not set a date to do so. Information received March 31 from the state Department of Education about which districts are not expected to fully return by April 12 did not include Greenville County.
Teachers, special needs assistants and gardai have reacted angrily to the news that they are being pushed down the vaccine priority list.

Education workers are set to lose their placing on the schedule that would have put them ahead of certain age-based groups, and in the first 30pc of those to get the jab.

It is understood Education Minister Norma Foley had no advance knowledge of the proposal that was agreed at Cabinet yesterday.

Ms Foley had previously asked that education staff be moved up the list, but once endorsed by Nphet, the change to the schedule has the status of public health advice and the Department of Educations standard position is to follow public health advice.

All three teacher unions are now seeking an urgent meeting with the department.

Irish National Teachers Organisation general secretary John Boyle described the change as unacceptable and called on the Government to reconsider.

He said it would abandon carefully considered priority groups who are working on the frontline.

Teachers Union of Ireland general secretary Michael Gillespie said it would put many essential education workers further down the prioritisation list at a time when the Governments stated key objective was to fully reopen schools in a safe manner.

Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland president Ann Piggott said they were shocked and dismayed at the move.

Forsas head of education, Andy Pike, who represents SNAs, said they and other staff had recently returned to schools on the basis that they would be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Responding to the move last night, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) and the Garda Representative Association condemned the drastic change in policy and said it will see our members continue to be exposed to a high-risk working environment.

Gardai will not forget the way they have been treated during this crisis, they warned.

AGSI general secretary Antoinette Cunningham said the move was a poor decision and shows scant regard for the unique and high-risk job that gardai do in policing Covid-19.

What is ironic and contradictory here is the Government are asking people not to meet indoors or gather in large groups to stop community transmission, yet gardai are going from Covid-call to Covid-call and potentially acting as super-spreaders from the very virus that they are trying to control.

We are deeply disappointed and we are once again appealing to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to consider the role gardai play in policing Covid-19.
Rome, N.Y.  A Utica man was charged Wednesday with shooting another man in the leg on St. Patricks Day at a Byrne Dairy in Rome, according to a Rome Police Department news release.

Joseph F. Amberg Jr., 35, was arrested by Utica police at 12:55 a.m., Wednesday on Steuben Street in Utica, police said.

Amberg was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree assault after the March 17 shooting, police said.

Police found a weapon  which has been sent to a lab for testing  when arresting Amberg, police said.

Amberg is being held until arraignment at the Oneida County Jail.

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.
[March 31, 2021] Cloud-Native Development Leader Lightbend's Akka Cloud Platform Now Available on Google Cloud Marketplace

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbend, the company providing cloud-native microservice frameworks for some of the worlds largest brands, today announced its Akka Cloud Platform is now available on Google Cloud Marketplace. As a result, enterprise development teams leveraging Google Cloud Marketplace can take advantage of Akka Cloud Platforms unique capabilities to quickly build and deploy cloud-native microservices that easily integrate with other services and third-party services, such as Kafka. By doing so, these enterprises can quickly tackle complex digital transformation initiatives such as IoT, real-time financial processes, and modern e-commerce while taking full advantage of the massive scale, high resiliency and low latency the cloud delivers.

Akka Cloud Platform is built on Lightbends powerful Akka Platform technology, a leading framework for building large-scale distributed applications. With more than 20 million downloads annually, Akka is one of the most used programming models for cloud-native applications running on containers on Kubernetes. A well-architected solution built on Akka Platform delivers some of the highest possible performance, scalability, and resilience with the lowest possible cloud costs. This is why enterprises such as Starbucks, Verizon, Tubi, and John Deere use Akka to develop microservices-based applications optimized for distributed cloud computing requirements of unlimited scale and infallible resiliency to power their most mission-critical business applications. We are thrilled Akka Cloud Platform is now part of the Google Cloud Marketplace, says James Ward, eveloper advocate at Google Cloud. Akka Cloud Platform provides organizations optimized operations with Google Clouds advanced market-leading services for helping solve businesses toughest challenges.



The release of Akka Cloud Platform on the Google Cloud Marketplace is another step forward in Lightbends goal of giving every developer the application architecture required to successfully implement their businesss digitally transformative strategies. By easily integrating those applications with relevant Google Cloud services, organizations gain the ability to fully leverage the powerful distributed computing technology of Google Cloud just like many of the worlds most innovative companies, said Brad Murdoch, EVP Strategy and Product at Lightbend. Akka Cloud Platform for Google Cloud Marketplace optimizes the capabilities of Akka into the Google Cloud ecosystem, including improved deployment in the Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). Telemetry and observability provide advanced system monitoring and management and there are simple integration paths for relevant Google Cloud services. Billing is managed through the Google Cloud Marketplace. Lightbend will continue its release of Akka Cloud Platform on additional cloud service providers throughout 2021.

Learn more about Akka Cloud Platform. About Lightbend

Lightbend (@Lightbend) is leading the enterprise transformation toward real-time, cloud-native applications and setting the standard for cloud native architectures. Lightbend provides scalable, high-performance microservices frameworks and streaming engines for building data-centric systems that are optimized to run on cloud-native infrastructure like Red Hat OpenShift. Lightbend powers the worlds most innovative companies. For more information, visit www.lightbend.com. Editorial Contact

Joanne Harris

+1 425 295 1373

joanne.harris@lightbend.com Nichols Communications for Lightbend

Jay Nichols

+1 408 772 1551

jay@nicholscomm.com





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New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission has declared the Combined Medical Services Examination 2020 (CMSE 2020) results on its official website www.upsc.gov.in.

The candidates have been selected on the basis of the Computer-based examination (Part  I) of the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2020 that was held by the UPSC on October 22, 2020, and a Personality Test (Part  II) that was conducted between January and March 2021.

The candidates have been recommended for appointment to the posts under the following two categories:

Category-I: Junior Scale Posts in Central Health Service.

Category-II:

(i) Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in the Railways.

(ii) Assistant Medical Officer in Indian Ordnance Factories Health Service.

(iii) General Duty Medical Officer in New Delhi Municipal Council and

(iv) General Duty Medical Officer Gr-II in East Delhi Municipal Corporation, North Delhi Municipal Corporation and South Delhi Municipal Corporation.

Know how to check Combined Medical Services Examination 2020 (CMSE 2020)

1. Go to UPSC's official website www.upsc.gov.in.

2. Click on the 'Final Results' dashboard.

3. Click on the 'Examination Final Results'.

4. A new window will open from where you can download the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2020 results.

The Union Public Service Commission has informed the number of vacancies that are to be filled:

Category-I: Total 182 (GENERAL 73, OBC 91, EWS 18 including 2 vacancies for Persons with benchmark disability PwBD-I, 2 for PwBD-2, 2 for PwBD-3 and 2 for PwBD-4 and 5).

Category  II: Total 378 (GENERAL 154, OBC 134, SC 25, ST 27, EWS 38 including 14 for PwBD-I)

A total of 179 candidates have been recommended for appointment in Category-I, whereas, 343 candidates have been recommended for appointment in Category-II.

Click here for the full list Category- I

Click here for the full list Category- II

The UPSC said that the offer of appointment will not be issued till the Commission verifies the original documents awaited from such candidates. The provisionality of these candidates will remain valid only for a period of six months from the date of declaration of final result.

It also said that in case the provisional candidate fails to submit the requisite documents in original as required by the Commission within this period, his candidature will be cancelled and no further correspondence would be entertained in this regard.

The Union Public Service Commission also has a 'Facilitation Counter' near the Examination Hall Building in its Campus.

"Candidates may obtain any information/clarification relating to this Examination on working days between 10:00 A.M. and 05:00 P.M. in person or over Telephone Nos. 011-23385271 and 011-23381125 from this Counter," the UPSC said.

The mark sheet is expected to be available on the website www.upsc.gov.in within fifteen days from the date of publication of the result.
For better or worse, we have become a nation of Nimbys. 'Not In My Back Yard' is now the default response to any proposal for building anything bigger than a shed.

Suggest a few houses on the edge of a village and locals will be up in arms. Announce plans for a new supermarket, and a militant residents' action group will be up and running by teatime (unless it is a Waitrose). As for a wind turbine, well, that is a declaration of war.

Except in this one rugged corner of the kingdom, however. I am standing in Britain's only Nimby-free zone.

The people of Whitehaven, and the surrounding borough of Copeland, do not just live contentedly alongside the largest nuclear site in Europe, Sellafield. They also find themselves next to the proposed location of Britain's first new deep coal mine this century. And I do not hear a bat squeak of protest from them.

For better or worse, we have become a nation of Nimbys. 'Not In My Back Yard' is now the default response to any proposal for building anything bigger than a shed. Pictured: Haig Colliery in Whitehaven, Cumbria in the 1960s

This will be no modest operation here on the west Cumbrian coast. The plans are for a whopper, with shafts running four miles out into the Irish Sea, a quarter of a mile beneath the waves. The site will employ more than 500 people and produce millions of tons of coal, which will travel along its own railway to link up with the main network.

The proposed colliery is due to be built on open land right in front of a new housing development. So what do local people have to say?

'We're all for it. Everyone wants this mine,' says Steve Nicholson, a Sellafield union leader whose home will actually overlook the colliery if it takes shape. 'The only people against it are those who are not from round here.'

Mining is in the local DNA. Coal is to Whitehaven as brewing is to Burton. What residents object to is being painted as a bunch of desperate throwbacks to the days of pit ponies, canaries and emaciated children in baskets being lowered into the sulphurous gloom.

The hefty old pithead machinery still looms above the town and the sea but it is a monument (and once part of a museum) to an old pit that finally closed in 1986. The new one, Woodhouse Colliery, will be a low-lying, futuristic facility on the overgrown site of a former chemical works a mile away.

Except in this one rugged corner of the kingdom, however. I am standing in Britain's only Nimby-free zone. Pictured: Computer graphic of the proposed mine at the site

Whitehaven is not sitting on any old coal. It straddles seams of top-quality metallurgical 'coking' coal essential to steel production.

No amount of Extinction Rebellion stunts can alter the fact that the world still needs steel. We need it to make hospitals and schools and, yes, eco-friendly solar panels, wind turbines and electric cars.

To make all that steel, we need metallurgical coal. And, at present, steelworks in the UK and Europe must buy that coal from the U.S.

So a company called West Cumbria Mining has applied to do the same job much closer to home  saving the cost and emissions incurred by importing millions of tons across the Atlantic. In doing so, it will breathe new life into this part of the UK.

There will be no Victorian cages clanking down into the bowels of the earth. These miners (including Britain's first female colliers) will be driven to the automated coalface in electric 4x4s. With projected salaries of about 50,000-60,000, it's no surprise that 1,500 people have already pre-registered for a job. Everyone's itching to get down t'pit.

The people of Whitehaven, and the surrounding borough of Copeland, do not just live contentedly alongside the largest nuclear site in Europe, Sellafield. Pictured: Miners at the Haig Colliery in the 1960s

'I put my name down as soon as I heard,' says Neil Messenger, 57, who worked in the old colliery until it closed, spent 25 years as a fireman, and now wants to get mining again.

'You can't beat that camaraderie. No job like it.'

Unfortunately for Neil, his family and everyone else, however, their plans have now been derailed by a combination of council jobsworths, environmental activists and a cabal of knee-jerk Westminster coal-haters  with Labour, of all people, leading the charge.

If it's not strange enough to be in a town built on coal and rugby league that is now run by Tories, it's even odder to find that the people fighting hardest to close the local pit (before it even opens) are the heirs to Keir Hardie and Arthur Scargill.

Local Labour county councillor Emma Williamson, who backs the colliery, is sad to admit to me that she finds herself a 'rebel' for defending miners in an old mining town.

Robert Hardman (pictured): The proposed colliery is due to be built on open land right in front of a new housing development. So what do local people have to say?

The Labour argument is that the coal mine will increase Britain's carbon emissions and must, therefore, be stopped at all costs.

To which the people of Whitehaven point out that those emissions are going to happen anyway, since we still need steel. So do we want to pay American miners and pretend to be virtuous planet-saving good guys? Or do we want to pay our own?

Adding fuel (literally) to the fire is the fact that Britain is preparing to host this year's UN COP26 global climate change summit. Boris Johnson's Government wants the world to sign up to big cuts in carbon emissions. How can we possibly do that, many argue, if we are simultaneously opening a new coal mine?

It is this which has stalled seven years of planning here in Whitehaven. 'No new mine in history has been scrutinised as carefully as this one,' says Mark Kirkbride, the Teeside-born geologist who runs West Cumbria Mining. Cumbria County Council's development committee has overwhelmingly approved the plans three times.

However, with the summit approaching, opponents have been piling pressure on both the council and the Government to intervene. In January, Lord Deben, the former Tory minister John Gummer who chairs the UK's advisory Climate Change Committee, urged the Government to scrap the mine scheme.

Last month Labour's Shadow Business Secretary, Ed Miliband, appeared on telly saying: 'We can't be opening new coal mines.'

Almost immediately, the Labour leader of Cumbria County Council took the hint, ignored all past decisions by his development committee and told members to think again. At which point, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick finally 'called in' the plan, urged on by Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

It will now be the subject of yet another public inquiry in September, just weeks before the summit starts.

The antis have been joined by a grand alliance of international schmoozers, led by former U.S. secretary of state John Kerry, America's envoy to the talks.

'Coal is not the future,' he pronounced on the BBC when Newsnight asked him about Cumbria the other day. 'All over the world, coal plants are closing.'

Yet his own country produces 600 million tons per year, while Cumbria is proposing to extract just 0.5 per cent of that amount. 'Isn't it odd,' observes West Cumbria Mining's Mark Kirkbride, 'that someone from a country with huge mining interests is saying the UK should not open a new mine?'

Besides, the interview is misleading. Mr Kerry was talking about coal production in general (most coal is burned to generate electricity, something Britain has stopped doing altogether). The BBC did not point out to him that Cumbria's coal is only for making steel.

'No investment firm is going to invest in a new coal plant,' declared the omniscient Mr Kerry, clearly unaware that West Cumbria Mining's investors have already sunk 36 million into this one.

Pictured: Core examples of Metallurgical coal which is to be mined

It all adds to the sense of far-away know-alls scuppering a scheme that seems entirely logical here in Cumbria. A few also feel that southern bien pensants want to punish the area for being ardently pro-Brexit.

That's the view on the streets of Whitehaven, where I can find no one who is opposed to the scheme. Not a single one.

'We're in a pandemic and you've got a chance of 500 jobs?' says paramedic Brandon Berry, 24. 'What are we waiting for?' I see no signs against the mine, no posters, not even graffiti.

There has been the odd demonstration, but not by locals. A few months back, a handful of Extinction Rebellion protesters from elsewhere turned up at the county council offices, posed for the cameras then drove home.

Many Cumbrians are opposed to the mine, but they hail from the tourist-dependent Beatrix Potter/Lake District part of the county, and not its industrial perimeter.

'This town understands energy and is not afraid of it,' says Mike Starkie, the executive mayor of Copeland and, as it happens, a Conservative. 'People need to stop looking at metallurgical coal as a thing of the past. This whole project is driven by the latest technology.'

Mr Starkie explains that the colliery will not just produce 500 direct jobs but bring at least another 1,500 supply-chain jobs to a local workforce with some formidable brains. With Sellafield up the road, he points out, one in five workers round here is a graduate.

Whitehaven's main shopping street is now a run-down via dolorosa of empty spaces, but there are encouraging signs, too.

The former bus station is about to reopen as a Google-style hub for 'tech, digital, media, and creative start-ups' with a 100-seat restaurant attached.

It has a full list of tenants and owner, BEC, the local regeneration firm, has plans for a new hotel and training centre overlooking the handsome Georgian harbour.

It's why the locals resent being patronised by southern eco-zealots who think that coal mining belongs in an L.S. Lowry painting and who can't be bothered to study the specifics of this case. 'People around here are more technically literate than almost anywhere else I know,' says local borough councillor Steven Morgan. He is no naive sentimentalist. He is actually a retired U.S. navy rear admiral and Vietnam veteran who served in nuclear submarines before running major infrastructure projects at Sellafield, Heathrow and for the Ministry of Defence.

Whitehaven bus station is the last place I would expect to be discussing energy policy with an American admiral  but then this town does have the distinction of being the only place in Britain ever invaded by the U.S. (in an abortive raid in 1778).

Rear Admiral Morgan, 72, tells me he would still be a Liberal Democrat were it not for the party's opposition to the mine. Instead, he sits on Copeland council as an independent.

'This country needs a steel industry and that steel industry needs coking as part of a mixed bag of energy sources,' he says.

In his view, the only reason that the mine has been blocked is 'because this summit means that Boris Johnson has a hypocrisy problem'. He is confident that once the summit is over, the Government will give the mine a green light anyway.

After all, with more than enough coal for UK steel plants, this mine will also export to Europe.

Who would have imagined, just a few years ago, that a proud northern town like Whitehaven would have a Tory mayor and MP?

Trudy Harrison has won here three times on the trot and is parliamentary private secretary to Boris Johnson. She is passionately pro-mine. 'We need steel for just about all manufacturing  anyone saying we don't is in cloud cuckoo land,' she told her local paper.

Neighbouring Workington is a former steel town, where the revolutionary Bessemer steel process was pioneered and made most of the world's railway tracks.

When analysts tried to explain the collapse of Labour's so-called northern 'Red Wall' at the last election, many pointed to 'Workington Man' (and Woman). As one senior Tory argued, London-based eco-zealots are doing their best to turn it into 'Woke-ington'.

The town's Tory MP, Mark Jenkinson, says that many there are desperate for the jobs which the mine will generate.

He pooh-poohs environmentalists' talk of giving people unspecified 'green jobs' and of using hydrogen for steel-making.

'The hydrogen technology simply isn't there yet,' says a man who actually worked at the town's British Steel plant. 'So what are steelworks going to burn instead? Tyres? Wood?'

The one Cumbrian MP opposed to the mine is the county's only non-Tory MP, Tim Farron.

The former Lib Dem leader accepts there is an issue with U.S. coal imports, but says the UK must do all it can to push the steel industry away from coal. 'Making it easier for them to carry on using coal is like giving the alcoholic another drink,' he argues.

In short, this boils down to a simple question: should we pay our own people to get their hands dirty or pay another country to do the work? Do we choose pragmatism or piety?

In Whitehaven, they don't want virtuous self-flagellation. They want jobs.
Rapid testing for Covid-19 may be introduced to schools in September and also used in workplaces such as construction sites after they reopen, it emerged today.

HSEs head of testing and tracing Niamh O Beirne, said these tests which have a quick turnaround but are not as accurate as the standard PCR test, could become one of the tools used in the control of infection.

It also emerged that walk-in Covid-19 testing centres are to open this week in Navan in Co Meath, as well as in Finglas the Balbriggan in Dublin.

They will be open to people without symptoms who would like to be tested for the virus.

The move is part of a drive to pick up the virus in people who are unaware they are infected in areas of high incidence.

Existing centres in Dublin and Offaly, which were in operation for the past week, will close this evening.

Positivity rates in some areas particularly west Dublin were as high as 3pc.

It comes as the HSE started its backward tracing today which aims to delve further into where the source of virus spread is.

Instead of going back two days in the history of a person who tests positive it will try track the movement of the virus back seven days.

Dr Greg Martin, HSEs clinical lead on the contact management programme said it has been done in very few countries in the world.

Around 20pc of cases still cannot be traced back to source.

He said the aim is to identify where transmission has occurred in more cases and to use this information where possible to interrupt the chains of transmission .

He added; To-date 825 staff have been recruited to work within the Contact Management Programme, which is in addition to the clinical and non-clinical staff across our Public Health Departments.

Contact tracers focus on non-complex individual cases in the communityby assisting confirmed cases to recall everyone with whom they have had close contact with over 7 days.

Our Public Health Departments focus on confirmed cases in complex settings including schools and nursing homes.Public Health Departments examine the data and combine it with their knowledge of the Regional disease patterns.

They will offer testing for potential sources as needed and put in place public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus.

Asked about infection risk and infection rates in occupational settings Mai Mannix, public health specialist in the mid west said that what we are consistently finding investigating the workplace whether its gardai, teachers or a factory setting it is that people are not adhering to public health guidance at work.

They have not been wearing masks consistently. They have not been wearing masks in crowded offices .

"They have not been physically distancing and and meeting at break times.

It is not related to the profession.It is very much related to behaviours in our experience.

Dr Miriam Owens, public health specialist in Dublin north city and county said there is a similar experience in the east of the country.

Workers can be doing everything right in the workplace but when they are outside they are congregating and going for coffee breaks or travelling in the same car.

We are all at risk no matter where we are if we dont adhere to these simple measures, she said.
Praise be, because Hulu just released a new trailer for Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale. The new trailer is not only filled with action, but it also hints that the show will possibly have new shocking twists for fans.

For three seasons, fans have complained about June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) being trapped in Gilead. Based on the trailer for the fourth season, it seems likely that June does manage to escape.

[Spoiler alert: The following article contains possible spoilers for Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale.]

Elisabeth Moss | Phillip Faraone/WireImage

There are multiple trailers for Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale

On Feb. 25, Hulu released a teaser trailer for Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale. This is the first trailer that hinted June could possibly make it to Canada or a Canadian territory at some point in the fourth season.

At the end of the trailer, June is seen on a dock with a Canadian flag hanging on a flag pole in the background. There are multiple people on the dock with her, along with three SUVs.

June looks at the camera, and in a voiceover says, My name is June Osborne. I am a citizen of the United States.

Hulu released a second trailer for Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale on March 30. The new trailer appears to pick up where the last one left off with June standing on the dock.

RELATED: Everything You Missed in the New The Handmaids Tale Trailer

In a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, Luke Bankole (O-T Fagbenle), Junes husband, appears to be standing beside her. Luke previously escaped to Canada, meaning it is possible the two reunite because June escapes.

A look at the other hints June escapes in The Handmaids Tale

In a voiceover, fans can hear Mark Tuello (Sam Jaeger), a U.S. government representative, speak with June.

Ms. Osborne, if you were returned to Gilead, would you be subject to danger of torture, a risk to your life, or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment? Tuello asks in a voiceover.

Just based on the words if you were returned to Gilead, fans can assume that June makes it out of Gilead. Tuellos words are also similar to the speech recited to Emily Malek (Alexis Bledel) when she escaped to Canada in the third season.

Midway through the trailer, June is seen dressed in civilian clothes standing in the rubble. June is discovered by Moira Strand (Samira Wiley), her best friend who escaped to Canada in the first season.

Moira is shown telling someone offscreen that June is public enemy No. 1 in Gilead. Shes not gonna last another week here.

This hints that Moira possibly goes back into Gilead to try and help June. Later in the trailer, June and Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) have a conversation and Nick tells June, Freedom suits you.

At the end of the trailer, there is another blink-and-you-miss-it moment, and fans can clearly see June in an elevator with Luke, Moira, and Tuello.

Will June return to Gilead?

Based on all of these clues, it seems pretty certain that June makes her way out of Gilead at some point in the fourth season. Of course, the question is, will June actually stay free?

As fans of The Handmaids Tale know, June vowed to not leave Gilead without her daughter Hannah (Jordana Blake). In the caption of the new trailer on YouTube, Hulu wrote, Freedom is just the beginning.

Based on this, one can assume that Hulu wants fans to know that June will make it out of Gilead in the fourth season. However, it seems that what comes after she presumably escapes is a big secret.

Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale will premiere on Hulu on April 28.
BAY CITY, MI - Bay City is one of the multiple municipalities across the state that have taken to using Zoom for conducting virtual meetings. Now, the city is looking to keep up that practices as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Bay City Mayor Kathleen Newsham declared a local state of emergency for the city on Wednesday, March 31, which according to the city, was done to allow the citys various boards and commissions to meet safely in a virtual environment without violating the Open Meetings Act.

As vaccinations for city/county residents are ongoing, and to minimize unnecessary exposure, boards and commissions will continue to meet in a virtual setting to alleviate the spread of COVID-19, said a statement from the city.

According to the city, the declaration was made by Newsham due to the fact that state act PA 254 of 2020 will expire on April 1, which specifically addresses the use of virtual meetings and the Open Meetings Act.

The mayors local state of emergency will be in effect for seven days as outlined in City Ordinance - Sec. 52-6. The declaration will remain in effect until the expiration date on April 6 unless extended by the consent of the city commission.

As of Tuesday, March 30, the Bay County Health Department is reporting that there have been 7,860 total positive cases of COVID-19 in the county. The department is currently seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases among young adults. From the week of March 23 - 30, the health department reported that over 40% of all new cases in the past week are those 35 years and younger with only 8% of all cases being attributed to those over the age of 65.

The health department reports that 49,017 COVID-19 vaccination doses have been administered in the county as of March 30, which is equal to 37.4% of the total countys population.

In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the city is asking residents to follow these recommendations from the Center of Disease Control:

Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

Avoid handshakes

Avoid contact with people who are sick

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

If you are sick, stay home

More from MLive:

Bay County sees an increase in COVID-19 cases among young adults

6 ways that Michigans current COVID-19 spike differs from fall surge

Michigans COVID-19 numbers increasing at troubling pace. Whats going on?

Gender gap in pandemic unemployment shrinking, but mothers still left behind

When congregations cant congregate: Pandemic forces Michiganders to rethink church
[March 31, 2021] Oil Insurance Limited (OIL) Declares $380 Million Dividend and Modifies Designated Named Windstorm (DNWS) Definition

OIL held its March 2021 Board Meeting on Wednesday, March 24th at its offices on 3 Bermudiana Road in Hamilton, Bermuda. During the meeting, the directors approved the Company's 2020 financial statements, discussed the development of its Strategic Plan, approved the payment of a $380 million dividend on June 30th, 2021 for shareholders of record on March 24th, 2021 and modified the DNWS Definition. For 2020, OIL recorded a $66.9 million underwriting profit. After factoring in net investment gains and administrative expenses, OIL's net profit for the year was $466.5 million. For additional information about OIL's 2020 financial results, please visit www.oil.bm to view our audited financial statements. The Company modified the Definition of DNWS in order to minimize the chances future named storms, which originate outside of the Atlantic Basin, become classified as DNWS. A storm's center, instead of just a portion of a storm, now determines if it enters the Atlantic asin and becomes a DNWS. The change is effective as of March 24th, 2021.



Fabrizio Mastrantonio, Chairman of the Board, explained, "The Board decided to authorize the $380 million dividend after carefully reviewing the company's multi-year Capital Management Plan and while considering future capital needs that may come out of its Strategic Plan which will be finalized in 2021." Bertil Olsson, President and CEO commented, "the strong performance in 2020 and the robust capital position of the company has enabled us to once again return a significant amount of capital to our shareholders and demonstrate the superior value of the OIL model."

For more information about OIL's property coverages and related value go to www.oil.bm. Oil Insurance Limited (OIL) insures over $3.0 trillion of global energy assets for more than fifty members with property limits up to $400 million totaling more than $21 billion in total A rated property capacity. Members are medium to large sized public and private energy companies with at least $1 billion in physical property assets and an investment grade rating or equivalent. Products/coverage offered include Property (Physical Damage), Windstorm (excluding Offshore GOM), Non Gradual Pollution, Control of Well, Removal of Wreck, Terrorism, Cyber, Construction and Cargo. The industry sectors that OIL protects include Offshore and Onshore Exploration & Production, Refining and Marketing, Petrochemicals, Mining, Pipelines, Electric Utilities, Renewables and other related energy business sectors. Further inquiries regarding this press release should be directed to George Hutchings, SVP & COO at george.hutchings@oil.bm or +1 (441) 295-0905. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005894/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) MPs will be in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Wednesday, at 10.00, to request an "urgent" meeting with Minister Lucian Bode and demand "immediate suspension of those involved in the abuses committed last night in Braila against the peaceful protesters, some of them minors," announced party's co-chair George Simion.

"At the same time, we demand the sanctioning of the Bucharest prefect for political partisanship and the misleading of public opinion. Alin Stoica, the capital's prefect, said on Tuesday that those responsible for Monday's protests that degenerated into violence are those from AUR," Simion was quoted as saying in a press release sent to AGERPRES.
Grace Bay Resorts chief operating officer Nikheel Advani encourages US travellers to visit the TCI on Fox Business show Mornings with Maria (Screenshot/Fox Business)

Minister of Tourism Hon. Josephine Connolly has said tourist arrivals from the United States to the Turks and Caicos Islands will increase over the next few months.





Despite the demand plunge in the tourism sector due to Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions, local tourism officials are optimistic that the tide will turn for the industry.





" projections for the next coming months show an encouraging increase in arrivals from the United States, our main market, Connolly said during her ministerial speech during the House of Assembly on Monday, March 22.





The tourism minister said that with increases in vaccination rates the ministry will have to determine how it will manage the TCI Assured portal in the coming months.





"The ministry and Tourist Board spent most of the last year very much involved with the Covid-19 response and the setting up and management of the TCI Assured portal, she said.





"The portal continues to assess persons entering the country to avoid the importation of Covid-19.





She explained that in the coming weeks, the Ministry of Tourism will assess the workings of the portal and work with the Ministry of Health to review the current entry protocols.





April and May are traditionally peak travel months for US tourists to the TCI.





"Although, we know we will not meet the pre Covid numbers, we are still encouraged that the numbers regarding arrivals show increases in arrival, the minister said.





"This is not for us to let our guard down. We are promoting our Islands as a safe and secure destination with clear pre-arrival protocols and a vaccination programme.





She urged residents to get vaccinated.





"This act helps you and helps our country as well, it will put us on the map as a country that is doing all it can to prevent and protect against the spread of Covid-19.





Promoting TCI

The Tourist Board has been working with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, a public relations firm and local tourism partners to promote destination TCI.





"Our public relations and marketing teams are continuing an aggressive promotional programme centred around the safety and security of visits to the TCI, Connolly said.





As part of the campaign, Grace Bay Resorts chief operating officer Nikheel Advani appeared live on Fox Business show Mornings with Maria on Thursday, March 25.





During the programme, hosted by veteran business journalist Maria Bartiromo, Advani said despite the setbacks brought on by the pandemic, the TCI is still one of the most sought-after destinations in the region.





"Weve had about a year which has been very quiet and weve opened our shores in the Turks and Caicos on July 22 [2020] and it was slow to start with, but it gave us time to kind of understand how the CDC guidelines are working, working with our Ministry of Health.





"Our Governor Nigel Dakin took a very proactive role to open up the Islands in the most sensible way but this is all new to all of us.





"Since then, weve done about 10,000 guests but in the last three weeks particularly. The phones have been ringing off the hook and in March and April it will be tough to find a room.





Advani said the trend is projected to carry on throughout the summer given the travel restrictions for many European countries.





"Our market is mainly the United Statesweve opened our door from day one and weve said Americans are welcome because there were so many places that were saying you cant go here and you cant go there, but we decided look you are our key market.





He underscored that strict protocols are in place to ensure the safety of residents and guests.





"Were going to do this safely and weve got great advice from CDC, and our own Ministry of Health, so were going to do this with you.





"Thats been great and thats been received really well. Weve been tried and tested, so many guests are coming back feeling very comfortable that the protocols are really working.
Parents Capture Photos of Preemies First Cuddle With Twin Brother Since Being Separated at Birth

A premature twin baby, who was born much smaller than her sibling, was separated from her brother at birth due to health concerns. But after successful treatment, the twins were reunited, and their parents captured incredible photos of them cuddling together for the first time.

Parents Laura Hough and Chris Carey, of Walton in the north of England, were warned that baby Neve might not survive. The placenta was deteriorating. And as the smaller twin, Neve suffered compromised blood circulation; she was not getting enough nutrients in utero.

Laura started seeing doctors twice a week.

They wanted [Neve] to make it to 28 weeks so they were keeping an eye on her blood flow, said Laura, 27, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, and because it stayed stable, they pushed it to 30 weeks.

Laura Hough and Chris Carey during her pregnancy (Courtesy of Chris Carey)

Neve and her twin brother Louie were growing in separate sacs. His development was healthy, but due to risks posed to his sisters survival, Laura was admitted to Liverpool Womens Hospital for an emergency caesarean section on March 8.

Baby Louie was born weighing 3 pounds 3 ounces (approx. 1.45 kg). Neve weighed just 1 pound 7 ounces (approx. 0.65 kg), yet she came out fighting and not even needing to be hooked up to an oxygen supply. Shes smaller than a babys doll but shes doing so well, shes unbelievable, said Laura.

In a surprising turn, it was her twin brother who ended up needing medical assistance.

Baby Neve after she was born (Courtesy of Chris Carey)

Newborn baby Louie with his dad, Chris (Courtesy of Chris Carey)

It was Louie, the first-time mom explained, both of his lungs collapsed because he had air in them. So he ended up receiving treatment to drain the air out of his lungs.

Doctors decided to separate the twins so Louie could receive emergency treatment. It wasnt until two weeks later that the babies, still dramatically disparate in size, were reunited and placed side by side in the same incubator.

Photos captured by new parents show Neve and Louie lovingly wrapped in each others arms and legs, kissing, and clasping hands. The heartwarming reunion was shared by the father on Facebook, where the photos went viral.

Louie (L) and Neve reunited (Courtesy of Chris Carey)

It was horrible when they were separated at birth, but I cried tears of joy when they got back together, Laura told the BBC. The new parents and their extended family hope to welcome the babies home in May.

Laura said her doctors had never seen a baby like Neveso tiny, yet strong enough not to require medical intervention. They said theyll miss [the twins] when they leave, she added, because they need more little fighters like that to keep them going.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired Newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
There are two interesting parts to this theory:

1) Two years before Cobain's death and the end of Nirvana in 1994, Weezer came onto the scene, which means that for two years, their bands co-existed. Believers claim that they never had any overlapping shows, meaning their gigs fit together like puzzle pieces to make people coming up with these theories, like, rock hard. However, this point gets infinitely dumber if you actually go and compare their schedules. There are clear overlaps, guys. Down with the rock-hard boners. Unless we're talking about magical top-secret teleportation methods actually existing, there's no way Cobain could be in Ireland and a club in California at the same time. There are also a couple of overlaps during December of 1993, but who cares when someone already said otherwise. Proof and logic do not a boner make, clearly.

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2) Cuomo has had some fun embracing this dumb but also kind of complimentary conspiracy theory. The guy's quirky like that, so it shouldn't be surprising that he played along during a podcast interview by doing his best Cobain impression and pretending like the theory is true. He said how movies about "him" (as Cobain) just never got it right, he talked about how his band moved to L.A., but everyone there was just obsessed about "things called songs and hooks and lyrics," and he joked around about what it would look like if he really was Cobain turned Cuomo.

Drew de F Fawkes/Wikimedia Commons No word on if he did it because he was just tired of those cardigans.

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It's weird when you see it as him playing along with a somewhat insensitive conspiracy theory, hilarious when you listen to him speak about leaving clues and breadcrumbs during his "Nirvana days," and sad when you realize he's just a big ol' superfan paying tribute to a guy he absolutely loved and adored.

All the feels. Let's just listen to the Weezer cover of "Lithium'." You know, the one that made Dave Grohl cry.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A woman was groped while walking near Clove Lakes Park in broad daylight Friday morning, and police have released a sketch of a man they are trying to identify in connection with the incident.

The forcible-touching incident occurred at about 8:40 a.m. at the corner of Slosson and Martling avenues, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

A 36-year-old woman was walking when an unknown man approached her from behind and squeezed her buttocks and breasts before fleeing on foot, according to the police statement.

Police are trying to identify a man sought for questioning after a woman was groped at the northwest corner of Slosson and Martling avenues in West Brighton on March 26 at about 8:40 a.m. The forcible-touching incident happened near Clove Lakes Park. (Staten Island Advance/Maura Grunlund)

The NYPD released a sketch of an individual sought in connection with the incident.

He is described as a 20-to-30-year-old man who stands about 54 tall and weighs about 130 pounds. He has brown eyes, a dark complexion and long, wavy black hair. He was seen wearing black jeans, a cream colored shirt, surgical mask and sandals, according to the police statement.

NYPD Crime Stoppers posted on Twitter a notice of a potential $2,500 reward for tips leading to an arrest in the crime.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS) or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782 (PISTA). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

Police are trying to identify a man sought for questioning after a woman was groped at the northwest corner of Slosson and Martling avenues in West Brighton on March 26 at about 8:40 a.m. The forcible-touching incident happened near Clove Lakes Park. (Staten Island Advance/Maura Grunlund)

Police are trying to identify a man sought for questioning after a woman was groped at the northwest corner of Slosson and Martling avenues in West Brighton on March 26 at about 8:40 a.m.

Police are trying to identify a man sought for questioning after a woman was groped at the northwest corner of Slosson and Martling avenues in West Brighton on March 26 at about 8:40 a.m. The forcible-touching incident happened near Clove Lakes Park. (Staten Island Advance/Maura Grunlund)



RELATED COVERAGE: Crime news on Staten Island
's ( ) Mark English discusses with Proactive's Andrew Scott further results in from its recently completed 27-hole RC drill program at the Munda gold project in Western Australia. He says the assay results include one of the best intercepts ever returned at the project and confirm the mineralisation style. He says the job now is to convert current resources from Inferred to Indicated or Measured and to expand the asset.
The sneaker market  including those that are rare, collectible and custom  is currently worth just over US $84 billion, and is expected to increase to just under US $120 billion by 2026. One of the, if not the, biggest name in collectible sneakers is Nike, with the US sportswear giant forming partnerships with streetwear companies and celebrities that in turn helps to create the sneaker resale industry.

But most custom and rare sneakers bearing the iconic Nike Swoosh tick logo are designed and produced by the company itself. However, according to NBC News, rapper Lil Nas X recently commissioned a pair of custom Nike kicks that the sportswear giant doesnt endorse one little bit.

Called the Satan Shoes and produced in collaboration with Brooklyn-based streetwear company MSCHF, the Old Town Road rappers signature shoe  a modified pair of Nike Air Max 97s  comes complete with its own drop of genuine human blood embedded in the sole, along with a pentagram pendant and references to the Bible verse Luke 10:18 which reads I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lil Nas X (@lilnasx)

Clearly, theyre not to everyones liking But all 666 pairs (naturally) sold out on Monday March 29 at a price of US $1,018 per pair. Its not clear whether the timing of the release was strategic or not, given the Sunday before was Palm Sunday, a Christian feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter.

This, coupled with the message the shoes are promoting, has expectedly received complaints from all corners of the Internet, with many commenters blaming Nike for allowing the shoes to be made. As NBC News reports, the sportswear giant was seemingly unaware the shoes were being produced, claiming We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF.

Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them.

In fact, Nike doesnt want to endorse them so badly that it is suing both Lil Nas X and MSCHF for infringing its trademark, according to Yahoo! News. The filed claim demands MSCHF stop selling the shoes and is prevented from using the companys Swoosh logo for any future releases.

There is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHFs Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorised or approved this product, Nike said in its lawsuit filing.

The US rapper, who released his new song Montero (Call Me By Your Name) along with the shoes, has taken to Twitter to post a number of memes and images that appear to be sarcastic, as he seemingly finds the whole situation rather funny.

we have decided to drop these to even the score. damn yall happy now? pic.twitter.com/RGpCiiRbGb  nope  (@LilNasX) March 28, 2021

He also released a short 46-second video on YouTube entitled Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe, however, before he can actually say sorry, the video cuts to a clip of the music video for his latest song showing him performing a lap dance on the Devil.

The Satan Shoe, whatever your opinion, does spark up a fiery debate. While Nike cant control the reseller market where pairs of its sneakers are sold for much higher mark ups than their original price, how much can the company realistically do to stop others such as MSCHF from customising their own pairs?

Some commenters put the blame on Nike

Dear @Nike, This isnt hard. When someone asks you if they can make Satan Shoes under your brand YOU SAY NO.  Amber Krabach For WA (@AK4WA) March 28, 2021

However, some have jumped to the defence of the sportswear company, claiming their shoes can be bought and customised without needing authorisation.

I just need ya to realize Nike is not at fault here. Any companys product can be bought at full price, customized, and resold. Plenty of those execs are just as mad about this as you.  Prometheus (@urdadsburner) March 28, 2021

The results of Nikes lawsuit should hopefully settle it once and for all.

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Virgin Australia has been accused of standing down 804 workers by a union after the government stopped Jobkeeper - but the airline says the claims are 'categorically false'.

The Transport Workers' Union on Wednesday said they filed a complaint against the airline with the Fair Work Commission after ground workers were stood down following the axing of the wage subsidy.

The union said Virgin workers were told they would only be rostered to work partially over the coming weeks - and they wouldn't be getting their minimum hours.

Virgin Australia disputed the claims, with a spokeswoman telling Daily Mail Australia that only about 170 ground staff are impacted and none of them are actually fully stood down.

Virgin Australia has been accused of standing down 804 workers by a union after the government stopped Jobkeeper - but the airline says the claims are 'categorically false' (stock image)

'Virgin Australia is aware that the Transport Workers Union (TWU) has filed a dispute with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in relation to approximately 170 of its ground staff,' the spokeswoman said.

'The majority of ground staff affected are currently working close to their full normal hours.

'Reports that Virgin Australia has fully stood down its ground crew in the wake of Job Keeper ending today are categorically false - none are fully stood down.'

The spokeswoman said the airline is working hard to 'ramp up' flying to 'enable more hours and roster flexibility across our operational workforce'.

'Prior to the tightened border restrictions put in place by some states earlier this week, it has been our intention to have all of our ground staff return to work in their pre-Covid capacity,' the spokeswoman said.

But TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said the 'aviation is teetering on the brink' and will not be able to 'bounce back' as long as the pandemic endures.

Mr Kaine said the workers were stood down as a 'direct result of the government's decision to kill Jobkeeper'.

'The prime minister's cheap flights plan turned out to be a cheap trick played on aviation workers,' he said.

The Transport Workers' Union on Wednesday said they filed a complaint against the airline with the Fair Work Commission after ground workers were stood down following the axing of the wage subsidy (stock image)

'The federal government's decision to cut off Jobkeeper has resulted in Virgin workers being stood down from their jobs.

'This disastrous move by Scott Morrison means domestic aviation workers have been cut adrift and Virgin workers are now worried sick about how they will pay their bills and feed their families.'

The prime minister is offering 800,000 discounted airline tickets as part of his $1.2 billion stimulus package for the shattered tourism industry.

The government-subsidised tickets will be offered over the scheme's duration which includes the Easter and winter school holidays.

Return flights to eligible locations will receive a 50 per cent discount between April 1 and July 31.

'The TWU and seven other aviation unions wrote to Scott Morrison when he made his cheap flights announcement warning that jobs in aviation would be put at risk,' Mr Kaine said.

'Just a few days after Jobkeeper died we are already seeing the effect.

Virgin Australia disputed the claims, with a spokeswoman telling Daily Mail Australia that only about 170 ground staff are impacted and none of them are actually fully stood down. Pictured: Virgin Australia employees are seen at Sydney Airport

'The prime minister has refused to meet aviation workers to hear why a wage subsidy, even with short term extensions, is vital.

'Instead he cooked up a plan along with the CEO of Qantas to give a wage subsidy only to international aviation workers but, surprise, surprise, Qantas are the only ones getting it since Virgin has no international crew remaining.

'We are again asking the prime minister to save jobs in aviation and to reverse the decision to kill Jobkeeper.'

The TWU said a survey of over 900 aviation workers earlier in March found that the jobs of almost 90 per cent continue to be affected by the pandemic with only 11 per cent back to working in their jobs with normal hours.

According to NCA NewsWire, Virgin wrote an email to pit crew to advise they would be stood down from March 29 to April 18 unless advised otherwise.

'During the stand down, you remain employed but are not required to attend work for the hours you are stood down, and you will not be paid for those hours,' head of aircraft maintenance and ramp services Job VandenHeuvel wrote.

The email said workers could continue to accrue leave entitlements and they could elect to convert the stand-down period to paid annual leave or long service leave.
Computer Science Professor Emeritus Aho honored for his research and books on the theory and algorithms underlying programming language translators.

New York, NY--March 31, 2021--Alfred V. Aho, Lawrence Gussman Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, has won the 2020 Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) A.M. Turing Award, known informally as the "Nobel Prize of computing." Professor Aho is being recognized for fundamental algorithms and theory underlying programming language implementation and for synthesizing these results and those of others in highly influential books that educated generations of computer scientists.

Aho shares the award with his long-time collaborator Jeffrey David Ullman, the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Stanford University, who received his BS from Columbia Engineering in 1963.

"I am honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award," said Aho." I am delighted that with this award ACM recognizes the foundational importance of abstractions and algorithms in the design and implementation of programming languages."

The Turing Award carries a $1 million prize, with financial support provided by Google, Inc. It is named for Alan M. Turing, the British mathematician who articulated the mathematical foundation and limits of computing.

"On behalf of Columbia Engineering, I congratulate Professor Aho on this landmark achievement," said Mary C. Boyce, Dean of Columbia Engineering. "The Turing Award is the most prestigious award in computer science and rightly recognizes his groundbreaking signature contributions in programming languages over the course of a remarkable career in both industry and academia."

Aho and Ullman began working together at Bell Labs in 1967 and their early efforts included developing efficient algorithms for analyzing and translating programming languages. Even when Ullman began a career in academia in 1969 while Aho remained at Bell Labs, they continued their collaboration for several decades and shaped the foundations of programming language theory and implementation, as well as algorithm design and analysis.

They made broad and fundamental contributions to the field of programming language compilers through their technical contributions and influential textbooks, The Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms (1974) and Principles of Compiler Design (1977). Their early joint work in algorithm design and analysis techniques contributed crucial approaches to the theoretical core of computer science that emerged during this period.

Aho spent more than 30 years at Bell Labs, ultimately becoming the Vice President of the Computing Sciences Research Center, the laboratory that invented UNIX, C, and C++.

He joined the department of computer science at Columbia in 1995. He received the Great Teacher Award for 2003 from the Society of Columbia Graduates. In 2014 he was again recognized for his teaching excellence by winning the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award from the Columbia Engineering Alumni Association.

Aho received his BS in Engineering Physics from the University of Toronto in 1963 and earned his Master's and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science from Princeton University in 1967.

His many honors include the IEEE John von Neumann Medal and the NEC C&C Foundation C&C Prize. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Society of Canada. He is also a fellow of ACM, IEEE, Bell Labs, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 22:08:37|Editor: huaxia

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TAIPEI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan on Wednesday reported six new imported COVID-19 cases from the United States, Myanmar, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Bangladesh, the local epidemic monitoring agency said.

The agency called for strict epidemic control measures during the upcoming Tomb-sweeping Day holiday and urged people to maintain social distancing and wear face masks in public places, as the pandemic situation remains severe around the world.

A total of confirmed 1,030 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Taiwan thus far. Among them, 10 have died, 981 have recovered and 39 remain hospitalized, the agency said.

The first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine has already been distributed to frontline medical staff, starting on March 22. However, as of Tuesday, just 12,605 doses had been administered.

The agency said it plans to expand vaccination coverage to more medical workers and quarantine officers from April 6. Enditem
Washington, March 31 : The US has advised its citizens not to go to Myanmar and raised its travel advisory for the country to level 4 amid a deteriorating situation.

In an advisory on Tuesday, the US Department of State said it had ordered all non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave the South-East Asian country "due to Covid-19 as well as areas of civil unrest and armed violence", DPA news agency reported.

The department had authorized the "voluntary departure" of non-emergency government employees and their families on February 14.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Burma due to COVID-19," the advisory said.

"The Burmese military has detained and deposed elected government officials. Protests and demonstrations against military rule have occurred and are expected to continue." The advisory also listed areas in the country subject to "heightened civil unrest" and "armed violence" in different degrees and warned that the US government has "limited ability to provide emergency services" to citizens in certain areas.

At least 500 pro-democracy protesters have been killed since Myanmar's February 1 military coup, a monitoring group said on Tuesday.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) puts the nationwide death toll at 510, after another 14 people lost their lives at the hands of security forces on Monday.

Myanmar's military seized control of the country after an election which Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party won by a landslide.

Myanmar joins warring countries such as Somalia and Syria in the level 4 category.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Susie McKenna and Taio Lawson are associate directors at the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn, which has just announced its new season.

Among the highlights is NW Trilogy, a collection of short plays co-directed by McKenna and Lawson and written by Moira Buffini, Suhayla El-Bushra and Roy Williams. They will explore "what it means to be part of one of the most dynamic communities in the world".









How did NW Trilogy come about?

SM: A huge project called Mapping Brent took place over a few years at Tricycle/Kiln theatre including many community plays during the refurbishment. A lot of that research with the community sparked the idea for the Trilogy - to celebrate communities and their contribution to Brent but also the UK in general.

TL: The Mapping Brent project offered a starting point, and being invited to celebrate Brent as the London Borough of Culture gave us an opportunity to investigate key events in the borough's history which were lead by different communities that migrated to Brent. We were spoilt for choice, with so many stories, events or themes that deserved to be on our stage.

Why did you want to work with these three writers?

TL: I mean, their work and talents probably answer that. More specifically Roy, Moira and Suhayla are three incredibly gifted writers who all have a relationship with the borough and/or the communities that inspired the stories. We are incredibly happy to have all three artists on this.

SM: Who wouldn't want to work with three of the best playwrights in the UK right now? Apart from the fact that all three have strong connections to North West London, they are all incredible at telling everyday stories in an extraordinary way. The thought of having one evening with these three writers and the people they are celebrating from Brent is really exciting - showcasing our community on the London and world stages.

Although the stories are drawn from the past, do they have particular resonance for these times?

SM: So much is being discussed about the way we teach history and whose history we are telling our children. Knowing a truth about this country's past is essential for our society to move forward. It's often the human individual's stories that are the most powerful when it comes to understanding and walking in another person's shoes, so yes this trilogy will have a lot of resonance with the politics of now - have things changed? Are we celebrating our multicultural society enough?

TL: It may feel to some that just because there is greater access to clear figures that highlight the inequalities of our society, or that we can see a video of David Lammy putting a caller on his radio show in their place, that we have moved on leaps and bounds, and are actually pushing for more. In some regards we are. However, in too many ways we are still fighting for the most basic of things. Some people still think Enoch Powell was right So sadly, yes they will still resonate, because too little has changed in such a great amount of time.

You are both associates at the Kiln - what does the venue mean to you?

TL: It was my local theatre for seven years, so it's home for me. I know it as the place that meets both the micro and the macro, working to amplify both in clear and heartfelt ways. For example, on Tuesdays during the pandemic, we have collaborated with local restaurants to give free food to those in our communities that need it most, with an initiative called Food For All.

We have also worked incredibly hard to fundraise in order to continue to commission writers from the freelance community, meaning that we can keep telling stories that put unheard voices and perspectives into the mainstream. Both these things are equally important to us at Kiln, we see them both as our responsibility. My daughter however knows it as the place that used to do the best bacon sandwiches, despite now saying that she is vegetarian. Different strokes for different folks.

SM: Working in theatres that have a strong community footprint has always been the most enriching experiences in theatre I have had . So for me it was a no brainer, when asked, to join the Kiln theatre team. To work on new writing that sets out to hear the unheard, to tell the unknown stories of voices we are rarely exposed to is a dream come true.

How optimistic are you feeling about theatre returning in full this year?

TL: There are a few reasons to be optimistic. One big, blonde reason to not be. These plays are as much about resistance and resilience as anything else. So I am being lead by that, resisting intrusive thoughts and focusing on the positives. Be the change you want to see and all that. If we want theatre back, we have to work for it.

SM: Like everyone else I am praying that our industry can get back to full strength as soon as possible, and so we have to be hopeful. Our energies must be positive - it's just hard when we can see light at the end of the tunnel but we don't really know how long the tunnel is but we are throwing all our energies towards that light.

What's the first thing you will do when restrictions finally end?

SM: Cook dinner for Taio, all the writers and creatives working on NW Trilogy - just the sort of production meeting I love!

TL: Firstly, eat Susie McKenna out of house and home because I hear she can whip up a feast. Then dance in a sweaty club with my kids and probably have to deal with social services the next day because of it.
The government and press have had a combative relationship since the coming to power of Nikol Pashinyan, himself a former journalist, Eurasianet writes. New Armenian legislation that would impose crippling penalties for insult and defamation is coming under criticism from local and international press freedom advocates, who are urging the president not to sign it into law. The law would triple the existing penalties for insult and defamation to three million drams ($5,700) and six million ($11,400), respectively. Armenias parliament passed the legislation on March 24 on a 76-40 vote. The two opposition parties opposed the legislation.

The bill was initiated by Alen Simonyan, the deputy speaker of parliament and a close ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Simonyan initially sought even higher penalties, up to 10 million drams, but Pashinyan suggested the lower figures. When the media outlet or the citizen realizes that some financial responsibility will be imposed on them, I think they will be more careful, Simonyan said when he introduced the bill last September.

The bill was criticized by rights organizations both at home and abroad. It is the responsibility of the Armenian authorities to protect media freedom and free expression in the country, said Marc Behrendt, the director for Europe and Eurasia programs at the U.S.-based human rights organization Freedom House, in a statement. It is unfortunate that the Armenian government is supporting fines that will stifle free expression and threaten the financial viability of media outlets in the country.

A coalition of Armenian press freedom organizations issued a joint statement calling on President Armen Sarkissian to not sign the bill into law and for the law to be sent to the Constitutional Court. This amendment is extremely dangerous, especially if we take into account the tendency of government officials, politicians, and other public figures to perceive even objective criticism as insult and slander and take the matter to court, the statement said.

The statement highlighted a 2011 decision by the Constitutional Court that ruled that judges should take into account the financial situation of the media organization in question when imposing fines for insult and slander, so that the fine doesnt result in the organization going bankrupt.

It is a situation that Pashinyan himself has faced. In 1999, when he was the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Oragir, Serzh Sargsyan  then the interior minister, later to become president  sued the paper for slander. The lawsuit resulted in a six-million-dram fine and since they werent able to pay it, the newspaper went bankrupt, said Shushan Doydoyan, the head of the Freedom of Information Center and one of the signatories of the joint statement. Now they are doing the same thing that was done against them, she told Eurasianet. Sarkissian, the president, is scheduled to meet with the press freedom groups next week, Doydoyan said. We are hopeful that the situation can be reversed, she said.

Armenia decriminalized defamation and insults in 2010, following an appeal from the Council of Europes Parliamentary Assembly to member states. After the 2011 Constitutional Court ruling, the general practice has been for courts to not impose the maximum fine. Since Pashinyan came to power in the 2018 Velvet Revolution, the government has had a combative relationship with the press, much of which is still owned by figures close to the former ruling regime.

Since then, the country has seen a significant increase in lawsuits involving journalists. In 2020, there were 74 lawsuits involving journalists; of those 61 were charges of insult or defamation, according to a report from the Committee to Protect the Freedom of Expression. 2020 was the most challenging and tense year for journalists since the Committee began monitoring, the organization said, citing censorship regimes imposed first on the COVID-19 outbreak and then on the war with Azerbaijan.

Public officials are among those who sue for defamation and insult, that is a very worrying tendency which could lead to good publications abstaining from criticism since the law can be interpreted broadly to just drag the media to court, Doydoyan said.
(TNS)  Nearly 20 Democratic legislators on Tuesday introduced a bill to establish a statewide public banking program, which would partner with private sector financial institutions to provide low-income workers with access to no-fee money transactions and debit cards.Labor advocates said the program could save hundreds of dollars annually for households who do not have bank accounts or rely on alternative services such as money orders and payday loans,"For an equitable recovery, we cannot look to the same institutions, the Wall Street banks that have long seeded the problems laid bare at this time," said Jyotswaroop Bawa, organizing and campaigns director for the California Reinvestment Coalition.Compared to previous attempts to create a public banking system, the bill will not actually create a new bank. The program, for instance, is not intended to offer loans.The new bill faces opposition from the California Bankers Association, which said it is impractical and premature. "We would be remiss to ignore current news headlines regarding the $30 billion liability California is poised to assume due to issues related to antiquated technology and (unemployment) fraud," the association said in a statement. "But somehow we should support the idea of the state getting into the very complex business of banking?"The California Bankers Association in its statement said many banks already offer low or no-cost banking account options. The association also noted that a recent Federal Reserve study found that only 6% of Americans don't have a bank account. A larger share of Americans, 16%, said they have bank account but also used alternative services such as check cashing or payday loan. Under Assembly Bill 1177, California would establish a board of nine members, including the state treasurer, which would oversee the program. The program would contract with existing financial institutions, which would provide services such as debit cards, direct deposits and automatic bill pay at no fees.All Californians would be eligible to be a part of the voluntary program if the bill passes. Participants could use existing ATMs, local stores or a smartphone app to access their account, said Cecille Isidro, a spokeswoman for SEIU California, which is sponsoring the bill. The program would be funded initially by the money from the state. Once launched, the program is designed to become self-sustaining primarily by fees from debit card purchases, said Rene Bayardo, a lobbyist for SEIU California.Legislators pushing for the bill said it will provide financial security to low-income Californians, especially Black and Latino households who make up nearly 80% of those who don't have bank accounts in California. "If a rich person earns money, that money makes money," said Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles. "When a poor person earns money, that money is gouged from every area, every corner you could possibly get it."Sofia Lima, a fast food worker in San Francisco, can relate. She said she has to take a 30-minute bus ride each way to cash paychecks at a store and pay $12 in fees. She estimates having lost over $500 in fees cashing per paychecks over the last two years. "Workers like myself are prevented from being able to save money because banks don't make it easy for us to sign up for accounts," Lima said at the press conference through a translator.The idea of governments directly getting involved in banking has gained traction across the nation. Legislators from six other states have proposed bills to facilitate the creation of public banks, according to the Public Banking Institute which advocates for the policy. Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019 signed a bill allowing cities to start their own public banks, but none of them has done so yet.The bill is expected to be heard in a California Assembly committee in about a month.
Alba is the old Gaelic name for Scotland. It has a mystical, almost poetic, ring to it. The Scots still cherish their ancient language and are proud of that historic title Alba, which they have used to designate the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh as Parlamaid na h'Alba.

It was no surprise, then, that Alex Salmond, that master of political showmanship, chose Alba as the name of his new independence party, which he launched to fight the upcoming Scottish elections.

He has indicated that he will put up four candidates in each of the eight electoral regions in Scotland. Each electoral region returns seven members to the 129-member Holyrood parliament.

The other 73 members are elected to single-member constituencies throughout Scotland by the first-past-the-post system.

The regional system was designed in order to provide proportionality in elections to parliament.

Strangely now, given the subsequent history, this was done in order to prevent the Labour Party in Scotland having too great a dominance over the new devolved parliament in Edinburgh.

Up until devolution, the Labour Party were for decades effectively the ruling party in Scotland. Now, it is the Scottish National Party, who have been in government since 2007.

Salmond's re-entry into the cauldron of Scottish politics is a serious challenge to the SNP and could thwart their goal of achieving an overall majority.

Already, two pro-Salmond MPs have defected from the SNP and other politicians may follow.

In order for Sturgeon to demand from Westminster another independence referendum within the next parliamentary term, such a majority is essential.

Without achieving that goal, the current First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will not have a clear mandate to persuade a reluctant Boris Johnson into granting another referendum.

The last referendum was in 2014 and ended in huge disappointment for the independence movement and the SNP. The unionist majority was 55%.

This disappointing result forced Alex Salmond, who was then First Minister, to resign as leader of the SNP, letting his protegee, Sturgeon, take over as First Minister and leader.

She soon made her own distinctive mark as a steely and determined leader, doggedly following the independence agenda, especially after the European referendum in June 2016 that ultimately led to Brexit.

Unlike England, Scotland voted overwhelmingly to stay within the European Union. At 62%, it was the highest Remain vote in the UK - even higher than the 56% Remain vote in Northern Ireland.

A strange twist of Brexit is the fact that the UK's pro-Brexit vote resuscitated the demoralised independence cause in Scotland.

Sturgeon has been successful in exploiting the genuine discontent that the Scots feel about leaving Europe. Marrying the cause of independence to Scotland as an independent nation, rejoining the EU, has been a successful strategy on the part of the nationalist party.

That there is bad blood between Sturgeon and Salmond is an understatement and the acrimonious events that gave rise to that have been well rehearsed.

Relations between Salmond and Sturgeon are poisonous and threaten the success that the SNP has achieved.

The prospect of Salmond's rival Alba party vying for votes with the SNP is a recipe for disaster for the independence movement, which should be on the cusp of winning this vital election.

Salmond claims that his aim is "to build a super-majority for independence". However, independence supporters may well see Salmond's electoral move as being bloody-minded, undertaken in order to churlishly prevent Sturgeon attaining the goal of an overall SNP majority.

It would be a tragic irony if Alex Salmond, the father of the contemporary Scottish independence movement, was to sabotage the prize of another Scottish independence referendum by depriving Nicola Sturgeon of her much-needed majority in Holyrood.

The election, on May 6, is of major importance for the very future of the United Kingdom.

The call for Scottish independence has moved from being a mere possibility to being a real probability.

If, as a result of this election, Westminster concedes a second referendum, there will also be a knock-on effect here.

The very concession of a second referendum will give added strength to those on the nationalist side calling for a border poll.

Many unionists here are like ostriches with their heads in the sand, in denial about the prospect of Scottish independence.

They are hoping, that Nicola Sturgeon will fail to succeed in this election and wish that Scottish independence will simply disappear into the aether.

Given the propensity of former political friends to savagely tear one and other apart, as in some ugly family feud, the same fate could yet befall the SNP.

However, there is a separate strength and integrity in the ideal of Scottish independence, which still could surmount the tragic divisions that have latterly dogged the Scottish independence movement.
To hear more audio stories from publishers like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.

Tropical forests around the world were destroyed at an increasing rate in 2020 compared with the year before, despite the global economic downturn caused by the pandemic, which reduced demand for some commodities that have spurred deforestation in the past.

Worldwide, loss of primary old-growth tropical forest, which plays a critical role in keeping carbon out of the atmosphere and in maintaining biodiversity, increased by 12 percent in 2020 from 2019, according to the World Resources Institute, a research group based in Washington that reports annually on the subject.

Overall, more than 10 million acres of primary tropical forest were lost in 2020, an area roughly the size of Switzerland. The institutes analysis said loss of that much forest added more than two and a half billion metric tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, or about twice as much as is spewed into the air by cars in the United States every year.
Steve Coogan was spotted practising his lines as he returned to filming for a new ITV crime drama about the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

The actor, 55, who is set to play DCI Clive Driscoll, who was heavily involved in the investigation, was spotted filming scenes for the series in Northolt on Wednesday.

In the scenes Steve's character could be seen gazing down at flowers that had been laid as a tribute to teen Stephen, who was murdered nearly 28 years ago.

Back to work: Steve Coogan was seen back on set as filming continued for a new ITV crime drama about the murder of Stephen Lawrence on Wednesday

Steve sported a sombre grey suit as he filmed the scenes on a street in north west London, before heading to a bench to practice his lines.

He plays DCI Driscoll, the detective who put together an investigation that secured the convictions of two members of the gang who committed the murder of 18-year-old Stephen on the evening of 22 April 1993.

The Alan Partridge star joins Hugh Quarshie and Sharlene Whyte in the programme titled Stephen.

Preparations: The actor, who is set to play a detective heavily involved in the investigation, was spotted running his lines for the series on the set in Northolt

Moving: In the scenes Steve's character could be seen gazing down at flowers that had been laid as a tribute to teen Stephen, who was murdered on 22 April 1993

Portrayal: The screen star is playing the role of DCI Clive Driscoll (pictured) - who secured the convictions of two members of the gang who committed the murder in 1993

The series has been endorsed by the murdered teen's parents Doreen and Neville Lawrence, played in the 1999 original by Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Hugh respectively.

While Hugh, 66, will reprise his role as Neville, We Hunt Together star Sharlene will take on the role of Doreen in the new drama.

Richie Campbell, Jordan Myrie, Sian Brooke and Adil Ray will also take roles in the production.

Duo: Steve was seen recording the sombre scenes with one of his co-stars after ITV commissioned the sequel to their acclaimed 1999 drama on Lawrence's murder

Executive producer Mark Redhead said: 'It's a privilege to be working with Doreen and Neville Lawrence to tell this chapter of the story of their campaign for justice for Stephen. It's a story that moves and inspires and is ever more resonant and relevant today.'

Even though the Lawrence family knew the identity of their son's killers, the original investigation failed to convict those responsible.

Their extraordinary campaign for justice led to a public inquiry which branded Metropolitan Police institutionally racist and brought about sweeping changes in the law and police practices and transformed thinking and understanding of racial inequality in the UK.

Continuation: This new drama will portray events starting from 2006, 13 years after the racially motivated attack which took place as Stephen (pictured) waited for a bus in Eltham

Yet six years on from the Inquiry no progress had been made into the case.

Producer Madonna Baptiste said: 'The Lawrences' campaign for justice totally transformed attitudes to race and equality in the UK and it's an honour to be able to help tell what is an untold chapter in their story.

'Current events only highlight how relevant and important Stephen's case remains and it is such a privilege to work with Hattrick, Frank and Joe Cottrell-Boyce, Alrick Riley and our amazing cast to bring this important story to screen.'

Paul Greengrass, award winning screenwriter and director, who wrote and directed The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence in 1999, will also serve as an Executive Producer, as will Line Of Duty's Jed Mercurio.
Official White House Photo by Adam SchultzBy Justin Gomez and Morgan Winsor, ABC News



(WASHINGTON) -- U.S. President Joe Biden's 3-year-old German shepherd, Major, is back in the doghouse for another biting incident that required medical attention.



Major "nipped" a National Park Service employee on the White House South Lawn on Monday afternoon, first lady Jill Biden's press secretary, Michael LaRosa, told ABC News in a statement Tuesday.

"Out of an abundance of caution," the employee went to the White House medical unit for treatment before returning to work "without injury," LaRosa said.



Major is still adjusting to his new surroundings," he added.



The incident was first reported by CNN.



Major, who was adopted from the Delaware Humane Association by the Bidens in 2018, was involved in a separate biting incident on March 8 that caused a "minor injury" to an individual who also sought treatment from the White House medical unit, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who said the dog was "surprised by an unfamiliar person." Psaki did not identify the individual or provide further details at the time, but CNN reported it was a Secret Service employee.



In a recent interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, Biden defended his canine companion and said Major was receiving additional training at their family home in Delaware.



"Look, Major was a rescue pup," the president said. "Major did not bite someone and penetrate the skin."



Biden suggested the dog overreacted because he wasn't used to having strangers around. Major and the Bidens' 12-year-old German shepherd, Champ, joined the first family at the White House in Washington, D.C. shortly after Inauguration Day.



"I guess what surprised me is the White House itself, living there. Every door you turn to, there's a guy there in a black jacket," Biden said. "You turn a corner and there's two people you don't know at all."



"And he moves to protect," the president said of Major. "But he's a sweet dog. Eighty-five percent of the people there love him."



Major was spotted on a walk with a White House staff member on the South Lawn on Monday evening, before Biden departed for his visit to the Vietnam War Memorial. The dog was leashed.



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Livestock Geneticist / Breeder (P4), Seibersdorf, Austria

Organization: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Country: Austria

Field location: Seibersdorf, Austria

Office: IAEA in Seibersdorf

Closing date: Monday, 5 April 2021

Livestock Geneticist / Breeder (P4)

( 2021/0129 (016115) )

Organization: NAFA-Animal Production and Health Laboratory

Primary Location: Austria-Lower Austria-Seibersdorf-IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf

Job Posting: 2021-02-23, 4:10:33 PM

Contract Type : Fixed Term

Regular

Probation Period : 1 Year

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEAs Major Programme 2, "Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection". This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programmes objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes.

The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint Division consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food and environmental protection.The Animal Production and Health Section and Laboratory assist Member States in improving livestock productivity through the efficient use of locally available feed resources, reproduction and breeding practices, and disease diagnostic tools and control measures.

Main Purpose

As a member of a team led by the Section Head, the Livestock Geneticist/Breeder provides expertise and services in the optimal utilization of local livestock genetic resources to ensure maximum productivity and the maintenance of biodiversity. She/he also provides technical and strategic advice and services to FAO and IAEA Member States through design, technical backstopping, and support for the implementation and appraisal of projects aimed at the sustainable enhancement of animal production.

Role

The Livestock Geneticist/Breeder is: (1) a technical officer and research coordinator, ensuring the efficient and effective development, implementation and dissemination of research, training and scientific and technical knowledge, and evaluating and implementing TC projects and coordinated research projects (CRPs) for the IAEA and FAO; (2) a technical expert, planning and conducting technical meetings and project review missions; (3) a facilitator, working with Member States to meet their national and regional agricultural development objectives, and; (4) a liaison with relevant stakeholders on issues related to the transfer of sampling and analytical technologies to Member States.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Provide technical and managerial inputs to the animal breeding and reproduction component of current CRPs and TC projects in the field of animal production and health.

Contribute to upstream planning work for new TC projects, including the preparation of concept papers, participation in pre-project missions, thematic planning exercises and country programme framework missions as required, to evaluate and reformulate TC project requests and make recommendations for inputs when necessary.

Evaluate proposals for research contracts and agreements as well as requests for renewal, and coordinate with staff of the Animal Production and Health Section on research, training and analytical services in support of CRPs.

Plan, organize and conduct consultants meetings; plan and conduct training courses and regional seminars and participate in national and international expert consultations, symposia and workshops as required.

Contribute to the preparation and review of biennial FAO/IAEA programmes, work plans, budgets, biannual newsletters and periodic updating of the Sections website.

The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEAs Radiation Safety Regulations.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies

Name Definition

Planning and Organizing

Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Sections priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans.

Communication

Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions.

Achieving Results

Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Divisions programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned.

Teamwork

Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.

Functional Competencies

Name Definition

Judgement/decision making

Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agencys regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards.

Partnership building

Identifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals.

Technical/scientific credibility

Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable.

Required Expertise

Function Name Expertise Description

Animal Science

Animal Production

Ability to understand, develop and apply nuclear and nuclear related molecular techniques for animal genetics, breeding and reproduction for enhanced livestock productivity and biodiversity conservation.

Asset Expertise

Function Name Expertise Description

Animal Health

Animal Diseases

Ability to understand and apply nuclear and nuclear related molecular technologies for genetic disease resistance and long term control of animal diseases.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Masters Degree

Advanced university degree or equivalent in veterinary or animal science, with emphasis in livestock genetics, breeding or reproduction. Doctorate degree an advantage.

At least 7 years of post-qualifying experience at the national level in a livestock research institute or university in the area of livestock breeding and reproduction, with at least 5 years of contributions to livestock development, research, teaching and technology transfer programmes of national and international importance.

Experience in planning, implementing and coordinating activities related to the livestock research and development sector.

Experience in designing and conducting training.

Ability to travel and conduct technical meetings.

Experience in managing multidisciplinary projects and participation in international research.

Proven expertise in the use of nuclear and related technologies for the characterization and management of livestock genetic resources, radiation hybrid mapping, development and validation of genomic tools/resources (e.g., DNA microarrays), genome sequencing, trait detection (e.g. QTL, GWAS) and marker assisted selection, bioinformatic analysis, monitoring reproductive efficiency and improving productivity.

Knowledge of and experience in the use of nuclear and related techniques for improving reproductive efficiency and artificial insemination services, radioimmunoassay for hormone estimations and early pregnancy diagnosis, advanced techniques for sperm evaluation and assessment of male fertility.

Knowledge of smallholder farming systems in developing countries.

Working knowledge of international organizations, such as FAO and other UN organizations, and advanced research institutes desirable.

Understanding of coordinated research and TC project life cycles.

Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $74913 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 38805*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged

Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity. Staff members may be assigned to any location. The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above. Testing may be part of the recruitment process

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1617044054361
Princess Diana will be among six inspirational women honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque this year, for her 'devotion to her charity work'.

The accolade to the Princess of Wales, who would have been 60 this year, will 'mark one of the buildings associated with her life before her marriage' to Prince Charles, said the charity.

They have yet to confirm the London location - and this won't be announced until the plaque is unveiled in the second half of this year - but it is thought to be the Earl's Court flat she lived in before her wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981.

Other recipients include social reformer Caroline Norton, fashion designer Jean Muir, former slave and campaigner Ellen Craft and barrister Helena Normanton, as the charity aims to 'address the gender imbalance'.

Princess Diana (pictured left) will be among six inspirational women honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque this year, for her 'devotion to her charity work'. Pictured right: the Earl's Court flat she lived in before her wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981

English Heritage, which manages more than 400 historic buildings and cultural sites across the country, said they expect Diana's plaque to be 'very popular', adding that she was an 'inspiration and a cultural icon to many'.

Princess Diana's Earl's Court flat where she lived before marrying Prince Charles Diana's parents bought her 60 Coleherne Court, a property in a mansion block close to the fashionable King's Road in Chelsea, when she settled in the capital as a young woman. She shared the flat with a number of girlfriends and was said to have a sign above her bedroom door which read 'Chief Chick'. Diana described the few years she lived in the three-bed flat as 'the happiest time of her life', according to Andrew Morton's book Diana, In Her Own Words. 'It was juvenile, innocent, uncomplicated and above all fun. I laughed my head off there,' Diana said, according to Andrew Morton's book Diana, In Her Own Words. When she began dating Charles, Diana was reportedly living with friends Anne Bolton and Virginia Pitman, was charging her flatmates 18 a week and was said to be a house proud young woman who set up a cleaning rota. The apartment was reportedly bought by her parents for 50,000 when the princess - then Lady Diana Spencer - was 18 and working at Young England Kindergarten in Pimlico, central London. Advertisement

Diana is the highest profile former member of the monarchy to be bestowed the honour, and was nominated by the London Assembly after the body ran a campaign asking Londoners to suggest women worthy of a blue plaque.

Blue plaques commemorate the link between a location and an individual who was regarded as 'eminent' in their field.

Their achievements should have made an 'exceptional impact in terms of public recognition', and they must have been dead for at least 20 years.

Anna Eavis, English Heritage's Curatorial Director, said: '[Diana] was an inspiration and cultural icon to many, raising awareness of issues including landmines and homelessness, and helping to destigmatise illnesses such as HIV, leprosy and depression.

'It seems fitting that we should erect a plaque commemorating her work and influence in what would have been her 60th year.'

Princess Diana's Edwardian flat at Coleherne Court was given to her in 1979 as a coming-of-age present from her parents.

She shared it with three close friends for two years - some of the happiest days of her life, she once said - until moving to Clarence House the night before her engagement in February 1981.

Today, scientist Dame Kathleen Lonsdale is the first of the six illustrious women to be commemorated by English Heritage with a London blue plaque in 2021. The sign marks her childhood home in Seven Kings, Redbridge, where she lived from 1911 to 1927.

Dame Lonsdale was the first woman to be elected to the Royal Society of London in 1945, and was known for her developing several X-ray techniques for the study of crystal structure.

The other women receiving a blue plaque this year include Ellen Craft (1826-1891), who escaped slavery in the southern US state of Georgia and was a fervent campaigner for its abolition. She settled in Hammersmith after fleeing to England with her husband William in 1850.

Princess Diana's (pictured outside her apartment in 1980) Edwardian flat at Coleherne Court was given to her in 1979 as a coming-of-age present from her parents

Fashion designer Jean Muir (1928-1995) will also be honoured with a plaque adorning the central London address that housed the grand showroom and office of her namesake brand.

Barrister Helena Normanton, the first woman to practise at the Bar, appear in High Court and at the Old Bailey, will have a plaque marking the home where she lived for the early part of her legal career.

Caroline Norton, whose campaign over child custody and the conditions of divorce made her an important Victorian campaigner for womens rights, will also be honoured.

Today, scientist Dame Kathleen Lonsdale (pictured left) is the first of the six illustrious women to be commemorated by English Heritage with a London blue plaque (pictured right) in 202

English Heritage launched a plaques for women campaign five years ago and have received an increasing number of public nominations for female figures.

In 2021, half of the charitys new plaques will be dedicated to women.

Ms Eavis said: We still have a long way to go to address the gender imbalance that has ensued since the first blue plaque went up but with the help of many excellent nominations from the British public, we are headed in the right direction.
MARQUETTE, MI  Students at an Upper Peninsula university are getting an unexpected day off on Wednesday.

According to the Associated Press, the day off comes after Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson responded to a request from students for a wellness day, which means there will be no classes, though regular services will be available at the Marquette campus.

Erickson noted that NMU students did not have a spring break in an effort to reduce travel and the risk for COVID-19.

I know students are really missing spring break, and Ive been waiting all winter to be able to call a snow day but no snow, Erickson said. Or at least not enough snow to cancel classes in the Upper Peninsula.

Erickson said a second day off in April will be considered if students believe it would be helpful, according to the Associated Press.
Amid tensions between India and Pakistan over the last few years, exports from India witnessed a sharp fall of over 60 per cent year-on-year in 2019-20. This came in the backdrop of Pakistan suspending bilateral trade with India in August 2019 owing to Indias decision to scrap Article 370. Cotton, sugar, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, and plastic are top exported items to Pakistan. Similarly, Indias import from Pakistan plummeted 97.18 per cent year-on-year in 2019-20 after the Pulwama attack in February 2019. Thereafter, India also withdrew the most favoured nation status to Pakistan and imposed a customs duty of 200 per cent on all imports.

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MASON CITY, Iowa  A man arrested twice in two months is pleading not guilty to all charges.

Joshua Douglas Collings, 22 of Mason City, is accused of third-degree burglary, attempted third-degree burglary, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, failure to use a drug tax stamp, and driving while license is barred.

Collings was first arrested in February and accused of stealing items from a garage in the 800 block of N. Jefferson Avenue in Mason City. Officers say Collings had a power tool in his possession when he was stopped.

Collings was then arrested in March in Mason City on an out-of-county warrant. Police say Collings was found with 8.4 grams of meth on him.

Collings trial for the alleged burglary is set to begin on April 27 and his trial on the drug charge is scheduled to start on May 11.
The market is driven by the growth of the automotive industry. In addition, the adoption of 3D printing technology will positively influence the growth of the machine tool market in India.

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Machine Tool Market in India: Technology Landscape

Based on the technology, the market witnessed maximum growth in the CNC machine tools segment. This can be attributed to the growing adoption of a variety of CNC machines, such as grinding machines and vertical or horizontal machining centers, with multi-axis capabilities by end-users to manufacture components at higher production rates. The market growth in the segment will be significant over the forecast period.

Machine Tool Market in India: Type Landscape

Based on the type, the market witnessed maximum growth in the metal cutting machines segment. This can be attributed to the growing demand for metal cutting tools from automotive, railways, construction, shipbuilding, aerospace, and windmill tower industries.

Develop Smart Strategies for Your Business: Download a Free Sample Report Now!

Major Five Machine Tool Market Vendors in India:

Bharat Fritz Werner Ltd.: The company offers different types of machine tools such as Five Axis Machining Solutions, special purpose machines, vertical lathes, vertical machine centers, and others.

DMG MORI Co. Ltd.: The company offers machine tools under the CLX brand in India.

HMT Ltd.: The company offers CNC flat bed lathes, CNC slant bed lathes, CNC bar turning center, CNC trainer lathe, and other products.

ITL Industries Ltd.: The company offers large pipe bed sector cutting machines, tube bundle of heat exchanger and condensor cutting machine, plate saw with longitudinal sliding type, and other machine tools.

Jyoti CNC Automation Ltd.: The company offers machine tools under various brands such as AX Series, DX 200 Series, DX nvu Series, TMC Series, and others.

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Related Reports on Industrials Include:

Global CNC Machine Tools Market  Global CNC machine tools market is segmented by product (CNC lathe machines, CNC milling machines, and other CNC machines) and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA).

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Global Metal Forming Machine Tools Market  Global metal forming machine tools market is segmented by end-user (automotive, industrial machinery, transportation, precision engineering, and others) and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA).

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What our reports offer:

Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments

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Covers market data for 2019, 2020, until 2024

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Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

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About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

Report: www.technavio.com/report/machine-tools-market-in-india-industry-analysis

SOURCE Technavio

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LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- King's Hawaiian bread makes the most iconic sandwiches in America even better! This April, the brand is partnering with three of the most famous sandwich makers from coast to coast  Joe's KC Bar-B-Que in Kansas City, Primanti Bros. in Pennsylvania and Wexler's Deli in L.A.  to put a Hawaiian spin on their most popular creations for a limited-time, available via national delivery with Goldbelly and locally at each restaurant.

From classics like the pulled pork sandwich to an over-the-top ham & cheese piled with fries and an unmatched take on the Reuben, soft and fluffy King's Hawaiian bread is taking each of these fan favorites up a notch by adding just the right touch of sweetness to every sandwich.

These irresistibly delicious collaborations are available to sandwich lovers nationwide via Goldbelly while supplies last between April 1, 2021 and April 30, 2021, as well as at each shop for a limited time:

The King's Hawaiian Z-Man Sandwich from Joe's KC Bar-B-Que in Kansas City features pulled pork tossed in a sweet & spicy glaze, topped with roasted pineapple, provolone, crispy onion rings and BBQ sauce on toasted King's Hawaiian Sliced Bread.

from in features pulled pork tossed in a sweet & spicy glaze, topped with roasted pineapple, provolone, crispy onion rings and BBQ sauce on toasted King's Hawaiian Sliced Bread. The King is a special twist on one of the "Almost Famous" sandwiches from Pennsylvania's own Primanti Bros. , and stacks capicola, spicy candied bacon, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, French fries, coleslaw and honey Dijon mustard between King's Hawaiian Sliced Bread.

is a special twist on one of the "Almost Famous" sandwiches from own , and stacks capicola, spicy candied bacon, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, French fries, coleslaw and honey Dijon mustard between King's Hawaiian Sliced Bread. Wexler's Deli in Los Angeles is offering a special Aloha Reuben, which brings together toasted King's Hawaiian Sliced Bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing, plus pineapple for an extra punch of flavor.

"We're out to show the country that everything's better between King's Hawaiian bread. By joining forces with the sandwich experts across the US, along with Goldbelly for nationwide delivery, consumers will have the chance to experience this for themselves," said Chad Donvito, Chief Marketing Officer at King's Hawaiian. "Whether you're enjoying our Sliced Bread, Mini-Sub Rolls or our classic King's Hawaiian Rolls, that melt-in-your-mouth, soft and fluffy texture, and that perfect touch of sweetness, will take any sandwich to the next level."

For tips on how to build better sandwiches using King's Hawaiian bread and to recreate these epic collabs at home anytime, visit www.KingsHawaiian.com. Be sure to follow King's Hawaiian on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and tag #KHSandwichTakeovers to show us your favorite sandwich on King's Hawaiian bread.

About KING'S HAWAIIAN

Founded more than 70 years ago in Hilo, Hawaii, by Robert R. Taira, KING'S HAWAIIAN is a family-owned business that for three generations has been dedicated to providing irresistible, original recipe Hawaiian foods made with Aloha Spirit. A priority for the company is sharing the Hawaiian Way  a uniquely Hawaiian approach to hospitality based on graciousness, generosity, and a commitment to making everyone feel a part of the KING'S HAWAIIAN 'ohana' (extended family). KING'S HAWAIIAN makes the #1 branded dinner roll in the United States, along with other great Hawaiian foods including hamburger buns, hot dog buns, sandwich bread and more. The company operates baking facilities in Torrance, California, and Oakwood, Georgia. For more information, visit the company's website at www.KingsHawaiian.com, or find KING'S HAWAIIAN on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE King's Hawaiian

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With the Ever Given having gotten freed a couple of days ago, it is the container vessels coming to India that will have lost their time window leading to some bunching taking place at ports such as Chennai and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), industry officials said today.





* Chennai Port expecting 7-day delay * Chennai Port has spare capacity to handle vessel bunching * Bulk, liquid vessel schedules to remain unaffected * Container vessels to lose time window * Around 400 vessels to be shipped across globe remain stuck at Suez

Bulk and liquid vessels follow the queuing system and will not really get much affected. Also, it is the container cargo which is mostly coming from Europe to India via that route so the container segment will see some bunching at Indian ports, Anil Devli, chief executive officer at Indian National Shipowners Association (INSA).

Ever Given blocking the Suez canal traffic almost entire of last week has led to about 400 vessels scheduled for sailing across globe being stuck around the canal, said reports.

It is not just the Indian ports where container vessels will lose their window, as the impact would be felt across Asia region, said industry experts.

Vessels could also look to not call port where it has lost the window and instead leave cargo at the next best available port to catch up on the window available at their next port destination and iron out the delay caused due to Ever Given, informed Devli.

Meanwhile, Chennai port is reviewing the situation at present and its terminals are looking for daily updates on the vessel schedules.

We are expecting a seven day delay with an accumulation for 10-15 days. But we have spare capacity at port as the current occupancy is only 50 percent. Even if some amount of bunching happens in container vessels, the port is in a position to handle it, B. Vimal, senior deputy traffic manager at Chennai Port told Business Standard.

The liquid cargo such as crude oil and petroleum products to India usually comes from West Asia and West Africa and in turn will not impact these vessels in terms of their schedules, said industry officials.

Bulk vessels too largely come from China, Japan and far-east regions, again remaining not directly impacted due to the traffic situation around Suez, they added.

Though delays will be there, marine traffic is regulated and hence scheduling could remain same with some alterations. We do not expect much of any issue as the major concern is sorted. Some delays are also possible due to cautioned movement of vessels, said Ranjit Singh, executive director and chief executive officer at Essar Shipping.

The Suez Canal is a human-made waterway, is one of the most heavily used shipping lanes in the world. It provides major shortcut for ships moving between Asia and Europe. Before its construction, the ships had to sail around Africa to finish the same journey.

Last week, the vessel that was blocking Suez Canal was a Panama-registered container ship that was on its way from China to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Due to a mishap caused by bad weather, the 400 metres long and 59 metres wide vessel has got stuck here since Tuesday and was freed on March 29, Sunday.
But AstraZeneca was struggling to meet its own contracts. It slashed its production target for Europe by 66 per cent. The nations there, many in the middle of outbreaks, took drastic action and in early March blocked AstraZenecas exports to Australia. That left us with about 735,000 of the 3.8 million doses of AstraZeneca we had been expecting. The federal government has now essentially given up on getting any more  with all hopes on CSLs production line. But issues manufacturing the vaccine meant the first two batches yielded less than hoped. And the first doses only received approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration in March. Phase 1b, which started on Monday last week, requires 14.8 million doses to be administered.

While other countries have opted for a mass-vaccine-clinic approach, our federal government opted for a GP-led rollout. The thinking seems to have been that GPs knew their patients, and were more able to help the elderly and people with underlying health conditions. And Australia had no cases of COVID-19, meaning we could trade speed for quality. GPs signed up in droves, many purchasing expensive fridges to store the doses of vaccine. But they got far fewer doses than they expected. Some practices got as few as 50 doses a week, without much information on when that number would increase. Many GPs now say they have received so few doses they will make a financial loss giving them. All this was bubbling along in the background for weeks, yet the federal government continued to insist everything was going perfectly well.

Then COVID-19 cases emerged in Queensland, quickly pushing the state into lockdown. Suddenly, Australias slow and steady rollout had a new urgency. Some of the cases were in healthcare workers who had not yet received their vaccine. Queensland blamed a lack of vaccine supply for not having all healthcare workers fully vaccinated  while also revealing it had not been administering all the doses it received from the federal government, holding some back for the mandatory second dose due to concerns over supply. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The federal government responded immediately, saying there was no need for the states to hold back supply as they knew exactly how many doses they were getting and when. On Wednesday, News Corp reported NSW had administered just 96,273 doses of 190,610 given to it by the federal government.

That led to an extraordinary news conference by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, who claimed the federal government was trying to undermine the states rollout. Im extremely angry, and I know there are other health ministers in the country who share similar views, state and territory health ministers, Mr Hazzard said. Loading The ACTs Health Minister soon backed her NSW and Queensland colleagues. If you dont know youre getting them, you cant plan to deliver them, the ACTs Rachel Stephen-Smith said.
The Nigerian government on Wednesday moved to avert a strike by doctors which was set to commence on Thursday.

The government also appealed to the doctors, members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), to consider the plight of millions of Nigerians that will be adversely affected and shelve the planned strike.

The NARD threatened to commence an indefinite strike on Thursday if the Nigerian government fails to meet its demands.

The president of the association, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, confirmed the development in a communique issued at the end of the NARDs extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday.

He said the ultimatum given to the federal government to meet the associations earlier demands will expire on March 31, with no significant achievement.

At a reconciliatory meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, labour minister Chris Ngige, who led the government delegation, appealed to the aggrieved doctors to consider the damage their withdrawal of services would cause on the countrys health system already besieged by the coronavirus.

Mr Ngige, before the meeting went into a closed session, said the majority of the welfare issues under contention were almost resolved even before the letter of complaint and notification of planned strike action was delivered to the ministry.

According to him, the government had started discussions on hazard allowance for health workers in the country.

He noted that as a conciliator, he has communicated the complaints of the doctors to the relevant ministries.

The minister added that several meetings have been held and proposals have been drawn to address the situation before it degenerates into a strike.

We are here because we have started solving your issues. We put up proposals with given timelines on how to deal with them. We will look at those proposals with you, fix adequate timelines so that the people on the government side will be implementing and marking them as they execute them.

I have held informal meetings with the finance ministry and they told me they have started solving some of the problems, the two committees in the National Assembly have also tried to get you and your employers on same page. We have to intervene to ensure industrial peace in the health industry.

We are in a very bad period health-wise; the world over and Nigeria is not an exception. So, we have to think about the generality of Nigerians because right now, 80 per cent of Nigerians are outpatients because of the COVID-19 pandemic so we have to look at the issues that way and see how we can get the best out of this situation.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi, who represented the health minister, appealed to the doctors to reconsider embarking on strike, given that most of their concerns were almost resolved.

Most of the issues are almost solved. The only thing remaining is to get the commitment of NARD to suspend the strike action. All efforts are being put in place, the permanent secretary said.

The President of NARD, Mr Okhuaihesuyi, who spoke on behalf of the doctors, said they were looking forward to resolving all issues and grievances during the closed-door meeting.

The closed-door meeting was still ongoing at the conference room of the labour ministers office in Abuja at the time of this report.

Resident doctors, who are undergoing training to become consultants, make up a large percentage of doctors in Nigerias tertiary hospitals.

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A mother's face, arms, chest, back and legs erupted into an agonising red rash after getting the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.

Leigh King, from North Lanarkshire in Scotland, claimed her skin flared up almost immediately after she got her first dose two weeks ago  and is still sore now.

'My skin was so sore and constantly hot,' she said. 'I have never felt pain like this... and to say it's been the worst time of my life is an absolute understatement.'

The hairdresser, 41, was invited for the jab because she is the sole carer of her autistic son, Aidan, 13. Ms King said she has been unable to look after the teenager since because of her burning rashes.

She claimed she visited hospital for help three times but was turned away by doctors despite the pain being so bad she could 'barely walk out' on the final visit.

Britain's drug regulator lists rashes as an 'uncommon' side-effect of the AstraZeneca jab  affecting up to one in 100 people  and has recorded 3,795 cases so far. It is not clear whether she suffered an allergic reaction to the jab, or whether her rash was because of her immune system's natural overreaction to the jab.

It does not list them as a possible reaction to the Pfizer vaccine but a few thousand Britons have also reported suffering rashes after getting that jab.

More than 34million jabs have been administered in the UK so far, with the majority supplied by AstraZeneca.

British dermatologists said the rashes appeared hive-like in nature and could have been triggered by 'a number of other causes rather than the vaccine itself'. The NHS website says hives can be sparked by food allergies, insect bites, and cold exposure.

NHS England said it could not comment on individual cases, but insisted the jabs approved for use in the UK met 'strict standards' on quality, safety and efficacy.

Leigh King, a 41-year-old hairdresser from North Lanarkshire, said her skin erupted into rashes almost immediately after she got the AstraZeneca vaccine. Britain's drug regulator lists rashes as a possible side-effect of the coronavirus vaccine

Ms King added the pain was agonising, had persisted for more than two weeks, and left her unable to care for her 13-year-old autistic son Aidan

The rash also spread across Ms King's back after she received the vaccine

And down her legs as well. British doctors said the reaction could also have been triggered by a number of other factors and appeared to be hive-like in nature.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE-EFFECTS OF THE ASTRAZENECA COVID VACCINE? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has listed the below as side-effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Very Common (may affect more than one in 10 people) Tenderness, pain, warmth, itching or bruising where injection is given;

Generally feeling unwell;

Feeling tired (fatigue);

Chills or feeling feverish;

Headache;

Feeling sick (nausea);

Joint pain or muscle ache. Common (may affect up to one in 10 people) Swelling, redness or lump at the injection site;

Fever;

Being sick (vomiting) or diarrhoea;

Flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills. Uncommon (may affect up to one in 100 people) Feeling dizzy;

Decreased appetite;

Abdominal pain;

Enlarged lymph nodes;

Excessive sweating, itchy skin or a rash. Source: MHRA Advertisement

Ms King got her first dose of the Oxford-made jab on March 12, but was still suffering from pain more than two weeks later.

'I am a very healthy person and am not on any medication or anything like that. I am not even in a vulnerable category,' she said.

'I only got the vaccine as I am an unpaid carer for my son who has autism and mobility issues. But I havent even been able to care for him since I got the vaccine as I am in such pain.'

Ms King said she waited 48 hours before seeking treatment from doctors, in line with medical advice, but was turned away each time. She is now waiting to be examined by a skin specialist.

Speaking about the impact on her family, she said Aidan is scared to come near her because of the red skin and is 'struggling to understand what is going on'.

'At home is his happy place and I am his best pal. I got this vaccine to care for Aidan but I havent even been able to do that.

'He is seeing a specialist in Glasgow soon and I wont be able to be there for him.

'I cant be there when he needs me most.'

Ms King added she is not against vaccines but feels she has been 'let down on every level' and that her case has not been followed up appropriately.

It is unclear whether the AstraZeneca triggered her skin reaction  but it is a known side effect.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said all jabs go through a rigorous quality check to ensure they are safe before they are approved.

Officials ask anyone suffering any health issues after they have been vaccinated to report it to their Yellow Card system in case any serious side-effects crop up.

The list shows rashes have been recorded both for AstraZeneca and Pfizer's vaccine  with the latter having 2,602 cases recorded since the first dose was dished out in December.

NHS Consultant dermatologist in London and British Skin Foundation expert Dr Adil Sheraz said the rash could have been sparked by other factors.

'The case in question here is of course very unfortunate and may have been secondary to the vaccine, or more likely to one the components that make up the vaccine,' he told MailOnline.

'Commenting on this individual case would be difficult, as there could be a number of other causes for the rash, which appears to be very much urticarial (hive-like) in nature.'

He added: 'Data from the vaccination programme continues to be updated and to date, the chances of having any severe side effect remains low.

'The only way we will defeat this pandemic is via the vaccination programme and I would urge the public to continue to get themselves vaccinated when their time comes.'

Rashes can be triggered by a multitude of factors including pollen irritating the skin, insect bites and exposure to heat.

Ms King pictured with her son Aidan. The mother said she had visited hospital three times with her rashes but was turned away by doctors. Advice says you should visit hospital if a potential side-effect persists for more than 48 hours after getting the jab

An NHS spokesperson said: 'Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows international standards of safety.

'Other vaccines are being developed. They will only be available on the NHS once they have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective.

'So far, millions of people have been given a Covid-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare. No long-term complications have been reported.'

The Government has ordered more than 100million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, with its doses mostly being manufactured at three factories in the UK.

It has also ordered 40million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 17million of the Moderna shot which will be dished out in the coming weeks.

It comes after Germany suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for under-60s following 31 cases of a rare blood clot among 2.7million doses administered.

Angela Merkel last night defended Germany's decision as she and Emmanuel Macron made overtures to Vladimir Putin to get Moscow's Sputnik V jab into the EU.

The chancellor insisted that 'trust stems from the knowledge that every suspicion, every individual case will be examined'.

But surveys show that public trust in the vaccine has slumped in EU nations during a months-long back-and-forth over the jab, which experts from the UK, WHO and EU have found to be safe and effective in preventing Covid.

With the AstraZeneca roll-out once again mired in chaos, Merkel and Macron last night discussed co-operating with the Kremlin to produce Sputnik V within the EU in what would amount to a major propaganda coup for Putin.

Some politicians in Germany have already called for Sputnik V to be approved as the AstraZeneca row hampers a jab programme already struggling to pick up the pace across the EU.

Merkel, who is 66 and a trained scientist, said she is open to getting the AstraZeneca jab herself, adding that 'the possibility of me being vaccinated is nearing'.

'I have said when it is my turn, I will get vaccinated, including with AstraZeneca,' she said.
Turkeys top court has sent an indictment calling for the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) to be banned back to the prosecutor citing procedural grounds, Al Jazeera reported citing state media.

The Constitutional Court ruled that the indictment had procedural omissions and returned it to the Court of Cassation, state-owned Anadolu Agency said on Wednesday. The Court of Cassation can re-submit the indictment after completing the necessary details.

A top prosecutor filed the lawsuit earlier this month demanding a ban on the HDP for alleged ties to Kurdish armed groups, as well as a five-year political ban on more than 600 party members.

The move had occurred on the same day that authorities stripped prominent HDP legislator and human rights activist Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu of his parliamentary seat following his conviction on terrorist propaganda charges over a social media posting.
Hydrogen-powered fuel cells could solve the key problem with battery electric vehiclesthe long recharge timesas filling up a tank with hydrogen takes just a bit longer than putting in petrol.

It's seen as the missing link in the race for carbon-neutrality: "green" hydrogen produced without fossil fuel energy is a popular buzzword in competing press releases and investment plans across the globe.

Europe in particular is anxious to get a handle on the new and still costly fuel, having missed the boat on solar and battery technology, which is dominated by China.

Clean burning hydrogenits combustion produces water vapourcould give a renewed lease on life to polluting heavy industry.

Hydrogen-powered fuel cells could also solve the key problem with battery electric vehiclesthe long recharge timesas filling up a tank with hydrogen takes just a bit longer than putting in petrol.

But countries face more than just the engineering challenge of producing emissions-free hydrogen. They also have to develop the demand for the fuel and the infrastructure to transport it.

The world's richest countries have announced various strategiesproducing "green hydrogen" using electricity from solar and wind. Others plan to use electricity from nuclear plants.

Still others plan to generate it as a byproduct of natural gas, which is "gray" hydrogen, or "blue" if the CO 2 produced is somehow captured and stored.

"We are referring to this as the Hydrogen Wars," said Gero Farruggio, co-founder of Sustainable Energy Research Analytics at Rystad Energy.

He said of the 76 gigawatts of production projects they are tracking, 40 were announced in 2020.

"Governments are racing to incentivise projects for domestic and export green hydrogen marketsworking hard to attract the billions of dollars expected to be invested over the coming years."

The United States has a hydrogen road map. Germany plans to invest nine billion euros ($10.6 billion) while for France and Portugal the figure is seven billion euros each. Britain plans to spend 12 billion ($16.6 billion), Japan $3 billion, and China $16 billion by 2020 to green up their industries, according to consultancy Accenture.

Clean burning hydrogenits combustion produces water vapourcould give a renewed lease on life to polluting heavy industry.

Asian domination?

With their huge energy needs and reliance on imported fossil fuels, Asian industrial heavyweights China, Japan and South Korea are keen on the prospect of green hydrogen.

"Given China's needs, it's trying everything including hydrogen, especially when it comes to mobility," said Nicolas Mazzucchi of France's Foundation for Strategic Research.

China is working on a hydrogen production model that relies on electricity from its growing number of nuclear reactors, although its current supply is produced using coal, which releases lots of CO 2 into the atmosphere.

Its hydrogen is being bought up by fuel cell and filling station builders from all over the world, from Canadian firm Ballard to French companies Symbio and Air Liquide.

Rystad Energy's Farruggio said China's desire to decarbonise its economy and its ability to lower costs means it could come to dominate the manufacturing of electrolysersdevices that use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

But Europe isn't throwing in the towel yet.

Charlotte de Lorgeril, of management consultancy Sia Partners, described Germany as being ahead in using hydrogen in transportation, France in production, while the Netherlands already has strong gas infrastructure thanks to its natural gas fields.

The European Union is aiming to push hydrogen's share of its energy supply from two percent currently to 12-14 percent by 2050 and is encouraging cooperation.

Mazzucchi said he worries that the European Union will pay for its lack of a global energy strategy which risks turning hydrogen into nothing more than a momentary "pet project".

A hydrogen research and development center at a Toshiba plant in Tokyo. Given their huge energy needs and reliance on imported fossil fuels, Asian industrial heavyweights China, Japan and South Korea are keen on the prospect of green hydrogen.

Energy industry actors meanwhile are trying to gain a foothold by acquiring startups or developing consortiums.

French petrol giant Total and electricity provider Engie have come together to develop the country's largest green hydrogen production site.

"Their strategy is to compete with historical hydrogen actors who are trying to become energy providers," said Mikaa Mered, a lecturer at the HEC business school in Paris.

New energy pathways

As the euphoria takes hold, hydrogen could upend the world's energy map with new alliances and interdependencies already taking shape.

Germany is approaching Morocco to use solar power to make hydrogen. The Green Spider and Green Flamingo projects are developing maritime highways for hydrogen and gas pipelines to link Spain and Portugal to northern Europe.

"It is the creation of those new logistics chains that will allow imports from the Chilean or Saharan deserts where there is a lot of solar power," said Sia Partners's Lorgeril.

Mikaa Mered said the "question of the decade" is whether the development of hydrogen will result in a decentralisation or a new set of dependencies like with oil exporting and consuming nations.

 2021 AFP
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi asserted that all circumstances surrounding the incident of "Ever Given" giant ship will be investigated by the Suez Canal Authority, as being a technical and legal issue, in order to clarify all facts.

Sisi noted that the high tides helped the tugs and dredgers in their work, adding that he has told Suez Canal Authority Chief Osama Rabie "Egypt's reputation is in your hands".

Sisi underlined that the crisis has been breaking news in all satellites and world news agencies.

Asked on his feelings regarding the crisis, Sisi said "any crisis facing Egypt is really a tough one", saying that Egyptians "should safeguard their nation" which is already protected by God.

Sisi's remarks were made on the fringe of a press conference held at SUC headquarters to mark the end of the stalled ship crisis.
South Africa: Black construction companies urged to make use of building opportunities

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has encouraged black construction companies to take a lead in rolling out Alternative Building Technology (ABT).

Sisulu called on emerging black construction companies owned by women, youth, military veterans and people with disabilities to respond to the Housing Development Agency (HAD) advert inviting them to be part of a panel of companies to be used across the country to build houses using ABT.

The Minister announced in her budget vote speech for the 2020/2021 financial year that, in an effort to address the countrys housing backlog, and respond to the growing rate of urbanisation facing small and big cities, the government will also use ABT and not only rely on bricks and mortar.

We have realised that by utilising ABT we can build faster and are able to develop new skills and open opportunities to learn new trades within our communities, it is for this reason we have to put together a panel of companies to support our work across the country.

This panel will also be available to provinces, municipalities and all other departments, Sisulu said on Wednesday.

She added that women, youth, military veteran-owned companies must take advantage of the tender.

We are very clear that we want to empower women, youth, military veterans and people living with disabilities. In both the water and sanitation and human settlements sectors, we are committed to supporting more than 50% women empowerment.

We also want to see businesses employing members of the communities where they build. Transformation of the construction environment, whether its building houses or supplying water infrastructure through skills development and preferential procurement process are non-negotiables, Sisulu said.

The Minister also called on empowered infrastructure and construction companied to visit the website of the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, and all agencies under the Ministry to take advantage of the available business opportunities.

The HAD tender can be accessed on the website www.thehda.co.za.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Massive container ships have sat idle in San Francisco Bay in recent weeks.

Maybe you've noticed as many as a dozen of these behemoths anchored as you've driven across the Bay Bridge, or you've spotted several waiting to enter the Golden Gate in a scene that looks like something you'd expect to see in a "Star Wars" film.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

There's a reason for the parade of ships and it has nothing to do with the colossal cargo ship that became wedged across Egypts Suez Canal last week and was finally freed Monday.

The short answer is the factories in China that shuttered amid a pandemic are operating at full speed and Americans are shopping.

The ships are delivering goods to replenish retailers' supply and catch up with high demand at the Port of Oakland, and in recent weeks, the import volume has increased with vessels waiting in the bay for their turn to unload cargo at the port.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Import volume in February was up 26% compared to volume in the same month last year, and the heightened levels are expected to continue through summer, according to Robert Bernardo, a spokesperson for the port.

"Whats happening globally is this pandemic has made people spend more time at home, so what people are doing at home is theyre shopping like crazy," Bernardo said. "Theres a lot of consumer products being purchased, household goods, computers. ... Factories in Asia are shipping goods in record numbers to replenish American store shelves and assembly lines. Retailers and manufacturers and e-commerce distributors are all driving the surge."

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Port of Oakland is among the 10 busiest container ports in the United States, and ships carrying imports most often originate in China, stop in Long Beach, head for Oakland, and make a final delivery in Seattle before returning to Asia.

"Vessel congestion is up, and it's creating bottlenecks up and down the West Coast," Bernardo said. "It originally started in Southern California. Its now widespread throughout the West Coast."

Adding to the backup, Bernardo said one of the Oakland berths was out of commission when the port received three new cranes in March  which are the the tallest in North America at 442 feet  to help increase efficiency at the port.

"They had to build the cranes and it took several weeks," he said. "That intensified the congestion situation."
Hassanein Mohsen spent months protesting against corruption in Iraq. He also lodged complaints against officials. But now he is shunned as a whistleblower and sees only one way out: emigration.

"You can't live here without paying bribes," the unemployed father-of-four told AFP.

"I've given everything I can, and this country is still sinking lower."

The stout 36-year-old engineer from the shrine city of Karbala said he had been driven to despair by the endemic graft in his homeland, ranked the 21st most corrupt country by Transparency International.

In January, the advocacy group said public corruption had deprived Iraqis of basic rights and services, including water, health care, electricity and jobs.

It said systemic graft was eating away at Iraqis' hopes for the future, pushing growing numbers to try to emigrate.

But Mohsen hasn't always felt this way.

In 2019, hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded Iraqi cities, first railing against poor public services, then explicitly accusing politicians of plundering resources meant for the people.

Mohsen was one of them.

He left behind his wife Nour  then pregnant with their youngest son, Karam  to protest in Baghdad's Tahrir Square for weeks on end.

"I felt I had to go out. I either live in dignity or I die in dignity," he said.

One day, Nour called him with good news: they had come into some cash by selling a piece of land.

With that money, she insisted, they could start a new life abroad.

From Tahrir Square, surrounded by hopeful youth, Mohsen refused.

"I can't leave now. Things are finally going to change," he told his wife.

Corruption had infiltrated every part of Mohsen's life.

He has forked out more than $1,000 in cash bribes for simple bureaucratic processes, he told AFP.

These include updating his tax filings, getting a new passport or correcting spelling mistakes in his government records.

Then, there were in-kind bribes.

During a brief stint as a furniture salesman, one of his cargo trucks got pulled aside by an Iraqi soldier while bringing in goods from Jordan.

Even after confirming the import licences were in order, the soldier wouldn't let the goods through -- until Mohsen offered to leave an entire bedroom set for him at the checkpoint.

There's also the high-level state corruption that trickles down to everyday life.

"Corruption is a pyramid. For years, officials stole the money intended to improve public services, so now I have to pay extra for clean water, a power generator, health bills," he told AFP.

Years of conflict left much of Iraq's infrastructure destroyed or in ruins and private operators have long been relied upon.

When the mass street protests dwindled, Mohsen tried to fight graft in a different way.

He gathered documents that he claimed were proof and filed a half-dozen complaints at Iraq's Integrity Commission against state officials in Karbala and Baghdad.

"I saw the protests didn't go anywhere, so I tried that instead. But not one of the complaints went anywhere because the courts themselves are too corrupt to act."

A lawyer in Baghdad, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the law in Iraq only tended to apply to "the weakest".

"With one phone call, elected representatives, officials can make a judge drop the charges against them, either with a threat or by paying a bribe," the lawyer told AFP.

With no work, Mohsen became dependent on remittances from in-laws in the United States to feed his children.

His own well-connected relatives were shunning him because of his public criticism of politicians, costing him job opportunities he could have gotten through them.

He's even afraid for his life after speaking out.

"I got threatening phone calls from people claiming to be from the intelligence service. Now, I carry a gun with me everywhere I go," said Mohsen.

"Sometimes I regret it. Why did I even go out to protest?"

Corruption was among the top reasons Iraqis cited for seeking refuge in Europe, a 2016 survey by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) found.

"My friends all left, to the US, Sweden or other parts of Europe," Nour said.

The family registered with the IOM in 2016 to be considered for resettlement abroad but following then US president Donald Trump's executive order on refugees, they were never interviewed.

With President Joe Biden already walking back some of those measures, the family of six is praying that will change soon.

"It was a mistake to stay. We never got the chance to live a real life," Nour sighed.
iboss Continues to be Recognized as a Verifiable Leader in the Cybersecurity Market for Security Excellence and Leading Innovation

Boston, Massachusetts, March 29, 2021 - iboss, the leading SASE cloud security provider, announced today that TMC, a global, integrated media company, has named iboss a Product of the Year Award winner for the second consecutive year in the 2021 Cloud Computing Product of the Year Awards, presented by Cloud Computing Magazine.

The Cloud Computing Product of the Year Award honors vendors with the most innovative, useful, and beneficial cloud products and services that have been available to deploy within the past year.

iboss has been at the forefront of the cloud network security paradigm shift and continues to redefine the cybersecurity industry. iboss eliminates the need for traditional network security appliances, such as firewalls and web gateway proxies, which are ineffective at protecting a cloud-first and mobile world. iboss has built the largest global SASE cybersecurity cloud footprint, allowing organizations to provide fast, direct and secure connections to applications for users working from any location. The iboss cloud platform secures over 100 billion requests a day, ensuring users can access cloud resources while preventing phishing, malware and data loss. Additionally, iboss is leveraged by the largest organizations in the world across all verticals to ensure uninterrupted secure access to all business applications while users work from home. This has alleviated the burden on IT staff that have been greatly impacted by COVID19 and have had to protect users that are not bound to the office.

We are honored to be recognized in the Cloud Computing Product of the Year Awards for the second consecutive year, said Paul Martini, iboss CEO and Co-founder. This award is a strong validation of our proprietary technology and leading zero-trust SASE platform that enables users to connect quickly and securely to any cloud destination, from anywhere. As enterprises look for ways to optimize their network and security infrastructure for the modern, remote workforce, iboss provides the perfect foundation for this cloud transformation.

Congratulations to iboss for being honored with a Cloud Computing Product of the Year Award, said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC (News - Alert) . The iboss SASE cloud platform is truly an innovative product and is amongst the best solutions available within the past twelve months that facilitates business-transforming cloud computing and communications. I look forward to continued excellence from iboss in 2021 and beyond.

For more than 20 years, TMC has been honoring technology companies with awards in various categories. These awards are regarded as some of the most prestigious and respected honors in the communications and technology sector worldwide. Winners represent prominent players in the market who consistently demonstrate the advancement of technologies.

About iboss

iboss is a cloud security company that provides organizations and their employees fast and secure access to the Internet on any device, from any location, in the cloud. The iboss cloud platform provides network security as a service, delivered in the cloud, as a complete SaaS (News - Alert) offering. This eliminates the need for traditional network security appliances, such as firewalls and web gateway proxies, which are ineffective at protecting a cloud-first and mobile world. Leveraging a purpose-built cloud architecture backed by over 220 issued and pending patents and more than 100 points of presence globally, iboss protects more than 4,000 organizations worldwide. To learn more, visit https://www.iboss.com/.

About Cloud Computing Magazine:

Cloud Computing magazine is the industry's definitive source for all things cloud - from public, community, hybrid and private cloud to security and business continuity, and everything in between. This quarterly magazine published by TMC assesses the most important developments in cloud computing not only as they relate to IT, but to the business landscape as a whole.

About TMC

Through education, industry news, live events and social influence, global buyers rely on TMC's content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. As a result, leading technology vendors turn to TMC for unparalleled branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities. Our?in-person?and?online?events deliver unmatched visibility and sales prospects for all participants. Through our custom lead generation programs, we provide clients with an ongoing stream of leads that turn into sales opportunities and build databases. Additionally, we bolster brand reputations with the millions of impressions from display advertising on our news sites and newsletters. Making TMC a 360-degree marketing solution, we offer comprehensive event and road show management services and custom content creation with expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts. For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit?www.tmcnet.com?and follow us on?Facebook,?LinkedIn?and?Twitter,?@tmcnet?.

iboss Contact:

Rebecca Green

858.304.1095

Rebecca.green@iboss.com



TMC Contact:

Michelle Connolly

203-852-6800, ext. 170

mconnolly@tmcnet.com

Edited by Maurice Nagle
analysis

Recent events in Palma, a town in the volatile Cabo Delgado province in the north of Mozambique, have taken bloodshed in the region to new levels. Dozens of people were killed when hundreds of Islamist militants stormed the town on Wednesday, 25 March. They targeted shops, banks and a military barracks.

The attack has been devastating for the people living in the area - as well as the country. The escalating violence has already left at least a thousand dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more.

The conflict has put a temporary lid on plans that have been in the making for more than a decade since rich liquefied natural gas (LNG) deposits were discovered in the Rovuma Basin, just off the coast of Cabo Delgado. Western majors like Total, Exxon Mobil, Chevron and BP entered the Mozambique LNG industry as well as Japan's Mitsui, Malaysia's Petronas and China's CNPC.

The gas projects are estimated to be worth US$60 billion in total. Some observers recently predicted that Mozambique could become one of the top ten LNG producers in the world.

The development of the projects had led to the area becoming a hive of economic activity.

The plan was for Palma to become a LNG manufacturing hub where hundreds of skilled workers would be located. And, more broadly, the hope was that it would drive the rapid advancement of a country that ranks close to the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index. More than 70% of the population have been classified as "multidimensionally poor" by the United Nations Development Programme.

The LNG projects in the northern Cabo Delgado area represented a silver lining of hope. Since 2012 the major multinational energy companies have spent billions of dollars on developing the offshore gas sites. Today, offshore exploration in the Cabo Delgado area includes Africa's three largest LNG projects. These are the Mozambique LNG Project (involving Total and previously Anadarko) worth $20 billion; the Coral FLNG Project (involving Eni and Exxon Mobil) worth $4.7 billion; and the Rovuma LNG Project (involving Exxon Mobil, Eni and CNPC) worth $30 billion.

Production was scheduled to start in 2024 but intensifying attacks near the gas site on the Afungi peninsula are now posing serious challenges to the production time lines.

There have been no material benefits for the people of Cabo Delgado thus far. Moreover, many local people feel deeply aggrieved because many were evicted and had to relocate soon after the discovery of gas in Cabo Delgado to make way for LNG infrastructure development.

History of instability

Cabo Delgado is Mozambique's most northern province. Neglected over many years, the people who live there have been politically marginalised. And the area is underdeveloped.

Since independence in 1975 investment, and rising incomes, were largely confined to the capital Maputo in the south as well as the southern parts of the country.

In addition, the central government in Maputo has only had a fragile and precarious control over the territory and borders of the country. A 16-year civil war that involved clashes between the central government and Renamo, a militant organisation and political movement during the liberation struggle and now opposition party, claimed more than a million lives.

More recently, since 2017, the militant Islamic movement, Ansar al-Sunna, locally known as Al-Shabaab, has been active in Cabo Delgado. It now poses the biggest security threat in the country, rendering some of the northern parts almost ungovernable.

The militants took advantage of the Mozambican government's failure to exercise control over the entire territory of the country.

Ansar al-Sunna reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in April 2018. It was acknowledged as an affiliate of ISIS-Core in August 2019. In view of this, the US Department of State has designated Ansar al-Sunna Mozambique, which it refers to as ISIS-Mozambique, as a foreign terrorist organisation.

What makes this armed force so significant is that the movement has orchestrated a series of large scale and targeted attacks. In 2020 this led to the temporary capturing of the strategic port of Mocimboa da Praia in Cabo Delgado.

In addition, the turbulence caused by the militants' attacks has displaced nearly 670,000 people within northern Mozambique. Obviously, foreign companies in the LNG industry with their considerable investments feel threatened, especially at the current stage where final investment decisions have to be taken.

In recent months the situation in Cabo Delgado has gone from bad to worse. In November 2020, dozens of people were reportedly beheaded by the militants. Now the bloodshed has spread to Palma.

Amid the development of an increasingly alarming human rights situation towards the end of last year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, appealed for urgent measures to protect civilians. She described the situation as "desperate" and one of "grave human rights abuses". Bachelet also stated that more than 350,000 people had been displaced since 2018.

Growing risk

There is little doubt that Islamist insurgents are increasing the scale of their activities in Cabo Delgado. A lack of governance and a proper security response by both the Mozambican government and southern African leaders make this a case of high political risk for the LNG industry.

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The escalation of the insurgency can potentially jeopardise the successful unlocking of Mozambique's resource wealth. Until now, the main LNG installations and sites have not been targeted, but the attacks in Palma have brought the turbulence dangerously close to some of the installations.

The Mozambican armed forces are clearly stretched beyond the point where they can protect the local communities. A part of the solution lies in Southern African Development Community or at least South African military support to stabilise Cabo Delgado and restore law and order in the short term. Wider international support might even be necessary.

But this would require the Mozambican government to change its stance by allowing multinational foreign military forces on its soil.

At the same time, a long term solution should be pursued. This will require better governance of the northern areas and the local people in what has been called a forgotten province.

It is clear that Cabo Delgado is an area which the central government in Maputo is unable to control, govern effectively, or even influence. In short, weak state institutions - including weak armed forces - are key to the problems of Mozambique and specifically the turbulence in the northern parts.

Theo Neethling, Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State
The thieves beleived they were stealing cash but made a getaway with a bag of bird seed.

Three men are being questioned about being members of a criminal organisation in relation to a bizarre crime in which two bungling criminals were left with no money after all they got from a well-planned cash-in-transit robbery was a bag of bird seed.

The peculiar incident unfolded in Annacotty, Co Limerick, on the afternoon of January 15 last when one of the masked thugs brutally assaulted a security employee with an implement, threatened him and grabbed a large bag from the worker.

The raiders escaped in a car which was later found burnt out, but it then emerged that the bag contained no cash and was full of bird seed.

The security employee had bought the bag of bird seed in a local discount store just before this raid happened, a senior source said.

There can be no doubt that the raiders must have thought it was a bag of cash but there was no money in it at all.

All the indications are that this was a very well planned robbery and that the raiders had the cash van under surveillance and a detailed plan to burn out the car after the robbery but their efforts have come to nothing, the source added.

The botched raid has been the subject of a major investigation by gardai based at Henry Street Garda Station who have trawled through CCTV from the locality and made a public appeal for information.

This led to the arrests this morning of the three suspects.

Detective Gardai from Henry Street have arrested three men in relation to a robbery and assault incident that took place at a retail premises in Annacotty, Co. Limerick on January 15, 2021, a garda spokesman said in a statement.

During the incident a cash-in-transit employee was assault and threatened to hand over a bag he was carrying, which he did.

An arrest operation took place in Co. Limerick today, March 31 and three men, two in their 40s and one in his 30s, were arrested.

They are currently detained at Henry Street and Roxboro Road Garda Stations under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, he added.




This is all last minute talk about a western competitive, Belt and Road?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-britain-biden-china/biden-says-he-suggested-to-uks-johnson-a-plan-to-rival-chinas-belt-and-road-idUSKBN2BI32M

This is knee jerk reaction to appease the citizens of Britain and the USA. I do think Europeans/Americans are ignorant of world issues enough to be fooled by this rhetoric. Except if they are fooled, they will be the only ones fooled!

What the US and UK is suggesting is the equivalent to or synonymous too building a parallel and perhaps extremely useless second freeway road. Imagine, just like utilities, two telephone lines, two gas line, two water lines from competing suppliers, one line already on the go and is backed with much money and the new promised one is backed by two church rat countries. Who do they think they are fooling? Neither Britain nor the USA has money to spend on projects like this. They spent all their equity/fake money on wars and sanctions. They do not have the structural engineering capabilities and they are no good at winning the hearts and minds of the subject countries that would be involved in this project

Yet they are good at trying to force countries at gun point to look their way:

Years ago American-style democracy could indeed be convincing to many in many parts of the world. But not anymore. Todays America reminds of the concept we had and propagandized about the Soviet Union

Elderly leaders, hardly free press of any type, total fear to be politically incorrect, suppression of views inconsistent with the official line.And aggressive global policy focused on foreign interventions. Actually us westerners have become what we abhorred in the past

Can we really expect that the rest of the word would love to embrace the kind of democracy that the U.S.A. now promotes? Or that we pretend to promote?

Ive never seen America as a democracy:

I have no idea why anyone would have ever thought that it was. I was taught that the USA was a Republic

You could only ever have believed it, if you didnt know much about the political, social, or cultural reality of America then, now and past. Of course, the P.R. of America has always been so skillfully prepared that even the majority of Americans fell for it for over two centuries now

The truth is, America has always been a regime of organized crime with a giant marketing department and some make-belief government institutions as a front facade of a picture. The only way that America has ever been democratic is that violence and psychopathic sadism are so deeply ingrained in the American mindset and its culture, that the genocidal actions of government in the world are essentially following the American peoples minds and behavior patterns. And yet another truth is, that real democracy has never been realized in human history. If anything, there has ever only been a democracy for elites, like in the City of London or in any other lobby-driven plutocracy with parliament and political parties aka lobby clubs. Perhaps Switzerland comes closest to a real democracy, but even there it is more make-belief than anything for real. As long as wealth means power in a debt-based monetary system, democracy simply cannot exist

Yet the one with the biggest stick will always rule.until he no longer does!

WtR
(CNN)  An intruder gained entry to the Swiss ambassador's residence in Washington, DC, on Monday afternoon and assaulted the ambassador, according to a statement filed in federal district court by the responding Secret Service officer.

The officer said in the statement filed Tuesday in support of a criminal complaint that he was dispatched to the residence, which is on the same grounds as the Swiss embassy, "in response to a report of an unwanted guest at the Ambassador's Residence at that location."

The officer's statement identified the "unwanted guest" as Christian David Mandeville and said he was carrying an Oregon ID.

The Swiss Embassy said in a statement that the individual "attempted to gain access to the residence of the Ambassador of Switzerland to the U.S., was denied entry, and subsequently jumped the exterior security fence of the Embassy grounds."

According to the officer's statement, Amb. Jacques Pitteloud "conveyed his concerns that the individual would get further inside the embassy," and when the officer and the ambassador entered the residence, Mandeville "attempted to run farther into the building."

The Swiss envoy attempted to block the trespasser by putting up his hands, but Mandeville allegedly pushed them away and attempted to push past Pitteloud, knocking the ambassador backwards.

Pitteloud was not hurt in the incident, the Swiss Embassy said, nor were any of the embassy staff who were initially confronted.

The trespasser allegedly fought the officer's attempts to detain him but was eventually arrested with additional law enforcement assistance. The Secret Service officer said he "sustained abrasions on (his) forearm from the altercation."

The area around the embassy and residence was temporarily closed so that officials could investigate the backpack Mandeville left outside the gates of the premises, which was deemed suspicious, according to both statements. It was eventually cleared.

According to the criminal complaint, Mandeville is accused of violating multiple laws, including assaulting a foreign official, assaulting, resisting or impeding officers, and unlawfully entering a private property.

There is no attorney listed for Mandeville, according to online records.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Swiss ambassador to US allegedly assaulted in Washington residence."
Employees work on the production line of Whirlpool in Hefei, Anhui province. [Photo/Xinhua] Home appliance manufacturer Galanz Group's acquisition of the Chinese unit of United States' white goods maker Whirlpool will help it to diversify its business, a top company official said. "Growth, no matter what happens, along with high-quality development, will be our core strategy this year," said Liang Zhaoxian, chairman of Galanz, during the company's annual meeting on Sunday. After over 200 days of antimonopoly investigation by authorities in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, Austria and Colombia, Galanz was given the go-ahead for the acquisition deal, according to Liang. "The approval means all shareholders of Whirlpool China can sell their shares to Galanz. It would be a historical milestone for us," said Liang. Last August, the Chinese firm said that it would accept no less than 51 percent of Whirlpool China's equity and a maximum of 61 percent, according to Liang. "Galanz will focus on upgrading technology, brand and supply chains for business growth this year. The acquisition of Whirlpool China is part of our strategy to help diversify brands and promote sustainable business growth," said Liang. The acquisition, which is equal to 2.46 billion yuan ($370 million), will start on Wednesday and end on April 29. Whirlpool China's stock price was down 6.48 percent at 7.65 yuan per share on Tuesday. "It was not simply a cooperation between a Chinese company and a Fortune Global 500 companyChinese home appliance makers will be more competitive in the global market as they have now developed core technologies in the self-innovative industrial chain," said Liang. According to Liang, Galanz plans to build two purchasing technology quality control centers in South China and East China in the near future. "We will build a new market, bring in advanced technology, products and services to consumers in China, as well as the world," said Liang. Galanz, which is Whirlpool's third-largest global supplier, intends to help Whirlpool China to improve management efficiency, enhance profitability and ensure stable development, said Liang Huiqiang, vice-chairman of Galanz. After acquiring a combined majority stake in Japanese kitchen appliance maker Zojirushi in January last year, Galanz has been vying for more brands to diversify its business. Teaming up with Whirlpool and Zojirushi will help Galanz to enter a rapid business expansion in the near future, according to Liang. "Having multiple brands and diversified businesses is the future development trend for various consumer groups," said Liang. The Guangdong-based company has been looking for more than 10,000 workers to boost its production capacity this year, due to increased orders from overseas buyers. After posting a 212 percent year-on-year growth in sales last year, the company is expecting overseas orders to rise by 90 percent on a yearly basis during the first quarter of this year, according to Liang. "The production capacity of refrigerators will increase by more than 80 percent this year," said Liang.


A BBC sign is displayed outside the BBC headquarters in Portland Place, London, on July 2, 2020. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)

BBC Correspondent Leaves China for Taiwan After Threats

The BBCs China correspondent John Sudworth has left China after the communist regime issued threats of legal action against him and his team.

In a statement posted on Twitter on March 31, the BBC said Sudworth had relocated to Taiwan from Beijing.

Our China correspondent @TheJohnSudworth has relocated. pic.twitter.com/G1NS0hUUWK  BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) March 31, 2021

Johns work has exposed truths the Chinese authorities did not want the world to know, the British broadcaster stated.

The BBC is proud of Johns award-winning reporting during his time in Beijing and he remains our China correspondent.

Sudworth and his family were followed to the airport and into the check-in area by plainclothes police officers, the BBC reported.

According to the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC), Sudworth left mainland China at short notice on March 23 amid concerns for his safety and that of his family.

1/Statement on Journalist Departures: The FCCC is concerned and saddened to learn that John Sudworth, the BBCs award-winning China correspondent for the last nine years, left mainland China at short notice on March 23rd amid concerns for his safety and that of his family.  Foreign Correspondents Club of China (@fccchina) March 31, 2021

His wife, Yvonne Murray, the China correspondent of the Irish broadcaster RTE, left with him.

Sudworth left after months of personal attacks and disinformation targeting him and his BBC colleagues, disseminated by both Chinese state media and Chinese government officials, the FCCC said in a statement posted on Twitter.

These included videos posted online by state media that named him and used footage of him obtained from Chinese police cameras.

The FCCC said the Chinese authorities had issued Sudworth only short visas lasting one, three, and six months for the past two years, apparently in retaliation for his coverage of Xinjiang, the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues that Chinese foreign ministry officials repeatedly said had crossed red lines.

The threats intensified after the UKs broadcasting regulator Ofcom on Feb. 4 revoked the license of CGTN, an international English-language satellite news channel directly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The Chinese regime announced on Feb. 11 that it was pulling BBC World News off the air in China.

On March 18, the Global Times, a Chinese propaganda outlet, quoted a Xinjiang official as saying a number of individuals in the region were planning to sue BBC for producing fake news, spreading rumours about Xinjiang and slandering Chinas policy in its Xinjiang region.

Alarmingly, Chinese authorities have also shown a greater willingness to threaten journalists with legal measures, proceedings that could subject them to exit bans, barring them from leaving China, the FCCC stated.

In September 2020, the Australian government evacuated two journalists from China after the authorities tried to prevent them from leaving.

Bill Birtles from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Mike Smith from the Australian Financial Review spent five days sheltering at diplomatic missions until they were allowed to leave.

Victoria Kelly-Clark contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:02:48|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The British parliament members and U.S. congressmen should care about the welfare of their own people and manage their own affairs well, rather than interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

"Elected by their voters, they have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, but are expected to do practical deeds for their own people," said spokesperson Hua Chunying at a press briefing when commenting on British and U.S. doubts about the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and accusations that China violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

She noted that the "patriots administering" principle has long been a common practice in all countries in the world, noting Britain, the United States, and other countries have long-established, strict standards for patriotism and loyalty in their laws, especially for public-official loyalty to the country.

She said the British accusation against China disregards facts and reverses black and white.

Noting the Chinese government governs Hong Kong under the Constitution and the Basic Law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the spokesperson said Britain has no supervision power and so-called moral responsibility for Hong Kong after its return to China. Neither does it have the qualifications and legal basis to interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

"In fact, during the more than 150 years of Hong Kong colonial rule, Britain did not give Hong Kong any democratic freedom," Hua said. She added that the Chinese central government is the defender and promoter of Hong Kong's democracy.

When it comes to China's obligations, Hua said that the Chinese government's primary responsibility is to ensure the country's territorial sovereignty and security, including Hong Kong. It must prevent a "color revolution" endangering Hong Kong's security, stability, development, and prosperity instigated by external forces and their political agents. It must also ensure that Hong Kong governors effectively serve the interests and well-being of the compatriots.

Hua stressed that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs. She said the Chinese government has the resolve and confidence to safeguard the sovereignty, security, and development interests of the country and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

It has the resolve and confidence to ensure the continued success of the "one country, two systems" policy, under which "the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy, she added.

"No external forces should attempt to intervene in Hong Kong affairs and put pressure on China. Otherwise, they will suffer a shameful failure," Hua said. Enditem
Speakers and attendees in this highly interactive event will also explore how technology executives can work with the executive team to identify and execute on new business models  Register and attend for a chance to win a Peloton bike!



WESTPORT, Conn., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the World's #1 digital platform for enabling technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world, is excited to be hosting the 2021 HMG Live! Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit on Thursday, April 1. HMG Strategys highly interactive digital events bring together the worlds most distinguished and innovative business technology leaders to discuss the most pressing leadership, strategic, cultural, technology and career challenges and opportunities that technology executives face today  and into the future.

The 2021 HMG Live! Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit will focus on opportunities for leveraging advanced technologies such as AI and the Internet of Things to gain a competitive edge, keeping the next normal of remote work efficient and safe, and how to lead and build a high-performing culture in a hybrid work environment.

Weve had a full year to see the impact that digital transformation has had in recasting the workplace of the future, said Hunter Muller, President and CEO of HMG Strategy. Now is the time to begin executing strategies to draw on that momentum and soar ahead of the competition.

HMG Strategy is also excited to have special guest speaker and bestselling author Stephen M.R. Covey share his insights on why a high-trust culture can operate with greater efficiency and at less cost along with recommendations for CIOs and technology executives to cultivate trust with the CEO, the Board and across the organization.

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Robin Austin , CTO/CISO, Colliers Group

, CTO/CISO, Colliers Group Patrick Benoit , VP & Global Business Information Security Officer, CBRE

, VP & Global Business Information Security Officer, CBRE Craig Broussard , Director, Global Infrastructure, NCH Corporation

, Director, Global Infrastructure, NCH Corporation Kevin Christ , Partner, Concentre

, Partner, Concentre Mignona Cote , Global Specialty Head, Security, Risk, and Compliance, Amazon Web Services

, Global Specialty Head, Security, Risk, and Compliance, Amazon Web Services Chris Gates , Group CIO and SVP Hosting Services, Allstate

, Group CIO and SVP Hosting Services, Allstate Will Hargis , Executive Director of Engineering, Toyota Connected North America

, Executive Director of Engineering, Toyota Connected North America Blake Holman , Chief Information & Infrastructure Officer, St. David's Foundation

, Chief Information & Infrastructure Officer, St. David's Foundation Chetan Jha , CISO, Toyota Connected North America

, CISO, Toyota Connected North America Pam Kubiatowski , Sr. Director of Digital Transformation, Zscaler

, Sr. Director of Digital Transformation, Zscaler Beni Lopez , Managing Director, Industrial and U.S. Market, Softtek

, Managing Director, Industrial and U.S. Market, Softtek Michael McNeil , Chief Information Security Officer, McKesson Corporation

, Chief Information Security Officer, McKesson Corporation Shamim Mohammad , SVP, CIO & CTO, CarMax

, SVP, CIO & CTO, CarMax Jim Motes , VP & CISO, Gamestop

, VP & CISO, Gamestop Tom Nats , Director of Architecture, Starburst

, Director of Architecture, Starburst David Politis , Founder and CEO, BetterCloud

, Founder and CEO, BetterCloud Ramesh Razdan , CIO, Bain & Company

, CIO, Bain & Company Chris Stephens , VP, Enterprise Data & Analytics, Zendesk

, VP, Enterprise Data & Analytics, Zendesk Thomas Sweet , VP Cloud Services, GM Financial

, VP Cloud Services, GM Financial Phuong Tram , Chief Advisor on Digital Transformation, FPT

, Chief Advisor on Digital Transformation, FPT Todd Tucker , General Manager and VP, Standards & Education, TBM Council

, General Manager and VP, Standards & Education, TBM Council Angela Venuk, Vice President & Interim Chief Information Officer, Gamestop

Valued partners for the 2021 HMG Live! Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit on April 1 will include Apptio, Auth0, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Forescout Technologies, FPT Corporation, Globant, Horizon3.ai, Ivanti, NPower, PagerDuty, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SIM Dallas-Fort Worth, Slack, Softtek, Sonatype, Starburst, Tanium, Tessian, Zendesk, and Zscaler.

To learn more about 2021 HMG Live! Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event and to qualify to win a Peloton Bike, click here.

HMG Strategy will be hosting its 2021 HMG Live! San Diego Technology Executive Leadership Summit on April 8. Topics to be discussed at this event will include how to build trust with the C-suite, how to drive secure digital transformation, and effective ways to cultivate a trusting culture in a work-from-anywhere environment.

Prominent technology executives speaking at this event include:

Sandeep Bose , Unit CIO, Credit & Fraud Risk, American Express

, Unit CIO, Credit & Fraud Risk, American Express Dr. Max Butterfield , Professor of Psychology, Point Loma Nazarene University

, Professor of Psychology, Point Loma Nazarene University Doug Cyphers , Vice President, SIM San Diego, VP IT, WD-40 Company

, Vice President, SIM San Diego, VP IT, WD-40 Company Ursuline Foley , Board Member & Strategic Advisor, Board Member, DOCOsoft, Provident Financial Services

, Board Member & Strategic Advisor, Board Member, DOCOsoft, Provident Financial Services Misti Fragen , VP, Learning, Research & Culture, Novant Health

, VP, Learning, Research & Culture, Novant Health Erica Hausheer , SVP, CIO, Teradata Corporation

, SVP, CIO, Teradata Corporation Jason JJ James , CIO, Net Health

, CIO, Net Health Pam Kubiatowski , Sr. Director of Digital Transformation, Zscaler

, Sr. Director of Digital Transformation, Zscaler Martin Leach , VP, R&D IT, Global Quality IT, Human Experience IT, Alexion Pharmaceuticals

, VP, R&D IT, Global Quality IT, Human Experience IT, Alexion Pharmaceuticals Steve Phillpott , President, SIM San Diego, CIO, Illumina

, President, SIM San Diego, CIO, Illumina Dr. Paul Randolph , Director, Employee Assistance Programs, Scripps Health

, Director, Employee Assistance Programs, Scripps Health Dr. Anne W. Rimoin , Professor, Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health

, Professor, Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health Jim Swanson , EVP and Enterprise CIO, Johnson & Johnson

, EVP and Enterprise CIO, Johnson & Johnson Jennifer Wesson Greenman, Chief Information Officer, Cancer Treatment Centers of America Global

Valued partners for the 2021 HMG Live! San Diego Technology Executive Leadership Summit on April 8 will include Auth0, Cohesity, Darktrace, Forescout Technologies, Globant, Horizon3.ai, Ivanti, PagerDuty, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Slack, SIM San Diego, Sonatype, Starburst, Tanium, Tessian, and Zscaler.

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Additionally, HMG Strategy will be hosting its 2021 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit on April 13. Topics to be discussed at this event will include how men in leadership roles can be more meaningful allies for women in the workplace, how female leaders can help to reimagine the business and lead the organization into a bright future, and how to foster an inclusive, high performing culture.

Prominent technology executives speaking at this event include:

Charlotte Baldwin , Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Mignona Cote , Global Specialty Head, Security, Risk, and Compliance, Amazon Web Services

, Global Specialty Head, Security, Risk, and Compliance, Amazon Web Services Ann Dozier , SVP, Chief Information Officer, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits

, SVP, Chief Information Officer, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits Nicole Eagan , Chief Strategy Officer and AI Officer, Darktrace

, Chief Strategy Officer and AI Officer, Darktrace Cindy Finkelman , Former CIO, FactSet Research Systems

, Former CIO, FactSet Research Systems Hala Furst , Cybersecurity and Technology Business Liaison, Department of Homeland Security

, Cybersecurity and Technology Business Liaison, Department of Homeland Security Sally Grant , Vice President, Lucd AI

, Vice President, Lucd AI Meredith Harper , VP, CISO, Eli Lilly and Company

, VP, CISO, Eli Lilly and Company Jennifer Hartsock , Vice President & CIO, Baker Hughes

, Vice President & CIO, Baker Hughes Liane Hornsey , Chief People Officer, Palo Alto Networks

, Chief People Officer, Palo Alto Networks Rashmi Kumar , Chief Information Officer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

, Chief Information Officer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Lo Li , SVP, Global Consumer Solutions, Equifax

, SVP, Global Consumer Solutions, Equifax Lesley Ma , CIO and Chief Continuous Improvement Officer, NSF International

, CIO and Chief Continuous Improvement Officer, NSF International Latha Maripuri , CISO, Uber

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, CIO, RN, CHCIO, El Camino Health Lynne Oldham , Chief People Officer, Zoom

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, CIO, Nutanix Bernadette Rotolo , Senior Vice President, Head of Global Systems, Warner Music Group

, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Systems, Warner Music Group Janet Sherlock , Chief Information Officer, Ralph Lauren Corporation

, Chief Information Officer, Ralph Lauren Corporation Kimberly Stevenson , SV & GM Foundational Data Services, NetApp

, SV & GM Foundational Data Services, NetApp Mark Stewart , Chief Operating Officer, Stellantis

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HMG Strategy will also be hosting its 2021 HMG Live! St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit on April 20. Topics to be discussed at this event will include building an inclusive culture that works for all employees, protecting the enterprise from cyber threats and how to approach the topic with the C-suite, and technologies that tech leaders are leaning on to drive success for their companies.

Prominent technology executives speaking at this event include:

Adrian Butler , CIO, Casey's General Stores

, CIO, Casey's General Stores Stephen M. R. Covey , Global Authority on Trust, Leadership and Culture, The FranklinCovey Global Speed of Trust Practice

, Global Authority on Trust, Leadership and Culture, The FranklinCovey Global Speed of Trust Practice Adam Fletcher , CISO, Blackstone

, CISO, Blackstone Paris Forest , Sr. Director IT, Boeing, The Boeing Company

, Sr. Director IT, Boeing, The Boeing Company Peter Hogan , CTO, Post Holdings

, CTO, Post Holdings Jennifer Hopper , CIO, Save A Lot

, CIO, Save A Lot Kristin Johnson , CHRO, Edward Jones

, CHRO, Edward Jones Dilip Krishna , Managing Director, Deloitte & Touche LLP

, Managing Director, Deloitte & Touche LLP Shavon Lindley , CEO, ion Learning

, CEO, ion Learning Matthew Modica , VP & CISO, BJC Healthcare

, VP & CISO, BJC Healthcare Lisa Nichols , CEO, Technology Partners

, CEO, Technology Partners Lamont Orange , CISO, Netskope

, CISO, Netskope Sherry Ryan , VP, CISO, Juniper Networks

, VP, CISO, Juniper Networks Bob Schukai , Executive Vice President, Technology Development, Fintech & New Infrastructure, Mastercard

, Executive Vice President, Technology Development, Fintech & New Infrastructure, Mastercard Jason Smith , CIO, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

, CIO, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Kristine Swan , VP of IT Business Partnering - Digital Farming, Bayer Crop Science

, VP of IT Business Partnering - Digital Farming, Bayer Crop Science Christine Miller Way , Director, Client Experience Channel, Edward Jones

, Director, Client Experience Channel, Edward Jones Jose Zeilstra, CEO, Gender Fair

Valued partners for the 2021 HMG Live! St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit on April 20 will include Auth0, Darktrace, Forescout Technologies, Globant, Horizon3.ai, Ivanti, NPower, PagerDuty, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Slack, Sonatype, Tanium, Technology Partners, Tessian and Zscaler.

To learn more about 2021 HMG Live! St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here.

To learn about HMG Strategys upcoming CIO & CISO Summits, click here.

UPCOMING WEBINARS & DIGITAL ROUNDTABLES

HMG Strategy has also received exceptional interest in its webinars through the strength of the 400,000+ technology executives in its community and the quality of the content it delivers. HMG Strategy has scheduled multiple 30-to-60-minute webinars over the next few months with an arsenal of innovative technology companies such as Azul, Citrix, Darktrace, HCL Technologies, Illumio, Ivanti, Moveworks, Nutanix, Okta, OutSystems, PagerDuty, RangeForce, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, UiPath, Zoom, Zscaler, and Zylo.

HMG Strategy will host a digital roundtable powered by Zylo on April 14th entitled Are You Truly Optimizing Your Organizations SaaS Spend? In this interactive roundtable discussion, Zylo Co-Founder and CEO Eric Christopher, Dutt Kalluri, SVP of Global Technology at Broadridge, and top CIOs and technology executives will discuss effective strategies to optimize SaaS investments by improving adoption and utilization of the applications that are in use. Well also examine successful approaches to monitoring and tracking SaaS applications that employees are using along with best practices to empower employees to access approved SaaS applications.

To learn more about this roundtable and to register for the event, click here.

On April 21, HMG Strategy will be hosting a digital roundtable powered by Nutanix entitled How Financially Smart is Your Hybrid Cloud Strategy? In this interactive roundtable discussion with CIOs and technology executives, Tim McCallum, Director of Customer Success Finance at Nutanix, and Dara Meath, Divisional CIO and Head of Digital at Conair, will share the business benefits that companies realize from using hybrid cloud environments, including the ability to pivot quickly to address speed-to-market requirements  along with how a hybrid cloud environment can deliver CAPEX savings.

To learn more about this roundtable and to register for the event, click here.

To learn more about HMG Strategys distinctive executive roundtables and webinars, click here.

ABOUT HMG Strategy

HMG Strategy is the world's leading digital platform for connecting technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world. Our regional and virtual CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, authored books and Digital Resource Center deliver unique, peer-driven research from CIOs, CISOs, CTOs and technology executives on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent. HMG Strategy also produces the HMG Security Innovation Accelerator Panel, a new webinar series thats designed to connect enterprise CISOs and security leaders with the most innovative cybersecurity companies from across the world.

The HMG Strategy global network consists of over 400,000 senior IT executives, industry experts and world-class thought leaders.

To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust for HMG Strategy's unique business model, click here.

Contact

Tom Hoffman

203-221-2702

TomHoffman@hmgstrategy.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39b33cb5-a250-42f0-96de-a1019ee6ac79
As the debate about the Equality Act continues on Capitol Hill, a group of Christian college students is suing the U.S. Department of Education, arguing that the religious exemption to Title IX is unconstitutional because it permits discrimination against LGBT individuals.

The Religious Exemption Accountability Project, an activist organization that empowers queer, trans and nonbinary students at more than 200 taxpayer-funded religious colleges and universities that actively discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, filed the lawsuit Monday in an Oregon federal court.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 33 current and former students at 25 Christian colleges that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The plaintiffs claim that the religious exemption tax-funded Christian schools receive for Title IX discrimination law is unconstitutional because it permits LGBT discrimination.

The lawsuit, Elizabeth Hunter et al. vs. U.S. Department of Education, is named after one of the plaintiffs who is a former student at Bob Jones University in South Carolina. Other plaintiffs went to or attend schools such as Baylor University in Texas, Union University in Tennessee, Nyack College in New York, Fuller Theological Seminary in California and Azusa Pacific University in California.

Source:The Christian Post
Algeria's health ministry has warned against using the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin to treat Covid-19 as it poses a "danger to human health", privately owned daily newspaper El Khabar has reported.



The newspaper said it had seen a letter sent by the ministry to local health authorities, warning that the drug was circulating on the black market, and they should be "aware of the dangers arising from the use of this medication" in humans.



Ivermectin is used to treat parasitic worms, but some have touted it as an effective coronavirus treatment even though it is not clinically proven.



It has also become popular on the black market in South Africa, where a court battle is raging over whether or not it should be used to treat Covid-19.



The pill is currently not licensed for human use by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. It is only registered to treat parasites in animals.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Chief Executive of the Beacon Hospital has been accused in the Dail of stealing vaccines and being caught red-handed.

Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD, said in the chamber: The CEO of the Beacon Private Hospital has been caught red handed. And he must go. He used his position of power to steal at least 20 Covid vaccines, and use them as if they were his own public personal property.

"If it was a cleaner, who went in and robbed 20 vaccines, he'd be arrested for theft, Mr Murphy said.

Beacon chief executive Michael Cullen has apologised for the incident, which saw jabs given to 20 teachers at St Gerards private school in Bray, attended by his children.

Read More

"It shouldn't be any different, because this is the CEO of billionaire Denis O'Brien's private hospital  the same hospital, let us remember, that in January was refusing to sign up to allow their facilities to be used for surge capacity, Mr Murphy contended.

Labour Party leader Alan Kelly also referred to what happened at the Beacon.

The old private school club of access to whatever you want, whenever you want, was at play again.

The Beacon got access to vaccinations and became a vaccination centre fairly early on, and there were issues in relation to them vaccinating some of their own staff above some who should have been prioritised in January.

Then there was the fact that they wouldn't sign up to the national plan as regards ICU, and then there was what happened over the last number of weeks.

Mr Murphy said: Again and again, private hospitals are putting their profits and their greed before public need.

He added: It underlines the need to end the two-tier health service, and bring the private hospitals into a one-tier National Health Service.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also raised what she called the Beacon shenanigans.

She said: The guidelines issued by the HSE were set to one side and an individual arbitrarily chose those who might be vaccinated.

This highlights, above all else, apart from the elites and the insiders and all of that, the lack of oversight and surveillance that is in play.

We heard about the Beacon because of good journalism and someone stepping forward, not because we have adequate oversight.

I want to know what is going to be done to remedy that deficiency.

The Taoiseach commented on the Beacon Hospital affair on Monday, saying the unauthorised distribution of spare vaccines was completely unacceptable and repugnant to people.

The administration of vaccines, which belong to the people of Ireland, has now been suspended at the Beacon, he said, and a HSE investigation is underway.

The Taoiseach added: What happened there (Beacon) was a fundamental breach of trust.

"It was wrong, and again the prioritisation laid down that the most vulnerable should be given the vaccine first.
The blockage of the Suez Canal by the Ever Given container ship for nearly a week will result in a 'large loss' for Lloyd's of London, its chairman revealed today.

The Canal is battling to clear the backlog after the ship's refloating this week, days after the blockage threw global supply chains into chaos.

Bruce Carnegie-Brown told Reuters it was too early to estimate the exact loss, but 'it's clearly going to be a large loss, not just for the vessel but for all of the other vessels that were trapped and unable to get through.'

Fallout: The blockage of the Suez Canal by the Ever Given container ship for nearly a week will result in a 'large loss' for Lloyd's of London, its chairman said

He added this could mean a loss for Lloyd's of London of around 73million or more.

Liability insurance claims for ships and cargo hit by the delays are expected to fall initially to the container ship Ever Given's liability insurer, UK Protection & Indemnity Club, Reuters said.

But, UK P&I Club will also use reinsurance, some of it in the Lloyd's of London market, industry sources say.

Mr Carnegie-Brown said Lloyd's of London may be on the hook for around five to 10 per cent of the total reinsurance claims.

Fitch Ratings said this week that global reinsurers were likely to face hundreds of millions of euros of claims due to the incident.

Refloated: The Canal is battling to clear the backlog after the Ever Given's refloating this week

Today, insurance market Lloyd's of London also revealed that its payouts for Covid-19 disruption are set to hit 6.2billion for last year, as it swung to a 900million annual loss.

Excluding Covid-19 losses, the market delivered an underwriting profit of 800million. In 2019, the group raked in annual profits of 2.5billion.

Of the whopping 6.2billion worth of payouts linked to the pandemic, Lloyd's of London said 2.6billion was re-insured, limiting the hit.

Lloyd's of London saw sales drop last year, with gross written premiums dipping to 35.5billion, which is 400million less than the year before.

Impact: Lloyd's of London revealed that its payouts for Covid-19 disruption are set to hit 6.2billion for last year

It said this was down to 'remediation of underperforming business' as it sought to 'focus on the quality' of its custom rather than volume.

John Neal, Lloyd's of London chief executive, said: 'Following an extremely challenging year marked by a global health crisis of a scale never seen before, Lloyd's continued to support its customers with payouts expected to total 6.2billion in Covid-19 claims.

'The year was also marked by a high frequency of natural catastrophe claims and the UK's formal exit from the EU, driving further losses and uncertainty.

'Against this unprecedented backdrop we have made good progress across our performance, digitalisation, and culture transformation plans.'
[March 31, 2021] Alyce Named To G2's Best Software List and Leader in Spring 2021 Grid Reports - Noted as #1 Account-Based Execution Software for Enterprise and Leader Across 18 Categories

Alyce, the Personal Experience (PX) platform that enables personal outreach at scale for sales and marketing, today announced its been recognized as a preeminent market leader for the sixth consecutive quarter in the newly released G2 Spring 2021 Grid Reports for the following categories: Account-Based Execution Software, Direct Mail Automation Software, Account-Based Direct Mail Software, and Promotional Product Mgmt Software. Alyce continues its leadership within the Index Reports, securing the top spot in Best Results, Best Usability, Best Implementation, and Best Relationship while maintaining the #1 spot in Account Based Execution Software for Enterprise. Additionally, Alyce has also been recognized in G2's (News - Alert) Best Software series within the Fastest Growing Products category. As enterprise buyers continue to evaluate and deploy strategic and experience-driven approaches to engage with key prospects, customers and partners, the Account-Based Execution and promotional product management category has become increasingly more important. "From one of the fastest growing products and best software companies, Alyce continues to be recognized by their Enterprise customers for the results, usability and outstanding support they provide the industry with their Personal Experience platform," said Michael Fauscette, Chief Research Officer at G2. "Rankings on G2 reports are based on data provided to us by real users of the products and help technology buyers find the best software products based on the real-world voice of the user." The G2 Spring 2021 awards kicks off an amazing year along with recent recognition for Alyce as America's Top Best Startup Employers for 2021 by Forbes Magazine, Best Places to Work and Best Culture and Company for Women by Comparably.



"Our continued recognition by G2 as a preeminent market leader is truly a humbling honor and reflection of the trust and outstanding partnerships we have with our enterprise customers," said Greg Segall, founder and CEO of Alyce. "As we help our customer's grow and see Alyce become a greater cornerstone to their ABM strategy, it's truly exciting to see them incorporate and recognize the value of research data our PX platform delivers in creating those strong personal bonds. It's transforming their entire marketing and sales approach - by focusing on the unique #5to9 interests of prospects, partners and customers." Alyce receives ongoing active positive G2 Crowd reviews; showcasing dedication to results, outstanding service, and the value of the PX platform and approach.

Recent review highlights include: A great solution for 'the new normal'.

I switched over to Alyce from Sendoso-namely for the core shift in how the platform functions. I really appreciate that Alyce is built on the idea of paying for what's actually claimed vs. paying for every send and hoping it works. We've been able to significantly improve our spend on direct mail, and in the first month, the impact has already been noticeable. Especially in a world where you don't know where someone's working from at the moment, Alyce was built on the idea of giving the recipient choice-both on the gift they receive and where it gets sent.

~Doug Houvener, Enterprise Marketing Manager, WebPT "Alyce Is The Best Forward Thinking Prospecting Tool!"

The user interface is fluid and easy to navigate. Importing contacts from Salesforce is easy and makes my job a lot easier as well. It is a very fluid platform and Alyce is always making improvements which says alot about the company.

~James Carlson, Account Executive at GrubHub Alyce is awesome!

Alyce gives me the opportunity to connect with my prospects on a personal level.

It makes the selling experience a lot smoother!

~Maria Ciarrocca, Senior Enterprise Growth BDR at Adobe (News - Alert) Since its inception, Alyce has been focused on creating real Personal Experience moments that help businesses grow with the only platform that gives sales, marketing, and customer teams the ability to create individual personal gifts at scale. About G2

G2, the world's leading business solution review platform, leverages more than 790,000 user reviews to drive better purchasing decisions. Business professionals, buyers, investors, and analysts use the site to compare and select the best software and services based on peer reviews and synthesized social data. Every month, more than three million people visit G2's site to gain unique insights. Learn more about what users have to say on G2 Crowd's Alyce review page here. About Alyce

Alyce is a Personal Experience (PX) platform that helps enterprise sales, marketing, and customer success teams create personal bonds with everyone they do business through personal gifting & swag. Alyce bridges the physical and digital marketing worlds to help enterprises better engage prospects, customers, and employees while delivering measurable results. Alyce is a venture-backed, privately held company headquartered in Boston, MA. Learn why our customers love Alyce by visiting our customer stories page. Learn more at www.alyce.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005036/en/

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The Welsh government has been urged to abandon its 'cut-and-paste-from-Defra mentality' and design policy aimed specifically at delivering for Welsh farmers.

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has responded to the Welsh government's white paper on the future of agricultural support in Wales, rejecting most of its key proposals.

The Agriculture (Wales) White Paper highlights policy proposals to govern agriculture, as well as forestry and woodlands, over the coming decades.

The consultation opened in December and closed for responses on Friday 26 March.

Central would be a change in farm support payments to a system of delivering public goods, similar to England's future system.

Farmers would be paid for environmental outcomes such as improving air quality, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

The paper also proposes a reform of the regulatory landscape for farmers with the introduction of a set of National Minimum Standards and civil sanctions regime.

But the FUW has rejected most of the proposals and instead called for a 'genuine Welsh policy to be developed to meet Welsh objectives'.

President Glyn Roberts said: We have a proud history of designing agricultural policy for Wales and have previously deviated significantly from English policies - much to our benefit - and we should continue to do so.

Scotland and NI are making the most of their devolved powers and forging ahead with plans to use multiple tools to deliver what is needed for their own agriculture and rural communities.

"Wales should therefore abandon the cut-and-paste-from-Defra mentality and design a scheme aimed specifically at delivering not only environmental outcomes, but also the prosperity, jobs, language, culture and other targets."

Other proposals in the paper include rewarding farmers for creating woodland, simplification of data collection, supporting the sector to decarbonise and improving animal health and welfare.

The Welsh government has also committed to increasing the area of woodland cover in Wales, with a target of supporting 2,000 ha of new woodland planting each year.

But some farmers fear that optimistic targets for tree-planting could lead to 'large-scale blanket plantations' to the detriment of agricultural productivity, FUW warned.

It added that moving farm support away from food production would 'threaten' the viability of Welsh family farms.

Mr Roberts said: We are facing huge uncertainty due to the pandemic, new trade barriers thrown up by Brexit, and potential trade deals with countries with far lower standards than our own.

In order to ensure farmers are active participants in the biggest agricultural reform in Wales for more than half a century, much more will need to be done by the next Welsh government to engage with the industry.
SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. (Innovent) (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of cancer, metabolic, autoimmune and other major diseases, today announced that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China's Nation Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for Parsaclisib (IBI376) for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (FL). IBI376 is a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta (PI3K) inhibitor originally discovered by Incyte. Innovent owns the rights to develop and commercialize Parsaclisib in greater China.

NMPA grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation to new medicines that are intended to treat serious conditions and where clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy on a clinically significant endpoint. The BTD designation for Parsaclisib is based on the results observed in an ongoing Phase 2 study for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory FL being conducted in China (CTR2019239). Parsaclisib is currently in Phase 2 pivotal trials for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory follicular or with marginal zone lymphoma.

In clinical studies, Parsaclisib has demonstrated potent and rapid anti-lymphoma activity with promising safety, efficacy, and persistence. Preliminary clinical results of the CITADEL-203 study in relapsed or refractory FL presented at the 62st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) held in 2020 highlighted the safety profile, efficacy, and the durability of response of Parsaclisib (Abstract 2935). Study results showed that in the dosing group (N=95), Parsaclisib monotherapy achieved an objective response rate of 75%, with median PFS of 15.8 months in relapsed or refractory FL patients.

Dr. Hui ZHOU, Vice President of Medical Science and Strategy Oncology of Innovent, stated: "The breakthrough therapy designation from NMPA indicated that Parsaclisib possesses great potential in treating relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and we are hopeful that this product can help benefit more patients in the future."

About Parsaclisib (IBI376)

Parsaclisib is an investigational novel oral inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta (PI3K) isoforms. PI3K is an important anticancer target implicated in malignant B-cell growth, survival and proliferation which has demonstrated potency and selectivity in preclinical studies and has potential therapeutic utility in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies such as lymphoma. Parsaclisib is currently under evaluation as a monotherapy in several ongoing Phase 2 trials as treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphomas (follicular, marginal zone and mantle cell); and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Pivotal trials of Parsaclisib in combination with ruxolitinib for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis are also underway; and there are plans to initiate a trial to evaluate Parsaclisib in combination with tafasitamab for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

In December 2018, Innovent and Incyte entered into a strategic collaboration for three clinical-stage product candidates discovered and developed by Incyte, including Parsaclisib (PI3K inhibitor). Under the terms of the agreement, Innovent has received the rights to develop and commercialize Parsaclisib and two other assets in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

About Follicular Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a B-cell cancer that originates from the uncontrolled division of specific types of B-cells known as centrocytes and centroblasts. Although it is classified as indolent lymphoma, and the current immunochemotherapy has achieved good efficacy, it still often relapses following by aggressive diseases, which may lead to death within 1 to 2 years. There is an unmet medical need for treatment options for recurrent or refractory follicular lymphoma.

About Breakthrough Therapy Designation

In recent years, in order to encourage innovation to address unmet clinical needs, China has established a rapid drug review and approval pathway. A Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) is intended to facilitate and expedite development and review of an investigational drug to treat serious disease or condition when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug has demonstrated substantial improvement over current therapies. The BTD will not only qualify a drug candidate to receive status for rapid review by the CDE, but also allow the sponsor to obtain timely advice and communications from the CDE to accelerate the approval and launch in order to address the unmet clinical needs of patients at an accelerated pace.

About Innovent

Inspired by the spirit of "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent's mission is to develop, manufacture and commercialize high-quality biopharmaceutical products that are affordable to ordinary people. Established in 2011, Innovent is committed to developing, manufacturing and commercializing high quality innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune, metabolic and other major diseases. On October 31, 2018, Innovent was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code: 01801.HK.

Since its inception, Innovent has developed a fully integrated multi-functional platform which includes R&D, CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls), clinical development and commercialization capabilities. Leveraging the platform, the company has built a robust pipeline of 23 valuable assets in the fields of cancer, metabolic, autoimmune diseases and other major therapeutic areas, with 4 products - TYVYT (sintilimab injection), BYVASDA (bevacizumab biosimilar injection), SULINNO (adalimumab biosimilar injection) and HALPRYZA (rituximab biosimilar injection) - officially approved for marketing in China, five assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials, and additional 14 molecules in clinical trials. TYVYT was included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) in 2019 as the historically first PD-1 inhibitor entering in NRDL and the only PD-1 included in the list in that year.

Innovent has built an international team of advanced talents in high-end biological drug development and commercialization, including many overseas experts. The company has also entered into strategic collaborations with Eli Lilly and Company, Adimab, Incyte, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Hanmi and other international partners. Innovent strives to work with all relevant parties to help advance China's biopharmaceutical industry, improve drug availability to ordinary people and enhance the quality of the patients' lives. For more information, please visit: www.innoventbio.com.

SOURCE Innovent Biologics

Related Links

http://www.innoventbio.com


The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on Wednesday explained why it denies Nigerians access to the details of the assets declared by public officers.

The chair person of the bureau, Muhammad Isah, also disclosed that assets declaration would soon become online-based.

Mr Isah, represented by his special assistant, Mustapha Musa, spoke in Lagos at a meeting on Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Asset Declaration by High-Ranking Public Officers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

On access to public officers assets information, the CCB chair said the bureau never honoured citizens requests for such information because the National Assembly had yet to give the guidelines for such public disclosure.

He said the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act concerning assets declaration forms were subject to the conditions which the Constitution prescribes should be set by the National Assembly.

He noted that the rule is subject to the provisions of Paragraph 3 (c) Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said, This is a specific provision that is exclusive to the CCB.

The provisions of the FoI Act are general, general on all agencies, ministries, departments and bodies of government but this paragraph is specific on the Code of Conduct Bureau.

It is not that the CCB is not willing to give information to applicants.

The constitution states that we can only give such information subject to some conditions or guidelines to be given by the National Assembly.

The National Assembly is yet to give any guidelines; therefore, the hands of the CCB are tied regarding this position.

Debate on access

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tayo Oyetibo, noted at the event that whether members of the public should have access to information on assets of a public officer had been debated nationally for years.

The SAN, who was represented by Mobisola Odimegwu, the managing associate of Tayo Oyetibo and Co., said the courts could intervene in situations where a citizens request for information was denied by CCB.

He argued that based on a court decision, the failure of the National Assembly to prescribe the guidelines for access to the information about assets declared by public officers could not take away the citizens right to have access to such information.

He said, The Court of Appeal, in the case of Code of Conduct Bureau versus Nwankwo, noted that there is a restriction, that the National Assembly has to provide terms and conditions.

However, it said, that these terms and conditions had not been provided, does not obliterate the fact that citizens have the right to access this information.

The court noted that the asset declaration of a public servant is a public document.

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Paragraph 3 (c) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution deems any citizen of the country right to inspect asset declaration of any public servant.

Since the right to inspect the asset declaration of public officers is a constitutional right, failure of the National Assembly to prescribe the terms and conditions does not obliterate or take away that right.

Mr Oyetibo said asset declaration of public officers engendered public confidence in the governance process and served as a means of checks and balances.

Public officers are not accountable to the CCB, they are accountable to the citizens of the country.

Public office comes with the burden of public scrutiny.

Anyone who cannot stand scrutiny should not hold public office, he said.

Website for online assets declaration to be available soon

The CCB chair also said at the event that the website for submission of asset declaration forms was ready and would be available for use for all stakeholders.

He said the online declaration system was being put in place in an effort to make the exercise easier.

He said, Our asset declaration website is live and online with all security features and certification necessary for its takeoff.

The website will be launched very soon. Our staff that will be responsible for its operation will soon be receiving documents.

Information on the website regarding asset declaration can only be accessed by the CCB, and the site is available at https://assetdeclaration@ccb.gov.ng.

(NAN)
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, appears in New York State Supreme Court during a hearing on a defamation case against U.S. President (Photo : REUTERS/Barry Williams/Pool/File Photo)

New York state's highest court on Tuesday cleared the way for a former contestant on "The Apprentice" to sue Donald Trump for defamation, after the former U.S. president called her a liar for accusing him of sexual assault.



Trump had argued before leaving the White House on Jan. 20 that Summer Zervos could not pursue her case because a sitting president could not be sued, but the state Court of Appeals said in a brief order that "the issues presented have become moot."



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Zervos' case will now return to a Manhattan trial court, where her lawyers may have an opportunity to question Trump under oath. The case had been on hold during Trump's appeal.



"Now a private citizen, the defendant has no further excuse to delay justice for Ms. Zervos, and we are eager to get back to the trial court and prove her claims," Beth Wilkinson, a lawyer for Zervos, said in an email.



Lawyers for Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment.



Zervos came forward during the 2016 presidential campaign with accusations that Trump subjected her to unwanted kissing and groping after she sought career advice in 2007, two years after her appearance on his reality television show.



She sued Trump in January 2017 after he branded such allegations by women "lies" and retweeted a post calling Zervos' claims a "hoax."



Zervos has sought a retraction or an apology, plus compensatory damages and punitive damages.



Trump has denied Zervos' claims, and called her case politically motivated.



Former Elle magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll is also suing Trump for defamation, after he denied having raped her in the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in the mid-1990s.



Trump has also denied claims by several other women of improper sexual conduct.


Massachusetts residents who wait for the final day to renew their inspection sticker may be out of luck.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles on Wednesday said that an issue with their vendor, Applus Technologies, will prevent all vehicle inspections from taking place.

The vendor, the RMV said, is working on correcting the problem. In the meantime, the RMV has notified law enforcement and is asking for its cooperation and discretion to not cite drivers who may have visited an inspection site on Tuesday or Wednesday - the final two days of March.

The RMV said it will provided updates when available, but residents can visit http://mavehiclecheck.com for the latest information.
It was a stark message: A convoy of masked Shiite militiamen, armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, drove openly through central Baghdad denouncing the U.S. presence in Iraq and threatening to cut off the prime minister's ear.

The ominous display underscored the growing threat that rogue militias loyal to Tehran pose for Iraq. It came at a time when Baghdad seeks to bolster relations with its Arab neighbors and is gearing up for early elections, scheduled for October, amid a worsening economic crisis and a global pandemic.

Last weeks procession also sought to undermine Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimis credibility, with Iran-aligned militias driving down a major highway and passing near ministries as Iraqi security forces looked on. Ahead of a new round of talks between the U.S. government and Iraq, it sent a stark warning that the militias will not be curbed.

A fourth round of so-called strategic Iraq-U.S. talks is scheduled for next week after the Iraqi government requested it, partly in response to pressure from Shiite political factions and militias loyal to Iran that have lobbied for the remaining U.S. troops to leave Iraq.

The talks, which began in June under the Trump administration, would be the first under President Joe Biden. On the agenda is an array of issues, including the presence of U.S. combat forces in the country and the issue of Iraqi militias acting outside of state authority. The discussions are meant to shape the future of the U.S.-Iraq relationship, a senior U.S. official recently said.

It is a tightrope for al-Kadhimi, who has said that bringing armed groups under state control is a goal of his administration but finds himself increasingly helpless in reining in the groups. U.S. officials have said Washington will use the meetings to clarify that U.S. forces remain in Iraq for the sole purpose of ensuring the Islamic State group cannot reconstitute itself  a signal that the U.S. seeks to keep the 2,500 remaining American soldiers in Iraq.

Political analyst Ihsan Alshamary said the militias' military-style parade sought to weaken al-Kadhimis government and project strength.

It also aims at sending a message to Washington: We are the decision makers, not the government, he added.

The militiamen in the parade were mostly from a shadowy Shiite group known as Rabaallah  one of about a dozen that surfaced after the Washington-directed drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad in January 2020.

Both Soleimani and al-Muhandis were key in commanding and controlling a wide array of Iran-backed groups operating in Iraq, and their deaths in the U.S. airstrike outraged Iraqi lawmakers, prompting them to approve a non-binding resolution to oust U.S.-led coalition forces from the country.

Since then, militias have also become increasingly unruly and disparate. Some Washington and Iraq-based observers argue the militias have splintered into new, previously unknown groups, allowing them to claim attacks under different names to mask the extent of their involvement.

They are tools used for negotiating purposes and putting pressure on Washington when it comes to (Irans) nuclear file, Alshamary said, referring to efforts under Biden to resurrect the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers that former President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018.

Rabaallah, for instance, is believed to be a front for one of the most powerful Iran-backed factions in Iraq, which the U.S. has blamed for rocket attacks targeting the American Embassy in Baghdad and military bases that house U.S. troops.

Last October, the group attacked the offices of a political party in the northern, semiautonomous Kurdish region in Iraq, and set fire to the Kurdish party's office and media headquarters in Baghdad. It has also been blamed for assaults on liquor stores and an Asian spa center in the Iraqi capital.

Rabaallah went so far as to try and dictate the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar to the dollar, demanded the approval of a budget and denounced what it said was U.S. occupation of Iraq. It displayed posters of al-Kadhimi with a shoe printed across his forehead and a pair of scissors on the side of his face, with the words: It's time to cut his ear off.

Iraq lies on the fault line between the Shiite power Iran and the mostly Sunni Arab world and has long been a theater for settling regional scores. It has also been dragged into the U.S.-Iran proxy war. And though its relations with the U.S. took a hit following the airstrike that killed Soleimani, ties have improved since al-Kadhimi  approved by both Iran and the U.S.  became prime minister.

Political analyst Tamer Badawi said the Shiite militias aim to send a dual message to al-Khadimis administration. The first is a warning against any attempt at curbing the militias' influence under the banner of fighting corruption. The other is to pressure the government to push the U.S. to scale down the number of coalition forces in Iraq.

For his part, al-Kadhimi has tried to curb the militias' money-making border activities, including smuggling and bribery, and show his American interlocutors that he is capable of keeping domestic adversaries in check.

Badawi said the pressure from the militias will likely increase ahead of the strategic talks with the U.S. on April 7.

In the days after the Rabaallah parade, Iraqi security forces fanned out in the streets and main squares of the capital Baghdad in what a senior Iraqi security official described as a "reassuring message."

But for Baghdad shopkeeper Aqeel al-Rubai, who watched the February militia parade from the street, the militia show was a terrifying sight that reflects a powerless government.

I saw that this country is insecure and unfit to live in peace, he said.

___

Karam reported from Beirut.
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Earlier this month, the Securities and Exchange Commission denied requests from ConocoPhillips and Occidental Petroleum to throw out shareholder motions for voting on detailed emission-reduction plans. The move sets a precedent in the industry, which might draw more activist investors with an ESG bend to the unloved industry. This is a breakthrough in the fight against climate change. Finally, shareholders can vote about the elephant in the room: product emissions. All our experience in Europe has shown that only shareholders votes for concrete emissions targets will lead oil majors to change course, said the founder of Follow This, the environmental activist investor group. It was a Follow This resolution that Conoco tried to throw out, arguing, among other things, that it was an attempt to micromanage the company.

Peter Davies, the founder and CEO of Jigsaw Trading, calls this argument ludicrous: Regardless of which side of the global warming fence you sit, that argument is clearly ludicrous. The shareholders are the owners of the companies and global warming is one of the hottest, potentially most significant topics humanity currently has to deal with. The SEC simply denied their request to ignore their owners.

Indeed investor pressure on Big Oil concerning emission disclosures and reduction plans has been intensifying steadily, not least because the wider ESG investment segment has enjoyed enormous interest from both institutional and retail investors. Big Oil might sound like the last industry environmentally conscious investors would want to venture into, but this may be misleading.

Now that the SEC allows shareholder democracy again, responsible investors who divested in the past could return, because now they can vote for change, Follow This Mark van Baal told Oilprice. After all, he said, Follow This came to prominence with the slogan Change the world: buy Shell as it sought to force the supermajors into becoming more responsible about the environmental impact of their operations.

The push has worked with European supermajors, but American Big Oil was - until now - more or less shielded from such pressure. But as the pressure increased, it could no longer be ignored, as evidenced by the SECs move to deny Conocos and Oxys requests. Industry observers immediately said the regulators decision would automatically extend to other U.S. energy companies as well. More shareholders, then, would be free to vote on climate-related motions and resolutions.

Related: Will The Worlds Newest Oil Benchmark Be A Success?



Not all agree that this will drive more investors into U.S. oil. According to James Bradford, president of Vivid Capital Management, for instance, the SEC decision will hardly result in an influx of new investors in Big Oil.

While there is lots of potential for oil and gas producers to reduce their operational emissions, it is unlikely that investors gravitate to the sector in search of low emissions as ultimately the product that the companies produce is emissions generative, he told Oilprice. In other words, they are still likely to be viewed as exacerbating the global CO2 problem, albeit at a slightly reduced rate. The oil industry could only become truly attractive to ESG investors if they put a lot more effort into cleaning up their operations.

This would be a challenge, though, as Richard Leaper, Vice President of Milestone Environmental Services, noted in comments for Oilprice. Leaper says that emission reduction across the oil and gas supply chain is already difficult: low-carbon alternatives to their business-as-usual do carry a green premium. This tends to fade over time, though, and it is not always the most cost-efficient option. Yet trying to reduce emissions from the use of their products is an even greater challenge for oil companies and may be a deterrent to new investors.

Even so, there may be an upside to investing in an oil industry that is being forced to become more responsible about emissions. Taken not by itself but together with what the Biden administration has done in the energy area since January, greater shareholder say over emissions could, in fact, provide new profit opportunities for investors, according to Jay R. Young, CEO of King Operating Corporation, a Dallas-based private oil and gas operator.

Regulatory pressures on production have historically contributed to and even accelerated higher prices in energy outputs. Its reasonable to expect that to continue in the near future, Young told Oilprice. We already have evidence of this trend due in part to regulatory decisions made within the last couple of months. Its not just about cost increasing. It also represents an opportunity for profitability because the pricing can bear more margin thanks to the increasing wave of demand, and investors inevitably want a part of that opportunity.

Whether or not the SEC move to deny Conoco and Oxys requests to throw out climate resolutions will lead to an influx of ESG investors in the oil industry remains to be seen. Yet it is an essential step from shareholders perspective: until now, companies could ignore what were essentially the demands of people who partially own those same companies. Now, at least two of these will no longer be able to ignore these demands.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Joe Biden kicked off his 2019 presidential campaign with a rally in a Pittsburgh union hall. On Wednesday, he chose a carpenters training center in Pittsburgh to kick off his campaign for a $2 trillion American Jobs Plan that won applause from the union members and local politicians in attendance, while Republicans in Congress signaled early opposition.

Its a once in a generation investment in America, unlike anything weve seen or done since we built the interstate highway system and the space race decades ago, Biden said of his plan to rebuild the nations infrastructure over eight years, create millions of well-paid jobs and position the United States to out-compete China.

He said he aims to finance his plans to boost infrastructure associated with transportation, housing, manufacturing and home care by raising corporate taxes from 21 to 28 percent and reducing incentives for companies to shift jobs and profits to other countries.

Biden assured the crowd that nobody who makes under $400,000 yearly will see an increase under his plan, but the 91 Fortune 500 companies that use loopholes to ensure they pay no federal taxes will have to start paying their fair share. The White House estimates the revisions would fully fund the $2 trillion infrastructure plan within the next 15 years and subsequently reduce deficits on a permanent basis. Biden said the 2017 tax revisions promoted by former President Donald Trump encouraged offshoring jobs and should be overturned.

When Trumps tax bill passed, 83% of the money went to the top 1%, said Biden. This is about opening opportunities for everybody else.

Republicans such as Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman criticized the high price tag of Bidens plan and said the proposed tax hike would undermine the economy at a time when its struggling to recover from the coronavirus.

This is the wrong approach, said a statement from Portman, which argued the 2017 tax changes that Biden wants to scale back led to one of the best economies in our nations history.

We can work together to find common-sense ways to pay for real infrastructure legislation without resorting to partisan tax hikes that will hurt our economy. Portman continued.

Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown praised the plan, saying hes been pushing for major corporations to pay their fair share of taxes for years, and that he believes they should be encouraged to invest in U.S. workers rather than shifting jobs and production overseas. He said he looks forward to working with the Biden administration to pass the bill..

This plan rebuilds American infrastructure by putting Ohioans to work at good-paying jobs that cannot be shipped overseas, and positions America to lead the world in the industries of tomorrow, said a statement from Brown. This is an investment in the Ohio towns, neighborhoods and homes that have been overlooked by Washington and Wall Street for too long.

Bidens proposed investments will focus on four areas:

* Transportation infrastructure $620 billion worth of investments in roads, bridges, rail, and other facets of transportation. The plan aims to double funding for public transit and modernize 20,000 miles of highways and roads. It would also fix the 10 most economically significant bridges in need of reconstruction and repair the worst 10,000 smaller bridges. It would build a network of 500,000 EV chargers to serve electric vehicles, replace 50,000 diesel transit vehicles and electrify at least 20 percent of the yellow bus fleet. It would also strive to make infrastructure more resilient to climate change, in addition to targeting 40 percent of the benefits of the climate and clean infrastructure investments to disadvantaged communities. It would provide $80 billion to address Amtraks repair backlog; modernize the high traffic Northeast Corridor; improve existing corridors and connect new city pairs; and enhance grant and loan programs that support passenger and freight rail safety, efficiency, and electrification. It also calls on Congress to invest in protection from extreme wildfires, coastal resilience to sea-level rise and hurricanes, and to restore and protect major land and water resources like Floridas Everglades and the Great Lakes.

* Residential infrastructure  $650 billion worth of investments in broadband, water, power and affordable housing. It calls for building and renovating more than 2 million units of high-quality affordable housing, replacing all the nations lead pipes and service lines, and reducing lead exposure in 400,000 schools and childcare centers. It would lay thousands of miles of transmission lines to make the electric grid more resilient and spend $100 billion to provide universal broadband access, including to the more than 35% of rural Americans who currently lack access, in addition to the underserved communities that currently cant afford it.

* Manufacturing infrastructure  $580 billion worth of investments in manufacturing, next-generation research and development, high-quality workforce development and critical supply chains. It would offer incentives to help companies work with researchers and local leaders to rebuild supply chains and make a $50 billion investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing. It would support clean energy manufacturing projects in coal communities and provide incentives for companies  large and small  to locate manufacturing jobs in the nations industrial heartland. It calls for capping hundreds of thousands of orphan oil and gas wells and cleaning up abandoned mines. It would double the number of registered apprenticeships to over 1 million to ensure they reach workers and students who have typically been left out, and build a more inclusive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce by investing in the more than 30% of students who study in minority serving institutions. His package also includes legislation that would ensure all workers have a choice to unionize and would guarantee union and bargaining rights for public service workers. His plan also ensures domestic workers receive legal benefits and protections and tackles pay inequities based on gender.

* Home care infrastructure  $400 billion worth of investments in home- and community-based care for older family members and people with disabilities. It would expand access to long-term care services under Medicaid, and support well-paid caregiving jobs that include benefits and the ability to collectively bargain. Biden also wants Congress to provide $25 billion to help upgrade child care facilities and increase the supply of child care in areas that need it most.

Biden observed that many of the nations largest infrastructure drives were championed by Republicans, from Abraham Lincoln promoting construction of a transcontinental railroad to Dwight Eisenhower boosting the interstate highway system.

I dont think youll find a Republican today in the House or Senate, maybe Im wrong, who doesnt think we have to improve our infrastructure, said Biden. They know China and other countries are eating our lunch. Theres no reason this cant be bipartisan.

In a Fox Business interview, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan said he expects Democrats will probably push the bill through with no Republican support, and said its high price tag would be ruinous to jobs and the economy.

This is the hard left taking over the Democrat Party, doing all their radical things, and I assume this is going to be no different, said Jordan, of Champaign County.

In a separate Fox interview, Cincinnati Republican Brad Wenstrup said that increasing the tax rate on corporations from 21 to 28 percent would affect us terribly in the world market, its going to lose jobs, its going to diminish our capabilities. And this is at a time when our supply chain, we realize now through COVID, is in tremendous jeopardy.

A statement from Bainbridge Township GOP Rep. Dave Joyce said he was encouraged to see that Bidens plan called for investing in American manufacturing and job training efforts, improving drinking water infrastructure, and expanding broadband access, but hes concerned about its price tag. He said offsetting its cost will likely lead to the first major federal tax hike since 1993.

Any infrastructure plan we pass should help accelerate Americas post-pandemic recovery, not burden struggling businesses with additional taxes as they begin to rehire workers and reignite our economy, Joyce continued. As the House works to put together legislation based on the Presidents framework, I urge my colleagues to work across the aisle so that we can provide the American people with a bipartisan, fiscally responsible infrastructure package that creates jobs, doesnt add onto our $28 trillion debt, and spurs economic growth.

A spokesman for Rocky River Republican Rep. Anthony Gonzalez said hes still reviewing details of the proposal to see what the overall impact will be on Ohioans.

However, raising taxes on employers in the wake of a global pandemic seems like an especially poor choice, said Gonzalez spokesman Mason DiPalma. Employers are still trying to recover from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic and a tax increase during this time would slow the recovery process and would lead to more jobs being lost.

Democratic House of Representatives members Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Tim Ryan of Youngstown praised the proposal. Kaptur said the House Appropriations subcommittee that she chairs, which oversees funding for energy and water development projects, will likely play a large role in passing major provisions of this new-age jobs and infrastructure package.

She said its passage would help to reverse outsourcing of Ohio manufacturing jobs that left communities to fend for themselves. She echoed Bidens complaints that public domestic investment as a share of the economy has fallen by more than 40 percent since the 1960s, and that the nations roads, bridges and water infrastructure is crumbling after decades of neglect.

For too long, our national leaders have let American innovation and investment slip away to foreign competition, said a statement from Kaptur. Its time America grabs the reins of progress again. The American Jobs Plan will invest in American communities, jobs, and infrastructure in ways not seen for a generation  it is desperately needed and I look forward to working closely with President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and my colleagues in Congress to ensure it becomes a reality. Let us pull forward together for the sake of generations to come.

A statement from Ryan said Biden unveiled his plan in the Midwest because he knows that it was working-class Americans in communities like ours who built this country into what it is today, and it will be communities like ours that lead the way to build back better and transform the future of America.

As the President said today, this is the moment to reimagine and rebuild a new economy, said Ryan. I couldnt agree more. I am proud that the American Jobs Plan calls for the electrification of the auto industry, including our school buses, diesel trucks and public transportation vehicles. With the investments already made here in Voltage Valley in battery and vehicle production, and the research in clean-energy being done here by local companies and our energy and software incubators, we are well-positioned to not only take full advantage of these investments, but to continue to lead the way in the future of clean energy innovation.

Read more:

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Ohio Congress members introduce legislation to create a manufacturing czar

Sen. Sherrod Brown wants to use Congressional Review Act to overturn Trump-era financial rules

Ohio retirees take victory lap after pension fix is included in American Rescue Plan

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Ohio health centers will get more than $160 million for coronavirus vaccinations and vulnerable group services

Rep. Dave Joyce objects to marijuana-related firings at the White House

Oversight or overreach? Voting bill sparks controversy in Congress

Sen. Sherrod Brown cites fraternity pledging deaths in push for anti-hazing legislation

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analysis

Two days before Easter, President Cyril Ramaphosa told South Africa that the sale of alcohol has been restricted for the four days of the long weekend, while the limit on gatherings has been upped. Beyond Easter, Phase Two of the vaccine roll-out is starting to take shape.

The second phase of South Africa's vaccine roll-out will begin in May and little will change in the way of restrictions over the upcoming period of religious observances, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa in a speech to the nation on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa noted that South Africa, like many other countries, is "not yet ready to return to normal life" because of Covid-19. This will be the second year that we will have to limit our interactions, particularly over Easter, he said.

On March 30 2020, there were 1,324 active cases of Covid-19 in South Africa and two deaths. A year later, the country had recorded more than 1.5 million cases and 52,710 deaths. Places of worship closed their doors and went online, while others limited the sizes of gatherings to the required 100 people.

Ramaphosa went on to say that Easter is a "welcome moment" to pause and rest from work, studies or...
Courtesy of El Mirasol

Jesse Calvillo, the owner of El Mirasol, has built quite the reputation for the restaurant over the past 23 years. Their margaritas are sought after by patrons from all over San Antonio  it makes sense considering they have been awarded Best Margarita in San Antonio in this years Readers Choice Awards.

When asked why El Mirasol was chosen for the best margarita in town, Calvillo replies with a chuckle, Because we do have the best margarita in San Antonio. The consistency, the flavor profile, the potency  people always come back for more. Experienced people will also tell you theyre strong, but you cant tell.
Dhaka, March 31 : Abdul Awal, chief of Hefazat's Narayanganj unit and nayeb-e-ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam -- the militant outfit -- has reportedly announced to resign from his position out of annoyance over the violence carried out by his partymen for three days.

Awal made the announcement while delivering a sermon on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat on Monday night at railway mosque of DIT commercial area in Narayanganj.

In the name of protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh trip, activists of Hefazat-e-Islam militants created violence in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, Chittagong and all over the country.

The militant groups used children of the Qawmi Madrasas in extensive vandalism at and set fire to government establishments. The group vandalized all government offices and police station and temples of Brahmanbaria and Chattogram.

The militants attacked on public vehicles and police throwing bricks. The police also opened fire on them to keep the situation under control in the two districts. At least 60 policemen were injured and 14 people died during the clash.

Meanwhile, the Hefazat leader could not be reached over phone. But his khadem (personal assistant), Mahadi Hasan, confirmed that Awal had announced resignation and there was no pressure upon him.

Mufti Muhammad Abdul Mumin, publicity secretary of the militant outfit, claimed that there is some misunderstanding between the leaders of Hefazat...it was not an official resignation.

"Probably, the nayeb-e-ameer wanted to leave the organisation because of some misunderstanding. He might have some issues with the local leaders. However, the viral video clip is authentic," he added.

A video clip of the sermon went viral on social media, drawing widespread discussions.
Reporter

Ben Zigterman is a reporter covering business at The News-Gazette. His email is bzigterman@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@bzigterman).
OROVILLE, Calif. - Today Governor Gavin Newsom approved over $80 million for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cal Fire, to not only battle wildfires when they happen but to keep them from starting in the first place.

Weather has not been our friend in this past year, said Captain John Gaddie from Cal Fire Butte County.

It may continue to not be our friend moving forward.

With the lack of precipitation, the fuels dry out, said Gaddie. Were having a little bit more fire activity up and down the state.

The combination of increases in temperature and high winds means fire season may be getting longer and longer.

I think the past has shown us that its here, said Gaddie about the idea of a year-round fire season. Its probably going to be a trend going forward.

Right now, Cal Fire is looking to ramp up their seasonal firefighters  meaning more hands-on-deck by mid to late May.

Bobbie Karthauser and Guy Smith have been evacuated from their home in Oroville twice for fires.

It is currently only March, yet they are out shopping for supplies to be prepared.

Once it starts and with the winds like today, you just hope, Smith said.

Cal Fire said it's a good idea to have a bag packed with personal belongings and to also do some yard work to help prevent fires.

"Go out there and start taking those weeds down and clearing the brush from around your house if you live in those areas, Gaddie said. Now is the perfect time to start doing that."

This constant vigilance may save lives.

"We're just doing what we can do, and hope everyone else is too, Karthauser said.

Cal Fire said they are working with public safety partners to continue to improve communication in case of a fire.

"This is just another emergency we have to deal with, Gaddie said. We have very robust resources out there to deal with fires."

The state is looking for other ways to help the effort of battling and preventing wildfires.

California members of Congress want wildland firefighter jobs to be year-round.

The two California senators and 21 members of Congress signed a letter to the Agriculture and Interior departments asking for wildland firefighter jobs to be year-round.

In the letter, they explain that the federal government owns more than half of all forest land in California.

It also lists how wildfires burned more than 4 million acres across the state in 2020.

Congressman Jared Huffman and Congressman John Garamendi from districts two and three are among the signatures in support.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa's office said LaMalfa was not asked to review or sign the letter before it was sent, but he is open to the concept of a year-round workforce.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:01:15|Editor: huaxia

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GABORONE, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Land degradation through human activities, such as cutting down trees for firewood as is culturally common in Botswana, is said to be a major contributor to climate change.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) assessment report on land degradation and restoration of 2018 suggests that land degradation is undermining the well-being of at least 3.2 billion people, as it increases the number of people exposed to hazardous air, water and land pollution. Particularly in developing countries like Botswana.

To ensure the protection and management of forest resources in Botswana, the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Philda Kereng says they are finalizing the development of a Forestry Bill.

"We are also implementing the Integrated Strategy on the Management of Prosopis (Sexanana), which is one of the most invasive alien species found in the Kgalagadi, Gantsi and Central Districts," she adds in light of the 2021 International Day of Forests.

The plant, which is said to possibly be lowering important fresh-water aquifers and clogging boreholes with its extensive root system, has properties that have enabled it to out-compete and replace most of the indigenous vegetation, forming dense thorn bushes, consequently degrading rangelands and reducing biodiversity.

In July 2020, Bokspits, Rappelspan, Vaalhoek and Struizendam communities, constituting The BORAVAST Community Trust, were trained to utilize Prosopis for the production of charcoal and fodder.

The same, Kereng says applies to the management of bush encroachment in Lake Ngami through utilization of deadwood for the production of charcoal.

For Bio-Watt Botswana, the story is slightly different. In an effort to reduce deforestation in the country, the youth-owned citizen company is producing charcoal and briquettes from organic waste.

"Not only is it sustainable and affordable for the poor, it releases zero emissions," says Obuile Morewane, CEO of Bio-Watt Botswana.

With this waste biomass product, Morewane believes communities no longer need to cut down trees for energy access.

"With this product we are offering a renewable energy source, especially for those in rural areas where energy access is a challenge," he added.

For a country which still largely depend on fossil fuels such as coal for electricity production, Morewane's product is a welcome development that will promote human health and inspire forest reserve conservation.

"It's not easy to tell rural dwellers to stop cutting down tress for firewood without giving them an alternative source of energy," he said.

According to Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll), Botswana's national overall electricity access rate is 60 percent. In urban areas, access is said to have reached 77 percent of the population, but it is 37 percent in rural areas. The Botswana government has set a national electricity access target of 100 percent by 2030.

The hope is that a plausible renewable energy transition will be witnessed, subsequently translating to sustainable land restoration. Enditem
Company sales of about US$6.5 million in February represents a nearly 28% market share in Michigan

Red White & Bloom also said it is making progress with its Illinois and Florida acquisitions

Red White & Bloom Brands Inc ( ) (OTCQX:RWBYF) said its Vape brand achieved record sales of about US$6.5 million in Michigan during the month of February, representing a nearly 28% market share, according to Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) data.

The company also noted that its High Times product launch in Michigan is picking up speed, with more than 50 dispensaries expected to carry High Times branded products following its full launch.

In just a short few months we have closed on our acquisition of Vape, executed definitive agreements to enter the Illinois and Florida cannabis markets through acquisition and entered into partnerships to expand into Arizona and offer delivery to over 90% of Californians of our award winning Platinum line of products, Red White & Bloom CEO Brad Rogers said in a statement.

There is no doubt that 2021 is quickly becoming the year of change for Red White & Bloom, and we are committed to delivering a year of growth, operational excellence, and success for all stakeholders, Rogers added.

As well, the company said it has agreed to acquire medically and recreationally-approved cannabis cultivation center licenses in Illinois, in addition to a 23,572 square foot active cultivation and manufacturing operation, the associated inventory, and the real estate assets including two acres of land, pending regulatory approval.

Red White & Bloom also anticipates closing its acquisition of Acreage Florida in 2Q 2021, which includes a property in Sanderson, Florida with over 15 acres of land, an 113,546 square foot facility for cultivation, and a freestanding administrative office building, plus eight leased stores in prime locations throughout the state.

The company said once all its pending acquisitions close it will be operating, or have brands available, in 6 of the Top 10 US states as measured by cannabis sales in 2020.

And, Red White & Bloom announced the launch of its Mid-American 20-count CBD hemp cigarettes, a full lineup of premium smokable flower hemp cigarettes.

Red White & Bloom is focusing its investments on the major US markets, including Florida, Illinois, California, Michigan, Oklahoma and Arizona with respect to cannabis, and the US and internationally for hemp-based CBD products.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
Government is planning to amend the Press and Journalists Act to include clauses that provide for new emerging electronic media and offences.

The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Ms Judith Nabakooba, at the weekend said the amended law will provide a safe working environment for journalists and regulate the media industry, which has now changed following emergency of new forms of media.

She said government will first engage relevant stakeholders, including the Media Council and media houses before the amendment process starts.

She said some of the salient issues which will be included in the new law include remuneration for journalists, use of digital media, training for journalists and their protection both at their workplaces and in the field.

"The presence of the new media and citizen journalism means that a lot has taken place. So this law that has been in existence for 20 years needs to be amended. We need to look at the provisions which we can continue with and those that can be removed and we insert in new provisions that will take care of the new technology and the journalists' welfare," Ms Nabakooba said while at Busega Seventh Day Adventist Church where she was officiating at the dedication prayers for the Adventist Media Association (AMA).

However, the minister did not reveal when the amendment process will start but noted that it will require time and involvement of other actors like government, media and legal scholars whose opinions she said will inform the preparation of the Bill to amend the current law.

The Press and Journalists Act is an Act of Parliament to ensure the freedom of press and provide for a Council responsible for regulation of the mass media and to establish an institute of Journalists in Uganda.

Ms Nabakooba's remarks come on the heels of security brutality against journalists, something which has been condemned by both media practitioners and civil society organisations.

Last month, military police brutalised many journalists while they covered the National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi who was delivering a petition to United Nations Human Rights Council offices in Kololo, Kampala.

The Uganda People's Defence Forces later charged seven of its officers who assaulted the journalists.

Ms Nabakooba said government recognises the role of journalists because they are a voice of the people and also popularise government programmes.

She also said all government poverty-eradication programmes shall now be implemented at parish level instead of sub-county level.

She said government realised that most people at local level don't benefit from such programmes because the process is very long and eventually only few parishes are covered.

Mr Joshua Musasizi, the AMA president, said journalists will not wait for the beating of more journalists to condemn the brutality.

"The freedom of the press and the right for journalists should be respected. Journalism is a hard task but it was our calling to serve the people. Just like other professions like medicine and teaching, journalism is a calling hence security officers must respect our profession. Journalism isn't a crime," he said.

Asked about the proposed amendment of the media law, Mr Musasizi said government should consider a media tribunal in the new law to arbitrate cases between media practitioners and the Uganda Communications Commission and clearly specify remuneration for journalists.

Mr Wilson Kaija Akiiki, a lecturer at Makerere University and a media trainer, said government should be looking at scrapping the existing different media laws and come up with a comprehensive law which caters for all media issues.

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For instance, he said, the Press and Journalists Act, Electronic Media Act and the Uganda Communications Act have some clauses which are almost similar.

He also tasked government not to wait for the amendment of the law but to prosecute the security officers who beat journalists.

The executive director for Human Rights Network for Journalists in Uganda, Mr Robert Sempala, said the media framework needs an overhaul because the provisions in the current law are very old.

Caution: "We will sort out all challenges affecting you. But I would also like to warn you that there is no story that is worth your life. If you see that a certain story might put you in trouble, please leave it," Judith Nabakooba, Information minister.
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The Growth Gap is a Yakima Herald-Republic reporting series and newsletter on how Washington states declining child care sector is edging out young learners. Were zeroing in on how this issue impacts children, families, providers and our economy in Central Washington, with an emphasis on long-term outcomes for early learners.

Virtual child care town hall

Join the Yakima Herald-Republic for a free virtual town hall exploring child care access in Central Washington and its impacts on families and young learners on Thursday, April 29 at 6 p.m.

As part of the Herald's ongoing series, The Growth Gap, education reporter Janelle Retka will be joined by Child Care Aware of Washington CEO Deeann Burtch Puffert to discuss the state of child care in our area, and what solutions are still needed.

Come to listen or ask questions, and we'll do our best to answer them either during the event or in follow-up reporting. Live captioning will be available in Spanish. Register here! Lets close the gap.
His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has participated in the closure of the Threshold Programme of the Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit, MCCU, at a ceremony at State House.

The United States Government's Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, and the Government of Sierra Leone started their partnership on 17 November 2015 to implement a $44.4 million threshold programme to improve access to clean water and reliable electricity and to support reforms designed to limit opportunities for corruption.

"Let me once again warmly welcome Ambassador Reimer to beautiful Sierra Leone. Ambassador, in Sierra Leone, it is traditional to welcome loved ones and those you care about several times over. So 'kusheh kusheh en welcome'.

"I also want to thank the US Embassy and especially outgone Ambassador, Maria Brewer, for their continuous support throughout this process. Let me also extend profound appreciation to the leadership of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the United States and in Sierra Leone," he said, adding that on every visit to the United States, he I had had fruitful dialogues with the leadership of the MCC and I had stayed engaged and benefitted greatly from those conversations.

"Thank you to the leadership of the MCC. Let me also thank my Vice President for his exemplary leadership. He has already detailed how he identified leadership; set up M&E and other accountability and reporting mechanisms in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies; and how he coordinated work on the threshold that has led to consecutive scorecard passes. As the Vice President and I have often agreed, data does not lie and we have deserved the scorecard passes at each turn," he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the MCCU, Ndeye Fatu Koroma, said the closure of the Threshold Programme captured a joy of accomplishment, noting that the funding laid the foundation for the financially viable provision of water and electricity services, essential services for the people of Sierra Leone.

"The MCCU team, a band of young and bright Sierra Leoneans, was tasked with pursuing aggressive reforms in the electricity and water sectors. We were asked to influence policy, build capacity and shift entrenched business cultures to ensure that our people have access to basic services that are integral to human capital development and the economic transformation of Sierra Leone," she noted.

Madam Koroma further stated that the team worked assiduously hard to deliver a successful Threshold Programme, the first success since the introduction of the programme in the country and which created the pathway of the eligibility of the Compact.

The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer, congratulated Sierra Leone for the enormous progress made in confronting the challenges facing its people, saying that the government had made significant strides to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, raised spending on education, and increased the percentage of girls who completed primary school.

Additionally, he said action had also been taken to control corruption and combat trafficking in persons. These initiatives directly contributed to Sierra Leone passing the MCC scorecard for two consecutive years. He confirmed that he was confident that by continuing to work together, Sierra Leone would be on the path to a brighter future.

"The United States of America is and will remain a firm and steadfast friend of Sierra Leone. Thanks to our shared values - democracy, the rule of law, and individual liberty - and our historic ties of family and culture. We remain deeply committed to Sierra Leone's success as a democratic nation and to the wellbeing of its people.

"From collaboration on peace and security, to support for the health system as you confront both longstanding health challenges and the current pandemic, the United States - and our Embassy here in Freetown - will work with you to build a more prosperous, peaceful and healthy future for all," Ambassador Reimer noted.

The Honourable Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who also doubled as the Chairman Board of Directors of the MCCU, said it was a very important occasion that marked a very important milestone in the partnership between the MCC of the United States of America and the Republic of Sierra Leone.

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"Your Excellency, upon assuming office, you placed the MCC under my direct leadership. You gave me three objectives: to oversee the successful implementation of the Threshold Programme, to improve on the performance of the scorecard and lastly to deliver a Compact.

Today we are witnessing the successful implementation of the Threshold Programme. As we close the five-year threshold programme, it should be noted that MCC decision to engage Sierra Leone in 2015 was a response to the Ebola crisis, to ensure that essential services are available to Sierra Leoneans, especially clean water and clean electricity," he noted.

Vice President further said that even during the Coronavirus pandemic in the country, the threshold programme remained extremely relevant, adding that it attested to the criticality that led to the provision of clean water to the communities of Aberdeen and Kingtom, to add access to pipe born water for the citizens.
Shah Rukh Khan hosted an #AskSRK session on Twitter recently and it seems like his fans were eagerly waiting for the moment. As soon as he started the session, fans bombarded him with questions. Khan, who has a history of replying with humour and wit, made sure that he added his spark to it. One of the users asked SRK how to woo a woman and he got the perfect response from the actor.

The user asked, @iamsrk ladaki patane ke liye ek do tips do #AskSRK. To which, SRK responded, Start with not using the word Patana for a girl. Try with more respect gentleness and respect.

Start with not using the word Patana dor a girl. Try with more respect gentleness and respect. https://t.co/z1aJ0idK0t  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 31, 2021

Another user asked Khan to advise teen girls who are insecure about their appearance. To this, he replied, All girls have a beauty which is different from each other. Dont compareand remember you are unique.

All girls have a beauty which is different from each other. Dont compare...and remember you are unique. https://t.co/7crO6QCdvk  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 31, 2021

His responses are why he is known as the man with a golden heart. SRK has always spoken about how men should be more respectful towards women and has stood up against violence and spoken for the ones who are oppressed by patriarchal norms.

In an earlier interview with Indian Express, SRK had talked about how to navigate relationships and behave with women in everyday life. He said, Three things: Respect, respect, and respect. I really believe that. Some of my women friends, whom I have known for years, find me too formal at times. But there is no romance and love without respect.

Respect means equality, and I dont mean the social medias #equality. To me, equality is letting you know how weak I am, equality is asking you, can you take care of me? This is what Ive done with my wife, and my women friends because I genuinely love them, he added.

He also emphasized the importance of teaching boys about gender sensitivity.

On the work front, SRK is returning to the big screen with Pathan, a YRF backed action film, which reportedly sees him playing a secret agent. As per reports, the actor is charging a whopping Rs 100 crore for Pathan.

Are you excited to see Shah Rukh back in action? Let us know in the comments section below.
A Melbourne private school has come under scrutiny after it banned a female student from bringing another girl to her formal.

Haileybury College revoked the $125 ticket of the 2020 graduate who was invited by a current year 12 student to her formal this Thursday at the Sofitel in Melbourne.

It comes after her formal was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The school revoked her ticket saying that students are not allowed to have a same-sex partner invited unless they are in a relationship. The two are not in a relationship but are friends.

Haileybury College, Melbourne has revoked a formal ticket after a female student invited another girl

The Herald Sun reported that the school allow students who had 'approved' same-sex relationships to attend and said the school took a 'dates not mates' approach.

A spokesperson from Haileybury College told the Daily Mail Australia that the school wanted their students to enjoy the 'traditional' experience.

'The rule across the board is that we want students to experience the tradition of taking a date to the formal,' they said.

The spokesperson said the school has allow for same-sex partners for some time.

'The school has allowed same-sex partners for 13 years, it's absolutely allowed.'

They said if students do not have a partner they are able to take friends that attend Haileybury College.

Despite the retrograde approach the spokesperson for Haileybury College said they had few complaints.

'We haven't received any complaints from the parents except for this one student and we're hosting about 600 at this formal.'

The 2020 graduate's mother wrote a letter to the school explaining her disappointment, the Herald Sun reported.

A spokesperson for the school said the students have been allowed to take same-sex partners to the formal for the past 13 years despite one student being told she can't take another girl

'In this day and age of inclusivity I find it extremely disappointing for Haileybury to take this stance and knowing it is an ex-Haileyburian who was in the only year of students to miss out on any formal that you would not be excited for her to be able to experience one,' the Herald Sun reported.

The 2020 graduate's sister attended the school until 2013, said the ruling may force unnecessary pressure on gay students, the Herald Sun reported.

'What happens if you are a girl or a boy who is gay and haven't come out and you have to get permission from the school and tell the parents when you may not be ready to do so?' she said.

Last year's graduate was planning on wearing the dress she had bought for last year's formal before it was cancelled, the Herald Sun reported.

She also had an appointment booked for her hair and was looking for a make-up artist when her ticket was revoked.

The spokesperson for Haileybury said the formal on Thursday will be host 600 students and is the first time that the boys and girls formal will be combined.
OKLAHOMA CITY, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Feed the Children, Americold and Tyson Foods are aligning to rapidly deliver more than 500,000 meals to communities across the U.S. to combat the staggering food insecurity children and families are experiencing due to COVID-19. This unprecendented partnership has produced an innovative distribution model allowing the three organizations to revamp the supply chain and distribute meals more quickly throughout the year to those who need support.

Through an innovative supply chain model, Tyson Foods is able to donate protein to Feed the Children, which is stored using Americold's temperature-controlled warehouses. Americold then donates the necessary storage space to Feed the Children. This three-pronged partnership enables food delivery at a 300 percent efficiency rate so Feed the Children can work with its community partners across the U.S. to quickly deliver food to thousands of families who urgently need help.

"Our partnership with Feed the Children is incredibly meaningful and we're proud of the unique ways we are able to support their efforts to provide for families experiencing food insecurity. By sharing our supply chain expertise and donating storage space, we are reducing the time it takes to get food to those in need. While families across the country face ongoing challenges related to COVID-19, we remain committed to supporting the communities where our associates live and work in any way we can," said Fred Boehler, President and CEO of Americold.

Americold has been a generous partner of Feed the Children. Since their partnership began 5 years ago, Americold has donated critical funds, and travelled thousands of miles providing complimentary temperature-controlled transporation services of chilled and frozen goods that have helped feed hundreds of thousands of families across America. Feed the Children and Tyson Foods have partnered for 18 years to provide protein items to families. However, during these extraordinary times where unemployment rates remain above 6 percent, the organizations are working even more closely together to ensure families who may have never had to worry about their livelihoods still have access to nutritious food.

"We're proud to play a critical role in feeding the nation during this challenging time. Our company is continuing to focus our resources where we can generate the most impact, and we're honored to support organizations such as Feed the Children who are doing heroic work to combat food insecurity," said Debra Vernon, senior director, corporate social responsibility, Tyson Foods.

It is estimated 1 in 4 children are food insecure due to the economic affects of the pandemic. A recent Brookings Institution study emphasized just how important the availability of nutritious food is today when it revealed that food insecurity has increased a staggering 130 percent in households with children under 18 since 2018. That's why Feed the Children works with public and private partners to ensure everyone, everywhere, has access to the safe, healthy and nutritious food they need. By working with a vast network of community partners, Feed the Children provides food and essentials, support for educators, and disaster response to help children and their families achieve stable lives, while providing food and resources to help them today.

"The Americold and Tyson Foods partnership means so very much to Feed the Children, and more importantly, to the families we serve," said Travis Arnold, president and CEO, Feed the Children. "Those living paycheck-to-paycheck do not have a safety net. Our partners are a critical part of providing compassionate support to those who are facing tough decisions about how to care for their families."

Now, more than ever, it's important for the nonprofit sector, corporations, community organizations, government officials, and food suppliers to come together to do good for those who need us. We know that when we combine our efforts, we will have a greater impact.

Visit feedthechildren.org for more information about supporting the nonprofit's mission to provide hope and resources for those without life's essentials.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. is one of the world's largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it's available and raise the world's expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 139,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.

About Americold

Americold is the world's largest publicly-traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation, acquisitions and development of temperature-controlled warehouses. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Americold owns and operates 238 temperature-controlled warehouses, with over 1.4 billion cubic feet of storage, in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Americold's facilities are an integral component of the supply chain connecting food producers, processors, distributors and retailers to consumers. Visit www.americold.com for more information.

About Feed the Children

At Feed the Children, we feed hungry kids. We envision a world where no child goes to bed hungry. In the U.S. and internationally, we are dedicated to helping families and communities achieve stable lives and to reducing the need for help tomorrow, while providing food and resources to help them today. We distribute product donations from corporate donors to local community partners, we provide support for teachers and students, and we mobilize resources quickly to aid recovery efforts when natural disasters strike. Internationally, we manage child-focused community development programs in nine countries. We welcome partnerships because we know our work would not be possible without collaborative relationships.

Visit feedthechildren.org for more information.

SOURCE Feed the Children
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the CPI(M)-LDF government, describing it as a dispensation of "frauds and scams", which was following a "corporate" manifesto instead of the communist manifesto.

She said the Left Democratic Front government had sworn allegiance to the communist manifesto, but was actually following a "corporate manifesto" like the Modi government at the Centre.

She also slammed the BJP and RSS for the alleged harassment suffered by the nuns belonging to a Kerala based congregation during a train journey in Uttar Pradesh and claimed that Home Minister Amit Shah had condemned it only because it was election time.

Addressing a series of public meetings and road shows, she embarked on her hectic two-day campaign across southern Kerala for the April 6 assembly polls on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also in the state to address a public meeting at Palakkad, the constituency where BJP has fielded 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan. "You have struggled in the last five years..you have suffered. Many central government policies have hurt you and several LDF policies hurt you even more," she said, lashing out at the ruling CPI(M)-LDF and BJP governments in her rallies.

Read | Kerala polls: Modi triggers Sabarimala issue while Priyanka raises love jihad row

"Demonetisation...faulty GST, the Corona pandemic and then the lockdown was imposed without any planning."

Gandhi said there is an unprecedented price rise and essential commodities are unaffordable. Gas cylinders may have been distributed free of cost at some point of time, "but today, you cannot fill them," she said and alleged that both the central and state governments are focusing only on handing over the assets to corporates.

The Congress leader also explained the various promises listed in the UDF manifesto and the 'Nyay Scheme', the minimum income guarantee scheme of the party.

Speaking at nearby Poonthura, a fishing hamlet, Gandhi urged voters to repose faith in the UDF. "What you do in Kerala will show the way for the rest of the country. It is a big responsibility and I am confident you will discharge it fully", she said.

Read | LDF govt 'betrayed' people of Kerala just as Judas did to Jesus: PM Modi

Former Union minister and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and former state minister V S Sivakumar were among those present at the Poonthura rally.

In a packed schedule, Gandhi addressed party workers in various constituencies in Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, attacking the LDF in Kerala and the BJP-NDA government at the Centre, winding it up with a road show at Valiyathura, another fishing hamlet.

Taking a dig at the state government in the gold smuggling case, she said it has failed to recognise that the people of the state are the "real gold". The gold scam relates to the seizure of about 30 kg of gold worth Rs 14.82 crore through diplomatic channels in July last year.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's former Principal secretary M Sivasankar was among those arrested, along with key accused Swapna Suresh. The case is being probed by various central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate.

The Congress general secretary also lashed out at the government over the inking of an MoU with a US based company for the manufacture of 400 deep sea fishing trawlers.
LONDON  British cities echoed last year with the cries of Black Lives Matter protesters, demanding a racial reckoning in Britain similar to that convulsing the United States in the wake of multiple killings of Black Americans by the police.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson responded by releasing a government-commissioned report on the state of racial discrimination in Britain that concluded that the country should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries. The backlash was swift and scathing.

Critics accused the Conservative government of whitewashing racial injustice by arguing that discrimination is more a result of socio-economic disparities than skin color. By discouraging use of the term institutional racism, they said, the report sought to turn back the clock on how Britons talk about race.

While the document, compiled by a 10-member Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, acknowledged the enduring nature of racism  graffiti on someones business, violence in the street or prejudice in the labor market  it came to an upbeat conclusion about the progress of British society as a whole.
An Emmy award-winning production designer was found mummified in her Queens home under a massive pile of garbage she had hoarded away in her kitchen, almost half a year after she initially went missing.

Evelyn Sakash, 66, was found by a cleaning crew Tuesday in her College Point home on the corner of 123rd Street and 14th Avenue.

Friends had taken to Facebook to confirm the news of her discovery and had shared that she had been missing since last September.

Sakash's sister had recently come to New York to have a cleaning crew clean out the home, according to police.

Evelyn Sakash, 66, was found by a cleaning crew Tuesday in her College Point home on the corner of 123rd Street and 14th Avenue

Sakash's sister had recently come to New York to have a cleaning crew clean out the home, according to police. Sakash had been missing since last September

Her body was found under debris in the kitchen at around 4.23pm, police added.

Her body was found face up on her back, authorities told Dailymail.com.

Police are still investigating but they don't suspect criminality in her death. A medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death.

In a post on a St. Agnes Academic High School reunion page announcing Sakash's death, her classmates shared that police had launched a search for Sakash twice at her home with K9's 'but did not find her on those searches.'

Police did not indicate whether they had previously conducted searches at the home.

Friends posting about Sakash's disappearance in November shared that her pets and car were left at the residence.

In a post on a St. Agnes Academic High School reunion page announcing Sakash's death, her classmates shared that police had launched a search for Sakash twice at her home with K9's 'but did not find her on those searches'

Sakash was an established production designer and art director with more than 30 years experience in the television and film industry

Family members launched a GoFundMe in December to help supplement the cost of the investigation into Sakash's whereabouts, which they said was paid out of her sister's - Ellen Brown - pockets.

Sakash was an established production designer and art director with more than 30 years experience in the television and film industry.

Her IMDB page include credits for Orange is the New Black and the Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon version of Taxi, along with other works.

She won a Daytime Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design in 2003 and was nominated for another in 2004 for her work on Between the Lions.

Her IMDB page include credits for Orange is the New Black and the Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon version of Taxi, along with other works
AKRON, Ohio  The Summit County Public Health Department began scheduling appointments at noon Wednesday for the drive-thru mass vaccination clinic at the Summit County Fairgrounds that begins Saturday.

Appointments for the clinic at 1050 North Avenue in Tallmadge are available through the states scheduling portal at https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/. For assistance with scheduling an appointment, call 330-926-5795.

The department will administer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, so people must be 18 or older to receive it.

The health department has 1,500 appointment slots from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 3, the county said Wednesday in a news release. The fairgrounds site will operate three to four days per week for about eight weeks, depending on supply.

The fairgrounds appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and are separate from Summit County Public Healths vaccine information registry. The countys registry has been used to randomly select people for vaccine appointments through a lottery system, since many residents reported issues scheduling appointments online or by phone.

METRO RTA is providing free rides on all fixed route, demand response and Northcoast Express routes to COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Riders must show digital or printed proof of a vaccine appointment that day.

For appointments at the fairgrounds, the fixed route bus lines will take riders to the transit center near Chapel Hill Mall, where a shuttle will take them to the fairgrounds. Afterward, the shuttle will return riders to the transit center near Chapel Hill.

All residents receiving Medicaid are eligible for free transportation to and from any coronavirus vaccine appointment by calling 330-643-8200. The recipient must register for an appointment before they schedule a ride at 330-376-5353. If a resident is a Medicaid Managed Care recipient, they may also contact their Managed Care provider to schedule free door-to-door transportation. More information is available at https://www.summitdjfs.org/images/Ohio-Medicaid-COVID-Testing-and-Vaccination-Transportation-Support.pdf.

At 12 p.m. on Thursday, the county will hold a virtual Q&A about the mass vaccine site at the fairgrounds. Representatives from Summit County Public Health, METRO RTA and the Summit County Emergency Management Agency will answer questions from the Facebook Live chat, which will be shared on the Facebook pages of County Executive Ilene Shapiro, Summit County Public Health and METRO.

Delays in vaccine shipments pushed back the start of Summit Countys clinic, which was tentatively scheduled to open March 29. The clinic is one of 11 throughout Ohio being sponsored by the state and purported to be similar, but smaller in scale, to the mass vaccination site at Cleveland State Universitys Wolstein Center.

Summit County moved the clinic to the fairgrounds from the Chapel Hill Mall on Akrons North Side, which was recently sold to a developer who plans to renovate the formerly struggling mall into an industrial office park. Construction is expected to begin this spring.
The Arkansas legislature passed a bill that would ban experimental medicalized gender transitioning of minors, including the prescribing of hormones and cosmetic gender surgeries for youth under 18 in the state.

Passed by both houses, the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act is the first of its kind to head to a governors desk for signing.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, has not yet said whether he backs the measure. After the bill passed the state Senate on Monday, Hutchinson must sign the bill or issue a veto within five days of the bills passing before it becomes law without his signature, according to USA Today.

If enacted, the law would take effect later this summer. A spokeswoman for the governor said he would review the bill closely and listen to debate but did not indicate when he would make a decision.

Source:The Christian Post
Yves here. Right to die is a product of Christian prohibitions against suicide. After all, none of us gets out of here alive. However, the issue of pain or severe debility among the old and not necessarily so old is seldom discussed in polite company. My father shot himself when he could no longer endure the horrific symptoms of an autoimmune disease that was always fatal. One of my parents friends had successfully fought off breast cancer a couple of times. When it recurred and she was facing regular intubations to drain her lungs, and not high odds that treatment would work, she took a lethal dose of sleeping pills shed hoarded. Another friend of my mothers simply quit taking her meds and stopped eating. She died in a few weeks.

As one friend said about my fathers suicide: He was a hunter so he at least knew how to do it right. This isnt completely a joke. Harvards Medical School shows that suicide by gun succeeds only 82.5% of the time. I shudder to think what exactly became of the other 17.5%. I will similarly spare you an account from a friend of a failed suicide by Drano.

However, since its entirely rational to be depressed these days, plus old and infirm people are already exploited in far too many ways (everything from greedy heirs to Lamberts Insert tube, extract rents model), having rules and procedures makes sense, both for the person who is thinking about exiting a bit early, and any medical professionals who might assist them. And as you will see from this story, we are not at all far along in the US on how to approach this issue.

By Katheryn Houghton, Montana Correspondent, is covering all things health care across the state for Kaiser Health News. Originally published at Kaiser Health News

Linda Heim knew her dad didnt plan to wait for the cancer to kill him. For decades, hed lived in Montana, which theyd thought was one of the few places where terminally ill people could get a prescription to end their life.

After two years of being sick, Heims dad got the diagnosis in 2019: stage 4 kidney cancer. His physician offered treatments that might extend his life by months. Instead, the 81-year-old asked the doctor for help dying. Heim said her parents left the appointment in their hometown of Billings with two takeaways: The legality of medically assisted death was questionable in Montana, and her fathers physician didnt seem willing to risk his career to put that question to the test.

My parents knew when they left there that was the end of that conversation, said Heim, now 54. My dad was upset and mad.

The day after the appointment, Heims mother went grocery shopping. While she was gone, Heims dad went to the backyard and fatally shot himself. (Heim asked that her fathers name not be published due to the lingering stigma of suicide.)

About a decade earlier, in 2009, the Montana Supreme Court had, in theory, cracked open the door to sanctioned medically assisted death. The court ruled physicians could use a dying patients consent as a defense if charged with homicide for prescribing life-ending medication.

However, the ruling sidestepped whether terminally ill patients have a constitutional right to that aid. Whether that case made aid in dying legal in Montana has been debated ever since. There is just no right to medical aid in dying in Montana, at least no right a patient can rely on, like in the other states, said former state Supreme Court Justice Jim Nelson. Every time a physician does it, the physician rolls the dice.

Every session of the biennial Montana state legislature since then, a lawmaker has proposed a bill to formally criminalize physician-assisted death. Those who back the bills say the aid is morally wrong while opponents say criminalizing the practice would be a backstep for patients rights. But so far, lawmakers havent gained enough support to pass any legislation on the issue, though it has been close. The latest effort stalled on March 1, on a split vote.

Even the terminology to describe the practice is disputed. Some say its suicide anytime someone intentionally ends their life. Others say its death with dignity when choosing to expedite a painful end. Such debates have gone on for decades. But Montana remains the sole state stuck in a legal gray zone, even if the practice can still seem taboo in many states with clear laws. Such continued uncertainty makes it especially hard for Montana patients like Heims dad and their doctors to navigate whats allowed.

Doctors are risk-averse, said Dr. David Orentlicher, director of the health law program at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, who helped write clinical aid-in-dying guidelines published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine in 2016. The fear of being sued or prosecuted is still there.

Despite that, access to medical aid in dying is gaining momentum across the U.S. Outside Montana, eight states and the District of Columbia allow the life-ending aid  six of them since 2014. So far in 2021, legislators in at least 19 states have pushed aid-in-dying bills, most seeking to legalize the practice and some seeking to drop barriers to existing aid such as expanding which medical professionals can offer it. Many are repeat legalization efforts with some, like in New York, dating as far back as 1995. Only the Montana bill this year specifically sought to criminalize it.



North Dakota considered legislation to legalize medically assisted death for the first time. Rep. Pamela Anderson, a Democrat from Fargo who proposed the measure after hearing from a cancer patient, said she wasnt surprised when the bill failed in February in a 9-85 vote. The states medical association said it was incompatible with the physicians role as healer. Angry voters called Anderson asking why she wanted to kill people.

But I heard from just as many people that this was a good bill, Anderson said. There is momentum to not let this concept go away.

Back in Montana, now retired state Supreme Court Justice Nelson said he has always regretted joining the majority in the case that allowed the practice because the narrow ruling focused on physicians legal defense, not patients rights. Having watched a friend die slowly from disease, Nelson, 77, wants the choice himself if ever needed.

Despite  or because of  the court decision, some Montana doctors do today feel that they can accommodate such patient decisions. For example, Dr. Colette Kirchhoff, a hospice and palliative care physician, said until she retired from private practice last year she considered patients requests for life-ending drugs.

Physicians who help in such cases follow well-established guidelines set by other states, Kirchhoff said. A patient must have six months or less to live  a fact corroborated by a second physician; cant be clinically depressed; needs to ask for the aid; and be an adult capable of making health care decisions, which is determined by the attending physician. They must also administer the life-ending medication themselves.

Youre obviously not going to do a case that is vague or nebulous or has family discord, Kirchhoff said. The doctors who are prescribing have felt comfortable and that theyre doing the right thing for their patient, alleviating their suffering. Of her few patients who qualified for a prescription, she said, none actually took the drugs. Kirchhoff noted that, in some cases, getting the prescription seemed to provide comfort to her patients  it was enough knowing they had the option if their illness became unbearable.

For the past six legislative sessions  dating to 2011  a Montana lawmaker has proposed a bill to clarify that state law doesnt allow physician-assisted death. Republican Sen. Carl Glimmpicked up that effort the past two sessions. Glimm said the current status, based on the more than decade-old court decision, sends a mixed message in a state that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks as having among the nations highest suicide rates. Glimm said allowing someone to end their life because of pain from a terminal illness could normalize suicide for people living with depression, which is also a form of pain.

Its really hard because I do sympathize with them, Glimm said. What it boils down to is, if youre going to take your own life, then thats suicide.

Kim Callinan, president and CEO of national nonprofit Compassion & Choices, said the comparison to suicide is frustrating. People who are seeking medical aid in dying want to live, but they are stricken with a life-ending illness, she said.

Glimm and his bills supporters say that some patients could be pressured into it by family members with something to gain, and doctors could prescribe it more often than they should.

But Callinan, whose group advocates for aid in dying, said that since Oregon first legalized it in 1997, no data has shown any merit to the warnings about abuse and coercion. One study showed no evidence of heightened risk of abuse within the practice for vulnerable populations such as the elderly. But critics have said states arent doing enough to track the issue.

By now, Leslie Mutchler, 60, knows most of the people on all sides of the debate after years of testifying in support of protecting aid in dying. Her dad, Bob Baxter, was a plaintiff in the case that eventually led to the 2009 Montana Supreme Court decision on medically assisted death. After leukemia whittled his body for years, he died in 2008 without the option, the same day a lower court ruled in his favor.

Mutchler said she didnt understand how complicated the Supreme Courts ultimate ruling was until her son TJ was diagnosed with terminal metastatic pancreatic cancer in 2016.

He was 36 and lived in Billings, Montana. By then, the 6-foot-5 man had lost 125 pounds off what had been a 240-pound frame. He couldnt keep food down and needed a feeding tube for medicine and water. TJ Mutchler wanted to have the choice his grandfather never got. But when he went to his physician and asked for aid in dying, the response was it wasnt legal. Eventually, Mutchler found a doctor to evaluate her son and write the prescriptions for phenobarbital and amitriptyline. TJ took the drugs more than two months later and died.

People contact me asking how to find someone and its difficult, Mutchler said. Thats why people end up taking matters into their own hands. Research into terminally ill populations is limited, but one national study published in 2019 found the risk of someone with cancer taking their own life is four times higher than the general population.

For Roberta King, another one of Baxters daughters, the ongoing fight over aid in dying in Montana means she knows every other winter shell make the more than 200-mile round trip from her Missoula home to the state capital. King, 58, has testified against all six bills that sought to ban aid in dying following her dads case. She memorized a speech about how her dad became so thin after his medicine stopped working that it hurt for him to sit.

Its still terrible, you still have to get up there in front of everybody and they know what youre going to say because its the same people doing the same thing, King said. But skipping a hearing doesnt feel like an option. If something were to happen to this and I didnt try, I would never forgive myself, she said.
Hong Kong: Govt hosts electoral system briefings

Chief Executive Carrie Lam and principal government officials today met representatives from different sectors to explain the improvement to Hong Kong's electoral system to render their support.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress yesterday passed the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law for improving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's electoral system.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan met business sector representatives to explain the amendments at two briefing sessions, with a total of more than 30 representatives of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association in attendance.

Mr Chan noted that through improving the city's electoral system, the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" can be fully implemented with institutional safeguards and Hong Kong's political development can be back on track.

"The executive authorities and the legislature can restore better interaction with the overall interests of Hong Kong as the core consideration, which can play a pivotal role in maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability," he added.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng met legal sector members at two briefing sessions to enable the stakeholders to have a better understanding of the amendments.

The amendments safeguarded the constitutional order set out by the Constitution and the Basic Law while enhancing Hong Kong's governance efficacy. As such, the "one country, two systems" principle will continue to be implemented steadfastly.

In addition to giving its full support to the Government's work to improve the electoral system as early as possible, the Department of Justice will provide explanations to the legal community on the importance, necessity and legality of the improvement to gain their staunch support.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau briefed representatives of the Hong Kong Chinese Importers' & Exporters' Association and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong and highlighted the importance of improving the electoral system on creating a stable business environment and ensuring Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

He called on the commercial and industrial sectors to fully support the relevant amendments.

Mr Yau stressed that establishing a political structure that upholds the "one country, two systems" principle reflects Hong Kong's actual situation and ensures "patriots administering Hong Kong" is the only way to fully safeguard the city's constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, restore order from chaos, ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" and achieve the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong.

He said by improving the electoral system, the excessive politicisation in society and the internal rifts that have torn Hong Kong apart can be effectively mitigated, thereby enhancing the governance capability of the Hong Kong SAR.

The city will then be able to focus on addressing economic and livelihood issues, and developing the economy to achieve long-term prosperity and stability through leveraging its unique advantages and the staunch support of the central authorities, Mr Yau added.

In the coming two weeks, he will conduct briefing sessions to brief the sectors of industrial, small and medium enterprises, tourism, hotel, wholesale and retail, textiles and garment, telecommunications, broadcasting, film and performing arts, and publishing on the amendments.

Additionally, Secretary for Innovation & Technology Alfred Sit held three briefing sessions for the innovation and technology sector to solicit their support for the amendments. More than 40 I&T related organisations attended the briefing sessions.

Mr Sit said I&T development can promote diversified economic development and is of paramount importance to Hong Kong.

He also strongly believes that improving the electoral system can accord with Hong Kong's actual situation and can better attend to the overall interests of Hong Kong society, thereby removing the obstacles to economic and social development and restoring peace to the city.

It also creates a favourable environment for I&T development and drives the transformation of industries, making I&T a new impetus to promote economic development and improve people's livelihood, Mr Sit added.

The I&T chief said he will continue to engage the sector and listen to their opinions and strive for their full support for the Government's effort.

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui also held two briefing sessions for Heung Yee Kuk and religious leaders and representatives to elaborate on the necessity and urgency to improve the electoral system.

He said the improvements in the electoral system will establish a political structure that upholds the "one country, two systems" principle, ensures "patriots administering Hong Kong" and reflects the city's actual situation.

Mr Tsui noted that it will effectively enhance the Hong Kong SAR's governance capability, improve people's livelihood and ensure the city's long-term prosperity and stability.

The Home Affairs Bureau will spare no effort in taking forward the relevant work, he added.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Manitoba physicians want a larger role in the COVID-19 immunization campaign and are pressing the province to provide them with mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, to give to patients at their clinics.

Manitoba physicians want a larger role in the COVID-19 immunization campaign and are pressing the province to provide them with mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, to give to patients at their clinics.

Doctors Manitoba, which represents more than 3,000 physicians, has sent a report with seven recommendations to the provinces vaccine task force.

The recommendations were made after the province provided 18,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine to fewer than 200 clinics and pharmacists on March 10 as part of a pilot project.

"Overall, we heard positive feedback about the provincial registration process, delivery of vaccines and supplies, and the use of physicians to target scarce vaccine resources to those most at risk," Doctors Manitoba said in a statement on its website.

"We also identified opportunities to improve the rollout, better support Manitobans, and address vaccine hesitancy."

The association said nearly all physicians it surveyed want to offer either Pfizer or Moderna shots in their clinics.

The mRNA vaccines have strict transportation and storage requirements, issued by the manufacturers, that have so far restricted their use in Manitoba to provincial authorities (at mass immunization and pop-up clinics, or mobile immunization teams) or by First Nations partners.

However in other provinces, including British Columbia and Alberta, the Pfizer vaccine is available to people at select medical clinics and at pharmacies.

"Manitoba physicians identified several issues that can all be addressed through collaborative planning, lead time to organize vaccine clinics, storage requirements, and a protocol to avoid vaccine wastage," the report stated. "While there are challenges, it has been done in many jurisdictions."

On Wednesday, the provincial medical lead for the COVID-19 vaccine task force said physicians and pharmacists in Manitoba will need special training before being able to deliver mRNA vaccines, in addition to having a high-volume clinic and established transportation and storage protocols, to ensure the vaccines are effective when administered.

"All of these challenges can be addressed, but we want to do it in a way that is going to be efficient," Dr. Joss Reimer said Wednesday. "Rather than asking 500 pharmacies and physicians to go through training, we wanted to start them off with something that they're already familiar with.

"But we are still exploring other options, and for the larger clinics and larger pharmacies, we think that it could be something that we could move to as we get more vaccine," Reimer said.

The organization wants medical clinics to provide pop-up COVID-19 immunization clinics in rural and remote communities and noted the capacity of physicians to deliver doses exceeds the provinces estimated 5,000 shots per day.

"We found 60 per cent of medical clinics have capacity to offer more. On average, clinics can offer 30 to 51 doses per day," the report said. "This is 1.5 to 2.5 times more than provincial planning."

The association also called for the province to bring its eligibility criteria for immunizations at medical clinics in line with supersites, and to enhance its communication, notice and updates to physicians.

"While many understood the province has faced uncertain and tight timelines about vaccine shipments, physicians were still very concerned about the 'short notice' and 'last-minute' communications," the report stated.

Just 49 per cent of clinicians surveyed said they were satisfied with the information and support received from the province, the report said.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
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CHICAGO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Smart Elevator Market with COVID-19 Impact by Component (Control System, Maintenance System, Communication System), Application (Residential, Commercial, Institutional), Services, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Smart Elevator Market size was valued at USD 9.7 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 12.6 billion by 2026; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2021 to 2026. The key factors fueling the growth of this market comprise of reducing energy consumption within the buildings, development of smart cities and growth in urbanization.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1004

Control Systems is expected to hold the largest size of the Smart Elevator market in 2021.

The elevator control segment accounted for the largest segment of the overall revenue of the smart elevator control systems market. The growing demand for smarter buildings with seamless passenger flow and easy-to-use elevators is driving the demand for destination control technology. Improving living standards in emerging economies have led to the demand for more high-tech buildings, coupled with the adoption of less energy.

The commercial sector is expected to remain dominant applications of the smart elevator market from 2021 to 2026

The commercial segment held the largest size of the market in 2020 and is likely to exhibit a similar growth pattern during the forecast period on account of the increasing deployment of solutions in the commercial sector.

Furthermore, the consolidating trend of developing energy-saving infrastructure in airports, malls, and other commercial facilities will push the growth of the segment.

On the other hand, the construction of high-rise buildings to accommodate the increasing urban population will lead the residential segment to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period. For Instance, in March 2020, the Government of India approved proposals from TCS and DLF to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for the IT sector in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, reducing energy consumption has become a major objective for building owners, governments, and utilities. Replacing existing elevator systems with more energy-efficient systems (such as smart elevators) is one of the ways to reduce this massive pool of energy use; however, it is just a solution at a small level. These factors will drive the demand for smart elevators in the commercial sector.

New Installations is expected to remain dominant over the forecast period 2021 to 2026

New installations are done in ongoing construction activities across the world. Therefore, emerging economies, such as India, China, Indonesia, and Africa, are expected to lead the market for new installation services. Additionally, emerging economies and untapped markets in India and other Asian countries are responsible for the high growth of new installations in the APAC market. Urban cities are now growing into megacities, with the population rising to millions. A few examples are Tokyo, Mexico City, Seoul, and Lagos. This results in the construction of skyscrapers, futuristic transportation hubs, and many more such developments to cater to the huge population. Hence, new installation is expected to grow in the coming years.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Smart Elevator Market"

182 - Tables

58 - Figures

194 - Pages

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APAC projected to grow at the highest CAGR of smart elevator market from 2021 to 2026.

APAC is a mix of developing and mature markets for smart elevators. The residential market is the fastest due to the high middle-class population base seeking better residential properties and consequently moving to cities. The region is predicted to witness an increase in new equipment sales in the coming years, where China is the largest new equipment market globally and India the second-largest market.

APAC is expected to lead the smart elevator market in 2021 owing to the rising urban population in China and India. To that end, China is expected to continue to remain a dominant market for smart elevators in APAC throughout the forecast period. The renovation initiatives in this region backed by government support are the major factor contributing to the growth of the smart elevator market in APAC.

OTIS Elevator, Kone Corporation, Schindler Group, Thyssenkrupp AG, Hitachi Ltd., Hyundai Elevators Co., Ltd, and Mitsubishi Electric, among others, are some of the key players offering Smart Elevators.

Related Reports:

Building Automation System Market with COVID-19 Impact by Communication Technology, Offering (Facility Management Systems, Security and Access Controls, and Fire Protection Systems), Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2026

Building Information Modeling Market (BIM) with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Type (Software, Services), Application (Buildings, Civil Infrastructure, Industrial), End-User (AEC, Contractors and Facility Managers), Project Lifecycle, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025

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One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
Investigations into the gruesome murder of 26-year-old mother of two in Isiolo show that she was raped before being killed.

The killing happened three weeks after Celestine Nduku Kioko separated from her husband, Erick Mutwiri Mwenda, following domestic squabbles.

Ms Kioko's lifeless body was discovered by her children who had just arrived home from church. It was lying in a pool of blood on the bed in their house in Kambi ya Juu area on the outskirts of Isiolo town.

The jilted husband, who was arrested last Saturday together with his cousin who had housed him for one day in Nanyuki, Laikipia County is a person of interest in the killing. He had been missing following the March 21 incident.

Neighbours earlier said the relationship between Ms Kioko -- who operated a hotel -- and her husband, was rocky and that the man used to severally beat her.

Sexually assaulted

Detectives investigating the murder now say that the suspect, while armed with a kitchen knife and with the intent to kill, sneaked into the his estranged wife's house, sexually abused her, stabbed her several times and slit her throat, leaving her for the dead.

After committing the act, the man fled the scene on a motorcycle to Archers Post in Samburu County, about 35 kilometres away, where he reportedly discarded the killer weapon.

According to sources, the suspect was on the move from the day the incident happened and had hidden in the neighbouring Meru County before moving to Nanyuki last Friday where he was arrested.

A post-mortem conducted on March 23 at Isiolo Referral Hospital mortuary revealed that Ms Nduku died from severe blood loss following the slit on the neck and from hemothorax.

An officer privy with the investigation said the motorcycle that the suspect used after the incident had been recovered in Gambella on the Isiolo-Meru border and that detectives will rely on its registration details to establish if it was his or someone else's.

Recovery of other items including the suspect's mobile phone and that of Ms Kioko for forensic analysis to establish who the two communicated with on the fateful day is ongoing, the officer said.

Detain suspect

When Mr Mwenda was brought before Isiolo Chief Magistrate Samuel Mungai on Monday, the investigating officer sought 14 days to complete probe before the suspect is charged with murder.

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In the application, detectives sought to detain the suspect to allow completion of ongoing investigations and recovery of the murder weapon, his mobile phone and that of Ms Kioko and the motorcycle that he rode on.

Isiolo North Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer John Kibet said more time will allow the taking of samples for buccal swabs and blood for onward delivery, together with those taken from the dead woman, to the Government Chemist for laboratory analysis.

The time will also allow Ms Kioko's parents, who had left for the burial of their daughter on Saturday in Masinga Machakos County, to record a statement with police.

The magistrate granted the prayer and ordered that Mr Mwenda be detained at Isiolo Police Station for 14 days and for his blood samples to be taken.

The case will be mentioned on April 12, 2021.
Young unaccompanied illegal immigrants, from ages 3 to 9, watch television inside a playpen at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley, in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/Pool/AP Photo)

4,100 Illegal Immigrants, Mostly Children, Crowded in a Border Facility Intended for 250

Over 4,100 illegal immigrants, more than 3,400 of them unaccompanied children with some as young as 3 years old, were being kept in an overly crowded border facility in the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday.

Two journalists from the Associated Press and a crew from CBS were allowed to visit the facility in Donna, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley. Its the first time during the Biden administration that journalists were allowed inside the main border facility for migrant childrenthe site was intended to hold 250 people.

Last week, the Biden Administration allowed a reporter and camera crew for a 2-hour tour at a holding center in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The holding center has a capacity of 952 and was holding 766 children at the time.

The Biden administration has been under increasing pressure recently to press secretary Jen Psakis promise to remain committed to transparency and provide media access to border facilities.

Journalists found that children were being placed in eight pods separated by plastic dividers, each about 3,200 square feet. Many of the pods had more than 500 children in them.

It was a grim picture, the journalists said.

Minors are housed at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP Photo)

Young minors lie inside a pod at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley run by the US Customs and Border Protection in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP Photo)

Young unaccompanied illegal immigrants wait for their turn at the secondary processing station inside the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP Photo)

Oscar Escamilla, acting executive officer of the U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley, told the journalists that 250 to 300 children enter daily and far fewer leave.

More than 2,000 children have been at the Donna facility for more than 72 hours, including 39 for more than 15 days.

Under U.S. law, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is supposed to transfer immigrant children to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within 72 hours of apprehension.

HHS previously reported that they just dont have the capacity to take the children.

According to the latest data released by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), 446 unaccompanied children were apprehended and placed in a CBP facility on Monday, 5,160 children were in CBP custody, and 12,035 children were in HHS care.

Im a Border Patrol agent. I didnt sign up for this, Escamilla said. Were forced into the business because we cant turn them over to anybody.

Almost 50 percent of border patrol agents are now pulled off the line to take care of illegal immigrants, former acting Secretary of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chad Wolf told The Epoch Times last week.

They can not patrol the border, which in turn makes it possible for cartels and traffickers to smuggle more people, drugs, and other contraband over, Wolf pointed out.

Journalists also witnessed how CBP agents processed the children. The minors would get a health check, but no COVID-19 test was done unless a child showed symptoms.

About two dozen of some 270 children being transferred to HHS midday tested positive for COVID-19. Escamilla said the overall positivity rate at the Donna facility was about 14 percent.

Young minors who tested positive for Covid-19 sit on the ground at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley run by the US Customs and Border Protection in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP Photo)

Illegal immigrants are processed at the intake area of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley, in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP Photo)

An illegal immigrant and her daughter have their biometric data entered at the intake area of the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley, in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP Photo)

The Biden administration claimed its more humane to keep the kids in the United States, while Republicans criticized the policy, accompanied by the rollback of other Trump-era policies, for causing the sharp increase of unaccompanied children at the border.

As used during the Trump administration, border agents can use Title 42 authority to immediately send back adult individuals, families, and unaccompanied children due to the pandemic.

In his first press conference last week, President Joe Biden said that his administration is sending back single people and the vast majority of the families.

However, only 41 percent of families were removed immediately in February, according to DHS data. And less than 15 percent of families were sent back last week.

The HHS has converted convention centers into holding areas and asked the Pentagon to take in illegal immigrants.

Wolf criticized the Biden administrations approach to treat the surge as a capacity issue.

If you just simply open up more centers, provide more care, youre just incentivizing more and more folks to come, Wolf told The Epoch Times.

The Associated Press and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
Company announcement  No. 18/ 2021

Total number of shares and voting rights in Zealand Pharma at March 31, 2021

Copenhagen, DK and Boston, MA, U.S., March 31, 2021  Zealand Pharma A/S (Zealand) (NASDAQ: ZEAL) (CVR-no. 20 04 50 78), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative peptide-based medicines, in accordance with section 32 of the Danish Capital Markets Act, announces the total number of shares and voting rights in the Company at the end of a calendar month during which there have been changes to its share capital.

In Company announcement No. 14/2021 from March 19, 2021, Zealand announced an increase in share capital relating to the exercise of employee warrants. Following this announcement, the table below lists the total number of shares and voting rights in Zealand up to and including March 31, 2021.





Date Number of shares

(nominal value of DKK 1 each) Share capital

(nominal value in DKK) Number of voting rights March 31, 2021 43,428,192 43,428,192 43,428,192

# # #

About Zealand Pharma A/S

Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) ("Zealand") is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of next generation peptide-based medicines that change the lives of people living with metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases. More than 10 drug candidates invented by Zealand have advanced into clinical development, of which two have reached the market. Zealands robust pipeline of investigational medicines includes three candidates in late stage development, and one candidate being reviewed for regulatory approval in the United States. Zealand markets V-Go, an all-in-one basal-bolus insulin delivery option for people with diabetes. License collaborations with Boehringer Ingelheim and Alexion Pharmaceuticals create opportunity for more patients to potentially benefit from Zealand-invented peptide therapeutics. Zealand was founded in 1998 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has presence throughout the U.S. that includes key locations in New York, Boston, and Marlborough (MA). For more information about Zealands business and activities, please visit http://www.zealandpharma.com.



Story continues

Forward-Looking Statement

The above information contains forward-looking statements that provide Zealand Pharmas expectations or forecasts of future events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions, which may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations set forth herein and may cause any or all of such forward-looking statements to be incorrect. If any or all of such forward-looking statements prove to be incorrect, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and are based on information available to Zealand Pharma as of the date of this release.

For further information, please contact:

Zealand Pharma Investor Relations

Claudia Styslinger

Argot Partners

investors@zealandpharma.com



Zealand Pharma Media Relations

David Rosen

Argot Partners

media@zealandpharma.com




Changes to the vaccine priority list announced by the Government have been criticised in some corners.

The changes were announced on Tuesday as the Government announced a plan for the easing of restrictions from April 5.

It will see the priority list move to an age-based model.

Here we look at what the changes to the priority list are, why they have been changed and what the reaction has been.

What are the changes to the new vaccine priority list?

The new list has nine cohorts, compared to the previous 14.

The first four cohorts have remained largely the same.

They include people who are aged 65 years and older who are residents of long-term care facilities, frontline healthcare workers, the over-70s and people aged between 16 and 69 with a medical condition who are at high risk.

Cohort 5 and 6 deal with people in the 65-69 age range who have an underlying condition or are key workers essential to the vaccine programme.

Cohort 7 and 8 are for people aged between 16 to 64 who have an underlying health condition or are residents of long-term care facilities.

The final cohort is for people aged 64 years and younger, and people aged 16-64 living or working in crowded settings. They will be vaccinated based on age.

The new Vaccine Priority List. Picture: Gov.ie

Read More State fund unveiled to create European-style outdoor dining culture

Why have the changes been made?

Efficiency and to best achieve the programmes objectives "of preventing serious illness, hospitalisation and death, according to the Department of Health.

It says that the new strategy is based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: The move to an allocation strategy focused largely on clinical risk  that is age and medical conditions - makes Irelands vaccination programme more efficient, more transparent and fairer.

"We have the benefit of learning from our own experience over the past three months, and what has been shown to be most effective internationally.

It means for the first time that we can give better information to the very reasonable question when will I be vaccinated?."

Why is there anger over the change?

Teachers and gardai have hit out at the changes because it means younger members of these professions have been bumped down the list.

The president of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said the decision downgraded the work of gardai.

Frank Thornton said today that the decision ignores the risk involved in policing the pandemic adding that concerns over health and safety have never been as high.

Members of An Garda Siochana should be categorised with other frontline workers including those in health care given our unique role in the fight against Covid.

Mr Thornton said that the treatment of gardai is shocking and that they will not forget the way we have been treated during this crisis.

He added: We are the second pillar of the response to the pandemic and we are now being told that we are no more at risk than someone who can work from home.

A garda checkpoint in Cork. File picture: Larry Cummins

Teachers have also hit out at the changes with one union saying it is shocked and dismayed.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) said that the decision is totally at odds with the Governments plan to keep schools open and that it undermines this objective.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said that the decision abandons carefully considered priority groups who are working on the frontline.

John Boyne, the unions general secretary, said: For months now we have heard the government say, time after time, that education is the top priority for government. How then can teachers be treated with such blatant disregard as frontline education workers?"

Has the Government said anything?

The Taoiseach defended the decision saying it would simplify and accelerate the vaccination programme.

"We know that the older you are, the more vulnerable you are to illness and mortality," said Micheal Martin.

So it's fairer in that respect. It doesn't distinguish between one profession versus another."

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told RTEs Prime Time Were going with the science. And were going with the medicine on this.

Say if [you have] a 35-year-old garda or a 35-year-old teacher. Are they at more risk or less risk than a 60-year-old factory worker or a 60-year-old retail worker?

Its actually the 60-year-old.

The Taoiseach defended the decision saying it would simplify and accelerate the vaccination programme. File picture: AP

The Minister for Finance said that change means the vaccine roll-out will be more efficient.

The advice that we have at the moment is crystal clear to the government, with the quantity of vaccines that we have available in the run-up to the summer, if we're looking to vaccinate as many people as possible, the most efficient way of doing it, is on the basis of age, said Paschal Donohoe.

What next for the vaccine rollout?

The Department of Health says that it expects to administer three million doses in April, May and June.

It stated that four in five adults having received at least one dose of vaccine by the end of June.

The vaccination of people in the first four cohorts of the plan is currently underway.

As of March 27, 802,502 doses of the vaccine have been administered.

Some 577,641 people have received their first dose, while 224,861 people have got their second jab.
NEARLY 1bn/- has been collected since the government returned the Nyanza Cooperative Union (NCU-1984 Limited) assets, almost five months ago, with allocations of the funds being already put in place.

The Union's Board Chairperson, Mr Benjamin Mikomagwa said on Monday during the Cooperative annual meeting that the fund is set to be spent on rehabilitation of the returned properties (buildings), in a bid to add value and improve productivity.

The fund will also be used for revival of the Union's petrol station as well as offsetting debts NCU incurred some years back, including 500m/- tax for the Tanzania Revenue Authority.

"We opened a special account for any money obtained from these properties, mostly the renting charges to be deposited. The account is under the regional office's supervision and currently it has over 800m/-. We have already requested the permit so that we can utilise the money. The Union should have a new look as one way to honour the late President John Magufuli, who brought it back on the right track," said the Chairperson.

In November last year, the government returned over 61bn/- worth assets to NCU that were illegally acquired by some of the Union's dishonest staff some years back. The government assured all illegally possessed properties will be returned back to the actual owner-NCU.
Making investments is becoming trendy among teenagers. Social media is awash with trading tips and guides to making a million.

New mobile phone apps also allow under-18s to try betting on stocks using pretend wealth.

But is a generation being taught to gamble rather than invest? Industry experts have told Money Mail they fear young people are at risk of picking up some very bad financial habits.

New mobile phone apps also allow under 18s to try betting on stocks using pretend wealth. But industry experts fear a generation is being taught to gamble rather than invest

The craze is sweeping social media. TikTok, is flooded with videos promoting stock tips from young traders.

The hashtag 'stocktok' has more than 860 million views, with videos such as 'How to be a millionaire@16'.

Daily users of phone app Trading 212 -which also offers 'demo' trading accounts to under-18s - have surged by 2,000 per cent over the past 12 months, to 600,000. In January, the app became the most downloaded in the UK.

'Learning by bite-sized content on new media is seeing ever-younger generations become increasingly interested in trading,' says Max Rothery of financial news and analysis app Finimize.

But experts warn this craze could be a gateway to gambling. Martin Bamford, chartered financial planner at Informed Choice, says: 'Speculating on individual stocks is about as close to gambling as you can get.'

He says: 'The apps that facilitate day trading on stocks have made the process a game, hyping up the most traded company shares.'

Speculating on individual stocks is about as close to gambling as you can get Martin Bamford, financial planner

Holly Mackay, founder of product analyst Boring Money, adds: 'If share prices soar, your teen will think they are a genius and this could create problems down the line when markets have a setback or trendy stocks have a bad year.'

A report published by the Financial Conduct Authority last week warned that many youngsters were being lured into high-risk investments on new apps by the 'thrill' of making money.

It found 38 per cent of young people with high-risk appetites no longer saw investing as a way of building savings but as a vehicle for flaunting skill and social status.

A report published by the Financial Conduct Authority last week warned that many youngsters were being lured into high-risk investments on new apps by the 'thrill' of making money

However, some experts say teens can learn about the ups and downs of investing sensibly using smartphone apps.

Amy Pethers, from wealth manager Brewin Dolphin, says: 'It is great to learn about investing from a younger age, and social media and stock market apps have changed the landscape.

'They'll teach children it is not easy to pick a stock and harder still to know when to get out.'

Under-18s can sign up for a practice account with Trading 212. Charlie Turland, 15, developed an interest for trading after hearing friends discussing stock picks at school.

The teen, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with his mum, invested 50,000 of pretend money in a Trading 212 demo account. In four months, his portfolio has risen to 53,500.

I supervise Charlie's use of the app. I think it's a good way for him to start learning about investing

He says: 'Some stocks have gone up and down in value a lot, so I'm learning about the risks.'

Charlie's mum, who works for a finance firm, says: 'I supervise Charlie's use of the app. I think it's a good way for him to start learning about investing.'

One half-way house that experts suggest is a better tool for teenagers to learn about investing is the raft of stock market game apps. These can offer a fun way for children to build knowledge.

The Stocks & Forex Trading Game offers an introduction to trading, with the help of pop-up cartoons and quizzes.

Another option is simulation site HowTheMarketWorks, a free game that enables teenagers to learn to play the stock market.

The London Stock Exchange also has a trading simulator which allows under-18s to create a virtual portfolio on the website with a starting portfolio of 10,000.

'Games are the best way for kids to get started,' says James Daley from Fairer Finance. 'For most, the right way to invest is to put your money in investment funds.'

From 16, teenagers can buy real investment funds and shares in the UK using a Junior Isa (Jisa), which a parent or guardian will need to set up for them.

Ms Pethers adds: 'A child could put 8 of 10, say, in a well-diversified stocks and shares Jisa, and 2 into company shares they've chosen. This would mean taking the greatest risk with only a small percentage of the portfolio.'

Money Mail was unable to reach Trading 212 for comment.
Minister of Education Sorin Cimpeanu on Tuesday stated that students might return to school, physically, in end-May, early-June, provided that certain conditions related to the observance of the health protection rules are met, such as the vaccination of the teaching staff, testing with non-invasive tests and a downward trend being recorded in the number of infections with the novel coronavirus, according to AGERPRES.

"Vaccination goes very well. We have 150,000 employees immunised at this point, in education. (...) By the beginning of May we will have an even larger number [number of employees vaccinated - editor's note]. More than half of the employees in education, that is. The Prime Minister undertook to say that he will support the non-invasive testing we've talked about. (...) Which testing will not require medical personnel and it's easily accepted by the parents. It might even be possible for children to test themselves. (...) Observing protection rules, vaccination, testing and a downward trend in infections will allow the Ministry of Education to bring arguments for opening all schools, and not according to the green, red scenarios, for students to learn face to face with their colleagues and teachers. We have this chance that a longer holiday in April might transform into more days at school, physically, at the end of May, beginning of June. Which is a big gain. A huge gain," the Minister of Education told Digi 24 private television broadcaster.

Asked if the current scenario is for children to return to school after the holiday all over the country, the Minister said: "Yes, but for this to happen we need to meet the four conditions. We have already met three of them. We are about to have the testing too, we have a promise about that."

He said that the Ministry of Education will insist to have the non-invasive tests used in schools.

Sorin Cimpeanu believes this school year will end "better" than the previous one.

According to him, the competitions for school managers will have to be organised in August, but they could also take place after the start of next school year if the situation won't allow it.
She has sent shockwaves through Hollywood with the bombshell revelations in her new memoir.

And Sharon Stone ensured she'd keep people talking as she posed for a stunning spread in L'Officiel magazine.

The 63-year-old actress was a vision of beauty as she modelled three striking looks for a desert-themed shoot.

Stunning: Sharon Stone ensured she'd keep people talking as she posed for a stunning spread in L'Officiel magazine after the release of her shocking new memoir

For the stunning cover shot, Sharon looked phenomenal in an orange halter neck dress that clung to her curves.

The garment featured a racy braided skirt that showcased her tanned and toned pins while she posed up a storm for the camera.

Another sizzling look was a sheer black gown with tassel detailing on the sleeve.

Working her angles for the camera, the Basic Interest star looked like had stepped straight off the runway for the shot.

A final look saw Sharon model a sharp black trouser suit that she teamed with an oversized white hat.

Wow: Another sizzling look was a sheer black gown with tassel detailing. Working her angles for the camera, the Basic Interest star looked like had stepped straight off the runway

Suits her! A final look saw Sharon model a sharp black trouser suit that she teamed with an oversized white hat

Sharon's stunning shoot comes after she published her new memoir, The Beauty Of Living Twice.

Read all about it: Sharon's stunning shoot comes after she publushed her new memoir, The Beauty Of Living Twice

In the time, Sharon recounts the making of her Nineties western The Quick And The Dead, and what it took for her to convince the studio behind the film to cast a then 21-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Oscar nominee served both as star and co-producer of the film, and went as far as paying the rising stars salary herself when TriStar Pictures balked.

In her memoir, published Tuesday, Sharon writes:

'This kid named Leonardo DiCaprio was the only one who nailed the audition. In my opinion he was the only one who came in and cried, begging his father to love him as he died in the scene.

Sharon continued to say that TriStar was hesitant, and asked asked her, '"Why an unknown, Sharon, why are you always shooting yourself in the foot?"

'The studio said if I wanted him so much, I could pay him out of my own salary,' she concluded. 'So I did.'

It should be noted that The Quick And The Dead came out in 1995, which was two years before box office behemoth Titanic  the film that cemented DiCaprio as a legendary Hollywood megastar.
Europe is currently suffering from a new COVID-19 variant. Medical experts claimed that the new type of virus is expected to hit the United States next.

According to CNN Health's latest report, the current variant in Europe was first found in the United Kingdom. Experts said that it is more contagious and causes more severe symptoms. Aside from these, they added that Europe's new B.1.1.7 variant could quickly infect younger people.

"If we can just hold out, if we can just get enough vaccine between now and the summer, we can actually beat this one," said Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist.

Osterholm added that since the supply of COVID-19 vaccines could arrive a little longer, they are getting more impatient.

How dangerous is Europe's new COVID-19 variant?

As of the moment, more than 5,000 COVID-19 patients in France are currently in ICUs. Previously, experts warned in January that France would suffer from rapid coronavirus infection spread.

Also Read: CDC: One Dose of Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Gives 80 Percent Effectivity, Completing Two is 90 Percent

On the other hand, Turkish officials confirmed that the new B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant caused most of the country's infected patients. Aside from France and Turkey, Canada is also affected by the new variant, leading to more infections and hospitalizations. Officials said that most of the patients include young individuals.

Is BioNTech efficient against it?

USA Today reported that the developers of the BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine claimed that their product now has 100% efficacy against coronavirus. However, they did not say if it is also efficient against the new Europe variant.

Although this is the case, Pfizer and BioNTech claimed that their vaccine is safe and effective for 12 to 15 years old patients. Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, said that they hope that their vaccine will soon be distributed to young patients.

He added that there is an urgency to expand the scope of the BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine so that additional populations could have it. You can click here to know more details.

For more news updates about Europe's COVID-19 variant and other innovations against the novel coronavirus, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Priest Claims Its New Oral COVID-19 Vaccine Can be Added to Water, Milk, Wine-Injection Not Needed Anymore

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Giuliano de Leon

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Zurich, 31.03.2021, 31.03.2021 - Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the Churchill Europe Symposium - The speech was made in German. The spoken word prevails.

Dear Mr Barnier, Special Advisor to the President of the European Commission

Dear Rector (Professor Michael Schaepman)

Dear Mr President of the Europa Institut at the University of Zurich, former Councillor of States (Dr. Markus Notter)

Dear Prof. Kellerhals

Ladies and Gentlemen of the National Council and the Council of States

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Cantonal Governments

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

Nearly 75 years have passed since Winston Churchill, one of the most brilliant personalities in modern world history, stood here in Zurich, in a very different world to the one we know today. 1946 was a year marked by the still-recent memories of two world wars, a year when Europe lay in ruins. "What will become of this continent?" "What is Europe?" "Who are we?"

These are questions in search of a sense of common identity. Questions that are as important now as they were in 1946. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honour to open the Churchill Europe Symposium today. Our lives in 2021 may seem far removed from the realities of 1946, but there are many similarities too. Europe is once again emerging from a state of shock  brought to a standstill not by war, but by a global virus. The economy is only now beginning to recover, and people are torn between the desire for greater personal freedom, national sovereignty, and the issue of European solidarity.

Switzerland and the UK: between national sovereignty and European community

Winston Churchill's interest in the future of Europe, his call to found a kind of United States of Europe, and the effort to combine a sense of common identity with national pride are topics that are as relevant today as they were in 1946. This applies as much to the UK's departure from the EU as it does to the discussions on bilateral relations between Switzerland and the European Union.

Although the Brexit deal cannot be compared to the Swiss framework agreement, it is nonetheless interesting that the trilateral relationship between Switzerland, the EU and the UK continues to play a key role in mapping out the future of Europe. Indeed, it was no coincidence that Churchill made his famous Europe speech here in Zurich, though the reason had less to do with world politics than you might think.

Painting as a therapy for political defeat

On 19 September 1946 Churchill travelled to Zurich, where he made his famous Europe speech. But the reason behind his visit wasn't an official invitation from the Federal Council, as one might suspect of a statesman of his standing. No, Churchill was in fact here on a private initiative. The war time prime minister's trip was motivated by personal relationships, and by his unbridled passion for painting. Yes, you heard me correctly: his passion for painting. Churchill was an enthusiastic and, above all, extremely talented painter who spent almost all of his free time in front of the canvas. And it was Switzerland that he had to thank for this passion. For Churchill would probably not have become a painter, or spoken in Zurich in 1946, had it not been for his friends in the Swiss art world. But lets start at the beginning.

Churchill was a late bloomer when it came to painting. He only began experimenting with brushes and paint at the age of 40, at a time he described as his 'darkest hour'. After the failed Allied offensive on the Gallipoli peninsula in the First World War, Churchill was forced to resign as First Lord of the Admiralty. The passionate politician and military daredevil was plunged into an existential crisis. Being a mere spectator in this global tragedy was more than Churchill could bear. In his anger and despair, he reached for a paintbrush.

Politics and art: a joke blossoms into a lifelong friendship

Churchill met his first and most important art teacher in Paris in 1915  a Swiss man by the name of Charles Montag. The artist had emigrated to France from Winterthur and made a name for himself as a painter  though he is most famous as a fierce advocate of the French Impressionists. His first meeting with Churchill very nearly ended in a war of words. Churchill asked Montag what he thought of his paintings, to which the artist responded, in French: "Si vous faites votre politique comme votre peinture, l'Europe est fichue"  "If your politics are anything like your painting, Europe is lost."

His words made quite an impression. The otherwise eloquent British firebrand wasn't sure whether to show this quick-witted Swiss man the door or simply laugh. Fortunately, Churchill decided on the latter. After all, as Churchill maintained, he had come to Paris specifically to meet two people: the French president, Raymond Poincare, and the man he was speaking to  Charles Montag.

V for Victory and a poker face in an open-topped cabriolet

It was the beginning of a wonderful friendship, and a shared passion for painting. Three decades and another world war later, that passion would take Churchill on a journey to Switzerland. For Churchill, by then a famous statesman, was not drawn to Zurich by high-level politics, nor by the local table wine  which quite literally left a bad taste in his mouth. No, what brought him to Switzerland in 1946 were the vibrant colours of the paint maker Willy Sax, who ran the modest family business Sax-Farben Ltd. in Urdorf, near Zurich. The small company's reputation had travelled as far as England, and its paints had found their way into Churchill's parlour. Churchill wanted to finally meet the man who supplied the cherished materials for his aesthetic pursuits.

Before the evening of his famous speech on Europe, Churchill asked Willy Sax to visit him at the Dolder Grand hotel. He immediately liked the Swiss paint maker, and they agreed to meet in Zurich's old town the next day so that Sax could show Churchill the proper way to use his painting materials. Churchill even postponed his return flight to London for this second meeting with his new Swiss friend, but asked that it be kept secret in order not to attract crowds. The meeting took place as planned, but any hopes of secrecy proved somewhat optimistic. When Churchill left the paint shop, he found that a huge crowd of people had gathered in front of it. Ever the showman, Churchill kept his poker face as he got into his open-topped cabriolet, made the sign for victory and was driven hastily away.

Painting holidays together, a shade of blue for Churchill, stockings for his wife

Churchill never returned to Switzerland, but his attachment to the country, and to Willy Sax in particular, was an enduring one. The two friends saw each other regularly. Sax visited his fellow painting enthusiast many times at Chartwell House, and was also a welcome guest at 10 Downing Street when Churchill was prime minister again between 1951 and 1955.

Over the years, the two men wrote each other more than a hundred letters and telegrams, often exchanging gift packages between Urdorf and London. Sax would send cured ham, schnapps, packets of Knorr soup, Swiss chocolate and highly fashionable nylon stockings for Churchill's wife. At the heart of their friendship, though, were the painting holidays they shared on the Cote d'Azur. Churchill the artist was captivated by the Mediterranean light, and Sax the paint maker brought the perfect colours to capture it in all its splendour. At the prime minister's request, Sax even created a special tone of paint for his British friend: a sky blue  or 'Churchill blue'.

An artists' friendship paves the way for political diplomacy

This painters' diplomacy, if I can call it that, covered much more than just a shared enthusiasm for art. No other Swiss person had a closer relationship to Winston Churchill than Willy Sax. The Swiss businessman's personal connection to Churchill increasingly saw him adopt the role of a political mediator. Sax became a kind of relay station between Churchill and Switzerland, a private ambassador of sorts for friendly exchanges between the two countries.

In the spring of 1956, for example, Sax travelled to London with the mayor of Zurich, Emil Landolt. The City of Zurich wanted to organise an exhibition of Churchill's paintings, and Sax was to bring Landolt face to face with the artist himself. However, Churchill cancelled the meeting at short notice. He didn't know this Landolt fellow, after all, and couldn't just receive every mayor who turned up from around the world. Sax, on the other hand, was most welcome. Churchill and his Swiss friend enjoyed a steak and kidney pie, drank whisky, and smoked cigars  while the mayor from Zurich took a stroll outside.

Swiss collegial government for the people, not for state visits

But it wasn't always on the British side of things that Sax's diplomatic efforts failed. Occasionally it was Swiss tradition that stood in the way. In 1955, for example, Sax made a further attempt at private diplomacy  this time at the highest level. Sax travelled to Bern to meet the Swiss president and foreign minister, Max Petitpierre, whom Churchill had described as a first-class man on his visit to Switzerland nine years earlier. Sax's plan was for Petitpierre to finally be reunited with the prime minister and accompany the two friends on their painting holiday. Churchill sent the Swiss president his best regards  via Sax, of course  and told him he looked forward to seeing him soon.

But the meeting never came to pass. The reason: Switzerland's policy of collective government. Petitpierre gave Sax the following message: "It would be a pleasure to see Sir Winston Churchill again, and I would gladly have visited him in Monte Carlo. Unfortunately, it will not be possible for me to do so this year, as custom dictates that the Swiss president cannot leave Switzerland during his year in office." Through this cautious travel policy, President Petitpierre was demonstrating that Switzerland did not have a true head of state. He saw himself only as first among equals in the seven-strong Federal Council  his role was to be there for his fellow citizens, literally and figuratively. They were more important, after all, than the statesman and artist Winston Churchill.

Small, but eminently capable: how Switzerland resembles Willy Sax

I discovered this and many other wonderful stories about the British prime minister's little-known Swiss connections in the book Champagne with Churchill by the Swiss historian Philipp Gut. The episodes it describes struck me not only as historically interesting, but also quite amusing. I see in them a reflection of Swiss foreign policy. Isn't Willy Sax's mediation as a private citizen a little reminiscent of Switzerland's mediation in the international context? As a small, independent and neutral state that favours right over might, we are predestined to act as an intermediary in conflicts, quite in keeping with our tradition of good offices.

Now, this isn't an application to take over the job of Michel Barnier  who I'll give the floor to in just a moment. Nor am I suggesting that the EU and the UK are in a state of war. Heaven forbid. Instead, this is a plea for Swiss foreign policy to be both selfless and self-assured, just like the amazing small businessman Willy Sax. He had no anxiety or inferiority complex about contacting a statesman as important to world history as Winston Churchill. He remained modest and down-to-earth, always presenting himself as a messenger and mediator for the concerns of others. And what's good enough for Willy Sax is good enough for Switzerland too.

Loving freedom and defending the rights of others

Winston Churchill saw it the same way, incidentally. In 1946, shortly after visiting his friend Willy Sax in Zurich and delivering his famous speech on Europe Churchill emphasised to the Federal Council Switzerland's distinctive combination of independence and openness to the world. Switzerland, he told them, proved that one could love freedom and still respect and promote the rights of others.

Standing here today as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, I could hardly put it better than Churchill did back then. This globally conscious sovereignty, if I may call it that, is the precondition for Switzerland's international and humanitarian commitments. Confident, cosmopolitan and creative: let's have the courage to use every colour in the palette of world politics. Let's all be a little more like Willy Sax.



Thank you for your attention.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




A two-vehicle crash Tuesday in Hamilton left one person dead, authorities said.

The crash occurred shortly after 3 p.m. when a 2020 Hyundai Elantra was headed northbound on Buttonwood Street, according to township police. As the Hyundai crossed over Nottingham Way to a Walmart parking, it struck a 2007 Honda Odyssey, police said.

The Honda went off the road and struck a tree, police said. A front seat passenger from the Honda, identified as a 30-year-old Trenton woman, died at the scene.

Police asked any witnesses to call the departments traffic unit at 609-581-4000.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.
STOCKHOLM, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconovo AB (publ), a company developing complete inhalation products for a global market, today announced that it has signed an agreement with the immunotherapy company Immune System Regulation AB (ISR), an affiliate to ISR Immune System Regulation Holding AB (publ), for the development of an inhaled covid-19 vaccine in Iconovo's inhaler ICOone. The agreement is Iconovo's second agreement within its newest strategic area innovative inhalation projects and confirms the suitability of ICOone to be used also for vaccines.

The agreement gives ISR exclusive rights to use ICOone for the treatment of covid-19 and its variants with a technology based on so-called spike proteins with an adjuvant. Iconovo will contractually develop an inhalation product with the aim to test the product in a human clinical trial targeted to start during the second half of 2021. In the agreement ISR receives an option to also use its vaccination technology in ICOone for influenza, RS-virus, and new strands of covid-virus vaccines based on the same technology.

The agreement includes stepwise payments of a 9 MSEK technology access fee, set up as five increasing milestone payments over the development to market authorization. The first milestone of 0.2 MSEK was paid at the agreement signature. ISR will also pay Iconovo for the contract development of the inhalation product which in a first binding feasibility trial amounts to 3.6 MSEK, followed by the production of clinical trial material at a preliminary value of 5.5 MSEK. Additionally, the agreement will give Iconovo low single-digit percentage royalties over a period of 14 years from market launch.

Today there are 3.9 billion people in lower-middle-income and low-income countries who will have a late access to covid-19 vaccines, according to the World Bank. With a price corresponding to the vaccines from AstraZeneca or J&J (8 - 10 USD per vaccination) this represents a full market potential of totally 31 - 39 billion USD. The size of the sales potential for an inhaled covid vaccine will depend on the rate of vaccination in these countries. There is also a scenario where the virus will mutate and, in the future, create the need for annual vaccinations similar to how influenza is managed today. As a comparison, the market for annual influenza vaccinations amount to at least 5.5 billion USD per year.

"With this project Iconovo widens its experience within the new strategic area innovative inhalation projects, and we look forward to more similar projects where we can contribute with our inhalation experience. It sends a strong signal to the market that more companies see ICOone as a suitable inhaler for innovative applications," says Johan Waborg, CEO of Iconovo.

ISR has previously shown in animal models that its vaccine gives good protection against covid and this is the next step in the development of a spray-dried inhaled vaccine formulation for use in Iconovo's single-use inhaler ICOone. An inhaled formulation gives important benefits such as ease of use, cheaper transportation, storage without the need for refrigeration and no handling of needles and syringes. To remove the need for refrigeration and the handling of contagious material represent a large savings potential and can potentially eliminate the risk of spreading disease through infected needles. Another important benefit is that the vaccine directly reaches the affected area in the pulmonary tissue that will give the needed type of immune response for protection.

"This is a very important step towards taking our inhaled covid-19 vaccine to the market quickly with a suitable single-use inhaler. We believe that the product will be of greatest use in developing countries with restricted access to refrigeration and where the vaccination programs have not advanced yet. We also hope that an inhaled vaccine will give a more adequate immune reaction in the lung which is patrolled by another type of anti-body," said Ola Winqvist, CEO of ISR

"The potential for an innovation like this will be huge if it reaches the market. We believe that ICOone has the potential to replace injections of vaccines and other important molecules, thereby offering a smarter way to administer these pharmaceuticals. Iconovo is a global leader and wants to act as a driving force in this development," said Johan Waborg.

Contact

Johan Waborg, VD

+46 707 78 51 71

johan.waborg@iconovo.se

About Iconovo

Iconovo was founded in 2013 by people with long experience in inhalation development. The company develops inhalers and associated drug preparations that are used to treat asthma and COPD. However, Iconovo also has the competence to develop products for new types of inhaled drugs such as vaccines.

By working with Iconovo, pharmaceutical companies and generic companies can access a complete pharmaceutical product, thereby eliminating the complex and costly early stages of the development phase. Iconovo licenses its patented products to customers and offers a faster way to the inhalation market with lower risk and at a lower cost.

More information about the company can be found at www.iconovo.se.

About ISR

ISR is an innovation-driven development company of pharmaceuticals within immunotherapy. The business idea is to convert preclinical immunological research to clinical development stimulating the the immune system to fight chronic infections like HIV, HBV and cancer by developing the company's pipeline of immunostimulants Immunolider and Immunorheliner and utilize the immune system to develop designer vaccines. The company has its headquarter in Stockholm. Mangold Fondkommision AB is the certified advisor and can be reached at telephone +46 8 503 01 550.

About ICOone

ICOone is a unique, patented dry powder inhaler for single use. The smart design generates an ultra-low manufacturing cost combined with simple and discreet use. It is particularly suitable for short-term treatment and as-needed use as it provides an unsurpassed low treatment cost and price point for treatments with a low number of doses. The simple design also enables patients and caregivers to learn how to handle the inhalers with minimal training. ICOone can deliver large inhalation doses that are well protected against moisture, an important factor for many biomolecules.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/iconovo/r/iconovo-signs-agreement-with-isr-for-the-development-of-inhaled-covid-19-vaccine,c3318722

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Property worth millions has been destroyed after a fire razed Mpeketoni Shalom Home for Disabled Children in Lamu on Tuesday evening.

Lamu County Disaster Response Team Leader Luqman Abdulaziz confirmed the incident, saying a section of the institution's dormitory, two kitchens, a canteen and the children's hall were reduced to ashes.

Mr Abdulaziz said a team of the county's Disaster Response Officers helped put out the fire.

The cause of the fire was not immediately established, but there were claims that the inferno could have started from a nearby farm, where a farmer is said to have set fire on a bunch of bushes, in a bid to clear his farm in preparation for the planting season.

"The roofing of most of the institution's buildings is makuti-thatched. I am told there was a farmer who was burning some bushes in a bid to clear his farm before the fire overpowered him and extended to the school. It razed almost all the buildings within the institution. No one was injured, as only the watchman was around when the incident happened," said Mr Abdulaziz.

He said, "We dispatched enough officers to the scene to help put out the fire."

The institution's director Margaret Wangari Mwangi said the burnt dormitory has 30 beds and mattresses, all of which were reduced to ashes.

Ms Mwangi said other items like wheelchairs used by the physically challenged children, their clothes, kitchen utensils and canteen items were all destroyed.

She urged the police to conduct an in-depth investigation to establish the exact cause of the fire.

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"I thank God that no one was injured. The physically challenged children are currently at home as we had closed the school due to Covid-19 pandemic. It's unfortunate that almost everything has been burnt," said Ms Mwangi.

She appealed to well-wishers and the government to intervene and assist her reconstruct the institution, so that the beneficiaries can have a place to live once they open after Covid-19.

"I always use part of my salary to run the institution. Some donors also assisted in buying mattresses, beds, and wheelchairs for the children. I appeal to the government and well-wishers to intervene now that I will have to start afresh following the fire incident which destroyed property of over Sh4 million," said Mrs Mwangi.

Hongwe Ward MCA James Komu appealed to the Lamu County Government to consider buying more firefighting equipment to help address fire incidents in Lamu.

"We only have two vehicles fitted with firefighting engines, but they don't have water storage tanks. That means they must be accompanied by water bowsers during fire incidents. This is contributing to delays every time fire occurs. The county should improve on that to ensure a timely response in the event of a fire tragedy in our county," said Mr Komu.

Kimani Wanyoike, a youth leader in Mpeketoni stressed on the need for firefighting vehicles to be stationed in all major towns in the county.
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Facebook and Instagram have removed Donald Trump's interview with his daughter-in-law Lara in another sign of the left-leaning Silicon Valley giant canceling the former president.

In the interview, Trump tore into social media and the mainstream media for suppressing the Hunter Biden laptop story, he criticized President Biden's green agenda and railed against cancel culture which he said obliterates US culture.

It was for The Right View, Lara's show. During the 18-minute interview, Trump also spoke about running for President again in 2024. Lara had been promoting it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter beforehand.

At 9.26pm on Tuesday night, four minutes before it was due to be uploaded, Facebook emailed Lara's team warning them that it would be removed if it went live. At 9.51pm, they emailed again to say that they'd taken it down.

Lara shared screenshots of the emails on Instagram afterwards. 'And just like that, we are one step closer to Orwells 1984. Wow,' she wrote alongside them.

Trump has been banned from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram since the January 6 riots, cut off from his supporters and unable to get messages to them in the way he did before.

In their email, the Facebook employee said that 'content posted in the voice of President Trump is not currently allowed on our platforms (including new posts with President Trump speaking) and will be removed.

'This guidance applies to all campaign accounts and Pages, including Team Trump, other campaign messaging vehicles on our platforms and former surrogates'.

Trump's interview with Lara is the first time he has been seen on camera since he left office. Until now, he has been phoning in to FOX News to share his opinions.

The social media giant has not responded to inquiries about taking the video down, and it has not made any public statement.

Trump supporters are irate and say it's further proof of big tech trying to silence anyone who doesn't agree with them.

At 9.26pm, Lara's team received this email from Facebook warning them that the interview would be removed (left). Thirty-minutes later, after she'd uploaded it to Facebook, she received another, informing her it had been taken down. Lara shared screenshots of the emails on Instagram

Donald Trump sat down with his daughter-in-law Lara Lea, Eric's wife, for his first on-camera interview since leaving office

During the 20-minute interview Trump talked about Joe Biden falling on the stairs to Air Force One, how boring Twitter had become without him and how the woke mob's cancelling of Dr Seuss made the US look absurd to its foreign adversaries, including China. It was the 74-year-old's first on-screen interview since losing to Biden in the general election and leaving D.C. under the cloud of the deadly Capitol Hill riot after he claimed the vote was rigged.

During the 18-minute interview Trump talked about how Joe Biden 'didn't know where the hell he was' when he fell down the stairs on Air Force One and how 'boring' Twitter had become without him.

Lara said the US was becoming like Communist China and others said Facebook 'can't handle the truth'

He was asked whether his supporters could hope he will run for president again, he replied: 'You do have hope, that I can tell you, you do have hope. We love our country, this country, we all owe a lot to our country, but now we have to help our country.'

Trump also criticized the situation at the border. pointing to the fact that many crossing the Rio Grande have explicitly stated that Biden was the reason they made the journey North.'Look at our borders, look what's happening,' Trump said.

'We had the best southern border that we've ever had and in one day he said, "Everybody come up," and and what's going on now is something compared to what's going to take place during the summer.'

Trump also criticized the situation at the border. pointing to the fact that many crossing the Rio Grande have explicitly stated that Biden was the reason they made the journey North.

Trump opened the chat by slamming Biden's first two months in power after Lara asked about the debut White House press conference last week - a record-breaking 65 days after taking office.

'Well I think the press conference is probably the least of it,' Trump told his daughter-in-law. 'People saw a lot of things happening long-prior to the press conference - and even the trip up the stairs - up and down, three times - there are a lot of things going on, so we'll see what happens.

'I hope he's in good shape I hope he's OK for the sake of the country.

Trump compared it to the media's coverage of how he had walked 'inch by inch' down a ramp after a speech at West Point.

'But they covered that for weeks, and this guy falls down three times, he couldn't get up, the third time he didn't know where the hell he was.

'And it was not on the evening news, other than a couple of networks, but it wasn't ABC, CBS, NBC, and it got almost no coverage. It's incredible.'

Trump said it was a 'sad situation' because 'we don't have freedom of the press anymore.'

He also referred to how, during the campaign, Hunter Biden was not brought up by the media because that topic 'was cancelled.'

During the election battle, the contents of an old laptop belonging to the president's son including video and images of Hunter having sex and taking drugs.

It was dismissed by Biden supporters - and the pro-Democrat press - as having been handed to Trump's campaign team by Russians, while there was never any denial that it was Hunter in the footage.

'When they didn't show any of that during the campaign - they just cut it out, like, cancelled I guess, you could call it cancel culture right - to me that was really the beginning, because it was bad it's been bad for a really long time, it's been fake for a long time,' Trump said.

'But it used to be fake where they'd come up and I'd come up and you'd fight and the public can believe one way or the other ... but they didn't bring Hunter up, it was just really cancelled.'

GEORGE ORWELL'S 1984 AND BECOMING AN 'UNPERSON' Orwell's novel 1984 tells the story of a dystopian world where the state controls the people and anyone who disagrees with the party can be erased. In the novel when that happens, they become an Unperson. It means that every trace of the person has been wiped from public record - there are no photographs of them or videos, no mentions of their name and they are even wiped from the memories of friends and family. Critics say it is what the left is trying to do now to Trump. Advertisement

The president claimed subsequent polls had shown it would have made a ten point difference in the election if the story had not been suppressed.

He said this had made him realise there was a 'new phase' in the cancel culture where the news media are refusing to cover certain subjects for political reasons and described social media as being 'worse' that the traditional press.

Trump later expanded on this 'woke left' theme, saying that the mob mentality was a disgrace to the United States which damaged its reputation internationally.

'I think that they [America's allies and adversaries] cannot believe what is happening,' the president said.

'Can you imagine China looking at us and they're talking about Dr Seuss and that was like the big thing of the day - but it's gone beyond Dr Seuss, they want to take down monuments to heroes, they want to obliterate our history.

'Whether it is good or bad you learn from it, you have to learn from history and some is bad and some is good. I would say most of it's good.

'But they want to obliterate our past and what you have is you don't have much of a country left.

'I think China is very happy now and I think that Russia and a lot of other countries are very happy. They look at what is going on and they don't believe it.'

Trump said that the social media giants were also bound up in this woke culture, telling Lara: 'Twitter has gotten very boring, a lot of people are leaving Twitter.'

He referenced the possibility, which has been previously discussed, about his starting a new social media platform.

'So I think there's room for something and I bring a lot of people with me, so we'll see,' Trump said.

He added that he 'loved' how his team were now putting out press releases which he described as an 'elegant' solution.

Trump was kicked off Twitter, Facebook and numerous other social media sites in the wake of the Capitol siege.

The President then lost his balance again and fell to his knees on the carpeted stairs

Donald Trump Jr. said it was 'no wonder' the US was being attacked by 'enemies' Russia and China when Biden's health is in question

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testifies before Congress last week. Trump said that Dorsey's platform had become 'boring' without him

The former president skewered Biden's first two months in office, claiming that the Democrat has brought in socialist policies that would make even Bernie Sanders blush and was allowing thousands of illegal migrants through at the southern border.

He said: 'The things that [Biden] said - and whether we debate it or whether he just made statements - all of those things are not what he's doing.

'[The agenda] is more liberal, more radical than Bernie Sanders ever had in mind. Bernie could not be happier, but this is something Bernie would have never suggested, he never talked about what he's doing to destroy energy and the second amendment.'

Trump said: 'All of things that he's doing - raise taxes to the biggest levels in history - those were not things that were discussed at all during the election.'

Trump said that he had rebuilt the US military to its strongest ever levels, that he had brought in the biggest tax cuts and cut regulations to their lowest in years.

But he warned that 'all of this will erode' because of the green agenda which the Democrats are intent on pushing through.

The former president said that the southern border wall had been a magnificent success but that it still needed to be completed.

He suggested that the Biden administration had no intention to do so and would simply let the plan fall through.

'During the summer you're going to see things that nobody has ever seen before,' Trump told Lara. 'It's very dangerous, it's very bad for our country and they're destroying our country.'
HONG KONG, Mar 31, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (stock code: 1606.HK; "CDB Leasing" or "the Company", together with its subsidiaries as "the Group") announces its audited consolidated results for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the "Reporting Period").Results HighlightFor the year ended December 31, 2020-- Total assets reached RMB303.3 billion, representing an increase of 16.08% YOY;-- Operating income was RMB19.329 billion, representing an increase of 5.37% YOY;-- Net profit amounted to RMB3.268 billion, representing an increase of 11.24% YOY;-- Total new lease financing to lessees amounted to RMB104.4 billion, representing an increase of 11.96% YOY;-- Return on average equity was 12.50%, representing an increase of 0.72 percentage point as compared with that as of the end of last year;-- Non-performing asset ratio was 0.80%, representing a decrease of 0.09 percentage point as compared with that as of the end of last year.During the Reporting Period, the Company's total assets exceeded RMB300 billion for the first time, and amounted to RMB303.3 billion, representing an increase of 16.08% YOY. Operating income was RMB19.329 billion, representing an increase of 5.37% YOY. Net profit amounted to RMB3.268 billion, representing an increase of 11.24% YOY. Return on average equity was 12.50%, representing an increase of 0.72 percentage point as compared with that as of the end of last year. Total new lease financing to lessees amounted to RMB104.4 billion, representing an increase of 11.96% YOY. Non-performing asset ratio was 0.80%, representing a decrease of 0.09 percentage point as compared with that as of the end of last year. Withstood the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company did a solid job in pandemic prevention and control, and paid close attention to operation and management. Its annual operating performance bucked up and reached a new high, while continuously achieving steady and high-quality development.During the Reporting Period, CDB Leasing actively served to build a new development pattern, actively supported the real economy, made an effort to build a "customer-centered" business development model, continued to focus on its strengths in aviation, shipping, new energy, environmental protection and infrastructure, as well as increased the new investment, which lead to a new success in business results. The new business investment in the whole year amounted to RMB104.4 billion, and took the lead in the financial leasing industry in realizing the annual new investment exceeding RMB100 billion, representing an increase of 11.96% as compared with that of 2019. In the meantime, the Company continued to strengthen the platform's capabilities and financial position, and maintained the high-level credit ratings by S&P (A), Fitch (A+) and Moody's (A1).In terms of the aviation business, although the competitive environment is still fierce, benefited from its scale in the industry and the strength of the wider CDB Group, the Company also acted quickly in realigning its orderbook to the change in the industry outlook in close co-operation with manufacturers. During the Reporting Period, the aircraft leasing business systematically promoted the five-year planning, steadily launched the investment and continued subletting of expired aircraft, successfully sold 18 aircrafts, and further optimized the fleet structure. In 2020, the Company signed new lease transactions for a total of 77 aircrafts with 20 customers.The Company started the construction of ship leasing business system in right time, strengthened the tracking research on the development trend of shipping market, established the quality evaluation system of operating lease assets and the ship value evaluation model, and examined the pre-credit approval mechanism of operating lease business. The above measures have greatly improved the management and professional ability of the Company's ship leasing business segment, further standardized the operation of ship leasing business, especially ship operating leasing business. The Company delivered 32 ships throughout the year, further increasing the proportion of mainstream ship types.As for Infrastructure leasing business, the Company actively supported key areas such as Yangtze River Economic Belt, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, etc., and served the coordinated development of regions. In addition, the Company strengthened the development of new energy projects, continuously improved its specialization in the field of new energy power generation, and fulfilled the development requirements of green finance actively.The Company adhered to its functional orientation, actively approached the market, strengthened the management of existing assets, optimized the allocation of incremental resources, improved various management processes and systems, and effectively promoted the sustainable and healthy development of inclusive finance business. At the same time, the Company vigorously promoted the digital transformation of inclusive finance business, further strengthened the refined management of the whole business process, and laid a solid foundation for realizing the digital management of inclusive finance business. The annual investment was RMB17.9 billion, representing an increase of 14% YOY, leasing more than 41,000 sets of equipment and serving nearly 13,000 small, medium and micro enterprises.Fulfills social responsibility and corporate responsibilityDuring the Reporting Period, the Company has provided support for more than 50 key projects greatly affected by the pandemic and about 4,000 customers in inclusive financing, such as rent extension and change of rent repayment plan, so as to alleviate the financial pressure of enterprises. The Company has increased cooperation with domestic shipping companies, fully supported the shipping companies to resume work and resume production, and received 19 new ships worth US$620 million throughout the year; Signed eight new shipbuilding contracts with a project value of US$400 million, fulfilling the social responsibility of state-owned financial enterprises.Expands asset trading channels and strengthens internal management and risk controlCDB Leasing actively tracked the trend changes, strengthened the financing rhythm and time limit scheduling, and the comprehensive cost of RMB and USD dropped significantly year-over-year, thus continuing to lead the industry. The Company successfully issued tier-2 capital bonds of US$700 million, creating a precedent for leasing companies.Meanwhile, the Company put in place robust operating requirements in terms of internal management, strengthened coordinated and centralized resources, and explored the construction of a digital leasing company. The Company also continued to improve the overall risk management system, strengthened risk investigation and control of key industries, and intensified efforts to resolve risks and non-performing projects.Looking forward, CDB Leasing stated: "in 2021, the Company will pay close attention to relevant policy trends and development opportunities after the pandemic, and combine its first-mover advantages in aviation, shipping, inclusive finance, infrastructure and other professional segments to achieve its business operation objectives while serving the country's major strategic objectives. The Company will further improve its research and analysis system, enhance its situational awareness of market competition and innovate its business development model, continuously improve its professional development capability, insist on the 'customer-centered' concept, optimize the process system, and further improve service efficiency; strengthen the information platform construction and digital empowerment leasing business, comprehensively improve the Company's business response efficiency, fully tap the value of big data, and accelerate the digital development, so as to achieve a good start in the 14th Five-Year Plan."About China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., LtdChina Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (stock code: 1606.HK; "CDB Leasing"), a national non-banking financial institution regulated by CBIRC, is the first listed financial leasing company in mainland China and the sole leasing business platform and listing platform of China Development Bank. Its leasing assets and business partners reach throughout over 40 countries and regions around the globe. The Company enjoys relatively high international credit ratings, namely "A1" by Moody's, "A" by Standard & Poor's and "A+" by Fitch. Founded in 1984, CDB Leasing is a pioneer and a leader in the leasing industry in the PRC, and is in the first batch of leasing companies established in the PRC. Adhering to the mission of "leading China's leasing industry, serving the real economy", CDB Leasing is dedicated to providing comprehensive leasing services to high-quality customers in fields including aviation, infrastructure, shipping, inclusive finance, new energy and high-end equipment manufacturing.The press release is distributed by Ever Bloom (HK) Communications Consultants Group Limited on behalf of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.Ever Bloom (HK) Communications Consultants Group LimitedMiss Diva Ding / Orianna Ou / Wu XiaoyueTel: (852) 3468 8434 / (852) 3468 8944Fax: (852) 2111 1103Email: diva.ding@everbloom.com.cn / orianna.ou@everbloom.com.cn / xiaoyue.wu@everbloom.com.cnSource: China Development Bank LeasingCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Telephone conversation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka

On March 30, 2021 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena.

During the conversation, the heads of the foreign ministries discussed topical issues of cooperation between Belarus and Sri Lanka, including the interaction within international organisations.

The parties separately dwelt on the prospects for enhancing the Belarusian-Sri Lankan interaction with the use of the potential of the existing bilateral institutional mechanisms in the political, trade and economic fields.

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The Governments of the United States and Cabo Verde held their third bilateral Partnership Dialogue on March 30, 2021. With interagency participation from both countries, U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Robert Godec and Cabo Verde Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communities Abroad and of Defense Rui Figueiredo Soares launched the Dialogue.

Economic Growth and Prosperity: The two sides affirmed that Cabo Verde and the United States share a common interest in strengthening economic and commercial ties. Participants discussed Cabo Verde's plans to privatize state-owned enterprises, its sustainable development plan for 2017-2021, and Cabo Verde Ambition 2030, which offers mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities. Participants underscored promoting trade, investment, engagement with the Cabo Verdean diaspora, and increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs as keys to further strengthening and diversifying economic ties. They identified possibilities for collaboration to enhance cybersecurity and support Cabo Verde's growth as an ICT hub in West Africa. The United States and Cabo Verde share ambitious goals to address climate change and increase clean energy development by continuing to focus on reducing greenhouse gases and achieving net zero global emissions by 2050 or before, which participants concurred held promise for possible future technical cooperation and job creation in the renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture sectors, as well as the maritime economy. They welcomed the formal signing of a Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) agreement that will strengthen financial ties and pledged to continue pursuing other mechanisms to build a more solid and mutually beneficial regulatory environment to boost two-way trade and investment.

Education and University Partnerships: Participants recognized the indispensable value of longstanding people-to-people ties to the bilateral relationship. They discussed the importance of prioritizing English language education, research, and coding, as well as enhancing educational partnerships between U.S. and Cabo Verdean universities and institutions. They welcomed a new U.S.-funded partnership between the University of Cabo Verde and Pennsylvania State University to improve sustainable fishing practices. Participants noted that forthcoming U.S. programs in Cabo Verde, such as the English Access Micro-scholarship and Fulbright Specialist Programs, are important steps for facilitating greater access to the global marketplace. The two countries discussed Cabo Verde's interest in exploring its potential to become a higher education platform for specialized and higher education courses in West Africa.

Defense and Security: Cabo Verde and the United States reaffirmed their desire to further enhance their strategic defense and security partnership, which greatly contributes to the security of both nations. Both sides committed to pursue an MOU aimed at furthering common defense and security interests based on shared democratic values. They looked forward to supporting Cabo Verde's efforts to reform the security sector and the Armed Forces, among others, through Cabo Verde's pairing with a U.S. state National Guard under the U.S. Department of Defense's State Partnership Program. Participants underscored their commitment to fighting transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking by enhancing cooperation, building capacity, and sharing information. They committed to assisting Cabo Verde's agencies such as the Judiciary Police, to better prevent, investigate, and dismantle international criminal networks engaged in illicit trafficking and terrorism in the region. Joint maritime law enforcement operations will continue to protect Cabo Verde's maritime and territorial integrity and bolster shared efforts to strengthen security in the Atlantic. Both sides welcomed future engagement between each nation's Coast Guards in training; countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and promoting a rules-based maritime order. Participants also highlighted U.S. support for strengthening Cabo Verde's capabilities to counter organized crime, such as money laundering and terrorist financing, and welcomed Cabo Verde's joining the G7 24/7 Cybercrime Network, which will facilitate cooperation with other nations to preserve digital evidence in cyber investigations. They noted the Boston Police Department's continuing relationship with Cabo Verde's National Police as a concrete means to cooperate and share best practices on law enforcement matters.

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Information Sharing and Securing the Border: Participants highlighted ongoing cooperation on port and airport security between relevant U.S. and Cabo Verdean authorities. The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security have committed resources to assist in safeguarding Cabo Verde's borders and enhance information sharing that better secures travel and trade. Cabo Verde's booming tourism industry and commercial traffic, including direct flights with the United States, have made cooperation in information sharing and border security a natural partnership for the two countries. Both sides pledged to work to identify other ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation on transportation and border security and to execute appropriate Memoranda of Cooperation for operationalizing such programs in the coming year. Through this collaboration, the United States and Cabo Verde seek to develop a model of information sharing and border security cooperation for the wider region.

U.S. and Cabo Verdean participants expressed their determination to engage as needed in focused conversations on the aforementioned areas in the coming months.
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. The ministry of emergency situations reports that several roads are closed or difficult to pass across Armenia.

The ministry told Armenpress that the roads leading to the Amberd Fortress and Lake Kari in Aragatsotn province are closed.

The Vardenyats Pass is difficult to pass for trucks.

The Georgian side informs that the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles.

Drivers are urged to use snow tires.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Getty Images Bank



By Jun Ji-hye



The government will ease visa rules for foreign workers in R&D and new industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) to more actively attract skilled foreign professionals as part of measures to secure a competitive edge in the rapidly changing global industry ecosystem, officials said Wednesday.



The government will also create a "digital nomad visa" that would allow skilled foreign IT workers to stay here even if they do not work for companies based in Korea.



A foreigners' policy committee chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun finalized the decisions during a meeting earlier in the day, saying the measures, which will be pursued this year, will also be aimed at bracing for a continued decrease in Korea's population, accompanied by a growing number of elderly people, resulting in declines in the number of workers.



Members of the committee included the justice minister as well as vice ministers from the education ministry, foreign ministry and science ministry.



The committee said the government will grant additional points in visa screening procedures when the applicants hold intellectual property rights in foreign countries.



The government will ease the criteria for a D-8-4 visa for those seeking to establish companies here as long as the excellence of their technologies is recognized.



The government will also remove limits on the number of foreign workers to be employed by companies in new industry fields, such as AI and bioscience, in a bid to lower the barrier to foreigners' entry into domestic firms.



Other measures include the establishment of a new entry pass called the "digital nomad visa" for skilled foreign workers who generate a certain amount of income from abroad.



The new visa, which will be issued even to applicants not working for companies based in Korea, will allow them to stay here while working remotely, which is a growing trend.



"We expect this to help invigorate the country's tourism industry and promote cooperation with domestic companies," an official from the Office for Government Policy Coordination said.



Foreign residents welcomed the government's latest moves that would make it easier for foreign workers in promising sectors to live and work in Korea.



One foreign resident from the United States, who is currently working for an IT services company in Seoul, said the measures were "definitely a step in the right direction."



"I would like to commend the government for being more progressive with the digital nomad visa and allowing people to stay in Korea for a longer duration and contribute to the economy here over an extended period of time," he said.



But he raised the need for the government to set up a proper policy for verifying employers to make sure the new visa is not abused.



"This visa should not be used by backpackers who actually do not have funds coming in every month," he said.



American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Board of Governors Chairman Jeffery Jones also said the government's moves to more actively attract skilled foreign professionals would contribute to the country's economy.



But he added one thing that was missing in the latest measures was the reformation of the tax policies for foreign workers.



"Korea tends to impose heavier taxes on foreign workers, compared to Singapore and Hong Kong. To attract more skilled foreign professionals, tax benefits should be enhanced as well," he said.



Meanwhile, to help small manufacturing businesses as well as agricultural, fishing and dairy industries, which have faced deepening difficulties due to a lack of workers, the government will shorten the re-entry limitation applied to foreign workers to one month from the current three months.



The government will also allow foreign workers to extend their stay by up to one year if it is difficult for them to return to their homelands due to outbreaks of infectious diseases or natural disasters.



And the fact that 66 percent of foreign nationals are concentrated in Seoul has made it more difficult for local governments to attract foreign workers. To deal with this issue, the government will come up with a variety of measures to help them settle in areas outside of Seoul, officials said.



The measures come as dramatic population changes have already begun here. In 2020, the nation's population fell year-on-year for the first time, with deaths surpassing births, according to the latest census figures released by the Ministry of Interior and Safety.



The Korea Economic Research Institute earlier forecast that the country's population would drop by half to less than 25 million by 2060, while the Korea Development Institute predicted that the nation's potential growth rate would fall to 1.9 percent between 2031 and 2040, from 3.6 percent between 2011 and 2020.


When Myanmars military declared a state of emergency on February 1, it sent out a statement seeking to justify its actions. With little evidence, it asserted there had been terrible fraud during the November general election in which the National League for Democracy, headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, had won a major victory. In the eyes of the military, the only way to ensure stable democracy was to carry out a coup.

That justification is looking threadbare as escalating violence instigated by the military makes it more difficult for the international community to look away. With the civilian death toll topping 500, there is a desperate need for an intervention to stop the slaughter.

Anti-coup protesters take to the streets in Mandalay, Myanmar. Credit:AP

Australia has already suspended its co-operation with the military and redirected its aid funds away from the government. The United States, Britain, and the European Union have also slapped on sanctions. In an unusual move, military chiefs of 11 nations including Australia have urged the junta to cease violence and work to continue to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar.

On another front, former prime minister Kevin Rudd has joined 45 former country leaders and foreign ministers from around the globe in calling on the United Nations to intervene to stop the bloodbath. Led by former South African president F. W. de Klerk, the grouping has sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres imploring him to convene an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss Myanmar. It is a significant test for a body that sometimes struggles to remain relevant in todays world.
The medical cannabis specialist will now begin cultivation as specialist facilities on the island of Jersey

Medical cannabis group said it has successfully closed a pre-IPO funding round, which at 14mln was significantly oversubscribed.

The fundraise allows the company to begin a grow programme at its facilities on the island of Jersey.

Chief executive and Master Grower, Campbell Dunlop, said: "We have spent the last two years investing in our facilities, growing hemp, liaising with regulators and customers to pull together our strategy to be a European leading cannabis company in cultivation, extraction and production for medical markets.

We are now fully funded to start the next phase of our growth and we will start planting in the coming months.

had initially set out to raise 5mln. Dunlop said the excess demand for the pre-IPO round (which was structured as a convertible loan note issue) had provided additional financial heft to accelerate investment into higher-yielding extraction equipment.

Looking to phase two

It will also help start the ball rolling on phase-two of the business growth plan  to build the UKs first vertically integrated cannabis business.

holds a licence granted by the Jersey Government under the authority of the UK Home Office, that allows it to grow and sell medical cannabis.

It currently operates from a 75,000 square-foot facility on Jersey where the favourable climate and sunshine hours contribute to its comparatively lower cultivation cost.

Under phase one of the programme, management expects to harvest a normalised production capacity of 6,500kg of THC flower per year.

It also has an additional 196,000 square-feet of capacity at the site that will be brought under cultivation during phase-two.

The UK market for medical cannabis is in the formative stages of development but is expected to grow quickly if Germany and Australias experiences provide a reliable yardstick.

Currently, the issue is one of supply, or lack of it domestically after the law changed in 2018 to allow the prescription of cannabis-based medicines.

First mover advantage

Northern Leaf secured a government licence authorised by the Home Office last December and was the first company to do so since 1998.

This, it believes, gives it a potential first-mover advantage to supply high-quality medical-grade cannabis into Britain and other underserved markets.

Israel, for example, is a leader in cannabis research, but lacks local supply, so imports around 10 tonnes a year from international suppliers.

Germany, the largest European market for medical cannabis, is in a similar position.

Katie Shelton-Innes, Northern Leafs director of corporate affairs, said: "This funding round has shown how much interest and excitement there is in investing in the European cannabis market."

UK shareholder participation is now an option after the Financial Conduct Authority guidance last September allowed the listing of cannabis companies here in the UK.

Shelton-Innes said she expects Northern Leafs IPO to happen later this year.

"We have appointed advisers and are actively pulling together an experienced board and senior management team to complement and strengthen our existing team. I look forward to updating the markets in due course," she added.
Japan Ninja Council , founded in 2015, is the first and only official association to promote the genuine Ninja culture and pass on the traditional Ninja culture to the next generation, with a joint effort of Japanese government partners, including Cabinet Office and Agency for Cultural Affairs. It also partners with Mie University International Ninja Research Center (see this CNN article ) to issue degrees in Ninja studies and collaborate with International Ninja Research Association to promote Ninja studies.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the council launched its first digital channel Nindo Channel on Youtube last year. The channel is lectured by Jinichi Kawakami sensei (Master in Japanese word), who is the most famous Ninja in the world (details explained here ) and an authority in one of the oldest Ninja schools in Japan. The content provides introductory NINDO learning, including basic self-protect skills and survival skills in the wild.

This channel embarked on a revolution in Ninja history. The Youtube channel has acquired over 10,000 subscribers organically and its most viewed video has reached over 45,000 views. The interest in learning about Ninja is obvious. (See comments from the channel below)

"It's rare to see a historical one like this and seeing it in practice is a nice touch other than just talking about it." - ShinKyuubi

"Ancient arts really help the body and mind develop. I mean, he's 70 now but he moves around like he's 28. Really amazing." - Isaiah Cheezy

"If [the Grandmaster] opened a ninja school I'd pay him to learn this mystic art." - Jane Appleseed

The channel proves the fact that people from all over the world including USA, Brazil, India, and Indonesia are keen to learn "genuine ninja lessons taught by genuine Ninja." The mysterious and intriguing Ninja culture has been disclosed after a long history of secrecy within the closed Ninja community in Japan. As Kawakami Sensei passionately states:

"I haven't taught Ninja skills comprehensively until now but especially after I started Nindo Channel on Youtube, I realize that many people across the different regions want to learn the Art of Ninja, which is useful even in modern times."

The success of the Youtube Nindo channel, along with the passion from fans and sensei, inspired the Japan Ninja Council to launch Kickstarter campaign for the first time in the Ninja history. The council wants to launch a Ninja Online Academy to provide an e-learning platform for all fans to learn about the real Ninja arts and culture, which aim at enhancing people's health, both physically and spiritually.

One of its most important missions of the Ninja Academy is to certificate an official Ninja license "NINDO" to those who will be trained at certain levels on Ninjutsu. (*NINDO license is the only official Ninja license certificate system managed by Japan Ninja Council). NINDO is separated into two majors; Yo-nin (theoretical and spiritual side) and In-nin (physical and practical side).

In the Yo-nin course, you will learn about the history of Ninja and the spiritual intelligence skills such as meditation, art of listening and observing. In the In-nin course, you learn about the practical skills of Ninja, such as ways of walking and self-defence skills from Dojo teachers. Depending on your proficiency, you will be issued with a certificate at different levels, from Genin, Ninja to Master of Ninja (10 Dan).

Kawakami Sensei states that

"Through this Ninja Academy, NINDO, you will learn genuine and traditional ninja skills from our experts. I warmly welcome you to join our crowdfunding project and look forward to teaching you on the platform."

Meanwhile, the council is also launching a NINDO Ambassador program to promote the Ninja Academy. Ideal candidates are those who desire to be Ninja and are excited about bringing the NINDO to the world. The finalist will be sponsored to work at the council in Japan and will receive other benefits such as free NINDO training and fair compensation. There will be more details on the website .

The Kickstarter campaign will be launched with full details in mid-April. You can also receive the information by pre-registering your email address at the official NINDO Platform .

So, are you ready to learn from the most famous Ninja in the world and become the next Ninja?

[About Japan Ninja Council]

JAPAN NINJA COUNCIL is the world's only official organization composed of groups including municipalities, aiming to spread the culture of the Japanese Ninja, that has long been veiled in mystery. To achieve the goal, various groups have come together to form the council such as local governments, universities, tourism associations and private companies. The council is designed to promote the arts and culture of Ninja so that it can contribute to the local economy through the Ninja. The council spares no effort in researching, collecting and offering the information on Ninja to the world.

Member of Japan Ninja Council, headed by Eikei Suzuki , The Governor of Mie Prefecture are composed by many municipalities including Kanagawa Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture Shiga Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Sano City, Higashiagatsuma City, Nagano City, Ueda City, Iga City, Nabari City, Koka City, Wakayama City, Matsue City, and Ureshino City.

For NINDO Ambassador's recruiting details, please see NINDO Ambassador Recruiting page for more information.

[Contact]

Mail: [email protected]

https://ninja-official.com/

Yamanoasakusa building6F,

2-17-8 Kaminarimon,

Taito-ku, Tokyo-to, 111-0034, Japan

Japan Ninja Council official page: https://ninja-official.com/?lang=en

NINDO, the Ninja Academy Platform:https://nindo.ninja-official.com/

SOURCE Japan Ninja Council
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A lawyer for Myanmars ousted civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, said her client appeared to be in good health when they discussed her legal case in a video meeting on Wednesday.

Ms Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, served as Myanmars state counsellor until February 1, when a military coup led to her being deposed and placed under house arrest.

Min Min Soe, one of a team of lawyers representing Ms Suu Kyi, said the 75-year-old appeared to be in `good health, according to an account by Khin Maung Zaw, another lawyer for Ms Suu Kyi, who spoke to dpa.

Ms Suu Kyi was said to be surrounded by several guards during the discussion.

On her end, Min Min Soe had to report to a police station in order to conduct the meeting.

The lawyer had police officers around her during the video talk with her client.

Min Min Soe told Ms Suu Kyi that six lawyers were available to represent her in court, according to Khin Maung Zaw.

Turning to the guards present in her room, Suu Kyi asked them for a personal meeting with her attorneys.

Its not clear what the response was, but lawyers say previous requests have never been granted.

The junta has levelled a range of charges against Suu Kyi, including violations of import-export, telecommunication and disaster management laws, as well as accusations of incitement.

It remains unclear where she is being detained.

For nearly two months, protesters have been demanding that Suu Kyis government be restored, with hundreds reported killed in a crackdown by the military.

Analysts suspect the main reason she is being detained was because the military was shocked by how poorly its candidates did in Novembers election, which Ms Suu Kyis National League for Democracy won in a landslide.

(NAN)
Nairobi  Tributes have been pouring in for Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange who died on Wednesday morning while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital.

Deputy President William Ruto, Opposition Leader Raila Odinga and Speaker of National Assembly Justin Muturi are among leaders who reacted with grief and disbelief to the news of Koinange's death.

The leaders took to social media pages, to issue their messages of comfort to the late MP's family and constituents of Kiambaa Constituency.

Deputy President Ruto joined President Uhuru Kenyatta in eulogising Koinange as a keen and steadfast supporter of Kenya's peace agenda as Chairperson of the NA Security Committee

"Honourable Paul Koinange was a dependable, illustrious and visionary figure who worked for the people of Kiambaa Constituency with diligence. He was a progressive and selfless politician whose exceptional servant leadership will be missed," he said.

Odinga on his part said he has 'a personal friend of many years'.

"The people of Kiambaa have lost in Paul Koinange, a diligent and dependable leader whose undivided focus was the unity, stability and progress of the country. He served with distinction as the Chairperson of the National Assembly's Committee on Administration and National Security," he said as he passed his condolences to the family, friends and constituents of Kiambaa.

The Ministry of Interior on its part, eulogised the fallen two-term MP as one who 'brought together divergent voices & shaped the management of our country's security'.

"In Hon. Paul Koinange, we in the security sector have lost an incisive leader who was true to his own principles. As the chair for the Departmental Committee on Administration & National Security," the Ministry said on its Twitter handle.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi led legislators Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Amos Kimunya in condoling with the family and the people of constituency following the death of their colleague Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange.

Muturi said it is very sad that the country has lost him at such a time, when he was spearheading the Committee's efforts to consolidate peace and stability among communities involved in inter-ethnic conflicts across the country.

"It is very sad that the country has lost him at such a time, just when he was spearheading his Committee in the efforts to consolidate peace and security among communities involved in inter-ethnic conflicts across the country," he stated.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya 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.

Gideon Moi, who is also KANU Chairman described Koinange as a "towering patriot'.

"Koinange will be remembered as a very humble man and dedicated leader who was committed to his work and the welfare of his people," he stated.

Kimunya on his part said Koinange was a fine gentleman, friendly to all, a real peace maker, and fully committed to his parliamentary duties. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Minority Whip Junet Mohammed and Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris observed that as the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security, Koinange prioritised peace and stability of our country.

Garissa Township MP Aden Duale on his part described Koinange as a great, energetic, peaceful and focused man who had a great vision for the people of Kiambaa Constituency and was instrumental in the running of the powerful House Security Committee as its chair.

Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny and Kimilili MP Didimus Barasa who worked together with Koinange in the Security Committee, mourned him as a committed servant both to the people of Kiambaa and Kenya as a whole.

"He was a gentle giant, thoughtful, dependable and a wise sage. My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & to his constituents. RIP," added Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan.
HAMDEN  A revised formula would double the funds Hamden receives from a state aid program, as the town also looks forward at least $22 million from the American Rescue Plan, according to local officials.

Mayor Curt Balzano Leng said he hopes to use the federal aid to build the towns fund balance, while the state money has helped provide essential services while allowing for a small tax rate reduction in his proposed budget.

Hamden historically has received roughly $3 million annually through the states Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, program, which partly reimburses towns for revenues lost to tax-exempt properties.

But under a new formula passed by the state legislature in early March, those funds would double to about $6 million, according to a Moodys Investors Service report.

The State Legislature understands that towns like Hamden have been underfunded in ... PILOT and are making a bold and focused effort to begin to address this historic imbalance, Finance Director Scott Jackson wrote in a message to the New Haven Register.

While there is a very high probability the additional aid will come through, it is not yet guaranteed, Jackson said, as the state still needs to fund the plan.

The additional $3 million is included in Lengs proposed budget, which needs Legislative Council approval.

In the upcoming budget these funds helped us to properly fund essential services and all long-term commitments, while making a small dent in our too high mill rate, Leng wrote in a message to the Register, adding that the money helped support his recommendation for additional police staffing and violence prevention programming.

Contributed photo

Leng felt confident including the PILOT funds because the new formula received so much support, he said.

Just in case, we have a number of areas where weve been far more conservative, the mayor continued.

For example, Hamden also is slated to receive at least $22 million from the American Rescue Plan.

As the town awaits final guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury on permissible use of the funds, Leng said his proposed budget does not include a dollar of anticipated rescue act funding.

Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media

However, some of that money seems likely to go toward the budget for the current fiscal year, which anticipated roughly $6 million in COVID relief.

There were a lot of people that didnt think that COVID relief money would be coming to Hamden, Leng said. Ive been confident that the town would receive some level of COVID relief from very early on, given that chief economists were saying in no uncertain terms that if towns and cities were not assisted ... there was no way that the overall economy would succeed.

Of the $22 million, more than $10 million will go to the school district, and nearly $12 million will go to the town, according to Walter Morton IV, the towns legislative liaison, who noted those numbers could still change.

Excluded from that total is funding allocated to the states counties, Morton said, as it is still unclear how that will be distributed.

Towns are expected to receive half their federal aid in the next couple of months, while the second half will be available in one year, he said.

Leng hopes to use the federal aid to build Hamdens fund balance.

The fund balance restoration strengthens Hamdens finances extraordinarily and puts our fund balance in a stronger position, potentially, than it has been in a decade, he said.

After dipping into the red at the end of the last fiscal year, a bond premium restored the towns fund balance to roughly $600,000, a number still considered low for a municipality of Hamdens size.

As for the school funding, Morton, who is chairman of the Board of Educations finance committee, said it was a little early to say how the money would be used.

Were grateful for it, but its kind of setting up for a fiscal cliff situation with budgets, he said.

Since the funding will not be permanent, it is difficult to use it to invest in long-term programs such as hiring new staff, Morton said.

Still, he expects the money will help plug some holes and try to make up for what happened over the last year-and-a-half.

For example, district staff are exploring what they can offer in terms of summer programming for students, Morton said.

Im really thankful that (U.S. Rep. Rosa) DeLauro fought so hard with our entire federal delegation to make sure that towns and cities werent left out of the rescue act, Leng said. To help protect our budgets, which will then allow us to protect our policemen, and our firemen, and our teachers, these funds were essential.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
[March 31, 2021] NALCAB Selects Marla Bilonick to Lead National Nonprofit

The National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) is pleased to announce the selection of Marla Bilonick as its new President and CEO of the national nonprofit dedicated to economic prosperity and opportunity for Latinos, immigrants, and other underserved communities across the United States. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005080/en/ Marla Bilonick, NALCAB President and CEO (Photo: Business Wire) A seasoned veteran in the arena of economic and community development, Marla brings over 20 years of expertise in small business development, community-based financial services and international aid with an emphasis on Latin America and the US Latino population. She most recently has served as the Executive Director of the Latino Economic Development Center in Washington, DC since 2014 and as a NALCAB bord member since 2016. She will assume her new role on May 5, 2021.



"Marla's engaging leadership, experience, and commitment to economic and social justice for Latinos and communities of color make her an ideal candidate to lead NALCAB in its next phase of growth," said David Adame, NALCAB Board Chair and President & CEO of Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC). "We are thrilled to see Marla, a talented and respected Latina trailblazer, transition from board member to President and CEO of this dynamic organization." Marla is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a BA in Political Science and she received her MA in International Economics and Latin American Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies-SAIS.

Prior to her tenure at LEDC, Marla worked for DAI managing multimillion-dollar international development contract opportunities funded by USAID and other donor agencies in Mexico and Latin America. She also served as the Director of Seedco's Upper Manhattan Business Solutions Center in Harlem - an initiative in collaboration with the New York City government to provide consulting and access to financing to local businesses. "I am thrilled to step into this role and build upon the momentum that NALCAB has harnessed to date. As the current leader of a member organization, I know first-hand the incredible value that NALCAB brings to bear for its membership," said Marla. "By leading NALCAB from the Washington, DC office, I will be well-positioned to further elevate the voices of our members on a national stage. It is an honor to have been selected to lead NALCAB and extend the reach of my personal commitment to increasing economic opportunity in underserved communities." Marla succeeds long-serving Executive Director Noel Poyo who was tapped in February to join the Biden-Harris administration in a senior US Treasury position. With offices in San Antonio and Washington, DC, NALCAB is the hub of a national network of more than 120 mission-driven organizations in 40 states, DC and Puerto Rico that serve diverse Latino communities through affordable housing, small business lending and grants, and financial counseling on issues such as credit building and home ownership. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005080/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Good morning, Bay Area. Its Wednesday, March 31, and record-high spring temperatures are forecast for today. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

When California expands its vaccine program on Thursday to people 50 and above, about 6 million people will become newly eligible. Thats a giant increase compared to what Bay Area counties are receiving in vaccine supply, especially in a region thats among the least vaccine hesitant in the U.S.  driving up demand for shots.

Every city, county and state has more capacity to administer vaccines than there is supply, said Darrel Ng, spokesman for the states COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. While Californias allocation will increase next week, San Francisco officials say supply has been limited, inconsistent and unpredictable.

In what could be a preview of whats to unfold statewide over the coming weeks, Contra Costa County  which on Tuesday became the first Bay Area county to expand eligibility to everyone 16 and above  said it will probably take three to four weeks for supply to catch up to demand. About 375,000 people in the county became newly eligible Tuesday, far exceeding the 20,000 available appointment slots.

Read more here.

Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

 As Oakland schools reopen, students rush into classrooms and parents sigh with relief.

 Need COVID rent relief in the Bay Area? Here's how tenants, landlords can apply.

 Coronavirus spread at very high risk in Northeast  but not California. Here's why.

 Alameda and Santa Cruz counties move to orange tier, but Napa County doesnt. More: Case rates on a county-by-county basis.

Around the Bay

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

 Ellis Act: A resurgent tenants rights movement looks to limit the type of evictions they argue are tools for speculators.

 Signatures still being counted: Gov. Gavin Newsom would easily defeat an attempt to recall him if the election were held today, a new poll indicates.

 A close vote: After a yearlong battle, Tartine workers unionize in San Francisco.

 Whats left of flower district: S.F.'s historic Portola greenhouses could be saved. But there's a catch.

 Preparing for the worst: Anticipating another devastating year for wildfires in California, the state is setting aside more than $80 million in emergency funding for firefighting  largely for hiring firefighters.

In Case You Missed It

"Caldecott Properties; Open Homes Photography"

The past year has been chaotic  and competitive  for people looking to become homeowners for the first time in the Bay Area. Some real estate agents say its been an especially tough year for those looking to upgrade from a condo to a house with more space.

Often, people in search of that affordable starter home are winding up instead looking at starter condos, especially in San Francisco and Oakland. The East Bay real estate market has gotten especially competitive.

So what does a starter condo look like these days? Reporter Annie Vainshtein looks at two properties, one in San Francisco and one in Oakland, that exemplify some of the trends in both markets.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown, Anna Buchmann and Kellie Hwang and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writers at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com, anna.buchmann@sfchronicle.com, and kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com.
DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 31st Mar, 2021) The Emirates Food Security Council has convened virtually its first meeting for 2021, hosted as part of the UAEs commitment to advancing the food supply chain ecosystem in the country and to explore developments in food trade in the UAE and around the world.

Chaired by Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security, the meeting discussed the necessary measures to strengthen the food system in the country, with the council reviewing an action plan for 2021 and exploring ways to achieve the goals of the National Food Security Strategy.

The meeting was attended by council members represented by the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry Of Industry and Advanced Technology, Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority, Dubai Municipality, Sharjah Health Authority, Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman, Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah Municipality.

The meeting was also attended by a representative from the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA).

Almheiri affirmed that the UAE is working to strengthen the food ecosystem through many innovative solutions that ensure food sustainability, facilitate food trade, and utilise the latest modern technologies to enhance local production and increase strategic food stocks.

"The UAE has many tools available to enhance its readiness for any future crisis that may occur, with the COVID-19 pandemic confirming that the country has the capacity to enhance its food security and increase a certain degree of self-sufficiency for some main food commodities, as well as the ability to diversify its sources of food and facilitate trade from various countries around the world," she said.

"The cooperative and partnership approach between the various members of the Emirates Food Security Council facilitates the achievement of the councils vital objectives. Continuous coordination enables us to reach the best solutions to develop the entire food value chain across all the emirates, both now and in the future, in order to contribute to achieving sustainable development in the UAE and to prepare for the next fifty years. We are confident in our ability to continue strengthening our food ecosystem to keep pace with the growth of local food demand and to transform the UAE into a leading global hub for innovation-driven food security - one of the key aims of the National Food Security Strategy," the Minister added.

The Emirates Food Security Council operates through a mechanism that takes into account the common trends in managing the food security ecosystem in the country, which includes the elements of water security, energy security, emergencies and crises, strategic stocks, local agricultural production, food safety, foreign investment, diversification of import sources, and nutrition.

The Councils meeting resulted in a number of key recommendations, including creating a mechanism to review and determine the price-cap for major food products in line with changes in the prices of agricultural inputs, including feed to support facilities for the production of poultry, eggs and fresh milk. The meeting also recommended commissioning the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) to prepare a model to forecast the impact of climate change and drought rates on local agricultural production as part of the future risk management on national food security.

The meeting also recommended working on utilizing the lessons learned that led to the revitalization of food export and re-export operations enhancing the country's pioneering role as a global hub for food trade, in light of the increase in the activities of exporting by more than 20 percent and re-exporting by nearly 60 percent of food in the country in 2020 compared to 2019.

Moreover, the council members reviewed the developments and recommendations of previous meetings and the updates from the councils national committees, as well as discussed the strengths and developments of the National Food Security Strategy and the achievements made during the year 2020, through which the country was able to successfully mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UAEs food supply chains.

Also as part of the meeting, the Food and Water Security Office examined food trade data for the last year, as well as assessed a report on the rise in prices of grain and fodder, discussing their potential implications for the global food ecosystem. Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary - Foreign Trade Affairs, Ministry of Economy, presented the work of the National Committee to Facilitate Global Food Trade and Diversify Food Import Sources, highlighting its important role in widening the UAEs sources of food from abroad  another key strand of the National Food Security Strategy.

Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority presented the agricultural registry project for Abu Dhabi. In addition, the forward-looking model for the impact of climate change on agriculture in the UAE was presented by Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Acting Director-General of ICBA.
Writers and Urban Sketchers show the best of Portugal

LISBON, Portugal, March 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SketchTour Portugal Reloads with routes that cross different scenarios and landscapes of the islands and continental territory of the country, and that will pass from reality to fiction through the narratives of national writers and the drawings of sketchers, national and international, invited to participate in the project.

Monocromatic or in the colors of the rainbow, portraits of the seven tourism regions of the country and narratives by Portuguese authors will reproduce unique experiences of the destination, in response to the challenge launched by the collective of artists Urban Sketchers, with the support of VisitPortugal, which aims to promote the country and literary tourism through an integrated project that combines writing with drawing.

After the success of the first edition in 2017, SketchTour Portugal Reload will return in 2021 and will count with the participation of twenty sketchers (ten national and ten international) from Spain, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Sweden and Egypt. Among the foreign sketchers, Lapin, Stefano Faravelli, Ian Fennelly, Simo Capecchi, Nina Johansson and Reham Ali stand out.

The novelty of the 2021 edition is the addition of eleven leading authors and writers of the Portuguese language from different generations to the trip: Mia Couto, Jose Luis Peixoto, Dulce Maria Cardoso, Afonso Cruz, Goncalo Cadilhe, Rui Cardoso Martins, Sergio Godinho, Marcela Costa, Matilde Campilho, Rui Cardoso Martins and Jacinto Lucas Pires. These authors will write Portugal, expand the drawings of urban sketchers with their words and narratives and inspire future trips of tourists.

SketchTour Portugal Reload intends to give rise to over five hundred drawings, ten webisodes, a documentary, a multimedia exhibition and a book that brings together texts and drawings with a preface by Mia Couto. The website www.SketchTourPortugal.com will be continually updated with the result of the different editions of the project and with a library of soundscapes that will help to create a new perception of experiences and of the destination through more accessible content.

As part of the recovery plan for tourism, this project aims to position Portugal in the shortlists of national and international tourists and demonstrate that the destination is prepared to receive all those who wish to enjoy nature, heritage, culture and all the other assets that continue to make Portugal one of the destinations of choice.

SketchTour Portugal Reload will start in Madeira, from April 7th to 12th and will be hosted by the President of Turismo de Portugal, Luis Araujo, the French sketcher Charline Moreau and the writer Marcela Costa.

SketchTour's second stage will take place in the Algarve and inspire writer Matilde Campilho, host sketcher Pedro Loureiro and Italian sketcher Simo Capecchi.

The Alentejo itinerary, vast and diverse territory, will have 2 tours with the participation of sketchers Nuno Branco and Marielle Duran (FR), Celeste Vaz Ferreira and Lapin (FR), accompanied by the writers Rui Cardoso Martins and Jose Luis Peixoto, respectively.

SketchTour also has two itineraries that cross the Center of Portugal in which sketchers Alexandra Belo and Santi Salles (ES), Margarida Martins and Nina Johansson (SE) and writers Goncalo Cadilhe and Afonso Cruz will participate.

In the Atlantic islands of the Azores, nature will inspire writer Joel Neto and sketchers Mario Linhares and Maru Godas (ES).

In Porto, the city streets, the coast and the Douro Valley and the interior will be recorded by Paulo Mendes and Ian Fennelly (UK), accompanied by the writer Dulce Maria Cardoso. In the North, passing through the border areas of Tras-os-Montes, Geres, and Minho, sketchers Marco Antonio Costa and Stefano Faravelli (IT) participate, accompanied by the writer Jacinto Lucas Pires.

The streets, monuments and unusual places of Lisbon will be the motto for sketchers Rosario Felix and Reham Ali (EG) and for the composer author Sergio Godinho.

Throughout 2021 SketchTour Portugal Reload will write and draw Portugal, bring together national and foreign talent around the country and inspire future trips through the different territories and experiences that the destination offers. A destination that welcomes everyone and respects all the differences of those who visit it. An inclusive and sustainable destination, where better tourism is built in order to have a better planet.

#SketchTourPortugal

www.sketchtourportugal.com

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMAo-oYl9zj4v8upDnTwfjSa8vXt5F8q

About The Urban Sketchers

www.urbansketchers.org/

About Turismo de Portugal

www.turismodeportugal.pt

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1475138/Turismo_de_Portugal_Logo.jpg

Gerelateerde links

http://www.sketchtourportugal.com



SOURCE Turismo de Portugal
The United States and more than a dozen other countries outlined shared concerns Tuesday about the speed and thoroughness of a new World Health Organization-led study of the origins of COVID-19.

In a statement, the countries emphasized worries that the investigation was significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples.

Scientific missions like these should be able to do their work under conditions that produce independent and objective recommendations and findings, said the statement from countries including Britain, Canada and South Korea.

The WHOs study, conducted in tandem with China, provided assessments of possible sources of the virus that has killed more than 2.7 million people around the globe. A team visited Wuhan, where cases first emerged, as part of the inquiry.

The report described an initial viral transmission from animals to humans as a possible-to-likely pathway.

The study said it was not likely that the virus emerged from a lab, downplaying a controversial theory that has received support from Dr. Robert Redfield, who directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during part of the Trump administration.

The WHO described the inquiry as just the start of research into the origins of the virus. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the organizations director-general, tweeted Tuesday that the inquiry represents a very important beginning, but it is not the end.

The joint statement signed by the U.S. called for an independent analysis and evaluation, free from interference and undue influence.

Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Slovenia all joined in the statement.

We share these concerns not only for the benefit of learning all we can about the origins of this pandemic, but also to lay a pathway to a timely, transparent, evidence-based process for the next phase of this study as well as for the next health crises, said the statement.

___

Tim Balk of the New York Daily News wrote this story.

(c)2021 New York Daily News

Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Twain Harte, CA  Pacific Gas and Electric reports that it is working on a project this spring that will harden its electrical infrastructure in Twain Harte to better prepare for winter storms and the long fire season.

The company reports, Hardening work includes the installation of stronger and more resilient poles, installing wider cross-arms to increase the separation of power lines and replacing bare power lines with larger, covered lines to reduce the risk of outages caused by vegetation, birds and animals. This project in Twain Harte will harden 1.71 miles of wire and infrastructure and will replace and install a total of 64 poles.

Paul Standen, PG&E manager of major projects, says, Twain Harte is in a High Fire-Threat District, making it a prime choice for a hardening project.

You may notice crews working in various spots in Twain Harte throughout the spring. Similar projects are taking place in several other Northern California communities where the fire threat is considered to be very high.
Stormont is to be recalled from its Easter recess after an SDLP petition to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly in the wake of the PPS decision over the Bobby Storey funeral received backing from the Stormont parties.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is to be recalled from the Easter recess this Thursday, April 1, to debate a motion criticising Sinn Fein ministers over the Bobby Storey funeral.

The Public Prosecution Service said on Tuesday it will not prosecute those reported for attendance at the funeral of former IRA prisoner Bobby Storey last June.

The decision prompted a significant reaction from the parties in Stormont, including the DUP who called for the PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne to resign.

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The SDLP tabled a recall motion to the Assembly on Tuesday evening, with Stormont not currently sitting over the Easter holidays.

The motion drafted by the party stated that it condemns the deputy First Minister and the Finance Minister for their actions and that the Assembly acknowledges the pain endured by families across Northern Ireland who have experienced loss during the Covid-19 crisis.

Such a petition requires 30 signatures for the Assembly to be recalled to debate the motion to censure Sinn Fein. It is believed the SDLPs move is backed by the DUP, UUP and Alliance Party.

With the support of @GreenPartyNI @allianceparty @uuponline @duponline, our motion to the Speaker to recall the Assembly has the 30 signatures required. At the very least those who make the rules should follow them.  Nichola Mallon (@NicholaMallon) March 30, 2021

The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the decision by members of Sinn Fein to attend the funeral demands accountability through the Assembly.

In June last year, in the middle of a public health emergency, when people were urged not to gather in large numbers and to make sacrifices to protect our health service, the Sinn Fein leadership decided that the pleas we made to the public did not apply to them, he said.

The Public Prosecution Service has made a determination about the prospects of conviction. That is for them, based on the evidence available and the advice of senior counsel.

But we should be clear, a decision not to prosecute is not a determination that no law was broken and it is not a verdict on the actions of those who took part.

Those who hold high office must observe high standards. That is not what happened in June. There can be no impression that there is one rule for those in government and another for everyone else. The SDLP will be holding Ministers to account through the Assembly processes.

Commenting on the PPS decision on the Bobby Storey funeral investigation, Green Party NI leader Clare Bailey MLA said: "This episode has demonstrated an abject failure of leadership at a time when people needed it the most.

"Apologies to date have been reserved and fall short of acknowledging the standards required from those in senior public office.

"People have sacrificed so much as we enter into the second year of the pandemic. This in spite of the lack of leadership from people who knew better but chose to act otherwise.

"Politically, the pandemic has laid bare the inability of the five party Executive to cope with crisis.

"I only hope that our people stay the course in the coming weeks and months as we continue to struggle through this crisis."
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Going forth with faith, hope and joy: the Canadian Bishops message for Easter.

By Lisa Zengarini

In his Easter Message, Archbishop Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has called upon the faithful to continue to be a Church that goes forth with a message of hope and joy, and to face this difficult time of pandemic with the humble power of love that Jesus showed.

The example of Mary Magdalene the missionary disciple of Jesus

Archbishop Gagnon begins his letter recalling the example of Mary Magdalene who, he says, was not only the first disciple to see the risen Lord, but she was a missionary disciple - a running disciple. He then notes that, in spite of the suffering and difficulties experienced over the past year, Christian families continue to be places where faith lives and even flourishes and that with the vaccines now being distributed and the gradual opening-up of the churches in the country there is a new sense of hope.

Christians called to be signs of hope

He goes on to say that in the Church, this hope is reinforced by the Easter celebrations symbolized by the Paschal Candle, that calls on Christians to be, in turn, signs of hope and of renewal in the Church in the post-pandemic world: The lessons we have learned over the past year must play a part in this renewal, especially how important, beautiful and valuable our faith really is; how vital the sacraments are to us; how hopeful the Word of God is to us, the message emphasizes.

Turning to St. Joseph, the humble servant of the Lord

Reminding that Pope Francis has dedicated 2021 to St. Joseph, who is also Patron Saint in Canada, Archbishop Gagnon urges Canadian Catholics to turn to this humble servant of the Lord for help in the great task of community building, both in the Church and the wider community.

The vital role of the family

The message then emphasizes again the vital role of families in nourishing and keeping the faith alive, so that they can rebuild their disrupted communities, recalling the example of the Christian communities in Iraq recently visited by Pope Francis: This domestic Church is so very important for the wider Church community and the world and we must build upon the fruits that have blossomed over this pandemic period, Archbishop Gagnon says. He reminds that in the current Year of the Family, Amoris Laetitia, the Holy Father calls upon the faithful to renew their pastoral commitment to place the family at the centre of the Church and society - a source of joy and generous love even in trials and difficulties.

Good reasons for hope

This Easter, perhaps more than ever, there is good reason to be hopeful in our faith and to live a true Christian realism where we clearly acknowledge the reality of our present situation with all its lights and shadows, the message concludes. An Easter Faith means simply to believe that Gods hand can be found everywhere and, in every event, however happy or sad, knowing, as St. Paul says: that all things work together for good for those who love God.
chief is doing well after an operation, informed Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday.

" ji is doing well after the operation. Stone has been removed from the gallbladder successfully. It was done through endoscopy," Tope told reporters.

Doctor Amit Maydeo speaking with reporters said, "After conducting some tests, we decided to perform the surgery on him (Sharad Pawar) as there were some complications. The procedure was of half an hour. We will be deciding on the removal of his Gallbladder later."

"His condition is fine but since the procedure was done just a while ago, so currently, he is under observation," the doctor added.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, who has been diagnosed with gallbladder disease has been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai after he experienced pain in his abdomen.

"Attention please, Our party president saheb was supposed to be admitted to the hospital for an endoscopy and surgery procedure tomorrow, but since he is experiencing some pain again in the abdomen, he is admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai today," Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik tweeted.

(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.)
's ( ) Michael Laurier joins Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam to explain the latest on its five-year study into its d2w oxo-biodegradable plastic technology sponsored by the French Agence National de Recherche.

The results revealed 'beyond doubt' that d2w is biodegradable in the marine environment. Laurier says that this means 'globally it's going to be received extremely well'.

In regards to their latest set of results, the firm is now aiming for continued growth in 2021 after reporting revenue growth last year despite the challenging conditions in the global economy.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / A wave of momentum rushing toward the new documentary Seaspiracy which was released on March 24th, and today has reached the #1 of the top 10 films in the UK today on Netflix.

Seaspiracy is about the environmental impact of the fishing industry, produced by Kip Anderson and his team from 2014's Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret.

Ali and Lucy will be joined by Michael Graziano from Mindful Media, along with several other top names on clubhouse to discuss the recent success of the film, answering questions from the cynics, and what's next for the Seaspiracy movement.

Here's the link to the clubhouse event starting today at 3PM PST:

https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/m3gr30Zk

Unfortunately, the audio app is currently only available to iphone users.

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

Ali Tabrizi is the 27-year-old Kent-based filmmaker behind the documentary. Born in Ramsgate, he developed his passion for marine life and the environment as a child. He married Lucy Manning on June 25th 2019 and they have a young son together. Lucy is from Australia and studied accounting, architecture, and law before turning to filmmaking.

The two then embarked on an intensive journey investigating the fishing industry and trying to make sense of what appears to be unrelated events in the oceans. This includes microplastics, overfishing, bycatch, sustainability laws, and even modern day slave labour.

ABOUT MICHAEL GRAZIANO

Michael is the youngest Canadian to visit all 193 UN nations, graduating with what he calls a 'Global Degree'. After delivering a TEDx talk in Oxford England, he returned home from his 6-year journey in February 2020, only weeks before global lockdown.

Michael has since founded Mindful Media, a PR agency helping mindful individuals and projects receive top tier publicity. The firm was ranked as the Top 7 PR Firms for Entrepreneurs in 2021 by Forbes.com

"From embarking on my own multi-year journey around the world, I have the utmost respect for Ali and Lucy in what they've created, and finding the persistence to keep pushing forward in uncovering the truth. I've seen what's happening with overfishing and plastics pollution in Africa and parts of Asia. It's time the rest of the world see and understand what's going on"

Learn more at https://www.seaspiracy.org/

Media Contact:

Courtney James, Chief-Editor

info@mindfulmediapr.com

672-999-8882

www.mindfulmediapr.com

SOURCE: Mindful Media PR

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638445/Seaspiracy-Hits-1-On-Netflix--Directors-Ali-Lucy-Tabrizi-Join-Clubhouse-App-For-Live-Interview
PLANTSVILLE, Conn., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Chopnotch, a family-owned kitchenware brand located in Connecticut, announced it had made a special donation to the Connecticut Food Bank. Chopnotch feels compelled to help hungry residents and has joined food retailers, growers, financial donors, and volunteers in giving back to the community. Through its generous donation, meals and supplies will be distributed through a network of 500 food access points including pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.

"No one should have to go to bed, let alone walk around hungry," said a spokesperson for Chopnotch. "We want to be able to bring nutrition, happiness, and peace to those who simply do not have enough to eat. Donating to the Connecticut Food Bank is an important way to keep people healthy and strong during the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic. We encourage our customers to also help feed those people in need."

The spokesperson continued, "Our customers take pride in using our premium stainless steel measuring cups and spoons when they bake and prepare food for their families. The vision at Chopnotch is very simple, we want to connect with home cooks and provide as much value to them as possible through recipes and manufacturing the best kitchenware. We are grateful for the 700+ positive reviews on Amazon."

The Connecticut Food Bank serves Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, and Windham Counties. In 2020 the organization distributed enough food to prepare more than 23.8 million meals. Their extensive network serves 200,000 neighbors each month with more than 5,000 volunteers helping to sort, package, and distribute food across its access points.

Chopnotch sells its premium stainless steel measuring cups and spoons set, and every Monday and Thursday publishes easy dessert recipes on its blog. Each recipe comes complete with photos, accurate preparation and cooking times, number of servings, a full list of ingredients, FAQs, tips, and easy to follow step-by-step instructions. It offers a Facebook group called Let's Bake Something Great.

For more information about Chopnotch, please visit https://chopnotch.com/.



For more information about the Connecticut Food Bank, please visit https://www.ctfoodbank.org/.

Contact:

Jesse Petrillo

888-255-0908

[email protected]

SOURCE Chopnotch
[March 31, 2021] Nearly $2.6 Million Disbursed for Affordable Housing Projects

Home Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) have awarded Affordable Housing Program (AHP) subsidies that will allow 365 housing properties to be renovated or built in the state. The following organizations received funds: Gulf Coast Housing Partnership, $280,000, Lockport

The Les Maisons de Bayou Lafourche project involves the construction of 35 single-family homes. The one-, two- and three-bedroom homes will include native-plant landscaping, metal gabled roofs and EnergyStar appliances. Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West, $120,000, Abita Springs/Covington

The organization's project, Building Dreams Together, will allow income-qualified, first-time homebuyers to help build and buy their own homes. The funds will be used for down payment and/or closing cost assistance. Iris Development, $750,000, Houma

Iris Development's Renaissance Oaks project will redevelop 122 apartment units for low-income and special-needs residents. Neighborhood Restoration of Baton Rouge will partner with Iris Development on the project that will provide two- and three-bedroom apartments. Iris Development, $680,000, New Orleans

The Hano Rental Scattered Sites Development will build 97 rental units on vacant public housing lots for very low-income, special-needs individuals and homeless people. Residents will be offered workforce development training and financial literacy education. Construction began in the summer of 2020, and the project is expected to be complete by August 2022. Partners-for-Progress Inc., $750,000, Baton Rouge

Partners-for-Progress Inc.'s project, Cypress at Gardere Senior Housing, will provide a 99-unit apartment for older adults with fixed incomes. Resource efficient design and building materials will be used to reduce natural resource consumption. Additionally, the units will be upgraded with new appliances, ire and security systems, mechanical systems and HVAC upgrades.



"Home Bank acknowledges that affordable housing for Louisiana residents is essential, and the pandemic has really brought that to light," Mr. Kelly said. "We are honored to work with FHLB Dallas to help these organizations reach their goals."

AHP funds are intended to assist FHLB Dallas members in financing the purchase, construction and/or rehabilitation of owner-occupied, rental or transitional housing and housing for homeless individuals. AHP funds must be used to benefit households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the median income for the area. In 2020, FHLB Dallas awarded $19.3 million in subsidies to 38 affordable housing projects. The subsidies will help create 2,749 new or rehabilitated housing units. Included in that total is $4.6 million in subsidies for 764 units of housing in Louisiana. Since the AHP's inception in 1990, FHLB Dallas has awarded more than $323 million in AHP and Homeownership Set-Aside Programs and has assisted more than 57,000 households. "FHLB Dallas has partnered with Home Bank numerous times in the past, and we love the work they do with local Louisiana organizations," said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. For more information about the AHP, visit fhlb.com/ahp. About Home Bank, N.A. Home Bank, N.A., founded in 1908 as Home Building & Loan, is the oldest financial institution founded in Lafayette Parish. Through the years, we've expanded to serve markets in South Louisiana and Mississippi: Acadiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, St. Martin and Jeff Davis Parishes, as well as Natchez and Vicksburg. With 40 locations across South Louisiana and Western Mississippi, Home Bank is committed to serving the needs of our communities. Personal banking has always been Home Bank's trademark and that tradition continues as we grow, invest and serve our clients and community. We live our values each day, focusing on integrity, innovation and a commitment to serving others. For more information about Home Bank, visit home24bank.com. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $64.9 billion as of December 31, 2020, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005867/en/

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Syracuse, NY  A Syracuse teenager pleaded guilty to helping another teen commit murder in a plea agreement Wednesday that spared him being prosecuted for the death itself.

Cashstro Nimmons, 16, admitted he aided Naquantea Bowman, 17, in last Julys shooting death of Luis Ramos Rodriguez, 27, on Oswego Street on the citys Near West Side. Nimmons also admitted to being in possession of a stolen Nissan Sentra at the time.

Nimmons plea deal came as he faced the chance of life in prison on a murder charge in the death of Ramos Rodriguez, a Puerto Rican native who was visiting Syracuse. Instead, Nimmons pleaded to criminal facilitation, a felony with a maximum 15-year prison sentence.

Details of any promised sentence were kept confidential in court Wednesday, with Bowmans murder case still pending. Lawyers and a judge put the terms of the plea on the record in private before Nimmons admitted guilt in open court.

But its clear that prosecutor Melinda McGunnigle doesnt believe that Nimmons was the shooter.

The victim was shot in the head and legs during the 11 p.m. murder July 26, 2020. Bowman was arrested in September; its unclear when Nimmons was taken into custody.

Syracuse police did not identify either of the suspects under the spirit of the Raise the Age law. However, murder cases involving 16- and 17-year-olds are still named in public indictments and trials happen in adult court.

Bowmans case remains pending. He faces up to life in prison on the murder charge.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
One church has characterised the death and resurrection of Christ celebrated at Easter as the perfect three-day lockdown that broke the chains of death.

Others have called on parishioners to end any social distancing with God and to embrace the year ahead as a time of renewal after the coronavirus pandemic prevented church gatherings and kept people apart at Easter last year. The suffering of women has also been addressed in Easter messages from churches.

Nowra promotes the idea of Jesus being in lockdown for three days before he broke the chains of death.

The Reverend Geoff Thompson from All Saints Anglican Nowra used his church as a living billboard to promote the message of hope at Easter.

The lockdown weve been through is all about hiding from the virus, but the lockdown Jesus went down for those three days was confronting death itself, he said.
Suncorp says claims from this months flooding disasters across NSW, south-east Queensland and Victoria will cost it up to $250 million, as it warned against building new homes in high-risk areas.

As the industrys total claims from the floods approach half a billion dollars, Suncorp said on Wednesday it had received slightly more than 7600 claims across the three states, with NSW the hardest hit.

Warning signs in Telegraph Point, near Port Macquarie. Suncorp said NSW accounted for most of its claims. Credit:Matt Gilligan

Suncorp, which had assessors on the ground in the hard-hit NSW Mid North Coast region over the weekend, said NSW accounted for three-quarters of the claims.

Insurance companies have in recent years underestimated the costs of natural disasters, and chief executive Steve Johnston urged governments to improve their planning decisions and avoid building new homes in highly flood-prone areas.
All eyes will be on



Nandigram on Thursday where TMC supremo is locked in a fierce prestige battle with confidante-turned- adversary of the BJP when polling will be held in 30 seats in the second of the eight-phase assembly election.

The agrarian constituency in Purba Medinipur district had shaken the foundations of the mighty Left regime over the anti-farmland acquisition movement in 2007. It has now turned into a battleground of titans with Banerjee suddenly deciding to switch from her Bhowanipur seat in Kolkata to the constituency which is held by Adhikari.

Banerjee and Adhikari, who was the Kanthi TMC MLA in 2007, had led the partys movement to support local farmers in successfully thwarting the Left Front's plans to set up a special economic zone for large chemical factories.

Banerjee went on to be a giant slayer and became the chief minister after defeating the 34-year-old Left regime in 2011 and Adhikari rose in TMCs echelons to be a minister with three portfolios till his separation from the party over his feeling that he was not given his due in the organization.

In the high stake poll battle this time a victory is a must for Banerjee, who is running for the third successive term as chief minister, so that she can lead the government and keep together her party, which is faced with exodus.

For Adhikari it is a battle for political survival as a defeat would be a devastating blow and might also put a question mark on his political graph in his new party the BJP. A victory would not only establish him as one of the tallest leaders in Bengal but would also push him few miles ahead of others in the mhief Ministerial race in case the BJP is voted to power.

For the Congress-Left-ISF alliance candidate Minakshi Mukherjee, the challenge is to regain her party's lost ground.

The Election Commision has declared as sensitive all the 10,620 polling booths in 30 constituencies spread over four districts where polls will be held on Thursday.

It has deployed around 651 companies of central force to provide security, besides state police personnel at strategic locations during the polling, which will begin at 7 am, sources in the poll body said.

More than 75 lakh voters will decide the fate of 191 candidates in the 30 seats spread across four districts of Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and Bankura.

A total 199 companies of Central Armed Police Force will be deployed in Purba Medinipur, 210 companies in Paschim Medinipur, 170 in South 24 Parganas and 72 in Bankura, the sources said.

TMC and BJP are contesting in all the 30 seats, while CPI(M) is in the fray in 15 and its alliance partners in the Sanjukta Morcha the Congress and ISF are competing in 13 and two seats respectively.

Polling will take place amid strict COVID-19 guidelines in nine seats of Paschim Medinipur, eight in Bankura, four seats in South 24 Parganas and nine seats in Purba Medinipur - the home ground Nandigram falls within the Purba Medinipur district.

While Banerjee had been camping in Nandigram for the last four days, BJP fielded its 'big guns', including home minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and superstar Mithun Chakraborty to defend Adhikari's turf, whih he had won in 2016 and take on 'Didi' (as Mamata is popularly called).

Apart from identity politics and Bengali sub- nationalism, the demand for jobs, inclusion of Hindu backward communities in the OBC category and setting up of agro-based industry have emerged as main poll planks in the second phase of polls.

l



Of the 30 seats which will see voting on Thursday, 23 were won by TMC in the 2016 assembly elections, five by Left Front and Congress and BJP one each.

The political equation in the state had changed in 2019 when BJP made massive inroads in the tribal-dominated Janga Mahal region and Medinipur belt by sweeping all the five Lok Sabha seats. The TMC, however, has been able to maintain its dominance in South 24 Parganas district, where there is sizeable minority population.

A notable seat going to the poll in the second phase is Sabang, where TMC has fielded its Rajya Sabha MP Manas Bhunia. He is up against TMC turncoat and BJP leader Amulya Maity.

Bhunia, a former state Congress president, had won the seat from 1982 till 2016 as Congress nominee before switching over to the TMC in September 2016.

TMC has fielded actor Sayantika Banerjee, a popular face in the Bengali silver screen, from Bankura seat against BJP's Niladri Sekhar Dana. The Sanjukta Morcha has fielded Congress candidate Radharani Banerjee.

In the Debra seat, two former IPS officers will cross swords. One is BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh and the other is Humayun Kabir of the TMC. Both had resigned from their senior police posts to join active politics.

Banerjee, who has been injured in her leg during campaigning earlier this month, crisscrossed the majority of the constituencies where poll will be held on Thursday in her wheelchair. TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee toured the rest asserting that TMC will not let Bengal to be ruled from Delhi or Gujarat in an apparent reference to the battery of central BJP leaders and ministers camping in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J P Nadda had led BJP's campaign from the front addressing rallies at Kanthi, Bankura and Nandigram and urging the electorate to vote for BJP to usher in 'ashol poriborton' (actual change) to build 'Sonar Bangla' (prosperous Bengal).

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China enlisted surveillance firms to help draw up standards for mass facial recognition systems, researchers said on Tuesday, warning that an unusually heavy emphasis on tracking characteristics such as ethnicity created wide scope for abuse. The technical standards, published by surveillance research group IPVM, specify how data captured by facial recognition cameras across China should be segmented by dozens of characteristics - from eyebrow size to skin color and ethnicity.

"It's the first time we've ever seen public security camera networks that are tracking people by these sensitive categories explicitly at this scale," said the report's author, Charles Rollet. The standards are driving the way surveillance networks are being built across the country - from residential developments in the capital, Beijing, to police systems in the central province of Hubei, he said.

In one instance, the report cites a November 2020 tender for a small "smart" housing project in Beijing, requiring suppliers for its surveillance camera system to meet a standard that allows sorting by skin tone, ethnicity and hairstyle. "It's ripe for abuse," said Rollet, whose report comes amid growing global scrutiny over Beijing's treatment of Uighur Muslims and other minorities in western Xinjiang province. The Chinese government denies any rights abuses in the region.

Concern over racial detection in facial recognition systems is growing globally, said Caitlin Bishop, a campaigns officer with the human rights group Privacy International. But while police in New York, Italy and New Zealand and elsewhere have sought technology to filter faces by race or ethnicity, Bishop said the scale and centralization of the Chinese approach were unmatched.

And given China's role as a major exporter of surveillance technology, it could be of international concern. "If you're meeting these repressive standards in China, that's a big problem already," Bishop said. "But then you're sending technology around the world and that could be even more worrying."

CAMERA MANUFACTURERS

Rollet's report looked at surveillance system standards drawn up by the Ministry of Public Security and police departments in the provinces of Henan, Xinjiang and Shenzhen. It said the standards, which are followed by government agencies - including police - seeking to build any kind of camera system, were drafted by the government in conjunction with some of the country's biggest surveillance firms.

They included security camera manufacturers Uniview, Hikvision and Dahua. Washington blacklisted Hikvision and Dahua in 2019 for their alleged role in "high-technology surveillance against" ethnic minorities in China. Dahua described as "false" media reports that it had helped draft government standards for detecting individual ethnic groups.

"Dahua was not involved in creating the database section of the document that mentions ethnic groups," the company added in an emailed statement. Asked about the IPVM report, a Hikvision spokesman said the company was "committed to upholding the highest standards and respect for human rights".

"As a manufacturer that does not oversee the operation of our products, we do ensure our cameras are designed to protect communities and property," he added. Neither Uniview nor the Chinese embassy in Washington responded to a request for comment.

'NOT NEUTRAL TECHNOLOGY'

Some of the standards - including the rules cited in the Beijing housing scheme - have been in place for several years, while others are set to come into force in the near future, the IPVM report found. One standard for systems to be used in video surveillance for public security, set to be adopted in May 2021, catalogues skin color into five categories - white, Black, brown, yellow and others.

Although some of the standards describe ethnic sorting as an "optional" feature, IPVM said in practice they are understood as requirements. Using such criteria would make it easier for authorities to comb different databases for specific individuals, or members of a particular ethnic group such as the Uighurs in Xinjiang province, the report and rights campaigners said.

"We're not talking about a standard for how long pencils should be - this is not neutral technology," said Maya Wang, a senior China researcher with Human Rights Watch. Activists and UN 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 labor and sterilizations.

China has repeatedly denied all accusations of abuse and says its camps offer vocational training and are needed to fight extremism. Wang said the facial recognition standards documented in the IPVM report provided fresh evidence of cooperation between the Chinese government and local surveillance tech companies on measures that could target minority groups.

"They are working together on mass surveillance, the mass tracking of people - there's no way its compatible with basic human rights standards," she said. In January, IPVM said a number of major Chinese AI companies had applied for patents that described technology to analyze images for the presence of Uighurs, and hook into ongoing surveillance cameras and facial recognition networks.

Still, experts said it was not clear to what extent ethnic facial recognition systems - or associated national databases - were fully operational in China.

The standards detailed in the new report could reflect Beijing's future plans to develop mass AI-powered tracking systems, said Greg Walton, an expert on Chinese surveillance at the Canadian think-tank SecDev. "These standards reveal the aspirations for all the data the Chinese government wants to gather from people in urban places," said Walton, who studies live police databases.

Many of them already contain the details included in the standards - eyebrow length, race, and skin color - though those fields are not always filled in, he said. "The level of details they want to collect - it's an extraordinary breach of privacy," he added.

Another purpose of the government standards might be to organize data in such a way to enable the development of more powerful facial recognition systems in years to come, said Liz O'Sullivan, who worked on image annotation for the computer visions firm Clarifai Inc.

"It's horrifying to imagine an increasingly precise biometric detection and collection system that captures so much detailed information, and could be turned on minorities," she said.

Also read: Donald Trump launches 45office.com website to stay in touch with supporters

Also read: Leaders of 23 nations including France, Germany back pandemic treaty to deal with emergencies
I have lived as I believed I ought to have lived, Mr. Liddy, a small dapper man with a baldish pate and a brushy mustache, told reporters after his release. He said he had no regrets and would do it again. When the prince approaches his lieutenant, the proper response of the lieutenant to the prince is, Fiat voluntas tua, he said, using the Latin of the Lords Prayer for Thy will be done.

Disbarred from law practice and in debt for $300,000, mostly for legal fees, Mr. Liddy began a new career as a writer. His first book, Out of Control, (1979) was a spy thriller. He later wrote another novel, The Monkey Handlers (1990), and a nonfiction book, When I Was a Kid, This Was a Free Country (2002). He also co-wrote a guide to fighting terrorism, Fight Back! Tackling Terrorism, Liddy Style (2006), and produced many articles on politics, taxes, health and other matters.

In 1980, he broke his silence on Watergate with his autobiography, Will. The reviews were mixed, but it became a best seller. After years of revelations by other Watergate conspirators, there was little new in it about the scandal, but critics said his account of prison life was graphic. A television movie based on the book was aired in 1982 by NBC.

Mr. Liddy found himself in demand on the college-lecture circuit. In 1982 he teamed with Timothy Leary, the 1960s LSD guru, for campus debates that were edited into a documentary film, Return Engagement. The title referred to an encounter in 1966, when Mr. Liddy, as a prosecutor in Dutchess County, N.Y., joined a raid on a drug cult in which Mr. Leary was arrested.

In the 1980s, Mr. Liddy dabbled in acting, appearing on Miami Vice and in other television and film roles. But he was better known later as a syndicated talk-radio host with a right-wing agenda. The G. Gordon Liddy Show, begun in 1992, was carried on hundreds of stations by Viacom and later Radio America, with satellite hookups and internet streaming. It ran until his retirement in 2012. He lived in Fort Washington, Md.

Mr. Liddy, who promoted nutritional supplements and exercised, was still trim in his 70s. He made parachute jumps, took motorcycle trips, collected guns, played a piano and sang lieder. His website showed him craggy-faced with head held high, an American flag and the Capitol dome in the background.
EDWARDSVILLE  A homeless man out of Granite City was charged with armed robbery after using a handgun to take money from another person.

Mark A. Chepely, 35, was charged March 30 with armed robbery, a Class X felony, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony.

The charges were presented by the Granite City Police Department.

According to court documents, on Feb. 18 Chepely allegedly used a black handgun to take $500 cash from another person. During the course of the robbery, Chepely allegedly put the gun up to the victims head.

It was also noted that Chepely has a conviction for possession of methamphetamine out of Madison County in 2020, making him ineligible to own a firearm.

Bail was set at $250,000.

Other felony charges filed March 30 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Lorice O. Cooksey, 45, of Wood River, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Hartford Police Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 24 Cooksey allegedly hit a victim in the head and face with a handgun. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Glenn M. Harris, 51, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 2 felony; and reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Feb. 22 Harris allegedly shot another person in the leg. It was noted that Harris has a conviction for unlawful possession of weapons by a felon out of Madison County in 2016, making him ineligible to possess firearms. Bail was set at $150,000.

 Jeremy A. Mitchell Sr., 41, of Collinsville, 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 29 Mitchell, who has a prior felony theft conviction out of Madison County in 2019, allegedly was found to be in possession of a 9 mm Glock 26. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Michaela L. Eppers, 24, of Brighton, was charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On Aug. 28 Eppers allegedly took merchandise valued at more than $300 from the Wood River Walmart, 610 Wesley Dr. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Jennifer D Richter, also known as Jennifer Killbreath and Jennifer Brayton, 45, of Granite City, was charged with retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On March 29 Richter allegedly took clothing and hygiene items valued at less than $300 from the Granite City Walmart, 379 W. Pontoon Road. It was noted she had a previous conviction for stealing out of Jefferson County, Missouri in 1999. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Jason M. Clapper, 37, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender (second subsequent offense), a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On March 29 Clapper allegedly failed to register with the Alton Police Department. It was noted he has a previous conviction for unlawful failure to register as a sex offender out of Madison County in 2012. Bail was set at $30,000.
A community youth organisation in Rotorua will receive more than half a million dollars to deliver a service aimed at empowering and re-engaging young people no longer in school.

The funding is a slice of a $7.4m Government package aimed at helping young people affected by Covid-19 to engage or re-engage in education and is divided among almost a dozen organisations nationwide.

Its expected about 4000 young New Zealanders will benefit from the funding, an extension to the Akonga Youth Development Community Fund, which was set up in November last year.

However, the National Party says the Government is very good at making announcements and allocating money but has failed to actually get results.

At the announcement at the Rotorua Community Youth Centre on Wednesday morning, Youth Minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan said rangatahi (young people) faced many difficulties as a result of the pandemic.

This has been particularly evident in young peoples education, where alert level changes and associated school closures have presented learning challenges for akonga and their whanau.

This fund represents a great opportunity for iwi and community-based youth development organisations to work with akonga [students] to support them to stay connected and committed to their education, while also being active members of their whanau and community.

According to the Ministry of Youth, the fund had a particular focus on rangatahi Maori, Pacific young people, rainbow young people and disabled young people.

The fund sought tenders from community-based programmes that used a strength-based youth development approach, providing holistic support to akonga that also worked with young peoples whanau and the wider community, including education providers.

The results of an open tender would see 23 organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand receive the more than $7.4m.

They will be delivered outside of traditional education settings such as schools and kura and support akonga/learners aged 12 to 21 years with wraparound services, from comprehensive mentoring and career navigation, to mental health and wellbeing assistance.

Initial funding last year of $2.6m went to five organisations, bringing the total after Wednesdays announcement to $10m.

Radhakrishnans office said this meant the total number of youth assisted by the funding was about 5500.

The groups included the Graeme Dingle Foundation and the Salvation Army, as well as Rotoruas Te Waiariki Purea Trust.

The trust will work in collaboration with the Rotorua Community Youth Trust, Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa and government agencies to deliver Te Hiringa.

Rotorua Community Youth Trust chief executive officer Jennifer Murray said Te Hiringa is aimed at helping people as young as 15 who were no longer in school to identify their aspirations and empower them to pursue them.

When kids push themselves to do something they havent done before, they see themselves in a different light.

She said the programme would begin with 10 rangatahi in the first intake, and would go for 10 weeks intensively.

Support would continue for another six months after that. Its expected to deliver 70 graduates.

Workshops would include barista training, radio training, cooking, film and music, as well as emotional resilience, mental health and employability.

She said the funding meant the organisations could work together and work more effectively, with longer contact with the young people.

Te Waiariki Purea pautahia (manager) Nick Chater said the longer organisations had contact with young people the more effective programmes were.

He said the approach was different to the traditional education system, which had not been effective for some people.

Were not teachers. Were kaiako, or whaea, or matua.

Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa representative Paora Te Hurihanganui said his organisations work was based on research from Canada that looked 20 years ahead and helped people plan the course to their aspirations.

Those in his programme would either self-refer or be referred by organisations like Whanau Ora or GPs.

At the announcement Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said outcomes for youth was something that worries us terribly and said she was excited the announcement was made in Rotorua.

We do deliver in Rotorua because we care.

Lakes District Health Board system integration manager Kathy Rex said the health of the population wouldnt improve unless wider determinants are not addressed.

She said the DHBs goals included improving equity and it was wholly supportive of the work at the centre.

We look forward to 70 graduates being strong members of the community.

On Wednesday afternoon, National Party youth spokesman Simeon Brown told Local Democracy Reporting the Government had good intentions but failed to deliver.

The reality is that the Government has been very good at making announcements and allocating money towards programmes but has failed to actually get results.

For example the $50 million the Government has spent on the Maori Trades and Training fund has so far only got four people into jobs.

Announcements and funding mean nothing if we dont see the results.

Young people have been particularly affected by the impact of Covid-19 with support for young people to retain in employment and education being critical to their future during uncertain times.

The Government needs to ensure this funding delivers the results which are promised for our young people.

Green Party spokesperson for youth Chle Swarbrick was not available to comment.
Wednesday, 31 March 2021 17:44:33 (GMT+3) | Istanbul

A Chinese consortium has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Algeria-based Algerian National Company of Iron and Steel to develop an iron deposit in Algeria, Reuters has reported.

The project will be carried out at the Gara Djebilet iron mine in Tindouf, located in southern Algeria, Reuters stated, citing the countrys minister of energy, Mohamed Arkab. The investment is expected to cost $2 billion, although this is still a preliminary estimation, as SteelOrbis understands.

The Chinese consortium includes China International Water & Electric Corp, Heyday Solar and the iron and steel manufacturer Metallurgical Corporation of China.
A delegation of beekeepers are set for a date with one of Mid Ulster District Council's committees to discuss the importance of protecting the native Irish bee.

The move comes after English businessman Patrick Murfet's plan to use Northern Ireland as a staging post to import up to 15 million Italian bees into Britain.

The Native Irish Honey Bee Society have concerns over the small hive beetle, a notifiable disease identified in Italy, as well as the potential for native Black Irish honeybees to mate with Italians bees.

Speaking at a meeting of the local council last week, Councillor Dan Kerr described the small hive beetle as a 'horrendous pest'.

The Italian bees have a notifiable disease which will cause contamination to the native black Irish honey bees, he told the meeting.

It's a horrendous pest that eats everything in the colony.

In Florida, in 1998, it destroyed over 20,000 hives and this is the kind of scenario we are looking to avoid here.

Our native bee is under threat due to this cross-breeding, which will dilute what academic studies across Europe have established as the best chain of black bees in Europe.

The native bee has adapted over thousands of years to Ireland's moist temperature and climate and it would be a shame to destroy our native bees' heritage.

Cllr Kerr's proposal to voice support for the beekeepers' campaign and to invite them to speak to a council committee on the issue were passed.
A demonstration of technology reducing the health risks of air travel during COVID-19 took place in New Jersey Tweet this

IAI will present its "Grenada" disinfection technology based on ultraviolet light to disinfect equipment and surfaces and "Tamar," a physiological monitoring system that rapidly measures a person's respiratory rate, heart rate and body temperature from a safe and unobtrusive distance of 6 feet.

Governor Murphy's office opened the door to attract technology and research opportunities to New Jersey through the New Jersey-Israel Commission and its Executive Director, Andrew Gross. Gross in turn introduced IAI to the Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA) following the Choose New Jersey business delegation to Israel in 2020.

"I am extremely proud to see IAI taking advantage of Atlantic County's outstanding aerospace assets, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Atlantic City International Airport and the National Aviation Research and Technology Park that anchor the New Jersey Aviation Innovation Hub," said Gross.

The ACEA has targeted aviation and aeronautics as one of several industries that can help bring new jobs to the area. The National Research and Technology Park has already attracted 300 new positions.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with IAI to highlight the benefits of locating in the Aviation Innovation Hub with proximity to the FAA labs, research, testing and development," stated ACEA President Lauren H. Moore, Jr.

IAI considered other locations, including Mississippi and Indiana, before choosing New Jersey for its demonstrations.

"We were impressed with the commitment of state officials who operate the airport as well as the enthusiasm and support of the ACEA to help facilitate this effort," said Ted Bowlds, CEO of IAI, North America.

"This is a wonderful example of a successful government and industry collaboration that promotes the type of positive business climate we are eager to foster in Atlantic County," stated Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson. "We welcome IAI to Atlantic County and look forward to showing other companies the benefits of doing business here."

For access to additional information and videos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vn78uii6r8m4sxr/AADzUpiNtIhmhdWvWuh5qCcOa?dl=0

www.aceanj.com

@ACEANJ

609.245.0019

SOURCE Atlantic County Economic Alliance
There was confusion across Swaziland (eSwatini) as schools attempted to reopen after an almost one-year closure because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ministry of Health and Training had issued a staggered timetable for reopening but many pupils turned up when they were not scheduled.

There was also confusion about whether school fees needed to be paid.

Staff and pupils were required to wear masks and to keep social distancing. Many had their temperatures screened before they were allowed into school. Many were unsure how they were supposed to behave.

The Times of eSwatini reported, 'It was a bad start to the reopening of schools as a lot seemed to have gone wrong. Teachers had a tough time while trying to arrange pupils who had no clue which classrooms they had to occupy.'

It added, 'Meanwhile, some of the pupils in Grade IV, V and VI had to be turned back as they had attended school yet they were not supposed to.'

The eSwatini Observer reported several schools in the Shiselweni region were expected to open without teachers. There are over 140 primary schools and over 70 high schools in the region.

It quoted Regional Education Officer Siboniso Gumbi saying, 'The only serious challenge I have received from a number of principals it is that of the shortage of teachers. There are schools that will open with only five teachers. Other schools are likely to open with fewer teachers than that.'

Separately, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers and the Swaziland Association of Schools Administrators said that there would be no lessons until the number of teachers was doubled.
Over 3,000 Columbia University (CU) graduate student workers have been striking for almost three weeks for increased wages, better health care coverage, expanded family and child care benefits and other demands against what they are calling COVID austerity measures.

Despite the enormous significance of the strike, it has received almost a total media blackout.

Not a single article has appeared in any of the mainstream media outlets, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. In fact, students have indicated that the New York Times spoke to strikers at the picket line but then decided to pull the story. Bloomberg and the New York Post have each produced a single article on the strike.

Columbia University striking graduate students picket the campus (WSWS Media)

As for the so-called left publications, Jacobin has mustered just one article, now almost two weeks old. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) publication, Democratic Left, has remained silent.

What accounts for the media blackout? When rank-and-file members of the Graduate Workers of Columbia (GWC) asked their union representatives about the blackout, the leadership responded by saying that the media had more important things to report on. This lie obscures the much more fundamental political and financial issues involved.

First, the media blackout is a deliberate decision made at the highest levels of the mainstream media outlets and done at the behest of the Universitys well-connected Board of Trustees (BoT). The BoT is tied by a thousand strings to all the major media outlets and political pundits.

Columbia University Board of Directors (Top Row L-R: Jonathan Lavine, Lee Bollinger, Jeh Johnson. Bottom Row L-R: Claire Shipman, Adam Pritzker, Lisa Carnoy)

Claire Shipman, vice chair of the board, is a pillar of the mainstream corporate media world. She worked for ABC News for 15 years, reporting mostly on politics and international affairs. Before moving to ABC, she covered the White House and the Clinton administration for NBC News. Shipman also spent a decade at CNN, where she covered the White House and spent five years at CNNs Moscow bureau covering the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

She is married to Jay Carney, former White House press secretary under Obama (2011-14) and director of communications for Vice President Joe Biden from 2008 to 2011. Carney has been the senior vice president of global corporate affairs at Amazon since March 2, 2015, where he oversees public policy and public relations for the notorious corporate giant around the world, reporting directly to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

CU President Lee Bollinger is a director of Graham Holdings Company, formerly The Washington Post Company, which owned the Washington Post until 2013, when it was sold to Amazons Jeff Bezos.

One could cite many more examples. There are not only countless high level media connections on the board of trustees but also deep political connections which could easily be leveraged for the same purposes.

However, there are more fundamental political considerations behind the media blackout than the individual financial or public relations interests of the university and the BoT.

The outcome of the strike at Columbia will set a precedent for the many graduate, adjunct and faculty struggles brewing across the country, including at New York University, Illinois State University, University of Maryland, Brown University, Kenyon College and many others. Those working on behalf of CU at Tuesdays bargaining session explicitly stated that, compared to other universities, Columbias wages and benefits proposal is not under-market.

Undoubtedly, the millionaires and billionaires on the Board of Trustees at Columbia University are in regular discussions with other well-connected boards of trustees at schools across the country to determine the market poverty wage they aim to implement nationwide. The fierce opposition that workers face from these universities is bound up not only with their own bottom line but with the needs of the ruling class more broadly.

The Democratic and Republican parties are determined to smother any opposition that emerges in the working class in order to preserve their wealth and the capitalist system that extracts this wealth through the exploitation of the working class.

The ruling class is acutely aware that social conditions in the US are explosive. There is immense anger brewing among workers as they are left to fend for themselves while the billionaires continue to rake in record profits, including over $1.4 trillion over the past year alone.

In order to pay back the trillions of dollars which have been handed over to the corporations during the pandemic, ferocious austerity measures are being imposed on workers in every industry. For higher education workers, the results of these austerity measures have been devastating. Colleges and universities across the country have cut a total of 650,000 jobs since February 2020, a 13 percent reduction of all higher education workers.

Despite these dire conditions, the Biden administration has made clear through its first two months in office that it will not veer in any fundamental way from the policies of the Trump administration in regard to the pandemic. Biden has directly stated that the central aim of the drive to reopen schoolswhich takes place as more infectious and deadly variants spread uncontrolled and before the population is fully vaccinatedis to get parents back into workplaces, where they will generate profits for the major corporations.

Likewise, his administration has already acted on longstanding plans to escalate preparations for a catastrophic war against China, a campaign which has resulted in a wave of anti-Asian attacks across the country that have shocked workers internationally.

There is immense hostility among workers to the policies of the ruling class, Democratic and Republican alike. Under these conditions, every struggle of workers has the potential to set off a much broader eruption of class struggles, which would of necessity require a break from the two main bourgeois parties and their functionaries in the trade union bureaucracies.

These are the political considerations motivating the silence over the Columbia University graduate workers strike. If and when the university and union leadership can get a handle on the negotiations, it is likely that the media freeze will be carefully lifted in order to pressure students to accept a sellout deal.

The silence from the so-called left organizations like the DSA and their co-thinkers at Jacobin is highly significant but should come as no surprise. The DSA and Jacobin serve an important political function in promoting the illusion that the Democratic Party and the unions can be transformed into organizations that will fight for reforms and even socialism.

However, the reality is that these organizations cannot be reformed. The Democratic Party is one of the oldest capitalist political parties in the world, and the unions long ago ceased to be working class organizations. The DSA and other pseudo-left groups insist on the hegemony of the unions precisely because they oppose the emergence of a genuinely independent movement of the working class and because they themselves aspire to occupy lucrative positions in the union apparatus.

When these organizations do intervene in struggles, it is always in order to support the union bureaucracies. Their role as cheerleaders to the Democratic Party was most explicitly on display at the start of 2021, when the Teamsters union worked to force through a sellout contract to end a six-day strike by 1,400 workers at the Hunts Point produce market in the Bronx in New York City.

Workers had struck for a modest $1 per hour raise per year. As a result of the sellout, they were left with an average annual wage increase of 62 cents an hour more for new hires and 40 cents an hour for veteran workers over the next three years. Most of the wage increase, moreover, is offset by reductions in their health care benefits. Despite this abject betrayal by the Teamsters, Jacobin proclaimed the Hunts Point strike a victory.

The GWC specifically cited this experience as an example of a strike winning in a presentation to their membership at a general meeting on Tuesday.

The silence from pseudo-left groups like the DSA is, above all, a sign of the nervousness that these layers feel over their inability to contain opposition from below, which has been on full display since the strike began.

It is also worth noting that the silence over the strike comes as the DSA poster child for the organizations strategy of reforming the Democratic Party, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has been thoroughly exposed in a recent interview with the DSAs magazine Democratic Left. The analysis of the interview by the WSWS has gone viral, prompting a firestorm of opposition among her supporters.

The striking Columbia graduate workers must not wait for support from the mainstream media or various left bourgeois politicians, all of whom are hostile to the interests of the striking workers. Rather, they must form their own rank-and-file strike committee, in order to wage a determined struggle against whatever miserable deal the UAW seeks to impose. This committee must actively turn out to the broader working class and fight to expand their struggle as widely as possible.

Despite the media blackout, the Columbia graduate workers strike has garnered wide support from other students, graduate workers, and other workers throughout the country and globally. Powerful statements from students, autoworkers, and educators have poured in each day, which have been published nearly every day on the World Socialist Web Site.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) urges Columbia graduate students to fight for the expansion of their strike into the working class. Get in touch with us today to make your voices heard and discuss how to form a rank-and-file strike committee! Join the IYSSE and take up the fight for socialism!
Judge Michael Barrasse sentenced the following individuals in Lackawanna County Court:

Joseph Esquilin-Maldonado, 26, 532 Cherry St., Scranton, to 24 to 60 months in state prison and two years of probation for firearms not to be carried without license and recklessly endangering another person.

Jamont Henry, 43, 904 Ash St., Apt. 3, Scranton, to 12 to 36 months in state prison and two years of probation for manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.

Nicholas R. Stoeffler, 40, 216 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, to 20 to 60 months in state prison and two years of probation for conspiracy to manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.

Luke Andrew Caffrey, 37, 505 Ashwood Drive, Nazareth, to nine to 24 months in state prison, one year of probation and $600 in restitution for fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.

Martin Brian Lawrence, 38, 1020 Hampton St., Scranton, to 30 to 60 months in state prison and two years of probation for manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.

Richard Quinones, 49, 1064 Blair Ave., Scranton, to 26 to 60 months in state prison, four years of probation and $4,828 in restitution for theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, use/possession of drug paraphernalia and unauthorized use of motor vehicles.

Keith William Horvath, 31, 605 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, to 16 to 38 months in state prison for criminal attempt to commit robbery and recklessly endangering another person.

William Baals, 32, 1024 Quincy Ave., to 12 to 24 months in state prison for simple assault.

Clifford Eugene Jackson, 21, 18 Parish St., Carbondale, to 24 to 60 months in state prison and five years of probation for statutory sexual assault.

Robert David Austin, 58, 824 Capouse Ave., Scranton, to 14 to 36 months in state prison and three years of probation for manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jessie Marie Hughes, 30, 774 Main St., Simpson, to nine months of house arrest, 39 months of probation and $35,119.53 in restitution for theft by unlawful taking.

Chauncey Maurice Trice, 38, 113 Church St., Carbondale, to six months of probation and a $300 fine for DUI.

Joseph Cola, 36, 533 Stone Road, North Abington Twp., to one month of house arrest, five months of probation and a $300 fine for DUI.

Diana V. Vered, 62, 410 Haven Lane, Clarks Summit, to six months of probation and a $300 fine for DUI.

Julia R. Harrington, 36, 904 Ash St., Apt. 3, Scranton, to 12 months of house arrest, six years of probation and a $2,500 fine for DUI.

Raymond R. Delpriore Jr., 27,113 Vine St., Pittston, to three months of house arrest, 21 months of probation and $4,042 in restitution for receiving stolen property.

Samuel A. Featherman, 53, 28 General Drive, Spring Brook Twp., to three months of house arrest and 33 months of probation for forgery.

Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced:

Ryshan E. Gaut, 29, 127 Madison Ave., Wilkes-Barre, to six to 12 months in state prison for escape.

Sayvoun Walker, 32, 1412 Capouse Ave., Scranton, to 18 to 48 months in state prison and two years of probation for simple assault, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person.

Keith Kreusling, 33, 641 Palm St., Scranton, to six to 12 months in state prison for conspiracy to manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.

John A. Hudson, 42, 536 N. High Park Ave., Scranton, to three months of house arrest and 27 months of probation for simple assault and resisting arrest.

Jennifer L. Harvey, 40, 641 N. Main Ave., Apt. 1, Scranton, to time served in county jail and six months of probation for possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jamie Starks, 25, 335 W. 6th St., West Wyoming, to nine months of probation for firearm not to be carried without license.

James Vincent Ricci, 34, 3008 Birney Ave., Scranton, to two years of probation for resisting arrest.

Amanda Gursky, 33, 445 N. Sixth Ave., Scranton, to time served in county jail for simple assault.

Eric D. Piccotti, 50, 714 Taylor Ave., Scranton, to two years of probation for strangulation and criminal mischief.

Stephanie L. Anderson, 21, 5 S. Main St., Alfred, N.Y., to six months of probation for use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
Abuja  The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora (AESID) has tasked the federal government to immediately take steps to end the ongoing militia activities in Effium community, a suburb of Ohaukwu local government area of the state.

The association also urged government to declare a state of emergency in the area immediately in order to protect live and property.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the association's president, Amb Pascal Oluchukwu, he said a few surviving eyewitnesses recounted from their various hideouts that hired militias had stormed an Ezza enclave in Nwekendiagu village of Effium on Thursday last week, killing people and burning houses, including a fuel station located in the area.

"It is most saddening to note that this attack came barely a few hours after the state government through its agents pretending to be mediating to restore peace in the area, had informed the people to converge at a particular spot to receive a team of government officials on a peace mission.

"The people had mistaken the disguised attackers for soldiers who came on a peace-keeping mission but were again stunned when they opened fire on them including women and children, reportedly leading to the instant death of scores of the unarmed and defenceless residents who, again, are of Ezza origin," he said.

While condemning the latest killings, the group also expressed disappointment that the state government could not resettle the displaced people of the affected community.

"Without further hesitation, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately declare a state of emergency in the State and deploy an unbiased and professionally-trained team of soldiers to the troubled area to maintain peace and order in the area.

"They should remain there till a lasting peace is restored. For the primary responsibility and concern of any government, we reiterate, remains to protect lives and property of its citizens. This we believe will stem the tide of the killing field that Effium has now become.

"Ezzas are not cowards and mustn't be provoked further beyond these reported cases, else, they shouldn't be blamed if they take up arms to defend themselves against these forces," he added.
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The childrens case depends on HML having the required beneficial entitlements to the tenements when they were first acquired and we say that those are covenant questions that could be answered so as to dispose of the need to then go on and deal with the alleged proprietary claim that the children may have, he told Justice Rene Le Miere. Where the parties are in issue in the proceedings is as to whose benefits were the tenements, as the Hope Downs and East Angeles tenements, applied for and granted back in the late 80s? And if the answer is as my client, Ms [Julie] Taylors client and Mr [Nicholas] Dillons client contends not beneficial to HML, then it follows that the children lose and they are no longer necessary parties to the proceedings. Ms Taylor is the senior counsel representing Wright Prospecting, while Mr Dillon represents DFD Rhodes. Mr Bova was not surrendering to Wright or Rhodes claims, which will still be argued across the 60 days tentatively set down as starting around May in 2022, but suggested that the children were not fully aware of the agreements in place over the tenements.

And he went on to argue that the 300-paragraph submission by Mr Hancock and Ms Rinehart read more like a counterclaim that was concerned with events after the late 80s, which would be resolved in their separate Federal Court arbitration with their mother. The counterclaim includes allegations in regard to Roy Hill and suggests the application to acquire the Roy Hill tenements in the name of HPPL rather than HML were part of a scheme of fraudulent design, he told Justice Le Miere. Roy Hill has recently become Australias single-largest iron ore mine and last year turned a profit; 70 per cent of which went to Hancock Prospecting. Mr Bova claimed the siblings were not going to be truthful since they would go over their allegations against Mrs Rinehart as part of their whole counter defence brought before the courts, including the confidential family arbitration.

He said they made very serious allegations, including claiming there was a decision to revalue the assets while Mrs Rinehart headed up the family trust, with further allegations of conflicts of interest and contention over the debt reconstruction after Langs death and attempt to bring in the shareholding claim, which effectively reduced the childrens share in HPPL. These are all matters that will have to be addressed by way of an expert in accounting evidence, he said, adding that was only if the children were successful at the strikeout application hearing. So factually this trial as it currently stands is going to go into all of these historical matters, none of which are proposed to be engaged with by WPPL, as they say thats all very nice but irrelevant to my claim. Mr Bova said the discovery task currently looked to be monumental and could push back the trial a further three years. We are seeking to deal with them in a proper and efficient way, he told the court.

Loading However, Bianca Rineharts lawyer, Christine Ernst, argued her clients submission simply raised the question and background about why their requests for documentary evidence from Mrs Rinehart had not been provided, as ordered by the courts. Ms Ernst said it wasnt a new request. In this situation we have no discovery in, at all, and so in that sense were really seeking compliance with the order, she said. Ms Ernst also argued that the strikeout application had come late in proceedings, saying many of the issues could have been raised much earlier.
Gunfire was reported overnight in the Niger capital of Niamey, just days before the country's new president Mohamed Bazoum takes office.

Local residents in Niger's capital Niamey reported hearing heavy gunfire near the presidential palace on Wednesday morning.

The gunfire prompted fears of a potential coup attempt, coming just two days before Niger's first ever democratic transition of power.

President-elect Mohamed Bazoum is due to be sworn in on Friday -- taking over from President Mahamane Ousmane, who disputed the election results.

What we know so far

The gunfire reportedly began around 3 a.m. local time (0400 CET) and lasted for around 30 minutes.

Local residents told news agency AFP that there was "intense shooting, with heavy and light weapons." In videos posted on social media, the sound of short bursts of gunfire could be heard in the darkness.

It was not immediately clear who was involved in the reported shootout. Anonymous security sources told both AFP and Reuters that the situation was under control after assailants attempted to seize the palace.

One source described the attack to AFP as an "attempted coup" and that soldiers had been arrested.

Niger officials have not yet commented on the situation.

The United States Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert saying it would not open its doors on Wednesday "due to gunshots heard near our neighborhood."

The situation is 'calm'

DW correspondent Abdoulkarim Mahamadou said Niger's state broadcaster initially began its program as usual at 6:30 a.m. with no mention to the reported shooting.

"The situation here is calm and seems to be under control [of security forces]. Traffic is dense, officials are going to work, cabs are running normally and people are going about their business," Mahamadou said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Niger Governance 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.

Violence escalated after elections

Attacks by militants have grown since Bazoum's victory in February presidential election.

Niger's former president, Ousmane, has deemed the election fraudulent after he lost in the runoff against Bazoum.

Ousmane served as president for three years until a military coup toppled him in 1996. He has since tried to regain power, most recently through the February election.

Niger has had four coups since its independence from France in 1960.

The spread of deadly extremist violence has long plagued the West African country, with jihadi insurgencies spilled over from Mali and Nigeria.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

fb/rs (AFP, AP, Reuters)
No external interference will hamper enduring success of "one country, two systems": Commissioner's office of Chinese foreign ministry

Xinhua) 14:44, March 31, 2021

HONG KONG, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said on Tuesday no external interference will hamper the enduring success of "one country, two systems" and any plot to meddle with Hong Kong affairs and exert pressure on China is doomed to fail.

While expressing firm support for the adoption of amendments of Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the HKSAR at the 27th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), a spokesperson of the office in a statement urged the international community to fully and accurately understand and earnestly support "one country, two systems" and play a constructive role in Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

The adoption of amendments of Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the HKSAR is another major positive step in adhering to and improving the institutional framework of "one country, two systems," the spokesperson said.

The improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR at the constitutional level has provided sound institutional guarantees for ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong," the spokesperson said.

The improvement makes the electoral system more democratic and balanced, expands the space and avenues of political participation for Hong Kong residents, leads to a democratic system in line with Hong Kong's constitutional order and reality, the spokesperson said.

It is a sure way of ensuring political stability and the security of political power in Hong Kong, a necessary measure to enhance the efficacy of administration and uphold social order, and a fundamental solution to closing the loopholes in the existing electoral system and curbing external interference in local elections, the spokesperson said.

The improved electoral system will lift Hong Kong from political infighting, enable it to focus on combating COVID-19, reinvigorating economy and improving people's livelihood, better leverage the strengths of "one country, two systems", and steer Hong Kong towards a brighter future, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that the HKSAR government and people across the community have expressed support for the improvement in various ways.

Over 2.38 million signatures were collected in 11 days in support of the NPC's decision, and a survey by the Bauhinia Institute found about 70 percent of the residents agree that the improvement boosts their confidence in Hong Kong's future, the spokesperson said, stressing that all this proves that the efforts by the NPC and its Standing Committee represent the people's will and the historical trend.

Any smear campaign will get nowhere and only meet strong opposition by all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, the spokesperson said.

The Chinese government stays firmly committed to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the "one country, two systems" policy and opposing any external interference in Hong Kong affairs, the spokesperson added.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / iAdvize, the conversational platform that connects more than 2,000 brands with customers around the world, has created an assessment for brands to evaluate their strategy in digital customer relations. This new tool ( https://www.conversational-maturity-index.com/en/ ) allows companies to take a short quiz or send it to the team at iAdvize to complete for a comprehensive assessment with tailored suggestions.

This CMI is powered by the collective knowledge and insights from more than 2,000 retail brands as well as 10 years of experience in the CX industry. It has become crucial for retail brands to provide online consumers with the kind of authentic, seamless conversational experience they have every day through messaging. The assessment helps brands discover where they stand regarding conversational strategy and find out how they can improve to better meet customer expectations.

With this tool, brands evaluate the maturity of their conversational approach and compare themselves to industry leaders via a quick online simulation. It provides the ability to get a score based on six pillars, know where they stand in relation to their industry, and receive a personalized analysis with strengths and areas of improvement.

iAdvize conducted the first industry benchmark using the Conversational Maturity Index, starting with consumer electronics.

"The first Conversational Maturity Index report found that the consumer electronic industry was lacking in some areas, but excelling in others," says US CEO Nicolas de Rosen. "We were able to learn that industry leaders are providing a unique pre-sales support system through a mobile-first UX."

Unmatched Innovation and Insight

iAdvize's Conversational Maturity Index evaluates conversational strategy based on six pillars: Empathy, Expertise, & Authenticity, Scalability, Personalized Engagement, Rich & User-Friendly Messaging, Omnichannel & Seamlessness, and Business Drive. This allows for a comprehensive analysis and tailored results and recommendations in each category.

Access and Availability

For brands to get started measuring their Conversational Maturity Index, they can go to https://www.conversational-maturity-index.com/en/ where they will find the self-assessment or can submit a request for the iAdvize team to complete the test for them.

The findings of this report align with the predictions that Forrester Research made in their US 2020 Customer Experience Index Report ( https://www.forrester.com/report/The+US+Customer+Experience+Index+2020/-/E-RES161037 ), highlighting how the effects of the pandemic will place more emphasis on building relationships with customers.

About iAdvize

iAdvize is a conversational platform that allows more than 2,000 brands in 100 countries to bring a profitable human touch to the digital experience at scale, using a blend of human touch and artificial intelligence. We connect customers with experts available 24/7 via messaging. iAdvize is a 'Gartner Cool Vendor' certified platform that generates value for brands such as Disney, TUI, L'Oreal, Nespresso. In 2019, a Forrester study proved that a 64% ROI can be achieved.

Media Contact:

Fritz Lauer

Marketing Director

603-660-1698

fritz.lauer@iadvize.com

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SOURCE: iAdvize

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638213/iAdvize-Announces-the-Release-of-Conversational-Maturity-Index-Tool
Archaeologists in Wales have an unusual source to thank for the discovery of prehistoric artifacts on a remote island: Burrowing rabbits.

Wardens on Skokholm Island, a wildlife preserve some two miles off the coast of Pembrokeshire, found a smooth stone tool by rabbit hole near their cottage.

Used to skin seals, the 'bevelled pebble' dates to the Late Mesolithic period, some 9,000 years ago, and is the first evidence of Stone Age inhabitants on the island, experts say.

The next day, the wardens found pottery fragments kicked up by the same rabbits that came from a funeral urn buried nearly 4,000 years ago.

Archaeologists believe the site was an Early Bronze burial mound built over a Middle Stone Age hunter-gatherer site that had been 'disturbed by rabbits.'

Used to skin seals, this 'bevelled pebble' discovered in a rabbit hole on Skokholm dates to the Late Mesolithic period, some 9,000 years ago. It's the first evidence of Stone Age inhabitants on the island, experts say

Giselle Eagle and Richard Brown have lived alone on Skokholm since 2014, when they were hired as wardens by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

The island is famous for the tens of thousands of seabirds that nest there, including puffins, ducks, Manx shearwaters and storm petrels.

It was set up in the 1930s as the first bird observatory in the UK.

Nearby Skomer Island is better known for archaeology, including stone walls and remains of round houses from the Iron Age and megaliths dating back to Neolithic and Early Bronze Age.

Skokholm is a remote island in the Celtic Sea about two miles off the coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales

Skokholm is home to tens of thousands of seabirds, including puffins, ducks, Manx shearwaters and storm petrels. Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle, who discovered the artifacts dug up by the rabbits, are the island's newest wildlife wardens and its sole fulltime residents

But, earlier this month, Eagle and Brown picked up a smooth rectangular stone from a rabbit hole in the shelter of a rock outcrop near their cottage.

Suspecting it was manmade, they sent images to researchers, who confirmed it was a Late Mesolithic tool dating from between 6,000 and 9,000 years ago.

Known as a 'bevelled pebble,' the tool would have been used by hunter-gatherers to make seal skin-clad boats or for processing shellfish and other foods, said Andrew David, an expert on stone tools who has directed excavations on Mesolithic sites in Pembrokeshire.

'Although these types of tools are well known on coastal sites on mainland Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, as well into Scotland and northern France, this is the first example from Skokholm, and the first firm evidence for Late Mesolithic occupation on the island,' said David.

'To find an example on Skokholm is exciting,' he said.

The same rabbit hole provided even more ancient bounty the following day, when Eagle and Brown spied another Mesolithic pebble tool and large pieces of pottery that had been unearthed by the burrowing bunnies.

Returning to the rabbit hole the next day, the couple found large fragments of pottery believed to be part of a Bronze Age cremation urn. While such urns are not uncommon in western Wales they've never been found on any of the western Pembrokeshire islands

Jody Deacon, a curator of prehistoric archaeology at the National Museum Wales recognized the clay fragments as part of an Early Bronze Age cremation urn.

Dating to between 2000 and 1750 BC, such funerary urns are not uncommon in west Wales but have never been found on Skokholm Island, or any of the western Pembrokeshire islands.

'We know from past aerial surveys and airborne laser scanning by the Royal Commission that Skokholm has the remains of some prehistoric fields and settlements, though none has ever been excavated,' said Toby Driver, an archaeologist with the Royal Commission Wales.

'Thanks to the sharp eyes of the wardens we have the first confirmed Mesolithic tools and first Bronze Age pottery from Skokholm,' he said.

Driver theorized the spot was an Early Bronze burial mound built over a Middle Stone Age hunter-gatherer site that had been 'disturbed by rabbits.'

'It's a sheltered spot, where the island's cottage now stands, and has clearly been settled for millennia.'

When the pandemic allows, Driver and his colleagues plan to visit Skokholm and uncover more ancient artifacts.
[March 31, 2021] Ares Management Corporation Announces Agreement to Acquire Landmark Partners

Ares Management Corporation ("Ares") (NYSE: ARES) announced today that a subsidiary of Ares has entered into a definitive agreement with a subsidiary of BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. (NYSE: BSIG) and Landmark Investment Holdings LP to acquire 100% of Landmark Partners, LLC (collectively with its subsidiaries, "Landmark"), one of the largest and most experienced investors in acquiring secondary private fund ownership stakes in the alternative asset management industry. The transaction is valued at $1.08 billion, including approximately $787 million in cash and approximately $293 million in Ares Operating Group Units, in each case subject to certain adjustments. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005456/en/ With 150 employees across six global offices, Landmark manages private equity, real estate and infrastructure secondaries funds totaling $18.7 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2020. Supported by a global, institutional investor base of more than 600 fund investors, Landmark is viewed as a trusted and innovative counterparty in developing flexible transaction solutions to an extensive roster of financial sponsors and institutional investors. Landmark was founded in 1989 and is led by its highly experienced management team who have capitalized on the increasing investor appetite for private market secondaries with a compound annual growth rate of 17% in its assets under management over the past four years. "We are incredibly proud to announce this transaction with Landmark, a pioneer in developing the asset class of private market secondaries," said Michael Arougheti, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ares. "We believe secondary investments are only increasing in their appeal to a growing group of investors and we are excited to include these strategies in our comprehensive alternatives offering. We have known Landmark's leadership team for many years and hold them in high regard for their approach to partnership and demonstrated ability to develop creative, win-win solutions. We look forward to welcoming Frank Borges, Tim Haviland and their colleagues and we expect significant benefits for our investors, employees and other stakeholders from this combination." "We are excited to join forces with Ares as we enter this new chapter in Landmark's history," said Francisco Borges, Chairman and Managing Partner of Landmark Partners. "Ares' global platform and significant resources will enhance our combined investment capabilities and my partners and I look forward to driving continued strong performance, transaction structuring innovation and business growth for many years to come. As a reflection of this optimism, I am very pleased that our management team has agreed to accept significant equity in the combined firm." "As alternative assets continue to gain share, we believe growth in the secondaries market should also continue to accelerate," said Timothy Haviland, President and Managing Partner of Landmark Partners. "We are excited to enhance and expand our already strong market position as a new investment group within the broader Ares platform. Our approach and processes are culturally similar to Ares' and we look forward to building on key sourcing, relative value and structuring advantages as well as unlocking new growth opportunities." The acquisition of Landmark further expands Ares' product offering into a segment of alternative asset management that is experiencing double-digit industry growth rates. The secondary market provides sellers with the ability to achieve liquidity on their private market fund interests and enables buyers to invest later in a fund's life, typically benefiting from seasoned portfolios and acceleratd cash flows. Additionally, the secondary market's growth has expanded over the last decade to enable fund sponsors to deliver liquidity to their investors through asset recapitalization and GP-led secondary funds. Along with the increase in the number of compelling investment solutions Ares can offer its clients, Ares' client base is meaningfully expanding, creating significant fundraising opportunities. The joint platform will have over 1,600 institutional investors, where less than 5% of these accounts are currently invested with both Ares and Landmark.



The business combination is expected to drive meaningful investing advantages across Ares' platform, which will expand to include five distinct but complementary investment verticals in Credit, Private Equity, Real Estate, Strategic Initiatives and now Secondaries. For Landmark, Ares' extensive direct lending relationships with approximately 825 financial sponsors, well-established regional networks across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East and marketplace insights from across asset classes should serve to further differentiate its existing key competitive advantages in transaction sourcing, evaluation and structuring. "The acquisition of Landmark is not only highly strategic, but it is also expected to be immediately financially accretive to Ares' core earnings metrics, including after-tax realized income per common share, and it should be a meaningful driver of our growth in the years ahead," said Michael McFerran, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Ares. "In addition, the transaction is expected to be accretive to our fee related earnings margins and further enhances our fee related earnings composition within our realized income."

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acted as financial advisors to Ares and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel. Morgan Stanley & Co LLC acted as financial advisor to BrightSphere. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to Landmark Partners LLC. Ropes & Gray served as legal counsel to both Landmark and BrightSphere. Conference Call and Webcast Information Ares will host a conference call on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the transaction. A supplemental presentation that illustrates the transaction is available on the Investor Resources section of Ares' website at www.aresmgmt.com. All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or the live webcast, which will be hosted on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of our website at www.aresmgmt.com. Domestic callers can access the conference call by dialing 1-888-317-6003. International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 412-317-6061. All callers will need to enter the Participant Elite Entry Number 7513238 followed by the # sign and reference "Ares Management Corporation" once connected with the operator. All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call so that name and company information can be collected. For interested parties, an archived replay of the call will be available through April 30, 2021 to domestic callers by dialing 1-877-344-7529 and to international callers by dialing +1 412-317-0088. For all replays, please reference conference number 10153612. An archived replay will also be available through April 30, 2021 on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of our website. About Ares Management Corporation Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager operating integrated groups across Credit, Private Equity, Real Estate and Strategic Initiatives. Ares Management's investment groups collaborate to deliver innovative investment solutions and consistent, attractive investment returns for fund investors throughout market cycles. As of December 31, 2020, Ares Management's global platform had approximately $197 billion of assets under management with more than 1,450 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com. About Landmark Partners Founded in 1989, Landmark is a leading investment manager focused on the secondary markets. Landmark has six offices globally with 150 employees, including over 65 investment and research professionals. Over the course of its 30+ year history, Landmark has invested across over 2,400 partnership interests, driving unique and proprietary transactions through its deeply established relationships with institutional investors, fund sponsors, and market advisors. The firm has formed an aggregate of over 30 funds and related vehicles capitalized with over $28 billion in commitments while maintaining a consistent investment philosophy: Landmark's "thought partner" approach to investing through which it provides unique and customized liquidity solutions, while capitalizing on the potential benefits of secondary investing. For more information, please visit www.landmarkpartners.com. Forward-Looking Statements Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the ability of Ares to consummate the Landmark acquisition and to effectively integrate the acquired business into our operations and to achieve the expected benefit therefrom. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ares Management Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005456/en/

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The fellowship provides exceptional scientists with the opportunity to conduct theoretical, observational and experimental research in planetary astronomy

Ellen Price, a doctoral student at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, has been awarded the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship from the Heising-Simons Foundation. Price is one of only eight students in the nation to receive this prestigious award.

The fellowship will provide up to $375,000 in support for Price to conduct independent research in planetary astronomy over the next three years.

"It honestly still feels a bit unreal to be awarded this fellowship," Price says. "But I'm eternally grateful to all the mentors who enabled me to get here, and I'm looking forward to making the most of this opportunity!"

Price will earn a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Harvard University in May 2021. During her time at the Center for Astrophysics (CfA), she studied protoplanetary disks--the birthplaces of planets--under the mentorship of Astronomy Professor Karin Oberg. She was also advised by former CfA postdoc Ilse Cleeves and Leslie Rogers, assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Chicago.

Established in 2017, the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship is named for the first exoplanet discovered orbiting a Sun-like star. The fellowship supports the growing field of planetary astronomy, which focuses on objects within and beyond our solar system. From improving the understanding of planetary system formation and evolution, to advancing new technologies for detecting other worlds, 51 Pegasi b Fellows make a unique contribution to the field of astronomy.

Price has accepted a postdoctoral position at the University of Chicago, which will serve as the host institution of her fellowship. There she will be mentored by planetary science Professor Fred Ciesla and attend an annual summit that assists fellows with developing professional networks, exchanging information and ideas, and fostering collaboration.

Price thrives most when tackling complex problems with big picture implications. As a theorist, she uses her mathematical intuition and computer programming talents to create simulations that explore the diverse outcomes of planetary formation.

"One of the overarching themes of my work is that simple is better than complex," Price says. "My simulations provide results that are easy to analyze, and serve as a good benchmark for more complex approaches."

Using highly efficient code, Price simulates how protoplanetary disk materials evolve over time and at multiple scales, from miniscule grains to giant planets. Her work reduces the time it takes to make realistic evolving disk models.

During her fellowship, Price will extend her code to model the chemical reactions that occur as the rocky cores of planets materialize within a protoplanetary disk.

Simulating the ways dust and gas interact within these environments will advance the field by making an inventory of the chemical building blocks of planets.

###

Learn more about the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship at http://www. 51pegasib. org .

About the Heising-Simons Foundation

The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Altos and San Francisco, California. The Foundation works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people. Learn more at http://www. hsfoundation. org .

About the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is a collaboration between Harvard and the Smithsonian designed to ask--and ultimately answer--humanity's greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. The Center for Astrophysics is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with research facilities across the U.S. and around the world.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 22:40:21|Editor: huaxia

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Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, attends the first plenary meeting of the teams of an enforcement inspection of the Law on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) has recently launched an enforcement inspection of the Law on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the first of its kind since the law went into effect in 2017.

From April to early May, inspection teams will be dispatched to eight provinces, including Shanxi, Zhejiang and Fujian. The NPC Standing Committee will also entrust legislatures in eight other provinces to inspect the enforcement of the law in their own regions, according to the first plenary meeting of the inspection teams held Wednesday in Beijing.

Attending the meeting, Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said that the purpose of the inspection is to promote the full application of the new development philosophy, tackle problems and shortcomings in law implementation and contribute to the Healthy China initiative.

He also urged strict implementation of the law, giving full play to TCM and improving the TCM-related legal system through inspection.

The inspection will focus on the role of TCM in advancing the Healthy China initiative, in epidemic prevention and control, as well as TCM-related talent training and team building, among other things.

The inspection teams will discuss the report of the law-enforcement inspection in May and report to the NPC Standing Committee in late June. Enditem
EV

These are brutal, short comments , the kind most automakers would ban if they could. The smaller cars receive the most criticism. He starts with the new Mazda CX-30, a beautifully designed and interestingly laid outwith a disappointing range. Basically, the same is said about the Honda e. A SEAT Mii is presented as ugly, affordable, but with decent battery capacity for the money.The pick of this smaller EV segment is apparently the Peugeot 208. The Polestar 2 and Volkswagen ID.3 are described as pretty good but not quite there yet. Quite a lot of time is spent on the Mustang Mach-E. Do we need to hear that it's not a real Mustang again? Probably not. That leads us to what's apparently the best EV in the world."I remain to be persuaded on this one (the Mustang Mach-E ), but I dont on this next car because this is the best electric car on sale all around. The Tesla Model 3this is the Long Range version. Its incredibly fast, incredibly clever, its built by people that dont seem to really care about build quality, but who cares because you get the Tesla charging network, you get everything at the moment. If youre buying an electric car, its very, very difficult not to automatically buy this one," Harris says.Of course, if money is no object, you can have the all-singing Porsche Taycan, built to German standards with Tesla-rivaling performance. But the Model S is fighting back, bringing not only the controversial steering wheel yoke but also a crazy amount of performance.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 14:04:40|Editor: huaxia

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GUIYANG, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China's leading liquor maker Kweichow Moutai has set its revenue growth target for 2021 at around 10.5 percent compared with last year, the company said on Wednesday.

The liquor brand saw its revenue rise by 11.1 percent year on year to over 94.9 billion yuan (around 14.45 billion U.S. dollars) in 2020 with its net profit increasing by 13.33 percent year on year to nearly 46.7 billion yuan, the company said in its annual report filed to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Distilled in the town of Maotai in southwest China's Guizhou Province, this famed liquor is often served at state banquets. Enditem
MBABANE  It will come as a relief to schools that government is set to hire 900 new teachers.

This was confirmed by the Minister of Education and Training, Lady Mabuza, in an interview yesterday. Mabuza said the process of hiring the teachers had already begun. She said this process follows that they had made an application for a waiver to hire the teachers. Mabuza stated that the waiver was expected to be received from Cabinet yesterday and would be implemented starting from today. She said they were hoping to complete the hiring process in a weeks time at most. She said, in their waiver submitted to government, they had requested for the employment of 900 teachers. However, she said she was not sure on whether government would eventually approve the figure. The minister said as of Tuesday, some teachers were interviewed and they were hoping that the process would be completed in a weeks time.

Employing

According to Mabuza, the employing of the teachers was to replace those who had retired, passed on or left the profession, among other reasons. She stated that they were also renewing contracts for teachers who were employed on a temporary basis. It could not be ascertained how many of the 900 teachers would be permanent and the number of those who would be placed under contracts. The hiring of the teachers comes at a time when many schools were failing to function due to the lack of educators. In some schools, pupils were left unattended as teachers had to run around trying to settle in other learners. The lack of teachers in schools was one element which had resulted in a huge disorder on the first day of reopening of schools on Monday.

In an interview with the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General, Sikelela Dlamini, he said the effort by government to hire teachers was commendable.

Dlamini said hiring of teachers was long overdue, although the number they would hire was still inadequate. He said they were not only looking forward to the renewal of contracts for teachers employed on a temporary basis, but also needed new teachers who would be enrolled for the first time mainly because one of the strategies to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was ensuring minimum numbers of pupils that could be handled by a single teacher. With the high numbers of our learners, about 335 000, it required for an additional 5 000 teachers to be hired, said the SNAT secretary general.
There have been more than 6,500 disposals in civil courts relating to workplace negligence in Northern Ireland in the last five years, figures obtained by the Belfast Telegraph reveal.

One MLA described the statistics as "deeply worrying".

Workplace negligence is defined as when actions by an employer lead to employee or customer injury or loss, including theft, illness, injury, or death. It is made up of three main parts: duty of care, breach of duty and damage.

A test that can be applied to such cases asks whether the claimant was owed a duty of care by an employer and if that duty of care was breached. If this care was breached, it can be then asked if the claimant sustained injury or loss as a result of it, and if this injury or loss can be remedied by compensation.

Since 2016, there have been a total of 6,688 disposals in civil court relating to workplace negligence.

Almost 1,000 of these cases were over negligence on behalf of employers and the majority, some 3508 disposals, relate to breaches of statutory duty on behalf of companies.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of work standards in Northern Ireland, a responsibility it shares with the 11 local councils.

In some cases negligence or breaches of workplace safety may constitute a criminal offence, in which case a prosecution may be brought by the Public Prosecution Service on behalf of the PSNI, HSE and other departmental bodies.

Since 2016 there have been 86 prosecutions for health and safety offences and 57 convictions.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll branded the figures "deeply worrying". "Successive Stormont administrations and ministers have sometimes paid lip service to trade unions and workers' rights but haven't lifted a finger to strengthen rights for workers or repeal the anti-trade union laws devised by Thatcher but have been under Stormont's control for decades," he said.

"The only way we can significantly reduce workplace negligence and protect workers safety is by ensuring we have strong trade unions with health and safety reps in every workplace that are listened to, respected and their concerns acted upon.

"I am currently processing my Trade Union Freedom Bill through Stormont that seeks to remove outdated and repressive restrictions on trade unions and I would hope it can help challenge the culture where trade unions and their reps are dismissed or treated with suspicion."

Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw said: "I found it interesting to read these figures in the context of the marked improvements across the five-year period, as they showed vast improvements had been made.

"These are to be welcomed; however, it is clear that there is certainly room to build upon this work. The health, safety and well-being of employers should always be the principal concern for employers and so I would encourage them to engage with the Health and Safety Executive for advice on how to make their workplaces as safe as possible."

The HSE said: "Responsibility for enforcement depends on the type of workplace. As a Regulator, HSENI promotes and enforces health and safety for those workplaces that fall within its enforcement responsibility. Neither HSENI nor local councils have responsibility for applying civil law or setting the rules for the conduct of civil cases."

Jonathan Jackson, associate director at MKB Law, said: The recent figures show the significant impact that the COVID pandemic had on the civil justice system in 2020. I am, however, encouraged that in recent months court activity has notably increased, with the greater use of remote hearing or hybrid hearings  where the hearing is conducted part in person and part remotely. I also welcome the recent vision statement published by the Northern Ireland Court Service which sets out a plan for further modernisation of the Court Service. It is also hoped that a greater uptake in alternative forums for dispute resolution  such as mediation- will ensure swifter conclusion of claims.
Photo: The Canadian Press Young migrants get processed at the intake area of the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley, in Donna, Texas, Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills, Pool)

The Biden administration for the first time Tuesday allowed journalists inside its main border detention facility for migrant children, revealing a severely overcrowded tent structure where more than 4,000 people, including children and families, were crammed into a space intended for 250 and the youngest were kept in a large play pen with mats on the floor for sleeping.

With thousands of children and families arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent weeks and packing facilities, President Joe Biden has been under pressure to bring more transparency to the process. U.S. Customs and Border Protection allowed two journalists from The Associated Press and a crew from CBS to tour the facility in Donna, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, on the condition they share their reporting with other outlets as part of a pool arrangement.

More than 4,100 people were being housed on the property Tuesday, 3,400 of them unaccompanied children and the rest people who arrived in families, a mix of parents and children. Most were unaccompanied children processed in tents before being taken to facilities run by the Department of Health and Human Services and then placed with a family member, relative or sponsor.

The children were being housed by the hundreds in eight "pods" formed by plastic dividers, each about 3,200 square feet (297 square meters) in size. Many of the pods had more than 500 children in them, spaced closely together and many of them laying on the ground on mats and foil blankets.

Oscar Escamilla, acting executive officer of the U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley, said 250 to 300 kids enter daily and far fewer leave.

The youngest children  among them, 3-year-old girl being cared for by her 11-year-old brother and a newborn with a 17-year-old mother  are kept out of the pods and sleep in a playpen area.

Im a Border Patrol agent. I didnt sign up for this, Escamilla said.

On Tuesday, journalists watched children being processed. They went into a small room for lice inspection and a health check. Their hair was hosed down and towels were tossed in a black bin marked Lice. The kids  many of whom have made long journeys to get to the border, including stretches on foot  were also checked for scabies, fever and other ailments. No COVID-19 test was administered unless a child showed symptoms.

Nurse practitioners also gave psychological tests, asking children if they had suicidal thoughts. All shoelaces were removed to avoid harm to anyone.

The children were then led down a green turf hall to a large intake room. Those 14 and older are fingerprinted and have their photo taken; younger children did not.

They went to a second intake room where they got notices to appear for immigration court. Border Patrol agents asked them if they had a contact in the U.S. and allowed the child to call that person.

Children were given bracelets with a barcode that shows a history of when they showered and medical conditions.

Outside the facility, the roar of construction equipment could be heard along with air conditioning units.

The Biden administration has continued expelling adults who try to cross the border under a coronavirus-related public health declaration enacted by former President Donald Trump. Biden also has tried to expel most families travelling together, but changes in Mexican law have forced agents to release many parents and children into the U.S.

Biden has declined to resume the Trump-era practice of expelling unaccompanied immigrant children. Several hundred kids and teenagers are crossing the border daily, most fleeing violence, poverty or the effects of natural disasters in Central America. In some cases, parents refused entry into the U.S. have sent their children across the border alone, hoping they will be placed with relatives eventually.

The Border Patrol is apprehending far more children daily than Health and Human Services is placing with U.S. sponsors, leading to a severe backlog in the system. The Border Patrol generally is not supposed to detain children for more than three days, but Health and Human Services lacks space.

More than 2,000 kids have been at the Donna facility for more than 72 hours, including 39 for more than 15 days.

The intent of the Border Patrol is not detention. Were not in the business of detention, said Escamilla, the official who supervised the media tour. Were forced into the business because we cant turn them over to anybody.

HHS is housing children at convention centres in Dallas and San Diego and is opening large-scale sites in San Antonio, El Paso and elsewhere.

Biden has been sharply criticized by Republicans seeking to defend Trump's immigration record, which includes the separation of thousands of immigrant families under a zero tolerance" policy.
The changes will help to reduce impacts to the landscape and natural ecosystems, as well as the development of non-system routes, and sanitation issues. Designated sites will also help contain campfires to reduce forest fires. Designating campsites are a win-win for land managers and campers alike.

Camping is one of the best ways to experience Crested Buttes beautiful scenery and is a quintessential Colorado activity. Public lands provide the backbone of the Crested Butte tourism industry and residents highly value their access to public lands which is why many of them call the valley home. In an effort to improve and maintain tourism and outdoor recreation in a manner that is sustainable, local entities have decided to move dispersed camping to designated camping in the areas surrounding town. The switch is the successful culmination of partnership efforts focused on improving Crested Buttes backcountry and adopting a plan that will preserve the landscape while simultaneously enhancing visitor experience.

Last year, the Forest Service in collaboration with local partners, made the decision to change the way camping is managed to focus on preservation efforts. The change will occur in the six major drainages surrounding Crested Butte. Beginning spring 2021, camping in the Slate River Rd and Washington Gulch Rd areas will be allowed only in designated sites. Throughout the summer and fall of 2021 this same regulation will be rolled out across five additional areas: Kebler pass Rd, Lake Irwin Rd, Brush Creek Rd, Cement Creek Rd, and Gothic Rd, with the goal of having all 211 valley wide sites designated come spring 2022.

The changes will help to reduce impacts to the landscape and natural ecosystems, as well as the development of non-system routes, and sanitation issues. Designated sites will also help contain campfires to reduce forest fires. Designating campsites are a win-win for land managers and campers alike. Designating sites allow land managers to isolate the impacts from camping to specific and sustainable locations, while still providing users with the remote and isolated feel of backcountry dispersed camping.

Who is doing the work?

The United States Forest Service (USFS) partnered with the Gunnison Valley Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) committee to help plan and fund the designated camping project. STOR is a community collaborative committee, created by the Gunnison County Board of Commissioners to improve and maintain tourism and outdoor recreation in a manner that is sustainable (environmentally, socially and financially) and aligns with our community values. STOR comprises nineteen diverse players including the City of Gunnison, Town of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte, Town of Pitkin, Gunnison County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, USFS, BLM, National Parks Service, Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association, Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Western Colorado University, and 8 members of the public at-large. The STOR Committee has assisted the USFS with the development of the camping project and contributed to the costs of the project with Great Outdoors Colorado grant dollars. The Gunnison Stewardship Fund, a funding mechanism managed by the National Forest Foundation, has supported the project with $150,000 in contributions.

The USFS also partnered with the Crested Butte Conservation Corps (CBCC) to help with the installation of the infrastructure for the designated sites. The CBCC is entering its fifth summer season this year and was founded on the idea of creating a more sustainable backcountry experience for users in the Crested Butte valley. Thanks to the efforts of these organizations, the designated camping project will help to ensure a sustainable future for both recreational camping and natural beauty in the Crested Butte backcountry.

What does this mean for campers?

This management change will govern all roadside vehicle and tent camping for the affected areas. Campers will be required to camp in designated sites only. Visitors can expect to see new signage along the roadside directing them toward camping areas, camping information, and notifying them when no camping areas lie ahead. If you are coming to Crested Butte for the weekend during peak summer season or holiday, be sure that you have a backup plan in the event that all the designated sites are full.

What will a designated site look like?

Sites will be designated by the presence of a two-foot-tall 6x6 post. Attached to the post will be a camping symbol along with an associated site number. Also present at designated sites will be permanent metal fire rings for visitors to enjoy a fire and smores safely.

For the latest information on the progress of the designated camping project please call the Gunnison Ranger District office, 970-641-0471 or email operations@cbmba.org. More info can also be found by visiting https://crestedbuttemountainbike.com and https://gunnisoncrestedbutte.com.


A report of 15 to 20 gunshots fired early Wednesday brought Tigard officers to a residential scene only to find an armed and apparently drug-addled man in his neighbors garage, police said.

No one was hurt, but officers found bullet holes in the mans own home, police said.

Michael Cornish, 40, had gone to the neighbors house in the middle of the night in the 6800 block of Southwest Pine Street, police said in a statement.

Cornish had a gun when officers found him in the garage but they got him to put it down so they could safely arrest him about 3:30 a.m., police said.

Cornish made statements that led officers to believe he had been involved in a shooting, police said. They went to Cornishs home and found the front door damaged by gunfire with several spent shell casings and bullet holes inside.

Officers checked for potential victims but found none.

It appears Mr. Cornish was under the influence of drugs at the time of this incident, and investigators do not believe anyone was actually shot, police said.

Cornish was taken to jail on allegations of unlawful use of a weapon and menacing, police said.

-- Margaret Haberman

mhaberman@oregonian.com
The UKs unilateral decision to extend grace periods on some Brexit trade declarations has given operators a further opportunity to end confusion

Businesses have been advised to use the UK governments deadline extension for Brexit-related safety and security declarations to perfect their systems.

The extension applies to the obligation under Brexit to lodge an electronic advance security declaration for all goods moving from the European Union (EU) to Great Britain (GB), regardless of the mode of transport, following the 1 January 2021 establishment of a physical border between both.

Carriers have the legal responsibility to provide the customs authority in the Member State of first entry into the EU with safety and security information prior to the arrival of the goods. This is done by way of the Entry Summary (ENS) declaration filed to the EU Import Control System (ICS).

For ro-ro movements, a carrier is defined as being the ferry operator for unaccompanied goods or the haulier for accompanied goods. The carrier may agree to pass on the filing of the ENS to another trader in the supply chain, such as a shipping agent, forwarder, exporters or broker, for example. However, the carrier retains legal responsibility for the safety and security declaration.

Leading up to 1 January 2021, there was considerable confusion amongst trade actors regarding who would take responsibility for filing safety and security declarations, particularly in the context of ro-ro movements, said Paul Grobler, head of International Development at customs management software specialist CONEX https://www.conex.net/.

Some large hauliers have assumed their responsibility. However, since most are not accustomed to dealing with customs-related declarations, they looked to other trade actors for support. This led to further confusion, with trade attempting to determine who in the supply chain would be best placed to draft and file safety and security declarations, Grobler said.

Northern Ireland (NI) remains aligned with EU regulations under the NI Protocol and, as such, ENS declarations are required to be filed to the NI ICS. However, the requirement to file safety and security declarations from goods from the EU arriving in GB had been waived up to 1 July 2021. To allow for the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, that waiver has been extended to 31 December 2021.

The announcement of the waiver being extended for GB safety and security declarations has given economic operators a further opportunity to analyse their physical and data flows and to decide who in the supply chain would be best placed to complete and file the GB safety and security declaration when the 1 January 2022 rolls around, Grobler said.

The UKs Office for National Statistics recently published official figures highlighting the extent that UK-EU trade collapsed in January, including a more than 40% drop in UK exports to the EU, as traders and their freight and logistics providers adjusted to new post-Brexit trading arrangements and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Various freight industry sources have highlighted that although UK-EU road freight vehicle numbers may have recovered towards their pre-Brexit levels, the numbers of trucks travelling empty from the UK to the EU had risen sharply. For example, at the start March 2021, the Road Haulage Association estimated that trucks were going back to the continent about 40% empty, compared to around 20% empty pre-Brexit.

Latest developments in changes to the post-Brexit roadmap were explained in a Lloyds Loading List/Institute of Export and International Trade webinar (available here https://pages.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/brexit-next-steps) in which CONEXs Paul Grobler expounded on solutions for impacted businesses.

Sponsored by:

https://www.conex-systems.uk/
Last weekend, Blue Sky Studios animator Jackie Tarascio alerted her LinkedIn followers that Illumination Mac Guff  the Paris studio carrying on the Despicable Me and Minions franchise  was bringing her on board.

The comments were immediate and plentiful. Congrats Jackie! See you there, wrote Justin Weg  also formerly of Blue Sky Studios.

As Walt Disney pulls the plug next week on Blue Sky Studios in Greenwich, the animation industry is getting a crack at one of the largest exoduses of talent in a generation.

Disney is scrapping nearly 470 Blue Sky jobs in Greenwich a mere two years after acquiring the studio. Many of the departing workers are seasoned animators and technicians with multiple feature films to their credit, including Ice Age and Ferdinand.

In electing to shutter Blue Sky, Disney scrapped the studios next big release  an adaptation of the Nimona online fantasy webcomic series  which had already been pushed back to 2022. Blue Sky executives have explored finding another studio to complete the film, according to trade publication Collider, which did not cite its sources by name.

Disney remains a major Connecticut employer through Bristol-based ESPN, in which Hearst Corp. holds a minority investment. Disney did not respond immediately Tuesday to a query on whether it considered selling Blue Sky or spinning it off as an alternative to closing it.

In recent years, Blue Sky has taken a back seat during awards season, with Walt Disney Animation and Pixar (also owned by Disney) dominating the Oscars for best animated feature and DreamWorks Animation landing a number of nominations.

Blue Sky came closest to winning in 2002, when Ice Age was beaten out by the Japanese classic Spirited Away, and again in 2017, when Blue Skys Ferdinand lost to Pixars Coco, which also won for best original song that year.

But respect for Blue Sky runs deep in the industry, as is clear from plum jobs some of its staff landed in short order, including positions with Pixar and Walt Disney Animation.

Walt Disney Animation brought on supervising animators Raymond Ross and Melvin Tan this month from Blue Sky. And Kevin Spencer elicited wow reactions from colleagues on LinkedIn after the lighting production coordinator landed at Pixar, having joined Blue Sky only five years earlier from NBCUniversal.

Those jobs are intensely competitive; Walt Disney Animation and Pixar listed less than 20 openings each as of Tuesday. Dreamworks Animation and Illumination Mac Guff each had about a dozen openings after bringing on the small Blue Sky contingent.

But the streaming era is creating new spots for animators to land  including positions at Netflix, which is building an animation team for future series and features.

Deb Stone joined Blue Sky in 2011 from Walt Disney Animation as director of recruitment and talent development. She now joins Weg and Tarascio at the Illumination division of NBCUniversal and Comcast (which owns Illumination Mac Guff), and also former Blue Sky character animator Scott Farrell.

In the words of one commenter, Stone spent her final stretch with Blue Sky as a reverse recruitment specialist  helping Blue Sky vets find work elsewhere.

In the closing days of Blue Sky, staff members thanked an assistant editor named Lauren Stevens, who posted a private Sizzle for Blue Sky Studios tribute on Vimeo, stitching together outtakes from Blue Sky movies set to a rousing score.

With the Minions franchise showing staying power, will the saber-toothed squirrel Scrat, or any other Blue Sky characters, end up as Easter eggs  imagery so fleeting it is noticeable only in super slow-mo or freeze-frame stills  in future Illumination films?

As with Disney employees during animations golden era, Blue Sky animators were not above the practice themselves; the studios final feature film, Spies in Disguise, contains several Easter eggs  including the acorn pursued relentlessly by Scrat in the Ice Age movies.

On LinkedIn, production supervisor Jason Fricchione likened the Blue Sky closure to lightning striking twice in a career, having been at the Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida studio in 2004 when Disney closed it.

Fricchione landed a job immediately with Blue Sky, where he has been ever since. April 10 now looms as the start date of his free agency.

Its a transient industry, Fricchione posted last month on LinkedIn. Hopefully well all cross paths again.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
Married At First Sight groom Sam Carraro enjoyed a night out in Melbourne on Tuesday with a few of his cast members.

Dressed up for the evening, the clothing brand owner, 32, posed for an elevator selfie with glamorous brides, Beck Zemek and Booka Nile.

'I was super happy to catch up with these two legends and the rest of the xast!' Sam captioned the photo of himself standing between the two ladies.

Scroll down for video

Reunited: Married At First Sight's Sam Carraro posed for a selfie with co-stars Beck Zemek and Booka Nile at a Melbourne event on Tuesday night

Sam and some of his co-stars were attending an event hosted by Nova100 at Crowne Plaza Melbourne's Dive Bar.

While he wore a casual button-up and jeans, Beck and Booka looked dressed to impress in sultry outfits.

Beck donned a leggy silk dress, while Booka exposed her bra in a plunging blazer dress.

Nova100 host Chrissie Swan asked the cast a series of questions about their relationships and the filming during a panel discussion.

'The final dinner party is like a Jerry Springer episode. Bit heated,' Sam cheekily revealed of an upcoming spoiler.

Stunners: Four of the MAFS brides were in attendance, but only one had their TV 'husband' by her side. Pictured L to R: Becka, Booka, Belinda Vickers and Jo Todd

SPOILER alert: Sam cheekily revealed that the final dinner party was 'like a Jerry Springer episode' and would become a 'bit heated' between the stars

Also on the Q&A panel were couple Belinda Vickers and Patrick Dwyer and Jo Todd.

Sam's TV 'wife' Coco Stedman wasn't in attendance at the event and neither was Beck, Booka and Jo's spouses.

The groom quit the dating experiment just three weeks ago, and not long after secured his enviable verified blue tick on Instagram.

Case of the ex: Sam was paired with Sydney Pilates studio owner Coco Stedman (right) on Married At First Sight, but they broke up after a couple of weeks

Sam's MAFS co-stars Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven accused him of starring on the show 'for the wrong reasons'.

The couple, both 31, told Today Extra that they were disappointed by a few of their fame-hungry castmates.

Bryce said: '[The] first thing I noticed was how genuine about 98 per cent of the guys were coming through.

'But there was one I don't think is there for the right reasons and I make no secret of that throughout the experiment,' he added.

Married At First Sight continues on Wednesday from 7:30pm on Nine
New dramatic video shows two Phoenix police officers rescuing a 55-year-old man who was trapped in a burning SUV.

The incident occurred early on the morning of March 25, near the intersection of 32nd and Osborn Ave.

The bodycam footage, released by the Phoenix Police Department on Monday, starts as Officers Rudy Castillo and Joel Kaminsky, who have more than 40 combined years of service, are seen running towards the SUV, which is covered in its front by flames while it sits in Maegan Scruggs' front yard.

Two police officers arrived to a burning, crashed SUV in a front yard on March 25

Inside the vehicle was an unconscious 55-year-old man who was trapped by locked doors

'I looked over at [Castillo] and said, 'were gonna be the first ones there,'' Kaminsky said to 12 News after the incident.

It's not clear why the car crashed, though the man is believed to have had a medical issue.

'Do this one,' Castillo says to Kaminsky after they reach the car, with Kaminsky trying to break open a window to the locked car.

When that fails, Castillo starts searching for something else that can help open the car.

Officer Kaminsky (pictured) attempted to retrieve the man by breaking the window open

But his attempts to open the window were rebuffed, forcing the officers to think fast

Officer Castillo ran towards a house and retrieved a fire extinguisher, which broke the window

'Hey, do you have something blunt?' Castillo asks Scruggs' husband, who attempted to put out the fire earlier.

Castillo returns with a fire extinguisher, which shatters the driver's window on the first try.

They pull the unconscious man out of the car and lay him on a sidewalk, but they aren't out of the woods yet.

Once the man was out of the car, Officer Kaminsky began performing CPR on him

'I got no heartbeat,' Kaminsky says about the victim. 'I'm doing chest compressions'

Eventually, the man does briefly come to, before Phoenix Fire arrives and takes over care

'I got no heartbeat,' Kaminsky says about the victim. 'I'm doing chest compressions. Come on, buddy! You got this, come back.'

As Kaminsky continues working on the man, he begins to stir.

'Yes! Let's go! You got this - come on back,' Kaminsky says as Castillo supports them in the background.

'In situations where we don't have time to hesitate, our training kicks in, and that could mean the difference between life and death. The driver in this incident continues to recover at the hospital. Thank you @PHXFire for the assistance. #ThisIsWhatWeDo,' the Phoenix Police Department wrote on Twitter.

Scruggs praised the officers after they saved the unidentified man's life, calling them 'true heroes.'

Phoenix Fire later arrived on the scene to take over the medical care of the man from the SUV.

Kaminsky, who suffered a hand injury from the broken window which was treated by Phoenix Fire, is taking the viral moment in stride.

'It's a first responder for a reason and we were first there and we were able to be successful and its very rewarding,' Kaminsky said to 12 News.

'To give something back to the community, its a good feeling,' Castillo added.
Danielle Mason has revealed she's found The One in reformed prisoner Ben Hatchett.

The former Page 3 girl - who is the younger sister of Jessie Wallace - spoke about her new romance in an exclusive interview with MailOnline, where she gushed about their 'strong connection'.

Although the pair have only been official for a month, things have moved quickly between them as Danielle admires the way Ben has been turning his life around.

Cute new couple: Danielle Mason has revealed she's found The One in reformed prisoner Ben Hatchett and gushed about their 'strong connection'

Danielle, 37, first met 31-year-old Ben when she appeared as a guest on his podcast, Let's Be Real, and things escalated from there.

After messaging back and forth, the pair enjoyed a first date in his old home, high-security hospital Broadmoor - which houses some of the UK's most dangerous criminals.

'We went to Broadmoor on our first date!' she laughed. 'He was back there for a documentary he's doing and I live nearby so he used it as an excuse for me to come along!'

Meant to be: Although the pair have only been official for a month, things have moved quickly between them as Danielle admires the way Ben has been turning his life around

Explaining why she fell for him, Danielle mused: 'He's passionate about anti-knife crime. He wants to make a positive difference in the world and he is very passionate about inspiring the younger generation.

'We got a really strong connection, he's caring and protective towards me. It's definitely love.'

Ben was found guilty of ABH after a string of knife crime offences as a teenager. He served time in a young offender institution and prison before being moved to Broadmoor Hospital aged 21 after an escape attempt.

Smitten: Danielle, 37, first met 31-year-old Ben when she appeared as a guest on his podcast, Let's Be Real, and things escalated from there

The history of Broadmoor Hospital Founded in 1863, Broadmoor is the oldest of three high security psychiatric hospitals in England. The average length of stay at the hospital is five-and-a-half years however this is skewed by a few men who have stayed for more than 30 years. Patients are admitted from prison, court or a medium-secure hospital. However some have not committed an offence but are considered to pose a high risk to society and need to be housed in a secure environment. Patients are transferred back to the criminal justice system or a lower security environment when they no longer require high-security care. Advertisement

While doing his time he worked in the canteen and was tasked with serving some of Britain's most notorious prisoners their meals, including Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, Ian Brady and Kenneth Erskine, the Stockwell Strangler.

Ben previously told the Daily Star Sunday: 'I was inside with all the serial killers and notorious people. I had some altercations with dangerous people.'

Shortly after arriving he was was attacked by Matthew Quesada who killed a man in a cafe who had asked if his crying daughter was OK.

Ben claimed: 'He poured hot water on me and stabbed me in the back repeatedly. That was my first experience of anything like that.'

After being released from Broadmoor last year, Ben now uses his platform to help others, having written a book, The Law Of Attraction, released a podcast, and selling the rights to his life story to a film company.

He has been telling stories of his time inside to Danielle, who told The Sun that she has been interested to hear about his experiences.

She added: 'I think everybody deserves a second chance in life and I take everyone at face value. He could possibly be The One.'

Danielle - who has children Rudy, nine, and Delilah, seven - has even spoken about moving in with him where he lives in East Sussex.

Family ties: The former Page 3 girl is the younger sister of Jessie Wallace and although Ben hasn't met her family she insisted, 'As long as he's good to me they will like him'

She said: 'I've always wanted to bring the kids up on the coast. He hasn't met them yet as it's still early days.'

Ben also hasn't yet met the rest of Danielle's family - including her soap star sister - but she insisted: 'As long as he's good to me they will like him.'

The Gypsies Next Door star shares her children with cage fighter Tony Giles, whom she split from in 2019.

The former couple tied the knot in 2012 after getting engaged in Thorpe Park, but split in 2016 and later reunited.

Former flame: The Gypsies Next Door star shares her children Rudy, nine, and Delilah, seven, with cage fighter Tony Giles, whom she split from in 2019 (pictured in 2012)

Danielle confessed she struggled to fit in with the gypsy community she married into, as she was expected to limit her career prospects and take care of housework and cooking like a traditional traveller woman.

After a couple of traumatic experiences, which included Tony getting shot in what was thought to be a war between rival gypsy gangs, Danielle asked him if they could leave their caravan site and live in a house.

However, the pair decided to split for good after the differences in their cultures became too much for Danielle to cope with.
 Flash

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that his six-nation tour in the Middle East has achieved the expected goals of enhancing cooperation with regional countries and making China's contribution to peace in the region.

Wang made the remarks during an interview as he concluded a week-long Middle East tour that took him to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Bahrain.

He said that his visit achieved rich results, including reaching broad consensuses with the six countries on continuing mutual support over core interests, upholding multilateralism, elevating pragmatic cooperation, enhancing joint anti-pandemic fight, and seeking political solution to hotspot issues in the region.

Broad consensuses reached

The Chinese diplomat said that during his visit, he reached broad consensuses over wide-ranging issues with the leaders of the six countries, which all welcomed China to play a bigger role in Middle East affairs.

"China and the countries agreed that the sovereign independence and national dignity of all countries should be respected, and independent and diverse ways of development should be promoted," Wang said.

They agreed to oppose interfering in other countries' internal affairs and slandering other countries under the guise of human rights, safeguard the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law, multilateralism, and international equity and justice, Wang said.

The seven countries, he said, vowed to upgrade their practical cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in light of China's construction of a new development paradigm.

On the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the countries pledged to continue their mutual support and reject politicization of the pandemic and vaccine, Wang said.

On the basis of China's successful vaccine cooperation with the UAE, Turkey and Bahrain, China and Mideast countries will continue to explore new patterns of vaccine cooperation, including tripartite cooperation and mutual recognition of health codes, he said.

The countries agreed that inclusive dialogue should be advocated in pursuing political settlement of hotspot regional issues, and the two-state solution should be the key for seeking an early, fair and reasonable solution to the Palestinian issue, the Chinese diplomat said.

Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, illegitimate sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction should be lifted as soon as possible, and compliance to the Iranian nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), should be resumed in an orderly manner with synchronization and reciprocity, he said.

China and the six countries also agreed to explore the establishment of a regional dialogue platform to maintain the security and stability of the Gulf through communication and consultation, Wang added.

Implementation of peace initiative

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, 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.

The initiative was well received by many of the state leaders and foreign ministers during the visit, Wang said, noting that the Palestinian Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing willingness to cooperate with China to revive the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

He elaborated on the ways to implement the peace initiative through close communication and coordination with all the related parties:

Firstly, China fully supports the international mediation over the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. When taking the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in May, China will push for holding full deliberation of this issue, and will host a seminar for Palestinian and Israeli peace activists on a proper date.

Secondly, China will continue its active participation in the process of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue. China has sent officials to Moscow to discuss with Russia and Iran the roadmap and timetable of reviving the nuclear deal. Also, China will keep close communication with Gulf countries over holding multilateral forums in China on the Gulf security, starting from easy topics such as safeguarding oil infrastructure and shipping-lane security.

Thirdly, China will boost vaccine cooperation with Mideast countries in a bid to help them speed up the return to normal life, promote recovery of local economies, and ensure smooth implementation of major projects with the Chinese participation.

Fourthly, China will hold in 2021 the China-Arab Reform and Development Forum and the Middle East Security Forum to enhance exchanges of experience in governance, promote dialogues between civilizations, and deepen cooperation on fighting terrorism and de-radicalization.
Mumbai:

More than 180 flights at the Mumbai airport had to be cancelled in the past 24 hours due to heavy rainfall in the city and after a SpiceJet aircraft skidded off the runway and got stuck in mud, shutting down the main runway.



The Boeing 737, which skidded off the runway yesterday, was towed away to the paved area late this evening with the help of a team of engineers from national carrier Air India and Mumbai International Airport Ltd, an airport spokesperson said.



Efforts to remove the aircraft had been underway for nearly 24 hours.According to airport sources, NOTAM (notice to airmen) has been extended till 6 am tomorrow, meaning flights will operate from the secondary runway which has limited aircraft handling capacity.



An airport source said 183 flights had to be cancelled since last night. Dozens have been diverted to nearby airports due to the prolonged closure of the main runway.



A statement from the Mumbai airport said 63 flights of Jet Airways, eight of IndiGo, two of SpiceJet and one of GoAir were among those that had to be cancelled till 5 pm on Wednesday.

Read | Mumbai: SpiceJet flight overshoots runway at airport; all passengers safe



As many as 56 flights were diverted to nearby airports.



Earlier today, the airport operator said incessant rains hindered their efforts to remove the aircraft stuck in mud.



Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha tweeted, #AI team assisting #RescueOperation in removal of #SpiceJet acft from #BOM runway, the only airline in India to offer this type of facility.



The SpiceJet plane was carrying 183 passengers and skidded off the runway during landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at around 10 pm on Tuesday.



Following the incident, the airport authorities moved the operations to the secondary runway.



Mumbai airport, the second busiest in India, has two crossing runways - 09/27 (the main)and 14/32 (the secondary runway).



While the primary runway can handle up to 48 arrivals and departures per hour, the secondary runway has a capacity of 35 movements per hour. Overall, there are 930 flight arrivals and departures at the Mumbai airport every day.



Several domestic airlines decided to waive off airfare penalties for passengers travelling to or from Mumbai for a defined period period after the main runway was closed.



Torrential rains battered Mumbai and its suburbs for the second day on Wednesday, causing massive disruption in flight operations, delaying suburban train services and forcing a large number of people to stay indoors.

Read | Mumbai rains: Heavy downpour, 63 Jet Airways, 8 IndiGo and 3 SpiceJet and 1 GoAir flight cancelled

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
press release

It has now been over a month since disciplinary hearings for 7 Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) officials - implicated in TERS fraud - took place, and the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, is refusing to report on the outcome.

The disciplinary hearings followed a recommendation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) that charges be brought against three senior- and four middle managers for contravening supply chain management regulations relating to the payout of the TERS benefit. The SIU investigation itself followed findings by the Auditor-General that, among other things, the UIF had paid R30 million to people with invalid ID numbers, over R40 million to state employees who were ineligible for the TERS benefit, as well as large sums to prisoners and the deceased.

Members of the UIF's suspended top brass - including the Commissioner and the chief financial officer - have been sitting at home on full pay since last September at a combined monthly cost of R450 551.39. Meanwhile, thousands of workers are still struggling to get their TERS benefits as the UIF's systems are closed until 1 April due to financial year-end.

Last month, at a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, MPs were told that charge sheets had been compiled and handed to the implicated officials. Furthermore, presiding officers and prosecutors had been appointed for disciplinary hearings which were scheduled to take place from 19 February 2021 to 26 February 2021.

When I submitted a parliamentary question to Minister Nxesi asking for information on the officials appearing at the disciplinary hearings, their designations, the charges against them, and the names of the presiding officers and prosecutors, he refused to answer - claiming that the information requested was "highly sensitive in nature and possibly prejudicial to the officials".

This constitutes a dereliction of duty on the Minister's part. There is no reason for him to shy away from accountability and transparency on the matter. He owes it to the workers - many of whom have borne the brunt of the UIF's ineptitude - to play open cards and demonstrate that there are going to be serious consequences for UIF officials guilty of malfeasance.

The DA therefore challenges the Minister to make this information publicly available as a matter of urgency.

Local Government Elections are coming up in 2021! Visit check.da.org.za to check your voter registration status.
By Laila Kearney

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices were mixed on Wednesday, supported by a draw in U.S. crude inventories but pressured by concerns about the market's recovery after OPEC and its allies lowered their 2021 demand growth forecast.

Brent crude for May, which expires on Wednesday, fell 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $63.91 a barrel at 11:05 a.m. EDT (1505 GMT). The more active Brent contract for June was up 18 cents, or 0.30%, at $64.36 a barrel.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 41 cents, or 0.7%, to $60.96 a barrel.

WTI crude futures for May delivery rose 41 cents to $60.96 a barrel, a 0.7 percent gain.

U.S. crude stocks fell unexpectedly last week as refinery runs increased, shrinking by 876,000 barrels in the last week, compared with analysts' expectations for an increase of 107,000 barrels, the Energy Information Administration said.

"Refineries continue to increase utilization and operable capacity and recovery mode from the deep freeze," said Tony Headrick, energy market analyst CHS Hedging, referencing a winter storm last month that froze refining operations in Texas.

OPEC+ has lowered its oil demand growth forecast for this year by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), a report from its experts panel meeting seen by Reuters showed.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, together called OPEC+, are set to meet on Thursday, to decide on output policy.

"Given this pessimistic outlook, it seems likely that the production quotas will be left in place for another month," said Commerzbank analyst Eugen Weinberg.

OPEC+ are currently curbing output by just over 7 million bpd in a bid to support prices and reduce oversupply. Saudi Arabia has added to those cuts with an additional one million bpd.

"The oil market is still playing a guessing game today as to what supply policy OPEC+ will set out at tomorrow's meeting, but the $64 per barrel Brent price signals that traders expect a cautious approach from the alliance," said Rystad Energy's analyst Louise Dickson.

Kuwait's Oil Minister Oil Mohammad Abdulatif al-Fares expressed "cautious optimism" on Wednesday that global oil demand will improve as COVID-19 vaccination programmes gather pace and industrial output recovers.

OPEC oil output rose in March as higher supply from Iran countered reductions by other members under a pact with allies, a Reuters survey found, a headwind for its supply-limiting efforts if Tehran's boost is sustained.

(Additional reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin and Julia Payne in London, Laura Sanicola in New York; Editing by David Gregorio)

(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.)
Thousands of people in Northern Ireland are missing out on potentially lifesaving medical treatment across the border because of Brexit, a leading Belfast healthcare lawyer has said.

Under the EU's Cross-Border Directive (CBD), patients here have been able to avail of 14.1m worth of healthcare in the Republic over the last five years.

The scheme has been even more popular south of the border, with 47.2m (40.3m) worth of healthcare provided to residents heading north for treatment over the same period.

The CBD allowed patients in Northern Ireland to obtain treatment in a European Economic Area country, paying up front but then being reimbursed by the NHS.

One key requirement is that the treatment must be available in the applicant's home country through state-funded public healthcare. Patients can also choose either a public or private healthcare provider when they are travelling for treatment.

When the UK left the EU on December 31 last year, the scheme ended.

A replacement scheme for patients in the Republic accessing private healthcare in Northern Ireland has been set up. However, no such replacement has been put in place here.

Critics of the scheme have argued that the NHS should not have to foot the bill for private healthcare in foreign countries when it does not routinely do this in the UK.

With soaring hospital waiting times in Northern Ireland, there have been calls for a replacement scheme to be set up here as soon as possible.

According to the latest figures, on December 31 last year, there were 105,159 patients waiting to be admitted to hospitals here - 16.2% more than on the same date the previous year.

Belfast-based healthcare and litigation lawyer Kevin Hegarty said more needed to be done to ensure patients did not miss out on vital treatment.

"The issue is that, given that patients no longer have the option of going to another EU state for treatment and recouping the costs from the NHS, the already long waiting lists are likely to get worse in time. Patients who cannot afford the private care will simply have no option but to wait and wait," he added.

"In that sense, Brexit has adversely impacted an already challenging situation for many patients in Northern Ireland."

He said that as well as additional funding, more strategic cross-border co-operation was needed between the two governments, the Republic's health service and Stormont's Department of Health to get a new healthcare agreement in place.

"What has been put in place by the Irish government has not been replicated by the Executive. The longer this is left without a new scheme being introduced, the more detrimental the impact will be on the health and lives of patients across Northern Ireland," Mr Hegarty added.

The Department of Health said transitional arrangements were in place to protect patients "in prescribed circumstances, allowing them to complete their treatment and to seek reimbursement".

"Historically, there has been significantly more use of the cross-border healthcare scheme in Northern Ireland than any other part of the UK and there is interest in the continuance of a similar scheme," it said.

"Setting up a replacement for the scheme with some or all of the EU member states, European Free Trade Association countries and Switzerland would take time to negotiate and operationalise and would bring additional costs in future years.

"Departmental officials are considering the policy options to the principles of the CBD in this post-EU exit environment and will consider any resulting consultation and legislative requirements."
Skyrocketing rents threaten long-term investment appeal

While the average land lease has increased by a healthy 15-20 per cent against levels reported five years ago, rates at industrial zones (IZs) have seen runaway growth to reach levels that have a significant deteriorating impact on the countrys investment appeal.

In Tay Ninh for instance, land rent charged by IZ operators has risen 200 per cent since 2019 while in Long An province they went up to 1.5-2.5 times the 2015 rates. In Dong Nai province, land price and infrastructure costs in IZs increased by 30-50 per cent compared to five years ago.

Figures from Savills Vietnam showed sudden growth spurts in lease enquiries for land, factory, and warehousing at IZs near major cities due to buoyant demand.

Discouraged investors

Rising rents have been a cause for concern among investors and tenants in IZs and are emerging as a major deal-breaker for new tenants.

John Campbell, manager of Industrial Services in Ho Chi Minh City at Savills Vietnam said, in some provinces, rising prices will affect occupancy rates. If they go too far above average, they will become a major concern for higher value investors in electronics and high-tech industries.

However, there are a further 561 IZs in planning or development, he noted. When their supply starts coming online, it will be interesting to see how that helps the law and land lease prices. But for now, occupancy in the key provinces is high, which means that any remaining land there will almost inevitably be priced higher.

Indeed, there is a strong pipeline of industrial land in the next five years in Vietnam, with developers rushing to meet the market demand.

According to the announcement of the Department of Economic Zones Management under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, a master plan for 561 upcoming IZ projects has been approved with an area of over 201,000 hectares to be released on the market in the next five years.

Of this, 259 zones (86,500ha  43 per cent of the total area to be added) have not been established yet.

However, many of the newly-established IZs remain devoid of tenants or are operating with very low occupancy rates, due to substandard development and the recent hikes in rent.

Carrot or stick?

Provinces have spotted the issue of IZ rental rates reaching levels that are discouraging investors, essentially holding up the waves the frenzied IZ development is meant to ride. To alleviate troubles, most localities are rolling out newer, stronger incentives to retain their investor-friendly disposition, instead of reining in rents running amok.

We cannot directly interfere with land rental rates but we can negotiate and offer investors better benefits, an official from Long An province told VIR, adding that as long as conditions for profitability are sufficient, the higher rental rates should not be a deal-breaker for investors.

Indeed, the regulations on IZ land give sufficient freedom for operators to adjust rent charges and only regulate the price of empty land to be leased out to developers. The framework of these prices is set by the government for each region, depending on the land type. These minimum-maximum rates are applicable for a duration of five years  with the intention of stabilising the market  and each province can select an appropriate range within this allocation to fit their development plans.

Indeed, the land rental rate of empty land has increased by an average 15-20 per cent during 2020, in accordance with Decree No.96/2019/ND-CP dated December 2019, but the healthy increase for empty land provided little hold on developed IZ land.

This leaves little chance for local authorities but to offer stronger incentives to maintain investor demand and promote more compact industries.

Quach Van An, director of the Ca Mau Investment Promotion and Enterprise Support Centre, said many investors visit him to complain about the rent hikes.

We are trying to incentivise investment in clean, high technologies. These fields do not require much land and are in line with the governments broader orientations on investment, he said.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City, the industrial heart of southern Vietnam, is working to lure giant manufacturers to its high-tech park through incentives on land rent and tax exemption, as well as by simplifying procedures and accelerating land clearance.

The municipal authorities are offering special incentives for technology firms and each eagle coming to Vietnam will help lure a flock of others, explained Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association.

The official from Long An added, It is not easy at all for developers to choose a site with good infrastructure system and reasonable rent, but with the enthusiasm of local authorities we are sure that investors will be just as satisfied as the many others who came before them, he continued.

Cities and provinces are in a balancing act trying to ensure adequate room for IZ developers while keeping Vietnam the place to be for incoming investors. While policy-makers appear confident of the incentives they offer, it opens the doors for the inviolate raising of rental rates that could destabilise Vietnams investment appeal on the long term. Indeed, low occupancy rates at newly-established IZs already suggest that restraining rents might be necessary.
The event is dedicated to the Year of Science and Technology in Russia

MOSCOW, RUSSIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Elsevier, a global leader in research publishing and information analytics, and the Russian Rectors' Union are pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Research Excellence Awards Russia.

The Awards program, first held in Russia in 2005, aims to support scientific research in Russia and honor its outstanding scientists. This year's event, hosted yesterday, had a special mission to celebrate achievements of the country's researchers and research organizations. Announced by Presidential decree, 2021 is the Year of Science and Technology in Russia; the Awards were hosted by the Russian Rectors' Union and is supported by Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), Russian Science Foundation, and the Russian Research Institute of Economics, Politics and Law in Science and Technology (RIEPL).

Congratulating the winners at this year's virtual event, Elsevier Chairman YS Chi said: "In the Year of Science and Technology, we are gathering to celebrate Russia's brightest minds: those who support the country's economic growth, healthcare solutions, international collaboration efforts, and scientific innovation. These talented research leaders show how Russia's academic excellence can go beyond borders to impact and advance the wider global society."

Victor Sadovnichiy, Rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University and the President of Russian Rectors' Union said: "Russian scientists today demonstrate outstanding achievements in a wide range of scientific fields. It is gratifying to see, that most of the research is carried out by domestic universities. They serve as platforms providing not only the transfer of knowledge, but its production. Because of this, it is the university science that forms the core of national scientific schools and the new generation of their leaders. I am sure, they will become worthy successors of the established traditions."

The winners of Research Excellence Awards Russia 2021 are:

Physical Sciences - Igor Bilenko, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Physical Sciences (young researcher) - Evgeny Soldatov, National Research Nuclear University MEPHI

Physical Sciences (young researcher) - Daria Smirnova, Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Mathematics - Vasily Tarasov, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Mathematics (young researcher) - Natalia Bondarenko, Samara University, Saratov State University

Engineering and Technology - Denis Vinnik, South Ural State University

Engineering and Technology (young researcher) - Sergey Makarov, Saint Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics

Computer Sciences - Viacheslav Wolfengagen, National Research Nuclear University MEPHI

Computer Sciences (young researcher) - Vasily Golubev, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

Life Sciences - Alexey Moskalev, Institute of Biology of the Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Life Sciences (young researcher) - Alexey Kachalkin, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Social Sciences - Andrey Sushetsov, Moscow State Institute of International Relations

Social Sciences (young researcher) - Maxim Kotsemir, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Arts and Humanities - Vladimir Pitul'ko, Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Arts and Humanities (young researcher) - Svetlana Shnaider, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of The Russian Academy of Science

Psychology - Tamara Gordeeva, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Psychology (young researcher) - Daria Dronova, Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences

For outstanding contribution to an acute science topic of social significance (medical research of the novel coronavirus) - Denis Logunov and research team, N F Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology

For the contribution to a Prominent Topic in Science (Convolutional Neural Networks ) - Dmitry Vetrov, National Research University Higher School of Economics

For outstanding contribution to science at national and international level (partner nomination with RSF) - Pavel Strizhak, Tomsk Polytechnic University

Three research organizations were awarded in partner nomination with RIEPL for outstanding contribution to research in priority fields of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation:

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Saint Petersburg State University

Novosibirsk State University

Far Eastern Federal University was recognised in a special partner nomination Rossiya Segodnya Information Agency for popularisation of academic achievements and strengthening its international academic reputation.

The winners selection methodology is based on several criteria of research output and citation data drawn from Elsevier's Scopus - the world's largest expert curated abstract and indexing database of scientific literature.

About Us

About the Russian Rectors' Union

The Russian Rectors' Union (the RRU) is a national Russian public organization uniting over 700 rectors (principals) and presidents of higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation. The Russian Rectors' Union was established in 1992 on the initiative of heads of higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation by Order No. 723-?? of the President of the Russian Federation dated November 25, 1992.

About Elsevier

As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems.

In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, health professionals, institutions and funders.

Elsevier employs 8,100 people worldwide. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and health education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on our 2,500+ digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell; our 40,000 eBook titles; and our iconic reference works, such as Gray's Anatomy. With the Elsevier Foundation and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com

CONTACT:

Yana Revyakina

Elsevier

y.revyakina@elsevier.com

SOURCE: Elsevier

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638383/Elsevier-and-the-Russian-Rectors-Union-Announce-the-Winners-of-the-2021-Research-Excellence-Awards-Russia
Mumbai, March 31 : Posing tough questions to former Mumbai Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday pointedly asked him why he did not file a First Information Report (FIR) against the alleged malpractices of state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh before bringing the matter to the courts.

Warning that the court could pull up Singh, the Chief Justice Dipankar Datta said that police officer was failing in his duties if he didn't lodge a FIR despite knowing that an offence was committed and "simply writing letters to the CM won't do".

"You are a Police Commissioner, why should the law be set aside for you? Don't view yourself so high the law is above you," the CJ said, observing that it is in extremely rare cases that the court can order a FIR.

Arguing for Singh, senior advocate Vikram Nankani contended that these allegations were coming from "one of the senior most officers of the (police) force" and these were informed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar.

He contended that it was in the High Court's powers to convert Singh's letter into a petition and urged that the investigation into the allegations should be transferred out of the state (Maharashtra) to ensure "an independent and fair probe".

Opposing the contentions, state Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni representing the state, termed Singh as a "disgruntled litigant", called the entire allegations of the extortion racket as hearsay and made out of "personal vendetta" against Deshmukh, and argued that the plea itself was not maintainable, and it was affecting the morale of the entire force.

Among other things, in the petition, Singh has claimed that he was transferred on March 17 as Commandant-General of Home Guards after he exposed the alleged corrupt practices of Deshmukh.

The IPS officer detailed how the minister allegedly bypassed senior officers to call juniors like Sachin Vaze and asked them to "collect" Rs 100 crore per month from bars, pubs and other sources.

He also claimed that Deshmukh allegedly put pressures on him to probe the role of certain Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and somehow implicate them in the suicide of Dadar and Nagar Haveli MP Mohan Delkar in Mumbai in February.

Singh further alleged how the former Commissioner, State Intelligence Department (SID) Rashmi Shukla had brought out the alleged irregularities in police department based on telephone tapping, etc.
A number of communities held a rally to protest against the opening of the new Chinese consulate in Adelaide, South Australia on March 30, 2021. (Qianxi Li/The Epoch Times)

New Adelaide Chinese Consulate Protested by Dissidents and Locals

Over 300 people gathered in the Adelaide suburb of Joslin in South Australia on Tuesday to protest the opening of a controversial Chinese consulate in the suburb.

The protest, organised by the East Turkistan Australian Association, was joined by several groups, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghur Muslims, and the Tibetan Buddhist communities. Hong Kongers, Vietnamese, Joslin residents, politicians, and representatives of Australian farmers and industries impacted by Beijings trade restrictions also attended the protest.

Rex Patrick, an independent South Australian Senator, spoke at the protest to criticise the Chinese regime for human rights violations, imprisonment of Australian journalists in China, and its trade retaliation and cyber-attacks on Australia.

He also took aim at South Australian Premier Steven Marshall for attending the opening.

We have the premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall, rolling out the red carpet in circumstances where its just simply inappropriate. Hes actually sleeping with the enemy, Patrick said.

South Australian Independent Senator Rex Patrick attended the protest and reiterated his call for the closure of the Chinese Consulate. (Qianxi Li/The Epoch Times)

Fugitive Hong Kong Legislator Calls for Australia to Stick to Universal Values

Ted Hui, a former Hong Kong legislator, now settled in Adelaide in exile, also spoke at the protest and called for the Australian government to stick to its values of democracy and freedom.

We want to send a very clear signal to the Chinese embassy, and for the officials working inside that they are not welcome, Hui said.

And we want [the] Australian government to really act on this, instead of a sense of sending them a warm welcome. The Australian government should be sending them contemplations and criticisms because they are human rights violators, he said.

South Australian legislator Tammy Franks gave a speech at the protest in Adelaide, South Australia, on March 30, 2021. (Qianxi Li/The Epoch Times)

Greens Politician Speaks About Forced Organ Harvesting

Tammy Franks, a state Greens politician in South Australias Upper House, spoke to the rally about the Chinese regimes crimes paying particular attention to the CCP state-sanctioned crime of forced organ harvesting by the Chinese regime, which the China Tribunal found to mainly target Falun Gong practitioners.

I sat on a state Parliament committee that looked into organ harvesting. I heard from members of the South Australian community who had family members, who were imprisoned, who had their organs harvested, Franks said.

Franks also criticised the premier for attending the event.

Because money talks louder than common human decency and human rights, and Im so sorry for that, she said. We deserve better from our government in here.

Former Hong Kong legislator Ted Hui attended the rally and gave a speech. (Qianxi Li/The Epoch Times)

Concerns Over the Consulates Size and Security Issues

A local resident, who The Epoch Times has agreed to keep anonymous over concerns regarding their safety, also raised the issue of the consulates excessive size and the security risks it may pose.

This is the largest in Australia. How can South Australia, which is the fifth smallest city in all of Australia, have the largest consulate service in Australia? the resident said, noting that many of the residents didnt know that the consulate was being built.

We have the submarines and the vet defence coming up in South Australia, and weve got the biggest oil community living in South Australia, the resident said. And we believe this is the reason why the consulate has been brought in South Australia; to keep an eye on us, to make sure that we dont speak up, make sure that they know who we are, where we are, and how we act.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall spoke at the consulates opening but avoided meeting with the protesters, who were station on Fifth Avenue, by entering via Fourth Avenue, The Australian reported.
New Delhi: Veteran actor-director Satish Kaushik was diagnosed with the deadly novel coronavirus a few days back and he shared the news with fans on social media. Later, his 9-year-old daughter Vanshika's health also suffered and she too was rushed to the hospital. The father-daughter duo is now on recovery mode.

While Satish Kaushik battled COVID-19, there is no confirmation on whether his daughter Vanshika too had contracted corona or not. However, as per the latest health update shared by the director himself, both are doing fine.

In a long note, Satish Kaushik thanked everyone for good wishes and wrote: Father-Daughter hoping for COVID free world .. Thanks is a very small word to say but has big gratitude & emotions and compassion when u say it to ur dearest friends who stand by you in hard times. Thanks #DrSantanuSen #DrTanuSinghal #Dr TusharMotiwala @anupampkher @azmishabana18 @anilskapoor #drharahvardhanji #drsumbulwarsi @jayantilalgadaofficial @jaduakhtar @vmkuber #drsumbulwarsi #rumijaffery #abhishekchauhan #sanjeevsaran #nadirababbar @juuhithesoniibabbar #suchitra #kokilabendhirubhaiambanihospital @monaajaswani @darasingkhurana #SantoshRai #mandanurse #deepakkaushik #jaimahasarmaa #jaibalaji #omsairam#jaiicchapooranji #jaibabakhatushyamji

Friends & Well Wishers I m recovering at home and Vanshika is feeling better today morning by wishes of god & u all .. THANKS

Several celeb friends such as Neena Gupta, Pratik Gandhi, Juhi Soni Babbar and Mansi Parekh amongst others wished the father-daughter duo a speedy recovery.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and the co-founder of Moderna, Robert Langer, are speaking at Ohio State Universitys in-person commencement ceremony, along with U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty and NASA astronaut Ellen Ochoa, who was the first Hispanic woman to go to space.

This year there will be two ceremonies on May 9 to confer more than 12,000 degrees.

This group of speakers offers a unique, wide-ranging perspective that mirrors that of our student body, President Kristina Johnson said in a news release. Buckeye students have a long and positive relationship with Chase, and Im excited to hear Mr. Dimon speak. I know his experience and perspective will create an inspiring send-off for our graduates.

JPMorgan Chase is a major employer in Columbus, with nearly 18,000 employees across Central Ohio. The company has had ties to Columbus since 1868. Dimon, who will speak virtually at commencement, has been CEO since 2005.

At an Axios event in 2018, as Chase announced millions of dollars for OSU student scholarships, Dimon emphasized the importance of partnerships with local colleges and developing talent, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Obviously, it is good for communities, good for JPMorgan Chase and gives us a pipeline of talent, but were not doing this just to have a pipeline of talent. Were doing it because its the right thing to do and good for the Columbus economy, Dimon said at the event.

Moderna co-founder and scientist Langer is now a billionaire because of his role in founding the company, Forbes reported. Moderna produced one of three widely distributed coronavirus vaccines approved for emergency use by the U.S. government and is a pioneer in using mRNA technology in vaccines, which blocks the replication of a virus through teaching the body to make a part of the virus. The bodys response to that builds immunity.

Langer now holds the position of David H. Koch Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and is one of the few living people to win the U.S. National Medal of Science and Medal of Technology and Innovation, according to MITs website.

Beatty has served as a U.S. Representative since 2013, and represents Ohios third district in Franklin County. She chairs the Congressional Black Caucus.

Ochoa, who also served as the director of the Johnson Space Center, went to space in 1993. She worked as mission specialist for the space shuttle Discovery. NASA awarded her the Distinguished Service Medal, its highest honor. She is now the chair of the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation.

This story has been updated to correct the number of JP Morgan Chase employees in Central Ohio.
A husband and wife are celebrating a 1 million EuroMillions win which will help them care for their disabled son.

Neil and Sue Smart's winning EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker prize from the draw on March 5 will enable them to get the bigger family home they so desperately need.

The couple, from Seaton, Devon, have three children - the youngest of whom was born with scoliosis, a condition affecting the spine, making it twist or curve to the side.

Neil and Sue Smart from Seaton, Devon, pictured, scooped 1 million on the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker

The couple, who have three children, welcomed their good fortune and said it will help them move into a larger home for their family

The couple's youngest son, who is aged nine, suffers from scoliosis and requires special treatment - including regular trips to hospital in Birmingham

Now aged nine, their son, who also has learning difficulties, needs support and regular trips to hospital in Birmingham.

The win means the family can move to a larger house with the space to care for him as he grows up and give him any extra help he may need.

It will also mean a bigger car for the couple, making their regular 300-mile round trips to Birmingham a lot more comfortable.

Mr Smart, 50, who works at a builder's merchant, said: 'We've never struggled for money, we have always been careful, but this will make such a difference to the whole family.'

Despite matching the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker code on the Friday night, Mr Smart did not check the National Lottery app straight away and only realised he had an important message urging him to check his account two days later.

'I don't check religiously and only got around to it on Sunday night. Sue had gone to work and the kids were upstairs, so I thought I'd check to see if I needed to put on a line for next week,' he said.

'When I logged in, I immediately saw a message which said 'Congratulations, you've won 1 million'.

'I thought it was a scam and called my daughter to read it. We both thought it couldn't be real, even though it was clearly on the National Lottery app and wasn't just some random email.

'She posted on our family group chat that Dad had won the lottery and Sue came back saying it was probably just a fiver.'

Once Mrs Smart, 51, was home, the couple checked the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker code repeatedly but refused to really believe they could be millionaires until they could get some official confirmation.

Mr and Mrs Smart have three children and one grandchild, including daughters aged 22 and 18 as well as their nine-year-old son

Mr Smart admitted that neither of them got much sleep that night, but he still went to work the next day.

'I wasn't going to stay in bed and leave them in the lurch - what if I was wrong about the win?' he said.

He called Camelot, who confirmed he was a millionaire, and, after letting his wife know the good news, he went back to work to complete his shift.

The couple admitted they were excited but remained very calm until everything was finalised.

Once the money was cleared in the bank the following Thursday, they popped open the Champagne and celebrated their good fortune.

Mr and Mrs Smart have three children and one grandchild.

Their eldest daughter, aged 22, has moved out but the win has allowed Mrs Smart to quit her job as a sales assistant and help look after her two-year-old grandson.

Their second daughter, aged 18, is still studying at college.

A larger house will make things easier for the whole family.

Currently, their son has the box room in their three-bedroom home but the Smarts have already put an offer in on a new, larger property.

Mr Smart said: 'People have said, 'Well done, it couldn't happen to a nicer family', that it is nice to see ordinary people win, which is all lovely to hear.

'But the win, and especially the new home, will make a difference to our whole family for years to come, and that is so important.'

The family plan to make a donation to the Ronald McDonald House charity which has supported them.
AM Best, a global credit rating agency, continues to hold a negative market segment outlook on the insurance markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Factors supporting the outlook include Covid-19-driven uncertainty and the risk that further oil price volatility will maintain economic pressure across the region.

In addition, there is concern over price adequacy amid intensely competitive conditions. Financial market fluctuations and depressed real estate valuations, as well as the expectation of liquidity pressures and increased delays in cash collection, also weigh on the outlook.

A new Bests Market Segment Outlook, titled, Market Segment Outlook: Gulf Cooperation Council Insurance, notes these factors are partially offset by tightening regulatory oversight and control, and easing regional geopolitical tensions.

The report recognises that there are opportunities for market consolidation, with merger and acquisition activity on the rise, and notes that regional insurers generally well-capitalised balance sheets have generally proven resilient to shock scenarios. However, with uncertainty set to persist through 2021, testing conditions will continue to leave carriers exposed to capital volatility and shrinking profit margins. -- Tradearabia News Service
Candid announced the appointment this month of Kami Dar, CEO of Uniti Networks; Kenneth Jones, vice president and CFO of the MacArthur Foundation; and Donna Murray-Brown, president and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association to its board of trustees.

Candid president Brad Smith said, To deliver trusted, real-time, information that people can transform into action, we benefit from the insights and expertise of leaders in both business and the social sector. Kami, Ken, and Donna are a welcome addition to our board, and I look forward to working together to support excellence throughout the sector.

Kami Dar is co-founder and CEO of Uniti Networks, a startup seeking to accelerate digital service adoption among people unconnected to the global economy with a focus on equitable access and impact. Previously, Kami served as co-founder and innovator-in-chief at Devex, where he spent nearly two decades leading a team of analysts, researchers, engineers, and designers to deliver the platforms world-class technologies, helping to make Devex the definitive hub for more than a million development professionals. He has worked closely with Oxfam and the World Bank and tackled complex integrations and strategic alignment with a diverse group of technology partners and platforms. Kami serves on the boards of Devex, WorldReader, and AfricaWorks.

Kenneth Jones is the vice president and CFO of the MacArthur Foundation, where he is responsible for all aspects of the finance, accounting, tax, audit, information technology, administrative services, and facilities functions for the foundation. Previously, Ken was the vice president and CFO for the Annie E. Casey Foundation. He formerly held corporate finance positions at Ford Motor Company, Pfizer Corporation, and the Prudential. Ken serves on the boards of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the National Prevention Science Coalition, the Mission Investors Exchange, the Joint Center, the Thurgood Marshall Academy, Think of Us, the Public Justice Center, the Southern Education Foundation, the Center for Urban Families, the Steve Fund, and Corus.

Donna Murray-Brown is the president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), a charitable organization dedicated to serving the diverse nonprofit sector through advocacy, training, technology services, and civic engagement. Previously, Donna served as director of the Metro Detroit Partnership Office and senior director of capacity building at MNA, where she led a successful strategic alliance program for arts and culture organizations in metro Detroit and led the merger negotiations of four organizations to create the Belle Isle Park Conservancy. She is the past chair of the National Council of Nonprofits and vice chair of Detroit Public Television. In 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Donna for a seven-year term to Northern Michigan Universitys Board of Trustees.

Candids chair, T. Sylvester John, group vice president, ecommerce Massmart (Walmart Africa), said, We are excited to welcome Donna, Kami, and Ken to our board. As philanthropic, nonprofit, and social enterprise leaders they bring precisely the kind of regional, national, and global perspectives Candid needs as we work to build a social sector capable of tackling the critical challenges and opportunities of our time.

Full bios for Kami Dar, Kenneth Jones, and Donna Murray-Brown are on Candids board of trustees webpage.

About Candid

Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it. Candids data tools on nonprofits, foundations, and grants are the most comprehensive in the world. In 2019, Foundation Center and GuideStar joined forces to become Candid, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find out more at candid.org and on Twitter @CandidDotOrg.
LONDON and SYDNEY, Australia and JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 31, 2021('FXCM Group' or 'FXCM'), the leading international provider of online foreign exchange (FX) trading, CFD trading and related services, has expanded its FX and CFD trading offering by providing customers with social and copy trading capabilities.



Social and copy trading have emerged as a popular addition to the retail trading market. Through this offering, FXCM customers can copy a high-performing Trader's signals and strategies, removing the need to speculate themselves and instead follow more experienced market participants.

The platform, powered by ZuluTrade, identifies rankings of Traders' performance which makes it easy for customers to identify Traders to follow and invest with. The platform also highlights the current 'Rising Stars', including Traders who have had recent successes and are closing in on their all-time-highs. Customers can also choose to follow dynamic combinations of Individual Traders called 'Combos' for their trading strategy. Combos use a point-based algorithm that has been set up for identifying profitable combinations of trading strategies. Combos are grouped in tiers that correspond to different risk appetites, from conservative to highly aggressive.

The Traders that customers follow fully explain their strategies and answer questions from fellow investors. This is a fully integrated platform that provides an incentive for Traders to ensure their strategy performs well, with Traders only receiving a percentage of the profits generated for their investor.

Brendan Callan, CEO of FXCM, said: "When beginning a trading career, it can often seem overwhelming to create an initial strategy. Market volatility, trading products and risk appetite are all new elements for customers to consider when exploring profit-making strategies."

"Social trading gives customers a great choice, especially when beginning to trade. By following an independent Trader, customers can view the Trader's performance over a period of time and make an informed decision before parting with their money. We've made it easier than ever for customers to have confidence in their chosen strategy."

About FXCM:



FXCMis a leading provider of online foreign exchangeprovides retail brokers, small hedge funds and emerging market banks access to wholesale execution and liquidity, while providing high and medium frequency funds access to prime brokerage services via FXCM Prime. FXCM is a Leucadia Company.

Forex Capital Markets Limited: FCA registration number 217689)

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

76.31% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

FXCM EU LTD: CySEC license number 392/20)

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

FXCM Australia Pty. Limited: AFSL 309763. Losses can exceed your deposited funds. The products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved. If you decide to trade products offered by FXCM AU, you must read and understand the Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement, and Terms of Businesson www.fxcm.com/au.

FXCM South Africa). Our service includes products that are traded on margin and carry a risk of losses in excess of your deposited funds. The products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

FXCM Markets Limited: Losses can exceed deposited funds.).

Media contact:

Chatsworth Communications

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Pooled testing is a key component to reopening our K-12 schools, said Iain MacLeod, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Aldatu Biosciences. We look forward to working with Ginkgo to get our kids back to school.

Aldatu Biosciences, the leader in adaptive PCR diagnostic tests, announced a partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks (Ginkgo), the organism company, to advance pooled testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Ginkgo and Aldatu will play a major role in the effort to reopen K-12 schools full-time.

President Biden recently announced that over $81 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan would be made available to states to support the return to in-person learning. As more schools work to support in-person learning environments, communities across the country have turned to routine COVID-19 testing to monitor the virus and, in conjunction with other mitigation measures, help to slow or prevent outbreaks. Even as teachers and guardians become eligible for vaccines, clinical vaccine trials for individuals under 16 are just beginning, and efforts to track and mitigate viral spread remain critical.

Aldatu has partnered with Concentric by Ginkgo to provide pooled testing to communities in New England and beyond. In pooled testing, as many as 25 individual swabs are tested together using the PCR method; if a positive result shows up, participants in that pool can receive rapid COVID-19 tests or other follow-up testing. This can increase testing capacity and lower overall costs for routine testing programs.

Pooled testing is a key component to reopening our K-12 schools, said Iain MacLeod, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Aldatu Biosciences. We look forward to working with Ginkgo to get our kids back to school.

Concentric by Ginkgo currently supports communities in over 15 states with pooled testing, with over 800 schools signed up to test. What weve proven here in Massachusetts is a COVID testing model that can support schools across the country as they work to return to in-person learning, said Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks. Testing every student, every week brings communities the data they need to make public health decisions, to bring confidence to schools, and to interrupt chains of viral transmission.

Aldatu recently launched a new service, Aldatu Diagnostics, to provide rapid-turnaround clinical diagnostic lab testing services for hospitals, employers, and other large organizations coping with new demands during the pandemic. The firm doubled in size and moved to a new, state-certified laboratory in Watertown. Aldatu sells its diagnostics in kit form to health care providers, NGOs, governments, and other groups around the world.

COVID-19 presents unique diagnostic testing challenges, added MacLeod. As the disease spreads, more localities need to engage in widespread testing to identify and contain outbreaks. At the same time, the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to mutate. This makes it crucial to employ a test that can accurately detect the virus and keep false positives and false negatives to a minimum.

About Aldatu

Aldatu Biosciences is the leader in adaptive PCR-based diagnostics for global health and emerging diseases, including COVID-19. Aldatu packages its diagnostics in kit form and performs lab testing services at its CLIA-certified laboratory. Aldatus technology was developed at Harvard Medical School. Aldatu is a Delaware-registered Public Benefit Corporation. Learn more at http://www.aldatubio.com.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Headquartered in Boston, Ginkgo Bioworks uses the most advanced technology on the planetbiologyto grow better products. The company's cell programming platform is enabling the growth of biotechnology across diverse markets, from food to fragrance to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo is also actively supporting a number of COVID-19 response efforts, including community testing, epidemiological tracing, vaccine development and therapeutics discovery. For more information, visit http://www.ginkgobioworks.com.

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Beijing goes full throttle in COVID-19 vaccine production

Xinhua) 08:43, March 31, 2021

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Beijing has gone all out to boost the production of COVID-19 vaccines, with the combined capacity of Sinopharm and Sinovac in the Chinese capital expected to reach up to 3 billion doses within the year.

"We are accelerating the construction of new vaccine production lines and aiming to achieve an annual capacity of 2 billion doses in the first half of this year," said Liu Peicheng, director of brand and public relations at Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd.

Sinovac rolled out its first COVID-19 vaccine production line in August last year, with an annual capacity of 500 million doses. This February, its second production line entered operation, pushing the company's annual capacity of vaccines to over 1 billion.

No abnormalities related to the vaccine have been detected so far, Liu said, adding that the incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines in the elderly group was similar to that in the adult group, both relatively low.

Sinopharm's bioscience subsidiary the China National Biotec Group (CNBG) has also vowed to attain an annual capacity of 1 billion doses within the year, and up to 3 billion in the near future, through continuous capacity expansion.

The CNBG said it has actively participated in international cooperation on vaccines and strives to provide safe, effective, accessible and affordable vaccines for all countries through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative.

Sinopharm vaccines have been rolled out in more than 40 countries and regions, and have been highly recognized by the international community for their safety, effectiveness, population universality, accessibility and convenience in storage and transportation.

The daily production has increased from 1.5 million doses on Feb. 1 to about 5 million, with a total of more than 100 million doses supplied across the country, said Xiao Yaqing, Minister of Industry and Information Technology.

Xiao added that the quality and safety of COVID-19 vaccines should always come first and be placed at the forefront of production and supply.

China has so far approved four vaccines against COVID-19 for conditional marketing and another vaccine for emergency use.

As of March 28, Beijing had inoculated 8.7 million people, among whom 5.28 million completed the two-shot regimen, taking the total administered doses of domestically developed COVID-19 vaccines to 13.98 million in the city.

According to officials, the city is capable of administering 300,000 doses a day.

(Web editor: Wen Ying, Liang Jun)
Huge queues formed outside an NHS vaccination clinic after word got out about extra doses - with Londoners of all ages queuing up for the sought-after jab.

At least 3,000 people rushed to Walthamstow Library in north-east London after the council opened a walk-in jab clinic between 11am and 6.30pm today.

The council said first doses were being offered to those aged 50 and over, anyone over the age of 18 with a health condition, carers, health and social care workers and blue light staff - such as firefighters and police officers.

Walk-ins were urged to bring their NHS number and evidence of the category they are in with them.

But council staff told MailOnline that all ages were getting the vaccine regardless of their health status.

Under the Government's vaccine rollout plan, stage two - for those aged 18 to 49 - is not set to begin until April 15, with the youngest age group getting their jabs in the summer.

Massive queues were seen snaking along the grass outside the library today as Britons waited for the sought-after jab - with the demand massively outdoing the supply.

By 4.20pm, the NHS Waltham Forest Clinical Commissioning Group - who managed the walk-in clinic - said appointments were back to pre-booked only.

Huge queues formed outside an NHS vaccination clinic in London (pictured) after word got out about extra doses for the over 50s

At least 3,000 people (some pictured) rushed to Walthamstow Library in north-east London after the council opened a walk-in jab clinic between 11am and 6.30pm today

But council staff told MailOnline that all ages were getting the vaccine regardless of their health status

Walk-ins (some pictured) were urged to bring their NHS number and evidence of the category they are in with them

The group yesterday sent out a Tweet telling those booked in for a vaccine on Wednesday that they can bring anyone over 18 living with them to get the jab at the same time - if they have their NHS number - due to 'extra Covid-19 vaccines'. But at 8am this morning, the group announced that anyone who falls into the required categories can walk in for their first dose of the jab

By 4.20pm, the NHS Waltham Forest Clinical Commissioning Group - who managed the walk-in clinic - said appointments were back to pre-booked only

The group yesterday sent out a tweet telling those booked in for a vaccine on Wednesday that they can bring anyone over 18 living with them to get the jab at the same time - if they have their NHS number - due to 'extra Covid-19 vaccines'.

But at 8am this morning, the group announced that anyone who falls into the required categories can walk in for their first dose of the jab.

The tweet read: 'Extra Covid-19 Vax at Walthamstow Library.

'If you are 50+; 18+ with a health condition; a carer; a health & social care or blue light worker you can walk into the library on 31 March 2021, 11am- 6.30pm for a first vaccine.

Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy urged people to take advantage of the walk-in centre (pictured), sharing the times and qualifying categories in a Tweet on her account too

'Bring NHS number and evidence of the category you are in.'

Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy urged people to take advantage of the walk-in centre, sharing the times and qualifying categories in a tweet on her account too.

But shortly after 4pm, the CCG said the walk-in service had stopped accepting new patients, adding: 'So proud of the local response to our call to get vaccinated - over 2,000 so far.

Shortly after 4pm, the CCG said the walk-in service had stopped accepting new patients, adding: 'So proud of the local response to our call to get vaccinated - over 2,000 so far.' Pictured: The queue today

'We do now have a large queue we need to manage safely.

'Unless you have an appointment please do not go for a vaccine. We will let you know when have another walk-in event.'

Waltham Forest council later updated this number, adding: 'What. A. Day. We vaccinated 3,000 people today at Walthamstow Library!

'Thank you to everyone who walked-in and the amazing doctors, NHS staff and volunteers who made it possible.

Waltham Forest council later updated this number, adding: 'What. A. Day. We vaccinated 3000 people today at Walthamstow Library'

'It's back to appointments from tomorrow but we'll let you know about the next walk-in.'

Some Londoners shared their excitement at the prospect of a walk-in jab centre on Twitter today.

But others were shocked that young people were able to jump the queue, ahead of older Britons.

Nick Reilly wrote: 'Walthamstows queue for leftover vaccines is looking a lot like the Wednesday morning of Glastonbury. Jab me up, baby!'

Others were shocked that young people were able to jump the queue, ahead of their older counterparts

Someone else added: 'Well done Walthamstow residents of all ages for getting your jab.'

Charlotte Earney wrote: 'Waited for three hours in a long queue outside Walthamstow library and I'll probably have to make up the time at work but it was f****** worth it.'

Colleen Cheetham-Gerrard added: 'Long story short: I got my first Covid jab today, due to a supply snafu at a drop-in clinic in Walthamstow.

'I did query a bit "am I skipping the queue?" but the doses would have gone off otherwise.

Some people called for more London boroughs to offer walk-in vaccines - while others urged the eligible categories to be widened to include other key workers, such as teachers

'I imagined I'd get my Covid jab wearing something fabulous in the summer, so i was a bit surprised to be wearing scratty jeans and trying to triage an afternoon of calls and emails during a three hour wait, so I'm a bit delayed in having a proper emotional response!

'It was a happy, patient line with a ice cream van possibly breaking sales records for a Wednesday in March.

'(Those in the normal eligibility categories got to skip the queue, obviously!)'

But one Twitter user wrote: 'Just heard from 2 healthy people in their 20s who have been vaccinated in Walthamstow today. What sort of prioritisation is that?'

Some people called for more London boroughs to offer walk-in vaccines - while others urged the eligible categories to be widened to include other key workers, such as teachers.
press release

The COVID-19 Vaccination Committee, which has been set up in January 2021, has held nine meetings with a view to making recommendations on vaccine policy, and advising on all scientific and technical topics related to vaccines and immunisation.

The information was provided by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Jagutpal, at the National Assembly, yesterday. He stated that the Committee meets on a weekly basis to advise the Ministry on strategies to plan for the introduction of Covid-19 vaccines.

According to Dr Jagutpal, Government gave its approval in January 2021 to the National Vaccination and Deployment Plan, which was prepared by the Ministry, in consultation with the World Health Organisation, the Attorney General's Office and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.

The Plan provided for the setting up of a COVID-19 Vaccination Committee. The Chairperson of the Committee was appointed on 25 January 2021, and the Members and Secretary were appointed on 29 January 2021, on terms and conditions of appointment, approved by the Ministry of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms.

The objectives of the Committee, stated the Minister, are to recommend on choice of vaccines, safety and effectiveness of data, and immunogenicity data on vaccines candidates; constantly review, and update on, vaccines; as well as to oversee on priority groups to receive vaccination.
Product operations helps combat lower job satisfaction for European product teams.

LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pendo, a platform that accelerates successful product adoption, today released its third annual European State of Product Leadership study, a report that explores trends impacting product management and the evolution of the product manager role. Produced in partnership with Product Collective, the study is based on a global survey of 600 technology product management executives and managers, with half the respondents coming from software and enterprise companies across the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

Unique from prior reports, the 2021 edition examines the discipline in the context of accelerating digital transformation.

"Product leaders have the vision and expertise to drive Europe's digital future, but they need broader support to see through these big initiatives," said Chas Scarantino, managing director of Pendo EMEA. "By empowering product teams with operational support and executive leadership, European companies can ensure a successful digital transformation."

Key findings include:

Ready or not, product teams are spearheading digital transformation.

McKinsey recently reported that the share of digital products in the average company's portfolio accelerated by seven years in 2020. While the report calls that speed "shocking", it also reveals the once-in-a-generation opportunity to elevate product management as companies transform. In this year's study of European product leaders, the largest percentage of respondents, 47%, perceived product and R&D teams to be responsible for digital transformation. They also report increased focus on product vision/strategy over the last year. Still, just 39% feel responsible or accountable for product vision and strategy. These findings show that product is leading digital transformation though product leaders may not universally recognize that responsibility.

Product leaders in Europe match vision with revenue focus.

Alongside their emphasis on product strategy, half of European product leaders ranked revenue among their top three primary success metrics in this year's study. This combination of product vision and an eye toward revenue suggests product leaders are focused on how product strategy will positively impact the bottom line.

Digital transformation is adding pressure to the role.

But the quickening pace of digital transformation means that product leaders are also under pressure to perform. This may be exacerbated for European product managers, who, unique from their global counterparts, tend to manage multiple products. Respondents to the European survey were less likely than their global peers to recommend their career path to a friend. Out of a total net promoter score (NPS) range from -100 to 100, the average score was -1, compared to an overall global score of 9.

But help is on the way as European companies invest in product operations.

One way to increase job satisfaction is to surround product teams with operational support. Product leaders with access to a dedicated product operations team reported higher NPS scores. It's good news that European companies are already investing in this area: 44% of respondents have access to a product operations team, up from 26% of respondents to last year's survey.

Download the full European State of Product Leadership report here .
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A woman died Wednesday in a house fire in the citys Old Brooklyn neighborhood.

Cleveland Fire spokesman Lt. Mike Norman said the fire broke out about 3:30 p.m. at a home on Spring Street near Broadale Avenue.

Norman said he did not know the womans age. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner will release the womans identity.

The fire was mostly contained to a third-floor attic, where firefighters found the woman, Norman said.

Firefighters rescued a man from the home. He was not injured, Norman said. Investigators have not yet determined what caused the fire.

Read more from cleveland.com:

East Cleveland man accused of suffocating man in deadly fight in downtown Cleveland bathhouse

Cleveland club shootout that injured 7 started after woman confronted man she believes killed boyfriend, police records say

Cleveland Catholic school teachers aide on leave after physically abusing 4-year-old student, officials say
People with mental or physical disabilities can train their own dogs to aid them and accompany them into restaurants, shops and hospitals without having to formally certify them as service animals, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.

The service designation lets owners bring their dogs into businesses and other establishments that do not otherwise allow them. Allowing owners to self-certify their pets, after training and subject to reasonable limits, promotes the goals of the 1990 federal law banning discrimination against the disabled, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was intended to promote independent living and economic self-sufficiency as well as equal opportunity, Judge Ronald Gould said in the 3-0 ruling, which overturned a federal judges decision. He said private dog registry organizations lack a uniform standard for certifying service animals, and requiring the disabled to seek such certification would make dog ownership more expensive and less accessible.

The ruling is the first by an appellate court on the issue and will aid many people with disabilities, said attorney Christopher Knauf of the Disability Rights Legal Center, who argued the case on behalf of a Los Angeles County woman suffering mental problems after years of physical and sexual abuse.

People have the right to train their own service dogs. They have to train them properly, but they can do it themselves, Knauf said. He said a store can still exclude a dog that is not housebroken or under its owners control.

Raul Martinez, lawyer for a hospital that refused to allow the woman to bring her dog along while undergoing treatment, said the hospital can still try to convince the lower-court judge that the animal was not a proper service dog and would interfere with the womans therapy.

The court said the woman, a trained speech-language pathologist identified as C.L., was abused by her family and later by a partner, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety, and other ailments that caused recurring nightmares, flashbacks and suicidal impulses. A therapist recommended a service dog, but a trained dog cost $15,000, so instead she got an 8-week-old bichon poodle, named Aspen, in 2013.

She took training classes and taught Aspen to protect her in various ways, the court said  licking her face to wake her from nightmares, alerting her when others were approaching, even standing in front of a wall to prevent her from banging her head against the wall.

But when she sought admission to the Del Amo Treatment Center in Torrance for treatment multiple times from 2015 through 2017, the hospital said Aspen did not qualify as a service dog. A federal judge agreed but was overruled by the appeals court.

A dog can be trained to aid a person with a disability without formal schooling, Gould said in the ruling. The court returned the case to the trial judge to reconsider whether Aspen could accompany C.L. to the hospital.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
The 'one who causes fear' - new meat-eating predator discovered

Research published today in the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology describes a newly discovered species of dinosaur - named the 'one who causes fear', or Llukalkan aliocranianus.

Around 80 million years ago as tyrannosaurs ruled the Northern Hemisphere, this lookalike was one of 10 currently known species of abelisaurids flourishing in the southern continents.

A fearsome killer, Llukalkan was "likely among the top predators" throughout Patagonia, now in Argentina, during the Late Cretaceous due to its formidable size (up to five meters long), extremely powerful bite, very sharp teeth, huge claws in their feet and their keen sense of smell.

It had a strange short skull with rough bones, so in life its head had bulges and prominences like some current reptiles such as the Gila monster or some iguanas. Its hearing was also different to other abelisaurids. The make-up of its skull suggests this was better than most of the other abelisaurids and similar to that of modern-day crocodiles.

Its full name comes from the native Mapuche for 'one who causes fear' - Llukalkan, and the Latin for 'different skull' - aliocranianus.

It lived in the same small area and period of time as another species of furileusaurian (stiff-backed lizard) abelisaurid - Viavenator exxoni - just a few million years before the end of the age of dinosaurs.

Fossil remains of Llukalkan and Viavenator were found just 700m apart in the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, near the same famous fossil site at La Invernada, in Argentina.

"This is a particularly important discovery because it suggests that the diversity and abundance of abelisaurids were remarkable, not only across Patagonia, but also in more local areas during the dinosaurs' twilight period", says lead author Dr Federico Gianechini, a paleontologist at the National University of San Luis, Argentina.

Abelisauridae were a striking family of theropod dinosaurs averaging five to nine meters long that prowled mainly in Patagonia and other areas of the ancient southern subcontinent Gondwana - recognised today as Africa, India, Antarctica, Australia, and South America. To date, almost 10 species of this fearsome predator have been unearthed across Patagonia. While abelisaurids resembled T-Rex in general appearance with tiny stubby arms, they had unusually short, deep skulls which often bore crests, bumps, and horns, and were unique.

Moving upright on their hind limbs with huge claws that they may have used to stab their prey, Llukalkan had extremely powerful bites and very sharp teeth with which to tear down their prey while moving fast thanks to their powerful hind legs.

The fossilised remains of Llukalkan include a superbly preserved and uncrushed braincase. This new species is similar in many respects to Viavenator, except that it is smaller, the holes in the skull through which the veins pass are larger and more widely separated from the supraoccipital crest (one of the bones that forms the braincase), among other differences. But the new dinosaur's most distinctive feature is a small posterior air-filled sinus in the middle ear zone that has not been seen in any other abelisaurid found so far.

It means that Llukalkan likely heard differently to other abelisaurids - most probably better and similar to that of a modern day crocodile explains co-author Dr Ariel Mendez from the Patagonian Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Argentina.

"This finding implies a different hearing adaptation from other abelisaurids, and likely a keener sense of hearing", says Dr Mendez.

However it may have lived, the fossil evidence of Llukalkan's adaptations suggests that abelisaurids were flourishing right before the dinosaurs went extinct.

"These dinosaurs were still trying out new evolutionary pathways and rapidly diversifying right before they died out completely," adds Mendez.

Despite their significant finding there is still a lot to discover. "This discovery also suggests that there are likely more abelisaurid out there that we just haven't found yet, so we will be looking for other new species and a better understanding of the relationship among furilesaurs," says Gianechini.

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This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 13:24:47|Editor: huaxia

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Members of the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) hold a box containing the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of Indonesia's crashed Sriwijaya Air passenger plane in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 31, 2021. The CVR of Indonesia's crashed Sriwijaya Air passenger plane was recovered, which will significantly help investigators find out the cause of the incident that killed all 62 people on board, an official said here on Wednesday. (Photo by Arkaan Naru/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of Indonesia's crashed Sriwijaya Air passenger plane was recovered, which will significantly help investigators find out the cause of the incident that killed all 62 people on board, an official said here on Wednesday.

The CVR was recovered from the seafloor near the spot where the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was retrieved days after the crash, spokesman of the National Search and Rescue Office Yusuf Latief said.

The CVR had been found and It was not far from the spot where the FDR was retrieved, the official told Xinhua.

"Our team is involved in the search," he said.

Although search for the CVR was officially stopped weeks after the incident, the National Transport Safety Committee (KNKT) still made efforts to recover it, and several divers from the National and Rescue office as well as other teams were involved in the search, Latief said.

The Boeing 737-500 plane with flight number SJ-182 crashed into the Java Sea near Jakarta's Thousand islands regency on Jan. 9, 2021 shortly after taking off from the Jakarta International airport Soekarno-Hatta. The plane was heading to Pontianak city in West Kalimantan Province. Enditem
The rate at which the worlds forests are being destroyed has sharply increased last year, with at least 42,000 sq km of tree cover lost in key tropic regions, a joint report by the University of Maryland and Global Forest Watch revealed. Additionally, it also said that the total loss in 2020 was well above the average of the last 20 years and the third-highest since 2002. The green cover annihilation was maximum in tropical regions including the already endangered Amazon rainforests.

The loss was particularly severe in humid tropical primary forests, such as the Amazon, Congo, those in Southeast Asia. The tropics, which serve as major carbon sinks and vital ecosystem sustainers, lost about 12.2 million hectares. Out of the total, 4.2 million hectares consisted of humid primary forests. The loss amounted to a direct 12 per cent rise from the destruction recorded in 2019.

Brazil forested land fared worst, with 1.7 million hectares destroyed, an increase of about a quarter in the previous year. President Jair Bolsonaros role in increased deforestation in Amazon and surging forest fires served as the top reasons for the same. While Amazon forests gained global attention, scientists expressed equal concerns about Pantanal wetlands. About a third is estimated to have been hit by fires last year, with devastating effects on biodiversity.

The report also pointed out that wealthier countries were not immune to deforestation either. Germany, which possesses nearly 11.4 million hectares of forest area, witnesses a threefold increase in their loss since 2018. The increase was largely due to damage from bark beetles feasting on trees made vulnerable by the hot and dry weather brought by global heating. Meanwhile, Australia also saw a ninefold increase in the loss of tree cover over the past two years. Apart from the devastating forest fires, the island's extreme weather conditions also served as primary reasons for the same.

Image: glad.umd.edu

Conditions better in South-east Asia

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian nations of Indonesia and Malaysia claimed a slow but steady victory against deforestation. Tree loss in Indonesia in 2020 fell for the fourth year in a row, down from a peak in 2016. Malaysia, which has lost about a third of its primary forest since the 1970s, has also recently succeeded in reducing deforestation, with tougher laws on illegal logging.

Image Credits: Associated Press
Ukraine will be a high priority for the administration and theres no doubt that a call between President Biden and President Zelenskyy will happen - CDA Kristina Kvien

On the occasion womens history month, Interfax-Ukraine asked the U.S. Embassy Kyiv, which has a number of women serving in high profile positions, to respond to our questions on U.S.-Ukraine relations.

An exclusive interview with CDA Kristina Kvien, Economic Counselor Megan Bouldin, Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Sarah Langenkamp, USAID Deputy Mission Director Susan Kutor, Deputy Political Counselor Lynette Behnke for the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency

Text: Natalya Pushkaruk

- What is your assessment of economic reforms in Ukraine during the presidency of Volodymyr Zelensky: What are the achievements, and what are the U.S. expectations for further reforms?

- Kristina Kvien: Lets talk about successes first: One success is land reform, which is expected to be implemented this summer, for the first time creating a land market that will help unleash Ukraines vast agricultural potential. Parliament is also looking at a draft law right now that will ensure transparency in the future land market and provide financial assistance to Ukrainian farmers. That would be a important achievement on top of what has already been done in land reform.

Decentralization is another key reform  because for the first time local governments have the power to allocate budgets in line with local priorities. And a success that is on the way, it seems, is passage of a package of privatization bills. If it passes, it will lead to a more transparent and fair privatization process for state-owned firms, which could create a wave of foreign investment, help modernize these firms, and employ thousands of Ukrainians. These are all important achievements on the economic front.

Regarding our expectations, Id say that is not really the right word to use, because we work in partnership with Ukraine to help it build an economy for its own sake, so that the economy works for the Ukrainian people and so Ukraine can make real its own aspirations. This is a win-win situation. Because a prosperous, secure, peaceful and democratic Ukraine will strengthen Europe and be a strong U. S. partner.

To help Ukraine move towards membership in European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, Ukraine needs more transparency, less corruption, and a better business environment. Ukraines commitments under IMF, World Bank and EU financial assistance programs provide valuable roadmaps to follow. Changes in these areas will help Ukraine become the modern, Western country the Ukrainian people aspire to.

- U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in Congress that the United States intends to increase support for Ukraine, including in the economy. What exactly is it about?

- Kristina Kvien: Secretary Blinken said we intend to strengthen support, whether it's related to security, the economy, or Ukraines efforts to strengthen its own democracy. These are all necessary because Ukraine is facing aggression from Russia, and retrograde forces internally who, for selfish reasons, dont want to see Ukraine reduce corruption.

As the Biden administration develops its foreign policy approaches, we will have more details on new areas of collaboration.

- Will President Biden call President Zelenskyy? When?

- Kristina Kvien: Secretary Blinkens remarks confirm that Ukraine will be a high priority for the administration and theres no doubt that a call between President Biden and President Zelenskyy will happen. But Ill let Lynette answer this question.

- Lynette Behnke: Were very much looking forward to the two presidents having a chance to speak directly. Lets not overlook, though, how much we are accomplishing below the leader level. In early February, very early in this administration, Secretary Blinken spoke to his counterpart, Foreign Minister Kuleba. Defense Minister Taran has spoken with Defense Secretary Austin. Head of the Presidential Office Yermak spoke to National Security Advisor Sullivan. Other senior officials will connect in the near future.. And every day at Embassy Kyiv we are working together with our Ukrainian counterparts on our common priorities.

Both the White House and Secretary Blinken have repeatedly reinforced our commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Secretary made a very strong statement supporting Ukraine on the 7th anniversary of the purported annexation of Crimea. He made a special video to underline his personal commitment. The Biden administration has wholeheartedly welcomed Ukraines Crimean Platform initiative. Meanwhile, our security and development assistance continues unabated. To give a concrete example, we announced another tranche of $125 million in security assistance on March 5.

- What is your assessment of the fight against corruption in Ukraine: How sufficient are the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities to fight corruption, what steps should be taken immediately in this area?

- Kristina Kvien: This is a really critical area of collaboration, something that Secretary Blinken has made a point of highlighting. We need to start by acknowledging how challenging the fight against corruption is, because vested interests are working hard not only to undermine reforms, but also discredit the reform agenda with a never-ending stream of disinformation and false narratives.

Ultimately, its not the United States that will judge whether reforms are sufficient, but the Ukrainian people. President Zelenskyy campaigned on this idea when he ran for President. It is he  and the people that voted for him  who believe more must be done, and we are happy to support him in that effort. These reforms are what will secure a strong, prosperous democracy for Ukraine, and lead to full integration with NATO and the European Union.

But we have our Office Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement here, and Ill let her comment on process underway to combat corruption.

- Sarah Langenkamp: Speaking specifically, there are a few really important anti-corruption reforms that will make a big difference: Comprehensive judicial reform is the most important, because without independent and fair courts, you cant guarantee the rule of law, protect citizens from corruption and crime, or attract foreign investment. But you also have a series of critical draft laws in the Rada now that Ukraine needs to get right to create a strong anti-corruption architecture.

There are, first, draft laws related to judicial reform  specifically reform of the High Council of Justice and the re-establishment of the High Qualification Commission of Judges, and we have urged the authorities to ensure these reforms establish an accountable, independent, and credible judiciary that enjoys public trust, including through the meaningful participation of independent experts in selecting and vetting candidates.

Constitutional Court Reform is another top priority for protecting Ukraines reform agenda. As we saw when the CCU invalidated the National Asset Declaration Registry in October, there is a persistent threat that the CCU will be used by vested interests to invalidate reforms important for Ukraines Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Speaking of the asset declaration registry, we are encouraged by the priority President Zelenskyy has placed on reinstating proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for submission of false asset declarations. Thats another bill that is waiting in the Rada. Passage of this law will be an important demonstration of the commitment to address some of these more challenging and strategic reforms.

Lastly, Id say other important reforms are related to preserving the independence and effectiveness of the anti-corruption infrastructure. Re-establishing NABUs constitutionality while ensuring its continued independence following the CCU decision last October is critically important to strengthening the fight against corruption. The appointment of a highly-qualified and independent Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor is another important ongoing effort that demonstrates Ukraines commitment to institutionalizing independent anti-corruption efforts.

- Kristina Kvien: In all of this, we have to acknowledge the many positive steps that Ukraine has taken against oligarchs and agents of malign foreign influence in Ukraine. We supported the moves to sanction Victor Medvedchuk, Taras Kozak. They have been using their media assets for years to undermine Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.. We were encouraged by the move to sanction a Chinese company for attempting to improperly acquire control of Motor Sichs sensitive technology. The recent charges against former PrivatBank executives are an important first step toward holding accountable the oligarchs accused of stealing billions from the Ukrainian people. We were also encouraged also by moves to hold accountable those responsible for meddling in U.S. elections.

- You mentioned comprehensive judicial reform. What assistance can Washington provide along the way, and what is needed for this long-awaited reform to succeed?

- Susan Kutor: Ukraine is at a pivotal point for advancing judicial reform, which is really the key for unlocking progress on the anti-corruption agenda and for boosting not only investor and public confidence in the system, but also economic growth overall. It is striking how the Ukrainian public views the judicial system: According to recent polling by the National Democratic Institute, roughly just one-in-ten Ukrainians trust the judicial system and courts! Part of the problem is that judicial reforms of recent years have been piecemeal and have not fully addressed the increasing challenges undermining the rule of law and fair application of justice. I think what Ukrainians want isjudicial reform that is holistic and comprehensive.

There have been some positive steps. Ukraines Legal Reform Commission is now finalizing its forthcoming Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the Judiciary, which can serve as an important roadmap for comprehensive judicial reform. Ukrainian authorities are considering important draft laws to reform the High Council of Justice and reestablish the High Qualifications Commission of Judges. These judicial governance bodies are at the center of the judiciary and their reform is a prerequisite for credible reform elsewhere in the justice system. Moreover, authorities are planning important reforms to the Constitutional Court and its decision-making process. With this strategy and other reforms that are coming to central judicial bodies, Ukraine does have an enormous opportunity to advance meaningful judicial reform.

However, there is something important to remember: to capitalize on this opportunity and for these reforms to succeed, they need to be implemented in accordance with Venice Commission recommendations and international standards. This means Ukraine needs to commitment itself to a transparent, impartial, and independent selection process for new judicial body members, based on criteria for integrity and professional competence, including the participation of independent experts. And this is something we are helping with. The U.S. government, including USAID, will continue to support Ukrainian partners in all three branches of government, as well as with civil society, to advance meaningful judicial reforms and enhance access to justice for all Ukrainians.

- Is the United States ready to resume the issuance of guarantees for Ukrainian Eurobonds, in particular, this year, so that Ukraine can refinance $ 1 billion in September?

- Megan Bouldin: Ukraine continues to have access to substantial amounts inexpensive financing through its agreements with the IMF, the World Bank and the EU. To access this financing, Ukraine will need to continue with the types of reforms we have been discussing in relation to anti-corruption institutions, the judiciary, the energy sector, land reform, the budget and the central bank.

As a result of post-Maidan reforms, in recent years Ukraine also has been able to effectively access world capital markets to meet its borrowing needs. A successful program of reforms will only improve Ukraines market standing and lower borrowing costs. The new administration is examining many ways it can expand support for Ukraine, but the United States has not provided this type of guarantee for several years.

- What caused the pause in projects for Ukraine by DFC (former OPIC) and USAID recently? What financial assistance and in what areas could Ukraine count on?

- Susan Kutor: USAID has provided steady assistance - without pause - in many areas, including agriculture, decentralization, digitalization of services, energy security, civil society, and of course healthcare. Over the past year, the U.S. Government has provided almost $50 Million in assistance specifically to help Ukraine address the many challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic  through USAID, the Centers for Disease Control, and many other U.S. Government agencies. to name but a few. In just the business arena, we are helping the government and private sector develop policies that will foster a better climate for economic growth and investment, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To increase Ukraines energy security, were helping strengthen the electricity, district heating, and natural gas markets by making them more transparent and connecting them to Europes markets and grid. Were also working with the NBU to strengthen the financial sector overall, particularly in helping to create laws and regulations for non-banking financial institutions, such as leasing companies and credit unions. Were also helping increase access to banking services for more Ukrainians. For example, we are partnering with financial service providers, such as credit unions, to increase critically-needed access to credit for smallholder farms. In particular, there are two ongoing loan portfolio guarantees with commercial banks that will provide nearly $18 million to small and medium farmers.

- How do you assess protection of intellectual property rights in Ukraine. How big are the chances that Ukraine may fall under sanctions again?

- Megan Bouldin: Over the past couple of years, Ukraine has made important strides in its protection of intellectual property rights but there is still much work that needs to get done. The finalization of the collective management organization (CMO) accreditation selection process in December was a notable milestone for Ukraine in fulfilling the 2018 legislation to establish a fair and transparent system of CMOs. Now the government needs to execute on this work.

Ukraine also needs legislative reforms to strengthen online IP enforcement. The Cyber Police continue to combat on-line piracy - a problem that robs Ukraines innovators of their deserved income - yet the laws and mechanisms do not exist to fully enforce their work. Investigations are unnecessarily cumbersome and violators often get away with minimal punishment.

- It is expected that from July 1, 2021, citizens of Ukraine can acquire ownership of agricultural land up to 100 hectares. What are your expectations for the implementation of land reform in Ukraine and do you see any opposition to its implementation?

- Susan Kutor: As Charge Kvien mentioned at the beginning, land reform is expected to be implemented this summer, for the first time creating a land market that will help unleash Ukraines vast agricultural potential. This is a historic moment for the country, an opportunity to improve the economic well-being of people, especially those living in rural areas. For land reform to succeed, it has to provide equal opportunities for every Ukrainian by ensuring access to finance, protecting property rights, empowering communities to effectively manage their land, and incorporating anti-corruption safeguards. To achieve this, a comprehensive set of legislation has to be adopted and implemented by July 1, 2021. Much remains to be done within this extremely short time frame. Now is a critical moment for policy makers to find the will to complete land reform in a way that will benefit all Ukrainians.

- What reforms are needed to increase US investment in Ukraine? Are there preconditions for this, especially when there's a pandemic?

- Megan Bouldin: I think weve spoken a bit about this already, but when you talk to U.S. investors, what you hear loud and clear is that justice sector reform is their highest priority. There is huge potential to attract significantly more investment, but many investors are deterred by the perception that Ukrainian courts do not ensure a level playing field, that they dont effectively enforce contracts, that they dont protect personal, corporate, and intellectual property rights.

There are few other key areas that would help attract foreign investment: Central bank independence is key to provide predictable exchange rate policy and attract investment in the banking sector, and passage of a package of privatization bills that makes privatization transparent and fair would really attract a lot of investors.

- American experts from the Atlantic Council prepared a strategy for President Biden for Ukraine and recommended that the US administration firmly pursue a policy aimed at ending the Nord Stream-2 project. What is the chance that the United States will impose economic sanctions that will make it impossible to complete the construction of Nord Stream-2?

- Kristina Kvien: As the President has said, Nord Stream 2 is a bad deal  for Germany, for Ukraine, and for our Central and Eastern European allies and partners. Its a project that aims to divide Europe. It exposes Ukraine and Central Europe to Russian manipulation and it goes against Europes stated energy security goal.

On sanctions, our Congress passed sanctions on Nord Stream 2 in 2019 and 2020 with significant bipartisan support and the Biden Administration is committed to complying with that legislation. As we have said, any entity involved in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline should immediately abandon work on the pipeline or risk U.S. sanctions.

Sanctions are only one of among many important tools here, and we will work closely with everyone to reinforce European energy security and safeguard against predatory behavior like this.
TORONTO - A planned takeover of Shaw Communications' Freedom Mobile banner by Rogers would undermine nearly 15 years of government policy supporting strong competitors to the country's three biggest wireless carriers, Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau told MPs Wednesday.

A woman holds two cellphones in this photo illustration, Monday March 29, 2021 in Chelsea, Que. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology is holding hearings about a proposed takeover of Shaw Communications and Freedom Mobile by rival Rogers Communications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

TORONTO - A planned takeover of Shaw Communications' Freedom Mobile banner by Rogers would undermine nearly 15 years of government policy supporting strong competitors to the country's three biggest wireless carriers, Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau told MPs Wednesday.

"Rogers' proposed deal to acquire Shaw will result in a return to Square 1, and the elimination of the fourth player essential to maintaining real competition," Peladeau said in French during an hour of virtual testimony.

"The various regulatory authorities as well as you members of Parliament have to ask yourself the following question: Do consumers in other provinces deserve to have the same experience as those in Quebec, and the Maritime provinces?"

Quebecor's Videotron wireless, cable TV and internet service has emerged as a strong competitor in Quebec to the three national carriers  Rogers, Bell and Telus. In Atlantic Canada, the Eastlink communications business plays a similar role as a fourth alternative to the Big Three.

Freedom has been a growing competitor in parts of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia since the former Wind Mobile was bought by Shaw in 2016.

Peladeau's comments came as the Commons Industry, Science and Technology committee reviews Rogers Communications's proposed $26-billion purchase of Shaw.

Among those to speak out against the Rogers-Shaw deal on Wednesday was Laura Tribe, Ottawa-based executive director of the Open Media consumer advocacy group.

"You must oppose the sale of Shaw to Rogers," Tribe said bluntly in her prepared remarks.

"Big Telecom is already too big. Canadians already have too few choices. We simply can't afford a massive step backwards."

The committee's approval isn't a condition of the Rogers-Shaw deal, but the backbench MPs could be influential with their respective parties  especially given that the governing Liberals don't have a clear majority in the House.

The committee is also expected to question representatives of three key regulatory bodies in hearings next week: CRTC chairman Ian Scott, Competition Commissioner Matthew Boswell and officials from the Department of Industry.

Speaking in English later in Wednesday's hearing, Peladeau said that it would be important for the Department of Industry, Science and Economic Development (ISED) to make sure that spectrum  the radiofrequencies necessary for wireless communication  to be "well distributed" among operators.

"And to make sure there's not going to be any lack of spectrum for the new entrants, because these are the ones that didn't have the chance to enjoy being in business for the last 30 years, so they lack the same amount of spectrum that  the incumbents are enjoying right now," Peladeau said.

The next spectrum auction will begin later this year, before the Rogers-Shaw deal is expected to close. Executives of those two companies have declined to talk about details of their spectrum bidding plans, noting the strict confidentiality imposed by the body that runs the auction.

The Rogers-Shaw deal announced March 15 and expected to close in early 2022 needs regulatory approval to go forward from three separate arms of ISED: the Department of Industry, which is responsible for auctioning spectrum licences, the CRTC telecommunications regulator and the Competition Bureau.

Rogers and Freedom Mobile  which is Canada's fourth-largest wireless carrier in terms of subscriber base  are direct competitors in some retail markets and likely potential competitors in the spectrum auction.

Peladeau's Quebecor and its Videotron subsidiary are relatively new competitors in the wireless industry but have become strong competitors in Quebec.

Later in the hearing, Peladeau said he wasn't concerned about Rogers buying the Shaw cable and internet business because the two cable systems are geographically separate and don't compete with each other or Videotron.

Peladeau and Tribe were among those who addressed the industry committee Wednesday. All of them warned of the risk to competition posed by the Rogers-Shaw deal.

However, some committee members pointed out that the chief executives of Rogers and Shaw both testified on Monday that a larger Rogers would be more competitive  particularly against BCE's Bell Canada and Telus Corp.

Although Rogers has the largest wireless subscriber base in the country, Bell and Telus have almost as many wireless customers and together the Big Three account for about 90 per cent of Canada's wireless market.

In addition to their own flagship brands, the Big Three have secondary brands to compete with each other and with independent brands such as Freedom, Videotron, Eastlink and a few others such as Saskatchewan's SaskTel.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:RCI.B, TSX:SJR.B, TSX:QBR.B)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 11:28:51|Editor: huaxia

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Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R), former chairperson of the National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, presents a bouquet to congratulate her successor Vuong Dinh Hue at the 11th session of the 14th NA in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, March 31, 2021. The NA of Vietnam on Wednesday elected here Vuong Dinh Hue as its new chairman at the ongoing 11th session of the 14th NA. (VNA/Handout via Xinhua)

HANOI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam on Wednesday elected here Vuong Dinh Hue as its new chairman at the ongoing 11th session of the 14th NA.

A resolution on electing Hue as the chairman of the NA and chairman of the National Election Council was adopted with an approval rate of 98.54 percent, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Prior to the election, Hue, 64, served as secretary of the Municipal Party Committee of Hanoi since February 2020.

In his sworn-in statement, Hue vowed to be absolutely loyal to the nation, the people and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and to make every effort to fulfill the duty assigned by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the state and the people.

On Tuesday, the NA relieved Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan from the duties of chairwoman of the NA and chairwoman of the National Election Council. A nomination list for the election of a new leader to the two positions was submitted afterwards by the NA Standing Committee for deputies' discussion.

According to Vietnamese legal regulations, the working tenure of the NA Chairperson is coincident with the tenure of the NA. Enditem
As political leaders across the country consider whether to implement a so-called vaccine passport allowing people to digitally prove their COVID-19 vaccination status, some groups are raising the alarm.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he is open to the idea of the private sector requiring vaccine passports for people wanting to participate where crowds are gathering.

Because its your choice, right, and if people ask you to show that for a particular venue or a private venue that have the ability and right to do that you dont have to show that to them. You dont have to go to that venue and be engaged in that activity either, Pritzker said.

Part of the next phase of the governors reopening plan has people who prove their vaccinations not count against continued capacity restrictions.

Officials in New York have released their version of a vaccine passport system. Floridas governor is expected to issue executive orders prohibiting such requirements, even in private businesses.

Alexis Hancock, director of engineering with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group focused on civil liberties in the digital world, said such systems will marginalize various populations further and create haves and have nots if implemented beyond international travel.

With that scope creep it does create that sort of condition within society where its like hey, you havent been vaccinated yet and you cant access these services, and so thats what were really worried about.

Hancock also raised concerns over people handing over private medical information to third-party private vendors that could be hacked.

NAACP Illinois Conference President Teresa Haley said getting the vaccine is an individual choice, something everyone has to consider with recommendations from health professionals. But, she said some people cant get the shot for medical reasons or religious reasons and requiring vaccine proof to take part in normal society crosses the line.

I think thats an invasion of privacy, Haley told WMAY. I think thats a civil rights violation.

Some argue it should be up to the private business to dictate such requirements.

To go in and have to prove that youre vaccinated with your smartphone to get a cup of coffee or to access public services we are afraid that will create a digital barrier on people and create more concern than necessary to get the economy open.

Hancock said that will harm society in the long run.

We believe next year if the vaccine becomes more available and it should these systems dont need to be put in place, she said. We are afraid that these permanent systems will evolve into something else in the future if they mandate such a thing now. Its creating a divide of whos been vaccinated and whos not.
A New Orleans jury convicted a woman Thursday night of manslaughter for the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old woman from Denham Springs in June 2016.

The jury deliberated for more than three hours before convicting Breyiana Brown, 22. She faces a maximum 40-year sentence at a July 9 hearing in front of Criminal District Court Judge Keva Landrum-Johnson.

The three-day trial centered on the relationship between Brown, an admitted drug dealer, and Michelle Verasmende, a recent high school graduate who had struggled with substance abuse problems.

Authorities alleged that Brown and a still unidentified man shot Verasmende in the parking lot of the Mark VII apartments in New Orleans East on July 13, 2016, in a dispute over a drug debt. They said Verasmende had stolen heroin that Brown intended to sell.

"While some tend to diminish the humanity of victims in drug-related killings, no one deserves to die so violently over substance abuse issues, especially at a young age. We appreciate that this panel gave our victim the empathy and justice she deserves, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said in a statement.

Brown was charged with second-degree murder, but the jury convicted her on the lesser crime of manslaughter. She also was convicted of obstruction of justice in a homicide investigation, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

A key piece of evidence was a surveillance video showing Brown and a man in a car at the apartment complex in the 4500 block of Papania Drive.

Brown, who took the stand on Thursday, acknowledged that she was in the apartment complex's parking lot when Verasmende died. But she blamed the killing on a man she said she knew only as Lil Mike.

Brown said she sold heroin and cocaine that summer to try to pay her way through college. Verasmende was a frequent customer, she said.

On the morning of the killing, Verasmendes path crossed with Lil' Mike's. Brown said she had let the man stay at her apartment on Iberville Street in the French Quarter because his mother had kicked him out.

Lil' Mike accused Verasmende of stealing drugs from the apartment, Brown said.

He was mad, he was fussing at her and cursing out, she said. Lil' Mike kept talking about what was missing, the dope that was missing. He wanted her to pay him.

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The argument continued later in the day as Verasmende drove with the others to the Mark VII apartments in New Orleans East to buy crack cocaine, Brown said. It reached a boiling point as they pulled into the parking lot, according to Brown. She said that Verasmende pulled a knife on Lil' Mike, and Brown pointed a gun at her.

I pulled out the revolver. Then I told her to put the knife down, Brown said. I was shaking with the gun, because I never pulled a gun, never pointed it toward nobody.

Brown said that as Verasmende turned around to face her, Lil' Mike swatted her knife away. Then he stepped out of the car, pulled out a gun of his own and shot Verasmende dead.

She was shot four times in the back of the head.

I froze once I saw that Michelle was dead. I just couldnt believe that he had just killed her, Brown said.

Brown said she watched as Lil' Mike pulled Verasmendes body out of the car and threw it on the ground near a dumpster. They sped off with Brown at the wheel, she acknowledged.

I just felt like if he did this to her, then he would do the same thing to me. Because he didnt hesitate, she said. I couldnt believe I was in that situation.

Brown said she did not go to the police because she feared that Lil Mike would kill her or her mother.

On cross-examination, however, Assistant District Attorney Kevin Guillory pressed Brown on why she pulled out a gun and why she never called police, even days later.

You think by putting a loaded gun to somebodys head thats going to calm them down? Guillory asked.

I just was trying to scare her. I wasnt trying to fire the gun, Brown replied.

Guillory also noted that call records show that Brown called Verasmende 64 times on the day of the killing. He suggested that it might have been because Brown was angry that money and drugs were missing from the apartment.

I dont know if I called her 64 times, Brown said. I called a lot of people a lot.
The new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers great opportunities for intra-African trade to prosper: 1.3 billion people can be served and over US$3 trillion markets can be tapped.



The CEO of AIDEC Holdings Ltd, Mr Ambrose Yennah, believes that digital technologies will play a major role in driving business growth and success on the Continent in the coming decade. He expects digitalization to facilitate the flow of goods, ideas and capital, and bolster innovation in the public and private sectors of Africa.



However, governments and business leaders face the challenge of crafting and executing clear strategies to harness the benefits of digitalisation.



AIDEC Consultancies International Ltd, a subsidiary of AIDEC Holdings Ltd, launches The AIDEC Digital Solutions and Excellence Center to provide digital solutions for businesses, public sector institutions and corporate organizations and Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs).



The Center will help organisations INNOVATE, STRATEGISE and EXECUTE their frontline and backbone technology plans. The Center will help drive DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION across the African Continent. The Team at AIDEC will work passionately to maximise our clients DiGiTaL-eDGe in Africa.



We will help them (clients) wire their organisations for the future. We will work with clients in the health, banking and finance, energy, education, retail and agric sectors to drive growth, efficiency and innovation using technology that works for people, profit and the planet!



Our sensitivity to the environment means that we will work with clients to explore green technologies to power clean and sustainable development on the Continent. The Team at AIDEC Consultancies International Ltd is excited to unveil its new baby to the public. We look forward to fostering prosperous partnerships across Africa to bridge digital skills gaps and offer high-quality technology consulting services, Mr Yennah said.



Prof. Robert Yennah, Chairman of the AIDEC Board of Directors dared individuals to seek to become Digital Citizens, by acquiring the relevant knowledge and skills to confidently, positively and effectively use digital technologies to communicate with others, participate in society, create and consume digital content.



Companies today are rushing to become more digital, so as to avoid being outmoded or folding up, because going digital is the new normal for doing business and engaging with customers, improving customer care and business outcomes.



Finally, going digital is a Technological and Organisational process that allows an enterprise to be agile and fast. The digital mindset of a company enables it to use data to make better and faster decisions in order to grow, blossom and be more profitable, Prof. Yennah added.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Skeptical Science New Research for Week #12, 2021

Posted on 31 March 2021 by doug_bostrom

Short sharp slap

In the world of child psychology it's agreed that smacking youngsters isn't productive even as a slap certainly fixes attention. Our planet is notionally governed by proclaimed adults however and perhaps the psychology is different in this context. Perhaps an unmistakable signal will help to change attitudes. In any case, in their succinct and pointed opinion piece for journal EcoHealth Weinstein & Daszak lay out their skepticism over humankind's collective effort to address the climate mess we've all helped to create, beginning with a title guaranteed to seize our focus and fully redolent of an adult who has lost patience. Failing Efforts to Mitigate Climate Change are a Futile Band-Aid that will not Stop Other Elephants Filling the Room delivers a synopsis of our failure modes and lends the effort a public health perspective:



As all of us working in public health know, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, fixing disasters after they happen is more costly and less effective than preventing them. Of course it is better to invest in fencing cliffs, rather than buying ambulances to deal with the people who fall off: every public health students knows that! But the social, economic, and political realities are such that there has been little to no investment in adequate fencing, which is why no significant progress has really occurred since the Paris Accord. Climate change is just one symptom of a far deeper malaise that our planet is dealing witha decline to a future earth that may verge on uninhabitable for many of us. That decline, in our Anthropocene Era, during the Great Acceleration has climate change as just one of a series of ecological insults to our planet that need critical work to reduce, wind down, and turn back (Steffen et al. 2015). This is why our current efforts to deal with climate change are no more than a band-aid, treating the symptoms of the Great Acceleration rather than the cause, and doing a poor job of even that. Band-aids on such a chronic underlying malaise are at best futile. At worst, they are a negligent misuse of our resources, and a frittering away of the critical time in which it will be possible to start reversing our decline. Indeed, they border on irrelevant compared to some of the other elephants in the room.

The entirety of Weinstein & Daszak's swift kick is open access, fully shareable to those already in agreement and especially for other more productive venues where wishful thinking in all of its forms is holding us back from repairing our climate problem.

104 articles

Observations of climate change, effects

Observational evidence of increasing global radiative forcing

Kramer et al 2021 Geophysical Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1002/essoar.10506610.1

Recent Water Mass Changes Reveal Mechanisms of Ocean Warming

Zika et al 2020

Open Access DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0355.1

Observed trends in clouds and precipitation (19832009): implications for their cause(s)

Zhong et al 2020

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/acp-2020-577

Linear and nonlinear trend analyses in global satellite-based precipitation, 1998-2017

Kazemzadeh et al 2021 Earth's Future

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1029/2020ef001835

Satellite-observed decreases in water turbidity in the Pearl River Estuary: potential linkage with sea-level rise

Wang et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jc016842

Changes in below-cloud evaporation affect precipitation isotopes during five decades of warming across China

Wang et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jd033075

U.S. Extreme Precipitation Weather Types Increased in Frequency During the 20th Century

Recent global decrease in the inner-core rain rate of tropical cyclones

Tu et al 2021 Nature Communications

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22304-y

Increasingly severe cyanobacterial blooms and deep water hypoxia coincide with warming water temperatures in reservoirs

Smucker et al 2021 Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15618

Wet-to-dry climate shift of the Sichuan Basin during 19612010

Jia et al 2021 Climate Dynamics

DOI: 10.1007/s00382-021-05734-8

Quantifying and projection of the relative impacts of climate change and direct human activities on streamflow fluctuations

Dariane & Pouryafar 2021 Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03060-w

Observed Changes in Air Temperature and Precipitation Extremes over Brazil

Regoto et al 2021 International Journal of Climatology

DOI: 10.1002/joc.7119

The effect of climate change on indicators of fire danger in the UK

Publishing 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abd9f2

Anthropogenic warming of Tibetan Plateau and constrained future projection

Zhou & Zhang 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abede8

Instrumentation & observational methods of climate change, effects

Contrasting observed atmospheric responses to tropical SST warming patterns

Mackie et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1029/2020jd033564

Assessing local CO 2 contamination revealed by two near-by high altitude records at Jungfraujoch, Switzerland

Indicators of climate change impacts on the water cycle and water management

Peters-Lidard et al 2021 Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03057-5

A Closer Look at Power-Law Scaling Applied to Sea Surface Temperature from Scripps Pier Using Empirical Mode Decomposition

Modeling, simulation & projection of climate change, effects

Arctic Ocean freshwater in CMIP6 Ensembles: Declining Sea Ice, Increasing Ocean Storage and Export

Zanowski et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jc016930

Future changes in early spring wind speed and surface warming acceleration in snow-covered areas

Nosaka et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jd034089

Nonlinear coupling between longwave radiative climate feedbacks

Huang & Huang 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jd033995

Enhanced climate response to ozone depletion from ozone-circulation coupling

Lin et al 2020

DOI: 10.1029/2020jd034286

An ensemble of daily simulated runoff data (19812099) under climate change conditions for 93 catchments in Switzerland (Hydro-CH2018-Runoff ensemble)

Muelchi et al 2021 Geoscience Data Journal

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1002/gdj3.117

Larger spatial footprint of wintertime total precipitation extremes in a warmer climate

Bevacqua et al 2021 Geophysical Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1002/essoar.10505310.1

Present and Future of Rainfall in Antarctica

Vignon et al 2021 Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2020gl092281

Changes in Annual Extremes of Daily Temperature and Precipitation in CMIP6 Models

Li et al 2020 Journal of Climate

DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-19-1013.1

The Brewer-Dobson circulation in CMIP6

Abalos et al 2021

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/acp-2021-206

Quantifying and projection of the relative impacts of climate change and direct human activities on streamflow fluctuations

Dariane & Pouryafar 2021 Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03060-w

Projected changes in wind speed and wind energy potential over West Africa in CMIP6 models

Akinsanola et al 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abed7a

Projection on precipitation frequency of different intensities and precipitation amount in the Lancang-Mekong River basin in the 21st century

Sun et al 2021 Advances in Climate Change Research

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2021.03.001

Advances in climate & climate effects modeling, simulation & projection

Assessment and Ranking of Climate Models in Arctic Sea Ice Cover Simulation: From CMIP5 to CMIP6

Shen et al 2021 Journal of Climate

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0294.1

Bias correction of ocean bottom temperature and salinity simulations from a regional circulation model using regression kriging

Chang et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jc017140

Effect of resolving ocean eddies on the transient response of global mean surface temperature to abrupt 4xCO2 forcing

Cryosphere & climate change

The tipping points and early warning indicators for Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica

Rosier et al 2020

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-15-1501-2021

The influence of key climate variables on mass balance of Naimonanyi Glacier on a north-facing slope in the western Himalayas

Zhu et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jd033956

Synoptic mode of Antarctic summer sea ice superimposed on interannual and decadal variability

Yu et al 2021 Advances in Climate Change Research

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2021.03.008

Elements of future snowpack modeling  part 1: A physical instability arising from the non-linear coupling of transport and phase changes

Schurholt et al 2021

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-2021-72

Elements of future snowpack modeling  part 2: A modular and extendable EulerianLagrangian numerical scheme for coupled transport, phase changes and settling processes

Simson et al 2021

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-2021-73

Biology & climate change

Drivers of local extinction risk in alpine plants under warming climate

Nomoto et al 2021

DOI: 10.1111/ele.13727

Reduced frost hardiness in temperate woody species due to climate warming: a model-based analysis

Tao et al 2021 Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03074-4

Radial growth of Larix sibirica was more sensitive to climate at low than high altitudes in the Altai Mountains, China

Sensitivity of recruitment and growth of alpine treeline birch to elevated temperature

Du et al 2021 Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2021.108403

Spatial and temporal differences in the response of Larix sibirica to climate change in the central Altai Mountains

Foul-weather friends: Modelling thermal stress mitigation by symbiotic endolithic microbes in a changing environment

Zardi et al 2021 Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15616

Effects of climate change on a subtropical montane peatland over the last two centuries: Evidence from diatom records

Chen et al 2021 The Holocene

DOI: 10.1177/09596836211003220

The importance of warm habitat to the growth regime of cold-water fishes

Armstrong et al 2021 Nature Climate Change

DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-00994-y

Plant genotype controls wetland soil microbial functioning in response to sea-level rise

Tang et al 2021

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/bg-2021-41

Increasing shrub damage by invertebrate herbivores in the warming and drying tundra of West Greenland

GHG sources & sinks, flux

Critical inundation level for methane emissions from wetlands

Calabrese et al 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abedea

Impact of dust addition on the metabolism of Mediterranean plankton communities and carbon export under present and future conditions of pH and temperature

Gazeau et al 2021

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/bg-2021-20

Hotspots of diffusive CO2 and CH4 emission from tropical reservoirs shift through time

Drivers of methane flux differ between lakes and reservoirs, complicating global upscaling efforts

Deemer & Holgerson 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2019jg005600

Radiocarbon Data Reveal Contrasting Sources for Carbon Fractions in Thermokarst Lakes and Rivers of Eastern Canada (Nunavik, Quebec)

Gonzalez Moguel et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jg005938

Global trends in air-water CO2 exchange over seagrass meadows revealed by atmospheric Eddy Covariance

Van Dam et al 2021

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1002/essoar.10504484.1

Greenhouse gases (CO 2 and CH 4 ) at an urban background site in Athens, Greece: Levels, sources and impact of atmospheric circulation

Recent global land cover dynamics and implications for soil erosion and carbon losses from deforestation

Hu et al 2021 Anthropocene

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.ancene.2021.100291

Changes in carbon storage since the pre-industrial era: a national scale analysis

Janes-Bassett et al 2021 Anthropocene

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.ancene.2021.100289

Cumulative emissions accounting of greenhouse gases due to path independence for a sufficiently rapid emissions cycle

Seshadri 2021 Climate Dynamics

DOI: 10.1007/s00382-021-05739-3

Comparison of uncertainty quantification techniques for national greenhouse gas inventories

Fortin 2021 Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

DOI: 10.1007/s11027-021-09947-4

Carbon cycle dynamics during episodes of rapid climate change

CO2 removal & mitigation science & engineering

Comparison of CO2 absorption performance between methyl-di-ethanolamine and tri-ethanolamine solution systems and its analysis in terms of amine molecules

Heterotrophic respiration and the divergence of productivity and carbon sequestration

Noormets et al 2021 Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2020gl092366

Above ground biomass carbon assessment using field, satellite data and model based integrated approach to predict the carbon sequestration potential of major land use sector of Arunachal Himalaya, India

Das et al 2021 Carbon Management

DOI: 10.1080/17583004.2021.1899753

Decarbonization

A two-step approach to evaluate drivers and barriers to clean energy policies: Italian regional evidence

Boffardi et al 2021 Environmental Science & Policy

DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2021.03.006

Climate change communications & cognition

Natural gas  friend or foe of the environment? Evaluating the framing contest over natural gas through a public opinion survey in the Pacific Northwest

Hazboun et al 2018 Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(70)91964-1

Climate urgency: evidence of its effects on decision making in the laboratory and the field

Wilson & Orlove 2021 Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

DOI: 10.1016/j.cosust.2021.02.007

Risk Perceptions of Nuclear Energy, Climate Change, and Earthquake: How Are They Correlated and Differentiated by Ideologies?

Bian et al 2021 Climate Risk Management

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100297

Psychological dimensions of climate change: perceptions, collective efficacy, and responses in Berehet District, north Shoa, Ethiopia

Ayal et al 2021 Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03033-z

Hot dry days increase perceived experience with global warming

Marlon et al 2019 SSRN Electronic Journal

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102247

Seeing with Empty Eyes: a systems approach to understand climate change and mental health in Bangladesh

Hayward & Ayeb-Karlsson 2021 Climatic Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03053-9

A Comparison of Government Communication of Climate Change in Hong Kong and United Kingdom

Ferranti et al 2021 Weather, Climate, and Society,

DOI: 10.1175/wcas-d-20-0123.1

Agronomy, animal husbundry, food production & climate change

Livelihood resilience to environmental changes in areas of Kenya and Cameroon: a comparative analysis

Awazi & Quandt 2021 Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03073-5

Making climate information useable for forest-based climate change interventions in South Africa

Ofoegbu & Ifejika Speranza 2021 Environmental Sociology

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1080/23251042.2021.1904534

Improving the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in supporting farmers to adapt to climate change: insights from northeastern Ghana

Antwi-Agyei & Stringer 2021 Climate Risk Management

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100304

The climate responsibilities of industrial meat and dairy producers

Lazarus et al 2021 Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03047-7

Role of the Finnish forest industry in mitigating global change: energy use and greenhouse gas emissions towards 2035

Lipiainen & Vakkilainen 2021 Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s11027-021-09946-5

Effects of biochar on methane emission, grain yield, and soil in rice cultivation in Thailand

Sriphirom et al 2021 Carbon Management

DOI: 10.1080/17583004.2021.1885257

Farmers preferences for climate-smart cowpea varieties: implications for crop breeding programmes

Martey et al 2021 Climate and Development

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1080/17565529.2021.1889949

Agricultural intensification and climate change have increased the threat from weeds

Storkey et al 2021 Global Change Biology

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15585

Effects of extreme temperature on Chinas tea production

Yan et al 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abede6

Economics & finance of climate change & mitigation

Determinants of financial-risk preparedness for climate change: Case of Fiji

Saliya & Sri Wickrama 2021 Advances in Climate Change Research

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2021.03.012

The relationship between economic growth, renewable and nonrenewable energy use and CO2 emissions: empirical evidences for Brazil

Amarante et al 2021 Greenhouse Gases

DOI: 10.1002/ghg.2054

Does globalization matter for environmental degradation? Nexus among energy consumption, economic growth, and carbon dioxide emission

Jun et al 2021 Energy Policy

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112230

Does carbon pricing reduce emissions? A review of ex-post analyses

Green 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abdae9

Current carbon prices dont stack up to much land use change, despite bundled ecosystem service co-benefits

Summers et al 2021 Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15613

Demand side climate change mitigation actions and SDGs: literature review with systematic evidence search

Roy et al 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abd81a

Climate change impacts on human health

Burning embers: synthesis of the health risks of climate change

Ebi et al 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abeadd

Population exposure to precipitation extremes in the Indus River Basin at 1.5C, 2 C and 3C warming levels

JianTing et al 2021 Advances in Climate Change Research

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2021.03.005

Mortality benefit of building adaptations to protect care home residents against heat risks in the context of uncertainty over loss of life expectancy from heat

Ibbetson et al 2021 Climate Risk Management

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100307

Air quality and health implications of 1.5 C2 C climate pathways under considerations of ageing population: a multi-model scenario analysis

Rafaj et al 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abdf0b

Climate change adaptation & adaptation public policy research

Modeling human migration under environmental change: a case study of the effect of sea level rise in Bangladesh

De Lellis et al 2021 Earth's Future

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1029/2020ef001931

Assessment of future flood hazards for southeastern Texas: Synthesizing subsidence, sea-level rise, and storm surge scenarios

Miller & Shirzaei 2021 Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2021gl092544

Integrating new sea-level scenarios into coastal risk and adaptation assessments: An ongoing process

Nicholls et al 2021 WIREs Climate Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1002/wcc.706

He who pays the piper calls the tune: understanding collaborative governance and climate change adaptation in northern Ghana

Dapilah et al 2021 Climate Risk Management

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100306

Climate-Change-Induced Disasters And Cultural Heritage: Optimizing Management Strategies In Central Europe

Cacciotti et al 2021 Climate Risk Management

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100301

Building-level Adaptation Analysis under uncertain Sea-Level Rise

Han 2021 Climate Risk Management

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100305

The adaptive benefits of agricultural water markets in California

Arellano-Gonzalez et al 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abde5b

Climate change impacts on human culture

Understanding the Economic Impacts of Sea-Level Rise on Tourism Prosperity: Conceptualization and Panel Data Evidence

Yong 2021 Advances in Climate Change Research

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2021.03.009

Global warming and population change both heighten future risk of human displacement due to river floods

Kam et al 2021 Environmental Research Letters

Open Access DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abd26c

Other

Bibliometric research on the development of climate change in the BRI regions

TAN et al 2021 Advances in Climate Change Research

Open Access DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2021.03.010

Early growing season anomalies in vegetation activity determine the large-scale climate-vegetation coupling in Europe

Wu et al 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1029/2020jg006167

Variability of Surface Radiation Budget Components over the U.S. from 1996 to 2019  Has Brightening Ceased?

Augustine & Hodges 2021 Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI: 10.1029/2020jd033590

Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives

Recalculate the social cost of carbon

Wagner et al 2018 SSRN Electronic Journal

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01018-5

Failing Efforts to Mitigate Climate Change are a Futile Band-Aid that will not Stop Other Elephants Filling the Room

Weinstein & Daszak 2021 EcoHealth

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01512-w

Recommendations for Future Research Priorities for Climate Modeling and Climate Services

Hewitt et al 2021 Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1175/bams-d-20-0103.1

Obtaining articles wihout journal subscriptions

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The weekly New Research catch is checked against the Unpaywall database with accessible items being flagged. Especially for just-published articles this mechansim may fail. If you're interested in an article title and it is not listed here as "open access," be sure to check the link anyway.

How is New Research assembled?

Most articles appearing here are found via RSS feeds from journal publishers, filtered by search terms to produce raw output for assessment of relevance.

Relevant articles are then queried against the Unpaywall database, to identify open access articles and expose useful metadata for articles appearing in the database.

The objective of New Research isn't to cast a tinge on scientific results, to color readers' impressions. Hence candidate articles are assessed via two metrics only:

Was an article deemed of sufficient merit by a team of journal editors and peer reviewers? The fact of journal RSS output assigns a "yes" to this automatically.

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Marco Pierre White has accused the Michelin of only giving three stars to restaurants to they can 'take them away and make headlines'.

The Leeds-born chef, 59, who in 1994 became the youngest ever and first British chef to get the rare trio of stars, said 'it's obvious' why Michelin has pushed the number of restaurants with three stars up to seven in the UK, and that he handed his back in 1999 because he had 'more knowledge' than the judges.

Speaking candidly to Gentleman's Journal, the former enfant terrible, who now lives in Wiltshire, also said that walking into a three-star institution should be 'like taking the most beautiful girl to bed for the first time' and that his 'achievements as cook means nothing to him'.

Marco Pierre White (pictured) has accused the Michelin of only giving three stars to restaurants to they can 'take them away and make headlines'.

This year, two UK restaurants run by female chefs - Helene Darroze at the Connaught, London and Core by Clare Smyth, London - were awarded a rare third Michelin for the first time.

This took the total number of restaurants with the highest possible mark in the red book to seven.

They include Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, and Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library) in London, as well as Heston Blumenthal's Waterside Inn and Fat Duck in Bray.

'It's obvious why the Michelin have pushed it to seven three stars in Britain,' he said.

The Leeds-born chef, who in 1994 became the youngest and first British chef to get the rare trio of stars, said 'it's obvious' why Michelin has pushed the number of restaurants with three stars up to seven in the UK, and that he handed his back his back in 1999 because he had 'more knowledge' than the judges.

'So they can chop. By chopping three stars, they get headlines.

'You take a star away from Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, you get the front page of The Times.

'The number two from Michelin in France said: "when we were sent to Japan, we were told to hand out stars to build the Guide's profile in Japan".

'Their business is making tyres. They make their money out of making tyres. And let's be very honest, they make very good tyres.

The Hell's Kitchen and MasterChef star - who trained Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal and Mario Batali among others - also said that there should be an 'emotional impact' with fine dining.

'Their knowledge of tyre making is greater than their knowledge of food. Why did I give my stars back, why did I walk away? No disrespect to any of them. But I was being judged by people who had less knowledge,' he added.

The Hell's Kitchen and MasterChef star - who trained Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal and Mario Batali among others - also said that there should be an 'emotional impact' with fine dining.

'When you walk into a three [Michelin] star [restaurant], the emotional impact on you should be like taking the most beautiful girl to bed for the very first time,' he added to the magazine.

'You're intimidated by her beauty. But your fear has now been dissolved by excitement. And the thought of love. That's what it should feel like when you walk into a three star.'

Marco - who was trained by Raymond Blanc - has previousl y spoken agains t 'miserly portions' common in fine dining and said that cooking is for 'feeding not showing off'.

What does a Michelin star mean? ONE STAR High quality cooking, worth a stop TWO STARS Excellent cooking, worth a detour THREE STARS Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey BIB GOURMAND A Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants deemed to be both good quality and good value by Michelin's team of inspectors, with those listed having a menu that serves three courses for 28 or under Advertisement

Marco - who was trained by Raymond Blanc - has previously spoken against 'miserly portions' common in fine dining and said that cooking is for 'feeding not showing off'.

'When I walked away from my three stars, I did exactly what I did when my mother died.

'I turned to nature. I went back to the English countryside.... I relived my childhood. And I realised mother nature had been my surrogate mother.,' he added.

The father-of-four went on: 'I was very hard working. I worked over 100 hours a week, for many many weeks.

'I like work. Work is the greatest painkiller known to man. Gastronomy is the greatest form of therapy any misfit can be exposed to.

'I suppose, what I was trying to do, on reflection of my life, was to overcome the death of my mother at the age of six.

'Because I watched her die in front of me. I watched the ambulance men carry her away. And my father was very silent. It was like my mother never existed. He eradicated her. All that pain within me had to be released.'

'There's two types of chef. In fact, there's two types of men in life. There's the hungry ones, and there's the greedy ones.

'I mean hungry for life; and greedy for money. Everything I did in my life is by default. I made my name by what I put on the plate, not by doing TV. I only did TV after I won my three stars.

'My achievements as a cook don't mean anything to me. They were just stepping stones to where I wanted to be in my life.'
Visitors to Alabama hospitals and nursing homes must continue to wear masks after the state mandate expires on April 9.

Leaders of the Alabama Nursing Home Association and Alabama Hospital Association today reminded visitors that requirements in health care settings will remain unchanged in spite of state law.

Many hospitals and nursing homes that eliminated or limited visits during the pandemic have relaxed some of those policies as case numbers and hospitalizations decline in Alabama. But federal regulations continue to require mask wearing by visitors.

We urge other businesses to follow suit in requiring masks for their employees and patrons, said Brandon Farmer, president and CEO of the Alabama Nursing Home Association, in a press release today.

Although nursing homes and hospitals have relaxed some restrictions on visitors, new outbreaks among staff and residents can cause new lockdowns.

We realize restricting visitors has been traumatic for patients, families, and health care workers alike, and hospitals and nursing homes have done all they could to make use of available resources to connect families and comfort patients, said Dr. Don Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association. However, to prevent further spread of the virus, our facilities are required to take additional precautions and to limit visitation when certain conditions exist.

Both Farmer and Williamson encouraged Alabamians to continue masking after the order expires. Although cases have declined in Alabama, the state lags in vaccinations.

Research has shown that increasing community cases of COVID-19 lead to increased cases in nursing homes, Farmer said. Thanks to the vaccine and infection control practices, we have seen a dramatic decline in cases and have been able to open our doors to more visitors. Continuing to wear masks until the vaccine is widely available will help us lower the community spread.
Lesbian in same-sex marriage sues Fuller Seminary over expulsion, cites Title IX

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A woman has filed a lawsuit against Fuller Theological Seminary, accusing it of violating Title IX rules when it expelled her for being in a same-sex marriage.

Joanna Maxon brought the suit against the nondenominational seminary on Thursday. The lawsuit is being filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Defendants discriminated against Mrs. Maxon based on her sexual orientation because it expelled Mrs. Maxon for entering into a civil same-sex marriage, reads the suit, a copy of which was emailed to The Christian Post earlier this week. Defendants also discriminated against Mrs. Maxon based on her sex and sexual orientation by subjecting her to stricter disciplinary action than Fuller would have subjected a male, heterosexual student.

Paul Southwick, one of the attorneys for Maxon, told CP that this is the first case he's argued in which the student filed a Title IX lawsuit because they have been expelled for a same-sex marriage.

The other cases Ive taken on have dealt with gender identity discrimination or related to sexual conduct involving non-married LGBTQ students, Southwick added. With the legalization of same-sex marriage, institutions like Fuller will be encountering more and more students who are in same-sex marriages, particularly among graduate student populations.

Southwick also argued that if Fuller wants to hold traditional standards for their students, then they should refrain from accepting public money and should not offer its services to the general public.

From a legal perspective, an expulsion based on sexual orientation, including one that is based on homosexual conduct or a same-sex relationship, is illegal under Title IX at a place like Fuller because Fuller accepts federal funding, Southwick asserted.

From a moral perspective, an expulsion, particularly of someone who is a wife and mother, does not seem kind or ethical.

CP reached out to Fuller for a response. A spokesperson explained that they could not offer a specific comment on anything related to one of their students.

The Seminary did, however, provide a statement via email noting that they are a historically multi-denominational seminary that has a commitment to academic freedom and strives to serve the global Christian church in its various perspectives.

We remain committed to these relationships in all their complexities while maintaining community standards and a statement of faith that apply to various areas of beliefs and behavior, continued the statement.

Students are informed of and explicitly agree to abide by these standards when applying to the institution.

According to the lawsuit, Maxon was expelled from Fuller in October 2018 for violating the Seminarys Community Standard: Sexual Standard, which prohibits, among other things, homosexual forms of explicit sexual conduct.

The expulsion came after Maxon had already completed more than three years of classes and had acknowledged her same-sex marriage to students and faculty, according to the lawsuit.

In April, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear three cases centered on the question of whether Title IX, the federal law banning discrimination on the basis of sex, applies to sexual orientation and gender identity, neither of which are explicitly mentioned in the law.

The cases were R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a case in which a Christian-owned funeral home was sued for firing a trans-identified employee who refused to adhere to a dress code for his biological sex, and two consolidated cases, Altitude Express Inc. v. Zarda and Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia.
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On March 30, 2021, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC or Court) delivered its judgments confirming, by majority, the decision of Trial Chamber VI (Trial Chamber) of July 8, 2019, which found Bosco Ntaganda guilty of 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2002-2003. Furthermore, the Appeals Chamber unanimously confirmed the Trial Chambers decision of November 7, 2019, by which Mr Ntaganda was sentenced to a total of 30 years imprisonment. The conviction and the sentence are now final.

Mr Ntaganda and the Prosecutor had appealed the verdict and Mr Ntaganda appealed the sentencing judgment. In Tuesdays hearing, Judge Howard Morrison, Presiding Judge in these appeals, read a summary of the judgments in open court in the presence of Mr Ntaganda. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the judgment was delivered on a partially virtual basis, with participation either from the seat of the Court, or from separate locations outside the Court.

The Appeals Chamber found that Mr Ntaganda did not demonstrate that his right to a fair trial was violated and also determined that, in convicting Mr Ntaganda, the Trial Chamber did not exceed the facts and circumstances described in the charges. The Appeals Chamber also rejected his challenge to the Trial Chambers finding that the crimes for which he was found to be criminally responsible were part of an attack directed against a civilian population pursuant to, or in furtherance of, an organisational policy. It further rejected Mr Ntagandas challenge to the Trial Chambers findings on indirect co-perpetration. The Appeals Chamber also found that the Trial Chamber provided a reasonable assessment of the evidence regarding Mr Ntagandas knowledge and intent of the crimes of rape and sexual enslavement of individuals under the age of 15, the recruitment, conscription and use of individuals under the age of 15 in hostilities and in relation to the remaining crimes. The Appeals Chamber also rejected the Prosecutors grounds of appeal on the interpretation of the term attack in article 8(2)(e)(iv) of the Rome Statute.

In relation to the appeal against the sentence imposed, the Appeals Chamber rejected Mr Ntagandas challenge to the Trial Chambers assessment of his degree of participation in and knowledge of the crimes, including the crime of sexual enslavement and rape of civilians. Likewise, Mr Ntagandas challenges to the Trial Chambers assessment of alleged aggravating circumstances (related to the crime of intentionally directing attacks against civilians) and mitigating circumstances (including the suffering and discrimination that he had endured as a result of his experience in the Rwandan genocide) were also rejected. Notably, with regard to the latter, the Appeals Chamber found that Mr Ntagandas personal experience in the Rwandan genocide could not diminish his culpability given his criminal conduct and the gravity of the crimes for which he was convicted.

The Appeals Chamber in these appeals was composed of Presiding Judge Howard Morrison, Judge Piotr Hofmanski, Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa and Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji. Separate opinions were appended to the Appeals Chambers Judgments. In their opinions, Judges Hofmanski, Morrison, Eboe-Osuji and Bossa discuss the meaning of attack in article 8(2)(e)(iv) of the Statute. In his opinion, Judge Morrison discusses indirect co-perpetration. In her opinion, Judge Ibanez discusses the contextual elements of crimes against humanity, in particular, the requirement of a State or organisational policy to commit a widespread or systematic attack against any civilian population, and indirect co-perpetration as a mode of liability enshrined in article 25(3)(a) of the Statute. Finally, in his opinion, Judge Eboe-Osuji discusses the use of prior recorded statements, indirect co-perpetration and the legal interpretation of a State or organisational policy to commit an attack directed against any civilian population.
Rizek, a fast-growing Abu Dhabi-based start-up and the first super app for on-demand home services in the UAE, has announced that it is now the first app in the world to provide at-home Covid-19 vaccinations.

Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rizek, said: Since our inception, we have been continuously raising the bar of customer-centric services, achieving several milestones over the past year alone that culminated into Rizek becoming the only app in the world to offer at-home Covid-19 vaccinations. This is an initiative that could not have been realised without the fundamental support that the UAE government and its leadership offer to everyone.

From the onset of the pandemic, Rizek has been instrumental in providing its customers with the utmost in convenient healthcare. Offering at-home Covid-19 vaccines consolidates the apps trustworthiness and reliability as an innovative app that is fundamental in healthcare, and whose ambitions and vision are set towards the future, with the people being at the heart of its mission.

Rizek is actively working with labs, nurses, and healthcare personnel across the UAE to assist in limiting and stopping the spread of Covid-19. The company will activate PCR tests, antibodies and vaccines as well as bring the vaccine to users doorsteps, emphasising their well-being and presenting them with the utmost in safe and convenient patient care, the statement said. -TradeArabia News Service
By Sangmi Cha

SEOUL (Reuters) - Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, slammed South Korea's president for calling the North's recent missile test "concerning" and suggesting Seoul, Pyongyang and Washington should not create hurdles for talks, state media KCNA reported on Tuesday.

North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan last week, underscoring steady progress in its weapons programme and ramping up pressure on the United States.

Following the launches, South Korean President Jae-in Moon said the South, the North and the United States should make efforts to continue dialogue.

Kim Yo Jong called Moon's remarks disgraceful for agreeing with the United States, which condemned the missile test and said the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes constituted serious threats to international peace and security.

"Such illogical and brazen-faced behaviour of South Korea is exactly the same as the gangster-like logic of the U.S.," Kim Yo Jong said in a statement carried by KCNA.

North Korea on Friday said it had launched a new type of tactical short-range ballistic missile. U.S. President Joe Biden said the test violated U.N. Security Council resolutions, but he remained open to diplomacy with Pyongyang.

(Reporting by Sangmi Cha, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, says the differences in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are irreconcilable...

Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, says the differences in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are irreconcilable.

Galadima said this when he featured on AITs Focus Nigeria programme on Wednesday.

He spoke about the ability of the ruling party to reach a consensus on its presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

Galadima said members of the APC have segregated themselves into groups that would only support one of their members to become president in 2023.





He said four members of the political party, two each from the north and south, have made an agreement to support each other.

The APC is divided into three major groups, in fact, three and a half. Seven, seven, five governors. They dont see eye to eye. Each of the groups would rather support a fellow to be president of Nigeria than to allow the other group to be, he said.

So, were watching them. And its God that is catching them. Because if you allow them to be together, it will be difficult for you to take government from them. That is why theyre busy recruiting new people all over and distancing themselves from their own original comrades.





There was a written agreement between four people, two from the north, two from the south-west. They have agreed to help each other. There was that written agreement and an agreement is an agreement, whether written or not, it must be respected, or else you invite the wrath of God. Whether the other people from south-west can win or not, these people from this part of the country must support them. That is the agreement.

Galadima said unlike the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is capable of reaching an agreement.

So if PDP has any problem, it is one percent of what is buried in the APC. They can sit down and agree over a cup of tea, but the APC can never sit down in an ocean and agree on who should be the candidate. I am telling you the differences are irreconcilable because I should know, he said.
Lucknow, March 31 : They have not broken the glass ceiling but they have cracked a glass door.

Post-Corona, a large number of young girls from smaller districts in Uttar Pradesh have moved to bigger cities to take up jobs and make themselves self-reliant.

These girls belong to the rural interiors of the state and have moved out of their homes - some without parental consent -- to strike out on their own.

Renuka Singh belongs to Kudebhar in Sultanpur district. She is now working in a high-end cosmetic story and earning Rs 4,000 per month.

Talking about her journey, she says, "Four months ago, I came to stay with my aunt, who lives here. I them decided that I should do something on my own. My parents were unwilling and wanted me to get married. Without telling them, I went job hunting and found that this store wanted salesgirls. I applied, got selected and spent four weeks training in the art of make-up and product details. I convinced my aunt not to tell my parents about this." Renuka's father and two brothers are farmers and she is the only graduate in the family.

"I did graduation through a correspondence course. My two younger sisters gave up education after primary and now make cow dung cakes with my mother. I always wanted to go beyond the village and I have done it," she says proudly.

For Renuka, her present job is not her goal. "I am learning English after my working hours. I hope to work harder and get better openings," she confides.

Her parents know that she is 'working somewhere' and her aunt manages to convince them to let her stay on in Lucknow.

"The revolt will finally come the day they try to force me back to the village," she says with a smile.

Shalini and Ragini, both sisters, are also in Renuka's mould.

They belong to a Dalit family in Kori Ka Purwa in Bahraich district and they set their eyes in a big city for the first time when they boarded a bus to Lucknow in November last year.

Both are working part time in a multi-brand store and live in a paying guest accommodation that is actually a garage with six girls living in it.

"Our mother thinks we are doing our graduation in the university. They know nothing about our jobs. We had come here with the intention of studying but then we realized that earning money is more important than spending it on studies," says Shalini, the elder one.

The girls lost their father three years ago to cancer and their mother is working in the fields to let the girls' study.

"I am sure that when we visit our mother next month with our first salary (Rs 3500 each) she will forgive us. We plan to take up some more odd jobs after working hours to add to our income," the sisters say.

Shubhi, a small-town girl from a family of weavers in Mau district, is another one who has knocked hard at the glass door and is working in a beauty parlour.

She worked for a month without any money at a local parlour, learnt the basics and then got employed.

She gets Rs 2500 per month and stay with the lady who owns the parlour.

"I do odd jobs at her house and she gives me food in return. I almost manage to save my entire salary," she says.

What is worrying Shubhi is not what will happen when her father learns about her job but about her attire.

"He will be fine with the job because I work only with ladies but when he sees me in jeans and T-shirt, which is the parlour uniform, he will blow his top. I am worried about dealing with the situation but my owner says she will talk to him," she explains.

Shubhi had come to Lucknow with a relative to study further after intermediate but she chose to get a job instead.

Shubhi plans to continue her studies along with her job and wants to do master's in business administration one day.

Her parlour owner, Radhika Singh, says, "Girls like Shubhi are what modern day India is all about. They have faced the travails of life and want to cross over to a new world. They are willing to work for a new tomorrow and it is their positivity which is infectious."
There is the reality of trying to reopen schoolsthe science, the labor concerns, the exasperated parentsand then theres the politics. Democrats and the Biden administration realize they will be judged by what happens in the next school year, on whether schools can safely welcome back students or not. Republicans know it too, and theyre trying hard to turn it to their advantage and position schools as an election issue. While polling shows a majority of U.S. adults still say that school reopening should wait until safety is ensured, it also shows parents getting impatient with the process and concerned for their childrens education. On Wednesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with Atlantic politics writer Edward-Isaac Dovere about how the schools debate could shape some upcoming local elections, and whether they could play to the GOPs advantage. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Edward-Isaac Dovere: The funny thing for Joe Bidenfunny is maybe not the right word for itis that hes going to get the credit or blame if the school situation works out or if it doesnt, even though most of it is beyond his control.

I dont think you could talk to a parent of a school-age child over the past year and not think that this is one of the most important questions facing them. Its the kind of thing that motivates parents in a visceral way. And Republicans have landed on this as a wedge issue to say its the Democrats who are keeping the schools from being open. Theyre hoping they can turn some of those voters who were repelled by Donald Trump but are maybe not so invested in the Democratic Party overall and suspicious of how Dems can be catering to other interestssuch as the teachers union, the reliable boogeyman of politicsinstead of their interests.

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Lizzie OLeary: What do we know about what parents want in terms of what public opinion says?

There are polls that show parents are very concerned with safety. They dont want their kids to get sick. They dont want the kids to contract the virus and bring it home. There are cases that we hear about a family getting sick because the child was carrying it, even though the child was not manifesting symptoms. So theres a lot of worry about that. Its hard to do a national poll on this because, state by state, youre in different situations. There are parents that have largely been understanding of the restrictions but are growing impatient.

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I was looking at some data from the Pew Research Center that shows Black, Latino, and Asian adults are more likely than white adults to say the risk to teachers and students of getting or spreading COVID should be given a lot of consideration in the reopening debate. I wonder, is the GOP thinking of aiming for a narrow band of white parents, the ones it might be able to move into its camp?

When Republicans talk about suburban voters, theyre not talking about all suburban voterstheyre talking about suburban white voters, usually of a certain education level, that they are hoping that they can swing back. The white, educated, middle-class voter is one of the biggest demographics that dropped off from Republicans and went to Democrats under Donald Trump. A political operative said to me a couple of weeks ago that the big question for 2022 and beyond is whether the Democrats were just renting the suburbs for the last few election cycles or whether they have established a permanent hold on them.

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There are a few elections coming up at the city and state levels that will show whether the Republican strategy of hammering Democrats on schools is working.

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Theres an open race for governor in Virginia. In that race, where there are a lot of suburban parents, there are a lot of voters who would potentially be affected by this question of school reopening. That could be a competitive race. Weve seen one of the Republican candidates, Pete Snyder, really embrace this open-the-schools message. And in California, we almost certainly will have a recall election for Gov. Gavin Newsom. The school reopening issue has been a big one there, in part because theres been this fight with the teachers union there of whether teachers would get priority in the vaccination line and whether they would then commit to going back into the classrooms. The other raceand its not really as much of a partisan raceis for mayor of New York City. Within the Democratic race, some of the candidates have taken shots at the teachers unions in particular or at Mayor Bill de Blasio for not doing enough to open the schools.

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Whats potentially effective for the Biden administration in terms of policy and messaging power on this issue?

In terms of policy, there is a lot of money in the stimulus package to go out to states for expanding programing and facilities and resources in schools. Theoretically, that will help. But its not like the direct checks that are appearing in bank accountsits a little bit more amorphous. Whether voters will realize that thats what happened there is unclear. Plus, if it seems like the Democrat whos sitting in the Oval Office is talking about opening schools, that makes it harder for Democratic officials who are anywhere else in the country to not be for opening schools.

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I wonder about how that plays within the Democratic Party, because you dont want the president of the United States saying or implying that the mayors of some of your biggest cities or the governors of your states are not doing their part. That feels really delicate. But when I think about where we where we are in time, both within the pandemic and within election cycles, why do Republicans see this as a winning issue for themselves now? Is it possible that theres a relative dearth of any other reliable wedge issue right now because the GOP is in such a strange place postDonald Trump? What are the data points youre waiting for?

Well know by July at the latest what a lot of the public schools plans are going to be for opening and whether youll see districts and states making the decision to have kids come back to school. In most of these places, I think youll probably see some states do things differently, depending on where one lives in the state. There are hundreds of school districts in New Jersey, where the governor is up for reelection, and not even he has control over whats going to happen in all parts of the state. In Montclair, which is right outside of New York City, they just cant figure out a way to get everybody to agree on what to do, so those schools have remained largely closed, whereas other parts of New Jersey have the schools open. And then you see private schools in New Jersey that are open as normal, except with masks and testing as part of the regime. But when they make the policy for what next year is going to be, then youll see how much there is to the pressure to reopen. I think we are at this weird stage in the pandemic where it does feel like were starting to see the end of it, but we dont know whether variants are going to sprout up in a complicated way that will lead us to continuing our locked-down lives.

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At almost every turn, fear and its overthrow happen at once. As the knights set out to obey the kings demand to Save the realm! But mainly me, the ground beneath their feet keeps shifting. At one point plants that look like tiny hands or tiny crowns sprout from the soil.

Are these even real knights, or are they in the kings head journeying through his nightmare? What part of ourselves do we command to leave us when we are afraid? And will those parts ever return?

Timmerss dragon recalls Lewis Carrolls Jabberwock in that both monsters have an air of goofball about them, reminding us that fear is sometimes more violent than the monster we expect around the corner. This dragon doesnt whiffle and burble like the Jabberwock but floats sleepily through the air, its fire lighting up a two-page spread that reads: There is no dragon taking wing. The king is safe.  Is the dragon not the dragon? Or is what we fear no real dragon to be feared?

Where Is the Dragon? is a beautiful, unsolvable riddle about fear, its manifestations and what it means to try to conquer what might have no intention of ever causing any harm.
The convicted rapist accused of killing teenager Hayley Dodd has been found not guilty of her murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

Francis John Wark, 65, faced a six-week retrial in the West Australian Supreme Court accused of murdering the 17-year-old.

Hayley was last seen alive in 1999, walking along a road near rural Badgingarra, about 200 kilometres north of Perth.

After deliberating for 11-and-a-half hours, the jury acquitted Wark of murder, but found him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The family of 17-year-old Hayley Dodd has burst into tears in court after her killer Francis John Wark was found not guilty of murder

In 2018, Wark was found guilty of murdering the hitchhiker after luring her into a ute near rural Badgingarra on July 29, 1999. This decision was then overturned on appeal

Wark was charged in 2015 following a cold case review and had been serving a 12-year prison term at the time for raping a woman he picked up in a remote part of Queensland in 2007.

The convicted rapist, who owned a property in Badgingarra near where Ms Dodd was last seen, denied involvement in the teenager's disappearance.

During the most recent re-trial for the murder of Ms Dodd, Director of Public Prosecutions Amanda Forrester SC argued Wark had sexual intentions when he lured Ms Dodd into a borrowed Holden ute.

'(The opportunity) was brief and it was unexpected but it was there and he took it. He took Hayley Dodd and he killed her,' she said.

The jury was told Wark then dumped her body, which has never been found.

Wark claimed to have an alibi for the last time Ms Dodd was seen alive - maintaining he was a 40-minute drive away running errands in Moora.

Wark's lawyer argued his client was physically incapable of committing the crime due to the timeframe.

Wark claimed to have an alibi for the last time Ms Dodd was seen alive - maintaining he was a 40-minute drive away running errands in Moora

Ms Dodd's mother Margaret appeared in court, accompanied by family, friends and detectives.

The slain teen's loved ones gasped and broke down as the verdict was read out, while her sister ran out of the courtroom in tears.

Outside court, Hayley's mother Margaret Dodd - who has fought for justice for her daughter for two decades - urged Wark to reveal the location of Hayley's body.

'Ideally we would have wanted murder but we got manslaughter, so at least he's not going to get out for a good while,' she told reporters.

'I just hope now that he tells us where Hayley is.'

Ms Dodd said going through two trials had taken a heavy toll on the family.

'It's been agonising, quite honestly, for the whole family,' she said.

'It's not just me, it's my children, it's my grandchildren, it's my great-grandchildren. We're suffering generations down.

'They all know who Hayley is. She'll never be forgotten.'

Wark was remanded in custody to be sentenced on April 13.
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By Robert Lewis | CalMatters

This investigation is republished with the permission of our friends at the Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit newsroom CalMatters.

DeAndre Davis has been waiting 651 days in a Sacramento County jail. Charged with the murder of a 21-year-old man shot during a robbery in 2019, he hasn't been tried and he hasn't been sentenced -- and he hasn't even had a preliminary hearing to decide if there's enough evidence to take him to trial.

For Davis, it's been an agonizing ordeal made worse by the pandemic. Held without bail because of the severity of the charges, he's locked down as much as 23 hours a day inside a concrete box as his life outside is crumbling. From his cell, he went through a divorce and lost custody of his 10-year-old daughter, he said.

"I've lost so much of my life in here, fighting this case," said Davis, 37, speaking during a collect call from the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in Elk Grove. "I don't want to sit in here another year or two."

Nearly two years of waiting is a different kind of torture for Jennifer Maraston. She's the mother of Jaquan Wyatt, the man Davis is accused of killing at a Sacramento apartment complex.

"There's not a day that goes by where I don't get up and think about my son," Maraston said.

"Emotionally it takes a toll -- the not knowing. I don't want the case to get to the back of people's minds. I don't want people to forget this is still going on."

But justice for Davis and Maraston is many more months, if not years, away.

Davis is one of thousands of men and women throughout California who are stuck for years in county jails without being convicted of any crime. A CalMatters investigation has revealed that at least 1,300 people have been incarcerated in California's jails longer than three years without being tried or sentenced.

Of those, 332 people have been waiting in jail for longer than five years, according to CalMatters' analysis. And one man in Fresno County has been jailed awaiting trial in a double-murder case for nearly 12 years -- 4,269 days since his arrest.

Jennifer Maraston holds a pillow covered in photos of her son Jaquan Wyatt, who was murdered the day after he turned 21 while traveling in California. It has been nearly two years since his homicide, but court proceedings have been delayed by challenges involving COVID-19 and the number of people charged in the case. (Photo by Shelby Tauber for CalMatters)

The reasons for the long delays are myriad: Defense attorneys seek extra time to prepare, prosecutors pursue stiff sentences that lead to extra hearings, and judges struggle to manage their crowded calendars.

The result is a troubling backlog of cases that existed even before the pandemic. Now COVID-19 has pushed the problem to a crisis point. Shuttered courtrooms have delayed hearings, and state emergency orders have allowed judges to waive speedy trial rights and keep pushing back trial dates -- all leading to even more time behind bars for people who have been charged but not convicted of a crime.

Graphic by Jeremia Kimelman/CalMatters

"The wheels of justice turn very slowly," said Mariam El-menshawi, director of the California Victims of Crime Resource Center and adjunct professor at the McGeorge School of Law. "With COVID, it's slowed down the process even more."

These are men and women for whom the notion of "presumed innocent" has been turned on its head. They -- along with the victims of crimes awaiting justice -- are the human toll of a California judicial system that struggles to dispose of cases in a timely manner.

Most of the defendants held in jail before their trials are Black and Latino, based on the 21 counties where demographic data was available. In San Francisco, for instance, where 5% of the population is Black, half of the unsentenced inmates jailed for longer than a year are Black, including 25 who have been jailed longer than five years, according to sheriff's department data.

Many low-income people are incarcerated for years before they are convicted because they can't pay bail. Last week, the California Supreme Court ruled that people can't be held in jail before trial solely because they can't afford to get out. But there appears to be no immediate impact; judges will have to rule in those cases, and they still can consider public safety before releasing detainees.

The longest delays are for people charged with felonies, which range from burglary to sexual assault to murder. If people are ultimately convicted, the time they serve before trial counts toward their sentences. But some eventually will be acquitted or have charges dropped; others will take plea deals to get out.

California's Judicial Council guidelines recommend that felony cases generally wrap up within 12 months. Yet even before the pandemic, the state's courts closed only about three-quarters of felony cases in that timeframe, according to the Judicial Council's most recent annual report.

But many of the courts are incapable of accurately reporting the data, so that percentage could actually be better or worse. It's a troubling situation: The state Judicial Council doesn't know how severe the delays are in its trial courts, calling into question how it can provide even basic oversight of a system that encompasses hundreds of thousands of Californians a year.

A SNAPSHOT OF SLUGGISH JUSTICE

CalMatters sought records from all 58 county sheriff's departments. Thirty-three provided the records, which listed about 5,800 people who have been behind bars for longer than a year without being sentenced for a crime. For 22 counties that wouldn't provide records, CalMatters scraped online inmate locators and court dockets, uncovering another 2,800 inmates held for longer than a year. (Some could be serving sentences in jail or waiting for a prison transfer.) Three -- Ventura, Tuolumne and Trinity -- didn't respond to the records request and don't have online jail rosters.

The records offer an unprecedented glimpse into the impact of California's sluggish justice system. Most counties have inmates who have been stuck in jail for years without a trial.

In Riverside County, for instance, 121 people have been locked up longer than three years without being convicted or sentenced, while 33 have been jailed longer than five years, according to records from the county's sheriff's department. About 650 of nearly 1,900 inmates with open cases have been held longer than a year.

In Contra Costa County, 38 unsentenced people have been behind bars longer than three years, including nine waiting in jail longer than five years.

In Los Angeles County, which has the state's largest jail population, 1,350 unsentenced people have been waiting longer than a year, and about 180 have been there longer than three years, according to the sheriff's department data.

"If the case is still provable, then move it forward aggressively. And if it's not for any reason, then we should reevaluate our settlement position or consider dismissal," said San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who tried to tackle a backlog of older cases when he took office.

"There are some cases where after three, four, five years, we simply don't have the evidence to prove the case. And the sooner we identify those cases, the more efficient we can be with our limited resources focused on cases that we can prove."

Delays carry more than just an emotional cost for victims and defendants.

"There is a dollar cost to this issue too," said Sagar Bajpai, a student at UCLA Law School who co-authored a recent report that found that detainees are spending more time behind bars pretrial in Los Angeles County during the pandemic.

Los Angeles County spends about $43,000 to house an inmate in jail for a year, according to the report. There's also a cost for courts; one decade-old study found if the courts granted one fewer continuance in every felony case, it would have saved about $60 million a year.

Not all inmates will ultimately be convicted after their long stints in jail.

In August 2016, Victor Jimenez, 41, was charged in Los Angeles County Superior Court with illegally possessing a firearm and drugs for sale. He said he refused a deal to serve six years, preferring to go to trial because, he said, he didn't do it. But the case dragged on for months. "It's pretty tough, man," Jimenez said.

A jury acquitted him, and he walked out of the courthouse a free man in January, 2018 -- after serving 503 days in jail.

***
[March 30, 2021] InfraRisk, Banjo Loans launch new short-term unsecured loans for small businesses in Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Micro and small businesses on the path to recovery after COVID-19 will be able to source quick funding, similar to a buy now pay later solution, thanks to Banjo Supply, a new digital loan platform launched today by InfraRisk Pty Ltd (InfraRisk), a leading provider of digital lending solutions and Banjo Loans Pty Ltd (Banjo), a leading fintech lender to SMEs. Banjo Supply, which can be funded in minutes and starts from AU$5000, is a loan product designed for businesses that need short-term capital to pay suppliers now, batch up payments to multiple creditors or potentially negotiate supplier discounts. Using Infrarisk's modularised SME digital lending platform powered by big data analytics and AI technologies, Banjo can streamline and automate the previously complex small business lending process from end to end. The loan product leverages alternative data sources for decision making. Nicholas Davies, chief executive officer of InfraRisk, said: "Our go-to-market approach to this business sector is to target select proven industry verticals that are rich in alternative data. It will initially focus on the hospitality and retail sector, which has also been hit hard by the outbreak of COVID-19 and in desperate need of working capital. We want to provide a tailored lending product directly into their daily workflow and financial ecosystem." The platform is already integrated with a number of data partners, including ZiiCloud, a hospitality and retail POS specialist, tapping into Point-of-Sal data, transaction data and regulatory reporting data, with customer consent. InfraRisk and Banjo expect to expand the data coverage reach extensively over the coming months.



The loan product applies world's best practice in automation, use of alternative data and AI driven risk models, to match borrowers' immediate needs. It uses daily financial data, then analyses the information with algorithms. Its structure allows ongoing innovation and continually improved customer experience. Demonstrating its speed and simplicity for the borrower, the new digital application form fits on a single page, takes less than 5 minutes to complete and achieves funding in near real-time via the fast payment network.

Guy Callaghan, chief executive officer of Banjo, said: "Having worked closely with larger Australian SMEs over the past 6 years, we're excited to enter into the micro and small business sector. Banjo Supply is specially designed to play a role in helping micro and small businesses get back on their feet and bolster the recovery of the Australian economy." Banjo has until now focused on companies with turnover of AU$500k  AU$50m. By combining previously inaccessible data with big data analytics and automation, Banjo will now extend fast unsecured loan amounts to small businesses in need of working capital, starting from AU$5,000. Banjo combines leading-edge technology, data and fundamental credit analysis to deliver responsible risk-based outcomes that meet strict regulatory guidelines, and uses dynamic risk tools to enable competitive pricing. Small businesses have been one of the main driving forces of Australian economic development. Official data released by the Australian government shows the country's SMEs create 44% of jobs and contribute to 35% of its domestic GDP. Research by East & Partners found out that the unmet credit demand among Australian SMEs had reached AU$118.4 billion (US$91.5 billion) by the end of 2019. About InfraRisk Incorporated in November 2008 and headquartered in Melbourne, InfraRisk has over 10 years of experience in providing financial technologies and end-to-end fintech solutions to banks and financial institutions in Australia, Europe, China and across the Asia Pacific. About Banjo Banjo Loans has been helping to power small business across the nation since 2015. Now one of the leading SME fintech alternative lenders in Australia, Banjo's portfolio encompasses a wide range of businesses and industries. Banjo's rapid data analysis technology data and fundamental credit analysis deliver responsible risk-based outcomes. This, together with a personalised relationship approach that's rare in a fintech, gives Banjo's clients the best of both worlds. SOURCE InfraRisk

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SINGAPORE, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CSOFT Boston, leaders in medical translation and market access consulting, announce CSOFT Health Sciences Singapore's new Market Research and Business Development Center in Shanghai, extending its support for the growing communication needs of pharmaceutical groups in eastern China's Huadong region.

Located within Shanghai's Puxi center, CSOFT's newest launch gains immediate proximity to Shanghai's Zhangjiang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, a region that accounts for 30.4% of Shanghai's pharmaceutical industry market value. With more than 600 life science enterprises located within the region, totaling a revenue of US $13 billion, the expansion underpins CSOFT's support for global pharmaceuticals in a group that includes AstraZeneca, Novartis, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Roche, Amgen, and Johnson & Johnson, as well as supporting CSOFT's demands for talent acquisition in a period of growth.

With eight of the top-10 global pharmaceuticals located in the Zhangjiang and the Suzhou BioBAY industry cluster, combined with biotech start-ups focused on pharmaceutical research and clinical trials, the region is, "an ideal location for innovation and collaboration," CSOFT Founder and CEO Shunee Yee said.

CSOFT Health Sciences provides ISO 13485:2016 certified medical translation services to companies throughout the life science industries, with a focus on medical device translation, linguistic validation, CTD/eCTD submissions, and global clinical trials. The expansion comes in time for CSOFT's upcoming webinar on 2021 regulatory changes taking effect under the EU MDR, hosted by Xtalks for April 9th at 11am EST. With its white paper, Medical Device Market Overview and Regulatory Landscape in Asia, CSOFT further renews its focus on easing cross-border access in a sector of critical regulatory concern under new directives. CSOFT's Market Research and Business Development Center in Shanghai will channel these initiatives for the Huadong region, further facilitating both global and regional business development.

"As we are seeing about twice the business activity expected for 2021 in Q1 so far, one of CSOFT's focuses will be talent acquisition to support our clients' growth" said Diego Leva, CSOFT's VP of Global Operations & Strategic Partnerships. "Shanghai provides an ideal base for recruitment within the industry, from advisory roles to specialists in key service areas."

To Learn more about CSOFT Health Sciences and its global locations, visit lifesciences.csoftintl.com. Please direct inquiries regarding opportunities at CSOFT Shanghai to [email protected].

About CSOFT Health Sciences

CSOFT Health Sciences  Leaders in Medical Translation provides end-to-end localization services for all phases of the product lifecycle, from pre-clinical to post launch. We also specialize in market access consulting, medical writing, and CTD/eCTD submissions with the FDA, EMA, and NMPA. Our operations are compliant with ISO 17100 and certified in ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016, ensuring our customized solutions meet the rigorous requirements of global regulatory submissions.

Media Contacts:

Nikki Andrews (U.S./Europe)

+1 (617) 263-8950

[email protected]



Tim Wang (Asia)

+86 21 3106 3376

[email protected]

SOURCE CSOFT International

Related Links

http://www.csoftintl.com


The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times Eastern):

Health-care worker Thi Nguyen administers Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine to a patient at a COVID-19 clinic in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times Eastern):

7:15 p.m.

B.C. is reporting 840 new cases of COVID-19 on the first day of tightened regulations to limit an infection spike.

There are 320 new confirmed cases of variants of concern, 313 of which are active.

There have been no new deaths, for a total of 1,455 total fatalities since the pandemic began.

A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says they're taking the necessary steps to stop the upward trend in infections.

6:46 p.m.

The B.C. government is making the Oxford-AstraZeneca available to people aged 55 to 65 years old starting Wednesday.

It comes just a day after the government put vaccinations on hold for those under aged 55 because it may be linked to rare blood clots.

The shots will be rolled out in a partnership with Immunize BC and provincial pharmacists.

The government says in a statement that people between 55 and 65 can call their local pharmacy to book, and drop-in services may be an option for 150 participating pharmacies.

5:30 p.m.

Alberta is reporting 576 new COVID-19 infections and four additional deaths in its latest update.

There were 332 new cases involving more transmissible virus variants, which now make up nearly 30 per cent of the provinces active cases.

Hospitalizations have risen to 301 from 288 a day earlier and there are 58 people in intensive care.

Alberta Health Services says 49 members of the public who attended vaccination appointments on March 23 and 25 at the South Calgary Health Centre may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should get tested.

The agency says the risk is low because of strict safety protocols at the site.

4:10 p.m.

Officials are reporting 164 new COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan.

The province says 91 of these infections are from in and around Regina, which is battling a spread of more infectious variants.

There are 160 people in hospital, with 22 of the patients in intensive care.

The Ministry of Health also says stricter public health rules for Regina and surrounding communities will be in place for at least another week.

A ban on household visits and restriction for restaurants to serve takeout or delivery only will now be reviewed April 12.

2:05 p.m.

Canada has signed on to a joint declaration with 13 other countries voicing concerns with an international report on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement outlines the nations' unease after World Health Organization experts went to study the original outbreak of the virus in China's Wuhan province.

The countries decry what they call the significant delays and lack of access to complete, original data and samples that the international study team faced in China.

The statement goes on to say that the international community must understand how COVID-19 began circulating in the local population to improve future pandemic responses.

Such a response can only happen if experts can study the origins of COVID-19 free from interference and undue influence, the statement adds.

Aside from Canada, other signatories include the United States, Australia, Israel, Japan, Denmark and the U.K.

2 p.m.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is considering additional restrictions to combat a surge in COVID-19 and is urging people not to gather over the Easter weekend.

Ford says he is "extremely concerned" about rising infections and stressed that residents must follow public health rules.

He would not specify what measures are being considered but says he will consult the province's top doctor before making a decision.

The province has seen rising COVID-19 rates for weeks, fuelled by the spread of more transmissible variants of the virus.

1:40 p.m.

Manitoba is reporting no new deaths and 77 additional cases of COVID-19 today.

The majority  43  are in Winnipeg and 27 are in the northern health region.

Screening has also identified 11 additional cases involving variants of concern.

The province says 150 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 31 are in intensive care.

1 p.m.

Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting two new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Officials say both cases involve men in their 40s and are related to domestic travel.

There are now four active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and no one is in hospital due to the disease

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Newfoundland and Labrador has had 1,018 confirmed cases and six deaths.

12:40 p.m.

Federal Procurement Minister Anita Anand says delivery of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will begin at the end of April.

The New Jersey-based company has been plagued with production issues that have slowed all deliveries, including in the United States.

Canada has bought 10 million doses of Johnson & Johnson, with the option of securing up to 28 million more.

Anand says the government is still finalizing the delivery schedule, but she confirmed in correspondence with the company last night that shipments will start to arrive in Canada within a month.

12:25 p.m.

New Brunswick is reporting 14 new cases of COVID-19 today.

Health officials say eight of the new cases are in the Edmundston region and involve contacts of previously reported infections.

Officials say the six other cases are travel-related: four are located in the Moncton region while the Fredericton and Saint John areas each have one new case.

New Brunswick has 126 active reported COVID-19 infections and five people in hospital with the disease, including two in intensive care.

11:55 a.m.

Canada's chief public health officer says COVID-19 variants are driving a weeks-long spike in new cases and hospitalizations as the third wave of the pandemic continues to surge.

Dr. Theresa Tam says an average of more than 2,200 COVID-19 patients were in hospital last week, with more than 660 in intensive care, representing week-over-week increases of six per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

She says a 64 per cent increase in the number of COVID-19 variant cases over the past week marks the "most concerning" development.

Tam says the country has logged more than 9,000 cases of variants in the past week, with the B.1.1.7 mutation accounting for more than 90 per cent.

11:40 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Pfizer-BioNTech has confirmed it will move up delivery of five million vaccine doses to June from later in the summer.

The earlier shipment period will boost the number of Pfizer doses received by the end of that month to 18 million doses.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand says the accelerated schedule means Canada will receive about 44 million vaccine doses in total by the end of June, more than enough for every Canadian to receive at least one shot.

By the end of this week, Canada will have received about 9.5 million vaccine doses from three manufacturers, with 3.2 million doses arriving this week alone.

11:05 a.m.

Quebec is reporting 864 new cases of COVID-19 today and seven additional deaths linked to the novel coronavirus, including one within the past 24 hours.

The Health Department says the number of hospitalizations rose by 10 to 487, while the number of people in intensive care rose by six to reach 126.

Health authorities say 38,801 doses of vaccine were administered yesterday for a total of 1,261,855.

Quebec has reported 310,066 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 10,658 deaths linked to the disease.

10:45 a.m.

Ontario reports 2,336 new cases of COVID-19 today and 14 more deaths linked to the virus.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says that there are 727 new cases in Toronto, 434 in Peel Region and 229 in York Region.

She also says there are 194 new cases in Durham Region, 144 in Ottawa and 123 in Hamilton.

Ontario says that 1,090 people are currently hospitalized with the virus, 387 are in intensive care, and 249 people are on a ventilator.

10:45 a.m.

Health officials in Prince Edward Island are reporting three new cases of COVID-19 today.

They involve two people under 19 and one person in their 40s who are all close contacts of previous cases.

There are now 14 active cases in P.E.I. and 94 close contacts are in isolation.

There have been 159 positive cases of COVID-19 in the province since the onset of the pandemic.

10:50 a.m.

Nova Scotia health officials are reporting three new cases of COVID-19.

They say one case is in the health zone including Halifax and is a close contact of a previously reported case.

The second case is in the northern part of the province and is under investigation, while the third was identified in the eastern region and is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada.

Officials say Nova Scotia now has 24 active infections.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2021.
ATLANTA (March 31, 2021)  The Carter Center and Universidad de La Sabana, in association with Fundacion Gabriel Garcia Marquez, have opened applications for the 2021-2022 Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism in Latin America. The partnership provides two fellowships for Latin American journalists to investigate and report on the state of mental health in the region. Applications will close on July 10, 2021.

The program is aimed at bilingual journalists (English and Spanish), who work in Latin American media in any medium and who have at least three years experience as a journalist. The journalists selected as fellows will each receive US$5,000. Last year, Latin American fellowship administrators received more than 100 online applications for investigative and scientific mental health journalism.

The fellowships are administered by an interdisciplinary team of the faculties of Communication and Medicine at Universidad de La Sabana in Bogota, Colombia.

The application for the 2021-2022 Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism in Latin America is here.

The two journalism fellows (or teams) selected will each receive US$5,000 to investigate a topic related to mental health or mental illness in Latin American regions or countries for one year.

Fellows will have access to online training and resources on journalism and mental health with The Carter Center in Atlanta, Ga., during their fellowship year, and will be accompanied by specialists in matters related to journalism and mental health from Universidad de La Sabana.

Fellows will have one year, from Sept. 2021 to Sept. 2022, to produce and present their work for the fellowship period. Recipients are not required to leave their jobs or their responsibilities in media to be awarded the fellowship. Fellows must produce investigative journalism in any format that can be broadcast or published and that have a strong impact on public perception and policy.

Since 2013, The Carter Center and La Sabana have worked to award two annual fellowships to journalists to investigate and produce in-depth journalistic projects that shed light on the main mental health problems in Latin America.

For more than two decades, The Carter Center has awarded fellowships to 225+ journalists who have been trained and connected with resources and experts to increase the quality and accuracy of mental health reporting around the world. The program currently operates in Latin America with headquarters in Colombia, the United States, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and previously had a presence in New Zealand, South Africa, and Romania.

The Carter Center offers training, educational resources, mentorship, and technical assistance to La Sabana to develop a sustainable program adjusted to the needs of Latin America. La Sabana administers the program for Latin America and is responsible for the selection of fellows, organizing conferences and media trainings, adapting the program to respond to local needs, and evaluating regional strategies.

The fellowship program is part of the Carter Center's Mental Health Program, which works around the world to improve access to mental health care and reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses. The program is committed to providing journalists with the tools they need to report on behavioral health and distributes a Journalism Resource Guide on Behavioral Health, so journalists can accurately cover stories that include behavioral health.

For more details on how to apply, read here and review our Frequently Asked Questions. For additional inquiries not covered in the FAQs, please email carterfellows@cartercenter.org.

Follow @CarterFellows on Twitter to learn more about Carter Fellows and their work. Learn more about the 2020-2021 fellows here.

For more information on these fellowships, follow Universidad de la Sabana and the facultad de Comunicacion on Twitter, and The Carter Center on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Rennie Sloan, rennie.sloan@cartercenter.org

###

The Carter Center

"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
MOSCOW - Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Wednesday he has started a hunger strike to protest authorities failure to provide proper treatment for his back and leg pains.

FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 file photo, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny stands in a cage in the Babuskinsky District Court in Moscow, Russia. Alexei Navalny's lawyer Mikhailova said Navalny was taken to a hospital outside prison on Wednesday, March 24 for magnetic resonance tomography but wasn't given the results. She said Navalny has received pills and ointment for his pain, but prison authorities refused to accept medicines that lawyers brought to him. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

MOSCOW - Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Wednesday he has started a hunger strike to protest authorities failure to provide proper treatment for his back and leg pains.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Navalny complained about prison officials refusal to give him the right medicines and to allow his doctor to visit him behind bars.

He also protested the hourly checks a guard makes on him at night, saying they amount to sleep deprivation torture.

The 44-year-old Navalny, who is President Vladimir Putins most outspoken domestic opponent, was arrested in January upon his return from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Russian authorities have rejected the accusation.

Navalnys poisoning and conviction have further strained Russias ties with the United States and the European Union, which sank to post-Cold War lows after Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea, its meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, hacking attacks and other actions.

His arrest fueled a series of protests that drew tens of thousands across Russia. Authorities detained about 11,000 people, many of whom were fined or given jail terms of up to two weeks.

Navalny said the August poisoning made him wonder about the cause of his current ailments. He said he had no choice but to start a hunger strike because his physical condition has worsened, with back pains having spread to his right leg and numbness in his left leg.

In this photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny looks at photographers standing behind a glass of the cage in the Babuskinsky District Court in Moscow, Russia. Alexei Navalny says on Wednesday, March 31 he has started a prison hunger strike to protest officials' failure to provide proper treatment for his back and leg pains. He also protested the hourly checks a guard makes on him at night, saying they amount to sleep deprivation torture. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

"What else could I do?" he wrote. "I have declared a hunger strike demanding that they allow a visit by an invited doctor in compliance with the law. So I'm lying here, hungry, but still with two legs."

Last month, Navalny was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for violating the terms of his probation during convalescence in Germany. The sentence stems from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that Navalny has rejected as fabricated  and which the European ?ourt of Human Rights has ruled to be unlawful.

Navalny was moved this month from a Moscow jail to a penal colony in Pokrov in the Vladimir region, 85 kilometres (53 miles) east of the Russian capital. The facility called IK-2 stands out among Russian penitentiaries for its particularly strict inmate routines, which include standing to attention for hours.

Navalny's Instagram also had a picture of a letter to the prison chief, dated Wednesday, in which he announced the hunger strike.

"Every convict has the right to invite a specialist for a check and consultation," he wrote. "So I demand to let a doctor see me and declare a hunger strike until it happens."

In a sarcastic reference to the nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on Russia's top security agency, the FSB, Navalny wrote to the prison chief that "given a recent attempt by the FSB operatives to kill me with chemical weapons, which state-controlled medics cast as a metaboli? problem, I'm haunted by vague doubts about the cause of my illness and recovery prospects."

Russias prison service said last week that Navalny had undergone medical check-ups and described his condition as "stable and satisfactory." In a statement that followed his declaration of a hunger strike, it claimed that Navalny is being given "all the necessary medical assistance in accordance with his current health indicators."

But Navalny has complained that authorities only gave him basic painkiller pills and ointment for his back and legs while refusing to accept medications prescribed earlier by his doctor or to share the diagnosis from his examination.

In a note earlier this month, Navalny described his prison as a "friendly concentration camp." He said he hadnt seen "even a hint of violence" there but lived under controls that he compared to those described in George Orwells novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

Earlier this week, he said he already had received six reprimands  warnings that could lead to solitary confinement  for offences such as getting up 10 minutes before the wake-up call and refusing to watch a video lecture that he called "idiotic."

Navalny, whom prison authorities had earlier marked as a flight risk, said he was subject to particularly close oversight, including a guard waking him up every hour at night and filming him to demonstrate he is in the required place.

"Instead of medical assistance, I'm subjected to sleep deprivation torture, being woken up eight times every night," he said in Wednesday's statement.

The prison service insisted that Navalny has been treated in strict conformity with the law and the night checks are part of a regular routine that "don't disrupt convicts' rest."

During a video call with Putin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Russia to protect Navalny's health and to respect his rights in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, according to Macrons office.

The Kremlin said in its readout of the call that Putin offered an "objective explanation" in response to questions Merkel and Macron asked about Navalny.

Russian officials have rejected U.S. and EU demands to free Navalny and to stop a police crackdown on his supporters. Moscow also has rebuffed a European Court of Human Rights ruling in favour of his release as "inadmissible" meddling in Russias home affairs.

Navalnys associates have urged Russians to sign up for the next protest to demand his release, promising to set a date for the demonstration when the number of people willing to take part reaches at least 500,000 nationwide.

More than 360,000 have registered since a dedicated website opened on March 23.


High-Grade Zones Discovered Under the Headframe at Wiluna

Perth, Mar 31, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Wiluna Mining Corporation Limited ( ASX:WMX ) ( FRA:NZ3 ) ( OTCMKTS:WMXCF ) is pleased to provide an update on further wide, high-grade intersections from an additional 30 holes and 8,218m of drilling at the Wiluna Mining Centre.The Company's major drilling program is focused on defining additional reserves in the highest-value zones scheduled for mining in the next five years to further enhance the mine plan. The Company is also undertaking structural interpretation to predict the location of further high-grade discoveries, and processing the results of a seismic survey recently undertaken to identify new exploration targets, with results to be communicated in due course. Drilling results reported here are from Starlight, Essex, Calvert, East Lode South and Golden Age (Figure 1*).The program continues to define high-grade intervals at shallow levels, close to multiple previously mined zones with existing access which allows rapid low-cost of development per mined ounce. These results confirm the Company's strong view that the Wiluna Operation will develop into a larger-scale, high-grade, and long-life gold mine.Golden Age continues to deliver very high grade free-milling quartz reef intercepts in resource extensional drillholes, and these results are expected to materially enhance grade and production during the transition to, and in parallel with, the addition of sulphide production in the two-staged development at the Wiluna Mining Centre.Essex ZoneEssex is a high-grade, high-priority mining zone in the Wiluna Central Mine area, which continues to deliver visible gold intersections in numerous holes down-plunge of the current resource limits (Figures 2 and 3*). The success of the Company's drilling and resource development activity at Essex, validates the Company's strategy to focus on shallow, high-grade sulphide ore bodies for development early in the mine plan. Access to the Essex orebody installed by previous operators is currently being dewatered and rehabilitated to facilitate infill drilling around the deeper visible gold intersections with the view to delineating additional resources and reserves.WURD0116A and WURD0124 intersected bonanza grades with visible gold mineralisation over narrow intervals, reflected in the ultrahigh-grade assays of 2.35m @ 61.05g/t from 293.95m including 0.37m @ 313g/t, and 2.00m @ 43.23g/t from 437.00m including 0.52m @ 159g/t, respectively. This result follows up previously released intersections shown on Figures 2 and 3 of 2.45m @ 31.30g/t and 1.75m @ 19.55g/t (see ASX releases dated 27 January and 10 March 2020). Further drilling is planned to close-off and complete the infill of this high-grade lode discovery with a view to defining an ore reserve to enhance the front end of the underground mine plan at the Wiluna Mining Centre.WURD0116A: 2.35m @ 61.05g/t from 293.95m including 0.37m @ 313g/t (visible gold logged)WURD0124: 2.00m @ 43.23g/t from 437.00m including 0.52m @ 159g/t (visible gold logged)WURD0118: 5.00m @ 2.39g/t from 317.70m including 0.60m @ 6.03g/t and 0.45m @ 11.85g/t; and 2.77m @ 5.59g/t from 330.40m; and 0.30m @ 7.28g/t from 371.55m (visible gold logged)Starlight ZoneThe Starlight zone in the Wiluna North Mine area continues to take shape, with further high-grade sulphide intersections located at shallow depths and open down-plunge. Starlight is significant in that it is located only 200m away from the existing underground mine development activity and could be rapidly brought into production at low capital cost if further drilling demonstrates economic reserves.Multiple subparallel wide sulphide zones in the central portion of the deposit remain open down-plunge (5.00m @ 5.74g/t, 6.00m @ 6.64g/t, 4.00m @ 6.59g/t; see ASX release 10 March 2021) and further assays are awaited (Figure 4*). In addition to WUDD0069, numerous additional significant results shown on Figure 4 and reported in Table 3 assist in understanding the geological controls on mineralisation to guide planned follow-up drilling.WUDD0069: 5.04m @ 6.09g/t from 64.49m and 2.17m @ 9.45g/t from 153.83mCalvert and East Lode ZonesEast Lode and Calvert zones are high-priority targets owing to their proximity to surface and existing decline access that is now being dewatered to install underground drilling positions. The program continues to generate excellent results, demonstrating the potential to add to mine life and improve the head grade based on the thick high-grade mineralisation intersected in the current program and Wiluna Mining's previously reported drillholes (Figure 5*, and ASX releases 27 January 2021, 10 March 2021).Calvert is an un-mined ore shoot located on the West Lode structure immediately north of the historical underground workings (Figure 5*). West Lode was historically mined via underground between 1932 and 1946 and produced 691,000oz @ 8.6g/t, which demonstrates the scale and high-grade nature of this target zone. West Lode remains open and sparsely drilled in the northern Inferred Resource area and at depth, with potential to delineate resource extensions and to make a new shoot discovery from the planned underground drilling positions. At Calvert, WURD0075 intersected multiple broad sulphide intersections including:WURD0075: 13.90m @ 3.29g/t from 398.57m including 2.66m @ 7.04g/t and 1.28m @ 7.46g/t; and 16.02m @ 5.41g/t from 470.00m; and 4.64m @ 12.62g/t from 492.00mThese high-tenor results follow on from previously reported intersections from Calvert (ASX 10 March 2021) including 3.00m @ 5.18 g/t, East Lode was originally mined via underground between 1931 and 1946 and produced 720,000oz @ 6.7g/t, with further resource and reserve additions to the south and at depth along the extent of the East Lode structure targeted in the current program. Latest results include WUDD0068:WUDD0068: 5.00m @ 12.21g/t from 126m including 1.00m @ 55.10g/tHIGH GRADE EXTENSIONS AT GOLDEN AGEGrade control and extensional drilling at Golden Age has intersected exceptionally high-tenor mineralisation with the potential to materially improve free-milling production over the coming months. Further resource extensional drilling is planned as the high-grade mineralisation remains open for a considerable distance along-strike and down-plunge of the current workings. These exceptional results, along with results reported from Golden Age over the past 12 months (ASX releases 10 March 2021, 2 September 2020, 8 July 2020) suggest the tenor of mineralisation improves to the East and at depth (Figure 6*).GAGC0336: 6.87m @ 30.61g/t from 106.13mGAGC0331: 1.67m @ 17.95g/t from 107.33m including 0.60m @ 45.66g/t; and 1.55m @ 42.72g/t from 111.43mGAGC0332: 1.58m @ 11.91g/t from 91.00mGAGC0343: 6.58m @ 2.44g/t from 132.22m including 0.50m @ 15.50g/tGolden Age currently supplements the baseload free-milling feed from Williamson pit stockpiles and is an important source of cashflow for the next 12 months and beyond. Golden Age will also continue to provide mill feed following commissioning of the sulphide concentrator, with the processing configuration providing the ability to produce both gold concentrate and gold dore (through the existing CIL plant and gravity circuit), to improve and optimise operating margins.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd

Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMX) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential.
Marines at a Southern California military base are being investigated for possible ties to missing explosives and ammunition.

A sergeant at Camp Pendleton is in custody and facing charges, and another service member is awaiting a federal hearing in connection to the case, said 2nd Lt. Kyle McGuire, a spokesman for 1st Marine Division. Few details have been made public about the investigation, which McGuire said is unrelated to 10 pounds of C-4 explosives that disappeared from another California base -- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms -- last month.

Sgt. Gunnar Naughton, with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, currently is confined to the brig, McGuire said. Naughton faced an Article 32 fact-finding hearing on March 19 and has been charged with larceny and military property-related offenses, he added.

Read Next: Army Awards $50 Million Contract for New Special Operations Sniper Rifle

Charges also have been preferred against a second member of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, but an Article 32 hearing has not yet been scheduled. The Marine Corps declined to provide a list of the charges or any personal information prior to the hearing.

"Naval Criminal Investigative Service is continuing their investigation into this matter, and I'm therefore unable to provide additional information," McGuire said.

ABC 10News in San Diego, citing an unnamed source, reported that at least five reconnaissance Marines at Camp Pendleton are under investigation for possible ties to the explosives, and thousands of rounds of military-grade ammunition were found to be missing at their base. One Marine, the outlet reported, allegedly tried to sell the ammo online, but was caught "in a sting operation that was set up by federal agents."

A spokesman at NCIS declined to provide any details about the missing materials or reported sting operation.

"Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS does not comment on ongoing investigations," Jeff Houston said.

Bethany Payton-O'Brien, a San Diego-based attorney, told ABC 10News she's representing a staff sergeant who let another Marine rent space on his land for a trailer. The location was later raided, she told the station.

Payton-O'Brien told Military.com her client, Staff Sgt. Alexander Czub, was released from the brig on March 4 after serving a month in pretrial confinement. Czub has not been charged with any offenses relating to the missing ammunition or explosives at Camp Pendleton, she added.

"My client is not connected with the alleged conspiracy involving ... Naughton or the attempted selling of government ammunition by [another Marine]," she said. "Based on the investigation provided to us so far by the government, there appears to be no connection between the 29 Palms case and Camp Pendleton Marines. The government has still not provided us with all evidence in this case despite numerous requests."

McGuire said no other hearing or trial dates have been set in connection to the case. The preliminary hearing officer for Naughton's Article 32 must review his case and make a recommendation to the convening authority regarding the charges. The convening authority on the case, or the officer overseeing the prosecutions, is Maj. Gen. Roger Turner Jr., 1st Marine Division's commanding general.

Those steps will determine whether the case proceeds to court-martial.

"It is not uncommon for charges to change between an Article 32 hearing and subsequent court-martial," McGuire added.

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

Related: 10 Pounds of Plastic Explosives Reportedly Missing from Marine Combat Training Base
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-30 23:43:15|Editor: huaxia

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A worker checks a container of CanSino COVID-19 vaccines at Islamabad International Airport in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 30, 2021. The first batch of CanSino COVID-19 vaccines that the Pakistani government purchased from China arrived here Tuesday night. (Str/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of CanSino COVID-19 vaccines that the Pakistani government purchased from China arrived here Tuesday night.

Earlier, the third phase trials of the CanSino vaccine had been conducted in Pakistan and it is the second Chinese COVID-19 vaccine that Pakistan approved for emergency use in the country.

The CanSino Biologics Inc. told Xinhua that the single-dose CanSino COVID-19 vaccine is expected to facilitate the building of immunity in the Pakistani society to help the country restore the normal functioning of society and economy.

In February, Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Health Faisal Sultan said that the third phase trials of the CanSino vaccine showed that it is 74.8 percent efficient in preventing symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the country.

Sharing results of the trials in Pakistan on social media, Sultan said the COVID-19 vaccine proved 100 percent efficient at preventing severe disease in Pakistan.

Sultan further said that the interim analysis by an independent data monitoring committee also said that the vaccine showed 65.7 percent efficacy at preventing symptomatic cases and 90.98 percent at preventing severe disease in multi-country analysis, adding that the committee did not report any serious safety concerns regarding the vaccine.

Currently, Pakistan is facing a third wave of COVID-19 and the positivity rate has seen a sharp rise, forcing the Pakistani authorities to continue tightening the anti-pandemic measures including banning public gatherings across the country.

A total of 4,084 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Pakistan during the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 663,200 out of which 14,356 died and 600,278 recovered, according to the data released by the country's health ministry on Tuesday. Enditem
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said today it will ask the entire U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit to review a decision yesterday by a three-judge panel upholding the terror watchlist and overturning a district court decision that declared the program unconstitutional.

CAIR has mounted a nationwide challenge to the government's Terrorist Screening Database because there is no meaningful way to remove the names of those wrongfully placed on the list  which can lead to difficulty traveling for innocent people.

In 2019, a federal district court ruled the watchlist unconstitutional, citing the harm the secretly program has caused to American citizens, including numerous Americans, placed on the list without any clear recourse. Yesterday, three judges--two appointed by President Trump, and one appointed by President Bush--overturned that ruling.

SEE: Appeals court upholds constitutionality of terror watchlist (AP)

https://wtop.com/local/2021/03/appeals-court-upholds-constitutionality-of-terror-watchlist/

Appeals court upholds constitutionality of FBI terror watch list (Washington Post)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/appeals-court-upholds-constitutionality-of-fbi-terror-watch-list/ar-BB1f8sSw

In a statement, CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas said:

"When CAIR began our nationwide litigation campaign to end the government's Orwellian and unconstitutional watchlist program more than a decade ago, we knew that there would be victories and defeats along the way. Our strategy reflects this reality, with cases pending in courts across the country -- from Oregon to Maryland to Michigan to Texas.

"Yesterday, a three-judge panel on the Fourth Circuit reversed a historic district court decision that declared the entirety of the watchlist unconstitutional. In doing so, the judges ignored the dire consequences experienced by American citizens placed on the watchlist and took a dim view of what the Constitution requires. We are disappointed in this decision, but we remain undeterred. The fight is not over.

"CAIR will now ask the entire Fourth Circuit to review the case. We hope that the entire slate of 15 Fourth Circuit judges will correct the errors of the panel of three circuit judges who issued yesterday's decision. National security can never justify anti-Muslim bigotry.

"And whatever the outcome, CAIR's legal strategy has never relied on any single case. Today, CAIR has cases pending in courts within the Ninth Circuit, the Fifth Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, and even other kinds of watchlist challenges in the Fourth Circuit. Altogether, we currently represent almost 50 Muslims in other court cases. And so long as one of those cases succeeds, inshallah, our entire community will benefit."

SEE: NJ Man sues in Texas

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2018/02/11/paterson-man-landed-no-fly-listno-fly-terror-watch-list-upended-paterson-mans-life-now-hes-suing-fed/1079702001/

Oregon Man's No Fly List case can proceed

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-civilliberties/muslim-american-can-sue-over-no-fly-list-u-s-appeals-court-idUSKCN1M02RU

Maryland Judge Allows Watchlist Case to Advance

https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2020/07/20/maryland-judge-allows-challenge-to-terrorist-watchlist-to-move-ahead/

Muslim man's lawsuit over border torture can continue

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2019/03/05/muslim-dearborn-man-anas-elhady-lawsuit-ambassador-bridge-detention/3065915002/

BACKGROUNDER:

In January, CAIR attorneys argued in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in support of the Muslim civil rights organization's constitutional challenge to the federal government's Terrorism Screening Database that anchors the watchlisting system.

LISTEN TO CAIR'S ORAL ARGUMENTS:

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/listen-cair-offers-oral-arguments-in-defense-of-federal-courts-decision-declaring-the-terror-watchlist-illegal/

In September 2019, a lower court judge held that the watchlisting system is broadly illegal and violates the rights of the 23 Muslims who CAIR represents in the case.

JUDGE'S OPINION: https://tinyurl.com/WatchlistOpinion

SEE: Secret Terrorism Watchlist Found Unconstitutional in Historic Decision

https://theintercept.com/2019/09/06/terrorism-watchlist-lawsuit-ruling/

CAIR's position is supported by a broad and ideologically diverse group of amici (friends of the court), including the CATO Institute, ACLU, the Brennan Center for Justice, the Firearm Policy Coalition, Korematsu Center, Rutherford Institute, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

SEE: Diverse Coalition Supports Ruling Declaring Watchlisting System Illegal

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/diverse-coalition-files-amicus-briefs-in-support-of-cairs-watchlist-challenge/

CAIR's mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La mision de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprension del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

CONTACT: Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, [email protected]; National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

http://www.cair.com


A joint operation between Chinese police and Tencent has busted what's being described as the "world's biggest" video game cheating ring.

As reported by The BBC, authorities in the country worked with Tencent to seize $46 million worth of assets -- including luxury vehicles -- from a gang that designed and sold cheats for popular games including Overwatch and Call of Duty: Mobile.

It's claimed that around $76 million in revenue was made by the group, which charged subscription fees to its clients ranging from $10/day to $200/month.

The sting, dubbed operation 'Chicken Drumstick,' resulted in the arrest of 10 people and the destruction of 17 different cheats. Police said the group had been selling to clients in "hundreds of countries and regions" through its website, which has now been shut down.

This isn't the first time Tencent -- which develops and publishes a variety of high-profile titles for the Chinese market, including Call of Duty: Mobile -- has worked with Chinese authorities to eradicate cheating.

Back in 2018, the company linked up with police to track down cheaters and hackers running amok in PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. That investigation eventually resulted in the arrest of 15 suspected cheat developers and sellers, who were fined a combined $5.1 million for their troubles.
(Newser)  "I love you so much, David!!!!" Kristie Dawnelle Evans wrote of her husband and "best friend" in a March 20 Facebook post. A day later, David Evans was shot in the head in the middle of the night as he lay in bed, per KFOR. His wife told a 911 operator that she'd awoken to a "loud pop" and found her husband, a Baptist Church pastor in Ada, Okla., "gurgling" in a pool of blood beside her, reports the Washington Post. In reality, she'd snuck out of bed to meet the lover she'd "begged" to kill her husband, according to an affidavit. She talked with Kahlil Deamie Square, who'd been staying with her in the preceding days while her husband was on a mission trip to Mexico, then permitted him to shoot the sleeping Evans, 50, with his own gun, per the affidavit. As Square fled, Evans called 911, pointing to an unknown assailant.

story continues below

The 47-year-old mother of three later confessed to police after first confessing to her daughter, per the Post. Surveillance video submitted by a neighbor had shown Square's vehicle parked in front of the house on the night of the murder, per KFOR and the Daily Beast. Evans told investigators that she'd secretly communicated with the 26-year-old after she and her husband met with him several times for motel threesomes. "Kristie told Kahlil stories about how David mistreated her  Kristie told Kahlil it would be nice to have more freedom," the affidavit reads, adding the pair came up with a plan to kill the pastor while he was away. David Evans, whom his wife described as controlling and verbally abusive, was killed March 21, a day after Kristie Evans' seemingly-loving Facebook post. Arrested late last week, Kristie Evans and Square are each charged with first-degree murder. (Read more murder stories.)
Convened by UN Women, the United Nations entity for Gender Equality, the Unstereotype Alliance has launched the India national chapter with a coalition formed to tackle harmful stereotypes advertising with support from EU funded WeEmpowerAsia Programme.

Founding Members of the Unstereotype Alliances India National Chapter include: Hindustan Unilever (Champion), Diageo, WPP, Publicis Groupe, Havas Group, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), The Advertising Club and Samhita Social Ventures. This new coalition of partners, championed by Hindustan Unilever, will focus on broadening the representation of women and men in non-traditional roles in media and advertising, with a focus on women returning to the workforce.

Since its launch in 2017, the Unstereotype Alliance has sought to eradicate harmful stereotypes from advertising and media to help create a more equal world.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, commented, The launch of the India national chapter is a significant milestone for the Unstereotype Alliance. It shows that the India advertising and media industry is coming together in all its strength and diversity to tackle the harmful stereotypes that hinder progress towards gender equality. This is critical to addressing the drivers of inequality such as violence against women and girls, intergenerational poverty and the lack of women in leadership and decision-making roles. We hope that you will join us in making unstereotyped advertising and content the norm rather than the exception.

Stereotypes in advertising perpetuate negative social norms and hinder progress of gender equality. Harmful social norms contribute to increased acceptance of gender-based violence, lack of economic decision-making for women and constricted opportunities in the job market. The chapter has defined strategic priorities to address gender stereotypes with a focus on harmful patriarchal traditions and norms to broaden the representation of empowered and autonomous women in private and public life, including in business leadership; and to ensure progressive representation in media and advertising.

Unstereotype Alliance research into gender equality attitudes shows that there is a clear role not only to remove stereotypes in advertising and media, but to challenge widely-held beliefs and norms in society. Data from the Gender Equality Attitudes study, conducted across 10 countries including India, shows that whilst many Indians recognise the importance of womens rights, outdated beliefs persist. Specifically:

87% believe that it is essential for society to treat women as equal to men, yet

39% believe that there are acceptable circumstances for someone to hit their spouse or partner

39% believe that a woman should not earn more than her husband

49% believe that for the same job, men should be paid more than women

75% believe that when a mother works for pay, the children suffer

Susan Ferguson, Country Representative, UN Women India:

"UN Women India is excited to launch the India chapter of the Unstereotype Alliance. I am confident with the support of such committed partners, we will generate a positive and enduring impact in the advertising and media industry and contribute to shaping a gender-equal world."

Alliance member speak:

Priya Nair, Executive Director, Beauty & Personal Care, Hindustan Unilever:

Across the globe, consumers are increasingly expecting brands to take a stand on the issues they care most about  gender stereotype has been one such issue. At HUL, we are committed to driving gender equity, including stepping up of brand programmes, advocacy to challenge the status quo and #unstereotyping advertising. With one billion people using our products every day and even more seeing our advertising, we know we have the power to make a real difference. Various organisations need to come together to bring about this systematic change and set new standards of empowerment and equality. As a founding member of the Unstereotype Alliance, we look forward to supporting UN Women, to drive social change, encourage action, and put an end to gender stereotypes and discrimination.

CVL Srinivas, Country Head, WPP India:

WPP is delighted to be a founding member of the Unstereotype Alliance  India Chapter. We look forward to working with the Alliance to bring about positive change to the issue of Gender Equality through the creative use of our skills and the passion of our people in this area.

Deepika Warrier, CMO, Diageo India:

Diageo India is proud to be associated with The Unstereotype Alliance  India Chapter, which will work to accelerate progressive gender portrayal in advertising. Together, we will lead the creation of a framework that encourages increasingly progressive codes with themes ranging from empowerment to celebrating the power and imperfections of womanhood to challenging stereotypes to ultimately moving beyond gender codes. We hope our efforts would contribute to empowering women regardless of their race, class, age, ability, religion, sexuality, language, education, etc.

Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis Groupe South Asia:

Publicis Groupe through Viva la difference is a company that celebrates talent, inclusivity and diversity. Our core values and people-first culture synergise seamlessly with the Unstereotype Alliances larger mission and objectives and we are pleased to be a part of its India Chapter. Publicis Groupe India looks forward to collaborating with other future-facing companies in building narratives that are progressive, purposeful, gender-equal, human and authentic.

Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India:

We are delighted to be coming on board at a crucial time as a member of the UN Women Unstereotype Alliance as they begin their chapter in India. At Havas Group, we are clear on driving gender diversity and want to bring about a cultural transformation and mindset shift that will encourage many more women leaders in the group. Our alliance with UN Women Unstereotype Alliance will surely help us in this journey.

Manish Kapoor, Secretary General, Advertising Standard Council of India:

Positive gender portrayals and depictions in advertising are high on ASCIs agenda, and we aim to shape this narrative in the coming months through different initiatives. Partnering with the Unstereotype Alliance is an important step in this journey. Working together helps synchronise voices of different stakeholders and we are very pleased to be a part of the alliance.

Sudhesh Kapoor, Secretary General, AAAI:

We are sure that this Alliance will go a long way in taking down some popularly held myths about genders which are consciously or sub-consciously propagated by popular media and advertising.

Namrata Tata, The Advertising Club:

While many organisations are taking initiatives to drive gender diversity & equality, collaboration at an industry level is needed to see the needle movement. As an integral part of the advertising industry, The Advertising Club believes in driving real change when it comes to the portrayal of gender norms. We are delighted to join The Unstereotype alliance convened by UN Women, which aims at removing negative gender stereotypes in Advertising and Media.

Priya Naik, Founder and CEO, Samhita Social Ventures:

Companies, media and content companies, advertisers, and creative agencies have a social and ethical responsibility to break gender stereotype, as well as the capability to do so on a large scale. I am proud to be a part of the Unstereotype Alliance movement to dismantle traditional gender roles and their related conventions.
A married dad-of-three has died saving children caught in a rip current on a Florida beach during family vacation.

Pete Rosengren, 42, rushed into the Gulf waters on Sunday to help his sons and a friend's nine-year-old son after they got into trouble.

The newspaper sales executive, who worked for the Daily Herald Media Group, was able to help the children to safety but later died in hospital.

Rosengren, who lived with his family in Batavia, Illinois, had been visiting Miramar Beach when the tragedy unfolded.

The beach had a double red flag warning to stop people swimming in the water.

David Vaughan, beach safety director for South Walton Fire District at Miramar Beach, said: 'They were caught in a rip current and Pete went out to rescue them.'

Pete Rosengren, 42, rushed into the Gulf waters on Sunday to help his sons and friend's nine-year-old son after they got into trouble. He is pictured with his family

Rosengren, who lived with his family in Batavia, Illinois, had been visiting Miramar Beach (stock) when the tragedy unfolded. The beach had a double red flag warning to stop people swimming in the water

Pete's wife Maura Rosengren told The Herald the children 'ran into the water right away' and got into trouble just minutes after arriving.

It is unclear how many children were in the water.

She said: 'It all happened so fast. I ran toward the water. We could see one little boy couldn't get in and [Pete] went out there.'

The couple had been due to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary on Monday with their sons Gavin, 14, Charlie, 12, and seven-year-old Grant.

Pete's wife Maura Rosengren said the children 'ran into the water right away' and got into trouble just minutes after arriving. The couple had been due to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary on Monday with their sons Gavin, 14, Charlie, 12, and seven-year-old Grant

A GoFundMe set up to help the family has raised more than $93,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. Joe Shaker called his friend 'a true hero'. Pete is pictured with his sons

A GoFundMe set up to help the family has raised more than $93,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

Joe Shaker called his friend 'a true hero', adding: 'The world needs more Petes putting others in front of themselves.'

Shaker called Maura 'the love of his life' and told WGN-TV: 'His three boys meant the world to him.'

Scott Stone, Daily Herald Media Groups president and chief operating officer, said: 'Pete was always there for others - employees, peers, family and friends. That was his DNA.'
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Genome Medical, a digital health company bringing genetics and genomics into everyday care, today announced the appointment of Russell Glass, CEO of on-demand mental health company Ginger, to its Board of Directors as an independent director. In addition, to help guide the company's ongoing rapid growth, Genome Medical has appointed two key leaders to its executive team: Marco Barcella as chief product officer, and Brandon Poe as chief financial officer.

Genome Medical is accelerating the availability, efficiency and effectiveness of genomic insights as a service. It brings together its comprehensive Genome Care Delivery platform and an unmatched virtual clinical team, including medical geneticists, genetic counselors, pharmacists, primary care MDs and other specialists. The resulting synergy and innovation enable Genome Medical to see patients more quickly than in a traditional clinic setting while also delivering a 5x return on investment in genetic services and reducing the cost of care by up to 75%.1,2

Through Genome Care Delivery, Genome Medical arms physicians and patients with the information and tools they need to make informed, accurate decisions about preventive screening, diagnostic testing and results management to improve patient care. The platform features patient engagement and care navigation; self-directed education and informed consent through Genome Care Navigator; genetic testing review, authorization and ordering; clinical decision support tools and resources; and personalized care planning with medical recommendations based on test results and health history.

Board of Directors Expansion

Glass joins a board led by Genome Medical Co-founder and Chairman Randy Scott, Ph.D., with members and observers representing the company's co-founders and its strategic investors. Glass, as CEO of Ginger, leads the company with his experience as a technology entrepreneur and a passion for digital mental health, strategy and building great cultures. Prior to Ginger, Glass led products for the marketing solutions group at LinkedIn. He is the founder and former CEO and president of Bizo, a B2B marketing and data platform, which he sold to LinkedIn in 2014.

"It is clear to me as the CEO of a virtual mental health company that genomic medicine is going to be an increasingly critical component of personalized and cost effective care over time," Glass said. "I'm thrilled to be joining this pioneering team to help scale the speed and impact genomics can have on improving the health and healthcare outcomes of our society."

"We are excited to have Russ join our Board of Directors," Scott said. "Russ brings extensive experience in digital health and will be a great addition to our board in helping to drive our vision and business model as the world moves into a new era of genomic medicine."

Executive Team Additions

Marco Barcella has 20 years of experience turning innovative technologies into successful businesses with wide adoption, including artificial intelligence insights, SaaS and mobile apps. He is passionate about transforming the health care industry and improving patient outcomes, and most recently held strategic product positions at Tiatros and IBM Watson Health. Barcella received his masters of science at the University of Virginia and his MBA at the NYU Stern School of Business (class valedictorian).

Brandon Poe brings more than 20 years of financial experience to Genome Medical across various industries, including life sciences, medical device, consumer electronics and travel. Most recently, he was Vice President of Finance at Illumina, where he led multiple functions during his tenure, including FP&A, treasury and strategic finance, and was previously CFO at Sotera Wireless, a medical device company. He received his bachelor's degree from Bucknell University and his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

"I am very pleased to welcome Marco and Brandon to the Genome Medical team and Russ to our board of directors," said Lisa Alderson, CEO and co-founder of Genome Medical. "This added expertise will help propel our company forward as a leader in efficient, on-demand genomics care and as an innovator in the technology-driven delivery of genomic insights as a service."

Barcella and Poe join a diverse and robust executive team. Previously, in 2020, Genome Medical appointed Kristin Aschraft as chief operating officer and Minh Merchant as general counsel. Ashcraft was most recently senior vice president of business operations at MyHealthTeams, and she also worked in leadership capacities at DaVita and Counsyl. Merchant has experience in leadership roles at health care companies and labs, including Myriad Genetics (where she was associate general counsel and global head of litigation and employment), Counsyl and McKesson.

About Genome Medical

Genome Medical is a digital health company that is transforming the delivery of genetic and genomics care through telehealth and digital infrastructure innovations. We operate as an independent virtual medical practice, with on-demand genetic expertise, testing recommendations and patient navigation platforms that accelerate the delivery of genomic insights as a service. Genome Medical takes genetic information and transforms it into clinical action and follow-up care to improve health outcomes. Genome Medical supports partners in every stage of genetic health service implementation and delivery -- from strategy to technology applications to direct patient care -- to widen the reach and impact of precision medicine. The company, which is headquartered in South San Francisco, was recently honored as "The Best Digital Health Company to Work For" by Rock Health, Fenwick & West and Goldman Sachs in their "Top 50 in Digital Health" awards. To learn more, visit genomemedical.com and follow @GenomeMed.

References

Return on investment per genetic counseling session vs cost savings by eliminating waste/inappropriate utilization. Internal data, and Miller CE, Krautscheid P, Baldwin EE,Tvrdik T, Openshaw AS, Hart K, LaGrave D. 2014. Genetic counselor review of genetic test orders in a reference laboratory reduces unnecessary testing. Am J Med Genet Part A 9999:18.

Internal modeling based on CMS data and estimates of increased efficiency through application of technology. Details available upon request.

SOURCE Genome Medical

Related Links

https://www.genomemedical.com


TNS file

LITCHFIELD  The person found floating in Mount Tom Pond March 28 has been identified as a 67-year-old Oakville man, authorities said.

The cause of death for Michael Borys has not been determined, state police said Wednesday.
Bahrains monarch Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Thursday named the countrys ambassador to Israel, several months after both countries normalized ties.

Khalid Yusuf Al-Jalahma, the appointee, is the Director of Operations at Bahrains Foreign Ministry and former deputy chief of mission at Bahrains Embassy to the US from 2009-2013.

The king also gave instructions to set up a diplomatic mission within Israel. Israel has approved al-Jalahmas appointment and a team of Bahraini officials is expected to visit Tel Aviv in the coming weeks for the establishment of the mission.

The appointment follows Israels appointment in January of a temporary head of its diplomatic mission to Bahrain.

Israel signed in September last year in the U.S with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accords for the establishment of the diplomatic relations. Morocco and Sudan also established ties with Tel Aviv. Palestinians movements and Arab figures championing the Palestinian cause have slammed the agreements.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 06:39:12|Editor: huaxia

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Rail System Vehicles Industry and Trade Ltd., a China-Turkey joint venture, sign a long-term strategic cooperation deal with dozens of Turkish suppliers in Ankara, Turkey, March 30, 2021. (Xinhua)

ANKARA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- CRRC-MNG Rail System Vehicles Industry and Trade Ltd. (CRRC-MNG), a China-Turkey joint venture, signed a long-term strategic cooperation deal with dozens of Turkish suppliers on Tuesday.

The agreement, which was signed at a supply chain cooperation conference held in Turkey's capital Ankara, involves CRRC-MNG and 46 Turkish suppliers.

The deal, dubbed Supply Chain Cooperation Statement, aims at maintaining sustainable cooperation with Turkish businesses on the basis of the win-win principles.

Li Yangyang, general manager of the CRRC-MNG, said in his speech that his company has been pursuing localization which could benefit both the company itself and the Turkish supplies.

The CRRC-MNG has realized localization in product supplies, assembly and project management, which not only increases the R&D capabilities of local suppliers but also creates jobs for local workers, he added.

Nurettin Ozdebir, president of Ankara Industry Chamber, said the contribution of CRRC-MNG was important for the transport systems in Turkish cities including Ankara, adding the localization strategy of CRRC-MNG helps boost the economy of Turkey.

Several other Turkish officials including Yalcin Eyigun, general manager of infrastructure investment under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, and representatives from various Chinese and Turkish companies, also participated in the conference themed Cooperation and Win-win.

Jointly established in 2013 by Chinese rail manufacturer China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd. and Turkey's MNG Holding, CRRC-MNG has provided metro vehicles and services for important cities in Turkey, including Istanbul and Ankara. 
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus M.Barysevich meets the Ambassador of Palestine

On March 31, 2021, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mikalai Barysevich met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Belarus, Dean of the Diplomatic corps Khalid Ariqat.

The parties discussed topical issues of the Belarusian-Palestinian agenda, including practical measures to intensify trade and economic cooperation, and interaction in international organizations, as well as the current situation in the Middle East region.

The parties reached an agreement to hold regular meetings to discuss the livelihoods of the diplomatic corps accredited in the Republic of Belarus.

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The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme delivered in partnership between Failte Ireland and Local Authorities across

the country will have a budget of 17 and will create public spaces in cities, towns and villages.

Part One of the Scheme will provide funding for individual tourism and hospitality businesses to develop and increase their own outdoor seating capacity.

Funding allocated under Part Two will enable Local Authorities to develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces in towns and urban centres, similar to those that exist in various European cities.

The Scheme opens for initial applications on April 12th 2021.

Welcoming the initiative, Senator Fiona OLoughlin said; Outdoor dining is here to stay and Kildare businesses need financial supports to help them provide the facilities their customers need.

Todays funding announcement will allow applicants apply for a grant of up to 4,000 (up to 75% of the ex-VAT cost of equipment purchased/installed).

"Costs for outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands and wooden platforms will be

covered under the Scheme. Expenditure must be incurred between 1st April 2020 and 30th September 2021 and the scheme will open for applications on April 12th 2021 through Local Authority websites.



Senator OLoughlin also explained that Part Two of the Scheme covers Weatherproofing & Outdoor Dining Infrastructure.

This will support Local Authorities to upgrade and enhance streets and public spaces and implement weather-proofing solutions which will facilitate year- round outdoor dining in urban tourism centres. This element of the Scheme will facilitate medium-large scale, weather-proofed dining areas for a collective of businesses in a single zone/street, similar to those that exist in various

European cities. For example in Newbridge alone-Georges Street, outside The politican added that Bradbury's, part of the front car park in the centre of Newbridge and the green in front of Bord na Mona would be ideal as outdoor spaces.

Each Local Authority can apply for up to 200,000 for a maximum of 2

locations. Additional funding may be made available subject to the quality and

economic value of the proposals. Permanent robust and design appropriate

weatherproofing structures, including parasols, electric heaters, wind

breakers/screens and associated enabling works to accommodate these

interventions on a long-term basis will be included. Roof structures and

awnings will be considered subject to planning requirements being adhered

to.

I encourage all interested Kildare businesses to get in touch with Kildare

County Council after April 12 th to apply for these grants, concluded Senator

OLoughlin.
Finance Minister-Designate, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta has refuted claims that the banking sector cleanup undertaken by the government targeted specific individuals.

According to him, the research on the banks and the rot in the sector had already been identified by the previous management of the Bank of Ghana.

Therefore, after taking over, President Akufo-Addo's administration simply followed through with the processes for the cleanup.

"To be clear that this was not a policy that was looking to target individuals. The rot was known, cleaning the stables had to be done and we took up the challenge for that. We have seen the result have been good so far," he told Parliament during his vetting last Friday.

Referencing the 2016 State of the Nation Address he said the previous government had noticed the problem before the NPP government took over in 2017.

"The AQRs (Applied Quantitative Research) were done prior to the time we came and even as the former President articulated the problem so clearly, there was still the issue of will and courage to move forward with that and that is what prez came to do with the new management of Bank of Ghana, " he said.

Mr Ofori-Atta said that the government would have appreciated the support of the minority on the cleanup especially since the problem had been identified during their time in power.

His comment comes after former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor and the former Chef Executive Officer of UT Bank petitioned Parliament over the Bank of Ghana (BoG)'s revocation of their banking license.

Mr Duffuor also wants an inquiry into the appointment of an Official Administrator of Unibank Ghana Limited, as well as the circumstances surrounding the revocation of the bank's licence in 2018.

He is also asking Parliament to direct the restoration of the banking licence of Unibank Ghana Limited by BoG and remedying the harms done to the shareholders' property rights as a result of the conduct of the central bank.

On his part, the former UT Bank boss, Prince Kofi Amoabeng has petitioned the Legislature to conduct an investigation of the conduct of the central bank and Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) for the revocation of UT Bank's license and delisting the bank without due regard to the rules of Administration Justice guaranteed under Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution.

The disgruntled CEO also asked Parliament to direct the restoration of his bank's licence and the remedying of the harms done to the shareholder's property right as a result of the conduct of the BoG.

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He is being accused by the state of mishandling depositors' cash by engaging in fictitious and unlawful activities which led to the collapse of UT Bank in 2017.

Mr Kofi Amoabeng also wants Parliament to give other directives it deems fit.

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has recommended the creation of a seven-member committee to investigate the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) over the revocation of licenses of UT Bank and UniBank.

The Majority leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, however, raised objections to the admissibility of the petition but the Speaker, Alban Bagbin went on to admit the petitions by saying he was properly clothed by law and the Standing Orders of the House to act on it.
Some of the toughest issues for IT leaders to come to grips with in planning cloud migration are how easy will it be to move and manage their workloads. Oracle and VMware have teamed up to alleviate those concerns, enabling organizations to move VMware workloads and run them natively on Oracle Cloud without any need for modification.

In a recent webinar, Oracle Cloud: The Ideal Enterprise Platform for VMware, executives from both companies provided insights into the availability and benefits of Oracle Cloud VMware Solution (OCVS).

Meeting Enterprise Requirements

With Oracle Cloud VMware Solution, Oracle addresses enterprise requirements head-on with Security, Predictability and Control. Enterprises can migrate their VMware virtualized workloads at a global scale, using existing security best-practices. Equally important, IT operations executives can depend on Oracle to provide consistency in VMware operational best practices, published and predictable costs for cloud infrastructure and a solid foundation to manage data ingress, egress and accessibility without punitive financial impact. For most VMware customers, they require full management control of their VMware environment and/or have dependencies on their consultancy or managed services partners where they have retain services with

The cloud world has given rise to a new set of vocabulary. This is great if you keep up. VMware has a certain vocabulary that is fluent amongst enterprise IT professionals. said Eric Pan, Oracle Senior Director of VMware marketing. With OCVS, we subscribe to the well understood VMware vocabulary and will help to perpetuate these standards. 

With OCVS, VMware customers can migrate their applications without having to make changes and later use Oracle Cloud servicesranging from Oracle Autonomous Database to chatbotsto modernize them.

Enterprise-grade public cloud

Built on Oracle infrastructure, OCVS is an enterprise-grade public cloud solution that allows VMware customers to use the same tools they rely on in their on-premises environments, said Mark Carroll, an Oracle Cloud Architect.

Other cloud providers are trying to change the way people manage their VMware environments, but OCVS is in lockstep with the VMware Cloud Verified program, he said.

Carroll said VMware users will be able to take advantage of an incredibly fast network with purpose-built, bare metal machines capable of 40 useable Terabytes of storage per node to match the 52 physical procs or OCPUs. 

OCVS provides customers with the ability to provision, control, and manage the full technology stack from root access up to the individual virtual machines. Furthermore, that level of control can be vested in managed services providers that VMware customers may be relying on.

Global scale

OCVS became globally available in June 2020 in commercial clouds. Thats now up to 22 regions globally, said Jay Workman, VMware, Senior Director of Alliance Marketing.

Oracle went all in, he said.

For customers running VMware in data centers, OCVS makes cloud migration a much simpler process, according to Workman. Customers can get their software defined data center (SDDC) infrastructure delivered as a service by Oracle and offer the same user experience in the cloud that users are accustomed to with on-premises VMware implementations.

According to Carroll, OCVS provides a better hybrid cloud environment and can be delivered to VMware customers in hours, not weeks. Customers can rely on the same SDDC functions in both on-premises and cloud implementations.

You can scale where you want and when you want, either on-prem or cloud, Carroll added.

Security zones

VMware instances run in Oracle Cloud in security zones that ensure unauthorized parties, including cloud providers, cant access customer data, view their configurations, or control their operations.

Learn more about how Oracle Cloud VMware Solution can reduce costs and modernize your VMware infrastructure with security, speed, and scale: watch the webinar, read the latest announcement around OCVS support for vSphere 7 and visit oracle.com/vmware for additional resources.
Paul Simon has sold his entire songwriting catalog  including classics like Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Sound of Silence and Still Crazy After All These Years  to Sony Music Publishing, in the latest blockbuster transaction in the music publishing business.

In its announcement of the deal on Wednesday, Sony gave few details, other than it was acquiring the complete collection of Simons compositions, including his work with Simon and Garfunkel and his solo material.

The database of BMI, the performing rights organization that Simon is affiliated with, lists more than 400 titles under his name.

The deal covers the copyrights for songwriting, which are separate from those for recordings. Simon had full ownership of his catalog, and Sony purchased 100 percent of the rights to his songs. That means that any future earnings from those songs  including the income that would have previously gone to Simon as both songwriter and copyright owner  will go to Sony.
President Joe Biden will allow a ban on certain types of temporary worker visas to expire in his latest reversal of former President Donald Trump's immigration policy.

Bloomberg News reported that the ban will end Wednesday.

The pandemic-related moratorium impacted H-1B visas that are used by Silicon Valley's tech companies to hire coders and engineers from abroad.

President Joe Biden will allow a ban on certain types of temporary worker visas to expire in his latest reversal of former President Donald Trump's immigration policy

Trump, an immigration hardliner, had used the COVID-19 pandemic last year to curtail forms of legal immigation, including to H-1B visa holders, angering Silicon Valley's tech companies

Representatives of tech companies have been pushing the Biden administration to rescind the ban since the president was sworn-in in January, arguing that it was harming American companies.

It took effect last June, as the Trump administration used the pandemic to further squeeze legal immigration after already taking a hardline approach to illegal immigration.

Trump's team had also stopped issuing green cards, using COVID-19 as an excuse. Biden reversed Trump's executive order on that last month.

'To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here,' Biden said. 'It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world.'

Trump famously ran on a platform of curtailing illegal immigration.

He pitched building a wall between the United States and Mexico - and making Mexico pay for it.

During his four years in office, Trump was successful in building hundreds of miles of wall, but a majority replaced pre-existing, deteriorating structures.

He also took on certain kinds of legal immigration as well, railing against 'chain' migration that allows family members of citizens and green card holders to come in.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

New research published in Anaesthesia (a journal of the Association of Anaesthetists) challenges the guidance that special aerosol precautions are only needed when using oxygen therapies for COVID-19 patients, and raises concerns about safety of staff and patients on hospital wards, if they are not protected from infectious aerosols.

The study set out to examine whether oxygen therapies used for patients with severe COVID-19 produce large amounts of small respiratory particles called aerosols, which can transmit virus and can evade routine precautions used on hospital wards. The study found these oxygen therapies do not produce excessive amounts of aerosols and in fact reduce aerosols suggesting these therapies can be made widely available.

The study also showed that respiratory activities such as coughing and deep breathing are a major source of aerosol particles, and this has the potential to expose healthcare workers to an increased risk of infection. Importantly, the authors make clear that this study used 10 healthy volunteers to produce the aerosols measured, not patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

The authors of the study, who include Dr. Nick Wilson (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Scotland), Prof Euan Tovey (University of Sydney), Prof Guy Marks (University of New South Wales, Sydney) and Prof Tim Cook (Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, UK) say that their findings could in part explain why staff working on wards who wear only surgical masks have around two to three times higher rates of infection and hospitalisation than those working in ICU where more complete personal protective equipment such as N95/FFP3 respirator masks are used.

The researchers built a new chamber providing extremely clean air, in which 10 healthy volunteers sat. They breathed into a large cone, and the researchers collected the particles that were breathed out and used a specialised machine called an 'optical particle counter' to measure the number and size of the particles. In contrast to previous studies the researchers collected almost all particles breathed out and this enabled a clear comparison between the amounts of aerosols generated by respiratory activities and oxygen therapies.

First, the volunteers performed respiratory activities including breathing, talking, shouting, coughing and exercising, designed to mimic respiratory activity of patients with respiratory infections such as COVID-19. This showed that increased respiratory activity (such as coughing and deep breathing) which is common in patients with COVID-19 increases aerosols by more than 100 times.

The volunteers then repeated the experiments while receiving oxygen therapies commonly used in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19, first the delivery of oxygen at high flow into the nose (high flow nasal oxygen) and then oxygen delivered under pressure through a tight-fitting facemask (non-invasive ventilation). Aerosol numbers were not increased and during increased respiratory activities and were actually reduced.

There is much debate over the role of respiratory particles in guidelines for preventing transmission of COVID-19. Larger particles (larger than 1/200th of a millimetre) are traditionally called 'droplets' and are deemed to travel only 1-2 metres from an infected patient before falling to the ground. Aerosols are smaller particles (smaller than 1/200th of a millimetre) and stay floating in the air for prolonged periods, spread further, may accumulate in poorly ventilated spaces, can be inhaled deep into the lungs and bypass looser fitting facemasks. Much current guidance is designed to protect from droplets and infection spread by aerosols is only considered a risk when caused by medical therapies. In this new study, the volunteers produced up to 100 times more aerosol particles with activities such as coughing than they did during treatment with oxygen therapies.

This challenges the current guidelines which state healthcare staff looking after patients with COVID-19 who are coughing and have breathing difficulty only need PPE that protects against the larger droplets. 'Droplet protection' includes surgical masks but does not prevent aerosol particles passing around the edges of the masks and being inhaled. N95/FFP3 respirators which are tightfitting and filter better, block more aerosols but guidelines currently recommend these only for staff looking after patients receiving the advanced oxygen therapies.

Study lead author Dr. Nick Wilson explains: "More than 90% of the total number of particles produced by both activities and therapies were the smaller aerosols. Aerosols are important as they can travel long distances in the air, evade loose fitting surgical facemasks and be inhaled deep into the lung. This raises concerns about the safety of those around patients with COVID-19."

Prof Euan Tovey says: "The coughing and laboured breathing common in patients with COVID-19 produces a lot more droplets and aerosols than is produced by patients being treated with oxygen therapies. Surgical facemasks provide inadequate protection against aerosols and staff safety can only be increased by more widespread use of specialised tight-fitting respirators (N95 or FFP3 masks) and increased indoor ventilation. Also, as the respiratory therapies did not significantly increase aerosols, these treatments should be made widely available to patients with COVID-19 who need them."

Prof Guy Marks says: "The study also has implications beyond hospitals. The generation of both droplets and particularly aerosols by everyday breathing activities reinforces the importance of maintaining social distance, having excellent ventilation in buildings and transport, being outside where possible and using effective masks both to protect from breathing in virus and reducing the amount of virus they spread when breathing out."

Prof Tim Cook concludes: "Our findings strongly support the re-evaluation of guidelines to better protect hospital staff, patients and all those on the front line who are dealing with people who have, or are suspected of having, COVID-19."

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

More information: N. M. Wilson et al. The effect of respiratory activity, noninvasive respiratory support and facemasks on aerosol generation and its relevance to COVID19, Anaesthesia (2021). Journal information: Anaesthesia N. M. Wilson et al. The effect of respiratory activity, noninvasive respiratory support and facemasks on aerosol generation and its relevance to COVID19,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/anae.15475

Provided by AAGBI
Italy shortlisted to host World Water Forum, Di Maio says 'Water resource management must follow integrated approach'

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MARCH 31 - Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio has announced that Italy is among a final shortlist of candidates to host the World Water Forum. "Italy has made it to the final shortlist of candidates to host the World Water Forum in March 2024", Di Maio said. The foreign minister made the announcement at the event 'Acqua 2050: Infrastrutture, efficienza, sostenibilita' (water 2050: infrastructures, efficiency, sustainability) organized by the Five-Star Movement.



"In Italy and in Europe we have a fortunate geography that has guaranteed an abundance of water but we just need to move by a few hundreds kilometers, for example in Sahel, to understand the importance of this resource", stressed the foreign minister.



"The management of water resources must follow an integrated approach", he went on to say. "The Italian government has dedicated a primary part of the Italian G20 to water. This theme will be awarded much space during preparatory events of COP26 which we will host this year in our country".



"Italy has a consolidated tradition of promotion of international cooperation in this sector, in particular in North Africa and in Sahel where some 50 projects have been started over the past three years for a value of 40 million euros", the foreign minister said, announcing that Italy "was admitted in the final shortlist to host the World Water Forum in 2024".



(ANSAmed).




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil prices drifted lower on Wednesday amid concerns about outlook for energy demand. Traders were also looking ahead to a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies, including Russia. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday. The OPEC+ is widely expected to stick with its production curbs for another month to safeguard the recovery in oil prices. Meanwhile, the cartel has lowered its 2021 oil demand growth forecast by 300,000 barrels per day. Investors were awaiting details of U.S. President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan to be announced in a speech later today in Pittsburgh. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for May ended down $1.39 or about 2.3% at $59.16 a barrel. Crude futures shed 3.8% in the month, but gained as much as 22% in the January-March quarter. Data released by EIA this morning showed crude inventories dropped by 876,000 barrels last week, against expectations for a build of 107,000 barrels. The EIA said gasoline inventories also declined by 1.735 million barrels last week, compared with expectations for a 730,000-barrel build. According to a report released by the American Petroleum Institute (API) late Tuesday, U.S. crude stockpiles increased by 3.9 million barrels in the week ended March 26. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Grace Capati looks at a UFO display outside of the Little A'Le'Inn, in Rachel, Nev., the closest town to Area 51, July 22, 2019. A recent survey posted by Ufology Research in Winnipeg says there was a jump in UFO sightings in Canada last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Locher
BOISE - Idaho drivers received more frustrating news as they filled up at the pump this week, with gas prices increasing by another nickel to hit an average of $3.04 per gallon. According to AAA, thats 45 cents more than a month ago, and 70 cents more than a year ago (when COVID-19 restrictions were imposed). The Gem State now ranks 10th in the country for most expensive fuel.

But there may be some good news on the horizon. This week, gas prices decreased or held steady in 45 states, and the U.S. average dropped two cents to $2.86 per gallon amid stabilizing crude oil prices and increased refinery production. If the trend continues, Idaho prices could follow suit.

Rising pump prices have been a bitter pill for Idaho drivers to swallow, but its encouraging that the national average is cheaper week-over-week for the first time since November of last year, says AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde. While its too early to know how strong the fuel demand will be this spring and summer, were hopeful that some of the supply-side issues are finally being resolved, which could relieve some of the upward pressure on gas prices.

Today, the U.S. average is 14 cents more expensive than a month ago, and 84 cents more than a year ago. The gap in year-over-year gas prices will continue to widen in the coming weeks, with fuel demand plummeting in 2020 during the heart of the pandemic.

While fuel demand is currently on the rise and now sits at 8.6 million barrels per day, refinery production has increased to 82 percent capacity, helping to keep prices steady at the pump.

Crude oil prices fluctuated throughout the week in response to reports of potential European Union lockdowns and tight vaccination supplies in some areas, dipping as low as $58 per barrel at one point. West Texas Intermediate crude is now trading near $61 per barrel, the same as a month ago.

While a container ship blocked the Suez Canal for a few days, causing a temporary delay in crude oil deliveries in some parts of the world, the United States is unlikely to be affected.

Heres a selection of Idaho gas prices as of 3/29/21:

Boise  $3.15

Coeur dAlene  $2.71

Franklin  $3.19

Idaho Falls  $2.98

Lewiston  $2.83

Pocatello  $3.05

Twin Falls  $3.08
[March 30, 2021] Coursera Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

Coursera, Inc. ("Coursera") today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of an aggregate of 15,730,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $33.00 per share. The offering includes 14,664,776 shares of common stock to be issued and sold by Coursera and 1,065,224 shares of common stock to be sold by the selling stockholders. The shares are expected to begin trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "COUR" on March 31, 2021. The gross proceeds of the offering to the Company, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, are expected to be $483.9 million, excluding any exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares. Coursera will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling stockholders. The offering is expected to close on April 5, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. Coursera has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 2,359,500 additional shares of common stock at the initial price to the public, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as lead book-running managers for the offering. Citigroup and UBS Investment ank are acting as additional bookrunners, and KeyBanc Capital Markets, Raymond James, Stifel, Truist Securities, William Blair, D.A. Davidson & Co., Needham & Company, Loop Capital Markets, and Telsey Advisory Group are acting as co-managers for the offering.



The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, by telephone at (866) 718-1649; or Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, by telephone at (866) 471-2526, by facsimile at (212) 902-9316, or by email at prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with, and declared effective on March 30, 2021 by, the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Coursera Coursera was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning. It is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 77 million registered learners. Coursera partners with over 200 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including Guided Projects, courses, Specializations, certificates, and bachelor's and master's degrees. More than 6,000 institutions have used Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, citizens, and students, including in high-demand fields such as data science, technology, and business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210330006145/en/

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A worker is seen inside a laboratory in Beijing on May 14, 2020. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Communists Germ Warfare Research

Commentary

The Chinese Communist Party is good at hiding mass killings. There are no monuments in China to the millions who were starved during the Great Leap Forward under Mao in the 1960s or to the throngs mowed down at Tiananmen Square. Now, the CCP is covering up the origins of COVID-19, which has killed 2.7 million so far.

The CCPs fingerprints are all over the joint World Health Organization-China report on the viruss origins leaked Monday. China barred international scientists from collecting data, inspecting labs, scrutinizing medical records, or even having unmonitored talks with Chinese scientists. WHO even gave China veto power over the reports contents. Its a coverup.

The report argues that the virus probably spread from bats to another animal species (yet to be identified, despite testing thousands of species) and then leaped to humans in the city of Wuhan.

A tragic fluke of nature that coincidentally unfolded in the only city in China with a maximum security research lab investigating viruses.

Dr. Robert Redfield, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doesnt buy it. The most likely scenario, he says, is that the virus escaped from the Wuhan lab. A mountain of circumstantial evidence supports that idea, though international investigators are being blocked from confirming it.

Wuhan Institute scientists collected viral samples from bat caves, including the virus most closely resembling the cause of COVID-19. At the lab, scientists used mice genetically engineered to have lungs like humans and infected these mice with the virus.

In the fall of 2019, just before the outbreak, the Wuhan Institute took its virus data offline, according to the MIT Technology Review. The Institute is stonewalling.

The WHO-China report argues that a lab leak is an extremely unlikely explanation for the pandemic because lab accidents are rare. Thats laughable. Theyre not rare. Viruses can leak out of high security labs on workers clothing or accidentally infect a worker. In 2018, U.S. embassy personnel in Beijing alerted the State Department of the low safety standards at the Wuhan Institute, but China resisted international monitoring.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cautions that most signs point to the Wuhan Institute of Virology as the source of COVID-19.

Though Pompeo is suggesting an accident, Chinese researchers admit their research goal is biological weapons, including viruses that target specific ethnicities. Thats horrifying.

The United States must prepare for this threat. Biological warfare is a top priority of Chinas President Xi Jinping. Defending against it has to be a top U.S. priority.

Yet, Washington pols are complacent. The United States lacks an extensive system of surveillance testing. When commercial and government labs test specimens for routine medical reasons, they should also be randomly sampling for new viruses and bacteria invisibly invading the country. That will alert the nation early, instead of being caught off guard when emergency rooms are suddenly flooded with patients sickened by an unknown disease.

The CARES Act, passed last March, provides only $500 million for surveillance testing, a token 1/60th of 1 percent of the trillions spent in response to COVID this past year. Washington pols have used the pandemic as a pretext to ramp up spending on their favorite causesfrom teachers unions and performing arts centers to high-spending Democratic-run state and city governmentsinstead of preparing the nation to defend against future viral attacks.

There will be future pandemics. But information about Chinas bioweaponry research is a valuable wake-up call. Now politicians must heed it.

Instead, Democrats in Maryland attacked Redfield on Monday, insisting that blaming China for the pandemic put a big bulls-eye on people of Asian descent. Thats nonsense. Hate crimes against Asian Americans are deplorable, but the U.S. government must not be deterred from seeking the truth about the pandemic or Chinas biological weaponry.

Most Chinese Americans understand that China is a rogue nation with no respect for human life. Thats why they choose to live here.

Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., is a political commentator, constitutional expert, syndicated columnist, and author of several books, including The Obama Health Law: What It Says and How to Overturn, and The Next Pandemic. She is also a former lieutenant governor of New York.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
New water vapor condenser takes cues from darkling beetle

On the left, a look at the condenser unit. On the right, a closeup view of the water the unit is shedding. Credit: Ming Zhou, UW-Madison.

Like the insect, the new tech lowers its temperature to harvest condensed water and  of course  it consumes no electricity

The cost and availability of materials has been the barrier for this type of application. But thats not the case in our system, which is much closer to reality. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  Access to clean water is a huge issue across the globe. Even in areas with water resources, a lack of infrastructure or reliable energy means purifying that water is sometimes extremely difficult.

Thats why a water vapor condenser designed by University at Buffalo and University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers could be revolutionary. Unlike other radiative vapor condensers which can only operate at night, the new design works in direct sunlight and requires no energy input.

We have worked on solar-driven water evaporation technologies in the past years, says Qiaoqiang Gan, PhD, professor of electrical engineering at UB and a leading corresponding author. We are now addressing the second half of the water cycle, condensation.

Water sustainability is a global issue, says Zongfu Yu, PhD, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at UW-Madison, another leading corresponding author. You cant set out to solve the water problem without addressing energy.

Yu, Gan and their students described the new radiative vapor condenser in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online March 31.

Tech borrows from darkling beetle

The idea of radiative cooling is not new. In fact, its used in nature by insects like the darkling beetle found in the Namib Desert in southwest Africa. During clear nights when ambient temperatures are cool, darkling beetle shells shed extra heat in the mid-infrared range, also known as the atmospheric-transparency window. That heat naturally radiates toward the cool upper atmosphere of Earth and the chilly void of space.

This heat loss lowers the beetles temperature below the dew point, or the temperature at which water vapor in the air condenses into droplets on cooler surfaces (think of a glass of iced tea on a hot day). The beetle is then able to harvest that water, using special grooves and structures to direct the moisture toward its mouth.

Over the last few decades, researchers have designed dew collectors based on the same principle, using special materials that efficiently shed heat like the beetle shell does. The problem is that those collectors only work at night since sunlight produces more heat than the materials can give off.

In this project, the team, led by UW-Madison postdoctoral researcher Ming Zhou, constructed a small vapor condenser using a thin film of material called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which is very efficient at releasing thermal radiation in the atmospheric-transparency window. They layered that over silver, which reflects sunlight. The combination of the two is able to cool the condenser below the dew point, leading to condensation.

Made from widely available, inexpensive materials

Zhou tested the device by placing it inside a box-like condensation chamber alongside chambers containing a commercially available dew-collecting material as well as a simple black body. The team pumped humidified air into the three chambers, which they positioned on top of a UW-Madison building and, during another test, a parking garage. The polydimethylsiloxane was the only material that condensed water vapor while in direct sunlight.

Fundamentally, our radiative condenser is engineered to be in 'thermal contact' with the vast cold reservoir in the upper atmosphere and in outer space, says co-author Mikhail Kats, a UW-Madison electrical and computer engineering associate professor. The cooling power obtained via this thermal contact enables daytime water condensation with no need for an external power source.

Another benefit is that polydimethylsiloxane is a widely available, relatively cheap material and the silver backing is not necessary for the condenser to work.

The cost and availability of materials has been the barrier for this type of application. But thats not the case in our system, which is much closer to reality, says Gan.

Startup Sunny Clean Water is commercializing the tech

Currently, Yu and Gan are hoping to commercialize the condenser through their company Sunny Clean Water LLC by pairing it with another passive process theyve researched, solar vapor generation. Their idea is to create a system in which untreated water or even sea water is vaporized, then run it through the condenser to purify it using the sun as the only energy source.

Eventually, the team hopes that the system is efficient enough to produce water directly from the air. Its a process they are working to optimize. This experiment was done using some controlled water vapor, says Yu. Now, the next step is to pull the water directly out of the air. Thats very, very exciting to usto get water from the air for free using no energy.

Additional co-authors include Haomin Song of UB; Xingyu Xu of Tsinghua University; Jia Zhu of Nanjing University; Boon Ooi of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; and Zhenqiang Ma, Alireza Shahsafi, Yurui Qu and Zhenyang Xia, all from UW-Madison.
Joint op-ed by the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Austria, Malta, Portugal Ten years ago, millions of Syrians took to the streets of Daraa, Aleppo and Damascus, calling for democracy and respect of their fundamental rights and basic freedoms. The brutal response by the regime triggered over the span of a decade one of the most serious criminal enterprises and humanitarian crises since the Second World War resulting in more than 400 000 deaths and in countless violations of human rights. More than half of the Syrian population have had to leave their homes, and more than 6 million have fled their country to escape the regimes atrocities. Tens of thousands have been forcibly disappeared, their families left without any information as to their fate or whereabouts. The Syrian regime has used chemical weapons against its own people repeatedly, as the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have proven beyond doubt. The regime has consistently refused to provide explanations to international investigation teams. But the survivors of its attacks are here to bear witness to what they have seen and suffered. We will not remain silent in the face of the atrocities that have taken place in Syria, for which the regime and its external supporters bear the main responsibility. Many of these crimes, including the ones committed by Daesh and other armed groups, may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is everyones responsibility to fight impunity and demand accountability for the crimes committed in Syria regardless of the perpetrator. It is a matter of justice for victims. Given the seriousness of the crimes, we continue to call for the International Criminal Court to be allowed to investigate crimes alleged to be committed in Syria and prosecute the perpetrators. To thwart the strategy of those blocking Security Council referral to the Court, we are working to ensure the facts are documented, pending examination by the competent judges. We therefore supported the creation of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, which collects and preserves evidence for future proceedings. These efforts are essential. We also support the work of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which documents human rights violations in the Syrian conflict. It is critical that these violations, which have been documented so thoroughly, come to an end immediately. We are also determined to enforce all international norms to protect the rights of all Syrians, as demonstrated by the recent action initiated by the Netherlands to hold Syria to account for breaching the UN Convention Against Torture. National courts, some of which have already opened judicial proceedings, play an important role in this. Prosecutions and final judgements have already been brought against perpetrators in several of our countries. Already in 2016, courts in Sweden started prosecuting grave crimes committed in Syria. Last month, a court in Koblenz, Germany, handed down a historic first judgment against a former member of the Syrian intelligence services for abetting crimes against humanity. Judicial proceedings are also underway in France, and a complaint was recently filed in Paris for the chemical attacks committed by the Syrian regime against its people. The European Union has adopted targeted sanctions against individuals and entities close to the regime that are behind the repression of the Syrian people. We reject the regimes narrative that these sanctions are to blame for the suffering of the Syrian people. It is the regimes blatant neglect and mismanagement of the economy, which has led to the current economic crisis facing Syrians. Today, we also need to provide solutions to the tragedy of detainees and more than 100 000 disappeared. It is essential for the United Nations to dedicate all the energy required to achieve tangible results, first and foremost from the Syrian regime. Fighting impunity is not only a question of principle, it is also a moral and political imperative, and a matter of security for the international community. The use of chemical weapons, in any circumstances, is a threat to international peace and security. In response to chemical attacks, we have mobilized all competent institutions, guardians of the CW prohibition norms. OPCW teams have carried out fully independent investigations. To complete this considerable work, we launched the International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons, bringing together 40 States and the European Union. This initiative has made it possible to condemn those involved in the development or use of chemical weapons. And we will not rest until they have been punished for their crimes. Lastly, the fight against impunity is a prerequisite for rebuilding lasting peace in Syria. Without a complete and verifiable end to human rights violations and abuses, the people of Syria cannot look forward to a bright future. Without accountability for the crimes committed, Syria will be unable to reconcile with its past. We commend the heroic efforts of human rights defenders, NGO personnel and civil society who risk their lives to bring to light the truth about the crimes committed in Syria. We offer them protection, where possible, and our legal systems are working actively to prosecute those responsible for serious crimes. Full light must be shed on this decade of atrocities. Justice for victims is essential to rebuild a stable, peaceful Syria, based on a credible and viable political solution in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Our countries are committed to ensuring that war criminals and torturers will not go unpunished. Their crimes will not win over the Syrian peoples aspirations for dignity and for justice.
The White House accused China of obstructing the World Health Organization's probe into the COVID-19 origin on Tuesday and requested that Beijing be more "transparent" by having better access to data from the original outbreak in late 2019.

White House expresses concern with WHO's COVID-19 origin report

The joint report from a World Health Organization (WHO) team and Chinese scientists released was inconclusive. It speculated that the pandemic started with animal-to-human transmission and spread widely in Wuhan, China, as Chinese officials have long said.

Some observers, such as Robert Redfield, the former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have disputed the assumption, as per The New York Times. Redfield claimed that COVID-19 might have originated in a government facility, although US intelligence officials have stated that they lack information to confirm where the virus originated.

White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said at a news conference on Tuesday that the report lacks critical data information and access - it reflects a partial and incomplete explanation. She added that Chinese officials "have not been transparent, they have not provided underlying data."

"That definitely does not qualify as cooperation," she continued, summarizing the White House stance on China's cooperation at a time when tensions between the two countries are still strong. Psaki combined her disapproval of Beijing with suspicion of the WHO's inquiry and the report's importance. Later that day, the US joined officials from Israel, Australia, Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom in signing a letter calling for a "transparent and unbiased analysis" of COVID-19 origin free of undue influence.

President Biden, CDC Give Stark Warning as COVID-19 Rebounds, Urge States To Pause Re-Opening Efforts

White House urged independent probe on COVID-19 origin

The US is calling for a "second stage" independent probe, in which authorities will have "unrestricted access to evidence" and press questions of people who were on the field during the outbreak. According to the Washington Examiner, the US and more than a dozen other nations released a joint statement appealing for just that.

"We also welcome a similar statement from the EU and EU members, which sends a strong message that the global community holds these concerns," Psaki said, adding that US officials are still checking the study. When asked whether the White House is worried about the likelihood that the coronavirus in a Wuhan lab, Psaki said China had refused to cooperate appropriately and had produced inadequate data.

"There's a report coming out shortly from the World Health Organization - we've got real concerns about the approach and the mechanism that went into that report, and the fact that the government in Beijing apparently helped to compose it," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN over the weekend. Biden shares these concerns, according to Psaki, and will meet with them until the review is completed.

WHO Report From China Claims COVID-19 Likely Originates From Animals

WHO's COVID-19 origin report sparked tensions

WHO chief said a mission to investigate the COVID-19 origin in China did not thoroughly examine the lab spill risk. The White House also slammed the study, calling it incomplete and criticizing China's data and access.

WHO chief said a mission to investigate COVID-19 origin in China failed to consider the likelihood of a lab leak until concluding that the pathogen most likely transmitted from bats to humans by another species. Despite the fact that an international team of scientists concluded that a leak is the least probable source of the pandemic, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus claimed that it needs further investigation. He claimed that he is prepared to deploy additional missions requiring specialist experts because he feels the analysis was incomplete, Bloomberg via MSN reported.

Biden Administration Works on Unified Vaccine Passport, Critics Call It 'Un-American'

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A Christian church elder in China who was supposed to be released was criminally transferred to another location and detained further without any explanation, a report says. His relatives were refused any information on his detention.

Christian elder Zhang Chunlei who preached at the Guiyang Ren'ai Reformed Church was set to be released from administrative detention on March 28 when he was transferred to a criminal detention for reasons unknown. Chinese authorities refused to shed light on his transfer, telling his wife, Yang Aiqing that her husband was transferred to a criminal detention the previous night.

According to ChinaAid, Yang visited the detention center to unite with her husband the Chinese church elder when she was informed that he was no longer in the premises because he was transferred to another facility. They did not disclose to her the reason for his transfer.

Zhang and several Christian members of the Guiyang Ren'ai Reformed Church were arrested on March 16 during a peaceful Bible study at a hotel room in Wenzhou. Chinese police suddenly appeared, accused them of "illegal assembly," and proceeded to check everyone's identification and mobile phones, with officials taking notes of the interrogation. The captured Christians were then taken to the police station located on Yan'an Road.

Elder Zhang was escorted to the police station at about 5 p.m., where he was interrogated, pushed to the ground, and detained. The following day, Chinese police raided his home and confiscated the Chinese Church elder's computer, mobile phone, and other valuables. They also told his wife Yang that he will need to complete a 14-day administrative detention. The Chinese authorities later gave notice that he will be detained for 11 days instead. Elder Zhang had previously mentioned that he was unafraid of paying the price for his devout Christian faith.

Other members of the Ren'ai Reformed Church who were taken include Chen Jianguo, Li Jinzhi and Li Lin, who each had to complete administrative detention lasting for three days.

According to International Christian Concern, Elder Zhang is now criminally detained without any information as to which charges he faces and how long his detention will be. Guiyang, in the southwest Guizhou region of China, had become a "pilot city" for Chinese police to crack down on Christian house churches. Back in 2017, a Christian pastor by the name of Yang Hua was accused by the Chinese police of "divulging state secrets" and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. His wife, Wang Hongwu said that her husband's unwavering faith remains strong despite facing persecution in the hands of the Chinese police.

Last week, another Chinese city was the subject of increased Christian persecution in the hands of authorities. Xiamen City police had enlisted the help of locals to help track down "illegal religious activities," which is what they label gatherings of Christians who did not register as a state-sanctioned church in China. Chinese authorities ordered locals to actively "inspect privately set up gathering places" in their campaign to quash these Christian house churches, which began over two years ago.
Government is assessing private health facilities to offer Covid-19 vaccination as efforts to increase uptake continue.

This will open up the exercise to all Ugandans who are willing to pay, even when not in the government priority category.

The ministry is currently vaccinating health workers, teachers, security personnel, persons aged 70 years and above, and people with comorbidities.

"The Ministry of Health is in the process of accrediting private health facilities to provide Covid-19 vaccination. The list will be provided once an understanding has been reached and a memorandum of understanding has been signed spelling out the modalities of the collaboration," Dr Jane Aceng, the Minister of Health, said.

The ministry started the vaccination with only government health facilities, including health centre IIIs and IVs, district hospitals, regional referrals, national referral hospitals and specialised institutions as vaccination service points.

Dr Alfred Driwale, the head of immunisation at the ministry, said the facilities should have been involved in routine vaccination and should have a cold chain system for keeping the vaccines.

The ministry also requires that a team of six health workers be committed to the vaccination exercise.

"They must have staff in line with what has been arranged. We need a six-team member; two for education, explaining the procedures and filling the consent form and vaccination card, two for the vaccination exercise, one observer and the other for record taking," Dr Driwale said.

Dr Patrick Kintu, the executive director of Case Hospital, said they have already applied and their staff is awaiting training by the ministry.

Government is targeting to vaccinate 22 million Ugandans above the age of 18. Private hospital that will be approved will, for now, will get the vaccines through the National Medical stores as private pharmaceuticals have not yet been approved.
DUBLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The US Pet Insurance Market: Size & Forecasts with Impact Analysis of COVID-19 (2021-2025 Edition)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

"The US Pet Insurance Market: Size & Forecasts with Impact Analysis of Covid-19 (2021-2025 Edition)", provides an analysis of the US pet insurance market, with a detailed analysis of the market in terms of value, volume and the average annual premium.

There are many types of pet insurance policies from which people can select the best and appropriate policy which meet their requirements. These are deductible, co-pay, premium, pre-existing conditions, maximum payouts and waiting period. In maximum payout, there are five sub-types for special cases like maximum payout per incident, maximum annual payout, maximum lifetime payout, maximum payout per body system, and maximum payout based on a predetermined benefit schedule.

In premium pet policies, there are many factors which impact the premium insurance. Such as breed of the pet, species from which pets belong, age of the pet, and location where the services is to be provided. Keeping these factors apart, pet insurance is very beneficial for pet owners as they are able to save more money, they can save their pets without hesitation, increases the accessibility to different treatment options, saves on additional treatment costs, etc.

The US pet insurance market is supported by various growth drivers, such as increasing love for dogs and cats, growing interest of millennials for pets, etc. yet, the market faces certain challenges, such as, barrier to entry, risks for a pet insurance company, etc. few new market trends are also provided such as, expanding distribution channels options, association with competing payment options, etc.

Moreover, the report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall US pet insurance market has also been forecasted for the years 2021-2025, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends.

Trupanion Inc., FigoPet Insurance, ASPCA Pet Insurance and Pet Plan Insurance are some of the key players operating in the US pet insurance market, whose company profiling has been done in the report. In this segment of the report, business overview, financial overview and business strategies of the companies are provided.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction

2.1 Pet Insurance: An Overview

2.1.1 Pet Insurance: Meaning

2.1.2 Types of Pet Insurance

2.1.3 Factors Affecting Premium Pet Insurance

2.1.4 Benefits of Pet Insurance

3. The US Market Analysis

3.1 The US Pet Expenditure: An Analysis

3.1.1 The US Pet Expenditure by Value

3.1.2 The US Pet Expenditure by Category (Pet food and treats, vet care and product sales, supplies, live animals and OTC medicine, other services)

3.1.3 The US Pet Expenditure by Basic Annual Expenses For Dogs And Cats

3.2 The US Pet Insurance Market: An Analysis

3.2.1 The US Pet Insurance Market by Value

3.2.2 The US Pet Insurance Market by Volume

3.2.3 The US Pet Insurance Market by Cities

3.2.4 The US Pet Insurance Market by Average Annual Premium

3.2.5 The US Pet Insurance Market by Top Encouraging Reasons

4. Impact of Covid-19

4.1 Impact on the US Pet Insurance Market

4.1.1 Impact on Pet Care Market

4.1.2 Impact on Pet Insurance Market

5. Market Dynamics

5.1 Growth Drivrs

5.1.1 Increasing Love for Dogs and Cats

5.1.2 Growing Interest of Millennials for Pets

5.1.3 Rapid Growth in Consumer Acceptance of Pet Insurance

5.1.4 Growing Disposable Income of a Household

5.1.5 Increasing Transparency Regarding Coverage

5.1.6 Growing Industry

5.2 Challenges

5.2.1 Barrier to Entry

5.2.2 Risks for a Pet Insurance Company

5.2.3 High Competition

5.3 Market Trends

5.3.1 Expanding Distribution Channels Options

5.3.2 Association With Competing Payment Options

5.3.3 Technological and Efficiency Improvements

5.3.4 Expansion of Exotic Pet Insurance

6. Competitive Landscape

6.1 The US Pet Insurance Market: Player Analysis

6.1.1 The US Pet Insurance Market Player by Share

6.2 The US Pet Insurance Market Player: Price Comparison

7. Company Profiling

7.1 Trupanion Inc.

7.1.1 Business Overview

7.1.2 Financial Overview

7.1.3 Business Strategy

7.2 FigoPet Insurance

7.3 ASPCA Pet Insurance

7.4 Pet Plan Insurance



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rzn4nk

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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More than 279,013 doses of vaccine had been given to county residents and 99,017 residents, or 14.13%, were fully vaccinated as of Monday, according to the release. For people 65 and over, 70.83% had received at least one dose, and 23.54% of those 16 to 64 had done the same.
PARIS - With "Plantu and Le Monde: 50 years of history" - a cartoon dedicated to the imminent announcements of President Emmanuel Macron to fight the coronavirus - the famous cartoonist of Le Monde, Jean Plantureux, known as Plantu, has bid farewell to the Parisian newspaper after 50 years. "His regard, for five decades, has accompanied the evolution of the planet", wrote on the frontpage Le Monde, which dedicated to the designer a special eight-page supplement.



In an incredible coincidence, the newspaper Liberation also parted ways with its most famous cartoonist, Willem, the Belgian who is retiring together with Plantu after a 40-year-long career at the historic newspaper of the Parisian gauche.



As explained by the editor in chief of Le Monde, Jerome Fenoglio, Plantu will be replaced by colleagues from the international collective 'Cartooning for peace', which Plantu contributed to fund. For its part, Liberation - which dedicated its edition today to Willem, including its front page - has hired to replace him Coco, the cartoonist who survived the terrorist attack against Charlie Hebdo, "the first woman to have such a rile at a national newspaper", the daily wrote. Her first cartoon is scheduled to be published on Thursday.
Truth and Integrity in State Budgeting: Preparing for the Storm The report analyzes the budgetary foundation states laid in the five years prior to the pandemic, which directly impacted how well-equipped states were to deal with the fiscal crisis of 2020, said William Glasgall, Volcker Alliance senior vice president and director of state and local initiatives.

Today, the Volcker Alliance released its fourth annual report assessing the budget practices of all fifty states, entitled "Truth and Integrity in State Budgeting: Preparing for the Storm." The report provides a comprehensive analysis of states budgetary actions from fiscal 2015 through 2019 as well as an examination of states initial reactions to the pandemic-induced recession. Among the reports conclusions is that many states leveraged a record-long economic recovery and growing tax revenues to replenish rainy day fundsjust in time for the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic fallout. As in the previous "Truth and Integrity in State Budgeting" reports, the study grades states on a scale of A to D-minus in five critical budgeting areas: budget forecasting, budget maneuvers, legacy costs, reserve funds, and budget transparency.

While no one could have foreseen the immense economic and fiscal stresses caused by COVID-19, actions taken by many states during recent boom times left them better prepared than they would have been only a few years earlier, said William Glasgall, Volcker Alliance senior vice president and director of state and local initiatives. The report analyzes the budgetary foundation states laid in the five years prior to the pandemic, which directly impacted how well-equipped states were to deal with the fiscal crisis of 2020.

The report is a product of an extensive, multiyear study in which the Volcker Alliances nationwide team of university-based research partners analyzed and graded the budgetary practices of states. It features detailed report cards for each state, outlining budgetary strengths and weaknesses and comparing states in the same region. The Volcker Alliance also released an updated digital State Data Laboratory to facilitate further exploration of the research results.

Key findings in "Truth and Integrity in State Budgeting: Preparing for the Storm" include:



Seventeen states received A averages in the Reserve Funds category for FY 15-19, and only two, Illinois and Kansas, averaged Ds because of policy deficiencies.

While a large majority of states still fail to fully follow recommended budget disclosure practices, holding down overall Transparency grades, the number of states issuing deferred infrastructure maintenance cost reports jumped from two to five over the study period. Hawaii, Illinois, and Tennessee joined Alaska and California in receiving As.

Trillions of dollars in funding shortfalls in public worker pensions and other post-employment benefits (OPEB), mainly health care, weighed heavily on Legacy Costs. However, states making their full actuarially determined or recommended contributions to public employee pensions rose from thirty-three to thirty-nine states over the study period.

This report is a culmination of five years of rigorous research and fruitful partnerships with universities across the nation, said Thomas W. Ross, Volcker Alliance president. We hope that the findings provide public leaders with budgetary best practices and strategies they need to deliver effective results.

The Volcker Alliance partnered with public finance institutes and schools within The City University of New York, Florida International University, Georgia State University, University of Illinois Springfield, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Kentucky, University of Utah, and University of California, Berkeley, as well as with Barrett and Greene Inc. and Municipal Market Analytics, to carry out this study and produce the report.

The Volcker Alliance and Penn Institute for Urban Research will cohost a Special Briefing on the studys findings on April 15, 2021 at 11 a.m. EDT. Panelists will include key research partners and public finance experts, who will discuss how numerous states strengthened their reserves and budget processes before COVID-19 sent the US into a tailspin and examine how increasing vaccinations, unprecedented federal pandemic aid, and a recovering economy will impact state revenues this year and beyond.

Read the full report: Truth and Integrity in State Budgeting: Preparing for the Storm

The Volcker Alliance empowers the public sector workforce to solve the challenges facing our nation. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization is inspired by the legendary public service of our founder, Paul A. Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, and his vision of a public sector workforce with the experience, preparation, and commitment to ensure government is accountable and delivers with excellence. Visit volckeralliance.org to learn more. Follow us on social media @VolckerAlliance and subscribe to the Volcker Alliance newsletter for the latest news and developments. The Volcker Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:20:28|Editor: huaxia

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-- China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), the world's largest filled-aperture and most sensitive radio telescope, has officially opened to the world starting Wednesday.

-- Astronomers globally can submit their observation applications for evaluation till May 15 and the results will be announced on July 20. Observations by overseas scientists will begin in August.

-- The opening of FAST demonstrates that China is seriously expanding the circle of friends in basic research and sharing FAST with the rest of the world, said Li Di, chief scientist of the telescope.

by Xinhua writers Cao Bin, Qi Jian and Liu Xinyu

GUIYANG, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), the world's largest filled-aperture and most sensitive radio telescope, has officially opened to the world starting Wednesday.

Hand-painting shows China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) at night in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Xiao Mengfan, Liu Hongde, Wang Jingyun and Liu Fangqiang)

Experts expect the gigantic telescope to bolster global astronomical research and find answers to some of the biggest unknowns in modern astrophysics and cosmology.

Astronomers globally can submit their observation applications for evaluation till May 15 and the results will be announced on July 20, according to a statement by the National Astronomical Observatories (NAO) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Observations by overseas scientists will begin in August.

About 10 percent of FAST's observation time in the first year, roughly 450 hours, is expected to be allocated to foreign scientists, said Li Di, chief scientist of the telescope and a researcher with the NAO.

An engineer of China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) shows the website to submit applications for observations, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Many global astronomers have been looking forward to the opening of FAST following the collapse of the 305-meter vast telescope at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico last December. The competition for grabbing observation time is set to be fierce, Li said.

Wu Xiangping, an academician with the CAS and director of FAST's science committee, said the applications submitted by domestic and overseas scientists will be evaluated by top international experts in their respective fields to ensure that the approved applications are in line with scientific frontiers.

The competition for observation time among Chinese scientists has already been very intense. During its trial run in 2019, FAST planned to operate for 360 hours but ended up receiving more than 2,000 hours of observation applications. In 2020, only about 30 percent of applications were approved.

Pre-research on the FAST project started in 1994 and its construction was completed in September 2016. It began formal operations in January 2020 after more than three years of test runs. Since then, the telescope has provided stable and reliable services.

Aerial photo taken on March 31, 2021 shows China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) under maintenance in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

As the world's most sensitive radio telescope, FAST, based on observables between 70 MHz and 3 GHz, is over 2.5 times more sensitive than Arecibo. According to the sensitivity calculation by astronomers, it can effectively explore four times more the scope of the universe space compared to Arecibo, greatly expanding the human observation of the universe.

To date, FAST has found more than 300 pulsars, and the number is expected to reach 1,000 in the next five years. It also made breakthroughs in fields like fast radio bursts, a type of powerful radio wave.

Chinese scientists are already using FAST to track Andromeda, the nearest galaxy, where they hope to find the first extragalactic pulsar.

Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) under maintenance at night in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

The opening of FAST demonstrates that China is seriously expanding the circle of friends in basic research and sharing FAST with the rest of the world, Li said.

"Before FAST was put into use, China's radio telescopes usually had a diameter of less than 50 meters," said Wang Qiming, FAST's chief technologist. "FAST marks a huge leap forward."

FAST's operation and maintenance team is working to fine-tune algorithms and upgrade software systems to further improve its observation efficiency and meet the growing demand from the international astronomical community.

A staff member maintains China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) in southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Every small improvement in FAST's hardware and software is essential as the project team seeks to maintain the telescope's leading position in the high-competitive radio astronomy field, said Yan Jun, former head of the NAO and manager of the FAST project.

Meanwhile, Li noted that astronomy is an open discipline, and many early achievements of FAST involve international experts. With the opening of FAST, foreign scientists can lead some research projects independently or act as chief experts.

The FAST project has also teamed up with observatories and astronomical teams worldwide including the American Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory to support frontier scientific research.

On the other hand, some potential exploratory projects led by young scientists globally will be given special support in the allocation of observation time. Such projects include research on the detection of fast radio bursts and radio detection of exoplanets, among others, Li added. 

(Video editor: Wei Yin; video reporter: Liu Qinbing, Yang Yanbin, Ou Dongqu, Ou Dongqu and Chen Qiang.)
Brandon City Hall hosted representatives from the Sikh and Filipino communities on Tuesday to formally acknowledge major cultural milestones that each group is celebrating this year.

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Brandon City Hall hosted representatives from the Sikh and Filipino communities on Tuesday to formally acknowledge major cultural milestones that each group is celebrating this year.

Mayor Rick Chrest met with each delegation in separate ceremonies during the late morning and early afternoon, signing official proclamations inside the city council chambers that put these different anniversaries into writing.

First up was the Filipino delegation, which asked the mayor to sign a proclamation recognizing 2021 as the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.

To date, the Philippines is the only majority Christian nation in Asia, with more than 80 per cent of the population belonging to the Roman Catholic faith alone.

While this quincentennial event would normally be cause for a large-scale gathering, representative Abby Wenger said that most of the Filipinos she knows in town will be celebrating online or with close family members due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Filipinos like to party, we like big gatherings. But at the moment, as you know, we cant, so everything is online," she said. "But as soon as we are able to  we have quite a few activities lined up."

For right now, Wenger and her fellow delegates were happy that Chrest and the city were able to organize a small ceremony for this major anniversary, especially since Brandons Filipino population has steadily been on the rise throughout the past decade.

"Our Filipino community is growing here, and right now we lost count of the population," fellow delegate Jem Servillas said. "Were probably at more than 1,000 people."

The afternoon ceremony at city hall followed a similar rhythm, with Chrest signing a proclamation surrounded by a few representatives from Brandons Sikh community.

This document formally recognized 2021 as the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who is one of the founders of Sikhism.

Mayor Rick Chrest signs a proclamation at Brandon City Hall on Tuesday afternoon recognizing the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, one of the founders of Sikhism. This proclamation was originally brought forward by members of Brandons Sikh community. This delegation includes, from left to right, Tajinderpal Kaur Brar, Sukhminder Singh Bath and Ramjit Singh Mann. (Kyle Darbyson/The Brandon Sun)

Local representative Sukhminder Singh Bath further explained that Guru Bahadur was executed in 1675 for standing against forced religious conversion, which cemented his status as a martyr in South Asian culture and a worldwide advocate for human rights.

But fellow delegate Ramjit Singh Mann believes that this proclamation is more than just the commemoration of a historical figure.

He said it also represents the spirit of tolerance and inclusion that has defined his experience emigrating from India to Canada in 1971, becoming a member of one of the first Sikh families to call the Wheat City home.

"Ive seen a lot of changes in Brandon," Mann said following Thursdays ceremony. "I had a chance to leave, but no  I couldnt find a place like this anywhere else."

Once the afternoon ceremony wrapped up, Chrest told the Sun that he was more than happy to help celebrate these cultural milestones, even if it was on a smaller scale than he would like.

After all, the mayor said Brandon has always been a very multicultural city and wants to keep that tradition alive during his tenure at city hall.

"My fathers family emigrated from Greece in about 1912, so that was only around 30 years after the founding of Brandon," he said. "So places like Brandon were formed, in its early days, by a large infusion of immigration."

Moving forward, Chrest hopes to keep this spirit of inclusivity and multiculturalism strong throughout his administration, especially in light of all the anti-Asian hate crimes that are on the rise across Canada.

"I still believe we still have a long ways to go," the mayor said. "Theres still incidents of racism that occur right here in our community, so we need to keep the conversation going."

Chrest also said he was open to hosting more small-scale, in-person events at Brandon City Hall in the future if the provinces COVID numbers remain manageable.

On March 12, the mayor celebrated Mauritius Independence Day by singing a proclamation brought forward by the Mauritius Cultural Association of Brandon.

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @KyleDarbyson
Erik Lake and Virginia Coombs hit it off right away on their wedding night on Lifetimes Married at First Sight Season 12 in Atlanta. But Erik, 34, and Virginia, 26, soon found that they had many areas of disagreement  from Virginias reluctance to have kids to Eriks jealousy over her guy friends and their very different political opinions.

In Newsweeks sneak peek of the upcoming Mar. 31 episode of Married at First Sight, Erik and Virginia found yet another area of contention: Virginias dog, Rocky.

Erik and Virginia argued bitterly over her dogs behavior

In a new Married at First Sight preview, Erik and Virginia compared their two dogs while resting in bed together. Erik kicked off the tense conversation by suggesting that his dog was much more obedient than Rocky.

Its crazy how our personalities are really similar to our dogs, he began tentatively, adding that his dog never did things like run away or fail to listen.

But when Virginia defended her level of commitment as a dog owner, Erik insisted that Rocky needed more discipline.

I love Rocky, Erik assured Virginia, who didnt look at all happy about her husbands comments. I love him to death, but he needs a certain amount of me being firm with him. You know, my military background and all those kinds of things. I dont like his manners where hes biting people. I hate that.

Well, hes not your dog, Virginia retorted.

RELATED: Married at First Sight: Which Season 12 Couples Stay Together On Decision Day? [SPOILERS]

The Married at First Sight couple strongly disagreed on how to approach their dogs

Erik jumped to an ultimatum of sorts when it came to Rockys behavior.

Well, hes half-mine now, whether you like it or not, Erik pointed out. Unless you wanna end this right now. I feel like he comes between us and our relationship.

Virginia looked baffled by the conversations sudden escalation. Sitting up in bed, she decided to head outside alone with Rocky.

Im over this, to be honest, the Married at First Sight star told her husband. Youre bringing up s**t thats only going to cause a fight.

In turn, Erik seemed confused by Virginias departure.

I have no clue whats going on right now. I mean, its just a dog, he argued, adding that he thought Virginia was freaking out for no reason.

Virginia said she was ready to run from Erik

When Married at First Sight producers spoke to Virginia outside, it was clear that the issues between Virginia and Erik were deeper than a dog running away when he wasnt leashed. Virginia explained that it felt like Erik was trying to take something away from her that really mattered in her life.

I was f*cking depressed when I got Rocky, she explained while crying. And he saved me, and thats why were so close. And Ive told him that. I just dont want to do any of this right now. We had a huge fight last night. Were not in a good place at all.

Virginia revealed that she and Erik had gotten into it at a local bar just the night before. And right now, she was not feeling her husband one bit.

Honestly, at this exact moment, I want to runfrom him, from everything, Virginia sobbed. Im just so f*cking over all of it. Like, truly, I am.

Married at First Sight episodes air Wednesdays on Lifetime at 8 p.m. EST.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has called for disgraced Queensland MP Andrew Laming to be kicked out of the Liberal party room immediately.

Mr Turnbull praised NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro for forcing a state Nationals MP onto the crossbench after allegations he raped a sex worker, which the man has denied, and sent lewd messages from Parliament.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to expel Andrew Laming from the party room. Credit:Renee Nowytarger

I think in a not entirely dissimilar case of inappropriate behaviour in New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian and John Barilaro have showed the way to do it, Mr Turnbull said on Radio National Breakfast.

I think its pretty obvious that [Dr Laming] should be sitting on the crossbench, I mean, his behaviour, its so out of order.
A beloved Instagram star who became an internet sensation for her vanlife travels has taken her own life after battling depression.

Lee Macmillan, who documented her journey Down Under with her Australian ex-partner Max Bidstrup and their dog Occy, killed herself last week.

The pair's @maxandlee_ Instagram page, which has garnered more than 67,000 followers, revealed the news on Wednesday.

Ms Macmillan's current boyfriend Jordan Chiu wrote a heartbreaking tribute to his partner, describing her as 'the brightest light' and a 'magnetic force of nature' who was loved by many.

'After living an extraordinary life, and fighting a brave battle with depression, our hearts are shattered to share that Lee took her life on Friday,' Mr Chiu wrote.

They purchased a 2006 Dodge Sprinter van for about $12,300, which they gutted and renovated for their road trips

Lee Macmillan, who documented her journey Down Under with her Australian now-ex-partner Max Bidstrup and their dog Occy, tragically took her life last week

The pair's @maxandlee_ Instagram page, which has garnered more than 67,000 devoted followers, revealed the devastating news on Wednesday

'We will miss her with every fiber of our hearts.

'If we can do one thing for Lee now, in the midst of this soul-crushing loss, it's to spread the message that mental health is just as real as physical health, and that illness can strike anyone, no matter how unlikely they may seem.

'It's ok to not be ok, it's ok to ask for help, it's absolutely necessary to ask for help. Lee was an advocate for mental health. She was candid and open about her own struggles.'

Mr Chiu said Ms Macmillan had been receiving help from professionals, family and friends for her depression.

'She had support around her. She was not alone, she was not trying to fight this alone. And yet she still succumbed to this terrible illness. It is more nuanced than we can, or do, appreciate or understand,' he said.

Mr Chiu has since started the '#speakupforlee' hashtag, to raise awareness for mental illness and the importance of checking in on your friends.

'Lets spread the awareness of this issue, for Lee and every one else who needs to hear this. And hold your loved ones tight. Tell them you love them. Because life can change in an instant,' he wrote.

'Life is more complex than a single social media post. Things are complicated. Don't believe what you see online. Get out into the world and talk to your loved ones.

'Check in. Ask them genuinely how they're doing. Be available to help. To listen. To offer help. Remove the stigma of asking for help.'

The loved up couple spent five weeks travelling around southeast Asia together before returning to Canada where they bought and renovated a 2006 Dodge Sprinter van

The couple met while Mr Bidstrup was on a working holiday in Canada in 2016 and they decided to travel across the world with each other and their Australian Shepherd Occy in a van they renovated

Ms Macmillan met Mr Bidstrup while he was on a working holiday in Canada in 2016 and they decided to travel across the world with each other and their Australian Shepherd Occy in a van they renovated.

They spent two years travelling across 16 countries, before eventually shocking fans by breaking up in January last year.

The couple - who broke up in late 2019 -shared the highs and lows of travelling around Canada, South East Asia, South America and North America - including the time Occy was attacked on a beach in Costa Rica.

They also shared the moment they surprised Mr Bidstrup's brother who had just had a baby by returning to Australia from Canada after more than two years away.

The couple, who had more than 68,000 Instagram followers and 496,000 Youtube subscribers, spent their time travelling to untouched areas, away from the crowds of tourists.

They drove 50,000 miles to travel across the Lagunas route, which took them up to an elevation of 16,400ft as they crossed the 400km of barren landscape through the Andes mountains from Bolivia to Chile.

Before buying the van and renovating it, the couple spent time travelling around South Australia where they went cave diving with great white sharks before bathing elephants in Thailand.

Mr Chiu has since started the '#speakupforlee' hashtag, to raise awareness for mental illness and the importance of checking in on your friends

Pictured: A map showing the many countries and territories the couple travelled to together

In a heartbreaking tribute on his personal Instagram account, Mr Bidstrup said Ms Macmillan was 'the best person I have ever met'.

'You were the best thing to ever happen to me. I fell in love with you the day we met yet you were still the stronger one that said 'I love you' first. I never stopped loving you Mountie, I hope you know that,' he wrote.

'I will always cherish my time with you in this world and hope beyond hope to see you in the next.'

Ms Macmillan and Mr Bidstrup - a paramedic from Wangaratta in Victoria - met while he was on a working holiday in Canada in 2016.

The loved up couple then spent five weeks travelling around southeast Asia together before returning to Canada.

They purchased a 2006 Dodge Sprinter van for about $12,300, which they gutted and renovated for their road trips.

The pair spent the next few months exploring North America and eventually made their way through to Hawaii and South America where they visited countries such as Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia.

During their time in the US, they spent time visiting the Havasu Canyon in Arizona before travelling to San Diego where they stopped for a week to recover from travelling over 15,000km in their van in the first three months.

Ms Macmillan and Mr Bidstrup also spent almost six months in Mexico where they took Spanish lessons together and spent Christmas on a beach.

They also worked with a local charity to help sea turtles reach the ocean to give them a chance of survival.

The couple launched their Youtube channel while in Oaxaca, Mexico and garnered a huge following.

They then went on to travel to Guatemala - and they were there at the time the Fuego Volcano erupted in June 2018. The couple had been pictured on the volcano four days before the eruption - but told worried followers they were safe.

Mr Bidstrup went to visit the villages which were close to the eruption and the couple donated medical supplies and money to those affected.

The couple spent the next few months exploring North America and eventually made their way through South America

Ms Macmillan and Mr Bidstrup - a paramedic from Wangaratta in Victoria - met while he was on a working holiday in Canada

Ms Macmallan spent three months back in Canada with her family but joined her partner in Costa Rica.

Whilst she was away Mr Bidstrup had visited Guatemala. The couple, once reunited, posted on Instagram that they felt 'finally complete again'.

The couple moved on to visit Panama before organising for their van to be shipped to Colombia.

On their first day in the South American country, they hiked the giant rock monolith del Penol and ended up sleeping next to Pablo Escobar's abandoned mansion in Guatape, Colombia.

For Christmas 2018, the couple decided to travel back to Canada to spend time with friends and family before going on to Australia to surprise Mr Bidstrup's family after more than two years away.

The couple went back to their van life in Colombia before travelling to Ecuador where they surfed in crystal clear waters and volunteered at an organic farm.

Ms Macmillan was pictured laying next to a group of sea lions after the couple travelled for a five-day cruise to the Galapagos Islands where they explored the diverse landscape.

The couple moved on to Peru and explored the Peruvian desert with an outdoor truck - and even their dog Occy joined in by wearing large goggles to keep the dust away from his eyes.

Whilst in Bolivia, the pair travelled on bikes on the famous Death Road in La Paz with Occy right behind them in a biker's van and hiked up Mount Huayna Potosi

They began the 65km Salkantay Trek to Machu Pichu and posted on Instagram saying that it was one of those 'experiences in life you will just never forget'.

Whilst in Bolivia, the pair travelled on bikes on the famous Death Road in La Paz with Occy right behind them in a biker's van and hiked up Mount Huayna Potosi.

They also made it to the stunning Patagonia in Chile where they were surrounded by glacial lakes and snow capped jagged peaks.

It was here that Ms Macmillan posted about her mental health and said in an Instagram post: 'I have been struggling with my own insecurities and uncertainties and it has been causing my feelings of anxiety and depression.'

She added: 'The reason why I want to be open with you on this platform is because there has been so many times where I have compared myself online asking why everyone else's life looks so easy and or 'perfect' and I am here struggling.'

Whilst in Chile, the couple announced they would be ending their travels after two years to be closer to family and friends - and to have basic comforts they were living without.

In January last year, the couple announced their split to their joint Instagram account, shocking their hordes of loyal followers and fans.

'Sadly though, despite going through so much together, and trying so damn hard, some things don't always work out, no matter how much you want them to,' they wrote alongside a photo of them.

'We are very sorry to announce that the next chapter of our lives will not be one experienced together, as we will be going our separate ways from here.

'The last month has been one of the most trying of our lives as we come to terms with this new reality. We both want what is best for each other and will continue to support each other now and in to the future.'

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LONDON  The City of London financial center, which has resembled a ghost town since the coronavirus swept the world last year, is likely to see most workers return to their offices after the pandemic, the Citys political leader said on Tuesday.

Catherine McGuinness, policy chair at the City of London Corp., told BBC radio she was confident that trade would return for the cafes, pubs, restaurants and other businesses that rely on the usually teeming crowds of office workers.

Related: Nearly 9 of 10 Workers Want to Maintain Option to Work from Home: Survey The New Digital Normal and the Future of Work in Reinsurance

But there would probably be changes to the way people work as a result of the pandemic.

What people are telling us is that they are expecting their central office base to remain at the core of their business with people coming in three or four days, working different hours, so we are expecting the bulk of the return, McGuinness said.

What it will mean in terms of the overall footfall, we are not yet quite clear.

London dominates the worlds $6.6 trillion-a-day foreign exchange market, it is the biggest center for international banking and the second largest fintech hub in the world after the United States.

McGuinness said developers were revving up plans for new buildings in the City, home to the giants of world finance.

Were already seeing in our planning applications a real surge of interest in getting office space in the City. I think (we have seen) so far this year 80% of all the applications we saw last year, she said.

So, continued interest and continued commitment to that office space, but a different way of using it.

A survey published last week by accountants KPMG showed most major global companies no longer planned to reduce their use of office space after the pandemic, though few expect business to return to normal this year.

New York-based Goldman Sachs Group Incs CEO earlier this month told thousands of employees who have been mostly working from home since the start of the pandemic that he hopes to have them working in offices again by this summer.

But Britains Nationwide Building Society and Santander UK have scaled back on their office space.

Nationwide told all its 13,000 office-based staff to work from anywhere in the country and said last week it will not renew the leases on three of its offices in its hometown of Swindon in the southwest of England.

Santander UK plans to close four offices in Bootle, Newcastle, London Portman House and Manchester Deansgate and move its headquarters from London to Milton Keynes.

(Writing by William Schomberg; editing by Kate Holton, Guy Faulconbridge and Catherine Evans)

Topics COVID-19 London
By Mike Spector and Jeffrey Dastin

(Reuters) - The National Labor Relations Board's review of ballots from com Inc's landmark union election in Alabama will continue on Wednesday, with momentum for future labor organizing at America's second-largest private employer hanging in the balance.

Labor board staff have begun sifting through ballots sent to more than 5,800 workers at Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama-based warehouse, as part of a prolonged process expected to last days and spark legal challenges.

Tuesday's non-public hearing concluded after 4:30 p.m. CT (2130 GMT) and is expected to resume at 8:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The public tallying of votes is still not expected to begin until later this week or next, after both and the union check the eligibility of ballots cast, said a person familiar with the process. Subsequent procedures and objections could further forestall a certified result, the person said.

has aggressively discouraged attempts by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) to become the first ever to organize one of the online retail giant's facilities in the United States.

A union victory would leave Amazon, second only to Walmart Inc with more than 800,000 employees nationwide, vulnerable to additional organizing efforts and represent a watershed moment for the U.S. labor movement, said Wilma Liebman, a former NLRB chair during the Obama administration.

"If the union manages to do this, this is really groundbreaking," Liebman said, noting the difficulty of forming unions in southern states, which have laws that discourage workplace organizing. "Amazon is right to be worried."

In a statement, Amazon said, "Our employees know the truth-starting wages of $15 or more, health care from day one, and a safe and inclusive workplace. We encouraged all of our employees to vote and hope they did so."

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said: "This campaign has already been a victory in many ways. Even though we don't know how the vote will turn out, we believe we have opened the door to more organizing around the country."

The union drive has drawn significant attention from elected officials in Washington. U.S. President Joe Biden at the end of February defended workers' rights to form unions free from intimidation and pointed to voting in Alabama while not specifically mentioning Amazon.

A congressional delegation visited Bessemer earlier in March and Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Democrat, descended on the area Friday to hold a rally with workers and support the organizing push.

Amazon has mounted its own campaign, sending text messages urging current and also former workers to vote against forming a union and telling them that they might sacrifice certain benefits if the push succeeds, a notion the union has disputed.

A vote-count battle between Amazon and the union may ensue over the validity of former employees' ballots, Reuters previously reported.

Dave Clark, chief executive of Amazon's consumer division, last week railed against Sanders on Twitter ahead of the visit, questioning the senator's progressive bona fides while juxtaposing the e-commerce company's $15 starting wage with a figure of $11.75 in Vermont.

"So if you want to hear about $15 an hour and health care, Senator Sanders will be speaking downtown. But if you would like to make at least $15 an hour and have good health care, Amazon is hiring," Clark tweeted.

Sanders, responding on Twitter, questioned why so much money has been spent to discourage union organizing for better pay, conditions and benefits.

(Reporting by Mike Spector in New York and Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Access the Experts: Dale Eesley In this installment, Eesley answers: What are the smartest business investments in this current financial climate?

In This Installment of Access the Experts Marketing and Entrepreneurship Professor Dale Eesley, Ph.D., answers the question: What are the smartest business investments in this current financial climate? About Eesley Eesley is the John Morgan Community Chair in Entrepreneurship, Founder and Director of the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Franchising, and Professor of Entrepreneurship & Strategy at UNO.



An expert in areas that include small business and entrepreneurial behaviors, Eesley teaches classes in entrepreneurial finance, corporate strategy, and introductory management.

Access the Experts

Access the Experts is an innovative partnership between the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and News Channel Nebraska (NCN), where viewers submit their questions to be answered by UNO faculty members.

New segments of Access the Experts air every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:46 A.M. and 6:46 P.M. If youre not sure how to tune in, visit News Channel Nebraskas website to view their coverage areas.

View all segments on our Access the Experts page.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of Americas best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraskas premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
It is with great sadness that we must announce that Lollapalooza Stockholm 2021 is canceled, organizers posted on its website. We would have loved to put on another memorable festival in the heart of Stockholm this year, however, with the uncertainty surrounding the current situation in Sweden, has become increasingly clear that we will not be able to deliver the spectacular festival weekend which is Lollapalooza Stockholm.
A bishop of The Episcopal Church who was punished for refusing to allow the blessing of same-sex marriages in his diocese has decided to leave the mainline Protestant denomination.

William H. Love, former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, was disciplined last year for refusing to enforce a church resolution mandating the blessing of gay marriages in every diocese, including those previously opposed to the practice.

In a statement released Wednesday, Love explained that he was leaving the Episcopal Church effective April 2 and planning to join the Anglican Church in North America, a more theologically conservative denomination.

As a cradle Episcopalian (with nearly 30 years of ordained ministry as a deacon, priest and bishop), that was not an easy decision, but given all that has transpired these past couple of years and the constraints placed upon me as a theologically conservative and orthodox bishop within TEC, I believe it is the right decision, wrote Love.

Source:The Christian Post
(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill arrive at St Agnes Church in west Belfast for the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey. (Liam McBurney/PA)

The funeral procession of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey following the funeral at St Agnes Church in west Belfast.

A review of the decision taken by the Public Prosecution Service around the Bobby Storey funeral is to be conducted imminently, according to the organisation.

A statement released by the PPS said it had received a number of requests to review the decisions taken not to prosecute the 24 individuals reported by the PSNI.

Read More

The Public Prosecution Service said on Tuesday it will not prosecute those reported for attendance at the funeral of former IRA prisoner Bobby Storey last June.

The decision prompted a significant reaction from the parties in Stormont, including the DUP who called for the PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne to resign.

The PPS announced on Wednesday that a review into the process will be carried out by a senior PPS lawyer who was not involved in taking the original decisions.

In a statement it added: As the Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron indicated yesterday, it is recognised that significant sacrifices and compromises have been made by many families in abiding by both the spirit and letter of the Coronavirus Regulations.

It is worth emphasising again that the lack of clarity and consistency within the Regulations (as outlined in the PPS decision rationale) referred to the specific point in time of this particular funeral, and should not undermine the value the Regulations have had overall in protecting public health or their enforceability at other times and in other circumstances.

We recognise that the prosecutorial decisions are one component part of more holistic concerns expressed recently, as is evident from media reporting and commentary.

For the sake of clarity, further enquiry around why the Regulations were amended in short succession before and after the funeral or the conduct of police in engaging with funeral organisers will largely be beyond the scope of any prosecutorial review, save for any bearing they have on whether or not the Test for Prosecution is considered to be met.

Welcoming the review by the PPS into the decision, the DUP East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons said: "The original decision not to prosecute did not make sense to anyone. The Covid regulations were clear and obvious to virtually every single person in Northern Ireland and there were no issues raised at the time of Bobby Storey's funeral about either clarity or consistency.

"I welcome this swift move from the PPS and hope this review can move more quickly than it has taken every other step of this process to conclude."
A woman from San Jacinto, California is reportedly sentenced to more than one year's imprisonment after threatening to bomb the all-girls Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School over her stance against same-sex marriage.

The Christian Headlines reported that a 36-year-old Sonia Tabizada has been sentenced to 15 months and 13 days of imprisonment after being arrested and charged for threatening to bomb the school based in Washington, D.C. in defiance to the latter's decision to support same-sex marriage.

The Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School was reported by The Christian Post to have decided to published in their magazine wedding announcements for same-sex couples. Tabizada, upon seeing the announcements, threatened school officials with violence if they did not revert their decision for their publication.

"No school and no child should be subjected to death threats because of their religious beliefs. The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously prosecute violent threats motivated by bias," said Justice Department's Civil Rights Division Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela S. Karlan.

According to the Department of Justice's press release dated March 26, Tabizada is charged with "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."

The press release narrated that the school announced the publication of same-sex wedding announcement in May 2019 and focused on its teaching that "we are all children of God ... worthy of respect and love" instead of what the Catholic church actually teaches in its doctrine. The announcement pushed Tabizada to leave a voice message threatening to "burn and bomb the church" and that "she was going to kill school officials and students". The threat to bomb the school came in a second voice mail.

"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 bias-be it against religion, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics. The U.S. Attorney's 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 press release said.

In addition, the press release said that the case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office before it was prosecuted by Civil Rights Section and Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division.

"The free exercise of religion is one of our nation's most sacred constitutional rights. 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," the press release quoted FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D'Antuono in saying.

In addition to more than a year of imprisonment, Tabizada will also undergo another two year's worth of "supervised release with special conditions," such that she would have to get a court's approval if she wants to leave the country, according to The Washington Gazette.
The recent actions of the military against its own civilians are reprehensible, Secretary of State has said.

Over 500 people have been reportedly killed in a violent crackdown on protesters by the security forces ever since the junta overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup last month.

"The actions that we've seen by the Burmese military in terms of its attacks on civilians are reprehensible," Blinken told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday. "We witnessed just this past weekend an attack that killed about 100 civilians. Some people simply caught in the crossfire, others just expressing peacefully their views."



This follows a series of other attacks, and increasingly disturbing and even horrifying violence, he added.

"One thing is clear. It's that the people of Burma are speaking clearly. They don't want to live under military rule and that is evident from what we're seeing and hearing and witnessing every single day in Burma," Blinken said.

The secretary of state added that the had taken a number of actions.

"Of course, we and others have spoken out very forcefully against the violence being perpetrated by the military regime. Beyond that, we've taken specific action with regard to those responsible for the coup and enterprises that support them including designations under various sanctions laws. We've also worked closely with other countries to speak out in unison," he said.

Some countries and some companies in various parts of the world have significant investments in enterprises that support the Burmese military, according to Blinken.

"They should be looking at those investments and reconsidering them as a means of denying the military the financial support it needs to sustain itself against the will of the people," he said.

"You can expect to continue to speak out strongly and to work with close allies and partners, including the ASEAN countries, in strong opposition to the actions that the coup-regime is taking in Burma," Blinken said.

Meanwhile, the Department of State updated the Level 4 (Do Not Travel) Travel Advisory for to include information on ordered departure of non-emergency US government employees and their family members.

"The Burmese military has detained and deposed elected government officials. Protests and demonstrations against military rule have occurred and are expected to continue," the State Department 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.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 20:07:34|Editor: huaxia

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Tourists visit a porcelain palace in Xinping Village of Fuliang County in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 19, 2021. Yu Ermei, a 91-year-old villager who once worked in porcelain factory, started to build her porcelain palaces in Xinping Village from 2011. With her efforts, four buildings decorated with porcelain ware and porcelain pieces now stand in the village, attracting many tourists to visit. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
The lawyers for Alabama Shakes Drummer Steven Johnson spoke with WAAY 31 on Tuesday about his child abuse charge.

Nick Lough and Marcus Helstowski say that Johnson has not seen the child involved with the child abuse indictment in over a year.

The indictment was filed back in October of 2020, but Johnson was not arrested on the charge until last week.

The arrest happened just days after a judge awarded Johnson visitation in a separate case with two of his children.

"The judge says yes, he needs to be seeing his children, he gets his children, he gets visitation with his kids, it's restored. And suddenly two days later, he's taken into custody, and now, he's sitting in jail without a bond awaiting a court date," said Nick Lough, one of Johnson's lawyers.

Johnson's lawyers say they are still working to find out where this child abuse indictment came from. He has an arraignment hearing on Apr. 7.
An Arkansas-based pharmacy benefits insurer has been placed into rehabilitation, the Arkansas Insurance Department reported.

Indy Health Insurance Company Inc. (IHIC) is an Arkansas domiciled company that provides Medicare Part D plans in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, and Georgia, the AID said.

Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain filed a petition for the appointment of a receiver for rehabilitation on March 16.

After experiencing significant unfavorable claims development during the first quarter of 2021, IHIC was unable to provide regulators with a viable plan to address the unexpected losses. Following a review and consideration of all available options, IHICs board of directors adopted a resolution voluntarily consenting to the entry of an order of rehabilitation.

The immediate focus for regulators has now shifted to ensuring IHICs Medicare Part D beneficiaries obtain a new plan and that all outstanding claims are settled.

Plan members in the impacted states will receive notification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the coming days with information on the process for signing up for another Part D plan in their area.

As the appointed receiver, McClain and his appointed deputy receiver, Steve Uhrynowycz, will be working with company management, CMS, and the court to determine the most efficient means for continuing Plan D Medicare services to the enrollees under the companys plan.

Source: Arkansas Insurance Department (AID)

Topics Carriers Arkansas
Associated Press

Nicaraguan police are holding opposition figure Cristiana Chamorro incommunicado at her home, and have taken away her laptops and cellphones, an aide said Thursday. Chamorro is a potential presidential candidate in the Nov. 7 elections and the daughter of former President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. They took her telephone and her laptop, as well as those of her daughter, who is there with her at the house," said Arelia Barba, a member of Chamorro's press team.
The city also couldnt have done it without Storage of America, which donated the space at the former Carsons. People have seen stories in other places in Illinois where mass vaccination events were canceled because rent in a planned facility was too high, officials said.
President Armen Sarkissian formalized Andranik Simonians appointment with a decree signed on Wednesday.

Simonian has been a judge of the court of first instance of the countrys northern Lori province since June 2020. He previously worked as a prosecutor in Yerevan.

Some Armenian media outlets said the presidential decree initiated by Pashinian is a prelude to Simonians appointment as director of the NSS. The prime ministers office did not comment on the media speculation.

Pashinian has replaced five heads of Armenias most powerful security service since coming to power less than three years ago. Two of them, Argishti Kyaramian and Mikael Hambardzumian, were fired during last falls war with Azerbaijan.

Kyaramian, 29, was sacked after four months in office, while Hambardzumian served as acting head of the NSS for only one month. The latter was replaced by the current NSS director, Armen Abazian, in November.

Hambardzumian and another former NSS director, Artur Vanetsian, are now outspoken critics of Pashinian. Vanetsian also leads a political party which is affiliated with an opposition alliance trying to oust Pashinian over his handling of the six-week war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Areg Kochinian, a political analyst, said the frequent changes of the NSS chiefs as well as their deputies reflect Pashinians spontaneous and emotional leadership style and the current authorities terrible staffing policy. He said they have a negative impact on the NSSs activities.

That reflects [negatively] on the predictability of this agency for both its personnel and our partner countries, Kochinian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. It also definitely affects the effectiveness of the NSS.
Senior government ministers are urging Australians to put aside their concerns about border closures and spend big on holidays but Queensland MPs are questioning whether a $1.2 billion aviation package promising half-price flights will be successful due to the Brisbane outbreak.

The half-price flights sale kicks off on Thursday to encourage Australians to take holidays around the nation, with federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan encouraging households to dig deep when travelling over the next few months to help hard-hit businesses.

Queensland MPs are concerned the latest stimulus package might not be as effective due to border closures. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The airlines are also backing and supporting this by putting their own sales in place, Mr Tehan told the ABC on Wednesday morning. [When] you get your discount airfare, the money you save, make sure you spend it on the wonderful attraction, on going out to a restaurant, a club or a pub, because that is how you will support our tourism industry.

Obviously, weve got the lockdown in Brisbane at the moment, but there are other wonderful destinations that you can travel to, Mr Tehan said, adding he expected the restrictions would be temporary.
TORONTO, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toronto Centre is hosting a virtual executive panel at the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group featuring Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance and Finance Advisor to UK Prime Minister for COP26 and Her Excellency Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance, Indonesia. Babak Abbaszadeh, President and CEO of Toronto Centre, will moderate the event. The discussion will focus on the implications for financial stability of transitioning to a green economy.



Date:

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 9:00-10:00 a.m. EST



Time:

Diana Bird

dbird@torontocentre.org

Communications and Special Projects Coordinator

M: (647) 993-3809





Remarks to begin at 9:00 a.m. Media are asked to arrive promptly.Virtual, via Zoomhttps://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZXIpffXKSMyASqS5tLyEoQ
She's been spending a little time in New York City.

But on Tuesday, Kasey Musgraves was seen arriving at the airport to catch a flight home to Nashville, Tennessee.

The country music star, 32, wore an eye-catching ensemble for her journey and kept safe with a face visor over a black face mask.

Eye-catching ensemble: Kacey Musgraves stood out from the crowd as she arrived at a NYC airport to catch a flight home to Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday

Musgraves paired a tangerine hoodie with pink tie dye pants tucked into brown UGG boots.

She carried a large fluffy two-tone brown bag as her hand luggage and checked her phone after getting her boarding pass.

The Golden Hour hitmaker styled her long brunette hair in a messy bun.

Heading home: The country music star paired a tangerine hoodie with pink tie dye pants tucked into brown boots. She carried a large fluffy two-tone brown bag as her hand luggage

Covid-19 precautions: Musgraves, 32, kept safe on her journey with a face visor over a black face mask

Musgraves went through some heartache last year as her marriage fell apart during the pandemic.

In July, she and husband Ruston Kelly confirmed that they were calling time on their two-and-a-half year marriage.

The exes finalized their divorce in September.

Split: The Golden Hour hitmaker went through heartache in 2020 as her marriage to Ruston Kelly fell apart. They announced in July they were ending their two-and-a-half year marriage (pictured in 2019)

In an interview with Rolling Stone in February, Kacey said that the marriage 'just simply didn't work out.'

'It's nothing more than that. It's two people who love each other so much, but for so many reasons, it just didn't work,' she explained.

'I mean, seasons change. Our season changed,' she said.


The Bidens' dog Major has been engaged in another biting episode that needed medical attention, two persons aware of the incident told CNN.

How the Incident Happened

The incident, which involved an employee from National Park Service, happened on Monday afternoon on the White House South Lawn.

The employee was busy with work at the time and needed to stop to obtain treatment from the White House medical unit. Michael LaRosa - Jill Biden's press secretary told CNN that Major is "still acclimatizing to his new surroundings."

"Yes, Major bit someone on a walk. Out of a profusion of caution, the individual was sighted by WHMU and then got back to work without injury." The National Park Service did not instantly respond to the request of CNN for comment.

Also Read: Heroic Dog Won't Stop Barking, Leads Biker to Save Life of Abandoned Baby!

Short Video of the Walk

According to the White House a 3-year-old German shepherd, Major, adopted by the Bidens in 2018, acquired training within the last two weeks, following a different biting episode earlier this month. Monday evening at about 5 p.m Major was seen on a walk on the South Lawn with a White House staff member.

Newsagency White House correspondent Jeff Mason tweeted a short video of the walk. Major is confined in the video, something that has not usually been the case during other walks around the White House by the dogs when the President and the first lady or White House grounds superintendent Dale Haney is close.

Secret Service employee obtained an injury caused by Major at the White House on March 8, causing enough harm that the individual needed to get treatment from the White House medical team. White House press secretary Jen Psaki at the time called the injury "minor," and attributed Major's behavior to "getting accustomed to their environment and new people."

Major Receives Training

Major was astounded by an unknown person Psaki said. CNN previously reported that Major and Champ - Bidens' older German shepherd, was nearly sent instantly to the Biden home in Wilmington, Delaware, because of the incident. Psaki said that was an arranged trip, as first lady Jill Biden was going out of town.

Major was receiving training, said President Joe Biden in a meeting with ABC News earlier this month."You turn a corner, and there are two unfamiliar individuals. And (Major) makes a move to protect," said Biden. "But he's a nice dog. Eighty-five percent of the people there are fond of him. He just -- all he usually does is lick them and sway his tail. But ... I notice some people, understandably, are scared of dogs to start with."

About Major

Major was born in January 2018 and was saved from a litter that had been exposed to a toxic substance in their home, and their keeper was unable to provide the expense of their veterinary care.

The day Joe Biden adopted the dog from Its shelter, he spent over an hour telling stories and also taking selfies with staffers. The origin of Major's name is not known to the public.

Related Article: Scientists' Best Friend: Detection Dogs Help Get Crucial Data for Conservation, Research

For more new, updates about dogs and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Congressman Tom Suozzi, John Cronin, Mark X. Cronin and Congressman Andrew Garbarino at "Unity Sock" unveiling at John's Crazy Socks. Lets do something to bring people together and make them happy.

John Cronin, the award-winning entrepreneur with Down Syndrome and co-founder of Johns Crazy Socks, (http://www.johnscrazysocks.com) joined with U.S. Congressmen Andrew Garbarino (R-NY2) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY3) at the companys Melville, NY headquarters on March 30th for a tour and special announcement event. Following a tour of the facility that employees over 20 people with differing abilities founders John and Mark Cronin hosted a special unveiling of their Congressional Unity Socks and announced plans to give them to all members of the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate.

Flanked by Congressmen Garbarino and Suozzi, John Cronin unveiled the companys Congressional Unity Socks. Designed by John with American flags spread across a field of blue, they were created to symbolize the unity and inclusion that binds all Americans.

Following the unveiling John Cronin stated Lets do something to bring people together and make them happy.

We may come from different backgrounds and have different political views, but we share a common belief in the promise of the United States of America. It is our intention to share our unity message and these special socks with each member of Congress. This is a non-partisan effort and we thank both Congressman Andrew Garbarino a Republican and Congressman Tom Suozzi a Democrat for encouraging our efforts to unite all Americans and spread happiness, which is part of our core mission at Johns Crazy Socks, said Mark Cronin Co-Founder of Johns Crazy Socks.

Images of the socks that will be given to members of Congress can be found at https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/unity-flag-unisex-crew-sock.

John is a remarkable individual who along with his father, Mark, know that with hard work, anything can be accomplished. These socks represent what we need in this nation today  unity. Together with the Cronins and my good friend and colleague, Representative Suozzi, we embrace this effort and welcome the opportunity to participate in the sharing of the important message of bipartisanship, said Congressman Andrew Garbarino.

Having constituents like John and Mark who are focused on inclusion and bringing people together is truly inspiring. Sharing socks with members of Congress may be a small gesture, but it carries a very important message. Unity is critical now and for the future of our nation, said Congressman Tom Suozzi.

Congressmen Garbarino and Suozzi are longtime supporters and fans of John Cronin and his efforts to promote inclusion and the spreading of happiness. Garbarino, the first term member of Congress, championed the idea of creating the socks and working with John and his father Mark to give them to all members. Johns Crazy Socks is working with Congressman Suozzi to enhance the ability of people with disabilities to retain more of their earnings. Both Garbarino and Suozzi are members of the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus.

The planning for the Unity Sock delivery and distribution is taking place now. A date for when deliveries will take place will be announced in the coming weeks. Some of the proceeds from sales of Unity Socks will go to support the Special Olympics and other not-for-profits.

To see a video and images from the unveiling and announcement event please go to

https://www.facebook.com/johnscrazysocks/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChQzvQju2SQiW9rIf5JNsVQ

The Unity Socks can be purchased at https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/unity-flag-unisex-crew-sock.

-END-

Approved Media Images and Video:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z407pg4fuljl62w/AADYzFyAIb42T559Q9kIijcZa?dl=0

Youtube video from the event:

https://youtu.be/-mk_My9-06k

About Johns Crazy Socks

Johns Crazy Socks is a father-son venture inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks  what he calls his crazy socks. The company is on mission to spread happiness. In 2019, John, Mark and the company received the prestigious Entrepreneur of The Year for the New York Metro Region from EY (Ernst & Young). The company sells Socks You Can Love. Johns Crazy Socks has a large selection of socks, a Sock of the Month Club, gift boxes and gift bags. The company is committed to customer service, most customers receive socks within two days. The company is built on four pillars: Inspiration and Hope by hiring people with differing abilities; Giving Back by donating 5 percent of earnings to the Special Olympics and selling products that raise money for other charity partners, including Autism Speaks, the Autism Society of America, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Williams Syndrome Association (as of August 2019 the company has raised more than $300,000 these partners); For more information, visit the Johns Crazy Socks webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account or YouTube channel or contact at (631) 760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
Outdoors lovers, rejoice: the development of Texas' first new state park in nearly two decades is currently underway.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, located about four hours north of San Antonio and 75 miles west of Fort Worth, spans nearly 5,000 acres and includes rolling hills, stunning vistas and a massive body of water called Tucker Lake.

Once open, Texans can head to Palo Pinto for hiking, camping, fishing and more. It will also include an extensive network of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Other highlights include RV parks, primitive camp sites, playgrounds and picnic areas.

When that opening date might be, however, is still unknown.

The project began in 2011 when a 3,300-acre portion of former ranch land was purchased by Texas Parks & Wildlife. Currently, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the state's parks department, is working to raise about $9 million for Palo Pinto.

The state park opening process is multi-phased and informed by a lot of surveying. Though the financial goal has yet to be met, building and development has officially, if tentatively, kicked off.

If you want to donate to the Texas State Park effort, whether you want to help conserve the land (or selfishly want to expedite the road trip scheduled on your calendar) you can contribute a donation online.

Camille Sauers is a freelance writer based in San Antonio. Follow her on twitter @camillesaccount. Send her emails to camillefrancissauers@gmail.com
This year, it's going to be five years since Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie participated in Hollywood's costliest divorce.

The former power couple known as Brangelina has been locked in a courtroom showdown since the "Tomb Raider" actress filed for divorce from the "Ad Astra" star in 2016, citing irreconcilable differences.

According to legal experts in Los Angeles, being in one room with the judge made them spend over $1 million in legal costs alone, and as per these experts, the custody battle could go on for six more years.

Up to this day, the parents of six kids, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox, have still not settled on splitting their multi-million dollar net worth or even the custody of their five underage children.

According to LA divorce lawyer Kelly Chang Ricket, the former couple has already spent a million because "They are both employing very reputable attorneys and Angelina has already gone through several."

She added, "Hourly rates may range from between $1,000 to $1,500 and I would estimate that these lawyers may be billing 40 or 50 hours a week at times."

"They have also hired a private judge who probably bills around $900 to $1,000 an hour, so he is probably costing $10,000 a day."

Last month, Angelina Jolie sold a Winston Churchill painting Brad Pitt gifted her in their marriage.

But according to Rickert, she may be using some part of the $11.5 million painting sale to pay more for her attorney's fees.

She explained, "When Angelina recently sold the painting at auction, people asked if that meant they are close to settling."

READ ALSO: Angelina Jolie's Historic Winston Churchill Painting for Sale: How Much Is It Worth?

"I actually think she sold it to pay more attorney's fees, that's just my pessimistic divorce lawyer point of view."

She also believes that the "Maleficent" actress thinks she'll get sole custody, but that's not the case.

Despite paying millions and millions, as long as her former husband wants custody of their kids and fights for it, Angelina Jolie has no choice but to share.

brad pitt and jennifer aniston reuniting in 2020 is everything i needed pic.twitter.com/61TqcYOG8o   (@quarantinebale) September 18, 2020

Brad Pitt Gets Support From Ex-Wife

Angelina Jolie has recently exposed domestic abuse claims against her former husband, Brad Pitt.

The "Ocean's Eleven" actor is reportedly devastated by her claims after their divorce proceedings took an unexpected ugly turn.

However, Brad reportedly turned to his other ex-wife, "Friends" actress Jennifer Aniston, for support amid this challenging time.

An insider told Heat that the blonde bombshell was quick to contact Brad after the allegations came out and even said to him that she was there for him and was ready to appear in court if needed.

READ MORE: Angelina Jolie's Age: Proof That 'Maleficent' Star Is Really Getting Older

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
The Empire State is going green. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed legislation legalizing recreational marijuana for people 21 and older.

The new law also automatically expunges convictions for marijuana possession that would now be legal, and directs 40% of pot tax revenue to communities of color that disproportionately faced weed charges.

"This is a historic day," Cuomo said in a statement after the signing.

Legal marijuana had languished for years in New York's legislature. Cuomo said last week that legalization was a "top priority" for the annual budget, and the state's Senate and Assembly both approved legislation Tuesday.

New York will become the 15th state with legal recreational marijuana. Purchases will carry a 13% sales tax.

The new law immediately legalizes possession of up to three ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of concentrated forms of the drug for recreational use. Pot smoking is also permitted in most public places that allow tobacco smoking. The bill also sets up a plan for the state to create regulations in the coming months for the new marijuana market.

A new state agency, the Office of Cannabis Management, will regulate the state's budding industry. Localities can pass laws this year opting out of marijuana dispensaries, which are not expected to open until 2022.

Cuomo's office has said the legal marijuana industry could create 30,000 to 60,000 jobs in the state and bring in $350 million a year in taxes.

CBS News cameras allowed into Texas migrant border facility

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Pfizer study finds COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective, safe for kids 12 to 15
Why it matters: Over a year after Donald Trump added the company to an export blacklist, Huawei is feeling the bite of sanctions after its quarterly revenue shrank for the first time. Sales and profit were up for all of 2020, albeit only slightly, but the fourth-quarter decline could continue throughout 2021.

It was back in May 2019 when Trump added Huawei and 70 affiliates to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List, ensuring US companies could no longer do business with these firms without a license. It led to Googles apps and services no longer appearing on the Chinese giants new products, making them less appealing to western consumers.

Thanks to its popularity in China and other markets, the sanctions against Huawei weren't felt straight away. But the company just had its most difficult year to date and saw its quarterly revenue fall YoY for the first time on record. Q4 2020 was down 11% to 220.1 billion yuan ($33.5 billion), while the previous quarter experienced 3.7% growth and Q2 was up 23%, writes Bloomberg.

Full-year sales and profit were actually up marginally, 3.8% and 3.2%, respectively. The company puts this down to record 5G base station orders and solid mobile sales in the first half of 2020, offsetting the final six months.

The supply restrictions for our smartphone business has caused us a great impact, and we havent been able to see a clear picture in the supply for our smartphones, said Ken Hu, one of Huaweis three deputy chairmen. We think this is a very unfair situation to Huawei, and it has caused a lot of damage to us.

President Bidens administration isnt easing the pressure on Huawei. Its led the company to other revenue sources, including creating tech for healthcare, coal mining, and even pig farming. There are rumors it is also eying the self-driving vehicle industry.

Earlier this month, Huawei, which owns the worlds most extensive portfolio of 5G patents (3,007), said it would start charging companies such as Apple and Samsung for using them in their mobile products.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI- Something new, and pretty exciting, is about to happen to the vibrant beer scene in Michigan. Brewery Nyx is planning on a summer opening in Grand Rapids, and this brewery is offering up something completely different.

Business partners Jessica Stricklen and Sebastian Van Bommel are in the process of opening Brewery Nyx, which will be the very first dedicated gluten-free brewery in Michigan. While a few other breweries have released low-gluten, or reduced-gluten beers in the past, there has not been a facility that has been completely dedicated to brewing up a variety of styles of beer that are truly gluten-free.

Thats all about to change with Brewery Nyx.

There were very limited options for gluten-free beer here, Stricklen said. And I wasnt really OK with that. So, I figured, why not? Somebodys got to do it.

Stricklen, who has been gluten-free for about 10 years now, is a Grand Rapids native, and by her own admission, was a big fan of beer. Then, I couldnt drink it anymore, she explained. I switched to wines, and ciders, but nothing is the same as beer, but that is all that was available here.

Gluten-free for Brewery Nyx means beers that can go head to head with any beer out in the market.

What were looking to do here is to create beers that are on par. Were trying to compete on quality, and offer something to people who used to go to Founders, or Vivant, or wherever, and now just cant. And for people who have never been able to, but have always come to Beer City, and were like, Oh cool. Ill just have a cider. Our goal is to provide that beer, and provide that level, that quality of beer.

After moving to Oregon six years ago, Stricklen began working in the wine industry, opening up a few start-up wineries, helping private labels get up and running, and working as the CFO for Beaux Freres Vineyards. While she might not have a background in brewing, Stricklen explained I have business experience.

Van Bommel is the head brewer, and he comes to the table with a wealth of experience as hes been brewing for 18 years, and professionally for five. He most recently was the head brewer at Thornapple Brewing Company. This is really the dream come true, Van Bommel said. Breaking ground and building something from the ground up, and doing it really differently.

While not gluten-free himself, Van Bommel is headed in that direction. I can only hold my breath for so many seconds when I lean over and tie my shoes in the morning, he joked. So I think that to me means that I probably just need to stop eating a half loaf of bread in my beer.

Out in Oregon, Stricklen experienced her first gluten-free beers. There were a handful of gluten-free breweries out there, she said. They were dedicated gluten-free, and they tasted like real beer, which was amazing. The offerings she had out West inspired her to take the leap after she and her family returned home to Grand Rapids last year.

The difference with Brewery Nyx is that it is truly a dedicated gluten-free brewery. A few other Michigan breweries have offered reduced-gluten beers, including Shorts Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin and The Mitten Brewing. Most of these have achieved a low gluten count by brewing a regular beer, and then adding an enzyme that essentially eats up all the gluten in the beer. You end up with a beer that still has trace amounts of gluten, which doesnt work for people who are true celiacs.

Brewery Nyx is instead using alternative grains to create the base for their beers, so barley and wheat will never even see the inside of the brewery. We are taking real material, raw material, like millet, like buckwheat, like corn, like rice, and we are processing it, Van Bommel said. And by processing it, I very specifically mean mashing it. I dont mean adding a whole whack of chemicals.

We are trying to maintain their whole, original flavors, he said of the different grain builds theyll be using to brew the beers with. And present them in a manner that is complimentary, and that creates a beer.

Brewing beer with these other grains certainly isnt cheap. Millet can cost up to four times as much as traditional malted barley. For now, the brewery is sourcing their grains from several different West coast malters that specialize in gluten-free brewing. They are hoping that some local sources will come online soon with quality products.

Brewing a gluten-free beer is hard, Van Bommel explained. Trying to create body and mouthfeel is difficult with these beers, as there are no complex dextrins in the base materials, like you normally find in beers made with barley and wheat. You have to find other ways, he said. Thats what we are kind of working through now, figuring out how to create that same mouthfeel. The partners were very tight lipped about their approach to this challenge. We are very much keeping that a secret, Van Bommel said.

Partners at Brewery Nyx, Sebastian Van Bommel and Jessica Stricklen are bringing the very first gluten-free brewery to Michigan this summer. It's located in Grand Rapids.

We stopped by the brewery, which is located in an industrial area of Grand Rapids, a few blocks from downtown. They have a little over 8,000 square feet to work with, and work on. Right now, the brewery is truly kind of a hole in the ground, with ditches snaking around the space getting ready for pipe laying, plenty of piles of dirt, and the general feeling of an excavation site.

Its a little disconcerting, Sticklen said. Every once in a while when you walk in here, its kind of just become part of the scenery. But when you look at it, its kind of like oh my God, this is our space. I hope I dont break a leg falling into a trench.

The plan is to create a small tasting room, with a very high-end feel to it, similar to some of the wineries that Stricklen used to work at in Oregon. Think several live-edge warm wood bars, a wall adorned with white birch bark, and comfortable seating. Van Bommel will be brewing on a 10-barrel system, with some special modifications on it in order to work with gluten-free grains.

Nyx beers will be available at the brewery by the pint, and by scheduled release with self pick-up. We are doing some distribution, Stricklen said. Well have a few SKUs going through wholesale, but we would really like customers to come here to pick up their orders for off-site consumption.

The goal for Brewery Nyx is to not just appeal to those drinkers who are gluten-free, but to just appeal to beer drinkers in general. What I want people to do when they come here, the naysayers or otherwise, is for them to ask for an IPA, and if they didnt know any better, and somebody just grabbed them a beer, they would say, huh, thats a good beer.

Having gotten to try one of the beers that is in development at Brewery Nix, a double IPA, I can tell you that this is some very good beer. Van Bommel described it as a West Michigan standard, brewed with Mosaic, El Dorado, Bravo, and Citra hops. The beers base was primarily rice, with some millet thrown in as well. It was downright delicious, and you would be hard pressed to guess that this beer was gluten-free.

The brewery plans on making a variety of beer styles from, and have a total of eight beers on tap. Two to three of these will be seasonal brews, while four or five will be standard that will always be around.

The partners are shooting for a mid-June opening date, and Stricklen would be very happy to have product in customers hands by the Fourth of July.

By the times the doors open, well be rocking and rolling, Van Bommel said.

You can listen to our full interview with Stricklen and Van Bommel below.

Ever wonder what a brewery looks like when it is under construction? Wonder no more. This is Brewery Nyx in Grand Rapids, as they dig up the floor to lay pipes and drain lines. They will be the first gluten free brewery in Michigan.

Brewery Nyx is planning on a late June opening. You can follow their progress on the brewerys Facebook page, or sign up for updates here.

Brewery Nyx

506 Oakland Ave. SW

Grand Rapids, MI 49546

More info: https://www.brewerynyx.com/ or Facebook

The exterior of the building that will house Brewery Nyx in Grand Rapids. Located just a few blocks from downtown, Nyx will be the first dedicated gluten free brewery in Michigan.

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Brazils Oi has closed the sale of its tower unit to Highline after signing an initial agreement in November last year.

Yesterday (30th March), Highline (Highline do Brasil II Infraestrutura de Telecomunicacoes) paid RL861.758 million (US$149.262 million) in cash for all shares issued by the Tower Special Purpose Entity (SPE), reports CommsUpdate. It was the sole bidder for the unit.

An outstanding fee of BRL1.077 billion remains, which Highline will pay after ascertainment procedures and certain adjustments that are common in transactions of this nature.

Highline recently acquired Phoenix Tower do Brasil, making its deal with for Ois towers its second major infrastructure agreement in Brazil. The Phoenix deal saw Highline take over 2500 sites from Blackstone Tactical Opportunities.

Oi has been shifting its infrastructure assets as part of its debt management, having sold its data centre unit on 15th March. Titan Venture Capital e Investimentos was the buyer and sole bidder, paying an initial takeover fee of BRL250 million followed by BRL75 million to be paid in installments.
Ukraine and Croatia are preparing for the next meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Croatian Commission on Economic Cooperation, the press service of the Ukrainian Ministry for Veterans Affairs has reported.

Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine Yulia Laputina, who chairs the Ukrainian part of the joint intergovernmental commission, said that the Ukrainian Ministry is interested in deepening cooperation and exchanging experience between the two countries, and invited the Croatian delegation to Kyiv for the next commissions meeting.

"Our countries have a similar history of fighting for their independence. Croatia has a unique experience in rehabilitating, socializing and providing state support to demobilized defenders and their families. The issue of economic reintegration in peacetime is also important. Deepening international and intergovernmental cooperation will promote economic growth. One of the main tools on this path is to build an effective and fair system of social protection for veterans," Laputina said.

In turn, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia Tomislav Coric said that the agenda should also include the issue of cooperation in the field of reintegration of veterans into peaceful life.

"Considering the challenges we face, our task is to improve the economic situation of our countries. To do this, it is important to establish cooperation between our countries. Now the cooperation on social and economic reintegration of war veterans is on the agenda of our commission. Further [work] will include the issue of cooperation in the field of healthcare, archival work and interregional cooperation, said Coric.

iy
By Benjamin Jumbe

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Dr Stephen Kazimba Mugalu has asked the government to lift restrictions on childrens churches.

The government in March last year banned worship gatherings as part of efforts to contain the spread of covid-19.

Even when these worship centers were allowed to resume gatherings with limited numbers, childrens Sunday schools remain restricted.

Delivering his Easter message at the All Saints Cathedral Nakasero this morning, the Archbishop said it is time to allow children back to church as long as safety measures are taken.
A new report highlights how prevalent the underreporting of hate incidents is in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

The survey, released Tuesday by AAPI Data, a policy and research nonprofit group, showed that Asian Americans have experienced hate incidents at a significantly higher percentage than the general population, but are also among the least likely to say they are very comfortable reporting hate crimes to authorities.

What our data show is that upwards of 2 million AAPIs have experienced these hate incidents since Covid-19 started, Karthick Ramakrishnan, the groups founder who helped lead the study, told NBC Asian America. But a very small fraction of them have reported to community hotlines and an even smaller proportion, at least what we know, have been established by law enforcement authorities as hate crimes.

Researchers examined responses from more than 16,000 people of all major races who participated in the online survey at the end of March. They found that so far this year, roughly 1 in 10 Asian Americans had experienced hate crimes or hate incidents. In comparison, 6 percent of the general population had this year.

In 2020, 12 percent of Asian Americans and 10 percent of Pacific Islanders experienced hate incidents, while the national average was 8 percent.

In general, over a quarter of Asian Americans and a similar percentage of Pacific Islanders reported having experienced hate incidents at some point in their lives. But when asked how comfortable they would be reporting a hate crime to law enforcement authorities, 30 percent of Asian Americans and 36 percent of Pacific Islanders responded that they were very comfortable.

But other groups, including Black and Latino Americans, reported higher rates, at 45 percent and 42 percent, respectively. White respondents had the highest percentage for being comfortable with reporting to law enforcement, at 54 percent.

Ramakrishnan pointed out that the reluctance to report could have to do with fear of retaliation as well as a concern over whether justice will be served. A New York City principal reflected many of these findings, telling NBC Asian American this year that many of her students, who are from immigrant families living in low-income neighborhoods, indicated that they fear retaliation if they report racist incidents.

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She added that because police often don't provide translators or help in navigating the complex criminal justice system, many in the heavily immigrant population distrust law enforcement, or doubt their effectiveness.

"When you live in the tenement and you report somebody, they can come back and the police won't be there for you," said the principal, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation.

Ramakrishanan also said that many AAPIs could opt against reporting these incidents to avoid bringing unwanted attention to themselves or their family members. D.J. Ida, executive director of the nonprofit National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, similarly explained last year that when it comes to hate incidents and attacks, Asian Americans may feel pressure to gloss over or ignore the problem to avoid burdening other family members, given what they had to endure to make it in the U.S.

From a psychological standpoint, sometimes we don't want to talk about the problems because, and I see this in younger people who were immigrants or children of immigrants, their parents had worked so hard for them. They don't want to burden their parents, Ida said. Because it's a sense of gratitude and it's very, very powerful.

Ramakrishnan added that even though more information about these attacks is getting disseminated, there continues to be a lack of awareness in the community as well, which may contribute to underreporting.

Even though we spread this information far and wide, people may not be aware about different hotlines that you can contact, he said.

Researchers also looked at what other racial groups have been experiencing during the pandemic and beyond. They found that Asian Americans confront similar levels of hate incidents compared to other minorities. About 27 percent of them reported experiencing verbal or physical abuse or property damage due to their ethnicity. Latinos reported the same rate, but Black Americans reported a higher share at 34 percent.

The kinds of stereotypes and the kinds of discrimination that black people face is different, and in some cases more severe. When you're talking about housing discrimination, as well as discrimination by police, it's much higher for black people than it is for Asians, Ramakrishnan said. But I think when it comes to these hate incidents, it seems that there's a greater similarity in the frequency of hate incidents, even though the exact nature of those hate incidents might vary.

Ramakrishnan acknowledged that Asian Americans seemed under-indexed for hate crimes and incidents prior to the pandemic but the rate has since accelerated. He suspects that attacks could increase as the U.S. moves toward opening the economy up.

It seems like there has been an increase in hate incidents involving Asian Americans. Part of it has been when everyone's been sheltering in place. There's been less exposure so we might actually see even greater increases in hate incidents involving not only Asian Americans but others," he said.

Though many have pointed out that the Trump administrations China virus rhetoric likely contributed to an environment where hate is accepted if not welcomed, the persistence of such attacks shows theres a longstanding issue that the U.S. must confront, Ramakrishnan said.

In terms of in the last two decades, 9/11 was a critical factor in increasing the market share for hate, if you will, and mainstreaming hate and white nationalism, he said, adding that the election of Barack Obama as the nation's first Black president led to "a dramatic increase in the proportion of people that joined hate groups, and also the rise of racial resentment in American society that continued through Trump's presidency.

And this confluence of white nationalism, xenophobia and nativism, in addition to the rise of misinformation and disinformation, Ramakrishnan said, will need a multifaceted approach to mitigate. He said monitoring hate groups and giving adequate resources to communities of color so that their more complex narratives are known, that people don't have stereotypical views of who they are, will all prove important.

It's just going to take a lot for that to wind down, he said. Just because Trump is gone does not mean that the forces that are pulling us apart, and the forces of white nationalism, have gone away.
Belarus:Polish minority,5 arrested, Warsaw calls for release MEPs resolution, Prime Minister Morawiecki also protests

(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 31 MAR - Protests and calls for release by the Polish parliament's deputies and premier Mateusz Morawiecki came after the arrests, in recent days, of five members of the Polish minority - about 300,000 people - living in Belarus.



Poland's Chamber of Deputies has called, in a resolution approved by acclamation, for the "release as soon as possible and the cessation of all repressions against them" and urged "the international community to react in solidarity and firmness to the illegal actions of the Belarusian authorities." The arrests of representatives of the Union of Poles in Belarus (ZPB) took place in recent days, close to the Freedom Day celebrated on March 25 by the opposition, a festivity which the Lukashenko government does not recognize. The Union's president Andzelika Borys, the board member and journalist Andrzej Poczobut, and activists Irena Biernacka and Maria Tiszkowska were arrrested. On March 13, the Polish School of Brest director, Anna Paniszewa, had been arrested. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also intervened on the matter, asking "the Belarusian authorities to solve their internal problems in peace, without taking hostages. That's how I read the latest attack on the Polish community in Belarus." The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet system left a Polish minority in Belarus, especially around the cities of Grodno and Brest.



The government in Minsk does not tolerate any form of dissent.



In contrast, Europe seems to be even too tolerant, having signed the Eastern Partnership in 2009, and considering Belarus "a reliable partner to be admitted into a democratic orbit", however incompatible with the repression of the Polish minority.



(ANSA).





 Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved
Lively increase in trade with Canada

Despite the devastation caused to the global economy and international trade during the last year, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which was put into effect in January 2019, has significantly improved the export and import values between the two countries.

Vang Vien Thong, director of textile and garment group Nam Anh Co., Ltd., said that 2020 was not all bad for the company thanks to the incentive tariffs of import and export between Vietnam and other CPTPP member countries.

Textile and garments of Nam Anh exported to the Canadian market last year increased by around 10 per cent on-year despite the pandemic and the disruption to trade activities, said Thong.

As a whole, last year was considered a successful one for Vietnam in its bilateral relationship with Canada, with two-way trade turnover at $8.9 billion, increasing by 12 per cent on-year. Of this, the export value of Vietnam to Canada hit $6.3 billion, rising by 12.8 per cent on-year, including $2.2 billion of electrical and electronic equipment (increasing by 49 per cent on-year), and processing seafood, tea, coffee, wood and furniture, plastic and rubber, and metals.

However, some other sectors reported negative growth like textiles and garments (-6.7 per cent), handbags (-28 per cent), and footwear (-15 per cent) due to the pandemic.

According to Bui Tuan Hoan from the Ministry of Industry and Trades European-American Market Department, the sectors are still a promising land for Vietnams goods to enter Canada thanks to removal of tariffs.

For example, the tariffs to footwear, bags, metal items, plastic and rubber, souvenir agricultural products, and seafood have been removed immediately, while textiles and garments will be cut within three years from 17-18 per cent to zero, and furniture will be exempted within seven years from 9.5 per cent to zero.

The CPTPP has improved access for trade between Canada and Vietnam, reinforced a common set of rules, lowered the cost of trade, and made investments more predictable. This helps improve the competitive advantages of products in our respective markets, said Deborah Paul, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam.

Vietnam has also been Canadas largest trading partner in the ASEAN region since 2015, and the second-largest destination for the countrys agri-food and seafood exports within ASEAN in 2020. Top Canadian agriculture and agri-food exports to Vietnam include grains, oilseeds, fish and crustaceans, fruit, beef and pork, and dairy products.

The CPTPP is the first free trade agreement between the two countries, as well as the first deal between Vietnam and a North American country, while being the second agreement for Canada in Asia after the deal struck with South Korea.

Currently, the CPTPP is the only path for both countries to take in order to access the entire market of the other partner, said Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The growth of the two-way trade value in 2020 was less than that in 2019 (30 per cent), but still doubled the average growth of export-import turnover of Vietnam. Utilising tariff incentives of the deal for Vietnamese items exporting to Canada has performed better than other country members. Vietnam-Canada trade relations are one of the most successful tie-ups that the CPTPP has mustered, said Loc.

Additionally, it provides improved market access in areas such as financial services, ICT, and infrastructure, and allows Canadian and Vietnamese companies to invest in the others country with greater confidence.
Brisbane detectives investigating allegations against Liberal MP Andrew Laming, who has been accused of taking photos of a woman while she bent over, have determined there is no evidence to indicate a criminal offence.

Queensland Police this week investigated claims by Brisbane woman Crystal White, who alleged Mr Laming took photos of her bending over with her underwear visible while she filled a bar fridge in 2019.

Ms White attended Cleveland police station on Monday, saying she had documented the incident.

Police on Wednesday confirmed they were investigating a formal complaint in relation to the incident.
(2021-03-31) The Annual General Meeting of Kitron will be held on Wednesday 21 April 2021 at 10:00 a.m. CEST at the head office of Kitron ASA, Olav Brunborgs vei 4, 1396 Billingstad, Norway.

Due to the corona pandemic, shareholders are encouraged to avoid meeting in person at the Annual General Meeting. Instead, shareholders are invited to cast their votes electronically in advance or provide the Deputy Chair of the Board an authorization to vote with or without voting instructions.

Further information on the matters on the agenda and the board of directors' proposed resolutions are set out in the attached notice.

For further information, please contact:

Cathrin Nylander, CFO, tel: +47 900 43 284

E-mail: investorrelations@kitron.com

Kitron is a leading Scandinavian electronics manufacturing services company for the Connectivity, Electrification, Industry, Medical devices and Defence/Aerospace sectors. The company is located in Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, China and the United States. Kitron had revenues of about NOK 4.0 billion in 2020 and has about 1 800 employees. www.kitron.com

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

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Nora, the polar bear who proved to be one of the Oregon Zoos biggest attractions in recent times, will go back on public display Thursday after a few years at another zoo out of state.

Now 5 years old and around 500 pounds, Nora lived at the Portland zoo in 2016 and 2017 after she was born in Columbus, Ohio.

She had a tumultuous start to her life, abandoned by her mom after just six days and then raised by a team of zookeepers. She developed metabolic bone disease after she failed to absorb some vital nutrients as an infant.

Soon after she moved to Oregon, she developed anxiety and needed medications to help her cope. In 2019 after she moved to a zoo in Salt Lake City, Nora broke her leg at the zoo where she lived in Salt Lake CIty. The injury required a first-of-its-kind surgical procedure to insert a metal rod into the fractured bone.

Many of the hurdles Nora has overcome were documented in a five-part series from The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Now Nora is back and as healthy as shes ever been, and the zoo has a brand new polar bear exhibit that shes been exploring since she arrived earlier this month. The new habitat, called Polar Passage, is much more open than the previous enclosure so some zoo guests may have already gotten a peek at Nora.

Amy Cutting, a curator at the zoo, said Nora has been adjusting well to her new digs, looking around from the hill at the center of her enclosure and sniffing out her new surroundings, so the keepers felt comfortable opening the walkways that allow guests right up to the glass.

Cutting noted that the bear is still as big a fan of zoo-goers as they are of her. Having been around people for so much of her life shes used to, and even thrives in, human company.

She just loves people, Cutting said.

The zoo is operating at reduced capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions and those hoping to see Nora will have to buy tickets online ahead of time.

Cutting also cautioned that Nora will be able to decide whether she wants to be inside or out in the public-facing yard, so she may or may not be visible to the public at any given time.

-- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale
Former US president Donald Trump could face questioning under oath about a former Apprentice contestant's sexual assault allegations against him, following a ruling from New York's highest court.

Evidence-gathering has been on hold in Summer Zervos' defamation lawsuit since Trump asked the high court last year to declare the that the presidency protected him from being sued in state courts. In a one-sentence ruling, the Court of Appeals tossed Trump's appeal as moot now that he's out of the White House.

Lawyers for the woman, Summer Zervos, had asked the high court to nix the appeal and return her defamation suit to a trial court for both sides to continue pretrial evidence-seeking that could eventually enable Zervos lawyers to quiz Trump under oath, and his to question her. Deadlines for such questioning, known as a deposition, had been set for last year before Trump appealed to the high court.

Now a private citizen, the defendant has no further excuse to delay justice for Ms Zervos, and we are eager to get back to the trial court and prove her claims, lawyers Beth Wilkinson and Moira Penza said in a statement on Tuesday.

Expand Close Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, appears in New York State Supreme Court during a hearing on a defamation case against U.S. President Donald Trump New York. Picture: Reuters / Facebook

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Whatsapp Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, appears in New York State Supreme Court during a hearing on a defamation case against U.S. President Donald Trump New York. Picture: Reuters

Zervos' attorneys said in a court filing last month that Trump's lawyers didn't oppose dismissing the appeal.

Zervos is suing Trump for calling her a liar after she went public during his 2016 campaign with allegations that he subjected her to unwanted kissing and groping twice in 2007. She had appeared on his reality show The Apprentice in 2006 and said she was looking only for career advice when she contacted him afterward.

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She sued after he retweeted a message calling her claims a hoax and described women who accused him of sexual assault and harassment as liars trying to hurt his presidential chances.

Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz has said that the former presidents statements were true and protected by free speech rights and that Zervos claims are meritless.

Zervos is seeking a retraction, an apology and damages.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they come forward publicly.
China has rebuked a series of suggestions of a lack of transparency and interference into the joint World Health Organisation-led mission to Wuhan to identify the origins of the coronavirus, slamming a host of nations  including Australia  for attempts to manipulate the ongoing study.

On Wednesday, in the wake of the release of the mission's highly-anticipated report, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered his strongest criticism yet, voicing concerns Western experts were not given key data during the trip earlier this year.

He also said the probe hastily dismissed the theory the virus leaked from a Wuhan lab, calling for immediate further investigations.

Australia and 13 other countries also released joint statement expressing their concern over the the report.

Hua Chunying dismissed criticism of China's involvement in the mission. Source: FMPRC

Yet Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said heavy criticism of China's role in the mission was "absurd".

"Some Western countries are now trying to interfere with the work of scientists... such political interference is highly irresponsible and frivolous," she said.

She also hit back at Dr Tedros, suggesting he "respect science" and the findings of the report which said the lab leak theory was "highly unlikely".

The report, which says the virus likely transmitted to humans from bats via an intermediate animal, has faced widespread criticism from experts and political figures across the globe, particularly  and unsurprisingly  in the US.

Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, who previously stated the US had substantial evidence the virus leaked from the lab, called the latest report "a sham".

In the past 12 months, Beijing has repeatedly tried to deflect attention away from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and initially said it would not welcome a visit from the Western team at the facility. President Xi Jinping has feared views on China's response to the virus has tarnished the nation's reputation.

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In a statement shared with Yahoo News Australia, Gunter Theien, Professor of Genetics at Germany's Friedrich Schiller University, said dismissing the lab leak theory was "arrogant".

The WHO report provides a shocking example of how empirical science should not be done," he said.

"Considering only politically correct' theories about the origin of SARS-CoV-2, especially a natural zoonose, as reasonable, but all others as conspiracy theories, is not only bad science. It is easily a recipe for the next disaster.

Yet Ms Hua slammed the views of experts who were not involved in Wuhan.

"Those outsiders who never took part in the joint study are now accusing the team of being interfered.

"They want to muddy the waters by making up and spreading rumours to achieve their hidden political purposes. We can all see this very clearly."

China pushes overseas origin theory

In yet another tense daily press conference from the Foreign Ministry, Ms Hua once again pointed the finger overseas  a common tactic seen from the ministry's three spokespeople in recent months when facing a deluge of critical questioning.

"There are many reports of early outbreaks in many places around the world. In addition to Fort Detrick, certain countries have more than 200 biological bases around the world.

"So I think, if necessary, scientists should be allowed to work in a scientific spirit with relevant laboratories."

China has regularly entertained the conspiracy theory the virus leaked from the US army lab at Fort Detrick.

In the wake of the report, Liang Wannian, the head of the Chinese team that worked with the WHO group of experts, said it would be "a misunderstanding" to not investigate overseas.

Liang Wannian, the team leader from the Chinese side of the WHO-China joint team studying the origins of Covid-19, has defended the report. Source: Getty

"Based on this scientific consensus, we should have a broader viewpoint in terms of sourcing," he said.

Liang called accusations that China did not share data "invalid".

He said it is difficult to imagine the experts examining every sample and record, and that instead they used a database to perform analyses.

"On this issue, what our Chinese experts can see is the same as what the foreign experts can see," he said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
Two Capitol Police officers are suing Donald Trump for inciting the January 6 riots that left dozens of their fellow officers injured and one dead.

James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby said they suffered 'physical and emotional injuries' in the violent 'Stop The Steal' insurrection which they said was spurred on by the former president.

Their suit, filed in federal court in Washington on Tuesday, said: 'The insurrectionists were spurred on by Trump's conduct over many months in getting his followers to believe his false allegation that he was about to be forced out of the White House because of massive election fraud.

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they push barricades to storm the US Capitol

Two Capitol Police officers are suing Donald Trump Tuesday for inciting the January 6 insurrection that left dozens of their fellow officers injured and one dead

'The insurrectionist mob, which Trump had inflamed, encouraged, incited, directed, and aided and abetted, forced its way over and past the plaintiffs and their fellow officers, pursuing and attacking them.'

Blassingame, a 17-year veteran of the Capitol police force, said he incurred injuries to his head and back and suffers emotionally from the event.

The African-American officer said he was also subjected to racist attacks during the assault on Congress from Trump supporters.

Hemby, an 11-year officer, said he suffered hand and knee injuries after being crushed against Capitol building doors, and was hit in the face and body by chemical sprays.

Police push back supporters of US President Donald Trump after they stormed the Capitol building on January 6, 2021

James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby said they suffered 'physical and emotional injuries' in the violent 'Stop The Steal' insurrection

'Officer Hemby normally has a calm demeanor but has struggled to manage the emotional fallout from being relentlessly attacked,' the suit says.

The lawsuit details numerous instances which it says Trump encouraged the insurrection.

It accuses Trump of directing and abetting assault and battery and emotional distress, incitement to riot, and violating public safety statutes.

The officers asked the court for compensatory damages of a minimum of $75,000 each and an unstated amount in punitive damages.

The lawsuit added that Blassingame 'is haunted by the memory of being attacked, and of the sensory impacts - the sights, sounds, smells and even tastes of the attack remain close to the surface'.

In February, an impeachment trial found Trump not guilty of inciting the violent scenes during his final weeks in office

It added: 'He experiences guilt of being unable to help his colleagues who were simultaneously being attacked; and of surviving where other colleagues did not.'

They claimed the mob was spurred on by calls by Trump to march on the Capitol to stop Joe Biden being certified as president.

Trump has denied that his comments caused the violence and invasion of Congress.

The riots were carried out by fervent Trump supporters trying to overturn the results of November's election which the then-president had falsely claimed was rigged.

In February, an impeachment trial found Trump not guilty of inciting the violent scenes during his final weeks in office.

He was acquitted after the Senate voted 5743 for conviction, falling ten votes short of the necessary two-thirds majority.

The riots were carried out by fervent Trump supporters trying to overturn the results of November's election

Trump is already fighting two lawsuits filed by lawmakers over his role in the January riots.

Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Representative who serves as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, sued Trump over allegedly inciting the violence.

The suit was filed in conjunction with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and claimed that Trump prevented Congress 'by the use of force, intimidation, and threat' from carrying out its constitutional duties.

The case also names as defendants the Republican former president's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and groups including the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, extremist organizations that had members charged by the Justice Department with taking part in the siege.

The lawsuit cited the 1871 Third Enforcement Act which was passed in response to the Ku Klux Klan and prohibits violence or intimidation meant to prevent Congress or other federal officials from carrying out their constitutional duties.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, one of the House's impeachment managers, has sued Trump for his role in the riots

The second lawmaker to sue Trump over the riots was Rep. Eric Swalwell, one of the House's impeachment managers.

Swalwell's court filing points to the 1985 revisions to the KKK law, which says that it is a violation when two or more persons conspire to 'prevent by force, intimidation, or threat, any person from accepting or holding any office, trust or place of confidence in the U.S.'

The law also says it's illegal to injure a person on account of them discharging their duties for office.

Other counts listed in the lawsuit include negligence, inciting a riot and inflicting emotional distress.

Presidents are historically afforded broad immunity from lawsuits for actions they take in their role as commander in chief.

But the lawsuit, like the one by Thompson, was brought against Trump in his personal, not official, capacity.
Chinese envoy calls for efforts to promote stability in DRC

Xinhua) 15:56, March 31, 2021

UNITED NATIONS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to promote political stability and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The situation in the DRC remains generally stable while the country's political scene is witnessing changes. Violence in the east has continued to escalate, and the humanitarian situation is facing serious challenges. The international community should continue to support peace and stability in the country and provide practical assistance, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

There is a need to maintain political stability and steadily advance national governance in the country, he told the Security Council.

The DRC's ruling coalition has just undergone a reshuffle. The most urgent task is to form a new government that is inclusive and reflects the popular will so as to ensure the smooth advancement of the country's major agenda. This is the strong yearning of the DRC people, as well as the shared expectation of the international community, he said.

He stressed the need to address security challenges and focus efforts on eliminating the threat of violence.

The conflict in eastern DRC has dragged on for decades. The new strategy for the Great Lakes region and the strategy for the drawdown of the peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, provide a line of thinking for addressing these problems. The office of the special envoy for the Great Lakes region and MONUSCO should enhance coordination and work together to implement properly the two strategies, help the DRC turn its resources advantage into a development edge, and promote effective cooperation among regional countries in stopping the cross-border movement of armed elements, said Dai.

In MONUSCO's drawdown and withdrawal, full account should be taken of the situation on the ground with detail planning and close coordination with the local authorities and other UN agencies. The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program being developed by the DRC government will help turn destabilizing factors into a human resource asset, and therefore deserves greater investment, he said.

It is imperative to ease the humanitarian crisis and support socio-economic recovery in the DRC, said Dai.

Affected by escalating violence, the lack of public services and the impact of COVID-19 and Ebola, the humanitarian situation in the DRC is dire. The international community must step up its assistance and provide sufficient resources for the DRC humanitarian response plan to help combat COVID-19 and Ebola and alleviate the plight of the local people, he said.

MONUSCO, which has done an outstanding job in assisting the DRC in fighting the Ebola epidemic, should continue to work with other health-related and humanitarian agencies to help the DRC meet its multiple health-related challenges. The international community should help the country in light of its actual needs to strengthen its capacity for independent development, he said.

China always stands firmly with the DRC people and will work with the international community to actively contribute to the peaceful development of the DRC, he said.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed possible cooperation on vaccines with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the French Presidency said on March 30.

In August, Russia approved the worlds first COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, prompting scientists around the world to question its safety and efficacy because it was registered before the results of Phase 3 studies were made available.

However, peer-reviewed, late-stage trial results published in The Lancet medical journal last month showed the two-dose regimen of Sputnik V was 91.6 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19, about the same level as the leading Western-developed vaccines.

Macron and Merkel also urged Putin during their video call to respect the rights of imprisoned political opponent Aleksei Navalny and to preserve his health, the Elysee Palace said in a statement.

Hundreds of Russian physicians signed an online petition demanding that authorities provide immediate medical assistance to Navalny amid growing concerns over the state of his health.

Navalny's health condition became an issue last week after his allies said they were concerned over his deteriorating health and called on prison authorities to clarify his condition.

Navalny said he was suffering from severe back pain and that nothing was being done by prison authorities to solve the problem other than being given some ibuprofen.

The three leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, Belarus, Libya, and Syria and agreed to coordinate efforts so that Iran returns to full compliance with its international obligations, the statement said.

The Kremlin confirmed in a statement that "prospects for the registration of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine in the European Union and its possible supplies and joint production in EU countries" were discussed, as well as the situation in Syria.

The Kremlin statement also said that Putin had explained the situation around Navalny's case.

"In relation to the issue of A. Navalny raised by partners, appropriate explanations of objective circumstances of the case were given," the Kremlin noted.

Based on reporting by Reuters and TASS
KERRVILLE, Texas, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- James Avery Artisan Jewelry, a family-owned jewelry retailer based in Texas, announces the opening of its newest store, today in Sherwood Village at 4520 Sherwood Way in San Angelo, TX 76901.

"When we look at communities to open new stores, we look in markets where we know our customers live, but are being underserved," says James Avery CEO John McCullough. "Our San Angelo customers have always been wonderful supporters of our brand. We're thrilled to bring them a beautiful new store offering our timeless designs and customer service experience, rooted in the heritage of our company."

Putting customer and associate safety first, the Sherwood Village store is following recommended COVID-19 health protocols and guidelines implemented in all James Avery stores. Hand sanitizing stations are set up in store for customers and associates and areas throughout the store are regularly cleaned and sanitized. Additionally, the company requests customers honor social distancing guidelines and to wear face coverings when in store. James Avery associates undergo daily health screenings and wear facemasks.

Operating hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m. and are subject to change. Store Manager Guillermo Fino and his team are ready to welcome customers to shop in the new store or use the Contactless, Curbside Pickup or Buy Online, Pickup in Store options at JamesAvery.com.

About James Avery Artisan Jewelry James Avery is a vertically integrated, family-owned company located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. We offer finely crafted jewelry designs for men and women in sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold, bronze and gemstones. James Avery jewelry is designed and crafted by our own skilled artisans in Kerrville, Comfort and Hondo, TX using the finest materials sourced worldwide. We are a multi-channel retailer with over 100 James Avery stores in four states. Our jewelry is also available at JamesAvery.com, more than 200 Dillard's locations and Dillards.com. You can also find our designs at airport stores in Austin and Houston and at the AAFES locations in Fort Hood and Fort Belvoir. For more information, visit JamesAvery.com or facebook.com/JamesAvery.

SOURCE James Avery Artisan Jewelry
MBABANE  After seven months of intense investigations and finger-pointing, DNA results have confirmed that the body that was exhumed at Mvuma is that of missing Tanzanian national Gladness Kimaro Edje.

The DNA analysis was conducted at Lancet Laboratories using muscle tissue and two teeth extracted from the corpse. According to the pathology report, the results of the DNA analysis of profiles obtained from the teeth and the child of the deceased, indicated that the individual associated with the DNA profile obtained from the teeth could not be excluded as the biological mother of the child (her daughter, Angelina Edje). Gladnesss body went missing from the TB Hospital mortuary at Moneni. She died on August 5, 2020 from COVID-19-related complications while receiving treatment at Manzini Clinic.

Furious

Her furious family had subsequently dragged the Manzini Clinic, TB Hospital, Minister of Health and the police to court, demanding the release of the body. The DNA results are expected to end widespread speculation on what may have happened to the body of Gladness who was a Christian and businessperson. The exhumation of the corpse came after the family of Mvuma buried the body of Gladness assuming it was that of Sergeant Hlengiwe Dlamini, a police officer who was based at the Mbabane Police Station. The Dlamini family said they had not had an opportunity to view the corpse before being lowered into the grave due to COVID-19 regulations at the time.

As per the pathology results, the daughter (Angelina) exhibited a compatible obligatory maternal allelic profile with that of the profile generated from the biological material submitted.

The statistical calculation indicates that the deceased is 6.9 E-6 times likely to be the biological mother than any other randomly chosen woman from the same population group, reads part of the report. The pathologist further stated that this was extremely strong evidence in favour of the alleged first degree biological relationship between the individuals tested. According to the police, an investigation was instituted after Angelinas report and an enquiry file docket was opened and investigations began.


A few days ago, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubus birthday was marked with a colloquium in the ancient city and most populous (this is debatable) state in the country, Kano. Kano is perhaps the most consequential state in election matters in the country, always churning out millions of votes that can make or mar a presidential candidate. Therefore, the symbolism of this birthday/colloquium being marked in Kano is not lost on perceptive Nigerians. To the best of my knowledge, this is not just unprecedented; it is the first and a watershed in the annals of political engineering in Nigeria. In order words it has a huge political undertone.

The other day, the former Lagos state governor donated N50 million to victims of Katsina market fire. We all know the implications. I do not begrudge him; the North holds the ace, in determining who becomes the president in 2023, and as a beautiful bride, the region is courted by political gladiators.

It is not only Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu that is strategizing towards 2023; Governor Yahaya Bello of the same party with Tinubu and the opposition party are planning too. Leaning on his partys reregistration/revalidation exercise, as the chairman in charge of women, youth and PLWD mobilisation, the Kogi state governor is riding on the sentiment of women and youth demographic voting bloc to seek for power. Not to be left out is the opposition PDP, whose strategy is to keep mum or remain aloof about the zoning of presidential slot, a contentious issue in the countrys political firmament though.

Notwithstanding pervasive insecurity, and threats to the nations sovereignty, these visible politicians and others not so visible are carrying on and strategizing for the general election of 2023, with the highest trophy being the position of presidentgreatly sought after. I also do not blame the gladiators. The Nigerian president is the most powerful in the world, sitting on billion-dollar oil resources and more to dispense. Meanwhile, imagine how unfortunate it will be to preside over a tattered country. So, instead of making Nigerias survival their preoccupation, politicians only have their eyes on the ball, on how to win election to become president, governors, legislators or local government chairmen. If only the Nigerian politician thinks again, and rather directs their energies towards finding practical solutions to our myriad of challenges.

Politicians forget easily; and they only think of the next election. How did the APC forget that restructuring, or devolution of power is one of their campaign promises. If that had taken place, with all its attendant uncertainties, perhaps, no one, not even Tinubu, would have been talking of holding any position in Nigeria, because there might not have been a Nigeria as presently constituted in the first place. At the same event, the President spoke of the indissolubility and unity of Nigeria, but rhetoric about unity by a president who has not managed our diversity very well is an incongruity that smacks of hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, cracks capable of destabilising the ruling party are beginning to emerge. The battle between political gladiators like Tinubu and an early bird-youthful Governor Yahaya Bello could cause potential implosion. The governors forceful entry into a supposedly lone-race by Tinubu has got the tongues wagging: what is Gov Bellos staying power? Can he fight the godfather and strongman of APC to a standstill? Who are the powerful people behind him? Importantly, as someone from the North Central, will the governor serve as a compromise candidate in an event that the North withdraws its support for Tinubu? What about the South East, whose politicians are moving in droves to the APC in order to be considered for the plum job? In an event that Tinubu emerges, where will he pick his deputy from? Because of the Norths voting populace, his choice of a deputy, from the North is likely to spark Muslims-Christians controversy, and if he chooses a Christian from the North, that could open a flak for the opposition to feast on. Whatever happens, 2023 would lead to alignment and realignment of forces, no one can envisage.

For the PDP, still smarting from the defeat of 2019, anything goes as long as it puts the party at an advantage, no matter how insensitive. On this basis, it is not a surprise that Gov Wike of Rivers state though not speaking for the party, indicated his readiness to support a Northern candidate. If that happens, it will permanently put an end to the zoning arrangement instituted by the Obasanjo government. If Wikes pronouncement is anything to go by, it will not be the first time the party would betray its own arrangements. In 2011 when Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was due to relinquish power after exhausting the remaining years of his boss and then President Umaru Yaradua, in order to keep to its zoning arrangement, the PDP made a volte-face, jettisoned its regulation and insisted on Jonathan running. He did and won, but the consequence of the 2011 ill-fated decision played a part in the partys disastrous outing in 2015.

Governor Wike said, Im from the Southern part of Nigeria. I will be happy if power returns to the South, but if PDP will win the 2023 presidential election by zoning the presidential ticket to the North, I will not be opposed to it, to which the Igbos are already kicking.

Here lies the dilemma of our democratic process. For them all (politicians), it is all about winning election; no thoughts for justice and fair play, good governance and accountability, no consideration even for the country and even if half of the country is torn about through internecine conflicts, as long as Abuja remains standing, and there is revenue from oil to dispense recklessly, politicians scramble to rule over its remains. I think we deserve more than this; we do not need people who want power just for the sake of it; we want patriots who will put Nigeria first and worry more about the nations survival than its resources.

Kaduna 39 and Governor El-Rufais recalcitrance

I like El-Rufais courage of conviction and his public service record of bulldozing his way to get things done in the interest of the generality of the populace. More than 13 years after leaving Abuja as minister, his achievements (and the woes he created through demolition) are still being referenced. His tenure as governor of Kaduna State, controversial as it is, is yielding positive results in terms of infrastructure provision and some progressive decisions he has taken.

El-Rufais major problem is his utterances, even if what he says are inconvenient truths. His statement to the effect that he would not negotiate or pay ransom to bandits in the wake of the abduction of 39 students of College of Forestry Mechanisation is ill-timed and wrongly targeted. It portrays him as insensitive and not empathetic. I agree that governments should not indulge criminals in whatever guise through payment of ransom and when they (bandits) abduct innocent people, but it is wrong to say so openly when they (bandits) already hold you by the jugular, and have some innocent students in their possession. That statement has further emboldened the bandits, and unless El-Rufai is ready for an all-out battle, in which the bandits will put up their captives in front as cannon fodders, which could potentially lead to death, the governor doesnt really have a choice than to negotiate.

In peace time, El-Rufais statement is a morale booster and it shows the readiness of government to protect its citizens, but this is not a normal time; definitely not when the bandits are already at an advantage. And there is also the personal responsibility. Will the governor make the declaration if his son or daughter is involved? Students woken up from sleep and barely clothed have spent more than two weeks in captivity in an open place in this inclement weather. El-Rufai, please have a rethink, unless you want the students to pay the supreme price for no offence committed. Negotiate now and get the students out.

zainabokino@com; 08098209791
[March 31, 2021] ZEDEDA Closes $12.5M Strategic Investment Round to Expand Global Leadership in Secure Distributed Edge Computing

ZEDEDA, the leader in orchestration for the distributed edge, today announced a $12.5 million highly oversubscribed expansion to its $16 million Series A round initially closed in February 2019, bringing its total funding to-date to $28.5 million. The latest round of institutional funding validates the traction ZEDEDA has achieved across the market as customers adopt its disruptive orchestration solution for the distributed edge. ZEDEDA will use the new influx of capital to continue to scale its operations, including investments in R&D, sales and marketing. New strategic investors Rockwell Automation (News - Alert) , Juniper Networks and EDF North America Ventures (a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF Trading North America) recognize the market opportunity of edge computing and ZEDEDA's opportunity as the first in the industry to solve the unique challenges of deploying, managing and securing hardware and applications at the distributed edge on-premises, near-premises and in the field. Existing investors participating in the round included Almaz Capital, Energize Ventures, Lux Capital and HBAM. Operationalizing Secure Distributed Edge Computing at Scale With the edge computing market expected to more than quadruple over the next four years, enterprises realize that their strategic vision must implement an open foundation that enables visibility, control and security for their edge projects at scale. Companies can achieve those strategic imperatives only by leveraging an as-a-service model, which takes advantage of a recurring software subscription and enables enterprises wit a cloud-native architecture at the edge that scales on demand while supporting legacy investments.



ZEDEDA's cloud-based orchestration solution, sold and consumed itself entirely as-a-service, enables complete flexibility for end users, OEMs, machine builders, technology providers and system integrators, with support for any hardware, any application and any cloud or on-premises system. The company expects to more than triple the number of customer edge nodes under management by mid-2021 from today. "Our new strategic investors, as well as the existing investors who joined in again, bring years of experience in our core industries of manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, telco and retail," said ZEDEDA founder and CEO Said Ouissal. "Their investment is a validation of our progress, but it also means we have the opportunity to meet the needs of any company who needs to orchestrate applications and hardware outside of traditional data centers."

Investor Perspectives on $12.5M Strategic Institutional Funding Round "We see investment in software development to be a key opportunity for driving future growth, including accelerating our Software-as-a-Service opportunities," said Brian Shepherd, Senior Vice President, Software & Control at Rockwell Automation. "With its focus on providing a flexible edge architecture that meets the needs of existing industrial customers while providing them a path to modernization, as well as enabling new customers seeking to leverage more agile, cloud-native technologies, ZEDEDA's as-a-service solution fits naturally into our overall strategy." "With our commitment to building a net-zero energy future, we believe it's critical to enable energy providers to optimize operations, maximizing efficiency and output," said Mary Ann Brelinksky, President, EDF Energy North America. "IoT and edge computing are instrumental in driving these efforts, and ZEDEDA provides the perfect computing foundation that will scale for the future, enabling our customers to implement new technologies that will analyze and respond in real time to their operations." "At Juniper, we see the AI-driven enterprise as an important strategic opportunity in the market to enable businesses to extract and utilize previously unrecognized value from existing and new sources of data," said Kevin Hutchins, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Juniper Networks (News - Alert) . "ZEDEDA operationalizes distributed edge computing, making it possible to implement and manage the entire process, from hardware to applications, in a secure and scalable manner." "As one of ZEDEDA's early investors, we have been excited to see the company's execution of its vision," said Geoffrey Baehr, General Partner, Almaz Capital. "The market size of the edge computing market, combined with ZEDEDA's ability to realize its vision into a generally available solution of strategic importance to its Fortune 500 companies, makes this the right time to significantly increase our investment in the company." About ZEDEDA ZEDEDA, the leader in orchestration for the distributed edge, delivers visibility, control and security for edge computing deployments. ZEDEDA enables customers the freedom of deploying and managing any app on any hardware? ?at scale? ?and connecting to any cloud or on-premises systems. Distributed edge solutions require a diverse mix of technologies and domain expertise, and ZEDEDA provides customers with an open, vendor-agnostic orchestration framework that breaks down silos and provides the needed agility and futureproofing as they evolve their connected operations. Customers can now seamlessly orchestrate intelligent applications at the distributed edge to gain access to critical insights, make real-time decisions and maximize operational efficiency. ZEDEDA is a venture-backed Silicon Valley company, headquartered in San Jose, CA (News - Alert) , with offices in Bangalore and Pune, India. For more information, contact info@zededa.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005637/en/

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Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson have quickly become one of 2021's most controversial Married At First Sight couples.

And on Wednesday, the newlyweds looked very much in love when they were spotted heading out for a lunch date with a slew of their co-star brides and grooms.

The reality star couple, both 31, were pictured holding hands as they made their way to a popular burger joint in Sydneys south eastern suburbs.

Going strong! Married At First Sight's Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Ruthven, both 31, were spotted holding hands during an outing with their co-stars in Sydney on Wednesday

Sighting: The newlyweds looked very much in love when they were spotted heading out for lunch date with a slew of their co-star brides and grooms. Pictured (L-R) Patrick Dwyer, Belinda Vickers and Brett Helling

At the hotspot, the group were seen ordering burgers, fries and milkshakes before taking their table.

Melissa looked as if she walked right out of a music video channeling rocker vibes in a grey patterned dress which she wore with a leather jacket.

The Melbourne based workplace trainer completed her look wearing round sunglasses and wore her long blonde tresses out.

In love: The reality star couple, both 31, were pictured holding hands as they made their way to a popular burger joint in Sydneys south eastern suburbs

Stylish: Melissa looked as if she walked right out of a music video channeling rocker vibes in a grey patterned dress which she wore with a leather jacket

Bryce was casually dressed for the outing in a grey t-shirt which he paired with a pair of ripped denim jeans and black flip-flops.

The couple were joined by Patrick Dwyer and Belinda Vickers, who also appeared to look very much in love and still together, both wearing their wedding rings.

Belinda put her slim pins on display dressed in a white crop shirt with a heart print design and pink coloured activewear shorts.

Rock chic: The Melbourne based workplace trainer completed her look wearing round sunglasses and wore her long blonde tresses out

Cute! The couple were joined by Patrick Dwyer and Belinda Vickers, who also appeared to look very much in love and still together, both wearing their wedding rings

Nice! Belinda put her slim pins on display dressed in a white crop shirt with a heart print design and pink coloured activewear shorts

Hungry: Upon entering hotspot, the group were seen ordering burgers, fries and milkshakes before taking their table

Safety first! The reality stars were seen patiently waiting at traffic lights to cross the street

She styled her look with a denim jacket with faux fur lining and also wore pink bum bag around her waist.

Patrick was casually dressed in a white T-shirt and black jeans.

Joanne Todd, who was paired up with James Susler on the dating show, appeared to be well and truly over her ex as she was seen having a private chat with Brett Helling.

A look: Belinda put her slim pins on display dressed in a white crop shirt with a heart print design and pink coloured activewear shorts

Something on your mind? Joanne Todd (left), who was paired up with James Susler on the dating show, appeared to be well and truly over her ex as she was seen having a private chat with Brett Helling (right)

Hmmm: Jo and Brett looked to be engaged in a deep discussion, leaving the restaurant ahead of the group as they made their way back to their hotel

Cool: Brett, 31, noticeably looked relaxed and carefree casually dressed in an oversized white T-shirt and ripped denim shorts

Jo and Brett looked to be engaged in a deep discussion, leaving the restaurant ahead of the group as they made their way back to their hotel.

Brett, 31, noticeably looked relaxed and carefree casually dressed in an oversized white T-shirt and ripped denim shorts.

He completed his look with ankle high socks, a brown coloured bucket hat and white sneakers.

Bromance: At one point, Brett and Patrick were seen looking super friendly with each other as they tightly gripped hands with another while crossing the road

Friends: Jo and Belinda also appear to have formed a bond following their stint on the show

At one point, Brett and Patrick were seen looking super friendly with each other as they tightly gripped hands with another while crossing the road.

It comes as the psych student crawled into bed with the fitness trainer and his wife during Monday's episode of the show after admitting to feeling alone following an altercation with his wife, Booka Nile.

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Nine
The first Grand Prix of 2021 is over and with three weeks until the next race in Imola, the drivers have some time to recover from all the first impressions of this season. GPblog's F1 Social Stint finds out what drivers and teams do around a Grand Prix.

Is Sainz inspired by Raikkonen in new video?

Carlos Sainz has just finished his first Grand Prix for Ferrari. Time for the Tifosi to get to know the Spaniard better in possibly the shortest and fastest Q&A you will ever see. Would Sainz have seen many interviews with Kimi Raikkonen?

Verstappen could only be in one place during Easter

Max Verstappen hopes that his followers have had a nice Easter, he says on Twitter. Verstappen himself and his family were of course at the circuit. According to the Dutchman, there is no other place for him and his family to spend the holidays.

Hope you all had a Happy Easter

For this family, there was only place to spend it together pic.twitter.com/6quCqZe5DC  Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) April 6, 2021

Mercedes wants to go back in time already

Mercedes have had a week to reflect on their victory in Bahrain, but that hasn't quite sunk in yet. The Mercedes Twitter account looks back at the victory and would love to go back in time to relive that moment.

Schumacher relaxes: "First swim of the year"

After the Formula 1 race in Bahrain, we have to wait three long weeks for the next Grand Prix in Italy. It is a perfect time for the drivers to put the season's start behind them and relax their minds. Mick Schumacher, who finished in last place with Haas in Bahrain, used his time to take a walk with his dog, which he then left in the water for a while. "First swim of the year', we read in the photo.

First swim of the year pic.twitter.com/dMfmeRSVug  Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) April 1, 2021

Because of this athlete Perez drives with number 11

Every driver has his own number in Formula 1, and for Sergio Perez that number is 11. He already used that number in karting, because his hero played with that number. His hero was not an F1 driver, but a footballer called Ivan Zamorano. That player always played with number eleven and had his glory days between 1992 and 1996 with Real Madrid, after which he also played for Inter Milan and the Mexican America.

Dit bericht bekijken op Instagram Een bericht gedeeld door Checo Perez (@schecoperez)

Reserve driver jokes about Mazepin: 'Feeling a lot better'

Jack Aitken made his debut in Formula 1 in 2020 as a substitute for George Russell. The latter was to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, making a dream come true for the Williams reserve driver. However, he spun during the race, but after Nikita Mazepin's spin at the Bahrain GP he says he feels a lot better. A remarkable dig at someone who was beaten by Mazepin in F2 and does not have a seat in Formula 1 himself.

Suddenly feeling a lot better about the 60 laps I managed in Sakhir before my spin.  Jack Aitken -  (@JaitkenRacer) March 28, 2021

Mercedes in high spirits: 'He only wins in the best car, right?'

Mercedes is in high spirits online after the Bahrain Grand Prix. On Mercedes' Twitter channel there have been several posts from the German team since the race. For example, it lashed out at Hamilton's critics who always say that he only wins in the best car, but Mercedes would also take a crack at the Evergreen.

But he only wins in the best car. pic.twitter.com/vLRn8gHS52  Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 28, 2021

All of us in those final laps pic.twitter.com/xu92PWWVB2  Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 30, 2021

Lewis Hamilton after unblocking the Suez Canal. pic.twitter.com/dND35Kavbh  Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 30, 2021
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Willow Biosciences Inc. ("Willow" or the "Company") (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQX: CANSF) is pleased to announce that it has completed the first commercial scale fermentation run of its first cannabinoid for market, cannabigerol ("CBG").

"We are very pleased with the yield and quality of our first commercial scale fermentation run of CBG," said Trevor Peters, Willow's President and Chief Executive Officer. "I think it is important to take a moment to reflect on all that we have achieved in just under two years as a public company. In this time, we built a world class industrial R&D team, demonstrated proof of concept for production of cannabinoids through fermentation, attracted reputable development partners like Albany Molecular Research, Inc., and produced our first commercial scale batch of CBG. On the capital markets side, we have completed three successful financings bringing in supportive and sophisticated shareholders who have provided us with a healthy balance sheet to execute on our business plan. We are now starting the next phase of Willow's lifecycle, which will involve supplying commercial quantities of cannabinoids to customers and recognizing revenue therefrom."

In December 2020 the Company announced that it had selected a highly regarded contract manufacturing organization ("CMO") to commercially produce Willow's CBG at their European facilities. Since that time, Willow has tech-transferred its proprietary yeast strain and process to the CMO's facilities and run multiple pilot production batches to further optimize the process and provide additional samples of CBG to prospective customers. Our process continues to provide high-purity CBG with no detectable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or any other cannabinoids. Production from our first commercial fermentation run is earmarked for sale to prospective customers and the Company is in the process of finalizing agreements with multiple parties. Willow will continue production with its CMO throughout 2021 to meet anticipated demand of our ultra-pure CBG.

Willow plans to be a market leader in providing ultra-pure, sustainably produced cannabinoids to the world, and procuring third party safety and activity data on our products is an important and necessary step to achieve that goal. Since October of last year, the Company has been working with Signum Biosciences, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative consumer products, in order to demonstrate the safety and activity of Willow's CBG as a cosmetic ingredient. Preliminary data has shown that Willow's CBG is safe and can act as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial in skin applications. The Company will provide a more detailed update on these exciting results once the clinical work is complete.

About Willow Biosciences Inc.

Willow is a Canadian biotechnology company based in Vancouver, British Columbia that develops and produces high-purity, plant derived ingredients for consumer care, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical products. Willow's manufacturing process creates a consistent, scalable and sustainable product that benefits industry and consumers. Willow's team has a proven track record of developing and commercializing bio-based manufacturing processes and products for both the consumer and pharmaceutical industries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements including opinions, assumptions, estimates and the Company's assessment of future plans and operations, and, more particularly, statements concerning: Willow's milestone projections, including the timing of first sales and revenue generation; discussions with consumer-packaged goods entities, manufacturing partners and other key stakeholders, including the successful negotiation of supply agreements with potential customers; the market size potential of the synthetic cannabinoid industry and Willow's ability to capture market share; demand for Willow's products; the safety and efficacy of Willow's CBG, including the results of Signum Bioscience Inc.'s clinical testing on Willow's CBG; and the business plan of the Company, generally, including cannabinoid research and production. When used in this news release, the words "will," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intent," "may," "project," "should," and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are founded on the basis of expectations and assumptions made by the Company which include, but are not limited to: the success of Willow's strategic partnerships, including the development of future strategic partnerships; the financial strength of the Company; the ability of the Company to fund its business plan using cash on hand and existing resources; the market for Willow's products; the ability of the Company to obtain and retain applicable licences; the ability of the Company to obtain suitable manufacturing partners and other strategic relationships; and the successful implementation of Willow's production strategy, generally. Forward-looking statements are subject to a wide range of risks and uncertainties, and although the Company believes that the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Any number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, risks associated with: the cannabinoid industry in general; the success of the Company's research and development strategies; infringement on intellectual property; failure to benefit from partnerships or successfully integrate acquisitions; actions and initiatives of federal and provincial governments and changes to government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies; import/export and research restrictions for cannabinoid-based operations; the size of the medical-use and adult-use cannabinoid market; competition from other industry participants; adverse U.S., Canadian and global economic conditions; adverse global events and public-health crises, including the current COVID-19 outbreak; failure to comply with certain regulations; departure of key management personnel or inability to attract and retain talent; and other factors more fully described from time to time in the reports and filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities. Please refer to the AIF and the MD&A for additional risk factors relating to Willow, which can be accessed either on Willow's website at www.willowbio.com or under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Willow Biosciences Inc.

Related Links

https://www.willowbio.com/


WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Women's History Month, 1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF) is proud to announce today, in partnership with the Ila and Dinesh Paliwal Foundation, the expansion of the Paliwal Club of 100 Scholarship Program into the Paliwal Club of 100 STEAM Scholars Program with increased funding available.

The scholarship program, created to fund the dreams of 100 talented young women in college and graduate schools pursuing careers in S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics), will be awarding $150,000 in scholarship funding over the next 10 years.

Dinesh Paliwal is the retired Chairman and CEO, of HARMAN, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, and is a Board Member of Bristol Myers Squibb, Nestle and Raytheon Technologies. ILA Paliwal is an award-winning global recording artist, song writer, composer and producer based in New York. The Paliwals are also providing one hour of mentorship to the winners as part of their prize.

In alignment with 1,000 Dreams Fund's founding mission, 10 winners will be selected each year to receive a $1,500 scholarships to put toward her future, covering expenses such as research-related costs, travel to conventions and/or educational conferences, graduate school exams or entry fees, and instructional programs related to creative, artistic, or scientific pursuits.

"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with ILA and Dinesh on the Paliwal Club of 100 STEAM Scholars Program to fuel the worthy aspirations of young women in S.T.E.A.M. here in the U.S.," says 1,000 Dreams Fund founder and CEO, Christie Garton. "We cannot have more committed partners to our mission of promoting the advancement of women in critical industries in which they are underrepresented or underserved. By funding such educational needs as research or conference travel, we are aiming to remove financial obstacles that may stand in the way of their inspiring dreams."

Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 Paliwal Club of 100 STEAM Scholars Program through October 15, 2021. Follow this link for more information and to apply.

About 1,000 Dreams Fund

1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF) is a national scholarship fund for American girls in high school and college. 1DF believes that big expenses should never stand in the way of big dreams. Since its launch in 2016, over $300,000 in funding has been granted to talented young women in need, helping them pay for the "extras" in school like study abroad, tech devices for the classroom and travel to conferences and seminars. 1DF has been featured in NBCNews.com, USA Today, MarketWatch, Forbes, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, Entrepreneur, TODAY and others. To learn more about 1DF, visit http://1000dreamsfund.org/

About the ILA and Dinesh Paliwal Foundation

The ILA and Dinesh Paliwal Foundation is dedicated to creating positive social and economic outcomes for worldwide communities and their future leaders. By providing both financial and advisory support to underrepresented populations in science, tech, engineering, arts and math, the foundation promotes innovation across the board.

Media Contact: Christie Garton, [email protected]

SOURCE 1,000 Dreams Fund

Related Links

http://1000dreamsfund.org


Hong Kong is expected to have its own blank check company listing framework ready in June for public feedback and targets allowing deals to start by the end of this year, according to people familiar with the matter.

The city is looking at tighter rules for sponsors of special purpose acquisition company listings and their buy-out targets than those enforced in the U.S., said the people, who asked not to be named discussing internal deliberations. Officials are keen to address concerns springing up around the hundreds of publicly traded shell companies that have raised money on New York exchanges with the goal of buying a profitable business down the line, the people said.

SEC Starting to Inquire About Risk Management of Blank Check IPOs: Reuters Insurers Overwhelmed by Demand for D&O Coverage for Blank Check Companies

Hong Kongs financial chief, Paul Chan, has directed the regulator and the stock exchange to come up with a framework that fits its market as the Asian financial hub seeks to get in on a boom in SPAC deals that has mainly been centered in the U.S. Some of the citys biggest tycoons, including Adrian Cheng, are preparing to or have raised such funds in the U.S.

Hong Kong is racing with rival Singapore to become the first Asian hub to green light such vehicles. Yet, after years spent squeezing out shell companies that were seen as a hotbed for pump-and-dump stock manipulation, authorities are taking a cautious approach. Acquisitions by SPACs will have to meet the existing standards for initial public offerings, the people said. The rules also envision a set of conditions for sponsors to meet, including having a track record of managing money, one person said.

The timeline could still change should unforeseen regulatory concerns arise, the people said. The guiding principle is to keep the current vetting system of IPOs and reverse takeovers in place and introduce a long-term framework for SPAC issuance, they said.

We regularly look at ways to enhance our IPO regime, as part of our commitment to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of our IPO market, whilst maintaining market quality, a spokesman for the exchange said. We will update the market of any new initiatives as appropriate. Shares of HKEX rose as much as 1.6% on Monday.

A Securities and Futures Commission spokesman said: We dont have anything to add at this stage to what the government has said on this matter.

In the past 12 months, more than 700 SPACs  mostly backed by billionaires, private equity, venture capital and even corporations  have flocked to New York exchanges, seeking to raise more than $200 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The Hong Kong rules being mulled on sponsors could prevent some of the excesses that U.S. regulators are now growing concerned about. The Securities and Exchange Commission recently warned against buying stakes in SPACs based solely on endorsements from Hollywood actors, professional athletes and other celebrities.

SPACs typically put the money raised by selling shares into a trust account that pays interest while the company looks for a target to acquire. If no target is found over a specified period, mostly two years, investors get paid back.

One major issue in Hong Kong could become securing liability insurance for SPAC directors and officers against incorrect statements and negligence.

A major concern now is that as more and more SPACs sell shares, there will be few viable companies available for them to acquire.

The deal boom is a warning sign in itself, said Martin Hennecke, Asia investment director at St. Jamess Place Wealth Management, which oversees more than $177 billion.

Hennecke said that pressure will grow on SPACs over the next two years to secure a good acquisition. When the deadline approaches for a large number of SPACs, we may see the worst fallout as sponsors are hard-pressed to cut corners with regards to merger quality to avoid liquidation, he said.

One major issue in Hong Kong could become securing liability insurance for SPAC directors and officers against incorrect statements and negligence. Such insurance is already double the cost for many Chinese firms listed in the U.S. because of increased scrutiny and activism in recent years, said Sandra Lee, Asia chief executive at reinsurance broker BMS Group.

For the even smaller SPAC market its almost impossible to get D&O liability insurance, leaving the Chinese owners exposed to claims, Lee said.

Exchanges may be better served to sit out the SPAC boom in the long run, Hennecke said. Ultimately for a long-term success for a stock exchange, integrity and investor protection is also part of the equation.

Even so, companies in Hong Kong are welcoming the new avenue to go public, which has already lured some of the citys super rich. Horizon Ventures, a firm backed by billionaire Li Ka-shing, this year took its three financial technology holdings  Hippo Enterprises Inc., Doma and Bakkt  public in SPACs deals valued at $10 billion in total.

The firms opted to list via SPACs over a traditional IPO because it offered more benefits to the founders, said Frances Kang, a director at Horizon Ventures. Effectively a merger, a SPAC listing can be completed in a matter of weeks compared with the 12 months it would take to go public in the regular way, she said.

Once you become a public company, nobodys going to care whether you come here from SPAC, from direct listing or from traditional listing, Kang said. SPAC is only an alternative. Ultimately you need to ask yourself whether you are public ready.

Photograph: Outside the Exchange Square complex, which houses the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in Hong Kong on March 23. Photo credit: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Topics Directors Officers
It also updated on corporate matters and management changes, including the appointment of a new chief financial officer

African Gold Group Inc ( ) (OTCMKTS:AGGFF) (FRA:3A61) hailed more positive results from metallurgical testing on sulphide material from its Kobada project in Mali, which means the company can convert some of its existing resources into reserves.

Also in Wednesday's statement, the company updated on corporate matters and management changes, including the appointment of a new chief financial officer.

The metallurgical findings have provided "great confidence" that the Kobada sulphides can be treated easily through the company's existing gravity and carbon-in-leach (CIL) process with very good recoveries, it said.

CEO Danny Callow noted that there appeared to be no need to change the gravity and CIL process circuit to accommodate the sulphides.

"Work is underway to optimise the grinding requirement of the sulphides versus oxides, and these results are due out soon," he said.

"This is the best we could have hoped for in terms of optimising the sulphide testwork, and this means that the process plant design already completed to an advanced detailed engineering level can accommodate the sulphides.

"We are confident that we have a substantial sulphide resource below the oxides, and the results of this testwork will enable us to quickly convert a portion of the existing measured and indicated sulphide resources into reserves. Apart from a huge oxide upside opportunity, the addition of sulphides treatable through our existing plant design adds more value to the size of the Kobada project."

Experienced corporate finance executive Paul Bozoki becomes the company's new finance chief, replacing Ryan Ptolemy, the company revealed.

"Additionally, the company would like to announce that it has agreed to part ways with Kenny Choi, the former Corporate Secretary of the company and Dr. Andreas Rompel, the former Vice President Exploration.

"Mr. Ptolemy, Dr. Rompel and Mr. Choi will remain available to ensure a smooth transition," said the company, thanking all three for their "invaluable contributions" since joining AGG in 2018.

African Gold also said it had terminated its services agreement at 65 Queen Street West and relocated its registered head office to 100 King St W #1600, Toronto, ON M5X 1G5.

Shares ticked up 4.35% on the day to C$0.12 each.

---Updates for share price---

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
Gardai have this morning arrested five males in relation to the attempted murder of a teenage boy who was shot multiple times at Eugene Street in the south inner city shortly before 11pm on Wednesday, February 24.

The 17-year-old was shot in the neck and leg and a bullet grazed his face in the attack in which up to six bullets from a handgun were fired at him.

The arrests followed a massive investigation by detectives at Kevin Street Garda Station which has been helped by the recovery of the gun used in the shooting of the boy which was found in a burnt out getaway car.

The gun was recovered in the partially burnt out Black Hyundai I30, with registration plate 07 TS 4838, which was found at nearby Greenville Avenue.

Officers were also helped by good quality CCTV and spoken to numerous witnesses.

The suspects arrested today include two males from the Finglas area with the other three from flat complexes in the Dublin 2 area of the city.

Senior sources say that gardai expect to make more arrests in the case.

There are some suspects still outstanding in this case. Those arrested are considered low-level criminals who are involved in the drugs trade, the source explained.

The victim of the shooting is a south inner city boy who is said to be making a good recovery after his release from hospital.

As part of the massive investigation gardai spoke to a teenager who is a very close associate of jailed gangland murderer Fat Freddie Thompson.

The teenager who is a convicted killer was quickly ruled out as a suspect in the case.

Gardai announced details of the five arrests today.

Four males in their 20s and a male juvenile were arrested following a number of searches in Dublin this morning, a spokesman said.

All five are currently detained under the provisions of Section 50 the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at a number of Garda stations in Dublin. They can be held for up to 7 days, the spokesman added.

The day after the attempted murder, one local resident who lives just yards from the shooting scene told of how she at first thought the gunshots were fireworks, but within an instant she knew there was something wrong.

"It was around 11 o'clock and I heard two of three bangs outside. At first I thought it was local teenagers letting off bangers, but then I heard people shouting 'get in the car, get in the car' and I heard a car skidding away quickly," she told Independent.ie.

"I went out and I could see the boy crying for help. He was either getting into or out of a taxi when he was targeted. He was kind of leaning in the taxi."

"He was crying for help and I could see blood pouring from his face. It was frightening. He was very distressed and some local people had run to help him and were holding things up to where he was bleeding."

"The ambulance was here within three or four minutes and they got him out of the taxi and onto the road. He was conscious all along and talking, but he was very distressed," she added.

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"He was crying 'please help, please help' and in a panic, and when they ambulance crew had treated him he was driven away in the ambulance and the gardai were working at the scene."

While the shooting victim is known to gardai, he has no previous criminal convictions and has never appeared before the Childrens Court.

However sources say that he is on friendly terms with a dangerous grouping of south inner city thugs who run a drugs distribution network in the area.

Gardai were not aware of any threats against the teenager who is friendly with a group of notorious young street dealers who have links to the Kinahan cartel.

This mob had been using a number of sheds and stables in the Liberties area as a drug dealing headquarters before it was demolished by Dublin City Council last May.

Sources say they control street dealing in the Thomas, Francis and Meath Street areas of the south inner city which has brought them into conflict with other local gangs.
Lucknow, March 31 : The Yogi Adityanath government has withdrawn a case filed against former Deputy SP Shailendra Singh, who had booked mafia don and BSP MLA Mukhtar Ansari under POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) in 2004.

In January 2004, Shailendra Singh was the Deputy SP in-charge of the Varanasi unit of UP Spcial Task Force.

He had claimed that Ansari had procured a light machine gun for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai.

Shailendra Singh had resigned from the UP Police Service after he claimed that he was being pressured by then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to withdraw the case against Ansari.

A few months after his resignation, an FIR was lodged against him in Varanasi by Lalji, an employee of the district magistrate office, for vandalizing, assaulting and creating a ruckus.

The police immediately filed the charge sheet and Singh was sent to jail. Singh, thereafter, joined politics and was in the Congress.

Shailendra Singh, while talking to reporters, thanked Adityanath for withdrawing the case against him.

"A criminal case was lodged against me in Varanasi and I was put in jail. However, when Yogi Adityanath came to power, he initiated the process to withdraw the case. I have received a copy of the court order and I and my family will remain indebted to the chief minister for this gesture," he said.
Watergate figure G. Gordon Liddy is seen in Washington, Jan. 16, 1973, during a break in his trial. (AP Photo/William A. Smith)

Watergate Figure G. Gordon Liddy Dies at Age 90

G. Gordon Liddy, a former FBI agent who helped orchestrate the 1972 Watergate break-in, a crime that began the unraveling of Richard Nixons presidency, died on Tuesday at the age of 90.

Liddy, who leveraged his Watergate fame into a 20-year career as a conservative talk-radio host, died surrounded by family at the home of his daughter in Mount Vernon, Virginia, his son, Thomas P. Liddy, told Reuters by telephone.

He had a full life, and it just had run its course, the younger Liddy said of his father, adding that COVID-19 was not a factor. He did all the good Lord asked of him and then a little more.

Liddy had been diagnosed a few years ago as suffering from Parkinsons disease, his son said. News of Liddys death was first reported by the Washington Post.

Liddy, born George Gordon Battle Liddy, was assigned to plug leaks to the media in the Nixon administration.

His portfolio at Nixons Committee to Re-elect the President was dirty tricks. He and colleague E. Howard Hunt, a former CIA agent, came up with schemes so outlandish and illegal that their superiors often squelched them. Among them were a plot to kill investigative columnist Jack Anderson, an ardent Nixon critic; having anti-war protesters at the Republican National Committee in San Diego in 1972 kidnapped and taken across the border into Mexico; and luring Democratic Party officials to a party with prostitutes.

But not all their plans were rejected. In 1971 a few months before the Watergate burglary, Liddy was part of the break-in at the offices of a psychiatrist who was seeing Daniel Ellsberg, a former U.S. military analyst who leaked the top-secret Pentagon Papers about the U.S. war in Vietnam.

Then came the break-in that would undo Nixon. Liddy and Hunt came up with the plan to get into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate hotel-office complex in Washington as Nixon was seeking re-election in 1972. After his team was caught, Liddy would be convicted of conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping for the Watergate and Ellsberg break-ins.

G. Gordon Liddy upon his release in Washington, on Oct. 15, 1974. Liddy posted a $5,000 bond after serving 21 months in jail. (AP Photo/File)

He was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and served nearly five before being released, thanks to a commutation in 1977 from Democratic President Jimmy Carter, who felt his sentence was out of proportion to those meted out to other Watergate criminals.

Unlike his six co-defendants, Liddy refused to cooperate with prosecutors, which had led a judge to add 18 months to the prison term because he would not answer a grand jurys questions.

Unapologetic

Liddys time in prison was the longest of any Watergate figure but he remained unapologetic about his crime and told the New York Times he would do it again if asked. He also was proud about not cooperating with the grand jury while denouncing those who had. He drove a Rolls-Royce with a license plate that said H20-GATE.

G. Gordon Liddy, 66, kneels next to his Corvette in Fairfax, Virginia, on June 9, 1997. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

After prison, Liddy started a security-investigation firm, wrote best-selling books, had a few acting roles on television and in movies and in 1992 became host of a Washington-based radio talk show that was eventually syndicated to more than 225 stations. He retired in 2012.

In 2001, Liddys reported belief that the Watergate break-in was meant to cover up a call-girl ring operated out of Democratic headquarters was a key component of a defamation suit against him by Ida Maxie Wells, a secretary at the Democratic headquarters at the time of the break-in.

According to the Washington Post, Liddy said in at least two speeches that Nixon lawyer John Dean orchestrated the break-in to steal pictures of scantily clad prostitutes, including Deans then-girlfriend, from Wells desk.

A federal jury deadlocked and the case was dismissed.

Talk radio host G. Gordon Liddy speaks at a rally for troops in Washington, on April 12, 2003. (AP Photo/Lisa Nipp)

Born Nov. 30, 1930, in New York City, Liddy graduated with a bachelors degree from Fordham University in 1952 and a law degree from Fordham Law School in 1957.

After two years U.S. Army service, Liddy became a special agent of the FBI before resigning in 1962 to practice law in Manhattan. He then served as prosecutor in New Yorks Dutchess County, where he was known for wearing a pistol to court. He believed passionately in the dangers of drugs, criminals and Communists, said a New York Times profile in 1973.

As a prosecutor, he was involved in the 1960s raid on Timothy Leary, the former Harvard professor and LSD advocate who had a commune near Poughkeepsie, New York. In the 1980s the two men would tour the nation putting on debates on moral and social issues.

Liddy unsuccessfully sought election to Congress from New Yorks 28th district in 1968 but that year played a significant role in Nixons presidential campaign in the district.

Liddy and his wife, Frances, who died in 2010, had five children.

By Bill Trott
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Nomura Holdings, Inc. ("Nomura" or the "Company") (NYSE: CS). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Nomura and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On March 29, 2021, Nomura disclosed that it anticipated significant losses in connection with positions linked to Archegos Capital Management ("Archegos") after Archegos failed to meet margin calls the prior week, forcing the liquidation of more than $20 billion in holdings. That same day, Bloomberg reported that "[m]uch of the leverage used by [Archegos] was provided by banks including Nomura Holdings Inc. and Credit Suisse Group AG through swaps and so-called contracts for difference[.]"

On this news, Nomura's stock price fell $0.93 per share, or 14.07%, to close at $5.68 per share on March 29, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980



SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

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Gavin Newsom owes the citizens of California an apology.

The governor who embraced lockdowns effectively told Californians theyre not essential, and that's appalling.

Every person and the work they do is essential. Just because a bureaucrat may deem you non-essential, does not mean it's true.

Florida, Texas and other states lifted their lockdowns and allow businesses to open at 100%.

Heres a novel idea: Provide guidance and education and allow business owners the opportunity to safely operate their businesses.

Each day it becomes clearer and clearer; the lockdowns did not work in California. Florida, Texas and many other states are open and have fewer cases, fewer deaths and lower hospitalizations per capita than California.

There's a mountain of evidence to show for it.

A study by Scientific Reports looked at 87 regions worldwide and found there was little to no evidence lockdowns work.

The European Journal of Clinical Investigation peer reviewed a study in January that examined the effects of lockdowns in 10 countries. The doctors compared the countries that had strict lockdown orders like U.K., France and Germany and compared them to countries that remained more open throughout the last year, like Sweden and South Korea. There was "no clear significant beneficial effect" from the stay-at-home orders and business closures.

Here's another: A study published by Frontiers in Public Health concluded that neither lockdowns nor lockdown severity were correlated with lower death rates. One of the doctors involved in the study was Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine at Stanford University. I spoke with Dr. Bhattacharya, and he warned against the dangers of closing businesses and keeping people inside. Recently, he called the lockdowns, "(the) biggest public health mistake we've ever made."

I could not agree more with Dr. Bhattacharya. The long-term effects of not having kids in school, of businesses being shut down, in many cases forever, and people being deemed non-essential, will be felt for decades to come.

It is estimated that 75% of restaurants will close permanently due to the lockdowns.

Yelp reported that 55% of businesses have shut down for good because of the lockdowns.

Teenage suicide rates are up, at devastating levels, due to isolation, and not being allowed in the classroom. Beyond Zoom, no milestones marked, no homecomings, no big games, no graduations, no celebrations, no class outings, no after school playtime, no shared study circles, no visits to friends.

While Californians have suffered, the Governors children have not missed a day of in-person school, his wineries remain open and the thousand-dollar dinner at the French Laundry is a slap in the face to those deemed non-essential.

As the governor prepares for a recall election, it would do him a lot of good to apologize to students, to business owners, to the restaurant industry, to gyms, to the events industry, and to the millions of Californians whose lives he's ruined. He needs to stop putting politics before human lives. An apology is the least he can do.

Jim Desmond is a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and a former mayor of San Marcos, California.

Image: Charlie Nguyen, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0
Hillel at Washington University (WashU Hillel) will host 21st Century Anti-Semitism: Exploring Hate, Oppression, and Identity, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6. The virtual event will feature a one-hour panel conversation on identifying and combatting anti-Semitism, followed by 30-minute breakout sessions facilitated by the panelists and student leaders.

The panelists include activist and social media influencer Yasmine Esther; Rachel Fish, founding executive director of the Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism; Koach Baruch Frazier, activist, rabbinical student, and co-founder of the Tzedek Lab; and Debbie Lechtman, a Jewish Israeli and Latina artist, writer and educator.

The event will address topics such as anti-Semitism on social media and in the classroom, the intersection of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, and the role that white supremacy plays in anti-Semitism. Organizers aim to have participants leave with a working definition of anti-Semitism, how to identify and address it, and an understanding of how anti-Semitism interacts with other types of oppression and hate.

Program organizers hope to jumpstart the creation of a community of students, both Jewish and non-Jewish, who are passionate about building relationships across cultural lines, fighting anti-Semitism, and discovering new allies in the fight against hate.

To register for the event, visit www.washuhillel.org. For more information, contact WashU Hillel Springboard Social Justice Fellow Abby Ross at [email protected] The program is underwritten by WashU Hillels Harry and Mary Neuman Endowment Fund and The George Roffman Memorial Fund.
Beware of the China Appeasement Crisis Looming in the US

Commentary

Since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated the new U.S.Sino cold war in the first half of 2020, the U.S. military has recognized the seriousness of the problem. It sped up its armament and issued a series of public reports on the CCPs military threats.

However, when the U.S. military tried to make up for the lack of national security, it encountered a rising force of China appeasement at home. In order for the United States to win this new cold war, it must first defeat those voices of appeasement.

Appeasement Policies: Past and Present

In this context, the definition of appeasement is to make political and economic concessions toward a totalitarian regimes expansionist strategy to achieve temporary peace.

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain is known for his foreign appeasement policy toward Germany.

In 1938, Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement with Nazi Germany, which ceded the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to Germany. On Sept. 30, 1938, he returned to London from Munich and triumphantly announced to the public that he had secured peace for our time. However, his so-called peace only lasted half a year. Nazi Germany annexed Czechoslovakia in March 1939 and invaded Poland in September 1939. As a result, Britain had to declare war on Germany.

At that time, some British media supported Chamberlains appeasement policy. For example, Norman Ebbutt, a journalist for The Times of London stationed in Berlin at the time, warned of Nazi warmongering. But The Times editor suppressed his reports. Also, the results of a 1938 Gallup pollwhich showed that 86 percent of the public in Britain believed Adolf Hitler was lying about his future territorial ambitionswere censored at the last minute from the News Chronicle by the publisher, who was loyal to Chamberlain. Furthermore, Chamberlain himself directly manipulated the BBC to flaunt his appeasement policy and forbade the BBC from criticizing Hitler and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

British historians later criticized the complete failure of Chamberlains Munich Agreement, which prevented Britain from making full preparations for World War II on the European battlefields.

Chinese missiles are on trucks during a military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2019 (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Today, the totalitarian CCP regime is pursuing its goal of world domination and international hegemony and has embarked on a path that threatens world peace. Meanwhile, a new era of China appeasement has emerged in the United States and around the world.

Once the new U.S.Sino cold war began in 2020, many U.S. politicians, under the influence of political correctness, deliberately turned a blind eye to the fact that the CCP is threatening the United States militarily. And President Joe Biden even toned down the definition of the CCPs relationship with the United States from a strategic enemy to a competitor.

As a matter of fact, many people around the world have interpreted the Trump administrations tough stance toward the CCP as the cause of this new cold war, while ignoring the fact that it was the CCPs actions that led to the present situation.

Beijings Military Threats and Expansionist Strategy

The CCP proactively launched three military operations against the United States in the first half of 2020.

First, the Chinese regime sent a naval fleet to the U.S. military base on Midway Island to pose military provocations.

Second, the CCP announced that it would control the entire international waters of the South China Sea and use them as a deep-sea fortress for strategic nuclear submarines able to launch missiles targeting the United States.

Third, the CCP announced that its Beidou satellite navigation system is fully operational, and it would enable precise targeting of Chinas nuclear weapons against the United States.

Now that China is a major power with a large number of nuclear weapons, it was the CCP threats that actually ignited the U.S.Sino cold war.

In October 2020, the CCP revised its National Defense Law, which justified going to war if Chinas development interests were affected. Included in this effort would be the launch of a nationwide campaign to mobilize Chinese citizens to participate in the war as much as possible. I explained this revision in detail in my previous article The Ambivalence of Bidens China Policy (printed in the March 31 edition).

In addition, the CCP recently passed the Maritime Police Law, declaring that large maritime police ships would be used to enforce the law in waters the CCP considers its territory. This is an act of forcibly taking control of international waters.

These bold moves indicate that the CCP is implementing its foreign expansionist strategy step by step, and its neighboring countries, as well as the United States, which seeks to protect the Indo-Pacific region, are facing increasing threats. Yet, in the face of this international situation, an attitude of appeasement has appeared.

Todays Appeasement Propaganda

On March 17, the BBCs Chinese edition published a news analysis titled U.S.China Summit in Alaska: Will the Diplomats Succeed in Breaking Ice?

There are profound differences between China and the United States on issues such as economics, trade and human rights. Last year, bilateral relations fell to the lowest point in the more than four decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the article stated.

Is the deteriorating relationship between China and the United States caused by economic, trade, and human rights issues alone? China has a totalitarian and autocratic regime, and human rights violations have always been a big issue since the CCP took power. U.S.China economic and trade issues have existed for more than a decade.

These are not new problems at all. Past U.S. presidents, with the exception of Donald Trump, were all untroubled in the face of such a harsh reality. They simply performed some lip service and maintained a honeymoon relationship with China. The real reason U.S.China relations have fallen to a low point is that the CCP started the new cold war and blatantly threatened U.S. national security. This is the current status of U.S.Sino relations.

In March, The New York Times published an article in a similar tone with the headline That Was Fast: Blowups With China and Russia in Bidens First 60 Days. The author, David Sanger, has worked for the NY Times for 38 years, focusing on international relations.

Sanger has covered issues related to the White House and national security for a long time. He certainly knows how to find the latest information about the U.S.China confrontation from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Pentagon websites. However, he completely ignored the repeated warnings of the U.S. military with regard to the CCPs military threats, saying, While the Cold War has not resumedthere is little of the nuclear menace of that era, and the current competition is over technology, cyber conflict and influence operationsthe scenes playing out now have echoes of the bad old days.

If the CCP really is only expanding its international influence in terms of technology and cyber conflicts, as Sanger says, why did the regime send its fleet to the U.S. military base on Midway Island in January 2020 and clearly state that its intimidating exercises were meant to point the sword at Pearl Harbor? And why did the CCP announce in June 2020 that the Beidou satellite system would enable it to launch a precise attack using nuclear missiles at any location in the United States? Isnt the threat of nuclear missiles a nuclear menace? The Soviet Unions nuclear missile threat back in the day didnt have precise navigationits nuclear threat to the United States was much smaller than the nuclear threat posed by the CCP today.

A Long March 3B rocket carrying the Beidou-3GEO3 satellite lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Xichang, southwestern Chinas Sichuan Province, on June 23, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the reasons the CCP doesnt fear the United States is that there is a large number of pro-CCP influential figures, similar to the fifth column, inside the Democratic Partys circle of influence. They try to manipulate U.S. policy toward China, downplay the CCPs threat to U.S. national security, and shape U.S. policies in a manner that favors the CCP.

This political correctness faction has good feelings toward Marxism, the Communist Party, and Mao Zedong. So they naturally dislike any actions that attack or suppress the CCP. Although this faction differs in their goals and motives from the appeasement under Chamberlain in Britain, the effects of their actions are very similar.

The US Military Makes War Preparations

In the face of the CCPs global expansionism and military threats to the United States, U.S. military leaders have continuously testified in Congress about the need for war preparations and national security in the past several months and issued a series of reports on the CCPs military threats to the United States and the preparations on the U.S. side.

The U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, and Congress have all released a series of reports as references for policymaking. In addition to the report The U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific, which was formulated in 2018 and publicized at the end of 2020 by the Trump administration, the U.S. Navy also released several reports that are usually inaccessible to the public and foreign countries.

One report, titled China Naval Modernization: Implications for US Navy CapabilitiesBackground and Issues for Congress, went through its final revision on Jan. 27. Another was a 10-year navigation plan, the 2021 Chief of Naval Operations NAVPLAN, released by the U.S. Navys chief of naval operations on Jan. 11. The report named China as the biggest threat to the United States and laid out detailed actions the U.S. Navy needs to take in order to compete and win.

There was also a naval research report for the American public titled Advantage at Sea: Prevailing with Integrated All-Domain Naval Power. Released in December 2020, it focused on the discussion of integrating the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to compete with, deter, and if necessary, defeat the enemy of the United States.

In response to the Navy report, the U.S. Congressional Research Service also issued a report on Jan. 28 titled U.S.China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Background and Issues for Congress. It not only serves as a reference for Congress to discuss defense policies and budgets, but also for the American public to understand the current situation of the U.S.China maritime confrontation.

Crew members of Chinas South Sea Fleet taking part in a drill in the Xisha Islands, or the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on May 5, 2016. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the whole of the South China Sea, on the basis of a segmented line that first appeared on Chinese maps in the 1940s, pitting it against several neighbors. (Ben Dooley/STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Adm. Charles Richard, commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, wrote an article published in the February issue of the U.S. Navys authoritative magazine Proceedings that called on U.S. military leaders and the federal government to hold Chinas aggression in check and face the real possibility of nuclear war.

Richard warned that Russia and China have begun to aggressively challenge international norms in ways not seen since the height of the Cold War.

These behaviors are destabilizing, and if left unchecked, increase the risk of a great power crisis or conflict, he wrote.

On Feb. 2, Deputy Secretary of Defense nominee Kathleen Hicks stated during her Senate confirmation hearing, We must modernize if deterrence is to endure and, if confirmed, I would seek to increase the speed and scale of innovation in our force.

This hearing discussed the major issue of insufficient naval funding, including the insufficient budget for the Navys long-term shipbuilding plan.

This is the first time in the 70-plus years after World War II that the United States has issued military reports so intensively. Its a clear indication that the situation is pressing. And all these reports point to the CCPs military buildup as a major threat to the United States.

The Dispute on US Military Spending

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Jan. 24, the U.S. military first noted the Chinese militarys threat to the United States in 2018.

The Defense Department decided to turn its focus to great power competition, that is, a major shift in spending and programs to counter China and Russia, the report said.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is considering allocating funds in accordance with this major shift. For instance, the Navy is pursuing the development of unmanned ships, the Air Force is working on B-52 bomber modernization, and the Marines are getting rid of their tanks and instead developing the ability to operate from western Pacific islands to counter Chinas fleet, according to the report.

The current war preparations in the United States are much better than those seen before the Pearl Harbor attack that triggered U.S. participation in World War II, but there are still some similarities: insufficient intelligence and insufficient weaponry. The real problem is an insufficient defense budget.

Under the Obama administration, military spending was greatly reduced, which led to the current problem of an insufficient budget. When the U.S. military urged the White House, Congress, and the public to hurry and prepare for war in response to the growing threat from the CCPan enemy the United States had neglected for a long timethe current administration and Congress should have actively cooperated.

However, the political correctness faction in power has gone in the opposite direction. Although they cant deny the fact of the CCPs military threat, their appeasement policy is reflected in how they assess and approve military budgets.

In recent months, officials from the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as senior generals and retired generals of the Strategic Command, testified before the military committees of both houses of Congress that U.S. military defense is inadequate compared with the CCPs military buildup because the Obama administration significantly underfunded defense.

However, Biden and some Democrats in Congress reacted passively to the militarys strong appeals. The national defense demand doesnt seem to fall within the scope of political correctness. The Biden administration is very generous in paying huge amounts of money to illegal immigrants. Its also resolute and generous in increasing diplomatic expenditures and giving money to some nonprofit organizations so they can feed more Democratic supporters. But the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress plan to cut military spending.

The Navys official website reported on March 10 and March 16 that the administrations first military budget was set to be cut by 2.5 percent from the previous fiscal year. Due to this reduction, the Pentagon had to consider shrinking the scale of the naval fleet. As a result, the United States will face the difficulty of inadequate military resources when trying to fulfill its commitment to safeguard the Indo-Pacific region.

Politico reported on March 3 that the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Phil Davidson, asked the secretary of defense to pressure Congress to approve a nearly $5 billion budget in 2022 to counter Chinas buildup in the region, which includes money for new missile defense systems. Davidsons request received positive feedback from top Pentagon leaders, but House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) stated that he is skeptical of major defense spending increases. Its worth looking at what his motive is.

On the one hand, the CCP has increased military expenditures by 6.8 percent this year; on the other hand, the United States will reduce its military spending by 2.5 percent this year. Doesnt this reflect an appeasement policy? The political correctness faction wouldnt dare to criticize the U.S. military explicitly, but in their actions, they are repeating Chamberlainism. For the United States, this is one of the many dangers facing the country.

Cheng Xiaonong is a scholar of Chinas politics and economy based in New Jersey. Cheng was a policy researcher and aide to former Chinese Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang. He also served as chief editor of Modern China Studies.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A Daily Reminder of Who God Is

Bread

A house burned down in my neighborhood during the freeze that Houston endured recently. They dont know the details of what caused the fire but there were three children, ages, 5, 7 and 11 and their grandmother whose lives were lost in the fire. This house is right around the corner from me. I see it every single day as I drive in and out of my neighborhood and as I walk my own kids to the park, ages 3, 6, and 8. The house is destroyed, a pile of rubble. When you stand in front of it, the smell of ashes is overwhelming.

Until recently, I avoided going by this house. Even though I can see it from the corner, I refused to walk by it. The grief was too overwhelming. The reality of losing three children was too close to home for me in every way.

Until a couple of days ago when I went on a walk and I finally decided to stop in front of the house. It took me a few minutes but finally I was able to cry. And then the crying became sobbing and the sobbing became uncontrollable. And what came out of my mouth, as a prayer, surprised me. I said to God, How will you provide in these ashes? For this brokenness?

Have you ever asked that of God? Have you come right up to the worst case scenario, the greatest tragedy, the worst suffering and wondered about Gods provision? Or maybe you have looked at the ashes of your own life or the ashes of a situation and you doubt that God will provide at all.

I think all of us, at some point and in some way, have asked, God how will you provide in this?

When your marriage is falling apart.

When you are taking treatments for a terminal illness.

When you are grieving a loss.

When you have received the really bad news.

I have reflected on the image of bread during this Lenten season. I have said that bread, in scripture, is a common and daily element that reminds Gods people of who God is. Isnt this how God works? God is known for using common elements and common things to bring us into divine realities. For example, when the people of God were led out of slavery into the desert in Exodus 16, the daily bread (called manna) was to remind them that God was the one who brought them out of Egypt (Exodus 16:6, 16:12).

God wants the complaining people to know that God is the one who gives them daily bread and this God is the same God who conquered Pharoah, who sent the plagues, who parted the Seas and who gave them freedom. The bread is to be a physical sign of Gods faithfulness so that when they begin to doubt, they can pick up the bread with their hands and they can feel it flake apart. They can see the color. They can taste the honey flavor. They can let the smell fill their nasal cavities and trigger the hunger. And in all of these physical sensations, they are invited to remember a divine reality of who God is.

This is why bread is so important. Bread points us to all of the daily miracles of Gods provision and bread reminds us of who God is.

This is why the words of Jesus in Johns gospel are so very interesting.

I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that whoever eats from it will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. John 6:48-51

Here we see that God not only gives bread to Gods people. God becomes bread for Gods people. And this bread is still Gods daily provision for Gods people, reminding Gods people of who God is.

The key difference is that this bread, the Body of Jesus, is broken bread. And the Body of Jesus doesnt just end up broken at the cross. The body of Jesus comes into the world broken. Jesus came to take on what we bear, to feel what we feel and to suffer as we suffer. The body of Jesus is broken just as we are broken.

This is why bread is so important. Bread invites us to return to the brokenness or the ashes of our lives and find the broken body of Jesus.

The image of Jesus as broken bread reminds us that there is no Brokenness where God is not. There is no brokenness that God has not experienced. The worst of betrayal? Yes. The loss of a child? Yes. The gut wrenching pain of someone you love not responding to you? Yes. There is no brokenness you can experience that God wont provide for because the daily provision is now the miracle of Gods own self given in Jesus. He is the broken bread. He is the provision. The provision is the Presence.

So what provision do you need from God in this Lenten season?

A Blessing for your ashes:

May you find Jesus in the ashes of your own story.

May you bring your needs to God and find Gods daily provision.

May you be reminded of who God is.
AS Covid-19 deaths show little sign of abating, good news has come to Trinidad and Tobago of a vaccine gift from the United States.

According to Shante Moore, Charge dAffaires at the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, this gift comes with no hidden conditions and imposing conditions as other countries are doing.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The latest surge in coronavirus cases is putting younger people in the hospital compared to a previous surge last fall.

The average age of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Spectrum Health hospitals is now 60, down from 73 during the last surge in November, according to Spectrum Health West Michigan President Darryl Elmouchi.

Elmouchi and other Spectrum Health leaders talked about their coronavirus concerns, as well as broadening vaccine eligibility, during a Zoom press conference Tuesday, March 30.

The discussion came not long after organizers of the West Michigan Vaccine clinic announced Tuesday they were immediately expanding vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and older.

As were seeing younger people being hospitalized, we recognize as does the state that the more vaccine we get into younger folks the better sooner, Elmouchis said.

He also said health leaders just wanted to simplify the process and rules.

Elmouchi and other health officials say theyre concerned the latest increase in COVID-19 cases will become another wave, particularly as more contagious variant strains become more prevalent.

Spectrum Health hospitals now have 139 inpatients with COVID-19, up from 52 about two weeks ago. The intensive care unit admissions have doubled in four days.

Elmouchi said its believed the average age of inpatients is now younger because more people in their 70s and older have received the vaccine.

At Spectrum Health hospitals, the number of COVID-19 inpatients older than 70 has declined by about 40 percent from the last coronavirus surge. By contrast, the number of inpatients younger than 40 has increased by 54 percent.

The latest data on the percentage of positive coronavirus cases in Kent County, compared to all tests given, shows a rate of 11.3 percent as a seven-day average. Elmouchi said the figure has been as high as 16 percent for a given day in Spectrum Healths in-system testing.

Kent County data shows a seven-day average of 260 cases per day on Tuesday, up from 79 cases per day on March 1.

Its definitely a younger demographic in the hospital, definitely a lot of positivity and a lot of concern that what were seeing now feels strangely reminiscent to what we saw a few short months ago, Elmouchi said.

Health officials reiterated the importance of getting the vaccine.

What we care about the most is that shots are in arms, said Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Spectrum Health. And so it doesnt matter where you get youre shot, your vaccine. Its just important that were all collaborating to help our community.

While the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic was able to vaccinate more than 12,500 people in 12 hours on Monday -- believed to be a one-day national record for clinics its size -- the availability of vaccine is still sporadic.

Jon Ashford, CEO at Spectrum Health United and Kelsey hospitals, said the hospital system has not seen the stability in the amount of doses that were receiving, but we are optimistic we will continue to see the volume we had this week.

More from MLive

Michigan reports 5,177 new coronavirus cases, 48 deaths Tuesday, March 30

Michigan surpasses 4M COVID-19 vaccine doses administered

Spectrum Health tightening visitor restrictions amid rise in COVID-19 cases
Dua Lipa and Griff are the first artists that have been confirmed as performers at The BRIT Awards 2021.

Pop superstar Dua, 25, and newcomer Griff, 20, will take to the stage at the highly-anticipated music event which will be broadcast on May 11 from The O2 arena.

Dua looked incredible in a tight pink dress as she posed on a moon-shaped swing in snaps released for the announcement while songwriter Griff put on an edgy display in statement collar jacket.

Stars: Dua Lipa (pictured) and Griff are the first artists that have been confirmed as performers at The BRIT Awards 2021

This year's BRIT Awards will be hosted for the fourth time in a row by comedian Jack Whitehall, 32, and nominations will be announced by Nick Grimshaw on Wednesday on the Brit's social media channels.

Dua made BRIT Award history in 2018 as the first female artist to pick up five nominations, with two wins for British Breakthrough Act and British Female Solo Artist, also performing her hit New Rules on the night.

She returned in 2019 to perform One Kiss alongside Calvin Harris, which won British Single.

Songstress: Pop superstar Dua, 25, and newcomer Griff, 20, (pictured) will take to the stage at the highly-anticipated music event which will be broadcast on May 11 from The O2 arena

Dua said: 'I am so excited to be returning to perform for you all at The BRITs this year. It's going to be truly special to be back on stage in the UK.'

Meanwhile Griff was the recipient of the first BRITs 2021 trophy, the Rising Star Award.

Griff said: 'Guys, pray for me!! I'm going to be in a room full of the biggest and best artists in the world, singing my little heart out. I can't wait!!!!'

Success: Dua made BRIT Award history in 2018 as the first female artist to pick up five nominations (pictured at the event in 2019)

Since the release of her first single in 2015, Dua Lipa has become one of the music world's most exciting young artists.

Her eponymous debut album has eclipsed five million sales worldwide, with single sales reaching 80 million and the video for her break-out hit New Rules made her the youngest female solo artist to reach one billion views on YouTube.

Griff was announced the winner of this year's BRITs Rising Star award earlier this month, seeing off strong competition from Pa Salieu and Rina Sawayama.

Incredible: Dua returned in 2019 to perform One Kiss alongside Calvin Harris, which won British Single (pictured)

Newcomers: Griff (centre) was announced the winner of this year's BRITs Rising Star award earlier this month, seeing off strong competition from Pa Salieu (right) and Rina Sawayama

She grew up in Kings Langley in Hertfordshire, as the daughter of a Chinese mother and a Jamaican father and has had hits such as Black Hole.

It was announced last week that Jack would host the event for the fourth time in a row as the ceremony returns in May.

The comedian has presented the star-studded bash for the last three years and told how he is looking forward to returning to The O2 Arena after a year of lockdown.

Speaking to The Sun, he said: 'It really is always an honour to do it but this year feels even more special. I must be doing something right to be invited back.

Icon: Since the release of her first single in 2015, Dua Lipa has become one of the music world's most exciting young artists

Back in action: This year's BRIT Awards will be hosted for the fourth time in a row by comedian Jack Whitehall, 32 (pictured at the 2020 awards)

'This is about celebrating all the artists that made the music which helped us get through what's been a b*d of a year. It's also now just a nice excuse to get out of the house and put on a suit.'

The publication reports that Brit bosses are still working out how they will get audiences into the venue safely and comply with Covid restrictions.

Glitzy after-parties are also likely to be off the cards for this year's show, with Jack joking his mother Hilary may present a Covid health risk as she 'lunged' at Stormzy last year in an attempt to get a selfie.

Jack has sparked controversy with some of his jokes in previous years, including a joke about dads 'fumbling' at home over a Little Mix performance.

The comic insisted: 'As the host I try to not say controversial things but I guess as a comedian my radar might be a little off.'

Jack added that he thinks he knows which of his jokes will end up in the papers the next day but he is almost always wrong.

Some of the big winners at last year's ceremony included Stormzy for Best Male Solo Artist, Mabel for Best Female Solo Artist and Lewis Capaldi's Someone You Loved for Song of the Year.
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Thunderstorms likely in the morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers late at night. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
New Roads, LA (70760)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning becoming more widespread in the afternoon. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

An isolated thunderstorm possible during the evening, then occasional showers overnight. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Omega has a strong wind in its sail despite the ongoing pandemic and global economic woes. The latest James Bond film will finally begin its world tour of cinema screens in the autumn, the Americas Cup took place in March, won by Emirates Team New Zealand  with the Omega Seamaster part of its crew, the Tokyo Olympics will take place this summer and will be followed next winter by the Beijing Olympics. Naturally, the Omega colours will fly at all these events.

As a prelude to the digital presentation of Omega's 2021 releases orchestrated by Raynald Aeschlimann, he announced that all Omega watches are on track to be certified Master Chonometers by the end of the year, "certainly the highest standard of watchmaking certification in the industry". Five collections were unveiled, delighting both female and male Omega fans equally: Constellation Petite Seconde, De Ville Tresor Reserve de Marche, a trio of Seamasters (Seamaster Aqua Terra, Seamaster Diver 300 Black Black and above all the Seamaster 300 in gold bronze), and a nod to the Speedmaster Moonwatch, now available with its official Omega Velcro straps.

Seamaster 300 in Bronze Gold

"This is the first time we have used this new alloy, which has a patent pending. It took two years of research and development to produce a bronze that meets Omega's quality standards, that does not oxidise prematurely or inconsistently, as has been the case with some other brands. Traditionally, the use of bronze is closely linked to the story of marine exploration, so it was logical to introduce it as a priority on our new Seamaster 300. That said, its use will be extended to other models in the future," explains Raynald Aeschlimann. Omega had already distinguished itself in precious alloys by designing Moonshine18K gold and Sedna18K gold, and achieves with gold bronze an intermediate hue, coming from the subtle addition of silver and palladium to the mixture of gold (37.5%) and copper. Protected by the sapphire crystal, the sandwich dial is made of a common bronze alloy burnished and patinated through a special treatment. The ceramic bezel dominates the whole, accentuating the personality of this elegant 41mm diameter model, which is obviously water-resistant to 300m. It is equipped with the Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8912, a self-winding manufacture movement that provides a 60-hour power reserve.

Seamaster 300  Omega

For fans of the original model, a new steel version is produced with the same calibre but in a more streamlined style, distinguished by an anodised aluminium bezel, the new sandwich dial with vintage numerals standing out clearly on the Super-LumiNova coated base, and a new domed sapphire crystal on the front. "We don't want to reproduce the past just to create vintage watches. We respect the heritage of the Seamaster while structuring the collection in a coherent way. We also owe it to our customers who follow every evolution of this model!" says the charismatic brand leader.

Seamaster Diver 300 Black Black

In a completely different style, the Seamaster Diver 300 Black Black embodies Omega's modernism with its black ceramic and laser-sculpted dial. As a welcome surprise, the double trap of chromatic monotony and poor readability has been avoided (all the more essential on a diving watch)! Indeed, the diving scale as well as the indexes, the skeletonised hands and the dot at 12 o'clock benefit from an anthracite Super-LumiNova coating, which remains dark grey during the day but gives them a different colour each in the dark. All the details of the black ceramic one-piece dial, such as the wave patterns, the minute track and the logo, have been shaped in relief by laser. Polished and satin-finished ceramic is omnipresent in the Seamaster Diver 300 Black Black and is used for the 43.5mm case as well as for the crown and the helium-release valve. However, a sapphire-crystal covered opening is found on the back of the watch to reveal the Cote de Geneve arabesque decoration and the oscillating weight of the Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8806, which has a 55-hour power reserve. Like all Omega watches, it comes with a five-year warranty.

Seamaster Diver 300 Black Black  Omega

"Even though 30 of our 160 boutiques around the world are still closed due to the pandemic, and I don't really like the term 'click and collect', our teams in the shops are great at making sure that the customer experience is excellent for those who order online and want to have their watch delivered to the boutique despite the situation," says Raynald Aeschlimann.

About the Olympics and the America's Cup

Raynald Aeschlimann, himself a keen sailor, is naturally delighted that these events are being held, thinking first of all of the athletes who have been preparing for four years (the America's Cup is also held every four years, normally not in the same year as the summer Olympics, which have been postponed due to the global pandemic). Omega has not only been a sponsor of the America's Cup for the past 25 years, but is also the sponsor of the title holder, Emirates Team New Zealand, which won in mid-March against the Italian challenger Luna Rossa.

America's Cup  Omega

"Their control, tactics and spectacle were incredible; I'm very happy for them that they were able to impose their vision of their highly innovative flying boats, which were contested at the start of the project. These people are very down to earth, they have chosen the right options and have made history. I only hope that they will choose a more accessible venue for the next edition. As for the Tokyo Olympic Games, which will have to be held without a public on site, "our teams are of course already present to ensure perfect timing, but we are also working on the scenography and technologies so that viewers can enjoy the show and feel the emotion that sport conveys. We expect nothing less from any event associated with Omega!
Hilsa, the darling of fish lovers across West Bengal and Bangladesh, could be breeding upstream in the mighty Ganges later this year, after almost four decades of being locked out by the Farakka barrage across the river.

A new navigation lock is in the making at the barrage -- created to save Bihar and West Bengal from flooding and to generate hydel power -- to enable hilsa breeding in the next few months.

Fish connoisseurs along the Ganga, up until Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad, maybe able to savour fresh hilsa as the project will make way for their travel upstream from beyond the Farakka, said a top official of L&T Geostructure.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) had contracted L&T GeoStructure for the new Farakka navigation lock in Murshidabad district, as a part the Jal Marg Vikas Pariyojana, and said it will make a special arrangement to allow easier passage of the hilsa.

The movement of the popular fish in the Ganges till Allahabad came to a halt after construction of the old Farakka navigation lock in 1976, officials said.

"The new Farakka navigation lock is expected to be complete by June," S Kanappan, Head and Chief Executive of L&T Geostructure, said.

The Centre had said in 2019 that based on research on the breeding season of the hilsa, the operation of navigational lock will be regulated to facilitate their movement from the Hoogly-Bhagirathi river system upstream to the main Ganga river and vice-versa.

Kanappan said due to the inefficiency of the existing navigation lock gate at Farakka, about 280 km from Kolkata, the IWAI proposed a new one, which will feature modern features like electro-hydraulic and remotely-controlled operation of all gates from a control room.

The new navigation lock will entail an investment of around Rs 361 crore, the officials said.

Hilsa, considered a nonpareil delicacy when fried, smoked or cooked in mustard sauce, typically travels up the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy from the Bay of Bengal during the rainy season to spawn.

The fish is also found in the Arabian Sea from where it goes upstream through rivers in Gujarat and Pakistan's Sindhu river, as well as in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Vietnam and China seas.

The peak upstream migration of the fish coincides with the advent of Monsoon -- July and August -- and continues up to October and November, according to a 2017 report by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute.

The report had also suggested that a "bypass channel" be created in the western side of the existing navigational channel at the Farakka Barrage to facilitate natural upstream migration of hilsa.

The first phase of the Jal Marg Vikas Pariyojana covers the Haldia-Varanasi stretch, and aims at developing fairway and multi-modal terminals, strengthening of river navigation system and conservation works, the officials said.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
ST segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a particularly severe type of heart attack associated with a high risk of mortality or long-term disability. Clinicians can reduce a patient's chances of unfavorable outcomes by performing a procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which combines coronary angioplasty--in which a balloon is inserted into a blocked artery of the heart to clear it--with stenting--inserting a tiny tube into a blocked artery to keep the line open. But studies in China have found that many patients with STEMI choose not to undergo PCI and that women with STEMI, in particular, have a reduced likelihood of undergoing guideline-based management and acute reperfusion therapy.

The phenomenon of patients with STEMI refusing PCI attracted the interest of a research team at China's Shandong University. As lead researcher of the team, Dr. Yu-Guo Chen explains, "Understanding the factors that influence patients' decisions to reject medical advice may facilitate efforts to improve treatment compliance, quality of care, and prognoses." Dr. Chen and team conducted analyses of treatment data to identify the predictors of PCI refusal for patients with STEMI. Their results appear in a paper published in a recent edition of the Chinese Medical Journal.

For their analyses, the researchers used data that had been prospectively collected through a cohort study involving patients with STEMI who presented to any of six Chinese emergency departments between August 2015 and September 2017. After excluding patients who never had the opportunity to decide whether to undergo PCI, as well as patients transferred to other hospitals and those discharged against the treating clinicians' advice, the researchers had a dataset of 957 patients, including 260 women and 697 men. On this dataset, they used multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify the predictors of PCI refusal.

In total, 98 of the patients in the dataset (10.2%) chose not to undergo PCI. One factor that had a major influence on their decisions was age, with patients older than 65 years being more likely than their younger counterparts to refuse PCI. Some important predictors of PCI refusal were having a history of myocardial infarction, experiencing cardiac shock while in the emergency department, a more than 12-hour delay in reaching the hospital after STEMI onset, and having a faster heart rate.

Some other factors included being married, receiving treatment at a tertiary hospital, and having a higher body mass index value.

Interestingly, comparisons between male and female patients showed that female patients were older, were less likely to be married, had lower body mass index values on average, and were less likely to receive treatment at tertiary hospitals. Given that these factors were all predictors of PCI refusal in the regression model, these differences may help to explain why women with STEMI are more likely to refuse PCI than their male counterparts are.

In conclusion, the researchers at Shandong University have identified a host of factors that may help to predict whether a patient with STEMI will give or withhold consent to PCI. When asked about the long-term medical and societal importance of these findings, Dr. Chen notes that knowledge of these predictors may aid healthcare providers in their efforts to persuade more patients with STEMI to consent to PCI. He predicts that increasing the number of patients who undergo PCI "will lead to reductions in mortality and improvements in long-term clinical outcomes." Given the sex disparities in PCI refusal rates, such improvements may be of particular value to Chinese women.

Percutaneous coronary intervention is the recommended procedure after ST-elevation myocardial infarction, but some patients refuse to undergo it. Researchers from Shandong University, China, have identified some demographic and clinical features associated with such treatment refusal.

###

Photo courtesy: Jesse Orrico on Unsplash

Reference

Titles of original papers: Analysis of potential factors contributing to refusal of invasive strategy after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in China.

Journal: Chinese Medical Journal

DOI:10.1097/CM9.0000000000001171
A cheeky mother has been hailed the 'best mum ever' after creating elaborate April Fool's Day lunchboxes for her two young daughters.

The woman, from Queensland, made two lunchboxes for her girls, aged five and seven, complete with sandwiches, chocolate Easter eggs and jelly.

But upon closer inspection, the prankster mum had disguised grapes and hard boiled eggs in chocolate foil wrappers and hid 'eyes' in the jelly in an attempt to fool her unsuspecting kids when they open their lunchboxes at school on Thursday.

A cheeky mother has been hailed the 'best mum ever' after creating elaborate April Fool's lunchboxes for her two young daughters, aged five and seven

But upon closer inspection, the prankster mum had disguised grapes and hard boiled eggs in chocolate foil wrappers and hid 'eyes' in the jelly in an attempt to fool her unsuspecting kids when they open their lunchboxes at school on Thursday

She also included a sandwich with a 'funny face' and little jokes written on notes.

'Just something fun for the last day of school, plus bonus it's April Fool's Day,' the mother wrote in a Facebook group, alongside pictures of her lunchbox creations.

'I just wish I could see their reactions.'

And while a handful of grapes are individually wrapped in foil, the mother pointed out there are actually two containing chocolates.

The mum made two lunchboxes, complete with sandwiches, chocolate eggs and jelly

After sharing her post on social media, many parents praised the mum for her 'genius idea' to surprise the kids while they're at school on April 1.

'Love it. What a great last day of term surprise. It's not every year that coincides with April Fool's,' one mum wrote, while another added: 'Be right back, off to eat Easter eggs and save the wrappers.'

One woman wondered: 'It's amazing, hopefully a teacher doesn't take the eggs off them or tell them they can't eat them assuming they are chocolate,' to which the mother replied: 'Nah it will be fine.'

Some mothers said the prank won't go down well with their own kids, with one saying: 'Love the pretend Easter eggs, that's very funny. Just thinking about the tantrum my five year old would throw if I did that to him.'

While another mum added: 'So cute but my kids would hate on me for being a trickster.'
WASHINGTON (AP)  A defeated Democrat abruptly dropped her bid Wednesday to overturn her six-vote loss for a House seat from Iowa, abandoning what loomed as a long legal and political battle in the face of shaky support from her own party.

In a three-paragraph statement, Rita Hart blamed a toxic campaign of political disinformation that she said had effectively silenced the voices of Iowans.

But she also congratulated Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks, the Republican who won the November election and was seated when the new Congress took office in January, even as Hart's appeal proceeded.

Miller-Meeks' victory was certified by a bipartisan board of Iowa officials after a recount.

But Hart asked the House, which under the Constitution has the power to consider such challenges, to overturn her loss. She and her legal team said they had found 22 votes that hadn't been counted that would have given her a victory.

But at least seven House Democrats have publicly expressed reluctance to support Hart's claims. In a stroke of poor political timing, her challenge came after Democrats strongly opposed Donald Trump's effort to have the courts and Congress overturn his presidential election defeat in states that had certified Joe Biden's victory.

Republican U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley made the following statement on Harts decision:

Midwest common sense has again prevailed over party politics in Washington. Speaker Pelosi appeared poised to reverse the election results in Iowas Second Congressional District, never mind that Rep. Miller-Meeks victory was reviewed multiple times and ultimately certified by Iowas bipartisan election board. Rita Hart did the right thing today by withdrawing her request that Washington partisans overrule the voices of 400,000 Iowans. Going down this road would have seriously damaged faith in our elections, which is why many in Pelosis own party expressed concern with such a blatant power grab.

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement in regards to Rita Hart withdrawing her contest from the House Administration Committee:

"Today Iowans showed Washington, D.C. Democrats that we will fight back against any attempt to overturn our votes. The votes were counted, recounted and certified and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks was declared the winner."

"The withdraw of Hart's contest should signal to every Iowan that the fight to take back the House and Senate in 2022 has begun. Democrats shamelessly went along with this effort to usurp Iowa elections, and tried to drag it across the finish line for one thing - power. It's time we show them they no longer deserve it."

"As she has shown since January, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks will put Iowan families first. Whether it's pushing back against the left's radical agenda or administering vaccines to defeat COVID-19, she will be there."
Yes, along most or all of the coast

Yes, but only places where an entry fee can cover their cost

No, people can continue swimming at their own risk

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April Fools Day isnt until tomorrow, but the jokes on us with the weird weather Winnipeg has experienced in the final days of March.

Top news

Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Rob Carver at a news conference in late February. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files) Amber Alert ends: The first Amber Alert issued by Winnipeg police ended quickly when a mother suspected of taking her two-year-old son during a supervised visit turned herself in to RCMP in Amaranth, police said. The boy is safe. Manitobans received multiple alerts on their smartphones for nearly an hour beginning at about 8 p.m. Tuesday. Read More Whats happening today

Winnipeg police examine the rapid transit station on Tuesday. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press) Details on death: Police might release more information about their investigation into the body of a woman found at the Confusion Corner rapid transit station on Tuesday morning. Read More Jets back in hangar: The Winnipeg Jets host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 6:30 p.m. in their first home game since St. Patricks Day. It is the first of four consecutive home games for the Jets after a seven-game road trip out west. Read More Arrest in attack: A man has been arrested for a brutal attack on a 65-year-old Asian American woman near New York Citys Times Square that was caught on video. Read More Maritime militia: The Philippines says more than 250 Chinese vessels it believes are manned by militia are swarming several islands and reefs in the South China Sea claimed by Manila. The Associated Press reports. Read More Court hearing continues: A Stony Mountain Institution employee testified Tuesday that Michael Bridges has gradually developed remorse for killing Erin Chorney in Brandon in 2002. A court hearing to determine whether he can apply for early parole under a now-repealed section of the Criminal Code continues in Brandon. Read More Weather

Your forecast: Sunny with a high of -1 C, wind chill as low as -23 this morning and wind from various directions at 20 km/h. In case you missed it

Coun. Shawn Nason in front of a traffic speed-reader board on Provencher Boulevard. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) Speed-reader signs: Coun. Shawn Nason wants the City of Winnipeg to add speed-reader boards at the most-ticketed mobile photo radar spots. Joyanne Pursaga reports. Read More Doctors press province: Doctors Manitoba, which represents more than 3,000 physicians, sent a report with seven recommendations to the provinces vaccine task force Tuesday. One recommendation is to provide them with mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, to give to patients at clinics. Danielle Da Silva reports. Read More Id do it again: G. Gordon Liddy, who spent more than four years in prison for the Watergate break-in that ultimately led to U.S. president Richard Nixons resignation, has died at age 90. Read More On this date

On March 31, 1994: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that Winnipeggers would have two months to tell the federal, provincial and municipal governments how they wanted to see $75 million spent developing Winnipeg over the next five years. Spending controls led to Winnipeg police overtime costs being cut from $3.4 million to $1.8 million over the previous year. Despite long odds, many Winnipeggers were tempted by the huge Lotto 6/49 jackpot of $19 million; winning numbers were drawn, but it was not yet known whether any ticket had won. Today's front page

Get the full story: Read today's e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press Read More
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A 27-year-old man who had a role in the destruction of several Wyoming police cruisers during the May riot in Grand Rapids has entered a plea.

Matthew Hurth pleaded guilty to a riot charge Wednesday, March 31 in Kent County Circuit Court.

So far, a handful of the 22 people charged in connection with the destruction have entered pleas.

Hurth is expected to be sentenced June 15.

He will be responsible for paying his share of $338,743 in restitution to the Wyoming Police Department after four patrol cars and a tactical car were destroyed by fire.

Vandals caused an estimated $2.1 million in damage late May 30 and early May 31 to downtown Grand Rapids buildings. Many windows were broken and several stores were looted.

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors will dismiss a charge of malicious destruction of police or fire property at sentencing.

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Finally, a bill is moving through the Texas Legislature that would bring some much-needed reforms to the Texas electricity grid.

State Sen. Charles Schwertners Senate Bill 3 would strengthen existing state regulators, limit how long electricity prices could spike and order generators to prepare for inclement weather or face potential penalties.

We cannot leave this session without market reform, Schwertner, R-Georgetown, said in introducing the bills latest iteration.

After reading the half-hearted bills moving through the House, Schwertners bill is a sincere effort to ensure the Texas Blackout that killed more than 100 people and left millions without power or water never happens again.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Leaked recording reveals Texas will not overhaul electricity grid after deaths

Guaranteeing a reliable grid should be the priority. But Schwertner is already facing pushback from industry lobbyists. Unless the public remains vigilant, Schwertners effort could end up just as watered-down as the House bills.

Here are the highlights of the version approved by the Senate on Monday:

Establishes an emergency communication system to keep everyone informed about the status of the grid during inclement weather.

Gives the Public Utility Commission and the Texas Railroad Commission authority to require facilities to implement appropriate recommendations identified in third-party assessments triggered by a weatherization failure.

Directs the PUC and RRC to create penalty matrixes for companies who refuse to act in good faith, ranging from a letter of reprimand to an instruction to a million dollars in fines per violation per day, Schwertner promised.

Requires the PUC and RRC to review and accept annual emergency operation plans from all parties along the energy supply chain.

Redefines the existing Texas Energy Reliability Council and directs it to map the energy supply chain and identify what measures are needed to guarantee reliability.

Abolishes electricity plans that expose consumers to the wholesale market, where prices can jump 30,000 percent.

Requires the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to contract for back-up power that can make up for intermittent generation, such as wind and solar.

Strengthens reporting related to on-site generation to ensure ERCOT has a complete picture.

Requires entities that furnish water services to provide emergency preparedness plans to be approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Directs the PUC to limit the period that the wholesale price can stay at its maximum of $9,000 a megawatt-hour to 12 hours. It also limits the price of back-up generation to 150 percent of the wholesale price.

That last measure, limiting scarcity pricing to only 12 hours, was quickly slammed by a lobbyist for the electricity generators.

Scarcity pricing is an important component of our energy-only market; limiting the duration of scarcity pricing to 12 hours would prevent the energy-only market from providing the incentives to increase supply and, quite frankly, maintain the existing supply that we have, said Michele Richmond, speaking on behalf of Texas Competitive Power Advocates.

The look of incredulity on Schwertners face during her testimony was priceless. For those who did not catch her implicit threat, she was saying that electricity generators would shut down more Texas plants and create even bigger problems if the Legislature passed the measure.

Putting a cap on the scarcity pricing time in statute may send the wrong signal and have the opposite outcome of what you are looking for, Richmond added.

Schwertner pointed out that before the Texas Blackout, the longest prices had ever remained at their $9,000 limit was 4 hours. Maximizing prices for four straight days did not make a difference in getting more generation online during the crisis. All it did was create huge financial problems for those who kept the lights on.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Texas blackout raises many questions, but the answers are difficult

Richmond, though, would not be swayed. If the bill passes with the maximum price and duration in statute, the corporate members of her group might close their power plants and leave Texas in a lurch. She said her members preferred that pricing issues go before the PUC.

Corporations in the past have had great success convincing the three-member PUC to tilt in their favor, especially since the public pays little attention to it, and there are not enough journalists to cover it. And a side note: Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to announce any new members even though all three commissioners have resigned.

Richmonds criticisms were the only real opposition to the bill expressed during the committee meeting. The Sierra Club, the Texas Oil and Gas Association and others said they were generally supportive, though there are concerns about fees on wind and solar facilities. The Senate passed the bill 31-0.

While SB 3 is not perfect, and will not solve all of the grids problems, it would be a good start. Texans should keep a close eye on it, though, as lobbyists are undoubtedly swarming lawmaker offices pushing for more changes before it reaches the governors desk.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / March 26, 2021 / Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia Critical Metals" or the "Company" or "NMI") (TSXV:NMI) is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities on its 95% owned Grootfontein Project.

The Grootfontein Project consists of two large Exclusive Prospecting Licences with a total area of 163,784 ha (1,638 km2) and covers ground prospective for orogenic gold, magmatic copper-nickel (-PGE) and carbonate-hosted lead-zinc-silver-copper-vanadium mineralisation.

The company has launched multiple geophysical surveys to accelerate drill target generation including:

> 2,000 line kilometer helicopter-borne EM survey by SkyTEM Denmark

Ultra-high resolution UAV-borne magnetic surveys by UAS Flightec Namibia

Ground induced polarization gradient array survey and IP/magnetotelluric test surveys over the key gold targets by GSG Namibia

First drill ready targets by end of April

Darrin Campbell, Chief Financial Officer and incoming President as of April 1 stated "We are encouraged by the results from our early-stage exploration activities throughout 2020 and are excited to begin this next phase of exploration on our Namibian gold projects. As one of the largest and longest established exploration companies in Namibia we are well positioned to advance our pipeline of projects."

The Company's Exclusive Prospecting Licenses ("EPLs") prospective for gold are located in the Central Namibian Gold Belt which hosts a number of significant orogenic gold deposits including the Navachab Gold Mine, the Otjikoto Gold Mine and more recently the discovery of the Twin Hills deposit.

SkyTEM survey

SkyTEM Surveys ApS Denmark was contracted for an EM survey with its SkyTEM312FAST system. A total of more than 2,000 line kilometers at 200 m line spacing are planned over the key structural corridors of the Grootfontein project prospective for gold and base metal mineralisation (Figure 1). The project area comprises a flat terrain completely covered with thick calcrete and Kalahari sands. The combined electromagnetic ("EM") and magnetic airborne survey is planned to assist in detailed drill target planning and prioritization.

Survey Area-1 will cover gold anomalies delineated by systematic soil surveys (see Press Release December 14, 2020) including the Highland and Gressenhof Targets at the western contact of the Grootfontein Mafic Complex with Meso- and Neoproterozoic metasediments. The 25 km2 Highlands Target is situated 2.5 km north of the Grootfontein Shear (Thrust) Zone. Gold anomalies are associated with second order structures over strike lengths up to 6 kilometers. Survey Area-1 is located 80 kilometers northeast of B2Gold's Otjikoto Gold Mine (2.8 Moz) similarly positioned to the north of the Grootfontein (Otjohorongo) Shear Zone.

Survey Area-2 will cover the first order structure of the Grootfontein Shear Zone and its corridor of second order structures further to the east and an area directly to the west of the Berg Aukas Mine (2.3 Mt @ 15%Zn+3.9%Pb+0.85%V2O5).



Figure 1: Planned heli-borne EM surveys and key targets of the northwestern Grootfontein Project

Completion of the EM survey is expected by the first week of May.

Following data interpretation by Namibian and Canadian experts, drill targets will be created by mid-May 2021.

UAV Magnetic surveys

Ultra-high resolution magnetic surveys were completed over two areas of the Grootfontein Project by the Namibian drone survey company UAS Flightec (Figure 2).

The survey data reveal highly detailed magnetic anomalies which are assumed to be partly related to pyrrhotite mineralisation.

Modelling of the data by Earthmaps Consulting Namibia is expected to be completed by end of April, when the first reconnaissance RC drilling campaign is planned to start.

IP Surveys

A first area of ground Induced Polarization (Gradient Array IP) was completed over the Rothof target (Figure 2) by GSG Namibia.



Figure 2: Completed ultra-high resolution magnetic and IP survey areas over the Grootfontein Project

The first data set shows generally only moderate chargeabilities which however clearly mark the Grootfontein Shear Zone and second order structures within the mafic rocks of the Grootfontein Mafic Complex (Figure 3).

Final data interpretation and drill target generation is expected by the second week of April 2021.



Figure 3: Result of the first IP survey area at the Rothof Target: The Grootfontein Shear Zone is clearly marked with a zone of higher chargeability. Further, zones of higher chargeability occur along second order structures within the GMC

About Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

Namibia Critical Metals Inc. holds a diversified portfolio of exploration and advanced stage projects in the country of Namibia focused on the development of sustainable and ethical sources of metals for the battery, electric vehicle and associated industries. The two advanced stage projects in the portfolio are Lofdal and Epembe. The Company also holds significant land positions in areas favourable for gold mineralization.

Heavy Rare Earths: The Lofdal Heavy Rare Earth Project is the Company's most advanced project having completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment in 2014 and full Environmental Impact Assessment for a first mining area in 2017. An application has been made for a mining licence at Lofdal. The project is developed in joint venture with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation ("JOGMEC") who are funding the current CD$4,100,000 drilling and metallurgical program with the objective of doubling the resource size and optimization of the process flow sheet.

Gold: At the Erongo Gold Project, stratigraphic equivalents to the meta-sediments hosting the recent Osino gold discovery at Twin Hills have been identified and soil surveys are progressing over this highly prospective area. The Grootfontein Base Metal and Gold Project has potential for magmatic copper-nickel mineralization, Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead-vanadium mineralization and Otjikoto-style gold mineralization. Detailed interpretation of geophysical data and regional geochemical soil sampling have identified first gold targets.

Tantalum-Niobium: The Epembe Tantalum-Niobium-Uranium Project is at an advanced stage with a well-defined, 10 km long carbonatite dyke that has been delineated by detailed mapping and radiometric surveys with over 11,000 meters of drilling. Preliminary mineralogical and metallurgical studies including sorting tests (XRT), indicate the potential for significant physical upgrading. Further work will be undertaken to advance the project to a preliminary economic assessment stage.

Copper-Cobalt: The Kunene Copper-Cobalt Project comprises a very large area of favorable stratigraphy along strike of the Opuwo cobalt-copper-zinc deposit. Secondary copper mineralization over a wide area points to preliminary evidence of a regional-scale hydrothermal system. Exploration targets on EPLs held in the Kunene project comprise direct extensions of the cobalt-copper mineralization to the west, sediment-hosted copper, orogenic copper, and stratabound manganese and zinc-lead mineralization.

The common shares of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NMI".

Donald M. Burton, P.Geo. is the Company's Qualified Person and has reviewed and approved this press release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information please contact -

Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

Darrin Campbell, CFO

Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760

Fax: +01 (902) 835-8761

Email: Info@NamibiaCMI.com

Web site: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com

The foregoing information may contain forward-looking information relating to the future performance of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. forward-looking information, specifically, that concerning future performance, is subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions.

SOURCE: Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
A person who was at the same venue as the bachelorette party that prompted health alerts in the Byron Shire has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing an end to 14 days without community transmission of the virus in NSW.

The case, a man in his 20s who will be counted in Thursdays numbers, is the first in the area after two Queenslanders attended the bachelorette party in Byron Bay while unknowingly infectious with the virus on the weekend.

People waiting in cars for COVID-19 testing at Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay. Credit:Oli Ayo

The man, who is a local, went to the Byron Beach Hotel on Friday night, NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said, and sat in close proximity to the bachelorette group. Three friends who were with the man at the hotel have all tested negative.

People who were at the hotel between 7.15pm and 9pm have already been directed to get tested and self-isolate for 14 days.
The Northern Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Alhassan Sibdow on behalf of the Northern regional secretariat joins all well-meaning Ghanaians to wish President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo a happy 77th birthday.



On the occasion of the Presidents birthday, the Northern Regional Secretariat of the NPP through its secretary, lauded the President for his critical role in the solution of the ancient Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.



The Regional Secretary also added that, the Presidents timely intervention policy of planting for food and jobs has been so beneficial to the good people of the North, since farming is the major occupation in the sector. It has helped farmers in this enclave realised bumper harvest and as well created jobs for the good people of the North, He explained.



Not unmindful of the Presidents commitment to share the national cake equally, the Regional Secretary also commended the President for the introduction of Free Senior High School which was proclaimed as doom by the leading opposition party- The NDC.



Mr. Sibdow used the opportunity to wish President Akufo-Addo a very happy birthday and prayed wish him long life, prosperity and innovative ideas to deploy for the betterment of Mother Ghana.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Vietnam Airlines has been ranked a four-star COVID-19 airline by Skytrax. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will resume flights on the Hanoi-Narita (Tokyo), Hanoi-Incheon (Seoul), Hanoi-Sydney, and Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney routes from April 1 to June 30, a representative of the airline said.

The move is part of efforts to restore its international flights in a safe fashion, meet passengers demand, and contribute to boosting growth of the economy and the tourism sector.

Flights from Hanoi to Seoul will depart on Thursdays, while those to Tokyo will take off on April 3, 8, 11, 16, 23, 27, and 29. In May and June, Vietnam will operate two flights per week on this route, on Thursdays and Saturdays.

It will operate Hanoi-Sydney flights on Saturdays and HCM City-Sydney flights on Thursdays and Sundays.

Flights from Vietnam currently only serve Vietnamese nationals studying or visiting relatives in foreign countries and foreigners returning home from Vietnam.

Passengers need to study regulations from foreign embassies to prepare the necessary documents and procedures, a Vietnam Airlines representative said.

Vietnam Airlines also plans to conduct charter flights from Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Taiwan (China), depending on licenses from relevant authorities.

The national flag carrier is opening bookings for flights to the RoK, Japan, and Australia at ticket agents and on www.vietnamairlines.com.

For further information and support, customers should visit its website or fanpage www.facebook.com/VietnamAirlines, or contact the customer service hotline on 1900 1100 or ticket agents nationwide.

Vietnam Airlines COVID-19 safety policies are much stricter than the standards set by SkyTeam. It has been ranked a four-star COVID-19 airline by Skytrax.
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- Biostimulants Market: Introduction



In terms of value, the global biostimulants market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of ~12% from 2019 to 2027. The arable land has been decreasing since the last 50 years due to the surge in population and erosion of soil. Frequent plowing of fields and increase in usage of chemical-based fertilizers have led to substantial soil degradation. Erosion of soil has been occurring at 100 times greater pace than the rate of soil formation. Approximately 500 years are required for 2.5 cm of topsoil to be created considering the ecological changes. According to the European Commission, the amount of land used for agricultural purposes in Europe is likely to decline between 2018 and 2030. The area is projected to decrease from 178 million ha (hectare) in 2018 to 176 million ha in 2030. The demand for food is expected to increase due to an exponential rise in population across the globe. According to the United Nations, the global population is anticipated to surpass 9 billion by 2050. This is projected to propel the demand for high yield crop solutions such as biostimulants during the forecast period, thereby creating a positive outlook for the biostimulants market.



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Lack of Awareness Regarding Benefits of Biostimulants to Hamper Market



The rate of adoption of technologically advanced products is sluggish in agriculture and agriculture-related industries in developing economies such as India and Brazil. Conventional techniques are dominant in the agriculture sector in developing countries. Additionally, farmers are familiar with chemical-based agro products, owing to their ease of availability and lower prices vis-a-vis bio-based products. End users are reluctant to utilize advanced products, due to financial constraints. They continue to use conventional agro products over innovative agro products with better results and low impact on the environment. Thus, reluctance toward adoption of advanced products among farmers is a major restraint of the market



Humic Acids & Fulvic Acids and Fruits & Vegetables Products to Dominate Biostimulants Market



In terms of product, the global biostimulants market has been divided into humic acids & fulvic acids, amino acids, microbial stimulants, seaweed, vitamins, and biorationals. Among these, the humic acids & fulvic acids segment dominated the global biostimulants market in terms of revenue in 2018. Humic acids and fulvic acids increase the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil or any other substrate, thereby refining the soil capability to provide plants with crucial nutrients. Humic substances also facilitate electrochemical potential in the root zone. This boosts the uptake of nutrients. Humic and fulvic acids are intermediate chelators; they hold mineral ions in such a way that they are not lost in the soil, but are made available to plants when required. Humic substances form a passage between mineral cations and clay particles.



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Commercial to be Dominant Application of Biostimulants Market



Based on application, the global biostimulants market has been segregated into fruits & vegetables, oilseeds & pulses, cereals & grains, turfs, landscapes, and ornamental flowers. The fruits & vegetables segment is anticipated to dominate the market from 2019 to 2027. When applied to fruits and vegetables, biostimulants enhance several parameters of the crop quality, including color, firmness, sugar contents (BRIX), and post-harvest quality. Biostimulants optimize the fruit size and crop uniformity. They stimulate cell division in young fruits. Biostimulants also offer nutrients vital for plant metabolic processes such as photosynthesis. This, in turn, increases the marketable yield.



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North America to be Lucrative Region of Biostimulants Market



Based on region, the global biostimulants market has been classified into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. The biostimulants market in North America is projected to expand at a CAGR of more than 11% during the forecast period. North America is expected to offer significant opportunities to the biostimulants market during the forecast period. Lack of a definite regulatory framework for biostimulants had been a challenge for market participants until recently. However, the U.S. Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also identified as the 2018 Farm Bill was passed in December 2018. It involved formal recognition of biostimulants and made significant provisions for them. The 2018 Farm Bill provided a clear boundary for distinguishing biostimulants from other agro products such as fertilizers and pesticides. Defining biostimulants and forming a regulatory path for their commercialization is expected to increase their adoption in the next few years. This is projected to provide lucrative opportunities to the biostimulants market in North America during the forecast period.



Competition Landscape



The global biostimulants market was highly fragmented, with various small- and medium-scale producers of biostimulants constituting nearly 60% share in 2018. Europe has been a lucrative region of the global biostimulants market for investors since the last few years. Of late, market participants have undertaken significant expansion initiatives in Europe. In January 2019, Premier Tech acquired TerreauxSTAR through its business unit called Premier Tech Horticulture France. The acquisition aimed to consolidate Premier Tech's presence in the horticulture sector in France and the overall Europe region.



Key manufacturers operating in the global biostimulants market include Syngenta, Novozymes A/S, Valagro SpA, Isagro S.p.A., Agrinos, Biolchim SPA, Premier Tech Ltd., Agriculture Solutions Inc., West Coast Marine Bio-Processing, Corp., Italpollina S.p.A, Agricen, UPL, Koppert Biological Systems, Kelp Products International, and Haifa Group.



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Lucknow, March 31 : Women empowerment is a phrase that has been much used but sparsely implemented in the rural interiors of the Hindi heartland, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.

The scenario has, however, changed in the recent past with the Yogi Adityanath government aggressively working in a planned- and phased-manner to ensure women empowerment through the effective implementation of its various women-centric schemes and policies at the grassroots level in the state.

The Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh began to financially support women in the state as they need motivation for all-round growth, development and prosperity.

"Women make up not only more than half of the world's population but also half of its potential. Thus, it is not practical that their voices go unheard at the highest levels of decision making," said a government spokesman.

The state government, continuing its thrust on pro-women, pro-rural and pro-poor initiatives, has always laid special emphasis on the welfare of women and empowerment of daughters in Uttar Pradesh.

Besides, the government has also taken constant measures to establish a secure environment for the women by implementing a powerful safety mechanism in the state.

The chief minister said that working for the welfare of women, his government also proposed Rs 200 crore for its new initiative -- 'Mahila Samarthya Yojana' to push women and daughters on to the path of development.

With this, a provision of Rs 32 crore has also been proposed for a special drive to strengthen women by establishing Mahila Shakti Kendras across the state.

The government, providing all assistance, has also so far facilitated marriage of more than one and a half lakh daughters in the state under the 'CM Samoohik Vivah Scheme' and has successfully encouraged girls belonging to poor families from all sections below the poverty line.

For improved implementation of Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana which played a vital role in encouraging the birth of daughters in the state and ensuring bright future of women, Rs 1200 crores were earmarked in the state's budget for the year 2021-22.

Under this scheme, a total of 6.94 lakh daughters have been benefited, the government spokesman said.

Understanding the importance of the untapped energy of women in his state, the Yogi Adityanath government also appointed female banking agents in 58,000 village panchayats, known as Banking Sakhis.

These women are associated with women's self-help groups in villages and the banks.

Besides, to boost 'self-reliance' in women, the government has successfully linked over one crore women to more than 10 million SHGs.

The government also proposed a provision of Rs 100 crore to resolve the problem of malnutrition among women and children under the Mukhya Mantri Saksham Suposhan Yojana.

Apart with this, provisions of Rs. 4094 crores and Rs. 415 crores have been made for the Nutritional Programme and National Nutrition Campaign.

Right from enforcing strict law and against female foeticide, celebrating the birth of girl child, vaccination, rewards and recognition of meritorious students, free education till graduation, marriage, health and hygiene, safety and security and promoting self-help groups (SHGs these steps have undoubtedly given a 360-degree umbrella to half the population of the state.

The ODOP scheme and the MSME sector has also provided a cushion to women, aspiring to be entrepreneurs and wanting to start their own business.

"Most of the handicrafts in the districts are done by women and the ODOP scheme has put them in the forefront with the MSME sector providing necessary help," said Navneet Sehgal, additional chief secretary MSME.

The results are promising with the females of the state now coming to the front and leading by examples in various spheres of development.
A mother has shared her simple fridge storage method, and claims it has stopped her family from wasting hundreds of dollars.

The Australian woman called Tanya posted on Facebook, where she said she was recently inspired to re-organise her fridge, shopping habits and 'the way we eat'.

Since doing the fridge re-haul, not only is Tanya saving money, but her entire family are much healthier and it has even helped her husband's diabetes.

A mother has shared her simple fridge storage method (pictured), and claims it has stopped her family from wasting hundreds of dollars; she puts snacks in one fridge

She posted on Facebook: 'I bought a second cheap $120 fridge/freezer on Facebook Marketplace, bought clear Kmart containers and labelled from our meals.

'Our other fridge is filled with healthier snacks that we can reach for.'

Tanya explained that because she can clearly see the meals her family plan to eat in containers labelled 'Meal One', 'Meal Two', 'Meal Three' and so on, she always knows that she has food in and isn't tempted to go to the shops or buy takeaway.

She then slices up fruits and veg and puts them in clear containers in the other fridge, so her kids always have something healthy to reach for if they're hungry.

The Australian woman called Tanya then puts the foods for all her meals inside another fridge she picked up for $120 (pictured)

'Our breakfast overnight mueslis are Kmart jars, the fruit and vegetable snap containers and jars are Kmart and the bento-style lunchboxes are Kmart also,' Tanya explained.

'I bought the clear containers and fruit sliders from Kmart and the baskets are from Howard's Storage World, but Kmart has them too.'

She said the method has helped her 'husband with diabetes to reach for healthier options' and also 'saved us from throwing things out'.

The method has also bought the mum some extra precious time, as she can clearly see what she needs to cook for dinner that night.

Previously, a group of Australian mums shared their top tricks and tips for a perfectly organised fridge all year round after being asked for advice on Facebook (fridge pictured)

Many revealed they section their fridges into categories and use labels and budget containers to store food according to colour, type and/or family member (pictured)

Others said containers are great for storage, reduce the amount of packages in a fridge and make your items look neat (fridge pictured)

What are the tricks for organising the fridge? Section the fridge into categories Store milk in the door rather than on the shelf of the fridge Buy multiple fridge containers to store the food to keep it fresh and easily accessible Make use of labelling the containers Store snacks for children in one section only Place jars in the draws and locate fruits and vegetables in containers on the top shelf so they aren't forgotten about Store bulk frozen meat in a separate smaller freezer if possible Advertisement

Hundreds who saw Tanya's post were impressed and said they should try something similar.

'This is an excellent idea - I love it,' one woman posted.

'What a great idea, I need to try something similar,' another added.

Previously, a group of Australian mums shared their top tricks and tips for a perfectly organised fridge all year round after being asked for advice on Facebook.

Many revealed they section their fridges into categories and use labels and budget containers to store food according to colour, type and/or family member.

'This is how I organise mine, it works for me! Just waiting on labels, I also have a chest freezer in my garage because this is way too small for my family,' one mum said.

'I keep my jars, bottles, sauces, etc in the veggie drawer and then have my fruit and vegetables in containers on a shelf,' another woman said, adding: 'It also stops me from forgetting about old [produce] hidden in the back of the drawer.'

A third woman suggested placing the bottles of milk in the fridge door rather than on the shelf to make room for containers or bowls.

Many also suggested buying cheap containers from Kmart to store the food in and organise the space easily.
One of the two lanes closed for several hours reopened just before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday on Interstate 78 East but the traffic nightmare stuck around for hours longer following a tractor-trailer overturning about 1:45 a.m. in Union Township east of Exit 12 in Hunterdon County, authorities say.

By 2:15 p.m., the miles-long traffic backlog had worked much of its way through, according to nearby New Jersey Department of Transportation cameras, and as soon as work on the guide rail was done, police said the highway would officially reopen, which it did at 2:26 p.m.

No one was hurt in the wreck near mile marker 14, New Jersey State Police reported later in the morning.

The preliminary investigation indicates the Freightliner ran off the left side of the highway into the center median -- which has a metal guide rail -- then overturned, blocking the left lane, Sgt. Philip Curry said. Efforts to right and remove the tractor-trailer have taken hours, he said.

Traffic was backed up during the early morning rush and the delay was 10 to 15 minutes before dawn, the New Jersey Department of Transportation said. It was 15 to 20 minutes after sunrise. By 7:45 a.m., travel time was 40 to 45 minutes from east of Exit 3 in Greenwich Township to past the crash scene, the DOT said.

Traffic backs up on Interstate 78 East after a tractor-trailer crash March 31, 2021, in Hunterdon County.New Jersey Department of Transportation

A tractor-trailer rolled over early on March 31, 2021, on Interstate 78 East in Union Township, Hunterdon County, causing a morning rush hour traffic problems.Rich Maxwell | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting lehighvalleylive.com with a subscription.

Tony Rhodin can be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com.
(Natural News) The Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit on Friday, March 26, unanimously ruled that an Ohio professor can sue Shawnee State University in southern Ohio for violating his constitutional rights after he was disciplined for refusing to use the preferred pronouns of a transgender student.

Nicholas Meriwether, a philosophy professor at Shawnee State, filed a lawsuit in 2018 after the school formally disciplined him for refusing to follow a school policy requiring the use of a students pronouns that match his or her gender identity.

The decision by a three-judge panel reversed a previous district court ruling that dismissed Meriwethers claims.

In the majority opinion, Judge Amul Thapar wrote that while transgender issues are hotly contested, the school had trampled on Meriwethers free speech rights by not allowing him reasonable freedom in how he addresses his students.

If professors lacked free-speech protections when teaching, a university would wield alarming power to compel ideological conformity, Thapar wrote in the courts 32-page opinion. 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 emigre to address his students as comrades. That cannot be.

Thapar was joined in the opinion by Judge David McKeague and Judge Joan Larsen.

Traditionally, American universities have been beacons of intellectual diversity and academic freedom. 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, Thapar wrote.

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.

School policy leads to legal battle

According to Meriwether, the school administration introduced a policy requiring professors to address transgender students by their preferred pronouns in 2016. He immediately pushed back, claiming that this went against his beliefs as a Christian.

But Meriwether did not have any students that the policy applied to until January 2018. According to the court ruling, a student spoke to Meriwether after the first class and asked for her preferred pronouns to be used. (Related: Utah legislature advances bill banning transgender girls from female sports.)

The student allegedly got upset and filed a complaint when Meriwether said that he wasnt sure he could comply due to his own beliefs.

A series of compromises were discussed between the administration and Meriwether in the ensuing months, but the student kept filing more complaints over the semester.

The school eventually conducted a Title IX investigation against him, Meriwether said. The investigation concluded that Meriwethers treatment of the student created a hostile environment, and the dean of the universitys college of arts and sciences recommended putting a formal warning in his file.

According to Merriwether, he was warned that if his behavior was to continue, he could face further corrective actions, including suspension without pay or termination. The faculty union intervened on Meriwethers behalf but was unable to exempt him from the policy.

Meriwether filed his lawsuit in 2018. Despite their legal battles, he remains a professor at Shawnee State.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group representing Meriwether, applauded the courts decision. 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, said John Bursch, the groups senior counsel and vice president of appellate advocacy, in a statement.

Universities cant catch a break in federal appeals court this month

Earlier this month, the Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled that officials from the University of Iowa (UIowa) violated the constitutional rights of their students when the school banned a student organization for requiring its leaders to be Christian.

The legal battles began in 2017 when UIowa officials subjected the student business organization known as Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) to an investigation. The school ultimately demanded the group to revise its leadership criteria after a student complained about being denied a leadership position. UIowa officials argued that the club violated the universitys human rights policy by discriminating against a student.

The student who filed the complaint against BLinC was openly gay. He felt that he had been discriminated against because of his sexual orientation. According to the club, his sexual orientation was never an issue, but its rules require its leaders to be Christian and to believe in the doctrine of the Christian faith.

The law is clear: State organizations may not target religious groups for differential treatment or withhold an otherwise available benefit solely because they are religious. That is what happened here, wrote Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes. The individual defendants may pick their poison: They are either plainly incompetent or they knowingly violated the Constitution. Either way, they should not get qualified immunity.

In 2020, a lower court ruled that UIowas decision to forcibly disband BLinC was illegal and that the Christian student organization must be allowed back on campus. The latest decision affirmed the ruling.

Follow IdentityPolitics.news for more news and information related to transgenders.

Sources include:

WashingtonExaminer.com

ABC17News.com

WND.com
Northern Ireland has today officially expanded its coronavirus vaccine drive to people under the age of 50, becoming the first home nation to move onto the next phase of the roll-out.

The country's NHS is now inviting everyone over 45 to book their appointment at a vaccination centre or one of 350 pharmacies deploying the jabs.

Confirming the latest expansion, Northern Irish Health Minister Robin Swann said: 'I would encourage everyone who is eligible to get the jab as soon as possible.

The 49-year-old added: 'I have something of an interest to declare with today's announcement as I fall into the 45-49 age group. I am looking forward to getting my jab very shortly.'

It comes despite warnings Britain's vaccine drive will slow down in April because of a shortfall of five million AstraZeneca jabs from India.

Britons were told the holdup meant the jab scheme would need to focus on meeting second dose windows next month and reaching unvaccinated over-50s.

It killed off the Government's ambition of having all Britons over 40 invited for their first dose by Easter. But with Moderna's Covid vaccine finally set to come on stream within weeks, the UK could still be in a position to move onto the next phase of the roll-out in April.

A Department of Health source told MailOnline the devolved nations had been given their doses according to a 'set schedule' and that it was up to their governments to decide who they give them to.

Northern Ireland also lags behind the other nations in the UK in terms of percentage of the population vaccinated, adding to confusion about why the nation been able to expand its programme first.

Northern Ireland has today officially expanded its coronavirus vaccine rollout to people under the age of 50, becoming the first home nation to do so. Pictured, a vaccine centre in Belfast

Confirming the latest expansion, Northern Irish Health Minister Robin Swann said: 'I would encourage everyone who is eligible to get the jab as soon as possible'

HOW ARE JAB ROLLOUTS GOING ACROSS THE UK? Northern Ireland Vaccines administered: 740,729 first and 132,022 second doses Percentage of population vaccinated: 39% Who is being invited for a jab? Everyone over 45 England Vaccines administered: 26.1million first and 2.9m second doses Percentage of population vaccinated: 46% Who is being invited for a jab? Everyone over 50 Scotland Vaccines administered: 2.4m first and 338,443 second doses Percentage of population vaccinated: 44% Who is being invited for a jab? Everyone over 50 Wales Vaccines administered: 1.4m first and 424,016 second doses Percentage of population vaccinated: 45% Who is being invited for a jab? Everyone over 50 Advertisement

As of yesterday, 740,729 people in Northern Ireland had received one dose of a Covid vaccine  about 39 per cent of its total population.

England is leading the way at 46 per cent, followed by 44 per cent in Scotland and 45 per cent in Wales.

Only people over 50 are officially being invited for their vaccines in the rest of the home nations  but some GP surgeries where uptake is high have chosen to invite younger age groups.

Meanwhile, data shows that Covid deaths among the over-70s across the UK have plunged by 97 per cent in ten weeks thanks to the vaccine rollout.

In the past week there has been an average of just 32 daily deaths in the over-70s.

At the peak of the crisis in mid-January, deaths among this age group had topped 1,000 a day in England.

In the week of January 15, there were an average of 698 daily deaths in the over-80s and 266 a day among people in their 70s.

Yet last Thursday  the most recent day with complete data  only seven people in their 70s and 15 over-80s died from Covid.

Yesterday another 56 deaths and 4,040 cases were recorded around the UK.

Nine in ten pensioners, and 54 per cent of the entire population, now have antibodies to fight off Covid.

Analysis of death rates show they have fallen most rapidly among groups which have been vaccinated.

Less than half of all deaths are now in the over-80s, compared to nearly two-thirds before the vaccine was rolled out.

Data covering the week up to March 19 shows that deaths fell by 44 per cent among those in their 50s.

This compares to a 28 per cent drop among those under-50, most of whom are still waiting for their jabs.

It comes as scientists warned today that Europe's suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine will erode public confidence in the jab and cause more coronavirus deaths in Britain.

PFIZER SAYS ITS COVID JAB IS 100% EFFECTIVE IN CHILDREN AGED 12 TO 15 Pfizer says testing trials have shown its Covid vaccine is 100 per cent effective in children aged 12 to 15 years old, paving the way for them to seek US emergency use authorization in weeks. The company data from a Phase 3 trial of children between the ages of 12 and 15 showed the vaccine 'demonstrated 100 per cent efficacy and robust antibody responses'. In the trial of 2,260 adolescents aged 12 to 15, there were 18 cases of Covid in the group that got a placebo shot and none in the group that got the vaccine, resulting in 100 per cent efficacy in preventing Covid, according to Pfizer. Most Covid vaccines being rolled out worldwide are for adults, who are at higher risk from the virus. Pfizer's vaccine is currently authorized for ages 16 and older. Pfizer's initial trials among adults showed a 95 per cent efficacy rate among its 20,000 participants. The company said at the time that only eight people out more than 20,000 who got the vaccine caught Covid, compared to 162 who were given a fake jab. A total of 10 people got severe Covid, one of whom had been given the real vaccine. Advertisement

Germany last night became the latest EU member state to halt the rollout of the jab to people under 60 while it probes a link between the vaccine and a small number of cases of blood clots.

UK experts claimed the decision to withhold the British-made jab on the continent due to an extremely rare risk of clotting would lead to fewer Britons coming forward for their vaccine.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline it 'seems likely' there will be some 'avoidable deaths' in the UK on the back of the EU bans.

His comments were echoed by Dr Peter English, a former British Medical Association chief, who slammed EU nations for stoking fears about the vaccine.

He said there was 'no evidence' vaccination was behind the clotting, adding: 'Any decision to withhold the vaccine will directly cause excess, avoidable Covid deaths.'

Meanwhile, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick today pleaded with Brits to keep their faith in the AZ jab, pointing out that 'study after study' had shown it was safe.

When concerns were first raised about the vaccine's link to clots earlier this month, GPs in England warned as many as one in 10 patients were either not showing up, asking to cancel or double-checking which jab they were getting before attending their appointment.

There are fears the problem will become more widespread as countries on the continent continue to revolt against the jab.

The EU is currently battling a third Covid wave which has sent several countries back into national lockdowns and is struggling to get its vaccination programme up to speed.

Yet several member states have paused rollouts of the AstraZeneca vaccine after a tiny number of inoculated people, predominantly women under 55, suffered deadly brain clots.

The World Health Organization said today it continues to monitor the jab's safety but the benefit-risk assessment 'weighs heavily in favour of its use'.
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Germany reported far more brain blood clots after the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine than other major European countries before banning the jab for under-60s yesterday, raising questions about why there are differences between countries.

And some experts suggest the 'play of chance' has resulted in more cases of the blood clot being found in Germany than other nations because 'if you look for excesses of cases in a wide range of rare conditions, you will find some'.

Health officials in Frankfurt say the country has seen 31 cases of the condition cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) out of 2.7million people vaccinated.

This suggests 0.0011 per cent of people who got the jab later developed the clot  around one in 90,000 people  although there is still no proof the jab causes them.

Other major European countries have seen significantly fewer CSVT cases despite vaccinating more people, prompting questions about why Germany is different.

If the same rate in Germany had appeared in the UK, which has vaccinated far more people, 150 people would have been diagnosed with it already because five times as many jabs have been used.

But in reality only five people have been found to have it after a jab, which experts say is not more common than usual.

The European regulator the EMA also revealed this afternoon that twice as many women had received AstraZenca's jab in Europe than men, before adding that the people normally most at risk of CSVT are females aged 35 to 45.

Until recently, Germany had banned the AZ jab for over-60s due to initial fears about blood clots. It raises the possibility that the rates of CSVT among vaccinated people Germany can be explained by more women who are susceptible to the condition being targeted by German rollout.

The tenuous links between the vaccine and CSVT are still mired in confusion because experts in some countries claim the condition is most common in women but all the UK's cases have been among men, and the frequency of cases does not appear to rise in proportion as more vaccines are carried out.

And one expert points out it is unusual that the vaccine could make one ultra-specific type of blood clot more likely but not blood clots in general.

In the UK, there were just five cases on record after nearly 14million vaccines  if an illness was being triggered by the vaccine, experts would expect to see more of it where more vaccines are being given.

Meanwhile Spain, France and Italy have recorded, at most, one case per million patients despite using the jab on similar age groups to Germany.

Germany last night became the latest of at least 10 countries in Europe to have put some kind of restriction on the use of AstraZenena's jab, most of them opting to give it only to over-60s because the CSVT cases seem to be happening in younger adults.

But scientists and regulators insist there's still no evidence the vaccine is causing blood clots or any other severe side effects and that the risk of Covid is greater.

Germany has reported significantly more cases of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) than other major European countries and the reasons for it are unclear. The UK has vaccinated five times as many people but seen just one sixth as many CSVT cases, while France, Italy and Spain used the AstraZeneca jab on similar age groups but also had much lower rates of CSVT. There is still no evidence the vaccine is causing the condition, experts say

At least 10 countries in Europe, joined by Germany last night, have put some kind of restriction on the use of AstraZenena's jab, mostly opting to give it only to over-60s because the CSVT cases seem to be happening in younger adults

Germany has vaccinated more people against coronavirus, but not by a big enough margin to account for the difference in CSVT cases compared to France, Italy and Spain. Britain, which has vaccinated the most of all the countries, has the lowest rate of CSVT

German officials last night told medics to stop giving the AstraZeneca jab to people under the age of 60, saying they were worried about the blood clot link.

Health minister Jens Spahn said yesterday: 'In sum it's about weighing the risk of a side effect that is statistically small, but needs to be taken seriously, and the risk of falling ill with corona.'

Germany is now at the forefront of the row which has pitted regulators in Europe against other global health chiefs about the safety of the vaccine.

Its rate of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis  blood clots that form in the vein leading out of the brain and can trigger strokes  is much higher than other countries', based on data published so far. Officials claim there's a link to the jab.

But the UK's rate of the same condition is significantly lower even though it has done significantly more vaccinations.

Britain's MHRA had recorded only five cases of CSVT after 13.7million vaccinations with the AstraZeneca jab by March 22  a miniscule rate of 0.000036 per cent.

This rate is equal to fewer than one case for every two million people vaccinated.

Other comparable countries also saw rates much lower than Germany's  in Italy just one case was recorded out of 1.1million vaccines given by March 28.

In Spain there was one case after the first million doses, the health ministry said, and in France there were two cases from 1.43million vaccinations by March 16.

One of the biggest differences in the way the vaccine has been used across Europe is between age groups.

While the UK has used AstraZeneca's jab as a mainstay for older adults and care home residents because it is so easy to transport, Germany refused to approve its use among people over the age of 65.

A TIMELINE OF THE ASTRAZENECA BLOOD CLOT SAGA March 7: Austria suspended the use of one batch of the vaccine after a woman, 49, who had been given it died of a 'severe coagulation disorder' and a 35-year-old developed a blood clot in her lung. March 11: Authorities in Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspended all use of the vaccine following a 60-year-old woman in Denmark died of a blood clot after the reports emerged in Austria. Danish health minister Magnus Heunicke said: 'It is currently not possible to conclude whether there is a link.' March 11: European Medicines Agency's safety committee began an investigation into the cases. It confirms 30 cases of 'thromboembolic events'  clots  were reported after five million vaccines in the EEA. March 12: Thailand suspended the use of the vaccine off the back of European worries. Bulgaria also stops using it. March 12: The European Medicines Agency, Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Health Canada, the World Health Organization and AstraZeneca itself, all spoke out to defend the vaccine and say there is no proof it's linked to blood clots. March 13: The Netherlands, Italy and Ireland temporarily stopped using the vaccine as fears about the cases in Austria and Denmark snowballed. March 14: Germany and France suspended the vaccine. March 15: Spain, Portgual and Slovenia suspended use of the jab. March 15: Professor Andrew Pollard, the Oxford expert who ran the clinical trials of the jab, insisted safety data are 'reassuring' and said 'clearly those blood clots still happen' as often as they would in unvaccinated people. March 16: World Health Organization officials met to discuss the issue. European Medicines Agency is still investigating. March 17: Scientists accuse governments of banning the jab on political grouns. AstraZeneca's vaccine has been a flashpoint in the past. March 18: European Medicines Agency holds a press conference on its investigation and rules that the vaccine is 'safe and effective'. It said there wasn't enough evidence to rule out a link to blood clots, but also not enough to prove one. On balance, it would be safer for countries to keep using the vaccine to stop Covid. The investigation would continue. March 18: Germany, France and Italy resume use of the jab after the EMA's conclusion. March 19: Finland suspends the jab after finding blood clot cases in its own population. March 19: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands and Spain all confirm they will start using the jab again. Scandinavian countries did not follow suit and kept the ban in place. March 22: A study is published that found public trust in the AstraZeneca vaccine collapsed in Europe at the time of the blood clot saga. A YouGov survey found more than half of people in Germany, France, Italy and Spain believed the jab was unsafe. March 30: Germany bans the vaccine for people under the age of 60 after officials said they had found 31 cases of CSVT after 2.7million vaccinations. Sources: Reuters; The Telegraph Advertisement

This was the subject of a blazing argument about the jab earlier in the year and foreign governments claimed trials did not include enough elderly people to give confidence that the vaccine worked for them.

The cases of CSVT now emerging are mostly among young women, officials say.

In Germany, 29 of the 31 cases were in women aged 20 to 63 and two in men, aged 39 and 56.

All of the UK's five cases by mid-March, however, had been among men.

And in another blow that weakens the connection to the jab, Germany's neighbours also refused to give the AstraZeneca vaccine to young people and have not seen the same elevated rate of CSVT cases.

France and Italy originally only approved the jab for under-65s because of the trial data, and Spain used it for under-55s. None of these countries have seen the same level of CSVT as Germany.

Germany has vaccinated more people, but not by a big enough margin to account for the difference in CSVT cases.

The UK's MHRA regulator, the World Health Organization, and independent scientists still insist there's no proof the jab is a direct cause of these blood clots.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: 'Whenever you do these things you need to have a reason to do them. It's all a balance of risk.

'There is no evidence that there is a problem but, even if there was, then you're reducing what, at worst, is a tiny risk and imposing a bigger one by not giving people the protection of a vaccine.

'People still get on airplanes and we know that there is a real risk of blood clotting if you're sat on a plane for hours, but people still do it because they want to go on holiday.

'So if people are more concerned about blood clots than they are Covid, I'd say they have their priorities all wrong.'

A UK Government spokesperson said yesterday: 'The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, effective and has already saved thousands of lives in this country.

'As the UKs independent regulator has said, when people are called forward, they should get the jab.'

Although scientists say there isn't any evidence that the blood clots are developing because of vaccinations, some have a theory that it is the immune reaction making it happen.

Research teams in Germany and Norway claim the blood clotting issue may be caused by the jab, in very rare cases, making the body attack its own platelets.

Platelets are tiny chunks of cells inside blood that the body uses to build clots to stop bleeding when someone is injured. But they can also make unwanted clots.

Experts from Oslo and Greifswald University believe the jab could cause the body to produce antibodies  normally used to fight off viruses  which mistake platelets in the blood for foreign invaders and attack them.

To compensate, the body then overproduces platelets to replace those that are being attacked, causing the blood to thicken and raising the risk of clotting.

They admitted they 'don't know why this is happening'.

But the researchers say the phenomenon is similar to one that can occur in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when sufferers take a drug called heparin.

Experts say the condition has not been proven to be caused by the jab and may simply be showing up just because millions of people are being vaccinated and reporting their health conditions.

They added that, if spotted early, it could be diagnosed with a simple blood test and quickly treated with blood-thinners.

They stressed that even if the clots do turn out to be caused by the vaccine they are still extremely rare.

And one expert said it would be strange for the vaccine to cause one very specific type of clot to be more likely but not others.

While regulators have raised alarm about cases of CSVT, most other types of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis, don't seem to be any more common.

Dr Peter English, former chairman at the British Medical Association, said: 'There is no evidence that these cases are caused by vaccination, rather than simply associated with it, in people who would have had such conditions anyway.

'And it is hard to postulate a biological reason mechanism which could explain how a clotting disorder in which clots form in a particular part of the body could be more common, when clotting, in general, is not more common.'

He added: 'The way to tell if cases are caused by vaccination is to look to see if there is an excess of cases in people who have been vaccinated.

'If you look for excesses of cases in a wide range of rare conditions, you will find some, due to the play of chance.

'The cases are uncommon enough that the number of excess cases will be small, which can easily happen by chance; and if you look at multiple conditions, then of course one or more of them will have an excess, just by chance.'

Investigating whether and why cases appear to be more common among women, experts in Europe are looking to the contraceptive pill and smoking to see whether they could be linked to a higher risk of developing CSVT.

The risk of developing any type of blood clot while taking the contraceptive pill is significantly higher than the apparent risk of being diagnosed with CSVT after a vaccine.

Around one in 1,600 women are affected each year, although it's not clear how many of these clots affect the brain, which is a rare occurrence.

The Pill can raise the blood clot risk because it increases oestrogen levels which also increase proteins linked to clotting, thickening the blood.

Smoking is also known to pose a greater risk of blood clots, because it can make platelets in the veins and arteries - which trigger clots - stick together.

These may both put people who take the Pill or smoke at a higher baseline risk of developing a blood clot, meaning it would take less of a push for one to develop.
GLENVIEW, Ill., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NW Synergy (NWS)  a national leader in janitorial supply, foodservice disposables, packaging solutions and specialty products distribution  announced today that it is changing its corporate name to Envoy Solutions.

"We feel our name  Envoy Solutions  evokes a feeling of trust, experience, and confidence. By definition, the word 'envoy' means a representative and/or messenger. Being a distribution company, we represent hundreds of leading brands, including some of our own, and offer tens of thousands of products," said Mark M. Fisher, chief executive officer, Envoy Solutions. "As we're building our national platform of jan-san businesses, this name reflects our shared purpose."

As one entity, Envoy Solutions operates 37 distribution centers, employs nearly 2,000 people and supports more than 36,000 customers.

Envoy Solutions is the holding company for several industry-leading distribution companies including: WAXIE Sanitary Supply, based in San Diego, Calif., North American Corporation based in Glenview, Ill., Southeastern Paper Group (SEPG) based in Spartanburg, SC, and SWPlus based in Wichita, Kan. Envoy Solutions was created through a series of recent mergers and acquisitions and is led by global distribution and logistics leader FEMSA (NYSE: FMX; BMV: FEMSAUBD), based in Monterrey, Mexico.

"While excited to launch our new corporate brand for the national organization, we remain focused on keeping our legacy company names in each of their respective regions," said Jeff Roberts, chief operating officer, Envoy Solutions. "These family-founded, generationally led brands have more than 200 years experience delivering facility solutions throughout the nation."

About Envoy Solutions

Envoy Solutions is a diversified distribution company for janitorial supply, packaging solutions, foodservice disposables and specialty products. Based in Glenview, Ill., Envoy Solutions is the parent company of North American Corporation, WAXIE Sanitary Supply, Southeastern Paper Group, SWPlus and NVISION. Operating as the nation's premier specialty distribution platform, Envoy Solutions works to make buildings cleaner, people safer and operations more productive, every day.

SOURCE Envoy Solutions

Related Links

https://www.envoysolutions.com


By Junko Horiuchi, KYODO NEWS - Mar 30, 2021 - 22:50 | All, Japan, World

Japan and Indonesia signed Tuesday a deal enabling exports of Japanese-made defense equipment to the Southeast Asian country, as they try to boost cooperation amid China's rising assertiveness in regional waters.

The accord on the transfer of defense equipment and technology was signed after the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and Indonesia met in Tokyo for the so-called two-plus-two talks, in which they also condemned the recent killings of peaceful protestors by security forces in Myanmar.

The ministers shared "serious concerns" about China's "continued and strengthened unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force" in the South and East China seas, including the enactment of a new Chinese coast guard law, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a joint press conference following the talks.

The law, put into effect in February, allows the Chinese coast guard to fire on vessels intruding into what it considers its waters.

"The law should not infringe legitimate rights and interests," Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said at the press conference.

Japan is troubled by Chinese coast guard ships' repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

China claims the uninhabited group of islets, calling them Diaoyu.

Indonesia, meanwhile, faces tensions in its exclusive economic zone in the waters north of the Natuna Islands with China, where Chinese fishing boats, accompanied by Chinese coast guard vessels are claimed to be engaged in illegal fishing.

The EEZ overlaps with China's self-proclaimed "nine-dash" line that marks its expansive claims in the South China Sea, where it has disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

Japan's signing of the deal with Indonesia follows similar defense accords with Australia, Britain, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United States.

"I am convinced that the pact will form the foundation of a further expansion of our bilateral security cooperation and become a symbol of our joint efforts in facing regional threats," Motegi said.

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said he invites Japan to participate "in our defense industry and...in the modernization of the Indonesian defense capacity."

In the talks, the second of its kind for the two countries since 2015, the ministers also shared "strong concerns" about the crisis in Myanmar, where the military seized power in the Feb. 1 coup, Motegi said.

"Indonesia strongly denounces this kind of act," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, referring to the use of force by the Myanmar security forces on Saturday that killed more than 100 demonstrators in the bloodiest day of protests since the coup.

"It is unacceptable," she also said. "For Indonesia, safety and the well-being of the people of Myanmar are paramount. Dialogue should be pursued to bring democracy, peace and stability back in Myanmar."

Indonesia has led efforts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis, even as the bloc upholds the principle of noninterference in members' internal affairs. Myanmar belongs to the 10-nation group.

Indonesia has called for an extraordinary summit of ASEAN to discuss the crisis in Myanmar.

The death toll from the military's violent campaign to quell the unrest in Myanmar has reached at least 510, according to a rights group monitoring the situation.

In the wake of North Korea's launch Thursday of two ballistic missiles, the Japanese and Indonesian ministers agreed on the importance of strictly implementing U.N. resolutions banning Pyongyang from testing ballistic missile and nuclear technologies, Motegi said.

Japan will extend 50 billion yen ($453 million) in loans to help Indonesia's response to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, Motegi said. Tokyo will also offer fisheries patrol vessels to support Jakarta's efforts to strengthen law enforcement at sea.

Related coverage:

Japan, Indonesia defense chiefs opposed to assertive moves by China

Attackers killed in Indonesia church blast linked to militant group
Chilean authorities on Tuesday disclosed 93 inmates had tested postive for the coronavirus at the Rancagua prison, south of the capital Santiago.

The prison conducted more than 300 tests after some inmates showed symptoms of COVID-19.

All of the prison's guards and officers who were tested returned negative results.

Authorities said some of those who had tested positive presented mild symptoms, while none were reported serious.

Also Tuesday, President Sebastian Pinera said the Chilean government had reached a new agreement with CanSino and its local distribution partner, Saval, to obtain 1.8 million new doses of its single-shot vaccine.

The doses will arrive in Chile between May and June.

Chile is under an extensive coronavirus lockdown, aiming to reduce the high infection rates and free up hospital beds.

The country has administered the highest number of vaccine doses in Latin America, reaching close to 40% of its population.

(Image Credit: AP)

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND AND THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CONTRAVENTION OF ANY REGISTRATION OR OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF SUCH JURISDICTION

31 March 2021

BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust plc

(LEI: 5493003K5E043LHLO706)

Completion of Tender Offer

The Board of BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust plc (the "Company") announces that it has completed the repurchase of 51,884,770 Tender Shares in accordance with the Tender Offer. All of the 51,884,770 Tender Shares have been transferred into and are being held in treasury until further notice.

It is expected that the proceeds payable to Shareholders whose Tender Shares are held through CREST will be made today, and that cheques will be dispatched in respect of Tender Shares held in certificated form by 1 April 2021.

Following implementation of the Tender Offer, the Company has 241,822,801 Ordinary Shares in issue (including 52,497,053 Ordinary Shares held in treasury). The total number of Ordinary Shares with voting rights in the Company is 189,325,748 and this figure may be used by Shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company.

Capitalised terms used in this announcement, unless otherwise defined, have the same meanings as set out in the circular to Shareholders published by the Company on 29 January 2021.
Louis MONIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images G. Gordon Liddy

G. Gordon Liddy, the political operative who masterminded the Watergate burglary-turned-scandal  which ultimately led to his own conviction and the resignation of President Richard Nixon in the 1970s  has died. He was 90.

Liddy died Tuesday morning in Mt. Vernon, Virginia, after suffering from "a variety of ailments," his son Thomas Liddy confirmed to CNN, adding that his father's death was not related to COVID-19.

The Associated Press and the Washington Post also confirmed Libby's death.

Thomas could not be reached by PEOPLE.

RELATED: Watergate Journalist Says Leaked Trump Tape 'Far Worse' Than Nixon Scandal: 'Ultimate Smoking Gun'

Born on Nov. 30, 1930, in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, Liddy went on to work as an FBI agent, Army veteran, bestselling author, candidate for Congress and, after jail, a radio talk-show host.

He was also an actor following his imprisonment, including appearing on Miami Vice, for which he shaved his hair into a mohawk. "I most of all go for the villain roles, I really like those," he once said, according to CNN.

But Liddy was known most  was infamous  for his role in the plot to infiltrate the Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., in June 1972. The scheme went awry and Liddy was convicted in 1973 and sentenced to 20 years in jail for conspiracy, burglary and illegally wiretapping.

He spent more than four-and-a-half years in prison and over 100 days in solitary confinement after President Jimmy Carter commuted his original prison sentence. He walked free on Sept. 7, 1977.

"I'd do it again for my president," he said years later, according to the AP.

Chris Maddaloni/Roll Call/Getty Images G. Gordon Liddy

Gail Burton/AP/Shutterstock G. Gordon Liddy

Liddy had a history of illegal activity even prior to the Watergate scandal. He was convicted for the 1971 burglary of the office of the psychiatrist of Daniel Ellsberg, the defense analyst who leaked the secret history of the Vietnam War known as the Pentagon Papers.

Story continues

While working under Nixon, Liddy was part of a small group of operatives known as the "White House plumbers," whose job was to identify anyone who had leaked anti-Nixon administration information, according to NPR.

Liddy, who was considered a loyal but unusual Nixon aide, had reportedly recommended assassinating political enemies, bombing a left-leaning think tank and kidnapping war protesters. All of his ideas were shot down by White House colleagues, the AP reported.

At the time of the Watergate scandal, Liddy was serving as Nixon's general counsel on his reelection committee.

George Bridges/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images G. Gordon Liddy

RELATED: Mitt Romney Receives JFK Profile in Courage Award for Voting to Convict Trump

After his prison release, Liddy became a popular and controversial radio talk-show host. For a time, he also presided over an academy for "corporate security and private investigation." In a 1986 PEOPLE profile, he was unabashed about his time in the underbelly of politics.

And, yes, he did once propose someone be assassinated. "Well, how do you guarantee that someone won't do something in the future unless you kill him? That is just good common sense," he told PEOPLE.

In the last decades of his life, Liddy did not say he felt remorse for his role in Watergate. The opposite, in fact.

"When I did Watergate, I probably had more fun doing that than I had doing anything else," he said years after his release, according to CNN. "I do and act and live as most men only dream."

Liddy is survived by his five children.
Khartoum / Darfur  Reactions continue to flow-in from across Sudan's political spectrum, to the historic signing of the Declaration of Principles (DOP) between the Sudanese transitional government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North rebel movement under the leadership of Abdelaziz El Hilu (SPLM-N El Hilu) on Sunday.

In its meeting at the Republican Palace yesterday the Transitional Partners Council (TPC) lauded the signing of the DOP as "a positive step in the direction of the second phase of peace".

Dr Maryam El Sadig El Mahdi, the council's official spokesperson, said in a press statement that the TPC insisted on the importance of benefiting from the lessons learned from the Juba Agreement for Sudan Peace.

She explained that some members have made observations that will contribute to the development of the agreement, making the peace comprehensive. The Council stressed the need to expedite the formation of negotiation committees and mechanisms.

The Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) said that "the general principles contained in the declaration appear positive, explaining that the declaration represents a first step in a long march towards a just, comprehensive, and democratic peace".

Fathi Fadl, the official spokesperson for the SCP, stressed that "the lesson is in the implementation", and that "peace is a complex process that requires great effort and wider participation and a platform that accommodates all political forces, especially the stakeholders, including representatives of the displaced and camp residents".

In North Darfur, activist Yahya El Khums from Kutum, welcomed the DOP and told Radio Dabanga that the peace agreements are a return to health for the country, and that there is a state of joy in Darfur.
Health workers in one of Athens' major hospitals, held a protest on the grounds of the facility, demanding more health workers and extra intensive care beds.

The demonstration at the Evangelismos hospital came as Greece recorded a new surge in COVID-19 infections, nearly half of which were in the greater Athens region where hospital intensive care units remain full.

Health authorities on Tuesday reported 4,340 new confirmed infections over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to more than 260,000.

It was the highest number of new daily infections since December.

Another 72 deaths were recorded, with the overall death toll at 8,017 in the country of 10.5 million.

In total, 1.6 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in the nation.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A trio of British scientists are set for a huge payday after their biotech firm unveiled plans for a blockbuster float.

Oxford Nanopore will list its shares in London in the second half of 2021, in one of the most anticipated stock market debuts in years.

The firm is valued at about 2.3billion by a top investor but analysts believe that could easily top 4billion.

Biotech champ: Oxford Nanopore will list its shares in London in the second half of 2021, in one of the most anticipated stock market debuts in years. Analysts believe it could top 4bn

It means founders Gordon Sanghera, Hagan Bayley, 70, and Spike Willcocks, 44, and their families could pocket as much as 150million between them.

Their company specialises in DNA sequencing and has developed a pocket-sized device which could revolutionise healthcare.

Its services have also been in strong demand during the pandemic, as scientists race to detect and track mutations of Covid-19.

The timing and location of the float has been the subject of speculation for years. Sanghera said Oxford Nanopores decision pursue an initial public offering (IPO) followed a pivotal year when the coronavirus demonstrated the importance of life sciences.

He said: We believe an IPO is the start of the next phase of our journey. Access to deeper, international pools of capital would support our ambitious growth plans, enhancing our ability to innovate and scale our manufacturing and commercial functions.

Payday: Founder Gordon Sanghera will pocket 62m

During the Covid crisis, Oxford Nanopores technology has been used to identify one fifth of virus genomes by scientists in 85 countries.

It believes its DNA and RNA-tracking technology can be used in a plethora of other areas, including rapid detection of other diseases, virus immunity checks and tumour sequencing.

IP Group, which owns a 15 per cent stake, has implied that Oxford Nanopore has an overall business value of about 2.3billion.

But analysts at Berenberg believe the company could comfortably fetch a price tag of 4billion.

That would mean chief executive Sanghera, 60, could see his 1.6 per cent stake valued at more than 62million.

Business development chief Willcocks could make a paper fortune of 34million, and co-founder Hagan Bayley, a professor of biochemistry, 32million.

Bayleys ex-wife, Orit Braha, is also in line to receive almost 22million, according to filings at Companies House.

The trio started Oxford Nanopore as an Oxford University spinout in 2005. Its technology is based on moving DNA samples through tiny holes  called nanopores  and measuring how they react to electrical currents.

Co-founders: Hagan Bayley, left, will pocket 32m while Spike Willcocks, right, is set for a 34m windfall

It provides rapid gene sequencing services for labs studying infectious diseases, cancer, crops, food and the environment.

Its portable device - Minion - for this type of testing is the size of a smartphone, and removes the need for heavy equipment. It has been used in the field to sequence strains of the Ebola virus, zika and Covid-19.

Disgraced fund manager Neil Woodford was among Oxford Nanopores backers before he was ousted from his funds, but investors in his flagship fund will miss out on profits from the listing later this year.

Administrators sold his 12 per cent stake to US firm Acacia for 20.8million last year. Those shares are now thought to be worth at least 80million.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson was stunned by Rep Matt Gaetz's appearance on his show Tuesday night, calling it one of the 'weirdest interviews' ever.

Gaetz had on Tuesday claimed he is the victim of a $25million extortion plot after the New York Times revealed he is under investigation for sex trafficking over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl, 17, and paid to have her travel with him. During the interview Gaetz denied all of the allegations against him.

'It is a horrible allegation and it is a lie,' he told Carlson. 'The New York Times is running a story that I have traveled with a 17-year-old woman and that is verifiably false. People can look at my travel records and see that that is not the case.'

When asked about the alleged sexual relationship with the teen, Gaetz said such a person 'doesn't exist'.

However, Gaetz recalled a dinner with Carlson, his wife and 'a friend of mine' who he said has since been 'threatened' by authorities to 'cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme'.

'I can say that actually you and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there and I brought a friend of mine, you will remember her,' he said. 'And she was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldn't cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme that she could face trouble and so I do believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to smear me.'

In response to that claim, Carlson says: 'I don't remember the women you're speaking of or the context at all honestly.'

Following the segment, Carlson told his viewers: 'You just saw our Matt Gaetz interview. That was one of the weirdest interviews Ive ever conducted.'

Fox News' Tucker Carlson (left) was stunned by Rep Matt Gaetz's (right) appearance on his show Tuesday night, calling it the 'weirdest interview' ever

'That story just appeared in the news a couple of hours ago, and on the certainty that theres always more than you read in the newspaper, we immediately called Matt Gaetz and asked him to come on and tell us more. Which, as you saw, he did. I dont think that clarified much, but it certainly showed this is a deeply interesting story and well be following it,' Carlson added.

Gaetz, a prominent conservative in Congress and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, is under investigation to determine if he violated federal sex trafficking laws.

The probe has been underway for nearly a year and Gaetz, who represents parts of western Florida, has been aware for months that he was under investigation, the person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press.

The Justice Department has also been looking into whether Gaetz, 38, may have also been involved in relationships with other underage girls, the person said. The person could not publicly discuss the details of an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Gaetz told Axios that his lawyers were informed that he was the subject of an investigation 'regarding sexual conduct with women' but that he was not a target of the probe.

He denied that he ever had a relationship with any underage girls and said the allegations against him were 'as searing as they are false'.

Attorney David McGee insisted he was not part of a plan to extort Gaetz, nor was he connected to the DOJ's sex trafficking probe

Gaetz, a prominent conservative in Congress and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, (pictured together in January 2018) is under investigation to determine if he violated federal sex trafficking laws

Gaetz's comments came shortly after the Times first reported the investigation. Gaetz alleged that the allegations were part of an extortion plot by a former Justice Department official, David McGee.

Gaetz accused McGee live on Carlson's show of trying to extort millions of dollars out of him and his family in exchange for 'making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away'.

'Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25million while threatening to smear my name,' Gaetz said in a statement.

Gaetz said his family has been cooperating with the FBI and said his father was wearing a recording device, at the FBI's direction, 'to catch these criminals'. He demanded the Justice Department release the recordings.

'No part of the allegations against me are true, and the people pushing these lies are targets of the ongoing extortion investigation,' he said.

McGee, an attorney at Beggs & Lane law firm and the former lead attorney for the DOJ's Organized Crime Task Force, has strongly denied Gaetz's allegations.

He said: 'It is completely false. It's a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that he's under investigation for sex trafficking of minors.

'I have no connection with that case at all, other than, one of a thousand people who have heard the rumors.'

The Times cited three people familiar with the matter, saying the scrutiny on Gaetz was part of a broader Justice Department probe into one of his political allies and fellow Florida politician, Joel Greenberg, who was indicted last summer on sex trafficking and other charges that he stalked a political opponent.

A judge ordered the former tax collector back to jail earlier this month for violating the conditions of his release.

'I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know, when I was a single guy,' Gaetz told Axios.

'I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women I've dated,' Gaetz said.

'You know, I've paid for flights, for hotel rooms. I've been, you know, generous as a partner. I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.'

Gaetz has not been charged with a crime. The Justice Department did not immediately comment.
A man and his niece have landed behind bars for attempting to smuggle more than $91,000 via the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge, according to an arrest affidavit.

Julian Raul Gonzalez Jr., 30, and Ashlee Trevino, 19, are facing bulk cash smuggling charges.

CBP conducts outbound enforcement operations to protect against unreported exportations of bulk U.S. currency, which often can be proceeds from alleged illicit activity, or currency that funds transnational criminal organizations, said Acting Port Director Eugene Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry. This currency seizure exemplifies our commitment to enforcing U.S. laws and federal currency reporting requirements.

Gonzalez and Trevino were traveling outbound to Mexico in a 2017 Chevy Equinox via the Juarez-Lincoln International Boulevard. Authorities identified the driver as Gonzalez and Trevino as the passenger.

They gave a negative declaration for weapons, ammo and money to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting outbound inspections. Gonzalez stated that they were traveling in his vehicle from his home in Laredo to Nuevo Laredo to drop off his niece, Trevino.

Further inspection of Gonzalez resulted in the discovery of several bundles of currency concealed in his waist area and boots. Further inspection of Trevino resulted in the discovery of several bundles of currency concealed in the girdle she was wearing, states the affidavit.

During the inspection of the vehicle, CBP officers discovered a hair dryer box that contained cash. CBP officers seized a total of $91,116. Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration responded to investigate the money smuggling attempt.

Gonzalez requested an attorney. He further stated he requested an attorney because he was on probation, according to court documents. Trevino did provide a post-arrest statement. She stated she was traveling with her uncle, Gonzalez, from his home in Laredo to Nuevo Laredo.

She stated Gonzalez asked her to transport the currency to Mexico and told her to conceal it in the girdle. Trevino stated she did not know the exact amount of the currency but knew that it was a large amount of currency. Trevino stated she had knowledge that she had to declare currency over $10,000, states the affidavit.

CBP said individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the United States. However, if the quantity is more than $10,000, they will need to report it to CBP. Money means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coins currently in circulation, currency, travelers checks in any form, money orders and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest, authorities said.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be 100% effective in adolescents, who showed very high antibody responses, exceeding the antibody responses in vaccinated adults, the company announced Wednesday.



In study participants aged 12 to 15 years old with or without prior evidence of COVID-19 infection, the vaccine demonstrated 100% real efficacy, Pfizer said.

We share the urgency to expand the use of our vaccine to additional populations and are encouraged by the clinical trial data from adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15, said Albert Bourla, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer.

Pfizer plans to submit the data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the coming weeks for a requested amendment to the vaccines emergency use authorization, with the hope of starting to vaccinate the age group before the start of the next school year.

The trial enrolled 2,260 adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. In the trial, 18 cases of COVID-19 were observed in the placebo group versus none in the vaccinated group.

It's a small study, that hasn't yet been published, so another important piece of evidence is how well the shots revved up the kids immune systems. Researchers reported high levels of virus-fighting antibodies, somewhat higher than were seen in studies of young adults.

Kids had side effects similar to young adults, the company said. The main side effects are pain, fever, chills and fatigue, particularly after the second dose. The study will continue to track participants for two years for more information about long-term protection and safety.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech in the coming weeks plan to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators to allow emergency use of the shots starting at age 12.

In the company statement, Bourla also expressed the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year" in the United States.

All participants in the trial will continue to be monitored for long-term protection and safety for an additional two years after their second dose.

Last week, the company dosed the first healthy children in the study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in children 6 months to 11 years old.



Pfizer isnt the only company seeking to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Results also are expected soon from a U.S. study of Modernas vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds.

But in a sign that the findings were promising, the FDA already allowed both companies to begin U.S. studies in children 11 and younger, working their way to as young as 6-month-old.

AstraZeneca last month began a study of its vaccine among 6- to 17-year-olds in Britain. Johnson & Johnson is planning its own pediatric studies. And in China, Sinovac recently announced it has submitted preliminary data to Chinese regulators showing its vaccine is safe in children as young as 3.

While most COVID-19 vaccines being used globally were first tested in tens of thousands of adults, pediatric studies wont need to be nearly as large. Scientists have safety information from those studies and from subsequent vaccinations in millions more adults.

One key question is the dosage: Pfizer gave the 12-and-older participants the same dose adults receive, while testing different doses in younger children.



It's not clear how quickly the FDA would act on Pfizer's request to allow vaccination starting at age 12. Another question is when the country would have enough supply of shots  and people to get them into adolescents' arms  to let kids start getting in line.

Supplies are set to steadily increase over the spring and summer, at the same time states are opening vaccinations to younger, healthier adults who until now haven't had a turn.

Children represent about 13% of COVID-19 cases documented in the U.S. And while children are far less likely than adults to get seriously ill, at least 268 have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. alone and more than 13,500 have been hospitalized, according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Thats more than die from the flu in an average year. Additionally, a small number have developed a serious inflammatory condition linked to the coronavirus.

Caleb Chung, who turns 13 later this week, agreed to volunteer after his father, a Duke University pediatrician, presented the option. He doesn't know if he received the vaccine or a placebo.

Usually Im just at home doing online school and theres not much I can really do to fight back against the virus, Caleb said in a recent interview. The study was really somewhere that I could actually help out.

His father, Dr. Richard Chung, said hes proud of his son and all the other children volunteering for the needle pricks, blood tests and other tasks a study entails.

We need kids to do these trials so that kids can get protected. Adults cant do that for them, Chung said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Roseburg, OR (97470)

Today

Considerable clouds early. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. High 83F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 49F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
(Natural News) Researchers propose using arcs of lightning to extract lunar resources such as water and metals all at once. The technique, called ablative arc mining, will be like putting lightning over the surface of the moon, according to lead researcher Amelia Greig, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the Aerospace Center at the University of Texas at El Paso.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected the project for the Phase I Fellows program of its NASA Institute for Advanced Concept, which nurtures ideas that can potentially be used for future NASA missions. Under the program, Greig and her colleagues will continue developing their concept, test it in the lab and finally build a prototype system based on the concept.

Lunar mining using arcs of lightning

Lunar mining made the headlines last year when the White House green-lit a policy that encourages American companies to mine the moon. Former President Donald Trump determined that current space treaties allow the use of Earths natural satellite this way.

The moon is thought to be rich in precious resources such as water and metals that are critical for future manned missions. Water, for example, can be turned into rocket fuel. But no one yet has figured out a clear actionable plan on how to mine the moon.

Past concepts relied on thermal ablation, in which water frozen into the lunar regolith (surface material) would be heated and turned into water vapor that would then be captured. But the technique would be difficult to carry out under an atmosphere as thin as the moons.

The water vapor just sort of diffuses in all directions, and you cant really tell it which way to go, Greig told Space. Additionally, thermal ablation would not allow for multiple types of resources to be extracted all at once.

Greig and her team conceptualized a method that would address these issues. For their method, arcs of electric current across two electrodes would turn frozen water in lunar regolith into water vapor. At the same time, it would extract other things such as metals out of the regolith. The electric arcs would then break apart the water and other materials into ionized particles, which would be guided into capture chambers using electric fields.

Youre kind of funneling them through these virtual electric magnetic fields into a small collection area, and you can collect a lot more of the water that you can extract from the moon, Greig explained.

The researchers are currently refining the method to prove its feasibility. Among the things the researchers have to work on include figuring out how to source the power necessary to create electric arcs.

Barry Finger, chief engineer at aerospace company Paragon Space Development Corporation, who was not part the project, also commented that the technique would need a robotic system that would be able to work autonomously. This was because it would take a while before a significant number of human miners can work on the lunar surface.

Lunar mining will help open the way for lunar settlements

Being able to mine the moon will greatly boost efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon. Greig noted that it will be impossible to build lunar settlements without the ability to collect lunar water and other resources.

Because the moon is such an important gateway step to get to Mars, we would probably then struggle to have human settlements on Mars in the future, she added.

Indeed, NASA started its lunar program, Artemis, partly in preparation for future Mars missions. Under Artemis, the agency will send two astronauts to the moon in 2024, assemble a lunar outpost in the next few years and establish a lunar base sometime in the next decade. It will then use all the lessons from these exploits to send the first human to Mars.

When asked about how lunar resources should be used, Greig responded by saying that her interest lay in establishing a lunar settlement. At least within the community that Im a part of, we are looking at mining the moon, not necessarily for commercial interest, but to help with having human lunar settlements in the future, she said.

There is some concern that humans will pollute even more worlds by pivoting mining activities to space. But for Finger, mining the moon is nothing to be worried about because it is already inhospitable.

Learn more about fascinating proposals to mine the moon at Space.news.

Sources include:

Space.com

Mining-Technology.com

NASA.gov
The CM directed officials to prepare reports pertaining to pending bifurcation issues and present TS government arguments effectively before the MHA in the meeting.  PTI File

HYDERABAD: After a gap of nearly two years, the Centre has convened a meeting between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to resolve state bifurcation-related disputes between both states and review the status of implementing assurances given to both states under AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

Official delegations led by chief secretaries of both states will take part in the meeting through video conference on April 6. Though the meeting was scheduled on March 31, it has been postponed on the request of Telangana.

The union ministry of home affairs (MHA) convened last such meeting in August 2019. Sources said all major contentious issues, including distribution of assets and liabilities, remain unresolved even seven years after bifurcation.

Only two service matters  repatriation of Telangana Class IV employees working in AP and cadre allotment to Additional SPs and DSPs in police department  have been addressed by both the states. While the first one was out of mutual understanding, the other could be completed on directions of Telangana High Court.

The MHA is playing more of a spectator role. It is high time both states make serious efforts to resolve issues, sources say. As these disputes are not linked to the timeframe of 10 years, they will drag for years if the two states are not sincere about finding a solution, they added.

Official sources said Telangana chief secretary Somesh Kumar, who received the note from MHA, briefed Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday about the meeting. The CM directed officials to prepare reports pertaining to pending bifurcation issues and present TS government arguments effectively before the MHA in the meeting.

In its latest report (201819) tabled in Legislative Assembly on March 26, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had pointed out that Rs. 1,51,349 crore under capital heads, Rs. 28,099 crore under loans and advances, Rs. 4,474 crore under deposits and advances, Rs. 238 crore under suspense and miscellaneous, and Rs. 310 crore under remittances are yet to be apportioned between AP and TS ever after bifurcation of state in 2014.

Both states continue to lodge complaints against each other with the centre, besides knocking doors of High Court and Supreme Court for control over common institutions listed under Schedule IX, and X, mostly located in Hyderabad.

The two states are also engaged in disputes over sharing of Krishna and Godavari river waters, accusing each other of flouting the AP Reorganisation Act and taking up new projects without seeking required approvals from the centre or other regulatory bodies.

The state government is planning to depute senior officials from industries, irrigation, general administration and other departments for the meeting.

The CS directed officials concerned to come prepared with relevant documents and files in support of arguments made by the state government in the past.

Some of the major issues that are expected to figure in the meeting include division of assets and liabilities of Schedule IX and X institutions, AP Bhavan in New Delhi, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, AP Heavy Machinery and Equipment Ltd., AP State Finance Corporation, apart from claims and counterclaims on payment of power dues by distribution companies of the two states.
China strives to achieve common prosperity for all

08:58, March 31, 2021 By He Yin ( People's Daily

Students at a primary school in Gangbian township, Congjiang county, southwest China's Guizhou province, enjoy their free nutritious lunch, March 3, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Luo Jinglai)

China will bring people's well-being to a new level and take solid steps toward achieving common prosperity during its 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the country's Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

By 2035, people will lead a better life, and more notable and substantial progress will be achieved in promoting well-rounded human development and achieving common prosperity for everyone, said the document.

The ultimate goal of China's endeavors to advance reform and opening up as well as socialist modernization is to ensure that development is for the people, by the people, and with people sharing in its fruits.

The people-centered philosophy of China, a major country in the world, and the Communist Party of China (CPC), a major political party, has attracted worldwide attention.

The key to governance of a country is to improve its people's lives, and common prosperity is the shared aspiration of all Chinese people.

The CPC has always been committed to its original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.

Eliminating poverty, improving people's livelihood, and achieving common prosperity are the essential requirements of socialism as well as important goals of China's efforts to advance economic and social development.

Through an arduous journey over a long period of time, China has significantly improved the quality of life among the Chinese people and promoted the sharing of development fruits in the society.

In the new era, China determines to pursue shared development, aiming to "make the pie bigger" and divide it fairly at the same time and bring people a stronger sense of accomplishment and gain.

China has won the battle against poverty and completed the daunting task of eradicating absolute poverty. Such a historic miracle of China marks a milestone on the country's journey to improving people's well-being and achieving common prosperity.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the country has lifted 98.99 million rural poor residents living under the current poverty line out of poverty, removed all of its 832 poor counties and 128,000 poor villages from the poverty list, and resolved overall regional poverty.

It has pulled an average of more than 10 million people out of poverty each year, equivalent to the population of a medium-sized country.

Such achievements in poverty alleviation are considered a tremendous change in the more than 5,000 years of history of the Chinese nation, as well as an unprecedentedly brilliant feat in the history of the world.

"We will work to ensure that growth and development benefit all countries and peoples and that the livelihood of all people, especially those in developing countries, will get better day by day," said Chinese President Xi Jinping, pointing out the direction for joint efforts of countries.

Over the years, China has always been a contributor to global development, and an active advocate and strong promoter of global poverty reduction.

The country has been engaged in facilitating South-South cooperation, pushing forward the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road, and supporting and assisting other developing countries, the least developed ones in particular, in their fight against poverty, shouldering its responsibilities on the path of pursuing common development.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the poverty-stricken population in the world has risen for the first time in many years, which poses challenges to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations (UN).

Against the background, China has fully shaken off poverty, marched toward comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, and progressed steadily along the road to common prosperity, which has greatly inspired and encouraged the rest of the world.

China's magnificent accomplishment in alleviating poverty brings hope and inspiration to international society, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a congratulatory letter to China on its complete victory over poverty.

As China embarks on a new journey of fully building a modern socialist country, it will continue to adhere to its people-centered philosophy, improve people's livelihood, and promote social fairness and justice, which is believed to bring the Chinese people a stronger sense of accomplishment and gain.

By actively advancing the inclusive development of countries and trying to ensure that the fruits of development benefit people of various countries more thoroughly, China is bound to make great contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
By Thembo Kahungu

President Museveni has suspended campaigns for speaker and deputy until such a time when the chief justice will meet the 11th parliament at its first sitting on May 20th.

Museveni made the order during an NRM meeting that was convened at the statehouse on Monday after he summoned speaker Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy Jacob Oulanya as the race heats up.

The meeting followed the bickering, attacks, and abuses on the floor of parliament over the election of the speaker.

Earlier, Kadaga accused the chief whip Ruth Nakanbirwa of dragging CEC into the discussion on matters that are internal to parliament.

Sources in the meeting said Museveni warned all those dragging the Central executive Committee, CEC in politics to stop it adding that he will not tolerate indiscipline.

The president also threatened that CEC might decide to choose other NRM candidates apart from the two.

Sources say Kadaga in defense accused her deputy of starting campaigns in contravention of the rules, a claim Oulanya denied.

Voting for speaker and the deputy is by secret ballot.
New Delhi, March 31 : A day before the second phase of polling in West Bengal, the BJP on Wednesday intensified its attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying the Trinamool Congress supremo will lose from Nandigram, where she is pitted against her once close aide turned adversary Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP.

Polling in Nandigram will be held on Thursday during the second phase of polling in the eastern state.

Leading the attack against Banerjee, BJP national President J.P. Nadda said, "Who came from Bhowanipore to Nandigram to contest the polls? If the Chief Minister comes to fight a minister, who's the bigger leader? Suvenduji has accepted the challenge and will defeat her in Nandigram. The people of Nandigram will send out a message of delivering a Trinamool-free West Bengal." The BJP also claimed that Banerjee has been camping in Nandigram sensing defeat.

West Bengal BJP co-incharge Amit Malviya tweeted, "There are 30 seats in phase two of Bengal polls but Mamata Banerjee has not been able to get out of Nandigram for the last three days. Despite her apparent nervousness and staying put in the constituency, ignoring other seats going to polls, she is losing. The BJP will sweep phase two."
Shares of surged 7 per cent to hit a new high of Rs 745 on the BSE in intra-day trade on Wednesday after the company announced that it has bagged a large deal from Concentra Bank to power its new digital banking strategy. In past one year, the stock zoomed 1,262 per cent from the level of Rs 54.70, as compared to a 68 per cent rally in the S&P BSE Sensex.

Concentra Bank has selected Intellects cloud-native, digital banking platform to power its exciting new digital banking strategy. Concentras vision is to become the leading mid-market digital bank in the country, providing specialized banking products and services to consumers, businesses, and credit unions, the company said in a media release.

has the worlds largest cloud-native, API-led, a microservices-based multi-product platform for the global leaders in banking, insurance and capital It offers a full spectrum of banking and insurance technology products through its four lines of businesses: global consumer banking, global transaction banking (iGTB), risk, treasury and markets, and insurance.

In one month, it soared 72 per cent after, Intellect Global Transaction Banking (iGTB), the transaction banking specialist from Intellect Design Arena, on March 10 was ranked number 1 in the world for Transaction Banking by IBS Intelligence. The Hanoi-headquartered Vietcombank announced that the firm has now deployed iGTBs next-generation Digital Transaction Banking Enterprise Suite (DTB).

That apart, in a separate regulatory filing on March 8, the company announced the launch of Magic Aadhaar, an Al-powered comprehensive Aadhaar processing solution to identify, extract, validate and mask Aadhaar details. It hyper digitises the end-to-end processes using Aadhaar-based processing.

In the October-December quarter (Q3FY21), registered healthy revenues. The company also won six large deals in the quarter indicating improving revenue visibility in coming quarters. In addition, the company has a healthy order backlog of Rs 1,203 crore, a strong deal funnel (around Rs 4,162 crore) and a digital-ready product portfolio that provides confidence in an improved revenue trajectory in coming years. Healthy traction in IGCB (Intellect Global Consumer Banking) and iSEEC is expected to drive revenues going forward.
Leave it to Florida Republicans to pass in the House a bill that targets Black people at the same time the police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd is on trial.

Clueless  or, downright racist?

Given facts and history, most likely, the latter.

The instigator of Floridas so-called anti-riot bill is Yale- and Harvard-educated lawyer Gov. Ron DeSantis. And the sponsor is another lawyer, an eager-beaver Republican representative from Miami, Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who says he volunteered for the job to help DeSantis, in my opinion, with his fascist endeavor.

Barquin used to be an assistant public defender in Palm Beach, but I guess he now plays for another team.

Miami-Dade District 119 Rep. Jose Fernandez-Barquin says he volunteered to sponsor HB1, the controversial anti-riot bill pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to crackdown on Black Lives Matter protests in Florida stemming from the killing of George Floyd.

Given those sets of facts  theyre allegedly smart people  its hard to argue clueless motivation.

They know exactly what theyre doing.

The controversial measure has been loaded with racially charged intent since DeSantis made it clear in November that he would crack down on what he called rioting, but that, in fact, were largely peaceful Black Lives Matter protests in Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville.

His idol dethroned, Gov. Ron DeSantis is fashioning a fascist, gun-happier Florida | Opinion

The burning of some Miami police cars, the looting of some stores at Bayside Market Place and the vandalism of statues at Bayfront Park were the acts of a few. Likewise, in the other two Florida cities. All caught were arrested and charged with crimes because the laws against criminal activity, no matter how or when it takes place, are already in the books.

What DeSantis and his supporting cast of GOP lawmakers are doing with HB1 is perpetuating a system of double standards based on race.

When a police officer acts unlawfully, when he kills or maims, or violates civil rights, were told hes a bad apple in a bushel of good public servants. But when African Americans and Latinos protest, and some opportunists, or some hotheads in the crowd, do damage, the knee-jerk reaction is to quash peoples sacred right to protest in a democracy.

Story continues

Its wrong and racially motivated thinking  and thats what this bill is all about, the need to rein in the Black man, the need to criminalize his behavior with legislation a la Jim Crow, whether its by keeping people from protesting with threats of arrest or making it harder for them to vote.

This is why these lawmakers cant muster an ounce of sensitivity at this poignant moment in time.

Violence discredits the cause of the protests, Fernandez-Barquin said during the last seconds of his appearance on the Sunday show This Week in South Florida with Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg during a discussion of the bill.

No, it doesnt.

The cause of long-overdue racial justice in this country  and the fact that the killing of unarmed Black people by police must stop  is greater than the behavior of a few miscreants.

The fact that Fernandez-Barquin used his last precious moments of air time to say this speaks volumes. Bet he wouldnt feel the same way if Cubans were burning down Havana to protest the Castro regime.

Then, the jubilant applause would rattle Miami with the force of an earthquake.

Others deserve the same understanding about their anger.

Derek Chauvins trial in Minnesota is a defining moment  and while a jury was being seated, a bill in Florida that targets the rightfully angry protests against Floyds killing, and that of so many other African Americans, was swiftly making its way through committees.

It was passed by the full House Friday on a vote along partisan lines and is now in the Senate.

Miami-Dade Democrat Jason Pizzo, who chairs the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, says he wont give the bill a hearing. But he also says that Republicans are already maneuvering ways to get around him  and they will most likely succeed because they comfortably dominate both legislative chambers.

I reached out to Fernandez-Barquin for comment, but a spokesman said the legislator is completely booked for the next several weeks.

Yes, as dramatic testimony unfolds from witnesses to Floyds murder so young they cant be shown on camera, Republicans in the Florida Legislature are hellbent on passing a bill that is only an excuse to intimidate young people and keep them from exercising their constitutional right to protest.

It is also a bill that would keep a person arrested for theft from being able to bail out of jail if the county where the crime takes place is under a state of emergency. So here are lawyers legislating to suspend the constitutional right to due process as if Florida were a Third World country.

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A bill that targets Blacks

This shameful page in Florida Legislature history is nothing more than ingrained prejudice, motivated by fear of the anger of people of color, who are sick and tired of seeing the police kill their loved ones, use excessive force and get away with it most of the time.

If police were killing white people at the same rate  in public view and videotaped  nobody would be legislating against rightful anger.

The bill is prejudicial, unconstitutional and racist.
Aviva sells Polish business to Allianz for $2.9 billion

British insurance major Aviva plc has sold its Polish operations to Germanys Allianz for 2.5 billion euros ($2.94 billion) in a cash deal, completing a programme to sell European and Asian assets begun last year.

Aviva said it would now focus on its strongest businesses in the UK, Ireland and Canada where it has leading market positions and strong growth potential. The divestment of Aviva Poland is the eighth transaction Aviva has announced in the past eight months, and this successfully concludes the planned refocus of the groups portfolio.

Aviva said the transaction that values the company at a cash consideration of 16.9 times its after-tax profit, 5.7 times its net asset value and 2.3 tmes its Solvency II Own Funds, would help realise significant value for shareholders

The sale of our eight non-core businesses will generate total cash proceeds of 7.5 billion. We have made significant progress with our debt reduction plan and in due course we will make a substantial return of capital to shareholders. Our strategic focus is now on our strongest businesses in the UK, Ireland and Canada where we have leading market positions and strong growth potential. Amanda Blanc, chief executive officer of Aviva, said.

This transaction delivers excellent value for Aviva shareholders. It is also a very positive outcome for our customers, employees and distribution partners and we are confident that Aviva Poland will continue to prosper under Allianz's ownership.

There will be no impact on customers policies as a result of this announcement. Customers and distribution partners of Aviva Poland will continue to receive the same high-quality service from the business. The management and employees of Aviva Poland will transfer with the business.

Aviva expects to use the increased capital and cash to support its previously communicated capital framework of debt reduction, investment for long-term growth and return of excess capital to shareholders. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and anti-trust approvals, and is expected to complete within 12 months.

In 2020, Aviva Polands IFRS profit after tax was 130 million. The IFRS gross assets and net assets value of Aviva Poland were 3.9 billion and 0.4 billion, respectively. as of 31 December 2020. Aviva Investors Poland, which manages funds of Aviva Poland, will be part of the transaction. The assets under management of Aviva Investors Poland was 3.7 billion on 31 December 2020 and IFRS profit after tax in 2020 was 4 million.

Aviva Poland comprises Avivas interests in life insurance business in Poland and Lithuania, and its Polish general insurance, asset management and pensions businesses, including a portfolio of financial advice, digital distribution and price comparison businesses. The Aviva Poland business to be sold also includes Avivas 51 per cent shareholding in life and general insurance joint ventures with Santander (Santander Aviva TUnZ and Santander Aviva TU, respectively).

Allianz, which first entered the Polish market in 1997, is Europes biggest insurer.

We are delighted to further strengthen visibility of the Allianz brand in Central Eastern Europe and pursue our successful growth strategy in the region, Allianz CEO Oliver Baete said in a separate statement.

Allianz said the deal would make it the number two in central and eastern Europe in terms of operating profit. It has several other businesses in the region, including Russia and Ukraine.

In Poland, the deal will elevate Allianz to number five in gross written premium, Allianz added.
Link to full song video:

(use password leanonme) https://vimeo.com/524199020

TEARS: Defunding The Fear will feature LAPD Chief MICHEL MOORE, civil rights activist and community organizer NAJEE ALI, retired LAPD sergeant, author, and commentator CHERYL DORSEY, and will hosted by actor/activist ANNE-MARIE JOHNSON.

The Man/Kind Project, Inc, a non-profit corporation whose mission is to fight racism and intolerance by uniting cultures through awareness, tolerance and empathy, will present the online event TEARS: The Event Against Racism and Stereotyping, premiering April 3, 2021. The Man/Kind Project will conduct a 'virtual dialogue' where community activists and law enforcement critics challenge the Los Angeles Police Department. The purpose is to explore the possibility of finding common ground in an unforgettably blunt and engaging showdown of ideologies that impact all of us. April 3 kicks off the first episode of TEARS 6-part series.

This free event will stream live on DEFUNDTHEFEAR.COM at 6 p.m., Pacific Time on April 3, 2021.

Media requests for interviews and more information can be made at

www.themankindproject.org/news-media/press or call: 213-369-1097

SOURCE The Man/Kind Project

Related Links

http://www.themankindproject.org


Piers Morgan has quipped the Archbishop of Canterbury should be sacked after he said Meghan and Harry did not get married three days before their wedding - in contradiction of the Duchess's claim in their bombshell Oprah interview.

The senior clergyman rejected their on-screen insistence that he had married them at a secret ceremony before their Windsor Castle wedding.

Breaking his silence, Justin Welby said he signed Harry and Meghan's wedding certificate on the day millions watched them marry.

Piers, who left his Good Morning Britain job after refusing to apologise for saying he did not believe parts of Meghan's interview, made the joke on Twitter this morning.

He said: 'The Archbishop of Canterbury should either apologise for disbelieving Meghan Markles secret wedding claims - or lose his job.'

Mr Welby's explanation of what happened does not tally with Meghan and Harry's claim of a secret marriage to Oprah.

Piers Morgan joked that the archbishop should be sacked for 'disbelieving Meghan Markle'

Breaking his silence on what the couple told Oprah Winfrey three weeks ago, Justin Welby said he signed Harry and Meghan's wedding certificate on the day millions watched them marry

The tongue-in-cheek quip was made on Piers' Twitter feed this morning after the interview

Their legal wedding was on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at St George's Chapel, he said.

In her interview, Meghan raised eyebrows when she told Miss Winfrey that she and Harry were married 'just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury'.

But the 65-year-old priest told an Italian newspaper yesterday: 'The legal wedding was on the Saturday.'

He was asked 'what happened with Meghan and Harry? Did you really marry them three days before the official wedding?'

In her interview, Meghan raised eyebrows when she told Miss Winfrey that she and Harry were married 'just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury'

But then he added: 'I had a number of private and pastoral meetings with the duke and duchess before the wedding.

'The legal wedding was on the Saturday. I signed the wedding certificate, which is a legal document, and I would have committed a serious criminal offence if I signed it knowing it was false.

'So you can make what you like about it. But the legal wedding was on the Saturday. But I won't say what happened at any other meetings.'

Harry and Meghan, who have now been completely relieved of their royal duties, backtracked on their private ceremony claim in a statement last week.

It had drawn heavy suspicion, partly because a legal marriage in the UK requires two witnesses.

A spokesman for the couple told US website the Daily Beast: 'The couple exchanged personal vows a few days before their official/legal wedding on May 19.'

A backyard exchange of vows is not a marriage. Despite this, Harry chipped in during the Oprah interview, adding it was 'just the three of us'.

The Archbishop's comments yesterday, while not categorically denying a private ceremony, quash any doubts about when and where the couple legally tied the knot.

Previously, he had declined to speak out as pressure grew on him to debunk the claim.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) -Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. (TSX: XTG) (OTCQB: XTGRF) ("Xtra-Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following summary of the year end audited financials (Dec. 31, 2020):

Total Assets increased from US$6,875,325 (Dec. 31, 2019) to US$9,340,942 (Dec. 31, 2020), comprised mainly of cash, liquid securities, and gold inventory ("liquid assets");

Zero Debt ;





; Net Income of US$1,860,249.

The full details of the Year End Financials with MD&A can be viewed on the Company's web-site at www.xtragold.com.

James Longshore, CEO/Co-Founder states: "Our Company has had an exciting year, and we continue to expand the size of gold discovery 'footprint'. Currently, our 2 diamond drill rigs are 'turning', with the goal of significantly expanding our resource. We are fully financed for 2021 and 2022 to execute on our business plan, with our current liquid assets. We believe this will be the year that the Kibi Gold Project is recognized as a significant gold discovery."

About Xtra-Gold Resources Corp.

Xtra-Gold is a gold exploration company with a substantial land position in the Kibi Gold Belt. The Kibi Gold Belt, which exhibits many similar geological features to Ghana's main gold belt (the Ashanti Belt with over 150 million oz's of gold discovered), has been the subject of very limited modern exploration activity targeting lode gold deposits as virtually all past gold mining activity and exploration efforts focused on the extensive alluvial gold occurrences in many river valleys.

Forward-Looking Statements

The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Contact Information

For further information please contact:

James Longshore

Chief Executive Officer

Tel.: 416-628-2881

E-mail: info@xtragold.com

Website: www.xtragold.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79071
Real Estate Investors specialises in Birmingham and other Midlands properties in the UK. Photo: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

Listed UK property investment group Real Estate Investors is still in talks with AIB to renew a 4.2m (4.9m) facility after successfully refinancing a 51m facility with National Westminster Bank.

The company has also accused some of its tenants of hiding behind UK government legislation on overdue rents despite having the ability to pay their rents.

Real Estate Investors bills itself as the only real estate investment trust focused on property in Englands Midlands, swung to a 20.2m loss last year as it cut the value of its assets by more than 28m due to the impact of the pandemic.

It had gross property assets of 201.3m (235.7m) at the end of 2020.

Its underlying pre-tax profit edged slightly higher to 8.1m last year, from 8m the previous year. Its revenue dipped slightly, to 16.4m from 16.6m.

It completed seven lease renewals during 2020, and ended the year with 262 occupiers across 53 assets. Its portfolio extends across a number of sectors.

We continue to remain within our covenants with our bankers and in March 2021 we successfully concluded the refinance of our 51m facility with National Westminster Bank and are in negotiations to renew our 4.2m facility with Allied Irish Bank (GB) for five years, the company noted.

The bank covenants are measured against the LTV of the loans to property values and the interest cover measured against rental income, it added. On average, property values would have to fall a further 10pc and rental income by 40pc to breach the covenants.

The company said it has 11m worth of unencumbered properties, which could be provided as further security.

The companys portfolio has 262 occupiers across 53 assets, which offers multi-sector diversification with no material reliance on any single sector, asset or occupier and this is the foundation of our stability and rent collection, according to Real Estate Investors CEO Paul Bassi.

The company added that despite challenges it faced last year, its rent collection stood at 96.35pc for the year.

We anticipate a further improvement in this overall figure as tenants who (despite having the ability to pay) have chosen to hide behind or take advantage of Government legislation on overdue rents, begin to pay their historic and current rents, and tenants who are currently closed, recommence trading in 2021, it added.

It owns assets in towns and cities including Birmingham, Coventry and Leamington Spa.
Gandhinagar, March 31 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Court on Wednesday discharged three accused Gujarat police officials in the 2004 Ishrat Jahan encounter case, and also dropped the proceedings against them -- G.L. Singhal, Tarun Barot and Anaju Chaudhary.

Special CBI judge Vipul Rawal on Wednesday allowed the discharge application by the three Gujarat police officials and discharged them from the offences under the IPC 341, 342, 343, 365, 368, 302 and 201 and under section 25 (1)(e) and 27 of Indian Arms Act. They were released on personal bond of Rs 15,000 each.

The CBI special court dropped the proceedings against and discharged them from the case after the Gujarat government refused to sanction to prosecute the three accused police officials -- IPS officer GL Singhal, retired DySP Tarun Barot and an assistant sub-inspector Anaju Chaudhary.

These are the last three policemen, who were facing prosecution for charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, abduction and illegal detention of the 19-year-old girl from Mumbra.

Jahan and her companions Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Zeeshan Johar and Amjad Ali Rana, were shot dead on June 15, 2004 on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in a police encounter.

CBI counsel R.C. Kodekar on Wednesday while arguing that the sanction refused by the Gujarat government is without application of mind and so the application of the accused should be dismissed.

The CBI Court believed the Gujarat Police story that "they had received information from Intelligence Bureau (IB) that four terrorist had entered Gujarat and in retaliation police fired resultantly killing them all therefore the Act was carried out by the police officers while carrying out their duties".

The court had also observed, "In the present case, the CBI has not filed any application seeking sanction for prosecution. When it has been established that the accused have acted while performing their official duties the CBI ought to have got sanction for prosecution." On October 23, the court had rejected discharge applications filed by these three accused for want of prosecution sanction under Section 197 of the CrPC. Under this section, sanction is required for prosecuting government servants for anything done in the discharge of official duty.

The Ishrat Jahan encounter case indicted seven policemen in a sessions court. One of the accused and the complainant, J.G. Parmar, died during the pendency of the proceedings. A commando, Mohan Kalasava, died by the time CBI filed the charge sheet.

In 2019, retired DIG D.G. Vanzara and SP N.K. Amin were discharged from the case after the state government refused to accord prosecution sanction. Before that, the court had discharged former in-charge DGP P.P. Pandey in this case.

The Centre had refused to grant the permission for prosecution sanction in this case for four Intelligence Bureau officials including former special director, Rajinder Kumar.

Following this, the court had refused to accept the supplementary charge sheet filed against them citing absence of the sanction. Revision applications for accepting the charge sheet and committal of a case were also refused.
Panaji, March 31 : The Goa government should utilise the Rs 300 crore special grant announced by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget, for building a full-fledged cancer hospital, instead of blowing it up on conducting functions to commemorate the state's 60th anniversary of its liberation from Portuguese rule, South Goa Congress MP Francisco Sardinha said on Wednesday.

"Instead of spreading it in the state by conducting functions, use it to create a full fledged cancer hospital in Goa. Cancer is rapidly increasing and people have to either go to private hospitals where the charges are very high or they have to go all the way (outside the state)," Sardinha said.

Sitharaman in her Budget speech had announced allocation of Rs 300 crore to the Goa government for celebrating the 60th year of the state's liberation from 451 years of Portuguese rule in 1961.

Sardinha also implored the BJP-led coalition government in Goa to restart the state' mining industry at the earliest.

"By hook or by crook take up the mining matter with the central government which is also ruled by BJP," Sardinha said.

Excavation of iron ore has stopped following a Supreme Court order, which scrapped 88 operational mining leases citing irregularities in the lease renewal process adopted by the state government.
Missing Paducah Teen Found Safe

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - According to the Paducah Police Department, 15-year-old Jadyn Bennett has returned home in good healthPrevious story:Police are searching for a missing Paducah teen.The Paducah Police Department says 15-year-old Jaedyn Bennett was last seen on Sunday at the Drury Inn in Paducah.Bennett is white and 5'2" tall. She weighs 95 pounds, and has red hair and brown eyes.Anyone who knows where Bennett might be is asked to call police.
The United States says there were serious human rights violations in Zimbabwe last year, which included torture and other cruel, unhuman and degrading treatment by state security forces.

In its country report on human rights practices in 2020, the United States Department of States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor said security forces engaged in such practices with impunity and with implicit support of government officials.

NGOs reported security forces abducted, assaulted, and tortured citizens in custody, including targeted assault on and torture of civil society activists, labor leaders, opposition members, and other perceived opponents of the government. Throughout the year police used excessive force in apprehending, detaining, and interrogating criminal suspects. In some cases, police arrested and charged the victims of violence rather than the perpetrators and accused abduction victims of filing false reports.

Human rights groups reported government agents continued to perpetrate physical and psychological torture on labor leaders and opposition party members during abductions. Reported torture methods included sexual assault; beating victims with sticks, clubs, cables, gun butts, and sjamboks (a heavy whip); falanga (beating the soles of the feet); forced consumption of human excrement; and oral chemical poisoning, as well as pouring corrosive substances on exposed skin.

According to the report, as of November there were a minimum of five reports of short-term abductions and assaults or torture allegedly performed by state security actors.

These instances typically occurred at night, although some happened in broad daylight. The abductors forcibly removed persons from their homes, parking lots, and press conferences and assaulted them for hours before abandoning them, usually severely injured and naked, in a remote area. National Assembly member Joana Mamombe and opposition party members Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova reported being removed from police custody, then abducted and tortured by unknown individuals whom credible sources believed to be government security agents, after they were arrested at a protest at a roadblock on May 13.

The three women sustained severe injuries from 36 hours of physical, sexual, and psychological torture. After the three women reported the crimes to police, they were rearrested and charged with making false statements to police and for faking their own abductions. The case remained pending.

Zimbabwean officials claimed that the three made false reports to the police with some government leaders claiming they some MDC activists were being abducted by their own members. The three dismissed such allegations, claiming that they were tortured and dumped outside Harare by suspected state security agents.

The United States further claims in its 2020 human rights country report that from March to September, during a government-mandated lockdown due to COVID-19, uniformed and plainclothes soldiers and police officers systematically used clubs to beat civilians in the Harare central business district and suburbs for violating curfews, failure to wear masks, or failure to exercise social distance.

Impunity was a significant problem in the security forces and the civilian authorities who oversee them, including police, military, and intelligence officers. To date, no one has answered for disappearances, civilian deaths, rape, abduction, or torture allegations from the 1980s to as recently as November. Security forces were firmly under the control of the ruling party and were often directed against the political opposition.

There were reports of individuals arrested for political reasons, including opposition party officials, their supporters, NGO workers, journalists, civil society activists, and labor leaders. Authorities sometimes detained such individuals for one or two days and released them without charge. Political prisoners and detainees did not receive the same standard of treatment as other prisoners or detainees, and prison authorities arbitrarily denied visitor access to political prisoners. There were reports police beat and physically abused political and civil society activists while they were in detention.

The report indicates that unlike normal criminal proceedings, which move from investigation to trial within months, prosecuting agents regularly took abnormally long to submit for trial cases involving members of the political opposition or civil society critics of the government.

Hearings were sometimes scheduled when presiding judges were on vacation. Prosecutors in political cases were often unprepared to proceed and received numerous continuances. In many cases where authorities granted bail to government opponents, they did not conclude investigations and set a trial date but instead chose to proceed by way of summons. This left the threat of impending prosecution remaining, with the accused person eventually being called to court, only to be informed of further delays.

The report cites the arrest and detention of journalist Hopewell Chinono and Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of Transform Zimbabwe Party, as examples of what the United States calls abnormal criminal proceedings.

In July police arrested opposition party leader Jacob Ngarivhume and journalist Hopewell Chinono for their alleged roles in planning and promoting a July 31 protest against government corruption. They were held for approximately six weeks before being released on strict bail conditions that included surrendering their passports, agreeing not to use social media to promote public violence, reporting regularly to police stations. On November 3, authorities rearrested Hopewell Chinono for abusing social media and detained him until November 20, when he received bail.

Both Ngarivhume and Chinonos cases remained pending. In 2019 the government charged 22 persons with subversion for their participation in organizing demonstrations or attending civic engagement trainings. As of November courts had dismissed charges against 10 of the defendants. The government alleged the defendants intended to take over a constitutionally elected government. As of years end, the Mnangagwa administration had not fully prosecuted anyone for subversion, but those charged with subversion must surrender their passports and report to local police stations regularly.

Information secretary Nick Mangwana was unreachable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone. He recently dismissed as mischievous United States claims that the Mnangagwa government has failed to implement the much-needed electoral and political reforms.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson on Wednesday endorsed former State Senator Nina Turners bid to replace Rep. Marcia Fudge in Congress, citing her experience in office and her commitment to work to help all people.

Jackson told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer that he views Turner as best equipped of the candidates for Fudges open 11th Congressional District seat to fight for those who need help because of her tenacity.

She has a life experience of championing the cause of the people, Jackson said in an interview Tuesday. Ive found her to be someone who doesnt just talk about things. She does things.

Turner understands that with economic growth, there must be efforts to address disparities caused by poverty and race  so that all parts of society share in prosperity, he said.

Were talking about the American dream, Jackson said. We have to have an equitable outcome for everyone.

Jackson has known Turner for decades, beginning when he was a member of City Council and she was a legislative liaison for then-Mayor Michael R. White.

Turner was elected to City Council in 2005, the year Jackson was elected mayor. She moved to the Ohio Senate in 2008, serving until 2014, when she ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state.

Jacksons support is the second high-profile endorsement for Turner in two days. On Tuesday, Cleveland City Councilman Blain Griffin, a major player in local Democratic politics, announced he would back Turners candidacy over establishment favorite Shontel Brown, a Cuyahoga County councilwoman and chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.

And in Jackson, Turner gets the endorsement of the prominent local leader, addressing what she calls a myth that her support is rooted in a national audience outside of the 11th District.

My mayor, my city, Turner said Tuesday in an interview with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Turner has lived in Ward 1 in the southeast corner of Cleveland her entire life.

Fudge, who resigned her seat to take a post in President Joe Bidens cabinet as director of Housing and Urban Development, hasnt endorsed any candidates. But she was close to Brown, who has said she considers Fudge both a friend and a mentor.

Jackson, who also worked closely with Fudge over time, said his endorsement of Turner doesnt reflect any break with Fudge. He said on Tuesday that he talked with Fudge just that morning about her new role and what it could mean for Cleveland.

This is a matter of choice that I am making, Jackson said. I believe that of all the candidates out there, Nina Turner is the best choice.

For Jackson, that means having a candidate capable of tackling some tough issues  fallout over police use of force, including the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis; subsequent social unrest; a nation dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and a teetering economy.

We have to have somebody who is tried and true.  The measure here is who can guide us through these waters, Jackson said. I believe that person is Nina Turner.

The Jackson endorsement, coupled with Griffins, gives Turner a significant boost within the Cuyahoga Democratic infrastructure.

Griffin was one of Bidens first Ohio supporters in the 2020 primary, countering some of the preconceived notions about this race being a proxy war between Bidens supporters and those of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

And Jackson, the longest-serving mayor in Cleveland history, is synonymous with the Democratic Party establishment.

Still, Brown, a protege of Fudge, has garnered most of the establishment backing. That includes the likes of Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, state Reps. Terrence Upchurch and Kent Smith, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, Warrensville Heights Mayor Brad Sellers and Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss.

Powerful local unions have also signed up to back Brown, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 38, Laborers Local 310, Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council and the Ohio Laborers District Council.

Turners local support hasnt been lacking, with Ohio Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, state Sen. Sandra Williams and state Rep. Mike Skindell all pledging their support. The Amalgamated Transit Union and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union have both backed Turner as well.

Perhaps most telling is the coalescing behind Turner of both Jackson and the Service Employees International Union Local 1199. The two have been at odds over local issues, such as public financing for renovations to the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse or the $15-an-hour minimum wage for the city. The relationship was so contentious at times that the union accused Jackson of Seven major sins against workers.

That those two were able to find common ground in supporting Turner is an indication that her base of local support may not be limited to just Sanders supporters. Griffin and Jackson also pave the way for other local Democrats to follow suit, even though Brown serves as chairwoman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - AsiaBaseMetals Inc. (TSXV: ABZ) (the "Company") announces that Mr. Bruce Bragagnolo has tendered his resignation as a director of the Company, effective immediately, in order to devote the time required to manage his other business commitments.

Raj Chowdhry, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company stated: "On behalf of the board of directors and the shareholders of the Company, I would like to thank Mr. Bragagnolo for his dedication, commitment and contributions to AsiaBaseMetals Inc."

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company

"Raj I. Chowdhry"

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Raj Chowdhry, Chief Executive Officer

Email: rchowdhry@futuracapitalltd.com

Telephone: (604)-765-2030

About AsiaBaseMetals Inc.

AsiaBaseMetals Inc., a company focused on advancing its projects in the mining sector and developing and evaluating additional opportunities, is led by an experienced and successful business and mining team. The Company is advancing its 100% owned Gnome Zinc/Cobalt Project in world-class mining district in Canada, one of the safest and mining friendly districts in the world. In addition, the Company is seeking to further diversify its portfolio, with special attention directed to advanced acquisition targets in the Americas, Asia and Africa for base metals {Copper (Cu)], alkali metals [Cobalt (Co)] / Lithium (Li)] and precious metals [Gold (Au) / Silver (Ag)]. The Company is awaiting the grant of exploration permits for lithium pursuant to a submitted application in Myanmar.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79100
Gaborone  The Emergency Supply Chain Playbook will help Botswana strengthen its preparedness capabilities by focusing on emergencies caused by human and animals diseases as well as environmental factors posing epidemic and pandemic threats.

This was said by Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti during the handover of the playbook in Gaborone on March 30

Dr Dikoloti noted that the playbook emphasised both the preparedness and response phases of emergency planning and would therefore go a long way in helping the country deal with supply chain challenges presented by outbreaks.

He said the toolkit, going under the tagline "Prepared to respond", provided quick access to data visibility on mapping commodities and quantities required, available and required storage for commodities as well as waste management during a public health emergency.

He said the rollout of the playbook was already underway in the southern and Kweneng regions led by regional health management team coordinators.

Dr Dikoloti said the playbook would be vital in addressing pertinent health issues as it came at a time when the world was facing the effects of public health emergencies which included wide-spreading pathogenic infectious diseases and other biological threats.

He commended the supply chain framework system saying it strengthened the ministry's response towards COVID-19 pandemic and the country's public commodity supply chain in general.

The minister said studies had revealed that countries responded rapidly and more effectively to pandemic threats when they had a well-functioning supply chain.

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Dr Dikoloti said the ministry would improve supply chain management through the development, review and implementation of its processes to enable the availability of requisite commodities and supplies for health service delivery.

He commended the Central Medical Stores for making significant strides in strengthening supply chains, a move which he said was in line with the Ministry's 2017-2023 strategy.

Minister Dikoloti further applauded the United States government for assisting in strengthening the public health emergency supply chain system by sharing best practice.

For his part, US ambassador to Botswana, Mr Craig Cloud said his government would forever strive to develop sustainable health care services across the world.

The US government he said, was grateful for decades of joint investment into Botswana's laboratories, health facilities and community health care system.

Source : BOPA
Leaders of 23 countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday supported an idea to create an international treaty for health emergencies. The treaty would strengthen rules on sharing information.

The idea of such a treaty was first suggested by President of the European Council Charles Michel at a meeting of the Group of 20 major economic powers last November. The treaty would try to ensure that every country would have an equal ability to get vaccines, medicine and needed equipment for widespread health crises.

Diplomats say WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has agreed with the idea, but official talks have not begun.

Tedros told a news conference on Tuesday that a treaty would solve the problems that many countries experienced after COVID-19 first appeared. He said the first written attempt at a resolution on negotiations could be presented to the WHOs 194 member states at their yearly meeting in May.

The WHO has been criticized for how it dealt with the COVID-19 health crisis. It was accused by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump of helping China hide the beginning of the coronavirus spread. The United Nations health agency denies this.

On Monday, Reuters saw the results of a joint WHO-China study on the viruss origins. It said the virus had probably moved from bats to humans through another animal. It also said that a leak from a virus lab was extremely unlikely as the cause. The study, however, left many questions unanswered and called for more research.

On Tuesday, the treaty proposal got the support of the leaders of Fiji, Portugal, Romania, Britain, Rwanda, Kenya, France, Germany, Greece, South Korea, Chile, Costa Rica, Albania and South Africa. Leaders of Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Tunisia, Senegal, Spain, Norway, Serbia, Indonesia, Ukraine and the WHO itself also offered their support.

There will be other pandemics and other major health emergencies. No single government or multilateral agency can address this threat alone, the leaders wrote in a joint statement in several large newspapers.

We believe that nations should work together towards a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response, it said.

The leaders of China and the United States did not sign the statement. However, Tedros said both countries had been supportive of the idea of a treaty. He also said all countries would be represented in talks.

The treaty would work with the WHOs International Health Regulations. They are rules that have been in force since 2005. Nations would work together to control supplies, share virus samples, research and development, the WHOs assistant director said.

Im Susan Shand.

The Reuters News Agency reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. was the editor.

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

origins  n. (often pl.) the point or place where something begins or is created

multilateral  adj. involving more than two groups or countries

address  v. to give attention to something; to deal with something

response  v. something done that is a reaction to something else; an answer or reply

sample n. a small amount of something that is used to give information about what it was taken from

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President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sh6 billion Buxton Project in Mombasa County on May 1.

This is after Housing and Urban Development PS Charles Hinga and Head of Presidential Delivery Unit Andrew Wakahiu inspected the project, terming it the largest affordable housing project in the country.

The two officials were accompanied by businessman Suleiman Shahbal, the project developer.

Through his Facebook page, Mr Shahbal said the President is set to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony of the project.

Mr Hinga and Mr Wakahiu said Buxton is one of the many projects under the Public Private Partnership aimed at improving living standards of residents and boosting the economy of the region.

According to Mr Shahbal, the project will see 750 jobs created directly and about 3,000 others indirectly. "The project will be a game changer in the county as it will provide job opportunities to our youth," he said.

The visit by the government officials came days after the Environment and Land Court in Mombasa dismissed an application by residents who were seeking orders to restrain the county government from demolishing houses in the estate.

This was after the county government forced more than 500 residents out of the houses after an earlier case was also dismissed by the court.

After the first ruling was delivered two weeks ago, the county demolished some of the houses.

The following day, the affected residents received cheques of Sh240, 000 each as relocation allowance.

In his ruling last Tuesday, Justice Sila Munyao said the residents cannot pocket the cheques and go to court to seek injunction or status quo orders.

"That is akin to speaking from both sides of the mouth."
A former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has explained why he received a shot of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after running a spurious campaign against vaccines for almost a year.

Mr Fani-Kayode is among notable vaccine critics such as Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, and former senator Dino Melaye who have used various media platforms to tell Nigerians not to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Public condemnation of COVID-19 vaccines by such personalities, despite no scientific backing, has been linked to an increase in vaccine hesitancy, a situation health experts fear could scuttle Nigerias plan to vaccinate more than half of its population before the end of next year.

Mr Fani-Kayode began his campaign against vaccines as early as the trial period of COVID-19 vaccine.

On April 30, 2020, he took to Twitter to describe the COVID-19 vaccine as an evil that would result in millions of deaths.

In a subsequent tweet about one month later, the former minister accused the World Health Organization (WHO) and Billionaire philanthropist, Bill Gates, of planning to use Nigerians as Guinea pigs for a vaccine trial that will lead to deaths.

WHO are set to begin Covid19 vaccine trials in our country. EVIL! Not only have our people been turned into Guinea pigs to test Gates killer vaccine but our leaders are also passing a law which will make the use of that evil vaccine compulsory. What a mess! I weep for Nigeria, he had written.

On Monday however, the controversial politician took to his Twitter account to announce his vaccination with the AstraZeneca jab, drawing the criticism of many Nigerians who apparently had been following his campaign against vaccines.

Bowing to sound logic

Following the backlash, the former minister, who is on trial for corruption, on Tuesday, credited his decision to make a U-turn to sound logic and superior reasoning.

Despite my initially strong reservations I bowed to sound logic and superior reasoning and took my Covid-19 vaccine today. This is thanks to my sister the distinguished Senator Grace Bent who convinced me to take it and who emphasised that we must set an example to others, he wrote on Twitter.

If anyone had told me that I would take this vaccine up until one month ago, I would have said no way. I am glad that I changed my mind, he said, recommending the AstraZeneca vaccines to hesitant Nigerians.

According to him, Astrazeneca is safe and has no connection with Bill Gates and his foundation.

The COVID vaccines we are taking in Nigeria are not Bill Gates vaccines and neither are we being used as Guinea pigs. These ones are tried & tested, have already been approved & have been administered successfully throughout the world.

There is a world of difference between what we are being given in Nigeria & the exploratory vaccines that @WHO had wanted to test Africans with which we spoke against & resisted last year.

Most importantly Bill Gates & his foundation has no connection with Oxford Azrazeneca. I would not touch anything Bill Gates with a barge pole for obvious reasons. Mark it.

COVAX arrangement, WHO and Bill Gates

Contrary to Mr Kayodes claims, WHO and Bill Gates foundation are strong proponents of the COVAX arrangement through which Nigeria received almost four million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines.

On March 3, the COVAX arrangement  a UN-backed effort that promises access to vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries population  shipped 3.94 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine to Nigeria.

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COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and is working in partnership with UNICEF, the World Bank among others.

The Bill Gates Foundation is among the funders of this arrangement.

COVAX is on track to meet its goal of delivering at least 2 billion doses of vaccines to participating countries around the globe in 2021, including at least 1.3 billion donor-funded doses to the 92 lower-income COVAX facility participants.

Because it is cheap, easy to make, and store, the AstraZeneca vaccine is regarded as the most suitable for developing countries like Nigeria.

Nigeria has since vaccinated over 600,000 people, including Mr Fani-Kayode.
Is this revenge? Warning, Contains Material About Berlin Time

I have to confess that I have paid little attention to Tobias Ellwood MP. Why would I be concerned about such a person? But I find in the archives that I did make fun of him in my column in The Mail on Sunday on 21st November 2005. Can this have rankled? I said then A Useless Tory MP called Tobias Ellwood is a supporter of Princess Tory, the meaningless careerist David Cameron. Mr Ellwood had his car broken into and Cameron campaign documents stolen (though [they were] sensibly dumped as worthless by the thief soon afterwards). Mr Ellwood confessed that "naively, I believed that in a beauty spot in broad daylight my car would be safe for ten minutes." Naive is right. These people have no idea what modern Britain is actually like for most of us.

Now, thanks to someone mentioning it on Twitter (I wasnt aware of it at the time) I find that Mr Ellwood made a sustained personal attack on me in the House of Commons more than five years after I mocked him thus. As far as I know we have never met, and his description of my beliefs on technology etc is fanciful, as is his claim that I have a taste for Churchillian wartime rhetoric ( see my recent book, 'The Phoney Victory'). A number of things now cross my mind. Can an MP just say anything at all about a private individual in the Commons?

This instance isn't very important. I didn't even notice it at the time. Far worse has been said about me on the Syrian matter by the (now former) Tory MP Brooks Newmark, who refused to retract untrue claims he made about me in the Chamber, and later came to grief in an unconnected event.

On that occasion I was helped by my own MP, Andrew Smith, then the excellent Labour member for Oxford East, to set the record straight. This squib from Mr Ellwood clearly doesnt merit any such action, and in any case it is long ago. But even so, is it a proper use of an MP's privileged position? I don't myself think so. I have annotated Mr Ellwoods remarks below, just for the pleasure of it.

Tobias Ellwood MP

During a debate on the so-called Daylight Saving Bill, Commons Hansard 3rd December 2010

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm101203/debtext/101203-0001.htm#10120330000001

But let us get back to Peter Hitchens. He is one of the few voices that are against the daylight saving, but I believe that he now acts as a drag anchor against that great British newspaper the Sunday mail[Interruption.] I am sorry; The Mail on Sunday. He is anti-change; he is anti-technology, so he abhors the idea of moving the clocks. That is slightly odd. Because he does not like inventions and technology, one would have thought that using the light bulb less might appeal to him, but he does not put that argument forward. He would rather put forward a wartime rhetoric with references to Berlin time to foster prejudice against the Bill.

Why Berlin time? it has been asked.

PH: And I answer once again:Because the proposal of the Lighter Later campaign, supported by Mr Ellwood, was to place the UK on Central European Time (CET), all the year round. The CET time zone uses 15 degrees east of Greenwich as its meridian. (The earth turns through 360 degrees every 24 hours, and so passes through 15 of those degrees each hour). Berlin is the most important city whose position is close to the CET (15 degrees E) meridian. The German capital is at 13.4 degrees east (the 15E meridian runs about 70 miles east of Berlin, through what is now Poland but was once part of the German Empire).

Also, the original promoter of Central European Time was the German Empire, whose capital was Berlin at the time. Prague is closer to the 15E line at 14.44 degrees East of Greenwich, but it is politically far less significant than Berlin, and not associated with Kaiser Wilhelms campaign for CET. I am not sure a campaign for Britain to be placed on Prague Time would have met with any more success than one for Berlin Time. Indeed, as most people tend to think of Prague as a faraway capital lost in the mists of Eastern Europe (whereas few realise just how far to the east Berlin is, in terms of German or European geography), it might have been even less persuasive. Salerno, Catania and Ndjamena are also closer than Berlin to the 15 degrees East line, but are hardly names to conjure with, and Kinshasa Time would be attractive to few.

Mr Ellwood (who, like so many enthusiasts for dishonest time zones, does not understand the issue) persisted with invincible ignorance: Why not Gibraltar time?...

PH: The answer to this is devastating to his case. In fact Gibraltar, at 5.35 degrees west of Greenwich, is on roughly the same longitude as Falmouth in Cornwall, well within the area where the Greenwich meridian normally sets the clocks. Gibraltar is on CET solely to fit in with its huge neighbour, Spain. And Spain is on CET because General Franco put it there in 1940, to suck up to Hitler. https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2013/11/30/244995264/spains-been-in-the-wrong-time-zone-for-seven-decades?t=1617022641445 . There are moves in Spain to end this anomaly. Spains smaller Western neighbour, Portugal, tried to fit in with this for four years but the results were so horrible that it reverted to GMT https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333760/Portugal-warns-Britain-We-switched-Berlin-Time-catastrophe.html

This is perhaps no surprise. Lisbon is on roughly the same longitude as Killarney in the West of Ireland, and the beautiful hills known as McGillicuddy's Reeks.

Mr Ellwood continued: .Madrid time, 

PH: Madrid is on roughly the same longitude as Exeter

Mr Ellwood then asked .Paris time 

PH: Paris, on 2.3 degrees East of Greenwich, is far closer to the time zone and longitude of Great Yarmouth (1.7E) than it is to the CETs 15E meridian.

Indeed, as explained here, it is only French Anglophobia which has led Paris to refuse to abide by GMT, and so have breakfast in the dark for half the year: https://www.newenglishreview.org/Peter_Hitchens/Now_is_Not_the_Time/:

Mr Ellwood then enquired or Rome time?....

PH notes: Well, this is closer, at about 12.5 degrees East of Greenwich. But I can hardly see Rome time catching on in this country as a demand or slogan.

Mr Ellwood then completed his point, saying:

Clearly, those descriptions would not conjure up the same worrying image as the UK crumbling to the mighty powers of Berlin after the sacrifices that we made in two world wars. I say to him, Peter, you are potty. Clearly, you are a very, very angry man and stuck in the past. You are a cross between Alf Garnett and Victor Meldrew but without the jokes. He is a restless regressive: the King Canute of politics, fighting the tide of change. He will never lose sight of the past because he has chosen to walk backwards into the future. This is nothing to do with Berlin or wartime images. The only connection with the war is the fact that we first adopted a time change during the war because it was useful. [Hon. Members: Churchill time!] Yes, that is what we will call itnot Berlin time but Churchill time!

PH: Well, I think this is pretty feeble. Churchill is not a trump card. Theres never been any hard, testable evidence that this clock-fiddling does any material good at all. The country which first introduced it, Kaiser Wilhelms Germany, did so on the grounds of aiding its war effort, and then lost the First World War. Britain swiftly copied Wilhelm, but would itself have lost that war had the USA not bailed us out with money and men. This suggests that shifting clocks about has a pretty neutral effect.

King Canutes experiment with tides mocked the pretensions of politicians, as educated people used to know. He did not believe, as modern Tories do, that they can order the wind and the waves and the sun about, or control viruses with blockades. So is the personalisation of a reasoned argument into me being angry and likened to two TV caricatures of elderly stick-in-the muds. I was once as young as Mr Ellwood was when he said this. In those days I had a lot to learn (as I still do). One day Mr Ellwood will be as old as I am now. I hope that by then he has learned some geography, and also how to argue in a reasoned manner.
If you have been following Ajaz Khan, you surely would have an idea that he has always been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Ajaz has now become a synonym for controversies. From posting objectionable videos to possessing drugs, he has been controversy's favourite child, and this time around, he has yet again landed in troubled waters. The Narcotics Control Bureau has arrested the Bollywood actor and former Bigg Boss contestant in connection with the drugs case, a senior NCB official said on Wednesday.

NCB has arrested Actor Ajaz Khan, after 8 hours of interrogation in connection with a drug case: Narcotics Control Bureau  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

A day prior to his arrest, he was detained by the agency after conducting raids at two locations in Mumbai. According to an NDTV report, he was taken into custody from the city airport upon his arrival from Rajasthan.

The NCB said it had found alprazolam tablets from his residence during searches in the citys Andheri locality. Ajazs name also popped up in connection to the syndicate run by peddler Shadab Farooque Shaikh alias Shadab Batata who was arrested last week.

However, Ajaz had his own version to narrate when reporters questioned him on his arrest. He claimed that investigators had only found four sleeping pills in his house. My wife has suffered a miscarriage and is using these pills as antidepressants, he said.

Maharashtra: NCB takes actor Ajaz Khan for a medical check-up before producing him before a court in Mumbai for remand.



"Only 4 sleeping pills were found at my home. My wife has suffered a miscarriage & is using these pills as antidepressants," he says. pic.twitter.com/y3R1UG3wvK  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

After his arrest, people also bashed the actor and said its good that NCB arrested him. People are not okay with the fact that he is being addressed as an actor.

 Instagram/Viral Bhayani

 Instagram/Viral Bhayani

It's not the first time that he has been trending for all the wrong reasons. A while back, he was in news for spreading hate, using religion as a weapon, on his social media platforms. Khar police had booked him under sections 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups), 121 (Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India), 117 (Abetting commission of an offense by the public or by more than ten persons), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 501 (Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code.



In 2018, he was sent in custody for allegedly possessing eight tablets of ecstasy, a banned drug. Back then, he had denied all the allegations.

There are more such incidents where he has been the problem creator.

What do you have to say about this? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said President Muhammadu Buharis routine medical trips overseas is an indictment of his Presidency...

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said President Muhammadu Buharis routine medical trips overseas is an indictment of his Presidencys failure to fix Nigerias healthcare system.

The party stressed that the current administration has wrecked the countrys healthcare sector.

Buhari, who had departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom, UK, would meet with his doctors for a medical check up.

Reacting to the trip, the former ruling party in a series of tweets, charged Buhari to fix the countrys healthcare system.

According to PDP: It is indeed worrisome that under President @MBuhari, even the hitherto highly rated State House Clinic, has become so moribund that it cannot provide a simple medical check-up service for Mr. President.

While the @OfficialPDPNig has nothing against where any person, including President @MBuhari, seeks his or her medical services, our party is worried that the @MBuhari Presidency is taking no decisive steps to fix our healthcare system, ostensibly because Mr. President can afford overseas medical treatment at taxpayers expense.

The @OfficialPDPNig is disturbed that while Mr. President jets out for medical treatment in well-equipped hospitals abroad, our hospitals and medical personnel are in very sorry situations while millions of our compatriots suffer, with many dying on a daily basis from conditions that have simple medical solutions.

Our party urges President @MBuhari

to show leadership by reflecting on the fact that millions of Nigerians cannot afford overseas treatment and have become despondent by his failure to take decisive steps to address our national healthcare needs.
W Concept Korea's corporate image / Courtesy of W Concept Korea



By Kim Jae-heun



EBay Korea is not the only target of acquisition by Lotte Shopping and E-mart. The two retail giants, along with CJ ENM, have made it on the shortlist to acquire W Concept Korea, the country's leading women's fashion shopping mall. Its operator, IMM PE, is discussing the final price with the candidates.



IMM PE has whittled down the finalists for the main bidding, and the private equity fund (PEF) is expected to decide the winner within this month.



Lotte Shopping, E-mart, 11STREET and CJ ENM were included in a shortlist revealed last December. However, 11STREET has dropped out before the main bidding.



The remaining three contenders are very interested in buying the shopping platform, which ranks No.1 in the women's online fashion market. W Concept Korea currently holds a 30 percent share of the women's online fashion market and ranks at No. 2 in the overall online fashion mall industry after Musinsa. Musinsa's main customers are men and it once also considered acquiring W Concept to beef up its women's fashion business.



W Concept Korea targets female customers in their 20s and 30s and mostly sells popular fashion brands. Recently, W Concept Korea launched in-house brands such as Hersteller and FRONTROW, seeking to diversify its business portfolio.



However, W Concept Korea's weakness is its focus on women's wear. As a result, the fashion shopping mall has been trying to expand its target customers to middle-aged women and young men, who have become key demographic groups in the fashion industry.



W Concept Korea added cosmetics and lifestyle products to its lineup of items for sale. However, they only account for less than 10 percent of overall gross merchandise value (GMV) of the company at present.



A platform operator's enterprise value is estimated based on annual GMV and not EV-to-EBITDA multiple. When IMM PE took over W Concept in 2019, the fashion shopping mall's annual GMV stood at nearly 200 billion won. Last year, GMV increased more than 30 percent to 300 billion won.



Prior to the bidding, the PEF set 400 billion won as a reasonable selling price. However, buyers felt the price tag was too high.


Two missing children have been found 'safe and well' after vanishing from their home in the middle of the night with their father.

Police issued an amber alert on Thursday morning saying officers held 'extreme concerns' for two kids, aged four and 10, who vanished from Darling Point in Sydney's east.

Poliec alleged their father, 47, packed the family-of-four into a white 2014 SsangYong Actyon SUV, and declared he intended to drive to Melbourne.

The children's mother strongly protested the late night journey and was thrown out of the car at about 3am in Alexandria, police said

The woman then contacted police.

'There are extreme concerns for the safety of the children, and as such police are asking the public to be on alert, not approach but report any sightings of this man, or vehicle to Triple Zero (000),' a NSW Police release read.

Members of the public recognised the man and two children from media reports near Panania Train Station about 9am.

The man was taken to hospital for assessment and the kids reunited with their family.
Kerry's stunning scenery is known far and wide, but this week the county's mountainous terrain - so beloved by tourists - is playing host to an unusual group of visitors.

Since Monday, a group of Irish Army soldiers - part of the Irish Army's 1st Brigade stationed at Collins Barracks in Cork - have been in Kerry to take part in a major, week-long military exercise in mid Kerry and the Slieve Mish mountains.

The exercises - which began on Monday and will run until Friday - will see a group of around 45 Army soldiers take on members of Kerry's Army Reserve from Ballymullen Barracks in a series of mock engagements.

While the battle might be fake, the training operation is treated with deadly seriousness, and the Army rolled into mid Kerry in force on Monday.

The 45 troops and officers are supported by six huge, 80-tonne MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers, and they have a full battery of munitions to back them up.

These include four anti-aircraft rocket launchers; high-tech surveillance drones; mounted, heavy machine guns and six mortar launchers, each capable of lobbing a heavy shell over six kilometres ahead of advancing troops.

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On Monday, The Kerryman and other members of the press were invited to watch the start of the operation in the hills above Ballyfinnane, where we met and mingled with the troops as they set up their temporary base-camp.

Mayor of Kerry Cllr Patrick O'Connor-Scarteen was also invited along to meet the soldiers and welcome them to Kerry.

The Mayor also lent his support to a new Kerry-specific recruitment campaign that the Army has launched in a bid to reverse the sharp decline in new recruits from the county.

Such exercise are carried out to prepare soldiers for foreign missions and are based on scenarios and events that the Irish Army have encountered on past missions.

In this case, Kerry is playing the part of a mountainous African nation where - following a failed election - a military coup has seen the legitimate Government kept from office, and the Irish Army have been sent in to help restore order and keep the peace.

The mock mission - which will range from Ballyfinnane to Camp - involves several key objectives, including securing a communications tower on the Short Mountain above Tralee and a water supply at the old Victorian Reservoir near Annagh.

All the while, Kerry Army Reserve will be doing its utmost to confound the Army's plans as they fill the role of the coup-struck nation's militia.

"The mix of landscape here allows us to simulate the type of conditions we could and have encountered in a variety of missions in different countries," said Comdt Robert Moriarty.

Army seek Kerry recruits as numbers fall

While the primary reason for this week's army manoeuvres in Kerry is, obviously, to train and prepare troops for future engagements, there is another reason the Army chose Kerry for its latest major training operation.

That's recruitment or, rather, the lack of it in Kerry in recent years.

While Ballymullen Barrack in Tralee - home to Kerry's Army Reserve - remains a busy barracks, its status has declined in recent years and, along with it, the number of Kerry people joining the Army has declined sharply.

Comdt Robert Moriarty - a Tralee native from Spa Road - began his two-decade military career as Reservist in Ballymullen.

Comdt Moriarty says that the decline in Ballymullen Barracks' use and status has been matched by a fall in recruitment from Kerry, something the Army is eager to reverse.

"In previous years, you might have had 35 or 45 recruits a year coming from Kerry; now that's down to just four or five a year. This year we've had recruits joining from as far afield as Antrim and Essex, but we've had none from Kerry," he said. "The Army is an excellent career, and it offers young people many opportunities they might not be able to find elsewhere, particularly at a time like this, or in an area where there might not be any jobs or opportunities available," he said.

Kerryman Corporal Luke Switzer, a member of the Army First Brigade's Cavalry Squadron who hails from Derrylea in Blackwater, agrees wholeheartedly with Comdt Moriarty's assessment.

"I've been in the army since I was 18, and I'm 25 now and I've never looked back since the day I joined," he said.

"I'm qualified to drive armoured cars, I'm qualified to operate the weapons systems and I've gained various other qualifications since I joined the army, and I was overseas with the Cavalry corp two years ago," he said.

"I'd recommend this job to any young man or young woman looking for purpose in their lives. It's a great job, a great occupation and I'd highly recommend it," Corporal Switzer told The Kerryman.

Killarney man Sergeant Henry Leahy was of a similar view and said the training provided by the army can open up a world of opportunities.

Sgt Leahy discussed the role of the Communications and Information Corps, which uses a range of high-tech equipment to provide battlefield intelligence for the troops.

"There's a large variety of equipment involved and the training is extensive. To be fully trained in the use of it all could take an individual soldier four or five years," he said.

"The army provides a huge range of experience and training that can be useful in any number of fields," he said.

Further information on army careers can be found at www.military.ie.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created severe school funding shortages throughout the country, and unfortunately the shortages impact students with disabilities the hardest.

Thanks to staunch support from several U.S. senators, including Connecticuts Sen. Chris Murphy, and lawmakers from Maryland and New Hampshire, the Senate recently passed a plan that includes funding to support programs that help students with disabilities.

We are hopeful. This is a positive step. Thus far, Congress has not provided resources to give all students a quality education, and many have fallen behind.

The proposal, part of the umbrella American Rescue Plan, includes billions of dollars for kindergarten to 12th grade, as well as $2.5 billion in state grants for K-12 students with disabilities.

Murphy, along with other U.S. senators from Maryland and New Hampshire, pushed for funds for students with disabilities and this recent package is the first COVID-19 package containing the funding.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the funds can be used for: Implementing strategies to meet the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students hit hardest by the pandemic ... (and) funding crucial summer, after school and other extended learning and enrichment programs.

The Education Department said that the rescue plan will help ensure schools have the resources they need to address the academic, social and emotional needs of students, particularly for underserved students and those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, including students from low-income backgrounds, students of color and students with disabilities, among others.

For years, education advocates have complained that Congress passes laws calling for additional services for special education students, yet they fail to provide the money to pay for these services. The same often is true for state of Connecticut mandates.

Special education advocates know that a structured routine is one of the best ways to help students. And with the remote learning caused by the pandemic, routines have been disrupted. With parents bearing more of a burden for keeping a routine, there is more room for error. While parents typically are doing their best, and trying different ways that work, its a huge burden that has fallen on them.

The fact that millions of students had to take part in distance learning was challenging for all. But it has been much more challenging for those with disabilities and special needs.

Another issue parents face is how to access the special education services their children are entitled to receive. These students have Individual Education Plans, or IEPs, that detail the services the school will provide. These plans, which help students manage one or more disability, are contracts the schools have with parents.

With in-person learning suspended and even in-person meetings of parents and educators, creating and implementing the IEPs is even more challenging than in normal circumstances.

The IEPs contain a detailed explanation of what is required to be provided to the student. For example, the IEP discusses the extent to which a child will take part in class with regular students. It will detail how long these services will be provided and will discuss the language and communication needs of the individual child. The IEP includes strategies for behavioral management, particularly if the students behavior from time to time interferes with the learning of others in the classroom.

Parents need to be vigilant in pushing educators to develop, modify and implement the IEPs, especially during these challenging times.

We hope this federal legislation will help those at-risk students catch up, especially now that COVID has made life for special education students even more problematic. As well, we hope that the state Legislature will see the congressional action as a model for enacting new measures to properly fund its multiple mandates and truly provide the best educational experiences possible for all students

Jeffrey L. Forte is a special education attorney and certified child advocate. His firm, Forte Law Group, represents families that have a child with a disability and helps parents protect the educational rights of all children.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde welcomes the extension of the mandate of the OSCE SMM to Ukraine, noting that it is implemented throughout Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

I welcome that consensus has been reached on the budget and mandate for the OSCEs largest field operation, the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. The mission plays a vital role in the OSCEs conflict resolution efforts through its monitoring and reporting on the security situation in Ukraine and facilitating dialogue. I fully support the Mission in the implementation of its mandate throughout Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, reads the statement by Ann Linde, published on the website of OSCE.

According to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the SMM monitors are the eyes and ears of the OSCE and the international community. Todays decision will allow them to continue contributing to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability and security in Ukraine.

Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Yasar Halit Cevik also welcomed the extension of the Mission's mandate. The unanimous decision of the 57 OSCE participating States to extend the mandate for another year signals continuing support for the OSCE SMM, and commitment to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability and security in Ukraine, he said.

As reported, the OSCE Permanent Council extended the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine by one year, until March 31, 2022. The delegations of the 57 participating States also approved the budget of the Special Monitoring Mission for the new one-year period  from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.

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- Publication highlights for the first time a cell-penetrating protein drug with high affinity target binding, exquisite specificity, and extended half-life in vivo

- Transformative, "membrane crossing" CPAB technology designed to address multiple challenging intracellular disease targets

HASSELT, Belgium, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Complix, a biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of transformative Alphabody therapeutics announces the publication in Science Advances of the results from a joint, multidisciplinary study with Belgian life sciences research Institute VIB and Ghent University. The proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential of Cell-Penetrating Alphabodies (CPABs) to efficiently penetrate the cancer cell membrane, disrupt an intracellular protein-protein interface, and cause an anti-tumor effect upon in vivo administration in relevant xenograft models.

The article by Pannecoucke et al. can be accessed by clicking here

CPABs are a revolutionary class of small proteins that have been designed to overcome the limitations of conventional antibodies and small molecules through combining the specific potency of biologics with the cell-penetrating capacity and stability of small molecules. Data available show that CPABs have the potential to address a wide range of disease targets, particularly intracellular targets, that are difficult for current therapies to reach.

The study, published in Science Advances, demonstrates that CPABs can be designed to efficiently penetrate the cell membrane, disrupt an intracellular protein-protein interface, and carry an albumin-binding moiety to extend their serum half-life to therapeutically relevant levels. The unique combination of these three features in a single protein scaffold is without precedent. In this publication a CPAB was engineered against MCL-1, an intracellular protein target in cancer.

The findings from this study provide strong proof of concept for the use of CPABs against intracellular disease mediators, which, to date, have remained in the realm of small-molecule therapeutics.

Dr. Ignace Lasters, CTO of Complix, commented:

"We are pleased to see the publication of this important study, which is a clear validation of our platform and highlights the potential of CPABs to directly address intracellular drug targets in oncology. Reaching the intracellular space has been a critical limiting factor in broadening the therapeutic potential of current biologicals such as monoclonal antibodies. This proof-of-concept study clearly demonstrates the potential of CPABs as atransformative, "membrane crossing" technology to address a variety of cutting-edge and challenging intracellular disease targets. This holds the promise for the creation of an entirely novel class of therapeutics with applications in oncology and beyond."

Prof. Savvas Savvides, Group leader at VIB Center for Inflammation Research, and Professor of Structural Biology at Ghent University, said:

"Our study clearly extends the currently charted protein-based drug-targeting landscape by targeting the well-known intracellular drug target MCL-1, a protein upregulated in multiple tumor types and correlated with therapy resistance. It is very exciting and rewarding to see how our longstanding collaboration with Complix has matured to provide the essential knowledge needed to tackle such a major and important challenge in the design of novel therapeutics."

Scientific publication:

Erwin Pannecoucke, Maaike Van Trimpont, Johan Desmet, Tim Pieters, Lindy Reunes, Lisa Demoen, Marnik Vuylsteke, Stefan Loverix, Karen Vandenbroucke, Philippe Alard, Paula Henderikx, Sabrina Deroo, Franky Baatz, Eric Lorent, Sophie Thiolloy, Klaartje Somers, Yvonne McGrath, Pieter Van Vlierberghe, Ignace Lasters, Savvas N. Savvides. Cell-penetrating Alphabody protein scaffolds for intracellular drug targeting. Science Advances, 26 March 2021: Vol. 7, no. 13.

About Complix

Complix is a biopharmaceutical company using its unique AlphabodyTM platform to develop a pipeline of transformative, "membrane crossing" therapeutics against a number of cutting-edge and challenging disease targets that play an important role in oncology, autoimmunity and viral diseases.

In addition to crossing cellular membranes, Alphabodies have the potential to cross the blood brain barrier to address CNS diseases and to be delivered orally given their ability to cross the gut wall.

Complix is developing Cell Penetrating Alphabodies (CPABs) that can address disease targets present in the cytosol or in the nucleus of human cells. CPABs act with great specificity and high affinity on targets that are considered "intractable" by current drug formats, such as antibodies or small chemicals. CPABs are also equipped with half-life extension motifs, so that they stay in circulation for sufficient time to ensure optimal biodistribution in peripheral tissues to reach the cells where their target is located. As a pioneer in intracellular targeting, Complix aims to develop a collection of first-in-class therapeutics with the potential to cure severe diseases with high unmet medical need.

Alphabodies also provide an ideal scaffold to design potent inhibitors of viral entry. Complix believes that its research could yield broadly cross-reactive anti-viral compounds with both prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 as well as future emerging coronavirus variants or mutants.

Complix has established a strong intellectual property position protecting the Alphabody platform and its emerging product portfolio through the filing of multiple patent applications. The company is led by an experienced management team with a track record of success in the biotech industry and is backed by a syndicate of experienced life sciences investors, through which it has raised close to US$ 40 million to date.

About VIB

VIB is an entrepreneurial research institute in life sciences located in Flanders, Belgium. VIB's basic research leads to new and innovative insights into normal and pathological life processes. It unites the expertise of all its collaborators and research groups in a single institute, firmly based on its close partnership with 5 Flemish universities (Ghent University, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Hasselt University) and supported by a solid funding programme from the Flemish government. VIB has an excellent track record on translating basic scientific results into pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications. Since its foundation in 1996, VIB has created 27 start-up companies, now employing over 900 people. More information: www.vib.be

About Ghent University

After more than twenty years of uninterrupted growth, Ghent University is now one of the most important institutions of higher education and research in the Low Countries. Ghent University yearly attracts over 41,000 students, with a foreign student population of over 2,200 EU and non-EU citizens. Ghent University offers a broad range of study programs in all academic and scientific fields. With a view to cooperation in research and community service, numerous research groups, centers and institutes have been founded over the years. For more information www.UGent.be ?

Contacts:

Complix NV

Dr. Mark Vaeck, Chief Executive Officer

+32 9 261 69 40

www.complix.com

VIB

Elisabeth Stes, External relations Manager

+32 486 825 902

elisabeth.stes@vib.be

Prof. Savvas Savvides, Leading Scientist

+32 472 928 519

savvas.savvides@ugent.vib.be
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, today named Alfred Vaino Aho and Jeffrey David Ullman recipients of the 2020 ACM A.M. Turing Award for fundamental algorithms and theory underlying programming language implementation and for synthesizing these results and those of others in their highly influential books, which educated generations of computer scientists. Aho is the Lawrence Gussman Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Columbia University. Ullman is the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Stanford University.

Computer software powers almost every piece of technology with which we interact. Virtually every program running our world - from those on our phones or in our cars to programs running on giant server farms inside big web companies - is written by humans in a higher-level programming language and then compiled into lower-level code for execution. Much of the technology for doing this translation for modern programming languages owes its beginnings to Aho and Ullman.

Beginning with their collaboration at Bell Labs in 1967 and continuing for several decades, Aho and Ullman have shaped the foundations of programming language theory and implementation, as well as algorithm design and analysis. They made broad and fundamental contributions to the field of programming language compilers through their technical contributions and influential textbooks. Their early joint work in algorithm design and analysis techniques contributed crucial approaches to the theoretical core of computer science that emerged during this period.

The ACM A.M. Turing Award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Computing," carries a $1 million prize, with financial support provided by Google, Inc. It is named for Alan M. Turing, the British mathematician who articulated the mathematical foundation and limits of computing.

"The practice of computer programming and the development of increasingly advanced software systems underpin almost all of the technological transformations we have experienced in society over the last five decades," explains ACM President Gabriele Kotsis. "While countless researchers and practitioners have contributed to these technologies, the work of Aho and Ullman has been especially influential. They have helped us to understand the theoretical foundations of algorithms and to chart the course for research and practice in compilers and programming language design. Aho and Ullman have been thought leaders since the early 1970s, and their work has guided generations of programmers and researchers up to the present day."

"Aho and Ullman established bedrock ideas about algorithms, formal languages, compilers and databases, which were instrumental in the development of today's programming and software landscape," added Jeff Dean, Google Senior Fellow and SVP, Google AI. "They have also illustrated how these various disciplines are closely interconnected. Aho and Ullman introduced key technical concepts, including specific algorithms, that have been essential. In terms of computer science education, their textbooks have been the gold standard for training students, researchers, and practitioners."

A Longstanding Collaboration

Aho and Ullman both earned their PhD degrees at Princeton University before joining Bell Labs, where they worked together from 1967 to 1969. During their time at Bell Labs, their early efforts included developing efficient algorithms for analyzing and translating programming languages.

In 1969, Ullman began a career in academia, ultimately joining the faculty at Stanford University, while Aho remained at Bell Labs for 30 years before joining the faculty at Columbia University. Despite working at different institutions, Aho and Ullman continued their collaboration for several decades, during which they co-authored books and papers and introduced novel techniques for algorithms, programming languages, compilers and software systems.

Influential Textbooks

Aho and Ullman co-authored nine influential books (including first and subsequent editions). Two of their most widely celebrated books include:

The Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms (1974)

Co-authored by Aho, Ullman, and John Hopcroft, this book is considered a classic in the field and was one of the most cited books in computer science research for more than a decade. It became the standard textbook for algorithms courses throughout the world when computer science was still an emerging field. In addition to incorporating their own research contributions to algorithms, The Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms introduced the random access machine (RAM) as the basic model for analyzing the time and space complexity of computer algorithms using recurrence relations. The RAM model also codified disparate individual algorithms into general design methods. The RAM model and general algorithm design techniques introduced in this book now form an integral part of the standard computer science curriculum.

Principles of Compiler Design (1977)

Co-authored by Aho and Ullman, this definitive book on compiler technology integrated formal language theory and syntax-directed translation techniques into the compiler design process. Often called the "Dragon Book" because of its cover design, it lucidly lays out the phases in translating a high-level programming language to machine code, modularizing the entire enterprise of compiler construction. It includes algorithmic contributions that the authors made to efficient techniques for lexical analysis, syntax analysis techniques, and code generation. The current edition of this book, Compilers: Principles, Techniques and Tools (co-authored with Ravi Sethi and Monica Lam), was published in 2007 and remains the standard textbook on compiler design.

Biographical Background

Alfred Vaino Aho

Alfred Aho is the Lawrence Gussman Professor Emeritus at Columbia University. He joined the Department of Computer Science at Columbia in 1995. Prior to Columbia, Aho was Vice President of Computing Sciences Research at Bell Laboratories where he worked for more than 30 years. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Aho earned his Master's and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science from Princeton University.

Aho's honors include the IEEE John von Neumann Medal and the NEC C&C Foundation C&C Prize. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Society of Canada. He is a Fellow of ACM, IEEE, Bell Labs, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Jeffrey David Ullman

Jeffrey Ullman is the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and CEO of Gradiance Corporation, an online learning platform for various computer science topics. He joined the faculty at Stanford in 1979. Prior to Stanford, he served on the faculty of Princeton University from 1969 to 1979, and was a member of the technical staff at Bell Labs from 1966 to 1969. A graduate of Columbia University, Ullman earned his PhD in Computer Science from Princeton University.

Ullman's honors include receiving the IEEE John von Neumann Medal, the NEC C&C Foundation C&C Prize, the Donald E. Knuth Prize, and the ACM Karl V. Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is a Fellow of ACM.

###

About the ACM A.M. Turing Award

The A.M. Turing Award is named for Alan M. Turing, the British mathematician who articulated the mathematical foundation and limits of computing, and who was a key contributor to the Allied cryptanalysis of the Enigma cipher during World War II. Since its inception in 1966, the Turing Award has honored the computer scientists and engineers who created the systems and underlying theoretical foundations that have propelled the information technology industry.

About ACM

ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.
A rider on a mountain rollercoaster at a Tennessee theme park was thrown 10 feet from the attraction on Monday, leaving the person with serious injuries and sparking a state investigation.

The incident took place shortly before noon on the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster in Gatlinburg, which bills itself as 'a unique, family-friendly thrill ride that puts you in the drivers seat, literally!'

According to Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development records, the unnamed rider became airborne when the cart they were in approached a curve.

A rider was seriously hurt after being thrown from the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster in Tennessee on Monday

The unnamed guest became airborne as the rollercoaster approached a curve before noon on Monday

The rollercoaster features single and double carts that travel on a track at speeds reaching up to 35mph (file photo)

The victim traveled about 10 feet out of the ride before landing on the track, according to the report cited by WBIR.

The rider was taken to a hospital to be treated for what has been described as 'serious' injuries to the head, ankle and wrist.

The attraction was shut down on Monday afternoon, but a third-party inspector later checked out the ride and deemed it to be in compliance with industry standards, clearing the way for the state to allow the rollercoaster to resume operation the next day.

The victim was hospitalized with injuries to the head, ankle and wrist

The attraction was immediately shut down but reopened the next down after passing a safety inspection

The incident at the theme park is currently under review by Tennessee state officials

A compliance review officer from the state's Amusement Device Unit was in Gatlinburg to gather additional information about the incident.

The rollercoaster features single and double carts that travel on a track at speeds reaching up to 35mph through the forest in the Smoky Mountains.

In July 2016, a female guest was seriously injured after she was thrown from the ride, causing it to be shut down for 10 days.

The attraction was only allowed to reopen after passing multiple safety inspections.
Green Party efforts to find a compromise in a high-profile dispute with its chairperson and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu, are set to fail.

Several members of the parliamentary party have tabled a motion of no- confidence in Ms Chu as chairperson following her move to stand as an Independent candidate in a by-election for the Seanad next month.

One of those behind the motion, Senator Pauline OReilly from Galway, has publicly asked how the chairperson of a party can stand for election flying other political colours.

But a move today to ask Ms Chu to stand aside temporarily until the election concludes next month is not expected to succeed. She has now said the issue is solely for the partys executive committee  and is not a matter for the parliamentary party.

As my position of cathaoirleach of the party is mandated directly by the membership, any request for me to step down - even as a temporary measure - should properly come from the membership, or via their representatives on the executive committee, she told Independent.ie.

Motions passed by other bodies of the party are not binding, and so any issues raised by the parliamentary party around my position as cathaoirleach should be directed to the executive, the Dublin Lord Mayor added.

Deep internal party divisions are compounded by the decision of the partys deputy leader, Arts and Tourism Minister, Catherine Martin, to back Ms Chus candidature. Four other party TDs, and one senator, also endorsed her nomination - despite the national executives decision not to contest this by-election.

The extraordinary no-confidence motion was deferred last week. But when the partys 16 TDs and senators meet at 5pm this evening a compromise will be proposed. A motion will be put forward asking Ms Chu to temporarily stand aside as chairperson for the duration of the Seanad by-election campaign.

Many Green Party members are dismayed by the row, which has overshadowed one of the partys primary achievements to date, publication of a strong draft law on Climate Change which now goes before the Dail and Seanad.

Ms Chus candidature is seen as a further move to undermine Eamon Ryan as party leader. It follows the revelation earlier this month that Green Party TD, Patrick Costello, had initiated High Court proceedings seeking a ruling on whether a referendum is required to ratify the EU-Canada trade deal.

The three-party Coalition is trying to get ratification by the Dail and Seanad and efforts to rush a vote by TDs before Christmas were pulled at the last minute.

Deputy Costello, who is Ms Chus partner, insists he is taking his High Court action as a private citizen and basing it on senior counsels opinion that there is a good case for a referendum vote in line articles 15 and 34 of the Constitution.

Before joining the Coalition last June the Green Party was highly critical of aspects of the EU-Canada deal. But since then the leadership have said important changes put in place made it acceptable.
President Joe Biden 's $2 trillion infrastructure plan includes proposals to spend $174 billion on electric vehicles and infrastructure and inject huge funds into projects that prevent community violence, improve bike and pedestrian safety, and create a 'Civilian Climate Corps'

President Joe Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan includes proposals to spend $174 billion on electric vehicles and infrastructure and inject huge funds into projects that prevent community violence, improve bike and pedestrian safety, and create a 'Civilian Climate Corps.'

The White House released a 25-page report on the package on Tuesday morning that would amount to one of the biggest government investments since the space race in the 1960s - if it's passed by Congress.

The funding will come from tax hikes - including a 7 percent rise in Capital Gains Tax from 21 percent to 28.

Below are the proposals Biden will be putting forward:

Electric vehicles: $174 billion to boost the markets for electric vehicles. Rebates and tax incentives to buy American-made EVs.

Included in the plan provided by the White House are grants for governments and private groups to build 500,000 electric vehicle chargers and replace 50,000 diesel transit vehicles.

School buses: Replace 50,000 diesel transit vehicles and electrify at least 20 percent of yellow school bus fleet. The package touts an Energy Department program called Clean Buses for Kids. It would 'set us on a path to 100 percent clean buses,' according to the White House.

Public Transit: Biden calls on Congress to invest $165 billion in public transit. This includes modernizing existing transit and expanding those systems. It would double federal funding for an area that is a top part of state and local budgets. According to the White House it would 'bring bus, bus rapid transit, and rail service to communities and neighborhoods across the country' without specifying which ones, and claims it would 'ultimately reduce traffic congestion for everyone.'

Lead pipes: After a campaign where the Flint drinking water fiasco became a top issue for Democrats, the proposal includes $45 billion for a plan to eliminate all lead pipes used in water distribution. The funds would be administered through EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and in Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act grants to localities.

'Made in America': 'Made in America' provisions on manufacturing and shipping. According to the White House, it will 'require that goods and materials are made in America and shipped on U.S.-flag, U.S.-crewed vessels.' Similar 'made in America' provisions are common on legislation. The White says its plan 'will ensure that Americans who have endured systemic discrimination and exclusion for generations finally have a fair shot at obtaining good paying jobs and being part of a union.'

Bridge and highway modernization: $115 billion to modernize the bridges, highways, roads, and main streets in 'critical need'. The White House cites statistics saying 173,000 total miles of highways are in poor condition, along with 45,000 bridges. The plan also calls for funds to repair 10,000 'smaller bridges' that provide 'critical connections to rural and tribal communities'.

Protect cyclists and pedestrians: Bikes, too, would get a share of the billions. The package includes $20 billion for safety - including funds to 'reduce crashes and fatalities, especially for cyclists and pedestrians'.

Biden will announce a $174 billion to boost the markets for electric vehicles. Rebates and tax incentives to buy American-made EVs

Transit: Biden is calling for $85 billion to modernize existing transit. A Transportation Department figure cites a maintenance backlog of $105 billion, which includes 24,000 buses, 5,000 rail cars, 200 stations, plus track and other systems. The infusion, if enacted, would double the current federal funding.

Amtrak: Biden, a lifetime rail enthusiast who used to commute by train between Wilmington and Washington, would shower $80 billion on Amtrak to modernize the system and improve the Northeast Corridor, which links D.C. to New York and points North. The money would go to fund repairs, boost safety and electrification, and connect new pairs of cities. Grants would 'support passenger and freight rail safety, efficiency, and electrification.'

Airports: The plan calls for $25 billion for airports, with funds going to the existing Airport Improvement Program. It also calls for upgrades to Federal Aviation Administration assets that 'ensure safe and efficient air travel,' with a new program for terminal renovations and connections.

Waterways: The plan calls for $17 billion for inland waterways, coastal ports, land ports of entry, and ferries.

Neighborhoods cut off by roads: President Biden wants $20 billion to reconnect neighborhoods cut off by highways and historic investments, plus research on 'advanced pavements'. A section on redressing 'historic inequities' mentions highways that plowed through communities in New Orleans and Syracuse.

Water restoration: Unspecified investment for 'the protection and restoration of major land and water resources like Floridas Everglades and the Great Lakes'.

Broadband: Push for '100 percent high-speed broadband coverage' in the nation. Work with Congress to lower internet prices. The plan says Biden 'recognizes that individual subsidies to cover internet costs may be needed in the short term,' but thinks continually providing subsidies 'is not the right long-term solution.'

The 25 page plan includes 20 references to broadband technology  a modern facet that White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also has been touting.

The plan says Biden 'recognizes that individual subsidies to cover internet costs may be needed in the short term,' but thinks continually providing subsidies 'is not the right long-term solution.'

Power grid: Build more resilient power system. Targeted investment tax credit to help build out 20 gigawatts of high-voltage capacity power lines.

Plug oil wells: Years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the plan calls for spending $16 billion to plug much smaller 'orphan' oil and gas wells that continue to affect the environment.

Brownfields: Like many infrastructure plans of past years, Biden's includes funds to restore 'brownfields' in urban areas as well as to clean up Superfund cites. It calls for $5 billion in investments for the projects.

Workforce development to help distressed communities: Language on targeting workforce development programs in 'underserved communities' isn't as precise as the brick and mortar programs, in a plan that came out as the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd was underway.

'Structural racism and persistent economic inequities have undermined opportunity for millions of workers. All of the investments in workforce training will prioritize underserved communities and communities hit hard by a transforming economy,' according to the White House.

It calls for $12 billion to garget workers 'facing some of the greatest challenges' and '$5 billion over eight years in support of evidence-based community violence prevention programs.'

Industrial clean energy: 15 decarbonized hydrogen demonstration projects to get industry to use clean technology.

Civilian Climate Corps: $10 billion for new Civilian Climate Corps. It's unclear what this new unit will entail.

Affordable housing: $213 billion to 'produce, preserve, and retrofit more than two million affordable and sustainable places to live.' Includes 'project-based rental assistance.' $40 billion for public housing infrastructure.

Home energy: $27 billion Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator for home energy upgrades.

Schools: $100 billion to upgrade and build new public schools, half through grants and half through bonds.

Community colleges: $12 billion to invest in community college infrastructure.

Child care: $25 billion to upgrade child care facilities.

Veterans: $18 billion for VA hospitals.

Back to school: The plan calls for electrifying one-fifth of the national school bus fleet

A new Civilian Climate Corps takes inspiration from FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps

Shovel ready: The proposal contains traditional spending on roads and bridges, plus research on 'advanced pavements that recycle carbon dioxide'

Home care: $400 billion toward 'expanding access to quality, affordable home- or community-based care for aging relatives and people with disabilities'.

R&D: $35 billion in R&D investments. Includes $5 billion for climate research

HBCUs: $10 billion for R&D investment at historically black colleges and universities

Pandemics: $30 billion in pandemic counter measures. Includes investments in medical stockpile, testing, and research.

Power sources: $46 billion for charging ports, advanced nuclear reactors and fuel, electric heat pumps for buildings.

Dislocated workers: $40 building for dislocated workers.

Workforce training: Workforce training amid 'persistent economic inequalities': $12 billion for workforce development in 'underserved communities.' $5 billion for community violence prevention.

Apprenticeships: $48 billion in 'American workforce development' including 2 million new apprenticeships.

Enforcement: $10 billion to ensure fair and equal pay, workplace safety, and job sites 'free from racial, gender, and other forms of discrimination and harassment'.
A renowned children's author has written a series of books for young children to improve their understanding of farming and the food they consume.

Milly Cow Gives Milk is the first book in the four-part Follow my Food series by author Deborah Chancellor and illustrator Julia Groves.

The book, aimed at pre-school and key stage one children, follows a day in the life of a cow and explains dairy and milk production.

Ms Chancellor has written over 100 books for children and says this latest series is something she is passionate about: I have always been keen on food and I like to know where it comes from.

"A lot of young children do not know where their food comes from, they might not even realise apples grow on trees."

She added it was important for children to understand the connection between food and the environment, and educating them at a young age was crucial.

If we can help children see the preciousness of food and understand the process and whats involved in producing it, they may not waste it," Ms Chancellor said.

The book, which has taken over 18 months to produce, contains a factual section about how milk is nutritious and all the different things it can be made into.

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has endorsed the work, saying it was keen to help the education of young children.

Managing director Matt Knight said: Milly Cow Gives Milk is a simple yet informative book and is targeting the right age group.

"If we can connect children with the food they consume at this age then it will help their understanding and appreciation for farming and the environment as they get older.

Educating primary school children about food is something we had planned to do pre-Covid and is something we aim to pick up when restrictions lift.

"This book is a great starting pointing to help children understand the journey from farm to fork.

It follows the launch of a new agriculture magazine for kids, which aims to dispel farming myths and engage with children from a non-farming background.

The 'YoungStock' magazine is a 32-page publication which wants to encourage 7 to 11 year olds to get involved with the environment, food production and seasonality.
By Michael Breen





When Seoul City and some local governments last month ordered all non-Korean workers to submit to COVID testing, people quickly condemned it as inappropriate and discriminatory. Some went further. The ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min, for example, called the decision an "unjust racist action against foreigners."



Putting aside the question of what a "just" racist action against foreigners might look like, was he right? Yes, the policy was ill-judged  in fact, Seoul City was so persuaded and changed the order to a recommendation  but was it racist? In other words, did this measure arise from a place of discrimination and prejudice toward people based on their race?



As we know, the trigger was a cluster among foreign workers living in dormitories in Gyeonggi Province and statistics which showed foreigners, who accounted for 2.2 percent of cases in Seoul this time last year, now accounted for 6.3 percent.



Someone decided that something should be done to pre-empt more infections. But it doesn't take a genius to see that the idea of simply being foreign didn't make much medical sense and that the measure was an odd departure from the targeted thoroughness of Korea's test and trace strategy.



At first, though, officials were defensive. A spokesperson told CNN he thought of it "as a measure to protect the individual's safety rather than discrimination." In other words, it may seem like we're picking on you, but it's for your own good.



So, let's agree that it was a poor decision that was poorly communicated. But, to return to our question, was it racist?



This word gets thrown around a lot now in the English-speaking world because its meaning has broadened. Whereas it once referred to explicit prejudice and discrimination based on race, it has evolved to refer to bias and stereotyping attitudes that people may not even be aware they hold and to bias built into the system that we also may not be aware of but which is revealed by unequal outcomes.



Thus, people who are not racists according to the first use of the word can nevertheless find themselves being accused of being racists in the broader sense. To complicate matters, some people claim that non-white people can't be racist, according to which, of course, mandatory testing of foreigners in Korea by definition can't be racist.



In this regard, the usage is rather like that of the Christian notion of sin. Even someone who doesn't commit sinful acts or even have sinful thoughts nevertheless has original sin. The difference, though, is that those using the word racism tend to do so in accusation against others, rather than in acknowledgment of their own flaws.



That all said, I don't think the word correctly characterizes the problem. You could disagree, arguing that as Korean national identity tends to be ethnicity-based, prejudice against other ethnicities is a form of racism.



But even this, in my opinion, is more to do with nationality than race. Ethnic Koreans, we should note, make up a significant portion of the 375,000 foreigners in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province and were not entirely exempt.



There is a tendency here to view non-Koreans as "outside country people," to literally translate the Korean word for foreigner, rather than as neighbors. This was the norm a generation ago and was a consequence of nationalistic education.



Koreans were taught that their role in life was to contribute to the national economy and thought that foreigners, even if they lived here, were emotionally committed in another direction, toward their own countries.



While modern society is moving on from this way of seeing things, the habit of putting people in boxes and drawing assumptions about them remains. That is because, of course, identifying people like this is natural. We all do it.



When governments do it, there is always a risk because classifying people is both necessary for policy on one hand and the starting point of social engineering on the other.



Getting this right is easier said than done. In France, for example, the law forbids the government from collecting ethnic and religious census data. That seems like a good thing. It fits the Morgan Freeman remedy for the United States  stop talking about race. But it also means the authorities have trouble recognizing issues that may be specific to certain groups.



To help prevent the Korean government embarrassing itself again, it would be handy if the authorities could look at non-Korean passport holders not as foreigners but as residents. They may lack the Korean passport and the right to vote, but they pay taxes, work here, study here, contribute to the economy and generally grow to love the country and the people.



And, of course, we all share the same interest in dealing with the virus. It's just that it doesn't check our passports and, in fighting it, nor should we.





Michael Breen (mike.breen@insightcomms.com) is the author of "The New Koreans."


In a last-minute effort to avert the industrial action planned by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the federal government has invited the leaders of the union to a meeting to resolve their grievances.

According to a notice of the meeting signed by the Director of Press, Minister for Labour and Employment, Mr. Charles Akpan, the minister, Senator Chris Ngige will meet the executive of the National Association of Resident Doctors and representatives of the federal government today (Wednesday) by 3 p.m.

NARD had threatened to embark on strike tomorrow.

National President of NARD, Dr. Uyilawa Okuaihesyi also told THISDAY yesterday that government had neglected their welfare to the extent that many of the doctors doing their housemanship were being owed up to four months' salaries.

He also said that government had not able fulfill the promise it made to effect an upward review of the doctors' hazard allowance which had been pegged at N5,000.

Okuaihesuyi said that NARD decided to give an ultimatum to the government because the Memorandum of Understanding entered with the federal government was yet to be implemented many months after it was signed.

He further said that the government had not concluded action on the issue of enrollment of the doctors on the health insurance scheme as part measures to cushion the hazardous impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
In mid-March, tax authorities ordered the blocking of two of ByteDance India's bank accounts in Citibank and HSBC

The government has reportedly blocked the bank accounts of Chinese tech unicorn ByteDance, which owns TikTok and Helo apps, for alleged tax evasion. ByteDance has approached the Bombay High Court to quash the tax recovery efforts of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) authorities.

Earlier, ByteDance had to layoff a large chunk of its 2000 strong employees in India due to the Indian government's decision to permanently ban 59 Chinese apps including TikTok and Helo.

"At ByteDance, we are committed to abiding by local laws and regulations. While we disagree with the decision of the tax authority in this matter, we will extend our full cooperation to the government," a ByteDance spokesperson has been quoted as saying.

In mid-March, the tax authorities had ordered the blocking of two of ByteDance India's bank accounts in Citibank and HSBC for evading certain taxes in online advertising dealings between ByteDance India and its parent entity in Singapore, TikTok Pte Ltd.

Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
In February 2020, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a speech comparing his vision of Global Britain to Superman. The nation was ready to take off its Clark Kent spectacles and leap into the phone booth and emerge with its cloak flowing as the supercharged champion of the right of the populations of the earth to buy and sell freely among each other, he said.

On March 16, Johnson's government translated the Global Britain concept from a slogan to a strategy by publishing its Integrated Review of security and defense policy. The document seeks to identify global threats, opportunities, and initiatives as London establishes its post-Brexit role in this increasingly competitive geopolitical environment.

The reviews reaction has been positive. In Bloomberg Opinion, Therese Raphael labeled the review well crafted and ambitious. The Economist was unusually panegyric, calling the report modest and refreshingly realistic. But just because the text is the most radical such review since the end of the Cold War does not mean it is a good strategy.

Although the reports domestic security policies warrant some praise, Johnsons Global Britain commits the grand strategic sin of mismatching ambitions and resources. Whats more, the reviews ambitions are contradictory, vague, and redundant. If Global Britain is Superman, then there is kryptonite in every corner of the world.

Working from Home

The soundest theme of Global Britain is its recognition that strength and security begin at home. As a political thought capital, Britain is well-poised to set free, fair, and open standards for new technologies that will benefit its citizens and the Western world.

The review also correctly notes that supporting an open and resilient international order by setting an example in human rights, climate change, and free trade remains the best guarantor of security for British people. Since competition with China and Russia will be as much about weapons as values, Britain can practice what it preaches and shape the world in a more Western image through its renowned soft power, which includes media and culture (e.g., BBC and UNESCO heritage sites), education centers, and sports.

But herein lies the reports first contradiction. Global Britains first goal is to support open societies and defend human rights. Yet when confronted with China, an increasingly closed society with human rights violations, London wants a robust diplomatic frameworkto manage disagreements, defend [British] values and preserve space for cooperation. Johnsons desire to pursue a positive economic relationship with China neuters his strategys commitment to support open societies. By that point, London supports all societiesirrespective of opacity.

A Strategic Sin

The 2021 Integrated Review articulates Britains national security strategy for the next decade and beyond. At face value, it looks like a grand strategy. But then again, looks can be deceiving. In his seminal 2018 treatise, On Grand Strategy, Cold War historian John Lewis Gaddis defined grand strategy as the alignment of potentially unlimited aspirations with necessarily limited capabilities.

The 2021 Integrated Review commits the sin of grand strategy by refusing to align its ends and means. The review advocates an increase in nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, and an expeditionary force. It wants Britain to bolster European security through NATO while tilting to the Indo-Pacific. Unfortunately for Johnson, Britains defense budget and resources make it a pocket-sized power, unable to influence more than a handful of regions or fund these improvements. If the review becomes reality, Britain will become overstretched and redundant. Instead of being global, Britain should seek to be shrewdly cooperative with its foremost ally.

Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck once observed that the most potent factor in human society was that the British and Americans spoke the same language. Boris Johnson agrees. His review touted the Anglo-American alliance as Britain's "most important bilateral relationship." Yet, in this era of great power competition, speaking the same language is not enough. Washington and London need to start dancing to the same tune instead of stepping on each others toes.

Akin to Americas pivot to Asia in 2013, the review calls for a tilt to the Indo-Pacific because the region is critical to British trade. The tilts purpose remains ambiguous. Britain will soon deploy its new aircraft carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, to the Indo-Pacific to ensure freedom of navigation against China, its systemic competitor. Simultaneously, the review considers China an increasingly important partner in tackling global challenges. If Johnson wants to remain on friendly economic terms with Beijing, thats fine. But he should not send a carrier and, thus, mixed signals. The United Statesalready a Pacific poweris well-positioned to counter China and maintain freedom of navigation with the aid of other Pacific powers who have adopted a less ambivalent China policy.

For the West to maintain the edge in todays multipolar competitive environment, Great Britain must supplement Americas defense strategy elsewhere instead of redundantly complementing it in the Pacific. With clear recognition that it faces a serious threat from Russia, Britain should focus on becoming Europes security guarantor, thus lessening Americas global security burden.

With Washington focused on Asia, London can exercise greater leadership over NATO. It can oversee the organizations Enhanced Forward Presence and Deterrence and Defense Posture that protects eastern Europe from Russian meddling. The reviews surprise announcement that the United Kingdom will increase its overall nuclear weapon stockpile to 260 warheads is a welcome gift for European security. If Russia invades the Baltics or Poland, it has flirted with tactical nuclear weapons as a way to deter NATO retaliation. More British nuclear weapons could dissuade further Russian revanchism.

Doomed to Repeat Itself

President Dwight D. Eisenhower famously remarked: Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable. Britains defense plans have historically proved useless as they fail to foresee great swans like terrorism or pandemics that define a decade. Nevertheless, the 2021 Integrated Reviews planning seems dispensable too. Britain should stick with being Great, not Global. Otherwise, it will find itself overstretched, underfunded, and useless to safeguarding the world order it cherishes.

Nick Danby is an active duty, junior intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy. He is currently stationed within the expeditionary warfare domain. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard. His work has been published in The National Interest, Naval History, Real Clear Defense, The Washington Examiner, The Fletcher Forum on World Affairs, and The Harvard Crimson.
Kelbajar has nothing to do with Armenian history, deputy of the My Step faction Hovik Aghazaryan said in an interview with the Armenian media.



"Kelbajar was not ours," he stressed, drawing attention to the fact that Azerbaijan's Kelbajar region was occupied in the 90s only with the aim of subsequently exchanging it and other occupied regions for autonomy for Karabakh.



"Is there any bold person in Armenia who will tell the world that Kelbajar is Armenian land? The whole world says Kelbajar isnt ours and tells Armenians to give it back quickly," Hovik Aghazaryan said.
press release

The geographical zones identified as important for the expansion of South Africa's energy mix have been published for implementation.

The Notices are part of the the alignment of regulations required for the effective implementation of national environmental management legislation in terms of the One Environmental System. They will also contribute to the expansion of the country's alternative energy mix as the country works towards a reduction in the reliance on coal for energy.

The publication in the government gazette of the development corridors for strategic gas transmission pipeline infrastructure, and large scale wind and solar photovoltaic energy facilities follows an extended public consultation period on the proposed Renewable Energy Development Zones and improved Environmental Impact Assessment processes in 2020.

Amendments to the procedures to apply for, and for decisions on, Environmental Authorisations (EA) for the development of alternative energy initiatives in what is known as the Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZ) have also been published for implementation. The EA process has been shortened to allow for a smoother implementation of alternative energy growth in South Africa. Proactive site sensitivity work on the REDZ has been completed through two two-and-a-half year Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes. These determined the environmental sensitivity of each of the zones and corridors, and future renewable energy developments within identified zones in South Africa will require an environmental authorisation.

It is important to nnote that the Government Notice identifies and adds to, development corridors previously determined through three Strategic Environmental Assessments undertaken between 2016 and 2019.

All comments received during the extended period for public inputs in 2020 were taken into consideration when making the final decision on the corridors. With regard to the nature of the comments, several raised concerns about the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions to climate change and the risks of gas pipelines from a leakage and fire perspective.

South Africa has committed to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and is working towards a low emissions, climate resilient economy and society. The Presidential Climate Commission is advising government on a just transition that will leave no-one behind. In terms of the Integrated Resource Plan a portion of the country's energy mix is to be generated from gas. Gas is recognised worldwide as an enabling fuel for a just transition. The issue of risks was considered and evaluated through the strategic environmental assessment that was undertaken to identify the transmission corridors.

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To access the comments made, and the Department's response to these, click on: http://egis.environment.gov.za - Geographical Areas; and https://www.environment.gov.za/legislation/gazetted notices

With regard to the effect of the identification of corridors for REDZ development on landowners, none will be affected at this time.

Should a decision be made to develop a gas pipeline, for example, in one of the corridors in future, the property owner will be approached regarding servitude access. The landowner will have to have granted approval in principle, for the servitude across his/her property, prior to the submission of the application for environmental authorisation to the competent authority.

The landowner would, therefore, be fully aware of any such proposed development.

The expansion of energy supply within the pre-assessed strategic corridors will assist the country as it moves towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy.
The pandemic has brought grinding frustrations for parents, educators and students across the United States. But perhaps no place has matched San Francisco in its level of infighting, public outrage and halting efforts to reopen schools.

In February, the city sued its own school system, which has been entirely remote for a year, and board of education, accusing them of violating state law by not resuming in-person instruction.

Soon after, two parents infuriated by the school boards decision to rename 44 schools, even as it kept them closed, started a drive to recall three of the board members. Some 9,000 people have joined the campaigns mailing list, and they are expected to begin collecting signatures soon.
press release

KwaZulu-Natal  Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime unit assisted by Port Shepstone K9 unit and Crime Intelligence arrested a 41-year-old for possession of drugs yesterday.

Members received information about a shop that was selling drugs in Port Shepstone Central Business District. They proceeded to the said shop and a search was conducted.

During the search 300 pieces of khat. Members also seized 343 sildenafil citrate tablets and 20 sachets of sildenafil oral liquid.

The suspect was subsequently placed under arrest and charged for possession of drugs as well as contravention of Medicine Controls Act. He is expected to appear in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court today.
The PSNI have seized approximately 12 million worth of Class A and Class B drugs following an international operation with police in Belgium.

The operation took place involving detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, the National Crime Agency, Her Majestys Revenue and Customs and police in Belgium.

The PSNI also seized suspected herbal cannabis during a search at a haulage yard in Newry on Tuesday. One man, aged 34, has been arrested and is assisting police with their enquiries.

In a statement, the PSNI said: "In a separate investigation into the importation of Class A drugs, detectives from the Organised Crime Unit have been liaising with the National Crime Agency and colleagues from the Belgian Police in relation to an ongoing investigation into an Organised Crime Group, which are based in Northern Ireland and believed to be operating on an international scale.

"On Friday 26 March Belgian authorities conducted a search of a vehicle, and subsequently seized a significant quantity of suspected cocaine. On Saturday morning 27 March 2021 two men were arrested by PSNI officers in the Belfast area in respect of this investigation and have been assisting police with their enquiries. They are currently on police bail as the investigation into this criminality continues."

Head of the Police Services Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Chief Superintendent John McVea added: The cannabis seizure in Newry is the largest seizure to date in Northern Ireland. There is no doubt that by taking these drugs off the streets of Northern Ireland we have significantly impacted the funding stream of this organised crime gang.

We will continue to work in partnership with our colleagues in the Organised Crime Task Force to identify, disrupt, dismantle and frustrate organised crime gangs, not only in Northern Ireland, but across Europe.
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One of the more unusual members of this group is the Ganges river dolphin, one of only two remaining species of its lineage, the platanistoids. The dolphin is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. These often murky and muddied rivers make echolocation essential for the dolphins to find their fish prey.

Now a team, including researchers from Londons Natural History Museum, have tried to uncover why this species has survived where others did not.

Senior author Dr Travis Park, a researcher from the Natural History Museum, explains, The Ganges river dolphin is an unusual looking animal. It has a different body shape to the oceanic dolphins we are more familiar with and a long thin snout.

The animal is almost blind and so its use of echolocation is essential to its survival and it was the evolution of this specialized ability that we set out to study.

Echolocation is made possible by the specialised cochlea, a spiral cavity of the inner ear. However, until now, no one had examined the ears of fossil platanistoids.

Travis and his team utilized 3D scanning to look at fossil skulls of extinct platanistoids and compared the cochleae to the Ganges river dolphin and other living dolphin species. What they found was that, surprisingly, the shape differed hugely from even the dolphins closest relatives.

Travis adds, The shape of the inner ear of these dolphins is markedly different from any living species, including those that also live in riverine environments.

The cochlear spiral is quite flat and really spaced out. We think it is part of how it is dealing with high frequencies within the cochlear canal and that is related to its different use of echolocation.'

Dra Mariana Viglino, a postdoctoral researcher at the Instituto Patagonico de Geologia y Paleontologia, Argentina, who led the project, commented, 'We found that there is no typical platanistoid inner ear shape. Even within this group, the Ganges river dolphin is an outlier.

'So, then we thought that maybe the unusual ear shape is why it survived when the rest of its group went extinct.

The team concluded that the unique shape of the cochlea in the Ganges river dolphin may allow it to better filter out background noise and focus its echolocation for greater success when hunting. This may have given the species a competitive edge at times of high competition which would explain how it has survived when its closest relatives have not.

With only a few thousand individuals of both species remaining, these are under threat of extinction. Studies such as this reveal just how unique an animal they are and will hopefully increase interest in the current conservation efforts being made to protect them.

Travis concludes, 'If we lose these species, we are losing the only two surviving representatives of this once huge group. By evolutionary metrics, this would be a devastating loss.'

The study Hearing from the ocean and into the river: the evolution of the inner ear of Platanistoidea (Cetacea: Odontoceti) is published in the journal Paleobiology.

Notes to editors

Natural History Media contact: Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5654 / 07799690151 Email: press@nhm.ac.uk

Images available to download here.

The Natural History Museum is both a world-leading science research centre and the most-visited natural history museum in Europe. With a vision of a future in which both people and the planet thrive, it is uniquely positioned to be a powerful champion for balancing humanitys needs with those of the natural world.

It is custodian of one of the worlds most important scientific collections comprising over 80 million specimens. The scale of this collection enables researchers from all over the world to document how species have and continue to respond to environmental changes - which is vital in helping predict what might happen in the future and informing future policies and plans to help the planet.

The Museums 300 scientists continue to represent one of the largest groups in the world studying and enabling research into every aspect of the natural world. Their science is contributing critical data to help the global fight to save the future of the planet from the major threats of climate change and biodiversity loss through to finding solutions such as the sustainable extraction of natural resources.

The Museum uses its enormous global reach and influence to meet its mission to create advocates for the planet - to inform, inspire and empower everyone to make a difference for nature. We welcome over five million visitors each year; our digital output reaches hundreds of thousands of people in over 200 countries each month and our touring exhibitions have been seen by around 30 million people in the last 10 years.
President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan has stressed that he was not in support of unlimited term of office for President Muhammadu Buhari, saying he stood by the constitutional two-term limit for the President.

Lawan has also warned top federal ministry officials against misadvising Buhari on bills passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to him for his assent.

In a purported tweet, the Senate President was quoted as saying he would not mind a constitutional amendment to allow unlimited term of office for Buhari if he wished to remain in office beyond 2023.

But Lawan, in a statement yesterday denied ever making such statement, before or after 2019,

stressing that he stood firmly by provision of the constitution and appealed to members of the public to ignore the old fabricated statement mischievously being circulated by mischief makers.

The statement reads, "The Office of the President of the Senate has noted a tweet by one Cmr Mayor attributing a fabricated statement to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan. Our initial reaction was to ignore the ignoble mischief especially since it is not new, having been posted two years ago on 27 March 2019. But because the tweet has been trending again on social media, it becomes necessary to issue a formal rebuttal of its purport.

"The old tweet which was entirely the handiwork of mischief makers is now being circulated again on social media by purveyors of fake news. The 1999 Constitution has a firm position on the tenure of the President that reflects the popular stand of Nigerians. Section 137(1)b states as follow: A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if (b) he has been elected to such Office at any two previous elections.

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Meanwhile, Lawan has warned top federal ministry officials against misadvising Buhari on bills passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to him for his assent.

This is just as he flayed the absence of the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, at the public hearing on three health-related bills.

Lawan handed down the warning at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Health on three bills presently before the Upper Chamber.

The bills are: A bill for an Act to Amend the Orthopedic Management Board Act No 91, 1979 and for other related matters and to provide for the establishment of Federal Orthopedic Hospital KUTA, Bill 2021 (SB. 279); the National University of Health and Medical Sciences Suleja (establishment etc (SB. 633); and Federal University of Health and Medical Sciences Abeokuta, Ogun State (establishment etc) Bill 2021 (SB. 26).

According to the Senate President, some ministry officials had made it their business to frustrate bills passed by the National Assembly by ensuring they were denied presidential assent.

Lawan expressed concern over the absence of Ehanire, Mamora, and other ministry officials during the public hearing on the bills.

He underscored the need for representatives of the executive arm of government to be present at such hearings, noting that doing so would avail them the opportunity of making their input in light of whatever reservations they may have on a bill under consideration.
Drew Angerer/Getty President Joe Biden (right) embraces First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden and daughter Ashley Biden after being sworn in during his inauguration

Hunter Biden writes in an exceedingly candid new memoir that while dad Joe Biden was vice president, he showed up at Hunter's apartment to talk to him about his alcohol addiction.

"I know you're not fine, Hunter. You need help," President Biden's younger son, now 51, remembers his father, 78, telling him during the visit, according to details of Beautiful Things reported by The New York Times.

The revelation is one of many harrowing accounts from Hunter's forthcoming book, which hones in on some of the tumultuous details of his life, including his romantic relationship with his late brother's widow and his alcohol and drug addiction.

The New York Times obtained an advance of the book, which is due out April 6.

For more on Hunter Biden's book Beautiful Things, listen below to the episode of PEOPLE Every Day.

The newspaper on Tuesday reported some of the book's key moments, including Hunter's extensive descriptions of his seesawing addiction  with periods of sobriety broken by near-total derailment.

"I've been so desperate for a drink that I couldn't make the one-block walk between a liquor store and my apartment without uncapping the bottle to take a swig," he writes.

RELATED: Hunter Biden Releasing Memoir About 'Descent Into Substance Abuse' and 'Tortuous Path to Sobriety'

Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images Hunter Biden (left) and Joe Biden

At another point, the Times reports, Hunter writes about sifting through a homeless encampment in Los Angeles while looking to score drugs before he had a gun pointed in his face.

Elsewhere in the book, he recounts his former crack addiction and how he invited his dealer to live with him at his Washington, D.C., apartment, before his father  then the vice president  came knocking at the door to help.

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"He never let me forget that all was not lost," Hunter writes, according to the Times. "He never abandoned me, never shunned me, never judged me, no matter how bad things got  and believe me, from there they would get much, much worse."

Despite playing no formal role in the Biden campaign or as his dad's adviser, Hunter emerged from the 2020 presidential election as perhaps the most controversial and most targeted member of his family.

Conservatives relentlessly focused on his past business dealings, which had raised ethical worries despite no evidence of wrongdoing. Many Republicans also pilloried Hunter for his personal problems, including his drug abuse and string of eyebrow-raising romances.

Hunter covers much of his ups and downs in his memoir  though the section on his work in Ukraine "reads like a research paper compiled by a reluctant student," as the Times describes it.

RELATED: Hunter Biden Opens Up About the 'Never-Ending Tunnel' of Addiction: 'You Don't Get Rid of It'

Donald Trump routinely attacked Hunter throughout the 2020 campaign, specifically focusing on his history of addiction and his past business work. (Trump's fixation on trying to find dirt on the Bidens and Ukraine was also at the heart of his first impeachment for abuse of power.)

For his part, Hunter writes in his book that Trump, 74, is "a vile man with a vile mission," The Guardian reports.

President Biden, however, made it a point to hold his relationship with his son up as an example for how families should handle addiction with concern and care. "I'm proud of him," he said during one debate, describing how Hunter "had a drug problem" and overcame it.

Last month, Biden told CBS News that reading his son's memoir made him feel like his "boy is back."

"The honesty with which he stepped forward and talked about the problem and the hope that it gave me hope reading it," the president said.

Elsewhere in Hunter's book, he shares personal details about his mother and baby sister's deaths in their 1972 car crash as well as big brother Beau's death from brain cancer in 2015 and his relationship with ex-wife Kathleen and Beau's widow, Hallie.

Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images Hunter Biden

Controversy Surrounding Ukraine

Hunter's position on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company, came under scrutiny because of his father's vice presidency and Hunter's lack of qualifications as a lawyer and former lobbyist.

According to the Times, he maintains in his book that "I did nothing unethical, and have never been charged with wrongdoing," but notes how the job "landed me in the heart of the decade's biggest political fable," becoming the centerpiece in Trump's first impeachment.

"Did I make a mistake? Well, maybe in the grand scheme of things, yeah," he told ABC News in 2019. "But did I make a mistake based upon some ethical lapse? Absolutely not."

The 1972 Car Crash

According to the Times, Hunter writes in detail about the last images he can remember of late mother Neilia and sister Naomi, who were in the front seat when a tractor-trailer collided with the family's car at an intersection in a Christmastime crash.

When Hunter, then 3, woke up in the hospital, he writes about the memory of his then-4-year-old brother mouthing, "I love you. I love you. I love you" over and over again.

"That's our origin story," Hunter writes.

RELATED: Joe Biden Gets Emotional Discussing Son Hunter's Memoir About Substance Abuse: 'It Gave Me Hope'

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Dr. Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, his infant son with wife Melissa Cohen and other members of President Joe Biden's family attend a farewell ceremony at the Major Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center in Delaware on Tuesday.

Hunter's Love Life

After Beau died, Hunter developed a relationship with his widow, which he also describes in solemn detail, according to the Times.

"Our relationship began as a mutually desperate grasping for the love we had both lost, and its dissolution only deepened that tragedy," Hunter writes. "It made the obvious clear: What was gone was gone permanently. There was no putting Humpty Dumpty back together again."

After he and Hallie split, Hunter married South African filmmaker Melissa Cohen in a whirlwind romance in 2019 that saw them tie the knot days after meeting.

In the book, Hunter credits Cohen with helping break his crack addiction, according to the Times.

Hunter recalls telling Cohen he was a crack addict, before she said: "Not anymore. You're finished with that."

The couple now have a baby son together named Beau.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
We hope bringing the Wall of Honor to Oswego will help bring closure for veterans who served in the Middle East or who have service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and their names are on the wall, Kearns said.
Austin has something of a mythic reputation in the Bay Area. The Texas capital has come to represent a land of opportunity for those priced out of San Francisco, and especially during the coronavirus pandemic, an escape route for tech workers no longer bound by physical offices.

The moniker Silicon Hills, a nickname thats seldom spoken aloud within the Lone Star State, has come to represent the citys burgeoning reputation as a tech hub. From Dells ascent in the 1990s to the SXSW conferences function as a start-up launching pad to Apples forthcoming second campus, the city has long punched above its weight in the tech world. And every day more tech companies seem to be fleeing for triple digit temperatures and zero digit state income taxes.

As more and more Silicon Valley workers decamp for Austin, the expectation is that the grass will be greener, and likely located not far from a swimming hole. To find out if that myth is true, we spoke to five tech industry professionals ranging from Salesforce alums whove experienced the work culture in both places, to founders who left S.F. during the pandemic, to the CEO of Austins premiere tech incubator.

The consensus was that the grass is definitely a different color, and for now, it looks very green.

Perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, San Franciscos technology culture is all-encompassing and leaves little time or energy for a life outside the bubble of a tech campus or hacker house. In Austin, working as a coder or data analyst or web developer still means you qualify as a techie, but it isnt exactly the same as working in tech. Since theres simply so many more people working in other industries, tech doesnt feel like something youre necessarily inside.

Tech is an industry [in S.F.], wherein other parts of the country, tech is a subset of other existing industries, says Vivek Sodera, co-founder of email client Superhuman, who recently moved to Austin. I think were going to start to see Austin not just be a subset of existing industries itself.

Like San Francisco, Austin has plenty of issues of diversity, but on a professional level, youre much less likely to find yourself at a bar surrounded entirely by tech workers.

It was just everywhere in San Francisco, you're running into somebody from Snowflake or Uber or whatever. In Austin, you're free from that a little bit, says Holly Firestone, who worked in Salesforce for several years in both cities, and now is the vice president of community for Venafi in Austin. I have tons of friends that aren't in tech, which is just not something you experienced in San Francisco at all.

Anthony Brown, co-founder and CEO of music platform Breakr, moved to Austin in the fall and has found that the smaller pond has been simpler to navigate than Silicon Valley, where elite gatekeepers make it hard to access certain strata of the industry. Even with limited networking options due to the pandemic, hes found it easier to build connections.

There's less of the tech community here. So I feel like you can get connected to the right infrastructure faster in Austin. So I think that's actually a competitive advantage for Austin; there's enough high quality people here in the city that if you do come and you are in the tech ecosystem, that you can actually build a really powerful kind of network.

A small pond, or what some tech investors have described as a tier two city, also has its drawbacks. For some (especially those working outside the tech world), the ubiquity of hoodie-wearing coders in San Francisco can be a negative, but that density is part of whats allowed Silicon Valley companies to flourish. Some of that simply comes down to a matter of geography and the fact that not everyone is driving to work.

In San Francisco in particular, you're confined to 7 by 7 miles, and there's a lot of serendipity that happens when you're walking down the street and you bump into people. I think that is going to be a challenge that Austin needs to figure out, which is how to create that level of serendipity that you get here, says Sodera.

One Austin tech founder and CEO, Joah Spearman of travel recommendation site Localeur, has noticed that Austin does have a talent gap.

There is not this deep bench of director- and VP-level tech talent in Austin. And there's this belief that if there was that here, the companies that get to $200 million evaluations would get to a billion, says Spearman.

But according to Joshua Baer, CEO of one of Austins biggest incubators, Capital Factory, that gap is getting smaller.

The type of people that were attracting, certainly from my own personal experience and somewhat logically, are educated entrepreneurial people who can live anywhere and they're choosing to come here and that's a good thing. That's going to fuel our talent. It's bringing in people who have Silicon Valley ethos, you know, who think big and want to go do big things, says Baer.

What makes Austin so appealing to many tech workers is that although youll still be able to do big things professionally, theres opportunity for a richer personal life. To state the obvious, home ownership is much more achievable for transplants, however that's caused a ripple effect that's made it harder for many Austinites to own real estate (the average home price rose 10.1% in the past year to $433,493). It has also amplified long-running issues of racial diversity.

The rising cost of living in Austin is worthy of a story of its own, but the difference in culture between Austin and San Francisco is broader than just affordability. According to Spearman, much of it simply comes down to mindset, describing Austin as a work to live city, compared to the nonstop pace of San Franciscos live to work culture.

In more rigid tech cultures, from the moment you leave your house, to get in a bus or a van to go to Silicon Valley to work at Apple or Google or et cetera, youre kind of like property of your job until you get back to your house, he says. There are people that live like that in S.F. Austin doesnt have that.

Although these days its hard to find the archetype of the Austin slacker outside indie films from the '90s, the work culture is still undeniably more relaxed than a place like the Bay Area. Firestone notes that pre-pandemic, it was unusual to see coworkers in the office past 7 p.m. in Austin. That felt much closer to the norm in San Francisco. Brown, who spent several years working in finance in New York, said neither city compares to his time there, but that Austins certainly slower paced than San Francisco.

I think theres just something about the Texas vibe that makes people chill out and be a little bit more relaxed, he says.

Quality of life and affordability may be the largest factors driving San Francisco tech workers to Austin, but it begs the question what will happen once they arrive. Many Austinites were already priced out of one of the nations hottest real estate markets years ago, but another issue is the effect on Austin culture at large. The exodus out of San Francisco cant just be about leaving the problems of the city behind, but rather an active desire to become a part of something new.

Being an Austinite is an experience. It's about showing up and participating, being part of what's happening in Austin, says Baer.

If you want to move to Austin, the thing that you should be expecting is that you're going to have a closer relationship with the city that you're living in, not a more distant relationship, says Spearman. I think for a lot of people who are in S.F. and work in tech, their closest relationship in S.F. is with their job. Whereas in Austin, your job should be secondary to your relationship with the place that you live in.
(Newser)  Six children are without their mother because of a road-rage incident that didn't even involve a confrontation, Pennsylvania man Ryan Eberly says. His wife, Julie Eberly, was shot Thursday on I-95 in North Carolina. Eberly tells WGAL that they had been on their way to South Carolina to celebrate their anniversary when his world was "turned upside down" in the space of three minutes. He says he changed lanes when a car was behind him. "I didnt see that he was going around me," Eberly says. "I pushed him to the shoulder mistakenly. As soon as I was able, I gave him room to get back on the highway. No car contact." He says the driver of the silver Chevrolet Malibu opened fire as it passed him to the right, hitting his wife through the passenger door.

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"Theres a lot of numbness. Theres a lot of raw emotion," Eberly says. "She just loved being around her family and friends and sharing our blessings." He says he will "do everything in my physical power" to "bring her justice." The Robeson County Sheriff's Office has released photos of the vehicle, which has North Carolina plates, and has asked Lumberton residents and businesses to check surveillance footage from 11:40am to 12:30pm on March 25, 6ABC reports. "We will continue to track this suspect until we are standing in his yard," says Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. The sheriff's office says residents have donated $20,000 in reward money. A GoFundMe fundraiser to honor Eberly has now raised more than $60,000. (Read more road rage stories.)
Three members of the Special Air Service (SAS) have joined the search for a British man missing after a terror attack in Mozambique.

The officers were deployed to the country on Monday night to help search for Briton Philip Mawer, who has not been heard from since attempting to flee the town of Palma last week.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued by its Amaq news agency on Monday alongside a photo of militants from the group celebrating the capture of the town of Palma.

Mawer, a contractor from Somerset, has not been seen or heard from since gunmen ambushed a convoy of vehicles fleeing a hotel on Friday.

The 50-year-old was working for RA International, a Dubai-based firm that provides living quarters and other logistics for expatriate workers.

The SAS officers were deployed from a base for bush warfare training in Nairobi, The Times reported.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued by its Amaq news agency

Briton Philip Mawer (left) has not been heard from since attempting to flee Palma, while Nick Alexander (right) managed to escape

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

His friend Peter Zweemer told The Sun that the French oil giant Total, whose employees Mawer was reportedly helping to build a camp for left its workers to be 'slaughtered'.

'As far as I know and from eye witness accounts, unfortunately, we have to assume Phil got killed Friday.

'There is still no access into Palma to recoup bodies or asses damages and missing people do appear under the most amazing circumstances but I'm afraid the news about Phil is not encouraging.

'It's a shambles and they allowed these contractors to be slaughtered.'

It comes after it emerged that a flotilla of small boats launched a Dunkirk-like rescue of thousands of survivors of the attack.

The boats transported people from Palma, which was stormed by hundreds of gunmen last week, to the town of Pemba, 150 miles further down the Mozambican coast.

Brendon Bekker, the Zimbabwean director of KEA projects, a construction firm working locally, was among those who were evacuated on the boats. He told how one of his colleagues was fatally shot from the shore after boarding one of the vessels.

'When the insurgents first attacked Palma, they came in from about three different directions,' he told the Daily Telegraph, adding that 'there was people all over the different beaches.'

Meanwhile efforts were ongoing to locate the thousands of people still remaining in the town, with reports that militants were still in control despite claims from Mozambican security forces that it had been retaken.

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.

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

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.

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.

Amarula Lodge was considered an oasis of safety by the expatriate workers who were staying in the region, with a well-guarded compound that was deemed secure from attack, The Daily Telegraph reported.

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.

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, he found safety on Sunday and made contact with his daughter Jayde, 29, in Johannesburg.

She told The Times: 'He and two others ran to hide into the bushes. They were literally crawling through the bush until they were rescued.'

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

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.
Connecticut will reach the final stage of its monthslong COVID vaccine rollout Thursday when it opens eligibility to everyone in the state who is 16 and older.

Demand is expected to be high in the first few days with 1.3 million people able to make an appointment for the first time.

State officials have continued to urge patience for those newly eligible as there wont immediately be enough appointments for everyone.

Navigating getting a vaccine can be difficult. This guide will clear up some of the questions.

Who is eligible and will want the vaccine?

Everyone 16 and older is eligible to receive a vaccine starting Thursday. Ahead of Thursday, eligibility was limited to everyone 45 and older.

While there are about 1.3 million residents age 16 to 44 who become eligible Thursday, state officials believe the number of people who will be eager to get the vaccine will be around 600,000 residents.

People from previous phases of the rollout  age 75 and above, age 65 to 74, age 55 to 64 and age 45 to 54  will continue to be eligible to receive the vaccine.

When can I register?

Registration starts at 8 a.m. Thursday. People can complete the form to get access to the Vaccine Administration Management System on Wednesday. To do that, follow this link to the states vaccine website and complete the instructions to create a VAMS account. It can take some time to complete the steps.

How do I get a vaccine?

The states system for vaccine appointments is VAMS. You can book appointments directly through this system. Some local health departments and health care providers (Bristol Health, Griffin Health and Nuvance Health) are also using VAMS, rather than their own system.

If you prefer to schedule an appointment over the phone, the state has also set up an assistance line available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The number is 877-918-2224.

The third option is to register for an appointment directly through a health care provider or pharmacy. Check the list below. Your health care provider may also reach out to you directly to schedule an appointment.

Hartford HealthCare: Online, or call 860-827-7690; or toll-free at 833-943-5721

Yale New Haven Health: Online

Stamford Health: Online, or call 203-276-7300 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Middlesex Health (patients can select MyChart or VAMS): Online, or call 860-358-7050 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Trinty Health of New England: Online

Can I get a vaccine at a pharmacy?

Several pharmacy chains in Connecticut receive independent allocations from the federal government. Some local independent pharmacies are also offering the vaccine. The chain pharmacies offering the vaccine in Connecticut are CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Stop & Shop. Vaccines are not offered at all locations. Appointments can be made through each companys website:

CVS

Walgreens

Walmart

Stop & Shop

What vaccines are available at this time?

The state receives doses of three federally approved vaccines as of April 1.

Pfizer-BioNTech, which requires two doses for full effect. This is the only vaccine approved for people age 16 and 17.

Moderna, which requires two doses for full effect. This is approved from anyone 18 and older.

Johnson & Johnson, which requires a single dose. This is approved from anyone 18 and older.

How long will I have to wait for a vaccine?

Its not entirely clear how long you will have to wait for a vaccine. With this final expansion of the vaccine rollout, hundreds of thousands of people become eligible.

State officials said there are 240,000 first-dose vaccine appointments through this week, and they expect the weekly supply of vaccine to be in above 200,000 in early April.

Those officials remain confident that everyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get an appointment by late April or early May.

If I am 16 or 17 years old, how do I get vaccinated?

Those 16 and 17 years old follow the same process to book appointments as adults, but they can only receive the Pfizer vaccine, which is approved for these ages.

When it comes time to go to your vaccine appointment, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, officials said. If a parent or guardian cannot go, they should contact the provider to see what documentation is needed to confirm adult consent for the vaccine.

Officials warn that without an adult or the proper documentation, a 16- or 17-year-old may not get vaccinated when they go for their appointment.

State officials said there are plans being made for school-district specific vaccination clinics for children in this age group.

What if I live in another state but work in Connecticut? Can I get the shot here?

Non-Connecticut residents who work here can get vaccinated in the Nutmeg State when their population group is eligible.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy with rain ending for the afternoon. High 81F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 56F. Winds light and variable.
Wondrlab, Indias largest platform-first communication startup, has added yet another industry leader to its portfolio of clients. The company has won the integrated mandate for LIXIL India, for the water technology segment. LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that solve every day, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. To this end, Wondrlab will create integrated, industry-first digital work for LIXILs iconic brands  GROHE and American Standard. It will harness its platform-first capabilities in virtual build, design and experience to drive LIXILs ambitions.

With this, the communication start-up is set to showcase yet again how its platform-first strategy can be applied to a sprawling variety of industries and brands. Wondrlabs core objective for this account is to leverage its platform-first expertise to highlight consumers desire for Good Living through the creation of beneficial, fulfilling, beautiful and naturally comfortable living spaces. To this end, Wondrlab will begin with transforming LIXIL Indias virtual retail platform, by creating a 360-navigable experience centre using state-of-the-art know-how and technology. Additionally, the start-up is also working on an exciting integrated campaign for LIXIL, and will also build contemporary, connected ecosystem apps for the brand.

Commenting on the association, Pratip Francis, Leader Marketing, LIXIL Water Technology India said, With marketing media and channels evolving at a much faster pace than ever before, it was critical for us to partner with an agency that understands and prioritises the platform in any communication strategy. From traditional offline media, to digital, to even the new-age phygital modes of marketing, the Wondrlab teams deep knowledge, experience and expertise in every type of media is what we are looking to leverage to design and execute a robust roadmap for our brands in India.

Vandana Verma, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Experience Platform, Wondrlab, said, Wondrlab is redefining the marketing communication industry while LIXIL believes in doing the same for its industry  this association, therefore, is a perfect meeting of minds. Our visions are aligned when it comes to creating world-class work backed by technology. Wondrlab is deeply committed to the platform-first approach, which is showing great results for our fast-growing portfolio of clients. We believe this strategy is the need of the hour in a vastly altered marketing landscape.
Despite the rollout of vaccines, New Jersey is now in a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic that may not peak until mid-April in a moderate scenario and mid-May in a worst-case scenario, with a slow recovery possibly lingering into the summer, according to new prediction models Gov. Phil Murphys administration released Wednesday.

If the worst-case scenario comes true, the state could see more than 8,000 daily cases  which would be a record  and 3,600 hospitalized patients at the height of the surge six weeks from now. Officials said thats not enough for hospitals to become overwhelmed, though deaths per day are expected to increase.

Murphy stressed the models are predictions, not certainties, and we can change them through our behavior, including wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Plus, he said, an increase in vaccinations will help.

Weve crushed the curves twice now, the governor said during his latest COVID-19 briefing in Trenton. Lets do it a third  and hopefully final  time.

Under a moderate scenario, cases would continue to risk the next two weeks before peaking at 5,445 cases and 2,669 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on April 18, the models show. Thats about 300 more patients than the states current total and would include 574 people in intensive care, with 319 on ventilators.

There would be more than 5,000 daily cases through late April and that number would not fall below 4,000 until mid-May and below 3,000 until mid-June, while hospitalizations would not fall below 2,000 until May 18 and below 1,000 until August.

Murphy said the model assumes the new hospitalization rates the state has seen after past religious holidays and the expansion of indoor activities, such as indoor dining at restaurants. He said it also assumes some impacts from spring break, as well as expected increases in vaccinations, and that the current vaccines will be about 95% effective against more contagious COVID-19 variants that are spreading and driving recent upticks.

Under a high scenario, the state would be in for a long, hot summer, Murphy said.

The state would peak at 8,162 cases and 3,644 people hospitalized on May 18, the models show. There would be a peak of 2,030 patients in intensive care, with 778 on ventilators, on May 20.

Hospitalizations would not fall below 3,000 until July 13, with intensive care patients not dropping below 600 until late July and ventilator use not dropping below 300 until August.

Murphy said this model assumes the states vaccination program continues at its current pace but that the vaccines prove only 65% effective against all variants.

He said this could play out if people lower their guard and dont adhere to the necessary precautions for protecting themselves at gatherings through the spring and into Memorial Day.

With those hospital numbers, Murphy said, the state would basically be back to where we were in December and January during the pandemics second wave, when 3,800 patients were hospitalized at the peak. But it would not come close to the first wave last spring, when a high of more than 8,300 patients were in hospitals last April.

Certainly this is not a break-point number for our health-care system, but remember that the doctors, nurses, and support staffs have been at this for over a year, and their stress and exhaustion cannot be overlooked, the governor said.

New Jersey has never reported more than 7,000 cases in one day at any point during the pandemic.

Murphy said the hospital numbers are of a greater concern because they are the best real-time indicator of how the pandemic is affecting the state.

(Is the chart not displaying? Click here.)

The administration did not release a best-case scenario Wednesday, though Murphy said the state can provide one Monday.

My gut tells me were in for the moderate reality, he said.

New Jersey did not come close to meeting its worst-case scenarios during the first and second waves of the pandemic last spring and fall.

Murphy said hes not as bothered by the numbers predicted in the models but how long they may last.

The models do not estimate death tolls. But Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the state is also expecting deaths to increase and warned the state could be in for a long and difficult summer with a very slow recovery.

Still, she added, not only will the hospitalizations not reach what they did last spring, the state now has adequate supplies to battle the pandemic.

We must work together and be vigilant so we can ensure we dont slip backwards, Persichilli said. We have to redouble our efforts. There is still an uncertainty ahead with this relentless virus.

Murphy, though, did not specifically say if the state would tighten restrictions or impose new ones to avoid these scenarios.

Please, God, we dont have to do that, the governor said.

He also defended the restrictions he has already lifted, arguing New Jersey has ben the most cautious and methodical state on reopening.

Despite the recent case upticks, the state is set to increase its outdoor gathering limit to 200 people as of 6 a.m. Friday. The indoor gathering limit will remain 25 people. In addition, venues that can seat 2,500 people will be permitted to increase indoor seating capacity to 20%, up from 10%, and outdoor capacity to 30%, up from 15%.

Murphy did encourage people to limit indoor activity.

Officials said the recent rise in cases and hospitalizations is fueled in part by both numerous variants spreading and pandemic fatigue.

Murphy has said the state is in a foot race between getting more vaccines out and the variants spreading.

New Jersey on Wednesday reported another 4,586 cases and 44 additional deaths, while more than 2,363 patients were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases across the state  the most since Feb. 16.

The states seven-day average for newly confirmed cases is 3,977, up 19.13% from a week ago and 35.91% from a month ago.

The state currently ranks second in the nation in new cases over the last 7 days, after Michigan, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

Persichilli noted those being affected by the virus is now skewing younger, with the state seeing a 31% increase in people ages 20 to 29 being hospitalized and a 48% increase in those 40 to 49.

The virus has proven to be more deadly among older residents, especially those with pre-existing conditions. Officials, however, stress younger people can still get severe cases and can still pass the virus to others.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

Meanwhile, New Jersey health facilities and vaccine centers have administered more than 4.22 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since the states first shot was given Dec. 15. That includes about 2.73 million people with at least one dose and 1.57 million people considered fully vaccinated, 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 23% of the states 6.9 million adults have been fully vaccinated.

Officials say vaccine demand continues to outpace supply from the federal government, causing a backlog of people trying to get appointments. But doses are expected to increase significantly in the coming days.

The governor did say Tuesday that he expects New Jersey to be in a whole different ballgame by Memorial Day and to have a much more normal summer this year than last.

Assuming we can keep these variants under control and we all continue to do the right thing, I think were gonna be able to gradually open this place up, he said during a TV interview. I know millions will be vaccinated. Im looking forward to Memorial Day.

Murphy reiterated that point Wednesday, saying I think we are in store for a great summer  though he said residents still have to be careful indoors.

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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.
German federal and state health ministries agreed that from Wednesday AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine can be used for people aged 60 and above, following further reports of a rare brain blood disorder, a document on their agreement showed. Acting on advice from Germany's vaccine committee, known as STIKO, the ministries also agreed the Anglo-Swedish firm's vaccine could be used for high-risk patients aged below 60 as well as for high-priority groups such as medical workers.

People aged below 60 who have already received a first AstraZeneca shot have the option of either receiving their second shot as planned, if they are high priority, or to wait for STIKO to issue its recommendation, which it is expected to do by the end of April. Earlier, STIKO recommended the shot only be used for people aged 60 and above "on the basis of available data on the occurrence of rare but very severe thromboembolic side-effects".

STIKO is also looking into the possibility of administering a second shot with a different COVID vaccine, the document showed. In a statement responding to the STIKO recommendation, AstraZeneca said patient safety was its highest priority and noted the European and UK medical agencies had not been able to establish a causal relationship between the shot and clotting.

"We will continue to work with German authorities to address any questions they may have," it added. The meeting of Germany's federal and state health ministries followed further reports by Germany's vaccine regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), of cases of blood clots known as cerebral sinus vein thrombosis (CSVT).

PEI said it had registered 31 cases of CSVT, which resulted in nine deaths, out of some 2.7 million people who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine. With the exception of two cases, all reports involved women aged between 20 and 63. Before STIKO issued its statement, several German states, including Berlin and Brandenburg, as well as the city of Munich, said they would stop giving the shot to people under 60.

State hospital groups Charite and Vivantes suspended vaccinations in female staff aged under 55, citing further cases of CSVT. Because use of the vaccine in Germany was initially limited to those under 65, the shot has been administered among younger women, particularly medical staff and teachers.

Many European countries briefly stopped using AstraZeneca's vaccine earlier this month while investigating rare cases of blood clots. Both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization said this month the benefits of AstraZeneca's vaccine outweighed the risks.

An EMA review covering 20 million people who took the AstraZeneca shot in Britain and the European Economic Area found seven cases of blood clots in multiple blood vessels and 18 cases of CVST. Millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been safely administered around the world.

Nearly all countries have since resumed use of the vaccine. But France broke with guidance from the EMA and said on March 19 it should only be given to people aged 55 or older. France said the decision was based on evidence that the clotting affected younger people.

Canadian health officials said on Monday they would stop offering AstraZeneca's shot to people under 55 and require a new analysis of the shot's benefits and risks based on age and gender. Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder criticised the "back and forth" around the vaccine, saying all recommendations showed that the danger of severe illness from the coronavirus outweighed any side-effects linked to the shot.

Also read: Brazilian health regulator says Bharat Biotech's Covaxin fails to meet manufacturing standards

Also read: Drug regulator extends Covishield's shelf life from 6 to 9 months
Tokyo, March 31 : Japan's Hitachi on Wednesday said that it will acquire US-headquartered digital engineering services company GlobalLogic for $9.6 billion.

Hitachi said the acquisition will help the company expand digital operations in a number of businesses, including IT, energy, industry and mobility.

It will accelerate the advanced digital transformation of social infrastructure such as rail, energy, and healthcare at a global scale, the company said.

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals and expected to be completed by the end of July 2021.

Through the acquisition, Hitachi expects the addition of GlobalLogic's advanced digital engineering capabilities, and its solid client base including major technology companies, to strengthen the digital portfolio of "Lumada." Lumada is the name of Hitachi's advanced digital solutions and services for turning data into insights that drive digital transformation of social infrastructure.

"The acquisition of GlobalLogic creates an exciting new opportunity for Hitachi to expand our offerings of Lumada solutions and services, provide value to customers in their digital transformation journey, and grow our Lumada business globally," Hitachi President & CEO Toshiaki Higashihara said in a statement.

"The synergy of GlobalLogic's leading experience design and innovation with Hitachi's expertise in IT, operational technology, and products, will help us realise our goal to be the leading digital transformation innovator in social infrastructure worldwide." Headquartered in Silicon Valley, GlobalLogic is a leading company in the fast-growing digital engineering services market.

With over 20,000 professionals in 14 countries, it operates design studios and software product engineering centres around the world.

GlobalLogic has deep "chip-to-cloud" advanced software product engineering technology as well as experience design skills and vertical industry expertise.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training, has stressed the importance of education as a measure of the civilization of nations and the progress of states and peoples.

He lauded the interest and guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in achieving the qualitative development of education, the education and training reform project launched by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and its initiatives that include enhancing the quality of education and training.

HH Shaikh Mohammed was speaking as he opened the fourth conference of the Education and Training Quality Authority under the theme "The Future of Education and Training Quality: Between Global Trends and Local Execution".

More than 1,120 specialists, academics and people interested in education and training at the local, regional and international levels are attending the virtual conference held under HH Shaikh Mohammed's patronage.

Regional and international bodies and institutions from 30 different countries and Bahrain are also participating.

In his opening speech, HH Shaikh Mohammed referred to the report published by the United Nations policy brief "Education during COVID-19 and beyond", published in August 2020.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries and all continents," the brief said.

"Closures of schools and other learning spaces have impacted 94 per cent of the worlds student population, up to 99 per cent in low and lower-middle income countries."

HH Shaikh Mohammed commended the progress of education in Bahrain since it was formally launched more than 100 years ago with the founding of Al Hidaya Al Khalifiah School in Muharraq in 1919.

The educational process has since witnessed tremendous development in terms of goals and stages of study in accordance with the changes in education, labor market requirements and comprehensive development programs.

The changes were in line with the development in societies, the tremendous and rapid technological transformations across the world, and the inputs from specialists and educators about the importance of reviewing the education systems starting from kindergarten to post-graduation.

The aim was to establish an educational system that meets the requirements of the 21st century and that is capable of producing an educated generation driven by the dynamism of creativity, innovation and competition in different aspects of life.

HH lauded the successes achieved by the Education and Training Quality Authority in the 12 years since its establishment.

The Authority was able to keep pace with quality systems regionally and internationally through the 20 memoranda of understanding and cooperation signed with local and international institutions to transfer experiences and expertise, he said.

The Authority's work as an independent institution that takes into account international quality standards in the quality of curricula, the efficiency of educational and administrative assets, and the infrastructure within the framework of a transparent and comprehensive assessment system.

HH Shaikh Mohammed added that these agreements have provided the Authority with experience and expertise in assessing the quality of the Education and Training Department.

It successfully completed more than 1,712 comprehensive reports on the quality of schools, universities and institutes in the public and private sectors, employing qualified Bahrainis, and assigning foreign qualifications to the national ones. The assessments continued even during the time of the coronavirus pandemic.

HH Shaikh Mohammed referred to the contract the government signed with an international company with expertise in education to restructure the Ministry of Education in order to strengthen its role in operating schools and enabling it to keep pace with developments and to manage the educational process with the required efficiency.

The aim was also for the ministry to carry out a strategy to develop post-school education, strengthen applied education institutions to raise the enrollment rate in post-school education, and enhance the role of post-school applied education institutions to 50%, in cooperation with the private sector and in response to the requirements of the labor market and the contemporary industrial revolution.

With the advanced quality of education, it is possible to contribute to the comprehensive progress, to improve the educational environment, and to address environmental challenges and risks to the future of humanity, HH Shaikh Mohammed said. He stressed the importance of cooperation and collective endeavors, concerted efforts, and harnessing all capabilities and skills available in these vital and important areas.

HH Shaikh Mohammed highlighted the significance of holding conferences and exchanging experiences and expertise for the sake of improved education, the basis for the advancement of nations, the progress of their people, and the way for their growth and evolution.
The Tanzanian parliament has confirmed the appointment of Finance Minister Philip Isdor Mpango as the countrys vice-president.



President Samia Suluhu Hassan nominated the minister to the position on Tuesday, which was announced by the parliamentary speaker Job Ndugai ahead of the approval vote.



MPs applauded as his name was mentioned.



Dr Mpango fills in the chair of vice-presidency that became vacant after President Samia became president following the death of President John Magufuli on 17 March.



Addressing parliament immediately after his name was submitted, Dr Mpango said he was surprised and that he was ready to take on the responsibility.



Philip Mpango is an economist who has held various senior positions including as a senior economist at World Bank.



Mr Mpango was among two ministers who were re-appointed by former President Magufuli as he started his second term.



Before being appointed by Mr Magufuli as a finance minister, he served as an economic adviser to former President Jakaya Kikwete.



The minister was last month seen in a viral video coughing during a press conference while paying tribute to senior government officials who had died of suspected Covid-19.

Source: BBC









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The Imran Khan-led Pakistan government has lifted the ban on the import of cotton and yarn from India while approval of sugar imports is expected soon. As per the ANI report, on March 31, Pakistans Economic Coordination Council (ECC) approved the resumption of Indo-Pak trade allowing the import of cotton from India till June 30, 2021. The decision was followed by a summary of cotton and sugar imports from India being presented to the Committee for approval on Wednesday.

Pakistans Economic Coordination Council allows the import of cotton and yarn from India, reports Reuters quoting sources pic.twitter.com/I3SGsKcqtV  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

Earlier, the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce had released a note for import approval from India. As reported by The Dawn, there are in total 21 items that are on the agenda of the ECC meeting that is chaired by newly-appointed Pakistani Finance Minister Hammad Azhar.

The Pakistan Commerce and Textile ministers have reportedly submitted five crucial summaries for the approval besides others and the Textile Division summary had sought permission from the ECC to lift the ban on cotton and yarn in an attempt to overcome the raw material shortage for the textile sector in Pakistan. Before Wednesday decision, Pakistan was allowing cotton, yarn and sugar imports from all other nations except India.

As the in-charge of the Commerce and Textile Ministry, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had previously approved the summary that was placed before the ECC on March 31. The low yield of cotton bales in Pakistan has further budded problems. This led to the government allowing imports from India. The lift on the cotton, yarn ban from India is expected to relax the textile sector of the nation which is currently seeking cheaper raw materials.

Pakistan suspended trade with India in 2019

After India revoked the special status of Jammu Kashmir in 2019, Pakistan had also suspended trade relations with New Delhi. Wednesdays ECC decision came after Pakistan failed to stir global support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmirs special status and bifurcating the region in two territories in August 2019. Last year, in May 2020, Pakistan had lifted the ban on the import of medicines and raw materials from India amid the COVID-19 pandemic and preventing a shortage of drugs.

Image credits: AP/PTI
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/31/2021



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star Chris Williams has lashed out at his Season 12 co-star Jacob Harder for Jacob's repeated criticism of him on the series' Unfiltered discussion show in a lengthy social-media rant.Jacob hasn't held back when expressing his negative opinions of Chris on : Unfiltered, which airs Wednesday nights on Lifetime ahead of new Season 12 episodes and features different cast members weekly.Jacob called Chris "a dumbass" and "junior high" among other insults during his several Unfiltered appearances -- and now Chris is firing back!Chris, 27, unleashed his fury on Jacob in a series of since expired or deleted posts to his Instagram Stories, according to screenshots published by Monsters & Critics."Its a known fact that when your segment comes on people don't care because your ass is boring!" Chris exclaimed on Instagram.During the March 3 episode of Unfiltered, Jacob suggested Chris was acting like a child when he allegedly whispered flirtatious things into his wife Paige Banks ' ear after asking her for a divorce."Sorry, Chris, but get the hell out of junior high school with this sh-t!" Jacob said at the time. "Come on, man. Like, what are you doing?! It just doesn't make any sense... Just grow up man, that's bush league!"Chris wrote to 38-year-old Jacob, "Oh yes I am a 'child' compared to a guy who graduated in the 80s. I would have [looked] past your ass too."Chris made fun of Jacob for accusing Haley of not looking at him during conversation or being present with him during outings on a recent episode of the series."'You looked past me,'" Chris recalled Jacob saying. "'After 4 weeks we don't ever have to see each other again.' You were mad lol."Jacob also bashed Chris for buying his ex-fiancee Mercedes Myrick a brand new Mercedes Benz vehicle when she was pregnant during filming and Chris was still married to Paige."[ He is] a dumbass ," Jacob said on last week's episode of Unfiltered, which also featured Season 12 star Erik Lake , who got into heated arguments with Chris early in the season."First of all, you got her a Benz, dude?! Come on!" Jacob complained, as Erik cracked up laughing. "You're married, like, give her a [Chevy] Cobalt if you're going to get her a new car.""A Ford Taurus!" Erik suggested in agreeance "You're giving her a Benz?!" Jacob continued in shock. "You're telling your wife right now that you don't give two sh-ts about her and you're going to get with this chick [Mercedes] after this is over with. That's what that message says to me."In reference to the car comments, Chris wrote on Instagram, "You were talking about the car I bought. At least I had a car to offer.""The only thing you had to offer was some old ass woody boots from Toy Story. And a beach in your backyard while playing Phil Collins on a lovely summer night," Chris ranted."I hope I make you mad! I don't [fear] bullies. All of the people in this season talking the most sh-t have dysfunctional marriages. I now have a therapist."Chris seemingly went on to bash Jacob, Erik as well as Erik's MAFS wife Virginia Coombs , whom Chris called "a drunkard" on the show multiple times during a heated disagreement. (Virginia wanted to make sure Chris was treating Paige right during their Las Vegas honeymoon, but Chris felt Virginia was butting in and expressing "fake concern" at the time)."I don't need advice from the alcoholic's anonymous club and the guy with a time machine to the 80s, a fake ass pool, and boots that looked like they are holding on for dear life. (Rip to those boots)," Chris wrote on Instagram."I just knew you had to have a perfect marriage after you had so much wisdom for me. Apply that to yourself?"As fans are well aware, Haley and Jacob's relationship appears to be headed for divorce.Not only has Haley admitted she's not attracted to Jacob and feels no connection with him, but she also recently confessed on Unfiltered that she didn't even like his personality or understand his sense of humor.In turn, Jacob accused Haley of not being vulnerable or open, and he didn't think she was putting all of her effort into the process. He said they'd have to "get struck by lightning" to like each other and turn things around.In a subsequent series of posts on his Instagram Story, Chris decided to provide "some context" to his ranting and raving."I didn't go on a rant just to go on one. Week after week you have something crazy to say on Unfiltered, Jake," Chris explained."I don't watch it. But it was sent to me. I just don't understand how the people with drama in their own marriages are commenting [on] me.""I mind my business when it comes to your business," he insisted. "But obviously you are using my marriage to cope with why your wife didn't like you and your old ass boots!"Chris added, "Find out why your wife don't like your corny ass! [You're] the only one in the room who laughs at your jokes! They ran from your clown ass when they saw you coming!"And finally, Chris managed to get in one final jab, adding, "Bring your ass back from the 80s with that fake ass pool!"While Haley and Jacob's marriage is falling apart on the show, Chris also determined on the latest Season 12 episode of that he and Paige weren't connecting despite their attempts to bond.Chris alleged that Paige only wanted to communicate and hang out with him when cameras were rolling.Given Paige had felt emotionally unattached for a while and was essentially hanging on by a threat at that point, the pair decided to part ways and stop trying because their relationship simply wasn't working out.Interested in more news? Join our Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now!
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:25:17|Editor: huaxia

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A protester holds a sign near the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on June 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

After examining America's staggering racial disparity, one cannot help but wonder whether those politicians' accusation is just another tactic of diverting blame from themselves. No one would be surprised if that assumption is true.

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Despite billing itself as a champion of universal human rights, Washington has habitually pointed fingers at others when it comes to this issue. However, its practice of finger-pointing is ironic and smacks of a double standard.

As the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin charged with killing African American George Floyd in late May last year officially gets underway, the world is again reminded of the rampant racial injustice in the country.

"I can't breathe," were Floyd's words as he was begging the police officer who was kneeling on his neck to give him some air. Unfortunately, such basic human rights as the life and health of the minority groups in the United States have long been either neglected or violated.

Numbers tell the truth. After having examined 5,494 police-related deaths in the United States between 2013 and 2017, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that black Americans are 3.23 times more likely than white Americans to be killed by police.

The problem of police brutality and racial profiling is so severe that a group of United Nations human rights experts issued a report in February to call on Washington to "initiate far-reaching reforms to address police brutality and systemic racism."

Protestors are seen outside the Hennepin County courthouse in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the United States, March 9, 2021. (Photo by Matthew Mcintosh/Xinhua)

Irresponsible U.S. politicians' downplaying of the threat of the coronavirus and endless scapegoating have also made the world's most powerful country the country hardest hit by COVID-19 around the globe.

A report published in February by the Lancet pointed out that around 200,000 Americans would not have died if proper measures had been taken.

Even more tragic, the country's ethnic minorities have suffered the most from the pandemic. According to a report by the National Urban League, African Americans are three times as likely as whites to be infected with the virus, and twice as likely to die from it.

The deep-rooted racial and gender inequality in the United States is also revealed in the surging number of hate crimes across the country. A report by U.S. nonpartisan research and policy organization the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism said anti-Asian hate crimes rocketed by nearly 150 percent in 2020 in the 16 largest cities in the United States.

People take part in a protest against Asian hate in San Jose, California, the United States, on March 21, 2021. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua)

The sad truth is that the mass shooting in mid-March in Atlanta which killed eight people, including six Asian women, is not, and will not be, the only tragedy.

While ignoring their own obligations in protecting Americans' human rights at home, U.S. politicians are quite eager to play the human rights card to criticize other countries.

After examining America's staggering racial disparity, one cannot help but wonder whether those politicians' accusation is just another tactic of diverting blame from themselves. No one would be surprised if that assumption is true. 
DENVER, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- National multifamily property management company Mission Rock Residential is announcing today the retirement of its Senior Vice President of Marketing, Training & Revenue Management, Denise Todd, and the subsequent promotion of Marcella Eppsteiner to the position.

From Left to Right: Denise Todd will retire from Mission Rock Residential while Marcella Eppsteiner will take over her role with the company as the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Training & Revenue Management.

Serving as the company's Senior Vice President of Marketing, Training & Revenue Management since the launch of Mission Rock in 2012, Denise Todd will be retiring from the company this month. After a 25+ year career in the industry, Todd's retirement comes amidst celebration and praise from the Mission Rock team.

"Denise has been an incredible leader throughout the establishment and growth of Mission Rock Residential. Her contributions to Mission Rock will be forever remembered as critical to our foundational success, and while we are very sad to see her leave, we are excited for Denise and her family as they embark on this new chapter of life," said Mission Rock's President Meredith Wright, CAPS, CPM.

Throughout her tenure at Mission Rock, Todd developed and implemented the programs that currently encompass all marketing, reputation management, pricing advisory services, and team training across the national company. Denise has also been lauded as an enormous inspiration and mentor to Mission Rock's marketing and training teams.

Marcella Eppsteiner, a long-time collaborator and protege of Todd's, will be promoted to the new position of Senior Vice President of Marketing, Training & Revenue Management. Marcella has previously held positions within Mission Rock's marketing group, most recently as the company's Vice President of Marketing.

"Marcella has garnered a national reputation for her analytical and data-driven marketing approach, which aligns perfectly with Mission Rock's future operational initiatives. We are excited to see her take the reins in this role and look forward to continuing our growth trajectory with her in this position," said Wright.

Eppsteiner is a graduate of Florida State University and attended St. Thomas University in Miami, FL, for her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business. She has worked in the apartment industry for more than 15 years. In addition, since 2019 she has served on the advisory board for the national Apartment Innovation and Marketing Conference. She is also an active member of both the Apartment Association of Metro Denver (AAMD), IREM  Denver Chapter, and the National Apartment Association.

Marcella is an active industry thought leader with regular speaking engagements at both national and regional multifamily industry conferences, most recently at the NAA's 2020 Apartmentalize Conference.

About Mission Rock Residential Mission Rock Residential is a national multifamily property management firm established in 2012. The company now manages nearly 28,000 residential units across the contiguous United States. With a team of more than 700 full-time employees, Mission Rock is headquartered in Denver, Colorado with regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Phoenix, Arizona. The company was named one of the Best Places to Work in Multifamily in 2019. For additional information, visit www.missionrockresidential.com.

Media Contact

Nichole Marshall

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SOURCE Mission Rock Residential
By Chen Guanyu

US President Joe Biden said on March 25 that Washington would not be able to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 under the timeline agreed with the Afghan Taliban due to tactical reasons. The postponed US withdrawal is tantamount to unilaterally tearing up its agreement with the Taliban, which would bring continuous instability to the Middle East.

The US breaks its promise

On February 29, 2020, the Trump administration and the Afghan Taliban signed a peace deal in Doha, Qatar's capital, setting a detailed timeline for the withdrawal of troops of the US and its allies from Afghanistan. However, after Biden took office, he stressed that the US must be vigilant over terrorist threats from Afghanistan and called for maintaining a small-scale military presence.

After the signing of the peace agreement in Doha, the US still regards the Taliban as an extremist organization, resulting in frequent armed conflicts in Afghanistan. The US worries that Afghanistan will once again become a shelter for terrorist organizations, which will threaten the security of the US and its allies. Washington has broken its promises on the Afghanistan issue repeatedly, leaving the Doha peace deal a mere scrap of paper.

The US breaking its promise this time indicates its intention to control Afghanistan further and reinforce its geopolitical advantage in the Middle East. The US intelligence authorities said that if the US withdraws its troops before the Taliban and the Afghan government sign an agreement on sharing power, most parts of Afghanistan will likely fall into the Taliban's control again within two or three years, which will threaten US control of Afghanistan.

Analysts pointed out that NATO is mainly responsible for training the Afghan Security Forces. They relt on the logistics support and protection from the US troops in the country. If the US withdraws its troops from Afghanistan, NATO troops will probably leave the country for safety.

The US troops delay the pace of withdrawal from Afghanistan because Washington intends to maintain its military presence in the country, which is like a stake driven in the heart of the Eurasian Continent to deter the Taliban and major powers in the region effectively.

Escalating regional conflicts

However, the postponed withdrawal of US troops will bring many uncertainties to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the situation of the Middle East.

First, the conflict between the Taliban and the US will escalate. The Taliban believes that US military intervention is the root cause for the daunting Afghanistan issue.

The Taliban has always demanded that the US and its allies completely withdraw their troops from Afghanistan or present a clear timetable for withdrawal. They stressed that the withdrawal should be the prerequisite for peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. The US move to postpone its troops exit from Afghanistan implies that the achievements of the peace talks between the Taliban and the US would go up in smoke.

Soon after Bidens announcement, the Taliban warned that if the US doesnt stick to the agreed timetable on the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, this will be considered a breach of the Doha agreement and Washington shall be responsible for possible violent attacks in the future. It is predicable that the Taliban will launch a new round of violent attacks on the US troops in Afghanistan and the troops of the Afghan government to strengthen its hand in future negotiations.

Second, the US will stir up a new round of conflicts in the Middle East. On the one hand, Iran has always been on high alert toward the US troops in Afghanistan. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the presence of the extremist group Islamic State (IS) in Afghanistan and the extramalization of Afghan local armed groups pose new challenges to the security situation of Afghanistan and the Middle East. At the same time, foreign troops,especially the US troops in Afghanistan, are an important factor causing regional instability.

On the other hand, abetted by the US, India has increasingly stepped up its efforts to contain Pakistan in recent years in an attempt to squeeze the strategic space of Pakistan and open a channel of communication with Central Asia. US stay will undoubtedly embolden India over Afghanistan, increasing the uncertainty of the India-Pakistan conflict.

In general, the postponed withdrawal of US troops remaining inAfghanistan will not only affect the Afghan peace process but also complicates the situation in the Middle East.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University For decades our environmental law program has led the way in training environmental defenders and advocates who have gone on to serve in law firms, government agencies and NGOs around the world." -- Dean Horace Anderson

Pace Universitys Elisabeth Haub School of Law is ranked number one in the country for environmental law by the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings, released today.

This ranking is the latest major success for the program, which has consistently been rated among the very best in the country. In the past few years the environmental law program has recruited top faculty who are recognized scholars in climate change law, international human rights law and natural resources and food systems law.

At Pace University, we educate students to help change the world, said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. Our environmental law program, which trains attorneys for this critically important field, has long been world-renowned. Congratulations to the faculty, staff, and students of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law on this recognition, and thanks to the Haub family for their commitment to the environment and to our law school.

For decades our environmental law program has led the way in training environmental defenders and advocates who have gone on to serve in law firms, government agencies and NGOs around the world, said Dean Horace Anderson. We are proud that the faculty scholarship, teaching quality and the experiential learning opportunities we provide our students are recognized at the pinnacle of the field.

The environmental law program is widely known for its signature programs including the Environmental Litigation Clinic, the Food and Beverage Law Clinic and the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, and last year it launched the innovative Environmental Law and Policy Hack Competition. The environmental law programs clinical training helps it remain at the top among law schools nationwide.

"We are very proud of the work the environmental law program does in training practitioners, advocates and environmental defenders," said Jason J. Czarnezki, Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and Associate Dean and Executive Director of Environmental Law Programs. "We seek the aggressive reduction of carbon emissions in the face of the global climate crisis, and we fight for environmental, social and economic justice."

Haub Law offers more than 40 environmental law courses. Students can research cutting-edge areas of the law through on-campus centers and institutes that focus on various areas of environmental law, including the Pace Energy & Climate Center and the Land Use Law Center, and they can represent public interest groups as student practitioners in the Environmental Litigation Clinic. Students can choose from unparalleled opportunities to develop their skills internationally and through on-the-job practical externships.

Haub Law is only one of two law schools worldwide to be a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which allows students to draft memoranda, debate issues and attend meetings, including the World Conservation Congress and U.S. National Committee meetings. The Law School is also Co-Secretariat to the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, helping to nurture environmental legal education and promote the conceptual development of environmental law internationally. Through the United Nations Diplomacy Practicum, students provide assistance to UN country Missions by attending their meetings and preparing research on issues such as climate change, renewable energy, fisheries protection, and forest management. These opportunities provide Haub Law students with the tools they need to be leaders in environmental law.

About the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University:

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University offers JD and Masters of Law degrees in both Environmental and International Law, as well as a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Environmental Law. The school, housed on the Universitys campus in White Plains, N.Y., opened its doors in 1976 and has more than 9,000 alumni around the world. The school maintains a unique philosophy and approach to legal education that strikes an important balance between practice and theory. Haub Law launched its Environmental Law Program in 1978; it has long been ranked among the worlds leading university programs. Paces doctoral graduates teach environmental law at universities around the world. Paces J.D. alumni are prominent in environmental law firms, agencies and non-profit organizations across the U.S. and abroad. In 2016, the Law School received a transformational gift from the family of Elisabeth Haub, in recognition of its outstanding environmental law programs. For more information visit http://law.pace.edu

About Pace University

Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard Universitys Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website.
In San Antonio, we love our tacos, but we also crave elote topped with Hot Cheetos and more.

Sure, some fruterias and restaurants offer corn in a cup and on a stick. However, a new bar specializing in corn is opening soon in San Antonio and is serving some elote you will want to get your hands on.

Jesus Arreaga, the owner of the new corn bar Elotitos, is hosting his grand opening at 4 p.m. Friday at his new brick-and-mortar located at 1933 Fredericksburg Road. The 30-year-old used to set up pop-up spots at markets around the city. During quarantine last year, he decided to open his permanent one-stop corn shop because he felt San Antonio doesn't have what he is planning on serving.

READ ALSO: The city's splash pads are now open. Here's where to find them.

"When you think about corn, you think about the traditional yellow corn in San Antonio," Arreaga said. "One thing I wanted to offer is the white corn because not a lot of places offer that."

On his menu, Arreaga is using a different kind of cream for his five flavors - traditional, chipotle, Hot Cheeto, jalapeno, and crunchy queso. It won't be what many San Antonians are used to, like the mayo base with chili powder, parmesan cheese, and lime. Instead, it's a special secret crema (cream) that his mom whipped up for her own business when he and his family lived in Mexico.

"In Mexico, we use this crema that is sort of like sour cream but less sour," Arreaga said. "My mom has added her own twist on it and that's what we will be using in the store."

Scroll below to learn more about the five flavors and menu.
Afghanistan Ambassador to India, Farid Mamundzay on Tuesday, March 30 said that India, being a major power in the region, should be a part of the Afghan peace process at various forums. Speaking to ANI, he said, India is an important partner to Afghanistan... We want India to be a part of all those forums and talks where peace is discussed. The peace of Afghanistan impacts India as well... India has adopted a principled position in the Afghan peace process. We would want India's presence in those forums. Speaking about foreign governments, especially Pakistan, he said that unless the funding for terrorist entities stops, the conflict in the country would continue.

#WATCH: Farid Mamundzay, Afghan Envoy to India speaks to ANI in Hindi, on the recent visit of Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, to India and his statement that India should play a bigger role in peace process. pic.twitter.com/zeCWOTNTO6  ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

Our President had made it clear that unless foreign support stops for terrorist entities, whether in the region or beyond, the conflict would continue. Afghans have suffered the most, it's not a civil war in Afghanistan, it's international terrorism... Wherever it may be coming from, we want all those non-state actors to stop the bloodshed, stop killing Afghans and stop destabilising the region, said Farid.

S Jaishankar in Dushanbe

In another significant development, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is in Dushanbe to attend the ninth Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process conference. Presenting Indias views on the troubled Afghan peace process at a crucial meeting on Afghanistan hosted by Tajikistan, S Jaishankar outlined what Afghanistan needs in order to attain 'durable peace'. It is to be noted that EAM S Jaishankar met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday and had a discussion on the Afghan peace process before uttering out India's views at the 9th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference. S Jaishankar arrived in the Tajikistan capital of Dushanbe at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin.

S Jaishankar has shared India's perspective in three points. The External Affairs Minister of India also outlined what actually a war-torn nation like Afghanistan needs in order to attain a durable pace. He highlighted that to attain a durable peace in Afghanistan it is necessary for the regions around it to also remain peaceful. In order to maintain the Afghan peace process' success 'it is necessary to ensure that the negotiating parties continue to engage in good faith, with a serious commitment towards reaching a political solution.

(Image Credits: AP/PTI)
Actors Kang Ha-neul, right, and Chun Woo-hee pose during a press conference for "Waiting for Rain" in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Kidari ENT, Sony Pictures



By Kwak Yeon-soo



"Waiting for Rain," featuring actors Kang Ha-neul and Chun Woo-hee, is a romance drama that stirs up nostalgia for the 2000s. It features a youthful vibe and captures raw emotions that each of us can relate to.



Set in 2003, the film tells the story of Young-ho (played by Kang), an unmotivated student who is studying for the college entrance exam for the third time. One day, he sends a letter to his elementary school classmate So-yeon to regain his verve and passion for life.



On behalf of So-yeon who is ill, her sister So-hee (Chun) writes back and the two continue to exchange letters while trying to sort out their lives. The two agree to meet each other in person if it rains on Dec. 31.



Director Cho Jin-mo, who previously helmed the comedy flick, "Suspicious Customers" (2011), and the romance drama, "Making Family" (2016), said he simply used letters as a tool to add an element of narrative and induce a retro feeling that blends well with a nostalgic plot.



"I think letters are the best way to express one's feelings. They also encourage our imagination because we often think about recipients and their reaction when writing. However, I'd like to note that the dialogue between the two characters in the film is far more important than the letters that serve as a communication tool," he said during a press conference for the film, Wednesday.



Director Cho also shared a reason for naming the film (whose Korean title is "The Story of the Rain and You") after a popular song title. "The film has no connection with the song. I just wanted a title that showcases the warm and flirtatious sentiment of the film," he added.



Actor Kang, who has portrayed a wide variety of characters throughout his career, is returning to the big screen for the first time in four years after the mystery thriller, "Forgotten." He continues to play a character that inspires youthfulness as he did in previous hits such as tvN's "Misaeng: Incomplete Life" (2014), "Twenty" (2015) and "Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet" (2016).



"Unlike other films whose storylines I tried to look at through the eyes of the characters, I was able to look at this one through my own eyes. I have many similarities with Young-ho's character," he said.



Kang said he was in tears when he read the script for the first time while serving in the military. "I was moved to tears when reading the script. I felt embarrassed to cry in front of others, so I went to bed right away," he said.





A scene from "Waiting for Rain" / Courtesy of Kidari ENT, Sony Pictures
The University of Bath has become the first UK university to sign the Green Chemistry Commitment - a charter to train the next generation of chemists in the theory and application of green chemistry principles.

The Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) is a global initiative to help transform chemistry education by preparing chemistry students with a better understanding of green chemistry, developing innovative, environmentally-sound solutions to chemical products and processes.

Signatories commit to teach their students about the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, toxicology and how chemicals affect human health and the environment, laboratory skills to design greener alternatives to chemical processes and to equip future scientists to use methods and chemicals that are benign for human health and the environment.

University of Bath's chemistry courses are being revised as part of a University-wide curriculum transformation for students starting in 2023. Whereas currently sustainable chemistry is taught as optional units in Years 1 and 3 of undergraduate programmes, following curriculum transformation, sustainable chemistry will become embedded in the core units that all students will take.

PhD students from the University's Centre for Sustainable & Circular Technologies (CSCT) undertake research in multiple areas of sustainable chemistry, including creating plastics from sugars, converting seaweed into biofuels, and making new materials for solar cells.

The GCC was signed by Chemistry Head of Department, Professor Andrew Burrows, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching), Professor Peter Lambert, facilitated by the CSCT.

Professor Burrows said: "For the undergraduate programmes, it is all about making students aware of green chemistry principles and considering these when designing a reaction - for instance reducing waste, avoiding formation of harmful by-products and using renewable feedstocks. They have the opportunity to put these principles into practice during their final year research projects.

"For PhD students, especially those working in the CSCT, the principles are fully embedded into their research projects.

"I'm delighted that we are the first Chemistry department in the UK to sign up to the Green Chemistry Commitment.

"The principles of sustainable chemistry are firmly rooted within the way that we work in the department, and this approach to chemistry will become increasingly more important in the future."

This pledge is part of the University's wider commitment to our environment, following the appointment of a new Climate Action Team earlier in the month as part of Bath's Climate Action Framework and the introduction of a new Climate literacy course for incoming students studying any subject from September 2020.

Dr Amy Cannon, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Beyond Benign said: "As a global leader in green and sustainable technologies, the University of Bath will continue to demonstrate their leadership through this Commitment to transforming chemistry education.

"We look forward to deepening our connections with the University and sharing their unique approach to addressing sustainability through chemistry."

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Local

Parks, neighborhood roads and lack of businesses top issues in Ward 7 council race

Jennings Adam Robison | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Jerry Coleman

TUPELO  The overall wellbeing of local parks and residential infrastructure is the main point of contention in the Tupelo City Council Ward 7 race, where two Democratic challengers are trying to unseat a three-term incumbent member of the council.

In the Ward 7 race, two political outsiders  Jerry Coleman and Rosezlia Jones  are challenging the wards current councilman  Willie Jennings  in the Democratic primary.

What you need to know about Tupelo's primary elections on April 6 The first round of voting for municipal candidates will take place in a little over a month on April 6 for party primaries. There are three candidates running for mayor and more than 20 candidates running for the Tupelo City Council.

One of the challengers believes south Tupelo has been overlooked by city officials, while the incumbent is defending his record of continuously working to improve communities in Ward 7.

Ward 7 includes the Southern Heights neighborhood, the Haven Acres neighborhood and a portion of the Thomas Street community.

The primary will take place on April 6. If no single candidate receives an outright majority of votes cast, then the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff election on April 27.

23 total candidates qualify to run for Tupelo City Council TUPELO  The qualification period for Tupelos upcoming municipal elections came to a close Friday, cementing the shape of the April 6 primaries.

No Republican candidate qualified in the ward, so the winner of the Democratic primary will win the overall race.

Jerry Coleman

Coleman, 52, is the general manager of Little Caesars Pizza's Tupelo location and has served as president of the Southern Heights neighborhood association, one of the major neighborhoods in the ward.

Coleman said hes lived in Ward 7 nearly all of his life, yet believes little has changed in the quality of life there.

We just havent seen Ward 7 progress as much as the other areas of the city, Coleman said.

The list of Colemans main grievances include bad lighting along Mitchell Road, a lack of sidewalks in the Southern Heights neighborhood, a poor walking track at the Theron Nichols Park and little parking at the Haven Acres Park.

I would work with the Parks and Recreation Department on some of these things, Coleman said.

Coleman also said the ward is suffering from a lack of commercial development in south Tupelo and that the city could look to give businesses some sort of tax incentives to encourage them to invest in the area.

Much of Colemans view of affordable housing centers around relaxing some of Tupelos building and rental codes, which he believes add unnecessary expenses for property owners and builders. The owners transfer those costs down to tenants, which causes exorbitant rental prices.

Coleman believes the city could also do away with some of the building permits it requires people to purchase to construct or repair their homes. Although he looks to trim the citys housing codes, Coleman believes the council should also push to have more code enforcement officers to enforce codes already on the books.

When asked about helping the city through any remaining economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic, Coleman said building up small businesses should be at the core of any assistance.

Willie Jennings

Jennings, 69, has served on the council for around 12 years and owns several pieces of real estate in town. He is resting on his record, saying that he constantly worked to deliver grants and projects that enhance the quality of life for neighborhoods in the ward.

Since hes been in office, Jennings said hes worked to find ways to construct a community center and storm shelter near Theron Nichols Park, helped establish a city project that employs underprivileged kids called Plant a Seed Program and worked with the Parks and Recreation department to install a splash pad for kids at a park.

I want Ward 7 to have more things for the people to enjoy, Jennings said.

Jennings said he would like to continue some ongoing projects, but told the Daily Journal, if re-elected, he would like to meet with constituents in his ward to see what some of their concerns and wishes are before advocating for any specific future projects.

I would like to get with my constituents to tell me what they want, Jennings said.

Jennings said he wants to continue to improve residential infrastructure in town. He believe the citys Streetsaver initiative, a software that determines which city roads get repaired on a reoccurring basis, is a responsible way to for the city to handle that.

To encourage access to more affordable housing, Jennings said that he wants the next mayoral administration to continue along the next phases of the current administrations plan on affordable housing that seeks to develop middle-income units and higher-income units along pieces of city-owned vacant property south of Lawndale Drive.

Jennings initially opposed some of Mayor Jason Sheltons plans to purchase blighted apartment complexes and demolish them so that affordable housing units could go in its palace. But the third-term councilman said he initially opposed the plans because it seemed like there was not a substantive plan on what to do with the property once the apartments were demolished.

As soon as we got a plan in place, though, I was for it, Jennings said.

When asked about helping the city through the rest of the pandemic, Jennings said the city leadership must encourage citizens to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Recovering from the health crisis is the first step, he said.

I keep telling people, Please take your shot, Jennings said. Thats whats going to help the economy.

Then, the city should try to have events and programs that let business owners that may have suffered financially know all of the grants and loans available.

Rosezlia Rosie Jones

Jones, 48, did not respond to a request for a new interview to discuss her campaign with the Daily Journal.

In previous interviews with the Daily Journal, Jones said that she is running to advocate for more equality among the wards and hopes that, if elected, she could bring more resources to Ward 7.

I just want to provide a bridge to close in the gap so we can make a better Tupelo, Jones previously said.

Related
Cabinet approves plan to set up national pension fund

THAILAND: The cabinet has agreed to set up a national pension fund that would force employees out of provident funds and cut the public budget.

economics

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 31 March 2021, 10:01AM

Photo: Bangkok Post.

The move is being taken because Thailand is becoming an ageing society - it is estimated that the country will have a million more elderly people each year from 2023.

Deputy government spokesman Rachada Dhnadirek said the cabinet yesterday (Mar 30) approved in principle the idea of setting up a national pension fund which would require all formal employees who are not members of the provident funds, including employees of government agencies and state enterprises, to save money.

According to the bill, both employees and employers would have to contribute to the fund in a progressive rate. In years 1-3 they would be required to contribute 3% of their salary, rising to 5% for years 4-6 and 7% for years 7-9. Thereafter, they would be required to contribute at least 7%.

Those affected would be aged 15-60 years earning up to B60,000 per month.

However, if the employee earns less than B10,000 per month, only the employer would have to contribute. Meanwhile, employees can opt to commit more to the fund, up to 30% of their salary.
India on Wednesday reported a net increase of 11,846 in active cases to take its count to 552,566. That is a little over 54 per cent of the September 18 peak of 1,017,754. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 2.51 per cent (one in 40). The country is 6th among the most affected countries by active cases. On Wednesday, it added 53,480 cases to take its total caseload to 12,149,335. And, with 354 new fatalities, the most in a day since December 17, its Covid-19 reached 162,468, or 1.34 per cent of total confirmed infections.

With 1,940,999 more people getting Covid-19 vaccine shots on Tuesday, Indias total count of those inoculated reached 63,054,353. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 11,434,301  or 94.11 per cent of total caseload  with 41,280 new cured cases being reported on Wednesday.
Immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has described the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu as a champion of progressive politics and a prolific groomer of leaders.

The accolades were contained in a statement issued yesterday by Oshiomhole congratulating the former Governor of Lagos State on his 69th birthday.

"I join millions of others in celebrating Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his 69th birthday.

"Considering his sterling antecedents, there is no doubt that he has distinguished himself as a courageous politician with the strength of conviction in the pursuit of his beliefs.

"As public office-holder, he proved himself as a man of innovation who deployed the power of ideas to bring about positive and visible change in Lagos.

"His uncommon capacity to organize and mobilize came handy in the formation of All Progressives Congress in 2014 and in the party becoming the first opposition party in Nigeria's history to defeat a ruling party.

"Even more significant is his uncommon talent in discovering talents and mentoring them to leadership positions in various spheres as evidenced by a long parade of leaders including past and serving governors, ministers and even the Vice President," Oshiomhole explained.
SwRI researchers part of two collaborative teams awarded SAMF grants

SAN ANTONIO -- March 31, 2021 -- Collaborative teams that include Southwest Research Institute staff received two of six recently awarded San Antonio Medical Foundation (SAMF) bioscience grants. SwRI, in collaboration with UT Health San Antonio and University Health System, received a nearly $200,000 grant to develop machine learning algorithms for cancer detection. A team from SwRI, UT Health San Antonio, The University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas Biomedical Research Institute also received a grant of nearly $200,000 for its work to identify drug molecules that interfere with the entry of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, into human cells.

The team developing cancer detection algorithms is using artificial intelligence to improve the speed and accuracy of cancer diagnosis and treatment, leading to better outcomes for patients. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the training of computers to recognize patterns and make predictions.

Researchers will focus on follicular lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, malignancies caused by mutated bone marrow stem cells. They are training an algorithm to quantify immune cells and proteins expressed by these cancer cells, eliminating the guesswork for pathologists and providing information about tumor characteristics to guide treatment.

"AI can improve diagnosis and prognosis by analyzing patterns that may be overlooked or not easily visible to the pathologist," said Hakima Ibaroudene, an engineer and program manager in SwRI's Intelligent Systems Division and a member of the three-person research team. "It allows a deeper analysis of statistics across sets of images and more precisely quantifies cells and their attributes. The ultimate goal is to give the patient the best chance for successful treatment."

Dr. Jonathan Bohmann, a staff scientist in SwRI's Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division, jointly leads a team identifying drug compounds that thwart SARS-CoV-2. The highly infectious virus spreads by entering host cells.

Their research aims to prevent the virus from breaching human cells. The team is identifying drug molecules that interrupt the binding action between a virus protein and host cells. They are using SwRI's Rhodium virtual screening software to survey 2 million drug compounds to pinpoint effective therapies to prevent infection.

"I am eager to be a part of this critical collaboration to identify drug molecules that interrupt the virus' attack on human cells," Bohmann said. "The goal of this research is to develop sets of candidate drug compounds that stop the virus' entry process. The SAMF funding allows us to focus on this piece of the puzzle and gather vital data, which will move us into safety testing, the next phase of study. Through this work, we envision developing an effective, safe COVID-19 treatment."

The nonprofit San Antonio Medical Foundation awarded six grants in its latest round of funding, totaling more than $1 million. The winners were chosen from a pool of 44 applicants. Grant proposals were selected based on collaborative effort, how well the projects leverage the strengths of each institution and whether the work will raise the national and international research profile of the San Antonio bioscience community.

"The primary purpose of our grants is to promote collaboration among health care and bioscience research institutions," said Jim Reed, president of the foundation. "These applications not only met that criteria, but each project will further scientific discovery in urgent areas of medical research."

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To learn more about machine learning for cancer detection, visit https:/ / www. swri. org/ industries/ bioinformatics-data-analysis-services .

To learn more about Rhodium virtual screening software, visit https:/ / www. swri. org/ industry/ drug-discovery/ structure-based-virtual-screening .

Release url: https:/ / www. swri. org/ press-release/ swri-researchers-part-of-two-collaborative-teams-awarded-samf-grants?utm_source= EA!&utm_medium= Distribution&utm_camp;aign= SAMF-Grants-PR

Client service link: https:/ / www. swri. org/ industries/ bioinformatics-data-analysis-services?utm_source= EA!&utm_medium= SwRI&utm_campaign= SAMF-Grants-PR

Second client service link: https:/ / www. swri. org/ industry/ drug-discovery/ structure-based-virtual-screening?utm_source= EA!&utm_medium= SwRI&utm_campaign= SAMF-Grants-PR

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
School choice advocates are praising West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice for enacting the most expansive education savings account policy in the country after he signed a bill into law giving parents money to help pay for private or homeschool education if they opt to take their children out of public school.

Justice signed House Bill 2013 into law Saturday. The bill established the Hope Scholarship Program, which will provide the option for a parent to better meet the individual education needs of his or her child. Under the Hope Scholarship Program, which will go into effect on July 1, 2022, eligible recipients can receive funding that is equal to 100 percent of the prior years statewide average net share aid allotted per pupil based on net enrollment adjusted for state purposes.

According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail, House Bill 2013 will enable families who withdraw their children from public schools to receive a currently-estimated $4,600 per-student, per-year (scholarship) for private- and home-schooling expenses. The publication reported that Parents could use the vouchers for a nearly unlimited list of educational expenses, including online education programs, tutoring, books and private schooling, whether religious or secular.

The Hope Scholarship is available to all students who were enrolled full-time and attending a public elementary or secondary school program in this state for at least 45 calendar days during an instructional term at the time of application and until an award letter is issued by the board or are eligible to be enrolled in a kindergarten program in the state. The funds for a Hope Scholarship must be placed in a personal education savings account to be used for qualifying education expenses on behalf of the eligible recipient.

Source:The Christian Post
A day after prosecutors said Pennsylvania State Police troopers were justified in fatally shooting a suicidal man holding a BB gun on Route 33, attorneys for Christian Halls family have again called for an independent investigation into the troublesome killing.

The 19-year-old Hall was shot by troopers Dec. 30 on the Route 33 South overpass bridge to Interstate 80 in Hamilton Township, Monroe County.

On Tuesday, county prosecutors announced they would not be charging the involved officers, saying state police were legally justified in using deadly force that day.

We believe this was an unjustified killing of this Asian teenager, Christian Hall, attorney Ben Crump said on Wednesday. The police knew exactly why they were there. This young man, this teenager, called the police saying that he was going to commit suicide. Its a cry for help. Lets make sure we all understand that. When somebodys contemplating suicide and they call others, its a cry for help. And, unfortunately, instead of getting help, Christian got bullets. Even after he put his hands up, they shot.

I'm about to GO LIVE with Devon Jacobs in response to the DAs conclusions in the Christian Hall case. Join us on Facebook at 10AM ET:  Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) March 31, 2021

Crump, who is in Minnesota for Derek Chauvins trial in the killing of George Floyd, held an online news conference Wednesday with his co-counsel Devon Jacob.

Why continue to shoot and kill a person who is putting their hands up in surrender? That is the crux of the matter, Crump said.

Gareth and Fe Hall, Christians parents, are asking for the Pennsylvania attorney generals office to investigate the fatal shooting, and plan to file a civil lawsuit against the state police officers involved.

The response by troopers and a corporal that day shows a complete lack of training, and there is an appearance of impropriety by prosecutors that should lead to further investigation by an outside agency, Jacob said.

First Assistant District Attorney Michael Mancuso unfairly attacked Halls grieving parents duringTuesdays news conference, which was not relevant to the use of force investigation and shows bias in the office, the familys attorney said.

Mancuso claimed the family refused to cooperate with authorities, which Jacob said was factually incorrect. The attorney added it was not incumbent on the family to reach out to authorities, but that investigators and prosecutors investigating Halls killing needed to reach out to attorneys representing the family.

They did not do so, Jacob said, adding the attorneys never heard from Pennsylvania State Police or the countys district attorneys office. The unprofessional and indecent conduct speaks for itself.

The only contact the Halls had with law enforcement was the day their son was shot, when they were told at a state police barracks that Christian was shot and killed, Jacob said.

The Hall family spoke with the county coroners office, Jacob said, and officials were told to contact a family member who is also an attorney.

When Mancuso announced his decision, he said Hall was suicidal and armed with a pellet gun that troopers believed was a semi-automatic handgun.

Mancuso said the encounter with state police lasted about an hour and a half, from when troopers were dispatched at 1:40 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.

Authorities did not identify the state police involved, but said five troopers and a corporal interacted with Hall that day.

Hall ignored repeated orders to put the gun down and began walking toward troopers negotiating with him, authorities said.

Troopers shot at Hall twice and two troopers fired: the corporal, who has been with state police for 22 years, and a trooper, a 7-year veteran of state police, from Troop N.

The first rounds hit a concrete barrier. After Hall raised his arms up and pointed the BB gun toward the sky, troopers shot a second time, hitting Hall multiple times.

Use of deadly force was justified due to Halls actions under the circumstances, Mancuso said. A tragic situation, but a situation that was fueled by Halls mental state and his desire to end his life.

The Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance of Pennsylvania on Wednesday also called for an independent investigation into Halls shooting.

The organization said prosecutors blamed Halls mental crisis for his shooting, instead of holding the officers accountable.

From Atlanta, Georgia to Monroe County, Pennsylvania and everywhere in between, the systemic violence affecting Asian Americans shows the need for our government at all levels to directly invest in Asian American communities. We need funded, culturally-competent mental health care and community-based responses to both state-based and hate-based violence, so that when tragedies like this occur we have pathways for accountability and reform. And first and foremost, we need justice for Christian Hall, co-Executive Director Mohan Seshadri said in a news release.

Christian Hall was holding this BB gun when he was fatally shot by Pennsylvania State Police on Dec. 30, 2020, in Monroe County, the county district attorney's office said. The DA ruled troopers were justified in using deadly force when they fatally shot Hall.Image via the Monroe County District Attorney's Office | For lehighvalleylive.com

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that Luxembourg will continue to authorise the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for people under the age of 60.

The Ministry confirmed upon request that they would continue to follow the official advice of the European Medications Agency (EMA), while continuing to follow developments across the EU.

The German National Vaccine Commission earlier this week recommended to limit the use of the British-Swedish vaccine to people over 60.

Health authorities stated this was a precautionary measure based on new data about side effects.

A spokesperson from the Charite hospital explained that the decision was taken after new cases of thrombosis in the brain were discovered in female patients.

German health ministers confirmed this recommendation after a meeting on Tuesday evening.

A Canadian expert committee issued a similar recommendation on Tuesday afternoon, in this case for people under 55 years.

France and Spain have also limited the vaccine to over-55s.
People are increasingly buying goods online instead of at physical stores, leaving showrooms with unwanted stock. Photo: Thanh Tung

Many electronics and appliance retail stores have remained empty especially after the Lunar New Year as customers were not eagerly shopping. Given the low customer traffic, some stores merely displayed old samples without offering new ones, while others were struggling to survive.

Some institutes and experts have been making the pandemic and social distancing responsible for the low sales in brick-and-mortar shops, such as global market researcher Euromonitor, which pointed out that under the impact of COVID-19, electronics and appliance retailers registered a notably lower sales growth in 2020.

Dang Thanh Phong, public relations manager of Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG) told VIR, The consumer electronics and appliance retail industry in 2021 may face more hardship due to the pandemic which led to a large decrease of consumers income and slowed down the economy.

However, Ralf Matthaes, managing director of Infocus Mekong Research claimed that the main challenge has actually not been the pandemic. He stated that though consumers have curtailed spending on consumer electronics in 2020, since January of this year, consumer electronics have started to show a rebound in sales with a mild yet positive 5 per cent increase.

The main issue is that consumers are shopping more online for these goods, as they are able to save money and benefit from many promotional benefits. Hence, the major challenge is coming from e-commerce sites such as Lazada, Tiki, and Shopee, Matthaes added.

In addition to Matthaes judgement, a look at the growth rate of the retail market shows that retail sales have been decreasing since 2015.

Other statistics by Euromonitor showed that from 2014 to 2018 the share of brick-and-mortar retailers dropped from 81.6 to 77 per cent. Meanwhile, the share of internet retailing grew from 17.8 to 22.1 per cent, while other sources remained largely stable.

In the shortlist of top electronics and appliance specialist retailers, MWG, FPT Corporation, and Pico JSC are the leading names, with respective shares of 27, 5.2, and 4 per cent. Following these are Cao Phong Co., Ltd. and Nguyen Kim Trading JSC with market shares of 3.8 and 3.1 per cent, respectively.

Last year, MWG opened 300 Dien May Xanh supermini outlets during the pandemic. Towards the end of 2021, the company is looking to open another 700 stores. Phong of MWG said that the company is following its roadmap to reach 60 per cent market share by 2022.

Dien May Xanh will not spend much on pushing consumption, but instead focus on serving customers the best choices for their needs and budgets. MWG plans to expand its network to more remote areas that large and mini Dien May Xanh outlets cannot reach by opening Dien May Xanh supermini stores,Matthaes added.

In the past five years, Vietnams electronics and appliance retail market has seen plenty of big names disappearing, including Tran Anh, Vien Thong A, Topcare, and Viet Long.

In 2017, MWG bought Tran Anh Digital World to expand its scale beyond the north. The combination of Dien May Xanh and Tran Anh generated 30 per cent of market share at the time of the merger.

Meanwhile, in 2020 Vingroup JSC exited the channel and the entire Vietnamese consumer electronics market to concentrate on technology and industrial sectors. The group acquired Vien Thong A electronics supermarket, renaming it VinPro. However, the market chain officially dissolved only a year after its launch.

Thai conglomerate Central Group, through its subsidiary, acquired the Vietnamese electronics retailer Nguyen Kim early in 2020 in a deal worth nearly $115 million, representing the groups move to consolidate its presence in the Vietnamese electronics and appliance retail market.

Players in the electronics and appliance sector are advised by experts to diversify their strategies and adopt omnichannel models if they wish to lead the market. FPT and MWG tried to push e-commerce sales to mitigate the effects of the national lockdowns and social distancing campaigns throughout the pandemic. Their online sales have recorded growth in 2020, which helped to compensate for the declining sales at brick-and-mortar outlets.

These chains are also investing in their websites to compete with e-commerce platforms. However, the competition can be tough as both players need to cut down their prices and offer numerous promotions to snag online shoppers.

Nguyen Quang Hoa, chairman of Thien Nam Hoa JSC, said that his company is scaling down its premises and only retains some key stores. The company will focus on boosting its online sales, which are expected to contribute 60-70 per cent to its sales.

According to Matthaes from Infocus Mekong, there is still pent up demand for consumer electronics in Vietnam. However the retail sales model must change for these companies to survive. The key challenge will be to find the right central locations and convert store offers into easy-to-buy products that can be fitted for homes via virtual product mapping, and then be delivered conveniently, Matthaes explained.
[March 31, 2021] Apple Powers Ahead in New Renewable Energy Solutions With Over 110 Suppliers

Apple (News - Alert)  today announced over 110 of its manufacturing partners around the world are moving to 100 percent renewable energy for their Apple production, with nearly 8 gigawatts of planned clean energy set to come online. Once completed, these commitments will avoid over 15 million metric tons of CO2e annually - the equivalent of taking more than 3.4 million cars off the road each year. Additionally, Apple is investing directly in renewable energy projects to cover a portion of upstream emissions, as well as a major energy storage project in California to pilot new solutions for renewable infrastructure. "We are firmly committed to helping our suppliers become carbon neutral by 2030 and are thrilled that companies who've joined us span industries and countries around the world, including Germany, China, the US, India, and France," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. "In a year like no other, Apple continued to work with a global network of colleagues, companies, and advocates to help make our environmental efforts and everything we do a force for good in people's lives - and to work alongside the communities most impacted by climate change." Last July, the company unveiled its plan to become carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030. Since that announcement, Apple has significantly increased the number of its suppliers that are transitioning to renewable energy. Apple is already carbon neutral today for its global corporate operations, and this new commitment means that by 2030, every Apple device sold will have net zero climate impact. The company recently shared new details about its $4.7 billion spend in Green Bonds to support environmental projects around the world. Supplier Commitments and Global Energy Projects Apple is constantly developing new tools for its suppliers to help execute on their renewable energy goals, and bring new clean energy to communities across the globe. In Europe, DSM Engineering Materials's wind power purchase agreement is bringing new clean energy to the grid in the Netherlands, and STMicroelectronics's (News - Alert) solar carport in Morocco is supporting regional energy production. Companies like Solvay ar now expanding their use of renewable energy to their broader operations after joining Apple's Supplier Clean Energy (News - Alert) Program five years ago. In the US, Alpha and Omega Semiconductor, Marian, The Chemours Company, and Trinseo all recently committed to the program. And, in China, 15 suppliers have joined Apple's program since July 2020.



Sharing the experience gained through Apple's own transition to 100 percent renewable energy with its suppliers, the company introduces suppliers to resources and training materials with country-specific information to guide them in their transition to renewables. Apple also educates suppliers through advanced and customized training with leading experts. And the company supports the creation and growth of renewable energy industry associations that its suppliers can join to learn about local opportunities. In many markets where the company operates, suppliers have limited options to access clean energy. To break down that barrier, Apple created the China Clean Energy Fund, which enables Apple and its suppliers to invest in clean energy projects totaling more than one gigawatt of renewable energy in China. Apple also connects suppliers with opportunities to buy renewable energy directly from project developers and utilities as those models emerge around the globe.

Looking ahead, Apple's work with its suppliers will include sharing lessons learned from the next frontier of Apple's renewable energy efforts: investing in storage solutions for renewable sites. Energy Storage and 2030 Progress Apple is constructing one of the largest battery projects in the country, California Flats - an industry-leading, grid-scale energy storage project capable of storing 240 megawatt-hours of energy, enough to power over 7,000 homes for one day. This project supports the company's 130-megawatt solar farm that provides all of its renewable energy in California, by storing excess energy generated during the day and deploying it when it is most needed. Wind and solar power provide the most cost-effective new source of electricity to many parts of the world, but the intermittent nature of these technologies has presented an obstacle to widespread adoption. One solution to intermittency is energy storage, which can retain generated energy until it is needed. Apple is investing in utility-scale storage in California and research into new energy storage technologies, even as it builds upon distributed storage capabilities in Santa Clara Valley and through Apple Park's microgrid. Overall, Apple has seen consistent reductions in its carbon footprint, even as net revenue increased. The company's footprint has decreased by 40 percent, marking steady progress toward its 2030 target, and it has avoided more than 15 million metric tons of emissions through initiatives to use low-carbon materials, drive energy efficiency, and switch to clean energy. Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone (News - Alert) , iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apple's five software platforms - iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS - provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apple's more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it. NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple Newsroom (www.apple.com/newsroom), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.  2021 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005291/en/

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Mumbai, March 31 : Actor Adarsh Gourav, who is garnering praise for his role of Balram Halwai in "The White Tiger", recalls going to great lengths to prepare for the role.

Besides staying in Chalkari Basti, a village in Jharkhand, Adarsh says he worked in a small food cart in Delhi. Here he washed dishes and ran errands for the owner without disclosing his identity.

The actor adds that this was all part of method acting, which is what he adopts before essaying a role on screen.

"My past experience in theatre introduced me to method acting and I have used the technique in all my roles, from even before I got to play Balram Halwai in The White Tiger. I do a culmination of different techniques I learnt at drama school. I begin by closely observing real-life persons who'd fit the role of my characters for me to pick up on the small details of their personalities and just their way of being," he told IANS.

Meanwhile, he says that besides picking up the nuances of his character, this experience also taught him a lot.

"Choosing to live in a village and then working at a small food joint didn't just help me helm Balram's true essence on-screen but these experiences also taught me a lot in life," he says.

Besides a BAFTA nomination for his role in the film, Adarsh also won The Rising Star award at Asian World Film Festival. The film has also been nominated for a BAFTA and an Oscar in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.
WINNIPEG - A recent survey posted by Ufology Research in Winnipeg says there was a jump in UFO sightings in Canada last year. Here are some of the 1,243 sightings:

Grace Capati looks at a UFO display outside of the Little A'Le'Inn, in Rachel, Nev., the closest town to Area 51, July 22, 2019. A recent survey posted by Ufology Research in Winnipeg says there was a jump in UFO sightings in Canada last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Locher

WINNIPEG - A recent survey posted by Ufology Research in Winnipeg says there was a jump in UFO sightings in Canada last year. Here are some of the 1,243 sightings:

Jan. 23, 2020  Someone shovelling snow off their Toronto balcony reported seeing a two-metre long object silently levitating about 1.5 metres away. As the person continued staring at the black and silver object, one side folded and disappeared.

Jan. 23, 2020  On the same day near Guelph, Ont., a person reported seeing two bright lights following a plane. As the plane went in another direction, the lights continued moving forward at a fast speed and a massive circular object appeared behind the lights. The observer said it appeared the lights were escorting the UFO.

Feb. 3, 2020  It was a clear day when a man driving down a rural road in Alberta with his son saw a grey pie-shaped object levitating in the sky just before it rotated, turned black and suddenly disappeared. Within the next minute, they saw a military plane flying towards the mysterious object. They said the round UFO had no windows or markings.

July 24, 2020  A pilot of a North Star Air Ltd. plane heading to Sachigo Lake, Ont., from Thunder Bay, Ont., saw an object pass over the plane's right wing. The pilot said the UFO was about one-metre in diameter. The plane's radar indicated there was no object in the vicinity.

Aug. 30, 2020  A man in Ottawa pulled out his binoculars after observing an object with flashing lights hovering in the clear sky. He described the chevron-shaped UFO as black with green, blue and purple with flashing lights underneath. He also said his wife confirmed that the object levitated in the sky for about 20 minutes before it moved west.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2021.
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BEND, Ore. (AP)  Oregon Occupational Safety & Health has fined a Bend coffee shop more than $27,000 for allegedly violating three standards meant to protect employees from the coronavirus disease.

State officials said in a news release Tuesday that Kevista willfully continued to potentially expose workers to the virus, despite a public health order limiting the capacity of indoor dining to zero.





. . .
She welcomed her first child, Maven, 14 months ago.

And Rachel Riley ensured she commanded attention in her favourite bright pink padded jacket as she made her was home from filming Countdown in Salford on Wednesday.

The TV star and mathematician, 35, coordinated her look with her daughter's ensemble, with the duo rocking pink with red love hearts.

Mini me! Rachel Riley 35, coordinated her look with her 14-months-old daughter Mable's ensemble, with the duo rocking pink with red love hearts, on Wednesday

Rachel kept cosy in the eye-catching fuchsia coat which she teamed with a pair of indigo blue skinny jeans.

The mother-of-one wore a bright pink jumper emblazoned with 'LOVE' three times over, but the letters V were replaced with red love hearts.

Little Maven's pink dress boasted a red love heart print, while the tiny girl kept warm with a pink cardigan and red tights.

In line with her laid back look, Rachel opted for a pair of black trainers as she pushed her daughter's scooter, with husband Pasha behind them taking charge of their luggage.

Cute! Little Maven's pink dress boasted a red love heart print, while the tiny girl kept warm with a pink cardigan and red tights

The TV star styled her golden locks in loose waves as she added a light touch of make-up to her features.

Earlier this month, Rachel spoke about her hopes of having another baby with her husband Pasha Kovalev, 41.

In an interview with Hello Magazine, she talked about her desires to add to the family, parenting in lockdown and how their daughter Maven 'loves dancing'.

Rachel said: 'I think we'd like another one... Some of my friends had twins by accident and a few of them have got three little ones and everyone seemed to have them straight after. No one regrets it though, do they?'

Rachel wore a bright pink jumper emblazoned with 'LOVE' three times over, but the letters V were replaced with red love hearts

The TV star also spoke about raising their daughter Maven throughout lockdown and expressed her sadness that she hasn't been able to go to any baby clubs.

Rachel explained: 'She's very happy, she loves dancing. She's done her first couple of tantrums last week, which at 14 months I'm like ok...it's kind of funny.'

The television presenter added Maven is sleeping well through the nights, but has missed out on interacting with other children.

Parenting: Rachel has spoken about her hopes of having another baby with her husband Pasha Kovalev, 41 (pictured in January)

She said: 'Maven was three months old when we went into lockdown, so she's not socialised with other children, she's not used to going out to a cafe and sitting and behaving herself or anything so it's going to be a bit of a challenge, but parenting is a challenge isn't it and kids are adaptable, hopefully!'

Rachel recently shared her hopes of Maven being bilingual as husband Pasha talks to her 'solely in Russian'.

Rachel said on Good Morning Britain: 'Pasha is speaking to her solely in Russian and I'm speaking to her in English so we're hoping she'll be bilingual.'
The ARMv8 architecture was announced in 2011, a full decade ago. It was a massive change as it moved from 32-bit to 64-bit. Over the last 5 years there have been more than 100 billion ARMv8 devices.

The company is now looking at the future  ARMv9 will be the architecture that will be at the heart of the next 300 billion ARM chips.

The focus now is on security, vector processing and machine learning. Version 9 introduces the Confidential Compute Architecture, CCA. It is a hardware-based secure environment that protects to code and data from even privileged software.

To keep important data safe, Realms will be dynamically created by apps  a secure execution environment for any app that needs it, so secure that even the OS cant touch it. This should keep data and code safe, even if the OS is out of date and has a security vulnerability.

ARM and Fujitsu created Scalable Vector Extension (SVE), Fujitsu needed it for its Fugaku supercomputer. ARMv9 introduces SVE2, which will be spread across the CPU, GPU and NPU. Matrix multiplication in particular will see a major boost, which is key operation in machine learning. SVE2 will be able to handle vectors ranging from 128 bits to 2,048 bits.

The first two generations of ARMv9 CPU cores are already being designed. By the second generation, performance is expected to increase by 30% over the current Cortex designs. The two generations of cores in question are Matterhorn and Makalu.

Makalu will be the first Cortex-A core to drop support for 32-bit software. Google Play Store hasnt accepted new 32-bit only apps for a couple of years now and starting on August 1 2021 the Store will stop serving 32-bit only apps on 64-bit devices altogether.

ARM touched on future plans for its Mali GPUs, saying that it is working on Ray Tracing, variable rate shading and other advanced rendering techniques.

You can follow the Source link to read quotes from ARMs major partners: Google, Fujitsu, Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek, TSMC, Nvidia and many others.

Source
As a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, I find it unacceptable for an official to use violence against any citizen, he wrote on his Facebook page.

Arshakian referred to a violent incident at the restaurant where he dined with his wife on March 18. Footage from a security camera publicized afterwards showed him hitting Paylak Fahradian, the editor of the Irakanum.am news website, in the face and damaging his laptop computer.

The assault reportedly occurred moments after Fahradian approached Arshakian and asked him to explain why he is not at work.

The video sparked an uproar from Armenian journalists and media associations. Some of them demanded the ministers resignation.

Law-enforcement authorities pledged to investigate the assault. The Special Investigative Service told RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Wednesday it has yet to decide whether to prosecute Arshakian.

In his first reaction to the incident, Arshakian implicitly accused Fahradian of violating his privacy but said he is ready to bear responsibility for his actions. He later apologized to the journalist.

Rumors about Arshakians resignation began circulating on Wednesday morning. A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian pointedly declined to refute them.

Arshakian confirmed his resignation in the afternoon. I am thereby expressing my intolerance towards both physical and psychological violence, he said. I hope that the incident will serve as a lesson for our society and that we will love each other and respect everyones right to privacy a bit more.

Arshakian is a senior member of Pashinians Civil Contract party. He has held the ministerial post since October 2018.

The 35-year-old also found himself in hot water earlier this year after it emerged that his ministry, which oversees the domestic defense industry, failed to properly organize Armenias participation in an international arms exhibition held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Armenian government had allocated 23 million drams ($44,000) for that purpose.

Armenian defense firms displayed no items at the Abu Dhabi exhibition for at least three days. Arshakian blamed that on logistical problems.

The Ministry of High-Tech Industry said on Tuesday that three of its officials have been formally reprimanded as a result of an internal inquiry conducted after the scandal.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday underlined the need for "much-needed" reforms in to improve the status of and asked the governments to think beyond loan waivers, saying the farming community needs support in the form of infrastructure and power supply than just doles.

He also called for cooperative action to achieve this, and a dialogue with and agricultural scientists to design a system that delivers tangible results to the farming community.

Expressing happiness over enterprising youth returning to villages and introducing advanced techniques in agriculture, the vice president said this is an encouraging trend and must be further accelerated.

He underscored that agri-entrepreneurship is an effective way to gainfully and sustainingly employ and leverage India's demographic dividend.

Naidu also suggested top priority and coordinated action by both the Centre and the states to bring in reforms.

The vice president also suggested that the 4 Ps--Parliament, political leaders, policymakers and press -- must proactively adopt a positive bias towards agriculture, an official statement said.

"In fact, a radical shift in making agriculture profitable is the need of the hour. We must also ensure that the growth is steady and sustainable," he said.

He made these remarks at the release of a book on agriculture in India in Hyderabad.

Suggesting that the Centre and states should give a helping hand to farmers, he advised governments to think beyond loan waivers, the statement said. need timely and affordable credit, assured and quality power, infrastructure support like godowns and marketing facilities, more than just doles, Naidu remarked, according to the statement.

The vice president suggested that the problems that are holding back Indian farmers from realising their full potential must be identified, adding "we can't continue with business as usual".

Referring to key issues affecting agricultural productivity such as the decreasing size of land holdings, continued dependence on the monsoon, inadequate access to irrigation and lack of access to formal agricultural credit, he said "as a result of these factors, agriculture is not seen as a profitable venture".

Naidu observed that many people are leaving agriculture and migrating to urban areas because it is not remunerative, because of rising input costs and unfavourable market conditions.

The vice president called for long-term policy changes like governance and structural reforms to make agriculture viable.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Minister of State Vellamvelly Muraleedharan and BJP candidate E Sreedharan (R) waves at the crowd during an election campaign rally for Assembly polls in Palakkad constituency. (Photo: PTI)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala, accusing it of betraying people in the manner in which Judas deceived Jesus Christ.

Addressing his first election meeting in Kerala which goes to polls on April 6, the Prime Minister said if Judas deceived Jesus for a few silver coins, the Pinarayi government betrayed the people for gold, referring to the gold smuggling case involving the chief ministers former principal secretary.

Mr Modi also raised the Sabarimala issue accusing the LDF government of unleashing lathis on innocent devotees who were fighting for the protection of traditions, customs and rituals. He was referring to the agitation of Hindutva outfits, including the BJP, which protested against the LDF government's decision to implement the Supreme Court verdict on allowing women of all ages in the hill shrine.

The Sabarimala temple customs prohibit the entry of women between the age of 10 and 50.

"I want to tell the LDF and UDF if you abuse our culture we will not remain silent spectators. Our state president Surendranji was arrested and ill-treated by the Kerala government. What was his crime? That he spoke for Keralas traditions?" Mr Modi asked.

He hit out at the Congress-led UDF for remaining silent when devotees were being attacked by the police. I am proud to belong to a party that has, is always and will always defend the culture of our land," he said.

Mr Modi solicited votes for 11 BJP candidates contesting from the district, including Metroman E Sreedharan, who is in the fray from Palakkad constituency. The BJP would offer a vision to Kerala which would be different. Metroman Sreedharanji, a man who has done excellent work to make modern India and improve connectivity, a man admired by all sections of society, has devoted himself to Keralas progress, he added.

The Prime Minister came down heavily on the CPM over politics of violence. He said despite being in power for so long, some junior level leaders behave like anti-social elements. Political rivals are killed with their blessings.

He said if the BJP came to power it would bring an end to the saga of political violence. "Differences in the political sphere are normal. But killing the opponents in the name of ideology is not acceptable. So many of our young BJP karyakartas have lost their lives, he reminded the gathering.

The Prime Minister accused the LDF and UDF of playing friendly matches for so many years. However, this match-fixing is not going to last long, he added.

"A major shift is being witnessed in Kerala politics over the past five years. This shift is driven by the aspirational youth especially the first time voter who wants a change," he said.

The BJP, which had just one MLA in the outgoing Assembly, is making all efforts to increase its tally this time. The party has fielded its top leaders besides two film stars to wrest seats from the UDF and LDF. In the last Assembly elections, the BJP-led NDA had scored close to 15 per cent votes.
The famous college football coach, Lou Holtz once said, Ability is what youre capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

While traveling last week, I noticed a sign in a small local retail establishment that conveyed what I believe creates the heart and soul of local communities. The sign read, When you support a local small business, youre supporting a local dream. When I read this sign coupled with Coach Holtzs quote, I thought how the two come together. Local businesses can have capability and motivation, but it really takes a community dream-supporting attitude to assure these local dreams indeed come true.

I once had a college professor ask, What is the difference between creative people and non-creative people? After hearing several responses, all of which may have had a morsel of truth, he stated the difference between creative and non-creative people are creative people believe they are creative while non-creative people dont feel that way.

When I chat with vibrant and transformative communities, there is a common element permeating through the community; that element is confidence and belief. They have a winning attitude and expect to experience success, they in essence believe they are creative and will over-come any obstacle to win and succeed. Likewise, when I chat with communities still trying to find their transformative way, they tend to view the obstacles as unclimbable mountains and have little confidence in their abilities to overcome adversity. I find this not only in the various communities, but in their business base as well.

This brings us back to the signage I noticed in the little local shop. No matter how hard they work and are motivated, their success still remains in the hands of the local community and what they believe they can accomplish. Thus, the importance of a local community having a winning attitude and a belief they will win. Thus, the importance of community leadership instilling confidence and winning attitudes not just at the leadership level, but throughout the entire community. Great leaders such as Lou Holtz knew the power of the mind, he knew that great things can be achieved with the right attitude. He knew the sum of the individual parts is always exceeded by the total accomplishments of the entire team.

When we discuss leadership, we must not assume all is well if we have a great leader. While a great leader is a great start, it takes a leader with the willingness and capability of spreading a winning vision to all levels of government and community. It takes those second line leaders pushing the mission to all the organizations and groups within the community. It then is followed by the entire community catching the vision of what can be. When the community truly catches the vision of transformation and what is needed to accomplish transformation, they have the power to make dreams of local businesses and entrepreneurs come true.

We have discussed the need for the local community to help these dreams come true. But, make no mistake, for this to happen, local business owners must have more than ability, work ethic and motivation. Businesses must still provide what consumers want at times convenient to the local consumer. The success of local businesses depends not just on the consumer, but the willingness for both to meet at a point fitting the business and the consumer. A great example is store hours. As I was walking through this community full of hungry shoppers, I couldnt help but notice many of the local businesses closed between 5 and 5:30 p.m. When statistically nearly 70% of all business transactions take place after 5 p.m., closing at 5 or 5:30 p.m. on a busy day isnt meeting the consumer halfway.

The state of Michigan has a branding slogan known as Pure Michigan. While not advocating you steal Michigans idea, I am advocating you adopt this internal attitude towards your community and local businesses. The power of a community working together is far greater than the sum of each individual entity trying to succeed on their own, which never ends well.

John A. Newby is partnering with the Daily News for this weekly "Building Main Street, Not Wall Street" column series dedicated to assisting communities create excitement, energy and combine synergies with their local media where local is often lost to the internet and out-of-town owned companies. Readers can email Newby at john@360MediaAlliance.net
Armenia used Iskander missiles against Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh war, a representative of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) told Caliber.az.



"Since December 2020, the Agency for Mine Action has been carrying out landmine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal works in the Shusha city liberated from occupation. On March 15, 2021, fragments of two exploded missiles were found by the Agency's employees in the city during an operation to clean up the territories," he said.



An ANAMA spokesman named the coordinates of the place where the parts of exploded missiles were found: 39  45'38.10 "N 46  44'33.90" E and 39  45'27.80 "N 46  45'25.80" E.



The experts checked the missile's identification number (9M723) and revealed that it's the Iskander missile system wreckage. "Even in open Internet resources it may be determined that identification number 9M723 belongs to Iskander missile. All this confirms that Armenia used Iskander missiles against Azerbaijan during the Patriotic War, in particular, to destroy the city of Shusha," the specialist said.
Photo: The Canadian Press Smoke from a wildfire in the Black Hills of South Dakota blankets an area on the outskirts of Rapid City, S.D., where police set up a roadblock on Monday, March 29, 2021. There were at least three wildfires west that were burning west of Rapid City on a day when wind gusts ranged from 50 to 72 mph. The Pennington County Sheriff's Office said at least 400 homes had been evacuated and about 250 firefighters were battling the blaze that started near the town of Nemo. (Siandhara Bonnet/Rapid City Journal via AP)

Firefighters on Tuesday began to gain control of wildfires in the Black Hills of South Dakota that have forced the evacuation of more than 400 homes and closed the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Three separate wildfires were burning near Rapid City, with the largest near Schroeder Road in the Nemo area. That fire has burned nearly 3.3 square miles (8.1 square kilometres). But officials said they expected to contain about half of the fire by the end of the day.

Its not over yet, but were in a pretty good spot, said Gov. Kristi Noem, who travelled to Rapid City to help oversee the fire response.

But the Republican governor acknowledged that fire danger had not passed, declaring a state of emergency until June. She cited widespread drought conditions, low humidity, high wind and high temperatures that create serious peril for our state. The order allows state agencies to assist in tackling the wildfires.

The Schroeder Road fire has crossed into two neighbourhoods near Rapid City, the Pennington County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday. At least one home has been destroyed, as well as several other structures. No injuries have been reported.

There was quite a firefight last night, said Rob Powell, the firefighting official overseeing the response.

As winds died down throughout the day, firefighting crews worked both on the ground and from aircraft to contain the fire.

Two smaller blazes were burning southwest of Rapid City, including one inside the grounds of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The monument, as well as surrounding roads, were closed through at least Wednesday. One fire has burned an estimated 117 acres (47 hectares) and is 30% contained; the other is about 9 acres (4 hectares), and officials hoped to have it 50% contained by the end of the day.

The fire near Mount Rushmore threatened 15 structures, including park facilities and private homes, but none have been destroyed, according to Great Plains Fire Public Information Officers Travis Mason-Bushman. He said the fire was near main access roads to the monument but wasn't close to the visitor centre.

The challenge is that its burning in some pretty steep and rugged terrain," he said. "We need to bring in hand crews.

About 60 firefighters responded to the fire, as well as a South Dakota National Guard Black Hawk helicopter that was dumping water.

On Monday, multiple fires burst up across the region as winds in some places reached as high as 81 mph (130 kph). Firefighters initially responding to the Schroeder fire found a fast-moving ground fire in extreme fire danger condition, officials reported. They immediately called for assistance from firefighters around the region, with about 250 responding.

The governor noted that it was really early in the year for wildfires and that battling them had taxed nearly all available resources. Officials said they do not have the firefighters to tackle any more large blazes and were instead trying to snuff out smaller ones quickly.

Were probably one of the first in the nation for 2021 facing this kind of a situation, Noem said.

Rapid City officials said they would not open up evacuated neighbourhoods on Tuesday, but hoped to allow people to return to their homes early Wednesday.

Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom said his family was among those who were evacuated.

I watched a neighbours house go up in flames. So it touches all of us, Thom said Monday.
VILLANOVA, Pa.Villanova University students Lily Day and Catherine Petretti have been named 2021 Goldwater Scholars by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Day and Petretti are juniors in Villanovas College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and were selected from more than 1,200 institution-nominated students nationwide.

The continued selection of Villanovans as Goldwater Scholars highlights the commitment of our student-researchers, both in the lab and in the classroom, said University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. This renowned program has served as a critical springboard for the Universitys recent honorees, many of whom have gone on to excel in other prestigious, national scholarship programs. I congratulate Lily and Catherine on this honor and thank the Villanova faculty and staff who have helped them achieve their academic goals.

Day is a Biology major with minors in Philosophy and Honors. Her interest in ecology, along with early research experience in songbird hybridization, has motivated her to pursue a research career. As a first-year student, Day joined the research group of Robert Curry, PhD, professor of Biology, as a Match Research Program grantee, studying the effect of hybridization on Pennsylvania chickadees. In 2019, she was awarded a Sprows Family Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellowship (VURF) to continue her work with Dr. Curry. Days work has been featured in Veritas: Villanova Research Journal. She plans to pursue graduate studies and build her research career in molecular ecology. Beyond the classroom, she is a clarinetist with the Villanova Band, volunteered at a domestic violence shelter in Philadelphia as part of her Sophomore Service Learning Community, and is a teaching assistant in General Chemistry.

Petretti is an Astronomy and Astrophysics major with minors in Mathematics and Classics. As a career researcher, she plans to study cosmology and particle astrophysics. Petretti was also a Match Research Program grantee in her first year at the University, working with the astrophysics group of Joey Neilsen, PhD, assistant professor of Physics. Her work on interpreting infrared data from the black hole X-ray binary GRO J1655-40 sparked her interest in research, and she continued this project through a VURF in 2019. In 2020, she received an NSF summer research fellowship at the MIT Haystack Observatory. Petretti is a leader in the Astronomical Society and Physics Club, as well as a Physics and Astronomy teaching assistant, with plans to make mentorship a focal point of her career as an astrophysics professor. She is also a musician, playing the clarinet in the Villanova Symphonic Orchestra and Villanova Student Musical Theatre.

The Goldwater Foundation awards $7,500 scholarships to sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. It is widely considered the preeminent award for undergraduates preparing for research careers in STEM. Recent Villanova Goldwater honorees went on to become Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Marshall Scholars, NSF Graduate Research Fellows, and Fulbright Student Grant recipients.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, who served for 30 years in the United States Senate. The program is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. For more information, visit the Goldwater Scholarship website.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
Kim Kardashian came late to the "Bridgerton" fandom, but she, like many others, has been fascinated with the period drama.

The "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" star shared on Instagram Stories on Sunday that she and her friends Stephanie Shepherd and Tracy Romulus were watching the Netflix series together.

The 40-year-old socialite took a screenshot of the main characters Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, who are played by Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, respectively.

She quickly shared another story with the caption "I'm not ok!!!" and a screenshot of the two main characters dancing together. On her Instagram Stories, she posted a series of responses, like "What is going on?!?! I haven't cried in a long time!!!"

When the on-screen pair kissed, Kardashians posted a video of her girlfriends clapping. She also whispered during a dramatic scene in another video, encouraging Simon's character to pursue Daphne romantically "Pursue her! Yeah, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes"

Kardashian seems to have binge-watched at least four episodes of the show, according to Instagram Posts. Kardashian also posted pictures of wine glasses, which she enjoyed with her friends while watching the show.

READ ALSO: Khloe Kardashian Then and Now: All the Surgeries She May Have Had Since 2008, According to Surgeon [Photos]

"Bridgerton" is based on Julia Quinn's famous book series about prestigious British high society families and their romantic relationships.

The romantic drama premiered on Netflix on December 2. Shonda Rhimes produced the drama, which went to number one in 83 countries.With the exception of Japan, the show reached the top ten in every region.

Netflix revealed earlier this year that the show had been renewed for a second season, based on Quinn's series "The Viscount Who Loved Me."

The drama drew the attention of a slew of celebrities, including Drew Barrymore, Bellamy Young, Chelsea Peretti, Sarah Ferguson, Mila Kunis, Chrishell Stause, and more.

READ MORE: Kris Jenner Car Collection 2021 List Ranked By Cost: Rolls Royce Ghost Car Isn't Her Most Expensive Yet [PHOTOS]

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
Apart from reconciling the country, the President is expected to enhance the fight against armed groups that are controlling about two-third of the country.

The President of the Central African Republic Faustin Archange Touadera will today take oath of office after emerging winner of the December 27, 2020 presidential elections. According to results made public by the Independent Electoral Commission and confirmed by the country's highest judicial institution, Mr Toudera a former Mathematics Professor, grabbed 53.16% of the votes cast during the first round of the election.

It will be Mr Touadera's second five-year-term in office in a country that has witnessed incessant civil wars. Over the past decades, fighting between Muslim and Christian militias has killed thousands and displaced more than 500,000 people. The conflict broke out in 2012 when Muslim Seleka militias ousted then President Francois Bozize, a Christian. Touadera, a Christian who served as Prime Minister under Bozize, was the surprise winner in run-off elections in February 14, 2016 and has been tasked with rebuilding the country. But since taking office, nothing seems to be moving towards the positive direction as the country is facing more challenges than ever before despite his efforts to reconstruct the army, increase educational standards, free care for pregnant women and children up to five years old, more regular payment of civil servants, the heavy presence of international peace keepers and Russian troops.

Though today's inauguration ceremony is being considered by many political gurus as a giant step towards stabilizing the country, there are enormous difficulties that lie ahead for Faustin-Archange Touadera with the most urgent being to deal with militias, undisciplined soldiers and armed vigilante groups. Here, Mr Touadera must not only find a way of disarming but must also seek ways to build up an effective and non-partisan army. Furthermore, Mr Touadera is expected to revamp the economy that is largely dependent on neighboring countries. To do this, he needs to industrialize the agricultural sector as well as seek ways of bringing investors into the country. In addition, he needs to instill confidence with the population at the grassroots.

It should be noted that, the inauguration ceremony is coming days after former leader Francois Bozize officially took over the helm of the rebel alliance, Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), and the Special Criminal Court in the CAR welcoming two new international judges, Stefan Waespi and Elena Catenazzi from Switzerland.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
BTS member J-Hope is not only a popular South Korean rapper, dancer, songwriter, and record producer, as he is also known for being generous in donating money to education-based charities. The K-pop idol has made a name for himself as an upbeat, silly, and outgoing member of the Bangtan Boys.

However, how did J-Hope become richer than Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, RM, V, and Suga? Keep on reading to know more about the net worth of this adorable BTS member.

BTS J-Hope's Net Worth Revealed

According to Celebrity Net Worth, J-Hope has a net worth of $20 million. Reports have it that most of the wealth this BTS member has accumulated is from his solo mixtape titled "Hope World," which he released on March 2, 2018. This, according to reports, made him the richest among all the Bangtan Boys.

"Daydream" was the carrier single of the debut mixtape of J-Hope. The BTS member then released a second track called "Airplane" a week after. The "Hope World" album effortlessly entered the Billboard 200 Chart at No. 63 and peaked at No. 38, which made him the highest-charting South Korean soloist at the time.

"Daydream" also made huge feats as it amassed more than 35 million streams on Spotify since its release. In an exclusive interview with Time Magazine, BTS member J-Hope said that it is such an honor for him to release his own mixtape and hinted that Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, RM, V, and Suga are also planning to release their own solo albums.

Of course, we cannot deny the fact that a large part of J-Hope's net worth is from the activities of BTS, which include their record-breaking albums, sold-out concerts, and countless endorsements. In 2019, the biggest boyband in the world amassed a total of $170 million from their touring revenues.

Though he is part of the most successful boy group in recent times, J-Hope did not forget to give back to the community. As a matter of fact, the BTS member donated a whooping 100 million won, which is equivalent to $89,000, to ChildFund Korea two years ago. He also gave $150 million won, which is equivalent to $133,000, to the same organization some time in 2018.

BTS J-Hope-led Video Teaser Garners 100 Million Views on YouTube

Meanwhile, another BTS video has surpassed the 100 million views mark recently. On March 21, it was reported that the group's comeback trailer for the "Map of the Soul: 7" album reached a new milestone.

The clip, which starred the solo track of J-Hope called "Outro: Ego," served as the outro of the said EP. Most, if not all, fans are aware that the video was released on Feb. 3, 2020. In other words, it took a year, one month, and 18 days before it officially made another record.

Aside from his work with BTS and his solo projects, J-Hope has also been collaborating with several other artists. In fact, he was featured in Jo Kwon's track called "Animal" and Dillaz's song titled "Spices, alongside his co-member RM.

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

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Nica Vaughn
Three Alabama airports recently applied for a federal grant from the Department of Transportation in order to expand their flight services.

Airports in Mobile, Gulf Shores and Montgomery applied for a combined total of $2.8 million in grant money as part of the DOTs Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The program is designed to help small communities address issues in air service and airfare, according to their website.

The program helps communities establish a number of things for their airport, including marketing material, new airline services and more.

Mobile

The Mobile Airport Authority applied for a $1 million grant for flights to Washington-Dulles on United Airlines, according to their application.

If the DOT grants the airport the money, the Mobile Airport Authority will also add $225,000 in local cash funding, bringing the total amount towards the potential new service to $1,225,000.

According to the grant application, United Airlines has provided a letter of support for the cause, which could bring a weekday nonstop roundtrip flight between Mobile and Dulles International Airport.

Should Mobile be awarded the grant money, it would be easier to travel to more of the northeast, including LaGuardia Airport in New York, Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts and other cities.

In addition to United Airlines, Austal USA, Airbus and the University of South Alabama also submitted letters of support for the potential new airline.

This is not the first time the airport has applied for one of these grants. In 2002, the Mobile Airport Authority won $456,137, which was used for airport marketing efforts.

Montgomery

The Montgomery Regional Airport is seeking $850,000 to expand flight service into George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

According to the airports application, Montgomery is the eighth-largest market in the country without a Houston nonstop flight and the largest market in the south without a nonstop flight to Houston.

Should Montgomery get awarded the grant money, service to Houston could launch by May of 2022.

Gulf Shores

Finally, the Airport Authority of the City of Gulf Shores applied for $950,000 for a variety of projects, according to their application.

The authority would use their grant money to either:

Begin flight service to Minneapolis-St. Paul via Sun County

Begin flight service to Nashville via Elite Airways

Or provide seasonal flights from Jack Edwards National Airport to Dallas, Houston, or Memphis.

This grant is apart of the airports bigger goal of trying to establish commercial air service to the region. Both Sun County and Elite Airways have submitted letters of support for the expansion and according to the application, should the airport get the grant money, airline service could start in October of this year.
Some of those jobs include employees working in the fields of clergy, restaurants, energy, legal, retail, transportation and construction, according to a news release from the countys public health department. The next step will be opening up vaccines to all people 16 and older, which should come in the next few weeks, the release said.
Francistown  A group of 19 Batswana women residing in the United Kingdom have donated 90 digital thermometers to the Ministry of Basic Education - North East region.

The women who go by the name Popagano COVID-19 Group, said their group was formed in response to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the hand over ceremony of the thermometers, former director (Northern East region) and now Councillor at Sowa Township Authority, Mr Mabunga Gadibolai explained that the thermometers would be distributed to 21 junior and senior secondary schools in the North East region as per the donor prescription.

Mr Gadibolai said each school would get four thermometers while the remaining six would go to the Nata region.

He explained that the thermometers would help in the fight against COVID-19.

Receiving the donation, regional director for the North East region, Mr Labane Mokgosi promised that the donation would be put to good use.

He explained that the thermometers would help reduce the time taken by students at the gate while awaiting for the body temperature to be checked.

Mr Mokgosi thanked the women for remembering their country even though they were now residing in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the group stated that it had always been guided by the pillars of unity, self-reliance and national development.

The group said they had discovered that the spread of coronavirus was getting worse in schools and that their beloved country Botswana was not spared.

Source : BOPA
We just learned that Mexico has revised its COVID deaths figures upward  in other words, 310,000, according to a BBC story.

For comparison, the U.S. has recorded 549,000 deaths with a population of 330 million. Mexico is at 310,000 with a population of 130 million.

The new report from Mexico puts Joe Biden's decision to let thousands walk in from Mexico in a different light. What were they thinking at the White House? The answer is that it was all about reversing Trump's decisions.

In this context of revised COVID numbers from south of the border, we learned that San Diego teachers will give the migrant kids in-person training but still force their regular students to attend online courses. This is one of those stories that you have to read three times to believe:

"We have 130,000 kids who haven't been allowed in a classroom for over a year in the San Diego Unified School District. It's great that there's in-person learning for those unaccompanied minors from Central America, but I wish every child in San Diego County was allowed the same opportunity for in-person teaching," San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond told Fox News. "The system is broken when San Diego teachers are teaching migrant children in person, but the 100k students of taxpaying families at San Diego Unified School District are stuck learning in Zoom school," Emily Diaz, an SDUSD parent, told Fox News in an email.

How in the world do you explain that? I would argue that the kids in San Diego are less likely to be a COVID threat than some who came from high-risk areas, like the aforementioned Mexico situation.

Yes, I understand that most of these arrivals are from Central America. Nevertheless, they walked or rode through Mexico. It's not clear to me that criminal elements provide masks or hand sanitizer or keep them at a safe distance.

How do you explain this? You can't, but this is what happens when you send money to public teachers without forcing them to work for their salary.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: San Diego Unified School District.
The U.S. State Department will recommend against the renewal of a general license authorizing transactions with nine state-owned Belarusian companies, spokesman Ned Price said on March 31.



Speaking at a briefing, Price said that the human rights situation in Belarus has deteriorated to what is arguably the worst point in Belaruss independent history.



The U.S. Treasury Department first issued the licenses to the nine state-owned companies in 2015. They include fertilizer giant Grodno Azot and oil refiner Naftan.

The licenses have since been extended annually because of progress at the time on human rights and the release of political prisoners, he said.

The Treasury Department issues general licenses in order to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited with regard to Belarus. But with more than 300 political prisoners currently in detention, the State Department is unable to recommend another extension at this time, Price said.

Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusians continue to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka amid a brutal crackdown on protesters. The West refuses to recognize him as the country's legitimate leader after an August 9 election considered fraudulent.

The State Department put forth its recommendation to the Treasury Department, which will decide whether the licenses are renewed.



This is, in fact, something that we hope does not come to pass, Price said.



The licenses will expire on April 26, but Price said the State Department's recommendation is reversible if Belarus releases all those wrongfully imprisoned simply for peacefully disagreeing with the authorities, espousing different views, or daring to compete in an election.



Price also called on Belarusian authorities to end violence against citizens and to begin a meaningful dialogue with the political opposition that leads to free and fair elections.



The United States wants to see Belarus succeed as an independent, prosperous, and democratic country, Price said.

"The events surrounding the fraudulent 2020 election, the violence, and repressive tactics in its aftermath cannot be ignored, he said.



Belarus has been rocked by protests since a presidential election in August that authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka claimed extended his rule for a sixth term, despite the opposition and West saying the vote was rigged.
Therese White, Alice Doody and Catherine Mahony enjoying a Daffodil coffee morning with a difference at The Ross Hotel, Killarney on Friday. Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin

A takeaway coffee and a walk is what life has boiled down to at the moment, with almost all other areas of life closed off to us at the moment.

Not that locals in Killarney were complaining last Friday as the team at the Ross Hotel put on a fundraising coffee morning as part of Daffodil Day.

Eleanor O'Doherty of the South Kerry Irish Cancer Society came up with the idea of doing something to mark Daffodil Day, which took place last Friday, March 26.

The idea of giving away free coffees from 'The Little Shop of Lovely Things' at the Ross Hotel to mark the occasion, with a donation box in place to help raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society, proved to be a huge success.

With blue skies (for the most part) and a chance to get out of the house and break the long lockdown day, it was a very busy day at the hotel as people got the drinks and were off to enjoy themselves within their 5km radius.

And as if just the mere success of putting a smile on people's faces weren't enough, then how about the thousands that the event raised for charity - 4,015 to be exact.

Expand Close Elenor ODoherty, Killarney and South Kerry Irish Cancer Society, (left) accepting a cheque for 4,015 from Ciara Treacy of The Ross Hotels Daffodil Day Coffee Morning / Facebook

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Whatsapp Elenor ODoherty, Killarney and South Kerry Irish Cancer Society, (left) accepting a cheque for 4,015 from Ciara Treacy of The Ross Hotels Daffodil Day Coffee Morning

A cheque for this amount was presented to Eleanor O'Doherty of the South Kerry Irish Cancer Society on Tuesday morning, and this was something which they were very delighted to receive, in this age where fundraising is all the harder.

* More photos in the March 31st issue of The Kerryman
Shares in Deliveroo fell as much as 30% in its highly anticipated London IPO on Wednesday, wiping about 2.3 billion ($3.2 billion) off the company's value, and dealing a blow to the city's renewed efforts to attract tech company listings.

The stock was last trading at around 2.86 ($3.94), about 27% below the price at which the shares listed, putting it on track for the worst London debut for a major IPO, according to data provider Dealogic.

Deliveroo had set the IPO price at 3.90 ($5.36) per share, the bottom of the range it was targeting, despite saying earlier this week that it had "very significant demand from institutions across the globe."

At that price, the Amazon-backed food delivery app was valued at 7.6 billion ($10.5 billion), making it the biggest company to go public in London since mining group Glencore in 2011, Dealogic said. Amazon owns 16% of Deliveroo after its investment was cleared by UK antitrust regulators last year. JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs were the lead investment banking advisers on the IPO.

Questions about the company's business model and future prospects in a competitive environment ruined its stock market debut. Deliveroo has yet to turn a profit and some investors are concerned that the pandemic boom in food delivery will fade when restaurants reopen. Pressure is also building for delivery riders to be offered better terms and conditions.

"If forced to offer more traditional employee benefits, like company pension contributions, Deliveroo's already thin margins would struggle to climb, and the road to profitability would look very tough indeed," said Sophie Lund-Yates, an equity analyst at Hargreaves-Lansdown.

Several large institutional investors, including Aberdeen and BMO Global Asset Management, said last week that they would not participate in Deliveroo's IPO because they had concerns about competition and regulation, and the way the company treats its delivery riders.

The UK Supreme Court upheld a ruling last month that Uber drivers should be classified as workers, and not independent contractors, entitling them to minimum wage, paid vacation time and a pension. The ruling prompted Uber to reclassify its drivers  but not its food delivery couriers  as workers, and could force other gig economy companies to rethink how they operate.

"Deliveroo faces significant pressure from the market leader, Just Eat Takeaway, which is investing heavily to improve its restaurant coverage and delivery proposition, through an 'employed rider' model," Philip Webster, director of global equities at BMO Global Asset Management, said in a statement.

"We also see headwinds to Deliveroo's revenue growth as we exit lockdown and customers return to dining out in restaurants. These revenue risks are further compounded by the issues around workers' rights and a potential regulatory change, which would hamper its path to profitability," Webster added.

Deliveroo's strengths lie in its superior restaurant options and personalized app content, said Lund-Yates. The company plans to use the 1 billion ($1.4 billion) it raised from the IPO to fund expansion in areas such as "dark kitchens," which provide restaurants with an alternative space from which to prepare and deliver food. It could also use the cash for acquisitions.

Deliveroo said earlier this month that it would pay riders bonuses of up to 10,000 ($13,800) following its IPO, although on average eligible riders will receive about 440 ($606).

But about 70,000 retail investors who took part in the offer  buying shares worth 50 million ($68.9 million)  could be left facing steep losses. UK stock market rules mean that these investors will only be able to trade their shares from April 7.

A blow to London

Deliveroo's disastrous debut could set back London's renewed push to lure tech listings. The city lost its crown as Europe's largest share trading center to Amsterdam this year. Brexit has forced banks to relocate some activity away from London, putting its undisputed position as the region's top financial capital at risk.

A recent review of listings led by Lord Jonathan Hill, a former European finance commissioner, recommended that UK regulators overhaul stock market rules to allow entrepreneurs to keep control of their companies and list less stock when they go public.

Current rules do not permit dual class share structures  the kind Deliveroo has adopted  on the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange. Companies listed on the premium segment qualify for inclusion in indexes such as the FTSE 100.

A separate review made similar recommendations for financial technology company IPOs.

While UK regulators have yet to adopt any rule changes, finance minister Rishi Sunak has welcomed the proposed reforms, saying earlier this month that they would secure Britain's reputation "at the front of global financial services."

Sunak had described Deliveroo as a "true British tech success story" ahead of the listing. Asked by broadcaster ITV on Wednesday if he felt embarrassed for endorsing the company, he said: "Gosh, no ... share prices go up, share prices go down ... It's important businesses like that feel that they can stay in the UK to raise capital."

Sunak pointed to Facebook's rocky start after it first went public. "And then obviously we all know what happened after that," he added.

Facebook fell more than 50% in the months following its IPO in May 2012. The stock has since climbed 1,560%.
Summer Trinh, 5, joins about 200 residents, students and Alhambra and San Gabriel city leaders in a march to denounce anti-Asian sentiment, racism and hate crimes on March 26. The march started at San Gabriel City Hall and proceeded to Alhambra City Hall. (Los Angeles Times)

Horrific attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have prompted marches and rallies nationwide, criminal prosecutions and now a response from the White House. On Tuesday the Biden administration announced the revival of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, new funding for Asian American survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and a renewed commitment to improve health outcomes for Pacific Islanders. Importantly, the announcement includes improved Justice Department enforcement, data collection and transparency around hate crimes; information on the federal hate crimes website will now be provided in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

These steps are certainly welcome, and yet much more will be needed, as the scope of the bias and xenophobia routinely faced by Asian Americans comes into closer view.

Ten percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults have experienced hate crimes or hate incidents this year, according to survey results released Tuesday by Survey Monkey and AAPI Data, a repository of demographic information and policy research. Conducted online March 18-25, the survey also revealed that more than one-quarter of Asian Americans report having been victims of such crimes at some point in their lives. Asian Americans normally report lower levels of hate crimes than Black Americans, but this year the two groups are on par.

The survey also confirmed the microaggressions that Asian Americans routinely face: being asked where they are from, with the assumption that they are foreign-born; being encouraged to Americanize or "whiten" their names; having their names intentionally mispronounced; and even being spit or coughed upon.

That last form of abuse is telling, as the recent wave of attacks has been linked to the xenophobia stirred up by former President Trump early on in the COVID-19 crisis. His use of hate-inducing, finger-pointing language like "the China virus" and "kung flu"  without bothering to distinguish between the policies of the Chinese government and the innocent lives of Asian Americans, many of whom aren't even of Chinese descent  stirred up this ugly surge.

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But the anti-Asian bias has endured even with Trump gone from Twitter and the White House. In New York City alone this week, footage emerged first of an Asian American man beaten and choked on a subway train, then of a 65-year-old Filipino American churchgoer kicked repeatedly in the head and upper body in front of a residential building, whose staff did nothing. Both episodes are being investigated as hate crimes.

It is but the latest iteration of a pattern of xenophobia rooted in the American past: the massacres of Chinese in Los Angeles in 1871 and Rock Springs, Wyo., in 1885; the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II; the scapegoating of Muslims and South Asians after 9/11.

This is a pivotal moment for Asian Americans, many of whom only began identifying as such as a result of the civil rights activism of the 1960s. Not since the 1982 killing of Vincent Chin  a 27-year-old Chinese American man attacked by two Detroit autoworkers who believed he was Japanese and were enraged about the economic pressures on American carmakers  have so many Asian Americans felt outraged and galvanized by hate crimes. Many worry that when the media attention subsides, so will the political urgency around confronting the causes of hate.

The sad fact is that Asian Americans, no matter their service to or achievements in America, are still too often seen as foreigners who don't fully belong in the United States. Their names, languages and cultures are mocked, and their humanity, distinctiveness and dignity are denied. Violent attacks by complete strangers, and the degradation of being spit or coughed on, are the tragic consequences of a long-standing failure of American society to recognize Asian Americans as individuals, worthy of respect and consideration just like everyone else.

Beyond what President Biden announced Tuesday, there are many other steps the federal and state governments should consider, including victims' compensation funds, better tracking of anti-Asian crimes, more language resources on 211 and 311 hotlines and improved police-community relations. Perhaps, if the pandemic eases, so will the surge of attacks. But the larger sickness is societal.

This month, Asian artists were recognized in Oscar nominations like never before, and fuller, richer storytelling about the tremendous diversity of Asian experiences in the United States is long overdue. But until American society more thoroughly confronts and overcomes its long history of anti-Asian hate, the attacks are likely to continue.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., March 31, 2021 /CNW/ -- ProStar Holdings Inc ("ProStar" or the "Company") (TSXV: MAPS) (FSE: 5D00), a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions, and developer of PointMan, has announced its newest product release PointMan Pro, the most modern natively cloud and mobile precision mapping solution specifically designed for the infrastructure industry. PointMan Pro is a patented mobile and cloud application that seamlessly connects the field with the office and provides the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure data necessary for the maintenance and management of roads, railways, pipelines, and utilities from a standard mobile device.

ProStar logo with tag (PRNewsfoto/ProStar Holdings Inc.)

The commercial release of PointMan Pro comes after two years in development, a significant allocation of resources, and several months of rigorous beta testing with select trusted testers that included some of the largest construction and Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) firms in North America. ProStar selected firms that specialize in the construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure to implement the new application and provide valuable feedback and requirements in order to replace many current inefficient, antiquated, and fragmented business practices. In addition to the trusted testers, many PointMan Pro's key feature and functionality requirements were provided by government agencies, the world's leading equipment manufacturers, 811 call centers, departments of transportation, lawmakers, and other state and federal agencies.

PointMan Pro eliminates and streamlines outdated workflow processes and legacy equipment to deliver mission critical data in real-time to all field and office personnel. Prior to the release of PointMan Pro, the processes for collecting and sharing data were very onerous, requiring a substantial investment in software, hardware, and dedicated resources. In addition, the data workflows could take days if not weeks, creating significant delays, and hindering the ability to make timely, mission critical, business decisions. These delays are costly and place the public, the worker, and the environment at risk.

Story continues

"PointMan Pro is an industry game changer as it completely modernizes and streamlines siloed and disparate business practices that have been in existence for decades," said Page Tucker, CEO and Founder of ProStar. "As of today, it doesn't matter if you are a small surveying firm with only a handful of employees, a municipality in a remote rural area with limited resources, or a Fortune 500 company, PointMan Pro now provides the geospatial world with the most precise, flexible, scalable, and cost-effective enterprise mapping solution. Just like Uber disrupted the transportation industry and Airbnb disrupted the hospitality industry, we have developed a better, faster, and cheaper solution and are now poised to disrupt the entire infrastructure industry."

PointMan Pro was developed leveraging the most modern mobile and cloud development platforms, including Microsoft Xamarin and Amazon Web Services (AWS) in order to achieve seamless systems integration as well as unmatched scalability, flexibility, security, and ease of use. PointMan Pro is accessible from any browser running on a standard laptop or mobile device and supports native applications on iOS and Android. PointMan Pro was developed to be easily adopted and support any sized business or government agency, anywhere in the world, in any currency, and in any language. This means the Company's corporate vision to entirely transform the infrastructure industry by making our precision mapping solutions accessible to anyone and achieve global expansion can now be realized.

"When I joined ProStar, I did so because I was very impressed with what they had created, the clients that had been acquired, the IP, and the opportunity it provided to disrupt an industry that in my opinion, was ripe for disruption," said Vasa Dasan, COO of ProStar. "After significant investment in time and resources, we believe that we have developed a mobile mapping solution that brings this tremendous opportunity to reality."

About ProStar (TSXV: MAPS) (FSE: 5D00)

ProStar is a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions. ProStar's flagship product, PointMan, is natively cloud and mobile and is offered as a Software as a Solution (SaaS). ProStar's solutions seamlessly connects the field with the office and provides the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure data in real-time, including roads, railways, pipelines, and utilities. ProStar's solution has been adopted by some of the largest entities in North America, including Fortune 500 construction firms, subsurface utilities engineering (SUE) firms, utility owners, and government agencies.

ProStar has strategic business partnerships with the world's leading geospatial technology providers, data collection equipment manufacturers, and their dealer networks, including Trimble, Juniper Systems, Bad Elf, Vivax-Metrotech, Radiodetection, and Subsite Electronics.

The Company has made a significant investment in creating a vast intellectual property portfolio that includes 19 issued patents in the United States and Canada, with more pending. The patents protect the methods and systems required to digitally capture, record, organize, manage, distribute, and display the precise location of critical infrastructure including, buried utilities and pipelines.

ProStar's Executive management team has extensive experience in the management of both early stage and Fortune 500 technology companies in the private and public sectors. The leadership team includes Vasa Dasan, former CTO of Sun Microsystems, Carl Lashua, previous Chief Information Officer of HSBC Canada and Europe, and Matthew Breman, prior Executive for Disney.

For more information about ProStar, please visit: www.prostarcorp.com.

Contact

Alex Moore

Investor Relations Support

investorrelations@prostarcorp.com

970-242-4024

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the terms and conditions of the Company's future plans. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; the state of the technology sector; recent market volatility; the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that the Company is unaware of at this time. The reader is referred to the Company's recent Information Circular filed on SEDAR on November 20, 2020 for a more complete discussion of applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Company's issuer page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Cision

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Cision

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Emergency services have reported that a 43-year-old Ukranian man has died after drowning in the sea in Torrox.

The man, who it is reported had been eating and drinking on the Sillon beach near the lighthouse, had got into difficulties and was pulled from the sea by a friend.

The 112 emergency control centre was alerted just before 7pm this Tuesday (30 March) and police, paramedics and civil protection volunteers were notified.

Despite resuscitation attempts nothing could be done to save the life of the man, who died on the beach without being transferred to a hospital.

The exact circumstances of what happened are being investigated but, according to witnesses, the man was part of a group of Ukrainian residents and it is suggested he went into the sea for a bet even though there was a strong swell and swimming was not advised.
New York's legislature voted Tuesday to legalize recreational marijuana. After Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signs the package, which he said Tuesday will bring "justice for long-marginalized communities," New York will be the 15th state to allow pot use for non-medicinal purposes. The bill passed in the Assembly on a 43-20 vote and cleared the Senate 100 to 49. Democrats control both chambers.

The new law will allow anyone 21 or older to possess, carry, buy, or otherwise obtain up to three ounces of cannabis, probably starting in about a year, and it creates a regulatory framework for dispensaries to sell pot and certain businesses to allow its use. The new industry will be overseen by a new Office of Cannabis Management and a board appointed by the governor and lawmakers. Local municipal governments will be allowed to ban dispensaries and on-site use businesses, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

The expected $350 million in annual tax revenue will be divided between schools (40 percent), drug treatment and education (20 percent), and a social equity fund (40 percent) designed to help New York avoid the situation in other legalization states where Black and brown dealers are excluded from the marketplace and pushed into the black market, NPR reports. That social equity pot will be invested in communities harmed by high rates of drug arrests, and dealers who can show their business would benefit those people and communities will be eligible for "social equity" dispensary licenses.

"I think it's just a real game-changer and sets a new model for what legalization should look like in this country," Melissa Moore, head of the Drug Policy Alliance's New York chapter, told NPR News.

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South Africa: Upgrades at Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve to benefit community

Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Maggie Sotyu has handed over upgraded facilitates at the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve in Limpopo.

Using labour intensive methods, as per the requirements of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), we have built a staff village, camping site, shared facilities, swimming pool and upgraded water infrastructure, the Deputy Minister said.

The facilities, unveiled on Tuesday, form part of the People and Parks initiative. This initiative ensures local communities are involved in the management of protected and surrounding areas and promotes biodiversity values in the proclaimed protected and surrounding areas.

Through the People and Parks programme, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries strives to ensure that communities that were forcefully removed from their land in an effort to create protected areas by the apartheid regime, enjoy the socio-economic benefits of those protected areas.

The department has provided funding for the development of infrastructure in nature reserves.

I want to specifically urge community members, the Communal Property Associations (CPAs) and traditional leadership to play their part in ensuring that while using these facilities, vandalism is avoided at all cost. It will be encouraging when I come back to see infrastructure that is well taken care of by the beneficiaries.

In the process of executing this task, at least 290 work opportunities benefiting women, youths and people with disability were created for the local people. All the local people working on the project are from within communities and are part of all the CPAs, the Deputy Minister said.

The nature reserve has been identified as an anchor for the Lekgalameetse Biodiversity Economy Node given its potential to attract domestic and international tourists.

Biodiversity Economy Nodes (BENs) can be described as areas that possess exceptional biodiversity and natural assets, such as protected areas and game reserves, undeveloped and marginal communal areas with some of the most outstanding game experiences and activities.

These land parcels have potential for well-developed wildlife, ecotourism and bioprospecting products. BENs are platforms that provide networks to enable market access, skills transfer, creating supply chain linkages thereby achieving economies of scale especially for local Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating within it, Sotyu said.

A few years ago, the department commissioned a study to determine the optimal economic benefit that communities can derive from the sustainable utilisation of the natural resources within the Lekgalameetse Biodiversity Economy Node.

The study revealed the Lekgalameetse Biodiversity Economy Node has great potential to attract domestic and international tourists specifically hikers, birders, mountain bikers and 4x4 adventurers given its richness in biodiversity.

I want to emphasise the significance of partnerships to successfully unleash the great potential of this Biodiversity Economy Node. The department commits to provide the much-needed technical support in the delivery of projects in and around the Lekgalameetse area.

We also commit that this area will continue to benefit from other initiatives such as the Million Tree project. This is an innovative public greening initiative that contributes nationally towards the improvement of the quality of life and the development of sustainable settlements, the Deputy Minister said.

The programme provides low-income communities with fruit trees and ornamental trees to plant at their homes. The set task is to plant a million trees across the country annually.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the "Company" or "EMX") is pleased to announce the filing of its 2020 annual report Form 40-F, which includes the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). EMX has also filed its Annual Information Form (AIF), audited Financial Statements (FS), and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for 2020 with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The Company's Form 40-F, AIF, audited FS, and MD&A are also available on EMX's website at www.EMXroyalty.com under the heading "Investors". Shareholders may receive a printed copy of the Company's complete Financial Statements, or its complete Annual Information Form, free of charge, upon request to the Corporate Secretary at Suite 501 - 543 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1X8, Canada.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020

Financial Update

All dollar amounts in this news release are CDN unless otherwise noted.

EMX ended the twelve-month period at December 31, 2020 ("YE20") with a balance sheet including cash and cash equivalents of $52,418,000, investments, strategic investments and loans receivable valued at $26,126,000, and no debt.

EMX had revenue of $7,199,000 which includes royalty income, other property income including income from the sale or option of property interests and management fees, and interest and dividends earned on cash and investment balances. Included in revenues was $3,756,000 for the fair value of equity positions received on sale and option of property interests. Revenues for YE20 increased compared to YE19 with an increase in option and other property and dividend income offset by a decrease in interest income.

Royalty generation costs totaled $16,392,000 of which the Company recovered $7,962,000 from partners.

General and administrative expenses totaled $5,172,000 which includes $2,360,000 in salaries and consultants, $944,000 in administrative costs, $968,000 in professional fees, $222,000 in transfer agent and filing fees, $74,000 in travel, and $604,000 in investor relations costs.

For the year, the Company had a net loss from operations of $9,623,000 and an after-tax loss of $6,007,000. Other items affecting financial results in 2020 include $1,226,000 in depletion and depreciation costs, share-based payments of $1,994,000 in general and administration costs (additional $1,127,000 in royalty generation costs), and adjustments to deferred income tax assets and foreign exchange of $2,113,000 and $177,000 respectively. In FY20, EMX recorded a significant gain of $6,162,000 related to fair value changes of its investments and other equity holdings. The foreign exchange adjustment was a direct result of holding USD cash and net assets denominated in USD.

Operational Update

EMX's royalty and mineral property portfolio totals over 200 projects on five continents (see Figure 1). The following discussions summarize the work conducted in 2020, as well as subsequent events in 2021, by the Company and its partners.

In the western U.S., EMX received provisional payments of approximately US$977,000 from the sale of 555 gold ounces produced at the Leeville royalty property in Nevada's Northern Carlin Trend. At the Gold Bar South royalty property in Nevada, operator McEwen Mining Inc. disclosed first time open pit constrained reserves as part its Gold Bar Mine feasibility study.



On the royalty generation portfolio front, EMX optioned four gold projects in Nevada and Idaho, and two porphyry copper projects in Arizona. Also in Nevada, Ridgeline Minerals Corp. completed an IPO and earned 100% interest in the Selena and Swift Carlin-type gold projects, with EMX retaining NSR royalty interests and an equity position in Ridgeline. In the southwestern U.S., programs funded by partner South32 advanced eleven Arizona porphyry-copper projects through the EMX-South32 Regional Strategic Alliance ("RSA"). In Q4, South32 renewed the RSA with EMX for another two years, and as a subsequent event, South32 elected three RSA properties as Designated Projects with the execution of three separate option agreements. As partnered properties were advanced, the Company's royalty generation programs added new gold and copper projects to the portfolio by staking open ground. Partner funded programs totaled more than $13,500,000 in expenditures.

EMX substantially grew the royalty and mineral asset portfolio in Canada by purchasing 60 properties located in the Superior geologic province of Ontario and Quebec for $3 million, with 52 projects optioned to third parties, of which 39 include provisions for NSR royalty interests. A second portfolio of royalty and property interests was purchased for $800,000, paid as 50% cash and 50% EMX shares, for four properties (i.e., Gullrock Lake, Duchess, Red Lake, and Tilly) in Ontario's Red Lake mining district. Both portfolios are generating cash flow to EMX from option payments, which are supplemented by share-based payments. Payments from EMX's portfolios in Canada totaled $570,000 during 2020 including cash and the fair value of equity payments received.

EMX completed the acquisition of 18 royalty properties within productive metallogenic belts of northern Chile from Revelo Resources Corp. for US$1,162,000. Of that amount, US$369,907 was applied to fully repay EMX for an outstanding loan due from Revelo. Subsequently, Revelo sold eight of the copper projects to Pampa Metals Corporation. As a subsequent event, through a business combination, Revelo became a wholly owned subsidiary of Austral Gold Limited, with Austral now controlling five EMX royalty properties. Five royalty properties are controlled by other operators. The Company's portfolio in Chile is comprised of NSR royalties ranging from 0.5% to 2% covering porphyry copper, IOCG, and epithermal gold-silver deposits.

In Serbia, operator Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. continued aggressive development of the Timok Project's Upper Zone Cukaru Peki copper-gold deposit which is covered by an EMX 0.5% NSR royalty. Initial production from the Upper Zone is expected to be in the second quarter of 2021. Zijin's Lower Zone porphyry copper-gold resource project is also covered by the Company's 0.5% NSR royalty. As a subsequent event, EMX filed on SEDAR a Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" authored by Mineral Resource Management LLC.

In Fennoscandia, the Company sold or optioned thirteen projects to four different junior exploration companies during 2020. The deals involved provisions for share equity, advance royalty payments, and NSR royalty interests in the projects to EMX's benefit. Partner companies continued to advance EMX's royalty properties with field programs including geochemical and geophysical surveys, geological mapping, and drilling campaigns. EMX is a leading explorer and holder of mineral rights in the region and maintained aggressive royalty generation programs in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. This work resulted in the acquisition and advancement of a variety of new gold, base metal and "battery-metal" (nickel-copper-cobalt-gold-PGE) projects that are available for partnership. As well, royalty purchase opportunities were identified, with EMX acquiring a 2% NSR royalty covering Palladium One's Kaukua palladium-platinum deposit in Finland. At the Viscaria development project in Sweden, which is a previous EMX royalty acquisition, an updated copper-iron D-Zone resource estimate was completed by operator Copperstone Resources AB.



As events subsequent to December 31, 2020 EMX: a) optioned three projects in Norway and two projects in Sweden, to Martin Laboratories EMG Limited ("MLE") for an equity interest in MLE, work commitments, a retained 2.5% NSR royalty on each project, and other consideration including annual advance royalty and milestone payments, and b) executed a definitive agreement with Gold Line Resources Ltd. ("GLR") and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, by which GLR can acquire a 100% interest in Agnico's Oijarvi gold project in Finland and the Solvik gold project in Sweden for staged payments comprised of cash as well as shares of GLR and shares of EMX. Agnico will retain a 2% NSR royalty on the projects, 1% (half) of which may be purchased by EMX for US$1,000,000, with EMX receiving additional share and cash payments from GLR as reimbursement for the EMX shares issued to Agnico over the course of the agreement.

In Australia, the Company optioned the Queensland Gold project to Many Peaks Gold Pty Ltd for cash payments, work commitments, a retained royalty interest, annual advance royalty and milestone payments, as well as other consideration to EMX's benefit. At the Koonenberry royalty property, "reef" hosted gold targets were advanced with drilling, geochemical sampling, and bulk sampling programs conducted by the owner and operator of the project. The Company also added a new project to the portfolio with the license granted for the Yarrol intrusion-related gold property, which is now available for partnership.

In Turkey, EMX has been advised by the new operator of the Balya lead-zinc-silver royalty property that ongoing development and resource delineation programs are expected to provide initial production royalties later in 2021. Pre-production payments from EMX's other royalty properties in Turkey were suspended due to COVID-19, as well as permitting and administrative issues.

EMX invested US$3.79 million in Ensero Holdings Inc., an environmental services company focused on mine remediation and reclamation, for dividend and other payments totaling US$8.54 million over seven years, and a 7.5% equity interest in Ensero. EMX and Ensero also formed a strategic alliance that leverages a combination of EMX's knowledge of historical mining districts in the U.S. and Canada with Ensero's mine reclamation expertise. Payments from Ensero totaled US$154,000 for the year.

At year end, EMX had a 19.9% equity interest (18.9% on a fully diluted basis) in Rawhide Acquisition Holding LLC ("RAH"), a privately held Delaware company that owns the Rawhide gold-silver mining operation. RAH advised EMX that 24,687 ounces of gold and 162,039 ounces of silver were sold at average prices of US$1,602/oz gold and US$18.90/oz silver during 2020. This yielded US$42.6 million in total revenue, which after costs and deductions, resulted in a net loss before tax of US$1,170,000 to RAH. EMX's RAH investment did not produce ordinary dividend payments during the year due to this underperformance relative to forecasts. EMX, as well as other RAH investors, are actively engaged with RAH management to evaluate ways to optimize production and define additional resources. Subsequent to December 31, 2020 the Company increased its interest in RAH by making an additional investment of US$1,250,000.

Corporate Update

EMX has been closely monitoring developments regarding the novel coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") for over a year now, with a focus on the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The worldwide spread of COVID-19 has resulted in governments implementing measures to curb the spread of the virus. EMX has developed and implemented COVID-19 prevention, monitoring, and response plans following the guidelines of international agencies and the governments and regulatory agencies of each country in which it operates.



EMX's priority is to safeguard the health and safety of its personnel and host communities, support government actions to slow the spread of COVID-19, and assess and mitigate the risks to business continuity. Although significant restrictions have been implemented (e.g., travel restrictions, etc.), management has adapted to the situation and continued to advance the Company's business initiatives. Initially this consisted of work-from-home protocols, but has now evolved to having our field programs up-and-running with our in-country based staff.

Bullion Monarch Mining Inc ("Bullion"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, continued advancing litigation against Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc. and subsidiary entities for non-payment of royalties from properties in the Carlin Trend, Nevada that are subject to an area of interest. The litigation is being pursued in Nevada state courts. Bullion is advancing the case towards the trial phase. The Company will provide additional information as it becomes available.

OUTLOOK

EMX ended 2020 with $52.4 million in cash, $16.7 million in tradable securities, and $8.9 million in strategic investments. Our strong balance sheet combined with increasing revenues, particularly through option and property payments, has allowed the Company to expand our mineral property footprint in the western U.S., Sweden, Norway, and Australia, as well as to make key acquisitions in new jurisdictions including Canada, Chile, and Finland. In addition to executing our organic royalty generation and royalty acquisition strategies, we also deployed capital into strategic investments that include the Rawhide gold-silver mining operation in Nevada and Ensero Solutions Inc., an environmental remediation and mine reclamation company. Our counterparties continue spending and building value across our portfolio of early to advanced staged exploration projects, as well as funding mine development work on EMX's royalty properties at Balya in Turkey and Timok in Serbia.

Looking towards 2021, we already see similar progress being made in the growth of our royalty generation portfolio and strong concurrent deal flow. While we will continue to evaluate entry into promising new jurisdictions, most of our focus will remain on augmenting our royalty footprint in core regions, with particular emphasis on North America and Fennoscandia. Our counterparties spent well over $20 million in 2020 exploring our projects, and we anticipate similar or greater levels of expenditures in 2021. We will continue to augment our royalty generation with sensible royalty purchases. Despite the strong secondary market for royalty sales, EMX has been able to secure attractively valued royalty purchases, such as the acquisition of the Kaukua royalty in Finland where a significant palladium-platinum discovery appears to be in the works.

Important progress has also been achieved at Zijin's Timok Project in Serbia, which is a top tier copper-gold development project, where commercial production is anticipated to start in mid-2021 and should pay on EMX's 0.5% NSR royalty for years to come. Similarly, it appears that the Balya lead-zinc-silver 4% NSR royalty property will realize initial, sustained production late in 2021. Finally, the Leeville royalty in Nevada continues to generate cash flow to EMX, with the Company anticipating at least 10 years of ongoing royalty payments, and remaining optimistic that royalty production will eventually increase due to the exploration and development successes of Nevada Gold Mines.

The Company's diversified and resilient combination of revenues from royalties, pre-production payments, and strategic investments puts us on a solid footing for 2021. EMX is well funded to identify new royalty and investment opportunities, while further developing a pipeline of royalty generation properties that provide opportunities for additional cash flow, as well as exploration, development, and production success.

QUALIFIED PERSONS

Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on the United States, Canada, South America, Haiti, and Strategic Investments. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on Serbia, Fennoscandia, Turkey, and Australia.

About EMX. EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol EMX. See www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

For further information contact:

David M. Cole

President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (303) 979-6666

Dave@EMXroyalty.com

Scott Close

Director of Investor Relations

Phone: (303) 973-8585

SClose@EMXroyalty.com

Isabel Belger

Investor Relations (Europe)

Phone: +49 178 4909039

IBelger@EMXroyalty.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2020, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.





Figure 1. EMX's royalty and mineral property portfolio.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/79016_f1b815af944e3bc7_002full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79016
The Indian High Commission in Namibia has advised government to start rolling out the donated Covishield Covid-19 vaccine due to its limited shelf life. The high commission's head of chancery, Vipul Bawa, said the Indian government would like to see the Covishield vaccine being used in Namibia soonest rather than later.

The consignment of 30 000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, known as Covishield in India, produced by the Serum Institute of India, arrived in Namibia on 20 March as a donation by that country's government. AstraZeneca said in a statement last week that its product could be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions for at least six months.

Executive director in the health ministry Ben Nangombe, meanwhile, told New Era upon enquiry yesterday the Covishield vaccine will expire in July.

He also assured the nation that the rollout of the vaccine would start tomorrow. Namibia started inoculating health and other frontline workers as well as those between 18-59 years of age in the Khomas and Erongo regions on 19 March in phase one of its vaccine roll-out plan due to end on 16 April 2021. This is being done with the 100 000 doses of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine donated by the Chinese government.

These doses will expire in 2022, according to Nangombe. Only 1 215 people have been vaccinated in Namibia to date.

On the issue, that India has temporarily halted AstraZeneca vaccine exports, Bawa maintained the country has supplied these doses globally while undertaking its own domestic vaccination programme - one of the largest in the world, with over 60 million doses administered thus far.

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India has placed a temporary hold on all exports of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine following the rise in domestic cases.

"While it continues to vaccinate its population against Covid-19, India also remains committed, as before, to supplying vaccine doses globally, including through Covax," said Bawa. Approached for comment, WHO Namibia representative Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses said the global health body has advocated strongly for vaccine equity and against vaccine nationalisation to ensure that the world's most vulnerable have equitable access to the Covid-19 vaccine and are protected from mild to severe cases of the disease.

"Unfortunately, the demand for the Covid-19 vaccine remains higher than the current supplies and this delays the deployment of the vaccine in the developing world.

"WHO remains committed to ensuring that all EUL Covid-19 vaccines are available through the Covax facility and will continue bilateral discussions with manufacturers and governments to expedite this process," Sagoe-Moses said.
NOAA signs data sharing agreement with offshore wind firm

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has signed a data-sharing agreement with an offshore wind development company.

The memorandum of agreement with rsted Wind Power North America LLC will foster the sharing of physical and biological data that will help NOAA meet its goals related to climate adaptation and mitigation, weather-readiness, healthy oceans and resilient coastal communities and economies, officials said in the March 29 announcement.

rsted will share data it generates from the analysis, development, construction and operation of its offshore projects in waters under U.S. jurisdictions. The data rsted will share covers air and water quality, biological communities, meteorology, coastal and ocean currents, oceanography and hydrographic services and mapping. The agreement will help NOAA better understand weather, climate and ocean processes and build resilient coastal communities and economies.

In addition to direct data share, rsted will work with NOAAs Technology Partnership Office to identify opportunities to foster science and innovation in support of the Biden administrations goals to stimulate sustainable growth in the U.S. blue economy.

NOAA will share its publicly available data with rsted.

Together, these data and information resources will be used to plan and ensure the effective deployment, sustainable operation and maintenance, and efficient use of weather-dependent and oceanic renewable energy technologies and infrastructure, NOAA officials said.

This partnership with industry will deliver data Americans use for business, science, and education, while at the same time mitigating effects of climate change, NOAA's Acting Administrator Ben Friedman said. Our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources are critical to national security and well-being, and NOAA is pleased to work with willing partners to understand and maximize the potential of these national assets.

The agreement is the first of its kind between an offshore wind developer and NOAA, and it paves the way for similar data-sharing agreements with other developers, officials said. It will run through Sept. 30, 2025.
Walvis Bay  The interim board chairperson of the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia, Mihe Gaomab, says the fate of former Seaflower Pelagic Processing employees, who were temporarily employed by Tunacor, lies with the fisheries ministry.

Tunacor had offered three months temporary employment to about 400 former employees of SPP. In exchange, Tunacor was offered a 4 000-metric ton quota last year and paid the temporary employees N$2 500 per month.

The three-month agreement ends today. The workers have been demanding permanent jobs, as the current arrangement was not desirable for them. The workers face a bleak future after the SPP quota allocated through Fishcor was withheld due to the state-owned company's involvement in the Fishrot scandal. "We are awaiting on the fisheries minister to pronounce himself on the quota allocations. We are hoping for favourable development to secure employment for the ex-SPP employees as well as to address our operational problems," Goamab said yesterday, affirming the fate of workers was depended on such allocations. He said the board was actively also looking for an amicable solution to ensure meaningful employment for the SPP employees at Walvis Bay. SPP, the horse mackerel processing plant, was established through a joint venture between Fishcor and African Selection Fishing (ASF) in 2017.

This agreement allows SPP to access at least 50 000 metric tons of horse mackerel until 2031. However, the company is going through rough seas and unable to exploit its quota due to an ongoing dispute with government over the Fishcor partnership.

Some of the employees expressed their concern, saying the deal with Tunacor does not provide security even though it puts bread on the table.
The dead body of the man, who earlier opened fire at law enforcement officers in a gated community of Novye Veshki near Moscow, was found in his burnt-out house, a law enforcement source said.

"The shooters body was discovered in his burned-out cottage," TASS cited the source as saying.

According to the source, the body was located in the attic, in the epicenter of the blaze. It was badly charred, so his identity will be confirmed via a DNA test. The fire had spread to the total area of 69 square meters and has been fully extinguished by Wednesday.

According to a law enforcement source, a posthumous psychological and psychiatric examination will probably be held.

"Most likely, a posthumous psychological and psychiatric examination will be ordered as part of the criminal case, in order to look into his psychological condition," the source said, adding that the examination will help to to understand motives and establish some of the suspects psychological traits.

At 11:00 on Tuesday, the police came to the mans residence with a warrant for a search to be carried out in an illegal firearms circulation case. The man, identified as Vladimir Bardanov, born in 1960, hurled grenades at them in response. According to preliminary reports, the suspect had a large amount of weapons and firearms at his disposal, while there was a clandestine workshop to manufacture weapons organized in the cottage itself.

A Russian National Guard officer was injured when the house was stormed. A criminal case over an attempt on the life of law enforcement personnel has been opened.

Another source told TASS that bailiffs were searching for Bardanov, who owed 150,000 rubles in tax arrears. The man had a criminal record, but details of it are unknown.
LGBTQ activists are looking at Arkansas after its legislature passed the Arkansas Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, which prevents medical professionals from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth in the state.

But Texas has very similar bills up for consideration this legislative session.

AFTER THE FREEZE: Texans really hate ERCOT after winter storm, UH survey confirms

State Rep. Steve Toth and State Sen. Bob Hall quietly filed House Bill 2693 and Senate Bill 1311, respectively, which would make it illegal for any physician in Texas to provide gender-affirming care to transgender people under the age of 18., including prescribing puberty blockers and hormones or performing gender-affirming surgery.

Under the bills, health care providers who offer gender-affirming care would lose their license to practice in the state.

This isn't Toth's only bill he's filed targeting health care for transgender youth  House Bill 68 would reclassify gender-affirming care from a mental health professional or physician as child abuse.

Arkansas' HB 1570 only needs a signature from its governor to become law. Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, is currently reviewing the bill.

After its passage through the Senate, several activists decried the bill.

"Affirming health care can literally be life or death for anyone, but particularly for trans youth," Black trans activist and writer Raquel Willis said, according to CNN's Lauren Holt. "People think that's an exaggeration. It's not. People think you can just discipline identity out of someone and that is not true and in many ways is torture."

IN TEXAS: Here's where you can schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment

According to the ACLU, 28 states are reviewing legislation that would restrict the rights of transgender people.

HB 2693 was filed on March 3, followed by SB 1311 filed on March 9. Both bills are currently in committee.
A 24-year-old north Belfast man who admitted possessing the Class B drug cannabis with intent to supply was given a chance and freed when his 18-month sentence was suspended for two years.

Judge Donna McColgan QC told Eamon Foster from Jamaica Road, had he contested the single charge she would have passed a sentence in the region of two years.

No details surround the case were outlined during the short Belfast Crown Court hearing today, save that Foster had played a limited function in the supply chain by simply collecting and delivering a rucksack.

Judge McColgan said in defence submissions it was said Foster received no direct payment for his involvement, and the only benefit to him was to wipe off part of a drug debt run up because of his own addiction.

Defence Counsel Luke Curran had also urged the court to take into account Fosters guilty plea and co-operation before the court, had exhibited genuine remorse, and the added hardship any period of custody would have during the current pandemic.

Judge McColgan said in view of all of the submissions and the fact this was Fosters first offence involving supply, she was prepared to give him a chance and to suspend his jail sentence.
Posted Tuesday, March 30, 2021 9:34 am

A pilot and passenger of a small airplane survived a crash after engine trouble near Yacolt on the Clark and Skamania county border Monday, the Washington State Department of Transportation reported.

The two in the plane, which the department described as a single-engine Piper aircraft plane, were rescued by a U.S. Navy helicopter following a combined search of multiple agencies, including the Clark County Sheriffs Office. WSDOT reported that air traffic control in Portland lost voice and radar signals from the plane at about 3:45 p.m.  the pilot had been speaking to air traffic, alerting that the planes engine started running rough and the plane was losing altitude.

WSDOT said the last-known signal from the plane provided search crews a good target for where to search. A release from the sheriffs office stated that air traffic control contacted Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA), alerting them to the possibly downed aircraft, after which deputies were dispatched and set up a command post at Sunset Falls Campground.

The deputies requested aid from Clark County Sheriffs Office Civilian Search and Rescue Team (CCSO SAR), the Volcano Rescue Team, as well as a search and rescue helicopter from the U.S. Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island, the sheriffs office release stated. While waiting for the helicopter, sheriffs deputies and CCSO SAR used unmanned aircraft to search the area, while additional CCSOR SAR and Volcano Rescue Team members did ground searches.

The helicopter arrived at about 8:30 p.m. and located the aircraft at 9:10 p.m., the sheriffs office reported. One of the helicopter crew was lowered to the crash site and found the pilot and passenger with only minor injuries, taking both up into the helicopter where they were flown to a landing zone on the north side of Yacolt Primary School.

The pilot and passenger were treated for injuries and given food and water at Yacolts North Country EMS station, the sheriffs office reported, and were later transported to the sheriffs West Precinct Office where they were picked up by a family member.

The plane, registered out of Vashon Island, was headed from Bend, Oregon to the Tacoma Narrows Airport near Gig Harbor, WSDOT reported. Neither the department nor the sheriffs office released the names of the pilot or passenger as of the time of their reports.

The sheriffs office noted that alongside their efforts, a number of other agencies were involved with the search and rescue:

U.S. Navy Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Clark County Sheriffs Office Civilian Search and Rescue Team

Washington State Emergency Operations Center

Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency

Department of Emergency Management

Skamania County Sheriffs Office

US Forest Service Law Enforcement Division

North Country EMS

The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, both WSDOT and the sheriffs office noted.
John James, a Republican businessman who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in Michigan twice, is launching a political action committee to support candidates in 2022 elections.

The 39-year-old Farmington Hills businessman first announced the formation of his Mission First, People Always committee to Fox News on Wednesday. James, who is considered a top recruit for Republicans seeking to dethrone Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2022, will serve as chairman of the PAC.

James plans to financially support candidates who lead through the challenges of today with the boldness and balance that empowers Americans to live freer, more joyous lives while ensuring our nation is powerful, prosperous, and peaceful according to the PACs website.

The PACs website states it is looking for candidates with true conservative principles who will strengthen families, ensure access to the American dream, restore trust in our fellow Americans, secure the country and govern with common sense sustainability.

The Republican party was founded by men and women who were willing to fight and die, not for themselves but for the freedoms of the Failed and of the Future, the website states. Now Republicans abandon their principles and shy away from debate in the face of Cancel Culture and mean tweets. We must be bold, stand on our principles, and take action.

Federal campaign finance filings show the committee was formally created on March 29. Bradley Crate is listed as treasurer and custodian of records. Crate was treasurer for a legal fund James created after the 2020 election and performed a similar role for former President Donald Trumps fundraising ventures.

James was a prolific fundraiser in his two bids for Senate. He collected $12.5 million in 2018 and amassed $48.7 million for the 2020 campaign cycle.

He was defeated by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, by 6.5 percentage points. In 2020, James outperformed Trump in Michigan but narrowly lost the statewide race against U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township.

James earned 92,335 fewer votes than Peters, according to certified results, but James waited three weeks to concede. James expressed concerns about irregularities in the election and formed a joint legal fund with the Republican National Committee.

Though James did not provide evidence to substantiate his allegations, he asked the Wayne County Board to hold off on certifying the results and perform an audit. James also asked the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to delay certification to investigate allegations of fraud.

James continued to rake in fundraising dollars in the weeks after losing the November election. An MLive analysis found his campaign committee raised $2 million in the month after the election. His legal defense fund collected $184,483, of which only $4,466 was spent.

The Detroit News reported James met with representatives of the Republican Governors Association as the group seeks to recruit a candidate to challenge Whitmer.

James is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served eight years in the Army before being honorably discharged at the rank of captain. After leaving the Army, James became president of his familys supply chain business, James Group International.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

John James raised $2M after election loss, collecting donations for challenging results

John James creates legal fund with RNC, Trump campaign treasurer after losing Michigan Senate race
[March 31, 2021] Southeastern Grocers Launches Partnership with Children's Hospitals Across the Southeast

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, today announces a collaborative partnership with eight children's hospitals throughout the Southeast. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005235/en/ Southeastern Grocers is partnering with eight children's hospitals throughout the Southeast, and customers at all Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi are encouraged to support the pediatric care facilities by rounding up their grocery bills to help positively impact the lives of young patients now through April 20. (Photo: Business Wire) In support of the pediatric partners, the grocer has launched a community donation program to benefit some of the nation's top children's hospitals. Now through April 20, customers at all Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi are encouraged to support the pediatric care facilities by rounding up their grocery bills to help positively impact the lives of young patients. Anthony Hucker, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said, "We are a people first company that is dedicated to supporting our local communities and we are honored to partner with our local health care heroes to serve as committed advoctes for the well-being of children and families. We understand the value that local children's hospitals offer as a beacon of hope to families facing challenging times and a vital community health resource to ensure children of all ages receive specialized, quality care. This is just the beginning of our partnership, and we look forward to building stronger, healthier communities together."



SEG is proud to partner with the following children's hospitals in support of their efforts to provide hope and healing to children and families: Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children - Orlando

Children's of Alabama - Birmingham, Alabama

Children's of Mississippi - Gulfport, Mississippi

Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida - Fort Myers

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital - St. Petersburg

Nicklaus Children's Hospital - Miami

Studer Family Children's Hospital - Pensacola

Wolfson Children's Hospital - Jacksonville In addition to building partnerships with these eight hospitals, SEG has proudly supported Ochsner Hospital for Children in Louisiana since 2017. The grocer has worked with the hospital on multifaceted programs, cultural events, community outreach and donation programs and has donated more than $260,000 to Ochsner Hospital for Children to date.

SEG is dedicated to expanding its pediatric partnerships to provide ongoing support to deserving hospitals in communities across the Southeast. Donations received through SEG's community donation program will be donated directly to the eight children's hospitals to support each hospital's pediatric specialties, family centered support, therapeutic activities, research, child advocacy and additional programs. About Southeastern Grocers

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S. SEG grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies serve communities throughout the five southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit, www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com. About SEG Gives Foundation

SEG Gives Foundation is the charitable arm of Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company of Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores. The SEG Gives Foundation aligns giving with causes that are priorities to the communities SEG serves, including the fight against hunger, support for military service members and their families, relief to those affected by extreme weather and natural disasters and quality educational opportunities for students. Southeastern Grocers strives to be ingrained in its communities and, through the SEG Gives Foundation, better the lives of its customers and neighbors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005235/en/

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Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, appears in New York State Supreme Court during a hearing on a defamation case against U.S. President Donald Trump New York. Picture: Reuters

Former US president Donald Trump could face questioning under oath about a former Apprentice contestant's sexual assault allegations against him, following a ruling from New York's highest court.

Evidence-gathering has been on hold in Summer Zervos' defamation lawsuit since Trump asked the high court last year to declare the that the presidency protected him from being sued in state courts. In a one-sentence ruling, the Court of Appeals tossed Trump's appeal as moot now that he's out of the White House.

Lawyers for the woman, Summer Zervos, had asked the high court to nix the appeal and return her defamation suit to a trial court for both sides to continue pretrial evidence-seeking that could eventually enable Zervos lawyers to quiz Trump under oath, and his to question her. Deadlines for such questioning, known as a deposition, had been set for last year before Trump appealed to the high court.

Read More

Now a private citizen, the defendant has no further excuse to delay justice for Ms Zervos, and we are eager to get back to the trial court and prove her claims, lawyers Beth Wilkinson and Moira Penza said in a statement on Tuesday.

Zervos' attorneys said in a court filing last month that Trump's lawyers didn't oppose dismissing the appeal.

Zervos is suing Trump for calling her a liar after she went public during his 2016 campaign with allegations that he subjected her to unwanted kissing and groping twice in 2007. She had appeared on his reality show The Apprentice in 2006 and said she was looking only for career advice when she contacted him afterward.

She sued after he retweeted a message calling her claims a hoax and described women who accused him of sexual assault and harassment as liars trying to hurt his presidential chances.

Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz has said that the former presidents statements were true and protected by free speech rights and that Zervos claims are meritless.

Zervos is seeking a retraction, an apology and damages.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they come forward publicly.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  As long as hospitals have not collapsed, the battle against COVID-19 is not yet over, a medical adviser to the pandemic task force said Wednesday.

During the Laging Handa briefing with government officials, National Task Force Against COVID-19 special adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa responded to the recent claim of Philipine Hospital Association president Jaime Almora that the country "has already lost the war" against COVID-19 with overwhelmed hospitals and overworked manpower.

"Wala pa naman akong nadidinig na ospital na nagsasara. Masasabi mong talo lang 'yan, 'pag nagsara na ang ospital," Herbosa said.

[Translation: I haven't heard any hospital that already shut down. We can only claim that we've lost if hospitals are shutting down.]

"And all the doctors and nurses are doing heroic things, trying to take care of more patients more than they can handle. To me, yan ang heroism na dapat nating ipagsabi, hindi yung natalo na (To me, what we should talk about is their heroism instead of claiming that we've already lost)," he added.

However, Herbosa admitted that some hospitals in Metro Manila are reaching their "surge capacity," prompting referrals to COVID-19 patients in hospitals outside the Greater Manila area.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal are currently under a week-long ECQ until April 4 in order to contain the accelerated rise in COVID-19 cases to a record-high tally over the past days.

But should the government extend its lockdown rules?

Iyong ECQ, siyempre pag pinahaba mo yan, mababawasan niya talaga iyong paghawa-hawa ng ating mga kababayan sa sakit na ito. Pero dapat kasabay ito ng public health measures kagaya ng testing, isolation at saka contact-tracing, Herbosa added.

[Translation: Of course, if we prolong the ECQ, we will significantly reduce transmission of this disease. But this should be paired with public health measures such as intensified testing, isolation, and contact tracing.]

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, who is also treatment czar in the government's pandemic response, agreed that the health system is not collapsing but stressed that the ECQ period is crucial to ensure that hospitals are getting enough resources.

"Pero kung tataas ang active or new cases natin at hindi na ma-control, we need more heightened restrictions para mapababa ang transmission rate," Vega said.

[Translation: But if the number of active or new cases will continue to rise and cannot be controlled, we need more heightened restrictions to reduce the transmission rate.]

In an interview with CNN Philippines earlier in the day, Vega himself appealed for public patience as the government's One Hospital Command referral system has been bogged down by delays in their system when responding to patients.

READ: Treatment czar seeks public patience as calls swamp hospital command center

Meanwhile, former task force adviser Anthony Leachon noted that the government need not wait for hospitals to reach the brink of closure before responding to their needs.

"Clearly, the fact that patients are dying in their homes and hospitals are turning away patients who then die in tents and parking lots is the definition of being defeated by COVID-19," he said.

Vega said they have augmented staff in hospitals in different parts of the country with additional 9,000 personnel to help respond to COVID-19 patients. More than 3,000 of these emergency-hired health workers were deployed in Metro Manila alone.
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Since the January 6 riot, increasingly strident voices from the political left have stigmatized Evangelicals as a threat to America. A recent article published in Foreign Affairs by Drs. Muhammed Fraser-Rahim and Melissa Graves, is yet the latest of these rising anti-Evangelical denunciations. This article was written by two tenured professors at my Alma Mater, The Citadel, and from the Department of Intelligence and Security Studies. As the conclusions are completely at odds with the cited evidence, this article demands response and refutation. The title provides insight into the bias involved: The US Needs Deradicalization  for Christian Extremists, and the conclusions fall apart under scrutiny.

Drs. Fraser-Rahim and Graves begin by framing the January 6 riot at the Capitol as primarily a case of white, Evangelical Christian violent extremism. To begin their argument, they recite a selectively edited and anecdotal statement by one of those who entered the Capitol, Joshua Black. Mr. Black distinguishes himself from others at the riot in stating I wanted to get inside to plead the blood of Jesus over it (Senate Chamber). The Professors failed to include Mr. Blacks statement about what he believed to be the motivations of the riot: Black claimed that the riot started when protesters learned VP Pence was moving forward with counting the electoral college votes. Political and not religious motivation. Mr. Black did explain he protected a Capitol Hill Police Officer based on his Christian beliefs, but this was left out of the article. Fraser-Rahim and Graves then asserted: That Black would storm the Capitol in the believe that he was carrying out Gods will should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the troubling relationship between white Evangelical Christians and conspiracy theories over the past four years. However, the article Fraser-Rahim and Graves cite to make this outrageous claim did not back such a generalization of white Evangelicals. It solely noted: the likelihood of supporting conspiracy theories is strongly predicted by a willingness to believe in other unseen, intentional forces and an attraction to Manichean narratives.

The next line of anti-Evangelical attack by Fraser-Rahim and Graves came with their assertion of the support of white Evangelicals for Trump. They dont explain how support for a Presidential candidate is connected to radicalization but assume the reader would get it. To further their radicalization charge, Fraser-Rahim and Graves cited that 50% of Protestants who attend church once or more per week believed Trump was divinely anointed by God. However, the cited material showed the same percentages regardless of President and conclude: it is important to see that this is not just an evangelical Republican problem. The religious significance of the presidency is swelling across the board for the religious, indicating further polarization along religious and partisan lines is continuing."

Beyond the selective, misleading, and flat-out false assertions and conclusions of cited material, Fraser-Rahim and Graves base personal conclusions on faulty reasoning. For example, they write: Though QAnon conspiracy theories are not unique to Christianity, evangelical Christians have nevertheless embraced the bogus claims with unusual enthusiasm. In the days surrounding the Capitol siege, prominent QAnon personalities posted scores of Bible verses in support of their cause. The professors conclude that Evangelicals have embraced the bogus claims with unusual enthusiasm because QAnon personalities posted scores of Bible verses. A reasoned conclusion might be that the few QAnon personalities were Christian, but is illogical to affirmatively conclude from this evidence that all white Evangelicals embraced with unusual enthusiasm QAnon bogus claims. I would hope these professors would not accept such illogical and unproven conclusory assertions from their students.

The most despicable aspect of the article came with the accusation of racism, bigotry, and hate on the part of white Evangelicals. Fraser-Rahim and Graves point out that QAnon posts grew on social media by substantial numbers from March until June 2020. They then assert without further evidence: a significant number of Evangelical Christians have, through social media, descended into QAnons conspiratorial depths. Without further explanation, the authors posit that this dynamic is unique to white Evangelical Christians. Then Frazer-Rahim and Graves engage in charges of white Evangelical hate by writing: QAnon myths are infused with anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic rhetoric. They go so far down the pit of slime as to assert: Christians have denigrated Jews since Medieval times. This completely disregarded the distinctions between the Roman Catholic Church and post-Medieval Protestantism, and between 19th century Protestantism and modern Evangelicalism. Nor did Fraser-Rahim and Graves recognize the modern Evangelical support of Israel and the Jewish people (in contrast to the modern secular lefts criticisms of Zionism and Israel). Having allegedly proven the case of the danger and hate of white Evangelicals, the article goes on to explain why white Evangelicals must be deradicalized similar to the terrorists we faced during and after 9-11.

In countering the rising defamatory attacks against Evangelicals, regardless of color, we must scrutinize the evidence used to make the attacks. As seen with this article, the conclusions will fall apart under scrutiny, as Evangelicalism is not a danger nor extremist. Evangelical Christianity has been a positive force throughout American history, and will continue to be so for the years to come. That must be recognized and defended.
A Worcester man accused of fatally shooting Quentin Jacobs-Hylton was arraigned in Worcester Superior Court Wednesday on multiple charges including murder and was held without bail, according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.s office.

The 31-year-old man is also facing charges of armed assault to rob, illegal possession of a loaded firearm and illegal possession of a firearm.

Two other suspects involved with the case were arraigned Wednesday as well. Malek Matos, 34, of Worcester was charged with armed assault to rob, assault and battery, illegal possession of a loaded firearm and illegal possession of a firearm. He was also held without bail. Leeann Santiago, 34, of Clinton was arraigned on a charge of accessory to murder and was released on $5,000 cash bail and ordered to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet.

Authorities said both Dupuis and Matos were with Jacobs-Hylton the night the 25-year-old Worcester man was fatally shot on Aug. 16.

The suspects are accused of holding a gun to Jacobs-Hyltons head and assaulting him before the shooting, according to a prosecutor.

Dupuis claimed he met up with Jacobs-Hylton on Aug. 16 and planned to smoke marijuana at his house, court records show.

According to Dupuis, another vehicle pulled up behind them. Two men got out of the car and tried to steal a fanny pack from Dupuis. He ended up getting shot in the hand, Dupuis told police.

A victim, later identified as Jacobs-Hylton, was then brought to Saint Vincent Hospital with a gunshot wound to his head. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, authorities said.

A witness told police Jacobs-Hylton was called the night of the shooting by another man who wanted to buy cocaine from him.

Investigators claimed the victim met with two men on Stoneland Road before Dupuis held a gun to Jacobs-Hyltons head, while Matos attacked him during a struggle.

Police said Matos and Dupuis left Massachusetts after the killing. Dupuis was later found in Florida, while Matos was caught in New York, records show.

All three defendants were indicted by a Worcester County grand jury on March 19 and will appear in court again on May 25, according to the D.A.s office.

Related Content:
The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry where travellers are staying as part of mandatory quarantine regime. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Health Minister Stephen Donnellys plan to increase the number of countries on the States hotel quarantine list is in jeopardy due to serious legal concerns.

Attorney General Paul Gallagher has written to Mr Donnelly warning it may be illegal to charge EU citizens to stay in mandatory quarantine hotels.

Several government sources said Mr Gallagher raised a range of legal issues with the proposal to add more countries and also highlighted potential difficulties in charging Irish citizens travelling from EU states for two weeks confinement in hotels.

Read More

Central to the legal concerns are EU citizens right to free movement throughout member states. There are also believed to be potential issues with quarantining tens of thousands of Irish citizens who live, work or study within the EU.

A Government source said the issue has not arisen until now because Irish citizens did not regularly travel to or live in the countries on the original quarantine list. However, Austria is currently on the quarantine list and passengers traveling from that EU state are required to pay for mandatory hotel quarantining.

Acting on the advice of the Travel Expert Advisory Group, Mr Donnelly sought to add a number of EU states to the quarantine list this week including France, Germany and Italy. Mr Donnelly also wanted to add the US.

Government sources said the expert travel group wanted to change the criteria for hotel quarantining to include countries with high incidence rates of Covid-19, not just states where there are concerns about new variants of the virus.

Mr Donnelly is now locked in negotiations with Foreign Affair Ministers Simon Coveney over how many new countries can be added to the existing list of 33 states.

The proposed new list was to include 43 countries which have variants of concern or where Covid-19 cases are greater than 500 per 100,000 of the population.

One Government source said the Attorney Generals letter goes as far as to say that if Health impose this on EU citizens it may be illegal or it may be illegal to charge them money.

Which begs the question if it's legal to charge Irish citizens, the source added.

The same source said: Given that they didn't check any of this it makes you wonder who exactly the experts on this expert travel panel are.

Another Government source said the Attorney General raised a whole host of issues with Mr Donnellys plan to add more countries to the quarantine list.

Speaking on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he expected more countries to be added to the list. He did not say which countries would be added.

A spokesperson for Mr Donnelly he would not comment on an on-going legal discussion.

A spokesperson for Mr Coveney said: "The required consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs has not happened yet.
Tecnam P2012 Traveller in Cape Air's fleet "Modern, efficient, and reliable, the Tecnam Traveller will serve our needs for years to come." - said Cape Air Founder & CEO Dan Wolf

US regional airline Cape Air confirmed the order of the following batch of 10 TECNAM P2012 Traveller aircraft that will be delivered in 2021 joining the 20 Travellers already in the airlines fleet.

Cape Air, Tecnam Aircrafts launch customer, has also optioned 10 P2012 units of 2022 production and 10 P2012 units of 2023 production, confirming its path, outlined on September 21st 2017, to the final target of one-hundred aircraft to replace its legacy aircraft fleet.

Despite the current tough times for aviation, the safety, reliability, and modern design of the P2012, coupled with Cape Airs ability to recognize and answer the emerging consumer needs, has resulted in a positive impact on the airline market.

The Tecnam P2012 features a sleek, modern design with state-of-the-art equipment; a new-generation, piston-powered, twin-engine, fixed landing gear, aircraft with interchangeable configuration. Comfortably accommodating nine passengers with one or two crew, the introduction into the Cape Airs fleet provides customers with higher class experiences, such as air-conditioning, in-seat power, business class leg room under-seat storage space and all-weather capabilities.

We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the P2012 launch customer Cape Air, said Giovanni Pascale Langer, TECNAM Managing Director. More than ever, in these tough times, the P2012 Traveller is confirming its great benefits for operators, passengers, and the whole regional transportation environment.

Cape Airs employees, customers and communities are delighted to experience our fleet replacement with the Tecnam P2012 Traveller. Modern, efficient, and reliable, the Tecnam Traveller will serve our needs for years to come. The support and collaboration from our partners at Tecnam has been extraordinary, remarked Dan Wolf, Cape Air Founder & CEO.

About Cape Air:

Now in its 32nd year, Cape Air is one of the largest commuter airlines in the United States, serving 38 cities in the US and the Caribbean. The employee-owned company, based in Hyannis, Massachusetts, has grown from three flights a day between Provincetown and Boston in 1989 to a fleet of 100 aircraft, more than 400 flights a day, and flying over 500,000 passengers annually. Cape Air was recognized as "One of the Top Ten Small Airlines in the World" by Conde Nast Traveler.

Media contact:

Erin Hatzell

erin.hatzell@capeair.com

(406) 698-4359

About TECNAM:

TECNAMs roots go all the way back to the Italian brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale who began to develop and produce innovative aircraft soon after the end of WWII. Since those early beginnings, the family has continued to create original models, first gaining worldwide recognition under the name Partenavia, which translates as Naples Aviation.

Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM was established in March 1986 and now operates in two production facilities. The Casoria facility is located adjacent to Naples Capodichino International Airport while the main factory is next to the Oreste Salomone Airport in Capua. Recently new facilities were established in Sebring, Florida, USA and in Australia to serve and support the needs of Tecnams local owners and operators.

Media contact:

Stefano Mavilio

s.mavilio@tecnam.com

+39 329 377 24 55
An official calls on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity, and progress of the country.

The Nigerian government has declared Friday April 2, and Monday, April 5, 2021, public holidays to mark this year's Easter Celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made this announcement through the ministry's spokesperson, Mohammed Manga, on Tuesday.

Mr Aregbesola said "Christians should emulate the attributes of forbearance, forgiveness, kindness, humility, love, peace and patience, which were demonstrated by Jesus Christ".

He called on them to use the occasion of this year's Easter Celebration to pray for the peace, unity, and progress of our country.

Mr Aregbesola assured that the "Federal Government will leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with the spate of kidnapping, armed banditry and other crimes and criminality being perpetrated by enemies of the country in parts of Nigeria".

"Security is everybody's business. I, therefore, encourage all Nigerians and foreigners resident in Nigeria, to display a high level of patriotism at this critical time in the history of our country, to support the efforts of all security agencies in ensuring peace and security of lives and property of the citizenry," he said.

While wishing Christians both at home and abroad a happy and peaceful Easter Celebration, Mr Aregbesola called on Nigerians "to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari "to make life more meaningful for all".
By Kim Bo-eun





The ICT ministry's human resources training center has partnered with the U.K.'s University of Sussex and Korea's Ajou University to train experts in science and technology policy.







The Korea Institute of Human Resource Development in Science and Technology (KIRD) said Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the universities on future collaboration.







KIRD's HR Research Office will work with the University of Sussex Business School's Science Policy Research Unit and Ajou University's New Industrial Convergence Technology Research Center.







KIRD is set to refer to a U.K. science and technology expert training policy model to develop its own programs.







The three institutions will conduct joint studies in science and technology policy, run training courses and set up study and exchange programs. They will also seek exchanges and visits by personnel in science and technology policy.







Based on the partnership, KIRD is seeking to further enhance international cooperation with top-class research and training agencies.







"We are anticipating cooperation with world-class institutions in science and technology policy," KIRD Senior Director Kim Joo-bong was cited as saying in a press release.







The University of Sussex Business School's Director Jeremy Hall said, "The school's Science Policy Research Unit has a long history of collaboration with Korean researchers and we look forward to strengthening these ties as Korea continues its trajectory as a leader in science, technology and innovation."







Ajou University Director Lee Joo-yeoun said, "Through global cooperation in training and research in science and technology policy, I hope we will be able to develop individuals into experts and conduct practical research at a global level."







KIRD was established in 2007 to strengthen science and technology personnel's research expertise and innovative capabilities.







The University of Sussex's Science Policy Research Unit, founded in 1966, is one of the world's leading centers of research on science, technology, innovation policy and management.







Ajou University's New Convergence R&D Center was founded to promote science and industrial convergence research in 2015. It is seeking to become a think tank for public-private collaborative science and technology policy.




America's ground-pounders of tomorrow will soon be equipped with custom-built HoloLens headsets as part of a decade-long contract struck between the Department of Defense and Microsoft, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. Per the $21.88 billion deal, Microsoft will supply some 120,000 of its AR units to the US Army.

This announcement follows a $480 million deal between Microsoft and the DoD in 2018 to develop the Integrated Visual Augmented System (IVAS) based on the standard $3,500 HoloLens headset and augmented using Azure Cloud Services. "The program delivers enhanced situational awareness, enabling information sharing and decision-making in a variety of scenarios," Microsoft Technical Fellow, Alex Kipman, wrote in a Wednesday blog post. Effectively, they'll enable commanders to share tactical data and targets with soldiers in the field as well provide night vision capabilities.

"Microsoft has worked closely with the U.S. Army over the past two years, and together we pioneered Soldier Centered Design to enable rapid prototyping for a product to provide Soldiers with the tools and capabilities necessary to achieve their mission," he continued.

Microsoft confirmed to Bloomberg News that the devices will be built in the US, though there is no word yet on when they'll actually be deployed to members of the U.S. Army Close Combat Force. The announcement comes amid protest and criticism from a cadre of Microsoft employees opposed to the company's partnership with the US military.
Automatic expungement or resentencing would be available for anyone with a previous marijuana conviction. A research study would examine how to detect whether someone is impaired by marijuana while driving. Marijuana use by drivers is prohibited.

Four of Cayuga County's five state representatives opposed the marijuana legalization bill. State Sens. Pam Helming and Peter Oberacker voted against it in the Senate, while Assembly members John Lemondes and Brian Manktelow opposed it in their chamber.

Lemondes, who operates a farm in Onondaga County, expressed concerns about how marijuana legalization would affect agriculture. He thinks it will increase business costs in New York, including the costs of labor for farmers. He also believes farmworkers may shift to marijuana operations, which will limit the labor available for other farms.

He also worries about workplace safety and how marijuana use could lead to more on-the-job accidents.

"As a parent, as a father, as a husband, as a business owner, I don't want impairment on my operation in my business," Lemondes, R-LaFayette, said. "I don't think any other businesses do either."
The potential devastation to farmers and their livestock by dog attacks has been highlighted as Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease.

Livestock worrying by dogs is becoming a serious issue for farmers, often resulting in injuries and death of affected sheep.

The consequences can be felt even more keenly at this time of year with fields full of pregnant ewes at risk of miscarriage and of newborn lambs being separated when stressed.

Both the National Sheep Association (NSA) and RSPCA are putting a spotlight on the issue at a time that traditionally sees a peak of cases reported.

The RSPCAs DogKind report in 2019 revealed 24% of owners dogs had previously chased livestock, wildlife and other animals.

All dogs are capable of causing problems, including barking, chasing and biting, the charity explains.

Sam Gaines, RSPCA dog welfare specialist said: Our inspectors have seen the tragic consequences of livestock worrying and know all too well the devastating impact this has on farmers and their animals.

"No matter their dogs breed, how obedient they are or how strong they think their recall is, the only safe option is to keep their pets on the lead whenever theyre around livestock.

"Even the act of a dog simply chasing a sheep for a few moments can have a devastating impact."

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, sheep farmers are concerned an influx of walkers, unaware of the risks posed by their dogs, could result in an even greater number of incidents than has already been seen this year.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said sheep farmers across the UK had suffered an increase in sheep worrying attacks by dogs over the past year.

"Dog ownership has increased and walking in the countryside has become one of the few activities to be enjoyed during lockdown  but dog owners must be responsible for their pet.

Please keep your dog on a lead whenever there is a chance sheep could be nearby and avoid walking closely to them if at all possible.

"You may not consider your dog capable of causing suffering by barking, chasing and attacking sheep, but it is an instinctive response, he said.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) -CannaOne Technologies Inc. (CSE: CNNA) (OTC Pink: CNONF) (FSE: 3CT) ("CannaOne" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") in connection with its previously disclosed (see March 4, 2021 news release) acquisition (the "Acquisition") of a 51% equity interest of Singapore-based Payright Pte Ltd. ("Payright").

Payright provides the Company with another key country in its strategy to create a pan-regional payment and financial network. Singapore is a major financial hub of the region and is recognized as one of the most advanced Fintech markets in Asia and a leader in global fintech investment. Connecting the Philippines and Singapore will provide the Company with a unique and compelling financial payment corridor.

On closing, which is scheduled for April 9, 2021, the Company will issue an aggregate of 1,530,000 common shares (the "Consideration Shares") in exchange for 6,480 common shares of Payright, representing a 51% equity interest in Payright. The Consideration Shares are subject to voluntary pooling restrictions on resale in the following aggregate amounts until the following dates: (a) 50% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restrictions on resale until the date which is four months plus one day from closing; (b) an additional 15% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restrictions on resale until the date which is ninety (90) days from closing; (c) an additional 15% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restrictions on resale until the date which is one-hundred eighty (180) days from closing; (d) an additional 10% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restrictions on resale until the date which is two-hundred forty (240) days from closing; and (e) the remaining 10% of the Consideration Shares shall be subject to restriction on resale until the date which is twelve (12) months from closing. 100% of the Consideration Shares will also be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day.

The Acquisition will not constitute a fundamental change for the Company and will not result in a change of control of the Company (within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange).

Mr. Aldaba is director of the Company and a minority shareholder of Payright, and as such the Acquisition is deemed to a related party transaction under the policies of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI-61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements applicable to the related party transactions under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the 183,694 Consideration Shares to be received by Mr. Aldaba on closing will not exceed 25 percent of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to signing the Agreement as the details have just been finalized. The Acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of the Company, with Mr. Aldaba having disclosed his interest in the Acquisition and abstaining from voting on the Acquisition. The Company has not received, nor has it requested a valuation of its securities or the subject matter of the Insider Participation in the 24 months prior to the date hereof.

The Company further announces that it has entered into a 12-month marketing and consulting agreement with North Equities Corp., ("North Equities") of Toronto, Ontario. North Equities will facilitate greater investor engagement and widespread dissemination of Company news as well as increase the Company's current social media presence, with a goal of increasing shareholder value. Pursuant to the agreement, North Equities will be paid an aggregate of CAD$250,000 plus GST.

ABOUT NORTH EQUITIES

The North Equities team has more than 100 team-years of equity experience and has helped more than 200 companies acquire more than 120k+ investors combined. With the perfect combination of expertise, tactics, and a track record in fundraising and marketing, North Equities has created the next evolution of investor engagement and marketing.

ABOUT PAYRIGHT

Payright, based in Singapore, through its partnerships will act as a single-source provider payment technology solutions with global issuing and and merchant acquiring. Payright is partnered with Right Choice Payments Pte Ltd., (www.rightchoicepayments.com), a Major Payments Institution (MPI) license holder in Singapore. These partnerships will enable PayRight to offer services and solutions for payment processing and card issuing able to accommodate and fulfill the needs of merchants, financial institutions, and other industry B2B or Fintech partners in its market.

ABOUT CANNAONE TECHNOLOGIES:

Since inception CannaOne has focused on development and deployment of its proprietary online marketplace platform. Integral to the true intent and directive of the long-term planning of these development efforts was an early-stage technology agreement to allow for integration of a payment and financial technology platform to facilitate merchant sales within its online platform. As such, since March 2017 the company has worked closely with payment technology providers in South East Asia, to ascertain the pathways to the greatest potential for future growth in the world's fastest growing digital payment markets. With the existence of ever-evolving international relationships with parties specifically focused on the facilitation of payment processing and bank acquiring infrastructure, the Company sees potential to increase revenue over time with the continued integration and utilization of complete payment processing capabilities within our online marketplace solutions. The Company will look to expand its online client portfolio to include additional business sectors, such as those to service the payment processing requirements of e-commerce providers most effectively.

CannaOne seeks to become a global leader in financial technology, solutions, and services for merchants as it works hand in hand with select niche banking partners. CannaOne intends to integrate PCI certified payment solutions with its proprietary and proven online marketplace technology platform to offer a truly comprehensive suite of products and services to serve B-to-B merchant clientele. The Company has targeted banking relationships outside of North America, (specifically in SE Asia), and by working with selected banking or licensed EMI partners, our solutions may include merchant acquiring solutions; integrated payment solutions; global eCommerce solutions; core processing and ancillary applications solutions; digital and online marketplace solutions, including internet, mobile and eBanking; fraud, risk management and compliance solutions; electronic funds transfer and network services solutions; and/or card and online retail payment solutions. The Company is focused on organic growth while investigating potential strategic acquisitions, that may contribute critical technology applications, services and immediate revenue streams that can complement or enhance our existing offerings and potentially increase or expedite our path to future profitability. While Cannaone believes that significant near-term opportunities exist for the Company's solutions, there can be no assurance that customer agreements will be reached or that such agreements will be profitable should they be implemented.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Penner, CEO

(604) 396-9974

mpenner@lynxgroup.io

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to the completion of the Acquisition and the operations of the Company and Payright . Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of CannaOne and Payright to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures, other costs, or implied future forecasts. There can be no assurance that the acquisition of an interest in Payright will be completed on the terms described herein, or at all. The Company further again cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with governmental regulations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. CannaOne will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79032
NEW DELHI: While India and China continue to hold negotiations for complete disengagement in eastern Ladakh, it has now emerged that both countries have still not pulled back their air forces from the main friction points.

According to a Hindustan Times report, there has been no change in the posture or the deployment of the Indian Air Force in the Ladakh sector. The report quoted a government official as saying that there is no change in the deployment of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) either.

The two countries have so far held nearly 10 rounds of top-level military talks to resolve the border standoff that began in May last year. The two nations held the 10th round of corps commander-talks on February 20 after the completion of disengagement on strategic heights on both banks of Pangong Tso.

According to the agreement reached between the two sides, the two countries pulled back their frontline troops, tanks, infantry combat vehicles and artillery guns from the main friction points.

Though no official dates have been announced for the 11th round of military talks, they are likely to focus on other points of contention - Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra.

The report cited Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director-general, Centre for Air Power Studies, as saying that it is highly unlikely that the deployment of air forces will change even as talks continue.

In the aftermath of the Ladakh standoff, the Indian Air Force had deployed its fighter jets at bases in the Ladakh and Tibet regions. Meanwhile, Chinas PLAAF too reportedly positioned a large number of radars and missiles in the sector.

With the help of its MiG-29 fighter jets, Sukhoi-30s, Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and CH-47F (I) Chinook multi-mission helicopters, the IAF has been carrying out day-and-night, all-weather combat missions in the Ladakh sector.

Additionally, the Indian Air Force has also deployed its new Rafale fighter jets in Ladakh sector as part of its plan to strengthen its position in the region.

Refuting concerns over disengagement talks with China, the MEA said in February that it has not conceded any territory under the disengagement agreement with China.

The External Affairs Ministry further asserted that it has rather enforced observance of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to prevent any unilateral change in the status quo.

Later, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed the implementation of their "Moscow Agreement" on the border standoff in eastern Ladakh, besides reviewing the status of disengagement.

A five-point agreement was reached between Jaishankar and Wang at a meeting in Moscow last September on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave.

The pact included measures like a quick disengagement of troops, avoiding actions that could escalate tension, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC.

Live TV
Ethiopia through to first Total AFCON since 2013 Photo courtesy CAF. CAF: (March 30, 2021) Ethiopia will return to the Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after an eight year absence despite a 3-1 loss at the hands of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan on Tuesday. Ethiopia will return to the Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after an eight year absence despite a 3-1 loss at the hands of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan on Tuesday. Ethiopia went through after Madagascar was held to a goalless draw by Niger in the other group match in Masaina, meaning The Walia Ibex finish second in the group and earn a ticket to Cameroon.



Ethiopia found themselves trailing 127 seconds into the match. Serge Aurier who starred in last weeks 3-0 win over Niger with a goal and two assists continued from where he left off, floating a neat delivery into the box off a corner that was converted by Willy Boly.



 Ethiopia qualify to their second #TotalAFCON of the century!



HISTORY! #TotalAFCONQ2021 pic.twitter.com/UGA7FhM0kp  CAF (@CAF_Online) March 30, 2021 They were 2-0 down in the 17th minute when the home side doubled their tally, Franck Kessie scoring from the penalty spot. The AC Milan midfielder sent the keeper the wrong way after Kouassi was brought down inside the box by Remdan Yussef.



In the second half, the home side had some efforts to score. Five minutes after the restart, Kouassi had a chipped effort come off the bar as he looked to catch the keeper off his line. In the 65th minute, Yohan Boli missed a great chance when he tapped wide unmarked at the back post off a Jouassi cross.



Ethiopia brought themselves back into the game when Kebede scored in the 73rd minute, tapping the ball in from a yard out after Shemekit Gugesas cross from the left landed on his path.



But the hope of a comeback was shortlived as the Ivorians got back to their two goal cushion three minutes later when Kouasi scored after wriggling away from two markers off a Max Gradel cross before slamming into the net.



In Masaina, Madagascar needed to win against visitors Niger to reach their second successive AFCON finals, but the goalless draw meant Barea missed the chance, leaving Ethiopia with the second group ticket. Ethiopia went through after Madagascar was held to a goalless draw by Niger in the other group match in Masaina, meaning The Walia Ibex finish second in the group and earn a ticket to Cameroon.Ethiopia found themselves trailing 127 seconds into the match. Serge Aurier who starred in last weeks 3-0 win over Niger with a goal and two assists continued from where he left off, floating a neat delivery into the box off a corner that was converted by Willy Boly.They were 2-0 down in the 17th minute when the home side doubled their tally, Franck Kessie scoring from the penalty spot. The AC Milan midfielder sent the keeper the wrong way after Kouassi was brought down inside the box by Remdan Yussef.In the second half, the home side had some efforts to score. Five minutes after the restart, Kouassi had a chipped effort come off the bar as he looked to catch the keeper off his line. In the 65th minute, Yohan Boli missed a great chance when he tapped wide unmarked at the back post off a Jouassi cross.Ethiopia brought themselves back into the game when Kebede scored in the 73rd minute, tapping the ball in from a yard out after Shemekit Gugesas cross from the left landed on his path.But the hope of a comeback was shortlived as the Ivorians got back to their two goal cushion three minutes later when Kouasi scored after wriggling away from two markers off a Max Gradel cross before slamming into the net.In Masaina, Madagascar needed to win against visitors Niger to reach their second successive AFCON finals, but the goalless draw meant Barea missed the chance, leaving Ethiopia with the second group ticket.

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Wells Fargo, San Franciscos second-largest private employer, will keep 200,000 of its workers home through Sept. 6.

Plans are subject to change based on health guidelines, but Wells Fargo is encouraged by vaccination availability, according to a memo the bank shared with The Chronicle.

Banks are an essential business, and 60,000 Wells Fargo retail and office workers are currently working on site. The bank had previously extended remote work until May.

The delayed office return for a major San Francisco employer could prolong downtowns economic weakness, particularly if other companies follow similar schedules. Wells Fargo had around 7,500 San Francisco workers before the pandemic, second only to Salesforce, which now has more than 10,000.

Google has also said workers can stay home until September, while Facebook plans to reopen Bay Area offices next month. Uber opened its new headquarters this week.

The bank may change its operating model on a limited basis before September, such as opening offices outside the U.S. where cases are low and bringing back some U.S. teams on a voluntary basis, according to the memo.

We believe most of us benefit by being physically together. You may remember that before the pandemic began, we began redesigning many of our office locations to be more open, because we believed it would meaningfully help drive collaboration and innovation. We still believe this is the case, CEO Charles Scharf and Chief Operating Officer Scott Powell wrote in the memo.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the return date.

The bank wants to reduce its real estate holdings by 15% to 20%, according to corporate filings. It is marketing sublease space at 45 Fremont St. in San Francisco, according to brokerage data.

Wells Fargo has also been cutting its staff, with 6,400 layoffs in the last three months of 2020, according to corporate fillings. Since October, the company notified California regulators of five layoff groups totaling 133 employees in San Francisco and 72 layoffs in Fremont.

The bank declined to identify its total Bay Area layoffs and said it was offering severance and career assistance to affected workers.

We are at the beginning of a multiyear effort to build a stronger and more nimble, customer-focused company. We have identified a broad range of initiatives to simplify the company and increase efficiencies while continuing to invest in our businesses and improve the customer experience, the bank said.

Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf
(Natural News) When controversial, gain-of-function virus research was banned in the United States in October of 2014, top scientists in the government and in the private sector had to immediately halt twenty-one projects related to virus manipulation and vaccine development for influenza viruses and coronaviruses like SARS and MERS. Controversial projects at Harvard, Emory and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill were suspended. At the time, scientists were genetically modifying respiratory viruses to develop lucrative new vaccines for the pharmaceutical industry and the global health market.

Instead of following ethics and law, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), plunged forward with controversial gain-of-function coronavirus research. Instead of conducting research in the United States, Dr. Fauci tapped his friend Peter Daszak of the Eco Health Alliance. Daszak is the famed zoologist who first discovered the bat origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), ten years prior. Daszak enjoyed connections with the Wuhan Institute of Virology in communist China and was adamant about continuing this unethical research offshore.

Dr. Fauci went on to approve $7.4 million in taxpayer funds to complete the studies through Eco Health Alliance. After taking government money from Fauci in 2016, Peter Daszak promoted the self-aggrandizing Dr. Fauci at events sponsored by Eco Health Alliance. The two bio-terrorists enjoy a longstanding relationship to this day.

Fauci directly involved in gain-of-function coronavirus research in China

Working with Daszak, Fauci ordered WIV lab director Shi Zhengli to collect several samples of bat feces in the caverns. Zhengli collected the bat samples and reported back to Fauci. Chinese virologists analyzed and sequenced the genetic information of the coronaviruses obtained from bats and were told to build genetically engineered viruses, or chimeras, that could readily infect human cells. To continue receiving money, the head of the Wuhan lab, Dr. Shi Zhengli, reported back to Fauci on the progress they were making on coronaviruses.

To come up with highly infectious coronaviruses, the Chinese researchers used the CRISPR gene editing tool to alter mice lung cells. The scientists equipped the mice with the ACE2 receptor from human lung cells  the same receptor that SARS-CoV-2 exploits in human immune systems. The Chinese researchers came clean about their work in June 2020, when they published a new model for studying SARS-CoV-2, one that uses enhanced gain-of-function properties that Fauci supported.

Ten years ago, Dr. Fauci used the NIAID to fund the first gain-of-function coronavirus study. The research that Fauci funded in the Netherlands made genetic changes to coronaviruses so they could be more readily transferred through the air. After demonstrating airborne transmission of the virus on ferret populations, the researchers sought to replicate the contagion in human cells. Fauci praised this research in an op-ed in the Washington Post, calling it a risk worth taking. He wrote, Important information and insight can come from generating a potentially dangerous virus in the laboratory

Fauci and Daszak have engaged in bio-terrorism for years and continue to get away with it

Fauci concealed ongoing gain-of-function coronavirus research through New Yorks Eco Health Alliance. Dr. Fauci funded a project there to learn about the risk of new coronaviruses, and how they could emerge from wild animals to rapidly infect humans. Isnt it suspicious that Fauci quickly claimed that covid-19 was of natural origins, when he was the biggest supporter and funder of gain-of-function research for years?

The experimental vaccines that are pouring out of pharmaceutical companies at warp speed are designed to capitalize on the bio-terrorism, for this was the intention of gain-of-function virus research to begin with. Fauci has terrorized populations into compliance with these experimental vaccines, using coercion and deceit to submit peoples minds and bodies to the bio-terrorism and the corresponding vaccine solutions.

In 2016, the National Science Advisory Board for Bio-security (NSABB) ruled that government-funded gain-of-function experiments do not pose a significant threat to public health most of the time. By December 19, 2017, the NIH lifted the ban on gain-of-function research, normalizing research that enhances the attachment properties of respiratory viruses. In August 2000, the NIH reinstated a $7.5 million grant to Eco Health Alliance, going against the advice of Dr. Michael Lauer, NIHs Deputy Director for Extramural Research. Dr. Lauer considered a suspension of federal funds for coronavirus gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, but is being ignored by Fauci and Daszak, as they continue on with their experiments on human biology.

A vicious cycle of fear and control will only continue as bio-terrorists continue to exploit humans and abuse populations with their science.

Sources include:

Nature.com

TheNationalPulse.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

NaturalNews.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
bvoip, the leading provider of integrated communications for MSPs, is being acknowledged by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, for the 6th consecutive year in its 2021 Partner Program Guide. This annual guide provides a conclusive list of the most distinguished partner programs from leading technology companies that provide products and services through the IT Channel.

Given the importance of IT vendor channel programs, each year CRN develops its Partner Program Guide to provide the channel community with a detailed look at the partner programs offered by IT manufacturers, software developers, service companies, and distributors. Vendors are scored based on investments in program offerings, partner profitability, partner training, education and support, marketing programs and resources, sales support, and communication.

bvoip has been working strategically & exclusively over the last 6 years with IT Service Providers, Managed Service Providers, and Technology Integrators to deliver it's technology. The main focus has been to enhance the internal day-to-day experience with logical, workflow based technology and integration for our technology partners. The other focus has been to provide and assist our partners with the technology to deliver our Unified Communications platform to their end customers. With hundreds of new features and Integrations bvoip has really separated itself from other vendors in the space.

"Our blueprint starts first and foremost with the partner and then we go from there. It's a much different view when you build your foundation at the partner level rather than bolting them on after the fact." said George Bardissi, CEO of bvoip. "As a channel-only company, bvoip's DNA is not partner focused but partner driven. We are proud of our partner community and continue to strive to design and enhance our technology together in order to grow together."

As innovation continues to fuel the speed and intricacy of technology, solution providers need partners that can keep up and support their developing business. said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. CRNs 2021 Partner Program Guide gives insight into the strengths of each organizations program to recognize those that continually support and push positive change inside the IT channel.

The 2021 Partner Program Guide will be featured in the April 2021 issue of CRN and online at http://www.CRN.com/PPG.

To learn more about bvoip, please visit http://www.bvoip.com

About bvoip

bvoip (http://www.bvoip.com) helps IT and Managed Service Providers attack voice and unified communications worldwide. Having come out of the MSP space, bvoip designed its program to not only automate how MSPs interact with their existing systems and tools but to also assist MSPs with an offering to standardize their Unified Communications offering to their customers. bvoip is currently available in North America, Europe, and the Australian / New Zealand Regions. http://www.bvoip.com

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. Learn more at http://www.thechannelco.com.

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and [Facebook.

 2021. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Channel Company Contact:

Jennifer Hogan

The Channel Company

jhogan@thechannelcompany.com

###
When the tide turns in financial markets, its usually because fear has trumped greed as the dominant factor in investor sentiment, or vice-versa.

The price set for Deliveroos stock market flotation today values the fast food delivery service at 1.3bn (1.52bn) less than its owners and their bankers were hoping for as recently as last week.

Major investment firms including Aviva Investors, Aberdeen Standard, M&G and Legal and General have let it be known theyll be sitting out the deal.

Fear is the key motivator.

Investors are more afraid Deliveroos model  heavily dependent on outsourced labour  will come undone. It has trumped the greed that normally convinces investors to jump into deals where there's an opportunity to make a packet.

Read More

No-one thinks Londons biggest money managers are actually balking at Deliveroos employment practices, which are by no means an outlier in the so-called gig economy  where physical work is outsourced or contracted by companies who see their core functions and core teams as software development and sales. For their part, lots of gig economy businesses see human delivery as a stop-gap measure and expect their long-term business model to be automated.

But investors are worried that the regulatory tide is turning. A UK court ruling that taxi service Ubers drivers must be treated as employees is at the front of their minds. US President Joe Biden this week all but outright backed trade unionists organising at a huge Amazon plant against company opposition in a fight where traditionally anti-union Republicans have been notably quiet.

For at least some investors, fear of holding a poisoned chalice is trumping the chance to ride a new tech success.

Against that background, its not hard to foresee a messy and expensive legal battle between Deliveroo and its riders that might well be followed by permanently changed investment dynamics.

Hundreds of Deliveroo riders are already expected to refuse to make deliveries when the shares begin trading today, in what would be an inauspicious start.

For at least some investors, the fear of holding that poisoned chalice right now is trumping the chance to ride a new tech success.

And its not just financial risks.

Money mangers are increasingly conscious that being seen to do the wrong thing, or seen to be on the wrong side of a thing, can cause real reputational damage in a way it just didnt tend to in the past.

Yesterday, for example, a group of religious and socially conscious investors ramped up pressure on Western companies over alleged human rights abuses in Chinas Xinjiang region.

More than 50 investors, backed by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, have begun contacting more than 40 companies, including H&M, VF Corp, Hugo Boss and Zara-owner Inditex, seeking answers about supply chains and urging them to out of situations that could lead to human rights abuses.

While social consciousness isnt new, the investors involved manage billions and can now also tap into social media networks that can cause immediate and sustained problems that brands will struggle to manage or row back against.

Something new for managers to be afraid of.
Prince Andrew is at risk of being dragged into the criminal case against Ghislaine Maxwell after a New York court charged the socialite with two new sex trafficking charges.

The charges cover a period of time in the early 2000s when Prince Andrew was spending time with Ms Maxwell and her then boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein, who was subsequently convicted of paedophile charges.

Sources close to him pointed out that the case had nothing to do with the Duke. Another source close to Ms Maxwell questioned why fresh charges were being brought against her, nine months after she was arrested and at least 18 months since the FBI opened a criminal investigation into her.

The charges relate to a teenage girl who has accused Ms Maxwell, the daughter of the deceased media tycoon Robert Maxwell, of recruiting and grooming her for Epstein from the age of 14 and from 2001 until 2004.

The timing is potentially significant for Prince Andrew because he first met Epstein around 1999. Another of Epsteins accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, has claimed Prince Andrew had sex with her on three occasions in 2001 and 2002.

Prince Andrew denies all wrongdoing and rejects all of Ms Giuffres claims.

Sources close to Ms Maxwell, 59, questioned why the new charges have been brought just four months before a trial that is due to begin in July.

One said: These charges could be to bring in Prince Andrew.

The source added: It is awful. It is wrong.

Ms Maxwells brother, Ian, said on Twitter: The government has admitted how weak its indictment is. So it has added another anonymous accuser from 20 yrs ago. That does not strengthen the governments case.

The prospect of Prince Andrew being called as a witness or forced to give testimony would supercharge a trial that is already destined to become a huge media circus.

American prosecutors said last year they had wanted to talk to him as a witness and claimed he had not co-operated with their inquires.

The claim is strongly denied by Prince Andrew, who issued a statement through his lawyers last June  prior to Ms Maxwells arrest  claiming he had offered his assistance to the department of justice on three occasions.

US prosecutors have now widened the case against Ms Maxwell, who is in prison in New York awaiting trial over accusations she aided in the abuse of three other women and girls. Ms Maxwell has denied the charges.

The previous charges centred on claims of abuse dating back to 1994 to 1997, prior to Prince Andrew being introduced to Epstein.

The amended indictment added a fourth victim, alleging that between 2001 and 2004 Ms Maxwell and Epstein recruited an unnamed 14-year-old girl to engage in sex acts with Epstein at his home in Palm Beach, Florida.

Ms Maxwell enticed and groomed the girl to engage in sex acts with Epstein through a variety of means and methods, the new charges read.

Ms Maxwell

s family have called her treatment cruel. She remains in a small cell in a Brooklyn detention centre on suicide watch. Epstein hanged himself in a New York jail while awaiting sex abuse charges in August 2019.
The Biden administration reportedly will recognize the Armenian Genocide in a historic and long-overdue decision by the United States. In a morally inexcusable shortcoming, Israel and many other nations have failed or even refused to recognize the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks in 1915 against Armenian Christians, writes The Jerusalem Post.

Only in 2019 did the United States pass a resolution recognizing the massacre; yet, as of now, a US president has yet to do so. Are the tides finally turning?

The genocide is seen by many historians as a precursor to the Holocaust, and its lack of recognition has often been cited as evidence for why remembering the Holocaust is crucial to prevent genocides in the future. Despite overwhelming evidence and eyewitness testimonies, there has been controversy over recognition, due to Turkeys adamant refusal to accept responsibility for the massacre.

In the case of Israel, the government has refused to recognize the Armenian Genocide, due to the volatile yet strategic political relationship with Turkey.

For decades, Turkey has blackmailed and threatened nations if they even considered recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Initially, this wasnt something Israel could politically afford. Israel relied heavily on Turkey as one of the only Muslim states with which it had cooperation and diplomatic relations. Yet through the decades, Turkey has become increasingly hostile to Israel with the dictatorial and Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Not only that, Turkey is increasingly aligned geopolitically with Iran.

Today, Israel is less dependent than ever on Turkey, especially with emerging relations with Arab states. Yet instead of recognizing the Armenian Genocide and unequivocally standing on the right side of history, the Israeli government has sold out the Armenian people even today, by selling weapons to Azerbaijan.

In the case of the United States, Armenian Genocide recognition has come up numerous times over the decades, yet there was only formal recognition in 2019. Forty years ago, US president Ronald Reagan used the word genocide to refer to the event, in a major step forward toward recognition; yet after a Turkish uproar, the US Congress failed repeatedly to recognize it, due to political interests.

In 2019, the US House of Representatives passed Resolution 401-11 recognizing the Armenian Genocide, followed by a unanimous decision in the US Senate. However, despite the fact that many US presidents have pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide, none have followed through on their promise until now.

This month, White House sources stated that the Biden administration will recognize the Armenian Genocide in a move that rights a historic wrong.

Its important to note that the Armenian Genocide was not simply a horrific event that occurred. It was arguably the most horrific orchestrated genocide the world had ever seen (at the time), and not in the context of a war, but because the Armenians were Christian.

Persecution of Christians under the Ottomans occurred for years leading up to the Armenian Genocide, but escalated with the Tehcir Law, under which Armenians were robbed of their property and belongings and deported en masse, and sent on death marches into the Syrian desert in inhumane conditions.

The Ottomans rounded up and murdered Armenian academics and intellectuals, they raped and enslaved Armenian women and girls, and those who survived were sent to concentration camps, executed, or left to die. Between 1914 and 1918, 1-1.5 million Armenians were murdered by Ottoman Turks, the direct predecessors of modern Turkey.

It absolutely unconscionable that the community of nations has continued to allow Turkey to use its geopolitical position to bully other nations into denying or refusing to recognize the Armenian Genocide. For decades, Turkey has actively censored those who recognize the genocide in Turkey itself, and has even destroyed evidence.

Even today, Holocaust denial is illegal, whereas Turkey made it illegal not to deny the Armenian Genocide, and the entire world is complicit in allowing it to do so.

If even a few of the worlds superpowers had recognized the Armenian Genocide from day one, we would be living in a different reality today, where smaller nations wouldnt be afraid to acknowledge the obvious historical fact.

The time for recognition is now.
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced Organic Garage Ltd. (TSX-V: OG;OTCQX: OGGFF), one of Canada's leading independent organic grocers, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Organic Garage Ltd. upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink market.

Organic Garage Ltd. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol "OGGFF." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

"The commencement of trading on the OTCQX will provide a large U.S. investor base with the opportunity to participate directly in Organic Garage's ongoing growth," stated Matt Lurie, President and CEO of Organic Garage. "Trading on OTCQX will enhance our share liquidity and widen the reach and awareness of our products and services."

Securities Law USA, PLLC acted as the company's OTCQX sponsor.

About Organic Garage Ltd.

Organic Garage is one of Canada's leading independent organic grocers and is committed to offering its customers a wide selection of healthy and natural products at everyday affordable prices. The Company's stores are in prime retail locations designed to give customers an inclusive, unique and value-focused grocery shopping experience. Founded in 2005 by a fourth-generation grocer, Organic Garage is headquartered in Toronto. The Company is focused on continuing to expand its retail footprint within the Greater Toronto Area. For more information please visit the Organic Garage website at www.organicgarage.com.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN are SEC regulated ATSs, operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:

OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, [email protected]

SOURCE OTC Markets Group Inc.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa announces in a televised address that the country remains on Covid-19 Alert Level 1, with a few adjustments. March 30, 2021.

With South Africa having recorded over 1.5 million cases of the Coronavirus, with 52 000 leading to deaths, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country was making progress in its vaccination programme.

"Our national vaccination programme has commenced and will be gaining momentum," President Ramaphosa said on Tuesday evening during a national address to the nation on the developments in the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country began its vaccination programme mid-February with Phase 1 focusing on inoculating health workers.

"This phase is on track to be completed within three months. More than 250 000 health workers have to date received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as part of the Sisonke trial," said the President.

He said the country had secured 11 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is known to be effective against the dominant variants in the country.

"We have secured a further 20 million doses and are finalising the agreement with Johnson & Johnson. We are also finalising an agreement for 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two doses. Together, this supply of vaccines will this will provide us with enough doses to vaccinate 41 million people," he said.

He said further announcements will be made once negotiations were concluded.

"We are also in various stages of negotiations with the manufacturers of other vaccines such as Sinovac, Sinopharm and Sputnik V. Some of these manufacturers in the final stages of the approval process for use of the vaccines in South Africa," he said.

In addition to the vaccine doses, President Ramaphosa said government would directly receive its allocation of vaccine doses directly through its agreements with manufacturers from the African Union initiative. This was initiative established when South Africa held the Chairship of the African Union.

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Although there have been delays in securing vaccine supplies, he said government was still confident in achieving its vaccination targets.

The country's Phase 2 was scheduled to start in mid-May, with registration set to start next month.

He said: "We believe that sufficient volumes from manufacturers will be arriving in the quantities as agreed in terms of our agreements with them. Under Phase 2 we hope to vaccinate more of our people over six months".

In line with international best practice, government will in the phase prioritise those at the highest risk of hospitalisation and death, such as people over 60 and people living with co-morbidities.

"To ensure that we have supporting infrastructure over 2 000 vaccination sites have been identified across the country. These include general practitioners' rooms, community clinics and pharmacies, retail outlets and in some instances, larger facilities like stadiums and conference centres," he said.

The President said government has established an Electronic Vaccination Data System to manage the vaccine rollout and direct people towards vaccination sites closest to where they live.

"This system will allow you to register, receive an appointment date and site, and receive a digital certificate or a hard copy confirming your vaccination status once vaccinated.

"Everyone that will be vaccinated will have to be registered on the system first, and you will be invited to register once you become eligible," the President said.
A landmark report that celebrates Britain as a beacon for other white-majority countries in race relations was never going to satisfy those on the Left who insist we are a racist hellhole where privileged whites oppress ethnic minorities if not overtly, then through 'unconscious bias'.

Predictably, when the Commission On Race And Ethnic Disparities published its conclusions yesterday, its members were attacked for being government stooges.

On Radio 4's Today programme, Nick Robinson went so far as to seem to suggest that Commission chairman Tony Sewell had been appointed only because he could be relied upon to deny there was a problem with racism in Britain.

So who are the members of the Commission who stand accused of ignoring the realities of racism in Britain? ROSS CLARK provides the answers.

Champion of underdogs

Dr Tony Sewell CBE, 62

No one is better qualified to speak on education and the black community than Sewell. Born in Brixton in 1959 to Jamaican parents of the Windrush generation, he studied English literature at Essex University before becoming a teacher in some of London's toughest secondary schools.

He was part of the team which opened Mossbourne Community Academy in 2004 on the site of Hackney Downs School, which was described as the 'worst school in Britain'.

In 2011/12 Mossbourne achieved the distinction of getting seven per cent of its leavers into Oxford or Cambridge universities.

No one is better qualified to speak on education and the black community than Dr Tony Sewell

Sewell went on to found Generating Genius, a charity which helps children from minority ethnic backgrounds study and follow careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

Police gangs reformer

Keith Fraser, 54

The former police superintendent and chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of racism.

Born to Jamaican parents  a bus driver and a secretary  in Birmingham in the 1960s, he has recalled being stopped and searched frequently as a teenager.

He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1985 aged 18, but was still stopped by fellow officers when driving off-duty.

Keith Fraser, 54, the former police superintendent and chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of racism

Over his 32 years of police service, Fraser rose to become a Superintendent in the West Midlands force, before becoming the first black chairman of the Youth Justice Board and chairman of Employability UK.

He developed West Midlands Police strategy on deterring young people from joining gangs.

Muslim campaigner

Aftab Chughtai MBE, 62

Unlike many academics who pontificate on racial issues, Chughtai has experience of running a business in the heart of one of Britain's most ethnically diverse cities.

Born to Kashmiri parents, Chughtai took over running the family's babywear shop in Birmingham, and now sits on the board of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.

He is also chair of the West Midlands Police Independent Advisory Group, a trustee of Washwood Heath Multi Academy Trust, and was a co-founder of the campaign group Muslims for Britain, which engages with British Muslims on key national issues.

Unlike many academics who pontificate on racial issues, Aftab Chughtai MBE, 62, has experience of running a business in the heart of one of Britain's most ethnically diverse cities

In 2017, he was appointed to the Grenfell Tower taskforce, charged with scrutinising Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council's efforts to help the community recover from the tragedy.

Kenya-born researcher

Mercy Muroki, 25

Born in Kenya, Muroki attended a school with no electricity and a pit latrine for a toilet. Aged five, she arrived in West London with her parents and sister.

Shortly after, her parents split  and her mother and the two children were homeless for a period.

Muroki became a mother herself, aged 18, but went on to read politics at Queen Mary University of London and study for a MSc at Oxford, where she won several academic prizes.

Born in Kenya, Mercy Muroki, 25, attended a school with no electricity and a pit latrine for a toilet. Aged five, she arrived in West London with her parents and sister

She became a senior researcher at the Centre for Social Justice, and is also a national newspaper columnist.

Race equality leader

Dr Samir Shah CBE, 78

Born in India, Dr Shah came to England in 1960 and attended Latymer Upper School in West London, before reading geography and maths at the University of Hull. He has a DPhil from St Catherine's College, Oxford.

He began his career at London Weekend Television in 1979, before moving to the BBC, where he held senior positions overseeing political journalism.

Now CEO of his own TV and radio production company, Dr Shah was awarded a CBE in 2019 for services to Television and Heritage.

Born in India, Dr Samir Shah CBE, 78, came to England in 1960 and attended Latymer Upper School in West London, before reading geography and maths at the University of Hull. He has a DPhil from St Catherine's College, Oxford

He has served as chair of the V&A and as a visiting professor of creative media at Oxford University.

He is also member of the Nuffield Foundation Steering Group, working on reviews into inequality.

He was chairman of the race equality think-tank the Runnymede Trust  which said yesterday it felt 'let down' by yesterday's report  for two decades and has been a member of the Holocaust Commission.

Peerless surgeon

Lord Kakkar, 56

Ajay Kakkar is a prime example of the success many families of Indian origin have enjoyed in supposedly racist Britain.

He followed his father into medicine, studying at King's College, London, followed by a PhD at Imperial College. He is now Professor of Surgery at University College, London.

He is the director of the Thrombosis Research Institute, and has worked with the NHS on its strategy to prevent dangerous blood clotting.

Lord Kakkar, 56, is a prime example of the success many families of Indian origin have enjoyed in supposedly racist Britain

He was made a life peer in 2010 before being appointed as a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council in 2014. He serves as Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission.

Lord Kakkar chairs medical research charity the King's Fund, sits as a school governor and is also a commissioner of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

TV space scientist

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, 53

Born and brought up in London, Aderin-Pocock moved between 13 schools, struggling with dyslexia, to eventually win a place to read physics at Imperial College London.

She completed a PhD in mechanical engineering, in the course of which she developed a novel instrument to measure materials just microns thick  a device which was later marketed commercially by the university.

Born and brought up in London, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, 53, moved between 13 schools, struggling with dyslexia, to eventually win a place at Imperial College London

Now a distinguished space scientist, she has presented the BBC's Sky At Night for the past eight years.

Much of her time is devoted to inspiring new generations of astronauts, engineers and scientists, and visiting inner-city schools to tell their students how she became a scientist  busting myths about careers, class and gender in the process.

School Governance Expert

Naureen Khalid, 59

From a British Pakistani background, Khalid achieved a Masters in Genetics at Karachi University, and later a MPhil at the University of East Anglia.

She is now an educational specialist who has sat for more than a decade on the governing boards of several schools and academies.

She also serves as an expert for National Online Safety, an organisation which helps to protect children online by providing safety training to schools.

From a British Pakistani background, Naureen Khalid, 59, achieved a Masters in Genetics at Karachi University, and later a MPhil at the University of East Anglia

She presents at education events, and has co-founded a national forum which helps support school governors and provides them with a space to exchange ideas and experiences.

Globally feted academic

Dambisa Moyo, 52

Moyo was born in Lusaka, Zambia, but spent some of her childhood in the U.S. She took a chemistry degree at the University of Zambia, followed by a DPhil in economics at Oxford University and a Masters in Public Administration at Harvard.

She worked at Goldman Sachs as a research economist for seven years, advising developing countries on international finances, and served as head of Economic Research and Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Moyo has sat on the boards of brewing company SABMiller, Barclays Bank, Barrick Gold and U.S. oil giant Chevron.

Dambisa Moyo, 52, was born in Lusaka, Zambia, but spent some of her childhood in the U.S. She took a chemistry degree at the University of Zambia, followed by a DPhil in economics at Oxford University and a Masters in Public Administration at Harvard

She has published many books, with her 2009 work Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working And How There Is A Better Way For Africa, becoming a bestseller  while upsetting those on the Left who believe that ever-increasing quantities of aid is the best way to help the developing world.

In 2009 she was named as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and one of Time magazine's top 100 most influential people in the world.

Schools stalwart

Martyn Oliver, 49

The only white member of the commission, Oliver started teaching in 1995 and went on to become chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, which oversees 34 academies in the North, many of which were failing schools when the trust took them over.

The only white member of the commission, Martyn Oliver, 49, started teaching in 1995 and went on to become chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust

Oliver serves as a board member of the Department for Education's Opportunity North-East, which aims to improve results in secondary schools in that region.

Co-opted members

Kunle Olulode, 59

Olulode, is a former trade union activist on Camden Council who led the 500-strong Camden black workers' staff group.

He has also served as a board member of English Heritage and is director of Voice4Change, which represents charities working with ethnic minorities.

Blondel Cluff, 60

Cluff's parents arrived in Britain from Anguilla with the Windrush generation. A lawyer and former head of legal at Lazard Brothers (a financial and asset management firm), Cluff is a fellow of King's College London, and has also served as a diplomat.
BALLSTON SPA  Jack L. Jeffers, the motorcycle club member who pleaded guilty in the death of fellow biker Michael Ahern, was sentenced to prison for four to 12 years for manslaughter and nine years (plus five years of post-release supervision) for criminal possession of a weapon, to run concurrently, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen's office said Tuesday.

Ahern, who lived at 16 Brickyard Road in the town of Stillwater, had not been seen there since Jan. 6, 2019. That address is the former clubhouse of the Rolling Pride Motorcycle Club where Jeffers, 25, also lived.

Police investigating the case determined that Ahern had not left the area but was likely the victim of foul play. He hadn't used his cell phone since that Jan. 6 afternoon.

Prosecutors said on the following March 15, Jeffers was involved in a property damage accident in the town of Saratoga and drove from the scene. The car was stopped by Stillwater police, who found Jeffers with a loaded handgun. After months of investigation, it was determined that the gun had been used by Jeffers to kill Ahern.

Between Jan. 15, 2019 and Jan. 5, 2021, the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office, with assistance from the State Police, interviewed numerous witnesses and used search warrants, eventually determining that Jeffers and Ahern were alone together at Brickyard Road that Jan. 6 and that Jeffers killed Ahern, whose body was moved from the location, officials said.

Jeffers, of Voorheesville, who had been a private first class with the New York National Guard, pleaded guilty on Jan. 25. His criminal record includes a federal conviction for gun trafficking.

The circumstances of Ahern's death remain under investigation by the Sheriffs Office and State Police, Heggen's office said Tuesday. Others may have been involved in some way, the Times Union has reported.

"We're still working on a few things with the (human) remains," Sheriff's Capt. Jeffrey Brown said in January when asked if they had recovered Ahern's remains. "I don't want to get into too much. ... There are some other people that could be involved."
Planet Technologies has achieved the Microsoft Partner Advanced Specialization for Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure. This accomplishment validates Planets expertise in working with customers to migrate and transform complete data center workloads of applications and data platforms to the modern cloud.

We view this advanced specialization as a confirmation of our standardized process and execution model that is helping customers every day across the United States operationalize a secure and robust cloud infrastructure. Planets migration, application modernization, data estate, and managed services portfolio bring end-to-end Microsoft knowledge, says Steve Winter, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Delivery, Planet Technologies.

In what is extremely rare in the Microsoft ecosystem, Planet has also attained Microsoft Advanced Specializations in Identity and Access Management, Threat Protection and Adoption, Change Management and Calling for Microsoft Teams in addition to 14 Microsoft Gold Competencies (Security, Project and Portfolio Management, Small and Mid-Market Cloud Solutions, Messaging, Data Center, Data Analytics, Cloud Productivity, Cloud Platform, Collaboration and Content, Enterprise Mobility Management, Data Platform, Windows and Devices, Application Integration and Application Integration).

Planet Technologies CTO, Andrew Kagan, adds, Our current list of Microsoft Advanced Specializations, with more on the way, is a clear indication of just how unique and complete our Planet services portfolio and experience truly are. You add this to a long list of Microsoft Gold Competencies and its easy to see that Planet stands apart from other IT services companies and Microsoft partners.

About Planet Technologies

Launched in 1997, Planet Technologies is the leading provider of Microsoft consulting services across the United States. With a strong presence in the public sector, Planet also supports education, health and commercial organizations. We are in the business of trust and most of our clients are repeat customers - our greatest achievement. Planet has been awarded Microsoft Cloud Partner of the Year, Azure Security Partner of the Year, Federal Partner of the Year, State and Local Government Partner of the Year, and Windows Partner of the Year.
ADDIS ABABA -- The UN migration agency, regional governments and 38 partner countries have launched an appeal for 99 million dollars in aid for over half a million migrants in the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), regional governments, and 38 humanitarian and development organizations have launched an appeal for US$99 million to provide life-saving assistance to over half a million (563,128) vulnerable Horn of Africa migrants. Many of those needing urgent help have been stranded along the route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, according to a statement.

The statement by the UN agency noted that: "These funds are required for the first year of a 4-year plan, known as the "Regional Migrant Response Plan 2021-2024' (MRP), to address the dire humanitarian, human rights, and safety and security challenges migrants in the region are facing. Once met, funding raised will assist local communities in affected countries, also impacted by the emergency."

IOM noted that: "Every year, tens of thousands of migrants in the region leave countries like Ethiopia and Somalia, and others, in search of work and job opportunities to escape poverty, the effects of climate change, violent conflict and discrimination."

"Many undertake journeys fraught with dangerous risks and face life-threatening situations en route. They lack access to food, water, shelter, and medical care. Every year migrants die of starvation and dehydration along the way. Many others are exposed to human rights violations including arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence. In addition to facing stigma, discrimination and xenophobia, migrants continuously face various forms of exploitation by traffickers and smugglers.

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"Nearly 700 migrants are currently stranded and in need of help in Djibouti, and over 900 more in Somalia. In Yemen, that number stands at a much larger 14,500 men, women and children, many unaccompanied," it added.

IOM noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had "worsened all these conditions. Migrants have been summarily dismissed from their jobs, leaving them and their dependent families even worse off than before their journeys began."

"Funds from this US$99 million appeal will increase migrants' chances of being able to return home and successfully reintegrated back into their communities. Support will also be given to communities of origin to address the drivers of 'irregular' migration, strengthen the capacity of governments in the region to provide humanitarian support, and further improve the coordination of humanitarian organizations, as well as improved migration management on the route," it said.
Walt Lindsley, a 36-year Air Force veteran who joined Lockheed Martin in 2018, will become the Greenville site director and general manager on May 3.

He succeeds Mike Fox, who will retire in June.

Lockheed Martin Greenville is the home of the F-16 production line, serves as an overflow depot for F-16 maintenance, and performs modifications, upgrades and maintenance on a number of other aircraft. The campus is located on the south end of Donaldson Center Airport.

Lindsley is currently director of modifications, upgrades and overhaul for the company's sustainment operations, according to a company release March 31. Lindsley retired from the Air Force as a brigadier general. He commanded six units in his career, including Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex in Georgia.

"Walt brings a proven reputation of strong leadership experience, and operations and logistics management," said Bruce Litchfield, vice president of Lockheed Martin sustainment operations. "He is stepping into the role at a time of incredible growth and opportunity for our Greenville site."

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After relocating F-16 production to Greenville and restarting the line in 2019, the company last year announced a $62 billion contract for the aircraft for foreign military sales. That work is expected to keep the Greenville facility busy for a decade under an 'indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity' order. Fox estimated in a public presentation in late 2020 that the facility already had enough work to keep the line running into the 2030s.

In December 2020, Lockheed Martin also announced a $900 million deal that made the Upstate facility the first U.S. based F-16 industry depot to support the government-owned depot facilities, according to an Air Force release at the time of the announcement. The primary F-16 depot is the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force base in Utah. The first depot maintenance F-16 arrived in Greenville in early March.
document

MORNING, 22 March 2021, Concludes General Debate on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Forms of Intolerance

The Human Rights Council this morning held an enhanced interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and an interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali. It also concluded its general debate on racism and racial discrimination.

Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that in October she had advised the Council of her major concerns regarding the devastating impact of armed conflict on the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, the situation in the east of the country had continued to worsen - the scale of the violence was alarming with the Office verifying the killing of at least 2,945 civilians, including 553 women and 286 children. This was particularly concerning as the human rights violations were committed by a range of armed groups in areas with little to no presence of Congolese authorities, as well as by the Congolese military and police force.

Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, noted that in recent months the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had been marked by political upheavals leading to major changes within the institutions of the country. The main issue was the establishment of a government able to respond effectively to the many expectations of the Congolese in terms of peace, security and development. There was a worrying increase in attacks by armed groups against the civilian population, in particular in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

Bacre Waly Ndiaye, International Expert on the situation in Kasai, stated that there was little progress in the fight against impunity since the presentation of the last report. The recent conviction of militia leader Katende Laurent by the Military Garrison Tribunal of Kananga was encouraging, but none of the priority case files opened were currently in a state of trial. This judicial slowness provoked the concerns of the populations of Kasai and particularly of the victims, some of whom had formed associations to better claim their right to justice and reparation.

Andre Lite Asebea, Minister for Human Rights of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighted the progress made on the promotion and protection of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These included, inter alia, the adoption of a strategic document prepared by the Government with the support of the Joint United Nations Office for Human Rights; the assessment at the beginning of March 2021 of the implementation of the Framework Peace Agreement; and the bill on the rights of persons with disabilities and the bill on the rights of indigenous peoples adopted by the National Assembly and sent to the Senate for a second reading.

Rostin Manketa, Executive Director of Voix des Sans Voix pour les Droits de l'Homme, stated that in general, the human rights situation had experienced a setback in recent months as the authorities marked their first steps with the relaxation of civic space. In recent months, several human rights defenders and journalists had been subjected to intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests and detentions in many provinces where peaceful demonstrations had taken place. The Council must remain vigilant so that the Congolese authorities do not stop at simple declarations but rather took concrete actions.

In the ensuing debate, speakers urged the international community to make efforts to address the illicit exploitation of resources and the endemic poverty. The militants of the United Democratic Forces continued to attack civilians and increase pressure on the Congolese army and peacekeepers, speakers noted. The Government should continue its efforts to bolster the rule of law; protect human rights defenders; and combat impunity through expedited operationalisation of transitional justice processes and the investigation and prosecution of all reported abuses.

Speaking were Sweden on behalf of Nordic-Baltic Countries, European Union, Cameroon on behalf of the African Group, Russian Federation, Senegal, France, Togo, Japan, Netherlands, Mauritania, Switzerland, Venezuela, Belgium, United States, Egypt, Angola, China, Botswana, United Kingdom, South Sudan, Ireland and Italy.

The following civil society organizations also took the floor: World Vision International, Lutheran World Federation; World Organisation Against Torture, International Service for Human Rights; Reporters Without Borders International; Rencontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l'homme; CIVICUS - World Alliance for Citizen Participation; and Centre for Human Rights.

The Council then held an interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on Mali.

Alioune Tine, Independent Expert on Mali, said the situation remained concerning in the north and centre of Mali, where civilians continued to be attacked by violent extremist groups as well as armed community self-defence groups, despite the presence of international and national security forces. Unfortunately, no significant progress had been observed in the prosecution of alleged perpetrators of serious human rights violations and abuses committed, especially in the past two years. The Independent Expert recommended that the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali respond proactively to threats against civilians.

Mali, speaking as a concerned country, thanked Mr. Tine for his presentation, taking due note of the comments and recommendations. During the past year, Mali had been shaken by a socio-political crisis whose developments had led, on 18 August, 2020, to an institutional change that had paved the way for a political transition. Real difficulties in connection with the security situation and the context of the fight against terrorism remained. The implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali was essential.

In the ensuing discussion, speakers welcomed the cooperation of Mali with the human rights mechanisms, as well as regional bodies. Implementing the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement must remain a priority for the transitional Government. Speakers expressed particular concern over the scale of human rights violations. The root causes of the security situation and ongoing impunity must be addressed in order to move forward. One of the priorities must be the establishment of inclusive dialogue and the holding of free and fair democratic elections.

Speaking were the European Union, Sweden on behalf of Nordic countries, Cameroon on behalf of the Group of African States, Russian Federation, Senegal, France, Togo, Netherlands on behalf of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, Mauritania, Switzerland, Morocco, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, United States, Egypt, Spain, Sierra Leone, Botswana, United Kingdom, Sudan, Estonia, UN Women, Czech Republic, Chad, Ireland and South Sudan.

The following civil society organizations also took the floor: International Catholic Child Bureau, International Service for Human Rights, The International Organisation for LDCs, Elizka Relief Foundation, Rencontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l'homme, and International-Lawyers.Org

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded its general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance.

Speakers denounced the serious violations of the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka, some stating that such violations amounted to genocide, and voiced concerns about the situation of religious minorities in Yemen. Discrimination against the populations of the north of India and the issue of violations against the Balochis in Pakistan were also raised. Speakers said Western countries were promoting ideological and controversial agendas in what amounted to a form of racism, and noted that Uighur students in Japan faced difficulties in renewing their passports because they risked having them confiscated by the Chinese Embassy. Some speakers drew attention to the kidnapping of children in Japan following parental divorces. The vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Israel excluded Palestinians, in violation of Israel's status as an occupying power.

Speaking were the following non-governmental organizations: Association Culturelle des Tamouls en France, Le Pont, Prahar, Centre for Africa Development and Progress, Centre for Gender Justice and Women empowerment, Asociacion HazteOir.org, Japan Society for History Textbook, Palestinian Return Centre Ltd, Alliance Creative Community Project, International Career Support Association, Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty, and Community Human Rights and Advocacy Centre.

Japan, Israel, Brazil, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Turkey, Armenia, China, Azerbaijan, and Democratic People's Republic of Korea spoke in right of reply.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council's forty-sixth regular session can be found here.

The Council will next meet at 1 p.m. to hold an interactive discussion on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.

General Debate on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Forms of Intolerance

The beginning of the general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action started in previous meetings and a summary can be found here and here.

Speakers denounced the serious violations of the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka, some stating that such violations amounted to genocide. Turning to the issue of forced cremations of Muslims in the context of the pandemic, speakers urged respect for the dignity of the dead and the cultural and religious practices of their families. Speakers voiced concerns about the situation of religious minorities in Yemen, especially in the context of the intensification of the conflict. They criticised discrimination against the populations of the north of India, in particular, because of their appearance. The issue of violations against the Balochis in Pakistan was also raised. Drawing attention to the issue of cultural imperialism and ideological colonisation, speakers said Western countries were promoting ideological and controversial agendas in what amounted to a form of racism. Speakers noted that Uighur students in Japan faced difficulties in renewing their passports because they risked having them confiscated by the Chinese Embassy. Some speakers drew attention to the kidnapping of children in Japan following parental divorces and sending them to foster families. Some speakers said the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Israel excluded Palestinians, in violation of Israel's status as an occupying power.

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Human Rights Situation in the Kasai Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Keynote Statement

MICHELLE BACHELET, High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that in October she had advised the Council of her major concerns regarding the devastating impact of armed conflict on the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, the situation in the east of the country had continued to worsen - the scale of the violence was alarming with the Office verifying the killing of at least 2,945 civilians, including 553 women and 286 children. This was particularly concerning as the human rights violations were committed by a range of armed groups in areas with little to no presence of Congolese authorities, as well as by the Congolese military and police force. The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office had issued five public reports on this deteriorating situation over the last 12 months. This year, an update on the situation in Ituri published in January reported the killing of 647 civilians between May and December 2020 in the context of the inter-community violence. An update on the area targeted by the Allied Democratic Forces in North Kivu that was published in February reported a further 468 civilians killed between July and December 2020. The Allied Democratic Forces were also responsible for at least 457 enforced disappearances last year.

Given the context of escalating bloodshed and the history of communal violence, a documented rise in hate speech could further escalate the conflict. Hate speech found fertile ground in the context of political, economic and social fragility. Widespread impunity and mistrust between communities contributed to this situation, undermining hopes for lasting peace. Ms. Bachelet called on the authorities to combat discrimination and hostility directed at people because of their ethnic, religious and gender identity - they must stop as discrimination was yet another warning sign predicting violence. The Office continued to support accountability in the country. Ms. Bachelet noted and commended various initiatives to extend transitional justice efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - work to ensure truth and accountability was crucial to lasting reconciliation. The Office's multiple reports and long-standing discussions should not numb the international community to the need to continue working for prevention. An enormous number of children's lives were being devastated by this conflict. They had the same fundamental human rights, and today they looked to the Council to support those rights.

Statements by Presenters

BINTOU KEITA, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, noted that in recent months the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had been marked by political upheavals leading to major changes within the institutions of the country. The main issue was the establishment of a government able to respond effectively to the many expectations of the Congolese in terms of peace, security and development. There was a worrying increase in attacks by armed groups against the civilian population, in particular in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. There was an urgent need to redouble efforts to secure populations and tackle the various causes that contributed to conflicts in order to guarantee stability in the east. The Democratic Republic of the Congo had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had led to a general deterioration of the living conditions of the population. In October 2020, a common transition strategy had been adopted, in order to allow the gradual transfer of the tasks accomplished by the Mission to the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

BACRE WALY NDIAYE, International Expert on the Situation in Kasai, stated that there was little progress in the fight against impunity since the presentation of the last report. The recent conviction of militia leader Katende Laurent by the Military Garrison Tribunal of Kananga was encouraging, but none of the priority case files opened were currently in a state of trial. This judicial slowness provoked the concerns of the populations of Kasai and particularly of the victims, some of whom had formed associations to better claim their right to justice and reparation. Regarding the transitional justice process, the team saluted the manifest desire of the highest Congolese authorities to use such a mechanism as a means of lasting settlement of conflict, noting with satisfaction the progress made in Kasai Central and Kasai provinces. The situation of internally displaced persons and returnees from Angola remained a serious concern from a humanitarian point of view. Regretfully, the Kasai region remained in a state of constant fragility due to the ongoing security crisis, with the increase in criminal activities attributable to national police agents and elements of the armed forces.

ANDRE LITE ASEBEA, Minister for Human Rights of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighted the progress made on the promotion and protection of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This progress included, inter alia, the adoption of a strategic document prepared by the Government with the support of the Joint United Nations Office for Human Rights; the assessment at the beginning of March 2021 of the implementation of the Framework Peace Agreement; the bill on the rights of persons with disabilities and the bill on the rights of indigenous peoples adopted by the National Assembly and sent to the Senate for a second reading; the continuation of the trial initiated against the alleged perpetrators of the murder of two United Nations experts and their companions; several pardon measures taken by the Head of State as well as conditional release to relieve the congestion of prisons; the adoption by specialised government commissions of two draft decrees relating to the implementation of transitional justice; the easing of the curfew as part of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; the continuation of security service reforms; and the continued holding of trials in the context of international crimes.

ROSTIN MANKETA, Executive Director of Voix des Sans Voix pour les Droits de l'Homme, stated that in general, the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had experienced a setback in recent months as the authorities marked their first steps with the relaxation of civic space. In recent months, several human rights defenders and journalists had been subjected to intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests and detentions in many provinces where peaceful demonstrations had taken place. The Council must remain vigilant so that the Congolese authorities did not stop at simple declarations but rather took concrete actions. Impunity had affected many victims of human rights violations for many years. The efforts made by the new government had so far not been able to provide lasting solutions: only a transitional justice process combining reparations for victims, the search for the truth and the fight against impunity could guarantee Congolese society the ability to rebuild itself and break the cycle of conflicts. The conflicts in eastern regions, epidemics including Ebola, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as intercommunal violence, continued. The engagement of humanitarian actors and United Nations agencies should continue, to prevent these regions from relapsing into a cycle of violence.

Discussion

Speakers underlined the need for efforts to address the illicit exploitation of resources and endemic poverty. Both armed groups and militias as well as the national army had committed violations, they noted. The 22 February armed attack that had caused the death of Luca Attanasio, the Italian Ambassador, his bodyguard Vittorio Iacovacci and a World Food Programme driver Mustapha Milambo was unequivocally condemned. The militants of the United Democratic Forces continued to attack civilians and increase pressure on the Congolese army and peacekeepers, speakers noted. The Government should continue its efforts to bolster the rule of law; protect human rights defenders; and combat impunity through expedited operationalisation of transitional justice processes and the investigation and prosecution of all reported abuses.

Speakers called on the international community to immediately increase funding for humanitarian aid, development, peace and reconciliation, now and beyond the withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and ensure the implementation of the Children and Armed Conflict Mandate. They urged a closer consideration of the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence, notably rape. Regretting that arbitrary and incommunicado detentions by the intelligence services continued, they cited the case of 111 people arrested in Goma in connection with the Ngezayo case, and who were currently detained at the Ndolo military prison in Kinshasa, where 20 people had tested positive for COVID-19. It was essential for the international community to give priority to economic recovery to allow the organization of credible elections in 2023. Speakers underscored the dire situation of human rights defenders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For the last three decades, the eastern part of the country had been a fertile ground for extra-judicial killings of human rights defenders which often ended up not being properly investigated or prosecuted by the Government.

Concluding Remarks

BINTOU KEITA, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said everyone was keen to see the conclusions of the investigations into the incident that led to the tragic death of three persons. Many questions regarding reconciliation, transitional justice, military and civilian justice were asked - the United Nations agencies were supporting the country's authorities, together with civil society, on all these issues. Regarding the help on the efforts on fundamental rights, freedom of expression, and sexual violence - the scale was such that it merited a separate programme. Social cohesion and national reconciliation were key in this regard.

MAHAMANE CISSE-GOURO, Director of the Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division of the Office of the High Commissioner, regarding the improvement of the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, noted that the United Nations needed to press on with what was being done already, ensuring that the democratic space remained. Ensuring a change of course vis-a-vis the increase in the number of assaults on fundamental rights was essential. The rights of human rights defenders must be reinforced, as they were key actors. Continued work on initiatives to combat impunity was important, including operationalisation, supporting the Government to implement transitional justice. To ensure more women stood as candidates, they must be supported, properly trained and educated. Engagement in legal reforms to promote their participation was also needed. To combat impunity, the fact that the national authorities had already made encouraging efforts must be recognised.

BACRE WALY NDIAYE, International Expert on the Situation in Kasai, underscored that what was happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo concerned the whole world. Stressing that neighbouring countries were sovereign States, he noted that they could contribute to monitoring the circulation of arms. They could also support the Great Lakes Pact, the implementation of which would help the Democratic Republic of Congo address the persistent issues it had been grappling with for years.

ANDRE LITE ASEBEA, Minister for Human Rights of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said the Democratic Republic of the Congo was facing many challenges. Some elements of the State did not always respect human rights; the authorities were not only condemning these acts but also conducting investigations into allegations of violations. Under the leadership of the President, reforms would be implemented in the near future on the death penalty, and the judiciary and its role at the regional level, among other issues. However, lack of resources remained a challenge. The Government was developing road and electricity infrastructure projects in the Kasai region, in collaboration with the Egyptian Government.

ROSTIN MANKETA, Executive Director of Voix des Sans Voix pour les Droits de l'Homme, was very pleased that all the speakers recognised that the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was alarming - it was up to the authorities in the country to work towards putting an end towards human rights violations. The people were counting on the Government to do this in order to ensure the promotion and protection of their human rights.

Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Mali

Statement by the Independent Expert on Mali

ALIOUNE TINE, Independent Expert on Mali, said the situation remained concerning in the north and centre of Mali, where civilians continued to be attacked by violent extremist groups as well as armed community self-defence groups, despite the presence of international and national security forces. In the northern regions, the situation continued to be marked by the activity of violent extremist groups, including the Support Group for Islam and Muslims and the Islamic State of the Greater Sahara. In the centre of Mali, violent extremist groups attacked and threatened the civilian population in several villages. Mr. Tine was deeply concerned by the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation, notably the continued detention of five public figures despite the fact that a court decision had ordered their immediate release. He was also concerned about allegations that at least 19 civilians were killed and several others injured when an airstrike on January 3, 2021 hit a wedding in the village of Bounti in the Mopti region.

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With regard to women's rights, there was a worrying recurrence of cases of gender-based violence, the number of which increased, for the period from January to July, from 2,021 cases in 2019 to 2,981 cases in 2020, a 47 per cent increase. Unfortunately, no significant progress had been observed in the prosecution of alleged perpetrators of serious human rights violations and abuses committed, especially in the past two years. The Independent Expert recommended that the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali respond proactively to threats against civilians and, in particular, continue to strengthen its presence in all sensitive areas, including those where attacks against civilian populations were the most recurrent and the most threatening. The International Criminal Court must initiate investigations as soon as possible in order to establish criminal responsibility for crimes under the Rome Statute which had been committed in the past or which continued to be committed, in particular in the north and centre of Mali, he added.

Statement by Country Concerned

Mali, speaking as a country concerned, thanked Mr. Tine for his presentation, taking due note of the comments and recommendations. During the past year, Mali had been shaken by a socio-political crisis whose developments led, on 18 August 2020, to an institutional change that paved the way for a political transition. Real difficulties in connection with the security situation and the context of the fight against terrorism remained. The implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali was essential. The situation in the central regions of Mali unfortunately remained marked by the continued criminal activities of terrorist groups fuelling intercommunal violence. Hence, the Government was increasing initiatives aimed at promoting direct dialogue between communities. The progress of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, hearing more than 19,800 testimonies by victims and holding two public hearings, was encouraging. In the fight against impunity, national courts held more than a dozen cases involving elements of the Malian defence and security forces. The Specialised Judicial Unit for the fight against terrorism had taken legal action against non-State actors as well.

Interactive Dialogue

Speakers welcomed the cooperation of Mali with human rights mechanisms, as well as regional bodies. Implementing the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement must remain a priority for the transitional Government. Speakers expressed particular concern over the scale of human rights violations. The root causes of the security situation and ongoing impunity must be addressed in order to move forward. One of the priorities must be the establishment of inclusive dialogue and the holding of free and fair democratic elections. All political forces must adhere to the provisions of the Algiers Peace Agreement. Breaking the cycle of violence was vital to regain lasting stability. All forms of discrimination against women, in law and in practice, must be abolished by the Government, and women must be fully integrated into the political process. The fact that Malian actors had reached an agreement on the transitional process in the aftermath of the coup was welcomed by speakers, who also condemned attacks on United Nations peacekeepers. Speakers asked the Independent Expert about ways in which the international community could support the peace process in the country.

The continued recruitment of children by armed and jihadist groups, as well as the growing number of trafficking cases and instances of child labour, was concerning, particularly given the fact that psycho-social and legal services to support children were limited in Mali. The health situation and restrictions on fundamental liberties had led to increased violence, sexual slavery and forced marriages. Women human rights defenders, especially those working on female genital mutilation and violence against women, were particularly vulnerable. The military coup d'etat in August 2020 had considerably affected the human rights situation in the north and centre of the country. Speakers regretted the fact that the report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Mali had not yet been published, remaining sceptical that the roadmap would be adhered to by all non-state actors in effective control of various territories in the country. Concern was expressed over the presence of foreign troops in Mali, as speakers reminded the Government that it held the ultimate responsibility over all human rights violations committed in the country.

Concluding Remarks

ALIOUNE TINE, Independent Expert on Mali, urged the international community to provide support to Mali as it endeavoured to ensure a smooth transition. There was a need for a strategy that would ensure human development in a comprehensive manner. In that regard, Mali required assistance in strengthening institutions. Lawyers could not properly exercise their work, for instance. While it would be difficult to combat impunity, solidarity on the part of the international and African communities was crucial; failing that, the whole region could be engulfed. In light of the structural and ideological obstacles, political leadership should be working with religious leaders and civil society organizations to tackle gender-based violence.

Link: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/meeting-summary/2021/03/mme-bachelet-alerte-le-conseil-des-droits-de-lhomme-sur-lampleur
And in April, Collinss son, Jeep (an abbreviation of George Philip), will publish a memoir, Enid, drawing from a rich trove of family diaries and correspondence and conjuring a lost, idyllic-sounding world of ranch living when there were no iPhones, and a jury-rigged television got only two channels  a place that will never be like that again.

He rode donkeys and go-karts, gathered blackberries and fired clay with his younger sister, Cynthia, who went on to live down the hall from Farrah Fawcett in college and modeled frequently in Collins ads. Their Aunt Jo helped open Hamburg Heaven in Manhattan, and the novelistic book depicts trips there to showrooms and the theater, a Windjammer cruise that helped inspire coveted sea-themed bags, and games of gin 13 with Clyde Cook, the Hollywood actor.

In a video interview from Fredericksburg, Texas, where the company briefly moved operations and descendants remained, Mr. Collins, 72, a former Marine and designer himself of Christian jewelry, spoke eloquently of his mother, whom he called Mimi, and who was known for insisting on naps after lunch and other exactitudes.

Eventually she would take an apartment in San Antonio, commuting to Medina in a gold Buick Riviera and divorcing Frederic. The company they had built together was sold in 1970 to the Tandy corporation, which fired Enid not long after. She died 20 years later, comforted by her deep faith and her patchwork quilts.
THE Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Job Ndugai, on Tuesday opened up on the procedures used by the Parliament to endorse the name of the new Vice-President elect, Dr Philip Mpango.

When unveiling the name of the proposed Vice-President during a Parliamentary session in Dodoma, Mr Ndugai received a written document from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which was presented to him by the President's Aide-de-Camp (ADC).

Immediately after the usual morning Question-and-Answer session, which was presided over by Deputy Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, she told the House that she was handing over the chair to the Speaker Ndugai to proceed with the scheduled activities in the House.

The House Speaker, therefore, directed the Sergeant at Arms to escort the president's ADC into the Debating Chamber and presented the document which was enclosed in more than one envelope.

Mr Ndugai received the envelope, opened it, and read what was contained in it, stating that "Mr Speaker, I am presenting to you, the name of Dr Philip Isdor Mpango for the position of Vice- President of Tanzania."

The revelation aroused a thunderous applause in the House. Speaker Ndugai continued; "We are all aware that Dr John Magufuli, the former President of this country passed away on March 17, 2021, making the position of President to be vacant.

"As per the requirement of Article 37 (5) of the Constitution, former Vice-President Samia stepped up to become President of the United Republic of Tanzania," said Mr Ndugai.

He further disclosed that in order for the position of Vice- President to be filled, the same provision of the Constitution has been used.

The same provision also requires that "after consultation with the political party to which he belongs, the President shall propose the name of the person who shall be Vice-President and such appointment shall be confirmed by the National Assembly by votes of not less than 50 per cent of all the Members of Parliament."

"Based on the provision, President Samia has proposed a name for the person who will fill the position of Vice-President. The exercise has been completed with regard to her party," noted the Speaker.

Mr Ndugai notified the MPs that since the Parliamentary regulations are silent on the process of approving the name of the Vice-President, thus, as per the powers bestowed to him under the Parliamentary regulations, the House will refer to the experience obtained from the October 13, 2001 incident relating to the death of the former Vice- President, the late Dr Omar Ali Juma, when endorsing the name Dr Ali Mohamed Shein then as VP.

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He, however, requested the Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to present a motion in august House with regard to the endorsement to be backed by the parliamentarians.

After the parliamentarians have supported the motion at hand, the Clerk of the National Assembly presented the procedures of approving the appointment.

Prime Minister Majaliwa while presenting the motion of endorsing the name of Dr Philip Mpango as the Vice-President backed the Speaker's view of adopting the experience of the death of former VP, the late Dr Omar.

"As per the set procedures, the proposed name needs to be adopted in Parliament, the exercise which had already been finalised," noted the Prime Minister.

According to the Prime Minister, the next step as given in the Constitution, was for the Parliament to endorse the name through votes which should account for not less than 50 per cent, a procedure that was successfully carried out.
China and Iran have concluded an extensive strategic agreement, which prepared within the framework of a roadmap for 25 years, is a considerable step for achieving a comprehensive strategic partnership between two Asian powers with many mutual interests. The agreement entails political-strategic, economic and cultural components and is designed to ensure the comprehensive promotion of each aspect of relations between China and Iran in the long run. Modern Diplomacy reports that in the political-strategic dimension (military, defence and security), an attempt has been made to establish close positions and cooperation between the two countries in the form of permanent mechanisms, while promoting exchanges, consultations and close cooperation on issues of mutual interest and agreement in regional institutions.

Strengthening the defence infrastructure, countering terrorism and holding regular military manoeuvres as an exhibition of strength and alignment between the two countries can be considered the most important axes in this regard. Economic cooperation is also one of the main axes of long-term cooperation between the two countries. The internal affairs of the two countries and third countries, and finally the exploitation of Irans capacities, including the young and skilled labour force, have been emphasised. Cooperation in the fields of oil, industry and mining, and energy-related fields (energy, renewable energy, etc.) based on national sustainable and environmental development concerns are emphasised in this document. It should be noted that to maximise the geopolitical and geoeconomic benefits, the present agreement emphasises the effective participation of Iran in the Chinese one belt one road project, and in this regard, comprehensive cooperation in the framework of this initiative with the priority of cooperation in infrastructure will be put on the agenda. Emphasis is placed on rail, road, port and air, telecommunications, science and technology, education and health. The agreement specifically underscores the facilitation of effective procedures in economic and trade cooperation, and accordingly, the facilitation of financial and banking cooperation, customs, deregulation, granting facilities by the rules in free trade and special economic zones, strengthening cooperation and Non-oil trades.

In the cultural dimension, the promotion of tourism, media, academia, various non-governmental cultural institutions are emphasised. U.S. sanctions have sharpened Tehrans desire to introduce Beijing as a reliable economic and political ally.

Although due to the impacts of Washingtons maximum pressure strategy this agreement looks more profitable to Iran than to China, however, Beijing will strengthen its status as one of the few formal buyers of Irans oil, as well as boosting its footprint in the Iranian economy. Moreover, assisting to ensure the survival of the JCPOA presents China with the opportunity to put forward its profile in international affairs and to set the tone in the broader nuclear non-proliferation debates and specifically in solving the dilemma over the JCPOA. The geoeconomic interests in the region are obvious as much of recent strategic discourses have focused on Chinas need for energy from the Middle East. China maintains a huge interest in exporting to the region, but also there is also huge enthusiasm in the region for Chinese investment there.

Therefore, in contrast to reluctant European investors, China has proceeded to pour investments into Iran. The latest example was a 538 million USD railway deal. (South China Morning Post, 2017) China under the umbrella of the One Belt, One Road project, is steadily expanding its political influence and investment footprint, including the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing will aim to deepen its involvement in the region building on a long-term strategy that seeks to improve Chinas diplomatic and economic influence across the Middle East.

Chinas reluctance to act as a security guarantor

The decades-old SaudiIranian rivalry and tensions vis-a-vis their regional rival has been once again pushed into the attention. Considering the Saudi-Iranian tensions, the conventional wisdom is that both sides are far from de-escalation to pave the way for a detente. According to Irans Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Saudi Arabia does not want to de-escalate and one gets the assumption that Riyadh was operating under the influence of the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign on Iran. (Reuters, 2020) From the Saudi perspective, Irans behaviour is reckless and endangers the global economy that Iran must change its behaviour before any dialogues between Tehran and other countries can take place. Recently, Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the 56th Munich Security Conference that Until we can talk about the real sources of that instability, talk is going to be unproductive, the foreign minister said. (Reuters, 2020)

Although the China-Iran deal prompted extensive debates in international media, Iran is not the only country in the region to maintain a strategic partnership with China. The GCC states such as Saudi Arabia (since 2016) and the United Arab Emirates (since 2018) do as well. According to the China Global Investment Tracker, Beijing invested up to $62.55 billion in Saudi Arabia and the UAE between 2008 and 2019. (Julia Gurol& Jacopo Scita, 2020) The total amount that China invested in all the GCC states during the same period reaches up to $83 billion. These investments in a technology project, fisheries, oil projects, building roads etc. are all part of Chinas Maritime Silk Road project for which the GCC states are strategically important. Trade exchange between China and the GCC countries exceeded $180 billion in 2019, accounting for 11 per cent of the GCCs foreign trade. In 2020, China replaced the EU as the GCCs primary trading partner. This exemplifies an enormous transformation from 1990 when diplomatic relations were first inaugurated between Saudi Arabia and China; at the time, China-GCC trade was slighter than $1.5 billion, representing only 1 per cent of the entire volume of Persian Gulf Arab States trade. (Julia Gurol& Jacopo Scita, 2020)

Due to the contemporary cycle of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz that intensified tensions, China could be compelled to take on a greater security role to preserve the freedom of navigation which is necessary to its energy security and flow of oil supplies through the Persian Gulf. However, regardless of the existing regional tensions and the high risk of military conflicts lately threatened by Trump, China is quite reluctant to become bogged down in the regional tensions and attempts to avoid a military conflict. Chinas reluctance to act as a security guarantor in the Persian Gulf indicates that its comprehensive power in the Middle East is not yet well-defined. (Job B Alterman, 2013) Beijing seems unlikely to proclaim any peace initiatives for Persian Gulf security beyond broad calls for peace in the region probably maintaining Chinas existing policy of non-interference. From Chinas perspective, its contribution to the regional developments through bilateral agreements and the BRI is the best way for stability. Thus, it is fair to say that China has played almost no role in easing geopolitical tension between Iran and the GCC.

Conclusion

Hence, Iran is an essential partner to Beijings economic projection in the Middle East. China and Iran aim to maintain regular mechanisms for genuine dialogue on all mutual issues. However, the GCC states aim to restrain Chinas support for Iran. Nevertheless,

China will not shape any one-sided relation neither with the GCC nor with Iran. By avoiding partnerships in favour of its bilateral ties with Iran or the GCC, China remains keen to balance its relations with all regional powers. By circumventing direct involvement in regional battles, China aims to further expand its economic and military activities in a highly strategic region, securing the flow of oil exports desperately needed under a competitive atmosphere without being bogged down in the upheaval of political and security confrontations in the Persian Gulf.

With China being present now in the Persian Gulf, Washington will have to acknowledge Chinas interest. China is questioning the current security architecture of the Indian Ocean region. It would finally thwart the US and Indias role as a net security provider in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, diminishing their role and geographic advantage.

Through the agreement with Iran, China can maintain a sustainable presence along the Strait of Hormuz and it would effectively have a credible presence across two key chokepoints in the Indian Ocean, together with Bab-el-Mandeb. Chinese presence along the Strait of Hormuz would legitimise Beijings overseas bases to guard its maritime interests which would lend credence to Beijings claims of being a responsible global actor.

As far as regional security is concerned, the prospect of a wider conflict in the region will jeopardize not only oil exports but also risks scaring away overseas investors, while Iran and most of the GCC states need fresh capital, cutting-edge technology and management know-how. It appears that a sustained and inclusive dialogue on the Persian Gulf security with the support and mediation of external actors such as China would envisage practical measures to gradually build trust and expand cooperation. Such an inclusive mechanism could evolve into a regularised, confidence-building platform that addresses both the issue-specific challenges and broader questions about security in the Persian Gulf.
Kolkata, March 31 : With all eyes set on battleground Nandigram, as many as 22 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers have been deployed in 355 polling stations on Wednesday across the most watched-out for assembly segment of West Bengal where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has locked horns with her protege-turned-rival and now a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Suvendu Adhikari.

The central forces jawans were seen carrying out extensive route march across Nandigram since this morning, in areas like Telhali, Boyal, Tengua and Reyapara a day ahead of the high-voltage political duel.

Nandigram is going to polls on Thursday in the second of the eight-phase state assembly elections.

The Election Commission has already declared all polling booths in Nandigram as sensitive.

On the other hand, the state's ruling Trinamool Congress had also pointed fingers at the role of the central forces' jawans in Nandigram.

Mamata Banerjee had repeatedly asked all female voters to wear masks while going to cast their votes on April 1, so that central forces jawans cannot harass them at polling stations.

On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had held a grand roadshow at ground zero to woo supporters for BJP candidate Adhikari. Thousands of villagers and party workers had gathered along the four-km stretch between Bethuria and Rayapara in the East Midnapore assembly segment as Shah stood atop a lorry waving at enthusiastic supporters.

Confident about BJP's win, Shah said: "It's BJP everywhere in West Bengal! I am sure that Nandigram will turn out to be the epicentre of Poriborton (change) in Bengal." Incidents of sporadic violence were reported at areas like Boyal and Gokulnagar on Tuesday night where crude bombs were hurled at each other between the Trinamool Congress and BJP activists in East Midnapore's Nandigram block-2 before the second phase of polling.

Aerial surveillance is being conducted by helicopters in Nandigram.

This apart, naka checking is being done at various entry points, especially after the Trinamool supremo alleged that outsiders had entered into Nandigram to disrupt the free and fair election mechanism.

According to sources in the EC, a special cell will be formed at the office of the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) in West Bengal to monitor the polling process in Nandigram.

As many as 75 per cent of the total polling stations would be taken under webcasting model which means that there will be cameras installed in as many as 267 booths of Nandigram. EC officials will monitor all the video footage of Nandigram from their control room, sources said.

Out of the 2.75 lakh registered voters in Nandigram about 62,000 are minority voters. In the second phase, a total of 30 assembly constituencies are up for grab, the same number of seats had gone to polls in first phase on March 27.

These 30 seats are spread in three districts of South 24-Parganas, Bankura, and East Medinipur. Polling in West Bengal was scheduled in eight phases. For 30 seats in phase-2, 171 candidates are in fray of which 152 are men and 19 women.

With first phase over and second phase on April 1, the remaining phases will be on April 6, 10, 17, 22, 26 and 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Help India!



Mohammad Mirza is a travel writer and a social media executive from Hyderabad. He is currently based in the Middle East. His Instagram page Mosques of India is stocked with images of abandoned mosques with striking architecture that has remained elusive to the imaginations of present-day craftsmen.

Shalini S, TwoCircles.net

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Ten years ago, walking through the bustling street of Shaikpet in Hyderabad, thirty-year-old Mohammad Mirza was distraught to see the sight of a tumbledown Shaikpet mosque. Once, the Shaikpet mosque would echo with prayers, stirring the hearts of many. Seeing the plight of the mosque, Mirza started on a journey to research and write about the abandoned Mosques of India.

His aim is for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Muslim Waqf Boards to recognize these mosques as state-protected monuments.

Mirza is a travel writer and a social media executive from Hyderabad. He is currently based in the Middle East. His Instagram page Mosques of India is stocked with images of abandoned mosques with striking architecture that has remained elusive to the imaginations of present-day craftsmen.

I started writing about the abandoned mosques of India in lockdown. I am a history junkie and I read vastly on architecture, Mirza told TwoCircles.net.

I didnt want to post the images of the mosques alone. I wanted to create awareness about their poor and dilapidated condition. I also try to extensively research and write about the historical significance and the cultural heritages of these mosques, he said.

His page features an assortment of solitary mosques, which include the Palaiya Jumma Palli, one of the oldest mosques in India located at Keelakari in Tamil Nadu, which has a semblance of Dravidian Islamic Architecture and was constructed around 628  630 AD, the Akbari mosque in the sleepy town of Kalanaur, Punjab. The Akbari mosque is speculated to be the coronation place of Akbar the Great. Each mosque featured on the page has a unique unknown history but are in ruins at present.

The Arabic calligraphy and inscriptions are still intact in some mosques, but most of the mosques are in a very bad condition. The minarets and domes are broken. The walls of the mosques have plants and trees growing out of their fissures, and sometimes they are just cloaked in algae, says Mirza.

Mirza archives the heritage of these mosques by doing short series items on these old and abandoned mosques. The short series helps people to focus on a particular place filled with heritage, he says.

In his first series, he wrote about eight different Abandoned Mosques of Haryana (as he calls it). It featured mosques from the villages of Gondar, Fatehabad, Kahni, Turkiawas, Meham, Dujana, Urlana Kalan and Jalmana.

Sadly today these mosques are encroached and used as residences and cowsheds. Mosques used to be a house of prayer for Muslims. There are no Muslims in these small villages to worship in these mosques as they have migrated during the partition, he says.

In one of his series, Mirza writes that Haryana is blessed with so many historical monuments, and there is perhaps no other state in India where historic monuments are left to vagaries of nature like they are in Haryana. He is talking about a forsaken mosque of Fatehabad, Haryana.

Mirza says that these mosques are the symbol of Indias pluralism and they must be preserved. Not only mosques, I see many historical monuments in ruins too. Conserving the architectural heritage of a place depends upon the states recognition of its value, he said.

Mirza says that we must rebuild all these mosques so that our future generation can see all of this great history of their predecessors.

Hopefully, Muslims can visit and transfer these mosques hopefully, says one of the followers on his page.

Mirzas work is in line with Adopt a Heritage (2018) scheme, which was jointly established by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India. The project faced repercussion for its public-private partnership to sustain the monuments of cultural heritage and for selecting the sites based on tourist footfall. Activists had then sought to take into consideration the need to preserve and manage such cultural heritage before the adoption policy.

These mosques are not just cultural heritage, they have religious significance too. The respective estates must give recognition to them and bring them under their protection, says Mirza and adds, I always wanted to be an armchair historian.
Lie No. 21:Xinjiang suppresses Islam and freedom of religious belief.

Fact check:Respecting and protecting the freedom of religious belief is a basic long-term policy of the Chinese government. Article 36 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China stipulates that Chinese citizens have freedom of religious belief. The principle of religious freedom enshrined in the Constitution has been fully implemented in Xinjiang. Xinjiang citizens' right to freedom of religious belief has been fully guaranteed.

-- Since 1996, the local government in Xinjiang has organized local Muslims to take charter flights for a pilgrimage every year.

Lie No. 22:Xinjiang demolishes many mosques.

Fact check:Mosques in Xinjiang meet the regular religious demands of followers in terms of quantity. Governments at various levels in Xinjiang have consistently improved the public services of mosques. Funded by the government, mosques now have running water, electricity, natural gas, roads, communication, radio and television, and libraries. In addition, ablution facilities and flushing toilets have been installed. Furthermore, mosques have also been equipped with medical services and electronic displays. They also have computers, electric fans or air conditioners, firefighting equipment, and so forth. These measures have been welcomed by religious personnel and believers.

Lie No. 23:Xinjiang "persecutes" religious personnel.

Fact check: Xinjiang has ten religious colleges and schools, including the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, its eight branches across Xinjiang, and the Xinjiang Islamic School. These colleges recruit undergraduate, junior, and technical secondary school students every year, with student numbers exceeding 3,000.

Lie No. 24:Xinjiang bans fasting of Muslims.

Fact check: Muslims of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, in accordance with their teachings, canons, and traditional customs, practice regular religious activities such as fasting and Islamic festivals in mosques and their own homes. Such activities are totally of their own free will, without any interference or restriction.

[ Editor: JYZ ]
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Flint Bishop Airport will be receiving a $956,449 federal grant to use for a variety of purposes at the facility.

The U.S. Department of Transportation grant will help with taxiway improvements and purchase snow removal equipment, according to a Tuesday, March 30 news release from Congressman Dan Kildees office.

Improving our infrastructure keeps our community connected to the global economy. I am proud to announce this federal grant for Flint Bishop International Airport to provide much-needed improvements to our airport, Kildee, D-Flint Township, said. During the pandemic, Flint Bishop International Airport and its workers continue to provide quality, reliable service to our community and I am grateful for their continued commitment.

The much-needed funding will ensure aircraft can travel between runways, ramps and hangars safely, per the release.

Airport Director Nino Sapone said the airport is grateful for the grant and those who helped secure it from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

We look forward to receiving the grant dollars and putting it towards enhancing the quality service our passengers are used to at Flint Bishop, Sapone said.

Michigans U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters also issued statements on the nearly $1 million in federal aid.

Safe and reliable air travel is critical to keeping communities across Mid-Michigan connected to important markets and destinations, not only during this pandemic but in the years ahead, Peters, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said.

Stabenow echoed Peters comments, stating the grant is an investment in the economic development of the region.

This funding will protect the safety of our flyers and encourage businesses to invest in the region and create jobs, Stabenow said.

Read more on MLive:

Plans in works to use Flint Bishop Airport as mega COVID-19 vaccination site

Surprise parade sends off retiring Flint Bishop Airport Police Chief Christopher Miller

Its a long time coming: Real-life Rosie the Riveter in awe of new statue in Flint
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 04:38:17|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The escalation of violence in Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique continues to drive massive displacement, following the recent attack by non-state armed groups in Palma town on March 24, said UN humanitarians on Wednesday.

The security situation remains volatile and concerning, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The International Organization for Migration has already registered approximately 8,000 people at arrival points in Nangade, Mueda, Montepuez and Pemba districts. Thousands more arrived on Wednesday in Pemba and other areas of Cabo Delgado, said OCHA in a release.

The United Nations has information that hundreds of people are still trying to leave Palma right now and thousands are making their way by foot, boat and road, and some are being rescued by the UN Humanitarian Air Services and other groups of civil society, it said.

A full-scale humanitarian response will be needed to address the most immediate needs of people fleeing, it said.

The UN agencies and partners continue to mobilize resources to assist affected people. The UN Population Fund is pre-positioning birthing kits and essential drugs to support displaced pregnant women and new mothers, said OCHA.

Urgent funding is needed to scale up and sustain the response. The humanitarian appeal for the Cabo Delgado crisis is currently just 1 percent funded, it said. Enditem
In a statement issued through the official [North] Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday, Kim denounced President Moon Jae-in as "a parrot raised by America" and his recent mild criticism of North Korea's latest missile provocations "a culmination of shamelessness."

In a speech on March 26 after the North test-fired two short-range ballistic missiles, Moon had warned that any action that would spoil the mood for dialogue is "undesirable."

Digging into the archives, Kim sensed double standards because Moon had described South Korea's own missile tests in July last year as "efforts to build peace and dialogue."

"He meant the test-firing of ballistic missiles conducted by South Korea is for peace and dialogue in the Korean Peninsula but that conducted by [North Korea] is something undesirable that arouses serious concern among the people in the South and chills the atmosphere for dialogue," she fumed.

"I cannot but be struck dumb whenever I hear about nonsensical remarks made in South Korea," she added.

This, she said, reminded her of the "gangster-like logic" of the U.S., and hence Moon "cannot feel sorry for being 'praised' as a parrot raised by America. This could be what is described as self-contradictory and being caught in one's own trap."

Kim's peculiar way with words is mostly due to the regime's official translators, who seem to have little experience of modern English usage, but her outbursts are often shrill even by North Korean standards.

Cheong Wa Dae and the Unification Ministry expressed "regret" at her statement.
Commentary: Make COVID-19 origin-tracing about science, not politics

Xinhua) 10:20, March 31, 2021

A doctor collects samples from a patient at the Zhongfaxincheng campus of Tongji Hospital affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 14, 2020. (Photo by Cui Meng/Xinhua)

Since the start of the pandemic, science and common sense have been wrestling with conspiracy theories and lies. Now that science has spoken, the world community needs to take it as an opportunity to recognize COVID-19 origin-tracing for what it is: scientific research, not a political game.

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) late Tuesday released a report on its joint mission with China to trace the origins of the coronavirus.

This time those in the West who hoped to find a smoking gun in the report are surely feeling disappointed. The report practically denies the unfounded speculation that the pandemic was caused by a leak from a lab in China's central city of Wuhan.

It also stands as a powerful repudiation of the shameless lies some Western politicians and pundits have churned out to slander China over the months, and a sobering reminder that more hard work is needed to decode the secrets of the virus.

Now that science has spoken, the world community needs to take it as an opportunity to recognize COVID-19 origin-tracing for what it is: scientific research, not a political game.

Countries around the world need to first settle on a broad consensus that future origin-tracing missions should not be arbitrary probes that are based on the presumption of guilt. The aim of the missions should be about getting to know the virus better and understanding how it has evolved so as to help the human race beat the virus at an early date as well as prevent future outbreaks of the disease.

A sign advertising a face mask requirement is displayed at the Moynihan Train Hall in New York, the United States, Jan. 23, 2021. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

Since the start of the pandemic, science and common sense have been wrestling with conspiracy theories and lies. And so the battle for truth continues.

It is unfortunate to see that immediately before and in the wake of the report's publishing, some anti-China politicians and biased media outlets in the West are still trying to peddle their lies about China, manipulate public opinion and question the authority of the WHO report.

The world community should not forget that it is those despicable political tricks that have assaulted facts and science, fostered fear and misinformation, stoked prejudice and hatred, and jeopardized trust and solidarity among nations. As a result, the already exhausting battle against the deadly pathogen has been rendered even more onerous.

Compared with the lethal coronavirus, the political viruses those politicians and press have incubated and spread are even more hateful. As COVID-19 origin-tracing is still underway, the international community might as well trace back this political virus to see the ugly faces of those perpetrators, and hold them accountable.

While placing science front and center, the origin-tracing work also demands time, patience from the general public and perhaps a little luck.

Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows an exterior view of the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia)

And sometimes even with these, such complicated quests might still end up with no definite conclusions. History does not lack such examples. For many infectious diseases such as AIDS and the 1918 influenza, scientists are still unable to tell where exactly those viruses originated.

What is also key to solving the puzzles of the cunning coronavirus in a scientific fashion is to stay open. This means that targeting one single country for tracing back the origin of the virus can hardly be helpful in research.

Again, origin-tracing is a serious scientific endeavor. China was the first country to report COVID-19 infections. That does not mean the world's "patient zero" is in China.

It has been widely reported that a series of studies done in various countries have already found traces of the coronavirus elsewhere in the world long before the epidemic broke out in China.

Therefore, similar WHO origin-tracing missions that China has embraced should also be conducted in more countries and regions worldwide.

There is still a long road ahead to get to the bottom of the virus. Vanquishing political viruses and letting science prevail will bring the human race one step closer to the truth.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
Rithvik Dhanjani is one of the most active celebrities on social media. He regularly shares updates about his life and whereabouts with his fans on Instagram. The actor recently took to his Instagram handle and shared a reel. In the short video clip, Rithvik Dhanjani is seen dancing with Surbhi Jyoti near the Maldivian ocean. Here is a look at Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti's Instagram post about their vacation.

Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti's dance in Maldives

Rithvik Dhanjani took to his official Instagram handle and shared a reel for his fans in which he is seen grooving with his close friend Surbhi Jyoti. The video begins with the duo standing at what appears to be an airport before transitioning to their holiday location in the Maldives. The duo is seen in their casual look at the beginning of the video where they tap on the screen giving each other looks before dancing in the Maldives. For their vacation look, Rithvik Dhanjani is seen embracing the summer vibes with a floral print shirt and shorts while Surbhi Jyoti is seen dressed in a multi-coloured bikini top. Rithvik captioned the video by saying, Only if every travel was just a tap away!!  Here is a look at Surbhi Jyoti and Rithvik Dhanjani's Instagram video.

Netizens react to Rithvik Dhanjani's Instagram video

As soon as Rithvik shared the video on his Instagram handle, fans flooded the comments section by praising the duo. Several fans dropped in heart and fire emojis. Various fans of the actors called them cute while several others were just in awe of their vacation together. One of the users also called them Friends Forever. Here is a look at some of the comments on Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti's Instagram video.

Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti's vacation

Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti have shared several pictures from their getaway for their Instagram followers. Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti's photos are surely giving their fans major wanderlust goals. In a picture shared by Rithvik Dhanjani, the actor is seen posing on a bicycle. On the other hand, Surbhi Jyoti has shared various pictures from her holiday on her Instagram. She also shared a video in which she is seen giving a glimpse of her stay before taking a dip in the Maldivian ocean. Here is a look at Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti's photos and videos from their holiday.

Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti's photos

Image Credits: Rithvik Dhanjani and Surbhi Jyoti's Instagram

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Did you ever dream of taking your truck or car out on a NASCAR track and driving a couple laps?

You can do it on Friday, April 2, when the Talladega Superspeedway opens the track for a fundraiser to help tornado victims.

We wanted to do something that only Talladega Superspeedway could do, said Brian Crichton, president of Talladega Superspeedway.

For $50, you can drive your car onto the track and take two laps around, including the 33-degree high banks on the turns.

There are some limitations. You have to stay behind a pace car. No passing is allowed. And you have to stay out of the top lane. Speeds will be limited to what you can legally drive on the highway.

The $50 donations will go to American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through Dega Gives, a benevolence fund of the NASCAR Foundation.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and pre-registration is required at https://www.nascarfoundation.org/talladegagives

In a time like this its so important for all the members of the community to come together and support our neighbors, Crichton said. We feel so much compassion for everyone who was affected by last weeks storms, including those near the superspeedway in Ohatchee.

Crichton dares you to drive the course.

Id like to challenge all race fans out there, as well as those who are thrill seekers, to come out this Friday and drive on the biggest and baddest racing venue on the planet, he said. The hope is that the opportunity to drive on the high banks of the 2.66-mile layout will give incentive to get as many people as possible involved. Plus, Fridays weather looks incredible.

All drivers must remain in their cars at all times  no running around like Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights.

Drivers must have a valid drivers license and vehicles must have a valid license plate. No motorcycles, recreational vehicles or tractor trailers will be allowed on the track.

Drivers will be allowed to enter the infield through the Turn 3 tunnel. Drivers will start at pit road, after signing all required paperwork including waivers. No public restrooms will be available.
Every election cycle, politicians from other than the Democratic Party ask the Black community to support their candidacies, and figuratively ask us, What do you have to lose? The Democrats ask us, Where can you go? In private and sometimes public conversations, we debate the question of who we should support, the devil we know or the one we dont. In the end, our community almost always overwhelmingly ends up supporting the Democratic Party.

Yet the question still regularly is raised in our community  how long are we going to be taken for granted by the party? This past week, Vice President Kamala Harris visited New Haven, and at first, we were very proud and excited to see her. We were ready to greet the first woman and Black elected vice president with open arms and love. Then we quickly learned that our love was not wanted or needed. The Democratic Party did not invite us to the party.

The visit was billed as a part of the Biden administrations Help is Here campaign to promote the American Rescue Plan stimulus package, especially the early childhood component, which is why the new education commissioner was present for the tour. Yet the messaging, though probably unintended, was stark and different, instead leaving us with the missive No Blacks Allowed. Pictures of the visit have shown the VP surrounded by white men, many who already interact with her in Washington. Schools Superintendent Iline Tracey was not invited, the leader of the largest early childhood initiative in the region. The president of the Board of Alders, Tyeshia Walker-Myers, was not invited. The list of relevant people not welcome is too long to print here. And of course, the people who actually cast votes for her were left standing by the roadside hoping to catch glimpses through a limo window.

And even the press seemed to participate in the miscued messaging. In all the stories I have read, it appears that the press did not include comments from the alders, school officials, board of education members and others notable local Black leaders.

When questions started being raised as to why Black folks were being left out, everyone involved began running for cover. The leading politician in the district, our congresswoman, apparently didnt know a thing about the planning, even though it is common knowledge that a Democratic vice president doesnt visit a Democratic congressional district without the local leader being intimately involved in the planning. The local mayor, Justin Elicker, also cries ignorance, though again he was invited and participated, and his fire and police force were deeply involved in security.

This slight to our community is small, but it is sitting upon years and years of other slights, large and small, both nationally and locally. It is the Democratic Party members of the New Haven Board of Education who denied 25-cent raises for part-time workers, the overwhelming majority of whom are Black women and have not had raises for five years. It is the local party leader who has cut our libraries and police force, leading to growing murder rates, while picking fights with other towns about their local policies. It is our local party leader who attended the Harris party and didnt say a peep about those Black leaders locked out.

Right now, we all seem to be snugly supportive of our Democratic Party, one because we are back to having normal and intellectual discussions on policy, instead of Twitter fights. Also, the stimulus checks, or stimmies as the younger folks call them, have helped many of our folks over small humps. But one day very soon, near an election date, those stimmie bills will come due and the government will take its pound of flesh from the people who can least afford it, our community, as they have always done in the history of this young country.

The blatant disrespect shown to the Black leadership of New Haven during the VPs visit is astounding, yet not surprising. They ignored those folks because they could; that is what happens to people in lopsided relationships. In New Haven the local politicians for mayor are already knocking on our doors. I know who will not get my vote  the guy who forgot the Black leadership last week.

One day, I predict sooner rather than later, on the state and national level someone with more credibility and attractiveness outside of the Democratic Party will ask the same question of the Black community  what do you have to lose? If enough of us remember what happened last week, I wonder what will be our answer.

The Rev. Boise Kimber is pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven.
The NSCDC said the suspect lured the victim into his shop with N100, and had carnal knowledge of her, after which he threatened to kill her.

The Kwara Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 55-year old man, Abdulraheem Jimoh, for allegedly raping a 12-year old girl at Mayegun area of Alagbado, Ilorin.

NSCDC Public Relation Officer (PRO) in the state, Babawale Zaid, paraded the suspect before reporters, on Tuesday, in Ilorin.

Mr Zaid said the suspect lured the victim into his shop with N100, and had carnal knowledge of her, after which he threatened to kill her if she revealed to anyone, what he did.

He also said cases such as this abound in the country on a daily basis, but only a few came under the scrutiny of the media and security forces.

The PRO said that the suspect would be charged to court and prosecuted, in order to serve as a deterrent to others who engaged in such devilish acts.

(NAN)
TheLloyds of London insurance marketplace has suffered its worst result in three years after taking a 6billion Covid hit.

Lloyds, which has been a key business in the City for more than 330 years, slumped to a loss of 900million in 2020 from a 2.5billion profit the year before.

The insurance syndicates who make up the market have been lumped with mounting payouts for issues such as business interruption and event cancellation.

Covid slump: Lloyd's of London insurance, which has been a key business in the City for more than 330 years, slumped to a loss of 900m in 2020 from a 2.5bn profit the year before

They typically provide cover for major events such as the Olympics and Wimbledon, both of which were cancelled last year.

Chief executive John Neal said it had been an extremely challenging year with the triple threat of coronavirus, a large number of natural catastrophe claims and Brexit.

But he added: Against this unprecedented backdrop we have made good progress across our performance, digitalisation, and culture transformation plans.

Our disciplined underwriting approach and determination to become the worlds most advanced insurance marketplace have set us up for real success this year.

Lloyds, which is one of the few marketplaces in the City where business is still done face-to-face rather than digitally, has come under pressure to change its culture in recent years amid reports of bullying and harassment.

A survey conducted by the Banking Standards Board in 2019 found almost 500 people working at Lloyds had suffered or seen sexual harassment over the past 12 months.

It has a target of getting women into 35 per cent of leadership positions across the market by the end of 2023, and is trying to improve its ethnic diversity.

Trade body the London & International Insurance Brokers Association has also recommended that Lloyds should ditch its stuffy dress code, as it still demands workers in its City tower must dress more smartly than at most of the surrounding banks.

But Neal said there were pockets of resistance within the marketplace.

He told the Financial Times: Obviously the brokers are not so readily within our control.

But we can prevent access to the building, so if people arent behaving in accordance with the standards we set, then they are not welcome to come in. It hasnt actually got to that point.

The famous underwriting room at Lloyds, where insurers usually receive queues of brokers to their desks to haggle over the terms of contracts, closed for a second time in January as the pandemic caused an unprecedented shift to home-working.

It is due to reopen in May  although only with a much-reduced capacity of a few hundred people. It is looking at ways it can use technology to make workers and customers lives easier.
The targets covering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Johnson Controls' operations (scopes 1 and 2) are consistent with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement. Johnson Controls' target for emissions from its value chain (scope 3) also meet the SBTi's criteria for ambitious value chain goals, and are therefore in line with current industry best practice.

"Independent validation of our new targets is confirmation that we are in line with the most aggressive pathway to avoiding the worst effects of climate change," said George Oliver, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. "We recently announced new environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, along with a net zero carbon pledge. The SBTi validation further proves the strength of our core strategy  to reduce carbon emissions and support a healthy, more sustainable planet. This is at the heart of our business."

SBTi is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature. It independently assesses corporate sustainability claims and uses science-based targets to show companies how much and how quickly they need to reduce their GHG emissions in order to be consistent with keeping global warming below the most dangerous levels.

As part of its environmental sustainability commitments, Johnson Controls aims to slash operational emissions by 55 percent and reduce customers' emissions by 16 percent in absolute terms before 2030. Its OpenBlue platform for optimizing buildings sustainability will be central to fulfilling these goals and ultimately creating an environment for healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet.

"Improving the health of our planet is a matter of urgency, which we are recognizing through our commitments. We are making positive change within our own corporation and believe we are uniquely positioned to help customers and suppliers achieve their sustainability goals," said Katie McGinty, vice president & chief sustainability, government and regulatory affairs officer at Johnson Controls.

Johnson Controls is taking significant steps to drastically improve its environmental impact while empowering customers and future generations to consume less energy, conserve resources, and identify pathways to achieving healthy, net zero carbon communities. Powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, Johnson Controls OpenBlue platform facilitates real-time monitoring, benchmarking and analysis of energy consumption and demand. It also enables customers to produce indoor environmental quality reports to help achieve healthy building and wellness certifications.

The company recently joined the Business Ambition for 1.5C campaign  an urgent call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders  and is a signatory to The Climate Pledge, an initiative of business leaders co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. Signatories to the pledge commit to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040  ten years ahead of the goal set out in the United Nations' Paris Climate Agreement.

As a leader in the buildings space for more than 135 years, Johnson Controls has been a pioneer in sustainability and is ranked in the top 12 percent of climate leadership companies globally by CDP and was recently named to the World's Most Ethical Companies Honoree List and one of Corporate Knights' global 100 most Sustainable Companies. Recently George Oliver has been named Chairman of the Business Roundtable Energy and Environment Committee where he is driving policies that preserve the environment and maximize sustainable energy options.

To read more about Johnson Controls commitment to sustainability, please visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/corporate-sustainability/environment

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.

Johnson Controls International plc Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Johnson Controls International plc has made statements in this communication that are forward-looking and therefore are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements in this document other than statements of historical fact are, or could be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this communication, statements regarding Johnson Controls' environmental sustainability commitments are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "should," "forecast," "project" or "plan" and terms of similar meaning are also generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Johnson Controls cautions that these statements are subject to numerous important risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Johnson Controls' control, that could cause Johnson Controls' actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to: Johnson Controls' ability to manage general economic, business, capital market and geopolitical conditions, including the impacts of natural disasters, pandemics and outbreaks of contagious diseases and other adverse public health developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; the strength of the U.S. or other economies; changes or uncertainty in laws, regulations, rates, policies or interpretations that impact Johnson Controls' business operations or tax status; the ability to develop or acquire new products and technologies that achieve market acceptance; changes to laws or policies governing foreign trade, including increased tariffs or trade restrictions; maintaining the capacity, reliability and security of our enterprise and product information technology infrastructure; the risk of infringement or expiration of intellectual property rights; any delay or inability of Johnson Controls to realize the expected benefits and synergies of recent portfolio transactions such as its merger with Tyco and the disposition of the Power Solutions business; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; the ability to hire and retain key senior management; the tax treatment of recent portfolio transactions; significant transaction costs and/or unknown liabilities associated with such transactions; the availability of raw materials and component products; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; work stoppages, union negotiations, labor disputes and other matters associated with the labor force; the cancellation of or changes to commercial arrangements. A detailed discussion of risks related to Johnson Controls' business is included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Johnson Controls' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2020 fiscal year filed with the SEC on November 16, 2020, which is available at www.sec.gov and www.johnsoncontrols.com under the "Investors" tab. Shareholders, potential investors and others should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and should not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date of this document, unless otherwise specified, and, except as required by law, Johnson Controls assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this communication.

SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc

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Cone snails use sexual enticements to lure prey out of hiding

Cone snails aren't glamorous. They don't have svelte waistlines or jaw-dropping good looks. Yet, some of these worm-hunting gastropods are the femme fatales or lady killers of the undersea world, according to a new study conducted by an international team of researchers, including University of Utah Health scientists.

The researchers say the snails use a previously undetected set of small molecules that mimic the effects of worm pheromones to drive marine worms into a sexual frenzy, making it easier to lure them out of their hiding places so the snails can gobble them up.

"In essence, these cone snails have found a way to turn the natural sex drive of their prey into a lethal weapon," says Eric W. Schmidt, Ph.D., the study's senior author and a professor of medicinal chemistry at U of U Health. "What's exciting about this finding is that they are doing it using an interesting set of small molecules that could one day inspire the development of new types of medications to alleviate pain and other conditions."

The study appears in Science Advances.

Cone snails use a harpoon-like tooth at the end of their proboscis to inject venom into prey, instantly paralyzing them. Then, they slowly reel the immobilized animal into their mouths. For decades, scientists have been fascinated by this process. In particular, they're intrigued by the chemical makeup of various venoms the snails use to disable prey and are exploring ways to reconfigure these substances into useful human medications.

Most scientists have focused their research on cone snails that hunt fish. The venoms from these gastropods are mainly composed of tiny protein segments called peptides. These peptides can be used to develop drugs, However, because of their structural composition, they can only be used as injectable drugs and can't be taken orally.

In this new research, Schmidt and colleagues turned their attention to C. imperialis, a species of cone snail that primarily hunts Platynereis dumerili, more commonly known as a fire worm. The research team discovered that C. imperialis, or imperial cone, produces small chemicals that powerfully mimic the pheromones that trigger sexual activity in fire worms. The discovery of small molecules in the imperial cone could broaden the snail's usefulness in medical research since about 80 percent of drugs are derived from small molecules.

In laboratory experiments, one of these chemicals--called conazolium A--sparked mating behavior in female worms, causing them to swim in tight, tail-chasing circles before they released their eggs. Genuanine, a chemical akin to uric acid, had a similar effect on male fire worms, prompting them to eject their sperm.

The researchers aren't quite sure how this approach works in the wild, but they suspect that it could be a two-step process: First, the imperial cone exposes the fire worm to its fake sex pheromones, making it is easier to coax the worm out of its hiding spot (usually a coral reef). Then, like other cone snails, it harpoons the worm with a peptide-based venom to disable it.

But there's a catch: mature worms are only sexually active for a short time that coincides with a full moon.

"If you expose the worms when they are either immature or not sexually active, the mimic pheromones don't have any effect," says Joshua Torres, Ph.D., lead author of the study and a former U of U Health graduate student. "The snails have to use other hunting techniques in these incidences."

In fact, in their laboratory experiments, the researchers needed to use artificial moon light to induce sexual responses among the worms to cone snail pheromones. As a result, the researchers caution that how cone snails actually hunt in the wild and how these compounds fit into that quest remains largely unknown.

Moving forward, Schmidt and Torres are intrigued by the potential of using the small molecules produced by the imperial cone snail to lure worms out of hiding as a starting point for the development of new drugs.

###

This study, "Small-molecule Mimicry Hunting Strategy in the Imperial Cone Snail, Conus Imperialis," appears in Science Advances. In addition to Drs. Schmidt and Torres, University of Utah scientists Zhenjian Lin, Maren Watkins, Paula Florez Salcedo, Robert P. Baskin, Shireen Elhabian, Helena Safavi-Hemami, Dylan Taylor, Jortan Tun, Noel Saguil, Yixin Fang, and Bladomero M. Olivera contributed to this research. Other researchers involved in this study include those representing the University of Copenhagen, University of the Philippines, University of Hawaii, the University of Wollongong, and the Marine Biology Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The National Institutes of Health supported this study.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Puerto Rico wants to be a state: 52% of its residents said so in a locally-sponsored plebiscite in November 2020.

Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat from New Mexico, affirmed that choice when he introduced a Puerto Rico statehood bill in January. Last November, a majority of Puerto Ricans voted in favor of statehood and for full voting representation in Congress, Heinrich wrote in a statement. It is long past due for the millions of American citizens living in Puerto Rico to get the representation they deserve.

Only three of Heinrichs Democratic colleagues have signed on to his bill and New Yorks senior senator, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, was not among them. Schumer and 38 of his Democratic colleagues did endorse the D.C. Statehood Admissions Act. Schumer is all in on statehood for D.C., but seemingly lukewarm on giving Puerto Rico the same consideration.

The reasons for this should be called out, challenged and scrutinized. In a September 2020 interview on MSNBC, Schumer detailed some of what he hoped to accomplish as the new Senate Democratic Majority Leader. On D.C. & Puerto Rico, particularly if Puerto Rico votes for it. D.C. already has voted for it and wants it. Would love to make them states, he said.

In November, 52.5% of Puerto Rican voters endorsed statehood. Six weeks later, Schumer moved the goalposts. He told El Nuevo Dia, Puerto Ricos largest daily newspaper, that 52.5% of the vote did not reflect the strong majority required to advance a statehood bill. There is still no consensus. There is division, he said. Im waiting for a consensus to develop. So now Puerto Rico has to vote for statehood in big numbers like D.C. to win his support?

Democrats in Puerto Rico expressed disappointment after learning of his remarks. They wondered why he was backtracking his pledge to support statehood if the people chose that option. You cant ask the people of Puerto Rico to vote and then ignore what they democratically decide with their ballots, wrote Puerto Rico Democratic Party Chairman, Charles Rodriguez, in a letter to Schumer.

Schumer is proposing an artificial threshold to judge the validity of an election. Trying to nullify and discredit an election because the majority results are low is a questionable proposition.

Consider the following: The U.S. Senate just passed a $1.9 billion Covid Relief Bill by a one vote majority. The final vote was a tie: 50 v. 50. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat from Washington Heights told El Nuevo Dias Podcast from Washington that a 52.5% majority was not large enough to advance a statehood bill. Espaillat won the Democratic primary for his congressional seat in 2016 with just 36% of the vote.

Rep. Nydia Velazquez, a longtime statehood opponent from Manhattans Lower East Side, won the Democratic primary in the first contest for her congressional seat in 1992 with 33% of the vote.

Dont these low numbers invalidate the legitimacy of these elections, according to Schumers logic? Where is the outcry deploring the lack of a consensus or strong majority? Why is some unspecified supermajority threshold being selectively used in an election in Puerto Rico?

Political status requires a different sort of calculus, according to those like Velazquez, who are working to ensure their own version of a fair and inclusive self-determination process, in which a convention whose delegates are selected by Puerto Rican voters would decide the islands fate. The finality of a vote for statehood requires a larger-than-usual majority because the consequences of such a vote are irreversible, they argue.

But is that a compelling enough reason to delay congressional consideration of the status option chosen by the majority? We lament it when folks don't exercise the franchise, but we don't negate the votes of those who do. Nor do we nullify the results of those elections because the losing side decides to selectively question the percentage of votes won by the winning side.

So why is Schumer eager to implement D.C.s status preference through a statehood bill while finding reasons to block Puerto Ricos?
Phuket expats will be vaccinated, officials confirm

PHUKET: Expats throughout Phuket will be offered COVID vaccinations under the governments mass-vaccination rollout now underway in Phuket, a leading Phuket official confirmed today (Mar 31).

COVID-19healthtourismeconomics

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 31 March 2021, 06:55PM

The new online form to register to receive a COVID vaccination was launched today (Mar 31). Image: PPHO

Dr Chalermpong, Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, delivered the news during a press conference broadcast live online earlier today.

As director of the islands leading government hospital on the island, Dr Chalermpong is a key member of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee, which is responsible for drafting and implementing all COVID-19 policies in Phuket.

In April and May, we will receive Sinovac vaccines while in June, we will receive Astrazeneca, which can be provided to those who are older than 60 years old, Dr Chalermpong said.

To be clear, at this stage, all people on the island who are older than 18 years old but younger than 60 years old are eligible to be vaccinated, including people registered as living in Phuket, those who are from other provinces, and foreigners, he added.

The first 100,000 doses of vaccine [to be delivered in April] will be provided to people registered as living in Phuket and workers in the tourism industry who are from other provinces, Dr Chalermpong explained.

Workers in other industries and expats [sic] will be vaccinated in the following lot, he said.

Of note, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) today launched a new online form for people to apply to be vaccinated under the government rollout.

In its post announcing the new form, which is still in Thai-language only, the PPHO noted, For people over 60 years old, register in May.

People with further queries were asked to call 094-5935342 or 094-5938876.

NO WALK-INS, FOR NOW

During the live broadcast today, Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong urged people to not approach any hospitals or government offices asking to register in person.

For those who may not have a smartphone and want to walk-in and register face to face, please calm down and wait first, as at this stage, we are working on online registration only, he said.

From tomorrow on [Apr 1], please keep following up on this. I will find a chance to clarify about this later, he added.

TOURISM OPERATORS FIRST

Vice Governor Piyapong also called for all tourism business operators to register their staff to be vaccinated so they can get priority in the vaccination rollout.

All people have to work and cooperate together to accomplish our goal, which is to vaccinate about 70% of our people. For the [next] 50,000 people to be vaccinated, we need cooperation from operators and connections to call their workers to be vaccinated, he said.

We need representatives from businesses to collect their staff names to be vaccinated. We have some operators registered, but the number of workers is still far from the total number of vaccines we will receive, he said.

Worrapol Uengsakul, one of the officials tasked with overseeing the online registration, said that the immediate priority were two groups: people working in Phukets tourism industry, and people registered as living in Phuket.

The first group is tourism operators  hotels, tour operators, activities operators, department stores. They must register under the name of a company registered in Phuket. HR staff [human resources] have to collect their workers details and submit the list of names via the site, he said.

A special form has been made available for business operators to submit their details, he added. (See here.)

HR staff have to register as a member of the site first, then download an Excel file, add staff information, and submit the list to the site, Mr Worrapol explained.

The second group is those who are registered as living in Phuket. The registration system opened from 10am today, he said.

Again, a special form just for registered Phuket residents to complete has been made available, he added. (See here.)

The form for Phuket-registered people is similar to the Google Form that the PPHO used to open for registration earlier. Those who had registered through the previous form do not have to do it again, as we have already collected the names and added them to our site, Mr Worrapol said.

At this stage, about 700 operators have been registered with about 20,000 workers to be vaccinated, he added.

For questions, please add our Line account by searching @155lmkob, he added.
MBABANE - If you are a student aspiring to study medicine, be informed that chances of getting a government scholarship are slim.

This was confirmed by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Thulani Mkhaliphi, in an interview yesterday. Mkhaliphi was sought for clarity following a concern raised by some aspiring medicine students, who visited the ministry seeking scholarships. The students shared with this publication that the ministry warned them against flocking the medicine course as government was not prioritising the programme this year. The medicine programme was highlighted in this years priority list and the explanation we got was that it has been removed from the priority programmes. We were told that we should be prepared to pay should we wish to enrol for medicine, said one of the aspiring students.

Confirmed

Asked about the concerns raised by the students, Mkhaliphi confirmed that the medicine course had been highlighted on the priority list. However, he stated that highlighting the programme did not mean government had completely removed the course as a priority. By highlighting the programme, we were trying to explain that the validity expired in 2020.

As a result, government has engaged a consultant, who is currently looking at all skills in the market. Government will be using the outcomes of the study in awarding scholarships this year, he said.

Mkhaliphi stated that the ministry was trying to explain to the students that government would be considering job opportunities for every course when awarding scholarships. Government will not award scholarships where chances of employment are very slim. We have many medicine students who are queuing for internships in the countrys facilities. A recent study has shown that there were about 60 medicine students queuing for internships in the country. This number adds to the about 100 medicine students, who are currently on training, he said. He added that he was signing medicine scholarships when called yesterday.

He said there was a need to clean the system to make sure that medicine students got internships and employment as soon as they completed the course.
A 38-year-old Malawian truck driver is battling for life at Musina General Hospital in South Africa after he was shot in the head on Monday by two armed robbers.

The duo allegedly pounced on his vehicle along the N1 highway while he waited to be cleared for passage into the border.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said anyone with information about the suspects should contact the Musina Station Commander Colonel Mukwevho on 002782 759 4931 or the Crime Stop number 0027860010111.

The police in Musina are appealing for information that will assist in tracing the suspects who, today Monday 29 March 2021, allegedly shot the truck driver and robbed him of an undisclosed amount of money as well as a cell phone along the N1 road next to the weighbridge, he said.

Two unknown suspects, one armed with a firearm, allegedly arrived at the truck and suddenly demanded money from the driver.

Brig Mojapelo said the duo then shot and robbed him and fled into the bushes. He said the injured victim was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

Truck drivers are now spending relatively more time in queues on both the Zimbabwean and South African components of the border.

According to authorities in both countries, the volume of commercial trucks using Beitbridge started to increase late last year with transporters now avoiding the Botswana transit route due to very strict Covid-19 screening measures.

They said Botswana is retesting everyone entering or leaving through its borders even if the travellers have Covid-19 clearance certificates from their point of departure.

As a result, the truckers who used to cross from Zambia, Malawi, Angola, and DRC to South Africa through Groblersbrug Border are now using Beitbridge.

South Africas Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said recently that in December 2019, 6 706 trucks went through Groblersbrug compared to 2 968 trucks last year during the same period.

This means only 45 percent of the total number of trucks processed last year went through Groblersbrug. In contrast, 19 800 trucks went through Beitbridge in December 2019, compared to 21 800 by December 27, 2020.

A simple analysis will show that Groblersbrug had 3 738 fewer trucks last year compared to 2019, and at least 2 000 of these trucks found their way to Beitbridge, hence the congestion, said the Minister.

Through the Inter-border Agencies, Zimbabwe and South Africa have been giving priority clearance to critical cargo to decongest the borders.

Under the current Covid-19 regulations in Zimbabwe and South Africa, commercial truck drivers should have clearance certificates valid for 30 days, while those using light commercial vehicles (rigid trucks) must retest after every 14 days. Chronicle
Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg wants the Morrison government to redeploy an emergency scheme introduced at the height of pandemic letting workers withdraw $20,000 from their superannuation for other purposes such as first home deposits. In a speech to be delivered at a launch for Arch Capital founder Nigel Bakers new book The Super Secret on Thursday evening, Senator Bragg says the federal governments early access scheme had been one of the most successful policies of the coronavirus recession. The policy allowed struggling workers who had lost hours or been made unemployed during the crisis to access up to $10,000 twice from their funds. Senator Andrew Bragg. Credit:Peter Braig Between April 20 last year and January 31, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority recorded $36.4 billion worth of payments to 3.5 million people under the scheme. The superannuation system is worth about $3 trillion in total. It was hotly contested by Labor and the super industry but it worked. It was a success for two main reasons: firstly, it helped Australians improve their personal balance sheets, and secondly it drove engagement with super, Senator Bragg said.

By breaking the seal of preservation and allowing people to access their own money Australians realised super wasnt monopoly money that fell out of the sky only to be locked away and eaten by fees and junk insurance, he said. We should consider using this scheme again in future but for targeted policies. Loading One of the ways he thinks this could be used is for future crises or other situations leaving households in severe financial stress. Currently, people can apply to the Australian Taxation Office for early access to their super on compassionate grounds for the coverage of some medical treatments, which has allowed some people to pay for IVF, weight loss surgeries and other treatments using their retirement funds. They can also apply directly to their funds in cases of financial hardship. Senator Braggs suggestions will rile the superannuation industry, which has been advertising on free-to-air television to publicly raise concerns the government is meddling over the possibility of a backflip on the currently legislated rise in the super guarantee from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent by 2025. Industry Super Australia has previously warned letting first-home buyers tap into super for a deposit will result in higher property prices and would harm the growth of peoples retirement savings due to the loss of compound interest. Senator Braggs book on superannuation, Bad Egg: How To Fix Super, recommended the expansion of the governments existing First Home Super Saver Accounts scheme to allow first-time buyers to not only tap into additional contributions but mandatory super payments. Liberal MP Tim Wilson recently launched a Home First Super Second campaign to drum up support for letting young renters tap into super to help them buy a property.
The CW's highly-anticipated Powerpuff Girls live-action reboot has found the title characters' creator in Donald Faison.

The 46-year-old actor has signed on to portray Professor Utonium, a scientist who created the Powerpuff Girls, according to Deadline.

He joins Chloe Bennet (Blossom), Dove Cameron (Bubbles) and Yana Perreault (Buttercup) as the title characters.

New role: The CW's highly-anticipated Powerpuff Girls live-action reboot has found the title characters' creator in Donald Faison

Professor: The 46-year-old actor has signed on to portray Professor Utonium, a scientist who created the Powerpuff Girls, according to Deadline

Title characters: He joins Chloe Bennet (Blossom), Dove Cameron (Bubbles) and Yana Perreault (Buttercup) as the title characters.

Professor Drake Utonium is described as, 'quirky, debonair and a pinch narcissistic,' who created the Powerpuff Girls after accidentally dropping a mysterious substance, known only as 'Chemical X' into his formula for the 'perfect little girl.'

The result was the Powerpuff Girls, who all have superhuman abilities which they used to become pint-sized crimefighters as children.

Despite never legally 'adopting' the girls, he's widely considered to be their father, who is quite proud of all they have accomplished.

Quirky: Professor Drake Utonium is described as, 'quirky, debonair and a pinch narcissistic,' who created the Powerpuff Girls after accidentally dropping a mysterious substance, known only as 'Chemical X' into his formula for the 'perfect little girl'

Crimefighters: The result was the Powerpuff Girls, who all have superhuman abilities which they used to become pint-sized crimefighters as children

The show picks up with all of the girls as 'disillusioned twentysomethings' who now resent losing their entire childhood to fighting crime.

Their relationship with Utonium is quite strained, with the Professor, in the midst of his own midlife crisis, becoming determined to repair his relationships with the girls.

The girls must also decide whether or not to reunite and go back to crimefighting at a time when the world needs them the most.

Lost childhood: The show picks up with all of the girls as 'disillusioned twentysomethings' who now resent losing their entire childhood to fighting crime

Diablo Cody (Juno) and Heather Regnier (SMILF) created the live-action reboot, based on the beloved animated series created by Craig McCracken.

The original show won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation and ran on Cartoon Network for six seasons from 1998 to 2005.

The live-action remake will be executive produced by Cody and Regnier, alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden and Kiley.

Creator: Diablo Cody (left, Juno) and Heather Regnier (SMILF) created the live-action reboot, based on the beloved animated series created by Craig McCracken.

Emmy winning: The original show won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation and ran on Cartoon Network for six seasons from 1998 to 2005

Faison was most recently seen in Church People, alongside Stephen Baldwin and Joey Fatone, which debuted earlier this month.

He also stars as Fletch in the claymation series Blark and Son, along with voicing roles in a number of animated TV projects like Robot Chicken and Star Wars Resistance.

He also starred in the film Embattled and the TV series Emergence.
"Bell Projections," the new CD by guitarist/bassist Aaron Germain. I'd be delighted to hear traditional guitar quartets interpret these pieces in the future.

Aaron Germains aptitude for both string instruments and haunting compositions reaches stunning new heights with "Bell Projections," set for a May 14 release on his own Aaron Germain Music imprint. The albums 17 pieces were written and arranged for guitar quartetbut on the recording, its Germain who plays all four guitar parts.

It was never intended as a solo showcase. Best known as a bassist, Germains ambition was to challenge himself as a composer. I was downloading tons of classical guitar quartet music, sorting through all of it and listening to it like crazy, looking for holes in the repertoire, he recalls. Yet the real difficulty turned out to be finding guitarists to learn and play the complex music in time for a recording session.

Thats when Germain decided that recording all the parts himself was the easiest route (although woodshedding on acoustic, soprano and bass guitar, electric and upright bass, and guiro could hardly be called easy). To accompany his one-man quartet, he enlisted a collective of 15 musicians, who appear in various combinations across the album.

Inevitably, however, Germain and his guitars are the heart and soul of "Bell Projections." Whether he is alone in the spotlight, as on the delicate Regarding Raistlin (for Elizabeth Germain), duetting with oboist Paul McCandless (Hush) or drummer Deszon X. Claiborne (Resident Eject), or engaging with the flute trio of Robert Farrington, Chloe Jane Scott, and Nestor Torres on the luxuriant Peruvian-inspired piece Breath Marks, it is his beautiful touch and sly (self-) interaction that commands the listeners attention.

As if his resourcefulness wasnt already beyond question, Germain crafted each of his compositions with distinct personalities. Whereas Brazilian music gives shape to Toitoisho (for Hotoshi Oyasu), its Latin funk that animates Gutter Sass, while jazz harmonies and phrasing enliven Pin Untended and classical articulation resounds through SubEthos. "Bell Projections" is thus a remarkable testament to Germains embodiment of that famous line of Walt Whitmans: I am large, I contain multitudes.

Aaron Germain was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1977, and began his musical journey at 15 when he picked up a guitar. However, it soon became apparent that learning to play bass would afford him wider and steadier work. He continued playing both, but gradually the bass became his primary ax. That focus only intensified when, as a 19-year-old student at Massachusetts Hampshire College, Germain studied with Yusef Lateef. The legendary jazz multi-instrumentalist was impressed enough to hire the young bassist for a gig, a major turning point in Germains creative life. He went all in on enhancing his own skills; in addition, he deepened his repertoire with excursions into Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian jazz, salsa, Indian, and Senegalese and other Western African musical traditions.

By the time he relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2000, Germain was highly skilled in numerous styles of music. He quickly became one of the most in-demand musicians on his new scene. In 2009, he made "Before You Go," his first album as a leader, following it up in 2013 with "Chance."

The eight-year gap between Chance and Bell Projections reflects the herculean effort that went into the creation of the new album. Germain spent six of those years studying the guitar quartet repertoire, writing the intricate music in four parts, then learning and recording those parts on the various varieties of guitar and bass. The degree of his labor, he says, is audible. Classical guitarists play with their fingernails, he observes. I recorded without nails, because they dont work with bass, which is my everyday gigging instrument. I strike the strings with the skin of my fingertips, but I have bass player calluses. Id be delighted to hear traditional guitar quartets interpret these pieces in the future.
A seven-year-old boy has been charged with rape after an alleged incident on Thanksgiving in upstate New York.

New York State Police charged the unidentified child, of Brasher Falls near the US-Canada border, with third-degree rape on March 23, according to WWNY.

The boy was released and will reportedly be tried as a juvenile delinquent.

Authorities said the incident was first reported on November 26.

No further details have been released about the incident or about the age of the alleged victim.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the New York State Police for comment.

A seven-year-old boy has been charged with rape after an alleged incident that took place on Thanksgiving in Brasher Falls, upstate New York

It is also not clear what relation, if any, the suspect and the victim are to one another but police said the case will be handled in Family Court.

A Queens attorney who handles youth defense cases slammed authorities as 'absurd' for bringing the charges against the 7-year-old and said he believes it is almost an 'impossibility' that they will stick.

'Instinctually, it shouldn't happen that a 7 year old - I don't think you even could really realize what you're doing at 7 years old,' said Anthony Martone.

'So I think it's absurd to charge a 7 year old with rape. They'd have to prove he actually physically committed this act, which to me it almost seems to be an impossibility.'

Under current New York state law, children aged 7 and over can be arrested and prosecuted as juvenile delinquents.

Queens attorney Anthony Martone (pictured) who handles youth defense cases slammed authorities as 'absurd' for bringing the charges against the 7-year-old and said be believes it is almost an 'impossibility' that they will stick

Lawmakers are currently trying to pass a bill through Albany to increase the minimum age to 12 following a string of controversial arrests of young children.

In February, shocking footage surfaced of a 9-year-old black girl being pepper-sprayed by cops in Rochester as she begged 'please don't do this to me' and 'it burns.'

The video of the January 29 incident showed the handcuffed girl in the back of a police car crying as cops told her: 'You did it to yourself.'

The incident sparked an uproar and renewed calls to raise the minimum age of criminal prosecution statewide.

Public defender groups calling for change also point to a 2015 incident where a 10-year-old Bronx boy, known only as AW, was arrested by the NYPD after his 2-year-old sister suffered burns when he placed her on a radiator.

The boy was handcuffed and taken to a police precinct where he was interrogated by police alone.
Indonesian FM Retno Marsudi and DM Prabowo Subianto pose with Japanese FM Toshimitsu Motegi and DM Kishi Nobuo at a signing ceremony for the

Tokyo [Japan], March 31 (ANI): Amid China's rising aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan and Indonesia have signed a deal enabling exports of Japanese-made defence equipment to the Southeast Asian country to boost cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology was signed on Tuesday, after the foreign and defence ministers of Japan and Indonesia met in Tokyo for so-called two-plus-two talks, the second of their kind between the two countries since 2015, The Japan Times reported.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he hopes the pact will be the "foundation of further security cooperation between the two countries," when he met Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto.

"To realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, I'd like to advance specific cooperation," Suga added.

Noting the importance of the accord, Natalie Sambhi, executive director of Verve Research was quoted as saying by South China Morning Post that "Indonesia may not be able to confront China with numbers of ships from its coastguard or its navy, but I think having advanced equipment and exercise from countries like Japan could at least give it a sense of confidence when the moment comes."

Japan is troubled by Chinese coast guard ships' entry into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Meanwhile, Indonesia faces tensions in its exclusive economic zone in the north of the Natuna Islands, where Chinese fishing boats, are reportedly engaged in illegal fishing.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has overlapping territorial claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

China has been increasing its maritime activities in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea over the past few months, partly in response to Beijing's concerns over the increasing US military presence in the region because of escalating Sino-US tensions.

Beijing's rising assertiveness against counter claimants in the East and South Sea has resulted in unprecedented agreement across the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
Ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Coimbatore to address the BJP's rally. While speaking at the rally in Coimbatore, the BJP leader attacked DMK for its leader's disrespectful comments (referring to DMK leader A Raja's comments on TN CM EPS's mother). He said, "When we look at the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu, we find that they insult mothers and use filthy language for them. Those who can't respect women, can't have the right to come to power."

When we look at the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu, we find that they insult mothers and use filthy language for them. Those who can't respect women, can't have the right to come to power: UP CM & BJP leader Yogi Adityanath in Coimbatore#TamilNaduElections pic.twitter.com/y2RWtvbTJ9  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

Meanwhile, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP A Raja, who made derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his mother, on Wednesday, March 31, explained that he had compared MK Stalin and Palaniswami through a "simili" as "newborn babies."

Also, hailing the Modi-government's defence achievement in Coimbatore, UP CM Yogi Adityanath recalled defence corridor made in the region, because of which, wing commander Abhinandan combated Pakistan. He said, "PM Modi, the then defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman established a defence corridor in Coimbatore as a result of which Tamil Nadu's wing commander Abhinandan combated Pakistan when India did a surgical strike on it to protect its border."

DMK leader A Raja issues clarification over his comment against CM EPS's mother

In his statement to Election Commission, DMK leader said, "In Tamil oratory, simili is a well-accepted norm. In my speech, evolution of the political heights and their means of MK Stalin and Edappadi Palaniswami were compared by me through a simili as newborn babies for the easy understanding of the common mass."

To further clarify his statement, the DMK leader said, "This was in response to the repeated allegations of CM that MK Stalin has never worked hard to become the leader. Hence, if the full text is considered by the committee, I am hopeful that it will wipe out the insult & consequent injury inflicted on me."

On March 30, the EC demanded an explanation from DMK leader A Raja regarding his remarks about Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami's mother. He had been given a time till 6 pm on March 31 to provide a clarification.

In his speech, A Raja hailed DMK Chief Stalin for his political growth and called him a "healthy born child". Whereas, in his derogatory remarks, he called CM Palaniswami "a preterm baby born out of an illegitimate relationship." During an election rally in Chennai, EPS got emotional and cried over such remarks on his late mother for political benefits.

Tamil Nadu will go on polls on April 6 for the 234-member assembly. The counting of votes will be done on May 2.

(with inputs from ANI) (Picture Credit: ANI)
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The global mixed reality in healthcare market is projected to show significant growth over the forecast period. It is estimated that the global mixed reality in healthcare market is expected to register a CAGR 26.3% during the forecast period of 2019 to 2024, with an estimated market value of USD 2,475 million in 2018.

Mixed Reality (MR) is an amalgamation of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), defining the polar ends of a spectrum known as virtuality spectrum or mixed reality spectrum. Augmented reality delivers digital components, whereas virtual reality enables immersive imitation of real-life settings. MR has widespread applications in different fields of healthcare, varying from treatment to training and education. The global mixed reality in healthcare market is fueled by factors such as rapid improvements in the adoption of sensor technology, increase in the user acceptance, increased applications of MR in disease care and treatment, and increasing workload of healthcare professionals. Additionally, the benefits of MR systems such as operational efficiency, increased service quality, and reduced human effort is also projected to drive the growth of the mixed reality in healthcare market. For instance, in 2018, Samsung completed a randomized control trial that showed that VR therapy reduces pain by 52%.

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On the other hand, the lack of adequate skill among medical practitioners, high investment costs, occurrences of technical glitches and the concern related to loss of data is likely to curb the growth of the market during the assessment period. Nevertheless, changes in regulatory policies are expected to reduce the impact of barriers over the forecast period.

Moreover, major companies in the market are involved in strategic acquisitions and collaborations to brace their position in the market. For instance, in March 2018, Samsung announced a partnership with Travelers Insurance, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Bayer, and AppliedVR to study a virtual reality for pain management.

Players Covered:

Some of the key players in the global mixed reality in healthcare market are Mindmaze, Atheer, Augmedix, Firsthand Technology, Daqri, Medical Realities, Google, Microsoft, Echopixel, Oculus VR, Orca Health, Psious, Samsung Electronics, Surgical Theatre LLC, and Osso VR.

Mixed Reality in Healthcare Market  Segments

The global mixed reality in healthcare market has been segmented into component, device type, application, and end user.

The market, based on component, has been segmented into software, hardware, and service. The software segment is expected to hold a major share due to the increased accessibility of software to the users, whereas the hardware segment is projected to be the fastest growing segment owing to ease of availability of hardware components.

The market, by device type, has been segmented into augmented reality in healthcare and virtual reality in healthcare. The AR in healthcare segment is expected to hold a major share due to the increased application of AR for the attenuation of pain perception, whereas VR in healthcare segment is anticipated to be the fastest growing segment owing to rise in awareness and increased research in this field. The market, by augmented reality in healthcare, has been further segmented into head-mounted display (HMD), and handheld device. The market, by virtual reality in healthcare, has been segmented into head-mounted display (HMD), gesture tracking devices, projectors, and others.

Mixed Reality in Healthcare Industry, by application, has been segmented into surgery simulation, surgery, patient care management, pharmacy care management, fitness management, and others. The surgery simulation segment is expected to hold a major share owing to the increasing use of MR tools for training surgeons due to the anatomically realistic recreations. The segment of surgery is expected to be the fastest growing segment due to the increased patient population in recent years.

The market, by end user, has been segmented into hospital and surgical centers, research organizations, and others. The segment of hospital and surgical centers is projected to hold a major share due to the rise in the hospitals switching to MR systems, whereas the segment of research organizations is expected to be the fastest growing segment due to the increased research initiatives.

The market has been segmented, by region, into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The mixed reality in healthcare market in the Americas has further been segmented into North America and Latin America, with the North American market divided into the US and Canada. The European mixed reality in healthcare market has been segmented into Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe has further been classified as Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Western Europe. The mixed reality in healthcare market in Asia-Pacific has been segmented into Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The mixed reality in healthcare market in the Middle East & Africa has been segmented into the Middle East and Africa.

Regional Wise Analysis:

Geographically, the Americas is expected to dominate the global mixed reality in healthcare market due to the increasing per capita healthcare expenditure, and the heavy adoption of new technology. According to the research published in 2016 by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, it was estimated that if all US hospitals increased the number of minimally invasive procedures by 50%, nearly 3,600 complications could be avoided annually. Furthermore, rising expenses in research and investment by healthcare bodies are anticipated to drive the growth of the market in this region.

Europe showed a considerable amount of growth in the global mixed reality in healthcare market. The market growth in this region is because of the presence of a well-established healthcare system and increase in chronic diseases.

Asia-Pacific is expected to have a sturdy growth rate during the forecast period owing to the huge patient pool and government initiatives of healthcare reforms. In 2016, as a part of an ongoing neurosurgical collaboration between Childrens Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Childrens of Alabama Hospital, a Virtual Interactive Presence and Augmented Reality (VIPAR) telecommunication system was implemented at both hospitals to provide intraoperative assistance to medical professionals. However, less capital investment is restricting the market growth of this region.

On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa has the least share of the market due to the low disposable income. Moreover, limited access to treatment facilities is also expected to curb the growth of the market in the near future.

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Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
UN Networks to Facilitate Migration Stir Concern

The United Nations role in immigration policy is growing worldwide with the establishment of a U.N. Network for Migration in dozens of countries to facilitate large migratory flows, sparking alarm among American border-security advocates already concerned about mass migration and the escalating crisis at the U.S.Mexico border.

The U.N. networks, which are led by a coalition of U.N. agencies, exist to support the implementation of the controversial Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) adopted by the U.N. and over 150 of its member states in December 2018.

Among other goals, the global agreement aims to facilitate the expansion of what the U.N. describes as regular migration, providing more legal pathways for would-be immigrants seeking to resettle in wealthier countries such as the United States.

While the U.S. government hasnt been formally involved in the U.N. efforts of recent years to transform global migration policy, that may be changing, multiple sources told The Epoch Times.

Under the new administration, the U.S. government has attended several GCM regional reviews, reviewing progress on implementation of the compact in all the regions of the world, Florence Kim, communications coordinator for the U.N. Network on Migration, told The Epoch Times.

This is great because even though the U.S. did not talk about any progress, they said that they would engage much more and they said they are reconsidering all the discussions, and they are willing to participate much more in these forums, said Kim, who serves as a spokesperson for the U.N. effort.

The U.S. State Department didnt respond to phone or email requests by The Epoch Times for comment by press time.

The U.N.s refugee agency said it already works closely with U.S. government agencies and [non-governmental organizations] responsible for resettling refugees in the U.S. It added that the U.S. program is the largest in the world.

In 2018, citing concerns over sovereignty and the interests of the American people, the Trump administration rejected U.S. involvement in the U.N.s signature immigration effort to date, the GCM. Numerous governments in Europe and beyond followed suit.

However, the Biden administration is warming up to the international agreement and becoming more involved in the process, even sending U.S. representatives to regional meetings on the compact, the U.N. official told The Epoch Times.

The growing U.N. push on global migration, combined with ongoing changes in immigration policy between the Trump and Biden administrations, has numerous U.S. organizations dedicated to border security very concerned.

In interviews with The Epoch Times, several leading figures in the immigration debate spoke out against the migration networks and the U.N.s effort to get the U.S. government officially involved.

Instead, they insisted that U.S. immigration laws created by Americans elected representatives be enforced and strengthened, and that the world body be kept out of U.S. immigration policy.

Our view is that this is a domestic policy issue, said Ira Mehlman, media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a leading immigration-focused organization that seeks to slow the flow of newcomers.

When you add the United Nations to what should be a domestic issue, the end product is something that youre not going to want to consume, Mehlman told The Epoch Times in a phone interview, echoing widespread concerns among immigration-policy advocates about the U.N.s efforts to get more involved.

UN Pleased With Bidens Actions

So far, the Biden administration hasnt publicly made any concrete moves to join the U.N. Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration which was rejected by Bidens predecessor.

However, the administrations actions on the issue have been praised by the U.N. and its International Organization for Migration, which is leading the charge to promote the GCM.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) applauds President Joe Bidens plans to address the drivers of migration and advance safe, orderly, and regular migration in the region, the U.N. organization said in a statement released in early February, using the precise language of the global migration pact.

The Biden administrations executive actions on immigration will provide a framework to expand refugee resettlement, the U.N. IOM said in reference to Bidens orders increasing the cap on refugees to over 120,000 per year from less than 20,000.

The U.N. agency also boasted that it had already assisted the United States with case processing, pre-departure health assessments, cultural orientation and transportation of migrants from Central America.

IOM looks forward to working with the Biden administration  to foster the positive opportunities and impacts of regular migration for individuals and their families as well as for the communities and societies with which they are affiliated, the statement reads.

As soon as Biden took office, the U.N. suggested that the U.S. government should reengage in the U.N.s international efforts on global migration.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, for example, issued a statement on Bidens first day expressing hope that the new administration would join the GCM.

This partnership is needed now more than ever as we seek to provide assistance, protection, and sustainable solutions to the displacement of record numbers of people who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of conflict, violence, or disaster, or are migrating in the hopes of finding a better life for themselves and their families, said the statement issued by Guterress office.

The U.N.s top refugee official, High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, anticipated closer cooperation with the Biden administration as soon as it took office.

We look forward to deepening the strong and trusted partnership with the United States, and to working with the new administration and Congress to address the many challenges of forced displacement around the world, Grandi said on Jan. 20.

Trump-Led Global Opposition

Under the Trump administration, which sought to reduce illegal immigration and some forms of legal immigration into the United States in favor of merit-based programs, the U.N. efforts to boost its involvement in migration policy received a cold shoulder.

It represented a clean break from the Obama administration, which in 2016 played a key role in the U.N.s New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants that eventually led to the GCM negotiated at a December 2018 summit in Morocco.

President Donald Trump blasted the effort. Indeed, a forceful statement released by the State Department on Dec. 7, 2018, slammed the GCM as a flagrant attack on sovereignty that was unacceptable to the United States.

The Compact and the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, which called for the development of the Compact and commits to strengthening global governance for international migration, contain goals and objectives that are inconsistent and incompatible with U.S. law, policy, and the interests of the American people, the State Department said, adding that the U.S. government objected to and would not be bound by the U.N. deal.

The United States proclaims and reaffirms its belief that decisions about how to secure its borders, and whom to admit for legal residency or to grant citizenship, are among the most important sovereign decisions a State can make, and are not subject to negotiation, or review, in international instruments, it stated, adding that the U.S. government would maintain the sovereign right to control its borders.

Beyond that, the Trump administration said the efforts represented an attempt by the U.N. to advance global governance at the expense of the sovereign right of States to manage their immigration systems in accordance with their national laws, policies, and interests.

While the United States honors the contributions of the many immigrants who helped build our nation, we cannot support a Compact or process that imposes or has the potential to impose international guidelines, standards, expectations, or commitments that might constrain our ability to make decisions in the best interests of our nation and citizens, the State Department said before outlining a large number of specific criticisms of the GCM.

Among other concerns, the Trump administration said the U.N. compact was a threat to free expression, immigration enforcement, American workers, and even a proper understanding of rights.

Aside from an apparently automated message indicating she was on leave until March 29, Leslie Marshall with the press office of the U.S. Bureau of Global Public Affairs didnt respond to repeated requests for comment about the State Departments current position.

Numerous other governments that declined to participate also warned that the U.N. agreement sought to increase the flow of immigration into Western nations, usurp the sovereignty of national governments in determining policy, and even redefine migration as a human right.

Following Trumps lead, dozens of nations and governments decided against adopting the U.N. compact, including Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Austria, Israel, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Latvia, Poland, Australia, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Chile, and more.

It cannot  be that any formulations are adopted that could perhaps or possibly be interpreted to mean that migration can be a human right, Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache said at the time. That can and must not be the case.

Other European leaders warned that the U.N.s efforts would exacerbate the migration crisis in Europe while encouraging even more mass migration.

In the end, only about 150 governmentsmostly governments of nations sending rather than receiving migrantsjoined the compact.

Over 40 governments, including many of the top destinations for migrants, declined to support the U.N. deal.

GCM Via Backdoor?

However, even without having supported the U.N. GCM, its policies and objectives are quietly being implemented in nations where authorities rejected the agreement.

Without naming specific governments, U.N. Network on Migration Communications Coordinator Kim told The Epoch Times that most of the governments that declined to participate or approve the U.N. agreement were nonetheless implementing its common sense provisions.

You dont need to adopt the GCM to actually implement it, she said. They will implement it at their own rhythm.

Sometimes it can be politically sensitive, so countries [governments] did not adopt it, said Kim, who works at the U.N.s offices in Geneva, but a majority of those countries are implementing at least some parts of it.

The United States is actually surrounded by nations where governments are enthusiastic supporters of the U.N. effort; in fact, the governments of both Mexico and Canada are considered champions of the GCM, Kim said.

Mexico has agreed and requested to pilot some tools developed by the U.N. agencies through the Network for Migration, Kim said, adding that the Mexican government served as co-facilitator of the negotiations.

They know how relevant migration is for their own country, so they know they need to manage it better, to make sure those crossing the country or leaving from Mexico are protected.

The fact that Mexico can be supported by the U.N. in protecting migrants leaving or crossing can have an impact on the United States.

We are talking about international migration here, so anything implemented by one country has an impact on neighboring countries.

To the north, Canada is also a GCM champion country, she said.

Canada has been implementing quite a lot, they are quite progressive in this sense, meaning that their policies are much more gender-responsive, they are quite active in the integration of migrants, she said.

All of that will have an effect on America, she said.

The U.S. is a bit surrounded by GCM champion countries and the latest declarations from the U.S. representatives show there is a real willingness to improve migration management and make sure that migrants in the U.S. are protected and included, Kim said. This will benefit the whole population.

UN Migration Networks

As part of the implementation of the GCM, the U.N. has set up Migration Networks in about 40 countries so far. Most recently, the U.N. announced the creation of a network in Iraq, one of the nations sending large numbers of migrants into the West.

In a statement, a deputy special representative of Guterres said the network would coordinate U.N. support to improve migration governance in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also referred to as U.N. Agenda 2030, represent a comprehensive global effort to reform governance and the economy to be more in line with what the U.N. considers to be sustainable.

The Chinese Communist Party boasted that it played a crucial role in the SDG plan, which U.N. leaders said represents a master plan for humanity that will transform our world.

Leading the networks are a number of key U.N. agencies, including several that are run by Chinese officials loyal to Beijing.

Kim, the U.N. spokesperson for the migration networks, said the goal is to try to pool its expertise in supporting governments in the implementation of the U.N. global migration pact.

For Mexico, it is important to support the government with the ongoing situation with the U.S., trying to adjust the migration policies, trying to protect the migrants going through or leaving from Mexico, she said.

The networks also serve as a tool for advocacy, Kim said, adding that a trust fund run by the U.N. network was supporting migration-related projects around the world.

In addition to the nine U.N. agencies on the executive board and the dozens of entities involved are hundreds of civil society organizations, Kim said.

Among the priorities of the U.N. agency are ending the detention of what Kim described as irregular migrants, known more commonly in the United States as illegal immigrants or aliens.

When asked about irregular migration, she said: Calling migration illegal is not accurate. A person cannot be illegal.

When asked if the sort of policies being supported under the U.N.s programs would encourage even more migration, Kim hesitated but suggested there were limits.

We are not there to say, Lets have all the migrants in the world, and have them go anywhere, she said. The compact aims to ensure that migration is well-governed. We find the right balance that benefits those that want to come to a country, those who live in the country, and the governments involved.

In Europe, she suggested that creating new and larger pathways for legal migration would prevent people from crossing the Mediterranean.

If they have legal means to come to Europe in a controlled, more governed way, then the migrants dont have to risk their lives, she said, adding that this would provide more labor and tax revenue for the receiving countries.

She also argued that attempting to stop mass migration was futile.

You can build all the walls in the world that you want, but when people have to leave, they will, she said.

Critics Say No to UN Involvement

While the U.N. and the tax-funded refugee agencies and NGOs involved with the global organization have been pushing the U.S. government to deepen its involvement in U.N. migration programs and further expand legal avenues for immigration, critics have sounded the alarm.

FAIR media director Mehlman told The Epoch Times the U.N. shouldnt be involved in U.S. policy discussions about migration.

These are domestic policy issues, he said. Each nation should make these decisions based on their own criteria.

What happens when these kinds of international organizations get involved, you basically have other countries telling the United States and Germany what they should do, Mehlman said. Once you throw this into the international arena, it becomes very easy for other countries to sit back and tell ours what we should be doing when its not really their business.

He also argued that the governments pushing increased global migration via the U.N. were mostly not those that would be forced to deal with the consequences.

They should not be telling us what we should be doing, he said. This is passing the buck, and that never works.

Instead, elected representatives at the national level should make decisions in the best interests of their own nations, he said.

In the case of the United States, he said that meant stopping the chaos at the southern border, tightening the asylum process, enforcing existing law, and better distinguishing between economic migrants and true refugees.

Another expert in the field and longtime activist for increased controls over migration flows into the United States, William Gheen with Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, also slammed the U.N. efforts.

The American public should resist these United Nations programs because they are designed to facilitate and increase harmful Third World legal and illegal immigration into America and Europe as part of a wider plan to overwhelm our nations and force Americans into a global form of government which will be dominated by China, he said.

National identity, borders, and the independence and freedom enjoyed by Americans are a major obstacle to socialists, communists, global corporations, and robber baron billionaires who feel they should be able to rule and dictate by fiat, he said.

However, by rapidly importing millions of people from abroad without an understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the United States is being conquered by what Gheen described as fourth-generational warfare backed by the UN.

Thats why it is so crucial for Americans and lawmakers to resist amnesty efforts currently being considered by the U.S. Senate.

A new but influential voice on the immigration policy scene, Angel Families of America Founder Agnes Gibboney, a legal immigrant whose son was killed by a previously deported illegal alien, also blasted U.N. efforts and mass migration into the United States.

We are a sovereign nation and should decide our own laws, policies, and all aspects of our immigration, not foreign countries, she said, adding that the U.N. should not play any role in U.S. immigration policies.

On a broader level, she told The Epoch Times that the United States wouldnt solve the worlds problems by importing significant numbers of people from around the world.

The problems in another country  [that other country] is where the problem needs to be solved, not in ours, said Gibboney, whose family fled the communist regime in Hungary via Brazil before eventually finding their way to the United States legally.

We dont have resources to take care of the current migration crisis, she said, calling on Congress to decline participation in U.N. immigration programs and agreements.

Congress is currently working on several major overhauls of U.S. immigration law that would bring U.S. policy more in line with the U.N.s vision, including providing amnesty to the estimated 15 million or more illegal aliens already in the United States.

The Biden administration didnt respond to requests by The Epoch Times for comment by press time.
Major roads in flood-ravaged areas of NSW will take months to reopen as the repair bill soars into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said initial estimates put the cost at $80 million but the total price is impossible to know until complicated geotechnical inspections have been finalised.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance inspects a collapsed section of Freemans Reach Road just north of Windsor in Sydneys north-west. Credit:Louise Kennerley

About 25 kilometres of Bells Line of Road, which connects Lithgow and Richmond, is closed due to landslides. The road has been blocked off since March 21 and Mr Constance said he could not say when it will reopen.

"The Bells Line of Road is in a circumstance which no one would ever dream of and want to see," he said.
TSX: WEF

VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Western Forest Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) ("Western" or the "Company") first quarter 2021 financial and operating results will be released on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

Western will host its first quarter 2021 analyst conference call on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. PDT (3:00 p.m. EDT).

Don Demens, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Stephen Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Company's first quarter 2021 results followed by a question and answer session with the analyst community.

To join the conference call, dial:

Toll-free from Canada and the US: 1-800-952-5114

From Toronto: 416-340-2217

Passcode: 5505843#

To access the instant replay of the call, dial:

Toll-free from Canada and the US: 1-800-408-3053

From Toronto: 905-694-9451

Passcode: 3108400#

The instant replay will be available until June 6, 2021 at 8:59 p.m. PDT (11:59 p.m. EDT).

About Western Forest Products Inc.

Western is an integrated forest products company building a margin-focused log and lumber business to compete successfully in global softwood markets. With operations and employees located primarily on the coast of British Columbia and Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a lumber capacity in excess of 1.1 billion board feet from eight sawmills and four remanufacturing facilities. The Company sources timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its production through a wholesale program providing customers with a comprehensive range of specialty products.

SOURCE Western Forest Products Inc.

Related Links

www.westernforest.com


This recognition celebrates these dealers commitment to excellence in a truly unique set of circumstances; it has been an inspiration to see the positive impact shared by customers and employees of these forward-thinking organizations

Today SATISFYD, a global leader in customer and employee excellence in the heavy equipment industries, recognized 50 global dealerships with the 2021 Top Dealer Award for exceptional performance in customer satisfaction and employee engagement. SATISFYDs Voice of the Customer and Voice of the Employee platforms power confidential, comprehensive and responsive mechanisms that measure customer and employee satisfaction and empowers dealers to identify areas that will support their commitment to excellence in the field.

2020 was an unprecedented year, it demanded that our dealers be responsive and adapt to issues they have never had to deal with largely fueled by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This recognition celebrates these dealers commitment to excellence in a truly unique set of circumstances; it has been an inspiration to see the positive impact shared by customers and employees of these forward-thinking organizations, said Ryan Condon, CEO and Founder of SATISFYD.

Every year SATISFYD receives thousands of surveys from equipment dealers customers and employees which are then graded for actionable recommendations to deliver excellence in both customer satisfaction and employee engagement. Using the data dealers are able to reward outstanding performance while addressing any areas of weakness to create a proactive feedback loop. Dealers that receive this recognition are performing at the highest levels in the industry in either or both areas of their business. As the industry continues to grow and transform, understanding needs of both customers and employees positions them for not only recognition but increased sales and customer loyalty.

We congratulate these dealers for staying focused on customer satisfaction and employee engagement in the most trying of circumstances, it says so much about not only the values of the business but the values of the team that are an intrinsic part of the business, added Condon.

The top ten dealerships recognized for excellence in Customer Experience are: Tennessee Tractor Irrigation, Llc, Greenland Equipment Ltd, Greenline Service Corp, S.H. Dayton Ltd, Coastal Equipment Corp., Midland Tractor Company, Neff Co., Phillips Equipment Corp., Brakke Imp., Inc. and Hurst Farm Supply, Inc. The top ten dealerships recognized for excellence in Employee Engagement are: Agri-Service, Hanlon Ag, Heritage Tractor, HJV Equipment, Les Equipements Colpron, Livingston Machinery, Maple Lane Farm, Owens & Sweitzer Equipment, Pentagon Farm, and Robbins Equipment. The complete list of SATISFYD Top Dealers can be found here.

ABOUT SATISFYD

SATISFYD is an expert in customer and employee experience processes in the heavy equipment industry. Over one thousand equipment dealers use SATISFYDs solutions to help recognize, respond to and resolve issues identified by their customers, thus enabling them to improve customer satisfaction, retention and overall revenue.
Pentagon officials have described the futuristic technology  which the Army calls its Integrated Visual Augmentation System  as a way of boosting soldiers awareness of their surroundings and their ability to spot targets and dangers.

The technology is based on Microsofts HoloLens headsets, which were originally intended for the video game and entertainment industries.

The technology is based on Microsofts HoloLens headsets, which were originally intended for the video game and entertainment industries. Credit:Bloomberg

Microsofts head-mounted HoloLens displays let people see virtual imagery superimposed over the physical world in front of them  anything from holograms in virtual game worlds to repair instructions floating over a broken gadget. Users can control what they see using hand gestures or voice commands.

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The Armys website says soldiers tested the gadgets last year at Fort Pickett in Virginia. It said the system could help troops gain an advantage on battlefields that are increasingly urban, congested, dark and unpredictable.

The Army first began testing Microsofts system with a $US480 million contract in 2018 and said the headsets could be used for both training and in actual battle. The new contract will enable Microsoft to mass produce units for more than 120,000 soldiers in the Army Close Combat Force. Microsoft said the contract will amount to up to $US21.88 billion over the next decade, with a five-year base agreement that can be extended for another five years.

Microsoft President Brad Smith told the Senate Armed Services Committee in February that the system could integrate thermal night vision and facial recognition to provide soldiers with real-time analytics on remote battlefields. He also described how it could help in planning a hostage rescue operation by creating a digital twin of the building.
Elsa Hosk shared some stunning images of herself breastfeeding her seven-week old daughter Tuulikki as she returned to work for the first time since giving birth.

The Swedish model, 32, welcomed a little girl with her longtime partner Tom Daly last month and proudly shared the snaps of her feeding Tuulikki on Tuesday.

Elsa said that the images drew criticism from men in her DM's, as she questioned why they are offended by something 'so natural' as feeding her daughter.

Scroll down to video

She works hard for the money: Elsa Hosk, 32, returned to work in front of the camera on Tuesday, some seven weeks after giving birth to her daughter Tuulikki

'Moms first day back on set and look who came along,' the star declared in the caption of three photos showing her nursing her little girl.

The first-time mother was being driven to and from her job in an SUV when she decided it was time to feed her baby girl.

Making it easy to access, the top model unbuttoned her peach-colored blazer and slightly pulled down her top.

Hosk looked positively radiant as she cradled Tuulikki while feeding her.

In one photo, she got a little flirty for the camera and puckered up her lips, and she flashed a big beaming smile in another.

Gift of life: The Swedish model announced her return to work with a set of photos on Instagram showing her breastfeeding her baby girl

Nature calling: Dressed in a peach-colored blazer, the first-time mother was being driven to and from her job in an SUV when she decided it was time to feed her daughter

Hosk pulled her long blonde tresses back into a ponytail ahead of her day back in front of the camera in a studio.

New mother Hosk dressed Tuulikki in a cream-colored sweater for the workday.

'Mom on set life,' she confessed in a quick video she shared on her Instagram Story.

Showing her skills in front of the camera, Hosk also declared 'she's back' in a video where she's dropping a number of poses in black leather pants and a matching cropped jacket.

Proud mama: The top model also announced her return 'to set life' in a quick video of her breastfeeding her daughter that she posted on her Instagram Story

Fashionista: Hosk pulled her long blonde tresses back into a ponytail ahead of her day back in front of the camera and dressed her daughter na a cream-colored sweater

The blonde beauty also used Tuesday's posts to reveal that she's been getting messages from people who do not support her sharing breastfeeding images on social media.

'Find it interesting the amount of dm:s I get from men who get offended when you post a photo breastfeeding... like,,, why is the most natural thing so offending to you?' she wrote across another photo of her breastfeeding.

'Breasts literally exists so we can feed out children.'

Offended: The top model also used Tuesday's posts to reveal that she's been getting messages from people who do not support her sharing breastfeeding images on social media

Her take: Hosk had a simple message to those offended by her breastfeeding photos and videos: 'Breasts literally exists so we can feed out children'

Hosk has been giving her 6.4 million Instagram fans and followers updates on her post-pregnancy life, which includes embracing her new-found curves after giving birth for the first time.

She shares her new bundle of joy with longtime partner Tom Daly.

Having had Manhattan as their primary home for many years, they couple moved across country, into a $4.3 million five-bedroom home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of South Pasadena, near the end of 2020.

Bust a move: Hosk also declared 'she's back' in another Insta-Story video

Strike a pose: Hosk showed off her post-baby body in a black leather ensemble
NEMO, S.D. (AP)  High winds Tuesday hampered firefighters battling wildfires in the Black Hills of South Dakota that have forced the evacuations of more than 400 homes and closed the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Three separate wildfires were burning near Rapid City, with the largest near Schroeder Road in the Nemo area. That fire has burned nearly 3 square miles (7.7 square kilometers) and has not been contained at all. Two smaller blazes were burning southwest of Rapid City, near Keystone, leading Mount Rushmore National Memorial to close through at least Wednesday, as well as surrounding roads.

The Schroeder Road fire has crossed into two neighborhoods near Rapid City, the Pennington County Sheriffs Office said Tuesday. At least one home has been destroyed after an intense structure fight, officials said. No injuries have been reported.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who traveled to Rapid City on Monday to oversee the response, said the Schroeder Road fire started on private property. There have been losses and that is tragic, she said.

On Monday, winds in the area reached as high as 81 mph (130 kph). Firefighters initially responding to the Schroeder fire found a fast-moving ground fire in extreme fire danger condition, officials reported. They immediately called for assistance from firefighters around the region.

U.S. Forest Service support services specialist Halley Legge said wind speed is still an issue as about 250 firefighters continue their work.

Gusty northwest winds continued Tuesday across the western South Dakota plains, the National Weather Service in Rapid City tweeted. Winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of 55 mph were expected, the weather service said.

Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom said his family was among those who were evacuated.

I watched a neighbors house go up in flames. So it touches all of us, Thom said at a news conference.

One of the other blazes has burned an estimated 75 acres (30.35 hectares) and the third 20 acres (8.09 hectares).

About the fire: Smoke from a wildfire in the Black Hills of South Dakota blankets an area on the outskirts of Rapid City, S.D., where police set up a roadblock on Monday, March 29, 2021. There were at least three wildfires west that were burning west of Rapid City on a day when wind gusts ranged from 50 to 72 mph. The Pennington County Sheriffs Office said at least 400 homes had been evacuated and about 250 firefighters were battling the blaze that started near the town of Nemo. (Siandhara Bonnet/Rapid City Journal via AP)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Carbon Tax Hike Shows High Cost of Federal Scheme vs Quebecs

News Analysis

The April 1 increase in the federal carbon tax to $40 per tonne highlights the high cost of the federal pricing scheme compared with the cost to Quebecers under their provincial cap-and-trade policy, whose current carbon price is roughly half that amount.

Trevor Tombe, an economics professor at the University of Calgary, said federal allowance for the Quebec approach leaves that province with a lighter burden.

Theyre able to then have a cap on emissions that declines at a certain rate, but the price that is implied by that cap is less than the current carbon tax. So in a sense, theyre not enacting as stringent a climate policy as other jurisdictions.

Tombe said the effect of Quebecs cap-and-trade system equates to approximately $20 per tonne of carbon emissions. However, the federal carbon tax increases from $30 to $40 on April 1, making the difference more substantial.

Theres starting to be a pretty significant gap between the prices here and the prices in Quebec, he said.

Its a challenge that the feds have said theyre going to look at and negotiate with the provinces. But at some point, theres going to be a need for Quebec to either put a floor on the price of their cap-and-trade system that is equal to the carbon tax, or for the feds to have kind of a surtax on top of the cap-and-trade price.

Anything less, Tombe said, defeats the purpose of a national pricing on carbon.

The whole idea is to have uniform policythats the main motivation for the federal policy. And this is a real source of difference that is not sustainable. On the one hand, I can appreciate some political expediency where they just punted on the issue, but that cant go on forever.

Federal carbon tax rebates somewhat mitigate the disparity. Quebecers receive no rebates under their provincial scheme, while the federal government applies and rebates the carbon tax in provinces that do not have their own system. For these four provinces, the baseline 2021 rebates for a family of four are $600 in Ontario, $720 in Manitoba, $1,000 in Saskatchewan, and $981 in Alberta.

The carbon tax rebates dont eliminate the policy problem, Tombe said.

British Columbia, for example, they do have a carbon tax, and it is above the federal minimum. They dont get the federal rebate, either. So whether you get a rebate or not just depends on whether youre covered by the federal backstop or not, not what your price is.

Besides this, any tax is an economic drag, whether it is rebated or not, he said.

The rebates dont eliminate the effect of carbon taxes on GDP growth, Tombe said. Of course, any action to lower emissions would come with an economic cost. And thats a fair enough debate to be had around, What are the costs were willing to incur? Even the governments own estimates do note that the policy will lower economic growth over time.

It might also be argued that cap-and-trade approaches the emissions problem so differently from a carbon tax that it could never constitute a uniform policy.

Cap-and-trade works by fixing the total amount of allowable emissions and then auctioning off the permits or having some market where firms can buy and sell, Tombe explains.

There you have certainty over the quantity of emissions, but you dont really know what the price is going to be, because that depends on the auction. Whereas carbon taxes, you have certainty over the price because thats fixed in the legislation, but you dont know what emissions are going to be.

In a 63 decision, the Supreme Court of Canada defended the constitutionality of the federal carbon pricing scheme. In a press conference on March 25 following the decision, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney acknowledged Quebecs help but also noted the Supreme Courts apparent deference to la belle province.

Quebec actually did join us as an intervener to support provincial jurisdiction in this reference before the Supreme Court.  Mr. Chief Justice Wagner made a very deliberate point in responding to Quebecs lawyers saying, Im paraphrasing, Dont worry, youve already got your cap-and-trade scheme, youve got your own policy discretion, the rest of this doesnt affect you, Kenney said.

Having worked in Ottawa, its clear to me that Ottawa elites are much more sensitive to provincial jurisdiction and tensions within the Federation when they emerge from Quebec versus when they emerge from the West. Thats hardly a novel observation. I think todays decision underscores that.

Ted Morton, a former Alberta cabinet minister and a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Calgary, says although Quebec might be insulated from the effects of a mandatory national carbon tax, the Supreme Court decision that validated it threatens the jurisdictions of all provinces, including Quebec.

They dont [care] about carbon tax because theyre doing cap-and-trade, right? As some people pointed out, a cap-and-trade at $20 a tonne is a lot cheaper than a carbon tax, Morton said in an interview.

This decision at the policy level, its a defeat for Saskatchewan and Alberta and Ontario. But at the constitutional level, the medium to long term, its a defeat for all defenders of provincial rights, including, of course, Quebec.

Section 92A of the Constitution says, In each province, the legislature may exclusively make laws in relation to  development, conservation and management of non-renewable natural resources  [and] the generation and production of electrical energy.

Although Alberta may want Quebec to carry its weight on carbon pricing, Morton says Quebec can help Alberta in a fight for provincial jurisdiction against Ottawa.

Im hoping that Kenney or someone on Kenneys team will talk to people in Quebec City and say, Look, this is not acceptable for anybody who cares about Section 92A. Remember, Section 92A explicitly includes hydro electricity use.
(Natural News) Americas Frontline Doctors (AFLDS) spoke to former Pfizer Vice President and Chief Science Officer Dr. Mike Yeadon about his views on the COVID-19 vaccine, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, the regulatory authorities, and more.

(Article by Mordechai Sones republished from AmericasFrontlineDoctors.com)

At the outset, Dr. Yeadon said Im well aware of the global crimes against humanity being perpetrated against a large proportion of the worlds population.

I feel great fear, but Im not deterred from giving expert testimony to multiple groups of able lawyers like Rocco Galati in Canada and Reiner Fuellmich in Germany.

I have absolutely no doubt that we are in the presence of evil (not a determination Ive ever made before in a 40-year research career) and dangerous products.

In the U.K., its abundantly clear that the authorities are bent on a course which will result in administering vaccines to as many of the population as they can. This is madness, because even if these agents were legitimate, protection is needed only by those at notably elevated risk of death from the virus. In those people, there might even be an argument that the risks are worth bearing. And there definitely are risks which are what I call mechanistic: inbuilt in the way they work.

But all the other people, those in good health and younger than 60 years, perhaps a little older, they dont perish from the virus. In this large group, its wholly unethical to administer something novel and for which the potential for unwanted effects after a few months is completely uncharacterized.

In no other era would it be wise to do what is stated as the intention.

Since I know this with certainty, and I know those driving it know this too, we have to enquire: What is their motive?

While I dont know, I have strong theoretical answers, only one of which relates to money and that motive doesnt work, because the same quantum can be arrived at by doubling the unit cost and giving the agent to half as many people. Dilemma solved. So its something else.

Appreciating that, by entire population, it is also intended that minor children and eventually babies are to be included in the net, and thats what I interpret to be an evil act.

There is no medical rationale for it. Knowing as I do that the design of these vaccines results, in the expression in the bodies of recipients, expression of the spike protein, which has adverse biological effects of its own which, in some people, are harmful (initiating blood coagulation and activating the immune complement system), Im determined to point out that those not at risk from this virus should not be exposed to the risk of unwanted effects from these agents.

AFLDS: The Israel Supreme Court decision last week cancelling COVID flight restrictions said: In the future, any new restrictions on travel into or out of Israel need, in legal terms, a comprehensive, factual, data-based foundation.

In a talk you gave four months ago, you said

The most likely duration of immunity to a respiratory virus like SARS CoV-2 is multiple years. Why do I say that? We actually have the data for a virus that swept through parts of the world seventeen years ago called SARS, and remember SARS CoV-2 is 80% similar to SARS, so I think thats the best comparison that anyone can provide. The evidence is clear: These very clever cellular immunologists studied all the people they could get hold of who had survived SARS 17 years ago. They took a blood sample, and they tested whether they responded or not to the original SARS and they all did; they all had perfectly normal, robust T cell memory. They were actually also protected against SARS CoV-2, because theyre so similar; its cross immunity. So, I would say the best data that exists is that immunity should be robust for at least 17 years. I think its entirely possible that it is lifelong. The style of the responses of these peoples T cells were the same as if youve been vaccinated and then you come back years later to see if that immunity has been retained. So I think the evidence is really strong that the duration of immunity will be multiple years, and possibly lifelong.

In other words, previous exposure to SARS  that is, a variant similar to SARS CoV-2  bestowed SARS CoV-2 immunity.

The Israel government cites new variants to justify lockdowns, flight closures, restrictions, and Green Passport issuance. Given the Supreme Court verdict, do you think it may be possible to preempt future government measures with accurate information about variants, immunity, herd immunity, etc. that could be provided to the lawyers who will be challenging those future measures?

Yeadon: What I outlined in relation to immunity to SARS is precisely what were seeing with SARS-CoV-2.

The study is from one of the best labs in their field.

So, theoretically, people could test their T-cell immunity by measuring the responses of cells in a small sample of their blood. There are such tests, they are not high throughput and they are likely to cost a few hundred USD each on scale. But not thousands. The test Im aware of is not yet commercially available, but research only in U.K.

However, I expect the company could be induced to provide test kits for research on scale, subject to an agreement. If you were to arrange to test a few thousand non vaccinated Israelis, it may be a double edged sword. Based on other countries experiences, 30-50% of people had prior immunity & additionally around 25% have been infected & are now immune.

Personally, I wouldnt want to deal with the authorities on their own terms: that youre suspected as a source of infection until proven otherwise. You shouldnt need to be proving youre not a health risk to others. Those without symptoms are never a health threat to others. And in any case, once those who are concerned about the virus are vaccinated, there is just no argument for anyone else needing to be vaccinated.

My understanding of a leaky vaccine is that it only lessens symptoms in the vaccinated, but does not stop transmission; it therefore allows the spread of what then becomes a more deadly virus.

For example, in China they deliberately use leaky Avian Flu vaccines to quickly cull flocks of chicken, because the unvaccinated die within three days. In Mareks Disease, from which they needed to save all the chickens, the only solution was to vaccinate 100% of the flock, because all unvaccinated were at high risk of death. So how a leaky vax is utilized is intention-driven, that is, it is possible that the intent can be to cause great harm to the unvaccinated.

Stronger strains usually would not propagate through a population because they kill the host too rapidly, but if the vaccinated experience only less-serious disease, then they spread these strains to the unvaccinated who contract serious disease and die.

Do you agree with this assessment? Furthermore, do you agree that if the unvaccinated become the susceptible ones, the only way forward is HCQ prophylaxis for those who havent already had COVID-19?

Would the Zelenko Protocol work against these stronger strains if this is the case?

And if many already have the aforementioned previous 17-year SARS immunity, would that then not protect from any super-variant?

I think the Gerrt Vanden Bossche story is highly suspect. There is no evidence at all that vaccination is leading or will lead to dangerous variants. I am worried that its some kind of trick.

As a general rule, variants form very often, routinely, and tend to become less dangerous & more infectious over time, as it comes into equilibrium with its human host. Variants generally dont become more dangerous.

No variant differs from the original sequence by more than 0.3%. In other words, all variants are at least 99.7% identical to the Wuhan sequence.

Its a fiction, and an evil one at that, that variants are likely to escape immunity.

Not only is it intrinsically unlikely  because this degree of similarity of variants means zero chance that an immune person (whether from natural infection or from vaccination) will be made ill by a variant  but its empirically supported by high-quality research.

The research I refer to shows that people recovering from infection or who have been vaccinated ALL have a wide range of immune cells which recognize ALL the variants.

This paper shows WHY the extensive molecular recognition by the immune system makes the tiny changes in variants irrelevant.

I cannot say strongly enough: The stories around variants and need for top up vaccines are FALSE. I am concerned there is a very malign reason behind all this. It is certainly not backed by the best ways to look at immunity. The claims always lack substance when examined, and utilize various tricks, like manipulating conditions for testing the effectiveness of antibodies. Antibodies are probably rather unimportant in host protection against this virus. There have been a few natural experiments, people who unfortunately cannot make antibodies, yet are able quite successfully to repel this virus. They definitely are better off with antibodies than without. I mention these rare patients because they show that antibodies are not essential to host immunity, so some contrived test in a lab of antibodies and engineered variant viruses do NOT justify need for top up vaccines.

The only people who might remain vulnerable and need prophylaxis or treatment are those who are elderly and/or ill and do not wish to receive a vaccine (as is their right).

The good news is that there are multiple choices available: hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide (inhaled steroid used in asthmatics), and of course oral Vitamin D, zinc, azithromycin etc. These reduce the severity to such an extent that this virus did not need to become a public health crisis.

Do you feel the FDA does a good job regulating big pharma? In what ways does big pharma get around the regulator? Do you feel they did so for the mRNA injection?

Until recently, I had high regard for global medicines regulators. When I was in Pfizer, and later CEO of a biotech I founded (Ziarco, later acquired by Novartis), we interacted respectfully with FDA, EMA, and the U.K. MHRA.

Always good quality interactions.

Recently, I noticed that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) had made a grant to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)! Can that ever be appropriate? Theyre funded by public money. They should never accept money from a private body.

So here is an example where the U.K. regulator has a conflict of interest.

The European Medicines Agency failed to require certain things as disclosed in the hack of their files while reviewing the Pfizer vaccine.

You can find examples on Reiner Fuellmichs Corona Committee online.

So I no longer believe the regulators are capable of protecting us. Approval is therefore meaningless.

Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg and I petitioned the EMA Dec 1, 2020 on the genetic vaccines. They ignored us.

Recently, we wrote privately to them, warning of blood clots, they ignored us. When we went public with our letter, we were completely censored. Days later, more than ten countries paused use of a vaccine citing blood clots.

I think the big money of pharma plus cash from BMGF creates the environment where saying no just isnt an option for the regulator.

I must return to the issue of top up vaccines (booster shots) and it is this whole narrative which I fear will he exploited and used to gain unparalleled power over us.

PLEASE warn every person not to go near top up vaccines. There is absolutely no need to them.

As theres no need for them, yet theyre being made in pharma, and regulators have stood aside (no safety testing), I can only deduce they will be used for nefarious purposes.

For example, if someone wished to harm or kill a significant proportion of the worlds population over the next few years, the systems being put in place right now will enable it.

Its my considered view that it is entirely possible that this will be used for massive-scale depopulation.

Read more at: AmericasFrontlineDoctors.com and PopulationControl.news
press release

Saving the Okavango Delta - an African treasure

Last year, news that a Canadian oil and gas exploration company, ReconAfrica, planned the go-ahead with fracking in some of Africa's most sensitive environmental areas sent shockwaves all over the world. The gas giant indicated that it planned to begin oil exploration in the Namibian headwaters of the Okavango Delta and the Tsodilo Hills, a World Heritage Site in Botswana.

Youth climate activists in the Namibian capital, along with several other environmental and human rights groups, reacted with international calls from all fronts to prevent the impending environmental catastrophe that not only impacts the Okavango Delta's biodiversity - which includes a number of endangered species - but also communities who depend on the Kavango Basin to sustain their livelihoods.

1. The Okavango Delta is the only source of water in the region

The Okavango Delta situated in north-west Botswana comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods.

2. Local communities' livelihoods rely on the Okavango Delta

Being the only source of water in one of the driest parts of Africa, the Okavango Delta is the main source of water to local communities, which include the first people of Southern Africa: the San. Because its wetland system is practically intact, there is no contamination of its water which is essential to their food supply - and the food supply of both countries surrounding it. The Okavango Delta is also a major tourist attraction and is an important source of income and employment for citizens of either country.

3. The Okavango Delta is home to Southern Africa's first people

The Okavango Delta has been inhabited for centuries by small numbers of indigenous people, with different groups adapting their cultural identity and lifestyle to the exploitation of particular resources, such as fishing or hunting. This form of low-level subsistence use has no significant impact on the ecological integrity of the area. Today, mixed settlements of indigenous peoples and later immigrants to the area are located around the fringes of the basin.

4. The Okavango Delta is a major biodiversity hotspot

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Due to its unique climate, the Okavango Delta is home to some of the world's most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion. It is also home to huge populations of elephants and hippos.

5. Oil Drilling in the Okavango Delta will exacerbate the climate crisis

Fridays For Future Windhoek revealed that the oil and gas 'play' of Canadian ReconAfrica in the Kavango region of Namibia and Botswana risks destroying global attempts of meeting a two-thirds chance of limiting global heating to 1.5C as part of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Based on ReconAfrica's own projections of 120 billion barrels of oil equivalent, the 'carbon gigabomb' comes in at up to 51.6 Gigatonnes of CO2, the equivalent of one sixth of the world's remaining carbon budget. This, among other issues, raises ocean temperatures and disrupts ocean ecosystems. Recently, over 7,000 seal corpses were discovered along the Namibian coastline. Scientists concluded that the seal pups and mothers died of starvation because the seal moms were so thin.

Sources: UNESCO, Fridays For Future, CGTN Africa
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 03:52:13|Editor: huaxia

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The released prisoners are seen with their families in the city of Zawiya, some 45 kilometers west of Tripoli, Libya, March 31, 2021. President of the Libyan Presidency Council, Mohammad Menfi, on Wednesday welcomed the release of more than 100 prisoners who used to fight with the eastern-based army during the war in and around the capital Tripoli. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

TRIPOLI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- President of the Libyan Presidency Council, Mohammad Menfi, on Wednesday welcomed the release of more than 100 prisoners who were fighting with the eastern-based army during the war in and around the capital Tripoli.

The prisoners were detained in the city of Zawiya, located some 45 km west of Tripoli, by forces allied with the former UN-backed Government of National Accord.

"We welcome the release of the prisoners based on the initiative of the dialogue committee of Zawiya city, which is considered an important step towards national reconciliation that the Presidency Council launched upon receiving office," Menfi said in a statement.

Menfi confirmed that the Presidency Council seeks to bring the Libyans together and end the state of division in the country.

He also called for "consolidating the values of forgiveness and tolerance and prioritizing the national interest of Libya."

A ceremony was held in the city celebrating the release of the prisoners, as they joined their families.

The eastern-based army had launched a military offensive against the former UN-backed government, which lasted for more than a year and ended in June 2020 with the withdrawal of the eastern-based army. Enditem
press release

Minister Dlamini Zuma statement on the Covid-19 alert level 1 amended regulations

Following the decision of Cabinet, and upon recommendation of the Minister of health, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs(COGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma designated under section 3 and 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002), has gazetted amendments to directions relating to alert level 1.

Communities, Industries, businesses and entities, both private and in the public sector, must operate within the Alert Level 1 regulations as amended and gazetted.

Every person is obliged to observe curfew time from 00H00 until 04H00 daily, unless a person has a permit.

It is important to note that even as the country remains at Alert level 1 during the Easter period, government urges everyone to be extremely cautious and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from possible COVID-19 infections. Government further implores people to observe and adhere to all the non-pharmacetical interventions in an effort to mitigate against the possibility of a resurgence.

Attendance of funerals is limited to 100 persons. All people attending gatherings including faith based ones, should endeavor to limit exposure to COVID-19 by adhering to all protocols and regulations. These gatherings are restricted to a total number of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors.

Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.

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Congregants are urged not gather outside their usual places of worship, and people must go home and not sleep over after services.

With respect to other gatherings, these will also be restricted to a maximum number of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors.

Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.

Even though provisions have been made for gatherings, we however urge all South Africans, if possible to avoid gatherings, especially vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with co-morbidities.

The sale of alcohol for off-site consumption will be prohibited for the Easter period, Friday to Monday.

Minister Dlamini Zuma calls on citizens to remain cautious, vigilant and safe. We wish every person a blessed Easter.
ZenMaster BHPian

Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Kottayam Posts: 237 Thanked: 838 Times Infractions: 0/1 (5)

Re: Scoop! Next-gen XUV500 launch delayed till September 2021 Chip manufacturers failed to see the global semiconductor shortage (for automobiles) coming and were caught sleeping or were focussing somewhere else (phones/electronics).



The recent fire in Renesas (in Japan) who are the main suppliers for Toyota and other Japanese companies is a real body blow, adding to the shortage and choking the already chip starved Auto OEMs.



While I'm not going to buy an XUV, I was really looking forward to seeing it. It really looks promising. Even with the camouflage, the lines look great.



On another note, one thing Mahindra should change/update is their "Cheetah" Grill which kind of looks cheap and silly now. The over-styling might have worked on the original XUV in the 2010s, but they need to class the grill up a little bit. I don't know how it's going to look on the new XUV500. Last edited by Aditya : 31st March 2021 at 06:45 . Reason: Typos, spacing, punctuation
Ukraine officially condemned the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for violations of international humanitarian law.

Ukraine resolutely condemns the Syrian regime and its allies  primarily Russia for massive, systematic and grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, which caused thousands of deaths and great suffering of the civilians in Syria, the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN posted on Twitter.

Addressing the UN Secretary-General and all UN member states, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Yuri Vitrenko urged the Syrian regime and its Russian ally to cease immediately brutal attacks against civilians and allow safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance to those in need.

Syria was devastated by the military conflict that arose after the government of President Bashar al-Assad violently responded to the peaceful protests in March 2011. The hostilities killed at least 380,000 people. Half of the population left their homes, nearly six million people fled abroad.

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The chances of major flooding this spring are slim according to the Manitoba government.

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Low winter precipitation amounts and warm temperatures in late winter have meant that snow melt and spring runoffs are nearly complete in southern water basins and are well underway in central and northern basins, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said during a Tuesday afternoon media conference. (Environment and Climate Change)

The chances of major flooding this spring are slim according to the Manitoba government.

Low winter precipitation amounts and warm temperatures in late winter have meant that snow melt and spring runoffs are nearly complete in southern water basins and are well underway in central and northern basins, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said during a Tuesday afternoon media conference.

"The hydrological forecast for this year will be on the border of a non-event," Schuler said.

He said southern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan had 20 per cent less precipitation compared to the average level from the last 40 years.

The Red River has already reached its peak levels within the Red River Valley and flows along the Assiniboine River are supposed to be very low this year.

Because of these conditions, the Red River Floodway wont be used this year and the Portage Diversion for the Assiniboine River will be used only minimally.

The Shellmouth dam is only releasing minimal water from the reservoir to preserve water in case of dry conditions and leave storage space in the unlikely event of flooding conditions.

While the southwestern quadrant of Manitoba, including Westman, is the driest part of the province, Schuler said the risk of drought is low this year because long-term projections from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the National Weather Service in the United States show a high chance for near-normal precipitation for April, May and June.

"While there are no current drought impacts, our government is closely monitoring conditions and increasing its drought readiness," said Schuler.

"Droughts are difficult to forecast as a late snowstorm or spring rains may reduce the risk of drought impacts."

Later on, the minister said that there is currently enough moisture in the soil to get crops in the ground but not enough to sustain them if that precipitation doesnt come.

Schuler said the low water levels would be conducive to repairing structures on waterways damaged in last summers heavy rains.

However, with the dam at Rapid City that burst last year, Schuler said it was found that the failed structure was comprised of several different structures built on top of each other over the last 80 to 100 years, and they would all have to be removed before its replacement is built.

At Lake Wahtopanah in Rivers, which held last year despite handling a far greater volume of water passing through it than it was designed for, Schuler said some mitigation repairs have been done to make sure the structure is sustainable.

"Weve never seen a one-in-600-years weather event. Wed better make sure our structures are up to that standard," said Schuler.

A complete engineering report on the dam will be made up this year. Currently, the lake is being held at a lower than usual water level in an effort to prevent last years over-capacity event from being repeated.

 cslark@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @ColinSlark
Grove City College business student Susannah Barnes of Midland competes in the National Community Bank Case Study Competition.

The competition, sponsored by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), gives undergraduate students an experiential learning opportunity to gain valuable, first-hand knowledge of the banking industry.

The Grove City College team of Susannah Barnes '21, Margo Weller '22, Karsten Lagerquist '22, Alexander Hartzel '22 and Jeffery Eide '22 are working with executive staff at Mars Bank to research how the Butler County-based community bank responded to major forces that impacted the nation this year: the COVID-19 pandemic and a renewed commitment to diversity and inclusion.

"Our students have the opportunity to get a glimpse into the banking world through an original case study which highlights challenges for the banking industry," stated Nicole Stone, chair and associate professor of accounting and finance.

Students will work with Grove City College alumnus Shawn Proper '92, senior vice president of mortgage and consumer lending, other Mars Bank executives and faculty adviser Thomas G. Ball '88 to gather data and formulate an analysis regarding the impact of nationwide concerns on the community bank's operations. The team will then present that analysis with a paper and a video.

"This is a great hands-on project for students to apply their class knowledge to a real-world application," Stone said.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Banking and Securities Richard Vague commended the Grove City College team and 12 others from colleges and universities in the state for their participation. The Keystone State contingent is the largest in the nationwide competition.

"We are so pleased that Pennsylvania students once again continue their strong showing in the annual CSBS competition," Vague said. "The willingness of Pennsylvania's community banks to engage and partner with these student teams to examine these timely, relevant issues is further testament to their commitment to the communities they serve."

Winners go on to the 2021 CSBS  Federal Reserve Community Banking in the 21st Century Research and Policy Conference in October.
Last summer, most summer camps were shuttered across the country because of the pandemic. A spokesperson for the American Camp Association said more than 20 million children in the U.S. did not get to go to camp last summer who normally would due to closures.

READ MORE: Texas lifestyle coach arrested for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6

The tests will be voluntary for both staff and campers. Summer camp organizers need to apply to participate.

"As normalcy returns to Texas, we must remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19 by identifying positive cases and mitigating any potential outbreaks," Abbott said in the statement. "I encourage qualifying summer camps to apply for this program so that we can continue to keep Texans safe."

This comes after Texas ended most of its coronavirus-related restrictions earlier this month.

Texas has a series of health recommendations revised this month for summer camp operators, including social distancing rules, prohibiting parent or guardian visits except to pick up or drop off a child and separating campers and staff into smaller cohorts that do not mix for the duration of the camp. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says summer camps can reopen safely if they follow a number of protocols.

Staff members or campers who test positive should be immediately isolated and then removed from the camp, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Parents are told to pick up their children within eight hours if they become infected.

Many parents across Texas rely on summer camps  some which operate daytime hours and not overnight  for child care while school is out for summer break.

BUSTED: Former Houston banker heading to prison after admitting to fraud scheme

"It's really important because you can't just let your kids stay at home and supervised all day long unless you just want them to melt into a screen all day long, which they will," said Dr. Katie Simon, a mom and Austin neonatologist.

Simon said she and her husband  both full-time physicians  count on summer camps for their children while school is out.

However, she said the rapid antigen tests aren't always accurate, and she would not put her trust solely in them.

The rapid tests are less sensitive than polymerase chain reaction tests at detecting cases of the coronavirus, which means they could return false negatives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children, who are largely asymptomatic when positive with COVID-19, can pose a particular risk for spread to others. And there is a rare condition called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, which appears to affect some children after being exposed to COVID-19.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/30/texas-covid-tests-summer-camps/.
An unknown party hung a noose on a tree on the property of a Washington, D.C. church, and local police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

The noose was discovered last Friday at St. Marks Episcopal Church, a congregation founded in the 19th century based in Southeast D.C., near Capitol Hill.

Michele Morgan of St. Marks sent an email to church members explaining that they found the noose hung from one of the trees in the courtyard on Friday morning.

After contacting police about the noose, church leadership prayed around the tree, reconsecrating the space and blessing the tree and the sacred space of our church.

Source:The Christian Post
President George M. Weah has told citizens of Kinjoy, in Grand Capemount County that his actual plan to develop the country will be unveiled during his 2nd term in office.

Speaking in Kinjoy Saturday as he wrapped up his tour in the district, Mr. Weah reminded citizens that his regime has three more years to convince them that it is able to develop Liberia.

"We have three more years to convince you, so you can give us our 2nd-term so that we can complete our work," the President said to the cheers of an excited crowd dominated by youths.

As if the message did not resonate well with the crowd, President Weah rephrased: "We want to do what we can do in the next three years so that the pro-poor agenda can be completed when you give us our 2nd-term."

Mr. Weah noted that his administrations actual plan to develop Liberia will be achieved during his 2nd-term. "We want you to know, we want you to agree that our 2nd-term, is when our actual plan to develop this country will be done."

The President informed the locals that his administration has already embarked upon major developments throughout the country. He boast that what he has achieved over three years his predecessors who have govern the country over the past 70 years could not achieve such a feat.

At the top of the regime priority, according to Mr. Weah is roads. In addition to roads, Mr. Weah is undertaking rural housing projects, constructing youth centers, schools, colleges, hospitals and breaking grounds for additional one across the country as we continues his county tour.

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He disclosed that tender documents are already out for the pavement of the Robertsports Highway, why road construction works have begun in Kinjoy, Gola konneh District and is expected to be paved within the next four months by Bea Mountain, a multinational mining gold mining company operating in the area.

The company has also informed the President that it will pave the main street of Kinjoy over the coming months as part of its community development project.

While, in Kinjoy, Mr. Weah broke ground for the construction of a vocational college to be undertaken by Bea Mountain.

Residents say relations with Bea Mountain which was at a verge of collapse has improved significantly over the past three months after President Weah's envoy Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf visited the area ahead of the President's visit.

Meanwhile, President Weah has urged citizens to work with their lawmakers to identify their developmental needs so that the appropriate allotments can be made by them. Under the Liberian Budget Law, it is the legislators that make allotments. By Othello B. Garblah
New Delhi, March 31 : Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced its plans to grow its brand footprint in India by more than 70 per cent by 2023.

In a statement, the hospitality major said that with over 20 executed managed and franchised agreements, Hyatt will add over 3,600 keys to its existing portfolio of 32 Hyatt-branded hotels across eight distinct brands in the country, including Andaz, Alila, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Centric and Hyatt Place.

This ambitious growth in India is fuelled by an ever-increasing demand from guests, World of Hyatt members, customers, and owners to offer unique and differentiated hotel experiences, it said.

It added that the announcement signals significant intentional growth plans for Hyatt, bringing the number of Hyatt-branded hotels in India to more than 50 by the end of 2023, resulting in a more diverse portfolio of hotel offerings in new and existing markets.

"Hyatt remains focused on thoughtfully accelerating its brand growth and momentum by transforming the hotel landscape in India with planned openings in some of the most frequented and desirable destinations in the country," Hyatt's Vice President, Real Estate & Development, India, Dhruva Rathore, said.

In 2021, Hyatt plans to primarily expand its Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place brands. The Hyatt Regency brand, which continues to drive Hyatt's brand growth in India, will enter two new markets with Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansoravar and Hyatt Regency Trivandrum.

The Hyatt Place brand will enter four new markets with Hyatt Place Bodh Gaya, Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar, Hyatt Place Vadodara and Hyatt Place Bharuch.

"India remains a growth driver for Hyatt, and we are committed to catering to the Indian traveler with a comprehensive portfolio of hotels," Hyatt's Vice President & Country Head, India, Sunjae Sharma, said.
MENASHA, Wis., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Network Health, the Wisconsin-based health plan, continues to create healthy and strong communities as detailed in the 2020 Annual Report to the Community. The report features community investments, social responsibility through volunteerism and philanthropy, support for local businesses and employee awards.

"Network Health continues to transform health insurance and deliver innovative plan solutions that provide exceptional value to our members despite the extraordinary circumstances of 2020," said Network Health Chief Administrative Officer Penny Ransom. "That's our Hometown Advantagea. It's not just a slogan or catchphrase; it is truly the way we operate."

Located in Wisconsin and co-owned by two high-quality health systems, Froedtert Health and Ascension Wisconsin, Network Health offers a different kind of health insurance that puts members first. Local ownership allows Network Health to be flexible and responsive, creating cost-saving solutions for members. For example, in response to the global pandemic, Network Health delivered financial relief with premium rebates to employers, member pre-paid debit cards for health related services in 2020 and benefit enhancements including enriched telehealth coverage, transportation to doctor appointments and virtual yoga classes for Medicare members.

Network Health's Annual Report to the Community also highlights over $5.6 million returned to the community by spending with employer group customers, philanthropic giving of $100,000, earning the National Business Research Institute (NBRI) award for outstanding employee engagement and awards for employees who exemplify Network Health values.

"Network Health is determined to go above and beyond and to continue moving forward together," said Ransom. "We take care of the communities we serve, because we know we're helping our neighbors, friends and family."

The report is available to view by visiting 2020 Network Health Annual Report.

About Network Health

Founded in 1982, Network Health offers customized commercial and Medicare health insurance services to employers, individuals and families in more than 23 counties throughout Wisconsin. Through its strong reputation for quality health care coverage and superior customer service, Network Health has grown to serve more than 111,000 members. Network Health has a 4.5 out of 5 Star rating for Medicare Advantage PPO plans from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, outperforming the national average of 4 Stars. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Network Health also has a 4.5 out of 5 rating for both Medicare and commercial products for 2019-2020 from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Network Health is one of only four health plans in Wisconsin receiving this NCQA score for Medicare and commercial plans, and no other plans in Wisconsin are rated higher. Network Health is ranked in the top 32 commercial plans and top 25 Medicare plans, and was also named one of the "Best Medicare Advantage plans for 2020" by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more at networkhealth.com. Visit our blog at networkhealth.com/grow-in-the-know/.

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By one financial measure of the states retirement systems, Hampden County is close to the bottom.

Its a data point some have wielded in criticizing the Hampden County Regional Board of Retirement in the wake of a recently released audit that examined the system from 2014 to 2017, raising questions about the boards spending and business practices.

Of the 105 governmental retirement systems, the Hampden County Regional Retirement System ranks at the top of the list for unfunded liability. Only eight other systems are worse, Hampden Select Board Chairman Don Davenport said at a Feb. 22 meeting.

Davenport and others have noted the systems low funded ratio  the value of a systems assets in proportion to its pension liabilities  in discussions about the findings of the audit. Released in late February, auditors with the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission identified issues such as questionable spending on scam website services and a highly unusual contract that paid over $250,000 in health insurance premiums to two part-time attorneys over three years.

But the auditors findings, Davenport told The Republican this week, do not specifically relate to the unfunded liability  though he believes they do point to continued mismanagement, waste and abuse of retirees funds.

John Parsons, executive director of the state retirement commission, agrees the issues his auditors uncovered havent had an impact on the systems ranking. Parsons said the issues are serious  but that they are not jacking up costs for towns and other members of the Hampden County Regional Retirement System.

So, what does a systems funded ratio say about its performance, and the performance of the board charged with its management  and what factors influence the figure?

Parsons likens a systems funded ratio to a homeowner paying off a mortgage. When the funded ratio reaches 100%, a system is considered fully funded, he said. And when a system is fully funded, it has enough assets to pay the pensions of current and future retirees.

A system with a low funded ratio can find itself saddled with pension debt payments. Over time, it can face running out of money to pay out benefits  unless members of the system, like towns and regional school districts, increase their contributions.

Several variables determine a systems funded ratio, Parsons said. Any misspending by a board adds to the bottom line, but the main driver is historical unfunded liability.

Retirement systems once funded pensions on the go. But a 1990 statute put the states 105 retirement systems on a paying schedule to meet any unfunded liabilities. That meant every retirement board began funding its system at a different starting point.

For the Hampden County system, the starting point was low. The state retirement commissions 2019 annual report shows the Hampden County systems funded ratio below 40% in 1997. It didnt approach 60% until the mid-1990s.

The turn of the century saw a significant upswing: the systems funded ratio rose to about 80% in 2000 before declining over the two decades that followed.

The systems funded ratio stood at 49.1% as of Jan. 1, 2020, with an unfunded liability of $370.6 million, according to the commissions most recent annual report. The system is not expected to be fully funded until 2036.

The town of Hampden is currently paying $603,730 into the Hampden County system annually, according to interim Town Administrator Bob Markel  and the payment is slated to increase by $103,000 in fiscal 2022.

When I talked to PERAC, they said: Youre at 49% because the communities, over the years, have been under-assessed and the cost-of-living assessments were too large, Markel said.

Now, he said, towns like Hampden and others in the system are facing 8% annual increases in order to catch up in funding the system.

Highs and lows

Shrewsburys retirement system has the highest funded ratio in the state, at 93.4%, according to the commissions data. It is scheduled to be fully funded by 2024. An actuarial study put Shrewsburys unfunded liability at $9.7 million as of Jan. 1, 2020.

The systems funded ratio started low, as in Hampden County  about 40% in 1987  before climbing to around 100% in the late 1990s, according to state data.

Like many Massachusetts towns, Shrewsbury has limited resources to provide a range of essential services, said Gregory Gatsogiannis, executive director of the Shrewsbury system.

Fortunately, the town and the retirement system have always had a very good relationship and have worked together within the Towns budgetary constraints to make funding the retirement system a priority, Gatsogiannis said in a statement. We cant overstate the importance of the towns commitment to consistently provide appropriation funding to the system, in certain years going so far as to vote additional funds in excess of what was required.

The systems investments have also produced consistently strong returns, he noted, offering credit to West Bay Shore and New York-based financial planner Dahab Associates Inc., which the board has retained for a number of years.

In terms of interacting with Dahab, I would liken it to an application running in the background of your computer. They are always there in the background, running their processes, analyzing investment managers and market trends, he said. If there is an issue they will inform us, if the board has a question, they are very quick to respond.

The board has also worked to keep its operating expenses low, he said.

But the Shrewsbury Retirement System was not immune from the market crash in 2008. According to annual Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission filings, the boards assets dropped from $67.3 million at the beginning of the year to $48.9 million by the end of 2008.

In the face of that challenge, Gatsogiannis said Shrewsbury remained committed to the retirement system and continued to support an aggressive funding schedule with increased yearly appropriation payments to the system. That, in tandem with strong returns, have allowed the system to fully recover.

In Springfield, officials say market and economic conditions, including the 2008 market crash in 2008 and city budget constraints, have left the citys retirement system with the lowest funded ratio in the state.

Unlike the Shrewsbury and Hampden County systems, Springfields funded ratio remained relatively low even in the boom years of the late 1990s.

Timothy J. Plante, the citys chief administrative and financial officer, said the retirement system lost 28% of its assets in the Great Recession. The system also faced increased costs from two early retirement incentive programs in 2002 and 2003 to help cut staff in a budget crisis.

In addition, the city years ago had a budget friendly schedule of retirement appropriations, with increases of less than 5% annually. That was insufficient for the systems needs, he said.

The total unfunded liability in Springfield is $938 million, and the system is just 28.9% funded, officials said. Its a slight increase from 2018, when the pension system was only 27% funded.

The estimated fully funded year is 2033, according to state records.

The citys proposed retirement budget for the next fiscal year is $85.2 million, a 9.2% increase. The allocation has grown by $34.7 million over five years, Plante said.

The Springfield retirement system comprises city employees, school employees, water and sewer employees and the Springfield Housing Authority. The employees also contribute funds to the system.

City Councilors have long lobbied for higher allocation for the pension system, with Councilor Timothy Allen calling the situation in 2016 a fiscal year time bomb.

We are very proud

Since the audits release in late February, the Hampden County retirement board has pointed to the overall picture of the systems assets, which increased 32% during the three-year period the auditors examined.

The system has about 3,100 active members and 1,700 retirees.

The Hampden County Regional Retirement Board has a fiduciary responsibility to oversee the Hampden County Regional Retirement System, a role that is taken with utmost seriousness by the board members and staff, the board said in an earlier statement, issued on letterhead bearing the names of Richard M. Theroux, its chairman and treasurer, and Executive Director Julianne Bartley. The other board members are Laurel A. Placzek, Patricia C. Donovan, Karl J. Schmaelzle and Patrick E. ONeil.

A page recently added to the boards website, from a link labeled Financial Information, carries a statement noting that the audit by the state commission is is not the only audit that the board has had. It points to a 2019 review by the firm Powers and Sullivan, which offered the opinion that the results of its operations and changes in its financial position for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The statement, which is unsigned, continues: Finally, I want to assure all of the active and retired members of the Hampden County Regional Retirement System that the assets of the system for the last 10 years have exceeded the boards assumed rate of return.

The statement notes that the systems total assets stood at $456 million at the end of 2020, up from $224 million in 2011, adding: As a board, we are very proud of this more than doubling of the assets for this 10-year period of time. This will help to ensure that the board continues on its current funding schedule which has been established to have the system fully funded by June 30, 2036.

In explaining that the spending issues raised in the commissions audit are not the primary drivers of Hampden Countys unfunded liability or rising costs for the towns, Parsons also noted that the systems investment money is in the states Pension Reserves Investment Trust.

Run by the state treasurers office, the pooled trust invests the assets of the state teachers and state employees retirement systems, as well as the assets of municipal, county, authority and district retirement systems that choose to join.

About 100 of the states retirement boards invest some or all of their assets with the state fund, which represents more than 300,000 beneficiaries.

For Davenport, that means the systems success in asset growth is thanks to the trust  not the retirement board.

Any growth in assets is the result of investments by the state ... and ever increasing contributions by member units and members as mandated by state law, he said.

Parsons, meanwhile, said the findings by his auditors still point to problems.

Ive been here eight years, he said of his work with the states retirement commission. Collectively, this is the most serious audit that Ive dealt with in my time here.

The Republicans Peter Goonan contributed reporting.

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Sixteen bikies and associates of motorcycle gangs have been charged with 60 offences as part of a police operation in the Mackay region.

Detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Commands Organised Crime Gangs Group deployed to Mackay last week, where they executed 17 search warrants between March 18 and March 24.

A member of the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang, a 36-year-old man, was charged with possessing tainted property, possessing explosives and possessing property suspected of being used in connection with drug offences, after police raided an Airlie Beach property.

Police said about $70,000 was seized during the search, with investigations ongoing.

The man was also charged with impersonating police after he allegedly stopped a vehicle on March 19 using red and blue flashing lights found fitted to the dashboard of his vehicle.
Plane delayed

Philippine government officials to-day held up at Manilla, an R.A.A.F. courier plane flying from Australia to Tokyo. After a conference this afternoon, they agreed to permit the plane to leave tomorrow. A Philippines government official said it was not authorised to carry civilian mails to Manilla. However, Australians in Tokyo say the Philippines government is using the charge as an excuse for reprisals against Australia over the Gamboa case.

Wake up call for Doc

War heroine, Mrs. Nancy Wake, 36, of Sinclair Street, Wollstonecraft, was chosen by the Liberal Party selection committee to contest Dr. H. V. Evatts seat of Barton in the federal elections. Mrs. Wake served with a British Army special force during the war, organising resistance forces in France. She won the George Medal, Croix de Guerre with Palms, Croix de Guerre with Star, Medaille de la Resistance, and Medal of Freedom with Bronze Palm.

Actors cut own pay
has announced to contribute 25 million euros towards the European and Information Fund to strengthen literacy skills, fight misinformation and support fact checking.

In the coming weeks, the Fund will open for proposals from academics, nonprofits and publishers based in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.

Independent committees made up of industry experts will select the winning ideas and won't be involved in any decision making related to the Fund, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Since 2015, we've provided funding and technical support to organizations focused on misinformation, including innovative new models like CrossCheck in France, and provided digital verification training to 90,000 European journalists, receiving over 400,000 visits to our training website," informed.

Through its philanthropic arm, Google.org, the company has provided 3.2 million euros in funding since 2018 to programmes like Newswise, The Student View and Weitklick, and through the Google News Initiative additional funding to support Students for President and Zeit fur Lehrer.

"We are continuing our other efforts to support literacy for young people, with Be Internet Legends and Be Internet Citizens providing digital skills to help schoolchildren and teenagers verify and fact-check," the company said.

--IANS

na/

(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.)
Kikkos Ramen and Poke has opened in Beaumont after celebrating its soft opening over the weekend.

The South Pacific-Asian fusion restaurant has been in development at the corner of Dowlen Road and Delaware Street for several months and is still staffing up after its opening.

Kikkos serves custom poke bowls and a variety of ramen, along with with other Asian dishes such as bento boxes and boba tea.

A sign appeared in January on the former home of the Pei Wei Asian Diner, which closed in early 2020, announcing Kikkos Ramen and Poke would be coming soon.

Since then, the restaurants interior and kitchen have been partially remodeled. The dining room features booths and tables, but there is also a noodle bar near the corner kitchen.

Pei Wei, which was at the corner storefront at the end of the Fountain Plaza center, closed its doors during the temporary bans on indoor dining COVID-19 sparked in mid-March and never reopened for business.

Seoul Food Korean BBQ will open today.

The areas first Korean barbecue restaurant will be opening its doors at the north end of Memorial Boulevard in Port Arthur to the public after a week of preview dinners with special guests but wont be going full-steam just yet.

Management has said that seating will be limited to 50% so guests can get great service and experience our culture.

Seoul Food will have a unique pricing structure to match the traditional Korean barbecue style of dining. Each table has a central grill for guests to prepare a long list of entrees available for all-you-can-eat at different lunch and dinner prices.

The restaurant will also offer signature cocktails and bottled soju, a traditional Korean alcohol.

Tony Nguyen, who also owns Reel Cajun, has been working on the new location for more than a year. The work was delayed due to impacts from the pandemic, hurricanes and the February freeze.

Lange Realty Group celebrated a grand opening of its new office in Port Neches on Monday.

The new office is at the Village Square shopping center, off Nall Street.

Lange Realty Group is affiliated with RE/MAX and represents properties across several Southeast Texas cities, including Beaumont, Nederland, Groves, Port Neches, Port Arthur and Bridge City.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

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On March 31st, Hyundai Mobis invited local and foreign media to the <2021 Hyundai Mobis Strategies and New Technologies Conference> at the R&D headquarters in Korea and announced its mid- to long-term Transformation strategy for sustainable growth.

"In the automotive industry, which is quickly evolving into a mobility platform ecosystem, the role of automotive suppliers needs to change as well," said Jung Soo-Kyung, Head of the Planning Division (Executive Vice President), who gave a presentation at the conference. "We will expand our business as a leading company in platform-based systems that have integrated hardware competitiveness with software."

At the conference, Hyundai Mobis also disclosed new mobility solutions, the urban shared mobility concept cars, M.Vision X and M.Vision POP, and demonstrated new technologies, too.

Innovating the business model with Actively breaking new ground

The mid- to long-term growth strategy (Transformation X-Y-Z), presented by Hyundai Mobis, will be implemented largely in three directions.



First, 'Transformation X' is set to innovate continuously as a global enterprise for future growth. Hyundai Mobis will use its core technological competences in the field of autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity to expand its business to global automakers. To this end, the company will continue to carry out open innovation such as strategic investment in global enterprises with promising technologies.



Currently, Hyundai Mobis is expanding its collaborations with various leading partners. As representative examples, strategic investments have been made in Velodyne, a global No. 1 lidar company, together with collaborative work for mass-production of a level 3 lidar system. Hyundai Mobis is also aiming to cooperate with Envisics, a UK-based AR-HUD specialist.

Secondly, 'Transformation Y' is to innovate its business model with the company's core technological competencies. Hyundai Mobis will expand its business scope in the new mobility service market to meet customer needs. Currently, Hyundai Mobis is known to be developing a level-4 autonomous robotaxi through a technical alliance with Yandex, a Russian IT company, giving shape to its business model.

For business model innovation, Hyundai Mobis is planning to provide dedicated platforms to global automakers or Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) companies. To build the value chain of a new mobility service, the company is also trying to secure smart factory infrastructure utilizing AI and big data.

Thirdly, Transformation Z is set to find long-term new growth businesses and is related to conducting new businesses based on innovative technologies. Hyundai Mobis will secure long-term growth engines in areas other than the existing automotive business in preparation for at least 10 years into the future.

"Currently, we are looking for a business cooperation in the UAM business with the Hyundai Motor Group and reviewing areas that Hyundai Mobis can enter as well as other business models," said Mr. Jung Soo-Kyung. "It is expected that it will be possible to utilize the business competencies of Hyundai Mobis to electric propulsion system and avionics in the UAM business."

It seems that Hyundai Mobis recently adding the manufacturing and sale of aerial mobility components and robot components to its business purposes in its Articles of Incorporation was part of this initiative.

To reinforce its R&D competency, a core driving force of its future growth strategies, Hyundai Mobis decided to continuously increase direct R&D investment from KRW 1 trillion (Approx. USD 0.8 billion) to KRW 1.7 trillion (USD 15 billion) in 2025. In particular, to secure an independent technology that will help the company gain the upper hand in the global market, Hyundai Mobis is planning to increase investments in prior art R&D. As part of this effort, the company is planning to increase the prior art R&D costs, which amount to about 14% of total R&D costs, to 30% in 2025.

About Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis is the 7th largest leading automotive supplier. Founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Seoul, Korea, Hyundai Mobis is to become a lifelong technology partner for vehicles and people.

Hyundai Mobis is excellent in sensors, sensor fusion in controllers and software design capabilities in safety control. Its products also include various electrification components, brakes, suspension, steering, airbags, lights and automotive electronics.

Mobis currently has more than 30,000 employees and has been manufacturing in more than 30 regions in 10 countries. In addition to its R&D headquarters in Korea, Mobis has 4 technology centers in Germany, China, India and the United States.

Media Contact

Jihyun Han, [email protected]

Choon Kee Hwang, [email protected]

SOURCE Hyundai Mobis
Regulatory News:

Sensorion (FR0012596468 ALSEN) a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat and prevent within the field of hearing loss disorders, today announces the participation of members of the company's senior management team in four investor and R&D conferences being held virtually during April 2021.

Sensorion's Chief Business Officer, Juergen Heitmann, will present the company's strategy at the 2021 edition of the Cell Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean, taking place virtually on April 6-9, 2021. The presentation will be available on demand.

Date: Tuesday, April 6 Friday, April 9, 2021

Event: Cell Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean

CEO Nawal Ouzren will present an overview of Sensorion's strategy at the Solebury Trout European Biotech Investor Days 2021, being held virtually on April 7-8 2021. Nawal Ouzren will also be available for 1:1 meetings online throughout the conference.

Date: Tuesday, April 7- Wednesday, April 8, 2021

Presentation: Tuesday, April 7, 2.30 pm EDT (8.30 pm CEST)

Event: Solebury Trout European Biotech Investor Days 2021

Sensorion' management team will participate in the 5th Chardan Annual Manufacturing Summit on April 26-27, 2021 and will be available for 1:1 meetings online throughout the conference.

Date: Monday, April 26 Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Event: 5th Chardan Annual Manufacturing Summit

CEO Nawal Ouzren will participate in the 13th Kempen Healthcare Life Sciences conference, an investor meeting will be held virtually on April 28, 2021. Nawal Ouzren will be available for 1:1 meetings online throughout the conference.

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Event: Kempen Healthcare Life Sciences conference (Cell, Gene and RNA based companies stream)

About Sensorion

Sensorion is a pioneering clinical-stage biotech company, which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat and prevent within the field of hearing loss disorders. Its clinical-stage portfolio includes one Phase 2 product: SENS-401 (Arazasetron) for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Sensorion has built a unique R&D technology platform to expand its understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of inner ear related diseases enabling it to select the best targets and modalities for drug candidates. The Company is also working on the identification of biomarkers to improve diagnosis of these underserved illnesses. Sensorion has launched three gene therapy programs, currently at preclinical stage, aimed at correcting hereditary monogenic forms of deafness including deafness caused by a mutation of the gene encoding for Otoferlin, hearing loss related to gene target GJB2 as well as Usher Syndrome Type 1 to potentially address important hearing loss segments in adults and children. The Company is potentially uniquely placed, through its platforms and pipeline of potential therapeutics, to make a lasting positive impact on hundreds of thousands of people with inner ear related disorders, a significant global unmet medical need.

www.sensorion.com

Label: SENSORION

ISIN: FR0012596468

Mnemonic: ALSEN

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Sensorion and its business. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Sensorion considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will be verified, which statements are subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in the 2020 Half-Year financial report published on October 21, 2020 and available on our website and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Sensorion operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Sensorion or not currently considered material by Sensorion. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Sensorion to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.

This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Sensorion shares in any country. The communication of this press release in certain countries may constitute a violation of local laws and regulations. Any recipient of this press release must inform oneself of any such local restrictions and comply therewith.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210330006034/en/

Contacts:

Press Relations

Sophie Baumont

LifeSci Advisors

sophie@lifesciadvisors.com

+33 6 27 74 74 49



Investor Relations

Ligia Vela-Reid

LifeSci Advisors

lvela-reid@lifesciadvisors.com

+44 74 13 82 53 10
As the surge of migrants continues to shock personnel at the United States-Mexico border, the second wave of the migrant caravan has formed in Honduras, setting forward to the U.S. to search for better opportunities.

At around 4 A.M. on Tuesday, the small groups of migrants who arrived at a local bus terminal the night before started their journey towards the U.S.-Mexico border. The caravan, which departed for the Guatemalan border before dawn on Tuesday, is the second to be assembled in Honduras this year. The migrants came from Honduras' northern city of San Pedro Sula to cross Guatemala to reach the U.S. after crossing through Mexico, based on some reports.

According to One America News, the formation of hundreds of migrants prompted Alejandro Giammattei, the Guatemalan President to issue an emergency order, pointing out the threats on public health brought by the group. The order banned not only public gatherings in municipalities close to the border but also locked down the border parts along the migrants' route.

The caravan is reportedly made up of some 300 individuals, mostly young men, along with a number of women who are carrying children. They acknowledged the illegality of their intention to cross the U.S. border. Most Honduran migrants who joined the second major caravan this year confessed that they are in search of a better life and opportunities in the United States, Xinhua reported.

Cristian Armando Nunez, one among Hondurans who joined the caravan, shared that they know the current border closures imposed by Central American governments. However, regardless of the consequences, they will still go to the U.S. border. This year, Central Americans have made up the bulk of illegal crossings into the U.S., which led to the unexpected spike in illegal immigration.

ALSO READ: Thousands of Venezuelans Seek Refuge in Colombia Amid Border Dispute

Furthermore, the caravan will make their way to the Corinto customs office in Puerto Cortes, a city in Honduras, where they will seek to cross the Guatemalan border despite restrictions imposed in the country due to threats in public health because of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. President Joe Biden appointed Vice President Kamala Harris as the person-in-charge in the border situation, managing the migrant flow on the southern border of the country, connecting with Mexico.

The First Wave

Escaping their country's challenges, poverty, drugs, unemployment, and violence, around 3,000 Hondurans also departed their country on foot in January. They walked thousands of kilometers through Central America, as they hoped for a welcome from U.S. President Joe Biden.

But the quest of thousands of Hondurans ended tragically as they were now included in thousands of migrants who were stuck in the U.S. border, along with other nationalities and watched over by the U.S. Border Patrol. Before their arrival, the Biden administration already warned about the border closure due to threats of the ongoing pandemic.

Despite the surge in the arriving migrants, Biden has promised that they will be fair and humane in handling the immigration system and pledged to help other nations to cut the root causes of poverty and violence in Central America, Arab News reported.

RELATED ARTICLE: Biden Seeks Volunteers to Help Curb Migrant Crisis, Post-Pandemic Passports Also Being Developed

WATCH: Honduras: New migrant caravan heads to the U.S - TeleSUR English
President Joe Bidens calls for America to remain on high alert against Covid-19 are meeting resistance from Republic governors (Evan Vucci/AP)

President Joe Bidens pleas for states to stick with mask mandates to slow the spread of the coronavirus were being largely ignored on Tuesday as several Republican governors stayed on track to drop the requirement.

Mr Biden and the director of the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention said a day earlier this is no time to relax safety measures.

In a call with governors on Tuesday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky buttressed that message by citing concerning national trends: The seven-day average of 61,000 new Covid-19 cases per day is up 13%, and the seven-day average of deaths is up 6%.

But Arkansass Republican governor Asa Hutchison announced on Tuesday he was dropping the states mask mandate immediately, a day earlier than previously announced.

Expand Close President Joe Biden speaks during an event on Covid-19 vaccinations, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House this week (Evan Vucci/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Joe Biden speaks during an event on Covid-19 vaccinations, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House this week (Evan Vucci/AP)

He said on the governors call that reopening his state was really a necessity. In Arkansas, the number of new reported cases was 69 on Sunday, according to the CDC, continuing a downward trend.

Every state is different, Mr Hutchison said.

On the other end of the spectrum, Michigan has witnessed a steep rise in cases. That prompted Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer to ask whether the White House has considered surging additional vaccines to states with rapidly increasing infection rates.

Jeffrey Zeints, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, replied that officials were thinking through how to address hot spots. He promised to do everything to support Michigan in its difficult situation.

Its important for people to hear that were still in a war with this virus, and people still need to be vigilant in order to return to normal White House spokesperson Jen Psaki

Staying the course is a tough message to communicate, White House press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged.

Its important for people to hear that were still in a war with this virus, and people still need to be vigilant in order to return to normal, she told reporters.

As more vaccines are deployed  with the nation on track to deliver 200 million doses overall by Wednesday  whether to enforce the wearing of masks has become the latest partisan focal point in the battle against the virus.

Alabamas Republican governor Kay Ivey intends for her states mask mandate to end on April 9 as planned, though she urged people to wear masks as a matter of personal responsibility.

Expand Close President Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris, left, at the White House on Tuesday (Evan Vucci/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris, left, at the White House on Tuesday (Evan Vucci/AP)

We have made progress, and we are moving towards personal responsibility and common sense, not endless government mandates, said Gina Maiola, Ms Iveys spokeswoman.

The Republican-controlled Arizona Senate voted on Monday to rescind its mandatory mask policy, and the House speaker made the same move on his own authority.

That action comes on the heels of Arizona Gov. Doug Duceys move last week to lift remaining restrictions to curb the virus. The Republicans executive order allows businesses to enforce mask mandates and distancing requirements if they want, but cities, towns and counties must lift theirs.

Kentuckys Democratic governor Andy Beshear said he would appeal to his GOP counterpart in neighbouring Indiana, Eric Holcomb, to reconsider dropping the states mask mandate.

My hope is he hears the presidents call, Mr Beshear said.
PORTAGE, MI -- Construction is officially underway on the latest expansion at Pfizers massive pharmaceutical production campus.

Pfizer officials broke ground Wednesday, March 31, on a new production facility in Portage expected to bring hundreds of new jobs to the region.

The new facility, one of the worlds most technically advanced sterile injectable pharmaceutical production facilities -- known as Modular Aseptic Processing, will be a multi-story, 420,000-square-foot production engine in Kalamazoo County, according to a press release from Pfizer.

City and state leaders gathered with Pfizer officials Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the $450 million expansion and reflect on the hope the COVID-19 vaccine has brought to people across the globe.

Mike McDermott, Pfizers president of global supply, said to small crowd gathered at the Portage campus that the new expansion is another breakthrough for science.

This investment solidifies Pfizers focus and our purpose, which are breakthroughs that change patients lives, McDermott said. To think about the building that will go up quickly behind us and the breakthroughs that will come from that investment -- its just stunning to think whats possible.

The new facility, located at the global manufacturing campus at 7171 Portage Road, is expected to bring 450 new jobs to the region.

Construction at the site, which is west of a 98,000-square-foot warehouse near the corner of Romence and Portage roads, will begin this spring and is expected to conclude in 2023. Pfizer officials expect the facility to be in operation in 2025, a spokesperson for Pfizer said.

The facility will initially manufacture the pain medicine known as Dynastat, which is supplied to several international countries, Pfizer said.

Speaking during Wednesdays event in Portage, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said the new jobs that the expansion will bring to the region are another reason to celebrate, as the COVID-19 vaccination effort continues.

Thats a very big deal, Stabenow said. We are excited that Pfizer is continuing to be on the leading edge of advanced manufacturing technology, which are meeting the demands for products, and that you will help Michigan remain a leader in creating life-saving medication.

Congratulations. This is about hope. It is about science. It is about the future.

In 2018, initial plans for a then-$465 million expansion were applauded in Portage by Mayor Patricia Randall and others. Projected revenue to the city over 20 years was estimated to total $26.7 million, Randall said, and the economic benefit to the larger region is projected to total $49.2 million in six years.

Pfizer was granted a tax cut for the expansion, which city leaders argued was worth it to secure the economic benefit for the region.

Pfizer, which manufactures a variety of pharmaceutical products, worked with German partner company BioNTech to create a COVID-19 vaccine that was the first to win U.S. regulatory approval in 2020.

Shipments of the vaccines first left Pfizers Portage production facility on Dec. 13. Since, millions of doses of the vaccine have been distributed across the country and world.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton spoke Wednesday about the pride that the community felt when the first doses of the vaccine left Portage.

The world watched, Upton said. It was like the first moon launch in terms of the pride that not only people here had but all across the country.

McDermott said Pfizer is fortunate to be a part of the Portage community, and said its employees have pride in where they live and work.

Were fortunate to be in a community, in a state that supports our investments and has high quality colleagues that we can hire and a good pipeline out of the universities, the president said. So, this has really been a wonderful place for us to do our work.

Also on MLive:

Michigan raises daily vaccination goal to 100,000 shots after feds ramp up allocations

6 ways that Michigans current COVID-19 spike differs from fall surge

15 things the pandemic changed for now -- and maybe forever
Complains to Ofcom over Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey have hit 5,380 after another 200 viewers voiced their opposition last week.

Figures released by the broadcast regulator show that the interview, which aired on ITV on March 8, received the highest number of complaints last week with 207.

Despite airing more than three weeks ago, the show received a higher number of complaints than last week's episode of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, as well as broadcasts of Sky News, This Morning and Good Morning Britain.

The shocking interview saw Meghan accuse an unnamed member of the Royal Family of racism, while also stating she was denied support after revealing she was struggling with suicidal thoughts.

The figures have been published after Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby yesterday debunked claims from the couple that they were married at a secret ceremony.

Despite airing more than three weeks ago, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Oprah interview Ofcom received more complaints about the broadcast last week than any other show that aired

In her interview, Meghan raised eyebrows when she told Ms Winfrey that she and Harry were married 'just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury'.

Justin Welby told an Italian newspaper on Monday the legal wedding was held on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel - which millions of people tuned in to watch worldwide.

He added: 'I had a number of private and pastoral meetings with the duke and duchess before the wedding.

In her interview, Meghan raised eyebrows when she told Ms Winfrey that she and Harry were married 'just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury'

'The legal wedding was on the Saturday. I signed the wedding certificate, which is a legal document, and I would have committed a serious criminal offence if I signed it knowing it was false.

'So you can make what you like about it. But the legal wedding was on the Saturday. But I won't say what happened at any other meetings.'

In Meghan and Harry's explosive interview with US talk-show host Ms Winfrey, the couple claimed one royal had 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be.

Meghan said it was 'a pretty safe' assumption to suggest that the royal family member in question - who she refused to name - was 'concerned' that Archie being 'too brown' was 'a problem'.

It was later confirmed that the person was not the Queen nor Prince Philip.

The duchess also told how she contemplated suicide but was not supported by the institution even when she begged for help.

The figures come after the Archbishop of Canterbury broke his silence on what the couple told Oprah Winfrey three weeks ago. Justin Welby said he signed Harry and Meghan's wedding certificate on the day millions watched them marry at St George's Chapel

Harry said he felt 'let down' by his father the Prince of Wales, said he was cut off financially by his family in the months before Megxit, and expressed his shock at his loss of taxpayer-funded security.

He has since spoken with his father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William.

A statement released on behalf of The Queen following the broadcast read: 'The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.

'The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.

'Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.
With people across the state still struggling to schedule their shots, New Jersey on Wednesday unveiled a new online tool to help residents more easily find COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

The tool  found at covid19.nj.gov/finder  aims to address one of the biggest complaints residents have had: That New Jerseys vaccine scheduling system is hard to navigate, with people often having to search various sites to find scarce appointments.

The new website aggregates information from across multiple scheduling platforms, multiple times an hour, letting people know when appointments are open, and helping people make one themselves, Gov. Phil Murphy said during his latest coronavirus briefing in Trenton.

We hope this new tool will take some of the stress out of your search, Murphy said. Now, to be sure, appointments are still limited, and are especially so by mid-to-late week. So the finder at this moment will reflect this reality. As our vaccine supply increases over the new few weeks, you will see a many more available appointments show up on this website.

So far, New Jersey health facilities and vaccine centers have administered more than 4.22 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since the states first shot was given Dec. 15. That includes about 2.73 million people with at least one dose and 1.57 million people considered fully vaccinated, 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 23% of the states 6.9 million adults have been fully vaccinated.

Murphy on Wednesday touted how New Jersey ranks third among all states in the percentage of vaccine supply given out  more than 88%. He also said the state ranks eighth in the average of doses administered daily, at nearly 94,000 a day.

So we continue to make unmistakable progress, the governor said.

Officials say vaccine demand continues to outpace supply from the federal government, causing a backlog of people trying to get appointments, but the state is expecting doses to increase over the next month. The state will a boost next week, with 551,320 doses set to arrive, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Wednesday.

New Jersey is increasing eligibility for the vaccine in stages. On Monday, people 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 will become eligible.

In addition, a federally run pilot vaccination center in Newark officially opened Wednesday. It will eventually be able to vaccinate 6,000 people a day, seven days a week. The focus is on vulnerable communities.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

This all comes as New Jersey deals with rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, even as vaccine rollout continues. Its a rise officials say is fueled in part by both numerous variants spreading and pandemic fatigue.

The state ranks second in the nation in new cases over the last 7 days, after Michigan, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

New Jersey on Wednesday reported another 4,586 cases and 44 additional deaths, while more than 2,363 patients were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases across the state  the most since Feb. 16.

The states seven-day average for newly confirmed cases is 3,977, up 19% from a week ago and 36% from a month ago

Murphy has said the state is in a foot race between getting more vaccines out and the variants spreading.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
"Joining one world is joining a family of the best airlines in the world," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska's CEO. "Being a part of the alliance allows us to provide fantastic global connectivity, a seamless travel experience and more valuable loyalty offerings for our guests. This alliance transforms Alaska into a truly global airline, connecting our strong West Coast network and destinations across North America with the worldwide reach of our one world partners."

With safety protocols in place due to the pandemic, Alaska and oneworld hosted a virtual celebration and news conference today in Seattle, the airline's hometown. Fellow airline members from around the world welcomed Alaska to the alliance with video greetings and provided versions of employees performing the Alaska Safety Dance, briefly renamed the Global Safety Dance.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release, which includes high resolution images and video that can be downloaded.

"With Alaska Airlines now part of oneworld, we are excited to offer to customers even more destinations and flights, strengthened by Alaska's leading network on the U.S. West Coast," said oneworld CEO Rob Gurney, who joined Minicucci in Seattle for the event. "For oneworld top-tier customers, the joining of Alaska will provide even more opportunities for their status to be recognised as we look forward to a recovery in international travel."

For Alaska and its guests, oneworld provides a global network of flights to as many as 1,000 destinations across more than 170 countries and territories*. With its membership in the alliance, Alaska will add seven new airline partners and enhance its six existing partnerships with oneworld members.

"We're delighted to welcome Alaska to the oneworld family. As the industry recovers from COVID, airline alliances are going to be more important than ever. Alaska will be an asset to the alliance, positioning oneworld to deliver even more value to our customers and member airlines," said oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.

Effective today, all Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn miles when they fly any of the other 13 member airlines. Mileage redemption for flights on airlines that Alaska did not have previous partnerships with will occur in the coming months.

Alaska's elite Mileage Plan members automatically receive matching oneworld tier status: MVP Gold 75K = oneworld Emerald; MVP Gold = oneworld Sapphire; and MVP = oneworld Ruby. Depending on tier status, those passengers can enjoy a variety of privileges, including access to more than 650 international first and business class lounges*, fast track through security and priority baggage benefits. Guests with Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status in any oneworld member airline's frequent flyer program will be able to use priority check-in desks, where available. Also, guests with Emerald or Sapphire status will be offered priority boarding.

"If you've been a frequent flier who has earned status with us, all that loyalty will go even further with benefits in oneworld to make your journey even more enjoyable," said Minicucci.

Alaska fliers can find out more about what oneworld means for them on the Alaska Airlines Blog.

Flight connectivity becomes easier with Alaska's membership in oneworld, especially on international bookings, which includes a long-standing partnership with American Airlines. American, a oneworld founding member, sponsored Alaska's membership into the alliance.

"Alaska has been an outstanding partner to American for nearly 40 years and we're excited to do even more together in the years to come," said American Airlines President Robert Isom. "By connecting American's strength in long-haul international flying and Alaska's strong presence along the West Coast, we're building a better network for our customers than either airline could build alone."

The 14 full members of oneworld are: Alaska Airlines; American Airlines; British Airways; Cathay Pacific Airways; Finnair; Iberia; Japan Airlines; Malaysia Airlines; Qantas; Qatar Airways; Royal Air Maroc; Royal Jordanian; S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines. Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner offering select alliance benefits to frequent flyers from any oneworld member airline travelling on their flights.

Learn more about Alaska's membership in oneworld at alaskaair.com/oneworld and at oneworld.com/members/alaska-airlines.

* The reach of the oneworld network in January 2020 when including Alaska Airlines and Royal Air Maroc.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. The airline emphasizes Next-Level Care for its guests, along with providing low fares, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. On March 31, 2021, Alaska became the 14th member of oneworld. With the global alliance and Alaska Airlines' additional partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

About one world

oneworld brings together 14 world-class airlines  Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, and more than 20 of their affiliates. Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner. oneworld member airlines work together to deliver consistently a superior, seamless travel experience, with special privileges and rewards for frequent flyers, including earning and redeeming miles and points across the entire alliance network. Top-tier cardholders (Emerald and Sapphire) enjoy access to airport lounges and are offered extra baggage allowances. The most regular travelers (Emerald) can also use fast track security lanes at select airports. Learn more about the oneworld Alliance at alaska.oneworld.com and oneworld.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines

Related Links

http://www.alaskaair.com


The Tanzanian police have now confirmed that 45 people died in the stampede as mourners gathered to view the body of former President John Magufuli.



Thirty-seven other people were injured in the stampede in Dar es Salaam.



The police did not give the names of the victims.



The police had initially given a death toll of five. They have been under pressure to confirm the actual numbers, more than a week after it happened, after a family confirmed losing six members in the incident.



The family was part of the thousands who went to bid farewell to their president but never made it back home.



One man lost his wife, two children, a nephew and a niece. The family's maid was also found dead a few days later.



Video footage circulating on social media showed residents entering the stadium using unofficial entry points, as crowds grew larger.



President Magufuli died on 17 March from what government officials said was from heart complications.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 00:16:43|Editor: huaxia

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WINDHOEK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Namibian President Hage Geingob on Wednesday thanked China and India for their vaccine donations, stating that "it is in the hour of need that one discovers who your true friends are."

Namibia received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines on March 17 from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac and received Covishield vaccine from India on March 20.

Geingob highlighted this when he addressed the nation during the 26th COVID-19 public briefing over national response measures, which have been extended for further 30 days up until April 30.

The president announced in the speech that the sale of alcohol at restaurants and bars has been extended to 22:00 from Monday to Saturday, while the sale of alcohol on Sunday remains prohibited. And the number of people at gatherings has been increased from 50 to 100 people for both indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Meanwhile, during the briefing, Namibia's Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula stressed that the number of infections remains high, with cases still being reported from across the country on a daily basis and urged the nation to take caution. Enditem
The people who run Americas charitable food banks take pride in what theyve accomplished over the past year, and the numbers justify it: They distributed roughly 50 percent more food in 2020 compared with 2019, a considerable portion to first-time visitors. They served millions of people even as they dealt with supply-chain interruptions and health risks for their volunteers and employees.

But they also say they are tired, and worried about donor fatigue and long-term stability. The pandemic made clear that food banks work best as a complement to, not a replacement for, government assistance. Yet it was December before Congress increased its main program for combating hunger, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. A newly created Department of Agriculture program brought a windfall of food  but many logistical headaches.

The private-public partnership worked wonders in fighting hunger this past year, but has hardly erased the need.
It's time now to meet the newest members of our Morning Mug Club -- brought to you by Holland Farms Bakery & Deli.

Have you gained some pandemic pounds within the past year, or just want to learn a few healthier eating habits?

Let Amber Jones, Clinical Nutrition Manager from Rome Health, tell you how.

Coming up on Thursday, April 15 at 1 p.m., Copper City Community Connection in Rome is hosting "Lunch and Learn".

They will be serving a healthy meal of lemon pepper chicken breast, tossed salad, and a fresh fruit cup.

Register from now through Thursday, April 8, by calling: 315-337-8230.

Cost: $5.00/Members, $6.00/Non-Members

No refunds will be given after April 8, 2021.

Depending on the weather, they will be under a tent outside or have a drive-up lunch with a radio broadcast.
Victorian prosecutors have lashed the Court of Appeal for its troubling application of consent laws, which they say is making it more difficult to prove the crime of rape.

The Office of Public Prosecutions criticism comes off the back of a Court of Appeal decision to overturn a rape conviction against a man who was accused of assaulting a woman while she slept.

Director of Public Prosecutions Kerri Judd. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Victims of Crime Commissioner Fiona McCormack has called for what she referred to as a gap in law to be urgently addressed.

What does it say about us as a community that a court of law could accept that someone can consent while theyre unconscious?
[March 31, 2021] Adlib Brings Deeper Contract Analytics Capabilities to Power the "Intelligent Enterprise"

TORONTO, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adlib today announced the launch of its expanded Content Intelligence platform with enhanced Contract Analytics capabilities. By empowering enterprises to access data previously locked in complex documents like contracts, business leaders can now mitigate risk, find efficiencies, and address compliance more quickly and cost-effectively than ever before.

Adlibs enhanced Contract Analytics capabilities enable a deeper level of contract analysis, cementing the companys position as a global Content Intelligence leader. Adlibs platform now features more advanced document classification; the ability to identify key clauses and find specific language within clauses; signature detection and strikethroughs; and point-and-click data science that enables everyday users to solve document challenges with AI. Whether an enterprise is trying to find PII, mitigate LIBOR risk, sort out IFRS changes, or maximize M&A profits, the success or failure is directly tied to their contracts, says Peter Duff, Chief Product Officer. Contracts are one of the riskiest, most complex, yet valuable documents an enterprise can have, he adds. Adlibs innovative Contract Analytics capabilities allow enterprises to simplify the analysis of their contracts, delivering answers faster and more effectively, making every business event less risky and more profitable.

Contracts are challenging because they lack structure, says Jason Mitrow, Sr. Director of Product Strategy. Even though you have standard contract types and key elements, the language or presence of items ithin a document can drastically change, he adds. Third party contracts can make things even more challenging as a company has even less control over the output, making it difficult to analyze data at scale, he says. With Adlibs latest offering, we empower our customers to solve these challenges with less effort and more accuracy



Its time we changed the tone of the digital transformation conversation, says Brett Mellon, CEO. Enterprises know they need to be agile and digital, yet the roadblock of unstructured data remains, he adds. By finding, analyzing and creating insightful data from complex documents, enterprises can de-risk their business and reinvigorate revenue, he says. This is why Adlib exists, to give our customers the tools they need to become the intelligent enterprises of tomorrow.

About Adlib

Our purpose is to create intelligent data that amplifies human potential and maximizes business performance. How do we get there? Our content intelligence and automation solutions make it easy to discover, standardize, classify, extract, and leverage clean structured data from complex unstructured documents. In doing so, our global customers reduce risk, simplify compliance, automate processes, and enter a whole new level of performance. For more information, contact us at info@adlibsoftware.com , or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .

Media Contact:

Marc Fuentes, Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and Sales Development

Email: mfuentes@adlibsoftware.com

Phone: 1866 991 1704 A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18b9ed5e-ef67-423f-be20-571b28ddf189



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BRUSSELS (AP)  Belgium has an extra unexpected hurdle to overcome in its fight against the coronavirus: a bout of gorgeous weather.

Temperatures in Belgium have never been so high so early in the year  reaching 24.5 degrees Celsius (76 Fahrenheit)  and the warm weather is bringing thousands of people to coastal beaches and parks amid a worrying surge of COVID-19 cases.

The good weather was expected to continue until Friday and the start of the Easter weekend. Good news for the 11.5 million Belgians craving sun after a gloomy winter, but a real worry for the government struggling to deal with a third wave of infections.

In response to the number of passengers on its trains, Belgium's national rail company, SNCB, was forced to activate a stop-and-go system to prevent travelers from boarding in several train stations packed to the rafters on Tuesday.

Under the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Belgium, residents are banned from traveling abroad but can move freely across the country. Many did not resist the appeal of a grand day out to North Sea beaches, especially after the government decided last week to shut down schools for an extra week before the Easter school break in a bid to slow infections.

That move could ultimately backfire.

It's too crowded. And you dont have to be a great scientist to predict that. The weather is good, and the Belgian (train pass) with free rides is still valid until the end of the month. It was bound to go wrong," Western Flanders Governor Carl Decaluwe told Het Niewsblad newspaper. Im holding my breath for the Easter holidays."

Both Decaluwe and the SNCB are now advising against trips to the coast, but the situation in big cities is also a source of worry. In Brussels, for instance, residents late Tuesday gathered en masse in one of the citys largest parks to enjoy al fresco drinks and outdoor games. Despite restrictions limiting outside gatherings to four people, large groups were spotted sitting on the grass.

Story continues

Although mandatory mask-wearing outdoors is in force, many did not bother with the rule.

Brussels prosecutor's office issued a warning Wednesday following the announcement on social networks of two illegal festivals scheduled to take place on April 1 and 2 in two of the city's parks. The office said police will be deployed and that revelers attending the events in breach of COVID-19 restrictions could be prosecuted.

One of the parties is promoted by a collective called the Abyss. The group said it does not question the government's strategy but fights for citizens' rights to gather outdoors.

Some people say we have fallen into a health dictatorship. We dont want to believe it," the group said. We want to prove that it is still possible to live and therefore to celebrate even in the midst of a pandemic, as our grandparents did during the war."

A night-time curfew and other restrictions have been in place in Belgium since last year. A court in Brussels ordered the government Wednesday to either end exceptional measures it imposed in the context of the pandemic or to frame them properly as laws, Belgian media reported. The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by the Belgian League of Human Rights.

Belgium has reported over 876,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and almost 23,000 virus-related deaths. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have risen consistently in recent weeks, and the country's health authorities have warned that intensive care unit occupancy could reach a critical level by April 10 if the pace of infections does not slow down.
The recent decision of the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to ask teachers to instruct migrant children in-person over spring break while local students still struggle in an online format is a "slap in the face" for one of the parents who questioned the ruling.

Leslie Hofmeister, a parent and the co-founder of Reopen San Diego Unified School District, expressed frustrations regarding teaching migrant children in-person who are staying at the San Diego Convention Center.

Students of San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) are not scheduled to join the hybrid model of in-person and remote instructional kind of learning until Apr. 12.

READ NEXT: Migrant Caravan Flees Honduras in Chase of American Dream

'A Slap in the Face'

According to National Review, Hofmeister said it is a slap in the face for San Diego parents as they have been begging and pleading with the Education authorities to open the schools and take care of their children.

While she praised the SDCOE's move in caring for the migrant children, she pointed out that their kids also deserve the same type of care.

The spokesperson of the SDCOE said they are offering an educational program for migrant children who will be staying at the San Diego Convention Center through July, New York Post reported.

The spokesperson noted that all of the children in California have a constitutional right to education regardless of their immigration status.

The spokesperson also emphasized that they have a moral obligation in ensuring a better future for all of the kids in the state, Fox News reported.

However, Hofmeister questioned the statement and asked the SDCOE if what happened to their moral obligation to San Diego kids. She noted that it is also their obligation to ensure a bright future for them. She added that a number of children who could not go to school are now undergoing some medications.

Hofmeister, who is also a licensed marriage and family therapist, said many students are currently experiencing anxiety and depression, trying to cope with the unusual feeling of being away from their schools.

Other parents have also expressed their sentiments about the issue. One parent, a mother of three, said that all kids should go to school, whether an immigrant or a student of a San Diego taxpayer, as this inconsistency creates confusion.

Hofmeister supported the statement, saying as parents, they cannot ensure a bright future for their kids by retroactively treating them with medications because they did not proactively take a stand in putting them back to school.

The SDCOE noted that teachers who are participating in the program would be volunteers. But as part of safety measures, students will be kept six feet apart and would be required to double mask and be tested for COVID every three days.

However, Hofmeister questioned the effectiveness of the safety precautions that would be imposed in the San Diego Convention Center, where recently, not less than 70 migrant teens tested positive with COVID-19.

Another parent Emily Diaz told Fox News that the system is broken when teachers would teach migrant children in person, while over 100,000 students of taxpaying families are stuck in "Zoom school."

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa also slammed the quick offer of in-person education to migrant children when local families have been told to wait for "more than a year" for the same opportunity.

Reports said around 250 children are expected to arrive every other day until the San Diego Convention Center reaches its shelter capacity of 1,450.

READ MORE: Biden Seeks Volunteers to Help Curb Migrant Crisis, Post-Pandemic Passports Also Being Developed

WATCH: Jen Psaki Asked POINT BLANK Why Migrants Kids Getting In-Person Instruction Before American Students - From The Hill
This is the moment a 'lone' female ISIS terrorist was shot dead by police in Indonesia today after she appeared to point a gun at officers in the national police headquarters compound.

Dramatic footage shows the woman, seen wearing a blue veil and long black clothing, slump to the ground as shots are heard ringing out at the complex in Jakarta.

Moments before, the woman appeared to point a weapon at officers who then opened fire.

Speaking after the incident, police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the woman, 25, was a 'lone wolf' who believed in Islamic State ideology and had posted an ISIS flag onto her social media account hours before the attack.

A person, believed to be a woman, wearing a blue veil and a long black outfit is seen walking into the grounds of the Indonesian national police headquarters in Jakarta with their arms up (left). In local media footage, gunshots can be heard and the woman is seen falling to the ground (right)

After the veiled woman appears to be shot, she falls down to the floor and lies motionless

The woman was shot dead by Indonesian police officers following an exchange of gunfire at the compound of the national police headquarters.

Video footage shows the lone figure lying motionless on the ground, with local TV station TV One saying that gunfire had been exchanged and that one person at the scene was dead, though this has not been confirmed.

The incident comes only days after two suicide bombers attacked a cathedral in the city of Makssar on Sulawesi island, injuring 20 people.

The newlywed couple who attacked the church belonged to pro-Islamic State extremist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), police have said, warning of more possible attacks.

A woman wearing a blue veil and long black clothing has been shot by police today in Indonesia after gunshots were heard coming from the national police headquarters in Jakarta. Pictured: A police security team guard the entrance to the national police headquarters in Jakarta today after gunfire was heard coming from the compound

Gunshots can be heard in the footage as multiple people are seen keeping their distance from the woman before she is seen falling to the ground while gunshots can be heard. Pictured: A team of police stand guard outside the Jakarta police headquarters

Local reports described the woman as an 'attacker' and showed footage of the woman entering the grounds of the police headquarters in Jakarta. Pictured: A police security team stand guard outside the headquarters in Jakarta today following an alleged shootout

Sunday's explosion at the main Catholic cathedral in Makassar took place just after congregants finished celebrating Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, which commemorates Jesus's entry into Jerusalem.

Police outposts have been frequent targets of Indonesian extremists in the past.

The world's most populous Muslim-majority country has long struggled with Islamic militancy and has suffered a number of devastating attacks in the past two decades.

The 2002 Bali bombings were the country's worst-ever terror attack, killing more than 200 people, mainly foreign tourists.

Indonesia's security forces regularly arrest suspected militants and attacks have often been low-level and have targeted domestic security forces.

The lone figure is then seen lying motionless on the ground and local TV station TV One said that one person at the scene was dead and gunfire had been exchanged

Pictured: The gates leading into the Indonesia national police headquarters in Jakarta stand closed, with a team of police officers standing guard

Before Sunday, one of the country's last major deadly attacks was in 2018, when a dozen people were killed after a family of suicide bombers 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 the suicide bombing of a police headquarters, all belonged to the same Koran study group and were linked to JAD, which has pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State.

Formed in 2015, JAD gained notoriety the following year 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 IS in Southeast Asia.

JAD was also implicated in a 2019 cathedral suicide bombing in the Philippines committed by a married Indonesian couple which killed worshippers and security forces.
[March 30, 2021] Trip.com Group Unveils New Travel Marketing Hub to Empower Industry Partners and Attract Post-Pandemic Travellers

SHANGHAI, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Trip.com Group unveils plans to boost its content ecosystem and partner marketing capabilities with the launch of its new travel marketing hub, Star Store, designed to allow suppliers to expand and enhance their marketing activities on Trip.com Group platforms. Through this new innovation, partners will be given a dedicated forum to integrate differentiated and tailored product offerings and develop their exposure with new product promotion initiatives. In addition, Star Store offers partners the tools to deliver a wider diversity of marketing activities, such as membership promotions, live stream sales, external placement and more. This latest move coincides with the brand's commitment to building a one-stop travel platform, integrating differentiated travel content, driving huge traffic volume and providing comprehensive travel products to meet the evolving needs of the post-pandemic traveller and further support partners. Star Store enables Trip.com Group partners to expand and upgrade their marketing capabilities across Trip.com Group content distribution channels, such as live straming and membership community networks by publishing their own content on the platform to help drive bookings. As of December 2020, Trip.com Group saw 200 million consumers tune in for live broadcasts, including the Boss Live show, driving Trip.com Group's total pre-sale GMV to over RMB 5 billion.



Trip.com Group introduces this latest innovation following an increase in consumption and demand for travel-related content during the pandemic whilst global travel was not possible. As the global travel revival approaches, users are continuing to seek out platforms with rich travel content offerings. As of December 2020, the amount of in-app content on Trip.com Group platforms doubled compared with 2019, and time spent by users browsing its platforms increased by 200%. Through its traffic management toolkit, the new travel marketing hub grants partners the ability to efficiently match and manage traffic to generate greater exposure of their unique product and content offerings. In 2021, over 50% of new users on Trip.com Group platforms were aged 25 or under, a promising new market for partners to access.

Sun Bo, Trip.com Group CMO, introduced the direction of the new marketing hub. He said, "Our new travel marketing hub enables travel ecosystem partners to turn engagement into transactions through enhanced marketing activities on this dedicated platform, sharing in the benefits of Trip.com Group's global user base. Trip.com Group will continue to develop its content and marketing capabilities, applying and expanding this approach to the international market in line with the global travel industry's recovery." As a leading global travel services provider at the forefront of the global travel revival, Trip.com Group will continue to strive in optimising its content ecosystem and marketing tools, bringing benefits to partners and more options to users. About Trip.com Group: Trip.com Group is a leading one-stop travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group enables local partners and travelers around the world to make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services, through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related information and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of mobile apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centers. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel brands in the world, with the mission 'to pursue the perfect trip for a better world'. www.trip.com/newsroom SOURCE Trip.com Group

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Student self collecting swab sample As communities across America work to accomplish the national priority of returning to in-person learning over the coming months, testing will be a critical tool to monitor viral spread and build confidence among students, teachers, and families.

Biomeme and One Health Labs, leaders in portable real-time PCR testing solutions and on-site testing services, have partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (Ginkgo), the organism company, to launch a pooled testing program. This testing modality offers a highly effective method to group test for coronavirus cases, and will support efforts by communities to reopen K-12 schools responsibly, balancing accessibility and ease with reliable COVID-19 testing.

Concentric by Ginkgo offers SARS-CoV-2 pooled testing services to public K-12 and special education schools. Pooling makes it possible for students and teachers to combine swabs together in a single tube and run them in a single test, greatly simplifying sample collection logistics, reducing the need for additional PPE and test kits, and lowering the cost of testing to as little as $6 per person. This type of testing gives schools and districts group-level data to make informed public health decisions at a fraction of the cost of individual testing, while helping to bring students and teachers back to school with peace of mind.

Biomeme and Ginkgo have successfully collaborated on numerous biosurveillance projects in the past, so when the opportunity came to help them scale access to COVID-19 tests for communities everywhere, it was an easy decision for us to make said Max Perelman, co-founder and business lead at Biomeme. Their swab pooling method can be run on our existing testing infrastructure and our goal is to provide 24-hour turnaround.

Concentric by Ginkgo runs testing for hundreds of schools across the country, including large-scale programs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Baltimore City Public Schools, and Marylands Montgomery County. Concentric by Ginkgo expects to onboard numerous additional schools across the country in the coming weeks.

The Biden Administration recently announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will distribute $10 billion to states to support viral testing in schools, with the goal of supporting in-person education through such testing.

As communities across America work to accomplish the national priority of returning to in-person learning over the coming months, testing will be a critical tool to monitor viral spread and build confidence among students, teachers, and families, said Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Ginkgo. Pooled testing gives schools a simple-to-implement protocol to test every student, every week, providing a scalable approach for collecting vital information and tracking the virus.

Both Biomeme and Ginkgo have been actively supporting a number of COVID-19 response efforts outside of Concentric by Ginkgo, including community testing, epidemiological sequencing, vaccine development and therapeutics discovery. Biomemes mobile PCR technology and its ability to quickly identify and respond to community level infectious disease outbreaks has enabled it to become a critical technology for the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG)s RADICAL studies, the DHS Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense Center of Excellences pre-symptomatic detection of illness program, and the DODs Joint Biological Tactical Detection System. Biomemes tests, including SARS-CoV-2, are known for being shelf-stable, pre-aliquoted, and pre-mixed to balance simplicity, mobility, and throughput. These factors, among others, play a critical part in why various government agencies continue to collaborate with Biomeme.

In addition to testing, Ginkgo is applying its platform to optimize manufacturing of critical raw materials required for production of nucleic acid vaccines against COVID-19. This type of vaccine has emerged as an exciting new modality given its rapid development timelines and emerging data indicating high efficacy. However, nucleic acid vaccines require a different manufacturing process, have a highly specialized supply chain, and have never been produced at the scale required to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Ginkgo's work to date has created processes that can dramatically increase the number of doses achievable with each manufacturing run.

To learn more about Concentric by Ginkgo or to get your school district involved, head over to concentricbyginkgo.com.

About Biomeme

Biomeme was conceived and created to make the world a better place through the democratization of healthcare diagnostics. To that end, we have created technology that empowers anyone, anywhere (including low-resource settings with minimal space, electricity, and equipment) with the capabilities of a molecular lab in the palm of their hands. Over the last 9 years, Biomeme has grown a vertically integrated organization spanning specimen collection, sample prep, assay and instrumentation R&D, PCR reagent lyophilization, hardware and consumable manufacturing, as well as nationwide molecular diagnostic testing services. With the low cost, ease-of-use, and unparalleled field portability of the Biomeme system, we are prepared to rapidly advance initiatives in emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19, as well as emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. For more information, visit http://www.biomeme.com.

Contact: tom.cook (at) biomeme (dot) com

About Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.

Headquartered in Boston, Ginkgo uses the most advanced technology on the planetbiologyto grow better products. The company's cell programming platform is enabling the growth of biotechnology across diverse markets, from food to fragrance to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo is also actively supporting a number of COVID-19 response efforts, including community testing, epidemiological tracing, vaccine development and therapeutics discovery. For more information, visit http://www.ginkgobioworks.com.

Contact: press (at) ginkgobioworks (dot) com

Photo by: Copper Hound Pictures
(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 31 - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday that Italy would never give up seeking the truth about the "barbaric slaying" of Italian student Giulio Regeni in Cairo in early 2016 and would also keep up "all efforts" to see that Bologna University Egyptian student Patrick Zaki is released.

In a statement to the Senate on the foreign ministry's agenda, Di Maio added that "at the same time it is however important to keep open with Cairo also a channel of dialogue on the fundamental questions for the stability of the Mediterranean, such as for example Libya and energy security".

On January 25, the fifth anniversary of Regeni's disappearance on the Cairo metro, President Sergio Mattarella demanded a response from Egypt over the Friuli-born student's torture and murder.

The brutalised body of the Cambridge University doctoral researcher into Egyptian street unions was found a week later, on February 3, 2016.

He had been tortured so badly his mother said she only recognised him by the tip of his nose.

Rome prosecutors have requested that four members of Egypt's security services face trial in relation to the case.

Postgraduate student Zaki has been held on charges of inciting protests in Egypt since February 7 last year. (ANSA).


AM Best continues to hold a negative market segment outlook on the insurance markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Factors supporting the outlook include COVID-19-driven uncertainty and the risk that further oil price volatility will maintain economic pressure across the region. In addition, there is concern over price adequacy amid intensely competitive conditions. Financial market fluctuations and depressed real estate valuations, as well as the expectation of liquidity pressures and increased delays in cash collection, also weigh on the outlook.

A new Best's Market Segment Outlook, titled, "Market Segment Outlook: Gulf Cooperation Council Insurance," notes these factors are partially offset by tightening regulatory oversight and control, and easing regional geopolitical tensions.

The report recognises that there are opportunities for market consolidation, with merger and acquisition activity on the rise, and notes that regional insurers' generally well-capitalised balance sheets have generally proven resilient to shock scenarios. However, with uncertainty set to persist through 2021, testing conditions will continue to leave carriers exposed to capital volatility and shrinking profit margins.

To access a complimentary copy of this commentary, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=307303.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright 2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005284/en/

Contacts:

Emily Thompson

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 0291

emily.thompson@ambest.com

Alex Rafferty

Associate Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0312

alex.rafferty@ambest.com

Richard Banks

Director, Industry Research EMEA

+44 20 7397 0322

richard.banks@ambest.com

Edem Kuenyehia

Director, Market Development Communications

+44 20 7397 0280

edem.kuenyehia@ambest.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Golden Goliath Resources Ltd. (TSXV: GNG ) (OTC Pink: GGTHF) (FSE: GGZ)

Golden Goliath has now drilled five different sectors of this 10 km long Kwai property testing different types of shears and faults that parallel the Pakwash Fault. These areas represent possible sources of gold grains found in the glacial till across the property (Figure 4). The last two areas that were drilled involved 5 holes, (K21-17 to 21), on the south shore of Beauregard Lake that tested IP anomalies generated this winter from a survey of the ice covered lake. The other 3 holes (Figure 3) on the north shore (also generated by the lake ice IP program) have started to test a very strong IP anomaly following the north shore of the lake, now labeled as the Whale anomaly. The Company is planning further drilling on this target, including a hole on line 1600E and a deeper hole undercutting hole drill hole K21-24. Another hole between holes K21-22 and K21-23 is being considered depending on multi element assays that are pending.







Figure 1: Red Lake District Properties including the Kwai and SLF properties of Golden Goliath

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4761/79019_c8d2b4e59477b949_002full.jpg







Figure 2: Gold Grains Probable Source Area Plot From West Grid To Lake.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

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Figure 3: Drill holes completed in the area of Beauregard Lake

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A two to three km long sector of the Pakwash structure remains to be drilled as well as an area of basalts along the north side of the Pakwash. This basalt area is the east extension of the basalts found on the north shore off the lake where new shear zones were discovered in the latest round of drilling. Assays are pending on the latest 8 holes.

Drilling of 24 holes for a total of 4968 m has now been completed (Figure 3). The original program was to include 6,000m of drilling, and the Company subsequently raised more funds for an additional 2,000m of drilling. That leaves about 3,000m more to be drilled for this first ever drilling program on the Kwai property

Fourteen holes were drilled on the western grid which had two sectors, one along the Pakwash Fault and a southern parallel structure. This was followed by drilling of two holes on the east grid where a continuation of the Uchi basalts was located; holes K21-15-16. Then five holes were drilled on the south side of the lake on the Central grid followed by 3 holes on the north side of the lake. This now leaves 12 holes east of the lake along the Pakwash structure where pads have already been made.







Figure 4: Possible Source Areas for Gold Grains in Till Across The Kwai Property

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Figure 5: 2020-2021 Drill Program - Completed Holes to Date with Traces

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This news release has been reviewed by Robert S. Middleton P.Eng who is acting as QP for this phase of the exploration under the NI 43-101 requirements.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Paul Sorbara, MSc, PGeo

CEO, Golden Goliath Resources Ltd.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

Certain statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements included in this press release that address future events, conditions or results, including in connection with exploration activity, future acquisitions and any financing, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "must", "plan", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "think", "continue", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "anticipate" or "future" or the negative forms thereof or similar variations. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their experiences and their perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those mentioned in the Company's continuous disclosure documents, which can be found under its profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Many of such risks and uncertainties are outside the control of the Company and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In making such forward-looking statements, management has relied upon a number of material factors and assumptions, on the basis of currently available information, for which there is no insurance that such information will prove accurate. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Golden Goliath Resources Ltd.

J. Paul Sorbara, M.Sc., P.Geo

President & CEO

Phone: +1(604) 682-2950 Email: jps@goldengoliath.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy.

About Golden Goliath

Golden Goliath Resources Ltd. is a junior exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (symbol GNG). The Company is focused on exploring and developing the gold and silver potential of properties in the Red Lake District of Ontario. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the San Timoteo property, located in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains of northwestern Mexico, as well as NSR royalties on several other nearby properties.

To find out more about Golden Goliath visit our website at www.goldengoliath.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79019
A ground-breaking RTE documentary produced and directed by a Kildare woman has won a major TV award.

Gillian Marsh, who is the daughter of Sheila and the late Jim Marsh, grew up in Calverstown near Kilcullen.

Her dad Jim, who died in 2009, worked as a vet in the racing industry.

Gillian's documentary The Funeral Director about a Sligo undertaker won the Specialist Factual  Sponsored by Screenscene in the inaugural Royal Television Society Ireland Television Awards 2021 event on Virgin Media One.

Other RTS Ireland Television Award winners for 2021 included Dara O Briain, who received the BAI Outstanding Contribution Award, ShinAwiL Ltd for Dancing With The Stars, and Tyrone Productions for David Brophys Unsung Heroes, all broadcast on RTE.

The viewership figures for The Funeral Director when it was screened in 2019 were 313,700 and it had a 28% share of the available audience.

It was also streamed on the RTE Player thousands of times.

Gillian founded her own TV production company  GMarsh TV  in 1997 which has since built its name producing distinctive television with a rural edge.

Co Mayo-based Gillian previously told the Kildare Post about the programme: I was so delighted the programme went down well.

It was a tough programme to make, and with a subject like death you dont know how it will be received.

The Funeral Director offered an unprecedented glimpse into a world most of us never consider until it is thrust upon us by bereavement.

Told from the perspective of pioneering Sligo funeral director David McGowan, the documentary unflinchingly drew back the veil on an industry that is rarely spoken of.

With unprecedented access to the procedures, science and etiquette of the funeral director, the documentary makers followed David as he shared his personal perspective on the sombre business he describes as his passion.

He described being thrown into the profession when his father bought a country pub which included an undertakers business in the 1970s.

When he joined the family business, he was determined to offer the best possible service to his clients.

He travelled to America, learning his trade at Chicagos Cook County Morgue  one of the worlds busiest mortuaries.

In The Funeral Director, David recalled the daily workload of murder victims, unclaimed corpses and overdosed high school kids  a world far removed from the West of Ireland funeral parlours and wakes of his formative years.

Since returning to Ireland in the 1980s, he continued to apply all the lessons he learned to a culture renowned for grieving better than anyone else in the world.

Somehow balancing family life with the 24/7 demands of his job, David became famous for transforming giant vehicles into luxury glamping accommodation, including a retired airliner a 767 which he transported by sea-barge to his site in Enniscrone.

Viewers met Davids friend and client Dougie Hopkins who was a former pilot and biker in the final stages of terminal cancer.

They also witnessed Dougie arrange to have his cremated remains buried in the roots of a live oak tree planted at the rear of the plane.
(Photo : Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images) The Apple logo shining on the front of Apple Central World on the stores opening day on July 31, 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo : Leon Neal/Getty Images) A photographer holds an iPhone 11 Pro as they go on sale on September 20, 2019 in London, England.

A new set of leaks about the iPhone 13 series revealed that Apple is not holding back on its design and upgrade decisions planned for the upcoming flagship series.

The most recent leak comes from none other than Ming-Chi Kuo, whose predictions about Apple's product releases are almost always accurate.

This time, the famed analyst dropped the latest tidbit about the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Apple iPhone 13: Confirmed Camera Updates

On Wednesday, Mar. 31, Apple Insider reported Kuo's latest leak detailing that the wide-angle camera fitted on iPhone 13 Pro Max will come with an f/1.5 equivalent lens.

The latest addition to the wide-angle imaging module, if proven true, could significantly upgrade the quality of photos the iPhone 13 Pro Max produces thanks to an increased bokeh and better exposure on nighttime photography.

Meanwhile, other iPhone 13 models are rumored to sport an f/1.6 wide-angle lens that is almost identical to what the iPhone 12 has.

Additionally, all the wide-angle cameras in the iPhone 13 series would have a 7P lens stack to cut down on chromatic aberrations and optimize light gathering capabilities.

Kuo added that Apple's Chinese lens supplier, Sunny Optical, is highly likely to pass the quality verification testing for its 7P components and could start shipping 7P wide-angle lenses in mid-2021

However, the iPhone 13 series is not expected to bring huge changes to its design, as Kuo explained that the significant updates might come in 2022 and 2023.

Also Read: iPhone 13 Camera Leaks for 2021 Update Suggest Better Ultra-Wide NightMode and Zoom Shots

Apple iPhone 13: Design

On Sunday, Mar. 28, Forbes reported that the iPhone 13 Pro would come in matte black, which is a deviation from iPhone 12 Pro's graphite version.

The leak also revealed that Apple tried to experiment with bronze and orange variants, but the chance of it released with the iPhone 13 series is slim.

Additionally, all iPhone 13 models will come with an anti-fingerprint coating on the stainless steel rail surrounding the device's edges, which could help keep the phones' surface clean and pristine.

Tom's Guide also confirmed the rumors on Monday, Mar. 29, adding that the latest leak comes from Filip Koroy of EverythingApplePro, with the help of another known leaker Max Weinbach.

The latest leak also confirmed that the iPhone 13 models would have a smaller, narrower notch.

The latest design modification was made possible after combining the Face ID infrared sensors' components and moving the front camera on the left side.

Lastly, Apple is reportedly brewing a product showcase sometime in April.

The April product showcase event is rumored to present the latest Apple tablets, wearables, and accessories.

The event will introduce the updated iPad Pro 2021 model for its table section, and the new Apple Watch straps reveal for its wearable section.

Apple will also introduce the AirTags-the latest addition to its product line described as tiny discs equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

Related Article: Apple Leaks: iPhone 13 Series Comes With a Matte Black Option, Plus Alleged AirTags Size and Price

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Lee Mercado

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Earlier this year, I decided to leave South Africa to live in the United Kingdom, in London.

Flying to the United Kingdom from South Africa is particularly frustrating at this point, as despite its relatively low daily COVID-19 cases, South Africa has been placed on the UKs red list of countries due to the South African variant prevalent amongst its infected.

Not only does this make the paperwork of emigration more difficult, it also frustrates the process of booking a flight and making arrangements for when you arrive.

I landed in London on Sunday 28 March, following weeks of fluctuating planning and extensive exposure to a battery of tests and immigration forms, long flight times, and even longer queues.

I am not done yet, however, as Im currently serving out a mandatory  and expensive  10-day quarantine in a hotel near Heathrow.

Below is an account of the experience of flying to the UK from South Africa and staying in a quarantine hotel.

The UK government provides a clear outline of travel restrictions on people flying from South Africa, as well as all the documents they need to complete their trip.

It also clearly states anyone who has been in a red list country within the last 10 days is not permitted to travel to the UK, with the exception of British and Irish nationals, and those with residence rights in the UK.

I fortunately have Irish citizenship so I was able to proceed, provided I did the following:

Book a flight from a country that is allowed to fly to the UK.

Book a managed quarantine package for when I land in the UK (includes 10-day hotel quarantine stay and two PCR tests)

Provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours before departing for the UK.

Complete a Personal Locator Form 48 hours before landing in the UK.

This was not as easy as it seems  especially considering the unpredictable travel regulations.

I had first booked my flight with Qatar Airways, which would see me lay over in Doha on the way to London. However, less than a week after booking this, the UK government added Qatar to its red list of countries.

This forced me to cancel my flight, hoping for a refund, and book a new flight for the same day with Air France. Qatar Airways eventually refunded me the full amount for my ticket.

The next hurdle was the COVID-19 quarantine package. This took some time, especially when it comes to paying the hefty price of 1,750 (just over R36,000 at the time of writing).

If you do not pay for this package and land in London, you are liable for a fine of up to 10,000.

This process is managed by CTM, and the payment for quarantine packages can take some time to go through, especially if your banks anti-fraud department takes issue with a major international payment on your card as mine did.

Once this was done, I received an invoice confirmation number and was able to complete the other steps fairly easily. I received my COVID-19 PCR test on a Thursday and left for London on that Saturday, results in hand.

Upon arrival at Heathrow, I was told to follow the large red signs indicating the path through immigration for those arriving from red list countries.

This proved to be a lengthy exercise. I stood in a separate queue at immigration for three hours, held up by the many passengers who did not have all the necessary documents ready for their arrival.

Once I was admitted to the country, I was escorted by security to the luggage carousels and then to a separate holding pen for red list arrivals, where I was told that my hotel had changed due to overbooking at the original hotel assigned to me.

This did not take long to resolve, however, and I was soon escorted out from the pen to the Heathrow parking lot, where I boarded a bus with nine other people and was driven to my assigned hotel.

Upon arrival, I was checked in quickly and escorted up to my room, which had been deep-cleaned and disinfected ahead of my arrival.

My quarantine had begun, and I was to spend the next 10 days stuck in a hotel close to Heathrow airport.

The quarantine period is very well organised. I was told to contact reception for anything I needed, including if I wanted to walk around outside for a bit.

By the end of the first day, I found these escorted excursions to be crucial in preserving my sanity.

After calling reception for a walk outside, security knocks on my door within five minutes and escorts me downstairs to the parking lot, around which a perimeter of security guards is stationed to deter any potential escapees.

Three meals a day are also provided, and each morning you are given a menu to select your food choices for the next day.

Breakfast includes fruit juice and a standard fare within each meal comprising cereal, fruit, yoghurt, croissants, muffins, as well as a daily selection of hot food such as omelettes, hash browns, sausages, and bacon.

Lunch is a single light meal with a soft drink, and dessert and a soft drink are also offered with dinner.

The food has been great so far, and there has been a large selection of meals to choose from each day.

All meals are delivered with fresh plastic cutlery and in takeaway boxes with no plates.

On day two and day eight of my quarantine, I will be given a COVID-19 PCR test kit, which I will have to complete and leave outside my door for collection once completed.

If I test positive for COVID-19 on either of these occasions, my 10-day quarantine period will reset and I will be liable for the additional costs incurred.

Like all meals and other deliveries to my room, the tests are dropped off outside my door with a knock from room service to notify me that a delivery has arrived.

The room I am staying in contains all the amenities I need to last me for ten days of quarantine. It has a large double bed, a mini-fridge, a wall-mounted television, ample cupboard space, and a desk with various outlets.

There is a bathroom with a large shower and a single window in the main room with no balcony.

I had forgotten to bring a UK travel adaptor, but this was quickly resolved through an order placed on Amazon, which was delivered to my room within 24 hours.

The hotel will also provide additional supplies upon request, ranging from top-ups for instant coffee to dental kits that include a toothbrush and toothpaste.

The hotel Wi-Fi is not particularly fast, but it is stable enough for video games, Netflix, and any work I need to do.

There is no housekeeping service, however, which means it is important to keep your surroundings tidy yourself. There are cleaning supplies in my bathroom which help greatly in this regard.

So far, the experience has been pleasant albeit a little boring. Excursions to the car park are necessary to break up the monotony of the day, and I have been reading and taking online courses for set periods of each day after growing tired of Netflix-binging two days in.

It is strange to be cooped up in a hotel room for so long, and have found that video calls or online gaming with friends are a great way to pass the time and stay in touch while in enforced isolation.
In recent days, judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys have all indicated that they expect few of these MAGA tourists to face harsh sentences.

There are two main reasons: Although prosecutors have loaded up their charging documents with language about the existential threat of the insurrection to the republic, the actions of many of the individual rioters often boiled down to trespassing. And judges have wrestled with how aggressively to lump those cases in with those of the more sinister suspects.

My bet is a lot of these cases will get resolved and probably without prison time or jail time, said Erica Hashimoto, a former federal public defender who is now a law professor at Georgetown. "One of the core values of this country is that we can protest if we disagree with our government. Of course, some protests involve criminal acts, but as long as the people who are trying to express their view do not engage in violence, misdemeanors may be more appropriate than felonies.

The prospect of dozens of Jan. 6 rioters cutting deals for minor sentences could be hard to explain for the Biden administration, which has characterized the Capitol Hill mob as a uniquely dangerous threat. Before assuming office, Biden said the rioters attempt to overturn the election results by force borders on sedition; Attorney General Merrick Garland has called the prosecutions his top early priority, describing the storming of Congress as a heinous attack that sought to disrupt a cornerstone of our democracy, the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected government.

BY KYLE CHENEY

Justice Department prosecutors sent expectations sky-high in early statements and court filings, describing elaborate plots to murder lawmakers  descriptions prosecutors have tempered as new details emerged.

The resolution of the more mundane cases also presents acute questions about equity, since most of the Capitol riot defendants are white, while misdemeanor charges are often a vexing problem for minority defendants in other cases.
Lagos  For the first time in 14 years, Calabar seaport facilitates a voyage of 7,000 tons of cocoa export takes off from Calabar port to the United States of America.

The 7000 tons of cocoa was loaded by Starlink Global and Ideal Limited through Ecomarine Terminals in Calabar Port for onward export to United States.

Calabar port, located in Cross River State has faced draft limitations for over 14 years after concession, but the feat is a turning point in the history of the port and it signals improving non-oil export from Nigeria.

Speaking at the load out ceremony in Calabar, the Governor, Cross River State, Ben Ayade, said the state is rich in agricultural resources, urging the NPA to expedite action on the dredging of Calabar channels in other to aid increase in exports.

Ayade, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs. Rosemary Archibong, said "Its time for us not to just export raw materials, but export processed goods' She urged the indigenes to exploit the massive opportunities that the numerous cash crops in the state present.

Ayade assured that the waterways are always under surveillance, hence the adequate security in the state.

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman said the authority is pursuing the Federal Government's economic recovery agenda through consistent improvement on quality of service delivery at the nation's seaports, especially the eastern ports..

She said Calabar port did not fall short of revenue generation, even during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, showing the efficacy of service improvement.

Bala Usman said: "Although, we are not where we want to be, we are definitely not where we used to be. I therefore call on all shippers and port users within the Northern and Eastern flanks to follow the example of Starlinks and bring their cargoes to Calabar and other Eastern ports. This will certainly ease the pressure on Lagos ports,"

Acting General Manager, Ecomarine Terminals Limited (ECM), Calabar, Edward Akpan, said the company has identified the gaps that hinders diverse business opportunities that abound in the maritime domain in Nigeria and Calabar pilotage district in particular, adding that despite the challenges, ECM has consistently marketed the port and it is one of the few ports that export clinker, PKS, cement and now cocoa in the country today.

According to him, ECM Terminals Calabar Port is an alternate port for trade facilitation and must be seen as a critical evacuation corridor for cargo to/from the catchment areas.

Applauding the NPA for the recent incentive granted to container liners willing to call the eastern ports, Akpan called for reintroduction of a rebate regime in a bid to drive traffic to Calabar port.

Noting that the non-completion of the dredging of the channel to the advertised draft of 9.4 meters is today the biggest threat to the development of the port with adverse effect on its functionality, he therefore urged the government to ensure urgent dredging of the channel.

He also stressed the need to integrate Calabar port with the national rail link as the benefits of a multi-modal Calabar port will be a huge asset to the nation's economy.

Director-General of the NEPC, Segun Awolowo, said exporters suffer undue delay at Lagos due to the traffic congestion, stressing the need to boost operations at the Easter ports, such as Calabar port.

He said NEPC is vigorously pursuing its zero-oil export agenda, urging the government agencies to provide necessary infrastructure for Calabar ports as an alternative to Lagos ports.

Managing Director, Nigeria Export Import Bank, Abubakar Abba Bello, said the renewed promotion of export through Calabar port would boost the economy of the region and generate employment for the youths.

He said export is very important for Nigeria and it cannot continue to focus on oil sector, but also exploit the non-oil sector.

Managing Director, Starlink Global Ideal Limited, Adeyemi Adeniji stressed the need for government to encourage local investors, noting that the cocoa would be shipped on a chattered vessel.

ECM Terminals Limited Calabar Free Ports is a multipurpose terminal designed to handle and store various types of cargo. The terminal, which consists of three berths, 4-6 has a total length of 480m

ECM Terminal is a multipurpose terminal with expertise in handling diverse types of cargo. The terminal is ISO 9001:2015 certified hence makes it more customer-centric niche port.

By ABDULLAHI YAKUBU, Kano

Kano state Executive Council has approved the release of N8, 980, 303, 460.63 billion for the construction of Muhammadu Buhari Interchange at NNPC Mega station Rotary Intersection, Hotoro, along Maiduguri Road in the metropolis.

The state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba disclosed this at a media briefing on the outcome of the weekly council meeting held at the Africa House, Government House, Kano.

He said the project was part of the present administration's commitment to construct road networks to address increasing traffic congestion in line with its policy of transforming Kano into a Mega City as well as boost commercial activities.

Malam Garba explained that being an emerging mega city and important commercial centre in the country, Kano has been recording significant increase in the influx of commercial traffic and therefore the need to redesign and improve existing road networks to support additional volumes of generated traffic in order to allow for safer and more efficient vehicular movements.

The commissioner also announced that the council has given approval for the release of the sum of N44, 300, 000.00 million for the re-accreditation and resource visitation requirements for Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta.

He said the departments that the mandatory re-accreditation exercise covers comprise of Agricultural Extension and Management, Forestry Technology, Home and Rural Economics, Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology as well as Library.

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Malam Garba revealed other council approval to include utilization of the savings realized from the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) 2019 Normal Fund Intervention Projects amounting to N32, 797, 774.66 million from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The projects, he said, include construction of two-blocks of two classrooms at Bakin Kasuwa and Minkyau Primary School, renovation of blocks A and B, renovation of toilets at Minkyau and Bakin Kasuwa Primary Schools respectively.

He said the council has also approved the release of N13, 500, 000.00 million for the procurement of text books titled: Basic Science for Senior Secondary Schools; the sum of N12, 680, 000.00 million; Comprehensive Islamic Studies for Junior Secondary Schools classes 1-3 and Senior Secondary Schools classes 1-3 as well as procurement of Mathematics text books at the cost of N17, 600, 000.00 million.

The commissioner also announced that the council has approved the state Public Debt Management Office Bill 2020 and the transmission of same to the state House of Assembly for passage into law.

Malam Garba said when passed, the law will allow for the establishment of Public Debt Management Office in the state as part of ongoing institutional reforms at all levels of government with a view to achieving the desired objectives of transparency and accountability in governance.
ADQ, one of the largest holding companies in the region, announced today (March 30) that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Amoun Pharmaceutical Company SAE (Amoun), from Bausch Health Companies.

Amoun is one of Egypts leading manufacturers, distributors and exporters of branded pharmaceutical and animal health products.

Amoun has a long-standing reputation for robust pharmaceuticals and life sciences products, addressing a wide range of acute and chronic conditions and highly prevalent diseases that demand treatment with proven high-quality medications.

The companys flagship products include Hibiotic, Antinal, Alphintern, and Neuroton. Amoun has more than 2,500 employees and owns one of the largest, state-of-the-art pharma plants in Egypt.

Fahad Al Qassim, Executive Director, Healthcare & Pharma, at ADQ, said: ADQ aims to develop an integrated healthcare and pharma value chain through strategic investments and new ventures both locally and internationally. Together with our recent pharma manufacturing investments in the UAE and India, our investment in Amoun will further enhance our pharma strategy with the ultimate aim of ensuring access to critical medicines, lowering the cost of medication for the general population and advancing new and innovative treatments that help improve peoples lives. Amouns extensive expertise in pharma and life sciences will provide ADQ with access to high demand pharmaceutical products, accelerating knowledge and technology transfer to enhance our local pharma manufacturing capacities.

He added: Investing in Amoun further solidifies our commitment to the joint investment platform we established with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (SFE). Together with SFE, we will work with Amouns leadership to expand on the companys proven track record and market position in the pharma landscape.

Dr Mohamed S. Roushdy, President of Amoun Pharmaceutical Company, commented: Since our inception more than 20 years ago, Amoun has emerged as one of the largest, most well-known pharmaceutical companies in Egypt. Today, we are leaders in manufacturing, marketing and distributing quality pharmaceutical products in more than 25 markets across the globe. We believe that the credibility we have earned over the years with local and regional stakeholders, combined with ADQs strong emphasis on sustainable value creation will prove to be a very compelling combination.

The investment in Amoun further strengthens ADQs long-term healthcare and pharma strategy to deliver a fully integrated value chain in the UAE. Across ADQs healthcare and pharma portfolio, SEHA is leading healthcare provision efforts and the imminent expansion through Pure Healths diversified services portfolio of hospital management, laboratory services and medical supplies, to extend its reach across the emirates. In addition, ADQs recent acquisition of Pharmax locally, along with its investment in Biocon Biologics, will enable access to a wider range of generics and biosimilars, boosting local production capabilities and optimizing pharmaceutical expenditure.

According to the company, the transaction will be completed through a mandatory tender offer (MTO) by ADQ for the total issued share capital of Amoun, including the less than 1 per cent held by minority shareholders.--TradeArabia News Service
President Joe Biden on Wednesday unveiled a $2 trillion, eight-year "American Jobs Plan" that contains an ambitious plan to invest billions of dollars in a massive modernization effort for Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.

Biden's plan calls for $18 billion to modernize VA hospitals across the country. The proposal noted the median age of private sector hospitals is roughly 11 years, but the VA's 170 medical centers are 58 years old on average.

Read Next: Civilian Employee Accused of Supporting Government Overthrow Barred from Air Force Base

Revamping VA hospitals is part of Biden's larger objective of upgrading federal buildings and focusing on climate change by boosting sustainability and the overall resilience of buildings. The plan notes that Biden aims to purchase low-carbon materials for construction and invest in clean power.

Bidens $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan delegated $750 million for construction grants to boost the safety and quality state-run veterans homes.

The plan contains a smorgasbord of infrastructure objectives aimed to supercharge the nation's ability to create jobs, rebuild crumbling infrastructure and out-compete China. It includes 20,000 miles of road, rebuilding economically critical bridges, establishing 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations and investments in broadband, water systems and more.

"Public domestic investment as a share of the economy has fallen by more than 40 percent since the 1960s," the White House said in its released policy proposal. "The American Jobs Plan will invest in America in a way we have not invested since we built the interstate highways and won the Space Race."

The plan is likely to draw Republican backlash due to its sweeping size and scope, especially following the expenditure of trillions on coronavirus relief. The administration said the plan would cost 1% of GDP over eight years and would be funded with an increase to corporate taxes, not changes to tax rates for individuals. That, the White House said, would pay off the proposal in 15 years.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: The VA's Budget Has Quintupled in 20 Years. Veterans Groups Want Billions More
New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in 2020, knocking suicide out of the top 10 reasons people died across the United States last year.

Heart disease and cancer remained in the top two slots. The data are provisional, and should be considered an "early indication of shifts in mortality trends," researchers wrote.

COVID-19 is also the likely third-leading cause of death in South Carolina for 2020, according to provisional data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Official statistics about causes of death have not yet been published by DHEC for last year. DHEC's data shows 5,446 confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19 in 2020.

In 2019, the last year for which validated data are available, 10,578 people died of heart disease and 10,481 people died of cancer in South Carolina. Accidents, which includes car accidents and overdoses, were the third leading cause that year.

Nick Davidson, senior public health deputy at DHEC, said it takes time for the agency's experts to validate data about deaths from various sources for the prior year.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 474 confirmed, 380 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 465,142 confirmed, 86,488 probable.

Percent positive: 6.6 percent.

New deaths reported: 19 confirmed, 2 probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 8,075 confirmed, 1,071 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled: 70 percent.

How does S.C. rank in vaccines administered per 100,000 people?

41st as of March 31, according to the CDC.

Hardest-hit areas

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In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Greenville County (87), Richland County (44) and Horry County (36) saw the highest totals.

What about the tri-county?

Charleston County had 32 new cases on March 31, while Berkeley had 17 and Dorchester had 10.

Deaths

Six of the new confirmed deaths reported were people age 35 to 64, and 13 were patients age 65 and older.

Hospitalizations

Of the 516 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of March 31, 124 were in the ICU and 57 were using ventilators.

Long-term care facilities

There have been 19,684 confirmed coronavirus cases in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities: 12,196 residents and 7,488 staff workers, according to DHEC data. That's an increase in cases of 0.5 percent in a week.

So far, 1,906 residents have died from the virus  a mortality rate of 16 percent. Twenty-nine workers also have died. Together, they account for 24 percent of deaths in the state, the data from March 28 show.

Of the 687 facilities DHEC monitored, the virus has been found in 507. There are active outbreaks at 73 of them  a 21 percent decrease in a week and 53 percent drop since the beginning of March.

Some type of visitation  indoor, outdoor or both  is allowed at 633 facilities; 16 do not allow it; 38 did not report.

What do experts say?

Pfizer-BioNTech, one of three manufacturers distributing COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, gave 1,129 kids between 12 and 15 years old its vaccine. None got sick with COVID-19.

The company published the results of the study, which translate to a finding of 100 percent efficacy in the younger age group, on March 31. At the moment, no vaccine is authorized for minors 15 years old or younger. Pfizer's vaccine is the only one allowed for 16- and 17-year-olds; the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for anyone 18 and older.

In its announcement, Pfizer said it would seek an amendment to its authorization with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the coming weeks so it can begin offering the vaccine to the younger teenage group. Pfizer is also conducting a study of children 11 years old and younger.
SHOE shops are to be allowed to open to deal with childrens footwear only.

The Taoiseach told the Dail: We are finalising specific guidance that would facilitate shoe shops to provide for children.

It will be allowed by appointment online or by a phone call, Mr Martin said.

The move would facilitate shoe-fitting services in particular to measure children and to provide for childrens footwear, he said, amid complaints that fast-growing youngsters need new shoes over prolonged lockdown.

Read More

Mr Martin said it was a fair point that have been raised, not only by TDs but also medical by personnel in contact with the Government.

But he stressed that the opening of shoe shops would be on the sole basis to provide that service and the subsequent sale of children's shoes only.

Labour Party leader Alan Kelly has raised the issue of children's shoes, calling for shoe shops to be added to the list of essential retail.

Mr Martin confirmed in reply that it was an issue which the Government had been examining, because we do take the point that there have been issues in terms of children.

Shoes are an essential item in terms of the growth and development of children, and there was a need to provide for that.

But he warned the planned opening of shoe shops was not to enable adults to acquire new footwear. Its very specific to children, very specific to the needs of children and growing children.

He confirmed however: We will be providing for that in guidance and in regulations that will be published shortly.
New Delhi:

In a piece of information which will bring joy to many in the national capital, eighteen outlets of fast-food major McDonalds have reopened on Tuesday.

The outlets are reopening even without thaw between joint venture partners Vikram Bakshi and McDonald's India Pvt Ltd (MIPL).

A resolution was passed to reopen 21 outlets in a board meeting of Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited (CPRL).

"Eighteen restaurants in Delhi reopened on Tuesday," Bakshi, who is managing director of CPRL, said.

This decision has been taken by the board of CPRL, chaired by NCLT appointed administrator Justice G S Singhvi, in the best interest of employees, vendors, landlords and all stakeholders, he added.

When contacted, McDonalds India said: Consequent on the termination of the franchise agreements of 169 McDonalds restaurants operated by CPRL in the North and East of India, effective September 6, CPRL is required to cease using the McDonalds System and is no longer authorised to operate McDonalds restaurants.

The company further said: We will continue to take steps to exercise our legal and contractual rights.

In June, 43 outlets operated by CPRL were closed after the expiry of eating house licence.

Bakshi and McDonalds India have been fighting it out at courts over termination of franchise licence by the US-based fast food chain last month.

The fate of 169 outlets run by CPRL in north and east India became uncertain after the expiry of notice of termination of licence earlier this month.

While Bakshi is contesting at NCLAT here, the fast food major had approached the London Court of Arbitration, which last week asked Bakshi to sell his stake in the 50:50 joint venture, CPRL, to McDonalds India.

With PTI inputs

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POMPANO BEACH, Fla. M.D. Science Lab, makers of the Swiss Navy brand, began 2021 with a big award season, capturing four honors, including three for Lubricant Manufacturer of the Year. So, the company said it seems appropriate that they sponsor the creation of International Lubricant Day, with the first annual celebration taking place on April 22nd.

I would like to thank all the publications and our entire industry for the great honors our M.D. Science family has received this year, said M.D. Science Labs CEO, Ralph Albrecht. In the spirit of recognizing the importance of lubricant and the value it can bring to relationships and personal health, we wanted to do something extra special. Creating an annual day of acknowledgement, appreciation, and celebration seemed well deserved.

Since 1998, M.D. Science Lab has made it their mission to create top-quality products dedicated to making consumers lives healthierand more fun.

Intimate wellness is always our focus, said Briana Watkins, M.D. Sciences vice president of sales and marketing. Being able to create a day to thank lubricants as a whole for all the great benefits they bring to peoples lives was important to our team. This tribute is a simple way to honor lubricants for all the positivity and happiness they bring to consumers everywhere.

Swiss Navy recently expanded their brand with two new collections, 4-in-1 Playful Flavors and Desire by Swiss Navy, and have additional items currently in product development. These new offerings will reflect consumer concerns and will strive to address intimate issues that people are struggling with.

We realize that consumers are looking for more options when it comes to lubrication, said Watkins. We want to provide more possibilities and specialized formulas that consumers want. And, by creating a day of lubricant celebration, we hope to highlight all the benefits lubes have brought to people all over the globe.

Swiss Navy encourages people to celebrate April 22nd by giving a shout-out to how lubricants have helped their own lives.

Leading up to this celebration weve been doing several surveys, said Dr. Sunny Rodgers, M.D. Sciences intimate health advisor. We found that almost half of our survey participants reported lubricants made sex feel better and they admitted lube was an essential part of their intimate experiences. Even if lubrication isnt discussed often, it does hold a significant importance in peoples lives.

Be on the lookout for more information about the International Lubricant Day leading up to April 22nd.

To view the latest Swiss Navy product range, please visit swissnavy.com.
A council questioned whether an employee was 'jumping on the Grenfell bandwagon' when she told them she suffered PTSD after losing five members of her family in the fire, a tribunal heard.

Labibun Nessa, 42, launched a discrimination claim against her employers the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea after suffering post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

She spent a substantial amount of time at work responding to issues and the fallout arising from the fire at Grenfell Tower on June 14, 2017.

But she said her heartbreak was compounded on a personal level as she lost five members of her own family that day - all of whom were the second cousins of her brother's wife.

Ms Nessa is still employed by the council but has been off work with illness since February 2019 and her complaints are subject to a full hearing that has not yet been made public.

But in documents released this week, a tribunal judge heard in-house council solicitors questioned her trauma - with a suggestion she was 'jumping on the Grenfell bandwagon' with her claims.

Labibun Nessa, 42, (pictured) launched a discrimination claim against her employers the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea after suffering PTSD, anxiety and suicidal thoughts

The solicitor, named in documents as Ms Chopra, asked Ms Nessa to provide the names of the deceased, the precise details of their relationship, and whether she was present during the fire.

She added: 'We understand that these issues are of a sensitive nature and were not explored during the internal process to avoid causing the claimant further anxiety.'

But the response was met with anger by Ms Nessa's representatives and was described as 'outrageous'.

Her solicitor, Mr Roberts, said: 'The respondent is well aware that the claimant has a PTSD diagnosis and that the diagnosis and ongoing treatment were provided by and paid for by them via its Grenfell service.

'Asking the claimant to identify the deceased family members and explain her relationship with them is not relevant to the question of disability.

'We are dismayed that this has been requested so nonchalantly in circumstances where the respondent is aware of the diagnosis and paying for ongoing treatment.

'We consider this has been done intentionally to antagonise the claimant and cause further upset to her by having her unnecessarily relive her trauma.

'The claimant is psychologically fragile and the respondent's request is insensitive and unreasonable.'

Ms Nessa said she spent a substantial amount of time at work responding to issues and the fallout arising from the fire at Grenfell Tower on June 14, 2017 (pictured)

But Ms Chopra responded and said: 'If the claimant can demonstrate that she is not on the Grenfell 'bandwagon', she should not have a problem disclosing this information.

'While the request may appear to be insensitive in the circumstances, but that is the nature of litigation.

'The claimant has brought a claim and as such should expect that issues that are sensitive would also be explored.'

The tribunal judge later confirmed the council conceded that the claimant was disabled by virtue of the PTSD.

In addition, although the claimant did not name her five family members that died in the Grenfell fire, she did provide the following further details.

Her solicitor added: 'The family members are related by marriage. That is they are the second cousins of the claimant's brother's wife.

'She would see them at weddings and other family events but would not see them every day. In the claimant's culture (Bangladeshi) whether you are related by blood or marriage, it is all considered to be family.

'The claimant has never asserted that losing these family members was the sole cause of the PTSD. It was a contributing factor.

'The claimant is aware of at least two other individuals who were employed by the respondent and worked on Grenfell and who were subsequently diagnosed with PTSD as a result, but neither of them had family members involved in the fire.'

Employment judge E Burns said: 'Where there is an ongoing employment relationship, as in this case, respondents need to be careful when making allegations which impugn the honesty of the claimant.

'In this case, the respondent was aware that the claimant was signed off as medically unwell.

'It is not clear if this extended to being aware that the claimant was psychologically fragile, but the circumstances do suggest that the respondent should have tried to avoid causing distress to the claimant beyond that which no doubt arises from being involved in litigation against her employer in the first place.

'The issue at hand, being discussed in the correspondence, was whether the claimant's PTSD constituted a disability. The cause of the PTSD was not relevant.

'Ms Chopra does not therefore appear to have a good reason to ask the claimant the questions she asked.

'However, it is likely that she genuinely believed the questions did require an answer and that she was simply seeking what were, in her mind, the relevant facts.

'The reference in the second email to a Grenfell bandwagon is very insensitive. My view is that the second emails implies that the claimant is on such a bandwagon.

'Unless Ms Chopra has good grounds for accusing her of this, an email written in these terms has no place in litigation.'

The judge said these will be matters to be discussed at the main hearing.

A spokeswoman for Kensington and Chelsea Council said: 'Some of the language used in correspondence on this case was insensitive and inappropriate.

'It does not reflect our workforce or our values as an organisation. Ms Chopra no longer works for Kensington and Chelsea Council.

'Our staff have access to a 24 hour helpline via our employee assistance programme and specialist NHS support is available to staff, volunteers and councillors affected by or working on matters relating to the Grenfell tragedy.'
GUANGZHOU, China, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 7-seater GS8 is a GAC MOTOR flagship model for a reason. Sleek yet powerful, it combines luxurious design with highly responsive handling and an impressive engine, delivering pure performance on any terrain. All of which has made it a popular model for Middle Eastern drivers, who require a vehicle that is both highly visually attractive and genuinely powerful. The GS8 will be an exciting addition to the GS3, GS4, and GA4 models available at GAC MOTOR's first overseas "G" design store in Iraq.

During a recent test drive of the 2020 GS8 in Dubai, ArabGT founder Mousub Shashaa praised the car's four-cylinder 320T engine. This particular engine uses advanced turbo technology to produce great power while maintaining smooth handling. Mr. Shashaa's expert eye noted that the same suppliers as some of the world's biggest car companies manufactured many details of the GS8, such as the powerful AC system. This is one of the reasons why GAC MOTOR's products can be competitive in the international automobile market.

The core GAC MOTOR concept of "craftsmanship" can be seen in every inch of the car's design. The GS8's exterior is made with bold, sweeping lines, and the interior is luxurious, combining a base of quality leather and wooden paneling, easy-to-use technology that appeals to the needs of modern drivers. Some of these technologies include the 10-inch swipeable touchscreen, wireless charging and top-tier Harman Kardon sound system. Moreover, the supersized panoramic sunroof allows sunlight to stream in, making the cabin feel airy and bright. Through conducting extensive consumer research, the GS8 was also designed with multiple smaller comfort and safety features, such as memory buttons for seat adjustment, 8 airbags, 360-degree parking assist cameras, lane change assistant, and lane departure warning.

Furthermore, GAC MOTOR has established a reputation in fuel efficiency. The GS8 can run 740km on a full tank, which makes this Chinese SUV is a serious contender for the perfect Middle Eastern off-roader.

Comfortable, stylish, easy to drive and most importantly, packed with power and advanced technology, the GS8 is a model designed to be ambitious. It satisfies both the challenges of the desert and the modern driver's desire to get behind the wheel of a powerful, beautiful, and high-tech car.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1478331/1.jpg
ROSE  In 1883, the Cherokee National Council approved funding to build courthouses in each of the tribes nine districts.
Healthcare workers have been warned against trying to vaccine shop, amid reports from two major Melbourne hospitals that some staff had asked to be given the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine over the more readily available AstraZeneca version.

A letter sent to all staff at The Alfred hospital last week from chief executive Andrew Way said while anxiety around vaccinations was understandable, poor treatment of vaccinators or demands for one vaccine over another would not be tolerated.

While our progress is heartening, it is disappointing in the extreme to hear about the treatment of vaccinators by some ... colleagues and friends. Professor Way wrote in the letter, which has been seen by The Age.

Let me be clear: Our vaccination program is agnostic on the actual vaccine used. There is no choice. This is the same across the country. We vaccinate with the vaccine provided by our hub. It is highly likely that most of us, including me, will receive AstraZeneca.
Planet New Canaan has launched a fundraising campaign for the purchase of native trees for the Town of New Canaan.

The trees will help to replace the loss of many old, beautiful trees in the towns crown jewel, Waveny Park, located at 677 South Ave. in New Canaan.

The crowd-sourced fundraiser seeks to raise $7,500 from the community. If that goal is reached by April 30 of this year, which is Arbor Day, the project will receive a matching grant of $7,500 from Sustainable CT, which is an initiative of Eastern Connecticut State Universitys Institute for Sustainable Energy.

These funds will cover the towns purchase of native trees. New Canaans Tree Warden, Bob Horan, and the towns Department of Public Works will plan the placement and planting of the newly acquired trees.

The majority of the trees in Waveny Park are majestic and add to the ambience and beauty of the park, New Canaan Director of Public Works Tiger Mann said. Unfortunately, with the effects of age and the ravages of past and recent storms, we have been forced to remove many of these trees. The loss is notable. We are hoping that by re-planting we will help to offset those losses and renew the park.

A minimum of 20 native trees, including red maples, sugar maples and possibly dogwoods, will be planted this spring in Waveny Park, if the campaign goals are achieved. The native trees will help to restore the beauty of the park, provide habitat for pollinators, contribute to the New Canaan Pollinator Pathway, and enhance carbon sequestration.

This important initiative enables our community to take part in a positive change to revive our valued parks with native trees. The plantings will provide habitat for pollinators, restoring the balance that is needed to keep our pollinators vibrant. We hope that New Canaan residents will support this essential effort, which benefits the entire town, said Margot Bright of Planet New Canaan.

Donations may be made online at or by going to Patronicity.com and searching for New Canaan. Checks may be made out to Planet New Canaan and mailed to: Planet New Canaan, c/o Robin Bates-Mason, 155 Parish Road, New Canaan, CT, 06840. All donations are tax deductible.

Email Planet New Canaan at planetnewcanaan@gmail.com with any questions.

Planet New Canaan is a nonpartisan environmental organization.
AUSTIN, Texas, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (NYSE AMERICAN: VNRX) ("Volition"), a multi-national epigenetics company developing simple, easy to use, cost effective blood tests to help diagnose a range of cancers and other diseases in both humans and animals, announced today the publication in Scientific Reports of a paper entitled "A Novel Proteomics Approach to Epigenetic Profiling of Circulating Nucleosomes".

Dr. Marielle Herzog, lead author of the paper and Volition's Research and Development Director, commented, "Our novel method detects and quantifies histone modifications present in the circulating nucleosomes in the blood of cancer patients. We believe that our work has highlighted for the first time that histone H2A1R3 citrulline is, in plasma, upregulated in colorectal cancer patients and so could be a biomarker we target for future Nu.Q immunoassay development. Furthermore, the use of Nu.Q Capture may open up the possibility of using mass spectrometry not only for biomarker discovery but also as a high throughput platform for screening and/or diagnostics. It is also very good to see that this Nu.Q Capture assay was found to be robust, reproducible and easy to use in laboratories in both the U.S. and Europe. Finally, we are delighted that our report was published in such a good impact factor journal."

Commenting on the publication Cameron Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer of Volition, said, "Nu.Q Capture is one of Volition's four key pillars and this publication is another very important step forward for the company. I am extremely pleased that we continue to be on the very cutting edge of epigenetics, and aim for Nu.Q Capture to be an important enabling technology in the liquid biopsy space. We believe the Nu.Q Capture technology will be useful not only when used in combination with mass spectrometry to discover new biomarkers as per this paper, but also as a DNA enrichment technology which could aid diagnosis, treatment selection and treatment/ disease monitoring when used in combination with either sequencing and/or our Nu.Q assays."

Please download the Paper here

About Nu.Q Capture and the Project

Nu.Q Capture acts to isolate circulating nucleosomes from human plasma for further downstream proteomic and/or genomic analysis. The work published focused on mass spectrometry analysis.

Nu.Q Capture enabled the quantification of histone modifications using less than 1ml of human plasma, and the analysis of the global alterations of histones Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) associated with cancer.

The project exemplified that the combination of Nu.Q Capture and mass spectrometry can be used for biomarker discovery and that this Nu.Q Capture assay was robust, reproducible and easy to use in laboratories in both the U.S. and Europe.

The work was funded in part by the Walloon Region.

About Volition

Volition is a multi-national epigenetics company developing simple, easy to use, cost effective blood tests to help diagnose a range of cancers and other diseases. Early diagnosis has the potential to not only prolong the life of patients, but also to improve their quality of life. The tests are based on the science of NucleosomicsTM, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid - an indication that disease is present. Volition is primarily focused on human diagnostics but also has a subsidiary focused on animal diagnostics.

Volition's research and development activities are centered in Belgium, with a small laboratory in California and additional offices in Texas, London and Singapore, as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market.

For more information about Volition, visit Volition's website volition.com or connect with us via:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/volitionrx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volitionrx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolitionRx/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VolitionRx

The contents found at Volition's website address, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube are not incorporated by reference into this document and should not be considered part of this document. The addresses for Volition's website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube are included in this document as inactive textual references only.

Media / Investor Contacts

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that concern matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "aims," "targets," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "optimizing," "potential," "goal," "suggests," "could," "would," "should," "may," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the effectiveness of Volition's blood-based diagnostic and prognostic tests and Volition's ability to develop and successfully commercialize such test platforms for early detection of cancer and other diseases. Volition's actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, results of studies testing the efficacy of its tests. For instance, if Volition fails to develop and commercialize diagnostic or prognostic products, it may be unable to execute its plan of operations. Other risks and uncertainties include Volition's failure to obtain necessary regulatory clearances or approvals to distribute and market future products; a failure by the marketplace to accept the products in Volition's development pipeline or any other diagnostic or prognostic products Volition might develop; Volition's failure to secure adequate intellectual property protection; Volition will face fierce competition and Volition's intended products may become obsolete due to the highly competitive nature of the diagnostics market and its rapid technological change; downturns in domestic and foreign economies; and other risks identified in Volition's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that Volition files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Volition's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, Volition does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Nucleosomics and Nu.Q and their respective logos are trademarks and/or service marks of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries.

SOURCE VolitionRx Limited
For years, sex has felt like the last taboo in beauty and wellness. We spend money on our skin and subscribe to wellness rituals that make us feel good, so why not sex? Why are we sharing our shelfies with pride, but the nightstand is off limits?

Until recent years, its been near impossible to experiment with sexual products that dont come from a pharmacy or an adult store. Sex and the City fans will remember the episode in which we are introduced to the now-iconic Rabbit vibrator; sex toys for too long have been tacky and the butt of the joke. They may well provide pleasure, but do we actually enjoy the sight and smell of them? Could we actually call them luxurious and sophisticated?

Intimate oils, vibrators without the randy branding and a sex gel worthy of a spot in your beauty cabinet. So long, the dingy adult store  shinier things are upon us.

Emerging lifestyle brands hope so, by moving to reframe sex and intimacy as a normal sub-section of our self-care routines. Products with chic packaging are popping up, many of them endorsed by celebrities part of a sex-positive movement in which building out an intimacy routine (think: organic oils and pretty sex toys) is a key part of personal wellbeing.

Take Necessaire, a body care brand that garnered attention when a sex gel lubricant was included in its product lineup.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has upheld the acquittal of Ivory Coast's former President Laurent Gbagbo, who had been accused of crimes against humanity.



The first head of state to stand trial at the ICC, Mr Gbagbo had been cleared of charges in connection with post-electoral violence in the West African nation more than a decade ago.



But the prosecution had appealed against the decision, arguing that, despite procedural errors, Mr Gbagbo's guilt had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.



This paves the way after a decade for his return to Ivory Coast, where he remains an influential figure.

Source: BBC









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An east Alabama man was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two child pornography charges, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Matthew Allan Smyth, 37, pleaded guilty in federal court in December to one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, said Prim Escalona, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.

Smyth was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor to 600 months in federal prison followed by 120 months of supervised release, prosecutors said. The conviction requires Smyth to register as a sex offender.

The 37-year-old Piedmont man admitted to enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography between November 2016 and January 2018.

In March 2018, electronic devices seized from Smyth turned up 15 pornographic videos and 161 pornographic images of the underage victim. Smyth produced all of the photos and videos.

Todays sentence sends a strong message to all other sexual predators, Escalona said in a statement. Smyth stole the innocence of this young child. Children are our most vulnerable victims, and my office will do everything in our power to seek justice for them.

These crimes are disgusting, and our investigators will remain ever vigilant in protecting victims, added Johnnie Sharp Jr., FBI special agent in charge. Thank you to the collaborative efforts of our state and local law enforcement partners to remove yet another child predator from our community.

Said Katrina W. Berger, U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge: This sentence ensures that Smyth will not be able to hurt anyone else with his filth and the community can rest a little easier in that knowledge.
A mother who rushed her son to hospital with a Covid-like virus spreading through Queensland and Victoria has issued a warning to other parents.

Chloe Siler noticed her three-month-old little boy Marcelo Pitt had developed a small cough but put it down to sleeping with the air conditioning on at night.

But on Thursday, after she noticed her little boy seemed drowsy, she rushed him to Toowoomba Hospital where he was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and bronchitis.

'I noticed he was really drowsy and hadnt really wanted to drink his milk,' Ms Siler told Daily Mail Australia.

'I was really hoping he wasn't going to end up in hospital but he did unfortunately.

Chloe Siler rushed her almost four-month-old son Marcelo Pitt (pictured together) to hospital last Thursday when he rapidly deteriorated after having a seemingly-minor cough

'He then got worse very quickly. His eyes went puffy from being so over tired, started wheezing when breathing, runny nose and blocked nose, constant crying and being unsettled. He was in hospital for two night and three days.'

Marcelo caught RSV from his older brother who picked up the illness the week before from his local day-care centre.

During the early stages of RSV, sufferers symptoms - such as a runny nose, cough, and fever - can be mistaken for a common cold.

But the coughing worsens over the next few days, turning into a wheeze or bark that could be a sign of bronchitis.

Due to severe dehydration, Marcelo had to be hydrated through tubes going into his nose.

Ms Siler said the hospital described it as a 'plague' going around Toowoomba and has warned parents to remain vigilant and monitor for symptoms.

Although the virus is not uncommon, south-east Queensland has joined Victoria in recording a dramatic, early-season spike in cases of RSV among infants and children.

Marcelo was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and bronchitis and was hospitalised for three days

There is speculation that increased social distancing during the Covid pandemic has reduced the communitys collective immunity to the virus, sparking the boom.

Vanessa and Mark Richards from Warwick in regional Queensland watched helplessly as their son Emmett fought for his life and was airlifted by RACQ Lifeflight to a private hospital in Toowoomba in early March after the child was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The emergency department at Warwick initially thought Emmett was suffering from asthma and then pneumonia.

The family was sent home twice where Emmett's condition worsened as he struggled to breathe and became 'like jelly in my arms', said Ms Richards.

On a third visit to the hospital, after a test for COVID-19 and other respiratory ailments, it was discovered Emmett had RSV.

'They took one look at him and put him in the resuscitation bay and he went downhill quite quickly then,' said Ms Richards.

'He became too unwell for their capacity [at Warwick].

Vanessa Richards cradled her son Emmett as they began the airlift out of Warwick

'By the time he was transferred in the chopper he was on a ventilator. We were met on the ground by paramedics and then a specialist doctor in the ambulance into St Vincent's, Toowoomba.

'That Lifeflight team were critical to him surviving,' she said.

Emmett was treated with high-flow oxygen at St Vincent's and slowly began to improve after three days.

'If we knew there were sick kids around him [in Warwick] we would have made some different decisions around childcare and work to limit his exposure, but we didn't know this virus was on the rise at the moment,' Ms Richards said.

The RSV outbreak in South-east Queensland follows a similar spike in Victoria.

The virus, which is more common in the winter months, mirrors the symptoms of COVID-19 by initially causing a runny nose, cough, fever and sore throat.

In February Queensland Childrens Hospital reported a 55 per cent spike in respiratory cases, including RSV, on top of a 45 per cent increase in January.

Emmett in recovery at St Vincent's with a toy replica of the chopper that saved him

While RSV can also infect adults, 510 of the 563 people admitted to Queensland hospitals with the virus between November 2020 and January 2021 were aged under 18.

This figure represented a doubling of the number of young people with the virus when compared with the corresponding period last year.

Some medical experts believe social distancing measures made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic last year had increased the likelihood and severity of RSV in children.

'We've now got a larger population that has been immune to RSV, that haven't seen RSV before - so the general population's immunity level is quite low,' infectious diseases expert Dr Hannah Moore told the ABC.

Ms Richards said she took lots of photos in the hospitals at both Warwick and Toowoomba 'in case they were the last pictures we had of him'.

'We went through five years of IVF to have him so we're just so grateful he's now doing ok,' she said. 'If we had have known RSV was so severe and on the rise we would've made different decisions.'
LENZING, Austria, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After a year that brought sudden change to the world, a key focus in 2021 has been to restore life to the way it should be. Bringing the theme of this year's Earth Day, "RESTORE OUR EARTH" to life, Lenzing's TENCEL brand will rollout a new action-oriented social media campaign, #checkwhatsgood. The campaign aims to bring attention to sustainable fashion and purchase habits alongside a variety of global and regional brands, designers and influencers. In addition, the TENCEL brand will continue its partnership with One Tree Planted for the third consecutive year and develop new partnerships with NGOs to drive consumer actions.

TENCEL makes a difference with #checkwhatsgood

With numerous fashion brands to choose from, consumers have been looking for ways to identify brands that truly emphasize on responsible production. As brick-and-mortar stores became inaccessible during the pandemic, shopping habits have shifted to almost exclusively online in many countries. To help restore consumer trust, Lenzing is launching #checkwhatsgood, an eco-conscious movement that runs on social media channels.

The campaign aims to encourage consumers to join the environmental responsible movement by making smart choices in fashion purchases. One of the campaign's main goals is to highlight the TENCEL logo as a mark of conscious design.

Additionally, the TENCEL brand will be running different activations. Instagram filters, pop quizzes and a few surprise influencer engagements are all in the lineup for Earth Day celebrations. The Instagram campaign will begin on April 01, and users can share photos and videos of what exactly is good for the planet and fashion industry.

Helping the world with existing and new partners

To build and create partnerships in support for a brighter future, Lenzing is supporting various Earth Month activations regionally. In the U.S. since 2019, Lenzing has supported the planting of more than 26,000 trees through partnership with One Tree Planted, a charity that helps global reforestation efforts. To reaffirm Lenzing's commitment, the TENCEL brand will initiate the planting of 10,000 trees.

Lenzing is also partnering with Lindungi Hutan, an NGO from Indonesia that focuses on website crowdfunding for planting trees, reforestation and one of the platforms that aim to save Indonesia from deforestation. The partnership will feature a campaign to drive donation for tree-planting in Indonesia.

Given consumer education is key to driving sustainability efforts, Lenzing will partner with Fashion Revolution Japan to conduct educational panel discussion and interactive workshops for consumers. Lastly, Lenzing will join hands with DripbyDrip, an NGO from Germany committed to tackling water issues in the fashion and textile industry. DripbyDrip will introduce an educational program to showcase how high water consumption and subsequent waste can be in manufacturing garments and highlight ways to reduce one's water footprint.

Championing sustainability from home

Nowadays, public safety is the first priority. While vaccinations have been rolled out, the rate of resuming to "normal" varies. As a result, Lenzing is developing a 7-day manual weekly checklist for followers to learn how to reduce carbon footprint and make the world a better place from the safety of their homes. The manual will highlight accomplishable little changes, including how and where to choose sustainable wear.

Earth Month is a valuable period to reflect on one's own ecological footprints and consider ways to reduce any impact on the planet. The TENCEL brand is committed to supporting the fashion industry's eco-movement and bringing sustainable choices for consumers.

Please check out #checkwhatsgood campaign on the TENCEL website and social media platforms from April 01, 2021 onward.

https://www.tencel.com/earth-day-2021

Photo link: HERE

SOURCE TENCEL
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 23:14:32|Editor: huaxia

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-- Hong Kong starts local legislation after China's top legislature adopted a package of legislative changes to improve city's electoral system.

-- After the passage of local electoral laws, Hong Kong will hold three major electoral events in the next 12 months.

-- With the wrongs corrected and the fundamentals set right, the global financial hub is set to get down to business.

HONG KONG, March 31 (Xinhua) -- As the legislative changes adopted by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on improving Hong Kong's electoral system went into effect on Wednesday, the global financial hub officially embarked on the local legislation.



Horace Cheung, the newly-elected deputy chairman of a Legislative Council subcommittee on improving Hong Kong's electoral system, receives an interview with Xinhua in Hong Kong, China, March 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

"A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE"

"We have a very tight schedule," Hong Kong lawmaker Horace Cheung said with regards to drawing up the legislative work agenda for the coming months.

Cheung, the newly-elected deputy chairman of a Legislative Council (LegCo) subcommittee on improving Hong Kong's electoral system, will race against time with his colleagues to deliberate on amendments to more than 20 principal and subsidiary ordinances from mid-April.

"It's a complicated, challenging task. We will go all out to finish the legislation at an early date," he said ahead of the committee's Wednesday meeting, the second since its establishment on March 19.

The amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were passed on Tuesday at a session of the NPC Standing Committee with a unanimous vote from all 167 committee members in attendance.

The two annexes respectively concern the method for the selection of the HKSAR chief executive and the method for the formation of the HKSAR LegCo and its voting procedures.

Photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square in China's Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

THREE MAJOR ELECTIONS

Elaborating on the government timetable, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam pledged on Tuesday that no effort will be spared in pushing forward the necessary amendments to the local electoral legislation in accordance with the amended Annex I and Annex II.

Lam's remarks were made at a press conference after her meeting with LegCo President Andrew Leung.

The government will propose an omnibus bill that contains multiple amended electoral laws to the legislature in mid-April, she said. Echoing Lam's words, Leung said the LegCo will arrange additional meetings so that the deliberation process will be able to advance at full speed.

After the passage of local electoral laws, Hong Kong will be able to hold three major electoral events in the next 12 months, for the seventh-term LegCo, the Election Committee and the HKSAR chief executive.

With the new electoral system taking shape, the global financial hub will be able to build a political structure that upholds the "one country, two systems" principle, reflects the actual situation of Hong Kong, and ensures "patriots administering Hong Kong," observers said.

As an important part of the improvement to the electoral system, the Election Committee membership has been expanded from 1,200 to 1,500 and has been empowered with two more functions of electing a relatively large proportion of LegCo members and participating in the nominations of all LegCo candidates.

A pedestrian walks past a poster on improving electoral system and ensuring patriots administering Hong Kong in China's Hong Kong, March 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

FROM CHAOS TO STABILITY

The improvement to the electoral system came as another major step taken by the central authorities since the national security legislation in the HKSAR to help ensure peace and prosperity in Hong Kong.

Not only will the electoral chaos that repeatedly occurred in the past be ended, but the legislature will be able to better supervise the government, make constructive proposals and improve the efficiency of administration, Tu Haiming, chairman of the Hong Kong New Era Development Thinktank, said, adding that many deep-seated problems from housing to youth development will be resolved.

Echoing Tu's words, Maria Tam, deputy director of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee under the NPC Standing Committee, said more capable talents will emerge through the improved electoral system and help Hong Kong better respond to challenges and opportunities in the future.

And most pertinently, the global financial hub will bid farewell to street violence, social disturbances and the political chaos that haunted its residents and businesses during recent years.

Joephy Chan clearly remembers the dark days. When seeking re-election as a District Council member in 2019, the 31-year-old and her team faced enormous threats to their personal safety.

"We suffered from verbal abuse and physical attacks on the streets and some people also threatened online to 'teach us a lesson'," said Chan, who lost the election.

Carrie Lam (C), chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), speaks to the press in China's Hong Kong, March 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

With the wrongs corrected and the fundamentals set right, the global financial hub is set to get down to business.

Allan Zeman, a business magnate who founded Lan Kwai Fong Group in Hong Kong, believes the Hong Kong economy battered by unrest and COVID-19 will have the chance to regain momentum by fitting into the national landscape, in particular the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

"I think going forward, the Greater Bay Area will be Hong Kong's strength," Zeman said.

Looking ahead, Carrie Lam said the HKSAR will be able to leverage its unique advantages and the staunch support of the central authorities to develop its economy and improve people's livelihoods.

The steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" as well as the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong will be assured, she added.

(Video reporters: Zhang Yichi, Lin Ning, Lau Chan-wan, Wan Houde, Leung Ka-chun; Video editor: Liu Ruoshi) 
Defence forces in Mozambique are battling to contain "criminal attacks and restore normality" in the northern town of Palma after five days of fighting between rebels and the army, a defence ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

Speaking in the capital Maputo, Colonel Omar Saranga said that the actions of a "group of terrorists" had resulted in the "cowardly assassination of dozens of defenceless people."

Reports from the region have detailed the killings of dozens of civilians and the littering of bodies on the streets of Palma.

Among these were seven people leaving a hotel in a convoy that was "ambushed by the terrorists," Saranga said.

He added that hundreds of people had been rescued by defence forces over the past three days.

The battle for Palma highlights the military and humanitarian crisis in this Southern African nation on the Indian Ocean.

The 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 that 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.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held on 31 March 2009 in order to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness of discrimination. Granada-born Kim Perez is one of the most recognised activists for the rights of transgender people in Spain. She was the first transgender person to stand for election in this country.

This year, 2021, is significant for this prominent LGBTQ activist in Andalucia for three reasons: she celebrates her 80th birthday; it is 30 years since she came out as a transsexual; and 50 years since she went to England, a place that gave her a new hope and joy of life.

At the age of 28, Kim was already a non-tenured lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Granada. Everything seemed to be going well for the young person, except the secret that no one could know.

A lot changed during a holiday in England, a place she had regarded as the most cosmopolitan and liberal country in Europe.

"I finished my thesis in 1971, and that Christmas I decided to go on vacation to London. At that time I had a lot of inner tensions. One of them was the realisation that my height, 1.85cm, would prevent me from living and dressing as a woman. But, as soon as I got off the plane, I saw two young women in front of me, who were my height. In less than a second, I decided that I would stay in London."

Crossing the bridge over the Thames, Kim decided to burn her bridges with Spain to be herself at last. She called the head professor of her department at the University in Granada and said goodbye to him.

"In London I immediately found a job through an association that helped foreign students with work. I was already a teacher, but young, hence flexible, and I could integrate well. My first job was as a kitchen assistant. My first home in England was a good, old but comfortable room with excellent heating," she told SUR in English.

The cold atmosphere in England needed the warmth of friendship. Kim had realised it would be difficult to make friends with only her Spanish and perfect French, but she found more understanding in an Anglican parish that gave a place to transvestites. In the Catholic church during the Franco dictatorship, such freedom was unimaginable.

A photograph from around the time of Kims trip to London, in 1971. / SUR

"I remember my first visit to the parish. That night I saw a very beautiful Asian; someone who came dressed in a suit and tie and brought a suitcase to change clothes; and the person running the meeting - very tall and thin like me - wore a long purple robe and had a short black bob. She gave explanations that I could not understand or answer and I couldn't say a word.

"The following week I went back and met someone who was anxiously staggering in unusually high heels and dressed in an inappropriate miniskirt, the typical signs of a first outing. But then no one opened the door," she explains.

Kim walked around London a lot to observe the life of the British capital with its open-mindedness that was more expressive at that moment - two years after the Stonewall riots in the streets of New York. The streets of London helped the Andalusian guest discover more of the spectrum of transsexuality. Kim remembers noticing a bearded person in a woman's dress. They seemed not to care at all about the definition of being male or female.

However these strides in sexual liberty, she said, showed to what extent this country was the right place for her and made her wonder whether she was prepared for it.

For a long time, in Great Britain sex had been something not talked about, but at the beginning of the 70s that started to change. When Kim was in London it appeared the capital was in an explosion of sexual imagery though, for her, transsexuality was more about identity than about sex.

Kim explains how when she had been in London for a month, a sexual slogan on a plastic apron outside a souvenir shop in Carnaby Street made her stop and think. "It hit me like lightning... I was convinced that my current persona was the best I could hope for. I understood that I was obsessed with myself and that in the real world there were continual misfortunes to which I was oblivious.

"A week later, while on board HMS Belfast, a cruiser from the World War II anchored in Thames, I was reminded of my father's military heroism, and I was ashamed. So, looking at the cold, black waters of the river, I determined from that moment on, to renounce my feelings, to live as if they did not exist," she added.

Looking back she knows she was making a mistake, but then she didn't realise that those feelings could be channelled, but not repressed.

Kim interrupted her stay in the English capital and went back to her life in Spain, working as a teacher at a secondary school, a job she did as a man for two decades.

"I started twenty years of self-repression, so prevalent among trans women. It was an emotionally empty life," she recalls. But those feelings from the London experience returned, and became distressing again. "I had only let them live in my fantasies."

In 1991, Kim turned 50 and understood that "only reality could save me, even if the world caves in". By that time the situation in Spain was different. "I knew how to act prudently. The world indeed did not cave in. Little by little, I started my transition. I felt happier, safe and calm," she adds.

She was able to keep her job as a teacher of Ethics and Philosophy, and retired in 2006.

Kim Perez was not petrified anymore. Gaining personal strength helped her appear on different Spanish TV channels, and face people with possible misunderstanding and inconvenient questions.

After coming out in 1991, she involved herself in the issue of transsexuality. She founded the Association of Gender Identity in Andalucia.

Thanks to her activity, in 1999, Andalucia became the first autonomous community in Spain to include treatment and gender reassignment surgeries in its catalogue of health benefits.

In 2007, Kim stood in municipal elections for the city of Granada on the list of the Izquierda Unida party.

Now she continues her activity in raising awareness and increase visibility of transgender people.

In 2017, Granada city council recognised her contribution in the struggle for respect and equality of gender identity with the Gold Medal for Merit.
ISLAMABAD/MUMBAI: Pakistan lifted a nearly two-year ban on sugar and cotton imports from arch-rival India on Wednesday, the finance minister said, a step towards reviving suspended trade between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Pakistan`s Economic Coordination Council (ECC), a top decision-making body, allowed the private sector to import 0.5 million tonnes of white sugar as Islamabad tries to keep soaring domestic prices in check.

Pakistan Finance Minister Hammad Azhar announced the decision after the ECC concluded, confirming what sources had said earlier, adding it will also import cotton and cotton yarns from India.

"If opening trade with some country lessens burden on the pocket of an ordinary person, there is no harm in it," Azhar told a news conference in Islamabad. "The price of sugar in our neighbour India is quite a bit lower than Pakistan."

The trade is open until June 30 for local private sector to import the sugar while cotton and cotton yarns could be brought in by both the private companies and Pakistan`s government bodies.

New Delhi is yet to make any comment on the decision.

Pakistan was one of the leading buyers of Indian cotton until 2019, when Islamabad banned imports of goods from India after New Delhi revoked the special status of its portion of the Kashmir region that both countries claim.

Pakistani buyers have already started making inquiries about buying Indian sugar and cotton, which is being offered at lower prices than supplies from other countries, five dealers said.

India is the world`s biggest producer of cotton and the second biggest sugar producer. Exports to its neighbour will reduce surpluses that are weighing on its local markets, while helping Pakistan to lower soaring sugar prices ahead of Ramadan.

PRICE CHECKS

The push comes amid a gradual thawing in ties between the two neighbours, which have fought three wars since gaining independence in 1947. The militaries of both countries released a rare joint statement last month, announcing a ceasefire along a disputed border in Kashmir.

"Inquiries for sugar and cotton are going on for price checking," said the India head of a global trading firm, who declined to be identified due to company policy.

Pakistan has been looking to tap the international market for sugar, floating two tenders for 50,000 tonnes in the last month. It rejected bids on both tenders in March.

The first tender offer was priced at $540.10 per tonne on a cost and freight basis (C&F) and the second at $544.10 tonne, European traders said.

India is offering sugar at a discount compared to supplies from Thailand, a dealer with global trading firm said.

"Pakistani traders have been buying Indian sugar through their offices in Dubai for Afghanistan. If Pakistan allows imports from India, they will unload shipments in Pakistan," the dealer said.

Traders say they have been offering Indian white sugar at $410 to $420 a tonne on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, far lower than the domestic price of $694 quoted in Pakistan.

Indian exporters could also ship via sea or land, the dealer said, noting this gives them a big edge given tight global container shipping markets.

"Indian cotton would be at least 4 to 5 cent per pound cheaper for Pakistan than supplies from other countries," said Arun Sekhsaria, managing director of exporter D.D. Cotton.

Not everyone welcomed the move. The chairman of the Cotton Ginners Forum in Pakistan, Ishan-ul-Haque, said an unlimited import of cotton and yarn from India would affect the country`s agriculture and cotton industry.

Given the expected arrival of the new cotton crop in June, he said there should be a limit on imports so price stability could be ensured.
There was a time in the past century when lookout towers sat atop mountains and hills all over Southern California, manned by professionals from the U.S. Forest Service who scanned the horizon searching for the slightest puff of smoke.

Across San Diego County  from Cuyamaca Peak to Mount Woodson to Black Mountain and beyond  the towers offered the best way to detect wildfires quickly.

Most of the structures have long been abandoned, replaced by back-country cameras, satellite technology and better communications systems. Today there are just three lookout towers in the county, including two on Palomar Mountain that have recently been brought back to life by dedicated volunteers in partnership with the federal and state government.

For the spotters, the work is both peaceful and challenging.

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The big thing is I really enjoy trying to identify the small little wisps of smoke out there, said Dave Cuthbert, 69, a retired operations manager at the San Diego Zoos Safari Park who became a volunteer with the San Diego-Riverside chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association two years ago. Its almost like a game where Im trying to beat my own eyes.

Cuthbert was one of three volunteers staffing the Boucher Hill Lookout on Palomar Mountain Tuesday. The Boucher site is the most recent tower to be brought back into service and has quickly become what experts believe is the most visited lookout tower in the United States.

Located in Palomar Mountain State Park and owned by the park system, the Boucher Hill Lookout is staffed every day from May 1 to Thanksgiving by at least one of 90 volunteers. The lookouts work full days, stretching roughly from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This past month, eight fires were reported first by lookouts at the Palomar sites, said Neil Cadwallader, the assistant chairman of the local lookout association.

The other tower, High Point, reopened in 2009 roughly five miles from Boucher, on a remote piece of Cal Tech property on the northern side of the mountain. Boucher is much easier to access, with paved roads just past the entrance to the state park.

Boucher is also is a historical site that, according to Lookout Association website, has held some kind of lookout tower since 1921. The current structure was built in 1948 and was in service until 1983, before being shuttered for roughly nearly three decades. The California Parks Department spent about $350,000 refurbishing the tower, which reopened in 2012.

Visitors can now climb the 43 stairs to the top where they will be given a lesson on the towers past.

The first year it reopened, the Boucher tower recorded 1,438 visitors. Each year the number has increased, and in 2016 more than 11,000 people dropped by. Some of them have since become lookout volunteers themselves.

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We dont know for sure because there arent any statistics, but I like to claim that ... this is the most visited lookout in the world, said Cadwallader. He said the next busiest tower doesnt get half as many visitors.

Over at High Point, Scott McClintock  chairman of the local lookout chapter and a retired San Diego Sheriffs Department commander  was staffing the tower Tuesday. The High Point tower takes 94 steep steps to ascend.

We dont get many visitors here, McClintock said. The tower is run in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, so volunteers there wear a different uniform than when they work at Boucher Hill, which is controlled by the state.

Its a whole different experience (than busy Boucher) he said. I like revolving between both just to get a little taste of each.

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Most volunteers serve just once or twice a month through the lookout season. About 75 percent of them are retired and many have previously worked for the forest service. Most have always loved the forest and outdoors.

Nathan and Jenna Pyle dont quite fit that mold. The younger couple have full time jobs  like Cuthbert, they also work at the Zoo  but both volunteer once or twice a month at the towers.

We like it, said Nathan Pyle, who is helping establish a ham radio system at the towers. Its nice to get out of the city and the usual hustle and bustle.

The Pyles and the other volunteers also get a kick out of the attention to detail that was paid when the towers were refurbished. Each tower looks like it did from years ago. Boucher Hill has been retrofitted to look exactly like it did when the tower was rebuilt in 1948.

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We even used the same ugly green paint, Cadwallader said.

Sixty miles to the south is the countys third tower, Los Pinos, which has been in continuous operation since the 1930s and is owned and run completely by the fire service. Curt Waite is a full-time employee who spends four days a week and three nights inside the lookout near the US/Mexico border near Lake Morena and the Corral Canyon State Off-Highway Vehicle Park.

Waite was at one time the volunteer associations chairman. Los Pinos was formerly the domain of Norm Mitchell, who held the main lookout job for 27 years until his death earlier this year. Waite was offered the position after Mitchell passed away.

He said he doesnt get lonely, even though the tower is deep in a wilderness area and visitors are far and few between.

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A former missionary who operated Christian radio stations in the Caribbean, Waite said he was drawn to the lookout association after reading a story about High Point coming back on line.

Its really homey here in the cab, Waite said about his three-nights-a-week accommodations. We have a nice comfortable bunk, a stove, a microwave, and a sink  all the amenities. Its not bad.

Los Pinos is the only tower to have never closed, partly because of its proximity to Mexico, where people crossing the border have been known for decades to accidentally start blazes, and because of its closeness to the off-road area and popular hiking trails.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 03:19:45|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Wednesday welcomed the positive developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and voiced concern over violence in the east and the dire humanitarian situation in the country.

In a press statement, the members of the Security Council welcomed the efforts of President Felix Tshisekedi toward reconciliation and peace and stability in the DRC. They further welcomed the steps he has taken to fight corruption and impunity, and encouraged further action to ensure the DRC government respects human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The council members said they took note of the efforts toward forming a government to deliver on President Tshisekedi's commitments to pursue national unity, strengthen the rule of law, and further political inclusiveness and peacebuilding. They also took note of President Tshisekedi's intention for that government to be composed of 30 percent of women.

They noted that political stability and security as well as increased state presence in areas of conflict are critical for the consolidation of sustainable peace in the DRC. They encouraged the government to pursue its efforts in this regard, including by developing and implementing a national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration framework, a security sector reform plan and a comprehensive stabilization and conflict prevention strategy.

The council members recalled the importance of the DRC and its neighbors working together to tackle insecurity in eastern DRC with further political commitment and more integrated approaches, including through economic cooperation and integration, and encouraged further efforts to foster sustainable economic development as a driver for regional peace and to address the root causes of conflict.

They expressed concern at the continuing inter-communal violence and at the increase of armed group activity in the eastern provinces of the DRC, particularly by the Allied Democratic Forces in North Kivu and Ituri, and numerous local armed groups in South Kivu. They reiterated their condemnation of all armed groups operating in the country, called on all actors to end violence and their violations and abuse of international human rights and international humanitarian law.

They further expressed concern at the current humanitarian situation, marked by a significant increase in the number of people in need of protection and humanitarian assistance. They called on the DRC government to address the underlying drivers of the current humanitarian situation and on partners to step up their support to the DRC government in tackling these challenges.

The council members reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC, and reiterated their continued support and commitment for the consolidation of peace, stability and development in the DRC.

The press statement came after the Security Council held a meeting on Tuesday on the situation in the DRC and activities of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. Enditem
BOSTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by both Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, and Wells Capital Management Incorporated, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.1380 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of March 11, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) with important information concerning the distribution declared on March 1, 2021, and payable on March 31, 2021. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: March 2021



Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.1380

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable March 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 3/1/2021-3/31/2021

For the fiscal year-to-date period

11/1/2020-3/31/2021 1 Source

Current

Distribution ($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions ($)

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions Net Investment Income

0.1193

86%

0.6265

91% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source

0.0187

14%

0.0635

9% Total per common share

0.1380

100%

0.6900

100%

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on February 28, 2021

6.68%





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2021

7.53%





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through February 28, 2021

-11.51%





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2021

3.14%

________________________________

1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020 and will end on October 31, 2021.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

Story continues

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the March 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.1380 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.02 trillion) as of December 31, 2020. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

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SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
God, the nations, and nationalism: Naive globalism (pt 3)

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Nationalism, for some critics, is the grotesque distortion of patriotism. They believe it to be a form of solipsism, the ultimate of egoism and overblown pride in a nation that might believe itself to be the only geopolitical entity that matters.

This is certainly the case with unhealthy nationalism.

However, in an intensively competitive world where rivalries could quickly flare into global nuclear conflict, nations must have confidence they are strong enough to meet the challenges.

Sadly, because of disparities there will always be client states depending on alignments with strong states. Those protecting countries must have a strong belief in their own founding principles, and possess the means of defending not only themselves, but also those looking to them for cover.

Unhealthy nationalism takes over when the strong state sees the smaller as inferior. Symptoms of unhealthy nationalism include these:

A view of the rest of the world with a sense of self-superiority resulting in the belief that interventionism is permissible to improve the weaker nations...

A view of other nations with contempt, leading to a passion to destroy them.

Healthy nationalism characterizes a nation that recognizes its prosperity, freedom, and strengths as blessings from the Lord of all the nations, that the blessings compel a sense of stewardship, and that the gifted nation is to be a blessing to others in the global community.

Having worked in Washington and observed the geo-political situation from that perspective, I am certainly aware that this is idealistic. But if we allow that to stop us from embracing that higher perspective, we will cease aspiring.

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth, says Psalm 121:1-2. The principle is not looking to the physical mountains for inspiration and guidance but looking higher.

The point is, look up... aspire to the highest.

This works in the policy realm, even on the geopolitical level. Colin Powell, a former Secretary of State and four-star General, said it eloquently to the World Economic Forum in 2003.

George Carey, who had served as head of the Church of England as Archbishop, addressed Powell about the United States as the only superpower, and the importance of distinguishing between hard power and soft power.

Said Carey to Powell: Would you not agree ... that America, at the present time, is in danger of relying too much upon the hard power and not enough upon building the trust ... (that) makes human life valuable?

Applause ensued.

Powell responded both as a diplomat and a military man:

The United States believes strongly in what you call soft power, the value of democracy, the value of the free economic system, the value of making sure that each citizen is free and free to pursue their own God-given ambitions and to use the talents that they were given by God. And that is what we say to the rest of the world. . . There is nothing in American experience or in American political life or in our culture that suggests we want to use hard power. But what we have found over the decades is that unless you do have hard power  and here I think you're referring to military power  then sometimes you are faced with situations that you can't deal with... I mean, it was not soft power that freed Europe. It was hard power. And what followed immediately after hard power? Did the United States ask for dominion over a single nation in Europe? No. Soft power came in the Marshall Plan. Soft power came with American GIs who put their weapons down once the war was over and helped all those nations rebuild. We did the same thing in Japan... We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last 100 years... and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and we have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury them in... [1]

Now the applause favored Powell.

Globalism naively assumes that eliminating nations through the obliteration of boundaries will end destructive nationalism. Actually, this only makes the situation more dangerous. The Bible says that Antichrists ambition is to be the ruler of the world. Whether one believes the Bible or not, there will always be the threat of a global hegemon. This is a reason conservative Christians resist the globalist argument.

Yet the issue is spiritual  the kind of god people worship, the values, principles, worldview, the policy outcomes and international behaviors are crucial factors in the health of nations and their understandings of themselves in relation to others.

John Winthrop had this in his mind in 1630 when he laid out the vision for the Colony he would serve as governor: There are two rules by which we are to walk one towards another: Justice and Mercy... we must consider (reflect upon and preserve) that we shall be as a city on a hill...[2]

In this age of the divisions of identity politics at home, and deepening seductions toward globalism as a solution to international rivalry and strife, may we find health and sanity in the highest vision of national character, destiny, and international interactions.

May we bless and encourage all who look upon us ... and to us.

[1] There is often confusion about where and to whom Powell was speaking, or if he even made the remarks at all. However, the quote here comes directly from the text supplied by the U.S. State Department. It can be found at U.S. Department of State: Excerpts From Secretary Powell's Response to George Carey. Italics added.

[2] Matthew 5:14-16
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Attorney David McGee insisted he was not part of a plan to extort Gaetz, nor was he connected to the DOJ's sex trafficking probe

The former Justice Department official accused by Rep. Matt Gaetz of extortion has called the Republican's claims 'completely, totally false' and said they are 'a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that he's under investigation for sex trafficking of minors'.

Attorney David McGee told The Washington Post he was not part of a plan to extort Gaetz nor was he connected to the DOJ's sex trafficking probe.

Rep. Gaetz had on Tuesday claimed he is the victim of a $25 million extortion plot after it was revealed he is under investigation for sex trafficking over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl, 17, and paid to have her travel with him.

The Republican congressman and close ally of Donald Trump accused McGee live on Tucker Carlson of trying to extort millions of dollars out of him and his family in exchange for 'making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away.'

Gaetz claimed he had been working with the FBI and his father Don Gaetz had been wearing a wire to expose the alleged scheme after learning of it earlier this month.

But McGee, an attorney at Beggs & Lane law firm and the former lead attorney for the DOJ's Organized Crime Task Force, said: 'It is completely false. It's a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that he's under investigation for sex trafficking of minors.

'I have no connection with that case at all, other than, one of a thousand people who have heard the rumors.'

The attorney said Gaetz's father had 'called me and asked to talk to me' and said he would welcome a tape of their conversation being made public. He did not detail what the conversation was about but insisted it was nothing 'untoward' but simply 'a pleasant conversation of a dad concerned about his son and the trouble his son was in'.

He added: 'If there is a tape, play the tape. There is nothing on that tape that is untoward.'

Florida lawmaker Gaetz made the bombshell allegations on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tuesday night, hours after the New York Times revealed the DOJ had launched a probe to investigate whether Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws.

Three sources told the Times an investigation was launched into his alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl during Trump's final months in office under then-Attorney General Bill Barr.

The inquiry is said to be part of a wider probe into Florida official Joel Greenberg, who was slapped with a string of charges last year including sex trafficking a minor between the age of 14 and 17.

No charges have been filed against Gaetz.

Rep. Matt Gaetz has claimed he is the victim of a $25 million extortion plot by a former Justice Department employee after it was revealed he is under investigation for sex trafficking over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a girl, 17, and paid to have her travel with him

Gaetz claimed Tuesday night the sex trafficking allegations against him were 'verifiably false' but said he and his family were victims of an extortion effort by McGee to make the allegations and the DOJ investigation 'go away.'

A separate probe was launched by the FBI into the extortion plot, he said. Gaetz claimed the Times report had then foiled a plan to transfer a bribe of $4.5 million to McGee Wednesday which would have then exposed the alleged plot.

However Times' reporter Katie Benner told MSNBC it is the congressman who has in fact 'blown up' the alleged extortion investigation in an effort to divert attention away from the fact the sex trafficking concerns were serious enough for the Trump administration to launch an investigation - even though Gaetz is a close ally of the president.

Gaetz, 38, is close to Trump and got engaged to food analyst Ginger Luckey, 26, at his Mar-a-Lago club in late December.

The FBI declined to comment Tuesday night while the DOJ did not return DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Reports of the two investigations came just hours after it was revealed Gaetz is considering retiring from Congress and taking a job at right-wing news outlet Newsmax.

Gaetz claimed he had been working with the FBI and his father Don Gaetz (pictured together) had been wearing a wire to expose the alleged scheme after learning of it earlier this month

Gaetz on Tucker names person he claims is extorting his family, claims its a former DOJ official named David McGee pic.twitter.com/Pl5GeBEpG1  Elizabeth Nolan Brown (@ENBrown) March 31, 2021

Gaetz's alleged encounters with the 17-year-old girl took place around two years ago with the DOJ investigation focusing on whether the lawmaker paid for her to cross state lines, the Times reported.

Under federal law, it is a crime to transport someone under the age of 18 across state lines, or coerce them to travel across state lines, to engage in sex in exchange for money.

It is not clear when or how Gaetz allegedly met the teenager.

Gaetz, who was the only member of Congress to vote against a largely bipartisan human trafficking bill back in 2017, insisted the allegations are false.

'It is a horrible allegation and it is a lie,' he told Carlson.

'The New York Times is running a story that I have traveled with a 17-year-old woman and that is verifiably false. People can look at my travel records and see that that is not the case.'

When asked about his alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, Gaetz said such a person 'doesn't exist'.

'The person doesn't exist. I have not had a relationship with a 17-year-old. That is totally false,' he said.

Katie Benner says the person named by Matt Gaetz is not involved in the investigation pic.twitter.com/ze13YFy9gp  Acyn (@Acyn) March 31, 2021

Times' reporter Katie Benner told MSNBC McGee is not involved in the DOJ probe and said it is the congressman who has 'blown up' the alleged extortion investigation in an apparent effort to divert attention away from the sex trafficking probe

Gaetz accused David McGee, an attorney at Beggs & Lane law firm and the former lead attorney for the DOJ's Organized Crime Task Force, of trying to extort millions from him and his family in exchange for making sex trafficking allegations 'go away' on Fox News Tuesday

Tucker Carlson says Gaetz interview was his 'weirdest ever' Fox News' Tucker Carlson was stunned by Rep Matt Gaetz's appearance on his show Tuesday night, calling it one of the 'weirdest interviews' ever. Gaetz claimed he is the victim of a $25million extortion plot after the New York Times revealed he is under investigation for sex trafficking over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl, 17, and paid to have her travel with him. During the interview Gaetz denied all of the allegations against him. 'It is a horrible allegation and it is a lie,' he told Carlson. 'The New York Times is running a story that I have traveled with a 17-year-old woman and that is verifiably false. People can look at my travel records and see that that is not the case.' Fox News' Tucker Carlson was stunned by Rep Matt Gaetz's appearance on his show Tuesday night When asked about the alleged sexual relationship with the teen, Gaetz said such a person 'doesn't exist'. However, Gaetz recalled a dinner with Carlson, his wife and 'a friend of mine' who he said has since been 'threatened' by authorities to 'cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme'. 'I can say that actually you and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there and I brought a friend of mine, you will remember her,' he said. 'And she was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldn't cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme that she could face trouble and so I do believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to smear me.' In response to that claim, Carlson says: 'I don't remember the women you're speaking of or the context at all honestly.' Following the segment, Carlson told his viewers: 'You just saw our Matt Gaetz interview. That was one of the weirdest interviews Ive ever conducted.' 'That story just appeared in the news a couple of hours ago, and on the certainty that theres always more than you read in the newspaper, we immediately called Matt Gaetz and asked him to come on and tell us more. Which, as you saw, he did. I dont think that clarified much, but it certainly showed this is a deeply interesting story and well be following it,' Carlson added. Advertisement

However, Gaetz recalled a dinner with Carlson, his wife and 'a friend of mine' who he said has since been 'threatened' by authorities to 'cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme.'

'I can say that actually you and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there and I brought a friend of mine, you will remember her,' he said.

'And she was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldn't cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay for play scheme that she could face trouble and so I do believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to smear me.'

Instead, Gaetz claimed he and his family have fallen foul to a plot to extort money.

The congressman told Carlson the alleged scheme came to light on March 16 when he claims his father got a text message 'demanding a meeting wherein a person demanded $25 million in exchange for making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away'.

Gaetz's father is Don Gaetz, former member of the Florida State Senate from 2006 to 2016 and Senate President from 2012 to 2014. Don has not publicly commented on the apparent extortion plot.

Gaetz claimed his family were told about 'pictures of me with child prostitutes' which he insisted are 'obviously false'.

Gaetz named McGee on air on the Fox News show, accusing the lawyer of being behind the extortion plot.

'His name is David Mcgee. He was a top official in the leadership in the northern district of Florida as a prosecutor,' he said. 'He currently works at the Beggs & Lane law firm.'

He claimed: 'There was a demand for money in exchange for a commitment that he could make this investigation go away along with his co-conspirators.'

Gaetz said he contacted the FBI and the DOJ and has been working with them to expose the plot.

'Our family was so troubled by that, we went to the local FBI and the FBI and the Department of Justice were so concerned about this attempted extortion of a member of Congress that they asked my dad to wear a wire, which he did with the former department of justice official,' he claimed.

Gaetz claimed that, prior to the Times' report of the sex trafficking inquiry, his family and federal authorities had made a plan to send $4.5 million as a down payment to McGee.

He claimed this plan 'would have shown even more evidence of David McGee's work in this extortion scheme' but that it was 'foiled' by the Times' report.

'What was supposed to happen was the transfer of this money that would have implicated the former colleague of these current DOJ officials.

'But that's obviously not going to happen tomorrow because the New York Times story was leaked in order to quell that investigative effort,' he claimed.

Gaetz called on the FBI to release the tapes of his family's alleged encounters with the extorter in order to prove his 'innocence.'

'If the FBI and department of justice will release the tapes that they are in possession of, the American people will see what is really going on,' he said.

New York Times' Justice Department Reporter Katie Benner hit back at Gaetz's claims telling MSNBC that McGee is not involved in the DOJ's sex trafficking probe as he works in private practice.

'No that person is not involved in the investigations. That person is currently in private practice and does not work at the Justice Department,' she said.

Benner questioned Gaetz's motive for speaking out about the alleged extortion plot in a move that she said has 'destroyed and blown up' the FBI investigation into it.

Gaetz was first to publicly expose the FBI probe into the alleged extortion plot, with no mention made in the Times' initial report.

The Republican congressman and close ally of Donald Trump fired out a series of tweets Tuesday claiming a former Justice Department employee had been trying to extort $25 million from him and his family while 'threatening to smear my name'

Benner said she believes Gaetz was speaking out to deflect from the fact that the sex trafficking probe was 'serious enough' to be launched by Trump's DOJ.

'Keep in mind this is an investigation that if you look at the timeline was very serious and was taken seriously by Trump administration officials in the Justice Department,' she said.

'I think that one of the reasons why he has talked publicly about this extortion plot, one of the reasons why he has publicly said that the FBI has asked his own father to wear a wire is in order to try to get people to not pay attention to the fact that it was in fact the Trump admin that felt it was worthy to investigation him.'

She hit back at his claim that the Times' report had 'foiled' the FBI plot.

'In publicly talking about the extortion plot that he has described and publicly saying that his father wore a wire he has basically destroyed and blown up an FBI investigation which is in itself something you would think would be against his own interests,' she said.

'You would think he wold be wanting to work with the FBI and would think he would be wanting to keep this quiet... in doing this and basically blowing up an FBI investigation into people trying to extort his family he has both complicated that investigation and also cast aspersions on something that was serious enough that Attorney General Bill Barr proved it.'

Gaetz went on the defense as soon as the Times story broke Tuesday evening, going on a tweet storm describing the alleged extortion plot and slamming the allegations as 'lies'.

'Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name,' he tweeted.

The congressman said he and his family had been working with the FBI on the plot to extort money from his family.

'We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter and my father has even been wearing a wire at the FBI's direction to catch these criminals.

'The planted leak to the FBI tonight was intended to thwart that investigation. No part of the allegations against me are true, and the people pushing these lies are targets of the ongoing extortion investigation.'

Gaetz denied the accusations against him after the New York Times revealed Tuesday that the DOJ had launched a probe to investigate whether he had violated federal sex trafficking laws. Pictured Trump and Gaetz

Gaetz and his father Don Gaetz. Don served as a member of the Florida State Senate from 2006 to 2016

Gaetz called on the Justice Department to release tapes he said shows the alleged scheme by an ex-DOJ employee.

'I demand the DOJ immediately release the tapes, made at their direction, which implicate their former colleague in crimes against me based on false allegations,' he tweeted.

Gaetz went into damage control mode after news of the inquiry surfaced.

He told the Times his attorneys had been told by the DOJ that he was the subject and not the target of the probe.

'I only know that it has to do with women,' he said. 'I have a suspicion that someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.'

The congressman confirmed the DOJ probe in an interview with Axios and doubled down that the allegations are 'false' and 'unclear' as he blamed the apparent extortion plot.

'The allegations of sexual misconduct against me are false,' he said. 'They are rooted in an extortion effort against my family for $25 million in exchange for making this case go away.'

Axios reported that it had seen screenshots of text messages, emails and documents from Gaetz purporting to show the alleged scheme.

'I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know when I was a single guy,' he said.

The 38-year-old said while he often 'provided for' women he was dating when he was single, such as paying for flights and hotel rooms, he was 'absolutely' confident none of the women were underage.

'I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women I've dated. You know, I've paid for flights, for hotel rooms. I've been, you know, generous as a partner,' he said.

'I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.'

Sources told the Times that senior Justice Department officials, including some Trump appointees, were aware of the investigation due to its nature and the congressman's profile.

The inquiry is said to be part of a wider probe into Florida official Joel Greenberg (pictured) who was slapped with a string of charges last year including sex trafficking of a minor between the age of 14 and 17

Gaetz shared this image on Facebook in July 2017 of himself with Greenberg and Roger Stone

They said it is part of a larger probe into Greenberg, a former tax collector of Seminole County, Orlando, accused of paying for sex with an underage girl and illegally using Florida's DMV database to look up information on her and other women with whom he was engaged in 'sugar daddy' relationships with.

Greenberg was indicted last summer on 14 felony charges including child sex trafficking, fraud, identity theft and stalking a former political rival.

The sex trafficking charge involves alleged encounters with a girl aged between 14 and 17 across a six-month period in 2017.

He was also accused of violating the Driver's Privacy Protection Act by using his access as an elected official to illegally look up information about the minor in The Florida Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID).

He reportedly looked up the girl's photo, driver identification number, in addition to other information.

Prosecutors say he also used the database to look up other people, with whom he was embroiled in 'sugar daddy relationships' with.

Greenberg had first been indicted by a federal grand jury in June on charges that he stalked political opponent Brian Beute in the Republican primary for the Tax Collector's race and for identity theft.

Greenberg resigned the following day and the additional charges were added in August.

Gaetz, 38, and his fiancee Ginger Luckey, 26, in a photo shared on Twitter by Gaetz on December 10 under a photograph of Ronald Reagan

Gaetz is a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago and even proposed to his now-fiancee Luckey there in December. Pictured the couple when they got engaged

He was arrested earlier this month for violating the terms of his bond after he allegedly traveled to Jupiter and was involved in some type of police incident there.

The extent of Gaetz's relationship with Greenberg is unclear but the ex-tax collector shared a photo on Twitter of the two men together at the White House in 2019.

The year before, Gaetz backed Greenberg's successful bid for local office.

And back in July 2017, Gaetz shared a photo on his Facebook of himself with Greenberg and Roger Stone - Trump's aide who was convicted of lying to Congress before being pardoned by the former president.

News of the sex-trafficking inquiry came the same day reports surfaced that Gaetz is mulling quitting politics altogether for a career as a media personality.

Gaetz has told friends he is considering not seeking re-election in 2022 and may even leave Congress before the end of his term for a job at conservative outlet Newsmax, according to Axios.

The congressman lost much of his personal power in DC when Trump, a close ally, lost the White House and Republicans failed to take back control of the House of Representatives.

Newsmax, meanwhile, has become a favored outlet for conservatives after Trump started criticizing Fox News, leaving an opening for it and competitor One American News.

Gaetz is already a frequent guest on the network, which recently hired former White House staffer Andrew Guiliani, the son of Rudy Giuliani, and former Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller.

News of the sex-trafficking inquiry came the same day it emerged Gaetz is considering leaving Congress before the end of his term for a job at conservative outlet Newsmax

He has previously called for harsher criminal penalties for child sex offenders, with a 2014 Facebook post pushing for minimum 50-year mandatory minimum sentences for violent predators

Gaetz is a staunch Trump ally and defended the former president during both impeachment trials.

He also pushed the false claims that the MAGA mob that stormed the US Capitol on January 6 in a riot that left five dead were from Antifa. Investigations have proven they were not.

Gaetz also made a name for himself when he became the only House lawmaker to vote against a bill to provide greater funds to fight human trafficking.

The legislation - the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act - gave the federal government more money to tackle human trafficking.

It was backed by both Republicans and Democrats and sailed through the House and Senate.

'Unless there is an overwhelming, compelling reason that our existing agencies in the federal government can't handle that problem, I vote no because voters in Northwest Florida did not send me to Washington to go and create more federal government,' he said at the time.

He also hit headlines for wearing a gas mask on the House floor during the COVID pandemic and criticizing Democrats for banning guns in Congress.

He has previously called for harsher criminal penalties for child sex offenders, with a 2014 Facebook post pushing for minimum 50-year mandatory minimum sentences for violent predators.

Outside of DC, Gaetz is a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago and even proposed to his now-fiancee Luckey there in December.

The couple met at an event at the club sometime earlier in 2020.

Luckey works for a company called Apeel, that says it 'works with nature to reduce food waste and create abundance for all.'
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Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote a stern letter to Vice President Kamala Harris demanding she provide answers on the immigration crisis and visit the border now that she's President Joe Biden's 'Border Czar.'

'Now that President Biden has named you Border Czar in charge of the administrations response, I want to express to you the threats and challenges caused by this administration's open border policies,' Abbott wrote in a letter Tuesday, obtained by Fox News Channel.

A week ago, Biden tapped Harris to 'lead our efforts' with Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries 'that need help in stemming the movement' of people toward the U.S border.

A smuggler paddles a boat filled with migrants across the Rio Grande river into the United States on Tuesday

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (left) sent a stern letter to Vice President Kamala Harris (right) over the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border with specific concerns about unaccompanied migrant children he suspected were being trafficked

The Biden administration allowed journalists into the main detention facility for migrant children on Tuesday in Donna, Texas. Photographs show the severe overcrowding, where more than 4,000 kids and families were crammed into pods

Another view of migrant children resting inside a pod at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley in Donna, Texas

In Mission, Texas a group of migrants is processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents Tuesday night. The group came from mostly Central American countries

A family of migrants walks to turn themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol agents to request asylum after crossing the Rio Brvo river in El Paso, Texas

A group of migrants arrives in the U.S. after crossing the Rio Grande in a raft piloted by smugglers on Tuesday night. They turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol agents to request asylum after traveling from Honduras

A group of migrants enters the U.S. after crossing the Rio Grande in a raft Tuesday night

A migrant woman and her daughter have their biometric data entered at an intake area in Donna, Texas on Tuesday

That was widely interpreted as Biden putting Harris in charge of what the White House was first resistant in calling a 'crisis' at the U.S.-Mexico border, as migrants have flooded in.

The White House has had to clarify several times that Harris would be dealing with the root causes of migration and not, specifically, border security.

Harris will be 'engaging with these countries; engaging with their leaders; figuring out how to invest best, how to work in partnership, how to prevent corruption from taking over; to put in place steps that will make the journey less desirable - that is certainly a big assignment and one the president is confident the vice president will take on and do well,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

'That was always the plan, and that was the announcement,' Psaki added.

Still, in his letter, Abbott pointed a finger at the White House as he wrote about the humanitarian crisis on the ground in Texas, particularly for unaccompanied minors.

In a change of policy from former President Donald Trump, minors who come over the border now aren't sent directly back and instead are supposed to go from Customs and Border Patrol custody to Health and Human Services facilities, though the spike has created a backlog.

Biden has said his administration seeks a reversal from the hardliner Trump years and wants to create a 'fair and humane' immigration system.

A father and son from Honduras stand with a group of migrants as they are processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents after arriving in Roma, Texas on Tuesday

Haitian migrants walk after illegally crossing the Rio Bravo in an attempt to get to El Paso, Texas

A group of Haitian migrants are captured illegally crossing the Rio Bravo river as they attempt to get to El Paso, Texas on Tuesday

Women and children are seen crossing the Rio Bravo River to El Paso, Texas on Tuesday

Abbott said the Biden administration's policies 'embolden and enrich cartels, smugglers, and human traffickers who continue to ramp up their criminal operations.'

'In many cases, these criminals lure unaccompanied minors into inhumane conditions and expose them to abuse and terror,' he said.

Abbott sent a list of questions to Harris, including how officials are screening the children to identify potential victims of abuse.

Abbott also wanted to know how many victims of abuse have already been identified.

Abbott asked how the U.S. government is ensuring that the children aren't being released back to traffickers in the United States - and whether DNA testing was being utilized.

'The thought of any child suffering at the hands at human traffickers is unacceptable,' he wrote. 'Given your new role as the administration's Border Czar, I urge you to visit the border to see the crisis for yourself, and I implore the Biden administration to take swift action to secure the border, crack down on human trafficking, and prevent more children from being trafficked and abused.'

Neither Biden nor Harris have scheduled a trip to the southern border, as Republican critics hammer the administration for the uptick in migrants.

In turn, Americans are giving Biden lower marks on immigration than on other areas, like handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Marist poll that came out Tuesday showed that 53 per cent of respondents disapproved of Biden's performance on immigration, compared to the 38 per cent who approved.

Biden has expressed that most of the border crossers are being sent back - with the biggest change being that unaccompanied minors can stay in the U.S., which was also Trump's policy, but pre-pandemic.

The Washington Post reported that the surge is mostly the standard seasonal increase - most border crossings happen in warmer weather - topped with a group of migrants who had waited out the pandemic in 2020.

'She doesn't know the difference between "surge" and "insurgent"': AOC is slammed for saying anyone who uses term 'surge' to describe the border crisis is invoking 'militaristic' language of white supremacists

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been slammed after telling her supporters to stop calling the record number of migrants arriving at the border a 'surge', as it places the crisis in a 'militaristic frame'.

During a lengthy Instagram Live session on Tuesday night, AOC implored people to exercise caution with how they described the border crisis.

'They wanna say, 'But what about the surge?'' Well, first of all, just gut check, stop. Anyone who's using the term 'surge' around you consciously is trying to invoke a militaristic frame.'

'And that's a problem because this is not a surge, these are children and they are not insurgents and we are not being invaded, which by the way is a white supremacist idea-philosophy, the idea that if another is coming in the population that this is an invasion of who we are,' the congresswoman said.

Critics have labeled the comments 'peak AOC', and ridiculed her for not knowing the difference between the word 'surge' and 'insurgent'.

AOC told her massive Instagram following that the use of the word surge to describe the border crisis was placing the border crisis in a 'militaristic frame'

A family of migrants cross the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in to U.S Border Patrol agents to request for asylum in El Paso, Texas, US, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, March 30

Tom Bevan, the co-founder of conservative political news site Real Clear Politics, said: 'Not knowing the difference between the meaning of 'surge' and 'insurgent' - and then using it as a talking point about white supremacy - is peak AOC.'

Journalist Tim Pool, who describes himself as a 'disaffected liberal' in his Twitter bio, posted: 'It's like no matter what happens she has some half-brained complaint that has nothing to do with what's going. 'Surge' is racist? What the f*** do you even do?'

'Surge' and 'insurgent': dictionary definitions Surge (noun) A sudden large increase in something that has previously been steady, or has only increased or developed slowly. Insurgent (noun) People who are fighting against the government or army of their own country Source: Collins dictionary Advertisement

And Fox News contributor Tom Homan said the people who know the situation best, Border Patrol, are calling it a surge.

He said: 'The men and women of the Border Patrol say its a surge. The men and women at the Border Patrol say its a crisis. The men and women of the Border Patrol know that these cartels are using these children and family units to drive them across the border and tie up their assets.

'This is a national security crisis. If [Ocasio-Cortez] cant understand that or accept that, then she shouldnt be in Congress at all.'

Approximately 16,000 minors crossed the southern border in March, a record high.

The influx of children is leading to a bottleneck at custody centers and makeshift facilities along the border.

There were 5,767 children in Customs and Border Protection custody on Sunday, up from 5,495 children on Thursday, according to CBP data. In June 2019, when Donald Trump was president, the highest number of unaccompanied minors in custody was around 2,600, according to CBP data.

Additionally, there are 11,886 children in the custody of Health and Human Services.

Combining the HHS and CBP figures, the Biden administration has more than 17,500 children in custody.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden's administration allowed journalists inside its main border detention facility for migrant children for the first time, after weeks of shutting the media out and releasing their own photos.

The tour on revealed a severely overcrowded tent structure in Donna, Texas, where more than 4,000 migrants, including children and families, are crammed into pods.

The youngest are kept in a large play pen with mats on the floor for sleeping, because the facility is at 1,700% capacity and the dormitories are full.

Border guards say 14 per cent - roughly one in seven - of the migrant children have tested positive for COVID while photos also show detainees being treated for lice, amid fears of an outbreak.

Children are being crammed into the at the shelters like the one above, the Donna Department of Homeland Security, for weeks on end after a huge increase in March in the number of unaccompanied migrants

Media were allowed in to see the facilities this week, with shocking scenes like the one above at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility (file photo)

Two thousand children have already overstayed their 72-hour legal limit and at least 39 have been stuck in the cramped quarters for two weeks.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection allowed two journalists from The Associated Press and a crew from CBS to tour the facility in the Rio Grande Valley.

Last week 18 GOP senators traveled to the border to see conditions firsthand and criticized the Biden administration's immigration policies.

Republicans argue Biden's decision to roll back many of Donald Trump's stricter border policies has led to the recent migrant surge.

Cruz posted photos of children being held in crowded conditions - many sleeping on the floor - in one of the shelter.

'Democrats like to pretend their open-borders policies are somehow humane,' Cruz told 'Fox News Sunday.'

AOC and several other progressive Democratic congresswoman lhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, refer to themselves as The Squad.

They were joined by Jamaal Bowman of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri after the 2020 election.
New Delhi, March 31: Bangladesh is likely to finally join the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project. The issue was discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Dhaka last week as both India and Bangladesh have decided to remain engaged with Myanmar notwithstanding its internal political dynamics. The project will provide Bangladesh direct connectivity with the south east Asian nations which is expected to boost its trade.

Sources said that the project also gives India along with other nations an opportunity to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative while enhancing connectivity for the landlocked northeastern states of the country.

Sources said that though the project implementation is underway as per plan, there could be some delays as it stretches across geographical boundaries.

"There are two aspects to this project. First Bangladesh gets to connect with Myanmar on a positive note as it is part of the BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in South Asia and Myanmar and Thailand in Southeast Asia) connectivity projects. Dhaka is already part of BIMSTEC. Second, this gives an opportunity to counter China's plans of infrastructure connectivity," said Joyeeta Bhattacharjee, senior fellow Observer Research Foundation.

Bhattacharjee added that withdrawal from engaging with Myanmar is not the solution. "Our position to leverage and influence will remain intact only when we engage though many voices have come up to suggest that we must withdraw," she added.

Read also: PM opening new bridge to cement India Bangladesh ties The project also assumes importance as it gives a further push into the Indo-Pacific geopolitical dynamics.

"Bangladesh joining this project was almost a given. The benefits of this mini-quad cooperation go far beyond logistics and trade efficiencies. It has strategic implications - which shows India's seriousness in moving from simply Look East to Act East," Sandip Ghose, political analyst said, adding that the project would also bring in the northeastern states into the mainstream, while pushing development in that region.

An article published in the Diplomat, Dhaka's interest in the trilateral project with India, Myanmar, and Thailand along with the BBIN connectivity can be useful for both India and Bangladesh. "It will facilitate the development of India's much-neglected Northeast region, which brings for New Delhi both economic and strategic benefits," it said.

As India looks to intensify its Act East policy under the Narendra Modi government, it could even look at extending the highway through other countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

"Vietnam will be quite excited about such a proposal, but it is unclear how Cambodia and Laos will respond, given their deep economic and strategic engagement with China," the article said, adding that Vietnam, their close strategic partner, has had difficulties in these relationships in recent times because of China.

"The focus will be on improving connectivity in the region including the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) so that there is easy mobility within the region," an official said.

Importance of the trilateral highway project The trilateral project, conceived in 2002, is a 1360 km transnational highway connecting Moreh in India, Bagan in Myanmar and Mae Sot in Thailand. Though there have been delays in execution, the project, that is expected to boost trade and people to people connectivity besides other things, is likely to be completed in the next couple of years.

Sources said that the trilateral highway could feed into a much larger undertaking, in the end, connecting landlocked Bhutan with Da Nang in Vietnam.

The key to this massive undertaking is the 19.2 kilometer Dhubri-Phulbari bridge over the Brahmaputra. the gigantic effort will merge two parallel initiatives - the trilateral high New Delhi-led India-Myanmar- Thailand trilateral highway and the East-West, Economic Corridor (EWEC) marshalled by Japan in partnership with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The joint foray is a fusion of India's 'Act East' policy and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' strategy.

With Mae Sot as the junction, the 1,450-km EWEC route passes through Thailand's Province of the Mukhandan - the gateway to Laos, which is connected by the 1.6 km-long Second Thai-Lao friendship bridge over the Mekong, built with Japanese assistance. From Savannakhet in Laos, the next stop in the corridor, the passage heads east towards Da Nang, 486 km away. On the way, the Japanese have also been involved in constructing the 6.28-km Hai Van tunnel, the longest in Southeast Asia, which links Hue, a city in Central Vietnam, with Da Nang.

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Burma Kachin Independence Army Attacks a Myanmar Regime Police Station

Caption: The police outpost in Kyaukgyi Village, Shwegu Township in Kachin State attacked by the KIA. / Shwegu Township map.

YangonThe Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked a police station in Kyaukgyi village-tract in Shwegu Township, Kachin State, about 3 a.m. Wednesday. A spokesman for the Kachin ethnic armed group said the attack was carried out because police are involved in lethal crackdowns on anti-military regime protesters.

We have attacked police stations and outposts of peoples militias because the area [Kyaukgyi] is quite [militarily] strategic. Peoples militias and police there also go to the frontline and are also involved in killing civilians in the cities. All of them are part of Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) and it is difficult for us to differentiate [them from military personnel]. So we attacked [the police outpost], said KIA information officer Naw Bu.

Details from the ground are still unknown, said Col. Naw Bu, due to communication problems. He did not confirm reports that KIA troops seized ammunition and food stocks from the police station.

An employee of Shwegu Township General Administration Department said, Kayukgyi Village is far from Shwegu town. The attack took place in a remote area. As we dont have access to mobile data services here, we only knew about the clash about noon. Most of the civil servants are striking here and in the case of police, there are only senior police officers still working.

A police officer was reportedly injured in the KIAs attack. The Irrawaddy was not able to independently confirm the report. The Irrawaddy was also unable to reach the Shwegu Township police force for comment.

According to the organizational structure of Myanmars police force, village-tract level police stations and police outposts have 6 to 18 members.

More than 400 government employees, including policemen, are participating in the civil disobedience movement (CDM) in Shwegu. According to the information gathered by The Irrawaddy, at least 40 police have joined the CDM in Kachin State and some have sought refuge in KIA-controlled areas for fear of arrest.

The KIA has refused to recognize the military regime and has carried out attacks on Myanmar military outposts since March 11. The armed group also carried out an artillery attack on a police outpost in jade land, Hpakant, on March 18.

In response, the military returned artillery fire, and carried out airstrikes on KIA battalions 11 and 14 in Namti and Tanai townships on Monday.

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They hit my chest and back with rifle butts: Myanmar Teenage Detainee

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Bipartisanship is hard to come by these days in Harrisburg and in Washington, D.C., but former Gov. Tom Ridge remembers how that was the way he often got things done during his political career.

Whether it was serving in Congress when Republicans were the minority party or as a Republican governor with a GOP-controlled General Assembly, Ridge said he knew he could be far more effective when he could persuade Democrats to support an initiative. Ridge, the nations first homeland security secretary, talked about civility and leadership in a live-streamed conversation with the Harrisburg Regional Chamber/CREDC CEO David Black on Wednesday.

This was before compromise became a dirty word in politics, said Ridge. Before social media and the anonymity around social media became unfortunately an inherent part of how we communicate and influence peoples decisions and opinions. It was remarkable.

Ridge recalled as a congressman, how he approached a Democratic colleague or a friend, yes, Democrat friends, to ask what they thought about his idea and ask them to promote it through Congress. It was that approach he used to move legislation rewriting the law restructuring the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said.

As governor, he said he worked with former Democratic congressman Jack Murtha to get some federal help to build the shipyard in Philadelphia.

Im just not sure you could do that now, Ridge said. I dont know how you can look at the environment today and say that theres a civil environment.

But he said he remains hopeful that one of these days, citizens will stand up and demand their elected officials to respect each others opinion. Dont demonize them and be careful going down any ideological path where you somehow claim moral superiority of your ideas as opposed to those on the other side of the aisle.

The near hour-long conversation between Ridge and Black, who served in Ridges Cabinet, covered a lot of territory that touched on the central themes of civility and leadership throughout. Here are some of the highlights:

Turning point for the GOP

Ridge, when running for his first term, liked the direction Republicans took in 1994 with Newt Gingrichs Contract for America that outlined what the GOP would accomplish if they gained majority control of Congress.

I thought it was about time for the party in opposition, Republicans, us, to make a statement as to what were for rather than just simply being opposed to the other partys ideas, Ridge said. Thats the challenge that we had.

Its a lesson that Republicans in recent years forgot, he said. After stating their opposition to Obamacare for three or four election cycles and when they finally had Republican President Donald Trump in the White House with a GOP-controlled Congress for the first two years of his administration, we didnt do anything. We didnt offer any alternatives.

Ridge added: When youre in the minority, your responsibility is to offer other ideas, better ideas at least in your mind, rather than just constantly demeaning and denigrating the ideas of the other party.

Getting along with Democrats

As governor at a time Republicans controlled both chambers of the Legislature, Ridge said his administration reached out to Democrats they thought might be supportive of his initiatives, whether they dealt with education, the environment, or economic development. The idea was to make them part of the team to help push them along.

I had a great legislative staff in the governors office who understood and respected the other side of the aisle, Ridge said. For that reason, we were able to accomplish a lot more than you might normally would appreciate.

Still pushing school choice

After hearing Black trumpet the recent approval of a new charter school in Harrisburg, STEAM Academy, as an opportunity to help change the culture in the academically challenged city school district, Ridge, who signed Pennsylvanias charter school law in 1997, jumped on his soap box to call for the need for children to have educational options.

When it comes to Pennsylvanias children, particularly those who for whatever reason cant either afford, who dont want to go to private school, the failure of the state to provide a quality education for these young men and women remains I think a substantial blemish on Pennsylvanias public service record, he said.

He said he thinks theres a definite need to revisit the school voucher issue and regrets more charter schools werent opened.

Taking a shot at some of Gov. Tom Wolfs initiatives to curb the growth of charter and cyber charter schools, Ridge said, I think its blasphemous to suggest that these charter schools  oh, theres some aberrant problems out there  arent significantly better on a day-to-day basis than traditional public education, period.

His exit from public service

Ridge stepped away from his Cabinet position as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2005 to pursue some interest in the private sector that involve lobbying and risk management and cybersecurity consulting.

He told Black by that time, he had put in 12 years in Congress, nearly seven years as governor from 1995 through 2001, and three-plus years as homeland security secretary.

It was just time to move on and reconnect with family and friends, Ridge said. Ive enjoyed my public service beyond belief and it was just time to write another chapter or two.

The presidential race

Ridge was among the Republicans who stepped away from his partys presidential pick to publicly support Biden as the best choice to win the 2020 presidential election.

In his view despite all the Republican rhetoric about election fraud and rigging, Ridge has no doubt Biden won it fair and square. He said it troubles him to hear people say otherwise, since it is local officials who run the elections.

We have guardians of democracy at the local level. Theyre your friends and your neighbors. You worship with them. You see them at the club, Ridge said. The notion that somehow these men and women across the country ignored the law and sought to it that hundreds of thousands, even millions of votes were miscounted, had to be thrown out unlawfully in order to create this scenario of a victory for Joe Biden, I think its insulting to the end. Its a malicious lie.

He also criticized Trump for perpetuating the idea as far back as May or June that the only way he was going to lose the election is through fraudulent absentee ballots. In his view, Ridge said Trump could have won if he had handled his response to the COVID-19 pandemic in a more aggressive and bipartisan way.

Thats just my opinion, Ridge said. I can express it publicly and a lot of people could disagree with me but I love that First Amendment.

On Bidens job performance

His thoughts on Bidens job performance go back to the theme of this conversation with Black and the need for bipartisanship.

He said Biden in his inaugural address spoke about being the president of the people who voted for him, those who didnt vote for him and those who didnt vote at all. But he said Biden has yet to really demonstrate that.

It didnt look to me like he made any effort to accommodate a Republican point of view with regard to that [$1.9 trillion] rescue package, Ridge said. Im hopeful that in this infrastructure bill and the like that he can get back and see what they can do in a bipartisan way.

The most significant pieces of legislation in America more often than not have before the clay dries have fingerprints of both Republicans and Democrats on it. And Im waiting to see him be that unifier he promised to be. The jury is out.

Hats off to columnist John Baer

Ridge credits now PennLive and former Philadelphia Daily News columnist for giving him an opening line he used at stops during his first gubernatorial campaign: The congressman that no one ever heard of from a place in Pennsylvania that no ones ever been to.

Ridge said at that time, he had about 5% name recognition if he was lucky in what was a hotly contested Republican primary.

I didnt view it as anything other than a clever analysis of who I was given the office that I sought, Ridge said about Baers description of him.

Too often candidates take journalists comments about them as personal sleights, but in this case, Ridge said, I frankly thought it was pretty damn clever.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.

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JOHANNESBURG, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) (JSE: GFI) (NYSE: GFI) today published its Integrated Annual Report 2020 (IAR) and a number of associated reports on its website.

These are the statutory Annual Financial Report 2020 (AFR), including the Governance Report, containing the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020, the Notice to Shareholders of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the 2020 Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Supplement. The relevant documents will also be posted to shareholders over the next few days.

These audited results contain no modifications to the reviewed financial results published on the Stock Exchange News Service on 18 February 2020.

The IAR and the AFR incorporate all aspects of the Group's business, including reviews of the South African, West African, Australian and South American operations, the Group's project activities, as well as detailed financial, operational and sustainable development information.

PwC Inc. have audited the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020, and their unqualified Independent Auditor's Report is included in the AFR. PwC Inc have raised one key audit matter in their unqualified Independent Auditor's Report, namely the impairment assessment of the South Deep cash generating unit. PwC Inc have also included the Independent Reporting Accountant's Assurance Report on the compilation of pro-forma financial information in the AFR.

The IAR contains the CEO Report of Gold Fields' outgoing Chief Executive Officer Nick Holland, who is retiring from the Company today. Nick provides an overview of the Company's 2020 performance, but also takes a look at Gold Fields' longer-term strategic transformation. Chris Griffith takes over as CEO with effect from 1 April 2021.

The Gold Fields Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Supplement 2020 contains a comprehensive overview of Gold Fields' Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve status as well as a detailed breakdown for its operations and projects. As at 31 December 2020, Gold Fields had attributable gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves of 52.1Moz (2019: 51.3Moz) and gold-equivalent Mineral Resources of 116.0Moz (2019: 115.7Moz).

Gold Fields' Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Content Index 2020, the 2020 Climate Change Report and the 2020 Report to Stakeholders will be published during April 2021.

Notice of AGM

Notice is given to Shareholders of the AGM of the Company to be held entirely by electronic communications on Thursday, 6 May 2021 at 13:00. The AGM will transact the business as stated in the Notice of that meeting, a copy of which can be found with the IAR on the company's website at www.goldfields.com. In terms of section 59(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 71 of 2008, the record date for the purpose of determining which shareholders are entitled to participate in and vote at the AGM (being the date on which a shareholder must be registered in the Company's securities register in order to participate in and vote at the AGM) is Friday, 23 April 2021. Therefore the last day to trade in order to be registered in the Company's securities register as at the record date is Tuesday, 20 April 2021.

Enquiries

Investors

Avishkar Nagaser

Tel: +27 11 562-9775

Mobile: +27 82 312 8692

Email: [email protected]

Thomas Mengel

Tel: +27 11 562-9849

Mobile: +27 72 493 5170

Email: [email protected]

Media

Sven Lunsche

Tel: +27 11 562-9763

Mobile: +27 83 260 9279

Email: [email protected]

About Gold Fields

Gold Fields Limited is a globally diversified gold producer with nine operating mines and one project in Australia, Chile, Ghana (including our Asanko Joint Venture), Peru and South Africa, with total attributable annual gold-equivalent production of 2.24Moz. It has attributable gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves of 52.1Moz and gold Mineral Resources of 116.0Moz. Gold Fields has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Limited, and an additional listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd

SOURCE Gold Fields Limited
Arbani continued to be the eyes and ears of the community, searching for cases to refer to the new facility. He was convinced that some of the negative test results for the children he was seeing were false. His clinical instincts told him that these children had too many symptoms consistent with H.I.V.  weight loss, persistent coughs and diarrhea  and where there was one case of horizontal transmission, there were likely to be more. He also had a hunch that the public labs werent as accurate in their testing as the private ones, so he sent patients to Aga Khans satellite labs in Larkana for confirmation, as he had done with Shah back in February.

Arbani has turned out to be right. Since Emans H.I.V. diagnosis, he has identified a dozen cases of conflicting results  that is, the parents were told their children didnt have H.I.V. when, in fact, they did. For some of them, this significantly delayed treatment and might have led to preventable deaths.

Perhaps spurred by all the media attention, Pakistans national Ministry of Health sent an international team, with support from Aga Khan University, U.N. agencies, the W.H.O. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, to Ratodero to thoroughly examine the outbreak. They uncovered a multitude of unsafe medical practices in the area, similar to what Mir discovered. Based on interviews with hundreds of parents, almost every child who tested positive had also received an injection of some kind in the previous year. Whats more, H.I.V.-positive children had had roughly three times the number of injections compared with their virus-free peers. Investigators found that needles and intravenous lines were being reused, despite a 2011 law mandating the production and stockpiling of single-use disposable syringes.

Pakistan has among the highest number of unsafe injections in the world, according to several international studies. This grim ranking is in part an inevitable byproduct of a fragile health system, but the reasons are complex and interrelated, driven as much by socioeconomic factors and long-held cultural beliefs as by a lack of government investment and oversight. The standards for preventing and controlling infection are not adequately taught or enforced in undergraduate medical education in Pakistan; in one survey, over 80 percent of medical students responded that they needed better training. As a result, hand-washing, the use of disposable syringes and the proper discarding of needles and sharp instruments arent always practiced by medical providers. Because the oversight of medical education in Pakistan isnt very strict, the recent proliferation of private medical schools is troublesome. These institutions set their own admission and graduation standards and can be highly variable. Exact numbers are unclear, but it seems there are at least 70 medical colleges registered, with possibly an additional 50 or so that are not yet registered or are operating under the radar, according to Mishal Khan, the London School professor. Whats more, Khan says, requiring continuing medical education to learn, say, the latest standards for infection control or how to diagnose new diseases is not customary in Pakistan. And unfortunately, in places as poor as Ratodero, health providers may resort to reusing medical equipment to cut costs.

The shortcomings arent limited to allopathic medicine. Many Pakistanis seek care from homeopathic providers and chiropractors. Pharmacists and technicians also practice in ways theyre not qualified for, as do others who have no training whatsoever (all of whom the Pakistan authorities call quacks). The regulatory oversight of these alternative health care providers is uneven, at best. Though they are not licensed to do so, some give patients shots and intravenous medications.

A study in 2014 found that over 70 percent of health care services in Pakistan are provided by the private sector; this may be, in large part, because public facilities often close their doors at 2 p.m. In fact, many of these government-employed doctors go from their jobs in the morning to their own private clinics in the afternoons. As a whole, government-run facilities also do not serve poor, illiterate patients very well. To attract and retain their patients, private doctors and quacks alike have incentives to provide injections even if theyre superfluous, because patients might otherwise think they havent been treated effectively. As such, Pakistan has one of the highest injection rates in the world, with research showing that people get at least five to eight shots a year, while some studies conclude that the number is closer to 14. Nearly 95 percent of these, according to the national government, are considered medically unnecessary. Unlicensed blood banks are also known to inadequately screen blood. Poor parents may forgo their own health care, but theyre still inclined to take their children to the clinic, no matter how limited their funds.
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
Ballia, March 31 : To fulfil his ambition of becoming the village head after doing social service for almost a decade, a 45-year-old man got married after his seat was declared reserved for women.

Hathi Singh of Karan Chhapra village in Ballia district, contested the elections in 2015 and was the runner up.

However, his seat was declared reserved for women and Singh's hope of getting elected this time was shattered. His supporters suggested that he get married and his wife could contest the elections.

Singh finally got married on March 26, which was solemnised at the Dharmnathji temple in the village.

Interestingly, the marriage was solemnised during 'khar-maas' - a period not considered auspicious as per Hindu traditions.

"I had to get married before nominations close on April 13," he said.

His bride is pursuing her graduation and now preparing to contest the village panchayat elections.

"I have been working hard for the past five years and my supporters are also campaigning for us. It is mainly because of my supporters that I decided to change my decision of not getting married ever. My mother is 80-years-old and could not have contested the elections," said Singh.
COMMENTARY

5 public relations strategies for mergers and acquisitions

Amidst all of the business uncertainty in 2020 due to COVID-19, one area that remained relatively stable was a healthy volume of merger and acquisition activity for government contractors and government IT service providers.

From the March SAIC acquisition of Unisys U.S. federal IT services business unit for $1.2 billion to the November 2020 announcement of $3.4 billion acquisition of Northrop Grummans federal IT services business by private equity firm Veritas Capital, M&A activity in the government contractor space has been buoyed by sky-high valuations, the need to acquire IT capabilities to pursue massive federal opportunities, as well as myriad factors more nuanced and specific to each transaction.

Many of these favorable trends came together to drive Peratons eye-popping $7.1 billion purchase of Perspecta, backed by Veritas Capital, expected to close later this year.

Washington Technology has been on the front lines of chronicling key factors driving strong M&A activity in the government space. There are undeniably numerous business, operational and financial opportunities and challenges associated with transactions of this size, but it is self-defeating to overlook the role of effective messaging, PR and social media strategy.

Below are 5 key government contractor PR strategies to consider before, during and after the transaction event.

Develop Messaging That Tells A Cohesive Story

If you are acquiring one or more B2G IT providers or forming a new brand through a merger, there is bound to be questions and confusion from existing customers, prospects, partners, employees and other stakeholders.

If the transaction coincides with a new brand naming, customers may wonder what it means for their current levels of service and support. What is the best way to communicate new market segments (civilian, health IT, etc.) or capabilities (cyber, AI, digital transformation) enabled by the transaction? How might competitors seek to exploit the announcement by seeding doubt in the market?

External and internal messaging to ensure that everyone is working from a single playbook is vital. Messaging at the highest level must speak across B2G markets and segments; more granular supporting messages must be tailored to core markets and even individual agencies.

Finally, employees with the acquiring and acquired firms must have clarity on their own roles, and what they should be communicating to customers. Ultimately, the messaging must tell a cohesive story that brings all of the moving parts together so that it is clear why the new entity will be greater than the sum of its parts.

Identify Right PR Strategy For Each Message

Your M&A communications strategy for B2G Tech PR should not begin and end with a press release and social posts. Those are table stakes. Nor should you condense all of your activities to a handful of days around the announcement.

There exists a long-tail opportunity to build and sustain momentum for weeks and months if you utilize a full repertoire of PR capabilities including yes, a press release but also thought leadership byline articles, targeted media pitching, customer case studies, social media content and visuals as well as internal communications.

The press release can lay out the motivation for the transaction and its benefits; byline articles can focus on establishing credibility in market areas and capabilities enabled by the transaction; rapid response/newsjacking can tie the acquisition in with prevailing B2G trends and challenges agencies face that your company can address; customer stories will help communicate the expanded capability set; while social media can amplify all of these important messages.

Confirm The Reality; Sell The Vision

Often, B2G brands executing an acquisition or merger focus their energy on assuring customers and the market why this transaction makes sense. Publicly-traded B2G firms have an expanded set of stakeholders and shareholders who need assurances and stability. The result is many brands get so stuck in trying to justify the why that they fail to sell the what. What will this combined entity look like in 2 years, 5 years, or longer? How does it connect to past transactions and what does it signal about future market moves?

Even for stakeholder groups such as customers and investors that want stability, they also want to be excited about what the future holds. Despite what many press releases say M&A isnt just about synergies  its about the future and growth. Sell the vision to external audiences and employees to generate enthusiasm that executives involved in the transaction no doubt possess.

Connect The Dots

We talked about the need to tell a cohesive, forward-looking story. Dont message the transaction in a vacuum; establish a storyline that can link past, present and future activities to M&A deals. If you are expanding cyber security capabilities, messaging should align with acquisitive and organic growth activity.

Press releases should not be episodic; if someone were to read all of your releases, blogs and other announcement mechanisms, would a compelling and tight narrative emerge? It should.

Watch The Market

We can barely last a week without stumbling across a B2G M&A announcement. Indeed, March started out with a bang as global government services provider Maximus completed its acquisition of the Attain Federal division for $430 million.

In the press release, Maximus President and CEO Bruce Caswell checked all the boxes you would hope and expect to see for a transaction like this: connecting scale to the enablement of organic growth, digital transformation, better customer outcomes and, of course, enhancing shareholder value.

Attain Partners Chairman and CEO Greg Baroni extended the message from the why to the what: I am excited to accelerate the growth of the Attain Partners business by providing investment capacity to realize the vision of building a next generation, asset-powered consultancy and enabling us to attract top talent, innovate market-leading solutions, and make strategic acquisitions.

Some of these deals will involve your competitors and partners. How are they messaging these transactions? What is resonating and what is falling flat? How can you use this intel to create distinct messaging that doesnt have you come off as a market follower simply growing to keep up with competitors, but instead as a market leader setting the pace for innovation?

Public relations and marketing efforts should be a core component in planning for the before, during and after of M&A activity.
As rain fell across the Northern Rivers region in NSW on Wednesday night, one long-time attendee of the now-cancelled Byron Bay Bluesfest said it was tears for director Peter Noble.

Less than 24 hours before the gates were due to open, after remaining shut in 2020 as well, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard signed a public health order calling off the five-day music festival.

In a statement, organisers said while their COVID-19 Safety Plan had exceeded other major sporting events in its depth and ability to protect the public, the communitys health came first.

We really wanted to be at the forefront of the return of live music at pre-COVID-19 level, Mr Noble said.
A New Orleans man sentenced to 99 years in prison in 2000 has been released after more than two decades behind bars when his accuser finally admitted he'd made up the armed robbery claim - and picked the future inmate at random out of a lineup.

Jermaine Hudson, 42, was released on Friday - just one day after his accuser came forward to District Attorney Jason Williams of Orleans Parish in Louisiana to admit he fabricated the crime, NOLA.com reported.

'For the last 20 years since this happened, I have been tortured by the lie I told,' he said in an affidavit on Thursday.

At Hudson's trial in March 2000, the unnamed accuser broke down crying. To Hudson, it was the sight of a man anguished about making a false accusation. Jurors saw it another way and voted 10-2 to convict him of armed robbery.

Judge Julian Parker sentenced him to 99 years in prison and for the next two decades Hudson's appeals were denied.

Hudson's case was one of 22 in which prosecutors recently moved to vacate the convictions. He agreed to plead guilty to robbery and receive a sentence of time served at a hearing before Judge Nandi Campbell.

Jermaine Hudson, right, with his fiance, Latinya Darensbourg, in a photo provided by the Promise of Justice Initiative. The New Orleans man was sentenced to 99 years in prison and was released after more than two decades after the person who accused him of armed robbery recanted the claim, saying he lied when he picked Hudson out of a lineup. The man now says he fabricated the robbery because he did not want to admit he spent the money on drugs. Hudson was released on Friday

While former Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro often viewed recanting witnesses with suspicion, prosecutors under Williams dismissed Hudson's charge at record speed.

On March 1, 1999, Hudson's accuser, then 18, told his father that while riding his bike home from work he was robbed at gunpoint of cash and his St. Christopher medal. The father called police, who presented the accuser with a photographic line-up a month later. The accuser picked Hudson, who lived in the area.

Hudson previously pleaded guilty to armed robbery at age 16, but by 1999 he was working at a grocery store and providing for his 10-month- and 2-week-old daughters.

Retired Judge Julian Parker, who sentenced Jermaine Hudson to 99 years in prison for an armed robbery conviction by a jury with a split verdict vote of 10-2

A prosecutor offered Hudson a plea deal for a 5-year sentence, but he recalls saying, 'I ain't about to take no time for something I didn't do.'

Yet he was convicted in a non-unanimous decision by the jury.

In other states, a split jury would not have led to a conviction, but Louisiana and Oregon allowed non-unanimous convictions, until the U.S. Supreme Court last year found them to be unconstitutional.

The U.S. Supreme Court last year found split verdicts to be unconstitutional. The decision currently only applies to cases with pending appeals, but after Williams took office on January 11 he applied the change to older cases like Hudson's conviction.

'I thank God for sending Mr. Williams,' Hudson said Monday. 'He's just one of those men that God sent on a mission, and he's listening. He's actually listening.'

After Hudson agreed to the reduced sentence, his accuser came forward a day later.

The man now says he lied about the robbery because he did not want to admit he spent the money on drugs. He threw away the St. Christopher medal he said was taken in the imaginary robbery and picked Hudson from the lineup at random, he said.

Former Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro speaks at a news conference in New Orleans in May 2014. Cannizzaro, who prosecuted Hudson, often viewed recanting witnesses with suspicion. He fought to uphold convictions even after witnesses renounced their testimony and prosecuted several of them for perjury

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams (left) dismissed the armed robbery charge against Jermaine Hudson at record speed. Judge Nandi Campbell, (right) who oversaw a hearing to reduce Hudson's sentence to time served

The accuser's substance abuse issues continued and he is currently in a rehab facility.

Louisiana law says recantations should be treated with 'utmost suspicion,' in part because of the danger a defendant's acquaintances will pressure witnesses. Cannizzaro, the district attorney who prosecuted Hudson, fought to uphold convictions even after witnesses recanted and prosecuted several for perjury.

Yet Hudson says he was prepared to plead guilty to get out of prison. He and his lawyer, Jamila Johnson of the Promise of Justice Initiative, said no one in the defense camp approached the accuser.

Williams' office agreed to provide the recanting accuser with immunity and moved to put the affidavit on the court record the next day.

Emily Maw, chief of the Orleans Parish district attorney's office, said everything the purported victim now says is 'entirely consistent with the case.' Maw said prosecutors interviewed an alibi witness for Hudson in 1999 but disbelieved her.

The district attorney's office subsequently moved to dismiss Hudson's charge.

While many of the 22 split jury convictions vacated last month are slated to end in plea agreements, Maw's civil rights division is reviewing others for mistakes during or before trial.

Hudson is now catching up with his fiancee, Latinya Darensbourg, hugging the daughter he barely knew when he went to prison and hoping to find work as a plumber.

'I just thank God that it's finally over,' Hudson said. 'Thank God for revealing the truth. I forgive the guy and pray that he gets his life back on track.'
Police are looking for two suspects after they say a gunman opened fire in a Philadelphia mall, killing a 21-year-old man.

The shooting occurred inside the crowded food court of the Philadelphia Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia around 5 p.m. Monday after police say a fight occurred, and then at least one person pulled out a gun and started shooting, NBC 10 is reporting.

Dominic Billa, 21, was shot multiple times in the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:18 p.m., reports indicate. He was the stepson of a detective assigned to the Philadelphia District Attorneys Offices homicide/non-fatal shooting unit, according to reports.

His family is mourning his loss.

Ill never be the same, never. Im broken. Im literally broken, his mother Nakisha Billa, told Action News 6 ABC.

Dominic Billa had been preparing for the next stages of his life, hoping to study carpentry and learning how to build and repair cars, reports indicate.

People who were in the mall at the time of the shooting told NBC 10 they heard what sounded like 20 shots.

The bullets were coming our way, Jamie Yeimnieletona told the station.

She said it sounded like a balloon popping at first, then the sound kept repeating, and people started running, she added.

The mall was locked down as SWAT and K-9 teams searched for the suspects, but not arrests have been made, reports indicate.

Police are still on the hunt for two suspects, who they believe got away on a SEPTA bus, 6 ABC is reporting.

Police are reviewing surveillance video.
Nicola Sturgeon squirmed last night as she faced fury over her plan to put a divisive independence referendum before the coronavirus recovery.

The SNP leader appeared flustered as she was grilled about her drive to split the UK during the first televised leaders' debate of the Scottish election campaign.

The First Minister faced an onslaught of dissenting voices as she confirmed that she plans to hold a fresh ballot.

A rattled Ms Sturgeon - who is struggling to contain a raging civil war within the independence movement - seemed desperate to avoid engaging with the issue, before eventually admitting she wants to holding one in the first half of the next parliament.

The SNP is hoping to use the Holyrood elections in May as a platform for a new separatist push, but support has been hammered by the extraordinary war with Alex Salmond.

The former first minister has created a new political party, Alba, to fight the elections - although in a relief for Ms Sturgeon he was not part of the debate last night.

Meanwhile, the independence campaign faced another blow today as a think-tank warned that it could take Scotland at least a decade to rejoin the EU if it does break away.

If it did ally with Brussels that would mean creating a hard border with England, according to the Institute for Government.

A separate study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies also highlighted the generosity of Scotland's funding from Westminster, with 1.30 spent on public services north of the border for every 1 in the south.

The SNP leader appeared flustered during the first televised leaders' debate of the Scottish election campaign

Scotland rejoining EU 'could take a DECADE and mean hard border with UK' The SNP's pledge to rejoin the EU could take a decade to achieve - and mean a hard border with England, a report warned today. The Institute for Government said in principle Brussels would be to admit Scotland if it breaks from the UK. But that would only be possible after formal separation from the UK was complete - a process that could take 10 years. 'As an EU member state, Scotland would have no choice but to enforce customs processes, as well as regulatory checks on goods such as animal and plant products. 'There would be a need for new border infrastructure to enforce these rules.' The report points out that Scottish businesses trade about three times with the rest of the UK as with the EU. IfG fellow Akash Paun said the SNP must be 'open' about the 'costs' EU membership would entail. He pointed out that a majority of Scots voted against Brexit, so it was 'understandable' many voters wanted to look again at the case for independence. 'That is a choice for Scotland to make. But it should make that choice in the knowledge that it will not be able to maintain open borders with both the EU and with the rest of the UK,' the report added. Advertisement

Opposition leaders reacted angrily and accused the First Minister of ignoring the public's desire to make fixing the economy and mending public services top priority.

Opponents warned Scotland faces the threat of five years of 'poisonous' arguments between Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond if the SNP wins the election.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross attacked her for putting issues including education and economic recovery 'to the side' in favour of independence.

He said: 'The final piece of legislation that the SNP laid in front of parliament before the parliament rose for this election was one about independence, because it is their only priority, it is their political priority.

'We have heard from the studio so far today it's not the public's priority and that is why Nicola Sturgeon is wrong and that's why we can't have a recovery when the SNP and the Scottish Government are only focused on another referendum.'

Answering questions from members of the public invited to take part virtually in the BBC debate in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon found herself on the rack over the constitution.

One audience member, introduced as Selwyn, told her: 'Nicola Sturgeon said to us she is focused on Covid and all that goes with it. If that's the case how did she find time to put an independence bill through parliament while we are still suffering Covid? That's not a focus.'

Another member of the virtual audience at the debate, introduced as Angelica, said: 'Back in November 2020, Nicola Sturgeon was pushing for another independence referendum.

'So is the focus really on the Covid recovery or is your focus on a referendum?

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: 'We will not get through this pandemic, and we will not get a recovery that benefits everyone if we are arguing amongst ourselves all the time.

'We need to put the division, the exhausting arguments of the past, behind us and focus on the recovery.' He added: 'We know it will be a long, divisive argument. We've seen the arguments over the last few weeks with Alex Salmond over these issues.

'It is going to be bitter, it is going to be divided, it will last for years. It will be just like Brexit.

'I've seen a window into the next five years in the last few weeks  arguments over the constitution, strategy about independence; arguments between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond which have been poisonous and unpleasant. And what we need to do is to put all of that behind us and choose a different future.'

Labour's Anas Sarwar, Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie, Ms Sturgeon, presenter Sarah Smith, Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross

Alex Salmond has created a new political party, Alba, to fight the elections - although in a relief for Ms Sturgeon he was not part of the debate last night

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was joined by members of other parties in quizzing Miss Sturgeon over her priorities.

He said: 'Credit where credit is due, the First Minister has been out every day talking about Covid and trying to lead from the front, but I just fear she has a blind spot when it comes to the constitution and when it comes to the referendum.'

Sturgeon: Referendum in two-and-a-half years Nicola Sturgeon sparked fury last night after confirming she will push to hold a second independence referendum within the next two-and-a-half years. The First Minister was challenged by voters on whether her focus was on the pandemic or on breaking up the United Kingdom. While she said this was something the public should 'judge' for themselves, the SNP leader confirmed she will seek a divisive referendum in the first half of the next five-year Holyrood term  'assuming the crisis has passed'. The First Minister added: 'I'll leave other people to judge if my focus has been on the pandemic or not over the past year.' Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said her party would commit to a referendum in the next Holyrood term in its manifesto. But Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross launched a furious attack on Miss Sturgeon. He said: 'Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she would want a referendum in the next two years, when we are still dealing with this health pandemic. When we're still trying to recover our economy, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed to everyone tonight that the SNP will take us forward into another independence referendum if they get that majority.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he wanted to 'focus on what unites us as a country, not what divides us'. Advertisement

Responding to the question about pushing the referendum Bill through the Scottish parliament during the pandemic, Miss Sturgeon said: 'First of all, we haven't put an independence referendum Bill through the parliament. We published a draft, as I said we would. I think it's nine pages long.

'I will leave other people to judge whether my focus has been on the coronavirus pandemic or not over the past year.

'People have seen me literally every single day lead the country's fight against Covid and I have spent literally almost every waking moment doing that, rightly and properly as First Minister.'

The leaders of the five main parties took part in the socially distanced debate, with a virtual audience asking them questions from home.

Other issues included strategy for the coronavirus recovery, education and health. Mr Ross also highlighted a pledge this week by Miss Sturgeon in an election campaign speech that all pupils in Scotland would receive a tablet device or laptop.

He said: 'Does it really help young people who have been out of school for the last year to offer them a free device at the start of an election campaign rather than the start of a pandemic?'

Mr Sarwar raised concerns about the NHS north of the Border, and referred to a grandmother who has been told that she must travel to London for an operation to treat an aggressive form of cancer because of a 'backlog' in Scotland's health service.

Mary Hudson, 69, was informed that she could not be treated here owing to health service capacity issues caused by a coronavirus backlog, and will instead be forced to endure an eight-hour journey from her home in Glasgow to the NHS Hammersmith Hospital in London.

The Scottish Labour leader said: 'She [Mrs Hudson] had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and been told by the NHS in Scotland that due to the backlog of Covid, they are not treating recurring cancers, and would only be treating first time cancers.

'She has been forced to travel south in order to get that operation.'

Scotland is spending 30 PER CENT more on public services than England thanks to generous funding deal

The Scottish government is spending 30 per cent more on public services per person than England thanks to its generous funding deal from Westminster.

The extraordinary gap has been highlighted in a report by a respected think-tank - despite Nicola Sturgeon moaning that Boris Johnson wants to deny her cash as she steps up her push to split the UK.

Ms Sturgeon unveiled a 4 per cent pay rise for NHS staff last week trolling ministers for saying that 1 per cent is the most that can be afforded after coronavirus wreaked havoc on the economy.

But a study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) pointed out the huge gulf between funding levels with England.

For every 1 per person available for public services south of the border this year, there is 1.30 allocated north of the border - with the difference almost all explained by the Barnett formula used in the calculation.

The IFS also said the Scottish Government has chosen to use some of its temporary coronavirus funding to pay for permanent spending commitments - raising concerns that will cause problems when the crisis eases.

The briefing note said the Holyrood administration had received an additional 9.5billion from the UK Government in Covid-related funding.

A study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) pointed out the huge gulf between funding levels with England

The IFS said that the overwhelming majority of Holyrood revenue comes from the block grant from Westminster, with efforts to raise more taxes from Scots only having limited effect

The controversial formula that hands Scotland more case What is the Barnett Formula? It is a system used by the UK Government to figure out how much funding should be given to the other home nations when it decides to spend more or less on something in England. It was devised by the former Labour Chief Secretary to the Treasury Joel Barnett back in 1978. While it has no standing in law it has now been used by the Treasury for more than 40 years to calculate funding figures. Why is it so controversial? The amount of money handed out to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the form of a block grant from Westminster is calculated based on population and what powers have been devolved from Whitehall. In theory this should mean that spending should go up and down equally. But the calculations are complicated and Scotland started with higher spending per head when the formula was first used which means that discrepancy is baked into the system. The formula was only ever supposed to be temporary and even its architect said in 2014 that it was 'unfair and should be stopped'. Advertisement

Combined with a special funding guarantee, it said per capita coronavirus funding was likely to be higher in Scotland than in England for the next fiscal year.

But the IFS said not all of the extra funding was going to Covid-related spending, with some used to extend free school meals and free bus travel.

It warned that these would have to be funded from the core budget in 2022/23 and beyond, where money is likely to be 'tight'.

About two-thirds of Scottish Government funding comes from the block grant it receives from the UK Government, but Scottish income tax will contribute 27 per cent and other Scottish taxes 5.5 per cent, with borrowing contributing the remaining 0.5 per cent.

The IFS found that the Scottish Government's devolved taxes were contributing a modest but growing sum to its funding.

Plans suggest core funding will be about 3 per cent higher in 202122 than in 2010, but population growth means this is around 2 per cent lower per person.

The think tank has published its first briefing note ahead of the Holyrood election campaign, focussing on how funding has changed in recent years.

David Phillips, associate director at the IFS and author of the report said: 'Excluding temporary Covid-19 funding, the Scottish Government has over 1.30 per person to spend on public services this year for every 1 of spending per person on comparable services in England.

'This is almost entirely due to funding received from the UK Government via the Barnett formula, with less than 2p of the gap due to the Scottish Government's borrowing and higher income taxes.

'Indeed, the relatively weak performance of the Scottish economy means that the net revenues received from income tax have only increased slightly, despite tax increases in Scotland.'

'They would have fallen relative to a world without tax devolution had those tax rises not been implemented, reminding us that devolution brings risks as well as opportunities.'

He continued: 'Likely tight spending plans in Westminster could mean the next Holyrood administration will have to consider tax increases or cuts to some services  not least to pay for long-term policies on free school meals, public transport, council tax and mental health services, that this year will be paid for using temporary Covid-19 funding.'

Scottish Conservative economy spokesman Maurice Golden said: 'The extra money Scotland gets through the Barnett formula in the months and years ahead will be key to saving jobs, supporting businesses, growing the economy and offering high-quality workforce training.

'There is a risk though, the SNP's divisive and unnecessary plan to hold another independence referendum this year would place a stake through the heart of Scotland's economic recovery.'

However, SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: 'While the Barnett formula does provide Scotland with slightly higher public spending per head than in England, it is already under attack by the Tories at Westminster, who have cut our capital budget by 5 per cent and stripped the Scottish Parliament of powers so they can engage in 'pork-barrel' spending through the so-called levelling up fund.'

STEPHEN DAISLEY SKETCH: Sturgeon observed social distancing by staying at home

Encircling half a dozen podiums apparently located inside a black hole, the five party chiefs growled at one another for over an hour on the BBC leaders' debate. Imagine the Galactic Senate, only with five Darth Vaders.

Sarah Smith, clad in Nat-baiting red, chaired the proceedings ably, whooshing questions from a remote audience to the politicians and back again.

Adding to the mildly sinister atmosphere, the voters were kept in a mosaic of screens in the middle of the vortex and muted and unmuted on Smith's command.

It was the first virtual velitation of the election, yet the BBC couldn't seem to bring the fireworks. Truth be told, the whole affair was a wee bit dull. Nicola Sturgeon diligently observed social distancing by staying at home and leaving the debate to everyone else.

Maybe it was the awkward format, maybe she just had a bad night, but she seemed distracted and frustrated.

Sturgeon wins debates because she commands the room. Last night, she barely looked in command of her own answers. Even before the opposition leaders got a chance, the audience was ganging up on her, zooming in from all across the country to ask why she was banging on about a second referendum in the middle of a pandemic.

Ms Sturgeon leaving last night's election debate, which saw several frustrated exchanges

One voter, Selwyn, rebuked her for 'putting a referendum bill through parliament'.

Scotland is spending 30 PER CENT more on public services than England thanks to generous funding deal The Scottish government is spending 30 per cent more on public services per person than England thanks to its generous funding deal from Westminster. The extraordinary gap has been highlighted in a report by a respected think-tank - despite Nicola Sturgeon moaning that Boris Johnson wants to deny her cash as she steps up her push to split the UK. Ms Sturgeon unveiled a 4 per cent pay rise for NHS staff last week trolling ministers for saying that 1 per cent is the most that can be afforded after coronavirus wreaked havoc on the economy. But a study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) pointed out the huge gulf between funding levels with England. For every 1 per person available for public services south of the border this year, there is 1.30 allocated north of the border - with the difference almost all explained by the Barnett formula used in the calculation. The IFS also said the Scottish Government has chosen to use some of its temporary coronavirus funding to pay for permanent spending commitments - raising concerns that will cause problems when the crisis eases. The briefing note said the Holyrood administration had received an additional 9.5billion from the UK Government in Covid-related funding. Advertisement

She shot back that she hadn't technically put it through yet, just published a draft  and it was only nine pages long. This was supposed to instil confidence.

The First Minister got some backing from Colin, who seemed promising at first with his criticism of the pro-Union leaders but swiftly switched to: 'You're nothing more than imperialists... you take your orders from London.'

To the audience suggestion that there were more pressing concerns than the constitution, Sturgeon cited the 2007 global financial crisis and recalled how she'd been told back then that separation had to be shelved.

It's hardly revelatory that Sturgeon supports independence, but it was quite the admission that she thinks Scotland leaving the UK would have been wise while Bear Stearns executives were remortgaging their private helicopters.

H ER pitch to punters was that the Covid recovery would be best served by an independent Scotland within 'the European single market', a curious turn of phrase from someone who has spent five years railing against Scotland being 'dragged out' of any aspect of the European Union.

I suspect some internal polling has identified her inflexible rhetoric around Brexit as a recruiting sergeant for another nationalist party. One just recently launched. One with a Gaelic name none of its non-Gael members can pronounce.

Joining the familiar faces was relative newcomer Lorna Slater, a Canadian-born engineer who co-leads what she kept calling 'the Scorrish Greens'.

Her delightfully transatlantic accent took off from Calgary and circled somewhere above Canonmills for most of the debate, as she argued that people should vote Green for new jobs, more homes and better trains.

Her pronunciation was very different from that of Patrick Harvie. Every time he talks about the environment, it comes out as 'independence'.

Most of Labour leader Anas Sarwar's opening statement was carried in wide shot, then the screen cut to black, before returning to him for the final few seconds.

Later the camera zoomed out inexplicably in the middle of an answer. It was a remote debate and it looked as though the director was working from home, too.

So who was strongest on the issues that REALLY matter?

ON CORONAVIRUS STRATEGY

BEST LINES:

Douglas Ross: 'Does it really help young people who have been out of school for the last year to offer them a free device at the start of an election campaign rather than the start of a pandemic?'

Nicola Sturgeon: 'These are serious times, and they demand serious leadership. We need an experienced hand at the wheel.'

ANALYSIS:

Nicola Sturgeon felt confident speaking about her approach to coronavirus. She feels it is her strongest card and believed the country would be convinced that her experience is still needed.

But Douglas Ross managed to land two strong blows. He highlighted how two of her ministers have broken rules on outdoor gatherings while campaigning and also exposed how the SNP made a flagship promise in a conference speech to give a laptop to every child  but has failed to act during the pandemic when they have been needed most.

VERDICT:

Nicola Sturgeon's line about her coronavirus leadership was her strongest showing, but Douglas Ross edged it by exposing election bribes that could have been introduced long before now.

Sturgeon cited the 2007 global financial crisis and recalled how she'd been told back then that separation had to be shelved

ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY

BEST LINES:

Willie Rennie: 'We need to put our differences behind us and bring our country together.'

Anas Sarwar: 'It will take years to recover in the aftermath of Covid and Covid has hit people equally whether Yes, No, Leave or Remain.'

Douglas Ross: 'We can't have a recovery and a referendum.'

ANALYSIS:

All leaders agreed the economy needs to be the focus. Miss Sturgeon was less convincing when opponents highlighted that she will put independence first, meaning years of divisive debate.

VERDICT:

Some impressive points from Anas Sarwar about the need to focus on economic action rather than more division.

ON INDEPENDENCE:

BEST LINES:

Willie Rennie: 'I've seen a window into the next five years in the last few weeks: arguments over the constitution, strategy about independence, arguments between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond which have been poisonous and unpleasant.'

Douglas Ross: 'We have heard from the studio so far today it's not the public's priority and that is why Nicola Sturgeon is wrong and that's why we can't have a recovery when the SNP and the Scottish Government are only focused on another referendum.'

ANALYSIS:

An issue that dominated for the audience and the leaders. Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that she wants an independence referendum within two-and-a-half years, while Lorna Slater of the Greens only wanted it within the five-year term of parliament.

VERDICT:

Willie Rennie made good points about the need to escape more division and five years of poisonous arguments between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.

ON HEALTH:

BEST LINES:

Anas Sarwar: 'Even despite Covid, cancer remains Scotland's biggest killer. We can't have people needing to go south for treatment.'

ANALYSIS:

The issue was dominated by Anas Sarwar, who set out policy ideas about tackling the NHS backlog and highlighted the impact lockdown has had. Nicola Sturgeon also got in some good policy ideas about temporary operation facilities and mobile units.

VERDICT:

A clear win for Anas Sarwar.
THE global lockdown caused by Covid-19 pandemic has plunged the aviation sector in the world into massive losses and it might take time to recover.

At the backdrop Tanzania purchased a fleet at time the world was trapped in a complex situation due to Covid-19 that unquestionably hit hard the global aviation sector for a good part of the 2019/20, the same period the Controller and Audit General (CAG) report was being prepared.

The Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) as one of the airline company hit hard by the pandemic was mentioned in the CAG report that recorded a loss of 60bn/- during 2019/20 fiscal year.

The CAG report was handed over to President Samia Suluhu Hassan last Sunday by CAG, Charles Kichele.

"In my opinion, assessing its position and history of airline Tanzania, one thing to bear in mind is that loss making for an airline business especially for ATCL isn't unique to ATCL only," remarked Dr Hildebrand Shayo, who is an economist cum investment banker.

Few examples indicate that airlines in South Africa, Kenya, USA, and UK have differently experienced losses over the years.

Without going into the detail, common logics tells that airlines are not among much money-making business at all, and this would join experts with a lifetime of experience in the industry.

What is being proposed here is that airline profits are difficult to understand because of how the industry itself works and their profits margin.

In fact, in airline industry business specialists will agree with me that airlines based on history as reported in audited accounts accessible have never achieved a level of profit that could be at all considered as offering a competitive return on investment.

With teeth layer thin margins of 1-2 per cent, there is just no buffer against the certain unexpected events that occur with customer demand and changing sentiment.

To demonstrate that loss making for an airline isn't unique for ATCL, scanning on big airline annual loss and earning indicates that this industry experiences loses and profits based on various factors.

For instance, in the 1990, there was an airline according to air transports association of America data that incurred losses and extracted for illustration purposes indicates, that airline do make loss and profit.

Specifically examined loss and earning airline referenced here made a loss of $3.9 billion loss, in 1991 a loss of $1.9 billion loss, 1992 loss of $4.8 billion loss, 1993, $2.1 billion loss, 1994, $0.3 billion loss, 1995, $2.3 billion profit, 1996, $2.8 billion profit, 1997, $5.2 billion profit, 1998, $ 4.9 billion profit, 1999, $5.4 billion profit, 2001, $ 8.3 billion loss, 2002, $11.0 billion loss, 2003, $2.4 billion loss, 2004, $7.6 billion loss and 2005, $5.7 billion loss.

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What this example shows is that loss making and earning is a financial situation an airline has to be grapple with, hence 60bn/- losses shouldn't make us to think is the end of the road.

In my opinion, to be successful in airline business few areas need attention such as the attractiveness of the airline's service and the effectiveness of the airline's promotional expenditures to appeal to customers.

Managing the fleet meaning the manner load factor relative to the industry average will in future indicate how well ATCL can recover from the loss made. In fact this has to go hand in hand with well managing people and finances.

So speaking now especially from an investor's point of view and in an honest attempt to look at airline business it is too early to start blaming out ATCL for loss that was reported in the CAG report.

The airline had only been revived in the past five years and given our history and the operating environment terrorising the world, that is lockdown and effects of the covid-19, the situation might be different down along the line when the world normality start again. Central to remember is airlines provide a vital service that helps to stimulate and boost other economic activities.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican authorities have arrested the partner of a Salvadoran woman who died after a Mexican female police officer was seen in a video kneeling on her back, a case that triggered an outpouring of anger in Mexico, media reported on Tuesday.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador this week said 36-year-old Victoria Salazar Arriaza had been subject to "brutal treatment and murdered" after her detention on Saturday by four police officers in the tourist resort of Tulum on the Caribbean coast. An autopsy showed Salazar's neck had been broken.

Her death, which had echoes of the case of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in May as a Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck, sparked outrage on social media and calls by El Salvador's president for the officers to be punished.

Carlos Joaquin, the governor of Quintana Roo, said Salazar's partner had been arrested for "abusing" her and her daughters, according to Mexican TV channel Milenio.

"Today the arrest was made, they tell me," Joaquin said, referring to state prosecutor's office, according to Milenio.

Joaquin said more details will be revealed on Wednesday.

The attorney general's office of Quintana Roo state has opened a homicide investigation into the deaths, which has led to the arrest of the four officers seen on videos of the incident.

A video published by news site Noticaribe showed Salazar writhing and crying out as she lay face down on a road with a policewoman kneeling on her back while male officers stood by.

The video later showed Salazar's prone, handcuffed body, lying on the road before officers put it into the back of a police truck.

(Reporting by Noe Torres; Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
New Delhi:

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who is on United States tour, addressed non-resident Indians in New York on Wednesday night (Thursday IST).



This is his second key address after Princeton University where he raised concerns on employment generation rate, economic race with China and gender equality.



He asserted that the Centre had been unable to deliver on the 30,000 jobs it promised to create every day.



"Those same people who got angry with us because we couldn't deliver on those 30,000 jobs (a day) are going to get angry with Mr Modi," said the Congress leader at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School.

Read | Congress could not deliver on 30,000 jobs, neither can Modi: Rahul Gandhi



Here are the highlights of Rahul Gandhi's address to NRIs in New York:



#On Indians as national builders:



I went from SF to LA to Washington to NY. I addressed Berkeley, Princeton; wherever I went, you made me feel proud to be Indian



Everywhere you look there is an Indian working for America&India, living peacefully, building both countries. You are our backbone



People view India as a geographical construct, I view India as a set of ideas. Anybody who has ideas that make India is an Indian



#On lack of tolerance in India:



We have many religions, languages living happily together. The reason they have been able to do so are ideas of the Congress party



Biggest questions raised outside India: What happened to tolerance that used to prevail in India? What happened to the harmony?



For 1000s of years, India has had a reputation of peace & harmony. There are forces dividing India & ruining our reputation abroad



India's reputation is very important. Countries in a violent world believe we have answers for peaceful coexistence in 21st century



Our most important asset is that 1.3 bn people live together peacefully. India belongs to all of us, & that is what the Congress is

#Congress's vision



Congress Party is 130 years old, but we don't represent an organisation, we represent a philosophy more than a 1000 years old



Friends in BJP say nothing happened, but the milk India drinks came from an NRI Mr Kurien. 1000 more examples like this



#On IT and health sector



There is huge opportunity for India to be world's healthcare centre, we have to plan for it. Not talking about health tourism alone



Similar vision for IITs. If we connect our IITs to industry, businesses across the world, they will start to compete with the best

Rahul Gandhi to NRIs: From SF, LA, Washington to NY. I addressed Berkeley, Princeton; wherever I went, you made me feel proud to be Indian pic.twitter.com/yQmDgSx5gw  Supriya Bhardwaj (@Supriya23bh) September 21, 2017

Rahul Gandhi's speech in New York faced friction from Sikh groups protesting 1984 riots

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Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing.
The Kaduna State government has urged the state High Court to sentence Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria,...





The Kaduna State government has urged the state High Court to sentence Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, and his wife, Zeenat.

Dari Bayero, lead Counsel made the call during the secret trial of El-Zakzaky and his wife on Wednesday, NAN reports.

Bayero disclosed this while addressing journalists after Justice Gideon Kurada adjourned the case until May 25.

He said the court was urged to overrule the defence, and sentence El-Zakzaky and his wife as provided by the law.

The Counsel said the state had closed its case after presenting its 15th witness in the trial.

Bayero said: Our last witness has testified and the state has closed its case.

We are satisfied with the way the case has gone so far, we have presented 15 witnesses, including Army Generals, who are key actors and players that led to the filing of the case against the IMN leader.

As far as the state is concerned, it has tendered all the exhibits, and witnesses have come before the court and tendered evidence against the defendants.

One of our prayers is that the court should overrule the No-Case-Submission, overrule the defence, convict the defendants accordingly, and pass the necessary sentence as provided for in the law.
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightflag, the A.I.-powered legal spend management and matter management platform, today announced the hiring of John Joyce as Vice President of Alliances. This appointment will accelerate the company's plans to strengthen its partner community and present in-house legal teams with comprehensive solutions to their evolving business needs.

Having most recently led business development for document management and e-signature provider PandaDoc, Joyce brings more than 20 years of experience building strategic alliances with leading companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Intuit. He will now lead Brightflag's global alliances strategy, simultaneously advancing existing relationships and driving new partner development.

"The legal industry is in a critical period of transformation, and we appreciate that no single company can deliver everything that in-house legal teams require," said Ian Nolan, CEO of Brightflag. "We're excited to see John apply his extensive experience toward discovering and supporting more partners who can complement Brightflag's core strengths with their own unique expertise."

Brightflag partners with a wide variety of strategic experts, such as UpLevel Ops, Mosaic Consulting, and Norton Rose Fulbright, and software providers, such as Coupa and Okta, to build compelling, fully-integrated customer experiences that deliver more value to all parties.

"With new technical innovations and operational best practices emerging seemingly every month, in-house legal teams are understandably feeling overwhelmed," said Stephanie Corey, Co-Founder and General Partner of UpLevel Ops. "There's tremendous value in uniting the best technology vendors and operations experts to provide cohesive solutions that can quickly drive meaningful business transformations."

Prospective partners who are also committed to delivering tangible results for in-house legal teams are encouraged to visit: brightflag.com/alliances/

About Brightflag

Brightflag is cloud software used by corporate legal teams to manage their engagements with law firms and alternative legal service providers. Using Brightflag, customers realize greater value for money from their legal service providers, are more productive in their daily work, and translate data gleaned from their engagements into informed decisions about future legal work. Founded in 2014, Brightflag serves a global community of corporate legal teams from offices in Dublin, New York, and Sydney.

Media Contact: Joel Weyrauch, [email protected]

SOURCE Brightflag

Related Links

https://brightflag.com


PHILIPSBURG:--- The General Audit Chamber submitted its report entitled Mini audit: Efficiency of Governments Office Space Policy to Parliament today. The report describes the analysis of the governments office space/housing policy; what are the rental expenses and are the funds used efficiently? Are properties vacant and if so, why? Expenditure related to office space is a material element of the national budget. Analysis of the office space/housing policy and issuing recommendations to strengthen the efficiency of the rental expenditure were impacted due to insufficient information.

The Audit Chambers financial analysis is limited to a comparison of the realized expenditure for the rental of office space during the period 2016 to 2020. The Audit Chamber recommends drafting a policy governing office space and housing for the government apparatus. It was not clear why government chooses to rent in certain instances and whether leasing or rental is more beneficial than owning. In its conclusion, the Audit Chamber recommends that government seek improvement by developing readily available and reliable data in order to determine where savings are possible.

In a reaction to the audit, the ministry of General Affairs reports that it is developing an office space policy and that the recommendations will be adopted. The General Audit Chamber considers this as a positive step and will monitor the progress.

The report is published in both English and Dutch and is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber (www.arsxm.org).
Upcoming 10 series Making It Australia has announced its two judges: Production Designer and Art Director, Deborah Riley, and Paper Engineer Benja Harney.

Best-known for her work as Head Of Art Department on Game Of Thrones Deborah Rileys film credits include work as Set Designer on The Matrix, 21 Grams and Baz Luhrmanns Moulin Rouge. She has four Emmys and a BAFTA award.

At a very fundamental level, I believe in what Making It stands for. I believe in artists and the transformative power of their art. It is a release valve for both the artist and their audience, she said.

Working in a community of artists in the film and television industry has been one of the great privileges of my career. It has taught me about generosity of spirit and the value of loyalty. Artists deserve to be supported and celebrated by their community. We need people who think differently and find imaginative solutions to problems.

All of the challenges will test our makers in different ways and I am incredibly excited to see what they bring to the table.

Benja Harney, a pioneer in bespoke paper constructions, has worked for Google, Nike, Facebook and Hermes plus Kylie Minogue and Sia.

Im over the moon to be involved with 10s series Making It and to help celebrate Australian imagination, he said.

Ill be looking for an inventive approach to materials, confident colour choices and projects that are beautifully finished. These are sure-fire ways for our makers to achieve those wow moments were looking for.

The DIY series, based on a US format hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, is hosted locally by Susie Youssef and Harley Breen. It will see Australias most talented makers showcase sewing to woodworking, papercrafts to pottery, and carving to crocheting.

Related
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 16:39:37|Editor: huaxia

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ISTANBUL, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Turkey is eyeing more foreign investment for the recovery of its economy from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, declaring new measures to maximize credibility for foreign investors and entrepreneurs.

Turkey, which relies heavily on foreign investment, received nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis, according to Turkey's Investment Office.

This figure indicates that FDI to Turkey decreased by 16.5 percent year-on-year to 7.7 billion dollars in 2020, data compiled by Turkey's Central Bank showed.

To lure foreign investors back to the country, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently unveiled a new economic plan, which includes less bureaucratic formalities and more legal protection, as well as financial incentives.

The Istanbul-based International Investors Association Secretary-General Serkan Valandova welcomed the measures, saying that they will provide a solid legal basis for foreign portfolios.

"The plan is key in giving new momentum to foreign investment amidst the pandemic, and will build trust among the existing and potential investors and increase the predictability of the investment environment," he told Xinhua.

"We believe that the rapid and decisive implementation of these objectives will strengthen our country's positive image for international investments and significantly contribute to its global competitiveness," Valandova said.

But he also cautioned that in 2021, the global appetite for international investments is expected to be again on the downside and that competition would be fierce.

"Investments canceled and delayed due to the uncertainties brought by the pandemic caused a 42 percent decrease in the global volume of international direct investments. Forecasts indicate that this decline will continue in 2021," the expert added.

There are also fears that the turbulence in Turkish financial markets caused by the sudden sacking of the central bank's chief by Erdogan on March 20 may harm FDI.

The lira lost about 15 percent of its value in ten days against the U.S. dollar, increasing financial woes for Turkey, which was one of the few countries to avoid an economic contraction in 2020 despite the global health crisis.

Turkey received 164.6 billion dollars of FDI in the last 18 years, according to official figures. Europe, meanwhile, became the top investor with 120.1 billion dollars of investment in the country.

"We are explaining to foreign investors that Turkey is offering many incentives and opportunities in various fields, such as telecommunications and natural resources," a source close to the government told Xinhua.

"Other key sectors are the agri-food, textile and automotive industry and also health, which is in high demand especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic," this source, who is an expert on foreign investments, said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, China and Turkey have extended their cooperation during the global health crisis as the Ankara government chose the China-made Sinovac vaccine for its mass-inoculation drive launched in January.

Chinese investments in Turkey have also continued amid the pandemic. Tech giant Xiaomi and smartphone manufacturer Oppo have opened two separate plants in Istanbul, Turkey's financial hub, and plan to offer employment opportunities to some 3,000 Turkish citizens.

Oppo will build another production plant in Turkey in the northwestern Kocaeli province, according to the Daily Sabah. Enditem
Fears are mounting that Sanjeev Guptas steel empire is on the brink of collapse after creditors tried to shut one of his businesses.

Bankers acting for Credit Suisse filed papers in the insolvency court to wind up a trading company, Liberty Commodities, owned by Guptas GFG Alliance.

There are worries similar action could be taken against other companies owned by Gupta. This could include Liberty Steel, which employs 3,000 people in the UK and runs a dozen factories.

Crisis: Sanjeev Gupta, 50, who was dubbed the saviour of UK steel after a takeover spree that started in 2013 saw him turn Liberty into the countrys third-largest steel maker

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said the Government will do everything it can and that all options are on the table to save Libertys jobs and plants.

But ministers have ruled out giving any money to GFG because it has a complicated and opaque structure, which Kwarteng said made it difficult for the Government to guarantee that any cash it was given would be spent in the UK.

Credit Suisse is keen to recoup cash after the collapse of GFGs major lender Greensill Capital at the start of March left it nursing billions of pounds of losses.

Greensill is in administration  but to raise money the Swiss bank has directly targeted GFG, to which it lent funds through the failed financial firm.

It is the latest blow to Gupta, 50, who was dubbed the saviour of UK steel after a takeover spree that started in 2013 saw him turn Liberty into the countrys third-largest steel maker. He said March was the hardest month of his life.

Industry sources believe three or four companies have been targeted with court action  and that an application to wind up Libertys Specialty Steel division in Rotherham could be next.

This would put 2,000 jobs at risk. The Specialty Steel business makes parts for the aerospace sector, including customers such as Rolls-Royce.

Lenders such as Credit Suisse can apply to a court and ask it to close a company that owes them money. To be successful, it has to show that the company cannot pay what it owes.

If that is the case, the companys assets can be sold to repay it.

A GFG spokesman said: GFG Alliance is in constructive discussions with Grant Thornton, Greensills administrators, to negotiate a consensual and amicable solution on the way forward.

Credit Suisse declined to comment.
Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds light and variable.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 86F. Winds light and variable.
The Different Types of Crowdfunding

Nowadays, there are lots of fundraising activities happening on different platforms. There are various types of pledge drives which are also known as financing or crowdfunding. It is somehow an act of raising cash to finance programs and enterprises. It allows charity events to gather funds from a vast number of participants through social media platforms. More humanitarian forms like Go Get Funding or Go Fund Me for a cause usually for the benefits of sick individuals, Sometimes abandoned or less fortunate who need cash assistance. In general terms and understanding when it comes to business, it is more like you invest and then earn and collect later on business matters. Are you interested in finding out different types of it? You can check it below.

Donation-Based Crowdfunding

It may be called a confidently beautiful deed with the heart. A charity with a cause and purpose. Advocacy for some individuals and groups. Donations gather to help without expecting anything in return. This kind of crowdfunding is intended for a good reason or those who fundraise for community or philanthropic ventures to build an online platform and allow donors to contribute to a project.

While most well-known charitable institutions will organize this via their online platform, crowdfunding frameworks can benefit smaller organizations and individuals raising funds for personal or specific humanitarian activities. Sponsors give enough money to support a particular charitable project's higher financial targets while not expecting any material reward or monetary value in return.

Peer to Peer Borrowing

The community provides loans to a business with the expectation that it will pay it back with interest. Although P2P lending, like bank loans, should be reviewed and need credit verification, it is pretty different as you borrow from many investors. Peer to peer lending is not like other types of financing you may have experienced previously. You are not acquiring money from a banking institution but instead from a person or group of people eager to lend money to eligible borrowers.



Even though it is an increasing P2P lending group nowadays, they all operate in the same general manner. They only differ significantly in terms of eligibility requirements, borrowing rates, total amount, and duration of payment, as well as their specific customer base. The absence of a mediator who serves as a focal point for acknowledging deposits and providing loans is a distinguishing feature of peer-to-peer lending. Banks are typically assigned to these responsibilities.

Reward-Based Crowdfunding

People contribute to the company or an organization with the intent to gain a non-monetary benefit. Such as commodities or assistance in return for their donation. Reward fundraising enables shareholders to dole out to your project in exchange for non-monetary gains. A rewards crowdfunding crusade can be funded by everyone  relatives, acquaintances, consumers, and business associates. Because personal contributions are frequently small, company owners must encourage as many members as possible to contribute.

This form of financial aid is frequently used for productive activities. It is typically a long-time system in which the more an entrepreneur contributes to your financing, the larger the incentives they will earn, such as rewards on a record cover, trade show tickets, freebies, and so on. A drawback to the company is that the incentive is typically not expensive to distribute.

Profit-Sharing Crowdfunding

Income-based financing, also classified as royalty-based investments or usually an intellectual property A process of raising the assets in which venture capitalists concur to offer investment to a business in return for a portion of the company's continuing overall gross profits. It is a different investment concept than more traditional equity shareholders who have ownership in the company.

Revenue-based financing is an appealing way for businesses to raise capital. A company can effectively increase the needed money without compromising some of its equity or donating a portion of its resources as a guarantee. Besides that, in comparison to borrowing and shares financing, revenue-based financing is a much simpler method with less paperwork. In this type of crowdfunding, business owners can share potential earnings or profits with the community in exchange for immediate funding.

Whatever you may call it sponsoring or financing, as long as it serves good intentions for whatever reason, it will be patronized by the community. Although some of the crowdfunding intentions are related to profit sharing or expecting a reward in return, it is the purpose that matters the most. As the objective is to help and lend money, millions of people will patronize to borrow in lending for their financial needs. Especially the peer-to-peer lending that provides financial support for another user. These users involve private entities, businesses, and government agencies. Individuals can act as both borrowers and lenders. Some of the investors are not after the profit but only want the services or assistance in return. Others allow companies the chance to utilize all components of multiple types of crowdfunding.

By Steve Barker

 2021 Copyright Steve Barker - All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Supplier News

31 March 2021

Based in Munich, apaleo was founded with a vision to drive innovation in the hospitality industry and enable the #FreedomToCreate to both the accommodation providers and the third-party app developers. The company has developed an open API-driven cloud platform that revolutionizes hospitality technology and property management.

Martin Reichenbach, co-founder and COO of the company says: "We are proud to continuously grow apaleo on a global scale despite the worst crisis our industry has ever seen. Getting three renowned Venture Capitalists on board allows us to foster investments in our disruptive technology platform." apaleo assembled its team around a group of experienced founders, hotel experts, and some of the best platform developers in the world.

Flat SaaS subscription model with no setup or training costs

apaleo has a unique approach in the industry called API-first, which allows any accommodation provider to build and run their technology in a cost-efficient way, including the migration from older legacy systems. This makes it easy for hotels to move away from a CAPEX-heavy license model towards a pure SaaS subscription model without any upfront fees.

apaleo products are fully self-serviceable and clients can set up their technology stack seamlessly on top of the apaleo platform. apaleo's app store gives any app or software firm the opportunity to fully connect, market, and distribute their products directly to apaleo users.

Open API platform solves the pressing challenges of the accommodation industry

For the development of new apps, apaleo has become the de facto standard in the hotel industry. Many innovative teams start their development project right on the apaleo platform with its open API. This means that apaleo users are always the first to have access to ground-breaking hotel apps.

"We believe in open innovation and not in closed shops. Our API-driven platform is setting a standard and allows app developers to solve the pressing challenges of our industry," says Martin Reichenbach. "apaleo will use the funding to enhance the platform and grow our community of hoteliers and app developers."

Scalable platform approach only possible with API-First architecture

Until today, the world of hospitality technology has been dominated by legacy, hosted, or cloud property management systems, which all are closed systems. While these providers market open APIs, experience from their customers and technology partners does not support that claim and they remain all-in-one systems. A true scalable platform approach can only be achieved by a technology company which is using API-first architecture.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, apaleo grew its client base significantly despite the issues facing the industry. apaleo users report an increase in operations efficiency due to automation and improved digital guest experience based on the seamless integrations of guest facing third-party apps. Continuous innovation driven by the growing ecosystem and custom developments based on apaleo's APIs allows any accommodation provider to stay relevant in times of constantly changing traveler expectations.

"Together, we will continue to disrupt alongside our community." The pan European venture capital group that has invested in apaleo consists of the lead investor, Force Over Mass from London, Redalpine from Zurich, and Bayern Kapital from Munich.

Lucas Stoops, Investment Manager at Force Over Mass, comments: "We have been impressed by apaleo's flexible, unified-API-based platform, which has enjoyed strong demand despite widespread industry disruption. apaleo's offering stands out for its scalability and the enthusiasm it attracts from customers and developers alike. apaleo's team is extremely impressive and we are excited to join them on this journey." Uli Pillau, co-founder and CEO of apaleo summarizes: "apaleo is exactly what hotel groups, hotels and other accommodation providers have been demanding for on the technology side for a long time. It is the true platform approach where any hotelier can select their preferred technology as needed and without boundaries, and where any app

out there can connect quickly and at no cost. We will continue the disruption alongside our forward-thinking community, driving our strategy since the birth of apaleo."

Test apaleo for free now: apaleo.com

About Force Over Mass

Force Over Mass Capital is an FCA-regulated venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology investments across UK and Europe. It invests in B2B innovation across four verticals: Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, SaaS, and Industry 4.0. Force Over Mass operates both seed and scale-up funds to support early-stage businesses through their growth journey.

About Redalpine

Redalpine is an early-stage investor focused on disruptive and highly scalable business models. The goal is to help talented entrepreneurs turn their visions into reality. To foster entrepreneurial success, Redalpine provides financial support as well as relevant knowhow and a reliable network. Redalpine focuses on European health tech and ICT startups. Current investments include mobile-first bank N26, smart tax assistant Taxfix, fullservice staffing platform Zenjob and the Amazon third-party sellers acquiring Razor Group.

About Bayern Kapital

Bayern Kapital GmbH, based in Landshut, was founded in 1995 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LfA Forderbank Bayern on the initiative of the Bavarian state government. As the venture capital company of the Free State of Bavaria, Bayern Kapital provides equity capital to the founders of innovative high-tech companies and young, innovative technology companies in Bavaria. Bayern Kapital currently manages twelve investment funds with an investment volume of around 500 million euros. To date, Bayern Kapital has invested around 350 million euros of venture capital in around 290 innovative technology-oriented companies from a wide range of sectors, including life sciences, software & IT, materials & new materials, nanotechnology, and environmental technology. As a result, more than 8,000 jobs have been created in Bavaria in sustainable companies.
Strict coronavirus restrictions will be enforced on Easter celebrations in Byron Bay after New South Wales recorded one new case.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced new rules for the far northern NSW holiday hotspot and the surrounding Ballina, Tweed and Lismore local government areas, which come into effect 5pm Wednesday and continue over the Easter long weekend until midnight April 5.

The latest NSW case is linked to the Brisbane cluster sparked by an infected hospital nurse who unknowingly spread the virus at a hen's party in Byron Bay last week.

The northern NSW man aged in his 20s tested positive on Tuesday night after sitting within close proximity to an infected hen's party from Queensland at the Byron Beach Hotel last Friday. He is now in isolation.

Gatherings in homes, including holiday rental properties have been restricted to a maximum 30 people in the four northern NSW local government areas.

Public indoor settings including hospitality venues must revert back to the one person per four square metre rule while the wearing of masks in shops, public transport and taxis will be mandatory.

Masks are now mandatory in all businesses, taxis and on public transport in Byron Bay and the surrounding Tweed, Ballina and Lismore local government areas. Pictured is a waitress wearing a mask in Byron Bay on Wednesday

The latest NSW case attended the Byron Beach Hotel (pictured) last Friday night, where the man aged in his 20s was sitting within close proximity to an infected hen's party from Queensland

More venues in Byron Bay have also been added to NSW Health's COVID-19 exposure site list, including a burger bar, surf shop and women's clothes store.

Two Ballina venues have also been added after the NSW case attended a tavern and golf course while unknowingly infectious on Sunday March 28.

Anyone who attended the Henry Rous Tavern on Sunday between 1.20pm- 2.20pm or the Ballina Golf and Sports Club pro shop 2:25pm-2:35pm must immediately get tested and self-isolate until further advice is provided by NSW Health.

New NSW restrictions The following restrictions apply to the Byron Bay, Ballina, Tweed and Lismore local government areas, which come into affect from 5pm Wednesday (march 31) and continue over Easter until 11:59pm Monday April 5 - Home gatherings restricted to 30 people, including holiday rentals - One person per four square metre rule in public indoor settings including hospitality venues - Customers must be seated at all times in venues - Mandatory masks in shops, transport, taxis Advertisement

NSW Health has adopted a cautious approach to minimise the risk of further transmission.

'We want you to limit the number of people that come to your home to 30 and, as we know, during this time of year, there may be house parties or other events,' Ms Berejiklian said on Wednesday.

'We want all of those limited to 30 and please make sure you have a list of everyone who attended or is attending your home.'

All public indoor settings, including hospitality venues must revert back to the four square metre rule, where customers must stay seated at all times.

'The positive news in all of this is we're not saying to businesses shut your doors, quite the opposite,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'We are saying you can keep your doors open but because of the risk that is there, we want you to be extra cautious.

'Until the end of Easter, you are able to keep your doors open but make sure you revert to the four square metre rule and make sure that all of your patrons are seated and not standing up and mingling.'

'Given what has been identified since 8pm last night, the community and our citizens would understand why we are taking these measures.'

Gladys Berjiklian (pictured on Wednesday) announced the new restrictions, which come into effect 5pm Wednesday and continue over the Easter long weekend until midnight April 5.

The restrictions come as thousands flock to Byron Bay for this weekend's Bluesfest. Pictured is a security guard manning the festival entrance on Wednesday

NEW SOUTH WALES VENUES ON ALERT Ballina Henry Rous Tavern, 117 River Street Sunday March 28 from 1.20pm to 2.20pm East Ballina, Ballina Golf and Sports Club (Pro Shop), Jameson Avenue Sunday March 28 from 2.25pm to 2.35pm Byron Bay Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co - Patrons who sat in the laneway (Feros Arcade) Saturday March 27 from 11am to 12pm Black Sheep in Byron Bay Saturday March 27 from 12.30pm to 12.40pm Byron Beach Hotel in Byron Bay Friday March 26 from 7.15pm to 9pm Ghanda Clothing in Byron Bay Saturday March 27 from 12pm to 12.15pm Mokha Cafe - Patrons sitting inside or out the front of the venue (not in laneway in Feros Arcade) Saturday March 27 from 11.00am to 12.00pm Mokha Cafe - Patrons who sat in the laneway (Feros Arcade) Saturday March 27 from 11.00am to 12.00pm Quiksilver Byron Bay Saturday March 27 from 12.40pm to 12.45pm Tiger Lily Byron Bay Saturday March 27 from 12.25pm to 12.30pm Ewingsdale The Farm Byron Bay in Ewingsdale Sunday March 28 from 8.45am to 10.30am Three Blue Ducks restaurant - Terrace in Ewingsdale Sunday March 28 from 8.45am to 9.30am Suffolk Park Park Hotel Bottle Shop in Suffolk Park Saturday March 27 from 7.30pm to 7.45pm Suffolk Bakery in Suffolk Park Saturday March 27 from 2.45pm to 3.15pm Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park  women's communal toilets in Suffolk Park Friday March 26 between 4.00pm to 8.30pm Saturday March 27 between 4.00pm to 8.30pm Sunday March 28 between 4.00pm to 8.30pm Advertisement

The infected case was notified after 8pm Tuesday and will be included in Thursday's NSW figures.

He was informed on Monday he had attended a venue of concern, the Byron Beach Hotel last Friday night.

He immediately presented for testing and self-isolated.

The man remains in isolation while his household contacts and several friends who were at the hotel with him have tested negative.

A number of public health alerts were issued for venues in Byron Bay after an infected case from the Queensland cluster several businesses on Saturday March 27.

They include Boards in the Bay between 12.40pm-12.45pm, Byron Bay Central Pharmacy between 1.05pm-1.10pm, Main Street Burger Bar between 1.15pm-1.20pm Surf, Dive & Ski between 1.25pm-1.30pm and Ghanda on Lawson Street between 12pm-12.30pm.

Anyone who attended the listed venues at the same time must get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

Byron Bay locals are on high alert after a man aged in his 20s tested positive. Pictured are medical staff have their temperature checked outside the Byron Surf club in Byron Bay on Wednesday

Byron Bay is gearing up to host thousands of revellers for Bluesfest, which is currently scheduled to go ahead this weekend.

NSW Health is working with Bluesfest organisers regarding the event, which told festival goers on Wednesday afternoon it will provide an update 'soon'.

Residents in the Byron, Tweed, Lismore and Ballina areas are strongly urged to not travel outside the region over the Easter break.

'It is our strong preference - it will not be mandatory but it is our very strong preference - that if you live in any of those four local government areas, that you don't travel outside those areas,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'We won't be policing that but it is very strong advice ... if there is community transmission, we don't want it seeded to other parts of NSW.'

There were no plans to close the NSW-Queensland border, nor plans to tighten restrictions further, she told reporters.

Ms Berejiklian warned earlier this week that NSW should brace itself for new infections after a three-day lockdown was imposed on Greater Brisbane.

Cases have also been identified as visiting Gold Coast and Toowoomba.

She also urged people in NSW to cancel any Easter holidays to Queensland, warning them they could get trapped there if the Brisbane lockdown was extended.
No, we don't mean engine specifications. By now, everybody should already know to buy the Competition model with the 500+ horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter. Now, we're referring to the options you can spec to make the car look interesting.Over the past decade or so, BMW has gotten a lot better at making a profit from options, and the M3/M4 models are like a climax. Sure, you really shouldn't buy carbon-fiber bucket seats because they're expensive, but can you afford not to?Likewise, custom paint might make ownership a little difficult, but after seeing this black beauty, we're in love with Frozen Dark Grey on the M3. Now, frozen paint is nothing new, but it looks better on this 2021 model simply because BMW increased its ability to stamp sharp lines into metal.Also, this particular sedan has every feature imaginable, from the laser headlights to a carbon fiber exterior package. About the only thing we don't see is the M Performance exhaust with all four tips stacked in the middle.Frozen paint is an expensive option, and it could be problematic when you scratch it. BMW M3 drivers aren't exactly known for their cautious behavior behind the wheel, and one pebble could ruin their day. So we're featuring a second murdered-out new model from the same awesome YouTube channel RoCars. This time, it's the M4 Coupe with a regular black-on-black combo. Check both of them out in the videos below and tell us which one you think looks the best.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken many U.S. adults' confidence in retiring comfortably or on time, with one-in-five (19%) reporting it has forced them to delay their retirement or no longer retire at all, according to the new 2021 Tax-Efficient Retirement Income survey.

Conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Nationwide Retirement Institute, the study also found one-fourth (27%) of Americans have saved less or stopped saving for retirement because they lost their job or for other reasons. In result, almost two-in-five Americans (37%) have or are likely to withdraw money from their retirement plan early because of the pandemic, and this percentage is even higher for millennials at 58%.

Overall, the study reveals younger adults have struggled with navigating their finances the most, with 62% of millennials and 51% of Gen Xers saying the pandemic has made their finances more complicated, compared to 27% of boomers.

"COVID-19 has many Americans feeling financially insecure  especially younger ones," said Eric Henderson, president of Nationwide's Annuity business. "This presents an opportunity for financial professionals to not only get clients back on track, but ensure they have the right tools and education on topics like taxes in retirement, which can get them closer to their long-term goals."

The Education Gap on Taxes in RetirementCOVID-19 has put a needed spotlight on the critical role tax planning plays in reaching those long-term goals. Almost half (47%) of Americans expect their taxes to go up significantly in the next four years and the majority (62%) agree it's more important than ever to minimize taxes now than in retirement. They're right to be vigilant  42% of retirees say they didn't consider how tax rates would affect their retirement income when planning for retirement and now 36% are terrified of what tax rates will do to their retirement income.

While most Americans agree they should minimize their taxes now, the challenge is many aren't financially savvy enough to do this on their own  especially today. Forty-two percent of all respondents say their taxes have become more complicated as a result of COVID-19, and this percentage jumps to 58% for millennials. Only 58% of adults surveyed know how to use tax planning to get the desired outcome they want from the IRS during tax season.

"The worries retirees have about taxes in retirement should serve as a warning to non-retirees. Too many Americans aren't considering or knowledgeable about building flexibility into a retirement income plan and this can have costly repercussions down the road," said Henderson. "There's an opportunity to bridge the education gap on how different investment and retirement vehicles, such as taxable, tax-deferred and tax-free accounts, can help effectively manage retirement income."

The Opportunity for Financial Professionals

The good news is many Americans are eager to seek help from a financial professional on this topic, especially millennials. Nearly half of millennials (48%) and one-third of Gen Xers (32%) engaged a financial planner for the first time due to the pandemic, compared to 12% of boomers.

However, the challenge is more than half of Americans (57%) rarely consider the taxes they will pay or are paying in retirement and 31% aren't receiving the tax advice they need for retirement. There is an immediate opportunity for financial professionals to address this need, with half (50%) of Americans reporting they'd switch financial professionals for someone who could help them plan for taxes in retirement.

More specifically, Americans would like advice on how to receive a tax benefit from itemizing (46%) and how to adjust investments in case of potential increases in capital gains taxes (42%). Another two-in-five (42%) would also like to get professional advice on how to use annuities and life insurance products that may be less impacted by any increases in capital gains taxes.

"The survey shows consumers aren't receiving the tax planning help they need for retirement, and as a result, they may be paying thousands of dollars more than needed," said Henderson. "Financial professionals have a major gap to fill in educating clients on the best strategies to reduce unexpected taxes on combined income resources. By taking a holistic approach to financial planning, professionals can help more Americans save and achieve the retirement they want."

To learn additional insights from Nationwide Retirement Institute's Tax-Efficient Retirement Income survey, visit www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/investing-and-retirement/articles/tax-efficiency-survey-results.

MethodologyNationwide commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct a 4-question online survey among 3,002 U.S. residents ages 18 and over. Millennials are comprised of respondents 25-40, Gen Xers are respondents 41-56 and boomers are 57+. Online fieldwork was completed between March 9  11, 2021.

Respondents for these surveys were selected from among those who agreed to participate in surveys by The Harris Poll. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the online panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. Data are weighted where necessary by age by gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, income, marital status, and propensity to be online to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.

About The Harris PollThe Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 and is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas; building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

About NationwideNationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

This material is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or rollover any asset, adopt an investment strategy, retain a specific investment manager or use a particular account type. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, tax and financial condition or particular needs of any specific person. Investors should work with their financial professional to discuss their specific situation.

This information is general in nature and is not intended to be tax, legal, accounting or other professional advice. The information provided is based on current laws, which are subject to change at any time, and has not been endorsed by any government agency.

Nationwide and The Harris Poll are separate and non-affiliated companies.

Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC), member FINRA, Columbus, OH. Nationwide Retirement Institute is a division of NISC.

Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide is on your side and Nationwide Retirement Institute are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company  Nationwide 2021

NFM-20733AO

Contact:Charley Gillespie charley.gillespie@nationwide.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-1-in-5-americans-have-been-forced-to-delay-or-cancel-their-retirement-due-to-the-pandemic-301259689.html

SOURCE Nationwide
Moody's has revised the outlook on Ltd from negative to stable on the companys solid recovery in operations in the third quarter of current fiscal year (Fy21).

The global rating agency affirmed the company's Ba2 corporate family rating (CFR). The company will sustain the improvement over 12-18 months, enabling its consolidated financial metrics to recover to levels more appropriate for its Ba2 CFR, it said.

"The rating action also reflects the company's proactive financial management amid the [Covid-19] pandemic. It has publicly stated target of reducing gross debt by at least $1 billion each year and prioritising deleveraging over capital expenditure, said Kaustubh Chaubal, Vice President and Senior Credit Officer at Moody's.

India's (Baa3 negative) steel consumption declined by 55 per cent during the first quarter of fiscal 2021 (Q1 fiscal 2021) after a nationwide lockdown to contain Covid-19. After the economy opened in June 2020, pent-up demand from end-user industries like automotive, white goods manufacturing, construction and infrastructure have boosted steel consumption. This has contained the annual steel consumption decline to only about 11 per cent.

Moody's estimates shipments for Indian operations (TSI) during fiscal 2021 will stay largely flat. A benign industry environment, supportive government policies in the form of large infrastructure investments and markedly better prospects in the automotive industry have supported steel prices in India.

These conditions have propelled TSI's record profitability in recent quarters. TSI's profitability has steadily improved to its 10-year high of Rs 18,948 EBITDA/ton ($253) during Q3, from Rs 4,969 ($66) in Q1 fiscal 2021. Moody's forecasts a long-term sustainable EBITDA/ton of Rs 13,200 ($176) for fiscal 2022 for TSI, constituting a 30 per cent gap compared with Q3. The company, therefore, has a substantial buffer especially given the benign operating environment. Moreover, the company's backward linkages with entire iron ore needs met from captive sources provide resilience to profitability even if steel prices were to severely fall.

In contrast, Moody's estimates shipments at Tata Steel's European operations (TSE) will decline by about 10 per cent during fiscal 2021 and for profitability to gradually recover.

Europe's economic activity was affected by further lockdowns and a seasonally weak winter quarter, although it has improved since the early months of the pandemic.
New Jersey prosecutors have declined to file charges against the owner of two pit bulls that killed a three-year-old boy and wounded his mother on March 16.

Aziz Ahmed died after the two unregistered dogs broke into his backyard and attacked him and his mother in Carteret.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said investigators determined that they did not find 'intentional, knowing, or reckless criminal conduct' on the part of the dog owner, whose name was not immediately known.

The letter, written by prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, was sent to supporters of the Ahmed family on March 23, according to NJ Advance Media.

Aziz Ahmed died after the two unregistered dogs broke into his backyard and attacked him and his mother in Carteret

Aziz was then put onto a gurney and airlifted to a hospital where he died after the attack

Aerial footage from NBC4 showed first responders performing chest compressions on him

'In this case, based upon the information known at this time, it would appear as if no law has been violated,' the letter reads, according to the outlet.

'Thus, despite the well-intended demands for justice, no charges will presently be filed. Again, this decision is based upon the facts and evidence known to law enforcement at this time.'

There are no state laws in New Jersey specific for dog attacks and prosecutors have to find ways to prosecute pet owners under existing laws.

A vigil was held in the young boy's memory on Sunday where attendees called for lawmakers to pass 'Aziz's Law' which would allow the owners of killer dogs to face criminal charges.

It is believed that these two pit bulls, Logan (black) and Rocky (brown), were responsible for the mauling that killed the toddler

The two dogs have since been euthanized after the deadly attack, outlets reported

A 'beware of the dog' sign is scene attached to the fence of the home where the dogs lived

The dogs were believed to have entered the backyard through a fence before the vicious attack

'If there is no law, we will fight to make a law,' Oma Morgan, a co-worker of Aziz's father Tanveer, told the outlet.

'They hold people accountable for jaywalking or letting a dog poop on your front lawn.'

She previously told the outlet: 'How do you comfort someone who loses a three-year-old? Now his wife, we dont when shes going to be okay, shes never going to be herself again.'

The Coney Island Auto Parts in Avenel where Tanveer Ahmed works has started an GoFundMe to help pay for his young son's funeral expenses that has since raised more than $225,000.

'The young mother fought with all she had to save her little boy despite her efforts to save her son his injuries were to severe even with the help of first responders little Aziz could not be saved,' the GoFundMe reads.

'As for Aziz's mother she is still fighting for her life and needs multiple more surgeries, she will never full recover form the scars she now has to live with.'

A neighbor said the dogs have bitten a number of residents who know to avoid walking near the home where the pit bulls live, WABC-TV reported.

Devastated father Tanveer Ahmed, right, with his hood up and face covered in tears, broke down as he entered his Carteret home and saw the bright red shoes of his 3-year-old son

Tanveer Ahmed, in the white scull cap, is hugged by mourners during a prayer service

Aziz Ahmed tiny coffin comes out of the Mosque Al Wali in Edison, New Jersey after prayer services

Aziz Ahmed's tiny coffin comes out of the Mosque Al Wali in Edison, New Jersey after prayer services

The pit bulls, which the New York Post identified as being named Logan and Rocky, had somehow slipped past a fence into the backyard.

Aziz was airlifted to a hospital after the attack and aerial footage from NBC4 showed first responders performing chest compressions on him.

The dogs had previously been reported to the police in October when residents had reported that they were loose in the neighborhood, a Carteret spokesman told NJ Advance Media.

Both dogs have since been euthanized Carteret Mayor Daniel J. Reiman previously told the outlet in a statement.

'As a small community, our Carteret family mourns the heart-wrenching loss of our young neighbor and we pray for this young mother and family in this time of unimaginable grief,' Reiman said.

Patch had reported that when Carteret cops shot one of the pit bulls immediately when they arrived at the scene and the other was euthanized later.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has revealed that 13 military top brass in the country own about 216 property in both the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirate (UAE).

The Chairman of HEDA, Mr. Suraju Olarenwaju, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the public presentation of a report titled, 'Fixing Illicit Financial Flows: A Critical Review of UK and UAE Policies, Laws and Practices in Financial and Non-Financial Institutions.'

He explained that the report was borne out of the need to review some of what they considered as loopholes in the laws and policies governing the financial and the non-financial system in the UK and the UAE and especially the concern over the rate at which illicit property and funds flowed from Nigeria to the UK and UAE.

Olarenwaju noted that several recent reports showed that between 2004 and 2013 Nigeria lost about $178 billion in illicit financial flow, saying it means the country is losing $17.8 billion annually to illicit financial flow.

He stated: "So, the illicit financial flow does not just disappear; it goes to certain jurisdictions and the point is that UAE and UK are being shown to have a huge percentage of these funds. It is only natural that we review what is responsible, not just that we have politically exposed persons, even law enforcement officials are attracted to these jurisdictions.

"It is also something clear that the system there permits the flow of the illicit funds. We've painstakingly over the period of two years reviewed these laws and policies to see how it is possible for just 13 law enforcement officers in Nigeria to have about 216 property in the UAE."

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He assured that the report would be sent to the embassies of both countries in Nigeria and to the parliament in UK and UAE in order for them to put in place not just laws and policies that prevent illicit financial and non-financial assets from Nigeria, but also to put in mechanism to sanction their own system that allow for such flow to their country

On his part, the Deputy Director, McArthur Foundation, Mr. Dayo Oliade, said the UAE has to do more to help Nigeria to return part of the $170 billion that had gone into the UAE whether as cash transfers or as investment in property.

He was of the opinion that the UK and the UAE should take more responsibilities based on their commitment within the anti-money laundry law that they have signed with Nigeria.
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Cone snails aren't glamorous. They don't have svelte waistlines or jaw-dropping good looks. Yet, some of these worm-hunting gastropods are the femme fatales or lady killers of the undersea world, according to a new study conducted by an international team of researchers, including University of Utah Health scientists.

The researchers say the snails use a previously undetected set of small molecules that mimic the effects of worm pheromones to drive marine worms into a sexual frenzy, making it easier to lure them out of their hiding places so the snails can gobble them up.

"In essence, these cone snails have found a way to turn the natural sex drive of their prey into a lethal weapon," says Eric W. Schmidt, Ph.D., the study's senior author and a professor of medicinal chemistry at U of U Health. "What's exciting about this finding is that they are doing it using an interesting set of small molecules that could one day inspire the development of new types of medications to alleviate pain and other conditions."

The study appears in Science Advances.

Cone snails use a harpoon-like tooth at the end of their proboscis to inject venom into prey, instantly paralyzing them. Then, they slowly reel the immobilized animal into their mouths. For decades, scientists have been fascinated by this process. In particular, they're intrigued by the chemical makeup of various venoms the snails use to disable prey and are exploring ways to reconfigure these substances into useful human medications.

Most scientists have focused their research on cone snails that hunt fish. The venoms from these gastropods are mainly composed of tiny protein segments called peptides. These peptides can be used to develop drugs, However, because of their structural composition, they can only be used as injectable drugs and can't be taken orally.

In this new research, Schmidt and colleagues turned their attention to C. imperialis, a species of cone snail that primarily hunts Platynereis dumerili, more commonly known as a fire worm. The research team discovered that C. imperialis, or imperial cone, produces small chemicals that powerfully mimic the pheromones that trigger sexual activity in fire worms. The discovery of small molecules in the imperial cone could broaden the snail's usefulness in medical research since about 80 percent of drugs are derived from small molecules.

In laboratory experiments, one of these chemicals--called conazolium A--sparked mating behavior in female worms, causing them to swim in tight, tail-chasing circles before they released their eggs. Genuanine, a chemical akin to uric acid, had a similar effect on male fire worms, prompting them to eject their sperm.

The researchers aren't quite sure how this approach works in the wild, but they suspect that it could be a two-step process: First, the imperial cone exposes the fire worm to its fake sex pheromones, making it is easier to coax the worm out of its hiding spot (usually a coral reef). Then, like other cone snails, it harpoons the worm with a peptide-based venom to disable it.

But there's a catch: mature worms are only sexually active for a short time that coincides with a full moon.

"If you expose the worms when they are either immature or not sexually active, the mimic pheromones don't have any effect," says Joshua Torres, Ph.D., lead author of the study and a former U of U Health graduate student. "The snails have to use other hunting techniques in these incidences."

In fact, in their laboratory experiments, the researchers needed to use artificial moon light to induce sexual responses among the worms to cone snail pheromones. As a result, the researchers caution that how cone snails actually hunt in the wild and how these compounds fit into that quest remains largely unknown.

Moving forward, Schmidt and Torres are intrigued by the potential of using the small molecules produced by the imperial cone snail to lure worms out of hiding as a starting point for the development of new drugs.

###

This study, "Small-molecule Mimicry Hunting Strategy in the Imperial Cone Snail, Conus Imperialis," appears in Science Advances. In addition to Drs. Schmidt and Torres, University of Utah scientists Zhenjian Lin, Maren Watkins, Paula Florez Salcedo, Robert P. Baskin, Shireen Elhabian, Helena Safavi-Hemami, Dylan Taylor, Jortan Tun, Noel Saguil, Yixin Fang, and Bladomero M. Olivera contributed to this research. Other researchers involved in this study include those representing the University of Copenhagen, University of the Philippines, University of Hawaii, the University of Wollongong, and the Marine Biology Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The National Institutes of Health supported this study.
With the end of the semester about six weeks away, officials said they are working on plans to quickly vaccinate Connecticut college students before they head home for the summer.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced the effort Monday as COVID-19 infections among young adults continue to rise, pointing out the effort could help stave off another surge of new cases in Connecticut.

The initiative, which is expected to include the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is planned for early May, but the details remain uncertain.

We are going to be rolling out, J&J, the single-dose vaccine, for colleges hopefully in May before those students go back home and disperse. Make sure they get vaccinated. I will be working with our fellow governors to make sure they do the same thing in return, Lamont said.

The hope, Lamont said, is that students leaving campus is not one more way we spread the virus.

Its unclear how this effort will take shape, but officials said talks have begun on how best to vaccinate students before the semester ends.

In a memo this week, the state Department of Public Health said more information on this effort would be coming, but colleges and universities should plan for early May administration of J&J vaccine to students who have not already received vaccine in the community.

Leaders with Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, which operates 17 state universities and community colleges, said they were speaking with state officials about the level of need for the vaccine and how to get it to its designated partners.

Our hope is to make the vaccination available to as many students as possible, as quickly as possible, CSCUs Chief Operating Officer Alice Pritchard wrote in an update Tuesday.

Universities and colleges are exploring clinics on campus or could partner with health care organizations to get students vaccinated.

Gary McNamara, co-chairman of Fairfields Sacred Heart Universitys coronavirus planning team, said the news from the state was welcome as they push to get students vaccinated.

We will ... continue to work with Hartford Healthcare at the mega site on our West Campus  not only to hopefully vaccinate our students, but to vaccinate all adults in the community at large, McNamara said.

At Quinnipiac University in Hamden, officials are considering campus clinics, but no plans have been finalized.

We are exploring the possibility of hosting a vaccine clinic on campus for our students before the semester ends on May 7. We expect to have more information over the next few weeks, said John Morgan, a university spokesman.

On Thursday, everyone age 16 to 44 becomes eligible for vaccine appointments, but with symptoms typically less severe for younger individuals, state officials have asked teenagers not to rush into the queue for vaccinations.

But with weeks left in the semester, timing is an issue to get students vaccinated.

The timing will be tight  some schools wrap up at the end of April and others that very first week in May  but we look forward to working closely with the state to roll this out in the next few weeks, said Jennifer Widness, president of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges.

With a narrow window to get these students vaccinated before the students are dismissed for the semester, college officials said Johnson & Johnson vaccines should make the process smoother.

J&J vaccines make this a lot easier to do, especially for out-of-state and international students, said Summer Johnson McGee, University of New Havens COVID-19 coordinator.

Johnson & Johnson vaccine supply has been relatively low in past weeks, but state officials said it is expected to pick up substantially in April.

As the overall supply of the vaccine increases weekly in Connecticut, state officials remain confident that anyone who wants a vaccine will be able to receive one by the end of April or early May.

With eligibility expanding, some universities and colleges are working with their students to find vaccines independently ahead of any specific college-based efforts in May.

We will also be educating all of our students on how to find vaccination appointments in the community, especially for Connecticut residents who can take Pfizer or Moderna, Johnson McGee said.

While this effort may help vaccinate many college students, state officials acknowledged that University of Connecticut students would likely have to seek appointments on their own since they are not scheduled to return to campus after spring break in April.

While colleges and universities were an early concern when the pandemic began in March 2020, forcing swift closures of campuses across Connecticut, cases for the most part have been relatively low among students as higher education institutions enacted strict measures in classrooms and dormitories to limit the spread of the virus.

However, with warmer weather and pandemic fatigue setting in, officials are concerned the virus will spread among younger people, including those in college.

Weve got a little spring fever because its been a very, very long year, Lamont said. And I appreciate that. ... I cant say firmly enough, we can make an enormous difference for the rest of the summer and the rest of the year going forward if we keep our guard up a little bit longer.
DUBLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hand Sanitizer Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2021 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The hand sanitizer market is evidencing a phenomenal transition post the covid 19 spread. WHO and FDA launched various awareness programs on public health hygiene and infection control in public and private locations. The increasing incidence of disease outbreaks, particularly viral outbreaks, hospital-acquired infections, and a large workforce in unsanitary conditions in developing countries is expected to drive global demand for hand sanitizers. However, the shorter shelf life of hand sanitizers, lesser market availability of hand sanitizers in rural areas, high level of alcoholic and chemical content in the hand sanitizers causing allergies are key restraints that are expected to restrain the market growth for hand sanitizers.



Market Dynamics Evidenced Drastic Changes Post Covid 19



Hand sanitizer is a disinfectant solution that is used as a substitute for washing hands with soap and water. Personal health and hygiene are some of the most promising areas of growth in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The Covid 19 was a single factor that led to the sudden and exponential growth of the hand sanitizer market. The hand sanitizer market was evidencing a healthy growth rate prior to the pandemic due to awareness levels of H1N1, SARS, Avian Flu, Ebola, and other outbreaks.



Hand sanitizer which was largely used in North America that accounted for almost 45% of market revenues precovid, has become a household product in Asia Pacific post the pandemic. Though the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17% during the forecast period of 2021 to 2029, however, the market evidenced an exponential growth of about 600% YOY from 2019 to 2020. The same trend is expected till the end of 2021. The use of hand sanitizers has become unavoidable across houses, corporate, public places such as bus stops and ATMs, commercial and corporate entities, and so on. Sudden uptake of hand sanitizers due to a pandemic is the single reason for the exponential growth of the market.

However, with vaccinations being launched across the globe, the market for hand sanitizers is expected to settle down to its normal growth. Nevertheless, the market is slightly expected to grow higher than the pre covid estimates for the year 2021 to 2029. The key reason is the increased awareness levels especially in the Asia Pacific, and also a fear that is instilled during the pandemic is expected to continue. Even if the vaccination is going to be started widely, the fear for any new or mutated viruses is expected to raise the growth rate. The report details such market trends across geographies and product ranges.



Household Segment Promises Potential & Gels Remain As the Most Used Form of Sanitizers



The hospital segment had the largest share of sales in the global market for hand sanitizer in 2019 and is expected to maintain its dominance in the forecast period 2021-2029. The increase in hospital-acquired infections and increased incidence and admission of patients with disease outbreaks is expected to significantly drive the growth of the hand sanitizer market. Alcohol-based disinfectants represent the largest market share in the world market for hand disinfectants due to their efficiency in dealing with a wide variety of viruses and bacteria. Stringent regulations and requirements to strictly adhered to quality processes and standards are the key reasons for the significance of hand sanitizers in hospitals. Household hand sanitizers are expected to increase significantly during the forecast period of 2021 to 2029 due to higher standards of living and increasing health awareness of consumers around the world and specifically in Asia Pacific.



The ease of cleaning hands without using water is combined with the availability of products in various convenient forms such as gel, foam, spray, liquid, and others raised the demand for hand sanitizer. The gel segment had the largest share of sales in the global market for hand sanitizers by product type in 2019 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period on 2021 to 2029.



Super and Hyper Markets Held the Largest Share



The global hand sanitizer market is in direct competition with other products in the market such as hand antiseptics, other disinfectants, and soaps. However, hand sanitizer is becoming popular than other products due to the recommendation of healthcare authorities as it is seen as an efficient way to deal with virus and bacteria outbreaks. Additionally, aggressive marketing and promotional campaigns are undertaken by the manufacturers created a positioning of hand sanitizers as a first-line solution against virus and bacteria outbreaks.



The supermarket and hypermarket segments represented the largest share of sales in the world market for hand sanitizers in comparison to other sales channels in 2019. Super and hypermarket alone contributed more than 30% of market revenues in 2019. This growth was mainly due to a shift in the trend towards modern retailing. In addition, this channel offers higher discounts on products in comparison to other distribution channels. The online sales segment is expected to experience the fastest growth with the growing popularity of online shopping, though by revenues the market is not very significant.



North America Leading, Asia Pacific Promising Potential



In terms of the geographic segment, the report segments the market at the country level for the major geographic region that includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. In 2019, North America contributed to the highest share of the hand sanitizer market. Europe was the second-largest market for hand sanitizers followed by Asia Pacific. However, the use of hand sanitizers in the APAC region is evidencing compelling growth due to the sudden uptake of hand sanitizers across the entire end-user segments. However, the report details the changes in market trends, growth rates, and market revenues post covid pandemic. The key market players are 3M, Procter & Gamble, CleanWell LLC, Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, and others. However, the pandemic has boosted a quick spur of domestic companies that earned significant revenues and enabled the availability of hand sanitizers across the world even though the demand was sudden and exponential.



Key questions answered in this report

What are the key market segments in current scenario and in the future by product categories?

What are the key market segments in current scenario and in the future by regions?

What is the key impact of Covid 19 over market revenues and market determinants in the hand sanitizers market?

What are the primary and secondary macro and micro factors influencing the market growth currently and during the forecast period?

What are the primary and secondary macro and micro factors deterring the market growth currently and during the forecast period?

How to overcome the current market challenges and leverage the opportunities in each of the market segment?

Who are the key players in the medical aesthetics market and what are their key product categories and strategies?

What are the key strategies - mergers/acquisitions/R&D/strategic partnerships etc that companies are deploying to enhance market revenues and growth?

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Preface



Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Global Hand Sanitizer (HS) Market Portraiture

2.2. Global Hand Sanitizer Market, Market Value & Volume, By Product Type, 2019 (US$ Mn)('000 Units)

2.3. Global Hand Sanitizer Market, By End Use, 2019 (US$ Mn)

2.4. Global Hand Sanitizer Market, By Sales Channel, 2019 (US$ Mn)

2.5. Global Hand Sanitizer Market, by Geography, 2019 vs. 2029 (Value %)



Chapter 3. Global Hand Sanitizer (HS) Market: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook

3.1. Market Overview

3.2. Hand Sanitizer Market Technologies: Future Trends

3.3. Current Scenario: New Product Launches, Increasing Adoption in Home Use, Disease Outbreak, Infection Control Worldwide

3.4. Challenges

3.5. Opportunities

3.6. Attractive Investment Proposition, by Geography, 2018

3.7. Competitive Landscape

3.7.1. Competitive Landscape, by Key Players, 2018

3.7.2. Market Share Analysis of Top Players

3.7.3. Present and Future Technology Adoption & Scenario

3.7.4. PESTLE Analysis



Chapter 4. Global Hand Sanitizer (HS) Market, by Product Type, 2019-2029 (US$ Mn)

4.1. Overview

4.1.1. Gel

4.1.2. Foam

4.1.3. Spray

4.1.4. Liquid

4.1.5. Others (Sanitizing hand wipes, etc.)



Chapter 5. Global Hand Sanitizer (HS) Market, By End Use, 2019-2029 (US$ Mn)

5.1. Overview

5.1.1. Hospitals & Clinics

5.1.2. Hotels and Restaurants

5.1.3. Household Purpose

5.1.4. Others (Corporates, Schools, Shopping Malls etc.)



Chapter 6. Global Hand Sanitizer (HS) Market, By Sales Channel, 2019-2029 (US$)

6.1. Overview

6.2. Department Stores

6.3. Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

6.4. Convenience Stores

6.5. Retail Pharmacy & Drug Stores

6.6. Online Sales



Chapter 7. Global Hand Sanitizer (HS) Market, by Geography, 2019-2029 (US$ Mn)

7.1. Overview

7.2. North America Hand Sanitizer (HS) Market Analysis, 2019-2029

7.3. Europe Hand Sanitizer Market Analysis, 2019-2029

7.4. Asia Pacific Hand Sanitizer Market Analysis, 2019-2029

7.5. Latin America Hand Sanitizer Market Analysis, 2019-2029

7.6. Middle East & Africa (MEA) Hand Sanitizer Market Analysis, 2019-2029



Chapter 8. Company Profiles

8.1. 3M Company

8.1.1. Business Description

8.1.2. Financial Information (Subject to data availability)

8.1.3. Product Portfolio

8.1.4. Key Developments

8.2. Chattem, Inc.

8.3. Procter & Gamble (P&G) Company

8.4. Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc.

8.5. Unilever Plc.

8.6. GOJO Industries, Inc.

8.7. Bath & Body Works, LLC.

8.8. Best Sanitizers, Inc.

8.9. Deb Group Ltd.

8.10. Henkel Group

8.11. Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

8.12. Medline Industries, Inc.

8.13. Dial Corporation

8.14. Others

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wngaxs



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More than One Third of London's Borough Councils Now Using 8x8 Integrated Cloud Contact Centre and Communications Services to Enhance Employee and Customer Engagement

8x8, Inc. (NYSE: EGHT), a leading integrated cloud communications platform provider, today announced that Harrow Council has deployed the 8x8 integrated cloud contact centre and communications product as part of its digital transformation agenda to enhance the delivery of essential services for its more than 240,000 residents.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005231/en/

Harrow Council Moves to the Cloud with 8x8 to Enhance Delivery of Essential Harrow Services (Graphic: Business Wire)

As one of London's 32 borough councils, Harrow Council embarked on an ambitious digital transformation plan to improve the services provided to residents, businesses and visitors. The Council faced challenges that were common among public sector organisations. It was hampered by legacy on-premises systems that were unreliable, costly to maintain, and offered limited functionality. These technology shortcomings were further exacerbated when the council's mission-critical "Access Harrow" contact centre and telephony system struggled to support employees and contact centre agents transitioning to remote work.

With their decision to replace their legacy systems, Harrow Council selected 8x8's integrated cloud contact centre and communications platform to improve manageability and reliability, ensure business resiliency, enable an operate-from-anywhere workforce, and lower costs. Working with 8x8, the Council quickly equipped their 160 "Access Harrow" operators-who handle everything from missed garbage collection to helping residents pay their council tax-with the ability to engage customers across voice and digital channels while having a 360-degree view of customer needs and interactions. 8x8's intuitive user experience and enhanced functionality helped make the deployment and adoption easy and seamless even as most employees were trained remotely. The result was a streamlined employee and customer experience with advanced analytics and reporting, allowing operators to consult and collaborate with colleagues to resolve customer issues through immediate access to relevant information.

Harrow Council deployment reflects the wider success 8x8 has experienced within the UK public sector in the last year:

The number of UK public sector customers has nearly doubled year-over-year, ending December 31, 2020, with NHS Trusts deployments growing significantly over the same time frame.

8x8 is providing integrated cloud communications and contact centre services to more than a third of London's boroughs.

8x8 recently signed and deployed additional public sector customers, including: Liverpool City Council, a local government serving one of the largest metropolitan districts in the UK. Working with 8x8, Liverpool City Council is providing essential services for residents and businesses while enabling remote work from anywhere. Public Health Scotland, the specialist national health care services provider in Scotland which supports the 14 NHS health boards across its 5.5 million citizens, selected the 8x8 integrated cloud communications and contact centre product. Kent Community Health, a UK NHS provider of community services, selected 8x8 to accelerate their digital transformation and improve customer experience. Newham College of Further Education, a large general further education college in the London Borough of Newham, selected the 8x8 integrated cloud communications and contact centre product through the partnership with Virgin Media Business.



Ben Goward, ICT Director at Harrow Council said: "As we made a smooth transition into the cloud, the 8x8 delivery team was with us every step of the way, ensuring we were ready to make the switch. The level of support they provided those initial weeks made what felt like a mammoth task more manageable. Working with 8x8 has enabled us to adopt a nimble, hybrid approach, allowing our staff to work from anywhere while providing residents, businesses and visitors with the essential services they require."

"One of the public sector's main challenges is trying to transform organisational performance and services with limited resources and outdated technology," said Jamie Snaddon, Managing Director, EMEA at 8x8, Inc. "Providing Harrow Council with an integrated communications and contact centre solution has allowed them to rapidly transition to the cloud, under difficult circumstances, without impacting the essential services they deliver to the community. We look forward to working together as they roll out additional services in the coming months."

About 8x8, Inc.

8x8, Inc. (NYSE: EGHT) is transforming the future of business communications as a leading Software-as-a-Service provider of contact center, voice communications, video, chat and API solutions powered by one global cloud communications platform. 8x8 empowers workforces worldwide to connect individuals and teams so they can collaborate faster and work smarter. Real-time business analytics and intelligence provide businesses unique insights across all interactions and channels so they can delight end-customers and accelerate their business. For additional information, visit www.8x8.com, or follow 8x8 on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

8x8 and 8x8 X Series are trademarks of 8x8, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005231/en/

Contacts:

8x8, Inc. Contacts:

Media:

John Sun, 1-408-692-7054

john.sun@8x8.com

Investor Relations:

Victoria Hyde-Dunn, 1-669-333-5200

victoria.hyde-dunn@8x8.com
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Tuesday that it has attached 12 properties worth Rs 152.48 crore owned by the promoters of Unitech Group in Gurugram through proxy or benami entities.

An ED official said that the financial probe agency attached properties in the form of 12 land pieces measuring 48.56 acres in Gurugram with a registered value of Rs 152.48 crore under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The official said that these land pieces are owned by the promoters of Unitech Group through proxy or benami entities -- Crown Infra Projects Pvt Ltd, Kore Communities India Pvt Ltd and Joshu Gurgaon SEZ Pvt Ltd.

The official said that these three companies are part of one Trikar Group or Kore Group which is benami investment of the Chandra family of Unitech Group.

The official said that the agency had registered a case on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the Delhi Police.

"During the money laundering probe, it was revealed that for purchasing these properties, funds were transferred through Singapore based companies namely Joshu Pte Ltd, Trikar Residential Developers Pte Ltd and Trikar Property opportunity Pte Ltd during the period 2015-2020," the official said.

He said the source of funds in these Singapore-based companies was from a Cayman Island-based entity namely Trikar Fund Limited (SPC), which is being controlled by the Chandra family through another Cayman-based entity, Trikar Asset Management Ltd SPC.

The official said that the agency had conducted searches at 35 premises in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai.

He said that during the analysis of seized records followed by the admissions of various persons, the above benami structure was unearthed.

The official said that further probe revealed that the promoters of Unitech Group had illegally diverted more than Rs 2,000 crore to Cyprus and Cayman Island.

The official added that it is highly likely that this benami investment is part of the funds diverted to Cayman Island and Cyprus.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Border Area Command, on Wednesday said it had intercepted contraband with duty paid value of N409,851,533 since the reopening of the border.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Bello Jibo, disclosed this at a news conference at ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake.

He said the banned substances, smuggled into Nigeria through the border, include 232 wraps of Cannabis sativa, 98 used vehicles, 5,568 bags of rice and two sacks of condom.

Mr Jibo said the contraband were smuggled in the period from Dec.17 when the Federal Government announced the reopening of four land borders to date.

He said that officers of the command had taken full advantage of renewed strategies to intensify the fight against smuggling.

This has led to remarkable interception of 705 items, the duty paid value of the seized items is N409,851,533 only.

The breakdown of the seized items is 5,568 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 3,208 Jerry cans of petrol, 98 used vehicles, 294 cartons of frozen poultry products and 232 parcels of Cannabis sativa.

Others are 798 cartons of tomato paste, three cartons of sugar, six cartons of slippers, 305 pairs of used shoes, 30 cartons of Nescafe, 19 cartons of non-alcoholic wine.

We also seized 10 cartons of cigarettes, 12 cartons of herbal soap and two sacks of condoms, he said.

The comptroller said the achievement was an indication that the command was not losing its guard in detecting and stemming the tide of nefarious activities perpetrated by daredevil smugglers.

He said that with the reopening of land borders, the command had harnessed all revenue components in line with the new operational guidelines.

The comptroller said the command had recorded a trade volume of 348,827,775 metric tons of exported goods with Free on Board (FOB) value of N4,277,047,153.

According to Mr Jibo, the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme value stood at N21,384,443.

The overall revenue remitted into the federation account is N80,774,807 during the period under review, while the grand total for both seizure and revenue is N490,626,431 only, he said.

Meanwhile, the controller handed over the 232 parcels of Cannabis sativa to the officials of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Seme.

Shortly before handing over the cannabis, Mr Jibo said it was intercepted along the beach area of the border.

He said the smugglers were using speed boat to convey the drugs into the country through the waterways when they were intercepted.

Mr Jibo said the command would ensure that they get rid of drugs coming illegally into the country.

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Commenting shortly after the hand over of the cannabis, Essein Udotong, the commander, NDLEA, Seme Command, said the country would overcome its security challenges if security operatives cooperate with one another.

He said the drugs had the ability to cause much damage to smokers, if not seized.

Mr Udotong said the agency would carry out further investigation to find out those involved in smuggling cannabis into the country.

The cannabis has been handed over to us and we will look for the owners; the present NDLEA has what it takes to arrest the people behind the illicit drug, he said. (NAN)
COLUMBIA  Food Lion will take over another former Bi-Lo location in the Midlands, the company announced March 31, this time adding a store in Lower Richland to its acquisitions.

The store at 7830 Garners Ferry Road was not part of the company's purchase of 62 grocery locations in the Carolinas and Georgia from Bi-Lo's parent company in 2020. Many other Bi-Lo locations in the Columbia already have been reopened under the Food Lion banner, including the former "Gamecock Bi-Lo" on Devine Street.

The Lower Richland location had posted an April 4 closing date, the second time a closing had been announced.

The store will have 75 employees and will reopen later in April, Food Lion said. Current Bi-Lo employees are encouraged to apply to work at Food Lion, the company said.

The Garners Ferry corridor is a competitive one for grocers. Its only one mile from the store site to the major Walmart shopping center on Garners Ferry, with an Aldi location also nearby.

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Food Lion already operates a store a couple of miles further down on Garners Ferry, across from Lower Richland High School.

Food Lion President Meg Ham has emphasized the company's strategy of having stores that are conveniently sized for quick shopping and are close to where consumers live, a strategy that the company apparently decided could include another location on the high-traffic Garners Ferry corridor.

"Were very excited to add this additional store to our network and look forward to serving more of our neighbors later this spring," said Ham in a statement announcing the deal.

Bi-Lo, a longtime South Carolina grocery brand, is being phased out by its parent company, Southeastern Grocers. This acquisition puts every Bi-Lo location that was operating in the Midlands under new ownership.
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.
Recent college graduates should visit Baierl Toyota to apply for the College Grad Program and receive credit toward a new Toyota model!

Recent college graduates in Mars, Pa, and the surrounding areas, can save money on a new Toyota model at a local dealership. Baierl Toyota encourages its customers to check out the College Graduate Program if they have graduated recently or if they are about to graduate. This program is available for the lease or finance of select new Toyota vehicles. Toyota Certified Used Vehicles and Scion Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are not eligible for the Rebate Program.

To qualify for this program, the graduate must provide proof of graduation within the past two calendar years or within the next six months. They must also provide proof of current employment. Eligible sources of proof of graduation include a copy of the customers diploma, a letter from the school registrars office stating graduation date and type of degree earned, a copy of the final transcript confirming graduation date and type of degree earned or a copy of the current transcript confirmed current enrollment in a graduate program.

In addition to confirming graduation date and employment, clients must finance or lease through Baierl Toyota and Toyota Financial Services. Customers are also encouraged to ask about optional programs from Toyota Financial Services that will help with vehicle maintenance. Once the application process is finished, the former student will receive a $500 credit to use on a new unlicensed Toyota model.

If any college students would like to learn more about this program, they can find more information by visiting baierltoyota.com. Any questions can be directed to the sales team by calling 724-655-4309. Baierl Toyota is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The dealership is located at 19045 Perry Hwy.
New Delhi, March 31 : A fire broke out in Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital early morning on Wednesday.

The fire department said the fire broke out in ward number 11 in H-Block of the ICU ward on the first floor of the building.

Fire department told IANS around 50 patients were admitted in the ward, who were shifted to other wards and all were safe.

"We received a call around 6.35 a.m. that a fire broke out in Safdarjung Hospital. As many as 9 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and doused the fire," said a fire official.

As per the latest updates, the fire has been doused now and no casualty has been reported yet.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The Galaxy S20 FE is picking up yet another software update  its third this month. The latest update is currently rolling out in numerous European countries and it brings the April 2021 Android security patch. It is available for both unlocked and carrier variants of the phone.

The new update bumps the firmware version of the 4G variant of the Galaxy S20 FE to G780FXXS2CUC8. Note that the 5G variant of the phone has yet to pick up the latest update. However, it should be only a matter of time now. The rollout should also expand to other regions in the coming days.

Galaxy S20 FE picks up the April security patch with the latest update

As has been the trend in recent times, Samsung has once again rolled out the latest Android security maintenance release (SMR) to its smartphones much before Google could publish the contents. We are yet to enter the month of April and the Korean firm has already pushed this months security update to the Galaxy S21, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy A51, Galaxy A52, and now, the Galaxy S20 FE.

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While some of these phones also picked up new features or enhancements with the latest update, its only security fixes for Samsungs affordable flagship. However, as said before, the device has received multiple software updates this month. And if you recall, the last update for the device, which rolled out to the 5G variants only last week, introduced several Galaxy S21 camera features to it.

The ability to use the ultrawide camera in the Pro mode and the new studio-like effects in the Portrait mode are some of the new camera features that are now available on the Galaxy S20 FE. Samsung is also seemingly preparing to bring Galaxy S21s Directors View feature to its older flagships. It remains to be seen whether the Galaxy S20 picks it up.

For the uninitiated, Directors View gives users more control over the cameras while recording. You can see the real-time output from all of the phones cameras at once. This allows you to capture a scene in the best possible way from your phone.

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Nonetheless, the Galaxy S20 FE is currently picking up the April 2021 Android security patch in Europe. The latest update should also be available in other regions in the coming days. If you own a Galaxy S20 FE, you can check for updates from the Software update section in the Settings app.
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Northwest China's Xi'an city has been drawing on advanced experience from the rest of the world to facilitate investment, improve its business environment, and develop hardcore technologies, in a bid to build a high-standard pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

Over the years, both policymakers and sci-tech enterprises in the city have worked to promote Chinese talents to go global, while also continuously providing better living and workplace services for foreign expatriates domestically.

The efforts officially kicked off on March 15, 2017, when the State Council issued a circular on the overall plan to establish a pilot FTZ in the inland province of Shaanxi.

As a pivot of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China's project for large-scale development of its western region, Xi'an was thus offered an opportunity to implement a significant policy overhaul geared toward reform and opening-up.

According to the circular, Xi'an was tasked with creating a pilot zone within three to five years which met international rules of trade and investment. Meanwhile, a convenient and globalized business environment that upholds the rule of law should be fostered. So far, Xi'an has made steady progress in these fields thanks to the joint efforts between the city's governing bodies and high-tech businesses.

Learning from the experienced

To help promote institutional innovation within Xi'an's pilot FTZ, a group of government officials traveled to the U.S. in October 2019, and learned from the successful practices of similar enterprises in New York and California, said Li Qungang, an official with the city's commerce bureau.

Li told China.org.cn that the trip was an eye-opening experience and helped his colleagues find theoretical references for a high-standard FTZ.

"Our colleagues learned about market access, management ideals, operation models, supervision methods, as well as the tax policies of FTZs in the U.S.," Li said. "We also got to know some of their unique practices in building a law-based business environment, global finance centers, and sci-tech innovation."

Nowadays, a series of reform policies have been rolled out in Xi'an's pilot FTZ. For example, it has implemented a system for managing foreign investment based on pre-established national treatment and a negative list. Global trade in the pilot FTZ has been further facilitated by building platforms for cross-border e-commerce and business related to RMB settlement. The city has also promoted facilitation in its finance service sector by simplifying bank procedures and inputting companies' taxation information into a big data platform.

In addition, Xi'an has given full play to its pivotal role of the BRI in terms of economic cooperation and people-to-people exchange. It has increased industrial-capacity cooperation with European countries by attracting more investment from enterprises such as Bosch Global, BMW, and Alstom. It has strengthened connectivity with countries along the BRI route via China-Europe freight trains. The city also accelerated its efforts to build a national export base for culture.

As of the end of 2020, Xi'an's pilot FTZ has attracted a total of 55,662 new market entities, with registered capital reaching 693.692 billion yuan. This includes 40,218 enterprises whose registered capital totals 591.785 billion yuan. Among which, 431 are foreign-invested.

Foreign expatriates in Xi'an

As Xi'an upholds the vital role of innovation in its high-standard FTZ drive, a number of high-tech enterprises and startups have thrived over the years to build the city's capacity as a potential world-leading sci-tech hub.

This requires more talents in core technologies. The government and related companies in the city have been doing their best to provide a comfortable living environment and adaptable workplace, especially for foreign expatriates.

Speaking about his experience of working in Xi'an, a French engineer with Xi'an Superconducting Magnet Technology Co.,Ltd. said that he found people in the city very friendly toward immigrants. He also spoke highly of the city's epidemic prevention and control efforts from the very early outbreak.

In terms of career development, he believes that working as a computer simulation engineer in WST is ideal for him as the company has now become one of the biggest R&D centers for titanium and its related materials in China.

A British machinist with the company also shed light on why he chose to work and live in China. "I love the architecture in China, and I appreciate how serious Chinese people are regarding education," he told China.org.cn. "I find myself surrounded by advanced technologies when I need anything in my daily life, such as WeChat, fast delivery, and the high-speed railway, and this is just brilliant."

"Personally, I also think China is now the world's safest place to live," he added.
This story was the result of a partnership between NBC News and the Houston Chronicle.

AUSTIN  Ann Marie Timmerman still chokes up when she talks about the moment a Child Protective Services investigator showed up to take custody of her baby, but she tried to remain composed Tuesday as she stepped up to a lectern and described her ordeal to state lawmakers.

In 2016, shed rushed her lethargic 4-month-old son to a Houston hospital, where she learned he had suffered a small amount of bleeding around his brain. A child abuse pediatrician told CPS the injury could only have been the result of child abuse.

Based on that opinion alone  and without considering a report from a pediatric neurosurgeon who disagreed, saying the injury was probably the result of childbirth  CPS took emergency custody of the baby, records show.

I stand in front of y'all a mother that suffered the great trauma of having her medically fragile infant ripped from her arms, all because of a single doctors opinion, Timmerman told members of the Texas House of Representatives committee that oversees the states child welfare system.

She was among several parents who traveled from across Texas to share similar stories and urge lawmakers to pass a bill, introduced by state Rep. Stephanie Klick, a Republican, that would require state CPS investigators to consider additional medical opinions before taking children from their parents.

More Information DO NO HARM Reporters from the Houston Chronicle and NBC News spent nine months examining more than 40 cases and spoke with more than 100 attorneys, doctors and current and former state employees. The reporting, published in 2019, reveals that some doctors have diagnosed child abuse with a degree of certainty that critics say is not supported by science. In response, some Texas lawmakers are calling for additional safeguards to protect families. READ THE SERIES: www.houstonchronicle.com/local/investigations/do-no-harm/ See More Collapse

The legislation, drafted following a 2019 NBC News and Houston Chronicle investigation into the plight of parents whod been accused of abuse based on mistaken reports by doctors, is one of at least 17 bills working their way through the Texas Legislature that seek to overhaul the states child welfare system with the goal of protecting innocent families.

READ THE SERIES: Do No Harm

The NBC News and Chronicle reporting focused primarily on the work of child abuse pediatricians, a small but growing subspecialty of physicians who work closely with state child welfare agencies. They provide expert reports and court testimony in thousands of cases each year, shielding untold numbers of abused children from additional harm. But when the evidence is not clear, the investigation found, a mistaken or overstated diagnosis of child abuse can devastate families.

Checks and balances

One of the Texas bills inspired in part by the reporting, introduced by Republican state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, would require a state commission to study the work of state-funded child abuse pediatricians and propose improvements to the process that CPS follows when relying on their medical reports. Another bill, introduced by Republican state Rep. James Frank, would amend the definition of physical and medical neglect to prevent CPS from separating families in cases where there is not evidence that children are in immediate danger.

Most of the proposals have been introduced by members of the Legislatures Republican majority, but several have the support of Democrats, part of a growing bipartisan movement aimed at preventing traumatic and unnecessary family separations like those highlighted in the NBC News and Chronicle investigation.

One thing we have talked about a lot is, Are we doing more harm to the child through the removal? said state Rep. Gene Wu, a Houston Democrat who has signed on as co-sponsor of Franks bill. Youre going to cause trauma when you remove a kid, and is that trauma worth it?

Child welfare advocacy groups in Texas have broadly endorsed the goal of preventing needless child removals but have also raised concerns about the potential unintended consequence of leaving vulnerable children in homes that turn out to be unsafe. Will Francis, who heads the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said any changes to CPS duties should come with funding to support families in need of help.

If you want families to do the best possible job they can raising their kids, you have to give them tools, Francis said. You cant just look the other way and say were not going to consider this abuse and neglect anymore.

Dr. Natalie Kissoon, a child abuse pediatrician from San Antonio, and Stacy Wilson, president of the Childrens Hospital Association of Texas, raised concerns during Tuesdays hearing that Klicks bill to enable parents to request second medical opinions, as currently drafted, could lead to delays in removing children from dangerous homes. They argued that child abuse pediatricians already consult with specialists before making conclusions about whether a childs injuries are consistent with abuse. And they said no doctor can take a child from parents; that power rests with CPS and the courts.

But Wilson acknowledged that some of the stories shared by parents during the hearing were concerning, and she agreed that some changes may be warranted.

Clearly what you've heard here today, the process broke down and it does need to be improved, Wilson said. And we are supportive of that.

Klick said the goal of the legislation is to add checks and balances'' to CPS decision-making. The NBC News and Chronicle investigation highlighted several cases, including Timmermans, in which CPS took children based on child abuse pediatricians reports, despite conflicting evidence and differing opinions from other medical specialists.

Due process, and second opinions

Klicks bill would allow parents who have been accused of abuse based on reports from child abuse pediatricians to request second medical opinions from qualified specialists and require CPS to consider the second opinions. Klick said the legislation was a step toward acknowledging a reality affecting all fields of medicine: Doctors can get it wrong.

Second opinions are standard practice in medicine, and this bill brings the same practice into this specific area, Klick said.

Timmerman, who plans to return to Austin in the coming weeks to speak in support of other bills to make changes at CPS, told the committee that Klicks legislation would have made all the difference in her case.

Months after CPS took custody of her baby, Tristan, three medical experts reviewed his medical records and, like the neurosurgeon who had initially treated him, saw no reason to conclude that he had been abused. They found that the baby suffered from an underlying medical condition that most likely led to the bleeding around his brain. It took seven months and cost the Timmermans $200,000 in legal fees to regain custody and clear their names.

Families deserve due process and second opinions, Timmerman said. If all of Tristan's medical diagnoses had been considered under the conditions of this proposed bill, due process would have been given to our family by allowing unbiased second opinions that ultimately would have prevented his removal.

Ajshay James lost custody of her 2-year-old daughter after doctors at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston accused her of giving the child unneeded medical treatments in 2017. The NBC News and Chronicle investigation found that doctors repeatedly overstated the evidence against her, though the hospital has defended its handling of the case.

James, who has since regained custody of her daughter, cried as she described her long legal battle. She told lawmakers that, as far as CPS was concerned, the opinion of the child abuse pediatrician was all that mattered.

James asked the committee to protect those of us who had done the right thing, those of us who had trusted the medical professionals, those of us who had the scarlet letter imposed upon us. Do the right thing, please, and allow us to have due process."

Mike Hixenbaugh is a national reporter for NBC News based in Houston.

Keri Blakinger is a staff writer at The Marshall Project who previously covered criminal justice at the Houston Chronicle.

Cayla Harris is a staff writer at the San Antonio Express-News.
NCW: UN official hails wise political decisions on women support

UN Women's representative in Egypt Christine Arab has hailed wise Egyptian political decisions supporting gender equality and women empowerment principles.

Arab welcomed legislative measures supporting women including the House of Representatives' decision to toughen the penalty for female genital mutilation (FGM) in Egypt.

This came during a virtual meeting on Tuesday 30/3/2021of the working group for women empowerment, which was held by the National Council for Women (NCW) as part of a strategic partnership with the UN.

The UN official said she is upbeat to cooperate with the NCW to implement the 2030 national strategy for women empowerment, which calls for backing women in decision making, achieving gender equality as well as economically empowering women.

MENA
This study analyzes the off-highway vehicle market in Thailand, focusing on the construction and mining equipment (earthmoving equipment) and agriculture equipment segments. It presents the current scenario in the off-highway vehicle market in Thailand and provides analysis and forecast to 2025.

New York, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Competitive Intensity Transforming Thailands Off-highway Vehicle Market, 2020" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06018986/?utm_source=GNW





In 2019, Thailands off-highway vehicle equipment market reached a total sales volume of 57,800 units.Of this figure, the sales included 4,000 mini excavators, 3,200 hydraulic excavators, 46,000 tractors, and 3,800 combine harvesters.



The Thai governments significant investment in infrastructure is forecast to boost national demand for off-highway vehicles. The EEC, a project with investments worth $49.9 billion by 2025, is part of Thailands 4.0 program to transform the country into a high value-added economic and logistics hub. The EEC covers 3 provincesChachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayongin southeastern Thailand and seeks to develop this region into a vital economic hub and attract foreign investments, driving demand for construction machinery. Increasing population and rising urbanization in multiple cities will increase housing and agricultural products demand. The steady population growth is the driving force of the urbanization process. Almost half of the population (46%) are young people (2554 years old), who will need housing, increasing the demand for construction equipment (hydraulic excavators and mini-excavators in urban areas). The high cost of living in the Bangkok metropolitan area makes cities outside Bangkok attractive, such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Songkhla. These provincial capitals offer high-quality universities, innovation-focused science parks, low-cost manufacturing bases, and increasing connectivity to nearby international markets, such as China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. As the worlds second-largest rice exporter and one of the leading exporters of rubber and cassava, Thai agricultural exports also have a positive outlook in the long term. Demand from China and the ASEAN region will lead the agricultural export market. These factors signal an opportunity for the agricultural equipment market. However, the economic downturn as a result of COVID-19 is placing pressure on investment and expenditure. In 2020, demand for construction machinery is expected to drop by approximately 20%30%, and in some regions, by 50%. The pandemic has led to a liquidity crunch, collapse of the global trade, and supply chain disruption. Factory manufacturing machinery (including earthmoving equipment) is also affected by labor movement restrictions, impacting factory production output. Contractors and construction equipment providers that relied on timely cash flow from the government budget have been affected by the delayed release of funds as the government prioritized outflows.Refurbished off-highway vehicles have a higher usage rate than new off-highway vehicles. Used off-highway vehicles, imported from Europe and other Asian countries, present commendable demand in Thailand. As emissions standards are still being developed, used vehicles continue to attract healthy demand and are a key restraint for new off-highway vehicle sales.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06018986/?utm_source=GNW



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China amends Basic Law annexes to improve Hong Kong's electoral system

Xinhua) 08:56, March 31, 2021

-- The amended annexes were passed at China's top legislature with a unanimous vote.

-- "A democratic electoral system suiting Hong Kong's legal status and reality has taken shape as a result of the amendments," top legislator says.

-- The overall design of the system is centered around restructuring and empowering the Election Committee.

-- Staunch support has been expressed by Hong Kong residents.

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Tuesday adopted a package of legislative changes to improve Hong Kong's electoral system.

The amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were passed at a session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee with a unanimous vote from all 167 committee members in attendance.

The two annexes respectively concern the method for the selection of the HKSAR chief executive and the method for the formation of the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) and its voting procedures.

People display China's national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in support of implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" at Tamar Park in Hong Kong, south China, March 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

President Xi Jinping has signed presidential orders to promulgate the amended annexes, which will go into effect on Wednesday.

"A democratic electoral system suiting Hong Kong's legal status and reality has taken shape as a result of the amendments," said Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee when presiding over the session's closing meeting.

Li said the two amended annexes fully demonstrate the resolution and common will of the Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests as well as the constitutional order of the HKSAR.

HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Tuesday in a statement that by improving the electoral system and implementing "patriots administering Hong Kong," the excessive politicization in society and the internal rift that has torn Hong Kong apart can be effectively mitigated, thereby enhancing the governance capability of the HKSAR.

"I and the HKSAR Government will spare no effort in taking forward the necessary amendments to the local electoral legislation in accordance with the amended Annex I and Annex II," said Lam.

EMPOWERING THE ELECTION COMMITTEE

The overall design of the system was centered around the reformation and greater empowerment of the Election Committee of the HKSAR.

Committee membership has been expanded from 1,200 to 1,500. The number of sectors has been increased from four to five. The number of subsectors has also been increased from 38 to 40, and some subsectors have been adjusted and improved based on the actual situation.

Photo taken on March 12, 2021 shows the exterior of the headquarters of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Apart from its original function of nominating and electing the chief executive, the committee will have two more key functions: electing a relatively large proportion of LegCo members and participating in the nominations of all LegCo candidates.

"With the enlargement, increased number of sectors, adjusted subsectors and renewed functions, the Election Committee will have a broader base and be more representative of society, leading to more balanced participation from people from all walks of life," said Zhang Yong, deputy head of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee.

BROADER REPRESENTATION

The amendments also expand LegCo membership from 70 to 90. Among the members, 40 shall be returned by the Election Committee, 30 by functional constituencies and 20 by geographical constituencies through direct elections.

"The consideration behind this institutional design is that LegCo members returned by the Election Committee would represent the overall interests of Hong Kong society, those returned by functional constituencies would represent the interests of various sectors, and those returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections would represent the interests of their constituencies," said Deng Zhonghua, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

According to the amendments, the seats of District Council members are canceled in both the Election Committee and the LegCo.

A senior resident signs his signature in support of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in Hong Kong, south China, March 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

In recent years, District Councils have seriously deviated from their functions and nature prescribed by the Basic Law, which stipulates that District Councils are "district organizations which are not organs of political power" and may "be consulted by the government of the Region on district administration and other affairs," explained Deng.

Funded by the government, District Councils should concentrate on promoting the well-being of grassroots communities, provide valuable and constructive suggestions to the HKSAR government, and work as a bridge connecting the government with ordinary people, Deng added.

VETTING COMMITTEE

According to the new annexes, a candidate eligibility review mechanism shall be established to review and confirm the eligibility of candidates for the Election Committee, the office of chief executive, and the LegCo.

This is to ensure candidates meet not only the general eligibility requirements, but also the legal requirements and conditions of upholding the Basic Law and swearing allegiance to the HKSAR, so as to fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," said Deng.

STAUNCH SUPPORT

Plugging loopholes and defects in the HKSAR's current electoral system and improving methods for the selection of the HKSAR chief executive and the formation of the LegCo in a systematic manner are the common aspirations of the Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, said the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council in a statement.

The office called on all sectors of Hong Kong to support the work of the HKSAR government and LegCo, so as to create an optimal environment for various elections to be held on schedule.

Tam Yiu-chung (4th L), one of the conveners, hands over a petition signed by over 2.38 million people in support of improving Hong Kong's electoral system to Luo Huining (4th R), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in Hong Kong, south China, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Staunch support for the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system has been expressed by local residents.

A public petition launched in support of the legislative move received over 2.38 million signatures in Hong Kong.

According to a survey by local think-tank Bauhinia Institute, nearly 70 percent of the 1,366 Hong Kong residents interviewed at random support the effort to improve the electoral system, and 66.8 percent agree on the composition of the Election Committee as it can better reflect the overall interests of Hong Kong society.

It is quite obvious that Hong Kong residents hope for a stable society and "patriots administering Hong Kong," said LegCo member Chan Han-pan.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
The shareholders of TerraNet Holding AB, reg. no. 556707-2128, (the "Company") are hereby invited to the annual general meeting on Thursday 29 April 2021.

Information with respect to the coronavirus

The Company is mindful of the health and well-being of its shareholders and employees. It's important for the Company to take a social responsibility and contribute to reduce the risk of transmission of the Covid-19. Due to the extraordinary situation the annual general meeting will be carried out through advance voting (postal voting) pursuant to temporary legislation. Thus, it will not be possible to attend in person or through proxy at the annual general meeting.

Information on the decisions of the annual general meeting will be published as soon as the outcome of the postal voting is finally compiled on 29 April 2021.

Right to attend the general meeting

Shareholders who wish to participate through advance voting in the general meeting must:

on the record date, which is Wednesday 21 April 2021, be registered in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB; and

notify the Company of their intention to participate in the general meeting by casting their advance votes in accordance with the instructions under the heading "Advance voting" below so that the advance voting form is received by the Company no later than on Wednesday 28 April 2021.

Nominee shares

Shareholders, whose shares are registered in the name of a bank or other nominee, must temporarily register their shares in their own name with Euroclear Sweden AB in order to be entitled to participate in the general meeting. Such registration, which normally is processed in a few days, must be completed no later than on Wednesday 21 April 2021 and should therefore be requested from the nominee well before this date. Voting registration requested by a shareholder in such time that the registration has been made by the relevant nominee no later than on Friday 23 April 2021 will be considered in preparations of the share register.

Proxy etc.

Shareholders represented by proxy shall issue dated and signed power of attorney for the proxy. If the proxy is issued by a legal entity, attested copies of the certificate of registration or equivalent authorization documents, evidencing the authority to issue the proxy, shall be enclosed. The proxy must not be more than one year old, however, the proxy may be older if it is stated that it is valid for a longer term, maximum five years. A copy of the proxy in original and, where applicable, the registration certificate, should be submitted to the Company by mail at the address set forth above and at the Company's disposal no later than on 28 April 2021. A proxy form will be available on the Company's website, www.terranet.se, and will also be sent to shareholders who so request and inform the Company of their postal address.

Advance voting

In view of the recent developments of the spread of the corona virus (Covid-19), the Company has taken certain precautionary measures in relation to the annual general meeting. The shareholders may exercise their voting rights at the general meeting only by voting in advance, so called postal voting in accordance with section 22 of the Act (2020:198) on temporary exceptions to facilitate the execution of general meetings in companies and other associations.

A special form must be used for advance voting. The form is available at www.terranet.se. The advance voting form is valid as a notification to the annual general meeting.

In the advanced voting form, the shareholders may request that resolution in one or more of the matters raised in the proposed agenda be postponed to a so-called continued general meeting, which may not be held solely by advanced voting. Such a continued meeting for a decision in a specific matter shall take place if the meeting decides on it or if the owners of at least one tenth of all shares in the Company so requests.

The completed voting form must be received by the Company no later than on Wednesday 28 April 2021. The completed form shall be sent to the address: TerraNet Holding AB, Att: Pal Eriksson, Mobilvagen 10, 223 62 Lund, Sweden. The completed form may alternatively be submitted electronically and is then to be sent to pal.eriksson@terranet.se. If the shareholder votes in advance by proxy, a power of attorney shall be enclosed with the form. If the shareholder is a legal entity, a certificate of incorporation or a corresponding document shall be enclosed with the form. The shareholder may not provide special instructions or conditions in the voting form. If so, the vote (in its entirety) is invalid.

Further instructions and conditions are included in the form for advance voting.

Draft agenda

Opening of the meeting. Election of chairman of the meeting and appointment of the keeper of the minutes. Preparation and approval of the voting list. Election of one person to certify the minutes. Examination of whether the meeting has been properly convened. Approval of the agenda. Presentation of the annual report and the auditors' report and the group annual report and the group auditor's report. Resolution regarding: adoption of income statement and balance sheet and the group income statement and the group balance sheet, the profit or loss of the Company in accordance with the adopted balance sheet, and discharge from liability of the board of directors and the managing director. Determination of the number of directors and auditors. Determination of fees to the board of directors and to the auditors. Election of the board of directors and auditors. Resolution regarding adoption of principles for the nomination committee Resolution to amend the Company's articles of association. Resolution to authorize the board of directors to resolve on issuances. Closing of the meeting.

Proposed resolutions

Item 2: Election of chairman of the meeting and appointment of the keeper of the minutes.

The nomination committee proposes that Carl Svernlov, Attorney at law, at Baker & McKenzie Advokatbyra is appointed as chairman of the general meeting and keeper of the minutes or, in his absence, the person appointed by him.

Item 3: Preparation and approval of voting list

The voting list proposed for approval by the general meeting is the voting list prepared by the Company, based on the Company's share register received by Euroclear Sweden AB and the advance votes received, and as verified by the person elected to approve the minutes.

Item 4: Election of one person to certify the minutes

The board of directors proposes that Carl Isaksson, LL.M., at Baker & McKenzie Advokatbyra or, in his absence, the person or persons instead appointed by him, to be elected to certify the minutes of the general meeting. The task of certifying the minutes of the general meeting also includes verifying the voting list and that the advance votes received are correctly reflected in the minutes of the general meeting.

Item 6: Approval of the agenda

The board of directors proposes that the general meeting approves the proposed agenda as set forth above.

Item 8.b: Resolution regarding the profit or loss of the Company in accordance with the adopted balance sheet

The board of directors proposes that all funds available for the annual general meeting shall be carried forward.

Item 9: Determination of the number of directors and auditors

The nomination committee proposes that the board of directors shall consist of five directors without deputies.

The nomination committee further proposes that the Company shall have one registered auditing firm as auditor.

Item 10: Determination of fees to the board of directors and to the auditors

The nomination committee proposes that the remuneration to each director elected by the meeting and who is not employed by the Company or the group shall be SEK 100,000 (SEK 100,000) and the chairman of the board of directors is to receive SEK 200,000) (SEK 200,000), in total SEK 600,000 (SEK 700,000 previous year).

Remuneration to the auditor is to be paid according to approved invoice.

Item 11: Election of the board of directors and auditors

The nomination committee proposes that Goran Janson, Karolina Bjurehed, Arne Hansson, Lars Novak and Michel Roig are re-elected as directors. The Nomination Committee further proposes that Goran Janson is re-elected as chairman of the board of directors.

The nomination committee also proposes re-election of the registered auditing firm Deloitte AB for the period until the end of the annual general meeting 2022. Deloitte AB has announced that the authorized auditor Richard Peters continues as main responsible auditor.

Item 12: Resolution regarding adoption of principles for the nomination committee

The nomination committee proposes that the following principles for the nomination committee are adopted.

The nomination committee, which shall be appointed for the period until a new nomination committee is appointed, shall consist of four members, who shall be appointed as follows: The chairman of the board shall before the end of the third quarter of the financial year contact the three largest shareholders in the Company, who each will then be entitled to appoint one member to the nomination committee. If any of the largest shareholders refrains from appointing a member, the chairman of the board shall urge the shareholder who comes next in size to appoint a member. The ownership analysis shall be based on Euroclear Sweden AB's list of registered shareholders on 31 August 2021 and on any other circumstances known to the chairman of the board. In the event that several shareholders waive their right to appoint members of the nomination committee, the chairman of the board shall not have to contact more than eight shareholders, unless it is necessary to convene a nomination committee consisting of at least three members.

In the event that a member resigns from the nomination committee before the nomination committee's assignment is completed, the shareholder who appointed the resigning member must appoint a successor.

If any significant change in the ownership structure should have occurred after the nomination committee has been constituted, the chairman of the board shall enter into a dialogue with the major shareholders regarding any change in the composition of the nomination committee. However, no changes in shareholdings that occur later than three months before the annual general meeting shall lead to any changes in the composition of the nomination committee, unless there are special circumstances.

One of the members of the nomination committee shall be the chairman of the board. The member who represents the largest shareholder in terms of votes is appointed chairman of the nomination committee, unless the members agree otherwise.

If the nomination committee at any time consists of less than three members, the nomination committee shall nevertheless be authorized to fulfill the tasks that fall to the nomination committee in accordance with these principles.

Information regarding the composition of the nomination committee shall be provided on the Company's website in good time, but no later than six months before the annual general meeting, in which case information must be provided on how shareholders can get in touch with and submit proposals to the nomination committee. Changes in the composition of the nomination committee shall be announced immediately.

The nomination committee shall provide the Company with proposals for board members well in advance in order for the Company to present such proposals in the notice convening the annual general meeting where elections are to take place.

The nomination committee shall fulfill the tasks in accordance with the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance that are required of the nomination committee.

No remuneration is paid to the members of the nomination committee. However, the nomination committee has the right to charge the Company with reasonable costs for the performance of the assignment.

Item 13: Resolution to amend the Company's articles of association

The board of directors of the Company proposes that the annual general meeting resolves to amend the Company's articles of association as follows:

The board of directors proposes that the Company name is changed to Terranet AB. The articles of association  1 will thereby have the following wording:

"The name of the company is Terranet AB. The company is a public company (publ)."

It is also proposed that the clause regarding attendance at general meetings is amended due to changes in the Swedish Companies Act. The articles of association,  11, will thereby have the following wording:

"A shareholder that wishes to participate in a general meeting must be recorded in a printout or other transcript of the share register on the date as specified on the Swedish Companies Act, and notify the company of his/her, and any advisors (no more than two), intention to attend the meeting no later than on the date stated in the notice of the meeting. Such a date may not be a Sunday, other public holiday, Saturday, Midsummer Eve, Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve and may not occur earlier than the fifth weekday prior to the general meeting."

It is also proposed to introduce the possibility to collect proxies and postal voting. The articles of association will thereby have a new  12 with the following wording (whereby the following clauses have changed numbering):

"The board of directors may collect proxies at the company's expense in compliance with the procedure set out in chapter 7 section 4 paragraph 2 of the Swedish Companies Act (2005:551).

The board of directors may resolve, ahead of a general meeting of the shareholders, that the shareholders shall be entitled to exercise their voting rights by post prior to the meeting."

The board of directors or a person appointed by the board of directors shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments in the above resolution that may be required in connection with the registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.

Item 14: Resolution to authorize the board of directors to resolve on issuances

The board of directors of the Company proposes that the annual general meeting resolves to authorize the board of directors during the period up until the next annual general meeting to, on one or more occasions, resolve to issue B shares, convertibles and/or warrants, with the right to convert and subscribe for B shares, respectively, with or without preferential rights for the shareholders, within the limits of the articles of association, to be paid in cash, in kind and/or by way of set-off.

The board of directors or a person appointed by the board of directors shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments in the above resolution that may be required in connection with the registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.

Majority requirements

Resolutions in accordance with items 13 and 14 are valid where supported by shareholders representing at least two thirds of the votes cast and the shares represented at the general meeting.

Number of shares and votes

The total number of shares in the Company as of the date of the notice amounts to 263,742,293 shares, of which 1,170,963 are A shares corresponding to 2,341,926 votes and 263,742,293 are B shares corresponding to 263,742,293 votes, whereby the total number of votes amounts to 266,084,219 votes. The company does not own any of its own shares.

Other

Copies of accounts, auditor statement and proxy form are available at least three weeks in advance of the annual general meeting. The complete proposals, including the proposed articles of association, and other documents that shall be available in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act are available at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. All documents are available at the Company and at the Company's website www.terranet.se and will be sent to shareholders who request it and provide their e-mail or postal address.

The board of directors and the managing director shall, if any shareholder so requests and the board of directors considers that it can be done without material harm to the Company, provide information at the general meeting on matters that may affect the assessment of an item on the agenda or the Company's financial information. Such duty to provide information applies also to the Company's relation to other group companies, the consolidated accounts and such circumstances regarding subsidiaries as specified in the foregoing sentence. A request for such information shall be received by the Company in writing no later than ten calendar days prior to the meeting, i.e., 19 April 2021 by post to the Company's address Mobilvagen 10, 223 62 Lund, Sweden or by e-mail to pal.eriksson@terranet.se. The information will be made available at the Company's website, terranet.se and at the head office no later than on 24 April 2021. The information will also be sent, within the same period of time, to any shareholder who so has requested and who has stated its e-mail or postal address.

Processing of personal data

For information on how personal data is processed in relation the meeting, see the Privacy notice available on Euroclear Sweden AB's website: https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-noticebolagsstammorengelska.pdf.

* * * * *

Lund in March 2021

TerraNet Holding AB

The board of directors

For further information about TerraNet, please contact:

Par-Olof Johannesson

Tel: +46 70 332 32 62

E-mail: parolof.johannesson@terranet.se

You can now subscribe to TerraNet's newsletter, sign up at: www.terranet.se/en/ir-2/

Certified Adviser: Mangold Fondkommission AB, 08-503 015 50, ca@mangold.se.

Important information: This information is such that TerraNet Holding AB is required to make public in accordance with the EU's Market Abuse Regulation (MAR). The information was made public by the Company's contact person above on March 26th, 2021 at 7.00 AM CET.
A Murrayville man has asked for a jury trial after pleading not guilty Tuesday to charges in the reported battery of a then-2-month-old infant.

Joseph E. Wardell, 31, of Murrayville turned himself into authorities Feb. 25 on a charge of aggravated battery of a child. Illinois State Police began looking into a report by the Childrens Advocacy Center of Morgan County in October.
London: The Archbishop of Canterbury has confirmed that he legally married Prince Harry and Meghan at Windsor Castle in May 2018, despite the couples claim that they had another, private, ceremony three days earlier.

During an interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this month, Meghan said that three days before our wedding we got married.

Harry and Meghan at their official public wedding in May 2018. Credit:AP

We called the Archbishop and we just said, look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us, she said. So the vows that we have framed in our room are just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Justin Welby said the couple were legally married at the castle on May 19, 2018 but would not disclose what occurred at private meetings before that.
Though cases and hospitalizations have been declining in Arkansas and other states, the number of new virus cases has been slowly mounting across the country, including in Delaware and Wisconsin. On Tuesday, at least 62,000 new cases were reported nationwide, a 20 percent increase compared with two weeks earlier. The seven-day average of new deaths remains about 1,000 a day, and the nation surpassed 550,000 virus deaths in total on Tuesday, according to a New York Times database.

Similar upticks in cases in the past have led to major surges in the spread of the virus. Health officials are also concerned about more contagious variants of the virus like the one that walloped Britain, called B.1.1.7, which has led to a new wave of cases across most of Europe. They are therefore racing to vaccinate as many Americans as they can before a possible fourth wave of infections.

More than one in three American adults have received at least one shot and nearly one-fifth are fully vaccinated, but the nation is a long way from reaching so-called herd immunity, the tipping point that comes when the spread of a virus begins to slow because enough people, estimated at 70 to 90 percent of the population, are immune to it.

To aid vaccination efforts, Mr. Biden has directed his coronavirus response team to ensure that 90 percent of Americans will be no farther than five miles from a vaccination site by April 19. That will be achieved by more than doubling the number of pharmacies in the federal vaccination program to nearly 40,000, as well as opening a dozen more mass vaccination sites.

We know that the more people who can get vaccinated, the more accessible it is, the more effective we are going to be, Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Tuesday.
Srinagar, March 31 : Two terrorist associates linked with proscribed terror outfit Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and incriminating materials seized from their possession, police said on Wednesday.

Police said acting on specific inputs, Budgam police along with the army's 53 Rashtriya Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force's 43rd Bn apprehended two terrorist associates in a joint operation at Laloo Sheshgari, Hyderpora.

They have been identified as Aquib Ahmad Wani, resident of Laloo Sheshgari, Hyderpora, and Aadil Manzoor Mir, resident of Nadirgund Humhama.

"During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that both the arrested terrorist associates were providing shelter, logistics and other material support to active terrorists of LeT in Hyderpora and Humhama areas of Budgam. They have also been found in touch with the PoK-based terror commanders through various social media platforms," police said.

"Incriminating materials of proscribed terror outfit LeT have been recovered from their possession."
The lawyer for former Winnipeg chief administrative officer Phil Sheegl will not be allowed to question two police officers about their investigation into fraud and bribery allegations tied to the construction of the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters building, a judge has ruled.

The lawyer for former Winnipeg chief administrative officer Phil Sheegl will not be allowed to question two police officers about their investigation into fraud and bribery allegations tied to the construction of the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters building, a judge has ruled.

In a lawsuit filed in January 2020, the city alleges contractor Caspian Construction, "in concert" with two dozen other defendants, including Sheegl, conspired and "schemed" to inflate the cost of the construction project for their own benefit.

The city alleges in July 2011, shortly after Sheegl awarded the contract to Caspian, the company paid $200,000 to co-defendant Mountain Construction, which then paid the same amount to Sheegl or his company, with another $327,000 paid by Caspian president Armik Babakhanians to either Sheegl or his company.

Lawyer Robert Tapper says Babakhanians had an agreement with Sheegls company, Winnix, to purchase property in Arizona for $327,000. He alleged police knew that when they provided sworn statements to the court that were used to secure production orders for Sheegls bank records.

In a written decision released last week, Queens Bench Justice Glenn Joyal dismissed Tappers motion to question RCMP Sgt. Breanne Chanel and Const. Stephane Theoret. He ruled the evidence or information Tapper sought did not meet the threshold required to question witnesses who are not a party to the lawsuit.

"This type of discovery is not relevant to the citys claim as Sgt. Chanelss knowledge at the time she swore the June 2016 (sworn statement) is not an issue in the action," Joyal said.

"The RCMPs theories as to probable guilt of a suspect, based on the facts known to them at a particular point in time, whether accurate or inaccurate, or as suggested, dishonest, are not material issues in this civil proceeding," he said.

Joyal ruled last year that Sheegl will be tried separately from the 26 other defendants after Tapper argued the allegations against Sheegl are separate from the allegations that form the substance of the citys lawsuit.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
A Mexican man was arrested for allegedly smuggling into the United States 13 migrants who unfortunately died in a car crash near the southern border early this month.

The acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California charged Jose Cruz Noguez, 47, of Mexicali, Mexico, with federal crimes on Tuesday, Court House News reported.

Cruz, a U.S. resident, is facing human smuggling conspiracy charges after being accused by an alleged associate of orchestrating the chain of events that led to the migrants' deaths on Mar. 2, including the cutting of the border fence and the packing of a Ford Expedition with 25 people to the hiring of two drivers.

The 13 migrants were among the 44 people who sneaked into the U.S. through a 10-foot hole in southern California's border fence.

A surveillance video showed two vehicles leaving the place of the fence hole past 6 a.m. on Mar. 2. One vehicle was a Chevrolet Suburban, carrying 19 people. For unknown reasons, it caught fire upon entering the U.S.

All passengers of the said vehicle escaped and were taken into custody by Border Patrol agents. The vehicle traveled 30 miles between Interstate 8 and State Route 115 before it caught fire.

The other vehicle, a 1997 Ford Expedition, was carrying 25 people. The SUV continued to travel after entering the border, but a semi-truck slammed into it at the intersection of SR 115 and Norrish Road.

Authorities reported that 12 people died on the scene, and another victim died at a local hospital. A Mexican government official earlier said at least 10 of the 13 killed in the crash had been identified as Mexican citizens.

READ NEXT: 71 Migrants, Including Children, Found Inside Tractor-Trailer to be Smuggled to Texas Border

The Mexican Man and His Associate

Cruz's alleged associate paved the way for the suspect's first appearance in a federal court on Tuesday. The Mexican man's associate was also arrested for a different smuggling incident.

The associate disclosed that Cruz offered him $1,000 per passenger to drive the modified SUV two weeks before the car crash. However, he declined the offer, according to an AFP report.

Moreover, Cruz's associate noted that the suspect supervised the illegal transportation of individuals to stash houses in the U.S., collected smuggling payments from family members or sponsors, scouting for the presence of law enforcement, and recruiting drivers.

Authorities have secretly recorded a phone call between Cruz and his associate. The suspect confirmed in the phone call his involvement in the Mar. 2 smuggling incident. Cruz was arrested while entering the U.S. on Monday.

The Mexican Man and The Victims

In total, 25 passengers are inside the modified Ford Expedition at the time of the crash, CBS 8 reported. The subsequent inspection also revealed that all the vehicle's seats were removed, except the front passenger seat and the driver seat.

The prosecutors noted that this was done to accommodate the extra number of people inside the vehicle.

"These smuggling networks seek maximum profit by moving as many people as possible across the border," said acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman.

Grossman added that the smugglers do not take into account the safety and well-being of the passengers.

The Mexican man is set to attend a preliminary hearing on Apr. 13 in federal court in El Centro, California, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro. He is also scheduled to attend his arraignment on Apr. 27.

READ MORE: Mexico's Drug Cartels Use Children to Smuggle Its Members Into U.S.

WATCH: How Did the Ford Expedition That Crashed Fit 25 People? - From CBS 8 San Diego
KALAMAZOO, MI  A flyer sent to people in a section of Kalamazoo is asking them to answer questions about housing discrimination.

The flyer sent by the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan outlines some of the types of discrimination that can occur related to housing, and asks anyone who received the flyer to take an online survey.

Under the Fair Housing Act, discrimination is prohibited in the sale or rental of property based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability, the document states. Discrimination based on marital status and age is also prohibited in Michigan, the document states.

The organization asks people only take the survey if they received the survey in the mail, Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan Director of Advocacy and Enforcement Annie Schira said during a March 26 interview.

If you received a survey, please respond so we can get a better assessment of the community, Schira said.

Schira declined to describe the geographic area the flyers were sent to, because the organization is an investigative agency. She said the group received numerous complaints surrounding a particular population in an area of Kalamazoo.

Outside of the survey, residents from throughout Southwest Michigan can contact the organization at 866-637-0733 or info@fhcswm.org if they feel they have faced housing discrimination or have questions.

The group is working to analyze who is being discriminated against, she said.

We are looking at the rental market, we are looking at the real estate market, the lending market, lots of different variables, Schira said.

The group also wants to know if people feel they are facing environmental racism, she said, and wants to assess and compare environment and health conditions based on race and other demographic factors.

The survey was sent out after the organization received multiple tips related to discrimination in the community, she said. Schira declined to provide additional information on the types of complaints received, so that survey respondents can provide answers without outside influence.

The Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan is nonprofit focused on eliminating all forms of housing discrimination in Southwest Michigan through fair housing education, enforcement and advocacy. The group works with people to help them get justice, Schira said, which could include actions such as making a complaint with Michigan Department of Civil Rights or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or filing a lawsuit.

The Kalamazoo City Commission discusses housing issues frequently. In 2020, the city made changes to local housing ordinances, expanding local protections in housing discrimination and creating a civil rights board.

Read more:

$17 million in emergency rental assistance available to Kalamazoo County residents in need

Kalamazoo passes anti-discrimination housing ordinance championed by once-homeless commissioner

Civil rights complaint alleges Kalamazoo zoning discriminates against Black and disabled people

Seven people appointed to Kalamazoos new Civil Rights Board
Over 130 bln USD of investment inked at Guangzhou Annual Investment Conference

Xinhua) 11:06, March 31, 2021

GUANGZHOU, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou saw a total investment of more than 860 billion yuan (about 131 billion U.S. dollars) inked during its annual investment conference held on Tuesday.

A total of 183 projects in fields including artificial intelligence, biomedicine and high-end services were signed during the meeting, which are expected to yield more than 600 billion yuan in annual output value.

Meanwhile, the conference released a supportive document on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), introducing measures to facilitate the city's innovation and development in cross-border e-commerce.

In 2020, Guangzhou saw a trend-bucking increase of 7.5 percent in its actual utilization of foreign capital, while the paid-in investment by countries and regions along the Belt and Road grew by 67.6 percent.

The Guangzhou Annual Investment Conference has been successfully held six times. This year, for the first time, overseas sub-conferences were set up in six cities on four continents.

Themed "Pioneering New Growth, Spurring Fresh Vitality," this year's conference attracted more than 2,000 guests from home and abroad, involving more than 460 enterprises and institutions from 35 countries and regions.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
press release

Appointment of new Presidency Director-General

President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 84 of the Constitution appointed long-serving public sector executive Ms Phindile Baleni as Director-General of The Presidency and Secretary of Cabinet.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and South Africa's pursuit of economic reconstruction and recovery, the appointment of the Director-General is vital to the functioning and impact of The Presidency at the apex of the system of government.

The Presidency coordinates the development and implementation of government policy and engages in partnerships with all sectors of society and international stakeholders in pursuit of South Africa's development objectives.

As part of The Presidency, the Cabinet Office provides strategic and policy support to Cabinet. It implements administrative systems and processes to ensure the overall optimal functioning of Cabinet and its committees. It also facilitates the decision-making processes of the Cabinet and its Committees.

Ms Baleni, who joined the leadership echelon of the public service in 1994, is being transferred to The Presidency from the Office of the Premier in the Gauteng Provincial Government where she has served as Director-General since 2015. This transfer is enabled by Section 12(3)(c)(ii) of the Public Service Act of 1994.

Ms Baleni succeeds Dr Cassius Lubisi who retired in September 2020 after a decade as Director-General in The Presidency and Secretary of Cabinet.

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Ms Baleni is an admitted attorney and conveyancer who holds a B. Proc and an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand.

She was appointed legal advisor to the then Gauteng MEC for Housing and Local Government from 1994 to 1996.

In 1996, she joined the City of Johannesburg where she played a strategic role in strategic planning, high-level project management and the development of local-government policy.

Ms Baleni later joined Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI) Holdings as Chief Executive Officer and was instrumental in the establishment of regional electricity distributors (REDs) in the country.

In April 2011 Ms Baleni was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) - a position she held until she became Director-General in the Office of the Premier in Gauteng.

She has served on the boards of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (MERSETA), the CSIR as well as the Council of Wits University.

President Ramaphosa has wished Ms Baleni well in her new position and has expressed his appreciation to Ms Lusanda Mxenge who has been Acting Director-General of The Presidency for several months.
Rebel Wilson's character in Bridesmaids didn't exist until she auditioned for the film.

The Aussie actress, 41, revealed the story behind her American movie debut while appearing on SiriusXM's The Jess Cagle Show to promote her new series Pooch Perfect.

It turns out Rebel made such a great impression while trying out for the Kristen Wiig comedy that the creators added an entire part for her.

'...Weirdly, my character wasn't supposed to exist in the movie,' she explained. 'I'd auditioned for Melissa McCarthy's character [Megan] and was the second choice for that role.'

Making an impression: Rebel Wilson impressed the creators of Bridesmaids so much that the wrote a role for her into the film, giving the star her first American role

'... I guess they liked my audition that they added me into the film essentially,' Wilson, who played roommate Brynn along with onscreen brother Gil (Matt Lucas) in the movie, went on. 'There was never supposed to be two roommates only one.'

'So I just kind of added myself in, in a way to the scenes, but Paul [Feig, director], I just remember was so and Kristen, as well, whereas she was like the biggest comedy star in America at that point.

'But she literally said "Whatever you want to do, just go for it. I don't care. Like if you think it's funny, want to try it, just go for it."'

'I think that kind of nice collaborative energy, which she must've done to everybody on the set from her and from Paul as a director meant that they just got the most hilarious, spontaneous things. It was pretty much all improvised, all that stuff.'

First place: The Aussie actress auditioned for the role of Megan, which would go to Melissa McCarthy

Funny thing! 'Weirdly, my character wasn't supposed to exist in the movie,' she explained. 'I'd auditioned for Melissa McCarthy's character [Megan] and was the second choice for that role'

Free range: Rebel said star Kristen Wiig encouraged her to have fun with the role, telling her 'Whatever you want to do, just go for it. I don't care. Like if you think it's funny, want to try it, just go for it'

Earlier this month Rebel enjoyed a mini Bridesmaids reunion while meeting up with British comedian Matt Lucas in London.

The actors posted photos of themselves wandering the graffiti-covered streets of London together on Sunday.

In her caption, Rebel wrote: 'Only gays in the village' - a cheeky reference to Matt's character Daffyd Thomas in Little Britain.

'Love you Matt, you're always there for helpful roommate/brotherly advice,' she added.

Teamwork: 'I think that kind of nice collaborative energy, which she must've done to everybody on the set from her and from Paul as a director meant that they just got the most hilarious, spontaneous things,' Wilson told Cagle. 'It was pretty much all improvised, all that stuff'

Catching up: Earlier this month Rebel enjoyed a mini Bridesmaids reunion while meeting up with British comedian Matt Lucas in London

Matt meanwhile shared a heartfelt caption that read: 'Reunited after a year apart. A lovely weekend walk with an old friend who is here filming a movie. #roomies.'

The pair previously lived together in West Hollywood back in 2012, after becoming close friends on the set of Bridesmaids.

Rebel moved out of their share house in 2015 to further her international acting career.

'We lived together for three years, had the best time and a great friendship has come out of it,' Matt told BBC at the time.
Highlights Rapido is now giving free rides to people getting Covid 19 vaccines above the age of 45 in Delhi NCR.

The offer will automatically apply when people enter the pickup and drop location as one of the 12 hospitals listed below.

Eligible people applying for a ride above Rs 50 will get a hundred per cent off on the rides.

Rapido, on Wednesday, announced that it would give free rides to people getting COVID 19 vaccines from eligible hospitals in Delhi NCR. The bike taxi platform pledged its support to the COVID-19 vaccination drive through its Ride To Vaccinate initiative. Rapido notes that the initiative is aimed at providing a safe and accessible commute option to senior citizens eligible for vaccination across Delhi NCR. As of now, people above 45 years can avail themselves of the free rides if they get the vaccines from eligible hospitals. The offer will be auto-applied on Rapido Auto ride once the commuter chooses the designated hospitals as their destination and for pickups from these hospitals in Delhi NCR. The eligible hospitals are:

BLK Memorial Hospital, Pusa Road, Delhi,

Max Hospital, Patparganj, Delhi

Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi

Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Multispeciality Hospital, Noida, Uttar Pradesh



SJM Hospital, Noida, Uttar Pradesh



Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh



Civil Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana



Medanta -The Medicity, Gurugram, Haryana



Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana



Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana



Max Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana



Rapido noted that this is its Phase 1 of the Ride To Vaccinate initiative and that it will initiate its next phase by introducing Rapido Bike taxi service as part of the program, keeping in mind the younger population and their preferences of travelling, as other phases of vaccination continue to be announced throughout the country.

Aravind Sanka, Co-Founder, Rapido, said, "With the country undertaking the largest vaccination drive in the world, as a proud corporate citizen, we at Rapido, want to emphasise on the importance of vaccination among the elderly and those above 45, in the face of the pandemic. We are offering 100 per cent off on rides up to Rs 50 to all citizens in Delhi NCR eligible for vaccination in the current phase. Through #RideToVaccinate, we aim to remove any mobility barriers for the citizens to get vaccinated."

Last week, ride-hailing company Uber too announced free rides for citizens going for vaccines. However, the free rides will be deployed to help vulnerable citizens travel to and from authorised vaccination centres in the second phase of the vaccination drive. Uber noted that any Indian citizen above 60 and 45 plus age group with co-morbidities can utilize these free rides to travel to and from the nearest authorised vaccination centre through easily redeemable promo codes.




Record GE Gas Power gift honors engineering legend, drives diversity in STEM fields

In an effort to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, GE Gas Power today announced it is establishing a historic annual scholarship to support underrepresented minorities and women on campus - the largest in the history of Clemson's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.

The scholarship, named the GE John Lammas Annual Scholarship, honors the engineering legend who was instrumental in changing jet travel and power generation during his 35 years at GE. Lammas passed away in April 2020.

In addition to an annual scholarship, GE Gas Power's investment - totaling $1 million over three years - will establish two pilot programs within the Division of Inclusion and Equity designed to create pathways to college for middle and high school students.

"Diversity and inclusion make innovation and academic excellence even stronger, and I can think of no better way to honor the impact of a deeply respected GE leader than through a gift allowing us to enhance and support the brilliant engineers of the future," said Clemson University President Jim Clements. "These scholarships and new pilot programs will provide opportunities for underrepresented students and give them the chance to pursue their dreams and earn an education that will help ensure their future success."

GE Gas Power's investment in Clemson's students and programming reinforces the strategic partnership between the company and University, and their support of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, the state's top engineering school. In 2018, the two organizations announced a 1,000-square-foot Additive Manufacturing Lab housed at GE Power's Advanced Manufacturing Works facility in Greenville. The Clemson-run lab is home to three state-of-the-art 3D printing machines, and aims to accelerate innovations in additive manufacturing, provide expanded educational opportunities for Clemson undergraduate and graduate students and create a robust engineering talent pipeline for industry across the state. The strategic partnership also extends to GE employees and Clemson alumni, who established the GE Interactive Learning Center at the Watt Family Innovation Center in the heart of Clemson's main campus.

"GE Gas Power is committed to inclusion and diversity as we know that different viewpoints, perspectives, life experiences and skills drive better team performance," said John Intile, Vice President, GE Gas Power Engineering. "GE's ongoing and accelerated partnership with Clemson University is key to our success. It will help us create a diverse talent pipeline that will continue to propel a more inspirational and inclusive workplace with a relentless pursuit of innovation for a better tomorrow."

Each of the 40 per year $8,000 GE John Lammas Scholarships is open to current or future CECAS students majoring in General Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering. Student recipients will be eligible for GE's internships, co-ops and full-time leadership programs.

HONORING AN ENGINEERING LEGEND

Even among the thousands of top-tier engineers driving global change at GE, John Lammas wasn't your typical innovator.

An inimitable inventor, charismatic leader and respected visionary, his handiwork can be seen at airports around the world, in desert oil fields and in the way a new generation of flexible and reliable natural gas power plants is helping bring more efficient energy to homes and businesses.

Lammas was a prolific engineer, amassing patents and high-profile projects across numerous business units at GE. At GE Aviation, he helped engineer components for the GE90, for many years the world's most powerful jet engine, which was only recently dethroned by its successor, the GE9X. Later on, Lammas and his team helped GE Power accomplish another groundbreaking feat: building a power plant with 62.22 percent efficiency in Bouchain, France - earning the company a Guinness World Record as the most efficient combined-cycle power plant in the world.

"A rich diversity of students in engineering will position us to come up with the best possible solutions to the grand challenges we face now and into the future," said Oliver Myers, Associate Dean of Inclusion and Equity within the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. "We look forward to deepening our collaboration with GE through this historic gift to help students achieve their dreams."

PROGRAMS FOR FUTURE TIGERS

The two programs supported by the gift aim to educate and encourage younger students to start their careers with a college education. The Division of Inclusion and Equity's newly established Women's Roundtable program will coordinate seminars and other activities specifically for middle and high school girls, to be held at Clemson's statewide regional summit and Men of Color summit.

They've also established a Pre-Tiger Alliance program, extending the already successful Tiger Alliance model to include outreach to 7th- and 8th-grade boys. The Tiger Alliance program is a college-access program designed to help create pathways to college and build a college-going culture for African American and Hispanic ninth- to 12th-grade high school students in the Upstate of South Carolina. Pre-Tiger Alliance programming is slated to begin in 2022. However, this funding will allow for Pre-Tiger Alliance students to attend the Men of Color summit luncheon in November.

Both programs will benefit from professional mentorship through several of GE's employee-led affinity networks - communities within the company build on common backgrounds, experiences and interests.

Additionally, GE will continue working with students through Clemson's grassroot efforts such as Tiger Alliance, WISE/PEER, SHPE and Men of Color, among others.

"One of our key pillars here at Clemson is creating a climate of diversity, inclusion and respect so our students can thrive throughout their academic and professional careers," said Lee Gill, Clemson's Chief Diversity Officer. "Our University - as well as our partners - know diverse voices are critical to innovation. We are proud to partner with global leaders such as GE Gas Power as we drive progress in this arena together."

###

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Multiple organizations from across the state gathered Saturday in Athens in a joint stance against racism, terrorism and anti-Asian violence.

The two-hour Stop Hate rally took place at Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park. Among the participating groups and cohosts were the Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus of the Alabama Democratic Party, the Limestone County Democratic Party, Alabama NAACP, Limestone County NAACP, Black Lives Matter Athens, BLM Huntsville, Asian American Veterans, Hispanic Caucus of the Alabama Democratic Party, Tennessee Valley Progressive Alliance and Hometown Action.

It was such an excellent event and amazing show of solidarity with the AAPI community, said Hanu Karlapalem, chairman of the AAPI Caucus of the Alabama Democratic Party. Honestly, I think every speaker did an amazing job, and everyone stayed until the end. Thats how attentive all in the audience were.

More than 20 people signed up to speak at the event, including local pastors, activists and organization leaders. Several shared their personal experiences with racism. Jai Kim, a North Alabama native and Asian American veteran living in Georgia, said two girls in her neighborhood stopped what they were doing to call out COVID at her.

Kim said she spoke with the girls family, only to have the same white man she spoke with later accuse her of being racist because the girls were one-eighth Native American and demand to know where she worked so he could get her fired.

Diana Isom, who represented BLM Athens at Saturdays rally, described herself as a triple whammy because she is a woman of African and Latin American descent. She has admitted to trouble speaking before crowds but said an incident at Walmart in Athens inspired her to take a more active stance against racism in Limestone County.

I was getting ice cream and a woman bumped into me and said, Watch where youre going, N-word, Isom said. ... I had experienced racism, but not that blatantly.

Other speakers joined Isom in calling for action, with many saying that action needed to take place in the voting booth.

We have a midterm election coming up next year, said Benard Simelton, president of the Alabama NAACP. We must do all that we can to ensure those who do not have our interests at heart are not elected or re-elected.

Eddie Walton, pastor of New Beginnings Covenant Ministries in Belle Mina, said accountability must also be held among friends and family.

Every one of us here wants to see change, said Eddie Walton Jr., pastor of New Beginnings Covenant Ministries in Belle Mina. ... How many are ready to have that conversation and expose the individuals in your circle?

The rally was organized in response to a March 16 killing spree in Georgia in which eight people, six of whom were Asian women, were murdered. Organizers said the rally was meant to remember the women lost as well as the AAPI women who face hypersexualization and violence daily.

Neither threats nor violence will silence AAPI people or the millions who stand with them, reads a release about the event. This rally affirms that we stand steadfastly together against bigotry in all its many forms.

Karlapalem said other events have been planned throughout the state, including a vigil held the week prior in Birmingham and an upcoming rally in Montgomery.

___

(c)2021 The News Courier (Athens, Ala.)

Visit The News Courier (Athens, Ala.) at enewscourier.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
[March 31, 2021] UST's BlueConch Technologies Opens New Delivery Center in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

- The new center will pave the way for growing customer needs in product and platform engineering services AHMEDABAD, India, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueConch Technologies, the product and platform engineering services arm of UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, today announced the opening of a new delivery center in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as an expansion of its multiple global delivery centers and hub in Pune, India. The new center will allow UST to accommodate growing customer demand for product and platform engineering services. The new facility in Ahmedabad is centrally located, equipped with world-class amenities, and is designed to provide a convenient and smart workplace experience to all its employees. With its fast-paced, global product engineering services, UST BlueConch Technologies will make strategic investments in India and abroad to scale its technology and engineering talent base. Speaking on this occasion, S Ramprasad, President, UST BlueConch Technologies, said, "We are pleased to expand our geographic reach in India and attract top talent across the country. The addition of several new customers to our portfolio this year has led to an increased demand for highly skilled software and hardware engineers to augment our globa workforce. The digital, engineering, and technology ecosystem in Ahmedabad and neighboring areas is rapidly growing and we are eager to build a strong Center of Excellence in Gujarat. UST BlueConch Technologies offers specialized product engineering services to global technology companies by providing an easy and enriching engineering experience for our customers while promoting an entrepreneurial and high-performance culture at our workplace."



"At UST, we are enormously excited about expanding our company's products and platform engineering business to a new location which not only fits our strategic needs but gives us a fresh, new landscape for building on more than 20 years of experience," said Alexander Varghese, Chief Operating Officer, UST. "This move is a testament to the growth and success our company has experienced since its inception in 1999 and marks a milestone to UST's long history of serving customers and transforming lives across the world." The new delivery center in Ahmedabad will drive UST BlueConch Technologies' global delivery and continue to advance its growth through digital innovations.

About UST BlueConch Technologies BlueConch Technologies, of UST, specializes in products and platform engineering services, delivering an elevated digital experience to their customers' user communities. Over the past 24 years, they have delivered over 200 commercial grade products and platforms across domains including healthcare, hospitality, logistics, retail, fintech, and technology. BlueConch Technologies' team of over 1000+ highly skilled technology and product specialists engineer world class products and platforms working in an environment that promotes innovation, hi-touch and hyper-agility. Visit us at https://www.blueconchtech.com/ About UST For more than 20 years, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Through our nimble approach, we identify their core challenges, and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients' organizations-delivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 26,000 employees in 25 countries, we build for boundless impact-touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at ust.com Media Contacts, BCT: Natasha Rodricks-Naidu

Marketing@blueConchtech.com Media Contacts, UST: Tinu Cherian Abraham

+1 (949) 415-9857

+91-7899045194 Neha Misri

+91-9972631264

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 04:28:07|Editor: huaxia

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SANTIAGO, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chile's Health Ministry reported on Tuesday 5,394 new COVID-19 cases and 37 more deaths in the past 24 hours, for a total caseload of 989,492 infections and 23,107 deaths.

Chile is facing a new COVID-19 outbreak since the end of the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere and the resumption of the school year in March.

The upward surge prompted the government to decree a total quarantine in the Santiago Metropolitan Region and other localities, with the result that some 16 million people are now in confinement.

Health Minister Enrique Paris said COVID-19 cases have increased nationally by 31 percent in the last 14 days, while only two of Chile's 13 regions have seen a decrease in their numbers during this period, leading to an increase in hospital demand throughout the country.

Meanwhile, the mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 is progressing in the South American country, with 6,534,522 people inoculated with at least their first dose, according to the Health Ministry. Enditem
The issue appears to be affecting people who made their first and second appointments at different Walgreens stores, even though they booked the appointments at the same time. Often, those individuals werent given the option of booking both vaccines at the same store. Walgreens doesnt typically tell people which vaccine theyre getting when they make their appointments online.
A jury has begun to deliberate in the trial of a world champion kayaker and his brother charged with trying to bring 650kg of cocaine into Queensland.

A jury is deliberating the fate of an Olympic silver medallist and his younger brother accused of being part of a plot to smuggle cocaine worth up to $200 million into Australia.

World champion kayaker Nathan Jon Baggaley, 45, and 39-year-old Dru Anthony Baggaley pleaded not guilty to attempting to import the commercial quantity of cocaine at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast between December 2017 and August 2018.

Olympic kayaker Nathan Baggaley is facing drug importation charges along with his brother

Nathan Baggaley (right) celebrating finishing second in the K2 500 mens event at the 2004 Olympic Games

Dru Baggaley and another man Anthony Draper left the mainland on a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) for an 11-hour journey taking them hundreds of kilometres off the NSW coast on July 31, 2018, the Brisbane Supreme Court has heard during an eight-day trial.

During a brief rendezvous, black bundles of cocaine - valued at between $100 million and $200 million - were thrown off a larger foreign vessel and loaded onto the RHIB.

About two hours later, while returning to the mainland, the RHIB was ordered to stop by a navy patrol vessel.

Black bundles of cocaine began washing up on the Queensland coast after the pair were intercepted

Dru Baggaley (pictured) is facing charges of importing a commercial quantity of cocaine

Footage viewed in court shows Draper behind the wheel of the RHIB trying to outrun authorities while Dru Baggaley throws the 'incredibly valuable cargo into the ocean', crown prosecutor Ben Power said.

The men were arrested by police before reaching the mainland.

Testifying as part of an undertaking made when he received a reduced sentence during earlier court proceedings, Draper, 56, said Dru Baggaley recruited him to pick up smoko, which he thought was cannabis.

But Dru Baggaley said Draper asked him to buy the RHIB with $100,000 supplied by Draper and get it ready to meet a ship from Indonesia that would bring tobacco to be sold in Australia.

He said Draper was 'panicking' when the pair were at the boat ramp at Brunswick Heads about 9.30pm on July 31 and said: 'Mate, you're f***ing coming with me whether you like it or not.'

Dru Baggaley said he told Draper that was 'never the agreement', he had work in the morning and gets seasick, but the other man insisted.

Draper warned he would tell 'the dangerous people' involved in importing the tobacco worth more than $1 million where his family lived, he said.

'(Draper's) basically said ... I'm going to be held responsible for all this s*** and people are going to come after my family and me if I don't come on board,' he added.

Dru Baggaley and Anthony Draper were intercepted by a navy patrol ship with between $100-$200million worth of cocaine

The jury in the trial of Nathan Baggaley and his brother dru have retired to deliberate

Asked if he was saying he had been kidnapped, Dru Baggaley said: 'I didn't want to be on that boat, that's for sure.'

The prosecution alleges Nathan Baggaley - who was arrested nearly a year after the RHIB's voyage - also had a 'key role' in the importation.

Nathan Baggaley admitted he bought the RHIB equipped with navigation equipment and a satellite phone at his brother's request but said he had 'no suspicions it would be used for anything like this'.

Instead, Nathan Baggaley told the court he thought the boat was for a whale-watching business the brothers wanted to launch.

A total of 587kg of cocaine was recovered by the navy ship, but bundles continued to be recovered on Queensland's coast as far north as Yeppoon for months after the alleged smuggling attempt.

The jury retired to consider its verdict on Wednesday.
G-man Taught a Golden Rule He Failed to Follow

A top FBI intelligence analyst under investigation for failing to properly vet the Steele dossier before it was used to obtain invalid warrants to spy on a former Trump campaign aide appears to have violated his own Golden Rule for government spying.

A member of the International Intelligence Ethics Association, Brian Auten has lectured since 2010 on Intelligence and Statecraft at Patrick Henry College in Virginia, where until recently he was listed as an adjunct professor.

National security investigations are not ethics-free, Auten wrote in a magazine article published on Sept. 23, 2016, as he was using the thinly sourced, error-ridden and uncorroborated dossier to try to support a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant to electronically eavesdrop on Trump adviser Carter Page.

When I teach the topic of national security investigations to undergraduates at a Christian college, he added, we cover micro-proportionality, discrimination, and the least intrusive standard via a tweaked version of the Golden Rulenamely, if you were being investigated for a national security issue but you knew yourself to be completely innocent, how would you want someone to investigate you?

When Senate investigators last year quizzed him about his magazine remarks, however, Auten denied teaching about such ethical matters.

Do you teach a course or have you ever that deals in some way, shape, or form with the ethics of intelligence or, more specifically, the ethics of spying? asked Arthur Baker, then-senior investigative counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee, during a closed-door hearing last Octoberthe transcripts of which were only recently released.

Ive never taught a course on that, no, Auten replied. I have written an article about the ethics of spying. Ive just never taught a course on the ethics of spying.

He seems to have been splitting hairs here. In his 2016 Providence Magazine articleheadlined Just Intelligence, Just Surveillance, and the Least Intrusive StandardAuten wrote that when he taught his national security class at Patrick Henry, he covered the ethics of the government conducting surveillance and investigations of subjects. He suggested the FBI should apply the least intrusive standard when it considers surveilling citizens under investigation to avoid harm to a subjects reputation, dignity and privacy.

Brian Auten is no longer listed among the colleges adjunct professors. He was removed from the Patrick Henry website after RealClearInvestigations published a story last July first identifying him as the anonymous Supervisory Intelligence Analyst singled out in a report by the Justice Departments inspector general for cutting corners in the dossier verification process. The FBI heavily relied on the discredited dossier to monitor Page as an alleged Russian agent for almost a year. Page was never charged with a crime and is suing the FBI, including Auten, for $75 million.

Auten also is no longer listed as a member of the colleges Strategic Intelligence Board of Advisors. Patrick Henrys communications director did not reply to requests for an explanation for Autens removal from the website. But a faculty spokesman confirmed over the phone that he is no longer teaching there.

This is not the first time Congress has questioned Autens own ethics. Last year, former Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Ron Johnson doubted the analysts candor in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

We are deeply troubled by the grossly inaccurate statements by the Supervisory Intelligence Analyst, they wrote.

The senators were referring to answers Auten gave Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz regarding dossier author Christopher Steeles primary source, Igor Danchenko, whom RCI also first outed. According to internal FBI documents recently declassified by the Senate Judiciary Committee, Danchenko had been under FBI counterintelligence investigation as a possible Russian agent from 2009-2011. As early as January 2017, Auten learned that some of Steeles reporting possibly was part of a Russian disinformation campaign, and in February 2017, he received a second report that another part of Steeles reporting was the product of [Russian Intelligence Services] infiltrating] a source into the network.

Yet Auten, who remains in his position at FBI headquarters, told Horowitzs inspectors that he had no information as of June 2017 that Steeles election reporting source network had been penetrated or compromised [by Russian intelligence].

Auten is still supervising analysts at FBI headquarters. He also lectures and helps train rookie analysts and agents at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va.

This article was written by Paul Sperry for RealClearInvestigations.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was on a call Friday with the presidents of Ohio colleges, discussing vaccination plans for students as the semester finishes.

DeWine previously said the state would look at vaccinating college students specifically in the fall, rather than the spring, because of the limits on the college calendar. It seems that discussions are ongoing, though there is no formal announcement on the use of vaccines on college campuses yet.

There was no state coronavirus briefing on Monday or Tuesday, but there will be one on Thursday, the governors office confirmed.

The one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine could help vaccinate students before they head home for summer break, DeWine said when visiting vaccine sites on Monday. According to multiple reports, DeWine discussed the strategy of using the single-dose vaccine versus a two-shot vaccine like Moderna or Pfizer, also saying the one dose could be helpful in vaccinating homeless populations.

But Ohio college students are all on different calendars, as schools approached spring break differently. Some students are on a modified schedule where there is no spring break, where others will take spring break and then learn remotely to avoid the virus spreading through travel.

Vaccine eligibility opened to ages 16+ on Monday, March 29. Some coronavirus vaccination sites are near or already at college campuses, with Ohios FEMA mass vaccination site at Cleveland State Universitys Wolstein Center.
By Moira Warburton and Sarah Berman

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhous arrest was valid, but her ongoing detainment is illegal, defense lawyers told a Canadian court on Wednesday, in a slight deviation from Chinas official stance on the case.

Meng, 49, was arrested in December 2018 at Vancouver International Airport on a warrant from the United States, where she faces charges of bank fraud for allegedly misleading HSBC about Huawei Technologies Co Ltds business dealings in Iran.

She maintains her innocence and is fighting extradition while under house arrest in Vancouver.

Huawei lawyers have argued that Meng's actions were so far removed from the United States that the country has no legitimate jurisdiction over them.

Prosecutors representing the Canadian government have argued in court that Canada had no choice but to arrest Meng under treaty obligations to the United States, given that there was an outstanding warrant for her arrest.

Defense lawyer Gib van Ert said on Wednesday that he agreed Canada had to arrest Meng, "having received what was, on its face, a bona fide extradition request."

But he said her continued detainment was illegal.

Theres nothing about it that is an arbitrary detention, but ... it is now revealed to be an unlawful detention, van Ert said, pointing to the defense allegation that the United States broke international law by requesting her arrest.

China has said that it considers Meng's arrest and possible extradition illegal. In the aftermath of her being detained, China arrested two Canadians on charges of espionage, which Canada has said it sees as retaliation.

Meng's case is set to conclude in May.

(Reporting by Moira Warburton and Sarah Berman in Vancouver; Editing by Peter Cooney)
A violent drill-rapping thug who attacked a pub-goer with a hammer during a wild brawl in a pokie room could walk free from jail a year early after successfully appealing his sentence.

Dahcell 'Celly' Ramos, 22, a former member of western Sydney drill group OneFour, was sentenced in late 2019 to a minimum of six years jail over the violent attack.

In July 2018, he and two other members of the group took part in the brawl at the Carousel Inn in the western Sydney suburb of Rooty Hill.

Ramos smashed a random man in the head with a hammer and then stomped on him during the savage melee.

The then 19-year-old left his victim unconscious, lying in a pool of blood.

Ramos appealed against the 'manifestly excessive' sentence - which holds a maximum ten years behind bars - to three NSW Supreme Court justices by videolink from prison on Monday.

His lawyer had told the court that Ramos' sentence had been 'infected by error' and should have been shorter than those of his co-offenders because he had 'shown remorse'.

Ramos had also been serving a five-year sentence for armed robbery simultaneously.

On Wednesday, the 22-year-old had both sentences quashed by the Court of Appeal, news.com.au reported.

He was given a new aggregate jail term of eight years with a non-parole period of four years and nine months.

His sentence was backdated to September, 2018, from when he was taken into custody meaning he could be released as early as June, 2023.

Dahcell 'Celly' Ramos (pictured) was jailed after he beat a man with a hammer and then stomped on his head

Ramos smashed a random man in the head with a hammer and then stomped on him during the savage melee

The victim who Ramos bashed 'can't remember a thing' from the night he was repeatedly bludgeoned in the head.

Court facts obtained by Daily Mail Australia describe in chilling detail the rappers and their friends' attack.

The documents reveal how the pub's owner desperately tried to intervene, warning the thugs: 'You're on CCTV. We have hundreds of cameras here.

'Whatever you're thinking of doing, you don't want to do it here.'

Shocking attack: Dahcell 'Celly' Ramos - an on-again, off-again member of OneFour - attacks a man with a hammer during the brawl at the Carousel Inn in Rooty Hill, NSW

The drill rap group from Mount Druitt, OneFour, has two of its main members - Lekks (left) and YP (second from left) behind bars over a brutal pub bashing in July 2018. The rest of the group's four official members, Spenny (third) and J-Emz, were not involved

The documents said after the fight eased off, the owner told the attackers 'police have been called!' - and was promptly knocked out.

He was smacked in the right side of the face with a timber chair leg by Ramos.

Along with Ramos, other OneFour members Salec 'Lekks' and Pio 'YP' Misa are all serving jail terms for the shocking melee.

But it's cold comfort for the brawl's main target.

Daily Mail Australia has been told the tradesman, Troy, has no memory of the bashing.

The victim suffered skull, nasal, septum, sinus wall and eye socket fractures, lacerations to his cheek, eyebrow and eyelid and 'significant' facial swelling. Both of his ears were wounded - from his earrings being tugged from his ears, court documents said.

His friend, Anthony, was not as badly injured.

Troy had been recovering well until the recent spate of publicity, a source said.

'He was in a good place. But all of this has really stirred s**t up again.

'We didn't know it was coming out in the media.'

The man only recently had the wrenching experience of reliving the whole night by watching the evening's CCTV footage.

OneFour has been described by GQ as 'The Western Sydney Rap Group Taking Over Hip Hop' . Their 'drill' music is a sub-genre of hip hop and lyrics often focus on gang life, guns and drugs

How the brutal night unfolded

The three OneFour members involved in the crime had been at a house party before deciding to kick on to the pub just before midnight.

Lekks - who would be described as the instigator of the brutal attack - had been drinking heavily.

About the same time, the two victims, Troy and his best friend Anthony, were at the poker machines in the outdoor gaming room, sitting next to one another.

An agreed statement of facts, tendered during Lekks' court case and seen by Daily Mail Australia, explains what happened next:

INJURIES OF THE VICTIM OF CAROUSEL INN ATTACK Non-displaced fracture to the right side of the skull near the temple

Fractures to both sides of the nasal bone

A displaced nasal septum fracture

Two right sinus wall fractures

Fractures to the floor and lateral wall of the right eye socket

A laceration to his cheek and lip that breached the dermis and epidermis

A 5cm laceration to his right eyebrow

A 4cm laceration to his right eyelid

Significant swelling to the face, particularly around the right eye

A wound on both ears as a result of earrings being pulled from his ears Advertisement

12:59AM: Lekks enters the room in a black hooded jumper.

He walks to a poker machine and says hello to another player.

Then he wanders back out to the carpark.

1AM: Security guards tell Lekks and his rowdy group to keep it down.

Lekks then re-enters the pub, returns to the poker machine next to Troy, and stands behind it.

Troy asks: 'Why are you looking at my f***ing machine?'

Lekks fires up and gets 'aggressive'.

The security guard explains to Troy: 'He's just watching his friend play.'

But they continue to argue and Lekks is asked to leave.

1:05AM ONWARDS: Lekks slams a gate on the way out.

He continues to 'yell and gesture' at the victims.

'Come outside, we'll fight! Come out,' he says.

Both victims get up from their seats.

Five of Lekks' friends - including YP and Celly - run over.

Pio 'YP' Misa was the first of the group to throw a punch - or, rather, a chair leg

One asks 'what happened?'

Lekks and his mates then try and enter the gaming area but are blocked by security.

Celly, YP, Lekks and a friend, Timothy Willett, try and burst into the gaming room through another door.

Security try and intercept them.

But at the same time, two more of their friends, Jimmy Vaafusuaga and 'Lausii' manage to get in through the unguarded entrance.

Lekks shouts at the men and challenges them to a fight.

Three security guards try and get in between him and the victims and successfully hold him back.

But Lekks's rap group mates, YP and Celly, attack.

YP pulls a timber leg from inside his clothes and then smacks Anthony over the head with it twice.

Above, CCTV captures the moment he strikes one of the two of the two victims, Anthony, with a chair leg

Anthony backs away, but YP follows and hits him a third time.

Then Celly pulls a hammer from his jacket and smashes Troy in the head several times.

Their friend Vaafusuaga punches the victim in the head.

Celly then stomps on Troy's head 'multiple times'.

Celly raises his hammer to attack again but is pulled away.

Their friend Timothy Willett punches the second victim, Anthony, in the head.

Troy is left sprawled on the ground and the fight seemingly ends.

Sua picks up Troy's head by the hair and shakes it.

Assault: Lekks, one of the most prominent members of the rap group, picks up the man's head by the hair and shakes it

'Lekks', or Salec Sua, never steps out in public without covering his face - unless he's at the pub, above

1:08AM: A pub employee calls the police.

1:12AM: Police arrive.

The group leave and run away.

Lekks jumps in a waiting gold Ford sedan with a woman.

But they don't get far with police turning their sirens on.

Lekks is arrested.

The rest of the group are rounded up over the following hours.

They are taken to Riverstone Police Station and all decline police interviews.

Back on tour but missing members: What happened next

Lekks was jailed for at least four-and-a-half years, Celly - the hammer attacker - for a decade, and YP for four for their roles in the bashing.

At Lekks' sentencing, Judge James Bennett said it was 'tragic' what had unfolded and that the rapper had 'great potential'.

The court was told: 'They [the rap group] have the capacity to succeed if they remove themselves from any temptations the street has to offer'.

(Neither of the other key members of OneFour - nicknamed Spenny and J-Emz - were involved in the incident.)

The rap group has since travelled to Auckland on tour, but J-Emz was refused entry into the country. Lekks' little brother has reportedly filled in his role.

OneFour claim their Australian events have come under pressure to be pulled by police, a claim denied by the NSW Police Force.
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MCR will make it possible for phoenixNAP customers to create faster and more resilient multi-cloud networks while making cloud-to-cloud connections as simple as pointing and clicking, said Rodney Foreman, Chief Revenue Officer, Megaport.

phoenixNAP, a global IT services provider offering security-focused cloud infrastructure, dedicated servers, colocation, and specialized Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) technology solutions, today announces availability of Megaport Cloud Router (MCR) within its flagship data center in Phoenix, Arizona. Already offering direct access to the global Megaport Network out of the facility, phoenixNAP now expands the collaboration with Megaport to enable private cloud-to-cloud and multi-cloud connectivity through its virtual router instance.

As a leading Network as a Service (NaaS) provider, Megaport helps businesses establish fast, flexible, and secure connectivity to the worlds top cloud providers, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, data center operators, systems integrators, and managed service providers using its on-demand global Software Defined Network (SDN). MCR is a virtual routing service that gives businesses private connectivity at layer 3 between cloud services without the complexity of having to set up and manage physical infrastructure. With the ability to circumvent the public Internet when accessing cloud services, organizations can ensure highly secure, low latency data transfer across all their providers.

Now available at phoenixNAPs data center in Phoenix, MCR makes multi-cloud networks safer and easier to manage, and unlocks the benefits of private cloud-to-cloud connectivity.

We are excited to extend our collaboration with Megaport and offer their MCR service to organizations looking to enhance their multi-cloud strategies, said Ian McClarty, President of phoenixNAP.

MCR brings simplicity to network management by enabling simple creation of secure and resilient virtual networks. Organizations that manage multiple cloud services can benefit from the ability to establish private connectivity into their clouds, ensuring faster data transfer and improved security. With security continuing to be a priority in the IT world, we are thrilled to be able to offer this new private connectivity option out of our flagship facility in Phoenix.

As an access point to over 40 global and domestic carriers housed in the facility, phoenixNAPs data center in Phoenix, Arizona, is the citys network hub. Strategically positioned at the intersection of two major fiber rings in Phoenix, the facility delivers superior connectivity and provides global reach through the total of 17 data center and network Point of Presence locations worldwide.

The Megaport Cloud Router deployment further expands the available connectivity options for phoenixNAPs customers and businesses in Arizona. They can now access Megaports industry leading software-defined networking solution to easily create virtualized private networks for safer and more efficient multi-cloud management.

Megaport has had a successful collaboration with phoenixNAP for years and we are excited to provide even more powerful interconnection capabilities with Megaport Cloud Router, said Rodney Foreman, Chief Revenue Officer, Megaport. MCR will make it possible for phoenixNAP customers to create faster and more resilient multi-cloud networks while making cloud-to-cloud connections as simple as pointing and clicking.

Benefits of MCR:



On-demand cloud to cloud connections between leading cloud services

Four speed tiers capable of 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps, or 10Gbps routing throughput

Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) for BGP that allows for fast link failure detection supporting fast failover of routed traffic

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Multi Exit Discriminator (MED) to support Virtual Cross Connect (VXC) prioritization that tells autonomous systems (AS) the preferred route to take for performance tuning

BGP shutdown toggle, so users can quickly turn BGP on or off;

Google API integration to make it faster and easier to add MCR connections to the Google Cloud Platform

Route filters by BGP peer and BGP prefixes for security and greater control over route advertisements

For more information about phoenixNAPs data center and colocation services, visit https://phoenixnap.com/colocation

About phoenixNAP

phoenixNAP is a global IT services provider with a focus on cybersecurity and compliance-readiness, whose progressive Infrastructure-as-a-Service solutions are delivered from strategic edge locations worldwide. Its cloud, dedicated servers, hardware leasing, and colocation options are built to meet always evolving IT business requirements. Providing comprehensive disaster recovery solutions, DDoS-protected global network, hybrid IT deployments with software and hardware-based security, phoenixNAP fully supports its clients business continuity planning. Offering scalable and resilient opex solutions with expert staff to assist, phoenixNAP supports growth and innovation in businesses of any size enabling their digital transformation.

phoenixNAP is a Premier Service Provider in the VMware Cloud Provider Program and a Platinum Veeam Cloud & Service Provider partner. phoenixNAP is also a PCI DSS Validated Service Provider and its flagship facility is SOC Type 1 and SOC Type 2 audited.
Facebook Takes Down Lara Trump Interview With Donald Trump: Not Currently Allowed

Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, said that Facebook had removed content she posted with the the voice of Donald Trump.

A screenshot of an alleged email from a Facebook staffer posted by Lara Trump on Tuesday reads, We are reaching out to let you know that we removed content from Lara Trumps Facebook page that featured President Trump speaking.

In line with the block we placed on Donald Trumps Facebook and Instagram account, further content posted in the voice of Donald Trump will be removed and result in additional limitations on the accounts, it reads.

A person close to the Trump Organization told The Epoch Times that Facebook took down Lara Trumps 18-minute long video interview with the former president within 20 minutes of her posting it. The Epoch Times also contacted Facebook for comment.

A second email from a Facebook staffer gave a reminder that content in the voice of Trump is not allowed on the social media platform, according to Lara Trumps Instagram post. The guidance applies to all campaign accounts and Pages, including Team Trump, other campaign messaging vehicles on our platforms, and former surrogates, it read.

Lara Trump, in her social media captions, said the email suggests we are one step closer to Orwells 1984.

The interview with the former commander-in-chief was also uploaded on Rumble, which has seen an increase in conservative-leaning content creators in recent months. A post that linked to the Rumble version of the Trump interview was still on Lara Trumps Facebook page.

In January, then-President Trump was suspended from his Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube accounts, with the platforms saying that it was due to his comments following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Later, a Twitter executive said that Trumps ban is most likely permanent, although YouTube and Facebook have been less clear.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed Trump used social media platforms to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government. Civil liberties groups such as the ACLU and world leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the social media bans are worrying and implied these platforms are wielding their power unwisely.

Trump, since being off social media, has said Twitter has become boring after he was suspended and asserted that millions of users are leaving. He again repeated the statement during his interview with Lara Trump, who is married to his son Eric Trump, while saying that he prefers to send out press releases and statements via emailwhich he described as more elegant than tweeting.

If Trump decides to run for president in 2024, he would likely have to come up with a different social media platform or messaging strategy to stay relevant.

A former pollster, Jim McLaughlin, said that whatever he does, Trump is going to remain popular because his agenda and his policies were successful.

I dont think he has to do a lot. I think in a lot of ways, sometimes less is more. Heres a guy whos been out of office now since January 20, almost two months now, and the media is obsessed with him, he told The Epoch Times last week.
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ROSEBURG, Ore. -- The search for Umpqua Community College's next president is narrowing down.

The three finalists for the position are Ryan Melton, Rachel Pokrandt and Teresa Rivenes.

Ryan Melton is currently the dean of psychology and counseling at Bushnell University in Eugene. Prior to his current position, he served in a variety of faculty roles at Portland State University, Oregon State University, George Fox University in Salem, Multnomah University, and Chemeketa Community College. Melton received a doctorate in counselor education from Oregon State University

in 2012.

Rachel Pokrandt is currently a vice president and campus dean for Colorado Mountain College. Prior to her start there in 2012, she was the dean of instruction at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colo. With a background in business, she has also served as an adjunct instructor since 2003. Pokrandt received her doctorate in management from the Swiss Management University in Zurich, Switzerland.

Teresa Rivenes is the current chief academic officer/vice president at Tillamook Bay Community College. Prior to that, she served as the dean of curriculum and instruction at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass. She has also worked as adjunct faculty within the Montana State University system. Rivenes received a doctorate in general psychology from Capella University in 2013 and a Doctor of Education degree from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2020.

Each candidate will participate in virtual town meetings, open to the public on the following days:

Tuesday, April 6 - Ryan Melton

Wednesday, April 7 - Rahcel Pokrandt

Thursday, April 8 - Teresa Rivenes

The town hall meetings will be held via Zoom each day from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. To participate, click here.

Current UCC President Debra Thatcher is retiring June 30, 2021. The anticipated start date for the chosen candidate is July 1.
(CNN) -- As the United Nations Security Council discussed Myanmar's military coup on Wednesday, the country's junta declared a "ceasefire" -- though it said it would continue to respond to "actions that disrupt government security and administration."

The ceasefire offer appeared to refer to actions taken against ethnic armed groups, where fighting has increased since the junta's seizure of power in a coup on February 1. The statement, carried on Myanmar's state television MRTV, called on ethnic armed groups to "keep the peace" and said the military would "suspend its operations unilaterally from April 1 to April 30."

Excluded from the peace, however, are those who "disrupt" government security.

Pro-democracy demonstrators have repeatedly filled streets in Myanmar for nearly two months in protest over the detention of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and key government officials. Security forces' response has seen unarmed civilians shot in the street, and beatings, arbitrary detentions and nighttime raids on the homes of suspected opposition members. This weekend saw the bloodiest crackdown yet, with at least 114 people killed on Saturday.

CNN has reached out to Myanmar's military for comment.

Since Saturday, the military has been conducting airstrikes in Karen state, forcing thousands of residents to flee into the jungle and neighboring countries.

Many of the villages targeted are controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), an ethnic armed group that holds large swathes of territory in the borderlands. The KNU is one of many ethnic armed groups to have come out in support of the protests and to condemn the military takeover.

The UN special envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgner on Wednesday highlighted the danger of "widespread and systemic attacks on the civilian population" and warned that a "bloodbath is imminent," in her remarks to the Security Council.

More than 520 people have been killed since the coup, she said.

"Looking back ten years from now, how will history judge this inaction? I hope you can act while there is still time to avoid the worst outcome by overcoming caution and disagreement," Burgner told the Security Council members.

'Urgent help needed'

The Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun sent a letter to the UN Secretary General earlier in the week highlighting concerns about civilians' safety in the country and calling for "effective action without delay" to restore democratic leadership.

"The people of Myanmar feel helpless and are seeking urgent help from the international community to save lives of the innocent civilians," the letter from Kyaw Moe Tun read.

The representative appealed to the United Nations and international community for protection of the Myanmar people against the military, assistance for all people in need, declaring a no-fly zone to prevent future airstrikes, tougher sanctions and freezing of military bank accounts, an immediate arms embargo and suspension of foreign direct investment.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Wednesday that asking for a United Nations intervention was a "broad call."

"I think the Secretary-General has been extremely vocal on Myanmar from the get-go. We want to be engaged but there are no bystanders in the solution," Dujarric said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Myanmar junta offers ceasefire to some, as UN envoy warns of 'bloodbath'"
Jill Biden touted her and President Joe Biden's union ties on Wednesday during a trip to California to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day.

'He is a union person. I am a member of the teachers union,' the first lady told a group of female farm workers. 'We are a union couple.'

Biden, who teaches at a Northern Virginia Community College, is a member of the National Education Association.

The first lady has been dispatched around the country to sell the Biden administration's agenda. During her California trip, she touted the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and the $1,400 stimulus checks.

She said the country needs to heal.

'I think the country needs to heal,' she said, adding that people have been hurting from the coronavirus pandemic. 'I'm hoping you and your family's life get better.'

Jill Biden hands out vaccination cards at a vaccination site at The Forty Acres

Jill Biden said it was great to see people get vaccinated during her visit to the clinic

During her two hours at the historic Forty Acres, where she took part in a Day of Action alongside the Cesar Chavez Foundation and the United Farmworkers Foundation, Biden met with workers and visited a COVID vaccine clinic on site.

At the clinic, she handed out vaccination cards to people about to get the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

As a worker called out names, the first lady handed out the cards and a small pin that read 'I got my COVID-19 vaccination at Kern Medical.'

She also posed with people as they were about to get vaccinated.

'Its great to see all these people being vaccinated,' she said.

Biden was joined by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom at the site. The Forty Acres is the former headquarters of the United Farm Workers union, which was founded by Chavez.

Members of the Chavez family, including his son Paul, greeted the first lady when she arrived. Julie Rodriguez, the Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, traveled with Jill Biden to California and led the introductions.

Mariachi music played as farm workers waited for the first lady to make her remarks outside on a beautiful, sunny, California day. The crowd was friendly, shouting 'We love you governor' and 'we love you FLOTUS' when Biden and Newsom came out to speak.

In her remarks, Jill Biden praised farm workers as essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

'As millions of Americans were isolated at home, we depended on those who kept going in to work, every single day,' she said.

'Without the farm workers who kept harvesting our food, or the factory workers who packaged it, the grocery store clerks who stocked shelves, no one would have made it through this year,' she noted.

She also touted her husband's work for labor and his immigration policy.

'He believes that our work must always be guided by justice and humanity,' she said of President Biden. 'And that's exactly the kind of immigration policy he's working to buildone that treats children and families with dignity and creates fair pathways to citizenship, including for essential workers.'

The first lady will also meet with farm workers and tour a COVID vaccination site during her visit.

The White House has been deploying Jill Biden to help with its agenda  whether she's touting the benefits of the $1.9 trillion America Rescue Plan or, as she did on Wednesday, paying homage to an important Democratic voting bloc with her visit to union workers.

Jill Biden arrived in California on Wednesday to tout the White House's ties with labor

Jill Biden is celebrating Cesar Chavez Day at the historic Forty Acres

Jill Biden praised farm workers as 'essential workers' during the coronavirus pandemic.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined the first lady during her visit to Forty Acres

Cesar Chavez was a civil rights activist that fought for equality, fair treatment and fair wages for many farmworkers. He remains a hero to many in the labor movement.

President Joe Biden, who has strong ties to the labor movement, has a bust of Chavez in the Oval Office, visible on the table behind the Resolute Desk.

'I was proud to place a bust of Cesar Chavez in the Oval Office, so that no one who enters that historic room may forget the powerful truths his farm worker hands imparted,' he said in a statement on Wednesday. 'On Cesar Chavez Day, let us recommit ourselves to the duty we have in service to one another to work toward equity and justice across our communities.'

As the first lady was on the West Coast, President Joe Biden was in Pittsburgh, where he announced his $2 trillion infrastructure plan, which will be paid for by a tax on the wealthy.

'No one making under $400,000 will see their federal taxes go up, period,' Biden said, reiterating a campaign promise and creating his own 'read my lips' moment.

'This is not penalizing people. I have nothing against millionaires and billionaires. I believe in American capitalism. I want everyone to do well,' he added.

President Joe Biden has long ties to labor and placed a bronze bust of Cesar Chavez in the Oval Office, visible on the table behind him

Jill Biden speaks with members from the Cesar Chavez family upon arrival at The Forty Acres, the first headquarters of the United Farm Workers labor union

The White House has been deploying Jill Biden to help with its agenda  whether she's touting the benefits of the $1.9 trillion America Rescue Plan or, as she is on Wednesday, paying homage to an important Democratic voting bloc with her visit to union workers

Unions supported Joe Biden during the 2020 campaign and he repaid their loyalty by hosting labor leaders in the Oval Office in February

President Barack Obama made Cesar Chavez Day a federal holiday in 2014.

The labor movement rallied behind Joe Biden early in the presidential primary process. The president often stresses his blue-collar roots and his birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Labor groups gave $27.5 million to Biden's campaign, according to OpenSecrets, a non-profit that tracks campaign spending.

And labor leaders have called Biden the most union-friendly president of their lifetime.

The president has repaid their loyalty. One of the first groups he hosted in the Oval Office as labor leaders, who he brought in to discuss his COVID relief plan in February.

And Biden picked Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a former top union leader, to be his labor secretary.

It is Jill Biden's second visit to California this month. She visited with military spouses and children based in Twentynine Palms Marine base three weeks ago as she prepares to relaunch Joining Forces, her military initiative with Michelle Obama.
PRESS RELEASE

SOCIETA EDITORIALE IL FATTO S.P.A.:

The Board of Directors approves the draft financial statements at December 31, 2020

Strong Ebitda growth and return to net profit for the year

Increased revenues in every business area, advertising revenues in line with prior year

Shareholders' Meeting called to appoint the new Board of Directors and the new Board of Statutory Auditors

Production value equal to Euro 38,027 thousand (Euro 31,985 thousand as at December 31, 2019 + 18,89%)

EBITDA equal to Euro 5,266 thousand (Euro 1,239 thousand as at December 31, 2019 + 325.10%)

Net financial position Euro 1,373 thousand (Euro 1,139 thousand as at December 31, 2019 + 20.57 %)

Shareholders' equity of Euro 4,420 thousand (Euro 4,147 thousand as at December 31, 2019 + 6.58%)



Rome, March 31, 2021 - The Board of Directors of SEIF S.p.A. (the "Company" or "SEIF") media content provider and publisher of several editorial and multimedia products, a company whose shares are traded on AIM Italia, a multilateral system organised and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. and Euronext Growth Paris, announces that, today, the Board of Directors approved the draft financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Cinzia Monteverdi, Chairman and CEO of SEIF, stated: "In 2020, a particular and challenging year, SEIF has achieved very positive results, with the achievement of important milestones that confirm that we are moving forward on the right path. In fact, the 2020 budget shows a return to profit in the operating result, and a strong growth in EBITDA. The decision to embark on a path as a media company, and to invest in technological innovation and digital proved rewarding, generating revenue growth across all business divisions: the print newspaper and digital subscriptions, books, television production. Advertising revenues, heavily affected by the pandemic in the first half, recovered almost entirely in the second half of the year, closing substantially in line with financial year 2019.

In the economic and social context severely tested by the COVID-19, we have been able to pursue our development plans as per the industrial plan presented at the IPO, without cutting back on staff, and adapting to new working models based on the use of smart working. The results obtained show that our forecasts have proved to be correct, that the investments made can generate growth and be recovered in subsequent years; we are working to continue in this direction".

Main financial data

(in thousands of Euro) Financial Year 2020 % revenues on P.V. Financial Year 2019 % revenues on P.V. A) Production value 1) revenues from sales and services 31,244 82.16% 26,768 83.69% 2) variations in inventories of work in progress, semi-finished and finished products 34 0.09% -15 -0.05% 4) increases in fixed assets for internal works 6,255 16.45% 4,504 14.08% 5) other revenues 494 1.30% 728 2.28% Total (A) 38,027 100% 31,985 100%

The table shows a significant increase in the value of production led by a 17% growth in the value of sales and services and increased investments in fixed assets.

Analyzing the variations in Company's revenues from sales and services, the following should be noted:

A.1 Revenues from sales and services

Value at 12.31.2020 % on revenues Value at 12.31.2019 % on revenues variations var% Publishing sector 23,809 76.20% 19.914 74.40% 3,894 19.56% Media content sector 3,004 9.61% 2.329 8.70% 674 28.95% Advertising sector 4,431 14.18% 4.524 16.90% -93 -2.05% Total 31,244 100.00% 26,768 100.00% 4,476 16.72%

Publishing sector : revenues from the publishing sector grew by almost 20% overall. They are essentially made up by (i) newsstand sales of the newspaper amounting to k/euro 17,370, which increased by over 15% compared with the previous year; (ii) sales of the monthly magazine FQMillennium, amounting to k/euro 585, decreasing by 17% on the previous year; (iii) sales of Paper First books at newsstand and bookstores amounting to k/euro 1,432, which increased by 40%; (iv) sales of subscriptions of the publishing products and digital content amounting to k/euro 4,421, which increased by 39% compared to fiscal year 2019.

Media content sector : revenues from the media content sector grew by a total of around 29% and are essentially made by (i) the granting of rights to the exploitation of television content amounting to k/euro 2,940, which increased by 47% compared to the previous fiscal year; (ii) sales of theatrical performances and events amounting to k/euro 64, decreasing by 80% compared to fiscal year 2019 due to the inability to organize events and performances with the public, in compliance with the restrictions issued as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Advertising sector : advertising revenues substantially matched the 2019 result at -2% only and k/euro 93, almost entirely recovering the loss reported in the first half. Considering the significant negative impact on the domestic advertising market, which has experienced double-digit reductions in advertising sales across all media, we can positively assess the attractiveness of our channels and the management structure, which has achieved a goal that was by no means taken for granted, with a considerable effort. Revenues are made up of (i) advertising revenues from the newspaper amounting to k/euro 903; (ii) advertising revenues from the website amounting to k/euro 3,492; (iii) advertising sales for the magazine amounting to k/euro 37.

Analysing the marginality of company management, the following should be noted:

(in thousands of Euro) Financial Year

2020 % PV Financial Year

2019 % PV Production Value 38,027 100.00% 31,985 100.00% EBITDA 5,266 13.85% 1,239 3.87% EBIT 162 0.42% -2,037 -6.37% EBT 479 1.26% -2,026 -6.34% Net Result 301 0.79% -1,492 -4.67%

EBITDA is defined as: operating results, adjusted for the following components: (i) income taxes for the financial year, (ii) financial components, and (iii) depreciation and amortization of tangible fixed assets and intangible fixed assets, impairments and other provisions.

EBIT is defined as: operating results, adjusted for the following components: (i) income taxes for the financial year, (ii) financial components.

EBT is defined as: operating results, adjusted for the following components: (i) income taxes for the financial year.

Financial Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Use 12.31.20 12.31.19 Sources 12.31.20 12.31.19 Intangible fixed assets 8,263,277 6,635,247 share capital 2,500,000 2,500,000 tangible fixed assets 201,916 223,703 reserves 3,076,103 3,104,100 financial fixed assets 215,478 1,144,098 profit (loss) carried forward - (1,456,976) 35,407 profit (loss) of the year profit (loss) of the year 300,925 (1,492,384) Fixed assets 8,680,671 8,003,048 Shareholders' equity 4,420,052 4,147,123 non-liquid assets 160,038 250,720 Non-current liabilities 5,175,472 2,739,000 deferred liquidity 7,570,677 7,079,725 immediate cash 3,264,387 540,435 Current liabilities 10,080,249 8,987,805 Current assets 10,995,102 7,870,880 Liabilities 15,255,721 11,726,805 Invested capital 19,675,773 15,873,928 Financing capital 19,675,773 15,873,928

Equity increased by k/euro 273, as a result of the 2020 profit and the change in the negative reserve for own shares. The item Reserves in Equity amounts to k/euro 3,076 and consists of the Extraordinary Reserve of k/euro 3,695, the Legal Reserve of k/euro 500 and the Negative reserve for own shares in portfolio of k/euro 1,121.



Cash flow (in thousands of Euro) 2020 2019 Profit (loss) of the year before taxes on the income, interests and dividends 162 (2,036) Adjustments for non-monetary elements 5,731 3,781 Changes in net working capital 936 18 Other adjustments (438) (345) Cash flow from operating activities (A) 6,373 1,418 Cash flow from investment activities (B) 6,109 (6,006) Cash flow from financing activities (C) 2,460 2,917 Increase (decrease) of cash and cash equivalents (ABC) 2,723 (1,671) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 541 2,212 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 3,264 541 Changes in cash and cash equivalents 2,723 (1,671)

The above cash flows show a significant increase in cash flow from operating activities, which contributed to the rise in cash and cash equivalents (+ 2,723 K/euro), in line with cash flows from investment and financing activities.

Net Financial Position 12.31.2020 12.31.2019 Current financial receivables cash and cash equivalent (3,862,715) (1,138,763) Current financial payables current financial payables 298,415 0 Net current financial debt (3,564,300) (1,138,763) Non-current financial payables Non-current financial payables 2,191,255 0 Net financial debt - NFP (1,373,045) (1,138,763) Days sales outstanding (DSO) 56 52 Days payables outstanding (DPO) 61 63

Allocation of profit for the year

The Board of Directors resolved to propose that the Shareholders' meeting allocate net income for the year, amounting to 300,925 euros, to partially cover previous losses.

Activities carried out in 2020

Despite the fact that our country, in the year just ended, was hit by a tragic health emergency and a consequent economic crisis, we were capable of implementing our plans, moreover without any reductions in personnel, notwithstanding that working models were suddenly overturned due to the pandemic and set up on smart working. The operating result we submitted to the shareholders' meeting has several positive aspects. First and foremost, the operating result.

In fact, the financial statements for the year ended 12/31/2020 show a return to net profit (k/Euro 300), which represents a significant achievement. It should be noted that the achievement of this result is mainly attributable to revenues from sales and services which recorded a total of k/euro 31,200, compared to approximately k/euro 26,700 in the previous year, representing an overall increase of approximately 17%, equal to approximately k/euro 4,500. It should be pointed out that each division achieved an increase in revenues (print newspaper and digital subscriptions, books, television production). Revenues from advertising also remained basically in line with the previous year, despite the fact that, due to the pandemic, the sector registered a significant drop, especially in the first half of the year. The increase in revenues also enabled a significant rise in EBITDA, amounting to k/euro 5,265 (13.85% of the value of production), compared with k/euro 1,239 (3.87% of the value of production) in the previous year.

The Company's decision in 2019 to continue to implement the planned investments as per the industrial plan presented in the IPO, even in the presence of declining sales volumes and even at the expense of margins, in order not to suspend or interrupt the corporate development process that it was convinced would trigger corporate growth in future years in all the various business units, has provided the positive effects on the Company's financial and economic situation. The final result recorded in the 2020 financial year demonstrates that the forecasts made by management have proved to be correct, and also shows that the investments made generate growth and can therefore be recovered in subsequent years.

The path of growth as a Media Company, has therefore proved to follow the correct strategies. The current year still brings with it several challenges on technological innovation and the digital revolution, aimed at the continuation of growth in all divisions and the consequent increase in revenues and margins.

Significant events occurred after the end of the year

No significant events occurred after the end of the year. The Company proceeded with its normal operating activities, which also include the implementation of development projects.

The Company constantly monitors the evolution of the situation related to the health emergency. Italy is still one of the countries most affected and the spread of the virus has required drastic government interventions to contain the epidemic. The sectors in which the company operates have not been subject to restrictions by the various measures issued by the Government and Parliament in Italy since the beginning of the spread of the pandemic.

During the first quarter of 2021 production activities continued with the adoption of all the necessary measures to safeguard the safety of workers, also in compliance with the protocol signed between the government and social partners. The Company continued to manage the work organization program with the use of smart working applied to all tasks, reducing the physical presence of workers at offices and editorial offices to a minimum. As mentioned above, the information sector, remaining among the primary sectors, did not suffer any stoppages and/or significant falls in production.

Foreseeable evolution of operations

After December 31, 2020 and up to the date of approval of these financial statements, no corporate events have occurred that would have an impact on the equity and economic results shown. As of the date of preparation of these financial statements, the Company has not recorded any reductions in operating activities or in the related volumes of revenues and cash flows. Therefore, the Company is continuing to implement the management and production programs foreseen, implementing all the necessary precautions and interventions for the purposes of maximum containment of the risks connected with the epidemic situation. The Company constantly monitors the evolution of the pandemic, continuing to equip its organizational and production structure with the tools needed to maintain the highest possible levels of safety in the workplace, favoring smart working wherever possible and adopting a continuous program of swabbing at company offices. The Company operates in the Publishing and Information sector, which are among those sectors that have not been subject to restrictions by the numerous Legislative Decrees issued in the last 12 months. On the basis of the information currently available, there are no real and current risks of a significant reduction in production and management activities, and it is ruled out that the sector in which the Company operates will be subject to regulatory restrictions due to the containment of the pandemic that could lead to the suspension of the entire business and/or individual production divisions.

Notice of call of the Ordinary Shareholders' Meeting and filing of the documentation

The Board of Directors resolved to call the ordinary shareholders' meeting to resolve, inter alia, on the approval of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 on April 29, 2021 (on first call) and on May 12, 2021 (if necessary, on second call).

It should be noted that the Shareholders' Meeting will also be called upon to appoint the members of the management and control bodies, whose term of office will expire upon the approval of the financial statements as of December 31, 2020.

The documentation required by current regulations will be available at the registered office at Via Sant'Erasmo 2, 00184 Rome, and on the company's website www.seif-spa.it, Investor Relations section, within the terms provided by current regulations. Please note that the draft financial statements have been audited by KPMG S.p.A.

Further information

In addition to the financial information referred to above, the statement of assets and liabilities, the income statement and the cash flow statement are hereby attached.

***

SOCIETA? EDITORIALE IL FATTO S.P.A. (SEIF) is an independent media company, founded in Rome in 2009 and led by Cinzia Monteverdi, Chairman and CEO. The company publishes several editorial and multimedia products, including Il Fatto Quotidiano, founded by Antonio Padellaro and directed by Marco Travaglio, the website ilfattoquotidiano.it and the monthly magazine FQ Millennium, directed by Peter Gomez, the publishing company Paper First and the TV and multimedia content platform Loft.Recently, SEIF has undertaken a process of diversification to become more and more a media content provider at 360 degrees, starting a strategy of development of its products in digital key and data driven.

For further information



Press Office

Close to Media - Company founded by Elisabetta Neuhoff

Via Caradosso 8 - 20123 Milan

Tel: 02.70006237

Fax: 02.89694809

www.closetomedia.it

Luca Manzato -

luca.manzato@closetomedia.it,

Sofia Crosta -

sofia.crosta@closetomedia.it,





Nomad

Alantra Capital Markets

Via Borgonuovo, 16 - 20121 Milan tel. +39 tel: +39 02 63671613

Stefano Bellavita

mail: stefano.bellavita@alantra.com

SEIF - Investor relations

06 32818514

Cinzia Monteverdi (CEO) ir@seif-spa.it

Luigi Calicchia (CFO) l.calicchia@seif-spa.it



1.Ordinary Statement of Assets and Liabilities

12/31/2020 12/31/2019 Assets B) Fixed assets I - Intangible fixed assets - - 1) start-up and capital costs 829,554 988,893 4) concessions, licenses, trademarks and similar rights 98,830 24.073 6) assets under construction and payments on account 1,044,596 807,607 7) other 6,290,297 4,814,674 Total intangible fixed assets 8,263,277 6,635,247 II - Tangible fixed assets - - 4) other assets 201,916 223,703 Total tangible fixed assets 201,916 223,703 III - Financial fixed assets - - 1) shareholdings in - - b) associates companies - 932,939 Total shareholdings - 932,939 2) receivables - - b) receivables from associates - 121,277 due within the next year - 27,000 due after the next year - 94,277 d-bis) other receivables 212,960 89,882 due within the next year 212,960 4,124 due after the next year - 85,758 Total receivables 212,960 211,159 4) active derivative financial instruments 2,518 - Total financial fixed assets 215,478 1,144,098 Total fixed assets (B) 8,680,671 8,003,048 C) Current asset I - Inventories - - 1) raw, subsidiary and consumable materials 49,448 174,342 4) finished products and goods 110,590 76,378 Total inventories 160,038 250,720 II - Receivables - - 1) trade receivables 5,050,536 4,087,782 due within the next year 5,050,536 4,087,782 5-bis) tax receivables 499,375 1,027,014 due within the next one year 499,375 1,027,014 5-ter) pre-paid taxes 777,529 798,216 5-quater) from third parties 421,364 328,082 due within the next one year 421,364 328,082 Total receivables 6,748,804 6,241,094 III - Financial assets not of a fixed nature - - 6) other assets 598,328 598,328 Total financial assets not of a fixed nature 598,328 598,328 IV - Cash and cash equivalents - - 1) bank and postal deposit 3.260.371 538,023 3) cash at bank and in hand 4,016 2,412 Total cash and cash equivalents 3,264,387 540,435 Total current assets(C) 10,771,557 7,630,577 D) Accrual and deferred income 223,545 240,303 Total assets 19,675,773 15,873,928 Liabilities A) Shareholders' equity 4,420,052 4,147,123 I - Share capital 2,500,000 2,500,000 IV - Legal reserve 500,000 500,000 VI - Other reserves, indicated separately - - Extraordinary reserve 3,694,856 3,694,856 Total other reserve 3,694,856 3,694,856 VII-Reserve for hedging operations of expected cash flows 1,914 VIII - Profit (loss) carried forward (1,456,976) 35,407 IX - Profit (loss) of the year 300,925 (1,492,384) X - Negative reserve for purchase of own shares (1,120,667) (1,090,756) Total shareholders' equity 4,420,052 4,147,123 B) Provisions for risks and charges 2) tax provisions, including deferred tax liabilities 604 - 4) other 663,289 641,989 Total for risks and charges 663,893 641,989 C) Employee severance indemnity 2,320,324 2,097,011 D) Payables 4) bank financing 2,489,670 - due within the next year 298,415 - due after the next year 2,191,255 - 7) trade payables 3,727,114 3,718,577 due within the next year 3,727,114 3,718,577 12) tax payables 551,583 444,255 due after the next year 551,583 444,255 13) amounts payable to social security institutions 1,021,870 1,012,179 due within the next year 1,021,870 1,012,179 14) other receivables 2,836,588 2,531,000 due within the next year 2,836,588 2,531,000 Total receivables 10,626,825 7,706,011 E) Accrual and deferred income 1,644,679 1,281,794 Total liabilities 19,675,773 15,873,928

2.Ordinary Income Statement

12/31/2020 12/31/2019 A) Production value 1) revenues from sales and services 31,243,512 26,767,687 2) variations of inventory of raw and auxiliary materials, consumables and supplies 34,212 (15,360) 4) increases in fixed assets for internal works 6,255,486 4,503,896 5) other revenues and income - - other 494,100 728,296 Total other revenues and income 494,100 728,296 Total production value 38,027,310 31,984,519 B) Cost of production 6) for raw and auxiliary materials, consumables and supplies 1,133,515 1,488,422 7) for services 17,170,893 16,251,673 8) for use of assets owned by others 1,795,058 1,490,026 9) for personnel - - a) salaries and wages 8,610,079 7,791,923 b) social security 2,696,310 2,514,242 c) employee severance indemnity 462,774 427,072 e) other costs 303,604 244,384 Total personnel costs 12,072,767 10,977,621 10) amortization, depreciation and impairment - - a) depreciation of intangible fixed assets 4,964,237 3,163,222 b) depreciation of tangible fixed assets 82,737 76,730 Total amortization, depreciation and impairment 5,046,974 3,239,952 11) variations of inventory of raw and auxiliary materials, consumables and supplies 124,894 13,978 12) provisions for risks 57,394 35,442 14) other operating costs 464,312 524,075 Total of cost of production 37,865,807 34,021,189 Difference between value and costs of production (A - B) 161,503 (2,036,670) C) Financial revenues and expenses - 15) financial income from investments: - financial income from investments 333,061 Total financial income from investments 333,061 16) other financial revenues - a) from receivables recorded as fixed assets - - from affiliated companies - 1,277 other 1,800 Total financial income from receivables recorded as fixed assets 1,800 1,277 c) from securities included under the working capital which are not shareholdings 12,515 12,008 d) revenues different from the previous - - other 37 3,583 Total revenues different from the previous 37 3,583 Total of other financial revenues 14,352 16,868 17) Interests and financial expenses - - other 31,343 6,667 Total interests and financial expenses 31,343 6,667 17-bis) exchange gains and losses 1,061 (201) Total financial revenues and expenses (15+16-17+-17-bis) 317,131 10,000 D) Value adjustment on financial assets 18) revaluations - - c) of securities included under assets forming part of working capital which are not investments - 186 Total revaluations - 186 Total value adjustments to financial assets (18-19) - 186 Result before taxes (A-B+-C+-D) 478,634 (2,026,484) 20) Current, deferred and prepaid taxes on the income of the year current taxes 157,022 - deferred and prepaid taxes 20,687 (534,100) Total current, deferred and prepaid taxes on the income of the year 177,709 (534,100) 21) Profit (loss) for the year 300,925 (1,492,384)

3.Cashflow statement, indirect method

Amount at 12/31/2020 Amount at 12/31/2019 A) Cash flows from operating activities (indirect method) Profit (loss) for the year 300,925 (1,492,384) Income taxes 177,709 (534,100) Payable (receivable) interest 15,930 (10,000) (Gains)/Losses on disposal of assets (333,061) 1) Profit (loss) for the year before income tax, interest, dividends and capital gains/losses from conveyances 161,503 (2,036,484) Adjustments to non monetary items that were not offset in the net working capital. Allocation to preserves 666,433 541,012 Depreciation of fixed assets 5,046,974 3,239,952 Other adjustments to increase/(decrease) non-monetary items (186) Total adjustments for non-monetary items that were not offset in the net working capital 5,713,407 3,780,778 2) Cash flow before changing net working capital 5,874,910 1,744,294 Changes in net working capital Decrease/(increase) in inventory 90,682 29,338 Decrease/(increase) in payables to customers (962,754) (164,153) Increase (decrease) in trade payables 8,537 557,357 Decrease/(Increase) in accrued income and prepayments 16,758 (125,076) Increase/(Decrease) in accrued expenses and deferred income 362,885 Other decreases/(Other increases) in net working capital 1,419,810 (279,329) Total changes in net working capital 935,918 18,137 3) Cash flow after changes in net working capital 6,810,828 1,762,431 Other adjustments Interest received/(paid) (15,930) 10,000 (Use of funds) (421,820) (355,119) Total other adjustments (437,750) (345,119) Cash flow from operating activity (A) 6,373,078 1,417,312 B) Cash flow from investment activity Tangible fixed assets (Investments) (62,775) (177,173) Intangible assets (Investments) (6,974,730) (5,485,491) Financial fixed assets (Investments) (343,467) Divestitures 928,620 Cash flow from from investiment activity (B) (6,108,885) (6,006,131) C) Cash flow from financing activity Third party resources Increase/(Decrease) in short-term payables to banks 298,415 Starting financing 2,191,255 Own resources Transfer/(purchase) of own shares (29,911) 2,917,440 Cash flow from financing activity (C) 2,459,759 2,917,440 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (A  B  C) 2,723,952 (1,671,379) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Bank and postal deposits 538,023 2,211,105 Money and equivalents on hand 2,412 709 Total of cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 540,435 2,211,814 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Bank and postal deposits 3,260,371 538,023 Money and equivalents on hand 4,016 2,412 Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 3,264,387 540,435

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China to ramp up prevention of pests, crop diseases: ministry

Xinhua) 11:09, March 31, 2021

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- China will step up efforts to improve the prevention and control of pests and crop diseases to ensure agricultural production this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said Tuesday.

Guarding against pests and diseases such as stripe rust in wheat and the fall armyworm, the country will focus on ensuring that 90 percent of such outbreaks are properly handled in 2021, with overall losses limited to 5 percent, said Zhang Taolin, vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs, at a meeting.

The recent rising temperatures and pest invasions are harbingers of worsening pest and crop-disease outbreaks, Zhang said, predicting a 14-percent yearly growth in the affected area of major crops.

Agricultural authorities will intensify monitoring in the main crop-planting areas and along the borders, while tailoring prevention solutions for different regions.

Zhang also called for more biological and eco-friendly measures and the reduced use of pesticides.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
The directorate of Human Resource and Corporate Affairs at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) of The Gambia has concluded a two- day visit to media houses in the country.

The visit was meant to strengthen relationship and scout new opportunities for future partnership, as well as to forge new relationship with these media in respect of reporting PURA messages to the public.

The visit was conducted on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th March, andthe institutions visited included GRTS (TV), QTV, Paradise TV, Star TV, Eye Africa TV, The Standard Newspaper, The Voice Newspaper, The Point Newspaper, Foroyaa Newspaper and The Fatu Network.

In short, media is viewedas a critical player as it serves as important conduit between PURA and its audience.

With this renewed PURA-Media partnership, the public will be adequately informed about the Authority's mandate and other sustainable efforts deployed to protect the interest of the public.

The visiting team also discussed plans for coverage on the much anticipated planned visit of the Malian National Petroleum Office (ONAP) to The Gambia due Monday 29th March 2021 with a view to ensuring accurate, balanced and factual reporting; a visit that will afford the ONAP officials the opportunity to know about the mandate of PURA and its related intervention areas.

Commenting on the visit, Mr. Yaya B. Baldeh, PURA new Corporate Affairs Manager said that this latest tour to the media institutions is indeed a journey towards new a path to enhance and build a new grandeur with valued partners in national development.

"As champions of partnership and professionalism, we deemed it apt to re-establish ties with the media in passage of PURA messages in a consistent, balanced and verifiable piece of information to the public regarding the Authority's engagements."

Jocelyn Johnson, PURA Human Resource and Corporate Affairs Officer hailed the efforts of the visited institutions for the warm welcome accorded the team, saying it really displayed degree of the media's readiness for a progressive partnership.

Lamin Cham, editor-in-chief of The Standard Newspaper assured the PURA delegation of their unflinching readiness and commitment towards publishing the Authority's stories. "We greatly value verification which is very crucial to our job as journalists, especially when issues happen." stated Cham.

Adama Makasuba, news editor at The Voice Newspaper assured the delegation that they are ready to partner with PURA to ensure accuracy and factual based reporting.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Media 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.

For journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh, the step taken by PURA's Corporate Affairs team is a step in the right direction and will certainly help in access to information whenever the need arises.

Baba Hydara of The Point Newspaper expressed delight with the move, while looking forward to working cordially with PURA.

"Having such visit is first-time and is quite refreshing toward the new path. Our relationship is a long one and we definitely want to sustain it for posterity."

Tijan Njie, editor at Foroyaa Newspaper thanked PURA for the long-standing partnership, saying Foroyaa's doors are always open in collaborations such as news coverage.

Malick Jones, Content Director and Programme Manager at Star TV/FM assured of his management's collaboration with PURA whenever the need arises.

Lamin Njie, editor-in-chief of the Fatu Network expressed gratitude and delight over the media visit extended to his network.

He noted that citizens depend heavily on PURA when they want certain issues to be addressed, saying the new path taken will certainly augur well in ensuring that the citizenry appreciate and get full understanding of the work of the Authority.

Ade Daramy, editor-in-chief of QTV remarked that: "This is a beginning of a new path and we really appreciate this move. Often we would want to verify stories relating to the work of the Authority, but we find it difficult to get a contact person."
By Zhan Debin

After the US turned a deaf ear to the DPRKs strong warnings against the US and ROKs 9-day routine joint military exercise in ROK in the middle of this month, it intentionally ramped up the incitation in response to which DPRK test-fired missiles to exercise its right to self-defense. However, the US and Japan then accused DPRK of making provocations, violating the UN Security Councils resolution on sanction, and threatening the situation on the Korean peninsula.

On the other hand, Washington and Tokyo have hyped public opinions and imposed diplomatic pressure to subject ROK, an immediately concerned party on the peninsular situation that displayed some signs of deviation earlier on, completely to Washingtons will and consequently strengthen the US-ROK and US-Japan-ROK security cooperation.

Seoul needs to stay sober-minded in the face of the US and Japans actions on the Korean nuclear issue.

Ever since the Biden administration took power, Washington and Seoul have been releasing different policy signals on the Korean nuclear issue. While Seoul hopes that the White House pays more attention to their alliance and listens more attentively to the ROK side, the two sides obviously didnt see eye to eye on their DPRK policy and China policy, as evidenced during US Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of Defense Austins ROK visit. Washington was very displeased by that.

Its understandable that Seoul doesnt fully succumb to Washington on these issues. Its top priority is to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, and it is eager to further consolidate the foundation for that since President Moon Jae-in has only one year left in office.

China shares ROKs stance in this connection and is willing to actively help it implement the Korean peninsular peace process, which the US views as unacceptable. ROK, out of considerations for its own interests, doesnt fully follow Americas lead, and the Biden administration, which prides itself on heeding the allies concerns, cannot publicly pressure it. Hence, it starts hyping the Korean nuclear issue.

The US knows that the best way to tame ROK is manipulating the Korean nuclear issue, especially fabricating the so-called threats from DPRK. Washington and its allies clamored on a high profile that DPRKs test-firing of short-range missiles was a show of force, substantive provocation and major threat. However, these languages and actions, seemingly to pressure Pyongyang to give up nuclear weapons, were actually intended to incite and induce it to make harsher responses, particularly military escalation. Facing provocations from the US and its allies, DPRK will very likely continue to take actions in self-defense; once it did, the US and Japan would scream DPRK threats and demand the US Security Council to discuss Pyongyangs violation of relevant sanctions.

At that time, it would be natural for the US, ROK and Japan to consult and coordinate their stance. While Washington and Tokyo pretend concerns about and dissatisfaction with DPRKs responses, they are feeling satisfied at heart because their ruse has worked, and the conservative forces within ROK would ask Seoul to strengthen the security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo and stay in tune with them to cope with the DPRK threats.

The US will also take this opportunity to announce its intensified protection of ROK, even going so far as to demand an upgrade of the THAAD anti-missile system deployed in the country. Under the pressure of public opinions, the Moon Jae-in administration will further lose the initiative and position to seek dialogue with DPRK and will be cornered to a position where it has no choice but to cater to Washington and Tokyos demands. As a result, it will once again release wrong signals to DPRK, the South-North mutual trust will be further undermined, and the Korean peninsular peace process will become even farther out of reach.

The incumbent ROK government should be sober-minded about the current situation and not harbor too rosy expectations about the new US administration. In fact, the result of the US-ROK negotiations on defense expense sharing has already shown clearly that although different from Donald Trump in many ways, Joe Biden shares his predecessors view that American interests always come first. Whats changed is that Trump, the businessman, is shouting his America first slogan out aloud, making outrageous demands on allies outright, while Biden, the politician, is peddling coordination and collaboration with the allies, hiding his iron hand in a velvet glove. Seoul should remain calm and avoid being led astray by Washington. Otherwise, it will be the one to pay the piper when the peninsular situation deteriorates.

As a close neighbor to the Korean peninsula, China doesnt wish to see the tension in the region and supports the ROK government in pushing forward the peninsular peace process through peaceful coexistence and constructive dialogues.

(The author is director and professor with the Center for Korean Peninsula Studies (CKPS) at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.)

Editor's note: This article is originally published on huanqiu.com, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
Daily News has issued a public apology following an intended congratulatory message to President Samia Suluhu from State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) that went south.

The state corporation had intended to congratulate the newly sworn in President Suluhu but instead erroneously condoled with Tanzanians over her death.

"The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) joins fellow Tanzanians in mourning the death of H.E President Samia Suluhu Hassan for being sworn in as the 6th President of the United Republic of Tanzania," read an advert published in the paper on March 29.

In their apology, the publication owned by Tanzania Standard Newspapers Limited

noted the words, "mourning the death of H.E President Samia Suluhu Hassan," were inadvertently inserted instead of, "congratulating Her Excellency for being sworn in as the 6th President of the United Republic of Tanzania."

"We sincerely apologise to H.E President of the United Republic of Tanzania and highly regret for any inconvenience caused by this error," read part of the publication's apology.

Further they noted that the corrected version of the message would be published on March 30, with the error attracting the paper and the corporation to ridicule and wide criticism.

Stamico had on March 24 written to the publication requesting a quarter page to publish a condolence message and another quarter page to publish a congratulatory message.

"We would like the condolence advert to appear on March 25th while the congratulation advert should appear on March 29th respectively," said Stamico in their letter to the publication.
Countrys largest lender, State Bank of India, has raised $1 billion from Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to extend loans to supply chain of Japanese automobile industry in India.



signed a loan agreement with JBIC, taking the total facility to $2 billion. It has inked similar agreement for $1 billion in October 2020, said in a statement. Bank did not disclose terms of agreement including tenure and interest charged for loan facility.



The virtual signing ceremony event was held in the presence of Dinesh Khara, Chairman, along with senior executives of SBI, Hayashi Nobumitsu, Deputy Governor (JBIC) and Ayukawa Kenichi, CEO & MD of Maruti Suzuki.The loan is in the form of refinance against the funding support provided to the manufacturers, suppliers and dealers of Japanese automobiles in India. These businesses are recovering from reduced sales of automobiles due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The financing will assist the Government of Indias Make in India initiative.

Dinesh Khara, Chairman, SBI said: Covid 19 crisis has delivered a significant shock to global trade, disrupted production lines and depressed global demand. This collaboration (between SBI and JBIC) will help the bank in extending loan facility to entire supply chain at a time when people are preferring personal mode of transport.

JBIC is a policy-based financial institution, wholly owned by the Japanese government, with the objective of contributing to the sound development of Japan, the international economy and society.
Teresa Giudice's sizzling new beau Luis 'Louie' Ruelas is making his debut on The Real Housewives Of New Jersey.

Although he has not been on previous episodes Louie finally appeared in a new midseason trailer for the show that Bravo posted to Twitter this Tuesday.

During the trailer Teresa's 15-year-old daughter Milania said: 'I don't know, I feel like you're like in love with him,' prompting a coy smile from her mother.

Looking fab: Teresa Giudice's sizzling new beau Luis 'Louie' Ruelas is making his debut on The Real Housewives Of New Jersey

Smoldering heartthrob: Although he has not been on previous episodes Louie finally appeared in a new midseason trailer for the show that Bravo posted to Twitter this Tuesday

Fans only got a few brief glimpses of Teresa's sizzling boyfriend in the trailer as her co-stars were heard gossiping about him.

'What's the deal with Teresa? I hear all over she's got a new boyfriend,' said Dolores Catania's ex-boyfriend Frank.

In another scene Jackie Goldschneider, with whom Teresa has carried on a feud this season, asked: 'Why isn't she introducing anybody to this guy?'

Teresa has four daughters with her ex-husband and amicable co-parent Joe Giudice - Gia, 20, Gabriella, 17, Milania, 15, and Audriana, 12.

Family matters: During the trailer Teresa's 15-year-old daughter Milania said: 'I don't know, I feel like you're like in love with him,' prompting a coy smile from her mother

Sneak peek: Teresa's response to Milania's remark was not shown other than her smile

There he is: Fans only got a few brief glimpses of Teresa's sizzling boyfriend in the trailer as her co-stars were heard gossiping about him

They broke up at the end of 2019 after Joe moved back to his native Italy ahead of a legal decision on whether he would be deported there.

Teresa and Joe were both convicted of fraud and served back-to-back sentences so that one parent at a time could be at home with the children.

This season Teresa has been seen fighting bitterly with Jackie over a remark that was made about Gia, the only adult among the Giudice daughters.

The spat started when Teresa was on camera and repeated a rumor she had heard that Jackie's husband Evan was unfaithful.

Word on the street: 'What's the deal with Teresa? I hear all over she's got a new boyfriend,' said Dolores Catania's ex-boyfriend Frank

Mystery man: In another scene Jackie Goldschneider, with whom Teresa has carried on a feud this season, asked: 'Why isn't she introducing anybody to this guy?'

Jackie was furious that Teresa would air out the gossip and Teresa defended herself arguing: 'Like did you ever hear the saying, where there's smoke there's fire?'

Although Jackie kept asking Teresa to confess she spread 'a baseless rumor with absolutely no evidence,' Teresa insisted: 'I did not spread a rumor! I HEARD a rumor.'

Then Jackie shot back, as an example of an evidence-free allegation: 'Okay, well you know what? I heard that Gia snorts coke in the bathroom at parties, okay? I heard it. I don't know where I heard it from. I mean I heard it from somebody.'

Who's who: Teresa has four daughters with her ex-husband and amicable co-parent Joe Giudice - Gia, 20, Gabriella, 17, Milania, 15, and Audriana, 12

Teresa railed against Jackie for being a 'f***ing b****' and stormed out of the room calling the blonde a 'f***ing c***' as she went.

Jackie has since told DailyMailTV that Teresa 'just dislikes me. I think that she just will never like me. And I'm OK with that. I don't need everybody to like me and I think we're very different people. But I do think that she just really has it out for me.'

However she added: 'What I regret is that Gia felt hurt by it because that was not my intention and I never want to hurt somebody.'

Getting ready: Teresa could be seen in the trailer getting herself ready to go out
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deer Horn Capital Inc. (CSE: DHC, OTCBB: GODYF) (or Deer Horn) reports that a new tellurium recovery plant under construction by Rio Tinto in Utah points to growing tellurium demand for solar panels and other applications such as next-generation lithium-tellurium (Li-Te) batteries. The new plant will be part of Rio Tintos Kennecott copper mine near Salt Lake City.



A recent article in U.S. News & World Report notes that Rio Tinto is diving into the growing market for solar energy generation, which increased by 22% on a global scale in 2019. About 20% of U.S. electrical generation is from renewable energy, including solar.

Rio Tinto is investing $2.9 million to set up the plant, which will recover tellurium as a byproduct of copper smelting. The plant will have a capacity to produce approximately 20 tonnes of tellurium per year.

Most of the worlds tellurium is produced as a by-product of copper smelting. However, solar panel manufacturers such as First Solar Inc. and other end users have long sought primary sources of tellurium (rather than as a by-product) to help balance the supply chain and its dependence on copper refining.

A March 9, 2021 article in PV Magazine noted that First Solar is in talks with Rio Tinto to procure the tellurium at Kennecott for its cadmium telluride (CadTel) semiconductor processing in the United States.

Deer Horn President and CEO Tyrone Docherty stated: For several years, we have been in discussions with primary users of tellurium to potentially supply the metal from our Deer Horn property in north-central British Columbia. The signs are there that tellurium demand is growing, and they will continue to grow as the need for alternative energy and new green technology expands. Uses for tellurium are expanding, and research is ongoing worldwide to exploit its unique properties.

First Solar has described the Deer Horn property as one of the worlds most important primary tellurium properties, as Deer Horn hosts one of the worlds few NI 43-101 certified tellurium resources. Further exploration of the gold-silver-tellurium discovery is planned to expand and develop the project and bring it to production. A 2019 Preliminary Economic Assessment noted that the resource is open to depth and in two directions.

New tellurium projects are on Deer Horns radar. As reported in the Companys March 11, 2021 news release, Deer Horn recently acquired the Klondike tellurium-gold-silver property in south-central Colorado. Acquiring the Klondike project, with its unusually high surface grades of tellurium, was part of our strategy to lock up additional tellurium resources, said Docherty. We believe primary sources of tellurium like Klondike will become more attractive as demand for the metal ramps up.

About Deer Horn Capital

Deer Horn Capital is committed to exploring for, and providing, strategic and critical metals vital to a low-carbon economy and for the advancement of technology. The Companys leadership has a track record of project monetization with a board and advisory group that includes industry leaders in finance, mineral property development, geology, mineralogy, solar power, engineering, research and First Nations engagement and economic development.





On behalf of the board of directors of

Deer Horn Capital Inc.



Tyrone Docherty

Tyrone Docherty

President and CEO



For further information please contact:



Tyrone Docherty

604.789.5653

tyrone@deerhorncapital.ca





Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Companys control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated event.
- GBPEUR exchange rate edges higher to 1.17398.

- UK GDP prints higher at 1.3%

- EUR/GBP to test the key 0.8500 support this week say ING analysts.

Pound Euro Exchange Rate Heads Higher as UK GDP is Revised Up

The Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate rose by 0.2% today after the UKs GDP was revised up from 1% to 1.3% from October-December last year.

The previous week's session saw the Pound rally lift GBP/EUR from lows of around 1.16 to this week's open of 1.17.

The first trading day this week, GBP/EUR touched on a fresh yearly high.

The pairing is currently fluctuating around 1.17.

The latest UK growth data has had relatively little effect on the nations market mood, however, as the previous figure was a record low for the quarter.

Overall, the UK economy is now thought to have contracted by at least 9.8%, the worst year on record.

Jonathan Athow, ONSs deputy national statistician for economic statistics, commented on the report:

Our revised quarterly figures show the economy shrank a little more than previously estimated in the initial stages of the pandemic, before recovering slightly more strongly in the second half of last year.

In UK Covid-19 news, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that about half of people in the UK now have antibodies against the virus.

Daily cases of coronavirus in the UK also continue to fall, with cases presently at 4,040, thats down by -1,565 versus last week.

Consequently, Pound investors are becoming more hopeful that falling numbers of the coronavirus could bode well for the UKs economy in the coming months.

Euro (EUR) Exchange Rates Fall as Germanys Labour Market Shows Signs of Crisis

The Euro (EUR) struggled against the Pound (GBP) today following the publication of the latest German Unemployment Rate figure for March, which confirmed consensus and rose by 6%.

German Labour Office Chief Detlef Scheele commented:

We saw a noticeable spring recovery in March despite the rising (coronavirus) infections and the constraints for some areas of the economy. Overall, however, the labour market continues to show signs of the crisis that has lasted a year.

However, with Germany  the Eurozones powerhouse economy  facing a rising number of Covid-19 infections, Eurozone markets are remaining overwhelmingly cautious.

Today also saw the release of the Eurozones flash core Consumer Price Index for March, which fell below forecasts to 0.9%.

The year-on-year flash Eurozone CPI, however, rose by 1.3% this month.

Charlotte de Montpellier, an economist at ING, said she was not worried about the hike, commenting that it is an illustration of the recovery in activity, it is not worrying, because it is temporary.

The U.K. economy remained the hardest hit in the G7 by Covid-19 in Q4, with GDP 7.3% below its peak. This weakness *cannot* be attributed to how the ONS measures real government expenditure, which in Q4 actually rose 0.3% y/y. Instead, h'hold spending and exports are to blame: pic.twitter.com/YHvZABMBme  Samuel Tombs (@samueltombs) March 31, 2021

Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) Exchange Rate Forecast: UK Manufacturing PMI in Focus

Euro (EUR) traders will be awaiting tomorrows release of Germanys Retail Sales figure for February.

Any further signs of a struggling German economy, however, would drag down the Euro to Pound exchange rate.

Tomorrow will also see the release of the Eurozones final Markit Manufacturing PMI for March.

If the latest manufacturing data shows an improvement in the Eurozones economic performance, then we could see the single currency claw back some of its losses.

Pound (GBP) investors will be monitoring tomorrows publication of the UK Markit Manufacturing PMI for March.

Any indications that the UKs manufacturing sector is beginning to thrive would be GBP-positive.

The Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate could continue to head higher this week if the UKs Covid-19 infection rates continue to fall.
Identical twins who want to have babies with their shared boyfriend and get pregnant at the exact same time are starring in a new reality series about sisters who are too close for comfort.

Anna and Lucy DeCinque, 35, from Perth, Australia, are among the five sets of siblings who will be chronicling their lives on TLC's new show Extreme Sisters, which premieres on Sunday, April 25.

'We just think we are one person,' the DeCinque twins explained in the show's trailer, and they're not the only siblings who have taken their sisterly love to the next level.

Sisterly love: Identical twins Anna and Lucy DeCinque, 35, from Perth, Australia, are among the five sets of siblings who will be chronicling their lives on TLC's new show Extreme Sisters

Who's who? 'We just think we are one person,' the DeCinque twins explained in the trailer for the show, which premieres on Sunday, April 25

Identical: The sisters dress alike, eat the same foods, and do the same workouts, making it nearly impossible to tell them apart

One woman has her sister sleep in the same bed as her and her husband  even though he is uncomfortable with it  while another pair's obsessive bond led to them divorcing their husbands at the same time.

'Having a close knit family is something most people aspire to and at TLC, we love to explore relationships of all kinds,' said Howard Lee, president of TLC streaming and network originals.

'In Extreme Sisters, we will introduce sets of inseparable sisters whose bonds are raw, honest, and perhaps a little unconventional. Their sibling kinship brings the meaning of sisterhood to a whole other level!'

Now that's close: Anna and Lucy even have a shared boyfriend, Ben, 40, who sleeps between them in bed

You do you: 'There's not jealousy in this relationship,' Lucy said. 'Like if Ben kisses Anna, he'll kiss me straight after'

Extreme: The twins want to become mothers, and, unsurprisingly, they each want to get pregnant with Ben's baby at the same time

Anna and Lucy

Anna and Lucy have been dubbed 'the most identical in the world,' and for good reason. The sisters dress alike, eat the same foods, and do the same workouts, making it nearly impossible to tell them apart.

The sisters literally do everything together, including showering, going to the bathroom, and sharing a bed.

Anna and Lucy even have a joint boyfriend, Ben, 40, who sleeps between them.

'Sharing a boyfriend for us means we get to be together all the time,' they explained, but they can't officially marry him because polygamy is banned under the Australian Marriage Act 1961.

'There's not jealousy in this relationship,' Lucy said. 'Like if Ben kisses Anna, he'll kiss me straight after.'

The twins now want to become mothers, and, unsurprisingly, they each want to get pregnant with Ben's baby at the same time.

Like twins: Sisters Brooke and Baylee share the same first name  Candace  and their full monikers are actually Candace-Brooke and Candace-Baylee

No boundaries: The sisters grew up sleeping in the same bed, and they continue to do so, even though Brooke's husband is uncomfortable with it.

Inseparable: Brooke and Baylee shower together, pop each other's pimples, and share almost everything, including razors, toothbrushes, and underwear

Brooke and Baylee

Brooke and Baylee aren't twins, but they might as well be. They both share the same first name  Candace  and their full monikers are actually Candace-Brooke and Candace-Baylee.

The tradition has even been passed down to Brooke's daughter, who is named Candace-Ace.

The sisters grew up sleeping in the same bed, and they continue to do so, even though Brooke's husband is uncomfortable with it.

'We shared the same room. We were always together,' Brooke explained, while Baylee added: 'And we always slept in the same bed.'

When a producer asked what age they stopped sharing a bed, Baylee replied: 'We're still doing it.'

They also shower together, pop each other's pimples, and share almost everything, including razors, toothbrushes, and underwear  but only if it's clean.

While they enjoy their arrangement, Brooke's husband does not.

'Her welcome has been overstayed,' he told his wife during filming.

'I don't want to have to choose between my husband or my little sister,' she hit back.

Quaternary marriage: Identical twins Brittany and Briana Deane, 33, are married to identical twin brothers Josh and Jeremy Salyers, and they all share a home together

Attention to detail: The sisters still dress alike as adults, and everything has to look the same, including their hair

Happy family: The twins even got pregnant around the same time. Brittany welcomed her son, Jett, in January, while Briana is now in her last trimester

Brittany and Briana

Identical twins Brittany and Briana Deane not only dress alike, but they are also married to identical twin brothers Josh and Jeremy Salyers, a rare occurrence known as a quaternary marriage.

The sisters had a fairytale double-wedding, wearing matching gowns, of course, and now share a home in Virginia with their spouses.

Growing up, Brittany and Briana always wanted to start their families at the same time, and they achieved their goal by getting pregnant just months apart.

Josh, 35, and Brittany, 33, welcomed their son, Jett, in January, while Briana is now in her last trimester.

The twin couples consider themselves to be moms and dads to both Jett and their future baby, who will likely grow up like siblings.

'The four of us are meant to be together,' one of the Deane twins explained in the show's trailer.

That's something: Jessica and Christina and have led parallel lives, getting married, pregnant, and even divorced at the same time

Is that healthy? The sisters believe they are each other's soulmates, and their obsessive relationship is why both of their marriages are ended

Whatever works: Christina had no problem going using the bathroom while her sister Jessica was taking a relaxing bath

Christina and Jessica

Christina and Jessica have led parallel lives, getting married, pregnant, and even divorced at the same time. The sisters believe they are each other's soulmates, and their obsessive relationship is why both of their marriages are ended.

'Their relationship is far from normal,' Jessica's ex said, adding: 'It's why we're divorced.'

In the trailer, Christina and Jessica can be seen naked in the woods while doing what appeared to be a meditation ritual of sorts. Another scene showed Christina going to the bathroom while Jessica was taking a relaxing bath.

'Oh my God, you're pooping aren't you?' Jessica asked, prompting Christina to start laughing.

The single moms live just 0.2 miles apart and are raising their children together. They feel physically sick when they are apart, and they even have a code word for each other that means they need to drop everything to be by each other's side.

'There will never be a relationship like the one I have with my sister,' Jessica said, but if the trailer is any indication, Christina's new boyfriend has come between them.

'My sister changed the minute she started dating John,' Jessica griped.

Look of love: Patrix and Patrica have always been each other's greatest protectors

Right hand: Patrica was born with a third of her fingers missing on her right hand, and her sister helps her with everyday tasks

Hard to handle: 'I can never ever get alone time with my wife,' admitted Patrica's husband, who sits in the backseat when the sisters are together

Patrix and Patrica

Patrix and Patrica have always been each other's greatest protectors. Patrica was born with a third of her fingers missing on her right hand, and her sister has been by her side through thick and thin.

Patrix has helped her stand up to bullies and also do the everyday tasks that require a fully formed hand, including cutting nails, shaving, and applying makeup.

While Patrix has her own apartment, she hardly ever uses it. Instead, she spends most of her time with her sister and brother-in-law.

'I can never ever get alone time with my wife,' Patrica's husband admitted.

He even has to sit in the back seat of the car when his wife and sister-in-law are together.

In the trailer, Patrica can be seen telling her husband that she isn't sure how Patrix is going to react to something, explaining: 'We are a team.'

'We're a team,' her husband hit back.
Transforming Government Website Into Self-Service Powerhouse

Singapore is a global financial hub with a multicultural population of 5.7 million. Its Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is the government agency dedicated to supporting a productive workforce and progressive workplaces for Singaporeans to have better jobs and secure retirement.

The MOM website provides answers to their questions, ranging from work pass application procedures to policies on workforce and workplaces. With more than 84 million page views and 28 million visits a year, its one of Singapores busiest government websites.

Read this case study to learn more.
A year ago, when the mushrooming coronavirus pandemic was new and frightening, Gov. Andrew Cuomo comforted New Yorkers by saying we were all in the same boat and would get through the crisis together.

I dont care how famous, how smart, how rich, how powerful you think you are, he said during his daily briefing on March 31, 2020. I dont care how young, how old. The virus is the great equalizer.

But not all New Yorkers turned out to be equal when it came to testing.

As the Times Union reported last week, Mr. Cuomo directed high-level Department of Health officials to prioritize testing for members of his family and other friends of the administration.

At a time when COVID-19 tests were in scarce supply and desperately needed by nurses, supermarket workers, nursing home staffers and others on the front line of the crisis  Mr. Cuomos VIPs not only received tests but had their samples rushed by state troopers to the Wadsworth Center laboratory in Albany, where they were placed at the head of the line.

While less-influential New Yorkers often waited weeks for tests and results, if not longer, Mr. Cuomos preferred group got their results within hours. And in some cases, the preferential system apparently involved extraordinary and outrageous wastes of public resources.

For example, The Washington Post reports that Eleanor Adams, a top-level Health Department physician who was coordinating testing issues for nursing homes and other high-risk settings, was dispatched multiple times to the Hamptons home of Chris Cuomo, the CNN anchor who is also the governors brother. The visits sometimes took hours.

Think about that. A state health official, paid by taxpayers, who should have been spending her every working moment on the fight to protect one of New Yorks most threatened populations, was instead catering to the privileged brother of the governor. The audacity is astounding.

Others among the hundreds who reportedly received preferential testing include Matilda Cuomo, the governors mother; fashion designer Kenneth Cole, the governors brother-in-law; and Regeneron head George Yancopoulos, an executive with long-standing ties to the Cuomo administration.

Mr. Cuomo apparently needs a reminder that he and his family are not royalty. His position does not entitle his relatives and friends to preferential treatment on the public dime. Health officials employed by the state for vital tasks are not his familys personal caretakers.

Well also remind Mr. Cuomo of the state Public Officers Law, which states that a government official must not use or attempt to use his or her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself or herself or others.

The Assembly was right to add the preferential testing scheme to the long list of items being investigated in an impeachment inquiry. This one shouldnt get lost in the scrum. At the height of an intense public health crisis, Mr. Cuomo violated principles of fairness and equity by putting his friends and family ahead of everybody else, including the most vulnerable. It was both a likely violation of the law, and a failed test of character.

For a governor entrusted with safeguarding all New Yorkers, it doesnt get much worse than that.
As more people get vaccinated and states begin to roll back some of the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic  schools, agencies and workplaces are working on a plan on how to safely return to normal.
Maputo  Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday called on Mozambicans to remain calm and not to "lose focus" in response to the islamist terror attack against the town of Palma, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

Jihadists linked to the self-styled "Islamic State" attacked Palma a week ago. Fighting has continued sporadically since then, and the Mozambican defence and security forces claim to hold most of the town.

The civilian population of Palma has, however, largely fled. Some have made their way by sea or by air to the provincial capital, Pemba, others to relatively safe towns such as Nangade or to the Tanzanian border.

Speaking at the resort of Ponta de Ouro, on the border with the South African province of Kwazulu-Natal, where he was opening a new delegation of the National Social Security Institute (INSS), Nyusi, in his first public remarks about the attack, said that, although it was not necessarily the largest raid in Cabo Delgado, it took on particular importance because of Palma's proximity to major foreign investments.

He was referring to the construction of natural gas liquefaction plants by a consortium headed by the French oil and gas company Total in the Afungi Peninsula, about 15 kilometres from Palma town.

"My appeal is simple. Let us not lose focus, let's not become flustered", he urged, "let's deal with the enemy as we have been dealing, let's deal with the enemy forcefully, as our defence and security forces are doing. Lack of concentration is what our internal and external enemies want".

Cited by the independent television station STV, Nyusi declared "we must concentrate and advance".

He assured his audience "we have been following, second by second, what our young people on the ground (i.e. members of the armed forces) have been doing".
New Delhi:

In the famous Nabha jailbreak case of Punjab, a senior police officer has been charged for taking bribe and releasing an accused after arrest.

An IG level IPS officer of STF has been charged for taking bribe of Rs 45 lakh to release the mastermind of jailbreak Gurpreemat Singh alias Gopi Ghanshyam Pura.

Yogi Adityanath government has constituted a committee to investigate the matter. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has called an emergency meeting after the corruption charges.

The Directorate General of Police and Principal Secretary are present in the meeting called by Yogi Adityanath. According to sources, the audio tape of officer taking bribe is also available to the Chief Minister.

It is to be noted that more than a dozen armed men attacked Nabha jail and released six dreaded criminals last year. The prisoners who were released also included terrorists. More than 25 people have been arrested so far in the case.

Gopi Ghanshyam Pura was arrested in Lucknow last week. One of the six prisoners who fled Nabha jail, Harjinder Singh Bhullar had posted the news of Gopis arrest on his Facebook.

After seeing Harjinders post, Punjab police had talked to Uttar Pradesh police. UP police denied any such arrest.

According to Punjab police, Gopis last location was near Shahjahanpur. Then, Punjab police got information that senior officer released him after taking bribe of Rs 45 lakh.

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Following the completion of a new resource estimate, expected in the June quarter, mine optimisation and design work will be completed for generation of a maiden ore reserve as part of the consolidated feasibility study.

Crake is one of five core satellite gold projects being advanced to complement the baseload Boorara Gold Project.

s ( ) recent drilling has demonstrated strong continuity and grade along a 600-metre strike at Crake Gold Project west of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia with bonanza grade results of up to 1-metre at 67.9 g/t gold.

This assay within 2 metres at 37.9 g/t from 13 metres is just one of a number of strong results from the infill and extension drilling program, which comprised 51 reverse circulation (RC) and three diamond holes for 5,043 metres to a maximum depth of 174 metres.

Other notable results include:

24 metres at 4.9 g/t gold from 32 metres, including 1-metre at 57.2 g/t gold from 36 metres;

12 metres at 6.7 g/t from 6 metres;

4 metres at 14.9 g/t from 53 metres, including 1-metre at 56.2 g/t;

6 metres at 2.0 g/t from 20 metres, 4 metres at 6.7 g/t from 44 metres including 1-metre at 24.0 g/t from 44m and 2 metres at 2.3 g/t from 91 metres;

5 metres at 2.9 g/t from 69 metres, 3 metres at 1.6 g/t from 83 metres and 6 metres at 3.6 g/t from 36 metres; and

2 metres at 2.2 g/t from 46 metres, 2 metres at 3.2 g/t from 60 metres, 14 metres at 1.8 g/t from 71 metres and 11 metres at 2.6 g/t from 91 metres.

Demonstrate potential scale and quality

Managing director Jon Price said: These latest spectacular drilling results continue to demonstrate the potential scale and quality of Crake and the entire Binduli project area.

We now look forward to releasing the updated resource and completing the reserve generation work which we expect to confirm Crake as a valuable high-grade satellite ore source to complement the baseload Boorara deposit.

The program has also intersected several new stacked shoots to the northwest and these will be followed up in the next drilling round.

All data is now being compiled to generate an updated independent resource model for Crake expected for completion in the June quarter.

Mine optimisation, design and economic modelling will then be updated for maiden ore reserve generation as part of the consolidated feasibility study.

Satellite projects

Crake is one of five core satellite gold projects being advanced to complement the baseload Boorara Gold Project as part of a consolidated feasibility study to deliver a minimum initial five-year mine plan and underpin the establishment of a standalone processing facility at the Boorara mine site.

The geology at Crake is similar to the 390,000-ounce Janet Ivy open pit, around 1,500 metres to the south where the gold is hosted in a structurally controlled feldspar porphyry.

At the nearby Fort William and Fort Scott open pits, where over 100,000 ounces have been produced to date, gold is hosted within sheared units of volcanics and clastic sediments.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The new head of The Right Place says West Michigans economy is well positioned to rebound from the economic challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Randy Thelen, who took over as president and CEO of the Grand Rapids-based economic development group earlier this month, said the global health crisis has created challenges. However, he said the regions economy has already seen a strong recovery since March 2020, and he sees reason for optimism moving forward now that distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine scaling up.

I think its a unique moment, Thelen said. The recession has hit every market in the country pretty equally and so those regions that have strong leadership and have a strong vision, they have a chance to really catapult forward coming out of this moment, and I think were poised to do that here.

Thelen replaced Birgit Klohs, who retired at the end of January after spending more than three decades at The Right Place.

He has worked in the economic development industry for 25 years, and previously served as senior vice president of economic development at the Downtown Denver Partnership. Prior to that, he was president of Lakeshore Advantage, an economic development group serving Ottawa and Allegan counties.

The Right Place provides businesses with a variety of services, ranging from accessing tax incentives and navigating local ordinances to acquiring personal protective gear for workers. The nonprofit serves businesses in Kent, Newaygo, Montcalm, Oceana, Barry and Lake counties.

Moving forward this year, Thelen said The Right Place will focus on its three pillars of people, place and prosperity.

Challenges in those areas include ensuring that people who lost jobs or left their place of employment voluntarily during the pandemic can transition back into the workforce.

It also includes restoring any lost momentum, due to the pandemic, in making West Michigan a vibrant place where people want to live and work, Thelen said. Lastly, it means continuing The Right Places work of business retention and attraction.

Thelen said we should be excited by the progress made in those areas but not satisfied.

We still certainly have more work ahead of us if we want to come out of this the thriving dynamic market that we went into the pandemic with, he said. We need to continue to work together as a community and certainly here at The Right Place to make sure that happens.

The unemployment rate for the Grand Rapids-Wyoming metropolitan statistical area was 5.5 percent in January 2021, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Thats down from a high of 21.5 percent in April 2020, after state restrictions temporarily shut down broad swaths of the economy in response to the pandemic went into effect. The Grand Rapids-Wyoming metropolitan statistical area includes Kent, Barry, Montcalm and Ottawa counties.

Challenges caused by the pandemic could be seen in The Right Places performance in 2020.

The organization reported that it assisted employers with projects that created or retained 953 jobs and made $105.6 million in capital investment in 2020.

That was down from 2019, when The Right Place reported that it assisted employers who created or retained 1,591 jobs and made $239.6 million in capital investment.

Looking forward, Thelen said he expects 2021 will be a better year for business expansion projects.

Over the last year, select few businesses made big decisions in the midst of a global pandemic as you would imagine, he said. Now as we get into 2021, vaccination rates are really accelerating and we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, companies now are starting to be more confidant in making bigger investment decisions and making bigger strategic decisions.

Other challenges the region is confronting is a reduction in the labor force and ensuring equitable job and business ownership opportunities for people of color.

The U.S. labor force has shrunk during the pandemic in West Michigan and beyond, and Thelen said women have been disproportionately affected by the decline.

We have every opportunity from a jobs standpoint for people to return to the labor force, he said. Its a matter of when do daycares open, when do schools open, and when do we all feel safe and comfortable doing so  and were getting close, obviously, with the vaccination.

Federal data show there were 580,283 people in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming metro area workforce in January 2020 prior to the pandemic. That number fell to 565,133 in January, data show.

On the issue of diversity and inclusion, Thelen said West Michigan is underperforming in terms of business startup and ownership opportunities for people of color.

He said theres efforts in the region to help change that, pointing to a recently launched investment fund serving minority-owned businesses. He also said The Right Place has created a business directory featuring diverse business owners for people who want to expand their supply chain.

Read more:

COVID-19-related reasons no longer acceptable to get Michigan unemployment

Pfizer breaks ground on $450 million expansion in Portage

Michigan communities anxiously await rules for spending billions in stimulus funds
North Augusta, SC (29841)

Today

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy overnight with a few showers. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
(Nikkei Asia)  There was a time when Japan, like China today, was the rising power in the East that kept military planners in the West awake at night.

It is very certain that no other nation at the present time is spending so large a part of its revenue on naval preparations, military author Hector Bywater wrote in the 1921 book Sea-Power in the Pacific  A Study of the American-Japanese Naval Problem.

But Japan had a critical weakness: a lack of steel.

Since the close of the Great War, shipbuilding in Japan has been seriously hampered by the difficulty of obtaining steel, Bywater observed in his book, which accurately predicted a naval conflict between Imperial Japan and the U.S. two decades later.

Japan had imported large quantities of American steel under a special agreement between the two governments prior to 1917, when the U.S. imposed a steel embargo that stemmed the flow to the Asian country.

So serious has the shortage become of late that the output of tonnage in Japan during 1920 was 25% short of the forecast of 800,000 tons which had been made in January of that year, Bywater wrote. This scarcity of steel reacted on the naval program, delaying the launch and completion of ships.

Chinese state planners looking to learn from history would quickly notice that the glaring vulnerability for Beijing today is its dependence on iron ore from Australia. While Beijing has tried to squeeze and punish Canberra for proposing an international investigation into the roots of Covid-19, it has been unable to wrestle itself away from Australian iron ore, which accounts for over 60% of Chinas imports.

As Australia deepens its connection to the Quad grouping with the U.S., Japan and India, forming a de facto anti-China tag team in the Indo-Pacific, Beijing has found it increasingly uncomfortable to depend so much on Canberra for iron ore  the basic material behind its own military buildup.

But that dependence may very well change by 2025, says Peter OConnor, senior analyst of metals and mining at Australian investment firm Shaw and Partners.

They are very serious about diversifying supply and flattening the cost curve of iron ore, OConnor told Nikkei Asia.

The top focus for Chinas diversification push is Guinea, an impoverished but mineral rich country in West Africa, OConnor said. A 110 kilometer range of hills called Simandou is said to hold the worlds largest reserve of untapped high-quality iron ore.

Commodity watchers have known of Guineas potential for many years, but the lack of infrastructure has hamstrung such development efforts. A roughly 650 kilometer railroad would need to be built from scratch, as well as a modern port from which the iron ore would be shipped.

Cost calculations have always discouraged potential entrants, such as Rio Tinto. But Beijing has more incentive to carry out the project than mere return on investment calculations, as China needs to avoid the fate of Japan in the early 20th century.

Infrastructure is a function of time, money, the willingness to invest and, more importantly, the capability, OConnor said.

China is building railroads around the globe through its Belt and Road Initiative and has no shortage of experience.

But what about the funding?

China currently buys 1 billion to 1.1 billion tons of iron ore yearly from third parties, OConnor said.

For every $1 the Chinese can lower the long-term iron ore price ... thats $1 per ton times a billion, so a billion dollars of saving per year, he said. Its not just about diversity, its about lowering the price. Its not about the return on equity or return on capital of the actual investment, its more about the benefit of the longer-term structure of the price.

The long-term trajectory envisions the price of iron ore dropping to around $60 per ton from around $160 currently, according to market views.

Read More

Cover Story: Stalled Guinea Project Highlights Chinas Struggle to Reforge Iron Ore Supply Chain

The project to develop Simandou has been split into four blocks, and China holds either a direct or indirect stake in every one of them. The area holds an estimated 2.4 billion tons of ore graded at over 65.5%.

Extraction of Simandous iron ore reserves would transform the global market and catapult Guinea into an iron ore export powerhouse alongside Australia and Brazil, Lauren Johnston, a research associate at the SOAS China Institute of the University of London, told Nikkei.

If China unlocks Simandous reserves and drives a drop in international iron ore prices, it could see selective commodity markets increasingly driven by intra-developing country dynamics, Johnston said.

China would find such waters easier to navigate than having to do business with Quad member Australia.

Guinea is this years chair of the Group of 77 plus China at the United Nations, a grouping of 134 developing countries that form a large voting bloc China can depend on. Guinea has actively made statements on behalf of the group since assuming the chairmanship in January.

Johnston predicted that China would be pleased if progress on Simandou were achieved ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to be held in neighboring Senegal this year, the first time the Beijing-led gathering  held every three years  will be hosted by a West African country.

As if to reflect Beijings determination to see this project through, China was quick to congratulate Guinean President Alpha Conde on his reelection in October, despite accusations from the opposition of fraud. The election came after Conde altered the constitution, letting him run for a third term.

On March 4, the first batch of China-donated Covid-19 inoculations arrived in Conakry, Guineas capital, making the nation one of the first to receive vaccine assistance from China. Foreign Minister Ibrahima Khalil Kaba was at the airport to receive the gift, with Chinese Ambassador Huang Wei by his side.

I believe that with the support of China, Guinea will surely overcome the epidemic, Kaba said, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The website of the Chinese Embassy in Conakry shows that Huang is a regular visitor to Kabas office.

Its not a coincidence, OConnor said. China is preparing the pathway to develop Simandou, with an expeditious 2025 timetable, he said. That would seem stretched if youre talking about a Western producer in Australia or Brazil, but its entirely plausible that China could be producing in that time frame.

This article was originally published by Nikkei Asia

Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)

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We'll keep up every effort for Regeni, Zaki - Italian FM Get truth about Cambridge student's murder, free Bologna student

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MARCH 31 - Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday that Italy would never give up seeking the truth about the "barbaric slaying" of Italian student Giulio Regeni in Cairo in early 2016 and would also keep up "all efforts" to see that Bologna University Egyptian student Patrick Zaki is released.



In a statement to the Senate on the foreign ministry's agenda, Di Maio added that "at the same time it is however important to keep open with Cairo also a channel of dialogue on the fundamental questions for the stability of the Mediterranean, such as for example Libya and energy security".



On January 25, the fifth anniversary of Regeni's disappearance on the Cairo metro, President Sergio Mattarella demanded a response from Egypt over the Friuli-born student's torture and murder.



The brutalised body of the Cambridge University doctoral researcher into Egyptian street unions was found a week later, on February 3, 2016.



He had been tortured so badly his mother said she only recognised him by the tip of his nose.



Rome prosecutors have requested that four members of Egypt's security services face trial in relation to the case.



Postgraduate student Zaki has been held on charges of inciting protests in Egypt since February 7 last year.(ANSAmed). (ANSA).




A bank branch manager has pleaded guilty to stealing or attempting to steal more than $560,000 from a New Hampshire bank, instructing employees to open accounts in the name of deceased customers, and withdrawing money from them.

According to court document and statements, Kazi Pervez, 41, of Methuen, Massachusetts, took money from the accounts that exceeded the balances at the Santander Bank branch in Salem from 2016-2017 and used his authority to authorize overdrafts. Prosecutors also said Pervez identified inactive accounts of deceased customers and transferred money from them to accounts that he controlled.

Pervez, who pleaded guilty Monday as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 5.

A message seeking comment was left with his attorney.
Jessica Marais has posted another touching tribute to her late mother.

The Love Child star, 36, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a heartbreaking post about her mum, Karen, who died last year.

'Mum, I feel you everywhere and I miss you every day,' the actress wrote alongside a beachside photo of a glorious sunset.

Tribute: Jessica Marais, 36, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a heartbreaking post about her mother, Karen, who died last year

Jessica returned to Instagram in January, after 21 weeks of silence on the platform.

The post came five months after Karen's death in August.

In that tribute, the Packed to the Rafters star shared a childhood photo of herself with her mother and sister at the beach.

The star's family has experienced a lot of tragedy, as Jessica was just nine years old when she watched her father, university dean Tony Marais, die of a heart attack.

Bond: Jessica returned to Instagram in January, after 21 weeks of silence on the platform. Pictured here with mother, Karen, at the 2011 Logie Awards

In August, Jessica's friend and Packed to the Rafters co-star Hugh Sheridan confirmed her mother's death on his Instagram page.

'I'm grieving for my dearest and sweetest friend, who has now lost both of her parents far too young,' he wrote at the time.

Actor Hugh, who has known Jessica since their university days, shared his memories of Karen and said how proud she was of her daughter.

Family: Jessica is pictured as a child with her mother and sister at the beach

'We've helped each other through our lives changing in so many ways. Our wins and highs met extreme lows sometimes, but we always made it through,' he wrote.

'I can't tell you how s**t I feel knowing I can't hug you right now. To have distance between us when I want to be with you,' added Hugh, who was living in Los Angeles at the time.

'I love you, Jess. I'll be back very soon and I will hug you for a very long time (after I get lot of quarantine).'

Strong: The star's family has experienced a lot of tragedy, as Jessica was just nine years old when she watched her father, university dean Tony Marais, die of a heart attack

Jessica and Hugh made a name for themselves by starring in the hit Channel Seven drama Packed to the Rafters, which premiered in 2008.

However, Jessica has stepped away from the upcoming Amazon reboot of the show, titled Back to the Rafters, for 'personal reasons'.

Actress Georgina Haig will assume the role of Rachel Rafter in the new series.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







IronRidge Resources Ltd - Australia-based minerals exploration company - Reports additional high-grade drill intersections at the Zaranou project in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. The license borders with Ghana and is along strike from operating gold mines, including Chirano, Bibiani and Ahafo. Says significant mineralisation potential confirmed at the Mbasso target in initial aircore results, as well as in ongoing results received at the Ehuasso and Yakasse targets.







Hummingbird Resources PLC - UK-based gold ore mining company - Reports internal mineral resource estimate update for Yanfolila mine in Mali. Says a total of 255,600 ounces of gold were discovered during the USD5 million 2020 exploration programme across three key deposits. The 2021 exploration budget has been doubled, to USD10 million, and will focus on the three key deposits and greenfield targets. Total project mineral resources as at the end of 2020 are 1.9 million ounces of gold compared with 2.0 million ounces of gold published in March 2019. "The focus in 2021 will be more towards increasing resources as opposed to infill drilling," says Chief Executive Dan Betts.







Union Jack Oil PLC - UK focused onshore hydrocarbon production, development and exploration company - and Reabold Resources PLC - investor in upstream oil & gas projects - Provide update on future planned test programmes at West Newton, onshore UK, north of the river Humber. Union Jack and Reabold each hold about 17% stake in the licence. Note that the operator of PEDL183, Rathlin Energy (UK) Ltd, applied to vary the West Newton B Wellsite permit and has received a draft of the varied permit from the environmental agency that will accommodate completion, well clean-up, and extended well test operations. Therefore, the first phase of the evaluation programme on the WNB-1Z discovery well is planned to start in April.







Power Metal Resources PLC - UK-based metal exploration and development company - Reports an exploration update at the Kalahari Key Mineral Exploration Pty Ltd Molopo Farms complex project, which is targeting prospective massive nickel sulphide and platinum-group element mineralisation in Botswana. The company says selected quarter core samples were sent to the geology department of the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for thin section mineralogical analysis. Nickel sulphides have been identified in three core samples containing visible sulphide grains taken from the drill hole KKME 1-6. "The confirmation of nickel sulphides in the core from drill hole KKME 1-6 is a very positive outcome and adds yet more weight to the geological proposition being tested at the Molopo Farms complex project," says Chief Executive Paul Johnson.







Trident Royalties PLC - UK-based mining royalty and streaming company - Says all pre-conditions to the Talga gold royalty package acquisition have now been satisfied, and completion will occur automatically on admission of the consideration shares. In August 2020, the company agreed to acquire a package of existing gold royalties covering four projects located in the Pilbara and Yilgarn regions of Western Australia. The royalty package was acquired for AUD800,000, about GBP443,301, of which AUD250,000 was payable in cash and AUD550,000 to be satisfied by the issue of 848,059 new shares at 35.98 pence each. Trident closed at 36.00p on Tuesday.







Symphony Environmental Technologies PLC - UK-based plastic technologies provider - Reports conclusion of five-year Oxomar study, sponsored by the French Agence National de Recherche. The company says the study provides it with further scientific data on the performance of d2w technology in the oceans. The study had a multidisciplinary approach, including physics, chemistry, and biology. It shows that d2w technology is non-toxic to marine creatures. The study also has proved that plastic biodegradation processes observed in laboratory conditions are transferable to real life marine conditions. Chief Executive Michael Laurier says: "No government can now be in any doubt that oxo-biodegradable plastic (as distinct from oxo-degradable plastic) does properly biodegrade in the open environment, and is not toxic."







RUA Life Sciences PLC - AIM-listed company which invests in medical device businesses - Reports recent progress at its subsidiary RUA Vascular, which is developing Elast-Eon sealed vascular grafts and cardiac/vascular patches. The company says it is experiencing delays from packaging suppliers due to coronavirus, which has hurt the timetable for sterilisation and product shelf-life validation testing. Despite this, RUA says it remains on target to submit the 510k during the second quarter of 2021, which is expected to be towards the end of the quarter, and is continuing to manage all residual risks to avoid any further slippage to project timelines. This 510k process is a regulatory path to market medical devices "that does not raise new questions regarding safety or effectiveness". Chair Bill Brown says: "The grafts look to have performed as anticipated and we look forward to completing the regulatory submission in late Q2 which will be a significant milestone for RUA."







Helios Underwriting PLC - UK-based insurer - Closes open offer, receiving acceptances for 829,262 shares, which includes applications received under the excess application facility. The open offer has raised GBP1.3 million for the company.







By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
New Delhi, March 31 : From strengthening booth management to knocking on every door in each constituency: these are just some of the steps taken by the BJP in its bid to win the maximum number of seats in the second phase of the Assam Assembly polls to be held on Thursday.

Polling will be held on 39 seats in the second phase of Assam assembly elections on April 1.

In the last assembly election in Assam, the BJP had won 22 out of 39 seats in the areas where voting will be held in the second phase.

Talking about the party strategy, a senior BJP leader said the focus is on booth management, reaching out to every voter explaining the development carried out by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the Sarbanand Sonawal government in state.

"Several rounds of booth level meetings have been held by senior leaders including those from other parts of the country," he said.

The BJP has formed committees at almost all the polling stations and appointed 'panna pramukh' (in-charge for one page of voter list).

"We have structured organisation at booth and Shakti Kendra (cluster of booth). Panna Pramukhs also worked minutely to ensure victory of our candidates. Tomorrow they will ensure that maximum number of people come out to use their franchise," a BJP leader said.

Another leader said that booth workers have reached out to every household with the developmental agenda of the BJP under Prime Minister Modi.

"We are telling about the infrastructure projected executed, strengthening of health and education infrastructure, works done to empower women and others welfare initiatives," he said.

During the campaign, the BJP has organised a huge number of small corner meetings in Assam's constituencies.

For instance, in the Nalbari Assembly constituency, the BJP held more than 100 small corner meetings."We organised about 180 small and corner meeting in the Nalbari to reach voters across the constituency," Manish Singh a party leader from Delhi who in Nalbari, said.

Singh claimed getting huge support from women voters. "Lots of women are voluntarily coming in support of the BJP as they feel that the Modi government is committed to their welfare," he said.

Another BJP leader said that similarly large number of small or corner meetings have been held in all the constituencies going for polls in second phase in Assam.

Polling for second phase of Assam assembly polls will be held in Barak Valley, the three hill districts of East Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, central Assam's Hojai, Nagaon and Morigaon districts and some parts of lower Assam.

Confident of doing well, a senior saffron party leader said that the BJP is not facing any challenge from the Congress-led alliance in the region and will improve its tally by winning the maximum seats in the second phase.
The potential ability for the high humidity levels of the human skin to be harvested by battery ink cells and the need for a less bulky and flexible power source make the electronic skin patch sector a natural fit for the battery ink technology.

The size of the battery ink cells was reduced four times to 25 square millimetres.

( ) has fabricated a prototype battery pack with 20 scaled-down connected battery ink cells, which successfully produced a 14-volt output solely by harvesting moisture from the air.

The size of the battery ink cells was reduced from 1 square centimetre in previous work to 25 square millimetres, achieving a four-times reduction.

It has demonstrated the important potential for the self-charging battery ink cells to be scaled down in size but more batteries can be assembled in the same space, leading to increased density and power output.

Self-charging battery ink technology

The battery ink technology differs significantly from current battery technologies that generally use a small number of alkaline or lithium battery cells to power electronics.

Battery ink is being designed to be printed into a battery pack of a larger number of connected battery cells.

The ability to potentially scale battery ink cells is a significant advantage as more batteries can be assembled in the same space, leading to increased density of power output.

A similar development pathway occurred in computer chips, where greater performance has been achieved by scaling smaller memory cells.

Printed electronics

The battery ink cells are designed to be printed, which has the advantage of:

Enabling the batteries to be manufactured outside of billion-dollar manufacturing facilities (such as lithium);

Fabricating light, thin and flexible batteries; and

Simplifying production and reduce costs.

Screen printing is a mature manufacturing technology widely used in many commercial electronic devices.

Silver inks are widely used to print electrodes used in sensors and are able to be screen printed down to a small feature size of 1mm in width, providing great promise for the battery ink cells to be substantially scaled-down.

Market relevance

The potential ability for the high humidity levels of the human skin to be harvested by battery ink cells and the need for a less bulky and flexible power source make the electronic skin patch sector a natural fit for the Battery ink technology.

Increasing the power output and the scaling down in size also provides strong benefits to design freedom for applications that can be powered.

Battery ink geometry is able to be tailored to utilise available space, unlike traditional bulky batteries, which have forced the product to be designed to accommodate them. This is particularly relevant to the devices that are attached to the human body.

SOR is focusing on applications in this sector initially, with a view to expand into other areas.

The initial market focus is on wearables and IoT related devices such as cosmetic, pressure, environmental and health (eg diabetes or cardiovascular monitoring) as they have lower energy output requirements.

Higher performance applications will include development of a capacitor for energy storage/regulation and will be focused on at a later date.

Skilled team and collaboration

The battery ink is being developed by integrating significant existing ink formulation and printed electronics intellectual property from the companys Nanocube Memory Ink technology with an advanced graphene oxide material.

Development is being conducted under an Australian Research Council part-funded collaboration with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the CSIRO.

The group at UNSW has developed deep experience in printed electronic inks, energy harvesting and storage over the past nine years and are applying that experience in development of the battery ink technology.

Hybrid electric generator

The technology is being designed to be a hybrid electric generator-battery cell fabricated with a printable ink.

Development to date has been focused on voltage and the ability to harvest energy from humidity in the air.

The recent mechanical flexibility testing results demonstrate another potential competitive advantage of the technology over current battery technologies that are bulky and rigid.

The early-stage potential to scale the technology has been demonstrated through these latest results.

Next development milestone

The next development milestone is to develop a screen printable prototype in the second quarter of 2021.

Screen printing is a widely used printing technology of choice for printed electronics as it is an existing industrial production method and is capable of producing components at a very small scale.

Electronic Inks are highly advanced functional materials that operate on the nanoscale level.

To enable the battery ink to be screen printed, significant engineering and optimisation must be undertaken.

Once this has been achieved, the team will focus on the extended stability of overall power output.
Together we can make a positive impact working alongside treatment organizations to deliver the best software solution to support the unique clinical and business needs of treatment care. There are so many individuals in need of treatment. We want to help organizations serve more in every community.

AZZLY, Inc., a leading mental health and addiction treatment healthcare IT company, announced today that it has partnered with Impresiv Health, an award-winning national healthcare management consulting firm. The new partnership empowers outpatient treatment organizations to expand the services and programs that they offer within their community by taking advantage of the modern digital health AZZLY Rize platform. As value based care is becoming a cornerstone in treatment, evidence based care and individualized treatment programs and services demand a modern configurable technology system for increased patient engagement and reimbursement.

AZZLY Rize is a premier digital health solution serving the growing residential and outpatient treatment centers that offer abstinence based and medication assisted treatment services. In March 2021, Software Advice highlighted AZZLY Rize as a FrontRunner in Mental Health Software, and Capterra placed AZZLY on its Shortlist for Mental Health Software Providers.

Impresiv Health is a healthcare consulting partner that specializes in clinical, operations management, and software consulting services. Impresiv Health partners with healthcare organizations to create new innovations in their operations and deliver better health outcomes. They have reached more than 10 million lives. Inc. magazine selected Impresiv Health as one of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S.

"There is a natural fit between our two organizations, in the way we think and the clients we serve," said Marcus Fontaine, President of Impresiv Health. "By combining our proven expertise with the leading mental health software, AZZLY Rize, our clients will receive the best of both worlds with our new partnership. Together, working as one team, we will place our clients on the best path for success while implementing a modern behavioral healthcare and addiction treatment software."

This strategic partnership between AZZLY and and Impresiv Health empowers behavioral healthcare and addiction treatment providers to streamline their clinical and business processes and efficiently treat more patients in need. Together the two companies can reach more underserved healthcare organizations and deliver first class software, service and support.

The Integrated Care Pathways of AZZLY Rize supports the full continuum of care in outpatient programs. Through an easy to use single-sign-on mobile interface, intake and admissions, scheduling, telehealth, patient engagement, e-prescribing & PDMP checks, labs, surveys and assessments, all the way to the auto-generation of claims are available in one system to speed reimbursement and financial reporting.

We are excited to partner with fellow innovative entrepreneurs that are committed to making a difference in healthcare,'' commented Coletta Dorado, CEO and Founder of AZZLY, Inc.  Together we can make a positive impact working alongside treatment organizations in all levels of care, to deliver the best software solution to support the unique clinical and business needs of treatment care. There are so many individuals in need of treatment. We want to help organizations serve more in every community.

About AZZLY

AZZLY Inc. was founded in 2009 by Coletta Dorado. Since 2014, AZZLY has focused on providing a solution specific to addiction treatment and behavioral healthcare through AZZLY Rize, an all-in-one electronic health record (EHR), patient management (PM) and revenue cycle management (RCM) solution. AZZLY delivers and supports a modern, user friendly, comprehensive digital health platform for mental healthcare and addiction treatment organizations to grow and serve more in need. A 2020 market study named AZZLY a key player in the Global Patient Care Management Software industry. Email hello@azzly.com or visit azzly.com for more information.

About Impresiv Health

Marcus Fontaine brought together the Impresiv Health team in 2015. Over five years they have strategically created a team of thought leaders, physician executives, senior clinical advisors, and industry professionals who share the common goal to disrupt the healthcare consulting industry. In 2020, Impresiv Health was ranked as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Visit their website impresivhealth.com for more information on their company and how to contact them.
Historic Jewish Temple is located 'stone's throw away' from Dome of The Rock: 'Temple Revealed' author

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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.
Invests in Vertical Integration with ALD coating equipment for New Pilot Facility Program

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / Wednesday, March 31, 2021 /?Gratomic Inc.?("GRAT", "Gratomic" or the "Company")?(TSXV:GRAT)(OTCQX:CBULF)(FRANKFURT:CB82) is pleased to announce its plans to build a pilot facility (the "Facility") to internally process up to 1,000 tons of SG16 battery grade anode materials for the booming Electronic Vehicle ("EV") battery market in the second half of 2021. This initial pilot facility, if successful (as demonstrated by internal testing), is expected to be followed by the construction of a demonstration facility, which will process up to approximately 2,000 tons per annum beginning in 2022 and up to 20,000 tons per annum once the demonstration facility is converted into a full final production phase. The facility will be located at the Company's owned warehouse located at the Port of Luderitz Bay. While Gratomic completes the development of the pilot facility graphitic material will be shipped to Forge Nano, Inc. ("Forge Nano") for Atomic Layer Deposition ("ALD") coating in preparation for use as a battery anode material. This processing facility will enable the Company to take our raw graphite material to the final stages required for use in a battery anode application.

Forge Nano's ALD coating technology for use in lithium-ion battery anode applications, could result in significant gains in performance to Gratomic's SG16 battery graphite compounds, as per our press release dated October28. The Company has therefore entered into a cooperative agreement with Forge Nano, a leading expert in the field of battery materials (www.forgenano.com), to not only undertake the ALD coating process but also to assist in the planning and development of GRAT's aforementioned processing facility. Battery anode materials generally consists of three stages of processing: micronization, spheronization and coating. Forge Nano specializes in the final coating stage with their patented ALD coating technology. This facility will work in tandem with the Company's Aukam vein graphite project, which is now in its commissioning phase (See Company's press release dated March 29).

Procurement of the equipment system capable of applying ALD coatings for use in the Facility will be released by Forge Nano upon the successful completion of various performance and cost milestones (See "Scope of Collaboration" below).

Gratomic's Ludertiz Bay property covers 6,564 square meters and contains three buildings including a large warehouse, a double garage with six storerooms/workshops and a single garage with two offices and a store-room. The Company intends to use the warehouse for the ALD processing and packaging of its graphite. The property provides Gratomic with waterfront access to the Port of Luderitz and to container facilities, enabling direct delivery to ports in Europe, Asia and North America.

About Forge Nano Inc.

Forge Nano is an innovative and advanced company that brings to the table disruptive technological advancements and proprietary engineering techniques that have the potential to drive the entire Li-ion and graphite industry ahead in new and exciting ways.

The proprietary ALD technology employed by Forge Nano boosts battery performance by enabling li-ion batteries to better withstand higher temperatures and faster cycle rates.

Solutions are custom built for performance and reliability, with their technology enabling angstrom-thick coatings to be applied with unmated precision, consistency, and efficiency. The company's systems apply lean manufacturing principles that enable fast and economical atomic level coatings for a variety of surface engineering practices.

Forge Nano has compiled a comprehensive IP portfolio that provides full benefits to its partners and Licensees for battery applications. The company also has a wide selection of forward-thinking partners, ranging from Volkswagen, Air Liquide, and LG Technology Ventures to Mitsui Kinzoku and SBI Investments.

ALD - Improving Performance at the atomic level

ALD is a surface engineering technique in which chemicals called precursors are applied to a particle or material, applying an angstrom-thick coating one atomic layer at a time. The nano-coating technique uniformly encapsulates particles and objects, leading to pinhole free coatings. This nanometer-thick ceramic coating helps anode-cathode components avoid long term electrode-electrolyte degradation. This helps to lengthen battery life by protecting against high temperatures and fast cycle rates, leading to safer and more versatile EV batteries. These nano-coatings also enable the safe and profitable use of several new high-capacity and high-voltage chemistries that were previously unavailable. The coatings are stable in virtually every environment, help batteries run at faster cycles and disperse heat better, and the coating process costs less than $0.50 per Kg, meaning that the nano-coating process leads to a higher quality and more profitable product at a relatively inexpensive cost. With the vein graphite sourced from the Aukum project combined with the ALD coating GRAT expects to have an extremely high-quality final product that will give the Company a strong competitive advantage.

Global graphite shortage and critical minerals

As depicted in the Benchmark Minerals graph below, looming substantial graphite shortages are predicted to become a global issue for the EV battery industry beginning as early as 2023. The Company is currently licensed to increase production according to market needs, up from its original plan of 20,000 tonnes per annum, and its processing facility has been engineered in a modular design to accommodate a rapid expansion. Even with a slight decrease in graphite prices in 2020 due to repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the price of spherical graphite ("SPG") remained stable. The United States, has been so impacted by this graphite shortage, that in October of 2020, the US Presidential administration (Federal Register, 2020), along with the Government of Canada, declared the mineral shortage a state of emergency and added Graphite to their critical minerals list (Government of Canada, 2021). GRAT continues to forge ahead with its plan to introduce a cleaner alternative SPG anode material to the global EV market.

https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/wp-content/uploads/Graphite-COVID-19-Special-Report.pdf

Pi l ot facility system specification criteria (provided by GRAT):

Throughput: To be determined as part of the ALD coating study work. Initially targeting 1,000 tons/year in pilot stage and 2,000 tons/year in demonstration facility

Coating: Al2O3

Handling: Manual Loading

Scope of Collaboration

Forge Nano has been commissioned to apply ALD to the materials supplied by GRAT for evaluation and confirmation of ALD-enhancement, to be completed within 6 months of the Agreement, which is dated to start March 29th. Upon successful demonstration of the Proof-of-Concept, GRAT will purchase the pilot equipment from Forge Nano with a targeted installation date for 2021.

Once the successful qualification and demonstration of the Pilot Equipment is completed, GRAT and Forge Nano will enter into a commercial development project in which GRAT will provide sufficient quantities of material to Forge Nano for building, qualification and operational studies for the commercial application of the ALD system. This system will be based on the capability of processing up to 20,000 tons per year. Specific final design elements and pricing to be determined.

Upon the successful implementation of the Commercial Development program, GRATOMIC will purchase Commercial Equipment for integration of ALD into their 2022 commercial production facility intended to produce 20,000 ton/year of ALD-coated graphite. Final design and pricing to be determined.

"The ALD enhancement process may turn out to become a breakthrough on battery anode technology, and the unique technical features of Aukam's vein graphite makes it the best candidate to test this concept", says Armando Farhate, COO & Head of Graphite Sales & Marketing.

Arno Brand, CEO & President states, "We are pleased to collaborate with Forge Nano on the implementation of the ALD program, which will optimize our vein graphite at the atomic level, essentially establishing a highly effective and desirable battery anode material for the EV battery market in a truly environmentally conscious manner."

Gratomic wishes to emphasize that no Preliminary Economic Analysis ("PEA"), Preliminary Feasibility Study or Feasibility Study has been completed to support any level of production. In fact, no mineral resources let alone mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Aukam property.

The Company appointed Dr. Ian Flint to complete a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on the Aukam Processing plant. The study, its recommendations, and their subsequent implementation, will provide conclusions and recommendation at a PEA level of comfort relating to the scale up of the existing processing plant to a commercial scale processing facility that will provide the desired concentrate grades and production rates. A preliminary economic assessment is preliminary in nature, it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized.

Gratomic wishes to emphasize that the supply of graphite is conditional on Gratomic being able to bring the Aukam project into a production phase, and for any graphite being produced to meet certain technical and mineralization requirements. Gratomic continues to move its business towards production and as part of its business plan, expects to obtain a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects technical report to help it ascertain the economics of the Aukam project.

Risk Factors

No mineral resources, let alone mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Aukam Property. The Company is not in a position to demonstrate or disclose any capital and/or operating costs that may be associated with its processing plant or the Facility.

The Company advises that it has not based its production decision on even the existence of mineral resources let alone on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit.

Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved.

Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and future profitability.

Steve Gray, P. Geo. and a Director of the Company has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release and is the Company's "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Gratomic Inc.

Established in 2014, Gratomic is focused on the proposed production of low-cost mine to market carbon-neutral, eco-friendly, high purity vein graphite to be provided to the EV and Energy Storage supply chains. Gratomic is anticipating full operational capabilities in 2021.

Gratomic is in the process of solidifying its plans for micronization and spheronization of its clean Aukam graphite. This significant milestone is a small, additional step in the Company's proposed eco-friendly processing cycle and is intended to allow it to meet ideal North American battery grade standards for use in Li-ion battery anodes.

The Company plans to deliver mine-to-market traceability and guaranteed quality control. This will be accomplished by providing documented tracking on all graphite generated at its flagship Aukam Graphite Project. The tracking will begin at Aukam and will be verified at every stage during transport.

Two off-take purchase agreements are currently held for lump-vein graphite sourced from Gratomic's Aukam Graphite Project in Namibia, Africa. Fulfillment of the contracts is anticipated to begin in Q1 of 2021. The agreements exist with TODAQ and Phu Sumika (See press releases dated Jan. 25th).

For more information: visit the website at www.gratomic.ca or contact:

Arno Brand at abrand@gratomic.ca or 416 561-4095

Subscribe at gratomic.ca/contact/ to be added to our email list.?

"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com)

SOURCE: ?Gratomic Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638310/Gratomic-Engages-Forge-Nano-in-Battery-Grade-Graphite-Enhancement-Program
In February, McKinsey Global Institute predicted that 45 million Americansone-quarter of the workforcewould lose their jobs to automation by 2030. That was up from its 2017 estimate that 39 million would be automated out of work, due to the economic dislocation of COVID-19. Historically, firms tend to replace some of the workers they fire during recessions with machines.

Fear of robot-driven mass unemployment has become increasingly mainstream. Andrew Yang, who is currently leading the polls for the Democratic nomination to be the next mayor of New York City, made it a pillar of his unorthodox 2020 presidential campaign. The coming lack of jobs, Yang said, justified giving all Americans a $1,000 monthly government income.

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But look closely at the studies predicting automation-driven job loss, and youll find less reason for alarm (though there are still reasons to consider a universal basic income). The robots are mostly not comingat least, not soon.

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To start, theres a huge difference between robots and automation. Once, many elevators were operated by people. An office building in D.C. still had elevator operators in the 2010s. They werent replaced by humanoid robots that listen to rider requests and manipulate a lever with mechanical fingers. They were replaced by a row of buttons riders press themselves. A lot of automation works this way.

The distinction matters because automation happens all the time. Over the past 150 years, weve gone from a nation of farmers to a nation of factory workers to a nation of white collar and service employees, with much of that momentous change driven by automation. But while regional economies have been disrupted and recessions have created periodic unemployment crises, there has never been a chronic, structural shortage of jobs nationwide. New inventions create new markets and jobs to go with them.

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The robot job apocalypse scenario is based on the assumption that the next wave of automation technology will be fundamentally different. Artificial intelligence in particular is thought to be advancing so quickly that replacement jobs wont keep pace. People wonder whether our fragile, imperfect species will be necessary much longer.

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But thats not what the forecasters are saying. The robot job loss prediction boom was kicked into high gear in 2013, when a pair of Oxford University researchers estimated that 47 percent of American jobs are at risk of computerization. The report was widely cited, including in official White House reports.

To arrive at that estimate, a team of machine learning experts examined 70 occupations, each of which had been analyzed by the U.S. Department of Labor and broken down into dozens of discrete tasks and competencies. The experts looked at each task and made an informed guess as to whether it could be automated, assuming state-of-the-art technology, the enormous data sets that fuel modern A.I., and future engineering breakthroughs that have not yet occurred. They used those estimates to write an algorithm that automatically analyzed hundreds of other jobs.

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At risk of automation does not, in that analysis, mean likely to be automated. It means, could theoretically be automated if someone had unlimited time, money, and access to the latest A.I. Thats an enormous difference. Perhaps the engineers at Boston Dynamics, which makes those viral videos of disturbingly humanoid robots, could spend millions of dollars building a robot version of the guy who stands on the street corner twirling the big pointy sign that says Going Out of Business Sale!!! But they wont, because nobody would buy that robot, because they can just hire the guy for $10 an hour.

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The recent McKinsey report takes this into account, estimating the cost of developing new automation technology, the price of the labor it would be replacing, and the time it would take for widespread adoption. Thats why its estimate is 27 percent of jobs, not 47 percent. But here, too, definitions matter.

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McKinsey predicts that of the 49.1 million who will have their jobs displaced by automation, 32 million will stay in the same occupation, and another 2.2 million will stay in the same occupational category. The number of people who will lose their jobs in the have to find a new line of work sense is only 14.9 million. Not 27 percent, but 9 percent.

Thats because automation is more likely to change jobs than destroy them. Machines will perform an increasing share of boring, rote tasks, and people will move to more human work. When hundreds of thousands of ATMs were deployed in the 1980s and 1990s, the number of bank tellers went up, not down, because reduced labor costs allowed banks to open more branches. Now machines count the money, and people sell you auto loans. Automation works especially well when workers are partners in designing their new relationships to machines.

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Nine percent of jobs is still a lot. But the optimal number isnt zero. The White House automation report notes that about 6 percent of jobs in the American economy are eliminated every three months through the normal process of some businesses shrinking or shutting down as others start up and expand.

Automation-driven job loss definitely exists. In 2020, economists Daron Acemoglu and Pascual Restrepo found that each new industrial robot deployed in the United States between 1990 and 2007 replaced 3.3 workers, even after accounting for the positive economic effects of more productive firms. It was a small impactone worker in 1,000but very real.

The question of who gets replaced is also fraught. Nineteenth-century automation often replaced higher-paid skilled craftsmen. Twenty-first-century automation hits lower-paid, less-skilled workers the hardest. Recent recessions have been brutal for working-class families, who often never regain lost economic ground. The American unemployment insurance system is creaky, inadequate, and in dire need of reform.

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The wilder robot dystopia scenarios often proceed from failures of metaphor. Many powerful new A.I. systems use methods called neural networks, which people assume means, like a human brain. They are not like human brains. A.I. is pattern recognition. Alexa knows that certain spoken sounds correspond to the sequence of letters peanut butter, which is remarkable. But Alexa has no idea what peanut butter means or why it tastes good with jelly.

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The soberest predictions of automation job loss still rely on a lattice of interlocking predictions that may not come true. Five years ago, it seemed like we were on the cusp of robot taxis and freight trucks becoming widespread. Today, were stuck on the cusp. The last mile between almost good enough and good enough can be very long.

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Even the simple, routine tasks that are the heart of most job loss scenarios can be fiendishly difficult to automate. Amazon uses hundreds of thousands of cutting-edge robots in its warehouses. But theyre not androids that pick items off of shelves. The robots are the shelves, which move to humans, who still do the picking.

Those simple, deft movements of eye and hand, recognizing and grasping myriad shapes in three dimensions, are the products of millions of years of evolution. Scientists and engineers are working hard to catch up. But theyre not going to fully solve those problems all at once, or in the next nine years, or for a long time after that.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
But it turned out his drivers license and QR code for the appointment were ID enough. Better yet, talking to a reporter and county health official as he left the building, he learned that Adams Countys was one of the sites that, just the day before, the state had opened up to any adult who could land an appointment, regardless of health status or the industry they work in.
The change in the priority list for vaccinations is a "shocking disregard for frontline workers, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said.

Age will becoming the sole factor in deciding when people are vaccinated, ignoring previous hierarchies relating to certain occupations, it was announced yesterday as the Government unveiled its plan for gradually lifting lockdown.

This means that gardai, teachers, childcare workers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and other workers will not be a priority for vaccination based on their jobs.

This change will come into effect once everyone at very high risk due to a medical condition and all people aged over 70 is vaccinated.

GRA President Frank Thornton said the announcement is a shocking disregard for frontline workers, including his members.

When we heard the news yesterday evening we were absolutely furious and in dismay of the change in the vaccination programme, Mr Thornton said on RTE Radio 1s Morning Ireland.

The change effectively downgrades our profession and completely ignores the risk and exposure that our members have had to endure while policing this pandemic.

Yesterday's decision which lacks logic and consultation portrays a shocking disregard for full-time members who have been and continue to be a key element in the Government's fight to suppress this virus and the new variants.

Mr Thornton added that the change is beggars belief as he said gardai are the second pillar in response to the pandemic.

"The morale of frontline members is absolutely on the floor. Yesterday's announcement is absolutely a sucker-punch for us, he said.

The health and safety of our members are of paramount importance, clearly its not as important to other people and members of this Government.

The government hopes to simplify the vaccine rollout, which has been changed several times to accommodate lobbying from several groups for priority.

Teresa Heeney, chief executive of Early Childhood Ireland, which represents childcare providers, said the change is of particular concern to her members and the sector has a very low rate of sick pay.

"72pc of our sector is between the ages of 18 and 44, a very very young workforce, so we will be the very last to be vaccinated which is not good enough, she told RTE.

Our sector, because of very low levels of investment enjoys a very low rate of sick pay scheme, about 80pc of our workers dont have access to a sick pay scheme and that leads to staffing challenges which leaves this announcement even more stunning.

Martin Marjoram, President of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said the bombshell announcement should not have been made without prior consultation with teaching unions.

He said the change will not be used as a bargaining chip by teachers to have schools closed, and said his members have co-operated and worked extraordinarily hard to ensure they open and stay open.

It is the state priority of Government that education be opened fully in a safe way and in a way which demands the confidence of the entire school community and announcements like this are not helpful in this regard, he said on Newstalk this morning.

General Secretary of the TUI Michael Gillespie said the news is disappointing for his members, who are a mainly young cohort.

"Being vaccinated would have secured a sustainable opening of schools so we are disappointed that prioritisation has gone, he said.

"Because we have a very young teaching profession they will be very far down this list and yet one of the areas Government has prioritised is the opening of schools.

Yesterday, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said the change comes after advice from doctors who believed dividing those to be vaccinated into 15 different cohorts might slow the vaccination programme down.

Trinity College Dublin immunologist Prof Kingston Mills said he does not agree with this approach, and thought it incredible that the Taoiseach said the change would simplify the rollout.

He said there is a strong argument for vaccinating people who are more in contact with others, which would reduce transmission of the virus.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said that based on advice the Governement received if no change was made the vaccination rollout would be slower.

"The clear advice that we are getting from our medical experts is that there is a far greater risk on the basis of age than there is on the basis of occupation, he told Morning Ireland.

"We are so in debt to all the work that our frontline public service have done so we will be engaging with them today.

The advice that the government received is that if done on the basis of occupation it would slow down the ability to roll out a large amount of vaccine, and by doing so pose a challenge to the public health objectives that we have.

When asked if priority vaccination was previously promised to teachers and gardai, Minister Donohoe said: When we were engaging with them we were engaging on the basis of the scientific and medical advice that we had then but the advice we have at the moment is crystal clear to the Government.

With the quantity of vaccines that we have in the run-up to summer if were looking to vaccinate as many people as possible the most efficient way of doing that is on the basis of age.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Varadkar said that based on advice from doctors and health experts that 15 cohorts are too many,

He added: Trying to stick to it might actually slow it down, so it is better to have nine.

Age is the main predictor of a bad outcome from Covid and thats why this will be done by age.

The Tanaiste acknowledged that people such as family carers, teachers, gardai and retail workers had a strong case to be vaccinated but said the Government was going with the science.

If you look at this from a scientific point of view, if you have a 35-year-old garda, are they at more risk than a 60-year-old retail worker? Its the 60-year-old who is at more risk so that is why were doing this, he said.
A Professor of Civil Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Rev. Charles Anum Adams, has been inducted into office as the 51st President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE).



He takes over the mantle of leadership from Mr Alexander Leslie Ayeh.



The investiture of Prof. Adams took place in Kumasi last Saturday to climax a four-day Engineering Conference and the 51st Annual General Meeting of the GhIE.



On the theme: Engineering, Key to Sustainable Development Goals, the conference and AGM were held virtually with few leadership representatives of engineering assembling at the auditorium of the Institute of Distance Learning at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.



Creativity for development



In his inaugural address, Prof. Adams charged engineering practitioners to use their creativity, services, talent and solutions for the development of the country.



We embrace Ghana beyond Aid. Engineers are planners, evaluators, designers, builders in operations and infrastructure systems and facilities. Engineers are system thinkers and problem solvers. Engineering is all about creating systems and technologies to provide solutions. Engineering is about making imaginations real, Prof. Adams explained.



To this end, the Council of the GhIE intends to embark on multiple activities and initiatives in the coming years, some of which include to build a motivated engineer through our technical division and branches, as well as strengthening the national secretariat to support council activities, including engineering practice to make it more exciting to join, he said.



The GhIE President further said the council would set up mentorship programmes for engineering practitioners to improve their skills and build confidence and their marketability.



To all stakeholders, she said: We are aware of how Ghanaians are becoming impatient to see our countrys development to enjoy a better quality of life and, therefore, expect more from its engineers. We will ensure professionalism, responsible and ethical practice.



However, we will also demand that society values both our advice and rewards for practice. There is profit in reliable and diligent labour.



Appreciation



Prof. Adams expressed his sincere thanks to his successor for his tremendous service to the institution during the period of COVID-19 which disrupted activities globally.



He said he was humbled by the unique mandate and extraordinary show of confidence that the engineers in the country had conferred on him and gave an assurance that he was determined to do all in his power to accomplish the tasks ahead.



Rev. Prof. Adams explained that the institution had come of age with significant strides made.



He, however, added that there was more room for capacity development, especially considering that the country desired to move to a new development level that would make it self-sufficient.



Reducing shoddy work



Earlier, while calling the conference to order, the Executive Director of the GhIE, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, encouraged members of the GhIE, and for that matter engineers, to take advantage of the Continuous Professional Development programmes undertaken by GhIE to sharpen their professional career and learn new ways to deliver engineering solutions to reduce the incidence of shoddy works in the country.



In his welcome address, Mr Ayeh said the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic trimmed the normal activities of the Engineering Conference, but it also enabled them to think outside the box.



Background



Prof. Adams is the Founding Centre Director of the Regional Transport Research and Education Centre Kumasi (TRECK), a World Bank Centre of Excellence in Transport and Mobility for West Africa and also leads the UKAID/ReCAP-supported Centre for Sub-Saharan Transport Leadership (CSSTL). Both centres are hosted at the KNUST.



He has worked as a consultant on several projects in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Liberia funded by the World Bank Group, European Union, the GTZ and JICA.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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COLUMBIA  A bill to legalize medical use of cannabis in South Carolina took a key step forward March 31, advancing to the state Senate floor but with time running out to get the bill moving before the end of the session.

In a 9-5 vote, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee approved the bill. The full Senate would likely need to pass it by the end of next week in order to give the House enough time to consider it before the 2021 term concludes in mid-May.

The vote followed an impassioned, 25-minute speech from state Sen. Tom Davis, a longtime advocate of medical cannabis who has watched his bill repeatedly fail to cross the legislative finish line in previous sessions.

Davis entered 2021 more hopeful after four additional states voted in favor of medical cannabis last year, including Mississippi.

"There's a moral imperative on our part to empower physicians to allow them to let their patients take cannabis if, in that doctor's medical opinion, it can be a therapeutic benefit," said Davis, R-Beaufort. "We constantly hear 'follow the science.' The science here is overwhelming."

Davis described his bill, S.150, as "the most conservative medical cannabis bill in the country" and thanked critics who he said helped him tighten the bill to seek to address some of their specific concerns, even if they remained opposed to the general concept.

Among other restrictions, the bill would require physicians to have in-person meetings with their patients before prescribing cannabis, look into a patient's history of illness or substance abuse and develop an extensive written treatment plan.

"This bill requires a doctor to so much more than just simply prescribe it," Davis said. "It requires that doctor to be an effective gatekeeper."

Only patients with a debilitating medical conditions specifically listed in the bill  including cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, Crohn's disease, sickle cell anemia, autism or ulcerative colitis  would qualify for the program.

In another bid to satisfy critics that include major law enforcement leaders, Davis also noted his bill would not include smoking marijuana as one of the permissible medical forms of consumption.

"I took a lot of heat from  no pun intended  the grassroots on this," Davis quipped. But he said he wanted to have a tightly regulated bill, noting that violating the restrictions in the bill would carry substantial penalties as a felony crime.

Because senators had already extensively debated the measure for several years, the bill skipped the subcommittee level this session and went straight to committee. Lawmakers were initially scheduled to debate it earlier in March, but that meeting was canceled due to inclement weather.

Several senators, including the chamber's President Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, and Kevin Johnson, D-Manning, spoke against the measure, saying ongoing opposition from the state's medical association and law enforcement made them hesitant to move forward.

"I think there are some good aspects probably of medical marijuana, but there are also some negative aspects, some unintended consequences, and I think at this point I'm more concerned with that," Johnson said.

State Sen. Sandy Senn, R-Charleston, said she also remained concerned that patients could fake illnesses in order to get a cannabis prescription. But she added that, in deference to Davis, she would not seek to block the bill from coming out of the committee and would explain her opposition during the Senate floor debate.

Other opposing senators cited the fact that the federal government still classifies marijuana as an illegal drug.

"Our federal government says we cannot dispense medical marijuana at this time," said state Sen. Billy Garrett, R-Greenwood. "I don't want us to be a sanctuary state."

Even if the bill passes the Senate and House, it would still need to overcome a final hurdle in Gov. Henry McMaster, a former state attorney general who has long echoed concerns from law enforcement officials about the bill.

But in an interview with The Post and Courier last week, McMaster cracked open the door to the possibility that he could come around to the idea after extensive conversations with Davis about it.

"He makes a very convincing argument," McMaster said of Davis. "I try to keep an open mind. There may be a way to do it, I don't know. But I'm open to hearing more about it because it's clear that it alleviates a lot of suffering. The trick is how to keep that from turning loose marijuana production in the state that would cause damage."
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The Global Vitamin Test Market is expected to witness tremendous growth during the forecast period at a CAGR of ~9.2%.

Global Vitamin test Market Research Report, by Type (Vitamin B12, Carotene, Folic Acid Test), Technology (high-performance liquid chromatography), End-User (Hospitals and Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centre, Diagnostic Centre)  Global Forecast Till 2023

Key Players  Vitamin Test Market

VitaMe Technologies Inc.,

R-Biopharm AG,

Abbott Laboratories,

ImmunoDiagnostics Inc.,

F. Hoffman-La Roche,

Siemens AG,

Diazyme Laboratories,

DiaSorin S.p.A,

ORGENTEC Diagnostika GmbH and others.

To Get Free Sample Copy visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6377

Vitamin Test Market  Sketch

The Vitamin test market is expected to witness tremendous growth owing to the rising prevalence of vitamin deficiency. Other key factors such as the change to sedentary lifestyle, increase in smoking, and increasing consumption of junk food and packaged food, growing geriatric population, rising consumer awareness for vitamin benefits, and technologically advanced laboratories are contributing towards the growth of the market. However, factors such as, high cost of vitamin test, limitations of the tests like false positives and false negatives and lack of awareness in developing countries are expected to restrict the market growth during the forecast period.

Other key factors such as change to sedentary lifestyle, growing awareness among the population for vitamin tests, rising geriatric population, technological advancements in laboratories for clinical testing and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer or chronic kidney disease are contributing towards the growth of the market.

Segments  Vitamin Test Market

The global Vitamin test market size is segmented on the basis of type, technology, and end-user. the vitamin test market, by type, is categorized into vitamin B12 & folic acid test,folic acid (folate) test , carotene (beta carotene) test, vitamin K1 test, vitamin E test, vitamin d 25-dihydroxy (calcitriol) test, vitamin C test, vitamin B12 test, vitamin B6 test, vitamin B5 test, vitamin B3 (niacin) test, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) test, vitamin a (retinol) test, vitamin B1 test. On the basis of Technology, the market is segmented into high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), radioVitamin Test, ELISA tests, chemiluminescent Vitamin Test (CLIA)and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. On the basis of end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic centers, research centers, and others.

Regional Analysis  Vitamin Test Market

The Americas is the largest in the market owing to the increasing prevalence of vitamin deficiency and growing healthcare expenditure. According to the The United States Department of Agriculture in 2014, 50% of Americans are deficient in vitamin A, vitamin C, and magnesium. Such a high incidence of vitamin deficiency drives market growth in this region.

Europe (UK, Belgium, France, and Netherlands) is the second largest vitamin test market during the forecast period. The increasing in awareness for vitamins and vitamin testing drives the market in this region. The European Laboratory of Nutrients (ELN) is an advanced laboratory for testing the nutrient levels in European population. Every year European Laboratory of Nutrients (ELN) organizes an international symposium titled Advanced Clinical Nutrition  Nutrients for Prevention and Cure of Disease. Thus enhancing vitamin testing market in this region.

Asia-Pacific was projected to be the fastest growing region for the global vitamin test market in 2017. The market is expected to witness growth owing to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases in this region. Also, the presence of technologically advanced countries like China and Japan in this region is expected to influence the market growth in this region.

The Middle East and Africa accounts for the least share due to low per capita income and lack of availability of well-trained healthcare professionals. However, the rising healthcare services both at the hospital level and in the community are expected to influence the market in a positive way.

To Browse Complete Report visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/vitamin-test-market-6377

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
A pregnant mom in Texas was escorted out of a Dallas Catholic church by cops for not wearing a mask.

According to Todd Starnes, three police officers approached the pregnant mom, identified as Deirdre Hairston, during a Holy Mass at Holy Trinity Church early this month.

During a recent podcast, Hairston said she was kneeling with the eucharist "still on her tongue" and holding her baby when a police officer told her that she needed to leave the Holy Communion.

It can be recalled that the wearing of masks along with social distancing is encouraged by medical experts and agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks are also encouraged to be worn, especially in places where people gather.

READ NEXT: Supreme Court Favors California Churches Over Gavin Newsom, Restrictions Lifted

Pregnant Mom on Church

Deirdre Hairston said one of the cops even told her that she would place her in a handcuff if she does not leave. When she was being escorted out, Hairston asked the police officer if they were arresting her, Washington Examiner reported.

The police replied that they would not arrest her but warned that they would arrest her if she does not listen. Once outside, the pregnant mom said the usher ran to her car, took pictures of her license plate, and then police wrote her a ticket for "trespassing on a business."

"It's extremely aggressive. I mean, you're going to arrest a 28-year-old nursing mom who's already socially distanced? I mean, it proves that it's not really about the health. It's just about control," Hairston noted.

The pregnant mom said she even told the officer that this "isn't McDonalds," and a business, but a sanctuary and a place for worship.

Deirdre Hairston sat on the far right back of the church with her husband and baby. She was not wearing a mask because she feels nauseous from pregnancy.

The usher failed to convince Hairston to wear her mask. Thus, the usher alerted the pastor, who informed the police, Church Militant reported.

Deirdre Hairston said it was most likely that she will be arrested for trespassing if she ever comes back to the church. The pregnant mom said the incident occurred before Governor Greg Abbott ended the statewide mask mandate early this month.

Defense of the Church

The Diocese of Dallas argued that Hairston was not arrested nor ticketed. Instead, the pregnant mom was only issued a "trespass warning," said the statement issued by the Diocese.

The Diocese of Dallas further noted that the parish pastor has required masks at Mass out of concern for the health and welfare of his entire congregation.

It also emphasized that the Canon law grants pastors jurisdiction over their parishes, and the bishop has given the pastors the right to mandate rules like wearing masks in their churches.

Meanwhile, a new poll has indicated that the American church membership has fallen below the majority for the first time.

According to a Fox News report, the data from Gallup tracked church membership started with 73 percent in 1937 and peaked after World War II with 76 percent membership.

It noted that the past 20 years had seen a sharp fall, dropping from 70 percent to 47 percent in that time.

Based on the respondents, 66 percent of the churchgoers are born before 1946. Baby boomers and Gen X have 55 percent, while the Millennials are only amounting to 36 percent.

READ MORE: California Churches Can Hold Indoor Services Despite Pandemic, Supreme Court Rules

WATCH: Pregnant Mother Threatened to be Arrested During Mass - From Dr. Taylor Marshall
ROME, MAR 31 - A draft of the government's latest COVID decree to be examined by cabinet later Wednesday says there will be no more low-to-medium COVID-19 risk yellow zones in the country until April 30. It also says compulsory vaccinations for all health staff will be extended to pharmacists too. There may be some exceptions to new rules according to contagion and vaccination rates, the draft adds. Regional exceptions on reopening schools will be stopped, the draft adds. (ANSA).
[March 31, 2021] PHCHD Announces JPY 20 Billion Investment by L Catterton

PHC Holdings Corporation (headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, hereafter PHCHD) today announced an investment of JPY 20 billion by L Catterton (headquarters: Connecticut, US), the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm. With this transaction, L Catterton joins PHCHD's shareholders, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Life Science Institute, Inc. (a member of the Mitsubishi (News - Alert) Chemical Holdings Group), and Panasonic Corporation, and will work together to create value. L Catterton has significant experience investing in leading consumer healthcare services businesses including FYI Doctors, ClearChoice, 98Point6, and Patient Point. This investment signifies their expansion into the medical devices and health data businesses. As a new shareholder, L Catterton will support further growth for PHCHD by utilizing its expertise, industry knowledge, and wide-ranging network in the consumer healthcare industry. PHCHD is a healthcare company that provides value-added products and services across diabetes management, life sciences and diagnostics globally, and healthcare services in Japan. In 2019, the company acquired the anatomical pathology business (currently operating as Epredia) from Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and LSI Medience Corporation which mainly conducts clinical testing business. These transactions were designed to diversify PHCHD's business portfolios, strengthen its global business base and support future growth. John Marotta, President and CEO of PHCHD says, "I'm delighted that we've completed this transaction and am excited to welcom L Catterton as our new shareholder. PHCHD is a truly global diversified healthcare platform of established brands that has achieved tremendous success worldwide. Through the combination of our innovative product and service portfolios, alongside our business system as a driver of continuous improvement, PHCHD is well positioned for continued global expansion and is ready to further execute on its strategic growth priorities. Going forward, with the expertise and support from L Catterton, we hope to be able to capture new opportunities to further expand our business and enable us to offer more value to our customers. We are confident that L Catterton is the right partner for our next chapter of growth."



Chinta Bhagat, Managing Partner of L Catterton Asia said, "We are excited to join such a renowned group of shareholders at PHCHD to help build an innovative, global healthcare solutions company. The healthcare industry, and medical devices in particular, are rapidly shifting from a scientific and engineering orientation towards greater consumer-centricity. This positions L Catterton to leverage our deep insights and play a valuable role in the development of PHCHD's future businesses, particularly in the U.S. and Asia. We look forward to supporting and working closely with PHCHD's deeply experienced management team in these areas." About PHC Holdings Corporation

Incorporated in 2014, PHC Holdings Corporation is a global healthcare company with subsidiaries including PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG, Epredia, and LSI Medience Corporation. Committed to its corporate mission that states, "We contribute to the health of society through our diligent efforts to create healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people," the company develops, manufactures, sells and services solutions across diabetes management, life sciences and diagnostics globally, as well as providing healthcare services in Japan. The PHC Group's consolidated net sales in FY2019 were 272 billion yen with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries.

www.phchd.com About L Catterton With approximately $25 billion of equity capital across its fund strategies and 17 offices around the world, L Catterton is the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm. L Catterton's team of nearly 200 investment and operating professionals partners with management teams around the world to implement strategic plans to foster growth, leveraging deep category insight, operational excellence, and a broad partnership network. Since 1989, the firm has made over 200 investments in leading consumer brands. For more information about L Catterton, please visit www.lcatterton.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210330006164/en/

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Russian hackers are suspected of stealing thousands of State Department emails last year, two Congressional sources have revealed.

The cyber attack is the second breach of the department's email server in a decade carried out by Russians.

The hackers gained access to emails from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, according to Politico.

Russian hackers are suspected of stealing thousands of State Department emails last year, two Congressional sources have revealed

It is believed the hackers did not gain access to the State Department's classified network.

The Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs develops and implements US foreign policy in Europe and Eurasia and promotes US interests in the area including Russia.

It focuses on issues such as NATO, international security, human rights, the European Union and counterterrorism.

Meanwhile the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs engages with partners and allies in the Far East, focusing on the denuclearization of North Korea and US-China relations.

The latest hack comes after an espionage campaign in which Russian hackers accessed federal and private networks by exploiting SolarWinds software.

The government and private sector use the software, developed by the IT company SolarWinds, which was exposed in a breach.

At least nine federal agencies and 100 private sector groups were targeted in the hack, a White House official said, as they directly accused the Russian government of the attack.

It is not known if the latest breach was part of the same campaign to target the software flaw.

The hack comes after an espionage campaign in which Russian hackers accessed federal and private networks by exploiting SolarWinds software

A State Department spokesman said: 'The Department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to ensure information is protected.

'For security reasons, we are not in a position to discuss the nature or scope of any alleged cybersecurity incidents at this time.'

Deputy National Security Adviser for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger also said the White House would not comment on the latest hack.

But she added that the administration had identified five cybersecurity flaws across federal agencies which are being modernized to prevent future vulnerabilities.

She said: 'Several federal agencies have been hacked in the last year. As part of the Administration's SolarWinds review, we discovered broad gaps in cybersecurity defenses across federal agencies.

'We identified five specific cybersecurity modernization areas, assessed agencies against them, and are implementing a Build Back Better plan to rapidly fund and roll out these technologies to remediate vulnerabilities and modernize our cybersecurity approach.'

Deputy National Security Adviser for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger said the White House is undergoing software modernization

The latest email theft indicated hackers have been able to access more information than was previously known.

The bureaus targeted work on issues related to US allies such as NATO and European and Indo-Pacific partners.

The Kremlin has used cyberwarfare to spread disinformation, gain access to sensitive material and sow discord.

Russian hackers previously targeted the State Department and White House in 2015 in what was then branded the 'worst ever' cyberattack intrusion against a federal agency.

With people working at home this past year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, servers are often less secure making federal employees more vulnerable to attacks.

It was revealed on Monday that top officials at the State Department, including former acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf, were among those compromised by the SolarWinds campaign.

It comes amid frosty relations between Washington and Moscow after Biden asserted that Putin was a 'killer'

They also broke into the Energy Department and National Security Administration's networks, which handle nuclear weapons.

The new Joe Biden administration is examining the full extent of the SolarWinds hack but has revealed little publicly about the scope of the breach.

Russia has previously targeted US election campaigns and gained access to Hillary Clinton's campaign chair John Podesta in 2016.

The US has responded with sanctions against Russian officials in an attempt to deter the cyberattacks, and a number of Kremlin hackers have been charged.

It comes amid frosty relations between Washington and Moscow after Biden asserted that Putin was a 'killer', prompting the Russian president to pull out his US ambassador.
Chennai, March 31 : Vedanta Ltd is planning to set up a 5,00,000 ton per annum (tpa) copper smelter plant in a coastal region in India.

Is Vedanta Ltd planning to shift its 400,000 tpa copper smelter plant in Tuticorin -- that has been shut down by Tamil Nadu government -- to some other coastal region in India is the moot question.

The company has sought expression of interest from coastal states wishing to partner in the project that would have an investment potential of about Rs 10,000 crore through a newspaper advertisement on Wednesday.

According to Vedanta, the proposed project would need about 1,000 acre in proximity to port along with logistics connectivity with conveyor/corridor of rail and road to handle five million tpa material movement on both in-bound and out-bound sides.

The company said the project has a potential to provide direct and indirect employment to 10,000 people and will contribute about Rs 3,000 crore to the government treasury as taxes and others.

Senior officials were not available to answer IANS to the query whether the company is exiting Tuticorin.

The Tamil Nadu government had ordered the copper smelter plant to be shut down in 2018 following a violent protest that led to the death of 13 persons in police firing.

The 400,000 ton Sterlite Copper smelter plant that has been operating in Tuticorin for over 25 years with a cumulative investment of about Rs 3,000 crore.

However, from the start, Sterlite Copper smelter plant has been facing protests by the local people alleging that it pollutes the environment.

Originally the plant was planned in Goa but it faced severe opposition from the state's people. However, the AIADMK regime under J. Jayalalithaa gave a warm welcome to the project and allotted land at Tuticorin.

Ever since then the plant was in the eye of storm with MDMK leader Vaiko leading a protest against the project and later filing a case.

The major political parties in Tamil Nadu -- AIADMK and DMK -- are against Vedanta's copper smelter plant in Tuticorin.

The Supreme Court is hearing the case on an appeal filed by the company against the Madras High Court's refusal to reopen the Sterlite Copper smelter plant in Tuticorin.

"The next hearing in the Supreme Court will be in August. The advertisement by the company seems they may be exiting Tuticorin," said Fatima Babu, one of the persons who had filed a case against Sterlite Copper told IANS.
For a multi-billionaire, Archegos founder Bill Hwang's life is modest.

Sure, his 6,400 sq ft home is gorgeous by any standards, but it's dwarfed by those of his neighbors.

His black Mercedes CLK reeks of class, but it has nothing on the $325,000 orange McLaren 720S that roars out of the driveway of the house across the street.

He sent his daughter Joanne to Fordham University in the rough-and-tumble Bronx, a good private school, but no Harvard, Yale or Stanford.

Yet up until last week Hwang, 58, was one of the richest people in America, amassing a vast $10billion fortune that hardly anyone knew about.

Now his world has gone kaput and through a series of disastrous miscalculations, he has lost it all.

Bill Hwang, real name Sung Kook Hwang, was spotted outside his Tenafly, New Jersey home on Tuesday amid the fallout from the collapse of his New York-based firm Archegos Capital Management last week

The multi-billionaire, pictured with his wife Becky and their daughter in an undated photo, saw his entire fortune be wiped out after his company defaulted on margin calls last week

Hwang and his wife Becky, 54, live quietly in an affluent, predominantly Asian area of Tenafly, New Jersey, a half-hour drive from his 38th floor office on Manhattan's 7th Avenue

Hwang's New York-based firm is at the center of the crisis that caused shares of major investment banks Nomura and Credit Suisse to tumble after they issued profit warnings when Archegos defaulted on margin calls last week.

His fall has roiled the international money markets. Two international banks are forecasting monumental losses and the full effects of Hwang's mistakes will take months to be realized. In total, banks worldwide are expected to lose around $6billion.

Hwang  real name Sung Kook Hwang  has had a checkered history. Phenomenal success was followed by disgrace when he had to pay $44million for insider trading.

That led to Wall Street blacklisting him, but, slowly and surely, as his financial successes piled up, he worked his way back into the banks' good graces and one-by-one they started doing business with him.

Now, they may well wish they hadn't.

Hwang is the epitome of the American immigrant success story. His father was a Korean pastor who came to the United States when Hwang was still a child. For a while his mother was a Christian missionary in Mexico.

Hwang, who earned business degrees at UCLA and Carnegie Mellon, wears his Christian faith on his sleeve.

Prior to the fiasco, very little was known about Hwang, despite him being one of the richest people in the country. He is the son of a Korean preacher and had spoken of his Christian faith on social media and in interviews

Hwang appears to wears his Christian faith on his sleeve. In a 2018 interview (above) he explained how his religion influenced his business practices

Hwang and his wife bought their 6,400 square foot home new for $3.5million in 2008

'When we create good companies through the capitalism that God has allowed, it enhances people's lives,' he said in a 2019 video posted online. 'God delights in those things.'

In another video, this time for the Fuller Foundation, he said: 'It's not all about money. God certainly has a long-term view. It's really helping a lot of people learn how to invest well and use capitalism to help human society advance.'

He even said his large stake in the social media group LinkedIn wasn't just to make money.

'LinkedIn is about helping people realize their job potential. Do I think God loves it? Of course.

'I'm like a little child thinking where can I invest to please our God?

'Remember Jesus saying "my Father is working therefore I am working?" So God is working, Jesus is working and I am working.

'And I'm not going to retire till he pulls me back.'

He claims to read the Bible for three hours a week, saying it takes him about 85 hours from cover to cover.

Hwang, who managed about $10 billion of family money through Archegos, has been known to use out-sized leverage to magnify his bets in American, European and Asian markets

Archegos Capital Management is based in this office on 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan

'Some books are three minutes, Psalms is about six hours,' he said in a YouTube video extolling the virtues of reading the Bible communally.

He rarely socializes.

'Even on Wall Street, few ever noticed him,' reported Bloomberg Wealth. 'Until suddenly everyone did.'

Hwang and his wife Becky, 54, live quietly in an affluent, predominantly Asian area of Tenafly, New Jersey, a half-hour drive from his 38th floor office on Manhattan's 7th Avenue. They bought their home new for $3.5million in 2008.

They have a 22-year-old daughter Joanne, who graduated from Fordham last year and now works as a graphic designer in New York.

He has a charity, the Grace and Mercy Foundation, with $590million in assets according to tax filings.

He donated $20million in Amazon stock to the charity last year, giving him a major tax break.

He has also handed over one million Netflix shares as well as smaller amounts of stock in Facebook, Hawaiian Airlines and Expedia.

In 2013, Hwang went onto turn his fund into a family office and renamed it Archegos Capital Management to run his private wealth. As a family office, Archegos doesn't have any obligation to register with the SEC - even though it has billions of dollars in exposure to publicly traded US companies

From 2007 to 2018 his foundation distributed nearly $80million, with the amounts steadily increasing over time, according to Forbes. Most of it went to Korean Christian causes.

Bill Hwang started out as a stock salesman for Hyundai Securities in the 1990s then went to work for legendary investor Julian Robertson at Tiger Management -becoming one of his so-called Tiger Cubs.

Robertson, now 88, said he was 'very sad' about his acolyte's fall.

'I'm a great fan of Bill and it could probably happen to anyone. But I'm sorry it happened to Bill.' he told Business Insider on Monday.

Hwang went on to found Tiger Asia Management with $25 million of Robertson's money, growing the fund to $5billion. But then it came crashing down when he was accused of insider trading in 2012.

Wall Street wouldn't work with him for many years after he agreed to pay $44million in penalties and he shuttered his company.

Then he founded his private investment firm, Archegos Capital Management, and his genius at picking stocks started to persuade the banks that he could no longer be ignored and they started doing business with him again.

The last to capitulate was Goldman Sachs, which only agreed to work with him again last year after bankers lobbied the company's risk department.

They noted that under Hwang's stewardship, Archegos had grown from assets of $200million when he founded it in 2012 to more than $10billion  a rise of 4,900 per cent  and, they claimed, the reward was worth the danger.

What is a margin call? A margin call is when a bank asks a client to put up more collateral if a trade partly funded with borrowed money has fallen sharply in value. If the client cannot afford to do that, the lender will sell the securities to try to recoup what it is owed. In this case, Archegos Capital is said to have defaulted on margin calls. Advertisement

How wrong they were.

Goldman and Morgan Stanley had to sell off more than $20billion of Hwang's holdings on Friday alone in what has been described as a 'fire sale' and 'the biggest sell-off in a decade.'

Three other banks, Credit Suisse, the Japanese giant Nomura and UBS are continuing to offload. Credit Suisse's stocks fell 16 per cent due to Hwang's miscalculations, Nomura fell 16.3 per cent.

Credit Suisse said its loss 'could be highly significant and material to our first quarter results.' Nomura is calculating on a $2billion loss.

Karen Kessler, spokesperson for Archegos said in a statement: 'This is a challenging time for the family office of Archegos Capital Management, our partners and employees. All plans are being discussed as Mr. Hwang and the team determine the best path forward.'

Hwang controlled what is known as a 'family office,' a wealth management shop that caters to just one ultra-high-worth individual.

That individual was Hwang himself.

Credit Suisse and Nomura are now facing billions of dollars in losses as a result of Hwang's firm defaulting on margin calls, putting investors on edge about who else might have been caught out

The problem was that Hwang invested in a relatively limited number of companies with several of them hitting trouble at the same time.

Top of the list was ViacomCBS, the parent company of the broadcasting network that had seen its stock rise from $12.79 in March last year to more than $97 a year later. But then it issued millions of new shares to pay for CBS's planned streaming service and the stock price collapsed by more than 50 per cent.

Another media company, Discovery Communications had a similar rise and fall  from $19.27 in October to a high of $77.27 five months later only to plummet to a little over $41.

It too plans a streaming service but investors believe Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ hold such a lead in that field, newcomers will struggle to make a profit.

A handful of Chinese companies also hit trouble and all of a sudden Archegos couldn't find the cash to meet the banks' calls for more collateral - and the gig was up.

Together the banks had loaned Archegos tens of billions of dollars, raking in massive bonuses for a select few bankers. 'Greed trumped fear,' said one investment banker.

Bloomberg Wealth called Hwang's prosperity 'one of the world's great hidden fortunes.'

And Mike Novogratz, a former partner at Goldman Sachs who's been trading since 1994 described Hwang's fall as 'one of the single greatest losses of personal wealth in history.'
Italy has expelled two Russian officials after an Italian navy captain was caught red-handed by police selling secret documents to a Moscow military officer.

The Italian frigate captain was arrested on spying charges after officers tailing him saw him late Tuesday in Rome in a 'clandestine meeting' with a Russian military officer, according to a police statement.

The two men met in a car park, according to media reports. Special operations police stopped them both but arrested only the navy officer, accusing him of passing on 'confidential documents' in exchange for money.

The Russian, an embassy official, avoided custody thanks to diplomatic immunity, police said.

In London, Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab expressed 'solidarity' with Italy and condemned 'Russia's malign and destabilising activity that is designed to undermine our NATO ally'

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio summoned Russian ambassador Sergey Razov on Wednesday morning to lodge a formal protest. The diplomat was notified of 'the immediate expulsion of the two Russian officials involved in this very serious affair', Di Maio said.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio (pictured) summoned Russia's ambassador to Rome, Sergey Razov, this morning to tell him two Russian officials were being expelled from the country because they had been involved in an incident where an Italian navy captain sold secrets to Russian military officers

Eleonora Tafuro, a Russia expert at the ISPI think tank in Milan, said such incidents in Italy were rare.

'It is very serious ... and really takes us back to the Cold War period,' she told AFP.

The ANSA news agency, quoting investigative sources, named the navy officer as Walter Biot, and said he worked in the military policy unit within the office of the Chief of the Defence Staff.

That unit handled 'all confidential and classified documents,' including NATO dossiers, the Corriere della Sera newspaper said.

It also reported that Biot received 5,000 euros ($5,860) in cash from his Russian contact.

A NATO official referred queries to Italian authorities, saying: 'We don't comment on intelligence issues.'

The navy captain took pictures of secret documents on his computer screen and passed the files onto a pen drive which police confiscated, according to the AGI news agency.

The Russian embassy in Rome (pictured) confirmed that a member of the office of the military attache was stopped by police on Tuesday, but said it was 'inappropriate to comment' in detail

Russia's ambassador to Rome, Sergey Razov (pictured), was told this morning that Italy were expelling the two Russian officials. Special operations police officers swooped in moments after secret documents exchanged hands between an Italian navy captain and Russian military official

In London, Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab expressed 'solidarity' with Italy and condemned 'Russia's malign and destabilising activity that is designed to undermine our NATO ally'.

Police said the suspected spy was discovered after long investigations led by Italy's domestic intelligence agency AISI, with support from the Chief of the Defence Staff.

Moscow is currently embroiled in a series of rows with the West, most recently over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, a move that triggered EU sanctions against senior Russian officials.

But Italy is one of the countries within the European Union and NATO with the warmest relations with Russia. Former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he hoped that 'the very positive and constructive nature of Russian-Italian relations will continue and will be preserved'.

The Russian embassy in Rome confirmed that a member of the office of its military attache was stopped by police on Tuesday, but said it was 'inappropriate to comment' in detail.

In a later statement, the embassy expressed 'regret' for the expulsion of two members of its military attache office, but made no mention of possible retaliatory moves.

Tafuro suggested that Moscow might play down the affair to avoid antagonising an ally while it is trying to get the bloc to approve the use of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine.

'Russia is pushing hard [for this]' and 'Italy has often spoken up for this Russian request,' so ruining relations with Rome 'could be a counterproductive move,' the analyst said.

Bulgaria, an EU and NATO member like Italy, expelled two Russian diplomats last week after six people were arrested, including several defence ministry officials, on suspicion of spying for Russia.

Also last week, the Kremlin issued a statement in which Putin bemoaned 'the unsatisfactory state of Russia-EU ties', which he blamed on the 'unconstructive, often confrontational policies of our partners'.

Earlier this month, relations between Moscow and Washington sank to a new low after US President Joe Biden called the Russian president a 'killer', leading Putin to say: 'It takes one to know one.'
YEREVAN.  You know how the official position is expressed and by whom. Alen Simonyan, the National Assembly (NA) vice speaker and member of the My Step ruling bloc of Armenia, on Wednesday told this to reporters in the NA, referring to the controversial statement by My Step MP Hovik Aghazaryan that, "Is there a bold person in Armenia who can tell the world that Kelbajar [in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] was ours?"

Simonyan added that he considers the whole region, which is called "Armenian World," as his homeland.

To the question why during PM Nikol Pashinyan's recent visit to Armavir Province the residents were promised to asphalted roadsthat is, something for which they used to criticize the previous authorities, the NA vice speaker said: "Because those we were criticizing never did that asphalt; they were doing it only before the elections. The current authorities have done more asphalt in the last two years than the previous authoritiesin five to ten years.

As for the visit, it was a regular visit, the prime minister has always been in contact with the citizens. Many were accusing the prime minister of traveling around Armenia with a police barricade, and when the prime minister goes, meets with the people, we find another alternative to manipulate. I am happy with one thing: I have visited two provinces with the prime minister, and those people understand everything very well and give their assessment; this is not the government that makes asphalt only before an election."

In response to the remark that the aforesaid creates an unlevel playing field between the political forces, Alen Simonyan noted that today the incumbent Armenian authorities were in the most unlevel playing field. "The [Armenian] government does not have the financial resources and their opportunities that the opposition has today. Today, the opposition is several times richer and more competitive in terms of its strength, its resources than the current government team," he said.
Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - March 30, 2021) - St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited (TSX: SAU) ("St. Augustine" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with its creditor and major shareholder Queensberry Mining and Development Corp. ("Queensberry"), whereby the Company agreed to convert approximately CAD$3,232,167.25 of the amount owing to Queensberry into 70,176,859 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at a deemed price of CAD$0.046057 per Common Share (the "Debt Conversion"). Following completion of the Debt Conversion, Queensberry will hold 288,676,859 Common Shares, representing approximately 36% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares.

Shares issued pursuant to this Debt Conversion are subject to trading restrictions until July 25, 2021.

The Debt Conversion is a "related party transaction" for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on an exemption from the minority approval and formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 due to the fact that the value of the transaction does not represent greater than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company.

The Company has not filed a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Debt Conversion as no agreement to that effect was in place at that time.

About St. Augustine

St. Augustine (TSX: SAU) is a TSX-listed mining company focused on the development of the King-king Copper-Gold Project. The Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world and is listed as a top three-priority mining project by the Philippine government.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable based on currently available information, they may prove to be incorrect. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking information is also subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's current expectations, including changes in market conditions, governmental or regulatory developments and general economic conditions. Other risks and uncertainties related to the Company are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2020 and filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information contained in this announcement is based on our current estimates, expectations and projections, which we believe are reasonable as of the current date. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should nor rely on this information as of any other date. While we may elect to, we are under no obligation and do not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required by applicable securities law.

For more information:



Lenna Mae Leopoldo

Investor and Public Relations Contact

T: +6382 225 0884

E: lleopoldo@kingkingproject.com

ST. AUGUSTINE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

No.21, Greenwood Lane,

Singapore, 286949

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79013
SHANGHAI, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AffaMed Therapeutics ("AffaMed"), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to addressing critical unmet patient need in ophthalmic, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and SIFI S.p.A. ("SIFI"), a leading international ophthalmic company, today announced they have entered into an agreement to establish a Joint Venture to develop, manufacture and commercialize premium innovative intraocular lenses ("IOLs") in the Greater China market, including Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong.

The Joint Venture will have exclusive rights to SIFI's range of IOLs, including the premium innovative Mini Well, Mini Well Toric  and Mini Well Proxalines of Extended Depth of Focus ("EDOF") IOL lenses. These surgical implants represent the most advanced solutions for cataract refractive surgery, allowing correction of myopia/hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism resulting in spectacle-free uninterrupted high-quality vision at all distances and in all lighting conditions.

Cataract is among the leading public health issues in China today, with the total prevalence estimated at over 100 million, but only approximately 4 million cataract surgeries are currently performed annually. As awareness and access to effective treatment options such as IOL's increases, the number of cataract surgeries in China is expected to increase by 8-10% per year, representing one of the highest growth rates globally. With its range of innovative EDOF IOLs expected to be among the most advanced and effective treatment options available to cataract patients in China, the Joint Venture between AffaMed and SIFI will target the under-served premium market for patients seeking a high level of spectacle independence, while it will also provide the highest quality mono-focal IOL products to help expand access to treatments for the wider population of patients.

Dr. Dayao Zhao, CEO of AffaMed commented: "The creation of our Joint Venture with SIFI marks an important milestone in strengthening the ability of AffaMed to reach more patients with the highest quality IOLs. Our development and regulatory expertise will enable the partnership to accelerate clinical development and regulatory approval timelines, and advance our mission of bringing high-quality and accessible healthcare products to meet significant unmet patient needs in the Greater China market."

Dr. Ji Li, President and Chief Strategy Officer of AffaMed commented: "Cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally, and intraocular lens implantation is the only definitive treatment. Whereas, the annual cataract surgical rate in China reached a record high of around 3,000 procedures per million people in 2020, that level still only represents approximately one-fifth of the surgical treatment rate observed in developed countries. We are thrilled to establish this strategic partnership with SIFI to bring their world-leading and high quality innovative intraocular lens technology to patients in Greater China."

"We are excited to enter into a strategic partnership with AffaMed to access the Greater China market, a significant milestone in our international expansion program." said Fabrizio Chines, Chairman and CEO of SIFI. "With its successful track record in forging alliances on innovative technologies in key therapeutic areas, AffaMed represents the partner of choice to bring our innovative solutions for cataract surgery to Chinese patients."

Andrea Quaglino, CFO of SIFI commented: "The creation of this Joint Venture will maximize the value of one of our key assets, leveraging on our team capabilities and global market potential of SIFI's proprietary IOL technology. Delivering value to shareholders and to a larger population of patients remains at the heart of our company's mission."

Under the terms of the agreement, AffaMed will provide funding for growth, and support the Joint Venture in clinical development, regulatory affairs and commercial operations, while SIFI will contribute its IP, technical and manufacturing expertise.

YAFO Capital (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. acted as financial advisor and DLA Piper as legal and tax advisor on this transaction to SIFI.

About AffaMed Therapeutics

AffaMed Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products that address critical unmet medical needs in ophthalmic, neurological and psychological disorders for patients in Greater China and around the world. The leadership team of AffaMed Therapeutics has gained deep industry expertise and an extensive track record in high-quality clinical development, regulatory affairs, CMC, business development and commercial operations at leading multi-national pharmaceutical companies in China and globally. AffaMed Therapeutics was founded and funded by the CBC Group in 2019.

About SIFI

SIFI is a leading ophthalmic company, headquartered in Italy, focusing on eye care since 1935. SIFI develops, manufactures and markets innovative therapeutic solutions for patients with ophthalmic diseases. SIFI is committed to improve patients' quality of life through its R&D efforts, exporting products to more than 20 countries worldwide with commercial operations in Italy, Spain, France, Romania, Mexico and Turkey. Since 2015 SIFI is backed by 21 Invest, a private equity firm founded by Alessandro Benetton.

SOURCE AffaMed Therapeutics
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the COVID-19 response and the state of vaccinations in the South Court Auditorium at the White House complex in Washington, on March 29, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

US Chamber of Commerce Says Biden Tax Hikes Are Dangerously Misguided

As President Joe Biden is slated to unveil a sweeping infrastructure bill Wednesday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said that the way it would be fundedvia an increase in taxesis dangerously misguided.

Properly done, a major investment in infrastructure today is an investment in the future, and like a new home, should be paid for over timesay 30 yearsby the users who benefit from the investment, the lobbying group said. We strongly oppose the general tax increases proposed by the administration which will slow the economic recovery and make the U.S. less competitive globallythe exact opposite of the goals of the infrastructure plan.

Bidens proposal, which is known as the American Jobs Plan, will be revealed Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Details of the plan have been leaked to the press in recent days, including investments in green energy sources, more Internet access, more highways, and housing. A tax increase would target corporations.

The hard work of achieving bipartisan consensus is the best and only realistic path to enactment of historic infrastructure legislation, the Chamber of Commerce said. While todays action, coupled with continued efforts to find consensus from bipartisan groups in both the House and Senate is encouraging and a start in a long process, we urge both Democrats and Republicans to avoid further partisan gridlock and provide productive solutions to get an infrastructure bill passed this year.

The White House released a fact sheet on the plan Wednesday morning.

Alongside his American Jobs Plan, President Biden is releasing a Made in America Tax Plan to make sure corporations pay their fair share in taxes and encourage job creation at home, the White House said. It added: Another study found that the average corporation paid just 8 percent in taxes. President Biden believes that profitable corporations should not be able to get away with paying little or no tax by shifting jobs and profits overseas. President Bidens plan will reward investment at home, stop profit shifting, and ensure other nations wont gain a competitive edge by becoming tax havens.

The corporate tax rate lowered from 35 percent to 21 percent under former President Donald Trump by Republicans who said it would help businesses grow and spur job creation efforts.

Another change would apply a new tax on foreign subsidiaries of American companies.

Right now, the tax code rewards U.S. multinational corporations that shift profits and jobs overseas with a tax exemption for the first ten percent return on foreign assets, and the rest is taxed at half the domestic tax rate, the White House fact sheet stated.

The Epoch Times has contacted the White House for comment.
Deputy Border Chief Raul Ortiz says migrant smugglers just drop people off near the border, with migrant facilities holding way over their capacity.

"Our facilities were never designed to hold people for more than a couple of days," Ortiz was quoted in an NBC News report.

He pleaded with migrants not to come right now to the United States, while facing a 5,000 average migrant encounters.

RELATED STORY: Biden Tells Migrants 'Don't Come' as U.S. Faces Biggest Migrant Surge in 20 Years

Colored Bracelets

Meanwhile, hundreds of colored plastic wristbands were being ripped off migrants, which U.S. border officials say as a growing trend among powerful drug cartels and smugglers to track people paying to cross illegally into the United States, according to The Guardian report.

The use of the colored plastic bands, with labels "arrivals" or "entries," in Spanish has not been widely reported before.

Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley sector recently faced migrants wearing the bracelets during several arrests, according to spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Matthew Dyman.

"Information on the bracelets represents a multitude of data that is used by smuggling organizations, such as payment status or affiliation with smuggling groups," Dyman was quoted in a Reuters report.

Theresa Cardinal Brown, director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Washington-based Bipartisan Policy Center, said that the colored bracelets sign that organized criminal groups are becoming more sophisticated with their actions.

Cardinal Brown that this might be a money-making scheme, keeping track of those paid or not.

However, migrant experts say that criminal groups in the northern Mexico have long used systems to log which migrants already paid for the right to be in their territory.

One migrant in Reynosa showed a picture of a purple wristband he was wearing. The migrants spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The migrant said that the bracelet would protect those who have it against kidnapping or extortion, adding that he paid $500 for his bracelet.

One smuggler also confirmed the migrant's story, saying that it is a design to keep track who has paid for the right to travel in the cartel-controlled territory.

Incoming Migrants

The United States border officials have reported more than 100,000 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in February, marking the highest monthly total historic surge since mid-2019. It is also a proof of a growing crisis.

The month increase from January to February shows a whopping surge of 28 percent, with about 9,500 of those migrants being unaccompanied migrant children.

This was the first time the number has exceeded 6,000 since June 2019, according to a Forbes report.

Peak migration system usually arrives in May.

More than 19,000 migrants were detained by border agents over the first week of March, while the White House refuses to identify the situation as a crisis.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the situation is challenging.

READ NEXT: 71 Migrants, Including Children, Found Inside Tractor-Trailer to be Smuggled to Texas Border



WATCH: Migrants, smugglers cutting through new Arizona border wall - from azfamily powered by 3TV & CBS5AZ
[March 31, 2021] CANOPY Management Recognized as a 'Great Place to Work' in 2021

AUSTIN, Texas, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading full-service Amazon agency, CANOPY Management, today unveiled its certification as an officially-recognized "Great Place to Work". Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue and increased innovation. To be certified as a "Great Place to Work," organizations must pass a rigorous process that uses validated employee feedback gathered with Great Place to Work's data-driven "For All" methodology. Earning this certification means that at least 7 out of 10 employees have a consistently positive experience with their employer. Like all organizations that apply for accreditation, CANOPY Management's employees participated in an anonymous survey to determine the company's eligibility, and here are just a few of the survey's key findings: 97% of respondents agreed: "People avoid politicking and backstabbing as ways to get things done."

97% of respondents agreed: "You can count on people to cooperate."

100% of respondents agreed: "People care about each other here."

100% of respondents agreed: "When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome."



Brian Burt , Founder and CEO of CANOPY Management. "I'm a big believer in giving our employees what they want. A good employee in the wrong position will be highly ineffectual, and that's why we focus on finding the most talented and intelligent candidates we can and giving them a seat on the CANOPY team that will have them thrilled to be a part of our Tribe and passionate about the work. And what's moreI know our clients can feel that passion every day."

While CANOPY's leadership team is quick to recognize the positive role the entire organization has played in shaping the company's culture, they also note that this commitment doesn't just benefit CANOPY's employees. Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Best Workplace List Research at Great Place to Work, acknowledges the benefit that positive company culture has on client returns. "We congratulate CANOPY Management on their Certification," said Lewis-Kulin. "Organizations that earn their employees' trust create great workplace cultures that deliver outstanding business results." "The CANOPY team grew by over 62% last year," Burt added. "The fact that every one of those new employees felt incredibly welcomed just goes to show the strength of our company culture, onboarding process, and commitment to bringing together the best and the brightest in the Amazon industry." As a full-service Amazon marketing agency, CANOPY Management is the driving force behind many of the most successful brands on Amazon. PRESS CONTACT

Alex Smythe, Associate Digital Content Producer

alexandria@canopymanagement.com Related Images

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CANOPY Management logo View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canopy-management-recognized-as-a-great-place-to-work-in-2021-301259270.html SOURCE CANOPY Management

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The report also faults the department for leaving on its website for months an outdated version of the departmental directive on the new system, concealing a change likely to displease critics of the gang database concerned about people being included who arent accused of a crime. A new version of the directive that wasnt shared online included a change that could allow more officers to designate people as gang members even when they werent arrested. Ferguson wrote that by failing to post the most current version, CPD risks misleading the public with respect to its most recent policy position.
A man who was arrested this week less than two hours after allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend and their 1-year-old son was charged early Thursday in connection with the shooting, according to Chicago police.
While California is moving to expand abortion access, Arkansas is empowering doctors, healthcare institutions, and medical practitioners by giving them the right to reject performing abortions if it goes against their beliefs.

The state's Governor Asa Hutchinson on Friday signed S.B. 289, a law that protects medical professionalswho reject performing abortions if it violates their moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. Under the law, these doctors can now safely decline to provide such services without being sued by their clients.

Titled "The Medical Ethics and Diversity Act," S.B. 289 was initially opposed by Gov. Hutchinson in 2017, a fact he made clear in his recent statement. However, the 70 year-old Republican governor clarified, "The bill was changed to ensure that the exercise of the right of conscience is limited to 'conscience-based objections to a particular health care service.'"

Gov. Hutchinson explained further that he supports the right of conscience with the exemption of emergency care. In these emergency cases, conscience objection must not and cannot be used to deny any health service to any class of people to save their lives. He added that such federal laws that ban discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, and national origin still apply when delivering health care services.

The Medical Ethics and Diversity Act recognizes "the right of conscience" as a "fundamental and unalienable right." Specifically, such fundamental and unalienable rights of conscience of medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers have been facing "severe threats" in recent years. Furthermore, the "swift pace of scientific advancement and the expansion of medical capabilities" and the notion that these medical practitioners are merely "public utilities" have made them vulnerable to such threats. Thus, S.B. 289 was written to protect these medical professionals from "discrimination, punishment, or retaliation as a result of any instance of conscientious medical objection."

According to Christian Headlines, S.B. 289 defines "conscience" as the "religious, moral, or ethical beliefs or principles of a medical practitioner, healthcare institution, or healthcare payer."

Moreover, "conscience" is determinable by "reference to existing or proposed documents, including without limitation any published religious, moral, or ethical guidelines or directives, mission statements, constitutions, bylaws, articles of incorporation, policies, regulations, or other relevant documents."

Republican Representative Brandt Smith, who sponsored the bill allowing doctors to reject performing abortions for their beliefs, told 4029 News, "This bill just simply protects certain individuals who have that moral, ethical, religious conscientious objections from denying those services. There was concern, what if there is an emergency, can EMTs refuse to help someone? And the answer is absolutely no."

The new bill, just like other actions protecting the rights of those who oppose abortion, has its detractors. As soon as the Arkansas governor signed the new bill into law, ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Holly Dickson condemned it, calling it "another brazen attempt to make it easier to discriminate against people," THV11 reported. "Religious liberty is a fundamental right, but it is not an excuse to discriminate against people or deny them health care."

Dickson warned that the ACLU is on watch, saying S.B. 289 a "violation of federal law."
In the 2020 election, it is estimated that Donald Trump won around 12 percent of the Black vote. Among Black male voters, his percentage was higher, perhaps around 18 percent.

Both showings were significantly better for Trump than in 2016. And Trumps 2016 showing was better than Republicans had been doing among Black voters.

What accounts for Trumps 2020 numbers? The usual explanation is economic. Black employment soared under Trump until the pandemic hit, so this explanation is quite plausible.

As for Black men, some believe that Trumps style  direct, aggressive, and macho  has appeal to this cohort. Again, the explanation seems plausible.

Byron York offers another explanation  one that I hadnt seen before. He suggests that Trump made his inroads with religious Blacks. Byron quotes Ryan Burge, a political science professor at Eastern Illinois University who studies the interplay of religion and voting. According to Burge:

People are starting to understand that to be religious in the United States is to be Republican. That linkage is growing stronger over the last couple of years. For instance, theres some pretty compelling evidence that young, religiously devout African-Americans have really shifted away from the Democrats since Trumps election. For men, its a bit more pronounced. Just a decade ago, three-quarters of young black men who went to church weekly were Democrats. Today, its closer to 60 percent. For women, its more subtle  maybe down eight points from the peak. But its still there.

Actually, it seems that Trump ran less well among Black Protestants than he did among Blacks in general. Berge puts Trumps level of support from Black Protestants in 2020 at only 9 percent.

But this doesnt negate the theory that the religious vote has contributed to the increase in support for Republicans among Blacks. According to Berge, Mitt Romney won only 3 percent of Black Protestants and Trump won only 7 percent of them in 2016. (There is nothing in Byrons report about Black Catholics.)

Berge says that nowadays 12 to 13 percent of Black evangelicals identify as Republicans. Thats up from six to seven percent in around 2012. From Berges numbers, it can be inferred that Trump failed to have a solid grip on the Black Republican evangelical vote.

Perhaps a more devout and moral Republican standard bearer would capture a higher percentage of this vote. On the other hand, Berges numbers suggest that Mitt Romney didnt do so in 2012. This, though, was against a Black opponent.

The key, I suppose, is appealing to devoutly religious Black voters who understand that Republicans are the pro-religion party, while at the same time appealing to less devout Black males who like a direct, hard-hitting candidate.

But I still see the economy, not religion, as the key. If the economy is strong in 2024, I expect the Democratic nominee will win back some of the lost Black vote. If not, the trend in favor of the GOP should continue.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found 29 finches hidden in hair rollers in the baggage of a traveler who arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport and was headed to New Jersey, officials said Tuesday.

Officers made the discovery Sunday during a secondary check of the Guyana mans bags after he arrived on a flight from Georgetown in the South American country, according to CBP. The 26-year-old was bound for an unspecified address in New Jersey, the agency said.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspectors told customs officers to seize the birds and the man was issued a $300 civil penalty, officials said. He was not criminally charged and his name was not released.

Officials said the man withdrew his application to enter the United States and he was sent back on a flight to Guyana.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 29 finches hidden inside hair rollers from a man at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the agency said.(CBP Photo/Handouts)

Agriculture specialists with CBP quarantined the finches and turned the birds over to U.S. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services, according to authorities. The fate of the birds was unclear.

Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists face a very complex and challenging task and that is to protect our nation, our citizens, our agricultural resources and our economic security, and they meet that challenge with extraordinary commitment and vigilance, Marty C. Raybon, Acting Director of Field Operations for CBPs New York Field Office, said in a statement.

Finch smuggling can be a lucrative enterprise, with birds netting hundreds of dollars. In 2019, a Connecticut man was charged with smuggling more than 30 of the songbirds into the country hidden in hair curlers. In that case, officials said CBP officers also stopped the man after he arrived on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana.

Birds can be imported to the United States under certain regulations detailed by the Department of Agriculture.

Improperly imported birds pose the potential threat of introducing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, to the United States poultry industry, CBP officials said in a statement.

Officials would not say why the man allegedly tried to smuggle the finches into the country or provide more details on his destination in New Jersey.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.
RELATIVES of the 22-year-old woman who died after being assaulted by her husband demanded eight beasts at the grave site.

Sharon Munhenga met her fate when she was beaten up by her husband, Mcdonald Chiveto, during an altercation.

With Chiveto not having paid lobola, Munhengas family demanded eight beasts during her burial on Monday at Zororo Memorial Park and left the deceaseds clothes with the in-laws, indicating that distribution of the clothes would only be conducted after their demands have been met.

Chiveto has since been arrested for a murder charge and is set to appear in court on April 8. Following the assault, Munhenga is said to have left a note in her wardrobe which explained what had transpired.

Prior to the burial, Chiveto paid part of the lobola. A source who attended the burial said: There was drama at the graveyard; hama dzemurume dzikazopfugama kukumbira ruregerero.

Munhenga was assaulted on 14 March. She was attacked with a pot on the head and she died on March 19.

She died in the house. Her father demanded eight cattle. Added the source: Muroora saw a note in her wardrobe when she was packing her clothes. So her clothes were left at her in-laws place.

These clothes will be distributed kana vabvisa pfuma yakasara plus mombe. During the burial, the deceaseds aunt narrated what had happened.

Tete vake gave an account of the saga because she stays in the same street with my late nieces in-laws.

So at the graveyard, people from the deceaseds side first gave speeches and when the MC announced kuti vakuwasha vachitaura thats when the drama started, havana kuzotaura; vamwene vakatozotiza.

After burial, the deceaseds family did not go to Budiriro where the funeral wake was held and we do not know kuti prepared lunch vakazoipa ani.

Later around 3pm, a delegation from vakuwasha went to apologise, said the source. Munhenga left behind a baby aged one-year-and nine months. On Friday, National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi issued a statement regarding the incident.

Mcdonal Chiveto had a dispute with his wife Sharon Munhenga (22) and chased her away from their Budiriro home.

She did not comply with the order and was seriously assaulted by the suspect with fists and open hands all over her body. The victim went to Sally Mugabe Hospital for medical attention and returned home.

Her condition deteriorated and later died on March 19. Added Ass-Comm Nyathi: Police have since arrested the suspect and investigations are in progress.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges members of the public to shun violence and solve disputes amicably. Police condemn domestic violence in the strongest terms and people should not take the law into their hands, but report to law enforcement agencies or approach third parties for assistance to resolve conflicts, he said. H Metro
The murder trial of ex-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, which began Monday, has been harrowing thus far.

Harrowing, in that prosecutors began by presenting the video of Floyds agonizing death and continued by calling a number of eyewitnesses, including several children, who were clearly traumatized by the events of May 25, 2020. They described what they saw in clear-sighted terms, unaffected by the moral equivocations often offered, or peddled, by adults.

When I look at George Floyd, I look at  I look at my dad, I look at my brothers, my cousins, uncles, because they are all Black, said Darnella Frazier, 18. I look at that and I look at how that could have been one of them.

She was just 17 on the day she took her 9-year-old cousin to a local food market, only to find herself taking out her cell phone when she saw a man terrified, scared, begging for his life. Her video of the encounter documents the excruciating 9 minutes and 29 seconds in which Floyd  handcuffed, asking for mercy, calling for his mother  took his last breaths as Chauvin stared into the crowd with a fixed yet vacant expression. It went viral in the aftermath of the killing and helped spark weeks of Black Lives Matter protests.

On HoustonChronicle.com: George Floyd's friends, family in Houston brace for trial of Derek Chauvin

I was sad and kinda mad, said Fraziers cousin, who testified off-camera due to her extreme youth.

It felt like he was stopping his breathing, the girl elaborated. And it was kinda hurting him.

That what happened to Floyd was horrible is beyond debate. Chauvin, who was fired the day after Floyds death, faces charges of second- and third-degree murder as well as manslaughter. Three other officers who were on the scene that day  Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kuen  have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, and are expected to stand trial this summer. The city of Minneapolis this month agreed to pay Floyds family $27 million to settle a civil lawsuit over his death.

Even so, Chauvins defense team is preparing to argue that what the former officer did to Floyd was in some sense appropriate  an argument that is harrowing, too.

You will learn that Derek Chauvin did exactly what he had been trained to do over the course of his 19-year career, said defense attorney Eric Nelson, in his opening statement. The use of force is not attractive, but it is a necessary component of policing.

If thats the case, things need to change  for the good of the police, as well as the communities they are sworn to protect.

Several measures currently under consideration in the Texas Legislature start with that premise. The most ambitious of these is House Bill 88, the George Floyd Act, authored by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat. The bill would, among other things, require law enforcement officers to intervene if they see a colleague using excessive force, and allow Texans to file suit if they have been victims of police misconduct  a form of accountability that police are currently shielded from, under the controversial principle of qualified immunity.

I am profoundly heartbroken that it has taken the nationwide outrage over the murder of a Black person  a father, a brother, a son, an uncle, a friend  to insist on meaningful conversations about racial biases and demand accountability from those who are sworn to protect us, Thompson said last week during a hearing of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety committee.

George Floyd wasnt the first person to be brutalized and murdered by police officers in our criminal justice system, she said of the Third Ward native, and he wont be the last if the state doesnt do something to correct that problem now.

House Bill 54, authored by state Rep. James Talarico, a Round Rock Democrat, would bar law enforcement agencies from partnering with reality television shows. The measure is also known as Javier Amblers Law, after the 40-year-old Black man who died in the custody of the Williamson County Sheriffs office in March 2019 after he was chased for a minor traffic violation and then Tasered repeatedly while he complained that he could not breathe. The incident was recorded for the program Live PD. A grand jury this week indicted two deputies on a manslaughter charge in the death.

House Bill 1272  the Breonna Taylor Act  authored by state Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Dallas Democrat, would prohibit warrants authorizing no-knock entries. It is named for the 26-year-old Black medical worker who was shot and killed during a botched police raid in Louisville, Ky., after officers forced their way into her apartment in March 2020.

The latter two measures have some bipartisan support, at least. State Rep. Jeff Cason, a Republican of Bedford, is among the co-authors of HB1272. HB 54s coauthors include Jared Patterson, a Frisco Republican, and James White of Hillister, the only Black member of the GOP caucus and the chairman of the public safety committee.

The George Floyd Act, however, may face a tougher road, as Republicans  many of whom pivoted to Back the Blue after last summers protest and who were quick to accuse Democrats of wanting to defund the police  are reluctant to consider doing away with qualified immunity, in particular. Thompson, at the committee hearing, seemed to anticipate such objections.

I want to be very frank with this committee: this is not about defunding the police, she said, adding, I dont think they make enough money for what we ask them to do.

Some Republicans would love to turn legislative debates in Austin this year to the question of defunding the police, which few if any Democratic elected officials have actually called for. Many Republicans also remain steadfast supporters of former President Donald Trump even though he encouraged an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that left a police officer dead and dozens of others injured.

The opening days of Chauvins trial are a vivid reminder that, as Thompson said, calls for police reform are not calls for defunding the police  or attacks on the many, many men and women who serve ably and admirably as law enforcement agents.

Theres been nights I stayed up apologizing, Frazier said quietly, through tears, when she testified Tuesday morning. Apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and not saving his life.

But its like, its not what I should have done, she continued, referring to Chauvin: Its what he should have done.

The question now is what we will do to ensure that these horrific abuses of the power of the state finally come to an end.

erica.grieder@chron.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 00:08:24|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Four men in Hong Kong involved in rioting or illegal assembly at the Hong Kong International Airport in 2019 were sentenced to imprisonment for 13 to 45 months by a local court on Wednesday.

Two of the men, who were earlier convicted of illegal assembly, were sentenced to 13 months in prison. The other two men, who had earlier pleaded guilty to rioting, were sentenced to 45 months in prison.

The judge said that the defendants' behavior seriously affected the operation of the airport, the reputation of Hong Kong and the willingness of tourists to visit Hong Kong.

On Aug. 13, 2019, a group of demonstrators illegally gathered at the Hong Kong International Airport, during which some blocked the road outside the departure hall of Terminal 1, seriously disrupting the normal operation of the airport. Enditem
A DUBLIN man has been charged with murdering a man who died after being stabbed at his home in an inner city apartment complex.

Noel Lennon (47) appeared in Dublin District Court this morning charged over the death of Isaac Horgan, who was fatally wounded on Monday.

Mr Horgan (52) bled to death after a stabbing at Markievicz House flats, Townsend Street on Monday morning.

Judge Brian OShea remanded Mr Lennon in custody for a week, for the preparation of a book of evidence.

The accused, with an address at Alexandra Court, Dundrum is charged with murdering Mr Horgan on March 29.

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This morning, Detective Sergeant Patrick Traynor said he arrested the accused for the purpose of charge at Pearse Street Station at 5.50am today.

He was charged at 6.05am and made no reply after caution. Mr Lennon was handed a copy of the charge sheet.

Judge OShea said a bail application could not be made in the district court on a murder charge.

Defence solicitor Brian Coveney asked for his client to appear in Cloverhill District Court by video link on the next date, April 7.

Judge OShea granted free legal aid after hearing the accused was not working.

Mr Lennon, wearing a green jacket, black tracksuit bottoms and runners, sat with his arms folded and was not required to address the court during the brief hearing.

Gardai said they responded to reports of an incident at Markievicz House at around 11am on Monday morning.

Mr Horgan was found seriously injured from a stab wound and was brought to St James Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

A woman in her 30s who was also arrested was released without charge, with a file to be prepared for the DPP.

Mr Horgan was originally from the Fatima Mansions area of the south inner city.
[March 31, 2021] LocatorX Appoints Max Gainer to Advisory Board

ATLANTA, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LocatorX , an innovative tracking technology provider, today announced Max Gainer has been appointed to its advisory board. Gainer will join the board to advise LocatorX as it continues to expand its market reach and innovation.

"We are pleased to welcome Max Gainer to the LocatorX advisory board as we work to bring our transformational tracking, engagement and anti-counterfeiting technology to new industries," said Scott Fletcher, CEO and President, LocatorX. "His knowledge and expertise will provide us with invaluable information and assistance as we look to grow our network, perfect our product and explore new uses for our technology. As a private investor Gainer currently serves as President of a variety of closely held entities. He also serves as a Vice President for Gainer Brothers Inc., engaging in numerous activities including derivative-based insurance, public market securities, commercial real estate, timberlands and agriculture. I am honored to join this esteemed group of professionals assisting LocatorX in the important work they are doing with location racking and anti-counterfeiting technology, said Gainer. This technology will provide businesses, consumers and governments with new operational tools and peace of mind as they navigate evolving business practices and the uncertain environment created by the pandemic.



Gainer began his professional career in 1984 with Barnett Banks, Inc. and its affiliates and for a brief period, First Chicago, focusing on commercial real estate, corporate lending, commercial real estate mortgage securitization, business development, management, planning and credit extension. Gainer was also a Founding Director and former Vice Chairman of Cygnet Financial Corporation and Cygnet Private Bank, a de-novo banking institution, which sold to Florida Bank Group in 2007.

Gainer holds a bachelors degree in financial management from Clemson University and volunteers with local youth sports, as well as various religious, educational and charitable organizations in his free time. About LocatorX

LocatorX provides accurate, flexible and inexpensive tracking technology for a companys assets, across a variety of industries. Founded with technology discovered at the University of Oxford, LocatorX has patented new techniques such as a cutting-edge, solid-state, location tracking, one-to-one consumer interactions, and counterfeit detection. For more information, visit www.locatorx.com. Media Contact: Michelle Gullia

LocatorX

michelle.gullia@locatorx.com

678.595.3652 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c6047cf-6433-41cc-8f68-ec99ca81ca12



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He added: Let me just be clear, we should be getting every dose into every arm that we possibly can beginning as soon as we possibly can. We are getting more doses right now  we are getting many more doses than we were even last week. Thats a great thing, and we want to make sure that were running people through these vaccination centers as quickly as possible.
Malta has become the latest country to welcome British tourists as it says anyone who has had two Covid jabs will be able to enter from June 1.

The small island nation in the Mediterranean said UK travellers who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be allowed to enter from June 1.

Passengers will need to show their vaccination card before boarding flights, according to the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA).

Around 500,000 British tourists normally visit Malta every year.

But the UK is on Malta's red list of countries, which means non-vaccinated travellers are banned from entering.

Britons who have received two Covid-19 vaccines will able to visit Malta from June 1, the island's tourism authority has announced

The decision comes after France has already reopened its borders to the UK, with the country named as one of seven where travellers coming from will not have to justify their journey.

Greece will allow tourists who have already had Covid, have been vaccinated or have tested negative on arrival to visit the country from mid-May, while last week Spain said it will lift entry restrictions for UK travellers from March 30, with officials confirming the country would not have its travel ban extended because of the success of the British vaccine rollout.

Tolene Van Der Merwe, director for the UK and Ireland at MTA, said: 'Malta is a very popular destination for British holidaymakers and is a key contributor to Malta's economy, so we are excited to welcome back fully vaccinated travellers from the United Kingdom from 1 June.

Malta's decision follows similar moves from Spain, Greece and Turkey, which are all top travel destinations for Brits on their summer holidays

'The people of Malta are looking forward to tourists returning who have loved our sunshine, culture, food and warm spirit year in, year out.'

Malta is second to the UK in terms of European countries which have vaccinated the largest proportion of their population.

Clayton Bartolo, Malta's minister for tourism and consumer protection, said: 'The health and safety of Maltese citizens and tourists will always be our top priority, and, with the continued rollout of the vaccine here in Malta, this focused reopening plan is designed to slowly and safely reopen tourism to fully vaccinated Britons.'

A number of other destinations popular with UK holidaymakers have announced plans to reopen their borders in recent weeks.

Turkey expects to welcome UK holidaymakers without requiring proof of a vaccine or negative test, as soon as foreign leisure travel is permitted.

Greece will require international tourists to have been vaccinated, had a recent negative Covid-19 test or have coronavirus antibodies.

Visitors to Cyprus must have had both doses of a vaccine.

Overseas holidays in the UK are banned due to the coronavirus lockdown, but Boris Johnson will make an announcement on Monday about lifting restrictions.

The Government's Global Travel Taskforce will provide a report to the Prime Minister on April 12 setting out recommendations for how and when foreign holidays can resume.

Under England's road map for easing pandemic rules, the earliest that overseas leisure travel could be permitted is May 17.

But there is growing speculation that that date could be pushed back as parts of Europe are seeing rising infections.

Earlier today Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary predicted a removal of all restrictions on flights to Spain, Portugal and Greece, declaring 'the vaccines are coming, people are going on holiday'.

O'Leary said that whilst it is 'certainly foolhardy' to book a getaway in April or May, he believes 'Europe will catch up' in June, July and August - allowing for holidays 'to places like Corfu, Santorini, Ibiza'.

Speaking to Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain O'Leary said: 'It would be certainly foolhardy to be booking in April and May.

'But with the school holidays coming around in June, July and August and the successful rollout of the vaccines led by the UK, Europe will catch up dramatically I believe, in the months of April and May, particularly with the Johnson Johnson vaccine rollouts.'
[March 31, 2021] ISW Holdings Inc. (ISWH) Offers Diversification in a Single Company

NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ISW Holdings Inc. (OTC: ISWH) today announces its placement in an editorial published by NetworkNewsWire ("NNW"), one of 50+ trusted brands within the InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company for private and public entities. To view the full publication, Companies Offer Diverse Opportunities Under One Umbrella, please visit: https://nnw.fm/cHeD0 Identifying and staying in front of market trends and emerging sectors has always been a challenge for everyone from big money to the retail investor. Two of the most bullish market segments in the last couple years have been cryptocurrency and telehealth, both with tailwinds that were fanned by the pandemic to accelerate consumer adoption and magnified market awareness. Institutional money has been pouring into each, further adding to the momentum and validating investment theses. Its difficult to get exposure to both from a single company, but diversification is the mantra of ISW Holdings Inc. (OTC: ISWH) , which has been actively growing its portfolio in both cryptocurrency and healthcare, which complements its logistics and supply chain management division. There are only a select few public companies that offer such diverse opportunity under one umbrella. About ISW Holdings Inc. ISW Holdings, based in Nevada, is a diversified portfolio company comprised of essential business lines that serve consuer product demands. The companys expertise lies in strategic brand development, early growth facilitation, as well as brand identity through its proprietary procurement process. Together, with its partners, ISW Holdings seeks to provide a structure that meets large scalability demands, as well as anticipated marketplace needs. The company is able to meet these needs through a variety of strategic innovative processes. ISWH is creating and managing brands across a spectrum of disruptive industries. It maneuvers its proprietary companies through critical stages of market development, which includes conceptualization, go-to-market strategies, engineering, product integration, and distribution efficiency. The company has also partnered with a well-known software development and consulting company, Bengala Technologies LLC, which is developing significant enhancements in the supply chain management space; and the partnership has a vitally needed patent now pending.



For more information about the company, visit www.ISWHoldings.com . NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to ISWH are available in the companys newsroom at http://ibn.fm/ISWH

About NetworkNewsWire NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge. To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text STOCKS to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only).





For more information please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com . Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website, applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer NetworkNewsWire (NNW)

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Kim Yo-jong, a sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / Yonhap



The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday criticized South Korean President Moon Jae-in for his speech on the North's recent missile launches, saying his sentiments are counterproductive and reflective of the United States' "gangster-like logic."



Kim Yo-jong made the criticism in a statement after Moon said on Friday in a speech that any action that could undercut the mood for dialogue is "undesirable," hours after Pyongyang confirmed its test-firing of short-range ballistic missiles.



She said it makes no sense for Moon to criticize the North's "self-defense" missile test after he described South Korea's own missile tests as efforts to build peace and dialogue in a speech in July last year.



"He meant the test-firing of ballistic missiles conducted by the Defense Science Institute of South Korea is for peace and dialogue in the Korean peninsula but that conducted by the Academy of Defense Science of the DPRK is something undesirable that arouses serious concern among the people in the South and chills the atmosphere for dialogue," Kim said in the statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency.






Bangladesh: Compliance certificate for exporting crab, eel mandatory under Chinese protocol

by Rezaul Karim

March 31,2021 | Source: The Financial Express

Export consignments of live crabs and eels to China will not be allowed without 'clinical compliance certification' by the state veterinary office, according to a protocol prepared by a Chinese authority. The General Administration of China Customs (GACC) has recently communicated this to the Bangladesh mission in Beijing. The Chinese side has agreed to register the five enterprises recommended by the Bangladesh side to export the eels and crabs to China, according to a letter sent by the Bangladesh mission in Beijing to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. However, GACC urged the Bangladesh authorities to strengthen supervision of the export items and to implement various epidemic prevention systems in the export process, added the letter. The Chinese state entity also requested the Bangladesh authorities to conduct a study and give feedback on the draft protocol of quarantine and health requirements for edible aquatic animals to be exported to China, as per the letter. Contacted, deputy director of fisheries department Dr Md Neazuddin (fish inspection and quality control) said a process was underway to start the export of eels and crabs to China. The Chinese authorities recently sent a protocol in this regard, he said, hoping that the exporters would be able to send their consignments after signing the protocol.



The fisheries and livestock ministry is responsible for the inspection and quarantine of edible aquatic animals to be exported to China and the issuance of health certificates, mentioned the protocol. The FE has obtained a copy of the protocol. "The edible aquatic animals shall be examined clinically by an official veterinarian before export and confirmed to be healthy, and that no clinical symptoms of contagious diseases are found and they are suitable for transportation," read the protocol. The protocol has mentioned that Bangladeshi exporters need to be more cautious about standards for exporting live crabs and eels to ensure uninterrupted supply of aquatic products to China, a senior official at the fisheries department said. China earlier imposed a ban on import of live mud crabs and eels from Bangladesh since, the Chinese authorities said, harmful bacteria were found in some consignments along with forged certificates. Some firms allegedly submitted such papers to the Chinese authorities while exporting crabs and eel fish. The Chinese authorities found presence of contaminated substances, estradiol and cadmium in particular, beyond the acceptable limit for human health, the senior government official added. Live mud crabs and eels are usually exported by air. There are three labs to test the different export consignments of fish and other related products. The volume of export of eels and crabs to China was over Tk 2.33 billion in the last fiscal year. China is Bangladesh's largest trade partner with annual bilateral trade of over $13 billion. In the fiscal year 2018-19, Bangladesh imported goods worth $12 billion from China, as against exports valued less than $1.0 billion to China.

 2021 - The Financial Express
The Ho Chi Minh City management board of urban infrastructure investment has proposed a plan to upgrade Hy Vong Canal in Tan Binh District, aiming at dealing with flooding at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

According to the proposal put forward to the municipal Department of Construction, the project will affect a section stretching 1,117.5 meters, beginning from Pham Van Bach Street and ending near Tham Luong Canal.

The renovated canal will be 970 meters long, while the parallel drainage embankments on both sides will be 147 meters long.

The whole project will include 55 drainage pits for the retention of rainwater in the basin along both sides of the canal.

Nine new sluices and two roads of about six meters wide each along both sides of the canal will also be built.

The citys management board of urban infrastructure investment is seeking approval for the allocation of VND1.98 trillion (US$85.6 million) from the municipal budget for the implementation of the project between 2021 and 2025.

Of that, nearly VND1.6 trillion ($69.2 million) will be spent on the site clearance of over 21,209 square meters of land.

The renovation project is expected to help prevent flooding at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and its vicinity.

The upgrade of Hy Vong Canal was previously included in the citys flood risk management project, which was approved by the municipal Peoples Committee in 2016.

It was projected to get funding from the World Bank, but the international lender stopped sponsoring the project in 2017.

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Hunter Biden's ex wife accused him of having an affair, being 'emotionally abusive' and using Viagra after she discovered his relationship with his brother's widow, emails obtained by DailyMail.com appear to show.

Kathleen Biden sent the emails in July 2016, after reportedly discovering romantic texts between her husband and Hallie Biden, Hunter's sister-in-law.

Hunter's new memoir, Beautiful Things, reportedly reveals that Kathleen found the tell-tale texts on Hunter's old iPad, sparking their final split.

Kathleen refers to his alleged affair in an angry email obtained by DailyMail.com from Hunter's abandoned laptop, accusing her then-husband of cheating and buying gifts for his mistress.

'I'm leaving you because you are having an affair and you have been emotionally abusive,' Kathleen wrote on July 28, 2016.

'You say you were surprised by my asking for a separation and needed time to process it. I was surprised when I found your bottles of Viagra and Cialis. I was surprised when I found airline purchases and jewelry purchases.'

Emails obtained by DailyMail.com show Hunter Biden's ex wife Kathleen (left) accusing him of having an affair with sister-in-law Hallie (right)

Kathleen sent the emails in July 2016, after reportedly discovering romantic texts between her husband and Hallie - the widow of Hunter's brother Beau. 'I'm leaving you because you are having an affair and you have been emotionally abusive,' Kathleen wrote on July 28, 2016

Kathleen's email says that she forgave him for previous infidelity, but that this affair  reportedly with his late brother Beau's widow  was the final straw.

Their relationship had been on the rocks since Beau died of brain cancer on May 30, 2015.

Two months later Hunter, who struggled with addiction his whole life, moved out of their marital home after breaking his sobriety pact with Kathleen, according to a 2019 interview he gave to the New Yorker.

Hunter's new memoir, Beautiful Things, reportedly reveals that Kathleen found the tell-tale texts on Hunter's old iPad, sparking their final split

By October that year the couple had formally separated, their divorce papers say.

Kathleen's court filings also accused Hunter of prolific use of drugs and prostitutes.

But the final blow to their two-decade marriage didn't come until Kathleen discovered Hunter had begun an affair with Hallie, he is reportedly set to reveal in his new memoir.

In the 255-page book, out on April 6, Hunter says Kathleen found texts betraying the controversial relationship on his old iPad, according to a source who spoke to The Sun on Tuesday.

'The book admits that this was the final straw for Kathleen,' the publishing source told the paper.

'She'd tried for years to help him beat his addiction to crack cocaine and booze. But then she found out he was sleeping with his brother's wife. She said he was a sicko.'

Emails obtained by DailyMail.com reveal what may have been that breaking point.

'Hunter, you cheated on me. You continued to cheat on me while I worked with [medical professionals] Kolmac, Debbie, etc to get you help,' Kathleen wrote on July 18 2016 in an email titled 'Final words'.

'Not only did you cheat on me, Viagra and Cialis, you actually bought her expensive gifts.

'I am stronger than you think. I'm not standing by while you treat me like dirt. I lost Beau, I lost my husband, I lost the family that I thought was mine. I continue to try and continue to feel like I am making things worse. 'I am finished.'

In an email with the subject line 'Final words', Kathleen writes 'You cheated on me. Not only did you cheat on me, Viagra and Cialis, you actually bought her expensive gifts'

Kathleen suggested that she had suspected Hunter's infidelity, but he responded by 'telling me that I'm crazy', and 'taunting' her about his late brother and Beau's children Natalie and Hunter

She followed up with further accusations on July 28, telling Hunter he had been 'emotionally abusive.'

'I'm leaving you because you are having an affair and you have been emotionally abusive. I forgave you for cheating before, I tried to help you get sober and you made it clear, throughout the past year, that you didn't want to be with me,' she wrote.

'You didn't want my forgiveness and you didn't want my help with your recovery.

'You say you were surprised by my asking for a separation and needed time to process it. I was surprised when I found your bottles of Viagra and Cialis. I was surprised when I found airline purchases and jewelry purchases.

'It has taken a long time for me to process that the man I loved, the marriage that I thought I would be in for the rest of my life, is gone.'

Kathleen suggested that she had suspected Hunter's infidelity, but he responded by 'telling me that I'm crazy', and 'taunting' her about his late brother and Beau's children Natalie and Hunter.

'I've had some time for the reality of what you've done to sink in. I've been able to really reflect on how you've treated me and realize the emotional abuse you have subjected me to over the past year. Your taunts about Beau, Natalie and Hunter,' she wrote.

'Your telling me that I'm crazy - that everyone is mad at me and the girls worried about me. Your denials of the cheating and what now appears to be an affair.

'I have woken up to my reality. No one should be treated the way you have treated me. I won't take it anymore.'

Hunter coldly responded, asking her not to email his work address because his colleagues might read it.

'So unbelievable that this is your response,' his livid wife replied.

If Kathleen's emails are referring to an affair with Hallie, it would blow Hunter's own timeline out of the water.

The president's son claimed in his 2019 New Yorker interview that it wasn't until August 2016, when he vacationed in the Hamptons with Hallie and her children, that he started to become close to her.

President Biden was seen walking with his son Hunter on Friday as Hunter carried his son Beau and holds his wife Melissa Cohen's hand before boarding Air Force One

Hunter held his 12-month-old son in his arms with Melissa close behind him before boarding Marine One from the White House South Lawn last week

He told the magazine that their romantic relationship only began in the fall of that year, when Hallie flew to meet Hunter after he got out of rehab in Arizona.

Kathleen filed for divorce on December 9, 2016, and his relationship with Hallie was publicly revealed on March 1 the following year.

DailyMail.com revealed that Hunter was paid up to $2million by publisher Simon & Schuster Gallery Books for his memoir.

He could earn millions more if he signs up for a movie or TV deal over the book, industry insiders say.

The book reportedly defends Hunter's affair with Hallie.

'Hunter claims it started because they needed each other,' the publishing insider told the Sun.

'She was grieving her husband's painful death and he was making his latest attempt to detox.'

The newspaper reported Tuesday that the book accuses Donald Trump of making phony corruption allegations against Hunter and his father.

But the book reportedly fails to mention his own texts about a police investigation into his handgun Hallie left in a grocery store trash can because she was 'scared he would harm himself'  published by DailyMail.com last week.
As urban areas around the world continue to grow, transportation and mobility systems are undergoing major transformations, from the adoption of traffic rerouting and other control systems to the modernization of parking options.

Evolving parking ecosystems are increasingly part of smart community planning and budgeting, as well as environmental improvement programs to reduce congestion, air and noise pollution, and to generally make cities more livable.

According to a report published by the UN, over 56% of the worlds population lives in cities. By 2030, that percentage is expected to grow to over 60%. As more people attempt to move through aging infrastructure, congestion and climate change seems inevitable.

City leaders understand they need to build more intelligent systems, including bridging the built and digital world as infrastructure funding is expected to increase dramatically, in large part due to the economic recovery programs coming on the heels of the global pandemic in 2020, forecast in the trillions of dollars in the U.S.

We caught up with David Parker, Chief Operating Officer at Cleverciti, a pioneer in high-tech solutions for outdoor and on-street parking detection, monitoring, and guidance.

Headquartered in Munich, Germany, with offices in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., the companys mission is to reduce traffic and emissions, increase revenue for local businesses and parking operations, while allowing drivers to enjoy a smooth, stress-free parking experience.

Smart city technology can make cities more effective and efficient, which we must do, given the projected rapid growth in urban populations over the next few decades, Parker said Exciting technologies, including air quality sensing, traffic congestion management, and more are making a huge impact already in leading smart cities around the world. Smart parking plays a crucial role in reducing the amount of time spent in vehicles and the harmful emissions those vehicles cause , while also allowing cities and local businesses to capitalize on additional revenue streams.

Parker said that economic development and a greater focus on revenue generation is helping cities to counteract the negative effects of the pandemic and finance the deployment of smart technologies as the world begins to emerge from the health crisis as more people are vaccinated. Some smart technologies like smart parking even contribute directly to economic development and increased city revenue generation, Parker said.

With the stated intention to invest trillions of dollars into infrastructure improvements in the U.S., Parker believes we can expect the growth of smart city technology to surpass the $244 billion forecast in 2021 (more than double the $118 billion spent in 2016).

Sensor-based technologies as part of the IoT and Industrial IoT will continue to play an integral role in tomorrows cities with high-value use cases including environmental monitoring, crime detection and prevention, smart lighting and traffic, as well as parking control and guidance Parker said. Smart parking sensors, for example, combine the power of edge computing, machine learning, and AI with hardware to allow for real-time monitoring of parking spaces.

Parker is a vocal advocate for climate protection, pointing to the UNs Cities for Climate Protection campaign, which enlists cities to implement measures to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and enhance sustainability. By combining powerful new IoT, AI, edge and cloud computing ecosystems, we can instrument our cities, and make the management of urban environments more efficient. Doing so collectively  with public and private partnership  has the potential to dramatically reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life in even our most densely populated communities.

Cleverciti is highly focused on advanced smart city parking solutions which help optimize the use of parking space, aiding smart cities in making the most of what Parker says is a surprisingly undervalued asset. Implementing an efficient smart parking solution can make the difference between frustrating traffic congestion and time-saving, consumer-friendly traffic flow, while reducing emissions, and creating new revenue streams for local governments.

The economic impact of parking search is estimated to cost 45 billion in Germany and $73 billion in the U.S. Considering these numbers alone, it is easy to understand why so many smart cities are already using smart parking solutions, while others also testing new technologies, Parker explained. By incorporating innovations including overhead sensors, local signage, real-time navigation systems, and mobile applications that allow drivers to find, pay for, and even reserve parking while also allowing city officials and parking operators to monitor and analyze parking behavior, smart city initiatives can have a huge impact on quality of life and the sustainability of our planet.

Parker explained that the technology behind smart parking systems can be fully automated, relying on sensors and signs that are placed locally to monitor parking occupancy and gather data on the size of available spaces and parked vehicles, the latter to convey parking information and navigational instructions to drivers. Dynamic parking guidance systems communicate the availability of free parking spaces on-street and off-street, guiding drivers to a parking space without unnecessary detours or time loss, preventing traffic obstructions in the city center.

Parker will be speaking at the upcoming Frontier Conference Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 10:25 AM CST on Emerging Digital Economy of Cities panel.

For more information on Cleverciti: https://www.cleverciti.com/

For more information on The Frontier Conference: https://www.thefrontier.co/conference/about

Edited by Maurice Nagle
Study of almost 500,000 elderly in over 15,000 nursing homes finds that risk factors for infection differed greatly from risk factors for hospitalization and death

Risks of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection for long-stay nursing home residents were mainly dependent on factors in their nursing homes and surrounding communities, according to a large study led by a researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

By contrast, the study found that the risks of being hospitalized with, and of dying from, COVID-19, depended more on patient-specific characteristics such as age and body mass index--although the mix of factors linked to hospitalization was distinct from the mix of factors linked to mortality.

The study, which appears online March 31 in JAMA Network Open, detailed COVID-19 risk factors among more than 480,000 long-stay nursing home residents in the United States between April 1 and September 30, 2020. The study is thought to be the first national study of long-term nursing home residents in the U.S.

"Our findings suggest that the dynamics of the pandemic work differently in a nursing home setting than they do in the wider community," says study lead author Hemalkumar Mehta, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School. "The findings should help community leaders and nursing home administrators in devising better protections for nursing home residents during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic and in future pandemics."

Among the roughly 30 million recorded cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than 500,000 deaths. Of those U.S. deaths, about one-third have been in nursing homes. These facilities have been especially vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their concentrations of frail, elderly residents.

Even so, the COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and mortality rates have varied greatly among nursing homes.

For their study, the researchers used Medicare data to identify a cohort of 482,323 long-stay nursing home residents, aged 65 and up, who had not yet been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of April 1 of last year. The cohort included residents at 15,038 nursing homes across the U.S.

A total of 137,119 residents (28.4 percent) were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the period April 1 through September 30. The researchers found that the risk of infection was dependent mainly on which nursing home the resident lived in, and in which county, rather than patient-specific factors.

When accounting for the influence of local factors, the large nominal differences in infection rates between whites and Blacks, whites and Asians, and whites and Latinos went virtually to zero.

Among the personal characteristics examined, only body mass index, a gauge of thinness or obesity, appeared to be important in determining infection risk: Having a BMI greater than 45 ("morbidly obese") was associated with 19 percent more infection risk than having a BMI in the normal range of 18.5 to 25.

The risk of hospitalization varied more with personal factors. A BMI of 40-45 was associated with 24 percent greater risk, and a BMI over 45 with 40 percent greater risk, compared to a BMI in the normal range.

Frailty and poor health appeared to be factors too. Residents with severe functional impairment were 15 percent likelier to be hospitalized when they got COVID-19; and those who had to use a catheter were 21 percent likelier.

Ethnicity/race was a big factor in hospitalization risk, even when adjusting for nursing home facility and geography. Asian nursing home residents, for example, were 46 percent more likely than whites to be hospitalized when diagnosed with COVID-19.

Somewhat surprisingly--and contrary to the results of prior studies outside nursing homes-- factors most associated with hospitalization risk appeared to have a lesser role in mortality risk after controlling for differences among nursing homes. Asians were more likely than whites to die when they got COVID-19, but only 19 percent more likely. Moreover, Blacks and Hispanics had no significant difference in mortality risk compared to whites.

Again surprisingly, BMI was not a significant risk factor for mortality--except for those with a BMI below the normal range, who had a 19 percent greater risk of dying when infected with COVID-19.

Older age was the largest apparent mortality risk factor. For example, being over 90 was associated with 155 percent greater risk, compared to being 65-70, and even being 81-85 brought a 76 percent increase in mortality risk compared to the youngest age bracket of 65-70 years.

Cognitive impairment was another mortality risk factor--severely impaired residents were 79 percent more likely to die of COVID-19 than those with no cognitive impairment. Similarly, severe functional impairment was associated with a 94 percent greater chance of mortality.

Male residents were 57 percent likelier than females to die when they had COVID-19.

On the whole, according to the researchers, the results suggest that hospitalization and mortality risks, which normally go together for people living at home, were somewhat disconnected in the nursing home setting, at least under the unusual circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This may represent resident or family preference to avoid hospitalization, triaging decisions when local hospitals were full, or other factors yet to be determined," Mehta says.

One bright spot in the data, the researchers note, is that the mortality rate dropped dramatically during the study period, from 29.9 percent in April to 15.8 percent in September.

###

"Risk Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infections, Hospitalization, and Mortality Among US Nursing Home Residents" was co-authored by Hemalkumar Mehta, Shuang Li, and James Goodwin.

The work was supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health (K05-CA134923, UL1TR001439) and the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center.
Tufts University recently became the seventy-second American university to announce plans to close its Confucius Institute. Confucius Institutes, Chinese government-backed centers that entangle colleges and universities with the Chinese Communist Party, have been closing around the country. Already Bryant University, in Rhode Island, has become the seventy-third. Tufts' Confucius Institute will finish out its programming this summer and close upon the expiration of the university's contract in September.

Tufts got special attention because it had been the site of a thirteen-week protest by the local Tibetan, Taiwanese, Hongkonger, Uyghur, and Chinese population. Some 600 concerned citizens and activists had sent Tufts President Anthony Monaco letters calling for the Confucius Institute's closure. The university's decision appeared a major reversal, since, in 2019, the university proudly renewed its Confucius Institute, declaring that a university committee studied the Confucius Institute and found "no evidence of undue influence, suppression of academic freedom or censorship at Tufts."

Why the about-face? Local protesters deserve credit, to be sure. But the reality is that the Chinese government is moving away from Confucius Institutes as a tool of influence in the West, and it offered Tufts an easy out. Tufts could close the Confucius Institute without offending Chinese government sponsors because the Chinese government isn't prioritizing Confucius Institutes anymore.

That's not to say that the Chinese Communist Party is pulling out of American higher education. Far from it. American academia, with its cutting-edge technology, access to American thought leaders, and ability to shape future generations of American citizens, remains a top target for the Chinese government. But China knows that Confucius Institutes have become politically toxic, and it has shifted its focus toward other means of engagement.

Last year the Chinese government reorganized and rebranded Confucius Institutes, and I predicted colleges and universities would start to walk away from the name as well. Already, Asia Society, a private nonprofit that cosponsors a K-12 version of Confucius Institutes, has renamed its program the Chinese Language Partner Network. Colleges and universities, too, are busily "closing" their Confucius Institutes, only to replace them with other, substantially similar, forms of partnership with the Chinese government. Sometimes these universities establish new China-focused initiatives, retaining some Confucius Institute staff and programs.

For example, the University of Michigan continued to receive funding from the Hanban, the Chinese government agency responsible for Confucius Institutes, even after its Confucius Institute closed, according to foreign gift disclosures. Other universities, like Tufts, are establishing new partnerships with the same Chinese universities that were their partners in hosting Confucius Institutes. Tufts has said it is closing its Confucius Institute in order "to focus on expanding and deepening its relationship with [Beijing Normal University]." My organization, the National Association of Scholars, is pursuing an in-depth research project called "When Confucius Institutes Close" to document just how widespread this closure-in-name-only trend is.

Few colleges and universities close Confucius Institutes for any of the reasons urged by state and federal officials. I maintain a list of all closed Confucius Institutes and the reasons universities give. A university official who cites national security is a rarity. Only twoat Texas A&M and the University of South Floridadid so. Even rarer is one who cites academic freedom. Not a single one did. UCLA said it closed its Confucius Institute to focus "on pressing world issues, such as the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic." The most common reasons are to protect federal funding (the National Defense Authorization Act bans certain Department of Defense grants to universities with Confucius Institutes) and to establish new ties with Chinese universities.

Confucius Institutes succeeded. Yes, they are "closing" nationwide, but it is increasingly with the Chinese government's blessing. The Chinese government launched Confucius institutes to establish close ties within American higher education, ties that would enable it to spread propaganda but also exert influence. Confucius Institutes helped build those relationships, and now having succeeded, they fall away unneeded, like a scaffold.

We still see some universities fighting to keep their Confucius Institutes. Troy University in Alabama convinced the state legislature to appropriate $6 million for a Confucius Institute building, and foolishly signed a contract obliging it to repay 100% of China's investment in the Confucius Institute, plus "legal expense" and "indemnity for defamation," if the university breaks its contract early. The university's lobbyists have sought to stall a bill to bar Confucius Institutes in the state.

But overall, the United States is headed toward a post-Confucius Institute world. The Chinese Communist Party knows that and is prepared. Chinese government influence is appearing under new names, in new guises. Our colleges and universities must have the strength of character to resista strength that, so far, Tufts does not have.

Policymakers and those dedicated protesters will have to hold Tufts accountable since itand much of American higher education with itis content to remain in the Chinese Communist Party's pocket.
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Death is only a level crossing from one life to another, from life in its beginnings to life in full achievements. From this incomplete life to that transformed one.  Raoul Plus (1882-1958) French writer and Author.

Our life is borrowed or rented from the Owner, and someday, we will return it to the Giver. Death is a debt we all owe, so it is imperative for us all to be always involved in deeds that will outlive us while we are still around and alive. Literarily, death is the end of life but a reality check reveals that it is not, but the beginning of a revelation of how a life was lived. The reality of absence created by death makes us value and appreciate life. The deeds of a man live on even after his departure on earth. Whether good or bad, a mans deeds live on. History has records of whatever we all do in our lifetime.

The retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Chris Olakpe, on the 30th of March, 2020 passed on to the great beyond as he went down into history. Its already a year gone and hes fondly remembered with his deeds when he was around. Olakpe, who hailed from Idheze in Isoko south Local Government Area of Delta, posthumously turns 67 years June 5, 2021.

In recent a discussion with some colleagues at work, while reliving the experiences we all had last year during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, thoughts of Chris Olakpe came to mind. It was during the lockdown that news of his death broke last year. Late Olakpe was said to have interest and passion for any activity related to honoring God. It was revealed that he contributed his quota to the development and progress of the Chapel located at the LASTMA headquarters. His lives and times are being discussed today. He was reputed to be dedicated to work as he creditably and professionally discharged his official responsibilities during his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State described late Olakpe as a dependable and thoroughbred officer who carried out his responsibilities with dedication. Last year, Governor Okowa said in his tribute to Olakpe shortly after his death, During his reign as LASTMA boss, he ensured the agencys commitment to providing Lagos residents with quality traffic control and building good relationships with other stakeholders in the state. The governor in addition said, He also restored discipline and sanity among men of LASTMA by instituting the Provost Marshal Corps.

It would be recalled that, when Chris Olakpe came on board as LASTMA Chief, he established the Provost Marshall Corps to take care of issues of indiscipline, indiscretion and investigation of matters relating to the unbecoming conducts of LASTMA officials against members of the public. During late Olakpes reign as the boss, he also set up a Surveillance and Monitoring Unit whose responsibility is to go round in mufti to bring to book anyone caught extorting people or engaging in any acts that can bring the agencys image into disrepute.

As part of Olakpes achievements, it was under his leadership as LASTMA CEO that the traffic Agency won the Daily Independent Newspapers Award as the Outstanding State Agency in 2018. Late Olakpe while sharing his thoughts on the award in 2018 said, The award is historical and it speaks volumesIt is a record-breaking victory for LASTMA and we are going to sustain the tempo and not rest on our oarsGlory to God, I am glad that the public is appreciative of what we are doing and we are being acknowledgedwith all sense of humility, we will not relent.

For Chris Olakpe, he has paid the dues he owed death and now, his deeds speak for him. His life remains challenging and encouraging to anyone who had one encounter or the other with him when he was alive. Our life remains a book everyone would read long after we are gone and we should strive to write good chapters with our life as long as we breathe. The life a man lived and the impacts he made on lives around him would leave permanent indelible footprints in the sand of time.

I bring the piece to a conclusion with this quote from an American novelist, Chuck Palahniuk, We all die. The goal isnt to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.

Continue to rest well, Christian Akioja Olakpe!

Kayode Ojewale is of the Public Affairs Unit of LASTMA.
Italy expelled two Russian diplomats on accusations of espionage on Wednesday after investigators say they observed an Italian Navy official giving the envoys classified documents in exchange for money.

The Italian official, assigned to a Defense Ministry department dealing with national security and foreign relations, handed over classified documents to a Russian envoy in a Rome parking lot on Tuesday night, the carabinieri, Italys national military police, said in a statement. Italys intelligence services had raised concern over the officials, investigators said, prompting them to be placed under surveillance.

The two were charged with serious crimes tied to spying and state security, the carabinieri said, prompting outrage among lawmakers in Rome and leading Italys foreign minister to order the immediate expulsion of the Russian envoy and another diplomat, both military officials.

Investigators said that the Italian official, identified as Capt. Walter Biot, had accepted 5,000 euros, about $5,800, and handed over images of classified documents on a USB stick. Mr. Biot, a 56-year-old expert in fighter jets, had worked in the Defense Ministrys press office in the past.
Berlin, March 31 : Germany's federal and health ministers have agreed to limit the general use of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine to people over age 60 starting Wednesday, citing concerns about blood clots.

People under 60 should be able to receive the shot, but only "at the discretion of doctors, and after individual risk analysis and thorough explanation," according to the decision by the health ministers accessed by DPA news agency on Tuesday.

Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn and the 16 state health ministers came to the decision in an emergency meeting, after authorities in the cities of Berlin and Munich decided to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for people under the age of 60.

Spahn said that while it was a setback in one sense for the AstraZeneca vaccine to be an increased risk for a certain age group, it also meant more people over 60 could be vaccinated more quickly.

"In that respect, I can really just expressly ask all people over 60 to take advantage of this vaccination offer," Spahn said.

Germany's vaccine commission issued a corresponding recommendation for AstraZeneca's use, due to data on "rare, but very severe thromboembolic side effects" that had predominantly been observed in people under 60 in the four to 16 days after vaccination.

The side effects concerned blood clots in cerebral veins, especially observed among younger women.

Chancellor Angela Merkel justified the new age restrictions by saying that they helped to ensure confidence in coronavirus vaccines.

"Trust comes from the knowledge that every suspicion, every single case will be looked into," said Merkel in Berlin after consultations with the country's 16 state premiers. Openness and transparency are the best ways to deal with such a situation, the chancellor added.

Earlier, the Paul Ehrlich Institute, a medical regulatory body, said there had been 31 cases of cerebral thrombosis that were suspected to have occurred after administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Nine of those cases resulted in the death of patients, the institute said. All except two occurred in women between ages 20 and 63.

Earlier on Tuesday, several state and city authorities already suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for anyone under the age of 60, citing new data on suspected side effects.

Berlin Health Senator Dilek Kalayci announced the move and referred to it as a "precautionary measure." She said Berlin authorities would wait for the outcome of talks at the federal level.

The Charite and Vivantes hospitals in the capital had suspended AstraZeneca jabs until further notice for women under the age of 55.

"From Charite's point of view, this step is necessary, since further cerebral vein thromboses in women in Germany have become known," Charite spokesperson Manuela Zingl said.

In the western state of North Rhine Westphalia, the heads of five of the six university hospitals also spoke out in favour of a temporary halt of AstraZeneca vaccinations for younger women.

The risk of further deaths is too high, according to a joint letter to the federal and state health ministers seen by dpa.

Authorities in the southern German city of Munich also suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for people under the age of 60.

"Due to current developments, the city has decided, like Berlin, to suspend vaccinations with AstraZeneca for people under 60 as a precautionary measure until the question of possible complications for this group of people has been clarified," a spokesperson said.

Germany and numerous other countries had temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca in March because several cases of thrombosis (blood clots) in the cerebral veins were reported.

The vaccine was deemed safe again for use shortly thereafter.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
PETOSKEY, MI  A Northern Michigan woman has been charged for keeping wild animals on her property without a permit, 9&10 News reports.

Kei Ju Farm and Rescue in Petoskey cares for dogs, goats, emus, alpacas, chickens and more. But owner Julie Hall was also found to be in possession of a raccoon, a squirrel and a fawn, for which she is charged with holding wildlife without a permit, a misdemeanor fish and game violation, the TV station reports.

The Department of Natural Resources warned Hall about the violation about a year ago, but Hall denies that happened, the report said. The DNR did seize the raccoon, squirrel and fawn a few months ago and later euthanized them because they were unhealthy, wouldnt survive in the wild and no licensed care facilities would take them.

Last week, Hall pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge, the report said. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for April.

READ MORE:
The Ijaw Youth Council, Worldwide has urged the federal government to apologise to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Dan Etete for wrongly accusing him of bribery and fraud in the Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245 deal.

The demand of the Ijaw youths followed the Italian court ruling in Milan, which absolved Shell, Eni and the former minister of bribery or any fraud in the Malabu Oil Deal.

A Milan court had earlier this month acquitted Eni and Royal Dutch Shell, along with some of their past and present managers, including Eni's Chief Executive, Claudio Descalzi, in the OPL 245 deal, described as one of the oil industry's biggest corruption scandals.

The judgment read out in court by Judge Marco Tremolada, came more than three years after the trial first began and after a total of 74 hearings

The judge said the companies and defendants had been acquitted as there was no case to answer.

Etete had in the past three years faced trials in Italy and United Kingdom after it was alleged that he was involved in graft during the Malabu oil deal.

But following the clean bill of health given to him by the Italian court, the IYC in a statement issued yesterday by its Spokesman, Mr. Ebilade Ekerefe, argued that with the court ruling, Etete, Bayelsa State, where he hails from and the entire Ijaw nation had been vindicated.

The IYC spokesman added that apart from apologising to Etete, the federal government should as a matter of urgency return seized property belonging to Etete to him.

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Ijaw youths accused the federal government of always looking for any loophole to drag the names of prominent Ijaw persons with opportunities at the federal level to the mud.

Ekerefe added that northerners involved in mega corruption deals had been protected.

He recalled that similar unfair treatments were meted out on a former Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Seiyefa Mathew; a former NIMASA Director General, Mr. Patrick Akpobolomemi and foremost Ijaw Leader, High Chief Government Ekpemukpolo also known as Tompolo.

"They were all falsely accused, put on forceful trials and exonerated from all trumped-up charges brought against them by the federal government. We commend the Milan Court and many others for their sound ruling on the matter involving Chief Etete.

"We wonder why others involved in oil business from other regions of the North are not questioned and prosecuted. We call on the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari to tender an unreserved apology to Chief Dan Etete for the physical, psychological and financial trauma the three years fictitious trial had taken on him and the people of the region.

"We are worried that the federal government is waging a selective war against businessmen and politicians of Ijaw extraction. The so-called war against corruption in the oil sector appears to be targetted at institutions and individuals from the Niger Delta region, particularly of Ijaw extraction," Ekerefe added.
Human rights abuses abounded across the globe in 2020, the U.S. State Department concluded Tuesday in its annual review of how the world's governments treat their people.

The trend lines on human rights continue to move in the wrong direction, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters.

Commenting on the report, Blinken also said the coronavirus pandemic led to unique challenges throughout the world, with some governments using the crisis as a pretext to restrict rights and consolidate authoritarian rule.

Women and children faced heightened risk as the prevalence of gender-based and domestic violence increased due to lockdowns and the loss of traditional social protections, the top U.S. diplomat said about the country-by-country look at human rights.

He said that other marginalized populations, including older people, those with disabilities and the lesbian, gay and transgender communities experienced particular vulnerability.

The report, authorized by Congress to assess conditions in countries where the U.S. is sending foreign aid, did not analyze human rights conditions in the U.S., such as last years street protests against police abuse of minorities or unfounded complaints by former President Donald Trump that voting irregularities led to his reelection loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

Blinken said Bidens new administration has placed human rights front and center in its foreign policy, while it recognizes there is work to be done at home, as the country strives to live up to our highest ideals and principles."

"We all have work to do, and we must use every tool available to foster a more peaceful and just world.

But overseas, Blinken said, too many people continued to suffer under brutal conditions in 2020.

He cited numerous countries the U.S. considers offenders of basic human rights.

In China, government authorities committed genocide against Uyghurs, who are predominantly Muslim, and crimes against humanity, including imprisonment, torture, enforced sterilization, and persecution against Uyghurs and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups, Blinken said.

The report on China said Beijing continued to imprison citizens for reasons related to politics and religion. Human rights organizations estimated tens of thousands of political prisoners remained incarcerated, most in prisons and some in administrative detention. The government did not grant international humanitarian organizations access to political prisoners."

Blinken contended that atrocities sanctioned by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continued unabated, and this year marks 10 years of their struggles to live in dignity and freedom.

He said the war in Yemen has driven millions to extreme humanitarian need, preventing them from exercising many of their basic rights.

Blinken said the Russian government has targeted political dissidents and peaceful protesters, while official corruption remained rampant.

The U.S. diplomatic chief said that in Nicaragua, the corrupt regime of President Daniel Ortega passed increasingly repressive laws that limit severely the ability of opposition political groups, civil society and independent media to operate.

The report said that in Nicaragua, "the government continued to hold 106 political prisoners as of December, nine of them in solitary confinement. Political prisoners were kept together with common criminals.

The State Department review said that advocacy groups (working in Nicaragua) reported that prison authorities instigated quarrels between the general prison population and political prisoners by blaming political prisoners for any withheld privileges, often resulting in violence. Human rights organizations received several reports of political prisoners being beaten, threatened, held in solitary confinement for weeks, and suffering from poor ventilation and poisoned or contaminated food and water.

Elsewhere, Blinken said that in Cuba, government restrictions continued to suppress the freedoms of expression, association, religion or belief, and movement. State-sanctioned violence in Zimbabwe against civil society activists, labor leaders, and opposition members continued a culture of impunity, while gay and transgender people continued to be vulnerable to violence, discrimination, and harassment due to criminalization and stigma associated with same-sex sexual conduct.

In Turkmenistan, Blinken said, Citizens criticizing the government faced possible arrest for treason, and the whereabouts of more than 100 political prisoners remain unknown.

He concluded that these and other ongoing rights abuses cause untold damage well beyond the borders of any single country; unchecked human rights abuses anywhere can contribute to a sense of impunity everywhere.


Reaches Project Document Contractual Close for Hydro

Sydney, Mar 31, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Genex Power Limited ( ASX:GNX ) is pleased to announce that it has completed the execution of the major project documentation and as a result reached Project Document Contractual Close ('PD Contractual Close') for the 250MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project ('K2-Hydro' or 'Project'). PD Contractual Close for the Project is a major milestone for the Company, with the development of the flagship K2-Hydro project serving to position Genex as a leading renewable energy generation and storage company.Highlights:- Execution of major project construction and operation documents including EPC Contract with MDJH JV, Design & Construct Contract with Beon, and O&M Agreement with ANDRITZ;- Project Document Contractual Close secured for the 250MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project; and- Notice to Proceed issued to Powerlink under the Generator Connection and Access Agreement.Project Document Contractual CloseAs part of the PD Contractual Close process, the special purpose vehicle established for purposes of owning and operating the Project ('Project SPV') has executed the following major construction and operation documentation:- Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with a joint venture of McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust.) Pty Ltd and John Holland Group Pty Ltd ('MDJH JV') for the pumped storage hydro plant, including dam construction, underground and waterway civil works and the full powerhouse fit-out (including electromechanical equipment);- Design and construct contract with Energy Solutions Pty Ltd trading as Beon ('Beon') for the surface connection assets, including a new substation at Kidston to connect into the Powerlink transmission line and new 275kV transmission infrastructure to connect from the substation to the EPC works;- Operations and Maintenance ('O&M') Agreement with ANDRITZ Hydro GmbH ('ANDRITZ') for the full operation and maintenance of the plant over its first 12 years of operation;- Camp Operation and Catering Contract with ISS Integrated Services Pty Ltd for the operation of the construction camp over the 4-year construction program;- Module Supply and Install Contract with Ausco Modular Pty Ltd for the supply and installation of the additional accommodation and facilities for the construction camp;- Owner's Engineer contract with Hydro-Electric Corporation trading as Entura; and- Asset Management Services Deed and Facility Management Agreement with Genex to manage the corporate administration of the Project SPV and ancillary site services.The execution of these contracts is further to the execution of the Energy Storage Services Agreement with EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd in March 2020 (refer ASX Announcement dated 30 March 2020) and the Generator Connection and Access Agreement ('GCAA') with Powerlink on 22 March 2021 (refer ASX Announcement dated 22 March 2021).Following PD Contractual Close, Genex is expected to complete the Finance Document Contractual Close process, including execution of the $610M Senior Facility Agreement with the State of Queensland and the $47M Funding Agreement with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, in the coming days.Notice to Proceed Issued to PowerlinkGenex is pleased to further announce that it has today issued Notice to Proceed to Powerlink under the GCAA, thus enabling work to commence on development of the new 186km 275kV single circuit transmission line from Kidston to a new switching station to be constructed at Mt Fox. The issuance of Notice to Proceed activates Genex's final commercial approval for the transmission infrastructure and signals Powerlink's commencement of activities to formally progress the project, working alongside landholders and other stakeholders to finalise a range of planning approval processes.Commenting on today's milestone announcement, Genex CEO James Harding stated: "Following on the heels of our successful equity capital raising last week, which secured the final piece of the project financing for the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project, I am delighted that we have now executed all the Project agreements and kicked off work to develop the transmission infrastructure which will connect the Project to the National Electricity Market.I would like to thank all of our key stakeholders for their continued commitment and support of the Project and I look forward to updating the market as we close out the financing activities and commence construction at the Kidston site over the coming weeks."About Genex Power Ltd

Genex Power Limited (ASX:GNX) is focused on developing a portfolio of renewable energy generation and storage projects across Australia. The Company's flagship Kidston Clean Energy Hub, located in north Queensland, will integrate large-scale solar generation with pumped storage hydro. The Kidston Clean Energy Hub is comprised of the operating 50MW stage 1 Solar Project (KS1) and the 250MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project (K2-Hydro) with potential for further multi-stage wind and solar projects. The 50MW Jemalong Solar Project (JSP) is located in NSW and provides geographical diversification to the Genex Power Limited portfolio. JSP was energised in early December 2020 and commissioning is now underway. Genex is further developing its energy storage portfolio via the early stage development of a 50MW/75MWh standalone battery energy storage system at Bouldercombe in Queensland. With over 400MW of renewable energy and storage projects in development, Genex is well placed as Australia's leading renewable energy and storage company.
Ethereal angel artist Anne Neilson says Holy Spirit paints through her

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Artist Anne Neilson says God has called her to use her talents to bring people closer to Him and credits the Holy Spirit in helping her create the ethereal beings illustrated in her devotionals.

Neilson, who became nationally renowned for her ethereal Angel Series, was recently featured on the "Today" show website, where her new book was listed as one of co-host Hoda Kotbs favorite things.

I knew that God had a calling to give back through the talent that He had given me; what a privilege to serve His Kingdom on this Earth, Neilson told The Christian Post of her book.

Her coffee table devotional titled,Angels: Devotions and Art to Encourage, Refresh, and Inspire (Thomas Nelson), explores individual words such as love, abundance, and release  things the wife and mother of four says we all need, especially this year and during Holy Week. The books foreword was written by Neilsons friend, Kathie Lee Gifford.

I paint to praise music and allow the Holy Spirit to move through me onto a blank canvas and create these ethereal beings, she told CP.

Each devotional entry in the book features a new angel painting by Neilson, a definition to go along with the artwork, a scripture reading and prayer, and two pages of Neilson's written reflections from her life.

Neilson not only paints with passion, but her work has a purpose. Profits from the sale of her products, which has generated more than $500,000 in the past six years, are given to those less fortunate.

The following is an edited transcript of The Christian Post's interview with Neilson, where she shared her thoughts about angels and the inspiration behind her faith-filled artwork and devotions.

CP: What first inspired you to paint ethereal angels?

Neilson: Back in 2003, I wanted to paint something that reflected my faith, not that I am an angel, but I experimented with color and texture and ended up painting an ethereal, abstract angel. I sent a picture to my sister asking her opinion and her comment back to me was, Wow, I think you found your voice. Actually, over these past 19 years, I believe it has become my life song.

CP: Can you briefly share your testimony with us?

Neilson: Oh wow, that will be in the next memoir, The Brushstrokes of Life. It's been a long journey, but I knew as a young girl that I wanted to be an artist. Actually, in the third grade, I wrote a few sentences from a prompt: What did I want to do when I grew up? And highlighted was that I wanted to be an artist.

Fast forward to 10th grade studio art class, I made a D- in that class. God has a sense of humor. He deposited early on deep in my soul a desire to create. And throughout the journey, He has been the one to equip, shape, mold me to be exactly where I am today.

CP: Can you tell us about your coffee table devotional and what inspired the content?

Neilson: Well, after the demand for an original angel painting and the growing crazy stories of divine appointments along the way, I decided to self-publish a coffee table book. This was in 2012. That way, everyone would have access to an angel and the stories of the journey along the way. I printed 1,500 copies of this large coffee table book, and within three weeks, they were all gone!

My husband actually arrived shortly after the books were unpacked and said, Honey, what in the heck have you done (looking at all the pallets of boxes of books!)? And how are we going to get rid of these books?

I replied that we were going to sell all of them and bless the lives of many. A few weeks later, I had someone email me a testimony of how she loved the book and how it was going to be her new devotional. I thought that large coffee table book was a bit awkward and large for a devotional, so I started praying about how to get a published (smaller devotional) book. It was such another divine appointment how we connected with Thomas Nelson.

As we worked through the design, we decided that a 40-day word devotional with 40 new angels would be the perfect book. Words are so powerful, they have the power to build up or tear down. And the way that we use words in our own lives seemed like a perfect fit for this newest little book. Its been a treasure, especially the fact that we sold 40,000 copies in the first 60 days!

CP: What are you hoping people take away from your book as Easter approaches?

Neilson: I am really praying for a newer and deeper relationship with the master Creator! I am praying that people who read this book will ponder on the words throughout each page and apply them to their daily lives.

One of the devotionals I love is about being busy. That is the one thing that everyone says to me, Oh, you are so busy. I dont ever want to glorify that word. ... I came up with a little acronym for the word  Be Uniquely Serving Yahweh  by using (what is) specifically yours! We are all busy but use what God has given you to glorify Him, today and always!

CP: Can you speak to the significance of angels?

Neilson: There have been so many people that ask if I see angels. I dont know. I paint to praise music and allow the Holy Spirit to move through me onto a blank canvas and create these ethereal beings. I have heard so many stories of how angels have had a huge impact in peoples lives.

My prayer for myself and my family is that God would surround us not with just one guardian angel but with a warring army of angels. Over the past 19 years, I have had so many people share their angel stories with me. Cant wait to compile these in yet another book. Stay tuned!

CP: We have interviewed Kathie Lee Gifford several times, and she wrote the foreword to your book. Can you share about your faith connection with her?

Neilson: She is one special friend. Eight years ago, I sent her a copy of my coffee table book, Angels In Our Midst. Everyone asks, Why Kathie Lee?

When I was painting pottery (back in the early 90s), I would always watch the "Regis and Kathie Lee" show. I knew her heart, and I loved the show. Plus, marketing 101, I wanted to get my book promoted.

I sent her a copy and a few weeks later got the most incredible email from Kathie. We emailed back and forth for a while, and I was getting ready for a show in Connecticut about an hour-and-a-half from her home. She said she would come, wanted to meet me on this side of Heaven  how, when, where and agreed to come to the show.

I packed up a body of work and off we went; my husband and two middle daughters. We arrived in Essex, Connecticut, and it was the most dreariest, snowy day. Kathie emailed to say that she could not make it, and my daughters were complaining, Why did you drag us here? There is nothing to do, and no one is going to come to this show?

I remember twirling around and saying, No matter what, we are not going to complain but be a blessing no matter what!

About an hour into the show, the gallery manager tells me that Kathie Lee is upfront. I went to the front of the gallery and it was as if we were long-lost best friends. She looked at me and said, I guess you are wondering why I am here? The Lord woke me up at 4 a.m. and told me to come and encourage you. So here I am. We have been soul sisters in Christ ever since. She is an amazing friend and has walked with me through this crazy journey!

CP: Your heart to give back is very admirable. What have you learned about the power of paying it forward?

Neilson: This is the heartbeat of our why, why we do what we do.

Back in 2003, I was volunteering at a local homeless shelter. I was back in the kitchen preparing the physical food while over 200 homeless (friends) were in the gym area receiving spiritual food. There was a revival going on, worship and a minister preaching a message.

These friends, who had hardly anything, were worshiping as if they had everything. It was a powerful day for me. And as I climbed into my new Suburban, heading home to my new home, I just broke out sobbing, asking the Lord: How am I going to do all this? How am I going to be a good wife, a good mother (of four little ones at the time)?

My passion was to paint and my heart wanted to serve, but how?

I heard a whisper to my heart [that said], "Paint and give back."

That afternoon, I got home and had a message on our answering machine  the old kind that you had to rewind  and a lady who was selling my smaller little angels had left a message that a lady from out of town had come in and bought all three of my angels. I knew that God had a calling to give back through the talent that He had given me. What a privilege to serve His Kingdom on this Earth!

This has been a journey that only God can equip and guide along the path of life.

Angels: Devotions and Art to Encourage, Refresh, and Inspireis now available.
Iowa Democrat Drops Election Challenge Over House Race, Giving GOP Another 2020 Victory

Iowa Democrat Rita Hart has dropped her election challenge to Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meekss 2020 victory in Iowas 2nd Congressional District.

Hart on March 31 withdrew her challenge to her state-certified, six-vote loss with the House Administration Committee. A number of Democratic lawmakers in recent days said House leaders shouldnt attempt to overturn the election results.

After many conversations with people I trust about the future of this contest, I have made the decision to withdraw my contest before the House Committee on Administration, Hart said in a statement. Since Election Day, and throughout this entire process, my mission has been about ensuring the voices of Iowans who followed the law are not silenced. I am saddened that some Iowans votes will not count through no fault of their own. The work of ensuring it does not happen again will continue beyond this campaign.

The decision by Hart comes as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Miller-Meeks stopped in Iowa to criticize House Democratic efforts.

The idea that Democrats want to turn over an election after its been counted, recounted, and a bipartisan election board had voted, McCarthy said March 31. Its time to move on. Ive served with the Congresswoman, weve been to the border already to see the crisis.

Miller-Meeks said that if six votes arent enough to win an election, then why are six members on a committee able to overturn an election?  No one should be okay with violating state laws to get the results of an election that they want.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate also sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and called on her to reject any attempts to overturn the will of Iowa voters.

Pate said that the Hart campaign signed off on the recount procedures and results in all 24 counties and said that the bipartisan State Canvassing Board unanimously accepted the results and officially certified the election, noting that Miller-Meeks defeated her opponent by six votes.

Ms. Hart has stated that her reason for failing to give Iowans a voice in this process is that Iowa law does not allow for sufficient time to review her claims, Pate wrote.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks answers a question during a debate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Oct. 8, 2020. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette via AP)

That assertion is in stark contrast to the fact that Iowas Judicial Branch has always gone above and beyond to issue expeditious rulings in cases concerning election law. The Hart campaign should have exhausted all state avenues before asking a federal chamber controlled by her party to make the final determination. Iowans should have the final say in all Iowa elections, not Washington, D.C., politicians.

Pelosi and other Democratic leaders earlier this month said that the House has the capacity to overturn contested elections. Under the Constitution, the House does have the power to make the final call in certain cases, and Hart appealed to the lower congressional body to review the results of her razor-thin race against Miller-Meeks.

In 1985, Democrats launched a challenge into a state-certified victory by Republican Rick McIntyre over Rep. Frank McCloskey in Indianas 8th Congressional District after it was learned that thousands of ballots were left uncounted. It found McCloskey won by four votes.

But some moderate Democrats rejected efforts to overturn Miller-Meekss win.

I want to see what compelling reasons there are for the feds to get involved in this, Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.) told CNN earlier this month. I think these are issues that right now are probably best left at the state level.
Among those held are her brother, an uncle and a cousin. The police said that the neighbor she had accused had also been arrested as part of an investigation into the rape. The girl, her family and the neighbor could not be reached for comment.

Reports of horrific sexual assaults on women have become familiar in India, where by some calculations the average number of rapes committed daily works out to one roughly every 15 to 20 minutes.

But a publicized spate of brazen assaults in recent years has mobilized womens groups and other activists to raise the alarm on deeply entrenched misogyny that may be fueling the attacks.

That includes the problem of victim shaming, which is most acute in rural areas, womens rights activists say, where a rape survivor is often regarded as a shamed woman, unfit for marriage. Many rape victims pay the price for speaking out, with their family members disowning them or pressuring them to stay quiet.

Perpetrators of sexual violence can act with impunity, activists say, because only a handful of rape cases lead to prosecutions, out of tens of thousands of cases reported a year. In 2019, the last time the Indian government provided statistics, an average of 87 rapes were reported daily,though the true scope is far worse because most go unreported.

In villages the problem is exacerbated because complaints are handled by councils of men, who mete out their own punishments, said Ranjana Kumari, a womens rights activist in New Delhi.

Victim shaming in this country has become so common, said Ms. Kumari, who is also director of the Center for Social Research, a nonprofit group in New Delhi that supports womens rights. If you commit a crime against women, perpetrators think they can get away with it.
A small percentage of coronavirus infections are acquired during the school day, a new study suggests.

Researchers conducted several simulations and found fewer than five percent of COVID-19-related illnesses among students and teachers occurred at school and that most cases were contracted within the community.

The team, from Public Health Ontario, in Canada, says its findings show that local and state governments should take other measures other than school closures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

It comes just two weeks after the Centers revised its recommendations, saying students could sit three feet apart as opposed to six feet and allow millions of more pupils to return to schools

Researchers compared school reopenings and no school reopenings in three scenarios: one with no measures in place (far left) ; one in which mitigation measures reduced non-household contacts by 40% (center); and the third with measures that resulted in new infections increasing 0.8% per day (far right)

School-acquired coronavirus infections made up 3.15% of all cases in the first scenario, 4.19% in the second and 2.37% in the third. Picturde: Students attend an in-person English class at St Anthony Catholic High School in Long Beach, California, March 24

For the study, published in JAMA Network Open, the the team created a transmission model using a population of one million based on the characteristics of the population of 14.5 million people in Ontario, Canada.

Members of the population were randomly assigned to households, neighborhoods, city or rural regions, classrooms, day cares and workplaces.

A total of 150 individuals were selected at random to be infected with COVID-19 and could be exposed any placed they worked, lived or went to school.

Infected individuals were unable to transmit the virus during a four-day latent period, after which they became contagious, emulating real-life illnesses.

For the model, the researchers looked at the incidence of cases that occurred after schools reopened in Ontario on September 15, 2020.

There were two openings scenarios, one in which day cares and schools did not reopen on that day and another in which they reopened, but with several measures in place.

This included capping class sizes, students staying in one classroom during the day rather than changing classrooms, universal masking and students attending in-person learning on alternating weeks.

At the same time, the researchers ran three community based scenarios: one with no measures in place; one in which mitigation measured reduced non-household contacts by 40 percent; and the third with measures that resulted in new infections increasing 0.8 percent per day.

The two school reopening and three community-based scenarios created six combinations.

The model found that in the scenario in which schools reopened but no measures were in place, there 493 infections in schools compared to 15,892 in the community.

In the scenario in which schools reopened, but there were limited non-household contacts, there were 421 school infections compared to 9,643 in the community.

In the final scenario of reopened schools and few new infections, there were 167 COVID-19 illnesses at school and 7,265 positive case in the surrounding area.

This means schools infections made up 3.15 percent of cases in the first scenario, 4.19 percent in the second and 2.37 percent in the third.

Far more cases were acquired in the community and researchers say this shows that other mitigation measures should be taken to stop the spread of COVID-19 before schools are closed

'The findings of our decision analytical modelling study indicate that school reopening...[found that] most infections among students and staff were estimated to be acquired in the community rather than within schools,' the authors wrote.

'In our simulations, we show that..restricting gatherings, limiting workplaces to essential workers, and reducing transmission between contacts had a much larger effect in our simulations on reducing incident or cumulative COVID-19 cases than keeping schools closed vs reopening them.'

The team added that the modest reduction in cases by closing school should be weighed against the adverse effects this could have on children.

'School closure may interfere with educational advancement, prevent access to school based health and social programs, reduce physical activity among children, and negatively affect household finances, particularly among low income households,' they wrote.

.
Nurse Ellen Quinones prepares a dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine at the Bathgate Post Office vaccination facility in the Bronx, in New York on Jan. 10, 2021. (Kevin Hagen/Pool via Reuters)

New York Woman Tests Positive for COVID-19 After 2 Vaccine Doses

A woman from Long Island, New York, has tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving both doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Melanie Rosen, a secretary who went to pay respects to a friend whose father passed away, believes she might have caught the virus at the gathering, PIX11 reported.

There was probably at least 10 family members there, Rosen told the news outlet. I hung out for about an hour and a half without wearing a mask. I hugged each one.

The family of her friend had traveled from various states to get together in Long Island.

Her nose was congested after a few days and then my legs started to hurt me, Rosen said.

She then called her friend and learned that three of the family members who met that day tested positive for the CCP virus. Rosen was informed that she also tested positive for COVID-19, and was instructed by a Nassau County Health Department official to isolate at home.

I was shocked, Rosen said. Im the 4.9 percent that got Moderna and actually got COVID.

You can still get it; you can probably still spread it, she said.

None of the vaccine manufacturers have promised 100 percent efficacy.

Moderna officials didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this week that new data from the CDC indicates that people who get COVID-19 vaccines dont carry the virus.

Our data from the CDC today suggests that vaccinated people do not carry the virus, dont get sick, and that its not just in the clinical trials, but its also in real-world data, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told MSNBC.

While none of the vaccines approved for use currently offer 100 percent protection from the virus, health officials continue to stress that vaccinations help to prevent serious cases. The CDC is recommending that fully vaccinated people still take precautions in public places, such as wearing masks, in addition to social distancing and avoiding poorly ventilated spaces.

Celia Farber contributed to this report.
Maiduguri  Justice Aisha Ndume has revealed that rape cases constitute 90 percent of criminal cases handled by various courts in Borno state in the last two years.

Justice Ndume made the revelation at on Tuesday at a 2-day training workshop for legal actors on strengthening Women's Access To Justice with the theme: Making Rights A Reality For Conflict Affected Women In Borno and Yobe states, organised by Women Advocates Research And Documentation Centre ( WARDC ) , in conjunction with Government of Netherlands and UN Women in Maiduguri.

In her remarks, the Executive Secretary WARDC , Dr Abiola Akiyode - Afolabi , disclosed that statistics from the International Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA ) , showed that over 39 rape cases were recorded in Borno state within two months of the COVID-19 lockdown.

She said the WARDC project is engaging the parliament and state governments on the need to have the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, noting that as it is today, the law has gotten to second reading and that WARDC will work to ensure that the law is passed because of its benefits to the society.

She said:" Most of the cases of sexual and gender based violence go unreported in places like Borno and Yobe states because the culture of reporting is not integrated yet to the communities. So the project is to ensure more reporting of SBGV.
has run out of funds for calamity relief, as per government sources, while the Centre is yet to decide on the Rs 7,239.47 crore the state had sought for the people affected in last year's floods.

Revenue Minister Kaushik Patel, in response to a question seeking to know how much was spent in the last two years from the state Calamity Relief Fund and the amount provided by the Centre, told the Assembly that Rs 5,996.37 crore was spent on calamity relief between April 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020, and the Central government granted Rs 2,660.75 crore during the same period.

As on December 31, 2020, the state was left with Rs 93.94 crore in the fund, he added.

Patel also said that as against the provision of Rs 1,765 crore for the SDRF Fund in 2020-21, the government allotted an additional fund of Rs 806.60 crore due to the need arising out of the agriculture relief package, he said.

But, according to government sources, the Rs 93.94 crore left, as on December 31, 2020, was also utilised during the three months of 2021, and now the state's Calamity Relief Fund is empty.

To another question on the funds requested by the state for drought or flood relief from the Centre and how much was sanctioned, the minister said that in January 2019, the state had sought central assistance of Rs 3,370.31 crore for relief works in drought-affected regions, but was told that it "qualifies for zero financial assistance as the SDRF has Rs 2,355.12 crore funds as on April 1, 2018, 50 per cent of which, or Rs 1,177.56 crore, is more than Rs 127.60 crore granted to it by the high-level NDRF committee".

He also said that the state had also sought Rs 7,239.47 crore for the relief fund for the damages caused due to the 2020 flood, but was yet to receive a reply from the Centre on the matter.

--IANS

amc/vd

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
VERNON  The Vernon Fire Department is officially back in service.

On Tuesday evening, the Vernon Select Board voted to reopen the department at midnight after several months of rebuilding.

I am so happy we can say the Vernon Fire Department is back on track and those doors are going to be opened, said Chris Parker, chairman of the Vernon Select Board.

More than six months ago, the board voted to disband the fire department. Parker posted a letter to the towns website on Sept. 22, explaining the action was taken after a group of 10 firefighters and EMS providers expressed concerns of toxicity, unsafe practices, lack of in-house training, and overall lack of leadership in the department.

Vernon suspends fire department; town administrator steps down VERNON  On Sept. 16, Vernon's town administrator, Maggie Tuck-Sauer, only two months on the job, submitted her letter of resignation. Then, on Sunday, the Vernon Select Board held a 

It was no secret the Vernon Fire Department has been looked at in a negative way, said Parker on Tuesday night. There was a lot of turnover in leadership with a lot of different faces coming through that door.

Following the disbanding of the department, the board appointed an advisory committee to examine what happened and help the department get back up and running.

The committee has been extremely busy, sometimes meeting two or three times a week, said David Emery, a Vernon resident and former chief of the Brattleboro Fire Department. Emery was a member of the committee with then-Brattleboro Fire Chief Mike Bucossi, Guilford Fire Chief Jared Bristol, Marylynn Scherlin, the chairwoman of the Elderly Assistance Board, and Chris LaFlam, Alex Dunklee and Jason Veaudry.

On Oct. 1, the towns EMS department was put back in service with Zach Rounds, a lieutenant and advanced emergency medical technician at Rescue Inc, instated as deputy chief. Rounds has since resigned his position.

Emery said Tuesday that they had hoped the fire department would be back up and running in January, but because of COVID-19 concerns, interviews and training took longer than they expected.

Vernon Select Board appoints Dunklee to rebuild fire department VERNON  The Vernon Select Board thanked the members of its fire department advisory committ

Everyone in the department started from scratch, said Emery, with the committee recommending to the board that it appoint Alex Dunklee as chief and Spencer Bristol as assistant chief.

The chief and assistant chief you appointed have been top shelf guys, said Emery. I cant imagine that anybody else could have done a better job than those two.

He said many of the departments former members have returned and have been retrained and checked out on the applicable equipment.

The committee feels extremely proud and happy to suggest that the selectmen reverse their decision and put the fire department back to, as we call it, wheels on the ground, said Emery.

However, said Emery, the committee recommended that a mutual aid agreement with the towns of Brattleboro and Guilford, as well as Bernardston, Mass., remain in place for a while longer.

Those three departments responded to fire calls in different parts of the town over the past six months.

Morning fire in Vernon tests mutual aid pact VERNON  Firefighters were alerted to an early morning structure fire at 91 Hickory Hollow R

We wouldnt be in this position without the help of the surrounding departments, said Dunklee, who also thanked the committee and family members who supported everyone through the process.

We tasked you guys with a very big job and an uncertain job, said Parker, of the members of the committee. None of us knew what the outcome was going to be. But all of you stepped forward. This was the best team to rebuild [the department].

As a result of the rebuild, said Parker, the Vernon Fire Department and its members will finally get the respect they deserve.

Emery said the committee also worked on a recommended operating budget and capital replacement budget, made sure all the vehicles were safe and legal, evaluated all the gear, took care of insurance issues and arranged training with the decommissioning crew at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant.
Fort Bliss Facility to Receive Its First 500 Unaccompanied Minors From CBP

An emergency holding facility in Fort Bliss, Texas, will receive its first 500 unaccompanied minors from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody on Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announced that the Fort Bliss Emergency Intake Site, which is located near El Paso, will take in the group of unaccompanied male youth aged 13 through 17, who had crossed into the United States illegally. The department will provide the children with lodging, basic necessities, and a brief medical check, including COVID-19 screening.

The opening of the temporary illegal immigrant shelter at Fort Bliss, which has a potential capacity of 5,000 beds, is part of efforts to alleviate crowding at other detention facilities following a significant surge of illegal immigrants at the U.S. southern border. While most single adults and some families are being turned back, the Biden administration is accepting all unaccompanied minorschildren who unlawfully enter the country without an adult.

The transfer of children to the Fort Bliss military facility comes about a week after the Pentagon approved HHSs request for room to construct a temporary housing facility at Fort Bliss. HHS assured the Defense Department that the arrangement would not impact military training and operations.

On Monday, the ORR announced that another 500 unaccompanied male youth were transported to a separate emergency holding facility in San Antonio.

The San Antonio Freeman Expo Center has been partly transformed to provide shelter for boys aged between 13 and 17, the department said. That facility has a potential capacity of 2,100 beds with an additional 300 medical beds.

The administration is currently seeking to build a bed capacity of 13,500 beds, with the potential for additional capacity in order to meet the continuous flow of unaccompanied minors coming across the border.

About 17,200 unaccompanied minors were in the custody of either CBP or HHS as of March 29, according to the HHS Administration for Children and Families.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) shared photos of the Fort Bliss shelter during his visit of the holding facility. In one of the photos, Gonzales could be seen pointing toward an area with five white tents with protective fencing.

I visited Fort Bliss to see the new the unaccompanied minor shelter being stood up there. The facility at Fort Bliss is set to receive children on March 30 and will hold 5,000 beds for unaccompanied children who cross the border. pic.twitter.com/gE18x1Ufsh  Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) March 29, 2021

The Biden administration is currently racing against time to address the sharp increase of illegal immigration in recent weeks. Upon taking office, President Joe Biden reversed several Trump-era immigration policies, including his predecessors key Migrant Protection Protocol, which sought to end the problematic catch and release policy and is credited for significantly stemming the flow of illegal immigrants in 2019.

During the month of March, Border Patrol apprehended more than 150,000 illegal border crossers50,000 more than Februaryaccording to former CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan.

A further 30,000 evaded capture, according to Morgan, who has received the provisional CBP numbers from internal sources.

The number of family units (19,246) and unaccompanied minors (9,457) crossing illegally rose significantly in February, compared to 7,294 family units and 5,585 unaccompanied minors in January, and 4,404 family units and 4,993 unaccompanied minors in December 2020.

Similarly, the United States also faced a sharp spike of enforcement encounters in February at 100,441 encounters compared to 78,442 in January, 74,018 in December 2020, and 72,111 in November 2020.
The two eyewitnesses question their original identification of Smith and have now indicated and identified another person who also looks like the shooter, Germann said, and the other witness has changed her version of events multiple times, such that her testimony at this time can be described as unreliable at best.
The U.S. Army just awarded a $50 million contract to Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. to arm snipers with the multi-caliber sniper rifle preferred by special operations forces.

The five-year contract will buy 2,800 MK22 Multi-role Adaptive Design, or MRAD, sniper rifles that can be chambered for .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum and 7.62x51 NATO ammunition, Army officials from Project Manager Soldier Lethality announced today in a news release. The contract was awarded March 30.

The award comes two years after U.S. Special Operations Command awarded a contract to the Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based firm for the new MRAD sniper system.

Read Next: Army's Pilotless Black Hawk Highlights Emerging Technology in Demo Flight

The new rifle will replace the M107 sniper rifle, also made by Barrett, and the M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle systems, Program Executive Officer Soldier spokesman Alton Stewart said in March 2020.

Shown is a photo of the new MK22 Multi-role Adaptive Design, or MRAD, sniper rifle. The service awarded a $50 million contract to Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. for the new multi-caliber sniper rifle. (U.S. Army)

The MRAD will allow Army snipers to shoot out to 1,500 meters with the barrel chambered for .338 Norma Magnum. That's 300 meters farther than the M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle, chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum.

The MK22 is part of the Army's Precision Sniper Rifle program, which also includes the Leupold & Stevens Mark 5 HD scope and a sniper accessory kit, according to the release.

The Marine Corps also has chosen the MRAD for its Advanced Sniper Rifle program. The MRAD is set to replace the Marines' current Mk13 Mod 7 sniper rifle, chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum, and other bolt-action sniper rifles in the sea service.

The MRAD features a quick-change barrel system that allows snipers to switch to a different caliber in the field with a single tool, according to Barrett's website.

When equipped with the 20-inch 7.62x51mm, the MK22 is 42.4 inches long and weighs 13.9 pounds. The .300 Norma Magnum configuration has a 26-inch barrel, measures 48.4 inches overall and weighs 15.2 pounds. In .338 Norma Magnum, the MRAD has a 27-inch barrel, measures 49.4 inches in length and also weighs 15.2 pounds, according to the site.

The MRAD also has a 10-round magazine and a folding stock with an adjustable cheek piece. The upper receiver is machined from 7000-series aluminum. The MRAD bolt rides in a unique enclosed polymer guide, which provides smooth, reliable operation in harsh conditions, Barrett's website states.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Army and Marines to Arm Snipers with Special Operations Multi-Caliber Sniper Rifle
INTRODUCTION

India and its cities is often associated with poverty and disorder in the eyes of both foreigners and nationals alike. The roads and streets are littered, walls are indiscriminately scared by blood red paan, old and unmaintained infrastructure is found vandalized as though its sole purpose was to act as a medium of defiance towards the governments inefficiency; and any dark niche becomes a place for defecation. This phenomenon, of public acceptance toward urban uncleanliness is experienced in almost all cities of India.

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India is a country which has a deep rooted history and has many ancient cities. All of which have been documented with awe in the eyes of the writer, talking of their beauty and intricacy. One of the oldest civilizations on the planet, built their haven along the banks of the Indus. Their cities showed a sensitivity toward cleanliness; and the great baths and the sew-age system are a testament to that. Yet today, Indian cities are looked upon as filthy, unhygienic and unorganized. No Indian culture preaches of such treatment towards their environment yet the problem still remains in front of our eyes.

However, I believe that the solution to this urban phenomenon may lie in the way we design our built environment. It is widely accepted that the environment we are placed in, plays a major role in affecting how we behave in it. This brings me towards my research question:

How can architecture affect the behaviour of the public in order to curb the menace of littering and vandalism, hence maintain cleaner and healthier cities?

LITERATURE SURVEY

My research will aim at finding a long term, objective answers towards three core topics

Vandalism as a cause of social defiance.

Littering as a cause of social negligence.

Sense of place as a tool to earn respect of the people.

Vandalism

Almost all major Indian cities date back at least to the colonial era and they see their fair share of social unrest in the form of strikes, riots or revolts and some even have seen war between empires. Unrest has always existed between different classes or casts over the history of our cities and in the present context it mainly exists between different religious communities and much more between the public and its government. Vandalism is one of the by-products of this unrest.

My research has found that vandalism is strongly associated with defiance. This defiance can be rooted toward any cause, institution or a government body. This anti-social activity has been enabled by poorly designed built environments which lack surveillance be it manned or automated. This has also led toward increase in crime rate in many high-rise and has eventually reduced the desirability of the housing project.

In Oscar Newmans book Defensible Space, his research is directed towards how crime can be reduced in the housing projects of New York by designing urban spaces which will affect the behaviour of people and affectively prevent crime from occurring in the first place. The author defines Defensible Space as Defensible space is a model for residential environments which inhibits crime by creating the physical expression of a social fabric that defends itself. (Newman, Oscar 1972)

His work revolves around how simple gestures in the planning phase can have a vast impact on the inter relationships of multiple users in an urban environment. His work revolves around generating spaces which are surveyed by the community, or a group rather than an individual because when people begin to protect themselves as individuals and not as a community, the battle against crime is lost. (Newman, Oscar 1972)

Further his book talks about the need for a site to create a defined territory which can be surveyed by the users of that territory. There is much usefulness in this approach as the potential criminal perceives such a space as controlled by its inhabitants, leaving him an intruder, easily recognized and dealt with. (Newman, Oscar 1972) Edge conditions are also a vital consideration as the outside space becomes more defensible if they are clearly demarcated for the use by one household or a small number of households, and if they are observable by residents, neighbours and passers-by. (Cisneros, Henry, 1996)

When interiors are designed, the author has found that attitude towards interior finishes and furnishings creates an institutional atmosphere, not unlike that achieved in our worst hospitals and prisons. Even though the materials are in fact stronger and more resilient to wear, tenants seem to go out of their way to test their resistance capabilities. Instead of being provided with an environment in which they can take pride and might desire to keep up, they are provided with one that begs their ability in tearing it down( in comment of Pruitt Igoe) (Newman, Oscar 1972)

Taking inferences from these approaches I aim to see whether similar principles of design can help prevent vandalism in Indias urban spaces, hence develop further inferences towards how cultural differences can affect this stream of though and how it can be used to my advantage if possible. Further, I would like to ascertain whether this approach can also be applied towards prevention of littering in public spaces as well.

Another method of reducing vandalism takes a nonphysical approach a particular area involves community involvement by means of fund raising in Jefferson School District, Daly City, California where vandalism had been a concern (average daily attendance 6,100), for many years. Several schools were consistent targets for graffiti and broken windows. Maintenance crews devoted Monday mornings to sweeping glass and repainting surfaces. It was time consuming, costly, and most discouraging.(Brietler,B , 1988) An Idea came in 1985

from the newly appointed superintendent, Joseph DiGeronimo. His plan was to offer an incentive program to the students. Each school would have $500 put into a reserve account for eventual use by students-that is, unless the money was first consumed by the costs of vandalism. The money would go to the student body to use as it wished, as long as the expenditures were legal and in good taste. (Brietler,B , 1988)

The scheme was successful enough that it was able to reduce incidents from 114 in 1985-86 to 51 incidents in 1986-87. (Brietler,B , 1988)

Even though my research is focused in finding a prevention rather than a cure, secondary measures will only help to reinforce the former. Since, in the Indian context, where monetary gain is the main incentive to get work done efficiently, schemes of a similar nature be implemented so as to facilitate maintenance of our urban spaces.

Littering

I was initially filled with the notion that vandalism and littering are done by the same social strata and for similar reasons. But on further studying I realized that they are two distinct behaviours and are motivated by different factors. Vandalism had been associated in almost all my readings as an act of defiance of the people of the lower class or people who believe have been neglected by a governing body. It would be wrong to assume that it is the lack of awareness or literacy that is the root cause of littering. The most common sight of littering is that of plastics bags, disposable containers, plates and spoons Items which are attributed with the consumerist classes i.e. the middle class and high class.

The Indian department of sciences and technology states:

Most of todays plastics and synthetic polymers are produced from petrochemicals. As conventional plastics are persistent in the environment, improperly disposed plastic materials are a significant source of environmental pollution, potentially harming life. Therefore Littering is not merely an eye sore but also a health hazard and, it should be a matter of concern that we keep our cities clean so that we can benefit in the long run.

Another fashion of littering is very unique to India owing to a recipe that is unique to Indian culture. Almost all public spaces can be distinctly associated with the splashes of paan cud, commonly seen at every corner of a staircase or the end of a passageway. Paan is made using a single beetle leaf with a filling which is usually constituted of areca nut, lime and cured tobacco. This form of paan is not meant to be swallowed and so spitting is inevitable. The areca nut is what is responsible for creating the blood red coloration which is the key identifier of paan cud. Paan is cheaply available to both the poor farmer and the rich merchant, and is an Indian mans pass time, chewing constantly to while away the long and monotonous day.

The primary cause of this gross negligence towards correct disposal of rubbish, is because of the lack of far-sightedness of the common man. The lack of a united spirit in the city, where

every man is out there to fend for himself be it status, earning or justice and this has led to a fragmentation in the urban society. This is what has eluded the minds of the people, that, even trivial acts such as littering can add up to larger consequences. Liberalization has granted the benefit of private ownership of land, but this has allowed people to assume the corollary, that, what is not owned by them is not under their jurisdiction completely forgetting the democratically It belongs to him but at the same time, also to his fellow countrymen. This blatant thinking of in and out, mine and not mine has deluded the spirit of a common in urban society which manifests itself in the form of negligence.

Vassos Argyrou argues that depending on ones position in space people may find things to be in place (have positive value) or out of place (have negative value) or, they may be invisible to the observer Therefore, the like beauty, litter is in the eye of the beholder. (Argyrou, Vassos, 1997) Depending on these characteristics society way either be proactive or they may be negligent towards littering.

Peoples understanding toward cleanliness is mainly defined by their way of life. The fact that some people treat littering as eyesores is presupported by the ability to detach oneself from the world and constitute it as an object of contemplation and reflection. (Argyrou, Vassos, 1997).. This portion of societys ability is rendered possible by the division between mental labour and physical labour. This is possible in those who are economically well off and have the luxury to contemplate the world and its problems. The do not need to partake cumbersome labour (like brick laying and farming) in order to fight the elements of nature, rather, they would prefer to do the same through sport (by going rock climbing or hiking). They tend to contemplate the world as an aesthetic reality. Trying to treat nature as a body whose truths assessed and aliments cured.

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By contrast, for many people the world is far from a comforts and conveniences, and the possibility to contemplate the world is distant. These people are compelled to work on days which, most people would take the day off. To them, the world is a battle field and life a daily struggle. Out of this confrontation  akin to physical combat the world emerges as a formidable adversary and the Self emerges as a physically and mentally strong individual who, far from being deterred by the challenge, welcomes and even provokes it.(Argyrou, Vassos , 1997)They are too obstinate to give up on the challenges that face them and, given these circumstances, their aggressive approach towards life, to them avoiding littering is a far too gratuitous an act to be seriously considered.

However, it would be premature to assume that the cause of this uncleanliness is because of the lower working class and that the middle and higher classes are devoid of this attitude towards our cities. This only suggests that different conditions of existence predispose people to view the world and themselves, in different ways.

The author later goes on to say that the middle class claim is that people litter because they are ignorant. Rather, it is that people are ignorant because they litter. The distinction is significant because it implies that litter is a self- evident truth accessible to everyone. If the middle class can perceive it as a problem, villagers and urban working classes can see it too.

But, as middle class rhetoric has it, they choose to ignore it and this is what makes them ignorant

This act of negligence towards the city is well illustrated by Sudipta Kaviraj, in his paper Filth and the Public Sphere: Concepts and Practices about Space In Calcutta (1997), talking of the notions, of what is public in the eyes of Indians, in the city of Calcutta. He talks of how Hindu culture is responsible for the concept for apan/par in which people only look at their property as their world, which requires attention and has to be kept clean. Whereas the surrounding is of no importance to the dweller.

The inside of a Brahmin house was often kept impressively clean, including utensils and other household goods. Interiors of houses were swept and scrubbed with punctilious regularity. Indeed, there was an interesting connection between these duties and the religious markings on the times of day. The households internal space had to be cleaned at the hours of conjunction between light and darkness, at dawn and dusk, which coincided with time for worship (puja). The form of this puja, especially at nightfall, was to light the auspicious lamp, which had an understated piety about it and was performed by women, who shared a strong connection with the symbolism of the interior. It would be considered odd, and faintly sacrilegious, to take the auspicious lamp into a room that had not been cleaned in preparation for this most ordinary form of thanksgiving. Thus, the cleaning chores were considered quasi-religious duties for household members (mostly women). Yet the garbage collected from this obsessive house-cleaning would be dumped on a mound right in front of the house. This owed not to a material-geographic but a conceptual distinction. When the garbage is dumped, it is not placed at a point where it cannot casually affect the realm of the household and its hygienic well-being. It is thrown over a conceptual boundary. The street was the outside, the space for which one did not have responsibility, or which not ones own was, and it therefore lacked any association with obligation, because it did not symbolise any significant principle, did not express any values. It was merely a conceptually insignificant negative of the inside, which was prized and invested with affectionate decoration. Thus, the outsidethe streets, squares, bathing Ghats, and other facilities used by large numberswere crowded, but they did not constitute a different kind of valued space, a civic space with norms and rules of use of its own, different from the domestic values of bourgeois privacy. (Kaviraj, S 1997)

Kaviraj also mentions that cast is not the only factor but the differences in perceptions between the different classes also is responsible for the littering. The middle class who were capable of affording an education attach much sentimental values to their public parks, but the lower class cannot understand the importance of the latter as much of the middle classs sentiments had aroused from historic contexts which the lower classes could not relate to due to lack of an education. What this shows is that there were two different codes for using social space, one mapping of inside/outside and another of public/ private.(Kaviraj,S 1997)

This study has helped me grasp the gravity of the situation. That there is a cultural link towards the way we maintain our public sphere and that there lies a differences of conceptual approach towards the term public by the different economic strata of society.

Another concept I would like to focus on is the broken window theory, which says that a crime is more likely to happen if the physical environment is already abused. This phenomenon is necessary to understand as it acts as the spark to the fire if not tended to.

The corollary of the theory can also be tested to see if extremely clean environments can also be used to create a social unacceptance toward uncleanliness of our public spaces.

CONCLUSION

Littering is a social and health problem. It may be harmless in small quantities, but when it is upscaled to the urban level, it becomes a menace and a cause of concern. Today the Indian government has tried to curb littering by means of promotional messages on television. And people are well aware that it is illegal to litter. Under this circumstance, littering is not merely an act, but also a statement whose message echoes through all people who see it. Citizens who see their streets and roads littered will be filled with the notion that their government is incompetent and incapable. This eventually will lead people to be lax, not just towards littering laws but also towards other restrictions, quoting the latter failure as an example. Owing to its visual nature, littering spreads like a disease in the spaces of the citizen minds and then into the spaces of the city.

This will eventually breed negligence among the masses and destroy community culture. This further translates into more extreme cases where our urban spaces will be vandalized to vent out anger.

Therefore it is of at most importance that we take immediate action and strongly reinforce these actions with preventative measures in order to maintain a physically and mentally society.

From my literature survey it has come to my knowledge that littering and vandalism have been looked at from a very objective point of view and research is directed more towards these phenomena as reactive measures and not a long term preventative measures. Therefore I would like to focus my future efforts into finding ways in which we can prevent littering and vandalism before it can even happen.

References:

Newman, Oscar 1972, Crime Prevention through Urban Design Defensible Space, the Macmillan Company, New York.

Colquhoun, Ian, Design out of crime Creating Safe and Sustainable Communities, Architectural Press

Canter, David 1977, Psychology of Place, The Architectural Press Ltd. London

G.P.D, 2004 , Economics and Political Weekly , Vol. 39 ,No. 9.

The British Medical Journal Vol .2 No. 4255 1942 ,Towards The Clean City, BMJ

Kaviraj,Sudipta 1997 , Duke University Press, Filth and the public Sphere: Concepts and practices about Space in Calcutta, Public Culture.

Keizer, Kees, 2008 American association for the advancement of science, Vol. 322, No. 5908 Science, New Series.

Brietler, Bruce 1988 ,Taylor & Francis, Ltd., Vandalism: The carrot instead of the Stick, Vol. 61, No.8

Argyrou, Vassos 1997,Wiley on behalf American Anthropological Association, Keep Cyprus Clean : Littering , Pollution, and Otherness, Vol. 12, No.2

Hazards of plastic, 2009, viewed 20 July 2014 TIFAC, <http://www.tifac.org.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=739&itemid=205
Using complementary computing calculations and neutron scattering techniques, researchers from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge and Lawrence Berkeley national laboratories and the University of California, Berkeley, discovered the existence of an elusive type of spin dynamics in a quantum mechanical system.

The team successfully simulated and measured how magnetic particles called spins can exhibit a type of motion known as Kardar-Parisi-Zhang, or KPZ, in solid materials at various temperatures. Until now, scientists had not found evidence of this particular phenomenon outside of soft matter and other classical materials.

These findings, which were published in Nature Physics, show that the KPZ scenario accurately describes the changes in time of spin chains -- linear channels of spins that interact with one another but largely ignore the surrounding environment -- in certain quantum materials, confirming a previously unproven hypothesis.

"Seeing this kind of behavior was surprising, because this is one of the oldest problems in the quantum physics community, and spin chains are one of the key foundations of quantum mechanics," said Alan Tennant, who leads a project on quantum magnets at the Quantum Science Center, or QSC, headquartered at ORNL.

Observing this unconventional behavior provided the team with insights into the nuances of fluid properties and other underlying features of quantum systems that could eventually be harnessed for various applications. A better understanding of this phenomenon could inform the improvement of heat transport capabilities using spin chains or facilitate future efforts in the field of spintronics, which saves energy and reduces noise that can disrupt quantum processes by manipulating a material's spin instead of its charge.

Typically, spins proceed from place to place through either ballistic transport, in which they travel freely through space, or diffusive transport, in which they bounce randomly off impurities in the material - or each other - and slowly spread out.

But fluid spins are unpredictable, sometimes displaying unusual hydrodynamical properties, such as KPZ dynamics, an intermediate category between the two standard forms of spin transport. In this case, special quasiparticles roam randomly throughout a material and affect every other particle they touch.

"The idea of KPZ is that, if you look at how the interface between two materials evolves over time, you see a certain kind of scaling akin to a growing pile of sand or snow, like a form of real-world Tetris where shapes build on each other unevenly instead of filling in the gaps," said Joel Moore, a professor at UC Berkeley, senior faculty scientist at LBNL and chief scientist of the QSC.

Another everyday example of KPZ dynamics in action is the mark left on a table, coaster or other household surface by a hot cup of coffee. The shape of the coffee particles affects how they diffuse. Round particles pile up at the edge as the water evaporates, forming a ring-shaped stain. However, oval particles exhibit KPZ dynamics and prevent this movement by jamming together like Tetris blocks, resulting in a filled in circle.

KPZ behavior can be categorized as a universality class, meaning that it describes the commonalities between these seemingly unrelated systems based on the mathematical similarities of their structures in accordance with the KPZ equation, regardless of the microscopic details that make them unique.

To prepare for their experiment, the researchers first completed simulations with resources from ORNL's Compute and Data Environment for Science, as well as LBNL's Lawrencium computational cluster and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, a DOE Office of Science user facility located at LBNL. Using the Heisenberg model of isotropic spins, they simulated the KPZ dynamics demonstrated by a single 1D spin chain within potassium copper fluoride.

"This material has been studied for almost 50 years because of its 1D behavior, and we chose to focus on it because previous theoretical simulations showed that this setting was likely to yield KPZ hydrodynamics," said Allen Scheie, a postdoctoral research associate at ORNL.

The team then used the SEQUOIA spectrometer at the Spallation Neutron Source, a DOE Office of Science user facility located at ORNL, to examine a previously unexplored region within a physical crystal sample and to measure the collective KPZ activity of real, physical spin chains. Neutrons are an exceptional experimental tool for understanding complex magnetic behavior due to their neutral charge and magnetic moment and their ability to penetrate materials deeply in a nondestructive fashion.

Both methods revealed evidence of KPZ behavior at room temperature, a surprising accomplishment considering that quantum systems usually must be cooled to almost absolute zero to exhibit quantum mechanical effects. The researchers anticipate that these results would remain unchanged, regardless of variations in temperature.

"We're seeing pretty subtle quantum effects surviving to high temperatures, and that's an ideal scenario because it demonstrates that understanding and controlling magnetic networks can help us harness the power of quantum mechanical properties," Tennant said.

This project began during the development of the QSC, one of five recently launched Quantum Information Science Research Centers competitively awarded to multi-institutional teams by DOE. The researchers had realized their combined interests and expertise perfectly positioned them to tackle this notoriously difficult research challenge.

Through the QSC and other avenues, they plan to complete related experiments to cultivate a better understanding of 1D spin chains under the influence of a magnetic field, as well as similar projects focused on 2D systems.

"We showed spin moving in a special quantum mechanical way, even at high temperatures, and that opens up possibilities for many new research directions," Moore said.

###

This work was funded by the DOE Office of Science. Additional support was provided by the Quantum Science Center, a DOE Office of Science National Quantum Information Science Research Center, and the Simons Foundation's Investigator program.
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 83F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy...isolated thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
A catastrophic pandemic and a calamitous presidency combined to give the United States the world's worst pandemic death toll. That was essentially confirmed by Deborah Birx, President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force coordinator, who told CNN that most deaths in the United States could have been prevented.

And yet - cold comfort - Trump might not have been the worst leader of the pandemic. Others arguably botched the crisis even worse than Trump did, and the list tells you a lot about the state of global governance.

It's hard to top the response of Nicaragua's near-eternal President Daniel Ortega and his wife, who responded to news of a pandemic by calling people into the streets for a festive parade they called "Love in the Time of Covid-19" - a perversely fitting allusion to the work of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, whose novels seamlessly blend fact and hallucination. The reckless move horrified human rights activists and scientists alike.

Hard to top it is, but not impossible. There's Jair Bolsonaro, president of Brazil, where the health-care system stands on the verge of collapse, and the unchecked spread of the virus has spawned variants now threatening other struggling countries.

Bolsonaro has echoed Trump's claims about hydroxychloroquine, squandering emergency pandemic funds on the useless treatment. He has fired health ministers for refusing to go along with his covid-19 denial and claimed that Brazilians might be immune to the "little flu" because they swim in sewage and nothing happens to them. Bolsonaro, who himself became infected, called on Brazilians to protest antivirus measures and joined them in the streets. Few people wore masks, and he gleefully shook hands - sometimes after coughing into his own.

As the pandemic explodes across Brazil, with thousands dying every day, he recently told Brazilians to "stop whining" about it.

Another president who caught the virus while playing it down is Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Early on, he advised Mexicans to "live life as usual." Even after he became infected, he rejected requests to wear a mask. He says he will wear one when corruption is eradicated in Mexico, a distant prospect. As in the United States, mask-wearing became highly politicized, a development that contributed to the climbing death toll.

This weekend, Mexican authorities quietly released a report showing the real count is 60 percent higher than the official figure, putting Mexico neck and neck with Brazil for the world's second-highest pandemic death toll, behind the United States.

Coincidence? Populism seems to be a comorbidity in a pandemic, raising its deadly toll.

Then there are the dictators, like Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko, who described the pandemic as nothing more than a "psychosis" and prescribed vodka and saunas to prevent it. Lukashenko, who has faced months of mass protests after a disputed election last summer, has blocked common-sense measures to slow down the virus at almost every turn.

Yet many Belarusians have resisted his negligent approach - just as many have pushed back against his dictatorship. Ignoring his calamitous advice, individuals practiced social distancing, held crowdfunding campaigns to buy supplies for hospitals and, in the end, have probably helped to keep the virus and the death toll in Belarus from spiraling out of control.

In Turkmenistan, another post-Soviet dictatorship, the government has set a new low for denial by banning mask-wearing and any discussion of the pandemic. The use of the word "coronavirus" has reportedly been outlawed in media or health information materials. Turkmenistan still claims it hasn't had any coronavirus cases, a claim no one believes.

In Cambodia, where Prime Minister Hun Sen has held power since 1985 (making him one of the world's longest-ruling heads of government), the first move was denial. He welcomed cruise ship passengers shunned by other countries for fear of the pandemic. Gradually, his response turned to repression, banning criticism and arresting those who complained, then using the emergency to tighten the regime's grip.

In Africa, yet another authoritarian populist, President John Magufuli of Tanzania, also dismissed talk of a global emergency. He told people not to bother with masks or vaccines, claiming that three days of prayer eradicated the virus in Tanzania. To make his point, he claimed to have submitted samples of pawpaw fruit and said they came back positive, ridiculing scientists.

Magufuli died this month. Authorities say he died from heart complications, but members of the opposition say they have it on good authority that he died of covid-19.

It's impossible to cover all the outrages by populist demagogues and assorted tyrants. (Apologies if I left out one you found particularly offensive.) Every world leader made mistakes, but there's something uniquely malignant about the manipulations and deceptions of the most outrageous players.

It is sometimes hard to suppress a chuckle when watching the antics of these buffoons. Yet the sense of absurdity is quickly stifled by the realization that their actions have likely contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands around the world - perhaps more.

As for Trump, these other leaders remind us that he wasn't alone in his mishandling of the pandemic. He has a lot of competition for the title of worst pandemic president. But he's still a contender.

- - -

Frida Ghitis is a former CNN producer and correspondent who writes about world affairs.
Nature Bio Foods BV (NBF BV), a 100% subsidiary of Nature Bio Foods (NBF) India, one of leading organic food producers and a subsidiary of LT Foods today announced the inauguration of its futuristic organic food processing plant at Maasvlakte near Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The new state-of-the-art integrated organic ingredients processing facility of Nature Bio Foods is another step in the Company's efforts to provide organic food ingredients to customers through a Sustainable Supply Chain.

Nature Bio Foods BV offers a vast bouquet of quality organic food ingredients, which are directly sourced from sustainable organic farms of India, Africa, and other Asian countries.

NBF in the past few years has set-up its distribution channels in the US and Europe to fortify its business model and other existing networks across geographies. Strengthening its establishments further, Nature Bio Foods has setup now food processing capabilities in EU which would allow it to reach its Customers and Brands directly.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kolkata, March 31 : Fifty days after they sailed out of Bangladesh's coastal region of Cox's Bazar, more than 80 Muslim Rohingya refugees were reported stranded in a boat in the Andaman sea.

"But there is no news from the boat in the last 10 days. The Indian coastguard seem to have snatched the one satellite phone on the boat. There are rumours that the Indians have pushed the boat into Bangladesh or Myanmar territorial waters while some say it remains anchored off the coast of northern Andamans," said Chris Lewa, director of "Arakan Project", which monitors conditions of Rohingyas both in refugee camps in Bangladesh and other parts of South-east Asia.

She and other human rights activists say the Indian coast guards have provided the refugees with food, drinking water and medical attention but not allowed the boat ashore.

"That is perhaps because India was negotiating with Bangladesh to take back these refugees. But since Bangladesh has refused to take them back as their boat was tracked far away from the Andamans, the fate of the Rohingyas is uncertain," said a Thailand-based human rights activist on condition of anonymity.

The activists said 50 days at sea in a ramshackle boat may be 'a real tough proposition' for anybody.

Eight of the ninety Rohingyas who set sail (65 women, 20 men and 5 minors) have already died of diarohhea and dehydration after the boat's engine developed trouble on Feb 18, a week into the journey towards South-east Asia.

81 Rohingyas, mostly women , were reported to be on the boat with three Bangladesh crew members when the rights activists lost contact with the boat. The survivors confirmed eight deaths on the boat before they lost contact.

"We thank the Indian coastguards for providing immediate relief but Delhi should either negotiate the boat's return to Bangladesh with the Rohingyas or take them ashore to a camp for better medical care. This is a humanitarian situation," the Thailand-based activist said.

The UN has also called for appropriate measures and relief .

Indian authorities confirmed 47 Rohingyas on the boat had UNHCR-issued refugee cards given out in Bangladesh.

"Our real worry is over possibilities of handing over the Rohingyas to Myanmar where they originally hail from, if Bangladesh refuses to take them back and India does not take them ashore. Myanmar, which recently took back more than 1,000 Rohingyas from Malaysia, may agree to take them against their will," the rights activist said.

But there is no update on the condition of survivors on the boat and it was also not clear if it had been repaired.

Boats carrying Rohingya refugees have regularly drifted towards India's Andaman islands and received immediate shelter until now.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced that it has renewed its strategic partnership and services footprint with Nationwide Building Society, the world's largest building society and one of the largest savings and mortgage providers in the UK, to help strengthen the latter's enterprise agility and operational resilience.

SpiceJet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avenue Capital Group, New York for a strategic alliance in respect of the financing, acquisition and sale and leaseback of 50 new planes to be ordered by the airline.

SJVN has been awarded 70 MW grid connected Solar Power Project in the state of Gujarat.

VA TECH WABAG has completed the Financial Closure for its Hybrid Annuity Model ('HAM') project received from Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation ('BUIDC0').

KNR Constructions said the company is in receipt of Letter of Acceptance for Six laning of Ramanattukara Junction to start of Valanchery bypass section of NH - 66 (old NH-17) from Design Ch. 258+818 (Ex. km 27.840 of Kozhikode bypass) to Design Chainage 298+500 (Ex. km 304.250) on Hybrid Annuity Mode under Bharatmala Pariyojana in the state of Kerala.

IRB Infrastructure Developers announced addition of two new PPP projects in the company's portfolio.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At the end of the day, the COI into illegal logging report must be credible when tabled in Parliament this year, says Pakoa. Photo: Kizzy Kalsakau
A 22-year-old central Pennsylvania woman who rammed a flagpole through the windshield of a Harrisburg police cruiser during a protest that turned violent last May avoided a prison term Wednesday after pleading guilty to multiple charges before a Dauphin County judge.

Coincidentally, Amy Sprich of New Freedom entered those pleas at that same time former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is being tried for the death of George Floyd. It was Floyds death while in police custody that prompted a Harrisburg protest that drew Sprich to the city.

Sprich pleaded guilty before Judge Deborah E. Curcillo to charges of institutional vandalism, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct for her actions on May 30 at Front and State streets. Senior Assistant District Attorney Jack Canavan said her plea deal resulted in the withdrawal of the most serious charge she faced, a felony count of riot.

While Sprich had no deal on sentencing, Canavan noted that guidelines called for a probation term. Curcillo sentenced Sprich to 2 years of probation, fined her $75 and ordered her to pay $200 in restitution for the damage she caused to the police car.

Canavan said Sprich was toting an Antifa rainbow flag when a group of protesters surrounded several city police officers. She smashed that flagpole through the window of one of the police cruisers, the prosecutor said. He said Sprich, who was among several people arrested, struggled with officers as they tried to take her into custody. She was charged nearly a month after the incident.

Investigators said two officers were injured and police cars were damaged by thrown bricks as well. Capitol Police in riot gear used pepper spray on the crowd as they came to the rescue of the surrounded officers.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse later blamed out-of-town people with violent agendas for igniting the isolated riot amid a wider protest that had been peaceful. Police Commissioner Thomas Carter said local people actually tried to calm things down.

Canavan said Sprichs actions contributed to the bedlam of that day.

Sprichs attorney said she had no prior criminal record, works at a restaurant and volunteers at a synagogue.

Sprich told Curcillo this will be her last run-in with police.

I feel very sorry, Sprich said. Im going to stay clean and out of the way of the law for sure.
Theres an old storefront in my hometown  a bright, pretty building that mixes brick walls and a terra cotta roof with ornate bluish-green tiles. Its sandwiched into a block of Spanish-style storefronts across from one of the citys oldest historic sites. For the first couple decades of my life, I walked right past it without really noticing. It wasnt until I moved away, spent time in larger Chinatowns across the country, and even lived and studied in China that I realized what I was seeing: a glimpse of a part of my citys history that my childhood history lessons left out.

The building, Jimmys Oriental Gardens in Santa Barbara, tells a story about who we are as Central Californians that doesn't fit neatly into the narrative of Spanish conquest and Eastern cattlemen that our area's reputation is built upon, so its a story that most of us werent taught as kids.

You can find these kinds of sites all across California, remnants of the Chinese communities that first established themselves in the mid- to late 1800s. Some sites are better preserved than others. In Mendocino, the red and green Temple of Kwan Tai is still as bright and vibrant as it was when it was built, thanks to the dedication of its founders' descendants. In Hite's Cove, an unincorporated community in Mariposa County, just outside of Yosemite, all thats left is a section of stone wall that was once a store constructed by Chinese miners.

Courtesy Brian Tom

The majority of these historic sites are clustered in Northern California, near small cities like Folsom, Auburn and Yuba City. So this past year, as I watched anti-Asian rhetoric and hate crimes increase  even in our diverse and supposedly inclusive Bay Area cities  I decided to search out a few of them to fill the gaps in my education and learn about the long history of Chinese Americans in Northern California.

---

Chinese immigrants first arrived in California in the 1820s, two decades before wagon trains of white American migrants began making their way here from the East Coast and the Plains, and 30 years before California joined the United States. The Chinese population grew significantly in the 1850s as men from southern China joined the Gold Rush.

By 1851, 25,000 Chinese had come to California. The predominant narrative about these men is that they found employment as low-wage workers for railroad and timber companies, but this stereotype obscures much of these pioneers story and their contributions to the newly-formed state.

The history [of the Chinese in California] has not been completely told, says Brian Tom, the director of the Chinese American Museum of Northern California in Marysville. The focus is too much on cheap labor and railroad workers, and that leads to a total misunderstanding of what the contribution, and what the real history, is all about.

This framing also shows up in the way that white historians have described Chinese miners, which promoted the idea that these miners worked less prosperous claims abandoned by white miners. Most American and European miners, Tom points out, took an individualistic approach. The Chinese, in contrast, had familial and social ties  including family clans and memberships in tongs (political and community organizations)  that allowed for greater trust and a more collective mining style. They often worked in group of up to 100 people.

Jeff Kan Lee

If youre a single miner, and youre out there mining on your own, you get to a point where youve done all you can, says Tom, because you cant move the flow of water, you cannot move the heavy rocks. So they gave up. These white miners sold their claims to Chinese groups that could use forms of technology that wouldnt work for a single person, such as dams that controlled the flow of streams and small rivers.

By 1870, half of the miners in California were Chinese, and there were 30 small Chinatowns scattered across Northern California. As the Gold Rush wound down, these communities continued to thrive. Many residents worked for logging companies, some took jobs as cooks (Chinese cooks were in high demand for their culinary skills), and some became entrepreneurs.

Theres this idea that they only worked in the lumber mills and they only worked as cooks, but they did a lot of things, says Lorraine Hee-Chorley, a trustee for the Temple of Kwan Tai in Mendocino. They introduced the fishing industry. Theyre the ones who let the community know about the abundance of fish that was out there. Chinese farmers expertise in working in river valleys was also instrumental in constructing the levee system that turned large areas of the Sacramento River Delta into valuable farmland.

When the Transcontinental Railroad was completed, working class European immigrants flooded into the state. These new arrivals argued the Chinese were taking jobs from white workers and should be expelled. (The rhetoric about Chinese workers taking jobs from European immigrants was particularly ironic, Tom notes on the Chinese American Museum of Northern Californias website, as the Chinese had held these jobs for years. The Europeans were taking jobs from them.)

This rhetoric stirred up anti-Chinese violence, and in the 1870s and '80s, most of Californias small town Chinatowns were burnt by arson. The communities that remained were then decimated by the 1882 passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited almost all Chinese immigration, and the 1888 Scott Act, which prohibited most Chinese  even long-term legal residents  who left the U.S. from returning.

Today, a handful of small Chinatowns remain, while other remnants of old Chinese communities are scattered throughout the mountains.

Here are a few of the more robust sites around Northern California:

Georgia Freedman

Marysville Chinatown

Marysville was the supply center for all of the northern mines, explains Tom, whose grandfather came to the area in the 1850s, mined for gold and then opened a store. Boats from San Francisco and Oakland would travel up the Sacramento and Feather rivers and stop at the Marysville port. From there, miners and loggers had to take mules or horses into the mountains. By 1870, the Chinese made up 30% of the total population of Marysville, which was one of the largest Chinatowns in California at the time.

This neighborhood also thrived for far longer than most Chinatowns in the region. When other Chinese neighborhoods were destroyed during the anti-Chinese arson attacks of the 1880s, many of their residents moved to Marysville for refuge. Later, during World War II, local laundries, restaurants, and other businesses  including a nightclub  served the nearby Camp Beale, which later became Beale Air Force Base.

Today, Chinatown sits on the edge of Marysvilles historic center. Buildings erected in the 1850s have the square, flat-roofed design typical of many Western towns, while those built later, in the 1930s, have ornate balconies, window screens and tile roofs. Two of these historic structures still house local tongs.

Chinatown is busiest during the Bok Kai Festival, which draws thousands to its annual parade. The rest of the year, the neighborhood is quiet. At one end of its main drag, First Street, is the Chinese American Museum of Northern California, which is currently closed. The site displays artifacts from the neighborhoods early days, including medicine jars, religious statues and kitchen tools, and hosts exhibits about the communitys impact on California.

On the other end of Chinatown, behind an old saloon on the corner of D Street, is the Bok Kai Temple, originally opened in 1854 and replaced in 1880 after a fire. The temples main deity is Bok I (or Bok Eye), the water god of the north, who is said to be able to control rains, floods and irrigation. Bok Kai still welcomes worshipers and the staff keep cone-shaped coils of incense burning on poles set between the branches of two towering kumquat trees. The temples museum also houses another kind of deity: Moo Lung, the very first celebratory dragon to come to the United States from China, back in the 1870s. (The museum is currently closed, but the temple itself remains open to worshippers.)

Courtesy Elaine Zorbas

Fiddletowns Chew Key Store

While the tiny hamlet of Fiddletown now feels about as remote as any place in California, it was once the center of a rich mining region. The towns commercial center served as a supply hub and, by the mid-1850s, Chinese immigrants made up about a third of the towns population. By 1880, their number had grown to half and the community had built a variety of businesses, including the rammed earth building now known as the Chew Key Store.

The building  made in a style very typical in China but rarely found in California  was located in the Chinese district in the west end of town, near Chinese merchandise stores, groceries, herb shops, gambling houses, restaurants, boarding houses and likely a brothel. While most of these other buildings were burnt during the anti-Chinese movement of the 1880s, the stores sturdy structure saved it, and two Chinese immigrant families lived in it, continuously, for 100 years.

The first owner was an herbalist named Yee Fung Cheung, whose businesses did so well that he and his son also founded herb stores in Sacramento and Virginia City. The second was the Chew family, for whom the store is named. The Chews survived the destruction of their neighborhood and lived in the store their entire lives, as did their adopted son, Jimmie. When Jimmie died in 1965, the town discovered that his home was still packed with most of the everyday items, large and small, the families had accumulated over the past century.

Today, stepping into the store feels a bit like stepping into a home abandoned, suddenly, at some indeterminate point in Californias history. In the front, cabinets labeled with hand-written Chinese characters hold dozens of boxes and medicine bottles, the walls are still covered in flaking red paper, and a calendar lists the year as 1903. In the back, tattered cloth shoes sit near a hard wooden bed and knives hang on the kitchen wall, near a rusty wood stove.

The Chew Key store is not the only historic Chinese building remaining in Fiddletown. There is also a former gambling house built into a hill, a Chinese general store, and an old adobe. But those other structures are still being renovated. For now, visitors can see them by following the town's walking tour, which has a map and information about the old schoolhouse, forge and other notable spots.

Courtesy Lorraine Hee-Chorley

The Temple of Kwan Tai in Mendocino

The red and green Chinese temple in Mendocino, the coastal community three and a half hours north of San Francisco, is an arresting spot of bright, vibrant color amidst the tourist towns white and pastel Victorians. The building  one of only six historic Chinese temples left in all of California  was originally constructed in 1854 by an immigrant named Lee Sing John (also known as Joe Lee) and another local family. According to Lees great-granddaughter, Lorraine Hee-Chorley, he sailed from China as part of a fleet of sampans (small Chinese fishing boats) to join the Gold Rush, but went off course and ended up near Caspar Beach.

While most Taoist Chinese temples near the ocean are dedicated to the goddess of the sea, this one honors Kwan Tai, the god of loyalty and protection. They probably prayed to Kwan Tai before they left China, to make sure that he protected them on the journey across the Pacific Ocean, says Hee-Chorley.

The building was erected on a slight slope overlooking Chinatown, and while the structure is virgin redwood, its features meet Taoist feng shui requirements with nine steps to the temple entrance to keep evil spirits away. The buildings red and green paint are also symbolic: red for joy and luck and green for life and prosperity.

Inside the tiny structure, youll find tables for leaving offerings, areas for burning incense and an altar with a picture of Kwan Tai.

From the temple, you can walk to the Chinese cemetery on a hill overlooking town, Big River and the Pacific. Lee Chorley notes that in 1913, the remains of all of the Chinese not born in the U.S. were dug up and shipped back to their homeland. It was believed that their souls would not be able to rest if they were buried far away.

Georgia Freedman

Locke Historic District

Lockes narrow main street could be used as a set for any old Western; the two-story buildings, built side-by-side, feature shop space downstairs and living spaces with narrow covered balconies upstairs. But this Historic District is not a museum; T-shirts and jeans hang from clotheslines on some balconies, a pack of cigarettes and a book sit on a bench in front of a fading storefront, and the old saloon has pivoted during the pandemic to a short takeout menu featuring burgers and fish and chips.

The town of Locke was founded in 1916, when the Chinese neighborhood in nearby Walnut Grove burnt down. Rather than rebuild on the same site, many members of the Chinese community relocated to Locke, which was then known as Lockport and already had two large canneries, a fruit-packing shed, a railyard and a wharf. By the mid-1920s, the town had a large Chinese population along with Italian and Indian immigrants.

Today, Locke is one of Northern Californias most popular historic Chinatowns, and residents run businesses that cater to tourists. Along the street youll find a vintage store, an art gallery, gift shops and the offices of a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. Some of the other buildings have been turned into immersive, well-curated museums full of historical artifacts.

One could easily lose an hour in the darkened rooms of the Dai Loy Gambling House Museum, wandering among the tables of dominoes and card games and reading the rules of Fan-Tan, a game that involved hiding a handful of small white buttons under a cup and betting on how many would remain after dividing the number by four.

But this nationally recognized historic district is not a relic. As established families have left town, new residents have arrived. And among them are immigrants from mainland China working to build businesses in Lockes historic buildings.

Georgia Freedman is a freelance journalist and editor and the author of Cooking South of the Clouds: Recipes and Stories from Chinas Yunnan Province.
GREENWICH  As President Joe Biden eyes infrastructure as the next priority item on his agenda, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy sat down with state transportation and Metro-North Railroad officials Monday.

During a round-table discussion at Greenwich Town Hall, Murphy noted that the Northeast Corridor is the only rail corridor in the nation that has any chance of making money.

But thats jeopardized by this current pandemic, which has created real budget crises for our operators, and is threatened in the long run by an atrophying infrastructure thats increasing transit times and making a lot of people think twice about locating themselves in Connecticut, Murphy said.

Murphy outlined some of the money for transportation that was included in the American Rescue Plan Act, a pandemic aid package that Biden signed into law earlier this month. The law sets aside about $30 billion for transit grants, $970 million for Amtraks Northeast Corridor and $350 billion for state and local governments.

Meanwhile, Biden is expected to release a major infrastructure proposal this week. Murphy said he hopes that a bipartisan package will be possible, but he noted theres a big outstanding question as to whether we can agree on revenue sources for transportation.

Still, Biden has been successful in pushing Congress to enact his priorities thus far, Murphy said. And my hope is that hes going to put just as much focus on infrastructure as he did on the Rescue Plan.

Murphy and fellow U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal signed onto a letter to Biden last week requesting that the presidents infrastructure proposal include $55 billion or more for the Northeast Corridor over 10 years.

Murphy is a member of the Senate subcommittee that drafts an annual appropriations bill for the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.

Among the attendees of Mondays roundtable was Catherine Rinaldi, the president of Metro-North. She said at the height of the pandemic, the railroads ridership was down by about 95 percent. Now, its down about 79 percent.

We are now definitely on the upswing, Rinaldi said. We had a bit of a lull during the holidays when  COVID started up again. But really, since January, weve been seeing improvement pretty much every week.

She said while there may be fewer traditional commuters taking trains during the pandemic, intermediate travelers  for instance, those who catch a train in Bridgeport and hop off in Stamford  are still riding the railroad.

Since last June, Metro-North has been operating at about 63 percent of its pre-pandemic service levels, Rinaldi said.

Joseph Giulietti, the commissioner of the state Department of Transportation and a former president of Metro-North, said federal funding has been critical to continuing rail service in the state.

Your funding right now has put us in a position that I can safely say were OK to go for the next two years, and we have the projects in line to go in and fix up and increase the speeds on this corridor for both Amtrak and Metro-North, Giulietti said.

He also said he is optimistic about more infrastructure spending in the near future.

If I can impress nothing else in this meeting its that never have I felt that the stars have been more aligned than they are right now in terms of investment in infrastructure, in terms of relationships, he said, referring to connections on both the regional and federal level.
The man at the centre of a hedge fund meltdown has broken his silence after suffering 'one of the single greatest losses of personal wealth in history'.

Bill Hwang, a multi-billionaire financier who invested his wealth through his firm Archegos Capital Management, went to ground after his fund hit the rocks last week.

But in the first disclosure the firm has made since causing a 20billion sell-off, a spokesman for Archegos said Hwang, pictured, was having a 'challenging time' and was still trying to 'determine the best path forward'.

Fund crisis: Bill Hwang, a multi-billionaire financier who invested his wealth through his firm Archegos Capital Management, went to ground after his fund hit the rocks last week

The comments came as experts tried to get a grip on the losses which Hwang has suffered.

Mike Novogratz, a former Goldman Sachs partner who has been investing for almost three decades, said: 'When the facts come out, my sense is the Bill Hwang blow-up will be the most spectacular personal loss of wealth in history.'

Bankers and analysts have estimated that the personal fortune of Hwang, a former hedge fund manager known as a 'Tiger cub' because he earned his credentials at the renowned Julian Robertson's Tiger Management, could have topped 7billion before last week's meltdown.

But because he borrowed so much to increase the size of his trades, the sell-off he caused was much bigger.

Rival banks caught out by Goldman Goldman Sachs has riled rival banks after leading the Archegos sell-off, which left the likes of Credit Suisse and Nomura suffering heavy losses. The prime broker arm of Goldman lent heavily to Archegos. So had Credit Suisse, Nomura, UBS, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo. When it became clear some Archegos bets were turning sour, the banks realised they would need to sell some of the shares they held for Archegos to recoup money owed. They held talks that extended late into Thursday on how to do it in an orderly way. Sources said they were close to reaching an agreement. But on Friday, when markets opened, Goldman sold huge blocks of Hwangs shares, and prices fell. The rest rushed to follow suit. Nomura has said the incident could wipe out its profits from the last six months, and Credit Suisse estimated the hit would be between 2billion and 3billion. A source close to one of the banks said: There was certainly a bit of that Im alright, Jack mentality from Goldman.

Archegos said: 'This is a challenging time for the family office of Archegos Capital Management, our partners and employees. All plans are being discussed as Mr Hwang and the team determine the best path forward.'

So-called family offices like Archegos, which manage the money of one very wealthy family, are exempt from making many of the disclosures which normal hedge funds and investment firms are held to.

This means the actual size of Hwang's fortune, and how much has been eroded from it, are unclear.

Archegos fell into trouble last week, after a few stocks it placed big bets on  including US media titans Viacom, CBS and Discovery  fell in value.

Shareholders were worried that the companies were losing ground to newer rivals such as Netflix and Disney Plus.

But the situation spiralled out of control for Archegos. It had borrowed large amounts of money from the prime brokerage arms of banks to increase its stake in firms such as Viacom.

This allowed it to buy a larger exposure than it would otherwise be able to afford.

But when those prime brokers saw Viacom shares falling, they issued a margin call  essentially asking Hwang to give them more money as security, to protect them from any losses.

Hwang didn't have the cash to hand, meaning he defaulted on his loans with the prime brokers. This gave them the right to sell the shares they held on his behalf, to recoup the money he owed them.

It prompted a sell-off of around 20billion, as prime brokers including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo and UBS rapidly offloaded Hwang's stock, causing their price to plummet further as the market was flooded.

Credit Suisse and Japanese bank Nomura, which were slower to sell, have suffered massive losses. Analysts at JP Morgan estimate losses across all banks from the crisis could hit 7bn.

Now, regulators around the world are quizzing the prime brokers involved, to see if any acted inappropriately.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority and the US Securities and Exchange Commission have requested information from the banks.

Although the debacle might be the most financially painful for Hwang, it isn't the first scandal he has been involved in.

In 2012, he admitted in a US lawsuit to insider trading and manipulating Chinese bank stocks. He stumped up 32million in fines and agreed to be barred from the industry.

For years after, he was blacklisted by banks including Goldman Sachs which refused to work with him.

Goldman eventually relented, enticed by the lucrative business which Hwang represented.
Credit Suisse is facing a major investor backlash after the Archegos crisis left it nursing heavy losses.

The banking giant was already reeling from the aftermath of a spying scandal and its ties to bust lender Greensill Capital.

Now shareholder advisory group Ethos is recommending investors vote against the entire board, and its executive pay, after Credit Suisse said it would take a hit of 2billion to 3billion due to the Archegos meltdown.

Shareholders will be questioning the future of Credit Suisse chief risk officer Lara Warner (pictured), who has held senior positions in the banks risk and compliance offices since 2015

Chairman Urs Rohner, a former lawyer, was already due to step down at the annual meeting in April and hand over to departing Lloyds boss Antonio Horta-Osorio.

But an investor revolt would be an embarrassing blow for the 61-year-old Swiss banker, ending his decade-long tenure as Credit Suisses chairman on a sour note.

Ethos Foundation chief executive Vincent Kaufmann said: These new cases add up to an incredible number of governance failures during Mr Rohners tenure.

Harris Associates, one of Credit Suisses largest shareholders, has called for Rohner to pay for the events out of his own pocket.

The investment firms chief investment officer David Herro said: Given recent events and past performance, I certainly think it would be appropriate for Mr Rohner to forgo any further compensation from Credit Suisse.

Shareholders will also be questioning the future of Credit Suisse chief risk officer Lara Warner, who has held senior positions in the banks risk and compliance offices since 2015.

The firms checks and balances are being reviewed by external advisers in the wake of the Greensill and Archegos downfalls, as the bank was heavily exposed to both businesses.

It ran funds worth 7billion which invested clients money in Greensill loans, and questions are now emerging over whether those investments contained quite what clients were expecting.

On top of that, Credit Suisse lent Greensill 100million  money which it is unlikely to recover, since Greensill is now bust.

The Swiss bank has already axed bonuses for some senior employees involved in the Greensill debacle, and replaced the boss of its asset management unit.

Shares in Credit Suisse have tumbled by 16.5 per cent so far this week, wiping 4billion off its market value.
Williamstown Police Sgt. Scott McGowan remains on paid administrative leave from his $76,000-a-year job, pending the towns investigation of complaints about the sergeant detailed in a six-page letter to town officials from all nine full-time members of the Williamstown Police Department except McGowan and Lt. Michael Ziemba, the acting chief.
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.
After Assam Rifles seized smuggled hair worth Rs 2 crore, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leveled allegations against the ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in the state of Andhra Pradesh. A former Minister and TDP senior leader Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu blamed the ruling party for the illegal trafficking of human hair from Balaji Temple in Tirumala to foreign countries.

TDP slams YSRCP for allegedly supporting hair smuggling mafia in AP

Ayyanna Patrudu said the devotees' hair worth Rs 2 crore seized by the Assam Rifles in the North East exposed the unlawful smuggling activities in an unchecked way. With this, it is clear how the YSRCP leaders are running the mafia even in smuggling human hair apart from sand, cement, liquor, etc.

Patrudu alleged that the smuggled hair was being transported to Myanmar and then to Thailand for processing and finally, it would be shipped to China. The processed hair would be used in making wigs meant for trade worldwide.

TDP demanded an explanation from the Jagan Mohan Reddy Government on why it failed to curb the hair mafia menace at the highly revered Tirumala temple.

YSRCP hurts Hindu devotees' sentiments: Ayyanna Patrudu

Ayyanna slammed the YSRCP for indulging in such ungodly activities and also stated that the YCP leaders were launching non-stop attacks on the sentiments of the Hindu devotees.

Ayyanna Patrudu said that when hair worth Rs 2 crore was caught in just one catch, it can be imagined how much more devotees' hair were being looted and diverted everyday from the sacred Balaji Temple. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees from all over the world would visit and offer their hair as a symbol of devotion and respect to the Lord. The ruling party leaders were resorting to one violation after another to diminish the divinity of the temple, he stated.

Ayyanna accused the YSRCP regime of promoting mafia gangs to plunder all resources of the State in the past 22 months of its misrule. They began with the sand exploitation by causing its severe shortage in the initial days that eventually led to the collapse of the construction industry altogether and suicides by the workers who went out of work. The YCP mafia had got an iron grip on the liquor distilleries and sale in the name of the Government shops.

(Picture Credit: ANI/PTI)
By Benjamin Jumbe

The Uganda Women Parliamentary Association together with non-governmental organizations including LANDNET has urged President Museveni to ascent to the Succession Amendment Bill that was passed by parliament yesterday.

The private bill presented to parliament by Mbarara Woman Member of Parliament Rosette Kajangu who was later joined by the government aims at providing for the distribution of estates of the deceased person and also for guardianship of the children.

Kumi Woman Member of Parliament Monica Amoding has meanwhile rubbished claims that the piece of legislation is aimed at benefiting women alone.

Amoding also says that all children of the deceased whether from a legally married wife or not are entitled to the property of their parents and the deceased will be free to either pick a male or female child to inherit it.

While the director of Access to Land Justice at LANDNET Bernadette Bakidde explains that the principal home will be for the widow or widower with a provision in the law for a guardian who will manage the property of the children with penalties for mismanagement.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) listens during a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 24, 2021. (Tom Brenner/Pool via AP)

Maine Republican Officials Form New Caucus After State GOP Declines to Censure Collins

A group of around 25 conservative Maine Republicans has split from the state Republican Party to form a new grassroots caucus, days after the state GOP decided against censuring Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) for her vote to convict former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial.

John DeVeau, who chairs the Aroostook County Republican Committeeone of the committees that voted to censure Collinssaid in a statement on March 29 that the group has formed the Maine Grassroots Republican Caucus.

DeVeau said the political subgroup is a kind of Maine-based version of the U.S. House Freedom Caucus, and dismissed concerns that the new group might divide Maines Republican Party.

We didnt create the division, were actually trying to unify the Republican Party by giving the disenfranchised a voice at the statewide level and to restore the Constitutional balance of powers, DeVeau said in a statement, which noted him as the chair of the newly formed caucus.

The Maine Grassroots Republican Caucus includes at least six county chairs, several sitting legislators, and state committee members, according to the statement.

The Maine Republican Party is not listening to the voices of disenfranchised Republicans that are trying to hold their elected officials accountable, DeVeau said, in apparent reference to the partys recent vote against censuring Collins.

Republicans in Collinss home county of Aroostook voted last week to censure her for voting to convict Trump.

Trump was charged by the House of Representatives with inciting an insurrection in a speech he gave near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Proponents of the incitement of insurrection charges pointed to specific phrases Trump said during his speech, such as fight like hell, to paint his words as incitement, while opponents of the charges noted that 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.

The Aroostook County Republican Committee censure resolution, which was backed by 19 members, stated, Senator Collins public statements in support of the language, actions, and promotion of an illegal, unethical, unconstitutional impeachment of former President Trump, undermines the conservative and ethical values promoted by the Aroostook County Republicans and the Maine Republican Party and as demonstrated, is a purely self-serving, vindictive and punitive action by those with establishment political objectives.

On March 27, the Maine Republican Party voted 4119 to reject censuring Collins.

Jason Savage, Maine GOP executive director, told NEWS CENTER Maine that the censure issue is an internal matter, and its time to look forward to other priorities.

Leadership of the party believes its settled in time to move forward with the 2022 elections in mind, he told the outlet.

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 in favor of a conviction. 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 on Sept. 24, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

After her vote during the impeachment trial, Collins faced backlash from the Maine GOP.

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.

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.

Collinss office didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment on the new caucus.

According to a statement from the group, the first official event of the Maine Grassroots Republican Caucus will be in support of a Tax Day Rally by Maine Taxpayers United at the Capitol in Augusta on April 17.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
The new biopic will take on an authentic perspective of the famed king who founded the Opobo kingdom.

A Nigerian filmmaker, Charles Okpaleke, and veteran actor and film producer, Ramsey Nouah, have acquired the rights to produce a biopic based on the life and times of king Jaja of Opobo.

The filmmaker, who made this known on his Instagram page, announced that the new biopic will take on an authentic perspective of the famed king who founded the Opobo kingdom.

"I and Ramsey Nouah are proud to announce that we have been given the rights to tell the story of King Jaja of Opobo, from an authentic perspective.

"We had the privilege of sitting with King Dandeson Douglas, Jeki V- 5th on the throne, during the sesquicentennial celebration of Opobo Kingdom.

"We can say we have the authentic account of the eventful life of King Jaja and we are set to tell it in a griping way as you all will expect from us," he said.

Mr Okpaleke's latest announcement comes months after confirming the having the right to produce an epic movie of infamous robbery kingpin Shina Rambo.

He said he met with Rambo, who is currently an evangelist, before securing the rights.

Background

There were several accounts of the 19th century of king Opobo's life and death but one thing all the accounts agree is that he was among the first monarchs to resist British colonialism and died trying.

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King Jaja of Opobo, whose name was Jubo Jubogha, was a merchant prince between 1821-1891. He was the founder of the Opobo area that is the present-day Rivers state in Nigeria.

He was born in Umuduruoha Amaigbo in present-day Imo State and was taken at about the age of twelve into slavery in Bonny by Obua Ajukwu of Oguta.

He later took the name "Jaja", which earned his way out of slavery, and Opobo came to dominate the region's palm oil trade, and controlled fourteen of what were formerly Bonny's eighteen trade houses.

Jaja blocked the access of British merchants to effectively monopolise the trade in Opobo.

At the 1884 Berlin Conference, the European designated Opobo as British territory.

When Jaja refused to cease taxing the British traders, Henry Hamilton Johnston, a British vice-consul, invited him for negotiations and he was arrested on arrival, aboard a British vessel he was tried in Accra in the Gold Coast (now Ghana).

Jaja was exiled to London and then Saint Vincent in the West Indies and Barbados.

In 1891, Jaja was granted permission to return to Opobo, but died en route.
Russian Justice Ministry proposes to conduct expert examination of intellectual property

 RAPSI

13:09 31/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 31 (RAPSI)  Russias Ministry of Justice proposes to introduce an expert examination of intellectual property objects and indicate a new expert specialty for the conduct thereof, the press service of the body has informed RAPSI.

The formation of a new direction of forensic expertise  legal examination of intellectual property objects  is to help to resolve in practice the problems of choosing an expert of appropriate specialization when appointing forensic expertise, determining the competence of the selected experts, the scope of special knowledge for researching a specific object of intellectual property rights, the Ministrys press-service said in the statement.

The draft of the respective order has been posted for public discussion on the Federal Portal for Draft Legislation.
Guest Column Who Failed Myanmar?

Security forces set roadblocks on fire in Yangon after confronting anti-regime protesters on March 17. / The Irrawaddy

The bloodshed in Myanmar continues unabated with the casualties reaching over 500 deaths as of last week. The imposition of martial law in various parts of the country remains intact. The Committee Regsu Hluttaw (CRPH)the self-proclaimed shadow government of Myanmarwants to arm itself to defend the planned provisional government. Global condemnation has been loud and widespread. The endgame is likely to be a war of attrition between the civil disobedience movement, the military, and all the stakeholders, both inside and outside of this Golden Land. For those who know Myanmars history, it is a case of back to the future, only this time it is bleaker and more unpredictable.

Sad as it is, the singular question needs to be asked: Why does Myanmar find itself in this black hole? Who failed Myanmar? Frankly, the answer is quite simpleeveryone who is involved, directly and indirectly.

While the international community, especially the UN, has been ferocious in its condemnation of the atrocities committed by the Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw) since its power seizure on Feb. 1, it has been completely forgotten that this horrible situation was not only of the Tatmadaws making. It takes two to tango; in this case, the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Tatmadaw locked horns, leading to a breakdown. Indeed, the positions and personalities of those institutions leadersDaw Aung San Sun Kyi and Senior General Min Aung Hlaingand their perceptions of one another, must be factored in.

The Tatmadaw has sought to maintain what it sees as its political legitimacy throughout Myanmars nascent experiment with parliamentary democracy, as stipulated in the 2008 Constitution. The NLD, meanwhile, emboldened by its overwhelming poll victory in November, believed falsely that it could govern Myanmar solely and proceed with long-delayed constitutional amendments to reduce and eventually eliminate the military from the political arenaperhaps for good.

As widely reported, the negotiations between the NLD and the Tatmadaw on Jan. 26 over the latters request that the Union Election Commission investigate its allegation of election fraud were tense but seemed headed for a mutual agreement. Less than 40 hours later, however, the talks broke down irreparably. The military takeover that followed was not a total shock given the rumors that swirled in the week prior.

The military misjudged and underestimated the level and intensity of the aversion of the public to the return of military rule. Street protests started off as civil disobedience, receiving support both moral and monetary from across the border and elsewhere. The three-finger salute made trendy by Thai student protesters became a symbol of defiance at Myanmar peoples protests against the Tatmadaw.

The West immediately jumped in, but at the same time did not want to get its feet wet. Its supported and urged ASEAN to pressure Myanmar to roll back the takeover and return to the pre-Feb. 1 status quo. Easier said than done.

Although ASEAN has a proud 54-year history of handling numerous crises within the bloc, the current Myanmar crisis was unexpected, especially with governments distracted by efforts to contain the coronavirusas was ASEAN members failure to reach a consensus on what to do with Myanmar. It is the first time ASEAN has broken its own cardinal rule of non-interference in the internal affairs of other ASEAN members. Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia openly and muscularly opposed the Tatmadaw government, while the rest of the bloc adopted a milder response.

This time around, if the Myanmar military was expecting ASEAN to provide a safe space for them to try to work with the international community, their hopes have been dashed by the past two months and its reign of terror. The Tatmadaw said it was the servant of the people and would safeguard democracy. But its current cruelty speaks volumes about its intentions and has further inculcated hatred towards it among the population.

The junta can survive the targeted international sanctions but it will be difficult for it to coexist with its neighbors, which could lead to its self-imposed isolation. Either way, its a lose-lose proposition. Now, the only way for the junta to get out of its current conundrum is to engage and respond in concrete ways with the demands put out by the ASEAN chair and individual members thereafter. Most importantly, the killing must stop immediately and a dialog process should kick off.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo has already proposed a high-level meeting of ASEAN leaders on the Myanmar crisis. So far, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines have responded positively to his overture. Other leaders have not yet replied. It is now up to the chair, Sultan Hassanal Bokiah of Brunei, whether to call for such a leaders meeting, which would be unprecedented within the context of an internal issue of a member state.

Meanwhile, the NLD resistance has gained momentum with its attempts to establish a shadow government, the CRPH. The remarks of the Myanmar Permanent Representative to the UN, who held up three fingers while he spoke, let the world know that the NLD was the legitimate government of Myanmar. Some hasty makeshift arrangements were made by some powerful friends to make the CRPH a credible entity. Overnight, the CRPH went from nowhere to having an office in Maryland in the US.

Amidst the clueless international efforts to condemn and punish the Tatmadaw, the brave street protests in Myanmar have grown larger and more widespread. It was only in the last few days that the numbers dwindled somewhat. The Tatmadaw felt they had to put down the unrest quickly before armed minority groups join the fray and more money from overseas flows into Myanmar to fuel the protests.

In handling Myanmar, its long history must be heeded. All concerned players must come to terms with the following realities:

The Tatmadaw will not allow itself to be written off, as the colonial power did to it. It has taken the army several decades to rebuild itself to deal with external aggression and 135 minority groups, 18 of them fully armed, not to mention thousands of militias. The army perceives itself as the protector of the nation. Those who know Myanmar will be aware that the people are headstrong, unyielding and keep their word. The Tatmadaw has already laid out a five-step plan to hold an election within this year. This pledge must be kept. It is reasonable to believe that the NLD and its leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will not be participating in the next election in the same shape or form as the last one. China will wisely avoid being drawn into the Myanmar political and security quagmire. It will do just enough to maintain relations with the Tatmadaw to protect its interestsno more, no less. The West is the biggest question mark. It must understand more of the country, its history as well as the social, psychological and cultural contexts of Myanmar. If it insists on imposing its Western values and standards on this highly complex society, and decides to adopt its familiar modus operandi, as it did in Iraq, Libya, Syria, etc., not only the West, but the world will lose Myanmar. The most worrying ASEAN member is Thailand. With a 2,401-km-long border with Myanmar and intertwined trade, commerce and labor sectors, the ramifications of the protracted conflicts in Myanmar will be far-reaching and multifaceted for Thailands economy, politics and security. Bangkok is worried about the prospect of an influx of refugees from Myanmar.

All those who truly wish to see peace and stability return to Myanmar must immediately stop meddling and start dialogs with the Tatmadaw and other stakeholders. If they were part of the problem, they have to be part of the solution.

Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.

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A family in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe District is claiming ownership of part of the land housing Kawolo General Hospital.

The family of the late Banalaba Owekisa is claiming ownership of a five and a half square miles piece of land, which is part of the 23 acres occupied by the hospital.

Mr Norman Kiwanuka, a family member, said they are in the process of opening boundaries on the disputed land.

"Court has already given us a green light to open boundaries and we are likely to start in two weeks' time. The reason why we want to open the boundaries is because Mehta Group of Companies claims that the land is a freehold, which is actually not true. The documents in our possession indicate that it is mailo land," Mr

Kiwanuka said during an interview with at the weekend.

He also said they do not intend to evict the hospital, but simply want compensation from government.

"We have been in touch with the hospital management and they know that we are the rightful owners of the land. When they were carrying out renovations, we gave them a go ahead because the donors wanted to withdraw the funds," he said.

According to Mr Kiwanuka, by 1900, the initial owner of the land was the late Mr Banalaba Owekisa. It was later inherited by Mr Isaac Kyagulanyi, who leased the land to Mehta Group of Companies.

When the lease expired, Mr Kiwanuka claims that the land reverted to the family and the current administrators are Mr Ibrahim Kyagulanyi and Mr Muhammad Yawe, the grandchildren of late Banalaba.

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However, Mr Ronny Kyazze, the head of legal affairs at Mehta Group of Companies, said the company rightfully acquired the land.

"They are not the first people to make such claims [of owning Kawolo Hospital land]. In this latest case, we have agreed that we open boundaries because we have a land title and they also claim to own one. We want to find out whether it is the same land they are talking about," he said.

Mr Mathias Kigongo, the Buikwe District chairperson, said the hospital land was donated to the district by Mehta Group of Companies.

"We thought the land belongs to the Mehta Group, but there is a family which also claims it. As district leaders, we are yet to bring both parties together to see how to resolve the matter without necessarily affecting the hospital operations," Mr Kigongo said.

He also said they also recently learnt that the hospital has no land title which exposes it to encroachers. Mr Haruna Wamala, the Kawolo Hospital administrator, said the Ministry of Health is ready to pay for the land where the hospital is located if it turns out that it is privately owned.

"Government will compensate the family if it is proved that they own the land. But if Mehta emerges as the winner, we shall continue with the good working relationship we have enjoyed over the years," Mr Wamala said.

ABOUT KAWOLO

Kawolo Hospital was built in 1968 as a public health facility. The facility, which recently got a Shs11.8b facelift, is located on the accident prone Jinja-Kampala highway and receives more than five accident victims daily.

It serves more than 1.3 million people around Buikwe, Buvuma and Mukono districts annually.
Chennai, March 31 : Vedanta Ltd is planning to set up a 5,00,000 tonne per annum (tpa) copper smelter plant in a coastal region of the country.

Is Vedanta Ltd planning to shift its 400,000 tpa copper smelter plant in Tuticorin -- that has been shut down by the Tamil Nadu government -- to some other coastal region in India is the moot question now.

The company on Wednesday sought expression of interest from the coastal states wishing to partner in the project that would have an investment potential of about Rs 10,000 crore through a newspaper advertisement.

According to Vedanta, the proposed project would need about 1,000 acres of land in proximity to a port along with logistics connectivity with conveyor/corridor of rail and road to handle five million tpa material movement on both in-bound and out-bound sides.

The company said the project has a potential to provide direct and indirect employment to 10,000 people and will contribute about Rs 3,000 crore to the government treasury as taxes and others sources.

Senior officials were not available to answer IANS query as to whether the company is exiting Tuticorin.

The company later said in a statement that India's copper requirements are set to grow exponentially in the coming years.

Having ample supplies of copper is critical to ensuring successful implementation of new-gen technologies such as electric vehicles, rapid automated transport and clean energy, the company said.

"We are therefore actively on the lookout for a suitable partner state to help take forward the vision of an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and ensure that our nation enjoys unfettered access to copper through a state-of-the-art copper manufacturing plant, the operational and environmental parameters of which are comparable to the best in the world," Vedanta said.

According to Vedanta, the closure of the Tuticorin copper smelter plant has had a ripple effect in terms of imports and livelihoods.

"Post closure, India has become a net importer of copper for the first time in 18 years, with copper imports growing 3X while exports have plunged by 90 per cent. We are continuing to explore all the legal avenues towards achieving a sustainable solution to the closure," the company said.

The Tamil Nadu government had ordered the closure of the copper smelter plant in 2018 following a violent protest that led to the death of 13 persons in police firing.

The 400,000 tonne Sterlite copper smelter plant that has been operating in Tuticorin for over 25 years with a cumulative investment of about Rs 3,000 crore.

However, from the start, the Sterlite copper smelter plant has been facing protests by the local people alleging that it pollutes the environment.

Originally the plant was planned in Goa but it faced severe opposition from the state's people. However, the AIADMK regime under J. Jayalalithaa gave a warm welcome to the project and allotted it land in Tuticorin.

Ever since then the plant was in the eye of storm with MDMK leader Vaiko leading a protest against the project and later filing a case.

The major political parties in Tamil Nadu -- AIADMK and DMK -- are against Vedanta's copper smelter plant in Tuticorin.

The Supreme Court is hearing the case on an appeal filed by the company against the Madras High Court's refusal to reopen the Sterlite copper smelter plant in Tuticorin.

"The next hearing in the Supreme Court will be held in August. Going by the advertisement issued by the company, it seems it may be exiting Tuticorin," Fatima Babu, one of the persons who had filed a case against Sterlite Copper, told IANS.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The reef had already started turning white when the little rat vanished. No one knows exactly how the rare rodent, known as the Bramble Cay melomys, first came to live on a tiny island at the tip of the Great Barrier Reef. But about a decade ago, the very last of them were wiped out, likely swept away by rising seas and storm surges in what is considered the worlds first mammal extinction caused by climate change. Our planet is changing fast and not just for unfortunately situated rodents. Climate science is concerned with whats in the air  the invisible, planet-warming build-up of carbon dioxide. But you no longer need graphs to see the impact. Rainforests are creeping into savannah. Ice sheets are plunging into the sea. Bright coral reefs are fading to white. Six years ago, just months before Queensland researchers declared the Bramble Cay melomys extinct, world leaders met in Paris and agreed to keep global warming below 2 degrees (and as close to 1.5 degrees as possible). Yet, despite a slight decline in pollution in 2020 because of pandemic shutdowns and despite a new surge in commitments from governments to slash their emissions to net zero by 2050 (or 2060 in the case of China), the shift to a green economy isnt happening fast enough. Australia has already warmed by about 1.4 degrees since the Industrial Revolution and the latest expert analysis for the United Nations says the globe is still headed for a 3-degree rise by the end of the century. Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of UN Climate Change, has likened our current course to walking into a minefield blindfolded. Leading Australian scientists have considered what a 3-degree rise in global temperatures will look like for Australia in new detail, in a report from the Australian Academy of Science. But they stress that the path out of such a future is still before us. While the 1.5-degree target will likely be surpassed, if countries immediately set credible targets for 2030, we may still reach net zero by 2050, holding warming to about 2 degrees. Borrowing a well-worn phrase from the COVID pandemic, the report authors liken it to flattening the curve of climate change. Of course, even a delay of a few years could see us miss that deadline too  and set off dangerous climate tipping points. So how far away are 50-degree summers in our major cities? What will global warming mean for our natural environment and for agriculture? How do tipping points work? And how can we avoid the worst of the climate fallout?

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On the Pacific island of Abaiang, people must use a boat to cross from one side of a village to another at high tide as the sea creeps further in. Credit:Justin McManus What would 3 degrees look like in Australian cities? January 2020 was Sydneys hottest January on record. On January 4, temperatures in far western Sydney nudged 50 degrees for the first time. Back then, Keith Heggart told the Herald and The Age how his airconditioner conked out and his family huddled inside, the curtains drawn against the sun and the windows shut against bushfire smoke. Should Australia warm by 3 degrees, the number of days hotter than 35 degrees in Sydney would jump from an average of 3.1 to 11 each year, while in Melbourne the jump would be from 11 to 24. In Darwin, the average number of days hotter than 35 degrees would go from 11 to 265  every day would be designated a heat stress day. According to Professor Lesley Hughes of Macquarie University, the number of heatwaves would jump from three to seven a year and their duration would blow out from seven to 16 days. Heatwaves are the silent killer in Australia. Theyre responsible for more deaths than any other climate-related disaster but they also affect our agricultural productivity, says Hughes. Cities and towns will need more tree cover, and some outdoor sport will probably move inside, while airconditioning systems (and the electricity grid) will need to be optimised to avoid blackouts. As the temperature soars, diseases normally found in the tropics could also spread to more temperate areas across Australia, including cities, the report says, noting climate-sensitive infectious diseases such as the Ross River virus will be of particular concern.

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The vibrant corals of rhe Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, are not expected to survive much longer as the planet continues to warm. What about the rest of Australia? Australias high levels of heating have already led to mass bleaching events that have killed about half the hard corals in the Great Barrier Reef and contributed to the droughts, fires and floods of recent years, says Hughes. At 1.5 degrees we will lose between 70 and 90 per cent of todays corals but by 3 degrees 99 per cent will be gone, says Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, one of the reports authors. That almost certainly means no more Great Barrier Reef. The kind of heat likely to come to Darwin is also expected across the entire Top End, severely affecting livestock and the people who manage them, according to the report. A 3-degree rise would reduce yields of key crops by between 5 and 50 per cent. Significant reductions are expected in oil seeds (35 per cent), wheat (18 per cent), fruits and vegetables (14 per cent), plant fibres (7 per cent), rice (2 per cent) and other fibres (11 per cent) in Australia. Already today, broadacre crops such as wheat and barley have fallen in profitability by up to 22 per cent since 2000. And its not just the heat that would be the problem. While severe, damaging storms will increase, rainfall overall will fall. The report predicts a 13 and 21 per cent drop across the Murray-Darling Basin, with hotter areas set to be far drier. Australia is home to some of the most unique ecosystems in the world but they are already radically changing, and extinctions accelerating  and that could have big impacts on the tourism and recreation industries that rely on our wild places. At 3 degrees, many Australian ecosystems would simply be unrecognisable, the report says. During the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, an area roughly three times the size of Tasmania burnt including 80 per cent of the World Heritage Area in the Blue Mountains and 50 per cent of the ancient Gondwana rainforests on the east coast. These are forests, says Hughes, that may not have burnt for thousands of years. For wildlife, it was the single biggest catastrophe in recorded history  3 billion creatures were killed or displaced.

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Loading At 3 degrees, Hughes says, we would see an increase of between 100 and 300 per cent in such extreme fire days. Most seasons will look like that record-breaking Black Summer, when smoke blanketed cities and flames raged for months, at times in every state at once. Such fierce bushfire seasons will also change the shape of our urban fringes and small towns, experts predict, as more people move out of remote bush. Insurance premiums will go up, and water will probably be more heavily regulated as it grows scarce. Well-loved holiday spots and hamlets along the coast could also be swept away under rising sea levels. The Earths melting glaciers have already caused a rise of 14 millimetres between 2003 and 2019. If the sea rises by one metre by the end of the century, the report says an estimated 160,000 to 250,000 Australian properties will be at risk of coastal flooding. Just as we adapt to fire and heatwaves, we will need to rethink how we live with floods. The hard surfaces used for driveways and footpaths may even be replaced with more permeable surfaces in the future. Under most modelled scenarios, what would have been one-in-100-year coastal floods will be happening almost every year by 2100. Should temperatures rise between 2 and 3 degrees, the coastal flood area is projected to expand by about 33,200 square kilometres across Australasia, the report says. The impact would be particularly severe on Australias densely populated east and south-east coasts. Properties on flood plains and in storm-surge zones in south-east Queensland would have a 33 per cent increase in tropical cyclone risk under a 3 degree warming scenario.

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How would the rest of the world look at 3 degrees? A world at 3 degrees is not a pretty picture anywhere, but parts of the world are warming faster and are likely to suffer more than others. Australia, already the land of drought and flooding rains, is not in a good position but many of its Pacific Island neighbours face total wipeout because of rising sea levels. And more dead zones are expected to open up at sea. As the waters acidify and warm, algae blooms will explode at the surface, starving marine life of oxygen. On land, some species are already adapting to rising temperatures, including by moving to cooler altitudes, but most will struggle to keep up with the wicked pace of a 3-degree rise by the end of the century. People, in their hundreds of millions, will also be battling more displacement, monster storms, disease outbreaks and famine if we hit that temperature. The United Nations special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, has warned the world could face a kind of climate apartheid where only the rich can escape the worst of global warming. Africa, Asia and the Middle East, in particular, look set for more food and water insecurity. Loading Meanwhile, both El Nino and La Nina events are tipped to ramp up near Australia, but the powerful North Atlantic current, which carries warm water from the tropics up to North America, appears to be slowing down. This could cause unexpected cold snaps in parts of Britain, western Europe and the United States, further destabilising ecosystems as the same countries grapple with punishing drought and heat elsewhere. Three degrees might not seem a lot when we check our own daily weather forecast. But, as the report notes, 5 or 6 degrees is all that separates the Earths average surface temperature during the last ice age 20,000 years ago and its temperature today, and a whole lot was different back then. Half the planet was covered in ice, for one, and the sea was at least 100 metres below where it is now. In that case, those 5 degrees of warming crept in over millennia. Todays human-driven climate change is happening lightning fast. Three degrees or more could now make vast swathes of the planet uninhabitable again, the report says, resulting in a very different biosphere hardly recognisable compared to the conditions of the past 10,000 years in which humans have thrived, and one that would present significant challenges even for the technologically advanced society of today.

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The toothed whales, which includes all dolphins as well as some whales such as the sperm whale and beluga, are the most successful marine mammals currently swimming the oceans.

It is thought that their success and diversity has been driven by the evolution of echolocation. This would have allowed for the animals to rely less on their eyesight and move into more extreme environments such as the deep sea and murky river systems.

But there is one dolphin that lives in rivers that is unlike any other: the Ganges river dolphin.

While these dolphins look very similar to other species of riverine dolphins (such as those that live in the Amazon), they and the recently described Indus river dolphin are in fact the last surviving species of a once far more diverse group of marine mammals.

New research has shown that the inner ear of the Ganges river dolphin, which relates to how it uses and hears its echolocation, is vastly different to any other dolphin, alive or extinct.

Dr Travis Park, a researcher at the Museum, was involved in the study that compared the inner ear structure of the dolphin to it extinct fossil relatives. The findings are published in the journal Paleobiology.

'Within living dolphin species, the Ganges river dolphin is a bit strange,' says Travis. 'It has a very long, thin snout, and it is basically blind, so it relies really heavily on its echolocation abilities to make sense of its surroundings.

'But our research has found that even within its own group, it is an outlier.'
Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment, part of Abu Dhabis leading conglomerate  Al Masaood Group, has sealed a mega contract with Gulf Ready Mix (GRM) to provide the UAE-based ready-mix company with eight units of UD Trucks Quester CGE 420  8X4 equipped with concrete mixer with a capacity of 12 cbm.

Quester is the first in a new generation of UD Trucks specifically developed for the world of heavy-duty transportation. It is designed based on the Japanese quality heritage with insights from the local markets.

The agreement is a significant milestone for Al Masaood and UD Trucks, as it formally marks their strong entry into the booming local construction segment.

It is also the first deal by UD Trucks through its Abu Dhabi Dealer - Al Masaood - that involves one of the toughest superstructures in construction field.

As a part of Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipments holistic solution, the divisions sales team conducted detailed studies into GRMs technical & commercial aspects in order to provide them with the Quester units that will fully support their needs and requirements.

Additionally, the divisions after-sales team has extended support to the company through training and scheduling of consistent maintenance checks for the delivered Quester units.

The training covered the proper care of the units to maintain their optimal condition and performance and the use of telematics system, which allows users to keep an eye on the fleet through easy monitoring and tracking of the vehicles, said the Abu Dhabi group in its statement.

Furthermore, Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipments spare parts department was on hand to guarantee and secure the availability of parts, whenever and wherever they are required.

Al Masaood s after-sales and services are renowned in the industry and are delivered in line with its commitment to enhanced customer experience and satisfaction, the statement added.

Mohamed El Zeftawi, General Manager of Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment Division said: "The deal reflects the local markets robust trust in Al Masaoods ability to deliver high-performing products and holistic solutions according to global standards."

"It confirms our commitment at Al Masaood, together with our partners at UD Trucks, to support customers in Going the Extra Mile as we always promise. We thank GRM for its confidence in us and for the opportunity to provide the company with eight Quester units to support its strategic growth plans in the UAE and the region," he added.

Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks Middle East, East and North Africa, said: "Since the introduction of the New Quester reaching to 46 Ton GVW on 8X4 chassis back in 2016, we have been able to penetrate new segments that were previously only dominated by European manufacturers."

"The Middle East conditions are tough and very demanding with various rugged terrains and high temperatures and payloads. Consequently, before the launch of these models, we tested them in real conditions for over a year in Qatar to ensure the new trucks meet the needs of our customers. Today we are honored to have our partner in Abu Dhabi, Al Masaood deliver 8 units of the Quester  CGE420 - 8x4 equipped with 12 CBM concrete mixers to GRM," he added.

Engineer Ahmed El Hadidy, GRM General Manager, said: "Closing the deal with Al Masaood CV&E and UD Trucks has been a positive experience for us. We have total confidence in the capabilities of the new trucks and Al Masaood s continuing support."

"Since its establishment in 1998, GRM has been deploying the latest production technology in line with the highest quality standards. This collaboration is vital to our goal to expand our presence in the region as one of the fastest-growing providers of ready-mix concrete," he added.

Apart from Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment Divisions comprehensive after-sales services, GRM also commended the division for its integrated solutions with tangible and practical technical and commercial strengths and features.-TradeArabia News Service
MEMBERS of Upper Thames Rowing Club in Henley won a virtual competition to row the length of the River Thames for charity.

The eight rowers used ergos to complete 346km in 20 hours, five minutes and 52 seconds over six days, beating 150 other crews from across the country.

The final leg of the Race the Thames contest on Sunday was completed by team captain Nick Mills, watched via Zoom by his team-mates Stephen Kelso, Peter McConnell, Mark Tritton, Alastair Harsant, Nick French, Nick Horne and James Burkitt.

The rowers, who are aged 37 to 57 and classed as masters, raised almost 3,000, which will be divided equally between Help for Heroes and London Youth Rowing, which encourages people from disadvantaged backgrounds to take up sport.

The rowers decided to support Help for Heroes as a former clubmate took his own life after serving in the armed forces. Mr Mills, 37, a teacher from Cholsey, said: Im phenomenally proud of what weve achieved as a group.

There was a lot of good competition and I dont think any of us believed it was something we would actually win.

I might have jokingly said it at the start but without a doubt everyone found another gear they didnt know they had.

Nobody wanted to let anyone else down so we all felt motivated to keep going whenever it felt hard.

We started off at what we thought was a good pace and egged each other on.

One of the guys said he had rediscovered why he fell in love with the sport.

The team, who will all receive medals, celebrated with a beer.

Mr Mills and three of the others returned to the water on Monday morning when the coronavirus restrictions were eased.

He said: It wasnt because we had any energy left to row but just because we could. I had nothing left in my legs but it was so nice to be able to be back on one of the best stretches of the Thames.

The rowers will now consider entering this years Henley Royal Regatta in August.

Wed enter one of the club events, such as the Thames Challenge for eights, or the Britannia Challenge for fours, said Mr Mills.

It would be unusual for a group of our age to enter what is normally for the younger athletes but this competition has been a really good starting point.

Race the Thames was the brainchild of Olympic champion Andrew Triggs Hodge, who lives near Henley.

It was due to take place on the river but was held virtually because of the pandemic.

Mr Triggs Hodge said: We are always keen to connect people with the river.

There has been a wide range of people involved in the event, from the corporate side to rowing clubs around the country. We also had some amazing solo efforts. Upper Thames definitely deserve recognition for how they threw themselves into the event.

A second crew from the club made up of rowers all over the age of 70 finished ninth overall.

They called themselves Young at Heart and comprised Tim Davies, Bob Gullett, Derrick Holden, Tom Kane, Paul Mainds, Sam Mainds, John Robb and Tony Rose.

They achieved a time of 25 hours, 11 minutes and 33 seconds.

Mr Davies, 75, of St Marks Road, Henley, said: We all really enjoyed it and we were very pleased with our time.

We have people whove been rowing most of their lives but a couple of us only took it up later in life. Everybody had a lot of fun.

The crew raised 3,300 for London Youth Rowing.

Mr Davies said: It is a great initiative. Taking rowing to inner-city kids in London gives them motivation and purpose and has huge benefits. The transformation of the kids is enormous.
press release

A 45-year-old man is expected to appear in the Stilfontein Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 01 April 2021, facing charges of illegal possession of gold and illegal possession of gold bearing material.

The suspect's court appearance emanated from his arrest on Tuesday, 30 March 2021, by the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Illicit Mining Team. That was after members of the team stopped a vehicle which was exiting a game farm on the N12 road near Stilfontein. The occupant allegedly got out and attempted to flee on foot, but was caught and found in possession of a ball of amalgam with estimated value of R164 000.00. Further investigation at the suspect's place resulted in the discovery of 28 gold nuggets worth R58 000-00, two scales, 10 kg of mercury, electric motor, a variety of foodstuffs and cans of beer. The foodstuffs were seemingly going to be delivered to one of the shafts in the vicinity of Stilfontein.

Subsequent to the arrest, members of the team in conjunction with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) made a follow up which led them to Vent shaft in Stilfontein where 5kg of amalgam worth R3 million, tools such as power drill, diamond drill bits, hammers, cutting torch, diesel generator, electric motor, gas bottles as well foodstuffs were found and confiscated.

The DPCI has taken over investigation of the case.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Kwena, extolled all members who took part in the operation for their determination which led to the success.
As the citys two largest school districts  who task themselves in educating the thousands of students between Pre-K and 12th grade  both LISD and UISD are seeing above a 95% attendance rating from both remote and face-to-face students.

The remaining students are being handled with care as district officials understand the pandemics impact and the multiple factors that a student could be dealing with at home.

According to Oscar Perez  LISDs Assistant Superintendent of Accountability, Compliance and School Safety  of the 21,900 LISD students, approximately 2,290 students are working on-campus. He was proud to announce that amidst the pandemic, the district had a 95.5% attendance rate. Perez added that while the number of students is something to be proud of, the district will be reaching out to families to encourage them to send their students in for face-to-face instruction.

UISD Director of the Office of Admissions and Attendance Jose Almazan said that as a majority of students are participating in remote learning, engaging is the way that the district tracks attendance. Similar to LISD, approximately 2,000-3,000 of the over 42,000 UISD students are attending face-to-face instruction.

Despite the larger number of students, Almazan noted that their attendance rate is at 96.95%.

However, both Perez and Almazan believe that it will take time to see the number of on-campus students return to their seats in school.

As of Tuesday, Laredo had 13 hospitalizations while the COVID-19 hospitalization rate sat on 2.52% by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Each are near the lowest totals the city has ever had recorded, with last Friday featuring only 10 hospitalizations and a 1.9% rate.

Thats a stark difference to previous totals, when Laredo had 249 hospitalized on Jan. 17 and 19, and set a Texas record with a 48.8% rate on Jan. 16.

As the number of cases have been reduced and the number of vaccinated residents goes up, district officials are more comfortable discussing a return to on-campus instruction. But they do understand that parents are still wary of the situation.

Almazan said that despite the news, he believes parents are still uncertain about another individuals actions and how it may affect their child at school. Only time will tell as parents still get the final say of whether a student returns to campus, but the option is available.

But despite the growing optimism shared by both districts, Almazan and Perez are still addressing the remaining percent of students that struggle to attend class.

This past Saturday, Perez and members of the LISD community attended a Cigarroa Block Walk in an effort to reach families with students that have been struggling to attend. He said the walk was organized to bolster the communication between parents and the district.

The walk saw its participants split into teams and had each team visit family households. According to the events flier, approximately 80 families were expected to be visited. The idea would be to inform parents of their choices of sending their children back to campus and inform them about the safety precautions the campus will utilize during their time there.

With LISD preparing to phase out the teacher rotation schedule in lieu of a hybrid model, more teachers will be returning to campus to teach face-to-face and remotely for students that chose to stay at home. This will be similar to how LISD worked in the fall, and the decision is a result of the response to the teacher vaccination clinics.

We are ready and willing to provide that service to all of our students in our community, Perez said.

And as teachers are getting vaccinated through district vaccine clinics, young adults 18 and older will soon have the same opportunity, including the LISD vaccine clinic Wednesday. Both Almazan and Perez hope to see a gradual increase in on-campus students, especially if the remote learning environment has interfered with their education this year.

We want to bring normality back, Perez said. We are going in by phases. We definitely have to make up whatever has been lost due to this pandemic, and again we are rolling up our sleeves and making sure we dot our Is and cross our Ts. Because again, we hold the educating of our children as a priority and, of course, their safety as well.

With the number of factors at play during the pandemic, both districts advise students to reach out to their teachers, counselors or principals if they find themselves in circumstances that keeps them from attending class.

As consequences, students who miss the 90% attendance per course are at risk of failing the course, not being promoted or finding themselves unable to graduate. The risk of truancy court is also still real, but both district officials hope they can reach an understanding with the students before it reaches that point.

According to Jesse Perusquia, UISDs Attendance Specialist, compassion needs to take front stage when handling student-attendance situations. In some cases, the student is the new breadwinner of the family and prioritizes feeding his family over his school. In others, students from humble homes and families feel a different sort of pressure when they are expected to allow their classmates see into their rooms and homes.

Ultimately, both LISD and UISD attendance officials will be required to identify student barriers correctly and reach out to help. With an eagerness to return to a normal school year, safety is key, and both LISD and UISD encourage families to reach out and discuss their concerns.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
Bengaluru, March 31 : A taxi driver succumbed to severe burn injuries after he attempted to self-immolate inside his cab at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) allegedly over his dwindling income due to drastic increase in fuel prices over the last one year.

According to the police, the deceased, Pratap Gowda, 35, from Ramanagara bordering district of the Karnataka capital set himself ablaze on Tuesday midnight.

The police said that he had sustained over 70 per cent burn injuries as he locked himself inside his car and poured petrol on himself and set himself on fire.

The police added that deceased Gowda was operating taxi attached to the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) airport taxi. "The KSTDC rates are higher than that of other aggregators, as a result he was not generating enough income, hence, he could have resorted to such an extreme step," an airport official told reporters.

DCP Bengaluru-Northeast Division, C. K. Baba told reporters the deceased was shifted to Victoria Hospital as soon as his self-immolation act went viral. "We are yet to ascertain 'real reasons' behind his extreme act," he said.

After this incident, taxi services with various cab drivers unions and owners unions have come together to protest over his death.

As a result of this, the KIA, has issued a statement though its Twitter handle appealing its passengers to use bus service for travel to and from the Bengaluru airport or make their own travel arrangements.

"Taxi services at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru are impacted. Passengers are requested to use the BMTC bus service for travel to and from the airport or make their own travel arrangements," the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) tweet read.
Researchers from Loyola Marymount University, San Diego State University, Indian Institute of Management, and Iowa State University published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that examines how effective marketplace participation by subsistence consumers requires knowledge and skills that relate to what, how, and why to participate.

The study, forthcoming in the Journal of Marketing, is titled "Marketplace Literacy as a Pathway to a Better World: Evidence from Field Experiments in Low-Access Subsistence Marketplaces" and is authored by Madhu Viswanathan, Nita Umashankar, Arun Sreekumar, and Ashley Goreczny.

Success for marketers looking to emerging markets for growth is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of the hundreds of millions of subsistence consumers and microentrepreneurs who face poor infrastructure, material resource constraints, and low literacy. Such markets are some of the fastest growing in the world, with nearly $5 trillion of consumption spending annually. As a result, many multinational companies (e.g., Proctor & Gamble, Nokia, Unilever) market products to subsistence consumers.

Unique to subsistence marketplaces is that micro-entrepreneurship serves as a primary source of livelihood, and consumers' purchasing power depends on their microenterprise success. A primary disconnect between marketers' engagement in such markets and subsistence consumers' demand for their products, however, is the latter's inability to participate in marketplaces effectively and beneficially.

Beneficial marketplace participation involves consumers making optimal decisions and generating income by creating value for others through micro-entrepreneurship. With low marketplace participation and suboptimal decision making, firms may sell substandard products rather than high-quality and valuable products. Moreover, firms might not partner with local entrepreneurs, which is an important strategy for market entry in emerging markets.

Viswanathan explains that "Our research demonstrates that subsistence consumers' effective and beneficial marketplace participation requires not only material resources, such as access to capital, but also marketplace literacy--the knowledge and skills that enable marketplace participation both as a consumer and as an entrepreneur." Umashankar adds that "Marketplace literacy causes an increase in psychological wellbeing and consumer outcomes related to wellbeing like consumer confidence and decision-making ability, especially for subsistence consumers with lower marketplace access. It also causes an increase in entrepreneurial outcomes related to wellbeing, such as starting a microenterprise, for those with higher marketplace access."

The research provides insights for public policy makers, development efforts, and companies' corporate social responsibility initiatives. First, subsistence consumers play a significant role in mainstream marketing research since they represent a sizable proportion of consumers globally and function in extreme conditions that challenge the theories developed for resource-rich consumers and markets. Second, marketplace literacy offers a pathway to a better world for subsistence consumers. This pathway is fundamentally about literacy in a marketing domain, which encompasses buyers, sellers, and their interactions. Third, marketplace access is an important contextual factor that should be considered when exploring marketing phenomena across income levels. Fourth, marketplace literacy is a critical form of literacy, in addition to consumer and financial literacy, that should be cultivated. Fifth, marketplace literacy interventions should be implemented to help subsistence consumers overcome their lack of marketplace access and allow them to engage in entrepreneurship.

Even brief programs (4 to 12 hours) with rudimentary methods can aid the development of marketplace literacy and generate substantive outcomes. Such programs can be customized for different audiences (e.g., women vs. men) and occupations (farmers vs. artists) and can have their causal impact assessed. Lessons can be reinforced through short clips on web-based smartphone applications (e.g., WhatsApp, which has widespread adoption, even in rural areas of developing economies) or through text messages.

Given that multinational firms engage in corporate social responsibility initiatives to build stakeholder engagement, policymakers should hold marketers accountable for playing a central role in engendering marketplace literacy. This can be achieved through consumer and entrepreneur protection agencies, subsidies, and metrics that reward firms adhering to such standards. Sreekumar says that "We recommend that the United Nations include marketplace literacy explicitly in its sustainable development goals to build consumer and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills."

###

Full article and author contact information available at: https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1177/ 0022242921998385

About the Journal of Marketing

The Journal of Marketing develops and disseminates knowledge about real-world marketing questions useful to scholars, educators, managers, policy makers, consumers, and other societal stakeholders around the world. Published by the American Marketing Association since its founding in 1936, JM has played a significant role in shaping the content and boundaries of the marketing discipline. Christine Moorman (T. Austin Finch, Sr. Professor of Business Administration at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University) serves as the current Editor in Chief.

https:/ / www. ama. org/ jm

About the American Marketing Association (AMA)
Dr. Tony Sewell, a veteran education consultant who chairs the UKs independent Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. (UK government website)

Very Few Disparities Linked to Racism: UK Commission

British society is not rigged against ethnic minorities and very few racial disparities are caused by racism, an independent review has found.

The review was published on Wednesday by the independent Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, which was set up by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in July 2020 to examine inequality in the UK in the wake of Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests over the death of George Floyd.

The statue of 17th-century merchant, Edward Colston, is pushed into the water during a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol, England, on June 7, 2020. (Keir Gravil via Reuters)

Put simply we no longer see a Britain where the system is deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities, said Dr. Tony Sewell, a veteran education consultant who chairs the Commission, in the reports foreword.

The impediments and disparities do exist, they are varied, and ironically very few of them are directly to do with racism.

Instead, the evidence shows that geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture, and religion have more significant impact on life chances than the existence of racism, he said.

The report identified family breakdown as one of the main reasons for poor outcomes such as educational failure and crime, while also pointing out that family is also the foundation stone of success for many ethnic minorities.

The Commission said the UK society is open to all its communities but some ethnic minorities have been able to participate better than others.

Sewell noted the difference in educational performance between different black communities.

Some of the new African communities are among the new high achievers in the UK education system, he said. As their Caribbean peers sit in the same classrooms, it is difficult to blame racism in education for the latters underachievement.

The report criticised the increasingly strident form of anti-racism thinking that seeks to explain all minority disadvantage through the prism of white discrimination, which it said, diverts attention from the other reasons for minority success and failure, including those embedded in the cultures and attitudes of those minority communities themselves.

The Commission said the term institutional racism should not be liberally used as a general catch-all phrase for any microaggression, witting or unwitting, as misapplying the term racism has diluted its credibility.

The report also dismissed the concept of white privilege, which it said implies that it is white peoples attitudes and behaviours that primarily cause the disadvantage experienced by ethnic minorities.

The Commission said it rejects such an approach, as it is not supported by evidence and is counterproductive and divisive.

Authors of the report also rejected calls for decolonising the curriculum, arguing instead for a new educational programme entitled Making of Modern Britain.

Neither the banning of white authors or token expressions of black achievement will help to broaden young minds. We have argued against bringing down statues, instead, we want all children to reclaim their British heritage.

Johnson called the report an important piece of work and said the government should consider its recommendations in detail.

But the report was criticised by the main opposition Labour party and left-wing groups.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he felt disappointed with the reports reluctance to accept there were structural issues that need to be addressed.

The Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank, called the report a whitewash.

Reuters contributed to this report.
There is no evidence to support restricting the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in any population, according to the European Medicines Agencys executive director.

Emer Cooke defended the vaccine after several European countries suspended the jabs rollout due to fears of blood clotting.

The agency said a causal link between blood clots and the vaccine was not proven, but that it might be possible and further analysis was being done.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Ms Cooke reiterated to Europeans the vaccines safety and said its benefits far outweighed the risks.

Our position has not changed, she said. According to the current scientific knowledge, there is no evidence that would support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population.

Read more:

On Tuesday, Germany became the EUs latest member to restrict the jabs use, suspending it for under-60s. Angela Merkel told reporters that the change was prompted by the occurrence of what she called very rare but very serious cases of thrombosis among younger and predominantly female recipients of the vaccine.

We cannot ignore those cases, Ms Merkel said, adding that the EMA and World Health Organisation were notified of the incidents.

Elsewhere, Canada suspended its use of the vaccine on Monday for under-55s, owing to similar concerns it might be linked to rare blood clots.

The countrys National Advisory Committee on Immunisation recommended the measure for safety reasons.

There is substantial uncertainty about the benefit of providing AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines to adults under 55 given the potential risks, said Dr Shelley Deeks, vice-chair of the committee.

Dr Deeks added that the recommendation came as a result of new data from Europe that suggests the risk of blood clots is now potentially as high as one in 100,000  significantly higher than the one in a million risk reported earlier.

Earlier this month, the EMA said the vaccine was safe and effective and did not increase the risk of blood clots.

In a statement on Wednesday, the EUs drugs regulator said its review had not identified any specific risk factors, such as age, gender or a previous medical history of clotting disorders, for these very rare [blood clotting] events.

As communicated on 18 March, EMA is of the view that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing Covid-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, outweigh the risks of side effects, the agency added.

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Thousands of pilgrims are gathering and taking holy dip in Kumbh Mela that is a mass Hindu pilgrimage which occurs after every twelve years and rotates among four locations EPA World news in pictures 11 April 2021 Nasa released images of of sand dunes on Mars captured using infrared reflections NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU World news in pictures 10 April 2021 People watch devotees pulling a chariot in Biska Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal AP World news in pictures 9 April 2021 Maintenance workers clean the monument of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in Moscow on April 9, 2021. - Sixty years ago Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, marking it a new chapter in the history of space exploration. 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The UK government has been vocal in its support for the AstraZeneca jab, with a spokesperson saying earlier this week: The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, effective and has already saved thousands of lives in this country. As the UKs independent regulator has said, when people are called forward, they should get the jab.

Over 30 million people have already received their first dose of a vaccine, and we are on track to offer jabs to all over-50s by 15 April and all adults by the end of July.

Jonathan Van-Tam, Englands deputy chief medical officer, previously compared the jabs potential side effects to those associated with other drugs such as paracetamol.

Vaccines dont save lives if theyre in fridges, they only save lives if theyre in arms, he added.
[March 31, 2021] Hudson Ushers In Future Of Automated Retail, Launching New Vending Destinations Across North American Airports

Hudson, a travel experience leader with more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks and tourist destinations across North America, today revealed its first-of-a-kind, multi-brand automated retail concept. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005733/en/ Automated Retail by Hudson at Myrtle Beach International Airport (Photo: Business Wire) Driven by Hudson's ongoing commitment to enhancing the traveler experience and leveraging digital innovation, the new automated retail concept aims to create a contactless, 24/7 retailing destination that's all about putting the right products in the right places. By partnering with globally-recognized brands as well as emerging and local brands, travelers will have a diverse selection of specialty retail products to shop for, reminiscent of a miniature shopping mall within the confines of the airport retail space. "Automated retail provides us with an avenue to recreate the strong sense of place associated with our stores within the confines of a smaller, non-traditional footprint - all while capitalizing on the dwell time, exposure, and convenience the airport environment affords," said Brian Quinn, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hudson. "For the traveler, this translates to more variety and accessibility to the quality brands they are accustomed to seeing in an environment that enables them to shop on their own schedules." After launching first at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) on March 26, automated retail will continue to roll-out to other leading travel destinations such as Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) in the coming months. "Passengers at MYR will benefit from a seamless shopping experience, thanks to the introduction of Hudson's new automated retail program," said Scott Van Moppes, Director of Myrtle Beach International Airport. "Hudson continues to deliver excellence in its concessions program at MYR and we're excited to be the first location to offer their newest retail experience." Not Your Average Airport Vending Machine Fashioned with bright illuminating lights and wrapped to replicate the easily-recognizable identity of the brands, the automated retail concept will capture travelers' attention and excitement instantaneously. Travelers will find the ADA-compliant machines clustered together in groups of two or more in freestanding locations throughout the concourse or in some instances, built directly into the Hudson storefront for ultmate convenience. Next to the machines, easy-to-use interactive touchscreens sealed with an anti-microbial shield will showcase merchandise images and extensive product information.



In concepts that feature eyewear brands, personalized augmented reality (AR) technology installed directly into the machine's interface will allow travelers a fully-immersive, virtual try-on experience that enables them to browse and find the perfect pair of frames for the occasion. In the event travelers should need assistance or have questions throughout their shopping journey, Hudson team members on-site at nearby stores will be eager and available to provide their Traveler's Best Friend service.

Creating A Brand Oasis For Travelers Encompassing a sophisticated brand experience that celebrates the best-in-class products, Hudson's and Dufry's brand portfolios will shine as the focal points of the concept - and will be what keeps travelers coming back. Each concept will be distinctively unique, from the merchandising selection to the brands represented. Featuring the hottest top-sellers and a selection of exclusive products not traditionally found in Hudson-operated specialty stores, travelers will find must-have items from leading brands which can include: Classic skincare brands Plexaderm and The Art Of Shaving , essential for keeping travelers feeling refreshed and rejuvenated from departure to arrival

and , essential for keeping travelers feeling refreshed and rejuvenated from departure to arrival Fan-favorite eyewear brands Maui Jim and Revo , perfect for turning any jet way into a runway

and , perfect for turning any jet way into a runway Iconic electronic brands Sony, Belkin, Apple (News - Alert) , Beats , and Brookstone , necessary for helping travelers enjoy the latest in-flight movie or catch up on some uninterrupted zzz's

, , and , necessary for helping travelers enjoy the latest in-flight movie or catch up on some uninterrupted zzz's Imaginative toy brands Kikkerland Design and LEGO , important for stimulating travelers' creativity and educating their minds

and , important for stimulating travelers' creativity and educating their minds Trendy lifestyle accessory brands Happy Socks and 47 Brand, key for curating a travel look that celebrates personal expression and embraces individuality In addition to household name brands, local merchandise and seasonal products will indulge travelers' every need. Whether curating regional merchandise offerings, introducing the holiday's most popular toys, or debuting the latest sporting goods for the big game, brands can be seamlessly interchanged and custom-tailored to each travel destination. This unique brand versatility, doubling as a brand incubator, will enable Hudson to test brands before deciding to develop them into a standalone specialty store, as well as explore developmental opportunities with smaller airports where specialty retail offerings can be limited by space and enplanement levels. Redefining Personalized and Digital Convenience The launch of automated retail only further exemplifies Hudson's accelerated digital innovation in-store and overall digital transformation across the business. From PPE vending machines - to expanded contactless payment options with self-checkout - to check-out free shopping at Hudson Nonstop using Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, Hudson continues to solidify its position as a leading travel retailer in the digital era. About Hudson Hudson, a Dufry Company, is a travel experience company turning the world of travel into a world of opportunity by being the Traveler's Best Friend in more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks, and tourist locations. Our team members care for travelers as friends at our travel convenience, specialty retail, duty free and food and beverage destinations. At the intersection of travel and retail, we partner with landlords and vendors, and take innovative, commercial approaches to deliver exceptional value. To learn more about how we can make your location a travel destination, please visit us at hudsongroup.com or follow our journey on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. About Myrtle Beach International Airport The Myrtle Beach International Airport is the gateway to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the Grand Strand. The Myrtle Beach International Airport is owned by Horry County and operated by the Department of Airports. MYR is served by Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Porter, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country and United. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005733/en/

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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (OTCQB:CLSH) (CSE:CLSH), the 'Company' or 'CLS', a diversified cannabis company operating as Cannabis Life Sciences, today announced that following receipt of the requisite approval of debentureholders and the Canadian Securities Exchange, it has amended the terms of its outstanding US$13,500,150 principal amount unsecured convertible debentures (the "December Debentures") issued December 12, 2018 by, among other things, (i) reducing the conversion price from US$0.80 per unit to US$0.30 per unit; (ii) extending the maturity date of the December Debentures from December 12, 2021 to December 12, 2022; and (iii) reducing the mandatory conversion VWAP threshold from US$1.20 to US$0.60 per share of common stock. The exercise price of the warrants issuable upon conversion of the December Debentures was also reduced to US$0.40 from US$1.10 per share of common stock in connection with the amendments to the December Debentures.

"The restructuring of the debentures is timed well for us," noted Company President & COO Andrew Glashow. "Our ability to grow, whether through accretive acquisitions and partnerships or innovation in production and retail, continues to prove itself year over year. This vote of confidence from our debenture holders reinforces our commitment to executing on our business plan of delivering the highest quality products at affordable prices. We are laser focused on growing our business and maintaining our best in class practices to generate a meaningful ROI for our investors."

About CLS Holdings USA, Inc.

CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (CLSH) is a diversified cannabis company that acts as an integrated cannabis producer and retailer through its Oasis Cannabis subsidiaries in Nevada and plans to expand to other states. CLS stands for "Cannabis Life Sciences," in recognition of the Company's patented proprietary method of extracting various cannabinoids from the marijuana plant and converting them into products with a higher level of quality and consistency. The Company's business model includes licensing operations, processing operations, processing facilities, sale of products, brand creation and consulting services. https://www.clsholdingsinc.com/

Twitter: @CLSHoldingsUSA

Oasis Cannabis has operated a cannabis dispensary in the Las Vegas market since dispensaries first opened in Nevada in 2015 and has been recognized as one of the top marijuana retailers in the state. Its location within walking distance to the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas in combination with its delivery service to residents allows it to efficiently serve both locals and tourists in the Las Vegas area. In February 2019, it was named "Best Dispensary for Pot Pros" by Desert Companion Magazine. In August 2017, the company commenced wholesale offerings of cannabis in Nevada with the launch of its City Trees brand of cannabis concentrates and cannabis-infused products. http://oasiscannabis.com

Founded in 2017, City Trees is a Nevada-based cannabis cultivation, production and distribution company. Offering a wide variety of products with consistent results, City Trees products are available in numerous dispensaries throughout the state of Nevada. https://citytrees.com

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and 'forward-looking statements' as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the 'forward-looking statements'). These statements relate to, among other things, the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our business, the results of our initiatives to retain our employees and strengthen our relationships with our customers and community during the pandemic, the effect of our initiatives to expand market share and achieve growth during and following the pandemic, results of operations and financial performance, anticipated future events, and the effectiveness of our business practices during the pandemic. The continued spread of COVID-19 could have, and in some cases already has had, an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results, including through disruptions in our cultivation and processing activities, supply chains and sales channels, and retail dispensary operations as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession. Due to the uncertainties associated with the continued spread of COVID-19 and the timing of vaccinations, it is not possible to estimate its impact on our business, operations or financial results; however, the impact could be material. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as 'may,' 'might,' 'will,' 'should,' 'intends,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'goals,' 'projects,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'predicts,' 'potential,' or 'continue' or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See CLS Holdings USA filings with the SEC and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for additional details.

Contact Information:

Corporate:

Chairman and CEO

Jeff Binder

President and COO

Andrew Glashow

888-438-9132

Investor Relations:

investors@clsholdingsinc.com

SOURCE: CLS Holdings USA, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638485/CLS-Holdings-USA-Inc-Announces-Amendments-to-Convertible-Debentures-and-Underlying-Warrants
Abuja  International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said emerging and developing countries like Nigeria would record a massive drop in per capital income in 2022 up to 20 per cent as a result of diverging dangerous impact of COVID-19 crisis, compared to pre-crisis projections, cutting one-fifth of what is already a much smaller per capita income than in richer countries.

"This loss of income means millions of people will face destitution, homelessness, and hunger," IMF managing director, Kristalina Georgieva said in a pre-IMF/World Bank spring meeting webcast yesterday.

Georgieva however said there is a potential vaccine enabled growth in global economy above the 5.5 per cent earlier projected for 2021, a growth she said would be powered by two engines--the US and China.

She said there could also be more pressure coming to vulnerable emerging market, low-income and fragile states. Countries like Nigeria already have more limited fiscal firepower to fight the crisis. And many are highly exposed to hard-hit sectors, such as tourism.

Now they face less access to vaccines and even less room in their budgets. And some are already at high risk of debt distress in sovereign, corporate, or banking sectors.

The view is that this would pose major challenges especially to middle-income countries with large external financing needs and elevated debt levels.

Many of those countries will need more support.

"Return to growth would also mean policy transition, and the need to deal with the long-term scars of this crisis--among them is the impact on human capital, especially on the young, the low-skilled, women, and informal workers.

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"Allowing those scars to persist will result in lower growth potential making it even more difficult to increase employment and reduce inequality," the IMF MD said.

The way out according to her is for countries that fall in that category to keep focus on escaping the crisis. "We must follow the example of the scientists by stepping up cross-border efforts, by doing whatever it takes to ramp up vaccine production, distribution, and deployment.

"Policies, of course, must be tailored to country-specific needs--their pandemic exposure as well as economic factors," she said.

The harsh reality is that poorer nations are at risk of missing out on what is a historic transformation to a new global economy built on green and digital foundations.

New IMF research that was released yesterday shows that low-income countries have to deploy some $200 billion over five years just to fight the pandemic. And then another $250 billion to return to the path of catching up to higher income levels.
Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro has replaced his defence minister in a move which has caused apprehension among political analysts in the former military-controlled country (Eraldo Peres/AP)

The leaders of all three branches of Brazils armed forces jointly resigned on Tuesday following President Jair Bolsonaros replacement of the defence minister.

The switch of ministers has fuelled widespread apprehension of a military shake-up to serve the presidents political interests.

The Defence Ministry reported the resignations  apparently unprecedented since at least the end of military rule 36 years ago  in a statement released without giving reasons.

Since 1985, we havent had news of such clear intervention of the president with regard to the armed forces Political science professor Carlos Melo

Replacements were not named, but analysts expressed fears the president, increasingly under pressure, was moving to assert greater control over the military.

Since 1985, we havent had news of such clear intervention of the president with regard to the armed forces, said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo.

Mr Bolsonaro, a conservative former army captain who has often praised Brazils former period of military dictatorship, has relied heavily on current and former soldiers to staff key Cabinet positions since taking office in January 2019.

Mr Melo said the military itself had so far refrained from politics, but added: Will this resistance continue? Thats the question.

Expand Close A demonstrator in Brasilia holds the Portuguese message: Impeachment now! All lives matter outside Planalto presidential palace to protest the presidents handling of the Covid-19 pandemic (Eraldo Peres/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp A demonstrator in Brasilia holds the Portuguese message: Impeachment now! All lives matter outside Planalto presidential palace to protest the presidents handling of the Covid-19 pandemic (Eraldo Peres/AP)

The announcement came after the heads of the army, navy and air force met with the new defence minister, General Walter Souza Braga Netto, on Tuesday morning.

A retired army general who has a relationship with the three commanders as well as with Mr Braga Netto, told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity: there was an embarrassing circumstance so they all resigned.

Mr Bolsonaro on Monday carried out a shake-up of top Cabinet positions that was initially seen as a response to demands for a course correction by politicians, diplomats and economists, particularly over his handling of the pandemic that has caused more than 300,000 deaths in Brazil.

That included the replacement of Defence Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva, who said in his resignation letter he had preserved the armed forces as state institutions, a nod to his efforts to keep generals out of politics.

Expand Close Pro-Bolsonaro demonstrators pray in support of Brazils president in front of the Planalto presidential palace on Monday (Eraldo Peres/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pro-Bolsonaro demonstrators pray in support of Brazils president in front of the Planalto presidential palace on Monday (Eraldo Peres/AP)

Mr Bolsonaro has often bristled at the checks and balances imposed by other branches of government and has attended protests targeting the Supreme Court and Congress.

He has also criticised the Supreme Court for upholding local governments rights to adopt pandemic restrictions that he adamantly opposes, arguing that the economic effects are worse than the disease itself.

His recent slide in popularity, and the sudden likelihood that he will face leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the 2022 presidential election, has analysts saying he is looking to the armed forces for support.

Retired Gen. Carlos Alberto Santos Cruz, who previously served as Bolsonaros government secretary, appeared to refer to such concerns when he responded to early rumours of military resignations with a tweet saying: The armed forces wont go on an adventure.
VinFasts E34 is the next step in the groups ambitions to lead the electric vehicle segment, photo Le Toan

The Vinfast E34 is the first e-car made in Vietnam, and attracted speedy interest with over 3,000 orders registered within the first 12 hours alone on its website and at showrooms and dealers in Vietnam, with a deposit fee of only VND10 million ($435) per unit. Deliveries of the vehicles are set to begin in November.

VinFast Vietnam CEO Thai Thi Thanh Hai said, Although the VF E34 is a smart electric vehicle (EV), we manufactured it as a product enabling customers to directly compare with gasoline cars. In particular, customers do not have to pay for batteries and operating costs (including costs of battery rental and charging) which are exactly equal to the cost of gas consumption, while the price and features are superior to gasoline cars.

Early customers who place bookings prior to June 30 can take advantage of special pricing at VND590 million ($25,600) along with a 1-year free battery subscription. With its 42-kWh battery, the car can travel 300 kilometres after being charged. From July, the price is currently set at VND690,000 ($30,000).

In addition to attractive incentives and supporting policies, VinFast is also introducing a breakthrough battery rental service instead of just selling batteries with cars as usual. Besides reducing product costs, the solution provides maximum peace of mind for customers as VinFast will bear all risks of battery quality and life expectancy during use.

If a battery fails to charge over 70 per cent the same make can be exchanged for a new one. Battery charging can be carried out at owners homes or at a VinFast charging station. Around 15 minutes of charge will allow for a travel distance of 180km.

The support has come because Vietnam currently lacks charging stations, thus VinFast is urgently implementing construction of a station system across the country as it aims to build about 40,000 electric car charging ports covering all 63 cities and provinces by the end of the year.

VinFast, which in addition produces electric motorbikes and buses, signed a contract in March to produce EV batteries with Taiwanese group ProLogium. In the same month it also became the latest automaker to receive a licence to test self-driving EVs in California.

The group had announced in January that it will manufacture three electric SUV models for export to North America and Europe, with all three reportedly utilising AI and to be partially self-driving.

Earlier in March, Reuters reported that VinFast had begun talks with Taiwanese giant Foxconn about a partnership after the latter made inquiries about purchasing VinFasts EV production line. Vietnams leading private group expressed its preference for a partnership since it is keen to brand itself as an eco-friendly automaker and wants to retain its EV business.

The first made-in-Vietnam car manufacturer sold around 30,000 gas vehicles last year, which is expected to increase to over 45,000 this year.
Dozens of crosses litter the walls of the Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre that have long though to be the works of graffiti by Crusaders - until now.

Archaeologists determined the symbols were carved by 15th century masons who were paid by pilgrims looking for added insurance of salvation.

The discovery was made using three-dimensional imaging that allowed experts to identify the depth of each cross in the wall of a chapel on the grounds - all of which were the same and bore the masons' markings.

The Holy Sepulchre is perhaps the holiest place in the Christianity faith, said to the site of Christ's crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

During 2018 renovations, archaeologists investigated mysterious crosses carved into the wall of the Chapel of Saint Helena inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Because of its popularity among worshippers, the Holy Sepulchre is usually bustling with pilgrims and clergy looking to feast their eyes on what may be the place where Jesus died.

Due to the large amount of visitor, studying the crosses in details has been previously difficult.

In 2018, renovations began at one of its chapels, one that featured thousands of close-bunched and hand-engraved crosses.

The pause in visitors gave researchers with the Israel Antiquities Authority and Hadassah Academic College Jerusalem an opportunity for research.

Working with the Armenian Orthodox Church, which controls the chapel, the team used digital cameras and three-dimensional imaging to map out, compare and date the crosses, located on the ancient stone walls of the Chapel of Saint Helena.

Using digital cameras and three-dimensional imaging, researchers determined the symbols were all the same depth and bore an artists' mark. This upended the theory they were graffiti randomly carved by assorted visitors

Father Samuel Aghoyan points to crosses on the chapel wall. Archaeologists theorize pilgrims paid a mason to carve the symbols as a means to ensure blessings on their behalf

'This unique phenomenon always baffled us,' said Amit Re'em, Jerusalem regional archaeologist for IAA. 'Is it graffiti of the pilgrims, or rather, something else?'

The technology allowed Re'em and his colleagues to see that all the crosses had the same depth 'and even the marking of the mason.'

He tentatively dated the carvings to the 15th century, when Jerusalem was controlled by Ottoman Turks.

'Maybe two or three hand artists made these crosses,' Re'em said. 'So it's not graffiti, it's something more organized.'

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is perhaps the holiest place in Christianity, said to be the site of Jesus's crucifixion, burial and resurrection

He suggested an intercessionary purpose.

'Let's say that you are an Armenian pilgrim, so you pay something to the priest, you pay something to this special artist and he carved for you, for the benefit of your soul and your relatives' souls,' Re'em said,

'A special cross in the most sacred place for Christianity on Earth,' he added.

Father Samuel Aghoyan, the Armenian superior at the Holy Sepulchre, saw benefits to the church from the research, especially as it struggles to emerge from COVID-19 lockdowns and prepares for Easter.

The Chapel of Saint Helena was built in the church's lower level by Crusaders in the 12th century. It honors Emperor Constantine's mother, Helena, who legend has it, discovered the physical remnants of the cross Jesus was crucified on

Scientists were able to study the crosses because the chapel was closed to tourists for renovations. A new marble altar railing and tile flooring was added to the ancient house of worship

'Now there are no pilgrims here, [but] still their spirit is here, we know, I believe in that,' he said.

The Chapel of Saint Helena was built in the church's lower level by Crusaders in the 12th century to honor Emperor Constantine's mother, who legend has it, discovered the True Cross, the physical remnants of the cross Jesus was crucified on.

The chapel houses a chair Helena is reported to have sat on when she found the holy relic in 326 AD.

The renovations, started in 2017, added a new marble altar railing and tile flooring to the house of worship.

According to tradition, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses four of the Stations of the Cross, representing the final events in Jesus life.

It has been a major pilgrimage site for Christians since Constantinople ordered its construction the mid-4th century, on the site of a Roman temple devoted to Jupiter and Venus.

The original building was destroyed by a fire in 614 and, though it was rebuilt, it suffered severe damage from earthquakes and fires in the 8th and 9th centuries.

It was ordered destroyed by a Shia caliphate in 1009, only to be reconstructed some years later, with Crusaders conducing extensive repairs and adding new elements in the 12th century.

Since 1757, various Christian denominations  including the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches  have divvied up responsibilities for the church.
A world cruise has sold out in just one day - despite the cheapest fare being 58,000 ($74,000).

The 2023 sailing on Silversea's Silver Shadow will last 139 days and call at 66 destinations in 34 countries across five continents.

But even with prices of up to 218,000 ($278,000) per guest, it fully sold out within hours of it being put on general sale - shattering Silversea's previous booking records.

A world cruise on Silversea's Silver Shadow, pictured, has sold out in just one day - even though the cheapest ticket is 58,000

The voyage, called South Side Story - All the World's a Stage, will 'take guests deep into the Southern Hemisphere, sailing from the South Seas to the Amazon Rainforest and beyond'.

It will depart Sydney on January 10, 2023, and arrive in Fort Lauderdale on May 28.

Silversea says: 'The itinerary will present an extraordinary mix of destinations, from the remote wonders of Papua New Guinea, Mauritius, Reunion Island, and Cape Verde to iconic regions and cities, often unlocked on overnight calls (20 in total), including 10 days spent exploring Tasmania and New Zealand, three days in Myanmar, and a full week in South Africa.

'And, for the first time on a Silversea World Cruise, Silver Shadow will sail the Amazon River to unlock the natural and cultural wonders of this legendary region.'

It adds: 'As it charts a course through captivating landscapes, each segment will unlock the history, culture and spirit of the people and places visited.

'Exclusive World Cruise events will open the doors to the sights, tastes and rhythms of local life, and shine a light on regional music, art, theatre, and dance traditions with authentic performances.'

The world cruise will last 139 days and call at 66 destinations in 34 countries across five continents. Pictured is Silver Shadow's pool deck

The recently refurbished 388-guest Silver Shadow features all-ocean-view suites, butler service and 'sumptuous cuisine highlighted by regional specialities'.

Also included in the price of a ticket are business class flights on Qantas from selected gateways in the UK and US to Sydney for the start of the cruise.

Roberto Martinoli, Silverseas president and CEO, says: 'We are delighted to have seen unprecedented demand for our World Cruise 2023, South Side Story, which sold out within hours of its general opening.

'The most successful World Cruise launch in the history of our cruise line, this triumph pays testament to the strong demand we are seeing in the market, particularly from affluent, sophisticated travellers.

The La Terrazza restaurant on Silver Shadow. On its world sailing, it will 'take guests deep into the Southern Hemisphere, sailing from the South Seas to the Amazon Rainforest and beyond'

The recently refurbished 388-guest Silver Shadow features all-ocean-view suites and butler service

'I strongly advise our travel partners to be quick in adding their interested clients to the voyages wait-list, as Silver Shadow is sure to embark upon this remarkable itinerary at capacity.'

In February, MailOnline Travel reported that another world voyage, costing upwards of 38,000 ($52,000) per person, had also sold out in just one day.

The 2023 odyssey on Oceania Cruises ship Insignia will take 180 days to circumnavigate the globe from San Francisco, visiting 96 destinations in 33 countries across four continents, including Antarctica.

But even with prices of up to 74,000 ($102,000) a person for a penthouse suite, the 684 berths were snapped up within hours of going on sale. A fifth of guests even extended the mammoth voyage to 218 days.
Mali is looking at possibilities of exploring road transportation between Banjul and Bamako to boost the economy through trade, according to the head of Corporate Affairs at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA).

Ousman Bah made this disclosure in an exclusive interview with The Point at his office in Banjul recently.

Mr. Bah, who was part of the team that received the Malian delegation to The Gambia, said this avenue of expanding road transportation between the two countries was part of the Mali delegation's mission.

"Mali wants to see buses traveling from Banjul to Bamako, enjoying free trade movement between The Gambia and Mali. The objective is to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries to improve trade facilitation in our sub region," Mr. Bah said.

Mr. Bah also disclosed that the Malian delegation was in The Gambia to meet the Gambian authorities and discuss the possible solutions in connection with the interstate transit barriers across the Senegalese borders.

According to Mr. Bah, Mali wants cooperation and collaboration with The Gambia in ensuring that buses and passengers carrying essential goods plying Banjul and Bamako move to a higher level in terms of trade and also improve revenue collection.

He also challenged the Senegalese authorities to put an end to transit barriers in the sense that no country can develop in the absence of a vibrant economy. "Therefore, there should be a guarantee of free movement of peoples and goods in our sub-region."

"In this 21st century, no country will succeed when businesses are slow. Therefore there should be free movement of peoples and goods in a bid to boost our economies."

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Commenting on the GRA's 2020 revenue performance, Mr. Bah seized the opportunity in extolling what he called the strong leadership of the GRA. He said GRA management has built a strong team around them who are patriotic and loyal Gambians. He described the staff and management of GRA as hardworking and a strong leadership that has foresight and love for The Gambia.

The GRA is tasked by the government to collect D12.8 billion in 2021; however, Mr. Bah said this is achievable, considering the commitment of people at GRA, but points out that GRA cannot do it alone.

"GRA is seeking for all hands on deck to ensure that people pay their tax and on time."

He emphasised the importance of tax payment to the government, saying that most of the infrastructural developments including payment of salaries cannot be realised in the absence of tax payment.
[March 31, 2021] American Marketing & Publishing Helps Local Businesses Stay Visible and Deliver on Customer Experience With SugarCRM

SugarCRM Inc. today announced that American Marketing & Publishing (AMP), the leading provider of local marketing services for small, independent businesses, has expanded its use of the Sugar platform for CRM to deliver highly tailored and efficient customer experience. A fine-tuned view of each customer proved essential as small businesses everywhere are faced with shifting business models and new challenges during the pandemic. AMP's local marketing and advertising platform serves more than 50,000 independent small business owners making their clients visible, credible, and attractiveeverywhere consumers search. In print, AMP publishes the HomePages Directories, well-loved, community-specific telephone directories. In mobile, AMP provides and fully supports the merchant-to-consumer text platform, CloseBy Text Marketing. Online, AMP assists business owners in the fundamentals of creating a credible, attractive, and highly visible online presence with OPTMA and Google (News - Alert) Street View Trusted imagery services.



"All of our services are designed with practicality and results in mind to serve the unique needs of hard-working small business owners. During COVID, our business had to recalibrate by moving outside sales representatives inside, and serving customers with a work-from-home operations staff," said Karen Bourdage, COO of AMP. "Sugar's customer-centric platform has been transformative for our business and helps us deliver on our mission to make independent local businesses successful." "AMP's relentless support of small business owners, particularly during a trying economic time, is what exceptional customer experiences are all about," said Jason Rushforth, SVP and General Manager, Americas for SugarCRM (News - Alert) . "Sugar is thrilled to provide the CRM platform that helps AMP foster relationships with both new and existing customers."

The Sugar platform helps companies capture important customer information and deliver superior customer service. Sugar enables companies such as AMP to grow and scale profitable customer relationships by delivering highly relevant, personalized experiences throughout the customer journey. To learn more about SugarCRM's solutions, visit https://www.sugarcrm.com/solutions/. About SugarCRM The SugarCRM sales, marketing, and service platform helps businesses deliver a high-definition customer experience. Sugar provides a clear view of the customer that teams need to reach new levels of business performance and predictability. Over 1.7 billion customer updates, from leads to opportunities to support cases, flow through the Sugar platform every day. Thousands of companies in over 120 countries rely on SugarCRM to achieve high-definition CX. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, SugarCRM is backed by Accel-KKR. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005101/en/

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Companies could be hiring that bad boss on purpose. According to new research in the Journal of Business Ethics, the "dark" personality traits - questionable ethical standards, narcissistic tendencies - that make a boss bad also make that person much more likely to go along with manipulating earnings and may be the reason they got the job in the first place.

Co-authors Nick Seybert (University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business), Ling Harris (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), Scott Jackson (University of South Carolina) and Joel Owens (Portland State University) studied the process of hiring executive management accounting candidates and its relation to the company's earnings management practices - that is, a company's tendency to inflate its income. Through several studies, they found that when a company needed to report earnings aggressively, experienced executives and recruiters tended to recommend hiring candidates with dark personality traits over candidates who sought input from others and believed in strong ethical foundations.

"Dark personality traits are often framed as an accidental byproduct of selecting managers who fit the stereotype of a strong leader," says Seybert, an accounting professor. "However, our research found that this is often no accident."

The research for "Recruiting Dark Personalities for Earnings Management" involved three experiments in which different actions were measured. In one experiment, for example, the participants were specifically asked to rate the candidates based on dimensions such as the candidate's ability to manage people and relationships. The only dimension in which candidates with dark personalities were rated higher than their counterparts was in manipulation of ethical boundaries.

"A lot of people assume that these managers must have great self-presentation, promotion, people skills, or confidence" Seybert says. "But our research shows otherwise."

The basic idea behind this research is that these dark personalities can fulfill a specific nefarious purpose, says Seybert. When companies feel as though they need to inflate their earnings, people with dark personalities are more likely to get placed into positions of power to do exactly that. This results in candidates with potentially better management, organizational, and people skills being passed over for management jobs.

Seybert and his colleagues' research is unique in that they recruited experienced executives and executive recruiters to evaluate the candidates in order to simulate the real business hiring environment.

"Very, very few prior studies involved people who have experience recruiting for prior jobs," says Seybert. "Our research involved a lot of time-consuming and creative searching to find the right participants."

Overall, Seybert says he hopes that this research will help candidates better evaluate companies during their job search. "The best takeaway for employees is to avoid companies that might have use for managers with dark personalities, and not to expect support from higher-ups when this is the case. The company might have picked a bad boss on purpose."

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A California woman was arrested after federal agents found a gun in her carry-on luggage Tuesday at a Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoint, authorities said.

The unloaded 9mm handgun was found as it entered the X-ray unit at Terminal B, the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement Wednesday.

Officials first thought the gun belong to the man who put the bag on the carousel, but later learned it was owned by his aunt, Angela Christein Clark, with whom he was traveling. She was returning a rental vehicle and admitted the firearm was hers when she arrived at the checkpoint, the TSA said.

Clark was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, Port Authority police said.

The gun is the second caught at a TSA checkpoint at Newark Liberty this year. Eleven guns apiece were detected in both 2020 and 2019 at the airport.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Newspaper: Armenia ruling party to hold fundraiser Saturday

Newspaper: Russia does not manifest very active efforts in trilateral talks with Armenia, Azerbaijan

US to donate 25mn doses of coronavirus vaccine

Armenia is elected UN World Tourism Organization Executive Council member for period of 2021-2025

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

Armenia Health Ministry, Investigative Committee keep info about sending remains of dead soldiers abroad confidential

Armenia Prosecutor General's Office launches case regarding leaving sacs of servicemen's bodies/remains in basement

Peskov: Putin and Biden to discuss cybersecurity issues

Armenia's Pashinyan meets with Belgian PM Alexander De Croo

Armenia acting MOD receives Netherlands Ambassador

Armenia Police: 3 citizens apprehended during protest demanding acting health minister's resignation

NATO warns Minsk about further consequences of Ryanair incident

Armenia economic competition protection commission: Experts forecast inflation of butter prices

Armenia citizens' protest against acting health minister is over

Pashinyan visits France, judicial farce against Armenian POWs kicks off in Baku, Jun. 2 digest

Armenian Ambassador, FMO representatives consider opportunities for expansion of cooperation in Armenia

Armenia Prosecutor General is on working visit to Russia

Armenia acting PM meets with European Council President in Brussels

Armenia citizens throw polyethylene bags at Health Ministry building, police apprehend protesters

Acting deputy minister: Armenia authorities plan to build 46km section of North-South highway in 2021

Dollar is stable in Armenia
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/31/2021



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

alum Melyza Zeta has reportedly leaked the news she and her new fiance Tim Clarkson will be starring on the upcoming sixth season of : Happily Ever After? on TLC.TLC announced a partial Season 6 cast of : Happily Ever After? earlier this month and noted three additional couples will be announced "soon."About a week later, the @fraudedmedia Instagram account reported Season 8 couple Jovi Dufren and Yara Zaya will be one of the yet-to-be announced pairs starring on Happily Ever After?'s next season, and now Melyza has appeared to spill the beans that she and Tim will be another couple on Season 6 of the series.Melyza took to her Instagram Story on Sunday and revealed she and Tim will be starring on : Happily Ever After?'s sixth season when it premieres on Sunday, April 25 at 8PM ET/PT on TLC."Thrilled to be back," Melyza, 28, captioned a photo of her filming in Medellin, Colombia that has since expired or been deleted.Melyza also reportedly added a : Happily Ever After? sticker to her post.TLC previously announced : Happily Ever After?'s sixth season will definitely star three returning Season 5 couples: Angela Deem and Michael Ilesanmi Kalani Faagata and Asuelu Pulaa , and Elizabeth Potthast and Andrei Castravet In addition, the network had also announced earlier this month that Tiffany Franco and Ronald Smith , who previously appeared on Season 1 of : The Other Way, will be part of : Happily Ever After?'s Season 6 cast this spring.Beginning Sunday, April 25 at 11PM ET/PT -- after Season 8 of wraps -- TLC will also air new episodes of : Pillow Talk, the companion show which features alums offering commentary on each week's Happily Ever After? episode as they watch it in bed.Both : Happily Ever After? and : Pillow Talk will also be available for viewing on discovery+, the new streaming service TLC's parent company launched in January.Tim from Dallas, TX, and Melyza from Colombia shocked viewers when they announced their engagement on the March 7 episode of 90 Day Bares All on discovery+.After Tim proposed marriage during a trip to Medellin -- which was initially designed for the couple to reunite and solidify their relationship status after a brief breakup -- it appears Melyza has since traveled or moved to the United States Melyza conducted a Q&A session with her followers via Instagram Stories on March 14 and geotagged Dallas, TX, in three of her responses, according to In Touch.Given Tim, 34, currently lives in Dallas, Melyza has apparently taken a trip overseas to spend time with him.Tim also reportedly appeared in three videos Melyza had posted which featured the couple riding in a car together and listening to music with Tim behind the wheel.It seems Tim and Melyza's relationship is stronger than ever following their engagement.One fan reportedly wrote to Melyza in her Q&A, "Tell us what made you guys reconcile.""Makeup sex [devil emoticon] JK," Melyza reportedly replied."I'd say mostly that our love for each other hasn't faded away (despite so many ups and downs in the past two years), persistence, realizing that we needed to make changes and put more work into moving forward and finally do whatever is needed to be geographically compatible."Tim and Melyza revealed on the early January premiere of : The Other Way Strikes Back! on discovery+ they had split and called it quits on their romance, but the pair apparently "reconnected" not long after the breakup and then got back together."We started reminiscing about things we had done in the past. We were like, 'I really miss you'... We would talk about the plans that we had for the future and everything, and that's basically how it happened," Melyza shared on 90 Day Bares All earlier this month."We just can't stay away from each other. No matter how hard we try to move on and forget about each other, we can't," Tim added.Tim then traveled to Colombia to see Melyza again and popped the question one day after his arrival at a romantic pier in Cartagena.Melyza gushed on 90 Day Bares All the marriage proposal was "awesome" as well as a huge surprise and she and Tim are "so happy" together now.The proposal clearly turned Melyza's life around because she said she felt "hopeless and crushed" when she and Tim were apart."I believed that my chance at happily ever after with the man I love was gone. Fortunately, I was wrong," Melyza explained to People."Our engagement feels right. Putting a ring on it doesn't solve it all, but it's definitely a big step in the right direction, surely one that we wanted to take years ago."And Tim -- who once cheated on Melyza with a co-worker and lost her trust -- told the magazine that he now realizes how "foolish" he was to risk losing Melyza in the past."The bottom line is, Melyza is the only woman I am meant to spend my life with. She sees more in me than I do in myself sometimes and I can never find that in anyone; let's be real, I am a pain," Tim joked with People.Tim acknowledged he and Melyza still need time to repair the damage in their relationship but they are both optimistic about the future."We both know how much we love each other, how comfortable we are with each other, and how positive we are that our life together will be amazing," Tim said.Tim and Melyza previously starred on Season 2 of : The Other Way, and the show's Summer 2020 finale featured Tim, after visiting Melyza in Colombia and trying to work through their issues, moving back to the United States in order to work and save money for their future together.Melyza confessed the idea of Tim moving back to America made her "nervous and uncomfortable," but Tim insisted his goal was to put the pair in a more stable financial position long-term."I can't believe that he's leaving. I think this is bullsh-t. This was definitely not what we were planning on doing. This is not what I expected, and I'm just really disappointed... I did feel true and real love with him," Melyza told the cameras on : The Other Way's second season.And Tim feared Melyza would give up on their relationship or hook up with somebody else while he was away."I'm not moving back to run away from you; I'm moving back so that I can run back to you," Tim assured Melyza when saying goodbye to her.Although the couple subsequently broke up, they left flirty comments on each other's social media pages in late 2020 and Melyza joked on the January premiere of the Strikes Back! spinoff that Tim looked "cute" and she might want to have sex with him again.Many viewers therefore anticipated -- or at least hoped -- the couple may give their love another shot eventually.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Kuroshio current may be responsible for climatic discomfort in Tokyo, scientists find

Forty million people living in the Kanto region of Japan, which includes Tokyo, may be able to blame a meandering ocean current for increasing hot and humid summers, according to an analysis conducted by an international team of researchers. The Kuroshio Current flows north, bringing warm water from the tropics to Japan's southern coast. Since 2017, however, it has meandered off its traditional path, turning south before continuing north again. Now, scientists have found that the "large meander" is responsible for the uptick in humidity and temperature.

The researchers, from Tohoku University in Japan and the University of Hawaii in the United States, published their results online on Feb. 1 in the Journal of Climate, a journal of the American Meteorological Society.

"In recent years, it has become clear that the ocean influences climate," said first author Shusaku Sugimoto, associate professor of geophysics in the Graduate School of Science at Tohoku University. "Our study shows that the Kuroshio influences the regional climate - especially through the greenhouse effect of water vapor, contributing to significantly warmer temperatures."

The researchers used satellite data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as well as data from the Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System stations operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency, to examine 18 summers since 2003.

The last large meander occurred for a year from 2004 to 2005 before starting again in 2017. Controlling for other climatic events, such as storms, and considering global warming trends, the researchers assessed the differences in summers during typical summers and summers during which Kuroshio's path took a large meander.

"We found that the surface air temperature in the Kanto district increased by about 0.6 degrees Celsius as a result of the Kuroshio large meander," Sugimoto said. "As a mechanism of the warming, we discovered that the Kuroshio large meander increases evaporation and the water vapor flowing into the Kanto region, leading to a hot summer through a local greenhouse effect."

Using Thom's index, a widely used standard of human discomfort based on temperature and humidity, the team found large meander summers resulted in 13.1 days of most people experiencing discomfort. That's a 160% increase over the 8.1 discomfort days of non-large meander summers.

"This is a result that affects the lives of many people," Sugimoto said. "Our analysis showed the Kuroshio path state is responsible for the climatic comfort of living in Tokyo, Japan, and our approach is also applicable in other coastal cities worldwide."

The researchers plan to apply their work to improve both climate and local weather forecasts, according to Sugimoto, so that people may be better prepared to handle higher temperatures and more humidity.

"The results of this research are expected to contribute to the reduction of heatstroke risk and the formulation of climate change adaptation plans," Sugimoto said. "This finding detects the influence of the ocean on regional climate, and we hope that it will contribute to the improvement of weather and seasonal forecasts."

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This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will lead an investigation into Oregon Health & Science Universitys handling of sexual misconduct and discrimination complaints in the wake of the high-profile harassment lawsuit filed against the school and former anesthesiology resident Dr. Jason Campbell.

The intent of this investigation is to identify any potential shortcomings, and to solicit and consider actionable recommendations that ensure our institution is aligned with the highest demands and expectations, Dr. Danny Jacobs, the medical schools president, said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.

Based on the investigations findings, OHSU will evaluate potential policy changes, accountability, other best practices and targeted investments to ensure every OHSU member feels safe, respected and valued in their workplace.

Last month, a social worker at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center next to the OHSU campus filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging Campbell repeatedly sexually harassed her through texts and other social media messages and assaulted her by forcing his body against hers in her office at the VA hospital last March.

Campbell became widely known as the TikTok Doc for his viral dance videos in hospital scrubs.

The suit also alleged that several medical school professors failed to report the harassment for investigation after the social worker confided in them.

The social worker complained to OHSU about Campbell in early April. An OHSU internal investigation concluded in August that Campbell violated the schools harassment policy and code of conduct. He was allowed to resign in lieu of a dismissal hearing Oct. 23, according to the school.

Holder, a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based firm Covington & Burling, will work on the inquiry with former federal prosecutor Nancy Kestenbaum, who has done other investigation into reports of sexual misconduct, harassment and discrimination for other educational institutions, according to OHSU.

Both Holder and Kestenbaum are leading a similar investigation at Seattle Childrens Hospital.

The OHSU boards human resource committee will work directly with the investigative team to establish the scope of the inquiry and a timeline for completion, according to Jacobs.

OHSU officials did not immediately say Tuesday how much the school is paying for the independent investigation.

Michael Fuller and Kim Sordyl, attorneys for the social worker suing OHSU, said theyre looking forward to Holders involvement and the independent investigation.

Tomorrow we will mail his office copies of all the witness statements and evidence of misconduct we have been provided by the public thus far, Fuller said by email.

Their client suing Campbell said in a statement: Bringing in a big name, whose job is to wave this all away as he has for other wealthy organizations, is going to intimidate women, silence victims, and is violating and retraumatizing. I am one of many victims, we need results not reports. We need closure, not coverups. Holder wont hold accountable the powerful people behind the criminal culturebut we the victims will.

The schools lawyers have argued in court papers that the doctors identified in the suit arent subject to any of the suits Title IX allegations because the social worker didnt have a direct connection to OHSU at the time of her interactions with Campbell.

Title IX is a 1972 law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools.

After the social worker complained to OHSU in April, the school said Campbell was instructed not to have contact with the woman. The woman urged more stringent steps be taken due to her safety concerns, such as a criminal no-contact order, but in May the school wrote back to her that such an order wouldnt be appropriate.

Nonetheless, in light of your heightened safety concerns and the other interactions by Dr. Campbell that you communicated, we wanted to let you know that Dr. Campbell has been placed on a research assignment off-campus and will not be on OHSU campus until the conclusion of our investigation, OHSU employee Julien Roohani wrote to the social worker by email last May 1.

Campbell was assigned to administrative tasks associated with a research project from May 4 through May 29, doing the work remotely from his personal workspace, according to Tracy Brawley, an OHSU spokeswoman. On June 1, his status was changed to off-duty, Brawley said.

The suit has led to national fallout, with more than a dozen founding members of TIMES UP Healthcare resigning in protest of what they said was the advocacy groups inadequate response to allegations that another founding member, OHSUs Dr. Esther Choo, failed to formally report the social workers accusations.

Choo, who is discussed in the suit but not named as a defendant, defended her actions, saying she responded in a way that was completely consistent with her values, offering to do everything she could to support Plaintiff, while respecting her friends agency in making decisions about what to do, according to Choos spokeswoman, Molly Levinson.

Two more women, in signed declarations filed in the court case, also claimed Campbell came up from behind them and forced his body against theirs at work, similar to what the social worker said happened to her. A third woman said Campbell followed her around during his rotation in her unit in 2019, asking her for free hugs.

The University of Floridas teaching hospital, which hired Campbell to continue his anesthesia residency there, placed Campbell on administrative leave early this month after learning he had been the subject of a sexual harassment investigation at OHSU.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Holly Young named ESG senior analyst reporting to Kathleen Bochman, director of ESG

Justine Gearin, alumna of the Loomis Sayles UWIN program, joins the firm as ESG project associate

Justin Dutcher named ESG marketing manager, a dedicated resource within the Strategic Marketing group

Loomis, Sayles Company, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, announced today the addition of three new dedicated resources to the firm's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005050/en/

"At Loomis Sayles, we take a strategic approach to ESG, ensuring that fundamental ESG research is integrated throughout the firm and embedded in each team's unique investment process," said Kathleen Bochman, director of ESG. "Environmental, social and governance (ESG) has become a critical factor that global clients consider as they select asset managers. Holly Young, Justine Gearin and Justin Dutcher have all demonstrated a passion for and expertise in ESG. These new roles empower them to focus on further embedding ESG into the firm's investment culture."

Holly Young has been named ESG senior analyst. In this new role, Holly will work closely with investment teams to ensure their individual data needs are being met, address client reporting needs and provide overall ESG data expertise. Previously, Holly led the design effort for the internal Loomis Sayles ESG Center and developed a number of ESG primers to help educate employees on a variety of topics including carbon footprinting, vendor methodologies and climate scenario analysis. Holly joined Loomis Sayles in 2012 from Essex Investment Management Company, where she was an investment associate. Holly has previous experience at Independence Investments, Scudder Kemper Investments and Brown Brothers Harriman. She earned a BA from Gordon College. Holly will report to Kathleen Bochman.

Justine Gearin joins Loomis Sayles as ESG project associate. Justine is a recent magna cum laude graduate of Bentley University and former intern in the Loomis Sayles Undergraduate Women's Investment Network (UWIN). As a UWIN participant, she spent time as an ESG intern and as a member of the Loomis Sayles ESG Working Committee. She also completed rotations with the Credit Research and Relative Return teams. Justine will report to Holly Young.

Justin Dutcher has been named ESG marketing manager. In this new role, Justin will focus on the development and articulation of the firm's ESG approach to the global marketplace including clients, consultants and prospects. He will collaborate with investment teams to communicate their unique ESG philosophies and expertise, and will also support market positioning for Loomis Sayles' ESG products. Justin joined Loomis Sayles in 2015 from John Hancock Investments, where he was a senior marketing manager. He has previous experience at Wellington Management. Justin earned a BS from SUNY Maritime College and an MBA from Northeastern University. He will continue to report to Shephali Sardinha, director of strategic marketing.

ABOUT LOOMIS SAYLES

Since 1926, Loomis, Sayles Company has helped fulfill the investment needs of institutional and mutual fund clients worldwide. The firm's performance-driven investors integrate deep proprietary research and integrated risk analysis to make informed, judicious decisions. Teams of portfolio managers, strategists, research analysts and traders collaborate to assess market sectors and identify investment opportunities wherever they may lie, within traditional asset classes or among a range of alternative investments. Loomis Sayles has the resources, foresight and the flexibility to look far and wide for value in broad and narrow markets in its commitment to deliver attractive sustainable returns for clients. This rich tradition has earned Loomis Sayles the trust and respect of clients worldwide, for whom it manages $347.8 billion* in assets (as of December 31, 2020).

Loomis Sayles Investments Limited ("LSIL") is a subsidiary of Loomis, Sayles Company L.P., and it is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

*Includes the assets of Loomis, Sayles Co., LP, and Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC. Loomis Sayles Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Loomis, Sayles Company, LP.

ABOUT NATIXIS INVESTMENT MANAGERS

Natixis Investment Managers serves financial professionals with more insightful ways to construct portfolios. Powered by the expertise of more than 20 specialized investment managers globally, we apply Active Thinking to deliver proactive solutions that help clients pursue better outcomes in all markets. Natixis Investment Managers ranks among the world's largest asset management firms1 with nearly $1.4 trillion assets under management2 (1,135.5 billion).

Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Investment Managers is a subsidiary of Natixis. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Natixis is a subsidiary of BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France. Natixis Investment Managers' affiliated investment management firms include AEW; Alliance Entreprendre; AlphaSimplex Group; DNCA Investments;3 Dorval Asset Management; Flexstone Partners; Gateway Investment Advisers; H2O Asset Management; Harris Associates; Investors Mutual Limited; Loomis, Sayles Company; Mirova; MV Credit; Naxicap Partners; Ossiam; Ostrum Asset Management; Seeyond; Seventure Partners; Thematics Asset Management; Vauban Infrastructure Partners;Vaughan Nelson Investment Management; Vega Investment Managers;4 and WCM Investment Management. Additionally, investment solutions are offered through Natixis Investment Managers Solutions, and Natixis Advisors offers other investment services through its AIA and MPA division. Not all offerings available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit Natixis Investment Managers' website at im.natixis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/natixis-investment-managers.

Natixis Investment Managers' distribution and service groups include Natixis Distribution, L.P., a limited purpose broker-dealer and the distributor of various U.S. registered investment companies for which advisory services are provided by affiliated firms of Natixis Investment Managers, Natixis Investment Managers S.A. (Luxembourg), Natixis Investment Managers International (France), and their affiliated distribution and service entities in Europe and Asia.

1 Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2020 ranked Natixis Investment Managers as the 17th largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management as of December 31, 2019.

2 Assets under management ("AUM") as of December 31, 2020 is $1,389.7 billion. AUM, as reported, may include notional assets, assets serviced, gross assets, assets of minority-owned affiliated entities and other types of non-regulatory AUM managed or serviced by firms affiliated with Natixis Investment Managers.

3 A brand of DNCA Finance.

4 A wholly-owned subsidiary of Natixis Wealth Management.

MALR026946

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Contacts:

Orla O'Brien

(617)478-7480

oobrien@loomissayles.com
Michigan-Based Online Platform Brings The Future Of Flexible Talent Hiring To Businesses Of All Sizes

GRAND RAPIDS, MI / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Assemble (https://hireassemble.com/), a Michigan-based online platform matching elite freelancers across all disciplines with companies in need of part time, full time or project talent has closed on a Series A round of financing. Trousdale Ventures, LLC (www.trousdalevc.com) led the $1.7M round, along with Studio VC, Entrepreneur Media, ID Ventures, and Unicorn Venture Partners.

"We are pleased to have closed our initial round of investment, and particularly excited to have this financing round led by Phillip Sarofim and his private investment firm, Trousdale Ventures. As a Trousdale Ventures portfolio company, Assemble can look forward to benefiting from Phillip and his senior team's exceptional operational and business development expertise," said Danny Beckett, Jr., founder and CEO of Assemble. "As the need for deeply skilled talent becomes increasingly urgent in today's landscape, organizations can utilize Assemble to help them find, vet, and hire the talent they need, exactly when they need it. By democratizing access to our network of deeply skilled flexible workers, we are helping to shape the future of work and give organizations and independent workers the ability to achieve work faster than ever before," he continued.

Assemble is leading the charge in delivering the future of flexible hiring in all areas of freelance talent to businesses of all sizes for the entire range of their full-time, part-time or project staffing needs. Using the company's advanced proprietary technologies and a vigorous vetting process, Assemble takes only one to three days to match companies with top tier business, sales and marketing, finance, design and technology talent on demand. By utilizing flexible talent, companies can access the skills they need to stay up to speed on-demand and only as needed, saving them money on would-be salaries, benefits, and weeks of training that full-time employees would require.

"As the need for deeply skilled talent becomes increasingly urgent in today's landscape, organizations can utilize Assemble to help them find, vet, and hire the talent they need, exactly when they need it," says Phillip Sarofim, founder and CEO of Trousdale Ventures. "By democratizing access to their network of deeply skilled flexible workers, Assemble is helping to shape the future of work and give organizations and independent workers the ability to be more productive and efficient than ever before," he continued.

The new financing will be used to support the company's key operations as well as its marketing initiatives to position Assemble at the forefront of the transformation of the workplace.

About Assemble: Assemble is the #1 flexible talent matching platform leading the future of work. A fully remote company, they match organizations small and large with elite independent contractors for flexible hourly, part-time, full-time, and project engagements on demand. Through their platform, Assemble is giving organizations and independent workers everywhere the ability to achieve work faster and easier than ever before. To learn more, visit Assemble at (www.hireassemble.com).

About Trousdale Ventures LLC: Trousdale Ventures, LLC is a privately-held investment firm with a portfolio that focuses on forward thinking companies that empower consumers by improving their health, happiness and productivity. Investments encompass the better-for-you space, with adjacent investments in technology & productivity, health & wellness and transportation & hospitality. Visit Trousdale Ventures, LLC at (www.trousdalevc.com).

CONTACT:

Steve Syatt

SSA Public Relations

steve@ssapr.com

(818) 222-4000

SOURCE: SSA Public Relations

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638359/Assemble-The-1-Flexible-Talent-Matching-Platform-Raises-17-Million-Round-Led-By-Trousdale-Ventures-LLC
The ESAIL microsatellite for making the seas safer has picked up more than two million messages from 70 000 ships in a single day. The reliable high-performance satellite was developed as an ESA Partnership Project to help European and Canadian space companies succeed in the competitive global telecommunications market. It enables industry, maritime authorities and governments to monitor fisheries, manage fleets, protect the environment and enhance security, making the seas safer. ESAIL tracks ships worldwide by detecting messages that ships radio-broadcast with their automatic identification systems, enabling them to be identified even when far out to sea, at long distances from coastal-based monitoring stations. Credit: exactEarth

The ESAIL microsatellite for making the seas safer has picked up more than two million messages from 70 000 ships in a single day.

The reliable high-performance satellite was developed as an ESA Partnership Project to help European and Canadian space companies succeed in the competitive global telecommunications market.

It enables industry, maritime authorities and governments to monitor fisheries, manage fleets, protect the environment and enhance security, making the seas safer.

ESAIL tracks ships worldwide by detecting messages that ships radio-broadcast with their automatic identification systems, enabling them to be identified even when far out to sea, at long distances from coastal-based monitoring stations.

In the first step, the platform was validated by its Luxembourgish manufacturer, LuxSpace, which involved a number of small and medium-sized European enterprises, that confirmed ESAIL's excellent performance for operational maritime services.

In the second much more complex step, the data reception and processing of the ships' automatic identification systems were validated by ESAIL's Canadian operator exactEarth. It was during this process that ESAIL captured more than two million messages from 70 000 different ships in a single day, representing 15% to 20% better detection rate than previous satellites.

At sea, space technology is used to help save lives every day: managing traffic between ships, picking up migrants and refugees in distress or spotting oil spills. The European Space Agency is once again at the forefront developing new technologies and satellites: to keep us safe at sea and to monitor the environment. Space makes a difference here on Earth and certainly at sea where there is no infrastructure. Credit: ESA

The satellite's performance was optimized using adaptive on-board and on-ground processing to maximize the number of ships' messages detected in areas of high traffic, such as the North Sea and South China Sea.

Its operator exactEarth is now integrating ESAIL into its fleet of satellites, which provide maritime services to customers including fisheries, customs, search and rescue, and environmental protection agencies, as well as the European Maritime Safety Agency.

Peter Mabson, Chief Executive of exactEarth, said: "ESAIL, with its sophisticated spectrum sampling payload and multipolar antenna capabilities, delivers exceptional vessel detection performance, and we are very pleased to bring this advanced microsatellite into operational service.

"Our thanks go to ESA and LuxSpace and the entire European satellite manufacturing team for their role in this impressive achievement."

Oliver Salisch, Managing Director of LuxSpace, said: "LuxSpace is extremely proud of the performance and flexibility exposed by the Triton-2 platform, which has exceeded customer expectations and allowed the optimisation of the performance in orbit. This shows the capabilities of LuxSpace to provide effective and reliable technical solutions to customers all over the world.

"These results were possible due to the extremely fruitful collaboration with ESA and exactEarth in the resolution of the day-to-day challenges."

ESAs ESAIL microsatellite expands the LuxSpace (Luxembourg) product range using innovative technologies for the next generation of space-enabled identification and global tracking of ships. The first mission to launch is developed by LuxSpace as the satellite prime contractor and operated by mission prime exactEarth of Canada. ESAIL will enhance exactEarths current SAT-AIS satellite constellation. It features advanced antennas and signal processing abilities, enabling it to downlink raw data received from ships for processing on the ground. The satellite is designed within the 100 kg and 100 W class in order to handle large amounts of AIS messages and data and still be suitable for cost-effective shared launch opportunities. It is flexible enough for deployment in different orbit altitudes and inclinations, and compatible with many launchers. Credit: LuxSpace

The ESAIL project was supported by the Luxembourg Space Agency and other ESA member states.

Marc Serres, Chief Executive of the Luxembourg Space Agency, said: "This maritime microsatellite, built by Luxembourg's major system integrator LuxSpace in partnership with ESA, demonstrates how a private company and ESA can work closely together to develop a new commercial product.

"It is another tangible demonstration of the success of Luxembourg's space strategy, focused on creating an attractive ecosystem for NewSpace companies and innovative space entrepreneurs."

ESA's Partnership Projects aim to develop sustainable end-to-end systems, right up to in-orbit validation.

Elodie Viau, Director of Telecommunication and Integrated Applications at ESA, said: "ESAIL is a perfect example of how ESA can help generate significant and tangible downstream value from space platform innovations.

"We look at the development of space assets through the lens of their Earth-bound applications, their societal and economic benefits and the impeccable business logic of our commercial partners.

"Space connects us on Earth. ESAIL shows how ESA and European space agencies are able to forge unique public-private partnerships and couple their institutional strengths, their research and their engineering know-how with industrial excellence, ambitious business objectives and a clear focus on market priorities."

Explore further ESAIL's first map of global shipping
With both Pt Fortin hospitals now converted to Covid-19-only facilities and no 24-hour accident and emergency service, Kay Arjoon was yesterday forced to deliver her nephew while parked on the Otaheite roadside.

Arjoon, 37, her nine-month-pregnant sister-in-law, Christene, 34, and brother Ricardo, had driven from Cap-de-Ville in Point Fortin in an attempt to reach the San Fernando General Hospital before delivery.
CHEREPOVETS, Russia -- A noted human rights activist in the northwestern Russian city of Cherepovets has been sentenced to two years of "limited freedom" under parole-like conditions on a charge of distributing false information about the coronavirus.

The leader of the For Human Rights movement's branch in the Vologda region, Grigory Vinter, said on March 31 that the sentence forbids him from changing his permanent address and orders him to report to a parole officer twice a month.

Vinter was found guilty of posting "false" information on the VKontakte social network about the purported transfer of a group of convicts with coronavirus-like symptoms from Russia's second city, St. Petersburg, to the Vologda region in 2020.

He was also found guilty of insulting police during a search of his apartment in May.

Vinter says he will appeal the court's ruling.

Vinter has said that he was tortured with an electric shock device while in a detention center in Cherepovets in December, a charge that the Federal Penitentiary Service has denied.

Pressure on human rights activists in Russia has increased in recent months amid a crackdown on supporters of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, whose near-fatal poisoning eventually landed him in Germany for urgent care after he fell ill during a Russian domestic flight in August.

The chief of the Siberia Without Torture group's branch in the Republic of Buryatia, Yevgeny Khasoyev, told RFE/RL on March 31 that he had to flee Russia after two criminal cases on charges of assaulting a court bailiff and libel were launched against him and a court ordered him to be sent to a psychiatric clinic for examination.

Khasoyev, who is currently in an unspecified foreign country, provided legal assistance to activists detained in Buryatia's capital, Ulan-Ude, during unsanctioned rallies demanding Navalnys release in January.

With reporting by SOTA
The United States Supreme Court is reportedly taking on for the first time an abortion-related case filed by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in defending a state law against dismemberment abortions.

According to the Christian Headlines, the Supreme Court announced last Monday that it will be hearing this coming fall the case filed by Cameron and will be the first of its kind considering Judge Amy Coney Barrett is now in court.

The issue, the Christian Headlines said, was filed in the U.S. Sixth Court of Appeals and tackles if it legal for an attorney general to continue to defend Kentucky's pro-life law, which is House Bill 454.

The law, officially entitled "An Act Relating To The Human Rights Of Unborn Children And Declaring An Emergency" as per the Kentucky General Assembly website, was signed into law by Governor Matt Bevin. It primarily prohibits dismemberment abortions.

The Christian Headlines elaborated that dismemberment abortion is "an abortion procedure known as dilation and evacuation, in which an unborn baby is dismembered, piece by piece, while still in the womb or birth canal." The media outlet said Cameron defended the law in behalf of the Health and Family Services of the Kentucky Cabinet. The law, however, was ruled unconstitutional by a Sixth Circuit panel that during the administration of Cameron's predecessor, Governor Andy Beshear, was not appealed.

Cameron, being the current attorney general, took it upon himself to defend the law but the Sixth Circuit declined. This prompted Cameron to bring the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"I promised Kentuckians that I would defend our laws all the way to the United States Supreme Court, and that's what we've done. Since day one in office, we've fought to defend House Bill 454, even when the Beshear Administration refused to defend it," the Christian Headlines quoted Cameron in saying.

"This law reflects the conscience of Kentucky by banning the gruesome practice of live dismemberment abortions, and it's important that Kentuckians have a voice before our nation's highest court." he added. "I was elected to provide that voice, and we look forward to making our case to the Supreme Court."

This echoes his "commitment to make sure" his office "can improve the public safety outcomes of men, women, and children of all 120 counties" of Kentucky.

As per the Christian Headlines, the Supreme Court will decide on "whether a state attorney general vested with the power to defend state law should be permitted to intervene after a federal court of appeals invalidates a state statute when no other state actor will defend the law" and will release its decision sometime next year.

Meanwhile in his Twitter account, Cameron announced about his actions for the said law that is posted with a video on it last Tuesday.

"Earlier today, I announced that #SCOTUS will decide whether our office can defend Kentucky's law prohibiting live dismemberment abortions," he said.

In similar news, the U.S. Supreme Court earlier blocked the "Abortion by Mail" lower court decision involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that now requires pregnant women to visit a doctor first prior to acquiring pills for medical abortion during the pandemic. Judge Amy Barrett was said to have sided with the conservative vote of 6-3.
[March 31, 2021]

Salty Attracts More Than $15 Million

SALT LAKE CITY, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Salty Dot Inc., the Embedded Insurance technology company, has announced $15M in additional funding from new and existing investors.

This brings the company's capital raised to date to over $31 million. The investment comes nine months after the insurtech company launched platform operations and less than three months after announcing its initial funding. The incremental funds will be used to drive growth with partners, optimize the Embedded Insurance platform, and develop Salty's product further.

"As we refine our digital experience, we remain focused on perfecting our automotive platform to create lifelong customers, with the ultimate goal of transforming multiple insurance markets," said James Hall, Founder and CEO of alty.







As of June 2020, Salty had conclusively proven product-market fit, with double the industry standard of conversions. High conversion rates are just one of the Salty platform characteristics that benefit carriers, distribution partners, and customers.

Salty's platform is a proprietary Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze customer data. It then sorts through multiple carriers and presents the customer with the best, bindable quote in real-time.

About Salty

Press Contact

Robin Gilthorpe

robin.gilthorpe@wearesalty.com

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SOURCE Salty Dot Inc.
[March 31, 2021] Community Students Learning Center Receives $596K to Rehab Housing

BankPlus and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) have awarded a $596,160 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) subsidy to Community Students Learning Center (CSLC) to rehabilitate 60 homes for low-income, special-needs homeowners. The funds will primarily assist individuals with mobility limitations who need wheelchair ramps, bathroom lift bars or wider doorways, but other individuals who own their own home and meet income restrictions may also qualify for help. Eighty percent of the homes are in the rural area of Mississippi's Holmes County, and the remaining 20 percent are in an economically diverse area. "Applicants will be offered home maintenance training," said Beulah Greer, CSLC executive director. "With the help of the Affordable Housing Program subsidy, we are able to provide a program that is very much-needed in the community, at no cost." BankPlus First Vice President and Director of Affordable Housing, Mark Ouellette, said the AHP helps the bank create a footprint in its community. "The Affordable Housing Program is a great offering that allows BankPlus to provide organizations with support to improve housing quality and availability," said Mr. Ouellette. "BankPlus is excited to partner with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and work with Community Students Learning Center to carry out its mission." AHP funds are intended to assist FHLB Dallas members in financing the purchase, construction and/or rehabilitation of owner-occupied, rental or transitional housing and housing for homeless indiviuals. AHP funds must be used to benefit households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the median income for the area.



In 2020, FHLB Dallas awarded $19.3 million in subsidies to 38 affordable housing projects. The funds will help create 2,749 new or rehabilitated housing units. Included in that total are $2.3 million in subsidies for 231 units of housing in the state of Mississippi. Since the AHP's inception in 1990, FHLB Dallas has awarded more than $323 million in AHP and Homeownership Set-Aside Programs and has assisted more than 57,000 households.

"Residents in rural areas are oftentimes forgotten when it comes to helping those in need with affordable housing," said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. "We are honored to partner with BankPlus to help Community Students Learning Center achieve its project goals." For more information about the AHP, visit fhlb.com/ahp. About BankPlus Founded in 1909, BankPlus is one of the Southeast's premier regional banks serving consumers and businesses with the latest technology through a full suite of financial services, including retail banking, commercial banking, mortgage lending and wealth management. With approximately $4.5 billion in total assets, BankPlus operates 79 financial centers throughout Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. For more information about BankPlus, visit bankplus.net. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $64.9 billion as of December 31, 2020, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005834/en/

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Detained Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health, said the lead lawyer defending her in court cases brought by the junta that overthrew her elected government two months ago, following their first meeting on Wednesday.

The deposed state counselor, 75, spoke with junior attorney Min Min Soe via video conference in the presence of police on both sides, with Aung San Suu Kyi saying that she would later come down in person to meet privately with her legal team, head defense attorney Khin Maung Zaw told RFA.

They were not able to discuss anything except the case, he said. She was in good health, and she had asked the police guarding her to allow her to meet with all six of her lawyers, according to Min Min Soe.

Two previous hearings were cancelled because of regime-imposed internet service cutoffs. Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest in the capital Naypyidaw, has her next court hearing via video conference on Thursday.

Khin Maung Zaw also said he heard that another case had been opened against Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, but that he had not yet received formal notice. There was no immediate reply to her requests.

Aung San Suu Kyi faces four other charges for alleged incitement and sedition, violation of telecommunication laws, possession of unlicensed walkie-talkie radios, and violation of the Natural Disaster Management Law for breaching COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign.

The military regime also has launched a corruption investigation of Aung San Suu Kyi for allegedly accepting U.S. $600,000 and gold from detained Yangon region chief Phyo Min Thein and a businessman.

Dozens of other officials from the state counselors National League for Democracy (NLD) also have been detained by the military junta that seized power in a Feb. 1 coup,

Kyaw Kyaw, an NLD official in Naypyidaws Zabuthiri township, was killed by soldiers and police during his detention, family and close friends said Wednesday, a day after they were called to inspect his body before cremation.

Arrested on March 15, he is third the NLD official to die in custody under the military regime.

Family members and close friends said in Facebook posts that Kyaw Kyaw died after being tortured.

Kyaw Kyaw, who lives in Gon Min Inn village in Zabuthiri township, was arrested on March 15, said a post written by Mal Chaw. On March 30, the military notified the family to come and see the body. The family visited the body this morning and held funeral rites at home.

Phyo Zeya Thaw, a former NLD lawmaker from Zabuthiri township, wrote on his Facebook page that Kyaw Kyaw, who was unjustly arrested on March 15, has died at the hands of a military terrorists interrogation camp.

Myanmar anti-junta protesters stage a sit-in on a road in Tamwe township, Yangon region, March 31, 2021. Credit: RFA





Protests continue

The beatings and shootings have not stopped protesters from taking to the streets to oppose the two-month-old military regime.

More than 500 demonstrators, bystanders, and others have been killed in anti-junta rallies that have rocked the country since the coup took place.

Anti-regime protesters held rallies and marches across the country, with people in the commercial hub Yangon banging pots and pans, honking car horns, and displaying three-finger salutes of defiance along the route where a CNN reporter was traveling with soldiers in a military convoy.

The military regime let the report into the country, despite having banned five domestic news outlets and detaining 53 journalists since Feb. 1. Nearly 30 of them have been released with two out on bail.

At least 16 people died in the past 48 hours during nighttime crackdowns, residents in several locations said.

In Yangons South Dagon township, locals reported that security forces barged into homes and shot anyone they came across with guns and heavy weaponry, forcing many people to flee the area.

The conflict over the coup has also spilled over into the Myanmar militarys difficult relations with the countrys many ethnic armed organizations, some of whom have sheltered and supported protesters fleeing arrest.

At least 10 people have been killed, and many others have been injured, amid repeated air strikes by the Myanmar military in rebel-controlled areas of Kayin state since Mar. 27. Thousands of villagers have fled to safety in the Thai border region.

Thai military authorities have been expelling displaced Karen villagers who fled across the border as a result of the fighting between government troops and the Karen National Union (KNU), an armed ethnic organization that controls some of the states territory.

Eleven civilians were killed, and five others were injured, when two fighter jets attacked their villages in the KNU's 3rd Brigade territory on Tuesday, residents said, adding that the jets had made reconnaissance flights over the area between Mar. 27 and 29.

The 11 were company employees who died when two military jets bombed a gold mining plot at Madama Creek in Shwegyin township of neighboring Bago region, said the chairman of the Karen Social Welfare Organization in Shwegyin.

At about 12:10 p.m. when the planes bombed the gold mine, 11 workers on the team led by Moe Aung were killed, [and] another five were wounded, he said. There had never been bombings here before, and the KNU is now working with us to provide as much medical treatment as possible.

Ethnic Karens who fled their villages to escape air strikes by the Myanmar military take shelter in a jungle in Hpapun district, eastern Myanmar's Kayin state, March 29, 2021. Credit: Free Burma Rangers





Hiding in a hut

Military jets launched similar attacks Wednesday on Mae Panwa and Mae Wai villages in Hpapun township in the KNUs 5th Brigade region, causing many casualties.

Most of the villagers fled their homes, said one resident who declined to be named for safety reasons. We were hiding in a hut when we saw the bombs fall and dared not go outside.

RFA could not reach junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment.

The air strikes followed the fall of a military base camp in which a deputy battalion commander and nine others were killed by the KNU.

Myanmar forces bombed seven villages on Mar. 27 and 28, killing three people, injuring nine others, and destroying two houses, the KNU said in a statement.

At least 13 civilians, including a five-year-old child, were killed by air strikes in KNU-controlled areas between Mar. 28 and 30, according to the Free Burma Rangers, a multiethnic humanitarian service movement.

More than 10,000 people have fled the region and headed to the Thai border, though the Thai Army has sent back about 3,000 of them, despite the government saying that it had made arrangements for more than 40,000 refugees, according to news reports.

the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CPRH), a shadow parliament of lawmakers who won the November 2020 elections, said in a statement Wednesday that air strikes on indigenous armed forces, such as the KNU, were inhumane acts.

The CRPH said it would find ways to protect the lives and property of indigenous populations throughout the country and provide humanitarian assistance.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance of rebel groups  the Arakan Army (AA), Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)  has not yet decided whether to extend a temporary truce with the Myanmar military that expires Wednesday.

The alliance issued a statement Tuesday condemning the crackdowns on anti-junta protesters and other civilians, and said it would support and cooperate with those who are waging the Myanmar Spring Revolution if the violence did not stop.

Locals in northern Rakhine state have expressed concern that fighting between Myanmar forces and the AA will resume after a four-month hiatus.

Fighting will continue if the Myanmar military launches an offensive, said AA spokesman Khine Thukha on Wednesday. Now, the Myanmar Army is attacking both Kayin state and Kachin state,  so whether there will be fighting in other places or not depends a lot on the movement of the Myanmar military and various situations ahead.

Myanmar anti-junta protesters burn tires on a street in Tamwe township, Yangon region, March 31, 2021. Credit: RFA





CRPH repeals constitution

The CRPH on Wednesday announced the repeal of the 2008 constitution, written by a previous military junta that ruled Myanmar, saying that the charter was designed to prolong the military dictatorship and prevent the emergence of a democratic federal union.

The Feb. 1 seizure of government power by military force violated the constitution nullifying the document's legality, the body said in a statement.

At the same time, the CRPH issued a 20-page Federal Democracy Charter to establish a democratic federal union guaranteeing equality and self-determination, and said that Mann Win Khaing Than, the acting leader of Myanmars parallel civilian government appointed by ousted lawmakers following the coup, would continue to run the country.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane and Kyaw Min Htun. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
RTHK: Australia to build guided missiles to boost defence

Australia announced on Wednesday it would begin building its own guided missiles in close collaboration with the US as it seeks to boost its defence capabilities.

The news comes amid growing unease in the Pacific region about China's increasing assertiveness and military abilities.

Citing the "changing global environment, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it would partner with a weapons manufacturer to build the missiles in a plan that would create thousands of jobs as well as export opportunities.

Morrison said it would initially spend AU$1 billion (US$761 million) on the plan as part of a huge 10-year investment in defence and the defence industry.

Creating our own sovereign capability on Australian soil is essential to keep Australians safe, Morrison said.

It has been decades since Australia last manufactured advanced missiles, and it currently relies on importing them from allies including the US. Australia does currently build a decoy rocket aimed at disrupting incoming missiles.

Michael Shoebridge, the director of defence, strategy and national security at the independent think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the announcement was welcome news and filled a strategic gap.

Its being driven by the two Cs, China and Covid, Shoebridge said.

He said China's increasing aggression was a big concern for Australia, as was the vulnerability of global supply chains that had been exposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

He said Australia's most pressing need was for long-range anti-ship missiles that could be fired from warships or aircraft. He said that new army fighting vehicles also needed missile capabilities.

Australia is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, along with the US, Canada, Britain and New Zealand.

We will work closely with the United States on this important initiative to ensure that we understand how our enterprise can best support both Australia's needs and the growing needs of our most important military partner," Defence Minister Peter Dutton said.

Before the announcement, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute had estimated that Australia would need to spend AU$100 billion over the next 20 years on buying missiles and guided weapons. (AP)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The remaining defendants in a North Texas medical center healthcare and workers compensation fraud scheme have been sentenced, the Texas Division of Workers Compensation reported

Its the final chapter in what was a multi-million dollar fraud and bribery case that began in 2016 and involved Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas and 14 defendants, the DWC said. The defendants involved in the case were sentenced to a combined 74+ years in federal prison and ordered to pay $82.9 million in restitution.

The DWC said that surgeons, physicians, and hospital administrators had steered patients, including many in the state workers compensation system, to Forest Park Medical Hospital. Surgeons got kickbacks, disguised as marketing or consulting fees for these referrals.

Instead of basing decisions on patient needs, these health care providers sought to maximize their own income. Activities like this reflect a complete lack of patient care, DWCs Deputy Commissioner of Compliance and Investigations, Debra Knight, said in a media release.

Eleven of the defendants participated in the Texas workers compensation system, including a nurse who recruited and preauthorized workers compensation requests, and the founder of a company that filled out preauthorization for workers compensation patients.

The DWC Fraud Unit identified Forest Park health care providers who billed within the states workers compensation system and provided data and investigation documents to the FBI for seven of the defendants. The Fraud Unit found that insurance carriers in the Texas workers compensation system alone were billed a little over $14 million and paid $2.6 million in this case.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas said those sentenced in the case include:

Hospital manager Alan Andrew Beauchamp  who pleaded guilty in August 2018 to one count of conspiracy to pay healthcare bribes and one count of commercial bribery under the Travel Act, then testified for the government during his coconspirators trial  was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison.

Wilton Mac Burt, Forest Parks managing partner, was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison.

Jackson Jacob, owner of the shell companies through which some of the bribes were routed, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison.

Dr. Douglas Won, a spinal surgeon, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison.

Dr. Michael Rimlawi, a spinal surgeon who partnered with Won, was found guilty on three of four counts, including conspiracy and two counts of receiving kickbacks. He was sentenced Thursday to 90 months in federal prison.

Dr. Shawn Henry, a spinal surgeon who invested in FMPC, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison.

Dr. Mrugeshkumar Shah, a pain management doctor, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison.

Iris Forrest, a nurse who recruited and preauthorized workers comp requests, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison.

Israel Ortiz, the founder of Kortmed, a company that fills out preauthorization for workers comp patients, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison.

Dr. Wade Neal Barker, a bariatric surgeon who co-founded Forest Park in 2008, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison.

Andrew Jonathan Hillman, a co-owner of Hospital Business Concepts, a surgeon brokerage, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison.

Dr. Frank Gonzalez, a chiropractor who referred patients to Forest Park in return for bribes, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison.

Semyon Narosov, a co-owner of Hospital Business Concepts, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison.

Dr. Richard Toussaint Jr., an anesthesiologist who co-founded Forest Park in 2008, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison.

Carli Adel Hempel, who pleaded guilty in July 2019 to conspiracy to misapply property of a health care benefit program, was sentenced to three years probation.

Kelly Wade Loter and Andrea Kay Smith, who both pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony (failure to report a felony), were sentenced to three and five years probation, respectively.

In addition to the $82.9 million restitution, the government plans to collect more than $25.5 million in money judgments against those convicted in the Forest Park scheme.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Defense  Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Wirmani, Kate Pfeifle (fmr), Marcus Busch, Mark Tindall (fmr), and Gail Hayworth prosecuted the case.

Source: Texas DWC; U.S. Attorneys Office

Topics Texas Workers' Compensation Fraud
[March 31, 2021] Orbit Network's Paycap Partners With 8 Telecom Companies Expanding Roll-out Of its Digital Asset RKN Token

Dallas, TX, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ever since the pandemic started many new startup ventures such as Paycap have stepped their foot into digital assets. The pandemic period has caused a mega fluctuation ever noted in the stock and crypto market so far. New regulations and strict license norms with the changing governments have caused the cryptocurrency agencies to work in more than one aspect of trading. Orbit Network INC has been harnessing the power of technology since 1996. They have come a long way ever since they announced rolling out their digital asset RKN Token. Paycap, an exclusive asset of Orbit Network's flagship project Orbit Network Chain Server (ONCS) was the first in the line of cryptocurrencies to enter into telecommunications with an innovative idea of recharging sim cards using their RKN token. Paycap is available now on iOS and Android and already supports 5 countries: the USA, Canada, India, UAE, Turkey.

They added Canada to their list of countries with whose third-party communications Orbit Network is pairing with. Orbit Network will be adding the UK in June 2021. Now after almost a year, Orbit Network confirmed that they are in the latest stage of signing the contract with over 8 giant telecom companies through their 3rd party nominees. Reportedly, Users will be able to access the new TRC20 RKNtoken on ron blockchain and use it through a mobile application called PAYCAP available both on android and iOS.



There are many applications that have come up with similar systems to recharge sim cards in the last one year but Paycap still stands as the first 100% decentralized platform in this field and is growing at a fast rate successfully. Paycap allows users to recharge sim cards, data packages and TV subscriptions through just 4 steps

Buying RKN tokens from the exchanges. Depositing the token to the Paycap account. Selecting the Paycap operator of choice. Straight away recharging data, sim or TV. Today more than 80% of the world has gone online and traditional options remain a privilege to a handful. Having an online footprint requires fierce security and what is more secure than the programs of blockchain which is now being used for university examinations to crypto transactions. This idea of recharging using the RKN token can be a way for digital money to find its place in the bigger picture of day-to-day life. Orbit Network INC

https://www.orbitnetwork.com Paycap

https://www.paycap.io RKN Token:

https://www.rkntoken.io

Media Details

Company: Orbit Network INC.

Email: media@orbitnetwork.com

Website: https://www.orbitnetwork.com/



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VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Great Bear Royalties Corp. ("GBRR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its common shares have been approved for listing on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") as a Tier 2 issuer under the symbol "TSXV: GBRR" and is expected to commence trading at the opening of the market on April 5th, 2021. No public offering of shares is anticipated in connection with the listing.

Shareholders are not required to exchange their share certificates or take any other action in connection with the TSXV listing, as there will be no change to the CUSIP for the Company's common shares.

John Robins, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "April 5th, 2021 will mark a milestone for Great Bear Royalties and its shareholders. The 2% NSR on Great Bear Resources' Dixie project, is a clear "tier one" royalty asset located in a "tier one" jurisdiction. Great Bear Royalties has approximately C$5 million in working capital and is well position to build shareholder value."

The Exchange will issue a bulletin confirming the date on which trading will commence.

On behalf of the Board

John Robins, CEO & Director

About Great Bear Royalties Corp.

GBRR is a precious metals royalty and streaming company. GBRR's principal asset is a 2% NSR on Great Bear Resources Ltd's (TSXV:GBR) Dixie Project located in Red Lake, Ontario. The Dixie Project is Canada's newest major gold discovery, with one of the largest fully funded exploration programs in the country currently underway ($45 million / +175,000m of drilling) with an objective to further establish its status as a potential Tier 1 gold project.

Cautionary Notes and Forwardlooking Statements

This document contains certain forwardlooking information and forwardlooking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forwardlooking statements").. The use of the words "intention", "will", "may", "can", and similar expressions are intended to identify forwardlooking statements. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, the Exchanges acceptance of the listing and the expected trading date. Although GBRR believes that the expectations reflected in such forwardlooking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forwardlooking statements since GBRR can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forwardlooking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in GBRR's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020 available at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, the forwardlooking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and GBRR does not undertake any obligations to publicly update and/or revise any of the included forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of additional information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Great Bear Royalties Corp.
South African NGO slams gas-powered ships plan that impacts small-scale fishing communities

March 31,2021 | Source: Argus

South African environmental campaigners have called on the government to scrap its plan for floating gas-fired power plants to provide 1.22GW of emergency power for 20 years.



Earlier this month the government named Turkey's Karpowership as one of the preferred bidders for its risk mitigation independent power producer (IPP) procurement programme, which aims to fast-track the purchase of 2GW to alleviate the country's chronic electricity supply crisis.



The firm will fulfil its contract obligations by using three LNG-fuelled power ships that will be berthed at Richards Bay (450MW) in Kwazulu-Natal, Coega (450MW) in the Eastern Cape and Saldanha (320MW) in the Western Cape.



Tomorrow is the deadline for public comments on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for these emergency power project proposals.



A number of commentators have questioned the government's rationale for allowing it to be tied into a contract for 20 years if it is meant to be an emergency stop-gap measure.



Given the reality of climate change, it is concerning that the government has opted to lock South Africa into another 20 years of fossil fuel usage rather than promoting renewable energy projects, environmental justice group Green Connection said.



According to Green Connection, which works to empower small-scale fishing communities and protect South Africa's seas, Karpowership's projects should not be endorsed because their EIA is critically flawed.



The EIA lacks crucial data and brushes aside too many negative impacts for South Africans and the environment without giving it the necessary scrutiny, Green Connection's strategic lead, Liziwe McDaid, said.



"It is almost as though government does not want to know the full impact of its projects," McDaid said.



The EIA's climate change impact assessment estimates that the three power ships would emit 54.33mn t of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) over the 20-year period. It does not evaluate the social or economic costs of these emissions, which Green Connection calculates amounts to $22.65bn, based on a University of California San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy formula.



Green Connection believes that the EIA should have considered alternatives such as wind, geothermal energy or solar, which are less greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive. The comparative cost to the taxpayer of Karpowership-generated electricity compared with the equivalent power generated by renewables is also not provided, it points out.



The EIA fails to properly consider pollution into the marine environment or the risk of a worst-case scenario, such as a gas explosion from a ruptured pipeline, the group said. While the EIA refers to the fact that the ships run on heavy fuel oil, it does not assess the air pollution impacts of this.



The EIA also does not factor in the devastating impacts the projects could have on small-scale fishing communities, which were already dealt a crushing blow by Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, Green Connection said.



Covid restrictions have prevented the fishing community to meaningfully engage in the public participation process as many members cannot afford the data or computer equipment needed to participate in the decision-making process. Community representatives also claim that the environmental consultants did not adequately advertise meetings about the proposed projects.



"In our rush to address the country's energy issues, we should not sacrifice the human rights of its citizens," McDaid said.

 2021 Argus Media group. All rights reserved.

Theme(s): Others.
Theres little doubt that bringing back party primaries to Louisiana would make state politics more ideologically driven.

The question on the table, then, is whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing.

As Louisiana lawmakers prepare to once again consider abandoning the unusual come-one-come-all open primary, some of the states more partisan politicians are lining up behind the change. They include Republican attorney general and possible 2023 gubernatorial candidate Jeff Landry, who, more than perhaps anyone, has embraced Washington-style divisiveness in Baton Rouge. Also in support is another likely gubernatorial hopeful, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, who showed during last years debates over pandemic voting rules that she too could read a national GOP script.

On the opposite side is yet another Republican who will probably run to replace Gov. John Bel Edwards, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, whose politics are more moderate. He argued at a task force hearing this week that its about representing all of Louisiana, not just Republicans. Its about electing the best person. (While the effort to switch to party primaries is mostly driven by Republicans, its also favored by some more liberal Democrats, including state Sen. Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge.)

The gubernatorial hopefuls are clearly focused on their own prospects, but the latest push is getting fuel from a different source. Driving some of the fury on the right is U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidys vote to impeach former President Donald Trump, a principled position based on the evidence but one that many Republicans took as a betrayal.

For his part, Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, opposes the change, arguing that it would produce candidates who can win primary contests among the truest believers, but not appeal to the broader general electorate.

So does U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, who suggested it would be downright anti-democratic.

Youre asking me if I think it makes sense to limit the candidates that somebody can vote for? That sounds entirely un-American to me, he said recently.

Left unstated is the underlying concern faced by politicians such Cassidy and Graves, both of whom generally stick to the conservative line but also sometimes look for common ground. For House members in the states heavily-gerrymandered districts, a primary challenge from the right  or the left in the heavily Democratic 2nd district  is a much more frightening prospect than a challenge from the party thats badly outnumbered.

This, national experts say, is one of the dynamics that has produced dysfunction up in Washington, where most members of Congress are elected via a closed primary system. Indeed, a new report from a non-partisan group called Unite America calls for the opposite of what Louisiana is considering, an end to party primaries.

This is the primary problem in the U.S. political system today, the groups executive director Nick Troiano wrote in The Atlantic. A small minority of Americans decide the significant majority of our elections in partisan primaries that disenfranchise voters, distort representation, and fuel extremism  on both the left and, most acutely (at present), the right. ... Partisan primaries motivate legislators to keep in lockstep with a narrow and extreme slice of the electorate rather than govern in the public interest.

He's got a point. And the dynamic doesnt just apply to Congress.

The atmosphere in Baton Rouge has been growing more partisan in recent years even without party primaries. A shift for all elections in Louisiana would likely accelerate the trend, although its unclear whether that would happen. The task force that met this week recommended that only congressional elections be subject to party primaries at this point, although lawmakers are not bound by the suggestion.

What they should remember, though, is that the debate is about much more than procedure; its about what type of politics and politicians Louisiana should have.

Based on the way Congress works (or doesnt) these days, we already know where party primaries can lead. The question is whether Louisiana wants to follow that path  or run in the other direction.
ISTANBUL - The Turkish Constitutional Court has sent back an indictment demanding the closure of pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) to the prosecutor over alleged ties to "PKK terrorists", Anadolu news agency reports. The court cited procedural mistakes in the dossier of over 600 pages. The halt to an attempt to shut down the HDP, the third-largest force in Parliament thanks to the nearly six million votes obtained during the last elections, was in the air after the reporting judge, appointed by the Constitutional Court, had noted several formal mistakes in the indictment, including the wrong identification of some of the 687 members of the party for which it was requested to suspend all political activities for five years. Two of them have reportedly died.



The prosecutor of the Court of Cassation will have to correct the reported errors before it can file a new request to dissolve the party accused by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his nationalist allies of the MHP to be the political arm of the PKK. The HDP has always denied the allegations after enduring harsh repression for years in Turkey, with dozens of mayors and lawmakers ousted and hundreds of militants and leaders detained, including the charismatic leader Selahattin Demirtas, who has been in jail since 2016.


CONTRACT AWARD

Earth Resources Technology wins $700M NOAA ground system contract

Earth Resources Technology has won a potential 10-year, $699.6 million contract to operate and maintain ground-based information technology and antenna systems for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

NOAA sought a vendor to help support its constellation of satellites that provide weather and environmental data to U.S. government agencies, private sector entities and international partners.

ERT said Tuesday it will operate, maintain and sustain legacy ground systems until NOAA transitions to the next generation of platforms and those become operational.

NOAA received 10 offers for the contract including the bid put in by ERT, according to Federal Procurement Data System information. This contract is a consolidation of prior IT satellite ground and product processing services into a single procurement.

Laurel, Maryland-headquartered ERT will also work with NOAA to move future satellite product processing functions into a secure government cloud environment.

NOAA has already awarded the first four task orders to ERT that each has a one-year base period of performance and up to four individual option years.

ERT was founded in 1993 and has concentrated on integrating remote sensing science data with mission-collected data to create models and developing software and data systems for supporting scientific data analysis, data management and data distribution functions.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, headquartered in Brussels, has long been in a reflective mood regarding its own fatuous irrelevance

WHILE it is not fair to impute motives to a writer, one cannot help wondering if he is flying a kite, especially given his background. A. Wess Mitchell was US assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia from 2007-2019 and co-chair of the Nato 2020 Reflection Process. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, headquartered in Brussels, has long been in a reflective mood regarding its own fatuous irrelevance.

That did not inhibit him from writing recently in an Indian publication: When the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) leaders meet later this spring, they will debate the recommendations from a group of experts [which Mr Mitchell co-chaired] that advocates, among other things, extending a formal offer of partnership to India. Such an idea has been discussed before but has always foundered on Indias aversion to entanglement in rival geopolitical blocs. Its time to overcome this obstacle.

Chinas meteoric rise has dramatically heightened Indias need for closer security relationships with politically reliable, like-minded states. Beijing is increasingly willing to depart from its hide-and-bide strategy to directly challenge even the largest of its neighbours.

Chinas military spending is three times that of India. Indias policy of equidistance, with tilts towards Russia and China, is not viable enough to meet the juggernaut of Chinas power. Hence its moves for ties with the United States, Japan and Australia in the Quad. Now for the moth-eaten carnet:

While Nato partnerships do not carry the Article 5 guarantee of collective defence against armed attack, they nevertheless come with regular defence dialogues, military-to-military planning and joint exercises that improve readiness, interoperability and predictability. In the event of a conflict, India would benefit from having prior planning and arrangements in place for cooperating with Nato and its Mediterranean partners.

Nato has spread a web of partners, namely Egypt, Israel, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland and Finland.

Now comes the crunch. However, the obstacles to partnership are not only on the Indian side; in the past, some Nato allies have effectively blocked discussion of the matter insisting that any offer of partnership to India be accompanied by similar invitations to Pakistan. This may have seemed attractive to some in the era when Nato militaries were mainly focused on conducting operations in Afghanistan. But with the winding down of operations there, Nato has little in common with a Pakistan that is increasingly radicalised at home and aligned with, and beholden to, China.

 The Nato leadership should extend to India an offer of opening partnership talks. Doing so would signal that it is seriously evaluating all of its tools, including partnerships, according to how well they equip its members for dealing with a new era of great-power competition .

In this emerging competition, India is a vital player in its own right and should be treated as such. But Indians should be under no illusions that a truly nonaligned path remains a viable option.

Nonalignment is a worn-out misnomer. Indias non-alignment did not prevent its first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru from seeking covertly -- behind the back of Indias ambassador Asaf Ali -- a written alliance with the United States in 1948.

Note that the Nato partnership is shorn of guarantee of help in Article 5 of the NatoTreaty of 1949, which reads: The parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all; and consequently, they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the party or parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force.

This is a worthless guarantee as its prime architect, US secretary of state Dean Acheson, had said. He told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: This naturally does not mean that the United States would automatically be at war if one of the other signatory nations were the victim of an armed attack. Under the treaty we would be bound to make an honest judgment as to what action was necessary to attain that end and consequently to take such action. That action might or might not include the use of armed force.

As Charles De Gaulle remarked, treaties, like roses and pretty girls, last only as long as they last. How did Pakistans pacts with the United States help, in its moments of crisis in the 1965 and 1971 wars?

Treaties are concluded in the national interest purely. Help is extended in the same spirit. In 1962, it took the US long to support Indias case on the border and even that was confined to the McMahon Line; not the Aksai Chin in Ladakh.

India has unwisely let skirmishes on an undefined border ratchet its dialogue and diplomacy.
CCHS student Chloe Murphy is one of several students who volunteered time to paint the new mural at Chi-Town Dawgs. PHOTO:Calloway County Schools

Students in Anita Boyd's Art 1 and Art 3 classes at Calloway County High School designed and painted the mural for Chi-Town Dawgs in Murray. PHOTO:Chi-Town Dawgs, Facebook

Calloway County Students Design Restaurant Mural

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CALLOWAY COUNTY - A Murray restaurant has a new mural thanks to students from Calloway County High School.Students in Anita Boyd's Art 1 and Art 3 classes designed and painted the mural for Chi-Town Dawgs in Murray. The main logo was designed by student Nolan Crisp.Several students volunteered their time after school to paint the mural.Chi-Town Dawgs is located at 212 N 15th St in Murray and features a Chicago inspired menu.
March 31, 2021 False Assertions, Misleading Quotes, Fake Sources - How The NYT Writes Anti-China Screeds This, from yesterday's New York Times, is supposed to be a news piece: An Alliance of Autocracies? China Wants to Lead a New World Order. Written by Steven Lee Myers, the NYT's bureau chief in Beijing, the piece is full of false and unsupported assertions. It changes explicit Chinese statements in support of democracy and human rights into the opposite. It is also untruthful about the sources of its quotes: China hopes to position itself as the main challenger to an international order, led by the United States, that is generally guided by principles of democracy, respect for human rights and adherence to rule of law. Such a system does not represent the will of the international community, Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, told Russias, Sergey V. Lavrov, when they met in the southern Chinese city of Guilin. In a joint statement, they accused the United States of bullying and interference and urged it to reflect on the damage it has done to global peace and development in recent years. There is no evidence and no quote in the piece to support the assertion that the unilateral "international order, led by the United States" is in fact "guided by principles of democracy, respect for human rights and adherence to rule of law." The wars the U.S. and its allies have waged and wage in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen and other countries are, in fact, not in adherence to the rule of international law nor are they executed with respect for human rights or the principles of democracy. The Wang Yi quote in the second paragraph is taken completely out of context. By placing it after his false assertions the author insinuates that Wang Yi rejected the "principles of democracy, respect for human rights and adherence to rule of law." Wang Yi did not do that at all. He did in fact the opposite. Here is the original quote from the report of Wang Yi's meeting with Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov: Wang Yi said, the so-called "rules-based international order" by a few countries is not clear in its meaning, as it reflects the rules of a few countries and does not represent the will of the international community. We should uphold the universally recognized international law. The there is the Joint Statement from the Lavrov-Wang Yi meeting which contradicts the New York Times insinuation: The world has entered a period of high turbulence and rapid change. In this context, we call on the international community to put aside any differences and strengthen mutual understanding and build up cooperation in the interests of global security and geopolitical stability, to contribute to the establishment of a fairer, more democratic and rational multipolar world order. All human rights are universal, indivisible and interrelated. ... Democracy is one of the achievements of humanity. ... International law is an important condition for the further development of humanity. ... In promoting multilateral cooperation, the international community must adhere to principles such as openness and equality, and a non-ideological approach. ... The Chinese Foreign Ministry report about the issuance of the above Four Point Statement quotes Wang Yi as saying: Today, we will issue a joint statement on several issues of current global governance, expounding the essence of major concepts such as human rights, democracy, international order, and multilateralism, reflecting the collective demands of the international community, especially developing countries. We call on all countries to participate in and improve global governance in the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and equality, abandon zero-sum mentality and ideological prejudice, stop interfering in the internal affairs of any country, enhance the well-being of people of all countries through dialogue and cooperation, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. In no way has China rejected human rights, democracy or the rule of law. The New York Times author simply construed that. The third NYT paragraph quoted above is likewise false. The Joint Statement did not urge the U.S. to reflect on the damage it has done to global peace and development in recent years. There is nothing in there that could be construed as such. The U.S. is not even mentioned in the Joint Statement. The quote the NYT author uses is not from the official Joint Statement, as falsely claimed, but from a Chinese State TV's summarization of a press conference: Both foreign ministers said that the international community believes that the United States should reflect on the damage it has done to global peace and development in recent years, stop unilateral bullying, stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs, and stop pulling "small circles" to engage in group confrontation. Unsupported assertions about the motives of the "U.S. led" order, out of context quotes that turn the actual statements by the Chinese foreign minister into their opposite and missattribution of a news summary as a diplomatic statement is something that one would not expect from a news outlet but from a propaganda organ. That is then, obviously, what the Times has become. Posted by b on March 31, 2021 at 16:40 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
[March 31, 2021] GigNet Enters into Letter of Intent to Acquire Assets and Operations for Development and Completion of a Subsea Cable Between USA and Cancun, Mexico

GigNet, a Digital Infrastructure company with an extensive regional fiber-optic broadband network from Costa Mujeres, North of Cancun, through the Hotel Zone of Tulum, announced today it has entered into a Letter of Intent to acquire the assets, operations, and development to date for a subsea cable system between Florida and Cancun, Mexico from FB Submarine, LLC. Over the past three years, a significant amount of research, planning, and studies have been completed for what will be the first competitive subsea cable between the USA and Mexico in approximately 20 years. Over that period of time, and especially over the past two years, demand for secure broadband capacity for streaming, cloud services, data centers, social media, and other Internet applications and services have grown exponentially. Development to date for the "GigNet-1" subsea cable has included completion of the Desktop Study, regulatory and permitting feasibility studies for each of Florida and Mexico, market demand and analysis studies, and selection and contracting of key suppliers for the system design, equipment, routing, and installation. A detailed Marine Route Survey (MRS) has commenced and is expected to be completed within the next 60 to 90 days, depending on weather and other conditions. After thorough service provider evaluations, negotiations and contracting, Xtera has been selected to serve as the primary EPC contractor for the subsea cable. Xtera is an industry leader in subsea network deployments and will provide the subsea "wetplant" consisting of the fiber and amplifiers (repeaters), the submarine line terminals in Florida and Mexico, and will manage the installation. IT International Telecom, leading experts in subsea cable systems, have provided the desktop route survey and are conducting the marine route survey. In cooperation with Xtera, IT International Telecom will install the GigNet-1 cable system. In Mexico, GigNet's wholly-owned operating subsidiary GigNet S.A. de C.V. will provide accessto the beach in Cancun and colocation in GigNet's Cancun cable landing station. GigNet in Mexico operates an advanced fiber optic network in the Riviera Maya region serving the hospitality, enterprise, and planned development segments. GigNet will serve as a major tenant on the subsea cable system and will distribute IP transit and private line connectivity with GigNet-1 throughout the region.



Paul A. Moore, Chairman and CEO of GigNet, Inc., said, "When completed, we believe the subsea cable system combined with our existing terrestrial network in the Cancun region will position GigNet as the leading regional provider of secure, high quality Internet capacity between the USA and the Yucatan Peninsula. The operational benefits for our existing and future customers are without question, and we also believe GigNet-1 will be the capacity source of choice for major enterprises and telecommunications providers. The impact of this new source of advanced connectivity to the world on the economic development of the region will be transformational for the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatan." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed and closing is subject to final due diligence, finalization of terms and conditions, completion of an independent valuation analysis, and board approval, expected within the next 30 days.

ABOUT Xtera Xtera is an innovative provider of subsea and telecoms technology. The company supplies both repeatered and unrepeatered systems, using its high-performance optical amplifiers to deliver traffic directly inland to cities and offering flexibility in working with industry partners to provide the optimum solution. Xtera has considerable expertise in the Caribbean region. www.xtera.com ABOUT IT International Telecom International Telecom is a marine network installer offering desktop study, marine route survey, engineering and design, installation services and maintenance solutions for submarine cable industry worldwide. For 25 years IT has been recognized as one of the worlds' finest marine system providers and are in a unique position to collaborate with customers for their technology solutions and partners. IT has extensive experience in the Caribbean region. https://www.ittelecom.com/en/company/profile ABOUT GIGNET GigNet is the Mexican Caribbean brand of GigNet, Inc., a U.S. based international Digital Infrastructure company. Through its Mexico operating subsidiaries, GigNet, S.A. de C.V., and Sanalto Redes Peninsular, S.A.P.I. de C.V., the Company is a fully licensed telecommunications provider in Mexico. GigNet is actively adding customers to its extensive regional broadband network in the Mexican Caribbean, one of the largest and fastest growing tourism destinations in the world, with over 25 million annual airport visitors. GigNet is a leader in the digital transformation of the region. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005723/en/

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Four Universities have closed in Busoga Sub-region over the past decade, Daily Monitor has established.

The closed universities include Fairland, Busoga, Namasagali and Nsaka. Fairland, Busoga and Nsaka had their licences revoked while Namasagali University voluntarily closed after taking a financial hit.

Mr Saulo Waigolo, the spokesperson of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), at the weekend said the universities had 'their own factors' that caused the revocation of their licences.

"The factors were different but the most common ones were due to teaching of unaccredited courses. For example, Busoga University issued fake degrees to South Sudan students who never studied at the university. It is wrong and unacceptable to graduate unqualified students," Mr Waigolo said.

He also cited the issue of unqualified staff and financial challenges.

The development has left Kampala University's affiliate as the only private university in Busoga Sub-region and Makerere University and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) as the other public universities, albeit running affiliates.

Leaders concerned

This has now raised concern among leaders in the sub-region about their future of their children.

Mr Patrick Kayemba, a member of the transitional committee of Busoga University, attributed the closure of the universities to the high poverty levels in the sub-region.

According to Mr Kayemba, institutions of higher learning are "a very complicated and expensive" venture, which rely mostly on students' ability to pay fees.

"Busoga University was surviving on students that were coming from Kenya; but when universities were established in western Kenya, it reduced the enrolment," he said. Prof Frank Nabwiso, the former acting chancellor of Busoga University, pointed to inadequate resources.

"If you don't have resources, you don't invest in a university because they are not like secondary schools. Fairland University, just like Namasagali University, had inadequate resources.

However, Fairland was using resources from the latter, which also got depleted when its founder, Fr Grimes, left," he said. Mr Peter Okocha Kasolo, the Jinja City mayor-elect, blamed proprietors of the universities for being 'profi t-oriented' when starting up the institutions.

"People invest in universities as small businesses then rent a small building and start operating. There is a need to know that such undertakings are very big in terms of infrastructure and administration," he said.

Mr Moses Batwala, the Jinja District chairperson-elect, however, said leaders have not supported the investors to sustain these universities.

He cited an incident where a proposal of turning Naranbhai Road Primary School into MUBS University was rejected by leaders he did not name.

Here are fact files about the closed universities

Fairland University

It was privately owned institution operating as Fairland University Limited.

Established in 2001 in the then Jinja Municipality now city, the university was given a provisional licence to offer diplomas and degrees. But it allegedly started off ering postgraduate and honorary degrees, which was deemed illegal under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act.

NCHE in 2007 issued a notice of intention to revoke its provisional licence for failure to meet standards and it later closed. Mr Wilson David Musekula, the former university secretary, attributed the closure of the institution to failure to meet the standards set by NCHE.

"The university was off ering masters degrees yet it was only supposed to stop on postgraduate, prompting closure by NCHE. Also, there was the issue of land whose land title the university did not have," he said.

Busoga University

Busoga University was founded by Busoga Diocese in 1998 with its headquarters in Iganga District.

On December 1, 2017, the NCHE executive director, Prof John Opuda-Asibo, however, revoked its licence following allegations of having unqualified lecturers and running illegal study centres and unaccredited courses. In January 2018, President Museveni directed that the government takes over Mountains of the Moon and Busoga universities

Namasagali University

Namasagali University was on September 4, 1998 founded by Rev Fr Damian Grimes, a Roman Catholic missionary priest, in Namasagali Sub-county, Kamuli District.

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Mr Daniel Isabirye, the former assistant academic registrar, said Namasagali University collapsed due to inadequate resources.

"After Fr Grimes left Uganda, resources became inadequate, while the tuition that was being paid by the students was not enough to pay the lectures who are currently demanding the government about Shs4.3b compensation in arrears after the takeover," Mr Isabirye said.

On February, 11, 2008, President Museveni directed then minister of Education, Ms Namirembe Bitamazire, to transform Namasagali University into a constituency College of Busitema University and it was taken over by the government in 2009.

AFFECTED

Nsaka University

It started operations in 2009 with its headquarters in Jinja Northern Division in Jinja City, but as of

April 4, 2018, the university had never held any graduation. NCHE on March 16, 2020 revoked its provisional licence on grounds that it lacked a budget, had irregular council meetings, 75 percent of its staff were part-timers and lacked a library, among others.
Gandhinagar: The night curfew imposed in four metro cities of Gujarat - Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot  will continue till April 15, the state government has announced in the wake of rising coronavirus cases there..

According to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Gujarat government, the night curfew in four metros of the state, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot, which is currently in force from 9 pm to 6 am, will also continue till April 15, 2021.

Besides, the night curfew in 4 metros of the state Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot, which is currently in force from 9 pm to 6 am, will also continue till April 15, 2021: Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Gujarat govt (30.03)  ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

Considering the prevalence of coronavirus spread, the state government has decided to keep the COVID-19 Transition Control Guidelines of the Central Government unchanged till April 30, as per the Additional Chief Secretary.

According to data from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of active cases of coronavirus in Gujarat are 12,041.

The total cured, discharged and migrated cases are 2,86,577, the death toll is 4500. The Centre Tuesday pulled up the states with a high number of coronavirus cases claiming that the situation is turning from 'bad to worse' and stressed that the whole country is at risk.

"We are facing an increasingly severe and intense situation, more so surely in some districts. But the whole country is potentially at risk and therefore all efforts to contain and save lives should be taken," NITI Aayog member (Health) V K Paul said.

Further, he said, "COVID-19 situation is turning from bad to worse. In the last few weeks, especially in some states, it is a huge cause for worry. No state, no part of the country should be complacent."

At a press conference, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan listed out the 10 districts which have reported the maximum COVID-19 cases, they are; Pune (59,475), Mumbai (46,248), Nagpur (45,322), Thane (35,264), Nashik (26,553), Aurangabad (21,282), Bengaluru Urban (16,259), Nanded (15,171), Delhi (8,032), Ahmednagar (7,952).

Eight of the top 10 districts are from Maharashtra and that Delhi, taken as one district, is also on the list.

Meanwhile, India on Tuesday reported 56,211 new cases in the last 24 hours. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry's data showed that India registered 68,020 new cases which was also reportedly the highest single-day rise in over 5 months. More than 60,000 infections are being reported daily for the past few days.

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Ahead of World Autism Day on April 2 Lidl Ireland, together with the NOW Group, announced it will be the first Irish retailer to become Just A Minute (JAM) Card friendly in their stories in Louth and across the country over the coming weeks.

Lidl has also committed to sponsoring 6,000 JAM Cards which contributes towards keeping the cards free and accessible to those who need them.

Earlier this year, the retailer completed a needs assessment by reaching out to autism charities in Ireland and discovered that more than 85% of respondents felt a form of voluntary identification would be beneficial at times when more vulnerable customers need Just A Minute to relieve stress levels while shopping in Lidl stores.

In response to this, Lidl has been working closely with the NOW Group which supports people with learning difficulties and autism.

The organisation developed the JAM Card with its service users designed to allow users additional time and patience when in people facing environments such as supermarkets. Over the coming weeks, Lidl is rolling out detailed JAM Card training and tools to employees in their stores in Louth and nationwide with hopes that the new initiative will help to support customers with learning difficulties, autism, or communication barriers.

JAM Card was originally developed for those with learning disabilities and difficulties. However, it can be used by anyone with a communication barrier including people with Aspergers or autism.

It can also be used by those who have a brain injury and people who may feel self-conscious about their ability to effectively communicate when engaging with others.

Robert Ryan, Chief Operating Officer, Lidl Ireland said: "By becoming JAM Card friendly, were not only furthering our commitment to providing excellent customer care but also demonstrating accessibility to all customers, including those with learning disabilities and hidden disabilities.

"We hope that all of our customers will feel even more comfortable while shopping in stores, firm in the knowledge that our employees will understand and give those who need some extra time, Just a Minute.
Mumbai, March 31 : Fears over re-imposition of movement restrictions to curb the rise in Covid infections, along with a massive surge in US Treasury yields, pulled India's key stock markets lower on Wednesday.

Globally, investors were spooked into selling tech-related growth shares after the US Treasury yields hit a 14-month high.

Besides, major moves were restricted before US President Joe Biden's speech unveiling a new $3 trillion infrastructure plan as part of his "Build Back Better" agenda.

Further, OPEC+ countries were scheduled to meet on Thursday amid concerns about extended lockdowns in Europe and volatile oil prices throughout March leaving investors concerned.

On the domestic front, a surge in India's Covid-19 cases and fear of restrictions on the movement added to the subdued atmosphere.

Among sectors -- private banks were the worst-hit, followed by IT, infra, energy and auto were the sectors whereas pharma, consumption, metals, PSU banks, realty and FMCG were few sectors that closed in green.

Consequently, the S&P BSE Sensex closed lower by 627.43 points, or 1.25 per cent, at 49,509.15 points from its previous close.

The NSE Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange traded at 14,690.70, down by 154.40 points, or 1.04 per cent, from its previous close.

"Indian markets snapped two-day rising streak and ended with losses. Major Asian, as well as European markets, also had a muted session," said Devarsh Vakil- Deputy Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities.

"Broad market indices like the BSE midcap and smallcap indices ended higher, thereby out-performing the benchmark indices like Nifty and Sensex. Realty, FMCG, and CD indices were the top gainers. Immediate support to watch for Nifty is now at 14,617." According to Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services: "Technically, Nifty formed a 'Bearish' belt hold sort of a candle and also formed an 'Inside Bar' as it traded inside the trading range of the last session. Now, it has to cross and hold above 14,750 zones to witness an up move towards 14,900- and 15,000-zones while on the downside support exists at 14,600 and 14,500 levels." "Indian markets are likely to track global cues in this truncated week of trade. Also with the financial year ending, investors would now focus on upcoming quarterly results which would kick start from mid-April. Domestically, concerns over the fast spreading second wave of covid in India continues to remain and the fear of possible lockdowns prevail. Overall markets are likely to remain in a consolidative mode for some time awaiting for fresh positive triggers." In addition, Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said: "Weak cues from across the globe forced the domestic market to shed yesterday's optimism. US markets had a weak close after the US bond yield reached near its 14 month high level while European and Asian markets followed the trend." "Private banks were the sectorial laggards due to selling seen in heavy-weights. However, mid cap and small cap stocks remained in positive territory today."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Could last weeks announcement of the commitment to invest $260 million in broadband services to traditionally underserviced communities in southern Manitoba be a sign that the equity gap is closing in Manitoba when it comes to access to high-speed internet?

Could last weeks announcement of the commitment to invest $260 million in broadband services to traditionally underserviced communities in southern Manitoba be a sign that the equity gap is closing in Manitoba when it comes to access to high-speed internet?

Winkler-based Valley Fiber Ltd. along with its majority owner Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIF) is putting up $130 million and the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is contributing the other half in the form of a long term, low-interest loan.

Hank Wall, the CEO and founder of Valley Fiber, is not saying yet which communities will benefit, but the plan calls for connecting close to 50,000 underserviced households and businesses by the end of 2024, which would effectively increase Valley Fibers customer base by five-fold.

It is a unequivocal vote of confidence in Valley Fiber and a testimony to the companys aggressive, entrepreneurial approach after only about three years of operation in its current form.

It is all the more noteworthy in that it is CIBs first investment in Manitoba and its first in the broadband sector, one of the targeted areas for the $35-billion funds three-year growth plan to invest $10 billion in economic stimulus that will be urgently needed in the post-pandemic years.

Ehren Cory, CIBs chief executive officer, said the CIB continues to fund large transformational projects, but they take a while to mature. Projects like this one are the definition of shovel-ready. Wall said he has construction equipment standing by.

"We announced this on Friday and they will be doing construction this summer," Cory said.

In its short history Valley Fiber has distinguished itself, wiring the entire city of Winkler and coming up with technological innovations that really only happen when you are starting from scratch (as opposed to the large telcos who have to continue to leverage their decades-old infrastructure.)

Martin Harder, the mayor of Winkler, said, "Our ability to partner with Valley Fiber made a huge difference to us in Winkler. It was like we went from the Dark Ages to the 21st century."

He said the fact that Winkler has the excellent broadband service that is does has meant students have been able to handle distance education, industry has thrived, and job growth has boomed.

"Help-wanted signs litter the highway," he said.

Last year, PC Magazine named Valley Fiber the second best ISP in the country. Wall said it is the only ISP in the country that actually guarantees speed.

"We dont say speeds are up-to, " he said. "When you are on Valley Fiber you get what you pay for."

Wall is passionate about the community building that his companys service provides and there is no longer any debate about the societal value of access to high-speed internet, made that much more obvious during this past year.

The CIB funding is specifically for underserviced communities and Wall said if high-speed service is available, then Valley Fiber cannot use the CIB funds for that home.

But the successful funding for a region that is definitely not the worst off in the province, begs the question  where is the funding to address the broadband desert in northern Manitoba.

Cory is not oblivious to that challenging question, referring to Valley Fibers constituency as "middle-tier."

Other regional ISPs in the province including the non-profit Broadband Communications North, which exclusively works with First Nation communities, and Virden-based RFNow, have plenty of experience planning projects for northern remote communities.

They know how challenging those projects can be  witness the trail of failed efforts in the past  even ones that secured federal funding.

Valley Fibers combination of a strong business plan and a deep-pocketed private sector partner makes it much easier for an institutional Crown lender like CIB to get on board.

But Cindy Burgess-Findlay, the interim executive director of Broadband Communications North, said at some point there has to be an acknowledgement that servicing remote rural communities  like most First Nations in northern Manitoba  cannot be done under the same economic conditions as elsewhere in the country.

"It is just hard to make a business case for working in the north," she said. "Governments have to turn off some of their traditional thinking. It is clear that the telcos are not investing in the north. It is a different business case."

Burgess-Findlay just finished applications for about $500 million worth of projects to the federal governments new $1.75 Universal Broadband Fund, designed for just those scenarios. It will still take sophisticated planning, technical know-how and thankless dedication.

Chris Johnson, the CEO of RFNow, which spent more than a year unsuccessfully trying to wrangle a sprawling project in northern Manitoba that ostensibly had funding in place, said hell be keen to see where the $260 million gets spent.

"I still think our community friends in the north are the worst off of anyone in Canada," he said. "I really hope to see whatever the next round of announcement are start to fill some of those gaps. They are in the most need."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
FILE PHOTO: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference in Rabat, Morocco, February 20, 2020. [Photo/Agencies]

The global economy is on "firmer footing" and on way to a quicker recovery than originally expected, but it would grow even faster if China and the United States "work in sync", the head of International Monetary Fund said Tuesday.

The US and China are two engines powering a "multi-speed recovery" from the pandemic crisis, well ahead of their pre-crisis GDP levels by the end of 2021, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in an address ahead of the body's annual spring meeting cohosted with the World Bank.

"The good news is that the global economy is on firmer footing. Millions of people are benefiting from vaccines that hold the promise of a normal life, of embracing friends and loved ones," she said.

When the IMF releases its quarterly update of its World Economic Outlook next week, it will show "a further acceleration" in global growth for this year, which was projected at 5.5 percent in IMF's January forecast.

There will be also an upward revision to its global forecast for 2022, she added.

Key factors leading to the rosier prospect include additional policy support like passage of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion fiscal package, and the expected vaccine-powered recovery in larger economies later this year, Georgieva said.

She credited the feat to nurses, doctors, essential workers, and scientists from around the world working together to create vaccines in record time.

Also governments took exceptional measuresincluding about $16 trillion in fiscal support and a massive liquidity injection by central banks.

Without these synchronized measures, the global contraction last year "would have been at least three times worse," she said.

"We are projecting strong growth for China for this year at over 8 percent, and it is on the back of containing the pandemic and seeing the manufacturing sector recovering very quickly," she said in a conversation following the speech.

The IMF chief said consumer spending is somewhat slower in China, which makes the recovery "somewhat still unbalanced".

"We would like to see more of this consumer-led growth in China, and as time goes, we expect that would be the case," she said.

Asked to comment on economic nationalism and US's placing of "highest tariffs" in recent history, Georgieva said it is "very important" to recognize that trade is good for growth, jobs and poverty reduction.

But if trade agreements are insensitive to unresolved problems that would create "fertile ground" for nationalism, so it's important that countries do not shy away to identify what are the problems that need to be solved, she noted.

"All of us we have to work toward resolving the obstacles, making sure that the ground is fertile for collaboration and more reliance on us working together, not less," the IMF chief said.

She used China and the US, the two economies that are driving the world for forward, as an analogy.

"This is like two engines on a plane on which we fly," she said. "We need these two engines to work in sync, and we would go further, and we would go faster."

In her speech, Georgieva cautioned that despite of brighter prospect ahead, there is danger as well, as economic fortunes are diverging.

The cumulative loss in per capita income, relative to pre-crisis projections, will be 11 percent in advanced economies by next year. For emerging and developing countries, excluding China, the loss will be at 20 percent, cutting one-fifth of what is already a much smaller per capita income than in richer countries, according to the IMF chief.

"One of the greatest dangers facing us is extremely high uncertainty," she said. "So much depends on the path of the pandemic  which is now shaped by uneven progress in vaccination and the new virus strains that are holding back growth prospects, especially in Europe and Latin America."

As a way-out, the world must keep its focus on escaping the crisis, following the example of the scientists by stepping up cross-border efforts, by doing whatever it takes to ramp up vaccine production, distribution, and deployment, according to Georgieva.

"The world needs a fair mechanism to redistribute vaccines from surplus to deficit countries and a fully funded COVAX facility to accelerate vaccination in poorer countries," she said.

[ Editor: GSY ]
Australian shares steadied after a rickety start on Thursday with the major miners and tech stocks helping the market into the Easter break at a six-week high.

The benchmark ASX 200 registered back-to-back gains with a 0.6 per cent rise to 6828.7, its best close since February 25. Thursdays advance also meant the local bourse ended the holiday-shortened week with a narrow 0.1 per cent gain.

The iron ore triumvirate of BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue Metals provided support throughout the session, and gold miners also rose as precious metals shone.

The ASX 200 finished the Easter-shortened week 0.1 per cent higher. Credit:Louie Douvis

The Big Four Banks joined the party late in the day, with biotech CSL the only major drag at the top of the market.

Afterpay led tech stocks higher, with the buy now, pay later firm adding 4 per cent to $105.52.

The tech sector mirrored the overnight fortunes of the US counterpart, the Nasdaq, which outpaced the Dow and S&P500 as President Joe Biden prepared to release the first details of his highly anticipated infrastructure spending program.

OANDAs Jeffrey Halley reported that the package itself totalled around $US2.25 trillion of spending over 10 years, with approximately $US1.60 trillion of corporate tax rises phased in over 15 years

BetaShares ETFs senior economist David Bassanese said the deal would deliver steady economic growth to the US but could also leave a sour taste in the mouths of investors.

Obviously thats more stimulus, but also potentially bittersweet if it is paid for by tax increases, which can be negatively construed by the market, Mr Bassanese said.

Ultimately the bigger picture story is that it is not going to derail the US recovery. This one will be more gradual, but it is going to add to it.

AMP shares finished 4.7 per cent higher at $1.325 after the firm ended speculation around chief executive Francesco De Ferrari, announcing he would be standing down and replaced by ANZs Alexis George.

Macquarie Group shares ended 0.5 per cent down at $152.12 after its banking division was ordered to hold an extra $500 million capital for past breaches of intra-group funding.

Meanwhile, the Aussie dollar sagged to its lowest for the year so far at 75.36 US cents.

The ASX will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, and will resume trade on Tuesday.
West Bengal Chief Minister has written personal letters to non-BJP leaders highlighting the "assaults" by the BJP and its government on democracy and constitutional federalism of India.

Ahead of the second phase of polls in the state, Banerjee's letter, which was released by the TMC on Wednesday, seeks to drum up support from opposition leaders by stating how non-BJP states have suffered due to the saffron party led Centre's actions.

"I am writing this letter to you, and to several leaders of non-BJP parties, to convey my serious concerns over a series of assaults by the BJP and its government at the Centre on democracy and constitutional federalism in India.

Referring to the passage of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill by the two Houses of Parliament, she said that it is an "extremely grave" development.

"With this law, the BJP government at the Centre has snatched away practically all the powers of the democratically elected government of Delhi, and vested them in the hands of the Lt Governor, a nominee of the Centre. The Lt Governor has been made the undeclared Viceroy of Delhi, acting as a proxy for the home minister and the prime minister," she said.

The three-page letter has been addressed to Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, NCP's Sharad Pawar, DMK's MK Stalin, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray among others.
STOCKHOLM, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of shares and votes in Tobii AB has increased by 305,885 as a result of exercise of stock options in accordance with the company's incentive programs.

Today, the last trading day of the month, there are in total 99,369,972 shares and votes in the company. After the increase, the share capital amounts to SEK 721,121.31. The increase in the number of shares is due to the exercise of stock options in accordance with the Company's incentive programs.

This information is information that Tobii AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication on March 31, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. CET.

Contact

Henrik Mawby, Head of Investor Relations, Tobii Group, phone: +46 (0)72 219 82 15, email: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/tobii-ab/r/new-number-of-shares-and-votes-in-tobii,c3317829

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/2874/3317829/1395539.pdf Press release - New number of shares and votes in Tobii - March 31, 2021

SOURCE Tobii AB
A 'vanlifer' Instagram star who took her own life after battling depression had shared a smiling photo and vowed to work on her mental health just weeks before her death.



Canadian Lee Macmillan became an internet sensation by documenting her adventures Down Under with her Australian ex-partner Max Bidstrup and their dog Occy.

Mr Bidstrup shared the news of Ms Macmillan's death on the pair's @maxandlee_ Instagram page on Wednesday.

'After living an extraordinary life, and fighting a brave battle with depression, our hearts are shattered to share that Lee took her life on Friday,' Mr Bidstrup wrote.

He has since started the '#speakupforlee' hashtag to raise awareness for mental illness and the importance of checking in on your friends.

On February 27, Ms Macmillan admitted to her 59,000 Instagram followers she was feeling 'stressed' and was taking some time to focus on her own wellbeing.

Lee Macmillan, who documented her journey Down Under with her Australian now-ex-partner Max Bidstrup and their dog Occy, tragically took her life last week

In January this year, the couple announced their split to their joint Instagram account, shocking their hordes of loyal followers and fans

On February 27, Ms Macmillan admitted to her 59,000 Instagram followers she was feeling 'stressed' and was taking some time to focus on her mental health

Max described his ex-partner as 'the brightest light' and a 'magnetic force of nature' who was loved by many

'Im taking a little bit of time as I plot out my next steps with my highest priority being to find balance and strengthen my mental health,' she said.

'Oh also, you know when youre stressed and you already feel it in your body and then your body decides to remind you once more in case you forgot with a lovely cold sore.'

The photo she shared next to the post showed her smiling and jokingly covering up the cold sore with her finger.

In Wednesday's post, Mr Bidstrup described his ex-partner as 'the brightest light' and a 'magnetic force of nature' who was loved by many.

'We will miss her with every fiber of our hearts,' he wrote.

'If we can do one thing for Lee now, in the midst of this soul-crushing loss, it's to spread the message that mental health is just as real as physical health, and that illness can strike anyone, no matter how unlikely they may seem.

'It's ok to not be ok, it's ok to ask for help, it's absolutely necessary to ask for help. Lee was an advocate for mental health. She was candid and open about her own struggles.'

Mr Bidstrup said Ms Macmillan was receiving help from professionals, family and friends for her depression.

The pair's @maxandlee_ Instagram page, which has garnered more than 67,000 devoted followers, revealed the devastating news on Wednesday

The loved up couple spent five weeks travelling around southeast Asia together before returning to Canada where they bought and renovated a 2006 Dodge Sprinter van

'She had support around her. She was not alone, she was not trying to fight this alone. And yet she still succumbed to this terrible illness. It is more nuanced than we can, or do, appreciate or understand,' he said.

In a heartbreaking tribute on his personal Instagram account, Mr Bidstrup said Ms Macmillan was 'the best person I have ever met'.

'You were the best thing to ever happen to me. I fell in love with you the day we met yet you were still the stronger one that said 'I love you' first. I never stopped loving you Mountie, I hope you know that,' he wrote.

'I will always cherish my time with you in this world and hope beyond hope to see you in the next.

'Lets spread the awareness of this issue, for Lee and every one else who needs to hear this. And hold your loved ones tight. Tell them you love them. Because life can change in an instant.

'Life is more complex than a single social media post. Things are complicated. Don't believe what you see online. Get out into the world and talk to your loved ones.

'Check in. Ask them genuinely how they're doing. Be available to help. To listen. To offer help. Remove the stigma of asking for help.'

Ms Macmillan and Mr Bidstrup - a paramedic from Wangaratta in Victoria - met while he was on a working holiday in Canada in 2016.

The couple spent the next few months exploring North America and eventually made their way through South America

Ms Macmillan and Mr Bidstrup - a paramedic from Wangaratta in Victoria - met while he was on a working holiday in Canada

Mr Bidstrup has since started the '#speakupforlee' hashtag, to raise awareness for mental illness and the importance of checking in on your friends

The loved up couple then spent five weeks travelling around southeast Asia together before returning to Canada.

They purchased a 2006 Dodge Sprinter van for about $12,300, which they gutted and renovated for their road trips.

The pair spent the next few months exploring North America and eventually made their way through South America.

Ms Macmillan and Mr Bidstrup also spent almost six months in Mexico before visiting Panama.

In January this year, the couple announced their split to their joint Instagram account, shocking their hordes of loyal followers and fans.

They purchased a 2006 Dodge Sprinter van for about $12,300, which they gutted and renovated for their road trips

Mr Bidstrup said he will miss his ex-partner with 'every fibre' of his heart

'Sadly though, despite going through so much together, and trying so damn hard, some things don't always work out, no matter how much you want them to,' they wrote alongside a photo of them.

'We are very sorry to announce that the next chapter of our lives will not be one experienced together, as we will be going our separate ways from here.

'The last month has been one of the most trying of our lives as we come to terms with this new reality. We both want what is best for each other and will continue to support each other now and in to the future.'

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
U.S. President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, says in a forthcoming book that his service on the board of a Ukrainian gas firm at the center of the scandal that prompted ex-President Donald Trump's first impeachment wasn't unethical and didn't represent a lack of judgment on his part.

But the 51-year-old presidential son writes in his memoirs, titled Beautiful Things, set to be released next week, that if given a chance, he wouldn't take the job again.

Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings hired Hunter Biden to serve on its board in 2014, while his father was vice president and helping steer and implement President Barack Obamas foreign policy in Eastern Europe.

During his unsuccessful reelection campaign against Biden, Trump's Republican allies last year repeatedly raised the issue of Hunter Biden's work for the Ukrainian company.

E-mails and other potentially damaging materials related to him and Burisma circulated in some U.S. news media weeks before the vote, with former U.S. intelligence officials warning that the materials were part of a Russian hacking and disinformation campaign.

Trump confidants, Republican operatives, and some Ukrainians pushed the suggestion that then-Vice President Joe Biden sought the firing of Ukraine's then-top prosecutor in order to protect his son.

U.S. lawmakers later found no evidence that Biden's work as vice president was influenced by his son's employment at Burisma.

In December 2019, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over a phone conversation Trump had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in July of that year.

A whistle-blower complaint highlighted part of a conversation in which the U.S. president asked his Ukrainian counterpart to "look into" allegations of wrongdoing by Biden and his son and the Ukrainian firm.

Trump is also heard seemingly conditioning further U.S. military assistance on Ukraine investigating the Bidens.

Trump was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate in the impeachment trial.

The episode that led to the impeachment of a president and put me at the heart of the greatest political fable of the decade is most notable for its epic banality, Hunter Biden writes in his book.

Acknowledging that he might have been appointed to the board because of his last name, Hunter Biden writes that his response has always been to work harder so that my accomplishments are self-sustaining.

Hunter Biden says his only misjudgment was not considering, when he joined Burisma's board to help oversee its corporate practices, that Trump would become president in 2017.

I have not done anything unethical and have never been charged with wrongdoing, he also says, adding: What I do believe, in this current climate, is that it wouldn't matter what I did or didn't do. The attacks weren't intended for me. They were meant to wound my dad.

Knowing all of that now: No, I would not do it again, Biden writes. I wouldn't take the seat on Burisma's board. Trump would have to look elsewhere to find a suitable distraction for his impeachable behavior.

Hunter Biden's memoir centers on his battle with alcohol and drug addiction following the death of his older brother, Beau, of brain cancer in 2015.

The presidents son ends the book by saying he is now sober, living with his second wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and their baby son, Beau.

He also has three daughters from his previous marriage.

With reporting by AP and The New York Times
Nairobi  Kenya hopes to receive Sh34.5 billion, from the International Monetary Fund next week to weather the economic conditions caused by the pandemic, as the country enters the harsh 3rd wave of COVID-19.

This will be the first consequential disbursement from the Sh263billion of the three-and-a-half-year Extended Fund Facility arrangement and Extended Credit Facility.

The Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge during the post Monetary Policy Committee briefing said the government expects the IMF board will approve the disbursement on Friday.

According to Njoroge, the key element of the program is to anchor fiscal consolidation through revenue driven policies thereby reducing the debt vulnerabilities over the medium term.

IMF Mission Chief for Kenya Mary Goodman had earlier said, "the program aims to support government's COVID-19 response."

Currently, Kenya revised its curfew hours from 10pm to 8pm till 4am, shutting movement in and out of five counties, closing schools and banning all public gatherings to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The attacker, whose identity remains unknown, was killed. Three days ago, a bomb attack on Makassar Cathedral was blamed on Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, a jihadi group linked to the Islamic State group, also deemed responsible for several recent terror attacks.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  A terrorist, apparently a woman, entered the police headquarters compound in South Jakarta around noon (local time) today. Wielding a gun, she was shot to death. However, the way she held a gun suggests that it might have been a man.

The incident comes a few days after two suicide bombers targeted the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar (Southern Sulawesi) on Palm Sunday (28 March). Some 20 people were injured in the incident.

The attackers, husband and wife, died in the blast. According to police, the couple belonged to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), the main jihadi entity in Indonesia affiliated with the Islamic State group

JAD was allegedly behind a bomb attack on Catholic worshippers in the Philippines. Indonesian authorities blame the jihadi group for the attack on the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo (Sulu) on 27 January 2019.

Indonesia is the worlds most populous Islamic nation. It is often the target of jihadi attacks, especially at this time of the year, on the eve of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer.

JAD has thousands of supporters and is deemed responsible for the main attacks of the last five years, including the one against three churches in Surabaya.

However, Indonesias bloodiest terrorist incident dates back to 2002, when two bombs killed 202 people. The attack was carried out by members of Jemaah Islamiah, an extremist group linked to al-Qaeda.

Following the attack in Makassar, the Jakarta-based Centre for Radicalism and Deradicalisation Studies noted a rise in calls on social media from Indonesian and Malaysian militants for more attacks in Indonesia.

Indonesian Police Chief General Listyo Sigid Prabowo did not clarify if the latest incident is linked to Islamist terrorism.
Delivering reliable coverage in Africa presents many logistical challenges, but since joining Airtel Africa in 2016 the groups Chief Technology Officer Razvan Ungureanu has overseen the expansion and development of the operators networks into some of the continents most isolated and unconnected areas.

Developing Telecoms spoke to Razvan about facing the unique deployment challenges that the continent presents, as well as the importance of an efficient network in a low ARPU environment.

Whats unique about Airtel Africas distribution model from a technology perspective?

There are two aspects: from a design perspective, to expand our network we look at where we have a density of population that is not covered, and identify how to address this. This is one of the challenges in Africa because the databases are not very accurate  we keep our satellite databases as up-to-date as possible but its still not entirely accurate.

We take all the satellite databases that are available commercially, and we collaborate closely with Facebook to identify the source of their traffic  if theres Facebook traffic, theres a user base, whether its covered by us or not, so it makes sense to deploy there.

We also use Google Maps; if theres an indication of buildings then theres also population present. This increases the accuracy of our rollouts and therefore our presence in the field. As soon as a site is up, the commercial team identifies how many points of presence we have there, which aligns the technology aspect with distribution.

We need to identify how many sites we have without any distribution points  this is a clear KPI for us. Access to transportation is very poor in Africa, so if a customer has to walk 10km to recharge their phone it doesnt make sense, so we need to make this functionality more accessible to the population. We base the number of distribution points on the population within certain areas.

In some of the areas you cover, there is a lot of temporary accommodation, e.g. refugee camps  does this make rollouts more challenging?

Refugee camps are particularly challenging  at the border of Niger and Nigeria, in the north of Uganda, you have populations leaving. If theres a Boko Haram attack in Nigeria, full villages become empty for weeks or months. To manage this volatility of population presence, we use information on the ground to tell us where the population is located, even if its in temporary constructions. This allows us to identify them and try to serve them.

Do you encounter hostility in delivering services?

We dont have hostility from the population as they really need our services, so theyre very happy to receive them. Its more typically terrorist organisations that cross into other markets and target telecoms infrastructure, as they see it as a key means by which the population can inform the authorities that hostiles have entered the country. Our installations are specifically targeted by such organisations, which can make working in Africa very challenging.

Power is another major issue thats barely a consideration in Europe or the US. We have one of the biggest fuel distributions in Africa, because a lot of sites arent powered so we have to deliver fuel there. The logistics factor in personnel security, and you have volatile situations such as the coup attempt in Gabon a few years ago which resulted in a complete lockdown. We are frequently instructed by authorities to block internet access, and its often very selective  theyll demand certain services remain live while VPNs are shut down, for example.

What are the advantages of Africas lack of legacy architecture?

We are working on disruptive distribution, starting with power delivery and going up to network architecture. Over the last few years, the strategy of tier one operators in Europe and other major markets has been centralization, but with the introduction of 5G the exact opposite is required  you have to explode everything and move it as locally as possible, which goes against the flow of the last 10 years.

In Africa, were building the foundations of an innovative architecture thats ready for 5G or even 6G. Taking the example of the DRC (Democractic Republic of Congo), two or three years ago we only had 3 data centres there and they were connected very loosely via microwave backbone. If anything disrupted the area  whether armed conflict or heavy rain  we lost service.

We started to realise that despite being such a huge country, all the traffic was surprisingly localized  the international need was primarily for data. For global traffic, a more centralised architecture is needed but given that in Africa call flows are largely local, its enough to put in a packet core and a gateway for local calls. This way, even if theres a complete disruption, local calls still pass through and internet is beamed via satellite. A few years ago in DRC, availability was about 97-98%, whereas now its 99% and were moving towards the five nines availability typical of western networks.

What will happen in the future will be operators moving CDNs more locally and regionally, pushing it to the edge so that their architecture becomes more 5G and 6G compatible. In this way, the investment in 5G isnt required today but our backbone will be ready for it in the future.

5G and 6G are likely still a way off in Africa  whats the state of 4G deployment?

When we started in 2016, a lot of people didnt believe in the potential of 4G, and even today the penetration rate of 4G handsets across all African operations is around 16%. There are extremes; in the Seychelles its around 75%, whereas Rwanda is 6%, but in the most significant markets like Nigeria its around 21%.

A lot of our competitors invested small-scale, and targeted high-end markets such as city centres with the attitude that if everywhere had 3G then bonus 4G coverage was enough. We took a totally different approach that was derived from India: deploy the 4G network and the customer will follow, driving traffic.

This is what weve done, and we have a lot of countries now where our footprint is 100%; Uganda, Malawi, Zambia; were close in Nigeria. In Africa as a whole, 95% of our network is 3G and 76% is 4G  were around one financial year away from bringing the 4G rate above 90%. The challenging part is delivering coverage where the business case doesnt make sense  not from a radio perspective, but from a transmission perspective  but even so, the belief that Africa doesnt have adequate 4G coverage is wrong. Our benchmarking is equal to that of any European 4G network in terms of performance.

Even with 5G, weve done speed tests showing 1Gbps throughput and 60ms latency; what matters is not the end result, but the delivery and the cost. I think were one of the most efficient networks in the world; when youre operating on US$1 ARPU, you need to provide services in a straightforward way. In Africa, your EBTIDA needs to be above 30% and your market share above 25%, or frankly you die  theres no room for deviation or trials.

So when will 5G become deliverable efficiently enough to make it viable in Africa?

I truly believe 5G is a winning technology, but there are a few elements that make me very cautious.

The first of these is the power and volume aspect. Theres commercial 5G and real 5G; with the former, you just activate DSS in your network and the phone says its receiving 5G, but thats not real 5G. There have been studies into major operator networks that found that DSS activation degraded the performance of their networks because it takes up network capacity.

The second is handset availability; in my leading market, 5G handset penetration is 0.08% - 21,000 mobiles in Nigeria. The market share is so low that it doesnt make sense for us now.

The third aspect is power consumption; a new radio head consumes 2KW, and our business model is built on the towerco model where we have tower providers delivering us a space on a tower for two antennas, we can load the tower up to 125kg and our power consumption should be below a certain threshold. The new radio head consumption would increase our OPEX in such a way that wed never be able to recover the cost.

This means that for 5G to take hold in Africa, we need to develop both the commercial and technical aspects. The commercial aspect will require a new business model with the towercos, allowing us to add new radio heads without exploding our OPEX.

Every year, the price, weight, volume and power consumption of these radio heads can drop by 25%-40%, which means were still around 2-3 years away from a technical point where it makes sense to roll out the technology. The most developed network in the world is in China  and they reached a point where it was too challenging from a business perspective to continue running 5G, so they switched it off during business hours because it was too expensive to power. I dont want to reach that point.

Are there any other considerations around 5G deployment?

We then have the issue of NSA (non-standalone) versus SA (standalone)  NSA was the first to be launched, and I dont see a big difference between it and 4G networks. The issue for Airtel today is maintaining 2G, 3G and 4G due to handset penetration. In more developed markets they can shut down 3G and devote the airwaves to 4G to reach peak throughput more comparable to 5G, so whats the difference between 5G and 4G if you dont need network slicing, massive IoT, etc? I believe it only makes sense to roll out SA 5G; deployments only started this year, so its very early and we need to identify the issues in the market.

Theres also a geopolitical aspect; Chinese vendors face bans in western markets, and this has led to everyone talking about open RAN. However, while the vendors are there, their hardware is not very mature; it might have 100 power cycles daily, and so if we have to use this in an environment where the temperature is reaching 40-50 degrees Celsius, it will not be as reliable as hardware from core vendors. The technology needs to mature more  and to be honest, Africa would be a great acid test for it. Were currently conducting a trial in Nigeria with ATC, although we dont have results to share yet.

So it will be some time before we see significant 5G investment in Africa?

At the moment, I believe investment in fibre is more prudent  intermeshing and upgrading data centres to Tier 4, densifying them, preparing them for edge infrastructure, moving the core towards NFV architecture. When you have every second site connected to fibre, thats when Africa is ready for 5G. In the meantime there are still 2-3 years of significant 4G deployment to come, with plenty of under-exploited spectrum left.
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FARMINGTON  A proposal to reopen school buildings on the Navajo Nation was tabled by Tribal Council delegates over timing and ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

In August, the Naabikiyati Committee approved a resolution recommending that all public and private schools delay plans to reopen buildings for the current school year.

Legislation No. 0046-21 seeks to rescind that resolution, but the committee tabled the measure until the July 15 meeting.

Delegate Charlaine Tso made the motion to table on March 25, saying it would allow more time for students 16 and over to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

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In addition, school administrators and school boards would have more time to discuss reopening plans with the Department of Dine Education, she said. Her recommendation came after a lengthy discussion between delegates and Patricia Gonnie, interim superintendent of schools at DODE.

Ive been considering all the factors in all these statements that my colleagues have been putting forth; we just need to give a lot more time to our schools to get everything situated, Tso said.

She also said several constituents oppose having students return to classrooms.

I want everything to go back to normality, but we need to do it with a lot of precautions and a lot of plans set forth, because our children are our future, Tso said.

The committee did not consider a separate measure that proposes to rescind the tribes stance and opposition to in-person learning at schools on the Navajo Nation.

Delegates approved a bill to rescind the closure of roads owned and maintained by the tribe to tourists and visitors.

The decision was made during a Tribal Council special session on March 26, when it passed 20-1, without discussion.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has said that for the tribe to reopen its parks and points of interest, the resolution would need to be revoked and public health emergency orders amended.

Its my hope that by rescinding this legislation, and as the public health orders progress, well be able to  within reason  permit our roadside vendors, our tour operators and others who depend on tourists to reopen and recoup some of the revenue they lost over this past year, said Delegate Carl Slater, the bills sponsor.
press release

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 12 other human rights and civil society organisations have issued a joint call for the release of Raymond Malonga, an ailing journalist held arbitrarily for nearly three months in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo's capital. His detention is "illegal and inhuman," their statement says.

After winning last week's presidential election with more than 88% of the votes, according to the provisional results, Denis Sassou Nguesso is about to begin his fourth consecutive term with a journalist in prison. The 77-year-old president has ruled his country for nearly 37 of the past 41 years.

The publisher of the satirical magazine Sel-Piment, Raymond Malonga has been detained since 2 February, when plainclothes intelligence officials snatched him from his bed in the Brazzaville hospital where he was being treated for malaria. He is accused of defamation for printing a story from a website about alleged embezzlement by the wife of the head of the National Security Council, who is also Nguesso's nephew.

"This is a case in which the law and applicable procedures have been circumvented to settle scores with a journalist who was hospitalised and who had committed no offence punishable by imprisonment," said Arnaud Froger. "The image transmitted by a sick man's arrest and by such a flagrant violation of the rule of law is simply appalling. The pressure will not let up. Raymond Malonga must be freed."

The joint statement by RSF and 12 other NGOs points out that, in the Republic of Congo, press offences are only punishable by imprisonment in exceptional circumstances that do not apply to this case. And when the maximum sentence is less than a year in prison, an accused person resident in the Republic of Congo cannot be held provisionally for more than 15 days after their first court appearance.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Congo-Brazzaville Legal Affairs 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.

Malonga's case has been referred to a criminal court but he has yet to appear in court. Meanwhile, the news about his health is not reassuring. RSF has learned that he was suffering from poorly-treated malaria, with a 40-degree fever, headaches, stomach problems and anorexia, at the time of his arrest. Subsequent tests suggest that he may also have caught typhoid. His family say they are very worried by his "feverish state," which has not been improved by imprisonment.

Also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo is ranked 118th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index.

The joint press release (see below) is signed by:

Agir ensemble pour les droits humains

ACAT Congo

ACAT France

Cinema For Peace and Democracy

FIACAT

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), as part of the Observatory for the

Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Congolese Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH)

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), as part of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Collectif Sassoufit

Survie

Mouvement Ras Le Bol Congo

Tournons La Page
The restaurant and retail business continues to evolve across the Charleston region with one venue closing, four others in the works and another relocating.

South of Summerville, the only restaurant in the developing Summers Corner community will soon turn out the lights.

Corner House Cafe at 1609 Beech Hill Road is slated to close April 3, according to a shop owner Jacki Mariest.

Mariest said she was notified by a lawyer with homebuilder Lennar, which owns and is developing Summers Corner, in early March that the company would not be renewing her lease when it expires in June. Rather than wait until then, and to give her 10 employees an earlier chance to land a new job, Mariest said she decided to go ahead and close.

Mariest said Lennar did not offer a reason for not renewing the lease after the restaurant's nearly four years at the location.

"A lot of homeowners are real upset because this was one of their amenities," Mariest said.

A Lennar representative did not offer a reason for not renewing the lease but said a new occupant could be announced soon.

"We have a number of prospective new tenants we believe will be embraced and enjoyed by the community," said Jason Byham, Charleston division president. "We have no intention of leaving it vacant."

In a Facebook post, Mariest thanked her customers for their support over the past four years.

"You have always stood by our side, especially during COVID," she said. "We are not closing due to COVID or a lack of community support."

An online petition to try to change the landlord's mind had garnered roughly 2,000 signatures by March 30.

Lennar has about 500 houses in Summers Corner with another 100 under construction and hundreds more planned, Byham said.

What's cooking?

A Mount Pleasant restaurant and bar that's been closed since last summer plans to welcome customers once again.

Mainland Container Co. plans to reopen by the end of April at 1528 Ben Sawyer Blvd., a restaurant representative said.

Under new ownership, a company called BCG Holdings LLC recently applied for a state permit to sell alcohol on site. The property has been undergoing a mild facelift. New wooden fencing was recently installed around the patio area.

The restaurant representative said more information will be announced soon.

Also, a brewing company plans to open in the former Kickin' Chicken restaurant site in downtown Charleston.

King Street Brewing Co. LLC has applied for a license to see beer, wine and liquor at 337 King St., between Calhoun and George streets.

The firm is associated with Nate Tomforde, owner of Pour Taproom at 560 King St. Tomforde did not respond for further comment on an opening time frame.

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Kickin' Chicken moved out of the proposed bar location last April after 21 years on King Street. It plans to reopen in a new site by July on the upper peninsula in a reworked former automotive garage at 45 Romney St. near the Charleston Tech Center.

And in Mount Pleasant, Second State Coffee is planning to open a new shop.

The cafe is upfitting a space at 1410 Shucker Circle next to apparel shop Love Bella in Oyster Park. It also plans to serve beer and wine.

Second State has two other locations: at 766 S. Shelmore Blvd. in Mount Pleasant and at 70 Beaufain St. in downtown Charleston.

In northern Mount Pleasant, another restaurant is on the way.

Emoji Poke recently leased 1,255 square feet in The Bend at Carolina Park. It plans to open in the spring of 2022 in the developing strip center at Faison Road and Park Avenue Boulevard across from Costco Wholesale, according to the commercial real estate firm Belk|Lucy.

It will be located between The Front Porch Coffeehouse & Creamery and Blue Sky Endurance, which recently signed leases as well.

Relocating

A decade-old gift and furniture shop plans to relocate in Mount Pleasant.

Coralberry Cottage will build a new facility at 1135 Chuck Dawley Blvd. It currently operates at 976 Houston Northcutt Blvd. in Northcutt Plaza.

The current lease expires in June and, until the new building is constructed, the business plans to operate virtually when it moves out of the shopping center, according to Rutledge Carter, who co-owns the business with Melissa Hempstead and Liz Baker.

The new site, next to Clay Cottage and Art Studio, also has three small apartments that will remain and be called Indigo Studios.

Carter said they hope to be in the new location by the end of the summer, adding the project has been held up by a number of factors, including the coronavirus.

Getting fit

A Chicago-area fitness franchise is bringing its first South Carolina location to the Lowcountry.

Franchisee John Youngblood will open Spenga in a 4,000-square-foot space in the Publix-anchored Queensborough Shopping Center in Mount Pleasant by late summer, according to Jeff Yurfest with The Shopping Center Group.

Spenga, combining spin, strength training and yoga and also forming the brand name, will be located in three of the four available spaces in the recently completed building where Maple Street Biscuit Co. opened in December at 996 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.

Youngblood plans to be open by mid-August after upfitting of the space is completed. Future Spenga sites are planned for northern Mount Pleasant, James Island, Summerville and West Ashley.

Also, a new boutique fitness studio is opening on Johns Island.

Everybody Zen Yoga & Fitness tentatively plans to move in April 1 to a 2,000-square-foot space at 1715 Hollydale Court at Maybank Landing, according to the commercial real estate firms NAI Charleston and ERA Wilder Realty.
Burma Here Are the Children Killed by the Myanmar Regimes Forces Since Feb. 1

Children slain by the regimes troops during their violent assaults against protesters since February.

More than 30 children ranging in age from 5 to 17 were among at least 510 people killed by the military regimes forces across Myanmar since Feb. 1.

The death toll of minors reached more than 20 last Friday and exceeded 30 on Saturday, when at least 11 children were killed during the bloodiest violence unleashed so far by the regimes forces against pro-democracy protesters. The total number of children killed could climb higher as the ages of several victims have not yet been confirmed.

Most of the youngest victims of the regime were shot dead while playing in their neighborhoods or sheltering inside their homes as soldiers and police opened fire randomly on residences. Some of the older children died while attending protests. A number of children including a 1-year-old baby have been severely injured as soldiers and police fired indiscriminately during their raids.

According to a humanitarian aid group, children were among those killed and wounded by the Myanmar militarys airstrikes on areas controlled by an ethnic armed group in Karen state.

Here are brief profiles of 34 of the children slain by the regimes troops during their violent assaults against protesters since February.

Kyaw Min Latt, 17

March 30, Tanintharyi Region

He was shot by regime forces while passing by on his bike on March 27 in Tanintharyi Regions capital Dawei and dragged away. He was pronounced dead on March 30. The death certificate from a military hospital where the teenager was believed to have been taken cites the cause of death as a severe primary brain injury due to [a] fall from motorbike.

-

Aye Myat Thu, 11

March 27, Mon State

The little girl was playing in front of her house in Mon States capital Mawlamyine when she was shot in the head. She was buried on Sunday. Her drawing of a Hello Kitty picture, color pencils and toys were placed inside her coffin.

-

Sai Wai Yan, 13

March 27, Yangon Region

He was playing in his neighborhood near railway staff housing in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township when soldiers and police raided the area at noon, causing the boy to run back to his home. As he was on his way, the Hindu boy was shot in the back of the head and his body taken away in a military vehicle. The family retrieved the body of the boy only the next day, when his funeral was held.

-

Htoo Myat Win, 13

March 27, Mandalay Region

He was shot dead while playing around his home in Shwebo city. Video footage shows his grieving father holding his son in his arms while crying, My son! My son was shot! He was killed! Htoo Myat Win was about to undergo the Shinbyu novitiation, an essential and integral part of the life of Myanmar Buddhist males under the age of 20.

-

Wai Phyo Naung, 15

March 27, Mandalay Region

He was shot dead during a strike in Amarapura on March 27. No further details are yet known.

-

Pan Ei Phyu, 14

March 27, Mandalay Region

She was at her home when regime forces randomly opened fire on her neighborhood in Meikhtila city. The 14-year-old rushed to close all her homes doors, but a bullet pierced a bamboo wall and struck the young girl in her chest. Her parents didnt realize she had been shot until she collapsed.

-

Hein Win Tun, 14

March 27, Mandalay Region

He was killed after being shot in the neck during a brutal crackdown against anti-coup protesters in Myingyan city on March 27.

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Yan Paing Oo, 17

March 27, Tanintharyi Region

He was killed in Shwepyithar ward in Kawthaung of Tanintharyi Region on Saturday. Locals reported that the teenager was shot dead at close range.

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Ye Yint Naing, 16

March 27, Shan State

In Muse, Shan State, the regimes forces took the body of the Muslim youth after shooting him and never returned it. They burned the body without the familys consent.

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Thwalaha, aka Htet Myat Thwin, 16

March 27, Ayeyarwady Region

He was shot dead by soldiers and police on March 27, the bloodiest day since the Feb. 1 coup, in Pathein Township. The youngest in the family, he was waiting to attend Grade 10 once his school reopened. A funeral was held for him in accordance with Islamic traditions.

-

Myo Han, 16

March 27, Ayeyarwady Region

He was shot dead when soldiers and police opened fire while attempting to retrieve a plainclothes solider apprehended by the public in Pathein Township, Myanmar Now reported. His friend shared that the 16-year-old was passionate about restoring democracy and actively participated in every protest in the town.

-

Lwin Ko, 16

March 27, Ayeyarwady Region

He was one of three teenagers in Pathein Township killed in a single day on March 27.

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Saw Ta Blut Soe, 5

March 27, Karen State

A 5-year-old boy was killed by a bomb during an airstrike in Day Pu No Village in Karen States Papun District as regime forces stepped up their offensive in areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), according to the Free Burma Rangers. Tensions grew after the KNU announced it would stand by the people against Myanmars military after the Feb. 1 coup.

-

Pho Htee, 16

March 24, Mandalay Region

He was shot dead when soldiers and police entered his neighborhood and opened fire indiscriminately in retaliation for residents banging of pots and pans, which has become a popular nightly form of protest against the military regime that citizens across the country engage in simultaneously.

-

Khin Myo Chit, 6 years and 3 months old

March 23, Mandalay Region

The little girl ran into her fathers arms when soldiers and police kicked in the door and broke into her family home during a raid in their neighborhood in Chanmyathazi Township of Mandalay region. She said, Ah Pa, I am scared, as she sat frightened on her dads lap. Her sister said the juntas troops told the girl, This is not scared, then shot her. Her father ran to seek medical treatment, but the child died on the way before she could reach a clinic. Her father said her last words were Its too painful. Her 19-year-old brother was also hit and taken away from home during the raid.

Soldiers later returned in an attempt to take away the childs body, but the family had already gone into hiding in fear of exactly that. Khin Myo Chit was buried at a Muslim cemetery with close relatives present on March 24.

-

Tun Tun Aung, 14

March 22, Mandalay Region

The boy was fatally shot in the chest by the regimes forces when he strayed out of the house to fill up water in front of the house while helping his mom with household chores. The killing came during an attack near a low-cost housing complex in Chanmyathazi Township of Mandalay Region. At the time of the shooting, no protests were taking place anywhere near the area. His family had to hold his funeral urgently because troops tried to seize the body.

-

Moe Htet Wyne, 15

March 23, Mandalay Region

He was shot dead. No further details are yet known.

-

Zaw Myo Htet, 16

March 21, Mandalay Region

A high school student, he was shot dead on the night of March 22 by security forces when he was looking around outside a tea shop where he worked in Chanayethazan Township of Mandalay Region. The native of Bago Region came to work as a waiter at the tea shop just two days before his death. He was working to earn money for his family while waiting for school to reopen. His body was taken forcibly the next day by the regimes forces, claiming they needed to conduct an autopsy. Like many others, he was shot in the head.

-

Aung Kaung Htet, 15

March 20, Yangon Region

His neighbors remembered the high school student as a very active boy who had taken part in every anti-regime protest in the area since February. He was shot by soldiers and police in Yangons Thaketa Township when they opened fire on anti-regime protesters in the area who were already dispersing. A bullet pierced Aung Kaung Htets cheek before exiting through his neck. Despite being rushed to a hospital, the boy didnt make it.

-

Thida Aye, 16

March 15, Mandalay Region

The teenager was shot dead in a house in the village of Chaunggyi, Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region, at midday on March 15. The teenager had gone to stay at a friends home after hearing gunshots in the village. But while in the house, the girl was shot twice by a sniper who was on a hill some 1,000 feet from the village, her father said. She died soon afterwards. She was taken to a hospital in Singu Village and buried there as her family feared soldiers would grab the body if they brought it back to Chaunggyi.

-

Yan Myo Aung, 16

March 15, Mandalay Region

He was shot dead when the regimes forces opened fire with live rounds on anti-coup protesters in Myingyan Township of Mandalay Region. He wrote on his Facebook page that he had to fight as he didnt want to live in darkness with no future.

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Aung Myo Zaw, 17

March 15, Mandalay Region

He was killed when he was shot in the chest by the regimes forces. Security forces had opened fire with live rounds on anti-coup protesters in Myingyan Township of Mandalay region.

-

Min Min Oo, 16

March 14, Mandalay Region

He received a fatal shot to the head while driving a motorcycle on March 14, and his body was taken away by the juntas forces after he was killed. A funeral was conducted for him on March 20, even though security forces have not yet returned his body.

-

Zue Wint War, 15

March 14, Yangon Region

The high school student died on the spot after she was shot in the head during a nighttime raid in South Dagon Township of Yangon Region. Her family shared her handwritten note, which said, If I die in a protest, dont rescue my body and leave it. And Keep Fight. If our revolution [succeeds], I will be happy to die.

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Hein Htet Aung, 17

March 14, Ayeyarwady Region

The teenager was shot dead by soldiers and police in Pathein Township of Ayeyarwady Region on the night of March 14.

-

Khant Nyar Hein, 17

March 14, Yangon Region

The first-year medical student was shot down on the street by the regimes troops in Tamwe Township while he was taking part in a protest. Another protester tried to save him, but the police dragged his body away. The protester who attempted to save him was also arrested. The body of the teenager, who was an ethnic Chinese, was returned to the family later. He was shot three times. How could he survive that? Im so proud of my son. He hadnt even turned 18 yet, his grieving mother said at the funeral.

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Kyaw Zayar Htun, 17

March 14, Yangon Region

He was killed after being shot in the eyes and thigh by soldiers and police during a crackdown in front of a high school in Shwe Pyi Thar Township of Yangon Region. He was always on the front lines of the anti-coup protests.

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Hlaing Jack Maung, 16

March 14, Yangon Region

The grade 9 student was shot dead by soldiers and police during a crackdown on a strike in front of a high school in Shwe Pyi Thar Township of Yangon Region.

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Kyal Sin Hein, 16

March 14, Yangon Region

A grade 9 student who was always on the front line of anti-coup protests, he was killed after being shot in the head by soldiers and police during a bloody crackdown in Hlaing Tharyar Township. The boys body was taken away by the security forces and was not returned for the funeral.

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Min Khant Kyaw, a.k.a, Phoe Thae, 17

March 3, Sagaing Region

He was shot in the head during a crackdown on an anti-coup protest in Monywa city of Sagaing Region. The teenager had been volunteering in a rescue group, helping other protesters escape the violent crackdowns in previous protests. He posted a message to his parents three days before his death, apologizing for making them worry while he was away from home with the protests. He wrote that he would fight against the regime until the end because he did not want to live under the militarys boot.

-

Nay Myo Aung, 16

March 3, Mandalay Region

He was killed when soldiers and police opened fire on residents who had assembled to reject the juntas opening of a ward administrative office in Pyigyetagon Township of Mandalay region.

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Thiha Zaw, a.k.a Naung Naung, 16

March 2, Magwe Region

He was shot dead when the regimes troops came into his ward in Taungdwingyi Township and opened fire.

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Sithu Soe, 17

February 28, Bago Region

He was fatally shot in the head by soldiers and police in a violent crackdown on an anti-coup protest in Bago Region.

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Wai Yan Tun, 16

February 20, Mandalay Region

He was shot in the head and died instantly during a crackdown on anti-coup protesters in Mahaaungmyay Township of Mandalay Region. His skull was fractured. Locals reported that he was shot by a military sniper while rescuing wounded protesters who had been shot.

Minors severely injured

A baby aged just 1 year old in Mayangone Township of Yangon Region, was shot with a rubber bullet in one eye as soldiers and police opened fire indiscriminately while conducting a raid on residences in the area. She survived the shot after undergoing surgery but lost sight in one eye.

A 5-year-old child in Mandalay survived a gunshot to the head as soldiers and police opened fire indiscriminately while conducting a raid on residences.

A 2-year-old was reportedly seriously wounded after being shot in the ear in South Dagon Township, Yangon, as the juntas forces stormed into the area at night.

Naw Tpaw La, 12, traveled to Day Bu Noh Village in Papun District of Karen State to attend school when she was wounded after being hit in the face by shrapnel from a bomb during an air raid by the regimes forces on March 27, according to the Free Burma Rangers.

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President Joe Biden, set to announce a massive infrastructure initiative on Wednesday, will not rely on Sen. Elizabeth Warrens proposed tax increase on the ultra-wealthy to pay for the plan, which calls for significant investments in clean energy, manufacturing and transportation.

The president will instead try to fund his likely $3 trillion-plus package through other revenue-generating proposals where he and his former Democratic primary opponent find common ground, including hikes in the corporate tax, the global minimum tax on multinational companies and closing some loopholes that let wealthy families and corporations avoid taxes, according to Politico and CNN.

Warren, a Massachusetts senator who had campaigned on raising taxes on millionaires and billionaires, introduced the Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act along with Sens. Bernie Sanders, Ed Markey and other progressives, on March 1. The proposal would place a 2% annual tax on the net worth of households and trusts valued $50 million to $1 billion, and an additional 1% surcharge on net worth exceeding $1 billion. Encompassed in taxed net worth are stocks, homes, vehicles and anything else a person owns.

Citing a 2021 analysis from University of California-Berkeley economists, Warren claimed the proposal could rake in at least $3 trillion over the next decade without raising taxes on the 99.95% of American households that have net worths below $50 million.

Previous versions of the idea proved popular: in November 2019, six in 10 Americans favored Warrens call for new taxes on the richest Americans; more than half of Republicans and three-quarters of Democrats backed the plan. In January, polling by the progressive nonprofit Data for Progress showed support for the notion had grown to 68%, including 57% of Republicans surveyed.

But according to Politico, the Biden administration wants to avoid a constitutional battle over Warrens tax hike and prefers raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, a move that could raise $730 billion over 10 years, according to Axios. He also wants to capitalize on potential revenue by cutting off federal fossil fuel subsidies and blocking corporations from acquiring or merging with foreign companies to dodge Uncle Sam.

CNN reported Wednesday that Biden also wants to hike the minimum tax on multinational corporations to 21% and implement a 15% minimum tax on book income, which is income large corporations report to investors.

An administration official told Politico that the president agrees with Warren that middle class families are paying more than their fair share, and those at the top are not doing their part.

Meanwhile, Warren will keep pressuring the administration on a wealth tax, a Warren spokesperson told Politico.

Biden is set to unveil his infrastructure plans Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which has transformed over the decades from the center of the American steel industry into a hub for clean energy, biotech, banking, health care and other industries.

Related Content:
2 Caged Bears Locked in Dark Basement for 17 Years Rescued From Bile Farm in Vietnam

Two Asiatic black bears have been liberated from a lifetime of suffering after being locked in a dark basement beneath a clothing shop in Vietnam. For years, they had suffered agonizing bile extractions for the illegal bear bile trade.

A male bear named Xuan endured these appalling conditions for 17 years, reportedly after being captured as a cub in 2004. Its unknown how long his female counterpart, Mo, has been held captive. Both were kept in small cages in a basement without ventilation, natural light, or sensory stimulation.

The basement where Xuan and Mo were found (Courtesy of Hoang Le/Four Paws)

Xuan and Mo in their cages after rescuers arrived (Courtesy of Hoang Le/Four Paws)

International animal welfare group Four Paws, based in Vienna, Austria, intervened in the early morning of March 23, calling the bears conditions the worst weve ever seen. A rescue team liberated the bears from the basement in Son La province in northwestern Vietnam and prepared them for the 10-hour journey to their Bear Sanctuary in Ninh Binh.

It was the first time we have rescued bears from an environment without any natural light and only exposure to artificial light, said Szilvia Kalogeropoulu, the Four Paws veterinarian who oversaw the bears rescue and transport, in a press release.

The female bear, Mo (Courtesy of Hoang Le/Four Paws)

The only times Xuan and Mo ever saw light was when their owner fed them or came to puncture their gallbladders with a needle to extract bile, Four Paws explained in a blog post, adding, This bile was used for medicinal purposes by the family of the owner.

The group shared photos of the extraordinary rescue on their Facebook page.

The male bear, Xuan (Courtesy of Hoang Le/Four Paws)

In the sunless, windowless basement, they had to use flashlights to find the cages. Yet despite having been exploited for years in such horrific conditions, both Xuan and Mo seemed quite calm and unafraid to meet their rescuers.

Maybe they knew that we want to change their life for the better, the Four Paws team said.

Bear bile extraction and selling has been illegal in Vietnam since 1992 and demand has diminished. Still, Four Paws claims up to 372 bears continue to suffer in Vietnamese bear farms or under private ownership because of the lucrative black market trade.

Xuan being examined prior to transport to the sanctuary (Courtesy of Hoang Le/Four Paws)

Xuan and Mo were sedated, and after a preliminary medical examination, they were transported to the Bear Sanctuary in Ninh Binh. Run by Four Paws, the sanctuary is well suited to the bears species. It also serves as an education center for wildlife conservation in Vietnam.

The health checks for both bears revealed gallbladder disease, due to multiple unsanitary and traumatic bile extraction processes carried out on the farm, said Kalogeropoulu. In addition, Xuan is overweight, has liver disease, and his teeth are in terrible condition.

Four Paws rescuers lifting one of the bears out of the basement (Courtesy of Hoang Le/Four Paws)

The team load one of the bears to be shipped to the sanctuary. (Courtesy of Four Paws)

Xuan will need three fractured canine teeth removed, likely damaged as a result of stress-induced cage biting.

Both bears were scheduled for further exams at the sanctuary clinic in order to come up with the best treatment plans. Bears are very resilient, the veterinarian noted, but it will be a long road to recovery nonetheless.

While Xuan and Mo may finally recover from their horrific ordeal, its believed hundreds of bears remain in captivity. The Bear Sanctuary houses 40 Asiatic black bears, many whose states are a product of bile farming and the illegal wildlife trade.

(Courtesy of Four Paws)

Nevertheless, Four Paws, in collaboration with the Vietnamese government, is making headway, as 936 bears were recorded as being held captive in bear farms in 2017.

Xuan and Mos rescue is part of Four Paws #SaveTheSaddestBears campaign, a movement aiming to give the worlds most desperate captive bears a second chance at life.

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LONDON  The British government said in February that everyone living in the country would be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine, free of charge, regardless of their immigration status. But many undocumented immigrants in the country are not getting inoculated.

Some are afraid that asking for a shot will get them deported. Others have been turned away at local doctors offices, which often ask for identification or proof of address, even though neither is required to access primary care in Britain. And many simply are in the dark about the services available to them  a lasting effect of a government policy of hobbling their access to jobs, bank accounts and free medical care in the hope of spurring them to leave the country.

Its all very well to say, Anyone can get a vaccine, said Phil Murwill, head of services at Doctors of the World U.K, a humanitarian organization. But for years, there was a deliberate policy of creating a hostile environment for undocumented immigrants that has put people off from accessing any kind of care. And were seeing that play out now.

As in much of the world, the virus has ravaged immigrant communities in Britain, which supply the bulk of frontline workers in grocery stores and domestic care. The British government has not published a count of its undocumented immigrant population since 2005, but outside estimates put the number at 800,000 to 1.2 million. It is a significant group that includes many at-risk workers, and one that epidemiologists say the nations vaccination effort must reach if Britain hopes to safely exit the pandemic.
Vaccine locations nearly double with additional 67 locations added

LANDOVER, Md., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Giant Food today announces that all 152 of its in-store pharmacies throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware are offering the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents. Since late 2020 Giant has been administering vaccinations and is continuing to work closely with local and federal authorities to receive additional doses on an ongoing basis. Giant's pharmacies are currently utilizing the Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, dependent on specific location.

Giant Food

Giant's licensed in-store pharmacists began administering COVID-19 vaccinations in Washington, D.C. in December, in Maryland and Delaware in January, and in Virginia in February. Prior to this week, the vaccine was offered at more than half of Giant's pharmacies. This expansion of availability of supplies to all Giant pharmacies will increase access to the vaccine for eligible residents and future groups in addition to furthering vaccination progress throughout the region.

"We're extremely proud of all of our Giant pharmacy teams across our stores for their commitment to serving the public and doing their part to help our communities get vaccinated," said Paul Zvaleny, Director of Pharmacy Operations at Giant Food. "We're honored to have the privilege of now being able to offer the vaccine at all 152 of our pharmacy locations to further assist in efforts to help our communities recover from the pandemic."

In addition to in-store vaccinations, Giant has identified opportunities for off-site clinics to ensure equitable distribution of the vaccine throughout its communities. To decrease barriers to access, Giant has worked closely with its community partners that have been able to assist with identifying populations that are most in need of receiving the vaccine. Just last week, Giant pharmacists held a vaccination clinic at the Arc of Prince George's County in Maryland to administer vaccines to individuals served by the organization.

Story continues

Residents of Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware can check for eligibility and schedule first dose appointments at giantfood.com/covid-info. If either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is received, the pharmacy staff will schedule second dose appointments at the time of the patient's first dose. Residents of Washington, D.C. should utilize the DC Health online portal to schedule appointments. Vaccines are provided at no cost, though residents are asked to bring their health insurance card and driver's license to their appointment.

For more information, visit giantfood.com/covid-info.

About Giant Food

Giant Food is headquartered in Landover, Md. and operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 164 stores are 152 full-service pharmacies, 82 full-service PNC Banks and 24 Starbucks locations. Giant fits all the ways today's busy customers want to shop - whether in store or online. With 144 Giant Pickup locations and Giant Delivery available to all our market areas in DC, MD, VA and DE, customers have even more convenient options right at their fingertips to get the best product and prices, whenever and however they want it. For more information on Giant, visit: giantfood.com.

Cision

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SOURCE Giant Food
(@FahadShabbir)

Two US Capitol police officers have filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump over the physical and emotional damages they have received during the January 6 riots in Washington DC, the court document revealed

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st March, 2021) Two US Capitol police officers have filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump over the physical and emotional damages they have received during the January 6 riots in Washington DC, the court document revealed.

"This is a complaint for damages by US Capitol Police officers for physical and emotional injuries caused by the defendant Donald Trump's wrongful conduct inciting a riot on January 6, 2021, by his followers trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election," the complaint said. "WHEREFORE, James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby demand an award of the following relief ... Compensatory damages in an amount consistent with the evidence to be shown at trial, in excess of $75,000 for each of them, plus interest and costs.

"

The two officers are also seeking an unspecified amount for additional punitive damages.

According to the document, Blassingame is a 17-year veteran of the United States Capitol Police (USCP), while Hemby is an 11-year veteran of the USCP.

Both officers were injured on January 6, the document said.

On January 6, Trump's supporters stormed Capitol Hill in a bid to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's presidential election victory. At least five people, including a female air force veteran, were killed and over 170 cases have been opened by police in connection with the riots.
Charge d'Affaires of the United States in Ukraine Kristina Kvien expressed confidence that a telephone conversation between U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will take place.

"Secretary Blinken's remarks confirm that Ukraine will be a high priority for the administration and there's no doubt that a call between President Biden and President Zelensky will happen," Kvien said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

In turn, Deputy Political Counselor Lynette Behnke pointed out that the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine hopes that both presidents will be able to talk directly, that it is essential to recall that, nevertheless, much has been achieved at other levels, somewhat below the level of the leaders of the countries.

"In early February, very early in this administration, Secretary Blinken spoke to his counterpart, Foreign Minister Kuleba. Defense Minister Taran has spoken with Defense Secretary Austin. Head of the Presidential Office Yermak spoke to National Security Advisor Sullivan. Other senior officials will connect in the near future. And every day at Embassy Kyiv we are working together with our Ukrainian counterparts on our common priorities," she explained.

Behnke noted that both the White House and Secretary of State Blinken have repeatedly stressed the United States' commitment to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The Secretary made a very strong statement supporting Ukraine on the 7th anniversary of the purported annexation of Crimea. He made a special video to underline his personal commitment. The Biden administration has wholeheartedly welcomed Ukraine's Crimean Platform initiative," she added.

"Meanwhile, our security and development assistance continues unabated. To give a concrete example, we announced another tranche of $125 million in security assistance on March 5," Behnke said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Soon out-of-state travelers coming to New York will not need to quarantine upon arrival.

Starting Thursday, April 1, domestic travelers entering New York will not be required to enter a mandatory quarantine period, though they are still urged to do so as an added precaution.

Travelers will, however, still need to fill out the states Traveler Health Form to aid in any future contact tracing efforts.

As we work to build our vaccination infrastructure even further and get more shots in arms, were making significant progress in winning the foot race between the infection rate and the vaccination rate, allowing us to open new sectors of our economy and start our transition to a new normal in a post-pandemic world, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said earlier this month.

As part of that transition, quarantine for domestic travelers is no longer required, but it is still being advised as an added precaution. This is great news, but it is not an all-clear for New Yorkers to let their guard down, Cuomo added.

The states decision was blasted by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who referred to the updated guidance as reckless and absolutely the wrong thing to do.

I dont know if thats the States idea of an April Fools joke, but its absolutely the wrong thing to do, de Blasio said earlier this month. Its reckless. It doesnt help us with our recovery.

Look, if you say someone is vaccinated, they can fly, they can visit, of course. But if someones not vaccinated, whats so hard about following the same process that has been followed to date? This is what our health-care leaders believe makes sense, the mayor added.

EXISTING GUIDANCE

Currently, all domestic travelers entering New York who have been out of state for more than 24 hours are required to complete the Traveler Health Form and obtain a coronavirus test within three days of departure, before entering the state.

Once arriving in New York, travelers must quarantine for a minimum of three days.

On the fourth day, travelers may go for another coronavirus test. If the test is negative, the traveler may leave quarantine at that point.

If travelers do not elect to obtain a coronavirus test upon return, they are required to quarantine for 10 days.

The following states are exempt from the domestic travel quarantine mandate: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Additionally, fully vaccinated residents who are asymptomatic are not required to quarantine within the first three months following vaccination.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

The new guidance will not apply to international travelers, who will still be required to quarantine upon arrival.

All international travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are required to quarantine for seven days, with a coronavirus test taken between days three and five.

Without a test, international travelers are required to quarantine for a full 10 days.

Like domestic travelers, all international travelers are required to fill out the Traveler Health Form.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 11:31:35|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) report on the joint WHO-China study of COVID-19 origins was a "consensus" effort of a "sheer size" but it was too soon to provide definitive conclusions in a work that is still in progress, the WHO research team said on Tuesday.

Peter K. Ben Embarek, a food safety and zoonosis expert with the WHO and leader of the international team of experts to Wuhan, told a press conference that conclusions of the report were the results of a consensus between all members of the team, which included 17 foreign experts and 17 Chinese scientists.

"Of course there were discussions forth and back, like always in this type of discussion," he said, stressing that "we were able to reach a consensus on all the issues."

Commending the collaboration with Chinese experts, Ben Embarek said, "the size of the report and the amount of material, results, analysis and data in the report speaks for itself in terms of how the collaboration went."

"That would never been anything like that, if we did not have a very strong, very good cooperation with our colleagues in China; we would then have ended up with a very small report with very few results very few studies presented," he added.

The 120-page document, composed after the team's 28-day field study in Wuhan, the capital city of China's Hubei Province earlier this year, shed light on the likeliness of different pathways for the origins of COVID-19.

They conclude that it's a "likely to very likely pathway" for the virus to infect humans through an intermediate host, while introduction of the virus through a laboratory incident was "extremely unlikely." And in between, direct zoonotic spillover is considered to be a possible-to-likely pathway, while cold food chain products is a possible pathway.

However, even though the report brought considerable amounts of data, definitive conclusions could not be brought in the report yet.

"That was never the intention or the expectation," Ben Embarek said, "this is work in progress."

"I think there is a consensus that these new studies need to be undertaken, preferably as soon as possible," he added.

"We owe to the world to get a better understanding of the origin of this virus" that "created havoc on the planet," he said, extending the team's collective sincere thanks to Wuhan locals for their cooperation during their research.

Prof. Marion Koopmans, a team member from the Netherlands, said that experts both from China and overseas have come very far in the collaboration of finding the origins of the virus, for which they will continue following the scientific leads.

Dr. Peter Daszak from the United States said that it's the Chinese scientists who did a lot of work in tracing the origins, and that the report is a "testament to how, even under very intense scrutiny and very difficult political circumstances, countries can come together to focus on the origins of emerging diseases and viruses."

"Don't think about national boundaries if we really want to defeat pandemics; we have to come together with other countries to focus on how they (COVID-19) emerge and try and stop them for the future," Daszak said, expressing the hope that the spirit of goodwill continues.

Before the release of the report, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, said that the international experts from China and the WHO had demonstrated a scientific and open spirit and the Chinese government at all levels had provided necessary assistance for their work in Wuhan, which fully reflected the open, transparent and responsible attitude of China, and was highly appreciated by experts from both sides. Enditem
BISHKEK -- Natalia Gherman, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Central Asia, has proposed to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov the establishment of a UN-Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Dialogue.

Gherman, who also heads the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, held talks with Japarov in Bishkek on March 30, according to the Kyrgyz presidential press service.

The sides also discussed reforms initiated by Japarov after he took power following predecessor Sooronbai Jeenbekov's forced resignation in mid-October amid anti-government rallies protesting the official results of parliamentary elections.

Japarov, who assumed power through a chaotic handover whose legitimacy was disputed by critics, won a rapidly organized presidential election on January 10 that coincided with a referendum on a return to a presidential system.

The proposed constitutional changes aim to significantly widen presidential powers and extend the number of allowable presidential terms from one to two.

The amendments also envisage the creation of a so-called People's Kurultai (Assembly), described as "a consultative and coordinating organ" controlled by the president.

A Constitutional Court would also be created and the number of lawmakers in the legislature reduced from 120 to 90.

Many in Kyrgyzstan have criticized Japarov, saying that he is looking to impose a more authoritarian system of rule by changing the constitution. Japarov has rejected such accusations.

The constitutional amendments are facing a nationwide referendum scheduled for April 11.

Gherman emphasized that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres continues to closely monitor developments in Kyrgyzstan since the October political crisis.

She praised Kyrgyzstan's recent move to allow the transfer of 79 children born to Kyrgyz citizens who joined the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq.

Gherman also expressed UN readiness to assist Bishkek's anti-pandemic efforts.

Japarov assured Gherman that rights and freedoms in Kyrgyzstan, including freedom of speech, as well as all of his country's international commitments are respected, and expressed interest to cooperate with UN entities.
Jennifer Dorsey is chief copy editor and Business section coordinator. She worked in Washington, D.C., and Chicago before moving to the Tetons.
Louise Benjamin was overwhelmed by the response when the announcement came that she would be the next president of the British-Luxembourg Society: I received more messages than when I got married!

The British-Luxembourg Society, BLS for short, has been around for nearly 75 years, strengthening ties between the two countries in the form of cultural events, lectures and talks, study trips and language classes, frequently collaborating with other associations and the British embassy.

Louise Benjamin is the first female president in the Societys 74-year history. Having served as Vice-President for the past two years, Benjamin succeeded David Clark in early March, who after having successfully relaunched the Society has stepped down from the Council.

Speaking to RTL Today, Benjamin says shes excited about making the Society flourish, despite taking over the position in uncertain times amidst a global pandemic and Brexit.

The former has meant the Societys members have had to flock to Zoom to host virtual gatherings, but the UKs departure from the European Union is even more of a reason to keep the mutual interest and friendship between Luxembourg and the UK alive.

Benjamin said that she would "relish the challenge of helping to encourage the deep bonds of friendship which were so tightly held between Luxembourg and the UK.

Impressive list of guest speakers and extensive programme

One of the events Covid-19 has put on hold is the annual Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Lecture.

Last years edition would have seen Lord Patten of Barnes, Chancellor of the University of Oxford, speak in Luxembourg.

This event will now be held virtually on 18 May with details of the lecture title to be announced shortly.

A reason in itself to join the BLS, notes Benjamin. Past speakers have included Margaret Thatcher (PM, when in office), Eddie George, (Governor of the Bank of England) and Lord Hurd of Westwell (Former Foreign Secretary).

The British-Luxembourg Society was founded in 1947 by a group of 23 Luxembourgers, among them the future Prime Minister and father of the euro Pierre Werner, motivated by a joint admiration and gratitude to the UK and its people for their fight against Nazi Germany.

Since then, it has developed its famous language courses even further and supports the activities of other societies involved in promoting British culture in Luxembourg.

Some people might join because they enjoy British humour!

A frequent misconception is that members have to be British or Luxembourgish to join.

Quite on the contrary; everyone with an interest in either of the two countries is very welcome. Some people might join because they enjoy British humour!

Membership for students is free, individuals pay 30 and partners/spouses a combined 40 per year. Rather than being a more political and business-oriented organisation, such as a Chamber of Commerce, BLS is focused on forging cultural ties.

Recent events include poetry performances and an upcoming art competition. The BLS has a line up of talks on science, education, music, literature and virology. The Society has also collaborated with the University of Luxembourg.

Benjamin was previously the Chair of STEP Benelux and has been living in Luxembourg since 2002. She is married to a Luxembourger and an active mother of 3 children.

Besides her full-time career as a Luxembourg lawyer specialised in corporate law, she is also involved in charity work, including Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y), a charity that supports disadvantaged youth become actors in their own lives by funding education programmes and helping them find jobs. More information on the charity can be found on its website, flyer and in this video.

For the British-Luxembourg Society, visit their website here.
A call center company in Oregon wanted to make its workforce more diverse, but being based in small rural towns that are 90% white, it seemed impossible.

The pandemic spurred a change in thinking.

Too many of our call centers kept getting compromised, said Matthew Achak, president and co-founder of FCR, which provides outsourcing services to about 80 clients through call centers in rural Oregon and Montana.

We had to pull everybody out of the sites, we had to deep clean the site, we had to quarantine everyone and then youd bring people back in.

FCR had its employees start working from home. It was largely successful, Achak said.

If employees can work from home, it doesnt really matter where home is, Achak said. That meant the company could hire workers anywhere in the country.

Much of business can be accomplished without having to force people into hour-long commute to and from their offices and to pack people into buildings, Achak said.

The company still wanted some workers to live near each other, so they could meet up if needed. After some research, FCR targeted Metro Detroit communities Romulus and Southfield as their next hiring spots. They never visited Michigan before making the decision.

We started looking at states that would allow us to really tap into a completely new demographic and really help us be a part of the movement toward hiring more people of color, Achak said. Michigan just checked every box.

The company, which provides outsourced tech support and customer service, connected with local governments and chambers of commerce to find workers and used targeted postings on Indeed.com and Facebook.

FCR hired 327 workers in Metro Detroit last fall, including 179 Black employees.

Not dancing around the issue

Brendolyn Russ, of Detroit, one of the new hires, works in human relations. Shes never met any of her coworkers.

The biggest challenge with the companys shift to remote work is keeping employees engaged, Russ said.

You cant meet up in the break room, you cant have a picnic or a big welcome party for new hires or anything like that, Russ said. So theyve really been striving to do a lot of fun things online.

Employees meet after hours for virtual dinner parties and the company recently held a Black History Month-themed drawing contest for its employees, with coworkers voting on which drawing was their favorite.

When the pandemic subsides, FCR will likely adopt a hybrid work model, Achak said. About 60% of FCRs employees are introverted and prefer working from home, he said.

Im an extrovert. I want to get back in the office, Achak said. But not everybodys built like me.

In Michigan, working from an office might not be a choice. FCR doesnt have any office space in the state. But Achak hopes to eventually have a location for coworkers to meet up occasionally for trainings and celebrations. Russ likes the idea.

It changes when you can actually see someone in person, Russ said. It makes you feel like you belong to something bigger than yourself.

FCRs commitment to diversity prove to its customers and employees that it takes its principles seriously, and it helps the company tackle challenges through new lenses with the different viewpoints brought to the table, Russ said.

It was refreshing to see a company admit its diversity shortcomings and make a plan to fix it, Russ said.

You dont hear that kind of forthrightness about the diversity (other places), Russ said. They literally said, We dont have enough diversity in Oregon. We have to come to Michigan. Like, they said it out loud. I was just like, Wow. That is brave.

Other companies Russ has worked for dance around the issue, she said.

The work isnt done, though  both in becoming more diverse and keeping remote workers engaged.

While employee turnover is often an issue for companies like call centers, its been particularly notable with the new FCR hires in Michigan. While FCR hired 179 Black employees in Michigan this fall, the entire company of 2,180 workers now only has 99 Black workers, said HR director Christopher Martin.

Theres been some attrition, but its settling down, Russ said.

I cannot discriminate in any way on hiring, Achak said. But my hope is, by going into places that are very diverse like Romulus and Southfield, that the natural progression is to hire more people of color.

Breaking the geographic ties of work

Companies have slowly become more willing to hire workers who dont live near the office, said Brad Hershbein, senior economist with the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in Kalamazoo.

And the pandemic has only sped up the trend  especially for large- and mid-sized businesses, he said. For select industries, hiring away from the office could increase diversity and bring opportunities to areas in need.

But stories like FCR hiring hundreds of workers on the other side of the country are still rare, Hershbein said. Some types of business are still done best in person.

Call centers require less collaboration, making remote work less complicated. Also, because of the turnover in the industry, its not as much of a risk to test the idea out. Hiring the wrong person has wider implications in fields like engineering or software development, he said.

Internet service is another key to the equation, as such opportunities wont be possible in some rural areas with poor service, Hershbein said.

In terms of dynamically changing the structure of giving better job opportunities to people who need them  Im kind of skeptical well see any sea change in opportunities for them, Hershbein said.

For now, the majority of remote workers are people with college degrees and white-collar jobs. But that could change as more industries experiment with the idea, Hershbein said.

Heres a look at who was working from home in February across the country, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Cant see the chart? Click here)

If FCR is successful, its new approach to hiring could be emulated.

If we catch ourselves thinking, Well, we used to do it this way, I think were in trouble, Achak said. Weve got to rethink every way that we work, operationally. Because the old way of thinking is gone.

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Accomplished linguist Elizabeth Guzman Ljubetic 14 is committed to fostering a more interconnected business world.

Elizabeth Guzman Ljubetic 14 was the first in her family to graduate from high school and college. Now shes a citizen of the world.

She speaks four languages, has lived in four countries and has 24 stamps on her well-worn passport. And shes thriving as a human resources business partner for Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.

I love that I get to work with individuals across the globe, says Guzman Ljubetic, who supports the Latin America sales and global marketing teams. I also enjoy the fact that I can effectively communicate with them in English and Spanish to create a more interconnected business world.

The native of Guanajuato, Mexico, came to the United States when she was 10. Her family settled in Hood River, Oregon, and she quickly blossomed into an outstanding student. Guzman Ljubetic showed so much potential in high school that she was awarded a Gates Millennium Scholarship.

I was lucky to have the flexibility to attend almost any university in the U.S., but I wanted to stay close to my family, she said. Willamette was the university that I ultimately selected.

She was looking for an academic environment where she could connect with her professors on a personal level, and thats exactly what she experienced. They helped her master research skills, gave her invaluable career advice and introduced her to incredible learning opportunities at home and abroad.

One of the advantages of attending Willamette was getting to work so closely with my professors on a daily basis, especially Patricia Varas and April Overstreet, she said. I loved how approachable and supportive my professors were. They made sure I understood not only the content, but also how it connected to other disciplines and the world around us."

Her classmates were sources of inspiration as well, reinforcing her desire to live the universitys motto, Not unto ourselves are we born.

I loved being surrounded by students who wanted to develop into the best versions of themselves and think critically about the issues facing us in the world, Guzman Ljubetic said.

She explored many of those issues in depth when she took part in Willamettes study abroad programs. She spent her junior year in Chile and Spain before augmenting her international studies with a semester at American University in Washington, D.C.

Each of those experiences included various courses in Spanish, culture, politics, economics and business, she said. It helped shape my understanding of the intersectionality of these fields and how this impacts the world.

Her time overseas reinforced her desire to pursue a career in international business, and her career came into sharper focus when she landed a part-time job in the universitys Office of Human Resources.

I knew that I wanted to go into international business but wasnt sure of the specific field, so I had various internships and part-time jobs while I was a student, she said. I was able to work with HR professionals at Willamette and learn about possible routes within HR, and this really helped me focus on developing my skills.

She joined Aruba in 2014 after graduating with degrees in Spanish and international studies. Guzman Ljubetic enjoys connecting the business to human resource solutions, enhancing the employee experience, supporting employee development, and developing talent management strategies and HR initiatives.

Its important that we create an inclusive environment, support our diverse workplace and provide the opportunity for each employee to reach their full potential, she said.

As she goes about her daily tasks, Guzman Ljubetic constantly draws from the lessons she learned at Willamette.

Willamette has helped me think critically about any challenge or issue that I encounter in my career, she said. Even though I dont specifically have an education in HR, I know how to ask the right questions and truly find the best solution for an organization.

Along the way, shes become a highly skilled linguist. Shes bilingual in English and Spanish and proficient in French and Portuguese. And whether shes serving clients or conversing with friends in another time zone, shes committed to fostering productive relationships within the global community.

My parents always told me that el ser bilingue vale por dos (a person who is bilingual is worth two people) and reminded me of the advantages of being able to speak multiple languages, she said. Language connects us and opens the doors to the world.
Russia confirmed 8,275 COVID-19 cases over the past day, a new low since September 29, and the total case tally hit 4,545,095, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.

In relative terms, the growth rate stood at 0.18%.

Moscow confirmed 1,286 daily COVID-19 cases. Some 715 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in St. Petersburg, 584 in the Moscow Region, 283 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 239 in the Rostov Region and 204 in the Voronezh Region.

The number of the so-called active cases (patients who are undergoing treatment now) has dropped to 280,073, a new low since mid-October 2020, according to the crisis center.

Russia has documented 10,176 recoveries from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total recovery count to 4,166,172, the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.

According to the crisis center, the share of those recovered reached 91.7% of the total case count.

In the past 24 hours, 1,537 patients recovered from COVID-19 in Moscow, 978 in St. Petersburg, 455 in the Moscow Region, 350 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 263 in the Rostov Region and 211 in the Astrakhan Region.

Russia recorded 408 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, down from 409 the day before, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Wednesday. The total death toll has climbed to 98,850.

In particular, 37 fatalities were reported in St. Petersburg in the past day, 24 in the Rostov Region, 20 in the Altai Region, 14 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 13 in the Moscow Region.

According to the crisis center, the provisional lethality stands at 2.17%, TASS reported.
I recently spoke with Microsofts Rob Lefferts, corporate vice president, program management, M365 security and compliance, about recent updates to Microsoft 365 Defender solutions. Many of you are familiar with Microsoft 365 for Endpoint. If you have the proper licensing (E5), it allows you to drill down into exactly what your workstations are getting into trouble with and what risks they are bringing to your network.

Why is this important? From SolarWinds, to the Exchange attacks to F5 remote attacks, the 2021 security year has been less than ideal. If you arent logging information as best as you can, you wont have the information you need to investigate incidents. Make no mistake, you will have an incident. Plan now for how you will have the necessary information to authoritatively tell your executive team that an intrusion did or did not occur. Shrugging your shoulders and saying, Gee, Im not sure, how about we call the cyber insurance guys and ask them is not going to cut it. You need information at your fingertips so you can act quickly and take immediate action without calling in outside help.

A portal view: Microsoft 365 Security Center

Microsoft is previewing a portal that brings the view of your entire network from workstations to server to cloud email to cloud applications to Azure into one portal. Start at the site and click through to review the risks you have in your organization.

One feature that Im a fan of is the Threat Analytics portal. From it, you can not only review the latest security attacks and risks that Microsoft is highlighting but also drill down to your network and see if you have any additional mitigations or configurations you need to do to protect your network. The information contained in this portal is so valuable that I strongly recommend purchasing Microsoft 365 E5 licenses for your riskiest users to fully understand the information and receive guidance for these high-risk users. Remember, you can mix and match licensing, though you may need to limit users to certain features to be compliant. These reports give you actionable tasks to mediate and protect your network proactively from the types of attacks discussed in the portal.
opinion

At least 6,000 Western Cape children have not been placed in schools, which means that 6,000 youngsters have lost the opportunity for a career because someone failed to do their duty.

It is a disgrace that more than 6,000 learners in the Western Cape have not been placed in a school by the end of March. Thousands of learners missed the first term, a violation of their constitutional right to education. As a result, the ANC, SACP, Cosatu, SA Democratic Teachers' Union and Congress of SA Students have asked the Human Rights Commission to intervene.

It is especially children from historically disadvantaged working-class communities who are still being disadvantaged. In all fairness, the Western Cape is not the only province with this problem. But in no other province is it as bad as in the Western Cape. In the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, the figure by 15 February was less than 500. Notable is that we experienced the same problem this time last year. It was before the pandemic hit, proof that it is not a Covid-19 problem.

Education authorities have been aware of the problem for a number of years and excuses sound the same every year: there...
GONE: Michael Johnsen is seen playing with his phone just moments after he texted a sex worker telling her he had a 'h**d on' over a topless photo she sent him

A male MP has resigned his seat after video emerged of him allegedly sexting from the floor of Parliament and messages showed he apparently offered to pay $1,000 for sex in his office.

Michael Johnsen quit as MP for the NSW electorate of Upper Hunter on Wednesday amid tawdry claims about his 'disgusting behaviour', revealed in messages he appears to have sent a sex worker.

In a lengthy statement, Johnsen vehemently denied claims he raped that same woman in an alleged encounter at a Blue Mountains lookout in 2019, which police are investigating.

'I will fight the allegation and expect to have my name cleared, as it just didn't happen.'

He didn't directly address the publication of hundreds of his text messages with the sex worker, but said he had been 'harassed' by unprofessional media outlets and that 'I am an imperfect human being and I own that.'

Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro had called for Johnsen's resignation after the ABC this week published sordid texts between the MP and the unnamed woman.

Mr Barilaro was the first to announce that Johnsen - already suspended from the National Party - had fallen on his sword.

'Today I welcome Mr Johnsen's resignation from the NSW Parliament,' Mr Barilaro said.

'My message to the people of the Upper Hunter is I will always put integrity before politics, which is why I called for Mr Johnsen's resignation. I want to say to the communities of the Upper Hunter that I am sorry.'

Johnsen resigned his seat 'effective immediately' in a one line email to the Speaker at 11.56am. The move will trigger a byelection for his seat and leaves Gladys Berejiklian's Coalition government without a parliamentary majority, at least for now.

Labor MP Trish Doyle rocked Parliament last Wednesday when she claimed, under parliamentary privilege, that a sex worker had met an unnamed MP in 2019 following an advertisement on a classifieds website.

Ms Doyle revealed that the woman had gone to police last year to allege that she had been raped by the MP during a paid encounter in the Blue Mountains.

She told Parliament that the politician had paid $200 for oral sex but the woman alleged he had gone further than that.

Johnsen later outed himself as the parliamentarian in question in order to strongly deny the allegation.

He was suspended from the his party and moved to the crossbench.

However, the scandal only worsened on Tuesday when the ABC published scandalous text messages between Johnsen and the sex worker.

The broadcaster revealed that on September 24, 2019, the woman reportedly texted Johnsen a topless photo while he was sitting in the Legislative Assembly.

Johnsen replied: 'Hmmm ... not fair. I'm sitting in the chamber with a h**d on now! Xxx'.'

Parliamentary video obtained by Daily Mail Australia shows Johnsen playing with phone just three minutes after that text was allegedly received by the woman.

A bombshell ABC report has alleged that Nationals MP Michael Johnsen sent a series of lewd messages to a sex worker from the floor of New South Wales state parliament. He last week denied an allegation he sexually assaulted a sex worker in the Blue Mountains in September 2019

Two days later, on September 26, Johnsen reportedly texted her: 'I'm in QT (Question Time) and f*** I'm horny and want you so bad - need you.

'I want you and can't wait to f*** you over and over again.'

At one point, he sent her a video of a man masturbating in a toilet cubicle to a picture of the sex worker.

In a separate and earlier message, Johnsen apparently suggested that the pair have sex in his parliamentary office, after he sat through a Budget estimates hearing.

'My PH office could be fun  come to the Jubilee Room and wait for me there,' he allegedly said.

However, that sordid encounter never went ahead. And he is no longer able to call that office his own.
Landlords across the country are finding it difficult to net in rents on their property from tenants due to the economic downturn.

Tenants, on the other hand, are deploying different methods to evade eviction.

Property developers told the Daily Trust that times have been hard for both landlords and tenants since the 2016 economic recession. The situation worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thousands of workers lost their jobs while business owners lost their fortunes; heightening the cash crunch amid competing needs.

Findings by Daily Trust revealed that the situation has strained the relationship between the two parties, some leading to litigation.

Tough time for landlords, tenants

In Abuja, tenants pay piecemeal

Abubakar Ahmad, a resident of Efab Estate in Abuja, said he had to struggle to pay his last rent after he lost his job during the lockdown.

He stated that in order not to get evicted from the house he stays, he struck an agreement with his landlord to pay his rent in instalments.

"I now use my car for ride-hailing-service till new fortune smiles on me. With my new status, if my situation does not change, I plan on moving from where I am now staying," he said.

Emmanuel Okpe, another resident, urged landlords to be sympathetic with their tenants as those who are finding it hard to pay their rents were put into the positions by the dire economic state in the country.

"We are in a difficult period so landlords need to help their tenants in whatever way for them not to become homeless," he said.

Also, some landlords interviewed said they would rather leave their houses empty as can be witnessed in most highbrow areas of Abuja.

Mr. James Ugoh, a landlord in Asokoro, said when tenants default payment of their rent and you take them to court, you don't always get justice and even when the landlord sometimes gets justice, the case dragged on for a long time.

"I prefer to let my property to corporate organisations than individual tenants. That is why when I don't get a corporate organisation to rent any of my properties, I prefer to leave it empty," he said.

In Kaduna, landlords resort to dirty tricks, court

Landlords in Kaduna now resort to the rent tribunals to either recover their rent or their premises from defaulting tenants. They also use unconventional methods to force tenants to pay.

Kaduna branch manager of Jide Taiwo & Co Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Taiwo Ayebo, said they have had to come up with new ways and techniques to recover rent from defaulting tenants, in recent times.

While categorising tenants into two, he said, "There are those who are perpetual defaulters who are only using COVID-19 not to pay their rent, and there are those who did not default but for whatever reason, they owe for the first time in seven years and we understand with them.

"I have a very considerate landlord who asked us to check our records and give a rent deduction of 20 per cent to tenants who did not default before the pandemic. But out of 30 of my tenants, only seven qualified for the gesture," he said.

He added that they were about to increase rent for some tenants who had been on the same rent for seven years but the landlord asked them to put that on hold due to the economic effect of the pandemic.

Ayebo also stressed that going to the rent tribunal is the last resort, adding, "We have various ways of getting our money; including the civilised and the cruel way.

"One of the ways is that I do not go to your house; I go to your office and when I get there, I sit in the reception and start making a scene; most people do not like embarrassment and it works.

"Someone was owing me rent for almost 10 months. She paid N200,000 out of N400,000. The day I sent my staff to her house, she paid N100,000 and completed the balance the following day because I asked my staff not to leave the house until she paid."

Daily Trust also gathered that areas like Sabon Tasha, Narayi, Television and Kaduna North where low-income earners mostly reside are more prone to defaulting tenants.

Many properties unoccupied in Rivers

A landlord at Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, John Edochie, said he has about 10 blocks of flats that have been vacant for the past year.

He said he preferred to lock up the properties than renting them out to tenants that were not ready to pay.

A property owner in Eleme, Eleme Local Government Area of the state, Oluka Chuna, also said he stopped putting tenants in his house soon after he had issues with his last set of tenants.

"I have five blocks of flats which I rented out. For two years after the first tenancy expired, they stopped paying rent with flimsy excuses that they were out of job because of COVID-19. I tried to evict them but they tried using the courts to delay their exit from the house. I had to use force and that was when it dawned on them to pack out.

"I rather remain hungry than to bring in people that will occupy my properties without paying the rent," he said.

Tenants struggling to pay backlog in Kano

A house owner, Ahmad Adnan, said for a year his tenants have been struggling to pay their previous bills rather than pay upfront as they usually did.

"The situation is so bad that even the last time they paid it was the previous bill, and it was not even complete payment. I just collected what was paid. There's nothing one can do now than be patient and watch as events unfold.

"I have a shop that I charge N40,000 per annum on but for the past two years now, I have not been paid. It's just one excuse or the other," he said.

Nasiru Abu, a tenant said, "it is a very difficult situation we are in. I teach at a private school and you all know what happened last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I did not receive my salary for months and just managed to pay part of my outstanding house rent and pleaded with the landlord to give me time to settle my debt and pay ahead as usual," he said.

Also, Alhaji Ibrahim Kaka Daudu, a private property owner who said he owns more than five houses across the state, revealed that in the past year, he received less than 50 per cent of his total annual rent.

In Borno, only court ejects defaulting tenants

A property owner at Pompomari, Malam Basiru, said the prices of rental houses rose 'astronomically' in Maiduguri due to the daily influx of displaced families and expatriates.

"The demand for homes and office accommodation rose in the past 10 years when insurgency started and that led to increases in rent. The situation was worsened because most skilled workers coming to Maiduguri newly have good tastes and hardly bargain with agents," he said.

The development, he said gave rental homes' agents the upper hand to raise prices.

"Many tenants are being forced to cope with the situation; bridegrooms mostly struggle to make initial payments through the nose and hardly earn enough money to make subsequent payments and renew the lease.

"Tenants who could not pay rent do not panic because the courts give them enough time, at least three months quit notice," he said.

He said many agents and landlords were left to suffer losses by the 'annoying habits' of tenants who 'intentionally' damage homes and leave without repairing the damage.

A tenant who was evicted from a house at Federal Low-Cost estate said he was given a month's quit notice because he could not source for money to "continue playing N150,000 annually for the small family house which consisted of a room, parlour, kitchen and toilet".

How we're intervening - Developers association

Reacting to the situation, the President, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Dr Aliyu Wammako, told Daily Trust yesterday that the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn have created lots of problems for both tenants and landlords.

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He said the development has created room for a lot of misgivings in the sector.

"It is very worrisome for these tenants not able to meet up with their rent obligation. School fees are there, prices of foodstuff are increasing by the day and the price of petrol has gone up - so many things are associated with this.

"Also, the landlord is struggling with how he can maintain his house and he needs money to maintain the house, most especially with the coming of another rainy season.

"That is why in REDAN, we call on our people and mortgage institutions to soft-pedal on the issue of repayment on mortgages at least for this period. We have also given some sort of percentages as leverage to people under the rent programme of mortgages," the REDAN president said.

Legal expert wants tenancy law amended

In his reaction, an Abuja-based lawyer, Malachy Nwaekpe, called for the amendment of the Recovery of Premises Act of FCT, 1990 to reflect the current democratic reality of the country as a way of resolving some of the issues in landlord-tenant agreements.

He said the disputes are caused by the use of yearly rent receipts instead of a proper tenancy agreement. He said where the agreement is on yearly rent, any court can invoke sections 7 and 8 of the Recovery of Premises Act of FCT, which provides for six months notice.

Nwaekpe added that where a tenant is owing the landlord arrears, such a tenant is regarded under Tenancy-at-Will and can only be entitled to 7 days notice when the landlord wants to recover his premises.

By Terkula Igidi, Faruk Shuaibu, Vincent A. Yusuf, John C. Azu (Abuja), Habibu U. Aminu, Ibrahim Giginyu (Kano) Maryam Ahmadu-Suka (Kaduna), Victor Edozie (Port Harcourt) & Misbahu Bashir (Maiduguri)
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Lucian Bode, voiced surprise, on Wednesday, with the fact that "the parliamentarians do not know the regulation", in the context in which he found out that Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) representatives will arrive at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) to request an "urgent" meeting with him, according to AGERPRES.

"If we are talking about AUR parliamentarians, it means that they have been in Parliament in vain since oath taking, because the parliamentarians get in touch with a minister from the Romanian Government institutionally, through the interpellation, the question, during the 'Government Hour', at the specialized committee. This is the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it is not a village without dogs. (...) Parliamentarians have rights and obligations, their obligation is to know the law, to know under what conditions they can discuss with a Government member. Of course, in the transparency that characterizes us, we have talked to each one. There is no question of not talking, not explaining, but I am surprised that parliamentarians do not know the rules," Bode said when he arrived at the MAI headquarters.

AUR MPs announced that they would be in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Wednesday to request an "urgent" meeting with Minister Lucian Bode, demanding the "immediate suspension of those involved in the abuses committed last night in Braila against peaceful protesters, some of them minors."
Photo: Elana Shepert The aftermath of the small fire at the Mason hall at Rupert Street and East 29 Avenue. A 42-year-old Vancouver resident has been charged in connection with the blaze.

A man charged with setting fire to a Mason hall in Vancouver and suspected in the arson fires at two North Vancouver Mason lodges Tuesday may have boasted about the crimes on his Facebook page.

Benjamin Kohlman, a 42-year-old Vancouver resident, was arrested and charged Tuesday with arson, assaulting a police officer, and flight from police, according to court documents.

Kohlman remains in custody until his next court appearance

The first two fires were set at the Masons Lynn Valley Lodge and the Capilano Lodge in Central Lonsdale in North Vancouver; the third, in Vancouver at the Mason hall at 4474 Rupert St.

On Wednesday, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) identified Kohlman as the man arrested and charged with the Vancouver fire, noting further charges could be forthcoming.

The two arsons that occurred in North Vancouver yesterday are still under investigation, said Const. Tania Visintin, a media relations officer with VPD. We anticipate recommending more charges to Crown counsel in the coming weeks related to the North Vancouver files.

A Facebook post by a Ben Kohlman of Vancouver, B.C. published at 8:07 a.m. March 30, 2021 reads: "I just cleaned 3 satanic club houses and nobody could do anything."

Photo: Contributed

Kohlman was arrested just before 10 a.m. in Burnaby.

A response to Kohlman's post asks "what next?" to which Kohlman replied: "Run the device. It will stop the mind control. People are not that dumb but mind controlled with nanites."

Facebook page filled with conspiracy theories and anti-Masonic messages

The same Facebook account of "Ben Kohlman" of Vancouver includes a number of conspiracy theories and anti-Masonic sentiments.

"I'll bet the real Bible is hidden in the Vatican Library and the Bibles we see are corrupted," reads a post from early in the morning of March 30.

Kohlman also espouses anti-vaccination beliefs and theories.

"The radio said that they can vaccinate 33 000 per day. The 33 means it's a Freemason conspiracy. I bet those things are full of nano tech to spy on the whole world," reads a post from Jan. 8 of this year.

Several of his posts are about freemasonry. "2019 Documentary on Freemasonry has been scrubbed from the internet along with most of other truth videos," he shared in December 2020.

Also in December, he posted about distrusting the media: "We should just stop denying ourselves and admit that Satanic secret societies control the news and lie every day. I mean it's obvious throughout Hollywood and politics. The word government literally means mind controllers. If you would just stop lying to yourself to make yourself feel better that this isn't actually happening then maybe we could do something about it. It is literally your fault that your children will be enslaved by technology because of your denial. Soon all money will be controlled by embedded microchips and the ability to purchase will be controlled by the Mind controllers who gradually strip you of all rights including international travel and recreational activities after work. We are good for building infrastructure and maintenance to them, that is all. Shut the news off, take your head out and look around. This is not because the government, the Rothchilds, Rockefellers, royals, and the like care about our well being. I know this falls on deaf ears but I have to say it anyways just in case some have the ability to reason. (Facepalm) It's hopeless!"

Several of the posts on Ben Kohlman's Facebook page have been marked "False Information" by Facebook.

Suspect seen on video outside Vancouver Mason hall fire

A video that was circulated on social media and by news organizations Tuesday shows a confrontation between an off-duty officer and a man carrying what appears to be a jerry can out front of the Mason hall at Rupert Street and East 29 Avenue around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

However, during Tuesday afternoon's press conference, Visintin wouldnt confirm that the man taken into police custody that afternoon is the same man as in the video.

An off-duty police officer "did witness a man exit the building there, the building was partially on fire," Visintin said. "He confronted this man. A physical fight ensued."

The man got away, but the off-duty officer was able to call in the interaction to dispatch.

Visintin said Kohlman does have a history with police.

"He's had interactions with police and I think there is something for criminal harassment in his past," she said.

A person with the same name as the suspect charged in the arson fires does have several past infractions on record in British Columbia.
Content

For the fourth time in less than two years, on 23 March, Israeli voters headed to the polls for the Knesset elections. Despite securing a large majority, the far-right camp led by Benjamin Netanyahu failed for the fourth time to obtain a majority great enough to enable it to form a government. Netanyahu's camp, which, along with Likud, includes the eastern Haredi party, Shas, the Western Haredi party, United Torah Judaism, and the fascist Religious Zionist Party won 52 seats in the Knesset, while the alliance opposed to Netanyahu won 57. These include Yesh Atid-Telem led by Yair Lapid, the Blue and White party led by Benny Gantz, Labor led by Merav Michaeli, Yisrael Beiteinu led by Avigdor Lieberman, the New Hope party led by Gideon Sa'ar, Meretz, and the Arab Joint List.

The extreme right Yamina party led by Naftali Bennett, which won 7 seats, and the United Arab List (Southern Islamic Movement) led by Mansour Abbas, which won 4 seats are yet to pick a side. Yamina announced during its election campaign that it is not in Netanyahu's camp and that its leader, Naftali Bennett, is competing for the premiership, with its decision to support either camp pending negotiations it will hold with the various parties. The Southern Islamic Movement, which split from the Arab Joint List ahead of these elections, also announced that it has not ruled out an alliance with any of the two camps, with its position also awaiting negotiations.

Key Election Features

These elections were characterized by some basic features, most notably:

The personality of Netanyahu, who stands accused in three corruption cases, was a major issue in these elections. The power of the right- and extreme right-wing parties increased dramatically in these elections, winning 72 of the total 120 seats in the Knesset, in contrast to the dwindling power of the so-called Zionist left (Meretz and the Labor Party), which won only 13 seats. Gideon Sa'ar, one of the most prominent leaders of the Likud party, affiliated with the right wing, left Likud in a last-minute defection to establish the New Hope party, which won six seats in the Knesset. This is the second far right-wing party, the other led by Lieberman, that is refusing to enter into a government coalition led by Netanyahu. All the parties that were close to the Israeli electoral threshold (3.25% of total votes) succeeded in obtaining Knesset representation, due to the policy that Netanyahu and Lapid followed to prevent the loss of any party from their respective camps, realizing that it would affect the chances of forming a coalition. Netanyahu changed his electoral campaign strategy towards Arabs in these elections, realizing that the Arab parties were a significant factor in the failure of his camp to gain a majority in the previous elections. His racist incitement of Arab voters and their political parties in the previous Knesset elections provoked Arab voters and boosted their voting participation. Netanyahu thus visited many Arab towns in an attempt to lure Arab voters. Among other factors, this contributed to reducing Arab participation. The rate of public participation in these elections decreased dramatically. Although the number of eligible voters increased by 124,000 voters in these elections, the participants in these elections numbered less than the previous Knesset elections. The general participation rate in these elections dropped to 67.4%, from the 71.52% in the Knesset elections that took place in March 2020. This seems to be a case of election fatigue. The participation rate of Arabs in these elections decreased significantly from 65% in the 23rd Knesset elections in March 2020 to just 46%. The Arab parties were greatly affected by the drop in the voting rate of Arabs in these elections. The Arab parties that entered these elections in two lists obtained 379,000 votes altogether, a huge drop from the 581,000 votes they obtained in the previous elections when they ran on a joint list. In addition to election fatigue, the split to the Joint List dented enthusiasm and the national compass was lost. The joint lists declaration of support for Gantzs candidacy for prime minister after the previous elections led some to conditionally offer support for Netanyahu since supporting right-wing Zionists was now acceptable.

Electoral Results and Possible Coalition Formation

Many parties ran these elections on different electoral lists from the previous Knesset elections. The Blue and White list was watered down to its initial members following Benny Gantzs participation in the government coalition that Netanyahu formed last year. The Labor-Meretz-Gesher list, the Joint Arab List, which included four parties, and the Yamina list, which was composed of three right-wing fascist parties also disintegrated. In addition, the far-right "New Hope" party, led by Likud defector Gideon Sa'ar, emerged.

Israeli parties in general ran these elections on the same lists as previous elections, and no internal elections were held with the exception of three parties: Labor, Meretz and Balad, which saw subsequent changes to their lists. Likud made some small changes following Sa'ars departure, affecting Netanyahu's guarantees of some places for Knesset members, such as Orly Levi, head of the Gesher party, and Ofir Sofer of the Yamina alliance, in order to encourage Bezalel Smotrichs Religious Zionist Party to accept an alliance with two other Kahanist fascist parties, Otzma Yehudit and Noam.

Netanyahu has sought to increase the strength of his camp in these elections, taking advantage of his successful campaign to vaccinate the vast majority of adult Israelis against Covid-19, normalize relations between Israel and many Arab countries while intensifying settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. He sought to capitalize on his marginalization of the Palestinian cause and even the peace process, which are no longer central issues in the elections, the dismantling of the Blue and White and the Arab Joint Lists, and use the help of the Jewish fascist right-wing parties to unite in one electoral list that enabled them to cross the threshold and obtain parliamentary representation. However, Likud's electoral strength has decreased significantly compared to the previous elections. He obtained in these elections one million and sixty-six thousand votes, down from one million and three hundred and fifty two thousand. Likud thus lost about 288 thousand votes, bringing down its seats from 36 to 30. The most important reason for this is the low turnout in Likud strongholds and the pivot of some Likud supporters towards the New Hope party.

Shas won 9 seats in these elections, which it had won in the previous elections. United Torah Judaism also maintained the same 7 seats it had won in the previous elections.

In preparation for running these elections, Bezalel Smotrich changed the name of his party from Tkuma to the Religious Zionist Party, in an attempt to win followers of the religious Zionism trend. Just before these elections, Smotrich withdrew from the Yamina list, with the encouragement of the public, and ran for the Knesset on a joint list with two other fascist parties (Otzma Yehudit and Noam), under Netanyahu's watch. The religious Zionist party list won 6 seats, 4 for the party, with 1 the head of the Otzma Yehudit party, and another for the head of Noam.

Yamina decided in the run up to the elections to break with Smotrich and runs solo. This decision came in the context of Naftali Bennetts efforts to expand his partys popular base and win new segments of the religious and secular right alike. Bennett announced at the start of his election campaign that he is running for prime minister, especially since public opinion polls during that period expected him to win about 20 seats. However, opinion poll predictions quickly decreased after the announcement of the formation of the New Hope party. Yamina won 7 seats in these elections, up from the 3 seats it won in the previous elections during its alliance with the fascist right-wing parties.

In light of the collapse of the Blue and White list, when Benny Gantz joined the government coalition that Netanyahu formed last year, Yesh Atid-Telem, led by Yair Lapid ran these elections alone without party alliances. The party ended its alliance with General Moshe Ya'alons Telem party, who decided not to participate in the elections because he believed that his party could not cross the electoral threshold. Yesh Atid-Telem won 17 seats in these elections, up from the 15 it won in the previous elections, when it ran in the Blue and White coalition list. Gantzs Blue and White party won just 8 seats in these elections, better than the predicted 4 or 5.

Yisrael Beiteinu ran with its same list as previous elections, winning the same 7 seats, most of which come from the votes of voters who immigrated to Israel from former Soviet Union countries. Gideon Sa'ar resigned from the Likud party following a disagreement with Netanyahu, founding the New Hope party before the election. He was soon joined by two MKs, Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser, who had been on the Blue and White list in the last election. Sa'ar also attracted Likud allied MK and head of the Kulanuparty, Yifat Shasha-Biton, and Likud MK, Ze'ev Elkin, who was close to Netanyahu. New Hope won 6 seats, the majority of which came from the Likud party base. The Labor Party underwent a vital transformation following the election of Merav Michaeli to replace leader Amir Peretz in January 2021. The party won 7 seats, up from 3 in the previous elections. Meretz also defied opinion polls to cross the electoral threshold and win 6 seats.

The Arab Joint List, which included four parties, Balad, Hadash, Ta'al, and Ma'an, split following the withdrawal of the Southern Islamic Movement. After this split, the Arab parties ran these elections with two lists: The Joint List and the United Arab List (the Southern Islamic Movement). These two lists have failed to mobilize the Arab electorate to challenge Netanyahu's verbal Arab appeasement. The break-up of the Joint List after weakening Arab parties as individual organizations or institutions demotivated Arab voters. There is also an ever widening gap between expectations and realistic powers of parliamentarians to influence decision-making regarding the Jewish States treatment of Palestinians within the green line. The failure to take a decisive stance against the Israeli right has not helped to drum up Arab voter support either. The United Arab List leadership expressed a willingness to support any of the two Zionist camps to head the government, claiming that since the joint list supported a coalition led by Gantz as prime minister, why exclude the possibility of supporting a coalition led by Netanyahu? These debates completely derail the balance between the national and civilian components in the reality of the Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel and cannot lead to a national unity and action strategy that suits their needs and aspirations and preserves their national identity against Zionism. Moreover, the continuation of such trends may lead to an even greater deterioration. In this climate, Arab participation rates in these elections recorded an unprecedented decline. The Joint List won 6 seats by obtaining 212,000 votes, and the United Arab List won 4 by obtaining 167,000 votes. Thus, the Arab parties lost 5 parliamentary seats since the last elections. The total number of votes obtained by the Arab parties in these elections reached 379 thousand votes, down from 581 thousand in the last elections.[1]

Conclusion

The recent elections did not lift Israel from its impasse. Netanyahu clings to power despite an indictment against him in three corruption cases, and his continuous attempts to obtain a majority in the Knesset to enable him to enact laws preventing his trial. The opposing camp refuse to participate in any government formed by him. Racism prevalent in the majority of Israeli society and its political elites means that many of them have so far refused to form a coalition government based on the support of Arab parties.

The many possible scenarios for forming a coalition government seem difficult, but not impossible. Netanyahu could form a coalition government based on his camp and the Yamina and United Arab Lists, but the many sources of tension would be a ticking time bomb during the negotiations. The difficulty currently lies in convincing the fascist Religious Zionist Party and Naftali Bennett to accept the formation of a government that is not run on a pure Jewish majority and relies on the Islamic movement. For an Arab party to support such a government, it is difficult to know what Netanyahu could offer for them to work with fascists who pride themselves on their racism towards Arab citizens. In addition, Netanyahu himself has led the process of enacting racist laws against Arabs within the Green Line, especially the National Law. He pushed the Northern Islamic Movement outside the law, and under his rule and with his and his government's encouragement, settler incursions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with the aim of splitting or Judaizing it have increased. He has increased the pace of settlement in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and his government that continues to refuse to combat the criminal gangs that operate among the Palestinian Arabs within the Green Line, and is implicitly encouraging them by the Israeli police turning a blind eye to their activities.

On the other hand, Yair Lapid could form a coalition government based on the support of the Joint Arab List and the United Arab List. This is also unlikely, due to the opposition of Jewish Knesset members in this camp to support a coalition government based on the votes of Arab parties. It seems that that a coalition government between Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennetts camps, which would see them taking turns to lead, is more likely than the other scenarios. However, this scenario would be wrought with contradictions that would prove difficult to live with long term. An agreement would only last long enough to see Netanyahu's rule ended and new elections prepared. But if all efforts to form a government fail then new elections are inevitable.

[1] All data related to these elections is based on the reports of the Israeli Central Elections Committee for the 24th Knesset. Accessed on 30/3/2021, at: https://bit.ly/3fpnUmX.


A flight paramedic who is accused of using eye drops to poison and kill his wife in 2018 was arrested again on Tuesday for allegedly setting a fire on a medical helicopter as it flew over Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2019.

Joshua Hunsucker, 37, of Mount Holly, North Carolina, was charged with felony burning personal property.

Hunsucker was working as a paramedic aboard an Atrium Health patient-transport helicopter when police say he intentionally set fire to a syringe pump while in flight over Charlotte on November 26, 2019, WSOC reports.

The helicopter was forced to land, interfering with flight operations, authorities said.

The incident came one month before Hunsucker was arrested in connection with the September 2018 death of his wife Stacy Robinson Hunsucker, 32.

Stacy's death was initially ruled a heart attack, and her husband collected $250,000 in insurance money.

Investigators said Hunsucker refused to allow an autopsy to be performed and quickly had his wife's remains cremated.

Joshua Hunsucker was charged with felony burning personal property Monday for allegedly setting fire to medical equipment inside a medical helicopter during a flight over Charlotte, North Carolina, in November 2019

Hunsucker was also charged with first-degree murder in the 2018 death of his wife by placing eye drops in his wife's water

But a blood test ordered by her family detected very high levels of tetrahydrozoline, which is one of the active ingredients in certain eye drops.

Large amounts of tetrahydrozoline, which is used in drops to relieve swelling, redness or other eye irritation, can cause the heart to stop.

Hunsucker was accused of poisoning his wife by placing eye drops in his wife's water without her knowledge.

Hunsucker was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in December 2019.

In the same month, he was fired by Atrium Health over the helicopter incident, WCNC Charlotte reported.

Hunsucker was released following the murder charge after posting a $1.5million bond.

Authorities say the November 2019 syringe pump that was set on fire inside an Atrium Health transport forced the helicopter to land

But he surrendered to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office this week on the new charges related to the helicopter.

He was issued a $50,000 unsecured bond.

Prosecutors say they believe Hunsucker murdered his wife in a bid to claim the life insurance money.

A grand jury has also indicted Hunsucker on insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretenses greater than $100,000 stemming from the payout after his wife's death.

In 2019, on the first anniversary of his wife's death, Hunsucker's posted a photo of the two of them together on his Facebook page.

'One year ago our lives changed forever,' Hunsucker wrote. 'Not a day goes by that I don't think of her, her encouragement, her smile, how awesome of a mother she was.'

Hunsucker collected $250,000 in insurance money following the death of Stacy Robinson Hunsucker and was later indicted

'Not a day goes by that I don't think of her,' Hunsucker wrote in a Facebook post on the one-year anniversary of his wife's death

Hunsucker's homicide trial was postponed because of courthouse backlog stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. His cases on the different charges will remain separate.

Atrium Health says it is cooperating with law enforcement over the latest incident.

In a statement to WBTV, the company said: 'Nothing is more important for our emergency medical crews than safety  especially for those who are in flight.

'If what Mr. Hunsucker is charged with is true, it is unfathomable to us what may have possessed him to endanger himself and others in such a way.

'We are extremely thankful that our pilot was able to land safely and that no-one was injured and especially grateful that there were no patients on board at the time.

'We will be cooperating fully with law enforcement officials as the case proceeds.'
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(Newser)  Er, scratch that: Turns out that "Voltswagen" story actually was an April Fool's joke. Volkswagen of America went all-in on the prank, in which the president and CEO of the carmaker's US business was quoted in a (fake) press release as saying Volkswagen of America would be rebranded as Voltswagen of America to signify the company's move toward electric vehicles. Turns out the hoax was accidentally leaked to the press a couple days early, the BBC reports. Though some continued to doubt the veracity of the news despite Volkswagen's insistence (at first) that it was not a prank, many media outlets reported it, leading outlets like the AP to be forced to issue a correction. Stock prices for VW went up after the (false) news came out, and some say US securities regulators could get involved.

story continues below

In a separate article, the AP notes that while journalists are wary of April Fool's Day hoaxes, few would expect one to come from a multi-billion dollar corporation. It was only after the Wall Street Journal reached a spokesperson for the parent company in Germany that the truth came out. "This and any deliberate release of false information hurts accurate journalism and the public good," an AP spokesperson says. Adds the USA Today reporter who was duped, "In case you haven't noticed, we have a misinformation problem in this country. Now you're part of it. Why should anyone trust you again?" "We didnt mean to mislead anyone," says a VW rep, explaining that the joke was simply intended to get people talking about VW's first all-electric sport-utility vehicle. (Read more Volkswagen stories.)
Patna, March 31 : Following the death of eight persons in Nawada and Begusarai, reportedly caused by the consumption of spurious liquor, Sanajay Jaiswal, Rajya Sabha MP and Bihar unit chief of the BJP, said on Wednesday that action should be taken against top officials in order to effectively implement the liquor prohibition in the state.

"The state government should sack top officials in order to make the liquor ban successful in Bihar. Cases of liquor smuggling, consumption, and rise in the number of illegal country-made liquor factories can be stopped only after we take stringent action against the top officials," Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal's comment came after six persons died in Nawada and two others in Begusarai after they reportedly consumed poisonous liquor.

"It is the responsibility of the senior officials to prevent liquor related crimes. Our CM Nitish Kumar has said this several times. Now, the time has come to endorse his direction," Jaiswal said.

"Whenever laws are made for the welfare of the common people, some people violate them. But that does not mean that those laws would get abolished," Jaiswal said.
World Influencer & Blogger Awards (WIBA)

News Summary

World Influencer & Blogger Awards (WIBA), THE international contest that is organized for the most distinguished bloggers all over the world announced the winners to its maiden event in India.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 31, 2021 - 17:35 | Feature, Japan, All, Coronavirus

The owner of Japan's largest cruise ship, Asuka II, said Wednesday it will build an even bigger yet eco-friendly 51,950-ton ship with completion aimed for 2025, anticipating a post-pandemic recovery in travel demand.

Passenger capacity will be reduced to about 740, or 85 percent of that of the 50,444-ton Asuka II, which was built in 1990, operator NYK Cruises Co. said. The firm is expected to raise 71 billion yen ($642 million) to fund the construction, mainly via syndicated loans from 30 banks, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Manufactured by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft GmbH, the new ship's engines will be powered by liquefied natural gas, which emits less carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide than diesel. The vessel's name has yet to be decided.

It will be equipped with ventilation and ion sterilization systems as well as no-contact elevators enabling passengers to ride without touching the buttons as part of steps to reduce infection risks.

The Asuka II has been a popular cruise ship with 436 rooms onboard but has been aging. The new ship will have about 385 rooms, giving its passengers more space.

NYK Cruises is expected to secure a total of 60 billion yen by taking out loans from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank as well as 29 regional banks, with the remaining 11 billion yen coming from financial markets, according to the sources.

Related coverage:

FOCUS: Cruise lines test waters in pandemic with "cruises to nowhere"

Cruise ship returns to Singapore after passenger's positive COVID-19 test

Japan to seek int'l rules on states' response to infection-hit ships
The Senate is taking up a big bill on voting rights. What do you think the 50 Republican members are going to do?

A. Invite Democrats to a wine-tasting party in which the last 10 lawmakers standing get to make the decisions.

B. Have Mitch McConnell announce that as much as I would like to defeat this bill, effective government is more important than partisan advantage.

C. Filibusterfilibusterfilibuster.

Yeah, yeah. Terrible to feel so cynical, isnt it? The House put a lot of important reforms in the bill, many of them aimed at making it easier for citizens to vote. But today lets look at another piece of the story that doesnt get enough attention.

Gerrymandering.

Gerrymandering is the age-old practice of trying to fix the boundaries of electoral districts to make sure your side gets as much advantage as possible. Its named for Elbridge Gerry, who was governor of Massachusetts in 1812 after the legislature passed a bill setting the lines of state Senate districts to give his party a big boost. That required a lot of creative map-drawing, and critics thought one of the districts wound up looking like a salamander  or, wags said, a Gerry-mander.

Now the bill wasnt Gerrys idea. His son-in-law said he found it exceedingly disagreeable and pretty much all he did was reluctantly sign it. But its an excellent lesson in how careful you have to be if youre planning to become a historical figure. You can devote your life to creating a new nation, championing the Bill of Rights, getting elected as James Madisons vice president, and in the end the one thing people will remember about you is a district shaped like an amphibian.

The bill now headed toward McConnells dustheap would require states to establish independent redistricting commissions when they prepare new maps for their legislatures and congressional districts based on the 2020 census. In days of yore this was a job for a bunch of guys sitting around a table full of maps, slowly divvying things up. Now its done with computers, which makes it much, much easier to game the system.

You have software that can give you 10,000 distinct variations in a number of minutes, said Edwin Bender, executive director of the National Institute on Money in Politics. Check out its website for an index that will tell you, for instance, that in the fast-growing state of Texas, only 9% of the 2018 state legislative races featured a real contest. A large chunk didnt have even a second contender.

Gerrymandering is one of the main reasons many of us vote in elections in which the minority party has about as much chance of winning as ascending into heaven. There are a few saintly lawmakers dedicated to reform, but plenty just concentrate on making the system work for them.

Pretend youre a member of Congress. (Go ahead  pretend.) An angel appears to you with two maps of your seven-district state. In one, your party has at least a 40-50% chance of winning six. In the other, it has no hope whatsoever of taking four; a 65% chance of getting two; and a 97.7% chance of winning the one in which you happen to be running.

If you quickly choose the very competitive option, congratulations! You are a person of strong moral principle who is highly unlikely to ever run for public office.

Right now in Louisiana, voters are picking a successor to Cedric Richmond, who gave up his House seat for a job as a White House adviser. The district, which resembles a very long and thin dragon balancing a ball on its nose, seems drawn to squish in as many Democrats  particularly Black Democrats  as humanly possible. (The rest of the state gets left to the Republican mapmakers.) So it was no surprise that it was all Democrats who came out on top in a special election this month, and two of them will face off in a runoff in April.

I am represented by Rep. Jerry Nadler, the powerful Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. One conservative publication tastefully described his district as something that skips around the city like a bachelorette party bus.

That would presume that the partygoers wanted to start on the Upper West Side, travel all the way down the borough across the Brooklyn Bridge and then down a little tiny passage to Borough Park. It looks less like a salamander than a Pekingese on a leash that stretches along Brooklyn and over to a very sturdy pole thats stuck far away on the citys northern end.

This mapmaking affects everything. Remember that anti-transgender bathroom law North Carolina passed in 2016? The folks who voted on it came from a brilliantly gerrymandered state legislature in which Republicans, who got only about half the statewide vote, nevertheless controlled a supermajority.

Democrats are well aware that theyve been losing the redistricting game, but its going to take a lot of effort for them to turn things around. At which point theyd probably start redrawing future maps to their advantage. What we need is a reform-populist movement dedicated to dividing the states up more fairly. Its up to you to start complaining, people. Elbridge Gerry is watching from above.

GAIL COLLINS writes for the New York Times.


Spectacular Drill Results Continue From Crake Gold Project

Perth, Mar 31, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to announce further outstanding drilling results from Crake, part of the 100% owned Binduli gold project area located 9km west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields (*Figure 1).- Resource drilling completed at the 100% owned Crake gold project, part of the Binduli project area, 9km west of Kalgoorlie in the Western Australian goldfields- Infill and extension drilling comprised 51 RC and three diamond holes for 5,043m to a maximum depth of 174m- All single RC assays now received with shallow high-grade intercepts including:- Results demonstrate excellent continuity and grade along a 600m strike length with mineralisation open to the north, west and at depth- Drilling has intercepted several new stacked shoots to the north west and will be followed up in the next drilling round- All data now being compiled to generate an updated independent resource model for Crake expected for completion in the June Quarter 2021- Mine optimisation, design and economic modelling will then be updated for maiden Ore Reserve generation as part of the consolidated Feasibility StudyCommenting on the drilling results, Horizon Minerals Managing Director Mr Jon Price said:"These latest spectacular drilling results continue to demonstrate the potential scale and quality of Crake and the entire Binduli project area. We now look forward to releasing the updated resource and completing the reserve generation work which we expect to confirm Crake as a valuable high grade satellite ore source to complement the baseload Boorara deposit."Crake is one of five core satellite gold projects being advanced to complement the baseload Boorara gold project as part of the consolidated Feasibility Study to deliver a minimum initial five-year mine plan and underpin the establishment of a stand-alone processing facility at the Boorara mine site.Resource definition drilling in 2018-2019 comprised 135 RC holes for 12,176m enabling a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) to be compiled which stands at:- 1.27Mt grading 1.82g/t Au for 73,820oz at a 1g/t Au lower grade cut-offIn the December Quarter 2020, the Company completed 51 Reverse Circulation ("RC") and three diamond holes for 5,043m to a maximum depth of 174m. The aim of the drilling was to:- Infill a number of areas within the current mineralised envelope to improve JORC classification to the Measured and Indicated Categories for Ore Reserve generation- Extend areas of mineralisation beyond the current resource model to the northwest- Provide diamond core for additional geotechnical assessment and confirmatory metallurgical test work for mine optimisation, design and economic analysisOver the last three months, significant delays with sample turnaround have been experienced at assay laboratories. All 1m split assays from the programs have now been received enabling an updated Mineral Resource estimate to be compiled by independent consultants Entech.On completion of the new model, expected in the June Quarter 2021, mine optimisation and design work will be completed for generation of a maiden Ore Reserve as part of the consolidated Feasibility Study.Project GeologyThe geology at Crake is similar to the 390,000oz Janet Ivy open pit, located approximately 1,500m to the south, where the gold is hosted in a structurally controlled feldspar porphyry. At the nearby Fort William and Fort Scott open pits, where over 100,000oz have been produced to date, gold is hosted within sheared units of volcanics and clastic sediments.At Crake, the gold mineralisation strikes NW and dips shallowly to the SW. The stacked gold lodes are typically found in weakly developed quartz stockworks and range from 5m to 20m thick. On occasions low grade mineralisation can blow out to >60m width. High grade shoots appear to result from intersecting structures. The Crake drilling has focussed on a mineralised, variably altered pink porphyry with minor amounts of pyrite and magnetite. Higher grades usually coincide with stronger quartz-pyrite mineralisation (up to 3% by volume).Summary of ResultsThe 2020 drilling was conducted over three staged drilling campaigns with the results of the previous two campaigns released through 2020 and intercepting significant mineralisation to the northwest. This third campaign has confirmed that significant mineralisation is located both west and northwest of existing Crake mineralisation as evidenced by:- 4m @ 14.9g/t Au from 53m including 1m @ 56.2g/t Au (BRC20045)- 6m @ 2.0g/t Au from 20m, 4m @ 6.7g/t Au from 44m including 1m @ 24.0g/t Au from 44m and 2m @ 2.3g/t Au from 91m (BRC20049)- 5m @ 2.9g/t Au from 69m, 3m @ 1.6g/t Au from 83m and 6m @ 3.6g/t Au from 36m (BRC20043)Broad zones of low-grade gold with high grade shoots were once again intersected (e.g. BRC20043 63m @ 0.90g/t from 36m) and suggests the Crake mineralisation can still be followed further west and northwest (Figure 2*). A review of the exploration upside and resource extensions at Crake will be completed once the updated MRE is finalised.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited

Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 13:37:24|Editor: huaxia

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TIRANA -- President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe, respectively, in Skopje on Tuesday.

North Macedonia and China trust each other and enjoy friendly bilateral relations, said Pendarovski, adding that North Macedonia firmly supports the one-China policy and has full confidence in the joint construction of the Belt and Road. (North Macedonia-China-Ties)

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BRASILIA -- Brazil's Ministry of Defense on Tuesday announced the resignation of the commanders of the three branches of the armed forces: Army General Edson Pujol, Navy Admiral Ilques Barbosa and Air Force Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez.

In the statement, the ministry did not provide the reason for their departure or announce their successors. (Brazil-Military)

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MANAMA -- Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed to enhance cooperation to further strengthen their relationship during their meeting here Monday.

China cherishes its traditional friendship with Bahrain and is willing to work with the kingdom to carry forward the fine tradition of mutual trust and mutual support between the two countries, as well as jointly safeguard the legitimate interests of the two sides, the development rights of developing countries, and world peace and stability, Wang said. (Bahrain-China-Cooperation)

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BRASILIA -- Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday appointed Carlos Alberto Franco Franca to succeed outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Ernesto Araujo, in a cabinet reshuffle.

Bolsonaro has replaced six cabinet members including heads of defense, health and justice departments for the past few days, amid mounting domestic pressure over the administration's tactics against COVID-19 pandemic. (Brazil-Bolsonaro-Cabinet Shuffle)

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GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) report on the joint WHO-China study of COVID-19 origins was a "consensus" effort of a "sheer size" but it was too soon to provide definitive conclusions in a work that is still in progress, a member of the WHO research team said on Tuesday.

Peter K. Ben Embarek, leader of the international team of experts to Wuhan, told a press conference that conclusions of the report were the results of a consensus between all members of the team, which included 17 foreign experts and 17 Chinese scientists. (WHO-Virus-Origin) Enditem
[March 31, 2021] Granite REIT Extends and Upsizes Credit Facility to $1.0 Billion and Announces a New $86M U.S. Acquisition

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust ("Granite" or the "REIT") (TSX: GRT.UN / NYSE: GRP.U) announced today that it has extended the maturity date of its credit facility to March 2026 and increased its borrowing capacity under the credit facility to $1.0 billion. In addition, Granite announced that it acquired an income-producing property in the United States comprising 1.0 million square feet at a purchase price of C$85.9 million. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005993/en/ 3090 State Highway 42, Locust Grove, Georgia, USA (Photo: Business Wire) Credit Facility Today, Granite amended its existing unsecured revolving credit facility agreement to extend the maturity date for a new five-year term to March 31, 2026. In addition, the facility's limit has doubled to $1.0 billion. Draws on the facility are available by way of Canadian dollar, US dollar or Euro denominated loans or Canadian dollar or US dollar denominated letters of credit. The credit facility provides Granite the ability to increase the amount of the commitment by an additional aggregate principal amount of up to $500.0 million with the consent of the participating lenders. Interest on drawn amounts is calculated based on an applicable margin determined by reference to the external credit ratings of the REIT and Granite REIT Inc., as is a commitment fee in respect of undrawn amounts. As at today, $1.0 million in letters of credit are issued under the facility, Granite has no other amounts drawn under the credit facility which, combined with approximately $480 million cash on hand, represents approximately $1.5 billion in available liquidity. US Acquisition On March 12, 2021, Granite acquired 3090 State Highway 42, a 1.0 million square foot, 40' clear height modern warehouse distribution facility situated on 85.6 acres in the greater Atlanta region, for C$85.9 million (US $68.9 million). The state-of-the-art facility was completed in 2020 and is 75% leased to Radial, Inc. for a remaining lease term of 7.6 years, subject to contractual annual rent escalations. The property was acquired at an in-going yield of 3.8% and estimated stabilized yield of 5.0% upon lease-up of the existing 250,000 square feet of vacant space. The site also contains excess land to accomodate an expansion of approximately 0.3 million square feet. The property is well positioned in Atlanta's Henry County sub-market within Atlanta's I-75 logistical thoroughfare, in close proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Norfolk Southern Intermodal Yard and direct access to the Port of Savannah.



ABOUT GRANITE

Granite is a Canadian-based REIT engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of logistics, warehouse and industrial properties in North America and Europe. Granite owns 115 investment properties representing approximately 50.4 million of leasable area. OTHER INFORMATION Copies of financial data and other publicly filed documents about Granite are available through the internet on the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at www.sedar.com and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) which can be accessed at www.sec.gov. For further information, please see our website at www.granitereit.com or contact Teresa Neto, Chief Financial Officer, at 647-925-7560 or Andrea Sanelli, Manager, Legal & Investor Services, at 647-925-7504. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information may include, among others, statements regarding Granite's expectations with respect to the leasing of the vacant space and the expected stabilized yield at the property in Locust Grove, Georgia, or expectations regarding the future expansion of such property, Granite's plans, goals, strategies, intentions, beliefs, estimates, costs, objectives, economic performance, expectations, or foresight or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "seek", "objective" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information should not be read as guarantees of events, performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or the times at or by which such events, performance or results will be achieved. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on information available at the time and/or management's good faith assumptions and analyses made in light of its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond Granite's control, that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks set forth in the annual information form of Granite Real Estate Investment Trust and Granite REIT Inc. dated March 3, 2021 (the "Annual Information Form"). The "Risk Factors" section of the Annual Information Form also contains information about the material factors or assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information speak only as of the date the statements and information were made and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Granite expressly disclaims any intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005993/en/

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The history of Viareggio's Carnival showcased by the sea Outdoors exhibition with giant pictures

(ANSAmed) - VIAREGGIO (LUCCA), MARCH 31 - An outdoors exhibition with giant pictures is dedicated to the nearly 150-year-long history of the Carnival of Viareggio. The show, called 'Viareggio e il Carnevale' (Viareggio is Carnival), ideally brings back to the beachfront of Viareggio near Lucca, in the traditional location of the Carnival, the huge papier mache figures of the past through a series of giant pictures (6x3 meters). The nine exhibition structures include 18 photo montages that illustrate, through a selection of over 70 photos, the history of the event in Viareggio.



Historic wagons portrayed in the exhibit include 'The triumph of life' by Domenico Ghiselli from 1911, 'The wedding of Tonin di Burio at the Court of Pinaccio' by Giuseppe Giorgi (organized by Fernando Tofanelli), who a century ago, in 1921, revolutionized the concept of wagons, bringing a small group of players on board. The show then displays political satire with 'Carnival at the top' by Silvano Avanzini in 1960, 'War and peace' by Arnaldo Galli for the centennial, until the focus on the 2020 edition. The giant pictures are on display in the southern part of the beachfront, between Piazza Campioni and Via Roma.



The oldest photo dates back to 1906. The photographic material comes from the historic archive of the Fondazione Carnevale, from the editions of the magazine 'Viareggio in Maschera' and from the archive fund 'Carnevale di Viareggio 1847-2008' granted by the municipal administration of Viareggio.



The photos of contemporary editions have been realized for the Fondazione Carnevale by Fotomania, Christian Sinibaldi and by the group Gruppo fotografico versiliese. Each exhibition structure, moreover, includes the dates of the next Universal Carnival scheduled on September 18-26 and October 2-3 and 9.(ANSAmed).




Young aspiring actors looking to hone their monologue chops can register for Acting for the Camera, a virtual acting class offered by the Westport Country Playhouse.

The class is for aspiring actors ages 14-18 and will be taught by Bridgeport actor Tenisi Davis, wholl coach students on acting techniques, performance and setting up a home studio.

Davis has performed in theater, film, national commercials and on network television. Locally, he has appeared at Collective Consciousness Theatre in New Haven, at the Capital Classics Theatre Company in West Hartford and elsewhere.

Acting for the Camera will meet on Saturdays at 10 a.m. from April 10 through May 8. The students will perform a private virtual sharing of their workshopped pieces on June 4.

My hope is to give a solid foundation that will prepare my students for a healthy and successful career in the performing arts industry, said Davis. The world is changing in so many different ways and we must be ready to adjust with it. With this workshop being presented by the legendary Westport Country Playhouse, I plan to give industry tips and secrets to do just that.

Hearst Connecticut Media spoke with Davis about his upcoming workshop and his advice for aspiring actors.

TinaMarie Craven: What is your acting philosophy?

Tenisi Davis: My acting philosophy is that there is no one way to approach a role/character. The various techniques (Meisner, Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, etc.) should be treated as tools to go inside the actors tool bag. Vulnerability and integrity should be the foundation.

TC: How would you describe a good actor?

TD: I would describe a good actor as someone whose performance is believable. I mean, acting only works at its highest level when the audience believes in the journey youre expecting them to go on.

TC: What do you want your students to take away from your acting class?

TD: Confidence! It's possible to achieve great things when youre set up for success, when you KNOW what youre doing. I hope to assist in this process by laying a solid foundation and being 100% transparent.

TC: How is acting for the camera different than acting for the stage?

TD: Camera acting is different from stage acting primarily because it is a much more compressed/controlled version of acting. Stage is just bigger; you have a theater full of people to reach from the orchestra to the mezzanine. When I filmed my first film, which was an independent that did very well on the film festival circuit, my director would say Less Tenisi, less. In film, less is more. I replied after a while, I feel like I'm not doing anything. His response? Good.

TC: What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

TD: Develop a close relationship with patience! Also, aspire to be an actor because you love it; not because you want to be famous. As they say about life, the more you put in the more youll get out.

For more information about the acting class, visit westportplayhouse.org .

tinamarie.craven@hearstmediact.com
[March 31, 2021] Offerpad Home Sellers Can Now Remain in Home Up to 60 Days After Closing

PHOENIX, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Offerpad, a leading iBuyer and the pioneer of the one-stop Real Estate Solutions Center, revealed today a new Extended Stay service that gives sellers up to 60 days to remain in their home after closing escrow. With the fierce competition in today's real estate market, Offerpad's 60-Day Extended Stay frees sellers from the stress and uncertainty that comes with having to find, finance or vacate a home the same day or just days or weeks after closing. "Customers come to Offerpad because they don't want the typical home buying and selling experience. They want certainty, control and freedom and that's exactly what we're delivering with our new 60-Day Extended Stay service," said Brian Bair, Offerpad founder and CEO. "It's the right solution at the right time, enabling our customers to sell quickly and move freely without the fear and stress of having to find a new home at the same time during today's highly competitive market conditions." Available in nearly 1,000 citie and towns across the U.S., Offerpad's custom selling solutions empower homeowners to buy and sell homes quickly and easily. Homeowners can request a free, 24-hour cash offer online, partner with Offerpad to list a home with a back-up cash offer or buy one of the thousands of homes available on Offerpad.com. Value-added services, such as show-ready home services, home improvement advances and extended stay options allow customers to personalize the home buying and selling experience even more.



"Due to my husband's health, we couldn't do the traditional home sale," said Marsha Byrd, an Offerpad customer in Atlanta. "Offerpad was hassle and worry free from start to finish, easy and professional, and our offer was great! Our agent made the experience convenient at every turn and we were able to stay in our home after our closing with no pressure.'' For more information on Offerpad's new 60-Day Extended Stay service, visit www.offerpad.com/extended-stay.

About Offerpad Offerpad is a leading technology and real estate solutions provider with a mission to offer the best way to buy and sell a home. With firsthand real estate experience and utilizing powerful proprietary technology, the company provides several consumer-focused options including instant cash offers and superior home listing services. Offerpad is a privately held company headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, operating across the country in nearly 1,000 cities and towns. Visit Offerpad.com for more information. Media Contact:

David Stephan

david.stephan@offerpad.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/offerpad-home-sellers-can-now-remain-in-home-up-to-60-days-after-closing-301259749.html SOURCE Offerpad

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Museum of the Bible releases first in-house film production, special exhibits to celebrate Easter

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The Museum of the Bible unveiled its Holy Week celebration, which includes its first in-house film production, special exhibits and performances to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

The Christian faith hinges on the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the museum, which opened in the nation's capital in 2017, seeks to display the hope and history of Easter this season.

Charlotte Clay, the Museum of the Bibles media relations manager, told The Christian Post in a Tuesday interview how the museums new documentary, The History of Easter, shows the significance of Easters impact worldwide.

For Christians, of course, nothing is more impactful than the resurrection of Jesus, but Easter is such a significant event that it caused much of the world to rearrange their calendar (A.D. and B.C.) , Clay said. The event led more than a third of the world to call themselves Christian. So we take a look at the timeline, how Easter is tied to the lunar cycle and is connected with  the emergence from winter to spring, darkness to light, and how it corresponds with Passover and the Spring Equinox.

Filmed in Israel, Italy and at the museum, the documentary explores the history, traditions, origins and global impact of Easter. It also includes a reenactment of the original Easter through Jesus passion week leading up to His death and resurrection.

The film dives into Easter traditions  such as painting eggs and the Easter Bunny  to understand where they originated and how people celebrate around the world.

For those belonging to Christian, Catholic and Orthodox traditions, the resurrection of Jesus defines history and human life, Museum of the Bible CEO Harry Hargrave said in a statement. This documentary will engage viewers with a compelling exploration of the history of Easter. Through delving into the Bible and the Resurrection, not only Easter but the human condition may be better understood.

Despite the loss suffered in the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Clay said the film also seeks to share a message of hope to everyone through the Easter story, especially during the second Easter of the pandemic.

The documentary is our way of sharing about Easter with anyone anywhere in the world, especially during this time, Clay said.

She said she hopes people will come away from the film with a renewed perspective in knowing theres always hope and spring out of winter despite difficult times.

While we face another Easter amidst the pandemic, we hold onto the hope of better times to come, CEO of Museum of the Bible Harry Hargrave said in a statement. For many, Easter provides the greatest hope to humanity across time and place. We wish to share this sense of hopefulness with our guests.

The History of Easter, the documentary hosted by award-winning Christian musician and actor Matthew West, will air on Trinity Broadcasting Network Thursday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., as well as Saturday at 2 p.m.

It will also be available to view on YouTube and the Museum of the Bibles website.

The film marks the museums first in-house production and is just one aspect of the Museum of the Bibles Easter week events.

Musician John Sweet will perform in the museums Grand Hall on Easter Sunday. Interactive storytelling of Easters history will take place in the afternoon from Friday to Sunday of Easter weekend.

Museum guests can walk through Jesus final steps on the Via Dolorosa before crucifixion through the 14 stations of Gib Singletons Stations of the Cross exhibit. The museum also offers a new interactive Education Station where families can create a stained-glass window.

A virtual "Lunch and Learn" with Director of Scholars Initiative Daniel Stevens was held on Wednesday to discuss the development of the Easter holiday.

The museum includes over 4,000 years of history to display the Bibles ongoing and transformative impact in the world.

Admission is free for National Guard members through Easter Sunday.
Srinagar, March 31 : A 70-year-old tourist from Maharashtra died of Covid-19 in a hospital here on Wednesday.

Reports said the tourist from Pune had been admitted to Srinagar's chest diseases hospital on March 30 after he was referred for specialised treatment from the SMHS hospital in the city where he was admitted following breathlessness and other Covid-19 symptoms.

"The patient had Covid pneumonia and he passed away today," doctors said at the chest diseases hospital.

He had arrived in Srinagar along with his son and both had surprisingly tested negative at the Srinagar airport on their arrival.

The son of the expired patient is also being treated at the hospital now.

It must be mentioned that there has been an alarming resurgence of Covid-19 positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir where 359 new cases came to light on Tuesday.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
British troops in Mali have been using a new Drone40 40mm UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that can be launched from the standard 40mm grenade launcher often carried by infantry units. Once launched, or thrown, like a grenade, Drone40 stays in the air by extending four quad-copter type propellers. Using a form of UAV flight most preferred by the infantry, Drone40 can pause to scrutinize areas or objects as well as enter structures, including caves. The hover ability is much more useful in built-up areas where you have to look into windows or alleys. If the troops find the enemy using a hovering UAV, they can either call in an air or artillery strike or, if the enemy is close enough, use their grenade launcher to fire 40mm high-explosive grenades. If the enemy is really close and comes into view, you can open fire using your rifles.

The standard Drone40 weighs 190 grams (6.7 ounces) while the heaviest version weighs 300 grams (10.6 ounces). The heavier versions carry larger and heavier payloads like high-explosive or armor-piercing warheads. Heavier payload versions also carry a laser designator, electronic jammer or a smoke/flash grenade. The heavier models have less endurance but all can remain in action for at least 30 minutes. The non-explosive Drone40s can be recovered and reused after a battery recharge and resetting the quad-copter propellers inside the 40mm shell. Some repairs may be needed depending on where and how the Drone40 came down.

Drone40 was developed by an Australian firm that took note of several earlier 40mm UAVs and concentrated on characteristics that were most popular with the troops. Drone40 was put on sale in 2019, and by late British troops in Mali had received several hundred Done40s and wanted more. The basic Drone40 is the same size as the standard 40mm grenade and thus usable in all infantry 40mm grenade launchers. This Drone40 is equipped to take video or pictures and transmit them back to the operator. A small tablet like controller is used by the operator who must remain in sight of the Drone40 to control it and receive images at max range (20 kilometers). The image surveillance Drone40 can operate for up to 60 minutes if cruise speed is used. That speed can be nearly doubled to 1.2 kilometers a minute but that uses up more battery life. Drone40s are also capable of operating as a swarm in mass operations with explosive payloads. The success of Drone40 with the 300 British troops in Mali has generated interest in other countries looking for a portable, relatively inexpensive and reusable 40mm UAV.

The development of systems like Drone40 began shortly after 2001 as American operations in Afghanistan generated demand for improved surveillance tools for the infantry. That led to the 2009 arrival of the Switchblade UAV in Afghanistan for testing. Switchblade weighed one kilogram (2.2 pounds) and was a small UAV launched from its shipping container. Switchblade was sent to Afghanistan for secret field testing. This was very successful and the troops demanded more, and more, and more. Switchblade completed development later in 2009 and was initially thought useful only for special operations troops. In 2011, after a year of successful field testing with production models, the army ordered over a hundred Switchblades for troop use and since then has ordered a lot more.

While Switchblade was developed for the army, the marines apparently noted the success that soldiers and SOCOM (Special Operations Command) had with this system and ordered them as well. Switchblade was very popular with troops in Afghanistan and with SOCOM in all sorts of places they wont discuss in detail. Switchblade is still used and thousands have been ordered and many of them used. There have been several upgrades

Switchblade was a lightweight and expendable (used only once) UAV that could also be equipped with explosives. When Switchblade is launched from its shipping/storage tube, wings flip out, a battery-powered propeller starts spinning and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the operator. The Switchblade is operated using the same controller as the larger (two kg) Raven UAV. A complete Switchblade system (missile, container, and controller) weighs 5.5 kg (12.1 pounds).

Moving at up to a kilometer a minute, the Switchblade can stay in the air for 20-40 minutes, depending on whether or not it is armed with explosives. Switchblade can operate up to ten kilometers from the operator. The armed version can be flown to a target and detonated, having about the same explosive effect as a hand grenade. Switchblade enables ground troops to get at an enemy taking cover in a hard-to-see location.

Technically a guided missile, the use of Switchblade as a reconnaissance tool encouraged developers to refer to it as a UAV. But because of the warhead option, and its slow speed, Switchblade also functions like a rather small cruise missile. The troops were particularly enthusiastic about the armed version because it allowed them to more quickly take out snipers or a few bad guys in a compound full of civilians.

In 2013 the U.S. Navy requested a version of Switchblade, mainly for reconnaissance, that could be launched from ships or submerged (at periscope depth) submarines. In this case the sub would have a communications mast on the surface to receive data from what was called the Blackwing. This version is a little heavier, at 1.8 kg (four pounds). The size of the Blackwing is designed to fit into existing navy countermeasure launchers. Blackwing has no warhead option so endurance is about 60 minutes. Blackwing uses encrypted digital communications compatible with current navy systems. When released from a submarine countermeasures launcher, the Blackwing container pops to the surface and the Blackwing is ejected into flight like the other Switchblades. In 2016 the U.S. Navy ordered over a hundred Blackwings for widespread testing from deployed ships. Based on this, armed versions of Blackwing were developed, even though they had less endurance. Blackwing was declared operational in late 2020 and the navy ordered more, including 120 recon versions for use on submarines. Tests with Blackwing launched from subs proved very useful when the sub had used its passive (silent) sonar to detect a possible target but needed a visual of the ship to determine what kind of target it was. Using Blackwing subs can confirm distant targets and use their Mk 48 torpedoes at max range (about 40 kilometers). Subs found other uses for Blackwing that were not made public.

Switchblade is not a unique concept, as these loitering munitions have been around for decades. What Switchblade provided was a design that met the needs of combat forces, especially special operations personnel. Since Switchblade entered service and its popularity became widely known, similar systems have appeared, trying to provide features that Switchblade lacked but the troops would appreciate.

An earlier example of this was GLAUS (Grenade Launched Unmanned Aerial System). It looks like a 40mm grenade but is longer and heavier than the standard 40mm high-explosive shell and comes in two versions. One version launches a UAV with pop-out plastic wings, propeller and control surfaces. This version contains a video camera and communications link to the handheld controller used by the soldier who fired it. The comm-link is good for 2,000 meters and the UAV can stay in the air for 90 minutes. Each infantry fire team (4-5 troops) has one man designated a grenadier, with an M320 40mm grenade launcher attached under his assault rifle barrel. With the GLAUS UAV in the air, the team or squad (a larger unit with two fire teams) leader can scout the surrounding area from altitudes as high as 600 meters (2,000 feet). GLAUS is still in development by the U.S. Army, which has not found a manufacturer for it or interest in buying a lot of them. In part that is because there is a lot of competition. The army did submit a patent application for GLAUS in 2020 but the success of Drone40 may render GLAUS uncompetitive.

Most small infantry UAVs, like the current 2 kg (5 pound) Raven, which also operates close to the ground, usually at 100- or 200-meters altitude. Ravens are assigned to larger units like platoons (three squads) or companies (3-4 platoons). GLAUS was meant to be small enough for a patrol or small Special Forces team to carry with them and use far from friendly troops.

There was a second version of GLAUS that was a small helicopter, with shorter endurance (about 30 minutes), and the same capabilities as Drone40. GLAUS was not the first guided system built for the 40mm grenade launcher. In 2015 the Pike 40mm grenade was introduced by U.S. defense contractor Raytheon. By 2019 Pike was in production and had its first customer. There was no rush to buy Pike because of the cost. Drone40 costs a few thousand dollars each and is apparently cheaper than Pike plus being reusable.

The existing 40mm high explosive grenade cartridge is about 100mm (4 inches) long and weighs about 545 grams (19 ounces). The 40mm shell which leaves the launcher tube is about 43mm (1.9 inches) long, weighs about 250 grams (nine ounces) and can be fired out to about 400 meters. An experienced grenadier can only fire these grenades accurately at targets as far as 200 meters distant.

The Pike is a longer and heavier 40mm shell. Pike is 430mm (16.8 inches) long and weighs 770 grams (25.6 ounces). While the Pike warhead is about twice as powerful as the unguided 40mm grenade, most of the additional bulk and weight of the Pike is taken up by the laser detector in the nose, a microcomputer, four pop-out fins and electronic and mechanical components to operate the fins to guide the Pike to a target up to 2,000 meters away. The Pike homes in on laser light reflected from the target, which is painted by a laser designator that looks like a pistol. Normally Pike is operated by a two-man team. One man is the grenadier, firing the Pike from a common one round 40mm grenade launcher. The second man, the spotter, points the laser designator and holds it on the target until the Pike reaches it (after about 20 seconds). Actually, one person could operate the Pike because at max range Pike will be in flight for about 15 seconds before it can detect the laser light reflected off the target by the handheld laser designator. One person could fire the Pike, then pick up the laser designator, turn it on and designate the target.

Pike will land within five meters of the laser light reflected off the target. The warhead is more powerful than hand grenades so Pike will kill or injure anyone within ten meters (32 feet) of the aim point. Pike obtains its long range by using a small explosive charge to propel Pike about three meters into the air before a smokeless rocket motor takes over giving it the momentum needed to carry it at least 2,000 meters.

As of 2019, only one customer has been found for Pike. The Canadian Army bought some for its special operations troops. The major problem with Pike is the cost of each round. The standard 40mm grenade fired by infantry costs about $30 each. The Pike manufacturer (Raytheon) has not made public the cost of each round but, given the cost of other small laser-guided missiles (like the 70mm APKWS), each Pike probably costs at least $3,000 and probably two or three times that. It could be useful for special operations troops, but for most infantry there are plenty of other guided munitions available, many of them cheaper and more destructive than Pike. Meanwhile, American troops already have a very lightweight UAV with Switchblade, but not as light and portable as Drone40, GLAUS or Pike. The appearance of Drone40 was not surprising because the user demand was there, especially for a reusable version.

Israeli firms have also responded to demands for reusability. In 2019 an Israeli firm introduced the Firefly, a loitering munition UAV, which is portable enough for infantry to carry and continually reuse. There is also the option to replace one of the two batteries with an explosive warhead and turn Firefly into a guided weapon. Another major advantage of Firefly is that it operates like a helicopter, not a fixed-wing aircraft. Being able to hover is a major advantage for loitering munitions used by infantry. What Firefly seems to have done is address all (or most) of the user criticisms of earlier lightweight loitering munition systems.

Firefly was developed by Rafael, the same firm that developed and builds the Spike family of ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles). Much of the tech in Firefly was based on what is already used in Spike systems. In particular, Firefly has a guidance system that can track and attack a moving target. This can be critical for infantry using such a weapon because these targets are elusive in the first place and, without a UAV, the infantry would not have spotted dangers like snipers or moving troops at all.

Firefly is a dual rotor miniature helicopter and those dual (on top of each other) rotors make it stable in winds that would make a similar-sized fixed-wing or quad-copter UAV unusable. The .4 kg (one pound) warhead replaces the second battery to halve the normal 30 minutes of flight time. The operator uses a small tablet device that is mostly a touch screen and a Firefly controller. Firefly can be controlled up to 500 meters in a built-up (or forested) area or up to 1,500 meters in line-of-sight (nothing between Firefly and operator) mode. Firefly returns to the operator if the control signal is lost. The operator can press an icon on the screen to get Firefly to return immediately, abort an attack or carry out a high speed (19 meters/62 feet a second) attack on a target. The target can be moving, as in a sniper changing firing positions out of sight of the operator. This is accomplished using the ability of the Firefly guidance system to remember the shape of a target and follow it. The Firefly warhead would be most often used against troublesome targets like snipers or hidden machine-guns. Even without the warhead Firefly would be able to locate such lethal adversaries and enable the infantry to avoid them. Firefly can also be launched and operated from a moving vehicle.

The big advantage Firefly has over PIKE, GLAUS and Switchblade is reusability. Carry one Firefly and just use it as a UAV for a dozen or more times. Because of the relative simplicity of the Firefly compared to GLAUS, Pike or Switchblade, it is probably cheaper. Add in the reusability and Firefly is definitely cheaper. Drone40 and Firefly appear to be dominating the market for small UAVs for infantry use.
She is no stranger to flaunting her figure on social media.

And Christine McGuinness turned up the heat on Instagram on Tuesday as she took to her Stories to share a slew of throwback bikini-snaps from various holidays abroad.

The reality star, 32, uploaded photos of herself in skimpy swimwear as she asked her fans: 'If allowed, who's going abroad this year?'

Tropical dreaming: Christine McGuinness turned up the heat on Instagram on Tuesday as she took to her Stories to share a slew of throwback bikini-snaps from various holidays abroad

In one photo, Christine showed off her peachy derriere as she posed with her back to the camera in a leopard print thong swimsuit.

In another, the mother-of-three looked incredible in a hot pink bikini, which she teamed with a striking kaftan and heels as she posed in a mirror with a pal.

Looking forward to lockdown lifting, she asked her fans of recommendations of 'places to visit in April Cheshire/ North West'.

Sizzling: In another, the mother-of-three looked incredible in a hot pink bikini, which she teamed with a striking kaftan and heels as she posed in a mirror with a pal

And when one follower typed Albania, Christine joked: 'Not quite in the UK babe! But yes, hopefully I will visit Albania soon'.

The blonde beauty uploaded a video of her sunbathing topless in a pink leopard print thong bikini alongside the post.

Earlier this month, Christine spoke about beating her 10-year eating disorder.

The reality star shared a heartbreaking Instagram video which showed her figure during the height of her battle with anorexia.

Soaking up the sun: Looking forward to lockdown lifting, she asked her fans of recommendations of 'places to visit in April' and shared a racy video of herself sunbathing

Plans for the future: And when one follower typed Albania, Christine joked: 'Not quite in the UK babe! But yes, hopefully I will visit Albania soon'

Christine reflected on how she was left feeling 'weak and broken', alongside a clip of the progress she has made as she said she now feels strong and healthy.

The mother-of-three wrote alongside the clip: 'Remember to celebrate yourself this #InternationalWomensDay. WATCH TO THE END TO SEE MY 3 YEAR GLOW UP.

'The first video I felt weak and broken (bad times)... but its OK, I picked myself up good. Fast forward 3 years.

Green with envy: The star also shared a sizzling snap in a green checked co-ord from a holiday in Athens

'I feel strong and built and Im not finished yet.Youre a dangerous person if you go through s**t alone and come back better."

'Once youve rebuilt yourself, its a lot harder for someone to break you down.'

'Shine bright queens. However you feel comfortable in your own skin ladies I praise you because each and everybody is normal, different and beautiful.'

She concluded: 'We all have our own battles and our own stories (Ive got a library full ).

'I felt weak and broken': Earlier this month, Christine shared a heartbreaking post about 10-year eating disorder as she celebrated progress on Instagram on Monday

The mother-of-three wrote alongside the clip: 'Remember to celebrate yourself this #InternationalWomensDay. WATCH TO THE END TO SEE MY 3 YEAR GLOW UP'

'But lets continue to praise each other and support one another and be sure to love and praise yourself too #iwd2021.'

The TV personality explained she was anorexic during her teenage years, which had a massive impact on her family planning journey.

The reality star, shares twins Leo and Penelope, six, with husband Paddy, as well as their three-year-old daughter Felicity.

According to the NHS, anorexia nervosa is 'an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. People who have anorexia try to keep their weight as low as possible by not eating enough food or exercising too much, or both.'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the opening of the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Republican States Push Back Against Critical Race Theory

Republicans in at least seven states have introduced proposals that would ban the teaching concepts of the quasi-Marxist critical race theory (CRT). The measures range from banning government agencies from conducting training based on the theory to prohibiting the incorporation of the concepts into school curricula.

The efforts follow President Joe Bidens reversal of last years executive order by President Donald Trump that banned federal agencies, contractors, subcontractors, and grantees from instructing their employees to follow CRT tenets.

CRT has gradually proliferated in recent decades through academia, government structures, school systems, and the corporate world. It redefines human history as a struggle between the oppressors (white people) and the oppressed (everybody else), similarly to Marxisms reduction of history to a struggle between the bourgeois and the proletariat. It labels institutions that emerged in majority-white societies as racist and white supremacist.

Like Marxism, it advocates for the destruction of institutions, such as the Western justice system, free-market economy, and orthodox religions, while demanding that they be replaced with institutions compliant with the CRT ideology.

Proponents of CRT have argued that the theory is merely demonstrating how pervasive systemic racism truly is.

Scholars who have focused on decrypting the jargon of CRT literature have said the theorys argument about systemic racism is not only riddled with fallacies, but also includes totalitarian elements of coercion and suppression of dissent, such as the rejection of all opposing views as illegitimate.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently denounced CRT as unsubstantiated and hateful.

Theres no room in our classrooms for things like critical race theory. Teaching kids to hate their country and to hate each other is not worth one red cent of taxpayer money, he said, announcing that the states new civic curriculum will explicitly exclude CRT.

Various bills addressing CRT are making their way through legislatures in states controlled by the GOP. None of them mention the theory by name. They largely seem to be modeled after Trumps executive order, banning inculcation of divisive concepts that claim, for instance, that an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously and that an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex.

New Hampshire House Bill 544 would ban government institutions, including schools and universities, from teaching students or employees to adopt or believe CRTs divisive concepts. It would also ban such instruction at workplaces of government contractors and subcontractors.

State Rep. Keith Ammon, who introduced the bill, told The Epoch Times that the idea came from a local state university professor who saw CRT creeping into his workplace. Ammon then learned from concerned citizens that CRT had been implemented in many places across the state, including some schools and universities, Ammon said.

The text of the bill was largely lifted from Trumps order and adapted for the context of a state government, he said.

The bill allows promotion of racial, cultural, or ethnic diversity or inclusiveness as long as the enumerated tenets of CRT arent promoted.

Schools and universities would be free to discuss CRT as part of a larger course of academic instruction  in an objective manner and without endorsement.

The bill passed the states Executive Departments and Administration Committee on March 24.

Though the House GOP caucus is almost completely for the bill, Ammon said the states Republican governor, Christopher Sununu, is a bit shy about signing the bill. Thats why the legislators also included the text of the bill in the two-year budget proposal thats about to get out of a committee.

By putting it in the budget, it makes it a little harder to veto, Ammon said.

Sununus office didnt respond to a request for comment.

West Virginia House Bill 2595 would ban the use of state grant money for anything that promotes CRT. In addition, state contractors will not be permitted to inculcate such views in their employees, the bill says. It also bans schools from teaching CRT and strips funding from any state agency that promotes the theory. The bill hasnt progressed since its introduction on Feb. 18.

In Iowa, House Bill 802 would ban CRT from government, school, and university training as well as diversity and inclusion efforts. It allows discussion of the theory as part of a larger course of academic instruction.

It was approved by a subcommittee on March 23.

A similar bill was also introduced in the Iowa Senate.

Another Iowa House bill would slash funding for schools that adopt curricula based on the 1619 Project, a program developed by The New York Times that reinterprets American history to portray the United States as inherently racist.

A similar proposal failed in Arkansas. Republicans worried it would set a precedent for the legislature to dictate what should and shouldnt be taught at schools. They preferred for the decisions to be made by school districts.

Missouri state Rep. Brian Seitz has also introduced a similar bill, but it has made no progress since January.

In Oklahoma, state Sen. Shane Jett introduced a bill that would ban CRT from schools and create a process to fire or not rehire teachers who dont obey. Jett said a concerned constituent requested the bill, which led the senator to research the issue.

I was appalled by what I saw, Jett told The Epoch Times. As word got out that he was looking into the matter, some Oklahoma teachers started to provide him with materials and testimonials on CRT spreading in schools there.

Its basically psychological abuse of children, who are having their entire curriculum hijacked by how can we look at this academic subject through the prism of race, Jett said.

His immediate issue was the general lack of information about what is critical race theory, he said. He said his fellow lawmakers either didnt know what CRT was or were surprised that it was being taught in Oklahoma.

Once we explain what is being taught, how its being taught, to whom its being taught, he said, Republican lawmakers are becoming increasingly sympathetic and desiring to address it.

The bill wasnt heard by the education committee by the deadline; some Republicans objected to it on the grounds that the legislature shouldnt get involved in what is taught in classrooms.

Jett argued that his oath of office binds him to protect the Constitution of the United States. He sees CRT as an effort to undermine the constitutional order, and that obligates him to intervene. Hes looking for a House bill with a sympathetic sponsor that he can use as a vehicle for his proposal.

Proponents of CRT have criticized the efforts to curb its spread on the grounds that the lawmakers introducing it must be racist and also that the bills would restrict peoples First Amendment right to discuss CRT. This argument was rejected by Christopher Rufo, director of the Discovery Institutes Center on Wealth and Poverty, who has been advocating for the removal of CRT from government institutions.

The government does not have a right to free speech, he said in an internal panel discussion for New Hampshire legislators earlier in March. We have a right to free speech as American individuals against the government. The government cant say whatever it wants. In fact, as legislators, you are duty-bound to constrain the speech of government, to have correct speech and right speech that reflects the values of voters. I mean, its just completely totalitarian to say that government has a right to unlimited speech.

Rufos argument was echoed by Robert Lynn, former chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

The law is settled that when the government chooses to pursue policy objectives it may compel its employees to speak in support of those objectives as a condition of their employment, he said in a March 15 memo to Jason Osborne, New Hampshire House majority leader.

Case law is more stringent on restrictions of speech in academic settings, he noted. But since the bill is sufficiently specific and allows the discussion of CRT without promoting or advocating it, it should pass constitutional muster, he said.

As this bill is debated, it might be worthwhile to try to pin down the opponents of the bill about whether they actually believe or support any of the divisive concepts that the bill seeks to prohibit. I suspect that some of them do support these pernicious concepts, but I doubt they will ever be willing to admit it. Still, forcing them to go on the recordor to duck the questionmight prove to be a most interesting exercise!
Jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has declared a hunger strike, saying he is being deprived of proper medical treatment as fear among his associates grows over his state of health just months after being in a coma following a poison attack.



Last week, the Kremlin critic, currently incarcerated in Correctional Colony No. 2, one of the toughest penitentiaries in Russia, said he had received nothing more from prison doctors than ibuprofen despite being in acute pain from leg and back ailments.



In an Instagram post on March 31, he said the severe pain had worsened and that he had lost some sensitivity in both legs.



"I have declared a hunger strike demanding that the law be upheld and a doctor of my choice be allowed to visit me," Navalny said in an Instagram post, which was published through his lawyers. "So I'm lying here, hungry, but still with two legs."

Navalny's health became an issue last week after his allies said they were worried that he was ailing and called on prison authorities to clarify his condition.



In addition, Navalny, 44, again accused prison guards of torturing him through sleep deprivation by waking him up to eight times a night to check on his status even though there is a live closed-circuit TV camera in his cell.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States and its allies and partners have continually called for Navalnys release and will continue to seek to hold accountable those who are responsible for his detention and attempts on his life.



Weve been very clear that Aleksei Navalny is a political prisoner, Price said at a briefing. His detention is politically motivated.



Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critic, said that, despite suffering from severe back pains, nothing was being done by prison authorities to properly care for his condition.



Hundreds of Russian physicians have demanded authorities provide immediate medical assistance to Navalny.

Their demand came after the chairman of the Public Oversight Commission in the Vladimir Region, where the prison is located, some 100 kilometers from Moscow, said in a statement that a medical team met with Navalny last week "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," Vyacheslav Kulikov said in the statement issued on March 28.



He said Navalny was able to walk and did not voice any other complaints and his 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 in the statement.

A day later, the commission's deputy chairman, Vladimir Grigoryan, told the Dozhd television channel that Navalny was faking his illness.



Grigoryan was unable to explain why he thinks that Navalny is simulating the illness and stopped the interview when he was asked to explain his comments, abruptly telling the interviewer: "Goodbye, my dear."



Navalny was detained at a Moscow airport in January immediately upon returning from Berlin, where he had recovered 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, which forced doctors to put him into a medically induced coma for several weeks, was ordered by Russian President Vladimir 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 Reuters and AFP
Tauranga City Council has confirmed plans remain to install tsunami sirens in the region.

Previous plans to install new sirens from Papamoa to Omanu have been delayed, with the impact of Covid-19 attributed as the main factor.

However, any system must fit the profile for new regulations regarding tsunami warning infrastructure.

It comes after residents in the Thames Coromandel District Council region expressed major concerns about the deactivation of the tsunami warning system in their area.

Mercury Bay resident Linda Cholmondeley Smith has expressed her concerns with TCDC Mayor Sandra Goudie after the earthquake and tsunami threat across the East Coast on Friday, March 5.

Three major earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean, including an 8.1 magnitude quake near the Kermadec Islands, saw communities across the Bay of Plenty and beyond evacuated.

Linda felt the first earthquake that morning but was left disappointed at the lack of alerts and soon discovered plans to deactivate sirens in the region.

Within six hours we have had three earthquakes and there has not been anything from Civil Defence, Linda says.

Linda claims the Mayor told her at a public meeting on Sunday, March 21, that the decision to deactivate the sirens in the TCDC area was an internal decision and that there was no public consultation.

TCDC civil defence controller Garry Towler clarifies that the tsunami sirens in TCDC area are still operational but will be disconnected in September.

He also disputes the idea there was no public consultation on the matter and explains why sirens are no longer considered the most effective warning system.

Weve been flagging up since at least December 2016 that the tsunami warning sirens in our district are not compliant with the new national standards and that if sirens are used, they should only be one component within a wider warning system, he says.

Because of issues around their location, wind direction, double-glazing in windows they are not the most effective means of alerting people.

In 2014, the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management released a new standard for tsunami warning sirens. A timeframe until June 2020 was given for tsunami warning sirens to meet this new standard.

TCDC were informed by NEMA in July 2020 that their sirens no longer complied with the standard.

In Tauranga, there are currently no active tsunami sirens.

Any siren used for tsunami warning must be compliant with the technical standard, says Barbara Dempsey, general manager, TCC regulatory & compliance.

Much like in the TCDC area, any sirens in Tauranga would need to meet the new guidelines set out in 2014.

The standard requires sirens intended to be used for tsunami warnings to be PA capable in order to provide simple and clear voice messages after the alert signal, Barbara explains.

Tauranga City Council does not have any current tsunami sirens. Any implementation of tsunami sirens would be required to comply with national standards.

However, TCC have confirmed a project to install tsunami sirens in the region remains, although could not go into any specifics at this time.

A previous plan to install up to 12 sirens from near Mount Maunganui Primary School to Papamoa East, covering approximately 15km, was originally scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.

However, in the TCC Annual Report for 2019-20 it was confirmed the project has been delayed due to border restrictions and international supply chain delays as a result of COVID-19.

Continuing to progress the project was listed as an immediate priority regarding emergency management in the briefing for incoming TCC commissioners in February 2021.

The advice from Civil Defence New Zealand is to not wait for official warnings. If you are near the coast and feel an earthquake that is long or strong, get gone is the message.

A local source tsunami could arrive in minutes and you should move immediately to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can, walking or biking if possible.

Linda has now started a petition to try and ensure that tsunami sirens remain a part of the alert system in the Thames-Coromandel region.

She believes that implementing the new systems with the traditional air-raid style sirens, well known to residents, is the most expedient way to ensure safety for all in the case of an environmental catastrophe.

The advice is just if it is strong be gone.

We are doing all these great things which are ok when they are already complimenting a system that already exists.

Our area is too important along the East Coast right down to Tauranga and beyond.
Last March, the same week that the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, three thousand Chinese and Cambodian troops began Exercise Golden Dragon, a series of military drills focused on counterterrorism and humanitarianism. The exercises marked an expansion over those in 2019, and they came three years after Cambodia abruptly canceled its annual exercises with the United States. What we are doing here is all about our cooperation and relationship, declared Cambodias defense minister. I can tell you that the Chinese military is helping our troops to build up their capacity. As the pandemic forced the United States to scale down its massive Defender exercise in Europe, the Chinese military continued its multinational exercise programs with Russia and Pakistan as well, despite Chinas strict domestic lockdowns.

These examples highlight how China is wielding a form of military power commonly overlooked in assessments of its rise. Today, states leverage their armed forces not only for warfighting or coercion, but also to manage international relationships. Military power includes not only the capacity to conquer and compel, but also the ability to create advantage through attraction and persuasiona concept I call shaping. Unlike military strategies of warfighting or coercion, shaping relies less on force and more on the use of persuasion to change the characteristics of other militaries, build closer ties with other states, and influence the behavior of allies.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:25:27|Editor: huaxia

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ROME, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Italy expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday due to alleged involvement in a spying case, said the Italian Foreign Ministry.

The decision came after Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio summoned the Russian ambassador to Italy Sergey Razov in the morning.

Earlier in the day, Italian Carabinieri military police's special operations unit (ROS) said they had arrested an Italian navy captain for allegedly passing classified military papers to a Russian diplomat.

The Carabinieri said their ROS unit carried out the operation in coordination with Italy's domestic intelligence agency and the Defence General Staff. Enditem
Kyiv to close schools, kindergartens, all public transport, including metro, to operate on special passes from April 5 to April 16  mayor

From April 5, Kyiv imposes tougher lockdown restrictions due to the increase in morbidity and mortality from coronavirus (COVID-19), Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

"From Monday, April 5, the Ukrainian capital will close all schools and kindergartens. All public transport, both ground and metro, will operate on special passenger passes. It means that exclusively for the transportation of workers of critical infrastructure enterprises," Klitschko said on the air of the Ukraine 24 television channel.

He said that the heads of institutions and enterprises should send employees to remote work, and whoever may be given leave. Catering establishments will be able to operate only for take-out or delivery.

"Catering establishments will be able to operate only for take-out or delivery. As, in fact, they should operate from March 20. We will stop food trade fairs from April 1," the mayor said.

Law enforcement officers will monitor compliance with anti-epidemic rules by institutions and citizens.

"I hope this will help us to bring down the wave of the rapid spread of the virus, as well as prevent tragic consequences," Klitschko said.

"In recent days, the capital records more than 1,000 patients a day, some 35-40 patients die every day. Over 700 people are hospitalized every day []. Information on transport, that it is overcrowded and people do not hear calls to beware. That is, there are no tendencies to improve the situation in our country. But there are deterioration and collapse of medicine [...] Therefore, Kyiv still imposes tougher restrictions. We have no other choice. Otherwise, there will be hundreds of deaths every day," he said.

Klitschko also said the situation in the capital's hospitals today is extremely difficult. The city continues to deploy additional beds and has prepared an additional 1,100 beds in recent weeks. In total, there are almost 6,170 ones in the medical facility of the capital.
New Delhi, March 31 : Realty major DLF said on Wednesday that its CEO and wholetime director Rajeev Talwar has retired for his post.

"Further to our disclosure dated January 29, 2021, please note that Rajeev Talwar has been superannuated from the close of business hours of March 31, 2021," the company said in a regulatory filing.

The company had said in January that Talwar had decided to retire. After joining the company in 2006, he became the wholetime director in 2014 and was elevated as the company's CEO in 2015.

The company also informed the exchanges that Kashi Nath Memani and Dharam Vir Kapur will retire as independent directors of the company with effect from the close of business hours on March 31, upon the completion of their second term. They were reappointed as independent directors for two consecutive years with effect from April 1, 2019 till March 31, 2021.
(Adds details)

JERUSALEM, March 31 (Reuters) - Israel plans to give the Pfizer Inc/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to 12- to 15-year-olds upon FDA approval, the health minister said on Wednesday after the manufacturer deemed the shots safe and effective on the age group.

Vaccinating at a world-beating pace, Israel has already given both Pfizer doses to more than half of its 9.3 million citizens and residents, and seen an accompanying fall in sickness.

Longer-term vaccine purchases have snagged, however, on a dispute within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet. . He pledged to resolve this on Tuesday, saying, "God willing, we will continue to be a global model of success."

"The Pfizer announcement is terrific news," Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said over social media on Wednesday.

"There is nothing more in order now than a speedy approval of more vaccine procurements (by Israel), so we can be poised to vaccinate immediately upon FDA approval."

Israel has come under international criticism for not doing more to enable Palestinians living in areas it occupies to be inoculated, while its national vaccination drive has been one of the fastest and most efficient in the world.

It says it has vaccinated more than 100,000 Palestinian workers with permits to enter the country or Jewish settlements in the West Bank, but that the Palestinian Authority bears overall responsibility for inoculations in self-rule areas.

(Writing by Dan Williams Editing by Jeffrey Heller, William Maclean)
"TCCA's stewardship commitments inform every decision we make. For our farmer-owners, stewardship has always meant coming together for the people, places, and animals that we care for," said Patrick Criteser, President and CEO, TCCA. "During a tumultuous year, our focus on stewardship served as both our foundation and our guide."

TCCA abides by six key stewardship pillars including: thriving farms, healthful cows, enduring ecosystems, inspired consumers, fulfilled employees and enriched communities. For TCCA, these priorities represent areas of dedication, accomplishment and continual improvement.

"Stewardship remains at the heart and soul of TCCA and who we are as a 112-year-old, farmer-owned cooperative," said Paul Snyder, Executive Vice President, Stewardship, TCCA. "As a co-op, TCCA has structured its business to be a force for good in the world, and we live this value each day."

As an example, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of employees and the people who live and work in the communities where TCCA operates, the co-op stepped up with a $4 million COVID-19 relief fund. The funds provided direct support to local businesses in the rural hometowns of Tillamook and Morrow counties. Multiple stories of those who were helped by the COVID-19 relief efforts are featured on the stewardship section of the Tillamook website.



Additional highlights of TCCA's 2020 stewardship efforts, include:



Donating $1.6 million through the "All For Farmers" initiative. In September, Tillamook donated 10% of profits to provide 130 grants to farmers across the country and to protect at-risk farmland through a partnership with American Farmland Trust.

In September, donated 10% of profits to provide 130 grants to farmers across the country and to protect at-risk farmland through a partnership with American Farmland Trust. Complying with the Farm Animal Welfare Program (FARM) with 100% participation. All milk used in Tillamook products came from suppliers that adopted the stricter, more rigorous FARM 4.0 industry-leading animal care standards.

All milk used in products came from suppliers that adopted the stricter, more rigorous FARM 4.0 industry-leading animal care standards. Becoming a Certified B Corporation. Tillamook earned the distinguished B Corp certification representing a collective effort to build a purpose-driven company committed to doing good.

earned the distinguished B Corp certification representing a collective effort to build a purpose-driven company committed to doing good. Reducing water use by 4 million gallons. Tillamook dramatically reduced water consumption at the Tillamook manufacturing facility  representing a 2.7% net reduction over the previous year.

dramatically reduced water consumption at the manufacturing facility  representing a 2.7% net reduction over the previous year. Joining the global fight against food waste. The co-op teamed up with major retailer, Kroger, and hundreds of suppliers worldwide to commit to a 50% reduction of food waste in Tillamook operations by 2030.

The co-op teamed up with major retailer, Kroger, and hundreds of suppliers worldwide to commit to a 50% reduction of food waste in operations by 2030. Being recognized for sustainable procurement practices. Winning the 2020 Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council Award validated Tillamook's commitment to traceability and transparency across its entire supply chain.

Winning the 2020 Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council Award validated commitment to traceability and transparency across its entire supply chain. Doubling the number of leaders of color since 2018. Tillamook also increased the percentage of women in director-level roles by 6%. To date, 18% of Tillamook directors and above are people of color and 43% of employees at the manager level and above are women.

also increased the percentage of women in director-level roles by 6%. To date, 18% of directors and above are people of color and 43% of employees at the manager level and above are women. Dedicating a total of 8,516 paid volunteer hours. Tillamook employees contributed thousands of service hours to various causes and organizations in the local communities.

employees contributed thousands of service hours to various causes and organizations in the local communities. Contributing $1.2 million worth of Tillamook products to food security organizations, including the Oregon Food Bank, as well as to first responders and school districts. In a year where hunger doubled, Tillamook donated the equivalent of 340,000 meals, an increase of more than 450% from 2019

product donations.

In a year where hunger doubled, donated the equivalent of 340,000 meals, an increase of more than 450% from 2019 product donations. Pitching in for first responders. When wildfires reached Tillamook County , Tillamook served 500 free to-go meals for first responders in just four days.

"We are proud of what we have accomplished, inspired by how we have served our farmer-owners, employees and the communities where we operate, and humbled and motivated by the work that lies ahead," said Snyder.

About Tillamook County Creamery Association

Founded in 1909 as a farmer-owned cooperative, Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) recently achieved the distinction as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp) and prides itself on its commitment to bringing to market the most consistent, best tasting, highest quality dairy products made in the most natural way possible. Guided by the belief that everyone deserves real food that makes them feel good every day, Tillamook produces internationally recognized, award-winning cheese as well as exceptional ice cream, butter, cream cheese spreads, yogurt and sour cream, made with unwavering values that never sacrifice or compromise quality for profit. TCCA is owned by almost 80 farming families, primarily based in Tillamook County, Oregon. TCCA operates production facilities in Tillamook and Boardman, Oregon and employs more than 900 people throughout the state. The Tillamook Creamery is the largest tourist attraction on the coast of Oregon and one of the most popular in the state, attracting more than one million visitors each year. For more information on TCCA and Tillamook, visit Tillamook.com.

Media Contacts:

Brooke Vane

[email protected]

Jenna Cerruti, Tillamook

[email protected]

SOURCE Tillamook County Creamery Association

Related Links

https://www.tillamook.com


MBABANE - COVID-19 vaccination for the elderly is starting today.

Despite the two-day delay in the inoculation process for the elderly by the Ministry of Health, the vaccination process is starting today in the different tinkhundla centres in the country.

This is according to a press statement sent by the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, who said the start of the outreach programme to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to the elderly (60 years and above) starts today. The outreach vaccination exercise covers all 59 tinkhundla centres and starts from today until April 5, 2021 (next week Tuesday). The vaccinating team will be moving from one inkhundla to another according to a designated schedule and time. It is, therefore, important that the elderly keeps time as the team has been allocated three hours in each inkhundla, said Nkosi.

The minister said the ministry encouraged all qualifying citizens to register through the https://www.eswatinihealth.org/vaccine-registration link. On site registration is available for those who are unable to register online. People should bring their national identity card to the vaccination sites. After vaccinating, they will receive a vaccination card. People should check their cellphones to ensure if they had received a confirmation SMS for their vaccination. This SMS is critical to confirm that people have been captured in the system. The vaccination card should be kept in a safe place, said the minister.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Simon Zwane also confirmed that the vaccination process for the elderly was starting today, emphasising that the elderly should carry their national identification cards. When asked what would happen to those without national identification cards, Zwane said they would still be vaccinated. Elders without ID cards should still come. It is important that they get vaccinated, said Dr Zwane. Meanwhile, Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) President Bheki Mamba said the opening of schools required that the elderly get vaccinated promptly. The opening of schools means the elderly are now susceptible to the virus because most of the elderly stay with their school-going grandchildren. They have to gain immunity before their exposure to the virus increases, said Mamba.


Trumps administration negotiated a deal with the Taliban that committed us to leave by May. That obligation was conveniently scheduled for after the 2020 presidential election, making it Joe Bidens problem. Biden said at his news conference last week, Its going to be hard to meet the May 1 deadline. But when asked if our troops would still be there next year, he said, I cant picture that being the case.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021

One of the most bizarre accusations by conspiracy theorists is Clay Shaw's supposed involvement with the Freeport Sulphur Company. The company had operations in Cuba which were endangered by Fidel Castro's revolution. This story starts in 1957 with an article about their upcoming projects:

New Orleans Times-Picayune, April 2, 1957

Unfortunately, Fidel Castro came to power in 1959 and the project was aborted.

The story picks up again in 1968. James DiEugenio writes in Destiny Betrayed: (207-208)

"First, with Castro taking over their operations in Cuba, Freeport was attempting to investigate bringing in nickel ore from Cuba through Canada, which still had trade relations with Cuba. The ore would then be refined in Louisiana, either at a plant already in New Orleans or at another plant in Braithwaite. Shaw, an impresario of international trade was on this exploratory team for Freeport. And he and two other men had been flown to Canada by Ferrie as part of this effort."

DiEugenio's source is a Garrison memorandum that mentions an interview with Ken Elliott - a local radio personality who had taken a personal interest in the Garrison investigation. Here is that memo:

Now, I have to say that this is not really evidence - it's just somebody saying something. It's interesting that Elliott did not want to come forward unless served - and Garrison did not subpoena him.

By the way, Elliott also spoke to Shaw's investigators a few months earlier in April 1967 and he mentioned the Freeport Sulphur story:

So, in April Elliott had no idea how this fit "into the Shaw investigation." By July, he had some sort of idea - might Russo have been putting words in his mouth?

DiEugenio then claims additional supporting evidence: (page 208)

"More evidence of this connection through Freeport was found during their investigation of Guy Banister. Banister apparently knew about another flight taken by Shaw with an official of Freeport, like Charles Wight, to Cuba. Again the pilot was David Ferrie."

His source is another Garrison memo from October 1968. Here is that memo:

Sciambra refers to an interview with a Mr. James J. Plaine who told him that Mr. White of Freeport Sulphur was interested in the assassination of Fidel Castro. He also believed that Shaw was familiar and that he may have seen him in Houston. His identification is extremely fuzzy. We'll come back to Mr. Plaine in a minute.

But the Garrison office is sitting on a memo in the Guy Banister file that is even more explosive - it contains information that a Freeport Sulphur manager, Dick White, flew to Cuba with Clay Shaw, with David Ferrie in the pilot's seat. Here is that memo:

Now, Shaw was part of a plan to purchase the plant and get ore through Canada. Once again, there is no evidence here at all. Note that Clay Shaw hated to fly, and so the thought that he would get into a small plane and fly to Cuba is far-fetched. Shaw actually took the train to San Francisco for his speaking engagement in November 1963.

So, who is this Mr. Plaine? Well, on October 1, 1968, Sciambra wrote a memo about his interview with Plaine in Houston. Here is the memo:

The notations at the bottom read: "Plaine also said that he felt sure that Ruby + Oswald knew each other. He said he just knew." "Moo asked me to check this further, esp. with White, but O thought he [ ]. O believes he found the White at..... bank is the wrong White."

This whole memo is insane. It is unclear how they got in touch with Mr. Plaine, but I would guess that he called Garrison's office. It all sounds preposterous - fighting with Castro, taking part in the Bay of Pigs, and then being involved in assassinating Castro.

As for identifying Clay Shaw, he does say that "his face is familiar' but "cannot be sure." And, he was "very vague" about the identities of people who came from New Orleans to attend his meetings. Wow, he even gave the CIA information about missile sites.

Plaine claimed that David Ferrie "attended a couple of dozen meetings at his house and FERRIE gave him the impression that he was interested in only the money." That's a lot of meetings, no?

And, who can believe his claim that he received a Fair Play for Cuba leaflet with an attached note from "Lee"? And then two young men came to see him and asked about the leaflet and the note. "He said the two men asked about rifles and scopes and elevation and other things pertaining to an assassination." And, not surprisingly, "he said he would stake his life that one of the young men was LEE OSWALD and the other man looked a lot like him."

To Sciambra, well, he just had to ask about Kerry Thornley - because as we know Thornley was the second Oswald . I would have been nervous if I was Sciambra because Plaine told him "he kept a loaded automatic pistol in his apartment. As I was talking to him, he pointed to the pistol and said he kept it loaded at all times."

Plaine also claimed that after the assassination, the FBI searched his apartment for rifles.

I would have closed the entire file after that interview, but Sciambra called him back on October 23, 1967:

Now, Plaine remembers "either Shaw or Ferrie talking about some nickel mines." That is the first time he brings up David Ferrie (unless he was the source of the undated memo up above). But Sciambra then mentions Jules Ricco Kimble - a KKK member who had been questioned twice by the D.A.'s office.

The entire Kimble store is told in this blog post.

Kimble first told Garrison's office that "he knew about a flight David Ferrie took to Canada. He thought it involved some Minute Men operation." One month later, his story changed, and now Ferrie was flying him and Shaw to Nashville, Tennessee; Louisville Kentucky; Toranado Canada; and then Montreal Canada. (I have never heard of Toranado Canada). Kimble is simply not believable.

So, did Garrison's investigators ever talk to Mr. Wight of Freeport Sulphur. The answer is YES, and here is lead #86 from a long Garrison memo dated November 14, 1967 regarding outstanding leads:

I love the last two lines - "We have interviewed Dick White, and he denied having any knowledge of or connection with the matter. However, inasmuch as in this case everybody denies everything, this lead should be checked out completely.

So, they actually had the denial from White before Sciambra was sent off to Houston to interview Plaine.

By the way, the first juror selected for the Clay Shaw trial was an employee of Freeport Sulphur. There were no objections from the prosecution:

New Orleans States-Item, January 21, 1969

If they really thought Shaw was an investor in Freeport Sulphur, they would have used one of their challenges to make sure Mason did not sit on the jury.

The lead just languished until after the Shaw trial when it was once again listed in a new Shaw leads memo dated March 20, 1969:

This memo is contradicted by the earlier memo in which they indicated they had spoken to Wight.

Not much was done with this lead at this point. But, the lead resurfaced in a Garrison leads memo to the HSCA dated September 12, 1977:

It appears to me that there is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations made by James DiEugenio. The one person who actually did some research on this was Don Carpenter for his book, Man of a Million Fragments: (page 423)

"The Freeport Sulphur story, which has been freely circulating over the years by conspiracy theorists, has an element of truth in it, as there had been plans for such a manufacturing facility back in the 1950s, as discussed earlier. However, Shaw had no part in it, and the actual facility was never built, probably because of the takeover in Cuba by Fidel Castro's forces. An examination of Shaw's income tax returns and other business records show no such ownership; Shaw's investments were almost exclusively in local real estate. The anecdote by Plaine, whose credibility has never been established, is usually pyramided into larger stories based upon alleged past foreign shenanigans supposedly engaged in over many decades by Freeport Sulphur, which, whether true or not, have nothing to do with Shaw."

As for James Plaine and his credibility, he served two years for passing a bogus check in the 1940s.

This whole story was based upon rumors and the testimony of Jules Ricco Kimble. But, the story has actually gotten more conspiratorial over time. Here is an excerpt from James DiEugenio's latest book, The JFK Assassination:

"One of the most interesting group of ARRB released files were those on Freeport Sulphur...Based on these files, Lisa Pease did an absolutely scintillating two-part essay in Probe. It revealed the fact that Banister knew about a business venture which involved shipping nickel ore from Cuba to a Canadian front company. Ferrie flew an official of Freeport along with Shaw on an exploratory trip to organize the venture. Garrison had not just a file on this but at least two witnesses. Gaeton Fonzi was also interested in this interesting angle, and he actually connected the enterprise to David Phillips."

DiEugenio's sources are from William Davy's book, Let Justice Be Done. His sources are Plaine and Kimble. Here is how he brings David Phillips into it: (page 87)

"However, after Castro gained power, Cuban nationalization forced the closure of Moa Bay Mining. During its tenure in Cuba, Moa Bay had offices in downtown Havana. Former Alpha 66 leader, Antonio Veciana recalled receiving his CIA training in an office in Havana associated with a mining company. Recall that Veciana worked closely with his CIA office, "Maurice Bishop," an alias believed to be used by David Atlee Phillips."

Impressive evidence, no?

Update:

Ken Elliott died in November 1969. Here is a notice in the New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Bangkok, March 31 : The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has demanded a total of 40,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses for some 20,000 aviation personnel.

CAAT Director Suttipong Kongpool said on Wednesday that the agency has already called on the government-run Center for the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to provide the sought-after 40,000 coronavirus vaccines for people currently employed in the country's aviation industry, the Xinhua news reported.

Pilots, crew members as well as airport officials and employees will dutifully work in close contact with foreign passengers, who may visit some popular tourist destinations in Thailand without quarantine measures from the upcoming July, Suttipong said.

Those tourist destinations where vaccinated foreigners may visit after undergoing a seven-day quarantine upon arrival in Thailand from April 1 include Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.

The quarantine measures will be lifted for vaccinated foreign visitors to Phuket from July 1.
Maputo  A poacher who was caught in Mozambique's largest conservation area, the Niassa National Reserve (REN), in the far north of the country, has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.

The man, 31 year old Andre Mariano Baridi, was tried by the Cabo Delgado provincial court, sitting in Pemba, and on Monday the court found him guilty of crimes against wild life.

According to a press release issued by REN, Baridi was caught in possession of mechanical traps and other hunting equipment, designed to catch large animals. He was arrested as he was leaving a poachers' camp. A second poacher escaped, when he saw wardens from the Reserve approaching.

The REN management said that careful preparation of the case from the arrest to the prosecution case during the trial ensured success.
Taking Self-Storage to a New Level, Stache Gives Homeowners an Opportunity To Make Extra Income While Providing a Convenient, Safer, and More Affordable Storage and Parking Solution for All

NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Stache, a company growing the sharing economy, is expanding its storage marketplace to Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Chapel Hill-Durham communities, building out its business in the Southeast region. Self-storage units are heavily used, with one in 10 American families renting space every year. Stache provides an alternative where people can share their excess space with others, make some extra cash, and keep money in local communities. The company also has a socially driven mission, donating ten percent of all revenues to non-profit organizations.

Stache Co-Founders Mike Anderson and Ian Anderson

Just like Airbnb changed travel and Uber changed how we get from place to place, Stache is changing the way we store some of our valuable things. Currently offering its services in 38 states, Stache connects people who need storage space with those who have extra room in their garage, home, or carport, providing a more affordable option right in their neighborhoods. Customers save 30% to 50% when they use Stache rather than a traditional storage unit. Hosting on Stache is a side hustle that requires very little effort. The average Stache host makes between $4,000 to $6,000 per year with some people bringing in close to $30,000 a year.

"Storage is a $40 billion per year industry. Stache's main goal is to keep that money in the community. Unlike the major national storage brands, we are focused on local people and relationships," said Mike Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Stache. "People often are very uncomfortable about the idea of walking down dimly lit rows of public storage units. We remove that concern. With our peer-to-peer storage platform, people can find a safer and more affordable way to store their important things, and homeowners can make additional income off of their unused space and property. Our hosts might use the income to pay down their mortgage, put it toward their monthly utility bills, or build their savings. The options are endless."

In addition, Stache is focused on being a true local partner by ensuring that money spent on the platform helps fund community causes. Ten percent of the company's proceeds are donated back to a broad range of charities selected by users. Some of Stache's nonprofit partners include Dreams and Wishes, Service2School, RaiseRed, Special Olympics Kentucky, and Special Olympics Washington. Stache has donated tens of thousands of dollars to nonprofits since its founding in 2017.

"Similar to Bombas and Toms Shoes, philanthropy is a guiding principle of our company," Anderson added. "We have believed in this since day one."

"When we first started out, we were finding places for college students to store their dorm furnishings over the summer," continued Anderson. "All of our profits that year were given back to the sororities who helped us market our platform by making a donation to their favorite charity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation."

To sign up and use Stache, hosts visit the website and list what space they have available. Those needing some extra storage space can register online with information on how much space they need and what they need to store. Renters can also browse local listings and book with hosts, all through the platform.

For more information about Stache, or to learn about renting or hosting, visit www.stache.com.

Images available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aWmTIDHxEYg4v9XpeXONTJA-RRN_Lsyj

ABOUT STACHE

Stache is a peer-to-peer storage company that allows anyone with available space to rent it to people who need storage or parking for cars, motorcycles, boats, and RVs. The company is operating in 38 states with a concentration of business in the Southeast. Stache is community-focused, enabling people to make money on their pre-existing assets and making it a priority to give back a portion of its revenue to non-profit community partners. For more information, visit stache.com.

CONTACT:

Erica Zeidenberg

erica@hottomato.net

Office: (925) 631-0553

Mobile: (925) 518-8159

SOURCE: Stache

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638329/Personal-Peer-to-Peer-Self-Storage-Company-Expands-to-Southeast-Cities-to-Help-People-Make-Money-on-Available-Space-while-Giving-Back-to-Community
NEW HAVEN  There are six pediatric patients in Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital with COVID-19, two of whom are in intensive care, Dr. Thomas Balcezak reported Tuesday.

That level of illness in young patients hasnt been seen since April, Balcezak, chief clinical officer for Yale New Haven Health, said during an online press briefing.

Vincent Petrini, spokesman for Yale New Haven Health, said there have been 138 hospitalized children over the course of the pandemic, with no deaths.

In the past, patients would come in with a significant health issue and then would be tested and find that they have COVID. What were seeing now is theyre just coming in because they have COVID and thats whats causing their serious illness or hospitalization, Petrini said.

Balcezak said he believes the reason is the variant first found in the U.K., which is more contagious than the original coronavirus. However, he also said a 21-year-old patient had to be intubated last week, which he called very unusual.

The good news, Balcezak said, is that there has been a 72 percent reduction in patients 65 to 74 years old and a 77 percent decline in those 75 and older. Thats staggering, he said.

However, its clear that the variants, particularly the one found in the U.K.  or B.1.1.7 variant  are more easily transmitted, accounting for 40 percent of positive tests.

He said the health system will be able to accommodate the 1.3 million people age 16 to 44 who become eligible for vaccination Thursday. The vaccination sites gave out a record 17,000 first doses last week, Balcezak said, adding, We are receiving 22,000 first doses this week, so we will obliterate that record this week compared to last, and we still we can continue to ramp that up if we get access to more vaccine. The sites were set up to accommodate 40,000 doses a week, Balcezak said.

If we get enough vaccine, particularly now that the (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine should be coming online and thats only a single dose, I see that its possible that we could be getting towards that entire population by the end of June, he said.

CEO Marna Borgstrom said there were 208 COVID-positive patients in the four of the systems five hospitals Tuesday, an increase of 43 in the last two weeks. Clearly to be at 208 pales by comparison when you think about 800 patients in a single day last April, she said.

There were 138 patients at Yale New Haven Hospital, 41 at Bridgeport Hospital, 21 at Greenwich Hospital, eight at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London and none at Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island. She said 51 patients were in intensive care and 29 were on ventilators.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that people with five health conditions would be given special priority in vaccinations: those with sickle cell anemia, in treatment for cancer, recipients of solid organ transplants, those with end-stage renal disease and people with Down syndrome.

We worked with the other hospitals in the state of Connecticut to put together a precise definition for each of the diagnoses so we will do it consistently, Balcezak said.

He said efforts to reach the socially vulnerable neighborhoods have resulted in 25 percent of people in those neighborhoods having been vaccinated.

Balcezak said there have been six patients who have come down with COVID more than two weeks after their second vaccine dose, what are known as breakthrough cases. He said it was not cause for alarm. We expect some people who are vaccinated to be infected. It is not a panacea, he said. All six cases were caused by the variant first found in the U.K., he said.

Balcezak said there have been 11,564 admissions of patients with COVID since March 2020, with 1,135 deaths. But that puts our mortality rate at less than 10 percent, and we care for the sickest of the sick patients across the state of Connecticut, he said. And that mortality rate is really as good or better than any other mortality rate across the United States.

He called that rate a testament to the quality of care that our physicians and other staff are able to provide and really is I think something that we are grateful for and really deeply appreciative of.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382
The Utah Jazz's charter plane was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after departing Salt Lake City International Airport on Tuesday when the aircraft collided with a flock of birds, causing engine trouble.

The Delta Boeing 757 plane, which was carrying the Jazz to their game against the Grizzles in Memphis, had to return to the airport after the collision with the birds forced the left engine to be shut down.

No injuries were reported, but a Delta spokesperson told FOX 13 in Utah it was Flight 8944 involved in the bird strike and the Jazz confirmed it was their players aboard.

The Utah Jazz's charter plane was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after departing Salt Lake City International Airport on Tuesday when the aircraft collided with a flock of birds, causing engine trouble. In this picture, collision damage and what appears to be blood can be seen on the nose of the aircraft

Utah Jazz players are seen disembarking from their plane after an emergency landing Tuesday

One of the plane engines was severely damaged when the aircraft struck a flock of birds

The Jazz flight went in a tight loop back to Salt Lake City after hitting the flock of birds

'As the aircraft was taking off it hit a flock of birds,' Delta said in a statement to FOX 13. 'The left engine was shut down, the pilot declared an emergency in return to Salt Lake International Airport.

'Aircraft landed without incident and was able to taxi back. Delta Airlines is working on finding another aircraft to get their customers to their destinations.'

It is unclear when the Jazz will get another plane, but Wednesday's game with Memphis has not been postponed.

Donovan Mitchell, Royce O'Neal, Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson were among Jazz players who tweeted a praying hands emoji, while center Rudy Gobert simply tweeted, 'It's a beautiful day!'

Airplane engine trouble has practically been the only thing that has been able to stop the Jazz, who have won six straight games to raise their record to a Western Conference-leading 35-11.

Donovan Mitchell, Royce O'Neal, Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson were among Jazz players who tweeted a praying emoji, while center Rudy Gobert simply tweeted, 'It's a beautiful day!'
W elcome to Wine of the Week , a series in which Chronicle wine critic Esther Mobley recommends a delicious bottle that you should be drinking right now. Recently, she highlighted a $15 Gruner Veltliner-Riesling blend inspired by the pandemic. Check for a new installment every Wednesday.

California smells so good right now. Theres something about the scent of blooming flowers infusing the air at this time of year that, combined with the fresh, piney smell of our ubiquitous conifers, makes me happy to be alive.

Wine has the ability to capture sensations like this  to convey the fragrances and feelings of a specific place and time  and I recently drank a Pinot Noir that seemed to be the vinous incarnation of early Northern California springtime.

The label is a new-ish one called Madson, and its 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir reminds me of lavender, barely ripe strawberries, mushrooms still coated in wet earth, and Douglas fir needles. This is a pale, slight wine, a Pinot taken to its absolute limit of lightness, yet it feels firmly structured and insistently bright.

Madson is the project of Cole Thomas, Ken Swegles and Abbey Crystal, all three of whom have been working for years in the Santa Cruz Mountains wine world. Thomas and Swegles met while working at Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, one of the regions stalwart producers; for Madson, Thomas is mainly in charge of the winemaking while Swegles, a viticulturist, handles the farming.

They make Syrah, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir  three of the varieties that the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation does best  and all are rendered in a very contemporary style: low alcohol levels, flavors that veer more savory than sweet, bright acidity. All of Madsons red wines are fermented entirely whole-cluster, a winemaking technique in which the grapes are left to soak with their stems, which can imbue the resulting wine with an extra astringency and woodsy flavors. Whole-cluster fermentations are common among Pinot Noirs made in Burgundy and Syrahs in Frances Northern Rhone Valley  wines that the Madson team enjoys drinking.

The 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir is Madsons entry-level Pinot, a little less expensive than its single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Ascona and Toyon vineyards, two complementary sites. Ascona has elevation: Its 2,450 feet high, and gets a dusting of snow in the winter, Swegles says. Toyon has the coastal influence, being just 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The entry-level wine blends wine from those two vineyards together, and its a fine gateway into the Madson style.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

If youve been turned off by saccharine, overdone California Pinot Noirs in the past, consider this a good excuse to give the category another chance. And if, like me, youve been savoring the sensory overload of this new season, consider the Madson wine a chance to experience it in another dimension.

The wine is available from the Madson website or at the following Bay Area retailers: K&L, Paul Marcus, Tofino, Terroir, Summit Store, Vin Vino Wine and Vintage Berkeley. Its also available at these Santa Cruz County retailers: Deer Park Wines, Soif, Staff of Life and AJs Market. Note: Stores may sell out of the wine, so be sure to call ahead if youre shopping in person. The wines price varies by a few dollars depending on the store.

Madson Wines 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir ($29.99, 12.4%) See More Collapse

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley
Figure 1

2021 LOMP Gold Production

2021 LOMP Gold Production

Figure 2

Total Mined Tonnes, Stripping Ratio

Total Mined Tonnes, Stripping Ratio

Figure 3

Historical & Near-Term Production

Historical & Near-Term Production

Figure 4

Operating Cash Costs Per Ounce Sold

Operating Cash Costs Per Ounce Sold

Figure 5

AISC Per Ounce Sold

AISC Per Ounce Sold

Figure 6

Operating Cash Costs & AISC Per Ounce Sold Over 2021 LOMP

Operating Cash Costs & AISC Per Ounce Sold Over 2021 LOMP

Figure 7

Capital Expenditures (2021  2025)

Capital Expenditures (2021  2025)

Table 3

Mineral Reserve Estimates

Mineral Reserve Estimates

Table 4

M&I Mineral Resource Estimates

M&I Mineral Resource Estimates

Table 5

Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates

Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates

Highlights of the 2021 Life-of-Mine Plan (LOMP):



Production of 680,000  720,000 ounces from 2021  2024, growing to 800,000 ounces in 2025 and reaching over 900,000 ounces in 2032

Low unit costs, including average operating cash costs of $524/oz and AISC/oz of $775 in first five years (2021  2025)

Large Mineral Reserve provides 22-year production life with potential for further growth

Encouraging exploration results supporting substantial growth in Mineral Reserves, higher production levels and further improvements to unit costs not included in 2021 LOMP (to be superseded by new mine plan in 2022).

TORONTO, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (Kirkland Lake Gold or the Company) (TSX:KL) (NYSE:KL) (ASX:KLA) today announced the filing of a technical report (the  2021 Detour Lake Technical Report or the Report) for the Companys Detour Lake Mine, entitled Detour Lake Operation, Ontario, Canada, NI 43-101 Technical Report. The Report was prepared in compliance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards for Disclosure of Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and is effective as at December 31, 2020. The Report is available under Kirkland Lake Golds profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Companys website at www.kl.gold. All dollar amounts in this press release are expressed in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

The 2021 Detour Lake Technical Report includes a new life-of-mine plan (2021 LOMP) that supports the scientific and technical disclosure in the updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates as at December 31, 2020 contained in the Companys press release dated February 25, 2021. In addition, results published in the Report are consistent with, and confirm, the multi-year production guidance (2021  2023) and unit cost and capital expenditure guidance for 2021 included in the Companys press release dated December 10, 2020. The Report does not include any of the exploration success achieved since the Company acquired Detour Lake Mine on January 31, 2020; nor does it include the full impact of business improvement initiatives undertaken since the acquisition. The results of the Companys exploration program will be included in a new mine plan to be issued in 2022 (2022 LOMP), which the Company expects will lead to significant value enhancement opportunities for the Detour Lake operation.

Story continues

Under the 2021 LOMP, production is expected to average 680,000  720,000 ounces from 2021  2024, before increasing to 800,000 ounces in 2025. Production would then decline for three years during a period of increased stripping before reaching over 900,000 ounces beginning in 2032. As the Company continues its exploration drilling and works to factor the significant drilling success it is achieving into the 2022 LOMP, an important objective will be to achieve growth in reserves and changes to the production profile such that there is not a drop off in production after 2025, and to achieve 900,000 ounces of production, or higher, as early in the mine life as possible, leading to further improvements in unit costs and free cash flow.

The Detour Lake Technical Report was prepared by following Kirkland Lake Gold employees, all of whom are qualified persons as defined in NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mining Projects and in compliance with Form 43-101F1: Mr. Andre Leite, P.Eng, Detour Lake Mine Technical Service Manager; Mr. Jean Francois Dupont, P.Eng, Detour Lake Chief Metallurgist; Dr. Veronika Raizman, P.Geo., Manager, Reclamation & Geochemistry; and Mr. Paul Andrew Fournier, P.Eng, Manager, Cost Accounting.

2021 Detour Lake Technical Report and LOMP

Among the key results included in the 2021 Detour Lake Technical Report and LOMP are the following:

Significant production growth in first five years compared to previous results driven by a lower strip ratio and expanded levels of mill throughput, with production targeted at 680,000  720,000 ounces from 2021  2024 and reaching 800,000 ounces in 2025

Low unit costs in the first five years (2021  2025) with operating cash costs per ounce sold (1) (2) averaging US$524 and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) per ounce per ounce sold (1) (2) averaging $775

Long Production Life of 22 years based on 13.8 million ounces of Mineral Reserves (at or above a 0.50 g/t cut-off grade) and 2.0 million ounces of low-grade stockpile Mineral Reserves (below 0.50 g/t cut-off grade) to mainly be processed at the end of the mine life; potential exists for extended life with updated resource model incorporating 2020 and 2021 exploration drilling

Capital expenditures that support expanded production levels and a long mine life; sustaining capital expenditure estimates based on actual operating experience; growth capital expenditure estimates reflect the impact of multiple new growth projects aimed at maximizing after-tax cash flow over the life of mine and positioning Detour Lake to take advantage of additional growth opportunities once the results of exploration drilling are factored into the mine plan.

(1) See Non-IFRS Measures in this press release and in the MD&A for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

(2) Unit costs determined using a gold price of $1,500/oz and an exchange rate of CAD/USD of 1.31.

Tony Makuch, President and CEO of Kirkland Lake Gold, commented: The 2021 LOMP represents an important interim report on our progress advancing the Detour Lake Mine, defining a highly profitable operation that is well positioned to benefit from our ongoing exploration success and other value creation opportunities. Based on the new mine plan, Detour Lake is poised to become Canadas largest gold producer and, with the potential for substantial growth in Mineral Reserves as our drilling programs continue, could very well become one of the largest and most profitable gold mines in the world.

The 2021 LOMP includes significant production growth and improved unit costs compared to past operating experience. Production growth is driven by higher levels of mill throughput, reflecting increased ore tonnes mined, lower stripping ratios, better ore fragmentation and improved productivity in the mill based on a number of key business improvement initiatives. Sustaining capital estimates, which account for about half of total capital expenditures in the first five years, are based on actual experience over the last several years and extensive engineering work. Growth capital expenditures over this period mainly relate to new growth projects aimed at maximizing returns and positioning the operation to benefit fully from additional value creation opportunities.

A key factor driving our interest in acquiring Detour Lake Mine was the belief that we could substantially grow Mineral Reserves through extensive drilling. Results to date support our view that there is a large, continuous corridor of mineralization along the Detour Mine Trend that extends from the Main Pit, through the Saddle Zone and continues beyond the West Pit location. With continued drilling success, we anticipate transitioning to a much larger pit design as we grow our Mineral Reserve base leading to further increases in production at better unit costs.

Key Assumptions

The Economic analysis of the operation was completed using a gold price of US$1,500 per ounce and a CAD$/US$ exchange rate of 1.31. The current gold price provided for Mineral Reserve estimation is US$1,300/oz, with US$ 1,500/oz being used for Mineral Resource estimation. Both Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates use an exchange rate assumption of CAD/US $1.31. The project start date is January 1, 2021 with mining conducted over a period of 18 years and processing activities extending over 22 years, with the final three years of processing reflecting the milling previously stockpiled low-grade Mineral Reserves.

Review of Operations

During the Life of Mine (LOM), a total of 14,499,000 ounces of gold is produced at an average grade of 0.82 g/t and an average recovery rate of 91.9%. The production profile assumes the mining of 593.9 million tonnes of ore with an average strip ratio of 1.90 and an ex-pit ore grade of 0.82 g/t over a period of 18 years, including 1,954,000 ounces of low-grade stockpiled Mineral Reserves, which will mainly be processed over a four year period at the end of the mine life. Over the first five years of operation, starting at January 1, 2021, 3,618,000 ounces of gold are produced in aggregate (an average of 723,600 ounces per year) from processing 132.8 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.92 g/t and at an average recovery rate of 92.0%. A total of 186.4 million tonnes of ore is projected to be mined during this five-year period at an average grade of 0.78 g/t and at an average strip ratio of 2.08.

On a per ounce sold basis, average unit costs over the LOM are expected to include operating cash costs per ounce sold of $619 and AISC per ounce sold of $821. Unit costs in the first five years of the operation are expected to be better than the LOM averages and clearly establish Detour Lake Mine as a low-cost gold mining operation with operating cash costs of $524 and AISC per ounce sold of $775.

Table 1. Operating Summary 1

2021  2025 Mining Ore Mined (Mt) 186.4 Waste Mined (Mt) 386.9 Ex-Pit Mined (Mt) 573.3 Strip Ratio (waste/ore) 2.08 Ex-Pit Ore Grade (g/t) 0.78 Processing Tonnes Milled (Mt) 132.8 Head Grade (g/t) 0.92 Recovery (%) 92.0 Gold Recovered (Koz) 3,618 Gold Poured (Koz) 3,618 Gold Sales (Koz) 3,618 Unit Costs Operating Cash Cost ($/oz)2 524 AISC ($/oz)2 775

(1) Tonnes and ounces are based on Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as at December 31, 2020.

(2) Note: See Non-IFRS Measures set out below and as further set out on page 40 of the Companys MDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 for further details.

Figure 1. 2021 LOMP Gold Production is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51c6bd13-7584-48d6-b64b-686062b09fb5

Figure 2. Total Mined Tonnes, Stripping Ratio is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f35c6bff-1d78-4b7f-9602-ec0c79309c92

Figure 3. Historical & Near-Term Production is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ff2b7da-ddea-45c7-a4d2-8eda5697ec3b

(1) For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020; Reduction from 2019 largely related to impact reduced operations and other components of the Companys COVID-19 response

(2) Included in Companys production guidance for 2021 (see press release dated December 10, 2020)

Figure 4. Operating Cash Costs Per Ounce Sold1 is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d18eb370-8acb-48e2-8428-d5c8146c0e5a

Note: See Non-IFRS Measures set out below and as further set out on page 40 of the Companys MDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 for further details.

Figure 5. AISC Per Ounce Sold1 is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/843c0b6b-f145-4869-a4f6-275c97d942cf

Note: See Non-IFRS Measures set out below and as further set out on page 40 of the Companys MDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 for further details.

Figure 6. Operating Cash Costs & AISC Per Ounce Sold Over 2021 LOMP is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ada156ca-8575-4172-b2fe-a5640d8d7fd6

Review of Economic Analysis

The economic analysis included a discounted cash flow assessment using a gold price of US$1,500 per ounce and a discount rate of 5%. The currency used to calculate cash flow in the 2021 Detour Lake Technical Report is the Canadian dollar. For the purpose of this press release, amounts have been converted to US dollars using an exchange rate of CAD/US 1.31. Operating costs were prepared based on recent operating history and technical assumptions associated with the production profile. Capital expenditures were prepared based on engineering estimates, vendor quotes, maintenance strategies, or estimated long-term requirements based on current asset value. The economic evaluation assumes the continued payment of a 2% net smelter royalty to Franco-Nevada Corporation and the continuation of existing payment obligations to First Nations groups.

As outlined in Table 2 below, the pre-tax cumulative cash flow is estimated at $8,505 million. The post-tax cumulative cash flow is estimated at $6,377 million. At a 5% discount rate, the Net Present Value of pre-tax cash flows is $5,049 million and of post-tax cash flows is $3,792 million.

Over the first five years of the project total pre-tax cumulative cash flow is estimated at $1,602 million, for an average of $320.3 million per year. The post-tax cumulative cash flow is estimated at $1,299 million over the five-year period.

Table 2. Cash Flow Analysis 1

$ Millions unless otherwise stated LOM 2021  2025 Sales Gold Sold (Koz) 14,519 3,618 Gold Price (US$/oz) 1,500 1,500 Gross Revenue 21,778 5,427 Refining and Transport Costs (25) (6) Net Revenue 21,754 5,421 Operating Costs  Mining (3,526) (931) Operating Costs  Processing (3,976) (827) Operating Costs  Site Adm. (1,458) (388) Operating Costs (8,690) (2,146) Royalties and First Nation Payments (584) (152) Changes in Inventory (27) 250 Operating Margin 12,183 3,373 Capital Expenditures (3,621) (1,510) Reclamation (79) (7) Lease Payments (9) (2) Less: Changes in W/C 32 (252) Free Cash Flow Before Taxes 8,505 1,602 Taxes (2,127) (303) Free Cash Flow After Taxes 6,377 1,299 Net Present Value Before Tax (5%) 5,049 1,405 Net Present Value After Tax (5%) 3,792 1,149

Note: See Non-IFRS Measures set out below and as further set out on page 40 of the Companys MDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 for further details.

Capital Expenditures

Total capital expenditures for the project $3,621 million over the LOM and $1,510 million from 2021  2025, for an average over the first five years of $302.0 million. Contributing to the level of capex in the first five years are a number of key projects, including $65  $75 million for projects aimed at increasing throughput in the mill to 28 million tonnes per year. Capital expenditures for mining includes equipment replacement, planned component replacements, and capitalized maintenance of 795 haul trucks. Expenditures related to the tailings management areas (TMA) include construction of Cell 2 and Cell 3, while G&A costs are largely related to environmental permitting for the West Detour project and the Mine Water Pond.

Figure 7. Capital Expenditures (2021  2025) is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/04a3a6c5-368c-411d-8ec0-8cf8f5355bc2

Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources

Mineral Reserve estimates included in the 2021 Detour Lake Technical Report and LOMP are as at December 31, 2020 and were previously reported in a press release dated February 25, 2021. Mineral Reserves at Detour Lake as at December 31, 2020 were estimated at 13,821,000 ounces at an average grade of 0.96 g/t at an average cut-off grade at or above 0.50 g/t. In addition, the Company also established low-grade Mineral Reserves of 1,954,000 ounces at an average grade of 0.41 g/t. These Mineral Reserves will mainly be processed at the end of the mine life and, under previous mine planning, would have been mined as waste. Measured and Indicated (M&I) Mineral Resources as at December 31, 2020 were estimated at 5,191,000 ounces at an average grade of 1.21 g/t. Inferred Mineral Resources totaled 1,606,000 ounces at an average grade of 0-.94 g/t.

Table 3. Mineral Reserve Estimates 1 is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/11449321-0a71-4d3b-a955-987e4df0ee6b

Notes: Readers are referred to the footnotes set out at the end of this press release.

Table 4. M&I Mineral Resource Estimates 1 is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9cb94a89-6698-407c-87c3-1d24eda3617c

Notes: Readers are referred to the footnotes set out at the end of this press release.

Table 5. Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates 1 is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a82bcc08-fd48-47f5-af9a-01db9ed0cbb8

Notes: Readers are referred to the footnotes set out at the end of this press release.

About Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. is a senior gold producer operating in Canada and Australia that is targeting 1,300,000  1,400,000 ounces of production in 2021. The production profile of the Company is anchored by three high-quality operations, including the Macassa Mine and Detour Lake Mine, both located in Northern Ontario, and the Fosterville Mine located in the state of Victoria, Australia. Kirkland Lake Golds solid base of quality assets is complemented by district scale exploration potential, supported by a strong financial position with extensive management expertise.

For further information on Kirkland Lake Gold and to receive news releases by email, visit the website www.kl.gold.

Qualified Persons

The technical contents related to the Detour Lake Mine in this press release, have been reviewed and approved by Andre Leite, P. Eng., Detour Lake Mine Technical Service Manager. Mr. Leite is a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and have reviewed and approved disclosure of the technical information and data in this press release.

Footnotes Related to Mineral Reserve Calculations:

The mineral reserves have an effective date of December 31, 2020. The Qualified Person for the estimate is Mr. Andre Leite Mineral reserves amenable to open pit mining methods were estimated using a gold price assumption of US$1,300/oz, an exchange rate of 1.31 C$/US$, a 2% net smelter return royalty, refining charge of 0.05%, variable metallurgical recoveries based on a formula, inter-ramp pit slope angles that range from 25.156.3, mining cost of C$3.42/t mined, incremental haulage costs of C$0.019/7.25 m bench at Detour Lake and C$0.15/5 m bench at West Detour and North Pit, process costs of C$9.75/t milled, general and administrative costs of C$3.59/t milled, non-mining sustaining capital costs of C$3.42/t milled, and mining sustaining capital costs of C$0.35/t mined. The estimate is reported above variable optimized cut-off and a minimum cut-off grade of 0.35 g/t Au. Estimates were rounded in accordance with reporting guidelines. Totals may not sum due to rounding. Totals may not add up due to rounding.

Footnotes Related to Mineral Resource Calculations:

The mineral resources have an effective date of December 31, 2020. The Qualified Person for the estimate is Mr. Andre Leite, P.Eng., a Kirkland Lake Gold employee. Mineral resources are reported exclusive of those mineral resources converted to mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resources are reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards. Mineral resources considered amenable to open pit mining methods were estimated using a gold price of US1,500/oz, an exchange rate of 1.31 C$/US$, variable metallurgical recovery assumptions based on formulae, refining and transport costs of C$5/oz Au, mining costs of C$3.42/t mined, process costs of C$9.75/t milled, tailings management costs of C$1.50/t milled, general and administrative costs of C$3.59/t milled, non-mining sustaining capital costs of $2.44/t milled, mining sustaining capital costs of C$0.35/t mined, incremental bench cost of $0.019/t/bench, and variable pit slope angles that range from 2556. The estimate is reported above a cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t Au. Mineral resources considered amenable to underground pit mining methods were estimated assuming long-hole and transverse stoping methods. The estimates used a gold price of US1,300/oz, metallurgical recovery assumption of 97%, refining and transport costs of C$5/oz Au, average mining cost of C$75/t mined, process and tailings costs of C$9/t milled, general and administrative costs of C$11.50/t, assumed dilution average of 12%. The estimate is reported above a cut-off grade of 2.2 g/t Au. Estimates have been rounded in accordance with reporting guidelines. Totals may not sum due to rounding.



Non-IFRS Measures

The Company has included certain non-IFRS measures in this document, as discussed below. The Company believes that these measures, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.

Free Cash Flow

In the gold mining industry, free cash flow is a common performance measure with no standardized meaning. The Company calculates free cash flow by deducting cash capital spending (capital expenditures for the period, net of expenditures paid through finance leases) from net cash provided by operating activities. The Company discloses free cash flow as it believes the measure provides valuable assistance to investors and analysts in evaluating the Companys ability to generate cash flow after capital investments and build the cash resources of the Company.

Operating Cash Costs and Operating Cash Costs per Ounce Sold

Operating cash costs and operating cash cost per tonne and per ounce sold are non-IFRS measures. In the gold mining industry, these metrics are common performance measures but do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Operating cash costs include mine site operating costs such as mining, processing and administration, but exclude royalty expenses, depreciation and depletion and share based payment expenses and reclamation costs. Operating cash cost per ounce sold is based on ounces sold and is calculated by dividing operating cash costs by volume of gold ounces sold.

The Company discloses operating cash costs and operating cash cost per tonne and per ounce as it believes the measures provide valuable assistance to investors and analysts in evaluating the Companys operational performance and ability to generate cash flow. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with IFRS is total production expenses. Operating cash costs and operating cash cost per ounce of gold should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Sustaining and Growth Capital

Sustaining capital and growth capital are Non-IFRS measures. Sustaining capital is defined as capital required to maintain current operations at existing levels. Growth capital is defined as capital expenditures for major growth projects or enhancement capital for significant infrastructure improvements at existing operations. Both measurements are used by management to assess the effectiveness of investment programs.

AISC and AISC per Ounce Sold

AISC and AISC per ounce are Non-IFRS measures. These measures are intended to assist readers in evaluating the total costs of producing gold from current operations. While there is no standardized meaning across the industry for this measure, the Companys definition conforms to the definition of AISC as set out by the World Gold Council in its guidance note dated June 27, 2013. The Company defines AISC as the sum of operating costs (as defined and calculated above), royalty expenses, sustaining capital, corporate expenses and reclamation cost accretion related to current operations. Corporate expenses include general and administrative expenses, net of transaction related costs, severance expenses for management changes and interest income. AISC excludes growth capital expenditures, growth exploration expenditures, reclamation cost accretion not related to current operations, interest expense, debt repayment and taxes.

Average Realized Price per Ounce Sold

In the gold mining industry, average realized price per ounce sold is a common performance measure that does not have any standardized meaning. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with IFRS is revenue from gold sales. Average realized price per ounce sold should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measure is intended to assist readers in evaluating the total revenues realized in a period from current operations.

Risks and Uncertainties

The exploration, development and mining of mineral deposits involves significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Kirkland Lake Gold is subject to several financial and operational risks that could have a significant impact on its cash flows and profitability. The most significant risks and uncertainties faced by the Company include: the price of gold; the uncertainty of production estimates (which assume accuracy of projected grade, recovery rates, and tonnage estimates and may be impacted by unscheduled maintenance, labour and other operating, engineering or technical difficulties with respect to the development of its projects, many of which may not be within the control of the Company), including the ability to extract anticipated tonnes and successfully realizing estimated grades; the threat of outbreaks of viruses or other infectious disease, including COVID-19; changes to operating and capital cost assumptions; the inherent risk associated with project development and permitting processes; the uncertainty of the mineral resources and their development into mineral reserves; the replacement of depleted reserves; foreign exchange risks; changes in applicable laws and regulations (including tax legislation); reclamation obligations; regulatory; tax matters and foreign mining tax regimes, as well as health, safety, environmental and cybersecurity risks. For more extensive discussion on risks and uncertainties refer to the Risks and Uncertainties section in the December 31, 2020 Annual Information Form and the Companys MD&A for the period ended December 31, 2020 filed on SEDAR and on EDGAR.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward looking statements, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the development of the Companys properties and the anticipated timing thereof, expected production from, and the further potential of the Companys properties, the potential to increase the levels of mineral resources and mineral reserves and potential conversion of mineral resources; the anticipated timing and commencement of exploration programs on various targets within the Companys land holdings and the implication of such exploration programs (including but not limited to any potential decisions to proceed to commercial production), the anticipated overall impact of the Companys COVID19 response plans, including measures taken by the Company to reduce the spread of COVID19, including but not limited to the rapid testing implemented at the Companys sites, the ability to lower costs and gradually increase production, the ability of the Company to successfully achieve business objectives, the ability of the Company to achieve its longer-term outlook and the anticipated timing and results thereof, statements made with respect to our guidance for production, assumptions relating to revenues, operating cash flow and other metrics set out in the Companys disclosure materials, the optimization of the Companys mine plans, including the updated mine plan for the Detour Lake mine expected in 2022, the Companys continuous improvement initiatives and the potential impacts thereof, the performance of the Companys equity investments and the ability of the Company to realize on its strategic goals with respect to such investments, the effects of unexpected costs, liabilities or delays, the potential benefits and synergies and expectations of other economic, business and or competitive factors, including the ability of the Company to realize on certain planned synergies associated with the acquisition of Detour Gold Corporation, the Company's expectations in connection with the projects and exploration programs being met, the impact of general business and economic conditions, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, fluctuating gold prices, currency exchange rates (such as the Canadian dollar versus the US dollar), mark-to-market derivative variances, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in the Company's corporate mineral resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in project development, construction, production and commissioning time frames, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, higher prices for fuel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, unexpected changes in mine life, seasonality and unanticipated weather changes, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, risks related to information technology and cybersecurity, timing and costs associated with the design, procurement and construction of the Companys various capital projects, including but not limited to potential future impacts and effects of COVID19, including but not limited to potential future delays and unanticipated suspension or interruption of operations, the #4 Shaft project at the Macassa Mine, the ventilation, paste plant, transformer and water treatment facility at the Fosterville Mine, the ability to obtain all necessary permits associated with the Detour Lake Mine, the ability to obtain the necessary permits in connection with all of its various capital projects, including but not limited to the rehabilitation of the Macassa tailings facility and the development of a new tailings facility and the anticipated results associated therewith, the West Detour project, processing plant expansion at the Detour Lake Mine, the ability to obtain renewals of certain exploration licences in Australia, native and aboriginal heritage issues, including but not limited to ongoing negotiations and consultations with the Companys First Nations partners, risks relating to infrastructure, permitting and licenses, exploration and mining licences, government regulation of the mining industry, risks relating to foreign operations, uncertainty in the estimation and realization of mineral resources and mineral reserves, quality and marketability of mineral product, environmental regulation and reclamation obligations, including but not limited to risks associated with reclamation and closure obligations relating to the Northern Territory projects, risks relating to the Northern Territory wet season, risks relating to litigation and unanticipated costs to assume the defence of such litigation, risks relating to applicable tax and potential reassessments thereon, risks relating to changes to tax law and regulations and the Company's interpretation thereof, foreign mining tax regimes and the potential impact of any changes to such foreign tax regimes, competition, currency fluctuations, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, and limitations on insurance, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the AIF of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves, and do not have demonstrated economic viability, but do have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. Measured and indicated resources are sufficiently well defined to allow geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed and permit the application of technical and economic parameters in assessing the economic viability of the resource. Inferred resources are estimated on limited information not sufficient to verify geological and grade continuity or to allow technical and economic parameters to be applied. Inferred resources are too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that Measured or Indicated mineral resources can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration and positive economic assessment.

Information Concerning Estimates Of Mineral Reserves And Measured, Indicated And Inferred Resources

This press release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ in certain material respects from the disclosure requirements of United States securities laws. The terms mineral reserve, proven mineral reserve and probable mineral reserve are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the CIM)  CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the CIM Standards). These definitions differ significantly from the definitions in the disclosure requirements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) applicable to domestic reporting companies. Investors are cautioned that information contained in this Annual Information Form may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Anthony Makuch, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Phone: +1 416-840-7884

E-mail: tmakuch@kl.gold

Mark Utting, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

Phone: +1 416-840-7884

E-mail: mutting@kl.gold








By Felix Warom Okello & Rashul Adidi

The South Sudan government has directed all businessmen plying the Oraba-Kaya-Yei-Juba route to abandon it following the killing of 11 Ugandans on Sunday and Monday.

The government says the Oraba-Kaya-Yei-Juba route is infiltrated by rebel groups and armed pastoralists who are carrying out attacks on businessmen.

In a phone interview with Daily Monitor, the Commissioner for Lanya County in Yei River State, MorrisKenyi, advised business people to instead use the Nimule route because it is relatively safer.

He also said bodies of the deceaseds had been recovered.

Kenyi said they are still puzzled on who exactly carried out the attack but hinted that this worst attack ever, could have been carried out by the National Salvation Front (NAS) of Gen. Thomas Cirilo and armed Pastoralists.
Orange County Charter Schools Offer Students, Parents Choice

ORANGE, Calif.When organizers of the Orange County Classical Academy (OCCA) set out to open the doors of their own charter school in August 2020 in the city of Orange, they had no idea theyd be doing it in the middle of a pandemic. They simply wanted to offer children what they felt was a better education than they could receive in a regular public school.

Despite the restrictions, organizers say the school has been a resounding success. Many parents in California are seeking an alternative to the states public school system and considering charter schools, which are public schools that operate under a different set of rules that offer them a choice in how and what their children learn.

Having a child that recently graduated from the public school system, I think they need to go back to the basics, Jim Puro, who served on a charter school board, told The Epoch Times. They dont teach what I learned when I was in schoolthe Constitution, civics, history. Theyre just teaching the wrong items, in my opinion, that get a kid properly prepared for the world.

The move toward charters is a nationwide trend. From 2000 to 2017, the percentage of all public school students who attended charter schools increased to 6 percent from 1 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Education, including approximately 10 percent in California. For the 20182019 school year, there were more than 1,300 charter schools in the state.

Not everyone agrees theyre a good idea, however. Some say that charter schools take funds away from other public schools, inadequately serve special-needs students, have a disproportionately low number of minority students, and have a high turnover rate for teachers, due to long hours and less pay.

A Better Option: Report

Advocates say charter schools provide children with a better education than they can receive in other public schoolsand a recent report released by the Pacific Research Institute agrees.

Recent research from Harvard and others show that charter schools are doing a better job improving the achievement and meeting the needs of students compared to regular public schools, according to the January report.

The reportwritten by Lance Izumi, a senior director at the institutenoted that the success of charter schools took place despite efforts by state lawmakers and teachers unions to handicap both the establishment of charters and their operation by limiting funding and capping approvals.

Charter schools are held accountable for the quality of their education and are reviewed by local school districts every five years. Unlike regular public schools, if the districts school board deems a charter school inadequate, its charter can be revoked.

Izumi told The Epoch Times that such accountability provides incentive for the charter school to do a good job to increase student achievement  whereas theres really none of that type of incentive for the regular public schools.

A September 2020 study by education researchers at Harvard University also found a larger increase in student achievement for students at charter schools than for students at district schoolsabout a half-years worth of learning. The analysis was compiled by tracking national student test scores from 2005 through 2017.

I think theyre getting a higher education, Puro said. Theyre not being taught what somebody in the government wants them to learn. Theyre being taught what they need to learn. Like I said, no restrictions.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), however, around 20 percent of charter schools in Southern California in 2016 had policies that restricted enrollment and limited equal access.

The issues highlighted by the ACLU included: denying enrollment to students who dont have strong grades, test scores, or meet a level of English proficiency; expelling students who dont maintain strong grades or test scores; selecting students based on onerous pre-enrollment requirements such as student essays and/or parent interviews; discouraging or precluding immigrant students; and refusing to enroll students unless they donate money.

Curriculum

Dr. Jeff Barke is co-founder of the Orange County Classical Academy (OCCA), a charter school in the city of Orange that opened its doors last August. The school offers its own curriculum, rather than the standard nationwide common core learning initiative used by public schools throughout California.

Weve decided that common core is a very poor, terrible way to teach kids, and it has failed, in my opinion, mostly across the country, Barke told The Epoch Times. OCCAs goal is to educate kids that think, that have a high level of responsibility, that are virtuous, and that are good American citizens, he said.

Like other charter schools, OCCA chooses its own programs, teachers, and methodsand demand is high. Barke said the school is currently filled to capacity, with a waiting list of more than 500 students.

Though they still must adhere to state guidelines, charter schools have flexibility in meeting them. They act independently of public school districts, arent required to use the same curriculum, and can choose their own learning models.

There are currently 35 charter schools in Orange County. OCCA is the first in California to employ the Hillsdale College curriculum, a program of study used by more than 20 others around the country. Barke cited the three-stage classical education modelwhich teaches grammar, logic, and rhetoricfor its effectiveness.

Elementary school students learn at the grammar stage using memorization; middle school students learn to use logic to interrelate concepts; and high school students learn to teach others the implications of their knowledge through question-and-dialogue rhetoric.

The Orange County Classical Academy in Orange, Calif., on March 10, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The Orange County Classical Academy in Orange, Calif., on March 10, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Any Location

Unlike regular public schools, students attending charter schools can enroll regardless of location. If parents want to enroll their child in a regular public school in a district outside of where they live, they need authorization.

Currently, OCCA teaches 360 students in grades K5, but plans to expand one grade level every year until it reaches K12. There are two classes for each grade, with roughly 30 students in each classroom.

On March 16, the school held a public lottery via Zoom to fill 65 open spots for later this year. More than 500 people participated. Weve got tremendous demand for very limited spots in the school, Barke said.

Charters receive state funding based on student enrollment. California provides schools about $10,000 per student for their education.

We have seen a lot of a lot of kids come over from private school, religious schools, and others, because rather than pay $10,000 or $15,000 a year, they can come here for free, Barke said.

Accountability and Merit

According to Barke, one criticism leveled at charter schools is that they have a high turnover rate of teachers. He said thats because charter schools can eliminate underperforming teachers.

You cant do that at a traditional public school because of their contract, because of tenure, he said. It takes on average about $250,000 and several years to get rid of a poorly performing [regular public school] teacher.

Since most charter schools arent unionized, they have much greater flexibility in how they hire their teachers, he added.

Teacher Rebekah Conklin a the Orange County Classical Academy in Orange, Calif., on March 10, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

A Teachers Perspective

Rebekah Conklin teaches third grade at OCCA. Previously, she taught at a private school for more than 14 years. She told The Epoch Times that teaching at OCCA allows her greater flexibility to educate students.

Were given a lot of freedom to teach whats in the textbook in different ways, Conklin said. We can do it using drama or music. Were allowed to teach it in a way we want to teach it.

Every day, her class21 in-person students, and two more distance learnersbegins with the Pledge of Allegiance. Then the students recite OCCAs Six Pillars of Character: a school pledge that emphasizes courage, honesty, citizenship, respect, courtesy, and responsibility.

Were emphasizing them to be virtuous citizens, said Conklin, noting that the parents are kind and supportive.

Students in each class can earn virtue cards for doing something that represents one of these six pillars, she said. Every Friday, students can trade their virtue cards for fun items like rubber balls and stickers at a makeshift store.

Barke said he started the school because a successful future is dependent on students receiving a quality education.

To the extent that the United States of America is going to be saved, its going to be our children that do that. And the only path forward, as I see it, is through education, he said.

Our traditional public education system is failing too many of our kids, and I cant fix the whole country, but I can fix one kid at a time.
The Duchess of Cambridge did not break the law by attending the vigil for Sarah Everard because 'she was working', Dame Cressida Dick said today, as she slammed politicians including Sadiq Khan who criticised her officers for arresting protesters 'without knowing the facts'.

The Met Commissioner also revealed that she knew in advance that Kate was heading to Clapham Common to lay flowers - but admitted the officer in charge of policing the event did not.

The Commissioner backed the royal's trip to south-west London on March 13, despite saying she would have personally attended herself 'if the gathering had been legal'.

She clarified that on the day Kate visited, most mourners paid their respects, stood more than two metres apart and then left. She said the Metropolitan Police treated the vigil as an 'unlawful' gathering later that evening, when numbers increased, social distancing ended and protesters refused to disperse.

Dame Cressida also defended her officers after they arrested protesters during clashes later that night, saying they had faced 'extreme provocation' after the policing watchdog cleared her officers of wrongdoing yesterday.

The Commissioner described the policing of the event as 'extremely professional and calm', adding: 'People should learn that police have a very difficult job'.

And she hit out at politicians who criticised the Met's tactics that night 'without knowing the facts', hours after the watchdog's report rebuked the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan over his criticism of the arrests. MPs who called for Dame Cressida's head included Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats.

She said: 'People in responsible positions should stop and think before they judge', adding that City Hall were warned the day before there would be arrests if protesters refused to disperse, adding: 'People should stop and think, because if they comment without knowing the facts, they may - and I would suggest on this occasion some people did - affect public confidence in their police service inappropriately'.

The Duchess of Cambridge visited Clapham Common to pay her respects to Sarah Everard in mid-March, but did not break the law because she 'was working', Dame Cressida Dick has said

Dame Cressida also defended her officers after they arrested protesters during clashes later that night, saying they had faced 'extreme provocation' from some who attended the Clapham event in memory of marketing executive Miss Everard

Patsy Stevenson was arrested by police at the vigil in memory of murdered Sarah Everard, Officers were cleared of any wrongdoing

Sadiq Khan rebuked over his criticism of police tactics Sadiq Khan (pictured yesterday) is in the firing line today as Dame Cressida Dick said she had warned him that there would be arrests at the vigil if crowds failed to disperse. Yesterday's report that cleared the police also reprimanded politicians including Mr Khan who sided with the protesters. Explaining what happened, Dame Cressida said: 'I had a great deal of contact both with City Hall at the most senior levels and with senior members of the Government.' She went on to say: 'What I was saying consistently was this is likely to be illegal, if it is illegal and people do not disperse when they're asked to do so, we will use as much discretion as we can, we will encourage people, we will try to get them to disperse, but if they don't disperse we will end up arresting people.' Mr Khan had described the scenes from Clapham Common as 'unacceptable', adding that 'it's clear the response was at times neither appropriate nor proportionate'. MPs who called for Dame Cressida's head included Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats. Matt Parr, the inspector who carried out the report, said: 'After reviewing a huge body of evidence - rather than a snapshot on social media - we found that there are some things the Met could have done better, but we saw nothing to suggest police officers acted in anything but a measured and proportionate way in challenging circumstances. He added: 'Condemnation of the Met's actions within mere hours of the vigil - including from people in posi tions of responsibility - was unwar ranted and showed a lack of respect for public servants.' But last night the Mayor of London said that he accepted the report, but added: 'It is clear that trust and confidence of women and girls in the police and criminal justice system is far from adequate. 'The events of the weekend of March 13 and 14 have done further damage to this and show that much more needs to be done.' Advertisement

Hundreds of people attended the vigil for Miss Everard, who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by a Met armed officer.

Asked if the Metropolitan Police knew about Kate's visit to Clapham Common, Dame Cressida told the Today programme: 'The Met did know, absolutely, but of course we take all sorts of precautions to make sure that we don't unwittingly draw attention to visits like that.'

Asked if her visit was legal, the Met's Commissioner replied: 'I would imagine that, of course I have not asked her this question, but I think it's worth looking at ... just how strongly people felt, what she said about her attendance there.

'She's in the course of her duties, she was working.'

She added: 'At that point people had a whole series of potential reasonable excuses for being away from home, we didn't all have them.

'I've picked out one that may apply to her but, let's be clear, there was a very calm vigil to which she attended where lots and lots of people came.'

Kate, 39, sent the private letter after having attended a vigil for Miss Everard.

Sources have said the kidnap and murder of Miss Everard struck a chord with the Duchess. She is said to have remembered walking alone in London when she lived near where Miss Everard disappeared, before marrying Prince William.

The contents of the letter have been kept private, but she is believed to have expressed her sadness at Miss Everard's death and told the family they are in her thoughts.

Kate previously laid flowers on Clapham Common at a vigil for Miss Everard. Her body was found in woodland in Kent after disappearing while walking home from a friend's flat near the Common on March 3.

Her death sparked an outpouring of support from women nationwide who have experienced sexual assault and discrimination.

A Palace source said at the time that Kate attended the vigil 'to pay her respects to Sarah and her family'.

'She remembers what it felt like to walk around London at night before she got married,' the source said.

Dame Cressida said today some people had spoken out in the immediate aftermath of the Clapham Common vigil 'without knowing the facts', in a thinly-veiled rebuke of politicians including the Mayor of London.

She told the BBC Radio Four Today programme: 'I think there are two things that come out of this report about the immediate aftermath.

'The first is that people in public life, people in responsible positions, should stop and think before they judge, whoever they may be.'

She added: 'People should stop and think, because if they comment without knowing the facts, they may - and I would suggest on this occasion some people did - affect public confidence in their police service inappropriately.

'And secondly affect the officers' confidence about volunteering for the same duty in the next instance, if they are actually going to be criticised even when they've done a really good job.'

She said the vigil had been a 'unique event' after the 'terrible death of Sarah Everard and the circumstances surrounding that'.

She added: 'In fact, we were into International Women's Week, the sense of what's happening with violence against women and girls, and then we've got a bill in parliament. There was a lot going on. Emotions were high.'

Hundreds of mourners defied social distancing to gather at Clapham Common to remember the murdered marketing executive

How the vigil for Sarah Everard turned to chaos March 10 - Reclaim These Streets is formed by a group of women from south London and virtually meet for the first time to discuss doing something in memory of Sarah Everard and for women who feel unsafe, go missing or face violence. They email the police and council to tell them about the vigil. March 11  Police reply to RTS to say they were 'developing a local policing plan' which was interpreted by the group as support for the event. The council and force held a virtual conference with them where the details of the vigil were discussed but were unable to persuade police officers they had assessed the risks correctly. They provided the organisers with the open letter which said it would breach coronavirus restrictions. March 12 - The National Police Chiefs' Council and selected chief constables meet to discuss the national position on the vigils planned for the weekend. The meeting was united in the view that the All Tiers Regulations needed to be adhered to and enforced if necessary, and that vigils should not go ahead. The Home Secretary was said to have agreed with this approach and would encourage people not to attend in a public statement. The Metropolitan Police is served with notification of the judicial review by the organisers, who were joined at the meeting by members of their legal team. Police were told that the numbers showing an interest in attending the vigil had risen from 2,000 to 6,000. The organisers maintained that the planned vigil had public and political support with increasingly significant public interest being shown. The High Court makes the judicial review and says protests in such circumstances can be lawful, but is not clear on what this means for the vigil. At 7pm the police, council and organisers met again to try and understand the judgement and the force say it has not changed anything. At one point it appeared they could agree on how a vigil could happen  but organisers' request for immunity from prosecution make talks impossible. March 13 - Morning and early afternoon see hundreds of well-wishers, including the Duchess of Cambridge, lay floral tributes and notes paying tribute to Sarah Everard at the bandstand on Clapham Common throughout the afternoon. 4pm - Around 200 people gather at the site as part of an illegal event organised by left-wing feminist group Sisters Uncut and 'community collective' Reclaim These Streets. 5.45pm - A man walks onto the bandstand to make a speech, and begins shouting angrily about Ms Everard's death and ranting about Covid rules. Some people respond with boos and chants of 'not your place'. He is later led away by police. Piers Corbyn has also arrived and is seen at the bandstand. 6pm - A minute's silence is held for Ms Everard. There are now around 500 people on the event, according to Sky News. The crowds began chanting 'we will not be silenced' as the police presence increases. An aerial photo shows officers dotted among the closely-packed crowd. 6.27pm - A group of women leading chants from the bandstand are asked to leave by officers, who explain that the event is breaking Covid rules. The crowd respond with chants of 'Shame on you' as officers continue talking to the women. 6.33pm - More police vans arrive and around 10 officers began walking towards the bandstand. An officer says over a loudspeaker, 'This is no longer a vigil, it's an unlawful gathering, we're in the middle of a pandemic. You are going to get more officers coming here.' This prompts more angry chants. 7.08pm - As the atmosphere grows increasingly hostile, protester Patsy Stevenson - speaking from the bandstand - tells police to 'go home' via a loudspeaker and urges the crowd to stay. 7.20pm - A woman is seen on video being forcefully led away by three officers. A minute later police repeat their warning that people have to leave and also post this on Twitter. 7.22pm - A group of police grab a woman standing on the bandstand just along from Patsy Stevenson and move her to a police van, to jeers from the crowd. Flame-haired protester Ms Stevenson is also led away and pinned to the ground by three officers, in an image that went viral. She was arrested and fined 200. 7.42pm - After chants of 'all cops are b******s', and two arrests, a group of officers are surrounded by the crowd. One of the protesters points aggressively at a policeman before shoving ensues as police push their way out of the crowd. 7.57pm - Protesters attack a police van and graffiti 'ACAB' - for 'all all cops are b******s' on the vehicle. 8pm - Police have dispersed most of the crowds and the atmosphere has calmed down. Advertisement

After yesterday's report, Dame Cressida Dick said the force will consider whether it 'lacked empathy' in the communications after the vigil.

She told the Today programme: 'The report suggests that if we had been slightly more conciliatory, I think was the word, in our communications afterwards, then that might have helped with what I think is in modern-day parlance a kind of social media pile-on.'

Asked if she accepted that, she said: 'We have to go away and think about that, of course we do. We have to see whether ... we lacked empathy.

She told the Today programme: 'It was clearly possible under the law for somebody who lived locally to walk as many did and lay flowers legally, there are other reasons why people might be in the area and they could have laid flowers calmly and peacefully, potentially legally.

'You would have seen for six hours we did not enforce any laws, we showed some discretion and we allowed people to carry on.'

Dame Cressida added: 'We knew that it would result in a mass gathering, we knew there would be large numbers, we knew who would come, we knew it would be unlawful.

'I had a great deal of contact both with City Hall at the most senior levels and with senior members of the Government.'

She went on to say: 'What I was saying consistently was this is likely to be illegal, if it is illegal and people do not disperse when they're asked to do so, we will use as much discretion as we can, we will encourage people, we will try to get them to disperse, but if they don't disperse we will end up arresting people.'

Priti Patel backed Scotland Yard's handling of the Sarah Everard vigil last night after the policing watchdog cleared officers of wrongdoing.

The Home Secretary said police 'acted the right way', while the Chief Inspector of Constabulary said condemnation of heavy-handed tactics had been 'unwarranted'.

In a thinly veiled rebuke to London Mayor Sadiq Khan  who branded officers' behaviour 'unacceptable'  Sir Thomas Winsor said 'leading voices' had 'jumped to conclusions' and undermined public confidence in the police. The storm erupted after a vigil in memory of Miss Everard, 33, who vanished on her walk home in south London.

Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens has been charged with her kidnap and murder.

The Duchess of Cambridge was among those who travelled to Clapham Common to pay tribute to Miss Everard on March 13. Hours later, shocking footage showed women being bundled to the ground in scenes which prompted calls from some MPs for Met Commissioner Cressida Dick to resign.

Miss Patel asked the policing watchdog to investigate, saying at the time that some of the scenes were 'distressing'  but Sir Thomas praised officers for acting 'lawfully, sensitively and proportionately' at the vigil, which resulted in nine people being fined.

His report said: 'The chorus of those condemning the Metropolitan Police, and calling for the resignation of the Commissioner, within hours  and presumably, with a very limited understanding of what had happened  was unwarranted. Whereas a certain degree of uninformed commentary, particularly on social media, is inevitable, in this case some of the leading voices were those in positions of some responsibility. It is one thing  as in the case of the Home Secretary  to recognise that the scenes were worrying or upsetting. It is another to jump to conclusions  and in doing so, undermine public confidence in policing  based on very limited evidence. To do so shows a distinct lack of respect for public servants.'

Miss Patel said yesterday: 'I stand by the police and I back the police. I know how difficult it is and has been for police during this pandemic.

'They've put themselves in harm's way throughout this entire pandemic and the sad fact of the matter is  as we saw on that night and as the report has reflected on as well, police officers were assaulted  they were subject to violent abuse.' She said the report had shown that police 'acted in the right way', adding: 'It's important people don't pre-judge without... the full facts. Quite frankly, I was absolutely appalled and sickened to see the level of violence that was being displayed... including violent behaviour towards female officers.'

Police chiefs had feared the vigil could be a target for terrorists. There were also concerns that the large crowds  thought to have peaked at around 1,500 people  risked spreading Covid. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary found that officers had tried to disperse the crowd peacefully and remained 'calm and professional' in the face of a torrent of abuse, including from some women who said they hoped female officers would be raped.

Although the vigil started peacefully, it was 'overshadowed by the malign actions of a few' after being hijacked by a rabble including Piers Corbyn, the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy.

Mr Khan had described the scenes from Clapham Common as 'unacceptable', adding that 'it's clear the response was at times neither appropriate nor proportionate'. MPs who called for Dame Cressida's head included Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Yesterday Ken Marsh of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said: 'The knee-jerk commentary... has made the already difficult job of our colleagues in London incredibly harder. And more dangerous. These people should be ashamed.

'This was outrageous behaviour from those who should know better and we trust as elected officials. We now call on these politicians to make themselves accountable and to apologise to our hard-working colleagues for the damage they have done.'

The watchdog's report said the Met could have given a 'more conciliatory response' in the face of what was described as a 'public relations disaster'. However, Matt Parr, who led the HMIC team, said critics 'showed a lack of respect for public servants facing a complex situation, and undermined public confidence in policing based on very limited evidence'.

Police officers form a cordon as well-wishers turn on their phone torches at the vigil before it boiled over

He added: 'After reviewing a huge body of evidence  rather than a snapshot on social media  we found that there are some things the Met could have done better, but we saw nothing to suggest police officers acted in anything but a measured and proportionate way in challenging circumstances.'

Jamie Klingler of Reclaim These Streets, which planned the vigil, said the report was 'a farce and a waste of time'. She added: 'There's no positive legacy. The Met has created an uphill battle for themselves.

I've spoken to some young teenage girls about what it was like to see those pictures. They were horrified. And that means the police on the ground are going to have a much harder time getting those women to report rapes and assaults. You don't want women to be scared to walk into local police stations.'

Mr Khan said yesterday: 'It is my job to stand up on behalf of Londoners and ensure that there is effective scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police  particularly in the light of such widespread public dismay. I accept the report, but it is clear that trust and confidence of women and girls in the police and criminal justice system is far from adequate.'

Scotland Yard assistant commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: 'This report makes clear the difficult circumstances officers faced as a peaceful vigil became a hostile rally. We must always be consistent in our policing of public events. I am extremely proud of the restraint, compassion and professionalism officers showed during a fast- moving and challenging situation.'
Anna Young, 79, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February died this week after only serving 42 days of her sentence

A woman who once ran a Florida religious group described as a cult by prosecutors has died in prison more than a month after she was sentenced for the 1980s deaths of two young children.

Anna Young, 79, was sentenced last month after pleading no contest to second-degree murder and negligent manslaughter, according to Alachua County court records.

She received 30 years for the murder conviction, which would have ran concurrently with 15 years for manslaughter.

Young, who operated the House of Prayer cult near Gainseville in the 1980s and 1990s, only served 42 days in prison before her death.

Her daughter, Joy Fluker, told First Coast News that Young was in the ICU on oxygen at a local hospital Monday night.

No other details surrounding her death were released.

Between 1988 and 1989, Young caused the death of a toddler named Emon Harper through abuse and starvation, prosecutors said.

Young, who was known in the cult as 'Mother Anna' was arrested in 2017 after Fluker told authorities about Emon's death and other abuses at the House of Prayer.

Following Young's arrest, several former House of Prayer members came forward to tell local authorities that they were tortured and abused, saying the 'cult atmosphere' included exorcism and chemical baths.

Young (pictured in court), who was known in the cult as 'Mother Anna' was arrested in 2017 after her daughter told authorities about the death of a toddler and other abuses at the House of Prayer

Young (left and right, with her daughter) operated the House of Prayer cult near Gainseville in the 1980s and 1990s

The former members also confirmed the child's death, though his body was never recovered.

Young was also charged with manslaughter for the death of Katonya Jackson, who died in 1983.

Katonya was starved, beaten, and denied her epilepsy medication because the leader believed the girl's seizures were a sign she was possessed by the devil.

In 2018, a House of Prayer survivor, John Neal, spoke to the Atlanta Journal Constitution about his experience growing up in the cult.

Young caused the death of a toddler named Emon Harper (pictured) sometime between 1988 and 1989 through abuse and starvation, prosecutors said

Neal, whose mother had joined the House of Prayer, said Young was responsible for the death of his sister Katonya, who died of a seizure.

'She tortured my little sister, treated her like an animal,' he told the AJC, adding that Mother Anna 'had more power than God'.

Neal himself still bears the scars from the violent beatings he received at the hands of the group's leader.

He told the AJC he would be beaten in front of his own mother for such minor delinquencies as being falsely accused of taking a piece of candy.

Young started the House of Prayer in 1983, and the community's strict religious philosophies were based on her own perverse and often cruel interpretations of the Bible.

Members and their children had to change their birth names to biblical ones and went by the titles of 'Brother' or 'Sister.'

They were also required to wear Old Testament-style 'holy clothing,' including long robes and beards for men and long dresses and head coverings for women.

Young preyed on the vulnerable, and many members were single mothers.

The cult dissolved in 1992 after Young bathed a 12-year-old girl in a tub full of chemicals as 'punishment'.

Many of the members of the House of Prayer were children whose parents were unable to take care of them for various reasons, and the victim's parents were not members.

Young had reportedly decided the girl 'smelled bad' and that bathing her in bleach would 'burn the evil out of her'.

The parents reported the leader to the police for child abuse, but she fled Florida and was captured eight years later in the attic of a relative's home in Illinois.

In 2001, she was convicted and sentenced to six months and 12 days in jail.
FMs of four Asian countries to visit China

Xinhua) 09:13, March 31, 2021

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of four Asian countries will visit China from March 31 to April 2, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a press briefing Tuesday.

Hua announced the upcoming visits of Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin.

The ministers are visiting China at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, she said.

Noting that Southeast Asian countries are China's friendly neighbors and important cooperative partners in constructing the Belt and Road, Hua said that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Southeast Asian countries and always regards them as a priority in its diplomacy with neighboring countries.

Hua said that, since the outbreak of COVID-19 last year, China and Southeast Asian countries have maintained close high-level communication in a flexible manner, and the two sides have continuously made positive progress in anti-epidemic and development cooperation.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Hua said, adding that the visit of the four countries' foreign ministers once again demonstrates the deep friendship between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Hua said she expected the upcoming visit would strengthen communication between China and ASEAN countries on the current regional and international situation, further implement important high-level consensus, enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen anti-epidemic and development cooperation, and promote the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road.

"We hope to promote China-ASEAN ties and further elevate the bilateral relations between China and relevant countries, so as to better safeguard regional peace, stability and development," Hua said.

(Web editor: Wen Ying, Liang Jun)
CYBER

Expected breach disclosure mandates will test government-industry cooperation

NOTE: This article appeared first on FCW.com

The Biden administration is planning to release a executive order in the coming days that requires contractors to notify government customers in the event of a cybersecurity breach, according to multiple press reports.

During congressional hearings about the breach involving SolarWinds, lawmakers have emphasized the fact a private cybersecurity firm both detected and voluntarily alerted the government to the flaw that led to breaches at nine federal agencies.

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) said that was the case "despite all of the increased funding that has been appropriated for cybersecurity" through legislation from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees multiple cybersecurity programs defending federal networks.

In addition to the anticipated executive order, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) and Reps. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said they intend to introduce bills to make breach notification requirements standard in government and in the private sector.

Why has government not institute breach notification through contract requirements already, given the number of high profile breaches and leaks over the last decade? According to experts interviewed by FCW, a big issue is that each agency has its own contracting rules and culture.

"Who would do it? There is no central directive to do it. So that leaves it up to each agency and each agency's contracting officer, and sometimes they think about it, and sometimes they don't," said James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Defense Department for example does impose notification requirements on contracts that involve classified networks, according to Andrew Hunter, also an expert at CSIS focused on the defense industry, but for unclassified data the Pentagon's requirements are less stringent and focused around aligning with industry best practices.

"This issue of notifying information about cybersecurity breaches has been an incredibly contentious one with industry," Hunter said.

At the core of that contention are questions about industry's legal liabilities, concerns about who in the government will get access to trade secrets and proprietary information, and what constitutes an adverse cybersecurity event requiring notification?

"I think the biggest challenge for industry is going to be what is shared? With whom? And then what's going to be done with whatever is shared," said one former government official who spoke anonymously to be candid about why companies may challenge an executive order.

This official said the government has not provided clear definitions for what information should be shared in case of a breach or any guidelines for what department or agency should receive that information. The individual predicted the White House may look to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or an interagency panel chaired by CISA, as the central gathering point.

"You can't have all of these various definitions for what may or may not need to be shared in hundreds of different contracts that only goes to these agencies that can't really do anything about it," the former official continued.

Like governments, major corporations have their networks pinged by hostile actors thousands of times a day, even if none are successful. Companies don't want to be on the hook for reporting to the government every time a phishing message is intercepted or every time a hacker is probing network defense.

"One thing to think about in either legislation or an EO is if you put in a threshold, you're not going to learn everything. And it's because the companies will say, 'Well, I get lots of breaches all the time.' I think that's good to report because it would hint that there's a problem," Lewis said.

He said government contractors could provide monthly or quarterly reports summarizing the number of attempted penetrations but only provide specific details if an attempt succeeds or data is exfiltrated.

Lewis also said the potential for an industry challenge to the executive order's legality is why legislation is more preferrable. But congressional action comes with its own set of challenges, starting with committee jurisdiction.

"Commerce, Homeland, Judiciary, Intelligence -- [they] all have sweat equity in a data breach and incident reporting," said Mark Montgomery, a senior advisor to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission that recommended more than a dozen cybersecurity provisions included in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

Montgomery said the commission has worked on developing specific thresholds for when compromises need to be reported. He also distinguished between "breach reporting" and "incident reporting."

The former being when a company must notify their customers promptly if personally identifiable information is compromised. The latter being an additional provision that requires federal authorities to be alerted if a database containing sensitive information is breached.

"We're trying to put the two of them together and get it through because this has struggled in the House and Senate over the last year. There's been three or four bills in both chambers that have petered out," Montgomery said.
This Easter marks the second year in succession that parishioners across the county will be unable to worship at their local church in the traditional way.

Much debate has taken place in recent weeks about the merits and demerits of re-opening churches again.

It's a debate that has mainly focused on the large size of some churches that can easily accommodate reduced numbers. If schools are considered safe, then why aren't churches? This is the question uppermost in many people's minds.

Mass-goers conformed strictly with the health-and-safety guidelines when churches were afforded a brief opportunity to re-open in the summer and early autumn. But circumstances deteriorated, which meant church doors again closed, except for weddings and funerals at a reduced capacity. This is a time of year when the absence of celebrating one's Faith in a church setting is most acute.

Holy Week and Easter time is one of the most important dates in the church's calendar. Margaret Naughton is a Healthcare Chaplain at the Bon Secours Hospital in Tralee, and she says that while people are very understanding and determined to comply with the NPHET guidelines until the virus is under control, it does not lessen the deep disappointment parishioners feel at being unable to attend Mass this Easter.

"This year has been a particularly difficult and challenging year for everyone. It's with great sadness that we find ourselves in the same position as last Holy Week and Easter," Margaret said.

Even though it has been a difficult year for people, the roll-out of the vaccine offers hope in a time of uncertainty. Margaret believes we should try and link this hope with the hope of the Resurrection.

"It is a huge sense of loss for people that they can't attend their normal Holy Week and Easter ceremonies as it is a pivotal time in the liturgical year for people," she said. "In the last year, I've had occasion to reflect on this; faith not only helps to give us meaning but draws us into a community with each other. It gives us connection, it gives us a sense of identity, it gives us a sense of hope. So many of us find meaning, hope, and purpose from our Faith Community. Therefore, that is what exacerbates the sense of loss that, yet again, we can't meet as a Faith Community for Easter Time," she said.

Margaret also paid tribute to the priests across the Kerry Diocese, who have remained an integral link between people and their Faith at a difficult time.

The commitment and dedication they have shown in 'thinking outside the box' at new ways to keep the Faith Community connected through live-streamed Mass, and the best technology has to offer, has helped people no end.

"While nothing will ever replace the face-to-face contact, there is some solace to be drawn from knowing you can connect with your own parish priest and still feel that sense of identity and interconnectedness with your own parish," she said. "While these are difficult times, we look forward with hope in our hearts and all the good the Resurrection of Christ has to offer us."

Fr Walsh: 'We are all going through our Good Friday at the moment'

Fr Brendan Walsh of Causeway/Ballyduff Parish has described people's journey through the difficult days of COVID as being akin to Good Friday, and that this despair and upset is followed by the promise of better days ahead.

A sense of despondency has set in for many parishioners over the past year as they cannot worship in a way they want to. However, they are also resilient and very understanding of the challenges we face as a society.

"With COVID, we are in a way going through our own Good Friday with our Churches closed. But against that despair it is hugely important to have hope. That is what Easter is all about; we go through the despair and darkness of Good Friday into the light of Easter Sunday," said Fr Walsh. "Easter is so important to all our beliefs because we celebrate the Risen Christ. All of us must face death, and all of us have lost loved ones. But Easter is the great consolation that death is not the end. Just as Jesus rose on Easter Sunday morning, we believe ourselves that we will be reunited again with those who have gone before us. That is the core of Easter, we look for hope, and Easter gives us that as death is not the end. That is why it is such an important feast in the Church's year."

The impact of COVID on worship has meant resorting to innovative ways to deliver the message so integral to people's faith during these times. Fr Walsh explains that parishioners are glad of the option to celebrate Mass via live streaming, but it is not the same.

"They are finding it difficult, particularly in the sense of not being able to receive Communion. This is a huge thing for them. We have the facility to cover Mass, but they are still not coming to receive Communion. People are very understanding as well. They know the sacrifices we have to make so that we can eventually see the day when COVID is just a bad memory," said Fr Walsh.
Booka Nile dressed to impress as she enjoyed a night out in Melbourne on Tuesday with a few of her co-stars at an event hosted by Nova100.

The 31-year-old rock star flashed her black bra in a plunging jumpsuit as she arrived to Crowne Plaza Melbourne's Dive Bar.

The Make Them Suffer keyboardist teamed the edgy ensemble with a pair of strappy gold heels and a necklace.

A bombshell in black! Married at First Sight's Booka Nile (pictured) flashed her black bra in a plunging jumpsuit as she attended an event in Melbourne on Tuesday

Booka curled her blonde locks and opted for a neutral palette of makeup consisting of mascara and a nude lip.

The blonde bombshell was all smiles as she posed alongside co-star Rebecca Zemek at the event.

Beck, 27, made a style statement in a long silk green dress which features a high slit on the side.

All smiles: The blonde bombshell was all smiles as she posed alongside co-star Rebecca Zemek (left) at the event

Green with envy! Beck, 27, made a style statement in a long silk green dress which features a slit on the side

She accessorised the frock with a pair of nude heels and wore large silver statement earrings.

Beck tied her long hair in a low ponytail and let her natural beauty shine, also opting for a natural palette of makeup.

Rebecca and Booka were also joined by Married At First Sight groom Sam Carraro.

Reunited at last! Rebecca (left) and Booka (right) were also joined by Married At First Sight groom Sam Carraro (centre)

Stylish: The clothing brand owner, 32, made a statement in grey pants, a black T-shirt and a pair of white sneakers

The clothing brand owner, 32, made a statement in grey pants, a black T-shirt and a pair of white sneakers.

He teamed his outfit with a gold watch and was all smiles as he posed shortly after arriving.

Meanwhile, Patrick Dwyer and Belinda Vickers were also pictured at the Melbourne event together.

Going strong: Patrick Dwyer and Belinda Vickers (pictured) were also pictured at the event in Melbourne together

Style statement: The door-to-door saleswoman made a style statement in a mini floral dress and pair of black heels

Belinda, 29, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she wrapped her arm around her groom, which all but confirms they're still together.

The door-to-door saleswoman made a style statement in a mini floral dress and pair of black heels.

Meanwhile, Patrick, 27, looked stylish in black pants, a grey buttoned shirt and a pair of white sneakers.

Reality TV stars: The couple were also joined by Joanne Todd (left), who showed off her tiny figure in a purple mini dress

Friends: Belinda (right) and Joanne (left) embraced each other as they smiled and posed at the event

The couple were also joined by Joanne Todd, who showed off her tiny figure in a mini purple dress.

The 39-year-old accessorised her dress with a pair of nude heels and styled her long blonde locks in curls.

Joanne's ex-husband James Susler wasn't in attendance and neither was Beth Moore, Alana Lister, Coco Stedman, Melissa Rawson, Samantha Harvey, Brett Helling, Bryce Ruthven, Cameron Dunne, Jake Edwards, James Engler and Russell Duance.

Accessories: The 39-year-old accessorised her dress with a pair of nude heels and styled her long blonde locks in curls
A Christian pastor has filed a federal lawsuit against Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris after his request to hold a Good Friday vigil on the grounds of the Capitol was denied.

He alleges that the denial prevents him from exercising his right to free speech, with the barricades essentially creating a 'no-speech zone.'

Patrick Mahoney, a Presbyterian reverend from Virginia, said in his Tuesday complaint that his 30-plus-year-long tradition of holding the service on the Lower Western Terrace was denied this year by the Capitol Hill Police Department.

Following the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6, sidewalks and grounds surrounding the Capitol were fenced off in a bid to maximize security.

The steel fences and road blocks around the complex have finally been removed as of last week - more than two months after the deadly riots. But an inner layer of barricades will still remain around the Capitol building for now.

Patrick Mahoney, a Presbyterian reverend from Virginia, said that his tradition of holding the service on the Lower Western Terrace was denied by Capitol Police. Pictured is him at the Capitol last year when the country was in the throes of the coronavirus epidemic

The first page from the complaint that was filed on Tuesday lists Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris and the U.S. Capitol Police as defendants, along with the sergeant at arms of the Capitol

Mahoney filed on Feb. 2 for the Good Friday service, which would have been held April 3, but was told that the fencing was part of the determining factor as to why he wasn't able to hold the vigil at the location. The official rejection date was March 24.

In the suit, the pastor claims that he has held the vigil at the same spot for years - including in 2020, when he worked with Capitol Police to ensure that he followed guidelines set in place for COVID-19.

The suit names Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. Capitol Police Board and Sergeant and Arms Karen H. Gibson as defendants in the matter.

'Defendants' blanket denial of the permitting processes on a traditional public forum is additionally impermissible because they act as a prior restraint on speech,' the suit reads.

The suit names Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. Capitol Police Board, Sergeant in Arms Karen H. Gibson as defendants in the matter

 Slide me  NOW AND THEN: Steel fences that had been put up around the US Capitol complex have been removed as of last week - more than two months after the deadly January 6 riots

A map of the Capitol area shows in green where previous fences were and in blue where existing fences remain

'In closing the sidewalks and public areas around the Capitol, including the Lower Western Terrace Plaintiff seeks to utilize, Defendants have effectively created a no-speech zone around the nations Capitol. Defendants prevent any First Amendment activities on/in these areas, even though no specific threat to the Capitol has been identified in justification.'

Mahoney, an anti-abortion activist, denounced the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 while asserting his hopes of 'praying for a healing for the United States' following the tumultuous election season.

'The Plaintiff is a peaceful man of God and feels called upon to pray for the United States,' the complaint states. 'He wants to do so at the same place where the attempted and failed insurrection took place. The Plaintiff strongly denounces the criminal conduct by the rioters on January 6, 2021, and cries out against the violence and loss of life that took place that fateful day in this nation's history.

Capitol police last week confirmed that the fencing on the outer perimeter of the complex has been taken down and local streets in the vicinity have reopened. The fencing around the inner ring of the Capitol building still remains

Strings of razor wire atop the remaining fence has now also been removed. The inner perimeter of fencing, which is directly around the Capitol building, will stay up while authorities and lawmakers continue to try and has out a long-term plan for security

Mahoney, an anti-abortion activist, denounced the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 while asserting his hopes of 'praying for a healing for the United States' following the tumultuous election season

In the suit, the pastor claims that he has held the vigil at the same spot for years - including in 2020, when he worked with Capitol Police to ensure that he followed guidelines set in place for COVID-19

'The Plaintiff asserts that he does not pose a national security threat to the United States, nor to the House of Representatives, nor the Senate, nor the Capitol Police Department and their officers, nor the Capitol Building and/or surrounding grounds. The Plaintiff only wants to discharge his obligation to God Almighty by praying for a healing for the United States, all of our elected leaders, the people of this nation, and for the Defendants in this action.'

The suit indicates that during discussions with Capitol Police for the permit, Mahoney was offered 'an alternative site for the Good Friday vigil on the western side of the Capitol by a large statue of Ulysses S. Grant.

Mahoney 'declined because this location is further away from the Capitol and lawmakers,' according to the complaint.

Mahoney went to Twitter to announce the lawsuit and share a series of post related to it

The Center for American Liberty, Chavez-Ochoa Law Offices and the Dhillon Law Group are representing Mahoney on the matter

The Center for American Liberty, Chavez-Ochoa Law Offices and the Dhillon Law Group are representing Mahoney on the matter.

'Denying a minister and faithful parishioners the ability to pray outside the U.S. Capitol is unfathomable and violates First Amendment guarantees for traditional public forums,' Harmeet K. Dhillon, CEO of the Center for American Liberty, said in a release from the nonprofit.

Mahoney and the nonprofit are seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction from the court requiring the Lower Western Terrace and Lawn be opened for expression.
Kolkata, March 31 : West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee wrote to several opposition leaders saying that the BJP wants to establish a one-party authoritarian rule in India and time has come for a united and effective struggle against its attack on democracy and Constitution.

The three-page personal letter was sent by Banerjee to non-BJP leaders, including Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK leader M.K Stalin, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, BJD leader Naveen Patnaik, YSR Congress leader Jagan Reddy, NCP leader Farooq Abdullah, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and CPI (M) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya.

In a three-page letter to Opposition leaders dated March 28, the Trinamool Congress supremo said, "I am writing this letter to you, and to several leaders of non-BJP parties, to convey my serious concerns over a series of assaults by the BJP and its government at the Centre on democracy and constitutional federalism in India." "The BJP wants to make it impossible for non-BJP parties to exercise their constitutional rights and freedoms. It wants to dilute the powers of the state governments and downgrade them to mere municipalities. In short, it wants to establish a one-party authoritarian rule in India," she wrote.

She stated, "I strongly believe that the time has come for a united and effective struggle against BJP's attacks on democracy and Constitution." In her letter, Banerjee, who is taking on BJP's Suvendu Adhikari from Nandigram assembly constituency in the state, gave seven instances of alleged "assaults" on democracy and cooperative federalism by the BJP.

In her letter, she discussed the controversial new law that gives more powers to Delhi's Lt Governor compared to the elected government and said that "the Lt Governor has been made the undeclared Viceroy of Delhi, acting as a proxy for the Home Minister and the Prime Minister".

"What the BJP has done in Delhi is not an exception. It is increasingly becoming the rule," she said.

She also pointed out how the BJP-led Centre is creating problems for elected governments in the states.

The Trinamool Congress leader also cited the examples of misuse of the office of the governor, central agencies like the CBI and Enforcement Directorate.

She also said pointed out the withholding of states funds, disbanding bodies like the National Development Council and Planning Commission, using money power to topple non-BJP governments, privatisation of nation's assets and deterioration in the relations between the states and the Centre.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee said, "Overall, Centre-State relations between the ruling party at Centre and the opposition parties have never been as bad in the history of independent India as they are now, and the blame for this rests squarely with the Prime Minister's authoritarian conduct." The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP are engaged in a bitter war of words in the state in the run-up to the assembly polls. Polling for the 294 member assembly is scheduled in eight phases from March 27 to April 29. Counting of votes will take place on May 2.
Karnataka to hold 10th standard examinations in third week of July; cancels second year PUC exams:Primary &week of July; cancels second year PUC exams:Primary & Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar. GMS SS
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. has expanded its Tallahassee office Public Finance & Infrastructure Practice with the addition of Shareholder Brian A. Crumbaker.

Crumbaker, who was formerly with Hopping Green & Sams, has extensive experience in the representation of bondholders and corporate trust companies in relation to distressed/defaulted high-yield tax-exempt bonds. He has dedicated most of his more than 20-year career to restructurings of municipal transactions both in Florida and throughout the nation. As a member of Greenberg Traurigs public finance practice, he will provide counsel to municipal security credit holders and indenture trustees in connection with distressed/defaulted tax-exempt bonds issued to fund the construction of public infrastructure, low-income housing, health care facilities, senior housing, and charter schools. He also represents issuers and underwriters on primary offerings (public and private placement) of tax-exempt bonds.

Brian brings unique skills that will complement our firms already strong team of public finance attorneys, said David C. Ashburn, managing shareholder of the firms Tallahassee office. We are delighted to welcome Brian to our Tallahassee office and are confident that his solution-oriented approach will serve as an asset to our clients public finance projects and help them to address the related legal issues.

A Florida native and graduate of the University of Miami School of Law and Florida State University, Crumbaker grew up in Tallahassee.

Many Greenberg Traurig attorneys have enjoyed a long working relationship with Brian and his experience in the areas of distressed securities and restructuring, he will be a great addition to our team, said Warren S. Bloom, who is co-chair of the firms National Public Finance Practice. He understands the lifecycle of a project and when a project is in distress, Brian knows how to put the deal back together and right-size the project, whether that means finding a new developer or lender.

Crumbakers previous representations include numerous land-based, housing, healthcare, and hotel transactions throughout the country.

A few of the notable matters Crumbaker has handled include:



Representation of purchasers in connection with their acquisition of $7,375,000 Special Assessment Revenue Bonds (Improvement Area No. 1 Project), Series 2019, and $3,535,000 Special Assessment Revenue Bonds (Major Improvement Area Project), Series 2019, issued in relation to the Hurricane Creek project in the City of Anna, Texas (closed April 2019).

Representation of the indenture trustee in connection with an agreed-upon liquidation of a low-income multi-family housing project located in Memphis, Tennessee, securing Multifamily Housing Refunding Revenue Bonds (closed August 2019).

Representation of purchasers in connection with their acquisition of $36,500,000 Special District Excise Tax Revenue and Improvement Bonds, Series 2019A, and $12,280,000 Subordinate Special District Excise Tax Revenue and Refunding Bonds, Series 2019B, issued in relation to the Charles Pointe project in Harrison County, West Virginia (closed August 2019).

Representation of the indenture trustee in connection with the issuance of $50,925,000 Reedy Creek Improvement District (Orange and Osceola County, Florida) Ad Valorem Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2015A (closed April 2015).

Greenberg Traurig provides an unparalleled global platform that will help me to further develop my practice and better serve my clients needs regardless of their location, Crumbaker said. My representations often require collaboration with attorneys in various practice areas, including tax, bankruptcy, litigation, real estate, and land use. Greenberg Traurigs full-service offering allows me to put a team of attorneys together quickly to advise clients in connection with their most challenging projects and related legal issues.

Involved in several professional organizations, Crumbaker is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the National Association of Bond Lawyers, and the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. Active in the community, he is a member of the Board of Directors and past president of the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee.

About Greenberg Traurigs Public Finance Practice: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has a national public finance practice that consistently ranks among the top bond, disclosure, and underwriters counsel firms according to The Bond Buyers nationwide and statewide rankings. Greenberg Traurig LLPs Public Finance Practice has been serving the needs of state and local issuers, underwriters, credit providers, bondholders, and conduit borrowers throughout the United States for more than 30 years in virtually every area of public finance. The firm currently has more than 30 attorneys in the Public Finance Practice in its Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington D.C., and West Palm Beach offices.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com
GDP growth is projected to recover partially in 2021 (to 3.4 percent) and more strongly in 2022 (4.3 percent). The recovery will be slow; the economy is unlikely to return to pre-COVID output levels until 2023, the bank said in its latest Economic Update for Europe and Central Asia released late on Tuesday.

Private consumption and the services sector are expected to recover gradually. Private investment will likely remain subdued, reflecting weak investor confidence, added the report.

The Armenian government has forecast a similar growth rate for 2021. However, the countrys Central Bank said on March 17 that the domestic economy will likely expand by only 1.4 percent.

Data from the governments Statistical Committee shows that GDP continued to shrink in January and February 2021.

The World Bank cautioned that its growth projections are a baseline scenario which assumes that Armenia will avoid coronavirus-related lockdowns and further political upheavals.

The risks to the outlook are weighted heavily to the downside, it said, adding that they include a slow pace of immunization of the population and elevated political uncertainty.

Although the pace of vaccinations will gradually ramp up, the authorities do not expect to vaccinate a significant share of the population until 2022, read the report.

The bank also noted the pandemics severe impact on low-income Armenians, saying that poverty in the country increased considerably in 2020. The unemployment rate rose by 1 percentage point year on year, reaching 18.1 percent at end-September 2020, it said.
Then-presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris listens as presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware, on Aug. 13, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

WH Says Biden-Harris Branding is to Emphasize VPs Role

The White House on Tuesday elaborated on the use of the term Biden-Harris administration as a way to emphasize the importance of the vice presidents role.

When asked by a reporter about whether there are deeper reasons behind the rebranding of the termfrom the Biden administration to the Biden-Harris administration on the White House website, press secretary Jen Psaki asked back, Is it a rebranding?

The reporter responded, When you look on the website, its, you know, notits Biden-Harris, and thats not been necessarily the norm in the past. Is there any message being sent by that? Or whats meant to bewhat can be extrapolated from it?

I would take from it that Vice President Harris is an important partner, Psaki responded. Shes the first in the room and the last in the room on most occasions, if shes in town and not traveling around the country. Its a reflection of the important role that she will play moving forward.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington on March 30, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The Administration tab on the White Houses website leads to a page headlined The Biden-Harris Administration.

Thousands of people work in the West Wing, the East Wing, the Cabinet, and the Executive Office of the President. Learn more about the people who carry out the priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration, the description reads. The page features images of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as First Lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Likewise, the Priorities tab on the White Houses website leads to a page headlined The Biden-Harris Administration Immediate Priorities. Meanwhile, the White Houses Twitter page reads, Welcome to the Biden-Harris White House!

The move by the current administration is a break from its recent predecessors, because neither of the past two administrations had used headlines that featured the vice presidents name.

The White House under the Trump administration had a headline on its website that read The Administration with accompanying photos of then-President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, then-Vice President Mike Pence, and second lady Karen Pence.

The Obama administrations White House website similarly only had a headline that read The Administration. However, it did feature a similar description to that of the current White House website: Thousands of people work in the West Wing, the East Wing, the Cabinet, and the Executive Office of the President. Learn more about the people who carry out the priorities of the Obama-Biden Administration.

Biden recently referred to Harris as President Harris earlier in March in a speech on vaccines to combat the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Now when President Harris and I took a virtual tour of a vaccination center in Arizona, not long ago, one of the nurses on that tour injecting people, giving vaccinations, said that each shot was like administering a dose of hope. A dose of hope. Thats how she phrased it, Biden said on March 18 at the White House.

Vice President Kamala Harris looks on as President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington on March 18, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Biden also previously referred to Harris as the president-elect in December 2020.

Referring to vaccine shots for the CCP virus, Biden said on Dec. 29, 2020, I took it to instill public confidence in the vaccine. President-elect Harris took hers today for the same reason.

Biden announced last week that he had selected Harris to lead efforts in talks with Mexico and the Northern Triangle nations of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, which needs help in stemming the migration to the southern border, Biden said. He added that Harris is the most qualified person to do it.

He also said, shes leading the effort because I think the best thing to do is to put someone who, when he or she speaks, they dont have to wonder about is that where the President is. When she speaks, she speaks for me. Doesnt have to check with me. She knows what shes doing, and I hope we can move this along.

Psaki clarified on Monday that Harris will look at what the root causes of illegal immigration and not the border, noting that there was some confusion over the matter.

Harris recently spoke to Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei over matters to address the root causes of illegal immigration to the United States. She has, since taking office as vice president, made some solo calls to a number of world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and French President Emmanuel Macron, suggesting that she may continue engage in foreign policy in the future.
G. Gordon Liddy, the undercover operative whose bungling of the Watergate break-in triggered one of the gravest constitutional crises in American history and led to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon, died March 30 at his daughter's home in Fairfax County, Va. He was 90.

His son Thomas Liddy confirmed the death but did not give a cause, saying only that it was unrelated to the coronavirus.

A theatrical personality whose event-filled career included more twists and turns than a fictional potboiler, Liddy was at various times an FBI agent, jailbird, radio talk-show host, best-selling author, candidate for Congress, actor and promoter of gold investments.

The role for which he is best remembered was in the plot to bug the Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate complex in June 1972.

Liddy's combination of can-do ruthlessness, loyalty to Nixon and ends-justify-the-means philosophy made him a natural fit in a White House determined to get even with its political enemies.

At the same time, he was viewed by his superiors as "a little nuts," in Nixon's phrase. "I mean, he just isn't well screwed on, is he?" the president complained to chief of staff H.R. Haldeman a week after the break-in.

With his intense stare, cannonball head, bristling mustache and machine-gun style of speaking, Liddy looked like the archetypal bad guys he later depicted in television shows including "Miami Vice." His friend and fellow Watergate conspirator E. Howard Hunt described him as "a wired, wisecracking extrovert who seemed as if he might be a candidate for decaffeinated coffee."

Liddy often boasted of his transformation "from a puny, fearful boy to a strong, fearless man" through a regime of intense exercise and physical bravado such as eating rats and holding his hand over a candle until the flesh burned.

"The trick is not minding," he once explained of the pain, echoing a line used by Peter O'Toole in the 1962 movie "Lawrence of Arabia."

He also developed an early fascination with Nazi Germany, saying that he felt an "electric current" surge through his body when he listened to Adolf Hitler on the radio. To the young Liddy, Hitler embodied the "power of will."

Although Liddy frequently boasted of his impeccable tradecraft, he made elementary mistakes that allowed his former FBI colleagues to connect the break-in to the White House and ultimately to a small circle of Nixon aides.

He accepted personal responsibility for the fiasco, declaring that he was "the captain of the ship when she hit the reef."

"If someone wants to shoot me, just tell me what corner to stand on, and I will be there," he told presidential counsel John Dean.

Detractors viewed the gun-loving, hippie-hating Liddy as a threat to American democracy and the man responsible for many of the "dirty tricks" of the Nixon administration that led to the resignation of the president on Aug. 9, 1974. Supporters admired his war against "radicals" and "subversives" and his refusal to betray his fellow Watergate conspirators in return for a reduced prison term.

Opinions differ about whether the Watergate scandal would have exploded without Liddy.

Historian Stanley Kutler of the University of Wisconsin described him as a lowly "spear carrier" following the wishes of his commander in chief who will merit no more than a footnote in the history books.

The director of the nonprofit National Security Archive, Tom Blanton, said Liddy "brought out the worst" in Nixon and his aides, "raising the testosterone level in the White House and ratcheting them up to even more extreme action."

Desperate to contain the scandal during the run-up to the 1972 election, Nixon's aides launched a coverup with the personal approval and involvement of the president. Liddy refused to cooperate with prosecutors and Congress, and was sentenced in March 1973 to a 20-year prison term for conspiracy, burglary and illegal wiretapping. President Jimmy Carter commuted Liddy's sentence in 1977 and he was released after 52 months behind bars.

By his own account, the Liddy of the Watergate break-in was a product of the culture wars of the 1960s. "The nation was at war not only externally in Vietnam but internally," he said in his 1980 autobiography "Will," which sold more than 1 million copies. "I had learned long ago the maxims of Cicero that 'laws are inoperative in war' and that 'the good of the people is the chief law.' "

George Gordon Battle Liddy was born in Brooklyn on Nov. 30, 1930, and grew up in Hoboken, N.J. He was named for a prominent lawyer and Tammany Hall leader. His Irish-Italian family raised him as a strict Catholic in parochial schools.

"The nuns introduced me to authority," he recalled. "First, God. And then: The flag." The son of a lawyer, he was inspired by the example of his uncle, one of J. Edgar Hoover's original G-men, who claimed to have been involved in the killing of the gangster John Dillinger.

After graduating from Jesuit-run Fordham University in 1952, Liddy spent two years in the Army as an artillery officer but was exempted from service in Korea for medical reasons. He returned to Fordham to study law, completed his degree and joined the FBI in 1957.

That same year, he married computer instructor Frances Purcell, whose striking appearance, he wrote in his memoir, reminded him of a "legendary Rhine maiden."

His wife died in 2010. Survivors include five children and a sister.

Liddy wrote that he left the FBI in 1962 because he wanted to secure a more comfortable life for his family. According to former FBI officials quoted by journalist and author Anthony Lukas, Liddy was pushed out because he was a "wild man" and a "superklutz."

Leaving the FBI turned out to be a good career move. Liddy worked several years in patent law with his father's firm and, in 1965, became an assistant district attorney in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

He became a local conservative folk hero through his involvement in the 1966 arrest of Timothy Leary, a former Harvard professor conducting unorthodox drug research.

Narrowly defeated in a GOP congressional primary, he took charge of the Nixon-Agnew campaign in Dutchess County, N.Y., in 1968 and was rewarded with a post as special assistant to the secretary of the treasury.

Liddy's efforts at the Treasury Department fighting drug traffickers put him in touch with White House aide Egil "Bud" Krogh Jr., who had set up a special investigations unit nicknamed "the Plumbers" to combat leaks after the unauthorized release of the Pentagon Papers by military analyst Daniel Ellsberg.

In September 1971, Liddy teamed up with Hunt, a former CIA agent, to hire a group of anti-Castro Cubans to burglarize the Beverly Hills, Calif., office of Ellsberg's psychiatrist, in the hopes of finding compromising material.

After the Plumbers disbanded, Liddy was transferred to the Committee to Reelect the President (popularly known as CREEP), to organize intelligence activities against the Democrats.

He proposed a million-dollar sabotage and intelligence plan known as "Gemstone," which was eventually pared back to a $250,000 scheme that included the bugging of the Democratic headquarters.

He also volunteered to assassinate newspaper columnist Jack Anderson, who he thought was responsible for compromising a top U.S. intelligence source. His superiors vetoed the idea.

Unable to find anyone proficient in bugging, Liddy recruited the CREEP security chief, James McCord Jr., whose links to the White House were easily traceable. McCord's arrest, along with four Cubans, inside the Democratic headquarters shortly after 2 a.m. on June 17, 1972, led to the rapid identification of Liddy and Hunt.

Liddy refused to testify before the grand jury investigating Watergate, saying he had not been raised to be "a snitch or a rat." But his silence failed to prevent the disintegration of the coverup after Nixon's reelection in November 1972. When McCord began to cooperate with investigators in March 1973, Dean and other Nixon aides concluded that it was every man for himself and negotiated their own immunity deals.

As a federal prisoner, Liddy relished facing down the wardens and gangs who ruled the penitentiary. In his autobiography, he claimed that he responded to racial epithets from African American prisoners by singing the Nazi "Horst Wessel" anthem that he had learned as a boy, celebrating Aryan superiority.

"I don't believe there was a man there who understood one word of what I sang," he wrote. "But they got the message."

After his release from prison, Liddy finally broke his silence about his role in Watergate with the publication of "Will," which was well-received by many of his former antagonists. Washington Post investigative reporter Bob Woodward described the book as the "self-portrait of a zealot," but he also noted that it contained "an embarrassment of riches" growing out of "his blustery conceit and his freedom from any guilt about what he did. . . . His story rings true," Woodward wrote in his review.

In an unusual twist, Liddy teamed up with Leary, his former nemesis, for a series of debates on college campuses. The men were the unlikely co-stars of the 1983 documentary film "Return Engagement," in which they traded compliments as well as barbs.

Liddy deplored Leary's "very dangerous" ideas while praising his "marvelous elfin sense of wit and Irish humor." Leary depicted Liddy as "intelligent," "highly educated" and "deeply idealistic" but attacked him for "turning America into a banana republic."

"He's Darth Vader to my Luke Skywalker," said Leary, who served more than three years for possession of marijuana following the Poughskeepsie drug bust.

Liddy's career as a screen villain took off in the early 1980s with the role of the dreaded Capt. William "Mr. Real Estate" Maynard on the NBC police drama "Miami Vice," which was followed by cameo appearances in other shows. On the old Nashville Network cable channel, he co-starred as a crime boss in the short-lived series "18 Wheels of Justice," a program that he boasted had "no redeeming social value."

Success on the lecture circuit led to the "G. Gordon Liddy Show," a radio talk show that was carried by more than 270 stations across the country and reached an estimated 10 million listeners. He found a wide following for his brand of macho wit.

His standard reply to callers asking how he was doing: "Virile, vigorous and potent." To those asking for his views on the Second Amendment, he replied: "I believe in gun control. Hold the gun steadily and hit what you aim at."

In recent years, he hawked the "Stacked and Packed" wall calendar, which he claimed featured "America's most beautiful women, heavily armed."

As a felon, Liddy lost the right to own a gun, but he found an easy way around the law. He told interviewers that he owned no guns, "but Mrs. Liddy owns 27, some of which she keeps on my side of the bed."

Unlike other Watergate defendants, Liddy reveled in his celebrity status as the man at the center of a scandal that brought down a president and his reputation for carrying out those dirty tricks. His black Volvo sported the personalized tag H20GATE. He acknowledged that he probably would have ended up as an unsung "Washington political hack moving in and out of power" had it not been for Watergate.

"Things are very, very good for me," he told the Los Angeles Times in 1991. "I'm very appreciative. I was an accident of history."

- - -

Dobbs is a former Washington Post reporter and author of a forthcoming book about Nixon and Watergate, "King Richard: An American Tragedy."
Pakistan: Fish to be brought to Chinese market: Ahmed Iqbal Baloch

March 31,2021 | Source: Associated press of Pakistan

The fishery is a key component of the growing bilateral trade between China and Pakistan and he plans to bring Pakistani fish to the Chinese market, Chairman of Pakistans Visionary Group, Ahmed Iqbal Baloch said on Tuesday. We are importing a lot of things from China, and we want to lift our exports to China as well. Fishery is a key component of Pakistans exports. Pakistan has large seashore and there are fish number one quality available in the sea. We want to make Pakistani fish value-added and export to China and all over the world, he said in interview. Baloch, who is working in many areas to cement Sino-Pak friendship said, tourism is another area that has great potential to develop between the two countries. Ive visited China for many times and I saw so many fascinating cities. However, a large number of Pakistanis havent visited China, so they still have no idea about these places charm, he said. Pakistan also has many beautiful places like Punjab and Gwadar, which are worth exploring for Chinese people, he told CEN. Sharing his feeling about China, he said, There are so many countries in the world. But when we talk about China, we feel proud that China is not only a friend to us, its also a brother. China-Pakistan friendship and CPEC make me feel that were a family. When I visited China, the common people were happy seeing me and the same feeling is also in Pakistan.



Baloch appreciates the closeness brought by CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) a lot. The Chinese President Xi Jinping gave an excellent road map not only for China and Pakistan but also for the whole world. His idea establishes a good platform to the world regarding economy, trade, cultural exchanges, etc. Baloch praised the great initiative put forward by Xi Jinping. I am very happy seeing that our Prime Minister Imran Khan is working hard to lead Pakistan into a powerful country and bring more development to Pakistan. In the coming days, China-Pakistan ties definitely deepen because of more connectivity in various areas, he said. Visionary Group is doing business related to CPEC in a wide scope including media, social club, housing scheme, etc. Especially in the media area, VSH News TV under Visionary Group has produced many high-quality programs together with CEN like The Belt and Road: Face to Face and When in China. When we talk about CPEC, there is a question of how we can bring more and more connectivity and make people become closer with each other. Good media definitely bring things in a proper direction. We are working with Chinese companies to show what development is actually going on in Pakistan through CPEC, he said.
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- J.F. Lehman & Company ("JFLCO"), a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental sectors, is pleased to announce that an investment affiliate has made a substantial investment in Trillium Engineering, LLC ("Trillium" or the "Company").

JFLCO is partnering with Trillium's founders and employees, who will remain material shareholders in the business and continue to lead Trillium as the Company pursues its next phase of its growth.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Hood River, Oregon, Trillium is a leading designer and manufacturer of highly engineered camera gimbals for unmanned aerial systems ("UAS") performing mission-critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Serving as the mission-enabling "eyes" of UAS, the Company's products provide best-in-class stability and imagery for real-time geospatial and geolocation applications in the visible and infrared spectrums. Trillium serves a diversified array of domestic and international defense and government UAS OEMs, integrators and end-users.

"We believe Trillium is rapidly establishing itself as the leading provider of camera gimbal technology in the growing UAS marketplace. The disciplined leadership by the Company's founders has fostered both an environment of technical and commercial excellence and the commitment of talented employees who have established a culture of innovation and premium levels of customer service. We are excited to partner with Rob Gilchrist, Jeff Fisher, Gail Dagan and the rest of Trillium's talented team." said Steve Brooks, Partner with JFLCO. Mike Friedman, a Managing Director with JFLCO added, "We believe Trillium's market-leading product portfolio, blue-chip customer base and established content on leading UAS platforms leaves the business well positioned to benefit from the significant expansion anticipated in the unmanned market. We are thrilled to support the Company on its continued path to growth."

Rob Gilchrist, President of Trillium, commented, "J.F. Lehman & Company represents strong alignment with our goal to partner with a firm possessing the experience and track record to support our continued technical and commercial evolution. We look forward to leveraging the firm's unique sector expertise as we continue to provide our customers with innovative solutions that meet and exceed their ever-evolving mission requirements."

Jones Day served as lead legal counsel for JFLCO. Baker Hostetler provided government contracts, defense security and international trade advice to JFLCO. Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to Trillium and its members in connection with the transaction. Sheppard Mullin provided legal counsel to Trillium and its members.

About J.F. Lehman & Company, Inc.

Founded in 1992, J.F. Lehman & Company is a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental sectors. The firm has offices in New York and Washington, D.C.

For more information about J.F. Lehman & Company, please visit www.jflpartners.com.

SOURCE J.F. Lehman & Company

Related Links

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She's reportedly set to move to Miami with her boyfriend Scott Disick, just a few months after confirming their romance.

But Amelia Hamlin brushed aside the rumours as she uploaded a selection of sizzling images to Instagram in Antigua on Tuesday.

The model, 19, ensured all eyes were on her as she slipped into a blue tie-dye print bikini by White Fox while taking a dip in a pool during her stay at Hodges Bay Resort & Spa.

Turning up the heat: Amelia Gray sent temperatures soaring as she uploaded sizzling snaps to Instagram in Antigua on Tuesday

Commanding attention, the influencer highlighted her figure in the two-piece, which featured a classic triangle-style top and matching bottoms.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star upped the style ante by accessorising with a sheer mini-skirt and a selection of gold jewellery.

Proving less is more, the daughter of actress Lisa Rinna went make-up free and wore her locks loose.

Wow-factor: The model, 19, ensured all eyes were on her as she slipped into a blue tie-dye print bikini by White Fox while taking a dip in a pool during her stay at Hodges Bay Resort & Spa

Commanding attention: The influencer highlighted her figure in the two-piece, which featured a classic triangle-style top and matching bottoms

Less is more: The daughter of actress Lisa Rinna went make-up free and wore her locks loose

On her home plans, a source told ET: 'Scott's planning to move to Miami temporarily for a change of scenery [and] pace and he will split his time between there and LA so he can see his kids and the rest of the family.

'Amelia is planning on moving in with him. Scott was lonely when he and Sofia [Richie] broke up, which is one of the reasons he and Amelia got together so quickly.

'They've been getting a bit more serious for now. Scott has been having a good time with Amelia.'

The budding couple rang in the New Year in Mexico and have also spent time in Santa Barbara, where he grew close to her sister Delilah's Love Island boyfriend Eyal Booker.

Media personality Scott, 37, split from supermodel Sofia, 22, in August 2020 following a three-year relationship.

The father-of-three shares his kids Mason, 11, Penelope, eight, and Reign, six, with former partner Kourtney Kardashian, who recently started dating her long-time friend and musician Travis Barker.
Nicola Sturgeon (pictured leaving a Scottish election debate last night) has complained about the UK government restricting funding for Holyrood

The Scottish government is spending 30 per cent more on public services per person than England thanks to its generous funding deal from Westminster.

The extraordinary gap has been highlighted in a report by a respected think-tank - despite Nicola Sturgeon moaning that Boris Johnson wants to deny her cash as she steps up her push to split the UK.

Ms Sturgeon unveiled a 4 per cent pay rise for NHS staff last week trolling ministers for saying that 1 per cent is the most that can be afforded after coronavirus wreaked havoc on the economy.

But a study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) pointed out the huge gulf between funding levels with England.

For every 1 per person available for public services south of the border this year, there is 1.30 allocated north of the border - with the difference almost all explained by the Barnett formula used in the calculation.

The IFS also said the Scottish Government has chosen to use some of its temporary coronavirus funding to pay for permanent spending commitments - raising concerns that will cause problems when the crisis eases.

The briefing note said the Holyrood administration had received an additional 9.5billion from the UK Government in Covid-related funding.

A study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) pointed out the huge gulf between funding levels with England

The IFS said that the overwhelming majority of Holyrood revenue comes from the block grant from Westminster, with efforts to raise more taxes from Scots only having limited effect

The controversial formula that hands Scotland more case What is the Barnett Formula? It is a system used by the UK Government to figure out how much funding should be given to the other home nations when it decides to spend more or less on something in England. It was devised by the former Labour Chief Secretary to the Treasury Joel Barnett back in 1978. While it has no standing in law it has now been used by the Treasury for more than 40 years to calculate funding figures. Why is it so controversial? The amount of money handed out to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the form of a block grant from Westminster is calculated based on population and what powers have been devolved from Whitehall. In theory this should mean that spending should go up and down equally. But the calculations are complicated and Scotland started with higher spending per head when the formula was first used which means that discrepancy is baked into the system. The formula was only ever supposed to be temporary and even its architect said in 2014 that it was 'unfair and should be stopped'. Advertisement

Combined with a special funding guarantee, it said per capita coronavirus funding was likely to be higher in Scotland than in England for the next fiscal year.

But the IFS said not all of the extra funding was going to Covid-related spending, with some used to extend free school meals and free bus travel.

It warned that these would have to be funded from the core budget in 2022/23 and beyond, where money is likely to be 'tight'.

About two-thirds of Scottish Government funding comes from the block grant it receives from the UK Government, but Scottish income tax will contribute 27 per cent and other Scottish taxes 5.5 per cent, with borrowing contributing the remaining 0.5 per cent.

The IFS found that the Scottish Government's devolved taxes were contributing a modest but growing sum to its funding.

Plans suggest core funding will be about 3 per cent higher in 202122 than in 2010, but population growth means this is around 2 per cent lower per person.

The think tank has published its first briefing note ahead of the Holyrood election campaign, focussing on how funding has changed in recent years.

David Phillips, associate director at the IFS and author of the report said: 'Excluding temporary Covid-19 funding, the Scottish Government has over 1.30 per person to spend on public services this year for every 1 of spending per person on comparable services in England.

'This is almost entirely due to funding received from the UK Government via the Barnett formula, with less than 2p of the gap due to the Scottish Government's borrowing and higher income taxes.

'Indeed, the relatively weak performance of the Scottish economy means that the net revenues received from income tax have only increased slightly, despite tax increases in Scotland.'

'They would have fallen relative to a world without tax devolution had those tax rises not been implemented, reminding us that devolution brings risks as well as opportunities.'

He continued: 'Likely tight spending plans in Westminster could mean the next Holyrood administration will have to consider tax increases or cuts to some services  not least to pay for long-term policies on free school meals, public transport, council tax and mental health services, that this year will be paid for using temporary Covid-19 funding.'

Scottish Conservative economy spokesman Maurice Golden said: 'The extra money Scotland gets through the Barnett formula in the months and years ahead will be key to saving jobs, supporting businesses, growing the economy and offering high-quality workforce training.

'There is a risk though, the SNP's divisive and unnecessary plan to hold another independence referendum this year would place a stake through the heart of Scotland's economic recovery.'

However, SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: 'While the Barnett formula does provide Scotland with slightly higher public spending per head than in England, it is already under attack by the Tories at Westminster, who have cut our capital budget by 5 per cent and stripped the Scottish Parliament of powers so they can engage in 'pork-barrel' spending through the so-called levelling up fund.'

Nicola Sturgeon is left squirming in first TV debate of Scottish election campaign as she comes under fire for plan to put a divisive independence referendum before coronavirus recovery

Nicola Sturgeon came under fire last night over her plan to put a divisive independence referendum before the coronavirus recovery.

The SNP leader appeared flustered during the first televised leaders' debate of the Scottish election campaign.

The First Minister faced an onslaught of dissenting voices as she confirmed that she plans to hold a fresh ballot on her bid to break up the UK within two-and-a-half years.

A rattled Miss Sturgeon even appeared to squirm when she was put on the spot over her plans for another vote, reluctantly committing to holding one in the first half of the next parliament, if elected.

The SNP leader appeared flustered during the first televised leaders' debate of the Scottish election campaign

Opposition leaders reacted angrily and accused the First Minister of ignoring the public's desire to make fixing the economy and mending public services top priority.

Opponents warned Scotland faces the threat of five years of 'poisonous' arguments between Miss Sturgeon and Alex Salmond if the SNP wins the election.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross attacked her for putting issues including education and economic recovery 'to the side' in favour of independence.

He said: 'The final piece of legislation that the SNP laid in front of parliament before the parliament rose for this election was one about independence, because it is their only priority, it is their political priority.

'We have heard from the studio so far today it's not the public's priority and that is why Nicola Sturgeon is wrong and that's why we can't have a recovery when the SNP and the Scottish Government are only focused on another referendum.'

Answering questions from members of the public invited to take part virtually in the BBC debate in Edinburgh, Miss Sturgeon found herself on the rack over the constitution.

Sturgeon: Referendum in two-and-a-half years Nicola Sturgeon sparked fury last night after confirming she will push to hold a second independence referendum within the next two-and-a-half years. The First Minister was challenged by voters on whether her focus was on the pandemic or on breaking up the United Kingdom. While she said this was something the public should judge for themselves, the SNP leader confirmed she will seek a divisive referendum in the first half of the next five-year Holyrood term  assuming the crisis has passed. The First Minister added: Ill leave other people to judge if my focus has been on the pandemic or not over the past year. Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said her party would commit to a referendum in the next Holyrood term in its manifesto. But Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross launched a furious attack on Miss Sturgeon. He said: Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she would want a referendum in the next two years, when we are still dealing with this health pandemic. When were still trying to recover our economy, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed to everyone tonight that the SNP will take us forward into another independence referendum if they get that majority. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he wanted to focus on what unites us as a country, not what divides us. Advertisement

One audience member, introduced as Selwyn, told her: 'Nicola Sturgeon said to us she is focused on Covid and all that goes with it. If that's the case how did she find time to put an independence bill through parliament while we are still suffering Covid? That's not a focus.'

Another member of the virtual audience at the debate, introduced as Angelica, said: 'Back in November 2020, Nicola Sturgeon was pushing for another independence referendum.

'So is the focus really on the Covid recovery or is your focus on a referendum?

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: 'We will not get through this pandemic, and we will not get a recovery that benefits everyone if we are arguing amongst ourselves all the time.

'We need to put the division, the exhausting arguments of the past, behind us and focus on the recovery.' He added: 'We know it will be a long, divisive argument. We've seen the arguments over the last few weeks with Alex Salmond over these issues.

'It is going to be bitter, it is going to be divided, it will last for years. It will be just like Brexit.

'I've seen a window into the next five years in the last few weeks  arguments over the constitution, strategy about independence; arguments between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond which have been poisonous and unpleasant. And what we need to do is to put all of that behind us and choose a different future.'

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was joined by members of other parties in quizzing Miss Sturgeon over her priorities.

He said: 'Credit where credit is due, the First Minister has been out every day talking about Covid and trying to lead from the front, but I just fear she has a blind spot when it comes to the constitution and when it comes to the referendum.'

Responding to the question about pushing the referendum Bill through the Scottish parliament during the pandemic, Miss Sturgeon said: 'First of all, we haven't put an independence referendum Bill through the parliament. We published a draft, as I said we would. I think it's nine pages long.

'I will leave other people to judge whether my focus has been on the coronavirus pandemic or not over the past year.

'People have seen me literally every single day lead the country's fight against Covid and I have spent literally almost every waking moment doing that, rightly and properly as First Minister.'

Labour's Anas Sarwar, Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie, Ms Sturgeon, presenter Sarah Smith, Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross

The leaders of the five main parties took part in the socially distanced debate, with a virtual audience asking them questions from home.

Other issues included strategy for the coronavirus recovery, education and health. Mr Ross also highlighted a pledge this week by Miss Sturgeon in an election campaign speech that all pupils in Scotland would receive a tablet device or laptop.

He said: 'Does it really help young people who have been out of school for the last year to offer them a free device at the start of an election campaign rather than the start of a pandemic?'

Mr Sarwar raised concerns about the NHS north of the Border, and referred to a grandmother who has been told that she must travel to London for an operation to treat an aggressive form of cancer because of a 'backlog' in Scotland's health service.

Mary Hudson, 69, was informed that she could not be treated here owing to health service capacity issues caused by a coronavirus backlog, and will instead be forced to endure an eight-hour journey from her home in Glasgow to the NHS Hammersmith Hospital in London.

The Scottish Labour leader said: 'She [Mrs Hudson] had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and been told by the NHS in Scotland that due to the backlog of Covid, they are not treating recurring cancers, and would only be treating first time cancers.

'She has been forced to travel south in order to get that operation.'
Channel 10's Shark Tank Australia was last seen on screens back in 2018.

And on Wednesday, Beverley McGarvey - Channel 10's chief content officer and executive vice president of ViacomCBS Australia and NZ - hinted the reality show could return.

She told TV Tonight that the show has not been forgotten and discussed among the network's bosses every six months.

Back on screens? Channel 10's Beverley McGarvey hinted Shark Tank Australia could return, saying it's a program that is discussed among the network's bosses every six months. Pictured left to right is: Steve Baxter, Janine Allis, Andrew Banks, Naomi Simson and Glen Richards

But she noted that it is an 'incredibly complex' show to produce.

'It looks quite simple in its format. But it's actually incredibly complex. So we do look at it often. I would never say "never" about that,' she said of the program.

The show sees everyday Australians, who are aspiring entrepreneurs, present a product or service to the investors, known as the Sharks, for capital in return for a share of their company.

Making deals: The show sees every day Australians who are aspiring entrepreneurs present a product or service to the investors, known as the Sharks, for capital in return for a share of their company

The multimillionaire investors included tech investor Steve Baxter, Boost Juice founder Janine Allis, Talent2's Andrew Banks, Red Balloon's Naomi Simson and Glen Richards, founder and CEO of Greencross Vets.

She continued: 'It's a very particular show to produce. It requires a lot of diligence on the business side, because they're real businesses. We've got a lot of obligations (around) how the businesses work. So it's not a simple show.

Despite the show starting on Channel 10, Ms McGarvey said she could not guarantee that it would stay with the network, hinting that the rights for the program are up for grabs.

'I would never say "never" about that': But Ms McGarvey also noted that the show is complex to create, saying: 'It looks quite simple in its format. But it's actually incredibly complex. So we do look at it often'

'I'd say everybody looks at it,' she said of the Endemol Shine production.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for further comment.

Shark Tank Australia, which is based on the BBC's Dragon's Den, last aired on Channel 10 back in 2018 and was hosted by Sarah Harris.
Vodka in Russia. Fosters in Australia. Caramel macchiatos in Seminyak. Guinness in Ireland. Budweiser in America. Some things are just so cliche they have to be done.

Enter: Thailands full moon parties. A rite of passage for South-East Asia backpackers, an all-round good time, and the only thing most of us heathens know Koh Phangan for.

The islands days of buckets of vodka and neon lights (and 30,000 visitors per month) may be numbered though  with a pandemic sweeping the globe a whole lot of things have changed.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nofar Uzan Miara (@nofar_uzan_miara)

Though some appear to have been doing their best to party in recent months

Thai police arrest 89 foreigners for Covid breach at Koh Phangan party https://t.co/knqBIkxIDZ  The Guardian (@guardian) January 28, 2021

 according to CNN Travel, compared to before, The deserted streets of this small town are a study in neglect.

Shabby shops offering cheap Thai massages or advertising bamboo tattoos are shuttered, their doors fastened by heavy chains. The only things missing from the eerie scene are giant balls of tumbleweed: not a possibility in this verdant tropical paradise.

Before and after photos demonstrate this.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christine (@travelsteens)

Old photos (and top posts) under the Koh Phangan and Haad Rin beach geotags are full of people and partying (see above). Recent photos are either throwbacks or show much quieter scenes (see below).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michael Sanchez (@mikeszphoto)

Before The Spicy Cough rocked the world, a normal full moon night in Koh Phangans Haad Rin beach would see bars crammed with revellers, inhaling punchy cocktails served in buckets and nodding along to ear-busting beats.

Some locals have their fingers crossed such Full Moon scenes will (safely) return however, this summer.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Cabin_Koh Phangan_Thailand (@thecabin.beachresort)

We are hopeful, one local member of the Haad Rin Business Association told CNN Travel.

The future of Thailands Full Moon parties is being discussed on Twitter too.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by HaadrinWalkingStreet (@haadrinwalkingstreet)

Its a tale as old as mainstream travel itself: the formerly chilled out, hippie gig began as a low key event but has now  in many peoples eyes  turned into an overcommercialised, crime-ridden invasion of the island.

I visit Koh Phangan a lot. The islands economy revolves around these parties. They may not like them but they like the money.  Khun Happy (@khunhappy) March 29, 2021

Some want the cash cow killed, some want it to return bigger and more profitable than ever, and others want to adapt it to better suit everyone (as is happening all across the globe, from Amsterdam to Croatia).

This is why its so important to get the people of Thailand vaccinated, not just the people of Phuket and other touristy areas. https://t.co/bu8fObHw3y  David Luekens (@DavidLuekens) March 29, 2021

Others called for a focus on Thailand beyond just the tourism hotspots, in order to facilitate a sustainable return to tourism for the country.

P Noi, owner of Tommy Resort, a longstanding Koh Phangan backpackers, told CNN Travel the pause on partying (it was banned last March) had affected people on Koh Phangan terribly.

The last event before the pandemic in February, we had 20,000 people at the party. The absence of customers has had a knock-on effect on everyone from business owners to food sellers, migrant workers and taxi drivers.

We accept constructive criticism, but theres no reason why the Full Moon Party cannot come back when tourism opens up again.

The group Noi is part of  Haad Rin Business Association  told CNN Travel they would like to improve the area.

As CNN Travel reports, They accept the need for mask-wearing and social distancing: at least until the pandemic is firmly in the rear-view mirror [and] hope to attract a wider diversity of higher-quality businesses to Haad Rin to replace the massage and tattoo parlours and tacky souvenir shops, many of which are closed permanently.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr. Nabila | Travel Blogger (@doseoftravel)

Its also worth reminding tourists there is a lot more to the island than the parties too  something the million-odd Instagram posts with the kohphangan hashtag pay testament too.

The problem of crowded events  and how best to manage them  is being experienced all around the globe  from Australia to Miami to the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands, for instance, a music festival is taking place, despite the rest of the country being under a lockdown.

As the BBC reports, The two-day experiment aims to see if theres a safe way to allow large-scale social gatherings to restart, without increasing the spread of the virus.

Fingers crossed they find a way.

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Lagos  The governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extended the tenure of the state's Judicial Panel on Restitution For Victims of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Related Abuses and Other Matters for another three months.

This was disclosed yesterday by the panel headed by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi.

With the extension the panel had been granted legal backing to six till July 19 instead of the initial deadline of April 19 in its terms of reference.

The Lagos Judicial Panel was inaugurated by the Lagos State governor on October 19 to among other things receive memoranda from concerned members of the public and inquire into cases of abuse, brutality, torture and extra judicial killings by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS in Lagos.

Its terms of reference also cover the incident of October 20, 2020 at the Lekki tollgate plaza involving the army and some #EndSARS protesters.

As at the deadline for the receipt of memoranda, the panel had received 235 petitions.

As at March 27, 2020 the panel had awarded the sum of N44 million as compensation and heard 115 cases.

At yesterday's sitting, which was the 65th, the panel heard a petition involving a bed-ridden 76 year old man, Prince Adewanle Adewuyi who had accused the police of brutality and aggravated assault.

He allegedly said that the police forcefully took over his 26 acres of land in Age-Mowo village Badagry in December 2013.
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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, has declared an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries.

The action, which takes effects from April 1, would be observed by all members of the union, until the institutions management pays them all outstanding salaries for the first quarter of 2021.

This was contained in a communique issued after a Congress meeting of the union held on Wednesday, in Okitipupa, and jointly signed by Dipo Akomolafe and Rotimi Olorunisola, the unions chairperson and secretary, respectively.

The communique quoted the union as saying that its executives had met several times with the school management over the issue but that had not yielded any positive results.

Several meetings have been held by the union and the university management over outstanding salaries for the first quarter, which did not have a positive result.

After careful and comprehensive discussions by the union members, the Congress unanimously resolved that all members should commence a No Pay, No Work action.

The action is effective from 12.01a.m April 1, if all outstanding salaries were not fully paid before 12.00 midnight March 31, the communique read.

Meanwhile, efforts by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to get reactions from the institutions Vice-Chancellor, Sunday Ogunduyile, were unsuccessful as his telephone lines were not accessible as at the time of filing this report. (NAN)
by Nirmala Carvalho

A study by Pew Research Center indicates that India has 75 million more poor people, with the middle class losing a third of its members. The regression started with the announcement of demonetisation, said Jesuit Irudaya Jothi. The lockdown was a death knell for an already bad economy. At Mumbais St Catherine's Home, Rising poverty and hunger can be seen by the long lines outside the gates of the establishment.

Mumbai (AsiaNews)  According to a new study by the Washington-based Pew Research Center, India contributed almost 60 per cent of the rise in global poverty in 2020.

The report, published this month, is based on World Bank estimates of the impact of COVID-19 on economic growth.

In India, the lockdown caused by the pandemic included the shutdown of most economic activities, job losses and falling incomes, with the country plunging in a deep recession.

India seems to be the worst-hit country in South Asia, both in terms of contracting GDP and the sharp rise in the number of its poor, reads the Pew Centers study. India added 75 million people to poverty, accounting for 60% of the rise in poor populations globally.

The countrys middle class (those earning between 700 and 1,500 rupees per day) may have shrunk by a third due to 2020s pandemic-driven recession with about 32 million people moving down the social ladder. At the same time, the number of poor people, those earning less than 150 rupees per day, more than doubled.

The unplanned abrupt announcement of the lockdown was a death knell for an already bad economy, said Father Irudaya Jothi, a well-known Jesuit activist and head of the Right to Food & Work Campaign in West Bengal. Speaking to AsiaNews, he added: The regression started with the announcement of demonetisation, which served no purpose for the welfare of the ordinary citizens of the country.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST), which was considered like freedom at midnight, doomed the small and medium scale industries and added thousands to the already crowded [army of the] unemployed. Now the country is being sold to the corporate houses, the future of our rural and urban poor is bleak.

Already there is wide starvation in 'the country of plenty' and if some of the bills that are passed with just a brute majority without considering the needs of the people, we shall witness a severe food crisis and starvation death on a daily basis.

The Global Hunger Index 2020 ranks India 94 out of 107 countries, placing it in the group of nations where the risk of hunger is serious.

Rising poverty and hunger can be seen by the long lines outside the gates of the St Catherine of Sienas Home and School for Destitute Children in Bandra (Mumbai), said its director, Brother Joseph. Hunger is increasing, the poor have no source of income and The lines for food are getting longer, he added.

St Catherine of Sienas has distributed over 250,000 breakfast and lunch meals to the poor since the lockdown began. Unemployment, poverty have driven people to extreme poverty and destitution.

Since March 2020, our volunteers have distributed each day 600 hot and nutritious meals to the homeless at the railway station, bus stops and roadsides. These meals are cooked in our own kitchen,

Many of the destitute on the street are so thirsty; they want water more than the food, so we include bottled water with the lunch.

Founded in 1957, the St Catherine of Sienas Home and School for Destitute Children is administered by the Welfare Society for Destitute Children, an organisation created by Father Anthony Elenjimittam, who died in 2011. Father Elenjimittam loved to call the poor angels in rags.

Its a great sign and tremendous encouragement that the volunteers helping with the charitable cause are ex-students from the school, Brother Joseph noted.
Riyadh, March 31 : The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has launched a fundraising campaign to help people around the world without any discrimination.

The campaign aims to support the center's ongoing humanitarian programs in sectors such as food, education, health and agriculture, the Arab News reported.

Interested people can join hands with KSrelief in its 50-day campaign to help humanity through numerous channels such as the center's donation portal, ehsan platform, by sending text messages to 5565 or through KSrelief's donation points that will soon be launched across the Kingdom.

Through the center, Saudi Arabia is actively involved in several humanitarian projects around the world.

According to a recent KSrelief report, Yemen has received the most aid ($3.47 billion), followed by Palestine ($363 million), Syria ($305 million) and Somalia ($202 million).

KSrelief has implemented 1,536 projects worth nearly $5 billion in 59 countries since its inception in May 2015.

The center has developed electronic models for recording humanitarian, development, and charity projects and contributions according to international documentation standards adopted by the OECD Development Assistance Committee, the UN Financial Tracking Service and the principles of the International Aid Transparency Initiative.

Since its establishment, the center has been working to provide various forms of humanitarian support to the Yemeni brothers, including shelter, food, healthcare and education, covering all its governorates.

KSrelief provides urgent treatment for wounded and injured Yemenis in their country, and those for whom treatment is not possible in Yemen are transferred to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the center said that 1,681 Yemenis received treatment for different ailments within a week at Al-Jadaa Health Center in the Hajjah governorate of Yemen.

The health center is one of the many centers around Yemen that are receiving full support from KSrelief. In Hodeidah, the center is carrying out a water and sanitation project.

From March 11 to 17, the project pumped 315,000 liters of drinking water and 315,000 liters of non-drinking water.
The quick actions of an off-duty police officer and his colleagues are being hailed for saving the lives of two cousins in a fatal house fire in Sydneys south-west.

Campsie crime manager Andrew Mackay was driving past the house on Tuesday when he noticed the flames. With the help of a bystander, the acting detective inspector tried to gain access to the rear of the home on Evaline Street, Campsie, but the smoke was too thick.

Campsie Crime Manager Andrew Mackay was driving home on Tuesday when he saw the home was on fire and rushed to help those trapped inside. Credit:Sam Mooy

Inside, two cousins and a grandmother were trapped.

Within moments, constables Jarred Annakin and Brooke Bowen-Williams from Detective Mackays station arrived. The pair accessed the home and found a 16-year-old boy in the rear bedroom of the home. Constable Annakin said they dragged him to safety.
Gold Fields had attributable gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves of 52.1Moz (2019: 51.3Moz) and

gold-equivalent Mineral Resources of 116.0Moz (2019: 115.7Moz).



Gold Fields Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Content Index 2020, the 2020 Climate Change Report and

the 2020 Report to Stakeholders will be published during April 2021.



Notice of AGM



Notice is given to Shareholders of the AGM of the Company to be held entirely by electronic

communications on Thursday, 6 May 2021 at 13:00. The AGM will transact the business as stated in the

Notice of that meeting, a copy of which can be found with the IAR on the companys website at

www.goldfields.com. In terms of section 59(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 71 of 2008, the record date for

the purpose of determining which shareholders are entitled to participate in and vote at the AGM (being

the date on which a shareholder must be registered in the Companys securities register in order to

participate in and vote at the AGM) is Friday, 23 April 2021. Therefore the last day to trade in order to be

registered in the Companys securities register as at the record date is Tuesday, 20 April 2021.





Enquiries



Investors



Avishkar Nagaser

Tel: +27 11 562-9775

Mobile: +27 82 312 8692

Email: Avishkar.Nagaser@goldfields.com



Thomas Mengel

Tel: +27 11 562-9849

Mobile: +27 72 493 5170

Email: Thomas.Mengel@goldfields.com



Media



Sven Lunsche

Tel: +27 11 562-9763

Mobile: +27 83 260 9279

Email: Sven.Lunsche@goldfields.com

Notes to editors



About Gold Fields


While boarding schools in rural areas are to reopen as day schools, those in high-risk areas will reopen later as clusters in selected safe areas.

The Niger State government has suspended boarding schools in the rural areas of the state to avert further abduction of students by bandits.

The state's Commissioner of Education, Hannatu Salihu, said this in a statement she issued on Tuesday.

Mrs Salihu said the decision was reached at a management meeting with directors of the ministry, zonal directors of Quality Assurance, and heads of agencies.

"All public day secondary schools are to reopen today, March 29, 2021, all boarding secondary schools in urban areas are to reopen on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

"Public day secondary schools in areas of high risk that would run in clusters with selected safe schools in nearby communities would reopen on a later date to be announced after adequate arrangements are concluded," she said.

"Students from other communities in the boarding schools that would operate as day schools would be moved to other boarding/day secondary schools in their localities."

The commissioner stated that all principals have been provided with specific details in respect of the arrangements as they are expected to work in collaboration with their zonal directors to ensure compliance in light of the demands of current security realities.

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"To this end, Hajiya Hannatu directed that every school must form a formidable security team, consisting of school officials, security personnel, PTA, SBMC and Vigilante with active community participation to allow for a strong security presence in and around the schools" she declared.

She added that principals are expected to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols by guaranteeing the compulsory wearing of face masks, sanitizing of hands and maintaining social distancing among others.

She said the government had closed the schools for two weeks to enable it conduct a risk assessment, after which it decided to improve security in the schools.

The reopening arrangement comes six weeks after scores of students and staff were abducted by gunmen in Government Science College in Kagara, Rafi local government area of the state.

The state governor declared the closure of all boarding schools in Rafi and three other neighbouring local government areas the following day.

The students and the staff kidnapped were later released after ten days in captivity.
The Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr William Benjamin Assuah together with the party's Regional Executive Committee has embarked on a weeklong "Thank You" tour across the entire Western North Region.



The tour has the Regional Chairman and the team visiting the Bia East, Juaboso, Bodi, Akontombra, Aowin, Suaman-Dadieso, Wiawso and Bibiani constituencies, all in the Western North region.



The tour, according to Mr William Benjamin Assuah was a multi-purpose one that focused on acknowledging the efforts and contributions of the various constituencies in the outcome of the 2020 general elections.



The New Patriotic Party is noted to have relatively increased their gains in the Western North Region, contributing more votes than ever before to the entire vote difference that gave victory to H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



The tour also had the Regional Chairman and his executives explaining to the various constituencies how resources were distributed in the various constituencies and polling stations in ensuring there weren't any imbalances across the various constituencies.



He further explained the party's intention to keeping faith with the grassroots by constantly engaging them in such interactions that seek to advance the course of the elephant fraternity.



He added that their visit to the constituencies wasn't just to say "Thank you" but to further engage the constituents and have them voice out their challenges so the party can devise more resilient ways of addressing those challenges.



Speaking with the constituency executives, Mr William Benjamin Assuah addressed the numerous unemployment challenge facing them and reiterated the party's commitment to ensuring the necessary steps are taken in creating employment avenues and opportunities for their members as early as possible.



The various constituency executives expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Regional Executive Committee for their thoughtfulness and how impressed they were about the visit. They further applauded the Regional Chairman and his team and asked that they continue with the grassroots engagement as it helps them to better address their issues.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Morales was replaced by a minor extreme right lawmaker, Jeanine Anez, who became the interim president.

by Vijay Prashad

Sentiments in Bolivia for and against the coup detat of November 2019 are predictably along class lines. Those from more affluent sections felt that the socialist policies of the government of President Evo Morales (which was in power from 2006 to 2019) were eating into their authority. But these sections could not oust Morales at the ballot box because his policies of redistribution were wildly popular among the mass of the population. Morales won three elections, each of them with a decisive mandate: winning 53.74 percent in 2005, 64.08 percent in 2009, and 61.36 percent in 2014.

Pressure to prevent Morales from running in the election in 2019 mounted early, but it failed. The oppositionwith the full backing of the U.S. governmenttried to undermine the October 2019 election by painting it as fraudulent. With no real evidence, the militarywith a green light from Washington, D.C.moved against Morales, sending him into exile.

Coup Regime

Morales was replaced by a minor extreme right lawmaker, Jeanine Anez, who became the interim president. Harsh repression against Morales party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS), followed, and Morales was forced to leave Bolivia. Almost immediately, then U.S. President Donald Trump said that the coup preserves democracy. As the violence of the coup unfolded, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described it as Bolivias political transition to democracy; Pompeos statement was made on November 21, 2019.

Two days before Pompeos statement, troops under the authority of Anez conducted two documented massacres of MAS supporters at Senkata and Sacaba (near El Alto). The day after the killings, and the day before Pompeos statement, the New York Times reported on the killings in Senkata. None of this mattered to Anez, whose Defense Minister Luis Fernando Lopez denied the murders (not one bullet was fired, he said), or to Pompeo. This kind of coup was business as usual for Washington, D.C. (I recount the story of this coup in Washington Bullets, my book about the CIA, coups and assassinations.)

But the Bolivian people were not going to allow their democratic rights to be stolen. They began to organize against the Anez regime, which tried to postpone elections over and over again. Eventually, a month before the October 2020 elections were held, Anez herself dropped out for her embarrassingly low poll numbers, and the MASled by Luis Arce and David Choquehuancaprevailed with 55.10 percent of the vote. Morales returned to the country triumphantly, and President Arce revived the MAS agenda to advance the interests of the Bolivian people.

No Impunity for Coups

No coup can go by without some framework to reestablish faith in institutions and to prevent the feeling of impunity among the coup makers. Therefore, after a legal process, on March 13, the Bolivian authorities arrested a dozen people, most of them political leaders of the coup, and released arrest warrants for military officers who exceeded their constitutional authority. The most high-profile arrest was of Anez, who tweeted, The political persecution has begun. A warrant was made for General Williams Kaliman who nudged Morales to resign. It is telling that two of the men who were to be arrestedDefense Minister Luis Fernando Lopez and Interior Minister Arturo Murillohave taken refuge in the United States. Yerko Nunez Negrette, another minister, who came out shouting about a hunt for former ministers, has vanished.

Not long after the arrest, the new U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, released a statement warning of the anti-democratic behavior of the Bolivian government. It is important to pause here: Blinken, U.S. President Joe Bidens secretary of state, is not critical of the coup of November 2019 but of the arrest of the coup makers in March 2021. Trump said that the coup preserves democracy, and now Blinken says that the legal process against the coup makers is anti-democratic. The word democracy has lost its meaning when uttered by U.S. government officials.

Group of Friends

For the most part, the Biden administration continues the broad U.S. policy to seek paramountcy over the countries of the world. The U.S. governments unilateral and illegal sanctions against more than 30 countries come alongside the promotion of regime change policies against countries such as Venezuela and Iran. Blinkens statement about Bolivia indicates the continuities between the Trump and Biden administration.

No wonder that 17 countriesincluding Boliviaformed a new group in 2019 to address the way in which some countriessuch as the United Stateshave undermined the United Nations Charter. The Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations first met on the margins of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meeting held in Caracas, Venezuela, in July 2019. This was before the coup in Bolivia. The pandemic disrupted the process of building the group, which resurfaced in March 2021 at the United Nations. Strengthening multilateralism is essential, said Venezuelas Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. The members of the group include China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, which gives heft to the process.

Mohammad Marandi, who teaches at the University of Tehran, told me that this group is an antidote to the major problems that currently exist with the UN, such as the undemocratic nature of the organization that severely handicaps the Global South. The U.S. and its allies, he said, are increasingly ignoring the current global order and the UN Charter.

Carlos Ron, Venezuelas vice minister of foreign affairs for North America, told me that the group is a decisive move in support of multilateralism and international law at the moment when humanity faces the most serious challenges in recorded history. These challenges include climate change and increased inequality. From the standpoint of Venezuela and Bolivia, this group, Carlos Ron said, is a mechanism to defend peoples against the threats of hybrid warfare, which include sanctions and coups. Diplomacy, cooperation and solidarity, Carlos Ron told me, are the only keys to move forward.

Bolivia has decided to act against the coup makers. The U.S. government is now using that action to delegitimize the government of President Arce. Platforms such as this group might turn out to be essential as a conduit for Bolivia to tell its story and not be suffocated by Washingtons information war, a vital part of the regime change strategy.

This article was produced by Globetrotter.

Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He is a senior non-resident fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest book is Washington Bullets, with an introduction by Evo Morales Ayma.
[March 31, 2021] Government of Canada invests to bring high-speed Internet to 1,550 more homes in southeastern Ontario



Rural communities to benefit from increased connectivity OTTAWA, ON, March 31, 2021 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us are working, learning, and staying in touch with friends and family from home. Right now, too many Canadians living in rural and remote communities lack access to high-speed Internet. Through the Universal Broadband Fund's (UBF) Rapid Response Stream, the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to get Canadians connected to the high-speed Internet they need.

Today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced over $4.2 million in federal funding for three projects to bring high-speed Internet to 1,550 underserved households in South River, Emsdale, Burk's Falls, Sundridge, Greenhurst-Thurstonia, Dunsford and Pakenham, Ontario. Bell Canada is investing an additional $900,000, while Lakeland Energy is contributing $1.7 million. The projects being announced today were approved within five months of the November 2020 formal launch of the $1.75-billion UBF. Projects funded under the UBF, as well as through other public and private investments, will help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030. Today's announcement builds on the progress the Government of Canada has already made to improve critical infrastructure in Ontario. Since 2015, the federal government has approved over 4,060 infrastructure projects, totalling over $2.85 billion in federal investments in Ontario communities with a population of less than 100,000 people. These investments mean 481 km of new or upgraded roads that are making our communities safer; more than 938 projects that are providing residents with cleaner, more sustainable sources of drinking water; and more than 5,427 additional housing units in rural communities, helping ensure all Ontarians have a safe place to call home. Quotes "High-speed Internet service is essential to the success of everyone living and working in rural Ontario.Today's investment will bring reliable, high-speed Internet access to 1,550 households in South River, Emsdale, Burk's Falls, Sundridge, Greenhurst-Thurstonia, Dunsford and Pakenham, helping create jobs, improving access to health care and online learning services, and keeping people connected to their loved ones. Our government has committed over $242 million to 40 connectivity projects in Ontario, which will connect over 87,000 households to better, faster Internet. We will continue to make investments like these to help connect every Canadian to the high-speed Internet they need."



 The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development "Lakeland Energy Ltd. is thrilled to work in partnership with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to continue expanding our fibre-optic network throughout Almaguin Highlands. These investments will help provide access to reliable high-speed Internet at a time when connectivity is essential to a good quality of life. Lakeland Networks, the retail arm of Lakeland Energy Ltd., being municipally owned and community focused, is proud to continue working toward our goal of helping more Canadians in Almaguin Highlands get connected."

 Margaret Maw, Chief Financial Officer, Lakeland Energy



"Access to high-speed broadband networks will be a driver of Canada's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to future social and economic prosperity, and Bell has committed to further accelerating our industry-leading capital investment plan over the next two years to connect even more communities across the country. We're proud to invest over $900,000 and to partner with the Government of Canada to provide residents of Dunsford and Pakenham with access to the fastest fibre home Internet speeds available."  Bruce Furlong, Senior Vice President, Access Engineering and Deployment, Bell Canada

Quick facts Canada's Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.

The Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) is a $1.75-billion investment designed to help connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet. Applications to the UBF were accepted until March 15, 2021 , and are now being evaluated.

investment designed to help connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet. Applications to the UBF were accepted until , and are now being evaluated. The UBF is part of a suite of federal investments to improve high-speed Internet. The suite includes the Connect to Innovate program, which is expected to connect nearly 400,000 households by 2023, and the recently announced $2-billion broadband initiative from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Associated links Backgrounder: Universal Broadband Fund and Telesat low Earth orbit satellite capacity agreement

Universal Broadband Fund

Connect to Innovate Program  Project status updates

Canada Infrastructure Bank announcement

High-Speed Access for All: Canada's Connectivity Strategy Stay connected Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Talk about family baggage and lines of inheritance. India Hicks  granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten; goddaughter of Prince Charles  is talking about the hand-me-downs that arrived from the royal palaces during her childhood, which her no-nonsense mother delighted in making her wear.

Old posh frocks and outgrown tiaras? No, she means Princess Anne's underwear.

'It was entirely practical stuff handed from the Queen to my aunt, to my mother,' she says. 'We all wore hand-me-downs.

'I remember my sister and I going through the bags. I was the last little recipient of Princess Anne's chill-proof thermal underwear, thank you very much.

'Actually, I'd like to correct myself. They weren't even thermal. They were wool, and very scratchy.'

In an age when recollections famously vary about what it means to be royal, India Hicks has taken part in a rather illuminating documentary which peeks beneath the pomp.

Mercifully, Princess Anne's scratchy knickers are just a sideshow. The main subject is the Queen  specifically, the memories that India's mother, Lady Pamela Hicks, has of her lifelong friend.

India Hicks (left, with her mother Lady Pamela)  granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten; goddaughter of Prince Charles  is talking about the hand-me-downs that arrived from the royal palaces during her childhood

The formidable Lady Pamela will be 92 this month. On her next birthday, the Queen will turn 95. Any friends of that age will have quite a history, but their friendship surely trumps them all.

Lady Pamela was one of the Queen's bridesmaids (and history would repeat itself when India was a bridesmaid for Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer).

Lady Pamela was there when the Queen fell in love with Prince Philip (Lady Pamela's cousin). She was also in Kenya with her when the young Princess Elizabeth was told her father had died and she had become Queen. The friendship went both ways. When Lady Pamela's father was killed by an IRA bomb in 1979, the Queen sent her private helicopter to pick up the children (India included; she was not in the boat that was blown to smithereens but heard the blast).

Later, the Queen asked for Lady Pamela's first-hand account of that terrible event.

'She asked me to tell her exactly what had happened because she adored my father,' Lady Pamela says in the documentary. 'And then, silence. The Queen's emotions are all inside, always. She is very strong.'

In the documentary, Lady Pamela is guided through her memories by her daughter (India's father was the interior designer David Hicks). So off we hop (yes, there is Scottish country dancing involved  the Queen is a huge fan, says Lady P, 'because she is half Scotch') on quite a journey. 'While I knew some of the stories, there were other moments where I was genuinely going 'really?!',' says India. 'It was great fun to do. It always is when I get to do something with my mother. She has a real twinkle in her eyes still, and a great spirit.'

HRH The Princess of Wales with the Queen and her bridesmaids behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace on July 29, 1981. Diana is comforting Clementine Hambro. Bridesmaids left to right: India Hicks, Sarah-Jane Gaselee, Clementine Hambro

Like the Queen herself, to judge from this documentary?

'Absolutely. I think that stoicism is a generational thing.'

Lady Pamela has declined to be interviewed for this piece ('She has retired to her sofa, so you've got the wrong end of the panto horse,' says India) but her glorious memories are backed up with evidence. She wrote expansive diaries when she was a young woman, which form the basis of this documentary.

There are extracts that marvel at how the young Queen is developing 'tremendous arm muscles' from continual waving on an early Commonweath tour. And there is an account of how the newly crowned Queen once tricked a boatload of tourists desperate to catch a glimpse of the monarch. 'She went that-away,' the Queen tells them, as they speed off.

The Queen is revealed as quite the giggler, a keen mimic who loves to send people up. She also emerges as a resolute romantic.

We hear the full story of how the Queen's romance with Prince Philip unfolded: Lady Pamela reveals that her friend fell in love immediately, while Philip's feelings took time to develop.

'She was very much in love. He grew very much in love.'

She said: 'I remember my sister and I going through the bags. I was the last little recipient of Princess Anne's chill-proof thermal underwear, thank you very much.' Princess Anne is pictured at Cheltenham last year

The royal wedding was surprisingly chaotic. Lady Pamela hoots at how the Queen's bouquet couldn't be found. Her pearls were also missing, until someone remembered at the last moment that they had been displayed with the wedding gifts.

There are titbits that only friends would know, such as how the Queen behaves as a houseguest. She brings one box of chocolates for her hosts, Lady Pamela reveals, and one for herself: 'She likes to keep a box in her own room because her 'greedy' family is likely to demolish them.'

India says that from as far back as she can remember, she was aware of her mother's diary, which Lady Pamela (who was later formally engaged as a lady-in-waiting) had typed up herself.

Many passages in Lady Pamela's diary stand out but one in particular, India says, 'sent a shiver up my spine'.

She explains: 'It was when my mother was describing the Coronation. There were these extraordinary scenes of history unfolding and all the pageantry around but my mother was focused on this very young woman, completely alone, with that extraordinary light shining on her.

'My mother was wondering, 'How is she going to cope?' And we know how she coped, of course with stoicism and great dignity. I found that so moving.'

Lady Pamela draws particular attention to the moment during the Coronation when the heavy robes were removed from the young Princess and she looked suddenly frail. She likens her simple dress to a 'nightie'.

In another part of the documentary, the old photographs come out. One is a family portrait from the day of the Coronation and Lady Pamela reveals that her brother-in-law, Lord Brabourne, was wearing robes borrowed from a film costume department.

'He didn't own them so he hired them,' says India.

It is clear that even the Queen's friends see her as their Queen first; a friend second.

Lady Pamela describes Queen Mary beckoning her across a room before she left on her first trip abroad as a lady-in-waiting, and warning her that she must call her friend not 'Lilibet' but 'Ma'am'. So it has continued, says India.

'Even though there were very intimate, funny moments of them not on public duty, you still get that sense from my mother that she is not with a friend, that she is with the Queen.'

India won't reveal how close her mother is to the Queen these days ('I think you'd have to ask her that'), but it does raise the question of whether the Queen has any friends with whom she can truly be herself.

Pamela Mountbatten (right_ lady-in-waiting, adjusts Queen Elizabeth's stole at the Royal Ball in Melbourne in March 1954

'I wouldn't be able to answer that,' says India. 'But I'd guess that Prince Philip has been the support, the backbone.'

The documentary is also a study of a fascinating mother/daughter relationship.

There are sparky moments between Lady Pamela and India as they heave out their respective bridesmaid dresses, Lady Pamela complaining that hers looks shabby. They watch the royal weddings they attended  and Lady P has a dig at 'bossy India Hicks' being a little madam at Charles and Diana's wedding.

There is much sighing over Charles and Di. Charles looks so sad, according to Lady Pamela. Diana's train is 'ridiculous'. 'Silly girl,' she says.

Oh, to have heard Lady Pamela's views on some of the more contentious royal goings-on. But no producer could have persuaded her to blab too much, says India.

She adds: 'I think, you know, the end result feels like a celebration of the Queen's 95th birthday. It feels joyful.'

Joy and duty then, but not necessarily in that order. India says even she, a little farther down the chain, feels a sense of obligation inherited from her mother and her aunt.

She is talking to me today from Alabama, where she is on a humanitarian trip to visit tornado victims with the relief agency Global Empowerment Mission. There are helicopters overhead and she is having to shout down the phone.

Whatever people think of royal privilege, she says, most of those in the inner circle have been raised with a 'roll-up-your sleeves' attitude.

She cites as evidence the way her family picked themselves up after the assassination of Lord Mountbatten. Her aunt Patricia  Lady Pamela's sister  was with him on the boat the day he was murdered, and survived despite terrible injuries.

'Both my mother and my aunt were extraordinary examples to the rest of the family  my aunt particularly, who so tragically lost her son [Nicholas Brabourne].

'She said we will not live with bitterness. We will not live with regret. We will move our lives forward. That has been my mother's way, too: move on with compassion and humour.

'You are reminded how strong the human spirit is  and I think you see that very clearly from both my mother and the Queen. They are absolutely examples of how strong the human spirit is.'

n My Years With The Queen, tonight, ITV, 9pm
The International Criminal Court will decide Tuesday on an appeal by a Congolese warlord dubbed the "Terminator", who received the tribunal's longest-ever war crimes sentence.

Rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda was convicted by the Hague-based ICC in 2019 over a reign of terror in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the early 2000s, and jailed for 30 years.

The Rwandan-born 47-year-old was found guilty of 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual slavery, rape and using child soldiers.

Ntaganda was the first person to be convicted of sexual slavery by the court. Many of the other charges related to massacres of villagers in the mineral rich Ituri region of the DRC.

ICC appeals judges will hand down their decision on his appeal against his conviction and sentence at 1300 GMT.

The court earlier this month awarded Ntaganda's victims $30 million (25 million euros) in reparations, provided he was convicted on appeal.

The court asked the court's trust fund for victims to arrange for the reparations to be made, or to find further funds as necessary, as Ntaganda was unable to pay.

Ntaganda's lawyers said when they announced his intention to appeal that the Rwandan-born 46-year-old was "at peace with himself" and that he "remains fine and strong".

They said the ICC's decision to convict him "contains many errors of law and fact".

Prosecutors portrayed him as the ruthless leader of ethnic Tutsi revolts amid the civil wars that wracked the DRC after the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in neighbouring Rwanda.

- 'Key leader' -

Judges said Ntaganda was a "key leader" of the Union of Congolese Patriots rebel group and its military wing, the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (FPLC).

They operated in the volatile Ituri province, on the eastern border of DR Congo, in 2002 and 2003.

The FPLC killed at least 800 people as it fought rival militias for control of valuable minerals. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the region since violence erupted there in 1999.

Judges found that in one attack in a banana field that was directed by Ntaganda, soldiers used sticks, knives and machetes to kill at least 49 captives, including children and babies.

Formerly a Congolese army general, Ntaganda became a founding member of the M23 rebel group, which was eventually defeated by Congolese government forces in 2013.

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Later that year he became the first-ever suspect to surrender to the ICC, when he walked into the US embassy in the Rwandan capital Kigali.

Ntaganda -- known for his pencil moustache and a penchant for fine dining -- said during his trial that he was "soldier not a criminal".

He insisted that the "Terminator" nickname, referring to the films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a relentless killer robot, did not apply to him.

His defence team said the trial judgment against him "reflects neither the truth nor the reality".

While his conviction was seen as a boost for the ICC after several high-profile suspects walked free, the court has also been criticised for mainly trying African suspects.

He is one of only five people convicted by the court since it was set up in 2002 to try the world's most serious crimes.

In another major decision on Wednesday, the ICC will rule on an appeal by the prosecution against the acquittal of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
Abuja, Nigeria  NIGERIAN bandits have reportedly refused to let go of their arms if the government does not assure them of their safety and rehabilitation.

The refusal to stop the militancy is in defiance to the stance by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari against a potential amnesty programme.

Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric and the reported federal government-backed negotiator, insisted the bandits' opposition to the government's stance.

He maintained that the government should grant amnesty to the bandits, just as was done to Niger Delta ex-militants.

The Nextier Security, Peace and Development (SPD) said while the Nigerian government insisted on bandits' total clampdown, Gumi's statement indicated the continuation of bandits' violence if amnesty was not offered to them.

The thinktank added that consequently, Nigeria must brace up for increased conflict between the armed forces, residents in hotspots versus armed bandits.

"The no amnesty stance hints that the era of banditry is far from over without a revamped combat action. Therefore, the Nigerian government needs to match words with actions," SPD stated.

Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson, said Buhari, had directed security agencies to "shoot anyone seen with an AK-47."

Armed banditry has rocked the northwest and north-central Nigeria regions with mass murders, abductions, and looting of communities in recent years.

This is in addition to the Boko Haram terror northeast of the country.
Co CEO Eric Ronsse tells Proactive the manufacturer of functional mushroom and CBD-infused beverages is set to begin trading its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture with the ticker MUSH. Ronsse says the Quebec, Canada-based firm, whose products fall under the Teonan and Velada brands, are currently selling the products within the US and in Canada.
MANISTEE TOWNSHIP, MI  A woman is dead after a single-vehicle rollover crash on a Northern Michigan highway on Tuesday morning.

Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30, to the crash on Coates Highway near US-31 in Manistee Township. The driver, 64-year-old Cynthia Ann Sterzer, of Brethren, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sterzer was traveling westbound on Coates Highway when the vehicle crossed the centerline, ran off the opposite side of the road and rolled several times before coming to a stop on its side.

Sterzer was not wearing a seat belt. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.

MSP troopers were assisted at the scene by the Manistee County Sheriffs Office, Mobile Medical Response, and fire departments from Manistee, Onekama, Maple Grove and Filer townships.

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Plans now in place to raise 53 million through investors buying new shares

Pub group Fuller's is seeking out investors to help shore up its finances after sales plunged by 80 per cent during lockdown.

The company told investors this morning that it will offer up 6.45 million new shares at 830p each as part of a plan to raise 53 million.

The London-based pub owner said revenues across its managed pubs and hotels for the year to date are set to have fallen by around 80 per cent against the same period last year.

The placing came as the company revealed that it has burned through between 4 million and 5 million each month of enforced closures.

However, it will reopen its first sites from April 12 as the Government gave the go-ahead for outdoor hospitality to welcome customers again in England.

Pub owner Fuller's has said revenues across its managed pubs and hotels for the year to date are set to have fallen by around 80 per cent against the same period last year

Fuller's said it will reopen 82 of its group-managed pub and hotels from April 12, with around 70 per cent of its tenanted sites opening from this date. Some of the city centre pubs will suffer a delayed reopening because of a lack of outdoor space.

The company said it is well paced to 'reopen strongly' as trading restrictions are eased and expects to benefit from 'significant pent-up customer demand'.

Consumer confidence returned quickly when lockdown measures were first eased in the summer, while staycation trading at its hotels and pubs with rooms were also 'particularly strong'.

The group said it plans to use funds raised from investors to 'take full advantage of the reopening of the UK economy and enable the company to explore growth opportunities'.

Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller's, said: 'It was clear the demand for our premium pubs and hotels was as strong as ever when we were allowed to trade last year, which gives us confidence for the weeks and months ahead.

Simon Emeny, the group's chief executive, said high demand from customers ahead of the return of pubs in April gave him 'confidence for the weeks and months ahead'

'Over half of the UK adult population has now had its first vaccine and we have a great team of people in place who are match fit and ready to welcome our customers back into our wonderful pubs and hotels.

'The additional financial flexibility we are seeking to put in place will enable us to further capitalise on the opportunities open to us as we execute our recovery plan and regain growth momentum.'

It comes as pubs and restaurants saw a huge surge in bookings for outdoor tables ahead of lockdown restrictions being eased next month.

According to research by hospitality website Caterer.com, millions of people were making reservations for the two weeks after April 12.

Restaurants and pubs in England will be able to serve customers in outdoor seating areas from this date in the latest phase of the lockdown easing.

However, research has found that the majority of England's pubs won't be able to welcome customers back in April because they lack outdoor space.

Just 41,100 pubs, or 38.2 per cent, have outdoor space, according to overall data.

Only 33.1 per cent of operators in London have space they can use outside and only 22.9 per cent of venues in Scotland - which will see sites reopen from April 26 - have outdoor areas.

Indoor-only pubs and bars will have to wait until May 17 before they are allowed to reopen.

It has also emerged that millions could be allowed to go to pubs with no social distancing under plans to let people use their phone to prove 'Covid-safe' status.

Hospitality website Caterer.com said millions of people were making reservations for the two weeks after April 12. Pictured: Punters in Scotland in July

The South West of Britain leads the ranks in terms of pubs that have outdoor space, with 91.7% falling into that category, followed by the South & South East on 74.8%

Drinkers could be able to use a mobile app to prove they had either had the vaccine, a recent negative test - or that they had antibodies from having the coronavirus before.

The app would provide a virtual 'coronavirus certificate' - probably featuring a scannable QR code - so they could gain entry to pubs, clubs and restaurants.

As an incentive for asking customers to prove their covid-free status, venues taking part would be allowed to drop all rules on social distancing. However, for those relying on a negative test these certificates could be valid for as little as 24 hours.

Officials are looking to modify an existing NHS app that already gives patients access to parts of their medical records to facilitate the so-called 'covid passports' scheme.

The plans are being examined by Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove as part of a major Government review into how 'covid certificates' could be used to reopen the economy as soon as possible.
MOSCOW  Russias state veterinary service said on Wednesday that it had become the first regulator in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine for animals, intended for use on fur farms or for pet cats and dogs.

The agency said it had developed the vaccine for animals in part as a public health tool, lest the virus spread from animals to humans or  in a worst-case scenario  mutate in animals and then spread back to humans in a more virulent form. It could also revive fur farming after infections on mink farms devastated the business last year, it said.

The agency, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision, said it did not recommend routine vaccination of animals, for now. The World Health Organization has found no instances of infections in humans caused by pets, the agency said. Though cats and dogs do rarely catch the coronavirus, neither species gets very sick. Lions, tigers and snow leopards can also catch the coronavirus.

The Russian agency noted four reports of pet infections just in the last week, in Italy and in Mexico. It that said a vaccine for pets was needed as insurance against variants that might spread more easily.
Former corporate titan Ronald Brierley faces being stripped of his knighthood after he pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse material, including photographs of children as young as two years old.

Brierley, 83, made his name as a corporate raider in New Zealand and Australia in the 1980s, was knighted in 1988, and also served on the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust board.

However, the millionaire businessmans life was brought undone when he was arrested and charged in December 2019 after being stopped at Sydney International Airport.

Ronald Alfred Brierley leaves Downing Centre Court today. Credit:Georgina Mitchell

His carry-on luggage was searched, police said at the time, with police officers discovering large amounts of child abuse material.


Earn your Associate of Applied Business in Business IT (BIT) degree online from the University of Cincinnati. This program can be completed fully online, with curriculum customized to fit your schedule, interests and how quickly you want to complete your degree. Application deadline July 1, 2021. Learn More 

Malicious online actors used email as their prime vehicle for delivering malware to their victims in the last quarter of 2020, HP and Bromium reported Tuesday.

The HP-Bromium Threat Insights Report found that 88 percent of malware was delivered by email into its targets' inboxes, many times evading measures at email gateways to filter out the infected correspondence.

"Ultimately, attackers are taking advantage of the fact that it's normal to share and open documents by email," observed Alex Holland, a senior malware analyst at HP.

"Finance and IT departments tend to be heavy users of macros to automate business processes, so banning them across the board often isn't a realistic option," he told TechNewsWorld.

Email will continue to be a prime delivery vehicle due to the weakness of the humans involved, maintained Joseph Neumann, director of offensive security at Coalfire, a Westminster, Colo.-based provider of cybersecurity advisory services.

"Unlike firewalls or servers, every person's security awareness is different and changes hourly due to how much coffee they might have or not have had," he told TechNewsWorld.

Dvir Sayag, head of cyber threat research at Hunters, an open XDR threat hunting company with offices in Tel Aviv and Lexington, Mass. added that hackers understand that email phishing attacks, especially using social engineering, are among the most cost-effective ways of compromise.

"Word macros are easy to buy or code from scratch, and making victims click on one via a simple social engineering email attack is, in most cases, effortless," he told TechNewsWorld.

Dodging Detection

The HP-Bromium report noted a 12 percent increase over the previous quarter in the use of malware that exploited a flaw used to run malicious scripts when a Microsoft Word document is opened.

HP researchers also found a 12 percent rise in the use of malicious executable files, with nearly three quarters of them exploiting a memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Office's Equation Editor.

"The main advantage of an executable is that you remove the need for intermediate stages of malware and hosting the payload, which are susceptible to being taken down by domain registrars and Web hosts," Holland explained.

The HP report also revealed that the average time for threats to become known by hash to antivirus engines was more than a week (8.8 days).

"Threats take such a long time due to the ability of malware to change signatures," Neumann explained.

"AV hashes have to be generated by someone identifying the malware and then submitting it as bad," he continued. "AV detections based on hash values alone are a dying animal and are being replaced more frequently with systems that detect and respond to heuristic based behavioral detections."

Holland added that attackers have repeatedly found new ways to bypass traditional detection-based tools.

"For every new malware variant hackers create, they have a few days' head start to capitalize on their campaigns, infecting machines before detection tools catch up," he said. "With automation, this process is now easier than ever."

Obfuscation Techniques

HP researchers also reported that 29 percent of the malware captured for analysis was previously unknown, primarily due to due to the widespread use of packers and obfuscation techniques used to evade detection.

"Malicious actors use a range of techniques to obscure their attacks. The specifics depend on what defenses they encounter in their victim's environment," explained Saryu Nayyar, CEO of Gurucul, a threat intelligence company in El Segundo, Calif.

"The challenge with 'previously unknown' threats is that there are initially no known indicators of compromise, which means initial detection has to come from attacker behavior or some other activity that reveals their presence," she told TechNewsWorld.

One way attackers hide their activities is through using covert channels, observed Brian Kime, a senior analyst with Forrester Research.

"They can use the DNS service to encode malicious commands inside a seemingly benign DNS request," he told TechNewsWorld. "Every enterprise has to use DNS. It's how the internet functions." DNS, the Domain Naming Service, turns web names into IP addresses so a browser can get to a desired destination.

An obfuscation technique cited in the HP report is DOSfuscation. It's a collection of obfuscation techniques described by security researcher Daniel Bohannon in 2018.

"They are designed to evade rigid detection rules by hiding suspicious strings in command-line interpreters and logs," Holland explained.

"Telltale indicators of DOSfuscation include using environmental variable substrings, character insertions, reversals and for-loop encoding," he continued.

"The technique is effective because SIEM [Security Information and Event Management] rules often rely on matching suspicious keywords to distinguish malicious and legitimate activity from processes such as PowerShell," he said.

Traditional Deficiencies

Neumann maintained that most hackers don't need to obscure their threat activity.

"Most exploits and techniques exploit common vulnerabilities or use social engineering to gain access and pillage networks," he said.

"With cyberspace being the vast size that it is," he continued, "there are things left open, unmonitored or unpatched that just allow the actors in."

"Most networks lack full visibility into network traffic or threats and don't know when they are actively being or have been exploited," Neumann added.

HP's Global Head of Security for Personal Systems Ian Pratt noted that the quarterly report highlights the deficiencies in traditional defenses that rely on detection to block malware from reaching endpoints.

"Trying to detect every threat is futile, something will always slip through the net," he said in a statement.

"Organizations are beginning to recognize this and are increasingly looking to implement zero-trust design principles into their security architecture," he continued.

"Application isolation through virtualization applies least-privilege access to risky activities on the endpoint, rendering malware harmless by isolating it in micro-virtual machines," he explained. "Hardware-enforced isolation removes the opportunity for malware to cause harm to the host PC -- even from novel malware -- because it does not rely on a detect-to-protect security model."

Overinvesting in Prevention

As long as there are zero-day vulnerabilities, prevention strategies will have a high failure rate, maintained Tim Wade, technical director for the CTO team at Vectra AI, a San Jose, Calif.-based provider of automated threat management solutions.

"The current state of organizational overinvestment in prevention is almost always an exercise in expensive, marginal increases in capability with a stifling cost of paralyzed business objectives and increasingly constrained productivity," he asserted.

"What's more important than prevention," he continued, "is resilience, which involves identifying security investments that minimize the impact of an attack."

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.


A report released in Washington by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 30 noted the release of detained political activists in Kashmir, the restoration of some internet access and the holding of local elections where an opposition coalition won most seats. (IANS file photo)
Joe Exotic has pushed back against plans by Jeff Lowe to auction off an 'official' Joe Exotic NFT collection.

An attorney for the Tiger King star warned Lowe in a cease and desist letter that his planned auction is neither official nor legal, according to an article Tuesday by TMZ.

Lowe and his wife Lauren Lowe recently announced an auction of non-fungible tokens featuring stars of the Netflix documentary Tiger King that is scheduled to begin Thursday and end Sunday.

NFT auction: Joe Exotic, shown in a still from the 2020 Netflix documentary Tiger King, has pushed back against plans by Jeff Lowe to auction off an 'official' Joe Exotic NFT collection

An attorney in a letter dated Tuesday said they were aware of the 'official' NFT auction and flatly stated, 'Not only is it not 'official'', it is not authorized or legal.'

The letter referenced an 'Assignment Agreement' in July 2019 and alleged that Lowe was falsely claiming ownership of intellectual property that belonged to their client Joseph Maldonado-Passage, aka Joe Exotic, 58.

It demanded that the auction be shut down immediately and the letter also asked that the platform putting on the auction be notified of their legal and financial risk.

Lauren told TMZ that she and Jeff planned on continuing with the auction despite the legal threats.

Legal letter: An attorney for the Tiger King star warned Jeff and Lauren Lowe in a cease and desist letter that thier planned auction is neither official nor legal, according to an article Tuesday by TMZ

She claimed that Joe signed over the 'Tiger King' trademark to them in 2016.

The NFTs were on display at the 'tigerkingnft.com' website ahead of the auction starting Thursday.

'Welcome to the Official Jeff & Lauren Lowe Tiger King NFT Auction. This is the only authorized creator of The Lowe's Tiger King NFT Collection. We create unique, parody NFTs of the iconic stars from your favorite Netflix series: Tiger King. Tiger King Season 1 will only ever consist of 100 exclusive, collectable NFT cards, with 10 iconic character, one-of-one 3D Premium Boxes, the first being JoeBox. The auction winner of the JoeBox will also win the opportunity to invite three guests to a meet and greet with Jeff and Lauren Lowe,' the website said on its homepage.

Auction approaching: The NFTs were on display at the 'tigerkingnft.com' website ahead of the auction starting Thursday

'This Exclusive NFT Collection celebrates the one-year anniversary of the release of the Phenomenon, Tiger King. Being one of Netfix' most successful releases ever with over 200 million viewers worldwide, these rare NFT collectables will only hit the wallets of the most Exotic Joes,' visitors were told.

Joe Exotic is serving a 22-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted in 2019 on 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire for a plot to kill his rival, Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin.

The US Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit in November against Lowe and his Tiger King company for allegedly burning animal carcasses on makeshift wood pyres after some died from preventable conditions.

Behind bars: Joe Exotic, shown in the NFT, is serving a 22-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted in 2019 on 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire for a plot to kill his rival, Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin

The lawsuit filed in federal district court in Oklahoma asked a federal judge to require Lowe and his wife Lauren to relinquish possession of endangered animals and to stop exhibiting animals without a license, according to a DOJ press release.

The 'inadequate and inhumane treatment of animals' was in violation of the Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act.

PETA released a statement after the federal lawsuit was filed.

'The dominos are continuing to fall with nearly every animal abuser featured in Tiger King now in custody, out of business, or facing lawsuits or charges, including criminal charges. The DOJ's lawsuit is another sign that Lowe's animal-exploiting days are numbered and that the big cat cub-petting industry is finished, something that PETA has worked hard for. PETA is eager to see every exploited animal sent to a happy, reputable home,' said Brittany Peet, the PETA Foundation's deputy general counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement.
A 100-year-old Hindu temple which had been undergoing renovation in Pakistan's garrison city of Rawalpindi has been attacked by a group of unidentified people, according to a complaint registered by the police. The incident occurred at Purana Qila area of the city on Saturday when 10 to 15 people stormed the temple at about 7.30 pm.

A 100-year-old Hindu temple which had been undergoing renovation in Pakistans garrison city of Rawalpindi has been attacked by a group of unidentified people, according to a complaint registered by the police. The incident occurred at Purana Qila area of the city on Saturday when 10 to 15 people stormed the temple at about 7.30 pm and damaged the main door and another door in the upper storey as well as the staircase, according to a complaint made to police.

Dawn newspaper reported that the security officer of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Northern Zone, Syed Raza Abbas Zaidi, lodged an FIR at Banni police station of Rawalpindi, saying that the construction and renovation work on the temple had been going on for the last one month.

He said there were some encroachments in front of the temple which were removed on March 24. However, religious rites have not been started in the temple nor were there any idol or any other worship item. He sought legal action against the people who had caused damage to the temple and its sanctity.

Also Read: EAM S. Jaishankar lands in Tajikistan to attend Heart of Asia ministerial conference

Also Read: Fully committed to environment: Pak responds to US climate summit snub

The administrator of the temple, Om Prakash, confirmed the incident and said that as soon as the information was received, Rawalpindi police personnel reached the spot and brought the situation under control. He said that police had been deployed at his house as well as at the temple for security. He, however, said that Holi celebrations will not be held at the temple, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Also Read: WB Assembly Polls: Amit Shah, Mamata Banerjee to hold roadshows and rallies in Nandigram
This article was published in the Russian-language New York newspaper Novy mir (New World) on March 17, 1917. It was published in Russian in Trotskys 1923 Voina i Revoliutsiia (War and Revolution), Vol 2, pp. 422-424. Below is an original translation. (Translator: Fred Williams; Copyright: WSWS).

War and revolution often follow one another in history.

In ordinary times, the working masses submissively engage in punishing drudgery from day to day, submitting to the mighty force of habit. Neither the foremen, nor the police, nor the jailers, nor the executioners would be able to keep the masses in subjection if not for this habitthe true servant of capital.

War, which tears the masses to pieces and slaughters them, is also dangerous for the rulersprecisely because, with one blow, it jolts the people from their customary state, awakens with its thunder the most backward and benighted elements, and forces them to look at themselves and those around them.

While thrusting millions of toilers into the fire, the rulers must put promises and lies in the place of habit. The bourgeoisie embellishes its war with all the traits that are dear to the magnanimous hearts of the popular masses: war for freedom, for justice, for a better life! Stirring the masses to their very depths, the war inevitably ends by deceiving them: it brings them nothing but new wounds and chains. For this reason, the tension of the deceived masses provoked by the war frequently leads to an explosion against the rulers; war gives birth to revolution.

Thats how it was twelve years ago, during the Russo-Japanese War: It immediately heightened the discontent of the people and led to the revolution of 1905.

Thats how it was in France 46 years ago: the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 led to the uprising of the workers and the establishment of the Paris Commune.

The workers of Paris were armed by the bourgeois government, in the form of the National Guard, for defense of the capital against German troops. But the French bourgeoisie were more afraid of their own proletarians than the troops of Hohenzollern. After Paris capitulated, the republican government tried to disarm the workers. But the war had already awakened in them a spirit of indignation. They didnt want to return to the factory bench as the same workers they had been before the war. The Paris proletarians refused to hand over their weapons. A clash occurred between the armed workers and the government regiments. This was on 18 March 1871. The workers emerged victorious, became the masters of Paris and on 28 Marchunder the name of the Communeestablished a workers government in the capital. The Commune did not last long. On 28 May, its last defenders fell after heroic resistance against the onslaught of the bourgeois hordes. Then began weeks and months of bloody reprisals against the participants of the proletarian revolution. However, despite its brief existence, the Commune has remained the greatest event in the history of proletarian struggle. Based on the experience of the Parisian workers, the world proletariat has seen for the first time what a proletarian revolution is, what are its goals and pathways.

The Commune began by confirming all foreigners elected to the workers government. It declared: The banner of the Commune is the banner of the World Republic.

It purged the state and schools of religion, abolished capital punishment, toppled the Vendome Columna monument to chauvinismand transferred all duties and posts to genuine servants of the people, setting their salary at no more than a workers wage.

It set out to make a census of factories and mills that had been closed by frightened capitalists in order to begin production there at public expense. This was the first step toward a socialist organization of the economy.

The Commune did not achieve all its plans: It was crushed. The French bourgeoisie, with the assistance of its national enemy, Bismarck, who had immediately become its class ally, drowned in blood the uprising of its true enemy, the working class. The plans and tasks of the Commune did not come to fruition. But they entered into the souls of the best sons of the proletariat in the entire world; they became the revolutionary legacy of our struggle.

And now, on 18 March 1917, the image of the Commune arises before us more clearly than ever before: for we, after a great interval of time, have once again entered into the epoch of great revolutionary battles.

The world war has torn tens of millions of toilers from their customary conditions of labor and vegetation. Until now, this has happened only in Europe; tomorrow it will happen in America as well. Never before have the working masses been given such promises; never before have they been drawn such radiant goals; never have they been so flattered as in this war. Never before have the propertied classes dared to demand so much blood from the peoplein the name of that lie that is called defense of the fatherland. And never before have the toilers been so deceived, betrayed and crucified as now.

In the trenches overflowing with blood and mud, in the starving cities and villages, millions of hearts are filled with indignation, despair and rage. And these feelings, when combined with socialist thought, are turning into revolutionary enthusiasm. Tomorrow its flame will burst to the surface in powerful uprisings of the working masses.

The proletariat of Russia has already emerged onto the great highway of revolution, and, under its offensive, the strongholds of the most shameful of despotisms are falling and crashing down. The revolution in Russia, however, is only the precursor of proletarian uprisings throughout Europe and the entire world.

Remember the Commune!we socialists will say to the insurgent working masses. The bourgeoisie has armed you against the foreign enemy? Refuse to return your arms to the bourgeoisie, just as the Parisian workers refused in 1871! Aim these weapons, as Karl Liebknecht has called for you to do, against your true enemy, against capitalism! Tear from its hands the state machine, transform it from a weapon of bourgeois violence into the apparatus of proletarian self-rule. You are now incomparably stronger than your predecessors were in the epoch of the Commune. Tumble all the parasites from their thrones. Take the land, the mines and factories and manage them yourselves. Fraternity in labor, equality in sharing the fruits of labor!

The banner of the Commune is the banner of the World Republic of Labor!

Novy mir, 17 March 1917.
Superalloys that withstand extremely high temperatures could soon be tuned even more finely for specific properties such as mechanical strength, as a result of new findings published today.

A phenomenon related to the invar effect - which enables magnetic materials such as nickel-iron (Ni-Fe) alloys to keep from expanding with increasing temperature - was reported to have been discovered in paramagnetic, or weakly magnetized, high-temperature alloys.

Levente Vitos, Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, says the breakthrough research, which includes a general theory explaining the new invar effect, promises to advance the design of high-temperature alloys with exceptional mechanical stability. The article was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Led by Vitos, the research team was comprised of KTH researchers Zhihua Dong, Wei Li and Stephan Schonecker.

Short for "invariant," invar plasticity enables magnetically-disordered Ni-Fe alloys to show practically invariant deformation behavior over a wide temperature range - making them ideal for turbines and other mechanical uses in extremely high temperatures.

The invar effect however has never been fully understood, and Vitos says that these new findings help explain the peculiar high-temperature properties of special alloys used in jet engines, such as nickel-based superalloys.

Invar has two known effects: thermal expansion and elasticity (the ability to spring back after bending, for instance). Because both of these effects are linked with the interplay between temperature and magnetic order, they are considered to be specific to magnetically-ordered alloys.

Using first-principles quantum mechanical modeling, the researchers identified how invariant plasticity also occurs in non-magnetic alloys, when a structural balance exists at the atomic level between cubic and hexagonal close-packed structures.

The new discovery emerges from a long-term collaboration with industry to find alternatives to carcinogenic cobalt in hard metals, such as cutting tools. Vitos says this finding broadens the palette of invar phenomena and material compositions, with clear implications for new applications.

"Our findings create a new platform for tailoring high-temperature properties of technologically relevant materials towards plastic stability at elevated temperatures," he says.

###
Australias Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a new guided missile-building plan in close collaboration with the US (Rick Rycroft/AP)

Australia has announced it will begin building its own guided missiles in close collaboration with the US as it seeks to boost its defence capabilities.

Citing the changing global environment, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it would partner with a weapons manufacturer to build the missiles in a plan that would create thousands of jobs as well as export opportunities.

Mr Morrison said his country would spend one billion Australian dollars (553 million) on the plan as part of a huge 10-year investment in defence and the defence industry.

We will work closely with the United States on this important initiative to ensure that we understand how our enterprise can best support both Australias needs and the growing needs of our most important military partner Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton

Creating our own sovereign capability on Australian soil is essential to keep Australians safe, Mr Morrison said.

Australia is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, along with the US, Canada, Britain and New Zealand.

We will work closely with the United States on this important initiative to ensure that we understand how our enterprise can best support both Australias needs and the growing needs of our most important military partner, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said.

Expand Close Mr Morrison said the missile project was concerned with creating our own sovereign capability (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Mr Morrison said the missile project was concerned with creating our own sovereign capability (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

He said building weapons in Australia would not only enhance its capabilities but would also ensure the nation had sufficient arms for combat operations if there was any disruption to global supply chains.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute, an independent think tank, has estimated Australia will spend 100 billion Australian dollars (55.4 billion) over the next 20 years on buying missiles and guided weapons.
Usually, the hoopla around racetracks concerns stakes and Open events, but on Thursday (April 1), Pompano Park will feature a pair of Send It In Invitational events reserved for the hard luck horses that have graced the track since its opening last November.

Also, the Super Hi-5 will feature a mandatory payout with that pool expected to vault into the $300,000 range based on the carryover going in of $130,623.44.

Each Send It In Invitational event will carry an Open purse of $10,000, allowing the selected participants to race for a purse more than three times normal. As director of racing Gabe Prewitt said, These invitational horses have been racing here all meet long and have suffered from prolonged bad racing luck, so we decided to give them an opportunity to make a little extra money as the meet winds down. Every starter will earn at least $300 to cover their expenses.

Here is a snapshot of the contenders in the Super Hi-5 Send It In Invitational:

Post 1: Superficial (7-1), owned and trained by Harry Joe Haught.

Superficial is a 10-year-old gelded son of Art Official with lifetime earnings of $245,248. His scorecard for 2021 is 11-0-0-0 with earnings of $1,150. His last success was over the Woodstock (Va.) half mile oval on Oct. 17, 2020. Since his arrival at Pompano Park, he has started 16 times with his best performance being on Jan. 27, when he finished fifth, pacing his mile in 1:53.2.

Superficial will be driven by Andy Shetler, who said, hes not very good on the turns these days; he kinda runs in on them. He used to be a good horse. Hes 10 now, but hes kinda racing like hes 20. Im just hoping hell like the company hes in with and the rail should help him a little.

Post 2: Heavenly Evelyn (12-1), owned by trainer Bryce Fenn along with Harry Doyle.

Heavenly Evelyn is a six-year-old daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven with career earnings of $47,578. It has been a long dry spell for the mare, as her last win was 14 months ago at Pompano Park  Feb. 3, 2020. Since then, she has made 21 starts without a win and, in 2021, her scorecard reads 9-0-0-0 with earnings of $856.

Trainer-driver Fenn does see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, saying, She was much better in her last start. At least she had a pulse with a nice kick home. I am hoping to be forwardly placed throughout the mile.

Post 3: Blurred Lines (15-1), owned by trainer Dan Harvey along with Ann Robblee.

Blurred Lines is an eight-year-old daughter of Sand Shooter and is one of only two starters in this field with a win in 2021. Her career earnings are $145,212. Blurred Lines upset the apple cart on Jan. 14 at Pompano Park by winning in 1:56.1 at 35-1. In her last start, she made a rare miscue at the start, composed herself and paced her final quarter in :27.4  her second fastest ever during her 183-race career, her fastest being :27.1 at Hoosier Park in June 2015 finishing seventh in an Indiana Sires Stakes event. She will be driven by Dan Harvey.

Post 4: Starcasim (15-1), trained by Joe Sanzeri, who co-owns with Russell Guardino.

Starcasim is a Florida-bred six-year-old daughter of Mysticism with career earnings of $61,539. Trainer-driver Joe Sanzeri believes this mare has had nothing but bad racing luck for an extended period of time.

Shes just been a hard luck mare by draw and on the racetrack, he lamented. She does have good speed off the wings, and I am hoping to use that to my advantage from this post in a bulky field.

Starcasims scorecard reads 12-0-0-0 thus far in 2021, and she has not tasted success in the winners circle since Sept. 13, 2019, at Tioga Downs covering 35 starts. Her last win at Pompano Park was almost two years ago  April 15, 2019  at odds of 1-20!

Post 5: IRA Chief (7-1), trained by Dennis Whittemore for owner Diane Whittemore.

IRA Chief, a 12-year-old gelded son of Chief Silverheels, oozes with back class with $484,000 in career earnings to go along with a 1:50.1 mark at Hoosier Park seven seasons ago.

Although he has compiled 40 lifetime wins, IRA Chief is winless in nine starts this year, but does have one second- and one third-place finish to his credit. His last win was at Batavia Downs on Oct. 3, 2020.

Trainer Dennis Whittemore has high hopes for his pacer, noting IRA Chief has had many instances during his career where he has won wire-to-wire. Ive got him as good as I can get him, he said, and I know he likes the front end, and thats why I asked Kevin (Wallis) to drive him. Hope springs eternal, they say. But thats what we all say!

Post 6: Big Bad Baby (7-1), owned and trained by Robert Hoffman.

Big Bad Baby is a seven-year-old daughter of Big Bad John with career earnings of $106,807. Although she has 14 lifetime wins, Big Bad Baby has been on an unlucky streak that has seen her scorecard this season at 11-0-0-0 with $1,844 in bounty. Here last win was at Rosecroft Raceway on Sept. 23, 2020  her only win in her last 50 starts over the past two seasons. She last reached the winners circle at Pompano on Dec. 12, 2019.

Trainer-driver Hoffman related, Shes been drawing poorly almost every start, and she always finds herself in traffic. She can come home pretty well, so I am hoping we can get some live cover flow and do some damage! This would be the perfect time to do so!

Post 7: J P Silver (7-2), owned and trained by Bobbi Jean Carney.

J P Silver is the only grey mare in this field, a six-year-old daughter of McArdle with career bounty of $83,029. Although she is winless this year, the mare has been giving hints in recent races, especially in her last start where she finished third, just a length off the winner with her last quarter in :28.3. Her 2021 stats read 10-0-0-1 with her last win at Woodstock in wire-to-wire fashion on Oct. 9, 2020. Since her arrival at Pompano Park, she has made 17 starts without a win.

J P Silver will have the driving services of Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey for the Send It In Invitational. About J P Silver's chance, Hennessey said, "Well, she must have a pretty good chance because she was handicapped with one of the outside posts!"

Post 8: Elm Grove Nellie (15-1), trained by Marc Major for owners Michael and Diane Norcross.

Elm Grove Nellie is a five-year-old daughter of Stonebridge Terror who is winless this semester in 12 starts, but has been knocking at the door on several occasions.

Yes, she's 0 for her last 54, said trainer Major, but shes about due for a win as she has been racing well lately, Her last win was at Prince Edward Islands Charlottetown Driving Park on Sept. 14, 2019.

I am hoping she can find her best stride when it counts to do well here in this Invitational, Major related. A few starts back, she was last at the half and just missed by a neck. Hoping for the best!

Elm Grove Nellie will be driven by 21-year-old Braxten Boyd, one of the bright, young rising stars in the sport.

Post 9: Queen Me Again (3-1), a six year year-old daughter of Dragon Again, is owned and trained by Hall of Fame trainer-driver Bill Popfinger.

Queen Me Again was deemed eligible at time of entry before earning her first win of the year just last Sunday night (March 28) at Pompano Park. Winless in her prior 12 starts, she used a :29.1 final quarter to score in 1:55.1 to push her lifetime earnings to $90,749. Prior to that win, she had been struggling against some higher classes and relished the company she kept in the lower class she faced last Sunday night.

The win was the catalyst for her being assigned the nine post in this field.

Post 10: Lusty Delight (7-1), trained by Jeff Byron, who co-owns with Elizabeth Kehoe.

Lusty Delight is a seven-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight with career earnings of $114,572. She has the admirable quality of saving the best for last and is reliable for pacing her final quarters as fast as :28.

Showing a scorecard of 11-0-0-3 in 2021, the mare has banked only $1,568 but continues to show sharp speed at the end of her miles. In her last three starts, she has paced final quarters of :29, :28.4 and :28.4 with her last start just 2-1/2 lengths off the winner finishing sixth. Her last win was at Pompano Park on Dec. 8, 2020, in 1:55.3. She will have the driving services of Dave Ingraham, who must find a way to join the fray from the second tier.

All in all, the 10 starts in this field have a combined two wins in 109 starts and are averaging $179 per start. Each is guaranteed a pay cheque in excess of that while competing in this Send It In Invitational.

The companion event for trotters is the highlight of the fourth race at Pompano Park, with an identical $10,000 purse. The race features a field of 10 with a combined three wins this year in 83 starts, and 13 wins in 255 starts over the past two seasons.

The field includes the 13-year-old Guiltywithanexcuse, a gelded son of Classic Photo with career earnings approaching a half million dollars. Winless at Pompano Park for owners Amanda Stephens and Janie Hartley, this Marna Shehan trainee will stride to within $140 of $500,000 with a win in the Send It In Special. Tyler Shehan will be in the sulky back of Guiltywithanexcuse.

Another 13-year-old, Benns Score Keeper, an altered son of Lockkeeper, recently vaulted over the $200,000 in lifetime earnings, with his last pari-mutuel win on Aug. 18, 2018, at Northville Downs. Owned and trained by Marshall Makin, Benns Score Keeper will be driven by Andy Shetler on Thursday night.

The "Send It In Army" will be out in full force on Thursday, as the mandatory payout in the tracks Super Hi-5 finale has a carryover of $130,623.44 and could have a pool over $300,000. Post time for the Thursday night program is set for 7:20 p.m.

(Pompano Park)
Seoul, March 31 : South Korea's corporate watchdog said on Wednesday that it has decided to refer the local unit of Apple and one of its executives to the prosecution for impeding the regulator's probe into unfair business practices.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) also said it plans to fine Apple Korea 300 million won ($265,000) for hampering the watchdog's related investigation.

Apple Korea was probed by the KFTC over allegations that it required the country's three mobile operators to pay the cost of television advertisements and warranty service for its iPhones.

Apple blocked internet access and did not restore it in an attempt to impede the KFTC's on-site investigation in June 2016 into the company's unfair business activities, according to the KFTC.

The company refused to submit documents on network disruption to the corporate watchdog, and one of its executives physically attempted to deter an investor's related probe in November 2017, reports Yonhap news agency.

Last month, the watchdog approved Apple's proposal to address antitrust business practices and support measures for consumers and small firms.

But the regulator decided to separately take stern actions against the company's probe obstruction.
New York  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to speed up the appointment of a personal envoy to Western Sahara, stressing U.S. support for the process of political negotiations between Morocco and Polisario Front, sponsored by the UN.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a virtual meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today to discuss U.S. priorities at the United Nations.

They focused on the ways in which we can work together to address regional and global challenges and strengthen the foundational principles and values of the UN and the multilateral system,

including the protection of human rights and the dignity of every individual no matter their citizenship, ethnicity, religion, gender, or race.

Secretary Blinken welcomed close coordination with the UN regarding the political settlement and the permanent and comprehensive ceasefire in Afghanistan as well as the need to renew and

expand cross-border aid delivery in Syria. They discussed efforts in Ethiopia to secure greater humanitarian access across the country, the necessity for Eritrean forces to withdraw from Tigray, and

the need for independent, international investigations into human rights abuses, noting the recent travel of Senator Christopher Coons as President Biden's emissary.

On Western Sahara, Secretary Blinken underscored U.S. support for political negotiations and urged the Secretary-General to expedite the appointment of a Personal Envoy.

Secretary Blinken welcomed the new interim Government of National Unity in Libya, underscored the importance of national elections in December of this year and the need for foreign forces to

depart, and pledged full support for UN Special Envoy Jan Kubis and the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

They agreed to continue close U.S.-UN coordination on these and other matters.
The non-stop production plant at Fraunhofer IPT is set to process fuel cell components in cycles lasting just seconds. Credit: Fraunhofer IPT

To create a sustainable road traffic system, hundreds of thousands of fuel cells will be needed for hydrogen-powered cars in the future. Until now, though, fuel cell production has been complex and too slow. The Fraunhofer team is therefore developing a continuous production line that will be able to process fuel cell components in cycles lasting just seconds. The pilot line is set to be presented at the Hannover Messe Digital Edition from April 12 to April 16, 2021.

Germany and Europe are on their way to a hydrogen future. The German federal government approved its hydrogen strategy in June of last year. The strategy aims to build electrolysis plants for hydrogen production with a total output of 10 gigawatt in Germany by the year 2040. And for Europe, the European Commission is proposing in its "Hydrogen Strategy" to expand electrolysis output by a further 40 gigawatt. Hydrogen is set to be used in industry and in the future also in road traffic, finally heralding a shift away from petrol and diesel fuel. But the many millions of vehicles will need many millions of fuel cells to convert hydrogen into power. And as yet, Europe has no mass production facility that could cover this demand. What we lack most of all is a closed production chain for making fuel cell components and then assembling them to form the finished item, like on a assembly line production.

Second-long production cycles

"We need non-stop production lines that are able to drop and process components in cycles lasting just seconds," says Dr. Christoph Baum, Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen. "Industry in Europe is still quite a long way from that point." Right now, various components are manufactured by various producers and then assembled to create the fuel cell. And the production steps such as forming, cleaning, coating or joining the fuel cell components are spatially separated from one another in various machine islands. Christoph Baum: "All in all, the logistics within our production facilities are complex. Parts have to be picked up, placed and buffered multiple timesthat's a time-consuming business." Therefore, Fraunhofer IPT is developing for the first time in a research environment a non-stop pilot line in which fuel cell components are made and assembled into the finished product in one place.

The heart of the fuel cell

Specifically, this is about producing the heart of the fuel cell, the "stack," on which hydrogen is converted to water and the energy is collected. This stack consists of hundreds of bipolar plates arranged on top of one another. The bipolar plates are pulled through an intricate system of millimeter thick channels, the hydrogen being fed in at one end and the water produced by the chemical reaction in the stack being fed out at the other. Producing these bipolar plates is a challenge in itself. The plates are only about a hundred micrometers thick and tend to resemble a film rather than a plate. They have to be moved very carefully to make sure nothing gets creased or worse still wrinkled. First, presses are used to emboss the channel structures onto the plate blanks. They are then coated under vacuum to reduce their electrical resistance and make them more corrosion-proof. A finished bipolar plate consists of a left half and a right half, with the fine channel system between. The two halves therefore need to be welded together with a high degree of precision. There are also various cleaning steps.

Presentation at the Hannover Messe

The team at Fraunhofer IPT has now developed a production line on which special pick-and-place handling devices, hand down all components and the bipolar plates in such a way as to create a fluent process. This pilot line will be presented during the Hannover Messe Digital Edition from April 12 to 16, 2021. In a live stream, Fraunhofer IPT, together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS and the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU, will present the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's action plan and initial research results for the cost-effective, automated mass production of fuel cells. The aim of the three institutes, who are specialized in the field of manufacturing, is to accelerate the economic breakthrough of fuel cells and electrolysers both nationally and internationally. Moreover, they plan to transfer the action plan and the individual technologies for the production of fuel cells from research to industrial application.

Because some process steps are faster than others, the challenge is to optimize the flow as a whole so that neither jams nor waiting times occur. The blank pressing process, referred to as deep drawing, is done in just about one second, while the deposition of the protective layer takes much longer. "We are predicting that hundreds of thousands of bipolar plates will be needed for the hydrogen economy of the future," says Christoph Baum. "For this reason, we are striving to achieve a throughput of at least one bipolar plate per second across all plants."

From the roll to the finished item

In the CoBIP project (continuous roll-to-roll production of bipolar plates for fuel cells), Fraunhofer IPT is currently driving the automation of the pilot line together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, the Julich Research Center and several industrial partners. The researchers are developing a plant for processing the bipolar plates in a film strip off the roll, so-to-speak. The film strip passes through the machine and hence through all process stepsfrom the blank to the forming, the deposition of the protective coating to the cleaning through the joining process by the laser. Only at the very end are the bipolar plates cut off the strip and isolated. This continuous process from the roll to the finished item will save a number of handling steps. The plant is designed to be so flexible that industrial partners are able to exchange and test individual production modules at will. "We are providing manufacturers with a tool they can use to design and optimize a non-stop production line to suit their requirements." A high cycle rate allows several devices to operate in parallel or to be connected in series, lasers for joining the plate halves, for example.

"It's true that in Europe we have a good deal of system expertise for manufacturing high-grade fuel cells. But we lack the facilities to produce fuel cells on an industrial scale at competitive pricesproduction lines like we are already seeing at Hyundai or Toyota," explains Christoph Baum summing up. Baum reminds us that when it comes to fuel cells, the hurdle of industrial production scaling should not be underestimated. Similar to the situation with batteries, transferring systems from the laboratory to mass production is a complex matter. This is where, in the past, our international competi-tors have built on their expertise in cost-effective mass production with greater determination. Thanks to high-efficiency production lines like the one Fraunhofer IPT is now presenting, we will be able to identify and address the challenges of industrial scale production at an early stage.

Explore further New bipolar plates from thin metal foils for fuel cells
[March 31, 2021] Pendo's 2021 European State of Product Leadership Report Suggests Companies Empower Product Leaders to Drive Digital Transformation

Product operations helps combat lower job satisfaction for European product teams. LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pendo, a platform that accelerates successful product adoption, today released its third annual European State of Product Leadership study, a report that explores trends impacting product management and the evolution of the product manager role. Produced in partnership with Product Collective, the study is based on a global survey of 600 technology product management executives and managers, with half the respondents coming from software and enterprise companies across the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Unique from prior reports, the 2021 edition examines the discipline in the context of accelerating digital transformation. "Product leaders have the vision and expertise to drive Europe's digital future, but they need broader support to see through these big initiatives," said Chas Scarantino, managing director of Pendo EMEA. "By empowering product teams with operational support and executive leadership, European companies can ensure a successful digital transformation." Key findings include: Ready or not, product teams are spearheading digital transformation. McKinsey recently reported that the share of digital products in the average company's portfolio accelerated by seven years in 2020. While the report calls that speed "shocking", it also reveals the once-in-a-generation opportunity to elevate product management as companies transform. In this year's study of European product leaders, the largest percentage of respondents, 47%, perceived product and R&D teams to be responsible for digital transformation. They also report increased focus on product vision/strategy over the last year. Still, just 39% feel responsible or accountable for product vision and strategy. These findings show that product is leading digital transformation though product leaders may not universally recognize that responsibility.



Product leaders in Europe match vision with revenue focus. Alongside their emphasis on product strategy, half of European product leaders ranked revenue among their top three primary success metrics in this year's study. This combination of product vision and an eye toward revenue suggests product leaders are focused on how product strategy will positively impact the bottom line.

Digital transformation is adding pressure to the role. But the quickening pace of digital transformation means that product leaders are also under pressure to perform. This may be exacerbated for European product managers, who, unique from their global counterparts, tend to manage multiple products. Respondents to the European survey were less likely than their global peers to recommend their career path to a friend. Out of a total net promoter score (NPS) range from -100 to 100, the average score was -1, compared to an overall global score of 9. But help is on the way as European companies invest in product operations. One way to increase job satisfaction is to surround product teams with operational support. Product leaders with access to a dedicated product operations team reported higher NPS scores. It's good news that European companies are already investing in this area: 44% of respondents have access to a product operations team, up from 26% of respondents to last year's survey. Download the full European State of Product Leadership report here . About Pendo

Pendo helps people adopt software more quickly and successfully. Pendo customers include the world's leading software companies and digital enterprises, including Verizon, RE/MAX, LabCorp, OpenTable, Okta, Salesforce, and Zendesk. Founded by product people in 2013 in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, Pendo is backed by Battery Ventures, Spark Capital, Meritech Capital and Sapphire Ventures. For more information, visit: www.pendo.io

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When he arrived in Kenya around 1950, Richard Ingram Crawford, a British settler, embarked on exploiting his interests in farming and business.

He settled on a vast parcel of land at Mwariki in Nakuru County, where he practised horticulture and kept pets, including dogs and donkeys.

Crawford also ventured into multi-million-shilling businesses, establishing a number of petrol stations and enterprises, including the Blue Cross Kennels.

Those who interacted with him say, he was a generous man and was on good terms with his neighbours and workers.

However, the enormous wealth that he acquired and the way he lived has led to a vicious court battle between his aides, business partners and friends, who are all scrambling for a piece of his wealth after his death.

Mr Crawford died a bachelor in 2014. He had been attacked by robbers in 2008, and was seriously injured. Doctors said he developed Parkinson's disease, which led to a loss of memory that lasted until his death.

And with no apparent heir to his wealth, and no information regarding his family, his personal secretary, Ms Sarah Joslyn, petitioned for the administration of the estate.

Crawford's adopted family

She instituted succession proceedings in 2014, and what would have been a simple procedural matter has snowballed into a titanic court battle between individuals seeking to benefit from the property.

The other parties include Mr Stephen Ngatia Maina, who claims to be Crawford's adopted family, and former workers who lived on Crawford's land.

The court is now grappling with scanty information in separating the truth from mere claims.

Justice Joel Ngugi, while making a ruling in one of the applications filed before him noted:

"Richard Crawford, by all accounts, was not married, had no children and no known family in Kenya or elsewhere. It would seem that the deceased had quite some property. Who the property should be bequeathed to has become a titanic legal battle between two protagonists."

The fight has seen Ms Joslyn and her lawyer Henry Aminga charged in court with forgery and making of false documents and uttering them before the court registry.

In the criminal matter, Ms Joslyn is accused of conspiring with Mr Aminga to forge documents used to petition for the letters of administration of the Crawford estate.

According to the prosecution, the two jointly conspired with others to defraud Crawford of his property by forging his signature to authorise transfer of his land on diverse dates in 2011.

Arrested and charged

Ms Joslyn was arrested and charged after Mr Ngatia raised the alarm over the documents she used to obtain the letters of administration.

Mr Ngatia reported the matter to the police, whose investigation led to the conclusion that the documents were a forgery.

In a will in the possession of Ms Joslyn, and purportedly authored by Crawford on January 9, 2009, the tycoon allegedly appointed her the executor to his estate and gave her all his assets.

Among the property named in the document is a 16-acre parcel of prime land about five kilometres from Nakuru town on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway, touching the tarmac; a vehicle; money in the account, as well as shares in his Blue Cross Kennels Foundation.

"I appoint as the sole executor and trustee of this will my friend Sarah Joslyn, and subject to the payment of all my Kenyan debts and executorship expenses, I give her the whole of my Kenyan Estate for her own use and benefit," reads part of the will.

Mr Ngatia further moved to court and successfully applied for the revocation of the grant of probate, which was suspended in 2017.

Through lawyer Mwangi Waiganjo, Mr Ngatia, a businessman in Nakuru, said he was the son of John Maina, Crawford's business partner, whose family had been adopted by Crawford.

Criminal proceedings

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He told the court that Crawford and his late father were close friends and business partners who had ventured into the fuel business in Nakuru.

The two had partnered to run businesses at Shell and BP petrol stations, and Lanet Enterprises, before the dealership was withdrawn in 1997.

"Upon the collapse of their joint business, my father moved into one of Mr Crawford's parcels (of land) and erected a petrol filling station in 2001, which he ran until his demise in 2005," said Mr Ngatia.

He maintained that the two families lived as one, to a point where Crawford promised to leave his property to his business partner's family as the beneficiaries.

The High Court dismissed an application by Mr Aminga to quash the criminal proceedings in December 2019.

The hearing of the criminal case will proceed in May.

The succession matter, which was to be heard yesterday, failed as the judge was away.
Right now hottie Sophie stands up for her favorite pr0n brand and inspires another peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check-it . . .

Kansas City Outdoor Lunch Stays Winning In Theory

Kansas City, Missouri, could permanently add outdoor dining to menu KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Outdoor dining has been successful for many Kansas City area restaurants and bars, and a potential ordinance could give outdoor tables a more permanent place on the menu. "It's really increased our capacity by a measurable percentage and that has helped us to stay afloat during these tough times," Grant Waner, co-owner of City Barrel said of their outdoor cafe.

Mexican Vaxx En KC

Mexican consulate in Kansas City hosts COVID-19 vaccine clinic Tuesday As Missouri continues Phase 2 of its vaccination rollout, a partnership is ensuring vulnerable populations have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Local Ladies First

WATCH: Kansas City panel discusses women's empowerment On the final day of Women's History Month, 41 Action News Today Anchor Rae Daniel sat down with a panel of Kansas City area women to discuss everything from equal pay in the workforce, to mental health, to nutrition and wellness.

New Hotness: Paying Ladies Directly For Their Pr0n

You Know That Thing You're Into? There's an Erotic Creator for That We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here's our process. There's an erotic content creator for every. single. one. of your sweet, smutty, slutty, and startling desires. Missionary lovemaking with lots of making out?

PREZ BIDEN PROMISES BIG BUCKS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE!!!

President Biden will unveil his $2 trillion infrastructure plan today - here are the details President Joe Biden will unveil a more than $2 trillion infrastructure package on Wednesday as his administration shifts its focus to bolstering the post-pandemic economy. The plan Biden will outline Wednesday will include roughly $2 trillion in spending over eight years, and would raise the corporate tax rate to 28% to fund it, an administration official told reporters Tuesday night.

MAGA Sex Scandal Unfolds

Rep. Matt Gaetz denies relationship with 17-year-old and claims extortion attempt Rep. Matt Gaetz on Tuesday denied that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old after the New York Times reported that, according to its sources, the Justice Department was investigating a possible sexual relationship with the girl and whether he paid for her to travel with him.

Former Prez Trump Remains Cancelled On Social Media

Facebook removes video of Trump interview with daughter-in-law Lara Trump Facebook removed a video of an interview with former President Donald Trump conducted by his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, saying any content "in the voice of Donald Trump" would be scrubbed from the social media platform. Facebook permanently banned the former president from their platform in January after the Capitol riot.

AOC Denounces Border Talk

AOC says calling border crisis a 'surge' pushes white supremacy Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has finally addressed the border crisis - but only to accuse anyone using the term "surge" of pushing a "white supremacist" philosophy. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has repeatedly been accused of ducking the dangerously overcrowded migrant detention centers despite saying they were akin to "concentration camps" under the previous administration.

COVID Still Kills

Covid-19 was third leading cause of death last year, CDC confirms in early data Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in the United States last year, after heart disease and cancer, according to provisional data released on Wednesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Local Plague Check

Kansas City COVID-19 Daily Briefing for March 31 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - 41 Action News is offering a daily recap of COVID-19 related stories from across Kansas City and the country. Check back every morning for the latest developments.

Kansas City Zoo Offers Peek At Another Cute Captive

Koalas at the Kansas City Zoo: Photos and fun facts before your visit KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The koalas have arrived, and they will be viewable to Kansas City Zoo patrons beginning in April. However, we got a little sneak preview. Photos sent to FOX4 show the Australian marsupials clinging to their tree environments with their unique-looking hands. Are those two thumbs?

Midweek Chill Sets In

Temps trend upward into weekend AT THE PLAZA, 37 DEGREES, THIS IS A COLD MORNING, YOU WILL NEED A WARM COAT, NOT MUCH OF A BREEZE THERE, BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE IT FEEL LIKE FREEZING, NORTHWEST WIND AT ABOUT SEVEN. 26, IT IS ON THE THERMOMETER IN LAWRENCE, WHEN HE SEVEN IN ST.

Diplo & Sonny Fodera - Turn Back Time is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.

Keep going for more local links . . .

KC Career Women Triumph

More women at UMB Financial Corporation, headquartered in KC, are in top executive jobs KANSAS CITY, MO - More women at UMB Financial Corporation, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, are shattering the glass ceiling and entering executive positions in a once male-dominated leadership team. Shannon Johnson, UMB Fiancial Corporation's executive vice president and chief administrative officer, steadily climbed the corporate ladder at UMB after starting as the manager of the Human Resources Call Center.

Kansas City Museum Considers Path To The Future

Making Our Museum: With Scott Wagner Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Scott Wagner joined Northeast News Publisher Michael Bushnell for this week's update from the Kansas City Museum. Wagner's work with the museum goes back 15 years to when he was first appointed to the Kansas City Museum Advisory Board in 2005.

Todays Comeback Lesson

A teacher's perspective on returning to in-person learning in Kansas City, Kansas KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Nikki Braam admits teaching her class of third grade students virtually isn't the same as in a classroom at New Chelsea Elementary School in the Kansas City, Kansas, Public School District. "[I miss] seeing those aha moments in real-time.

JoCo Burns This Morning

No injuries reported after Overland Park duplex fire OVERLAND PARK, KS (KCTV) -- No injuries were reported after a fire broke out at duplex in Overland Park. It happened just after 1 a.m. Wednesday in the 8600 block of Riggs Street. First units on the scene reported heavy fire from the back of a two-story duplex.

Golden Ghetto Cautionary Tale

Investigation underway after train hits and kills pedestrian in Johnson County Tuesday afternoon DE SOTO, Kan. - A train traveling through Johnson County hit a pedestrian this afternoon. Deputies say the victim died from his or her injuries. It happened on the tracks near West 82nd Street and Ottawa Street in De Soto. The location is just south of the Kansas River near Riverfest Park.

Meth Town Spy Cam Could Help Solve Tragic Mystery

Home surveillance video may help Independence police find driver in deadly hit-and-run INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) -- Independence police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash after a driver hit three people walking near Blue Ridge Blvd and Sterling Avenue in Independence. The crash killed one man on March 23. Home video surveillance in the neighborhood could help police track down the driver who left the scene.

Kansas City Crime Spills Over

Suspected car thieves caught after targeting rural communities KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- Police caught two people suspected of stealing cars from Tonganoxie and Basehor, each leading police on chases Monday evening. Officers said a citizen driving a pickup truck helped bring one of the pursuits to an end near 24th and Leavenworth Road by blocking the stolen vehicle.

Kansas City Double Murder Case Developing

Prosecution, defense teams narrow juror field in Kylr Yust murder trial KANSAS CITY, Mo. - More than 70 new potential jurors were examined in St. Charles County Tuesday for the trial of accused double murderer Kylr Yust. Yust is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Kara Kopetsky of Belton and Jessica Runions of Raymore.

Cruel Crooks Sadden Youngster

Kansas City police investigating after ATV stolen from boy with autism KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City police are investigating after an ATV was taken from a boy with autism. Lincoln and his father, Joe Boyer, are from Michigan, but they came to Kansas to buy an ATV. Monday night, they stayed at a hotel in Kansas City, and when they woke up Tuesday morning, Lincoln's ATV was gone, stolen from the parking garage.

Help Local Puppers

Latest Pets Up For Adoption In The Kansas City Area Looking to add a new member to your family and give back to the world at the same time? Then you should consider adopting a pet from a local shelter. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, animal shelters in and around Kansas City have dogs, cats and other animals ready and waiting for someone to take them home.

Creative Kansas City Endures

How a pair of chicken footstools hatched into a yarn barnyard of sold-out flock-pleasers When Sally Linville made her first footstools in a K-State furniture studio as graduation neared, she had no idea she was scratching the surface of a full-fledged (and feathered) career - let alone a 25-person operation near West Plaza in Kansas City.

Kansas City Advocacy Continues Amid COVID

Shirley's Kitchen Cabinet empowers Black women to improve communities Asia Jones used to find the idea of being an activist intimidating - until she found Shirley's Kitchen Cabinet. She is one of more than 2,000 women on the mailing list for the Kansas City, Missouri, nonprofit, which focuses on amplifying the voices of Black women.

Developing . . .
CHICAGO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Numerator, a data and tech company serving the market research space, has launched a Vaccinated Shopper Behavior Tracker to study the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on consumer shopping behavior. The tracker showcases the weekly, cross-channel purchase behavior of more than 7,000 early vaccinated shoppers, and spans 13 channels, including online. Vaccinated shoppers are defined as having been fully vaccinated by March 1st of this year, based on a survey fielded to Numerator's entire 100k (static) consumer OmniPanel.

Key findings include:

3 in 5 consumers have been or plan to be vaccinated. At the time of the study, 8% of consumers were fully vaccinated and ~50% intended to get vaccinated when they become eligible.

2 in 5 consumers are not fully convinced of the vaccine. 20% did not plan to get vaccinated, and 22% were unsure about whether they would get the vaccine.

The first wave of fully vaccinated consumers skews older, higher income, Asian, and White/Caucasian:

23% are over 65 years of age (Boomers and the Greatest Gen), 15% are Boomers under 65, 35% Gen X, 26% Millennials, and 2% Gen Z.

Compared to the general population, early vaccinated consumers are 11% more likely to be Boomers or older, 31% more likely to be high income, 25% more likely to be Asian, and 7% more likely to be White/Caucasian.

This group is composed largely of essential workers. Early vaccinated consumers are nearly five times more likely to be doctors or physicians, and twice as likely to work in law enforcement or emergency services.

Retail channels that over-index with the early vaccinated include Club (+8%), Online (+8%), and Drug (+7%).

Observed shopping behaviors among early vaccinated shoppers, as compared to the average week in 2020, include:

SALES

The in-store sales index has been rising steadily among vaccinated shoppers since the beginning of the year, up 12% vs. 2020 for the week ending March 14 . Dips in week 4 and 7 of 2021 were likely impacted by significant winter weather disruptions.

. Dips in week 4 and 7 of 2021 were likely impacted by significant winter weather disruptions. The online sales index for vaccinated shoppers is also up 12% vs. 2020 for the same period, indicating that in-store increases won't necessarily result in online decreases.

The Gas & Convenience channel has the highest sales increase versus 2020 at +33%, showing ongoing increases as this channel reopens and vaccinated shoppers start diversifying their shopping again.

Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sales see a clear uptick starting in late February (+18% for most recent week), as vaccinated consumers become more comfortable eating outside of the home.

TRIPS

In-store shopping trips rise above 2020 averages for the first time in late February 2021 as vaccinated consumers diversify shopping.

as vaccinated consumers diversify shopping. Similar to sales, overall in-store shopping trips and QSR visits are up among vaccinated consumers (+4% and +6%, respectively).

Online orders hold steady vs. 2020 averages -- even with an increase in in-store trips.

HOUSEHOLDS

The number of households shopping in-store remains steady in 2021, on average up 5% over 2020.

Club (+12%) and Gas & Convenience (+7%) see more dramatic increases in total households shopping in 2021.

Demographics Over-Indexing with Vaccine Segments (vs. all shoppers)

Vaccine Status Generation Income Level Race Top Channels Fully Vaccinated Boomers+ (111) High Income (131) Asian (125) White/Caucasian

(107) Club (108) Online (108) Drug (107) Plan to get

vaccine Boomers+ (124) High Income (113) Asian (120) Drug (112) Club (108) Food (106) Unsure about the

vaccine Millennials & Gen X (107) Low Income (111) Black / African

American (134) Hispanic (114) Dollar (114) Fast Food (108) C-Store (104) Do not plan to

get the vaccine Millennials (119) Low Income (109) White/Caucasian

(110) Dollar (125) C-Store (118) Mass (112)

Source: Numerator Insights

Methodology: Early vaccinated shoppers were identified via MicroSurvey fielded to the 100k static Numerator OmniPanel between 2/7/21 and 3/1/21. In addition to current COVID-19 vaccine status, consumers were asked about their vaccine intentions, vaccine timing, and timing for expectations around returning to pre-pandemic behaviors. Consumer shopping behavior was filtered based on vaccine status to create the tracker. Static vaccine sentiment segments are available through the Numerator Insights platform.

About Numerator

Numerator is a data and tech company bringing speed and scale to market research. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Numerator has more than 2,000 employees worldwide. The company blends proprietary data with advanced technology to create unique insights for the market research industry that has been slow to change. The majority of Fortune 100 companies are Numerator clients.

SOURCE Numerator

Related Links

https://www.numerator.com


Integration of our AI-driven technology with platforms like Life365 enables high fidelity remote cardiac monitoring at scale. Mark Bogart, Senior Vice President of US Healthcare at AliveCor.

Life365, a leading virtual care platform provider, announced its integration of products from AliveCor, the global leader in FDA-cleared personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology, to enhance their remote cardiac monitoring solutions for healthcare consumers and patients located outside traditional care settings.

The addition of AliveCors KardiaMobile with Life365s tech-enabled healthcare platform brings clinical grade solutions to the hands of healthcare consumers at economical prices. This enhances the health systems flow of patient data with timely information collected outside the clinical setting between in-office visits, while allowing economic benefit from current reimbursement and improving financial models of care.

Life365 is focused on the next generation of Remote Patient Monitoring, emphasizing economics and scalability to larger patient populations, while balancing quality of care and cost of solution integration. Life365s mission is to assemble a select range of quality health care solutions and services designed for home use. This enables the health systems to use lighter, cost-effective, consumer driven solutions to track and intervene in a patients therapy much earlier and avoid more costly, complex care scenarios.

Life365 is thrilled to have completed this integration and partnership with AliveCor, said Kent Dicks, CEO of Life365. Innovators like Dr. Dave Albert and the team at AliveCor have been working diligently to bring quality clinical grade solutions to the market that are accepted by patients and trusted by healthcare professionals. Its extremely important to start aligning these consumer driven solutions today, on a common platform that integrates seamlessly from the patients home to the providers, to support emerging initiatives such as Hospital@Home, Telehealth platforms moving from episodic care to on-going interventions for chronic care, and the changing role of the retail Pharmacist, especially in rural locations.

KardiaMobile can detect more arrhythmias, with more accuracy, than any other personal ECG, said Mark Bogart, Senior Vice President of US Healthcare at AliveCor. Integration of our AI-driven technology with platforms like Life365 enables high fidelity remote cardiac monitoring at scale.

About Life365

The Life365 Virtual Care platform integrates health systems with healthcare solution/service providers and logistics companies to deliver a one-stop, integrated platform for engaging a growing patient population at home  and beyond. The platform enables health professionals to remotely manage patients with a variety of disease states and offers consumer apps for self-managing their health and wellness. Life365 is headed by an experienced, industry recognized team, recently selected as a Finalist for a 2021 Edison Award for their work in addressing COVID-19. The teams previous Connected Health Company was acquired by Alere (now Abbott). Life365 is the major patent holder of the next generation of Wearables, Sensors and Patches driven by Machine Learning / AI, driving the next generation of Remote Patient Monitoring to scale.

For more information regarding Life365, please visit http://www.life365.health.

About AliveCor

AliveCor, Inc. is transforming cardiological care using deep learning. The FDA-cleared KardiaMobile device is the most clinically validated personal ECG solution in the world. KardiaMobile provides instant detection of Atrial Fibrillation, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Sinus Rhythm with Supraventricular Ectopy, Sinus Rhythm with Premature Ventricular Contractions, Sinus Rhythm with Wide QRS and Normal Heart Rhythm in an ECG. Kardia is the first AI-enabled platform to aid patients and clinicians in the early detection of atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia and one associated with a highly-elevated risk of stroke. AliveCor's enterprise platform allows third party providers to manage their patients and customers heart conditions simply and profitably using state-of-the-art tools that provide easy front-end and back-end integration to AliveCor technologies. AliveCor protects its customers with stringent data security and compliance practices, achieving HIPAA compliance and SOC2 Type 1 and Type 2 attestations. AliveCor is a privately-held company headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. Consumer or Personal ECGs are ECG devices available for direct sale to consumers. For more information, visit alivecor.com.
Chandigarh:

He was master of the sprawling Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters at Sirsa till past August 28. But, now incarcerated, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will spend his time in jail growing vegetables, pruning treeseight hours a day just for Rs 20.



The 50-year-old self-styled godman, who boasted of millions of followers, is lodged in Rohtaks Sunaria jail for raping his two disciples.



A special CBI court had sentenced him to 20 years in jail, 10 years each in two rape cases, on August 28. And the pita-ji, as his followers used to call him reverently, was stamped as prisoner number 1997.



Adjoining his barrack, there is a small plot of land where he will grow vegetables, K P Singh, DGP (jails), Haryana, told reporters on Tuesday in Panchkula.



He has already taken up his work.



Whatever he produces will be used in the jail mess.



Born in the Sri Gurusar Modia village in Rajasthans Sri Ganganagar district on August 15, 1967, Ram Rahim used to help his landlord father in farms during his early years.



In jail, he will also prune trees adjoining his barrack. He will get Rs 20 per day for farming work, which falls under the unskilled work category, the DGP (jails) said.



Normally, eight hours is maximum a prisoner is allowed to do, he said.

Read | Gurmeet Singh: Haryana police files FIR against Honeypreet for inciting Panchkula violence



He described the high-profile inmate as a disciplined prisoner as he dismissed reports that Ram Rahim was being extended any special treatment.



It is (a) baseless and imaginary (report). No prisoner in jail is given any special treatment and that includes Ram Rahim, he said, adding there is no TV set in his cell.



He is living in jail like any other ordinary inmate and he is living like a disciplined inmate. He is being provided the same food as given to other prisoners.



Asked for his response over reports which quoted some inmates, who have come out of the Sunaria prison, to claim that Ram Rahim is uncomfortable and breaks down in jail, the DGP said, This is baseless.



He (Ram Rahim) does not have common contact with other prisoners. Access to his barrack is controlled (for security reasons), he said.



Media reports about his health and other activities are also without any basis, said the jail officer.



Singh said Ram Rahim has provided two telephone numbers to prison authoritiesone of which is of his adopted daughter Honeypreet, and the other his own number he left behind at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.



But, he has not made any special request to talk to Honeypreet and media reports suggesting this are wrong, the officer said.



So far, police verification of these two numbers have not been conducted, he said.

Read | Panchkula violence: Haryana Police lists Honeypreet, Aditya Insan among 43 most wanted



He said any prisoner is allowed to submit phone numbers of two blood-relatives whom they can call. Also, Ram Rahim has given 10 names who could meet him in the prison.



We have sent these names to the Sirsa Police and so far we have got verification of his mother who has already met him, the officer said.



On August 25, the day the self-styled godman was convicted, there was widespread violence in Haryana and other neighbouring states. At least 36 people had died in the violence and arson, epicentre of which was Panchkula.The Haryana Police has issued a lookout notice for Honeypreet in connection with the violence.



The DGP (jails) also said that Honeypreet, who had accompanied Ram Rahim in a helicopter after his conviction, was not allowed inside the jail. She was asked to sit outside the rest house of the prison and the police were intimated.



He said that for security considerations, Ram Rahim has been lodged in a barrack with only few prisoners who have a track record of good conduct.



Besides, jail staff with impeccable record have been put on duty near his barrack.



He said prison authorities have taken inputs from various agencies about threat perception to Ram Rahim.



On security grounds, only a few inmates have been kept in Ram Rahims barrack. Only those prisoners whom we thought can be put there from security point of view, only they have access to his barrack, he said.



The police had recently conducted a mock drill and alerted PGIMS Rohtak in preparation for dealing with any medical emergency which would involve Ram Rahim being taken out of the prison.



They just conducted a mock drill, but a section of media associated that to his health. He (Gurmeet) is healthy and doing fine, he said.

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VANCOUVER - A British Columbia woman who took on a stabbing suspect with an umbrella always does what she believes is right, her sister says.

VANCOUVER - A British Columbia woman who took on a stabbing suspect with an umbrella always does what she believes is right, her sister says.

Sheloah Klausen, a school teacher in North Vancouver, was at the Lynn Valley public library on Saturday to attend a book fair with her daughter.

Sheloah Klausen is seen in hospital after being injured during a stabbing attack in North Vancouver, B.C. on Saturday, March 27, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Leah Michayluk MANDATORY CREDIT

Leah Michayluk said when her sister saw a man stab a woman in the library, she ordered her 10-year-old daughter to hide and intervened, wielding only an umbrella.

"She grabbed her umbrella and just started beating him," Michayluk said in an interview on Tuesday. "She's always the type of person who will do what's right to save everybody. She's always been that type of person."

Klausen has injuries to her head and hands, and Michayluk says a bystander who pressed napkins to a cut artery in her sister's neck likely saved her life.

"If it wasn't for that other woman, my sister likely would have been dead. There are many heroes in this story," she said.

Klausen was quickly released from hospital, but Michayluk says the attack has left an impression on her sister and their family's life.

Klausen's daughter has been traumatized by the attack and suffers from nightmares.

One woman was killed in the attack and six people, ranging in age from 22 to 78, were injured.

Klausen is a teacher at Argyle Secondary School, where she has taught classes ranging from biology to gym.

Mark Pearmain, the superintendent of the North Vancouver School District, said Klausen is known as a gregarious and positive teacher who has taken a leadership role in helping develop curriculum.

"She has major passion for her subjects ... and she brings kids along with her passion for the subject," he said.

He said the area, which he described as a "pretty sleepy, quiet place," has been shaken by the attack.

Susanne Till, a single mother of three, has been identified as another of the victims in Saturday's attack, and her friends have launched a fundraising campaign to support her once she leaves hospital.

Kirsten Emerson, a friend of Till's, said in a statement that she is the type of person who is quick to offer help and deliver baked goods to friends.

Brianna Giles, the vice-principal of RNB Dance studio in North Vancouver, has known Till for a decade and saw her being taken to an ambulance on Saturday with injuries to her face.

Giles says Till would do anything for her children, two of whom are enrolled in programs at the studio.

"Good people are hard to come by these days. Susanne is one of the good ones. She volunteers her time when needed, works full time and raises her three amazing children," she said.

Mike Little, the mayor of the District of North Vancouver, said during a news conference on Monday that he's heard many stories of bravery and kindness in the aftermath of the attack.

Little said he's heard about restaurant staff helping the injured, strangers rushing to administer first aid and other acts of compassion and bravery that will be recognized in the coming months.

Michayluk said the response from the local community has been amazing for Klausen and her family.

"It may be a small community, but boy, the heart and soul of that community is huge. They will get through this and they won't let something like this deter them," she said.

Yannick Bandaogo, 28, faces a second-degree murder charge and is due back in court on Thursday.

Michelle Tansey, the acting officer-in-charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, told a news conference Monday that police don't believe radicalization was a factor in the attack, and that the suspect did not know the victims.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrected said Susanne Till's first name was Jacqueline.
BOSTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by both Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, and Wells Capital Management Incorporated, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.1380 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of March 11, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) with important information concerning the distribution declared on March 1, 2021, and payable on March 31, 2021. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: March 2021



Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.1380

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable March 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 3/1/2021-3/31/2021

For the fiscal year-to-date period

11/1/2020-3/31/2021 1 Source

Current

Distribution ($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions ($)

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions Net Investment Income

0.1193

86%

0.6265

91% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source

0.0187

14%

0.0635

9% Total per common share

0.1380

100%

0.6900

100%

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on February 28, 2021

6.68%





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2021

7.53%





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through February 28, 2021

-11.51%





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2021

3.14%

________________________________

1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020 and will end on October 31, 2021.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the March 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.1380 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.02 trillion) as of December 31, 2020. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a new activity that promises to enhance the ability of Nigerias civil society and business membership organizations (CSOs and BMOs) to influence policies and reforms across the most critical service sectors.

The five-year, $32.9 million Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) activity strengthens the financial, management, and advocacy capacity of CSOs and BMOs to create a more accountable and democratic Nigeria with more efficient public service delivery.

At a launch ceremony attended by a wide variety of governmental and private sector advocates for good governance on Monday, USAID Acting Mission Director Katie Donohoe, said that Nigerian civil society has the potential to support transformational change in Nigeria.

This investment underscores the depth of the U.S. commitment to strengthen CSO advocacy in Nigeria, Ms. Donohoe said. Civic action has achieved significant global impacts in recent years. People here and around the world are expressing their wish for a stronger, better functioning democracy.

Built on the framework of the earlier USAID Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement activity, Palladium Group serves as the implementer for SCALE in partnership with strong local organizations such as the Policy and Legislative Advocacy Center, Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development, and Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organizations.

This activity aligns with the governments commitment for a more accountable and responsive government to the citizens of our great nation, Nigeria, said Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who pledged the governments support for the activity. SCALE could not have come at a better time  when citizens are looking to us to consolidate on the change we promised.

SCALE helps CSOs and BMOs exercise their rights to advocate for economic opportunities that lead to better lives by influencing policy reform in critical sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation, governance, agriculture, and extractive industries.

She stated that special attention will be paid to the prevention of child marriage, trafficking in persons, and gender-based violence.

Ms Tallen added that by improving the civil policy and regulatory environment at the local level, SCALE enhances collaborative advocacy in areas that will improve quality of life for Nigerians, especially women, youth, people living with disabilities, and others vulnerable populations.
With regard to the temporary winter homeless shelter in the Victory Church, we feel that the provincial government has been negligent in its duty.

This shelter was agreed to as a temporary winter shelter to close March 31st, 2021. The rhetoric has escalated and the misinformation has multiplied. David Eby suggests he can provide the homeless 1000 tents and sleeping bags, it's quite obvious that his hyperbolic threat is clearly not in keeping with his duty as an elected representative to speak intelligently about the issues surrounding the homeless.

Penticton's mayor and city council voted unanimously to not extend the lease, but they haven't suggested throwing vulnerable people out into the street, or to send them off with some camping gear. They have requested the province provide the wraparound services to support people experiencing addictions and mental health challenges. The City stated that there are places for these residents to go, before more permanent and secure housing becomes available. There are 42 residents in this shelter, and more beds have been secured in other appropriate locations in the city.

The current location of this temporary shelter is inappropriate for important reasons, which has nothing to do with Mayor Vassilaki's properties in the downtown core. The shelter is located across the alley from Charles Manor, a seniors home for assisted living. A lot of Charles Manor residents have lived here for six years and longer. There are too many RCMP call outs to the back alley, the front of Victory Church, too much noise like yelling, foul language, screaming, people always congregating by the VC door, in the alley, ambulances and all this is any time of the clock below the windows of the elderly residents. My question to Mr. Eby is how fare is this to these seniors that now also feel unsafe? Perhaps things would be different if Mr. Eby's parent(s), or any political official with provincial power, had a parent living there. They have gone through enough with the Covid 19 Pandemic lockdowns and decades building this province and country paying taxes and living here. These seniors have contributed to our society all their lives so they could enjoy the last years of their lives, quietly and peacefully. BC Housing and Mr. Eby had months to figure out a plan. Who dropped the ball Mr. Eby?

The city has been able to secure enough alternative beds to shelter the Victory Church residents. The city, as well as BC housing, agreed that Victory Church would only be a temporary winter shelter. So, for the welfare and mental health of Charles Manor seniors, who often feel both threatened, unsafe and disrupted by some of the homeless shelter residents, it is paramount for BC Housing Minister Mr. Eby, BC Housing, Attorney General Mr. Eby, MLA Vancouver-Point Grey Mr. Eby, to work with the city to resolve this dispute quickly for the seniors and Penticton.

Two concerned adult children of a current resident at Charles Manor,

Lora and Patrick Corbett
Last March, when schools around the world closed to contain the spread of COVID-19, the UN estimated that 1.6 billion children were put out of school. It was an urgent matter needing a solution. A less obvious but an arguably more pressing matter with far greater consequences was that millions of children from poor communities were forced to forgo school meals.

In Sri Lanka, Yaseer Arafath, ACMA, CGMA, and finance, budget, and programming officer of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) office in Sri Lanka, spent a significant period of time in 2020 supporting a programme to provide take-home rations to approximately 80,000 schoolchildren. The school meals are often the only meal they get in a day. A lower-middle-income country with GDP per capita of $3,853, Sri Lanka is still emerging from the aftermath of its civil conflict that lasted almost three decades. COVID-19 has affected the countrys tourism industry and its food security.

The WFP received a Nobel Peace Prize last year for its work in conflict-affected areas. In an interview with FM, Arafath shares about his work supporting WFPs efforts.

Tell us about your role at the World Food Programme.

Arafath: I joined WFP as a finance officer in 2005 soon after a tsunami hit this region. Sri Lanka was one of the worst affected by the disaster, along with other countries such as Indonesia. WFP had a large-scale operation with approximately $200 million worth of food assistance to the most affected communities in Sri Lanka. The country was also going through a civil war at that time. Now the Sri Lanka office has 55 staff, and as the person overseeing finance, my main role in finance is to advise the programme teams and the management so that the programmes are designed and conducted with the best value for money. I also assess risks of the working environment and track performance.

Youve also worked as a finance professional in the private sector before joining the WFP. In what ways is your current work different from previous roles?

Arafath: The goal for humanitarian organisations is not to generate profit but to provide aid in emergencies. This is a different model altogether, and of course this changes the way we do things. In the private sector, we are very cost-conscious because were motivated to increase profits. In emergencies, yes, we look at cost efficiency and value for money, but our first priority is to serve people, while also managing costs. I worked on a Papua New Guinea project once where the cost of logistics was higher than the cost of food because we had to airlift supplies to areas where roads were inaccessible and people were trapped. In that situation, we didnt consider the cost, but the goal was to reach people and feed people in time. If its a private-sector organisation, that would be considered a portfolio thats not profitable.

There are similarities between what I did in the private sector and at WFP, such as having finance controls in place and ensuring that were compliant with international accounting standards. But the mission and goals are different, and that makes the finance work at WFP different.

What does finance business partnering in WFP look like?

Arafath: Finance is one of the core functions in WFP, and it plays a key role in facilitating WFPs operations. We manage financial resources for a programme, conduct financial risk management, maintain accounting records of financial transactions, provide cross-functional financial advice on all aspects of WFPs operations, and ultimately, we provide assurance to donors and other stakeholders through corporate and donor financial reports.

For my role, although Im based in Sri Lanka, Im deployed to other countries in the region when theres an emergency. I think this makes finance work different because I have to hit the ground running during surge operations even though the environments are different. Generally, surge takes place where theres a conflict and after natural disasters. During deployments, Im involved in setting up systems and finance budget and controls, guiding programme and supply chain colleagues by assessing macro and micro financial sector analysis, and developing standard operating procedures. For our cash-transfer programmes, I also work with financial service providers and micro-finance institutions to find ways to deliver aid to communities.

WFP is often one of the first humanitarian aid organisations on the ground during crises and disasters. How does the finance team balance the need for urgent funds and supplies while ensuring proper processes and controls are in place during crisis and disasters?

Arafath: Emergencies are always challenging because youre on the front lines and every emergency is different. Sometimes systems are not working because the infrastructure is destroyed or. like in Myanmar when Cyclone Nargis hit, the whole network system was down and there was no connectivity in the country. In other countries, there have been situations where even banks were not operating and there were immense logistical challenges.

We have three levels of emergency, where Level 3 is the most urgent. So we have different controls, risk tolerance, and processes for each level. In emergencies, the immediate priority is to deploy the right finance person to the right position and be involved in the programme design. We find out how many vulnerable people there are and assess their needs. Then we develop our budget and decide our controls.

WFP has yards internationally where we store vehicles and telecommunication equipment. We always have a stock of commodities located globally, so its a straightforward process of raising a purchase order and releasing the supplies during emergencies.

Could you share more about WFPs programmes for school meals and strengthening food security in Sri Lanka?

Arafath: One of our areas of work is to improve the nutrition of schoolchildren and children under 5. Sri Lanka has one of the highest rates of wasting in the world, where 15% of children under 5 have low weight for their height. The livelihoods of communities and small farmers are also threatened during emergencies and climate-related shocks. What were currently doing is helping to improve the capacity of the government and local institutions to plan and mitigate for future emergencies and climate shocks, such as floods and droughts.

Do you foresee changes to your role after COVID-19?

Arafath: Theres been a dramatic change in WFPs finance function the past ten to 15 years. Previously, it was a bookkeeping function. Now weve moved away from that. Weve become a strategic partner in all initiatives, especially in cash-transfer programmes, where we distribute bank notes, e-money, mobile money, or vouchers to communities so that they can buy what they need, and micro-finance assessments. These used to be the work of programme teams.

As we recover from COVID-19, more work will increasingly be done virtually, and the transactional work in finance may be outsourced or centralised within a location so that we can focus on the strategic aspects of finance work. Some UN agencies are already testing this. The technology is already available. Just recently, we rolled out a new system for national staff payroll, and I did the training for a few countries virtually. In the old world before COVID, we would have done this face-to-face in our regional office in Bangkok or in another city in the region.

 Alexis See Tho (Alexis.SeeTho@aicpa-cima.com) is an FM magazine associate editor.
HOBOKEN, N.J., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A NYC area cybersecurity and business continuity expert discusses backup best practices on World Backup Day in a new article on the eMazzanti Technologies website. The informative article first urges readers to celebrate the day by using the coming month to implement backup best practices.

The author goes on to share backup tips, such as the 3-2-1 rule, backup automation, testing backups, and encryption. She also encourages business leaders to document backup policies and procedures, capture endpoint data, and adjust policies to ensure compliance.

"Reliable backups are a critical factor in defending your business from ransomware, natural disasters, and other hazards," stated Jennifer Mazzanti, CEO, eMazzanti Technologies.

Below are a few excerpts from the article, "Celebrate World Backup Day with Data Backup Best Practices"

Capture the Endpoints

"In the old days, the server room stored the bulk of an organization's data. Now, businesses store data in a wide variety of places, from work PCs and servers to the cloud and mobile devices. In addition, many companies support remote work and BYOD policies, adding potentially thousands of endpoints to the mix."

Adjust Backup Policies to Ensure Compliance

"Backup policies need to work hand in hand with retention policies mandated by privacy regulations. Regulatory compliance can affect how long you retain copies of your backups and even the medium used to store them."

Implement Data Backup Best Practices

The business continuity experts at eMazzanti help business leaders implement backup strategies tailored to their needs. From ensuring regulatory compliance to addressing data wherever it lives, they have it covered.

Have you read?

Balancing Cybersecurity and Productivity to Optimize Work-From-Home

Microsoft Exchange Hack  Essential Steps to Protect Your Data

About eMazzanti Technologies

eMazzanti's team of trained, certified IT experts rapidly deliver increased revenue growth, data security and productivity for clients ranging from law firms to high-end global retailers, providing advanced digital marketing services, cloud and mobile solutions, multi-site implementations, 247 outsourced network management, remote monitoring, and support.

eMazzanti has made the Inc. 5000 list 9X, is a 4X Microsoft Partner of the Year, the #1 ranked NYC area MSP and NJ Business of the Year! Contact: 1-866-362-9926, [email protected] or http://www.emazzanti.net Twitter: @emazzanti Facebook: Facebook.com/emazzantitechnologies.

SOURCE eMazzanti Technologies

Related Links

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It is common for soap opera characters to have short-lived marriages allowing them to remarry time and again. Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) on CBS The Young and the Restless and Asa Buchanan (Phil Carey) of One Life to Live, which aired on ABC from 1968 through 2012, tied for the record of 14 marriages each. The character of Sonny Corinthos on ABCs General Hospital has been married seven times. But the actor who portrays Sonny, Maurice Benard, has had only one wife. She is that one special woman whom he has been married to for more than 30 years.

Maurice Benard | Christopher Polk/Getty Images

How old is Sonny Corinthos in real life?

If anyone could survive the elements this long it's Sonny Corinthos.

Tune into a shocking, new #GH  STARTING NOW on ABC! @MauriceBenard pic.twitter.com/5V8fJdsebB  General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) January 11, 2021

Benard was born in San Francisco on March 1, 1963. The 58-year-old actors parents were originally from Nicaragua and San Salvador. Following high school, Benard began modeling and performing in the Bay Area theaters, according to IMDb. His first soap opera role came in 1987 with All My Children, cast as Nico Kelly. The role took him to New York.

Two years later, he returned to California, moving to Los Angeles. He was cast as Desi Arnaz in Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter. It was in 1993, Benard found a home on General Hospital. His role as Sonny was supposed to be short-lived. In 2021, Sonny is still a major character on the show. Although a mobster, Sonny is no longer seen in the negative light as when he first moved into Port Charles.

How many kids does Maurice Benard have?

Sonny Corinthos' children are the reason he wakes up in the morning. Relive some of their most unforgettable moments in the newest General Hospital Collection: All Sonny's Children. All 16 episodes are available now  without a login! CLICK TO WATCH: https://t.co/TveYjKMd2P #GH pic.twitter.com/svgKqaE947  General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) October 16, 2019

RELATED: General Hospital Star Maurice Benard on Directing His Soap Co-Stars in New YouTube Project

At the age of 22, Benard was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has been incredibly open about his illness and has worked closely as an advocate with the National Mental Health Association. He was once told directors wouldnt hire him. Theyd think Id go crazy on the set, he had said. His illness is a factor he has integrated into his role as Sonny, who lives with a similar diagnosis. Whats more important  directors or producers who might not cast me because theyre ignorant, or helping people? So thats what Ive been doing, he said.

To Benard, family is everything. Sonny feels the same about his family and closest friends. Bernard has been married to one wife for 30 years. Although the character of Sonny has been married several times, he has had one special woman since 2000, Carly Benson Corinthos, first played by Sarah Brown. They have been married and divorced three times and are currently in their fourth union with Carly being portrayed by Laura Wright.

Benard has four children. Sonny has had seven children, although all were not his biological children, only four of whom are alive on the show. He adopted Carlys first child, Michael. They had a son, Morgan, who was killed off in 2018. In 2019, Carly gave birth to their youngest on-screen, a daughter, Donna.

Who is Maurie Benards wife?

Benard has had no qualms talking about his love for his wife, Paula. Every year on their August anniversary he shares sweet messages for her on Instagram and Twitter. While they have been together longer, this past August was their 30th wedding anniversary. Paula Smith Bernard is a talent agent and producer, according to IMDb.

Exactly when the two met is unclear. As for how, well, both work in TV and film. Mrs. Bernard isnt active in social media like her husband is, according to Soaps. But this past year she jumped in while her husband was video chatting an Instagram post. Its been an incredible 30 years, he said. I dont know what I would have done without her, to be honest with you.

Do we count the first five years we were together, she asked as she popped into the video. Her husbands smile grew much wider! There she is, the one and only Paula Benard, he responded. She never does any of this (social-media) stuff, but on her anniversary, she did.

The couple has three daughters and one son. One daughter was Mrs. Bernards much younger adopted sister until their mother passed away. The Benards then adopted her. Their son, Joshua James, portrayed a young Sonny in a November 2018 episode of General Hospital.
[March 31, 2021] Francisco Partners to Acquire Leading Legal Education Provider BARBRI

Francisco Partners, a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology businesses, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire BARBRI Inc. ("BARBRI") from Leeds Equity Partners, LLC, ("Leeds Equity"). Terms of the transaction were not announced. BARBRI is the market leader in technology-enabled legal education, offering a comprehensive product suite across the complete legal education lifecycle. For decades, BARBRI has helped tens of thousands of test takers each year prepare for and pass the Bar exam. More recently, BARBRI has leveraged its technology platform to develop test preparation offerings in the UK with the SQE, in professional education with Paralegal and eDiscovery certification, and in legal education with pre-law bootcamps and online JD courseware. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Francisco Partners during BARBRI's next stage of growth as we look to build upon our strong franchise within legal education and continue to execute on the significant growth opportunities ahead," said Steve Fredette, CEO of BARBRI. "Working with a technology focused investor will further BARBRI's plans to modernize the way legal education and training are delivered while continuing to provide our customers the highest quality experience." One of the nation's most active investors in education technology, Francisco Partners' other investments include Discovery Education, a leading provider of software and digital engagement solutions to K-12 classrooms, and Renaissance Learning, whose popular digital assessment and practice solutions are now used in more than one-third of U.S. schools. "BARBRI's data-driven approach to legal education allows it to deliver mission critical outcomes to students, universities, and legal professionals around the world," said Jason Brein, Partner at Francisco Partners. "We have long admired the company that Steve Fredette and team have built, and we look forward to leverging our expertise and track record investing in education technology to drive future growth at BARBRI."



The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Kirkland and Ellis LLP served as legal advisor and Raymond James served as financial advisor to Francisco Partners. About BARBRI

BARBRI is a global learning company dedicated to meeting the legal education and specialized training needs of law students, attorneys and other professionals throughout their careers. BARBRI's success is built upon its unmatched technology and innovative pedagogy, combined with the ability to harness data analytics, behavioral economics, learning science, and more to develop solutions for learners and institutions. Building on the success of its core bar courses, which have helped more than 1.3 million lawyers around the world pass a U.S. bar exam, BARBRI offers a comprehensive suite of learning solutions for higher education institutions and law-related businesses which includes U.S. bar prep, curriculum, assessment, global license preparation, online program management, and professional development. BARBRI, founded in 1967, is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices throughout the United States and around the world. For more information on BARBRI, please visit www.barbri.com About Francisco Partners Francisco Partners is a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses. Since its launch over 20 years ago, Francisco Partners has invested in more than 300 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. With more than $25 billion in assets under management, the firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit www.franciscopartners.com. About Leeds Equity Partners Leeds Equity Partners, LLC, is a New York-based private equity firm dedicated exclusively to partnering with management teams in the education, training and information services industries (the "Knowledge Industries"). The firm was founded in 1993 and has managed $3.9 billion of capital across a broad spectrum of companies within the Knowledge Industries. Leeds Equity seeks to leverage its sector-focused expertise and market insights to create long-term value for its partner companies. For more information on Leeds Equity, please visit www.leedsequity.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005726/en/

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Wesley Belisle, 4, died in April 2018 when he was swept into the Atlantic Ocean while on a vacation in North Carolinas Outer Banks with his parents, Lindsey and Derek Belisle. At the time, authorities said Wesley was walking along a beach with his mother when he was pulled out to sea by a rogue wave.
Vancouver, BC - Researchers with the CERN-based ALPHA collaboration have announced the world's first laser-based manipulation of antimatter, leveraging a made-in-Canada laser system to cool a sample of antimatter down to near absolute zero. The achievement, detailed in an article published today and featured on the cover of the journal Nature, will significantly alter the landscape of antimatter research and advance the next generation of experiments.

Antimatter is the otherworldly counterpart to matter; it exhibits near-identical characteristics and behaviours but has opposite charge. Because they annihilate upon contact with matter, antimatter atoms are exceptionally difficult to create and control in our world and had never before been manipulated with a laser.

"Today's results are the culmination of a years-long program of research and engineering, conducted at UBC but supported by partners from across the country," said Takamasa Momose, the University of British Columbia (UBC) researcher with ALPHA's Canadian team (ALPHA-Canada) who led the development of the laser. "With this technique, we can address long-standing mysteries like: 'How does antimatter respond to gravity? Can antimatter help us understand symmetries in physics?'. These answers may fundamentally alter our understanding of our Universe."

Since its introduction 40 years ago, laser manipulation and cooling of ordinary atoms have revolutionized modern atomic physics and enabled several Nobel-winning experiments. The results in Nature mark the first instance of scientists applying these techniques to antimatter.

By cooling antimatter, researchers will be able to perform a variety of precision tests to further investigate the characteristics of antimatter, including experiments that may shine a light on the fundamental symmetries of our Universe. These tests could offer clues as to why the Universe is made primarily of matter and not equal parts matter/antimatter as predicted by Big Bang models.

"It was a bit of crazy dream to manipulate antimatter with laser," said Makoto Fujiwara, ALPHA-Canada spokesperson, TRIUMF scientist, and the original proponent of the laser cooling idea. "I am thrilled that our dream has finally come true as a result of tremendous teamwork of both Canadian and international scientists."

The laser manipulation of antimatter also opens the door to a variety of leading-edge physics innovations. Momose and Fujiwara are now leading a new Canadian project, dubbed HAICU, to develop new quantum techniques for antimatter studies. "My next dream is to make a "fountain" of anti-atoms by tossing the laser-cooled antimatter into free space. If realized, it would enable an entirely new class of quantum measurements that were previously unthinkable," said Fujiwara. "Furthermore, we are one step closer to being able to manufacture the world's first antimatter molecules by joining anti-atoms together using our laser manipulation technology," said Momose.

The results mark a watershed moment for ALPHA's decades-long program of antimatter research, which began with the creation and trapping of antihydrogen for a world-record one thousand seconds in 2011. The collaboration also provided a first glimpse of the antihydrogen spectrum in 2012, set guardrails confining the effect of gravity on antimatter in 2013, and showcased an antimatter counterpart to a key spectroscopic phenomenon in 2020.

###

The Canadian effort was led by researchers and students from ALPHA-Canada (TRIUMF, UBC, Simon Fraser University, the University of Calgary, and York University) and contributors the University of Victoria and BCIT.
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Pakistani President Tests Positive for COVID-19 After Injection With Chinese Vaccine

The Pakistani President tested positive for COVID-19 on March 29, 14 days after receiving his first injection with a Chinese vaccine; on March 20, the Pakistani Prime Minister tested positive for COVID-19, 2 days after he received his inoculation.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi announced on Twitter that he tested positive for COVID-19. Both he and his wife were inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine made by Sinopharm on March 15.

               I have tested positive for Covid-19. May Allah have mercy on all Covid affectees. Had 1st dose of vaccine but antibodies start developing after 2nd dose that was due in a week. Please continue to be careful.  Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) March 29, 2021

On March 20, Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving a vaccination on March 18. Khans wife also tested positive for the virus. According to Pakistani English language media, Khan announced that he fully recovered on March 30.

At the same time, Pakistans Defense Minister Pervez Khattak announced on Twitter on March 29 that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Outgoing Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also tested positive for COVID-19, according to a March 30 Twitter post by Hammad Azhar, the minister for industries and production.

Pakistan approved emergency use of the Chinese vaccine Sinopharm on Feb. 5 and received 500,000 doses in mid-March, bringing its total stock to 1 million doses for the vaccine, which currently requires two doses.

The country has also approved for emergency use the AstraZeneca, the Sputnik V, and another Chinese vaccine the CanSinoBIO vaccine.

COVID-19 infection cases are increasing in Pakistan in recent weeks. As of March 30, there have been 663,200 infections and 14,356 coronavirus-related deaths reported since the outbreak began.

In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) on March 20, Gao Fu, director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, explained why two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine may not be enough and a third dose could be required to prevent infections.

A Chinese doctor surnamed Liu from Xian city, the capital of Shaanxi Province, tested positive for the CCP virus despite being fully vaccinated with two doses, Chinese media reported on March 18. The reports didnt say which Chinese-made vaccine the doctor received nor provide additional information about the case.

A virologist who spoke with The Epoch Times believes the poor quality of the Chinese-made vaccines and the increasing threat posed by CCP virus mutations are causing the infections. The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus causes the disease COVID-19.

China has reported a less than 4 percent vaccination rate. The Chinese regime is pushing for mandatory vaccination by incorporating citizens vaccination records into a digital health code on smartphones. The health code functions as a digital pass. Without it, people are denied access to public services, transportation, public places, business establishments, and residential neighborhoods.

The Chinese-language Epoch Times spoke with citizens in China who said they believed the regime would make vaccination compulsory. They were reluctant to get inoculated with Chinese-made vaccines due to quality concerns and a lack of transparency. They also believed that if vaccination information were included in their health codes, the data could be used to discriminate against them, and their movements would be more restricted.

A phase three clinical trial of the Sinovac vaccine conducted in Brazil in January reported that it was 50.4 percent effective, which is far below the initial claims of the Chinese company, which touted a 78 percent efficacy rate.

As of March 25, 10 people have died in Hong Kong after receiving Chinese-made vaccines in the three-week period after vaccinations began. Its unclear whether the vaccines contributed to the deaths. Adverse events to the COVID-19 vaccine are not being reported in China.
In an act of breathtaking hypocrisy, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have led a call by 24 world leaders for nations to work together towards a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness.

World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is also a signatory.

The letter begins by invoking the post-Second World War period: At that time, following the devastation of two world wars, political leaders came together to forge the multilateral system. The aims were clearto bring countries together, to dispel the temptations of isolationism and nationalism and to address the challenges that could only be achieved together in the spirit of solidarity and co-operation, namely peace, prosperity, health and security.

The Daily Telegraph front page article announcing the statement by the 24 world leaders

Warning, There will be other pandemics and other major health emergencies, the letter continues, We are, therefore, committed to ensuring universal and equitable access to safe, efficacious and affordable vaccines, medicines and diagnostics for this and future pandemics.

The letter concludes with the need for world governments to be guided by solidarity, fairness, transparency, inclusiveness and equity.

If this were not such a naked example of political showmanship, it would be necessary to ask on what planet these government leaders have been living this past year. The global response to the pandemic has been defined by the utterly destructive influence of geostrategic tensions and the selfish pursuit of national interests. All of which has found its most grotesque expression in the governments of Johnson, Merkel and Macron!

Since December, Britain and the European Union (EU) have been trading blows in a vicious conflict over the supply of vaccines.

After the UK stole a march on the EU in securing vaccine contracts, the EU briefly declared a ban of the export of vaccines to Northern Ireland, jeopardising the recently agreed Northern Ireland Protocol of the Brexit agreement. The ban was hurriedly withdrawn over the international consequences, but efforts to prevent exports from Europe have continued.

In recent weeks, the European Commission has updated its export powers to ban vaccine exports to countries with high vaccine coverage rates, or which restrict exports through law or contracts with suppliers. Although many European leaders were hesitant to endorse the new powers at a summit last Thursday, Macron declared afterwards, I support the fact that we must block all exports for as long as some drug companies dont respect their commitments with Europeans.

On Sunday, Thierry Breton, the EUs internal markets commissioner, threatened, As long as AstraZeneca doesnt make good on its obligations, everything thats produced on European soil is distributed to Europeans.

Merkel summed up the nationalist, protectionist framework for the distribution of vaccines in a statement to the Bundestag: The problem at the moment with the vaccine supply isnt so much due to the question how much was ordered, but more about how much can be manufactured on European soil.

Because we can clearly see: British manufacturing plants manufacture for Great Britain, the US arent exporting anything, and therefore we rely on what can be produced in Europe.

One day before the letter was released, Johnson announced plans for GlaxoSmithKline to fill and finish 60 million doses of Novavax vaccine in the UKwork previously done in Germany. The Telegraph reports, A Downing Street source said the move was motivated in part by a desire to pour investment into the UK's domestic vaccine manufacturing capability, while also making the nations vaccine supplies more secure.

The conflict with Britain in no way implies unity within the EU, with other signatories to the call including Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, prime minister of Portugal; Klaus Iohannis, president of Romania; Kyriakos Mitsotakis, prime minister of Greece; Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands; and Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain.

When the pandemic first hit the continent and overwhelmed Italys healthcare system, the Italian government passed an urgent message to the European Commissions headquarters and logged its needs in the EUs Common Emergency Communication and Information System. As Janez Lenarcic, the European commissioner responsible for crisis management, later told the Guardian, No member state responded to Italys request and to the commissions call for help.

Each country is now in a desperate race to reopen its economy, amid a surge of the virus and at the cost of thousands of lives, to seek competitive advantage over its rivals.

The other signatories and the countries they represent provide a picture not of international collaboration, but of a vaccine rollout undermined at every stage by imperialist rivalries, global inequality, and the profit motive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refused available doses of the Sputnik vaccine in line with his governments ferociously anti-Russian foreign policy and had to resort to begging the EU for vaccines in January. So far, less than 1 percent of the population has received even one dose.

Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, is overseeing a catastrophe in the continents most developed country. His government has vaccinated just over 125,000 peoplea tenth of its planned first phase of the rolloutdue to a shortage of supply and critical infrastructure. The second phase is due to start in April.

Kenya, Rwanda, Tunisia and Senegal, whose leaders all signed the call, are dependent on the underfunded COVAX scheme, run by the WHO for low and middle-income countries. Senegal, population 16.3 million, is due to receive just 1.1 million doses by the end of May through COVAX. Rwanda (12.6 million) is due to receive around 800,000 and Kenya (52.6 million) is due 3.5 million.

In an earlier WHO statement, Ghebreyesus labelled the growing gap between vaccination rates in rich and poor countries grotesque and a moral outrage. Private pharmaceutical companies have refused to waive patents or share technologies to allow poorer countries to begin manufacturing their own vaccines. However, government leaders enshrined this criminal subordination of human life to corporate profit in a treaty, pledging to work with heads of state and governments globally, and all stakeholders including civil society and the private sector.

The signatories have the gall to promise solidarity the next time around, even as the current disaster is still unfolding. There is not a word about the massive increase in cases all over the world in the last month or measures to address this dire threatonly a stated belief that nations should work together towards a new international treaty.

The comparison drawn with the 1940s says something about the fears animating this piece of cynical propaganda. As in the aftermath of the Second World War, capitalism stands drenched in blood, thoroughly discredited and facing an upsurge of the class struggle. The government leaders hope that empty promises of a new start will stall the revolutionary consequences of this situation.

Unlike the 1940s, however, there is no power able to play the role of American imperialism in the post-war period, underwriting the capitalist world with its overwhelming economic and military strength. The order of the day is not stabilisation but escalating trade and military conflict, spearheaded by the US and directed above all against China.

This jingoistic agenda is reflected in the letter, which states that a pandemic treaty should lead to more mutual accountability and shared responsibility, transparency and co-operation within the international system and with its rules and norms. As the Telegraph, which ran the leaders letter as an exclusive in the UK, comments, Johnson called on the G7 to back a new pandemic agreement last month, emphasising the need for health data-sharing following concerns about China withholding information and access from global health inspectors as they examined the origins and progression of Covid.

The purpose of this narrative placing responsibility for the pandemic at Chinas door is to whip up xenophobia in preparation for war.

The only call for international collaboration which has any meaning today is one directed to the world working class, which shares a common enemy in the ruling capitalist elites of each country. Resolving the pandemic and all other major social problems, all of which demand global solutions, requires the struggle to unify workers internationally in the struggle against capitalism and for socialism.
New surveillance footage of a brutal attack on a Filipina woman in Manhattan shows a building doorman shutting the door - and only coming to the woman's aid once her attacker fled.

Two of the men, who were building staff and appeared to be doormen, were suspended from work for doing nothing to help Vilma Kari as she was attacked.

Previously released footage shows one of the men closing the door while the alleged attacker, Brandon Elliot, 38, kicked and stomped on the 65-year-old's and face at least three times on Monday morning.

The new footage, released to Pix11 by building owner The Brodsky Organization, shows three men from inside the building going to Kari's aide once the attack was over.

The workers claimed they did not initially intervene because they saw the attacker pull out a knife, according to The Brodsky Organization told Pix11. Both men remained suspended pending an investigation into whether they followed proper safety protocols.

In a statement on GoFundMe, her daughter Elizabeth Kari wrote that while watching the footage 'there were many times that I wish someone would have stepped in'. She added tthat her mother was 'safe and in good spirits'.

'My mom is humbled by the outpouring of messages and support from not only our friends and family, but from the kind souls all over the world,' she wrote.

'Although the healing process will not be easy, she has always been a resilient role model for me. We are hopeful that in time she will make a full recovery.'

She added that while security footage of the brutal attack that went viral was 'the most difficult thing to watch', and 'there were many times that I wish someone would have stepped in'.

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO

Vilma Kari, 65, has been identified by police as the woman who was brutally attacked by a man in Midtown Manhattan while she was on her way to church. Her daughter says she is 'safe and in good spirits'

NYPD released surveillance camera footage of the man suspected of attacking an Asian American woman near Times Square on Monday

Surveillance footage from the building where doormen watched a brutal attack on Vilma Kari showed them closing the door during the beating

Another angle from the surveillance footage shows the men went outside to help the Kari after the attack

She also thanked a witness across the street who filmed the incident from a different angle and who yelled and screamed at her mother's attacker to get his attention.

'That is where the video cuts off as the attacker crossed the street to him,' she wrote.

The alleged attacker, Elliot, appeared in court on Wednesday after being charged with three counts - two of assault in the second degree, as a hate crime, and a third count of attempted assault in the first degree, as a hate crime.

He was was represented in court on Wednesday by two public defenders who did not contest his detention - which was automatic, given that he was on a lifetime parole for murdering his mother.

New York's police chief said earlier on Wednesday that it was disturbing that Elliot was released from prison in 2019 and ended up in a homeless shelter, and called for a reassessment of how former convicts were rehabilitated.

Elliot is charged with three counts - two of assault in the second degree, as a hate crime, and a third count of attempted assault in the first degree, as a hate crime.

He will next appear in court on April 5.

If he is convicted of hate crimes, he faces 25 years in prison, plus further penalties for violating his parole.

Elliot murdered his mother in the Bronx in 2002, in front of his five-year-old sister, and was sentenced to 25 years to life. He was released from prison on lifetime parole in 2019.

Dermot Shea, NYPD Commissioner, said Elliot's behavior after he was released from prison raised serious questions about failures in the social services.

'For the life of me, I don't understand why we are releasing or pushing people out of prison - not to give them second chances, but to put them into homeless facilities or shelters, or in this case a hotel - and expect good outcomes,' said Shea at a news conference on Wednesday.

'We need real opportunities. We need real safety nets.'

Elliot was identified by police as the man seen on surveillance video kicking and stomping the woman near Times Square on Monday.

They said Elliot was living at a hotel that serves as a homeless shelter a few blocks from the scene of the attack.

On Wednesday sources told DailyMail.com that Elliot denied carrying out the attack, but 'he puts himself in the area at the time of the incident.'

He told officers he was going to a store in that area at the time.

Police executed a search warrant in his room and recovered some of the clothing seen on the suspect during the attack, including his pants and a red scarf he had tucked inside a sweater he was wearing.

Elliot told officers he takes medication for an unspecified condition, and said he was taking his medication at the time of the attack.

'He was totally lucid under questioning,' the source said.

Elliot told officers that his family cut him off after he killed his mother.

'He said he has no family ties. He has been ostracized by the rest of the family,' the source said.

There is no indication Elliot knew the victim, the source told DailyMail.com.

'She was going to church. The victim says she heard him saying, 'What are you doing here?' Then he set upon her. He totally 'unprovoked attacked' her.'

Elliot was taken into custody at the hotel around midnight. Tips from the public led to his apprehension, police said.

The man has been identified as Brandon Elliott, 38, who murdered his mother in 2002

The victim was identified by a law enforcement official as 65-year-old Vilma Kari.

Kari's daughter told The New York Times that she emigrated from the Philippines several decades ago.

In a statement on Go Fund Me,

The parole board had previously twice denied Elliot's release.

His record also included an arrest for robbery in 2000.

'He was released on parole,' said Shea.

'Anyone who is given a second chance deserves a second chance.'

But he said he saw recidivism 'far too often'.

He said it was 'misguided' to simply 'push people out and think we are helping them'.

Dermot Shea, NYPD Commissioner, said it was 'misguided' to release convicts with no support

NYPD Officer Rodney Hierro keeps an eye in Flushing, a largely Asian American neighborhood

The NYPD offered a $2,500 reward for information that would lead to an arrest

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea called Monday's attack 'disgusting'

The video - from a previously unseen angle - shows Kari, 65, pushed to floor and kicked in the head by Elliot during the vicious daylight attack

Kari, who was repeatedly kicked and stomped, suffered serious injuries including a fractured pelvis, the law enforcement official said.

She was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, a hospital spokesperson said.

Kari has been speaking to police, Shea said.

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said the victim is Filipina American.

The country's foreign secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr., condemned the attack, writing on Twitter: 'This is gravely noted and will influence Philippine foreign policy.'

He didn't elaborate how.

NYPD have increased their patrols in Asian American neighborhoods of the city

The Philippines and United States are longtime treaty allies, but Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte is a vocal critic of U.S. security policies who has moved to terminate a key agreement that allows largescale military exercises with U.S. forces in the Philippines.

'I might as well say it, so no one on the other side can say, 'We didn't know you took racial brutality against Filipinos at all seriously.' We do,' Locsin said.

Kari was walking to church in midtown Manhattan when police said Elliot kicked her in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, stomped on her face, shouted anti-Asian slurs and told her: 'You don't belong here'.

He then casually walked away as onlookers watched.

Shea called it a 'completely unprovoked violent attack on an innocent, defenseless woman.'

Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan District Attorney, said: 'This brave woman belongs here. Asian American New Yorkers belong here. Everyone belongs here.'

Monday's attack, among the latest in a national spike in anti-Asian hate crimes, drew widespread condemnation and concerns about the failure of bystanders to intervene.

NYPD Officer Joanna Derkacz on patrol in Flushing, Queens on Tuesday

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack 'absolutely disgusting and outrageous' and said it was 'absolutely unacceptable' that witnesses didn't help the woman.

Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang on Tuesday said he was furious that nobody tried to stop the assault.

'Like so many other people, I woke up to a horrifying video of an Asian woman being horribly beaten for no other reason than her race,' said Yang, who is currently considered the favorite to succeed de Blasio.

'An elderly Asian woman walking the streets of Hell's Kitchen could easily have been my mother, because that's where we live.

'And so when I saw this video, that is who I thought of.'

Yang's comments were reported by the New York Post.

The former candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for president is vying to be the first-ever mayor of Asian descent to take over City Hall.

The attack happened just weeks after a mass shooting in Atlanta that left eight people dead, six of them women of Asian descent, and just a few days after a 65-year-old Asian American woman in the same midtown Manhattan neighborhood was threatened and heckled with anti-Asian slurs.

The surge in violence has been linked in part to misplaced blame for the coronavirus pandemic and former President Donald Trump's use of terms like 'Chinese virus.'

Monday's attack happened in the late morning in front of a luxury apartment building in Hell's Kitchen, a predominantly white neighborhood west of Times Square.

Two workers inside the building who appeared to be security guards were seen on video witnessing the attack but failing to come to the woman's aid.

One of them was seen closing the building door as the woman was on the ground.

The building's management company said they were suspended pending an investigation.

The workers' union said they called for help immediately.

Residents of the building defended the workers Wednesday in a letter to the management company and the media.

They contend that a video clip focusing on the suspect and the assault was 'unfortunately cut to inadvertently exclude the compassionate action' taken by the staff, which they said included giving the victim aid and alerting medics.

Detective Michael Rodriguez said there were no 911 calls.

He said patrol officers driving by came upon the victim after she was assaulted.

This year in New York City, there have been 33 hate crimes with an Asian victim as of Sunday, police said.

There were 11 such attacks by the same time last year.

Four have been charged this year so far, with nine charged last year.

The NYPD last week said it was increasing outreach and patrols in predominantly Asian communities, including the use of undercover officers to prevent and disrupt attacks.

'This is crucial to the equation,' de Blasio said of the new policing efforts.

'It's a very few people but we need to find each and every one of them and stop this.'
This is going to be an uncomfortable article for some people to read. But, tough. We need to talk about how we talk about sex and relationships.

The tragic death of Sarah Everard and the outpouring of testament from women across the country about the reality of living everyday life in anticipation of being sexually harassed in some way is worthy of our collective shame.

As a society, we have somehow found ourselves in a position where we have normalised women feeling unsafe. Just let that sink in for a moment.

As a man, it is easy for me to say I'm ashamed, but women across Northern Ireland don't want our shame. They want to know what we are going to do.

The uncomfortable truth is that shame is no use to anyone when we have, deep down, been aware of this stain on our society all along.

While it is, of course, technically true to say that "not all men" are guilty of this sort of behaviour, to do so misses the point. We aren't talking about a few exceptions; we are talking about a culture that has been allowed to take hold.

While we may not all be perpetrators, most men have seen sexual harassment in a social setting, or overheard a lurid comment, or even participated in "lad chat" in the locker room.

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Can we honestly look at ourselves in the mirror and say that we have done our part by calling out this behaviour when we see it? I certainly can't.

To do nothing is to be complicit and, on this charge, we are all guilty.

If one positive thing could come from these awful events, including the recent deaths of two women on our doorstep here in Northern Ireland, it's that we use this moment of increased awareness of violence against women and girls by men to act - and act decisively.

The announcement last week by Naomi Long of plans to introduce a Violence against Women and Girls Strategy is a positive start, particularly because it has widespread cross-party support.

But we've been here before in terms of words and intent - something has to be different this time.

As with any major societal challenge, being clear about the root cause of the problem and tackling the source is clearly crucial.

In this case, while changes to law around stalking and misogyny are important tools, they are to an extent mooching around edges of main issue - the behaviour of men.

Not what "happens" to women, but what is done to them by men.

That's where this starts. And that's where it will end.

Again, we have been aware of what the problem is here for a long time.

Many of our boys and young men grow up with a fundamentally unhealthy view of sex and relationships. They learn about physical intimacy through watching porn on their smartphones, sexting and through "banter" with their friends.

In this particular case, these unhealthy views develop organically precisely because of the absence of the right education and information at the right age.

Having gone to a school which would have considered itself a "top Catholic grammar" here in Northern Ireland, the volume and quality - and the entire ethos, really - of sex and relationship education was appalling.

The extent of the discussion about sex, other than in strictly biologicial terms, was "don't have sex".

More often than not, it was the maths teacher who happened to have a free period that was drafted in to talk to young men about their relationships and sexual activity.

Not only does this approach, often shrouded in Christian educational ethos, simply ignore the reality of adolescence and early adulthood for many of our young people, but it is an abject failure to prepare them for life.

Isn't that what education is ultimately for?

While this is by no means the case across every school, and there will be some instances of excellent initiatives and practice, there is a clearly a problem with how education, in the widest sense of the term, including how it integrates with family life, deals with this subject matter.

The point being made here is in no way to diminish the Christian ethos that many of our schools adopt, but we must be honest about the real-world impact the status quo is having.

Nor is it a comment on the quality of our teachers. It's simply stating the facts.

Too many boys are entering adolescence and adulthood with unhealthy and sometimes dangerous views about sex and relationships.

Whatever we are doing is clearly not working and so it is entirely sensible to start by looking at how we educate our boys.

More resources on awareness and enforcement that a Government strategy will ultimately bring will help, but the boys in the classrooms of today are the men in the locker rooms of tomorrow.

If we are serious as a society about really changing the experiences of women in Northern Ireland, that's where to start.

Gareth Brown is a political commentator and a former Stormont and Cabinet Office adviser
A terrifying new breed of street gangs on Sydney and Melbourne streets are using rap music to lure in new members and grow their online profiles.

With millions of fans around the world, supporters say their songs shed light on the desperate socio-economic struggles facing many underprivileged youth in Australia.

But police claim they're glorifying violence, crime and gun culture - and need to be stopped.

A terrifying new breed of street gangs on Sydney and Melbourne streets are using rap music to lure in new members and grow their online profiles

A Melbourne 'drill rapper' takes a selfie holding up a sword and wearing a dark hood

What is drill rap? Drill: a branch of hip hop that grew out of Chicago's south side in 2012 and was picked up in the UK where it became popular among urban youth Drill is controversial as its rap lyrics promote criminality, retaliation and violence in particular from 'shivs' or home-made knives. It revels in and embellishes a grim view of urban poverty. UK Drill rap has been blamed for a wave of degenerate knife violence in London where more than 4000 people are stabbed each year Advertisement

One of the most well known and internationally recognised Australian drill rap acts is the infamous OneFour from the mean streets of Sydney's Mt Druitt.

Police from the bikie-busting squad Raptor 13 have vowed to shut down the controversial rap group and said they plan to make every part of their lives 'uncomfortable'.

Three of the group's members were jailed in 2019 leading to the cancelation of their scheduled national tour.

Streaming platforms were even asked by the task force to take down the group's music.

The group claims to be separate from a street gang of the same name, which has been locked in a bitter running street battle with cross-town rivals - 21District - who hail from the city's west inner west.

Rappers linked to both outfits have tens of millions of views on social media and affiliated members have been linked to brawls, stabbings and even murders.

It has been speculated that the postcode gang war first started 16 years ago after a fight at Granville train station over turf.

OneFour and 21District have been locked in a bitter running street battle for 16 years

The 21District crew hail from the Harbour City's inner west and have millions of views online for their drill rap videos

Police claim drill gangs are glorifying violence, gun culture and crime - and need to be stopped

Sydney's drill rap gangs: OneFour  name of a drill rap group, and a separate gang from Mount Druitt in Sydney's outer west. Support from greater western Sydney. OneFour gang sign - Two hands: four fingers up on the left hand, with the 'up yours' middle finger on the right. 21 District  drill rappers, also known as the 'Inner West' gang. Support is from the inner west to Manly. Smaller suburban gangs are pledging loyalty to either 21 District or OneFour Cabramatta - 66 gang Doonside - 67 gang Riverwood - The Wood Blacktown - Blacktown Boys Seven Hills - Seven Hills Boys Gladesville/Cabramatta - Inner Western Brotherhood Claymore - Claymore 2560 Sources: GQ, Business Insider, NSW Police, Daily Telegraph Advertisement

Head of the NSW Police Youth Command Superintendent Mark Wall told the Daily Telegraph why youngsters are often lured to gangs from a young age.

'They see it as a lifestyle where you get a phone, new shoes or a PlayStation by being part of the gang,' he said.

'They say if you're part of a gang you get the money, the shoes and they talk up the lifestyle as being part of the gang.

'But they don't talk about the downsides, that you're against the community, you could get put into jail or you could get assaulted.'

In Melbourne, the drill rap scene is also heating up with rival gangs taunting police by boasting about 'killing for fun' and making 'cases pile up'.

Among the most notorious crews are the predominantly African Next Gen Shooters, active in Dandenong and the city's southeast.

In Melbourne, the drill rap scene is also heating up with rival gangs taunting police by boasting about 'killing for fun' and making 'cases pile up'

Among the most notorious crews are the predominantly African Next Gen shooters, active in Dandenong and the city's southeast

On the other side of town is the infamous Brotherhood (BH), made up of mostly Pacific Islanders from Weribee in Melbourne's west.

Youth outreach worker Les Twentyman told the Herald Sun young people mainly join street gangs for 'belonging and protection.

'Imagine being someone in their early teens, even younger today, who comes from a difficult home, has been disconnected from school, friends, family, and find themselves alone on the streets,' he said.

'These are children, frightened and looking for a sense of belonging and protection, making them perfect targets to be recruited into gangs.

'It does not make them bad kids  what it makes them are kids who the community has failed, who end up doing bad things.'
Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk.

Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen.

If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned.

I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country.

It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously.

Vote

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State Reps. Maureen Madden and Malcolm Kenyatta

How far have we come, and how far do we have to go to diminish -- and possibly eradicate -- racism in high schools and college campuses?

Our hearing on racism on the topic pulled the curtain on the continued systematic injustice towards minority students on high school and college campuses and the lack of diversity in educators. In some Pennsylvania school districts there is a blatant lack of effort to recruit and retain educators of color and that is problematic.

The historic limited access to education for people of color is still happening. Students shared their stories of the mental, physical and emotional toll their experiences with racism and discrimination have had on their well-being. Fortunately, these students turned their painful experiences into meaningful advocacy. Their testimony showed the challenge facing educational institutions in Pennsylvania.

Educators, including teachers and administrators play a large role in dispelling hate in their schools. Its imperative that they are reflective of the communities that they represent but the statistics show, they dont.

While students of color make up 33 percent of Pennsylvanias population, less than 5 percent of teachers are people of color. Across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education faculty, 4 percent are Black, 3 percent are Hispanic and just 6 percent are Asian. When students see a diversity that reflects them in their educators, it shows promise. It shows hope. It lets them know that they can achieve that same success in life.

Testifier Tameko Patterson, Stroudsburg Area School Board director and chairperson of the Education and Legal Redress Committees for the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP, said there are so many complaints from the various school districts such as:

Black student concerns of being denied access to AP/honors classes even though she received straight As.

A Black student with a 4.0 GPA being told by his guidance counselor it would be better for him to attend community college instead of a university.

A Hispanic woman working as a substitute teacher applied for and was denied 12 different full-time positions within the district.

These incidents are concerning and the recourse for such incidents varies based on each school district or higher education institution because diversity and inclusion efforts vary across institutions, too.

The state does have a great resource that anyone can turn to for support in addressing racial injustice. Chad Dion Lassiter is the executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and he provided compelling testimony about how racism can cause racial trauma, especially for students of color.

Lassiter said the theory of racial battle fatigue maintains that race-related stressors, such as exposure to racism and discrimination on campuses and high school settings, and the time and energy students of color expend to battle these stereotypes, can lead to detrimental psychological and physiological stress.

According to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, everyone has the right to get an education free from illegal discrimination. If you recall, up until the 1960s, most Black, Latino and Native American students were educated in segregated schools. Have we caught up with the injustices in just a few decades? Sadly, we have not.

Racism continues to result in unequal educational outcomes. It impacts student achievement, workers earnings, and general health and well-being.

We heard frustration from the Human Relations Commission that it possesses the expertise but lacks the authority to investigate the use of racially charged language like we heard about during the hearing, therefore, we are introducing legislation that would permit the HRC to investigate racially charged speech in the same way it currently investigates racial tensions.

Ultimately, participation by local and state governments, school leaders, teachers and the community is necessary to bring about real change. Schools can  and must -- learn from areas of bias to create broader social changes needed for a more inclusive educational system. We look forward to being a part of the solution and working with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address racism in our schools. We have an inherent understanding that these acts have a far-reaching impact on our states economy and resources, and the well-being of Pennsylvania communities.

For House Democratic Policy Hearing testimony visit here.

Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, represents the 115th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, represents the 181st district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
New Delhi, March 31: Sardar Masood Khan-the President of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), has urged US President Joe Biden's administration to intervene in resolving the decades-long Kashmir conflict. Among his long list of grievances, he stated that the US wrongly perceives that the Indian military is fighting terrorists in Kashmir. "But this is a false premise constructed by India to delude the world," Khan asserted.

But Khan's view ignores facts on the ground, which reveal that despite the revival of the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan across the Line of Control (LoC), terrorism continues to stay alive in Kashmir. Here is the evidence: Only a day before Khan's emphatic urging to the US President on Monday, two municipal councillors were shot at by terrorists from the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Sopore town. Councillor Reyaz Ahmad Pir and policeman Shafqat Nazir were dead the same day while the injured councillor-Shams-ud-din Pir, died a day later.

Just a day before the two leaders were killed, Indian forces had recovered five AK-47 rifles and seven pistols from the India-Pakistan border in North Kashmir's Kupwara district. The recovered ammunition was enough to take the lives of dozens of innocent people in Kashmir.

A day before that, an Indian soldier was killed and many were injured after two terrorists from Pakistan-based terror organisations fired on Indian soldiers. The two attackers, identified as Anaytullah Sheikh, affiliated to Hizbul Mujahideen, and Adil Ahmad Malik from the LeT, were subsequently killed in the gunfight. Their choice of weapons-an M4 rifle, an AK-47 and a pistol.

Three serious incidents-killings and the discovery of weapons in a mere three days. The weapons come from Pakistan; trained men come from Pakistan; as also a depraved mentality that seeks to kill innocent Kashmiris and derail the peace train.

Terror has become commonplace news for Indians. However, the abnormality of terror gets amplified when terror incidents happen as the neighbours sit down to smoke the peace pipe.

Questions arise to Pakistan's sincerity of commitment to peace underscored by the revival of the LoC accord and subsequent statements of positive intent by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

What is the country's accountability to its own friends who have offered to mediate? How does the killing of democratically-elected leaders help peace talks? How is the infiltration of men and materials everyday conducive to attaining sustainable peace between neighbours who share history, heritage and common culture? One cannot talk peace when the atmosphere is smouldering. India has to ensure that a strong and sincere foundation is laid for such discussions. Peace talks held over the dead bodies of Indian soldiers and Kashmiri politicians can't be durable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed upon his idea of congenial relations with Pakistan when he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan last Tuesday. Modi said: "As a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with the people of Pakistan. For this, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is imperative." Over decades, Pakistan has normalised an abnormal attitude of bleeding its eastern neighbour "by a thousand cuts". On its part, India has accepted this abnormal attitude -- almost internalising it, accepting terrorism as an everyday part of life -- which it is not.

A ceasefire on the border is meaningless unless the accompanying package -- disbanding terror nurseries, reining in trained psychopaths and halting the arms' supply -- comes with it. For peace to prevail, Pakistan has to demonstrate sincerity.

India and Kashmir deserve to transition towards peace. Pakistan will benefit too.

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/
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The U.S. State Department has ordered the departure of non-essential diplomats from Myanmar, it said in a statement Tuesday, amid a crackdown on protesters that has killed hundreds since the countrys military coup began.

Daily rallies across Myanmar by unarmed demonstrators demanding the restoration of the elected government and the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi have been met with tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds.

The Burmese military has detained and deposed elected government officials. Protests and demonstrations against military rule have occurred and are expected to continue, the State Department said in a statement, using Myanmars former name of Burma.

In mid-February, the State Department authorised a voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members, the statement said, adding that the department had updated that status to ordered departure.

The civilian death toll from the militarys crackdown has now passed 520, with world powers ramping up their condemnation of the militarys campaign in the wake of its February 1 coup.

The Department of State made the decision to authorise ordered departure from Burma because the safety and security of U.S. government personnel and their dependents, as well as private U.S. citizens is the departments highest priority, a spokesperson said.

The ordered departure status will be reviewed in 30-day increments, the spokesperson added.

The U.S., Britain and the EU have all imposed sanctions in response to the coup and crackdown, but so far diplomatic pressure has not persuaded the generals to ease off.

(AFP)

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A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Index of turnover of construction 2021, April

Published: 31 March 2021

Preliminary data: Turnover of construction enterprises fell by 7.3 per cent in February

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the working day adjusted turnover of construction enterprises went down by 7.3 per cent in February 2021 compared with February 2020.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover of construction, % (TOL 2008)

Turnover decreased compared with the previous month

According to the preliminary data, seasonally adjusted turnover in construction decreased by 2.3 percent in February 2021 from January. In January, seasonally adjusted turnover grew by 2.1 per cent and in December turnover was 1.5 per cent smaller than in the month before.

Change in seasonally adjusted turnover of construction from the previous month, % (TOL 2008)

The calculation of indices of turnover of construction is based on the Tax Administrations data on self-assessed taxes, which are supplemented with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnover of construction enterprises can have even large variations due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the project had required the work of several months or years.

The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well.

The data for the latest month are preliminary and are released at a delay of around four weeks. The data may become significantly revised particularly in coming months.

Source: Index of turnover of construction, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Lauri Pullinen 029 551 3043, Maija Sappinen 029 551 3348, rakennus.suhdanne@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Katri Kaaja

Publication in pdf-format (231.3 kB)

Updated 31.03.2021

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover of construction [e-publication].

ISSN=1798-5935. February 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 4.6.2021].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/rlv/2021/02/rlv_2021_02_2021-03-31_tie_001_en.html
Derby and Ansonia are seeing a spike in COVID infection rates, but officials from the two cities say theres no cause for alarm.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced recently that Derby has the highest per capita infection rates in the state while Ansonia is also seeing a higher spike in infections.

According to state data, Ansonia has seen 223 additional infections since the beginning of the month, compared to 173 additional cases in February. The city has seen a total of 1,750 cases since the start of the pandemic.

Derby, meanwhile, is at 162 new infections this month, compared to 96 infections in February. The city has reported 1,118 total cases.

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti said that while the governors comments are worrisome, the increase isnt dampening his optimism that the virus will eventually subside by summer.

There was an increase, but you're gonna see that fade off, he said. You're gonna see that that goes away after a while. I think as the warmer months come, this virus is going to disappear, I feel because we're doing all the protection that we can.

In Derby, Andrew Baklik, the chief of staff for Derbys mayor, also isnt worrying much about the spike in cases, he said in an email to Hearst Connecticut Media.

The latest spike seems to be among folks 30 years old and younger. The silver lining is that the vast majority of those cases are very mild and most of our elderly/vulnerable population has already been vaccinated, he said. While the spike is concerning, there is no reason to panic.

Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan wrote in an email that the city is responding by reaching out to residents with the latest information and mentioned that Griffin Hospital has been doing a good job with vaccine appointments.

We continue to have a weekly COVID conference call with the health department and department heads to pass on info, he said. We forward this to the citizens via social media.

Data from the states COVID tracking site shows that while there is an increase in cases, there is also an increase in vaccinations for Ansonia and Derby.

Ansonia has seen their total vaccinations increase from under 16 percent on March 8 to more than 21 percent on March 24. The numbers shoot up when looking at vaccination rates for residents aged 65 to 74. Now the rate of vaccinations has increased from 38 to 67 percent of residents within that age range in Ansonia who have received at least the first vaccine dose.

In Derby the results are even higher. On March 8, the rate of vaccinations for residents 65 to 74 was at 53 percent but has now shot up to more than 147 percent, with more people in that age group vaccinated than initial population estimates accounted for.

The citys vaccination rate for the total population is now at over 47 percent. Residents from ages 16 and up will be able to make vaccination appointments starting Thursday.

Vaccinating older residents is critical since older people are more likely to suffer from severe COVID infections and die from related complications. According to U.S. Census data, 17 percent of Derbys population is 65 and older, compared to Ansonias which is at 16.2 percent.

Cassetti said that the citys vaccination efforts are proof that they are in control of the situation. They have a full-time employee who takes phone calls from residents and makes vaccination appointments.

We get about 75, 80 calls a day. And we vaccinated probably 300 people per session that we've had since February, the mayor said. We have another one scheduled for the 8th, which I'll be there for my second shot. We're giving out cards, each person that they've been vaccinated, and I told them to laminate them and keep them in your purse or your wallet.

The mayor said that the governors announcement did not lead to an increase in calls to set up appointments. But he admits that the governors announcement gave him pause.

I was a little concerned. But I'm focused on keeping everybody safe, he said.
Integration Will Enable Leafbuyer to Expand Growth into New Markets

DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 /? Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc.?("Leafbuyer" or "the Company") (OTCQB:LBUY), a leading loyalty technology company within the cannabis industry, has joined forces with LeafLogix to provide seamless data flow between both company's platforms. This integration will allow dispensaries who use the LeafLogix POS systems to seamlessly integrate with the Leafbuyer Technology loyalty platform.

This integration will enable dispensary consumers to check loyalty points, redeem rewards, view messages, view deals, and pre-order through a convenient branded dispensary application.

"We are excited about this partnership. We will be able to introduce the entire suite of Leafbuyer technology solutions to LeafLogix clients in markets across the country," said Mark Breen, COO of Leafbuyer.

"Designing technology that enables dispensaries to not only drive new customers through Leafbuyer.com, but also help them retain, communicate and place orders will keep customers more engaged with their brand," said Kurt Rossner CEO of Leafbuyer. "Integration partners are key for our Technology platform and we are thrilled to be working with one of the industry leaders," Rossner continued.

About Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc.

Leafbuyer Technologies is one of the most comprehensive technology providers in the cannabis industry. Hundreds of cannabis businesses use the Leafbuyer texting, loyalty platform, and the Custom App solution to engage with current and potential customers.?Leafbuyer.com?is a robust online resource for hundreds of thousands of cannabis consumers across legal cannabis markets.

Learn more at?https://www.tech.leafbuyer.com/

Contact:

Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc.

Vida Almich, +720-427-3927

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues and any payment of dividends on our common and preferred stock, statements related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to several factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Company's most recent SEC filings.

SOURCE: Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638366/Leafbuyer-Technologies-Inc-Announces-Loyalty-Integration-with-the-LeafLogix-POS-System
Aviation service companies continue experiencing hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the business of Johnathan Hanh Nguyen still is making a profit.

Johnathan Hanh Nguyen's Sasco is still making a profit

The Noi Bai Airport Services Company (Nasco), a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines, has released its 2020 finance report, which shows a revenue decrease of 43 percent to VND339 billion and loss of VND319 million. Prior to that, in 2019, it made a profit of VND38.5 billion.

Meanwhile, Southern Airports Services JSC (Sasco), the company of Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, known in Vietnam as branded goods King and investor in many business fields, including the aviation service sector, reported a profit of VND149.5 billion for 2020.

This is the first time in its history that Nasco has reported a loss, which is attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic. The revenue from duty free shops at International Passenger Terminal T2 was just equal to 15-20 percent of that of the previous year as it stopped operation on April 1, 2020.

In 2020, Nasco still sold goods and souvenirs at Domestic Passenger Terminal T1, but the revenue from the shops also dropped because of the lower number of passengers.

Reports show that Nascos total business area accounts for 36 percent of the total premises area for non-aviation services, while restaurant and eatery services account for 36 percent of total business area at T1.

Vietnam Airlines prospectus shows that the air carrier holds 51 percent of Nasco shares.

The business performance of the company heavily depends on the operation of the Noi Bai International Airport. But Vietnams airlines have suffered heavily from the pandemic and are using 1-2 percent of their crew.

Vietjet, Bamboo and Vietnam Airlines in 2020 were dealt a strong blow by the two Covid-19 outbreaks. Vietnam Airlines incurred a loss of VND11 trillion, while Vietjet and Bamboo reported modest profits. The profits came from other business fields.

In 2020, Vietnam Airlines saw revenue drop by 59 percent to VND40.6 trillion.

Since the national flag air carrier provided services at below the cost price, its financial revenue decreased sharply and operation costs were high. It reported the post-tax loss of VND11.097 trillion.

Regarding capital, its accounts payable were VND56.826 trillion, while stockholder equity fell to one-third of the end of 2019 to VND6.14 trillion.



Vietnams airlines continued to suffer from the third outbreak in early 2021.

Commenting about the aviation sectors prospects for 2021, SSI said the sector may begin recovering in the second half of the year once vaccines are approved and vaccination is implemented on a large scale. The domestic market will continue to be the major market for airlines in 2021.

V. Ha

Time for a stock market overhaul The overload technical issues of the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange have been a subject of controversy over the past few weeks, with the blame being attributed to poor management and incompetence of an age-old technology.
Talkdesk AI Trainer moves company one step further in its vision to automate 80% of customer interactions, and gives agents and supervisors the ability to observe, validate and quickly improve artificial intelligence models

Talkdesk AI Trainer enables enterprises to successfully resolve more cases through automation, which, in turn, improves accuracy, decreases the cost per case and increases customer satisfaction

Talkdesk AI Trainer empowers enterprises to upskill their agents to become artificial intelligence (AI) expert trainers, leveraging product and customer knowledge-signifying a bold move into the future of work, where agents are empowered to join the era of AI

New addition to Talkdesk AI portfolio moves company one step further in its vision to automate 80% of customer interactions

Talkdesk, Inc., the cloud contact center for innovative enterprises, today launched Talkdesk AI TrainerTM, the first human-in the-loop (HITL) tool for contact centers. While most artificial intelligence (AI) systems require the employment of highly specialized data scientists, the powerful simplicity of Talkdesk AI Trainer allows agents with domain knowledge to improve the AI models autonomously. As a result, enterprises can successfully resolve more cases through automation, which, in turn, improves accuracy, decreases the cost per case and increases customer satisfaction.

Human-in-the-loop systems-in which humans provide information and knowledge for AI training-are essential for many applications and the ongoing maturation of AI in the contact center. Talkdesk AI Trainer is the first HITL tool to be included in the operational flow of contact centers. Within Talkdesk AI Trainer, dashboards display the performance of each AI model and indicate where each model needs additional training. An easy-to-use interface allows non-technical staff with domain or business expertise to improve automation performance.

"By lowering the barrier to AI adoption in contact centers, Talkdesk AI Trainer is revolutionizing the way companies implement, maintain and customize their AI models for automation," said Charyana Kannan, chief product officer, Talkdesk. "Enterprises no longer need to hire highly specialized data scientists to program their machine learning models. With AI Trainer, enterprises become autonomous by leveraging their internal customer service subject matter experts-agents and supervisors-to embed knowledge into their existing AI architecture. Talkdesk AI Trainer signifies a bold move into the future of work, where agents are empowered to join the era of AI."

Talkdesk AI Trainer moves Talkdesk one step further in its quest to automate 80% of customer interactions. To reach 80% automation, machine learning models such as intent detection, sentiment detection and speech-to-text need to improve continuously over time. However well a model performs in the lab, its performance drops precipitously once it hits real customer data. Therefore, machine learning models need to be constantly re-trained using human assistance to keep pace. Talkdesk AI Trainer is baked into the Talkdesk platform and can be used by anyone to re-train their machine learning models for the purpose of increased efficiency.

"AI has game changing potential but AI systems are not perfect. Human-in-the-loop AI training can fill-in the gaps that machines might miss," said Zeus Kerravala, founder and principal analyst, ZK Research. "In this new AI era, Talkdesk continues to deliver state-of-the art products that will decrease cost and improve CX."

Talkdesk's vision of reaching 80% automation is bolstered by its AI and automation products. These range from self service tools Virtual Agent Voice and Virtual Agent Digital through to agent empowerment tools, including Agent Assist, Screen Recording and Quality Management. Customer insight tools include Customer Feedback Management and Speech Analytics, which feature prominently in Talkdesk's suite of AI enabled products.

The launch of Talkdesk AI Trainer comes during a period of unprecedented growth and momentum for Talkdesk. Since its inception in 2011, Talkdesk has grown to be one of the most recognizable names in the contact center industry. Talkdesk has been recognized as a Leader by Gartner in the inaugural multi-regional 2020 Magic Quadrant for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS), named a Leader in the 2020 Forrester Wave for CCaaS, named to the 2020 Forbes Cloud 100 list and recently secured $143 million in Series C funding, increasing the company's valuation to more than $3 billion.

Talkdesk is revolutionizing the customer service market with Talkdesk CX Cloud, the industry's first and only modern, global end-to-end customer experience solution. By combining enterprise performance at scale with consumer simplicity, CX Cloud allows companies to easily adapt contact center operations to the evolving needs of support and sales teams and their end-customers resulting in increased productivity, customer satisfaction and cost saving. Talkdesk CX Cloud offers a dynamic customer experience platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), a white-glove approach to comprehensive business services and simple, seamless integration capabilities with more than 60 business systems, including the deepest Salesforce integration. Talkdesk CX Cloud sets a new benchmark for the contact center solutions market with enterprise scalability, security and reliability, backed by the industry's only 100% uptime Service Level Agreement.

Additional Resources:

See Talkdesk as a Leader by Gartner in the 2020 Magic Quadrant for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) and other recent awards and recognition

Hear direct from customers why they selected Talkdesk CX Cloud and the difference it has made in their contact centers

Talkdesk recently announced $143 million in Series C funding, increasing the company's valuation to more than $3 billion.

Tweet This: .@Talkdesk AI Trainer launched, the first 'human-in-the-loop' tool for contact centers, empowering agents to improve AI models through clicks, not code

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About Talkdesk

Talkdesk is the cloud contact center for innovative enterprises. Combining enterprise performance with consumer simplicity, Talkdesk easily adapts to the evolving needs of support and sales teams and their end-customers, resulting in higher customer satisfaction, productivity and cost savings. Over 1,800 innovative companies around the world, including IBM, Acxiom, 2U, Trivago and YMCA rely on Talkdesk to make customer experience their competitive advantage. Learn more and request a demo at www.talkdesk.com.

Talkdesk is a registered trademark of Talkdesk, Inc. All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005634/en/

Contacts:

Americas

Camille Beasley

camille.beasley@talkdesk.com

(972) 896-1936

EMEA

Douglas Keighley

douglas.keighley@talkdesk.com

+44 7830144613
Pennsylvania State Police have made an arrest in a decades old grisly murder.

It was Dec. 20, 1976, when troopers were called to investigate human remains found on the bank of the Lehigh River in East Side Borough, Carbon County, just outside of White Haven.

The remains belonged to a female and a near full-term fetus.

Numerous interviews and police work followed throughout the decades culminating in the one count of criminal homicide being filed Wednesday against Luis Sierra, 63, Ozone Park, New York.

Troopers said Sierra is in custody and awaiting extradition.

His arrest came after the remains were identified as Evelyn Colon, 15 of Jersey City, New Jersey, 44 years later, leading troopers to identify him as a suspect.

No further details were available.

The Pennsylvania State Police, in consultation with the Carbon County District Attorneys Office, will provide detailed information regarding this case in the near future.
PALO ALTO, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Insurance , the leading digital insurtech company transforming small business insurance, today announced a $250 million new funding round led by FinTLV Ventures and Battery Ventures with participation from CapitalG, Group 11, Zeev Ventures, Founders Circle and G Squared bringing the company's valuation to $4 billion and total funding raised to more than $880 million. The new financing follows a momentous six months during which Next Insurance announced two acquisitions, added new strategic partners, and doubled its gross written premium. FinTLV Ventures founder and managing partner Gil Arazi and Battery Ventures general partner Michael Brown, will join as board observers.

"Next Insurance's full-stack approach to providing coverage for small businesses has created a radical paradigm shift in the legacy insurance industry," said Gil Arazi, founder and managing partner at FinTLV. Ventures. "This value proposition, combined with a differentiated focus on machine learning and growing an innovative product portfolio has created unstoppable momentum that is undoubtedly changing how small businesses shop and purchase insurance. We believe that Next Insurance represents the future of Insurance."

Small business insurance is an underserved market historically dominated by large insurers who cater to big commercial customers or individual consumers. The lack of small business policy customization combined with a customer experience that needs to be digitally transformed has left small business owners feeling neglected as they search for general liability , professional liability , workers' compensation and other must-have coverage. Until Next Insurance, there has been no company committed to providing customized policies for all small business needs underpinned by a technology-first approach. The result is a customer experience marked by 4.7 star rating from thousands of customers and a growing customer base of over 200,000.

"Next Insurance is modernizing insurance coverage and the customer experience by creating greater access to digital coverage and reinventing the way policies are designed, sold and purchased for everyday small business owners," said Michael Brown, general partner at Battery Ventures. "We believe Next Insurance is fundamentally changing the landscape of insurance and their passion for serving and supporting small businesses perfectly align with Battery's investment goals. This is how you create an iconic insurance brand that customers love."

With this round, Next Insurance will have raised $881 million to bring simple, affordable, and tailored insurance products to the American economy's most important growth engine: small businesses and the self-employed. Next Insurance's technology-first approach drives down costs by up to 30 percent when compared to traditional policies. Other examples of Next Insurance company momentum in the six months since the company announced its previous $250 million financing include:

Named a small business insurance provider for Amazon's Business Prime small business customers.

Acquired AP Intego, a leading digital insurance agency, with key partnerships with some of the largest small business software ecosystems in the U.S., including Intuit, Gusto, Square and Toast; doubled the size of Next Insurance's business; and expanded Next Insurance's customer base to more than 200,000 small businesses.

Acquired Juniper Labs, an innovative provider of alternative open data and underwriting technology, to accelerate the development of enhanced machine-learning capabilities and tools to strengthen the omni-channel customer experience.

Announced a record year in 2020 where the company:

Increased the number of customers holding more than one policy by 10x



Tripled the amount of premium written by agent partners



Hired 180 new employees



Hit over $1 million in written premium in a single day for the first time ever

"This latest round of financing is a validation of our vision which is to make it dramatically easier for small business owners to get the insurance coverage they need by removing friction from the customer experience," said Guy Goldstein, co-founder and CEO of Next Insurance. "It starts with developing a comprehensive digital product portfolio under one roof, continues with leveraging technology that improves the customer experience, and ends with a network of integrated partnerships that bring policy purchasing to the customer within the systems they already use. We're not done improving the lives of small business owners, but we're proud of what we've accomplished thus far."

With Next Insurance, insureds have access to USA-based licensed insurance advisors, tools and services like 24/7 access to certificates of insurance from a mobile device or computer and in-house claims filings where a decision is typically made within 48 hours. Learn more about Next Insurance and get a quote online today .

About Next Insurance

Next Insurance is transforming small business insurance with simple, digital and affordable coverage tailored to the self-employed. Next Insurance offers policies that are easy to buy in 10 minutes or less and provides 24/7 access to services such as Live Certificates of Insurance, Additional Insured, and more, with no extra fees. Revolutionizing a historically complicated insurance industry, Next Insurance utilizes AI and machine learning to simplify the purchasing process and drive down costs by up to 30% compared to traditional policies. Founded in 2016, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, and with this new funding round will have raised a total of $881 million in venture capital funding and has been recognized by Forbes Fintech 50, JMP Securities InsurTech 50, and Forbes Best StartUp Employers. For more information visit NextInsurance.com. Stay up to date on the latest with Next Insurance on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and our blog.

About FinTLV Ventures

FinTLV is a global insurtech-focused fund. It partners with the best insurtech and fintech companies through all phases, with a bias towards later-stage deals. Its recent investments include leading or participating in investment rounds in some of the most prominent companies in these fields including Hippo Insurance, Next Insurance, and Unqork. The firm works closely with management teams and leverages its broad global network of insurance, re-insurance and insurtech companies to support its portfolio companies. The fund's limited partners include some of the world's leading insurance companies. For more information, visit http://fintlv.com/

About Battery Ventures

Battery partners with exceptional founders and management teams developing category-defining businesses in markets including software and services, enterprise infrastructure, online marketplaces, healthcare IT and industrial technology. Founded in 1983, the firm backs companies at all stages, ranging from seed and early to growth and buyout, and invests globally from six strategic locations: Boston; San Francisco and Menlo Park, Calif.; Herzliya, Israel; London; and New York. Follow the firm on Twitter @BatteryVentures, visit our website at www.battery.com and find a full list of Battery's portfolio companies here .

Press Contacts:

Kerry Ogata

[email protected]

301-717-4224

SOURCE Next Insurance
Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Sunny skies. Very hot. High around 105F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 09:15:17|Editor: huaxia

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ACCRA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese medical team in Ghana deserves appreciation for its immense contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, a Ghanaian diplomat said here Tuesday.

During a meeting with the team, Ghanaian Ambassador to China Edward Boateng said the Chinese medical team has helped Ghana to confront the pandemic as the Ghanaian medical experts are stretched to their limits during the pandemic.

"They are filling the gaps, which is important," Boateng said, adding the Chinese experts have helped alleviate the stressful situation of medical care, especially in areas where they are working.

"Cooperation between the doctors of both countries is really important," said Zhuang Shaohui, chief of the Chinese medical team.

Zhuang said that over the years, the Chinese government has sent 10 batches of medical teams, consisting of top-notch Chinese medical experts, to Ghana. Enditem
Since early 2020, multiple variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have acquired various genetic mutations that allow for potentially novel or enhanced characteristics over the ancestral virus.

One of the most notorious mutations is the D614G substitution in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, which has now surpassed the first wave strain as the dominant form circulating globally. This mutation is associated with enhanced viral fitness, greatly accelerating virus replication rates in human cells.

Scientists in India wished to compare the rate of transmission between the D614G variant strain and the UK variant (B.1.1.7, or VOC202012/01), identified in late 2020. The UK variant is a VoC (a variant of concern). It has also obtained mutations similar to the D614G substitution to provide greater fitness and mutations to yield great vaccine evasion.

The research team had previously identified the UK variant as having higher viral RNA shedding than the D614G variant. However here, they wanted to compare the transmission of such variants through different routes of potential infection: direct contact, aerosol (airborne droplets), and fomite (objects which may be contaminated and therefore spread infectious agents).

A pre-print version of the research paper is available to read in full on the bioRxiv*server.

The research team, lead by Dr. Pragya Yadav from the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology, experimentally infected two sets of 9 hamsters with either the UK or D614G SARS-CoV-2 variant.

Significant weight loss was observed in all donor hamsters, more so in those exposed to the UK variant (-11  2.82%, -6.66  1.36% for D614G), although this weight was regained once the infection had passed. Viral load was tested in each hamster for every alternating day up until 14 days post-infection.

To test the effectiveness of direct transmission, three donor hamsters from each group were co-housed with a naive contact hamster, 24 hours post-infection. Contact hamsters exposed to the UK variant experienced weight loss of -2.93  0.34%, and those exposed to the D614G variant experienced -4.8  3/13%. All contact hamsters showed viral load following co-habitation with infection hamsters of both variants, showing virus presence until 10 days post-infection.

The results of this direct transmission study cannot rule out the effects of aerosol or fomites, so the researchers tested these two routes independently.

Percent body weight change and SARS-CoV-2 load in the hamsters post-exposure. (A)The body weight change in hamsters following exposure with SARS-CoV- 2 infected hamsters by direct, aerosol and fomite contact. Viral gRNA load in (B) throat swab (C) nasal wash (D) feces in hamsters exposed by direct, aerosol and fomite contact. (E)Viral load in nasal wash samples of contact hamsters exposed by direct, aerosol and fomite contact estimated by titration in Vero CCL-81 cells expressed in TCID50.

To test for aerosol transmission, infected hamsters were co-housed with naive contact hamsters with a ventilated partition for 8 hours. One hamster of the D614G group showed negligible infection, however, the remaining contact hamsters showed average weight loss of -8.9% and -4.2% for UK and D614G variants, respectively.

Finally, to test fomite transmission, naive hamsters were housed in cages with bedding and water bottles that previously housed infected hamsters for 48 hours. Weight loss was observed and viral load was detected in the hamsters, contrary to previous studies suggesting fomite transmission is less efficient. However, the researchers noted while viral remnant RNA was present for up to 14 days post-infection, live virus particles could not actually be detected from day 6 in D614G and day 10 in the UK variant.

Concluding remarks

The researchers conclude that all routes of transmission by both variants are efficient. However, the differences in weight loss and viral load most likely correlate to the volume of the virus each animal was exposed to since the direct contact hamsters had greater exposure, they experienced more significant weight loss and vice versa for fomites. Both a Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis test, additionally, did not highlight any statistical difference between body weight loss and viral shedding pattern.

Antibodies were detected in all inoculated and contact hamsters (with the exception of the one negligibly affected D614G hamster), with detectable RNA genome found in all animals by day 2 post-exposure, demonstrating comparable transmission efficiency of both the UK and D614G variants of SARS-CoV-2, at least in Syrian hamsters.

Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
South Africa: Presidency appoints new Director-General

President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 84 of the Constitution appointed long-serving public sector executive Phindile Baleni as Director-General of The Presidency and Secretary of Cabinet.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and South Africas pursuit of economic reconstruction and recovery, the appointment of the Director-General is vital to the functioning and impact of The Presidency at the apex of the system of government.

The Presidency coordinates the development and implementation of government policy and engages in partnerships with all sectors of society and international stakeholders in pursuit of South Africas development objectives.

As part of The Presidency, the Cabinet Office provides strategic and policy support to Cabinet. It implements administrative systems and processes to ensure the overall optimal functioning of Cabinet and its committees. It also facilitates the decision-making processes of the Cabinet and its Committees.

Baleni, who joined the leadership echelon of the public service in 1994, is being transferred to The Presidency from the Office of the Premier in the Gauteng Provincial Government where she has served as Director-General since 2015.

This transfer is enabled by Section 12(3)(c)(ii) of the Public Service Act of 1994.

Baleni succeeds Dr Cassius Lubisi who retired in September 2020 after a decade as Director-General in The Presidency and Secretary of Cabinet.

Baleni is an admitted attorney and conveyancer who holds a B. Proc and an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand.

She was appointed legal advisor to the then Gauteng MEC for Housing and Local Government from 1994 to 1996.

In 1996, she joined the City of Johannesburg where she played a strategic role in strategic planning, high-level project management and the development of local-government policy.

Baleni later joined Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI) Holdings as Chief Executive Officer and was instrumental in the establishment of regional electricity distributors (REDs) in the country.

In April 2011, Baleni was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), a position she held until she became Director-General in the Office of the Premier in Gauteng.

She has served on the boards of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (MERSETA), the CSIR as well as the Council of Wits University.

President Ramaphosa has wished Baleni well in her new position and has expressed his appreciation to Lusanda Mxenge who has been Acting Director-General of The Presidency for several months.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New Delhi:

Girls and boys embracing each other while traveling on bikes and vulgar behaviour in public leads to rape said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Sakshi Maharaj at a press conference in Rajasthans Bharatpur.

Maharaj said, The young couples while riding a motorbike, girl hug boy in such a manner, it seems she will eat him or the boy will eat the girl.

He added that couples can be seen behaving in vulgar fashion in parks, cars and other places which leads to rape.

The BJP lawmaker said, Everyone ignore the vulgar action of couples in public, but once rape happens, people demand action against the police.

Also read: BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj defends Ram Rahim, says Dera chiefs conviction conspiracy to malign Indian culture



Sakhsi further added, To avoid rapes, the right thing would be to take action against the couple's acting vulgarly in public places. Such couples should be put behind bars.

Sakshi was few of the lawmakers who had tried to defend Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Singh after his conviction in rape case later he had clarified.

Sakshi Maharaj says 'Muslims should be cremated' as graveyard for 20 crore people will lead to no place to live



The lawmaker during the conference also said that Rohingya Muslim refugees should be pushed out from the country.

They do not even have the right to stay for a minute in India, said Sakshi.

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Knowingly, transport infrastructure is one of the most important factors for a country's progress. One cannot overemphasize the importance of transportation than call it the 'lifeline' of a nation. Good physical connectivity in the urban and rural areas is essential for economic growth. Therefore transport investment is essential for economic development of a given country.

Transport investment is believed as an effort that connects generations. Investing in this sector could also mean putting a momentous legacy towards sustainable and resilient development that eventually yields multiple environmental, social and economic benefits.

In Ethiopia, it has been the government's dominant role to provide transport infrastructures and services. The ten years transport sector perspective plan (2020-2030) already prepared is under implementation with the assertion that the transport sector would play the leading catalyst role in the overall prosperity journey of the country, documents from the Ministry of Transport of Ethiopia indicated.

And the journey towards such development, requires the private sector's robust financial and technical involvement, which is believed to bring not only profound and impeccable changes, but also shifts the belief that it is the sole task of government.

As governments have a central role in mobilizing various investments in transport infrastructure and services provision, the Ministry of Transport of Ethiopia has taken the initiative to prepare this investment portfolio so far.

Coupled with preparing the portfolio, the ministry has also conducted the first ever Ethiopian Transport Investment Summit-2021 last week so as to introduce the investment opportunities which are ready for local and foreign investors in the transport and logistics service in Ethiopia.

On her key note speech at the event, President Sahlework Zewdie said that the active engagement of investors in the transport and logistics investment in Ethiopia is paramount importance to modernize the sector.

The president further stated that modernizing the sector is significant to materialize Ethiopia's vision of becoming a middle income economy. As to her, it will not be possible to achieve the national growth without efficient transportation and logistics services.

The president stated that modernizing the transport sector, expanding transport infrastructure and safer transport services and strengthening the capacity of the sector have been given priority under the 10 years Perspective Plan. Accordingly, the private sector needs to capitalize on government's priority to the transport sector thereby playing their part in the success of Ethiopia's prosperity goals.

Appreciating the investment opportunities provided by the ministry for the investors, Sahlework called on the ministry, investors and all stakeholders to actively work hand in glove for its successful implementation.

At the event Transport Minister, Dagmawit Moges for her part said that the ministry has opened about 44 sectors as areas of new opportunities for both local and foreign investors, following a revised investment law enacted since last year.

According to the Minister, amending the Investment Proclamation and enacting regulatory regulations, as well as facilitating clear policies and strategies coupled with adopting a 10-year development plan can clearly indicate the government's commitment to engage the private sector in the economy.

She further called on the private sector to take advantage of this opportunity by narrowing the supply and demand gap in the sector through indicating the transport summit is vital in creating transparency on investment opportunities in the sector.

She also said that her office is at a critical juncture, while preparing this investment notion and portfolio parallel with the investment summit. The policies, strategies and the perspective plans adopted have shown the ministry certain realities that, it would remain difficult for government to continue providing infrastructure amenities alone.

Besides, without the advanced skills and knowledge share with private actors, that it would be difficult to satisfy the ever-increasing public demand. "Therefore, we are now opened different projects for the active engagements of both local and foreign investors," she noted.

"Moreover, as we seek to increase our infrastructure assets, and renovate our services, the amalgamation of state of art technological inputs, and enjoying a late comer advantage of accessing all contemporary transport related inventions and mechanisms would only happen, through opening up of the sector," the Minister said.

As Ethiopia is a country of more than 100 million populations and as it is located near to one of the world's busiest trade corridor of the Gulf of Aden, its geographic position would make it a preferable location to access the continent of Africa, for any trade activities linked with Far East, South Asia and the Middle East.

While approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, Security Facilitation Directorate Director, Debebe Girma said that since its establishment in 1944 the Aviation is working keenly in order to provide safe air aviation and air trafficking service.

According to Ethiopia's Investment Proclamation No.1180/2020, the aviation under the Ministry of Transport has opened its door for local and foreign investors to work jointly with the authority, he added.

As to him, the aviation industry of Ethiopia is ready to welcome investors to work in harmony. Investing in Ethiopia's rich aviation sector is without doubt an attractive venture that one would benefit through the all-available investment offers.

As Ethiopia is among the founding states that brought aviation industry, to the country, and to the continent of Africa as well, the rich experience, brand service, and of course being Africa's number one Aviation destination that connects the continent with the rest of the continents; would definitely make it a favorable destination to do exercise further ventures.

Be it freight transport, domestic air services, international aviation via joint venture, and other consultancy and aircraft spare parts provision the Director warmly invited investors to take their great chance.

As to him, fright transport with a capacity up to 25 tones, aviation academy, air ballooning, aerial services including agricultural spray, aviation consultancy, supplying aircraft spare parts, equipment and accessories are among the areas which are open for both domestic and foreign investors.

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Besides, aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), aircraft ground handling and airport facilitation services are open only for domestic investors while the international air transport domestic air transport services are open for joint investment with foreigners, he noted.

Documents from the Civil Aviation Authority also indicated that foreign investors shall hold up to 49 percent share capital of the joint venture adding that any foreign investor to be allowed to invest shall be required to allocate a minimum capital of USD 200 thousand for a single investment project.

As Ethiopia is also located at an equidistant global position, few hours of flights would also make it a favorable investment destination. A rapidly growing economy; abundant and flourishing investment potentials; including the plan to increase the GDP share and foreign exchange earnings of the manufacturing, agriculture, mining and tourism sectors have all are considered viable reasons to invest in the catalytic transportation and logistics ventures, he noted.

As to the Minister, the Ministry has created suitable environment to anchor investors' involvement in the sector through approving the implementation of the National Transport Policy and other policies and strategies following the ongoing reforms in the country over the past three years.

In a net shell, if the government works jointly with both domestic and foreign investors and each stake holder in the sector work exhaustively in modernizing the transport and logistics sector in Ethiopia, it will be paramount importance to increase national growth, all agreed.
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YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan offered condolences over the death of Major-General Arkady-Ter Tadevosyan, a renowned retired military commander who died at the age of 81 today in Yerevan.

It was with deep sorrow that I learned about the passing of Hero of Artsakh, legendary military commander, Major-General Arkady-Ter Tadevosyan  our dear Komandos.

Arkady-Ter Tadevosyan passed a brilliant military path and with his activities served his country superbly by participating in the shaping of the glorious victories for the Armenian people, Armenia and Artsakh. He is a hero of the Artsakh Liberation War, the commander of the military operation for the liberation of Shushi, which is famous for being a textbook example of military studies and is a testament to Komandos military expertise.

Hero of Artsakh Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan is the embodiment of patriotism and high professionalism. His name will remain with eternal glory in the Armenian history as a worthy son to the Armenian nation and a devoted military serviceman whose entire career has given pride and the joy of victory to the Armenian people.

My condolences to Major-General Arkady Ter-Tadevosyans family and friends, and us all.

Eternal glory to his memory, Pashinyan said in the message.

Major-General Tadevosyan, known by his nom-de-guerre Komandos, died in a Yerevan hospital on March 31. The cause of death wasnt immediately reported.

Tadevosyan is best known as the commander of the military operation which liberated Shushi in 1992.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives to update MSPs on any changes to the COVID-19 five-level system in Scotland at the parliament in Holyrood in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Dec. 15, 2020. (Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty Images)

UK Government Spends 30 Percent More on Scots Than English: Report

For every pound the UK government earmarks for the English, according to an economic think tank, it gives the Scottish an extra 30 pence.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report says that almost all of the 30 percent gap is down to the controversial Barnett formula.

That formula is a fixed way of divvying out money among the UKs devolved governments for certain services. However, critics say the formula is trapped in historic differences in spending and is too inflexible.

According to the IFS, the spending gap is increasing.

The report found that the Scottish government will, per person, almost certainly get more funding for tackling the pandemic.

It claims, however, that First Minister Nicola Sturgeons government plans to use money earmarked for the pandemic for other policiesincluding those central to her re-election manifesto.

Excluding temporary COVID-19 funding, the Scottish government has over 1.30 per person to spend on public services this year for every 1 of spending per person on comparable services in England, David Phillips, associate director at the IFS, said in a statement.

This is almost entirely due to funding received from the UK government via the Barnett formula, with less than 2p of the gap due to the Scottish Governments borrowing and higher income taxes.

He said that despite tax hikes in Scotland, tax incomes have risen only slightly due to the weak performance of the economy.

They would have fallen relative to a world without tax devolution had those tax rises not been implemented, reminding us that devolution brings risks as well as opportunities, he said.

Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes blamed the spending gap on a decade of unrelenting austerity under the Conservatives.

According to Holyrood magazine, she said, While the Barnett formula does provide Scotland with slightly higher public spending per head than in England, it is already under attack by the Tories at Westminster, who have cut our capital budget by 5 percent and stripped the Scottish Parliament of powers so they can engage in pork-barrel spending through the so-called levelling up fund.

A Scottish Tory economy spokesman said, according to the Telegraph, The extra money Scotland gets through the Barnett formula in the months and years ahead will be key to saving jobs, supporting businesses, growing the economy and offering high-quality workforce training.

According to the Institute for Government, the main bone of contention with the Barnett formula is that it uses the previous years devolved budget as a starting point, and therefore preserves historic differences in spending between the nations.

The formula is also slow at responding to changes in relative population size, which further disadvantage England where the population has grown most quickly.
An Oklahoma professor is facing several charges after placing a camera in a teen girls bedroom, court documents say.

Allan Wiechmann, 66, was arrested at his home in Edmond and charged with 20 counts of lewd acts with a child under the age of 16, KWTV reported.

He is an associate professor in the department of cell biology at the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, according to the outlet.

His name is no longer listed on the departments website.

Wiechmann is accused of installing a camera in a 14-year-old girls bedroom, court documents show, per KOCO. The teens mom learned of the camera after finding photos of her daughter on Wiechmanns phone, according to documents.

When she confronted Wiechmann, he began deleting the images, later saying that hed put the camera in the girls room to bond with her, documents say, per KOKH.

Wiechmann told officials the camera had been there for two weeks before it was found, according to KOCO.

Investigators said he also hid several other cameras throughout the home, which he removed after speaking with the girls mom, KOKH reported.

When investigators began to examine Wiechmanns internet searches, he told officials they might consider them odd or disturbing because he likes to watch voyeurism scenarios of women in dressing rooms or bedrooms, documents said, per KFOR.

Officials said they found searches for child porn on his computer and several pair of womens underwear in a safe, according to KWTV.

Wiechmann is also accused of touching the girl several times between 2013 and 2016, KOKH reported.

University officials said Wiechmann has been put on leave.

In light of recent information, Mr. Wiechmann was immediately placed on administrative leave pending further investigation, officials said in a statement to KOTV. OU is cooperating with law enforcement officials and can confirm that in his role at OU Health Sciences Center, Mr. Wiechmann had no contact with minors or patients as part of his work at the university.

Story continues

The university added it wont comment further, citing the confidential nature of this personnel issue.

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Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has predicted a removal of all restrictions on flights to Spain, Portugal and Greece, declaring 'the vaccines are coming, people are going on holiday'.

O'Leary said that whilst it is 'certainly foolhardy' to book a getaway in April or May, he believes 'Europe will catch up' in June, July and August - allowing for holidays 'to places like Corfu, Santorini, Ibiza'.

Speaking to Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain O'Leary said: 'It would be certainly foolhardy to be booking in April and May.

'But with the school holidays coming around in June, July and August and the successful rollout of the vaccines led by the UK, Europe will catch up dramatically I believe, in the months of April and May, particularly with the Johnson Johnson vaccine rollouts.'

Predicting which sunny locations Britons will be permitted to holiday this year O'Leary said: 'I think you're going to see the removal of all restrictions on short-haul flights between the UK and Spain, the UK and Portugal, the UK and Greece.

'Last week we announced 26 new routes that we launch at the end of May so that we can bring people from the UK to places like Corfu, Santorini, Ibiza.

'The vaccines are coming, people are going on holiday.'

In February Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined May 17 as the earliest date for international travel to resume in his roadmap out of lockdown. It is currently illegal to travel abroad, or domestically, for holidays.

Domestic travel to self-enclosed accommodation for one household, such as a caravan park, is due to start from April 12. Full domestic travel, with the use of B&Bs and hotels, won't resume until May 17 at the earliest.

O'Leary said that whilst it is 'foolhardy' to book a getaway in April or May, he believes 'Europe will catch up' in June, July and August - making way for holidays 'to Corfu, Santorini, Ibiza'

O'Leary said that nobody was waiting for refunds from Ryanair, except a 'tiny number of passengers' who were 'duped' into booking with 'third-party agents'

On Monday Matt Hancock also offered hope for foreign holidays insisting they 'may well' be able to happen this summer, as airlines called for rapid Covid tests to be used to help 'reopen' the industry.

The Health Secretary said 'the door is not shut' on international travel over the coming months, suggesting it will depend on evidence about vaccine effectiveness on variants.

Today Susanna Reid, who was joined by co-presenter Ranvir Singh, asked O'Leary if it was accurate that Ryanair owes 20million in unpaid refunds for bookings made through 'member travel agents', as was claimed in a report by the Irish Travel Association.

O'Leary said: 'Firstly, I wouldn't believe anything the Irish travel agents tell you, we don't have any bookings from Irish travel agents. People are supposed to book only online or directly as consumers.

'It's illegal for [travel agents] to make bookings on our website. We don't allow third party to make bookings.

O'Leary stressed that Ryanair flight bookings should not be made through third-party agents as it was illegal and would delay any refund taking place if necessary

The government's roadmap suggested May 17 is the earliest date international travel could resume - but ministers have warned there are no guarantees

'That's one of the great challenges the airlines have faced in recent years - it's been exposed by the coronavirus pandemic - is that we have all these intermediate agent screen scrapers going in making bookings and then overcharging our customers and giving us fake customer contact details or payment details.'

France is not expected to be added to the UK's 'red list' of travel ban countries

O'Leary stressed that Ryanair flight bookings should not be made through third-party agents as it was illegal and would delay any refund taking place if necessary.

The interview became heated on the topic of refunds as O'Leary and Reid began to talk over each other, with O'Leary asking Reid 'Let me finish! I want to answer the point! Can I answer the point?'

O'Leary continued: 'We have refunded all of the people who have applied to us directly for refunds, they've either got cash refunds or vouchers.

'There is nobody left in the queue waiting for refunds, except a tiny number of passengers who were duped into making bookings through the screen scraper or third-party agents, where we have fake contact details and fake password details and we can't contact the customer.

'We've had to set up a new system on our website, a customer verification form where those customers can come to us directly and get their refunds. We are not allowed by the regulator or by law to give a customer's refund to a third-party intermediary whether it's an Irish travel agent or it's an online screen scraper.

'All refunds have been processed. All vouchers have been processed. Nobody is out there waiting for a refund unless you have failed to apply to the customer verification form.

The comments come as Airlines call for rapid Covid tests to be used as standard for international travellers to 'reopen' the industry.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) union has published research claiming that using rapid tests could work as well as a 10-day quarantine policy.

And it said the cost and time required to use proper lab-based PCR tests to test travellers would keep the holiday industry on its knees.

Passengers make their way to the departure gates at Heathrow's Terminal 2 amid the coronavirus pandemic

A family of four could face a testing bill of 1,600 to use privately-bought tests, the IATA said, and it warned passenger numbers could fall by two thirds because of this.

Rapid swab tests, however, were significantly cheaper and faster to use and could help stem airlines' losses by half, it suggested.

The IATA did not call for a total overhaul of the current policy of a 10-day quarantine with three tests, but wants the rapid swabs to be accepted as standard by officials.

Earlier this week forty MPs, including former Cabinet minister Karen Bradley, sent the Prime Minister a letter urging him to avoid delaying the ban on travel.

The group of cross-party MPs warned that the country would not fully recover without a thriving tourism, travel and aviation industry and told the PM that foreign holidays were essential for the country's economic rebound.

They stressed that it was 'paramount that the restart of international travel provides the opportunity for businesses in the aviation, travel and tourism industries to begin their long journey back to recovery'.

'Let's get Britain flying now!': Business chiefs and MPs write letter to Boris Johnson warning him that more than a million jobs are at risk unless he speeds up plans to fully reopen our skies

Business leaders & MPs united in plea to Boris Johnson to resume foreign travel

Warned millions of jobs at risk if Prime Minister did not get Britain flying again

PM has pencilled in May 17 as the earliest date when foreign travel could resume

By John Stevens and Michael Blackley for The Daily Mail

Business leaders last night united with MPs to plead with the Prime Minister to resume foreign travel.

They warned that more than a million jobs were at risk if Boris Johnson failed to get Britain flying again.

In letter to the PM, they said firms across the country faced devastation if planes were kept grounded.

Business leaders have united with MPs warning the Prime Minister that millions of jobs are at risk if Britain does not get flying again. Pictured: Passengers arrive at Heathrow last summer

The PM has pencilled in May 17 as the earliest date when foreign travel could resume, but there are fears he will push this back as the continent is hit by a third coronavirus wave.

Mr Johnson will give an update on his plans on Monday, but sources say he is likely to declare it is still too early to set a firm date for when borders can reopen.

Following pleas from a group of 40 MPs on Monday, industry leaders from the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses and UK Hospitality said the economic recovery would be put at risk if overseas trips remained illegal.

If we cannot start flying again this summer, the further damage to UK businesses large and small would be severe, they wrote.

The PM has pencilled in May 17 as the earliest date when foreign travel could resume, but there are fears he will push this back as the continent is hit by a third coronavirus wave

Aviation is vital to the UKs economic recovery from the pandemic. Our air links are not a frivolous luxury.

'They connect Britain with the world and link British products, experiences and expertise with billions of potential buyers overseas.

Masks are law on las playas Holidaymakers must wear face masks on Spanish beaches this summer  even while sunbathing, officials said yesterday. Children over the age of six will be included in the rule, the countrys government announced. Tourists breaking the law, which comes into force today, could be fined 85. The rule applies across Spain, including the Costa del Sol and Canary Islands. Masks will not be needed while swimming in the sea or exercising outdoors. Advertisement

The business groups said the success of the vaccine rollout should allow us to push on with rebuilding the businesses, jobs and livelihoods that have been hit so hard by our forced isolation.

Their warning was boosted by research showing the economy will take a 47.6 billion hit if Mr Johnson delays the resumption of foreign travel from May 17 until the end of the year  the equivalent of 200 million a day.

The study commissioned by Airlines UK, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester Airports Group warned this would put more than a million jobs at risk across the economy, including 125,000 in the international tourism sector.

The report stated that plotting a clear course out of lockdown for the aviation industry is vital not only for the survival of the industry itself but also for the recovery of the wider UK economy.

The UK is, fundamentally, a trading nation and has been for centuries. Its wealth and prosperity are inextricably linked to its ability to interact with global markets. Without air travel, this ability is severely limited.

It needs to be remembered that air travel is not just about holidays. A significant proportion of passengers travel for business and air transport also plays a central role in moving cargo around the world.

'The UKs ability to develop export markets, to source materials and expertise from overseas, to attract foreign direct investment, and to bring international visitors to the country is dependent on air travel.

'The longer that the reopening of international travel is delayed, the greater the economic cost will be to the UKs economy.

Following pleas from a group of 40 MPs on Monday, industry leaders from the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses and UK Hospitality said the economic recovery would be put at risk if overseas trips remained illegal. Pictured: Passengers at Heathrow in February

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: There are tens of thousands of jobs dependent upon aviation and restarting travel, and the sector cannot survive another lost summer with little or no revenue.

'We can do this proportionately and in a risk-based way  its not a question of opening up the border to every country out there.

Where it is safe to do so we need to start the process of opening up. We cannot with a straight face talk about Global Britain without aviation.

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon fuelled suspicions Mr Johnson will delay plans to resume foreign holidays, saying: The four-nations discussions weve had in recent weeks would make me sceptical about whether international travel would resume in England from May 17.

Dear Prime Minister

Aviation is vital to the UKs economic recovery from the pandemic. Our air links are not a frivolous luxury.

They connect Britain with the world and link British products, experiences and expertise with billions of potential buyers overseas.

Pre-pandemic, some 49 per cent of the total value of UK exports outside of the EU travelled by air  a majority on board passenger aircraft.

If we cannot start flying again this summer, the further damage to UK businesses large and small would be severe  hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk, hospitality devastated, exporters unable to move their goods.

A safe, managed restart is the way forward, with restrictions remaining on high-risk countries, but air links re-established where the risks of variants is low and where the UKs vaccination success should allow us to push on with rebuilding the businesses, jobs and livelihoods that have been hit so hard by our forced isolation.

Yours sincerely
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, has said the President, Muhammadu Buhari, began his yearly medical trip to London even before he came...

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, has said the President, Muhammadu Buhari, began his yearly medical trip to London even before he came into office as Nigerias president in 2015.

Shehu said this on Tuesday while addressing newsmen at the departure wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, just after his principal departed the country for London for medical check-up.

He said, The President is looking at the window of opportunity that has opened with the Easter Holiday. Its a much relaxed period for everyone Good Friday, Easter Monday, National Holidays. Then, he will use that period for his regular medical check-up.

This is something he has done for so many years even before he came to office. Every year, he had appointment with his doctors and he went there to do it. The only anomaly this time around is that COVID prevented this kind of thing to hold in 2020. So, he has lost some period. The last time he was there was one and half years back.

The President is expected to see a doctor during his stay in the UK and he is due to be back in the country in the second week of April.

Buhari is embarking on the medical trip at a time members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have declared their intention to commence a strike on April 1.
More than 20 years after Perth teenager Hayley Dodd disappeared while hitchhiking in regional Western Australia, her killer has been convicted over her death.

Francis Wark, 65, faced a six-week retrial in the Supreme Court of WA over the wilful murder of the 17-year-old, who vanished from North West Road in Badgingarra on 29 July, 1999.

It was the second time Wark was trialled over the death - the first was before a judge-alone, this time a jury was tasked to decide his fate.

The group reached a unanimous verdict on Wednesday afternoon after 12 hours of deliberation, finding Wark not guilty of murder, but guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, meaning they did not believe he intended to kill Hayley.
Chief Constable Simon Byrne yesterday defied a call from Arlene Foster to quit after prosecutors said they would not take action against Sinn Fein leaders who attended the funeral of republican Bobby Storey.

The Assembly is set to be recalled from its Easter recess tomorrow to debate a motion of censure against Sinn Fein.

The First Minister said prior engagement between PSNI officers and organisers of the senior republicans huge funeral during a period of severe pandemic restrictions was inexplicable.

That the police assisted in breaking the law is fundamental and requires further examination, Mrs Foster said. If any senior officer is identified as having approved of or contributed to that decision-making process, those officers positions are untenable.

But Mr Byrne said while police did engage with organisers, no deals were done. We did not turn a blind eye, he said.
While the White House is cracking down on the use of marijuana by staff members, governors and lawmakers around the country are taking a very different approach: accelerating their efforts to legalize cannabis and purge the criminal records of people convicted of possessing the drug.

On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York signed a bill passed in the Democratic-controlled legislature that decriminalizes the possession of up to three ounces of marijuana, imposes a 13 percent sales tax on the substance, and purges the state records of those previously convicted of minor possession infractions.

Forty percent of the tax revenue from pot sales will be steered to communities where Black and Latino people have been disproportionately arrested on marijuana charges.

For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targeted communities of color with harsh prison sentences, said Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, said in a statement Tuesday night, soon after the state legislature passed the bill. He added, This landmark legislation provides justice for long-marginalized communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy, and establishes substantial safety guards for the public.
Childrens literature icon Jane Yolen hit a milestone last month when she published her 400th book.

But Yolen, a graduate of Staples High School in Westport, said that achievement should probably come with an asterisk. Thats because her latest picture book, Bear Outside, is really her 401st book.

Long before Yolen, 82, was known for such kid-lit classics as Owl Moon and The Devils Arithmetic, she was the daughter of a former newspaper man who was also an international kite-flying champion. Given his credentials, he was asked to write a guide for young kite flyers. He accepted, but there was a slight problem.

My father hated writing, said Yolen, who now lives in Hatfield, Mass. He signed the contract (for the kite-flying book), then handed it off to me and said You write it.

Thats why one of Yolens first writing credits isnt under her name, and thus seldom gets counted as part of her impressive body of work, which spans roughly six decades.

Happenstance and coincidence are actually hallmarks of Yolens life and career. It was, for example, something of a fluke that her family lived in Westport for several years. She grew up in New York and was actually at camp in Vermont when her family suddenly decided to pick up and move to Westport because it was safer.

I wasnt happy, said Yolen, who left Connecticut shortly after graduating high school.

Courtesy of Holiday House Publishing, Inc.

Even her storied career in childrens literature was something of an accident, she said. While a student at Smith College, Yolen was mainly interested in poetry and journalism, and received rewards for both sorts of writing.

Writing for children, she said, never occurred to her. But someone at Smith had given Yolens name to the storied writer and editor Judith Jones, who called Yolen and asked if she had a book manuscript she could look at.

I said, Yes I do, which was a lie, Yolen said. I didnt have a book manuscript. I had a lot of poetry.

But Yolen had promised a book manuscript and didnt want to show up without one. I thought Whats fast? she said. I decided to write childrens books. They were lousy, but I didnt know that.

Yolens books were rejected, but the idea of writing childrens books stuck with her. She took a course in writing for children and eventually got better at it. She published her first two books  the nonfiction book Pirates in Petticoats and the picture book See This Little Line  in 1963.

Since then, Yolen has collected buckets of awards, including the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, two Christopher Medals, three World Fantasy Awards, three Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards, two Golden Kite Awards, the Jewish Book Award and the Massachusetts Center for the Book award.

Getting into childrens literature was one of those wonderful things that happens to you when your back is turned.

Its possible that the same could be said for her latest book, Bear Outside, which was published on March 2.

Yolen said she was inspired to write the book  about a girl who imagines wearing a bear as a protective shell  after looking at art by potential illustrators for another book she was working on.

Some pictures by artist Jen Corace of a girl wearing a bear wasnt right for the book Yolen was working on, but the image stayed with her. I knew it was something, Yolen said.

Eventually, the picture led to the creation of Bear Outside, which Corace illustrated. Yolen said the book is about the ways people try to protect themselves.

The girl in the book, Yolen said, wears the bear like a shield until she is ready to be alone. It wasnt until I was talking to someone else about book that I realized that was story of my life. This was a book for me.

Though this is the 400th book shes published under her name, it is far from the last, Yolen said. She has at least four more titles coming out this year.

Yolen said shes always inspired by the world around her, and tries to keep funneling that inspiration into something new.

Ideas are cheap, she said. Theyre everywhere. Its really what you do with those ideas that come in.

acuda@ctpost.com
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Two advocacy groups want the Federal Trade Commission to take a tougher stance against Google, accusing its app store of recommending apps that transmit kids' personal information such as location without their parents' consent in violation of a 1998 law that protects children online.

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) and the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) said they plan to file a complaint with the FTC Wednesday asking regulators to investigate how the Google Play Store promotes apps for kids.

The groups say three recent studies, including one conducted by the American Medical Association last year, found that more than two-thirds of apps67%used by kids age 5 and under were transmitting information to third-party advertisers.

"If you're under 13, your data is not supposed to be shared with advertisers, but that's happening routinely, and at scale on the apps on Google Play," Josh Golin, the CCFC's executive director, told U.S. TODAY.

Google did not respond to multiple requests for comment Tuesday.

The advocacy groups raised similar concerns in 2018 and acknowledge that Google has made some improvements including tightening the rules for apps that target kids under the age of 13.

But Google has not done enough, Golin said.

"They need to go after this in a more systematic way," Golin said. "If Google actually did the vetting that they imply that they do, then the apps would be much safer for children."

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, a Democrat who authored the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, known as COPPA, said in a statement that while he's both "disturbed, but not surprised" that it remains a problem.

"Children are spending an unprecedented amount of time on their devices right now, and they shouldn't be tracked at every turn," Markey said. "That has to stop. It's time for Big Tech to be held accountable for prioritizing profits over privacy, particularly when it comes to our children."

Parents have become increasingly concerned about how to keep kids safe on the internet during the pandemic when screens are in such heavy use.

In 2019, Google's YouTube agreed to provide new protections for children and paid a $170 million fine to settle a year-long investigation by the FTC and the New York state attorney general into complaints from consumer groups that it illegally collected data from children under the age of 13 children to target advertising.

The new complaint comes amid increased government scrutiny of the tech giants. Google faces antitrust lawsuits from the Justice Department and separate coalitions of states.

Concern over Big Tech's effect on children's well-being has also become a rare bipartisan issue on Capitol Hill.

Reuters reported Tuesday that Republican lawmakers requested that Facebook, Twitter, and Google hand over studies that show how their services affect children.

The request came after last week's congressional hearing last week during which lawmakers asked if the companies conducted internal research on children's mental health.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he believed the company had. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said he didn't think his company had. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said his company consults with third-party experts.

At the hearing, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state told the CEOs that their platforms are her "biggest fear as a parent."

Zuckerberg confirmed during the hearing that Facebook is exploring building a new product: Instagram for kids.

Kids' privacy advocates say better enforcement is needed, but say developers also need more guidance on how to make their apps safer for children.

"These advocacy groups should ask the FTC to investigate the developers' practices to determine if their apps are healthy or unhealthy for kids," said Girard Kelly, a senior counsel for Common Sense Media's privacy program. "It's up to companies partnering with independent privacy experts and organizations to work with developers on their practices to help consumers make better-informed choices."

Explore further Google misleads kids and parents about apps, complaint filed with FTC says

(c)2021 U.S. Today

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Politburo member, Chief of Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Deputy Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang gave a presentation on "New perceptions, new thoughts on Vietnam's defense" at a national conference on the 13th Party Congress Resolution.

Member of the Politburo, Chief of Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Deputy Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang

Recalling the history of thousands of years of building and defending the nation, Mr. Giang said: Building the country must go hand in hand with defending the country. It is an inevitable rule that has existed and developed through different periods of our nation's history."

With that in mind, Vietnam has been proactively preparing in all aspects in peacetime, considering building and consolidating national defense, and mobilizing the peoples strength and support as the best way to defend the country.

He said that the fourth industrial revolution, especially the digital industry, has developed strongly, creating breakthroughs in many fields, including defense, and posing both opportunities and challenges for all nations and peoples.

New forms of war have appeared, changing the strategic environment. The appearance of modern weapons and military technical equipment have fundamentally changed the military organization, the form of war and the method of waging war.

The advent of cyberwar has made profound impacts on defense and security of the world, the region and of each country. Non-traditional security factors, especially terrorism, natural disasters and epidemics continue to be complicated.

According to the Chief of Staff of the People's Army, the Asia-Pacific region, including Southeast Asia, has an increasingly important strategic position and is a region for strategic competition among great powers, with potential volatility.

Delegates at the conference.

Disputes over territorial sovereignty, on the sea and on islands, have been tense, complicated and serious. Peace, stability, freedom of security and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea face great challenges, with potential risks of conflicts.

"As for the East Sea situation, there are still tense and complicated developments, posing a new challenge to defend sovereignty over the sea and islands," said Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang.

We have to deal with the situation in a methodical, fundamental, long-term, strategic and consistent manner, on the basis of respect for international law,'' he said.

Implementation of this is under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) of ASEAN. The content of the Code of Conduct (COC) is being completed, and this must be done according to the actual situation.

The Communist Party of Vietnam will defend the country with combined strength, be steadfast in strategic principles, flexible in handling defense-related situations, and ensure that the country is proactive in strategy in all situations.

The 13th Party Congress determines the directions and objectives: To build a regular, elite, step-by-step modernized army; a number of armed services, arms and forces to go straight to modernization. By 2025, to basically build an elite and strong army. By 2030, to build a number of modern armed services, arms and forces.

Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang said that, thoroughly grasping the Party's defense and military lines, over the years, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Defense have implemented synchronous solutions to build an elite, neat and strong army, ensuring the balance and relative synchronization between armed services, arms, between regular and reserve forces.

Mr. Giang said that after 1975, the army had 11 military zones, which were dissolved and merged to reduce to seven military zones at present. The capital military zone was also transformed into the Capitals High Command to streamline the apparatus. Previously, a military zone could have 5-7 divisions; now each military zone has only one division.

Since 2016, the military has reduced the number of its subsidiaries to 800 organizations and dissolved vocational training schools.

According to Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, new perceptions and thoughts on national defense in the 13th Party Congress' documents are major, correct and strategic undertakings, which are the result of the profound summarization of the Party's leadership on national defense.

Thu Hang
LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New research has shown the lifestyle changes Americans are making to reduce food waste: three-quarters (76%) say they are now more likely to shop more often and in smaller quantities, to avoid having to throw away unwanted or spoiled food.

A similar number (74%) are now likely to buy more frozen food for the same reason, and fully half (50%) suggest they are now prepared to buy the "ugly" fruit and vegetables that so often sit unwanted on the supermarket shelf. Male shoppers (56%) are more likely than women (46%) to accept those less attractive foodstuffs.

When asked where the responsibility for food waste primarily lies, US shoppers pointed the finger at food producers: 41% said it was down to farmers and 42% said the responsibility lies with manufacturers such as grain firms and pesticide makers. The focus is clearly on the food sector to demonstrate it is doing all it can to reduce the amount of discarded food.

By comparison, less than a quarter (22%) said it was consumers' responsibility to reduce food waste by changing their own behaviors and shopping habits.

The survey of more than 1,000 US adults was commissioned by Proagrica, a global provider of technology solutions for the agriculture and animal health industries.

It also highlighted the growing number of Americans who take ethical considerations into account when buying their food. More than a third (38%) say the ethical credentials of the retailers and producers (e.g., certification, where food is sourced, field to fork tracking) influence their purchase choices whenever possible.

In addition, 77% say they're trying to reduce "food miles" by buying more locally-sourced produce.

Graeme McCracken, managing director at Proagrica, says: "Food waste has become a major issue on the national agenda and this research shows that Americans are changing their shopping habits accordingly. They're shopping more often, in smaller amounts, and buying more frozen food that will stay edible for longer.

"However, US consumers still feel it is primarily the responsibility of farmers and food producers to do more to alleviate the problem. Businesses in the food and agriculture industries need to actively show they are working together to make their operational processes more transparent and more efficient."

About Proagrica

Proagrica, part of RELX Group, is a global provider of independent connectivity and data-driven support solutions for the agriculture and animal health industries.

It delivers actionable intelligence to drive business growth across the value chain. Proagrica's superior products and services connect and empower industry participants to address their key needs around trading, productivity and compliance.

Proagrica's solutions are built around the key competences of data connectivity and data analytics delivering seamless supply chain management, customer insight and engagement, essential for businesses looking to improve their value offering and expand in the modern marketplace.

Proagrica.com

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. The market capitalization is approximately 34.6bn, 39.5bn, $47.9bn.

RELX.com

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Media contacts:

Andy Riley

+44 (0)7503 673384

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Bhavna Mistry

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The devastating failure to stop the online fraud scourge is today laid bare.

A Money Mail investigation reveals how - despite years of worrying warnings - internet fraud has now hit record levels, driven by a surge in investment scams targeted at savers searching the web for better deals.

Sophisticated 'impersonation' frauds have also doubled in the pandemic, as scammers run rings around police and the financial watchdog.

Scam scourge: Internet fraud has now hit record levels, driven by a surge in investment scams targeted at savers searching the web for better deals

It can be revealed that:

Investment scams have surged 164 per cent in just two years  with losses hitting at least 135 million in 2020.

Yet watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking months to act on tips over online scams.

The Government is facing mounting pressure to make internet firms liable for scam adverts and websites.

Last year, tech giant Google blocked or removed 123 million financial service adverts worldwide that violated policies.

Experts say simple banking security measures could slash fraud rates.

Campaigners fear victims are not being told about their chance to secure a refund from their bank.

Justice is rarely done - with police prosecuting just 1.5 per cent of fraud reports last year.

Fresh figures reveal the fraud epidemic has reached new heights with victims tricked into transferring a record 479 million last year.

But experts fear the real cost is far higher as many victims are too embarrassed to report it.

There was also a 94 per cent rise in frauds whereby scammers pose as trusted organisations such as the Royal Mail or the NHS.

These impersonation scams cost victims nearly 97 million last year.

It's a free-for-all

Campaigners have expressed outrage that online giants such as Google and Microsoft continue to take money from scammers to host adverts designed to defraud.

In a damning report published by the Work and Pensions committee this week, MPs called on the Government to legislate to stop scammers running riot online.

Committee chairman Stephen Timms MP said 'a woeful lack of online regulation' had helped scammers reach more people than ever before.

He said: 'The result is an online free-for-all, where scammers can advertise with impunity while the tech giants line their pockets from the proceeds of their crimes.

'There must be parity across the media to ensure all adverts are regulated and the Government should use its Online Safety Bill to act.'

Mr Timms tells Money Mail: 'We cannot allow this to carry on. Too many people are suffering and the damage to our financial services industry is enormous.'

Money experts also argue scammers could be stopped by holding online firms to account.

Tom Selby, senior analyst at investment firm AJ Bell, says legislation would be 'a huge step in the right direction in the fight against fraudsters, allowing authorities to get a grip on the scam-ridden world that increasingly resembles the Wild West'.

Pensioner lost 20k at Christmas Bond scam: Marlene Goldstein (pictured with husband Danny) In December, Marlene Goldstein, 83, came across a one-year bond from Aberdeen Standard Investments paying 1.89 per cent. She filled out an application and transferred two payments of 10,000 to an intermediary account at Bank of Scotland. But Marlene says after making the transfer she 'had a feeling that something was not right.' She tried to withdraw her cash, but never received it. It was then she knew she had been scammed, just before Christmas. She reported the fraud to Nationwide, but was not refunded as she had not indicated that the transfer was an investment, and so was not shown a scam warning. Following intervention from Money Mail, Nationwide agreed to reimburse Marlene in full. A spokesman says: 'As no error was made by the Society we initially held her liable for the loss. But, following a review of the case using additional information provided to the Daily Mail, we now have the rationale for why she made this decision.'

Warnings missed

Money Mail has been shown evidence that the FCA was warned about a specific online investment scam months before savers were defrauded.

Consumer campaigner Mark Taber estimates he has found and flagged more than 750 online investment scams to the watchdog since the start of 2020.

But he says the FCA can take weeks or even months to list the firm on its warning list. One website he flagged to the FCA did not appear on the watchdog's warning list until four months later. In that time, one Money Mail reader lost 9,000 to the scam.

Some 1,184 potential investment scam firms were added to the FCA's warning list last year - up from 573 in 2019. There are now 6,594 names on the register.

Criminal gangs are using legit-looking clone sites to steal 'big money' from investors, warns expert 'The profit margins far outweigh those for other crimes and there is less risk when compared to drug dealing or people trafficking.' warns financial crime expert Phil Rolfe, boss of P2 Consulting. He calls on the Government, tech firms, crime agencies and the finance industry to come together and figure out a solution. Rolfe also offers five important tips to investors on how to avoid ending up on fraudulent copycat websites and find the ones run by legitimate, brand name finance companies. Read more here.

Investors should check the FCA list to see if the firm is running a possible scam at fca.org.uk/scamsmart/warning-list.

But research from Nationwide building society found 22 per cent of would-be investors do not know how to check.

Research from consumer group Which? found that many firms on the list had advertised on either Google or Microsoft's Bing, having paid to appear at the top of search results for terms such as 'best bonds' and 'best fixed-rate bonds'.

The group said adverts remained online for weeks after the FCA issued warnings to avoid them.

It can cost less than 100 to advertise with Google. It has been reported that collapsed investment firm London Capital & Finance paid Google more than 20 million to promote high-risk mini bonds.

Many of the scams online come in the form of fake comparison sites, or 'lead generators' that promise to find savers the best rates around - only to pass their details on to fraudsters.

Alain Desmier, who runs advertising intelligence firm Contact State, says a 'silver bullet' would be for the FCA to make it a requirement for financial promotion services to be authorised.

He says: 'Overnight you would have a parting of waves of those who can legitimately do that and those who cannot. If you criminalise the buying of unauthorised leads of would see the oxygen sucked out of it.'

The Work and Pensions committee's report also said the watchdog needed to raise its game.

It read: 'We have heard numerous criticisms that the FCA is not effective in stopping scams, punishing scammers or retrieving scam proceeds. There is a compelling case for a much more ambitious approach.'

Many of the scams online come in the form of fake comparison sites, or 'lead generators' that promise to find savers the best rates around - only to pass their details on to fraudsters

Refunds refused

Central to the misery caused by the fraud epidemic is the battle to retrieve any stolen money.

Most major banks are signed up to a voluntary code that dictates that all victims who have taken care to avoid a scam should get their money back.

But experts fear many victims are not being told about this option, or their right to ask the Financial Ombudsman Service to intervene.

Fewer than half of customers would tell their bank if they were victim of a scam, a survey by building society Nationwide found. Just 55 per cent would tell the police.

Mr Taber says he has spoken to victims who reported the crime to national helpline Action Fraud, but were not told to ask their bank for their money back. He says: 'They are definitely not being signposted.'

An agreement between banks to fund a pot of money to reimburse fraud victims is due to run out at the end of June. The Payments Service Regulator (PSR) is consulting on what should happen next.

Campaigners say banks should all be refunding fraud victims until they have in place better security checks. They say fraudsters are opening accounts with faked documents far too easily and banks should be doing more to stop suspicious transfers.

After delays, the industry only last year introduced 'confirmation of payee' - a security check that means a transfer will only be processed if the person sending the money has the correct name of the bank account receiving the funds.

Yet while most major banks now have the check in place, some - including Metro and Tesco Bank - still do not.

Mr Taber adds: 'Until you start stopping it at the gateway, the criminals aren't going to stop doing it.'

But victims are facing a lottery when they try to claim a refund from their bank. TSB has not signed up to the code, but pledged to refund all defrauded customers.

One unidentified bank signed up to the code, refunded just 1 per cent of fraud victims.

Campaigners are also calling on banks to publish fraud reimbursement rates.

Experts want to see the PSR force banks to repay all victims.

Jenny Ross, money editor at consumer group Which?, says: 'We hear regularly from devastated scam victims - many of them vulnerable bank customers - who have lost life-changing sums of money.

In some cases, their bank has failed to give adequate fraud warnings or to properly assess the vulnerability of the victim  and yet they still refuse to reimburse them.

'Now is the time to take decisive action by replacing the current voluntary reimbursement code with a mandatory scheme.'

Swindled out of 10k in bond scam Former historian Ann Merrills's 86-year-old relative was tricked to invest in a bond paying 4 per cent over three years Ann Merrills became concerned when a relative invested 10,000 with Credit Suisse. The 86-year-old had been wrapped up in a con with a scam website posing as MoneySuperMarket. He was tricked to invest in a bond paying 4 per cent over three years in January. A broker posing as John Tiner, a member of the board of directors at Credit Suisse, reassured him he could withdraw his money any time within a 14-day cooling off period. He was sent official looking paperwork, too. Ann, a former historian, reported it to HSBC, which refused a refund as it provided an 'effective warning' and didn't think he was vulnerable. Ann, 72, says: 'A man his age didn't have fraud on his radar. This destroyed his confidence.' MoneySuperMarket says it is aware of fraudsters trying to use its brand to trick consumers while a Credit Suisse spokesman says it now carries fraud warnings on its website.

Blame culture

Fraud victims are suffering added trauma with the fight to get their money back, and the slim chance that their scammer will ever see justice.

Lisa Mills, senior fraud manager at charity Victim Support, says she has dealt with thousands of victims of sophisticated fraud over the past five years, but can't recall a single prosecution.

She also says scam victims are not given enough advice on how to lobby their bank for a refund.

She says: '[They] still feel they are at a loss. They don't know who to turn to. No one is telling victims how to proceed.'

The support worker says the banks' approach was placing the blame on innocent victims.

She says: 'No one wakes up in the morning thinking they are going to be throw good money away. It is re-victimisation unfortunately.

The financial losses are devastating but it's someone telling you that you are to blame. We take the opposite view, they have been conned or coerced.'

Pauline Smith, director at Action Fraud, also told MPs that in one year its call handlers had had 222 suicidal victims on the phone.

In its report, the work and pensions committee, recommended the Department for Work and Pensions offered all scam victims support for 'financial harm and psychological distress'.

Cons can't lose

Scammers are stealing hundreds of millions of pounds, but are rarely caught or prosecuted.

Graeme Biggar, director general at the National Economic Crime Centre, has said that less than 1 per cent of the nation's police is dedicated to fighting fraud  despite it being a third of all crime.

Victims have to report a fraud to helpline Action Fraud which can ask police to investigate.

Over the past 11 months, Action Fraud received 396,835 reports of fraud and cyber crime, and only passed 32,032 on to police.

Police figures show that there were only 5,101 prosecutions for more than 325,000 frauds last year.

The work and pensions committee inquiry into pension scams heard 40,000 savers had lost more than 10 billion to fraud since in 2015. Yet there had been just 25 convictions.

An FCA spokesman says: 'Tackling scams is a priority for the FCA and we have dedicated considerable resources to it over the past few years in both prevention and pursuit.

We will continue to work with any and all bodies involved in fighting fraud and scams to prevent further harm to consumers.'

An Action Fraud spokesman says: 'Fraud is an incredibly complex crime and something policing can't combat in isolation.'

The National Economic Crime Centre says the fight against fraud needs more resources. A spokesman says: 'As a country, we must all do more to combat the evolving threat of fraud.' '

Google says it has been working closely with the FCA over the past year, and has strengthened its verification tests for businesses.

A spokesman says it removed 123 million financial services ads last year, and adds: 'When ads do not comply with our policies, we take action to remove them.'

A Microsoft spokesman says advertisers must comply with local laws and regulations.

Additional reporting: Amelia Murray
The Mozambican army has been battling insurgents since 2017.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has expressed gratitude to the Mozambican government for the assistance provided to South African citizens affected by the recent terrorist attacks.

"This follows the successful evacuation today [Tuesday] of six more South African nationals and the repatriation of the mortal remains of a South African man who perished in the attacks on 26 March 2021," the department said on Tuesday.

DIRCO said the South African Air Force (SAAF) carried out the evacuation.

"The SAAF plane flew from Mozambique to KwaZulu-Natal and thereafter to Gauteng."

Officials from the Department of Health conducted COVID-19 tests on the passengers on their arrival in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to reports, Adrian Nel was killed when he, his father and younger brother joined the convoy that attempted to break out of the Amarula Lodge hotel.

While northern Mozambique has been affected by bloody violence since 2017, the conflict intensified on Friday after a group of suspected terrorists stormed into the town of Palma, targeting shops, banks and military barracks, according to media reports.

The incident has left dozens dead while hundreds are believed to be missing.

The department has assured citizens that the South African High Commission in Maputo remains "seized" with the situation in northern Mozambique and will continue to render consular services to any more distressed South Africans needing assistance.

The South African High Commission in Maputo on Monday said it has accounted for the 43 South Africans caught up in the attacks.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Theres one week left for New York City public school students who have been learning remotely full-time since school started this year amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to opt-in to in-person learning.

The two-week opt-in period, announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio earlier this month, allows another opportunity for remote learners to switch to in-person learning, following new school guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that reduced the recommended distance between students from six feet to three feet.

The CDC said students can safely sit just three feet apart in the classroom as long as they wear a mask, but should be kept the usual six feet away from one another at sporting events, assemblies, lunch or chorus practice.

Were going to do an opt-in for all grades, said de Blasio during a recent press conference. Even though some of them will be ready to open in the near term, we want to ask parents and kids across all grade levels if they want to come back when the opportunity arises.

The opt-in period, which opened last week, has a deadline of Wednesday, April 7.

It will be the second time this school year that full-time remote learners can switch to in-person learning. The first opt-in period was in mid-November.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

You can fill out this survey online, or call 311, by April 7 to let the city Department of Education (DOE) know that you are opting into blended in-person learning for the remainder of the school year.

The form doesnt apply to charter schools. If your child attends a charter school, please reach out to the school directly to discuss remote learning options, the DOE stated.

Younger students who choose to opt-in now will be back in school buildings next month, de Blasio said on Monday during a press conference. These include students in 3-K, pre-K, elementary school and those in District 75 schools.

He explained that, while older students are included in the new opt-in period, more work needs to be done in bringing those additional middle and high school students back to campus.

We still have more work to do for middle and high school, de Blasio said. Were still not sure about those timelines, as I said, the opt-in will include middle and high school students so we know what their intentions are, and then well be able to provide more information as we get more guidance and as we see the overall situation evolve.

Currently, many schools across the city are offering students five-day-a-week in-person instruction. If you opt into blended learning, your childs school will keep you informed about its specific learning model and your childs schedule. At any time of the year for any reason, you can opt your child back into fully remote learning.

IF YOU OPT-IN

Signing up for blended learning means schools are arranging schedules and programs to serve the number of students they expect to see in-person each day. And the DOE wants to make sure the expectation is clear  if you are in blended learning, your school expects that you will attend school in-person.

Students who sign up for blended learning must submit consent for random coronavirus testing by the first day their child begins in-person learning. If you have already submitted consent, the DOE encourages parents to submit the consent form again to ensure the latest form is on file.

There are two ways to submit the consent form:

New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) -- Log into your account, click your students name, click Manage Account, and when a dropdown menu appears, click Consent Forms. Read the page and choose the consent option at the end for your student.

Print and sign the form and bring it to your childs school on the first day her or she is back on campus. A printable PDF file is available in 10 languages at the DOEs COVID Testing page.

If a student comes to school on the first day back for in-person instruction without a consent form on file, the principal and school staff will contact you to obtain consent. After that, those students without a consent form on file who dont have a medical or disability-based exemption must move to fully remote instruction.

For information on opting-in to the blended learning plan, go to schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020.

School Zone: A new newsletter with the updates you need as our schools try to get back to normal. Enter your email address here and hit "subscribe" to receive this weekly newsletter:



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A new coronavirus strain has been identified in Israel, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday, and the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, used primarily in a swift nationwide inoculation drive, appeared to be effective against it.

The ministry said separately it discovered no evidence the new variant caused widespread infection or severe morbidity, and said it appeared to be scarce and may be disappearing entirely.

More than half of Israels population of nine million have received both doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Infection rates have been dropping steadily, and Israels economy has largely reopened.

Health officials have said they expect all those eligible for the vaccine to be inoculated by the end of May. About a third of Israelis are under the age of 16, rendering them ineligible until the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is deemed safe for children, CNBC reported.
A Pilates instructor who is nine-months pregnant with her first child has launched a desperate appeal to find her mother after she mysteriously vanished overseas.

American expat April Grillo, who lives in Perth, should be preparing to celebrate the happiest moment of her life as she counts down the days until her son's birth.

Instead, she has spent the past few weeks sick with worry, hoping her mother Cynthia Maria Hoover will be found safe on the other side of the world.

Ms Hoover, 60, was last seen on March 8th at 2.30pm in Milton, in northwest Florida, before concerned relatives reported her missing seven days later after being unable to contact her.

American expat April Grillo, who lives in Perth, has launched an appeal for information to find her missing mother Cynthia Hoover (pictured together) who was last seen by relatives at a Florida address on March 8

Her car was found abandoned two days later facing westbound on interstate 10, near Ward Basin in Milton, and detectives have been unable to determine if she was with anyone or where she was heading.

'My family has been searching for her days. No one seems to know anything,' Ms Grillo wrote in an appeal for help on social media.

'Trying to navigate through this extremely difficult time [has been] a learning curve I hope you never have to experience.

'We just want her to come home safely. Please keep my family in your thoughts. And please speak up if you know anything. Id be so grateful.'

Ms Grillo said it was extremely unusual for her mother to go this long without contacting her or other relatives and her phone goes straight to voicemail.

Santa Rosa investigators are urging members of the public to come forward with any information that may help locate the beloved mother, and say she is possibly endangered due to a possible medical condition.

'The police are doing their job looking through bank/phone records, pulling the highway camera footage, and following up on the tips that have been called in,' Ms Grillo said.

'In the meantime KlassKids and Geaux Rescue are assisting in local searches and friends have made flyers and I know theyve been hung up all over town.'

Ms Grillo is nine-months pregnant with her first child and is due to give birth to her son in April

Ms Grillo said it is extremely unlike her mother to not be in contact with relatives

A billboard with a photo of Ms Hoover has been erected in the Santa Rosa county area in the hope it will trigger new leads.

Local media reports said the car appeared to have been ransacked when it was found along the interstate, near mile marker 25.

Ms Hoover was last seen by family at an address on Lakeside Drive on March 8 before leaving to pay a bill a six minute drive away, but it remains unclear whether or not she arrived.

Her Jeep was towed away two days later on March 10 after being located by the road, but investigators are still trying to piece together how long it had been there.

Search teams scoured 70miles around the area were her car was found, nearby woods and by boat along Blackwater River, two weeks ago but failed to find any trace of Ms Hoover.

Around the same time Ms Hoover disappeared, Ms Grillo celebrated her baby shower for her little boy, who is due in April, with friends in Western Australia.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she has been separated from her family in the United States, making the upcoming birth of her child all the more difficult.

'Having our first bub so far away from home can make you extra homesick at times. Our friends have showed up every step of the way on this journey and shown us what an amazing village we have,' she wrote alongside a photo of the baby shower.

Now, the distance has become even more pronounced as she searches for her mum.

'Its excruciating not being home with my family right now,' Ms Grillo wrote in a later post.

'I know a lot of you are concerned about my stress levels being almost nine months pregnant. Mentally Im a mess but staying as calm as I can. We have had a regularly scheduled checkup last week and both of us are physically healthy.

'[My husband] Mike is amazing and is ensuring we remain that way. Our friends here in Australia have made sure I feel their support being so far from home.'

Ms Hoover is described as having brown hair, blue eyes, is 5'5" (160cm) tall and weighs about 230 pounds (100kg).

A Facebook page has been set up for those who wish to join the search efforts.
Individuals, families, and businesses are utilising huge solar panels in order to make long-term savings

In Vinh Hau A commune of the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieus Hoa Binh district, the shrimp farm of Long Manh Co., Ltd. is one of the largest and most successful farms in the district. Covering an area of four hectares, the farm utilises solar panels on its rooftops and the shrimp ponds, which have been generating additional benefits for the company.

When Long Van Nghia, the owner of the farm, heard about renewable energy which has become popular in the province over the last few years, he installed a small solar rooftop unit with a capacity of 25kW for trial in early 2020.

The rooftop unit helped me to save around $260 from my power bill. Instead of paying $950-1,100 every month, I have spent only $700-870 for my electricity since then, said Nghia.

Realising this benefit, Nghia decided to expand his solar generation. Covering an area of 2ha, the total capacity of my solar units amounts to 2MW now. Now, I dont have to pay for my electricity at all and instead, Im earning around $26,000 every month, he added.

High-tech farms

Long Manhs farm has been developed since 2016 and achieves an annual output of 75-80 tonnes of shrimp. However, of the 4ha, only around 6,000 square metres account for actual shrimp ponds, while the remainder is used for secondary ponds and other auxiliary facilities.

Since it takes a lot of power to operate a shrimp farm, with such costs amounting to around 10 per cent of the total costs, Nghia decided to upgrade the farm to a high-tech agricultural one by utilising solar power. He invested around $1.43 million to improve his farm, with almost $435,000 going solely into the 2ha of solar rooftop units.

Im using these huge solar panels on the ponds for water and other purposes, and in addition to the produced electricity, these units also regulate the temperature and reduce the farms greenhouse gas emissions, Nghia said, explaining the benefits of his solar rooftop units and emphasising that his investment should be paid back within 5-6 years.

In other provinces of the Mekong Delta like An Giang and Hau Giang, and Can Tho city, more high-tech agricultural farms are emerging, including those for dairy, basa fish, and other plants and husbandry. By switching to reliable solar power generation, these farmers worry less about the performance of their agricultural production.

Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said such models are following the concept of the circular economy, without wasting any resources. As a result, regional value chains have improved significantly.

Such projects not only generate hundreds of millions of VND for every hectare of land but also represent huge values on arid lands, which can support the combat of climate change and the sustainable development of agricultural production, the minister said.

Reassigning land

However, solar power projects are not brightening every aspect of the locals lives and can push some into serious problems. As large solar power farms are placed across the nation, some lose all their land and thus their livelihoods.

Tran Van Tu, a resident of Phuoc The commune of the south-central province of Binh Thuans Tuy Phong district, and his wife felt free and happy after they received financial compensation for their land. However, the money has been burned quickly and now there is no way of recovering it.

We received about $52,000 for our 2ha of agricultural land in 2019, where we used to raise pigs and cows. Without any land for cultivation or husbandry, we feel worried for our lives, as the rest of the compensation is nearly used up, said Tu.

According to a report by non-profit organisation Oxfam, 16,600MW of renewable energy has already been installed across Vietnam, covering an area of nearly 17,000ha of what was previously farmland and forests.

These figures will increase sharply to up to 36,000ha by 2030 and 206,000ha by 2050 based on the planned capacity in the third draft of the National Power Development Plan 8, said Nguyen Ngoc Huy, senior consultant of Oxfam Vietnam.

As thousands of hectares of agricultural land have been reassigned for energy generation, huge solar panels and wind turbines cover the previous agricultural land. That means millions of residents and farmers have already or will become unemployed, without any means to generate a stable income from agricultural lands.

Even though numerous companies have been hiring local employees to work on their solar and wind farms for decent salaries of around $260-650 per month, including for works such as washing the photovoltaic plates, repairing the installations, and securing the premises, there is no official report on previous farmers lives and whether these have been employed.

It also remains unclear how many people are currently working in renewable energy plants, and how many of the previous farmers found new jobs or remain unemployed.

In the case of a solar farm run by Trung Nam Group in the south-central province of Ninh Thuans Thuan Bac district, which is located on an area of 990ha, only 45 workers have been employed to clean the panels every evening.

In addition to the precarious employment situation of expelled farmers, renewable energy projects have caused several lawsuits in the localities, mostly related to compensation, land disputes, and clearance.

For instance, although the 40.8-ha VSP Binh Thuan II solar plant by VSP Binh Thuan II Solar Power JSC has already been put into operation, numerous locals have yet to receive compensation for their land.

In early 2018, farmer Pham Van Lai and his family in Binh Thuans Tuy Phong district were informed of the acquisition of their land to develop the VSP Binh Thuan II project in Vinh Hao commune. After only receiving meagre compensation, Lai filed complaints to local authorities and the governments inspection office but nothing has been done since. On January 6, Binh Thuan Peoples Committee made a written request to the district-level Peoples Committee to ask for resolving the lawsuit, but the man has received no feedback.

The representative of the company came and talked with me once only to ask me to withdraw the complaints. I refused and the company continued building the solar farm on my land without my permission or compensating me, explained Lai.

Thus, he and his family are now left without any land and any income, while still waiting for compensation.

Despite the obvious advantages that solar power projects can offer Vietnams development, cases like Lais showcase that such projects can cause lasting problems for those who are asked to leave their land.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  After years of hitting a brick wall at the Roundhouse, cannabis legalization finally burst through on Wednesday.

New Mexico is poised to join a wave of other states in legalizing and taxing recreational cannabis sales, after both the House and Senate voted to approve a special session bill during a marathon day at the Roundhouse that featured lengthy debates and stinging political accusations.

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has pushed for creation of what could be a multimillion-dollar industry, said she would sign the bill into law, setting the stage for cannabis sales to begin by next year.

This is a significant victory for New Mexico, Lujan Grisham said shortly after the House signed off on Senate changes to the bill late Wednesday.

Change never comes easily and rarely does it occur as quickly as we might like, the governor added in a statement. But with this major step forward, we are signaling more clearly than ever before that we are ready, as a state, to truly break new ground, to think differently about ourselves and our economic future, to fearlessly invest in ourselves and in the limitless potential of New Mexicans.

Getting a bill to the governor wasnt easy.

Lujan Grisham called lawmakers back to the state Capitol for a special session this week, after a House-approved cannabis legalization bill stalled on the Senate floor in the final hours of a 60-day legislative session that ended March 20.

A new Democratic-backed attempt, House Bill 2, cleared the state House 38-32 after more than three hours of debate Wednesday afternoon.

The 178-page bill then headed to the Senate, where it encountered extensive questioning from lawmakers including Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, the sponsor of a competing bill that called for more of a free-market approach to cannabis legislation.

Some Democrats also expressed reservations about New Mexico legalizing marijuana  and the timing of this weeks special session during the week before Easter.

Were not really genuinely here to debate the bill or improve the bill, said Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, who has opposed past legalization measures. Were here to pass the bill.

The bill eventually passed the Senate 22-15, with just two Democrats  Sens. Roberto Bobby Gonzales of Taos and Shannon Pinto of Gallup  joining with Republicans in casting no votes. Cervantes was among five senators who missed the final vote.

The House then gave its final approval to the bill on a voice vote, which was necessary because the Senate had tacked on an amendment barring legislators from entering the cannabis industry until July 2026.

In its final form, the proposal would allow retail sales to those 21 and older by April 1 next year, at the latest.

Since taking office in 2019, Lujan Grisham has pitched cannabis legalization as a way to diversify New Mexicos economy, create jobs and bolster the state as a tourist destination, especially with neighboring Texas unlikely to legalize marijuana in the near future.

Democratic lawmakers highlighted the measure as a way to repair the harms of the war on drugs, allowing people with past cannabis convictions to enter the industry.

I know this isnt an easy thing to do, said Rep. Javier Martinez, an Albuquerque Democrat and co-sponsor of the measure. But cannabis is here whether its legal or not.

But Wednesdays approval in both the House and Senate came over the objection of Republicans. They contend the proposal would worsen New Mexicos struggle with drug abuse and impaired driving, harm the brain development of young people and conflict with federal law enforcement.

This legislation is so bad, House Minority Whip Rod Montoya, R-Farmington, said during the debate. We cannot be this reckless in our desire to pass drug legalization.

Medical program

Once the legalization bill is signed into law, New Mexico will join a wave of states embracing recreational marijuana, including New York, which on Wednesday became the 16th state to legalize.

But New Mexico already has a medical cannabis program that had more than 107,000 enrolled patients as of January, a fact that was driven home during Wednesdays debate.

At one point, Sen. Jacob Candelaria, an Albuquerque Democrat and medical cannabis patient, held up a cannabis vaping cartridge that he said he intended to consume later Wednesday.

This is a gram of cannabis concentrate that will be vaped later, by me, after we pass this bill  probably all of it, Candelaria said.

He repeatedly questioned a provision in the bill that would establish limits on the supply of cannabis  restricting the number of plants each major supplier could have  through the end of 2025.

Candelaria, who ultimately voted in favor of the measure, described it as an attack on Ultra Health LLC, a medical cannabis producer he has represented in his work as a private attorney.

Sen. Katy Duhigg, an Albuquerque Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said the supply limit was intended to ensure that big companies dont flood the market and keep smaller businesses from entering the industry. It would be only temporary, she said, and based on the projected demand if 20% of adults participate in the market.

What we have in (this bill) is a solid framework to make a change to our state thats been a long time coming, Duhigg said during Wednesday evenings Senate floor debate.

She also said lawmakers would likely have to make more changes to the law in future years.

Close votes

Before the landmark vote on Wednesday, the House had twice passed legalization proposals since 2019 only to see them die in the Senate.

But the vote margins have been narrow, and seven House Democrats crossed party lines on Wednesday to oppose the special session bill. The ranks of opponents included Rep. Miguel Garcia, D-Albuquerque, who voted in favor of legalization during the regular session.

The final version of the bill that won approval would generate an estimated $20 million in revenue for the state in the 2023 fiscal year, along with an estimated $10 million for local governments around New Mexico, according to a fiscal analysis.

A new division in the state Regulation and Licensing Department would handle cannabis licensing and determine when to allow retail sales of marijuana products, with a deadline of April 1 next year.

Both legislative chambers also adopted separate legislation that would provide about $7 million to help carry out new cannabis regulations.

The funding includes $750,000 to cover the cost of drug recognition field expert certification for law enforcement officers and to develop or purchase roadside impairment tests for cannabis.

But revenue generated by cannabis legalization would not be earmarked for specific programs, leaving it up to lawmakers to decide how to spend a weed windfall in future years.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After a year of Zoom meetings and email dings at all hours, Northeast Ohio businesses are trying to combat pandemic fatigue by offering virtual workouts and meditation, canceling meetings on Fridays and giving perks.

Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser made headlines when she banned international video calls on Fridays, encouraging her over 200,000 employees to set boundaries and have a better work/life balance. She also designated a firmwide holiday, Citi Reset Day on May 28, and encouraged employees to take calls only during traditional working hours.

What are Northeast Ohio companies doing to address the burnout of working mainly apart for more than a year?

Related: How do you shut off the work day, while working from home during the coronavirus crisis?

Businesses like Vitamix, a blender manufacturer located in Olmsted Falls, implemented various virtual activities like Mindfulness Monday to help keep employees connected and encourage a healthy lifestyle, said Vitamix wellness specialist Andy Sonntag. The company livestreams workouts on its employee Facebook group page.

It focuses on meditation and starting the week off in a good headspace, Sonntag said.

Vitamixs culinary team also initiated live blend-along sessions to demonstrate products using seasonal recipes.

These have kept employees engaged with one another and in healthy eating habits even from afar, Sonntag said. The additions to the corporate environment have really helped with virtual community building since many employees are still working from home.

Marcus Thomas, a digital marking and public relations firm based in Cleveland, faced some challenges at first trying to maintain employee morale in a virtual environment, says Heidi Modarelli-Frank, partner/senior vice president of public relations.

Weve tried to give people outlets to focus on self-care, break up the monotony of pandemic fatigue, and find joy, Frank said.

The company partnered with a wellness specialist. It also gave staff weekly 30-minute guided morning meditations, lunch gift cards, and care packages, as well as virtual cooking demonstrations.

The firm has even offered employees the option to start their weekend early with half-day Fridays during the warmer months.

Weve also maintained normal-times activities, like weekly all-staff meetings that keep us connected, Frank said. Weve done our best to try to create some normalcy in a very abnormal time.

At Majestic Steel, a distributor and processor of flat-rolled steel, long hours in front of the computer can eventually take a toll, says spokesperson Kristen Ostergard.

To offer associates some relief, the Cleveland based company gave its employees a $250 home office reimbursement to buy home office equipment, such as headphones for calls, additional monitors, keyboards, and stand-up desks to create a more comfortable and productive at-home work environment.

At Majestic, nothing is more important to us than the mental health and safety of our associates, particularly during times like these. We believe it is our responsibility to promote wellness through our words but even more importantly through our actions, Ostergard said.

Majestic continued with its usual perks for employees, such as anniversary and holiday gifts. The company included recipe cards in their gift packages this year, encouraging employees to make and then send in a picture enjoying their meal to be shared.

It is small things like this which go such a long way in helping each other feel connected even while were apart, Ostergard said.

Majestic is in the planning stages of returning to the office. The new plan will center around a hybrid work environment and the introduction of No Meeting Fridays. The company will also offer workshops centered on work/life balance, how to manage your time effectively, and a reminder to associates to go home when working from home.

Many of our associates have been requesting to come back into the office, and we are eager to reintroduce them safely soon, Ostergard said. To support this, we are in the process of freshening up and reformatting our office space to get away from so many dedicated work areas and shift towards a more open environment conducive to group meetings, collaboration, and training.
3 1 of 3 Quinnipiac University Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





HAMDEN  An assistant U.S. attorney and a Quinnipiac University official recently were honored by the universitys Black Law Students Association, according to a release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ndidi Moses received the associations Thurgood Marshall Award March 25, the release said. The award, gven in honor of the first African American to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, recognizes a commitment to civil rights.
DENVER, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent meetings around Colorado, led by the Colorado Children's Campaign (CCC), with early childhood care and education providers, parents, advocates, and agency officials about the implementation of universal preschool program found that better funding and a stronger governance structure are two issues that require immediate attention.

"It's clear that Colorado needs to get to work bringing order to an early childhood care and education system that really doesn't deserve to be called a system at this point," said Bill Jaeger, Vice President of Early Childhood and Policy Initiatives at Colorado Children's Campaign. "Parents are struggling with a lack of consistent, reliable financial support; providers are stymied by a confusing and redundant governance structure that requires them to coordinate with a myriad of agencies. Meanwhile, systems leaders with early childhood care and education oversight responsibilities are also frustrated by the lack of a coherent system."

Between August 2020 and March 2021, the CCC convened community dialogue opportunities to advance a shared understanding of the issues surrounding the implementation of universal preschool in Colorado and learn about the needs of Colorado's families and early care and education community. The CCC, in partnership with Early Milestones Colorado and numerous other organizations, formed a Preschool Policy Leadership Committee, a Preschool Policy Advisory Group, created a community input toolkit, and conducted listening sessions around the state. As of the end of March, nearly 1,000 Coloradoans had participated in at least one of more than 80 community meetings in at least 32 of Colorado's counties.

Areas of focus at the meetings included understanding the status of child care and pre-kindergarten education in Colorado, program standards that advance child outcomes, strategies to support inclusive participation, governance of early care and education, funding of early care and education, and early childhood education workforce challenges and opportunities. During community input sessions, participants were asked to share their hopes and fears for universal preschool, their goals for early care and education, what is already working well in their communities, and anything their communities might need to have a successful transition to universal preschool programming.

"We have heard from hundreds of community members including providers, school district leaders, parents, Early Childhood Councils, advocates, educator groups, and philanthropic leaders," said Melissa Mares, Early Childhood Policy Fellow at the Colorado Children's Campaign. "Even with new revenue from the passage last year of Proposition EE which allows for the taxation of tobacco products to support universal preschool for all Colorado four-year-olds, no single funding stream can adequately cover the full-day, full-year needs of working families."

The next phase of the policy development process involves vetting the pros, cons, opportunities, and unintended consequences of specific policy choices that Colorado should consider. This will begin with a focus on governance, funding, and equitable program development.

"As a state we made a big commitment to early childhood education last year through the passage of Proposition EE," said Jaeger. "Now we need to step up again, but this time the challenge is to bring affordability AND coherence to the entire birth to kindergarten system so we can have programs that do right by our youngest learners."

About The Colorado Children's Campaign

The Colorado Children's Campaign, www.coloradokids.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization committed since 1985 to realizing every chance for every child in Colorado.

Contact:

Erich Kirshner

[email protected]

303.921.6733

SOURCE The Colorado Childrens Campaign
Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi (left), defense minister Prabowo Subianto, Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and defense minister Nobuo Kishi meet with reporters after their talks in Tokyo, March 30, 2021.

Indonesia and Japan signed an agreement on Tuesday for the export of Japanese-made military equipment and technology to Jakarta, as both nations face Beijings increasing expansionism and maritime activities in disputed regional waters.

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and his Japanese counterpart Nobuo Kishi inked the deal in Tokyo after a so-called 2+2 meeting, which the two countries foreign ministers also attended.

I had the honor of signing an agreement on the transfer of military equipment and technology from Japan to Indonesia. I think this is a historical first in bilateral relations between Japan and Indonesia, Prabowo said during a joint press conference afterward.

Details of the defense agreement were not released.

In November, The Japan Times quoted a source in the Japanese government as saying that Tokyo was in talks to export new-generation destroyers to the Indonesian Navy.

Officials at the Indonesian Defense Ministry could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.

Prabowo said he had intensive talks with Japanese leaders and senior officials on how to increase cooperation in the defense sector.

We support and invite the Japanese side to take higher participation in our defense industry. We also invite the Japanese side to participate in the modernization of the Indonesian defense capacity, he said.

We encourage joint training between our services, maritime and also land forces.

He also proposed more training in Japan for Indonesian military officers and cadets.

South China, East China Seas

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters without mentioning China that Tokyo and Jakarta were concerned about the situation in the South China Sea.

Both sides [Indonesia and Japan] also shared serious concerns about the continued and strengthened unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, Motegi said, in what appeared to be a reference to China.

He said Japan was also concerned about Chinas new law that allows its coast guard to use force on foreign vessels in waters it claims in the South China and East China Seas.

[Defense] Minister Kishi and I expressed serious concerns about recent developments in the region, such as Chinas coast guard law, Motegi told reporters.

Kishi said the law should not infringe other countries legitimate rights and interests.

China and Japan have a long-running territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands, which China calls the Diaoyu Dao. The uninhabited islets sit in the deep south of the East China Sea and are a recurring flashpoint between the two countries.

China, meanwhile, claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its own despite an international arbitration court in 2016 ruling in favor of the Philippines, in a case brought against Beijing over the contested waterway.

Six other Asian governments  Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam  have territorial claims or maritime boundaries in the South China Sea that overlap with the sweeping claims of China.

While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias exclusive economic zone.

China has asserted what it claims is its jurisdiction through deployments of its coast guard and navy, both of which constitute the largest fleets of their kind in the world, according to the 2020 China Military Power Report by the U.S. Department of Defense.

In January, the National Peoples Congress passed the Coast Guard Law of the Peoples Republic of China to help defend national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests. The China Coast Guard (CCG) has operated across the South China Sea since 2013 and operates in the East China Sea waters.

The U.S. State Department last month criticized the law.

The United States joins the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and other countries in expressing concern with Chinas recently enacted coast guard law, which may escalate ongoing territorial and maritime disputes, department spokesman Ned Price had said.

In Tokyo on Tuesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the Indo-Pacific should be a region of peace and prosperity.

This can only be fulfilled if cooperation is continuously pursued and when every country respects and implements international law, she told reporters.

During talks with Prabowo on Sunday, Japans Kishi spoke about the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, Japans Defense Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Minister Kishi underscored the requirement to uphold and reinforce the Free and Open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law, the ministry said.

The two ministers also stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and flight over the strategic maritime area, according to statements issued by the ministries of the two countries.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
The trial of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in a Sh14 million graft case has been postponed to April 19 following the suspension of open court sessions due to the rapid spread of Covid-19.

Sonko appeared in person before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko some minutes to 9am as a hearing against him and two others had been scheduled to commence.

The former governor waited several hours in court and then left.

Mr Ooko issued the directive when lawyers Evans Ondieki, Migai Oketch and Paula Atukunda, for Sonko and the two other suspects, appeared before him for fresh directions.

He cited a directive by acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, which suspended open court sessions indefinitely due to the pandemic.

The magistrate apologised to the lawyers and accused persons for the delay in giving directions in the matter.

The new date was set after a second mental examination report from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) stated that Sonko was fit to stand trial. The report was presented to the court two weeks ago while Mr Ooko was away.

The case will be mentioned virtually on April 7.

Other suspects

As the new directions in the case were being issued Monday, Milimani Chief magistrate Francis Andayi had a tough time explaining to suspects why their pending cases had to be suspended.

Some of the suspects said they feared warrants of arrest would be issued against them for skipping court while others said they did not have smartphones and therefore could not follow proceedings virtually.

Mr Andayi said "everyone was caught unawares by the directive since it was issued on March 28".

He asked the suspects to await fresh directions from home and to heed the government's directives for curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

He further assured the suspects that no warrants of their arrest will be issued since no magistrates are sitting.
Brazil, among the hardest-hit countries, is already using Chinese vaccines

Two Chinese coronavirus jabs are safe and effective, WHO experts said Wednesday after reviewing partial data, providing a potential boost to countries from Australia to Europe struggling to roll out vaccines fast enough.

Fewer than 600 million jabs have been given out across the world, three months after vaccination programmes began in earnest in Western countries and leaders hailed the drugs as the only safe way out of punishing lockdowns.

Vaccine specialists at the World Health Organization did not issue any advice on how to use China's jabs, saying they would wait until a decision had been taken on whether to grant them emergency licences.

The experts said the vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm "lacked data" for older age groups and people with medical conditions other than COVID.

Another vaccine maker, Pfizer-BionTech, was pushing ahead with its plans to ramp up production and rolloutsaying on Wednesday new data from the US showed its jab was 100 percent effective on 12 to 15-year-olds.

The firm said it wanted to start vaccinating youngsters in the US before the start of the next school year.

The US has already rolled out almost 150 million vaccines doses, far more than any other country. But it has also suffered more than 550,000 deaths, the highest death toll in the world.

Globally, the virus has killed more than 2.8 million people since it emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

Graphic highlighting the countries with the largest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the past week.

'No scientific coherence'

Large parts of Europe are battling high infection rates, with most of the continent still living under lockdowns or other restrictions.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who has repeatedly vowed not to reintroduce a national lockdown, is under increasing pressure.

He is expected to announce tougher measurespossibly including school closureslater Wednesday.

In Paris, intensive care beds are running low and infection rates are approaching last year's peak, pushing medics to breaking point.

"Since January, we have had political decisions with no scientific coherence," said Gilles Pialoux, head of infectious diseases at one Paris hospital.

"We've lost so much time that the measures now will be harder and last for longer."

The cycle of restrictions and infections is not over in China either, where a city on the Myanmar border faces lockdownthe first such move in months.

All residents in the city of Ruili will be tested for the virus and everyone will have to observe "home quarantine" for a week after six cases were detected, say officials.

Parts of France are bracing for strict new rules, as President Emmanuel Macron prepares to address the nation

'It's not a race'

Australia, largely free of COVID infections, still faces a huge challenge to get jabs into arms, especially since some countries have started blocking exports to what they regard as a low-risk region.

So far, just 670,000 doses have been administered, well below initial plans to vaccinate four million people by the end of March.

"It's not a race," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, accusing critics of "wanting to play politics with vaccine and distribution".

Even further behind is war-torn Yemen, which accepted its first delivery of jabs on Wednesday.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it had seen a "dramatic influx" of critically ill COVID-19 patients in Aden and other parts of Yemen.

With the rest of the world scrambling to catch up with the US, the positive signals from the WHO on the Chinese jabs could be crucial.

However, WHO experts pointed out that neither had yet received authorisation by what the UN agency considered "a stringent regulatory authority".

China has already approved four homegrown vaccines

'Double shift for women'

The EU's drug regulating agency said Wednesday it had found no specific risk factors connecting the AstraZeneca vaccine to reports of blood clotting.

But the European Medicines Agency added: "A causal link with the vaccine is not proven, but is possible and further analysis is continuing."

Some EU countries have restricted access to the vaccine over reports of blood clotting.

The COVID crisis has pushed health systems to the brink, brought huge challenges for policymakers and devastated the global economy.

But Britain released economic data suggesting it had bounced back stronger than expected in the second half of last year. Overall output expanded by 16.9 percent in the third quarter, stronger than the 16.1 percent predicted.

Longer-term prospects for women in the world economy look gloomier however, according to the World Economic Forum.

While the forum's 2019 Global Gender Gap Report had suggested gender parity would be reached in many sectors in less than a century, this year's report pushes it back to 135.6 years.

"There has been sort of a rollback to traditional behaviours inside the home, and that then creates a double shift for women who are working," said WEF's Saadia Zahidi.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A change in how the federal government classifies metropolitan areas could have dramatic consequences for some New Mexico communities, leading to pushback from local and state leaders.

The White House Office of Management and Budget issued a proposal in January that would redefine metropolitan statistical areas to those with populations of more than 100,000.

Currently, metropolitan areas are classified by the federal government as those with a population greater than 50,000 that have significant economic influence in a region.

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The change would cut the percentage of Americans living in metropolitan areas from 86% to 80%, according to local leaders.

If the change were enacted, Farmington and Santa Fe  two of the states largest cities, with metropolitan populations of 53,049 and 89,284, respectively  would be reclassified as micropolitan areas. Population figures are based on the U.S. Census Bureaus urban area classifications.

While the total impact is unknown, some local leaders say it could jeopardize federal funding normally reserved for larger areas.

We certainly dont want to see (funding) disappear, Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett said in a phone interview. Theyve not really provided much guidance on how this is going to affect our funding.

Several local leaders have issued letters to the OMB, arguing there is no evidence that the proposed change is necessary. U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan, along with Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, all D-N.M., issued a joint letter March 19 opposing the definition change during a crisis.

This change would be particularly damaging in a time when local budgets are already stressed due to decreased revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the letter states.

Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber also submitted a letter stating his city relies heavily on federal funds for transportation and affordable housing.

New Mexico currently has four areas classified as metropolitan. In addition to Farmington and Santa Fe, they are Albuquerque, population 741,318, and Las Cruces, population 128,600. Rio Rancho is included in the Albuquerque area.

One of the possible main cuts to funding could fall on metropolitan planning organizations, which receive money for transportation and other infrastructure projects.

Erick Aune, director of the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization, said organizations such as his could disappear if the definition changes.

It may be like an unintended consequence, Aune said, while noting that the implications are very clear.

Potential impacts, though, are not limited to urban areas.

If categorized as micropolitan areas, Santa Fe and Farmington would have to compete for federal transportation funds with more rural areas.

Aune said bigger cities, which typically have a larger infrastructure, have a built-in advantage, including money for roads, as well as Community Development Block Grants for affordable housing.

Classifications for core-based statistical areas were first developed for the 1950 census, according to the OMB. A report from the Brookings Institution said the proposed change would increase the average population of a nonmetro county by 25%.

However, the exact implications of the definition change remain unknown. State Demographer Robert Rhatigan said thats because the OMB has not done a fiscal impact report for communities, something he believes is necessary before the rule is implemented.

While I agree that its a good idea to explore reclassification, they really need to do a fiscal impact analysis of this, Rhatigan said.

He also said changes would likely not be implemented until the 2020 Census results are released, possibly in May.
Filming has begun on Sky Original drama The Colour Room, Phoebe Dynevor's first major film since she starred in Netflix hit Bridgerton.

The actress, 25, was seen getting to work on set of her new project in Manchester on Thursday, and she joined her co-star Matthew Goode to film her first scenes.

Phoebe has traded the racy period drama for art as she transformed into real-life pottery pioneer Clarice Cliff by wearing a wavy brunette wig.

From period drama to pottery! Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor transformed into Clarice Cliff with brunette wig and wrinkled tights as The Colour Room filming began on Thursday

Phoebe looked demure as she paired a black dress that had a colourful red, yellow and orange floral print with wrinkled tights.

She completed her look by wearing simple brown heeled shoes and accessorised with an orange and brown scarf that clashed with her attire.

Staying safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, Phoebe made sure to follow strict rules by wearing a face covering while walking to set.

Matthew, meanwhile, looked dapper as he prepared to film a scene in a pair of blue linen pyjamas and a grey dressing gown.

Quite a change: The actress, who played Daphne Bridgerton in the Netflix show (pictured with Rege-Jean Page) will now take on the role of Clarice Cliff, a pioneering ceramic artist

Inspiring story: The film tells how Cliff became a rising star in the pottery industry in Stoke-On-Trent in the 1920s

Pioneer: In real life, Cliff (L) broke the glass ceiling to revolutionise the workplace during the 20th Century

Busy schedule: Phoebe filmed scenes alongside her co-star Matthew Goode who was also seen out on set for the first day of filming in Manchester

Modest: Phoebe looked demure as she paired a black dress that had a colourful red, yellow and orange floral print with wrinkled tights

Quirky: Phoebe accessorised with an orange and brown scarf that clashed with her attire

Later on, Matthew looked more put together as he donned a brown three-piece suit over a white striped shirt and a bronze tie.

His raven tresses were slicked back into a coiffured style and he also was seen wearing a face mask to protect himself at the studios.

The film tells the true story of Cliff, a pioneering ceramic artist who became a rising star in the pottery industry in Stoke-On-Trent in the 1920s.

Slight alterations: As well as her quirky dress, Phoebe was seen with a white longline coat for another scene

Busy day: Clearly getting ready to film another scene on set, Phoebe did a quick wardrobe change into a black dress and a bonnet adorned with a floral accessory

Artistic: Phoebe also wore a chic light black coat and lace-up boots for another scene

Protective: In one moment on set, Phoebe had a hair net placed around her brunette wig

Relaxed: Matthew, meanwhile, looked dapper as he prepared to film a scene in a pair of blue linen pyjamas and a grey dressing gown

Dapper: Later on, Matthew looked more put together as he donned a brown three-piece suit over a white striped shirt and a bronze tie

Gushing about the production earlier this month, Phoebe said: 'I am so excited to be joining the cast of The Colour Room, especially in the role as one of the nations most celebrated artists, Clarice Cliff. It's truly such an honour to take on such a remarkable character.

'The script is a beautifully written contemporary take on the 20th century, and I feel proud to be working with such a strong female team, both in front and behind the camera.'

Phoebe, who was catapulted to stardom after playing Daphne Bridgerton in the Netflix hit, added: 'I look forward to telling Clarice's story and of course working with Matthew too.'

Matthew will take on the role of Colley Shorter, the factory owner who became impressed by Clarice's work and helped stoke her talent.

Safety first: Staying safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, Phoebe made sure to follow strict rules by wearing a face covering while walking to set

Preparing: Phoebe was seen chatting to a member of the crew while walking to set

Delighted: Gushing about the role this month, Phoebe said: 'I am so excited to be joining the cast of The Colour Room, especially in the role as one of the nations most celebrated artists'

Thoughts: Phoebe claimed the film had a script that was a 'beautifully written contemporary take on the 20th century'

Happy: Phoebe, who was catapulted to stardom after appearing in the Netflix hit, added: 'I look forward to telling Clarice's story'

Team: The actress used the hairnet to protect her wig when she went on a break

Quite a change: Phoebe looked markedly different from her usual glamorous self while out on set (pictured right in 2018)

In real life, Cliff broke the glass ceiling to revolutionise the workplace during the 20th Century, and the film will see her take 'more and more dangerous risks' to bring her creations to life.

The artist went on to create the Art Deco 'Bizarre' range while apprenticing for renowned Art Designer Fred Ridgeway, played by David Morrissey.

Other actors set to join Phoebe, Matthew and David include Darci Shaw, Kerry Fox and Luke Norris.

Dressed to the nines: Matthew wore a red pocket square and brown brogues to complete his dapper look for the shoot

Support: Matthew will take on the role of Colley Shorter, the factory owner who became impressed by Clarice's work and helped stoke her talent

Helping hand: Following Shorter's support, Cliff went on to create the Art Deco 'Bizarre' range while apprenticing for renowned Art Designer Fred Ridgeway, played by David Morrissey

Great cast: Other actors set to join Phoebe, Matthew and David include Darci Shaw, Kerry Fox and Luke Norris

Claire McCarthy is set to direct the film, which is based on the BAFTA Rocliffe-winning script by Claire Peate and is produced by Caspian Films, Sky, and Creative England.

Discussing the film, Peate said: 'The story was inspired by a single image; a young factory worker leaving her grim, industrial reality behind her and stepping into the rainbow of the Colour Room  a world of joy and possibility.

'It was thanks to the script winning at BAFTA Rocliffe and being performed on stage that it was picked up, and I'm thrilled to now be working with Phoebe and Matthew in bringing The Colour Room to life.'

Cosy: Matthew appeared relaxed as he strolled to set in costume, which alongside pyjamas also consisted of purple slippers

Crew: Claire McCarthy is set to direct the film, which is based on the BAFTA Rocliffe-winning script by Claire Peate and is produced by Caspian Films, Sky, and Creative England
Nagoya University researchers have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in regenerating neurons of African clawed frog tadpoles, which has an unusually high capacity for nerve regeneration. Their study, recently published in the journal iScience, showed that introducing the gene into mice with spinal cord injury (SCI) led to a partial recovery of their lost motor functions. These findings could contribute to the development of a new therapy for SCI, which often causes a person to experience permanent and severe physical and neurological disabilities.

Repairing spinal cord injuries in humans and other mammals is difficult, partly because of their limited ability to repair and regenerate neural tissues in the spinal cord. In contrast, there are animals with a high capacity for nerve regeneration, such as the African clawed frog. "As a tadpole, it is fully capable of functional recovery after a spinal cord injury," said Drs. Dasfne Lee-Liu and Juan Larrain from the P. Universidad Catolica de Chile in their study, "Genome-wide expression profile of the response to spinal cord injury in Xenopus laevis reveals extensive differences between regenerative and non-regenerative stages," published in 2014.

In this context, the Nagoya University research team conducted a collaborative study with Drs. Lee-Liu and Larrain to identify transcription factors that regulate nerve regeneration in the African clawed frog tadpole, with the aim of inducing regenerative effects in mammals. The team comprehensively analyzed the gene expression profiles of tadpoles in response to SCI, and found that a gene called Neurod4 was expressed predominantly during nerve regeneration. The team thus hypothesized that this gene is a key factor in the regeneration of neural tissues after an injury.

In this study, the team also focused on the fact that in mammals, neural stem cells (known as self-renewing cells) derived from the ependymal cells lining the central canal of the spinal cord are activated and proliferate in the early stage of SCI, although these types of neural stem cells eventually transform into astrocytes -- a type of cell that forms rigid glial scars.

"Taking these things together, we thought that introducing Neurod4 into activated neural stem cells may help regenerate neurons," said Associate Professor Atsushi Natsume of the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, the corresponding author of the study.

To that end, the team conducted experiments in which the Neurod4 gene was introduced to activated neural stem cells in mice just after SCI. The researchers observed that the neural stem cells were successfully converted into neurons and, interestingly, the mice occasionally moved their paralyzed hind legs. Dr. Natsume explained, "Neurod4 introduced into activated neural stem cells facilitates the production of relay neurons, which project to motor neurons of the hind legs. As a secondary effect, glial scar formation was suppressed after the subacute phase of spinal cord injury. This effect allows an environment that was conducive for axons to elongate beyond the injury site and form synapses, thereby improving the motor function of the hind legs."

"Our method is to introduce a neuro regenerative gene directly into neural stem cells that are already present in the spinal cord. This could lessen the problems of rejection and tumor formation, which often occur in conventional stem cell transplantation methods. We believe this study will contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches to spinal cord injury," he added.

###

The study, "Neurod4 converts endogenous neural stem cells to neurons with synaptic formation after spinal cord injury," was published in the journal iScience on January 20, 2021 at DOI?10.1016/j.isci.2021.102074.

Authors:

About Nagoya University, Japan

Toshiki Fukuoka, Akira Kato, Masaki Hirano, Fumiharu Ohka, Kosuke Aoki, Takayuki Awaya, Alimu Adilijiang, Sachi Maeda, Kuniaki Tanahashi, Junya Yamaguchi, Kazuya Motomura, Hiroyuki Shimizu, Yoshitaka Nagashima, Ryo Ando, Toshihiko Wakabayashi, Dasfne Lee-Liu, Juan Larrain, Yusuke Nishimura1, Atsushi Natsume
ISTANBUL - The Turkish Constitutional Court has unanimously rejected over a defect of jurisdiction an appeal against the dismissal as lawmaker of Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a member of the pro-Kurdish Hdp.

According to the court's judges, article 84 of the Turkish Constitution which regulates the loss of status as MP, does not provide for its jurisdiction on the matter. The former lawmaker was recently declared dismissed by the Grand national assembly, after he was sentenced to two and a half years in jail for "terrorist propaganda in favor of Pkk/Kck".

Also on Wednesday the Constitutional Court will decide in a preliminary way on a request to shut down Hdp, the third largest party in Parliament, also over ties to the Pkk. The judges will establish whether to accept the dossier and open a case or whether to send it to the general prosecutor's office of the supreme court.
"Russian hackers" are suspected of stealing thousands of emails from officials in the U.S. Department of State in a previously unreported attack, Politico reported, citing two sources in the U.S. Congress familiar with the "intrusion".

Suspects, believed to be "Russian hackers", have compromised emails of officials working in the European and Eurasian affairs bureau and East Asian and Pacific affairs bureau at the U.S. State Department, but the classified network does not appear to have been accessed, the news outlet reported, citing a third official.

It is still unclear whether the attack was part of the larger SolarWinds hack campaign in December that targeted a number of US government agencies and private companies.

A State Department spokesperson refused to provide any details, citing security reasons, noting that the department "takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to ensure information is protected".

American officials said Russian hackers were likely to blame for the SolarWinds hack. The New York Times reported, citing unnamed U.S. government sources, that the Joe Biden administration planned clandestine actions across Russian networks as a response to the breach.

Moscow has denied all allegations of being involved in the attack, stressing that no evidence has been provided by Washington to back up its allegations. The Kremlin also issued a statement saying that the reported U.S. plans to hit Russian networks in response to the breach were alarming and would effectively amount to international cybercrime.
Kaya VCs new 72 million ($80 million) fund will focus on startups in Prague, Warsaw and the wider CEE region. Previously called Enern, the Central and Eastern European VC  which, historically, started out investing in wind farms and ended up invested in software  has changed its name to better reflect its modern focus. The firm will also back startups at any stage of funding. LPs in the fund include the EIF and a number of successful entrepreneurs from the region.

This is the teams fourth fund, and together with the previous funds, the AUM is around 250 million. The fund has invested in 27 companies, with the latest investments into B2B marketplaces, health tech and blockchain.

The decade-old Prague-based VC (KAYA will be the official naming format) has previously invested in Booksy (raised $70 million in January 2021), Twisto (16 million this year), DocPlanner (80 million in 2019), and Rohlik ($230 million this year).

Kaya says it will be sector agnostic, with partners following some personal passions: Tomas Obrtac on agri-tech; Pavel Mucha on next-generation consumer experiences; Tomas Pacinda on fintech; and Martin Rajcan on energy transition. All other areas of tech will be looked at. Similar to funds such as Point Nine in Berlin, Kaya says it is an "equal partnership", meaning each partner can make decisions on what to back.

The firm plans to be able to write the first cheque and is also backing super-early "studio projects" which have gone on to raise subsequent funding rounds.

Pavel Mucha, partner at Kaya VC, commented in a statement: When I initially started investing in local startups in Prague and Warsaw, it was because there was a need to work with people to build something valuable that didnt exist already. Over the past 10 years, weve seen this sector grow and mature, and with that our strategy of backing intrepid founders who are making a difference from Booksys Stefan Batory to Rohlik's Tomas Cupr.

Story continues

Kaya is also part of the Included VC network, a mentor network for underrepresented groups such as women and people of color. Mucha told me: Weve hired through their program, been closely involved and big supporters. We think it's a great addition to the ecosystem within Europe, and hope to do more. Its definitely a very meaningful initiative we stand fully behind."

Martin Rajcan, partner at Kaya VC, added: Founders coming out of Central and Eastern Europe are globally orientated, have strong technical skills, and an unmatched hunger for success. Its these strong fundamentals paired with a next-level intensity that makes them so exciting to work with and we want to support such talent in any way we can. With partners, venture partners, advisors, and scouts across Europe, were in a unique position to support founders in the diaspora outside of core cities such as Prague and Warsaw.

In Turkish the word Kaya means "rock", in Japanese, its "sanctuary". Whatever the case, Kaya is in a good position to take advantage of the burgeoning startups in the CEE region. According to Dealroom there has been 5x more foreign investment in the CEE region than in 2015. It's also been the source of companies such as Skype, Wise (formerly TransferWise), Bolt and UiPath, which recently raised $750 million at a $35 billion valuation ahead of an IPO.
CHICAGO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the lens on health, well-being and safety everywhere, including office spaces. With vaccine rollouts increasing, more companies are putting a return to the office on the calendar. To support companies in this endeavor, JLL is launching "Healthy Return," an offering that cuts through the complexity of health and well-being guidelines and provides organizations with a safer, smarter and faster alternative to return to the office while being supportive of employees' mental and social well-being.

Organizations have an unprecedented opportunity to redefine how their spaces evolve and promote health and well-being. The offering features a comprehensive assessment to benchmark spaces against leading guidelines to identify clear gaps and provide a concrete program to ensure offices are supporting a healthy post-pandemic workplace.

"A healthy workplace is one that promotes employees' physical, mental and social well-being," explained Cynthia Kantor, Chief Product Officer, JLL Corporate Solutions. "Creating that type of environment in the post-pandemic world will require taking a holistic, integrated approach to enhancing workplaces through improvements to the physical environment, enhanced policies and procedures and the creation of continuous programming that bolsters a culture of health and well-being."

The case for returning

When and how to return to the office is not a one-size fits all decision. But, according to JLL's recent Human Experience survey of office workers, 74% of people indicated a desire to return to the workplace in some capacity. While that option still seemed a far-off reality as little as three months ago, the latest vaccination numbers are providing the incentive for companies to seriously start planning their returns in greater magnitude. In the U.S. the latest vaccination rate is 2.3 million doses per day on average, and 133 million people have been vaccinated. At this rate we'd reach the 75 percent threshold, that according to Dr. Anthony Fauci would signal a return to normalcy, in around 5 months according to several estimates. JLL is currently forecasting that most offices will reach 80% capacity by the end of the year.

But it's not back to business as usual

JLL's phased ecosystem approach to return to the office helps organizations assess conditions both virtually and onsite, identify gaps and provide enhanced and holistic programs to support a post-pandemic workplace. Healthy Return provides a streamlined, high-touch solution for a return to the workplace through:

Assessment: Evaluate current conditions against the industry's leading safety, health and well-being guidelines to provide a clear picture of the workplace conditions that employers and employees care about (e.g., indoor air quality, cleaning and disinfection, drinking water quality and well-being). This gives companies a strong benchmark against industry leading recommendations for what a healthy workplace looks like, along with clear insight into the level of capital investment required to bring workplace conditions into alignment with industry standards.

Evaluate current conditions against the industry's leading safety, health and well-being guidelines to provide a clear picture of the workplace conditions that employers and employees care about (e.g., indoor air quality, cleaning and disinfection, drinking water quality and well-being). This gives companies a strong benchmark against industry leading recommendations for what a healthy workplace looks like, along with clear insight into the level of capital investment required to bring workplace conditions into alignment with industry standards. Program Design: Based on the gaps and capital implications identified in the assessment phase, design a holistic return-to-the-workplace program, incorporating best-in-class solutions from JLL and our partners.

Based on the gaps and capital implications identified in the assessment phase, design a holistic return-to-the-workplace program, incorporating best-in-class solutions from JLL and our partners. Implementation and monitoring: The program is implemented and refined over time as conditions change through an iterative process.

"As vaccines broadly roll out, it's critical for organizations to have a structured, detailed plan for welcoming their employees back to their workspaces," Kantor continued. "There's also a lot of noise and confusion in the marketplace  about which health and well-being guidelines to follow, about which "healthy" solutions are tried and true, and about how to effectively support employees who may feel stressed or anxious about returning to the office. That's why we're committed to strategic solutions like 'Healthy Return' that help our clients cut through the noise in order to drive the outcomes that matter most  employee safety, health and well-being."

While health and wellness in commercial buildings are increasingly important to help employees feel at ease with coming back to the office, they also drive value to building owners' bottom lines. New research from MIT shows that effective rents at healthy buildings achieve between 4.4 and 7.7 percent more rent per square foot than their nearby peers that are not certified.

JLL provides many of the services in its "Healthy Return" offering through its internal team of experts, but has also teamed-up with highly respected companies in health and safety to meet the full spectrum of needs, including air filtration, HVAC upgrades and more. Most recently, JLL teamed-up with LabCorp and Premise Health to provide U.S. clients with access to temperature and symptom screenings and Caliburn to provide health services internationally, joined forces with SGS to provide cleaning and inspection verification services and indoor air quality and risk assessments; and GoSpace AI to help occupancy planners safely and effectively coordinate in-office seating through innovative AI technology and data.

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit our newsroom.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.6 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 91,000 as of December 31, 2020. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

Connect with us:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/jll

https://www.facebook.com/jll

https://twitter.com/jll

https://www.instagram.com/jll

JLL Contact: Jesse Tron

Phone: +1 212 376 1215

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE JLL

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(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 31 - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday that Italy has expelled two Russians after an Italian Navy officer was caught while allegedly handing over classified documents to a Russian military official.

The foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to Rome in relation to the case earlier on Wednesday.

"When the Russian ambassador to Italy was summoned to the foreign ministry, we expressed the Italian government's resolute protest and gave notice of the immediate expulsion of the two Russian officials involved in this extremely serious affair," Di Maio said via Facebook.

"I thank the intelligence service and all the State bodies that work for the security of our country every day". (ANSA).


Sligo/Leitrim Division Chief Superintendent, Aidan Glacken has outlined details of the garda operation involved in the policing of a Traveller funeral earlier this month in Carrick-on-Shannon, stating gardai did as much as possible within the confines of the legislation currently in force.

Addressing concerns raised by two members of the Leitrim Joint Policing Committee at the online meeting last Monday about the funeral held in Carrick-on-Shannon over March 10-12, Chief Superintendent Glacken said he recognised the upset and anger the activities caused not just in Leitrim but in the wider area.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken

However he pointed out that some of the commentary on this incident was uninformed, ill-judged and frankly unhelpful.

He stated that the policing of a gathering such as this was very difficult but said it is clear that many of the persons attending displayed little regard for the wider community in Carrick-on-Shannon adding this was particularly disappointing when you consider the tremendous efforts made in Leitrim and the rest of the country during the last 12 months of the pandemic.

The Chief Superintendent said that gardai had acted to put in place a policing plan using all available resources as soon as they became aware that a large funeral was planned.

He said that they worked with the local church as well as the families involved in the funeral and had engaged the assistance of a mediator with specific skills and awareness of the sensitivities involved in the situation.

The Chief Superintendent noted the 5km travel restrictions currently in place but pointed out that travel to a funeral was noted as an essential reason for travel and was exempt from this restriction.

However, he said that some of the assurances given to gardai in advance of the event were not kept noting the actions of some who congregated and those who chose to ignore guidelines on social distancing and face coverings showed scant regard for public health and the community of Co Leitrim and across the country.

In total, 950 garda hours were engaged in carrying out the policing plan over the three days of the funeral and this included holding five public checkpoints as well as other duties.

He stressed that gardai had no lawful powers to take down the marquee which had been erected on private property and had made full use of the enforcement option issuing 177 fixed charge notices for a total of 19,400 for breaches of the Covid-19 legislation.

He also noted that three arrests had been made and a number of vehicles had been seized by gardai but stressed that, as matters were still before the courts, he could say nothing further.

The Chief Superintendent noted that gardai had been subject to personal provocation, to abuse, threats and insults during their work on the date in question and paid tribute to gardai for the professionalism shown by them in difficult circumstances.

He said, I am not apportioning blame here but acknowledged that a lot of the encounters gardai experienced were from those attending from the UK.

Referring to another funeral this past weekend in Carrick-on-Shannon Chief Superintendent Glacken said that this had much less numbers and was more respectful of the regulations and the guidance for Covid-19.

Cllr Finola Armstrong- McGuire noted that many local representatives had become a target for anger and abuse over the situation but thanked the gardai for their efforts to handle a very, very difficult situation.

JPC member, Kenny Murtagh, noted that he had counted 95 cars at the most recent funeral adding most of them were from the UK.

There was no social distancing on the way up to the graveyard. It seems to be one rule for one section of society and another for the rest of us, he said.
Services such as Disney+ have replaced Irish television viewing for many

Around 40pc of Irish people now watch less traditional programming or have given up watching it entirely.

A new report by ComReg has revealed the impact of streaming services and online content on the audience numbers watching traditional broadcasters.

ComReg said services such as Netflix and Disney+ had now replaced large swathes of Irish television viewing.

The figures, from research carried out by Red C on behalf of the Commission for Communications Regulation, emerged as RTE has come under growing pressure to replace falling television advertising revenue.

A total of 12pc of people have stopped watching traditional TV entirely, while only 16pc said they still spend the same amount of time watching it.

The national broadcaster is currently asking staff to take a pay cut, promising that it will be restored in two years when commercial conditions improve. However, the ComReg figures add to growing industry evidence that advertising for traditional television and radio content is likely to continue a long-term decline.

Speaking on RTE radios The Business programme earlier this month, RTE director general Dee Forbes was unable to say where additional revenue would come from to honour the stations pay restoration promise in two years time.

In 2019, RTE released a document, The Media Landscape in Ireland, which looked at the changing trends. It said media consumers were faced with an unprecedented choice of content, platforms and devices, creating a new, radically different and dynamic landscape.

Consumer appetite for content any time, any place and anywhere has also placed much greater value on content. The competition for ownership, rights and ultimately control of both the creative and distribution processes will become an even higher-stakes game in the coming years, the report said.

It said RTE, like media organisations across the world, must adapt significantly and develop an agile approach to survive and thrive in an environment that will remain in flux for some years to come.

The Red C survey of 1,480 people for ComReg said Netflix now had as many users in Ireland as Sky, with Virgin Medias TV platform in fourth place behind Saorview.

It also said smart TVs were now twice as prevalent as traditional TVs, with greater access to Netflix and other online streaming services now available without subscribing to a traditional TV provider.

The incidence of watching less traditional television programming is consistent across all age groups and is more prevalent outside Dublin, Comregs survey suggests.

Meanwhile, almost half of those surveyed said they would benefit from faster broadband services, with those outside Dublin reporting a higher level of interest in getting a faster broadband service.

Some 72pc of people say they are likely to take up a faster broadband service if it becomes available in their area, the Red C research says.
The state health authorities have identified the beneficiaries and are reaching out to them to take the jab. (DC Image)

Vijayawada: The government is all set vaccinate those above 45 years of age against Covid-19, during Phase-4 which begins on April 1 at COVID vaccination centres and newly-added ward and village secretariats. Thus far, Covid vaccines were restricted to healthcare workers, those in the frontlines, senior citizens and those between 45 and 59 years of age with comorbidities.

The state health authorities have identified the beneficiaries and are reaching out to them to take the jab. They are sending ANMs (auxiliary nurse midwife), ASHA workers and others to the houses of eligible persons, especially those in the new category to explain to them about the importance of taking the vaccine.

The government has also employed drummers to tour the villages and wards to spread the message about the vaccination programme in the village/ward secretariats and advising the eligible people to take the jab from Thursday.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is taking the jab at the ward secretariat at Bharatpeta in Guntur on April 1. He said that his prime objective to take the vaccine was to encourage people to take it without harbouring doubts.

Health department said they were expecting 400 to 500 eligible persons to be given the jab at a village secretariat and nearly 1,000 to 1,500 at a ward secretariat in a day or two. They believe that such a move will help curb the spread of the virus.

State health director Dr T. Geetha Prasadini said, Our main objective is to ensure no eligible person misses the jab so that we can keep a check on the rise in the number of Coronavirus infections in the second wave in the state. We also want the people to wear a mask, sanitise their hands frequently and maintain social distance to further curb the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, administration of Covid-19 vaccine will continue to healthcare workers, frontline workers and people aged over 60 years and also those aged between 45 and 59 with comorbidities, either first or second dose.
(Natural News) A Black Lives Matter activist and fervent Democrat Party supporter is accused of committing anti-Asian hate crimes in Seattle.

(Article by Andy Ngo and Mia Cathell republished from ThePostMillennial.com)

King County prosecutors charged 51-year-old Christopher Allen Hamner, of SeaTac, Wash., with a felony hate crime for targeting multiple Asian victims on two separate occasions in March. Hamner, who is mixed-race, is accused of threatening women and children of Asian background as young as five years old with racial slurs.

On March 16, Hamner allegedly harassed a woman while she was in her car with two children, ages five and 10.

Pamela Cole, the victim, alleged in a Facebook post that Hamner yelled, F you, Asian bitch! She says he jumped out of his vehicle and started punching his fist together before throwing projectiles at her car. She called the police.

Three days later on March 19, Hamner allegedly cut off two Asian women with his sedan near a supermarket, blocked traffic in the middle of the road and screamed similar profanities at them. Hamner then got out of his car, charged at the victims who were driving together and launched an object at them, the probable cause affidavit cites. Jenny Wong, one of the victims, posted photos and video of her encounter with Hamner on Instagram.

The Seattle Police Department arrested Hamner on Thursday. His bail is set at $75,000. He is being held at the King County Correctional Facility for the felony hate crime charge plus three additional counts of malicious harassment.

The videos and accusations against Hamner have been surprising for some given his reputation as a staunch BLM and racial-justice activist in the Seattle-area.

In June 2020, Hamner participated in the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), where BLM and Antifa extremists seized six blocks of city property. He recorded video of himself in the zone where he was holding an anti-Donald Trump and anti-police sign.

His social media is filled with posts expressing hatred of Donald Trump and Republicans. In February, he tweeted, Sleep good tonight Rand Paul along with an emoji of a knife and smiling face. He was responding to a tweet where the Kentucky senator was critical of Trumps impeachment trial.

He has also posted dozens of times in support of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democrat causes. He also posted frequently in condemnation of anti-Asian hate crimes and white supremacy.

After the recent shootings at the massage parlours in Atlanta, Hamner wrote on Facebook for everyone to [s]tand UNITED against racism & white supremacy. Local and federal investigators have stated that there is no evidence to support the accusation that the shootings, which killed eight people, were motivated by anti-Asian hate.

Hamners arraignment is scheduled for April 8 at the King County Courthouse.

Read more at: ThePostMillennial.com
Olivia Munn kept it nice and simple in a black-and-white outfit Tuesday for a gym session in West Hollywood, California.

The 40-year-old actress donned a plain white sweatshirt and black leggings for her workout.

She completed her outfit with matching black and white Avre sneakers.

Simple style: Olivia Munn kept it simple in a black-and-white outfit Tuesday for a gym session in West Hollywood, California

Olivia had her long dark hair down in wavy natural curls below her shoulders.

She accessorized with black sunglasses and also covered her mouth and nose with a black face mask amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Oklahoma native earlier this month led the way as a number of stars took to social media to condemn hate against Asian people after a mass shooting in Georgia in which six Asian women were among eight people murdered.

Robert Aaron Long, 21, was arrested and told police the murder spree was not about race, but was due to a 'sex addiction', with the victims targeted because they tempted him.

Two colors: The 40-year-old actress donned a plain white sweatshirt and black leggings for her workout along with matching black-and-white Avre sneakers

Olivia questioned how the attack could be considered as something other than a hate crime after Cherokee County sheriffs Capt. Jay Baker said in a news conference that Long had been having 'a really bad day' leading up to the mass murder.

'I am tired of people humanizing white terrorists and excusing their murderous acts,' she wrote. '"He was a sex addict." "He was having a really bad day."'

She continued: 'Its meaningless to help a community thats being attacked and who feel helpless to stop it. This is a way to try to justify and rationalize what he did instead of just calling it what it is: a hate crime against Asian women.'

Condemning hate: The Oklahoma native earlier this month led the way as a number of stars took to social media to condemn hate against Asian people after a mass shooting in Georgia in which six Asian women were among eight people murdered

Awards show: Olivia is shown last month on Instagram as she watched the Golden Globe Awards

Munn called for authorities to 'hold [Long] to account' in context of a hate crime in their handling of the case.

'We have to hold people who think that way to account,' she said. 'You have an entire population living under threat. Asian Americans are targeted. You wanna talk mental health? Lets talk about how theres a mental health crisis about living in a country that attacks you just for being you. We need help. Please.'

The Newsroom star added the hashtag #StopAsianHate and called herself a 'proud Asian American' in signing off.
Facebook and WhatsApp are engaged in a furious battle with South African technology company GovChat, which facilitates engagement between citizens and their elected officials.

GovChat  which was launched in 2018  allows citizens to access a variety of government services through its WhatsApp Business profile.

It services have now come under the scrutiny of WhatsApp and its parent company, who have threatened to remove (offboard) GovChat from its WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) due to alleged violation of its terms of service.

WhatsApp claimed that GovChat has repeatedly refused to comply with its terms of service and refused its offers of help to become compliant.

The company said while GovChat was not authorised by any government department to render services to citizens, its name has created the impression that it was an official government site.

In addition, it has argued that GovChat gathered sensitive personal information from citizens and there were no controls in place as to which third parties they might share this information with.

GovChats inclusion of information from different government departments was also in contravention of WhatsApp Business API rules, which determined that each department should have their own separate WABA accounts.

It argued that GovChats presence on WhatsApp went beyond merely breaking rules, and was unfair towards other business solutions providers as it achieved aggregation in a way that avoided all the checks and balances.

This has allowed GovChat to provide services which were not permitted by WhatsApp and therefore not available to other providers.

GovChat has responded to WhatsApps off-boarding threat by lodging a complaint with the Competition Commission claiming anti-competitive behaviour.

GovChat and its subsidiary #LetsTalk has asked for interim relief from the Competition Tribunal to interdict Facebook from removing it from WhatsApp while the Competition Commission investigates the complaint.

The platform has maintained that it was not breaking any of the WhatsApp Business API rules.

Instead, in its complaint to the Tribunal, GovChat has alleged that WhatsApp wanted to deal with government directly, to the exclusion of GovChat.

In addition, it claimed that WhatsApp was giving preferential treatment to companies like Praekelt Consulting Services, Avira Health, Internet Filing, and Telkom Pay, which have built competing platforms to GovChat.

We do not believe there is a distinction to be made between the services offered by GovChat, Aviro Health, and Internet Filing, GovChat stated.

It further claimed that Facebook was advantaging Praekelt, with which it had a commercial relationship.

Praekelt was originally a partner of GovChat and helped onboard GovChats system to the WhatsApp Business API.

GovChat later moved away from Praekelt to handle the functions it provided internally.

When it was Praekelt doing it, Facebook had no problem, GovChat stated.

In an interview with eNCA, GovChat CEO Eldrid Jordaan likened Facebooks apparent abuse of its dominance and anti-competitive behaviour in this instance to a major case brought in the US.

As we know they are being taken on by their own government. 48 Attorney Generals in the United States have combined a lawsuit and taken them on for the exact same thing, Jordaan said.

The Competition Tribunal found that GovChat had established a prima facie case of prohibited conduct on the part of Facebook and WhatsApp with regards to the selective application of its rules against GovChat.

This, it stated, amounted to an effective refusal to deal.

The applicants [GovChat] have (thus) also made out a prima facie case of exclusionary conduct and anti-competitive effects, the Tribunal said,

The respondents [Facebook and WhatsApp] on the other hand have not provided any evidence of pro-competitive gains to off-set the prima facie anti-competitive effects.

It therefore granted the application for interim relief, which means that WhatsApp, Facebook, and Facebook SA are interdicted and restrained from off-boarding GovChat.

This will be valid pending the conclusion of a hearing into the applicants complaint lodged with the Commission, or 6 months of date hereof, whichever is the earlier.

In addition, it has been ordered not to engage in any conduct that directly or indirectly undermines GovChats relationships with its clients for purposes of achieving the same outcome as off-boarding them.

However, GovChat has also been ordered not to on-board any new clients or users during this time.

In addition, it may not launch, expand, or sell any new use-cases to existing clients or users.

The Tribunal emphasised that it was not its own function, in interim relief proceedings, to arrive at a definitive finding of a contravention.

A successful applicant is only required to make out a prima facie case, not to establish its case on a balance of probabilities.

Furthermore, the Tribunal found that the balance of convenience favoured the granting of interim relief to GovChat who provided an invaluable service to both government departments and citizens alike.

The applicants will suffer irreparable harm if off-boarded, which will ultimately also negatively impact the public interest in a very critical time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We cannot conceive of any real prejudice which the respondents will suffer during the period of our order, pending the outcome of the Commissions investigation, it added.

WhatsApp has said it was disappointed that the tribunal did not permit it to off-board GovChat at this stage.

However, it was grateful that the findings included imposing restrictions on GovChats operations, as this would continue to defend WhatsApp from abuse and protect its users.

We want our services to be used to help get essential information to people during COVID, said WhatsApp.

Thats why weve worked with business solution providers alongside more than 100 governments and NGOs around the world, including the South African government, to launch official coronavirus chatbots.

The Competition Commission will now investigate GovChats complaint, following which the Competition Tribunal will make a decision on GovChats off-boarding from WhatsApp based on the evidence presented.

Now read: WhatsApp drops support for older iPhones
Twelve months on from the first lockdown restrictions across Australia, local SMBs are feeling resilient and optimistic, according to new research from Amazon Launchpad - Amazons program aimed at helping Aussie startups and entrepreneurs bring innovative products to shoppers.

According to the research commissioned by Amazon Australia, 89% of SMBs are feeling more resilient in running their businesses, 92% feel optimistic for the year ahead and 78% of SMBs will use e-commerce and digital tools to allow them to work from anywhere.

The 2021 Amazon Launchpad Innovation Report explores the current sentiment amongst Australian SMB owners, how they have evolved their businesses over the past twelve months, and a look towards the year ahead.

Amazon Launchpad has also announced that applications are open for its 2021 Innovation Grants initiative.

Chadd Ciccarelli, Head of Launchpad at Amazon Australia,said,Lockdown restrictions have fast tracked the digitalisation of Australian businesses with over three quarters of SMBs sayinge-commerce anddigital tools haveallowed them to run their business from anywhere.

Amazon Launchpad is a unique program that helps start-ups and entrepreneurs reach their online potential, whether they live in Broken Hill, Tassie, or Far North Queensland. We hope that this years Innovation Grants will nurture the ingenuity that Aussie entrepreneursare famous forand help the winners grow their businesses throughe-commerce, said Ciccarelli.

This years five Innovation grant packages are worth more than $200,000 each and include: a $20,000 cash grant, Amazon advertising support, an exclusive boot camp experience with access to Amazon experts, a national advertising package with JCDecaux Nurture, industry mentorship, and onsite marketing placements on Amazon.com.au.

In a twist to this years initiative, Amazon Launchpad says it will give ten finalists the opportunity to virtually pitch their entry direct into Amazon Australia HQ,to a panel of judges.

This years judges are Chadd Ciccarelli from Amazon Launchpad, last years grant recipients Rosa-Clare Willis and Andrew Ford from Crockd; Carolyn Creswell, founder of muesli brand Carmans;and managing partner, Kylie Frazer, of tech investment group, Eleanor Ventures.

2020 Amazon Launchpad grant winner and 2021 judge, Rosa-Clare Willis of DIY Pottery Kit brand, Crockd said, Not only did Amazon Launchpad open our eyes to Amazon as a marketing and distribution channel, but the program provided the support we needed during 2020.

The mentorship weve received has been incredible, and were seeing our business grow on Amazon.com.au.

Youve got to be in it to win it, and to any small business out there, whose wondering whether they should apply for a grant, I say, youve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Other key 2021 Amazon Launchpad Innovation report findings include:

The e-commerce opportunity: more thana third (39%) of SMBs said their customers are more open to buying online now than 12 months ago,four in ten (41%) have seen an increase in online enquiries about their business over the past 12 months,andone in six(15%) of SMBs madea sale online for the first time ever in the past year.

Its all about innovation: to help navigate the uncertainty of the past twelve months, almost a third (30%) of SMBs said they invested in product or business innovation to reach new customers, and 82 per cent said they will lean into innovation to grow their business over the next 12 months.

Top areas businesses are innovating in this year:growing their digital presence (42%), taking theirbusiness into new markets (39%) and revising product offering (33%).

Digital tools empower businesses for growth: four-fifths (81%) of SMBs will use digital tools to network over the next 12 monthsand more thantwo thirds (69%) will use online channels to seek investment in their business.

What Aussie SMBs need most in 2021: businesses have rated access to new customers (47%) and support with marketing, advertising and social media activity (34%) over financial support (31%). Additionally almost a third (30%) said they need help with future growth planning and innovation.

The Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants entry period is now open and runs to 11.59pm AEST, 10 May on www.Amazon.com.au/Launchpad, with the five Amazon Launchpad grant recipients from across Australia to be publicly announced in June 2021.
The United States is deeply committed to the U.S.-Japan alliance. On his recent trip to the region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that together, the United States and Japan are addressing core security concerns, including North Koreas nuclear weapons program and maritime security across the region. Other priority issues facing the United States and Japan include COVID-19, climate change, and cyber security.

The United States and Japan are committed to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. But these values are under threat in many places, including in this region, warned Secretary Blinken:

In Burma, the military is attempting to overturn the results of a democratic election and is brutally repressing peaceful protesters. China uses coercion and aggression to systematically erode autonomy in Hong Kong, undercut democracy in Taiwan, abuse human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet, and assert maritime claims in the South China Sea that violate international law.

Were united in the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, where countries follow the rules, cooperate whenever they can, and resolve their differences peacefully, said Secretary Blinken:

In particular, we will push back if necessary when China uses coercion or aggression to get its way.. . .The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly the center of global geopolitics. Its where so much of the history of the 21st century is going to be written. There are competing visions for how that story should go. Japan and the United States, together with our allies and partners, will be strong advocates for our shared approach, grounded in our values and our joint commitment to the security and well-being of all our people.

We look ahead to the future together with confidence that the friendship between [Japan and the United States] will endure  but not only endure, it will grow, said Secretary Blinken. And together, we will build a stronger, healthier future for all of our people.
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WILLIAMSPORT  Out-of-court settlements have been reached with 25 of 42 defendants and third-party defendants in the federal lawsuit stemming from the 2017 hazing death of a Penn State fraternity pledge.

That was the notice filed Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court by the attorney for James and Evelyn Piazza who filed suit two years ago on behalf of the estate of their son.

Timothy Piazza, 19, died after becoming intoxicated at a Feb. 2, 2017, bid acceptance event and falling down steps at the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity house.

The letter to Judge Matthew W. Brann from David C. Williams, who represents the Piazzas, does not state with whom settlements have been reached or any details.

A court filing in February 2020 stated confidential settlements had been reached with Penn State, its Interfraternity Council, the fraternity, the corporation that owned the property and six of the 28 students sued.

Thirteen of the parties object because of crossclaims to dismissing the defendants with whom a settlement has been reached, Williams letter states.

It is his preference not to ask Brann to dismiss those defendants at this time but to permit discovery to continue, it states.

Timothy Pizza died Feb. 4, 2017, two days after the event at the Beta house during which pledges were required to participate in a series of drinking events.

At the conclusion of the binge drinking event, Piazza was assisted to a couch but later fell down the basement stairs and was unconscious.

The fraternity members are accused of failing to properly address Piazzas injuries. The Piazzas contend their son endured horrible pain and suffering for more than 11 hours.

The civil case has been slowed because criminal prosecution still has not been completed of several of the fraternity members.

There also is an issue whether defense attorneys must provide investigative information they received from the state attorney generals office in the criminal case.

Brann already quashed a subpoena directed to the attorney general for that information.

The Piazzas claims against the fraternity members include negligence, breaching their duty to care, intentional infliction of emotional distress, battery and conspiracy.

Following an investigation Penn State revoked recognition of the Beta chapter and the national organization closed the fraternity house that is on campus.

Among the parties in the suit beside the fraternity, its members and Penn State are three current or former university administrators and St. Moritz Security Systems Inc. of Pittsburgh.

St. Moritz was retained by the university to provide social checkers to ensure fraternities adhered to alcohol consumption and hazing policies.

It is among those who have filed third-party claims asking that other defendants share in the damages if it is found liable.

ALSO READ: State College again defends how police handled incident that led to death of an autistic man
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Buckley LLP announced that it promoted Jeffrey Hydrick, Katherine Katz, Sasha Leonhardt, Michael Rome, and Edward Somers to partner from counsel.

"These five individuals, from three of our offices, have consistently provided exemplary legal work and guidance to our clients," said Managing Partner Benjamin B. Klubes. "Their talent and hard work make them outstanding additions to the partnership, and we look forward to many more years of their contributions to the firm."

Jeff Hydrick (Washington, D.C.) represents bank and nonbank financial services clients on a variety of corporate and transactional matters as well as related regulatory issues, with an emphasis on payments and fintech arrangements, bank partnerships, payment processing and acquiring transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.

Katie Katz (Washington, D.C.) represents financial industry clients in a wide range of government enforcement, litigation, and regulatory compliance matters relating to mortgage lending and mortgage servicing activities.

Sasha Leonhardt (Washington, D.C.) represents financial services clients in resolving government investigations and enforcement actions, assists clients with a wide range of financial regulatory matters, and advises companies on consumer privacy and data security issues.

Michael Rome (Los Angeles) represents corporate and individual clients in a variety of litigation and government enforcement matters, with a focus on complex commercial disputes and consumer class actions.

Ted Somers (Chicago) advises financial institutions and the fintech industry on regulatory, supervisory, and enforcement matters related to payment systems, consumer deposit accounts, and electronic contracting.

With offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and London, Buckley LLP offers premier enforcement, litigation, compliance, regulatory, and transactional services to financial services institutions and early stage and leading fintech and technology companies, as well as venture capital and private equity funds, investment companies, and corporate and individual clients throughout the world. "The best at what they do in the country." (Chambers USA)

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Lutin

[email protected] | (202) 349-7929

SOURCE Buckley LLP

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We all have the same 24 hours within a given day. Some people squeeze every opportunity out of those moments, while others let them flow by mismanaged.

A few years ago, I began to accept how fully I wanted to live life. I didn't want one company, I wanted to invest in multiple aspects of the business. I didn't want to simply have a few friends, I wanted to be surrounded by a community of people on their own missions. But the only way to make this a reality was to ask myself: How many ways can I use what I am doing at this moment for more?

I have been able to run nine companies, host a podcast, write and read every day, and still maintain a rich social life all because of one component: leverage.

Embodying the mindset of leverage is what has turned my life upside down, and only for the better. Here are the four areas of my life where I have found the capacity to leverage and win.

1. Improve your relationship skills.

No matter what business you run, you are in a human-to-human career. At the core of what you do, there is some aspect of human connection or intention. So whether you run a roofing company or a software startup, your efforts and actions impact others. The best way to improve your human interactions is by focusing on the relationships closest to you in life.

When you focus on improving personal relationships, you grow empathy, a deeper understanding of alternative viewpoints, and learn how to actively listen. All of these skills are directly related to how you show up at work. By improving your relationship capacity, you will improve your ability to spot and hire top talent, network and build business connections, and relate to your employees.

Don't lock relationships in a single box. If you meet someone at a networking event, it is possible to foster a friendship. If you connect with someone at your local fitness studio, they might turn out to be a great business connection. Don't limit how and where someone can show up in your life.

2. Focus on your health.

When business stress is high or you are up against a deadline, it's tempting to forgo the gym or grab a quick meal instead of eating intentionally. But consider this: The longer you are alive, the more money you are going to make. Sure, you might be able to turn a quick profit, but at what expense to your overall physical health?

I went through a phase where I wasn't intentional about what I ate or drank. I didn't meditate, and my sleep patterns were all out of whack from traveling so much. But once I started shifting my patterns and habits, I found the changes weren't just in my physical appearance. I was able to think more clearly, respond more effectively, and wake up feeling more rested. Begin to leverage your health for optimal performance, and show up to everything you do at a higher state of being.

3. Broaden your focus of impact.

Do you find yourself having the same conversation multiple times or simply regurgitating the same information over and over? This takes precious time from your day, so learn how to leverage the tools at hand and readjust how you show up to share.

I use my podcast as a great way to not only build more intimate relationships and expand business connections but to also share my insights in one single place. Instead of sharing the lesson I learned from a business experience over and over, I hit record and turn it into a podcast episode. Instead of individually emailing mentees about a growth hack, I write an article like this one and deliver it on a large platform.

Begin to look at the content you create and find ways to spread it in a larger way. This will not only save you precious time but also broaden your reach and impact.

4. Learn intentionally.

Not everything is worth learning. There is an influx of information available within a single click, and it comes down to being intentional about what you choose to dive into.

Focus on learning things that'll have the largest impact on your work. For instance, it might be tempting to learn Spanish, but that won't help your business ventures over in China. You could study marketing, but if you are planning to hire a marketing manager, leave that up to them. Pinpoint where you want to be an expert and focus solely there.
University of California, Irvine, biologists have discovered that plants influence how their bacterial and fungal neighbors react to climate change. This finding contributes crucial new information to a hot topic in environmental science: in what manner will climate change alter the diversity of both plants and microbiomes on the landscape? The paper appears in Elementa: Sciences of the Anthropocene.

The research took place at the Loma Ridge Global Change Experiment, a decade-long study in which scientists simulate the impacts of climate change on neighboring grasslands and coastal scrublands in Southern California. Experimental treatments there include nitrogen addition, a common result of local fossil fuel burning, and simulated drought imposed by covering patches of land with waterproof roofs during rainstorms.

In the project's early years, researchers focused on answering climate questions involving plants only. A research team led by Jennifer Martiny, professor of ecology & evolutionary biology and co-director of the UCI Microbiome Initiative, decided to examine whether the vegetation itself influences how climate change affects the bacteria and fungi in the ground. Soil microbes decompose dead plants, regulating the amount of carbon dioxide exchanged with the atmosphere.

The scientists sequenced microbial DNA in the grassland and scrubland, finding that the types and number of bacteria and fungi differed between them. Next, the team compared how the microbes reacted to nitrogen fertilizer and drought by monitoring the microbial DNA in plant litter, primarily dropped leaves and stems, over a three-year period.

"We thought diminished water might cause the scrubland microbial community to become more similar to that of the grasslands because there is evidence that scrublands start to grow increased grasses under drought conditions," said Sarai Finks, the paper's first author and UCI graduate student. "However, it didn't happen. The two microbial communities remained distinct."

The team also discovered that while simulated drought affected both bacteria and fungi in grassland and scrubland, there were some unexpected differences. Nitrogen addition only affected the bacteria and its impact was far less than that of drought.

"Researchers have looked at this kind of interaction previously, but not on the scale we have done here. We were able to investigate two different kinds of plant communities right next to each other," Finks said, adding that the team hopes their findings will be helpful to other scientists investigating microbial communities. "Microbes are crucial to the carbon cycle and we need to learn what changes in microbial diversity mean for the environment."

The researchers' paper was the latest to be published from scientific data collected before the Silverado wildfire struck the Loma Ridge Global Change Experiment in October 2020. "Scientists are now looking into researching post-fire interactions between plants and the microbial communities at the site," Finks said.

###

The research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Researchers who contributed to this work were: Sarai S. Finks, Claudia Weihe, Sarah Kimball, Steven D. Allison, Adam C. Martiny, Kathleen K. Treseder and Jennifer B. H. Martiny.

About the University of California, Irvine:

Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit http://www. uci. edu .

Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for free, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UCI faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UCI news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists.
Minx Burlesque Easter show

Trixie Minx spices up Easter with a burlesque and variety show. Shes joined by Kitten N Lou, Mamie Dame, Phathoms Deep, Lola Van Ella, Jeez Loueez and Angie Z. The show streams live at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, on stageit.com, and is available to view April 3-10. Visit Trixie Minx's website for tickets and a bunny package with Trixie-gram treats delivered by Minx herself on April 3.

Treme Brass Band

The Treme Brass Band performs in the courtyard of the New Orleans Jazz Museum at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 1, and Italian Barrel offers Italian-inspired cocktails. The show also streams on the museum's Facebook page.

Comedy Gumbeaux

Local comedians Red Bean and Nature Boy host the return of their weekly stand-up show, Comedy Gumbeaux, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at The Howlin Wolf. Advance tickets are required, available at The Howlin' Wolf's website.

Rebirth, Big Sam and Hot 8

The Howlin Wolf is open for a weekend block of local favorites: The Rebirth Brass Band performs two shows on Friday, April 2; Big Sams Funky Nation follows with two shows Saturday, April 3; and the Hot 8 Brass Band holds court at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 4. Visit The Howlin' Wolf's website for tickets.

New Orleans Nightcrawlers

The New Orleans Nightcrawlers recently won a Grammy for its 2020 release Atmosphere. The band performs at Zony Mash Beer Project at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 3. Tickets are at Zony Mash's website.

+2 Cha Wa clears its path on new album My People If the album Spyboy was Cha Wa introducing itself to the world at large, then My People is the band showing the world what it really can d

+2 New Orleans-made Wetlands Sake hits local restaurants, bars and stores Rice may not be the first thing that comes to mind at the thought of south Louisiana's Cajun

Misa serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes on a patio setting in Uptown Thanks to the pandemic, Tal Sharon has a new restaurant. Like most things in the Israeli che
Ukrcement protests against FTA with Turkey

31 March 2021

Ukrcement wants to exclude the Urainian cement sector from the agreement on a free trade zone (FTA) with Turkey as cement is a commodity item that can be fully provided by domestic manufacturers.

"The signing of an agreement on a free trade zone with Turkey for the cement industry poses a serious threat," said Pavlo Kachur, head of the Ukrcement association. "We have transferred our position to the Ministry of Economy and the trade representative of Ukraine."

Ukrecement is concerned that the trade agreement could leave tens of thousands of Ukrainians without work.

"The established production capacity for the production of cement in Turkey is 140Mt of cement per year. In Ukraine, this figure is more than 10 times less. Turkeys own cement consumption is about 60Mt. This means that an importer with such capacities that Turkey has, playing with price policy, can easily destroy the production of cement in Ukraine," said Kachur.

"In March 2021, the cement plant in Balakliya resumed clinker firing, the kilns of which were shut down by the former Russian owners for 10 long years. This will further strengthen the ability of the cement industry of Ukraine to provide its own market with cement," Mr Kachur added.

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Nothing is worse than the death of a child, Fall River Superintendent Matthew Malone said Wednesday, a tragedy that the school district must face as it implements changes in the months following the untimely death of David Almond.

A scathing report released Wednesday from the Office of the Child advocate detailed the death of 14-year-old Almond, a Fall River triplet who along with his two brothers was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at an early age. The report indicates that safeguards in place to assist the child, especially at DCF, were inadequate.

Overall, what you have here is a massive, catastrophic failure of multiple state agencies in two states, plus the pandemic, to create a perfect storm, a disaster, if you will, of epic proportion, Malone said in a phone interview. All the systems, despite the best efforts and intentions, failed and I have no excuse.

On Oct. 21, authorities were sent to a residence at 107 Green St. for a report of an unresponsive person and found Almond bruised, emaciated and living in abhorrent conditions, officials said. Almond, one of three triplet boys, was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

Michael Almond, another of the triplets, was also suffering from similar indications of abuse and neglect and was hospitalized for several months. A younger half-sibling was also in the home but appeared uninjured and physically unharmed, officials said. The third triplet did not live in the residence.

The boys were living with their father, John Almond, and his girlfriend, Jaclyn Coleman, in a one-bedroom apartment in Fall River. The triplets had been living there when they were removed in October 2017. In early 2020, the triplets were living at a group home in Massachusetts when DCF initiated the process to return them to John Almond at that same apartment.

The triplets previously were under the consistent supervision or care of the New York Office of Children and Families from 2013 to 2016.

Now, John Almond and Coleman have been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury.

As they were reunited with John Almond last year, the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the state, shifting schools to remote learning. The OCA report indicates that DCF area office staff missed many warning signs that David and Michael were in distress and that the Fall River schools did not provide the two with a free and appropriate public education from March until Davids death in October because neither brother received any academic instruction or related special education service. The districts failure to provide that education is a direct result of the complexities of the pandemic, the report indicates.

John Almond and Coleman stopped the children from attending in-person or remote school, did not allow service providers to see or speak with David or Michael, and often prevented the boys from answering questions when they were seen virtually once a month by social workers, according to the report.

We have a child who died. Theres nothing worse in the world than a child dying, but in this specific situation, to be systematically eliminated by your parent, thats really tragic and I think this report, when you read it, you feel like you need to take a shower afterwards because it actually outlines the depravity of the human soul, of soulless, godless people who would do this to children, Malone said.

Malone said he was appreciative of the report from the OCA, which he said was masterfully complied. Nothing in the report is new to the department, Malone said, and aligns with findings from the districts independent investigation and its own internal investigation.

Earlier this fall, Fall River made some policy changes, Malone explained, including that students must have their cameras on at the beginning and end of remote class so teachers can have eyes on students. Training requirements have also been a focus, Malone said, as well as the new mechanism of a student support team to be proactive rather than reactive.

Malone said John Almond and his girlfriend very strategically lied and deceived every agency that worked to support the family.

Because we all believe in humanity and put faith and trust into people, we believed them, Malone said.

David and Michael Almond transferred from a collaborative school to the Fall River district when they were reunified with John Almond and Coleman in March. Though they were enrolled in Henry Lord Middle School upon their transfer, they never physically went to classrooms there because schools abruptly went to remote learning. They were promoted to Durfee High School in the fall.

This family, unfortunately, became a victim of the pandemic and we took their word but we should have just called 911, Malone said.

Malone said that the report indicated the district should have connected with David and Michael on the phone, something that has never been part of training or protocols in the superintendents decades of education experience, he said.

At no time was any school service or academic support offered to David verbally over the phone (the one form of technology the family clearly had). Neither of the two schools David was enrolled in adequately followed-up with work via paper packets. There was no effort to reach out to David to address any of his social or emotional needs. In short, David was never provided with any special education services, the report read.

Fall River Mayor Paul E. Coogan said the city is having conversations on how to prevent something like this case from happening again.

As Mayor and as a former educator, I have been disturbed by the tragic story of David Almond. To neglect a child who looks to you for care and protection is one of the most horrible things a person can do, Coogan said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

I have been closely following the investigations into this case, including the report from the Office of the Child Advocate, and am in frequent conversation with all the involved parties about how we can prevent incidents like this from ever occurring again. The Fall River School Department has taken significant steps to more closely monitor students wellbeing and I hope that this case provokes wider discussion about how to better protect our children, Coogan continued.

Fall River schools did not consider how attendance measures should be tied to student participation levels, the OCA report found. Its one topic the district is changing in light of David Almonds death.

The district sees better training as another key improvement area. New training is rolling out for staff members on mandated reporting and how to recognize signs of child abuse and neglect, Malone said.

Where in the hell, in the world, would any sane person make a decision that it was OK to release these kids with high disfunction, high risks, special needs, to a junkie dad and stepmom who live in a studio apartment that has seven people in it, Malone said. Where is that normal? Where are the neighbors? This is a breakdown of democracy, a cultural milieu of people accepting the fact that scumbags are allowed to be scumbags and it just upsets me that no one said anything.

Malone said there are multiple failures and that he accepts his fault as superintendent.

Im responsible. I was the superintendent and we should have done more and we didnt, he said. Its a lesson learned. Ive got to get up every morning and beg for forgiveness. This kid died under my watch. Ive got to live with that.

DCF has also announced changes, including the firing of a staff member. The agency is instituting a series of adjustments, including a review of its current processes for safety assessment.

Officials said that DCF has developed a new reunification review process that has been in effect since this year. That review emphasizes improved parental capabilities, rather than completion of tasks in an action plan, to determine if reunification is safe and appropriate, officials said.

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said it is continuing to work with school districts, the OCA and DCF to provide guidance regarding the well-being of students.

The death of David Almond is a tragedy that should never befall any child. Under DESE regulations, school districts must have a system for tracking attendance and teachers and administrations must regularly communicate with students as well as parents and guardians, said Executive Office of Education spokeswoman Colleen Quinn. The department will continue to work with school districts, the Office of the Child Advocate and the Department of Children and Families to provide educators with the appropriate guidance needed for districts to ensure the well-being of all students.

The OCA report found that there were no explicit standards from DESE for remote learning that applied solely to the high-risk students, and that department guidance did not provide explicit information to school staff about recognizing signs of child abuse or neglect in remote and virtual learning environments, despite a focus on student mental health during the pandemic.

DESE guidelines call for districts using remote education models to have a system for tracking attendance and participation and that teachers and administrators must regularly communicate with students and their parents and guardians.

The department has told districts that if a student with disabilities is not attending remote classes, the students IEP team should be reconvened to discuss the lack of engagement and determine if the absences are a result of the students inability to access remote learning due to their disability, technology related needs, language barriers, or other concerns. Officials said the department will continue to remind districts.

DESE is also encouraging districts to adopt procedures for tracking educator concerns about individual students. Many districts already have such procedures, officials said.

In the coming weeks, more students will be in classrooms full-time. DESE is requiring districts to offer five days a week of learning for K-5 students by April 5 and for grade 6-8 students by April 28. Parents, however, can choose to keep their children remote through the end of the year.

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Editor's note: This article and headline have been corrected to reflect the person intervening to stop the attack was a man. A police incident report said otherwise.

A Charleston lawyer has been charged with assault after authorities said he attacked his girlfriend at a West Ashley bowling alley.

On March 19, two witnesses told Charleston police officers they saw a man, later identified as Pano Michael DuPree, 58, come into Ashley Lanes. He started an argument with his girlfriend, then placed his arms around her neck from behind in a chokehold, an incident report stated. He also pulled her hair, witnesses told police.

An unidentified male bystander intervened, running up to DuPree and punching him in the face. He was knocked to the ground, pulling out some of his girlfriend's hair in the process, witnesses told police.

DuPree was taken to Roper St. Francis Hospital for treatment of his injuries, according to the report. After talking to witnesses and DuPree's girlfriend, officers followed him to the hospital and arrested him on a charge of third-degree assault and battery.

He was briefly held in the Charleston County jail before being released March 20 on a $1,087 bond, records show.

It wasn't the first time DuPree has had trouble with the law.

In 2012, he was suspended from practicing law for nine months after allegations that he punched and bit a Utah state trooper during a traffic stop while on vacation. According to a police report, when the car was pulled over for speeding and not staying in one lane, DuPree was shot with a stun gun after refusing to leave the car and behaving belligerently.

He then punched the trooper in the mouth, splitting his lip, the report stated. The two men wrestled and DuPree bit the trooper on the arm, breaking skin, before other officers helped subdue him, police said at the time.

In a 2003 incident, DuPree was arrested by Charleston police amid a struggle with officers who responded to reports of a fight at the Charleston Riverview Hotel. Charges in that case were later dismissed.

The S.C. Bar lists DuPree as a member in good standing.

Attempts to reach DuPree's office for comment were not successful.
NEW MILFORD  Charlotte McDermott spends her days pushing her unicorn-shaped toy car, throwing sticks for the family dog Nico to catch, and climbing on everything in sight.

While the 20-month-old may seem to be doing the same activities as other toddlers, to her family, everything Charlotte does is a miracle.

As a baby, Charlotte was diagnosed with the rare and life-threatening disease, biliary atresia, and spent most of her young life in the hospital.

At 9 months old, Charlotte underwent a 10-hour-long liver transplant, which saved her life last April at Boston Childrens Hospital, according to her great aunt, Kelly Short.

Charlotte will celebrate the one-year anniversary of her transplant next week with a small family gathering in New Milford.

The road to a liver transplant

When Charlotte was about 6 months old, the doctors saw her liver wasnt working. She had several surgeries and was placed on a liver donation list, Short said. She was on many different medications to try to keep her immune system up and to treat the side effects of her liver failure. She had a feeding tube, she wasnt able to eat. Her first months of life were spent trying to keep her alive.

Ideally, according to Short, her doctors were looking for a living liver donor.

We had friends and family members go through the screening process to see if they would be a candidate, said Short, adding none were a match.

She just got to be too sick and the surgical team at Boston said shes at the top of the transplant list, and they will take any donor. She needs her transplant and she needs it now, Short said.

A liver became available, and Charlotte had the transplant last April around Easter. She received a cadaver liver from a child, whose family wished to remain anonymous.

Within hours of surgery, Charlottes skin tone  which had been very yellow due to jaundice  was already starting to look normal, according to Short.

Over the course of the next couple of days and weeks and months, she got better and better. It was a slow progression, but for people who dont see her all the time, it was a shocking turnaround with how well she was doing, Short said.

Shortly after the transplant, her family experienced a tragedy when Charlottes grandfather, Anthony Cavoto, of Brookfield, died with COVID-19.

To help with the familys medical expenses, they raised $23,000 through an online fundraising campaign.

Charlotte is now healthy, starting to talk, and meeting all her milestones, according to Short.

Its like a switch was flipped and literally, she was given a new life, Short said. She is back to her smiling, bubbly, adorable self.

Charlotte may need a second liver donation when shes older, Short said.

Having a cadaver donor from a child, there is a likelihood that the current transplant she has will only last for so long, and her surgical team is anticipating that sometime in her teen years, she would need an adult transplant to grow with her, Short said.

Organ donation

Short wants to raise awareness to the life-saving importance of organ donation.

Oftentimes, we only think about being an organ donor when we renew our drivers license every couple of years, and are asked the question about donating if something catastrophic happens, she said, adding that livers can regenerate completely.

Unless youre faced with a personal situation, most people wouldnt think donating a liver while theyre alive, Short said. If you are a healthy adult, you have the power to save someones life. When do you ever really get that opportunity? What an amazing gift to be able to give to someone.

Short said Charlottes pediatrician said shes on track developmentally and no longer in need of physical therapy services.

After so many months of not being mobile, shes definitely making up for it now, chuckled Short, adding Charlotte will soon be a big sister, since her mother, Ali McDermott, is expecting a baby in June.

She will have routine biopsies throughout her childhood to determine the ongoing health of the liver, but is making great strides, Short said. Shes really closing the gap.

To register as an organ donor, call the Yale Center for Living Organ Donors at 866-YALE-TXP; and at Hartford Hospital, contact a Living Donor Coordinator at 833-222-7770.

sfox@milfordmirror.com
(Newser)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized Trump administration policies Tuesday in revealing the State Department's annual report on human rights, which was drafted under the previous administration. "Some have argued that it's not worth it for the US to speak up forcefully for human rightsor that we should highlight abuse only in select countries, and only in a way that directly advances our national interests," Blinken said, per the Guardian. "But those people miss the point," he said, noting the Biden administration would stand up for human rights "everywhere." Blinken noted global assessments of reproductive health access for women and girls, which the Trump administration scrubbed from the annual report, would be compiled this year "because women's rightsincluding sexual and reproductive rightsare human rights," per the New York Times.

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Blinken also said he'd shut down an advisory committee set up under the previous administration to prioritize religious liberties and property rights. This represented "unbalanced views" as "there is no hierarchy that makes some rights more important than others," he said, per the AP. Critics argued the policy could allow for the persecution of LGBTQ people and the denial of a woman's right to health services. In another divergence, Blinken acknowledged "systemic racism" in the US, adding our "willingness to confront our own shortcomings" is "what separates our democracy from autocracies." He also referred to China's "genocide" of Uighurs, crackdowns on protesters in Hong Kong and Myanmar, and Russia's poisoning of Alexei Navalny. "The trend lines on human rights continue to move in the wrong direction," with some governments using the pandemic "as a pretext to restrict rights and consolidate authoritarian rule," he said. (Read more Biden administration stories.)


Leigh library secretary Wendy Brown, front centre, gets a big cheque from Mahu Community Trading Post chair John Carr, front right. They are surrounded by Trading Post volunteers.

Continuing its tradition of supporting local good causes, the Mahu Community Trading Post has presented Leigh Library with funds to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Library secretary Wendy Brown says the grant has lifted a huge weight off the anniversary organising subcommittees shoulders. Instead of spending a lot of time and effort raising money, the committee has been able to focus on research and planning the celebrations.

The 150th celebrations will be held at Leigh Library and Leigh Hall on Saturday, May 22, from 11am.

They will comprise the unveiling of a historical board in the library grounds, a display of photographs and artefacts in Leigh Hall, and refreshments.

All descendants of the founders, former and present members of the library, volunteers and committee members, plus Leigh, Whangateau and Pakiri residents are welcome to attend.

Notable local family names associated with the library include Clarke, Wright, Greenwood, Matheson, Wyatt, Witten, Dunning, Torkington, Meiklejohn, Cruickshank, Birdsall, Gravatt, Ashtons and Whitaker.

Anyone with old photographs, memories or mementos of the library, which they feel could be useful for the celebrations, should contact Wendy by emailing wendyleebrown@xtra.co.nz
AUSTIN, Texas, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Complete Controller announces its adoption of Box to allow its customers' audit-ready filing cabinets to be accessible outside of the secure cloud platform the Company provides to its small business, household, trust, and CPA users. As March closes out, the Company has completed its document repository migration for all active customers, allowing them more points of access to their critical documents.

When deciding to migrate the business' files, cloud-native security, and compliance capabilities, the Company had no hesitation. This move opens the opportunity to leverage resources for document management, governance, integration, and top-of-the-line secure data exchange methods allowing for greater flexibility, transparency, and security.

Before its implementation, users had to login into a cloud environment to access their financial records. The Box integration provides the accessibility of each customer's financial document storage available from within the Company's MyBookkeeper App, on a local computer, tablet, or smartphone, ensuring a secured environment to upload/submit sensitive documents.

"File exchange and storage are at the heart of financial processes, no matter the industry. This changeover enables further transparency to our customers and allows their CPAs to serve them more efficiently with access to critical documents for audit and tax purposes. Box's functionality also allows clients to collaborate in real-time with people both inside and outside their business or household, no matter the device or software they're using, and they can do it from anywhere in the world," shares Sherri McKeel, Director of Operations for Complete Controller.

Jennifer Brazer, CEO of Complete Controller, adds, "Complete Controller customers tend to lead a busy lifestyle in which secure access to vital financial documents when on the go is of great value, and we are committed to providing that ease and confidence for all clients."

For more information about Complete Controller, visit www.completecontroller.com or call 866-443-8879.

About Complete Controller

Complete Controller is a national cloud-based client accounting services firm, delivering bookkeeping services, audit-ready records, unlimited storage, and performance reporting to small businesses, households, trusts, and their CPAs. Founder and CEO Jennifer Brazer is a pioneer in the virtualization of professional services and a published author. She is a vocal proponent of financial literacy, entrepreneurial empowerment, and cloud business strategies.

Press Contact: Jordan Johnson [email protected] 866-443-8879 ext. 727

SOURCE Complete Controller

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completecontroller.com


Students Participate in Virtual Illustration Workshop by Eleanor Taylor

Childrens book illustrator and author Eleanor Taylor held a virtual workshop with Year 6 children from Bishop Fitzgerald Upper Primary School last week, which aimed to introduce pupils to the beauty of illustration.

The initiative was organised by Gibraltar Cultural Services, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, as part of this years Youth Arts Jamboree (YAJ) programme. The traditional format for the programme was affected by the lockdown this year but online workshops and other opportunities were offered and are still being rolled out.

Eleanor Taylor is best known as the creator of the Harry Potter Hogwarts crest. The workshop took place over two mornings and involved approximately 120, Year 6 students.

This year, the World Book Day theme for Year 6s was Alice in Wonderland. As such, the workshop consisted of writing a letter from Alice to Harry Potter. The children were also shown how to create their own owl (Hedwig) which would deliver their letter to Harry Potter.

Head Teacher at Bishop Fitzgerald Upper Primary School, Lianne Parral, said: Eleanor is an inspirational illustrator who has brought Harry Potter back to our classrooms by sharing her famous illustration of the Hogwarts Crest as well as teaching the children to make their own version of Harry Potters Hedwig and learning calligraphy.

Author and Illustrator, Eleanor Taylor, commented: The illustration workshop with the Year 6 pupils of Bishop Fitzgerald reinforces for me that community and creativity have no physical boundaries. I might have been over 700 miles away but I could feel the energy and buzz in those classrooms. I am always grateful for the opportunity to spend time with such fabulous young people. I cant wait to get back to Gibraltar to say hello in person and see the results of their wonderful considered work

GCS Head of Cultural Development, Davina Barbara said "This positive collaboration is exactly what we hope to promote and encourage with the Youth Arts Jamboree programme. Ultimately its about exposing young people to the Arts and supporting their growth and development. To have them working with a professional like Eleanor is fantastic, we are very grateful to her for volunteering her time and for her enthusiasm and support.
FAR HILLS, N.J., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the New Jersey Conservation Foundation submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court outlining reasons why it should uphold the Third Circuit Court of Appeal's decision in the pending PennEast Pipeline case. The brief amplifies the State of New Jersey's arguments for leaving the Third Circuit ruling undisturbed.

NJ Conservation's brief sets out the many reasons why PennEast is not entitled to hale the State into federal court to condemn public lands, some of which NJ Conservation stewards and has devoted significant resources to conserving.

"We are pleased to join the State of New Jersey by submitting a complementary brief to the U.S. Supreme Court laying out clear reasons why the Court should uphold the Third Circuit's sound decision," said Tom Gilbert, campaign director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation and ReThink Energy NJ. "The law is on our side, as the Natural Gas Act does not give private pipeline developers the right to drag states into court. New Jersey has the right to prevent PennEast from condemning land that was preserved for future generations to build its unneeded, polluting pipeline."

"As NJ Conservation's brief makes clear, the State's decision to protect these preserved farms and conservation lands from private condemnation falls squarely within the letter of the 11th Amendment," said Jennifer Danis, Columbia Environmental Law Clinic, co-counsel for NJ Conservation Foundation.

In February 2021, the Supreme Court granted PennEast Pipeline's petition to review the Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision finding that PennEast, as a private company, cannot seize or condemn state-owned lands in federal court without the state's consent. The Court will hear arguments in the case on April 28th and determine whether the Third Circuit's result will stand.

The fossil gas pipeline proposal would traverse over 40 properties preserved by the state, crossing the Delaware River and more than 4,300 acres of protected land in New Jersey. The unnecessary pipeline would threaten preserved farmlands and significant natural and historic resources while damaging scores of pristine, protected streams and jeopardizing populations of threatened and endangered species. New Jersey has yet to issue any permits or Clean Water Act authorizations for the project.

SOURCE New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Health Minister on Wednesday said 230 more ICU beds for patients have been added in 33 private hospitals on the directions of the city government.

He also said the number of non-ICU beds in these private facilities has been increased by 842.

"We are in a comfortable position (in terms of number of beds available). Overall, only 25 per cent of the beds for patients in government and private hospitals are occupied. A few private hospitals have all ICU beds full. So, necessary orders were issued by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday," Jain told reporters.

Orders have been issued to update the status of beds on the government's data management portal, a statement later quoted him as saying.

The number of non-ICU COVID-19 beds in private hospitals has increased from 1,705 on Wednesday to 2,547 Thursday, while ICU beds have increased to 838 from 608 a day ago, the government said.

He also said that the positivity rate in hovered around 3 per cent for the last few days. Whereas, it has breached the 10-per cent mark in several states.

The health minister also said that 65 lakh eligible beneficiaries (aged above 45) will be given vaccine shots at more than 500 sites, starting Thursday.

"We have enough vaccines available. The number of eligible beneficiaries is quite large. We will make efforts to complete the inoculation as soon as possible," he said.

reported 992 coronavirus cases on Tuesday with a positivity rate of 2.70 per cent.

Officials said the low number of cases can be attributed to less tests conducted on Monday on account of Holi.

The city had recorded 1,904 cases on Monday, the highest in around three and a half months. Authorities reported 1,881 cases on Sunday, 1,558 cases on Saturday, 1,534 cases on Friday, 1,515 cases on Thursday, 1,254 cases on Wednesday and 1,101 cases on Tuesday -- the first time since December 24 that the number of cases crossed the 1,000 mark.

The positivity rate was 2.77 per cent on Monday, 2.35 per cent on Sunday, 1.70 per cent on Saturday, 1.80 per cent on Friday, 1.69 per cent on Thursday, 1.52 per cent on Wednesday, and 1.31 per cent on Tuesday.

(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 chief inspector of schools in England asked for more powers to monitor independent schools over 'potential safeguarding issues' but was ignored by ministers, it emerged today.

Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman wrote to the Department for Education from 2018 to 2019 to complain that her organisation was unable to effectively scrutinise the work of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

The body inspects the vast majority of independent schools, including elite public schools such as Dulwich College and Westminster that have been at the centre of a 'rape culture' scandal involving thousands of allegations of sexual abuse.

Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman wrote to the Department for Education from 2018 to 2019 to complain that her organisation was unable to effectively scrutinise the work of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)

Emailed obtained the Guardian show that, in 2018, Spielman told the DfE that Ofsted had not been able to properly monitor the ISI's inspections of private schools because of official restrictions.

The dispute rumbled on until 2019, when then schools minister Lord Agnew told Spielman that Ofsted's oversight role over ISI inspections would be instead taken over by the DfE.

Around 80% of private school pupils in England fall under the ISI's regime, which covers institutions belonging to the Independent Schools Council, a representative body made up of several different 'associations'.

One of these is the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which dates back to 1869 and includes the traditional public schools, including Eton and St Paul's.

They, along with hundreds of other schools both private and independent, have been named on the Everyone's Invited website, which documents anonymous complaints of sexual harassment and assault.

In November 2018 Spielman wrote to education secretary Damien Hinds to complain about Ofsted not being allowed to properly oversee the ISI's work.

I am therefore concerned that, while many inspections are doubtless carried out to a high standard, the system is not currently configured so that any problems can be spotted and tackled, for example regarding potential safeguarding issues in the schools, she wrote.

The body inspects the vast majority of independent schools, including elite public schools such as Westminster (pictured)

Spielman said that as a minimum Ofsted should be allowed to conduct unannounced on-site monitoring visits and carry out termly safeguarding-focused checks' to verify that any safeguarding issues identified by the ISI were being followed up on.

A series of email exchanges followed.

Then, in November 2019, Lord Agnew told to Spielman that Ofsted would have only an minor part in overseeing ISI.

I expect that the Department of Educations own monitoring of ISIs reports and information provided directly by ISI, should allow the secretary of state to fulfil this role, he wrote.

Former cabinet minister Maria Miller has demanded Ofsted be drafted in to lead an independent probe into the allegations.

The Tory MP, who was chair of of the Commons women and equalities committee when it published a report detailing harrowing findings of abuse five years ago, said it appeared nothing had changed.

Ms Miller said that while the Government had accepted many of her committee's recommendations, schools appeared to be failing to implement new guidelines which had followed its 2016 report.

'What I think now, very strongly, is we need to have Ofsted do a deep dive on the issue of the handling of sexual harassment in schools,' she told The Guardian.

It came as the head of the headteachers' union called on parents and social media companies to do more to tackle 'rape culture' rather than leaving it all up to schools.

Around 80% of private school pupils in England fall under the ISI's regime, including Dulwich

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said parents, said many incidents of sexual harassment happened at parties outside schools beyond the reach of teachers.

And he argued that many of the allegations on websites such as Everyone's Invited were sex crimes that should be dealt with by the criminal justice system.

He said: 'The testimonies posted on the Everyone's Invited website are utterly horrifying and the behaviour described is not only unacceptable but in many cases constitutes a serious sexual offence.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said parents, said many incidents of sexual harassment happened at parties outside schools

'Media reporting of these testimonies has focused on the role of schools. In fact, these testimonies involve young people, in schools and universities, in a wide variety of circumstances, often outside school premises in settings such as parties.

'This is not to minimise the vital responsibility of schools in tackling sexual violence and sexual harassment, and instilling good values in young people and respect for one another. Our experience is that schools work very hard on all aspects of safeguarding, and take these matters extremely seriously.

'However, it is also clear that this is a wider issue than what happens in schools. Parents have a responsibility to talk to their children about how they behave towards others.'

He also called on social media giants to start policing the content on their platforms.

'Social media companies have a responsibility to take more care about how their platforms are used,' he said.

'The criminal justice system has a responsibility to show young people that it can be trusted to prosecute and bring to justice sexual offenders.'

It came as primary schools were the latest to become embroiled in the 'rape culture' storm after former pupils posted claims of sexual assaults.

Everyone's Invited, on which thousands of older children have reported harassment and abuse now has allegations involving pupils as young as five.

The 11,000-plus claims include one alleged assault by a child at the 22,000-a-year Fulham Preparatory School in west London.

Mr Barton said: 'Social media companies have a responsibility to take more care about how their platforms are used'

Head teachers have urged anonymous victims to come forward and speak to teachers so they can respond, saying staff were struggling to 'act effectively' because many of the testimonies have no named victim, aggressor or date.

In addition, the leader of the secondary school head teachers' union said schools alone should not bear the burden of dealing with the issue, as much of the abuse detailed happened away from school premises, such as at parties.

The latest claims involving primary pupils included one which read: 'In Year Four I had to change school because this older boy in Year Seven who was [on] my school bus was harassing me.

'He tried to apologise by offering me a Haribo. A couple [of] weeks later I told my mum  I was so young and clueless of the situation that I thought it was because he liked me because he thought I was pretty, how naive.'

The alleged victim claimed Fulham Prep, where the boy was a pupil, did 'very little' when her family reported it.

Another former pupil at an unnamed Roman Catholic primary school told how a boy would 'try and stick pencils and his hands' up her skirt.

And an ex-student at Meersbrook Bank Primary in Sheffield told of 'years of sexual abuse during primary school between the ages of five and ten' by older boys.

They subjected her to 'kissing, genital touching and manipulation' but she was afraid of 'snitching' on them.

The allegations follow an explosion of claims against pupils of top private secondary schools, including Dulwich College and Highgate School.

Pupils stage a protest against rape culture at Highgate School in London

Yesterday, the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which represents heads at such schools, urged victims to make themselves known to schools so teachers can provide support.

General secretary Dr Simon Hyde said: 'Our members are listening and willing to act, but it is more difficult to act effectively on anonymised allegations, and we urge those affected to seek support and redress through their schools.'

In response to the allegations, Fulham Prep head teacher Neill Lunnon told the Telegraph the school takes safeguarding 'incredibly seriously'.

He added: 'We fully support the open dialogue that is currently taking place in the media about sexual assault and harassment.

'We are fully committed to doing our part in educating our children about what is acceptable and what is not.'

Gemma Harvey, head teacher at Meersbrook Bank, said: 'We do not tolerate abuse of any kind.

'We have robust safeguarding policies to protect our children and maintain clear and effective procedures for reporting any incidents.'

The ISI said: 'Ofsted and ISI have remained in regular contact over the past year, with fortnightly meetings which include the DfE, and have continued a constructive working relationship. This has included discussing approaches to restarting inspection so that it can be sufficiently aligned across the independent sector.

'Ofsted inspects independent schools which are not members of ISC associations. Both ISI and Ofsted inspect against the Independent School Standards, which are set out in legislation, and statutory guidance on safeguarding.'

MailOnline has contacted Ofsted for comment.

I was attacked by Eton boy, says claims dossier activist

By Lizzie Deane and Josh White

Zan Moon wrote open letter to headteachers of eight schools over 'serious misogynistic culture' that 'thrives' in their institutions

The organiser of a dossier of sexual abuse allegations against boys at top private schools has told of being assaulted by an Eton pupil.

Zan Moon, 24, wrote an open letter to the headteachers of eight leading schools over the 'serious misogynistic culture' that 'thrives' in their institutions.

Miss Moon, a former pupil at girls' private school Benenden in Kent, said she was overwhelmed with responses after asking for testimonies on Instagram from females who had been harassed and assaulted by private schoolboys.

She compiled 95 harrowing accounts, including her own in which she detailed how she was assaulted by an Eton boy when she was 15. She told the Mail: 'I was at a party with a bunch of Eton boys.

Someone had rented accommodation for a party on a beach with no parents for the whole weekend.

'There was nowhere to go  we were sort of trapped in this house. One of the boys made a beeline for me and I tried to escape the room. He followed me out and grabbed me by the neck and choked me.'

She said he then indecently assaulted her and pestered her for the rest of the night.

Miss Moon added: 'That's five to seven hours of him relentlessly trying and me continuously saying I didn't want to. All of the boys there were just being complicit in that and seeing what was happening.'

She said she did not take the incident to Benenden, Eton or police at the time, adding: 'We weren't really educated on what sexual assault was.'

Miss Moon, who now works for the Prince's Trust youth charity, said there was 'definitely' a coverup culture at schools, stressing: 'It just seems the priority was always to uphold their reputation.'

Pictured: Eton College says it insists that all its pupils treat others with kindness, decency and respect and has condemned criminal behaviour which it says 'has no place in society'

She insisted there had been 'multiple people' who complained to schools but headteachers had not acted.

Her dossier also contains allegations from female students at Bristol and Exeter universities.

Miss Moon's letter said chauvinism 'runs deep within the environment of private boys' schools'. She added: 'It is finally coming to attention how boys from the most elite schools and universities have mistreated girls for years and somehow got away with it. This ends now.'

An Eton spokesman said: 'Criminal behaviour of this kind has no place in society. Eton always takes specific allegations such as this extremely seriously.

'Eton insists that all our pupils treat others with kindness, decency and respect.'

Some 11,000 allegations have now been made by school pupils on the Everyone's Invited website. At least two top private schools have called in police.
71st Primetime Emmy Awards - Photo Room  Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 22, 2019 - George R.R. Martin (C) and the cast and crew of Game of Thrones (Photo : REUTERS/Monica Almeida/File Photo)

"Game of Thrones" and the fictional world of Westeros will come to life in a stage play that producers said on Tuesday they hope to bring to Broadway, London's West End and Australia starting in 2023.



The play will tell the story of the Great Tourney at Harrenhal, a contest that took place 16 years before the "Game of Thrones" series on HBO. It will feature characters, including Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister who were popular in the TV series.



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The tourney was mentioned in the original series and in George R.R. Martin's novels, "A Song of Ice and Fire," which inspired the show.



"Few in Westeros knew the carnage to come when highborn and smallfolk alike gathered at Harrenhal to watch the finest knights of the realm compete in a great tourney," Martin said in a statement.



"Now, at last, we can tell the whole story," added Martin, who is working with playwright Duncan MacMillan on the stage production.



"Game of Thrones," a medieval fantasy series, was a global phenomenon for HBO, a unit of AT&T Inc. The network is developing several "Game of Thrones" TV prequels as well, including "House of the Dragon," which is set 300 years before the original series.


Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid leapt to her co-host Ranvir Singh's defence on Wednesday, after her moves on Strictly Dome Dancing were branded 'dreadful'.

Ranvir, who competed on Strictly late last year, was reading from the prepared script while introducing the show's judge Craig Revel Horwood, and was taken aback by a line which quoted him as giving a less-than-flattering assessment of her dancing.

Reading the line-up, Ranvir, 43, said: 'And last time he was on, he called me "dreadful"... I can't believe you're making me read this out!

Defence: Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid (left) leapt to her co-host Ranvir Singh's (right) defence on Wednesday, after her moves on Strictly Dome Dancing were branded 'dreadful'

'Acid-tongued judge Craig, though he was actually lovely to me behind the scenes, is here to reveal what we expect from Strictly this year. The tours are back on this year, which is exciting!'

As cameras returned to the studio, a visibly stunned Ranvir asked Susanna, 50: 'He didn't call me dreadful, did he Susanna?'

Susanna replied: 'He didn't! I don't know who wrote that  that's very mischievous! Because I think what he said was that you were hard done by with the jive. But your ballroom dancing was a pure dream  and your jive was full of fun and verve!'

Taking it in stride, Ranvir joked: 'That's what you're saying  he didn't say that, did he? I mean, I haven't spoken to him since so we'll see. That'll be fun!'

Unflattering: Ranvir was introducing the show's judge Craig Revel Horwood, and was taken aback by a line which quoted him as giving a less-than-flattering assessment of her dancing

Once Craig, 56, arrived on the show, Ranvir quipped of the upcoming Strictly tours: 'Craig will be disappointed I won't be on. I am sure you are hugely disappointed not to see my dreadful jive again, aren't you Craig?'

Craig replied: 'No, I was looking forward to see you actually one of best Argentine tangos I think I have ever seen  something we would love on tour, are you kidding? You are great, by the way. I thought you were fantastic on the show  brilliant!'

However, Craig did, indeed, brand Ranvir's moves 'dreadful', when he appeared on GMB back in December, shortly after she narrowly missed out on a place in the final with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice.

Discussing winner Bill Baileys success on the show, Craig said: 'He really works hours and hours on end to perfect it, and thats where hes brilliant.

Jive talking: Ranvir and her professional partner Giovanni Pernice were eliminated from Strictly one week ahead of the final, after her jive received low scores from the judges

'And hes been able to lay his hand, his dance hand, to any style and you saw last Saturday, Ranvir and that dreadful jive she did  it wasnt good at all.'

Recently-departed host Piers then interjected: 'Alright, alright! Alright Ebeneezer Scrooge, you cant come on Good Morning Britain and start trashing our own.'

Susanna also defended her at the time, adding: 'Do you know what, to the untrained eye she looks fabulous at jive. I dont know what youre talking about!'

In his signature sassy style, Craig said: 'Well she had a great smile through it, darling.'

During his latest interview on Wednesday morning, Craig discussed the upcoming Strictly tours, once the lockdown rules have been all but eliminated on 21 June.

Reassurance: As cameras returned to the studio, a visibly stunned Ranvir asked fellow presenter Susanna, 'He didn't call me dreadful, did he Susanna?'

He said: 'Theatres have been closed over a year now  the entire industry, let alone restaurants, bars surround them and really heavily rely on them.'

Craig discussed reports that judges Bruno Tonioli and Motsi Mabuse may not be returning to the show, thanks to other projects.

He said: 'We are hoping Bruno comes back  we really want him in the seat, whether he stays in the seat or not, he generally jumps up and down like a yo-yo.

'We want him back but if he can't come back, we will do what we did last time  just do the live stream across the studio.'

Focusing on Motsi, he went on: 'I think she would be mad doing a German tour rather than Strictly. I take the Saturdays off to do panto, so as long as she can safely get there for the Saturday, she will be absolutely fine!'

Pure dream: Susanna said, 'I think what he said was that you were hard done by with the jive. But your ballroom dancing was a pure dream  and your jive was full of fun and verve!'

Of the show's return, he continued: 'I am really looking forward to it. The BBC did an amazing job  there are protocols in place for every situation.

'You will get Strictly and a much fuller version. Last year, we had to isolate in time for the start so it was a month later, it's the full version this year.'

He also touched on the possibility of another same-sex couple competing in the ballroom, following in the footsteps of last year's groundbreaking partners Nicola Adams and pro dancer Katya Jones.

'I'd love to see a male one or another girl one,' Craig said. 'It doesn't bother me, as long as people are dancing together. We may even see them on the Strictly tour. We may get to see two extra dancers there!'

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am and catch up on ITV Hub.
Paxton, IL (60957)

Today

Mostly sunny. High 87F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Seven thousand people have been left homeless after a devastating fire broke out on the evening of 25 March in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Vatican News Service and Agenzia Fides

Thousands of residents of a slum in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, require emergency assistance after a fire engulfed the whole township, the country's authorities confirmed this week.

Due to its location, Susans Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, is the landing place for hundreds of canoes and boats that everyday unload goods from the hinterland, such as charcoal or vegetables, destined for Freetowns central markets.

3 000 meals a day

The Catholic Dioceses Caritas Freetown said it was doing what it could but the needs outstrip resources. The church organisation has launched a 21-day emergency programme.

So far, we have provided an average of 3 000 meals a day to the needy population, and we will continue to do so for 21 days. Seven refreshment and coordination points have been set up where volunteers from the organisation provide displaced people with food, drinking water, blankets and basic clothing, said Ishmael Charles, head of programmes at Caritas Freetown.

Bad weather has also brought heavy rains that have aggravated the conditions for people who were already without shelter. Many people are sleeping outside in the open.

Call for planned settlements

Over the years, about 11 000 people have found shelter in Susans Bay, a sort of shantytown of Sierra Leones capital, Freetown. With time a large community, mainly engaged in informal trade and fishing, has emerged. Built with metal sheets and salvaged material, the densely populated Bay has developed in a chaotic and disorderly manner, without an urban plan or an evacuation or rescue plan.

The situation is very difficult, explained the Caritas official, Charles. Freetown Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has called for planned settlements.

The whole community has been wiped out, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said. Once again, there was no access for the firefighters. A six-storey building under construction blocked all available access, she denounced.

She maintains that disaster risk reduction cannot occur without effective urban planning and a building permit regime focused on reducing human-made environmental risks. Join us in praying for the victims, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr implored.
Moonshot Snacks has three delicious, climate-friendly cracker flavors. Were thrilled to grow the reach of our climate-friendly food movement with retailers that consumers already rely on to uphold their sustainability standards.

Moonshot, the US first explicitly climate-friendly snack brand, is proud to announce it is expanding distribution. The companys signature crackers are now available through several value-aligned retailers both online and in-stores, including Goldune, Bubble and New Leaf. Built by Planet FWD, Moonshot is making it easier for snackers to eat with the planets health in mind.

The latest research shows that the global food system is responsible for 34% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with 71% of all food systems emissions coming from agriculture and land use. Thats why Moonshot is dedicated to being a carbon neutral brand in addition to sourcing ingredients directly from farmers who practice regenerative agriculture. The company also works to sequester and reduce its emissions, while offsetting any remaining emissions with NativeEnergy to ensure its operations are carbon neutral.

Within the companys own backyard in Northern California, Moonshots snacks can now be found in physical retailers like New Leaf and Berkeley Bowl. Snackers in the San Francisco Bay Area can also buy Moonshot through Zero Grocery. Within the next week, the brand will be available at a handful of other values-aligned retailers across the country, including Foxtrot Market, Hive Brands, and The Goods Mart, with more locations coming soon.

Were thrilled to grow the reach of our climate-friendly food movement with retailers that consumers already rely on to uphold their sustainability standards, shared Julia Collins, founder and CEO of Moonshot. We recognize that the power of our impact cannot be achieved by any one brand alone and look forward to the continued growth of this movement through trusted retail partners.

Moonshot crackers are available in three distinct flavors: Sourdough Sea Salt, Tomato Basil and Rosemary Garlic, with each one made to pair well or standalone. Snackers can look for Moonshot at any of the above retailers or have crackers shipped directly to them via moonshotsnacks.com. Moonshot is a certified WBENC woman-owned business and BIPOC-founded and owned.

About Planet FWD:

Founded in 2019 by Julia Collins, Planet FWD is on a mission to tackle climate change by making it easier to bring climate-friendly food products to the market. The company built Moonshot, the US first climate-friendly snack brand. Its first product, a cracker, is made with ingredients grown with regenerative agricultural practices that help restore soil health and reduce carbon emissions in the food system. Planet FWD empowers brands to create more sustainable and climate-friendly products by helping them reduce their carbon footprints and unlocking a universe of sustainable ingredients. To learn more, visit http://www.planetfwd.com.


editorial

The ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development is in dire straits because it is not sure elderly people who have been earning a monthly grant of Shs 25,000 will receive it this month.

This is after development partners, UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and IrishAid, who have been sponsoring the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme suspended the transfer of Shs 21 billion.

The donor partners are concerned that the ministry of Finance has refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which should stipulate the parties' obligations in the project.

The absence of an MOU means government's part funding of the project is not indicated or assured. Under the SAGE project for 2020/21, out of the Shs 142 billion, the donors contribute Shs 21 billion. Government has been contributing Shs 62 billion instead of Shs 120 billion. The exact reasons for not signing the MOU are sketchy but it is attributed to government's lack of funds to counter fund the project.

The SAGE programme started with 20 pilots districts, later 20 others were added and now since 2017, 5 districts have been added to the programme. Although Shs 25,000 is not very significant in terms of what it can buy, it has been useful to the elderly who ceased earning an income.

There seems to be a problem between the coordinating Gender ministry and the contracting finance ministry. This is a noble programme, which should not be frustrated by bureaucrats. If government can afford to fund Universal Primary Education, then, SAGE, especially when it is partly funded by donors, should not be a problem.

Several evaluation reports of the SAGE conducted by the ministry Gender indicated that the programme achieved its core objective of supporting the beneficiary households' basic consumption and ameliorating poverty. It has helped households become productive. In the absence of a social safety net, SAGE has helped vulnerable elders to cope with economic hardships.

The senior elders have in a way improved their purchase power and they have been able to meet their health bills. This means that the SAGE programme may have had positive spill-over effects into the local economy. All efforts must be made to keep it running and spreading it to other districts, and also increasing the monthly pay from Shs 25,000 to Shs 50,000.
While city officials again failed to hit most of their recent deadlines, they did comparatively well at coming into compliance with many requirements of the decree over the last two years. Hickey found that the city had at least partly satisfied 154 paragraphs of the court order her team had assessed and failed to comply with 120. Thats an improvement on past reports that showed the city failing to comply with far more requirements than it met.
IBX is collaborating with Concentric by Ginkgo to support America's K-12 schools by developing, validating and offering swab pooling qPCR testing in New Jersey and across the US.

Today, Infinity BiologiX LLC ("IBX"), the innovative central laboratory, announced its collaboration with Concentric by Ginkgo to provide a scalable and simple testing modality pooled testing to serve schools operating in-person or hybrid learning environments. Concentric by Ginkgo is the public health and biosecurity effort at Ginkgo Bioworks ("Ginkgo"), the organism company, and serves hundreds of schools across the country. This partnership will enable school systems in New Jersey (including Newark Public Schools) and other states to receive end-to-end COVID testing services.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331006041/en/

IBX DNA/RNA Extraction Lab (Photo: Business Wire)

Concentric by Ginkgo's goal is to provide easy, affordable pooled testing to every school in America. Pooled classroom testing, which combines swabs from all consenting individuals in a classroom and runs them as a single test, can significantly increase testing capacity and lower the cost of testing programs.

As more and more schools work to support in-person learning environments, communities across the country have turned to COVID-19 testing to monitor the virus. Even as teachers and guardians become eligible for vaccines, clinical vaccine trials for individuals under 16 are just beginning, and efforts to track and mitigate viral spread remain critical.

"We are proud to support this initiative which addresses the sensitivity, specificity and capacity challenges associated with a large pooled sample strategy for COVID testing, and opens up the possibility of truly comprehensive community testing," said Robin Grimwood, CEO of IBX.

IBX, building on its proven track record as a leading innovative central laboratory, was the first to receive FDA Emergency Use Authorization for the use of saliva testing to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and at-home saliva sample collection for COVID-19 testing. To date, IBX has performed over 6 million qPCR diagnostic tests for COVID-19.

"Pooled testing every student, every week is a key tool that schools can leverage to give students, teachers and their families peace of mind as they return to in-person learning," said Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks. "Pooling is a testing protocol that's truly scalable, and it's our collaboration with proven and innovative labs like IBX that make that scale possible."

Announcing the Newark Public Schools testing program in March of this year, Superintendent Roger Leon said, "We are extremely excited to participate in Ginkgo Bioworks' pooled COVID-19 testing for students because it will provide an added level of confidence to parents, students, staff and the community as we return to in-person instruction."

To learn more about Concentric by Ginkgo or to get your school district involved, head over to concentricbyginkgo.com

About Infinity BiologiX

Infinity BiologiX (IBX) is a market-disrupting central laboratory supporting academia, government, and industry. IBX provides global sample collection, processing, storage, and analytical services integrated with scientific and technical support in both the research and clinical arenas. As a leader in biomaterials, IBX provides support to the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and research in the genomics, precision, and regenerative medicine arenas. IBX previously operated as RUCDR Infinite Biologics before spinning out from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in August 2020. For more information, visit www.ibx.bio.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Headquartered in Boston, Ginkgo Bioworks uses the most advanced technology on the planet-biology-to grow better products. The company's cell programming platform is enabling the growth of biotechnology across diverse markets, from food to fragrance to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo is also actively supporting a number of COVID-19 response efforts, including community testing, epidemiological tracing, vaccine development and therapeutics discovery. For more information, visit www.ginkgobioworks.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331006041/en/

Contacts:

Judy Hopkins, +1-908-460-8441

judy@infinity-biologiX.com

press@ginkgobioworks.com
The day after filming four dying police officers on the Eastern Freeway, Porsche driver Richard Pusey admitted the things he had said were highly offensive.

Pusey has pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and other charges after using his phone to record three minutes and eight seconds of footage on April 22 last year after a truck crashed into the officers in Kew.

The hatred and condemnation directed towards Pusey since then prompted a judge to describe him on Wednesday as probably the most hated man in Australia.

Pusey, 42, gave a commentary to his footage and parts of what he said were aired in the County Court, where the public gallery was full of the officers families and other police.
Covid-19: Some Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Doses on Hold in U.S. After Factory Mix-Up France will enter its third national lockdown. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is highly effective in adolescents, a study suggests.

Johnson & Johnsons vaccine is delayed by a U.S. factory mixup. An Emergent BioSolutions lab in Baltimore. Credit... Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post, via Getty Images Workers at a plant in Baltimore manufacturing two coronavirus vaccines accidentally conflated the ingredients several weeks ago, contaminating up to 15 million doses of Johnson & Johnsons vaccine and forcing regulators to delay authorization of the plants production lines. The plant is run by Emergent BioSolutions, a manufacturing partner to both Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, the British-Swedish company whose vaccine has yet to be authorized for use in the United States. Federal officials attributed the mistake to human error. The mix-up has delayed future shipments of Johnson & Johnson doses in the United States while the Food and Drug Administration investigates what occurred. Johnson & Johnson has moved to strengthen its control over Emergent BioSolutions work to avoid additional quality lapses. The mistake is a major embarrassment both for Johnson & Johnson, whose one-dose vaccine has been credited with speeding up the national immunization program, and for Emergent, its subcontractor, which has faced fierce criticism for its heavy lobbying for federal contracts, especially for the governments emergency health stockpile. The error does not affect any Johnson & Johnson doses that are currently being delivered and used nationwide, including the shipments that states are counting on next week. All those doses were produced in the Netherlands, where operations have been fully approved by federal regulators. Further shipments of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine  expected to total 24 million doses in the next month  were supposed to come from the giant plant in Baltimore. Those deliveries are now in question while the quality control issues are sorted out, according to people familiar with the matter. Federal officials still expect to have enough doses from Johnson & Johnson and the other two approved coronavirus vaccine makers to meet President Bidens commitment to provide enough vaccine to immunize every adult by the end of May. Pfizer is shipping its doses ahead of schedule, and Moderna is on the verge of winning approval to deliver vials of vaccine packed with up to 15 doses instead of 10, further bolstering the nations stock. The problems arose in a new plant that the federal government enlisted last year to produce vaccines from Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca. The two vaccines use the same technology employing a harmless version of a virus  known as a vector  that is transmitted into cells to make a protein that then stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies. But Johnson and Johnsons and AstraZenecas vectors are biologically different and not interchangeable. In late February, one or more workers somehow confused the two during the production process, raising questions about training and supervision. Vaccine production is a notoriously fickle science, and errors are often expected to occur and ruin batches. But Emergents mistake went undiscovered for days until Johnson & Johnsons quality control checks uncovered it, according to people familiar with the situation. By then, up to 15 million doses had been contaminated, the people said. None of the doses ever left the plant, and the lot has been quarantined. Johnson & Johnson reported the mishap to federal regulators, who then started an investigation that has delayed the authorization of that plants production lines. The company has beefed up the number of its own staff members who monitor Emergents work and instituted a variety of new checks intended to protect against future lapses. Johnson & Johnson already faced a lag in its manufacturing that has caused the company to fall behind on its commitments to the federal government, but it seemed on track to catch up. It delivered 20 million doses by the end of March, and has pledged to deliver roughly 75 million additional doses by the end of May. White House officials hedged their projections in a phone call with governors on Tuesday, forecasting certain deliveries from Pfizer and Moderna but warning that Johnson & Johnsons shipments would fluctuate. In a statement late Wednesday, the company said it expected the steps it was now taking with Emergent would enable it to deliver 24 million doses by the end of April, or about what the federal government expected. But that depends on whether Johnson & Johnson satisfies Food and Drug Administration regulators. Sharon LaFraniere and

Macron announces new restrictions, putting France into a third national lockdown. Paris on Wednesday night, after the curfew took effect. Dog-walking is an exception. Credit... James Hill for The New York Times PARIS  After more than a year of lockdowns and months of sputtering vaccination campaigns, Europes efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic entered yet another difficult chapter Wednesday when President Emmanuel Macron of France announced a new set of restrictive measures in a desperate move to halt a deadly wave of infections. The move imposed a third national lockdown, which Mr. Macron had long tried to avoid. Even so, the measures are not as strict as the national lockdown of a year ago, which kept most people indoors. Schools and nonessential businesses will be closed across the country, travel between regions will be banned, and outdoor activities will be limited to places within six miles of home, Mr. Macron said. University students will still be allowed to attend classes one day a week. With infections surging, hospitals crowded with patients and the virus now reaching into classrooms, Mr. Macron abandoned a gamble in which he kept France mainly open in the hope that a steady pace of vaccinations would make a lockdown unnecessary. As the tally of coronavirus deaths relentlessly pushed close to the 100,000 mark, Mr. Macron effectively gave in to scientists and opposition politicians who have been pressing in recent weeks for a new lockdown, and added France to the list of European nations that are hunkering down again. Many of them have introduced new lockdowns in response to a wave of new cases that a slow vaccine rollout has failed to stem. The new national restrictions take effect Saturday and will last four weeks, Mr. Macron said, adding that people who wanted to isolate themselves in a different region than where they live could still travel over the weekend to get there. France reported on Tuesday that for the first time since last April, there were more than 5,000 people in the countrys intensive care units. France has been averaging about 37,000 new cases a day over the past week. The outlook is worse than frightening, Jean-Michel Constantin, the head of the intensive care unit at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris, told RMC radio on Monday. Were already at the level of the second wave, and were quickly getting close to the threshold of the first wave, he said. April is going to be dreadful. New restrictions on the regional level were introduced earlier this month, which did not stop new case reports from stubbornly rising. Pressure had been building on Mr. Macron to implement tougher measures. The steps he announced on Wednesday extend the regional restrictions nationwide. Mr. Macrons strategy of resisting a new lockdown seemed to be working until mid-March, when new cases rose sharply while the vaccination campaign stagnated, in part because of disarray in the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Mr. Macrons political opponents and some scientists said he had lost his gamble. For Mr. Macron, the timing of Wednesdays announcement was particularly significant: a year after Frances first lockdown, and a year before the next presidential election, when voters are expected to judge him largely on his handling of the epidemic and the vaccination campaign. The health authorities said on Wednesday that about 8.5 million people, or about 13 percent of the total population, had received at least a first dose of vaccine. The government hopes to have vaccinated 10 million people by mid-April, 30 million by the summer and the whole country by the fall. By contrast, Britain has vaccinated 46 percent of its population and the United States 29 percent, according to data from The New York Times. Mr. Macron said on Wednesday that some cultural venues and outdoor dining at cafes and restaurants could reopen by mid-May, after the vaccine program has picked up speed. Constant Meheut and France Coronavirus Map and Case Count See the latest charts and maps of coronavirus cases, deaths, hospitalizations and vaccinations in France.

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Biden says its a mistake for the Texas Rangers to allow a capacity crowd on Opening Day. Fans watching the Milwaukee Brewers play the Texas Rangers in a preseason baseball game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Monday. Credit... Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press President Biden said on Wednesday that the Texas Rangers decision to open their 43,000-seat stadium to full capacity was not responsible and urged Major League Baseball fans to wear masks and abide by social distancing protocols as the season begins. I think its a mistake, Mr. Biden said of the Rangers plan. They should listen to Dr. Fauci and the scientists and the experts, he said, referring to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nations leading infectious disease expert. But I think its not responsible. Speaking to ESPN the night before Opening Day, when all 30 M.L.B. teams will be in action, Mr. Biden sounded a cautious note for fans as coronavirus cases are on the rise in much of the country. After a pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the league plans to play a full 162-game schedule with fans allowed at every game. While fans will be required to wear masks at every ballpark, policies differ based on rules in force in the city or state. After Texas lifted coronavirus capacity restrictions in early March, the Rangers said they would allow capacity crowds at home games  the only M.L.B. franchise to do so. Fans appear to be wary. Only 12,911 spectators showed up to a Rangers exhibition game on Monday at Globe Life Field in Arlington. Dr. Fauci said in a recent interview with the CBS program Face the Nation that he expected the restrictions on fans to lessen as the baseball season progressed. But while fans may flock to stadiums on Thursday, Mr. Biden will not be throwing the first pitch at any ballparks for now. I know the president is eager to get out to Nationals Stadium in Washington, Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said on Tuesday. Many beautiful days, many beautiful baseball games ahead this spring.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is highly effective in adolescents 12 to 15 years old, a clinical trial suggests. Taking part in the Pfizer vaccine trial at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. Credit... Cincinnati Children's Hospital The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine is extremely effective in adolescents 12 to 15 years old, perhaps even more so than in adults, the companies reported on Wednesday. No infections were found among children who received the vaccine in a recent clinical trial; they produced strong antibody responses and experienced no serious side effects. The findings, if they hold up, may well speed a return to normalcy for millions of American families. Depending on regulatory approval, vaccinations could begin before the start of the next academic year for middle school and high school students and for elementary school children not long after. The companies announced the results in a news release that did not include detailed data from the trial, which has not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal. The good news arrives even as the country records an alarming rise in infections and health officials renew calls for Americans to heed precautions and get vaccinated. On Monday, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that rising caseloads had left her with a sense of impending doom. President Biden urged Americans to keep wearing masks, whatever state officials might say. Vaccination efforts are accelerating throughout the nation. As of Tuesday, 29 percent of Americans had received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and 16 percent had been fully inoculated, according to the C.D.C. But the country cannot hope to reach herd immunity  the point at which immunity becomes so widespread that the coronavirus slows its crawl through the population  without also inoculating the youngest Americans, some experts say. Children under 18 account for about 23 percent of the population in the United States. The trial included 2,260 adolescents ages 12 to 15. The children received two doses of the vaccine three weeks apart  the same amounts and schedule used for adults  or a placebo of saltwater. The researchers recorded 18 cases of coronavirus infection in the placebo group, and none among the children who received the vaccine. Still, the low number of infections makes it difficult to be too specific about the vaccines efficacy in the population at large, said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist affiliated with Georgetown University. The adolescents who received the vaccine produced nearly twice the levels of antibodies on average, compared with participants 16 to 25 years of age in an earlier trial of adults. They experienced the same minor side effects as older participants, although the companies declined to be more specific. Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University, said she had expected antibody levels in adolescents to be comparable to those in young adults. But theyre getting even better levels from the vaccines, she said. Thats really incredible. She and other experts cautioned that the vaccine might be less effective in children, and adults, against some of the variants that are circulating in the United States. Pfizer and BioNTech have begun a clinical trial of the vaccine in children under 12 and started inoculations of children ages 5 to 11 just last week. Company scientists plan to start testing the vaccine next week in even younger children, ages 2 to 5, followed by trials in children ages 6 months to 2 years. Pfizer and BioNTech plan to request from the Food and Drug Administration an amendment to the emergency use authorization for their vaccine, in hopes of beginning vaccinations of older children before the start of the next school year. See How Rich Countries Got to the Front of the Vaccine Line Many low-income nations lacked the means to preorder doses, and their residents have received just 0.1 percent of vaccine shots given worldwide.

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Investigators say a Trump aide took it upon himself to award hefty pandemic contracts. Peter Navarro speaking to reporters outside the White House in October 2020. Credit... Anna Moneymaker for The New York Times The Trump administration was so slow to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic that a top aide to President Donald J. Trump took matters into his own hands. That aide, Peter Navarro, Mr. Trumps deputy assistant and trade adviser, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, a preliminary investigation by House Democrats has found. Mr. Navarro sounded an early alarm about supply shortages, according to emails and other documents released by a House committee overseeing the federal coronavirus response. In a memo dated March 1, 2020, he complained that movement has been slow. After that, documents show, he prodded the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award a $96 million sole-source contract for respirators to AirBoss Defense Group, a defense industry supplier, telling a company executive everything you requested is OK, even though no contract had been signed. The agency awarded the sole-source contract six days later. AirBoss was represented by a retired Army general, Jack Keane, who had been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Mr. Trump just days before the contract was issued. In a statement, Mr. Navarro said he wanted to move aggressively to combat the threat of the virus. In a war, you need to move with warp speed, he wrote. My mission was to assist the president in saving lives, which we undeniably did. Given the same set of facts, I would do everything exactly the same. Full stop! But the Democrats, led by Representative James C. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 House Democrat, questioned Mr. Navarros efforts. They noted that officials in Mr. Navarros office had coordinated with executives at the Eastman Kodak Company, best known for its photography business, which then entered into a letter of intent in June 2020 to collaborate on the domestic manufacture of pharmaceutical agents, even though the company had no experience in that field. Mr. Navarro also pushed for the Trump administration to award a $354 million contract to Phlow, a brand-new company in Richmond, Va., to manufacture generic medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients  an effort aimed at building up an American manufacturing base for products that were needed to treat Covid-19 but were made overseas. The Democrats investigation found that Mr. Navarro had been introduced to Phlows chief executive in November 2019. My head is going to explode if this contract does not get immediately approved, Mr. Navarro wrote to top federal health officials in March 2020. This is a travesty. I need PHLOW noticed by Monday morning. This is being screwed up. Lets move this now. We need to flip the switch and they cant move until you do. FULL funding as we discussed.

Vaccines bring hope to New Yorkers, but virus cases are still alarmingly high. People who just received a vaccine exiting the Javits Center on Tuesday in Manhattan. Credit... James Estrin/The New York Times Even as much of the rest of the country has had a reprieve, New York City has remained a coronavirus hot spot, with new cases holding level, often at about 25,000 a week. As variants and vaccinations have taken hold, public health experts have debated what to call the current, confusing phase of the epidemic, when cases remain alarmingly high, but hope is drawing nearer. The term Ive been using is high plateau, said Dr. Jay Varma, a senior adviser for public health at City Hall. Were basically trying to come down off of our second wave and what were trying desperately to do is prevent a third wave. Since mid-February, the seven-day average of new cases in the city has largely remained between 3,500 and 4,000. Epidemiologists and disease modelers spoke of a stalemate between the pace of vaccinations and the momentum of two new, more contagious variants that were spreading steadily across the city. Those variants now make up a majority of cases, city officials said. Several public health experts who use prediction models believe that New Yorks current upswing probably wont reach levels that the city saw during the peak after the holiday season, when cases surged to nearly 6,500 per day on average. But the cases arent likely to drop much soon either. Dr. Ronald Scott Braithwaite, a professor at N.Y.U. Grossman School of Medicine who has been modeling New York Citys epidemic and is an adviser to the city, predicted that cases would gradually rise  not so much a wave, but a bulge, he said  for a month or two until a critical number of people had been vaccinated. At our current rate of vaccination, it seems it will be mid- to late May before vaccinations win the tug of war, Dr. Braithwaite said. On Monday, state officials announced that all adults in New York would be eligible for vaccination starting next week, which should boost the vaccination effort as supply begins to increase. The new normal for New York City, at least until mid-May, may well be an average positive test rate that hovers around 6 percent and a daily case rate of around 4,000. Wan Yang, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health, said that changing social behavior might be the tipping point that leads to a sustained upswing in cases. She noted that New Yorks restrictions had eased over the past month  including looser limits around indoor dining and the reopening of indoor fitness classes  and that many New Yorkers were socializing and interacting more than before. Tracey Tully contributed reporting. Sharon Otterman and

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Tens of thousands of L.A. students have been missing school in the pandemic, a study finds. Hollywood High Teachers Assistant Yolanda Franco conducts class remotely in Los Angeles, California. Credit... Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images The coronavirus pandemic has taken an alarming toll on Los Angeles students, leaving nearly two-thirds of kindergartners behind in the skills necessary to learn reading, and about 40,000 high school students at risk of not graduating over the next four years, an early analysis of educational data from the nations second-largest public school system has found. The report, based on publicly available data from the Los Angeles Unified School District, was released Wednesday by Great Public Schools Now, a nonprofit advocacy group backed by California philanthropies that favor charter schooling. The findings add to mounting evidence that when schools shifted to remote instruction last year, students paid in lost academic progress, emotional and developmental setbacks and widened achievement gaps. The report is a call to action for L.A.U.S.D. and all education systems to develop a comprehensive educational recovery plan now, said Ana F. Ponce, the organizations executive director and a parent of a third-grader in the district. The Los Angeles school system is Californias largest, serving more than 650,000 students more than 80 percent of whom are Black, Latino or low income. Instruction for the overwhelming majority has been online since last March and students are only this month beginning to return to classrooms. The Great Public Schools report, using the districts data and learning assessments, found that during the early months of the pandemic, as the district scrambled to shift to online instruction, two out of five middle and high school students were absent every day from the districts online learning program, Schoology. Of the students who did log on, only 36 percent actively engaged daily in online instruction, according to the data, and some elementary students were entirely absent for the last several months of that school year. Even after a system was in place for the fall semester and attendance improved, the report said, more than one-third of the districts enrollment  tens of thousands of students  were still failing to actively engage on a daily basis. Attendance was lower among Black, Latino and low-income students, as well as among students who had disabilities or housing issues, who were in foster care, or who were learning English. As of February, some 23,000 students still were regularly missing three or more days a week of classes and some 9,000 were absent for weeks at a time  so disengaged that they did not click even once on the districts online platform. Grade school literacy assessments showed that only 43 percent of Black students and only 44 percent of Latino students were on track in reading, and huge numbers of high school students have fallen so far behind in credits toward graduation that they may not earn their high school diplomas. Among them, the researchers reported, are more than 40 percent of the Los Angeles Unified Class of 2022. The group recommends that as vaccines and health measures make classrooms safer, the district should prioritize live time with teachers, increase counseling and mental health services and accelerate classwork to get students caught up, rather than get bogged down in more time-consuming traditional remedial classes. The group also advises the district to use a planned expansion of summer school to assess and develop individual learning plans for each student.

Eating disorders are up sharply among people stuck at home during the pandemic. Stay-at-home orders and bans on indoor restaurant dining during the pandemic disrupted many peoples eating patterns, experts say. Credit... Spencer Platt/Getty Images Experts who treat eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder are reporting an overwhelming spike in the need for their services, with waiting lists growing at many practices and treatment centers across the United States. The National Eating Disorders Association reported a 41 percent increase in messages to its telephone and online help lines in January 2021, compared with January 2020. And in a study of about 1,000 American and Dutch people with eating disorders published last July, more than one-third of subjects reported that they were restricting their diet and increasing compensatory behavior like purging and exercise. Among the Americans in the study, 23 percent said they also regularly binge-eat stockpiled food. Im seeing more clients, and Im getting clients who are sicker when they come to me, because we cannot get them access to a higher level of treatment, said Whitney Trotter, a registered dietitian and nurse in Memphis who provides one-on-one nutritional counseling for adolescents and adults. She noted that many in-patient treatment centers were fully booked.

Russia claims to be the first country to develop coronavirus shots for animals. Injecting a rabbit at a laboratory in Vladimir, Russia, in December. The vaccine was developed in part as a public health tool, in case the virus begins to spread easily from animals to humans. Credit... Vetandlife.Ru/via Reuters MOSCOW  Russias state veterinary service said on Wednesday that it had become the first regulator in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine for animals, intended for use on fur farms or for pet cats and dogs. The agency said it had developed the vaccine for animals in part as a public health tool, lest the virus spread from animals to humans or  in a worst-case scenario  mutate in animals and then spread back to humans in a more virulent form. It could also revive fur farming after infections on mink farms devastated the business last year, it said. The agency, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision, said it did not recommend routine vaccination of animals, for now. The World Health Organization has found no instances of infections in humans caused by pets, the agency said. Though cats and dogs do rarely catch the coronavirus, neither species gets very sick. Lions, tigers and snow leopards can also catch the coronavirus. The Russian agency noted four reports of pet infections just in the last week, in Italy and in Mexico. It that said a vaccine for pets was needed as insurance against variants that might spread more easily. We did this work for the future, the agencys deputy director, Konstantin Savenkov, said in a statement. We should be prepared to prevent a situation rather than deal with it later if it takes a negative turn. The vaccine, called Karnivak-Kov, is intended for carnivores. The agency said it had carried out clinical trials on arctic foxes, cats, dogs, mink and other animals. The agency said it would begin industrial-scale production in Russia at a plant that manufactures veterinary drugs. Fur farmers in Russia, as well as in Austria, Canada, Greece, Poland and the United States, have inquired about buying the vaccine, the agency said. The statement did not say when or if the vaccine would become available for pets. The problem of animal infections came into focus last year when mink farms culled millions of the creatures because of infection. Denmark killed all farmed mink  some 17 million animals  after the virus spread from a mink to a human. Separately, a farmed mink in Utah seemed to have passed the virus to at least one wild mink. Scientists have raised alarms about the virus establishing a reservoir in wild animals that could later spread back to people. Russia last August also claimed to be the first country to approve a human vaccine, Sputnik V, though other candidates were in fact further along in clinical trials at the time. It has since promoted Sputnik V to countries around the world, bolstering the Kremlins soft power.

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Turkey forbids gatherings as virus cases surge and Ramadan nears. A main shopping street in Istanbul last week. The country experienced a coup attempt in 2016, which was followed by a crackdown. Credit... Emrah Gurel/Associated Press With coronavirus infections surging and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaching, the Turkish government is reimposing strict social-distancing measures, including a prohibition on the large gatherings for meals before sunrise and after sunset that are traditional during Ramadan. Turkey recorded 37,303 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the countrys highest single-day total since the pandemic began and a fourfold increase since the beginning of March. The sharp surge in infections  mostly from the highly contagious variant of the virus that was first identified in Britain  prompted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reinstate some of the restrictions he had eased just a few weeks ago. With nearly two-thirds of adult intensive care beds occupied, the government has ordered restaurants to shift to takeout only and nearly the entire nation of 83 million is being ordered to stay at home on weekends. In an address to the nation on Monday, Mr. Erdogan said that 80 percent of cities in Turkey were now considered at very high risk for the coronavirus, forcing his government to reinstate lockdown measures. The increase in the number of cases and patients, and deaths, obliged us to review the current practices, he said. But Mr. Erdogan has come under fire from opposition politicians and Turkish citizens for holding meetings of his governing party in crowded sports complexes around the country, ignoring the social distancing rules that were otherwise strictly enforced by his government. Critics also say that the authorities were too quick to begin relaxing restrictions in early March. The new lockdowns are expected to be especially difficult for traders and small-business people, who had been hoping for an economic lift during Ramadan. The ones meeting at crowded congress are playing with our bread, tweeted a group that represents cafe, bar and restaurant employees. The whole sector is getting shut down because of the words coming from the mouth of one single person. Even Turkeys health minister, Fahrettin Koca, appeared to offer veiled criticism of Mr. Erdogan, telling reporters at Parliament on Tuesday that because the virus continues to afflict Turkey, everyone in this struggle should fulfill their own responsibility. Mr. Koca said that Turkeys vaccination drive would soon gather pace with the delivery of millions more doses of the vaccine produced by the Chinese company Sinovac as well as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Since January, 6.8 million people in the country have received two doses of the Sinovac shots.

The E.U. vows to speed up its vaccine rollout as more countries tighten rules. A vaccine center in Munich in December. So far, only about 11 percent of the European Unions population has received at least one dose. Credit... Laetitia Vancon for The New York Times The European Union, facing criticism for the slow rollout of vaccines even as waves of infection prompt new lockdowns across the bloc, said that it will have distributed a total of about 107 million doses by the end of March and vowed to speed up distribution. The goal, according to Dana Spinant, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, was to have enough doses to cover 70 percent of the European Unions population by July. The commission, which is the blocs executive arm and is responsible for ordering the vaccines, said it was expecting 360 million further doses to be delivered before the summer. So far, only about 11 percent of the blocs population has received at least one vaccine shot, compared to 46 percent in Britain and 29 percent in the United States. That has created frustration across the European Union, a feeling that has been exacerbated by the wave of new outbreaks. Among the roughly 107 million doses, 67.5 million are from Pfizer-BioNTech, 9.8 million from Moderna, and 29.8 million from AstraZeneca. The AstraZeneca figure is a significant decline from the initial commitment by the company to deliver more than 100 million shots in the first three months of the year. Cuts in supply announced by AstraZeneca have led to a bitter spat between the bloc and the company, significantly slowing down the European Unions pace of inoculations. But the headaches with the rollout stem not only from the supply shocks, but also from problems organizing the shots, which is the responsibility of national governments. Even in richer countries, such as France and Germany, inoculations have been hampered by logistical failures. The temporary halt in use of the AstraZeneca vaccine by many European countries over reports of rare side effects this month also contributed to the slackening of the pace. The announcement by the European Commission lifted hopes of an improvement in the rollout that could rescue the summer vacation season, which is particularly crucial for the economies of southern European countries, such as Greece, Italy and Spain.

Scientists wonder if a mix-and-match approach to vaccines could be the way to go. A Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is prepared at the Waldron Health Centre in London, England, in January. Credit... Andrew Testa for The New York Times In January, Britain made a change to its vaccine guidelines that shocked many health experts: If the second dose of one vaccine wasnt available, patients could be given a different one. The new rule was based on sheer guesswork. There was no scientific data at the time demonstrating that mixing two coronavirus vaccines was safe and effective. But that may change soon. In February, researchers at the University of Oxford began a trial in which volunteers received a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine followed by a dose of AstraZenecas formulation, or vice versa. This month, the researchers will start analyzing the blood of the subjects to see how well the mix-and-match approach works. As growing numbers of vaccines are being authorized, researchers are testing other combinations. A few are in clinical trials, while others are being tested in animals for now. Mixing vaccines might do more than just help overcome supply bottlenecks. Some researchers suspect that a pair of different vaccines might work better than two doses of the same one. I think were on the cusp of some interesting data, said Adam Wheatley, an immunologist at the University of Melbourne in Australia. The concept of mixing vaccines  sometimes called a heterologous prime-boost  is not new to our pandemic era. For decades, researchers have investigated the approach, hoping to find potent combinations against a range of viruses, such as influenza, H.I.V. and Ebola. But scientists had little to show for all that research. It was easy enough to demonstrate that two vaccines may work well together in a mouse. But running full-blown clinical trials on a combination of vaccines is a tall order. Some researchers are investigating heterologous vaccines not to find a superior mixture, but simply to open up more options for countries desperate to vaccinate their populations. Last week, India held back exports of vaccines to other countries as it grappled with a Covid surge. For countries that were counting on those vaccines, a safe alternative for second doses could save lives. Worldwide, 13 vaccines are now in use against Covid-19, with 67 more in clinical trials. In the current situation, we have a quite a luxurious position of having so many advanced, effective vaccines, Dr. Wheatley said. As the number of authorized vaccines grows, the possible combinations in which they can be used will explode. Whether scientists carry out more experiments on other vaccines will depend on the willingness of the vaccine manufacturers. Youre requiring quite large pharmaceutical companies to play nice together, Dr. Wheatley said. Dr. Bernard Moss, a virologist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, suspects that a number of companies will be willing to let their vaccines be tested in combinations. Its always better to be a part of something that is going to be used, he said, than to wholly own something that isnt.

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In Ukraine, the price for a vaccine can be a selfie. Administering the AstraZeneca vaccine in Lviv, Ukraine, this month. Recent opinion polls have shown that about 40 percent of Ukrainians do not trust the shot. Credit... Pavlo Palamarchuk/Reuters What does it take to get a vaccine in Ukraine? For some people, lots of Facebook friends. Ukraines vaccine effort, which has been among the slowest in Europe, has been hampered by widespread hesitancy, mainly among older people who currently qualify for the shot. The problems have not been helped by the flood of often confusing and bad news around the AstraZeneca vaccine, the main option available in the country. Recent opinion polls have shown that about 40 percent of Ukrainians do not trust the shot. To bolster acceptance, the Ministry of Health has opened vaccination to people deemed to have a public persona, regardless of their age. That includes actors, pop stars, athletes, writers, journalists  and social media influencers. The criteria are decided locally, by city officials or doctors at vaccination sites. Those who think they have sway with the public can fill out an online form, which asks how many social media followers they have, on Facebook or on other platforms. Influencers only qualify for shots leftover at the end of the day that might otherwise be wasted. The main requirement under the program is that recipients share their vaccination selfies on social media. The program has drawn some bona fide opinion leaders. The Ministry of Health organized a public vaccination of leaders of different religions, for example. The Lord sent us vaccinations, the chief rabbi of Kyiv, Jonathan Markovitch, said, encouraging inoculation. You definitely need to take advantage of this. The program was quickly flooded with young influencers. There they were, in glowing good health and at relatively little risk from the disease, posting pictures of themselves getting the shot, grinning or giving a thumbs up. Some had fewer than a thousand followers on social media. Medical ethicists say that anybody offered a shot should take it, even if they think others may be more qualified. The recipients do not set the rules, after all, and refusing a shot can risk vaccine being wasted. In the month since Ukraine received its first shipment of 500,000 doses, fewer than half have been administered. The country is going through a new wave of infection, registering this month the highest numbers of new cases and deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Still, the ministry published a revised rule this month limiting the program to influencers older than 60, though few could be found.

Jill Biden visits a pop-up vaccination site for farmworkers on trip to California for Cesar Chavez Day. Jill Biden, the first lady, delivered remarks for Cesar Chavez Day, a holiday honoring the labor organizer. Credit... Pool photo by Anna Moneymaker DELANO, Calif.  Jill Biden, the first lady, traveled to California on Wednesday to visit a pop-up vaccination site for farmworkers who have lobbied for priority access to shots amid the pandemic. She told them that their work  and their health  had been essential to a nation crippled by the virus. We depended on those who kept going to work every single day, Dr. Biden told a crowd of about 100 farm workers who had gathered to mark the birthday of Cesar Chavez, the labor organizer who formed the countrys first successful farmworkers union. Without the farmworkers who kept harvesting our food, or the factory workers who packaged it, the grocery store clerks who stocked shelves, no one would have made it through this year. When she arrived at the Forty Acres property just west of Delano, a National Historic Landmark that became the headquarters of the United Farm Workers of America, the first lady was greeted by several members of Mr. Chavezs family. Dr. Biden heard from a group of women farmworkers who picked grapes and blueberries in nearby fields. They asked the Biden administration to provide pathways to citizenship, protection from discrimination, and stronger union representation. Were a union couple, Dr. Biden replied. At one point, the first lady heard from a 27-year-old mother of three that some women were forced to bring their babies and young children to the fields because they did not have access to child care. The first lady told the woman that she hoped some money from the $1.9 trillion stimulus package would reach those workers, but the woman replied that many were undocumented. In a sign of the labor movements significance to the Biden administration, a member of the Chavez family had traveled with her from Washington: Julie C. Rodriguez, the White Houses director of intergovernmental affairs, is Mr. Chavezs granddaughter. During her remarks, Dr. Biden said that President Biden supported the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bill that would grant temporary legal status to seasonal farm workers, many of whom are undocumented, and offer a 10-year path to citizenship. As president, Joe is fighting for people who often go unseen, Dr. Biden said. And thats exactly the kind of immigration policy hes working to build  one that treats children and families with dignity and creates fair pathways to citizenship, including for essential workers. Thousands of Central Valley farmworkers are scheduled to receive the coronavirus vaccine at Forty Acres over six weekends in March and April. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat, and his partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, joined the first lady at the site. Earlier this year, California kicked off a landmark effort to get vaccines to farmworkers, many of whom are undocumented and whose close-quarter working conditions have left them particularly vulnerable to the virus. Researchers from Purdue University estimate that about 500,000 agricultural workers have tested positive for the virus and at least 9,000 have died from it. The virus has killed over 550,000 people in the United States, according to a New York Times count. Over the course of Mr. Bidens first two months in office, union leaders have praised his administration as one of the most labor-friendly in modern history. One of Mr. Bidens first official acts was to move a bust of Mr. Chavez into the Oval Office, a decision Dr. Biden pointed out to applause at the event. Dr. Biden also frequently repeated the farmworker unions motto, Si, se puede, (Yes, we can) several times during the course of her speech. Cesar dared to believe that our country could change  that we could change it, Dr. Biden said. Now, its on us to live up to that promise.

At a D.C. nursing home, vaccinating wary staff requires persistence and flexibility. Tina Sandri, chief executive of Forest Hills Nursing Home in Washington, with a display of staff members who have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Credit... Kenny Holston for The New York Times More than three months after the nations health care workers were among the first Americans to be eligible for the lifesaving vaccines, long-term-care facilities across the country continue to face the daunting challenge of getting their staff members inoculated. The federal program that sent vaccinators from Walgreens and CVS into tens of thousands of nursing homes and assisted living residences has by one measure been strikingly successful, inoculating nearly all of the vulnerable residents of the facilities. Deaths in nursing homes have plummeted since the program began in late December. But reaching the mostly low-wage employees of the facilities has proved far more difficult. A poll by The Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation conducted from Feb. 11 to March 7 found that half of the workers at nursing homes had yet to get even a first shot, and only 15 percent of that group said they definitely planned to. At Forest Hills of D.C., a nursing home in a prosperous neighborhood of the nations capital, the workers who turned down the vaccine during the centers first vaccination event in early January included nurses, certified nursing assistants, members of the kitchen and activities staffs, and a security officer. Most were Black, reflecting the overall makeup of the homes work force; many were immigrants from African countries, such as Nigeria, Liberia and Cameroon. Across the country, vaccine hesitancy has been receding  a Pew poll conducted in late February found that 30 percent of Americans said they would probably or definitely not get vaccinated, down from the 39 percent who said the same in November. The poll also found that far more Black Americans were willing to get the vaccine than they were before. Still, the challenges remain. The Times took a closer look at Forest Hills and its efforts to vaccinate the employees over the first three months of this year.

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Amsterdams leaders are trying to remake its tourism industry before tourists return. The Red Light District in Amsterdam was nearly deserted on Thursday night. Credit... Ilvy Njiokiktjien for The New York Times When international travel came to a halt last year, Amsterdam  like cities everywhere  was drained of tourists almost overnight. The effect, according to Sonia Philipse, the owner of the restaurant Lavinia Good Food, was both surreal and serene: Without the crowds, her city was quieter and more beautiful than she had ever seen it. At this point were missing our tourists again, Ms. Philipse said recently. But I think there was a moment of really big joy in getting our city back. In 2019, a record-breaking 21.7 million people visited Amsterdam, a city with a population of about 870,000. After the pandemic wiped out tourism in 2020, and with visitor numbers still low, Amsterdams leaders are trying to introduce new restrictions in an effort to ensure that old problems stemming from tourism dont reappear when visitors return. Even before the pandemic, city leaders put in place measures to try to address residents complaints about disruptive tourists who disrespected prostitutes, drove up housing prices by occupying short-term vacation rentals and had taken over some of the citys most beautiful, historic areas. Officials raised the tourist tax and banned several types of businesses, including guided tours of the Red Light District, new hotels in the city center and new shops that cater to tourists. Constantly increasing numbers of visitors, misconduct, a shrinking retail mix, rising property prices, commercialization of public space and criminal subversion all call for measures to be taken, Amsterdams mayor, Femke Halsema, wrote of the city center in a letter to the City Council in 2019. Ms. Halsema proposed four scenarios for the future of sex work in the Red Light District. One of those scenarios  the relocation of sex workers to a prostitution hotel elsewhere in the city  recently attracted the support of a majority of City Council members and is awaiting full approval. Another headline-grabbing proposal from the mayors office would make it illegal for visitors to buy cannabis in Amsterdams coffee shops, which are concentrated in the Red Light District, an ancient part of Amsterdams city center and a huge magnet for tourists. Amsterdam has also joined more than 20 other European cities to advocate stricter rules on vacation-rental platforms at the European Commission and in the European Parliament. The proposals have provoked opposition from local business owners and those in the sex work industry, who argue that the government should increase enforcement of existing prohibitions against public urination, public drunkenness and disturbing the peace.

Elena Malagodi, who dedicated her last years to Senegal, died of Covid-19. Elena Malagodi escaped the Nazis, married a famous Cuban sculptor and an Italian politician, then devoted her life to helping children and mothers in Senegal. Credit... Yefim Natis Elena Malagodis life unfolded like the pages of a novel. She was born in Rome, the daughter of a Jewish actress from Latvia and an Italian military officer. She and her mother fled the Nazis in Riga during World War II and found shelter in the Uzbek city of Tashkent. She returned to Western Europe after the war; married a Cuban sculptor in Paris and then an Italian politician in Rome; curated art exhibitions by Surrealists; and founded two philanthropic organizations in Senegal, where she spent the last two decades of her life. Elena Iannotta was born on Aug. 16, 1936, to Mita Kaplan, who arrived in Rome from Riga in 1934 to study acting. Her father was Capt. Antonio Iannotta. Ms. Malagodi said that she began visiting Africa regularly after her husband died as a way to help overcome her loss, but that her grief was nothing compared to what I saw  poverty, illness, illiteracy, and religious and ethnic conflict. She was particularly distressed by the sight of a legless boy on horseback on the beach. And that, she said, was why she kept coming back to help. On her trips, she said, she would always seek out an old marabout, a Muslim holy teacher, who would give her a ritual bath. She would feel reborn, she said in an interview with La Repubblica: Its as though Marabout can read my thoughts. He says, You are the only white woman who always returns. Its true. If Africa needs us, I also need this land. Ms. Malagodi died on March 17 in the coastal city of Mbour, Senegal. She was 84. The cause was Covid-19, said Larson Holt, the operations director and Senegal project manager for Moms Against Poverty, a partner of one of Ms. Malagodis organizations, Natangue-Senegal.

Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020, federal health researchers report. Hospital workers transferred bodies to refrigerated trucks serving as temporary morgues at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn in April last year. Credit... Victor J. Blue for The New York Times Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in the United States in 2020, displacing unintentional injuries and trailing only heart disease and cancer, federal health researchers reported on Wednesday. The coronavirus was the cause of death for 345,323 Americans in a year that exacted a steep price in lives lost. In roughly 30,000 additional cases, death certificates cited Covid-19 but it was not deemed the cause of death, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Some 3,358,814 Americans died of all causes in 2020, a 15 percent increase in the age-adjusted death rate over that in 2019, when 2,854,838 Americans died. In addition to Covid-19, heart disease claimed higher numbers of lives than expected last year, as did Alzheimers and diabetes  a phenomenon statisticians refer to as excess deaths. Theres a substantial number of excess deaths, beyond what we would have expected in a normal year, said Robert Anderson, chief of the mortality statistics branch at the N.C.H.S. and a senior author of two reports published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While deaths from heart disease and other illnesses should have increased slightly because of the aging of the population, this is way up and beyond what we would expect, Dr. Anderson added. In a second report issued Wednesday, he and his colleagues scrutinized 378,000 death certificates in 2020 that listed Covid-19 as a factor to determine whether too many deaths had been erroneously attributed to the coronavirus. In the early days of the pandemic, testing was sporadic and patients often died of what initially seemed unrelated causes, like heart attacks. But the researchers found that the virus was in fact the underlying cause of death in the vast majority of the cases. Since the beginning of the pandemic, people were claiming deaths were simply being attributed to Covid when people were dying of other causes, Dr. Anderson said. We show thats not the case. The researchers examination of accompanying conditions on death certificates, like pneumonia or respiratory failure, and contributing conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, were consistent with what doctors see in patients who die of Covid-19. Covid-19 death rates were highest among men; elderly people aged 85 and over; and Native American, Alaska Native and Hispanic individuals. Over all, the highest age-adjusted death rates for all causes were seen among the elderly; Black, Native American or Alaska Native individuals; and men.

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The C.D.C. and N.I.H. launch a rapid, at-home testing initiative in Tennessee and North Carolina. A new initiative will make rapid at-home antigen tests available to everyone in two American communities  an important step in determining whether such testing can slow the spread of the coronavirus. Credit... Agence France-Presse  Getty Images The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health announced a new initiative on Wednesday to help determine whether frequent, widespread use of rapid coronavirus tests slows the spread of the virus. The program will make rapid at-home antigen tests freely available to every resident of two communities, Pitt County, N.C., and Hamilton County, Tenn., enough for a total of 160,000 people to test themselves for the coronavirus three times a week for a month. This effort is precisely what I and others have been calling for nearly a year  widespread, accessible rapid tests to help curb transmission, said Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Harvard University who has been a vocal proponent of rapid, at-home testing programs. He added, Taking 30 seconds out of your day three times a week to perform the test is something any person can do. Antigen tests are cheaper and faster than P.C.R. tests, which are the gold standard for diagnosing Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, but they are less sensitive and more prone to false negatives. Mathematical models have suggested that if these tests are used frequently, they can still reduce transmission of the virus. The tests can help identify people who may not realize that they are infectious, prompting them to self-isolate before they are able to transmit the virus to others. But real world data has been limited, and with virus case numbers still high across the country, testing remains essential, public health experts say. We have all hypothesized that testing at home, at scale could stop the chain of transmission of the virus and allow communities to discover many more cases, said Bruce Tromberg, who directs the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and leads its rapid acceleration of diagnostics program, which is supplying the tests for the initiative. All the mathematical models predict that. But this is a real world, real life example. Residents who decide to participate in the program can have the tests delivered to their homes or pick them up at local distribution sites. An online tool will guide participants through the testing process and help them interpret their results. Residents can also volunteer to complete surveys that will assess whether frequent testing has changed their behavior, knowledge about Covid-19, or opinions on vaccination. Researchers at the University of North Carolina and Duke University will compare the test positivity, case and hospitalization rates in these two communities to those in other similar communities that are not participating in the program. A. David Paltiel, a professor of health policy and management at Yale School of Public Health, called the launching of a real-world study of the effectiveness of rapid, at-home screening just great news. But he cautioned that the results will need to be interpreted carefully, especially if the residents who choose to participate in the initiative are not representative of the community at large. We know that self-selection tends to bring out the worried well and a disproportionate number of people who are already Covid-conscious or Covid-conscientious, he said. Itll be great to see how it works when in the hands of people who really care, he added. But, he said, the results may not be widely generally applicable to screening programs in which participation is mandatory, as may be the case with some workplace and school programs.

For many college students, pandemic life is disappointing. For others, it is a financial crisis. The University of California at Davis campus is nearly vacant as classes are held virtually. Credit... Max Whittaker for The New York Times Colleges around the country have been struggling under the shadow of the coronavirus, facing declining enrollment and major budget cuts. And students have mourned the loss of the traditional college experience, grappling with the disruption as campuses closed and many classes moved on line. But while the pandemics effect on ordinary college life has been widely chronicled, a new survey took a closer look at the profound effect it has had on the highest-risk students. Many, it found, have faced challenges just to make ends meet, with nearly three in five struggling for access to housing and food. The survey of 195,000 students, released Wednesday by the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice at Temple University found that many are hard put to pay for even the most basic necessities. There are just way too many students who are struggling with food and housing and theyre unlikely to succeed, said the centers founding director, Sara Goldrick-Rab, a professor of sociology and medicine at Temple. Students at 130 two-year colleges and 72 four-year colleges responded to the survey. Among its findings: One in three students reported that they lost jobs because of the pandemic. A large number of students  over two in five at two-year colleges and near a third at four-year colleges  worried about food running out before they had money to buy more. About half the respondents at four-year colleges and two in five at two-year colleges experienced housing insecurity, meaning they were not able to pay the full amount of their rent, mortgage or utility bills. Students of color were more likely to experience these problems, with 70 percent of Black students and 64 percent of Hispanic students facing food insecurity, housing insecurity, or homelessness. Over half of the students reported at least moderate anxiety. The kind of resources that students have depended on, like working a job or turning to your family when youre in a financial crisis, these things are harder now due to the pandemic, said Dr. Goldrick-Rab.

Aides helped Cuomo draft book while simultaneously obscuring nursing home deaths. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo at his office in New York this month. Credit... Seth Wenig/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images As the coronavirus subsided in New York last year, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had begun pitching a book proposal that would center on his image as a hero of the pandemic. But by early last summer, both his book and image had hit a critical juncture. An impending Health Department report threatened to disclose a far higher number of nursing home deaths related to the coronavirus than the Cuomo administration had previously made public. Melissa DeRosa and other top aides expressed concern about the higher death toll, and, after their intervention, the number was removed from the final version. At stake was not just the governors reputation, but also, potentially, a huge payoff: a book deal that ended with a high offer of more than $4 million, according to people with knowledge of the bidding process. On Wednesday, Richard Azzopardi, a senior adviser to the governor, rejected any link between Mr. Cuomos book and the Health Department report. There is no connection between the report and this outside project, period, Mr. Azzopardi said. And any suggestion otherwise is just wrong. The book, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the Covid-19 Pandemic, was a dramatic retelling of the battle against the virus in a state where nearly 50,000 people have died. Emails and an early draft of Mr. Cuomos book obtained by The New York Times indicate that the governor was writing it as early as mid-June, relying on a cadre of trusted aides and junior staffers for everything from full-scale edits to minor clerical work, potentially running afoul of state laws prohibiting use of public resources for personal gain. Ms. DeRosa also had significant input on the July 6 report issued by the Department of Health, which basically cleared Mr. Cuomos administration of fault in its handling of nursing homes  discounting the impact of a March 2020 state memo that had asked such facilities to take in or readmit residents who had tested positive for the disease. In two earlier drafts of the report, which were both reviewed by The Times, the second sentence said that from March 1, 2020, through June 10, 2020, there were 9,844 fatalities among NYS nursing home residents with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The 9,844 fatalities were far higher than the 6,432 nursing home deaths used in the states final report. Mr. Cuomo, 63, has declined to confirm exactly how much he was paid for American Crisis, which was published in October. Around 48,000 hardcover copies have been sold, according to NPD BookScan, but sales have staggered because of scandals surrounding Mr. Cuomos administration. In early March, Crown Publishing Group said that it would stop promoting American Crisis, because of a federal investigation into the withholding of data. The imprint also canceled plans for a paperback edition. Mr. Cuomos draft of American Crisis contained some nuggets of self-reflection, including a take on his televised briefings last year, which garnered him a great deal of popularity in the early days of the pandemic. People are smart, the governor wrote. And after a while if they can watch you long enough, they can figure out who you are. Jesse McKinley, Danny Hakim and

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More pregnant women died and stillbirths increased steeply during the pandemic, studies show. A nurse helping a pregnant woman at a hospital in Paris last November. Credit... Martin Bureau/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images More pregnant women died, experienced complications or delivered stillborn babies during the pandemic than in previous years, according to an analysis of 40 studies in 17 countries published on Wednesday in the journal Lancet Global Health. Pregnant women face a heightened risk of severe illness and death if infected with the coronavirus. But the researchers, in Turkey and the United Kingdom, wanted to assess collateral damage from the pandemic on pregnancy and delivery, and so excluded from their analysis those studies that focused only on pregnant women who were infected. Reviewing data on more than six million pregnancies, the investigators found evidence that disruptions to health care systems and patients fear of becoming infected at clinics may have led to avoidable deaths of mothers and babies, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Data from a dozen studies showed that the chances of a stillbirth increased by 28 percent. And the risk of women dying while pregnant or during childbirth increased by more than a third in two countries: Mexico and India. A subset of studies that assessed mental health showed that postpartum depression and anxiety were also heightened during the pandemic. Nearly six times as many women needed surgery for ectopic pregnancies  in which a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus  during the pandemic than before. Ectopic pregnancies can be treated with medications if detected early, so the results suggest that the surgeries may have resulted from delays in care. The analysis did not find differences in other conditions associated with pregnancy, like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, or in the rates of cesarean sections or induced labor. The rates of preterm birth also did not change significantly during the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries. But in high-income countries, preterm births fell by nearly 10 percent. The drop may be a result of changes in health care delivery and in pregnant womens behavior during the pandemic, the researchers said, indicating that the pandemic has exacerbated disparities between low- and high-income countries.

After W.H.O. report on the pandemics origins, China tries to shift attention elsewhere. Disinfecting a wet market in Wuhan, China, in January. Credit... Gilles Sabrie for The New York Times China on Wednesday sought to shift attention away from efforts inside its borders to trace the source of the coronavirus, arguing that health experts should start looking for clues in other countries. A day after the World Health Organization released a report detailing the findings from a team of experts that visited the city of Wuhan, Chinese state media outlets rejected criticism from the White House and others that Beijing had not been transparent in the inquiry. Maybe its time for scientists to dig somewhere else and test more hypotheses to solve the mystery, said an article in Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid owned by Chinas ruling Communist Party. The Chinese foreign ministry echoed that sentiment, saying in a statement that the investigation into the origins of the virus was a global mission that should be conducted in multiple countries and localities. The remarks by Chinese officials clash with the prevailing view among scientists that the virus most likely emerged in China and that resources should be focused on further studies inside the country. The 124-page W.H.O. report, written jointly by a team of 17 Chinese scientists and 17 global experts, concluded that the coronavirus probably emerged in bats before spreading to humans through an intermediate animal. But it said that China lacks the research to indicate how or when the virus began spreading, and recommended more detailed studies of the earliest infections and extensive testing of livestock and farmers in China and Southeast Asia. Whether Beijing will cooperate in further investigations is unclear. Chinese officials seemed skeptical of a suggestion on Tuesday by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O. chief, that experts should look more closely at the possibility that the virus emerged accidentally from a lab. Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Wednesday brushed aside suggestions that the virus could have leaked from a lab in Wuhan and said that health experts should instead look at labs around the world, including in the United States. We hope that if it is necessary, other relevant countries will be able to closely work with the experts of W.H.O. in a scientific, open, transparent and responsible manner like China, she said at a news briefing in Beijing. At a separate briefing on Wednesday, Chinese scientists who participated in the W.H.O. mission rejected criticism of the governments refusal to share raw data about early Covid-19 cases with the W.H.O. team, which Dr. Tedros had also raised on Tuesday. Liang Wannian, a top health official, said that some data could not be shared outside China because of privacy laws. The White House has expressed concern that the Chinese government influenced the findings of the report. After its release, 14 countries, including the United States and Britain, released a statement saying that the study was significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples, and called for additional investigation. Albee Zhang contributed research.

Baseballs back, so teams are deciding whether their stadiums will continue to serve as vaccination venues. The Yankee Stadium vaccination site in New York last month. Credit... Kirsten Luce for The New York Times As millions of people get vaccinated in the United States, event venues that have been used as makeshift vaccination sites are now having to decide whether to move forward with administering shots as some of those events start to return. Ahead of baseball season, some stadiums pledged to continue vaccinations for now. Yankee Stadium will be used as a site at least through the end of April, with reduced hours. The stadium, home to the New York Yankees, will not administer vaccines on the days home games are scheduled. At Citi Field in Queens, home to the New York Mets, daily vaccinations will continue at McFaddens, a restaurant near the third-base entrance to the stadium, a team spokesman said. The stadiums will be operating at 20 percent capacity for games under New York State guidelines starting on April 1, opening day. Other stadiums have already closed or moved their vaccination sites. In Boston, state officials announced that Fenway Park, where the Red Sox play, would no longer be used as a place to administer shots; operations will shift to Hynes Convention Center. Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts said officials decided to move the vaccine operation out of Fenway Park to prevent confusion, given that the team not only plays games at the stadium but also practices there. It does create a certain amount of potential for confusion for people who are going there to actually get a vaccine, Mr. Baker said at a news conference this month. In San Diego, officials shut down a vaccination site in Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres, on March 20. The agreement with the Padres was that the site would close at the start of the baseball season, Jose Alvarez, a spokesman for San Diego County, said in a statement. Some state officials say stadium closures will not greatly affect the number of vaccines administered, even as eligibility expands. Sports venues are a high-profile but increasingly small part of the states efforts to vaccinate Californians, Darrel Ng, a spokesman for the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement, adding that a majority of vaccines will be administered in doctors offices, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. Other venues have announced plans to double up on events and vaccinations. In Roseville, Calif., @the Grounds, an event venue, announced that it would host an anime event at the end of this week in place of administering vaccines, prompting criticism from some social media users. Charlie Gardner, the venues general manager, defended the decision, pointing to local officials extending the hours the vaccine site is open earlier in the week to make up for the two-day closure. Mr. Gardner said the venue had a longstanding agreement with the event organizer. We dont have any other conflicts like this in the near future and dont expect to have any further interruptions, he said.
Gaborone  The 3 000 rapid test kits donated by Mascom Wireless Monday will help in the management of COVID-19, says Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe.

Speaking during the donation handover ceremony, Mr Lelatisitswe said test kits remained critical in ensuring rapid testing especially for the business community and those who wished to travel for medical reasons.

"Without any doubt, this donation will augment the supplies and ensure that the momentum in the fight against the pandemic is kept alive," he said.

Mr Lelatisitswe said government recognised and appreciated the support from the business sector and all those who continued to give during the hard times.

He said though the ministry had just launched the Arm Ready Campaign to ensure community readiness for vaccination against COVID-19, the pandemic remained a serious threat to the nation.

Mascom CEO Ms Dzene Makhwade-Seboni said her company was committed to helping the country fight the disease and working together with government.

She said Mascom's social responsibility policy prioritised issues important to the business and health.

Ms Makhwade-Seboni said the company had since connected over 650 schools with free Internet for ease of learning during the pandemic.

She concurred with Mr Lelatisitswe that the kits would increase the country's ability to test more people.

Source : BOPA
Founded in 1923, the Frankfurt School, a philosophical and sociological movement with the aim of developing Marxist studies in Germany that operated out of Goethe University in Frankfurt. After the Nazi takeover in 1933, the Frankfurt School relocated to Columbia University in New York City.

The influence of the Frankfurt School has been far reaching, with Critical Theory their primary focus, which has a preoccupation for critiquing modernity and capitalist society. Unable to attract converts to communism due to capitalisms abundant material wealth, the cultural Marxism of Critical Theory perpetuates discontent by dividing people by race, sex, and class with individuals falling into either oppressed or oppressor roles. Students of the movement became the New Left radicals of the 1960s, led by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and its militant offshoot, the Weather Underground. The mainspring of the movement was opposition to the Vietnam War, but they were also focused on racism, police brutality, economic injustice, authority, and the belief that America was an oppressive country that exploited other nations and its own oppressed classes.

The students of the 60s are now professors at our universities, expounding on the teachings of the Frankfurt School, disseminating these race, class, and sex theories throughout academia. Now these theories are being pushed heavily into the workforce. Small and midsized companies often times not having Human Resources (HR) departments, focus on hiring the best qualified person for a job while larger companies with expansive HR departments heavily push identity politics agendas. It is commonplace for HR staff to have educational backgrounds heavily weighted in the social sciences, which are deeply indoctrinated in leftist ideology biases.

A centerpiece of leftist ideology that defines the oppressed victim of society vs. the privileged oppressor is intersectionality.

Oppressor/Privileged Oppressed/Victim Fertile Infertile Upper Class Poor Male Female White Non-Whites Heterosexual Gay/Lesbian Cisgender Transgender Able-Bodied Disabled

A persons moral authority to speak out on issues of oppression depends on the intersectionality of his identity groups, because only the oppressed can know what oppression feels like. As an example, say you are a white female who is poor and disabled vs. an upper-class black male who is able-bodied. The white female would rank higher in moral authority because the score is three to one in favor of the female for the greater number of victim rankings. What is considered a victim category can be quite arbitrary as in the case of Cuban Americans who are typically not labeled as a racial minority even though they are Hispanic, because they vote heavily Republican. The same holds true for Mormons not qualifying as a religious minority because of their strong leaning to voting Republican. The classification that has no moral authority to speak on any matter would be the white heterosexual male who is able bodied. If they happen to be Christian, that would make them the most preeminent of oppressors. Yours truly falls into this category of the greatest of oppressors.

In The Coddling of the American Mind, Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt consider the genius of Dr. Martin Luther King regarding perpetuating unity in society. King appealed to the shared morals and identities of Americans by using the unifying languages of religion and patriotism. He repeatedly used the metaphor of family, referring to people of all races and religions as brothers and sisters. He spoke often of the need for love and forgiveness, hearkening back to the words of Jesus and echoing ancient wisdom from many cultures: Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend and Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Contrary to the teachings of the Frankfurt School, Kings approach makes it clear that his movement would not destroy America; it would repair and reunite it.

Lukianoff and Haidt also draw parallels to the social theories that evolved out of the Frankfurt School with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which was developed in the 1960s. They explain that CBT therapy is used to treat depression by changing distorted thinking caught in a feedback loop in which irrational negative beliefs caused powerful negative feelings, which in turn seemed to drive patients reasoning, motivating them to find evidence to support their negative beliefs. Here are some of the nine most common cognitive distortions that people learn to recognize in CBT.

Emotional Reasoning: Letting your feelings guide your interpretation of reality. This class is difficult; therefore, I must not be cut out for college.

Catastrophizing: Focus on the worst possible outcome and see it as most likely. I have no reason to live if I cant get a degree.

Overgeneralizing: Perceiving a global pattern of negatives on the basis of a single incident. College is just one of many things I fail at.

Dichotomous Thinking or Black & White Thinking or Binary Thinking: Look at people and events in all-or-nothing terms. None of the colleges will want me.

Mind Reading: That you know what people think without having sufficient evidence of their thoughts. The students in my classes think Im a loser.

Labeling: Assigning global negative traits to yourself or others (often in the service of black & white thinking) Im stupid and dont deserve to be in college.

Luckianoff and Haidt explain that many social theories like intersectionality coming out of universities tend to greatly amplify the mental distortions that CBT tries to diminish. Intersectionality, for instance, looks at the world in Black and White and puts people into groups (Oppressors and Victims) rather than looking at them as individuals. They breed tribalism (them vs. us) and when the tribal switch is activated, they bind themselves tightly to the group, embracing and defending the groups moral matrix, and they stop thinking for themselves. In tribal mode, they go blind to arguments and information that challenge the tribes narrative.

An article in Scientific American titled Unraveling the Mindset of Victimhood by Scott Kaufman discusses the victimhood mindset, which is broken down into four manifestations:

Moral Elitism -- Perceive themselves as having an immaculate morality and view everyone else as being immoral. Moral elitism can be used to control others by accusing others of being immoral, unfair, or selfish, while seeing oneself as supremely moral and ethical. Feel they have suffered enough so they no longer feel obligated to care about the pain and suffering of others. Victims that tend to ruminate over their interpersonal offenses have decreased motivation for forgiveness by increasing the drive to seek revenge. Constantly seeking recognition for ones victimhood.

In the world of the Victimhood Cult, the victim is the only moral authority in society. The greater number of victim categories you fit in, the greater your moral authority becomes. Anyone whom disagrees with this construct are intolerantly shouted down as homophobic, Nazi, misogynistic, xenophobic, racist, sexist, Islamophobic, etc. The biggest victim gets top billing and is most to be admired in this upside down belief system.

The author G. Michael Hopf sums up a stunningly persuasive cyclical vision of history. Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men and weak men create hard times." In a society that labels masculinity as toxic, safety a sacred value, feelings to always be trusted and victimhood virtuous, hard times will be our future.

Image: EpicTop10.com
Social project bond of the year: Region Stockholm's Health impact bond

Targeting diabetes prevention, Region Stockholm's SEK30 million ($3.5 million) Health impact bond will fund a programme for 925 prediabetic individuals in Stockholm County.

Swedish financial services and insurance company Skandia Mutual Life Insurance Company was the sole investor in the bond. In a recent report it estimated Sweden could save up to SEK20 billion a year by working on preventative healthcare measures and argued current healthcare spending is skewered too heavily in favour of cure and not enough is spent on prevention.

Lead manager Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) estimated SEK1.4 billion could be saved annually through expanding this type of prevention to all prediabetics in the country, demonstrating the belief in the scalability of this type of bond.

Carrying a 0% coupon the bond carries a unique risk and profit sharing return based on the cost savings achieved by the diabetes prevention programme. This return, which will be paid out at the end of the bond's five year tenor along with repayment of the nominal amount, has a cap of 10% and a floor of -20%.

We are very honored to receive the award Social project bond of the year. Just as Region Stockholm has played a leading role in the work with green bonds, we also have the ambition of being forward-thinking in the fields of social entrepreneurship and social financing. We have therefore developed a Health Impact Bond, which has a unique financial structure, said Frida Korneliusson, CEO of Region Stockholm Treasury.

The Environmental Finance Bond Awards judges were particularly impressed with the innovative nature of the bond. "So creative to use the long-term debt capital markets to support preventative care programs with long-term benefits," said one.

"Really like the innovativeness of the bond structure, the target impact and group, as well as focus on prevention," added another.
New Delhi: If you are preparing for Indian Railway services, here is an opportunity for you at the Northeast Frontier Railway Recruitment 2021. The Northeast Frontier Railway has invited applications through a notification for the vacant posts of JE, Technician and Helper in the TRD wing of the Electrical Department.

The eligible candidates should apply to the said posts through the prescribed format on or before April 30, 2021. They should also note that a total of 370 candidates will be recruited in the Zonal Railways for serving in the TRD wing of the Electrical Department.

Interested candidates must visit the official website- nfr.indianrailways.gov.in to check their eligibility, educational qualification, selection criteria, and other details.

Selection Criteria

The candidates will be selected on the basis of their technical qualifications and experience.

Notification Date: March 30, 2021

Last Date of submission: April 30, 2021

Northeast Frontier Railway Recruitment 2021 Vacancy Details:

JE/TRD  20 Posts

Technician -3/TRD  150 Posts

Helper/TRD  200 Posts

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Determining the origin of the Sars-CoV-2 virus should have nothing to do with politics. It is a forensic question, one that requires thorough investigation of all possible theories, and one that should encompass both the scenario that the virus jumped from animals to humans in nature as well as one related to human error in a Wuhan lab.

But a fatally flawed investigation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Chinese officials and experts only muddies the waters, and it places the WHO further at odds with the US government and the Biden administration.

A joint study group, consisting of WHO representatives and 17 Chinese experts, has released its long-awaited report on the origins of the coronavirus. Unsurprisingly, the report promotes the theory that the virus spilled over to humans in nature, perhaps from a bat through an intermediate animal host, and dismisses the possibility of a lab-accident-related origin as extremely unlikely, and therefore unworthy of further study.

Of course, we already knew this because all the results were previewed in Chinas state propaganda media two weeks ago by the lead Chinese scientist.

Read More

The Chinese government received the report in advance and had tightly controlled the investigators visit to Wuhan, where the outbreak originated and where labs hold the worlds largest collection of bat coronaviruses. Even before the report was issued, the Biden administration publicly questioned its objectivity and credibility.

Weve got real concerns about the methodology and the process that went into that report, including the fact that the government in Beijing apparently helped to write it, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on CNN.

The 123-page report dedicates only a few lines to the theory that the outbreak might be connected to an accident at one of the Wuhan labs  a possibility that it summarily dismisses.

But what the report does and does not say about the lab-accident theory places the Chinese government and the WHO in direct conflict with claims put forth by the Trump administration, and confirmed by the Biden administration, about suspicious activity at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

Specifically, declassified US intelligence, confirmed by Blinkens own State Department, alleges that the WIV was conducting undisclosed research on bat coronaviruses, had secret research projects with the Chinese military, and failed to disclose that several lab workers got sick with Covid-19-like symptoms in autumn 2019.

The Biden administration is not claiming the lab-accident theory is correct, but it is calling for China to disclose more information about the labs.

The new WHO report says the WIV labs were well-managed, with a staff health monitoring programme with no reporting of Covid-19 compatible respiratory illness during the weeks/months prior to December 2019. In other words, the WHO is saying the US intelligence is wrong.

The report does not even mention the US government claims that the lab was engaged in significant and relevant research that the Chinese government continues to deny conducting.

Last week, the head of bat coronavirus research at the WIV, Shi Zhengli, told a seminar hosted by Rutgers University that all of the labs research was open and transparent. On Sunday, former US deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger said Shi is lying.



Peter Daszak, the head of the research organisation EcoHealth Alliance, is the only American on the study team, but he was not selected by the US government. In fact, the WHO rejected the three officials the Trump administration proposed.

Daszak worked closely with the WIV for many years on bat coronavirus research and funded several of its projects, and he has been accused of having a clear conflict of interest (which he denies). Daszak denied that a lab accident might be possible even before the investigation began.

The WHO reports claims that the WIV lab was well-managed is contradicted by cables sent to Washington in 2018 by US diplomats who had made three trips to the lab. They said: During interactions with scientists at the WIV laboratory, they noted the new lab has a serious shortage of appropriately trained technicians and investigators needed to safely operate this high-containment laboratory.

The diplomats also warned that the WIV labs had been doing risky research into how bat coronaviruses can infect human lung cells.

Thats the exact research Robert Redfield, former director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, referenced when he said that a lab accident was the most likely source.

Normally when a pathogen goes from a zoonotic to a human, it takes a while for it to figure out how to become more and more efficient in human-to-human transmission, Redfield told CNN. I just dont think this makes biological sense.

Redfield is a trained virologist and had access to all the intelligence and data during the outbreak. His professional analysis carries significant weight.

The Chinese government and the friends of the Wuhan lab want to dismiss any efforts to call for more investigation into the lab-accident theory as conspiracy theories. But that conspiracy now would have to include the Trump administration, the Biden administration, Redfield and the growing list of scientists who insist that this possibility be explored. Critics often conflate the fact that there is no proof of the theory with the false assertion there is no evidence to suggest it.

When people talk about no evidence [of a lab accident], you could argue theres no evidence on either side, said Nikolai Petrovsky, a Flinders University professor of medicine and one of more than two-dozen scientists who signed an open letter calling for a full and independent investigation into the origins of Covid-19.

Theres as much evidence for the potential lab leak hypothesis as there currently is for a natural animal crossover event. I think we have to be fair and say its a completely open question.
Nairobi  Deputy President William Ruto has been vaccinated against COVID-19 but not with the Astrazeneca jab imported by the government.

Ruto said Tuesday he had been vaccinated and even tweeted a photo of him and his wife Rachael getting the jab. He did not, however, state which vaccine he got.

COVID-19 vaccines are our safe and effective tools in saving lives and managing the disease. I encourage Kenyans to participate in this exercise to protect ourselves against the pandemic. y family and I received the COVID-19 vaccination at the Karen Residence, Nairobi County. pic.twitter.com/tWmrojtgl5- William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) March 30, 2021

But a closer look at the photo revealed that he was vaccinated by the same medical officer seen in photos shared earlier by lawyers Ahmednasir Abdullahi and Donald Kipkorir who announced that they were the first Kenyans to get the Sputnik V vaccine.

The duo tweeted their photos, moments after getting the jab said to be for the rich due to its high cost, Sh11,000 for two dosses.

First Kenyan to take the Sputnik V in KENYA... @sputnikvaccine @DonaldBKipkorir @makaumutua @WehliyeMohamed pic.twitter.com/cWWZF6flH0- Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC (@ahmednasirlaw) March 30, 2021

The Russian-made vaccine was approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) for emergency use but is yet to get approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Today, I became the Second Kenya to take the Russia COVID-19 Sputnik V vaccine ... I have full confidence in the vaccine to protect me from all COVID-19 variants. pic.twitter.com/uukI9yctWA- Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) March 30, 2021

Ministry of Health Acting Director-General of Health Patrick Amoth, however, confirmed that it is possible for the vaccine to be used without approval by the WHO since it had passed other stringent tests.

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Sputnik V which has an efficacy level of about 92 percent, is the first such private consignment in Kenya that is being administered through a private pharmacy.

For maximum protection, it requires two doses sold at Sh5, 500 a dose which will be administered 21 days apart.

"Yes, the application for Emergency Use Authorization has been evaluated and approved," the board said in a statement, that warned, "Note: this is not a registration."

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board clarified that its role in the authorization and safety monitoring of medicines and health technologies saying "It's the duty of the Ministry of Health as guided by the National Vaccine and immunization programme to determine what vaccine (s) to buy based on factors, such as, cost and cold chain considerations."

President Vladimir Putin already received his first dose of the jab, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said as Russia looks to boost a vaccination campaign that is faltering despite having produced three home-grown jabs.

Kenya has also approved Astra Zeneca vaccine which has been prioritized to health workers, teachers, security officers, and elderly Kenyans.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said Kenya will inoculate its citizens using AstraZeneca vaccine which has been questioned by experts leading to suspension by several countries in Europe. South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his top Cabinet have already received the jab and rallied Kenyans to follow suit.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta today took the #Covid19Vaccine at State House, Nairobi. pic.twitter.com/8dN5No5uZc- State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) March 26, 2021
Plaza Centers NV - Netherlands-based property firm - For 2020, pretax loss widens to EUR33.5 million from EUR21.1 million the year before due to an EUR24.0 million write-down of trading properties, as well as a fall in revenue to EUR1.5 million from EUR3.7 million. Revenue was derived from proceeds for the sale of land plot in Brasov, Romania.

In addition, revises deal regarding the sale of its 74.7 acre plot in its Chennai project, India. Purchaser will deposit EUR861,000 and can complete the acquisition by the end of April at a revised payment of EUR11.6 million.

Current stock price: 25.00 pence, down 23% on Wednesday

Year-to-date change: down 17%

By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Hypersonix, the leading enterprise AI platform for consumer commerce industries, today announced they have partnered with a number of regional convenience and fuel retailers to deploy its AI technology to find profitable growth across fuel, retail, and foodservice. H&S Energy LLC of California, E.J. Pope & Son, Inc. of North Carolina, and Welcome Break based in the United Kingdom are all examples of early adopters.

Hypersonix is a solution that companies in the convenience and fuel segment are turning to as a proven means to provide non-technical business stakeholders with AI-powered diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive analytics to make better, faster decisions.

H&S Energy LLC, is a major retail, gasoline, and convenience store operator with approximately 113 locations throughout California, most of which are branded as Chevron locations. H&S also operates Power Market and Extra Mile convenience and food store locations. Initially, H&S is leveraging Hypersonix to support real time fuel pricing as well as optimized merchandising in their stores.

We are constantly looking for ways to stay competitive and always on the lookout to leverage innovation, said Moe Haris, Chief Financial Officer at H&S Energy, who added, Hypersonix is helping us to integrate our data from all of our various software applications and other data sources so we can maximize our opportunity to grow profitably through better decision making.

E.J. Pope & Son, Inc., which operates Handy Mart convenience stores, is a third generation, family-owned company that has grown into a highly recognized chain of convenience stores serving customers across eastern North Carolina. With a constant emphasis on updating existing locations to meet the future needs of customers, including store and fuel layout design, equipment upgrades, and modern food concepts, such as its proprietary Handy Mart Kitchens, Which Wich, Subway, and Godfathers Pizza, Handy Mart is using Hypersonixs AI-driven analytics platform to gather and assess data about the cross relationships that exist between the three core aspects of its business  fuel, retail, and QSR.

We pride ourselves on being a local, family-owned business with deep roots in the areas we serve, but we understand that yesterdays technology wont get us to where we need to go, said David Bunch, Chief Operating Officer at E.J. Pope & Son, Inc. Our partnership with Hypersonix has helped us glean actionable insight to inform our continued growth strategy and expand our services with integrated AI.

Welcome Break is one of the largest motorway operators across the United Kingdom, running 44 service areas and 31 hotels across the UK. Welcome Break fuel forecourts, EV charging and amenity buildings are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and attract 85 million customers annually. Beyond fuel and retail, Welcome Break features a number of prominent QSR brands such as Starbucks, KFC, Burger King, Subway, Pizza Express, and Pret A Manger.

We operate a complex business with scores of disparate data sources across our convenience, fuel, retail, hospitality, and foodservice businesses, said Kash Ghedia, Chief Information Officer at Welcome Break. Our partnership with Hypersonix will allow us to have one unified data analytics environment in the cloud across our entire enterprise where we can make better sales and marketing decisions about how to best serve our guests.

Hypersonix is focusing on the convenience and fuel vertical because the environment is complex and diversified across retail, fuel, and foodservice. There are many point solutions being used and they are often poorly integrated. The key differentiator of Hypersonixs Automated Insights Platform is its ability to process data, infer meaning, recommend actions, and execute them across multiple decision makers. Built for business users, Hypersonix is becoming a true AI nervous system for leading convenience enterprises.

From ingesting raw data from disparate platforms to creating curated insights, Hypersonixs AI-based tools are helping the convenience industry adapt amid changing consumer expectations and competitive dynamics, said Todd P. Michaud, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Hypersonix. A key part of our value proposition is to deploy our platform quickly and affordably without requiring a big effort from the technology organization.

For more information about Hypersonixs leading enterprise AI platform for consumer commerce industries, and to request a demo, visit: https://hypersonix.ai/request-demo/

About Hypersonix, Inc.

Hypersonix offers the most comprehensive cloud-based, Enterprise AI platform that enables consumer commerce decision-makers to make smart decisions fastempowering them to get real-time intelligence, actionable insights, and recommendations to take timely actions leading to business success. Hypersonixs diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics can measure and monitor business results, clarify why results are occurring, and recommend actions to drive improvements.

Leveraging innovations in Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Programming (NLP) and real-time data computing, the platform offers a simple, fast "Google-like" experience supported by "Jarvix," a virtual assistant. Designed for Retail, Restaurant, Hospitality, e-Commerce, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Brand Manufacturers, Hypersonix helps several leading brands and clients today to drive profitable growth, save money and improve customer engagement.

Founded in 2018 by former executives from SAP, IBM, PayPal and Epsilon, the company has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, TechCrunch, along with other outlets. It is based in San Jose, California with offices in Sacramento, California and Bangalore, India.
Indonesian divers have found the cockpit voice recorder from a passenger jet which plunged into the Java Sea more than two months ago, killing all 62 people on board.

The Boeing 737's CVR records flight crew conversations and authorities say it could take up to a week to be able to listen to the recording as they try to explain how the aircraft fell 10,000ft in less than a minute after takeoff from Jakarta Airport on January 9.

Divers had previously found the Sriwijaya Air jet's flight data recorder, which gauges speed and altitude, in the Java Sea three days after the crash.

Authorities said today they would mine the retrieved recorder's data in the hopes of learning what the crew were saying when the flight went down.

Found: Indonesian divers have found the cockpit voice recorder from a passenger jet which plunged into the Java Sea more than two months ago, killing all 62 people on board

Authorities said today they would mine the retrieved recorder's data in the hopes of learning what the crew were saying when the flight went down. Pictured: Head of Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee Soerjanto Tjahjono greets Indonesia's Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumad

The bright orange voice recorder was taken to Jakarta and given to the National Transportation Safety Committee, which is overseeing the accident investigation.

The device was found on Tuesday evening on the last day of an operation that used dredging equipment to comb the muddy seabed, after the dive search failed to locate it, they said.

Rear Admiral Abdul Rasyid Kacong, the navy's western region fleet commander, said the voice recorder was buried under three feet of mud at a depth of 75 feet.

Divers removed debris and carried out 'desludging' operations to reach the voice recorder, he said.

The device was found on Tuesday evening on the last day of an operation that used dredging equipment to comb the muddy seabed, after the dive search failed to locate it, authorities said

The plane - a Boeing B737-500 - is understood to have fallen 10,000 feet in less than 60 seconds just four minutes after it took off

'It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack,' Soerjanto Tjahjono, head of Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee, told reporters as the recorder was displayed at Jakarta's main port.

'We will take the CVR to lab for reading, about three days to one week. After that we'll transcribe and match it to the flight data recorder.

'Without the CVR, it would be very difficult to find the cause of the Sriwijaya Air accident.'

A preliminary report into the crash last month said crews on previous flights had described the jet's throttle system as 'unserviceable' and that it had been repaired several times before its fatal final flight.

The report said a catastrophic throttle malfunction and possible human error were among the factors being considered. But investigators had said it was too early to pinpoint a cause.

The 737 had sharply deviated from its intended course just before its plunge.

Divers had previously found the Sriwijaya Air jet's flight data recorder, which gauges speed and altitude, in the Java Sea three days after the crash

Despite appeals from air traffic controllers, the crew - including an experienced captain - did not respond to questions about the sudden change of direction.

Safety experts say most air accidents are caused by a combination of factors that can take months to establish. Under international standards, the final report is due within a year of the crash.

The 26-year-old Boeing Co 737-500 plane was flown by US-based Continental Airlines and United Airlines before it was purchased by Sriwijaya, which flies to destinations in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia.

All 62 passengers and crew aboard the flight were Indonesian, including seven children and three babies.

Aldha Refa, wife of Okky Bisma, a flight attendant and one of the 62 people aboard Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 which crashed shortly after takeoff on January 9, mourns at the grave of his husband during a funeral ceremony in Jakarta on January 14

The plane's captain, Afwan, a 54-year-old father of three, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, was a former air force pilot with decades of flying under his belt.

His nephew Ferza Mahardhika told BBC Indonesia that the pilot had left home quickly on the day of the flight, complaining that 'his shirt hadn't been ironed, when usually he is really neat'.

Afwan also apologised to his children for having to leave home to board the doomed flight.

Ferza Mahardhika said: 'He was a very good man. He often gave advice, wise advice. He was a prominent figure in his neighbourhood and was well-known for his kindness.'

Indonesia, a vast archipelago that relies heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands, has suffered a string of deadly plane crashes in recent years.

In October 2018, 189 people were killed when a Boeing 737 MAX jet from Lion Air plunged into the sea.

That accident - and another in Ethiopia - led to the worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX over a faulty anti-stall system.

The 737 that crashed last month was not a MAX variant.
Washington: American actors Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons are all set to welcome a new family member. The much-in-love couple is expecting their second child.

Dunst showed off her baby bump on the cover of W Magazine in a photoshoot directed by Sofia Coppola. The Golden Globe-nominated actor shared a breathtaking picture from the shoot on her Instagram handle.

The 38-year-old actor looked stunning in a white, see-through lace Rodarte gown for the photoshoot, which shows her sprawled out on a floral blanket. She captioned the post, "in @rodarte for @wmag."

The Volume 2 Directors Issue will hit the newsstands on April 6 this year. While Dunst posted the W Magazine story image on her Instagram account, she did not directly reference her pregnancy. Dunst is already a mother to a 2-year-old son Ennis, whom she shares with Plemons, reported People magazine.

The actor showed off her baby bump in her poses, which were captured by photographer Zoe Ghertner at a home in Beverly Hills. Joking about her arrangements in the snapshots, Dunst said, "Every shot was on the floor. I was like, `I can`t get up.` I felt like Urkel."Dunst, who has worked with Coppola on films like `The Virgin Suicides` (1999), `Marie Antoinette` (2006) and `The Beguiled` (2017), also opened up about the trust she`s built with the filmmaker over the years.

"It`s just so beautiful to have that kind of friendship where you`ve seen each other have children," said Dunst of her relationship with Coppola, who has two children, Romy, and Cosima.She added, "There are few collaborations, to be honest, where it lasts, where someone knows you that long that`s not your family."

In September, Dunst and Plemons told The New York Times about their relationship, which began in 2016 when they met on the sets of `Fargo`. The two started dating a year and a half after the first meeting on sets.

"I knew that she would be in my life for a long time," Plemons said. They bonded through work and staying up late rehearsing lines, according to the interview, with a work ethic drawn from their years in Hollywood.

"We laugh about the fact that we were two child actors," Dunst said of her fiance, "and we both made it out okay."As their romance blossomed, Plemons and Dunst got engaged in January 2017. A year and a half later, the `Spider-Man` actor gave birth to their first child together. In August 2019, Plemons praised Dunst in a heartfelt speech during the actress` Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, which they brought Ennis to for his first official public event at the time.

Dunst has starred in numerous films throughout her long career, such as `Jumanji`, `Marie Antoinette` and filmmaker Sam Raimi`s `Spider-Man` trilogy, among others.
Hardly any attention was paid to the risks arising from the number of firms that might be involved in making and delivering any given product. The potential loss of revenue if the supply chain failed to deliver goods on time was simply ignored.

The company at the top of a supply chain often has little insight into its suppliers suppliers or into the transportation system that connects them. Incident after incident  from the shutdown of the U.S.-Canada border after 9/11 to the earthquake that crippled hundreds of Japanese auto parts plants in 2011 to pandemic-related factory closures in 2020  has shown long supply chains to be more fragile than imagined. For many firms, the consequences can be painful, even fatal.

And the business risks are not limited to disruption. Famous firms have seen their names tarnished by scandals involving working conditions or environmental practices at obscure companies far down their supply chains. When consumers in Europe and North America, concerned about repression of the Uyghur minority in China, demanded that apparel companies disclose whether their clothing contained cotton grown in Xinjiang province, many companies, well removed from the production process, did not know.

Meanwhile, the ultralarge container ships like Ever Given that have entered the worlds fleet over the past few years have made long value chains even more problematic. These vessels, some carrying as much cargo as 12,000 trucks, steam more slowly than their predecessors. The complexity of loading and unloading often puts them behind schedule, and the sheer number of boxes moved on and off a single ship tangles ports and delays deliveries.

So long-distance trade is slower and less reliable than it was two decades ago. That helps explain why exports of manufactured goods account for a smaller share of the worlds economic output than they did in 2008. Once the risks are accounted for properly, manufacturing in distant places with low wages isnt always a bargain.

Yet pronouncements about the death of globalization are not well founded. Rather, the stage of globalization we have known since the 1980s, in which highly trained employees in the advanced economies create physical products to be manufactured where wages are lower, is past its peak. In its place, a new stage of globalization, in which factory production and foreign investment matter less than the flow of services and ideas, is advancing quickly.

The Bollywood movies and Japanese television shows available on your favorite streaming service are part of that flow, but so are the research, engineering and design tasks that companies increasingly distribute across multiple countries in order to take advantage of local talent and shape products to local tastes.
An inmate who was injured in a Maui jail riot is suing the Hawaii Department of Public Safety.

Kevin Lifoifois lawsuit alleges the department failed to keep prisoners safe in an overcrowded jail, The Maui News reported.

Lifoifoi suffered a broken jaw and other injuries when inmates broke out of cells and rioted at the Maui Community Correctional Center in 2019, his lawsuit said.

Inmates who set fires, tore phones off the walls, ransacked cells and brawled caused millions of dollars of damage, the department said. Eighteen inmates were later found guilty during an administrative process and moved to an Oahu correctional facility.

The department knew or should have reasonably been aware of the overcrowding and brewing inmate problems, Lifoifois lawsuit said.

The jail was 40% over capacity for a safe level of housing, the lawsuit said, which seeks an unspecified amount in damages.

Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz said Monday that the department hadnt been served with the lawsuit. We have been advised not to comment on possible pending litigation, she said.

Lifoifoi, 37, of Kahului was sentenced to five years in prison for two counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, second-degree theft and second-degree unauthorized entry into a dwelling, according to court records.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- Global Hospital Lights Market: Snapshot



The global hospital lights market is prophesied to garner a prospering growth in the next few years owing to the swelling count of healthcare institutes in developing economies such as India and China. The mounting adoption of light-emitting diode (LED)-based lighting products such as troffers could also augur well for the market. This growth could further soar in the near future due to rising government support for energy efficiency programs in hospitals. Factors such as lower operational cost and cheaper cost are forecasted to set the tone for a valuable growth in the market. Developed regions such as North America could continue to secure a larger share in the market due to their support for modernization in the hospital lighting industry and promotion of energy efficiency projects.



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The global hospital lights market is foretold to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast timeframe 20172022. It could attract a revenue of US$10.0 bn by 2022 from a US$7.4 bn achieved in 2017.



Troffers to Showcase Larger Absolute Growth between 2017 and 2022



The world hospital lights market is foreseen to be classified into troffers, surface-mounted lights, and surgical lamps by product. As per the analysis of the report, the troffers hospital lights market could draw a larger revenue share throughout the course of the forecast period. It could rise at a 5.4% CAGR. Annually, it is envisioned to grow at a US$0.1 bn, which could be greater than the absolute growth of any other market in the category.



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According to type of technique, the world hospital lights market is predicted to be segmented into fluorescent, LED, and halogen.



As per the point of use classification, the world hospital lights market could find opportunities in segments such as patient wards and intensive care units (ICUs), operating rooms, and examination rooms.



The analysts shed light upon factors that could be responsible for the growth of these markets for hospital lights and also their market size and projected growth.



North America to Set Benchmark for Revenue Share until 2022 End



The regional segmentation of the international hospital lights market prognosticates six geographies to be important for growth, viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific except Japan (APEJ), and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Out of these markets for hospital lights, North America could top the charts in terms of revenue growth. As per the researchers, the region could rake in a US$2.8 bn by the end of 2017.



APEJ is envisaged to be a faster growing region for the international hospital lights market with a 6.2% CAGR expected to be maintained between 2017 and 2022. Europe could be another market with high expectations set in view of revenue share. The MEA could, however, exhibit a slothful growth in the future.



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Players such as Acuity Brands, Inc., Cree, Inc., Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Eaton Corp. Plc, General Electric Co., Herbert Waldmann GmbH & Co. Kg, Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., Hubbell, Inc., KLS Martin GmbH + Co. KG, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Zumtobel Group AG, and Trilux GmbH & Co. Kg are expected to be at the forefront of the worldwide hospital lights market.



Rising Adoption of LED lights to Propel Growth of Hospital Lights Market



The increasing number of healthcare set ups worldwide and the rising adoption of LED-based lighting products such as troffers is expected to aid in expansion of the global hospital lights market. This market is witness accelerating demand from the emerging nations such as China and India. Improving medical care foundation across a few arising economies is the essential driver of the worldwide hospital lights market. Government in nations, for example, China, India, Japan, Brazil, and Russia have promised to give upgraded care to their residents and are offering endowments to bait interests into their clinical offices and number of hospitals is mushrooming. These cutting edge hospitals not exclusively are outfitted with fundamental lighting measures for activities nonstop, they are additionally centered on using the energy proficiently, and thus are turning to propel lighting gadgets.



Expanding selection of LED-based lighting apparatuses is another glaring element enlarging the interest in the worldwide hospital lights market. Driven based lighting apparatus last any longer than customary other options and offer improved execution. While the expense of the gadgets is discouraging the market from accomplishing its actual potential, the merchants of this market are required to have new freedoms on the off chance that they progress their business into endlessly populated arising economies of China and India.



A forthcoming pattern in the hospital lighting market is the human-driven lighting innovation, which offers normal brightening highlights in shut constructions. These lights are acquiring high fame in the medical services area inferable from advantages like circadian beat, profitability, energy saving, and passionate prosperity of inhabitants.



Driven innovation is acquiring high foothold inferable from its noticeable highlights like energy effectiveness and high item life range. The lights uphold upgraded shaded delivering, which is advantageous for patients and workers in medical care conditions. The LED lights give the darkening element, which underpins in making surrounding lighting for upgraded solace and rest steady brightening, provoking high interest on the lookout. Furthermore, the expanding government guidelines relating to energy effectiveness and customary assessments in medical care offices has prompted an expanded interest for LED lights.



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Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through ad-hoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories.



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(Natural News) The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is milking to death a #StopAsianHate meme it launched after last weeks alleged false flag shooting spree in Atlanta.

The communist regime has shifted gears, though, from lambasting white people to now accusing the Uyghur Muslims it imprisons in concentration camps, as well as those who support them, of engaging anti-Asian hatred simply for opposing the CCPs ongoing genocide of this minority religious group.

You read that right. Anyone who disagrees with the abuse and inhumane treatment of Uyghur Muslims by violent Chinese communists is racist, according to the CCP.

The Global Times, a Chinese state-run propaganda outlet, published a hate piece against the Uyghurs and their supporters, falsely accusing them of racism against Asians after a large protest broke out in the streets of Washington, D.C.

Calls were made at said rally for the communist Chinese regime to stop persecuting the Uyghurs, as well as for the rest of the world to acknowledge that the CCP is engaging in genocide. The CCP responded to this by accusing those who oppose Uyghur persecution of being racist against Asians.

As a microcosm of Asian Americans predicament in the US, a #StopAsianHate rally in DC on Sunday clashed with protesters who support Xinjiang separatists, the Global Times, a mouthpiece of the CCP, hilariously claims.

The latter group shouted slogans such as wipe out China, the very anti-China voice avidly promoted by extreme forces hostile to China in the US, which unfortunately led to anti-Asian hate wave in the US.

Communist China is the biggest joke on the planet

According to the CCP, speaking out against communist Chinas torture and murder of Uyghur Muslims represents discrimination against Asian Americans, which has seen a surge ever since President Donald Trump started referring to the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) as the Chinese virus and the kung flu.

The CCP went even further by categorizing all criticism of its known human rights abuses as anti-Chinese sentiment. To oppose genocide is to engage in ideological prejudice against China, the communist regime alleges.

The so-called democracy and freedom are tools US politicians and institutions use to gain a sense of superiority and suppress other countries, the Global Times further sneered.

Such rhetoric is prevalent among American leftists, by the way, who are notorious for accusing others of doing the evil things that they do. This tactic of turning the truth on its head and blaming the victim for the crimes of the perpetrator would appear to have Chinese origins.

The CCP also instructed the Global Times to publish praise for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, which aims to defund the police and purportedly end racism against people with dark skin, or so we are told.

Ignoring its own nefarious presence as the worlds biggest, ugliest, and most oppressively totalitarian police state, communist China actually has the gall to now accuse the United States of harboring hatred and promoting violence by allowing people to protest against the CCP and its human rights abuses.

Chinas complaint that the Uyghur people protesting the genocide against them are anti-Asian disregards the fact that East Turkestan  their native region that China refers to as Xinjiang  is squarely in central Asia, Breitbart News writer John Hayward further points out about the CCPs hypocrisy.

Among the atrocities Uyghurs are currently enduring, Beijing has forced Uyghur women to live with Han Chinese men after their husbands were dragged off to concentration camps. Some in those concentration camps have been shipped across China by labor programs to keep them from marrying each other and raising children in their religious and cultural traditions. Many have been simply sterilized to keep their population down.

More related news about communist Chinese propaganda and its negative influence on American leftists can be found at Propaganda.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
[March 31, 2021] UK Workers Want an Active Role in the Digital Transformation of their Organisations, Creating Huge Market for Low-Code

- 72% of UK workers are interested in learning digital skills to help with digital transformation needs driven by COVID and Brexit - Two-thirds of employees in the UK are interested in learning low-code - 60% want to put their digital skills to use by supporting their organisation's digitalisation projects; business can harness this tech-savvy by providing employees with more opportunities to build low-code apps LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mendix , a Siemens business and global leader in low-code application development for the enterprise, today announced the results of "Low-Code Forecasts 2021" that shows more that 15.5 million British workers are interested in learning digital skills and playing a part in the digital transformation of their organisations. The survey also reveals that a majority of British workers are interested in learning about low-code. These findings highlight how British companies can respond to the UK's growing digital skills gap driven by COVID and Brexit, and how low-code software development skills can bridge this divide. Workers want to help with digitalisation COVID-19 has accelerated the digital transformation of organisations in the UK, with many adopting remote working practises overnight. This has made digital skills a highly-valued commodity for businesses and UK workers understand this. Close to three-quarters of UK workers surveyed say that they are interested in learning more digital skills (72%), with 60% wanting to put those skills to use by supporting their organisation's digitalisation. The most common ways that workers see themselves supporting digital transformation is by working with the IT team to make project implementation more successful (45%) and helping the IT team better understand everyday business challenges (37%). A country that wants to code The pandemic has also accelerated the need for software development to a pace that organisations are struggling to keep up with. The survey highlights that UK employees are hungry to get involved with their organisations' software development and are keen to learn new skills, such as creating their own applications. Almost three quarters (72%) of UK workers want to learn new digital skills and nearly half (49%) would like to build apps that would help them succeed in their work. Despite this interest, only 6% of workers are actually learning software development. To bridge this gap, British workers are now turning their attention to low-code software development platforms, with two-thirds (66%) stating that they would like to learn model-driven low-code. Motivated by a strong appetite for app development, the large talent pool of 15.5 million potential low-coders within the UK's full-time workforce would enable businesses to tackle the talent crunch they are facing in light of COVID and Brexit.This trend is impacting three-fifths of British companies according to Mendix's recent study 'Navigating the UK landscape: it's time for a low-code approach' .



This provides a great opportunity for the UK economy, as low-code software development enables those without any coding experience to build applications. Low-code platforms provide companies with a visual, drag-and-drog approach that empowers non-technical staff to design these critical applications, in collaboration with and under the supervision of IT. This allows organisations to quickly deliver digital solutions that immediately support their strategic needs, while enabling the IT department and other divisions to work in a more agile, collaborative manner. Digital skills key to career development

UK workers also understand the benefit that digital skills will provide to their own career. Almost three in five (59%) UK workers think that an expanded digital skillset would enable them to be more successful in their current role. On top of this, over a quarter see learning new digital skills as necessary to keeping their jobs (26%). This eagerness to learn is seen as important across all age groups, with 90% of respondents stating, "you are never too old to learn new digital skills." Nick Ford, VP of product and solutions marketing for Mendix, explains: "The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, putting a massive strain on IT departments. This research shows that there is a large pool of untapped potential among UK employees that want to contribute to the digitisation of their organisations and help alleviate the pressure on IT." He adds: "With low-code, companies can unlock this potential without losing sight of important issues such as security and governance. It provides a single, collaborative platform that enables anyone, regardless of developer background or expertise, to get involved in building business applications. This serves to speed up the entire app development process, spurring innovation while also helping employees build their digital skills by learning from one another." This research reinforces other findings from Mendix, which shows that COVID has caused 64% of IT and business leaders in the UK to invest more in IT and digital technologies for their organisation. The same survey found that 61% of UK business leaders are worried it will be harder to find the talent they need post-Brexit, highlighting the need for organisations to provide their employees with the digital tools they need. Methodology: The report is based on a survey of 250 full-time workers between the ages of 18 and 64, currently living in the UK, with 53% men and 47% women comprising total responses. The survey was conducted by Reputation Leaders on behalf of Mendix. Background

In a pandemic-disrupted world, software is the new lifeblood of our daily lives and the connective tissue holding together the global economy. However, traditional software development takes far too long and very often fails to deliver the results business needs and users love. Even prior to COVID-19, there were simply not enough professional software developers in the world to build all the software currently required. The global pandemic has accelerated and exacerbated what was already a software and business crisis. Enter low-code software development. Low-code from Mendix is a powerful, enterprise-grade visual development approach empowering citizen and professional developers to make cloud-native applications more than 10X faster for web and mobile using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic  all through an intuitive graphical user interface. Connect with Mendix Follow @Mendix on Twitter

Connect with Mendix on LinkedIn About Mendix

Mendix, a Siemens business and the global leader in enterprise low-code, is fundamentally reinventing the way applications are built in the digital enterprise. With the Mendix platform, enterprises can 'Make with More,' by broadening an enterprise's development capability to conquer the software development bottleneck; 'Make it Smart,' by making apps with rich native experiences that are intelligent, proactive, and contextual; and 'Make at Scale,' to modernize core systems and build large app portfolios to keep pace with business growth. The Mendix platform is built to promote intense collaboration between business and IT teams and dramatically accelerate application development cycles, while maintaining the highest standards of security, quality, and governance  in short, to help enterprises confidently leap into their digital futures. Mendix's 'Go Make It' platform has been adopted by more than 4,000 leading companies around the world. Press Inquiries

Adam George

Mendix@harvard.co.uk Dan Berkowitz

Senior Director Global Communications

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press release

'Any request made by Mr P. H to visit the country so as to perform religious mourning ceremonies of his late Mauritian spouse who recently passed away in Belgium would certainly be considered'.

The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, made this announcement, today, in the National Assembly, in reply to a Parliamentary Question. The question pertained to giving consideration to waiving the persona non grata status declared against Mr P. H to enable the latter enter the Mauritian territory to perform the religious mourning ceremonies of his late Mauritian spouse.

The Prime Minister informed the House that Mr P. H has, pursuant to section 8 (1) (m) of the Immigration Act, been declared a prohibited immigrant as from 23 April 2019. Mr P. H has not been declared 'persona non grata', emphasised the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Jugnauth further stated that notwithstanding the fact that he is a prohibited immigrant, Mr P. H has been informed that pursuant to sections 8 (2) and (3) of the Immigration Act, he may be authorised to visit Mauritius, provided that he applies and obtains the necessary approval from the Passport and Immigration Office prior to undertaking any such visit.

Mr P. H has further been informed that he should comply with such conditions as may be imposed, said Mr Jugnauth.

The Prime Minister further pointed out that that on 29 August 2019, a request made for Mr P.H to come to Mauritius was acceded to. He indicated that the concerned person was allowed to come to Mauritius on the condition that he may stay in the country for a period of 14 days and that he should not engage in any gainful occupation.

Additionally, the Prime Minister informed that Mr P. H arrived in the country on 04 October 2019 and left on 09 October 2019.
It might have been the fictional home of an inhospitable criminal family in the ITV drama Marcella, but could the Larchfield Estate outside Lisburn have led to a property spike in the area?

According to new data, prices in Lisburn rose by 1.77% during lockdown last year - 20% higher than its neighbour Dunmurry.

House prices in the city now average 151,108.

Research by online mortgage broker Trussle revealed house prices in locations of popular television shows rose by an average of 5% in 2020, compared to nearby towns.

And series three of Marcella, starring Anna Friel and a strong local cast, features in the top 10 television locations across the UK, with Lisburn having experienced a spike in prices.

The most recent series was filmed between March and July 2019 and Larchfield House and Estate was the main location.

Most of the action centred on the period building, home to the murderous Maguires. Headed by matriarch Katherine, played by Amanda Burton, the clan was infiltrated by Marcella (Friel), who went undercover as Keira Devlin.

Series location manager Chris Myers said Larchfield House was ideal for the shoot as it was "large enough to suggest the status of our story's resident family but not so daunting in scale as to be unimaginable as a home".

While the family's dark behaviours might have shocked many viewers, it seems the beauty of the area still appealed.

Coming in at fourth place in the top 10 of drama locations that have helped spark a property boom is ITV police drama The Bay, written by Co Armagh man Daragh Carville.

Property prices in the coastal Lancashire town of Morecambe rose by 6.28% - a jump of 108% on nearby Scale Hall. House prices now average 234,106.

Earlier this year property website Rightmove revealed searches for homes in Morecambe surged by 71% in just one week, coinciding with the airing of season two of The Bay.

The adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People is also being credited for a rise in property prices in Co Sligo. Sharing joint final place in the list with Marcella, the location used in Normal People for much of the shoot also saw a rise of 1.77% - 20% more than neighbouring Leitrim.

Topping the list of television locations that have inspired househunters is Dunlop in East Ayrshire, set of ITV drama Deadwater Fell. Dunlop saw an increase of 9.5% in property prices in 2020, more than double that of nearby East Kilbride.

Other locations to make the list include Beaconsfield for Afterlife, Sutton Hoo for The Dig, and Richmond-upon-Thames for Bridgerton, which saw prices rise by 5.35% to an average of 903,122.

Miles Robinson of Trussle said: "The last year has seen a big shift in homeowner priorities.

"Searches for properties in small towns and villages doubled as city dwellers opted for countryside living.

"Increased time spent indoors led to one in seven adults considering a move to a home with more space and it seems our favourite TV programmes are inspiring us too, becoming much more than an 'escape from reality'."

Drama locations influenced property hikes before the pandemic too. Shows such as Poldark and Doc Martin saw more people want to relocate to Cornwall, while the Broadchurch effect resulted in property prices shooting up in West Bay, Dorset.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation said on Wednesday that it is continuously coordinating with hospitals to settle their billions of unsettled debts.

Talagang may mga utang kami sa mga hospitals, private o government. As a matter of fact, lagi na kaming nagu-usap kasi itong mga utang na ito, matagal na iyong iba, PhilHealth President Dante Gierran said during the Laging Handa briefing.

[Translation: We really have debts to hospitals, private or public. As a matter of fact, we are always talking to them because these are already from a long-time ago.]

He noted that in 2020, total claims reached 107 billion, but around 85% of that was already paid, while some were denied or returned. The remaining ones are still being processes, he added.

Gierran explained that they are continuously exerting efforts to pay their obligations, but the COVID-19 pandemic is causing the slow processing of claims since the agency has to operate on a limited workforce to prevent the transmission of the virus among their personnel.

We admit, we accept that we have obligations and all of them are being processed, he said, adding that they will again meet with a hospital group to settle the issue on reimbursement claims.

Earlier, a private hospitals group said they are seeking a dialogue with the state insurer to discuss the reimbursement of their claims amid the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines President Jose Rene de Grano said on Tuesday that it would be better to have a reconciliation between their members and the state insurer to know what really are the gaps regarding the settlement of the latters 6 billion debt to them.

Solving the matter will be also helpful for them in replenishing funds to ensure unhampered operations amid rising number of infections, he noted.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, PhilHealth spokesman Rey Balena assured that they are continuously processing clams as they come and that they are willing to coordinate with the group.
Seen is a screen capture of Kumho Petrochemical's largest shareholder Park Chul-whan's website used for making shareholder proposals to the company.



Advice from NPS, ISS had little impact this year



By Park Jae-hyuk



One of the most notable features during the annual proxy season over the past month was that more websites were used to submit shareholder proposals to large businesses and to win support from other minority shareholders.



This strategy was used here previously by Elliott Management, when the U.S. hedge fund opened a website named "Accelerate Hyundai Motor Group" in 2019 to pressure the carmaker. KCGI, a domestic private equity firm (PEF) that joined hands with former Korean Air Vice President Cho Hyun-ah to engage in a dispute with her younger brother, Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae, has also communicated with the group's employees, customers and investors over the past few years through its website named "Value Hanjin."



Outside of Value Hanjin, similar websites for shareholder activism were rarely seen in Korea until last year.



Based on the recent Commercial Act revision that constrains companies' largest shareholders, however, more activist shareholders have been releasing their statements online and asking minority shareholders to visit their websites.



HYK Partners opened a website named after itself last December for the sole purpose of making shareholder proposals against Hanjin Transportation's management and owner family. Through the website, the second-largest shareholder of the logistics firm provided its official statements, related news articles, contact information and webpages for minority shareholders to see.



Other websites that opened shortly before general shareholders' meetings came up with slogans that can better catch the eyes of the press and investors.



Kumho Petrochemical's largest shareholder Park Chul-whan, who is in a dispute with his uncle, Chairman Park Chan-koo, named his website, "Go Beyond, Kumho Petrochemical." Whitebox Advisors, a U.S. hedge fund that opposed LG Group's spin-off, opened a website named "A Better LG." Hankook & Company Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-sik, who is in conflict with his younger brother, CEO Cho Hyun-bum, operated a website named "Better Hankook & Company."





Seen is a screen capture of Whitebox Advisors' website used to protest LG's plan to spin off its affiliates.
Concert promoters MCD Productions have been ordered to pay 7,000 compensation to a cancer patient left "embarrassed after two security staff refused her access to a disabled bathroom at a Paul Weller gig two years ago.

Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator, Janet Hughes ordered MCD Productions to pay Galway woman Anne Marie Davy (55) 7,000 after finding that the promoters discriminated against her on the grounds of disability under the Equal Status Act.

The mother-of-four brought her action after she was refused access twice to disabled bathroom facilities at the Summer Series event at Trinity College Dublin in July 2019 by employees of a security company employed by MCD for the event.

Ms Hughes found that MCD was vicariously liable for the actions of the security staff.

Prior to the event, Ms Davy emailed MCD to say that she is an oncology patient, has additional medical needs and also has an ostomy so requires access to an accessible bathroom.

However, the day after the gig, Ms Davy emailed MCD to complain about her experience at the concert.

She said she was refused access to the disabled bathroom facilities despite the fact that I politely told the attendant I had a medical need to use it.

She said the attendant looked me up and down and asked what was wrong with me.

I was upset, shocked and humiliated having to explain I have had part of my bowel and rectum removed as well as other organs and have a stoma and need access to disabled bathroom to change.

Ms Davy gained access to the disabled toilets after a female colleague of the security man allowed her access and apologised for her colleagues actions.

However, at the end of the gig, Ms Davy was refused access a second time to the disabled toilets by a different security staff member.

She said the attendant tried to backtrack when I told him this was the second time it had happened.

In her email she said: This was the first concert I had attended since receiving my diagnosis two years ago and I was really looking forward to it but unfortunately what should have been an enjoyable evening sadly was not.

Ms Davy told the WRC hearing she was embarrassed, agitated and upset by the treatment she received when she was looked up and down by the first security worker as if to ask where was her disability or where was her wheelchair.

In her findings, Ms Hughes recorded how Ms Davy was required to justify her claim to be entitled to access the bathroom for those with a disability

She endured scepticism and humiliating treatment on two occasions, most notable the first, compounded by the second.

Ms Hughes said Ms Davy was subjected to discrimination in that she was twice refused access to the facilities for the disabled notwithstanding that she had a disability.

She said she found Ms Davys evidence to be compelling.

At the hearing, MCD argued that it was not vicariously liable under the Equal Status Act for the conduct of an employee of the security company.

It also argued that every reasonable effort was made to ensure that no act of discrimination could occur through the provision of appropriate disability awareness training.

It said the problem stemmed from the conduct of the security worker in question who when questioned was remorseful and visibly upset stating that he got confused.

MCD said the employee has not been in touch with his employer since he was questioned about the incident, and his whereabouts are unknown.

Commenting on the incident today, Denis Desmond, managing director of MCD, said: "It is very regrettable what happened. It should not have happened, there is no excusing this.

Once we heard what had occurred, we offered our apologies to Ms Davy and I do so again.

Mr Desmond said there are protocols in place which the security company did not adhere to on the night.

Be assured there wont be a repeat of what happened."

Mr Desmond said it was Ms Davys right and entitlement to see the case through to the WRC.

As a result of her rare and devastating form of cancer, Ms Davy has had a total of 12 organs removed and today she said she was over the moon at the WRC outcome.

She said she took the case to raise awareness around the challenges faced by people with hidden disabilities.

People should not be so judgmental or make assumptions around the use by people with hidden disabilities of facilities like disabled bathrooms. A little bit more empathy and understanding from the general public would be nice. I know its a tricky one."

She said she was pleased by Mr Desmonds comments, adding: I believe that lessons have been learned.




Lagos, Abuja  President Muhammadu Buhari's medical trip to the United Kingdom has returned to the front burner the need for Nigerian hospitals to be equipped in line with global best practices, a foremost virologist and infectious disease expert, Prof. Olawale Tomori, and other health professionals have said.

Their intervention comes as THISDAY's investigation shows that the federal government budgeted N2.55 trillion for the health sector from 2015 to 2019.

However, the figure is below the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s recommendation, which is nine per cent of the country's N59.660 trillion for the six years, amounting to N5.4 trillion.

This is despite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the private sector's intervened in the country's health sector by providing additional funds during the period under review.

Buhari yesterday left Abuja for London for a routine medical check-up.

He is due back in the country in the second week of April.

Reacting to the frequent foreign medical trip of Nigerian political leaders, Tomori told THISDAY yesterday that the successful performance of the country's health sector would need trained professionals with reliable, dedicated, trustworthy and committed support.

"It is also about infrastructural resources; facilities, equipment supplies, reliable electricity etc. You need both. Nigeria has talented people but not the enabling and conducive environment for the talented people to function efficiently and maximally. This is our problem," he said.

President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Uyilawa Okuaihesuyi, also told THISDAY that most major hospitals in the country lack basic equipment to deliver effective healthcare.

"In most hospitals in Nigeria, you cannot find any that equals the global best practices. In most of these hospitals, you can hardly find the basic tool to work. I give you an example, in any hospital abroad, you have the MRI system, which is the basic tool for initiating patient's treatment but in most federal health institutions, you can hardly find any in a functional state," he said.

He said it appeared that the government did not pay attention to the health sector funding and infrastructure development as it often said.

"It is sad that rather than take a serious look at how the country's health sector can be revitalised and funded properly, our leaders find it more comfortable to jet out to other countries for medical treatment," he said.

Speaking on the grievances that led to the threat by resident doctors to embark on strike, Okuaihesuyi accused the government of neglecting their welfare to the extent that many of the doctors doing their housemanship are being owed up to four months' salaries.

He stated that government has not fulfilled the promise to raise doctors' hazard allowance pegged at N5, 000.

Okuaihesuyi said NARD decided to give an ultimatum to the government because the Memorandum of Understanding entered with the federal government is yet to be implemented many months after it was signed.

He added that the government has not concluded action on the enrolment of the doctors on the health insurance scheme as part of measures to cushion the hazardous impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Infectious Disease Control, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, told THISDAY: "Our doctors are among the best in the world," adding: "Their only handicap is the absence of world-class medical equipment and incentives. Once the government can handle this, our Nigerian Diaspora doctors will have no option than to head home back to Nigeria."

Utazi stated that the health needs of an individual, no matter whosoever is involved, are personal and private between the person and the medical doctor of his choice.

"It is psychological. It has to do with mindset and trust. As it concerns President Muhammadu Buhari, it is the same. It's his choice and I feel Nigerians should oblige him. All that we need to do is to pray for his good health and wish him well. My concern is that the federal government must prioritise health and education as the main thrust of this administration," Utazi said.

Chairman of the Resident Doctors at LUTH, Dr. Hassan Oluwafemi, also said a visit to government hospitals in most parts of the country would explain why Nigerian leaders embarked on foreign medical trips.

He said: "If you compare what you see in our hospitals with what you see in foreign hospitals when you are watching movies, you will see that there is no basis for comparison in terms of facilities, equipment and working instruments.

"In terms of experience, Nigerian doctors at home can stand firm in competition with any other doctor elsewhere but the equipment to work with is not there. The gadgets are not available because of underfunding of the health sector. Doctors have been talking about this over the years but we have not seen any change."

He said government officials know that the facilities are not there at home, adding that that is why they run to foreign hospitals to get medical attention for even the simplest ailment.

According to him, the government is aware that it has not made enough investment in the health sector.

"They know that their hospitals are in a shambles and when there is no investment, and then you can't get the right treatment because doctors don't work in a vacuum.

"The way forward, is to let them invest massively in the health sector and monitor money or fund released for investment in the sector. Nigerian masses should also put pressure on their government to invest in the sector that is the only way forward otherwise, they will keep on running to foreign hospitals to meet the same category of doctors they have at home," he added.

Immediate past President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwife (NANN), Mr. Adeniji Alani, also told THISDAY that the frequent medical trips abroad by Nigerian leaders showed that the government has failed to drive the policies that would improve the quality of healthcare and restore the confidence of the people.

Alani said the high rate of medical tourism by Nigeria's political leaders was a direct reflection of the policy failure in the country's health sector.

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He said it was also evidence of failure in the implementation of measures to improve standard of healthcare infrastructure and manpower.

Alani noted that despite all the professed interests by various administrations to improve the situation of the health sector not much has been realised in terms of infrastructure development and manpower.

For instance, he said out of the projected 800,000 nurses required to cater for the over 200 million Nigerian population, only 250,000 professionals are available.

Alani said more qualified nurses were leaving the country for greener pastures due to poor remuneration and conditions of service.

"Our policies are not coordinated; both the formulation and implementation are always lopsided. If people are going out of the country to seek medical treatment, it is a reflection of the level of efficiency in policy formulation in our health sector and how its implementation has resulted in accessible and affordable healthcare services in the country. We cannot get it right the way things are now," he said.

The WHO's recommended benchmark of national budget for the health sector in developing countries is between nine per cent and 13 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product.

However, Alani said that the country's budget for the health sector has remained six per cent and below, adding that this year's budget was a paltry four per cent.

The federal government budgeted N2.555 trillion for health from 2015 to 2021 out of a total budget of N59.660 trillion.

However, nine per cent of this total budget which was the recommendation of WHO is N5.4 trillion.
Fujitsu is proud to partner with Richardson ISD to recognize STEM achievement within our community

Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. has awarded two Fujitsu STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the Richardson Independent School District (RISD) for excellence in STEM learning.

Winners of the 2021 Fujitsu STEM Scholarships are named below:



Camille Elizabeth Kutter, Richardson High School - $5000

Zachary Katz, Richardson High School - $5000

To qualify for the Fujitsu STEM Scholarships, the winners met the following criteria, with awards based on a combination of financial need, academic performance and personal character:



Achieved a minimum GPA of 5.0

Studied four years of science, technology, engineering and/or math classes with Bs or better

Will enter a two or four-year college or university to major in a STEM field

Received two written recommendations from among students STEM teachers, counselors, and extracurricular instructors.

Wrote an essay describing their decision to choose a STEM field as their major and specify their major STEM field of study

Fujitsu is proud to partner with Richardson ISD to recognize STEM achievement within our community, said Doug Moore, president and chief executive officer at Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. We applaud this years recipients for their accomplishments in STEM, and wish them great success in the future.

On behalf of the Richardson ISD Foundation, I would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. for the generous donation of two $5,000 STEM scholarships for students of Richardson ISD. These scholarships will help two deserving seniors achieve their goals in the STEM field of study, said J. Douglas Burnside, Chair of the Richardson ISD Excellence in Education Foundation. Fujitsu has been a long-term supporter of our Foundation. Without the support of our community partners like Fujitsu, the Richardson ISD Foundation would not be able to accomplish our mission of advancing impactful opportunities to all within the District.

###

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 130,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.9 trillion yen (US$35 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com

About Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., is a trusted partner to a broad spectrum of customers across all industries, enabling them to realize the maximum value from their communications networks. We are a market-leading U.S.-based manufacturer of network equipment and a top U.S. patent holder in optical networking. Our solutions combine the best wireline, wireless, and software technology with extensive multivendor services expertise to deliver custom, end-to-end network integration and management solutions. For more information, please see http://us.Fujitsu.com/telecom, connect with us on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/Fujitsu-network-communications, and follow us on Twitter @FujitsuFNC.

Fujitsu, the Fujitsu logo, shaping tomorrow with you are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fujitsu Limited in the United States and other countries. All rights reserved. All other company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.
The first batch of CanSino Covid-19 vaccines that the Pakistani government purchased from arrived here on Tuesday night.

Earlier, the third phase trials of the CanSino vaccine had been conducted in and it is the second Chinese Covid-19 vaccine that approved for emergency use in the country, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The CanSino Biologics Inc. said that the single-dose CanSino Covid-19 vaccine is expected to facilitate the building of immunity in the Pakistani society to help the country restore the normal functioning of society and economy.

In February, Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Health Faisal Sultan said that the third phase trials of the CanSino vaccine showed that it is 74.8 per cent efficient in preventing symptomatic cases of Covid-19 in the country.

Sharing results of the trials in on social media, Sultan said that the Covid-19 vaccine proved 100 per cent efficient at preventing severe disease in Pakistan.

Sultan further said that the interim analysis by an independent data monitoring committee also said that the vaccine showed 65.7 per cent efficacy at preventing symptomatic cases and 90.98 per cent at preventing severe disease in multi-country analysis, adding that the committee did not report any serious safety concerns regarding the vaccine.

Currently, Pakistan is facing a third wave of Covid-19 and the positivity rate has seen a sharp rise, forcing the Pakistani authorities to continue tightening the anti-pandemic measures including banning public gatherings across the country.

A total of 4,084 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Pakistan during the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 663,200 out of which 14,356 died and 600,278 recovered, according to the data released by the country's health ministry on Tuesday.

--IANS

int/rs

(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.)
Jose Cruz Noguez, 47, of Mexicali, Mexico, was arrested while crossing into the United States at the Calexico Port of Entry and received two different smuggling related charges in federal court on Tuesday

A Mexican man has been charged with human smuggling after he allegedly masterminded an illegal border crossing operation that resulted in the deaths of 13 migrants.

Jose Cruz Noguez, 47, was arrested Tuesday - four weeks after the migrants were killed in a fiery crash that occurred in Holtville, California on March 2.

Cruz is accused of cramming 44 migrants from Mexico and Guatemala into two separate SUVs which were subsequently driven through a 10-foot breach in a fence at the US Southern borde.

Nineteen migrants were allegedly packed into a GMC Yukon, while another 25 migrants were stuffed into a Ford Explorer SUV.

Both vehicles illegally entered the United States through the gap in the border fence shortly before dawn.

But, just minutes later, the Ford Explorer collided with a tractor-trailer on a Californian highway, killing 13 of the migrants who were crammed into the car.

Cruz has now been charged with bringing undocumented individuals into the country for financial gain, as well as conspiracy to bring Mexican and Guatemalan nationals to the US outside of a port of entry.

The people smugglers who ferry immigrants across the US border are known colloquially as 'coyotes'.

Cruz allegedly coordinated the March 2 operation that led to accident near Holtville which killed 13 Mexican and Guatemalan nationals

Besides the SUV that wrecked, another had also been involved in the March 2 smuggling operation. Pictured: Officials respond to the scene where the SUV smashed into a truck

Cruz reportedly resides in Mexicali, Mexico, but is a legal resident of the United States.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said: 'These smuggling networks seek maximum profit by moving as many people as possible across the border with zero regard for their safety and well-being.

'Cramming dozens of people into eight-passenger vehicles and driving recklessly to avoid detection shows an utter disregard for human life.'

Cruz was identified as the operation's mastermind when another suspected smuggler, who claimed to be his associate, snitched on him, prosecutors said.

The unnamed colleague was arrested on March 15 at the Campo Border Patrol Station for an unrelated smuggling incident.

Two weeks before the voyage, Cruz allegedly offered his smuggling associate $1,000 for each passenger he brought into the US.

Cruz also allegedly told the associate that he would oversee the smuggling event and would arrange for the vehicles that crossed to go to a Holtville stash house.

The scene of a collision between a sport utility vehicle and a tractor-trailer truck is seen near Holtville, California on March 2

Cruz had allegedly offered his associate $1,000 per passenger two weeks before the voyage but he declined

The alleged associate then participated in a secretly recorded conversation with Cruz during which he allegedly confirmed his involvement in the March 2 operation

The site of the crash is in southeastern California, about 10 miles east of El Centro and about 10 miles north of the Mexican border

The alleged associate then participated in a secretly recorded conversation with Cruz for US authorities, during which he allegedly confirmed his involvement in the March 2 operation.

Cruz was arrested on Monday while arriving at the US border through a legal port of entry.

Besides the 13 who died, several others were injured in the accident and prosecutors alleged that all but the driver and front passenger seats inside the Ford Explorer SUV had been removed, 'presumably to fit that large number of people.'

A spokesman for the California Highway Patrol said that the driver of the tractor trailer suffered moderate injuries and was also hospitalized

Cruz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted on the charges.
113 container ships transit Suez Canal after Ever Given re-floated

Xinhua) 11:15, March 31, 2021

Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows a ship sailing on the Suez Canal, Egypt. At least 113 container ships have passed through the Suez Canal that was blocked by a massive cargo container, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Osama Rabie said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, March 30 (Xinhua) -- At least 113 container ships have passed through the Suez Canal that was blocked by a massive cargo container, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Osama Rabie said on Tuesday.

Rabie said in a televised press conference that "113 out of the 422 ships that have crowded the canal since March 23 have crossed the international busiest navigation course."

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said that "the incident of the Ever Given blocking the Suez Canal has reaffirmed the importance of the canal."

"The crisis was big," the president said during his visit to the Maritime Training and Simulation Centre of the Suez Canal Authority in Ismailia, adding that the problem was "solved without losses in the lives or the ship."

He urged the government to buy more dredges and tug boats to improve the capabilities of the SCA in light of the flow of massive containers into the canal.

He thanked the SCA workers and all the Egyptians who contributed technically and practically to ending the crisis.

On Monday, the SCA announced the stranded giant vessel was successfully refloated in the canal. The ship sailed toward The Bitter Lakes for inspection.

Navigation through the canal was officially resumed on Monday.

Rabie said daily losses of the canal due to the six-day blockage caused by the Ever Given ship is estimated at 12-15 million U.S. dollars.

He said a personal error or a technical error is likely to have caused the ship to run aground beside the strong dust and wind.

He added that all the rescue equipment were belonging to the SCA except for two giant tugboats, one from the Netherlands and the other from Italy.

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.

(Web editor: Wen Ying, Liang Jun)
A U.S. district judge has sanctioned a Houston civil rights lawyer who filed multiple new lawsuits in a Baytown police brutality case in what he deemed an intentional effort to circumvent his courtroom.

The decision came less than a week after Judge Lynn N. Hughes, a jurist with a history of belittling women from his bench, grilled attorney U.A. Lewis about her handling of related lawsuits in the case. Lewis is representing Kedric Crawford, a man who said he was stunned and punched by officers searching his car in July 2019, leaving him hospitalized.

In a scathing order outlining the sanction, Hughes said Lewis displayed a willful misconstruction of federal rules despite her statements to the contrary.

As Lewis actions have made clear, she has attempted to avoid this courts jurisdiction through collateral lawsuits and judge-shopping  while also harassing the defendants, causing delays and increasing the costs of litigation  and will be sanctioned, he said in the March 16 order.

Lewis denied any intentional wrongdoing, chalking up the extra lawsuits to handling a complicated case.

Lewis filed the original lawsuit in June 2020, and on Feb. 26, she filed new litigation against two parties related to the case before Hughes, all arising from the same facts in the existing case, the judge said.

Two days later, Lewis filed notices to voluntarily dismiss two parties from the case in Hughes court, records show. The judge said he learned of the new cases after the fact.

The attorney contended that she filed one of the subsequent lawsuits to correct an error regarding a defendant who was left off the original case, and she said she assumed all the cases would be rejoined in Hughes court.

But then she said she decided to dismiss the case in front of Hughes with the plan to regroup, start fresh and refile at a later date, all because the initial lawsuit was getting too complicated with new information coming to light.

It wasnt an effort for me to circumvent your jurisdiction in filing that lawsuit, she said. I have made a lot of errors along the way.  I am guilty of being overworked, and nothing nefarious is going on here with my filings.

Hughes interpreted the situation differently.

This court is unconvinced, he wrote. If Lewis true intention was to regroup, it is clear she would have dismissed the pending case first and then refiled with all claims and parties. That is not what she did here.

Hughes said Lewis was at least required to notify him of related cases being filed. He added that she behaved similarly once before in another case in his court, and he called the content of her lawsuits unbusinesslike.

The lawsuits in question were so similar that they were mostly copied verbatim, with the same grammatical errors and extraneous puffery this court had already disapproved, Hughes said in the order.

In one suit, Crawfords name was spelled incorrectly, which stopped the clerks office from being able to match the cases. This further showed an intent for Lewis to remove herself from Hughes jurisdiction, he said.

On Jan. 29, Lewis expressed frustrations with how the court was handling the case, adding that Hughes orders were burdensome and the court was unfair, Hughes said.

Hughes directed Lewis to pay attorneys fees and costs associated with the extra lawsuits and to complete 10 credit hours of continuing legal education on federal rules and civil procedure.

Sanctions could have gone up to a $50,000 fine or 150 days of incarceration.

Lewis on Tuesday said she plans to file a motion for Hughes to reconsider the sanctions, which would be a stain on her record.

I dont mind the classes, but its just the fact that now I have to report that Ive been sanctioned, she said.

Hughes has drawn attention for various remarks and rulings, and in late January, he was pulled from a sex discrimination case after an appellate panel said he suffocated a female plaintiffs access to fundamental fairness.

In other newsmaking moments, the judge once issued a rare order of ineptitude to a terrorism prosecutor from Washington, D.C., who showed up to his courtroom in a track suit. In 2013, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals criticized Hughes for dismissing comments allegedly made by a Fort Bend Independent School District official that if Barack Obama were to be elected president, the Statue of Liberty would have its torch replaced by a piece of fried chicken.

The 5th Circuit admonished Hughes in 2018 after remarks to a female prosecutor about women that the court found demeaning, inappropriate and beneath the dignity of a federal judge.

Hughes, 79, is a Houston native who has served since his appointment in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
President Abdel Fatah El Sisi on Tuesday inspected the Suez Canal Authority's Maritime Training and Simulation Center.

During the visit, Sisi was briefed on the sections of the center and the latest training programs of new canal pilots on the safe handling of ships in different navigational situations.

The president also was notified on the operation of e-maps simulator which is designed to provide data to all passing ships. The new simulator will be inaugurated within two months.

Established in 1996, the Maritime Simulator was established with the objective of adopted the most advanced training methods at the time and was one of the most highly specialized centers in the Middle East.

Starting from 2012, as maritime simulation technologies evolve, Suez Canal Authority expanded the training capabilities of the Maritime Training and Simulation Center to form a Simulation Complex containing: DNV Class A Full Mission Bridge Simulator with 360 field of view, Two Class B Tug Bridge Simulator with 120 field of view, ECDIS Simulator, GMDSS Simulator and an

Oil Spill Response Simulator.
MADRID - Some regions of Spain have opposed legislation that came into effect on Wednesday making facemasks mandatory outdoors even when interpersonal distance is over 1.5 meters, for example at the beach, Spanish media report.



Juridical experts of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, for example, believe that the new law does not prevail over a regional decree that exonerates from this obligation people who go to the beach only with cohabitees or on their own, according to the regional health councilor, Patricia Gomez. The Valencia community instead suggested not to make masks mandatory for those sunbathing or swimming, the Efe news agency reports.



The health ministry and regions will carry out a "technical" revision of the new law, Health Minister Carolina Darias confirmed.
Prayut joins calls for pandemic pact

THAILAND: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has joined over 20 world leaders in calling for a new treaty to help the world prepare for future pandemics.

healthSafetyVaccine

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 31 March 2021, 10:16AM

Photo: Bangkok Post.

He yesterday (Mar 30) undersigned an article sent to and published in several media outlets previously signed by Frances Emmanuel Macron, Britains Boris Johnson and Germanys Angela Merkel as well as World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The piece calls for greater international co-operation and says countries should avoid isolationism and nationalism.

The article said that world leaders who undersigned it are committed to ensuring universal and equitable access to safe, efficacious and affordable vaccines, medicine and diagnostics for this and future pandemics. Immunisation is a global public good and we will need to be able to develop, manufacture and deploy vaccines as quickly as possible.

The main goal of this treaty would be to foster an all-of-government and all-of-society approach, strengthening national, regional and global capacities and resilience to future pandemics. This includes greatly enhancing international cooperation to improve, for example, alert systems, data-sharing, research, and local, regional and global production and distribution of medical and public health counter measures, such as vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and personal protective equipment, it said.

Meanwhile in Thailand, the second batch of 800,000 doses manufactured by Chinas Sinovac has been approved by the Public Health Ministrys Department of Medical Sciences and is ready for distribution.

Dr Supakij Sirilak, the departments director-general, said the second lot of Sinovacs CoronaVac vaccine has cleared the inspection process which looked into the vaccines quality, manufacturing and delivery protocols, among other criteria. The batch arrived in Thailand on March 20.

The department today [March 30] has issued certificates for the second batch totalling 800,000 doses which can now be distributed to the public, he said.

The government plans to distribute 800,000 doses of Sinovacs vaccine in 22 provinces across the country next month. The first group includes Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Tak, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi, while the second and third include tourist and border provinces.
CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Eagle Plains Resources (TSXV:EPL) has been notified by option partner Rockridge Resources Ltd. (ROCK) (RRRLF) (RR0) ("Rockridge") that it has expanded the drill program underway at the Knife Lake Project located in Saskatchewan, Canada (the "Knife Lake Project" or "Property"). The 1,600 metre program (6 to 8 drill holes) has been expanded to 2,100 metres (10-12 drill holes) and is fully funded by Rockridge. Drilling follows an extensive airborne geophysical program completed recently by Rockridge (see news release March 11, 2021).

The first eight holes of the program have been completed at the Gilbert Lake North and South target areas which are approx. 5 to 6 km to the west of the Knife Lake deposit. These targets were previously undrilled and drilling has intersected visual indications of VMS-style mineralization, including semi-massive to massive sulphides hosted in intermediate-mafic volcanic rocks and pegmatites. Early interpretations indicate it is the same stratigraphic horizon as the Knife Lake deposit. Based on encouraging observations in the initial holes, the program has been expanded and the focus of drilling will remain at Gilbert Lake with minor infill drilling planned in the immediate area of the 2019 maiden resource. Assay results for all holes are pending.

Rockridge holds the exclusive option from Eagle Plains to acquire a 100% interest in the Property that covers the Knife Lake Cu-Zn-Ag-Co VMS deposit (details following). The contiguous claims total 32,663 hectares and are located approximately 50 km northwest of Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan. A 357kV powerline runs within 16 km of the Knife Lake Deposit area.

Knife Lake VMS Project Location Map

https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/Knife-Lake-regional-overview-2021.jpg

Highlights:

Expanded drill program from 1600 metres (6 to 8 drill holes) to 2100 metres (10 to 12 drill holes) in this fully funded program

Drilling will focus on discovering VMS style copper deposits along newly defined conductors as well as at depth, underneath the Knife Lake VMS deposit

Gilbert Lake North and South targets, where very little historical exploration has been carried out, have begun to be tested with encouraging mineralization intersected in the first few holes

Infill drilling is also planned in the immediate area of the 2019 maiden resource at the Knife Lake deposit

Rockridge completed the first work program in the last ~20 years in 2019, with highlight results including 2.03% Cu, 9.88 g/t Ag, 0.19 g/t Au, 0.36% Zn, and 0.01% Co (2.42% CuEq) over 37.6m beginning at 11.2m in hole KF19003

Deposit is thought to be a remobilized portion of a "primary" VMS deposit; most of the historical work has consisted of shallow drilling at the deposit area with little regional work carried out and limited deeper drilling below the deposit

Over 300 holes provided data for first NI 43-101 resource estimate of the shallow Knife Lake deposit

Knife Lake NI 43-101 resource estimate provides excellent anchor for Project: Ind. resources: 3.8 MT at 1.02% Cu Eq. Or 3.8 MT at 0.83% Cu, 3.7 g/t Ag, 0.097 g/t Au, 82 ppm Co,1740.7 ppm Zn. Inf. resources: 7.9 MT at 0.67% Cu Eq. Or 7.9 MT at 0.53% Cu, 2.4 g/t Ag, 0.084 g/t Au, 53.1 ppm Co, 1454.9 ppm Zn

There is strong discovery potential in and around the deposit as well as at regional targets on the Property; modern exploration techniques and methods are being utilized with a goal of making new discoveries

Knife Lake Geology and History

The Knife Lake Project is interpreted to be a remobilized VMS deposit. The stratabound mineralized zone is approximately 15m thick and contains copper, silver, zinc, gold and cobalt mineralization which dips 30 to 50 eastward over a known strike-length within Rockridge's claim area of 3,700 metres, and a known average down-dip extension of approximately 300 metres.

Knife Lake Deposit Map

https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/projects/KnifeLake-Fig2.jpg

The deposit is hosted by felsic to intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks which have been metamorphosed to upper amphibolite facies. The deposit contains VMS mineralogy which has been significantly modified and partially remobilized during the emplacement of granitic rocks. The mineralization straddles the boundary between two rock units and occurs on both limbs of an interpreted overturned fold.

Rockridge completed twelve holes consisting of 1,053 metres of diamond drilling in the 2019 winter drilling program. This represented the first drilling on the property since 2001 and had two primary objectives: confirm the tenor of mineralization reported by previous operators and expand known zones of mineralization. Highlights from the drill program included previously reported hole KF19003 which intersected net-textured to semi-massive sulphide mineralization from 11.2m to 48.8m downhole. This 37.6 metre interval returned 2.03% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 9.88 g/t Ag, 0.36% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 2.42% CuEq. Additionally, previously reported drill hole KF19001 intersected net-textured to fracture-controlled sulphide mineralization from 7.5 metres to 40.6 metres downhole. This 33.1 metre interval returned 1.28% Cu, 0.12 g/t Au, 4.80 g/t Ag, 0.13% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 1.49% CuEq.

Knife Lake Plan Map and Drill Collar Locations

https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/DDH-Expand-NR_20210329.jpg

The Knife Lake deposit is a near surface VMS deposit starting a few metres below surface and the deposit remains open at depth and along strike for potential resource expansion. Rockridge announced a maiden NI 43-101 resource estimate for the Knife Lake deposit (see ROCK news release dated August 14th, 2019) which consisted of an indicated resource of 3.8 million tonnes at 1.02% CuEq at a 0.4% CuEq cut-off (3.8 MT at 0.83% Cu, 3.7 gpt Ag, 0.097 gpt Au, 82 ppm Co, 1740.7 ppm Zn). In addition, there is an inferred resource of 7.9 million tonnes at 0.67% CuEq at a 0.4% CuEq cut-off (7.9 MT at 0.53% Cu, 2.4 gpt Ag, 0.084 gpt Au, 53.1 ppm Co, 1454.9 ppm Zn). Refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Knife Lake Property, Saskatchewan dated September 27, 2019 filed on Sedar.

March, 2021 Airborne Geophysical Program

Crews have recently completed an airborne electromagnetic (EM) and horizontal magnetic gradiometer geophysical survey at the Knife Lake Project using Geotech Ltd.'s VTEMTM Plus system. The survey was strategically located over the Scimitar and Gilbert Lake targets to investigate over 30 linear kilometers of prospective VMS stratigraphy which hosts the Knife Lake copper deposit.

Priority Target Areas

https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/Knife-Lake-Airborne-EM-Feb2021.jpg

Geophysical Results

http://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/Airborne-EM-results-03-10-2021.jpg

Current Knife Lake Drill Program

Drilling activity is underway to complete a minimum of 2,100 metres (6890') diamond drill program consisting of 10-12 holes. Drilling will focus on discovering VMS style copper deposits along newly defined conductors in the region and potentially beneath the Knife Lake deposit. Infill drilling is also planned in the immediate area of the 2019 maiden resource. Downhole geophysics, borehole electromagnetics (BHEM), will be utilized extensively throughout the program. Project management has been contracted to TerraLogic Exploration Services of Cranbrook, BC.

Knife Lake Option Agreement Details

To earn a 100% interest in the Knife Lake Project, Rockridge has agreed to make a cash payment to Eagle Plains of $150,000 (complete), issue up to 5,550,000 common shares of Rockridge (2,750,000 shares issued to date) and complete $3,250,000 in exploration expenditures ($1,195,000 to date) over four years. Eagle Plains will retain a 2% net smelter royalty ("NSR") on certain claims which comprise the project area. Under the terms of the agreement Rockridge is designated as the Operator of the project.

Qualified Persons

Kerry Bates, P. Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and a Geologist employed by TerraLogic Exploration Inc., has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release relating the Knife Lake Project

About Eagle Plains Resources

Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team. Eagle Plains also holds significant royalty interests in western Canadian projects covering a broad spectrum of commodities. Management's focus is to advance its most promising exploration projects. In addition, Eagle Plains continues to seek out and secure high-quality, unencumbered projects through research, staking and strategic acquisitions. Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices.

Expenditures from 2011-2020 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $22M, most of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 37,000 m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim J. Termuende"

President and CEO

For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673)

Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at http://www.eagleplains.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638290/Eagle-Plains-Partner-Rockridge-Resources-Expands-Drilling-Program-at-Knife-Lake-Copper-Project-Saskatchewan
With weeks left before the end of the school year, academic leaders in Fort Worth and nationwide are considering ways to use the summer months to help students who fell behind make up the ground they lost.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price has proposed one idea: lengthen the school year and use the extra time to help struggling students catch up.

But some teachers and parents question how useful an extended school year would be. And with classes already scheduled to continue into June, more classroom time could be a tough sell to teachers and students who are ready to be done with a difficult year.

Just to say that, in a year when everyones already exhausted, lets go a few more weeks, might be tough, said Stephen Waddell, a visiting professor in the University of North Texas College of Education.

Fort Worth school leaders plan tailored recovery

During her final State of the City address in February, Price said school districts should extend their calendars to help students recover from the academic effects of the pandemic, even if it meant keeping students and teachers in classrooms well into the summer.

Fort Worth school officials havent announced a plan to address pandemic learning loss. But in a statement, district officials said Superintendent Kent Scribner agreed with Prices proposal and had been working toward lengthening the school day and extending the school calendar. District officials have said they plan to work with teachers to tailor recovery efforts to individual students needs rather than a one-size-fits-all program.

We know that our students who are in greatest need benefit most when they receive high quality instruction from our best teachers, the district said.

The Fort Worth school district is scheduled to wrap up its school year weeks later than usual because of the districts delayed start date. The districts last day of school is scheduled for June 18.

Balanced calendar offers possible solution

Waddell said theres no question that schools need to find ways to help students who have fallen behind. But Waddell, a former superintendent of the Lewisville school district, said school leaders need to consider whether theyd be able to make up enough ground during an extended semester to make it worthwhile. He has his doubts.

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I dont think just doing an at-large summer school, the way summer schools are usually done, is the answer, he said.

Even if the district doesnt extend the school calendar, teachers and students will be exhausted by the time the school year ends in June, Waddell said. As concerned as parents may be about their kids losing ground academically, many wont want them in school for three or four extra weeks, he said, and parents of virtual students may not be willing or able to help them through a few extra weeks of online classes at the end of the year. Extending the year could affect teacher and student morale and undo some of the good the district is trying to do, he said.

An alternative solution could be to start school earlier in the fall and move the district from the traditional school calendar to a continuous learning calendar, Waddell said. Also known as a balanced calendar, the model includes shorter summer breaks offset by longer breaks during the year. Supporters say a shorter summer break leaves less time for summer learning loss. And Waddell said the district could use breaks for targeted tutoring and other programs to help low-performing students catch up.

Waddell saw how continuous learning calendars worked while he served as the superintendent of the Tuloso-Midway school district in Corpus Christi. Teachers and students werent as burned out at the end of the school year, and there were fewer discipline problems, he said. Theres often some pushback when districts try the model, but it eases over time, he said.

Ive found that once people get used to that, they really like it, Waddell said.

District leaders should also consider how important it is that students make up the ground theyve lost as soon as possible, Waddell said. For younger students, it might make more sense to think about academic recovery as a developmental process that lasts two to three years rather than something that should be accomplished all at once, he said.

Whatever solution the district comes up with, officials would do well to talk to teachers and staff before making a decision, he said. Administrators could offer two or three options and allow faculty and staff to vote, he said. By giving district employees a say in the matter, officials could get greater buy-in for whatever plan they eventually pick, he said.

Extending school year dumb idea, says Fort Worth teacher

Some Fort Worth teachers are already registering their displeasure with the idea of extending the school year.

That is a dumb idea, said Ale Checka, a seventh grade English teacher at Applied Learning Academy.

Adding two or three weeks to the school year could work as a supplement to what happens during the rest of the year, Checka said. But it doesnt do anything to help students who have barely participated in school since the beginning of the pandemic, she said. Those students are the ones at greatest risk of long-term damage, she said, and two or three extra weeks isnt enough time to make up the ground theyve lost.

The idea of extending the school year comes out of a basic misunderstanding of how schools and learning work, Checka said. Policymakers want fast and cheap solutions for education, she said. The problem, she said, is that those solutions dont work very well.

Students learn best when they learn slowly, Checka said. Exposing students to skills and concepts repeatedly over long periods of time may not look like the most efficient option, she said, but its the best way to help students master those skills and concepts. Checka compared it to a parent trying to help a toddler put on shoes before leaving home. It would be much would and more efficient for the parent to scoop up the toddler, put the shoes on and walk out the door. But the toddler will never learn to put on shoes that way, she said.

A better option would have been to suspend exams that arent mandated by state or federal law, Checka said. Those tests took away valuable, productive class time, she said. Suspending them and giving teachers more time to teach would have been a better option than tacking more time onto the end of the school year, she said.

Im not getting the month back that they already took from me, she said. That time is gone. That is a book that I could have read with students.

There are also practical issues around making sure teachers are available to teach extra days. Teachers contracts are based on a defined number of days. If district officials wanted to extend the school year, they would need to modify contracts for every teacher between now and mid-June. Checka doubts thats feasible.

Checka said she thinks some of the concerns about students falling behind are overblown. The pandemic has affected students in nearly every country in the world, she said. In the United States, students who were in school during COVID-19 will compete for college admissions and jobs against other students who were also affected by the pandemic, she said, so many of those effects will even out. Many of her students will finish seventh grade behind where students in previous years were, she said. But if policymakers are worried about that trend, she thinks they should get out of teachers way and let them do their jobs.

This year has been emotionally difficult for every student, she said. Some students have lost parents to COVID-19. Many more have lost grandparents. Adding days to the calendar wouldnt do anything to fix those challenges, she said. It also wouldnt account for the fact that the pandemic has affected students in drastically different ways, she said. Those students who have barely participated will need intensive, targeted help that will take more than two or three weeks to deliver, she said. Other students may not need any interventions at all, she said.

There are plenty of kids who need a summer break way, way, way more than they need more class time, Checka said.

Federal dollars could support recovery plan

School districts efforts to recover from the pandemic could get a boost from a new round of federal stimulus spending. The American Rescue Plan, which President Joe Biden signed into law on March 11, provides nearly $130 billion to school districts nationwide. The Fort Worth school district can expect to receive about $283 million, according to estimates from the education advocacy nonprofit Raise Your Hand Texas.

Districts are required to spend at least 20% of the money they receive on evidence-based interventions to address learning loss. The law mentions extended school year programs, along with summer learning, extended school days and after-school programs as possible options. A growing number of researchers point to another option  frequent, intensive, small-group tutoring programs  as a more effective way to help students make up the ground theyve lost.

But in order for stimulus dollars to support students, they first must make their way to local school districts. State lawmakers withheld previous rounds of stimulus money intended for schools to offset anticipated budget cuts. The current stimulus package includes a provision requiring states to maintain support for K-12 and higher education as a condition of receiving education funding. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona may grant waivers to that requirement.

Bob Popinski, director of policy for Raise Your Hand Texas, said the group is calling on lawmakers to move money from the stimulus package along to local school districts. He said he was fairly optimistic that at least some portion of that money would make it to school districts.

This was meant for public education, Popinski said. It should flow to public education.

Parents question extended school year

Corey Bearden has a son at Paschal High School and a daughter at McLean Middle School. They are back at school in person. This year has been challenging for them, he said, but their grades are good. He doesnt think it makes sense to extend the school year for every student, whether they have ground to make up or not.

I think its a horrible idea, to be honest, Bearden said. Weve already extended the school year to the middle of June.

Bearden said he recognizes that there are students who need extra help this year. As COVID-19 case counts continue to decline and more people receive the vaccine, hed prefer to see the district get struggling students back into the classroom.

Lizzie Maldonados 7-year-old son is in Teaching to Academic Potential, a special program for autistic students in the Fort Worth school district. Maldonados son is nonverbal, and remote learning has been a challenge, Maldonado said. When hes at school in person, his teacher doesnt expect him to be able to sit still and focus on a single thing for long periods  something thats difficult for most children, and even more so for autistic children, Maldonado said. But his remote classes mostly consist of his teacher and other students talking back and forth to each other through Google Classroom. That format, combined with anything else that might be going on at home, make it hard for him to stay engaged, she said.

Despite those challenges, Maldonado and her husband decided to keep their son at home through the end of the year. The sensory issues that often come with autism make it difficult for him to keep a mask on, she said. She also wants to wait until a larger percentage of people, including most teachers, are fully vaccinated before sending him back to school in person.

But Maldonado said she doesnt think the district should extend the school year into the summer. District leaders need to understand how the trauma students experienced over the past year has affected their mental health, she said. She thinks extending the school year would only add more pressure to what has already been a stressful year. She thinks its unreasonable to hold students to normal academic standards at a time when everyone  both children and adults  is dealing with a global catastrophe.

The whole planet is experiencing a crisis at the same time, Maldonado said. Its a collective crisis.
WHO Report: COVID likely First Jumped into Humans from Animals

A joint World Health Organization-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is extremely unlikely, according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.

The findings offer little new insight into how the virus first emerged and leave many questions unanswered. But the report does provide more detail on the reasoning behind the researchers conclusions.

The team proposed further research in every area except the lab leak hypothesis  a speculative theory that was promoted by former U.S. President Donald Trump among others. It also said the role played by a seafood market where human cases were first identified was uncertain.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert, said he would like to see the reports raw information first before deciding about its credibility.

Id also would like to inquire as to the extent in which the people who were on that group had access directly to the data that they would need to make a determination, he said. I want to read the report first and then get a feel for what they really had access to  or did not have access to.

The report, which is expected to be made public Tuesday, is being closely watched since discovering the origins of the virus could help scientists prevent future pandemics  but its also extremely sensitive since China bristles at any suggestion that it is to blame for the current one.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said experts from seven different U.S. government organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Health and the Department of Homeland Security had the report in hand.

Seventeen experts, longstanding leaders from the field, including epidemiology, public health, clinical medicine, veterinary medicine, infectious disease, law, food security, biosafety, biosecurity  we have a lot of experts in government  will be reviewing this report intensively and quickly, she said at a daily briefing.

Matthew Kavanagh of Georgetown University said the report deepened the understanding of the viruss origins, but more information was needed.

It is clear that that the Chinese government has not provided all the data needed and, until they do, firmer conclusions will be difficult, he said in a statement.

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Last year, an AP investigation found the Chinese government was strictly controlling all research into its origins. And repeated delays in the reports release have raised questions about whether the Chinese side was trying to skew its conclusions.

Weve got real concerns about the methodology and the process that went into that report, including the fact that the government in Beijing apparently helped to write it, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a recent CNN interview.

China rejected that criticism Monday.

The U.S. has been speaking out on the report. By doing this, isnt the U.S. trying to exert political pressure on the members of the WHO expert group? asked Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

Still, suspicion of China has helped fuel the theory that the virus escaped from a lab in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the virus was first identified. The report cited several reasons for all but dismissing that possibility.

It said that such laboratory accidents are rare, that the labs in Wuhan were well-managed and there is no record of viruses closely related to the coronavirus in any laboratory before December 2019.

The report is based largely on a visit by a WHO team of international experts to Wuhan. The mission was never meant to identify the exact natural source of the virus, an endeavor that typically takes years. For instance, more than 40 years of study has still failed to pinpoint the exact species of bat that are the natural reservoir of Ebola.

In the draft obtained by the AP, the researchers listed four scenarios in order of likelihood for the emergence of the new coronavirus. Topping the list was transmission from bats through another animal, which they said was likely to very likely. They evaluated direct spread from bats to humans as likely, and said that spread to humans from the packaging of cold-chain food products was possible but not likely.

That last possibility was previously dismissed by the WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but researchers on this mission have taken it up again, further raising questions about the politicization of the study since China has long pushed the theory.

While its possible an infected animal contaminated packaging that was then brought to Wuhan and infected humans, the report said the probability is very low.

Mark Woolhouse, an epidemiologist at the University of Edinburgh, said even that very low probability was an overstatement. Theres no compelling evidence of people actually being infected through packaging, he said, calling the theory far-fetched.

Woolhouse said it was possible the source of COVID-19 might never be identified.

The emergence of a new (disease) is always a sequence of unlikely events, he said. Its hard to be definitive and rule anything out. But he said most scientists agree that bats are the most likely source.

Bats are known to carry coronaviruses and, in fact, the closest relative of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in bats.

The report said highly similar viruses have been found in pangolins, a scaly anteater prized in traditional Chinese medicine, but scientists have yet to identify the same coronavirus in animals that has been infecting humans.

The AP received the draft copy on Monday from a Geneva-based diplomat from a WHO-member country. It wasnt clear whether the report might still be changed prior to release, though the diplomat said it was the final version. A second diplomat confirmed getting the report too. Both refused to be identified because they were not authorized to release it ahead of publication.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged he had received the report over the weekend and said it would be formally presented Tuesday.

All hypotheses are on the table and warrant complete and further studies, he said at a news conference.

The report is inconclusive on whether the outbreak started at a Wuhan seafood market that had one of the earliest clusters of human cases in December 2019. Research published last year in the journal Lancet suggested the market may have merely served to further spread the disease rather than being its source.

The market was an early suspect because some stalls sold a range of unusual animals  and some wondered if they had brought the new virus to Wuhan. The report noted that animal products  including everything from bamboo rats to deer, often frozen  were sold at the market, as were live crocodiles.
Being a new virus, Covid-19 has evoked a great deal of uncertainty around which treatments will be beneficial to patients. Medical practitioners also worry about the medicolegal implications of clinical decisions they take in the face of rapidly evolving clinical knowledge and shifting regulations.

Legal considerations

The relevant Sahpra application form has been completed and submitted. As part of this process, the doctor must also agree to provide feedback to Sahpra on any adverse events encountered by any patient during treatment.

The source of ivermectin product to be used meets appropriate quality assurance standards. This includes that the product must have been supplied by a duly authorised importer that is compliant with the set requirements for authorisation, and where the product has a product validation report, a certificate of analysis, and outcomes of post-importation testing.

When access is required on an urgent basis, Sahpra guidelines make provision for treatment to be initiated at the same time as an application for use for an individual patient. There is also a court order to this effect. There is no need to await approval by Sahpra in these instances.

Licensed healthcare facilities or medical practitioners with a dispensing licence, may apply for authorisation to hold emergency stock of an ivermectin product obtained from an authorised importer, to ensure availability of certified products when prescribed.

Where ivermectin is prescribed as part of Sahpra's compassionate use programme, the prescriber must ensure that the patient, or legal representative, has provided signed informed consent to the use of the drug.

Clinical considerations

One of the drugs causing a dilemma for practitioners is ivermectin  the anti-parasitic drug that has been punted in the media for its abilities to suppress coronavirus infections and its complications.Other than still undergoing clinical trials to understand potential benefits and risks at various doses, there are concerns about the availability of illegal products that are by-passing standard regulatory processes aimed at preventing distribution of sub-standard medications, says Dr Bettina Taylor, head of clinical risk management at EthiQal. The rapid clinical deterioration of some patients who have contracted Covid-19, doctors may nevertheless feel compelled to provide the medication, especially if pressurised by patients or their loved ones, she says.Given that no ivermectin formulations for human use are registered in South Africa, the drug can only be administered legally in South Africa, if authorised on a named patient basis by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra), which is enabled to do so by Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act (Act no. 1010 of 1965). According to Sahpra , license to use ivermectin will only be granted if the following requirements are met:Unless a product is obtained from an authorised source that complies with Sahpra standards, its quality is unknown. A recent study that analysed seven ivermectin formulations being sold in South Africa for human use, demonstrated that four of five formulations tested had at least one additional undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), while another product had seven.These active ingredients ranged from non-steroidal anti-inflammatories to anti-depressants, and from anti-platelet to antiemetic drugs amongst others. Other than not knowing the quantity of ivermectin in any product purchased illegally, there are safety concerns with regards to these unknown additional ingredients that can cause unexpected allergic reactions, drug interactions and side-effects specific to any undeclared ingredient.Various local and international authorities like Sahpra, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency have highlighted that the benefit risk ratio of ivermectin in Covid-19 patients remains unknown. Based on published studies, no recommendations in terms of whether treatment works and adverse events justify any potential benefit, can be made.Given clinical equipoise with regards to use of ivermectin in Covid-19, patients for whom treatment is considered should, wherever possible, be enrolled in relevant therapeutic trials.Taking the above into consideration, the policyholder was advised that, unless ivermectin is attained via an acceptable source, and in accordance with the Section 21 processes, their actions would be deemed unlawful and unethical according to the Health Professions Council of South Africa's ethical and professional rules.Merely accepting the fact that the family is in possession of ivermectin, without anything else, could have onerous unintended effects for the doctor, including being charged for unprofessional conduct by the HPCSA, tried criminally or being civilly pursued, says Dr Hlombe Makuluma, EthiQals medicolegal advisor.The doctor could also lose his admission privileges at the hospital where he or she works, should the hospital become aware that they had unlawfully administered ivermectin to the patient, and breached hospital protocols in the process by not obtaining the drug through the hospital's pharmaceutical channels. The patient should be enrolled in a clinical trial if possible, says Makuluma.Ivermectin has traditionally been used for river blindness and intestinal strongyloidiasis in humans in other parts of the world. It has also shown in vitro activity against SARS-Cov-2 and early signs of potential clinical benefit in patients infected with Covid-19. However, in South Africa only formulations for animal consumption are currently registered.
A bill that would allow medical marijuana in Alabama was expected to face a key test today in the House Judiciary Committee.

But Rep. Jim Hill, the committee chairman, postponed consideration of the bill until next Wednesday.

Hill, a Republican from Moody, made the announcement as the committee started its meeting this afternoon.

Hill said some lawmakers had asked for a chance to talk about possible changes to the bill with the sponsor, Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence. Hill said the one-week delay would be the best way to handle the situation.

The bill would allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana products for a wide range of symptoms and conditions. It would set up a commission that would regulate medical cannabis from the cultivation of the plants to the sales of the products at dispensaries.

The Senate passed the bill in February. Approval by the Judiciary Committee is a key step for the bills chances to become law this year.

Alabama would be the 37th state to approve medical marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - GoldMining Inc. (the "Company" or "GoldMining") (TSX: GOLD) (NYSE American: GLDG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alastair Still as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective April 1, 2021. Mr. Still has served as the Company's Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer since October 1, 2020. Mr. Still replaces Garnet Dawson who is retiring as Chief Executive Officer, but will remain a director of GoldMining and continue to advise the Company in a technical capacity.

Amir Adnani, Chairman of GoldMining, commented: "Since joining the Company in 2013, Garnet has been instrumental in the successful execution of the first phase of our growth strategy. His technical insight has been invaluable to the numerous acquisitions we successfully completed throughout his tenure. On behalf of the Company, I'd like to thank Garnet for all of his contributions. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his capacity as a director."

He continued: "I'm delighted to announce Alastair's appointment as Chief Executive Officer to lead GoldMining's second strategic phase, focused on our dual-pronged approach to daylight value from our resource base and continue to identify accretive acquisition opportunities. Before joining GoldMining, Alastair was Director of Corporate Development with Newmont and Goldcorp, and part of the senior management team that led the $32 billion merger to create the world's largest gold producer. Alastair's track record of having spent 25 years working for major gold miners in leadership roles, including in project and corporate development, brings the necessary expertise and is the right fit for GoldMining as we push forward with unlocking the intrinsic value of our projects."

Alastair Still, commented: "I am thrilled to accept this appointment and to lead GoldMining's exciting chapter of value-enhancement. Through the long-term commitment of Amir, Garnet and the GoldMining team, we have positioned ourselves with a unique portfolio of large, quality gold and copper projects throughout the Americas. I especially look forward to leading the effort as we embark on completing a combination of actions as part of our strategic plan to advance our projects, which, as previously announced, will include engineering studies, select drilling campaigns and exploring potential joint ventures and divestitures."

Mr. Still is an experienced mining industry professional with over 25 years of expertise including working for major gold miners such as Agnico Eagle, Kinross Gold, Placer Dome, Goldcorp and Newmont. He has worked within Canada and internationally in a variety of leadership roles including mine operations, project development and corporate development and strategy. Mr. Still has more than ten years of corporate development and M&A experience having most recently served as Director, Corporate Development with Newmont Corporation (formerly Goldcorp). Additionally, Mr. Still serves as Director of Technical Services of Gold Royalty Corp., which is 48% owned by GoldMining Inc.

About GoldMining Inc.

GoldMining Inc. is a public mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of gold assets in the Americas. Through its disciplined acquisition strategy, GoldMining now controls a diversified portfolio of resource-stage gold and gold-copper projects in Canada, U.S.A., Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of GoldMining with respect to its long-term strategy and projects. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the markets in which GoldMining operates. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: the impacts of COVID-19; the inability of the Company to meet expected timelines for planned project activities; the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties; fluctuating metal prices; and unanticipated costs and expenses and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future. These risks, as well as others, including those set forth in GoldMinings Annual Information Form for the year ended November 30, 2020, and other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

SOURCE GoldMining Inc.

Related Links

www.goldmining.com


[March 31, 2021] Hikvision completes major enhancements to its HikCentral Professional integrated security software

HANGZHOU, China, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikvision launched newly updated HikCentral Professional 2.0 security software ("HCP 2.0"), which blends feeds from multiple systems onto a single platform. HCP 2.0 can be configured to link video security devices, alarm and access control systems, and more, including third-party systems through the OpenAPI  for easy centralized management of a variety of security and business applications. Frank Zhang, President of Hikvision's International Product and Solution Center, said, "This is an important release for us, and a significant leap forward in our security management software offerings. HikCentral Professional 2.0 will help our customers manage a variety of activities seamlessly on one platform. We're excited to see the value it delivers." Nine key applications for numerous business needs HikCentral Professional 2.0 integrates multiple business and security systems with nine key applications, making it valuable to a wide variety of common security and business scenarios seen in buildings, factories, stores, apartments, and the like. Among them, video cameras and security alarms are integrated into the platform to deliver fluid live viewing and timely alarm notifications. Furthermore, access control can be included to assign a variety of access permissions using multiple methods including facial recognition, ID cards, fingerprints, QR codes, and more. HCP 2.0 also allows various personnel such as HR managers to set flexible attendance rules, including schedules for shift work, while delivering full reporting facilities. Additionally, site managers can also employ vehicle management and visitor management applications to streamline entrance management as well as on-site parking. Users can further rely on HCP 2.0 with intelligent analysis and reporting  an application that collects data and transorms it into easy-to-understand reports and dashboards. This includes flow status, people density and more. For systems management teams, HCP 2.0's system maintenance application visualizes alarm and device notifications, as well as the full network and device topology for rapid, targeted action in unusual events.



Last but not least, HCP 2.0 lets users deploy digital signage systems to display advertisements and announcements. The software comes with eight pre-installed templates for users to present content optimally. This can be crowd numbers and temperature status in a supermarket scenario, for example. Creating truly unified systems with enhanced security and greater operational efficiency

With HCP 2.0, users will flexibly unite applications and build a tailored system to match their security and business needs. The unified approach not only creates greater situational awareness of their security environment, it also reduces real day-to-day management resources previously required by disparate systems. For example, users can integrate visitor management with vehicle management to enhance daily operational efficiency for building facilities. Facility managers can register visitor information into the HCP 2.0 system, and  by linking to an ANPR system  can set visitors to be automatically permitted into on-site parking. Similarly, the system can also pre-authorize visitor access to specific areas of an organization's premises. Personalized user experience HikCentral Professional 2.0 can be tailored to deliver specific information to assigned users. The system comes with three pre-configured roles: "system installation and management," "security control and management," and "attendance management." In this way, HR staff can customize their feed to show employee attendance status, for example, while management staff can monitor security of the facilities. There is also one custom role, which can be tailored to specific needs. Perhaps most importantly, HikCentral Professional 2.0 features an improved user interface. Users can customize the control panel to suit their viewing preferences, simply dragging and dropping key video and device feeds into the dashboard, adjusting where they sit and how they look. Dynamic and intuitive user interface HCP 2.0 also incorporates multiple visualized dashboards that display key security and business insights generated from various applications, facilitating decision-making processes with more accuracy and efficiency. What's more, users apply 3D E-maps that vividly demonstrate device monitoring statuses in different locations, and manage instant alerts interactively by clicking and watching associated live videos and other integrated system information. Easy setup and maintenance HikCentral Professional 2.0 is easy to deploy and quick to set up for a multitude of projects with single applications. Customers with minimum system requirement of Intel i3-CPU and 8 GB RAM can get up and running with a one-click installation procedure that makes HCP 2.0 setup a breeze. Operations guidance wizards are conspicuously displayed to support users in configuring key applications. In addition, the visualized health monitoring dashboards enable more focused and efficient IT maintenance. To learn more click here. About Hikvision Hikvision is an IoT solution provider with video as its core competency. Featuring an extensive and highly skilled R&D workforce, Hikvision manufactures a full suite of comprehensive products and solutions for a broad range of vertical markets. In addition to the security industry, Hikvision extends its reach to smart home tech, industrial automation, and automotive electronics industries to achieve its long-term vision. Hikvision products also provide powerful business intelligence for end users, which can enable more efficient operations and greater commercial success. Committed to the utmost quality and safety of its products, Hikvision encourages partners to take advantage of the many cybersecurity resources Hikvision offers, including the Hikvision Cybersecurity Centre. Please visit www.hikvision.com. SOURCE Hikvision

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The Prime Minister says that Corpus Christi, also known as the "Day of Wreaths", is set aside on the Christian calendar to honour the Holy Eucharist which was observed at the last supper before Christ was crucified.
In his letter, Chairman of the Lao NA Saysomphone Phomvihane expressed his belief that with his capability and rich working experience, Hue will lead the NA, the highest organ of State power of Vietnam, to successfully perform its important legislative right and contribute to the cause of national defence and construction, raising Vietnams role and position at regional and international forums.

I hope that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples of Laos and Vietnam in general, and between the two legislative bodies in particular, will be further deepened and continuously reap fruitful results, the Lao NA leader wrote.

Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of China Li Zhanshu said in his message that he stands ready to work with the new Vietnamese NA Chairman to make the implementation of the common political perception obtained by senior leaders of the two Parties and two countries as the orientation to bolster exchange and cooperation between the two legislative bodies and promote the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership.

The same day, President of the House of Councillors of Japan Santo Akiko and Speaker of the House of Representatives Oshima Tadamori also cabled messages of congratulations to the newly-elected NA Chairman of Vietnam.

On March 31 morning, Vuong Dinh Hue, Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, was elected as Chairman of the National Assembly and the National Election Council.
Democrats have been bloviating for months now about an "insurrection" and a "threat to democracy" in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. They've razor-wired up the Capitol and deployed tens of thousands of unsmiling National Guard troops, making the capital of the free world look more like Kinshasa, Yamoussoukro, Damascus, or Cairo. Joe Biden called it an "existential" threat to the U.S., trying to go Sartre on us. Democrat narrative-maker (and creative writing major) Ben Rhodes, according to MSNBC, claimed: "The Jan 6th insurrection was a 'terrorist attack on the heart of American democracy.'"

This presumably should have offered some pitched battles, explosions, blood in the streets, heads on pikes, mobs with torches, and lots and lots of guns, the way other people's insurrections do.

Nope, the miserable event was nothing but a pumped up crowd upset about election fraud, with a few bounders, and a situation that got out of control with an inadequate Capitol police guard allowing, or even inviting, them to come in to the Capitol to yell about it.

This occurred as Congress formalized the presidential vote for Joe Biden, in an election where all signs point to a lot of ballot fraud.

The rest was just protest theatre, plenty of arrests, lot of trespassing, some vandalism, lots of selfies posted conveniently for prosecutors on social media, lots of tattling, and no question as to the outcome. There were five deaths, four of unarmed protesters, including one who was shot at close range in the neck by an unnamed Capitol police officer, and one of a police officer who was quickly cremated amid shifting stories, and a mendacious New York Times report, with inflammatory claims about the circumstances of how he died. That's since been discredited, leaving Times staffers with egg all over their faces.

The arrests of the protesters are now winding their way through the courts. And surprise, surprise: the prosecutors, who are probably leftists themselves, are not finding any grand plots. All of Joe Biden's wind-blowing about the "threat to democracy" is coming to naught. There never was a threat to democracy. There was never a grand "insurrection." No heads on pikes, no torches. There were just conservatives and marginal characters-who-never-vote acting like Code Pink or Black Lives Matter.

According to Breitbart News:

Many who entered the Capitol building during January 6 protests of the 2020 election outcome are "unlikely" to face jail time  a "jarring reality check" for Americans "outraged by the storming of Capitol Hill," according to a Politico report on Tuesday. "What about somebody who has no criminal record who got jazzed up by the president, walked in, spends 15 minutes in Statuary Hall and leaves? What happens to that person? They're not going to get a jail sentence for that," a defense attorney, who asked not to be named, told the outlet. "There is a natural cycle to an event like this," the defense attorney added. "People will say it was the end of the world, then things will calm down, and they'll begin looking at cases back on what people actually did." The report's sub-headline noted that the cases "could embarrass the Biden administration, which has portrayed the Jan. 6 siege as a dire threat to democracy." The report said there have been high-profile conspiracy cases involving members of "right-wing, paramilitary groups" but the most urgent decisions for prosecutors involve resolving "scores of lower-level cases" clogging the D.C. federal district court. Politico reported that, so far, almost a quarter of the more than 230 defendants formally and publicly charged  about 57  face only misdemeanors, and in recent days, judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys have all indicated that they expect few to face harsh sentences. The report said the actions of many often boiled down to "trespassing[.]"

Politico reports that for Joe Biden, this is going to get embarrassing.

The prospect of dozens of Jan. 6 rioters cutting deals for minor sentences could be hard to explain for the Biden administration, which has characterized the Capitol Hill mob as a uniquely dangerous threat. Before assuming office, Biden said the rioters' attempt to overturn the election results by force "borders on sedition"; Attorney General Merrick Garland has called the prosecutions his top early priority, describing the storming of Congress as "a heinous attack that sought to disrupt a cornerstone of our democracy, the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected government." Justice Department prosecutors sent expectations sky-high in early statements and court filings, describing elaborate plots to murder lawmakers  descriptions prosecutors have tempered as new details emerged.

And with "criminal justice reform" for real crimes that are misdemeanors going on, with criminals getting off with no jail time, throwing them in jail as the leftists want will just lead to jails full of political prisoners. Kind of like Caracas does, or maybe Kinshasa.

Even the judges are getting disgusted, Politico reports:

And prosecutors are facing pressure from judges to either back up their tough talk about sedition or put a lid on it. Michael Sherwin, the former lead Jan. 6 prosecutor, found himself rebuked by other senior prosecutors and Judge Amit Mehta last week for publicly flirting with the possibility of sedition charges when none had actually been leveled.

They would like these prosecutors to either go to the bathroom or else get off the pot. They're tired of the bloviating, just as much of the public is.

Politico also reports that leftists are going to be upset with this state of affairs, demanding long prison terms for miscreant protesters. They'll protest to Joe Biden about it and demand radical judges. Their aim in throwing rival protesters in prison for long sentences is to complete that Havana-style effect. Rhodes, after all, legitimized Havana and all its horrible political prisons back in the Obama days. The left is bringing some of that Havana here.

It's appalling, and sure, it's embarrassing for Biden, who's been calling the end of the world over it.

The evaporation of these charges is bad news for Biden, and there's a reason he's been clinging to them: Biden is in office by fraud, and for months, he's been diverting attention from that sorry matter by yelling about the January protests. Now that the threat he's been claiming is going away with these minor protest violations, it's bad news for him, because election fraud will come back to the forefront. Already many election integrity measures are winning in courts and in Georgia. Without the shield of the Capitol riots, Joe has no defenses. Eventually, the truth will come out that he's there by fraud.

Facts are stubborn things, as Rush Limbaugh used to say. Watch them eventually take Joe down.

Image: MSNBC screen shot via shareable video.
Given that Q&A is a show in which long qualifying statements tend to precede the actual question, lets keep this straightforward: have viewers given up on the ABC panel show? Audience figures for Q&A have plummeted this year. Last week, it failed to crack the top 20 free-to-air programs on the Thursday night it aired, indicating a capital city audience of just 237,000. In March 2020, the number was above 500,000, and likewise in March 2016. This was meant to be the year that Q&A ascended to new prominence. Since its debut in 2008 it had aired about 9.30pm on Mondays, the feisty debate chaser to Four Corners and Media Watch. In 2021, it moved to 8.30pm on Thursday, an hour earlier presumably to give it access to a larger audience and its own anchoring role on the ABCs schedule. But even with Back Roads, one of the national broadcasters quiet achievers, as an 8pm lead-in, the viewing figures are starting to resemble a death spiral. Hamish Macdonald has hosted Q&A since 2020, taking over from the shows founding presenter, Tony Jones. Credit:ABC Q&A has long divided audiences. It has enjoyed the patronage of enthusiastic devotees who until now were considered to be rusted on, as well as a hearty dissenting crowd who refused to engage with it. But the balance has changed, notably at a time when social issues and public debate in Australia are operating at a fiercely engaged level. On the ABC alone, Four Corners and 7.30 are holding onto their regular audiences or even  with a timely edition that connects to headline-making news  surpassing them. This is the second season in which Q&A has been helmed by executive producer Erin Vincent and hosted by the versatile Hamish Macdonald, who respectively replaced founding fathers Peter McEvoy and Tony Jones. The standard episode is not hugely different from what viewers had come to expect, but then again, the standard episode of Q&A was always an act of television alchemy, trying to harness  in a live broadcast, with audience questions  disagreement, debate and the desire of adversaries to dunk on one another.

Sometimes it would fail to hit the heights, but the wreckage could certainly be entertaining. Now there are episodes in which Q&A feels like its struggling just to cut through. Last week, for example, the nights topic of how a better world might emerge from the COVID-19 reset played out as strands that never came together, even as certain flaws are eternal; watching gender inclusion advocate and corporate leader Sam Mostyn get talked over by a man when the topic was Australian women needing to be heard was sadly predictable. The episodes ambition was self-destructive. The five Australian panellists were joined by Thomas Piketty, the celebrated French academic whose book Capital in the Twenty-First Century redefined discussion of inequality. But for the half of the show that he was present, Piketty seesawed between historic explanation and having to differentiate his ideas from advocacy. At one point, Macdonald questioned Pikettys intent, but to be inclusive threw to another guest. You could hear Piketty trying to reply until it sounded like his feed was muted. Has the show simply begun to calcify after a long run? Watching the episode that aired three weeks ago, which piggybacked off the federal governments announcement of subsidised air tickets to some regional tourism centres, the back and forth between the two politicians present  Liberal Zed Seselja and Labors Kristina Keneally  came across as ritualised. Both were well prepared and capable, the former had his talking points, the latter her digs. You can point to it as being emblematic of where Australias at, but thats no longer enough. Former Q&A executive producer Peter McEvoy, left, and host Tony Jones. Credit:Renee Nowytarger In the same episode, National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson declared: We need to be rid of the politics. I think we need to get onto the real issues. Q&A has considered this. A recent episode on sexual consent eschewed politicians and media voices for experts and specific commentators. Once everyone had got out their version of the disclaimer that consent is a complex issue, the show unfolded the issues despite Macdonald pushing too hard to get the age at which children should be exposed to the conversation.
People are warned against the dangers of having family parties during this Easter period.

It is the Holy Week. The week, which started on Sunday March 28, will end on Saturday April 3, paving the way for the celebration of Easter Sunday on April 4, 2021. Easter Sunday, which is the celebration of Jesus's resurrection, according to the Gospel is marked by celebrations worldwide. As such, many Christians will attend special church services characterised by music, candlelight, Baptism, First Holy Communion services, etc. These events have never been limited within the church premises. Families have extended celebrations to different house parties to honour those who were baptised or received the first Holy Communion. Such gatherings, which use to be normal, are no longer okay due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus is taking full advantage of house parties. Individuals should avoid any house gatherings during this period because they will be putting others in jeopardy.

Wear a mask. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands. Do not attend house parties. But, these messages seem to fall on deaf ears. Information shows that Covid-19 spreads faster during private gatherings, because most of the time, people do not respect barrier measures. They think because it is a family gathering, the setting seems generally harmless. However, birthday parties and family meetings recently in some towns in the country are claiming the lives of many people in the same family. One of such event was in Douala, in the Littoral Region. The guest list was limited to close family members. There was a cake, singing and, of course, blowing out the candles. But lurking in the shadows of the celebration was something unexpected-the Coronavirus. One guest was already infected, but was ignorant of his status and was spreading the virus. By the time the party ended, the virus had permeated the gathering. Of the 13 guests, six of the eight adults were infected and three out of the five children. Today, the father and mother are in the mortuary. More than three other family members are still sick of Covid-19. The situation is traumatising, as other family members seem to be in a state of dementia.

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Authorities say these are the kinds of get-togethers that have played out in creating clusters of Covid-19 in various regions in the country. When you are with people, you know, psychologically, you may underestimate the risk, especially around family. "Usually, with people you are closer, you hug them" a health expert note. Nevertheless, unless people live under the same roof, public health officials recommend maintaining a physical distance of at least two metres. Although social distancing may feel unnatural among family members, experts say, it is necessary. You can be part of the problem of propagating the outbreak, or you can be part of the solution," health officials underscore.
The UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, paid his first official visit to Gibraltar on Monday, for a meeting of the joint ministerial council to agree their combined approach to the upcoming negotiations on a treaty between the EU and the UK in respect of Gibraltar.

This treaty, if it goes ahead, will include Gibraltars potential access to the Schengen Area which formed part of the New Years Eve agreement, the in-principle framework for a definitive agreement which will be enshrined in law. However, it will also cover other aspects of Gibraltars future relationship with the EU. It will be signed on behalf of Gibraltar by the UK, as the UK is responsible for Gibraltars external relations. However, as Dominic Raab has pointed out in the past, the negotiations have been and are being led by the Gibraltar government, with the UK alongside.

The foreign secretarys visit has reassured some who feared that the UK was planning to sell Gibraltar out. A statement released after the meeting said that the Foreign Secretary reiterated the UKs longstanding commitment that it will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. Nor will it enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. This was in reference to the double-lock sovereignty commitment which forms part of the Gibraltar Constitution.

The statement went on to say that the aim of these negotiations is to secure future prosperity for Gibraltar and the surrounding region. This will be delivered through a treaty which brings confidence, legal certainty and stability to the lives and livelihoods of the people of Gibraltar and neighbouring communities, without prejudice to legal positions on sovereignty and jurisdiction. The treaty should ensure fluid and open movement of people and goods between Gibraltar and the EU (...) we are committed to work constructively and quickly with the objective of concluding a treaty in the coming months. That said, we repeat our position that a treaty must be on the right terms. Gibraltars British identity, and the United Kingdoms sovereignty, must be preserved. We believe that with commitment and flexibility, a treaty can meet these requirements. However, if this does not prove to be the case, or the deal on offer is not the right one for the UK and Gibraltar, we are fully prepared to accept the implications. The UK will stand fully behind Gibraltar, its people and its economy in any scenario.

At a press conference later, a journalist said visits of this nature are sometimes followed by bad news, and asked if that was going to be the case. Not at all, said Raab; Gibraltar is part of the UK family and that is a constant and steadfast. Theres no lurking bad news for you at all, he said, adding pointedly, Sorry to disappoint.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 02:59:47|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Bintou Keita, said Tuesday that there is momentum for much-needed reforms in the country.

"Through my exchanges with President (Felix) Tshisekedi and the prime minister-designate, I can report that there is a momentum for change that can be built," she told the Security Council in a briefing.

"There is an opening to push forward the necessary governance and institutional reforms, which will have a direct impact to support the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in the east. I have been encouraged by the president's determination and willingness to mobilize all necessary resources to address the security and stabilization needs of the Congolese people in the east, as well as by the pragmatic, constructive and open engagement I enjoyed with the prime minister-designate, and all other senior Congolese officials," she said.

She said she has stressed to the Congolese leadership that the new government must promptly act on a number of priority areas, including reforming the Congolese military and police forces; taking ownership for the effective protection of civilians, at the national and provincial levels; ensuring effective and sustainable, community-based disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; strengthening the civilian and military justice systems and support to transitional justice; beginning plans for the 2023 electoral cycle.

The electoral process of 2023 represents a new critical stage in the process of democratic transition, of consolidation institutional and stabilization of the country, she said. "I am underlining to all stakeholders the need to act within the constitutional framework and to organize the elections in a timely and inclusive manner, respecting the electoral calendar."

Keita, who is the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, said she was committed to working with partners to ensure the success of the new DRC government.

"At the same time, I have emphasized as well the need to overcome the deadlocks that have been holding back political progress and stabilization. In collaboration with partners, the government must address the immense and pressing security, humanitarian and development needs facing the country. In this, it must ensure that the actions needed to respond to these needs are not further delayed," she said. Enditem
New York, March 31 : The UK variant of coronavirus, known as B.1.1.7, is quickly on its way to becoming the dominant variant of the virus in the US, say researchers.

The findings, published in the journal Cell, suggest that future Covid-19 case numbers and mortality rates in the US will be higher than would have been otherwise.

The variant, which has been detectable in an increasing proportion of SARS-CoV-2 samples, is 40-50 per cent more transmissible than SARS-CoV-2 lineages that were previously dominant.

"B.1.1.7 rapidly became the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the UK and other countries after its emergence late last year, and the US is now on a similar trajectory," said researcher Kristian Andersen, Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research in the US.

According to the researchers, the B.1.1.7 variant contains several mutations, including several in the gene that encodes the viral spike protein. These mutations increase the spike's ability to bind to the ACE2 receptor on human cells.

Although there is no evidence yet that the B.1.1.7 variant can evade Covid-19 vaccines, public health officials fear its relatively high rate of spread will significantly worsen the pandemic before vaccines can end it.

Standard swab tests for the coronavirus check for distinctive genetic sequences at three sites on the viral genome; the B.1.1.7 variant, due to its mutations, shows up as positive for two of those sites, but negative for the third site, which is within the virus's spike gene.

The new analysis of roughly 500,000 Helix test results since July 2020 revealed that this two-of-three pattern, known as S-gene target failure, or SGTF, became consistently evident at a low frequency (0.2 per cent) in mid-October.

By the third week of February, it had risen to a frequency of 10.6 per cent and was detected in patients from 25 different US states and territories.

The SGTF pattern can occur with other SARS-CoV-2 variants that have spike gene mutations, but the researchers found by sequencing every SGTF sample they had from December through February, 662 of the 986 samples (67 per cent) contained the B.1.1.7 variant.

This suggests that the SGTF pattern on the swab tests can provide a quick albeit rough indication of B.1.1.7 prevalence.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SCHENECTADY  The use of knee holds by police officers to restrain suspects is back in the spotlight after a lawmakers no vote on the recently adopted police reform package has reignited public debate over the technique.

Despite announcing a ban on police placing a knee to a suspects head or neck as a control hold in the aftermath of a controversial arrest over the summer, the practice is still on the books in Schenectady for certain situations.

Officers can only use the hold in life-threatening situations when no other option is available.

Its really like a last resort ... if there are no other options available, city police Chief Eric Clifford told lawmakers earlier this month.

Yet the exception to the ban was not publicized when the city announced policy changes on July 9, three days after Officer Brian Pommer arrested Yugeshwar Gaindarpersaud in an encounter that immediately drew parallels to the death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer six weeks earlier.

City Councilwoman Marion Porterfield claims the city quietly reinstated the policy; Clifford contends otherwise.

Now Black Lives Matter protesters will gather outside of City Hall on Thursday to push for an unequivocal ban on knee holds.

Porterfield cited the perceived reversal in her decision to cast the lone opposing vote against the City Councils adoption of the state-mandated police reform package last week.

Clifford accused Porterfield of spreading misinformation and sharply rebuked her in a letter on Tuesday, contending her public comments justifying her vote were incorrect and have now caused alarm in certain parts of our community.

Claims that we added knee-to-head holds back into the departments use of force policy are false and we urge you to understand how detrimental spreading misinformation is to our efforts to build trust within the community, Clifford wrote.

Porterfield said she reached out to Clifford through city Mayor Gary McCarthys office following a workshop discussion ahead of the vote to further discuss her concerns and didnt receive a response.

The fact that he said I made misleading comments is incorrect, Porterfield said.

The final police reform package contained numerous changes to the department, including the creation of a new community policing unit and plans to steer mental health calls to outside agencies.

For months, a steering committee helped guide the city-led process, which included review of the departments use-of-force policy.

Clifford pointed out that neither the committee nor Porterfield raised the issue of knee-to-head holds during the months of discussions.

None of these issues you now claim were brought up then, Clifford wrote.

Porterfield drew attention to revised language in the special workshop on March 18 and called for an unequivocal ban.

Clifford contended the policy was not removed and put back in.

It is unclear whether there was an exception to the knee-hold ban between July 9 and Dec. 18 when the most recent changes were made to the use-of-force policy updating the ban on knee-to-head holds unless deadly physical force is authorized or unless no other option was available.

Yet Clifford acknowledged that department brass huddled with policing and defense experts after the July 9 announcement of the ban and decided adding the exception was necessary.

This is something that in hindsight, we probably should have thought about longer before we made this change last summer and put this in here, Clifford told Porterfield on March 18.

At the same time, city police were well-aware that Gaindarpersaud's encounter with police was generating intense public criticism, and we felt compelled to act on it, which we did, Clifford said.

Analysts were unable to pull data on how often knee-to-head holds are used by Schenectady police because that information hasnt historically been collected.

Im not saying that none happened, Clifford said on Wednesday. Im only saying that we have not tracked that and our form never had that specific of a metric listed.

City police have pledged to tighten up the collection of use-of-force data (now referred to as response to resistance) as part of the reform package.

Cellphone-shot video footage of Pommer tussling with Gaindarpersaud drew immediate parallels with the death of Floyd and instantly reignited protests in the city.

But while Pommers knee appeared to be on Gaindarpersauds neck in the grainy video shot by the suspects father, a report by the county District Attorneys Office ultimately concluded the officer's knee was on his head for all but one second of the 2 minute and 37 second encounter when it slipped off.

Pommer didnt use excessive force during the arrest, nor was Gaindarpersauds breathing constrained at any time, the report concluded.

Clifford has defended the exception to the policy to lawmakers, contending that knee-to-head holds are part of state training regimens, and that officers need every opportunity to defend themselves in potentially deadly situations. He cited the example of a violent 2015 altercation between a city police officer and former mixed martial arts fighter that left the officer with a fractured skull.

Its never good to restrict officers from doing anything if it could jeopardize their safety, Clifford said.

Activists will rally in front of City Hall on Thursday and are pushing city police for a no-exceptions ban on knee-to-head holds, a demand echoed by Schenectady NAACP.

Using a knee hold on any resident of Schenectady is in no ones best interest, wrote Schenectady NAACP President the Rev. Nicolle Harris, officers or civilians.

The fact that the debate is unfolding when the officer charged with killing Floyd is on trial for murder is only reopening traumatic wounds in the community, said All of Us co-founder Jamaica Miles.

Racial justice activists had called for the ban well before the Gaindarpersaud encounter, which Miles said was only brought to public attention due to their efforts.

Determining when no other option is available is purely subjective, Miles said.

Its subjective and police have no accountability, Miles said in a Facebook Live video shot in front of City Hall, one of several designed to publicize the demonstration. And we dont have a police civilian review board that has any power to hold them accountable.

Reforms to the citys Civilian Police Review Board are unfolding on a parallel track. As part of a slate of reforms, lawmakers agreed to expand the panels investigatory powers, including access to body-worn camera footage.

Yet the nine-member panel does not have the power to unilaterally discipline officers, a push sought by activists.
A major national retailer is bringing one of its smaller-format stores to a high-profile vacant space in downtown Charleston.

Target Corp. is leasing 30,000 square feet in the Majestic Square building at 211 King St. that formerly housed Forever 21, the property owner announced March 31.

Forever 21 closed early last summer amid the pandemic after nine years in the downtown area.

An opening date for the new Target store has not been announced. It will be the retailer's first small-scale store in South Carolina.

"Were excited to bring an easy, safe and convenient shopping experience to new guests in the community with this new Target store," a company spokeswoman said.

The mass merchandise will be taking over a site that originally housed a Saks Fifth Avenue resort store.

Tom Stockdale, director of commercial asset management with The Beach Co., which developed and owns Majestic Square, said the Charleston-based firm was "determined to find a world-class retailer to serve a wide demographic for this premier space in the citys busiest commercial district."

"This ideal location in partnership with Target provides Majestic Square an opportunity to further support downtown Charlestons residents, area employees and visitors," Stockdale said.

A Target spokeswoman said the company is focusing on new store growth with its smaller-format stores.

"(They) are smaller than our general merchandise Target stores and are located in dense urban and suburban neighborhoods as well as near college campuses," the spokeswoman said.

The normally pedestrian-heavy site at King and Market streets is across from the upscale Belmond Charleston Place Hotel and near the College of Charleston.

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Target's big-box stores average about 130,000 square feet while its smaller outlets vary from 12,000 to 40,000 square feet.

The retailer's 1,900-store footprint across the U.S. includes more than 140 small-format shops, with about 30 of them near college campuses.

The compact stores generally offer groceries, including fresh produce, beer and wine, as well as home goods such as sheets and bath towels, tech accessories, clothing, toiletries and other items. Some shops also offer pharmacies and coffee shops.

The company said it will announce more details closer to the opening.

The store is generally being received warmly by locally owned and operated King Street merchants, who often don't think kindly of national retailers coming to the downtown area, partly because they drive up rental rates.

"I think it's fantastic," said Jordan Lash, owner of the Jordan Lash Charleston men's clothing store at 305 King St. "I don't think Target is looked down upon, and I think it will be phenomenal for foot traffic on King Street."

Lash said he's not always excited about national merchants coming downtown and driving out mom-and-pop operations.

"But I think this is a good addition to King Street," he said.

At M. Dumas & Sons, a men's clothing store for more than a century in downtown Charleston, business partner and CEO Gary Flynn said his first reaction was lukewarm but after giving it some thought, he believes Target will be a positive asset.

"As much as I don't like national brands on King, the space is a little large for the locals, so it makes sense," Flynn said.

He called Target "a little bit mainstream for King Street but I think it will be very successful there."
[March 31, 2021] PESO-Driven Interconnected E-Commerce Practice Launched By Independent Agency Cramer-Krasselt

CHICAGO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cramer-Krasselt (C-K) announces the launch of C-K Commerce, a fully interconnected strategic e-commerce practice. Unlike other e-commerce groups, C-K Commerce connects e-commerce through to the entire paid, earned, shared and owned (PESO) channel landscape  creating a seamless experience for consumers and providing clients a holistic view of interconnected marketing and e-commerce efforts and proven ROI. C-K Commerce has already driven a 54% increase in return on ad spend for early-adopter CPG brands. The cross-functional C-K Commerce team spans the media, experience and innovation, analytics, technology and creative disciplines. It is led by a core group, including Kristin Babcock, director of search and paid social; Tom Swierczewski, programmatic media director; and Jeff Kean, director of experience and innovation. "E-commerce programs that function in a vacuum don't drive maximum results," said C-'s Senior Vice President, Executive Director of Media, Stephani Estes who oversees the new agency practice. "What's unique is that our systems provide brands with a competitive advantage by removing e-commerce from its silo which provides consumers with a seamless, synchronized PESO experience that noticeably accelerates return."



The C-K Commerce approach has already driven results for a select group of early-adopter clients in a highly competitive environment, including multiple T. Marzetti and TreeHouse Foods CPG brands, among others. The practice has delivered a return on ad spend increase averaging 54%. As a result, C-K Commerce's business has grown more than 380% over the past year. "Through C-K's interconnected approach we provide actionable insights into how a brand's marketing efforts can synchronize to drive sales," noted Karen Seamen, president and COO of C-K. "And, importantly for today's pace of change, we continually optimize the experience for all partiesit's that continual refinement and the power of PESO coordination that drives repeated and notable returns on spend."

C-K Commerce is a full-service e-commerce practice, with expertise across grocery, DTC, social commerce, e-commerce data strategy, retail mapping and optimization, and emerging shoppable channels. This practice also includes hands-on-keyboard expertise, with technology partnerships including Kroger, Instacart and Amazon. Additionally, C-K Commerce data is seamlessly integrated into C-K's suite of proprietary data and analytics tools, providing a comprehensive view of attribution and measurement and a view on how e-commerce efforts impact and are supported by a brand's other marketing efforts. C-K Commerce was launched after significant real market testing and is a unique, highly coordinated, data-driven, continuously optimized system built to deliver proven ROI within aggressively expanding distribution channels. For more information on C-K Commerce visit C-K.com/e-commerce-services. About Cramer-Krasselt C-K is one of the largest independent, totally interconnected agencies in the country. With a mission to Make friends, not ads, C-K has built a reputation for changing perception and behaviors that lead to purchasing action for brands. It's how we helped Porsche achieve 11 years of consecutive record-breaking growth, how Corona became the #1 import and Pacifico grew 19% in a single year. For more information, visit www.c-k.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/peso-driven-interconnected-e-commerce-practice-launched-by-independent-agency-cramer-krasselt-301259913.html SOURCE Cramer-Krasselt

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 17:42:43|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian police's anti-terror squad Densus 88 arrested two terrorist suspects in the districts of Tulungagung and Nganjuk, East Java province, on Tuesday, a police officer said.

A suspect identified as NMR was held in Tulungagung and another one with initial LAM was apprehended in Nganjuk, the East Java police spokesman Senior Commissioner Gatot Repli Handoko said in the province's capital of Surabaya on Wednesday.

The police seized two homemade weapons and a book, Handoko was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

"We are informed that the two suspected terrorists belong to the banned radical organization Jamaah Asharut Daulah," he said, adding that the suspects have links to the perpetrators of a suicide bombing attack in front of the cathedral church in South Sulawesi province's city of Makassar on Sunday.

He said the police are still probing into the case. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 16:03:19|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 100-million-U.S.-dollar loan to strengthen Mongolia's health sector and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank's office in Mongolia said Wednesday.

"Mongolia remains vulnerable to COVID-19 and other emerging diseases. A surge in infections would strain the health system and result in a shortage of quarantine facilities, necessary equipment, drugs, and other essential resources," said James Lynch, director general of the East Asia Regional Department of the ADB.

He said that the project will expedite the medium-term reforms that will strengthen the health system and help Mongolia become better prepared to respond to future health crises.

The project will focus on four reform areas: strengthening planning and preparedness of the health sector, and ensuring the availability of critical medicines and emergency supplies; improving national pharmaceutical regulation, and increasing hospital autonomy and good governance; enhancing procurement in the health sector to increase efficiency, and establishing a single purchaser for health services; and safeguarding fiscal sustainability of the government over the next three to five years, said the ADB.

As of Wednesday, Mongolia has confirmed around 8,500 COVID-19 cases, with 12 deaths.

It is estimated that about 60 percent of the country's 3.3 million population is at high risk of infection.

According to a 2017 World Health Organization evaluation, Mongolia's core capacities relating to pandemic preparedness are limited, suggesting Mongolia is ill-prepared for a surge of COVID-19 or a similar pandemic. Enditem
Russian citizen gets 12 years behind bars for treason

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

14:19 31/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 31 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court on Wednesday sentenced Russian citizen Sergey Petushkov to 12 years in high-security penal colony for treason, the courts press service told RAPSI.

After release his liberty will be restricted for 2 years, according to the ruling.

Petushkov is living in the Moscow Region. According to his testimony, he has high education but was unemployed at the time of the arrest.

The case is classified thats why no more details were revealed. The hearing was held behind closed doors.
//KHARAS police crime investigations coordinator deputy commissioner Chrispin Mubebo is urging parents not to use their children to sell drugs.

Mubebo says it is worrying to receive reports that primary school pupils are selling drugs on the instruction of their parents.

"Young people who want to experiment with different drugs and lifestyles are vulnerable to such abuse as they are asked to sell the drugs to their friends, and then they get addicted themselves," Mubebo says.

He says the police have been visiting schools with the assistance of the regional education office to conduct drug searches and to sensitise pupils to the evils of drugs.

The school visits yielded good results as sharp objects, such as knives, were confiscated, apart from dagga.

No arrests have, however, been made.

"People, especially the elderly, using these children must realise they are destroying the lives of these young people, because they become addicted. They are introduced to a life of crime as they start stealing and fighting, and eventually become juvenile delinquents. It is a vicious cycle," Mubebo says.

He says the sensitisation visits to schools and houses, as well as public meetings are currently reduced due to Covid-19 regulations.
Japan should correct falsely written textbooks



The Japanese government has again come under criticism for approving school textbooks making territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo. Japan's education ministry approved 30 social studies textbooks and six small atlases for first year high school students Tuesday. Most of the textbooks describe Dokdo as "Japan's indigenous territory" that is illegally occupied by Korea.



Since 2016, Japan has had 27 textbooks containing Japan's territorial claim to Dokdo. The Shinzo Abe administration issued curriculum guidelines in 2018 ordering schools to use the social studies textbooks containing Japan's Dokdo claim from the 2022 school year. It is regrettable to see Tokyo's territorial claim has been further fortified in the textbooks which passed the recent government screening.



Regarding Japan's wartime sexual enslavement, only one of 12 history textbooks mentioned it as "forced conscription" while others downplayed or completely whitewashed the historical facts. With such kinds of textbooks, the future generations of Japan cannot appropriately learn the fact that Tokyo's mobilization of Asian women was a brutal crime against humanity committed before and during World War II.



This also runs counter to the Japanese government's stance in 1993 when it issued the Kono Statement admitting to the forced mobilization of women as sex slaves for the Japanese military, and pledged to teach such facts to students. Then Chief Cabinet Minister Yohei Kono apologized for Japan's use of women as sex slaves and vowed not to repeat such misdeeds. The recently approved textbooks obviously fail to reflect such self-repentance.



The Japanese government has been criticizing Korea for allegedly having reneged on a bilateral agreement on the resolution of the sexual slavery issue reached in December 2015 under the rule of the former President Park Geun-hye administration. Yet, the recent approval of the textbooks shows Japan is accountable for the issue. The textbooks also describe Japan's imperial invasion of Asia as "advancement." This reminds us of Japan's distortion of historical facts in textbooks in 1982 justifying its annexation of Korea as "progression," and deprivation of diplomatic sovereignty as "acceptance."



Seoul denounced Tokyo for approving the textbooks, saying Japan is falsely claiming its territorial sovereignty over Dokdo without correctly describing the historical facts as they are. "The ROK government cannot but deplore the Japanese government once again for its authorization of textbooks containing Japan's preposterous claims over Dokdo, which is clearly an integral part of Korean territory," Foreign Ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam said in a statement. The ministry also called in Hirohisa Soma, deputy head of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to express regret over the matter.



Relations between Seoul and Tokyo have remained deadlocked and will likely worsen further due to the approval of the textbooks. Unless the future generations have the right historical perception it is difficult to expect amicable ties between the two countries. We urge Japan to face up to its history squarely and recognize that Tokyo can only make a genuine reconciliation and develop true friendship with Seoul after sincerely apologizing for its past misdeeds. And correcting the falsely written textbooks should be the first step in that direction.






With COVID restrictions set to end on 21 June, scientists are suggesting people should continue to wear face masks to help keep the pandemic under control.

Boris Johnsons roadmap out of lockdown intends to see an end to many rules that have been in place for the past year  including social distancing.

However, scientists at the universities of Cambridge and Liverpool recommend that face coverings  currently compulsory in shops and on public transport  should continue to be used to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The scientists modelled examples of non-spatial control measures including face masks, hand washing and social distancing, and spatial interventions including lockdown and the restriction of long-distance travel.

Study author Dr Yevhen Suprunenko, a research associate in the University of Cambridges Department of Plant Sciences, said measures such as wearing face coverings, used properly alongside the vaccine rollout, could help to achieve a better outcome.

He said: More effective use of control measures like face masks and hand washing would help us to stop the pandemic faster, or to get better results in halting transmission through the vaccination programme.

This also means we could avoid another potential lockdown.

Co-author Dr Stephen Cornell from the University of Liverpool said that while lockdowns might have a bigger impact, face masks are cheaper actions people can take.

The government has set out several stages of lockdown easing, which will see the gradual opening of non-essential shops, gyms, restaurants and pubs before the planned ending of all restrictions on 21 June.

Face masks for sale in Kings Heath High Street in Birmingham. (Getty)

On Saturday a group of anti-mask protesters staged a face-covering free shopping trip to a Tesco branch in Chelmsford, Essex.

The Department of Health and Social Care guidance states that masks are largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission".

Story continues

Read more: 4 COVID measures which will be here to stay... even when the pandemic is over

Watch: How England will leave lockdown
WENDELL, ID - About 1.8 million young steelhead are on their way to the Pacific Ocean or will be soon as Idaho Power completes its annual fish-hauling operation from the Niagara Springs hatchery near Wendell.

Some of these fish will return in 1 to 3 years to become prized targets for Snake River anglers.

Eggs arrive at the hatchery each May from adult steelhead spawned at Idaho Power hatcheries in the Snake and Salmon river basins. Idaho Department of Fish and Game personnel raise the eggs to juvenile steelhead, called smolts. In March of the following year, crews begin hauling the year-old fish back to the Snake, Little Salmon, and Pahsimeroi rivers, where they begin a journey of more than 500 miles to the Pacific Ocean. The spring fish haul takes about six weeks.

Niagara Springs is one of Americas largest privately-owned steelhead rearing facilities. The spring water provides an ideal environment that allows the fish to achieve the equivalent of two years growth in just one years time.

Idaho Powers hatchery program is part of the companys commitment to stewardship of the Snake River and fulfilling requirements of its federal license to operate its three hydroelectric power projects in Hells Canyon.

More information about Idaho Power's fish conservation programs can be found at idahopower.com/fish.
"Cyrielle's wealth of payments knowledge, research experience, and strategic thought-leadership will continue to add tremendous value to the organization and the payments ecosystem as a whole," said Tracey Black, President and Chief Executive Officer of Payments Canada. "Expanding her role to couple the strategic objectives of the organization with the research function will be instrumental to Payments Canada's navigation of the ever-changing payments landscape and ensuring Canada remains globally competitive, today and in the future."

Ms Chiron joined Payments Canada in 2019 as Head, Research and Strategic Foresight, bringing a strong background of payments, retail and commercial financial services knowledge and research experience. In that role, Ms Chiron led Payments Canada's research team and informed the strategic direction of the organization by monitoring payments trends and activities in Canada and abroad. Ms Chiron is also a member of Payments Canada's Operations Leadership Team (OLT).



About Payments Canada

Payments Canada is a public purpose organization that owns and operates Canada's payments systems, the Large Value Transfer System (LVTS) and the Automated Clearing and Settlement System (ACSS). Payments Canada is responsible for the physical infrastructure and the associated bylaws, rules, and standards that support these systems. It also has a duty to promote the efficiency, safety, and soundness of Canada's payments systems while taking into account the interests of end users. In 2020, Payments Canada's systems cleared and settled over $107 trillion - more than $420 billion every business day. Transactions that pass through these systems include debit card payments, pre-authorized debits, direct deposits, bill payments, wire payments and cheques initiated and received by Canadians and Canadian businesses. Payments Canada is working closely with the payments ecosystem to modernize Canada's payments systems to ensure Canada and Canadian businesses remain globally competitive. Payments Canada will launch a new high-value payment system, Lynx , in 2021 and a real-time payment system, the Real-Time Rail (RTR) , in 2022.

SOURCE Payments Canada

For further information: For media inquiries, please contact Victoria McMullen, Director, Communications, [email protected]
(Alliance News) - Factory activity in China picked up in March, official data showed, as the country's economic recovery broadened after the Lunar New Year holiday.

The purchasing managers' index, a key gauge of manufacturing activity, grew more than expected to 51.9 a from 50.6 in February a according to the National Bureau of Statistics, with production accelerating after the holiday lull and major economies abroad also recovering from coronavirus slowdowns.

Non-manufacturing PMI made a significant rebound to 56.3, higher than the Bloomberg forecast of 52.0 and pointing to better performance in industries like construction and higher expectations for hard-hit service sectors.

"The main driver was stronger services activity as the disruption from January's Covid-19 flare-up and resulting travel restrictions eased," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics.

"But there was also a sharp turnaround in the construction index," he added.

In manufacturing, NBS senior statistician Zhao Qinghe said that companies a including smaller ones a have done better, although there have been some delays in imported raw materials during the pandemic, leading to higher prices and longer delivery times.

But analysts believe the bounce is not sustainable.

Nomura Chief China Economist Lu Ting told AFP a factor behind the "big rebound" was the repression of activity before and during the Lunar New Year holiday due to a rise in Covid-19 cases, leading to pent-up demand in March.

Pang added that Covid-19 resurgences in the US and Europe could derail new export orders, a key factor for the pick-up this month.

"From an export perspective, this is quite a fragile recovery," she said.

The "room for catch-up growth will diminish" as service sector activity returns to trend as well, Evans-Pritchard said.

"And the current strength of exports is likely to unwind over the coming quarters as vaccinations allow a return to more normal global consumption patterns," he said.

source: AFP

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
During my tenure as the Commander of the West Precinct of the Birmingham Police Department, the citys largest precinct, I wanted to create more time for officers to proactively patrol.

Even before, during my time as a shift lieutenant at the same precinct, I was frustrated that officers were consumed with service calls that allowed little to no time for community policing, community interaction and preventive patrol.

While I didnt have much ability to affect the call for service volume, as Precinct Commander I did have the ability to affect another drain on my officers time -- the amount of time officers spent on self-initiated calls, specifically traffic stops.

I concede that traffic stops are a valuable tool to affect motorist behavior and to address hazardous traffic conditions.

However, over the decades our department used the traffic stop as a means to address crime issues.

While I was rising through the ranks, the command staff at the time would often instruct precinct commanders to increase citations and to conduct roadblocks in high crime areas.

I believed their intent was sincere, that they believed the increased officer presence in an area would serve as a deterrent and that stopping more vehicles would result in the arrest of suspected offenders. At least that was the theory.

The reality was that this busy work, in effect pulled officers away from proactive patrol where they could have prevented crimes and served to harm the non-criminal citizens of the community more than having any effect on the criminal elements of the community.

I came to view these mandates as an unimaginative and lazy way to address crime issues. I promised myself that I would not fall into the same trap.

I have come to the conclusion that we, law enforcement in general and the Birmingham Police Department specifically, drifted from our core responsibility - crime prevention.

Many would disagree with me, but I feel that what we have evolved into over the last half century is centered on arresting criminals as opposed to preventing crime. I also believe that the best way to prevent crime is officer presence.

However, when we are going from call to call while emphasizing arrests and citations, we arent preventing a lot of crime. We have ended up just being a reactionary force that arrest people after they committed a crime, rather than preventing them from committing the crime in the first place.

Low hanging fruit

Ask any community group or neighborhood association this question: Would you want your department to be really good at preventing crime or one that arrests people after they have committed a crime?

I understand we cant prevent all crime, regardless of how many officers we have. But we can use what we have to prevent more crime than what we currently do.

Another reality that I came to understand later in my career was the effect that our well-intentioned but misguided crime suppression efforts had on a significant segment of our population.

I came to realize that we were in effect creating criminals out of people whose only crime was that they were poor.

I want to be clear in my opinion on what we have evolved into.

It would be helpful for me to describe it as I did to all my precincts roll calls when I decided to take a very controversial stance of de-emphasizing traffic tickets and minor misdemeanor arrests.

Our department had about 950 sworn officers. Of that, about 500 are in the Patrol Bureau (we got fancy recently and called it Field Operations, but I prefer Patrol).

That comes down to about 120 officers per our four precincts and about 30 working each precinct shift.

Account for off days and call ins and we are lucky if we have 20 officers working any given shift in each precinct. Even with that, we still have about 80 patrol officers working the entire city at any given moment.

Those officers are expected to show productivity by making arrests and writing citations. Because of this, we have created an environment where officers are almost forced to make a lot of arrests or write numerous citations.

As one officer told me upon being transferred from another precinct to mine, Dont worry Captain .... I go after a lot of the low hanging fruit.

One might wonder why making arrests and writing citations is counterproductive? Isnt that our job?

No, it isnt. Our primary responsibility is to prevent crime.

A downward spiral

This low hanging fruit mentality is created when officers feel pressure to produce enforcement actions.

Because of this, when we have 80 officers working at any given moment and a lot of them are out looking for low hanging fruit, we create criminals.

How so you say? Here is what I told my officers:

Lets say that one of my officers is out looking for low hanging fruit.

They see a car driving with an expired tag. Seems easy enough, so we will make a traffic stop. We have to remember that most police enforcement takes place in areas where a portion of the citizens have limited resources.

Turns out the driver of the car is a single mother on her way from her minimum wage job to her mothers house, who is watching her kids while she works because she cant afford childcare.

Retired Birmingham police Capt. Jerry Wiley

She tells the officer this and says she just hasnt had time or the money to get the tag renewed. The officer has sympathy, but rationalizes giving her the citation by saying we all have to pay for tags. Plus, if she gets the tag renewed the court will drop the citation. So the officer issues the citation.

So far so good. The officer has some production for the day, the police have enforced the taxation regulations and our driver is minimally impacted because all she has to do is renew her tag.

But we know she wont renew the tag. Not because she is a flagrant anarchist or a dangerous armed robber -- she merely cant afford to get the tag renewed.

She cant afford to get the state mandated minimum liability insurance either, for which she was issued another citation for by our officer.

When the court date rolls around for the citations she was issued, she doesnt go to court.

If she had some resources, she could hire an attorney who would work out some deal with the City Attorney to get the charge dropped in exchange for time to get the tag renewed. But she doesnt so her course of action is to not to go to court and hope she never gets stopped again.

We know that isnt going to last long because like I said, we have 80 officers riding around at any given time looking for low hanging fruit, predominately in the areas of the community in which she happens to live.

She gets stopped again, still with an expired tag, no insurance and now with a warrant for failure to appear on the previous stop. And the state has suspended her drivers license for failure to appear.

Since Alabama doesnt notify people that they do this, the officer telling her that her license is suspended is the first she has heard of it.

Now one of my officers has hit the jackpot of enforcement actions -- we get three more citations and an arrest on top of it.

Meanwhile, our single mother now has a criminal arrest record, all because she didnt have resources to pay for a tag renewal.

This will start a downward spiral of court appearances, fees, fines and lost time at work that will eventually cause her to lose her minimum wage job, move back in with her mother and become chained to a system she will likely never break free of.

Besides the social impact of all that, my concern as a precinct commander is that besides my one officer arresting her, I have 19 officers at the same time doing the same thing.

Put to the test

Lets assume four others are as successful as our example officer was.

Now, I have five officers off the street because they are making similar low hanging fruit arrests.

But, its not just my officers, because the other three precincts each have five officers being very productive as well.

We now have about 20 officers arresting 20 people, processing them at the jail, getting warrants from the magistrate and being off their beats where we were supposed to be preventing crime.

We only have one magistrate working at a time, two if we are really lucky. So a process that should take a short time, ends up being a three hour ordeal before the arresting officer gets back to the beat.

After telling them this story, I said we were going to stop this nonsense and we were going to get back to our primary responsibility -- preventing crime and to do so by officer presence.

I told them I wanted them to patrol more, engage the community more, visit businesses more, drive alleys more, be visible.

I committed to them that if the precinct was able to reduce crime, that I didnt care about arrests or tickets and they would not have to worry about bad evaluations because of the lack of enforcement actions.

This new attitude would take continued re-enforcement on my part, both to the supervisors and to the officers. After several months, our crimes stats started coming down.

At the time the precinct was being plagued by burglaries and these started to go down dramatically. We were doing other precinct wide initiatives as well, but this increased officer presence had a significant impact on bringing those burglaries down.

Early on, I was put to the test. We had been having some significant reductions in overall crime and at the beginning of the month, officer evaluations were due.

One officer submitted a monthly report that had zero arrests, zero tickets, zero parking citations -- no documented enforcement actions of any kind.

The officers sergeant disapproved his monthly report and his lieutenant disapproved it as well. It then came to me to make a final approval or disapproval.

Normally, I would rubber stamp whatever an immediate supervisor did. But, I had to be true my word. I told them if we reduced crime, I didnt care about enforcement actions.

So, I approved the report -- much to the displeasure of the sergeant and lieutenant. Not only did I approve it, I took it to every roll call to show the officers that I had overruled the supervisors and approved it.

I took to the Departmental monthly IMPACT meeting and showed it to the command staff and the other precinct commanders.

I did this to demonstrate that we can reduce crime without writing tickets and putting people in jail for minor infractions.

I took a lot of heat for this. The precinct supervisors reasoned that while overall crime was down, there was no proof that this officer had anything to do with it.

They believed he had nothing to do with it because there was no proof his presence prevented any crime. The other commanders gave me grief because it would put pressure on them once the word made it around.

And, like my supervisors, they said an officer has to do something, that lower crime had nothing to do with increased presence.

They said I couldnt prove his presence prevented anything and only indicated he was lazy.

I held the course an continued commending the officers personally at roll calls, keeping them appraised of the crime stats and encouraging them keep up the good work.

The precinct crime stats decreased by 10% by the end of the year, while the arrest and citation numbers decreased dramatically.

It can work anywhere

Chief A.C. Roper named our precinct the Precinct of the Year, the first time he ever did such. To this day, this is now a highly sought after recognition for precinct commanders.

My first year as precinct commander was in 2010 and I would like to say that my thoughts on reducing harm to our most disadvantaged citizens was a product of a deep seated social consciousness.

That wasnt fully realized in me yet, although the seeds of that were growing in me because the story of the single mother was an overriding factor in getting buy in from my officers for my vision.

My initial motivation was to reduce crime in a precinct and community I loved.

I have to concede I have no scientific data to reinforce that there was a direct correlation between crime reduction and a decrease in arrests and citations. I only have my personal experience, one formed over three years as a commander of a very high poverty rate precinct.

Before I tried this experiment, our precinct had the most incidents of crime in the entire city. Was crime still too high when I left? Yes, it was.

But, I feel I at least demonstrated that there was another way to reduce crime than what we had been doing for decades.

I also have to admit that I am not absolutely sure that my philosophy can be replicated. A lot of what I did took personal motivation on my part -- a constant reinforcement of a vision that wasnt always shared by my supervisors.

Was it me the officers were responding to and would a less motivated commander achieve the same results? I dont know.

Once I left the precinct no other commander tried to replicate my plan. In fact, several commanders after me, and just before my retirement, regressed back to the same old arrest and cite mentality.

However, in my heart, I believe what we did is the proper way to police. I believe it can work anywhere.

Each jurisdiction has its own set of circumstances and any philosophy will have to be tailored to the needs of the community. But my guiding philosophy will always be true for me.

Crime prevention is our number one priority, everything else we do takes a back seat to that.

Jerry Wiley served with the Birmingham Police Department from 1986 until 2016. He was awarded the Police Star Medal and was commander of the West Precinct when it was awarded the Departmental Precinct of the Year in 2010. Wiley coordinated police logistics for Birminghams 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in 2013 and staffing for the visit of the Dali Lama. Wiley served in the North Precinct after graduating police academy, worked as a Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force as sergeant, was lieutenant of West Precinct for the 3 p.m.-11 p.m. shift for five years. He also served as Assistant Commander of Administrative Bureau and Assistant Commander/Acting Commander Patrol Bureau.
HDFC Bank was the top Sensex loser today after the private sector lender faced technical glitch on Tuesday with some customers complaining via social media that they were unable to access bank accounts.

The banking stock closed 3.86% lower at Rs 1,493. Market cap of the bank fell to Rs 8.23 lakh crore. The large cap stock has fallen after 2 days of consecutive gain.

It touched an intraday low of Rs 1,487.5, down 4.25% on BSE. The share stands trades higher than 5 day, 100 day and 200 day moving averages but lower than 20 day and 50 day moving averages.

The stock has gained 73.27% in one year and risen 4% since the beginning of this year.

The share lost 3.82% on Nifty and was among the top losers on the index.

"Some of our customers are facing intermittent issues while accessing net banking or mobile banking app. We are looking into it on priority for resolution. We apologise for the inconvenience and request you to try again after some time," the bank tweeted on Tuesday around 1 pm.

At 7:29 pm on March 30, the bank in a tweet said the issue stands resolved.

Top losers today: HDFC Bank, HDFC, Power Grid, Tech Mahindra fell up to 4%

However, this is not the first time the bank has faced such technical issue in customer servicing. The Reserve Bank had recently directed HDFC Bank to stop all launches of digital business generating activities planned under its program Digital 2.0 on December 3, 2020, until the issue of intermittent outages is addressed. The RBI said the bank's board should examine lapses and fix accountability, and asked them to come up with a solution to fix the problem.

The apex bank also appointed an IT firm for carrying out a special audit of the entire IT infrastructure of HDFC Bank. HDFC Bank was also barred from issuing any new credit cards on December 12 after a series of technical glitches.

HDFC Bank faces glitches again; says 'looking' into issue

On Tuesday, the stock was the top gainer on Sensex and Nifty ending at Rs 1,553.55, up 4.11 per cent, against previous close of Rs 1492.20 in line with a rally in benchmark indices. Sensex, closed higher by 1,128 points, or 2.3 per cent, at 50,136, and Nifty settled at 14,845, up 337 points or 2.33 per cent during the same session.
Numerous Lottery grants are being investigated for corruption

Members of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) board have objected to Trade and Industry minister Ebrahimn Patel extending the term of his representative as its acting chairperson.

Patel addressed the Trade and Industry Parliamentary Portfolio Committee to get its input.

Communications between the board and the minister trying to address corruption in the NLC has been reduced to lawyers' letters and official correspondence.

Relations between Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel and the board of the NLC are now largely reduced to exchanges of lawyers' letters and official correspondence.

This became evident on Wednesday when the minister addressed the Trade and Industry Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, which has oversight responsibility of the Lottery, at a virtual meeting.

The battle between Patel and the NLC has also involved briefings to selected media, as well as leaks of letters and documents.

Patel had requested a meeting with the portfolio committee to discuss the extension of the term of Zandile Brown, his representative on the NLC board and its acting chairperson. Brown, whose term as acting chair ends at midnight on 31 March, was appointed in the acting position after the 11-year tenure of the NLC's former scandal-ridden chairperson Alfred Nevhutanda.

The NLC board and the minister have been at war over the appointment of Brown. Four members of the board wrote to Patel claiming that he did not have the authority to appoint an acting chairperson, and it was their responsibility to make the appointment.

Patel struck a cautious note, telling the committee that he had sought legal advice and was told that he had the authority to appoint an acting chairperson until such time as a full time appointment was made.

According to Patel, he now has three options: to appoint an outsider as chairperson of the board, appoint another member of the NLC, or extend Brown's acting term "for a short period" until a new permanent chairperson is appointed.

Dean MacPherson, DA shadow minister for trade and industry, said, "This is not even a low grade civil war taking place between the minister and the NLC. It is a full scale nuclear war that is unfolding. This is for obvious reasons ... there is entrenched patronage and access to millions of rands that is at play here."

Patel declined to identify the four board members who had written to him. But there are currently only five NLC board members and it seems highly improbable that Brown, as the minister's representative on the board, is one of them. The other members are Advocate William Huma, who applied for the vacant chairperson post but did not make the final shortlist of three, Ms Doris Dondor, Ms Yaswant Gordhan and Dr Muthuhadini Madzivhandila, who was placed third on the shortlist. (GroundUp recently reported that R5 million was paid towards Huma's house by an organisation that received an NLC grant.)

"It would be very helpful to remove uncertainty by getting any thoughts that the portfolio committee may have," Patel said. "I hope that ... as soon as we have the process completed for a permanent chairperson, the NLC will be able to have this governance issue fully resolved, and that we are all working to ensure that, in fact, the NLC is able to serve the people of South Africa in terms of the Act and within the framework of our Constitution."

DA MP Mat Cuthbert said, "We would like to ask the minister what action he is going to take against those four board members who have not only launched a fightback campaign against him in the media through strategic leaks but have also threatened legal action against the minister, and have constantly sought to undermine him, even though he has given them sufficient rope.

"We have long called for the NLC ... board to be sacked considering the fact that they have all failed to act while the looting continued unabated at the NLC."

ANC MP Zolile Burns-Ncamashe said, "What I pick up is that the engagement and the communication with [the NLC] or the board, is that they are communicating through letters and so forth, and it shows that there are serious challenges."

ACDP MP Wayne Thring called on Patel to ensure that "any and every allegation that has been levelled against board members of the NLC must be dealt with so that we have an NLC that is credible, that is transparent, that has the respect ... of citizens of South Africa."

A previous attempt by Patel to appoint a chairperson was derailed after Parliament's chief legal officer questioned the legality of the process being followed. The process had to be restarted with members of the portfolio committee compiling a shortlist of eight from the 39 candidates, who were then interviewed for the post.

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The new shortlist of three names has been submitted to Parliament, which is currently in recess. The National Assembly must first debate and adopt the parliamentary committee's report on the shortlisting before it is submitted to Patel, who will then appoint one of the three shortlisted candidates as the new permanent NLC board chairperson.

When he extended Brown's acting appointment to 31 March, Patel said his legal advice was that there was no reason that he should not extend her term for two more months.

Patel previously clashed with the Board when it sent him a lawyer's letter demanding that he hand over an independent forensic report into allegedly corrupt Lottery-funded projects. The board threatened to drag the minister to court if he refused to hand over the dossier, which had been handed over to the Hawks to investigate.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is also investigating the NLC.

The dossier dealt with four projects involving suspended Lottery COO Philemon Letwaba and members of his family, as well as lawyer Lesley Ramulifho, who has profited from Lottery grants.

The number of projects being investigated by the Hawks and the SIU has swelled to over 20, with new ones "being added to the list all the time" a well-informed source said.
Tlou Energy Ltd - seeking to use gas and solar to alleviate some of the chronic power shortage in Botswana and southern Africa - Botswana's Department of Environmental Affairs has approved the environmental impact statement for Tlou's Boomslang project, which is adjacent to the Lesedi power project.

Company is still in negotiations on development funding for Lesedi, which have moved to the next stage including due diligence.

Current stock price: 3.03 pence

Year-to-date change: up 4.5%

By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
BIRKENFELD (dpa-AFX) - Stratec SE (SBSG), a manufacturer of automated analyzer systems, reported Wednesday that its fourth-quarter earnings per share climbed 76.1 percent to 0.81 euro from last year's 0.46 euro. Adjusted net income was 11.45 million euros, compared to 8.14 million euros a year ago. Adjusted earnings per share were 0.95 euro, compared to 0.68 euro last year. Adjusted EBIT climbed 46.6 percent year-over-year to 13.59 million euros, and adjusted EBIT margin grew 250 basis points to 19.1 percent. Adjusted EBITDA grew 35.8 percent to 16.16 million euros and adjusted EBITDA margin improved 150 basis points to 22.8 percent. Sales for the quarter increased 27.2 percent to 71.02 million euros from last year's 55.82 million euros. Further, the company's Board of Management will propose a dividend distribution of 0.90 euro per share for approval at this year's Annual General Meeting, higher than previous year's 0.84 euro, citing strong results and the positive growth prospects. Looking ahead for fiscal 2021, the company projects adjusted EBIT margin around 17.0 percent to 18.0 percent, up from last year's 16.7 percent. STRATEC expects to generate constant-currency sales growth in at least a mid single-digit percentage range in the 2021 financial year. In the first half of 2021, STRATEC is witnessing further growth in demand for many of its product lines. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Chinese ships are lined up at the Whitsun Reef within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, March 27, 2021.

China has not withdrawn all of its vessels moored at a reef within Manilas exclusive economic zone, the Philippines said Wednesday, as it amplified its demand that Beijing pull out Maritime Militia ships from disputed South China Sea waters.

As of Monday, 44 Chinese Maritime Militia ships remain moored, anchored and stationary at Julian Felipe Reef, the governments National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said in a statement, referring to Whitsun Reef by its Philippine name. The West Philippine Sea is also the name that Manila uses for the South China Sea.

The reef is about 175 nautical miles off the Philippine island province of Palawan and within the countrys 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Philippines calls on China to immediately withdraw these vessels flying its flag, the NTF-WPS said, adding that it has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over a swath of islands and reefs in the Spratly Group, which Manila calls Kalayaan, and the waters surrounding them.

The task force also expresses deep concern over the continuing unlawful presence (swarming) of the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM), which did not pull out and have remained in Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef and are now in other areas of the Kalayaan Island Group in the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, according to the statement.

While only 44 ships were lingering at Whitsun, others had dispersed to other areas of the Spratlys  115 at Kennan Reef, 45 around Thitu Island and another 50 among Mischief, Fiery Cross, and Subi reefs  the task force said.

The task force said military patrols also located four Chinese naval ships at Mischief Reef, one of several submerged natural features, which China has reclaimed and transformed into military installations.

The Philippine military began keeping a closer watch following a report earlier this month that about 220 Chinese militia vessels had moored at Whitsun Reef. It deployed naval and aerial assets last week to monitor the region.

A week ago, Philippine military representatives met with their Chinese counterparts to convey a government demand that the ships leave Whitsun Reef. Chinese military officials responded that the ships were fishing boats taking shelter because of inclement weather.

On March 22, the Chinese embassy in Manila rejected Philippine allegations that hundreds of Beijings militia ships were clustering in Philippine-claimed waters, after Manila lodged a diplomatic protest with China over the matter earlier this month.

Recently, some Chinese fishing vessels took shelter near Niue Jiao due to rough sea conditions, the embassy said in a statement then, referring to Whitsun Reef by its Chinese name.

It has been a normal practice for Chinese fishing vessels to take shelter under such circumstances. There is no Chinese Maritime Militia as alleged.

In its Wednesday statement, the task force said the Philippines stands by its observation that these so-called fishing vessels are maritime militia, and their presence poses a threat to the peaceful exercise of the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its EEZ.

It mentioned a July 2016 U.N.-backed tribunals ruling that affirmed the Philippines sovereign rights in the South China Sea.

China has rejected the ruling and escalated its military build-up in the waterway, deploying ships and aircraft to the region.

Six other Asian governments  Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam  have territorial claims or maritime boundaries in the South China Sea. While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ.

Neither the Philippines nor the international community will ever accept Chinas assertion of its so-called indisputable integrated sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea, the task force said.

ASEAN ministers to go to Beijing

Even as Manila has called for Beijing to move its ships, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced he had invited Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to visit Wednesday through Friday.

Through this visit, China hopes to step up communication with [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries on regional and international situation, implement important consensus of the leadership, strengthen strategic mutual trust, deepen anti-epidemic and development cooperation, boost quality [One Belt, One Road] cooperation, scale new heights in bilateral relations and China-ASEAN relationship, and better safeguard regional peace, stability, and development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

The Chinese announcement came two days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washingtons position supporting Manila, a longtime ally.

We will always stand by our allies and stand up for the rules-based international order, Blinken said in a tweet.

Officials from Canada, the U.K., Japan, and Australia have issued similar statements supporting the Philippines position regarding Whitsun Reef.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
The Police High Command wishes to inform the public that Kemeseng Sanneh known as Kexx Sanneh is currently under arrest and helping the Police in their investigations.

His arrest came following a case report he filed at the LK German Police Station on Saturday 27th March 2021, alleging being kidnapped by unidentified individuals.

He claimed to have been dumped at Erinjang Cemetery on the 24th March 2021, which information he knew to be false and misleading.

The Crime Investigation Department opened a swift investigation into the circumstances leading to his alleged kidnapping with a view to prosecuting anyone found responsible in accordance with the Laws.

However, investigations revealed that, Kemeseng Sanneh was never kidnapped nor abducted by any individual.

Sufficient evidence gathered showed that he was not kidnapped and placed in a car as alleged; but instead, he spent that very night in his house with a Marabout from Senegal whose service he hired.

Further investigations revealed that Kemeseng Sanneh was involved in a fraudulent marabout scam, details of which are subject of further investigations.

The GPF High Command hereby commends the public for the swift response in providing relevant information useful to the investigation.

Members of the public are further encouraged to be law abiding and warned against spreading false and misleading information on crime for any reason.

The Police is also applying due diligence in ensuring the safety of Kemeseng as he continues to help in the investigations.
[March 31, 2021] Truechip Adds New Customer Shipments Of Verification IPs For DDR, LPDDR And I3C v1.1

NOIDA, India and BENGALURU, India, March 31, 2021 /CNW/ -- Truechip, the Verification IP Specialist, today announced that it has added multiple new customers for DDR5, LPDDR5 and I3C v1.1 On this occasion, Nitin Kishore, CEO, Truechip said, "It is another milestone for Truechip. We have added multiple new customer shipments of Verification IPs during the pandemic to geographies like Taiwan, USA, Israel and India. The DDR5 protocol brings multiple features in addition to speed and capacity increase including enhanced power efficiency and scalability, augmented memory efficiency and refined latencies. The LPDDR5 protocol also brings multiple feature additions over speed and capacity enhancement including dynamic voltage scaling, scalable clocking architecture, flexible bank architecture with support of 3 bank configurations and much lower power than LPDDR4/ 4X." Mr. Kishore further added, "In addition to memory protocols Verification IP, I would also like to mphasize on I3C v1.1 protocol. It supports a host of features including multi lane data transfer for all modes, device to device tunneling and bulk transport mode. Additionally, our TruEYE GUI provides easy debug, performance/ throughput updates, transaction tracing with plenty other features."



Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saurabh Agarwal, Head, Marketing & Sales, Truechip said, "It has been our constant endeavor that we continue to provide the impeccable quality products and services. It is our commitment to our customers to achieve the highest levels of quality and reliability for their designs thus negating risks. We have become preferred VIP partner for many semiconductor companies today as we provide a truly seamless experience be it aggressive support, Flexible licensing models, customizations of VIPs or ease of integration." About Truechip:

Truechip is a leading provider of Verification IP solutions, DFT, Physical design and verification services, which aid to accelerate IP/ SOC design thus lowering the cost and the risks associated with the development of ASIC, FPGA and SOC. Truechip provides Verification IP solutions for RISC V-based chips, Networking, Automotive, Microcontroller, Mobile, Storage, Data Centers, AI domains for all known protocols along with custom VIP development. A privately held company with solid and seasoned leadership, having global footprints and coverage across North America, Europe, and Asia. Truechip offers Industry's first 24 x 7 technical support. Follow us: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube For more information:

Phone : +91-97185-92036

Email: media@truechip.net

Website: www.truechip.net View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/truechip-adds-new-customer-shipments-of-verification-ips-for-ddr-lpddr-and-i3c-v1-1--301259445.html SOURCE Truechip

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( ) (FRA:JYA) remains focused on continued drilling at nearby prospects as a maiden mineral resource estimate within the wider Dandoko Project in west Mali highlights future mining potential.

During the half-year ending December 31, 2020, the company concluded its 2020 field season with a focus on resource definition drilling at the high-grade SK1 North discovery at Seko, with results intersecting significant widths of deep gold mineralisation.

Following a hiatus for the wet season, the 2021 field season started in late October with an initial 15,000 metres drilling program predominantly targeting the 3-kilometre-long SK1 North to Koko trend at Seko, which remains open at depth and along strike.

On March 30, 2021, the company delivered a measured, indicated and inferred resource of 11.3 million tonnes at 1.83 g/t gold for 668,500 ounces encompassing the Seko, Koko, Disse and Diabarou deposits at its flagship Dandoko Project.

Oklo believes this mineral resource estimate (MRE) is an important milestone and will underpin a scoping study on a potential low-cost open pit mining operation.

The company remains well-funded with cash reserves of $17.3 million as at the end of December 2020.

Dandoko Project

The Dandoko permit totals 100 square kilometres and is in west Mali.

Oklos exploration programs within the project area have led to the discovery of multiple gold prospects, with Seko being the companys most advanced.

The Seko prospect comprises five coherent gold trends (SK1-5) with a combined strike length of 7 kilometres within the flagship Dandoko Project.

Following the MRE at Dandoko, the scoping study will focus on initial development of the high-grade oxide mineralisation extending to surface, with the deposit having a strong grade-tonnage cut off characteristic with over 60% of contained ounces above a 2.0 g/t gold grade cut-off.

All deposits remain open and are expected to grow with ongoing drilling along strike or at depth.

This measured, indicated and inferred estimate follows years of hard work for Oklo, which acquired the Dandoko project from Compass Gold Corp ( ) in 2013.

It is constrained within optimised pit shells with 79% classified within the measured and indicated resource categories.

Oklo managing director Simon Taylor said the estimate represented a major turning point for the company.

It provides a strong platform in our quest to build a multi-million-ounce resource inventory within this world-class gold province."

Other projects

And while the Dandoko project is Oklos main focus, it has another 10 operational projects in west and south Mali, including the nearby Kouroufing and Kandiole projects where drilling is underway.

At the companys Kandiole project, first pass geochemical auger drilling results for 779 auger holes (average depth 13 metres) totalling 10,072 metres were received.

Four large geochemical gold anomalies were identified over strike lengths up to 2.4 square kilometres, which will be followed up with deeper drill testing.

The program was designed upon initial field mapping and was prioritised based on geophysical interpretations and field observations.
A senior government official appointed by former President Donald Trump who admitted to having rooftop sex at work launched a new political action committee.

Business Insider first reported that P. Brennan Hart III had registered a PAC called the American Business Federation on Monday.

Hart was the focus of a General Services Administration inspector general report that said he admitted to receiving oral sex from a White House staffer on the GSA rooftop after consuming vodka in his office on July 1, 2017.

P. Brennan Hart III, who made headlines in 2018 for having sex on the General Services Administration's rooftop with a Trump White House staffer, has launched a new political action committee

Hart told the GSA inspector general's office that 'their sexual activity began in the Administrator suite area and culminated with oral sex on the rooftop of the Central Office' (pictured)

He had been appointed in May by Trump to associate administrator of the GSA.

He previously worked in GOP politics for the campaigns of George W. Bush and John McCain and helped Vice President Mike Pence during the 2016-2017 transition.

The salacious report about Hart from March 2018 made headlines at the time.

The White House aide's name was redacted.

'He stated he escorted [the White House staffer] into the GSA Central Office building and made them each a drink with the bottle of vodka he kept in his desk,' the report said. 'He said their sexual activity began in the Administrator suite area and culminated with oral sex on the rooftop of the Central Office.'

'Hart stated this occurred on only one occasion,' the report acknowledged.

This was a no-no, according to the government because, 'Having sex in the central office building is not an authorized purpose for use by the public.'

'Further, there is no law or GSA regulation that allows an employee to have sex in the building,' the documents said.

The report also detailed Hart's alcohol use in the office.

It said that Hart admitted to keeping a bottle of vodka in his desk, though he said he only sipped it after-hours.

GSA Administrator Emily Murphy - who briefly delayed President Joe Biden's transition last year - told the inspector general's office that she permitted the drinking of alcohol in her office by her immediate staff after work on Fridays.

Both Hart and Murphy said they were unaware there was a formal approval process to green-light activities with alcohol.

Hart left the GSA in 2018 and it's unclear whether he resigned or was fired.

Hart's new venture doesn't have a working website yet.

FEC documents say it will be headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Hart did not respond to an emailed request for comment for DailyMail.com.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  Some 44 Chinese vessels are still at Julian Felipe Reef while more than 200 others have moved to different areas in the Kalayaan Island Group, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said Wednesday.

The task force, which first reported the presence of over 200 Chinese ships at Julian Felipe Reef, also known as Whitsun, last March 20, stood by its observation that these are part of Chinas maritime militia despite Beijings denial. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. noted that these vessels are 60-100 meters long, saying photos taken from recent sovereignty patrols show just "how big and imposing" they are.

Over the weekend, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Chito Sta. Romana said Beijing gave its assurance that its fishing vessels are staying in Julian Felipe Reef only temporarily to take shelter from rough sea conditions.

Aerial and maritime patrol missions however show that as of Monday, 44 of these vessels remain moored, anchored, and stationary in Julian Felipe Reef, located close to Bataraza, Palawan within the countrys exclusive economic zone, the task force said in a statement.

The rest of the vessels are scattered within the Kalayaan Island Group in the disputed Spratlys. Most, or 115 of the vessels were monitored in what is called by the Philippines as Chigua Reef, which covers McKennan and Hughes Reefs.

Meanwhile, 45 Chinese vessels were seen in Pag-asa Island, internationally known as Thitu, seat of the municipal government of Kalayaan under Palawan province.

The remaining 50 vessels were dispersed in Panganiban, Kagitingan, and Zamora Reefs, internationally known as Mischief, Fiery Cross, and Subi Reefs. The task force noted that four Chinese Navy vessels were also in Panganiban Reef.

An arbitral tribunal in 2016 ruled that Chinas island-building activities on these reefs and four others constitute violations to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS and have caused devastating and long-lasting damage to the marine environment.

China rejects the ruling, which also recognized the Philippines sovereign rights to parts of its EEZ which Beijing contests. The East Asian giant insists on owning almost the entire South China Sea, including areas Manila claims as the West Philippine Sea.

The task force said it has increased the deployment of Navy, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels in the Kalayaan Island Group to augment routine patrols and assert the countrys sovereignty.

Their build-up and massing formation from Julian Felipe Reef to other areas of the Kalayaan Island Group is hazardous to navigation and safety of life at sea, the task force said.

They may be doing illicit activities at night and their lingering (swarming) presence may cause irreparable damage to the marine environment due to marine pollution and destruction of coral reefs. Their swarming also poses a threat to the peaceful exercise of sovereign rights of the Philippines in its EEZ, it added.

The task force reiterated the government's call for China to pull out its vessels. The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier sent a diplomatic protest and demanded that China "promptly withdraw" its ships. President Rodrigo Duterte also raised the issue in a recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, and reaffirmed the landmark arbitral ruling, the Palace said.
[March 31, 2021] KKR Acquires The Exchange in San Francisco's Mission Bay, to be Operated by Longfellow Real Estate Partners

KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced that it has acquired The Exchange on 16th, a 750,000-square-foot Class A office complex, from Kilroy Realty Corporation for approximately $1 billion. Longfellow Real Estate Partners, a life science focused, vertically integrated real estate developer and manager, will work with KKR to operate the property. KKR is making the investment through its core plus real estate strategy. Built in 2018 in the heart of San Francisco's highly desirable Mission Bay submarket, The Exchange is a center for life sciences and technology on the West Coast comprised of four interconnected buildings. The property's state-of-the-art design holds both LEED Platinum and WELL Core & Shell Gold certifications, as well as lab-ready infrastructure for life science tenancy. The property is currently 100% leased to a leading publicly traded technology company. "We are thrilled to be building on our deep commitment to the West Coast real estate market with the purchase of this premier property in Mission Bay, a highly attractive location serving as a world-class innovation center," said Justin Pattner, KKR Partner and Head of Real Estate Equity in the Americas. "We remain focused on opportunities to add quality real estate assets to our portfolios, and The Exchange is a prime example. We believe our long-term investment is supported by the region's robust academic and business community, accompanied by its impressive talent base." "Working alongside KKR, The Exchange provides us an exciting opportunity to have a transformative presence in Mission Bay, bringing our world class capabilities and scale to bear," said Jamison Peschel, Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Longellow Real Estate Partners. "We are long-term believers in the Bay Area market and we're looking forward to working with the existing tenant to capitalize on the strength of the life science and technology industries in the Mission Bay cluster."



Inclusive of The Exchange, KKR real estate funds have acquired in excess of $3.5 billion across asset classes on the West Coast over the last 24 months. Since launching a dedicated real estate platform in 2011, KKR has grown its real estate assets under management to approximately $28 billion across the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific as of December 31, 2020 (pro forma to include Global Atlantic's assets following KKR's acquisition of Global Atlantic on February 1, 2021). KKR's global real estate team consists of approximately 100 dedicated investment professionals, spanning both the equity and credit business, across 11 offices and eight countries. About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management and capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of The Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter (News - Alert) @KKR_Co. About Longfellow Real Estate Partners Longfellow Real Estate Partners serves the unique demands of science and technology companies and focuses on the most innovative cluster locations in the US. The firm acquires and develops facilities in strategic locations and builds long-term relationships with research centric organizations including life science companies, universities, medical centers and research institutes. The principals of Longfellow have acquired or developed more than 10 million square feet of laboratory and technology space over their careers including numerous high profile projects on the East Coast. The Company's institutional capabilities and entrepreneurial vision enables Longfellow to deliver high quality laboratories and innovation space while satisfying each tenant's unique requirements. For more information about Longfellow, please email info@lfrep.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005985/en/

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Pennsylvanians would be among the principal beneficiaries of H.R. 1  the House-passed bill to implement a host of badly needed election reforms.

Those reforms include illuminating the sources of hundreds of millions of dollars in dark money, creating basic voting rights standards that cant be overridden by self-interested state legislators, and  of particular interest to heavily gerrymandered Pennsylvania  mandating the use of independent commissions to craft new legislative and congressional districts after each census.

Whether the Senate passes the civil rights legislation depends mostly upon the narrow Democratic majoritys willingness to eliminate the filibuster.

Meanwhile, there is at least some progress at the state level toward a more transparent process.

Instead of using an independent commission, Pennsylvania forms a committee comprising the four Republican and Democratic caucus leaders in the House and Senate, who then choose a fifth person as the chairperson. If they are unable to agree on the fifth member, which has been the case for the past 30 years, the state Supreme Court appoints the fifth member. Typically, the court appoints a retired state appellate judge, a law school dean or, in one case, a former federal prosecutor.

On March 23, the Senate State Government Committee unanimously approved a bill that would set standards for the fifth member. It would require that person had voted in at least two of the three most recent general elections, had never been a registered lobbyist or candidate for elective office, and had never worked for a political party or officeholder. The requirements also would apply to spouses.

That bill should pass. Meanwhile, the reapportionment commission has begun to accept applications for the chairmans position, for which more than 280 people already have applied.

If youre interested in the position, send a resume and a letter explaining your interest and qualifications to: Legislative Reapportionment Commission, c/o Brent McClintock, Executive Director, Legislative Data Processing Center, Senate Box 64, Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. The deadline is April 9, and the commission will conduct public interviews.

Pennsylvania desperately needs a fully independent commission. But until then, a truly independent commission chairman can make a difference.
ALBANY  Its not just the general public thats in the dark on details of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos book deal: Even some members of the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics are having trouble getting information.

For the past six weeks, JCOPE Commissioner Gary Lavine has been trying to get JCOPEs new chair, Camille Joseph Varlack, to provide commissioners with additional information about the publication of the book, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. JCOPE commissioners are supposed to have oversight of New York public officials' requests to earn outside income.

Lavine, an appointee of state Senate Republicans, told the Times Union that Varlack's response has been that shes still getting up to speed in her new role  and has not provided anything yet.

Its a gigantic taffy pull  just stretch out everything, Lavine said. And thats what Varlack is doing.

JCOPE commissioners never voted to approve Cuomos book deal. Instead, last summer, the governor's request was approved solely by the commissions staff.

State ethics watchdog no stranger to controversy, criticism Inspector general probed ethics panel's alleged leak to Cuomo: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was allegedly briefed on the details of a closed-door JCOPE vote around the time the panel voted on whether to investigate Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to the governor. Uncertain future for JCOPE reform push: Cuomo shows little interest in offering proposals to fix ethics watchdog. Editorial: The no-bite watchdog: The state ethics watchdog shows yet again that it's not up to its assignment, the Times Union editorial board writes. With forced vote on Percoco probe looming, JCOPE files appeal: Ethics panel fights court ruling that mandated a vote on whether to investigate the activities of Joe Percoco, a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Ethics panel under fire: A scandal involving lawmaker Vito Lopez and the Assembly's handling of sexual harassment allegations against him appears to be on the verge of undoing the state's newest ethics enforcement panel. Ethics overhaul nearing reality: Cuomo prepares to sign ethics overhaul package into law, starting a 120-day clock for the creation of the new Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

Since then, JCOPE commissioners have had access to some materials, including the letter written by Cuomos governmental counsel seeking approval, and the letter from JCOPE staff granting Cuomo the approval. Its not entirely clear what additional information was the basis for the JCOPE staffs approval of the book deal, however, and Varlack has so far declined to share any information.

During the public portion of a commission meeting in August 2020, former chairman Michael Rozen stated that there was a single matter  which he did not identify  on which he had been provided information not available to other JCOPE commissioners. Lavine strongly believes Rozen was referring to Cuomos book deal, though he does not know it for certain.

In early February, Rozen abruptly resigned from JCOPE for reasons that remain unclear. Cuomo replaced him with Varlack, a former staffer in Cuomos office who ran a program that sought to minimize the public release of damaging information about the administration.

Lavine said Rozens exclusive knowledge was an example of what he termed a super-commission within JCOPE made up of the governors Democratic appointees that get more information than other commissioners.

They have a cohort of super-commissioners that are getting information that should be disseminated to all of us, Lavine said. We have no information about the book other than the request and the granting of permission.

Other legislatively appointed commissioners have made similar criticisms about Cuomo appointees gaining exclusive knowledge. Those criticisms date back to 2012, a year after the body was formed.

In a statement, Varlack said that discussions about any request to earn outside income should remain confidential. The commission is barred from commenting on any specific request for guidance, she said. This is  and has always been  confidential under Executive Law ....

Cuomos office has stonewalled media requests for information about the book deal. In November, the Times Union filed a Freedom of Information Law seeking the materials his office submitted to JCOPE during the approval process, as well as the panel's approval letter.

The Times Union has since filed four appeals arguing the months-long delays in providing a few pages of records are unreasonable. A Cuomo counsel, Valerie Lubanko, has rejected them, arguing the COVID-19 pandemic is a valid reason for the delays. Yet during the pandemic, Cuomo had time to write the 320-page book.

The Buffalo News also filed a request seeking JCOPEs approval letter in August, and has been similarly thwarted.

Its so far unclear how much Cuomo earned for writing the book. Vanity Fair reported it sold for a sum in the low to mid-seven figures which the magazine termed a blockbuster sum by industry standards. Cuomo has declined to address the question, stating that it will be answered when his annual financial disclosure form becomes public in May.

When a state government employee seeks to earn outside income, they're required to answer a few questions in writing, then submit the information to JCOPE. Those rules date back to at least 1990, according to a spokesman for the ethics panel.

But the Times Union found that in 2012, when Cuomo sought approval for his first book as governor, "All Things Possible," the letter that Cuomo's government counsel submitted to JCOPE did not have all the required answers.

Richard Azzopardi, a Cuomo senior advisor, said in February that before the publication of "American Crisis," all information "required and requested was provided and approval was granted just as it was for the last book in 2012."

On Thursday, Azzopardi said there is "nothing in law or regulation that speaks to a ban on state workers volunteering for a for-profit venture  this simply is not legally a 'thing.'"

While state workers need outside activity approval for several specified compensated and uncompensated outside activities (such as board service), there is nothing in any of the laws or regulations that requires approval for, or in any way limits, how a public officer spends his or her free time," he said in a statement. "In fact, many public officers do engage in for profit activities for themselves or others, and it is entirely OK to volunteer to do work for a for-profit project."

"American Crisis" sold well in its first months of release, but the recent scandals that have enveloped Cuomo's administration have proven challenging for its publisher, Crown. The company announced earlier this month that it had no plans to reprint the title or release it in paperback  a decision it said was directly related to the ongoing federal investigation of the administration's decision to stonewall data on the impact of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
Dar es Salaam  That President Samia Suluhu Hassan will maintain Tanzania's tempo in implementing mega projects became clearer yesterday when she appointed Dr Philip Mpango as Vice President.

The assumption is based on the role that Dr Mpango had played in designing and actual execution of Tanzania's development blue- prints in the last decade.

Apart from his days as an econ- omist with the World Bank, Dr Mpango was also the principal supervisor for the preparation of Tanzania's Five Year Development Plan that ran between financial year 2011/12 and 2015/16.

This was the time he joined the public service and worked as executive secretary for the Planning Commission.

His other previous positions of head of the President's economic advisory unit, acting Commissioner General of Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning as well as personal assistant to the President (Economic Affairs) all meant that he was a key player in the country's economic development efforts.

In his role as Finance minister under President John Magufuli, Dr Mpango was a key figure in the sourcing and disbursement of development funds for the implementation of mega projects, including the standard gauge railway (SGR) line, the Nyerere Hydropower project along the Rufiji River and purchasing of aircraft for Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) among others. Analysts say the choice of Dr Mpango signalled President Hassan's continuity agenda.

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"Dr Mpango has had numer- ous contributions in preparing the National Development Plan and he even pushed the execution of mega projects that were initiated by President John Magufuli where he even prepared them in the national budget," said Prof Delphin Rwegasira of the University of Dar es Salaam's (UDSM) Economics Department.

Economist Prof Samwel Wangwe shared similar sentiments: "Dr Mpango worked in the Planning Commission for a long time and therefore, he is well versed with economic issues," he said.

Prof Haji Semboja of the UDSM, said the decision to nominate Dr Mpango as Vice President is because he has the expertise to supervise plans, evaluate and ensure execution.

"He has institutional memory and experience because he has worked in international organizations including the World Bank, so is well versed with the systems," he said.

According to him, Dr Mpango as the next VP spells continuity of projects that were implemented in the last five years where both President Hassan and him helped to push.

Political analysts say the appointment was an indication that the new government will consist of a strong leadership that would promote more professionalism in the conduct of government business and bring change in the country.

ACT-Wazelendo party leader Zitto Kabwe said President must have considered various factors in making the nomination.

"The President has appointed a person who she believes will work with her well to deliver on the mandate she has. I congratulate Dr Mpango for the call to serve in a higher office. Both Samia and Mpango would deliver better services to people and restore our democracy," he said.
TORONTO, March 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanzanian Gold Corporation (TSX:TNX) (NYSE American:TRX) (TanGold or the Company) is pleased to announce and welcome Shubo Rakhit, CPA, CA to the Board of Directors of Tanzanian Gold Corporation.



Mr. Rakhit, has had a prominent career as a leading corporate finance professional, highly respected strategist, and sought after trusted advisor. His 30+ year career has included positions at several large investment banks and advisory firms including Canadas major bank owned investment banks, BofA Securities, KPMG Corporate Finance and Echelon Wealth Partners where he most recently served as Managing Director, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). Mr. Rakhits distinguished career includes leading over $80B of M&A transactions, and over $100B of global capital markets issuance including many complex strategic and capital solutions, that has also encompassed mining companies. The strength of his relationships is characterized by authenticity and instilling trust that will assist the Company in broadening its access to capital markets at a time of rapid growth for the organization.

We are delighted to welcome Shubo Rakhit to our Board of Directors and look forward to working with him. Shubo is well known for his track record of success. His extensive background and experience in advising boards will complement our Board as we continue to restructure TanGold for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We are excited that our team of professional experts is growing on our Board of Directors as we advance our bold business agenda and confidently move our mining plans forward, Stephen Mullowney, Chief Executive Officer said.

I am enthusiastic about joining the Board of Directors and these are exciting times for the gold sector. I welcome the opportunity to use my years of experience in finance and business to assist the Company in building global relationships and advancing its plans. I look forward to working with the Board of Directors, Executive Management Team and our Joint Venture partner, STAMICO, Director Rakhit said.

Thank you for welcoming Shubo Rakhit as a member of the Board of Directors of Tanzanian Gold Corporation.

About Tanzanian Gold Corporation

Tanzanian Gold Corporation along with its joint venture partner, STAMICO is building a significant gold project at Buckreef in Tanzania that is based on an expanded Mineral Resource base and the treatment of its mineable Mineral Reserves in two standalone plants. Measured Mineral Resource now stands at 19.98MT at 1.99g/t gold containing 1,281,161 ounces of gold and Indicated Mineral Resource now stand at 15.89MT at 1.48g/t gold containing 755,119 ounces of gold for a combined tonnage of 35.88MT at 1.77g/t gold containing 2,036,280 ounces of gold. The Buckreef Project also contains an Inferred Mineral Resource of 17.8MT at 1.11g/t gold for contained gold of 635,540 ounces of gold. The Company is actively investigating and assessing multiple exploration targets on its property. Please refer to the Companys Updated Mineral Resources Estimate for Buckreef Gold Project, dated May 15, 2020, for more information.

Tanzanian Gold Corporation is advancing on three value-creation tracks:

Strengthening its balance sheet by expanding near-term production to 15,000 - 20,000 oz. of gold per year from the processing of oxide material from an expanded oxide plant. Advancing the Final Feasibility Study for a stand-alone sulphide treating plant that is substantially larger than previously modelled and targeting significant annual gold production. Continuing with a drilling program to further test the potential of its property, Exploration Targets and Mineral Resource base by: (i) identifying new prospects; (ii) drilling new oxide/sulphide targets; (iii) infill drilling to upgrade Mineral Resources currently in the Inferred category; and (iv) a step-out drilling program in the Northeast Extension.



Andrew M. Cheatle, P.Geo. is the Companys Qualified Person as defined by the NI 43-101 who has verified the data disclosed in this news release and has otherwise reviewed and assumes responsibility for the technical content of this press release.

For further information, please contact Michael Martin, Investor Relations, m.martin@tangoldcorp.com, 860-248-0999, or visit the Company website at www.tangoldcorp.com

The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our SEC filings. You can review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined in the applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as expects, anticipates, believes, hopes, intends, estimated, potential, possible and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results will, may, could or should occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Tanzanian Gold managements expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, recoveries, subsequent project testing, success and viability of mining operations, the timing and amount of estimated future production, and capital expenditure.

Although TanGold believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance. The actual achievements of TanGold or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties and factors include general business, legal, economic, competitive, political, regulatory and social uncertainties; actual results of exploration activities and economic evaluations; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; changes in costs; future prices of gold and other minerals; mining method, production profile and mine plan; delays in exploration, development and construction activities; changes in government legislation and regulation; the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and in a timely manner or at all; contests over title to properties; employee relations and shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; the speculative nature of, and the risks involved in, the exploration, development and mining business. These risks are set forth under Item 3.D in Tanzanian Golds Form 20-F for the year ended August 31, 2020, as amended, as filed with the SEC.

The information contained in this press release is as of the date of the press release and TanGold assumes not duty to update such information.

Note to U.S. Investors

US investors are advised that the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimated disclosed in this press release have been calculated pursuant to Canadian standards which use terminology consistent with the requirements CRIRSCO reporting standards. For its fiscal year ending August 31, 2021, and thereafter, the Company will follow new SEC regulations which uses a CRIRSCO based templet for mineral resources and mineral reserves, that includes definitions for inferred, indicated, and measured mineral resources.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 17:49:24|Editor: huaxia

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-- COVID-19 introduction through an intermediate host is "likely to very likely," introduction through cold/food chain products is "possible," and introduction through a laboratory incident is "extremely unlikely."

-- China co-sponsored the 73rd World Health Assembly resolution on COVID-19 and supports WHO-led cooperation on zoonotic source research among member states.

-- It's not blaming people, it's dealing with the problem.

GENEVA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday released a report on the global tracing of COVID-19 origins, following a joint research with China on issues including the pathways of the virus and future investigation in different countries.

LAB ORIGIN "EXTREMELY UNLIKELY"

A total of 34 experts from the WHO and China jointly conducted a 28-day research from Jan. 14 to Feb. 10 in Wuhan, China. They made assessment of the likelihood of possible pathways.

According to the report, COVID-19 introduction through an intermediate host is "likely to very likely," introduction through cold/food chain products is "possible," and introduction through a laboratory incident is "extremely unlikely."

The experts also put forward a series of recommendations for future researches: developing a comprehensive information database, conducting further retrospective and systematic research around earlier cases and possible hosts, and analyzing the different role of the cold chain in the possible introduction and spread of the virus.

Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows an exterior view of the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia)

Though the process of finding the source of the virus is still ongoing, evidence and data included in this report offer some key glimpse into it. For example, the team "reviewed data from published studies from different countries suggesting early circulation" of the novel coronavirus, according to the report.

The findings showed that "some of the suspected positive samples were detected even earlier than the first case in Wuhan, suggesting the possibility of missed circulation in other countries," the report said, adding that "Nonetheless, it is important to investigate these potential early events."

Also on Tuesday, the WHO held a briefing on the report. During it, British zoologist Peter Daszak, a member of the WHO team, said the Chinese scientists did a lot of the work.

"Don't think about national boundaries if we really want to defeat pandemics," he said. "We have to come together with other countries to focus on how they emerge and try and stop them for the future."

CHINA'S POSITIVE ROLE

China believes that the joint research will play a positive role in promoting global cooperation in COVID-19 origin tracing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

He said China has always been a supporter of global scientific research on the source of the virus and its transmission routes. China co-sponsored the 73rd World Health Assembly resolution on COVID-19 and supports WHO-led cooperation on zoonotic source research among member states.

Despite the daunting task of domestic prevention and control, China twice invited WHO experts in for origin-tracing, said the spokesperson, adding that the Chinese side offered necessary facilitation for the team's work, fully demonstrating its openness, transparency and responsible attitude.

Members of the WHO team have expressed similar feelings. Daszak said in early February that during the visit to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the experts were met with a level of openness even he had not anticipated.

"I can't stress enough how rewarding a process the trip has been. It went beyond all expectations in many ways," said Thea Kolsen Fischer, also a WHO team member, in February. "When we have had discussions in the expert team, it has only been based on data and documentation."

During a briefing on Tuesday, Liang Wannian, a member of the WHO-China joint team, said the novel coronavirus origin tracing research in China is part of the global study of origins of the virus, and it is the first step.

All the conclusions and recommendations in the report are based on a global perspective, and future research will not be limited to a certain area, Liang said.

Novel coronavirus origin tracing is about science, and it should be jointly carried out by scientists worldwide, said Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

This joint research will play a positive role in promoting origin-tracing in many countries and regions around the world, and provide a scientific guide for the human race to better understand the virus, Chen added.

FUTURE STEPS

The size of the report and the amount of material and results, analysis and data in the report speak for themselves in terms of how the collaboration with the Chinese colleagues went, said Dr. Peter Ben Embarek, team leader for international experts, during the Tuesday briefing.

The video screenshot taken on March 30, 2021 shows Peter K. Ben Embarek, leader of an international team of experts to Wuhan, attending a virtual press conference. He said that conclusions of the report were the results of a consensus between all members of the team, which included 17 foreign experts and 17 Chinese scientists. (Xinhua)

"There is still a lot of work to do," he said, adding that recommendations laid out in the report are expected to be implemented in the coming weeks and months to get a better understanding of the origin of this virus.

Professor Dominic Dwyer from University of Sydney, also a member of the WHO team, said in February that the WHO mission was only phase one of the investigation. "Investigators will also look further afield for data, to investigate evidence the virus was circulating in Europe, for instance, earlier in 2019," he noted.

"Investigators will continue to test wildlife and other animals in the region for signs of the virus," he said. "And we'll continue to learn from our experiences to improve how we investigate the next pandemic."

In response to the suspicion surrounding COVID-19, David Heymann, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told Xinhua in a recent interview that "There's always an attempt by countries to blame another country for something which happens."

"What's important is to deal with the infection when it's there and devote all the attention to that, and then there's a time for research to determine where viruses might come from in the future, and how those risks might be mitigated," the professor added.

Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows the entrance of the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia)

Echoing Heymann, Peter C. Doherty, a Nobel Prize winner, has recently told Xinhua that "It may be that we will never know exactly where this virus came from. And I don't think that will make any real difference to how these viruses are handled."

"We always want to blame someone. And I don't think that's what it's about," he added. "It's not blaming people, it's dealing with the problem."

(Video reporter: Du Yang; Video editors: Liu Hongde, Wang Jingyun, Liu Fangqiang, Zu Shiqi, Zhang Qiru)
GREENVILLE  Joey Goodrich is halfway through the retraining and reentry program, and the Boston native already is thinking about staying here after he finishes later this year.

He came to Soteria Community Development Corp. with some vocational experience as a plasterer. Now hes reclaiming wood from construction sites and transforming it into furniture. Hes learning to use his hands in new ways, along with other valuable skills: how to run a business, understand basic finance, manage government bureaucracy, collaborate with others.

About three years ago, Goodrich lost everything: his family, his job, his autonomy. He fell in with the wrong people, he said. He agreed to cash a forged check for somebody and split the proceeds. He got caught and sentenced to prison, where he spent 2 years coping with his claustrophobia.

It made me appreciate things so much more, he said.

He decided to reach out for help. He wrote letters of inquiry to 13 organizations, but only one responded: Soteria.

The first day out of prison, Goodrich was handed a care package filled with food, clothes and boots. Then he moved into Soterias transitional housing. Then he began his rehabilitation. Here was a place he could feel safe and whole, a place of solidarity and uplift, of faith and hope.

You can feel it, he said. Its not fake.

Soteria was founded in 1999 on little more than a prayer. Jerry Blassingame knew he wanted to start a ministry that helped the formerly incarcerated get back on their feet, though he had no money, no property and no experience in the nonprofit world.

What he had was a criminal record and a strong faith.

Today, Soteria boasts a 16-bed transitional facility, with a new eight-unit project in the works, and 14 low-income rentals. The carpentry shop is getting HVAC and insulation installed. The ministry includes mentoring, financial literacy training, money management assistance, resume preparation, mental health referrals and hands-on labor opportunities.

Participants earn a living wage, much of which they save while staying in Soterias provided housing.

After a while, the men can move into the low-cost rentals. This generates earned income for the organization. More comes from the sale of the handmade furniture and from Blassingames consulting. Grants and donations round out the annual budget.

No path

South Carolina prisons contain around 15,000 people, according to the Department of Corrections. All but 1,000 are men. More than 60 percent are Black. It costs taxpayers $24,500 a year per inmate, based on state funds spent.

The prison population increased each year until 2001, with the biggest jumps of more than 30 percent in the mid-1970s. Since 2005, the total prison population has seen modest annual declines.

The Corrections Department's Division of Programs, Reentry and Rehabilitative Services helps inmates learn new job skills, obtain their GED, earn vocational certificates, receive substance abuse treatment, learn about how crimes affect victims and help dissuade young people from a life of crime.

But Blassingame said its hardly enough. Men and women leaving prison receive an ID card issued by Corrections, not a regular South Carolina ID. That makes it difficult for people with a criminal record to open a bank account, rebuild credit, get a driver's license, find employment and secure housing, he said.

And without a clear path to recovery, too often they end up back in the hole.

There are many collateral consequences of incarceration, some official and legal, others merely prejudicial, Blassingame said. Depending in part on the kind of felony conviction, these consequences can include fines and fees, loss of SNAP benefits, prohibitions regarding housing and employment, restrictions imposed on securing or maintaining various occupational licenses, voting limitations, child custody prohibitions, disqualifications on gun possession and jury duty and travel bans.

Allie Menegakis, founder and director of SC4CJR and a criminal defense attorney with Adams & Bischoff, said the best solution is to incarcerate fewer people in the first place, especially since studies show that imprisonment is not effective in curbing crime.

If we reduce the amount of people in prison, our state would be able to fund reentry, probably for everyone, she said.

U.S. prisons still include large numbers of nonviolent criminals, some serving years for drug possession and small-scale dealing. Only a small percentage of the incarcerated gain access to reentry programs, and those who do often are selected on the basis of how likely they are to succeed, Menegakis said.

Nonprofits such as Root and Rebound and Turning Leaf Project do great work but can find it difficult to scale up to meet the need, she said.

If were going to be jailing people for the foreseeable future, then we also need to be investing in what happens to them while theyre in prison, and what happens when they reenter society, she said.

Two lives

One day at home, when he was 5 years old, Blassingame was warned by his mother's boyfriend, "You better leave before you see something you don't want to see." Then the man shot Blassingame's mother to death in the next room. His grandfather was shot when he tried to intervene. He died two years later of complications. For the rest of his childhood, Blassingame and his five siblings lived with their grandmother, who struggled with alcoholism.

He found refuge at a mostly White school across town, where he thrived. But he was leading two distinct lives, one of academic promise, the other of urban blight and danger, he said.

Blassingame was determined to become an architect, and he did so well in school he earned a full college scholarship.

Back in the neighborhood I saw bling, he said. He started as a lookout for a drug dealer, making $100 a day. He graduated to driver status, making $200 a day. Then, when the dealer hed been working for got hooked on crack, Blassingame was handed 9 ounces of cocaine and told by the boss, Youre the man now.

He didnt disappoint.

I came home from school one day and a guy dropped a bag of money on me, he recalled. "It was $20,000 cash money. That was my profit that I made in one day from selling crack. An architect could never make this much money. So I dropped out of school and became a drug dealer.

The lifestyle granted him the fame and attention hed been craving. After about a decade of drugs and fast wealth, it all came crumbling down.

Blassingame was arrested, sentenced to 15 years, which was suspended to nine months and five years probation. He served four months, lost his Pell grant and couldnt find a regular job when he was out.

So guess what I did?

Six months later, in November 1995, he was arrested again, charged with 11 counts, then struck a plea bargain in exchange for dismissal of a violent charge. He was sentenced to 20 years but soon became eligible for parole. He was in prison for 3 years.

His sister had become a Christian after overcoming her own struggles and she pestered Blassingame about the Bible. Soon, he was hooked.

He kept a journal and dreamed about starting his own nonprofit ministry. He also corresponded with members of Clemson United Methodist Church, a predominantly White congregation that took a genuine interest in Blassingame and his goals, providing essential support.

After 22 years, Soteria is setting an example for others. Blassingame has worked with people in other states and abroad to set up similar ministries. The formerly incarcerated should have opportunities to influence policy and contribute ideas to reform-minded civic leaders and agencies, he said. After all, those who have served time know best how the system works  and fails to work.

The devotion is absolute. Blassingame has found his calling.

This is me, he said. Soteria is who I am.

On faith

Wallace Justice graduated from the program in 2017, and stayed on. Today he is shop manager, mentoring others, and he runs his own home remodeling business. He attributes the success of Soteria to God and love, and to Blassingames extraordinary efforts.

I see how hard Jerry works to keep this place going, Justice said.

Bob Norwood is among the older veterans of the program. He came in November 2019, totally on faith, he said. I had no idea what I was getting into.

But he knew he had to start over from scratch. He had enjoyed a long career as a manager in the airline industry before an auto accident rattled his brain and sent him into a depression. Living in the Myrtle Beach area, he was charged with armed robbery and spent 8 years in prison, he said. He, too, lost everything. Now he's Soteria's director of operations.

Jonathan Thompson also graduated from the program but chose to stick around to help others. He came to South Carolina from California, got in trouble in Georgetown and woke up one day in the county jail after a belligerent encounter with a sheriffs deputy that Thompson said he cant remember.

He wasnt in jail long, though, and an uncle who knew of Soteria told his nephew about it. Thompson jumped at the opportunity to reclaim his life and his relationships with family, he said. Hed had enough with drugs and destitution.

I knew I wanted to work here right away, he said. I learned life skills I never learned growing up.

And now he can think about the future.

The cool thing is when youre done with the program you know what youre doing and know where to go, he said.

Goodrich still is amazed at Blassingames generosity and the ministrys impacts.

Where else can you go to save money and work on you? he wondered aloud.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 00:54:22|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Wednesday hailed China for its support in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sam Kutesa, Uganda's minister of foreign affairs at a function held here said China has donated an assortment of medicines and equipment to Uganda to combat the pandemic. China recently also announced that it would donate 300,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Uganda.

"I take this opportunity to applaud China for its solidarity and cooperation with Africa and Uganda in particular, during the COVID-19 pandemic," Kutesa said as he received a donation of 70 motor vehicles from the Chinese embassy here.

Although the Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccine has not arrived in Uganda, the country has already embarked on a vaccination exercise targeting over 21.9 million people who face the highest risk of the infection. These include health workers, teachers, security personnel, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.

Ministry of Health says although the cases of the virus in the country have reduced, the country has detected new strains of the virus.

Ruth Aceng, minister of health said on Saturday the variants from South Africa, Brazil and United Kingdom, among others are circulating in the country.

As of March 29, Uganda had a cumulative total of 40,867 cases of COVID-19, 40,449 recoveries, and 335 deaths. According to the ministry of health figures, a total of 80,836 people have been vaccinated. Enditem
Bengaluru, March 31 : The legal counsel of the woman involved in the 'Sleaze CD case' on Wednesday hit out at Karnataka Revenue Minister R. Ashoka and Police Inspector Puneet Kumar for allegedly trying to malign him, warning that he was "ready to get destroyed but only after destroying them".

In his 55-minute long Facebook Live, expletive-filled tirade in Kannada, Jagadesh K.N. Mahadev said that his battle against the BJP began in 2011, when he first filed a case against Ashoka's brother-in-law, when Ashoka was Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister.

"Ashoka's brother in law tried to encroach upon prime land that was allotted to poor blind students. I was an activist then. When I raised this issue, it was through Puneet that Ashoka booked cases against me though he was not the complainant, but BJP corporator, Ashwath Narayana Gowda, was. Not one case but 13 cases were filed against me. I studied law only for this, fought all these cases and have been acquitted in all these cases.... none can call me rowdy-sheeter including the police," he said.

Mahadev added that "he was ready to get destroyed but not before destroying these corrupt BJP leaders".

"Due to these cases, I lost my family. My wife left me and my son has left me. It was Puneet who was responsible for my destruction. He was guided by then Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ravikante Gowda. I am fighting to destroy you (Puneet), I am already destroyed. You have properties in Mandya, Mahalakshmi Layout and other places. All the documents I am having... I have been tracking you (those who destroyed me) all I have gathered all documents. I will not leave you. I did not want to raise this through this medium. I am ready to die. Are you? Are you ready to face legal action?" he said.

"I am clean-handed. My grandfather (Dodda Veeraiah) was a rich man and he has left me this property and it is no less than Rs 100 crore value. They have damaged my 10 years of life, I spent in jail, when Karnataka CM Yediyurappa was in jail. That is why I am against BJP and my fight will continue against this party," he said.

Jagadesh said that he took the sleaze CD case to expose "hollowness" of the ruling BJP.
It's now been more than two months since Madison County was awarded $5.2 million to help landlords and those struggling to pay rent. However, the commission still has no plan in place to set up its emergency rental assistance (ERA) program.

The Madison County Commission is essentially starting over in its process to set up the program. Commissioner Violet Edwards told WAAY 31 she had a plan in place where that money would be distributed by local nonprofits. However, the commission did not vote on the plan because they wanted to make sure the entire application process was legal and that the money was distributed correctly.

Meanwhile, people in the county are having to anxiously wait to get access to that federal aid.

"There was just no way I could pay rent," Paige Martin said.

She lost her job last March during the pandemic. She had to move in with family at around that time because she could not afford living on her own.

"I feel very fortunate because I know a lot of people who do not have family members. They don't have anybody they can rely on," Martin said.

A year later and Paige is just now starting to get back on her feet. She recently moved into her own place in Huntsville and even started a new job last week, but Paige knows it's not like that for everyone.

"I know people working for the state right now that they can't afford rent," Martin said.

The CARES Act provided millions of dollars to states across the country to assist those who need help. Alabama received $263 million. The act also funded separate programs for Huntsville and Madison County. Now, the state and Huntsville have already set up their ERA programs, but Madison County has not.

Just last week, the county commission issued an emergency request proposal to find a person who will be responsible for all grant-related activities. It expects to select that person by the next commission meeting on Apr. 14. However, it's still unclear how much time will pass before an actual plan on distributing the funds will be in place.

Commissioner Violet Edwards says she doesn't expect the program to be up and running next monthmeaning people in Madison County will only have to wait some more.

While Paige has access to the Huntsville rental assistance program, she says she personally knows that feeling of need.

"It's just very important that people get help," Martin said.

The funds will be eligible through September 2022. Since Madison County's program is not operating at this time, people in the area can apply to the state ERA program. However, the website says the program only might take your application. We reached out to the state ERA program for clarification and are waiting to hear back.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says more than 11 million families are behind on their rent or mortgage payments. 2.1 million families are behind at least three months of mortgage payments, while 8.8 million are behind on rent. The last time this many families were behind on their mortgages was during the Great Recession.

The CDC did extend the federal eviction moratorium until the end of June. It was set to expire this Thursday. This is the second time the moratorium was extended.
The Election Commission



(EC) on Wednesday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in assembly constituency in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district, a day ahead of the high- stakes elections here, a senior official said.

Besides, the EC has also started air surveillance in the area with the help of a helicopter, he said.

People who are not voters of are not being allowed to enter the constituency in view of the sensitivity, he added.

" is a sensitive constituency with high- profile candidates like and Suvendu Adhikary. We want to ensure that the law and order situation is not compromised and people can vote freely without fear," the official told PTI.

"That is the reason for imposing the prohibitory orders, which will be in place till Friday midnight. A person who is not a voter of Nandigram will not be allowed to enter the area till the polling is over," he said.

The order prohibits the assembly of five or more persons, besides imposing other restrictions, he said.

Twenty-two companies of central forces are being deployed in the constituency, which has a total of 355 polling booths and 75 per cent of them will have a webcasting facility, the official said.

Central forces along with the state police have already started naka checkings at crucial junctions in the area, he said.

"Vehicles are being thoroughly checked before they are allowed to enter Nandigram. No outside vehicles are being allowed in," the official said, adding that anybody found trying to create a disturbance "will be handled strictly".

The EC has also decided to deploy a 22-personnel quick response team (QRT) in the area on the election day, the official said.

The EC has also constituted a team of officials who will supervise the proceedings in Nandigram on the poll day, he said.

The local authorities were also asked by the EC to execute all the pending arrest warrants by Wednesday night and take people, accused in various cases, into custody, he said.

Nandigram wore a deserted look during the day with only a few shops open. Vehicles such as e-rickshaws and autos were mostly unavailable with people choosing to stay indoors.

"We want peaceful polling and no disturbance here on April 1. People should get a peaceful environment so that they can cast their votes without any fear," a resident of Sonachura said.

All eyes are on battleground Nandigram that is going to the polls on Thursday with the chief minister engaged in a fierce contest with her protege-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP.

(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.)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said his six-nation Mideast tour achieved rich results, including reaching broad consensuses on enhancing cooperation and seeking political solution to hotspot issues in the region.

MANAMA -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that his six-nation tour in the Middle East has achieved the expected goals of enhancing cooperation with regional countries and making China's contribution to peace in the region.

Wang made the remarks during an interview as he concluded a week-long Middle East tour that took him to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Bahrain.

He said that his visit achieved rich results, including reaching broad consensuses with the six countries on continuing mutual support over core interests, upholding multilateralism, elevating pragmatic cooperation, enhancing joint anti-pandemic fight, and seeking political solution to hotspot issues in the region.

BROAD CONSENSUSES REACHED

The Chinese diplomat said that during his visit, he reached broad consensuses over wide-ranging issues with the leaders of the six countries, which all welcomed China to play a bigger role in Middle East affairs.

"China and the countries agreed that the sovereign independence and national dignity of all countries should be respected, and independent and diverse ways of development should be promoted," Wang said.

They agreed to oppose interfering in other countries' internal affairs and slandering other countries under the guise of human rights, safeguard the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law, multilateralism, and international equity and justice, Wang said.

The seven countries, he said, vowed to upgrade their practical cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in light of China's construction of a new development paradigm.

On the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the countries pledged to continue their mutual support and reject politicization of the pandemic and vaccine, Wang said.

On the basis of China's successful vaccine cooperation with the UAE, Turkey and Bahrain, China and Mideast countries will continue to explore new patterns of vaccine cooperation, including tripartite cooperation and mutual recognition of health codes, he said.

The countries agreed that inclusive dialogue should be advocated in pursuing political settlement of hotspot regional issues, and the two-state solution should be the key for seeking an early, fair and reasonable solution to the Palestinian issue, the Chinese diplomat said.

Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, illegitimate sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction should be lifted as soon as possible, and compliance to the Iranian nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), should be resumed in an orderly manner with synchronization and reciprocity, he said.

China and the six countries also agreed to explore the establishment of a regional dialogue platform to maintain the security and stability of the Gulf through communication and consultation, Wang added.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PEACE INITIATIVE

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, 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.

The initiative was well received by many of the state leaders and foreign ministers during the visit, Wang said, noting that the Palestinian Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing willingness to cooperate with China to revive the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

He elaborated on the ways to implement the peace initiative through close communication and coordination with all the related parties:

Firstly, China fully supports the international mediation over the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. When taking the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in May, China will push for holding full deliberation of this issue, and will host a seminar for Palestinian and Israeli peace activists on a proper date.

Secondly, China will continue its active participation in the process of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue. China has sent officials to Moscow to discuss with Russia and Iran the roadmap and timetable of reviving the nuclear deal. Also, China will keep close communication with Gulf countries over holding multilateral forums in China on the Gulf security, starting from easy topics such as safeguarding oil infrastructure and shipping-lane security.

Thirdly, China will boost vaccine cooperation with Mideast countries in a bid to help them speed up the return to normal life, promote recovery of local economies, and ensure smooth implementation of major projects with the Chinese participation.

Fourthly, China will hold in 2021 the China-Arab Reform and Development Forum and the Middle East Security Forum to enhance exchanges of experience in governance, promote dialogues between civilizations, and deepen cooperation on fighting terrorism and de-radicalization.

FUTURE ANTI-PANDEMIC COOPERATION

Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Mideast countries join hands in the fight against it, which has sublimated their friendship, deepened mutual trust, and opened up new areas of cooperation, Wang said.

The Chinese government has practically fulfilled its solemn commitment to making vaccines a global public good, donating and exporting nearly 38 million doses of vaccines to 17 countries in the Middle East, Wang noted.

He said China is willing to work with the countries in the Middle East to push forward the anti-epidemic cooperation:

Firstly, China will step up vaccine cooperation with countries in the Middle East and continue to donate and export vaccines to the region to the best of its ability.

Secondly, China will promote the establishment of an international mechanism for mutual recognition of health codes to facilitate personnel exchanges.

Thirdly, China and Mideast countries will continue to build consensus on preventing the politicization of pandemic from reemerging, and make the vaccines available and affordable to all countries.

BUILDING CHINA-ARAB COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE

Facing complex changes in the international situation, the China-Arab relations have set a good example for the South-South cooperation, Wang touted.

Over the past year and more, Chinese President Xi Jinping and many Arab heads of state have held over 10 phone calls and exchanged nearly 20 letters, pointing the way for the development of the China-Arab relations, he said.

China and the Arab countries firmly support each other, jointly defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard multilateralism, equity and justice, the Chinese minister said.

"And the anti-pandemic cooperation has demonstrated the China-Arab brotherly friendship of sharing weal and woe," Wang said.

To build the China-Arab community with a shared future, "we should focus on strengthening solidarity and coordination among developing countries, and promoting reform of the international system and the formulation of international rules to better reflect the voices and concerns of developing countries," he said.

China and Arab states need to align development strategies, consolidate cooperation on the whole energy industry chain, deepen cooperation on new and high technologies, upgrade financial investment and free trade arrangements, and align rules and standards more closely, Wang said.

"We need to build closer people-to-people ties, make good use of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and other mechanisms to deepen exchanges and cooperation on the youth, culture, education and tourism, and lay a solid foundation for lasting friendship," he added.

CONSENSUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Wang said that the views of human rights held by some Western countries don't represent those of the international community, noting that such views of the developing countries should be more listened to, respected and absorbed.

"The six (Middle East) countries I visited this time and China are all developing countries and share same or similar views on the human rights issue," Wang said.

"We agree that human rights ought to be comprehensive and balanced. 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," he noted.

During the recent session of the UN Human Rights Council, many developing countries, including 21 Arab countries, voiced solidarity with China, Wang said, noting China has always objected to using human rights as an excuse to meddle in the domestic affairs of Arab countries.

"China is keen to work together with Arab and other regional countries to champion the policy of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and preserve the common interests of each other and the developing countries," he said.

SYNERGY OF DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Wang revealed that the six countries he visited pin high hope on future practical cooperation with China.

He said China is ready to work with Mideast countries to promote cooperation mainly in three areas: further synergy of their development strategies, better integration of their resource markets, and exchange of experiences on governance.

Firstly, China and Mideast countries should better align their development strategies. All the six countries he visited, Wang said, expressed strong willingness to dovetail their development strategies with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to take advantage of the opportunities offered by China's drive to create a new paradigm of development.

Secondly, the two sides should step up cooperation on energy and resources as well as high tech. Wang suggested the two sides consolidate their energy cooperation along the entire industrial chain, promote trade facilitation, innovate investment models, and expand the scale of bilateral currency swaps, in addition to increasing cooperation in information technologies such as 5G, big data and artificial intelligence.

Thirdly, the two sides should hold in-depth exchange on the views of governing philosophies. In this regard, China is ready to focus more on helping Mideast countries to improve the livelihood of their peoples so to enable them to share the fruits of economic development, the Chinese diplomat said.
The company believes new executive vice president and COO David Klanecky is uniquely qualified to lead the operating team as it moves into the execution stage of building Americas foremost integrated lithium hydroxide business.

He will join the company next month and will be based in the North Carolina headquarters.

( ) ( ) (OTCMKTS:PDDTF) (FRA:PL4) has appointed lithium industry veteran David Klanecky as executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO).

As COO, Klanecky will lead the implementation of the companys integrated US-based lithium chemicals business and the development of the companys operational capabilities.

According to the company, he will bring deep lithium industry engineering, construction and operations experience to the Piedmont team.

He will join Piedmont in April 2021 and will be based in the companys Belmont, North Carolina headquarters.

Qualified to lead operating team

Piedmont chief executive officer and president Keith D Philips said: We are pleased to welcome David to our senior management team. Davids experience in and enthusiasm for this industry are unmatched.

Having had responsibility for the worlds leading hard rock-based lithium hydroxide businesses, including spodumene investments in Western Australia, lithium hydroxide plants in China and the lithium hydroxide project currently under construction in Kemerton, Western Australia, David is uniquely qualified to lead Piedmonts operating team as we move into the execution stage of building Americas #1 integrated lithium hydroxide business.

Klaneckys experience

Klanecky has spent most of his career in senior operational, research & development, commercial and strategic leadership roles.

From 2013 to 2021, he served in increasingly senior management roles within Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB), the worlds leading lithium producer, including as VP Strategy and Corporate Development and most recently serving as VP  Lithium Operations  APAC/EU, with global responsibility for Albemaries manufacturing/operations, process technology and product management within the global lithium business.

He has also served as interim CEO of the MARBL joint venture between Albemarle and ( ), which includes the Kemerton and Wodgina assets in Australia.

Before joining Albemarle, Klanecky had a 20-year career with the Dow Chemical Company that spanned the globe including expat assignments in Spain, Switzerland and China across a number of innovative industries.

In his last role with Dow, he served as global business director and launched the Dow Energy Material Business, focused on lithium-ion battery materials offerings to cell manufacturers and auto OEMs.

Klanecky has a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Nebraska and an Executive MBA from Arizona State/Thunderbird School of Global Management.
March 31, 1936

Chicken thieves sentenced

Moments before the start of their jury trial for the theft of thousands of chickens, brothers Clarence Wrisler of Scranton, Stanley Wrisler of Wilkes-Barre and a third man, Allen Lown of Scranton, opted to plead guilty for their crimes.

Lackawanna County Court Judge William R. Lewis sentenced each man to 4 years to nine years of hard labor at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia plus a fine of $1 per chicken stolen and court costs.

When sentencing them, Lewis said to the chicken thieves, Im sorry you men dont realize that you are on the wrong road. Youre parasites in the eyes of the commonwealth.

The men stole thousands of chickens in the rural areas of seven counties. State police reported the trio hit 35 farms in Lackawanna County and numerous other farms in the region.

Big opening night for food show at Armory

The evening of March 30 was the opening of the 13th annual Economy Stores Food and Household Exposition at the Watres Armory.

Organizers said that 4,000 people passed through the doors of the Armory. Those in attendance had a chance to hear from noted horticulturist Edwin Rappe of Baltimore and the opportunity to visit over 50 displays and booths from national and local businesses.

Visitors were able to enter a raffle for a chance to win household items such as a gas range, electric range, a radio, electric washers and small electric appliances.

The food show ran until April 4.

Whats on sale at Scranton Dry Goods?

Large variety of womens coats for $9.94, girls coats and suits for $5.94, boys Easter suits for $7.94, toddler size Easter coats were $4.84, a large variety of rose bushes and shrubberies were 24 cents each, perennials were 15 cents each or two for 25 cents, fresh evergreens were 89 cents, a 5 pound bag of lawn seed was 79 cents, silver maple trees were 69 cents and a flowering cherry tree was $1.19.
Pennsylvania state troopers were justified when they shot and killed a distraught 19-year-old man who had brandished a pellet gun at them on an overpass in the Pocono Mountains, a district attorney said Tuesday as authorities released video of the fatal encounter.

Troopers went to the Route 33 overpass over Interstate 80 on Dec. 30 in response to a report of a suicidal man and found Christian Joseph Hall standing on the ledge, authorities said.

Troopers spent about 90 minutes trying to persuade Hall to give up and drop the weapon, saying we are here to help you and offering him food, drink and a blanket. But he approached them while brandishing the pellet gun and they opened fire, said Michael Mancuso, first assistant district attorney in Monroe County.

Frankly Im astounded that they let him get so close with the threat he was presenting. It was clearly the last thing they wanted to do, was to open fire on him, Mancuso said. It was a classic suicide by cop scenario.

Hall himself had called 911 anonymously to report a possibly suicidal man on the bridge, Mancuso said.

Halls family has criticized police for the fatal shooting, saying he was in the throes of a mental health crisis. The local chapter of the NAACP has called the death of Hall  who, according to his familys attorney, was Chinese American  avoidable. The shooting prompted a march in Stroudsburg earlier this month.

ALSO READ: State College again defends how police handled incident that led to death of an autistic man

He needed help. He was looking for help but instead of getting help he was killed by those who were supposed to help him, Fe Hall, his mother, said at a recent news conference.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump represents Halls family and has said a lawsuit is in the works. Crump and Devon Jacob, another family attorney, planned to hold a news conference Wednesday on the DAs findings. Jacob declined comment Tuesday.

The district attorneys office played previously unreleased dash cam video of the shooting that showed troopers assuring him he wasnt in any trouble and offering assistance.

Im not sure whats going on in your head, but this is not the end of the world. Just a little bump in the road, a trooper said at one point, video showed.

Eventually, Hall took several halting steps toward the troopers as they repeatedly yelled at him to put it down. Hall appeared to be holding the gun at his side when they fired several shots at him and missed, according to the video. He then raised his arms in the air, took another step and was waving the gun when they fired again and hit him, the video showed.

The moment of the shooting itself was blurred out in the footage released. Mancuso said Hall was about 70 feet away from the troopers when he was struck. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The gun that Hall was holding turned out to be a pellet gun that resembled a Walther semi-automatic pistol, Mancuso said.
(Alliance News) - John Laing Group PLC on Wednesday announced it has completed the sale of its 17% interest in the New Royal Adelaide Hospital to funds managed by AMP Capital.

The FTSE 250-listed infrastructure investor said the consideration received represents "a good uplift" to the GBP69 million book value as at December 31, 2020.

This transaction further strengthens visibility on the 2021 special dividend, John Laing said, with total proceeds eligible to be included in the payout calculation to date amounting to GBP433 million.

This also includes proceeds from sales of its Australian wind farm portfolio, the second stage of IEP East, and the Rammeldalsberget wind farm in Sweden. The Swedish sale was completed earlier this month for EUR8.9 million.

John Laing said it has invested a total of GBP37 million since first joining the hospital project back in 2011.

"Our investment in 2011 marked our entry into the Australian market, and the hospital today plays an integral part in the community. The New Royal Adelaide Hospital is an example of how state-of-the art healthcare infrastructure can improve the provision of essential services to deliver the best healthcare outcomes," said Chief Executive Ben Loomes.

Shares in John Laing were up 0.4% at 313.14 pence in London on Wednesday.

By Zoe Wickens; zoewickens@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
A Cork paediatrician has called for an appointment system to be introduced so children can get their feet measured for correctly-fitting shoes.

Dr Niamh Lynch, a consultant paediatrician at the Bon Secours Hospital, said the measurement issue is having knock-on effects on childrens health and wellbeing, as well as causing practical concerns for parents of schoolchildren. She said she has seen children left in pain because of an inability to access appropriate footwear.

One of the most concerning things I've seen is that children have gotten skin infections on their feet, and on occasion have had to be hospitalised for intravenous antibiotics to treat cellulitis that has developed. That's the most serious thing that I've seen, Dr Lynch told RTEs Drivetime yesterday.

She said children have been sent to school in too-big shoes that caused them to trip and hurt themselves, while other children are struggling to walk in too-small shoes. Meanwhile, children with health concerns have been unable to access corrective footwear and Dr Lynch said increasingly toddlers are going barefoot for lack of shoes.

The last time I heard of anything like this was when my dad was telling me about growing up in the 40s and 50s and kids not having shoes. I haven't seen the like of this ever. This is not normal by any standards.

Dr Niamh Lynch, paediatrician, Bon Secours, Cork. Picture: Denis Scannell

Dr Lynch said shopping for childrens shoes shouldnt be considered a luxury and urged the government to allow one-on-one appointments in shoe shops.

This is an essential thing for children, for their development and for their health. They're currently in pain. There's no reason the shops can't offer fitting appointments that can be done with one parent, one child, get them in and get them out with a pair of shoes that actually fit.

Dr Lynchs plea comes as many parents in recent days have asked that they be allowed to shop for shoes with their children in person as online estimates can often be wrong and cause additional expense.

You need to try on shoes. Not only is there the size to guess, there's the width of a child's foot to guess, mum-of-seven and author Jen Hogan told Newstalk Breakfast this morning, referencing the speed at which childrens feet grow and the support they need from their shoes to avoid any physical side effects from wearing ill-fitting shoes.

However, with most shoe shops closed, parents have had to measure their children's feet at home, guess the correct size and buy online. It is a long process that leaves children wearing the wrong size shoes for too long or, if the new shoes are also the wrong size, it causes them to spend more time in their bare feet or socks at home.

Shopping for childrens shoes shouldnt be considered a luxury, said Dr Lynch.

We've always been told at the beginning when you're getting them their first shoes they need to be measured and they must fit properly and theyre supposed to be checked every few weeks, Hogan added.

Now were being just told ah sure, just order them online, if they don't fit return them. Wait for the money to be credited back to your account, and then order another pair. In the meantime, your child's going around with his foot through his shoe.

While some parents can afford to buy multiple sizes online and return those that do not fit a child, others struggle to buy one pair and cover the postage charges for delivery and possible returns.

Super skinny feet, hardly any arches, and hype mobile ankles, have to try on. I cant afford 14 in postage to return every pair of shoes that dont fit, one mother wrote on Twitter.

This is particularly pressing as all children are due to return to school after Easter, with many needing new school shoes. The difficulty of accessing appropriate shoes for children is a problem that has been highlighted by many parents on social media in recent days.

With most shoe shops closed, parents have had to measure their children's feet at home.

Writing on Twitter, June Shannon said it has been impossible to get her young daughters foot correctly measured and she has grown out of shoes bought for her at Christmas.

Smallies shoes that fit her at Christmas [are] now way too small but because childrens shoes are not essential items under current restrictions its impossible to get her feet measured correctly. Ordering childrens shoes online does not work, she said.

Anne Whitmore said she has struggled to find the appropriate size for her children even when using the online guides available.

Ive ordered four pairs of shoes online for my two boys and none of them has fit right even using the at-home guides. It just doesnt work, she said.

Following calls from parents to allow shoes to be purchased in person, this afternoon Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced that children's shoe fittings can take place by appointment only.

ONLINE OPTIONS

Clarks, which is a popular option for childrens shoes, suggests purchasing one of its foot measuring gauges for 16 to estimate your childs size at home, which can be aided by its video guides on how to measure a toddler or a child's feet. The measurements can be input into a calculator to retrieve the correct shoe size. Another video guide helps parents to check the fit of the shoe at home. Find their online guide here.

Ballincollig shoe shop Kirbys is offering phone advice to parents who want to measure their childs feet. Sizing and style advice can be arranged by messaging their Facebook page or ringing Ian on 0872628635.

Cork store Paul OConnor Shoes said it is unable to offer measuring services but said the Start Rite guide is a helpful at-home alternative. They said they are available for advice on Facebook or on 0214289962.

Click here for a printable guide to foot measurement for children from Little Steps.
Students across the country have protested against sexual harassment and violence on campus as they call for more to be done to support victims and help women feel safe at university.

Campaigns have taken off after the murder of Sarah Everard, who disappeared while walking home in London earlier this month, which sparked widespread conversations over womens safety.

People were finally paying attention to the dangers women have to face every day, Alice Orlik, an organiser of a sit-in protest at the University of Exeter, told The Independent.

We were like, This is the time we can talk about this, because this is the time people are listening.

It also comes as young people have shared thousands of testimonies of sexual abuse on the website Everyones Invited, many sharing the name of the school or university where abuse happened, or where the perpetrator attended.

Read more:

Ms Orlik estimates around 1,000 people attended a sit-in protest on Exeters campus last week to raise awareness of sexual assault at university, and which called for more resources towards helping victims of sexual violence, as well as consent workshops at the university.

Since being here, Ive come across many, many people who have been sexually assaulted, the first-year student toldThe Independent.

This includes people who have been assaulted since the start of the academic year, she said, and added that there are known predators on campus.

The movement Sit Down N Shut Up, which organises sit-ins to raise awareness of sexual assault at university, was set up when the spotlight was shone on womens safety after Everards murder, Ms Orlik said.

Students gathered at a sit-in protest at the University of Exeter to protest against sexual violence (Sit Down N Shut Up)

Over in the Midlands, another campaign group, Reclaim Campus UoB, was launched.

A lot of the women on campus were feeling really unsafe, Molly Kenyon from the University of Birmingham told The Independent.

She said there were discussions in a womens group chat about experiences they have had on campus, including catcalling, being groped and followed.

Then, she said, the members thought: Why is no one doing anything about this?

After getting a group together, they organised a protest against sexual harassment on campus and the surrounding area the next day, which Ms Kenyon estimates saw hundreds attend. We were not expecting that at all, the first-year said. But I think it just shows how big this issue is.

Students gathered at the University of Birmingham to protest against sexual violence earlier this month (Gracie Ellis / Reclaim Campus UoB)

Since then, Reclaim Campus UoB has successfully seen the university meet demands to improve safety, including better lighting and security for vehicles coming onto site.

Ms Kenyon said the next step is shaping the mentality around sexual assault  including eradicating victim-blaming  and setting up a co-ordinated national campaign to support womens safety on campus.

Because this is something that affects every single university campus without fail across the whole country, she adds.

Meanwhile, students at the University of Warwick are holding a sit-in protest to call for more protection for women against sexual violence on campus.

Cai Kennedy, one of the organisers, said they were encouraged to start the protest after hearing stories of assault  and warnings over potential predators  shared on Snapchat in the aftermath of Sarah Everards murder.

Speaking from a sit-in protest on campus, she told The Independent one of the organising groups, Protect Warwick Women, was set up as the organisers were sick of hearing stories of sexual assault.

Read more:

We started it because we were sick of hearing about all these different women that were being assaulted on campus, and all these different men to look out for on campus, the 19-year-old said.

She said: Weve had people before us protesting the same thing. But the university has a tendency not to listen to us. So we wanted to do something that they couldnt ignore.

The sit-in began on 18 March and at its peak, over 400 students were camping out in the middle of campus on the Piazza.

Nearly two weeks later and it is still going strong  with Ms Kennedy telling The Independent it will end when the university fully agrees to a list of demands.

Organisers have asked for a revamp in the training of staff and security regarding sexual violence and consent as well as regular, obligatory education and workshops for students.

The demands also include greater protection on campus such as signposted safe spaces that are staffed 24/7 by trained support staff and for the permanent banning of any sexual assaulter from any university or student union-run event, as well as all communal spaces on campus.

The organisers are also urging the university to publish a report each term outlining the number of reports, verdicts and punishments of sexual violence reported by students, among other requests.

The University of Warwick released a statement on 26 March, responding to the demands of the protest movement, and said they welcome the ideas put forward, and that sexual misconduct will not be tolerated.

There are many areas where we are in broad agreement and where improvements were already in progress or implemented, it said. But there are others where they have rightly challenged us to do more  such as engaging more widely on the training we develop, and enhancing the physical safety of campus.

It said organisers of the sit-in have been invited to work with the university through a student advisory group to tackle issues together.

But the organisers vow to continue their sit-in until they are confident that their demands are going to be met by the university.

I think the thing thats keeping me going is that Ive had so many women come forward and thank me for doing this because they have the courage to speak about their own stories and come forward, protester Ms Kennedy told The Independent.

Warwick University students have undertaken a sit-in protest on campus (Kai Faulkner)

As part of measures to improve safety and wellbeing, the University of Warwick said it is reviewing street lighting, increasing signposting to support around campus and working to further improve training.

In a message to students over safety on campus earlier this month, the University of Birmingham said personal safety was a community responsibility, which can be helped by identifying and reporting inappropriate behaviours.

The university is continuing to invest in enhanced CCTV coverage across the campus, safer walking routes, personal safety campaigns and working with students and through the Guild of Students to tackle sexual harassment and violence in all its forms, it said.

It added added: Please remember that whether it is through our Security Services, Wellbeing Teams or the dedicated supporters and responders to reports of sexual harassment and violence, you are not alone and we are here to help.

The University of Exeter has been approached for comment.
Gireida / El Geneina / El Tadamon  People from Gireida locality, South Darfur, have complained of a lack of security, continuing violence, and conflicts, as well as poor health and education. They said that 270 people were killed, 170 wounded, and 2,700 homes burned, in events that have taken place in Gireida locality during 2020-2021.The ongoing water shortage in Blue Nile state has entered its third week without sign of respite.

Activist, Ibrahim El Sheikh, called for further support for those affected by these events during a press conference organised by the Gireida University Students' Association in Khartoum. He explained that arson has affected both the neighbourhoods of the city and the camps for the displaced, and that the fires have affected local agriculture.

He stressed the need for urgent intervention by international and regional organisations and also called on the federal government to declare Gireida locality a disaster area.

Haidar Ahmed Osman told the press conference that insecurity had led to migration and displacement and has also caused a halt to agriculture and impeded transportation. He also criticised Gireida locality's decision to hand over the headquarters of the joint United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), instead of handing it over to civil institutions.

Resistance Committees from Ram, South Darfur, announced a comprehensive peaceful sit-in protest starting on Tuesday outside the stock exchange. They will aim to stop all types of collection in protest against the state government's failure to implement the demands of the past six months. Local people have demanded the provision of electricity, health, and water services, in addition to reviewing a number of institutions.

The Ministry of Social Development in West Darfur said that there are 102 shelter centres and that government institutions in the state have all turned into centres to shelter the displaced. The Secretary General of the National Council for Child Welfare, Osman Shayba confirmed that more than three million children are not going to school.

In Blue Nile State, the water crisis in Bout, El Tadamon locality has peaked. Sabra Ismail, a member of the committee to combat the crisis, told Radio Dabanga that the water shortage has now exceeded 20 days, and is still ongoing. He also said that the amount of fuel remaining to operate the pumps will not last beyond the next three days and that there are no signs that more fuel will be available soon.
Health and household goods retailer Semichem is to close one of its two Derry stores due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The shutting of the outlet at Lisnagelvin Shopping Centre is one of 22 stores earmarked for closure across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North East of England.

The company's other store in the city at Foyleside Shopping Centre on the cityside is to remain open.

The closures have been prompted by ongoing challenges to high street trading, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Semichem, which is owned by community retailer Scotmid Co-operative, said it was in talks with landlords in several locations and would make a final decision on a small number of the 22 stores in the coming months.

A total of 140 Semichem staff have now entered a formal consultation process.

Management at Scotmid Co-operative, owners of Semichem, said they were exploring opportunities to redeploy as many as possible within its wider business.

Karen Scott, head of Semichem, said: The high street was already struggling to adapt to the pace of change in shopping habits, including out-of-town developments and the rise of internet shopping.

"That change has undoubtedly been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadly, we have reached the point where it is no longer viable to keep some of our stores open.

We are grateful for both Scotmid and subsequent government sup- port, which has undoubtedly prolonged the life of many stores. Our priority now is to support affected colleagues at this difficult time."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 00:26:23|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon registered on Wednesday 3,393 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to 468,400, the Health Ministry reported.

Meanwhile, death toll from the virus went up 50 to 6,234.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)'s Italian battalion donated on Wednesday Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medicines to Bent Jbeil Governmental Hospital to help the fight against the epidemic.

Lebanon continues to vaccinate its population against the pandemic.

The country has been fighting against the virus since Feb. 21, 2020. Enditem
A Mexican man accused of smuggling into the United States 13 immigrants who died in a horrific car crash near the border this month has been arrested and charged with federal crimes, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The SUV crash -- when a packed vehicle collided with a truck in California after crossing the frontier on March 2 -- made global headlines, and came amid a fresh surge of migrants attempting to enter the country from Mexico and Central America.

Jose Cruz Noguez was taken into custody while entering the US Monday after being identified to law enforcement by another suspected smuggler, prosecutors said in a statement.

"These smuggling networks seek maximum profit by moving as many people as possible across the border with zero regard for their safety and well-being," said Acting US Attorney Randy Grossman.

"Cramming dozens of people into eight-passenger vehicles and driving recklessly to avoid detection shows an utter disregard for human life."

Cruz, a US resident, is accused of orchestrating the chain of events that led to the migrants' deaths, from the cutting of the border fence and the packing of a Ford Expedition with 25 people to the hiring of two drivers.

As well as the fatal crash, a second car was found broken down and in flames by border patrol agents on March 2, who located another 19 individuals hiding in the brush nearby who had entered the US through the fence.

The associate who identified Cruz to authorities after being arrested for a separate smuggling incident said Cruz had offered him $1,000 per passenger to drive the ill-fated crash vehicle, but he declined.

A phone call between the two in which Cruz confirmed his involvement in the March 2 smuggling event was secretly recorded, authorities said.

Cruz is accused of overseeing the transportation of illegal immigrants to stash houses within the US, collecting smuggling payments from family members or sponsors, recruiting drivers and scouting for the presence of law enforcement.

He remains in custody following his El Centro, California court hearing, and will face a preliminary hearing next month.

amz/jh
Team has received letters of intent from six out of 352 registered shareholders of the company

The Tavistock Investments PLC ( ) board has reiterated its view that the takeover approach by Team PLC is without merit.

Yesterday, Team, which owns TEAM Asset Management and which completed its IPO earlier this month, announced it had received letters of intent from six shareholders of the company in support of its proposed deal.

Tavistock noted the non-binding letters were from six out of the 352 registered shareholders and represented in aggregate 7.44% of the company's issued share capital.

The board of Tavistock told investors it is dismissing the 23 March approach by Team as it feels it significantly undervalues the business, believing there is no commercial logic to justify a combination and that a paper-only offer is not in the interests of the company's shareholders.

In recent weeks, the wealth manager has rejected two approaches from Team, with the most recent being a proposed offer of 1 new Team share for every 35 Tavistock shares owned, which equates to almost 2.5p at the last close price.

Team's shares closed overnight at 87p while Tavistock's were at 2.3p.

But its directors advised shareholders to take no action.

Team has, under the London stock market's put up or shut up rules, until 5pm on 20 April to make a firm offer or walk away.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  The country's treatment czar appealed for public patience as the government's referral system has been overwhelmed with calls due to rising coronavirus cases.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' New Day on Wednesday, Health Undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega enumerated the issues bogging down the One Hospital Command's ability to facilitate hospital referrals to COVID-19 patients in Metro Manila and nearby regions.

"The surge that we have been experiencing the last three days wherein we hit the 9,000 to 10,000 mark, which is rapidly double the pandemic size that we had in last year, also not just burdened the hospitals but burdened the One Hospital Command in terms of transactional calls," Vega said.

'Very basic' referral system

Vega explained that due to the absence of a call forwarding feature, it takes time to respond to patients. He added that even call center agents who depend on real-time figures on the capacity of hospitals do not always have sufficient referrals to waiting patients.

"We don't have [the sophistication] of a call forwarding," he admitted. "So sometimes these calls, wherein you call through Globe or even Smart, will remain ringing ...but when [our agents] try to look for hospitals, that's the hardest time because sometimes we can't locate the hospitals within the metropolis that can admit the patients."

In a separate public briefing later, Vega admitted that their referral system has been "very basic," despite getting calls that have more than tripled from 110 daily to about 388 calls per day due to the surge.

In another briefing, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said they will seek help from telecommunication companies to improve the referral system's connectivity.

"It was resolved yesterday na hihingi na tayo ng tulong sa mga telecom companies para madagdagan pa itong ating mga lines para po mas maka-accommodate ng mga tawag," she said.

[Translation: It was resolved yesterday that we will seek the help of telecom companies so more communication lines can be added to accommodate calls.]

When no hospital is vacant, One Hospital Command also refers patients to isolation facilities, or coordinates with different local government units and other neighboring regions. But in a worst-case scenario, patients would have to go as far as Batangas or Nueva Ecija to be admitted.

"If you need a government institution in region 4-A (Calabarzon), then we would refer you to the Batangas Medical Center because that's the Level 3 hospital out there," Vergeire said.

"And in Region 3 (Central Luzon), we have Jose B Lingad Regional Hospital which is also a Level 3, and one in Nueva Ecija with also a Level 3 institution, Paulino Garcia Hospital," Vega added, noting that patients can also opt for private care in other vacant hospitals in these regions.

According to Vega, COVID beds and isolation wards in Metro Manila's healthcare facilities fall under a 70% capacity or "moderate risk," but cities like Manila, Quezon City and Malabon are already under a "very high risk" category as they have reported 85% to 90% capacity for the past days.

Can the week-long enhanced community quarantine in Greater Manila area address this surge? Vega thinks this would at least buy them time to better manage referral of patients.

"We notice in our [hospital command] dashboard that a lot of mild and asymptomatic cases have been admitted in some hospitals although these mild cases can be managed in isolation facilities," he said. "So in this one-week time, we can buy time on making sure that the resources are there."

Infectious disease expert Dr. Benjamin Co emphasized that the surge in COVID-19 cases in Greater Manila area could have been addressed if the ECQ was imposed earlier.

With the current trends in the infections, Co suggested a two-week ECQ imposition and a modified ECQ for another two weeks. He said the government should relax its quarantine restrictions once the reproduction number, or the number of people getting infected after being contact with a COVID-19 patient, goes down.

"We need to bring down the reproduction number, that should be the parameter. If we're not able to bring it to 1, the ECQ for a week will be useless," Co told CNN Philippines' The Final Word.

On Wednesday, the Philippines reported its lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in eight days at 6,128, but the Department of Health said the count does not yet include data from several testing laboratories.

READ: PH records 6,128 new COVID-19 cases, but DOH says data incomplete

The government's task force will meet on Black Saturday, April 4, to assess whether to extend the ECQ in Greater Manila for at least another week.

Those who need assistance in finding a healthcare facility may call the command center through the following numbers:

-0919 977 3333

-0915 777 7777

-(02) 886 505 00
WASHINGTON, DC - March 31, 2021 -- Nearly 20% of Americans, or more than 46 million adults, say they did not seek treatment for a health problem in the last year due to cost, and an equal number say that if they needed some form of healthcare today they would not be able to afford it, according to a new West Health-Gallup survey. The findings come as Americans struggle through a year-plus long pandemic that has claimed over 550,000 lives and put millions of people out of work.

Americans who found themselves unemployed were about twice as likely (38%) to avoid medical care due to cost in the last year. And, while Black, Hispanic and White Americans skipped treatments in roughly equal numbers last year, more people of color are worried about what the future may hold. Nearly one-third (29%) of Black adults - nearly double the number of White adults - and more than one-fifth of Hispanic adults (21%), say if they needed healthcare today, they could not afford it.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life over the last year, and as we begin to emerge from the worst public health crisis in 100 years, we are left with another crisis that has never gone away - the high cost of healthcare," said Tim Lash, chief strategy officer for West Health, a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable successful aging. "Millions of Americans simply can't afford healthcare and policymakers simply can't continue to ignore this painful truth."

In the last year, tens of millions of Americans say they were forced to cut back on basic necessities like food (12%) and utilities (9%) to pay for healthcare, while 35% say they reduced spending on recreational activities and 26% reduced spending on clothing. Nearly 30% found paying for general healthcare a significant financial burden behind housing (51%), taxes (48%) and food (41%). Costs for prescription drugs are a significant financial burden for more than 1 in 5 adults (22%). The survey also found that more than half (52%) of all Americans say they are either "worried" or "very worried" that a health event will wipe out their savings.

This may explain why the American public overwhelmingly favors reforms including setting caps in Medicare on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs (88%) and general healthcare services (85%). Majorities of Americans also support lowering the age of Medicare eligibility to 60 (65%), making Medicare available to everyone (60%) and strengthening the Affordable Care Act (59%), though Democrats are much more likely to support these latter three measures than are Republicans. Slight majorities of Independents support the measures.

"Our surveys consistently show that the high cost of healthcare is a significant worry for tens of millions of Americans and that these concerns have persisted throughout the course of the COVID era," said Dan Witters, Gallup senior researcher. "As the pandemic recedes and normalcy slowly returns to everyday life, anxiety over affording quality care appears likely to again become a primary issue for elected officials to address."

###

This latest West Health-Gallup survey was conducted by the web between Feb. 15 and Feb. 21, 2021 with 3,753 adults, ages 18+, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia via the Gallup Panel, a scientifically populated, non-opt-in panel of about 120,000 adults nationwide. To read the full survey findings and methodology, please visit here.

About Gallup

Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 80 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organization in the world.

About West Health

Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health is a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations including the Gary and Mary West Foundation and Gary and Mary West Health Institute in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. West Health is dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. Learn more at westhealth.org and follow @westhealth.
Hairdressing appointments

Myself and a hefty percentage of the population will never take booking an appointment so lightly again. The luxury of ringing up and arranging a time to spend a few hours (revelation: I am not a natural blonde) people watching and gossiping with the only person I trust to fix my hair will never be underestimated again.

It is thanks to my hairdresser and his gentle but firm warnings that my lockdown 'do isn't the result of a home dyeing experiment.

Also, when your colour has almost grown out and a homemade trim has gone slightly askew - and I'm being kind to myself here, I can't cut in a straight line - you realise that having someone in your life who knows how to fix your mistakes properly is heaven sent.

Brunch

I'm not a fan of brunch. Breakfast, yes. Lunch, yes. Brunch no thank you.

That is an excuse for overpriced eggs at a time when I'm contemplating chicken goujons. But when eating out is back in business, I'll be at the top of the queue with my order of poached eggs, bacon and avocado.

Taking time to eat something that you haven't made (possibly burned) yourself cannot come too soon - so if every cafe in the vicinity will only serve brunch, I'll be there.

Also, I wish for communal meals. The odd bowl of cocktail sausages when you're having a drink in a bar.

Mounds of toasted cheese sandwiches in the middle of the table, made for multiple diners. I am looking forward to the day where we can order platters of food to share - and we can all dive in.

Tourist attractions

The Ulster Museum, Crumlin Road Gaol, Titanic Belfast you name a Belfast tourist attraction and I'll have been there and - sometimes - will be wearing the T-shirt. At least owning a novelty pen and notebook.

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The actual tourists to the city will have to fight their way past me when everything reopens because even though I've been to all these places more times than my local park, I want to do it all over again.

The museum especially is one of my happy places. And it has a cafe, so surely I'm ticking another item off my list, even if it will only offer brunch?

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Spontaneous decisions

Honestly, I'm a planner so spontaneity doesn't come naturally - there's a time and a place for everything, after all.

But lockdown has instilled in me a deep need to not plan every day out and, perhaps occasionally, make a decision only a few moments ahead of time.

Ok, so planning to be spontaneous doesn't make sense, but you're living a very ordered life, only to have that order somehow enhanced to the nth degree through no decision of your own, a little flexibility looks appealing.

Freedom to travel

Some very, very dear friends live about 100 miles from me and it's been almost a year since we met up. Yes we've had multiple Zooms and WhatsApp chats, but they're nowhere near the same thing.

Plus, I think my friends would appreciate seeing me in something other than a hoody that's loosely defined as loungewear but is really a pyjama top and my Chip from Beauty and the Beast slippers.

Getting on public transport - even with a mask in place - and heading to Dublin, and further afield, to see the people I'm closest to but haven't gotten close to in 12 months will do my heart good.

My local park

Yes, I could draw you a map of the Ormeau Park, with each tree and bench at this stage.

Visits to the local green area hadn't so much increased in the last year as began.

It's less than a 10-minute walk from my home and yet I'd probably been there a handful of times since my teenage years.

While there is much I've missed while living la vida lockdown, one thing I've gained is an appreciation of park life.

Ormeau truly is a lovely space - you're tucked away from the busyness of the road, sheltered by the calming layout.

Regular visits will continue even when things are - fingers crossed - back to relative normality.
An Accra based businessman Nana Obiri Yeboah Agyemang has cautioned the music duo GH Story to refrain from releasing their new song titled Romann.



In his recorded voice message, Nana Obiri Yeboah vehemently expresses his utmost dissatisfaction with the coming soon thriller of the song which he saw on konkonsa.com Instagram page. He considers the lyrical content of the Romann song as a blatant disrespect to the Holy Catholic Church and an attempt to tarnish the hard earned reputation of the church which has been built for over two thousand (2000) years



I dont believe that any discerning catholic will allow such a thing to go on against the church. I entreat bloggers and the media to desist from supporting such music.



According to Nana Obiri Yeboah, he is speaking as a Knight of the Catholic church and would do everything possible to prevent Gh Story from releasing that song.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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(TNS)  Wake Forest Baptist Health-Lexington Medical Center announced it has been notified of a data breach of one of its former vendors, Healthgrades Operating Company, that has put local patient information at risk.On Jan. 29, Healthgrades notified Lexington Medical Center that an unauthorized individual gained access to one of its archived servers between Oct. 16 and Oct. 28 that included patient information in some backup files from the time it provided services to the hospital, according to a written statement released by Wake Forest Baptist Health.Representatives for the hospital stated it has not received any indication that the information involved in the incident has been misused, but patients who may have been impacted will be mailed notices with further information.The hospital stated, as of now, no patient data from Lexington Medical Center remains on Healthgrades systems. How many patients may have been exposed and how long ago these records were from was not provided by WFBH upon request."Lexington Medical Center cares about the privacy and security of its patients' information and takes this matter very seriously. As soon as LMC was notified, it immediately took steps to understand the circumstances of what took place and the information impacted," said the statement from WFBH.Hospital representatives said the data breach was limited to Healthgrades systems only and did not involve any Lexington Medical Center systems or electronic health records. In the past, Healthgrades had assisted Lexington Medical Center with patient and community education about health matters and services, according to WFBH.Lexington Medical Center determined that the information contained in the archived files involved in the Healthgrades security incident varied by patient, but may have included patient names, addresses, demographic and contact information, dates of birth, LMC medical record numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of service, patient type (e.g., outpatient), limited health information  such as treatment and billing codes and their descriptions (which, in some cases, may indicate a diagnosis), names of physicians and their specialties, guarantor names, insurance type, insurance providers and/or cost of treatment information.Lexington Medical Center is offering complimentary identity and credit monitoring services to patients whose information was involved. Healthgrades has also advised LMC that it has notified law enforcement of this incident and will cooperate with any follow-up investigation.For any patients whose information was involved in the incident, LMC recommends that they review the statements they receive from their healthcare providers and contact the relevant provider immediately if they see services they did not receive.Lexington Medical Center is offering resources to help support the patients whose information may have been involved. A call center has been established to answer any questions about this incident, which can be reached at 1-855-660-1531, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.This is the second data breach involving a manage care organization working with a Lexington-based health care system. On Friday a data breach was reported by PeakTPA, a manage care organization that works with Lexington-based Carolina SeniorCare.Carolina SeniorCare provides home-based health services to seniors in Davidson, Rowan, Davie and Iredell counties. Carolina SeniorCare had 533 customers affected by the data breach, according to a news release. PeakTPA said patient data stored in two of its cloud servers were accessed in a ransomware attack that the company first became aware of on Dec. 31, 2020.A third-party investigative agency discovered that the information accessed in the breach was patients' name, date of birth, address, social security number and diagnosis codes. All affected patients have been notified about the information breach, according to the news release. PeakTPA recommends that patients with compromised information review account statements and monitor free credit reports. Anyone who may have been affected by the security breach can contact PeakTPA at 1-855-761-0196 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:08:27|Editor: huaxia

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MADRID, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The new members of Spain's coalition government were sworn in to their new posts in front of King Felipe VI on Wednesday after a cabinet reshuffle that gave Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez four female deputies.

The changes came after Pablo Iglesias, the leader of Sanchez's coalition partner Unidas Podemos, stepped down as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Rights and Agenda 2030 to stand as his party's candidate in the regional elections for the Community of Madrid in May.

The reshuffle saw the Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calvino, replace Iglesias as Second Deputy Prime Minister, the position that is one step below Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo.

Yolanda Diaz, the Minister for Labor and Social Economy, became Third Deputy Prime Minister. Ione Belarra left her role as Secretary of State for the Agenda 2030 to take over Iglesias' position as Minister.

Meanwhile, Teresa Ribera continued as Fourth Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.

Speaking on Tuesday, Sanchez highlighted that the changes mean that all four Deputy Prime Ministers in his government are now women.

"It is a motive for pride for women and also for men ... Regardless of your political preferences, all Spaniards can feel proud that our country is once again an international reference for rights and freedoms," he said. Enditem
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A UN investigation concluded on Tuesday that a French air attack in central Mali at the start of January killed at least 19 civilians, according to excerpts from the report.

The assault in the Sahel state created a dispute over casualties from the French attack with local residents saying it hit civilians attending a wedding ceremony in the village of Bounti, in the Mopti region.

French authorities immediately dismissed the findings of the UN inquiry.

In-depth MINUSMA investigation into #Bounti #Mali French airstrike raises concern of an unlawfully disproportionate attack. It should spur French and Malians to open investigation+ ensure compensation of families of civilians killed. - Corinne Dufka (@CorinneDufka) March 30, 2021

Following the 3 January strike, the French army said it killed about 30 jihadist fighters who had been identified through aerial reconnaissance. The French authorities denied that a marriage had taken place in the remote village of Bounti.

A report from MINUSMA, the UN mission in Mali, said some 100 civilians had come to the site for a wedding, according to details of the investigation, as reported by AFP news agency.

'Human error' to blame for Mali helicopter crash that killed 13 French troops

The UN investigation said 19 unarmed civilians, as well as three armed men in the area, were killed.

The report said the armed men belonged to Katiba Serma, a branch of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

The inquiry conducted 115 interviews and approximately 100 phone interviews in order to try and establish the circumstances of the attack.

The findings represent a damning assessment of French military action that the UN described as raising concerns about the respect for the conduct of hostilities, saying the group targeted was "overwhelmingly composed of civilians".

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The emergence of details from the report came after another French air strike in Mali last week that has also been at the centre of a dispute over those targeted.

Sahel jihadists eye expansion into Cote d'Ivoire and Benin says French spy boss

On 25 March six people were killed in the northeast of the country, in a military operation that the French military said had identified rebel fighters. However, once again, local residents said those killed were in fact hunters.

France's defence ministry reiterated its position that the Bounti attack did target an armed "terrorist" group. Paris called into question the methodology used by the UN.

France launched operations in Mali following conflict sparked by a separatist movement, deploying troops in 2013.

The situation has deteriorated with a number of armed groups fighting over control of central and northern regions.
A fire risk assessor who repeatedly downplayed safety concerns at Grenfell Tower had invented his qualifications, an inquiry into the disaster was told yesterday.

Carl Stokes was accused of a series of 'lamentable' failures before the 2017 inferno that killed 72 people in the 24-storey block.

When the London Fire Brigade raised concerns just two months before the blaze, Mr Stokes insisted that the building's disastrous cladding complied with regulations.

The inquiry into the Grenfell tower (pictured) tragedy has heard that a fire risk assessor downplayed safety concerns about the block's cladding and had invented his qualifications

The inquiry heard how he 'invented' a series of letters after his name on fire risk assessments and falsely implied he was on a register of assessors.

The ex-fireman, 61, was paid 250,000 over seven years as a consultant for the local tenant management organisation.

Witnesses to the inquiry yesterday cited an expert report carried out by Dr Barbara Lane that draws attention to how Mr Stokes had 'contributed to a culture of ignoring warnings' from residents.

The Fire Brigades Union yesterday told the inquiry that Mr Stokes had 'substantially failed' to consider an evacuation plan for the tower's at-risk residents.

The inquiry heard Mr Stokes had 'contributed to a culture of ignoring warnings' from residents

On Monday, lawyers for the bereaved and survivors of the blaze told the inquiry that the former Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service worker's risk assessments were 'were simply not acceptable'.

It came as Sadiq Khan said that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's dismissal of 'prophetic complaints' by Grenfell residents before the fire was a disgrace.

Lawyers for the Mayor of London said that appalling issues at the tower had been overlooked, further accusing the council of manipulating its complaints system against residents.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Khan, Anne Studd QC said: 'The conduct of the TMO towards the residents of Grenfell Tower demonstrates a total failure in ensuring that Grenfell Tower was a safe place to live.'
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 00:24:28|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- China's culture watchdog has launched a nationwide campaign to inspect Internet culture and has rectified 2,163 items in violation of relevant regulations, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Tuesday.

Initiated in February, the campaign was mainly targeted at online cultural products containing vulgar content, money worship and those going against social moralities.

More than 30,000 inspectors have been dispatched to examine over 29,000 websites, applications and social-media accounts, said the ministry, adding that 54 cases involving Internet culture have been dealt with to date.

The ministry said it will take further steps to overhaul online comics, music and performances to remove harmful content from the online cultural market. Enditem
RIO DE JANEIRO - Six cabinet members are out. The military's top leaders are also gone. And it's only Tuesday.

First came the Monday morning exit of Brazil's foreign minister, a right-wing ideologue blamed for failing to secure enough coronavirus vaccines. Then the defense minister was gone. Then the justice minister was replaced. Tuesday morning brought still more tumult: the departuresof the navy, army and air force chiefs.

The exits have sent political shock waves across Latin America's largest country, precipitating the most politically uncertain moment of President Jair Bolsonaro's two-year-plus tenure. Brazil must now face down what public health analysts say could be the darkest weeks of the pandemic with a raft of new officials and an incoherent national strategy.

The sudden moves - some expected, others not - suggested mounting political desperation in the presidential palace. Health systems have collapsed. Some 2,600 people are dying of the coronavirus every day. And Brazilians are increasingly looking to blame the failures of the pandemic on Bolsonaro, who has never appeared more vulnerable. Earlier this month, the leader of the congress implied the president may face impeachment.

"These are defensive actions," said Ricardo Ismael, a political scientist at the Catholic Pontifical University in Rio de Janeiro. "There is a fragility to him."

That impression has only deepened since the return to the scene of Bolsonaro's greatest political rival, former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, out of prison and now cleared by the supreme court to run in the 2022 presidential election. If Bolsonaro is to have any shot at maintaining power, quieting calls for impeachment and eventually winning reelection, he has to start making changes, analysts said.

"He's feeling the heat," said Matias Spektor, an associate professor of international relations at Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo. "He knows things will get worse in the next months, and he needs to prepare for that and get ready for the next election."

Bolsonaro has somewhat moderated his messaging on the virus, which he earlier dismissed as little more than an annoyance Brazilians had to work around. Long a mask skeptic, he began wearing one. He also embraced vaccines, which he previously fretted could turn people into alligators. He dismissed his health minister, a military general and replaced him with a cardiologist. And finally, he booted the foreign minister, the right-wing hard-liner castigated by the powerful center bloc of congress for not wrangling enough vaccines from foreign powers.

Those moves were expected. Then came ones that weren't.

Bolsonaro replaced thejustice minister with a close family ally. Then he sacked the defense minister, Fernando Azevedo e Silva, who had taken the virus more seriously and had reportedly chafed under the president's leadership. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, has repeatedly said the military was on his side in political disputes. Earlier this month, he called it "my military."

Azevedo e Silva disagreed - and was gone by Monday.

"During this time, I preserved the Armed Forces as institutions of state," Azevedo e Silva wrote in his departure statement. "I leave in the certainty of a mission accomplished."

On Tuesday morning, the three top commanders of the armed forces - who had joined Azevedo e Silva in a November statement reinforcing the separation of military and politics - also announced they were leaving. It's unclear whether they resigned or were forced out.

In a country that spent decades under a military dictatorship - and is now led by a president who has frequently lamented its collapse - the departure of the top military officials has caused widespread consternation and fanned fears about Bolsonaro's authoritarian impulses.

"He has the idea that, as soon as he was elected, he is the state," said Carlos Melo, a professor at Sao Paulo University's Insper education and research school. "That the institutions are subordinate to him and not to the state."

Politicians and former allies across the country echoed the concerns about the strength of Brazilian democracy.

"Bolsonaro is increasingly similar to Chavez and Maduro," said Rodrigo Maia, formerly congressional president, referring to past and current Venezuelan presidents. "An authoritarian will always be an authoritarian."

- - -

McCoy reported from Madison, Wis.
Ukraine expects 4.9 million doses of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to be delivered in April-May, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said at a government meeting on Wednesday.

"According to the agreements signed, we should receive 4.9 million doses of vaccines within two months (April-May). Additionally, we potentially have another 1.5 million doses of vaccines, as there are agreements with the European Union on vaccines that they promise to supply to Ukraine in the near future," he said.

The minister said that it is planned to contract another 15 million doses, in addition to 22 million doses already contracted. All of these vaccines will be received during 2021.

Kyiv will be supplied with the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines by the middle of April, he said.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabias King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has launched a fundraising campaign to help people around the world without any discrimination. The drive aims to support the center's ongoing humanitarian programs in sectors such as food, education, health and agriculture, the Arab News reported.

Interested people can join hands with KSrelief in its fifty-day campaign to help humanity through numerous channels such as the center's donation portal, ehsan platform, by sending text messages to 5565 or through KSrelief's donation points that will soon be launched across the Kingdom.

Notably, Saudi Arabia is actively involved in several humanitarian projects around the world, through the centre. KSrelief has implemented 1,536 projects worth nearly $5 billion in 59 countries since its inception in May 2015. According to a recent KSrelief report, Yemen has received the most aid ($3.47 billion), followed by Palestine ($363 million), Syria ($305 million) and Somalia ($202 million).

KSrelief provides urgent treatment for wounded and injured Yemenis in their country, and those for whom treatment is not possible in Yemen are transferred to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.

The center has developed electronic models for recording humanitarian, development, and charity projects and contributions according to international documentation standards adopted by the OECD Development Assistance Committee, the UN Financial Tracking Service and the principles of the International Aid Transparency Initiative.

Since its establishment, the center has been working to provide various forms of humanitarian support to the Yemeni brothers, including shelter, food, healthcare and education, covering all its governorates.

The health center is one of the many centers around Yemen that are receiving full support from KSrelief. In Hodeidah, the center is carrying out a water and sanitation project.

Saudi Air Force participates joint military exercise with US and Pakistani forces

Biden nominates Indian American Rupa Ranga Puttagunta as Washington judge

Vladimir Putin hold video-conference with leaders of France, Germany
NEW SCOTLAND  Albany County Democrats are calling on county Legislator George Langdon IV, a Republican from Coeymans, to resign after he made homophobic comments over the weekend at a seminar on constitutional liberty - an event that was partially hosted by another Coeymans resident who was charged on Tuesday for being at the U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Langdon made the remarks at Camp Pinnacle, a Bible camp and retreat just south of Thacher State Park, which hosted a seminar titled "A Return to Liberty under the Constitution." William Tryon is seen in a nearly four-hour video of the event introducing a series of guests, which also included Lewis County Sheriff Michael Carpinelli, who has said he is running for governor. Tryon is being charged with three federal misdemeanors for entering the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Langdon started his speech by urging pastors and religious leaders to get involved in local elections and use their influence.

I know you have to have that so-called separation of church and state, thats bogus, he said. The people need some guidance; they dont understand the implications of some of these decisions.

He then turned to gay marriage and gay relationships, referencing a previous speakers comments on gender issues. You can watch the comments here.

Everything God does is sustainable, it's sustainable. Its perpetual. ... Sorry, when you have homosexual relationships, its not perpetual. Give them an island, theyll be gone in 40 years. Because God created us this way. Theres so much common sense that needs to be applied to our policies, our procedures that we do in our government."

Former Coeymans Town Supervisor Stephen Flach is Camp Pinnacle's executive camp director. He also spoke at the event and jokingly said "I understand most of you have a medical exemption" to not wear a mask per pandemic protocols, eliciting laughs from the audience. Carpinelli also went after mask mandates required as part of the COVID-19 crisis, saying "our God wants us to smile at each other."

The event's main speaker was Richard Mack, a former Arizona sheriff who is known nationally for advocating for looser gun restrictions and referring to the federal government as the greatest threat we face today.

Vashon-Renee McIntyre, a Republican candidate for the Third Ward council seat in Albany, also spoke at the event.

Langdon's remarks drew swift backlash after the video began circulating on social media. The Albany County Democratic Committee and local politicians called for him to apologize and resign.

Albany Councilman Richard Conti, who said he is the area's longest-serving LGBTQ elected official, said Langdon's remarks were deeply offensive and should be condemned.

"During my time in public office, and even before, I have worked to build an inclusive community respectful of all residents regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity," he said. "All residents of Albany County deserve and have the right to be treated with dignity and respect."

Libby Post, an LGBTQ activist and local business owner, said Langdon's remarks showed how little he thought of LGBTQ residents in the county.

"I think it's pretty clear he doesn't value our lives," she said. "We're the other, they don't think of us as human beings."

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy called Langdons comments wildly homophobic and hurtful and said that he should apologize to Albany County residents. McCoy also suggested Langdon should resign, saying if the comments were representative of his thinking, he did not belong in county government.

Every resident, no matter who they love or how they identify, deserves a place in Albany County, not to be relegated to some theoretical island,  McCoy said in a statement. The past four years have shown us that we cannot afford to shrug off hate and bigotry. We have to confront it and call it what it is  hate.

Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce, a Democrat, said Langdon is unfit to serve.

It pains me to even remotely amplify the disgusting comments spewed out by Albany County Legislator George Langdon," he said in a statement. "Listening to someone laughingly share an ugly, nightmarish scenario of our loved ones being 'gone after 40 years' shakes us all to our core, not only as public servants but as human beings. I call on him to apologize and resign. Not for 40 years, but forever.

Langdon is in his first term in the legislature after serving on the Coeymans Town Board. He did not return a call for comment Wednesday. Langdon is chief financial officer at Crystal Clear Finances, a business based in Latham that he operates with his wife and son. A receptionist there said he was not in the office Wednesday and he does not have voicemail.

Albany County Legislature Minority Leader Frank Mauriello called Langdon's comments, "unacceptable," but stopped short of calling for his resignation.

Whatever your sexual orientation, we are all equal in God's s eyes and equal under the law. Any statements that contradict that belief are unacceptable," he said in a statement. "On the subject of resignation, each elected official is responsible for their words and

actions and is accountable to the constituents in his/her district.

Albany County GOP Chairman Randy Bashwinger did not respond to a request for comment after being sent a link to the video by the Times Union.
8 Nigerian Christians abducted from church bus: 'Best we can do is pray'

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At least eight Christians were abducted by gunmen last Friday while traveling on a bus to a church program in the Kaduna state of northwest Nigeria. The church calls for prayer.

The victims, members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, were traveling to prepare for the churchs Lets Go a Fishing Easter program in Kafanchan when gunman removed them from their bus and took them away in a vehicle, a church spokesperson told The Punch.

A user reportedly posted a picture on Facebook of the victims empty church bus and said all passengers were kidnapped along Kachia Road. The church bus has an inscription that reads, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 30, Trinity Sanctuary, Kaduna.

Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi, RCCG head of media and public relations, confirmed the kidnapping. According to the Nigerian news outlet, the pastor said the ministry is working with security agencies to secure the abductees' return.

We feel completely disturbed by the development and as a church, the best we can do is to pray that God will intervene and these brethren will return home to their loved ones, Olubiyi told The Punch Sunday. As a church, we are praying now and asking God to take charge of the situation.

The police have launched a search for the kidnapped Christians, and the abductors have demanded a ransom payment from the church, Vanguard daily newspaper reported. It is not immediately clear who abducted the church members.

During a leadership retreat on Sunday, the National Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigerias Youth Wing Belusochukwu Enwer challenged the government to act against this anti-human behavior." He said self-defense would be inevitable if the situation remains the same in Nigeria, according to a Sunday report by Vanguard.

Our heart bleeds that a bus-load of Christians from RCCG from Kaduna Province going for a prayer work to Kafanchan was abducted on their way, Enwer was quoted as saying. The incident of kidnapping is a case too many and has left bitter tastes in our mouths.

He said divine intervention is the only way to end what is happening in Nigeria.

A spokesperson for the church told Channels TV that the kidnappers demanded a ransom equivalent to over $130,000.

Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, told The Punch that the church bus had been recovered.

This abduction came a little more than two weeks after another Nigerian kidnapping on March 11 resulted in around 39 missing students. The students were abducted by gunmen from a school, also in the Kaduna state of northwest Nigeria.

Nigeria, Africas most populous country, is known for widespread mass abductions and violence. Kidnapping for ransom payments has become common.

Boko Haram terrorists abducted Nigerian pastor Bulus Yikura on Christmas Eve and demanded a ransom payment before a deadline.

The terrorist group released videos of the pastor pleading with the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian government to rescue him before he was killed.

Yikuras ransom payment was received just hours before his execution, and he was freed on March 3.

Nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped from their boarding school on February 26 and returned days later, which marked the third mass kidnapping in recent months in Nigeria.

These school kidnappings follow the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, which gained international attention and sparked the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Over 112 of the schoolgirls from Chibok remain missing.

Due to widespread mass kidnappings, attending school is often a risk for children in Nigeria. Around 10.5 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 do not attend school because of this threat as well as escalating violence in the northeast and Middle Belt, according to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

Nigeria is ranked as the country third most affected by terrorism in the world, according to the Global Terrorism Index. From 2001 to 2019, there were over 22,000 terrorist deaths.

Nigeria is the leading country for the number of Christians murdered for their faith each year, Open Doors USA has reported. The country is home to over 95 million Christians.

Nigeria ranks No. 9 on Open Doors World Watch List for Christian persecution worldwide due to an extreme level of Islamic oppression.

Islamic extremist groups such as Boko Haram, Fulani militant herdsmen and Islamic State West Africa Province often execute the violent attacks and thousands have been killed in recent years.

Nigeria was the first democratic nation to be added to the United States State Department's "country of particular concern" list in 2020 for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.
"Our drilling at El Orito within Los Ricos North continues to yield exceptional results that we believe will strengthen the initial resource estimate to be released this year," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We continue to invest our free cash flows from Parral into the Los Ricos projects which we believe will create exceptional value for our shareholders."

Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections

Hole ID Area From To Length1 Ag Au Cu Pb Zn AgEq2



(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) LRGO-20-011 El Orito 153.2 179.1 25.9 9.3 0.01 0.04 0.25 0.85 48.1 LRGO-21-013 El Orito 289.0 309.0 20.0 10.4 0.01 0.03 0.27 1.08 56.4

and 418.6 420.1 1.4 14.0 0.01 0.08 1.29 1.00 87.0 LRGO-21-015 El Orito 269.8 298.0 28.2 44.9 0.10 0.08 0.58 1.26 115.5

including 285.5 290.4 4.9 106.4 0.33 0.14 0.97 1.91 230.4 LRGO-21-016 El Orito 136.8 148.2 11.4 26.9 0.06 0.24 2.04 5.20 274.9

including 142.6 146.9 4.3 62.2 0.14 0.60 5.04 10.24 588.8

including 145.1 146.9 1.8 117.8 0.28 1.13 10.59 18.89 1,125.7 LRGO-21-018 El Orito 197.8 246.4 48.6 34.7 0.05 0.19 1.24 2.36 163.8

including 220.8 227.2 6.4 139.3 0.17 0.82 3.76 6.70 542.2

including 237.0 239.7 2.8 114.4 0.18 0.60 5.52 12.68 737.9 LRGO-21-021 El Orito 165.9 197.3 31.4 43.9 0.10 0.13 0.89 0.86 113.4

including 188.6 196.6 8.0 98.7 0.23 0.29 2.06 2.61 279.9

including 189.5 192.9 3.4 174.0 0.49 0.50 3.63 4.54 495.3 LRGO-21-023 El Orito 48.1 51.0 3.0 80.6 0.32 0.04 0.19 0.12 116.5

and 70.9 73.5 2.6 107.5 0.58 0.02 0.14 0.16 160.9

and 97.5 128.9 31.4 34.6 0.20 0.14 0.36 0.28 80.7

including 109.3 121.3 12.0 59.3 0.42 0.27 0.64 0.61 152.5

including 118.9 120.7 1.8 144.4 1.35 0.08 0.17 0.04 258.1

1. Not true width 2. AqEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1. Copper, Lead and Zinc converted using $3.66/lb, $0.90/lb and $1.26/lb at 100% recoveries based on a silver price of $26.00/oz 3. Holes LRGO-21-017,019,020,022 assays are still pending.

The holes that the Company has drilled to date at El Orito have shown mineralization averaging 30m in width over 700m in strike length and 200m in vertical depth from surface, and is open in all directions. The El Orito deposit is located about 1,000 meters to the west along strike from the El Favor deposit. The Company's exploration team is mapping and sampling the area to determine the connection between the two deposits.

The known strike length of the El Orito  El Favor structure is now approaching 2,500 meters and is still open in both directions. The surface topography at El Orito is 400 to 500m lower compared to El Favor and is allowing the exploration team to see this large, mineralized structure over a vertical height of 750 meters when measured from the surface outcrops at El Favor to the intersections in the El Orito drill holes.

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGO-21-011 583517 2336992 807.8 210 -70 288.0 LRGO-21-013 584070 2336871 991.8 210 -50 473.7 LRGO-21-015 584026 2336886 987.2 210 -50 400.0 LRGO-21-016 583503 2336745 833.0 210 -55 209.5 LRGO-21-018 583564 2336982 845.0 210 -65 290.7 LRGO-21-021 583553 2336960 862.0 210 -55 252.9 LRGO-21-023 583881 2336820 960.0 210 -50 220.9

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

Access the GoGold Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for GoGold can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/9404 and on the Company's website at: www.gogoldresources.com.

Los Ricos District Exploration Projects

The Company's two exploration projects at its Los Ricos property are in Jalisco state, Mexico. The Los Ricos South Project began in March 2019 and an initial resource was announced on July 29, 2020 which indicated a Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 63.7 million ounces AgEq grading 199 g/t AgEq contained in 10.0 million tonnes, and an Inferred Resource of 19.9 million ounces AgEq grading 190 g/t AgEq contained in 3.3 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on January 20, 2021 indicating an NPV 5% of US$295M.

The Los Ricos North Project was launched in March 2020 and includes drilling at the El Favor, La Trini, Casados and El Orito targets. During 2020, GoGold's exploration team identified over 100 targets on the Los Ricos North properties, demonstrating the significant exploration potential. The Company plans to drill 10 of these targets as part of its 2021 drilling program which is planned to exceed 100,000 metres of drilling and will be one of the largest in Mexico.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ActLabs facility in Zacatecas, Mexico. ActLabs crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 50-gram charge by fire assay (Code 1A2-50) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 1A3-50). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code 1F2 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 8-Ag FA-GRAV Ag).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed GoGold's QA/QC protocols.

Mr. David Duncan, P. Geo. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release.

About GoGold Resources

GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Los Ricos South and North projects, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, including the intention to undertake further exploration at Los Ricos North, and the prospect of further discoveries there, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release.

SOURCE GoGold Resources Inc.

Related Links

http://www.gogoldresources.com/


While the first China-U.S. senior officials' meeting in Alaskan city Anchorage since U.S. President Joe Biden took office has been described as chilly by the Western media, to look at it objectively, the March 18-19 strategic dialogue has clarified the red lines on both sides and broken the ice for further communication.



State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the door for China-U.S. dialogue would be always open while White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, "We expected to have tough and direct talks on a wide range of issues and that's exactly what we had."

The debate

From the Chinese perspective, three points were made clear at the talks. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sullivan's allegations of so-called human rights violations in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet, and cyber attacks and pressure on Taiwan were rebutted. The rebuttal showed China rejected the position of strength and moral superiority adopted by the U.S. and stood firm on its stand that it would brook no interference in its internal affairs.

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said China would spare no efforts in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development rights.

The Chinese officials also rejected the U.S. perception of an international order based on American rules. Yang pointed out that the U.S. has been trying to form cliques, forcing countries to choose it or China. He emphasized the Chinese stand that multilateralism is an important cornerstone of the current international system. China is willing to work with the U.S. to maintain true multilateralism as represented by the United Nations, instead of one based on America-centered values.

China also disapproved of the Biden administration's view of it as a strategic competitor. Yang reiterated that China's foreign policy is driven by peaceful development and building a community with a shared future for all. China-U.S. relations should be mutually beneficial instead of becoming a zero-sum game, which would recoil on both.

But despite the disagreements, there were areas of converging interest as well. The two sides discussed bilateral relations against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which included making reciprocal arrangements for vaccination for each other's diplomatic and consular personnel, and adjusting travel restrictions and visa policies to gradually realize normalization of personnel exchange.

Cooperation on the global agenda clearly has most potential. Coordination to combat climate change fallouts has already started with communication between the two countries' special envoys on climate, Xie Zhenhua and John Kerry. At the Anchorage meeting, the two sides agreed to set up a working group on climate change with more such groups expected in other areas. China made it clear that it welcomes constructive cooperation based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Lists of concerns

After the meeting, from the media interviews given by both sides, we can piece together their respective concerns.

For China, its main concern is U.S. interference in its internal affairs. The United States' attempts to form and lead an anti-China clique and provoke confrontation based on ideology pose a threat to China's continued reform and opening up as well as its greater role in global governance.

For the healthy development of bilateral relationship, China has urged the U.S. to adhere to the one-China policy on the Taiwan question and stop sending wrong messages to the forces seeking "Taiwan independence;" to quit interfering in Hong Kong-related issues and stop supporting "Hong Kong separatist" forces; and stop its smear campaign over Xinjiang and abandon the double standard in fighting against terrorism.

It is another concern that U.S. military planes have been conducting frequent close-in reconnaissance in Chinese coastal waters and Washington is sending warships and warplanes into waters near China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea under the pretense of so-called "freedom of navigation operations," challenging China's sovereign rights and increasing the risk of conflict between the two militaries.

The U.S. rhetoric can be grouped into three categories. First, accusations about Hong Kong, Xinjiang and human rights, which are based on fabricated information. And the U.S. is still trying to pressure China and force its allies support it by promoting a so-called "value diplomacy."

Second, call for "reciprocity" and "fairness" in the economy and trade, intellectual property protection, and ensuring security of supply chains and networks. However, the United States' actual intention is to maintain its technological dominance and increase manufacturing competitiveness, and to create favorable conditions for its own economy.

Third, global challenges ranging from climate change to the Iran nuclear issue, Afghanistan, the Korean Peninsula, non-proliferation and beyond. It's led by the Biden administration's ambition to show that "the U.S. is back." However, this is an arena where cooperation with China is essential.

The Anchorage meeting did not bridge bilateral differences overnight since the complicated relationship cannot be resolved by just one dialogue. But the communication helped in showing the issues that carry the risk of conflict and need to be controlled, as well as the common concerns where they can seek common ground while shelving differences.

For example, China has said it would like to cooperate with the U.S. in fighting COVID-19, climate change and the global economic crisis to enhance global governance.

Biden's China policy

The Biden administration reviewed its China's policy as soon as it took office. It sees China as its most serious competitor and will handle relations with China under the framework of strategic competition. Biden plans to engage China with the three tools of competition, confrontation and cooperation.

The Anchorage meeting, initiated by the U.S., was held after the Biden administration completed the first round of coordinating its China policy with U.S. allies, including the first informal quadrilateral security dialogue (Quad) with Japan, Australia and India.

Before the Anchorage meeting, the Biden administration also expanded so-called sanctions on some Chinese officials and entities, while putting more Chinese hi-tech enterprises on its import restriction or close observation list.

So far, Biden has not been quite successful in getting his European allies and Quad partners to join the efforts to contain China. After the Anchorage meeting, Blinken advocated maintaining patience, by which he probably meant prudence.

For the U.S., China issues are now more deeply integrated into its own internal affairs, and are also relevant to its ambition of recovering its global hegemony. While the Biden administration may not continue his predecessor Donald Trump's disastrous China policy, it will have to walk a fine line to avoid criticism domestically as being weak if it tries to rebuild all the burnt bridges. Therefore, it is likely to resume some of the signature policies of the Barack Obama administration, while retaining some of Trump's legacy to maintain a tough image.

For now the Biden administration seems to have chosen long-term strategic competition with China. As it sees it, the competition is not meant for all areas of bilateral relations, only key ones, such as science and technology, the economy, military as well as global governance leadership.

However, the competition is bound to spill over into other sectors as well. So the Anchorage meeting is also a warning that both sides need to continue efforts to keep the communication going and not start a new cold war.
A 107-page report released by the Office of the Child Advocate on Wednesday investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 14-year-old David Almond laid out several failures by the Department of Children and Families in New York and Massachusetts and included recommendations at multiple levels to prevent another tragedy.

It also laid out the steps that lead to Almonds death on Oct. 21, 2020, when police arrived at 107 Green St. in Fall River and found Almond bruised, emaciated and living in abhorrent conditions, authorities said. He was rushed to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

His brother Michael Almond had also suffered serious bodily and emotional harm and was a victim of neglect, prosecutors said.

John Almond and Jacyln Marie Coleman were indicted on charges of second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury earlier this week. Coleman was also indicted on a charge of withholding evidence from an official proceeding after police said she attempted to destroy a cell phone in the presence of police officers.

The following is a timeline of the events that led police to the home in Fall River at the end of last October.

Birth and early intervention

In February of 2006, David, Michael and Noah, a pseudonym for the brother, were born in Syracuse, New York to John and Sarah (Dawes) Almond. The triplets were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder two years later. All three children received early intervention services until they were 3. They also received education services from their school system, something David was eligible for until his death.

Removed from parents

Between 2006 and June 2013, the triplets were removed from the Almonds three times by the New York Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) because of parental substance use, parental mental health challenges, deplorable living conditions, medical neglect of the children, inadequate supervision, and a general lack of basic care, the report said.

Limited contact

In April 2013, John Almond moved to Massachusetts and, according to the report, had limited contact with his sons, who remained in the custody of New York OCFS.

Removed from mothers care

In June 2013, the boys were removed from the care of Sarah Almond. She reportedly hasnt had any contact with them leading up to Davids death.

Termination of parental rights initiated

From June 2013 to 2016, the triplets remained in legal custody of New York OCFS where they participated in therapeutic services to meet their needs, the report said. During that time, New York OCFS initiated the termination of both parents parental rights, but it was never completed.

Custody awarded

In September of 2016, New York Family Court awarded John Almond custody of the three boys. The report said there is no evidence that New York OCFS ever contacted Massachusetts DCF, or any other state entity, to determine if Almond had the means and ability to parent the children.

Allegations of neglect

In June 2017, the DCF Fall River Area Office received two reports alleging neglect and physical abuse of the triplets. All three triplets allegedly had poor hygiene, excessive absences from school, and two of them had injuries, the report said. DCF investigated but did not find evidence to support the allegations of neglect and physical abuse of all three children.

Children removed again

In October 2017, four children, including the triplets, were taken from John Almond and his non-marital partner Jaclyn Coleman because of allegations of neglect and physical abuse of the children, parental substance use, unsanitary conditions of the home, medical neglect of the children, and the triplets excessive absences from school, the report said. This was the fourth time, according to the report, that the boys were removed from Almond following a pattern of abuse and neglect. Aiden, a pseudonym for the boys half-sibling, was placed in a foster home and the triplets were in a temporary congregate setting.

Minimal progress

In October 2018, a year after the children were removed from Almond, a second Foster Care Review was conducted. It found Almond and Coleman had made minimal progress toward reunifying with the children.

Up for adoption

In January of 2019, the childrens permanency goal was formally changed to adoption rather than reunification with Almond and Coleman. Four months later, in April 2019, DCF reported to the foster care review panel that Almond and Colemans participation in their action plan services had improved.

Back to the parents

On July 11, 2019, the DCF Fall River Area office changed all four childrens permanency goal from adoption to return-to-parent. Aiden was returned to Almond and Coleman the next day.

Reunification date set

At the end of December 2019, DCF decided to begin the reunification process of the triplets with Almond and Coleman. The office set a reunification date of late January 2020.

Apartment too small

On Jan. 10, 2020, Coleman expressed to DCF during the triplets first home visit that the reunification process was moving too fast. Coleman said overnight visits werent possible because the apartment was too small.

First overnight visit

Feb. 7, 2020 marked the first overnight visit for the triplets. During the visit, Noah was involved in a physical altercation and was returned to his congregate care program late that night.

A letter of concern

On Feb. 11, 2020, the triplets congregate care provider sent a letter to DCF opposing David and Michaels reunification citing numerous concerns, including that the physical environment of the home was inadequate to meet the childrens therapeutic needs, that Almond and Coleman were facing eviction, and that a slower and more suitable transition plan was needed. As a result, the reunification plan was extended to March of 2020.

Return home

On March 13, 2020, David and Michael returned home to Almond and Coleman while remaining in the legal custody of DCF.

Pandemic limits contact

On March 17, 2020, in-person restrictions were implemented across the state due to COVID-19. Coleman reported issues with internet access. The DCF case management team, the Fall River Public Schools and the continuum service provider all offered to help the family access technology. Almond and Coleman refused.

Review held

On June 17, 2020, Foster Care Review was held and found that Almond and Coleman were meeting the needs of the children and participating in the continuum services.

Custody returned

On July 17, 2020, upon the DCF Fall River Area Offices recommendation, the Juvenile Court returned legal custody of David and Michael to Almond.

Anonymous neglect report

On Aug. 21, 2020, DCF received an anonymous neglect report with concerns for the conditions of the familys home and substance use by Almond and Coleman. The report was investigated by the DCF Fall River Area Office intake unit. The allegations were not accepted for a DCF investigation response. The allegations were discussed with Coleman in a virtual home visit on Aug. 24. Coleman attributed the allegations to an issue with the neighbor.

Last virtual home visit

On Sept. 25, 2020, the DCF case management team conducted its last virtual home visit. David was on video and refused to speak, the report said. Coleman described David as having behavioral issues and expressed concern.

Teacher is concerned

On Oct. 5 and Oct. 14, 2020, a teacher from Fall River Public Schools contacted the DCF case management team and reported that David and Michael were not logging into school virtually, the report said.

Panel finds parents are meeting childrens needs

On Oct. 14, 2020, a Foster Care Review was held. While Almond and Coleman did not attend the review, the panel found that they were meeting all the childrens needs in the home, the report said.

7 days later David is dead

On Oct. 21, 2020, authorities responded to 107 Green St. in Fall River for the report of an unresponsive person. When officers arrived, authorities said, they found David to be covered in feces and living in abhorrent conditions. He was rushed to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.

Indictments

On March 29, Almond and Coleman were indicted on charges of second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury. Coleman was also indicted on a charge of withholding evidence from an official proceeding after police said she attempted to destroy a cell phone in the presence of police officers.

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CGTN Correspondent Dan Williams has recently traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to produce this story.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005982/en/

https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2021-03-06/Derek-Chauvin-trial-History-of-police-violence-YoGp1E7WUw/index.html

History of U.S. Police on Trial

The former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is charged with killing African American George Floyd last May.

As CGTNs Dan Williams reports, the trial echoes events of 30 years ago, when police were filmed by a bystander, beating a Black man named Rodney King. All of the officers involved were acquitted, sparking riots, although two of the officers were convicted of violating Kings civil rights in a federal court a year later.

Kevin Reese is the Director of Criminal Justice at Voices for Racial Justice. "This trial is for America to have an opportunity to show that we live up to our ideals of liberty and justice. This is a trial about them. This trial is about your justice system that you created. This is your language, your justice system so lets see if youll honor your justice system," Kevin said.

Since 2000, more than 200 people have been killed after a physical confrontation with law enforcement in Minnesota.

Brian Peters is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. He is calling for all sides to exercise restraint and work to find solutions.

"We banned chokeholds last August and that came from a conversation with our legislators and organizations like myself. We passed six police reform bills because we worked together. Whatever happens in this trial we are going to see an opportunity to work together or continue to divide," he said.

Over the years, Jason Sole, adjunct professor at Hamline University, has helped launch a number of public safety initiatives. But he says, he also understands the anger in the community following George Floyds death.

Story continues

"These young folks dont have an outlet or arent being heard. We need justice for George Floyd. And if there aint no justice, there aint no peace. You know how this goes. So they get a chance to create the peace," Jason said.

The local community along with the eyes of the world watch Derek Chauvins trial very closely.

Original Article: Click here https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2021-03-06/Derek-Chauvin-trial-History-of-police-violence-YoGp1E7WUw/index.html

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POTTSVILLE  St. Patricks Pottsville Area Soup Kitchen and Dustins Adventureland are gearing up to serve the county throughout the Easter weekend.

Jeffrey Dunkel, vice president of Dustins Adventureland, a nonprofit that is building a playground in Minersville for children of all abilities, will help deliver candy to 17 municipalities Friday and Saturday for the second year in a row.

Dunkel said he had the idea to deliver candy last year to make up for typical Easter events that had to be canceled.

Last year was the first time we did it, and it went over really well, Dunkel said. It was two weeks after the pandemic started, so there was no visiting the Easter Bunny at all.

On Tuesday, Dunkel said he had around 1,200 pounds of candy, which had either been donated or bought with monetary donations.

Our sponsors really made it possible, Dunkel said. Theres been an amazing outpouring of support.

Dunkel, who knows the Easter Bunny, said he will also be stopping at Shenandoah Senior Living Community to visit residents.

The nursing home residents loved to see the Easter Bunny last year. ... (He) walked around outside and went up to the windows to wave to them.

Dunkel said the Easter Bunny will be escorted by firetrucks or police in each municipality as he was last year.

In some places, like Ashland and Mahanoy City, it turned into block parties, Dunkel said. I never expected that.

Even in the rain or cold, Dunkel said he is happy to do this for the community, especially during the pandemic.

To see a smile on kids faces makes it well worth it, and to bring a sense of normalcy to the nursing home, Dunkel said. Whether youre 3 or 83.

On Friday, the Easter Bunny will visit Ringtown at 3 p.m., Shenandoah at 3:45, Girardville at 4:30, Ashland at 5, Butler Township at 5:30, Altamont at 6 and Mahanoy City at 6:45.

On Saturday, he will be in Pottsville and Mount Carbon at 2 p.m., Minersville at 2:45, Port Carbon, Mechanicsville and Palo Alto at 3:45, Saint Clair at 4:30, Schuylkill Haven at 5:30 and Orwigsburg at 6:30.

On Sunday, the Pottsville Area Soup Kitchen will be serving meals at noon at the kitchen, as well as making deliveries, Terry Alexander, soup kitchen director, said.

We are working with the Housing Authority to deliver ham and turkey meals to all the high-rises in Pottsville, Alexander said.

Alexander said Kochs Turkey Farm near Tamaqua donated boneless honey maple turkeys that will be cooked and delivered to residents of the high-rises.

Alexander will also be going along for the candy deliveries.

It makes your heart smile, Alexander said. Theres so little normalcy now, but I just keep feeding people.
Classes in the Wilkes County Schools will start on Aug. 23 and end on May 25 in 2021-22 as a result of a calendar approved by the Wilkes Board of Education on Feb. 1.
Microbial life already had the necessary conditions to exist on our planet 3.5 billion years ago. This was the conclusion reached by a research team after studying microscopic fluid inclusions in barium sulfate (barite) from the Dresser Mine in Marble Bar, Australia. In their publication "Ingredients for microbial life preserved in 3.5-billion-year-old fluid inclusions," the researchers suggest that organic carbon compounds which could serve as nutrients for microbial life already existed at this time. The study by first author Helge Mibach (University of Gottingen, Germany) was published in the journal Nature Communications. Co-author Volker Luders from the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences carried out carbon isotope analyses on gases in fluid inclusions.

Fluid inclusions show potential for prehistoric life

Luders assesses the results as surprising, although he cautions against misinterpreting them. "One should not take the study results as direct evidence for early life," says the GFZ researcher. Rather, the findings on the 3.5-billion-year-old fluids showed the existence of the potential for just such prehistoric life. Whether life actually arose from it at that time cannot be determined. Based on the results, "we now know a point in time from which we can say it would have been possible," explains Luders.

Australian barites as geo-archives

Fluid inclusions in minerals are microscopic geo-archives for the migration of hot solutions and gases in the Earth's crust. Primary fluid inclusions were formed directly during mineral growth and provide important information about the conditions under which they were formed. This includes the pressure, temperature and the solution composition. In addition to an aqueous phase, fluid inclusions can also contain gases whose chemistry can persist for billions of years. The fluid inclusions examined in this study were trapped during crystallization of the host minerals. The fluid inclusions investigated in this study originate from the Dresser Mine in Australia. They were trapped during crystallisation of the host minerals of barium sulphate (barite). The research team analysed them extensively for their formation conditions, biosignatures and carbon isotopes.

In the course of the analyses, it turned out that they contained primordial metabolism - and thus energy sources for life. The results of Luders' carbon isotope analysis provided additional evidence for different carbon sources. While the gas-rich inclusions of gray barites contained traces of magmatic carbon, clear evidence of an organic origin of the carbon could be found in the fluid inclusions of black barites.

Follow-up research is possible

"The study may create a big stir," Luders says. Organic molecules of this type have not yet been found so far in fluid inclusions in Archean minerals. At the same time, however, he says the study is just a first step. Luders says, "The ever-increasing sensitivity of measuring instruments will provide new tools for the study of solid and fluid micro inclusions in minerals. Measurements of bio signatures and isotope ratios are likely to become increasingly accurate in the near future."

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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
A Nigerian-born medical professional, Prof. Iyalla Peterside, has emerged one of America's best physicians for the year 2020.

Peterside who was named by the United States National Consumer Advisory Board and Todaysbestphysician.com, is a professor of paediatrics and neonatology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and a consultant at the Children's Hospital, Philadelphia.

The health facility is considered one of the best children's hospitals in the world and he has worked there for over 20 years.

The medical doctor was until recently the medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and the president of the Philadelphia Perinatal society.

He is a recipient of many awards from his colleagues and professional associations in the US, while his area of expertise is in the care of complex surgical neonates, infants needing extracorporeal support and babies with chronic lung disease.

He graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1985 and has practiced medicine in four continents of Africa, Europe , Asia and North America.

Peterside is among Nigerian professionals who constitute the most celebrated diaspora community in the US with Nigerians being top on the table of the most highly educated of all diaspora groups in the US.

Sixty one per cent of them hold at least a bachelor's degree compared with 31 per cent of the total foreign-born population and 32 per cent of the US-born population, according to 2017 data from the Migration Policy Institute.

More than half of Nigerian immigrants (54 per cent) were most likely to occupy management positions, compared with 32 per cent of the total foreign-born population and 39 per cent of the US-born population.

Nigerians also dominate the creative arts sector in the US with President Joe Biden most recently appointing more of them to sensitive political offices than any other diaspora community.
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.
[March 31, 2021] Ambi Robotics Appoints Jim Liefer as Chief Executive Officer

Ambi Robotics, the artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company that develops advanced supply chain solutions based on simulation-to-reality AI, today announced the appointment of Jim Liefer as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Liefer leads the company out of stealth to expand deployments of AI-powered robotic systems to its customers. Liefer brings more than 30 years of supply chain, e-commerce operations and AI robotic experience from established Fortune 50 companies and Silicon Valley startups. Jeff Mahler, co-founder of Ambi Robotics, will transition from his role as CEO to Chief Technology Officer (CTO), continuing to oversee the development of cutting-edge robotic systems and industry-leading AI. "Jim has extensive executive leadership experience with a proven ability to build high-growth startups into successful customer-focused organizations. I am thrilled for him to join the team," said Jeff Mahler, co-founder of Ambi Robotics. "Global brands are experiencing accelerated e-commerce demand and need automated solutions that scale. Jim's AI robotic experience and supply chain background will elevate Ambi Robotics to an entirely new level." Before joining Ambi Robotics, Liefer was CEO of Kindred AI. Through his visionary leadership and hands-on execution, he transformed the company from an AI researc lab to a customer-facing organization that develops and deploys business solutions for global retail customers. Under Jim's leadership, the company scaled AI-powered piece-picking commercial deployments to more than 100 fulfillment systems across seven global retail customers in nine locations in two years. In 2020, the company was acquired by Ocado Group for $262 million.



Prior to Kindred, Liefer was Chief Operating Officer at One Kings Lane and was responsible for supply chain, vendor logistics, distribution and customer care. The company was acquired by Bed Bath & Beyond in 2016. Before One Kings Lane, Liefer served as the VP of Operations at Walmart.com for six years and successfully expanded the company's e-commerce distribution center locations from five to 12 sites. Additionally, his team saved the organization millions of dollars managing supply chain logistics for e-commerce. Previous to his operations leadership roles, Liefer worked in technology for 23 years, developing customer facing systems at Fritz Companies, which was acquired by United Parcel Service, where Liefer served as VP of Technology, reporting to the CIO. "The talented team at Ambi Robotics has created incredible technology for global brands to meet accelerated e-commerce demand," said Jim Liefer, CEO of Ambi Robotics. "I'm honored to be asked to lead the team as we take the preeminent position in the AI robotics space for product and parcel grasping and placement. Together, we will exceed expectations for our valued customers."

Liefer joins Ambi Robotics as the company emerges from stealth to introduce AI-powered robotics for parcel sortation and ecommerce kitting. AmbiSort and AmbiKit are powered by AmbiOS, the company's advanced operating system that trains robots in simulation and transfers its deep neural network advancements to highly-dexterous robotic systems. With AmbiOS, robots work alongside warehouse associates to more than double throughput and reduce operating costs by 40 percent. About Ambi Robotics Ambi Robotics is an artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company developing advanced solutions that scale e-commerce operations to meet demand while empowering humans to work smarter. The company's industry-leading AI operating system, AmbiOS, leverages Dex-Net simulation-to-reality technology to operate highly-dexterous robotic systems. Founded in 2018, the world's top roboticists, AI researchers, and leading business professionals work together to build the supply chain's most valued systems. The company is located in Emeryville, Calif. For more information, please visit www.ambirobotics.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005203/en/

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POTTSVILLE  Schuylkill County authorities are looking for a Northumberland County woman who did not appear in court Monday when a judge sentenced her to prison for being disorderly in March 2018 in Shenandoah.

Michelle E. Beaver, 62, must spend three to 12 months in prison, undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and perform 20 hours community service, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell ruled. Russell conditioned any reparole for Beaver on her completion of the drug and alcohol evaluation.

She also said she would issue a bench warrant for Beaver, who had received notice the hearing would be held.

Russell imposed the sentence after revoking Beavers probation, which she ruled the defendant violated by failing to report to her supervising officer, being charged with new crimes, not making payments on her court-ordered costs and fees and not completing her drug and alcohol evaluation.

She has a drug and alcohol problem, Russell said of Beaver.

Beaver originally pleaded guilty on Feb. 26, 2019, to disorderly conduct, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of public drunkenness. At that time, Russell placed Beaver on probation for 12 months consecutive to her existing sentence, and also sentenced her to pay costs sand $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, undergo the drug and alcohol evaluation and perform 20 hours community service.

Shenandoah police charged Beaver with being disorderly on March 18, 2018.

Also on Monday, Judge Christina E. Hale revoked the probation of Evans Z. Olivo, 25, of Ashland, and sentenced him to serve two to six months in prison.

Olivo, formerly of Allentown, admitted violating his probation by not reporting to his supervising officer, moving without permission and not making payments on his court-ordered costs and fees.

He originally pleaded guilty on June 3, 2019, to simple assault, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of disorderly conduct and harassment. At that time, Judge John E. Domalakes placed Olivo on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 bench warrant fee.

McAdoo police charged Olivo with committing the assault on Aug. 1, 2016, in the borough.

Olivo asked Hale to allow him to go home so he could see and support his family.

Its hard, he said. I was homeless.

Olivo already is an inmate at the county prison, and Hale conducted the hearing by videoconference.
Northern State alum Hannah Kastigar set to swim in U.S. Olympic Trials

Kastigar will compete in the 400 Individual Medley scheduled for Saturday, June 5th.
Montserrado County Electoral District #6 Representative, Rev. Samuel Enders and his former chief of office staff, Andrew Tamba Smart are engrossed in accusation and counter-accusation over a shooting incident in Kendeja town, district#6 in Paynesville over the weekend that left residents panicking and nervous.

No casualty has been reported but earlier report from the area revealed that the district#6 lawmaker narrowly escaped death at the weekend when his former chief of office staff Andrew Smart, who resides in the same community, allegedly discharged two rounds of live ammunition at his ex-boss Rep. Samuel Enders.

The attack reportedly occurred while the lawmaker was passing through the community to attend a program organized by the Association of Private Schools Operators in Liberia, held at ELWA campus in Paynesville.

Speaking to this paper in an interview Wednesday, 30 March via mobile phone, Rep. Elders confirmed the incident and narrated that Andrew Smart, his former chief of office staff had always behaved unruly, accusing him (Elders) of eating allowance for staffers during extra sittings or extra sessions held at the Capitol and publicly attacking him, which led to his dismissal.

"He hardly came to work and always drank and fought people in the Capitol for gas slip", the lawmaker said. He narrated further that Smart at one time allegedly smashed his car, and wife's vehicle, threatening his children. According to the lawmaker, Smart sometimes groped his private parts in public, telling him that he is not a man.

"I took the case to the Capitol and [Police] 102 but they told me to leave it." However, when contracted for his reaction, Andrew Smart denied discharging fire arm against his former boss over the weekend, saying "No; I don't know how to discharge fire arm; I never carried fire arm."

Andrew instead, claimed his former boss sent armed me at his residence to take his life, forcing him to escape. He narrated that Representative Elders allegedly ate staffers' allowance for special sittings both in 2018 and 2019, and that when he (Smart) approached the Comptroller at the House on the allowances, it was confirmed that the lawmaker received the money, adding, "because of that I was sacked."

A middle-age woman in the district, who was allegedly on the scene when the first shot was fired, said Smart repeatedly referred to Rep. Enders who was passing through as a naked lawmaker before opening fire at him.

The eyewitness, who spoke to this paper on condition of anonymity claimed before taking firing the next shot, Smart asked her to step aside as he was about to attack his enemy.

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Upon hearing about the alleged attempt on the life of Representative Elders, New Kendeja Town Community Chairman Mr. Daniel Suah, said he immediately informed the Liberia National Police Zone #8 sub-station in to bring the situation under control.

However, Chairman Suah noted when the Police detachment commander Prince Cassell arrived at the same; he made no attempt to disarm the suspect, as was anticipated by community dwellers. He said instead Commander Cassell took Smart to the station along with the fire arm.

The Chairman also stated that at the station, the Police made no attempt to take statement from him (Suah) as a complainant, but rather asked him to go home, as the suspect was being investigated.

Mr. Suah said that barely four (4) hours after he left the police station, he saw the suspect back in the community, threatening to make further attack on the lawmaker.

When contacted at the National Police Headquarters in Monrovia where he had gone to complain the lawmaker for allegedly ordering people to flog him, Mr. Andrew Smart made no mention of the alleged attack in the district.
"The Burmese military has detained and deposed elected government officials," the department in the written statement, using Washington's preferred old naming for Myanmar. "Protests and demonstrations against military rule have occurred and are expected to continue."

"The Department of State made the decision to authorize ordered departure from Burma because the safety and security of US government personnel and their dependents, as well as private US citizens is the Department's highest priority," a State Department official further said.

Via The Guardian

The spokesperson added the embassy "will remain open to the public and continues to provide a limited range of consular services to both US citizens and visa applicants due to Covid-19 restrictions."

Clashes between security forces and protesters, which have for weeks seen police and military unleash live ammunition on anti-coup demonstrators, has now resulted in over 500 people killed since the start of the crisis. This includes the bloodiest weekend so far, with 141 people killed on Saturday alone.

German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) writes "The death toll in Myanmar's military crackdown on anti-coup demonstrators has reached 510, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) confirmed on Tuesday, warning that the true toll might be higher."

There's now growing calls for outside international powers to "do something" beyond mere sanctions, with online activists even going so far as to call for military intervention against Myanmar's army.

"On Myanmars Armed Forces Day, security forces are murdering unarmed civilians, including children, the very people they swore to protect. This bloodshed is horrifying. These are not the actions of a professional military or police force." Full statement by Ambassador Vajda: pic.twitter.com/7Gh2OTXEOe  U.S. Embassy Burma (@USEmbassyBurma) March 27, 2021

The latest Western action has been as follows:

On Monday, the United States suspended a trade deal with Myanmar, demanding the restoration of a democratic government. The US, Canada, Britain and the European Union had imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military generals. International organizations, including the United Nations, have continuously condemned the crackdown.

Meanwhile China has been accused by opposition voices on the ground of quietly aiding the junta, despite the Chinese embassy's official denials.

Widespread anger over China's alleged role in providing political cover and support for the junta has resulted in dozens of arson attacks against Chinese-owned factories and business inside the country, which Beijing has vehemently condemned, calling for police to protect them.
Labor has pledged cheaper electric cars and community batteries to drive down power bills if Anthony Albanese becomes prime minister.

The climate and energy pitch was unveiled on the second day of the ALP's special platform conference, which discussed the divisive policy areas without disagreement.

An elected Labor government would spend $200 million on tax breaks to slash the cost of electric vehicles by thousands of dollars.

The same amount would be spent on installing 400 community batteries, enough to provide cheaper electricity to up to 100,000 homes around Australia.

Pictured: Shadow Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen (left) and Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese (right) with an electric vehicle at a car dealership on March 31

'Good action on climate is about lowering emissions, but it's also about lowering energy prices, helping families and creating jobs,' Mr Albanese told reporters on Wednesday.

Under the plan, electric cars provided through work for personal use would be exempt from fringe benefits tax which would save $9000 on a $50,000 model.

Some imported electric cars would be exempt from five per cent tariffs, a move expected to shave about $2000 off a $50,000 model.

At the 2019 election, Scott Morrison claimed Labor's target of 50 per cent of all new cars being electric by 2030 would 'end the weekend'.

But on Wednesday the prime minister denied ridiculing electric vehicle technology.

'What I called into question was the Labor Party policy and their ability to implement it, and I think we're in a similar process today,' the prime minister said.

Mr Albanese ruled out taking a target to the next poll, which is due between August and May.

Mr Morrison claimed Labor's conference announcements amounted to $30 billion of spending commitments, despite the three major policies totalling $15.4 billion.

Anthony Albanese arrives at a car dealership with an electric vehicle on Wednesday, March 31

One of those, the $15 billion reconstruction fund, relies on loans, equity, co-investment and guarantees that are expected to generate returns.

The virtual meeting of almost 400 delegates spent a second day making changes to the ALP's platform.

Amendments recognised the critical role of gas-power generation in firming electricity supply and also expressed support for the coal industry.

The opposition copped a hiding in seats reliant on mining at the last election with the carnage in Queensland playing a large part in denying Bill Shorten victory.

Former federal candidate and Labor's Queensland assistant secretary Zac Beers told delegates coalminers in the state had a hard time supporting the party in 2019.

'They didn't believe they would have jobs under a Labor government,' he said.

'Coalmining will be the backbone of their economy and will be the backbone of their economy for years to come.'

The conference will debate and adopt Labor's industrial relations platform before wrapping up on Wednesday afternoon.
A rash of anti-Asian violence has shaken the Bay Area and the nation over the past several weeks, with San Francisco witnessing a series of attacks that have inspired heightened awareness of xenophobia, hate and violence levied at the citys Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

In San Francisco, several of the suspects in these cases have been arrested by police, charged by District Attorney Chesa Boudins office and are now making their way through the court system. Some are being treated as hate crimes, some are not and still others are still being investigated. Prosecutors say its notoriously difficult for them to prove an incident was a hate crime since it requires evidence that the crime was motivated by racial bias.

Heres a roundup of some recent crimes against San Franciscos AAPI community, and where they stand in the criminal justice system.

 Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old Thai immigrant, was out on a morning walk on Jan. 28 when he was shoved to the ground, hitting his head to the pavement. Ratanapakdee died at a hospital shortly thereafter, and the suspect, 19-year-old Antoine Watson of Daly City, was charged with murder and elder abuse. Watson has pleaded not guilty and his next court date is scheduled for April 26. He is being held without bail.

 Steven Jenkins, 39, was arrested following what police called an unprovoked attack on two older Asian people near 7th and Market streets on March 17. The case drew nearly $1 million in donations from a GoFundMe page set up by the grandson of one of the victims, Xiao Zhen Xie. The family has said they will donate the money back to the Asian American community to combat racism. Jenkins faces six felony charges, including assault and elder abuse. Jenkins has pleaded not guilty and will be held in jail pending trial. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in court on April 9.

 On March 13, Army veteran Ron Tuason was at a bus stop near Ocean and Plymouth avenues when a suspect identified as Victor Brown approached him, used an anti-Asian slur and punched him several times. Brown, 53, is facing a felony assault charge with a hate crime enhancement. Brown will be held in jail pending trial and his next hearing is scheduled for April 9.

 Danny Yu Chang was walking through San Franciscos Financial District on March 16 when an assailant struck him from behind and left him unconscious. Police that evening announced the arrest of 32-year-old Jorge Devis-Milton in connection with the battery of Yu Chang and a stabbing of a 64-year-old white man that same day. Prosecutors charged Devis-Milton with six felonies, including aggravated mayhem and battery with serious bodily injury. He is next due in court April 14.

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 San Francisco police arrested three suspects in connection with the attack of a 67-year-old man in a Chinatown laundromat on Feb. 23. Suspects Calvin Berschell, Jason Orozco and Nolowde Beshears, all 19 and all from Antioch, allegedly assaulted and robbed the victim before fleeing, police said. Prosecutors charged all three with various felonies including robbery, kidnapping and elder abuse, and at least two of the suspects are scheduled to appear in court April 5.

 San Francisco police last week arrested a woman in what they called an unprovoked attack on three Asian men near Nob Hill. Two of the three victims were injured, and all three reported they had been attacked by the same person. Emmi Lopez is facing assault and battery charges. Lopez has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered to be held without bail. She is next due on court April 7.

 Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of 45-year-old Darrell Hunter, who police said on Sunday entered a business near the 300 block of Golden Gate Avenue and threatened to shoot Chinese people. A 42-year-old Asian woman victimized by the incident said the suspect used a hand gesture to simulate shooting the business occupants and then left. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, and booked Hunter on suspicion of multiple crimes, including criminal threats, burglary and hate crime enhancements. Prosecutors said Wednesday they would charge him with crimes including criminal threats, stalking and a hate crime allegation. They will also ask that he be detained while awaiting trial.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
Tuesday was a deadly day in Jefferson County as three men died in separate shootings within five hours of each other.

Two included domestic disputes between fathers and their adult sons. A motive in the other homicide, which left a man dead in front of his north Birmingham apartment, has not yet been disclosed.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office on Wednesday identified the slain men as: Jubraun Leonard Wright, 27; Melvin Jamyl Williams, 44; and Jeremy Oran Fields, 42.

Birmingham Police 911 received reports of multiple shots fired shortly after 9 a.m. in the 1600 block of 13th Avenue North. When they arrived, they Wright unresponsive outside of a small sedan. The vehicles door was open.

A man was shot to death Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in Birmingham's Fountain Heights community.

Wright was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. Neighbors reported hearing multiple shots fired. Birmingham police officials said a person of interest surrendered a short time later. No charges have been announced.

Fields was shot just after 11:30 a.m. at in the 700 block of Fields Lane in western Jefferson County at the home of his father, a retired sheriffs deputy. The father was not injured, but Fields was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham where he was pronounced dead at 5:17 p.m.

Sgt. Joni Money said family members present at the time are reporting that the shooting was a case of self-defense. The investigation is ongoing.

Authorities are investigating a shooting at a northwest Jefferson County home that happened March 30, 2021.

The shooting that killed Williams happened at 1:30 p.m. inside a home in the 8400 block of Ciscero Davis Avenue, formerly Railroad Avenue N.E.

Leeds Police Chief Jim Atkinson said a father and son got into a physical altercation and the father shot the adult son multiple times. Williams was pronounced dead on the scene at 1:49 p.m.

The chief said the shooting appears to be a case of self-defense, but the investigation is ongoing.

There have been 41 homicides countywide this year.
In recent columns, I have explored what laws or rules are in place to set aside land to replace that which is being developed. The focus has been on identifying set asides to compensate for habitat destruction. I found that there are no laws or local rules requiring one-to-one compensation. Of course, that means that once wildlife habitats are lost, they are lost forever.

Deer dont live in parking lots.

As development has intensified, regional organizations have been actively acquiring land for preservation and public recreation, or to just preserve it for the future.

Heartlands Conservancy president, Mary Vandevord, said that the organization has acquired Poag Sand Prairie, which consists of 10 acres of sand prairie for restoration. Heartlands partnered on that project with The Nature Conservancy in Illinois. Small time compared with the 9,000 acres Heartlands has protected since 1989

In 2004, with funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Heartlands Conservancy was able to acquire an additional 94 acres on Chouteau Island, which was deeded to the IDNR for management. In 2006, the 90-acre Bohm Woods was acquired and designated as an Illinois State Nature Preserve. In 2018, the 70-acre Drda Woods was acquired in partnership with the City of Edwardsville for eventual public use. And, Richards Woods is in the process of becoming a public, passive park of 35 acres.

Some organizations are planning for the future by planting trees. Cedarhurst Senior Living is working with the Edwardsville Childrens Museum in an environmental initiative by adding 100 trees annually, over the next 12 years, to populate Edwardsvilles first micro forest, to be located along Route 143.

In many municipalities in the region, land is required to be set aside or acquired to compensate for its loss through residential and commercial development.

In Edwardsville, the Land Development Code requires green space be included in developments at the site, or purchase green space for $41,000 per acre to compensate for its loss, according to Emily Fultz AIPC, Edwardsvilles City Planner. For active developments, such as single-family home subdivisions, 10 percent must be set aside or 20 percent for multifamily.

Commercial developments must set aside four percent. If a developer is allowed to purchase green space, the money goes to the Park Improvement Fund to add parkland, maintain existing parks or add to them.

Wait. What? Four percent?

Toni Oplt, a board member of the Piasa Palisades Chapter of the Sierra Club, does not think green space is an accurate term.

I think theyve created a very convenient definition of green space. Its a feel good policy that does not address critical issues such as community well being.

Oplt defines that as including a certain amount of walkable areas with old-growth trees.

A certain quality of life, if you will.

She also expressed concern about runoff and flooding noting that the more asphalt you put down, the less water will be absorbed.

Community well being is not an island of green in the middle of a parking lot, she said

The question in my mind is, Is this enough? Are we adequately protecting our environment for the present and future? Are we compensating for the destruction of wildlife habitat that big-box retail, residential development and highway construction are causing? What about the water runoff from the top of the bluffs to the American Bottoms from paving over farmland?

The environmental impact of commercial development is not a minor issue. As the Metro East continues to see rapid growth and redevelopment, they will become bigger problems. More land will be developed. More gems like the 54-acre Foucek Farm will be lost.

We need managed-growth initiatives at all levels of government, rather than saying yes to every developer that comes along. Ideally, land preservation and protection initiatives by the organizations mentioned above will continue. And, we clearly need to require a larger percentage of green space to be set aside for commercial development than we now require.

James M. Grandone is a longtime resident of Edwardsville. He holds a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Illinois and is a former Coro Fellow. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs. He lives in the Leclaire neighborhood with his wife, Mary.
DALLAS, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vision Impact Institute recently convened experts in children's vision and health to discuss the implications of digital learning on children's vision, a year after many schools globally switched to virtual learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The panel included Donna Mazyck, Executive Director - National Association of School Nurses; Becky Palm, President and Executive Director - Essilor Vision Foundation; Joseph Ricci, Executive Director - Pennsylvania Optometric Association; and Dr. Charles Shidlofsky, Clinical Director - Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas.

The discussion highlighted the many ways the pandemic is affecting children's vision:

Children are experiencing vision changes due to additional screen time and less time outdoors. The changes have increased rates of myopia, eye strain, and issues moving focus from near to far vision.

Methods of delivering care have been strained, with school screenings, comprehensive eye exams through an eyecare professional, and philanthropy affected. As conditions improve, these barriers to access will lessen.

The connection between vision and learning is crucial to children's futures, as eighty percent of learning is through the eyes. Awareness and evidence-based advocacy will remain key to addressing this public health need.

"It's clear that as we globally navigate changes in children's education, we must prioritize vision," says Kristan Gross, Global Executive Director, Vision Impact Institute. "Inequities in access to care existed before the pandemic, but have been compounded by this rapid shift to digital learning. Partnerships with organizations like these will be crucial to ensuring that our children see well and enjoy an education that will unlock their future potential."

About the Vision Impact Institute

The Vision Impact Institute's mission is to raise awareness of the importance of vision correction and protection to make good vision a global priority. Its Advisory Board is comprised of four independent international experts: Pr. Clare Gilbert (United Kingdom), Mr. Allyala Nandakumar (United States), Dr. Serge Resnikoff (Switzerland), and Dr. Wang Wei (China).

The Vision Impact Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which receives support from the Vision for Life Fund from Essilor, the world leader in ophthalmic optics. The Vision Impact Institute hosts a unique database of research at visionimpactinstitute.org.

Contact:

Andrea Kirsten-Coleman

Global Communications Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE Vision Impact Institute

Related Links

http://visionimpactinstitute.org


One person was confirmed dead when the vehicle in which he was travelling plunged into the Akora River at Agona Swedru in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region, on Saturday.

The body of Samuel Kwame Kido, 23, had been deposited at the Agona Swedru Municipal Hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation.

The driver of the unregistered Toyota Corolla saloon car, Samuel Konadu, according to police, lost control of the steering while on top speed from a curve and crashed into a metal container before landing in the river.

The driver received injuries and had been admitted at the Agona Swedru Municipal Hospital.

A man and the girlfriend, who were standing near the container, were knocked down by the car and thrown in the river, but the man escaped, and the woman was yet to be found, according to eyewitnesses.

The man who gave his name as Sumi Sameliu and the girlfriend as Ekua Borgey, both nationals of Baukina Faso, confirmed that he was in the company of the girlfriend when the accident occurred, and he had still not set eyes on her.

Sameliu said he had called the phone line of the girlfriend several times but it was not going through.

A source close to the Agona police station, told the Ghanaian Times that, the driver of the vehicle, who was speeding, lost control of the steering wheel in a curve of a section of the road at Donkor and Sons, and rammed into a metal container by the Akora bridge before plunging into Akora River.

The source said other passengers on board the car, who were thrown into the river, Kwame Deuces, Alhassan Okro, Hendricks, Kwaku waddle, and the driver managed to swim out of the river with the assistance of some people.

The vehicle involved in the accident, according to the source, was later removed from the river and impounded by the police.
A pair of Asian neighbors in their 60s and 70s fell victim to car fires in Oakland, California on Saturday. Chheng, an immigrant from Cambodia, woke up at 3:30 a.m. to see his white Toyota SUV engulfed in flames. A vehicle owned by his Chinese neighbor, which was parked directly behind his car, also caught fire. With the rise in anti-Asian violence, both seniors feel they were targeted.

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Chheng and his neighbors are the only Asian homes along their road, while the rest are Latino. Earlier this month, Pak Ho, 75, also of Oakland, died after being attacked and robbed while taking a morning walk.

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While the Oakland Fire Department has not found any evidence of foul play, Chheng and his neighbor fear retaliation. We want peace right now. We dont do anything wrong to people. We just want peace and live in the United States, Chheng told ABC7 News anchor Dion Lim. So far, Oakland police have also found no evidence of criminal activity, but anyone with information is asked to come forward. A local organization is reportedly setting up a GoFundMe page to help Chheng recover from the incident. Feature Images via Dion Lim / @dionlimtv

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"SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV are highly similar genetically, generate a homologous repertoire of viral proteins, and use the same receptor to infect human cells. However, despite these similarities, there are also important differences between the two viruses", says Ronald Dijkman from the Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK) at the University of Bern. For example, SARS-CoV infection is characterized by severe disease and inflammation in the lower respiratory tract and infected individuals are only contagious after the onset of symptoms, making it easier to identify and interrupt infection chains.

In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 preferentially replicates in the upper airways (nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea) and can be efficiently transmitted from one individual to another before the appearance of disease symptoms. Moreover, the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection varies widely from person to person, and can manifest as asymptomatic, mild, or severe disease. Older people as well as individuals with certain underlying medical conditions (heart conditions, diabetes, cancer) are at greater risk of developing severe illness, which is often associated with infection of lower respiratory tissues, high levels of inflammation, and lung failure.

Temperature is key

To better understand why infections with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 result in such different clinical outcomes, researchers from the University of Bern used specialized human airway cell cultures to investigate the impact of respiratory tract temperatures on SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 replication. The cells originate from human samples and mimic the complexity of the cells found in the respiratory tract. They grow in special containers, are nourished from the bottom side and are exposed to air on the top side, just like the cells in the human trachea. The cultures also make mucus and have cilia that beat very quickly. "Because the organization of these cells greatly resembles the cells found in human tissues, they are a relevant system that can be used in a laboratory to study respiratory viruses", Dijkman explains.

The researchers have now used this existing model for the first time to study the effects of respiratory temperatures on SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 replication. They found that temperature plays an important role as SARS-CoV-2 preferred to replicate at temperatures typically found in the upper airways (33C). Colder incubation temperatures allowed the virus to replicate faster and to a higher extent than when infections were carried out at 37C to mimic the lower lung environment. Unlike SARS-CoV-2, replication of SARS-CoV was not impacted by different incubation temperatures. The experiments were conducted both in the high security laboratory of the IVI in Mittelhausern and in the biosafety laboratory of the Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK) at the University of Bern in the building of sitem-insel, the Swiss Institute for Translational Medicine and Entrepreneurship.

Temperature also influences the response from the epithelium

The team also analyzed which genes are turned on and off after infection with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 to understand how cells from the human respiratory tract respond to infection and which innate immune programs are activated. The innate immune system is our body's "first line of defense" against invading pathogens and is crucial not only to contain the invader, but also to teach other branches of the immune system how to react appropriately.

When mimicking the conditions found in the upper airways (33C), the team found that infection with SARS-CoV-2 did not stimulate the innate immune response within these cells as strongly as it did when they mimicked conditions found in the lower respiratory tract (37C). "Since the strength of the innate immune response can directly influence the degree of viral replication, this may help explain why SARS-CoV-2 replicated more efficiently at lower temperatures", says Dijkman. Although mounting a strong innate immune response against the virus is generally beneficial, it is important to note that in some cases the innate immune response can become overactivated. This in turn can be detrimental to the infected individual, as high levels of inflammation can also induce tissue damage and accelerate disease progression - a phenomenon that is often seen in patients suffering from severe COVID19.

"The detailed analysis of SARS-CoV-2 replication and the temperature-induced changes in the host innate immune defense mechanisms helps explain why SARS-CoV-2 replicates so well in the upper respiratory tract, and is perhaps why SARS-CoV-2 exhibits higher human-to-human transmissibility than SARS-CoV", Dijkman explains.

Important knowledge to fight coronavirus infections

The use of this authentic cell culture model in a controlled laboratory setting proved to accurately reflect the different behavior of two similar viruses in the context of a pandemic. "This unique system provides insight into the molecular battle that occurs between virus and host during an infection and underscores the importance of subtle changes in the virus-host microenvironment that may impact virus replication and propagation", says Dijkman. Understanding which key players are involved in this process, and whether they favor the host or virus, opens new opportunities for the establishment of highly targeted intervention strategies and the development of novel pharmaceutical compounds that will help combat coronavirus infections.

###

This work was supported by the European Commission (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network "HONOURS"), the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF (Special call on Coronaviruses), and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, project RAPID.

Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK)

The IFIK is part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bern, and combines diagnostic services, teaching and research in the fields of virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology and immunological infection analysis. The IFIK also houses the Biosafety Centre which assists research with highly pathogenic microorganisms. The research of the Experimental Virology Group at the IFIK is focused on investigating how emerging respiratory pathogens, including influenza viruses and coronaviruses, transmit from animals to humans.

https:/ / www. ifik. unibe. ch/

Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI)
A Queensland man has been charged after his aluminium dinghy allegedly crashed into a private jetty last year, leading to a womans death.

Police claim the dinghy, with four people on board, hit the jetty at the rear of a house on Laurel Avenue in Chelmer, near the intersection with Jarrott Street, about 4.40pm on November 4.

The crash occurred at the rear of a Laurel Avenue home, near the intersection with Jarrott Street in Chelmer. Credit:Google Maps

A 21-year-old Ipswich woman died at the scene. Two men and a child were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A Thorneside man, 46, has been charged with dangerous operation of a vessel causing death, driving a vessel without a licence, and failing to provide a blood specimen.
Poltava intends to hold a road show of regional business in Israel - a meeting of the ambassador with the mayor

The possibility of holding a road show of Poltava business in Israel and the prospect of bilateral projects to modernize the municipal government system were the subject of an online meeting between H.E. Mr. Yevhen Korniychuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the State of Israel and Poltava Mayor Oleksandr Mamay. The Embassy reported this at Facebook.

Topical issues of the city's cooperation with Israel in various fields were discussed. The mayor presented the economic and investment potential of the city and told about the introduction of Smart City technologies in Poltava. It was also agreed to work out the idea of holding a road show of regional business in Israel and the implementation of bilateral projects to modernize the municipal government system, - the statement says.

The interlocutors also identified possible areas of cooperation in the field of medical education and tourism development.

Ambassador Korniychuk expressed readiness to assist the city authorities in establishing twinning relations between Poltava and the relevant Israeli city, - the Embassy noted.
A church in Oklahoma was in for a shock when an alleged truth about their late pastor and his wife's swinger lifestyle was revealed in the investigation following his death.

Harmony Free Will Baptist Church in Ada, Oklahoma was horrified after the investigators said on Friday that Kristie Evans, 47, wife of their pastor David Charles Evans, 50, confessed that she had slept with the culprit and that they plotted her husband's murder.

The widow admitted in her confession that she and her husband were living a double life as both church leaders and swingers. Her husband's killer, Kahlil Deamie Square, 26, had been sexually involved with the two "on more than one occasion," said The Oklahoman report.

The Sunday before his death the following day, the pastor had preached about spiritual attacks as a proof of a Christian's witness.

"Who's believing in Jesus because of us?" he asked. "And if we're doing anything in that direction, expect for the enemy to come to destroy you. So don't be shocked and start whining and crying. Expect it. Be prepared for it. If the devil is not attacking you, there is a reason. If the devil is attacking you, there is a reason."

Pastor Dave Evans was killed from a gunshot on Monday at his own home. His wife Kristie called 911 and told them that an intruder had killed her husband. On Thursday, she was arrested and held in custody by the Ada Police Department where she allegedly confessed her role in the crime.

In the police's affidavit, the widow admitted that Square had stayed the night with her on March 17, 18 and 19 while her husband was on a mission trip to Mexico. She instigated her lover to kill her husband so she could have "more freedom," says a report by The Christian Post.

An Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent reported that "on one of those (swinging) occasions, Kristie secretly dropped her phone number on the floor for Kahlil. Kristie continued to communicate by phone daily with Kahlil without David's knowledge."

The OSBI added that Kristie was the one who provided the murder weapon - a gun and bullets - to Kahlil and had purposely left the backdoor unlocked so he could have free access to the house.

The second suspect worried that gunshot will make much noise, but Kristie urged him to "proceed with the plan" after she found him still crouched down in the dining room.

Prior to telling the OSBI, the Oklahoma news outlet reports that Kristie had first confessed to her daughter on Thursday. Her motive for her husband's murder was due to him being verbally abusive calling him names like "sl*t, fat, ugly and wh*re." She told Kahlil her predicament and "begged" him, according to the affidavit, to kill her husband.

"OSBI agents from across the state worked tirelessly on this investigation for days," said OSBI Director Ricky Adams on Friday. "With the help of OSBI intelligence analysts and multiple law enforcement agencies, the suspects ... are in custody."
Appointment

31 March 2021

Jumeirah Group, a global luxury hospitality company, has announced the appointment of Ermanno Zanini to the role of Regional Vice President and General Manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, its flagship hotel in the United Arab Emirates.

In his new role, Ermanno will oversee all aspects of the global icon's operations, building on his rich background to further cement the exceptional service that Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is renowned for. He will lead and support the team in its unwavering dedication to create unforgettable guest experiences, while maintaining oversight for Italy and Spain.

Ermanno joined the Jumeirah family in 2019 when the renowned Capri Palace in Italy was added to the Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts portfolio. Ermanno continued in his role as General Manager for this Mediterranean gem in Anacapri - a position which he has held since 2002 - while taking on additional responsibilities for Jumeirah Group as Regional Vice President for Italy and Spain.

A native of Naples, Ermanno is a true globetrotter, with a strong passion for culinary excellence, having launched several Michelin starred restaurants including the renowned Il Riccio restaurant and beach club as well as the two-starred L'Olivo restaurant, both located in Capri Palace Jumeirah. He is also an art and photography connoisseur who enjoys discovering new talent, and championed Contemporary Art installations throughout the hotel to create an exceptional setting. During his time at Capri Palace Jumeirah, Ermanno also created a unique wellness destination within the property, with the patented vascular therapy 'The Leg School', conceptualised by Professor Francesco Canonaco, the Medical Director of Capri Beauty Farm.

As part of his role as RVP for Italy and Spain, Ermanno was instrumental in the successful seasonal re-opening of the stunning Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, set within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ermanno appointed Gianluca Priori as General Manager of this beautiful clifftop retreat, which boasts panoramic views of the mountains and sea. There too, the award-winning Talise Spa treatments have gained widespread recognition for the ultimate relaxation experience.
President Abdel Fattah el Sisi received condolences for yesterday's deadly train disaster in a telephone call he got on Saturday from Tunisian President Kais Saied.

During the telephone contact, the Tunisian leader expressed his sympathies over the death of Sohag train passengers and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.

President Sisi thanked president Saied for his condolences, voicing appreciation of Tunisia's solidarity with Egypt at this difficult time and asserting that its support reflected the feelings of fraternity and the strong ties between the two countries.
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the next few months employers are looking at better delivery reform strategies such as mental health access with a growing number focused on advanced primary care and centers of excellence. These are among the findings of a survey of employers and other private purchasers of healthcare conducted by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) and its members.

"Employers are working to get back to normal operations which most expect by the third quarter of 2021," said Michael Thompson, National Alliance president and CEO. "While the vaccination efforts are currently job one, plans are shaping up now for employers to improve health, equity and healthcare value over the next few years."

Additional survey findings:

COVID-19 business environment

- Over half of employers anticipate a more stabilized business environment (25% by Q2 and 27% by Q3) with education and healthcare industries indicating a faster return than most, and finance and public administration sectors estimating longer time to return to normal operations

- Among benefit offerings for the remainder of 2021  83% will continue to allow people to work from home; 76% have expanded virtual meeting capabilities; 60% offer flexibility to cover employee home demands; and about two-thirds will continue to restrain business travel

- When asked about efforts to support the COVID-19 vaccines 81% are providing information on benefits of the vaccines, 76% are offering education for employees about eligibility, 69% on safety and efficacy and 67% on how to access and over 80% of very large employers anticipate providing onsite COVID-19 vaccines before the year is up

- Very few (8%) employers anticipate mandating the vaccine for employees and only 10% have implemented or are considering for higher exposure employees

Health reform

- Employer support for potential health reforms continues to grow since the last survey conducted in fall 2020 with 87% indicating that drug price regulation is very or somewhat helpful, 79% for surprise billing regulation, 75% for hospital price transparency, 75% for hospital rate regulation

- Related to the Medicare public option 44% of employers believe it could be somewhat or very helpful, while 15% indicated it could somewhat or very harmful

Health benefits strategy

- Over 90% of employers have or anticipate expanding telehealth for both physical care and behavioral health care and 8 in 10 employers are expanding virtual wellbeing programs and investing in other care management solutions and even small employers are currently using (61%) or considering (31%) telehealth

- About 2/3 of employers are already doing or considering value-based design approaches. Over half are considering pre-deductible coverage of chronic conditions. 45% anticipate increased employee cost sharing to mitigate cost increases, while 55% are not considering

- About 9 in 10 are implementing or considering delivery reform-based strategies with the most common being virtual care delivery and improving mental health access

- Related to payment reform  significant focus is being invested in hospital pricing and quality transparency efforts and 7 in 10 employers will be considering strategies to high-cost claimants as well as bundled payment

- There is a significant focus on Total Person Health as it relates to mental health integration, people with multiple chronic conditions, recognizing diversity within the employee population and emphasis on more personalization of health interventions

Health equity

- About half of survey respondents (49%) currently integrate equity into their values and objectives, and of these organizations:

Almost half are engaging various departments to discuss company strategy, with 9 in 10 anticipating doing so in the next few years



Almost 8 in 10 expect to be assessing their vendor's strategies



Other approaches include tailoring workforce health education and establishing equity metrics to assess improvements going forward

- Only 8% of employers indicated that they have established equity metrics for health and wellbeing programs, but 70% have integrated or plan to integrate health equity into their organizations' values and objectives

The online poll of 151 employers and other healthcare purchasers that are members of coalitions affiliated with the National Alliance was conducted in March 2021. Organizations represented included manufacturers, educational services, public administration, finance and insurance, and healthcare and social assistance institutions. Purchasers ranged in size from very large (26%, 10,000+), large (14%, 5,000-9,999) to mid (33%, 1,000-4,999), with 76% self-insured, 15% fully insured and 9% hybrid. The full Pulse of the Purchaser results can be found here. This study was partially funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award (12856).

About National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions

The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) is the only nonprofit, purchaser-led organization with a national and regional structure dedicated to driving health and healthcare value across the country. Its members represent private and public sector, nonprofit, and Taft-Hartley organizations, and more than 45 million Americans, spending over $300 billion annually on healthcare. To learn more, visit nationalalliancehealth.org and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions

Related Links

www.nationalalliancehealth.org


Owners of the Gucci Virtual 25s scan camera over feet and the shoe appears

The shoes are a 'virtual' pair  making them perfect for social media snaps

Gucci's latest pair of trainers cost just 8.99 and have the iconic logo on the sole

If you have always wanted a pair of Gucci trainers but been put off by the hefty price tag, you may be in luck.

The luxury brand's latest pair cost just 8.99 and have the iconic logo on the sole  but there is a catch.

The shoes cannot be worn in real life. They are a 'virtual' pair  making them perfect for social media snaps but little else.

Owners of the Gucci Virtual 25s scan a camera over their feet and the bright green and pink high-top shoe appears.

Owners of the Gucci Virtual 25s scan a camera over their feet and the trainers appear

The Italian designer, whose trainers usually cost between 400 and 900, developed the pair in partnership with Wanna, a Belarus-based fashion technology company which uses augmented reality (AR).

They can be 'worn' using Gucci and Wanna's apps, on online gaming platform Roblox and other social media sites. It comes amid growing popularity of virtual collectibles.

Earlier this month a tweet sold for 2.1million while a digital-only collage by artist Beeple fetched 50million.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey auctioned the first ever tweet on the site and will donate the proceeds from its sale to charity GiveDirectly's Africa response fund.

The tweet from 2006 said: 'Just setting up my twttr.'

The Italian designer developed the pair in partnership with Wanna, a Belarus-based fashion technology company which uses augmented reality (AR)

Both were sold as NFTs, non-fungible tokens, which is a unique certificate of ownership tied to a digital asset.

Sergey Arkhangelskiy, Wanna co-founder and chief executive, said fashion AR will keep growing and soon be integrated into shops.

He said: 'Our goal as a company is to actually supersede the product photos... and substitute it for something which is way more engaging and closer to offline shopping.'
Donald Trump's former trade advisor Peter Navarro has unleashed a wild attack on COVID expert Anthony Fauci, labeling him: 'The father of the virus'.

Navarro made the outlandish claim after being shown an interview with CNN's chief medical advisor Sanjay Gupta in which Fauci said pushing for the COVID-19 vaccine was the 'best decision' he ever made.

Navarro appeared angry that the US Government's top infectious disease doctor was claiming credit for the success of the vaccine program - dubbed 'Operation Warp Speed' - and claimed President Donald Trump had been the driving force behind it.

'Fauci is a sociopath and a liar. He had nothing to do with the vaccine,' Navarro told Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy.

'The father of the vaccine is Donald J. Trump.'

In the clip on Fox News, Navarro, with shirt sleeves rolled up and tie loosened, stares and points at the camera as he accuses Fauci of being the 'father of the virus'

Dr Anthony Fauci said pushing for a COVID-19 vaccine was the 'best decision' he had ever made, drawing the bizarre rebuke from Navarro

Dr. Fauci needs to go the Dominion route and sue Peter Navarro & @FoxNews. They just said he was responsible for the #COVID19 virus and half a million American deaths. Im sure a lawyer could make a defamation suit out of that. pic.twitter.com/WjVfS5JSkE  Steve Hall (@being_steve) March 31, 2021

Navarro, who has made several inflammatory statements about Fauci, was a key figure in the Trump Administration, and a vocal critic of China.

In the Fox News clip, Navarro, with shirt sleeves rolled up and tie loosened, stares and points at the camera as he lambasts Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

'What is Fauci the father of? Fauci is the father of the actual virus,' he told the right-wing network.

'Fauci is the guy. This virus, according to [Robert] Redfield at the Centers for Disease Control, came from the Wuhan lab and basically we had Fauci not only funding that lab with American taxpayer dollars, he authorized this thing called gain of function research.

'He allowed the Chinese Communist Party, the People's Liberation Army to genetically engineer a virus using gain of function.

Donald Trump launched Operation Warp Speed in May 2020, pledging Government support to pharmaceutical companies trying to discover an effective COVID-19 vaccine

'I call it the Fauci virus now. If he wants to be the father of something, he is the father of the virus that's killed over half a million Americans.'

Fauci and Dr Deborah Birx were interviewed for a CNN special report on Sunday night called: 'COVID War: The Pandemic Doctors Speak Out'.

Fauci said: 'When I saw what happened in New York City, almost over-running of our healthcare systems, and that's when it became very clear that the decision we made on January 10 to go all out and develop a vaccine, may have been the best decision that I've ever made with regard to intervention as the director of the institute.'

Fauci's remarks seemed to gloss over the key role played by pharmaceutical companies and Operation Warp Speed - the Trump administration's program to manufacture, test and deliver vaccines to the public in record time.

Fauci claimed that Trump's Tweet calling to 'LIBERATE' some states to pressure them to reopen during a surge in cases last summer hit him like a 'punch to the chest'.

In response to the program, Trump issued a statement slamming his former top coronavirus advisors, and describing Fauci and Birx as bumbling failures.

Fauci, he said, 'tried to take credit for the vaccine, when in fact he said it would take three to five years'.

Trump said it was his decision to begin the vaccine program.

'We developed American vaccines by an American President in record time, nine months, which is saving the entire world,' he said.

'We bought billions of dollars of these vaccines on a calculated bet that they would work, perhaps the most important bet in the history of the world.'

He said: 'Dr. Fauci was incapable of pressing the FDA to move it through faster. I was the one to get it done, and even the fake news media knows and reports this'.

Trump described Fauci and Birx as 'two self-promoters trying to reinvent history'

The former president said Fauci was inconsistent, describing him as 'the king of "flip flops",' and denied Birx's claim that they had a 'very difficult' phone call at the start of the pandemic, when she told him how severe a threat the pandemic posed.

'She was a very negative voice who didn't have the right answers,' Trump said.

Last July, Navarro penned an op-ed for USA Today in which he said Fauci had been 'wrong about everything I have interacted with him on'.

The USA Today editorial board later retracted parts of the column and added a note to the piece saying parts of it were 'misleading or lacked context' and 'did not meet USA TODAYs fact-checking standards'.

Last year, Fauci revealed he had been forced to take on a security detail after he and his family received hundreds of death threats.

Trump on Monday issued a pointed rebuke to Fauci's Sunday claim to have been behind the decision to hunt for a vaccine

On the same CNN special, Redfield, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said he believed the coronavirus originally escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China.

It is the first time Redfield, who was appointed CDC director by Trump, has stated publicly that he believes COVID-19 originated in a lab and not in a wet market where linked to an initial cluster of cases.

'I'm of the point of view that I still think the most likely etiology of this pathogen in Wuhan was from a laboratory... escaped. Other people don't believe that, that's fine. Science will eventually figure it out,' he said.

'It's not unusual for respiratory pathogens that are being worked on in laboratories to infect the laboratory worker.

'That's not implying any intentionality. It's my opinion, right? But I am a virologist. I have spent my life in virology.'

China has strenuously insisted that the pandemic started when COVID-19 jumped from a bat to a human or through an intermediary species at a wet market in Wuhan.

Redfield, however, says that explanation doesn't make 'biological sense' to him.

'I do not believe this somehow came from a bat to a human and at that moment in time the virus came to the human, became one of the most infectious viruses that we know in humanity for human-to-human transmission,' he said.

'Normally, when a pathogen goes from a zoonotic to human, it takes a while for it to figure out how to become more and more efficient.'

A joint World Health Organization-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is 'extremely unlikely'.
As the Small Business Administration official who oversaw the Paycheck Protection Program, Im often asked, Did PPP actually work?

PPP was a response to state and local governments mandating shutdowns as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19. The premise was this: Encourage lenders to provide small businesses and nonprofits with forgivable, SBA-guaranteed loans over an eight-week period as a payroll-support measure. This small business financial support was designed to help prevent mass unemployment as Americans were confined to their homes.

PPP was initially funded for $349 billion. Talk about warp speed  SBA and PPP lenders went on to process 14 years worth of SBA loans in less than two weeks and over $500 billion in less than a month. Congress authorized more PPP funds in April, December, and most recently in March. The program continues to enjoy widespread bipartisan support, as evidenced by the recent 415-3 House vote to extend the program for a few more months. The Senate is poised to approve the same extension in the coming days.

But did the Paycheck Protection Program deliver on its promise? The evidence reveals that it did  and in more ways than most realize.

As the economy shut down a year ago, there were dire warnings of unemployment rates exceeding 20%, perhaps even 30%. Department of Labor data from March 2020 to April 2020 shows unemployment quickly surging from 4.4% to a COVID-era peak of 14.8% before steadily receding over subsequent months.

Thankfully, the worst-case scenario was never realized. A Herculean effort by both Congress and the Trump administration resulted in scores of small business employees being able to preserve both their jobs and their health.

Any clear-eyed assessment of these efforts would recognize that the program wasnt perfect, as no government program that had to be set up in under a week and distribute over $700 billion could be. However, recent academic studies have suggested that the program was inefficient, even unnecessary. However, much of that snapshot analysis examined just the past year.

Heres another scenario to consider: As noted above, DOL data reveals that PPP and other measures stemmed economic freefall. Economists and other experts didnt consider how these programs prevented deaths of despair over a longer time horizon. Such horrific events have many contributing factors, but job loss and economic dislocation are all too often the trigger.

Some studies suggest that the opioid epidemic accelerated on the heels of the Great Recession. Humans innately understand how economic hardship can lead to despair: a person loses their job along with their employer-supported health care, then eventually gets hurt or sick, is unable to access proper care, and ultimately becomes addicted to deadly opioids in just a few short years.

The true value and lasting legacies of PPP and other COVID relief programs will rest on their mitigation of both economic and human tolls over time.

Itll only become clearer over time that the Paycheck Protection Program averted mass unemployment and restored calm to both labor and small business markets while balancing the need for nationwide social distancing. These measures prevented a death toll with a longer tail that could have amounted to millions more deaths over several years.

The little agency that could at SBA did a lot of good amid historically horrific circumstances, so that the heroic engineers of small businesses could continue to keep America on the tracks.
GREENVILLE, S.C., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy announced today the recipients of $375,000 in grants through the Duke Energy Foundation to South Carolina organizations that will fund tutoring and reading programs in underserved and minority communities to combat learning gaps created by the pandemic.

The funds will also support environmental education programs for Title 1 schools and culturally relevant professional development, particularly as it pertains to racial equity in education.

The grants were awarded to 46 organizations across South Carolina.

"As the effects of the pandemic on our students and learning environments continue, after-school tutoring programs have become critical in addressing some of these learning gaps, and existing programs have been burdened to continue providing these valuable services," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. "Both of my parents were public school teachers, so I'm personally proud that Duke Energy is continuing to support the education efforts of our teachers and students by supporting these critical organizations as they help curb learning gaps and other challenges presented by the pandemic."

This summer, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee will use grant funding to offer K-3 students the Raz-Plus Reading Program, a curriculum that seeks to improve vocabulary, language fluency and reading comprehension among participants.

"Boys & Girls Clubs remain committed to the social and emotional well-being of its members and aiding them on their academic journey," said Neal L. Zimmerman, Jr., executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee. "This generous grant will help us continue our focus of improving members' education this summer through the implementation of a proven reading curriculum taught by qualified instructors. This will help many members overcome the reading loss that has occurred during the pandemic."

In addition to addressing the challenges presented by COVID-19, many of these grants help create or sustain programs that address the needs for social justice and racial equity in the K-12 education space.

One such program being offered by Public Education Partners aims to provide professional development to more than 800 teachers in the Greenville County School District around understanding cultural, race and ethnic differences among students and teaching methods to address these sensitivities with positive outcomes.

"Classrooms are among the first places that children learn how to be in community with each other and navigate differences," said Catherine Schumacher, president and CEO of Public Education Partners. "Having empathetic teachers in the classroom who have taken the time to deepen their knowledge about racial equity will help vulnerable children. When we serve vulnerable children well, we serve all children better. We are grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for its investment in this work."

Duke Energy

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 29,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities and 2,300 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit's regulated utilities serve 7.8 million retail electric customers in six states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to 1.6 million customers in five states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2020 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Ryan Mosier

800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy

Related Links

http://www.duke-energy.com


A Return to Venus?

Chemical & Engineering News

In terms of space exploration, Mars is all the rage these days. This has left our closest neighbor, Venus  previously the most attractive planet to study because of its proximity and similar atmosphere to Earth  in the lurch. A new article in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, highlights how scientists and space agencies are turning their eyes back toward Venus to learn more about its atmosphere and geology.

From the 1950s to the late 1980s, Venus was a favored planet for scientists to study, writes Associate Editor Sam Lemonick. From our vantage point here on Earth, its atmosphere looks similar to our own, but closer examinations from USSR and NASA missions revealed that the surface of Venus is over 450 C with an atmospheric pressure nearly 100 times that of Earth. This led researchers to pivot away from studying our closest planetary neighbor until the turn of the century. In more recent years, missions led by the European Union and Japan have revealed that Venus has much more complex atmospheric chemistry than previously thought. These findings have generated renewed interest from scientists, who believe further study of Venus could provide insights about the chemistry of planets far beyond our reach.

These new revelations have led space agencies to plan their next missions to Venus. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is planning an orbiter launch in 2024, and Russias Roscosmos is aiming for a lander mission in 2029. NASA, the European Space Agency, China and a private company are also mulling plans for their own trips. These missions will likely focus on the geology of Venus rather than its atmosphere, as modern technology will allow for greater insight into the surface of the planet. ISROs planned mission will use radar and infrared spectrometry to gather data over a four-year period. NASAs two proposed missions would study Venuss atmospheric chemistry and geochemistry, respectively. Experts advocating for renewed Venus missions say that the efforts will help scientists better understand planets in our own solar system and beyond, and could provide insights into the prevalence of life in the universe.
Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said Tuesday he is preparing a bill to deal with unaccompanied minors arriving at the southwest border with Mexico.

The legislation will be introduced in the Senate in two weeks, according to his office.

In Houston Tuesday, the senator announced what he said will be a bipartisan bill during a press conference after he visited a shelter for unaccompanied minors run by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

We need to find a way to humanely and legally allow immigration to occur, said Cornyn. But we cant just put the welcome mat out for anybody and everybody in the world who wants to come to the United States, because well be overwhelmed, and thats what were seeing happening right now (at the border).

The senator said his new bill is built from another one called The Humane Act that he proposed in 2017 with Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, also from Texas. That bill failed to pass.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Paxton, Republican AGs seek to defend Trump-era rule making it harder for some to get green cards

Solutions should take two aspects into account, he said. One is tackling the root cause of those unregulated migrations with what he called the the push factor, referring to the violence and poverty migrants are fleeing and the incentive of smugglers to make money with their human cargo.

President Joe Biden sent an immigration proposal to Congress recently that would allocate $4 billion for a four-year plan to assist the Central American regionwhere the majority of minors come from in reducing corruption, violence and poverty.

Fixing uncontrolled illegal immigration and particularly of minors would involve creating a system where judges could hear the minors cases swiftly while they are retained at an immigration facility, Cornyn said.

He said it would eliminate the traditional policy that some politicians call catch and release, where children, as well as adults, are taken into custody and released to their families in the United States while following their immigration processes in court.

The senator really cares about kids, said Bob Sanborn, president & CEO of the nonprofit Children at Risk who was part of a closed-door round-table discussion with Cornyn at Catholic Charities Tuesday. Unfortunately, we have this group of politicians in Washington, D.C., that are using this as a circus.

Cornyn said his bill will address several rules that interfere with an orderly process for children looking for asylum at the border. He mentioned a lawsuit settlement in Reno v. Flores, commonly called the Flores case, which requires Border Patrol to release from custody children up to 17 years old within 72 hours.

A proposal for judges to hear their cases before being released from custody to U.S. communities would require a longer time frame at this time than what Flores allows. Immigration courts have a current backlog of 1.3 million cases, and Texas has more than 200,000 cases, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse that tracks immigration data.

Im working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come up with policies that will give people an opportunity to have their hearing in front of an immigration judge while theyre still being processed by immigration authorities, said Cornyn, rather than release them with a notice to appear as it is now.

At the end of February, 29,010 unaccompanied minors arrived at the southwest border since the beginning of the current fiscal year on Oct. 1, according to Border Patrol statistics. That represents an increase of 92 percent compared to the same month the previous year when the total was 15,122.

MORNING REPORT: Get the top stories on HoustonChronicle.com sent directly to your inbox

The highest increases of unaccompanied minors in that period are coming from Honduras and Guatemala. The flow from El Salvador remains stable while border patrol encounters with Mexican children have decrease significantly.

There were 5,767 children in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody in March 28, according to a daily tracking, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This month, the border patrol apprehended and took custody of an average of 486 children, 17 years old and younger, per day.

The Biden administration has avoided calling the situation at the border a crisis but rather a surge that is not new to immigration authorities that happens regularly going into the spring and early summer months.

Experts and advocates said the border surge can be better explained when accounting for the fact that the immigration flow was naturally reduced last year by the coronavirus pandemic. But with COVID receding and after two hurricanes in Central America at the end of 2020 that displaced hundreds of thousands of people, the pressure on the migratory floodgates has yielded to a new increase.

Im not here to criticize any of the people who are trying to help, said Cornyn. Its almost like everybody is working together in the neighborhood to put out a fire, but the fire is overwhelming the capacity of the neighborhood to put it out.

Cornyn, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that handles immigration and border security issues, visited a detention facility for unauthorized immigrant children in Carrizo Springs and the Laredo border March 12. He also toured areas of the Rio Grande and a facility for minors in Donna last Friday.

His office said the senator is optimistic that the bill he will introduce after the end of the congressional Spring recess ending on April 11 will have enough support to be passed. They said Cornyn is not inclined to fight for comprehensive immigration reform at this time due to continuous past failures and that he prefers to address the issues by independent pieces of legislation.

Sanborn said the country saw surges of children and caravans coming to the border in 2019 and to a lesser extent in 2018.

The bottom line, Sanborn said, is We need to get these kids to their families as soon as possible, most of them have families in the U.S. already.

olivia.tallet@chron.com

Twitter.com/oliviaptallet
Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on Wednesday, March 31.

Several North State counties moving into less restrictive COVID-19 tiers

Butte, Modoc, and Colusa counties are now in the orange tier of coronavirus restrictions. This means worship houses, indoor dining and theaters can open up to 50% capacity, gyms up to 25%, and bars with no food can open outdoors. Glenn and Yuba are now out of the purple and into the red tier.

Oroville Chief of Police removed from position immediately

The city of Oroville is searching for a new police chief. Tuesday the city council voted to fire now-former chief Joe Deal. It was a 5-1 vote with one abstention. The Oroville Mayor told Action News Now Deal's firing was without cause as the council "wanted to go another way." Mayor Reynolds also said previous Chief of Police and City Administrator Bill LaGrone has temporarily taken over the position.

Cesar Chavez Day

Chico State is marking the birthday of Cesar Chavez by closing for the day, so students and staff can take part in civic engagement, also known as "cats in the community. Chico State students will honor Chavezs legacy by creating appreciation cards for frontline workers, removing invasive vegetation from lower Bidwell Park, and cleaning the North State Boys and Girls club building, as well as the campus bike paths.

Enough evidence was found to send former Vice Mayor of Paradise to trial

Former Paradise Vice Mayor, Mike Zuccolillo, will stand trial on three felony counts. A Butte County judge ruled Tuesday following a preliminary hearing that there is enough evidence for the case to proceed. Zuccolillo is accused of contacting a minor with intent to have sex, distributing harmful matter, and trying to meet a minor for lewd purposes. He was arrested last April and will return to court on April 29 to re-enter his plea.

Former student files lawsuit against Chico Unified School District, alleging years of sexual abuse by teacher

A former Bidwell Junior High School student has filed a lawsuit against the Chico Unified School District over teacher sex abuse. According to the complaint, the student said middle school teacher, Jennifer Lynn Smith, abused her for years, starting when she was 13 years old. Smith was sentenced last week to five years in state prison for the crime.

Children sleeping on mats in overcrowded plastic pods: Inside a facility on the US-Mexico border

Today in Washington, the secretaries of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services are expected to brief House members on the situation at the border. The number of unaccompanied minors entering is setting new records. More than 18,000 are currently in U.S. custody. Health and Human Services representatives said they will open nine emergency facilities with more than 16,000 beds.

Firefighter who watched George Floyd die returns to stand in Derek Chauvin trial

Wednesday marks the third day in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Prosecutors said they will start calling expert witnesses to delve into how Chauvins hold may have caused Floyds death. Defense attorneys have argued that Floyd died from a drug overdose and a medical condition rather than from Chauvins hold.
President Moon Jae-in speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. Yonhap



Biden has no intention to meet with Kim Jon-un



By Kang Seung-woo



President Moon Jae-in's stalled Korean Peninsula peace process, seeking engagement between South and North Korea and the United States, appears to be doomed, according to diplomatic observers, as the two other partners have been dashing his last flickers of hope with their continuing tug-of-war over the North's denuclearization.



On Monday (local time), White House press secretary Jen Psaki said U.S. President Joe Biden does not intend to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, adding that his approach to Pyongyang will be "quite different" from that of his predecessor, former President Donald Trump who met Kim three times.



Her remarks reaffirmed the new U.S. president's pursuit of an approach different from that of Trump, who had sought progress in North Korean denuclearization through direct leader-to-leader engagement that Moon was also supportive of.



Hours later, Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's sister, made a harsh criticism of Moon, mocking him as a "parrot" that repeats Washington's "gangster-like logic."



This comes in response to President Moon who said, Friday, that the North's launch of two ballistic missiles the previous day was undesirable and could undercut the mood for dialogue, even though South Korea also test-fires missiles.



"He cannot feel sorry for being praised as a parrot raised by America," she said. "This could be what is described as self-contradictory and being caught in one's own trap."



Remarks from both the U.S. and North Korea are dealing a hard blow to the South Korean President's efforts to revive the inter-Korean detente in 2018, highlighted by summitry and sweet talk between the three countries.



"They mean that both the U.S. and North Korea will not lose the upper hand over each other in the nuclear standoff, but the bigger problem is that South Korea cannot leverage them to the negotiating table," said Shin Beom-chul, director of the Center for Diplomacy and Security at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy.



"On such a fragile base of the peace process, South Korea's influence over them will wane and eventually the initiative will inevitably fall apart."



Following the collapse of Trump and Kim's Hanoi summit in February 2019, optimism for the peace process evaporated quickly, with no inter-Korean exchanges or cooperation taking place since then, as the North was upset that Moon misled Kim to believe that dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear complex would lead to sanctions relief.



"After the Hanoi failure, we should have rethought the peace initiative based on the situation at the time. Despite North Korea's harsh criticism of the South Korean government, we have been ignoring it and waiting for inter-Korean dialogue, with Seoul losing the initiative to the North in the end," Shin said.



"Given the situation, the Biden administration, skeptical of the Moon administration's dealing with North Korea, is seeking to handle the North with its own diplomatic approach based on diplomacy and human rights rather than listening to the South Korean government, which leads to the allies remaining split over North Korean issues."



Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, also said the peace initiative is at a critical juncture, but the North's fiery rhetoric seems to be a last-ditch tug-of-war with the U.S., which is in the final stage of its policy review of the totalitarian state.



"In the wake of North Korea's belligerent rhetoric and series of missile launches, whispers are growing in Washington, D.C., that the U.S. should have more talks with the North, although Biden is not expected to accept it," Park said.



He also said the North's recent tension-spiking acts are aimed at pressuring the South Korean government to aggressively convince the U.S. to Pyongyang's advantage.


HKSAR gov't officials support NPC's amendments to HKSAR Basic Law annexes

Xinhua) 13:53, March 31, 2021

Photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square in south China's Hong Kong, July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

The HKSAR government will render full cooperation and strive to complete the amendments to the relevant local electoral laws in accordance with the amended annexes to the HKSAR Basic Law by introducing a bill to the Legislative Council as early as practicable, said Matthew Cheung, chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government.

HONG KONG, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Principal officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday expressed their firm support for China's top legislature's adoption of amended Annexes I and II to the HKSAR Basic Law.

The amendments were passed at the closing meeting of the 27th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC). The two annexes concern the method for the selection of the HKSAR Chief Executive and the method for the formation of the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) and its voting procedures, respectively.

Matthew Cheung, chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government, said that improving the electoral system, ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong" and safeguarding the overall interests of society are conducive to the stable development of Hong Kong's democracy, which enables the HKSAR government to focus on developing the economy, improving people's livelihoods, and resolving deep-seated social problems.

The HKSAR Government will render full cooperation and strive to complete the amendments to the relevant local electoral laws in accordance with the amended Annex I and Annex II to the HKSAR Basic Law by introducing a bill to the Legislative Council as early as practicable, he said.

"As the Chief Secretary for Administration, I will, together with the governing team and the civil service, make all-out efforts in explaining the amendments to the community," he added.

Photo shows a view by the Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, June 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Paul Chan, financial secretary of the HKSAR government, said that an improved electoral system will strengthen the executive-led political system and enhance the governance capability of the HKSAR government, thereby enabling the community as a whole to focus on progressively resolving Hong Kong's deep-seated issues to allow sustained social and economic stability and prosperity.

Regarding the amendments to the annexes I and II to the HKSAR Basic Law, Teresa Cheng, secretary for justice of the HKSAR government, said that the increase in the size and composition of the Election Committee and the Legislative Council reflect a more balanced and orderly political participation as well as a broader representation of society, signifying an important move to advance the HKSAR's democratic electoral system.

The central authorities proactively collected views from various sectors of Hong Kong within a short period of time and the views have been thoroughly considered by the NPC Standing Committee, she added.

Secretary for Security of the HKSAR government John Lee and six heads of disciplined services of the HKSAR government expressed their full support for the NPC move on Tuesday.

They said that the amendments to the annexes I and II to the HKSAR Basic Law specify clearly the regulations of the electoral system and provide a solid and powerful constitutional guarantee, enhancing the governance of the HKSAR Government, fostering the cohesion and unity of society and addressing the deep-seated problems.

The Security Bureau and the six disciplinary forces will stand united and spare no effort in safeguarding national security to ensure Hong Kong's prosperity and long-term stability and order, they added.

In voicing their support for the NPC's adoption of the above-cited amendments, the HKSAR deputies to the NPC and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) issued statements, saying that they will fully support the HKSAR government to carry out the local legislation work for implementing the new election methods as soon as possible.

The HKSAR deputies to the NPC said in a joint statement that the amendments enable a more balanced and orderly political participation in Hong Kong, reflect the overall interests of the Hong Kong society, and plug the loopholes in the existing electoral system of the HKSAR.

The HKSAR members of the CPPCC National Committee said in a joint statement that the NPC move is constitutional, legal, reasonable and has unshakable authority, which will facilitate the full implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", the improvement of "one country, two systems", and the development of a democratic political system suited to Hong Kong's realities.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
The coronavirus pandemic is raging throughout most of Michigan, and the worst region right now is Michigans Thumb, as well as Macomb, St. Clair and Lapeer counties.

All six counties in that region now have a positivity rate of more than 20%. Five other counties in the northern Lower Peninsula also are exceeding that benchmark -- Oscoda, Missaukee, Otsego, Wexford and Roscommon.

Below is a look at state and county numbers for new cases and positivity rates, as well as statewide numbers on hospitalizations, deaths and vaccinations..

New cases: The state is averaging 4,680 new cases a day.

Thats up 59% from 2,938 a week ago, and is the states highest average in 2021.

Of Michigans 83 counties, 78 reported new cases Tuesday. Counties that did not report new cases were located in the Upper Peninsula, including Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Menominee and Ontonagon.

Wayne County led in new cases with 1,064, followed by Macomb with 846 and Oakland with 665. Other top reporting counties included Ingham, with 182; Genesee, 171; Kent, 171; St. Clair, 168; Ottawa, 159; Jackson, 138, and Washtenaw, 122.

Below is an online database that allows readers to see the number of new coronavirus cases in the past seven days compared to the previous week, as well as the per capita number that adjusts for population. The arrows indicate whether the total number of new cases reported in the last seven days has gone up or down compared to the previous seven days.

The top counties in cases per capita over the past seven days: St. Clair, Huron, Sanilac, Macomb and Missaukee.

The map below is shaded based on the states six risk-assessment levels. The arrows indicate whether the total number of new cases reported in the last seven days has gone up or down compared to March 17-22.

Readers can put their cursor over a county to see the underlying data. (Hint: You can drag the map with your cursor to see the entire U.P.)

Positivity rate: The seven-day average is now 12.3%.

The seven-day positivity rate on coronavirus diagnostic tests was 7.9% a week ago. On Monday, 15.4% of coronavirus test results reported were positive.

The chart below allows you to look up any county by name to see the seven-day average positivity rate for March 23-29. The chart compares the average from the past seven days to the average for the previous week.

The interactive map below shows the seven-day average testing rate by county. You can put your cursor over a county to see the underlying data.

Hospitalizations: 2,442 inpatients on Tuesday

Michigan had 2,424 adults patients and 22 pediatric patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 30. That includes 488 patients in the ICU.

By comparison, there were 1,659 hospitalizations with 356 patients in the ICU on Tuesday, March 23.

Deaths: The state is averaging 23 deaths a day.

That compares to an average of 16 deaths a day a week ago.

Twenty-one counties reported new deaths. Wayne reported nine, while Oakland and Genesee reported five each. Kent, St. Clair and Bay reported four each, followed by Macomb with three and Barry with two.

The following counties reported one new death: Ingham, Ottawa, Lapeer, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola, Midland, Wexford, Osceola, Houghton, Branch, Lake and Leelanau.

Vaccinations: 33.1% of adults have received at least one dose

As of Tuesday, March 30, a total of 2,480,794 adults have gotten at least one dose of vaccine, and 1,585,012 -- or 19.6% -- are fully vaccinated.

Below is a breakdown by age group of adults who have gotten at least one dose of vaccine and those who are fully immunized.

75 and older: 67% initiated; 51% completed.

65 to 74: 62% initiated; 48% completed.

50 to 64: 40% initiated; 15% completed.

40 to 49: 23% initiated; 13% completed.

30 to 39: 20% initiated; 12% completed.

20 to 29: 13% initiated; 7% completed.

16 to 19: 4.5% initiated; 1.3% completed.

States overall risk assessment: Five regions at highest level

Five Michigans MI Start regions are back up to Level E in the states overall risk assessment -- the Detroit, Saginaw, Lansing, Kalamazoo and Traverse City regions.

The Grand Rapids and Jackson regions are at Level D and the Upper Peninsula is at Level C.

In assigning the risk scores, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services looks at factors such as new cases and deaths per capita, test positivity rates, number of tests administered and emergency department visits for COVID-19 symptoms. The scale used by MDHHS has six levels -- low plus Levels A-E.

More on MLive:

Michigans COVID-19 numbers increasing at troubling pace. Whats going on?

Gender gap in pandemic unemployment shrinking, but mothers still left behind

When congregations cant congregate: Pandemic forces Michiganders to rethink church

FOX 2 Detroit anchor Maurielle Lue describes her terrifying COVID battle: I literally cant breathe

COVID-19 cases in Michigan nursing homes drop 96%, deaths drop 99% since late December
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Next week, The Carter Center and Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy are launching "The Carter-Baker Commission: 16 Years Later," a series of five virtual events focused on key issues affecting U.S. elections and potential reforms.

The panel discussions will look at key recommendations made in the 2005 Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform and will use these to frame deeper discussions about emerging electoral reform issues. Prominent political leaders and election experts from across the political spectrum will serve as panelists, and audiences will have a chance to submit questions for each panel.

The first event in the series, "Election Integrity and Ballot Access," is scheduled for April 7 at 12:30 p.m. EDT.

"Despite the high profiles of their namesakes in their respective parties, The Carter Center and the Baker Institute are both guided by a nonpartisan ethos," said Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of the Baker Institute. "In the midst of sharp polarization and division in our political environment, we welcome this collaboration with The Carter Center. It is crucial that questions of election reform are addressed in an objective and data-driven manner."

Paige Alexander, the Carter Center's CEO, said she hopes the series will lead to meaningful dialogueand ultimately increase confidence in American democracy.

"The first step toward reaching consensus on election reform issues is to bring together people with differing viewpoints to hold frank discussions about whats best for our nation," she said. "I think well find we have more in common than many people believe."

"Election Integrity and Ballot Access" will focus on ways to make elections secure while also making them easily accessible to as many eligible voters as possible.

Scheduled panelists are:

-Susan Molinari, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Carter-Baker Commission member

-Sharon Priest, former Arkansas secretary of state and Carter-Baker Commission member

-Brad Raffensperger, Georgia secretary of state

-Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico secretary of state

The moderator will be Doug Chapin, former director of research for the Carter-Baker Commission, who is currently the director of election research at Fors Marsh Group and the director of the Program for Excellence in Election Administration at the Hubert. H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

The remaining four panels will occur every two to three weeks through June. Check the Carter Center and Baker Institute websites and social media channels for dates and panelists updates. Upcoming topics:

"Voting by Mail" will evaluate security concerns related to the absentee and vote-by-mail processes.

will evaluate security concerns related to the absentee and vote-by-mail processes. "Voter Registration and Voter ID" will examine reforms to help ensure that states with voter ID laws dont inhibit eligible voters from participating in elections.

will examine reforms to help ensure that states with voter ID laws dont inhibit eligible voters from participating in elections. "Technology and Elections" will explore how the development of voter-verified paper trails, risk-limiting audits, ballot-tracking platforms and the Electronic Registration Information Center system have enhanced the accuracy of elections.

will explore how the development of voter-verified paper trails, risk-limiting audits, ballot-tracking platforms and the Electronic Registration Information Center system have enhanced the accuracy of elections. "Opportunities and Challenges for Election Reform" will investigate various proposals for reform at the federal and state levels and look at how the electoral reform agenda could move forward, seeking lessons from the Carter-Baker Commission experience.

Watch this event 

Contacts: Soyia Ellison, Carter Center, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org

Jeff Falk, Rice Universitys Baker Institute, jfalk@rice.edu

###

The Carter Center

"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.

Rice Universitys Baker Institute

Founded in 1993, Rice Universitys Baker Institute ranks as the No. 1 university-affiliated think tank in the world and the No. 1 energy think tank in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institutes strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes  including a public policy course  and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institutes blog, http://blog.bakerinstitute.org.
The disparities also touch on everything from government subsidies to private schools to credits on personal income for donations, which overwhelmingly favor Catholics and high-income taxpayers. But they are perhaps most glaring in physical structures. Even as Mr. Macron has pledged to nurture an Islam of France, followers of the faith suffer from an acute shortage of proper mosques across the country.

Its a total paradox, Said Ait-Laama, an imam, said in an interview before Friday Prayer.

Unable to finance mosque-building themselves, generally unassisted by the state, Muslim communities have turned to governments abroad for help.

But that may now become more difficult under Mr. Macrons new law, which is intended to combat Islamism by toughening rules on secularism and controls over religious organizations, including tightening the flow of foreign donations.

Last week, the government said that the new law would allow it to oppose the public financing of a large mosque in Strasbourg, in the eastern region of Alsace, where, for historical reasons, the construction of religious buildings can still qualify for government subsidies.

The interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, pressed the local government to cancel the funding, saying that the association behind the Strasbourg mosque had ties to the Turkish government.

Even before new law was drafted, the City Council of Angers used real-estate regulations last year to stop mosque leaders from turning to Morocco. A provision in Mr. Macrons law would allow the national government, too, to oppose the sale of religious buildings to a foreign government if the French authorities consider the sale a threat.

Mr. Macron has said that the legislation is critical to fighting the kind of radical ideology that has sent French youths to fight in Syria and led to the deaths of more than 250 French people in Islamist terrorist attacks since 2015. Last fall, four people were killed in three separate terrorist attacks.
Two former New York City mortuary technicians for the city's Chief Medical Examiner are being accused of stealing credit cards from at least nine people and spending thousands on fast food and flights to Florida.

Willie Garcon, 50, and Charles McFadgen, 66, allegedly stole the wallets of the deceased they were meant to care for and ran up their credit card bills. The pair were charged with access device fraud and face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Garcon, who worked for the Chief Medical Examiner from 2018-2020 is accused of using the credit cards of four dead people and spending nearly $6,500 in purchases, which included a flight to Fort Lauderdale.

Willie Garcon, 50, is accused of stealing the credit cards of four dead people and spending nearly $6,500 in purchases- including a flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Two former New York City mortuary technicians for the city's Chief Medical Examiner are being accused of stealing credit cards from at least nine people

Part of Garcon's job included transporting bodies from the location of death to the Medical Examiner's office. He also worked as an autopsy technician.

After leaving the city's Medical Examiner's office, Garcon went on to work for the Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office in New Jersey from February 2020 to May 2020, court documents said.

Following an arrest in May 2020 in New Jersey for an unrelated theft from a dead person, Garcon's morbid crimes in New York City were uncovered.

New Jersey officials discovered Garcon was in possession of property that belonged to four people who died in New York City and whose bodies had been placed in the Medical Examiner's custody.

Records showed that Garcon had been assigned to transport the body of three of the dead. He also worked as an autopsy technician in the Medical Examiner's office when the fourth dead person arrived.

The Daily News reports that Garcon allegedly purchased an air-conditioning unit using the fourth dead person's credit card and sent it to his wife's home in Boca-Raton, Florida.

A 13-year industry veteran, McFadgen, 66, worked in city's the Medical Examiner's office from 2003-2016 before retirement.

He admitted to investigators that during and after his employment at the Medical Examiner's he used debit and credit cards he knew had been stolen.

Prosecutors allege McFadgen made more than $13,500 in unauthorized purchases using debit and credit cards stolen from five dead people whose bodies were in the Medical Examiner's custody.

McFadgen reportedly told law enforcement he used credit cards given to him by other Medical Examiner's office employees to make small purchases.

'He said that he used the cards to make small purchases, such as purchasing stamps from the post office and buying food from McDonald's,' FBI agent Kerry Calnan, said.

Prosecutors slammed the two mortuary technicians for disrespecting and stealing from the dead they were meant to care for.

'The defendants brazenly pilfered the belongings of the deceased, stole their property and enriched themselves by making unauthorized purchases worth several thousand dollars,' acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Mark Lesko said.
Like the previous editions, this year's edition of FH Healthcare Indicators and FH Medical Price Index is intended to provide clarity to all healthcare stakeholders in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. FAIR Health, a national, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information, bases the reports on its database of over 32 billion privately billed healthcare claim recordsthe largest such repository in the country.

FH Healthcare Indicators reveal trends and patterns in the places where patients receive healthcare. Focusing on alternative places of serviceretail clinics, urgent care centers, telehealth and ASCsas well as ERs, FH Healthcare Indicators evaluate changes in utilization, geographic and demographic factors, diagnoses, procedures and costs. For example, FH Healthcare Indicators show that in 2019, the median charge amount for a 30-minute new patient office visit (CPT1 99203) ranged from $150 in a retail clinic to $217 in an office to $239 in an urgent care center.

FH Medical Price Index

FH Medical Price Index reports shifts in costs and facilitates useful comparisons among medical prices in six procedure categories from May 2012 to November 2020:

Professional evaluation and management (E&M 2 ; excluding E&Ms performed in a hospital setting);

; excluding E&Ms performed in a hospital setting); Hospital E&M (excluding E&Ms performed in a professional setting, such as typical office visits);

Medicine (excluding E&Ms);

Surgery (procedures for which the physician would bill);

Pathology and laboratory (technical and professional components, i.e., both equipment and professional services); and

Radiology (technical and professional components).

The reports reflect professional fees and related costs; they do not reflect facility fees.

For the period November 2019 to November 2020:

Of the six procedure categories, hospital E&Ms had the greatest percent increase in charge amount index, 6 percent, and in allowed amount index, 10 percent.

The radiology charge amount index decreased one percent, the only decrease in either charge amount or allowed amount indices.

Radiology had the lowest percent increase in allowed amount index, three percent.

In this edition, as in previous editions, FH Healthcare Indicators and FH Medical Price Index each advance one year in the data they report: FH Healthcare Indicators to 2019 and FH Medical Price Index to 2020. For this reason, FH Healthcare Indicators do not include data from the COVID-19 pandemic year (next year's edition will extend to 2020), whereas FH Medical Price Index does. Indeed, this year's FH Healthcare Indicators present a valuable picture of the nation's healthcare environment just before COVID-19 arrived in the United States, while FH Medical Price Index offers an account of healthcare pricing trends in the midst of the pandemic.

FAIR Health President Robin Gelburd stated: "As in previous years, FH Healthcare Indicators and FH Medical Price Index are highly relevant to understanding the nation's healthcare system. We hope that this new edition continues to inform decision making throughout the healthcare sector by payors, providers, government officials, policy makers, academic researchers and others."

For the new white paper FH Healthcare Indicators and FH Medical Price Index 2021: An Annual View of Place of Service Trends and Medical Pricing, click here.

Follow us on Twitter @FAIRHealth

About FAIR Health

FAIR Health is a national, independent nonprofit organization that qualifies as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. It is dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support. FAIR Health possesses the nation's largest collection of private healthcare claims data, which includes over 32 billion claim records and is growing at a rate of over 2 billion claim records a year. FAIR Health licenses its privately billed data and data productsincluding benchmark modules, data visualizations, custom analytics and market indicesto commercial insurers and self-insurers, employers, providers, hospitals and healthcare systems, government agencies, researchers and others. Certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a national Qualified Entity, FAIR Health also receives data representing the experience of all individuals enrolled in traditional Medicare Parts A, B and D; FAIR Health includes among the private claims data in its database, data on Medicare Advantage enrollees. FAIR Health can produce insightful analytic reports and data products based on combined Medicare and commercial claims data for government, providers, payors and other authorized users. FAIR Health's systems for processing and storing protected health information have earned HITRUST CSF certification and achieved AICPA SOC 2 compliance by meeting the rigorous data security requirements of these standards. As a testament to the reliability and objectivity of FAIR Health data, the data have been incorporated in statutes and regulations around the country and designated as the official, neutral data source for a variety of state health programs, including workers' compensation and personal injury protection (PIP) programs. FAIR Health data serve as an official reference point in support of certain state balance billing laws that protect consumers against bills for surprise out-of-network and emergency services. FAIR Health also uses its database to power a free consumer website available in English and Spanish and an English/Spanish mobile app, which enable consumers to estimate and plan for their healthcare expenditures and offer a rich educational platform on health insurance. The website has been honored by the White House Summit on Smart Disclosure, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), URAC, the eHealthcare Leadership Awards, appPicker, Employee Benefit News and Kiplinger's Personal Finance. FAIR Health also is named a top resource for patients in Dr. Marty Makary's book The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Careand How to Fix It and Elisabeth Rosenthal's book An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. For more information on FAIR Health, visit fairhealth.org.

Contact:

Rachel Kent

Senior Director of Marketing, Outreach and Communications

FAIR Health

646-396-0795

[email protected]

1 CPT  2020 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.

2 An E&M is a patient-provider visit, such as for an examination, to diagnose illness or to determine or manage treatment. Professional E&Ms are typically done in a professional setting, such as a doctor's office, while hospital E&Ms are done in a hospital setting.

SOURCE FAIR Health

Related Links

www.fairhealth.org


The state Superior Court upheld a Philadelphia judges ruling that overturned a nearly $3 million verdict in a suicide case, agreeing a Scranton attorney engaged in misconduct and failed to present sufficient evidence to support the jurys finding.

The court said evidence clearly supported Judge Sean Kennedys finding that Bethany Childrens Home in Berks County was not negligent in connection with the 2015 death of 16-year-old Carly Long, a resident at the center.

The court also declined to review Scranton attorney Michael Pisanchyns challenge to Kennedys finding that his conduct unfairly tainted the jury, saying the issue was moot since Kennedy ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the verdict.

Pisanchyn filed suit on behalf of Longs father, Calvin, alleging Bethany failed to properly monitor his daughter, who fled from the facility and committed suicide by jumping in front of a train in Heidelberg Twp., Berks County. A jury awarded Long $2,925,000 in April 2019.

Kennedy overturned the verdict in November 2019, finding the home did not violate procedures regarding the monitoring of its residents. In his ruling, he also blasted Pisanchyn for rampant attempts at introducing improper testimony, including engaging in a line of questioning that implied the home put profits before safety despite repeated warnings that the questions were improper.

The continued and deliberate conduct by plaintiffs counsel  despite numerous warnings by the trial court  served no other purpose than to infect the jury, Kennedy said.

In its ruling, the Superior Court said Kennedy properly analyzed the evidence in reaching his decision. It also said its review of the record supported Kennedys finding that Pisanchyn engaged in pervasive misconduct.

Attempts to reach Pisanchyn for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful.
Reuters/Hollie Adams

Last summer, after George Floyds killing sparked mass anti-racism demonstrations around the globe, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked a dedicated team to investigate and report back on racism in the U.K.. On Wednesday, they came back with their findingsthat institutional racism no longer exists, and that the slave trade had some upsides.

The report, published by the British governments Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, has been branded as gaslighting and an insult by anti-racism activists. While the study went as far as admitting that Britain is not yet a post-racial country, it lauds the countrys race relations as a model for other white-majority countries.

Put simply, we no longer see a Britain where the system is deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities, it says. The impediments and disparities do exist, they are varied, and ironically very few of them are directly to do with racism. Too often racism is the catch-all explanation, and can be simply implicitly accepted rather than explicitly examined.

The report went on to say that other factorssuch as geography, socio-economic background, culture, family influence, and religionhad more significant impact on life chances than the existence of racism.

Queen to Appoint Royal Diversity Czar After Meghan and Harrys Racism Accusation

Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Today show on Wednesday, the chairman of the commission, Dr Tony Sewell, explained his questionable findings further, saying: No-one denies and no-one is saying racism doesn't exist... We found anecdotal evidence of this. However, evidence of actual institutional racism? No, that wasnt there, we didnt find that.

Perhaps the low point of the report is when it appears to find some benefits of the African slave tradean atrocity in which Britain very much led the way. The government report chirpily states: There is a new story about the Caribbean experience which speaks to the slave period not only being about profit and suffering but how culturally African people transformed themselves into a re-modelled African/Britain.

Story continues

The report also criticized anti-racism campaigners, dismissing Black Lives Matter and related demonstrations as the idealism of well-intentioned young people that risks alienating the decent centre ground of British politics. The commission condemned what it described as an increasingly strident form of anti-racism thinking that seeks to explain all minority disadvantage through the prism of white discrimination.

The report has, predictably, received an extremely bad reaction from anti-racism advocates. Rehana Azam, the national secretary of the GMB trade union, said: Only this government could produce a report on race in the 21st century that actually gaslights Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic people and communities. This feels like a deeply cynical report that not only ignores Black and ethnic minority workers worries, but is part of an election strategy to divide working class people and voters.

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David Lammy, a lawmaker for the opposition Labour Party and shadow Justice Secretary, described the report as an insult to anybody and everybody across this country who experiences institutional racism. He added: Boris Johnson has just slammed the door in their faces by telling them that theyre idealists, they are wasting their time. He has let an entire generation of young white and Black British people down.

Prof Kehinde Andrews, a professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, said: Its complete nonsense. It goes in the face of all the actual existing evidence. This is not a genuine effort to understand racism in Britain. This is a PR move to pretend the problem doesnt exist.

To make matters worse, HuffPost reported that selected journalists were not briefed about the report in advanceincluding Britains only race correspondent, The Independents Nadine White. White was sent an email showing that the commission asked for briefings on their report on racial disparities be sent to a tight list of journos only.

Institutional racism in Britain has been under the spotlight in recent weeks after Prince Harry and Meghan Markles allegation that the royal family expressed concerns about how dark their babys skin would be. Harry said racism in the British media was a large part of why he left the country, adding: Unfortunately, if the source of information is inherently corrupt or racist or biased, then that filters out to the rest of society.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Sir John Gillen holds a copy of the Gillen Review report into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland, in which he has made 16 key recommendations following a review of how the legal system handles complaints of sexual offences (Liam McBurney/PA)

A pilot scheme to offer free legal advice to victims of sexual offences has been announced.

The move comes after the Gillen Review into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences.

The review, led by former Lord Justice of Appeal, the Right Honourable Sir John Gillen, recommended free advice for victims of such offences.

Expand Close A view of the Gillen Review Report by Sir John Gillen into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A view of the Gillen Review Report by Sir John Gillen into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA)

From April 1, adult complainants will have access to fully qualified Sexual Offences Legal Advisers (SOLAs) through a pilot scheme delivered through the charity Victim Support NI, in both its Belfast and Foyle hubs.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said her department wanted to do everything in its power to support victims.

Cases involving sexual crime are some of the most intrusive and difficult for victims to endure, she said.

We want to do everything in our power to support victims of these crimes through every stage of their journey through the justice system.

The launch of this pilot marks an important step towards the delivery of better outcomes in these cases, ensuring that victims understand their rights and can make informed decisions.

I am proud that Northern Ireland is the first region in the UK to offer this level of service to victims of serious sexual offences Justice Minister Naomi Long

Advice is set to be provided in relation to the disclosure of evidence including medical records, counselling records and personal digital information, such as mobile phone records.

Specific legal advice will also be provided in relation to the disclosure of previous sexual history and ensure that clients interests and wishes are communicated.

This pilot scheme is available to adult complainants only and will run for an initial two-year period.

The Department of Justice said it will be the first of its kind in the UK.

Ms Long added: I am proud that Northern Ireland is the first region in the UK to offer this level of service to victims of serious sexual offences.

I want to again thank colleagues across partner organisations for their efforts to take action to address the issues raised in the Gillen Review to date, and for engaging with my department to develop this pilot.

This pilot is about recognising the impact that the criminal justice system can have on complainants and providing a service that will enhance their confidence and support them in navigating through it.

Geraldine Hanna, the chief executive of Victim Support NI, welcomed the scheme.

Victim Support NI is delighted to be piloting the use of sexual offence legal advisers, she said.

This is a key recommendation from the Gillen Review and will help to protect the rights and interests of victims in these cases who very often feel side-lined and further harmed by the court process.

This service will help increase the confidence of victims coming forward to report sexual violence as they can now receive free, independent legal advice regarding their rights in the process.
Ukraine to ban import of wheat, sunflower oil, detergents, paper from Russia from April

The Cabinet of Ministers has supplemented the list of goods originating from the Russian Federation, prohibited for import into Ukraine, with wheat, sunflower oil, detergents, and paper.

Government resolution No. 269 dated March 29, 2021 was published on Wednesday on the government portal.

According to the document, the list of prohibited goods was also replenished with surfactants, newsprint, cardboard, kraft paper and kraft cardboard, toilet paper, cosmetic napkins, hand towels, tablecloths and napkins.

The list also includes containers, boxes, bags, packing bags, ropes made of other alloy steels, drilling tools, other trolleys and undercarriage balancing trolleys, axles, wheels and their parts, according to the resolution.

The resolution comes into force ten days after its publication.
Amaravati, March 31 : It was a red-letter day for 711 Andhra Pradesh government employees who hail from Telangana, as Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday gave his nod for relieving them.

The employees were allotted to Andhra Pradesh as per the guidelines drafted for the state's bifurcation, and were working here but wished to return to Telangana.

A delegation of AP Government Telangana Native Employees called on the Chief Minister at his camp office here on Wednesday and requested the latter to relieve them from services in Andhra Pradesh so that they could join duty in Telangana.

The Chief Minister agreed to their request and extended his best wishes to the employees.

The Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh had discussed the issue previously, and had agreed to resolve the matter.
A still from body camera video shows the white 2018 Tesla pulled over by a Flagler County Sheriffs deputy. The two teenage girls in the vehicle told deputies they were traveling from Charleston to visit the father of one of the teens. Flagler County Sheriffs Office/Provided
Minister of Health of Ukraine Maksym Stepanov expects to sign contracts for the supply of another 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

"We will contract at least 15 million doses more," Stepanov said at the Cabinets meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to the minister, Ukraine will be able to receive vaccines by the end of this year. Stepanov said that these supplies would allow to vaccinate the majority of the adult population.

In April-May, Ukraine should receive 4.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

On March 30, 18,668 people had received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Since the start of the vaccination campaign, 231,566 people have been vaccinated, of whom two people completed vaccination (received two doses).

Ukraine started COVID-19 vaccination campaign on February 24, 2021. It will take place in five stages. At the first stage, the medical staff of hospitals designated for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, ambulance crews, staff of laboratories that perform COVID-19 testing, residents and staff of nursing homes and the military at the front will be vaccinated. All vaccinations are voluntary and free of charge.

To date, Ukraine has received 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India. This vaccine was approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). Permission to use it was also granted by the United Kingdom, the European Union and India. The vaccine was registered in Ukraine on February 22, 2021.

Moreover, 215,000 doses of CoronaVac vaccine produced by the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech arrived in Ukraine. Sinovac (CoronaVac) must first be tested by the Ministry of Health laboratories. It is also in the final stages of being approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use. The vaccine was registered in Ukraine on March 9, 2021.

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The real estate firm of Dang Thanh Tam has attracted $1.2 billion worth of investments into its IZs within a short time, projecting a profit increase of 6-7 times in 2021 amid continued foreign capital inflow.

Dang Thanh Tam of Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation

Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation (KBC) has revealed an ambitious business plan with the expected total revenue of VND6.6 trillion in 2021 and the profit of VND2 trillion, or 6-7 times higher than 2020.

This is the highest profit the firm of the industrial real estate tycoon has ever planned. The plan was created after KBC attracted $1.2 billion worth of FDI, or 50 percent of the countrys total capital, into its IZs, including Quang Chau in Bac Giang and Trang Due in Hai Phong.

Foreign capital keeps flowing into Vietnam which will bring big benefits to businesses and workers.

Reuters reported that Foxconn will invest $700 million more in Vietnam in 2021. One of Foxconns key projects is Fukang technology complex, worth $270 million, located in Bac Giang province, developed by Foxconn Singapore Pte.

The plant is expected to put out 8 million computers a year, including iPads and MacBooks after Apple Inc requests its vendors to relocate their production lines out of China.

According to KBC, Foxconn plans to relocate its MacBook and iPad production lines to Quang Chau IZ in Vietnam.

Analysts say that Vietnam was the "center of the world" in 2020 with FDI reaching $28.53 billion, equal to 75 percent of 2019 and implemented capital reaching 19.98 percent, equal to 98 percent.

Asia continued to have the highest FDI in Vietnam in 2020, led by Singapore, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

This reflects supply chain restructuring. Industrial real estate in Vietnam has become one of the most attractive business fields in the eyes of investors.

Foreign investors continue to pour their money into KBC. Dragon Capital has bought an additional 1 million KBC shares. The transaction has raised Dragon Capitals ownership proportion to over 10 percent, with 47 million shares.

Since the beginning of the year, foreign investment funds have collected 23 million shares and become big shareholders. During that time, KBC price soared from VND16,000 per share to VND38,000.

Tams KBC now has a great opportunity to make a strong rise after one year of difficulty with big loans and a sharp yearly profit decrease.

In 2020, KBC reported debts payable increasing by twofold from VND6.052 tirllion in late 2019 to VND12.94 trillion in late 2020. Of this, short-term debts increased by 50 percent and long-term debts soared by VND3 trillion just within 2020.

V. Ha

Industrial real estate is bright spot in 2020 market The industrial market is the only real estate sector that has enjoyed positive progress in both rental rates and occupancy rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for the long-sought Gateway Tunnel to carry Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains under the Hudson River will be part of President Joe Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure proposal, NJ Advance Media has learned.

The plan includes fully funding a backlog of major projects along the Northeast Corridor, including Gateway, according to an administration official. The proposal includes $80 billion for Amtrak and federal railroad grant and loan programs, according to an administration fact sheet.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity in advance of Bidens scheduled speech Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where he will announce a massive eight-year program to build and repair roads and bridges, improve public transportation, expand broadband, and install a nationwide network of charging stations to encourage a shift to electric cars from gas-powered vehicles.

New Jersey and New York officials have long sought federal help to build the new tunnel so the existing tubes can be closed to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

Bidens second massive spending plan, which another administration official said would create millions of new jobs, would follow his $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus law that included $1,400 direct payments to most Americans.

The twin programs are designed to boost the U.S. economy as the country slowly reopens after the coronavirus pandemic shut down businesses and workplaces and forced Americans to isolate indoors.

The latest proposal will include $115 billion for roads and bridges, including efforts to reduce congestion; $85 billion for public transit; $174 billion for electric vehicles; $25 billion for airports; and $300 billion to expand manufacturing.

In addition, $50 billion will be spent to make infrastructure more resilient to climate change, including projects in disadvantaged communities; $100 billion on high-speed internet; $213 billion on affordable housing; and $45 billion to replace all lead water pipes. Several cities in New Jersey, most notably Newark, found high levels of lead in their drinking water.

Theres also $5 billion for brownfield and Superfund sites. New Jersey has more Superfund sites than any other state.

Biden plans to pay for his program by rolling back some of the corporate tax cuts enacted by President Donald Trump in his 2017 law, including raising the tax rate to 28% from 21% .

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While former President Donald Trump opposed Gateway, even threatening to shut down the federal government at one point rather provide federal support, Biden endorsed the project during his successful presidential campaign and has indicated since taking office that his administration would help fund it.

Just last week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told the House Transportation Committee that the administration was moving ahead on approving the project, starting with completing a required environmental impact statement that was due three years ago.

And the Federal Transit Administration in February, reversing a Trump administration ruling, said states could use U.S. government loans that they have to repay to cover the local share of a project involving federally funds.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @JDSalant.

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Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Vietnams newly-elected National Assembly chair is scheduled to take the oath of office during the legislatures 11th sitting in Hanoi on Wednesday morning.

-- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh had an online conversation with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on Tuesday to discuss issues related to climate change.

COVID-19 Updates

-- No COVID-19 cases were reported in Vietnam on Wednesday morning, while more than 48,200 people have received COVID-19 vaccination so far in the country. The COVID-19 tally stood at 2,594, with 2,359 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

Society

-- An inferno engulfed a parking lot managed by traffic police officers in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday night. There were no casualties reported but many motorbikes were burned down.

-- A 13-year-old girl from the Mekong Delta province of Long An attempted to commit suicide by drinking insecticide after she was boycotted and cyberbullied by her classmates.

-- A 23-year-old man was sentenced to death on Tuesday for possessing and trading nearly four kilograms of crystal meth in the north-central province of Ha Tinh. He was also condemned to 18 years in prison for offering a VND3 billion (US$129,900) bribe to police officers.

-- The Ministry of Public Security confirmed on Tuesday it had broken up an online gambling ring worth more than VND400 billion ($17.3 million) and arrested 15 suspects.

-- Police in the northern province of Lang Son said on Tuesday they had initiated legal proceedings against a 72-year-old woman for growing over 600 cannabis trees at her sons house.

-- Three defendants from the south-central province of Khanh Hoa have been sentenced to five to nine years in jail for making, storing, distributing, or disseminating information, documents, and items against the state, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Business

-- Vietnams state budget revenue managed by tax agencies was estimated at VND347.34 trillion VND ($15 billion) in the first quarter of 2021, equal to 31.1 percent of the target and down 1.2 percent year-on-year, according to the General Department of Taxation.

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The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday fixed June 9 to rule in admissibility of evidence in the suit filed against a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and five others.

The former SGF is facing trial alongside his younger brother, Hamidu, a director of Rholavision Engineering Limited for alleged fraud involving N544 million grass-cutting contract.

Others charged are an employee of the company, Suleiman Abubakar; Managing Director of Josmon Technologies Limited, Apeh Monday, Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd.

The judge, Charles Agbaza, adjourned the matter for ruling on the objection by the defendants counsel to the admissibility of documents tendered by the prosecution witness, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Prosecution witness testimony

The prosecutions third witness, Fatima Umar, who is a deputy head of Digital Forensic Laboratory with the EFCC,was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Offen Uket.

The witness said part of her job function was to identify, observe, collect and analyse data based on proven technical methodology.

Ms Umar further said that she also served as expert witness who gave data generated through automated processes to investigators to aid and serve as first responder to locate potential storage in crime scene.

In addition, she said she had been a Digital Forensic expert for seven years, adding that she was qualified and certified to be able to give evidence and write reports.

She said she received a request letter to carry out a digital examination on an IPhone 7.

The prosecutor, Mr Uket, thereafter proceeded to ask some questions bordering on who sent the request letter, who the phone belonged to, the condition of the phone when she received it, how she went about retrieving and extracting data from the said phone.

Ms Umar explained that the processes of retrieving the information involved manual, digital and physical extractions.

She also said the investigator, Ibrahim Salihu, gave her key words to search for like SGF, Abia, Abdullahi and some other words.

In the process of my search, I came across a contact saved as SGF, she said.

The witness said the nature of data extracted from the phone were messages exchanged between the owner of the phone, Musa Bulani, and a contact saved as SGF.

She equally said the data extracted from the phone was analysed, burnt into a compact disk ( CD), printed into a hard copy using an HP printer, and a report was written.

Mr Uket then led her to mention the documents she wanted to tender in evidence as; the request letter, burnt CD, print-out ( hard copy) and the EFCCs forensic report.

Objection

The first defendants counsel, Akin Olujinmi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the court to reject the items except the request letter dated March 8, 2018.

He said the witness extracted the information from the phone which meant the extracted print-out was not the original source, rather the phone which was not before the court.

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He added that the extraction was a public document as it was extracted by the witness in the cause of performing her official duty as a forensic analyst.

He therefore said that as a secondary evidence which was permissible to be tendered in evidence, it ought to have been signed as a certified True Copy ( CTC).

The counsel further argued that the extraction which was a computer-generated document by virtue of section 84 of the Evidence Act (2011); thus it should have fulfilled the four conditions stipulated by the section.

He said one of the conditions was that the document ought to have been accompanied by a certificate.

We recall that when this witness testified, she never claimed to have had any connection with that phone beyond when it was sent to her to analyse, the defence lawyer said.

He concluded by urging the court to reject the documents tendered by prosecution as evidence.

John Itodo, counsel for the second defendant, Napoleon Idenala, counsel for the third defendant, Ocholi Okutepa, counsel for the fourth and sixth defendant, M. E Oru, counsel for the fifth defendant, all aligned themselves with Mr Olujimis submission.

The judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter till June 9, to rule the admissibility of the documents.

Charges

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the defendants were first arraigned before Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on February 13, 2019, however the case had to be transferred to Mr Agbaza following Mr Okekes death.

This development led to the re-arraignment of the defendants on November 30, 2020, on 10 amended count charges bordering on fraud, criminal conspiracy diversion of over N544 million belonging to the Federal Government.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants committed the offence when Mr Lawal was the SGF.

The anti-graft agency alleged that he allegedly awarded contracts to these companies in which he had interests.

(NAN)
Some industrial zones are suffering from a lack of tenants. Photo: Le Toan

Several industrial zones (IZs) across Vietnam stand under-occupied and under-utilised, such as Du Long and Phuoc Nam IZ located in Ninh Thuan province, Cai Lan IZ in Quang Ninh province and Trung Thanh IZ in Thai Nguyen province.

The lack of tenants in many of the countrys newer IZs is caused by slapdash development to capitalise on Vietnams much-improved global trade position, said Nguyen Tran Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Real Estate Association (VNREA). He explained that localities and developers heedlessly racing to construct IZs have often forgotten to carefully study their location or create unique advantages for tenants.

Coupled with the general trend of rising rents for industrial property, subpar IZs which are far removed from key transport infrastructure or were designed with weak internal infrastructure are drawing little attention from investors.

At the same time, authorities have been taking more stringent action regarding the many IZs that have been delayed for years due to weak developers or a bad location.

For instance, Chairman of Quang Nam Peoples Committee Le Tri Thanh has warned Tam Anh 1 IZ invested by Chu Lai Float Glass JSC to have the project revoked if they cannot prove their capacity to continue implementation. The project was supposed to be put into operation in the first quarter of 2020 but to this day remains in the stage of land clearance and compensation. Unless material progress is reported soon, the chairman said, Tam Anh 1 IZ would be handed over to a new investor.

Also, at the end of 2020, Thai Binh province suggested reducing the area of two IZs which were unable to attract investors. The two 200-hectare projects are Phuc Khanh IZ and Song Tra IZ and would be reduced to 159 and 150 hectares, respectively.

According to Nguyen Tran Nam from the VNREA, some of these IZs are failing entirely due to the incapability of the developers. Currently, industrial parks are doing brisk business due to the gold rush of foreign investors flocking to Vietnam. When supply is far below demand, there can be no other reasons for their failure, Nam said.

He added that industrial property will see a great deal of business in Vietnam as the country had recently expanded its multi-national trade agreements with some of the largest deals in history. However, he added that many industrial zones are of a small scale with un-finished infrastructure, making it difficult to attract strategic enterprises and supportive manufacturers.

To solve this problem the government must be very careful in choosing investors and developers who are capable of financing their projects, from land compensation to implementation, Nam said.

Reviewing the land fund reserved for the construction of IZs to the end of 2020, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said that industrial projects were implemented on 20,500ha less land area than planned.

Before that, to receive the relocation wave of manufacturing companies to Vietnam, in July 2020, the government had permitted to add more than 10,800ha of land to the IZ development fund.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, at the end of 2020, there were 373 IZs set up nationwide with the total land area of 114,400ha, accounting for 56.9 per cent of the total allocated for industrial property development. These included 280 zones already in operation and 93 others under construction.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday invited Tajikistan to benefit from Pakistan's Gwadar port as the shortest trade route to Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa

DUSHANBE (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Mar, 2021 ) Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday invited Tajikistan to benefit from Pakistan's Gwadar port as the shortest trade route to Southeast Asia, middle East and Africa.

In a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Sirajuddin Mehruddin here at Tajikistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qureshi emphasized on tapping the immense trade potential existing between the two countries.

Qureshi said Gwadar and Pakistan's other seaports could help boost bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

He said Pakistan and Tajikistan enjoyed fraternal relations based on common religious and cultural values.

He congratulated the Tajik foreign minister on successful hosting of 9th Heart of Asia Istanbul Process Conference.

The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over the nature of bilateral relations and reiterated their commitment to further strengthen it.

Both stressed the need to strengthen and activate institutional mechanisms between their governments, such as Joint Ministerial Commission and Joint Working Groups.

The two sides hoped that the holding of the fifth Bilateral Political Consultative Meeting between Pakistan and Tajikistan would pave the way for the promotion of cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Earlier, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirajuddin Meharuddin warmly welcomed Foreign Minister Qureshi and his delegation including Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood and Pakistan's Ambassador to Tajikistan Imran Haider and senior officials of the Pakistani embassy.

The two foreign ministers led delegation-level talks between their respective delegations that focused on various issues of mutual interest including bilateral relations and bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Minnesota is getting shots into arms faster than ever before as eligibility expands to all Minnesotans 16 and older.

Hy-Vee in Rochester already has teenagers signed up to receive their vaccines although the store says most of the appointments are scheduled for later this week into next week.

The pharmacy is able to vaccinate around 100 people at each of their locations every day.

Patient Tim Pike received his first shot of Pfizer today. When asked if hed recommend the shot to other people he responded, Most definitely. I didn't hardly even feel it. She did a great job!

If you are interested in getting vaccinated at Hy-Vee you can schedule your appointment online by clicking here.
Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: March 31 2021

New Yorks weekly unemployment claims increased by 227.19% compared to the same week in 2019.

New York is having a somewhat successful recovery from new unemployment claims, with last weeks claims lower than at the start of 2020, according to WalletHubs updated rankings for the States Whose Unemployment Claims Are Recovering the Quickest.

Key Stats:

New Yorks weekly unemployment claims increased by 227.19% compared to the same week in 2019. This was the 21st biggest increase in the U.S.

New Yorks weekly unemployment claims decreased by 7.46% compared to the start of 2020. This was the 10th biggest decrease in the U.S.

New Yorks weekly unemployment claims decreased by 48.12% compared to the same week last year. This was the 7th smallest decrease in the U.S.

Q&A

Should we expect Easter spending to impact unemployment?

Easter spending will help reduce unemployment, as Easter is typically one of the biggest holidays for spending during the year. As a result, businesses should see an uptick in revenue, which could help them hire more, said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. While the COVID-19 pandemic will affect how much people spend this Easter, the encouraging news is that 47% fewer people say their spending plans are impacted this year compared to last year, according to a recent WalletHub survey.

Do you expect companies to require getting the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition for employment?

It is likely that some companies will require getting the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition for employment, with obvious exemptions for people who are medically unable to receive it, said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. Companies should be able to have a COVID-19 vaccine requirement because they need to do everything in their power to keep their workers and customers safe. In addition, the more companies that require employees to get a vaccine, the faster we will be able to achieve a full reopening.

How might a states efficiency at administering the COVID-19 vaccine affect unemployment?

States that are able to more efficiently vaccinate their residents will likely see better job growth than states that are less efficient. The more a state vaccinates, the safer conditions in that state will become and the sooner businesses will be able to fully reopen and have the resources to expand hiring, said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. Currently, some places are far more efficient than others. For example, North Dakota has used 88% of its vaccine supply, while Alabama has only used 64%.

How do red states and blue states compare when it comes to recovery?

With an average rank of 25 among the most recovered states, blue states had a better recovery from unemployment claims last week than red states, which rank 27 on average, said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. The lower the number of the ranking, the bigger the states recovery was.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- Dony Mask has taken a big step towards distribution in KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain markets with its exclusive new agent DONY MASKS FOR PARA PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS TRADING.



Dony Mask also has Exclusive Distributors in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Malaysia, Canada.



Dony Garment Company, a subsidiary of Dony International Corporation, has been one of the largest manufacturers of workwear, uniforms, and casual clothing in Vietnam since 2009. Last year, it responded to the Covid-19 pandemic with Dony Masks that have become synonymous with impeccable quality.



These masks are created to meet global standards for exports and use. Moreover its design keeps users' convenience in mind. As the strap of Dony Mask extends to 270% of the original length, they reduce any discomfort caused to users. These marks also retain their 99% anti-bacterial properties even after 60 washes.



Dony Mask are three layered and extremely skin friendly. Some of its user smart features include nose clips and adjustable earloops. They purify air from dust, pollen and also offer 99.95% UV protection. But at the same time they are sleek and stylish available in many cool colors for users.



The fact that these masks are reusable has added to their popularity as there is a growing emphasis on eco friendly products. People can save the hassle of disposable masks and good amounts too while doing the right thing for the planet. It's not surprising then that Dony Masks are being sold widely all over the world.



Spotting the huge potential of these masks many sellers have come forward to distribute them. DONY MASKS FOR PARA PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS TRADING is one such name, which will take Dony Masks to KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain markets.



Finished units are shipped in medical packaging. They can be sterilized with EO gas technology that is commonly used for medical supplies. An indicator strips shows the wearer if the mask has been sterilized. This commitment to quality enables DONY to export the masks to demanding countries like USA and destinations in Europe.



That is why Dony Mask confidently competes with leading competitors such as Shanghai Dasheng, Kimberly-Clark, BDS, Gerson, Halyard Healthcare, SAS Safety Corp, Honeywell, Irema, KOWA, 3M, McKesson, MolnlyckeHealth, CM, Sinotextiles , DACH, Te Yin, Hakugen, Uvex, Ohlone Press LLC (Vogmask), AirPop, idMASK, Cambridge Mask, Debrief Me Holdings LLC, Moldex-Metric, Teflex Gasket Company Limited.



"This year, we have found that many international buyers are seeking new suppliers based in nations outside of China to purchase many goods and products, including reusable cloth face mask and protective clothing.



At Dony Garment, we are proud to welcome international customers, especially those based in the US, the Middle East, and the EU market to discover our professional line of products which are manufactured in our factory in Vietnam, especially our new products for COVID-19. We guarantee our products are of the highest quality, an affordable cost, and easy to transport across the world."  Henry Pham, CEO of Dony Garment Company.



In the evening of 5th June 2020, Dony Garment Company and other Vietnamese enterprises have donated medical supplies to the US"s people.



At the Ceremony of Offering Medical Materials to the United States, Dony presented 100,000 reusable antibacterial community masks worth more than VND 10.5 billion. Overcoming many businesses that have signed up to give antibacterial masks, through testing, only Dony Mask has met the quality standards for use in the US.



It's a big honor for Dony. Dony Mask is the only available reusable face mask that successfully passes through multiple quality checks, to be accepted for use in the U.S finally.



Mr. Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. Ambassador in Vietnam has extended his heartfelt gratitude and confirmed that Operation USA Organization which based in Los Angeles, USA will distribute these medical supplies to needed places such as California, New York, etc.



About Dony Garment Company

Established in 2009, the Dony Garment Company, a subsidiary of Dony International Corporation - One of the largest manufacturers in Vietnam for making workwear, uniforms, and casual clothing. In 2020, DONY responded to the Covid-19 crisis by pivoting its activity to the manufacture of PPE and exportation around the world including America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.



Media Contact



Mr. Henry Pham

Phone: +84985310123

Email: quanganh@dony.vn

URL: https://garment.dony.vn/
As part of its commitment to support the development of Nigeria's agricultural ecosystem, OCP Africa has partnered with research institutions in the country to enhance wheat production by developing a specialised fertilizer.

The organisation in a statement said the partnership with the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), the institute with the mandate to improve wheat production in Nigeria; the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T)- the institute with the mandate on soil fertility; and the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, BUK- the Centre of Excellence for dryland agriculture, would proffer solutions that would increase wheat production in the country astronomically from the 2 percent being struggled to be produced.

OCP Africa, Nigeria Country Manager, Caleb Usoh, disclosed this at a two-day workshop organised to mark the commencement of the project, with the theme: "Soil Mapping and Fertility Evaluation for Formulation and Validation of Wheat specific Fertilizer in Nigeria," held in Kaduna.

Usoh, represented by the Business Development Manager, Akin Akiwande, said they took the mandate to grow local wheat production after the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture beckoned on it in 2020 for assistance with soil testing.

"This subsequently led to the development of bespoke fertilizer for about 142,000 hectares cleared for wheat production in the Birnin Gwari area of the state," he added.

He also stated they felt challenged because of the enormity of work involved, noting that wheat production was faced with several problems which include poor access to improved seed varieties, inappropriate fertilizers and agrochemicals, poor irrigation systems and others.

Usoh further explained that as part of the strategy to develop the nation's agriculture ecosystem, the company urged their research partners to respond to the call with them.

He appealed to stakeholders in agriculture, governments, donor, developmental agencies, farmers, and the farming community to support the laudable project that requires collective efforts to achieve the desired result.

In his paper presentation on the status of, "Wheat Research and Production in Nigeria," Executive Director at LCRI, Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji, said Nigeria requires 5.1 million tons of wheat grain annually, but presently produces only 300,000 metric tonnes (2017) "and thus depend on imports to meet the huge deficit."

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He added: "Nigeria spends about $4.7 billion annually importing wheat before the advent of wheat value chain in 2013 and support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops (SARD-SC) in Africa funded by African Development Bank.

"The intervention of these projects in 12 states of Nigeria, which included: Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Gombe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Plateau reduced the importation of wheat by 30 per cent in 2017.

"Wheat consumption in Nigeria is bound to increase from the present import level of $5.1billion between now and year 2050 due to growing population especially at the urban cities if proactive actions are not taken."

In her remarks, the Executive Director, Institute of Agric Research and Training (IAR &T), Prof. Veronica Obatolu, said for any successful agriculture, one needs to take care of the soil because soil is the bedrock for increasing yield.
Detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit were carrying out the operation.

A PSNI operation into dissident republican activity has seen a number of items taken away by the police for examination, as the force confirmed the operation had concluded.

The searches in North Lurgan, Irvinestown and Castlederg took place on Tuesday morning, after the PSNI confirmed detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit were carrying out the operation.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the PSNI said: "Searches in North Lurgan, Irvinestown and Castlederg carried out by Detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit as part of an ongoing operation into the activities of the Continuity IRA have concluded.

"A number of items have been taken away for examination."
Heidi Riello, left, and Susan Birns, members of the Berkshire County Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force, place images from activist-artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh around Park Square on Wednesday. The installation is part of the 'One Book, One Community' awareness event. PreviousNext

Readings, Art Installations Planned During Sexual Assault Awareness Month

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and local advocates are addressing a form of violence that most women have faced: street harassment.

The Berkshire Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force's annual "One Book, One Community" event will include public art exhibitions from activist-artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh to accompany countywide group readings of her book "Stop Telling Women to Smile: Stories of Street Harassment and How We're Taking Back Our Power."

The displays will be installed in Park Square and in front of North Adams City Hall beginning this week and at Castronova Park and Town Hall in Great Barrington from April 11-24.

"A lot of people dismiss street harassment as if it wasn't a serious form of violence against women, but it really is," planning committee co-chair Susan Birns said.

"And it is because it has an implicit threat of violence all of the time, even when an actual incident isn't violent, you don't ever know when it's going to escalate. And it's psychological violence and it's menacing, and that's why people do it and it's almost universal, between 80 and 90-plus percent of women globally, have had the experience."

About two dozen groups around Berkshire County will be reading and discussing Fazlalizadeh's book that tackles the issue of street harassment with an emphasis on, but not exclusive to, women from marginalized groups. This year's event has three parts to it: a book read, an art exhibit, and a webinar with Fazlalizadeh on April 29 that is free and open to the public.

Fazlalizadeh is a visual artist who attended art school in Philadelphia, which is where she became aware of the strong presence of street harassment in women's lives. Upon moving to New York City, she became tired of the harassers and wrote the "Stop Telling Women To Smile" book that includes 40 portraits of women affected by this kind of harassment.

To create the pieces, Fazlalizadeh interviews women and asks "what would you like to say to your harasser?" She then uses the women's responses as a caption under pencil sketches that she draws of interviewees. These images can be easily shared and blown up. They have been featured on building facades and in public spaces all over the country and internationally.

Some of the women's responses include:

"Let women walk in peace."

"Not an exotic fantasy."

"You want to sexualize me while I just want to live my life."

"You are not entitled to my space."

"I am not here for you."

There will be 10 portraits from the project displayed throughout the Berkshires on lawn posts that are similar to political signs. Park Square will display 30 of Fazlalizadeh's works and will be the largest display.

The Beacon Cinema will also showcase posters of her artwork in its windows.

"One of the things that's interesting is women are so often  when it comes to sexual assaults of all types  are blamed for it. A lot of the reasons women don't prosecute rapists is because when they go into court, they're often blamed for how they were dressed, why were they walking alone in a known bad part of town. Why were they out late at night by themselves," Birns said.

"But to show that it really isn't a function of how we dress, women in burkas who are covered in cloth from the top of their head to their ankles with only their eyes exposed still get harassed on the street, so it's not about what we do, it's about power and control and humiliation and it's not a compliment."

North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard is an active member of the Berkshire County Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force. He will be involved in a reading group taking place in North Adams and will be assisting with the installation of Fazlalizadeh artwork in front of the Town Hall.

The organization's 2020 "No Visible Bruises" event in conjunction with the Berkshire District Attorney's office brought nearly 500 people to the Colonial Theatre to hear author Rachel Louise Snyder speak on the subject.

Of course, COVID-19 guidelines restrict a 2021 event of this sort, but Birns hopes that the collective reading, learning, and discussion of shared experiences related to street harassment will unite people in a similar way.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 13:41:40|Editor: huaxia

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WUHAN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A cargo plane loaded with 20 tonnes of goods on Tuesday departed from Wuhan in central China for Delhi, India, marking the launch of the 11th regular international cargo route for the Chinese city.

The route is operated by India's SpiceJet, with three weekly Boeing 737 flights.

The goods transported on the route are mainly electronic products, mobile phones and accessories, and cross-border e-commerce goods, with destinations covering a number of major cities in India.

Data show that in the first three months of 2021, Hubei Airport Group saw a total international cargo and mail throughput of nearly 30,000 tonnes, showing robust recovery from the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
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Caitlin Clarkson Pereira, a former candidate from Fairfield for the state House of Representatives, drew national attention when, in 2019, she filed a lawsuit to make child care an allowable expense in Connecticuts publicly financed campaigns.

Pereira lost her race but won her lawsuit against the State Elections Enforcement Commission, which had turned down her request. Still, she and her supporters, including Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, said the judges ruling should be codified into law.

This week, the General Assemblys Government Administration and Elections Committee moved to do that, advancing a bill that would allow candidates to spend public campaign money on child care costs directly related to campaign activity by a vote of 15-3.

In 2018, when Pereira, a Fairfield Democrat, ran against Republican state Rep. Brenda Kupchick, she went to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, known as SEEC, for a declaratory ruling on whether public funds she received from the voluntary Citizens Election Program could be used to pay for child care for her daughter, Parker, who was 3 at the time. That would allow her to hit the campaign trail, she argued, so it should be a campaign expense.

The all-male commission said state law did not allow it. But the commission offered to work with the legislature to change the states campaign finance laws.

The debate over the bill comes as responses to the coronavirus pandemic at both the state and federal levels have focused on funding for child care as way to help women and working mothers.

Access to affordable and quality child care is critical to gender equity and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicole Sanclemente, policy and program associate for the Connecticut Womens Education and Legal Fund, said in submitted testimony. Women, especially women of color, continue to shoulder the majority of the caregiving responsibilities of their families, including child care and elder care.

The issue grabbed the attention of former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who tweeted her support in April 2019, and Ellen Weintraub, then the chair of the Federal Elections Commission.

Pereira appealed the SEECs ruling and won. A Connecticut Superior Court judge ruled in her favor last August, stating that candidates for political office in Connecticut can use public campaign funds to reimburse child care expenses as long as they are the direct result of campaign activity, that they are reasonable and customary for the services rendered and are properly documented by the campaign.

The bill advanced by the elections committee, which could now be taken up by the full General Assembly, would establish an age and spending limit for eligible child care expenses.

The proposal would apply to any child who is under thirteen years of age and for whom such candidate is the parent or legal guardian, which services are necessary as a direct result of campaign activity that would not exist but for such candidates campaign, and would limit spending to $2,000 for a candidate for state Senate and $1,000 for a state House candidate.

The next step, Pereira said, should be making sure the reimbursement process for parents is accessible and easily understandable.

By Pereiras count, 10 other states are working on similar legislation, so this is an opportunity for Connecticut to lead the way.

Bysiewicz, who chairs the Governors Council on Women and Girls, has said child care continues to be a barrier for women running for office, especially low-income mothers who cant afford outside help.

The proposal was included in a legislative package pushed for by the council, which has the support of Gov. Ned Lamont.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Federal authorities are investigating potential sex trafficking violations by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a probe that emerged from the prosecution of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, according to a report by The New York Times.

Citing three people briefed on the matter, the Times reported Tuesday that Justice Department investigators are looking into whether Gaetz, R-Fla., a close ally of former President Donald Trump, had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid for her to travel with him.

The probe of Gaetz reportedly stemmed from the investigation of Greenberg, who faces a slew of charges including sex trafficking of a child. He is currently slated to stand trial in June.

The Times report noted that many details of the Gaetz probe remain unclear, including how the congressman allegedly met the girl. The encounters allegedly occurred about two years ago and the investigation began in the final months of the Trump administration under then-Attorney General William P. Barr, the report said.

No charges have yet been brought against Gaetz. Neither the congressman nor his office could be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

But in an interview with the news website Axios, Gaetz said he had absolutely not dated underage girls.

I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women Ive dated, he said. You know, Ive paid for flights, for hotel rooms. Ive been, you know, generous as a partner. I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.

But Gaetz also claimed, in comments to the Times and Axios as well as in a thread of posts on Twitter, that he was the victim of a convoluted extortion plot by unnamed former Department of Justice officials, who he said had used threats to smear him in an attempt to extort millions of dollars.

No part of the allegations against me are true, and the people pushing these lies are targets of the ongoing extortion investigation, he said.

Greenberg resigned as tax collector in June, after he was arrested at his home by federal agents. He faces 14 charges, including allegations that he stalked a political opponent, illegally used a state database to create fake IDs and sex trafficked a minor.

Federal prosecutors charge that Greenberg used his access as an elected official to a confidential state database to look up information about a girl between the ages of 14 and 17 with whom he was engaged in a sugar daddy relationship.

Greenberg also is charged with producing a false identification document and to facilitate his efforts to engage in commercial sex acts, according to federal indictments filed with the U.S. attorneys office in August.

Several former employees told the Orlando Sentinel that Greenberg often mentioned how he and Gaetz were close friends, and that the congressman would often visit him at his Lake Mary home.

Prosecutors said in a grand jury indictment that Greenberg, as tax collector, took surrendered drivers licenses before they were shredded by office staff and created new IDs with his photograph but with the personal information of residents.

When federal agents first arrested Greenberg in the early morning of June 23 at his home in the gated Heathrow community, they said they found on the front seat of Greenbergs SUV, which belonged to the Tax Collectors Office, a backpack holding several fake IDs, according to court records. Agents also found materials used to create fake IDs at Greenbergs office at the Tax Collectors administrative office in Lake Mary.

Greenberg was released on bond after his arrest but was returned to custody March 3, when a federal magistrate ordered him back to jail for violating his 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and for leaving the Central Florida area. According to court records, Greenberg had left his Lake Mary home on Feb. 28 and drove to his mother-in-laws condominium in Jupiter to look for his wife, Abby Greenberg.

Greenberg is now in the Orange County Jail awaiting his trial scheduled for mid-June.

Gaetz, 38, of Fort Walton Beach, is serving his third term representing the western Panhandle area in Congress. A former state House member, Gaetz has been one of Trumps closest allies in Florida and was a regular on Air Force One during Trumps term.

Gaetz gained notoriety for over-the-top stunts including storming a classified impeachment hearing in 2019 and wearing a full gas mask on the floor of the House in the early days of the coronavirus epidemic in 2020. He also invited Charles Johnson, a white nationalist website operator and Holocaust denier, to Trumps State of the Union address, later claiming that he barely knew Johnson.

He also has been an active Twitter user and a hard-core Trump MAGA supporter. His bio on the site reads, Florida man. Fiance. Firebrand. America First.

Gaetz has often been a critic of members of his own party, including backing challenger Scott Franklin over incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. Ross Spano in last years primary in District 15 in Lake, Polk and Hillsborough counties and traveling to Wyoming to attack U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney after her vote to impeach Trump.

In January, Florida state Rep. Chris Latvala accused Gaetz of having created a game during his time in Tallahassee that gave out points for sleeping with aides, interns, lobbyists, and married legislators. The allegation echoed a Miami Herald story in 2015 that reported that such a game was played by younger state representatives. Gaetz denied involvement in any such game.

--

Martin E. Comas, Jeff Weiner and Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel wrote this story.

2021 Orlando Sentinel. Visit at orlandosentinel.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Luanda  The minister of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Research, Maria do Rosario Braganca, said Tuesday that the academic year will have new curricular plans in some courses.

According to the Government official, who was speaking to the press at the end of a workshop on curricular harmonisation, it is not a matter of curricular standardisation, but rather harmonising the courses so that there are no more disparities between the same courses.

The work done, said the Minister, is designed to produce an output profile for the graduate of that course that meets the needs of the labour market, and the curriculum is designed so that the competence that is desired from that graduate is acquired through that same curriculum.

" There is an organisation of the curriculum that must be done according to the curriculum standards published in a Presidential Decree of 2018. The harmonisation covers only 70 per cent of the volume of the course curriculum," the minister said.

For the remaining 30 per cent, the minister continued, each organic institution will have the freedom to put what it thinks is its brand.

"There are courses with different designations but which ultimately pursue the objective of having the same graduate, so it is important to make this alignment," she said.

The Cabinet minister explained that the work is being done with university teachers.

The Angolan government, via the Ministry for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, wants to harmonise up to 70 percent of the curricula of higher education institutions, particularly courses in the same area of knowledge, in order to improve the mobility of students and teachers across the country.

The higher education has eight public universities, seven public higher institutes and 57 private higher education institutions, including universities and polytechnics, where at least 200,000 students are enrolled.

According to the Government official, who was speaking to the press at the end of a workshop on curricular harmonisation, it is not a matter of curricular standardisation, but rather harmonising the courses so that there are no more disparities between the same courses.

The work done, said the Minister, is designed to produce an output profile for the graduate of that course that meets the needs of the labour market, and the curriculum is designed so that the competence that is desired from that graduate is acquired through that same curriculum.

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" There is an organisation of the curriculum that must be done according to the curriculum standards published in a Presidential Decree of 2018. The harmonisation covers only 70 per cent of the volume of the course curriculum," the minister said.

For the remaining 30 per cent, the minister continued, each organic institution will have the freedom to put what it thinks is its brand.

"There are courses with different designations but which ultimately pursue the objective of having the same graduate, so it is important to make this alignment," she said.

The Cabinet minister explained that the work is being done with university teachers.

The Angolan government, via the Ministry for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, wants to harmonise up to 70 percent of the curricula of higher education institutions, particularly courses in the same area of knowledge, in order to improve the mobility of students and teachers across the country.

The higher education has eight public universities, seven public higher institutes and 57 private higher education institutions, including universities and polytechnics, where at least 200,000 students are enrolled.
Online voting available

Live presentation of the AGM via web conference

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C64TbhI8S4GjScdgJCiCyA

Regulatory News:

IMPLANET (Paris:ALIMP) (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME equity savings plans), a medical technology company specializing in vertebral and knee-surgery implants, announces that its AGM will be held on May 5, 2021 behind closed doors, broadcast live via web conference, and announces the online voting procedures.

In order to ensure the safety of all, and in compliance with the health regulations issued by the government to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors decided to hold the AGM behind closed doors, without the presence of shareholders and other persons entitled to attend.

Annual General Meeting of May 5, 2021 2 pm CEST

The Annual General Meeting of May 5, 2021 at 2 pm CEST (Paris time) will be held behind closed doors, without the physical presence of shareholders or other people usually able to attend, in accordance with Ordonnance n2020-321 of March 25, 2020 extended until July 31, 2021 by decree on March 9, 2021.

This AGM will be broadcast live online, and Implanet's shareholders are invited to log in via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C64TbhI8S4GjScdgJCiCyA

This link allows shareholders to preregister for the AGM by indicating their family name, first name and email address. They will then receive confirmation of their registration and the ability to add the event to their calendar.

Shareholders will be able to follow the presentation by Implanet's senior management and to ask questions via IM on the web platform during the Q&A session, but voting during the session will not be possible, nor will they be able to propose new resolutions at the General Meeting.

Shareholders will be informed in a subsequent press release of the identity and capacity of the persons appointed to act as scrutineers.

A replay of the AGM will be available on the Company's website after the AGM.

Online and postal voting procedures

In accordance with current legislation and the AMF stock market authority's recent recommendations, Implanet's shareholders are asked to vote remotely before the AGM

Online voting is available and should be prioritized: the Votaccess secure voting platform will open on April 16, 2021.

Alternatively, you may also send in a postal vote, in accordance with the terms indicated in the convening notice published in the BALO official legal announcement journal on March 31, 2021.

The opportunity to vote or to give a proxy will end on May 4, 2021 at 3 pm CEST (Paris time).

All documents pertaining to this AGM will be made available within the statutory timeframe in the General Meeting section of the Company's website, and shareholders will be informed via a statement. For all questions about the voting procedure, please email the Investor Relations team at implanet@newcap.eu.

Should the required quorum not be met, an AGM on the second call would be held at 2 pm CEST (Paris time) on May 18, 2021, also behind closed doors.

Procedures pertaining to this AGM could be amended to comply with public health and/or legal requirements. Shareholders are invited to regularly check the General Meeting section of the Company's website and its press releases, which are also available on its website.

About Implanet

Founded in 2007, Implanet is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery. Its activity revolves around two product ranges, the latest generation JAZZ implant, designed to improve the treatment of spinal pathologies requiring vertebral fusion surgery, and the MADISON implant designed for first-line prosthetic knee surgery. Implanet's tried-and-tested orthopedic platform is based on product traceability. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ and MADISON have obtained 510(k) regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the CE mark as well as the ANVISA authorization in Brazil. Implanet employs 29 staff and recorded 2020 sales of 6.0 million. For further information, please visit www.implanet.com. Based near Bordeaux in France, Implanet established a US subsidiary in Boston in 2013. Implanet is listed on Euronext Growth market in Paris.

The Company would like to remind that the table for monitoring the equity line (OCA, OCAPI, BSA) and the number of shares outstanding, is available on its website: http://www.implanet-invest.com/suivi-des-actions-80

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005712/en/

Contacts:

IMPLANET

Ludovic Lastennet, CEO

David Dieumegard, CFO

Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 99 55 55

investors@Implanet.com

NewCap

Investor Relations

Mathilde Bohin

Nicolas Fossiez

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

Implanet@newcap.eu

NewCap

Media Relations

Nicolas Merigeau

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

Implanet@newcap.eu
Parsley Box shares fell 10 per cent on its stock market debut

Shares in over-60s food delivery business Parsley Box fell on another underwhelming debut on the London market.

The stock, trading under the ticker MEAL, listed on the junior AIM market at a price of 200p, giving the company a market value of 83.8million.

But the shares immediately fell 10 per cent before recovering to close down 7.5 per cent, or 15p, to 185p. The listing valued the stake held by husband and wife founders Adrienne and Gordon MacAulay, 52 and 54, at 6.9million.

They started Parsley Box in Edinburgh in 2017 after struggling to find cheap and easy meals for Gordons mother after she moved into a sheltered home.

Early investors include chief executive Kevin Dorren, whose stake is worth 9million, and his business partner Andrew Veitch, who has a holding of 6.7million.

Mobeus, a private equity firm that invests in small and medium-sized businesses, holds a stake worth 7.6million.

As with Deliveroo, which suffered a major drop in its first day of trading yesterday, the company allowed retail investors to take a stake.

Overall it raised 5million to fund its expansion, and 12million for selling shareholders.

Parsley has grown to 154,000 active customers and delivers 900,000 products per month. The company made 24.4million of sales in 2020.

It has a menu of over 60 dishes, all in single portions, with an average price of between 3 and 4, and also sells desserts, cakes, wines and spirits.

Dorren said: From an idea cooked up at the kitchen table to IPO in just four years is an incredible achievement.
The current favourite Punjabi track that is playing everywhere right now is Titliyaan. There is a particular line in the song that caught everyones attention that goes like Pata nahi kaunsa nasha karta hai. Well, thats exactly what was playing on my mind when I first read this piece of bizarre news. Last week, a burglar in Thailand broke into someone's house to steal some valuables but guess what was the real thing that was stolen from him? Well, his own sleep! Now when we burn out at our work desks, we often just keep away from the screen and catch a nap on the desk or like catch a wink on the bean bag nearby. However, this robber got so overwhelmed and tired during his work hours that he decided to take a nap then and there itself. The nap didnt go the way he probably thought because the housemates realised theres someone in there and police was called immediately, leading to this tired chaps arrest.



The 22-year-old man was identified as Athit Kin Khunthud, who was reportedly tirelessly looking for a house to rob on his night stroll. The tale doesnt get weird here. The weirdest and the saddest part of the story is that the house he broke into belonged to a police officer only! The officer realised that the AC in his daughters room was switched on, and on checking the room, he found an uninvited sleepover guest. As luck would have it, the team was called who eventually took this robber away. A similar incident was recorded in Andhra Pradesh, India back in September 2020 when a man found a robber sleeping in his house after he caught him snoring in a room nearby with the air conditioning on! Well, I think sleep is more precious than money, so they had their priorities on point.
WE hail President Edgar Lungu for imploring the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) to ensure that aspiring candidates who produce forged Grade-12 School certificates are prosecuted for adulterating education standards.

We share the views with the president who has acutely noted that the education system should be cleansed so that people get benefits such as employment on merit.

We also feel people aspiring for public office should at least have the basic education to enable them understand how governance works.

Here we are not asking them to be professors or doctors. All we want is at least to set a minimum educational requirement for one to hold public office.

With this observation, we feel whoever implemented the Grade 12 requirement to vie for political office in the Republic of Zambia should be commended looking at the record number of politicians who don't have this seemingly basic requirement.

We thus strongly feel these are progressive pieces of legislation and hallmarks of political excellence in our beloved country.

We say this knowing that a lot of political chaff and miscreants shall be sieved from genuine aspirants who spent some time in class learning.

Any wonder why some politicians can't articulate issues intelligently? It is simply because a good number of them are either illiterate or semi illiterates.

And yet these people have been given heavy responsibilities to be part of governance. To get educated is an involving process of acquiring concepts and values, meaning those forging qualifications are sabotaging the country taking us back to the Stone Age in reverse gear.

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The issue of Zambian politicians forging Grade 12 certificates is a serious the ECZ discovered in 2016 when it recorded numerous cases of candidates aspiring to political office being found with forged Grade 12 school certificates.

The discovery was made when the council required that aspiring candidates for the August 11 general elections must have a full grade 12 certificate inclusive of English.

The institution has reported such cases of forgery to police after identifying the owners of the documents.

The council identified numerous cases of forged certificates during the verification exercise at the service centre in Lusaka.

However, though the ECZ reported these cases to Police to make arrests, no culprit was brought to book. We are now imploring the police to take action by not only exposing the culprits, but by going further in ensuring they are prosecuted.
Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said that so far, it is too early to discuss the date of his return to the US as the consultations continue, TASS reports.

"As of today, it is too early to talk about the date [of return to Washington]. Consultations continue. Additional time will be needed to conclude the discussion in Russian ministries and agencies," Antonov said, answering a question from TASS. "When this work is done, we will determine the date of the return," he added.

On Wednesday, the ambassador met with members of the Russian Federation Council (upper chamber of parliament) committees on international affairs and security. According to him, he had a "very demanding" conversation with the senators. "We discussed the current state of Russian-US relations and tried to provide a deep analysis of the reasons why we find ourselves in the deepest crisis of relations and ties with the US," Antonov said.

He added that both Moscow and Washington are in need of good pragmatic bilateral relations. "We wont be chasing anyone. If the US wants to maintain normal relations with Russia, we will always have a positive answer. But I would like to stress that we have no time to lose. Two permanent members of the Security Council, two powers that own 90% of nuclear weapons - we need to talk, we need to think about the fate of the world and about security," Antonov said.
Rebel attacks deepen humanitarian crisis in north Mozambique View Photo

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  After nearly a week of vicious fighting, Mozambiques rebels controlled about half of the strategic town of Palma on Tuesday, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the countrys north and jeopardizing the multi-billion-dollar investment in offshore gas fields.

About 200 rebels armed with automatic rifles, machine guns, and mortars now control the part of Palma where government offices and banks are located, according to local media reports.

Thousands of residents already have fled to nearby Tanzania and south to the provincial capital of Pemba, according to international aid agencies.

More than 900,000 people in Mozambique now require food aid because of the crisis in the northern part of the country, according to the U.N. World Food Program.

It is a fast-evolving conflict situation and large numbers of people are fleeing through the bush, with nothing, nothing by the clothes on their backs, Lola Castro, the regional director for WFP told The Associated Press. This humanitarian crisis is not going away, its increasing.

Palmas streets are deserted except for sporadic gunfire from the rebels, said Lionel Dyck, director of the Dyck Advisory Group, whose helicopter gunships are helping the Mozambican police battle the insurgents.

Its actually quite dire on the ground. Its chaos because theres still no real control and there wont be control for some time, Dyck, a retired colonel in the Zimbabwean army, told the AP on Tuesday.

We are fighting the people on the ground and we are at the same time looking for stragglers, he said. As we are flying over areas, we look for people that are hiding in the bush  We can use our squirrel helicopters and go out and pick up the civilians and move them to a friendly base.

The insurgents, who are allied to the Islamic State group, also attacked a site on the Indian Ocean coast near Macomia last week, showing their reach across Cabo Delgado province, according to local media reports.

The three-year insurgency of the rebels, who are primarily disaffected young Muslim men, has taken more than 2,600 lives and displaced an estimated 670,000 people, according to the U.N.

A video posted by the Islamic State group purports to show fighters in or near Palma, but cannot be independently verified by The Associated Press.

About 50 armed fighters in a mix of camouflage uniforms, black shirts, and red headscarves are gathered for what appears to be a roll call.

Permission to kill where we are going, and Permission to cut and kill where we are going, is shouted by some men, speaking a local dialect of Swahili and Arabic.

The rebels are known locally as al-Shabab (the youth in Arabic) but have no known affiliation with the jihadist rebels of the same name in Somalia. The United States last week declared Mozambiques rebels to be a terrorist organization and announced that 12 military trainers had been deployed to help the southern African countrys marines.

Portugal, Mozambiques former colonial power, announced Tuesday that is stepping up its military cooperation by sending 60 soldiers to help train Mozambican special forces.

The European Union is also preparing to increase security cooperation (with Mozambique), possibly via support with equipment or training, Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva said in a statement.

The France-based oil and gas company has pulled out of its operations on the outskirts of Palma, a multi-billion-dollar investment to pump liquified natural gas from offshore oilfields in the Indian Ocean. Earlier this year the company had said it requires an area covering a 25-kilometer (15-mile) radius to be secure from rebel violence. Palma is within that area, making it uncertain when the oil giant will resume its investment.

By ANDREW MELDRUM

Associated Press
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 15:54:34|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Tokyo Paralympic torch relay will be held in the four prefectures co-hosting the Paralympic events, the organizers announced here on Wednesday.

Tokyo 2020 organizing committee said in a statement that unlike the Olympic torch relay, which covers Japan's all 47 prefectures, the Paralympic torch relay will only pass the four hosting regions of Tokyo, Shizuoka, Chiba and Saitama between August 17 and 24.

But flame festivals and celebrations will be taking place across all 47 prefectures from August 12. Each flame festival will incorporate a flame lighting festival, a departure ceremony, visits of the flame to local sightseeing spots.

The flames from each prefecture will subsequently be brought together with a flame from Stoke Mandeville, the British birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, to become a single Paralympic flame at a ceremony in Tokyo on August 20, read the statement.

The flame will then tour Tokyo in the climax of the Paralympic torch relay from August 21 until August 24, the day of the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Enditem
An investigation by the United Nations on Tuesday, March 30, concluded that a French airstrike in Mali had killed 19 civilians attending a wedding celebration in the month of January. The report had been put together by the UN mission in Mali, termed as MINUSMA. It said that more than 100 people had been at the celebration which took place on January 3. Also, five of them include suspected members of an al-Qaeda-linked group. Three of the suspects have been killed and the other two had left the event early.

The report read, The group affected by the strike was overwhelmingly composed of civilians, who are people protected from attack under international humanitarian law. It further stated, This strike raises significant concerns about compliance with the principles of the conduct of hostilities, including the precautionary principle that requires that all feasible steps be taken to verify that targets are military objectives.

As per France, the UN report was based on unidentified witnesses and it failed to make clear under what conditions their testimony was taken. The French Ministry said, On the contrary, this strike followed a process of robust targeting. It added, The Defense Ministry cannot consider that this report brings any proof whatsoever contradicting the facts described by the French armed forces. To this, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, We stand by the report and the work of our colleagues in Mali.

Operation Barkhane

Mali has had French presence since 2013. The French, a former colonial power, was dragged into the region when Islamist militants overran parts of the north. While the authorities in Mali were able to recapture a majority of the overrun territory with the help of the French, instability and uncertainty in the region is still prevalent and has even spread to neighbouring countries. The French troops, which number about 5,100 in the region, are deployed in the region as a part of Operation Barkhane and provide support to Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad.

(Image Credits: AP)
Schools have been asked to revive career guidance programmes to help learners take on compulsory subjects with ease.

While speaking at the National Career Guidance Day celebrations in Kampala at the weekend, Mr James Brian Ntwatwa, the president of Incredible Youth International, said career guidance which mostly covers areas of communication, self-expression, creativity and critical thinking is what students need.

Mr Ntwatwa said when students are given many notes, it becomes hard for them to be creative since their efforts are concentrated on attaining the best grades to be promoted to the next level.

He added that career guidance helps learners reflect on what else they can do besides what is given in class.

"Teachers have been emphasizing that class monitors write down the names of noise makers. This kills self-esteem, making it hard for a child to express him or herself yet life is about having the willingness to speak up," Mr Ntwatwa said.

He added that given the changing trend, learners should not be working under instructions as the world requires people that can work within the changing trends.

"It should not be about competition but students have to learn to work together to bridge the missing gaps in the societies where they live, " he said.

Mr Ntwatwa said Africa is lagging behind not because the continent lacks bright people, but the education system has denied young people the chance to be innovative.

He attributes this to the mandatory subjects they have to undertake within a limited time.

Mr Samuel Majwega Musoke, the proprietor of MK Publishers, urged parents to support children in what they choose to study.

"Career guidance is here to help both students and parents, to decide on the future of the students and what they would be in life as well as relating skills and talent," he said.
A group of sommeliers worked together to save Rustic Kitchen in Mar Vista. From left, Casleah Herwaldt, Lauren Hirsh, Lu Diodovich, Christine Tran, Cristie Norman, JJ Zuczkiewicz, Rachel Macalisang and Kalia Christoforou. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

When a restaurant closes, it leaves a lasting hole in the fabric of a community. Baco Mercat, Bon Temps, Broken Spanish and Here's Looking at You are just a few of the well-known pandemic casualties the city will mourn for a long time.

The struggles of smaller neighborhood restaurants have been less documented but are no less painful; Rustic Kitchen is one of them

In January, the small wine bar and restaurant in Mar Vista was in bad shape. Like many small-business owners, John and Noelle Fanaris struggled to keep their doors open.

The restaurant, which offers more than 70 wines by the glass, is a neighborhood spot that relies on people sitting down and experiencing a leisurely meal on one of the restaurant's two patios. It is not a destination for takeout. In December, revenue was down 70%. The ban on outdoor dining made it almost impossible to keep up with payroll, utilities and vendors.

We were really close to shutting down, John said. I was drowning in credit [card debt] and digging into my life savings to keep us afloat.

One afternoon in late January, John remembers sitting at his bar contemplating the restaurants future when Cristie Norman walked in. The sommelier was there to pick up bags from a virtual tasting she'd hosted earlier in the week.

Norman, who was a sommelier at Spago until the pandemic hit, hosts weekly virtual blind tastings and biweekly or monthly masterclasses. She relies on businesses to be pickup and drop-off locations for her wine-tasting kits. Six months ago, John, a wine enthusiast and sommelier who had attended some of Normans wine events before the pandemic, offered his restaurant as a pickup and drop-off site. In doing so, he created access for dozens of wine professionals on the Westside to participate in Norman's classes.

I walked in that day and he looked really upset, she said.

She asked me how it was going, and I told her, well, it was going terrible, John said.

I offered to help, but he said there was nothing I could do, Norman said. He put this big smile on his face and it just broke my heart.

Story continues

When she got home, she quickly devised an emergency assistance plan.

Norman, 26, has experience with facing a seemingly impossible challenge. She received her sommelier certification at 21 and joined the team at Spago shortly after. When the pandemic hit, she co-founded the United Sommeliers Foundation, an organization that has raised more than $950,000 to help wine professionals.

That night, she posted a message to 180 people on a private Los Angeles sommelier Facebook group and sent an email blast to about 320 people on her personal mailing list.

Rustic Kitchen needs our support right now, urgently, so Ive created some ways to do that, she wrote. I try not to ask you guys for much. I really dont. This would mean the world to me. We all have to eat, so I felt that this was a low-impact way for each of us to do a small thing and create a big result.

Normans call to action included a request for money to purchase a $1,000 gift card to the restaurant that would be given away in a contest on Instagram. She asked contestants to follow the restaurant and tag two friends who live in L.A. In just 24 hours, the Rustic Kitchen social following more than doubled, from about 600 followers to more than 1,200.

But Norman wanted to create a sustainable solution for the restaurant. Her Facebook post also asked the group to commit to ordering delivery or takeout from Rustic Kitchen at least once in the next seven weeks and for everyone to ask their contacts to do the same. She created an online form to keep track of the details and started a Telegram chat devoted to efforts to save the restaurant. About 20 people signed up, committing to order food and spread the word.

Norman has a specific structure for the campaign that she calls throwing darts  each outreach effort is akin to throwing a dart. To encourage leadership, she asked participants to volunteer to be a leader  rallying the group and contributing "positive energy" for a specific week.

Darts dont come back to you, its just something that you throw out there, Norman said. If it sticks, great. If it doesnt, at least you told one person about the restaurant.

Participants logged every "dart" thrown with information on who they contacted and whether the person said they would visit the restaurant. In February and throughout March, some people committed to going right away. Others promised to visit in the future and gave specific timeframes.

Norman was able to raise enough money for the $1,000 gift card and received an additional $500 donation, which she put toward her sommelier groups house account at Rustic Kitchen. If someone says they want to visit the restaurant but cant afford it right now, Norman offers them a free meal using the account.

Its about creating inspiration and leadership in our wine community and giving them an opportunity to step up because the wine industry is very individualistic, she said.

John noticed the increased engagement on his restaurants Instagram account and started to see more customers coming into the restaurant for takeout after Normans Facebook post.

Portrait of John and Noelle Fanaris, owners of Rustic Kitchen Market & Cafe. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

People were supporting us, bringing their friends, and its just been amazing, he said. Its helping us get over the hump and keep going.

Christine Tran, general manager and wine director at Hinoki and the Bird restaurant in Century City, is one of the sommeliers in Normans network and a frequent participant in the virtual wine tastings. She reached out to her database of contacts, asking them to meet her at Rustic Kitchen for lunch. In February, the week she was a leader, she dined at the restaurant three times.

Small restaurants have cried out for help during this past year and I think as a community if we dont help our own community, how do we expect other people to help? she said.

Lu Diodovich, an unemployed wine professional who has worked in Los Angeles for 14 years, called and texted everyone she knew and asked them to come to Rustic Kitchen.

I take my baby to the park and whoever talks to me at the park, I tell them about the restaurant too, she said. I also have a teenage son, and I told him to tell all his friends about the lobster mac and cheese because he loves it.

Norman scheduled regular calls with the group of sommeliers, checking in on their dart-throwing. And she encouraged them to share how they felt about being part of the team.

Lauren Hirsh, who co-owns Club 14 wine club and bar in Westlake with her brother, felt compelled to support another member of the wine community. Every single order counts, she said. You hear about restaurants closing down and you wish you could have done something. This is doing something.

As business picks up, John is looking forward to hiring back more staff and to start hosting dinners with winemakers again. Just before the outdoor dining ban in November, he had planned a sold-out dinner with Law Estate Wines.

What these sommeliers did really helped, he said. I saw people coming in and they bought wine and had dinner [outside]. Probably without it, I would have had to close.

Norman is hoping her efforts will encourage other communities to launch similar campaigns for their favorite neighborhood restaurants. She doesnt plan to stop helping Rustic Kitchen any time soon. For the eighth week of the campaign, she designed a contest. The participating sommelier with the most points (earned by throwing darts, following up with people and asking them to submit Yelp reviews) will choose a liquid to dump on Norman's head. She's counting on everyone's competitive nature to result in a surge of business for the restaurant.

I hope people see what were doing and theyre inspired to do something for places that have impacted them, she said. Its not just about this specific restaurant but the message it sends to everybody. A small group of people with a small amount of effort can make a big difference.

Rustic Kitchen, 3523 S. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles, (310) 390-1500, rustickitchen.la

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Three separate wildfires in the Black Hills of South Dakota have forced evacuations of more than 400 homes northwest of Rapid City and shut down Mount Rushmore, authorities said.

A fire that started near Schroeder Road in the Nemo area, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Rapid City, had burned as much as 1 1/2 square miles and was still moving on March 29 in the afternoon, according to the Pennington County Sheriffs Office. Several outbuildings and possibly two homes have been destroyed, officials said.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who traveled to Rapid City to oversee the response, said the Schroeder Road fire started on private property. She said there has been losses and that is tragic. No injuries have been reported.

The Sheriffs Department warned earlier that it was a very active and dangerous scene. About 250 firefighters were battling the blaze on a windy afternoon when gusts have ranged from around 50 mph to 72 mph, the Rapid City Journal reported.

Two additional blazes were burning southwest of Rapid City, near Keystone, with one covering an estimated 75 acres (30.35 hectares) and the other 20 acres (8.09 hectares). That has caused Mount Rushmore National Memorial to close, as well as surrounding roads.

South Dakota transportation officials shut down Interstate 90 for a 42-mile (68-kilometer) stretch from Kadoka to Murdo due to grass fires. Authorities are asking people to stay away and use alternate routes.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire South Dakota
El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents Capture Sex Offender

El Centro, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector arrested an illegal alien Thursday morning with a prior conviction for a sexual offense.

The incident occurred at approximately 11 a.m., when agents assigned to the El Centro Station encountered a man who illegally entered the United States 22 miles west of the Calexico Port of Entry. Agents placed the man under arrest and transported him to the El Centro Sector Rally Point for further processing.

Records checks revealed that the man, a 28-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, was previously convicted on May 29, 2012, for sex with a minor, out of Santa Maria, California. The illegal alien was sentenced to one year in prison and five years probation for his sex crime.

The man was processed criminally for 8 USC 1326, Reentry of Removed Aliens and will be held in federal custody pending his hearing.

In fiscal year 2021, which began October 1, 2020 El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested and/or removed 13 individuals either convicted or wanted on sexual offense charges.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
The Senate bill creates a process allowing the public to appeal local health orders to county or city elected board. Such orders could include citations, fines or an order to close a business. The enforcement action would be halted during an appeal, which could allow a business to stay open until the matter is heard by a city or county board, even if it is not following health orders.
Some of the early successes for heterologous prime-boosts came in the search for vaccines for Ebola. Many researchers focused their efforts on presenting the immune system with a protein found on the surface of the Ebola virus.

The gene for that protein was inserted into a different, harmless virus. When people received an injection of the vaccine, the harmless virus entered their cells; the cells then read the instructions in the Ebola gene and mass-produced Ebolas surface protein. The immune system encountered the Ebola protein and made antibodies against it. And those antibodies protected the vaccinated people if they became infected with a full-blown Ebola virus.

This type of vaccine, called a viral vector vaccine, came with a big risk: The recipients might develop immunity to the viral vector after just the first dose. When the second dose arrived, their immune systems could swiftly wipe out the viral vector before it delivered its payload.

A number of vaccine makers decided to sidestep this potential threat by using different viruses for each dose. That way, the viral vectors in the second dose would be as new to the immune system as the first was. In 2017, for example, researchers at the Gamaleya Research Institute in Russia created an Ebola vaccine whose first dose contained a virus called an adenovirus. The second shot used another virus, called vesicular stomatitis virus.

When the Covid-19 pandemic began last year, the Gamaleya researchers used a similar strategy to create vaccines against the new coronavirus. The first dose used the same adenovirus as in their Ebola vaccine, called Ad5. The second dose contained a different human adenovirus, Ad26. The researches inserted a gene into both viruses for the protein on the surface of the coronavirus, called spike.

Studies revealed that the vaccine, now known as Sputnik V, provided a strong defense against Covid-19. In clinical trials, the researchers found that it had an efficacy of 91.6 percent. Sputnik V is now in use in Russia and 56 other countries.

Recently, the Gamaleya institute joined forces with AstraZeneca, which makes its own Covid-19 vaccine. AstraZenecas consists of two doses of a chimpanzee adenovirus called ChAdOx1. Last week, the company reported that its vaccine had an efficacy of 76 percent.
Sakhir : , March 31 (IANS) Defending Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton on Wednesday said that the thrilling season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, in which he beat Max Verstappen in the final lap, promises excitement for fans this year.

Hamilton finished just seven-tenths ahead of Verstappen in Sunday's race which promises a close contest this year.

"I'm super excited and super happy for the fans, that they are excited. I think it's something that all the fans have wanted for a long time. Of course, this is only one race, so we don't know what the future holds in terms of... the pace they have; they could be ahead a lot more, but we're going to work as hard as we can to try and stay close in this battle and I hope for many more of these sorts of races with Max [Verstappen] and Valtteri [Bottas]," Hamilton was quoted as saying by www.formula1.com.

"There's a long way to go, 22 [races] holy crap! I'll be grey by the end of this!" Hamilton added jokingly.

The British driver warned that this will be one of the toughest seasons given Red Bull's pace that saw Verstappen take pole position for the Bahrain GP.

"Honestly, I don't recall how close the other seasons were exactly but this has got to have started off as one of the toughest, if not the [toughest]," Hamilton said.

"I think Red Bull's pace is incredibly strong, as you could see. We can't match them in qualifying right now. That's a big, big step for us but obviously I thought we could get closer within the race -- but that was a little bit too close for my liking."
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., was on Fox News on Tuesday night, defending himself against newly public allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, when he seemed to pull his interviewer into the matter.

"You and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there, and I brought a friend of mine, you'll remember her," Gaetz told Tucker Carlson, connecting that friend to an ongoing Justice Department investigation of the lawmaker.

He alleged that the woman had been "threatened" by the FBI and told "she could face trouble" if she didn't confess to authorities that Gaetz was involved in a "pay-for-play scheme."

"I don't remember the woman you are speaking of or the context at all, honestly," Carlson cut in to say, visibly stunned.

Later on in the show, Carlson - still looking surprised - appeared to distance himself further from Gaetz, saying: "That was one of the weirdest interviews I've ever conducted."

The Justice Department is investigating Gaetz, a noted ally of former president Donald Trump, over his alleged relationship with a teenage girl, The Washington Post reported, in a probe that began while Trump was still in office. Gaetz has separately insisted his family is being extorted, a claim that is being investigated by the FBI.

Neither Gaetz's office nor a Fox News spokesperson immediately responded to a request for comment from The Washington Post early on Wednesday morning.

The interview on "Tucker Carlson Tonight" capped off a stunning few hours of news about the Florida lawmaker, who had been investigated for months in secret by Justice Department officials.

After the New York Times broke news about the inquiry on Tuesday afternoon, Gaetz confirmed the probe to Axios and said the allegations were false. He also claimed the probe was "rooted" in a $25 million extortion effort against his family.

In a separate story, the news site also reported that Gaetz, a three-term congressman, had expressed doubts about seeking reelection in 2022 and had even considered the possibility of leaving early for a job at the conservative media outlet Newsmax.

On Tuesday evening, the lawmaker appeared on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," slamming the Times report as an attempt to thwart a separate investigation into his extortion claims. Gaetz insisted there was no 17-year-old and denied any allegations of sex trafficking.

"Providing for flights and hotel rooms for people that you're dating who are of legal age is not a crime," he told Carlson.

Gaetz specifically blamed the extortion attempt on David McGee, a former Justice Department official. McGee denied those claims to The Washington Post, saying he had no connection to the agency's probe into possible sex trafficking by Gaetz.

At one point, in what appeared to be an effort to get Carlson to relate to his circumstances, the lawmaker mentioned that the Fox News host had been falsely accused of rape years ago.

"I'm not the only person on screen right now who's been falsely accused of a terrible sex act," the lawmaker told Tucker Carlson. "You were accused of something you did not do, so you know what this feels like."

With a puzzled look on his face, Carlson responded, "You just referred to a mentally ill viewer who accused me of a sex crime 20 years ago. And of course, it was not true. I never met the person."

It was not immediately clear what allegations Gaetz was referring to, or if they had been previously disclosed. In a November 2017 opinion piece for FoxNews.com, Carlson wrote that he had been falsely accused of felony rape several years before then by an accountant in Indiana, a woman he "had literally never even seen."

By the end of the segment, Carlson had not wiped a look of shock from his face. The host said that because "there's always more than you read in the newspaper," he and his producers had immediately called the Florida lawmaker to come onto the show and "tell us more" about the federal probe.

"As you saw, he did," Carlson added. "I don't think that clarified much, but it certainly showed this is a deeply interesting story."
First Minister Arlene Foster has said PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has lost the confidence of the unionist community after it emerged that there would be no prosecutions in relation to the Bobby Storey funeral.

The Assembly will be recalled on Thursday for a censure motion against Sinn Fein for the actions of 24 politicians, including deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, when they attended the funeral last June along with 2,000 mourners.

Mr Storey (64) was a senior figure in republicanism and was the head of intelligence for the IRA in the 1990s.

On Tuesday, Mr Byrne said the PSNI did recommend prosecutions in the case after potential breaches of Covid restrictions were examined.

But he said stepping down would undermine the actions of his predecessor. He said enforcing the coronavirus regulations has been a "consistently challenging and often uncomfortable role for my officers".

Mrs Foster told Good Morning Ulster on Wednesday that it was "folly" to ignore unionists' concerns and said confidence in policing was "at an all-time low".

"If Simon Byrne believes he can dig in, then we will have to look at other ways to deal with these issues. One shouldn't assume that we are going to sit back and everything continues as normal."

The decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions should be reviewed, Mrs Foster added.

When asked whether Stormont relations had been damaged by latest developments, Mrs Foster said there's no doubt that they had. "It's not the end of the matter," she said.

"I intend to work through those challenges but if people think we just carry on as normal when one of the most fundamental breaches of what we were doing at that time should just be brushed under the carpet and forgotten about, that won't happen."

Mrs Foster said her party's Policing Board members will not, however, be bringing a motion of no confidence against Mr Byrne.

The DUP's Policing Board members are Mervyn Storey, Trevor Clarke, Tom Buchanan, Joanne Bunting. Sinn Fein Policing Board members Gerry Kelly and Linda Dillon were in attendance at Mr Storey's funeral.

Mrs Foster said: "Under the standing orders of the Policing Board it may not be possible to bring forward a motion of no confidence because we have to give ten days notice for such a motion to be placed."

She did not indicate whether DUP members of the board would step down, but did not rule it out.

Policing Board member Alliance MLA John Blair said he did not support calls for Mr Byrne's resignation.

Mr Blair said: "I don't believe it's the chief constable's fault that we have found ourselves in this situation nor do I believe we would be in a different position had there been a different individual in the post of chief constable in June of last year."

But TUV leader Jim Allister said Mr Byrne should resign and said the decision not to prosecute anyone in relation to Mr Storey's funeral had "trashed" Covid regulations.

The recall motion would keep a "spotlight on those who were the lawbreakers and got away with it and those at the same time who were the lawmakers".

UUP leader Steve Aiken said his party had "real concerns" about the PSNI's senior leadership, and would be referring the matter to the Police Ombudsman. Mrs Foster has also written to the Police Ombudsman.

Attendance at the Storey funeral had undermined the health message, said Mr Aiken. He added that people should continue to follow Covid regulations and not be "distracted" from that.


CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Bank of Japan will release its quarterly Tankan Survey of business sentiment on Thursday, headlining a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.



The large manufacturers index is expected to see a score of 0 after showing -10 in the previous three months. The outlook is tipped to improve to +4 from -10. All-industry capex is seen higher by 1.4 percent, up from -1.2 percent in the previous three months.



South Korea will provide March figures for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are expected to jump 17.5 percent on year after rising 13.9 percent in February. Exports are called higher by an annual 16.2 percent after gaining 9.5 percent in the previous month. The trade surplus in February was $2.71 billion.



Australia will release February figures for imports, exports, trade balance, retail sales and home loans, as well as March results for the manufacturing PMI from the Australian Industry Group.



In January, imports were down 2.0 percent on month and exports were up 6.0 percent for a trade surplus of A$10.142 billion. Retail sales were up 0.3 percent on month and home loans were up 10.9 percent. The manufacturing PMI score in February was 58.8.



Indonesia will provide March figures for consumer prices, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 0.14 percent on month and 1.4 percent on year following the 0.1 percent monthly increase and the 1.38 percent yearly gain in February. Core CPI is tipped to add 1.44 percent on year, slowing from 1.53 percent a month earlier.



Finally, a number of regional nations will see March results for their respective manufacturing PMIs from Markit Economics, including Australia, China (Caixin), Indonesia, Japan (Jibun), Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Oyarzun, 30, lives in University Village, on Chicagos West Side. Her grandparents have spent long periods living with her in Chicago. But the two are retired and, since before the pandemic began, have been in their native Monterrey, where Oyarzun was born, although theyre legal U.S. residents, she said.
Professor Yasushi Sekine of Waseda University presented Gold Award for development and application of precious metal catalytic reactions with unconventional low-temperature action using surface protonics. Also receiving a Gold Award is Professor Hideyuki Murakami of Waseda University for development of an oxidation resistant Ir-based high-entropy alloy. Development of precious metal catalysts that can contribute to carbon neutrality and development of Ir alloys with excellent high-temperature characteristics and oxidation resistance received awards.



TOKYO, Mar 31, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - The TANAKA Memorial Foundation's Representative Director, Hideya Okamoto, announced the recipients of the FY2020 Precious Metals Research Grants.



Following a rigorous screening process, the Gold Awards, each for 2 million yen, were presented to Professor Yasushi Sekine and Professor Hideyuki Murakami, both of Waseda University. In addition, three research projects received Silver Awards, and four Young Researcher Awards were presented.



The TANAKA Memorial Foundation undertakes programs designed to foster developments in new precious metal fields while contributing to the advancement of science, technology, and socio-economics for the overall enrichment of society. The research grant program was launched in FY1999 and has continued each year since with the goal of supporting the various challenges of the "new world opened up by precious metals." This year, the program's 22nd year, a total of 171 applications were received in a wide range of fields where precious metals can make contributions to the research and development of new technologies. A total of 16.1 million yen in research grants was awarded for 26 projects.



The names of the two Gold Award recipients, their research, and the reasons for their selection are below.



- Professor Yasushi Sekine, Waseda University

Development and application of precious metal catalytic reactions with unconventional low-temperature action using surface protonics

This research seeks to develop solid catalyst reactions at low temperatures (from room temperature to 200 degrees) using surface protonics. This research and development was highly rated for its potential contributions to the SDGs and ESG investment as well as its ability to make major contributions to the government's target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.



- Professor Hideyuki Murakami, Waseda University

Development of oxidation resistant Ir-based high-entropy alloy

This research seeks to develop high-entropy alloys, a new category of metal materials that are currently the focus of significant attention, using an iridium (Ir) based alloy to create a material with excellent high-temperature characteristics and oxidation resistance. This research was highly rated because it may lead to a solution to the problem of Ir depletion at high temperatures in the range of 1,000 degrees Celsius and may improve ductility, which is an issue for Ir alloys.



Three Silver Awards, four Young Researcher Awards, and 17 Encouragement Awards were also granted. The recipients and an overview of the Precious Metals Research Grants are indicated below. Applications for the FY2021 research granted are scheduled to open in the fall.



List of FY2020 Precious Metals Research Grants Recipients



- Platinum Award (0 award, 5 million yen)

Non granted



- Gold Award (2 awards, 2 million yen each)



Yasushi Sekine, Professor, Waseda University

Development and application of precious metal catalytic reactions with unconventional low-temperature action using surface protonics



Hideyuki Murakami, Professor, Waseda University

Development of oxidation resistant Ir-based high-entropy alloy



- Silver Awards (3 awards, 1 million yen each)



Ryuji Tamura, Professor, Tokyo University of Science

Precious metal hyper-materials



Masahito Inagaki, Researcher, Nagoya University

Development of nucleic acid cutting technology using silver nano-particles and pharmaceutical development applications



Tatsuya Oshima, Professor, University of Miyazaki

Search for and discovery of optimal ion solvation extraction agent for gold extraction and separation processes



- Young Researcher Awards (4 awards, 1 million yen each)



Noriyuki Uchida, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

Photonic precious metal crystal sensors made primarily from water



Yuki Ueda, Researcher, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Development of precious metal element separation and recovery processes using the hydrophobicity of fluorous solvents



Rajashekar Badam, Senior Lecturer, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

IrO2-based organic-inorganic hybrid catalyst with strong metal-base interaction with efficient oxygen generation catalytic activity suitable for water decomposition



Yohei Ishida, Assistant Professor, Hokkaido University

Self-synthesis of multi-element alloy clusters using nano-chemical reaction fields



- Encouragement Award (17 awards, 300,000 yen each)

Shunsuke Shiba, Assistant Professor, EHIME University

Takayuki Iseki, Specially Appointed Prof., Osaka University

Chen Chuantong, Associate Professor, Osaka University

Kohsuke Mori, Associate Professor, Osaka University

Hiromi Yuasa, Professor, Kyushu University

Yoshikazu Hirai, Assistant Professor, Kyoto University

Ken-ichi Fujita, Professor, Kyoto University

Ryo Kasuya, Senior Researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Masahiro Aoyama, Assistant Professor, Shizuoka University

Daisuke Nagai, Associate Professor, University of Shizuoka

Takanari Ouchi, Research Associate, The University of Tokyo

Takuto Soma, Assistant Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Kohei Fujiwara, Associate Professor, Tohoku University

Atsushi Satsuma, Professor, Nagoya University

Naoki Ishimatsu, Assistant Professor, Hiroshima University

Takuya Yamamoto, Associate Professor, Hokkaido University

Yoshiaki Nishijima, Associate Professor, YOKOHAMA National University



Overview of the 2020 Precious Metals Research Grants



Conditions:

Research content that falls under any of the following

- New technology related to precious metals

- Research and development related to precious metals that bring about innovative evolution in products

- Research and development of new products using precious metals

*Precious metal refers to eight elements of platinum, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium.

*If development is conducted jointly (or planned to be) with other material manufacturers, please indicate so.

*Products that have already been commercialized, put to practical use, or that are planned are not eligible.



Grant Amounts:

- Platinum Award: 5 million yen (1 award)

- Gold Award: 2 million yen (1 award)

- Silver Awards: 1 million yen (4 awards)

- Young Researcher Awards: 1 million yen (2 awards)

- Encouragement Award: 300,000 yen (several awards)

*The grant amount is treated as a scholarship donation.

*Awards may not be granted in some cases.

*The number of awards is subject to change.



Eligible Candidates:

- Personnel who belong to (or work for) educational institutions in Japan (universities, graduate schools, or technical colleges) or public and related research institutions may participate.

*As long as the applicant is affiliated with a research institution in Japan, the base of activity can be in Japan or overseas.

*The Young Researcher Awards are for researchers under the age of 37 as of April 1, 2020.



Application Period:

- 9am, September 1, 2020 (Tue) - 5pm, November 30, 2020 (Mon)



Inquiries Concerning the Research Grant Program:

Precious Metals Research Grants Office

Marketing Department, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.

22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6422

TEL: 03-6311-5596 FAX: 03-6311-5529 E-mail: joseikin@ml.tanaka.co.jp

TANAKA Memorial Foundation website: https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp



Press release in PDF: http://www.acnnewswire.com/pdf/files/20210331_EN.pdf



TANAKA Memorial Foundation

Established: April 1, 2015

Address: 22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Hideya Okamoto (Senior Advisor to TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.)

Purpose of Business: To provide grants for research related to precious metals to contribute to the development and cultivation of new fields for precious metals, and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy.

Areas of Business:

- Provision of grants for scientific and technological research related to precious metals.

- Recognition of excellent analysis of precious metals and holding of seminars and other events.



TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.

Headquarters: 22F, Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Koichiro Tanaka, Representative Director & CEO

Founded: 1885

Incorporated: 1918

Capital: 500 million yen

Employees: 2,393 (as of March 31, 2020)

Sales: JPY 992,679,879,000 (FY2019)

Main businesses: Manufacture, sales, import and export of precious metals (platinum, gold, silver, and others) and various types of industrial precious metals products.

URL: https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com



Press Inquiries

TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.

https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/



Source: Tanaka Memorial Foundation



Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.





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China on Wednesday slammed its critics as "unethical" after the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said it would continue to consider the hypothesis that the coronavirus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic leaked from a top-security virology lab in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.



Experts hired by the global health body to carry out a politically sensitive investigation of the origins of the pandemic had initially said that a leak from the lab was "extremely unlikely."



But WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on Wednesday that "all hypotheses are open," and that the theory warranted further investigation.



His comments followed the publication of a report into the origins of the pandemic, as 13 countries criticized a "lack of transparency" by China.



The report concluded that an animal origin for the coronavirus was likely, with another species possibly acting as the link to humans.



China has repeatedly sought to claim that the virus originated outside of its borders, being imported in frozen food.



Wuhan-based Zhang Hai, who has been campaigning for compensation for the families of early victims of the COVID-19 outbreak in the city, said the authorities should take responsibility for the fact that the pandemic emerged in Wuhan, and stop claiming it had been brought to China in frozen food packages.



"It's pretty simple really," Zhang said. "If it did come to China in frozen food, then why wasn't there an outbreak overseas first? Why did the outbreak happen in China?"



"Now such an important question has become embroiled in the bureaucracy of the WHO, and now it hasn't been properly investigated," he said. "The WHO has no independence, and it has been reduced to the status of puppet [for China]."



"The families of the very large number of victims in Wuhan insist on compensation and a public apology, and on criminal prosecution for those officials who killed people by covering up what was happening," he said.

Call for full access



The U.S. and 12 other countries issued a joint statement on Tuesday saying that expert-driven phase 2 studies were now crucial to understanding the origins of the current pandemic.



"It is critical for independent experts to have full access to all pertinent human, animal, and environmental data, research, and personnel involved in the early stages of the outbreak relevant to determining how this pandemic emerged," the statement said.



Signed by Australia, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., the statement called for a "robust, comprehensive, and expert-led mechanism" that respects the need for transparency and scientific integrity.



While the statement didn't mention China directly, one of the WHO investigators had earlier said that Chinese officials refused to provide raw data on early COVID-19 cases to the team on its mission to Wuhan, a claim that was amplified by the WHO's Tedros after the origins report was published.

'Politicized investigation'



China hit back on Wednesday, saying that the investigation had been "politicized."



"This practice of politicizing the search for the origins of the virus is extremely unethical," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing in Beijing. She said the researchers had been given full access to the data they requested.



Meanwhile, report co-author Liang Wannian said researchers from both sides had access to the same data throughout the investigation.



"Of course, according to Chinese law, some data cannot be taken away or photographed, but when we were analyzing it together in Wuhan, everyone could see the database, the materials - it was all done together," he said.



Asked about the allegations that only incomplete data was provided, Liang said no scientist ever had perfect information.



Reported by Fong Tak Ho for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
ISMAILIA, Egypt  Formal investigations into how the giant container ship Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, shutting down shipping in the major global waterway for almost a week, begin on Wednesday, a canal official told Reuters.

The six-day blockage threw global supply chains into disarray after the 400-meter-long (430-yard) ship became jammed diagonally across a southern section of the canal, the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia.

Egypts Leth Agencies said on Wednesday that a total of 163 ships had transited the Suez Canal since its reopening and that a total of 292 ships were currently waiting.

Related: Lengthy Legal Battles Expected from Suez Canals Longest Closure in Almost 50 Years Insurance Unlikely to Cover All Shipowners Expenses Incurred in Suez Closure Chaos

Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Osama Rabie has suggested weather conditions, including high winds, and human error could have played a role in the grounding on March 23.

Such grave accidents may not be caused by a single factor, part of it could be the wind, another part could be the human element, and another part could be technical, Rabie told a news conference Monday night after the vessel was freed.

The investigation will include examining the seaworthiness of the ship and its captains actions to help determine the causes, Rabie advisor Captain Sayed Sheasha told Reuters.

The Ever Givens captain was committed to fully complying with the probe, which will start on Wednesday, Sheasha said.

The incident is expected to give rise to flurry of insurance claims, with Lloyds of London expecting a large loss, possibly amounting to $100 million or more, according to its chairman.

The Japanese owner of the Ever Given said it had not received any claims or lawsuits over the blockage.

Investigators had already boarded the ship, which is in a lake that separates two sections of the canal, on Tuesday, a canal source and a shipping agent said.

The SCA has scheduled accelerated shipping convoys and has said it hopes the backlog of ships can be cleared by the end of the week.

(Reporting by Yusri Mohamed; writing by Nadine Awadalla; editing by Aidan Lewis and Philippa Fletcher)

Photograph: In this photo released by Suez Canal Authority, the Ever Given, a Panama-flagged cargo ship, is pulled by a tugboat in the Suez Canal, on Monday, March 29, 2021. Photo credit: Suez Canal Authority via AP.

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31 March 2021

The island of Mykonos is home to many pristine hotels and resorts, but none compare to Kensho Boutique Hotels & Villas, the leading luxury brand, offering a trip of a lifetime.

Following the recent Government announcement, Greece will open its borders in May, bringing a beacon of hope that travel will resume considering all European health measures and regulations.

Kensho Mykonos is ready to welcome guests again this summer, and with two exquisite properties to choose from with a plethora of offerings, it's not hard to see why it's a first-class booking choice.

The brand is home to Kensho Ornos, a beautiful boutique paradise, offering 10 suites and 25 picture-perfect rooms, just south of Mykonos town, yet in complete privacy.

Think star-lit turquoise pools, state of the art decor inspired by Cycladic heritage and dusted with a modern twist, a tranquil and somewhat magical underground cave spa, unparalleled fine dining, juicy cocktails, glamour, elegance, calmness and care. Kensho Ornos offers guests their own little slice of heaven.

The restaurant oozes sophisticated and ease, dine under the Myconian sunset, poolside, and tuck into 'Tacos de Atun', crunchy cones filled with tuna and spicy miso 'Namelaka Tanariva' a sumptuous dessert, flavoured with ginger ice cream.

During the day, bask under the warm sun on your own private terrace with hot tub. Enjoy a cold glass of fizz whilst listening to chilled beats from the in-suite iPad, installed in each and every room. Or, treat yourself to an afternoon at the heavenly cave spa, release your tension in the Hamman, enjoy a signature Himalayan Rain Body Cleanse or pamper yourself with a mani, pedi and blow dry for a special night out.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Today CBD Life Sciences (OTC PINK:CBDL) through its wholly owned subsidiary, LBC Bioscience Inc. President & CEO, Lisa Nelson announces its all new Delta-10 Cartridges.

CBD Life Sciences Inc. is working with two different strains of Delta-10 Cartridges. The two strains are Sour Diesel & Blue Dream, and both are 900MG for each one. President & CEO, Lisa Nelson states "This will be a great addition to our product line since we already have a variety of products as it is including Delta-8 & Delta 9." Lisa Nelson also states "We've been selling thousands of Delta-8 products a day. And based on the feedback from Delta-10 so far, we are ramping production to prepare for a similarly soaring demand. We think Delta-8 and Delta-10 have the power to turn the CBD market on its head." This is going to be a premiere product for CBD Life Sciences Inc. online distribution coming in the near term while the company has 3 upcoming trade shows.

Delta-10 THC is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids you can find in hemp and cannabis. While very little research has been done on its mechanism of action in the body, Delta-10 THC likely interacts with the endocannabinoid system in a similar way as other THC compounds. Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC have binding affinities towards CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system, which produce varying levels of psychotropic effects. Delta-10 may interact similarly with CB1 receptors at high concentrations. People don't just want CBD for its natural wellness benefits. They want something to take the edge off. They want to feel noticeably more relaxed, and they don't want to have to get a medical cannabis card to do it. For these self-helpers, CBD alone isn't always enough.

Link to Greenhouse Facility Video: https://streamable.com/tliqn2

CBD Life Sciences Inc. has already identified several potential cultivation sites with the Arizona PROP 207 approved and is aggressively pursuing amazing new opportunities in Arizona's new recreational cannabis market. This new law gives CBD Life Sciences Inc. the capability of offering licensed retailers CBD Life Sciences Inc. premium cannabis products which are then made available for sale to 1000's of future recreational cannabis customers in addition to current cannabis sales to existing medical-use dispensaries in Arizona.

The number of benefits CBD has is tremendous! These benefits include help with behavioral/neurological complications such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, PTSD, epilepsy, Parkinson's, osteoporosis, and ALS. CBD can also benefit pain management that can stem from headaches/migraines, arthritis, cramps, spinal injuries, and fibromyalgia. CBD has been found to also have gastrointestinal benefits with gastro-disorders and complications such as anorexia, cachexia, Crohn's, diabetes, and nausea. Physical complications/disorders such as muscular dystrophy and even immune system-based deficiencies and other complications such as cancer and hypertension even our bodies way and ability to maintain homeostasis have all been said to benefit from CBD.

LBC Bioscience Inc. is well stocked already as it is with some very high-quality CBD offerings - all at very reasonable prices. Check out LBC Bioscience Inc's newest product offerings including its: 100MG CBD Bath Bombs in a variety of scents, Delta 8 Gummies, 1500 MG Premium Berry Drops, and a variety of all-new Skincare products. Or shop our top selling products (based on order frequency) which include our CBD Pain Cream, CBD Oils and CBD Pet Treats.

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Shareholders and interest holders may also stay current with LBC Bioscience Inc Updates:

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Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lbcbioscience

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lbcbioscience

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbcbioscience

About LBC Bioscience Inc.

LBC Bioscience Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CBD Life Sciences Inc. LBC has developed and is retailing/wholesale a full line of cannabidiol based organic products including CBD Drops, Gumballs, Honey Sticks, Pain Relief Creams, Anxiety & Sleep Supplements, Edibles, Coffee, Skincare Line, Pet Line, Tablets and more. LBC's products can be viewed and purchased on the Company's website at www.lbcbioscienceinc.com.

Ten Associates LLC

Contact: Thomas E. Nelson

Telephone: (480) 326-8577

Email: tenassociates33@gmail.com

Website: www.tenassociatesllc.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties. See CBD Life Sciences, Inc's, Inc.'s filings with OTC Markets, which may identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflects management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions, sector changes and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, including codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking

SOURCE: CBD Life Sciences Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638283/CBD-Life-Sciences-Inc-CBDL-Expands-Product-Line-with-NEW-Delta-10-Cartridges
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 16:15:39|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- - - -

KIEV -- Ukraine's Health Ministry received 689 reports of side effects after vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine during the first month of the vaccination program, authorities said on Tuesday.

From Feb. 24 to March 28, nearly 200,000 vaccinations were made against the coronavirus and 689 people reported adverse reactions, the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health said on Facebook.

- - - -

SOFIA -- Bulgaria reported a record number of 5,176 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, taking the national tally to 338,426, the country's health ministry said on Wednesday.

The previous daily record of 4,851 new cases was reported last Wednesday.

- - - -

LOME -- The total of COVID-19 cases in Togo has reached 10,249, as the West Afrian country reported 257 new cases on Tuesday night.

According to Togo's latest update, 45 recoveries were newly registered, taking the total recoveries to 7,815, while 2,325 patients were under treatment.

- - - -

SANTIAGO -- Chilean President Sebastian Pinera on Tuesday announced an agreement with Chinese pharmaceutical firm CanSino Biologics to obtain COVID-19 vaccines as part of the country's mass immunization campaign.

CanSino's single-dose vaccines will arrive in Chile in May and June, adding to the 35 million doses the Chilean government and organizations have obtained through agreements with various companies, said Pinera.

- - - -

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia will begin to inoculate its citizens with the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines from April 1 onwards, the country's Ad-hoc Committee for COVID-19 Vaccination said in a statement on Wednesday.

"COVID-19 vaccine is a new tool in addition to the existing health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to save people's lives," Health Ministry secretary of state Or Vandine, chairwoman of the Ad-hoc Committee for COVID-19 Vaccination, said in the statement.

- - - -

NEW DELHI -- India's COVID tally rose to 12,149,335 on Wednesday as 53,480 new cases were reported from across the country, according to the latest figures released by the federal health ministry.

Besides, 354 deaths had also been reported since Tuesday morning, taking the death toll to 162,468.

- - - -

GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) report on the joint WHO-China study of COVID-19 origins was a "consensus" effort of a "sheer size" but it was too soon to provide definitive conclusions in a work that is still in progress, the WHO research team said on Tuesday.

Peter K. Ben Embarek, a food safety and zoonosis expert with the WHO and leader of the international team of experts to Wuhan, told a press conference that conclusions of the report were the results of a consensus between all members of the team, which included 17 foreign experts and 17 Chinese scientists.

- - - -

LA PAZ -- A second batch of vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm arrived in the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba on Tuesday to advance the country's mass immunization campaign against COVID-19.

Bolivian Foreign Affairs Minister Rogelio Mayta, Health Minister Jeyson Auza and Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia Huang Yazhong were on hand to receive the shipment.

- - - -

ADDIS ABABA -- Ethiopia registered 1,976 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 204,521 as of Tuesday evening, the country's ministry of health said.

Meanwhile, 16 new deaths from the virus were reported across the country, bringing the national tally to 2,841, said the ministry.

- - - -

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil on Tuesday registered the highest daily count of 3,780 COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, the country's ministry of health said.

The latest figure has raised the nationwide death toll to 317,646 since Brazil's first case was detected on Feb. 26, 2020. Enditem
"We are excited to have Nathan on board at the Courtyard Dayton Beavercreek hotel," said Todd Smith, area director of operations for Commonwealth Hotels. "His extensive general manager experience and focus on revenue management will be key to the hotel's success."

Prior to joining Commonwealth Hotels in 2020, Lipps built his career at premier hotels including The Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World, as well as hotels in Columbus, Orlando, Austin, and Cincinnati. Mr. Lipps holds a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University.

Commonwealth Hotels is growing and looking for more dedicated hospitality positions both on and off-property. Interested applicants can apply by visiting the company Career page. Follow our Facebook and LinkedIn pages for more company updates, including new openings, awards and hires.

About Commonwealth Hotels, LLC

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC was founded in 1986 and is a proven partner in providing hotel management services with superior financial results. The company has extensive experience managing premium branded full service and select service hotels. Commonwealth Hotels currently manages 43 properties with nearly 5,500 rooms. Additional information may be found at www.commonwealthhotels.com.

Contact

Jennifer Schneider

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC

[email protected]

859.261.5522

SOURCE Commonwealth Hotels, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.commonwealthhotels.com


Despite the formation of a livestock task force, arrests of suspected cattle thieves and rotation of police officers, illegal cattle theft in the Epukiro constituency continues unabated.

This follows the discovery last week of fresh remains of six heads of cattle at the Otjimati village in the Epukiro constituency by the Community Against Stock Theft Organisation (CATO), led by Sandie Tjaronda.

Tjaronda confirmed this development to New Era yesterday, saying they handed over one suspect to the police, while three others are still on the run.

Rampant cattle theft has become prevalent in the Epukiro and the Otjombinde constituencies in the Omaheke region.

Last year, the Tjaronda-led taskforce, during an operation christened 'Operation Coronavirus', recovered 58 stolen cattle with an estimated value of about N$400 000, 10 donkeys, 12 sheep, five vehicles and a television set in the Epukiro constituency.

Similarly, a parallel operation in the Otjombinde constituency recovered over 100 cattle last year. The cattle were reportedly stolen from farms across the region over a period of time.

After a standoff between suspected cattle rustlers and the farmers in the Epukiro constituency last year, inspector general of the Namibian Police Sebastian Ndeitunga visited the constituency to come up with a holistic strategy to find a long-term solution to the rampant cattle theft.

The meeting decided to reshuffle police officers after complaints were raised by farmers that some officers were involved in cattle rustling.

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In his state of the region address last year, Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate said some police officers are relaxing on the job - and as such, police officers at Epukiro, Tallismanus, Corridor 13 and Witvlei were rotated for the improvement of police operations, as well as to ensure restoration of trust in the force.

He revealed that Omaheke has lost livestock to the value of N$5 million from April 2019 to March 2020.

From April 2019 to March 2020, 99 stock theft-related cases were reported to the region's police, of which 552 were big livestock and 627 small stock to the tune of N$4.95 million.

According to Nganate, of the 552 big livestock stolen, 159 were recovered, while 292 small livestock of the 627 were recovered to the value N$1.8 million.

Nganate said 244 suspected livestock rustlers were arrested by the police.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-30 21:27:21|Editor: huaxia

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The second batch of the Sinovac vaccines donated by China arrive in Manila, the Philippines, on March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- China is providing vaccine aid to 80 countries and three international organizations, exporting vaccines to more than 40 countries, and cooperating with more than 10 nations in vaccine research, development and production, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a press briefing after World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Monday against a widening gap between numbers of coronavirus vaccines in wealthy countries and those distributed to poorer nations through the global COVAX initiative.

According to statistics, rich countries, which account for 16 percent of the world population, now own 60 percent of the world's vaccines. Several rich developed countries have ordered two to three times as many vaccines as their own populations, while poor developing countries now do not have or have no access to Western vaccines, Hua noted.

Saying vaccine is a powerful weapon against viruses and a hope to save lives, Hua added it should serve the whole world and benefit all mankind. China took the lead in promising vaccines as global public goods and striving to improve the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.

China has joined COVAX and made a clear commitment to provide an initial 10 million doses of vaccine to meet urgent needs in developing countries, she added.

China has also responded to the call of the United Nations to donate vaccines to peacekeepers from all over the world, Hua said. "We are also willing to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee to provide vaccines to athletes preparing to participate in the Olympic Games."

China opposes the immoral and irresponsible behavior of "vaccine nationalism" and creating "immunity gap", Hua said. "We also call on all countries with the ability to do their best to provide vaccines to countries in need, especially developing nations, so that people of all countries can afford them." 
Ever Given is a giant of the seas: 400 meters long, 59 wide and with a load capacity of 220,000 tons. It ran aground and lay across the Suez Canal on 23 March, blocking traffic in this crucial logistical artery for about a week.

by Emanuele Miraglia and Roberto Sarti

At the time of writing this article, the Ever Given container ship, owned by Shoei Kisen Kaisha and operated by Evergreen Marine, has finally been freed after running aground on the banks of the Suez Canal. The blockage had a major impact on the international economy: the price of crude oil rose, and there was a significant impact on the cost of transporting goods and their final prices. This event could have longer-term consequences, with a chain of effect that is difficult to calculate.

Ever Given is a giant of the seas: 400 meters long, 59 wide and with a load capacity of 220,000 tons. It ran aground and lay across the Suez Canal on 23 March, blocking traffic in this crucial logistical artery for about a week.

According to data from Bloomberg data, 12 percent of international trade and 30 percent of sea trade passes through the Suez Canal. All of this was brought to a halt by a single vessel! Until yesterday, more than 300 ships were blocked at both ends of the canal. They carry LPG, oil, cement, foodstuffs, live animals, various components, cars and other finished products.

Some 12 percent of international trade and 30 percent of sea trade passes through the Suez Canal, all of which has been held up for the past week / Image: Baycrest

Other ships that had to use the channel in recent days made the decision to divert to the Cape of Good Hope, circumnavigating Africa and extending their route by 9,000 kilometers, and extending journeys by at least a week.

The accident

On Tuesday 23 March, the Ever Given container ship crossed the Suez Canal at one of its narrowest passages, in the middle of a sandstorm, with winds over 40 knots. The hull deviated, causing the vessel to veer sideways and run aground both fore and aft.

Initial attempts to free the ship proved unsuccessful and maritime traffic soon went haywire. Many ships were stuck in the channel itself, and many more were halted at the mouth of the canal, both in the Mediterranean and in the Gulf of Suez, resulting in vast queues.

If at first the wind and the sandstorm seemed to be the main causes of the accident, soon other hypotheses began to present themselves. The speed and power with which the Ever Given collided on the banks of the Canal makes it likely that this motion was driven by the engines of the ship itself.

According to Osama Rabie, head of the Suez Canal Authority, winds and sandstorms are not the main causes, suggesting a technical failure or a human error may have been involved. Of course, this may be an attempt to deflect attention away from problems with the infrastructure that he himself governs.

Some have raised the idea that a cyberattack on the ship's computer system may have been involved. This isnt surprising: such threats are taken very seriously by shipping and insurance companies. The size and importance of these giants of the sea could make them an attractive target for terrorist attacks, although it isnt possible to verify this hypothesis.

According to estimates, the blockage of the canal caused economic damage equal to $US 400 million an hour. The value of goods that cross the canal every day is calculated at $US 9.6 billion ($US 5.1 billion eastwards, $US 4.5 billion westwards).

Per an estimate by the specialist magazine Lloyds' List the value of the goods blocked in the Canal is equal to 8.12 billion, and likely to be revised upward.

Vulnerability of the international markets

Whatever the causes of the accident, it showed how easily a single accident can throw world markets into chaos. A chance event at one of its points of greatest vulnerability can have disastrous consequences.

The concrete consequences of the lack of supplies were immediate. The Syrian government announced the rationing of fuel linked to the non-arrival of a cargo of oil. Some shipowners, such as the Danish Maersk and the French Cma, diverted some of their ships to South Africa.

Much concern has also been raised by ships transporting animals, with sufficient resources to feed and hydrate them for only a few days and a very high risk of developing diseases and hygiene issues, dangerous for animals and crew alike. In addition, foodstuffs are likely to rot while waiting.

In addition to this, Ever Given was insured for only $US 3.1 billion, a figure well below the losses caused to the infrastructure and to the waiting ships. Legal battles for compensation and fight-to-the-death trade clashes are expected.

It will probably take more than a week to clear the traffic jam created at both ends of the canal, but the backlash on international logistics could be even more important.

The blockade already resulted in bottlenecks in several ports. Containerism is a complex science and the coordination of cargo loading and unloading operations is a multi-dimensional Tetris involving massive resources.

Just to give some examples: the port of Genoa has been put in a state of pre-alarm. In the port of Trieste, delays are estimated for about 50,000 containers. Port congestion problems have already been present since August in both the US and China, highlighting the serious and structural lack of equipment. Three-quarters of all container ships going from Asia to Europe arrived late in February, for example. It is almost certain that the blockade will exacerbate the problems.

Naval gigantism and the unsustainability of capitalism

What has happened in the Canal in recent days unveils a trend in naval trade that seems to know no bounds: gigantism. Over the last few years, the size of commercial ships has increased exponentially and, with them, the port infrastructures had to be readjusted as well.

The process goes hand in hand with the centralisation of international trade in the hands of a few multinational companies, and a greater rate of exploitation of labour. In fact, very few companies are able to endure in such a competitive market.

A few immense ships move thousands of containers and are entrusted to the control of a handful of workers per boat (often fewer than a dozen), who are responsible for managing hundreds of thousands of tons floating in the oceans. International regulation forms an anarchic and confusing labyrinth, in which illicit capital is laundered.

Matryoshka (so-called Russian Doll) enterprises are created and every minimal standard of occupational and environmental safety is broken. All international trade is based on the foundations of corruption and exploitation.

If the accident that took place on 23 March was the most serious in terms of consequences, it is certainly not the only one, neither in Suez nor in the seas around the globe. The Suez Canal is constantly crossed by ships that are unable to move safely due to its shallow depths. Obviously, those who manage the Canal, who dont want to lose the hefty earnings of tolls, push the Canals infrastructure beyond its limits.

But this is a problem that has important repercussions on ports the world over, which are forced to continually readjust docks in terms of size and depth.

It has reached the point that the port authorities themselves increasingly ask for an end to this perverse process, vainly hoping that the same shipping barons who profit handsomely from large scale trade will self-regulate.

Consequences for world relations and the environment

Meanwhile, this extraordinary event has rekindled the trade war between the main international powers and raises important questions concerning the new needs of trade by sea.

An article in the New York Times (26 March), titled In Suez Canal, Stuck Ship Is a Warning About Excessive Globalization, reveals quite a lot about the future strategies of the capitalist powers:

In recent decades, management experts and consulting firms have championed so-called just-in-time manufacturing to limit costs and boost profits. Rather than waste money stockpiling extra goods in warehouses, companies can depend on the magic of the internet and the global shipping industry to summon what they need as they need it. (...) Yet, as in everything in life, overdoing a good thing can bring danger.

This sentiment was echoed in an interview with the Maersk CEO, Soren Skou:

We are moving towards a just-in-case supply chain, not just-in-time. This incident [in the Suez Canal] will make people think more about their supply chains. (Financial Times, March 29)

Cynically, he adds, How much just-in-time do you want to be? It's great when it works but when it doesn't, you lose sales. Theres no just-in-time cost savings that can outweigh the negative of losing sales.

Companies that have opted for short supply chains, and that dont have large stocks of products, will suffer most from the blockage. Just-in-time production, which became the rule in the world economy, has shown its structural limits, as it is unable to satisfy demand as soon as bottlenecks are created along the supply chain.

The market economy had already fully demonstrated its limits with the inability to respond adequately to the pandemic generated by COVID-19. In 2020, as borders were shut and supply chains disrupted, companies that had opted for just-in-time methods  i.e. boosting their profits by squeezing out all short-term inefficiencies  were suddenly thrown into chaos. The short-term drive for profit had created a system that is extremely brittle and prone to shocks.

Until we get rid of this rotten system, which is riddled with contradictions and instability, these accidents will have an evermore devastating effect. The anarchy of the capitalist market and national divisions prevent resources from being used for the good of humanity, coordinating them as best as possible to avoid accidents and allocating them with the necessary flexibility to answer to unforeseen events.

But the lesson drawn from the Suez Canal incident and the pandemic by the capitalists will be the need to protect their own supply chains, by growing protectionist methods and reshoring strategic industries.

The cost of shipping a container from Asia to North America has more than doubled since last November. Freight prices from Asia to Europe quadrupled. In the middle of the biggest crisis of the last 100 years, the struggle for markets is also about defending one's own internal markets.

The incident on the Suez Canal provides an opportunity for both the United States and the European Union to try to limit China's exports to their markets. It is not taken for granted that they will succeed, but it will certainly open up a new chapter in the global trade war.

What is certain is that prices will rise and the bill will be paid by the consumers, i.e. workers and their families. Additionally, a move away from being dependent on single suppliers, as Soren Skou suggests, will represent a declaration of class war on the workers of component suppliers in South East Asia and other parts of the continent.

Then there is the search for alternative routes: a harbinger of other clashes on the world stage.

The first option, favoured by the Mediterranean countries, concerns a further modification of the Suez Canal, with important works to widen its narrowest stretch and to make it much deeper. This option is by no means straightforward, as it would have huge costs and take a long time to implement. Furthermore, it would further undermine the already precarious environmental equilibrium of the Mediterranean, generating a water exchange with the Indian Ocean with unmeasurable consequences.

The abandonment or downsizing of traffic through the Suez Canal would have immediate consequences in Egypt. Transit tolls are an important source of income for Al-Sisi, totalling $US 5.61 billion in 2020.

The Egyptian regime is going through a heavy economic crisis. The Egyptian pound depreciated against the US dollar by 50 percent, and public debt reached 96 percent of GDP in 2020. A third of Egyptians now live below the poverty line.

It is no coincidence that the news of the blockade of the Suez Canal was obscured by the Egyptian media. Al-Sisi is sitting on a powder keg that he keeps under control only through the most ruthless repression. A downsizing of the Canal could be the spark that triggers an explosion.

Another option is the rediscovery of the passage from the Cape of Good Hope. If the canal does not adapt its dimensions to the new commercial needs, some companies may prefer to move to the old route, the one that runs along South Africa, circumnavigating the African continent. This choice meets with important problems for navigation in terms of travel times, costs and risks.

Diversion of sea traffic around the cape has raised a previously neglected risk: piracy. The problem of piracy on the East coast of Africa, fuelled by the poverty and the ruin faced by fishermen, is well known. But now piracy is becoming more frequent for routes on the West Coast. Again, poverty and mass unemployment among youth living in Nigerias oil-rich Niger Delta region is leading to a surge in piracy.

The last option, heavily sponsored by the Russian government, is the opening of the Arctic route. This could prove to be a highly competitive choice for Russia and China. At the moment the route is only viable from June to November with specially equipped ships. But rising temperatures and further growth in the size of ships could make it viable all year round by 2040, shortening the journey between China and the major ports of Northern Europe by about 100 days.

This alternative, with huge consequences for the global economy and world relations, is tantamount to betting on climate catastrophe  and feeding it. Any promise to reduce polluting emissions to curb the rise in temperatures would only be a bad thing for those capitalists betting on Arctic trade routes!

All the solutions on a capitalist basis lead to disastrous consequences, which have nothing positive to offer humanity. Only the overthrow of this sick and cruel system can guarantee an alternative; only the harmonious and democratic use of resources and the overcoming of national borders and interests can offer the solutions we need.

Today, more than ever, the struggle for socialism is the only answer to capitalist barbarism. Every day the anarchy of the market shows its structural limits and brings us closer to the abyss.

Let's put an end to this irrational system that puts short-term profit ahead of the welfare of human beings, the environment and even its own long-term viability.
Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden have shared their first family photos of their newborn son Prince Julian posing alongside his two older brothers.

Taking to their personal Instagram account, the royal couple shared an image of the baby boy, who is seventh-in-line to the throne, captured next to his father, as well as his proud siblings Prince Alexander, four, and Prince Gabriel, three.

A second black and white photograph showed Prince Julian Herbert Folke of Sweden, Duke of Halland, cuddled up between only his brothers.

Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip's third son was born on March 26 at a hospital in Greater Stockholm. His name and his first official portrait was released on Sunday.

Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden have shared their first family photos of their newborn son Prince Julian posing alongside his two older brothers (pictured)

Princess Sofia of Sweden and Prince Carl Philip were spotted leaving Danderyds hospital hand-in-hand after welcoming their third child together (pictured)

Writing on her social media profile, which she shares with her husband, Sofia said: 'Life has given me not just one but four beautiful princes.

'A heartfelt thank you from us for all the warm congratulations in connection with Julian's birth.'

On Sunday, Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip shared the first glimpse of their newborn baby, hours after the name of their third son was revealed.

A second black and white photograph showed Prince Julian Herbert Folke of Sweden, Duke of Halland, cuddled up between only his brothers (pictured)

The royal couple took to Instagram to share a picture of their son, Prince Julian, dressed in an adorable cream outfit, which was taken by his father Prince Carl Philip.

Prince Julian's grandfather King Carl Gustaf revealed his name and dukedom at a cabinet meeting at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on Sunday 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 beloved uncle Prince Bertil, whose former home Carl and Sofia currently live in with their children.

On Sunday, Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip took to Instagram to share an adorable picture of their son, Prince Julian

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.

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

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.

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.'

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.
DENTIST WINS HUMANITARIAN AWARD: The Louisiana Dental Association has awarded its Humanitarian Award to Dr. Frank G. Martello, of New Orleans. Martello has a private practice in Uptown New Orleans and is a clinical associate professor at the LSU School of Dentistry. He is a member of the board of Donated Dental Services and, for 36 years, has been the volunteer dentist for United Cerebral Palsy of Greater New Orleans. He is married to Kathleen Reed Martello.

COVID EMOTIONS: Robin Gurwitch, a professor of psychology and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center, will discuss "Emotional Well-Being in the Age of COVID" during a webinar at 7 p.m. April 12. The webinar is part of the "Cross Generational Issues for Women' series being sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women in partnership with Hadassah New Orleans and Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana. To register, visit www.ncjwneworleans.org/programs.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS: A variety of free, peer-led support groups have been organized by the New Orleans chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The usual schedule includes:

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups for people living with mental health conditions meet from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

NAMI Family Support Groups for loved ones and caregivers of individuals living with mental health conditions meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. every first Wednesday, from 10:30 a.m. to noon every third Saturday, and from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. every fourth Thursday.

NOLA Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Register by emailing survivors.nola@gmail.com. For more information visit nolasurvivors.com. The group meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday.

For information, contact Shannon at education@namineworleans.org or (504) 896-2345.

NARCONON: Benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax are involved in a fifth of all overdose-related deaths. For free substance abuse screenings or referrals, call Narconon at (800) 431-1754. For information about benzodiazepines and other substance abuse issues, visit narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog.
Official White House Photo by Adam SchultzBy Molly Nagle, ABC News



(WASHINGTON) -- Several Republican governors bucked President Joe Biden's plea to keep masking mandates in place, even as his administration works to increase vaccination rates to stay ahead of what would be a fourth surge of the coronavirus in the U.S.



"I'm reiterating my call for every governor, mayor and local leader to maintain and reinstate the mask mandate. Please," Biden said Monday. "This is not politics. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down. And businesses should require masks as well. The failure to take this virus seriously -- precisely what got us in this mess in the first place -- risks more cases and more ... deaths."



Biden's call for the American people to continue using masks to stop COVID from surging is nothing new. He has made the plea in nearly all of his remarks on the virus as president, warning that the country is not yet out the woods even as progress is made on vaccinations.



Also on Monday, he announced at least 90% of Americans would be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by April 19, and 90% of the population would have a vaccination site within 5 miles of their homes.



But the rollback on restrictions at the state level highlights the competing challenge Biden faces on the pandemic: touting positive signs that hope is on the horizon, while also keeping a country fatigued of COVID-19 regulations and restrictions compliant.



White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt also had a warning for states Tuesday.



"Lifting all of these restrictions, telling people not to wear masks, gathering in large crowds, that's the equivalent of playing with fire," Slavitt said.



Despite the administration's dire warnings, Republican leaders moved forward with plans to do away with statewide mandates on masking.



Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who last previously extended her state's mask mandate through the end of March, made clear she has no intention of issuing another extension.



Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who has also previously extended his state's masking requirement, announced Tuesday his plans to immediately lift the mandate.



"This does not mean that the use of the mask will cease," Hutchinson argued, adding that "common sense should govern" mask usage and private businesses' decisions on masks should still be respected.



Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who recently signed a bill repealing the state's mask mandate starting April 10, also has no plans to reverse course, his office confirmed to ABC News.



In her press briefing Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki sidestepped questions about the impact Biden's message was having, arguing that local leaders and businesses could take action even if governors refused to do so.



"It's a tough message, (but) important for people to hear that we're still in war with this virus, and people need to still be vigilant in order to return to normal," Psaki said.



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now seeing an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases and people hospitalized with the disease, according to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, caused by increased travel in recent weeks, lifting restrictions and more relaxed behavior.



The seven-day average of cases has seen a 10% increase over the previous period and hospitalizations and deaths also have increased.



"I'm going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom," Walensky said in an emotional plea at a White House briefing Monday. "We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are, and so much reason for hope. But right now, I'm scared."



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
With the rise in the number of Covid cases in the state, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has extended the closure of all schools up to Class 8 to April 4.

Earlier, the Yogi Adityanath government had ordered the closure of schools for students up to Class 8 till March 31.

The new instructions were given after a late-night meeting on Tuesday, chaired by the chief minister.

The chief minister has also ordered officials to increase the number of Covid-19 testing in the state.

Uttar Pradesh, till Tuesday night, recorded 918 new cases and 10 deaths due to the deadly virus.

Lucknow topped the list with 446 new cases in a day.

In another important move, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed all departments to provide a day's leave to the employees going for vaccination.

He has asked officials to make similar arrangements in the private sector.

"The government employees going in for Covid-19 vaccination must be given a day's off on their due date. Likewise, similar arrangements must be made for private sector employees too," the chief minister said in a statement.

Expressing concern over the decline in the number of Covid-19 tests conducted during the Holi break and the simultaneous surge in the number of cases, Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure that Covid containment plan is implemented in the true sense.

About 67,000 Covid-19 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours which is way less than the state's daily average of about 1.25 lakh tests.

The chief minister told officials that the number of tests must be increased immediately and the average of 1.5 lakh tests per day must be achieved and maintained.

Stating that all suspected cases must be tested through the RT-PCR method, he said that at least 50 per cent of all tests conducted should be done through this gold standard method.

He told officials to intensify focused testing exercise and ensure that no vulnerable pockets, including old age homes, protection homes, residential schools and hostels are left out.

He also directed officials to undertake awareness activities and motivate people to adhere to the safety protocol.

Uttar Pradesh has a massive vaccination target to cover. More than 54 lakh doses have been given while at least 12 lakh persons have been fully vaccinated.

With the Centre having allowed vaccination of all persons above 45 years, the state is eying to vaccinate one crore persons in April.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh reported 10 more Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, pushing the death toll to 8,800, while 918 new cases took the infection tally in the state to 6,15,996.

Four deaths were reported from Lucknow, two from Kanpur, and one each from Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Unnao and Aurraiya, a health bulletin issued here said.
Three men suspected to be Al Shabaab militants were Monday arrested in Lagdera, Garissa County while in possession of an assortment of illegal weapons.

Lagdera police said that they were on patrol along the Baraki-Maalmin Road when they spotted the three men of Somali origin in a white Toyota Succeed car at around 5 pm.

When police commanded them to pull over their vehicle, the men sped off prompting a chase that lasted about four hours.

A multi-agency team of agents from the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit and officers from nearby security stations in Mogodashe, Afweini, and Maalmini was deployed to track down the suspects.

According to a police report, two officers who were using their personal vehicle cornered the suspects about 40km south of the CCM Lagdera Police Station.

The men all had Kenyan identity cards. They were identified as Nur Ibrahim Alaso Hadadob (the driver), Jimale Abey Mahamad Griftu, and Abdirizack Mohamed Ali Elwak.

Police recovered nine AK-47 rifles, 2,104 bullets, and 20 litres of petrol. There were also eight empty magazines.

Detectives believe the weapons were to be used in a terror mission. North Eastern police boss Rono Bunei said they are investigating further to establish what the suspected Al-Shabaab militants were planning.

These were transporting them for a terror-related mission here. We are on alert, he said.

Police termed the arrests and recovery a win in the war on terrorism.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has launched an innovative community health initiative called Say Yes! COVID Test starting in Pitt County, North Carolina, and coming soon to Chattanooga/Hamilton County, Tennessee. As many as 160,000 residents across the two communities will have access to free, rapid antigen tests that they can administer themselves to use three times a week for one month. NIH will provide the tests (also called a home-test or at-home test) and evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative, which aims to determine if frequent self-administered COVID-19 testing helps residents reduce community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.

Reliable and widely available testing is a critical part of our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Regular screening with at-home COVID-19 tests can strengthen our prevention efforts, said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H. Combined with efforts to increase vaccinations, this important initiative will help us understand how best to utilize these new at-home tests to reduce viral transmission rates in communities.

The opportunity to participate in the testing program will be offered by local health departments. Participants will be able to order their test kits online for home delivery or pick them up at a local distribution site. A free online tool that also is available as a phone app will be offered to provide testing instructions, information to help understand test results and text message reminders about testing. Strong community engagement efforts are underway to ensure that vulnerable and underserved populations are aware and able to benefit from the opportunity.

This testing initiative is the first of this scale to attempt to make free, rapid, self-administered tests available community-wide in order to determine their effectiveness in our nations comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. We hope to gain foundational data that can guide how communities can use self-administered tests to mitigate viral transmission during this and future pandemics.

Participants in the Say Yes! COVID Test initiative will also have the option to volunteer in an NIH-supported research study that will collect additional data through surveys. The survey questions are designed to determine whether frequent self-administered testing has made a difference in behavior, knowledge on preventing spread of the virus and thoughts about COVID-19 vaccination.

Selection of the two communities was based on local infection rates, public availability of accurate COVID-19 tracking data, existing community relationships through the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Underserved Populations (RADx-UP)(link is external)external icon and local infrastructure to support the project.

Researchers at NIH-supported University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Duke University and the Duke Clinical Research Institute, both in Durham, North Carolina, will work with the CDC and NIH to use publicly available COVID-19 case surveillance data on test positivity rates, COVID-19-related illness and hospitalizations and measurements of viral particles in sewage wastewater to evaluate viral transmission in the community. At the same time, publicly available data will be reviewed from other communities of similar size that have not received widespread self-administered tests to evaluate the impact of frequent self-administered testing.

If self-testing is shown to effectively reduce viral spread in the selected communities, the hope is that it will lead to wider distribution and acceptance of frequent home testing across the countryultimately providing an easy and accessible new means of stemming the spread of the virus, said Elizabeth A. DiNenno, Ph.D., an associate deputy director for surveillance, epidemiology, and laboratory sciences at the CDC.

The test being supplied through the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADxSM) initiativeexternal icon is the QuickVue test developed by San Diego-based diagnostic company Quidel. The test received emergency use authorization for at-home use with a prescription by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on March 1, 2021. The test is performed with a nasal swab and detects the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 viral antigen within 10 minutes. The companion online tool was developed by CareEvolution, LLC, Ann Arbor, Michigan, with funding support from NIH, and is customized to be used with the QuickVue test.

In a recent study conducted by the NIH RADx initiativeexternal icon, researchers found that rapid antigen testing at least three times per week achieves a viral detection level on par with PCR-based COVID-19 testing processed in a lab. However, a self-administered rapid test produces confidential results at home in minutes, while laboratory processing takes longer and increases cost. The hope is that easier access to tests and faster test results will make frequent testing more desirable and encourage people to protect themselves and others in the community.

COVID-19 testing has undergone a transformation over the past year to provide optimal approaches for varied circumstances, including self-testing within peoples homes, said Bruce J. Tromberg, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), part of the NIH, and leader of the RADx Tech program. These advances allow more accessible screening and surveillance testing, a powerful approach that complements vaccination and helps prevent infection as the virus mutates.

Say Yes! COVID Test is being conducted in a collaboration with the CDC, state and local public health departments in North Carolina and Tennessee, NIH, research institutions including Duke University, the University of North Carolina, North Carolina Central University, test manufacturer Quidel, healthcare technology company CareEvolution, community engagement partners from RADx-UP, and Community-Campus Partnerships for Health.
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nine distinguished conservation researchers from around the world have been named 2021 recipients of the Pew fellowship in marine conservation. From studying the ecological and socioeconomic benefits provided by coastal habitats to improving shark conservation and coral reef restoration practices, the new fellows will undertake a broad range of projects to deepen our knowledge of the ocean and advance the sustainable use of marine resources.

"We are honored to welcome the newest cohort of experts to the active community of Pew marine fellows," said Rebecca Goldburg, director of environmental research and science at The Pew Charitable Trusts. "These individuals are undertaking exciting new research projects that will directly address ocean conservation and management needs around the world. I look forward to working with them over the coming years."

For 25 years, the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation has supported midcareer scientists and other experts seeking solutions to problems affecting the world's oceans.

Fellows are selected by an international committee of marine science experts following a rigorous nomination and review process. Each fellow receives $150,000 over three years to address some of the most critical challenges facing the marine environment. Pew has recognized 189 marine fellows from 40 countries since the start of the program.

The 2021 Pew marine fellows are:

Amanda Bates, Ph.D.Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada (through June 30, 2021)University of Victoria, Canada (starting July 1, 2021)Bates will examine the long-term impacts of the pandemic lockdown on marine biodiversity to advance scientific understanding of how humans affect natural systems.

Rachel T. Graham, Ph.D. MarAlliance, PanamaGraham will study shark populations in Panama and explore innovative strategies to strengthen engagement of coastal fishing communities in shark research, conservation, and management.

Gakushi Ishimura, Ph.D. Iwate University, JapanIshimura will examine how fisheries and coastal communities respond to extreme events, such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, to inform marine conservation strategies in Japan.

Mei Lin Neo, Ph.D. National University of Singapore, SingaporeNeo will study threats to populations of giant clams in Southeast Asia to identify key drivers of ongoing declines and opportunities to improve conservation of these threatened invertebrates.

Kirsten L.L. Oleson, Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa, United States Oleson will use natural capital accounting to evaluate the contributions of coastal ecosystems to the Hawaiian economy and inform decision-making about and management of marine resources.

Tries Blandine Razak, Ph.D. IPB University, IndonesiaRazak will undertake research to support more effective restoration and conservation of coral reefs in Indonesia.

Yunne-Jai Shin, Ph.D. French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development and Marine Biodiversity, Exploitation, and Conservation research unit, FranceShin will develop a comprehensive framework for quantifying uncertainty in ocean ecosystem models to make them more useful as tools for decision-makers.

Rick Stuart-Smith, Ph.D. University of Tasmania, AustraliaStuart-Smith will develop a system to audit the effectiveness of global marine protected areas in delivering the intended benefits for people and biodiversity.

Wang Songlin, M.Sc.Qingdao Marine Conservation Society, ChinaWang will conduct ecological and socioeconomic research to support effective conservation and management of China's Bohai Bay eelgrass bed and will work with local fishers to co-develop eelgrass-friendly fishing practices.

Contact: Alicia Clarke, aclarke@pewtrusts.org, 202-540-6571

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pew-names-9-marine-fellows-to-advance-global-ocean-conservation-301259724.html

SOURCE The Pew Charitable Trusts
Troupe attracts more young people to Chinese Peking Opera

09:04, March 31, 2021 By Pan Junqiang ( People's Daily

Photo taken on March 26 shows an activity held in a primary school in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei province to promote traditional Chinese operas among students. (People' s Daily Online/Cao Jianxiong)

A Beijing-based Peking Opera troupe with a history of more than 80 years has drawn more and more young people to Peking Opera through a series of explorations and innovations while carrying forward the essence of the traditional art form in recent years.

Beijing Fenglei Peking Opera Troupe is located in Banzhang Hutong, an artistic alleyway decorated with painted facial makeup patterns of main Peking Opera roles, relief sculptures of various characters in Peking Opera plays, as well as paintings of costumes and headwear used in the fine performing art in Xicheng district of Beijing.

The time-honored Peking Opera troupe started to think about attracting more young people to their performances after a survey it conducted revealed that young people under the age of 25 accounted for only less than 20 percent of its audience, which was mainly made up of middle-aged and senior people.

"If we can't get more young people involved, then who are we going to perform for in the future?" The remark of Song Yan, head of the troupe, showed his anxiety over the future of the traditional art.

Beijing Fenglei Peking Opera Troupe then held themed salons and invited young people to share their opinions about Peking Opera. Song was surprised to learn through these salons that many young people did not dislike Peking Opera, but rather didn't understand or didn't know how to appreciate the art form.

Song then realized that it is important for young people to learn about the traditional Chinese art so as to better enjoy it.

Considering that Peking Opera has a high appreciation threshold and young people obviously need more opportunities to get to understand and experience the art, Song decided to build a Peking Opera culture and art experience base inside the theater of the troupe.

Visitors to the experience base are allowed to try drawing facial makeup patterns of Peking Opera with their own hands and learn movements and vocal skills of the art form in Peking Opera costumes from professional actors, thus enjoying personally the charm of Peking Opera and acquiring more knowledge about the cultural and artistic value of the performing art.

Beijing Fenglei Peking Opera Troupe has also established ties with some schools, and invited primary and secondary school students to visit the Peking Opera culture and art experience base, aiming to bring the quintessence of Chinese culture closer to children via on-site interpretation and interactive experiences.

Song has also tried to promote Peking Opera by creating modern drama. In January, a play showing the life of an elderly couple who live in a Hutong in the south of Beijing was staged for five consecutive days and enjoyed wide popularity among audiences. Song was the scriptwriter and leading actor of the play.

"Just like establishing the experience base, creating modern drama is also one of our ways to promote Peking Opera," Song said, explaining that he hopes to demonstrate the beauty of Peking Opera through modern drama, which he considers a more feasible plan to draw Peking Opera outsiders, thus driving the development of Peking Opera.

In recent years, many variety shows, animation and comic works, as well as other forms of artistic works have tried to expand the audience of Peking Opera by spreading the art through ways that are popular among the public and favored by young people.

Popular Chinese television series Winter Begonia, which focuses on the art of Peking Opera and legendary stories of a famous Peking Opera artist and a businessman who is also a big fan of Peking Opera, represents film and television industry's helpful practice of carrying forward Peking Opera.

Some people who weren't familiar with Peking Opera have grown fond of the traditional art form after watching modern dramas and film and television works about Peking Opera.

"I thought pop songs are pleasant, and yet never expected that Peking Opera can be so enchanting. Such works help young people discover the charm of Peking Opera and make it possible for Peking Opera to be inherited," commented an Internet user.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Southwest Research Institute, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, is developing machine learning algorithms to help the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) coordinate traffic management and incident response along portions of Interstate 24 in the rapidly growing Nashville region.

The project will use artificial intelligence to enhance an integrated corridor management (ICM) system, using software and systems to promote smart mobility and improve collaboration among various transportation agencies.

SwRI's ICM solutions fuse data across freeways, surface streets, and transit systems to help balance traffic flow and improve performance of the entire corridor." Samantha Blaisdell, Program Manager, Southwest Research Institute

SwRI's Intelligent Systems Division and Vanderbilt University will develop an Artificial Intelligence-based ICM Decision Support System (DSS) through a TDOT grant funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Integrated corridor management is making its way out of the laboratory and hit the road following two decades of research led by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). ICM systems manage freeways and arterial roadways with dynamic lane control, speed harmonization, traffic signal control, ramp metering, demand management, and other strategies.

Deployment, however, has been limited by reliance on conventional traffic simulation modeling, which can be cost-prohibitive due to the time and resources required to develop and maintain traffic models.

The project will use artificial intelligence in the place of simulation models to learn from and mimic operator behavior and decision making. This will enable quicker accident response and mitigation, rerouting traffic around problem areas quickly and efficiently, and ensuring state and local agency collaboration.

"SwRI's TDOT research aims to overcome the roadblocks of ICM traffic modeling by using artificial intelligence algorithms to speed up the analysis of traffic," said Clay Weston, a SwRI project manager leading the project. "After training the system using traffic patterns, the algorithms will be able to recommend alternative routes in real-time, taking advantage of high-capacity urban roads and surface streets."

The SwRI-led decision tool will have several applications, such as traffic signal coordination on underutilized roads to ease congestion on highways. State transportation operations staff will use the decision tool to evaluate and recommend traffic management strategies for real-time diversion routing.

Using a web interface, the DSS will integrate into the state's management center, the public agency-owned ActiveITS, and other regional intelligent transportation systems (ITS).

The project is part of a bigger TDOT initiative known as the I-24 Smart Corridor, a 28-mile stretch of Interstate 24 with corresponding arterial roadways in the municipalities of Nashville, La Verne, Smyrna, and Murfreesboro.

In addition to improving coordination, the ICM DSS tool will help meet I-24 Smart Corridor project goals to increase travel time reliability and multimodal mobility while reducing congestion associated with incidents such as collisions.

"Integrated corridor management is gaining interest as the ITS community deploys smart mobility solutions to solve old congestion problems using new technology, especially when investments in physical infrastructure may not be feasible," said Blaisdell. "We are excited to be part of this evolution with the forward-looking ITS professionals at TDOT."

SwRI is a leader in the development of intelligent transportation systems and machine learning technologies with software deployments at transportation agencies across the United States.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 08:30:02|Editor: huaxia

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Brunei's national tally of COVID-19 cases has increased to 210 with three new cases reported on Tuesday.

According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, Case 208 is a 49-year-old man who arrived in the country from Manila. Case 209 is a 24-year-old man who arrived in the country from Nepal via Kuala Lumpur. Case 210 is a woman aged 59 years old who arrived in the country from Egypt via Kuala Lumpur.

All the new cases arrived in the country on March 17. The contact tracing for all the three cases is still being conducted and there are now 13 active cases being treated in the National Isolation Center who are all in a stable condition.

With the detection of these cases, a total of 69 imported cases have been confirmed in the country since the last local infection case on May 6, 2020. Brunei has recorded 328 days without local COVID-19 cases.

Brunei also reported three more recoveries from the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 194.

There have been three deaths reported from COVID-19 so far in Brunei. Enditem
by Melani Manel Perera

The Women's Federation of NAFSO released a paper highlighting the need to boost the social, economic and political presence of women. Self-reliance and micro-credits are major issues. More than 200 women committed suicide amid societys indifference. Some nuns stand in support of those in difficulty.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  The goal of the Women's Federation of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) is so to strengthen socially, economically and politically the role of women in Sri Lanka with a view to equality and justice.

To this end, the Federation prepared a policy paper titled Policies to empower women in food-producing communities, which it recently handed over to the government.

NAFSO marked International Womens Day on 25 March in Colombo, sponsoring an event in cooperation with the Civil Society Collective. MP Harini Amarasuriya, Sunethra Gunawardene, secretary of the Ministry for COVID Prevention and Primary Care, and Champa Upadsena, director of the Ministry of Women's Affairs, were present at the event. Each received a copy of the paper.

Women in the north and east already affected by the war have have suffered economically, socially and politically, said Laveena Hasandhi, head of the NAFSO women's desk. Now the COVID-19 plague has plunged women farmers, fishermen and working women into great crisis.

The main problem, however, remains economic independence, particularly loans. We have three main areas related to food producing women: capital investment, appropriate technology to improve production and the market, Hasandhi explained.

Women often struggle to receive money from public and private banks, which demand safeguards or guarantees the women cannot provide. In the recent past, more than 200 women have committed suicide because they could not pay their debts to various sri Lankan lenders.

For Hasandhi, every death is in the police records, but the news is most often kept secret and is not disclosed. It's a tragedy, she said.

Currently a group of rural women facing a severe financial crisis due to micro-credit loans are engaged in a peaceful protest (Sathaygraha) in Hingurakgoda, north central province.

They are calling on the government to cancel the debt, as President Gotabaya Rajapakse had promised in the 2019 election campaign.

To help the women become empowered, they must be freed from debt, promoting traditional methods and help the women use new technologies, Hasandhi noted.

Three women religious from the Holy Family Association  Sister Lalani, Sister Anusha and Sister Madhushani  attended the event on 25 March.

As religious, we greatly appreciate the great contribution made by Sri Lankan women to the national economy. Sister Anusha Perera told AsiaNews. This is why we would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to them.

In this context, nuns can also play an important role, acting as mediators between women and other parties, especially when women face difficulties and need support to stand on their own.

We must contribute to the healing of the minds of women who feel isolated, facing various problems, persecutions and crises, Sister Anusha explained. This way they can focus their mind on the process of earning a living.
The judge fixed the date for judgment after hearing the suit on Tuesday.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday fixed April 16 for judgment in the suit seeking the challenging the extension of the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu

The judge, Ahmed Mohammed, fixed the date after parties to the case adopted their written addresses.

The plaintiff's lawyer, Ugochukwu Ezekiel, and the counsel for Mr Adamu, Alex Izinyon, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court on Tuesday that they were ready for the hearing of the suit having successfully served the 4th defendant with their processes.

Adopting his addresses, the plaintiff's lawyer, Mr Ezekiel, said "We rely on all the affidavits and exhibits attached and urge the court to grant the reliefs and answer the questions in favour of the plaintiff."

Similarly, Mr Izinyon urged the court to uphold the preliminary objection of his client in response to the plaintiff's written address and dismiss the suit.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Adamu, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), through their lawyers, argued that the IGP could remain in office till either 2023 or 2024.

A lawyer, Maxwell Okpara, filed the suit following the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the tenure of Mr Adamu as Inspector-General of Police by three months after his retirement on February 1.

Mr Okpara's contention was that by virtue of Section 215 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Mr Adamu could not continue to function as the IGP, having retired as a serving member of the force.

Mr Opara sought among others in his suit, an order directing Mr Adamu to stop functioning as the IGP.

He asked the court to hold that the failure of Mr Buhari and the Nigeria Police Council (NPC) to name a new IGP on February 1 when Mr Adamu retired from police force amounted to abdication of duty.

He therefore urged the court to compel President Buhari and the NPC to immediately appoint a new IGP.

The plaintiffs sued the President, Mr Adamu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the NPC as the defendants.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Bond Resources Inc. (CSE: BJB) (FSE: 5B1) (the "Company" or "Bond") is pleased to announce that it has closed Tranche 1 of its non-brokered private placement (the "Financing"), raising $2,188,293.48 in gross proceeds through the issuance of 18,235,779 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.12 per Unit. (See press releases of March 4, 2021 and March 19, 2021.) Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"), with each whole Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of Bond at a price of $0.16 per share for a period of 5 years.

As disclosed in its March 19, 2021 press release, proceeds from the Financing will be allocated primarily towards the Company's Mary K Project in Idaho, including mining the bulk mineral sample, toll processing the bulk sample, equipment purchases and exploration drilling.

Aggregate compensation of $12,126 in cash and 101,050 finders' warrants (having the same general terms as the Warrants forming part of the Units) was paid by the Company as finders' fees for the portion of the Financing attributable to the finders' efforts.

All securities issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a hold period of four months and one day in accordance with the rules and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company has 112,854,776 common shares issued and outstanding following the closing of Tranche 1 of the Financing.

Bond expects to complete and close Tranche 2 in April 2021.

The Company also reports that Dr. Elaine Dorward-King has resigned as a director of the Company. The Board of Directors, on behalf of the shareholders, extends its gratitude to Dr. Dorward-King for her service to Bond, and wishes her well in her new endeavours.

About Palisades Goldcorp: Palisades Goldcorp is Canada's resource focused merchant bank. Palisade's management team has a demonstrated track record of making money and is backed by many of the industry's most notable financiers. With junior resource equities valued at generational lows, management believes the sector is on the cusp of a major bull market move. Palisades is positioning itself with significant stakes in undervalued companies and assets with the goal of generating superior returns.

About Bond Resources:Bond Resources is a mineral resource company that holds the contractual rights to acquire the Mary K mine in the Elk City mining district of Idaho. The Company will focus on near-term production and rediscovery at the high-grade historic mine. Led by industry veterans and located in the mining friendly jurisdiction of Idaho, USA, Bond Resources combines the technical expertise of industry experts and a transparent communications model to increase shareholder value.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

(sgd.) "Joseph A. Carrabba"

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Joseph A. Carrabba

Email: josephcarrabba@yahoo.com

Telephone: 1-604-602-4935

Toll Free: 1-866-602-4935

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release

This news release does not constitute an offer of sale of any of the foregoing securities in the United States. None of the foregoing securities have been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release may include certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: future work to be carried on the Property; use of funds; and the business and operations of Bond. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There is no assurance any of the forward-looking statements will be completed as described herein, or at all. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, lack of investor interest in financing; requirements for additional capital; future prices of gold and precious metals; changes in general economic conditions; accidents, delays or the failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, including the required permits; results of current exploration and testing; changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations; and title disputes. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Bond Resources disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79109
Walking into Los Barrios Restaurant, you cant help but feel the spirit of Viola. The family-oriented feel is likely why Los Barrios earned the title of Best Tex Mex in San Antonio in this years Readers Choice Awards.

Diana Barrios-Trevino, daughter of Viola Barrios, speaks from the heart, full of love and compassion for the people that make up Los Barrios.

We love our families. Weve got multi-generational customers. Its so amazing to see these children that we would carry around, and now were carrying their children, and some of them, their grandchildren. Its like coming to our home because its family, and were all about family.

Los Barrios has become a San Antonio favorite over the past 40+ years, and the Barrios family, including the staff, has taken that to heart. The team at Los Barrios remembers you like a long-lost relative that hasnt been around for a while.

READ MORE: Elotitos pops into San Antonio this weekend with new location

In one recollection, Barrios-Trevino mentions, We walk around to make sure everything is going well. I walked up to a table, and they said to me, You dont remember us because we havent lived here in a long time. They were from Chicago, and we remembered. The waiter remembered who they were from a visit 15 years ago and had welcomed them back  these guests were blown away.

Proud of their staff, Barrios-Trevino says they have not missed a beat, even during the pandemic. They have all worked long hours together and helped each other out. If youve never been to Los Barrios, this San Antonio treasure features fajitas on Tuesday night, margaritas all day on Wednesdays, and enchiladas on Thursdays.
John Sorvillo (left), Randy Stevens Scholarship recipient, and Sean Dobson, Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship recipient. (Hi-res image available at https://bit.ly/3cApjFq) The applications were numerous, amazing, and inspiring. The committee had quite a challenge in making its selections, but it determined that John Sorvillo and Sean Dobson epitomized what the scholarships represent.

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) today announced the recipients of its scholarships. John Sorvillo, director for Westwood Prep Academy at New Beginnings (Youngstown, Ohio), has been awarded the Randy Stevens Scholarship. Sean Dobson, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in material science at the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio), has been awarded the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship.

As scholarship recipients, Sorvillo and Dobson will attend the AMUG Conference, where they will engage with additive manufacturing (AM) users. They will also take the stage to present their work on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. The AMUG Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida, from May 2  6, 2021.

The scholarships honor and recognize students and teachers that demonstrate a passion for AM. The 2021 recipients demonstrate the passion in two ways: a dedication to advancing the technology and a commitment to advancing individuals through the technology.

Brett Charlton, chair of the AMUG Scholarship Committee, said, Educators are using AM to expand minds and stretch the boundaries of education. Students are tackling significant issues and expanding the applications of AM in the world. He continued, The applications were numerous, amazing, and inspiring. The committee had quite a challenge in making its selections, but it determined that John Sorvillo and Sean Dobson epitomized what the scholarships represent.

John Sorvillo is a licensed elementary school teacher who has been in educational administration for nearly a decade. At the Westwood Preparatory Academy, the students are in residential care, most under court custody with no familial provisions. As a director at the academy, Sorvillo builds programs, teaches, and counsels with the goal of inspiring hope through education. He said, We try to leverage that education into their therapy, bringing us back to inspiring hope in them. We set them up to succeed in our classrooms. The more they achieve, the more they believe in themselves.

Initially, the academy had one 3D printer, but it struggled to incorporate it into instructional lessons. With Sorvillos efforts, it now has four printers that function as conduits for experiencing life skills, such as teamwork; acquiring technology skills, such as CAD design; and gaining soft skills needed to function in society. Sorvillo said, As amazing as the printers are, its the design and collaboration workstations that really make the difference.

He continued, Our 3D printing program has played a huge role in creating inspiration. Were able to show at-risk students a whole new way of learning. This technology has opened avenues of teaching that we never imagined. We are able to positively impact many facets of our students lives. He added, 3D printing has given us the ability to make our kids a positive force in our community.

Sorvillo has extended classroom education through partnerships, collaborations, and grants where the students actions benefit others and themselves. Charlton said, Johns outreach programs, which use additive manufacturing to make this world a better place through building people, is what allowed his application to rise to the top.

As an undergraduate in mechanical engineering at the University of Louisville (U of L), Sean Dobsons introduction to AM occurred during an internship in Gulfstream Aerospaces 3D Printing Laboratory. He said, I left the internship with a newfound desire for AM. He also discovered an affinity for sharing that passion with others through training, tours, and collaborations. Dobson said, There is an ingrained feeling of pride working in a field that can bring so many people together and engage the young and old in a STEM field.

The interest in AM that he discovered during the internship led him to become an undergraduate research assistant in U of Ls Rapid Prototyping Center (RPC). There he found that metal additive manufacturing was the area in which he was most interested. And he followed that path in working on RPC projects for organizations such as NASA and the U.S. Navy.

Charlton said, It is very inspiring to see what Sean Dobson has accomplished in AM. The technologies he has utilized and the process development advancements he has supported are advancing AM today.

Dobsons senior projectcreating an affordable, modular desktop machine for fused filament fabrication, CNC milling, laser cutting, and injection moldingspilled outside of the lab when he and two colleagues founded ModMan Technology. After receiving a bachelors, Dobson earned a masters degree in mechanical engineering from U of L. During that pursuit, he continued his research for the U.S. Navys project as a graduate research assistant.

Currently working towards a Ph.D. in material science at the University of Cincinnati (UC), Dobson also works for Vertex Manufacturing as an additive and material engineer. Greg Morris, CEO of Vertex Manufacturing and a pioneer in metal AM, said, He has been a tremendous asset to Vertex Manufacturing. The passion that Sean exhibits for this field of work on a daily basis is inspiring, even for those of us that share the same passion.

The scholarships offer a free ride to attend the AMUG Conference. Asked why he wants to be a part of the conference, Dobson said, AMUG is a place where the titans of our industry meet to discuss the current state of AM year after year; a place where individuals come to learn and share. This is why I want to attend AMUG; to learn from those who have experience far beyond my own, and to share what I have learned with those who may just be starting out.

Sorvillos response, I would love to see how this equipment operates in the larger picture of the entire industry and how we can incorporate that into lessons to better help our kids have a shot at success. I would like the opportunity to make contacts in this industry who can help us educate our students on what it takes to enter this field as a business owner.

ABOUT ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USERS GROUP (AMUG)

AMUG is an organization that educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies. AMUG members include those with industrial additive manufacturing/3D printing technologies and materials used for professional purposes from companies such as DSM Additive Manufacturing, ExOne, BASF 3D Printing Solutions, Formlabs, DMG MORI, Dyndrite, Essentium and LuxCreo. AMUG meets annually to provide education and training through technical presentations on processes and new technologies. This information addresses operation of additive manufacturing equipment and the applications that use the parts they make. Online at http://www.amug.com.


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LAVAL, Que. - Bausch Health Companies Inc. has signed a deal to sell its interest in Amoun Pharmaceutical Company SAE to Abu-Dhabi-based holding company ADQ for US$740 million.

The headquarters of Bausch Health Solutions is seen on February 20, 2019 in Laval, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

LAVAL, Que. - Bausch Health Companies Inc. has signed a deal to sell its interest in Amoun Pharmaceutical Company SAE to Abu-Dhabi-based holding company ADQ for US$740 million.

Amoun is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Egypt.

The company manufactures, markets and distributes drugs for people and animals.

The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Under the agreement, cash generated by Amoun from Jan. 1 to the closing of the deal will accrue to the buyer and is not expected to be part of Bausch Health's results.

Bausch Health chairman and CEO Joseph Papa says the sale marks significant progress in the company's efforts to reduce debt.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:BHC)
Former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is firing back at claims from current Democratic governor Gavin Newsom that the major recall campaign against him is driven by Republicans, saying it's a movement fueled by 'ordinary folks.'

A campaign to force a recall election for Gov. Newsom has garnered over 2.1 million signatures, surpassing the 1.5 million needed for force an election later this year instead of 2022.

Schwarzenegger, 73, knows the recall system well, the 'Terminator' star was elected governor of the Golden State after a recall election in 2003 ousted Democrat Gray Davis.

Newsom has claimed that the efforts have been driven by right wing extremists and has called it a 'partisan Republican recall'.

But Schwarzenegger tells Politico that Newsom is playing the typical political blame game and that this recall effort is voters response to 'dissatisfaction' - similar to the feeling of ordinary residents that got him into the governors mansion in 2003.

'The political parties will make it right away about them,' he said.

'The Republicans are going to claim the Democrats are terrible, and then the Democrats are going to come in and they say, 'It's a power grab,' which of course I heard a million times in 2003.'

California Governor Gavin Newsom has claimed that the recall efforts have been driven by right-wing extremists

Schwarzenegger, 73, was elected governor of the Golden State after a recall election in 2003 ousted Democrat Gray Davis

'People are dissatisfied. [The recall is] the people's way of kind of letting off some steam, and then they decide: Do we want to follow through, or not follow through?' Schwarzenegger said.

In a poll of 1,174 voters surveyed by the Public Policy Institute of California at least 56% of people said they do not support the recall and 40% supported it, according to the LA Times. The remaining voters were undecided.

Among the 1,174 likely voters surveyed by the Public Policy Institute of California, 56% said they oppose the recall and 40% support it, with the remaining undecided. More than three-quarters of likely voters said the worst of the pandemic is over.

The recall movement has mostly centered around Newsom's handling of the pandemic.

Critics have panned Newsom's restrictive lockdown measures on schools and businesses during the pandemic.

He was also publicly slammed after he was seen dining at luxurious French Laundry restaurant in November 2020, where he and a party of 10 or more people were seen without face masks and none were practising social distancing.

At the time, the state had a ban on indoor dining.

Newsom faced scrutiny from both sides when was photographed attending a dinner party at the swanky French Laundry restaurant in Yountville, California

Newsom was photographed attending a dinner party at the French Laundry restaurant in November 2020 in the midst of a state-wide lockdown

The California governor took to Twitter to dub the the effort to force a recall vote a 'partisan Republican recall'

Additionally, organizers of the movement cite the growing homelessness crisis in the state and high cost of living as other reasons behind the recall effort.

Newsom himself has dubbed the effort a 'partisan, Republican recall' backed by right wing extremist groups like QAnon and the Proud Boys.

'The other proponents, the top 10 proponents, the people that are behind this are members of the Three Percenters, the right wing militia group; the Proud Boys [who] supported the insurrection, [who] are folks who quite literally, enthusiastically support QAnon conspiracies. And so that's the origin.' he told the host of The View in March.

Schwarzenegger rejects the idea that the recall effort is led by Republicans, telling Politico that the Republican party in California is not is any position to lead such a movement.

'This is the crazy thing here, when they say it's a 'power grab' of the Republicans. Let me tell you, the [California] Republicans couldn't even get anyone elected. It's ludicrous  the Republican Party doesn't exist. These are the signatures of the ordinary folks that have signed on,' he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:01:15|Editor: huaxia

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Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Gombojav Zandanshatar, Mongolia's parliamentary speaker, via video link at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu held talks with Gombojav Zandanshatar, Mongolia's parliamentary speaker, via video link on Wednesday. Both sides agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation between their legislative bodies.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Mongolia have understood and supported each other and set a model of cooperation between neighboring countries in the fight against the pandemic, which illustrated the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind.

China and Mongolia should continue to strengthen mutual political trust in the post-pandemic period, further develop mutually beneficial cooperation, and accelerate the alignment of China's Belt and Road Initiative and Mongolia's Prairie Road development strategy, to better benefit the two peoples and promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Li said.

The two legislative bodies should continue to strengthen friendly exchanges, maintain close high-level exchanges, promptly approve, revise or issue legal documents that are conducive to improving bilateral ties, and strengthen exchanges of experience in implementing the rule of law, developing the economy, improving people's livelihoods, and maintaining stability.

Zandanshatar said the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the NPC and make positive contributions to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Enditem
In his first multilateral summit, President Joseph Biden virtually hosted the leaders of Australia, India and Japan, countries that, along with the United States, make up the informal diplomatic group known as the Quad.

First formed in 2007, the Quad has strengthened in recent years in the face of growing challenges, among them aggressive moves by the Peoples Republic of China.

At the March 12 meeting, President Biden said all Quad leaders were united in their concern for a free and open Indo-Pacific. He pledged to work with Quad partners and all our allies in the

region to achieve stability and to forge practical solutions that achieve concrete results. The agenda for the summit included COVID-19 and its response; climate change; and emerging technologies, among other issues.

Following the meeting, the four leaders  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined President Biden in authoring an op-ed published in the Washington Post newspaper. The four leaders said they are striving to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is accessible and dynamic, governed by international law and bedrock principles such as freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes, and that all countries are able to make their own political choices, free from coercion.

They agreed to partner and address the challenges presented by new technologies and collaborate on norms and standards that govern the innovations of the future. Acknowledging the urgent global problem of climate change, they promised to work together to strengthen the Paris agreement and enhance climate actions of all nations.

The four leaders also expressed their determination to end the COVID-19 pandemic, and announced they would combine their scientific ingenuity, financing, formidable productive capacity and long history of global-health partnership to surge the supply of life-saving vaccines, in close collaboration with multilateral organizations, including the World Health Organization and Covax Facility.

Noting the suffering the world has endured over the past months, the leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States called their partnershipa spark of hope to light the path ahead. Our foundations of democracy and a commitment to engagement unite us, they wrote. We know we can provide for the safety and prosperity of our people at home by confronting global crises together, with purpose and resolve.
Fastmarkets weekly price assessment for steel wire rod (mesh-quality), domestic, delivered Southern Europe , was 660-670 ($775-786) per tonne on Wednesday, narrowing upward week on week from 650-670 per tonne.The assessment reflected deals, offers and achievable prices reported by market participants over the past seven days.Italian and Spanish mills, however, were targeting increases of 10-20 per tonne for April.In Italy, wire rod was heard traded at 660 per tonne delivered, largely stable over the week, sources said, with new offers for April heard at 670 per tonne delivered.
A NSW woman accused of sedating and gassing her wealthy partner in his bed denies murdering the grazier, saying he killed himself.

But Natasha Beth Darcy's numerous internet searches before his death included the phrase 'how to commit murder', prosecutor Brett Hatfield said on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old had pleaded guilty to aiding or abetting suicide, but Mr Hatfield told the jury the Crown rejected the plea and contended she killed Mathew Dunbar.

She's pleaded not guilty in the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney to murdering the 42-year-old sheep farmer on his property Pandora in the Northern Tablelands town of Walcha in the early hours of August 2, 2017.

Natasha Beth Darcy (left) is accused of killing her wealthy boyfriend Mathew Dunbar (right)

Ms Dunbar has pleaded not guilty to the murder and says her partner took his own life

He was found in his bed with a plastic bag over his head, in which was inserted a tube connected to a gas cylinder.

The prosecutor contended Darcy's main motive involved her being the sole beneficiary of the $3.5 million property.

But her barrister Janet Manuel SC told the jury of the grazier's physical health problems, his depression, the suicide death of a very close friend in April 2017, Mr Dunbar's own suicide threat in June 2017 and his admission into a psychiatric unit.

Mr Dunbar did not leave a suicide note, but she expected the jury would hear psychiatric evidence that was 'really common'.

Mr Hatfield listed many internet searches made over months on various phones and a computer, searches which Mr Hatfield alleged were made by Darcy.

'The accused acknowledges she made some but not all the searches,' he said.

'She has suggested the deceased made a number of them.'

Ms Darcy has been accused of Googling 'how to commit murder' before Mr Dunbar's death

Search topics included poisonous spiders and mushrooms, toxic plants, suicide methods, how to commit murder and 'can police see websites you visit on your mobile'.

After the couple had dinner and shared red wine, Darcy allegedly used a Nutribullet to blend sedatives into a drink she gave to her partner in a glass tumbler.

She allegedly later placed over his head a plastic bag connected by a tube to a gas cylinder the couple had bought in Tamworth earlier that day.

Darcy was married to paramedic Colin Crossman, but they had been separated for some time.

Mr Dunbar (pictured) was a grazier and sheep farmer who owned a large NSW property

At 1.14 am on August 2, Mr Crossman received a text from Mr Dunbar's phone which said 'tell police to come to house, I don't want Tash or kids to find me'.

Darcy rang triple zero at 2am saying she had discovered her partner in his bed with a plastic bag over his head and gas or something going into it.

Mr Hatfield said Darcy 'exploited' Mr Dunbar's depression to kill him in a way to make it look like suicide.

Mr Hatfield said the Crown would rely on evidence from Mr Crossman to 'prove a number of tendencies on behalf of the accused to act in a particular way'.

She had admitted hitting him in the head with a hammer when he was sleeping, after first saying the culprit was an intruder.

On another occasion she gave him a meal of tacos before setting the bedroom alight while her husband was asleep, the prosecutor said.

Prosecutor contended Darcy's main motive was to inherit a $3.5 million property (pictured)

He was found to have sedatives in his system, despite not taking them knowingly.

Ms Manuel said in her police interviews her client denied any involvement in Mr Dunbar's death, knowing he intended to kill himself or was making plans to die.

But she told the jury people lie for different reasons, noting Darcy had previously admitted the offences involving her husband and believed police now regarded her as a murder suspect.

If she had helped him search suicide sites, went with him to buy the gas and hadn't alerted medical professionals, 'don't you think she might feel she had something to hide?'

The trial continues before Justice Julia Lonergan.
After the shocking assault on Punjab MLA in the Muktsar district on Saturday, farmers from Abohar have now threatened another BJP leader from entering the district. Addressing a protest in Abohar, a farmer leader threatened BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal and reportedly said that the condition of the BJP leader will be worse than that of MLA Arun Narang - who was assaulted and stripped by farmers earlier on Saturday. In a video of the incident, the farmer leader is heard giving BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal a warning to not visit the place and asked the police to register an attempt to murder case on the protesting farmers prior to the BJP leader's arrival.

BJP MLA Arun Narang attacked

In a horrific incident, a BJP MLA was attacked and his clothes were torn by a group of farmers in Punjab's Muktsar district on Saturday even as police personnel attempted to move the legislator to a safe point. BJP MLA Arun Narang was attacked by the farmers at Malout when he arrived to address a press conference. The BJP MLA and other local leaders were initially surrounded by farmers following which black ink was hurled at them after which they were escorted to a shop nearby. The farmers once again targetted the MLA when he made his way out, attacking him physically and tearing his clothes to shreds while the police attempted to surround the MLA and move him to safety.

The video of the BJP MLA being hounded and attacked by the mob did rounds on social media following the attack on Saturday, inviting sharp criticism from the Opposition and the farmer unions. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Malout) Jaspal Singh informed that the protesters were adamant that they would not allow the BJP legislator to hold the press conference. The DGP said a criminal case will be registered against the suspects and statements of local BJP leaders were being recorded. Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), Faridkot, was injured while trying to save and evacuate the MLA. He suffered a cane blow on his head, causing his turban to fall off. He was admitted in Civil Hospital, Malout, the CM said in a statement.

Punjab CM condemns attack

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh condemned the attack on BJP MLA Arun Narang and warned of strict action against anyone who attempted to disturb peace in the state. The Punjab CM also urged PM Modi to intervene in the ongoing farmer's agitation in order to bring a quick resolution in order to prevent further escalation of the situation. Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh also strongly condemned the attack on Narang at Malout and said that it was unacceptable for an elected representative to be thrashed in full public view. State Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said that such "unlawful behaviour" had no place in a democracy and the farmers' protest would be weakened by such incidents.
Morphisec Logo "Were proud to be recognized by CRN for our commitment to protecting every enterprise  not just the ones with the biggest budgets  to prevent the most dangerous cyberattacks from making the news."

Morphisec, a leader in cloud-delivered endpoint and server security solutions, is being acknowledged by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, in its 2021 Partner Program Guide. The annual guide provides a conclusive list of the most distinguished partner programs from leading technology companies that provide products and services through the IT channel.

Given the importance of IT vendor channel programs, each year CRN develops its Partner Program Guide to provide the channel community with a detailed look at the partner programs offered by IT manufacturers, software developers, service companies, and distributors. Vendors are scored based on investments in program offerings, partner profitability, partner training, education and support, marketing programs and resources, sales support, and communication.

Morphisec is highlighted amongst the best within the IT channel for its suite of solutions for endpoints, servers, and cloud workloads, which uses patented zero trust runtime security powered by moving target defense technology to block threats. Rather than trying to remediate attacks after they hit, Morphisecs proactive approach to prevention automatically stops and locks down attacks, without requiring manual oversight or knowledge of threat type, making it highly effective for mid-sized enterprises to protect against advanced attacks such as zero-day and unknown threats.

As the pandemic ushered in widespread remote work, perimeter security has become irrelevant, and migration to the cloud has accelerated for every business. Therefore, organizations have needed to protect endpoints and workloads in a low-cost, automated, and deterministic fashion. Morphisec has come to these organizations defense  without needing dedicated security teams to respond to and investigate attacks  automatically stopping the most dangerous attacks targeting workloads everywhere. Morphisec Guard is a complete endpoint prevention platform that combines traditional antivirus with the power of Morphisecs advanced protection against ransomware, malware, and evasive attacks. Its latest solution, Morphisec Keep, protects servers and cloud-based applications from advanced threats.

"At a time when almost every organization is experiencing an onslaught of advanced attacks and ransomware, budget constrained enterprises are looking to take a major leap forward in security, but without the burden of buying more tools or hiring more staff to manage them," said Andrew Homer, VP of Business Development at Morphisec. Were proud to be recognized by CRN for our commitment to protecting every enterprise  not just the ones with the biggest budgets  to prevent the most dangerous cyberattacks from making the news.

As innovation continues to fuel the speed and intricacy of technology, solution providers need partners that can keep up and support their developing business, said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. CRNs 2021 Partner Program Guide gives insight into the strengths of each organizations program to recognize those that continually support and push positive change inside the IT channel.

The 2021 Partner Program Guide will be featured in the April 2021 issue of CRN and online at http://www.CRN.com/PPG.

About Morphisec

Morphisec delivers an entirely new level of innovation to endpoint protection to create a zero-trust execution environment for workstations, VDI, servers, and cloud workloads. This proactively creates a prevent-first posture against the most advanced threats to the enterprise, including APTs, file-based malware, zero-days, ransomware, fileless attacks, and web-borne exploits. This complete endpoint security solution easily deploys into a companys existing security infrastructure to form a simple, highly effective, cost-efficient technology stack that is truly disruptive to todays current cybersecurity model.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by nearly 40 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelcompany.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

 2021. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
Solidarity recently unveiled its impressive new R300-million Sol-Tech technical training college campus in Monument Park, Pretoria.

Sol-Tech, which was founded in 2007, is an accredited private tertiary institution which focuses on scarce practical skills.

Its full-time courses, which include daily lectures and training sessions, including qualifications for welders, fitters and turners, toolmakers, electricians, and millwrights.

It also has courses for diesel mechanics, tractor mechanics, and auto electricians, with plans to expand to more disciplines in future.

To accommodate its growth and future plans, Solidarity decided to build a new campus using monthly contributions from Solidarity members.

Solidarity chief executive Dirk Hermann described the campus as a remarkable achievement for the community.

We are building an institution to empower the youth so that they can create wealth for themselves and for their community within South Africa, said Hermann.

The new campus was built on a property initially purchased by Solidaritys property investment arm, Kanton Investments.

The construction of the campus was the first big project the organisation had undertaken.

What makes the construction of the campus notable is the fact that it was completed under budget and earlier than planned.

To find out how this was achieved, MyBroadband spoke to Kanton Managing Director Henk Schalekamp.

Schalekamp said Kanton Investments purchased the land on which the new Sol-Tech campus was built in an open auction in 2010.

However, due to political interference it had to battle the Tshwane Metro for rights to the property for seven years. It eventually won its case with costs in 2018, after which the project could formally begin.

Project planning included more than 1,600 architectural plans, 1,500 structural and civil plans, 1,350 electrical plans, and 100 mechanical engineering plans.

Construction on the campus started on 13 September 2019, with an initial completion date set for 1 December 2020.

The terrain used for the construction encompassed 30,719m, of which 27,000m was usable.

Due to the characteristics of the soil on which the campus had to be built, a two metre deep excavation had to be dug and filled with material that would strengthen the ground for the building of structures.

During the peak of the construction, there were around 500 workers at the site and 20,000 bricks were laid per day.

On 140 separate occasions concrete-mixer trucks visited the location to cast 4,000 cubic metres of concrete.

For each visit, test samples were taken to laboratories to ascertain the integrity and strength of the concrete.

When faults were discovered the structure in question was scrapped and rebuilt.

As with the rest of the industry, Kanton shut down construction on the campus during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in 2020.

External work such as roads and storm water was stopped from 26 March 2020 until the 1 May 2020, and the internal construction of the actual campus development was stopped from 26 March 2020 to 1 June 2020, Schalekamp said.

The consequences of lock-down were not only loss of time on site but due to travelling restrictions labour living in other provinces could not immediately return to work.

To ensure as little time as possible was wasted, the design development was completed during this period.

All design details were ready the moment the contractors could resume with the project, Schalekamp said.

He added that material shortages were also a challenge.

We procured cement from retailers wherever we could find. There were also shortages in clay bricks, steel, and roof plates.

Despite these challenges nothing stopped the development. We always found alternative sources when needed, Schalekamp said.

At one point, side-mounted steel plating for the buildings was unavailable. The project faced serious delays because the buildings could not be closed off to add the indoor finishes.

Fortunately, Kanton was able to import the last 1,500m of material needed from Namibia without an impact to the construction schedule.

Schalekamp said that due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the completion date for the project was extended to March 2021.

However, by the original date of 1 December 2020 the project was finished, in line with the original schedule and 40 days ahead of the new completion date.

That meant that it had taken Kanton less than 15 months to build the new Sol-Tech campus.

The campus currently includes seven workshops, classrooms for theory lessons, and a cafeteria with 400 seats.

There is also a 40,000-litre water tank and 600kVa generator to provide backup water and electricity in the event that supply from the municipality is cut off.

Some noteworthy facts around the parts which now comprise the campus include:

160km of electric cabling

8.5km of plumbing

513 tonnes of steel

9,459 m of roof plating

1.3 million bricks

Schalekamp said the company had achieved an estimated saving of 9% on the approved budget.

The benefit of the saving will not be for better returns only, but also to the benefit of Sol-Tech as tenant, he said.

We constantly looked at expenses and managed it very tightly with the approved budget at hand.

Schalekamp told MyBroadband that he believed three elements were key to the success of the project:

Culture

Kanton believes in a culture of good work and business ethics. We believe that you can achieve these results only through quality and hard work, if you make decisions on merit, take self-responsibility for what you do, and by being creative in approaching challenges during the project.

Teamwork

We established a strong team of professionals who are all masters in what they do. They were not sensitive to respectful robust debate and constructive criticism.

Together they realised better more creative solutions to challenges than what they would in their silos of expertise.

They proceeded with this principle in the appointment of the main contractor and the result was a well-oiled and experienced team who delivered earlier and below budget.

Cause

All stakeholders involved were excited and motivated by the cause.

The development of a monument of hope, a new campus for Sol-Tech contributing to the Afrikaans community and South Africa was a great cause worthwhile giving a little extra for.

Kantons next project is the development of a 400-bed student residence for Sol-Tech.

Schalekamp said the application for the necessary rights to develop this facility was well underway.

Kanton has also entered into a partnership to build a campus for Akademia  Solidaritys private tertiary university which offers bachelors degrees.

Within the next few weeks we will submit an application to the town council for the rights to develop a fully-fledged campus for Akademia in the east of Pretoria.

This is a big project and if all goes according to plan it will be completed within the next five to six years.

Schalekamp said providing property solutions to the Solidarity movement was not Kantons only focus.

We are also planning to develop schools and other property solutions for the Afrikaans community in Southern Africa in future, Schalekamp said.

As long as Kanton can honour the partnership between capital and culture, we will consider all potential opportunities.

Below are images of the Sol-Tech campus. You can also click here to view a virtual tour of the facility.

Now read: Here are the most critical tech skills in South Africa
ORLANDO, Fla.  Actors Kevin and Sam Sorbo say the media played a "pivotal role" in helping to get abortion legalized nationwide in 1973 and encouraged Christians to use new media to combat the lies and censorship of today's mainstream press and big tech.

Together, the Sorbos attended the movie premiere of Roe v. Wade that was held at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 26, where they shared their stance against abortion, the media and big tech, following Facebook's decision to ban Kevin Sorbo from its platform.

"I'm a pro-life person, just as my wife is. I've done a lot of pro-life speaking through the years as well. I'm here to support a movie that I wish I could have been in. I love what they did, Sorbo told CP of why they wanted to attend the premiere.

"What's amazing to me and sad to me is that so many people think it's OK to murder unborn babies. They are babies, they are life; there's a heartbeat at 22 days, he emphasized. We're at the point now where some of these governors are even talking about killing babies the minute they're born. I find it so horrific and evil what's happening in America.

Source:The Christian Post
Rome: Italy ordered two Russian Embassy officials expelled on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) and arrested an Italian Navy captain on spying charges after police caught the officer allegedly giving classified documents to one of the Russians in exchange for money.

Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told a joint session of the Italian Parliaments foreign relations committees that the documentation concerned NATO information and that the incident was a hostile act of extreme gravity.

It is not just our security at risk, but that of the entire NATO (alliance), and we cannot accept this, he told lawmakers.

Luigi di Maio, Italys Foreign Minister. Credit:Bloomberg

The Foreign Ministry said it summoned Russian Ambassador Sergey Razov to protest the grave incident after a sting operation on the outskirts of Rome allegedly caught the Italian and one of the Russians in a clandestine operation to exchange the documents for cash late on Tuesday.
Skyrmions - tiny magnetic vortices - are considered promising candidates for tomorrow's information memory devices which may be able to achieve enormous data storage and processing capacities. A research team led by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has developed a method to grow a particular magnetic thin-film material that hosts these magnetic vortices. A central aspect of this new method is the abrupt heating of the material with short, very bright flashes of light, as the international team, consisting of scientists from HZDR, the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, TU Dresden (TUD), and Chinese partners, describes in the journal Advanced Functional Materials (DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202009723).

In 2009, a research team had made a remarkable discovery: They found that tiny magnetic vortices can form in a material called manganese silicide - an alloy of manganese and silicon. Since then, these skyrmions, named after British physicist Tony Skyrme, have been considered promising candidates for future magnetic storage devices. They can be easily formed on and erased from surfaces and are no larger than a few nanometers (billionths of a meter), which makes them much smaller than the magnetic bits on today's hard drives that measure about 50 nanometers.

"In addition, skyrmions can be better targeted with electricity than with magnetic fields, as is done with current hard drives," explains Dr. Shengqiang Zhou, a physicist at HZDR's Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research. "Targeting with an electric current allows us to achieve better scalability, which might enable us to build much denser and faster storage devices in the future." But there are still some obstacles to overcome along the way. Among other things, silicon and manganese present an unfavorable property when they form crystals of manganese silicide: Instead of consistently producing one specific, well-defined phase, the two elements can form many different crystal phases. Thin films of an Mn-Si alloy, known as the B20 phase, are particularly suitable for the formation of skyrmions.

Undesirable crystal phases

Producing this alloy is anything but easy, though, because another undesirable crystal phase, called MnSi1.7, inevitably forms during the production process, impeding or preventing the formation of skyrmions. Specifically, lower temperatures and slower cooling of the material favors MnSi1.7. Shengqiang Zhou's team has now developed a method that prevents its formation, leaving only thin layers of flawless B20-MnSi.

The core element of the new process is a special heat treatment. "It's a bit like making a pancake," Zhou explains. "It tastes best when it is crispy on the outside and as soft as possible on the inside." When you pour the batter into a hot pan, it bakes so fast that the inside stays nice and soft. When you bake the batter in the oven, however, it heats up much more evenly and hardens all over - and you get a rather mediocre pancake.

Heating with flashes

So the experts used this pancake strategy of rapid, intense heating as their model. "When we heat a thin manganese film placed on top of a silicon wafer very briefly, we introduce very little energy into the material," Zhou explains their rationale. "This means it will cool down fast - so fast, in fact, that the unwanted MnSi1.7 won't have time to form." The challenge is how to heat something rapidly and vigorously at the same time. The research group found the solution in bright, intense flashes of white light.

Such flashes can be generated at the "BlitzLab", a Helmholtz Innovation Lab located on the Rossendorf campus. Various series of measurements confirmed the assumption: "By varying the power of the flashes, we were able to adjust the ratio of the different crystal phases with great precision," reports Shengqiang Zhou. "When we applied relatively strong powers, thin films of pure B20-MnSi formed as we had hoped."

As a result, the skyrmions that can be generated in these layers are now stable over a much wider temperature and magnetic field range than previously observed in this material. Manganese silicide itself is unlikely to be suitable for practical use since it only works at very low temperatures. But it could serve as an important model for other, more practicable materials. "Many alloys pose the problem that they have different phases," Zhou explains. "And our approach could help separate these phases in the future."

###

Publication:

Z. Li, Y. Xie, Y. Yuan, Y. Ji, V. Begeza, L. Cao, R. Hubner, L. Rebohle, M. Helm, K. Nielsch, S. Prucnal, S. Zhou: Phase selection in Mn-Si alloys by fast solid-state reaction with enhanced skyrmion stability, in Advanced Functional Materials, 2021 (DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202009723)

For more information:

Dr. Shengqiang Zhou

Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research at HZDR

Phone: +49 351 260 2484 | Email: s.zhou@hzdr.de

Media contact:

Simon Schmitt | Head

Communications and Media Relations at HZDR

Phone: +49 351 260 3400 | Email: s.schmitt@hzdr.de

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) performs - as an independent German research center - research in the fields of energy, health, and matter. We focus on answering the following questions:

How can energy and resources be utilized in an efficient, safe, and sustainable way?

How can malignant tumors be more precisely visualized, characterized, and more effectively treated?

How do matter and materials behave under the influence of strong fields and in smallest dimensions?

To help answer these research questions, HZDR operates large-scale facilities, which are also used by visiting researchers: the Ion Beam Center, the High-Magnetic Field Laboratory Dresden, and the ELBE Center for High-Power Radiation Sources.

HZDR is a member of the Helmholtz Association and has six sites (Dresden, Freiberg, Grenoble, Leipzig, Schenefeld near Hamburg) with almost 1,200 members of staff, of whom about 500 are scientists, including 170 Ph.D. candidates.
The Pentagon will sweep away Trump-era policies that largely banned transgender people from serving in the military, issuing new rules that offer them wider access to medical care and assistance with gender transition, defense officials told The Associated Press.

The new department regulations allow transgender people who meet military standards to enlist and serve openly in their self-identified gender, and they will be able to get medically necessary transition-related care authorized by law, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal decisions not yet made public.

The changes come after a two-month Pentagon review aimed at developing guidelines for the new policy, which was announced by President Joe Biden just days after he took office in January.

The Pentagon on Wednesday will sweep away Trump-era policies that largely banned transgender people from serving in the military, issuing new rules that offer them wider access to medical care and assistance with gender transition

Biden's executive order overturned the Trump policy and immediately prohibited any service member from being forced out of the military on the basis of gender identity. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin then gave the Pentagon two months to finalize the more detailed regulations that the military services will follow.

The new rules also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. Their expected release Wednesday coincides with International Transgender Day of Visibility.

Austin has also called for a reexamination of the records of service members who were discharged or denied reenlistment because of gender identity issues under the previous policy. Results of that review have not been released.

Until a few years ago, service members could be discharged from the military for being transgender, but that changed during the Obama administration. In 2016, the Pentagon announced that transgender people already serving in the military would be allowed to serve openly, and that by July 2017, they would be allowed to enlist.

After Donald Trump took office, however, his administration delayed the enlistment date and called for additional study. A few weeks later, Trump caught military leaders by surprise, tweeting that the government wouldnt accept or allow transgender people to serve "in any capacity" in the military.

After a lengthy and complicated legal battle and additional reviews, the Defense Department in April 2019 approved a policy that fell short of an all-out ban but barred transgender troops and recruits from transitioning to another sex and required most individuals to serve in what the administration called their "birth gender."

Under that policy, currently serving transgender troops and anyone who had signed an enlistment contract before the effective date could continue with plans for hormone treatments and gender transition if they had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

But after that date, no one with gender dysphoria who was taking hormones or had transitioned to another gender was allowed to enlist. Troops that were already serving and were diagnosed with gender dysphoria were required to serve in the gender assigned at birth and were barred from taking hormones or getting transition surgery.

The new policies being released Wednesday are similar to those developed in 2016.

As of 2019, an estimated 14,700 troops on active duty and in the reserves identify as transgender, but not all seek treatment. There are more than 1.3 million active-duty troops and close to 800,000 in the National Guard and Reserves.

Since July 2016, more than 1,500 service members were diagnosed with gender dysphoria; as of Feb. 1, 2019, there were 1,071 currently serving. According to the Pentagon, the department spent about $8 million on transgender care from 2016 to 2019. The militarys annual health care budget tops $50 billion.

All four service chiefs told Congress in 2018 that they had seen no discipline, morale or unit readiness problems with transgender troops serving openly in the military. But they also acknowledged that some commanders were spending a lot of time with transgender people who were working through medical requirements and other transition issues.
The military launched more airstrikes Tuesday in eastern after earlier attacks forced thousands of ethnic Karen to flee into Thailand and further escalating violence two months after the junta seized power.

Thailand's prime minister said the villagers who fled the weekend airstrikes returned home of their own accord, denying that his country's security forces had forced them back.

But the situation in eastern appeared to be getting more, not less, dangerous.

The Karen National Union, the main political body representing the Karen minority, said the airstrikes were the latest case of Myanmar's military breaking a cease-fire agreement and it would have to respond.

The attacks came as protests continued in cities against the coup Feb. 1 that ousted an elected civilian government and reversed a decade of progress toward democracy in the Southeast Asian country. Hundreds of civilians have been killed by security forces trying to put down opposition to the coup.

The US State Department on Tuesday ordered non-essential U.S. diplomats and their families to leave Myanmar, expecting the protests to continue. The U.S. earlier suspended a trade deal and imposed sanctions on junta leaders as well as restricted business with military holding companies.

Tuesday's air raids in eastern Myanmar killed six civilians and wounded 11, said Saw Taw Nee, head of the KNU's foreign affairs department.

Dave Eubank, a member of the Free Burma Rangers, which provides medical assistance in the region, provided the same information on casualties.

The KNU has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people. It issued a statement from one of its armed units saying military ground troops are advancing into our territories from all fronts and vowing to respond.

We have no other options left but to confront these serious threats posed by the illegitimate military junta's army in order to defend our territory, our Karen peoples, and their self-determination rights, said the statement, issued in the name of the KNU office for the district that was first attacked on Saturday.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, speaking before the latest air attacks, said his country is ready to shelter anyone who is escaping fighting, as Thailand has done many times for decades. His comments came a day after humanitarian groups said Thailand has been sending back some of the thousands of people who fled.

There is no influx of refugees yet. We asked those who crossed to Thailand if they have any problem in their area. When they say no problem, we just asked them to return to their land first. We asked, we did not use any force, Prayuth told reporters.

We won't push them back, he said. 'If they are having fighting, how can we do so? But if they don't have any fighting at the moment, can they go back first?



The governor of Thailand's Mae Hong Son province, where as many as 3,000 refugees had sought shelter, said later that those still on Thai soil were expected to return to their own country in a day or two.

Protests against the junta continued in several Myanmar cities Tuesday despite its lethal crackdown that killed more than 100 people on Saturday alone.

Engineers, teachers and students from the technology university in the southern city of Dawei marched without incident.

The number of protesters killed in the city rose to eight with the announcement of the death of a teenager who was shot by soldiers on Saturday as he rode a motorbike with two friends. According to local media, a hospital certificate attributed his death to serious injuries as he fell from a motorbike.

Medical workers in Mandalay, the country's second-biggest city, honored three of their colleagues who have been killed by security forces. The two doctors and a nurse were remembered in a simple ceremony in front of a banner with their photographs and the words Rest In Power.

At a cemetery in the biggest city, Yangon, three families gave their last farewells to relatives killed Monday in a night of chaos in the South Dagon neighborhood. Residents said police and soldiers moved through the streets firing randomly with live ammunition.

At least 510 protesters have been killed since the coup, according to Myanmar's Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which counts those it can document and says the actual toll is likely much higher. It says 2,574 people have been detained, a total that includes the deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy party was reelected in the November elections by a landslide.

At Thailand's Mae Sam Laep village along the Salween River, which forms the border with Myanmar, paramilitary Thai Rangers on Tuesday twice waved off a boat that had come from the other side carrying seven people, including one lying flat and another with a bandage on his head. But ambulances soon arrived on the Thai side and it landed anyway.

Thai villagers helped medical staff carry the injured people on stretchers to a small clinic at a nearby checkpoint. One man had large bruises on his back with open wounds, an injury one medical staffer said could have been caused by an explosion.

An elderly woman in the group had small cuts and scabs all over her face. Thai nurses in protective gear to guard against COVID-19 attended to her, testing her and others for the coronavirus.

(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.)
Men with higher levels of testosterone may be at higher risk of developing skin cancer, a new study has warned.

The research, published in the International Journal of Cancer, confirmed previously-known links between testosterone and prostate cancer in men, and breast and endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women.

However, the paper also states that for men 'higher total and free testosterone concentrations were associated with an increased risk of malignant melanoma'.

While the reason for the link remains unclear, the researchers hope their findings could be used to help identify people who are at greater risk from the disease.

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A link between higher levels of testosterone and increased risk of skin cancer in men has been made for the first time, according to new research (stock image)

What is testosterone? Testosterone is the male sex hormone and is mostly made in the testicles, but also in adrenal glands, which are near the kidneys. It causes the voice to deepen, body hair to grow and the genitals to become larger during puberty. As well as affecting sex drive and sperm production, it also plays a role in developing strong bones and muscles, and how the body distributes fat. Women also create small amounts of the hormone in the ovaries and adrenal glands, and it affects their fertility and bones and muscles. Advertisement

It adds: 'The association with melanoma [skin cancer] is novel and warrants further investigation.'

The study, which involved 182,600 men and 122,100 postmenopausal women in the UK Biobank, is the largest of its kind and was funded by Cancer Research UK.

Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with about 16,200 people diagnosed each year, the charity said.

In the last decade the number of cases in men has increased by almost half (47 per cent), it added.

Dr Eleanor Watts, lead author, said: 'This is the first time a link between testosterone and skin cancer has been seen.

'We already knew men diagnosed with melanoma have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and vice versa, which was a clue that there may be a common biological or behavioural cause.

'And it looks like this link might be the hormone, testosterone.

'The next step will be to see whether this link is seen in other studies, and if it is, to look more closely at why testosterone might be related to the risk of melanoma developing in men.'

While the reason for the link remains unclear, the researchers hope their findings will encourage further research.

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: 'Further research is still needed, but large studies like this could shift our fundamental understanding of skin cancer and help identify people who are at increased risk.'

The findings come shortly after a study found that having high levels of the hormone testosterone can make men less generous and more likely to exhibit selfish behaviours.

Psychologists from China and Switzerland measured the brain activity of men while they completed a task involving deciding between generous and selfish options.

The team found that men who had been given additional testosterone three hours before completing the task tended to select the more selfish options.

Furthermore, the testosterone was found to dampen activity in a region of the brain which is known to be involved in the consideration of other people's welfare.

'Testosterone is associated with aggressive behaviour in both animals and humans,' the researchers wrote in their paper.

'Here, we establish a link between increased testosterone and selfishness in economic decision making and identify the neural mechanisms through which testosterone reduces generosity.'
Photo: All rights reserved.

Queen Elizabeth stepped out for her first official royal engagement in five months on Wednesday  without a mask.



The British monarch, who received her COVID-19 vaccination in January, visited the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey, to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force, reported British newspaper the Daily Mail.



It is the first time the 94-year-old royal has emerged in public since last December, when she welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back to Windsor after their whistle-stop tour of Britain.



It is also the first time she has been seen since Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's bombshell Oprah interview.



The Queen wore a vibrant green coat and matching hat, trimmed with faux daffodils and orchids - but went without a face covering.



She joked as she arrived at the memorial: "It's a very long time since I've been here," which she had opened in her Coronation year in October 1953.



Her appearance comes weeks after her husband Prince Philip returned home to recover after undergoing heart surgery at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London.
Chinese FM touts fruitful Middle East tour, enhanced cooperation with regional countries

Xinhua) 09:10, March 31, 2021

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) in Manama, Bahrain, March 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Tu Yifan)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said his six-nation Mideast tour achieved rich results, including reaching broad consensuses on enhancing cooperation and seeking political solution to hotspot issues in the region.

MANAMA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that his six-nation tour in the Middle East has achieved the expected goals of enhancing cooperation with regional countries and making China's contribution to peace in the region.

Wang made the remarks during an interview as he concluded a week-long Middle East tour that took him to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Bahrain.

He said that his visit achieved rich results, including reaching broad consensuses with the six countries on continuing mutual support over core interests, upholding multilateralism, elevating pragmatic cooperation, enhancing joint anti-pandemic fight, and seeking political solution to hotspot issues in the region.

BROAD CONSENSUSES REACHED

The Chinese diplomat said that during his visit, he reached broad consensuses over wide-ranging issues with the leaders of the six countries, which all welcomed China to play a bigger role in Middle East affairs.

"China and the countries agreed that the sovereign independence and national dignity of all countries should be respected, and independent and diverse ways of development should be promoted," Wang said.

They agreed to oppose interfering in other countries' internal affairs and slandering other countries under the guise of human rights, safeguard the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law, multilateralism, and international equity and justice, Wang said.

The seven countries, he said, vowed to upgrade their practical cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in light of China's construction of a new development paradigm.

On the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the countries pledged to continue their mutual support and reject politicization of the pandemic and vaccine, Wang said.

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with his counterpart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, March 28, 2021. (Xinhua)

On the basis of China's successful vaccine cooperation with the UAE, Turkey and Bahrain, China and Mideast countries will continue to explore new patterns of vaccine cooperation, including tripartite cooperation and mutual recognition of health codes, he said.

The countries agreed that inclusive dialogue should be advocated in pursuing political settlement of hotspot regional issues, and the two-state solution should be the key for seeking an early, fair and reasonable solution to the Palestinian issue, the Chinese diplomat said.

Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, illegitimate sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction should be lifted as soon as possible, and compliance to the Iranian nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), should be resumed in an orderly manner with synchronization and reciprocity, he said.

China and the six countries also agreed to explore the establishment of a regional dialogue platform to maintain the security and stability of the Gulf through communication and consultation, Wang added.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PEACE INITIATIVE

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, 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.

The initiative was well received by many of the state leaders and foreign ministers during the visit, Wang said, noting that the Palestinian Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing willingness to cooperate with China to revive the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

He elaborated on the ways to implement the peace initiative through close communication and coordination with all the related parties:

Firstly, China fully supports the international mediation over the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. When taking the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in May, China will push for holding full deliberation of this issue, and will host a seminar for Palestinian and Israeli peace activists on a proper date.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Tu Yifan)

Secondly, China will continue its active participation in the process of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue. China has sent officials to Moscow to discuss with Russia and Iran the roadmap and timetable of reviving the nuclear deal. Also, China will keep close communication with Gulf countries over holding multilateral forums in China on the Gulf security, starting from easy topics such as safeguarding oil infrastructure and shipping-lane security.

Thirdly, China will boost vaccine cooperation with Mideast countries in a bid to help them speed up the return to normal life, promote recovery of local economies, and ensure smooth implementation of major projects with the Chinese participation.

Fourthly, China will hold in 2021 the China-Arab Reform and Development Forum and the Middle East Security Forum to enhance exchanges of experience in governance, promote dialogues between civilizations, and deepen cooperation on fighting terrorism and de-radicalization.

FUTURE ANTI-PANDEMIC COOPERATION

Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Mideast countries join hands in the fight against it, which has sublimated their friendship, deepened mutual trust, and opened up new areas of cooperation, Wang said.

The Chinese government has practically fulfilled its solemn commitment to making vaccines a global public good, donating and exporting nearly 38 million doses of vaccines to 17 countries in the Middle East, Wang noted.

He said China is willing to work with the countries in the Middle East to push forward the anti-epidemic cooperation:

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan attend the virtual ceremony of the launching of a joint project between China and the UAE on Chinese vaccines filling production line in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, March 28, 2021. (Xinhua)

Firstly, China will step up vaccine cooperation with countries in the Middle East and continue to donate and export vaccines to the region to the best of its ability.

Secondly, China will promote the establishment of an international mechanism for mutual recognition of health codes to facilitate personnel exchanges.

Thirdly, China and Mideast countries will continue to build consensus on preventing the politicization of pandemic from reemerging, and make the vaccines available and affordable to all countries.

BUILDING CHINA-ARAB COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE

Facing complex changes in the international situation, the China-Arab relations have set a good example for the South-South cooperation, Wang touted.

Over the past year and more, Chinese President Xi Jinping and many Arab heads of state have held over 10 phone calls and exchanged nearly 20 letters, pointing the way for the development of the China-Arab relations, he said.

China and the Arab countries firmly support each other, jointly defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard multilateralism, equity and justice, the Chinese minister said.

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with Omani Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said in Muscat, Oman, March 29, 2021. (Photo by Khaled Orabi/Xinhua)

"And the anti-pandemic cooperation has demonstrated the China-Arab brotherly friendship of sharing weal and woe," Wang said.

To build the China-Arab community with a shared future, "we should focus on strengthening solidarity and coordination among developing countries, and promoting reform of the international system and the formulation of international rules to better reflect the voices and concerns of developing countries," he said.

China and Arab states need to align development strategies, consolidate cooperation on the whole energy industry chain, deepen cooperation on new and high technologies, upgrade financial investment and free trade arrangements, and align rules and standards more closely, Wang said.

"We need to build closer people-to-people ties, make good use of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and other mechanisms to deepen exchanges and cooperation on the youth, culture, education and tourism, and lay a solid foundation for lasting friendship," he added.

CONSENSUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Wang said that the views of human rights held by some Western countries don't represent those of the international community, noting that such views of the developing countries should be more listened to, respected and absorbed.

"The six (Middle East) countries I visited this time and China are all developing countries and share same or similar views on the human rights issue," Wang said.

"We agree that human rights ought to be comprehensive and balanced. 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," he noted.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Ankara, Turkey, on March 25, 2021. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

During the recent session of the UN Human Rights Council, many developing countries, including 21 Arab countries, voiced solidarity with China, Wang said, noting China has always objected to using human rights as an excuse to meddle in the domestic affairs of Arab countries.

"China is keen to work together with Arab and other regional countries to champion the policy of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and preserve the common interests of each other and the developing countries," he said.

SYNERGY OF DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Wang revealed that the six countries he visited pin high hope on future practical cooperation with China.

He said China is ready to work with Mideast countries to promote cooperation mainly in three areas: further synergy of their development strategies, better integration of their resource markets, and exchange of experiences on governance.

Firstly, China and Mideast countries should better align their development strategies. All the six countries he visited, Wang said, expressed strong willingness to dovetail their development strategies with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to take advantage of the opportunities offered by China's drive to create a new paradigm of development.

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif pose for photos with agreements on the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan in Tehran, Iran, on March 27, 2021. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)

Secondly, the two sides should step up cooperation on energy and resources as well as high tech. Wang suggested the two sides consolidate their energy cooperation along the entire industrial chain, promote trade facilitation, innovate investment models, and expand the scale of bilateral currency swaps, in addition to increasing cooperation in information technologies such as 5G, big data and artificial intelligence.

Thirdly, the two sides should hold in-depth exchange on the views of governing philosophies. In this regard, China is ready to focus more on helping Mideast countries to improve the livelihood of their peoples so to enable them to share the fruits of economic development, the Chinese diplomat said.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
AN INNOVATIVE and fast-paced research project led by the University of Huddersfield has been awarded a coveted grant from the UK's Home Office to look at the effectiveness of burglar alarms in reducing residential burglary.

The three-month project is being led by Professor Rachel Armitage from the University's School of Human and Health Sciences and will be jointly delivered with Professor Andromachi Tseloni and Dr James Hunter from Nottingham Trent University. The research will focus on the two police force areas of West Yorkshire and Humberside.

According to Professor Armitage, who is a leading authority in the field of crime prevention and designing-out-crime, the project will help to clarify the effectiveness of burglar alarms in reducing residential burglary.

Existing research has revealed contradictory findings on whether burglar alarms act as a deterrent to burglars but without conclusive findings argues Professor Armitage, it is difficult to propose burglar alarms as an effective crime prevention measure.

A member of the University's Applied Criminology and Policing Centre (ACPC), Professor Armitage founded the highly-successful and multi-disciplinary Secure Societies Institute (SSI) and has delivered research projects for clients including the European Commission, Youth Justice Board, Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Limited as well as many local authorities and police forces.

This particular project involves three components and will initially feature a team of researchers analysing via Google Street View, thousands of houses, from different types of streets, located across Humberside and West Yorkshire

Each researcher has received training on how to use Google Street View as an information resource and will obtain data on individual homes including whether there is a burglar alarm present, if there is what is the brand, how old does it look, as well as noting other design features that could be associated with burglary risk.

Using police recorded crime data, the team will then assess whether the presence of a burglar alarm has an impact on burglaries experienced and if the presence of other design features influences this risk.

The third and final strand of the project will comprise of Police Community Support Officers visiting properties across the two police forces to conduct a survey with the residents. The survey will focus on collecting details on the burglar alarm type, its age and usage as well as details on burglaries that have taken place at these properties.

This element of the project will delve into the finer details of burglar alarm effectiveness and assess, not just the presence of an alarm, but also the extent to which different brands and models impact burglar decision-making.

"In addition to identifying the impact of burglar alarms," said Professor Armitage, "our analysis will also identify the risk, as well as the protective characteristics of additional factors relating to dwellings, streets and neighbourhoods, that could be informative to crime reduction strategies and burglary reduction advice."

###
MEXICO CITY, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- By agreement of the Board of Directors of GRUPO LALA, S.A.B. de C.V. (or the "Company") (BMV: LALAB), the shareholders of the Company are invited to the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on April 16, 2021, starting at 4:30 p.m. local time, in the facilities of Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo "LALA", located at Roberto Davila #50, Colonia Ciudad Industrial, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, during which the following items will be undertaken:

ORDER OF THE DAY

Presentation and, where appropriate, approval of the following resolutions: report of the Board of Directors, prepared in accordance with the terms of article 172 b ) of the General Law of Commercial Companies, regarding the main accounting policies and criteria used for the preparation of the Company's financial information; report of the Board of Directors on the main activities and operations in which it engaged during the fiscal year 2020, under the terms of article 28, section IV, subsection (e) of the Securities Market Law; report of the General Director, prepared under the terms of article 172 of the General Law of Commercial Companies and article 44 section XI of the Securities Market Law, together with the opinion of the Company's external auditor, regarding the activities carried out by the Company's general management during the fiscal year 2020, as well as the opinion of the Board of Directors on said report; financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2020 ; annual report on the activities carried out by the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee under the terms of article 43 of the Securities Market Law; report on the repurchase and sale of the Company's own shares; and report on the fulfillment of the fiscal obligations of the Company under the terms of article 76, section XIX of the Income Tax Law. Proposal on the application of financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020 , which includes: (i) the one related to decreeing a cash dividend; and (ii) the determination of the maximum amount of resources that may be used to purchase the Company's own shares. Resolutions in this regard. Ratification, where appropriate, of the management of the Board of Directors and the General Director of the Company for the fiscal year 2020, as well as any resolutions in this regard. Appointment and / or ratification of the members of the Board of Directors, of the Secretary of the Board of Directors, and of the members of the Board's Committees, as well as the determination of the corresponding compensation, as well as any resolutions in this regard. Appointment of delegates tasked with fulfilling the resolutions approved by this Meeting, and formalizing them as appropriate, and any resolutions in this regard. Reading and, where appropriate, approval of the minutes of the Meeting. Resolutions in this regard.

Attendance Requirements

To be able to attend the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, no later than 2 (two) business days prior to the date and time indicated for the Meeting: (i) the shareholders or their representatives must present their share certificates and / or records of the certificates of shares deposited with the offices of the Company or with the custodian S.D. Indeval, Institucion para el Deposito de Valores, S.A. de C.V. ("Indeval"); and (ii) brokerage firms and other depositors with Indeval must present a list containing the name, address, nationality and number of shares of the shareholders they will represent at the Meeting. Upon delivery of said documents, the Company will issue to the shareholders an admission pass and / or deliver proxy forms which they may use to be represented at the Meeting. To attend the meeting, shareholders must present the admission pass and / or proxy form.

Torreon, Coahuila, March 31, 2021

Andres Gutierrez Fernandez

Secretary of the Board of Directors

SOURCE Grupo LALA, S.A.B. de C.V.
Urban refugee girls in Kenya are set to benefit from an e-learning and tele-counselling initiative thanks to a conglomerate of community development organisations.

RefuSHE, an organisation protecting the rights of refugee women and girls in East Africa has partnered with an education technology company, Kytabu, and a digital mental health service provider, Wazi, to create a tailored curriculum and mental health package for the refugee girls and women aged 17-40.

By availing the information on the digital platforms which could include mobile applications, the refugee women and girls will overcome challenges to accessing literacy and numeracy skills. Often, they are locked out of formal learning institutions due to lack of identification documents.

RefuSHE Digital Literacy and Education Innovation, senior director, Ms Rose Muthuri said the beneficiaries will be equipped with vocational and entrepreneurship skills among others.

They will also gain access to counsellors to offer them psychosocial support.

"Access to information will not be limited to the refugee girls and women in Nairobi and the peri-urban areas. It will be available to all refugee women and girls across the country," she told the nation.africa on Friday.

Build resilience

With Mastercard Foundation' financial support, the partners are currently packaging the information as informed by the needs assessment conducted on the targeted group.

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Mastercard Foundation, Eastern and Southern Africa, regional head, Mr Daniel Hailu exemplified the project as one strategy that can build resilience of communities against economic shocks.

"Digital technology can enable economic recovery and build the resilience of vulnerable communities," he said in a March 25, joint statement.

"Enabling a large-scale economic rebound requires an integrated and inclusive approach that reaches all MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises)," he added.

Kytabu, founder, Mr Tonee Ndungu said the initiative will bridge the information gap among the refugee women and girls.

"For the longest time, vulnerable communities like refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been ignored by mainstream education technology solutions... (yet) more than 16 per cent of people in the world are either refugees or IDPs," he said in the statement.

Wazi, chief executive officer, Mr Alex Royea said the tailored curriculum and mental health package will be informed by the best practices in mental health, education, and refugee support.
EL CAJON, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC PINK:SIRC), an integrated, single-source solar power and roofing systems installation company, has engaged investor relations specialists MZ Group (MZ) to lead a comprehensive strategic investor relations and financial communications program across all key markets.

MZ Group will work closely with Solar Integrated Roofing management to develop and implement a comprehensive capital markets strategy designed to increase the Company's visibility throughout the investment community. The campaign will highlight Solar Integrated Roofing's robust growth initiatives, including both organic and acquisitive growth strategies within the Southern California market.

MZ has developed a distinguished reputation as a premier resource for institutional investors, brokers, analysts and private investors. The firm maintains offices worldwide and was recently ranked No. 7 in the world in business communication.

Lucas A. Zimmerman, Senior Vice President at MZ North America, will advise Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. in all facets of corporate and financial communications, including the coordination of roadshows and investment conferences across key cities and building brand awareness with all financial and social media outlets.

Ted Haberfield, President of MZ North America, commented: "Our engagement comes at an exciting time for the Company as the Company's solar division is better positioned than ever for growth given California's new mandates of solar installation on all new housing and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. At the local utility level, tiered electric rates heavily penalize increasing electric use and even small amounts of solar can drive disproportionately large savings on a monthly electric bill, making the economic case for residential solar clear in the Southern California market in particular.

"On the acquisition front, the Company maintains the optionality to acquire locally owned solar and roofing companies at a low single digit EBITDA multiple, enabling an exciting rollup opportunity in a growing market as aging owner-operators seek to enter retirement. Recent accretive acquisitions in the Company's transition to a national brand include Enerev, LLC and Cornerstone Construction, two leading roofing and solar solutions providers in their respective regional markets. To further support its burgeoning new EV Charging Station division and expand opportunities in the government contract market, Solar Integrated announced the acquisition of Pacific Lighting Management. With the recent completion of its audit and transition to a fully reporting public company, Solar Integrated has set the stage to begin a national rollup strategy and file an application to become listed on the OTC Market's OTCQB Venture Market in the near-term. We believe Solar Integrated Roofing is a compelling story and look forward to working with CEO David Massey to communicate what we view as a clear valuation disconnect to the capital markets," concluded Haberfield.

"Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation is a trusted leader, as our solar and roofing brands have served thousands of customers since inception," said David Massey, Chief Executive Officer. "With highly complementary solar, battery backup, EV charging and roofing segments, we are poised for healthy organic growth and to efficiently monetize exciting cross-selling opportunities across our client base. I look forward to working with the MZ Group team to share our story with investors."

For more information on Solar Integrated Roofing Corp., please visit the Company's investor relations website at www.solarintegratedroofing.com. To schedule a conference call with management, please email your request to SIRC@mzgroup.us or call Lucas A. Zimmerman at 949-259-4987.

About MZ Group

MZ North America is the US division of MZ Group, a global leader in investor relations and corporate communications. MZ North America was founded in 1996 and provides full-scale Investor Relations to both private and public companies across all industries. Supported by our exclusive oneastopashop approach, MZ works with top management to support the clients' business strategy in six integrated product and service categories: 1) IR Consulting & Outreach - full-service investor relations and roadshow services; 2) IPO Advisory - preparation services for the Pre-IPO journey; 3) ESG Consulting - providing audit and roadmap guidelines to improve corporate ESG messaging and rankings; 4) SPAC Advisory - providing critical and timely guidance through IPO, business combination, investor relations and communications, marketing and final closing; 5) Financial & Social Media - lead generation and social media relations; 6) Market Intelligence - real-time ownership monitoring; 7) Technology Solutions - web hosting, webcasting, distribution services, conference calls, CRM, and board portals. MZ North America has a global footprint with offices located in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Aliso Viejo, Austin, Minneapolis, Taipei, and Sao Paulo. For more information, please visit www.mzgroup.us.

About Solar Integrated Roofing Corp.

Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation (OTC:SIRC), is an integrated, single-source solar power and roofing systems installation company specializing in commercial and residential properties in the Southern California market. The Company's broad array of solutions include sales and installation of solar energy systems, battery backup and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to roofing, HVAC and related electrical contracting work. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.solarintegratedroofing.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation.

Investor Relations Contact:

Lucas A. Zimmerman

Senior Vice President

MZ North America

Main: 949-259-4987

SIRC@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us

SOURCE: Solar Integrated Roof Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:
Nairobi  The Central Bank of Kenya may consider reintroducing loan repayments schemes for borrowers should the situation worsen in the next days as the third wave of the COVID-19 shakes the economy afresh.

Central Bank of Kenya governor Patrick Njoroge during the Post Monetary Policy Committee held on Tuesday said they will consider adopting any necessary measure if needed after consultations with various authorities.

"We will look at all these measures as needed and we stand ready to use whatever means and tools necessary if indeed they are needed," said Njoroge.

"If things turn out that additional measures are needed because things have really worsened the obviously the MPC and other authorities and policymakers stand ready to deal with that," he added.

Njoroge however cautioned that the banks and the borrowers however have to strike a balance.

"But at the same time you have to appreciate that for every measure the restructuring of loans comes at a cost where you have to balance it against the cost of those measures and the cost here potentially is to the depositors so we are conscious of that, for every borrower there is a lender and behind the lender is a deposited those funds belong to somebody else and it is important to safeguard that because there is nothing as free lunch," added Njoroge.

Restructuring of loans was among the emergency measures that the CBK announced on March 18 and 24 2020, to mitigate the adverse economic effects on bank borrowers from the coronavirus pandemic.

However, bank borrowers in the country need to regularize their repayment procedures after the Central Bank of Kenya announced the expiry of emergency measures on the restructuring of loans.

CBK said borrowers whose loans were performing before March 2, 2020, but were restructured and subsequently went into arrears, will have three months - up to June 3, 2021, to regularize their loans, an extension from the original expiry date, which was March 3, 2021.

Last week the government introduced new measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic that has sparked fear amongst citizens over the loss of jobs.
The Forbes ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on both qualitative and quantitative data from nominations and in-person interviews. This selection of the top advisors from thousands of candidates across the country was based on factors such as revenue trends, assets under management, client experience, and industry expertise. Sharon was previously honored on Forbes 2020 lists for Top New York City High-Net-Worth Advisors, Top Women Wealth Advisors in the U.S., Working Mother Top U.S. Wealth Advisors, and Crain's 2020 inaugural list of the Most Notable Women in Financial Advice.

"Sharon's ranking on this prestigious list for the second year in a row brings to light the high quality of wealth services, coupled with the expertise and professionalism she provides to clients every day, especially as they have navigated these changing times," said Bill LaFond, area executive for Wilmington Trust. "Sharon has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her work in the industry, and her honor on the Forbes list is well-deserved."

Sharon is responsible for coordinating the delivery of all Wealth Management services, leading teams of professionals across the areas of planning, trust, investment management, family office, and private banking, to high-net-worth clients in the Eastern United States. As head of Wilmington Trust's National Matrimonial/Divorce Advisory Practice, the teams Sharon oversees also collaborate with advisors and their clients to offer a comprehensive set of solutions for those impacted by divorce.

Sharon is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a highly selective group of peer-elected trust and estate attorneys in the U.S. and abroad who have demonstrated the highest levels of integrity, commitment to the profession, and competence as counselors. She is a member of The New York Bankers Association Trust & Investment Division Executive Committee, The Rockefeller University Committee on Trust and Estate Gift Plans, the Professional Advisory Council of the Anti-Defamation League, the Estates, Gifts and Trusts Advisory Board for The Bureau of National Affairs, and the Thomson Reuters Trusts & Estates Advisory Board. Sharon is chair of the Domestic Relations Committee of Trusts & Estates magazine, where she sits on the board. Sharon is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and has been selected as an Accredited Estate Planner by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.

For more information about this designation, please visit Forbes.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Maya Dillon, Head of Communications, Wilmington Trust, (646) 735-1958

Wilmington Trust is a registered service mark used in connection with various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services offered by certain subsidiaries of M&T Bank Corporation including, but not limited to, Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company (M&T Bank), Wilmington Trust Company (WTC) operating in Delaware only, Wilmington Trust, N.A. (WTNA), Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (WTIA), Wilmington Funds Management Corporation (WFMC), and Wilmington Trust Investment Management, LLC (WTIM). Such services include trustee, custodial, agency, investment management, and other services. International corporate and institutional services are offered through M&T Bank Corporation's international subsidiaries. Loans, credit cards, retail and business deposits, and other business and personal banking services and products are offered by M&T Bank, member FDIC.

This is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer, recommendation or solicitation for the sale of any financial profit or service or as a determination that any investment strategy is suitable for a specific investor. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the suitability of any investment strategy based on their objectives, financial situations, and particular needs. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or a loss. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. Wilmington Trust is not authorized to and does not provide legal, accounting or tax advice.

SOURCE Wilmington Trust

Related Links

http://www.WilmingtonTrust.com


In terms of the letter of acceptance (LoA) issued by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL), SJVN will develop 70 megawatt solar power project in Gujarat, including arrangement of land with long term connectivity with grid.

Tariff of the electricity supplied will be Rs 2.21/KWh and power generated from this project will be procured by GUVNL for 25 years.

These projects will support SJVN in achieving its ambitious shared vision of electricity generation of 5,000 MW by 2023, 12,000 MW by 2030 and 25,000 MW by 2040 and simultaneously contribute towards RE capacity addition target of 175 GW by 2022 set by Government of India. The announcement was made post trading hours yesterday, 30 March 2021.

Shares of SJVN were down 1.13% to Rs 26.35 on BSE. The company's consolidated net profit fell 8.6% to Rs 197.57 crore on a 1.1% rise in net sales to Rs 493.87 crore in Q3 December 2020 over Q3 December 2019.

SJVN is a Mini Ratna, Category-I and Schedule 'A' CPSE under administrative control of Ministry of Power, Govt. of India. Beginning with a single project and single state operation, the company has commissioned five projects totaling 2015.2 MW of installed capacity including wind and solar power.

As of 31 December 2020, the Government of India held 59.92% stake while the Government of Himachal Pradesh held 26.85% stake in the company.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kensington Palace Prince William

Prince William is sending a special message to the Royal Australian Air Force.

The royal, who served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force, sported his military uniform for a video message to mark the 100th anniversary of the RAAF on Wednesday.

In his speech, Prince William praised the RAAF for their "outstanding reputation for resilience, innovation and dedication to duty."

"Over the last 12 months, Australia has faced the challenges of terrible bushfires and a global pandemic," he said. "The Royal Australian Air Force has once again shown its ability to respond quickly to supporting Australians in need."

Prince William, 38, noted that there was a "special bond" between the U.K.'s Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force that he witnessed firsthand during his service.

"More recently, Catherine and I have been welcomed at a number of Royal Australian Air Force bases and have enjoyed hearing stories from serving personnel," he added.

RELATED: Prince Harry and Prince William Have Always Had 'Complicated Relationship' with Dad Prince Charles

Prince William concluded, "While your second century will be very different to the first, I am sure that future generations of servicemen and women will carry forward the proud legacy established by hard working and courageous Australians during the first 100 years of The Royal Australian Air Force."

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Steve REIGATE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by STEVE REIGATE/POOL/AFP via Getty Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth, 94, marked the occasion with her first public outing of 2021 by visiting the CWGC Air Forces Memorial in Surrey, a short drive from Windsor Castle where she is staying with husband Prince Philip, 99.

The monarch wore a ready-for-spring ensemble, a light green coat and a matching wide-brimmed hat adorned with yellow flowers. She accessorized with the Australian wattle brooch, representing the national flower of Australia  and of course, her signature gloves and Launer handbag.

Story continues

STEVE REIGATE/POOL/AFP via Getty Queen Elizabeth

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Although the Queen did not wear a face mask, the ceremony was socially distanced. The monarch received her COVID-19 vaccination in January.

After a wreath was laid on Queen Elizabeth's behalf, she viewed panels bearing the names of Australian war dead and a display of fallen airmen and women in the memorial cloister. She also met with Royal Australian Air Force personnel and signed a commemorative document.
CXD's 2019 jobs banner in Smith Union.

"We need your help identifying full-time jobs, other kinds of jobs, projects, opportunities, gigs, or other work that would give a senior or seniors opportunities to build their skills and resumes while making a real contribution," he wrote.

The response was almost immediate.

"As soon as his letter went out, my email went crazy! I have a bell that goes off when I get a new one, and it was ringing nonstop for two days," Bowdoin Director of Employer Relations Sarah Cotsen said. "Within a minute of it going out, alumni were reaching out."

As of April 14, approximately 300 alumni and family members have added postings to Handshake, Bowdoin's job database. "We hear it all the time from alumni," said Cotsen, who is a member of Bowdoin's Career Exploration and Development (CXD) team. "They want to give back. This is a community that believes in giving back."

The composition of the job openings has been markedly different than in years past. Just last year, finance and consulting positions accounted for roughly 42 percent of jobs tagged as "Bowdoin Preferred" in Handshake.

But since the pandemic, that percentage has dipped to 24 percent as more job openings in the fields of technology, government, education, nonprofit, media, and the arts have increased. "The opportunities were seeing are interesting and different," and better reflect the wide diversity of student interests at Bowdoin, Cotsen said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)  A Philippine military aircraft patrolling the West Philippine Sea received at least five radio challenges from Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe Reef, asking it to leave immediately."

Members of the media who were given rare access to Tuesday's maritime patrol on board a tactical military transport aircraft recorded the radio communications from the Chinese fleet.

You are approaching a Chinese reef please leave immediately, the Chinese forces said in one of the radio challenges.

The aircraft of the Philippine Air Force responded, This is Philippine government aircraft... we are conducting routine maritime patrol over Philippine EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and we are proceeding based on our planned route.

The latest aerial patrol showed that 44 Chinese ships remained moored at Julian Felipe Reef, also known as Whitsun, located some 175 nautical miles east of Bataraza, Palawan and well within the country's EEZ. On March 20, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported the presence of over 200 Chinese vessels, which it believes to be part of China's maritime militia.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines explained that China's radio challenges have been customary in the West Philippine Sea, parts of which are included in Beijing's sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said Philippine forces have also been giving a standard response to the radio challenges.

He added that aside from the 44 Chinese vessels seen in Julian Felipe Reef, 92 others were sighted in Chigua Reef, an area that covers McKennan and Hughes Reefs. Some 84 other vessels were spotted in Burgos Reefs, internationally known as Gaven Reefs. The AFP cannot readily say if these were among the 183 Chinese ships it spotted around Julian Felipe Reef last week, Arevalo said.

The task force on Wednesday reported a different set of figures, citing three rounds of routine aerial and maritime sovereignty patrol missions conducted as of Monday. It said over 200 Chinese vessels have been scattered in the Kalayaan Island Group in the disputed Spratlys.

It also said some 115 were in Chigua Reef. Forty-five other Chinese vessels were around Pag-asa Island, also known as Thitu, the seat of of the municipal government of Kalayaan under Palawan province. The remaining 50 vessels were dispersed in Panganiban, Kagitingan, and Zamora Reefs, internationally known as Mischief, Fiery, and Subi Reefs, respectively. Four Chinese Navy vessels were also in Panganiban Reef, the task force noted.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier filed a diplomatic protest and demanded that China "promptly withdraw" its ships. Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Chito Sta. Romana said Beijing gave its assurance that its fishing vessels are staying in Julian Felipe Reef only temporarily to take shelter from rough sea conditions.

Meanwhile, the Palace said President Rodrigo Duterte had raised the issue in a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and reaffirmed the countrys arbitral win in the contested waters.

An arbitral tribunal in 2016 invalidated Beijings vast claims in the South China Sea and recognized the Philippines sovereign rights to parts of its EEZ which the East Asian giant contests. China rejects the landmark ruling.

CNN Philippines' David Santos contributed to this report.
Amazon recruited a Twitter army that was code-named 'Veritas' whose members were picked for their 'sense of humor' - and their task was to defend Jeff Bezos' reputation online.

The army was recruited in 2018 but reared its head again this week as workers at an Amazon fulfillment center in Alabama voted on whether to form a union amid complaints about working conditions.

On Twitter, the army has defended worker conditions and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and has even gone after the company's biggest critics like Bernie Sanders, the liberal senator from Vermont.

They were told specifically to confront people on Twitter in a 'blunt' manner, according to an internal document about their training that was obtained by The Intercept.

The document was marked 'Amazon.com confidential' and titled 'Global social CS Program Management.'

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A confidential training memo details Amazon's 'fulfillment center ambassador' program that was code-named Veritas. It shows examples of the Twitter accounts the ambassador's use to defend the company online

The ambassadors have handles that begin AmazonFC and follow with their names. They go online to share what they say are good experiences from their time at work

Another Amazon FC account where this week, the worker defended how long they take for lunch

It read: 'To address speculation and false assertions in social media and online forums about the quality of the FC [Fulfillment Center] associate experience, we are creating a new social team staffed with active, tenured FC employees, who will be empowered to respond in a politebut bluntway to every untruth, the project description reads. FC Ambassadors (FCA) will respond to all posts and comments from customers, influencers (including policymakers), and media questioning the FC associate experience.'

'The goal of today's meeting is to get aligned on the launch plan for the FC Ambassadors program. FC (fulfillment center) Ambassador Program Tenets (Unless you know better ones...)

'1. Tell your truth: We encourage our associates to share experiences about their time with Amazon. We will we [sic] not offer misleading or untrue messages in order to "spin" what may be an uncomfortable situation for the company.

'2. Preserve Customer Trust: Our number one priority is continuing to earn the trust of our customers by educating them on what it's actually like inside Amazon FCs.

Amazon's corporate communications department hit back at Rep Mark Pocan last week after he criticized the company

The ambassadors also defend Amazon founder Jeff Bezos online

'3. Respect: We vigilantly refute untruths about the working experience at Amazon.

'We may be direct, even blunt, but we will always be respectful, even to our worst critics.'

The Veritas 'ambassadors' and the Amazon PR account have trolled critics like Bernie Sanders online.

In one reply, the Amazon PR account wrote: 'I often say we are the Bernie Sanders of employers, but thats not quite right because we actually deliver a progressive workplace.'

Sanders was also singled out in the document in role play scenarios where an ambassador replied to a comment he'd made about Bezos' exorbitant wealth: 'Everyone should be able to enjoy the money theyve earned/saved. Its theirs. They should be able to do with it as they please. That includes Jeff Bezos.'

Details of the 'ambassador' program emerged this week amid growing outcry over the conditions Amazon workers say they face.

Some delivery drivers claim they have been forced to urinate or defecate in bags and bottles to avoid taking breaks because, they say, they are under such intense pressure to make deliveries on time.

Among those who has spoken out against the company is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who said workers should be able to form a union.

Nearly 6,000 Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer are deciding whether they want to form a union - the biggest labor push in the online shopping giant's history.
South Dakota bans abortions based on Down syndrome diagnosis; Noem signs 4 pro-life bills

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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed four pro-life bills into law last week, including a bill that makes abortions performed in the state because of a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis a felony.

Known as House Bill 1110, the measure was signed into law last Friday and bans abortions for the sake of terminating a Down syndrome baby, with an exemption given for life-threatening medical emergency for the mother.

No person may perform or attempt to perform an abortion with knowledge that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion because the unborn child either has been diagnosed with Down syndrome or has had a genetic screening indicating that the unborn child may have Down syndrome, the bill reads.

Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 6 felony. No penalty may be assessed against the woman upon whom the abortion is performed or attempted to be performed.

In a statement last Friday, Noem cited the Declaration of Independence, noting that God created each of us and endowed all of us with the right to life."

"This is true for everyone, including those with an extra chromosome," she wrote.

I look forward to the day when the Supreme Court recognizes that all preborn children inherently possess this right to life, too," she added. Until that time comes, I am pleased to sign a ban on the abortion of a preborn child, just because that child is diagnosed with Down syndrome, as well as several other important pro-life bills.

The legislation was criticized by pro-choice groups like the South Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, claiming that it wrongfully marginalizes reproductive rights.

We oppose House Bill 1110 because forced pregnancy threatens a persons physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as the stability and wellbeing of their family, stated the ACLU of South Dakota before the bill was signed.

This bill is an attempt to push abortion access even further out of reach out of reach in a state with some of the heaviest abortion restrictions possible in this country.

In addition to HB 1110, Noem has signed three other anti-abortion bills.

Senate Bill 183 bars contracts from forcing women to undergo abortions. House Bill 1114 creates a definition of abortion that labels the fetus an unborn human being."

House Bill 1130 creates requirements for clinics to present information on the controversial abortion reversal procedure for medical abortions. The bill states that information presented to mothers must state that "even after a pregnant mother takes Mifepristone, or another drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the same use, it is still possible to discontinue a drug-induced abortion by not taking the prescribed Misoprostol."
Rating Action: Moody's affirms LGC's B3 CFR and maintains positive outlookGlobal Credit Research - 31 Mar 2021Assigns B3 ratings to new GBP496 million backed senior secured term loan tranchesLondon, 31 March 2021 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has today affirmed the ratings of life sciences company Loire UK Midco 3 Limited ("LGC") and its financing subsidiary Loire Finco Luxembourg S.a.r.l.. Affirmed ratings are LGC's B3 corporate family rating (CFR) and B3-PD probability of default rating (PDR) as well as the B3 ratings on the backed senior secured facilities, including the GBP1,082 million equivalent term loan B due 2027 and GBP265 million revolving credit facility (RCF) due 2026 borrowed by Loire Finco Luxembourg S.a.r.l.. The rating agency has also assigned a B3 rating to the new GBP496 million equivalent Euro- and US dollar-denominated backed senior secured term loan tranches which will rank pari passu with the company's existing debt. The outlook remains positive.RATINGS RATIONALERATIONALE FOR THE RATINGS AND POSITIVE OUTLOOK"We expect LGC to delever and maintain solid credit metrics for a B3 rating in the next 12 months as its products remain in high demand during the pandemic" says Frederic Duranson, a Moody's Assistant Vice President and lead analyst for LGC. "Nevertheless, the rating remains constrained by governance considerations including the company's appetite for a high leverage, reflected in the proposed transaction, and our expectation that LGC's acquisitive stance as well as uncertainties around operating performance post-pandemic will likely result in leverage remaining around 6.5x over time on a Moody's-adjusted basis" Mr. Duranson adds.In the current fiscal year 2021, ending 31 March 2021 ("fiscal 2021"), Moody's expects LGC to generate very strong like-for-like revenue and EBITDA growth of around 40% and 80% respectively on the back of a spike in demand for its products in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a key social factor. LGC's broad capabilities in polymerase chain reaction ("PCR") testing, which has been widely used to detect the coronavirus, has driven a substantial increase in sales volumes in the Genomics division. The Standards division's offering in reference material kits and panels has also benefited from COVID-19-related demand, albeit to a much lower extent. The strong growth has led to a material reduction in Moody's-adjusted gross debt/EBITDA of 5.6x as of the end of December 2020 and below 5.0x as of the end of February 2021, compared with an opening leverage of around 7.3x a year ago, when Cinven and Astorg completed their LBO.The proposed transaction will relever the company by at least 1.5x to around 6.4x on a Moody's-adjusted basis by the end of fiscal 2021 and is negative for LGC's creditors as it funds a dividend to shareholders and refinances debt sitting outside the restricted group. Moody's expects that LGC will continue to benefit from pandemic-related tailwinds in fiscal 2022, in addition to good growth prospects maintaining underlying growth above the mid-single digit in percentage terms. As a result, Moody's expects that LGC's leverage will decline to around 6.0x in the next 12 months and generate free cash flow ("FCF", after interest and before acquisitions) leading to FCF/debt remaining around 5%.LGC will face uncertainty in regard to revenues associated with COVID-19, which Moody's calculates will exceed GBP170 million in fiscal 2021. Management estimates that around 80% of the company's such revenues flow from testing volumes. It is possible that testing volumes shift to antibody tests following vaccine roll-out, an area where LGC has limited presence despite its recent acquisition of The Native Antigen Company. The rating agency recognises that travel- and education-related testing demand for example could remain material beyond the next 12 months, while the pandemic could widen the spectrum of mass screening needs which LGC would be able to address. Nevertheless, Moody's cautions that LGC's adjusted leverage could return to above 6.5x after fiscal 2022. Despite forecast FCF generation in the range of GBP70 million to GBP90 million, the company's acquisitive stance will continue to require some external funding which could result in temporary increases in leverage given substantially higher acquisition multiples than the company's leverage.LGC's B3 CFR reflects the group's (1) high pro forma leverage of 6.4x as measured by Moody's-adjusted debt/EBITDA, pro-forma for acquisitions completed in the last 12 months; (2) acquisitive growth strategy, which will likely keep leverage elevated; (3) relatively small scale in terms of revenue; (4) competitive and fragmented nature of its end markets; and (5) high non-recurring and acquisition-related costs somewhat constraining FCF generation, which was negative pre-pandemic.Conversely, the rating is supported by LGC's: (1) strong niche market positions benefitting from high barriers to entry and a large proportion of recurring revenues; (2) diversified customer base with an average relationship length of 10 years; (3) solid profitability, as measured by pro forma Moody's-adjusted EBITDA margin of around 38%; and (4) underlying revenue growth in the high single-digit rate in most markets.The positive outlook reflects Moody's expectations that the company will remain strongly positioned for the assigned rating and that the operating environment will remain favourable for the next quarters. Moody's also expects that new acquisitions will not lead to a material increase in Moody's-adjusted debt/EBITDA and will be successfully integrated into the group.ESG CONSIDERATIONSSocial and governance factors are important elements of LGC's credit profile. LGC's ratings incorporate its private equity ownership and related financial policy, characterised by tolerance of high leverage and its history of pursuing debt-funded growth. The company also has a stable management team, well-defined acquisition strategy and good track record of acquisitions' integration.Medical products and devices have moderate social risks, largely driven by demographic trends, product safety and manufacturing compliance risks. The rating agency views LGC as less exposed to these risks than the rest of the industry given the company's minimal direct exposure to patients and consumers and demographic trends as well as the current public health situation increasing demand for its products. Conversely, the continued access to a highly skilled workforce is a constant challenge and one that could restrict operating margin growth. LGC's reputation as a trusted provider is critical to its success and any decline in its standing, through poor quality of testing or weakness in its control environment could have a material adverse effect in its credit profile.FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGSUpward pressure on the rating could occur if leverage, as measured by Moody's-adjusted debt/EBITDA, were to remain below 6.5x, and FCF/debt will increase towards 5%, for a sustained period of time. An upgrade would also require the adoption of a more conservative financial policy.Downward pressure on the rating could occur if, for a sustained period of time, free cash flow becomes negative or Moody's-adjusted debt/EBITDA, were to increase above 7.5x; if there is a deterioration in the liquidity profile or a loss of major accreditations or clients leading to revenue declines.LIQUIDITYLGC's liquidity remains good. Pro forma for the proposed transaction, LGC will have GBP70 million of unrestricted cash on balance sheet and a fully undrawn GBP265 million RCF, in addition to positive FCF generation in the next 12 to 18 months. Moody's expects ample headroom under the RCF's springing covenant based on a consolidated senior secured net leverage ratio not exceeding 11.5x.STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONSThe B3 ratings on the existing and proposed senior secured facilities borrowed by Loire Finco Luxembourg S.a.r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of Loire UK Midco 3 Limited, are in line with the B3 CFR given the all-senior capital structure in which all instruments rank pari passu.PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGYThe principal methodology used in these ratings was Medical Product and Device Industry published in June 2017 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1071635. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.CORPORATE PROFILELGC, headquartered in Teddington, UK, provides genomic analysis tools, measurement tools and supply chain assurance solutions to a wide range of end-markets including molecular and clinical diagnostics, pharma and biotech, food, agricultural biotech and environmental industries. In the last 12 months to December 2020, LGC generated GBP639 million revenue and GBP254 million of company EBITDA before non-recurring items, excluding the full year contribution from acquisitions closed in the period. The company was acquired by a consortium led by Astorg and Cinven in April 2020.REGULATORY DISCLOSURESFor further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1243406.At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s) announced and described above.The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. Frederic Duranson Asst Vice President - Analyst Corporate Finance Group Moody's Investors Service Ltd. One Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5FA United Kingdom JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Richard Etheridge Associate Managing Director Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service Ltd. 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Tarkwa  The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa in the Western Region is committed to focusing its research on some of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as part of the global call to ensure social, economic and environmental sustainability.

These include Goal 1, No poverty, Goal 4, Quality education, Goal 5, Gender equality, Goal 6, Clean water and sanitation ,Goal 7, Affordable and clean energy, Goal 9, Industry innovation and infrastructure, Goal 13, Climate action, Goal 15 ,Life on land and Goal 17, Partnerships to achieve the goals.

The Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Prof Richard Kwasi Amankwah, announced this at the 2021 mini congregation held here on Saturday.

The university conferred degrees in various fields on 24 post- graduates students, two graduands were awarded Doctor of Philosophy degrees, while 22 also received Masters degrees.

Touching on other areas, Prof Amankwah said the university envisioned to expand its frontiers in mining engineering related, adding that the university had introduced Professional Doctorate Degrees in Engineering and Management, to encourage practicing engineers and professionals to earn higher degrees, through the innovations they bring to their day -to -day job.

Again, as part of UMaT's think local, act global agenda, he said, the university had introduced the Sustainable Small-Scale Mining Awareness Day to be celebrated annually on June 2.

June 2, 1989, Prof Amankwah reported, was the day the Small-scale Gold Mining Law (PNDC Law 218) was gazetted and the activity regularised in Ghana.

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"On this day, UMaT will engage the miners, their leaders, legislators and all those who matter in the sector, to discuss the challenges associated with the sector such as regularisation, environmental degradation, and health concerns, and push an agenda towards sustainable development." he explained.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the graduands had satisfied all the requirements of the university for the award of the respective degrees, saying that " Your toil and efforts have not been in vain."

"Your degree is a valuable asset. In addition to this asset, prepare and adapt to the rapidly evolving world that we live in to satisfy your ambitions. I encourage you to adopt life -long learning, embrace new opportunities and challenges, and develop new knowledge and skills as your career advances." Prof Amankwah added.

He continued: "Let the beauty in your character and personality shine through your activities and treat human beings with respect and dignity."

The Chairman of Council, Dr Steve Yirenkyi, described the event as special, noting that, it demonstrated UMaT's determination to promote teaching and excellence through online lectures despite the COVID 19-pandemic.
Winston Churchill followed an old principle that says that if you have to give a speech for two hours, you need just half an hour to prepare the talk. But if you have to give a speech for just 20 minutes, you need perhaps three hours to prepare for it.

That is also the reason why it is more difficult to write a short story than to write a novel. The novel gives you space and time. The short story contains you within narrow boundaries.

It is also true while writing a column for Moneylife  which has to be contained within 800 words!

However, whether long or short, speech or the written word, short memo, or long project report, Preparation Is Essential.

And having no time, or being too busy, is no excuse for being caught out on this score.

There are people I have seen, even 40 years ago, who were outstanding speakers, such as Prakash Tandon, chairman of Hindustan Lever, who always made sure he had a little sheet of paper with the points he was going to cover, even if he was addressing a classroom of college students, on a subject he had already mastered!

This was why I was disappointed to read a Times of India (TOI) report that headlined SM Krishnas Facepalm Moment

The report said Giving a speech on a global platform can send a chill down many an experienced ones spines. One may forget the words, or lose ones voice, but reading the wrong speech is something unthinkable. But this is what he managed to do. He read the wrong speech at the UN Security Council meeting in New York, earlier this year. After a full three minutes of reading the speech, an Indian chief diplomat pointed out the mistake, that he was reading the speech of his Portuguese counterpart!

If facepalm is one of the buzzwords of 2011, then this was definitely one of the epic moments. It was a case of throwing to the winds the principle of Preparation Is Essential.

It also reminded me of a seminar I attended many decades ago at the Administrative Staff College of India in Hyderabad. Morarji Desai, the then prime minister of India came to deliver the inaugural address.

All the usual ceremonies were gone through, - the garlands, bouquets, lighting of lamp, and a long introduction (although introduction was not necessary).

Morarjibhai then started his speech. After reading the first three pages (and it was clear he was reading these for the first time), he must have turned two pages at one time by error.

So, he began reading from page 5 instead of from page 4.

But Morarji was smart enough to immediately know that what he was saying now, had no relation to what he had just said. There was no continuity.

His face flushed. He was angry, thinking perhaps that his secretary had made a mistake.

He put the papers aside with there is something wrong here.

And he changed to speaking impromptu, for a short exposition on his favourite topic  The virtues of U therapy.

The talk ended and dutifully the crowd clapped.

The thank yous were profuse.

But again, a lesson had been learned: that however busy you may be, even for a prime minister, Preparation is essential.

Fifty years later, I still find people making an appearance, when they have not adequately prepared for it.

And, of course, this goes for everything, including travel.

While I am myself emphasising the need for preparation here, I remember, I arrived at Namur station in Belgium, to go to Brussels to take a flight  and only realised at the railway platform that I had forgotten the ticket in my hosts guest room at Namur.

Too late to go back  too expensive to buy a fresh ticket. But there was no choice. A heavy price to be paid, for lack of preparation!

The sooner one learns this lesson, the better. It does not matter what field you choose to specialise in, and the heights of power you achieve.

Never forget to set time aside for Preparation. All of us need not learn this the hard way!
NASA data supports agricultural analytics

NASA data is powering soil analytics that can deliver accurate and scalable irrigation and fertilization metrics and enable research into sustainability and the impact of extreme weather events.

The Harvest Consortium, part of NASAs Food Security and Agriculture program, is partnering with CropX, a soil analytics firm, to gain advanced insights for global agricultural monitoring.

CropX uses 18-inch in-ground soil sensors that collect and geo-tag moisture, temperature and salinity data at multiple depths. Data from the soil sensors, precise weather and evaporation forecasts, satellite images and other moisture-related data are fed into the companys crop models to show how water, nutrients and salinity levels affect the development of specific crops. The soil intelligence platforms machine learning algorithms of are constantly refined based on actual growth of the crops.

The in-ground sensors are a key data source. Most agricultural companies rely on above-ground data such as satellite imagery, and less than 10 percent of companies get data from within the soil, which is where the most valuable data is, Matan Rahav, director of business development at CropX, said in an Amazon Web Services case study. By the time there are visible signs of crop stress detected from space, the damage is already done.

CropX and NASA are conducting a year-long pilot across alfalfa farms in Arizona that will fine-tune the algorithms to provide accurate and scalable irrigation and fertilization metrics based on CropXs soil intelligence data and synthetic aperture radar information from NASA satellites.

The integration of NASA data along with satellite data from partner agencies will help establish the parameters for water usage estimates, yield prediction, soil quality and land usage assessments based on multiple crop growing cycles.

We are in a constant race to produce and supply enough food in order to feed a rapidly growing global population, with finite land and natural resources. NASA Harvest is dedicated to collaborating with top innovators to make the best possible use of our agricultural land, NASA Harvest Program Director Inbal Becker-Reshef said. CropX unites our space-led vision with on-farm intelligence and results.

NASA data is also powering a new tool the Department of Agriculture developed to provide easy access to soil moisture data.

The Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics tool provides access to high-resolution data from NASAs Soil Moisture Active Passive mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument.

The tool provides more thorough spatial coverage and consistency than other soil moisture measurement methods, said Rajat Bindlish, a research associate in Earth science remote sensing at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center.

The primary users of the tool will be researchers and statisticians at USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service who currently release weekly reports that classify states into moisture categories and track crops health and growing progress. USDA researchers and statisticians will incorporate the tool into applications that spot flooded fields and identify conditions that might prevent planting, according to NASS Spatial Analysis Research lead Rick Mueller.

In addition to supporting agricultural operations, it will enable research into sustainability and the impact of extreme weather events, Mueller said. These satellite-derived vegetation condition indices and soil moisture condition maps show first-hand the ever-changing landscape of U.S. agriculture.
Dar es Salaam  Tanzania's anti-corruption watchdog said on Tuesday it has arrested the Director General of Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Deusdedit Kakoko, for questioning in connection with graft allegations.

The arrest of the ports authority chief followed his suspension on Sunday by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to pave way for investigations over embezzlement of public funds amounting TSh3.6 billion (about $1.55 million).

President Suluhu suspended Mr Kakoko shortly after she was presented with the 2019/2020 reports from the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) that indicated that TSh3.6 billion was embezzled by TPA in the 2019/2020 financial year.

"It is true that we are holding the TPA director-general for questioning here at the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) headquarters," the PCCB communications manager, Doreen Kapwani, said in a phone interview with Xinhua.

On Sunday, President Hassan ordered the CAG, Charles Kichere, to investigate how the TSh3.6 billion was embezzled by the ports watchdog.

"I will stand firm in ensuring prudent management of public resources. I will also stand firm in the fight against corruption," she said in her statement televised live from Chamwino State House in the capital Dodoma.

Due process

The watchdog, known as the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) confirmed that it is holding Mr Kakoko.

PCCB head, Brigadier John Mbungo, on Monday night said the top executive was arrested in Morogoro in what is said to have been an attempt to flee the country.

"He is now in the hands of the PCCB," Brigadier Mbungo told Mwananchi news agency, adding that all due processes will be followed during his detention.

While suspending the TPA boss, President Suluhu said some actions were earlier taken after Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa formed a committee to probe the claims of embezzlement at the TPA.

"But from the report that you submitted to me, at least Sh3.6 billion has been embezzled at TPA. When the Prime Minister conducted a probe, we only managed to fire junior staff. I now order the suspension of the TPA director-general to pave way for investigations into the embezzlement," she said on Sunday.

In December last year, Mr Majaliwa suspended two TPA officials - Finance Director Nuru Mhando and Financial Expenditures Manager Witness Mahela - to allow investigations into claims of embezzlement of public funds.
Google has recently defended the Android OS after claims and a study surfaced, saying that the operating system collects 20 times more data compared to its rival, the Apple iOS. The internet company called the study's methodology to be "flawed" and compared it to a regular car sending status to manufacturers.

Android vs. iOS: Which OS is more data consuming?

According to the study entitled "Mobile Handset Privacy: Measuring The Data iOS and Android Send to Apple And Google" authored by Douglas J. Leith from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; the company tested out both phones and operating systems to determine how much data it sends on different statuses. Here, the researcher put the smartphone on idle, along with inserting SIM cards on them, and also other methods.

The study has discovered that these smartphones are constantly sending data from a device to its software developer (Apple and Google), which is then used to optimize the performance and its function. The researcher has discovered that both smartphones have sent data to both developers in 4 and 1/2 minutes despite being idle and having no processes.

This occurs continuously throughout the researcher's study. However, the discovery of the researcher has led to the amount of data that differ massively between both operating systems, particularly with its built-in applications from Apple and Google. The iOS sends roughly 5.8 GB on a 12-hour period to Apple, while Android sends 1.3 TB of data to Google.

Significantly and number-wise, the researcher's data shows the massive difference from one operating system to another, and how it greatly varied from the smartphones despite having an identical process.

Read Also: PS5 Restock April 2021: Where to Buy; Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and More! [GUIDE]

Google Disagrees, Calls Methodology 'Flawed'

According to Ars Technica, an anonymous Google spokesperson claimed that the study's methodology has massive flaws in the way it interpreted data for the iOS and Android collection methods. The spokesperson claimed that they also have similar research and that the data from Leith is "off by a magnitude."

Here, Google explained how a data collection on an Android phone works, and the company has compared it to a "regular car" which sends constant statuses and service information to its manufacturers. Additionally, the company said that iOS and Android both amass data to send to its developers to ensure that the devices' software is up-to-date for efficient performance.

The spokesperson also added in the background that several data collection measures should also not have been part of the study, particularly the "Telemetry data" which is a prerequisite for updating the software. This information is needed to ensure that a phone is regularly updated and patched with the Android OS.

Related Article: Microsoft Edge vs. Google Chrome: Best Web Browser for Windows, Is It Time For a Change?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
I can draw from that experience and understand how people who are willing to fight for a better opportunity for their kids can feel like theyre in survival mode and cant see past that to thrive. But I can help them thrive, Patlan said. Thats what motivates me to pay it forward.
Five rural industrial integrated development parks in Anhui province, including one in Dawei township in the provincial capital Hefei, were selected into the third batch of national models, according to a recent announcement jointly release by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The move has brought the number of national rural industrial integrated devolopment demonstration parks to 16 in the province.

The five new ones are in Baohe district of Hefei, Funan county in Fuyang, Lieshan district in Huaibei, Mingguang city in Chuzhou, and Yian district in Tongling, respectively.

The demonstration parks are required to prompt integrated development of primary, secondary and tertiary industries in rural areas, improve agricultural efficiency, increase farmers' income and promote rural prosperity.

Each demonstration park will innovate industrial integration modes and improve interest linkage mechanisms, in a bid to develop into a regional platform and a regional model for the integrated development of rural industries.

Local governments are urged to support the demonstration parks with relevant funds. Qualified enterprises in the parks should be given priority to issuing special corporate bonds, and banking institutions are encouraged to give necessary credit support to qualified demonstration parks and enterprises.

In addition, land for the demonstration parks should be further guaranteed, and support for their land use should be increased.




If police want to enter your home as part of a criminal investigation, they generally must obtain a search warrant. But on March 24 the Supreme Court was asked to make an exception to that requirement  in some situations in which an officer is acting as a community caretaker checking to see if the occupant is all right.

The court should say no to that idea. Sometimes police may have to enter a home without a warrant to prevent a loss of life, but a new exception for some wellness checks would give law enforcement vast discretion and violate the Fourth Amendments ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.

The case argued before the court last Wednesday originated in a domestic dispute in Cranston, Rhode Island. After an argument over a coffee mug, Edward Caniglia threw an unloaded gun on a table and said to his wife, Kim: Why dont you just shoot me and get me out of my misery? She hid the gun in the couples bedroom and later, after the argument resumed, checked into a hotel.

When she couldnt reach her husband by telephone the next day, Kim Caniglia called the police, and said she was worried that he might have killed himself. Police went to the couples home, where Edward Caniglia said he had no suicidal intentions.

Edward Caniglia went to a hospital for evaluation, but only, he says, because police assured him that they wouldnt confiscate two guns he owned. After he was released from the hospital, where it was decided that he wasnt suicidal, he learned that police had confiscated the weapons. (They were eventually returned.)

Caniglia went to court to sue for damages, claiming that the police violated his Fourth Amendment rights by seizing his guns after a warrantless entry into his home and requiring him to undergo a mental health evaluation. A federal judge dismissed his Fourth Amendment claims, citing the role of the police in providing community caretaking. An appeals court agreed.

In 1973, the Supreme Court cited the community caring concept in upholding the search of a rental car to determine if it contained a police officers service weapon. But extending that exception to warrantless searches and seizures at someones home would be an unjustified expansion.

Several justices at last Wednesdays oral argument worried about situations in which police might enter a home to check on the occupant. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. asked Shay Dvoretzky, Caniglias lawyer, about a hypothetical elderly woman who didnt show up for dinner at a neighbors house and cant be reached by phone.

Even in that situation, Dvoretzky said, the officer must obtain a warrant unless there was consent or some objectively reasonable indication of an emergency. He referred to the fact that police are already able to enter a home without a warrant if there are exigent circumstances, which can include a threat to human life.

The court shouldnt create a new exception to the warrant requirement. If states dont want to treat wellness checks the same way they do criminal investigations, they can experiment with requiring administrative warrants, a possibility mentioned by Justice Elena Kagan. But in the absence of a true emergency, police should be required to obtain permission to enter a home from a magistrate or other neutral official.

This case comes against the backdrop of a national debate about whether some functions performed by police should be entrusted to social workers or other personnel.

Its a complicated issue: While police arent the appropriate first responders when people are experiencing psychiatric breakdowns or drug overdoses, in some cases mental health workers understandably want police backup in the case of violence.

Still, police  unlike social workers  are enforcers of criminal law and they are often armed. Even if a police officer enters a home without a warrant to check on the welfare of its occupant, the officer can make an arrest if he sees evidence of a crime in plain sight. (And because the search itself was lawful, a defendant wouldnt be able to have the evidence suppressed.)

Finally, while in many circumstances a police officer entering a home to make a welfare check might be a welcome sight, in others the officers arrival would provoke anger or perhaps even violence. Exempting welfare checks by police from the warrant requirement wouldnt just undermine the Fourth Amendment; it also could make police work even more dangerous.


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Major information technology providers opposed to the broadening of class action litigation related to consumer protections have taken their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The companies are hoping the court will strike down a lower court ruling which makes it easier for consumers to file class action suits. The tech companies may not have to wait too long for a decision. The Supreme Court conducted oral arguments in TransUnion LLC v. Ramirez Tuesday and is expected to issue a decision by the end of June.

At issue is the legal standard governing how members of a consumer class can demonstrate to a court that they have experienced "harm" in the management of their personal data.

The IT companies essentially argue that a ruling by the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals wrongly allows members of a class to claim harm that goes well beyond current standards for defining injury. The companies contend that the Ninth Circuit ruling would expose businesses to unjustified class action suits.

According to an amicus brief jointly submitted to the Supreme Court by eBay, Facebook, Google and several tech industry associations, there was no legal reason for the assertion of any actual or tangible injury for the class of consumers cited in the case.

The companies contend that the Ninth Circuit's ruling will have an impact well beyond the statutes involved in that case.

If left intact, the court's opinion would "degrade" legal standards and would "open the floodgates for abusive litigation that redresses no injury and benefits no consumer," the companies said. The Ninth Circuit ruling could affect such e-commerce laws as the Stored Communications Act, the Video Privacy Protection Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the Wiretap Act, as amended by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, according to the brief.

The case before the Supreme Court was initiated by major credit reporting agency TransUnion which is seeking to overturn the Ninth Circuit's decision in Ramirez v. TransUnion LLC. The company asked the court to rule on whether the U.S. Constitution and related procedures "permit a damages class action where the vast majority of the class suffered no actual injury, let alone an injury anything like what the class representative suffered."

Personal Data Alerts Triggered Litigation

The case evolved from allegations that data references used by TransUnion included inaccurate and potentially damaging "matches" of names on consumer credit alerts.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, during the time frame of the case, TransUnion's matching process "consisted solely of a 'name-only' comparison of consumers' first and last names" and the names on the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) list of terrorists, drug traffickers and other individuals prohibited from doing business in the United States for national security reasons.

In February 2011, while attempting to purchase a car, Sergio L. Ramirez learned that TransUnion had added an inaccurate OFAC alert to his consumer report. After receiving the alert, the dealership refused to sell the car to Ramirez, who later contended that he was "embarrassed, shocked, and scared" to learn that his name was associated with the OFAC list, according to DOJ's summary of the case.

Disturbed by his experience, including inquiries to TransUnion which he claimed resulted in further confusion about the alert, Ramirez filed a suit alleging that TransUnion's practices violated various protections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

At the U.S. District Court level, the jury found in favor of Ramirez, and faulted TransUnion for failing to comply with requirements of the FCRA. The District Court also granted class action status to the 8,000 persons allegedly affected by the erroneous information. Damages were set at $60 million, later reduced to $40 million by the Ninth Circuit.

Court proceedings revealed that TransUnion's reliance on the OPAC data system resulted in a "matching" process which did not definitively screen matches to specific individuals but only to similar names, resulting in the potential for misleading identifications.

In the case of Ramirez, date of birth information showed he was improperly classified. Ramirez's distress resulted from the distribution of the inaccurate report to a third party -- the car dealer -- according to the Ninth Circuit decision. A key element in the case hinges on the third-party disclosure issue.

According to an analysis from law firm Akin Gump, "despite the fact that the majority of class members did not have their credit reports disseminated to third parties, the Ninth Circuit found that the mere fact that the credit reports were available to potential creditors and employers upon request sufficed to show a 'material risk of harm' to the concrete interests of all class members."

Thus, class actions could proceed, according to the ruling. The Justice Department's analysis noted that the Ninth Circuit characterized the nature of such inaccurate alerts as "severe," with reports available to third parties "at a moment's notice." The Department filed an amicus brief only for the purpose of supporting the need for clarification of applicable law and rulings.

TransUnion Claims Decision 'Eviscerates' Standards

TransUnion, in its petition to the Supreme Court, challenged the notion that the mere existence of the data base references resulted in harm. The company noted that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia "has squarely held that plaintiffs lack standing to seek damages under FCRA based on the bare existence in their credit files of information never disseminated to any third party." The Ninth Circuit ruling "eviscerates" both Constitutional and procedural standards, TransUnion said.

The company emphasized that the name references in the data base were not individually definitive and simply presented "potential" matches. TransUnion said that it "made it crystal clear" that the appearance of a name in its alert system "should be the beginning and not the end" of any OFAC inquiry.

In a 2018 financial report referencing the jury decision, TransUnion said "we continue to believe that we have not willfully violated any law." In a statement provided to the E-Commerce Times, through spokesperson David Blumberg, TransUnion said "We do not comment on pending litigation."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in a brief supporting TransUnion, noted that for an overwhelmingly large component of the class, no reports ever reached a third party. The Ninth Circuit's decision was "flimsy," and based on assertions that were too speculative and abstract for legal purposes, the Chamber said.

Database Risk Meets Test of Injury

In asserting that the Ninth Circuit ruling was correct, attorneys representing Ramirez said the relevant harm for allowing class action status "is not the sale or publication of a credit report containing a terrorist record, it is the risk of significant injury of that inaccurate information being reported."

The risk of real harm that TransUnion imposed on all class members "arose from both the gravity and the likelihood of dissemination of its false OFAC alerts," according to a brief filed by law firm Francis Mailman Soumilas.

"The U.S. Constitution allows people to sue in federal court to when they are at substantial risk of harm, even if they have not yet suffered harm," Adam Schwartz, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation told the E-Commerce Times. EFF filed an amicus brief supporting Ramirez.

"This principle is especially important during the ongoing technological revolution, when private corporations are collecting, storing, sharing, and using massive quantities of our highly sensitive personal information. This data processing creates extraordinary risks of harm," he said.

Consumers should not be prevented from going to federal court until after a breach of personal data occurs, such as identity theft or denial of credit, he added. "Rather, we should be able to go to federal court when corporations process our data in a manner that creates substantial risk of these and other harms. Especially where, as here, Congress has required credit reporting agencies to ensure that their credit data are accurate and has empowered people subject to erroneous credit data to sue such agencies," Schwartz noted.

According to the Akin Gump and the Department of Justice analyses, the Supreme Court's ruling may be limited in its application to different stages of court proceedings. But for the tech companies, and businesses in general, the Supreme Court's treatment of the "harm" issue will be a significant legal development affecting class action litigation.

John K. Higgins has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2009. His main areas of focus are U.S. government technology issues such as IT contracting, cybersecurity, privacy, cloud technology, big data and e-commerce regulation. As a freelance journalist and career business writer, he has written for numerous publications, including The Corps Report and Business Week. Email John.


Lee Universitys Asian Council held a prayer vigil on campus for a time of lament following the March 16 shootings in Atlanta. The shootings left eight dead, six being Asian women.

Students from the Asian Council and other allies on campus held this event to not only support and pray for the victims of the Atlanta shooting, but to intercede for the rising hate crimes and speech against Asian and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters, said Dr. Arlie Tagayuna, associate professor of sociology at Lee and faculty sponsor of the Asian Council.

According to Stop AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Hate, there have been nearly 3,800 incidences of discrimination in businesses, public spaces including places of worship, and schools/universities in the past 12 months.

I believe as an academic and faith community, we share the sentiment to carry the burdens and hurt of those who are the least among us, said Dr. Tagayuna.

The vigil included students and faculty from Lee sharing their feelings through prayer, stories about the victims, and worship. Included were students Madelaine Setiawan, Lucy Ren, Mia Hill, and Jen Condon, who helped organize the event.

While many of our Asian brothers and sisters are hurting due to the Atlanta massacre, it was comforting to see faces of Lee Universitys faculty, staff, and students who came to the event to stand, listen, and pray with us, said Ms. Setiawan, a junior history and political science double major at Lee. While this is a hard time for all of us, we are grateful for the support that we have received.

The Asian Council is a club that strives to promote the Asian culture to students at Lee. Open to everyone on campus, it strives to create a learning space for everyone to share about different Asian cultures. Past events include celebrating Lunar New Year, making Asian dishes, and participating in the annual Culture Fest.

For more information about Stop AAPI Hate, visit stopaapihate.org/.

For more information about the Lee University Asian Council, contact Dr. Tagayuna at atagayuna@leeuniversity.edu.







PICTURE: Lee University students, staff, and faculty gather to pray, worship, and honor the victims of the recent Atlanta shooting and other victims of hatred. Lee student Jasmine Ngo, center, is pictured here sharing victims stories. Also shown is Dr Arlie Tagayuna, center, offering the opening prayer with students.
Luanda  President Joao Lourenco Tuesday in Luanda condemned the campaigns being carried out by local and foreign forces to discredit the Angolan State and its system of justice.

Addressing the opening of the 2021 Judicial Year, the president said the campaigns are being carried out by internal and external forces associated with those who looted the State's public funds.

Joao Lourenco said that since late in 2017, the country has been taking brave steps in the fight against corruption.

He underlined that in the fight against corruption and impunity, the Angolan organs of justice have been investigating, trying and sentencing present and former public servants at all levels.

The Head of State stressed the need for stiffer actions against corruption, impunity, trafficking of drugs, human beings, mass destruction arms, illegal immigration, money laundering and financing of terrorism.

In his address, Joao Lourenco denied as false his interference with the actions of the system of justice and called for speedier and stricter action against vandalism.

He also mentioned the importance of an independent and speedier system of justice that protects the citizen, regardless of their social status.

Addressing the opening of the 2021 Judicial Year, the president said the campaigns are being carried out by internal and external forces associated with those who looted the State's public funds.

Joao Lourenco said that since late in 2017, the country has been taking brave steps in the fight against corruption.

He underlined that in the fight against corruption and impunity, the Angolan organs of justice have been investigating, trying and sentencing present and former public servants at all levels.

The Head of State stressed the need for stiffer actions against corruption, impunity, trafficking of drugs, human beings, mass destruction arms, illegal immigration, money laundering and financing of terrorism.

In his address, Joao Lourenco denied as false his interference with the actions of the system of justice and called for speedier and stricter action against vandalism.

He also mentioned the importance of an independent and speedier system of justice that protects the citizen, regardless of their social status.
MentorWorks announced today that they have executed an agreement with Code Fellows, a Seattle-based software development and cybersecurity training program, to offer Income Share Agreements (ISAs) to students looking to enroll in their courses.

While the programs we offer at Code Fellows cost a fraction of traditional education alternatives and result in far better employment outcomes after a much shorter student time commitment, it's still prohibitively expensive for many to join us - particularly those who want and need new jobs the most, said Jeff Malek, CEO of Code Fellows. Code Fellows is more expensive than most other non-traditional education options, because our programs are longer and we take a much more human-directed, quality-focused approach. Our ongoing objective is to increase access to fast-paced, hyper-focused training and education, for people from all backgrounds. Financial need is a formidable barrier on that path for too many people. Our approach is to do everything we can to mitigate the costs while keeping quality high, and partnering with the best, most innovative companies we can find is a great way to do that. Karthik Krishnan, Ki Akrami and the MentorWorks team have done an incredible job, innovating on the ISA front. We're very excited about this partnership, our shared mission and values, and what this new option brings to our students toward breaking down financial barriers.

Student success is at the core of what we do here at MentorWorks. At face value, our business is financing education through the ISA alternative to student loans, but what we are really doing is investing in the people we fund to help them realize their potential and start promising careers, said Ki Akrami, MentorWorks Chief Investment Officer. As such, were very excited about our partnership with Code Fellows because our missions are so aligned. Together, we are removing the barriers to entry for individuals who want to become software engineers and web developers; Code Fellows provides the robust, hands-on, accelerated learning and certification, while we remove the up-front costs and students dont pay anything until they are gainfully employed.

MentorWorks is a leader in the income share agreement funding space, having successfully originated over 200 ISAs within the past two quarters. MentorWorks has a proven fund and support" model, which is evidenced by the 126% increase in the average income of students funded by MentorWorks. Also, 74% of students funded by MentorWorks represent BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and Persons of Color) populations and over 60% are from low-income families. Funded students include many individuals who may not have had any other education financing options, individuals with limited or no credit histories, parents who took time off to take care of their children and wish to return to the workforce, and community college to 4-year transfer students, among others.

With an ISA, students make monthly payments which are calculated to a fixed percentage of their income, for a set period of time, up to a maximum cap, without accruing interest. Unlike a loan, students do not pay until they find a job that pays at or above a minimum income threshold to ensure affordability. The payments adjust according to the level of the students income  making it an outcome-based model with downside protections in place for the student. The ISA obligation can be ended early by making payments as listed in the early payment schedule. In addition, MentorWorks provides career support to its students through its proprietary Talent Accelerator Platform (TAP), which is designed to enhance employment outcomes of funded students.

About Code Fellows

Code Fellows is the Pacific Northwests premier technical skills training academy, delivering high-quality live instruction both online and in person to people from all backgrounds. Learners are guided toward vocational change and life transformation through software development, technical operations, cybersecurity and career training. They guide people from all backgrounds to change their lives through fast-paced, career-focused education. They shape passionate learners with immersive training to meet industry needs and improve diversity.

Code Fellows believes everyone should have the opportunity to succeed. In reality, many qualified candidates arent pursuing careers in a technology-related field because they are discouraged somewhere along the way. Thats why Code Fellows is invested in finding alternate financing options to help individuals who come from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds find rewarding careers in tech.

To learn more about Code Fellows, go to: https://www.codefellows.org

About MentorWorks Education Capital

MentorWorks Education Capital provides Income Share Agreement (ISA) programs, which enable college and non-traditional students to complete their education without incurring up-front tuition costs. ISAs are alternatives to loans with which approved students will have their tuition paid and, once employed, will make payments calculated to a fixed percentage of their income, for a set period of time, up to a maximum cap, without accruing interest. Uniquely, MentorWorks also provides career development support, mentoring and access to employers through their online and asynchronous Talent Accelerator Platform (TAP).

MentorWorks is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), certified by the US Department of the Treasury. MentorWorks is the only institution offering an ISA program that has the CDFI designation. MentorWorks ISAs for Code Fellows candidates are issued by Blue Ridge Bank, N.A.

IonTuition, Inc. (ION) is the servicing partner managing student payments for the MentorWorks ISA program. ION is an education fintech services company that helps students and families take control of their education finances. ION is the most experienced, student-centric servicer for ISAs based on over a decade of experience providing services to colleges, universities and employers. To learn more about IONs customized servicing platform visit: http://www.iontuition.com.

To learn more about MentorWorks Education Capital visit: https://mentorworks.com or reach out to Micha Sabovik, COO, at micha@mentorworks.com.

Follow MentorWorks Education Capital on LinkedIn at http://linkedin.com/company/mentorworksisa.
TORONTO, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerro Grande Mining Corporation (the Company or CEG) (CSE:CEG) announces that it held its annual meeting of shareholders today (the Meeting), and is pleased to report that all directors nominated for election, namely Paul J. DesLauriers, Mario Hernandez, Stephen Houghton, Frederick Seeley, William Hill and Peter Hogg, were elected and the Companys auditors were reappointed for another year.



David Thomson, a long-time director and officer of the Company retired from the Company effective today and accordingly, Mr. Thomson did not seek re-election as a member of the Board at the Meeting. In addition, Mr. Houghton has resigned his office as the Companys CEO effective today. Mr Houghton will remain the Companys President in an unpaid capacity and without any day-to-day responsibilities, and remains on the Board pursuant to his election today. Mr. Hogg, the Companys CFO will assume the role of CEO, on an interim basis, until a suitable replacement is found. We wish Mr. Thomson and Mr. Houghton all the best and thank each of them for their long and dedicated service to the Company.

Cerro Grande Mining Corporation is an exploration and development company with properties and activities currently focused in Chile.

For further information, contact:

Peter Hogg, CFO and interim CEO

James Mac Auliffe

E-Mail: ceg@cegmining.com

Telephone: +56 9 9837 4476

Website: www.cegmining.com
Many of the big outlets fell for it, but Volkswagen is not rebranding its name to Voltswagen, according to multiple reports.

Though the company had put on an official statement on Tuesday announcing the rebranding, it was an early prank for April Fool's Day.

The American division of the German automaker put up a press release on its media site on Monday stating that Volkswagen Group of America is unveiling the official change of its U.S. brand name from Volkswagen of America to Voltswagen of America to lean into its electric vehicle production plans.

VW was trolled on social media platforms for misleading news release with some commenters recalling the company's diesel emissions scandal and years of misleading customers and regulators.
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An amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 requires that, beginning March 23, 2024, employers with more than 100 employees in Illinois must certify compliance with the Equal Pay Act by obtaining an Equal Pay registration certificate from the state Department of Labor.

Under the amendment signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on March 23, businesses must pay a $150 filing fee and submit a statement of compliance with equal pay to the Department of Labor for certification. To obtain the certificate, businesses required to file a federal EEO-1 report (generally companies with more than 100 employees) also must include a copy of their most recent EEO-1 report, and additionally submit a list of all employees in the past calendar year, categorized by gender and race/ethnicity with corresponding wages paid to each employee over that period. Figures are to be calculated to the nearest hundred dollars.

Application for Certification

With the application for certification, a business must:

Submit a statement signed by an officer or agent asserting that the business is in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Equal Wage Act, and the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Currently, what constitutes compliance is vague, to be determined "by rule of the Department of Labor." As a result, employers must watch for Department of Labor guidance and regulations on how onerous obtaining an equal pay certificate will be for businesses.

Affirmatively confirm that the business does not restrict certain genders to specific roles and makes employment decisions without regard to sex.

Explain how often the business reviews wages and benefits for disparities among protected and non-protected classes and certify that wage and benefit disparities are corrected when identified.

Outline the system used to determine employee compensation, whether through market pricing, state wage requirements, a performance pay system, or other alternative measures.

The amendment requires companies to submit materials and obtain a certificate every two years after the initial compliance. New businesses must obtain the certificate within three years of beginning operations and every two years thereafter.

Enforcement

The Department of Labor will not deny issuance of a certificate unless the required information is not listed by the business in its application. On the other hand, an equal pay registration certificate can be revoked if the Department of Labor finds a business has not made good faith attempts to comply with, or has multiple violations of, Title VII, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Equal Wage Act, or the Equal Pay Act of 2003.

For businesses at risk of certificate revocation for noncompliance with the equal pay registration certificate requirements, the Department of Labor may interview or take depositions from witnesses and may issue subpoenas for production of all relevant documentation or records. If a business does not comply, the department can compel production by proceeding for contempt in circuit court. The amendment offers threatened businesses some recourse. A business that has been notified of the department's intent to suspend or revoke its registration certificate may request an administrative hearing by filing a written request within 20 calendar days after notice is served.

A business that fails to procure the equal pay registration certificate, or whose certificate is revoked, will be fined an amount equal to one percent of the business's gross profits. Businesses with state contracts may have those contracts revoked as a penalty.

The amendment also provides the Department of Labor authority to audit a business to ensure compliance with the Equal Pay Act. If audited, a business may have to disclose data on the numbers of its male and female employees, accompanying average salaries, and other information on compensation. The statute also grants the department broad authority to request disclosure of "other information" identified by the Director of the Department of Labor as necessary to ensure compliance.

Similar statutes in other jurisdictions are rare. In the United Kingdom, where pay equity data is published publicly, employers are encouraged to include an addendum describing any pay equity programs used by their business to address wage disparity. In Illinois, businesses must wait for the Department of Labor's directives on the equal pay requirements.

Paul Patten and Thanin O. Stewart are attorneys with Jackson Lewis in Chicago.  2021 Jackson Lewis. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission.
ROCHESTER, Minn- Despite a stiff wind, numerous people showed up at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Tuesday for food boxes. The non-profit used the parking lot at the church to distribute produce, meat, and dairy products to the community.

The food distribution was part of the organization's spirit days, a time when they work with other organizations to lift the spirit of Rochester and the rest of the area.

"It's a privilege to be apart of the process," said National Community Resource Center President Wendell Amstutz. "We've been given a lot and it's our turn and privilege to give to others."

The non-profit distributed over 200 boxes of food at the church today.

It's a blessing just to be a part of Rochester and be able to give back to the community," said the church's pastor Leo A. Endel. "We

love them and we want to share the love of Christ with people in the community as well."

Anyone who wanted a free box was able to receive one. National Community Resource Center is hoping to do spirit days again in October.
Maputo  The Mozambican defence and security forces say they have launched a manhunt against any terrorists who may still be left in the town of Palma, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

Last Wednesday afternoon, Palma came under a three pronged attack from the terrorists known locally as Al-Shabaab, and who are linked to the self-styled "Islamic State" (which claimed responsibility for the attack).

Much of the population of the town fled, heading west to the Afungi Peninsula, where the French oil and gas company Total, heads a consortium building gas liquefaction plants, or to the town of Nangade. Others fled north, towards the Rovuma river and the Tanzanian border.

The terrorists destroyed mobile phone communications within Palma, but outside of Palma, people have been able to use their cell phones to contact relatives in the provincial capital, Pemba.

According to a report on Radio Mozambique, the defence forces are now checking anyone left in Palma to see whether they are genuine residents of the town, or have other good reasons for being there, or are terrorist infiltrators.

Cited by the radio, the spokesperson for the defence forces in the Northern Operational Theatre, Brig Chongo Vidigal, said "our force is here on the ground and for three days we have been carrying out aerial operations, and this has created some panic among the terrorists".

He said that the jihadists operate in small groups, often trying to blend with the local population, which makes it more difficult for the Mozambican forces to flush them out.

"But certainly there is no longer a large group of terrorists in Palma", he claimed.

Asked to leave a message for the population of Palma, Vidiga recommended that they remain calm, since the defence and security forces are on the ground, in pursuit of the islamist raiders.

It became clear that terrorists are still active inside the town when a group of Mozambican and foreign journalists landed in Palma on Tuesday, and came under fire.

The group was escorted by Mozambican troops, who ensured that they returned safely to Afungi. "We even learned how to crawl, something which none of us had probably ever done before," said a Radio Mozambique reporter.

"We suffered an ambush," said Antonio Tiua, of the independent television station, STV, "but the important thing is that we came out safe and sound".

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Another boatload of people escaping from Palma arrived in Pemba on Tuesday. There were about 1,400 people on board, including workers from companies that provide services for Total in Afungi.

The Secretary of State for Cabo Delgado, Armindo Ngunga, warned of the possibility of terrorists infiltrating groups of displaced people.

"This is war", said Ngunga, cited by the German agency DW Africa, "These planes and boats are bringing victims, but they may also bring people who were on the other side, they may bring terrorists".

He told said workers that everybody disembarking from ships must be searched. "We cannot be too careful. Nothing can fail, otherwise we will be accommodating terrorists", Ngunga warned.

Marjorie Mupandare, of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), warned that aid organisations must not act on their own, but must always coordinate with the government .

"You must always coordinate, because we are here to help", she said. "So we must always be behind the government".
A daylight shooting outside an upscale Manhattan hotel left a 23-year-old man injured as gun crime in New York City spirals out of control with a 40 per cent increase over the past year.

Police said the victim was shot in the leg at 1.30pm Tuesday outside the Ludlow Hotel, where rooms go on average for $300 a night, in the Lower East Side, near the famed Katz's Delicatessen.

The victim was expected to recover from the shooting, ABC 7 New York reported.

Two suspects retreated into a Lincoln Navigator with New Jersey license plates and drove away after the shooting. Police caught one of the men 20 minutes later on West Street in the Meatpacking District.

Citizen App video shows police and emergency personnel at the scene of the shooting. Police were still searching for the second suspect.

Police said a 23-year-old man was shot in the leg at 1:30 p.m. on March on Manhattan's Ludlow Street. He was expected to recover

Police set up perimeter tape at the scene of the afternoon shooting along Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side

Two suspects retreated into a Lincoln Navigator with New Jersey license plates and drove away after the shooting

Police caught one of the shooting suspects a short time later in the Meatpacking District

Police continued searching for the second suspect in the daytime shooting

Witnesses said people ran for cover when the gunshots started.

'Some guy just pulled up on some guy in the car and started beating him on the ground... and then all we heard were gunshots,' a witness said. 'We ran into the CVS. Thank God I'm safe.'

New York has experienced a huge increase in shootings so far this year.

New York Police Department statistics indicate shootings rose 40 percent through March 21 compared to the same period last year. Homicides went up 12 percent for the same time frame, while auto thefts are also up 15 percent this year.

The head of the union representing NYPD detectives slammed bail reform as a cause of the city's recent soaring crime rates.

Citizen App video taken from a nearby rooftop shows police and emergency personnel at the scene of the shooting

The shooting occurred near the Ludlow Hotel and Katz's Delicatessen, both established and well-known businesses in the trendy section of Manhattan

Bail is money posted by criminal suspects in order to secure their release before trial. The cash is returned after they appear in court to resolve their cases.

New York state enacted a sweeping law last January 1 banning cash bail requirements for suspects facing a wide range of charges, including stalking, assault without serious injury, burglary, many drug offenses and some kinds of arson and robbery.

'It's the fault of the elected officials. There's a correlation between the bail reform and what's happening in our city,' Paul DiGiacomo, president of the Detectives' Endowment Association, said in an interview with Fox News Monday.

'They're emboldening the criminal element. Shootings are up, crime is up, homicides are up, every crime imaginable is up and the people in the city are the ones that are suffering,' DiGiacomo said.

Because coronavirus pandemic lockdowns took effect in the city in mid-March 2021, the difference is believed to be attributable to isolation measures that briefly sent crime plunging last year.

While gun violence has soared, other categories of crime are down significantly so far this year. Robberies dropped 28 percent, felony assault declined 8 percent, and burglaries were down 12 percent.

Cumulative shooting incident totals show NYC surpassing last year's totals by 40% so far

Murders in the city are up 12% this year from last year, NYPD data shows

Paul DiGiacomo, right, president of the NYPD Detectives' Endowment Association, appeared on Fox News Monday and blamed an increase in the city's crime rate on bail reform measures

Shooting incidents are up 40% in NYC so far this year. Above, surveillance video captures a killer fatally shooting a man in the head outside a Bronx bodega on March 5

The deadliest crimes continue to rise in New York City, which has witnessed a string of shocking, violent attacks on subways and other public places.

Though the state scaled back the bail law last summer after an uptick in crime, bail remains optional for a wide range of offenses. Suspects in New York City are often released quickly after arrest without posting bail.

Defenders of the reforms say bail is unfair - and possibly racist - for those who cannot afford the payments, but critics say the legal changes let dangerous criminals loose to re-offend.

'It's definitely attributed to the bail reform and the recent change in laws in the city council,' DiGiacomo said of the rising violent crime.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson asked if DiGiacomo thought lawmakers who enacted the changes believed they would result in decreased crime.

'I think they were just riding the wave of what was popular, and they weren't doing what was in the best interest of the people of the city of New York,' DiGiacomo said.
(Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson will supply up to 220 million doses of its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine to African Union's 55 member states from the third quarter of 2021, the drugmaker said on Monday.

J&J, through its unit Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, entered into a deal with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), which could order an additional 180 million doses, for a combined total of up to 400 million doses through 2022. (https://refini.tv/3cyeFiB)

"We need to immunize at least 60% of our population in order to get rid of the virus from our continent. The J&J agreement enables us to move towards achieving this target," said John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Earlier this month, Europe approved J&J single dose COVID-19 vaccine. The United States, Canada and Bahrain have also approved the shot.

Late last year, J&J said it and the GAVI vaccine alliance expected to enter into a deal that would provide up to 500 million doses of the company's vaccine to COVAX, the programme backed by the World Health Organization, through 2022.

Johnson & Johnson has established a global manufacturing and supply network for its COVID-19 vaccine, collaborating with nine partners across four continents, including Aspen Pharmacare in South Africa.

(Reporting by Nandakumar D in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Giulia Paravicini in Addis Ababa; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
India is offering more than $1 billion in cash to each semiconductor company that sets up manufacturing units in the country as it seeks to build on its smartphone assembly industry and strengthen its electronics supply chain, two officials said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' drive has helped to turn India into the world's second-biggest mobile manufacturer after China. New Delhi believes it is time for chip companies to set up in the country.

"The government will give cash incentives of more than $1 billion to each company which will set up chip fabrication units," a senior government official told Reuters, declining to be named as he was not authorised to speak with media.

"We're assuring them that the government will be a buyer and there will also be mandates in the private market (for companies to buy locally-made chips)."

Read more: Xiaomi renews commitment to Make in India with new initiatives

How to disburse the cash incentives has yet to be decided and the government has asked the industry for feedback, said a second government source, who also declined to be identified.

Governments across the world are subsidising the construction of semiconductor plants as chip shortages hobble the auto and electronics industries and highlight the world's dependence on Taiwan for supplies.

India also wants to establish reliable suppliers for its electronics and telecom industry to cut dependence on China following border skirmishes last year.

Chips made locally will be designated as "trusted sources" and can be used in products ranging from CCTV cameras to 5G equipment, the first source said.

But the sources did not say whether particular semiconductor companies have shown interest in setting up units in India.

India's technology ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS

India has previously tried to woo semiconductor players but firms were deterred by India's wobbly infrastructure, unstable power supply, bureaucracy and poor planning.

The renewed government push to lure chipmakers is more likely to succeed, following the success of the smartphone industry, industry insiders say.

Moreover, Indian conglomerates, such as the Tata Group, have also expressed interest in moving into electronics and high-tech manufacturing.

India in December invited an "expression of interest" from chipmakers for setting up fabrication units in the country or for the acquisition of such manufacturing units overseas by an Indian company or consortium.

The government extended the last date of submission for that expression of interest to end-March from Jan. 31, given the level of industry demand, the government source said.

A consortium of investors led by Abu Dhabi-based fund Next Orbit Ventures has shown interest in setting up in India, an auto industry source said.

Next Orbit did not respond to a request for comment.

A shortage of chips is holding back India's auto sector just when it sees early signs of a recovery in demand after sales plunged in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Also read: Taiwan has enough water to keep chipmakers humming till May

Indian technology ministry officials met executives from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), a leading auto industry body, earlier this year to assess car makers' demand for chips, three auto industry sources said on condition of anonymity.

The government estimates it would cost roughly $5-$7 billion to set up a chip fabrication unit in India and take 2-3 years after all the approvals are in place, one of the auto industry sources said.

The source added that New Delhi is willing to offer companies concessions, including waivers on customs duty, research and development expenses and interest free loans.
[March 30, 2021] SOR Self-Charging Battery Scaling Demonstrates 14V

PERTH, Australia, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) is pleased to announce that it has demonstrated the important potential for the self-charging Battery Ink cells to be 'scaled' down in size. Through scaling more batteries can be assembled in the same space leading to increased density and power output. The size of the Battery Ink cells were reduced from 1cm2 in previous work to 25mm2 achieving a four-times reduction in area. The team fabricated a prototype battery pack with twenty scaled-down connected Battery Ink cells which successfully produced a 14 volt output solely by harvesting moisture from the air. The scaled-down twenty-cell Battery Ink pack producing 14V has the same surface area of the previous five cell prototype battery pack that produced 4V. The reduced size battery pack prototype was tested under open circuit for a 2 hour period. The highly advanced functional material contains hundreds of thousands of nanoscale sheets of a specialised graphene oxide material and it is a significant advancement to demonstrate scaling to this level so early in the development process. Self-charging Battery Ink Technology The Battery Ink technology differs significantly from current battery technologies that generally use a small number of alkaline or lithium battery cells to power electronics. The Battery Ink is being designed to be printed into a battery pack of a larger number of connected battery cells. Therefore the ability to potentially scale Battery Ink cells is a significant advantage for the Battery Ink technology. Through scaling more batteries can be assembled in the same space leading to increased density of power output. A similar development pathway has occurred in computer chips where greater performance has been achieved by scaling smaller memory cells. Printed Electronics The Battery Ink cells are designed to be printed. Printing has the advantage of (i) enabling the batteries to be manufactured outside of billion dollar manufacturing facilities (such as lithium) (ii) fabricating light, thin and flexible batteries and (iii) simplifying production and reduce costs. Screen printing is a mature manufacturing technology widely used in many commercial electronic devices. Silver inks are widely used to print electrodes used in sensors and are able to be screen printed down to a small feature size of 1mm in width providing great promise for the Battery Ink cells to be substantially scaled down. Market Relevance The potential ability for the high humidity levels of the human skin to be harvested by Battery ink cells and need for a less bulky and flexible power source make the electronic skin patch sector a natural fit for the Battery ink technology. In addition to increasing power output, scaling down in size also provides strong benefits to design freedom for applications that can be powered. Battery Ink geometry is able to be tailored to utilize available space, unlike traditional bulky batteries which have forced the product to be designed to accommodate them. This is particularly relevant to the devices that are attached to the human body. The sector produced USD 10 billion in revenue in 2019 and notwithstanding the bulk and rigidness limitations of current batteries and is forecast to grow to nearly USD 40 billion by 2030[1] technology. The company is focusing on applications in this sector initially with a view to expand into other areas. Likewise environmental and infrastructure sensors that are designed to be built on plastic, glass or wrapped around other curved surfaces require a power source that can conform to curved or flexible surfaces and are also attractive initial user applications. Thus the initial market focus is on wearables and IoT related devices such as cosmetic, pressure, environmental and health (e.g. diabetes or cardiovascular monitoring) as they have lower energy output requirements. Higher performance applications will include development of a capacitor for energy storage/regulation and will be focused on at a later date. Highly Skilled Team and Collaboration The Battery Ink is being developed by integrating significant existing ink formulation and printed electronics intellectual property from the Company's Nanocube Memory Ink technology with an advanced graphene oxide material. Development is being conducted under an Australian Research Council part-funded collaboration between the Company, University of New South Wales and the CSIRO (announced 30/7/20). The group at UNSW have developed deep experience in printed electronic inks, energy harvesting and storage over the past 9 years and are applying that experience in development of the Battery Ink technology. UNSW School of Materials Science and Engineering is ranked #1 in Australia for material science. The group has attracted over $20M AUD in research funding. UNSW have a number of partnerships and collaborate with leading companies such as Boral, Hitachi Chemical, One Steel and many more. The Material Science and Research group at UNSW has world-class infrastructure and equipment geared towards advanced materials engineering and fabrication. Next Steps The technology is being designed to be a hybrid electric generator - battery cell fabricated with a printable ink. Development to date has been focused on voltage and the ability to harvest energy from humidity in the air. The recent mechanical flexibility testing results demonstrate another potential competitive advantage of the technology over current battery technologies that are bulky and rigid. The early stage potential to scale the technology has been demonstrated through these latest results. As has been previously discussed, scaling enables more batteries to be assembled in the same space leading to increased power output density. The next development milestone is to develop a screen printable prototype in Q2 of 2021. Screen printing is a widely used printing technology of choice for printed electronics as it is an existing industrial production method and is capable of producing components at a very small scale. Electronic Inks are highly advanced functional materials that operate on the nanoscale level. To enable the Battery Ink to be screen printed significant engineering and optimisation must be undertaken. Once this has been achieved the team will focus on extended stability of overall power output.







[1] https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-report/electronic-skin-patches-2020-2030/7432

About Strategic Elements The Australian Federal Government has registered Strategic Elements as a Pooled Development Fund with a mandate to back Australian innovation. The Company operates as a venture builder where it generates high risk-high reward ventures and projects from combining teams of leading scientists or innovators. Investors in SOR potentially pay no tax on capital gains from selling their SOR shares as the Company operates under the Pooled Development program setup to encourage investment into innovation. Through its 100% owned subsidiaries the Company is: Collaborating with giant US Fortune 100 Company Honeywell to build autonomous robotic security vehicles for the correctional justice sector. (announced 16/10/2020)

Collaborating with the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative on applying autonomous technologies to agriculture. (announced 19/10/2020)

Is working with CSIRO and has licensed world leading CSIRO technology that enables robots to work together in teams. (announced 12/11/2020)

Developing printable electronic inks for neuromorphic computing and RRAM memory applications under a grant with the University of New South Wales and CSIRO. (announced 30/12/2020)

and CSIRO. (announced 30/12/2020) Developing a self-charging electrical generator battery technology under a grant with University of New South Wales and CSIRO. (announced 01/12/2020) More information on the Pooled Development Program is available on the Company's website. The Company is listed on the ASX under the code "SOR". This announcement was authorised for release by Strategic Elements' Board of Directors. SOURCE Strategic Elements Ltd

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The Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez said in a statement that he would like to applaud our officers for the way they handled the situation. The department received calls about a suspicious person on the Lake County Government Center property who was reportedly peering through vehicle windows and attempting to record video of VIN numbers. The video does not show anyone near vehicles and the officers dont say anything about that to Wallace.
In Spain, the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca will continue to be restricted to adults up to 65 years of age, with one new exception: essential workers above that age will also be eligible for the shots. The decision was made on Tuesday by the Public Health Committee, made up of central and regional health officials. For the general population, the limit of 65 years will continue to apply.

In practical terms, however, there are so few essential workers  mostly teachers and members of law enforcement, emergency services and the armed forces  who are over 65 years of age that there will be very little change on the ground.

The committee also agreed to administer the new Janssen vaccine to older adults, just as it is already being done with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, said the Health Ministry. The Janssen vaccine  which only requires one shot  is expected to start reaching Spain in the second half of April. Health Minister Carolina Darias said that 5.5 million doses will arrive during the second quarter of the year.

The age limit

Spain was until now one of the few European countries to maintain an upper limit of 65 years for recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine. A growing body of evidence about its safety and effectiveness among older adults had led other countries to lift this limit as well.

However, Germany on Tuesday announced that from now on it will only administer AstraZeneca vaccines to people 60 and older, following new reports of blood clots among younger recipients. France had already made a similar decision on March 19, when it reserved the vaccine for people over 55, and outside the European Union, Canada on Monday took the step as well.

Spain, along with other European countries, temporarily halted the use of AstraZeneca vaccines following several reports of thrombosis and deaths among recipients. Administration was resumed after the European Medicines Agency said that while it could neither establish nor rule out a causal link with very rare cases of blood clots related to thrombocytopenia  a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood  the benefits of vaccination outweighed the risks.

Medical conditions

The committee has also decided that people with certain conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 will be vaccinated along with the 70-to-79 age group, whose turn will come after the 80-and-over group is done. This may not happen before mid-April in the best of cases.

The conditions that would make someone eligible for a shot at that time include organ transplants, dialysis treatment, cancer treatment with chemotherapy, HIV infection, primary immune deficiency and having Down syndrome.

These decisions still need to be ratified on Wednesday at a meeting of the Inter-Territorial Council of the National Health System, which brings together central and regional health officials.

With additional reporting by Elena G. Sevillano in Berlin.

English version by Susana Urra.
She has been modeling for decades.

And Alessandra Ambrosio showed off her sensational figure while stepping out for some exercise in Los Angeles this week.

The 39-year-old former Victoria's Secret Angel bared her enviably taut midriff in skintight aquamarine workout gear.

She has been modeling for decades: And Alessandra Ambrosio showed off her sensational figure while stepping out for some exercise in Los Angeles this week

In case the temperature dipped she tied a white sweater cross-body over her front as she headed over for refreshments at a Kreation Juicery.

The Brazilian-born bombshell let her luxurious hair fly free and warded off the California rays with a pair of sunglasses.

Her latest outing comes the day she fired up her Insta Stories to wish a happy 75th birthday to embattled fashion photographer Bruce Weber.

For the past few years amid the Me Too movement Bruce has been battling sexual misconduct allegations all of which he has denied.

Looking fab: The 39-year-old former Victoria's Secret Angel bared her enviably taut midriff in skintight aquamarine workout gear

One male model sued him for sexual assault in late 2017 and the following year five more emerged saying he groped their genitals during photo-shoots.

These six men are represented by Gloria Allred's daughter Lisa Bloom who left her advisory role with Harvey Weinstein just after the allegations against him surfaced.

One suit was thrown out last September with a Page Six source saying plaintiff Buddy Krueger 'changed' his version of events and 'appeared like he was trying to fit the incident into the statute of limitations, so the judge saw right through it.'

Lisa said: 'Like many sexual assault accusers, [Krueger] had to contend with a tough statute of limitations, which unfairly limits the time sexual assault accusers can file lawsuits, no matter how strong their case. The dismissal of his case was based on that timeline only, and had nothing to do with the truth of Mr. Kruegers allegations.'

Mover and shaker: In case the temperature dipped she tied a white sweater cross-body over her front as she headed over for refreshments at a Kreation Juicery

Meanwhile earlier this month Alessandra confirmed her romance with model Richard Lee when they were spotted on a romantic dinner date.

She was previously involved with Italian fashion designer Nicolo Oddi who founded the brand Alanui with his sister Carlotta.

Alessandra shares her two children - Anja, 12, and Noah, eight - with her ex-fiance Jamie Mazur who co-founded RE/DONE.

Last year Alessandra was spotted emerging from an immigration office in Los Angeles reportedly having just become a U.S. citizen.
"American-style human rights" sow seeds of hatred, stoke hatred

16:47, March 31, 2021 By Qin Chuan ( People's Daily Online

The human rights situation in the U.S. was criticized by several countries at the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) held on March 17.

Syria claimed that the U.S. was not qualified to label itself as a country that upholds the rule of law, because it evaded its obligations under international law and sought excuses for its military aggression and threats to the unity and territorial integrity of other countries.

Syrian refugees arrive at the al-Zamarani border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, north of Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 3, 2019. (Str/Xinhua)

The U.S. should stop launching military aggression on the grounds of protecting its national security, occupying the territories of other countries and plundering their natural resources, and sponsoring terrorists and separatists, it said.

Syria made this accusation because it is one of the victims of the American-style human rights practices. Over the years, the U.S. has become better known for violating human rights in other countries.

To secure its economic, security, and political interests, the U.S. has used human rights as a strategic tool and frequently imposed sanctions on other countries under the banner of "human rights above sovereignty". Under the guise of human rights protection, the country has also driven a wedge between countries, causing ethnic problems and even conflicts.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Libyan civil war. Libya failed to achieve democracy, economic prosperity or social stability after the war, and is still suffering its terrible consequences. Over 400,000 Libyan people remain displaced today. Former U.S. President Barack Obama admitted that intervention in Libya was the worst mistake of his presidency.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Syrian crisis, which has dealt a heavy blow to Syria's domestic development. More than 350,000 people have lost their lives in the crisis. Today, the Syrian crisis is still not over, and "American-style human rights" have reduced the former oil-producing nation in the Middle East to being a source of refugees.

Since 2001, the U.S. has illegally launched wars and military operations against Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan, creating "human rights disasters" and threatening world peace and stability. The U.S. has been trumpeting itself as a protector of human rights, but who and what kind of rights are they protecting?

The beacon of human rights, as the U.S. likes to label itself, has spared no effort to politicize human rights issues over the years, which not only runs counter to the original intention of human rights protection, but also stokes hatred.

It is hard to forget that in 1999, under the banner of "human rights protection", NATO, led by the U.S., launched a bombing campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for 78 consecutive days. It is an unforgettable source of pain and an indelible debt of blood.

In 2001, the U.S.-led coalition flagrantly launched a war in Afghanistan under the pretext of "counter-terrorism", making peace impossible to achieve in the country even to this day.

In 2003, the U.S. launched the Iraq War on the grounds that Iraq possessed "weapons of mass destruction" and secretly supported terrorists, leaving the Iraqi people with a war-ravaged homeland and a flagging economy.

So far, the U.S. has not provided any evidence of Iraq's possession of "weapons of mass destruction" except for a test tube of items suspected to be washing soap powder brandished by former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. Former U.S. President Donald Trump admitted in a tweet last year that although Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction, Powell still led the country into a war.

In fact, in recent years, many regions throughout the world have seen successive outbreaks of anti-American demonstrations, which are basically the evil consequences of the perverse actions of the U.S., while the country itself now has to deal with mounting security threats.

Under the guise of so-called human rights protection, the U.S. has exported democracy through force, which has led to the decline of people's livelihoods, social crisis and human rights tragedies in other countries, sowing seeds of hatred around the world.

Meanwhile, this kind of hatred will take root, sprout, and be passed down from one generation to another, laying hidden dangers for world peace and stability as well as the development of human civilization.

Nearly 100 countries opposed the politicization of human rights issues and double standards, and rejected interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of human rights for political purposes at the 46th session of the UNHRC. Its pretty clear whats right and whats wrong. Its time that the U.S. change its old habits.

Related Reading:

U.S. smear campaign against Xinjiang reveals true face of hegemony

U.S. misleads public, diverts attention through human rights issues

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Amazon WorkSpaces is now generally available in the Asia Pacific (Mumbai) Region. Amazon WorkSpaces is a fully managed, secure Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution that runs on AWS. With WorkSpaces, customers can provision virtual, cloud-based Windows and Linux desktops for their users, providing them with access to the documents, applications, and resources they need, anywhere, anytime, from any supported device. They can pay either monthly or hourly, just for the Amazon WorkSpaces they launch.

Mumbai is our 14th region and is part of our continuing commitment to always making it easier for workers to securely access their applications from home, remote offices or anywhere.

The expansion comes as we approach the one-year anniversary of global travel restrictions, lockdowns, and work from home (WFH) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have spent the past year helping customers across the globe rapidly shift to WFH. For example, we helped LearningMate  a technology company offering domain expertise in teaching and learning solutions  move their workforce to WFH.

LearningMate seamlessly transitioned to a remote work environment by rolling out Amazon WorkSpaces. We integrated Amazon WorkSpaces with our on-premise Active Directory over VPN to ensure that all our employees have secure access to our corporate data and internal applications. Our IT team was able to evaluate Amazon WorkSpaces within a week and ramped up to over 100 workspaces within a month. With Amazon WorkSpaces, we were able to operationalize over 200 new hires in a COVID-19 lockdown situation without any impact to our growth, said Palash Sinha, IT Head, LearningMate.

With our availability of the Mumbai Region, customers can provision WorkSpaces closer to their users and data, providing a more responsive experience.

Customers in the Mumbai Region can also take advantage of WorkSpaces Streaming Protocol (WSP), the new, cloud-native streaming protocol that enables a consistent user experience even on unreliable networks. If workers run into networks with high packet loss or unstable at home or office networks, WSP might be able to help. I know it has helped me with my home network.

WorkSpaces for Government and Highly Regulated Industries

Government organizations and highly regulated industries like financial services must adhere to strict compliance and data sovereignty requirements in India. WorkSpaces expansion allows customers to better meet data sovereignty requirements without the cost and complexity of building on-premises VDI.

RBL Bank, for example, is one of the leading private sector banks in India. The bank is looking forward to moving their current WorkSpaces deployment to the Mumbai region after using it to enable work from home since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When COVID-19 came, we needed to move many of our employees to work from home overnight. We turned to Amazon WorkSpaces for hundreds of workers and we were able to get them up and running in 10 days, while maintaining the same data security we needed to support our business, said Sankarson Banerjee, CIO of RBL Bank. With the opening of the Mumbai region, we look forward to bringing WorkSpaces to more users. It will also help us raise the bar in the user experience while meeting our data sovereignty commitments. AWSs continued pace of innovation is helping us to add agility to our workforce in ways we did not think possible just a few years ago.

WorkSpaces for Contact Center, Development, or Back Office

For companies that provide services such as customer support, development, or back office services like accounting or IT support, using Amazon WorkSpaces in Mumbai can enable a more reliable way of giving users a persistent desktop while helping to reduce the risk of data leakage, by using the closest possible AWS Region. Amazon WorkSpaces makes it easy to enable temporary, seasonal, or full-time employees with all the resources they need to be successful in a secure desktop experience.

Wipro Limited is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, which provides various services including Data Analytics and AI, Business Process Management, Digital Strategy and Transformation, and Cyber Security and Risk. Capitalizing on the opportunity to securely help customers transition to remote working, Wipro has developed a custom IT-as-a-Service offering called Wipro virtuadesk leveraging Amazon WorkSpaces for one of its contact center customers to enhance work from home productivity. This solution enabled the customer to implement a bring your own device (BYOD) policy for their users and improved performance 10x while reducing the overall total cost of operations (TCO).

We helped some of our most security-conscious customers run their operations in India across a wide array of workloads leveraging Amazon WorkSpaces. We provided them with secure access, especially for their employees working remotely. The feedback has been phenomenal. WorkSpaces fully-managed Desktop as a Service (DaaS) offers the type of agility our customers need for seasonal and temporary hiring and changes in the business landscape, said Anshul Sarin, Vice President, Cloud & Infrastructure Services, APMEA, Wipro Limited. The addition of the Mumbai region meets one of the top customer asks of improving both performance and security. Wipros virtuadesk, powered by Amazon WorkSpaces is a state-of-art solution that provides seamless experience to customers in remote working spaces. Our broad portfolio and service delivery capabilities on cloud, coupled with AWS WorkSpaces agile and scalable features will help customers achieve transformative outcomes.
It has been a year since the pandemic struck us. Pandemic forced the world to adapt to conditions like lockdown and travel restrictions. This meant video conferencing tools like Zoom became the norm. Even Apple and Google collaborated for contact tracing technology. Now global airline industry body IATA says it is launching a digital travel pass for COVID-19 test results and vaccination for Apple devices by mid-April.

The digital pass is currently being tested and will launch by next month. It will be available for all iPhones running iOS 14 and above. Kamil Alawadhi, IATA Regional VP for Africa and the Middle East, says the digital pass will be available on iOS starting from April 15. The new feature does come with a caveat; different airlines need to adapt it to be successful. Alawadhi says, But the application will only achieve its success once airlines, different countries, airports adopt it.

Global airline industry body IATA said it would launch a digital travel pass for COVID-19 test results and vaccine certificates on the Apple platform in mid-April. The digital travel pass, currently in the testing phase, had been planned to be launched by next month.

Virgin Atlantic is already trialing the IATA app on London to Barbados route. Most importantly, Barbados accepts the pass at the border and is the first country to do so. The travel pass would help ease international travel during pandemic and we dont see why airlines will not implement it.

Our Take

Apple has been very active when it comes to developing solutions for the post COVID world. Last month it came to light that Apple is working with WHO for vaccine passport solution. This week we learned that Apple had added COVID-19 info for more than 300 airports on Apple Maps.

[via Reuters
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Scotch Creek Ventures Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:SCV)(FSE:7S2) ("Scotch Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the expansion of its Highlands West project located in Clayton Valley, Nevada (see new release dated March 23, 2021). These additional lithium claims add to its overall lithium exploration land package which is now extended North directly adjacent to Albemarle Corporation (ALB) Silver Peak Mine. Scotch Creek's total land package in the area now totals approximately 9,100 acres, thus establishing the Company within the top tier of the largest claim holders in Clayton Valley.

Scotch Creek's Highlands West Project now consists of 333 20-acre placer claims and borders Albemarle's Silver Peak Mine. In total, its acreage is comparable to that of Cypress Development Corp (V:CYP), Noram Ventures Inc (V:NRM), Spearmint Resources Inc. (C:SMPT), and Enertopia Corporation (ENRT) combined, all of which are located on the eastern flank of the Clayton Valley and lie along the same trend-line as Scotch Creek's Macallan claims. More recently, Pure Energy Minerals Inc (V:PE) agreement with Schlumberger reinforces the economics and indeed advancements of brine exploration in Clayton Valley, Nevada, thus further strengthening the potential of Scotch Creek's now expanded land package.

Scotch Creek's claims are situated in one of the last significant unexplored tracts of land in Clayton Valley. Recent lithium discoveries by Pure Energy Minerals Ltd, Noram Venture Inc, and Cypress Development Corp. suggest considerable potential for Scotch Creek's projects within this area, as all of these companies had similar land claims that were previously unexplored as of late 2016.With access to even greater knowledge of the geological traits of the Clayton Valley basin combined with the accelerating interest in lithium, investments in the Clayton Valley appears to be of great promise, particularly on a risk-adjusted basis.

Scotch Creek's CEO, Mr. David Ryan, commented, "With the acquisition of our Highlands North claims, we are well positioned to become a leader in the next phase of lithium exploration in the Clayton Valley, the United States preeminent region for lithium exploration. With exposure extending across the entire Clayton Valley, we are able to diversify our lithium holdings. We look forward to further defining the potential of our strategic lithium assets and to create value for our shareholders."

Under the terms of the agreement the Company will issue 500,000 shares at a deemed price of $0.90 to the shareholders of Macallen Exploration Corp. for 100% ownership of the claims. The agreement is subject to the completion of due diligence within 30 days, and to complete a 43-101, and regulatory approval. The shares will be subject to a four month hold from the date of issue under the rules of the CSE. The issuance of the shares will not result in a change of control or create a new insider of the Company.

About Clayton Valley

Clayton Valley, Nevada, has become a North American hub for lithium exploration and production with various public companies establishing their footprint in the region:

Albemarle Corporation's (NYSE:ALB) Silver Peak is the only lithium producing mine in North America and has been in production since 1967. Albemarle announced their intention to double their lithium brine production and expand their operations to explore for lithium clay potential in the valley.

Westside of Clayton Valley: Nickle Rock Resources Inc.(C:NICL) announced on March 24, 2021 that it has commenced the drilling on their 2,300 acres adjacent to the west side of the Silver Peak mine just north west of Scotch Creeks newly acquired acreage.

On the lithium brine production side, Pure Energy minerals (TSX-V:PE) has entered into an agreement with energy giant Schlumberger to further develop their lithium brine production. This agreement validates the economics and also the advancements of brine exploration in the Clayton Valley.

In the North-East of the Clayton Valley, Cypress Development Corp. (TSX-V:CYP) recently completed a PFS and has plans for a feasibility study later this year. Pure Energy has developed an open pit design and mining plan that projects a 40-year minimum mine life, and are currently working on plans for a pilot plant to refine extraction technologies. (lithium clay).

Noram Ventures Inc. (TSX-V:NRM) is working on its fifth round of drilling and they have announced a resource of 300 million tonnes of >900 ppm Li. The current drilling program is on track to more than double that resource.

Enertopia Corporation (OTC:ENRT) has a narrow land position between Cypress and Noram. They have an established 100 million tonne resource from 4 drill holes at a 400 ppm Li cutoff.

Spearmint Resources Inc. (CSE:SPMT), with property just south of Cypress, completed a drill program in November and has announced high grade lithium intercepts.

Scotch Creek Ventures Inc. (CSE:SCV) despite the enclosure of the basin and limited acreage available, very little exploration has been completed on Scotch Creek's land package in Clayton Valley - an area that is greater than that of Cypress, Noram, Enertopia and Spearmint combined.

About Scotch Creek Ventures

Scotch Creek is a mineral exploration company, focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium projects located in tier-one North American mining jurisdictions. Scotch Creek's mission is to become a best-in-class lithium exploration company situated in one of the most promising lithium districts in the world, Clayton Valley, Nevada.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"David K. Ryan"

David Ryan

Chief Executive Officer

Further information about the Company is available on our website at www.scotch-creek.com or under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the CSE website at www.thecse.com.

Public Relations Contact

Scotch Creek Ventures Inc. Telephone: +1.604.283.5636 Email: info@scotch-creek.com Website: www.scotch-creek.com

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward- looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE: Scotch Creek Ventures Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638316/Scotch-Creek-Ventures-Completes-Property-Expansion-on-Highlands-West-Project-adjacent-to-Albemarles-Silver-Peak-Mine
If the data found in the latest version of the Galaxy Wearable app turns out to be accurate, Samsung's next-gen smartwatches will only run Google's Wear OS. The Galaxy Watch 4 and its Active sibling are expected to arrive later this year, more precisely before the end of its second quarter.

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Monopoly is anything but good for any industry, but it looks like there might soon be just one smartwatch/wearable operating system left for non-Apple devices. Now, Samsung's Tizen is doing all right and is in control of a sizeable slice of the pie, but this is expected to change with the launch of its next-gen smartwatch.

According to the data discovered in the latest version of the Galaxy Wearable app, the upcoming Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Active are codenamed Fresh and Wise, will come in 40/41 mm and 44/45 mm sizes, and there will be two variants for each (Bluetooth and cellular, of course). However, the more interesting part is that the aforementioned APK file contains a new plugin (known as "water") that is Samsung's compatibility layer for Wear OS and there is also a reference to "newos" that suggests anything but Tizen. Obviously, the only alternative worth considering is Google's Wear OS, especially given the fact that Samsung has been deepening its partnership with the internet search giant lately.

Samsung is expected to launch the new Galaxy Watch lineup before the end of the second quarter, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the next-generation Galaxy Buds showing up at the same time. For now, there is no accurate date to talk about, so be sure to stay tuned as we wait for more information (or at least rumors) to surface.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 on Amazon
Minister for Heath, Robin Swann, speaks to the media outside Timoney Pharmacy in Lambeg (Liam McBurney/PA)

Northern Irelands health minister, Robin Swann, has urged everyone eligible for a coronavirus jab to come forward for it.

The minister, aged 49, received his first dose of the AstraZeneca jab at a Ballee Pharmacy in Ballymena, Co Antrim on the day the rollout was expanded to his age group.

The vaccination programme was widened on Wednesday to include the 45-49 age group.

Health Minister Robin Swann received his first #COVID19 vaccine today and has urged the public to do the same.



ai https://t.co/6DiZp2wGnX pic.twitter.com/wmxbVF5y4a  Department of Health (@healthdpt) March 31, 2021

Mr Swann emphasised the importance of as many getting vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Today I came to community pharmacy and got the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine which is the one we are using mainly across Northern Ireland, he said.

It is important that we get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, thats why we are putting such a concerted effort into this programme, and thats why were seeing such a great uptake across Northern Ireland from those eligible.

For those people who are still hesitant, I am confident enough to come here today to take Oxford AstraZeneca because my age profile now fits in, so when yours does as well, Ill ask anyone, please come forward.

There are booking slots, were making them available across Northern Ireland, at regional centres, GPs and community pharmacy as well.

By Wednesday 887,598 vaccines had been administered in the region, 749,112 of which were first doses and 138,486 were second doses.

Expand Close People queue to receive the vaccine at the newly opened Covid-19 vaccination centre in the SSE Arena, Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp People queue to receive the vaccine at the newly opened Covid-19 vaccination centre in the SSE Arena, Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

All those who are eligible can book to receive their jab at a vaccination centre or participating community pharmacy, as well as the option of waiting for their GP to contact them to arrange their jab.

First Minister Arlene Foster received her vaccine in Co Fermanagh last weekend.

Expand Close First Minister Arlene Foster receives her first Covid vaccination shot at Castle Park Leisure Centre in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp First Minister Arlene Foster receives her first Covid vaccination shot at Castle Park Leisure Centre in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)

Earlier this week saw the opening of a mass vaccination centre at the SSE Arena in Belfast as well as almost 350 community pharmacies joining the programme.

Booking where possible should be done online at: https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated

If online booking is not possible, then the telephone booking number is 0300 200 7813.
The owner of an iconic attraction on the Ocean City boardwalk for nearly a century announced this week that he is partnering with the owner of another Jersey Shore resort business, a move that follows a court foreclosure action in January to collect more than $8 million in debt.

Jay Gillian, whose family has owned and operated Gillians Wonderland Pier for 92 years, announced a partnership with the Mita family  owners of Icona Resorts  to create a unique experience and better serve guests.

Gillian also serves as the mayor of Ocean City.

We are looking forward to working alongside Jay and his family, and both families are committed to providing a wholesome guest experience, Eustace Mita, chairman and chief executive officer of Icona Resorts, said in a statement Tuesday.

Icona Resorts operates upscale Shore rental properties in Avalon, Cape May and Wildwood Crest.

The statement, which also includes comments from Gillian, did not mention a final court judgement in January for $7,943,302 to First Priority Bank and two related companies that won the judgement. The last court filing in the case was on Jan. 25. It was a mail notice of foreclosure.

A request for comment Monday from Gillians Wonderland Pier was not returned. A request for comment from Janet Gold, the attorney who filed the foreclosure action, was not returned.

Gillians reopened for the summer season last week. It said it had record-breaking numbers.

In January, Gillian told the Ocean City Sentinel newspaper that a story about the foreclosure should be about COVID almost taking a business down.

In the article, which is posted on Wonderlands Facebook page, Gillian also admits to owing $100,000 in delinquent property taxes, but promising to pay them.

Gillian and his wife Michelle are listed as the owners of the park, with 32 attractions for children.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust.

Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com.
Lawton, OK (73501)

Today

Partly cloudy. High near 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
A former soldier is suing the Ministry of Defence for more than 50,000 claiming he was deafened while working in the British Army.

Royal Artillery gunner Royston Penhallurick says he has been left 'disabled' after he was not given proper ear protection while firing the British Army's biggest guns and taking helicopter flights.

The veteran claims he now needs hearing aids in both ears after being repeatedly exposed to the pounding of explosives whilst firing FH70 155mm Howitzers.

Mr Penhallurick fired the 10m-long heavy towed guns, which have an effective range of up to 18 miles, as well as a variety of other weapons.

The 56-year-old who lives in Stoke on Trent and is involved with Stoke City's youth team, also says he was exposed to noise from Lynx and Puma helicopters during flights 'with no hearing protection'.

The former 'servant of the Crown', who served in the Royal Artillery regiment from 1980 to 2004, was a veteran of conflicts in Northern Ireland, the Gulf War and the Balkans.

Royal Artillery gunner Royston Penhallurick, who served in the regiment from 1980 to 2004, claims he has been left 'disabled' after firing some of the British Army's largest guns and flying in Lynx and Puma helicopters 'deafened' him

At stages of his career, he had had 'daily exposure to noise from SA80s, light machine guns, general purpose machine guns, Scimitars, Scorpions, Warriors, 30mm cannon and FV432s,' he says.

He is now claiming damages 'likely to exceed 50,000' from the MoD, alleging army chiefs failed to properly protect his hearing during his years as a 'servant of the Crown'.

In his particulars of claim, filed with the High Court, lawyers for Mr Penhallurick say: 'Mr Penhallurick served in the Royal Artillery as a servant of the Crown, for whom the defendant is responsible. From 2006 onwards, he served in the Army reserves.

'During the period of his service with the defendant, he was exposed to high levels of noise,' his lawyers say, with peaks of around 140 db, the limit at which human ears can hear without the sound becoming physically painful to the ears.

'During numerous exercises on Salisbury Plain...and exercises at Otterburn each year, Mr Penhallurick was involved in exercises involving the firing of SLRs and training with the big guns, usually the FH70 155mm.

'No hearing protection was worn firing the SLR or whilst others fired in close proximity to him.

'(During) basic training with tanks he had daily exposure to noise from SA80s, light machine guns, general purpose machine guns, Scimitars, Scorpions, Warriors, 30mm cannon and FV432s. No hearing protection was worn.

'He went on numerous Lynx and Puma flights without wearing any ear protection.

The veteran claims he now needs hearing aids in both ears after being repeatedly exposed to the pounding of explosives whilst firing FH70 155mm Howitzers (pictured), some of the British Army's largest guns

He also claims taking flights in Puma (pictured, stock image) and Lynx helicopters without adequate hearing protection while serving in the British Army further damaged his hearing

'The claimant wore ear defenders when actually firing on ranges but not in other circumstances,' his lawyers say.

They go on to allege that his Army superiors 'failed to advise the claimant of the dangers of exposure to loud noise, the possible consequences of such exposure and things such has hearing problems or tinnitus'.

Where do Howitzer guns feature on the decibel scale? A Howitzer gun is a long-range artillery weapon used by militaries around the world. The FH70 Howitzers is a towed close support gun which fires 155mm caliber rounds. They weigh up to 9,600 kg and their firing range can extend to up to 30 km - depending on the ammunition used. According to a US Army Public Health Command report, a 155mm Howitzer can produce 181 decibel blast. That is more than 25 times louder than an average rock concert, while a jet engine takeoff is normally about 150 decibels. A smaller Howtizer gun, such as a 105mm Howitzer, can produce around 171 decibel blasts, according to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. Advertisement

The particulars of claim also accuse the army of 'failing to provide adequate hearing protection and / or failing to require or enforce the wearing thereof' and 'failing to provide the claimant with ear protection which reduced sufficiently the noise levels to which he was exposed.'

Mr Penhallurick is asking the High Court to give him permission to bring his claim out of time.

His lawyers say he didn't know he could bring a claim until he had been out of the Army for over a decade.

'The claimant first noticed some problems with his hearing around 1998 and realised that it was probably related to his noise exposure,' they say.

'He noticed his hearing becoming particularly poor in 2017. He discussed it with his medical officer, who advised him that he might be able to make a civil claim in respect of the same.

'The claimant did not know he could bring a civil claim against the Crown until then. The claimant will seek the court's discretion to allow his claim to proceed.

'He accepts that there has been a long delay between his date of knowledge and the commencement of his proceedings.

'The reason for such delay was his belief that the Crown was immune from suit and his ignorance of his legal rights.

'Once he was aware of his legal rights, he instructed solicitors quickly and his claim was issued shortly thereafter.'

The MoD's defence to the action is not yet available from the court and the contents of Mr Penhallurick's particulars of claim have yet to be tested in evidence before a judge.
Bayern Munich have been dealt a blow by the news that Robert Lewandowski has suffered a ligament strain and will be out for the next four weeks.

As such, the Polish striker will miss both legs of Bayern's quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

"Robert Lewandowski has strained a ligament in his right knee," a statement read on Bayern's website.

"The FC Bayern striker will be out for around four weeks. After Poland's 3-0 win over Andorra, Lewandowski returned early to Munich, where a diagnosis was made by the German record champions' medical team.

"The 32-year-old had scored the first two goals in Sunday's match before having to leave the field after an hour following a clash."

Lewandowski has scored 35 goals in 25 Bundesliga games for Bayern so far this season, while he has also netted five goals in six games in the Champions League.

In addition to missing Bayern's tie against PSG, the current frontrunner for the European Golden Boot will also be unavailable for his side's Bundesliga matches against RB Leipzig, Union Berlin, Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen.
BERLIN, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Spark Networks SE (NYSE American: LOV), one of the world's leading online dating platforms leveraging premium, complementary brands including Zoosk, EliteSingles, SilverSingles, Christian Mingle, Jdate, and JSwipe, today reported second half and full year 2020 financial results.

"Our financial and operational gains for the Second Half and Full Year 2020 are a testament to the strength of Sparks' top brands, which performed well during truly unique market conditions," said Eric Eichmann, CEO of Spark Networks. "Successful product improvements and expanded marketing capabilities led to higher user engagement and improved ARPU levels in 2020. Going forward, we are excited about our growth potential as we fulfill our ambition to become the leader in social dating for meaningful relationships in this rapidly expanding sector."

"I am pleased to have exceeded both our top and bottom line financial guidance for the full year 2020," said Bert Althaus, Chief Financial Officer of Spark. "In addition to stabilizing and integrating operations during the last year, the Company also strengthened its balance sheet by amending its credit facility by resetting financial covenants and securing an additional $6 million in funding."

Second Half and Full Year 2020 Financial Results

*2020 results represent the first full year-period reporting to include newly acquired Zoosk's financials

Revenue for the second half of 2020 was $118.9 million , an increase of $3.9 million compared to $115.0 million in the second half of 2019. Revenue for 2020 was $233.0 million , an increase of $62.1 million compared to $170.9 million in 2019, as adjusted. For the second half of year in 2020, the increase in revenue was the result of a fair value purchase price adjustment of $12.9 million recorded in the second half of 2019 related to the deferred revenue acquired from Zoosk. Excluding purchase price adjustments, revenue for the second half of 2020 was $119.5 million , a decrease of $8.4 million compared to $127.9 million in the second half of 2019. The decrease was attributable to the 7.5% decrease in the number of Average Paying Subscribers partially offset by the 1.0% increase in Monthly ARPU, excluding the fair value purchase price adjustment. For the full year in 2020, the significant increase in revenue is primarily attributable to the integration of Zoosk following the Spark Networks / Zoosk Merger in July 2019 .

, an increase of compared to in the second half of 2019. Revenue for 2020 was , an increase of compared to in 2019, as adjusted. For the second half of year in 2020, the increase in revenue was the result of a fair value purchase price adjustment of recorded in the second half of 2019 related to the deferred revenue acquired from Zoosk. Excluding purchase price adjustments, revenue for the second half of 2020 was , a decrease of compared to in the second half of 2019. The decrease was attributable to the 7.5% decrease in the number of Average Paying Subscribers partially offset by the 1.0% increase in Monthly ARPU, excluding the fair value purchase price adjustment. For the full year in 2020, the significant increase in revenue is primarily attributable to the integration of Zoosk following the Spark Networks / Zoosk Merger in . Net Loss was $45.9 million in the second half of 2020, an increase of $16.9 million compared to Net Loss of $29.0 million in the second half of 2019, and an increase of $45.2 million compared to $0.7 million in the first half of 2020. Net Loss for 2020 was $46.6 million , an increase of $11.7 million compared to $34.9 million in 2019, as adjusted. The year over year increase in Net Loss was primarily driven by the increase in impairment of goodwill and intangible assets.

in the second half of 2020, an increase of compared to Net Loss of in the second half of 2019, and an increase of compared to in the first half of 2020. Net Loss for 2020 was , an increase of compared to in 2019, as adjusted. The year over year increase in Net Loss was primarily driven by the increase in impairment of goodwill and intangible assets. Adjusted EBITDA was $20.1 million in the second half of 2020, an increase of $13.3 million compared to $6.8 million in the second half of 2019, and an increase of $2.5 million compared to $17.6 million in the first half of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA for 2020 was $37.7 million , an increase of $27.4 million compared to $10.3 million in 2019, as adjusted.

in the second half of 2020, an increase of compared to in the second half of 2019, and an increase of compared to in the first half of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA for 2020 was , an increase of compared to in 2019, as adjusted. The Company ended the year with $19.3 million in cash and $99.1 million in debt.

Key Performance Indicators

Average Paying Subscribers decreased by 76,217 to 941,104 in the second half of 2020, compared to 1,017,321 in the same period of 2019.

Average Paying Subscribers Full Year 2020 increased nearly 27%, reaching roughly 928,000, compared to the 731,000 we recorded in 2019.

Monthly Average Revenue Per User, or Monthly ARPU, increased by 11.8% to $21.05 in the second half of 2020, compared to $18.83 in the same period of 2019.

in the second half of 2020, compared to in the same period of 2019. Spark's ARPU for the full year 2020 increased 7.4% to $20.93 compared to $19.48 in the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 .

Financial Outlook

Due to increased user engagement and a better than anticipated response to shelter-in-place restrictions, management expects to deliver 2021 annual revenue of $238 to $244 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $33 to $36 million .

Key Metrics  Half Year (Amounts in $ millions, except Total Registrations, Avg. Paying Subs, and Monthly ARPU)



Six Months Ended

Growth Rates %

12/31/2020

6/30/2020

12/31/2019

2nd Half 2020 vs.

2nd Half 2020

1st Half 2020

2nd Half 2019

1st Half 2020

2nd Half 2019 Revenue $ 118.9



$ 114.2



$ 115.0

4.1 %

3.4 % Contribution1 $ 60.6



$ 57.4



$ 52.0

5.5 %

16.5 % Net loss $ (45.9)



$ (0.7)



$ (29.0)

6,022.7 %

58.3 % Adjusted EBITDA2 $ 20.1



$ 17.6



$ 6.8

14.3 %

197.1 % Cash Balance $ 19.3



$ 13.2



$ 17.2

45.5 %

12.0 % Total Registrations3 7,140,802



7,668,580



8,229,976

(6.9) %

(13.2) % Avg. Paying Subs4 941,104



914,798



1,017,321

2.9 %

(7.5) % Monthly ARPU5 $ 21.05



$ 20.80



$ 18.83

1.2 %

11.8 %

Key Metrics  Full Year (Amounts in $ millions, except Total Registrations, Avg. Paying Subs, and Monthly ARPU)



Years Ended December 31,

Growth Rates %

2020

2019

2020

2019 Revenue $ 233.0



$ 170.9



36.4 %

44.2 % Contribution1 $ 118.0



$ 75.3



56.7 %

45.9 % Net loss $ (46.6)



$ (34.9)



33.5 %

299.7 % Adjusted EBITDA2 $ 37.7



$ 10.3



264.3 %

129.2 % Cash Balance $ 19.3



$ 17.2



12.0 %

39.3 % Total Registrations3 14,809,382



12,718,080



16.4 %

25.4 % Avg. Paying Subs4 927,951



731,088



26.9 %

51.2 % Monthly ARPU5 $ 20.93



$ 19.48



7.4 %

(4.7) %

SPARK NETWORKS SE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION6

(in $ thousands)





Years Ended December 31,



2020

2019 (in $ thousands)

(actual)

(pro forma) Revenue

233,036



$ 250,655

Net loss

(46,608)



(26,659)



Investor Conference Call

Spark Networks will discuss its financial results during a live teleconference today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Toll-Free (United States): 1-877-705-6003 Toll-Free (Germany): 0-800-182-0040 International: 1-201-493-6725

In addition, Spark Networks will host a webcast of the call which will be accessible in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investor.spark.net/investor-relations/home

A replay will begin approximately three hours after completion of the call and run until April 14, 2021.

Replay

Toll-Free (United States): 1-844-512-2921 International: 1-412-317-6671 Passcode: 13717580

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, statements involving known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Spark Networks' performance or achievements to be materially different from those of any expected future results, performance, or achievements. These statements include statements regarding Spark Networks' strong business momentum, Spark Networks' financial outlook and guidance for the second half and full year 2020, including with respect to Adjusted EBITDA and revenue, the impact of COVID-19 on Spark Networks' business and Spark Networks' growth potential and foundation for future growth.

Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be considered to be forward-looking statements. Written words, such as "believes," "hopes," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans," "anticipates," and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the risk that the benefits from the acquisition of Zoosk, Inc. may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; risks related to the degree of competition in the markets in which Spark Networks operates; risks related to the ability of Spark Networks to retain and hire key personnel, operating results and business generally; the timing and market acceptance of new products introduced by Spark Networks' competitors; Spark Networks' ability to identify potential acquisitions; Spark Networks' ability to comply with new and evolving regulations relating to data protection and data privacy; general competition and price measures in the market place; risks related to the duration and severity of COVID-19 and its impact on Spark Networks' business; and general economic conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Spark Networks' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in other sections of Spark Networks' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and in Spark Networks' other current and periodic reports filed or furnished from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

About Spark Networks SE:

Spark Networks SE is a leading global dating company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange American under the ticker symbol "LOV," with headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and offices in New York and Utah. The Company's widening portfolio of premium and freemium dating apps include Zoosk, EliteSingles, SilverSingles, Christian Mingle, Jdate, and JSwipe, among others. Spark Networks SE in its current form is the result of the merger between Affinitas GmbH and Spark Networks, Inc. in 2017 and the addition of Zoosk, Inc. in 2019. Spark has approximately one million monthly paying subscribers globally.

For More Information

Investors:

Christopher Camarra

Vice President of Investor Relations

[email protected]

1 Contribution is defined as revenue, net of refunds and credit card chargebacks, less direct marketing. Direct Marketing is defined as online and offline advertising spend, and is included within Cost of Revenue within Spark Networks' Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

2 Adjusted EBITDA is one of the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our business, budget, forecast and compensate management. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a consistent view, period to period, of the core earnings generated from the ongoing operations and excludes the impact of items that we do not consider representative of our ongoing performance. This includes: depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, asset impairments, gains or losses on foreign currency transactions and net interest expense, acquisition related costs and other costs. Adjusted EBITDA has inherent limitations in evaluating the performance of the Company, including, but not limited to the following:

 Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash capital expenditures during the measurement period;  Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any changes in working capital requirements during the measurement period;  Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash tax payments during the measurement period;  Adjusted EBITDA may be calculated differently by other companies in our industry, thus limiting its value as a comparative measure;



Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to other financial performance measures, including net income and our other U.S. GAAP results. A reconciliation of the Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended December 31, 2020, June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019 and the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 can be found in the table below.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, and acquisition or other costs.

Statements regarding our expectations as to the first half and full-year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA do not include certain charges and costs. The adjustments to EBITDA in future periods are generally expected to be similar to the kinds of charges and costs excluded from Adjusted EBITDA in prior periods, including (i) items such as share-based compensation, asset impairments, gains or losses on foreign currency transactions and interest expense, and (ii) items related to acquisitions or other costs that are non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual in nature including transaction and advisory fees, merger integration costs, other employee payments, and severance. The exclusion of these charges and costs in future periods will have a significant impact on our Adjusted EBITDA. We are not able to provide a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial guidance to the corresponding GAAP measures without unreasonable effort because of the uncertainty and variability of the nature and amount of these future charges and costs.

3 Total registrations are defined as the total number of new members registering to the platforms with their email address. Those include members who enter into premium subscriptions and free memberships.

4 Paying subscribers are defined as individuals who have paid a monthly fee for access to premium services, which include, among others, unlimited communication with other registered users, access to user profile pictures and enhanced search functionality. Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and the end of the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number of months in such period.

5 Monthly Average Revenue Per User, or Monthly ARPU, represents the total net subscriber revenue for the period divided by the number of average paying subscribers for the period, divided by the number of months in the period.

6 The unaudited pro forma financial information in the table below presents the combined results of the Company and Zoosk as if the Spark Networks / Zoosk Merger had occurred on January 1, 2019. The unaudited pro forma financial information includes adjustments required under the acquisition method of accounting but excludes certain costs and charges that are deemed to be non-recurring in nature. This presentation is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been achieved had the acquisition actually occurred on January 1, 2019 or in future periods.

Spark Networks SE Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share data)



December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019 Assets







Current assets:







Cash and cash equivalents

$ 19,267



$ 17,207

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $93 and $290, respectively

5,507



6,474

Prepaid expenses

4,366



3,563

Other current assets

2,140



1,466

Total current assets

31,280



28,710

Property and equipment, net

11,418



10,311

Goodwill

156,582



199,238

Intangible assets, net

58,999



74,780

Deferred tax assets

23,522



25,476

Other assets

8,642



10,356

Total assets

$ 290,443



$ 348,871

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity







Current liabilities:







Current portion of long-term debt

$ 19,037



$ 15,336

Accounts payable

11,127



18,941

Deferred revenue

38,304



36,877

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

28,429



34,980

Total current liabilities

96,897



106,134

Long-term debt, net of current portion

80,109



92,329

Deferred tax liabilities

993



276

Other liabilities

17,541



8,946

Total liabilities

195,540



207,685

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)







Shareholders' Equity:







Common stock, 1.00 nominal value; 2,661,386 shares issued as of December 31, 2020 and 2019; 2,605,689 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019

3,064



3,064

Treasury stock, at nominal value; 55,697 shares as of December 31, 2020 and 2019

(61)



(61)

Additional paid-in capital

220,852



216,072

Accumulated deficit

(132,248)



(85,640)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

3,296



7,751

Total shareholders' equity

94,903



141,186

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 290,443



$ 348,871



Spark Networks SE Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except share and per share data)

























Six Months Ended

Years Ended December 31,



12/31/2020

6/30/2020

12/31/2019

2020

2019 Revenue

$ 118,852



$ 114,184



$ 114,954



$ 233,036



$ 170,859

Operating costs and expenses:



















Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

72,484



69,975



77,643



142,459



115,253

Direct marketing costs

58,271



56,788



62,946



115,059



95,589

Data center expenses

4,151



3,212



3,949



7,363



5,596

Credit card fees

3,297



3,358



3,333



6,655



4,624

Mobile application processing fees

6,765



6,617



7,415



13,382



9,444

Sales and marketing expenses

2,084



2,109



2,983



4,193



5,741

Customer service expenses

3,556



3,800



4,961



7,356



7,475

Technical operations and development expenses

7,500



8,780



13,226



16,280



16,776

General and administrative expenses

19,072



16,235



14,503



35,307



27,790

Depreciation and amortization

4,731



4,653



5,046



9,384



6,584

Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill

51,236







20,301



51,236



20,301

Total operating costs and expenses

160,663



105,552



138,663



266,215



199,920

Operating income/(loss)

(41,811)



8,632



(23,709)



(33,179)



(29,061)

Other income (expense):



















Interest income

34



40



175



74



175

Interest expense

(6,665)



(6,690)



(7,345)



(13,355)



(7,574)

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions

3,981



(210)



(2,512)



3,771



(2,400)

Other income (expense)

870



200



330



1,070



330

Total other expense

(1,780)



(6,660)



(9,352)



(8,440)



(9,469)

Income/(loss) before income taxes

(43,591)



1,972



(33,061)



(41,619)



(38,530)

Income tax (expense) benefit

(2,268)



(2,721)



4,086



(4,989)



3,617

Net loss

(45,859)



(749)



(28,975)



(46,608)



(34,913)

Other comprehensive income (loss):



















Foreign currency translation adjustment

(4,572)



117



2,251



(4,455)



2,163

Comprehensive loss

$ (50,431)



$ (632)



$ (26,724)



$ (51,063)



$ (32,750)























Loss per share:



















Basic earnings (loss) per share

$ (17.60)



$ (0.29)



$ (10.97)



$ (17.89)



$ (17.67)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$ (17.60)



$ (0.29)



$ (10.97)



$ (17.89)



$ (17.67)























Weighted average shares outstanding:



















Basic

2,605,689



2,605,689



2,640,249



2,605,689



1,975,548

Diluted

2,605,689



2,605,689



2,640,249



2,605,689



1,975,548

























Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA:



















Six Months Ended

Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)

12/31/2020

6/30/2020

12/31/2019

2020

2019 Net loss

$ (45,859)



$ (749)



$ (28,975)



$ (46,608)



$ (34,913)

Net interest expense

6,631



6,650



7,170



13,281



7,399

(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions

(3,981)



210



2,512



(3,771)



2,400

Income tax expense (benefit)

2,268



2,721



(4,086)



4,989



(3,617)

Depreciation and amortization

4,731



4,653



5,046



9,384



6,584

Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill

51,236







20,301



51,236



20,301

Stock-based compensation expense

2,436



2,344



287



4,780



2,629

Acquisition related costs(1)

81



1,464



3,373



1,545



8,369

Long-term debt transaction and advisory fees

1,308











1,308





Other costs(2)

1,231



277



1,131



1,508



1,183

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 20,082



$ 17,570



$ 6,759



$ 37,652



$ 10,335





(1) Acquisition related costs primarily consist of transaction costs, including legal, consulting, advisory fees, and severance and retention costs. (2) Includes primarily consulting and advisory fees related to special projects, as well as non-compete compensation, post-merger integration activities and executive search costs.

Spark Networks SE Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands)



Years Ended December 31,



2020

2019 Net loss

$ (46,608)



$ (34,913)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:







Depreciation and amortization

9,384



6,584

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

51,236



20,301

Loss on tangible and intangible assets

341





Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency transactions

(2,921)



1,402

Stock-based compensation expense

4,780



2,629

Amortization of debt issuance costs and accretion of debt discounts

3,874



1,818

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

3,530



(5,351)

Provision for credit losses

307



130

Non-cash lease expense

1,936



1,194

Change in operating assets and liabilities:







Accounts receivable

855



3,915

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

192



2,213

Other assets

(138)



33

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities

(5,755)



1,375

Other liabilities

(1,743)



98

Deferred revenue

(320)



7,121

Net cash provided by operating activities

18,950



8,549

Capital expenditures

(2,734)



(4,448)

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

(513)



(89,976)

Net cash used in investing activities

(3,247)



(94,424)

Proceeds from stock option exercises





428

Proceeds from bank loans, net of issuance costs

4,634



110,398

Repayment of bank loans

(15,311)



(19,511)

Payments directly related to loan facility





(62)

Cash paid for settlement of stock-based compensation





(504)

Repurchase of options





(3)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(10,677)



90,746











Net change in cash and cash equivalents

5,026



4,871

Effects of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

(1,366)



(117)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

3,660



4,754

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

17,457



12,703

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$ 21,117



$ 17,457











Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:







Cash paid for interest

$ 10,572



$ 6,367

Cash paid for income taxes

$ 779



$ 780



SOURCE Spark Networks SE

Related Links

www.spark-networks.com


Letters to the editor should be limited to 400 words, be signed and include a town of residence and a telephone number for verification. Letters are due by noon Monday. No thank yous or political endorsement letters. Guest Shot columns are limited to 800 words. Email editor@jhnewsandguide.com.
The taxman has been urged to stop hounding pension scam victims for hefty fines on top of their losses in a damning report by MPs.

HMRC was said to have lacked empathy in its relentless pursuit of people who lost their life savings after trusting rogue schemes run by fraudsters which also broke tax laws.

The report said that if the tax authority did not voluntarily review its stance, the Government should consider changing the law to allow some victims an amnesty.

MPs on the work and pensions committee launched an inquiry after the Daily Mail revealed that up to 10billion had been lost in scam schemes.

In a damning report by MPs, HMRC was said to have 'lacked empathy' in its relentless pursuit of people who lost their life savings after trusting rogue schemes run by fraudsters which also broke tax laws. Pictured: The HMRC headquarters in Whitehall, London

The victims described feeling suicidal after their life savings vanished in funds registered with HMRC, making them appear legitimate.

But in a double blow, the victims also faced tax bills often worth 55 per cent of their lost pension pot because the schemes also breached strict laws covering retirement savings  while in most cases the scammers escaped any sanctions.

In their report, the MPs wrote: HMRC has been described as unrelenting and uncompromising in the pursuit of unauthorised payment charges.

'While the position taken by HMRC is legally correct, it has often lacked empathy or understanding of the impact that its demands have on victims.

HM Treasury should recognise that, in some clearly defined circumstances, where the saver has been the victim of a crime and made no financial gain it may not be in the public interest to demand payment of tax due.

It added: If HMRC is unable to make greater use of its current discretion to waive the tax due by pension scam victims then the Government should consider whether legislation is required to give HMRC the option not to pursue the tax penalties of pension scam victims.

By law, anyone who accesses their pension early  as was the case in most of the scams  faces an unauthorised payment charge of 40 per cent and an unauthorised payment fine of 15 per cent. But victims told the inquiry they had only trusted the schemes because they were registered with HMRC.

Sue Flood, who is facing a huge tax bill after already losing 250,000 with her partner, previously told the Commons inquiry she had a breakdown due to the stress.

The former marketing executive had accused HMRC of benefiting from the proceeds of crime. A Government spokesman said: We know how distressing it is for those targeted by these scams and sympathise greatly with those affected.
Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro project (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - The Ministry of Transport plans to hand over the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro project to Hanoi after the checking, calculation, and receipt of dossiers, documents, and assets are completed.

According to Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong, the projects management board and the Metro Hanoi Company began checking, calculating, and receiving dossiers, documents, and assets on March 31. The work is expected to last from three to four weeks.

The ministry has directed relevant agencies and units to focus all resources on completing remaining works.

Dong said that the Cat Linh - Ha Dong project is the first urban railway line allowed to be piloted in Vietnam.

Vu Hong Phuong, acting Director of the project management board, pledged that the checking, calculation, and receipt of dossiers, documents, and assets will be completed in April.

Running from Cat Linh in Ba Dinh district to Ha Dong district and funded with Chinese ODA, the line has total investment of approximately 886 million USD, following several adjustments.

It has an elevated line of more than 13 km with 12 stations and 13 trains. Each train, whose designed speed is 80 km/h, has four carriages capable of carrying over 900 passengers.

The trial run was completed in December 2020, with more than 70,000 km of tests on thousands of trips, enabling the system to operate commercially.
Dr Philip Mpango is set to be Tanzania's next vice president after Parliament Tuesday approved his nomination for the post.

President Samia Suluhu nominated him to fill the post that fell vacant when she was sworn in as Head of State following John Magufuli's death.

All the 363 MPs in the House gave their approval for Dr Mpango to become the next vice president.

He will be sworn in as the VP on Wednesday at State House Chamwino, Dodoma.

Following the confirmation, Speaker Job Ndugai declared the post for Buhigwe MP vacant as Dr Mpango now ceases to be a Member of Parliament as spelt out in the constitution. Buhigwe constituency is in Kigoma, northwestern Tanzania.


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Opposition Shuts WE Hearing as Liberals Again Refuse to Let Staffer Testify

OTTAWAOpposition members shut down a parliamentary committee hearing Wednesday after the Liberal government once again refused to let a political aide appear to answer questions about the now-dead deal with WE Charity.

Members of the House of Commons ethics committee had asked Amitpal Singh, a senior adviser to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, to testify after a majority of MPs passed a Conservative-sponsored motion to that effect last week.

The motion allowed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to appear before the committee in his place.

But the Liberal government, which has ordered political staff not to appear before committees, deployed Associate Finance Minister Mona Fortier to instead appear for Singh, who worked for Bill Morneau when he was finance minister.

It was the second time a minister appeared instead of a ministerial aide after government House leader Pablo Rodriguez took the place of Trudeaus director of policy earlier this week.

While the committee ultimately decided to hear what Rodriguez had to say on Monday, opposition members refused to do the same with Fortier and instead used their majority to adjourn the meeting after only 20 minutes.

By blocking witnesses from testifying  against an order of the House of Commons, the government is devaluing and disrespecting Canadas Parliament, Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett told the committee before asking that it adjourn.

The motion passed in the House of Commons last Thursday called on Singh, Trudeau policy director Rick Theis and the prime ministers senior adviser, Ben Chin, to appear before the ethics committee to answer questions on the WE deal.

It also called for Defence Minister Harjit Sajjans former chief of staff, Zita Astravas, who now holds the same position in Public Safety Minister Bill Blairs office, to appear before the Commons defence committee to discuss sexual misconduct in the military.

Trudeau was invited to attend on their behalf if the government wanted.

The government has in turn accused opposition members of trying to intimidate and mistreat non-elected political staff and argued that ministers are ultimately responsible for those who work in their offices.

Rodriguez and Liberal committee members have also accused the opposition of trying to score cheap political points by dragging out the ethics committees study on WE, suggesting there was little more to learn about how the deal came together.

Prior to the committee adjourning, Bloc Quebecois MP Rheal Fortin accused the government in French of blatantly defying the House of Commons by ignoring the motion calling for senior political staff or Trudeau to appear.

I always thought that Canada was supposed to be a democratic country where decisions were taken democratically and where a decision by the House held some value, he said. And yet members of the government side are blatantly defying the House.

The sole-sourced deal with WE was announced last spring and would have seen the Toronto-based youth organization paid $43.5 million to run the Canada Student Services Grant program, which was designed to reward students who volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WE later backed out of the agreement following questions and concerns about its close ties to members of the prime ministers family, before the $543-million 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 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.

The ethics commissioner is currently investigating both Trudeau and Morneau, who abruptly resigned as finance minister and left federal politics in August, for potential conflicts of interest in relation to the deal.

By Lee Berthiaume
LETTERS: Trying to keep pace with technology; boiling in the political hot tub
The school worker has shared posts from anti-vaccination groups online

The posters gave primary school children tips on how they could stay Covid safe

Videos were posted to social media with caption 'take away the propaganda'

A furious school cleaner has filmed herself ripping down Covid-safe signage from a classroom wall, complaining the posters are 'propaganda'.

The Queensland Department of Education is investigating after the Sunshine Coast woman posted the videos to her Instagram account on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman confirmed the woman worked as a cleaner at Yandina State School, a small country school in the Sunshine Coast North District.

'You know what, I've been doing this all f**king year at this school,' the woman says as she pulls the laminated posters down.

A disgruntled school cleaner has filmed herself removing Covid safe signage from a classroom wall, captioning the videos 'take away the propaganda'

The posters appear to give students tips on how to stay Covid safe, with one encouraging those that feel sick to tell their parents and not come to school.

'These are the last ones to go I think,' the woman says.

'Let's see if they notice, let's see if they f***king notice.

'Into the bin with you, I'm f**king done with this.'

The videos were captioned 'take away the propaganda'.

The woman can be seen removing multiple posters that give students tips on how they can stay Covid safe, while bragging she has been removing the signage all year

The Instagram user has described herself as an 'artist, model, horsewoman, sometimes poet and massive day dreamer' and a 'Leo goddess'.

Principal of Yadina State School Michael Cookman, told the Courier Mail he wasn't in a position to address the matter.

Queensland's Department of Education said: 'The department takes matters that may endanger the health and safety of students and staff very seriously.

Queensland's Department of Education confirmed the woman worked for Yadina State School (pictured), a small country school in the Sunshine Coast North District

'Upon being made aware of the incidents (Tuesday) afternoon, the school has acted to replace any lost signage.

'No further details can be provided due to privacy issues.'

The woman posted another video to her Instagram stories where she complained about people wearing masks in a supermarket.

'On my way out of the IGA, I purchased my stuff and I started walking and there were people like wearing masks,' she said.

'And I had a little rant at them, I couldn't help myself. I'm like what are youse doing.'

The young woman said she called the masked shoppers 'a bunch of f**king idiots' but didn't get any response.

Masks are currently mandatory across the state of Queensland, with residents required to carry one at all times when leaving their home

The user has also shared posts from Instagram account Reignitedemocrazyaustralia - an anti-vaccination group.

The account - which is followed by 12,600 people - recently posted 'You can say NO' in response to masks becoming mandatory across Queensland.

Greater Brisbane is currently in lockdown that commenced at 5pm on Monday March 29 and will ease at 5pm on Thursday April 1.

Residents in Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan can only leave their homes to buy essentials, to exercise, to work or study, or to provide care.

Masks have been made mandatory across Queensland for the first time, with residents to carry one at all times when leaving their home.
Who are you? is probably the easiest and the most difficult question to answer, depending on how one chooses to explain.

For always, society has shaped individuals to answer the question based on their family ties and societal status. While that has been the truth before, people today prefer to shape their own identity for who they are, as an individual. Doing so has been easier for some and unnecessarily hard for others; particularly those who do not identify with the heterosexual, binary division of the society.

Although the Nepali society is not new to the idea of different sexual orientations, social acceptance of anyone who identifies beyond the binary gender division is hard to find, say stakeholders.

Nepal has some progressive provisions for the people belonging to minority gender groups, but the lack of frameworks, rules and regulations, guidelines and their implementation coupled with the heterosexual norms make it hard for people to come out of the closet and have their identity.

However, some stakeholders working for them say they have some hopes that the upcoming national census, being held after 10 years, will give them some aid by letting people belonging to diverse sexual groups an opportunity to reveal and record their identity officially, albeit as others. This, they say, will help them claim their equal rights and access.

Hope for visibility

Nepal is gearing up for another decennial census in June 2021. This year, the government is all set to include the LGBTQIA+ community as they are, according to government officials.

Representational graphic

The director at the Statistics Department in the Central Bureau of Statistics, who is coordinating the census preparations, Dhundi Raj Lamichhane, says, In the last census, we had attempted to collect the data, but the number was so low and insignificant that it was not considered; the community itself had requested not to include the number. This time, in line with our constitution and the rights it provides, we have collaborated with the community to collect their number better and sensitively.

Lamichhane, however, explains the census will only record the collective number of the community as others. As this is the first time we are attempting to collect data on this scale, we (the government officials and the community) want the number so that we have a frame to work on. Based on the number we get in the census, we will further plan out a survey that gives a more detailed overview of the community.

But still, Pinky Gurung, the president of Blue Diamond Society, an NGO working for sexual minority groups, is hopeful that the new census will change the scenario for them and people from the community.

Whenever we knock on the doors of the government offices, we are asked to present the numbers, Gurung says, Because there has not been any survey that gives official data, they are not willing to hear our voices. With the census, we can expect that we will have answers now.

Hope for fundamental rights

Likewise, activists complain they were not given the right guaranteed by the constitution because their number was not known.

The Constitution of Nepal promulgated in 2015 protects the fundamental rights of every Nepali citizen regardless of their sex, gender, religion, caste, creed and economic or social status. The constitution, for the first time, also accepted sexual minorities and guarded their fundamental rights the same as others, but not in practice.

The community is still struggling to get job opportunities. Despite their academic prowess, the LGBTIQIA+ population has no presence in government offices or private sectors, says Anuj Petter Rai, an LGBTQIA+ activist, Neither are they included in plans and policies, not in budget and reservation schemes. People within and outside the community still feel like menial jobs or sex work or fashion are the only options.

Gurung and Rai, who are celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility today, are both in favour to include the collective number as they think it will give them the edge they need. This time, we want the number even if it is low. Whatever the number is, we will have the much-needed official database to advocate our rights, Rai says, The census has been the base for all government plans and policies. So, this census can help us as well.

Hope against stigma

Photo: Pexels/ Francesco Ungaro

Lamichhane in the CBS says the reason why the number of LGBTQIA+ community has not been counted in the past was because the community had not been forthcoming.

Before this, we had to call upon them and insist on participating actively in any programme. In society, it is easier for people to identify transgender people, but people who identify as lesbian or gay are rather hard to recognise. Hence, the evaluation has never been accurate.

Admitting this, Rai says, People from the community are open on social media and among their close friends. But, when it comes to family or society, they are not so open. It has been difficult for them to admit their sexuality in public, and it has been difficult to collect data.

To curb this problem, Gurung and Rai held several meetings and workshops with Mitini Nepal and Inclusive Forum and, in collaboration, trained all tiers of census officials to sensitise them regarding the community, how to ask questions, what locals refer the community as, so to get more accurate data in the census.

We will be collecting the data in two phases the first, the people will fill citizen form (from May 9 to 28) and in the second phase, they will fill the house owner form (from June 8 to 22), Lamichhane further explains adding that the census will be held according to Population Census Operation Manual, 2021, and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Manual.

Many from our community are house owners, and because of this, we are expecting that the number will be significant this year, Rai says, Even if the number comes just 500 or so, we are committed to advocate for their rights as per our constitution. We will have the base to argue that those 500 need a space in the government offices as well as their plans and policies.

Meanwhile, Gurung informs the activists, on their part, to make this census a success, have made some audio and visual public service announcements (PSAs), pamphlets, booklets, and posters to make their community and others aware of the issues. Radio Nepal and Nepal Television have already started broadcasting such PSAs starting this week.

Meanwhile, Rai adds that to make this years census more sensitive and accurate, 176 people from the community have also applied to work as field officers.

But, Rai realises the census is just a means and not an end. It will certainly give us the boost we have been seeking. But, social norms and family pressure will continue to bind people, he says, Many are still struggling to come out to their families, fearing abandonment; many might not even accept their sexual orientation in the census count. But, we are hoping that this will certainly help them in the process.
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.

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New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shot off letters to leaders of opposition parties highlighting the "assaults" by the BJP on democracy and federal structure of India.

Just ahead of the scheduled second phase of elections in the state, CM Banerjee's letter seeks to drum up support from opposition leaders by pointing out how the non-BJP ruled states are suffering due to the actions of the Centre.

"I am writing this letter to you, and to several leaders of non-BJP parties, to convey my serious concerns over a series of assaults by the BJP and its government at the Centre on democracy and constitutional federalism in India," she said.

Banerjee wrote letters to leaders inclusing Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, Arvind Kejriwal, Naveen Patnaik.

Mamata Banerjee writes to leaders incl Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, Arvind Kejriwal, Naveen Patnaik stating, "I strongly believe that the time has come for a united & effective struggle against BJP's attacks on democracy & Constitution" pic.twitter.com/OLp7tDm9pU  ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

She stated, "I strongly believe that the time has come for a united and effective struggle against BJP's attacks on democracy and Constitution."

Mamata attacked the Centre on the passage of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill by the two Houses of Parliament, calling it an "extremely grave" development.

"With this law, the BJP government at the Centre has snatched away practically all the powers of the democratically elected government of Delhi, and vested them in the hands of the Lt Governor, a nominee of the Centre. The Lt Governor has been made the undeclared Viceroy of Delhi, acting as a proxy for the home minister and the prime minister," she said.
Sulayman Junkung Sawaneh, a Gambian philanthropist based in Denmark recently made series of donations to four health facilities in the Lower River and Central River Regions respectively.

The beneficiary health facilities include: Kiang Karantaba, Pakaliba, Brikamaba and Janjangbureh Health Centers. Each Health facility received a refrigerator and 28 inches flat screen.

Born in Njaba Kunda in the North Bank Region, Sawaneh in the past has been supporting the country's key institutions especially the health sector.

Presenting the items on behalf of the donor, Lamin B. Darboe, a Gambian friend said the donor, Sulayman Junkung Sawaneh is synonymous to supporting key institutions in the country.

He recalled thatin the past 20 years, Sawaneh has supported many institutions, notably; health facilities, Department of Prison Services, Home for Elderly at Bakoteh, among other sectors.

Mr. Darboe appealed to the recipients to take good care of the items, saying the donor has the interest of Gambia at heart and that this is why he is doing this kind gesture.

"Mr. Sawaneh is spending his own money to purchase these items for Gambia because he wants Gambians to live in a better life."

At a handing over ceremony held at Kiang Karantaba Health Center, Officer -In-Chief at the health center, Modou Lamin Jaiteh commended the donor for what he described as 'worthy and timely.'

Jaiteh revealed that Kiang Karantaba Health Center needs more help as it is the only biggest government health center within Kiang West and rest of the Kiang in general.

He thus appealed to the donor and other Gambians outside the country more particularly the citizens of Kiang to come to the aid of the health center with medicaments.

"We are appreciative of the donation and we promised that the items will be put into good use and let me commend you (Lamin B. Darboe) for spearheading this historic donation in your own area."

Bambo Fatou Kambi, a native of Kiang Karantaba on behalf of his community, hailed the donor for the gesture, further explaining that the entire villageis appreciative of the humanitarian gesture.

Officers-In-Charge Pakaliba and Brikamaba Health Centers, Buba Jobe and Ousainou Gomez both described the donation as 'timely and worthy', assuring that the items would be care of to serve its purpose.
Lie No. 13: The Chinese government sends children of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang to boarding schools and "forces" them to be separated from their parents.

Fact check: Xinjiang is a vast region with long distances between villages and towns, and it is not convenient for some students to go to school, making it hard to ensure their study quality. Parents have a heavy burden to transport their children to and from schools. To solve this problem, Xinjiang built 400 primary and secondary boarding schools in the 1980s. Boarding education has become an effective measure to accelerate education modernization and aid targeted poverty alleviation in Xinjiang. The boarding school model is supported by parents of students of all ethnic groups.

Lie No. 14: Schools in Xinjiang replace ethnic languages with Chinese to "brainwash" the students. Xinjiang has banned ethnic minority students from using their own languages and closed schools of the Uygur language.

Fact check: While promoting education in the Chinese language, Xinjiang also offers courses in the spoken and written languages of ethnic minority groups in accordance with the national curriculum plan for primary and secondary schools. This safeguards the right of students from ethnic minority groups to learn their own spoken and written languages. It also effectively promotes the inheritance and development of ethnic minority languages and cultures.

-- Primary and secondary education in Xinjiang is conducted in seven languages, preschools and primary and secondary schools across Xinjiang provide bilingual education in the national standard spoken and written language, as well as one ethnic language.

Lie No. 15: Xinjiang suppresses ethnic minorities under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

Fact check: From 1990 to 2016, ethnic separatists, religious extremists, and violent terrorists plotted and conducted several thousand violent terrorist acts. They killed many innocent civilians and several hundred police officers and caused immeasurable property losses. These terrorist activities inflicted untold suffering on the people of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

-- In the face of a complicated counter-terrorism situation and the demands from people of all ethnic groups to stop terrorism, Xinjiang has taken a series of active measures. Responding to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and other counter-terrorism resolutions, Xinjiang has upheld the principle of not linking terrorism with any particular region, ethnic group, or religion. It acted within the law to crack down on violence and terrorist activities that violate human rights, endanger public security, undermine ethnic unity, and aim at separating the country.

Since 2014, a total of 1,588 violent and terrorist groups have been taken out, 12,995 violent terrorists arrested, and 2,052 explosive devices seized. Such operations have effectively curbed the infiltration of extremism, significantly improved public security, and protected the right to life, right to health, right to development, and other basic rights of people of all ethnic groups. Xinjiang has reported no violent terrorist cases for more than four consecutive years.

Lie No. 16: The "fanghuiju" campaign, in which civil servants are dispatched to grass-roots communities to offer help to people of various ethnic groups, as well as the "ethnic unity campaign" and solidarity activities among cadres and people of different ethnic groups, are all adopted by Xinjiang with the aim of intervening in and monitoring Uygur families.

Fact check: Xinjiang has been carrying out the "ethnic unity campaign" and solidarity activities among cadres and people of different ethnic groups since 2016. More than 1.1 million cadres and workers of different ethnic groups have paired up with 1.6 million people of different ethnic groups and made friends with each other.

-- According to statistics, cadres and workers participating in the "ethnic unity campaign" and other solidarity activities have donated 940 million yuan and more than 49 million material items to the grass-roots people, accomplishing some 18 million deeds that benefit locals.

[ Editor: JYZ ]
Dominic Raab has announced that the UK will cut aid to Syria by one-third, telling a United Nations donor conference that the government would pledge only 205m to help the country this year, down from the 300m promised in 2020.

The UK ultimately gave 400m to Syria last year, meaning that, if no further funds are forthcoming from Whitehall, the decrease will actually be closer to 50 per cent.

Mr Raab acknowledged that the Middle Eastern state and its neighbours were under even greater pressure because of the coronavirus pandemic but said Britain had paid out 3.5bn in support of Syrian refugees since 2012 and had had to revise its own priorities in light of Covid-19.

The US, EU and Germany are customarily the biggest donors to the country and likewise beset by the impact of the virus on their economies, but none of the three announced cuts to their contributions, with Mr Raabs Berlin counterpart, Heiko Maas, pledging 480m and the same again in 2022.

Under Bashar al-Assads leadership, an estimated 90 per cent of the Syrian population are now living in poverty, according to the humanitarian organisation Syria Relief, with 12.4m people suffering from food insecurity and 12.2m lacking regular access to clean water.

Read more:

Mr Assad faces a presidential election this year that few of the speakers at the UN conference were optimistic would be conducted fairly.

For 10 years, Syrians have endured death, destruction, displacement and deprivation and things are getting worse, not better, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said at the video summit, making an appeal for generosity as the body sought to pull together 7.3bn to help the country and its refugees dispersed in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.

Mr Raabs announcement provoked a negative response from international aid agencies at home and abroad.

Cutting funding by almost a third is a devastating blow to the millions of Syrians who fled their homes and had their lives torn apart by 10 years of conflict, said Oxfams head of policy and advocacy, Sam Nadel.

While the violence may have subsided, millions of people are still struggling to survive within Syria and across the region. Aid is needed now more than ever as the pandemic, rising food prices and failing economies have made their lives even more difficult.

Dominic Raab made the announcement at a UN summit (AP)

Kevin Watkins, chief executive of Save the Children UK, said the cut was smaller than we had feared, but still disastrous for Syrias children.

The reduction will have a catastrophic impact, he added. It could mean nearly half a million children missing out on education and more than a hundred thousand mothers and children going hungry. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Syria Relief, leading a collective of 10 like-minded organisations, said the decision to slash the aid budget will put lives at risk.

This decision risks the lives of 210,000 Syrians who rely on UK aid for food every month, as well as the 100,000 Syrian refugees in the region who depend on UK aid for clean water and sanitation.

Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said the fresh round of funding was urgently needed, a decade into this crisis that has been left to fester by world powers.

But he too branded the UKs cut disappointing and warned: The international community has failed to exert its influence to stop Syrias warring parties from using civilians as pawns on a chessboard. Stepping up the aid is the least they can do to help Syrians survive and recover.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 27 May 2021 A man waits to receive a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, in the rooms of the Claudia Comte exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Castello di Rivoli near Turin AFP/Getty World news in pictures 26 May 2021 A girl, with her face painted with the colours of the opposition flag, looks on during a demonstration against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and presidential elections, in the opposition-held Idlib, Syria Reuters World news in pictures 25 May 2021 A Buddhist monk climbs atop a giant statue of Buddha, to wash and decorate on the eve of Buddha Purnima, a holiday traditionally celebrated for Buddha's birthday also known as Vesak celebrations, in Bhopal AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 May 2021 Lava from the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo cuts through Buhene north of Goma, Congo AP World news in pictures 23 May 2021 Cyclists at the start of the 15th stage of the Giro dItalia, a 147km race between Grado and Gorizia AFP/Getty World news in pictures 22 May 2021 Swiss Guards take their position prior to the arrival of the European Commission President at San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican for a private audience with the Pope AFP/Getty World news in pictures 21 May 2021 A dog that has been trained to sniff out the coronavirus disease, screens a sweat sample at Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters World news in pictures 20 May 2021 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr in action during a F1 practice session at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo Reuters World news in pictures 18 May 2021 Horse-drawn carriages drive through the mudflats near Cuxhaven, northern Germany dpa via AP World news in pictures 17 May 2021 Kanoya Onishi in action during the Cycling BMX Free Style of Tokyo 2020 Olympics test event at Ariake Urban Sports Park in Japan EPA World news in pictures 16 May 2021 Rescuers carry Suzy Eshkuntana, 6, as they pull her from the rubble of a building at the site of Israeli air strikes, in Gaza City Reuters World news in pictures 15 May 2021 A ball of fire erupts from the Jala Tower as it is destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city AFP/Getty World news in pictures 14 May 2021 Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers inside the Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh AP World news in pictures 13 May 2021 Muslim girls ride on a mini train after attending the Eid Al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 May 2021 Israeli artillery fire as the escalation continues between Israeli army and Hamas at the Gaza Border EPA World news in pictures 11 May 2021 Maya Nakanishi competes in the womens long jump - T64 category during a para-athletics test event for the 2020 Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo AFP/Getty World news in pictures 10 May 2021 A Palestinian man helps a wounded fellow protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque compound, ahead of a planned march to commemorate Israels takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War AFP/Getty World news in pictures 9 May 2021 Falconer Giovanna Piccolo performs with her Eurasian eagle-owl at 'Roma World' theme park, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Rome Reuters World news in pictures 8 May 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) is introduced as a starter against the St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena. USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 6 May 2021 Buddhist monks and believers attend a lantern parade in celebration of the upcoming birthday of Buddha at a temple in Seoul, South Korea Reuters World news in pictures 5 May 2021 Russian MiG-29 jet fighters of the Strizhi (Swifts) and Su-30SM jet fighters of the Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic teams fly in formation over the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin in Moscow during a flypast rehearsal for the WWII Victory Parade AFP/Getty World news in pictures 4 May 2021 An elevated metro line collapsed in the Mexican capital on Monday, leaving at least 23 people dead and dozens injured as a train came plunging down, authorities said AFP/Getty World news in pictures 3 May 2021 Lightning bolts strike buildings during a thunderstorm in Bangkok AFP/Getty World news in pictures 2 May 2021 Samaritan worshippers arrive to take part in a Passover ceremony on top of Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus AFP/Getty World news in pictures 1 May 2021 A Gilet Jaune, or yellow vest, protestor stands in front of a burning barricade holding his hand up with an inscription calling for President Macron to resign as May Day Protest turn violent near Place de la Republique in Paris, France Getty World news in pictures 30 April 2021 A demonstrator from the Rio de Paz human rights activist group digs a symbolic grave in front of rows of bags symbolising bodybags on Copacabana beach, during a protest against the Brazilian governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, in Rio de Janeiro AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 April 2021 An aerial picture shows dead carp fish flushed to the shores of al-Qaraoun reservoir in Lebanons Western Beqaa District in the countrys east. Tonnes of fish have washed up dead on the shoreline of the highly polluted artificial reservoir in eastern Lebanon in recent days AFP/Getty World news in pictures 28 April 2021 Health workers wearing PPE attends to coronavirus patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care centre in New Delhi AFP/Getty World news in pictures 27 April 2021 The full moon, known as the Super Pink Moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City, Reuters World news in pictures 26 April 2021 Balinese people lay wreaths with names of the crew on board the sunk Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala during a prayer at the sea near Labuhan Lalang, Bali, Indonesia EPA World news in pictures 25 April 2021 An Ethiopian Orthodox Christian worshipper walks around the Edicule, the place believed to be where Jesus Christ was buried, during Palm Sunday celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 April 2021 Fans of Wuhan Three Towns FC cheer for their team during the 1st round match Wuhan Three Towns FC and Beijing Institute of Technology FC during Chinese Football League One in Wuhan, China Getty World news in pictures 23 April 2021 A girl prays in front of the Dome of the Rock, in the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalems Old City, on the second Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, as coronavirus restrictions ease around the country, in Jerusalem Reuters World news in pictures 22 April 2021 People walk through the art work 'THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS' by Yayoi Kusama, during the press preview of a retrospective exhibition of the Japanese artist at the Martin Gropius Bau museum in Berlin, Germany AP World news in pictures 21 April 2021 Hungary's Sara Peter competes in the Women's floor qualifications during European Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the St Jakobshalle, in Basel AFP/Getty World news in pictures 20 April 2021 South Korea university students gets their heads shaved during a protest against Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, in front of the Japanese embassy, in Seoul Reuters World news in pictures 19 April 2021 A spectator wearing a football jersey of Argentina's forward Lionel Messi attends the ATP Barcelona Open tennis tournament singles match between Japan's Kei Nishikori and Argentina's Guido Pella at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona AFP/Getty World news in pictures 18 April 2021 People raise their fist during a demonstration near the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota AFP/Getty World news in pictures 17 April 2021 Security personnel stand guard outside a polling station during the 5th phase of West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections in Kolkata AFP/Getty World news in pictures 16 April 2021 Palestinians take part in the first Friday prayers of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty World news in pictures 15 April 2021 A firefighter inspects the site of a car bomb attack in Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 14 April 2021 This picture shows the 100 days countdown till the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games displayed on the illuminated Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo on April 14, 2021 AFP/Getty World news in pictures 13 April 2021 This photo taken and received courtesy of an anonymous source shows Buddhist monks gesturing while taking part in a demonstration with protesters against the military coup in Mandalay during the Myanmar New Year festival of Thingyan AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 April 2021 An Indian holi man during the Kumbh Mela royal bath (Sacred Hindu Pilgrimage) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Thousands of pilgrims are gathering and taking holy dip in Kumbh Mela that is a mass Hindu pilgrimage which occurs after every twelve years and rotates among four locations EPA World news in pictures 11 April 2021 Nasa released images of of sand dunes on Mars captured using infrared reflections NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU World news in pictures 10 April 2021 People watch devotees pulling a chariot in Biska Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal AP World news in pictures 9 April 2021 Maintenance workers clean the monument of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in Moscow on April 9, 2021. - Sixty years ago Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, marking it a new chapter in the history of space exploration. AFP/Getty World news in pictures 8 April 2021 Protesters hold a banner and burning red flares during a demonstration of called by unions of healthcare and social workers in support of their sector and to demand a bonus in their pay in Paris AFP/Getty World news in pictures 7 April 2021 Protesters laying on the street near the Election Commission office in Kolkata during a demonstration demanding the halt of the ongoing state legislative election and campaign rallies amidst the rising number of Covid-19 cases AFP/Getty World news in pictures 6 April 2021 Voters stand in queue to cast their votes at a polling booth during third phase of West Bengal state elections in Baruipur, South 24 Pargana district, India AP

Responding to the outcry, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) pointed out the extent of the UKs contribution since 2012 and said Syria amounted to its biggest commitment to a single humanitarian crisis.

The conflict in Syria is one of the greatest tragedies of our generation. The UK is proud of our role supporting millions of vulnerable Syrians with life-saving food, clean water, healthcare, education and livelihoods, the FCDO said.

Since the start of the Syria conflict, we have committed more than 3.7bn in aid, delivering 28 million food rations, 21 million medical consultations, as well as 10 million relief packages to those in Syria and refugee-hosting nations.

We are using our position at the UN Security Council to demand greater aid access in Syria, to drive support for the UN-led peace process and impose tough sanctions on Assad supporters.

The cut in support for Syria follows similar measures relating to Yemen. Boris Johnsons government has cut overall aid spending to 0.5 per cent of GDP, down from 0.7, as a result of coronavirus.
STUTTGART, Germany, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

End of an era: long-time Chairman Manfred Bischoff steps down from Supervisory Board

steps down from Supervisory Board New Supervisory Board members: Elizabeth Centoni , Ben van Beurden and Martin Brudermuller

, and Martin Brudermuller Dividend: shareholders approve 1.35 per share (2019: 0.90)

Representation: 57.21% of the share capital

Overwhelming majority: Annual Meeting approves management proposals

The Supervisory Board of Daimler AG (ticker symbol DAI) on Wednesday elected a new Chairman at its constituent meeting following the virtual regular Annual Meeting on the 2020 financial year. Bernd Pischetsrieder succeeds Manfred Bischoff, who is stepping down from the Supervisory Board at his own request after 14 years as Chairman. Bischoff's departure marks the end of an era. "It is fair to say that Manfred Bischoff has left his mark on a piece of German industrial history. This company is extremely well positioned for the future, and that is largely thanks to him," said Ola Kallenius in his speech at the virtual Annual Meeting. The Supervisory Board proposed Bernd Pischetsrieder as Bischoff's successor in December 2020.

After his successful management career, Manfred Bischoff was appointed to the Supervisory Board of DaimlerChrysler, and in 2007, he took over the chairman's role. He repeatedly helped the company to make groundbreaking strategic decisions, which helped pave the way for the return of the Mercedes-Benz brand to the top of the premium segment. In five decades of change, Bischoff was a pillar of support. To retain his services at the company he will be awarded the title of Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG.

The shareholders elected Elizabeth Centoni, Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager of Applications at Cisco Systems, Inc., Ben van Beurden, CEO Royal Dutch Shell plc, and Martin Brudermuller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, to the Supervisory Board by a large majority. They succeed Petraea Heynicke and Jurgen Hambrecht, who are also stepping down from the Supervisory Board along with Manfred Bischoff. The term of office of the newly elected members begins at the end of the Annual Meeting in 2021 and expires at the end of the Annual Meeting in 2025.

The shareholders approved the management's proposals with an overwhelming majority and resolved, among other things, to distribute a dividend of 1.35 per share for the past financial year (2019: 0.90). The total dividend payout amounts to 1.4 billion (2019: 1.0 billion). The dividend will be paid out on April 7, 2021  the third business day after the resolution of the Annual Meeting  to all shareholders who held shares in Daimler AG on March 31, 2021.

The actions of the members of the Board of Management were ratified by 97.94% of the share capital represented at the Annual Meeting and those of the Supervisory Board by 95.17%. The virtual Annual Meeting was followed by more than 4,000 viewers on the internet. A total of 57.21% of the share capital was represented.

The main results at a glance:

Dividend per share 1.35 Dividend payout 1.4 billion Ratification of Board of Management actions 97.94% Ratification of Supervisory Board actions 95.17% Share capital represented 57.21%

Further information on Daimler is available on the internet:

www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com

Daimler at a Glance

Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans, Daimler Trucks & Buses and Daimler Mobility divisions, the Group is one of the leading global suppliers of premium and luxury cars and one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles. Daimler Mobility offers financing, leasing, fleet management, investments and insurance brokerage, as well as innovative mobility services. The company founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history by inventing the automobile in 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler sees shaping the future of mobility in a safe and sustainable way as both a motivation and obligation. The company's focus therefore remains on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior vehicles that both captivate and inspire. Daimler continues to invest systematically in the development of efficient powertrains  from high-tech combustion engines and hybrid vehicles to all-electric powertrains with battery or fuel cell  with the goal of making locally emission-free driving possible in the long term. The company's efforts are also focused on the intelligent connectivity of its vehicles, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts as Daimler regards it as its aspiration and obligation to live up to its responsibility to society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly every country of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the world's most valuable luxury automotive brand (source: Interbrand study, 20 Oct. 2020), and Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-EQ and Mercedes me, its brand portfolio also includes commercial vehicle brands Mercedes-Benz Trucks Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses as well as the brands of Daimler Mobility: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Daimler Truck Financial and Athlon. The company is listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges (ticker symbol DAI). In 2020, the Group had a workforce of around 288,500 and sold 2.8 million vehicles. Group revenues amounted to 154.3 billion and Group EBIT to 6.6 billion.

SOURCE Daimler North America - Corporate Communications

Related Links

www.daimler.com


Tracing 25 to 30 contacts of each COVID-19 case, proper isolation and creating larger containment zones were among steps the Centre has asked states to adopt for tackling the surge in COVID-19 cases. Calling for a district-centric approach to fight the upward swing in cases, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said on Tuesday that each district, irrespective of whether it is seeing a surge or is with low burden, should formulate an action plan with clear timelines and responsibilities.

Bhushan said the virus can be contained by quarantining and testing individuals suspected to be COVID-19 positive as well as 25 to 30 close contacts of positive persons, isolating, quarantining and testing them. "Where there are clusters of cases, simply quarantining individuals or families will not help. In that case, larger containment zones with clear boundaries and stringent controls must be implemented," he said.

In a letter to all chief secretaries, Bhushan said COVID-appropriate behaviour must be enforced using the Police Act, or powers under the Disaster Management Act. The states have also been asked to map cases based on surveillance activities and focused testing in areas, reviewing sub-areawise indicators like case positivity rate, rate of growth of cases, case fatality, doubling rate of cases, on a real-time basis.

They have also been asked to review the proportion of Rapid Antigen Tests and RT-PCR tests. "All districts with high caseload and fast growth of cases must ensure saturation vaccination of priority age groups of 45 years and above in the coming two weeks," Bhushan said in the letter.

He said many districts in the country are seeing emergence of clusters of cases because of specific events and crowding, or where a large number of people are in close physical contact coupled with lack of COVID-appropriate behaviour. Efficient implementation of the 'Test Track and Treat' strategy remains the only proven strategy for controlling transmission, Bhushan said. The states were asked to identify localities and hospitals where deaths are high.

"Do an analysis (death analysis) to understand the system-related issues of why the death happened whether it was due to late detection (surveillance failure) or late admission in hospitals (delay in referral), or due to clinical care at hospitals (non-adherence to clinical management protocols, lack of oxygen lack of beds, non-transparent procedure of bed allocation). Such issues must be promptly redressed," he said.

Bhushan said some districts that saw a high number of cases in August-November are again seeing a high growth rate of cases. "Additionally, a number of new districts that saw a limited prevalence earlier are worryingly showing a surge in cases. States and UTs that currently have low levels of cases, however, cannot be complacent," the health secretary said.

He said a lack of COVID-appropriate behaviour and laxity in public health effort can lead to a sudden surge. "If immediate, proactive and focused action is taken by your teams right now, it will be possible to ensure that the infection does not spread into currently low prevalence districts," Bhushan told the chief secretaries.

Also read: India's COVID-19 situation turning from bad to worse: Centre
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Lithuania's court of appeals announced on Wednesday that Russian citizen Yury Mel's term of imprisonment in the 1991 riots case would be extended to 10 years, the Lithuanian radio reported

VILNIUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st March, 2021) Lithuania's court of appeals announced on Wednesday that Russian citizen Yury Mel's term of imprisonment in the 1991 riots case would be extended to 10 years, the Lithuanian radio reported.

Mel, a former Russian army officer, was detained in 2014 in Lithuania.

In March 2019 he and more than 60 other Russian citizens were found guilty of killings during the clashes that rocked Vilnius in January 1991 in the wake of the declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Mel was sentenced to seven years in prison. As the former officer was in detention in 2014, he was supposed to be freed this year. However, the Lithuanian prosecutor general's office demanded extending the prison term.
BROOKLYN, New York, Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - As part of its ongoing commitment to addressing the need for developing cybersecurity experts now nearing 3.5 million worldwide, the NYU Tandon School of Engineering has awarded the 2021 S&K Scholarships to four outstanding NYU Cyber Fellows.

In its inaugural year, the S&K Scholarship is supported by NYU Cyber Fellows Advisory Council member and Senior Fellow, Center for Cybersecurity, Omkhar Arasaratnam, and his wife, Sabrina, along with Google.

This year's S&K Scholarship recipients will receive an additional $500 tuition scholarship towards each course for the entire Cyber Fellows program -- already one of the most affordable master's degree programs in the country, thanks to scholarships of 75% from New York University.

"Today's information security workforce is more than 80% male and 68.5% white -- leaving a largely untapped diverse talent pool," said Arasaratnam. "The S&K Scholarship extends access to underrepresented groups to graduate STEM programs, increasing diversity in the cybersecurity workforce."

The S&K scholarship will be awarded each spring to select students exhibiting excellent academic standing and a demonstrated commitment to engaging with the cybersecurity community. It is especially appropriate that in Women's History Month so many of the recipients happen to be women-identifying students from underrepresented groups.

Congratulations to recipients Rebecca Diaz (Spring 2021 Cohort), Tina Ridley (Spring 2021 Cohort), Pamela Persaud (Fall 2020 Cohort), and Hanah Lavian (Fall 2020 Cohort).

Added Arasaratnam, "This initiative to help scale up the number of technical experts capable of protecting our personal lives, critical infrastructure, and national security, especially as the COVID pandemic has made the world increasingly more vulnerable to threats on technology-dependent lives."

"The technology behind online learning creates an opportunity like never before," explained Nasir Memon, Vice Dean of Student & Academic Affairs. "With financial support from Advisor and Industry Partners like Google we can quickly educate highly skilled computer scientists and continue to provide opportunities to groups that are often forgotten."

In addition to affordability and accessibility for women and underrepresented groups across the country, the NYU Tandon cyber programs seek to rapidly expand the talent pool by engaging with the NYU Cyber Fellows Advisory Council and promoting several professional education initiatives:

Industry Badges

Mastermind Mentors

Special Guest Speakers Series

Center for Cybersecurity - Independent Research

CSAW (Cyber Security Awareness Worldwide)

###

The current Cyber Fellows program is structured as a part-time curriculum to accommodate working professionals and is now also available full-time. For those without a background in computer science, NYU Tandon offers the NYU Tandon Bridge, which provides the foundation they need to apply to a rigorous master's degree program in cybersecurity - within 17-24 weeks and for just $1,850.

About NYU Tandon Online

NYU Tandon Online, the online learning unit of The NYU Tandon School of Engineering, provides platforms and best practices for graduate students, faculty, and strategic industry partners, and creates a flexible, affordable and accessible pathway to elite education for working professionals and people with non-traditional STEM backgrounds.

NYU Tandon dates to 1854, the founding date for both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. A January 2014 merger created a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences as part of a global university, with close connections to engineering programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. NYU Tandon is rooted in a vibrant tradition of entrepreneurship, intellectual curiosity, and innovative solutions to humanity's most pressing global challenges. Research at Tandon focuses on vital intersections between communications/IT, cybersecurity, and data science/AI/robotics systems and tools and critical areas of society that they influence, including emerging media, health, sustainability, and urban living. We believe diversity is integral to excellence, and are creating a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable environment for all of our students, faculty and staff. For more information, visit engineering.nyu.edu.
ROME, MAR 31 - Repeat offenders who are over the age of 70 will be allowed to obtain house arrest, the Constitutional Court ruled Wednesday. Up till now criminals who re-offended were precluded from getting house arrest, and had to stay in jail, even though they were over the age of 70. The top court's ruling changes Italian criminal law on this issue. (ANSA).
Privatisation-bound Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) on Wednesday said it has acquired partner OQ's entire stake in the Bina refinery project in Madhya Pradesh for Rs 2,400 crore.

signed a sales purchase agreement with OQ, formerly known as Oman Oil Company Ltd, to acquire its 36.6 per cent stake in Bharat Oman Refineries Limited, the company said in a statement.

With this, now has full control over BORL, which runs a 7.8 million tonnes per annum capacity at Bina in Madhya Pradesh.

"Bharat Oman Refineries Limited was incorporated in 1994 as a public limited company with equal equity participation of and OQ. Since March 2020, BPCL has been holding 63.4 per cent and OQ 36.6 per cent equity in the company. The Government of Madhya Pradesh has a minor stake in the company through compulsorily convertible warrants," the statement said.

For OQ's stake, BPCL will pay about Rs 2,400 crore, it said.

Commenting on the occasion, N. Vijayagopal, Director (Finance) of BPCL said, "With the acquisition of OQ's entire stake in BORL, BPCL will establish control over BORL. This is expected to bring immense advantages to both the in terms of synergies and optimization of returns and will facilitate any future expansion or diversification in Bina."



BPCL is India's second-largest oil marketing company, with refineries in Mumbai, Kochi and Bina having a combined capacity of around 37 million tonnes per annum.

Its distribution network comprises around 18,000 petrol pumps, 6,600 LPG distributorships, 52 LPG bottling plants, 58 aviation service stations, and 4 cross-country pipelines.

The government is selling its entire stake in BPCL.

(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.)
[March 31, 2021] NASA-Spinoff Tech Takes Odors From Air And Gives Back $20,000 To Help Shelter Pets In Need

URBANA, Ill., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Serionix, a small business located in Urbana, Illinois, donated $20,000 to the Champaign County Humane Society as part of their ongoing mission to support animals in need through the sale of their Colorfil air filters. Serionix developed air filters using their NASA-award winning Colorfil technology, which is now available direct-to-consumers for eliminating odors and chemicals in homes. As part of their mission, Serionix has collected $1 from every Colorfil filter purchased and, on Tuesday, March 30, Serionix presented a check to the Champaign County Humane Society in the amount of $20,000. The donation goes to hel animals in need of adoption--including feeding, sheltering, and providing them with necessary medical attention.



"As a company we are all about creating clean, safe, and welcoming living spaces for pets and their humans," said James Langer, President of Serionix. "This partnership has provided a great opportunity for us to take that commitment to another level by giving back and providing for pets in need." "We are so grateful for Serionix's support of CCHS," said Mary Tiefenbrunn, Executive Director of the Champaign County Humane Society. "It has been a tough year and they stuck with us. It means the world to us and to the pets in our care to have a local partner so deeply invested in supporting our mission."

With plans to expand operations and national marketing reach throughout 2021 and beyond, Serionix expects their impact to multiply many times over. Per Dr. Langer, "We joke about 'Answering The Call of Doody' but in all truth it's a joy and privilege to be doing our part--and we are enthralled to see our impact grow!" Learn more about Colorfil air filters at https://www.colorfil.com/ . About Serionix

Serionix is on mission to empower our customers to create clean, safe, and welcoming spaces with our NASA-award winning Colorfil air filter technology. Originally designed for spacesuits, Colorfil is now available as a direct-to-consumer product for eliminating odors and chemicals from homes. Based in Urbana, IL, and recently graduated from the University of Illinois Research Park, we work to delight customers nationwide by giving "a little extra" everywhere we can, including our continued commitment to help pets in need. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-spinoff-tech-takes-odors-from-air-and-gives-back-20-000-to-help-shelter-pets-in-need-301259767.html SOURCE Serionix

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Banned Chinese fashion and lifestyle e-commerce company Club Factory is planning to invoke force majeure to counter Indian and vendors that have approached courts to recover dues, according to an Economic Times report.

Cyfuture and Aegis, BPO which provided customer-care support to Club Factory, have filed separate cases against the Chinese factory in the Delhi High Court to recover a combined Rs 5 crore. In June 2020, India had banned several Chinese Club Factory is citing that decision as a situation beyond its control.

Several other Indian firms and vendors are unable to find a representative or office contacts for Club Factory to recover their dues.



For some months, Club Factory just kept saying they are processing our payments, said Sumit Patel of Surat-based Madeii Ecommerce, which sold watches and masks on the Chinese e-commerce site. Now even the vendors log-in on the site is not working and we have no way to contact them.

Cyfuture sent a legal notice to the companys office in Indian. Vendors have moved courts to recover dues from Club Factory, invoking an arbitration clause, and it was returned with remarks that the company had left India, according to legal documents.

Most of the officials of the respondent company have left the country and are proactively looking to evade any liability from its service providers, lawyers for Cyfuture said in court documents, according to a Delhi High Court order on March 17 while issuing notices to Futuretimes Technology India, the company that operated Club Factory in India.

Club Factory reported that it had surpassed 100 million monthly active users in India. 59 Chinese including TikTok, WeChat, and UCBrowser we blocked by India after a clash in the Galwan valley that left 20 Indian soldiers dead in June 2020.
One of New Orleans' premier social events and signature fundraising galas got even more exciting last weekend when Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson made a surprise $1 million donation.

During the virtual United Negro College Fund's Masked Mayor's Ball on March 27, Benson told 1,100 people that the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation will be giving the money to the fund, the country's largest minority education organization. She said Monday that the organization has made a "life-changing difference" for more than 500,000 people in the country.

+4 Will coronavirus change how New Orleans colleges, universities offer class forever? Some say yes. With coronavirus infections declining and vaccination numbers increasing, some New Orleans area colleges and universities are making plans to 

Also known as the United Fund, the philanthropic organization provides scholarships for Black students and 37 private historically Black colleges and universities.

"While this is an amazing achievement, there are still many more students in need of the programs and college scholarships UNCF helps provide," Benson said. "I am honored to make this contribution in support of this great organization and the students who will benefit from these scholarships in our community."

The fund's president and CEO, Michael Lomax, said the gift will be used to help minority students continue their studies. The fund said the next generation of students in need of assistance could become the country's future educators, scientists, physicians and more.

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"It will empower students in Louisiana who face financial challenges to remain on their path to obtain a college education," said Lomax, former president of Dillard University. "This substantial gift is much needed and will have a lasting impact on our students and their ability to succeed in life."

Fund officials said the organization supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 U.S. colleges and universities. In addition to providing direct scholarships, the fund administers more than 400 programs, including ones for internship, fellowship and mentoring.

It also operates summer enrichment and mentoring programs for students, and curriculum and development programs for faculty of historically Black colleges.

Xavier, Ochsner teaming on new graduate programs for technology-driven medical careers When the coronavirus hit Louisiana early and hard, the high death rate in many parishes laid bare what health care providers already knew: Lou

Last summer, the fund said many of the more than 5,000 students it surveyed in 40 states were facing problems exacerbated by the pandemic and the 2020 protests against police brutality and systemic racism. More than half reported financial instability as a result of the pandemic, and 37% reported a decline in mental well-being. Students also indicated that in-person learning was important to them, with 80% saying they preferred being on campus, in part because of lack of workspace and internet issues at home.

Benson and her late husband, Tom Benson, have donated considerable sums over the years, including $25 million to Ochsner Health System, which created the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at its main campus in Old Jefferson.

The Benson family has also heavily invested in local education. Millions of dollars have been routed through the foundation to Tulane University and Loyola University, as well as to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, Brother Martin High School and St. Mary's Dominican High School.
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The police in Lagos State have arraigned 60 suspected cultists using the new anti-cultism law recently passed by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state governor.

In a statement released by Muyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos police spokesperson, the suspected cultists were arrested at various points and communities in the state.

He said the suspects were taken to the Chief Magistrate Court, Yaba, on Wednesday.

They were arraigned before Adeola Adedayo, the magistrate, using the new Lagos State Anti Cultism Law, 2021.

The police prosecutors filed thirteen (13) count charge against the sixty suspects for various offences including Conspiracy, Murder, Cultism, Unlawful

Possession of Firearms and Breach of Public Peace under the new Lagos State Anti Cultism Law, 2021 and Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, Mr Adejobi said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the state governor signed the anti-cultism bill into law.

The law prescribes 21 years as jail term for suspects convicted for cultism and 15 years sentence for individuals abetting them.

Mr Adejobi added that the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had coordinated some raids and operations around the state, especially, in Ikorodu, where he went after cultists and hoodlums, who have been terrorising the entire state and bring them to book.

Mr Adejobi said the police boss described the new law as a blessing and catalyst to eradicate cultism in the state.

The law caters for many loopholes in the previous laws pertaining to cult-related matters in the state, Mr Odumosu said.

The police boss charged the Divisional Police Officers and commanders of operational units to be on their toes and make sure that the state is rid of cultism and other social vices since the command enjoys the enabling platform and framework to operate and discharge its duties as expected.
Several hundred people protested in front of the Cotroceni Palace on Tuesday evening, marching down from Victoriei Square, where they gathered to protest against the measures imposed by the authorities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to AGERPRES.

For the third day in a row, in Bucharest there were protests against the restrictions, with the participants initially gathering at the University Square, after which they marched to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, later heading to Victoriei Square, to continue the protest in front of the Government headquarters.

After about two hours, those present left for Cotroceni Palace on the route: Calea Victoriei - Regina Elisabeta Boulevard - Mihail Kogalniceanu Boulevard - Opera Square - Eroii Sanitari Boulevard.

The participants were flanked by gendarmes along the route.

For the most part without protective masks, protesters waved tricolor flags, chanted against the authorities and challenged restrictions.
In this 2019 photo, Tribal Councilor Joe Byrd, Cherokee Nation Tax Commissioner Mike Doublehead, Principal Chief Bill John Baker, Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden and CN Tax Commissioner Fan Robinson prepare for a group photo with Cherokee County public school superintendents on March 1 in Catoosa. The tribe gave $5.7 million of its motor vehicle revenue to public schools that year.
Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Ampion, an Australia-based provider of cyber security, DevOps and quality engineering services.



Ampion was formed through the merger of IT services providers Revolution IT and Shelde. Revolution IT was an IT services company in Australia founded in 2004 and Shelde was a digital IT security company founded in 2010 in Australia. The merged entity, Ampion is headquartered in Melbourne, with offices in Sydney, Brisbane, and a zone 3 facility in Canberra.



The Australian market is undergoing significant disruption through the adoption of cloud, DevOps, analytics and resilience related digital capabilities, across enterprises and public sector entities. Wipro and Ampions combined offerings, powered by engineering transformation, DevOps and security consulting services will bring scale and market agility to respond to the growing demands of customers.



Wipros new operating model emphasises strategic investments in focus geographies, proximity to customers, agility, scale and localisation. The acquisition of Ampion is an important step for Wipro in this direction, and strengthens the commitment towards clients and stakeholders in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Wipro has been present in the ANZ market for over two decades with deep client relationships across industry sectors and localised domain and delivery capabilities. Today, Wipro is well known for its differentiated technology solutions, and has also been recognized as a Top Employer in Australia for two consecutive years.



I am excited to welcome Ampion to the Wipro family. Ampion has a successful track record and enjoys immense credibility with leading enterprises in the region, a collaborative work culture, and significant local subject matter expertise. We see Ampion as a complementary force that will help us expand our footprint and accelerate our journey in the Asia Pacific region, said N.S. Bala, CEO  APMEA, Wipro Limited.



Our clients, employees and the entire market ecosystem will tremendously benefit from the synergies of Ampion and Wipros combined portfolio of transformation offerings, said Jamie Duffield, CEO, Ampion. We believe that Ampions experience, talent, capabilities and proven client credentials in ANZ, coupled with Wipros global scale, leadership in technology, and a deep understanding of domain and delivery, will make us a truly formidable team. We are pleased to become a part of Wipro and look forward to an exciting journey together.



The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the quarter ending June 30, 2021
Delatfin Investments (Pvt) Ltd, a company owned by alleged land baron Felix Munyaradzi, has been given seven days to pay outstanding taxes of more than US$12 million, before the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority takes the required action to get its money. The latest developments come after Munyaradzi, who was arrested last week on charges of attempting to defeat the course of justice and interfering with a State witness, was facing fresh allegations of evading US$14 million in taxes after a whistleblower who had reported him to Zimra.

The whistleblower alleges that Deltafin had since 2013 been using complex arrangement to avoid paying tax, largely through curious payment methods for stands on its Sandton estate near Westgate, selling land in exchange for motor vehicles and then swapping these for cattle.

Munyaradzi is already remanded on bail over these Sandton land deals, and is now in further trouble over the missing tax payments. Zimra has since written a letter of final demand to the company summarising the outstanding and long overdue tax obligations.

According to Zimra, Delatifin owes US$1 266 563 95 in VAT, US$8 345 499 60 in PAYE and its own income tax of US$2 726 228 19, a total of US$12 338 291,74. The VAT is collected from customers, and is supposed to be promptly forwarded to Zimra.

PAYE is deducted from workers salaries and again is supposed to be forwarded straight to Zimra. In both cases Deltafin was just the collection agent.

The income tax comes out of Deltafins profits and is supposed to paid in four instalments during the year as the profits are made.

I hereby advise you to pay the above overdue amounts within seven days from the date of receipt of this letter, failure of which recovery measures will be instituted against you without any further communication from this office, reads part of the letter from Zimra signed by Mr T. Chipandu, for regional manager  medium clients office  region one.

Your cooperation on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

The letters reference number is 200045850. Munyaradzi was first arrested last year on allegations of duping stand seekers in the Sandton area near Westgate in Harare, but was released on bail.

He is also being accused of obstructing the course of justice and interfering with witnesses in a case in which police Commissioner Erasmus Makodza was arrested and charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer. The anonymous whistleblower wrote to Zimra, Office of the President and Cabinet, Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit suggesting they investigate Munyaradzi through his company Delatfin Investments (Pvt) Ltd for tax evasion and deliberate non-payment of outstanding taxes from 2013 to 2018. Herald
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference being held in the Hyatt Regency on February 26, 2021 in Orlando, Florida (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Congressman Matt Gaetz has fiercely denied allegations of sexual misconduct against him and claimed instead they are part of a $25 million organised crime extortion plot.

The Republican lawmaker is being investigated by the Justice Department over the nature of his relationship with a 17-year-old girl and whether he paid for her to travel with him, according to theNew York Times.

Mr Gaetz, 38, told Axios that the details of the allegations are unclear and strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The allegations against me are as searing as they are false, Mr Gaetz said in a 13-minute phone interview with Axios.

I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalise my sexual conduct, you know, when I was a single guy.

Read more:

And he added: The allegations of sexual misconduct against me are false.

They are rooted in an extortion effort against my family for $25 million  in exchange for making this case go away.

No charges have been brought against Mr Gaetz.

The New York Times reported that the investigation stemmed from an existing investigation into one of Mr Gaetzs political allies, Joel Greenberg.

He was indicted last summer on charges including sex trafficking of a child, according to the newspaper.

The pro-Trump Florida politician then took to Twitter to again deny any claims against him, and to describe the extortion scheme in more detail.

Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organised criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name, he tweeted.

We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter and my father has even been wearing a wire at the FBIs direction to catch these criminals.

Story continues

The planted leak to the FBI tonight was intended to thwart that investigation.

No part of the allegations against me are true, and the people pushing these lies are targets of the ongoing extortion investigation.

I demand the DOJ immediately release the tapes, made at their direction, which implicate their former colleague in crimes against me based on false allegations.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Mr Gaetz told Axios that he and his father had been working with the FBI in the Northern District of Florida on the extortion case.

He added that his lawyers had been told by the DOJ that I was not a target but a subject of an investigation regarding sexual conduct with women.

When asked what the investigation could be into, Mr Gaetz replied: I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women Ive dated.

You know, Ive paid for flights, for hotel rooms. Ive been, you know, generous as a partner. I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.

And he told Axios that he was absolutely confident that none of the women he had dated were minors.

Mr Gaetz told the New York Post that he became aware of the investigation after two of his ex-girlfriends were contacted by authorities.

They were asked why I had given them plane tickets, money, and other interactions. They were in their 20s, he said.

Mr Gaetz got engaged last December to Ginger Luckey, the sister of Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey.

The Justice Department has declined to comment.
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Bryce Ruthven left Beck Zemek in tears after he kissed her without her permission during Tuesday's episode of Married At First Sight.

And on Wednesday, business manager Beck, 27, said she felt 'violated' and 'harassed' by the incident and claimed production had to be shut down the following day.

She told 2Day FM's The Morning Crew with Hughesy, Ed and Erin: 'I felt violated. It was one of those moments you'd bring the contract up and see what your rights are because I didn't sign up for this.'

'I felt violated': Married At First Sight's Beck Zemek has revealed production was shut down after Bryce Ruthven kissed her without her consent, in scenes that aired on Tuesday's episode

'We shut production down from this the next day. It was mentally mind-draining for me,' she added.

Beck admitted it was really difficult for her to re-watch the kiss on Tuesday night.

'It's harassment. I think you learn to keep your hands to yourself when you're in your first year of school... It was really hard for me to watch last night,' she said.

Kiss of death: After sarcastically crowning Beck 'the queen' of this year's season, Bryce leant down and kissed her cheek without her permission

Rebecca also told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday she'd asked producers to kick Bryce out of the experiment following the incident.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.

Bryce left Beck in floods of tears after he planted an unwanted kiss on her cheek during Tuesday's episode.

Incident: The Perth business manager, 27, told 2Day FM's The Morning Crew on Wednesday, 'I felt violated. It was one of those moments you'd bring the contract up and see what your rights are because I didn't sign up for this.' Pictured: Bryce Ruthven and his 'wife' Melissa Rawson

After sarcastically crowning her 'the queen' of this year's season, the radio announcer leant down and kissed her cheek.

The incident happened at a group pizza party during the couples' retreat, after fellow groom Liam Cooper urged Bryce to apologise for his bad behaviour.

After the unwanted kiss, she screamed: 'Don't... F**k! Yuck! That's disgusting!'

'Don't... F**k! That's disgusting!' Bryce left Beck in floods of tears after he planted an unwanted kiss on her cheek during Tuesday's episode. She was then comforted by the other brides

The other participants then reprimanded Bryce for disrespecting Beck's boundaries.

But Bryce wasn't remorseful at all, and insisted it was simply 'a kiss to say sorry' and accused Beck of shedding 'fake tears'.

Married At First Sight continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine
At least 15 Mexican soldiers were held captive for hours by some 300 residents of a remote area of the Mexico-Guatemala border after one of the soldiers shot and killed a citizen at a checkpoint.

Mexican Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said on Tuesday that the incident is a flawed reaction from Mexico's military personnel.

The said personnel fired on a vehicle that was turning away from a checkpoint, according to a Connecticut Post report.

The soldiers that were seized were later on released after Mexican officials agreed to economic reparations and legal proceedings against those who were responsible for the death of the Guatemalan citizen.

Guatemala's Foreign Affairs Ministry identified the victims as Elvin Mazariegos. Mazariegos was a Guatemalan citizen living in the Mexican border of the Mazada de Madero.

"We demand Mexican authorities clear up the crimes committed against our countrymen to give them justice and so that these condemnable acts are not repeated," Guatemala Foreign Affairs Minister Pedro Brolo tweeted.

Sandoval denied claims that some of the soldiers were taken into the Guatemalan area.

Guatemala army spokesman, on the other hand, confirmed it.

The Guatemalan government also released photos of Mexican soldiers with Guatemalan police, who were said to be there to guarantee their safety.

READ NEXT: 4 Mexican Cops Charged With Salvadoran Woman's Death in Mexico

The Incident

The victim's vehicle went into reverse after approaching the checkpoint. One soldier had opened fire, according to The Guardian report.

Sandoval said that the soldiers tried to treat the wounded person. However, he died. Soldiers then detained the vehicle.

After that, about 300 area residents arrived and demanded justice.

Sandoval said that they attacked the personnel verbally and with rocks and sticks. At this time, the soldiers and their vehicles were seized, including their guns.

Holding security forces captive is not uncommon in remote Indigenous communities where residents feel they have little other options, according to an ABC News Go report.

Mexican military commanders negotiated with residents, and nine soldiers were released by 5 p.m.

Sandoval said that the other six with their vehicles and weapons were taken to a farther area but did not cross the Guatemala border.

Guatemala army spokesman Ruben Tellez said that the negotiations were successful, and at 3:20 a.m. The six soldiers and their weapons were turned over to Mexican authorities, which was done at the border between Guatemala and Mexico.

This incident took place two days after local police in the Mexican Caribbean resort town of Tulum was involved in the killing of a Salvadoran woman while trying to arrest her in a case that brings similarity from the case of George Floyd in the U.S.

Mexican prosecutors involved in the case of the Salvadoran woman said that an autopsy showed the police had broken the woman's neck and would be charged with femicide.

A footage was released on social media, wherein a female police officer knelt on Victoria Salazar's back while she was being restrained.

Three other officers are seen standing around her body.

READ MORE: Cases of Femicide in Mexico Continue to Increase

WATCH: Mexico migrant killings: Guatemalan families mourn the dead - from Al Jazeera English




WASHINGTON - Major, one of President Joe Biden's two German shepherds, was involved in another biting incident at the White House this week, his second in less than a month, the White House said Tuesday.

The incident involved a National Park Service employee on the South Lawn on Monday afternoon, according to CNN, which first reported the story.

"Major is still adjusting to his new surroundings and he nipped someone while on a walk," Michael LaRosa, press secretary for first lady Jill Biden, said in a statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, the individual was seen by [the White House Medical Unit] and then returned to work without injury."

It's not the first time Major has gotten negative press since Biden's election, despite the much-heralded return of dogs to the White House after a drought of presidential canine companionship during the Trump administration.

In November, Biden slipped while playing with Major and injured his foot, necessitating the temporary use of a walking boot.

Earlier this month, Major, who is about 3 years old, reportedly nipped at a Secret Service agent's hand at the White House. The bite didn't break the agent's skin, and there was no bleeding, according to a White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a sensitive subject.

Major returned to Biden's home in Delaware for a brief time after the first biting incident, and as his absence was noticed, questions arose about what would become of the German shepherd.

The White House was initially silent on the biting incident but later offered a partial explanation - the equivalent of saying Major was taking time away from official duties to spend time with family.

"With the first lady traveling for three days, Champ and Major went to Delaware to stay with family friends," LaRosa said then.

A fuller explanation came a short time later, when White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about it at a news briefing and responded with what appeared to be a prepared statement, defusing the darkest theories about the pet's fate.

"Champ and Major, the president and first lady's dogs, are members of the family and still getting acclimated and accustomed to their new surroundings and new people," Psaki said then, reading from her notes.

Major, she added, had been "surprised by an unfamiliar person and reacted in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual."

The Bidens adopted Major in 2018 from the Delaware Humane Society. A photo from the society showed the man who would become 46th president of United States holding a leashed puppy in his hand beneath the humane society's symbol: a human hand reaching out to an animal's paw. In another picture, Biden showed Major a picture of himself as a younger pup.

Major was one of a half-dozen puppies brought to the rescue agency after they came into contact with something toxic into their home, according to the society. The puppies' owners couldn't afford veterinary care and surrendered the animals to the humane society, which posted about the German shepherd.

Biden said in an interview with ABC News earlier this month that Major was receiving more training after the initial biting incident. He chalked up the episode to the dog trying to protect his family and denied that Major had been "banished" to Delaware.

"You turn a corner, and there's two people you don't know at all. And (Major) moves to protect," said Biden. "But he's a sweet dog. Eighty-five percent of the people there love him. He just - all he does is lick them and wag his tail. But . . . I realize some people, understandably, are afraid of dogs to begin with."

Champ, the president and first lady's other German shepherd, is older and so far has not generated any biting-related headlines.
The Reserve Bank has said the average base rate that's charged by NBFC-MFIs from borrowers for the next quarter will be 7.81 per cent. The RBI advises NBFC-MFIs on the average of the base rates of the five largest commercial banks on the last working day of every quarter.

"The Reserve Bank of India has today communicated that the applicable average base rate to be charged by Non-Banking Financial Company - Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs) to their borrowers for the quarter beginning April 1, 2021, will be 7.81 per cent," the central bank said in a statement.

The RBI has increased its scrutiny over NBFCs in the last two years. Recent developments of the failure of NBFCs and growing need to keep them resilient by reining them in, improving their governance standards and also fool-proofing their risk management have prompted the RBI to come up with measures to give them sufficient flexibility to operate and grow.

Also read: RBI releases discussion paper for NBFCs, proposes tighter norms, multilayer structure

The RBI, in its discussion paper released in January, proposed tighter norms for large NBFCs and the creation of a multilayer structure to categorise the industry players. It also sets out a slew of policy measures to conserve capital among banks and NBFCs through regulatory initiatives.

As part of this, large NBFCs and urban cooperative banks(UCBs) will have to submit a risk-based internal audit and harmonised guidelines for appointing statutory auditors for commercial banks, UCBs and NBFCs to improve the quality of financial reporting.

Also Read: Small finance banks' branches concentrated in urban, semi-urban areas; NPA ratio moderate: RBI paper

Also Read: Economic recovery in FY22 to be V (vaccine)-shaped: RBI
Paducah Man Charged with Sexual Abuse

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MAYFIELD - A Paducah man is facing sexual abuse charges in Graves County.The Mayfield Police Department said detectives received a report on Feb. 5 that 23-year-old Andrew McClure had possibly sexually abused a juvenile approximately three years ago. During the investigation, detectives were able to substantiate the claims.Detectives also said McClure admitted sending an obscene photo to the victim around the same time as the abuse.Kentucky State Police arrested McClure late last week on charges of 1st degree sexual abuse - victim under 12 years of age and distributing obscene matter to a minor.He was lodged in the Graves County Jail.
Millions of fans expressed their support for BLACKPINK's Jisoo and her upcoming drama "Snowdrop" after the show gained criticism regarding historical distortion.

It came after JTBC released a new statement addressing the allegation surrounding the romance drama.

JTBC Once again Spoke out on the "Snowdrop" Controversy

In a lengthy statement, the broadcasting network reiterated that the forthcoming show "is not a drama that deals with the pro-democracy movement."

Furthermore, the management explained that "Snowdrop" is a "fictional story" set under the "political situation surrounding the 1987 presidential elections."

As for the accusation that the new drama is romanticizing North Korean spies, JTBC explained that the

In their statement, they explained that the main characters, who are a North Korean spy and an NSP agent, "are not characters who represent their respective government and organization," but rather, these roles "highlight a critical viewpoint on the NSP."

Concluding their statement, the network revealed that they would be changing Eun Young Cho's name, which is portrayed by BLACKPINK's Jisoo, after receiving backlash that it represents the democracy activist Chun Young-Cho, adding that the "Snowdrop" protagonists do not participate in or lead protests in the storyline.

"Snowdrop is Coming" Trends on Twitter to Support Jisoo

Following JTBC's announcement, "Snowdrop is Coming" instantly went viral as millions of Blinks flocked to Twitter to express their support for the girl group member.

With this, one fan showed her eagerness to defend the Kpop star amid the allegations.

no one is taking her away from us and we will not let anyone take that smile away from her  SNOWDROP IS COMING pic.twitter.com/LLoghJqwuc   (@jisoovalentine) March 30, 2021

The same goes with the second user who echoed the same sentiment.

Snowdrop wins against everything



SNOWDROP IS COMING pic.twitter.com/f6ollgW9tq  Muptela` (@Suuweg) March 30, 2021

Meanwhile, others pointed out how proud they are of the BLACKPINK member and expressed how thrilled they are to see Jisoo be the lead star for the first time.

SNOWDROP IS COMING

Im so proud of you baby!! actress jisoo in your areaa!!

#JISOO pic.twitter.com/7VNr3YJsYX  JISOOYA  (@blinkyeoptaa) March 30, 2021

Were really going to see these scenes 



SNOWDROP IS COMING



 HAESOO OFFICIAL pic.twitter.com/4FvBSK32lq  amanda (@bestgirls_ot4) March 30, 2021

Unfinished Synopsis of "Snowdrop" Leaked Online

Earlier this month, "Snowdrop" faced online criticisms after an unfinished synopsis leaked online.

The storyline reportedly depicts the story of a male lead who is a spy that infiltrated the 1987 Democratic activist movement.

Meanwhile, the other male character is working for the Agency for National Security Planning (NSP).

This era was a significant moment for South Korea's popular democratic movement since it paved the way for the country's fight against the authoritarian regime that prompted the start of the nation's democracy.

"Snowdrop" Cast and Release

Directed by Jo Hyun-Tak, whose famous works include "Mirror of the Witch" and the movie "Second Mother" and written by "Sky Castle's" Yoo Hyun-mi, "Snowdrop" follows the story of Eun Young Cho and Im Soo Ho, portrayed by Jung Hae In, who are both students at the prestigious university in Seoul.

Aside from the duo, the lead stars also include Yoo In Na as Kang Cheong Ya, Jang Seung Jo, who'll portray the role of Lee Kang Moo, Yoon Se Ah as Pi Seung Hee, and wrapping of the main characters is Kim Hye Yoon as Kye Boon Ok.

The forthcoming drama is set to be released in June 2021 with 20 episodes.

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
(TNS)  South Carolina will spend $6 million of its federal COVID-19 aid to help tackle broadband deserts across the state.S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster awarded the money from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund to the University of South Carolina, which will partner with Benedict College to create eight free-to-use Apple computer labs across South Carolina, according to a Tuesday statement from the governor's office."The pandemic has made it abundantly clear that Internet access is not a luxury but a necessity for millions of South Carolinians," McMaster said in a statement. "The strategic placement of these labs will bolster South Carolina's premier workforce training efforts by giving our communities and people access to resources they need to expand participation in our state's growing economy."During a press conference, McMaster said the initiative was part of a project aimed at expanding broadband Internet access across the state. He said he is working with the state's congressmen to secure additional funding for broadband expansion.The computer labs' locations were chosen so they would be near historically Black colleges and universities, facilities in the state Technical College System and local school districts that may need them. There will be one lab located in Columbia's BullStreet District and another at Benedict College. Those facilities will have an operating budget of $2 million."We are pleased to partner with the University of South Carolina to expand educational technology access to communities around the state," Benedict College President Roslyn Clark Artis said in a statement. "Benedict College remains fully committed to narrowing the digital divide for underserved communities in our state. This is a tremendous step in the right direction."Seven other labs, with operating budgets of $571,429 each, will be located at six of USC's Palmetto College and regional campuses, according to the statement. All of USC's Palmetto College campuses chosen for the project are located within 15 miles of a broadband desert. "As the state's flagship institution, the University of South Carolina is committed to enhancing statewide economic and workforce development initiatives," USC President Bob Caslen said in a statement. "By providing access to Apple's coding curriculum and emphasizing creative learning, this partnership is a game changer for our state. The educational programs and training at these learning centers will give South Carolinians relevant skills that are in high demand in today's economy. We are proud to partner with Governor McMaster, Apple and Benedict College in this mission by investing in underserved communities across the state."The labs are free to use by members of faculty, staff, students and community members. Availability will be advertised in each community. Officials expect to get some facilities running within the next 90 days. The labs will be paid for through the CARES Act, which was a coronavirus aid package passed by Congress in March 2020. Each state received money for emergency education relief spending which the governor may direct. South Carolina received $48 million.Tuesday's announcement gives McMaster another path to provide COVID-19 aide to the state's HBCUs, which are all private but for one. McMaster initially pushed to spend $32 million of the funds on one-time tuition grants of up to $6,500 per students who attend K-12 private schools. McMaster's plan was shot down by the State Supreme Court. McMaster's initial plan also allocated $2.4 million for private colleges, including HBCU's, but that money was also frozen by the court decision.
India has "been a bridge" in a polarised UN Security Council, narrowing differences and helping shape the Council's statements, discussions on Afghanistan and Myanmar, pushing for a greater meeting of minds to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria and focusing on terrorism, Indias envoy to the UN said.

With India completing three months as an elected non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council, the countrys Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said India has been able to bring a unique perspective to discussions in the Council.

You can call this an Indian perspective if you like. It has been an intensive period, Tirumurti told PTI.

He noted that India got into a Security Council which had been polarised sharply in the recent past.

Read | Myanmar junta deepens violence with new air attacks in east

While such polarisation is still quite visible, India has certainly been a bridge narrowing down the differences in the Council. We have worked constructively with other members in the Council on all issues. Our voice is deeply respected and our contribution has been acknowledged, he said.

There is a greater effort in the Council now with countries like India coming in to have a more collaborative approach to issues.

Tirumurti stressed that it is more important for the Council to speak in one voice rather than not speak at all.

Outlining instances where India helped an outcome in the Council, Tirumurti said the country has brought in its own perspective on specific issues. Citing the UNSC Press Statements on Myanmar, a "country with which we have strong links and strong interests," Tirumurti said India has been able to bring together differing viewpoints and make these statements more constructive and helpful in furthering the process to resolve the issues.

Just days after the February 1 military coup in Myanmar in which top political leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, were detained, the Council issued a Press Statement emphasising the need for the continued support of the democratic transition in Myanmar and stressed the need to uphold democratic institutions and processes, refrain from violence, fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law.

India, Chair of the Taliban Sanctions Committee, also helped shape the Councils statement on Afghanistan to voice our concern on the rising violence and targeted killings and keep the focus on, inter alia, women, minorities and on terrorism and its impact on Afghanistan and the region.

Read | Durable peace in Afghanistan requires peace within, around it, says External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

We have an important stake in Afghanistan and its stability and peace. As Chair of the Taliban Sanctions Committee, our role in contributing to the process will be important, Tirumurti said.

In a March 12 press statement, the Council strongly condemned the alarming number of attacks deliberately targeting civilians in Afghanistan and "recognised that a sustainable peace can be achieved only through a comprehensive and inclusive Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process that aims at a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, as well as an inclusive political settlement to end the conflict in Afghanistan.

Tirumurti said India has also been pushing for greater meeting of the minds in the Council on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Syria and Yemen.

From Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan to the Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo, Indias diplomatic presence in these countries and historical ties with them has also enabled New Delhi to bring unique ground-level understanding to Council debates, he said adding that as Chair of the Libyan Sanctions Committee, Indias contribution to resolving some granular issues has been appreciated.

India also spoke out in the Council in a strong voice against the scourge of terrorism, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar outlining an eight-point action plan at a UNSC Ministerial Meeting in February.

The action plan had called on the international community to summon the political will and not justify terrorism and not glorify terrorists, there should be no double standards as terrorists are terrorists and no good or bad distinction should be made. Tirumurti pointed out that Indias participation in the activities of the UN has increased rather than coming down, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the UN Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh have also addressed high-level events at the UN, with Tirumurti terming this participation quite unprecedented.

As the world continues to grapple with Covid-19, Tirumurti said Indias Vaccine Maitri initiative is perhaps the best example for the world to witness how India addressed the concerns of global vaccine inequity or as they say vaccine nationalism.

On the vaccine front for instance, India has been probably the largest partner of the UN, he said adding that the COVAX Facility itself has been a huge beneficiary of Indian vaccines which in turn has benefitted numerous developing countries.


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Despite an environment conducive to phishing scams, malicious actors achieved only a marginal increase in success in 2020, according to a report from cybersecurity company Proofpoint.

Catastrophic events, like a pandemic, coupled with hasty technological change such as many people forced to work from home immediately, have been a rich environment in the past for phishers, who use deception to infect machines with malware, steal credentials, and invade corporate networks.

But in a survey performed in connection with Proofpoint's annual "State of the Phish" report, 57 percent of organizations in seven countries revealed they were targets of a successful phishing attack in 2020, which is only a two percent increase over 2019.

However, phishers were a lot more successful in the United States, where 74 percent of organizations told researchers they'd experienced a successful phishing attack in 2020, a 14 percent increase over 2019.

While the increase in successful attacks was slight, their impact wasn't. Compared to 2019, the report noted that the number of respondents who told researchers that phishing attacks resulting in data loss increased 13 percent and those leading to credential compromise jumped 11 percent.

Regional Differences

The impact of successful attacks varied by region, noted the report, which is based on data from two surveys -- one of 3,500 working adults in seven countries -- Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- as well as one of 600 IT security professionals in those countries and an analysis of some 75 million phishing emails.

Japan, for example, experienced a large volume of phishing emails aimed at compromising credentials for Amazon accounts. Those attacks may have contributed to why so many of the country's organizations -- 64 percent, the highest of any region in the surveys -- had to deal with credential compromises.

On the other hand, Japan's organizations were the least likely to deal with direct financial loss from phishing attacks, at 11 percent. That contrasts with the United States, where 35 percent of organizations suffered immediate financial loss, nearly twice the global average.

Data loss and ransomware infections also had significant regional differences. In Spain, for instance, 69 percent of organizations experienced data loss. That compares to 47 percent of Australian organizations.

Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of Australian organizations (67 percent) were affected by phishing-based ransomware. That compares to 25 percent in France.

Pandemic Fueled Phishing

Historically, malicious actors have been quick to launch campaigns based on current events. That was the case with COVID-19. "Attackers were on it early, and they were prolific," said Proofpoint's Senior Security Awareness Strategist Gretel Egan.

"There was a lot of uncertainty, fear and doubt early in the pandemic, and it continues now," she told TechNewsWorld.

"Attackers were taking advantage of that," she continued. "We saw subject lines around 'Your co-worker has tested positive' or 'Your neighbor has tested positive' aimed at driving people to open that email and fall into a trap."

Evgeny Gnedin, head of information security analytics at Positive Technologies, a global cybersecurity company, noted that, according to research by his company, in Q1 2020, 13 percent of all phishing attacks were related to COVID-19. Of those, nearly half (44 percent) targeted individuals.

"The percentage of malware attacks and social engineering attacks against government agencies increased significantly as well, and this may be due to the pandemic," he told TechNewsWorld.

"Many attackers sent emails to government agencies of various countries with malicious attachments related to the coronavirus crisis," he said.

Gnedin added that the pandemic situation was used both for mass malware campaigns and APT attacks.

"With so much attention on the virus," he continued, "it's very possible that more hacks are being aimed at companies in every sector, as IT teams globally are busier than usual maintaining operations for the large increase in remote workers."

Growth in Malicious Domains

Another sign that phishers were hot to exploit the pandemic was the increase in suspicious domain name registrations last year. "In 2020, we saw 12,490 new domains being registered containing the word 'vaccine', 'COVID', or both," observed Shashi Prakash, CTO and co-founder of Bolster, an AI-powered fraud prevention company in San Jose, Calif.

"Of these, 6,104 sites showed signs of being weaponized for some sort of phishing or scam attack," he told TechNewsWorld.

Companies had to quickly transition to a new remote work environment, in many cases that included rapidly spinning up new technology, explained Steven Bay, cyber fusion center and security operations practice lead at Kudelski Security, a provider of tailored cybersecurity solutions based in Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland.

"This increased the risk to businesses and likely made them more vulnerable and open to attacks," he told TechNewsWorld.

"Phishing is already the most successful way to breach an organization," he continued. "Layer on top of that the fact that people were more likely to click on a phishing email related to COVID-19, and it's easy to see that hackers viewed it as a prime opportunity to launch attacks and breach organizations."

Double Dipping Extortionists

The Proofpoint report also noted that malware infections from phishing attacks dropped by 17 percent from 2019 and that organizations saying they experienced direct financial losses due to phishing dropped 47 percent year-over-year. It reasoned those results could indicate that organizations have implemented stronger preventive measures against these types of attacks.

Although the report found the number of organizations affected by ransomware attacks remained unchanged, Egan said that there was a change in how ransoms were paid.

"More than 50 percent of organizations that were infected opted to pay to regain access to their data," she continued. "That was a slight increase over 2019, but we saw fewer people getting access to data after a single payment."

"A lot more organizations were delivered follow-up demands for more money and a lot more organizations were willing to pay those follow-up demands," she observed.

She added that 32 percent paid the extra ransom in 2020 compared to two percent in 2019."

"In 2020, ransomware amounts skyrocketed," said Fleming Shi, CTO of Barracuda Networks, a security and storage solutions provider based in Campbell, Calif.

"Some criminal groups aren't using fixed amounts anymore," he told TechNewsWorld. "They're fixing the ransom amount based on a percentage of a company's revenue."

Lingering Problem

Why do phishing emails continue to work despite education programs to expose them and technologies to block them?

"Because we are all human," observed Saryu Nayyar, CEO of Gurucul, a threat intelligence company in El Segundo, Calif.

"While most anti-spam and anti-phishing filters do a great job at catching the most common hooks, the ones that do make it through tend to be topical and clever, which makes them more likely to catch their intended victim," she told TechNewsWorld.

In addition, phishers continue to evolve their craft. "Organizations sending phishing emails are more structured," explained Adrien Gendre, chief solutions architect at Vade Secure, a provider of an email filtering service based in Hem, Picardie, France.

"These are global organizations providing tools, platforms and services that can be leveraged and licensed to local organizations," he told TechNewsWorld. "This has increased the quality of the phishing emails significantly."

"They're much more sophisticated in the way they spread phishing emails," he continued. "Before, you might see 100,000 emails and they were all the same. Now we're seeing 100,000 emails and every one is different in some way. They are using tricks to make the content highly dynamic and make the emails unique when compared to each other."

The quality of the Web pages linked to the phishing emails have also improved. "I have a presentation where I show two Microsoft log-in pages," Gendre said. "I ask my audience to vote by a show of hands which page is real and which is malicious."

"Most of the people choose the malicious page," he continued. "The reason they choose the malicious one is because it has a better user experience than the real one."

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.


Detectives in Kiambu on Tuesday shot and killed three armed gangsters whom they believed were on a mission to commit a crime.

The three, who were riding on a motorcycle, were accosted in Witeithie, Juja Constituency, where it is suspected they were heading to execute a criminal activity.

Kiambu County Police Commander Ali Nuno said the three were targeting M-Pesa shops in Witeithie.

Police officers who were tracking them using their mobile phones ordered them to stop and surrender but they disobeyed the order.

Mr Nuno said two of the gangsters were from Dandora in Nairobi and had been hosted by their local contact who was also shot dead.

"What we have gathered so far is that the two gangsters that have been killed by police are from Dandora in Nairobi while the third is from Witeithie, who has been acting as their contact person and spying for them on where to attack and later hosting them," said Mr Nuno.

Gang leader delayed

He further said that the three were to commit the crimes on Monday but their leader, who was supposed to provide them with a firearm, failed to arrive on time, forcing them to push their mission to Tuesday.

Detectives further said the gangsters are members of a larger group that has been on a police wanted list. Police also said the gang has been committing crimes in Nairobi, Juja Farm and Dandora and later escape to their hideout in Witeithie.

A Ceska pistol with three rounds of ammunition was recovered. Also recovered was a homemade pistol, sword, mobile phone and keys.

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"These are people we have been trailing for a while. They have committed robberies in Witeithie, Juja from Dandora and Nairobi at large and later escape to Witeithie as their hideout," said Mr Nuno.

Robbery in Pangani

He said that on Sunday, the same gangsters had staged a robbery in Pangani, Nairobi where they shot a woman in the thigh and escaped with an unknown amount of money.

"These people have been terrorising us for a long time. They have been colluding with other gangs from Witeithie where one of the suspects has been concealing his criminal activities by masquerading as a bodaboda operator," Mr Nuno said.

The bodies of the three gangsters were moved to City Mortuary in Nairobi.

The three were aged between 25 and 30 years, police said.

The officers had a hectic time controlling local residents who thronged the scene, causing huge traffic jam along the busy Thika Road.
Mr Buhari ordered the service chiefs "to identify and crush the heads of bandits, kidnappers and their collaborators".

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday ordered security chiefs to "identify and crush heads of bandits, kidnappers and their local collaborators to restore confidence in the society".

The president, who left the country for routine medical attention on Tuesday, earlier gave the order when he met the security chiefs at the State House, Abuja.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, a retired major general, said the president gave the order when he met the security chiefs at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Mr Monguno, who briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, quoted the president as warning that his administration would not accept a situation where the security agencies are reactionary rather than being proactive in the fight against insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements.

"On issues of kidnapping and banditry - these menaces still persist especially in the North-west and the North-central zones.

"Mr President has stated very clearly that this problem must be brought to an end but using the traditional that the armed forces have been trained to deploy.

"Mr President has made it very clear to both the intelligence and operational elements that their first assignment will be to identify the leaders of these bandits and kidnappers and take them out in order to restore confidence in those areas.

"Mr President has said that he will no longer tolerate a situation where bandits and kidnappers are the ones dictating the pace and setting the tones and he will not also condone a situation in which our own operations are reaction rather than being proactive," he said.

The NSA also revealed that the president had directed the service chiefs, the intelligence community as well as the constabulary forces to target those agents of disunity across the country.

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He said such people had been creating chaos, disunity and disharmony among peace-loving citizens.

He said: "I'm also to send out a warning to those people who think they can continue to behave in a manner that undermines national security.

"Those people engaging in all kinds of underhanded, unscrupulous, mischievous and deceitful practices, people who are working with those that are in government, in particular, critical agencies of government.

"We have been able to identify certain areas that are weak and these areas have to be strengthened so that these characters who are engaging in acts that you can describe as outright acts of brigandage, people who are behaving in a manner that portends a lot of danger to innocent lives, have to be fished out.

"This is the directive from the President, I am to send a warning to those people who think they are in close proximity with those who have the instruments to make the space easy for criminals, those people who think they have some kind of authority, who are engaging in all kinds of hocus pocus in all kinds of jiggery-pokery or skullduggery. These people will be brought down to their knees."

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Navy Staff, Awwal Gambo, and the Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Amao.

Others were the Director-General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi; Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufa'I; Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and Mr Monguno.
STUTTGART, Germany, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Electric mobility: broadest product portfolio in the automotive industry ranging from city cars to heavy-duty trucks

Ambition2039: transformation toward CO 2 neutrality to be accelerated

neutrality to be accelerated Project Focus: spin-off and listing of Daimler Truck in preparation

Pandemic stress test: financial year 2020 with better-than-expected results

Taking the helm: Bernd Pischetsrieder succeeds Manfred Bischoff as Chairman of the Supervisory Board

as Chairman of the Supervisory Board First quarter 2021: positive trend from 2020 continues

Daimler AG (ticker symbol DAI) is pressing ahead with its structural realignment and the acceleration of a shift to electric mobility. "The year 2020 was the most challenging for Daimler during my term as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. We passed the pandemic stress test with flying colors, defined the necessary cost-cutting measures, and initiated their consistent implementation to make the company more crisis-proof. We also refocused our strategy on sustainability and climate protection. Our sustainable business strategy must strike a responsible balance between environmental, social and financial goals," said Manfred Bischoff, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG, on Wednesday at the company's virtual regular Annual Meeting. Bischoff has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board since 2007 and is stepping down after the Annual Meeting.



This year Mercedes-Benz Cars is significantly expanding its offering of fully electric vehicles: The compact electric model EQA will be followed shortly by the EQS (WLTP range of up to 770 km) and the EQB as well as the EQE later this year. Also, Mercedes-Benz Vans will enrich the portfolio with electric vehicles: before the end of the year concepts for an electrified Citan and the T-Class will be presented. Daimler Trucks & Buses is also focusing on CO 2 -neutral passenger and goods transportation: Series production of the eActros, which has a range of well over 200 kilometers and is suitable for urban heavy goods and distribution transport, will start in fall this year. For longer distances with a range of about 500 kilometers, the eActros LongHaul is being developed for market launch as of 2024. In addition, fuel-cell trucks are scheduled to go into series production in the second half of the decade. With the buses, the eCitaro and the articulated eCitaro are two vehicles already available for CO 2 -neutral urban transport.

"Today, Daimler has the broadest electric range in the automotive industry  from city cars to heavy-duty trucks. But that's not enough for us. We want to accelerate the electrification of our product portfolio. Almost two years ago, we presented our Ambition2039. We want a CO 2 -neutral fleet of new cars. It's our goal to reach this target sooner," said Ola Kallenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and of Mercedes-Benz AG.

A prerequisite for the breakthrough of electric mobility is an efficient public charging infrastructure which expands to keep pace with the electric ramp-up of manufacturers. To meet the European Commission's CO 2 targets, Europe needs three million public charging points by the end of the decade. "Today, we don't even have a tenth of this. We need to speed this up. Daimler, as part of the auto industry, will play its part. For example, we will further expand the Ionity charging network. I am convinced: When industry and politics work hand in hand, we move forward together. We should not focus our efforts only on banning the status quo. We should make possible the new, this is key," said Kallenius.\

Project Focus offers potential



In order to utilize the full potential of the two industrial divisions during the industrial transformation and to create sustainable value, the Board of Management and Supervisory Board decided in February 2021 to initiate a fundamental change to the Group's structure: Daimler intends to spin off Daimler Truck and list it on the stock exchange. It is planned to transfer a significant majority stake in Daimler Truck to the Daimler shareholders. "With a clear focus on commercial vehicles on one side, premium cars and vans on the other, we are creating the preconditions for more financially successful companies and thus also offer enhanced long-term job security. It is a matter of fact that the transformation of the automotive industry more than ever requires speed and an undivided focus on innovation," said Bischoff. The transaction and the listing of Daimler Truck on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange are expected to be completed by the end of 2021. It is also intended to rename Daimler as Mercedes-Benz in due course. The planned spin-off will be under voting at an Extraordinary Shareholder's Meeting which is planned to take place in fall of 2021.



Path to profitable growth



"We want to shape the future. We are on the right track financially. Now we are keeping up the pace in order to achieve our profitability targets on a sustainable basis. Under strong market conditions, we strive for a double-digit margin at Mercedes-Benz Cars," said Kallenius. Daimler's Board of Management was aware of its great responsibility towards employees, also with the targeted restructuring of sites. "In the long run, it benefits no one to work in a plant with a great tradition. It's more important to work in plants with a great future. We do not wait for change  we are the ones who are changing. We will continue growing profitably and at the same time help make this world climate neutral with the aid of exceptional engineering and with a deep sense of conviction."

2020 financial year better than expected

For the challenging 2020 financial year, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board propose distributing a dividend of 1.35 per share (2019: 0.90), in line with the company's long-term dividend policy. As a result of strict cost discipline and extensive measures to preserve liquidity, as well as a strong performance in the divisions, EBIT increased by 53% to 6.6 billion. Adjusted EBIT reflects the ongoing business and amounted to 8.6 billion (2019: 10.3 billion). Net profit increased to 4.0 billion from 2.7 billion. Net profit attributable to the shareholders of Daimler AG amounted to 3.6 billion (2019: 2.4 billion). The Group's unit sales fell by 15% to 2.84 million cars and commercial vehicles. Revenue decreased by 11% to 154.3 billion. The free cash flow of the industrial business amounted to 8.3 billion (2019: 1.4 billion). The adjusted free cash flow of the industrial business was 9.2 billion (2019: 2.7 billion). The net liquidity of the industrial business improved to 17.9 billion (end of 2019: 11.0 billion).

Outlook first quarter 2021

After a good start with a tailwind from last year, Daimler is confident about the current financial year. Based on the anticipated market development and the current assessments of the divisions, unit sales, revenue and EBIT in 2021 are still expected to be significantly above prior-year levels.



In the first quarter of 2021 the positive trend seen in previous quarters continues. Despite temporary bottlenecks for semiconductors, unit sales and revenues at Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans should be higher than in the prior year's quarter, thanks to the Chinese market and a strong product mix. Due to strong pricing and continued stringent cost control, Mercedes-Benz is confident about profitability in the first quarter. Incoming orders at Daimler Trucks are very promising, especially in Europe and the US. Unit sales in the first quarter are expected to remain at year-earlier levels, despite the impact from the pandemic on the Indonesian market and on the bus chassis business. Thanks to stringent cost management, strong product mix and disciplined pricing, profitability is seen higher than in the first quarter last year. Furthermore, semiconductor bottlenecks are affecting the supply chain of Daimler Trucks & Buses. The division monitors the situation closely and is in constant contact with the suppliers.

Changes in the Supervisory Board

Petraea Heynicke, Jurgen Hambrecht and Manfred Bischoff are stepping down from the Supervisory Board at the end of the Annual Meeting. Elizabeth Centoni, Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager of Applications at Cisco Systems, Inc., Ben van Beurden, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell plc, and Martin Brudermuller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, are proposed for election at the Annual Meeting. Bischoff's departure after 14 years as Chairman of the Supervisory Board marks the end of an era. "It is fair to say that Manfred Bischoff has left his mark on a piece of German industrial history. This company is extremely well positioned for the future, and that is largely thanks to him," said Kallenius. In December 2020, the Supervisory Board proposed as Bischoff's successor Bernd Pischetsrieder, who will stand for election as Supervisory Board Chairman at the constituent meeting of the new Supervisory Board after the end of the Annual Meeting.

Further information on Daimler is available on the Internet: www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com

Forward-looking statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events. The words "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "can," "could," "plan," "project," "should" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including an adverse development of global economic conditions, in particular a decline of demand in our most important markets; a deterioration of our refinancing possibilities on the credit and financial markets; events of force majeure including natural disasters, pandemics, acts of terrorism, political unrest, armed conflicts, industrial accidents and their effects on our sales, purchasing, production or financial services activities; changes in currency exchange rates, customs and foreign trade provisions; a shift in consumer preferences towards smaller, lower-margin vehicles; a possible lack of acceptance of our products or services which limits our ability to achieve prices and adequately utilize our production capacities; price increases for fuel or raw materials; disruption of production due to shortages of materials, labor strikes or supplier insolvencies; a decline in resale prices of used vehicles; the effective implementation of cost-reduction and efficiency-optimization measures; the business outlook for companies in which we hold a significant equity interest; the successful implementation of strategic cooperations and joint ventures; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, particularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety; the resolution of pending government investigations or of investigations requested by governments and the conclusion of pending or threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties, some of which are described under the heading "Risk and Opportunity Report" in this Annual Report. If any of these risks and uncertainties materializes or if the assumptions underlying any of our forward-looking statements prove to be incorrect, the actual results may be materially different from those we express or imply by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements since they are based solely on the circumstances at the date of publication.

Daimler at a Glance

Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans, Daimler Trucks & Buses and Daimler Mobility divisions, the Group is one of the leading global suppliers of premium and luxury cars and one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles. Daimler Mobility offers financing, leasing, fleet management, investments and insurance brokerage, as well as innovative mobility services. The company founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history by inventing the automobile in 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler sees shaping the future of mobility in a safe and sustainable way as both a motivation and obligation. The company's focus therefore remains on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior vehicles that both captivate and inspire. Daimler continues to invest systematically in the development of efficient powertrains  from high-tech combustion engines and hybrid vehicles to all-electric powertrains with battery or fuel cell  with the goal of making locally emission-free driving possible in the long term. The company's efforts are also focused on the intelligent connectivity of its vehicles, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts as Daimler regards it as its aspiration and obligation to live up to its responsibility to society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly every country of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the world's most valuable luxury automotive brand (source: Interbrand study, 20 Oct. 2020), and Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-EQ and Mercedes me, its brand portfolio also includes commercial vehicle brands Mercedes-Benz Trucks Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses as well as the brands of Daimler Mobility: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Daimler Truck Financial and Athlon. The company is listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges (ticker symbol DAI). In 2020, the Group had a workforce of around 288,500 and sold 2.8 million vehicles. Group revenues amounted to 154.3 billion and Group EBIT to 6.6 billion.

SOURCE Daimler North America - Corporate Communications

Related Links

www.daimler.com


VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - CuePath Innovation Ltd ("CuePath", or "the Company") announced today that the Company has signed a Partnership Agreement ("the Agreement") with Minnesota-based Thrifty White Pharmacy ("Thrifty White"), licensing the use of CuePath's Pharmacy Activation software. Through this partnership, Thrifty White will dispense medications using CuePath's smart medication adherence packaging for patients of CuePath's growing network of Home Care Agency (HCA) and Home Health Agency (HHA) partners.

"Thrifty White Pharmacy has long been recognized as a leader in medication adherence, and the CueCare Plus service with its medication adherence monitoring technology is a game changer for patients at-home to support them in taking the right medication and dose at the right time," said Justin Heiser, PharmD, Executive Vice President, Thrifty White. "We are very excited about partnering with CuePath and Home Health Agencies to help support patients at-home."

"Thrifty White is a strong pharmacy partner for our CueCare Plus contactless Medication Adherence Service. Together we will help improve the health of at-home care patients with complex medication requirements", said Ken Piaggio, CEO of CuePath Innovation. "To support our growth plans, we are also announcing a Series A preferred share financing round to provide the manufacturing scale-up funding needed to service our growing list of US-based at-home care partners."

About CuePath

CuePath is a Vancouver-based company providing real-time Medication-Adherence-as-a-Service (MAAS) to North American Home Care Agencies and their patients. CueCare Plus detects and helps resolve prescription medication adherence problems before they start, reducing the need for trained health care workers to provide in-person medication adherence services. CuePath's proprietary printed electronic sticker is easy for pharmacists to apply to the back of conventional prescription drug blister packaging. Along with a low-cost plug-and-play internet gateway, the CuePack reminds patients who take their medication late, at the wrong time, or who forget altogether, first electronically by our reminder alert system, and then by our CueCall in-person call. Home Care Agencies receive weekly medication adherence reports on each patient, and can prioritize providing additional home care support services accordingly. www.cuepath.com

About Thrifty White Pharmacy

Headquartered in Plymouth, MN, Thrifty White Pharmacy is a technology enabled healthcare services company focused on utilizing patient engagement to improve outcomes and reduce the cost of care. By leveraging the unique capabilities of pharmacists, combined with focused technology and clinical care plans, Thrifty White Pharmacy creates better patient experiences and improved patient outcomes. The Thrifty White Pharmacy suite of offerings includes proprietary dispensing, clinical, and operations technology. In addition, Thrifty White Pharmacy is licensed in all 50 states and offers retail, alternate care, and URAC and ACHC accredited specialty pharmacy services across a network of 100 owned pharmacy locations and 82 independently owned pharmacies throughout the Midwest. Thrifty White Pharmacy has been recognized by multiple organizations as a leading "Pharmacy Innovator" for the company's efforts to continually move the practice of pharmacy forward.

SOURCE CuePath Innovation Ltd
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 21:34:11|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Violence has increased in Afghanistan as over a dozen security personnel and pro-government figures have been killed over the past 24 hours amid preparation for peace talks to find a political solution to the country's prolonged crisis.

In the latest violence of targeted killing, a top religious scholar was killed in a bomb blast in the northern Takhar province on Wednesday, police said.

Takhar police spokesman Abdul Khalil Asir said the armed group of the Taliban militants could be behind the assassination to terrorize the locals.

The Taliban outfit, which is active in parts of the relatively troubled Takhar province has yet to claim responsibility.

At least two civilians were killed and 16 others, including 13 civilians and three army soldiers, were injured in a handcart bomb blast that rocked the Balkh district in the northern Balkh province on the same day Wednesday, police said.

Three female health workers were shot dead by armed militants in Jalalabad city the capital of eastern Nangarhar province a day earlier on Tuesday.

Similarly, violent incidents and fighting with the Taliban militants have claimed the lives of three workers for police headquarters in Gardez city the capital of eastern Paktia province and three more security personnel have been killed in the clash in Kapisa province over the period.

An increase in violent incidents is taking place amid government preparations for talks with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, after attending the 9th Heart of Asia ministerial conference in Dushanbe the capital of Tajikistan recently, called on the Taliban to observe ceasefire and underlined the need for power transfer via democratic means and elections.

President Ghani, according to Afghan officials, would attend the upcoming conference on Afghan peace in Turkey if Taliban supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah attends.

Local media outlets quoting Mohammad Naeem, the spokesman for Taliban's Doha office, reported that the armed group has been mulling over Haibatullah's participation at the coming conference in Turkey.

The United States-proposed conference was reportedly scheduled for early April in Istanbul, Turkey under the auspices of the UN. According to local media reports, the meeting might be delayed as the Taliban outfit, according to its spokesman Naeem has been reviewing the U.S.-proposed peace plan. Enditem
BRIDGEPORT  Three people have been arrested after gunshots in the city led to a pursuit that spanned from Stratford to Norwalk and back up Interstate 95, according to officials.

Devin Shane Diaz, 22, was charged with weapon in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal use of a firearm, interfering/resisting arrest, reckless driving and engaging police in a pursuit.
Head of Psychologist, Professor Joseph Osafo has added his voice to calls by NPP activists on President Nana Akufo-Addo not to appoint old people to positions in his administration.



President Nana Akufo-Addo,in his second term, is yet to appoint Deputy Ministers, Board Chairpersons and members, Chief Executive Officers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.



The party activists noted that, in President Akufo-Addo's administration from 2017 to 2020, many of his ''classmates'' from the erstwhile Kufour regime found their names into the President's administration as Ministers of State, Board Chairmen, Chief Executive Officers among other positions.



They are calling for some old individuals in the party to exit for the youth in the party.



The activists specifically mentioned the likes of Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyeman, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Kofi Ghana, Kwamena Bartels and Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong, who they want out and have appealed to the President to give the youth opportunity in his government.



Taking to social media to vent their frustration, one Tete Nokobi wrote on Facebook: ''What legacy does the old man want to leave in the party? That he cared less about growth opportunities for the youth? If up to now someone like Hackman Owusu Agyeman, Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi, Kwamena Bartels, Alan Kyeremanten, Kan Dapaa, Kofi Ghana, KK Sarpong et al cannot boast of replacements for their roles then that's a failure for the party''.



Another unhappy activist named Matin Sadick Jnr. said; "They shouldn't just give way, they should resign from ever accepting appointments and get a seat at the party's council of elders auditorium and help shape the party for better!"



Reacting to the issue during discussions on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Professor Joseph Osafo stated that, although the activists are right to make such calls, the old and youth must both complement each other.



He called on the party to strike a balance saying ''the young must not supplant the old and the old must not underrate the young...Every path you're treading has ever been trodden by someone; so, you can learn lessons. So, the young shouldn't supplant the old neither should the old underrate the young''.



He added; "The aged must be engaged not over-engaged...Every generation must give birth to a new generation."







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A mystery new retailer may be on their way to Northern Ireland, despite the economic woes caused by the pandemic.

It has emerged that a retailer with no presence in Northern Ireland is considering occupying the last remaining unit at the Holywood Exchange Retail Park.

The 4,000 sq ft unit, which is between Burger King and Subway at the retail park, has gone on the market to rent.

Home to larger retailers including Harvey Norman, Decathlon, Next Home and one of Lidl's newest stores, Holywood Exchange was sold for 18m in December last year to UK-based David Samuel Properties.

It's the second major acquisition David Samuel Properties has made here, after buying Crescent Link Retail Park in Londonderry in 2019.

Paul Wilson, director of retail at Savills, which has listed the Holywood Exchange site, said: "We've had lots of new interest in the space and expect a few offers in the next couple of weeks.

"There are some interesting new uses, including a retailer who would be a new entrant to Northern Ireland.

"Since it has been developed Holywood Exchange Retail Park has never been fully let.

"Certainly, the take-up by Lidl has created a really strong anchorage here as its sits alongside Decathlon.

"It's strengthened the park dramatically.

"We have a different pattern of shopper who visits now because we have that grocery element which creates a higher spend per visit.

"There has been a marked level of improved experience in the park."

Mr Wilson said DS Properties' acquisition of the park would further boost the offering. He added: "DS Properties are acquisitive, and they've done great things with Crescent Link. They see this park as a key asset to their portfolio."

Speaking at the time of the acquisition, Holywood Exchange's new owner said it was "very confident about the economic prospects for Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole" and says the latest purchase "very much builds on this confidence in the Northern Ireland economy".

"The impact of the pandemic has affected all businesses and the retail sector has been no exception to this," spokesman Matthew Beddow said.
More than half of Americans disapprove of President Bidens handling of immigration while two-thirds like how he is combating the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new poll.

Since Biden came into office on January 20, his administration has had to grapple with a large influx of Central American migrants - mainly families and unaccompanied minors - who have crossed the border from Mexico.

The large spike in arrivals of undocumented and unaccompanied minors has overwhelmed Customs and Border Patrol facilities and detention centers as the federal government scrambles to arrange for shelter for teens while their asylum cases make their way through immigration courts.

The survey conducted jointly by National Public Radio and Marist College shows that a slim majority of Americans - 52 per cent - approve of Bidens job performance overall. Earlier this month, 49 per cent said the same thing.

The president gets the highest marks from Americans for his administrations efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Overall, 65 per cent of Americans approve of Bidens pandemic-related policies, including 30 per cent of those who voted for his opponent, former President Donald Trump, in the November 3 election.

President Biden receives high marks from voters on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a majority disapprove of his policies on immigration, according to a new NPR/Marist poll. The president is seen above at the White House on Monday

Young minors who crossed the border from Mexico lie inside a pod at the Customs and Border Protection facility in Donna, Texas on Tuesday. Since Biden entered office, his administration has had to grappled with a surge of unaccompanied minors who have crossed the frontier

A slim majority of Americans - 52 per cent - approve of Bidens job performance overall, according to the survey released on Tuesday by National Public Radio and Marist College

Along party lines, 94 per cent of Democrats approve of Bidens handling of the pandemic as do 64 per cent of independents. Among Republicans, just 34 per cent approve.

Just 28 per cent said they disapprove of Bidens handling of the pandemic.

Since Biden entered office, vaccination distribution has increased while the pace at which Americans have been inoculated against COVID-19 has also steadily grown week by week.

But recent figures show an uptick in the number of newly diagnosed COVID-19 infections - this after a period of several weeks which saw a steady decline in new diagnoses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Biden on Monday directly appealed to governors, state and local leaders to reinstate mask-wearing requirements if they have lifted them, and said he encouraged leaders to pause plans to further ease virus-related restrictions.

When asked about Bidens handling of the economy, 51 per cent of those surveyed by NPR and Marist said they approved while 41 per cent said they disapproved.

The most troublesome figure for the president continues to be his rating as it relates to public sentiment about the migrant crisis.

Young migrants lie inside a pod at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley run by US Customs and Border Protection

Monitored by a caretaker young unaccompanied migrants, ages 3-9, watch TV inside a playpen at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children

Just 34 per cent of Americans approve of Bidens border policies while 53 per cent said they disapprove.

On the issue of immigration, Democrats overwhelmingly support Biden with two-thirds saying they approve. But among independents, that figure drops to 27 per cent.

Just five per cent of Republicans said they approve of Bidens handling of the issue.

In late January, Bidens overall approval rating on immigration stood at 38 per cent - a four-point improvement from its current standing.

The Marist poll shows slight dips for the president when compared to a poll released on Sunday by ABC News/Ipsos, which found that 72 per cent approve his handling of the pandemic.

The Ipsos survey also found that 60 per cent of Americans approved of Bidens handling of the economy.

That survey echoed the Marist poll which showed clear majorities of both independents (54 per cent) and Republicans (89 per cent) disapproving of Bidens handling of the border situation.

The Marist survey of 1,309 adults - 1,167 of whom are registered voters - was conducted between March 22 and March 25.

The US is immediately expelling immediately the majority of migrants who cross the southern border, though a high number of unaccompanied children, which the Biden administration has said it will not expel, have created logistical challenges.

More than 17,000 unaccompanied children were in US custody as of Monday, about 12,000 with the Department of Health and Human Services and the rest with Customs and Border Protection.

On Monday, 446 children entered CBP custody but only 229 went to HHS.

The Border Patrol is apprehending far more children daily than HHS is taking, leading to a severe backlog.

Voters largely approve of Biden's handling of the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The image above shows Janis Daemmrich (right) getting her second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a local pharmacy in Austin, Texas on Tuesday

The Border Patrol is not supposed to detain children for more than three days, but HHS lacks space.

On Tuesday, the Biden administration finally allowed journalists inside its main border detention facility for migrant children for the first time, after weeks of shutting the media out and releasing their own photos.

The tour on Tuesday revealed a severely overcrowded tent structure in Donna, Texas, where more than 4,000 migrants, including children and families, are crammed into pods.

The youngest are kept in a large play pen with mats on the floor for sleeping, because the facility is at 1,700 per cent capacity and the dormitories are full.

Border guards say 14 per cent - roughly one in seven - of the migrant children have tested positive for COVID while photos also show detainees being treated for lice, amid fears of an outbreak.

Two thousand children have already overstayed their 72-hour legal limit and at least 39 have been stuck in the cramped quarters for two weeks.

CBP allowed two journalists from The Associated Press and a crew from CBS to tour the facility in the Rio Grande Valley.

It is the same shelter visited by Senator Ted Cruz, the Republican from Texas, and another 18 Republicans over the weekend - but this is the first time the press has been given a full tour.

The shelter has a capacity of 250 but more than 4,100 people were being housed on the property Tuesday.

Most were unaccompanied children processed in tents before being taken to shelters run by HHS and then placed with a family member, relative or sponsor.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security says there could be twice as many migrants crossing the southern border this year, as smugglers continue to guide families across the Rio Grande and thousands make the journey north from Honduras and Guatemala.

DHS figures suggest crossings could double from 400,000 last year to up to 800,000 by the end of 2021 - even after Biden said last Thursday that the situation was 'normal' and 'happens every year'.

DHS expects approximately 500,000 to 800,000 migrants to arrive as part of a family group during the 2021 fiscal year that ends in September, according to a data analysis by The Washington Post.

That could be double over fiscal year 2020 when 458,088 people were encountered on southern border, according to CBP data.

Additionally, internal administration documents leaked to Axios show unaccompanied minor apprehensions are expected to surge as high as 26,000 in September.

This month, approximately 16,000 minors crossed the border, which was a record high.
Married At First Sight groom Patrick Dwyer has condemned the actions of his controversial co-star Bryce Ruthven.

On Tuesday, Bryce left bride Rebecca Zemek in a flood of tears after he planted an unwanted kiss on her cheek during the couples retreat.

Speaking to Hit's Jimmy and Nath on Wednesday, Patrick said: 'My blood boiled straight away. For Beck, there was no consent involved at all.'

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'My blood was boiling!' Patrick Dwyer condemns Bryce Ruthven's unwanted advance on Beck Zemek as a 'smart-a**e aggressive' move. Pictured with TV wife Belinda Vickers

'He [Bryce] went over, stood on top off her and kissed her in a pretty smart-a**e aggressive way... you don't really want to see that stuff,' Patrick added.

Bryce, 31, had sarcastically crowned Beck, 27, 'the queen' of this year's MAFS season before planting an unwanted kissed on her cheek.

Patrick said Bryce needed to 'own' his behaviour and actions on the series, claiming there was no leg to stand on by blaming editing.

'This was filmed last year, and it did feel like you were reliving the moment again every time you see it on tv. All the emotions come back that you felt at the time. It's a very crazy life we're living right now,' he said.

'There was no consent involved at all!' Patrick condemned his co-star's actions and claimed his kiss was done in a 'pretty smart-a**e aggressive way'

'He needs to own it': Patrick said Bryce needed to 'own' his behaviour and actions on the series, claiming there was no leg to stand on blaming editing. Pictured: Bryce kissing Beck

While some fan accounts, such as Bachiegossip, have screenshot what appeared to be Patrick smiling during the tense moment Bryce approached Beck, his demeanour changed drastically on-screen when Bryce made the unwanted advance.

Patrick was the first male to express his disgust with Bryce's action, shouting at his co-star: 'Bryce, how dare you do that, mate!'

He added, pointing towards a crying Beck: 'Mate, that was disgusting.'

'Mate, that was disgusting': Patrick was the first male to express his disgust with Bryce's actions after the unwanted kiss left Beck in tears

On Wednesday, business manager Beck, 27, said she felt 'violated' and 'harassed' by the incident and claimed production had to be shut down the following day.

She told 2Day FM's The Morning Crew with Hughesy, Ed and Erin: 'I felt violated. It was one of those moments you'd bring the contract up and see what your rights are because I didn't sign up for this.'

Married At First Sight continues on Wednesday from 7:30pm on Nine
By Alfred Tumushabe

Tea farmers and leaders in Kigezi are advocating the establishment of a tea regulatory authority to ensure quality production and better prices, especially in the international market.

The chairperson of south-western Uganda tea farmers and tea nursery bed operators association, Mr Frank Byaruhanga, said the cash crop has been embraced by hundreds of farmers, which calls for improved management.

Mr Byaruhanga said there are 26,684 tea growers in the region. Kigezi now has eight tea processing factories from one in 2008.

Kanungu alone has six factories while Kabale and Kisoro each have one.

There are six tea processing factories in greater Bushenyi, bringing the total to 14 in south-western Uganda.

The districts where tea is grown are Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rukiga, Rubanda, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Rwampara, Buhweju, Bushenyi, Rubirizi, Sheema, Mbarara and Mitooma.

"In 2008, tea farmers in Kanungu District were earning Shs8.7 billion from selling green tea leaves but in 2020 they earned Shs55 billion because of massive production. If government can consider the establishment of a tea regulatory authority, this would put control measures that will result into quality tea leaf production that will in turn fetch high prices at the international markets where Ugandan tea is auctioned," Mr Byaruhanga said.

The chairperson of Kabale tea growers, Mr Philip Zikampereza, said the regulatory authority would solve most challenges the sector is facing.

"Once a tea regulatory authority is put in place, bureaucracies that are currently affecting tea farmers ranging from delayed payments of supplied tea seedlings and poor farming methods due to lack of the required inputs like fertilisers will be history, " Mr Zikampereza said.

The Kisoro District chairperson, Mr Abel Bizimana, said every popular cash crop should have a regulatory authority for quality control and assurance since production is for both local and international markets.

"The issue of operating tea enterprise in Uganda on mere guidelines should stop because under this arrangement, everybody becomes a manager of the enterprise and at the end there is no one responsible," Mr Bizimana said.

The Rukiga District vice chairperson, Mr Michael Mbareba, said the tea enterprise has no home as it currently lies between the National Agriculture and Advisory Services (Naads) and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The MP for Kinkizi West, Mr James Kaberuka, yesterday said the tea sector has for long largely thrived on its own with minimal involvement of government.

"The farmers are right, we need to have Uganda Tea Authority. Farmers are on their own, they don't have adequate advisory, they are relying on generic knowledge. The authority will help control inputs, quality improvement and marketing. Government has reaped much from the tea export with less input in quality improvement and marketing," Mr Kaberuka said.

The minister of Agriculture, Mr Vincent Ssempijja, did not pick our repeated calls yesterday.

Farmers demand pay

Meanwhile, 718 tea nursery bed operators in Kigezi are demanding payment of Shs143 billion from government for supplying tea seedlings to farmers in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

They had in 2018 sued government in the commercial court in Kampala. However, the case was withdrawn in January and the two parties signed a consent judgment that government pays nursery bed operators in a phased manner with the first amount of Shs15 billion expected in February. The money has not yet been paid.

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Mr Byaruhanga yesterday said together with the lawyer for nursery bed operators, Mr Patrick Kiconco, they met the President in Entebbe on Saturday (March 27) over the matter.

He said the meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, the Attorney General, Naads executive director and State minister for Finance David Bahati.

"The commitment made earlier was not being honoured; we met the President and it was resolved that government pays us Shs 67 billion for supplied tea seedlings that have been verified. It was resolved that the remaining tea seedlings be verified in a short time and payment made," Mr Byaruhanga said.
The Honduran president's brother, Juan Orlando Hernandez, has been sentenced by the United States court to life in prison after he was convicted over "state-sponsored drug trafficking," according to prosecutors.

Hernandez's brother, Juan Antonio "Tony" Hernandez, was a former congressman and was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by U.S. district judge P Kevin Castel.

Castel also ordered Tony to forfeit $138 million. Tony was convicted in October 2019 with charges carrying a minimum of 40 years sentence, according to The Guardian report.

Assistant U.S. attorney Matthew Laroche said that Tony conspired with his brother.

"He caused brutal acts of violence," Laroche was quoted in a report.

The assistant attorney further said that Tony transferred funding into National party campaigns for protection.

"He secured protection from investigation, arrest and extradition by paying massive bribes to politicians, like his brother, and like (former president) Porfirio Lobo Sosa," Laroche was quoted in a U.S. News report.

Laroche also claimed that the Honduran president had accepted millions in bribes.

This includes the $1 million from El Chapo, which was funneled to their party's funding for elections.

Tony's lawyer Peter Brill that they will be filing an appeal.

Meanwhile, the Honduran government rejected allegations of the U.S. prosecutors that it was a nation that encouraged drug trafficking.

The Honduran government said in a statement that it was false statements of drug traffickers, wanting to seek benefits for themselves and their families in the United States.

Court documents added that corrupting institutions to transport at least 185,000 kilograms of cocaine in the U.S., Tony had commanded members of Honduran security forces, as well as controlled drug laboratories.

In addition, the court filings also stated that he sold machine guns and ammunitions, some from the military, to drug traffickers, and helped cause two murders.

READ NEXT: Honduran Drug Trafficker Linked to Pres. Hernandez Convicted in U.S.



Honduran President

Hernandez has often represented himself as unforgiving on drugs, and acted as an ally to the United States in issues regarding immigration and anti-narcotics operations.

Allegations against Hernandez could affect the efforts of the new U.S. administration of President Joe Biden. The said investment would be amounting $4 billion to be used to address the causes of migration from Central America.

Hernandez said once that his brother's conviction is hard for their family and for him, personally, according to a Star Tribune report.

One spectator yelled out when Hernandez was coming out from the court room that the president was a criminal, just like his brother.

The DEA had been investigating Tony and others in 2013, according to a Univision report.

Prosecutors said that the Honduran president's brother was working with drug traffickers around 2004 by providing information on police checkpoints and air traffic radars.

Meanwhile, the Honduran president was serving his second term.

In 2009, Hernandez was alleged to have become a cocaine supplier with a lab in Colombia that was said to have stamped out some of the drug packets with his initials.

READ MORE: U.S. Seeks Life for Honduran President's Brother Convicted of Drug Trafficking

WATCH: Honduran president's brother gets life in US jail for drug trafficking - AFP News Agency




Online fashion show "An Exotic Journey to Nusantara" presented by the Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul / Captured from Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul website



By Kwon Mee-yoo



The Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul presented an online fashion show titled "An Exotic Journey to Nusantara" on March 27 to commemorate the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development in 2021.



Nusantara is an Indonesian word for the Indonesian archipelago and the show highlighted fashion as the country's potential creative sector as well as its diversity.



Umar Hadi, ambassador of Indonesia to Seoul, emphasized the importance of culture and the creative economy.



"This event is very special for us at the embassy. It is our fashion project. We want to promote collaboration between Indonesia and South Korea in the field of creative economy. And we want to promote closer cultural ties between the two countries," Hadi said.



"South Korea is a global superpower when it comes to exporting its creative economy and monetizing its culture products. The Korean wave has contributed significantly to global popular culture. Indonesia is a potential superpower as it has two main assets  one is the diversity of culture and the other is the energy of its young talent."



According to the embassy, Indonesia's creative economy has developed significantly over the past decade. In 2017, the creative economy contributed $71.8 million to the country's GDP and the amount jumped to $86.9 million in 2019. The sector also accounts for 14.3 percent of Indonesia's total workforce. Food, fashion and craft are the three major sub-sectors of the creative economy.



Indonesia's former President Megawati Sukarnoputri gave a keynote speech for the event.



"When one speaks about Indonesian fashion, it would be deeply connected with traditional textile. Indonesia's traditional textile possess a long history ... Each piece of cloth and pattern is a creation that has unique characteristics, symbol, color, size and material that is applied from upstream to downstream," Sukarnoputri said.



"The touch of color in Indonesia's traditional textile is deeply influenced by elements of social culture in Indonesian community, including knowledge, environment, religion and social status ... Indonesia has the most complete technique of making traditional textile in the world and our ancestors had succeeded in developing traditional textiles to become an identity in Nusantara, including batik, songket, sulan, ikat and tapis."



She explained the meaning and making process of traditional textile with the example of batik.



"The batik-making technique has been passed on from one generation to another, which makes batik an integral part of community life in Indonesia," Sukarnoputri said.



The fashion show was held in collaboration with renowned Indonesian designer Samuel Wattimena, who is known for incorporating traditional Indonesian fabric in his designs. At the virtual event, Wattimena presented various lines from his collection including Aceh, Papua, Solo and Monado, crafted from Indonesia's traditional textiles and portraying their diverse communities.



The designer said he does not create motifs for his clothes and jewelry but develops them from his country's pieces as they inspire him.



"We used to export products, but now we can grab the world's attention to look at our locality. My motto is 'Local is the new global.' This comprehension has become more crucial than ever because this could foster the confidence of local artists and the young generation in various areas in maximizing their talent to create an impact in the local community," he said.


Our Seder, a Year Later

Why is this night different from all the others? Last Passover, there were more ways than usual. My father was hospitalized with low oxygen. My mother and sister, also sick, spent the holiday clutching their phones in case he called. I was with my partner, crying over chicken broth, gripped by fear. This year, I remember the virus that passed over my own blood, sparing my father as the Israelites were spared from the final plague. I find new meaning in Dayenu, a Seder song of gratitude with the refrain: It would have been enough. My familys health will always be enough.  Amanda Glickman
- This round brings the company's total private funding to over $53 million

- The round is led by Horizons Ventures, with participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Shell Ventures, Summa Equity, and SYSTEMIQ.

- British Airways has also joined as a new investor in this round

- As the airline industry reels from the reduction in travel due to the pandemic, sustainable aviation may be key to recovery.

CRANFIELD, United Kingdom and HOLLISTER, Calif., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Propelling their mission towards delivering airlines zero-carbon, hydrogen-fueled flight, ZeroAvia is launching the development program for a 2MW hydrogen-electric powertrain for full-size regional aircraft. The program kick-off is supported by a new raise of $24.3 million, led by Horizons Ventures , joined by a new investor British Airways. Existing investors Breakthrough Energy Ventures , Ecosystem Integrity Fund , Summa Equity , Shell Ventures , and SYSTEMIQ also participated in the financing. This new round accelerates the larger hydrogen-electric engine development for the 50+ seat aircraft and supports additional commercial airlines initiatives to adopt hydrogen in aviation. Today's announcement brings the company's total private investment to over $53 million and the total funding raised since inception to nearly $74 million.

This latest funding follows the announcement in December that the UK Government - through the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), and Innovate UK - had awarded a 12.3m grant ($16.3m) to deliver a breakthrough 19-seat hydrogen-electric powered aircraft that is market-ready by 2023. The company announced its $21.4 million Series A funding round at the same time, accelerating its 600kW development program scheduled for commercial entry in 2024.

"This new funding, in conjunction with our other recent milestones, will significantly accelerate our path to zero-emission solutions for larger regional aircraft at a commercial scale," said Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia. "With many airlines lining up and ready to make the shift to zero-emissions, we expect to see wide-scale adoption of this technology. We are extremely grateful for our investors who are helping to speed up our progress and ultimately the aviation industry's adoption of zero-emission flight."

ZeroAvia expects to achieve commercialization for its hydrogen-electric powertrain as early as 2024. Its hydrogen aviation solutions will address various markets by initially targeting a 500-mile range in 10-20 seat aircraft used for commercial passenger transport, package delivery, agriculture, and beyond. Accelerated by this new capital infusion, ZeroAvia will also target entering the 50+ seat commercial aircraft segment by 2026.

"'Flying on jet fuel comes with an environmental cost, and finding an alternative for the aviation industry is vital. We believe ZeroAvia offers a real and practical solution for the aviation market to move towards cleaner options." says Patrick Poon from Horizons Ventures.

The round will also further derisk the company vision of powering a 100-seat single-aisle aircraft by 2030. ZeroAvia's achievements to date are the first steps in realizing the near-term transition from fossil fuels to zero-emission hydrogen as the primary source for commercial aviation.

"Innovative zero-emissions technology is advancing fast, and we support the development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source because we believe it has the potential to enable us to reach true zero emissions on short-haul routes by 2050," Sean Doyle, British Airways' CEO, said. "There is a huge amount of energy and excitement building around the possibilities of a zero-emissions future for aviation, and while there is no single solution to this challenge, we acknowledge the need for urgent action to tackle the impact flying currently has on our planet and are making progress on our journey to net zero."

As the company continues to scale its global operations, ZeroAvia also brings three new members to the senior team.

Christine Ourmieres-Widener joins ZeroAvia's Board of Directors and brings executive experience cultivated from her time spent in top leadership at airline and travel corporations, including Vice-President and GM USA for Air France-KLM, CEO and board member of CityJet, Chief Global Sales Officer of American Express Global Business Travel and CEO of FlyBe. She previously served on the Board of Governors for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and was a Non-Executive Director for the airline retailer Datalex.

Mike Friend, a retired Boeing Senior Technology Director and consultant for Mitsubishi Aircraft, joins the Technical Advisory Board to lend his extensive aerospace technology knowledge to the powertrain development programs. In the early 2000s, he led a historic Boeing Phantom Works project in Spain, resulting in the world's first manned hydrogen-electric airplane flight. Following that, he was a chief engineer in the New Airplane Product Development team at Boeing Commercial Aircraft, playing critical roles in developing multiple vehicle concepts, including Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Mark Blair, a retired FedEx VP of Air Operations and a former Director of Fleet & Government Sales for Cessna Aircraft Company joins ZeroAvia Advisory Board to lend his extensive knowledge in package delivery applications of various sizes of aircraft. Mark is also engaged with a number of cargo and passenger operators in advisory capacities and will bring this diverse operator perspective to ZeroAvia.

ZeroAvia offers hydrogen-fueled powertrain technology to replace conventional engines in commercial aircraft. Adoption of this technology results not only in true zero-emission flight but also in lower fuel and maintenance costs. The company previously completed its first electric flight in the US in 2019, then built the second flying prototype in the UK, and conducted its first electric flight in June of 2020. In September 2020, it achieved the world's first hydrogen-electric flight of a commercial-grade aircraft. Additionally, the company just completed a ground simulation of the complete power profile for its upcoming first cross-country flight. The ground test demonstrated a full battery shutdown in-flight using the company's unique fuel cell powertrain configuration, allowing for complete removal of the battery system in the next configuration of the powertrain.

About ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation, focused on hydrogen-electric aviation solutions to address a variety of markets, initially targeting 500 mile range in 10-20 seat aircraft used for commercial passenger transport, cargo, agriculture, and more. Based in the UK and USA, ZeroAvia has already secured experimental certificates for its two prototype aircraft from the CAA and FAA, passed significant flight test milestones, and is on track for commercial operations in 2024. The company's expanding UK operations are supported by grants from UK's Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, and ZeroAvia is part of the UK Government's Jet Zero Council. For more, please visit ZeroAvia.com, follow @ZeroAvia on Twitter , Instagram , and LinkedIn .

About Horizons Ventures

Horizons Ventures, the private investment arm of Mr. Li Ka-shing, is a leading investor in some of the world's most innovative companies and disruptive technologies, including Facebook, Spotify, Siri, Zoom, Impossible Foods and Perfect Day. For more information, please visit http://horizonsventures.com .

About Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Backed by many of the world's top business leaders, Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) invests in cutting-edge companies that will lead the world to net-zero emissions. BEV has more than $2 billion in committed capital to support bold entrepreneurs building companies that can significantly reduce emissions from agriculture, buildings, electricity, manufacturing, and transportation. BEV's strategy links government-funded research and patient, risk-tolerant capital to bring transformative clean energy innovations to market as quickly as possible.

The first fund was created in 2016 as part of the Breakthrough Energy network of initiatives and entities, which include investment funds, non-profit and philanthropic programs, and policy efforts linked by a shared commitment to scale the technologies needed to address climate change and achieve a path to net zero emissions by 2050. Visit https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/ to learn more.

About Ecosystem Integrity Fund

Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) invests in early growth-stage companies contributing to environmental sustainability across multiple sectors including renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste reduction, green chemistry, transportation, agriculture, and water. EIF takes a systems-based approach to sustainability investment, studying both the drivers for change as well as the constraints to innovation in market niches that are ripe for development. EIF invests in companies solving real problems, resulting in better investment opportunities and greater impact. For more information, visit: www.ecosystemintegrity.com .

About Summa Equity

Summa Equity is a thematic investment firm defined by a purpose-driven team that has come together to invest in companies that address some of our global challenges.

Summa Equity focuses on companies in industries supported by megatrends within three themes: Resource Efficiency, Changing Demographics and Tech-Enabled Business. The firm's investments across the three themes have the potential for long-term sustainable outperformance because they address some of the social, environmental, and business challenges we need to solve as a society.

Summa Equity have more than SEK 14 billion of assets under management. For further information on Summa Equity, please visit www.summaequity.com .

About Shell Ventures

Shell Ventures helps companies reach the next level. Established in 1996 as one of the first corporate venture funds in the oil and gas industry, Shell Ventures works with startups and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from their early stages to their scale and growth phases. Through minority investments and strategic partnerships, Shell Ventures helps innovative companies commercialise their solutions to accelerate the energy and mobility transformation.

About SYSTEMIQ

SYSTEMIQ is a leading specialist consulting and investment firm applying system thinking to prevent the worst effects from climate change. SYSTEMIQ focuses on clean energy, materials/circularity, and nature with three complementary business models: (a) building coalitions of actors around climate themes, publishing industry-shaping reports that outline sector transition pathways, (b) advisory services for corporates and investment managers, and (c) investments in (early venture) technologies that accelerate the transition. For further information on SYSTEMIQ, please visit www.systemiq.earth .

About British Airways

British Airways is a global airline and the UK's flag carrier, flying customers to where they need to be for more than 100 years. The airline connects Britain with the world and the world with Britain, putting customers and sustainability at its heart and providing service excellence. British Airways has a clear roadmap to meet its net zero 2050 target. More details of British Airways' sustainability strategy can be found here .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1478000/atr72c.jpg
Science/Medicine

Vaccine Diplomacy: The Surprising Success of Sputnik V Der Spiegel (resilc)

Cuba Libre to be COVID-Libre: Five Vaccines and Counting CounterPunch

Germany to Bar AstraZeneca Vaccine for Those Under 60 Starting Wednesday Bloomberg

Mutations could make current Covid vaccines ineffective soon: Survey CNBC (furzy)

The Fourth Surge Is Upon Us. This Time, Its Different. Atlantic (David L)

This is what the US should be doing and isnt:

Coronavirus fragments have been detected in wastewater from Melbournes south east on 25 March and west on 29 March. Anyone who lives in or has visited these suburbs should be alert for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if any develop, no matter how mild.

#COVID19Vic pic.twitter.com/f5P24Ofvar  VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) March 31, 2021

Getting One Vaccine Is Good. How About Mix-and-Match? New York Times (Kevin W)

I cant believe she said this, its obviously false or if narrowly true, an indication that the CDC is engaged in Cuomo-level Covid data gathering. First, per the makers own clinical trials, the vaccines are not 100% effective even by their own standards, which is (typically) reducing the incidence of severe cases. For instance, Pfizer only had those exhibiting symptoms get a test, so any asymptomatic cases would be excluded. Secondly, the press is regularly reporting on individuals getting Covid despite having gotten two shots. Again, thats to be expected at a low level. Third, Walenskys messaging is 100% wrong from a public health standpoint. Its a drag, but those whove been vaccinated should keep observing Covid precautions. And MDs in the field arent having the same experience as Walensky. For instance, from IM Doc, hoisted from comments, regarding his experience with the vaccines:

The most fascinating problem that has no obvious explanation is a surprisingly large number of patients that get sick and are COVID positive within hours/days of their first injection. I have heard all kinds of lame excuses why this may be happening  but none of them really ring true for the numbers that are occurring. I would predict this is going to be an interesting story when the full story of COVID comes out in a few years. By the way, they tend to be WAAAAY more sick than a regular COVID patient. No hospitalizations yet.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky: Our data from the CDC today suggest that vaccinated people do not carry the virus. pic.twitter.com/9W1SHecSEm  The Recount (@therecount) March 30, 2021

After PM Imran Khan, Pak president tests Covid positive; both took Chinese vaccine Times of India (resilc). No vaccine is 100% but Sinovac reported lower efficacy than some others plus Lambert has pointed out Chinese pharma manufacture is not always the best.
The Major Maxwell Mahama murder trial reaches a critical stage on Monday, April 12, 2021 when the Accra High Court plays a video which details the alleged murder of the then serving military officer as evidence to buttress the case of the prosecution.



The showing of the video, originally scheduled for open court last Monday, was rescheduled because the technical team of the Judicial Service could not find an appropriate position in the courtroom to project the video.



The court, in agreement with counsel for the 14 accused persons and the prosecution, settled on playing the video at the conference hall of the Accra High Court on the next adjourned date because it is relatively spacious.



It is to ensure that the jury, the prosecution, counsel and the judge watch the video comfortably and in compliance with social distancing protocols.



Video



The video, which is already in evidence, was expected to be played last year, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent directive from the Chief Justice limiting the number of persons in a courtroom, the case endured several adjournments till last Monday.



At last Mondays hearing, however, the courtroom was packed with journalists and other people, in defiance of COVID-19 social distancing protocols, because of its sheer profile.



The Criminal Division (Court 3) of the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Mariama Owusu, a justice of the Supreme Court sitting as a High Court judge, adjourned the case to April 12, this year, after reaching a consensus with both defence counsel and the prosecution, represented by a Chief State Attorney, Mrs Evelyn Keelson.



On the scheduled day, the prosecution is expected to continue the examination-in-chief of the 14th prosecution witness, Chief Inspector Samuel Agyakwa, after the video had been played.



Pre Order Ghana Year Book 2021

Facts



Major Mahama was killed at Denkyira Obuasi on May 29, 2017.



He was said to have been lynched during a morning jogging that led him to Denkyira Obuasi, then a haven for illegal mining, popularly called galamsey.



A video recording of how he was supposedly lynched went viral on various social media platforms.



Fourteen people, including William Baah, a former Assembly Member for Denkyira Obuasi, are standing trial in connection with the death of the military officer.



Others are Bernard Asamoah, alias Daddy; Kofi Nyarko, aka Abortion; Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi and Michael Anim.



The rest are Bismark Donkor, John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismark Abanga and Kwadwo Anima.



They have all pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from murder, abetment to murder and conspiracy to commit murder.





Source: graphiconline.com









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Featured Video
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Three large Cypherpunk Holdings Inc. ("Cypherpunk" or the "Company") shareholders (the "Concerned Shareholders"), together owning not less than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of Cypherpunk, announce they intend to requisition an annual general meeting of shareholders of Cypherpunk for the purpose of nominating a board of directors of the Company (the "Board") that will be comprised of a majority of independent directors.

The Concerned Shareholders are led by Nevis based Eagle Star International Ltd. and are all long standing shareholders of the Company. The Concerned Shareholders intend to nominate a slate of directors that will not include the current CEO of Cypherpunk, former Lithuanian politician and professional poker player Antanas Guoga.

Mr. Guoga, unbeknownst to the current board of Cypherpunk, ran for political office in Lithuania after negotiating and entering into an employment agreement with Cypherpunk in August 2020. He was ultimately elected as a member of the Lithuanian parliament in October 2020. However, since Mr. Guoga was the CEO of Cypherpunk, he was in breach of Lithuanian parliament conflict of interest rules, as members of the Lithuanian parliament are prohibited from engaging in outside business interests. Instead of disclosing his political activities to the Company and immediately resigning as CEO of the Company upon his election, or alternatively, resigning from the Lithuanian parliament, he instead attempted to stay engaged in both roles. Ultimately, this proved untenable, and Guoga was essentially forced to resign his political post (after a mere three months). Thereafter, he obfuscated his activities by releasing an unauthorized (and solely self -serving) news release on January 14, 2021 (See Company website) that was not actually widely disseminated nor filed on SEDAR. This release trumpeted his intention to "dedicate his time to Cypherpunk Holdings on full time basis" going forward even though Cypherpunk shareholders would have assumed that their CEO would have been suitably engaged on such a basis starting in early August, 2020. At the date of Guoga's appointment he was offered the opportunity to purchase units of the Company in a bespoke private placement at 5 cents per unit in return for his services.

A cursory review of Guoga's Twitter profile reveals virtually no marketing presence related to Cypherpunk prior to the resolution of his Lithuanian political flirtation in late January 2021, and a strange obsession since then with various obscure NFT's where his ownership positon and obvious conflict are not disclosed.

Attempts by the Concerned Shareholders commencing in February 2021 to resolve this situation though a process of improved corporate governance that would initially have involved a board consisting of an equal number of independents and management was unsuccessful. Each of the Concerned Shareholders then submitted Advance Notice letters to the Company during the period of February 10-18, 2021 seeking to nominate three independent directors to the Cypherpunk board of directors. Rather than comply with the Company's bylaws, the three non-independent directors of the Company abruptly cancelled the shareholders' meeting that had previously been scheduled to be held on March 23, 2021. No disclosure has ever been made by Cypherpunk as to why this scheduled meeting was cancelled.

In light of the recent increased regulatory scrutiny by the OSC (see March 11, 2021 CSA Staff Notice 51-363 - Observations on Disclosure by Crypto Assets Reporting Issuers), the Concerned Shareholders believe they have no other avenues available to them to ensure the minimum acceptable level of corporate governance which would allow Cypherpunk to continue to exist in its current incantation as a designated investment issuer on the CSE.

Contact



Laure Ximmerman

Director, Eagle Star International Ltd.

Email: info.esil@yahoo.com

Additional Information

The information contained in this press release does not and is not meant to constitute a solicitation of a proxy within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The Concerned Shareholders have not yet delivered the requisition, there is currently no record or meeting date set for the proposed requisitioned meeting and shareholders are not being asked at this time to execute a proxy in favour of the Nominees or any other resolution to be set forth in the proposed requisition. In connection with the meeting, the Concerned Shareholders may file a dissident information circular in due course in compliance with applicable securities laws.

The information contained herein and any solicitation made by the Concerned Shareholders in advance of the meeting is, or will be, as applicable, made by the Concerned Shareholders and not by or on behalf of the management of Cypherpunk. All costs incurred for any solicitation will be borne by the Concerned Shareholders, provided that, subject to applicable law, the Concerned Shareholders may seek reimbursement from Cypherpunk of the Concerned Shareholders' out-of-pocket expenses, including proxy solicitation expenses and legal fees, incurred in connection with a successful reconstitution of the Board.

The Concerned Shareholders are not soliciting proxies in connection with the proposed requisitioned meeting at this time. The Concerned Shareholders may engage the services of one or more agents and authorize other persons to assist in soliciting proxies on behalf of the Concerned Shareholders. Any proxies solicited by or on behalf of the Concerned Shareholders, including by any other agent retained by the Concerned Shareholders, may be solicited pursuant to a dissident information circular or by way of public broadcast, including through press releases, speeches or publications and by any other manner permitted under Canadian corporate and securities laws. Any such proxies may be revoked by instrument in writing executed by a shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a body corporate, by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized or by any other manner permitted by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79145


Ajaz Khan The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested Bollywood actor Ajaz Khan in an alleged drugs case early Wednesday, officials said. Soon after he arrived from Jaipur and landed at the Mumbai Airport on Tuesday, he was detained for questioning by the NCB Mumbai Zonal Unit and placed under arrest early the next day. According to NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, the actor's name emerged during the interrogation of a notorious drug peddler Shadab Shaikh alias Batata, who was nabbed last Thursday from the western suburbs. After detention, Ajaz Khan was grilled for several hours at the NCB offices and later placed under arrest for his alleged role in the crime and links with the drug mafia. Shortly before he was taken to the NCB office, Khan -- who has worked in several films and participated in TV reality shows like Bigg Boss -- claimed he was not detained and had voluntarily come to meet the officers. A team also raided locations in Andheri west in connection with the case, the NCB officer added. The NCB has arrested nearly 36 drug peddlers till date as it unravels the drug angle in Bollywood arising out of the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances on June 14, 2020.




Egypt categorically rejects the recent terrorist bombings at a busy market in Baghdad, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Tuesday30/3/2021, asserting Egypt's full solidarity with the Iraqi government and people.

The minister was addressing a virtual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh Small Group, held to discuss the latest developments in joint international efforts to eliminate the threat of Daesh terrorist organization.

"This important meeting comes at a critical time as the terrorist organization still poses a grave threat to the Middle East region and the entire world, despite the coalition's recent victories against Daesh," Shoukry said, according to a statement by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez.

He also expressed Egypt's growing concerns over increased terrorist activity in Africa by terror groups which claim allegiance to Daesh, stressing Egypt's full support to all African states in their war on terrorism.

Shoukry also emphasized that the organization cannot be defeated by military means alone, calling for confronting extremist ideologies and the organization's pernicious propaganda to recruit new members.

He further asserted Egypt's willingness to support the coalition in this regard, given the former's broad experience as well as the relentless counter-extremism efforts by Egypt's religious institutions, topped by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken out on the claims made during Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Oprah interview that the couple had undertaken a secret backyard wedding ceremony prior to the official date.

The Duchess said that three days before the official wedding on Saturday 19 May 2018 at St Georges Chapel in Windsor, the pair shared vows in a ceremony just the two of us.

Meghan said: You know, three days before our wedding, we got married.

No one knows that. But we called the Archbishop, and we just said, Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us.

So, like, the vows that we have framed in our room are just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Read more:

With no witnesses and it not being an officially licensed wedding venue, it had been suggested that the gathering was likely an informal exchange.

Now, speaking to the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Archbishop Justin Welby has confirmed that the couple did not have a legal wedding.

The Archbishop of Canterbury said: The legal wedding was on the Saturday. I signed the wedding certificate, which is a legal document, and I would have committed a serious criminal offence if I signed it knowing it was false.

Welby did confirm that he had multiple meetings with the couple before their official wedding day, but as a priest, said he would keep their contents private.

He said: If any of you ever talk to a priest, you expect them to keep that talk confidential.

It doesnt matter who Im talking to. I had a number of private and pastoral meetings with the duke and duchess before the wedding.

The Oprah interview prompted the former chief clerk at the Faculty Office and the person who issued their official license, Stephen Borton, to speak up saying they were clearly misinformed.

He told The Sun newspaper: They did not marry three days earlier in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Special Licence I helped draw up enabled them to marry at St Georges Chapel in Windsor and what happened there on 19 May 2018 and was seen by millions around the world was the official wedding as recognised by the Church of England and the law.

What I suspect they did was exchange some simple vows they had perhaps written themselves, and which is fashionable, and said that in front of the archbishop or, and more likely, it was a simple rehearsal.
The World Bank has upgraded its forecast for the growth of Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021 to 3.8%.

According to Ukrinform, this is stated in the World Bank's review "Europe and Central Asia Economic Update, Spring 2021: Data, Digitalization, and Governance."

"The GDP growth projection of 3.8 percent is underpinned by positive base effects in agriculture and processing industry and takes into account that further temporary lockdowns are possible in the first half of 2021 due to the delays in vaccinations," the document reads.

According to World Bank forecasts, Ukraine's GDP will grow by 3% in 2022 and by 3.5% in 2023.

The organization said that last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ukraine's economy shrank by 4.5% (the World Bank earlier expected a decline of 5.5%).

In early January, the World Bank raised its forecast for Ukraine's GDP growth in 2021 to 3%.

op
The United States, the United Kingdom and at least 12 other countries have condemned the World Health Organization's (WHO) latest report on the novel coronavirus' origin, as well as berated China for failing to disclose the raw data to the WHOs investigative teams for probing initial cases from the outbreak. Earlier in an interview with Australias News9, infectious disease expert Dominic Dwyer, who is a part of the WHO probing team said that China refused to hand over the data from the time when the first 174 COVID-19 cases were identified in Wuhan. Dwyer said that coronavirus was in circulation for over several weeks prior to the Huanan Seafood Market outbreak. Now, whether we were shown everything? You can never know. The group wasnt designed to go and do a forensic examination of lab practice.

Objecting to the latest report by WHO that claimed that the novel coronavirus most likely jumped from animal to human, and a lab leak was extremely unlikely, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday at a presser that the US President Joe Biden believes that the country deserves better information from the global health agency than that the SARS-CoV-2 tranmitted from an animal. "I think he believes the American people, the global community, the medical experts, the doctors, all of the people who have been working to save lives, the families who have lost loved ones, all deserve greater transparency," Psaki told reporters at the White House briefing.

Finding the origin of a virus takes time and we owe it to the world to find the #COVID19 virus source so we can collectively take steps to reduce the risk of this happening again. No single research trip can provide all the answers.  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 30, 2021

As far as @WHO is concerned all hypotheses remain on the table. This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end. We have not yet found the source of the #COVID19 virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do.  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 30, 2021

The team visited several labs in Wuhan, #China and considered whether the #COVID19 virus entered the human population via a lab incident. I do not believe that this assessment was extensive enough. Further data and studies are needed to reach more robust conclusions.  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 30, 2021

Psakis press statement came shortly after at least 12 nations signed a separate statement, which includes Canada and Australia, criticising the WHOs conclusions, and calling for a transparent evaluation. The European Union meanwhile, called out at China for providing better access to the researchers to investigate the deadly virus that has claimed more than 2.8 million lives worldwide and has exhausted and drained the healthcare workers, and left economies in shackles. "They deserve better information," Psaki said at the press conference, adding that there shall be steps that are taken by the global community to provide that.

Lab leak 'extremely unlikely'

The 120-page WHO report went on to suggest that the coronavirus pandemic was started by an intermediate animal host, one raised on a farm, and it was yet to be determined if the animal was infected by a bat which is a confirmed host of zoonotic coronavirus. The animal, most likely an alive one may have transmitted the disease to a human at the Wuhan Wet market where the outbreak first happened in December 2019. Scientists at the global health agency also ruled out the possibility of the cold chain transmission as minimal or very low.

Head of the WHO mission, Peter Ben Embarek told a press conference that it was also extremely unlikely that the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak occurred due to a laboratory leak, as previously suggested by the former Trump administration. Studies had earlier shown that the coronaviruses highly related to SARS-CoV-2 were mostly found in bats and pangolins. The World Health Organization ascertained that there was increasing evidence following a probe about the likelihood of an animal-human spill.
Queensland pubs and cafes will be forced to sign up to the state governments coronavirus check-in app by May.

And other businesses could be next.

Queenslanders will need to download the governments Check in Qld app to attend hospitality venues from May 1. Credit:Attila Csaszar

On Wednesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the governments Check In Qld app would be mandatory for the hospitality industry by May 1, meaning millions of Queenslanders would be asked to download the app, which scans QR codes at venues.

The check-in app is a really, really valuable tool for our contact tracers and it means that you just hold your phone up and your details have been stored and you dont have to re-check in and stand there and spend five minutes remembering everything about your details, she said.
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, networking and cloud solutions and RingCentral, Inc. (NYSE: RNG), a leading provider of global enterprise cloud communications, collaboration, video meetings, and contact center solutions, are joining forces to launch Rainbow Office, powered by RingCentral, a Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) solution, in Ireland.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005381/en/

Stemming from a strategic partnership between RingCentral and Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, announced in August 2020, Rainbow Office, powered by RingCentral, will combine the very latest in UCaaS technology from RingCentral, with market-leading networking, communication, and cloud solutions and services from Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise's portfolio, making it a unique offering in the market.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise's mission is to deliver customized technology experiences to enterprises with a verticalized business approach. Rainbow Office, powered by RingCentral, will enrich the company's cloud portfolio enabling customers to accelerate their digital transformation with Unified UCaaS.

With Rainbow Office, users can efficiently and securely collaborate from anywhere and on any device via a single enterprise solution, leveraging RingCentral's industry-leading integrated Message Video Phone (MVP) capabilities. Rainbow Office provides users HD audio and video, screen share capabilities, the ability to check presence, share files, and seamlessly switch between devices with integrated carrier-grade voice.

"We are delighted to partner with RingCentral to address the needs of business customers in Ireland," says Heather Zhang, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Country Business Leader for UK, and Ireland. This public UCaaS solution, which includes traffic, represents a fantastic opportunity for companies who want to accelerate their transformation to the cloud. These businesses can benefit from a secure business communication platform, which is both easy to implement and to use. The Rainbow Office carrier-grade communication suite, provides an all-in-one solution with multiple security layers, offering protection for applications and devices from potential attacks."

"We are delighted to launch Rainbow Office, powered by RingCentral, to Ireland," said Steve Rafferty, country manager, UK Ireland, RingCentral. "By bringing together RingCentral's leading cloud communications portfolio and Alcatel-Lucent's ability to deliver customized technology experiences to enterprises, we are confident that customers can accelerate to their digital transformation. Additionally, customers will now have access to a powerful UCaaS solution that will meet their growing communications needs and enable them to work from anywhere."

"Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise is already the number one player in Western Europe in terms of PBX, IPPBX licenses sold1. We see this UCaaS solution as a tremendous growth opportunity for integrators and channel partners alike," Eamon Connaughton, head of sales for Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise in Ireland. "This is very relevant, both for companies who are beginning their journey to the cloud as well as for those who are looking for a cloud communication solution including traffic. Over the past few months, we have been very pleased with the interest and engagement of partners in Ireland who recognize the significant business benefits of offering this solution to their end customers."

Rainbow Office is available in Ireland as well as in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and in The Netherlands from March 31st, 2021.

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customized technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect.

ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions tailored to ensure customers' success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact.

Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than 830,000 customers in 100 countries around the world.

The privately-owned company with headquarters in France has over 2900 direct business partners worldwide, achieving an effective global reach with a local focus.

For more information: www.al-enterprise.com

LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

About RingCentral

RingCentral, Inc. (NYSE: RNG) is a leading provider of business cloud communications and contact center solutions based on its powerful Message Video Phone?(MVP) platform. More flexible and cost effective than legacy on-premise PBX and video conferencing systems that it replaces, RingCentral empowers modern mobile and distributed workforces to communicate, collaborate, and connect via any mode, any device, and any location. RingCentral offers three key products in its portfolio including RingCentral Office, a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform including team messaging, video meetings, and a cloud phone system, Glip??the company's free video meetings solution with team messaging that enables Smart Video Meetings, and RingCentral cloud Contact Center?solutions. RingCentral's open platform integrates with leading third-party business applications and enables customers to easily customize business workflows. RingCentral is headquartered in Belmont, California, and has offices around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including but not limited to, statements regarding RingCentral's future financial and operating performance, RingCentral's future financial and operating performance, RingCentral's plans to partner with Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise to offer Rainbow Office powered by RingCentral, the anticipated benefits of and activity under RingCentral's strategic partnership with Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, including the ability to create a long-term growth opportunities for RingCentral, as well as those risks and uncertainties included under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in RingCentral's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and in other filings RingCentral makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to RingCentral as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, to review or confirm analysts' expectations, or to provide interim reports or updates.

1 MZA Call Control (PBX-IP PBX) Quarterly Tracker Q4 2020, published March 2021.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005381/en/

Contacts:

Press Contacts:

Jan James, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

+44 1628 642515

jan.james@al-enterprise.com



Alexandra Biebel, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

+49 7154 803 5205

alexandra.biebel@al-enterprise.com



Carine Bowen, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

+33 1 55 66 31 09

press@al-enterprise.com



Lisa McGauley, Fox Agency, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise press agency

+44 (0)7592 120 897

lisa@fox.agency



Jyotsna Grover, RingCentral

+ 1 650-513-8712

jyotsna.grover@ringcentral.com
An Oklahoma jail where a hostage standoff on Saturday left an inmate dead and a guard injured was found last month not to be in substantial compliance with state health standards after investigators documented overcrowded living quarters, staff shortages, leaky roofs and moldy showers.

An inspection by the Oklahoma State Department of Health in February found that showers at the jail, the Oklahoma County Detention Center, were covered in black residue which appeared to be mold and mildew. Some showers were clogged and had standing water, which had a strong and pungent odor, the report found, and the hot water in one shower measured 56 degrees.

Inmates told investigators that the facilities had been in this condition for several months. They also said it was not unusual to have access to a shower only once every eight days.

Air vents at the jail, which is in Oklahoma City, also had a buildup of lint and black residue. Living quarters were dirty and overcrowded, with three inmates living in a space that could safely hold one, the report said, and a leaky roof often led to several inches of water filling the floors of the laundry, kitchen and basement areas.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As Central Alabama deals with the aftermath of 11 confirmed tornados on March 25, BBVA USA has announced it will donate $25,000 toward community relief efforts through the BBVA Foundation . The tornado recovery grant will support the United Way of Central Alabama.

"This has been a challenging time for so many people across central Alabama, especially those in Ohatchee and other communities in Calhoun and Randolph Counties," said BBVA USA President and CEO Javier Rodriguez Soler. "We wanted to move fast to support our customers and communities through the United Way to help them quickly recover from the devastating storm damage."

In addition to community support, BBVA has also activated a Disaster Relief Fund for the bank's full and part-time team members. Employees who are significantly impacted may also be considered for a grant from the BBVA Compassion Fund, an employee grant fund first started to support employees in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and expanded in 2020 in response to COVID-19. Employees are encouraged to donate to the fund which supports team member needs, and BBVA USA will match their contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to an additional $100,000.

For more BBVA news visit, www.bbva.com and the U.S. Newsroom .

Additional news updates can be found via Twitter and Instagram .

For more financial information about BBVA in the U.S., visit bbvausa.investorroom.com .

About BBVA

BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a strong leadership position in the Spanish market, is the largest financial institution in Mexico, it has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States. It is also the leading shareholder in Turkey's Garanti BBVA. Its purpose is to bring the age of opportunities to everyone, based on our customers' real needs: provide the best solutions, helping them make the best financial decisions, through an easy and convenient experience. The institution rests in solid values: Customer comes first, we think big and we are one team. Its responsible banking model aspires to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable society.

BBVA USA

In the U.S., BBVA is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 637 branches, including 328 in Texas, 88 in Alabama, 63 in Arizona, 61 in California, 43 in Florida, 37 in Colorado and 17 in New Mexico. The bank ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (6th). In the U.S., BBVA has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and ranked 14th nationally in terms of dollar volume of SBA loans originated in fiscal year 2019.

SOURCE BBVA USA

Related Links

www.bbva.com


Workforce

Unions, agencies encouraging feds to get vaccinated

Federal agencies and employee unions are looking for ways to encourage vaccine hesitant government workers to get inoculated against COVID-19 to support the safe reopening of federal workplaces.

Early results from federal workforce campaigns suggest that vaccine uptake could present challenges once availability for all age groups is no longer an obstacle.

The access issue may recede relatively soon: On March 29, President Joe Biden announced that 90% of the U.S. adult population will be eligible to receive a shot by April 19, and 90% will have a vaccination site within five miles of their home.

Half the workforce at the Bureau of Prisons has declined to be vaccinated, Director Michael Carvajal told House Appropriators at a March 18 hearing. Carvajal said he didnt yet have the authority to require employees to get vaccinated, because the vaccines that are in use are available under emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.

At this point in time  I cannot compel them to take it. I can just make it available and encourage it," he said. "We certainly are continuing to encourage it and offer it."

If the agency does eventually decide to require employees to be inoculated, it would have to work with the employee union to set the conditions.

The National Treasury Employees Union is also sending messaging to its members encouraging them to be vaccinated "as soon as you possibly can," National President Tony Reardon said at a GovExec event on Tuesday.

"Really, from my perspective, what this is about is protecting other people  whether it's people in your family, your fellow workers or folks in your communities," he said.

The union is emphasizing that agencies shouldnt make employees come back into workplaces until immunization rates and other scientific factors suggest that it's safe to do so.

"I think one of the worst things we could do is start to call employees back into the workplace too quickly," Reardon said.

Vaccine mandates for feds could be legal, but might be counterproductive, said Dr. Tim Parsons, chief scientist at the Government Accountability Office.

"I think it's likely going to be counterproductive if it's mandated in a very strict way that you have to have for example an ID card or something like that  to come back in," he said.

The White House also said on Monday that a government will not be creating a system for "vaccine passports" confirming inoculation against COVID-19, although there is an interagency process underway to create guidelines for the private sector to use in designing such certifications.
A grandmother has been ordered have her pet dog put down after it mauled her son's fiancee during a family row.

Ann Mainwaring, 53, was arguing with university student Christopher and other relatives when her German shepherd-akita cross became distressed and bit Sophie Moore in the face.

The attack left Miss Moore, also a university student, with a two-inch gash on her cheek that needed surgery including eight stitches and forced her to drink through a straw.

Police investigating the incident at Mainwaring's home in Milnrow, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, discovered the dog called Mylo had previously savaged a 10-year-old boy's face and she had been warned to keep the animal muzzled when around people.

The dog, which was said to be 'absolutely fine 98 per cent of the time', has been in kennels since the attack on Miss Moore.

Grandmother Ann Mainwaring, 53, has been ordered to have her dog put down after it mauled her son Christopher's fiancee Sophie (pictured together) during a family row

Christopher's family were having an argument when Ann's German Shepherd-Akita cross Mylo became distressed and bit Sophie on the face

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, shop worker Mainwaring (right) admitted having a dangerous dog out of control and was ordered to have the animal destroyed

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, shop worker Mainwaring admitted having a dangerous dog out of control and was ordered to have the animal destroyed.

She was also told to pay over 300 in compensation to Miss Moore who lost her part-time job as a result of the attack.

The attack happened on May 27 last year after the engaged couple who live in Scarborough, North Yorks, were visiting Mainwairing with a view to staying over for the weekend.

Ann Bond, prosecuting, said: 'The defendant's partner took the dog out for a walk and the victim had been stroking the dog on and off and nothing was unusual. But an argument arose over sleeping arrangements and the victim and her boyfriend went upstairs where the whole family were talking.

In mitigation David Bruce said Mainwaring (pictured leaving court) would not oppose the destruction order after doing 'a lot of soul searching'

Miss Moore (pictured with Christopher), a university student, suffered a 4cm laceration to her cheek which required surgery including eight stitches which left her drinking through a straw

'It seems there was a large argument going on and during that argument, the victim was petting the dog with one hand. The moment she began to speak, the dog turned and bit her on the cheek.

'As a result of the attack she became afraid of her own dog and her depression and anxiety worsened. She didn't feel confident going out and she had to drink through a straw.

'Previously, on April 22, 2019, the dog had bitten a 10-year-old child in the face and the child received stitches.

'Police had told the defendant the dog should remain muzzled when around people but she did not think it was necessary as the victim had already been to the house before. She feels bad about what happened. There was a lack of safety and control measures.'

In mitigation David Bruce said Mainwaring would not oppose the destruction order after doing 'a lot of soul searching'.

Sentencing Judge Maurice Greene told Mainwaring: 'You are not in a position to look after the dog in the future. It's really very difficult for anybody else to take the dog. Even if they could, it would not be able to be re-homed. The only order I can make is a destruction order'

'Her personal circumstances make it extremely difficult to give this dog the day-to-day attention it needs. She had proceeded on the basis that she wanted the dog back but her circumstances have taken something of a downward turn and she split up with her partner and works shifts.

Mr Bruce added: 'This is a very tragic incident for all concerned. There was one previous incident and police could have made their instructions more formal, so the defendant knew what she had to do but that was never done.

She is a good mother and a good grandmother. She has effectively lost her son, lost her partner and now lost her dog. There is a lot of emotional turmoil here.'

Animal behaviour expert Shaun Hesmondhalgh concluded that Mylo was not an aggressive animal and behaved "excellently".'

But citing the 'lockdown effect' he explained: 'All of the rescue centres will soon be full again. Most will not take this dog because of its violent history. It will need a specialist centre, a "no-kill shelter", and it will end up languishing in a shelter for the rest of its life.'

Sentencing Judge Maurice Greene told Mainwaring: 'You are not in a position to look after the dog in the future. It's really very difficult for anybody else to take the dog. Even if they could, it would not be able to be re-homed. The only order I can make is a destruction order.'

Mainwaring was also ordered to complete a 18 month community order plus 120 hours of unpaid work.
Startup India is the

flagship initiative of the Government of India

intended to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship to drive sustainable economic growth and generate large scale employment opportunities. Through this initiative, the Government aims to empower startups to grow through innovation, design and entrepreneurship. It is housed under Invest India which is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of the Government of India, and operates under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

About

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas (

www.weforum.org

).

About Toilet Board Coalition

The Toilet Board Coalition (TBC) is a business-led membership organisation driving private sector engagement in SDG6.2. We facilitate large-small company partnerships, public-private collaboration and run a business accelerator for SGBs (small & growing businesses) to contribute to universal access to sustainable sanitation products & services.
Myanmar activists held candle-lit vigils overnight after scores of deaths in recent days from a military crackdown on anti-coup protesters and clashes in ethnic border areas, as the United States ordered non-essential embassy staff to leave.

At least 521 civilians have been killed in two months of protests against the February 1 coup, 141 of them on Saturday, the bloodiest day of the unrest. A further eight people died on Tuesday, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The United States on Tuesday ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees and their family members from Myanmar due to concerns over civil unrest.

This comes as Thailand denied accusations from activists that refugees were being forced to return but a Thai official on the border said the army was sending most people back because it was deemed safe on the Myanmar side.
A new flow is seen meeting pools of green water along the Darling Barka river, as a flow of water arrives from upstream on February 24, 2020 in Louth, Australia. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

ACCC Calls for Comprehensive Overhaul of Murray-Darling Water Markets

An independent agency should be established to oversee trading activity in the water markets for the Murray-Darling Basin, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Its one of the 29 recommendations made by the consumer watchdog in its 700-page final report (pdf) of the Murray-Darling Basin water markets inquiry.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an inquiry into the Murray-Darling water markets in 2019 after wide-spread anger from the local farmers surrounding price concerns during the drought. The inquirys recommendations aim to improve current trade arrangements, increase market governance and information flow, and strengthen market design.

ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said that until now, the Basins systems and governance had been designed around protecting the environment rather than providing an efficient working market.

There has been a lack of attention to ensuring water trading markets are working fairly and efficiently, Keogh said in a statement. With an annual average value of more than $1.8 billion per year, water markets in the Murray-Darling Basin are now of a scale that warrants serious and focused attention.

Former Water Minister David Littleproud (right) during a tour of the southern basin in Renmark, South Australia, Sept. 1, 2019. (AAP Image/Matt Coughlan)

The inquiry found that the current water market was extremely complex to navigate, had inconsistent trade processes between states, lacked regulation and transparency, and lacked centralised legislation that prohibited trading misconduct.

These factors contributed to a lack of trust in the market by traders, discouraging participation.

Due to the lack of trust, many local traders also believed large investors were manipulating the market through price manipulation, insider trading, and collusion. However, ACCC found there was no evidence of such misconduct.

Inevitably, this lack of trust will inhibit efficient investment in agricultural production in the Basin, to the detriment of all Australians, Keogh said.

The ACCCs recommendations will help to build trust and market efficiency by strengthening market integrity, improving transparency and information, improving trade services and better aligning market rules and arrangements with the physical characteristics of the river system, he said.

Water Markets Agency

The proposed Water Markets Agency is at the heart of addressing the majority of concerns raised by users with the ACCC recommending that the agency help users navigate the market, ensure markets are operated fairly, and provide advice to the government from a market-focused perspective.

Keogh said despite analysing eight million transactions in the market between 2012 and 2019; it was difficult for the inquiry to understand market trends due to a lack of clarity in the data.

Forty percent of [the transactions] did not have a price associated with them, a lot of them dont have a date associated with them, and many occurred across multiple jurisdictions, Keogh told ABC.

To address this and the users lack of trust in the market, the ACCC suggested introducing new legislation prohibiting market manipulation and enable the agency to administer and enforce the legislation allowing the Water Agency to pursue any action against misconduct when identified.

A dry section of the Barwon river is seen as the beginnings of a flow arrives on Feb. 17, 2020, in Brewarrina, Australia. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Water Minister Keith Pitt said the government was already working on addressing the ACCC recommendations, including a $5.4 million investment into a single water information platform.

We will also be developing new legislation to strengthen compliance and establish a statutory position of Inspector-General of Water Compliance Bill, Pitt said.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A car with a 7-year-old child inside was hit by several bullets Tuesday on Syracuses South Side, according to Syracuse police.

Police responded to a shots-fired call at 5:49 p.m., in the 100 block of Bishop Avenue, according to Syracuse police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Malinowski.

The car was hit multiple times, and several gun shell casings were found at the scene, police said.

The child was not shot, and no other injuries were reported, police said.

Police are still investigating and ask anyone with information to call the Syracuse Police Department at 315-442-5222.

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.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin sits in front of a picture of George Floyd displayed during Chauvins trial for second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters)

The trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of murdering George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, last May, is now in its third day.

Mr Chauvin faces three charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter.

The murder charges could carry 40 and 25-year sentences, respectively. Mr Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

Though Mr Chauvin has the right to testify at his trial, it is not yet known if he will do so. However, the trial is expected to last four weeks and the defence and prosecution teams will release more information as proceedings move forward.

Mr Chauvins defence team, led by lawyer Eric Nelson, is being paid for by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, as although he and three other offices were fired after Mr Floyds death, the Minneapolis Police Department still has a membership.

Read more:

The defence argument centres on there being more factors to consider beyond video footage of Mr Chauvin kneeling on Mr Floyds neck during the incident on 25 May 2020.

There is no political or social cause in this courtroom, Mr Nelson told the court. But the evidence is far greater than nine minutes and 29 seconds.

Four officers were called to the scene on reports that George Floyd was using a counterfeit $20 bill. As Mr Chauvin detained Mr Floyd, he was filmed kneeling on the mans neck while Mr Floyd pleaded for air and eventually lost consciousness.

Derek Chauvin did exactly what he had been trained to do over his 19-year career, Mr Nelson added. The use of force is not attractive, but it is a necessary part of policing.

The defence will draw attention to Mr Floyds size, that he resisted arrest, and that he had drugs in his system at the time  which they argue were the cause of death when combined with his pre-existing health conditions. They may also contend that the crowd of onlookers was a distraction to the officers.

Story continues

Testimony direct from Mr Chauvin or the other officers present may serve to further these arguments.

Among several pieces of compelling testimony on day two of the trial, one of the bystanders that day, off-duty Minneapolis firefighter Genevieve Hansen, said that she pleaded with officers to check Mr Floyds pulse and was not permitted to give him medical attention.

There is extensive footage of her interaction with the officers, in addition to those of the other witnesses. Ms Hansen resorting to calling 911 to report the incident.

Another bystander, Donald Williams, also shouted at the police to get off Mr Floyd, but rejected claims by the defence team that he grew angrier and angrier. Mr Williams also called the police after the incident to report that officers had murdered Mr Floyd.

Darnella Frazier, the teenage girl who filmed the video in which Mr Floyd can be heard saying that he couldnt breathe, said that the group of bystanders had become loud and called Mr Chauvin names, but no one threatened him and he did not seem scared by them.

The protests and unrest that followed the events of that day last summer renewed a nationwide reckoning around racism, policing, and civil rights that continues to this day.

Read More

911 dispatcher says instincts told her something was wrong during George Floyd arrest

2 views of Floyd onlookers: Desperate to help, or angry mob

Witness who knew Derek Chauvin weeps viewing George Floyd arrest video
RTE presenter Sinead Kennedy has taken to social media to reveal the news that she and her husband Conor Kirwan have welcomed their first child.

The Ballincollig native shared the couple's happy news on Instagram, posting a photo of her husband carrying their baby girl in a car seat.

"Home a few days now and settling into life with the little one.

"Indie Kirwan is the most precious thing to have ever happened to us.

"Were overcome with happiness and are feeling extremely grateful.

"Well love you forever baby girl," the Today show host wrote.

In her post, Ms Kennedy also paid tribute to the staff at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH).

"Thank you so much to the incredible staff at CUMH for looking after us both so well," she wrote.
- Economic and social implications of HIV that compelled effective management of the disease sought antiviral combination drug therapies.

- Efficacy for a range of chronic viral diseases calls on examining triple combination drug therapies to advance the treatment of COVID-19.

ALBANY, N.Y., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bid to fight human infections caused by agents responsible for HIV - the most dreadful chronic viral disease that has profound social and economic implications - the knowledge of combination antiviral therapy has developed to a great extent. The availability of more than 20 antiretroviral drugs is permitting to explore the efficacy of combination drugs for some of the most chronic viral diseases, of which, managing chronic hepatitis C is a major one. Meanwhile, the efficacy of combination antiviral drugs for managing chronic hepatitis B is in the nascent stages.

Nonetheless, over the past few years, combination antiviral drug therapy is now at the forefront of antiviral treatment. Clinically, combination drug therapy works majorly in three ways: enhances the efficacy of single-agent therapy, minimizes toxicity by reducing individual drug dosages, and prevents the development of drug resistance. Apart from this, combination antiviral drug reduces viral load, delays the development of drug resistance, and unlike antibiotics, and inhibits the growth of pathogens. With such a broad-ranging disease use of combination anti-viral drugs for important chronic viral illness, along with the potential in the treatment of novel coronavirus, evidently, the antiviral combination therapies marke

t is scaling new heights. This is manifested in the projected growth of antiviral combination therapies market to touch a valuation of US$ 71.4 bn by 2030.

Key Finds of Antiviral Combination Therapies Market Report

Antiviral Combination Drugs reckoned to Advance Treatment of COVID-19 Paint Strokes of Growth

Taking a cue from the efficacy of combination antiviral drugs in lowering the morbidity and mortality of the virus strain for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - researchers in healthcare research institutions and healthcare companies are now exploring combination antiviral drugs in the treatment of COVID-19. Researchers are aggressively examining the efficacy of triple combination therapies to advance the treatment of coronavirus of COVID-19.

Request for Analysis of COVID-19 Impact on Antiviral Combination Therapies Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/covid19.php

Earlier, interferon beta-1b and lopinavir-ritonavir were found to alleviate the viral load in SARS. The antiviral combination drugs are being perceived to reduce the need for intensive respiratory support for patients of COVID-19. In addition, research reveals multiple antiviral drugs to improve patient outcomes as compared to single drug treatments.

Thus, in order to establish this, healthcare research institutions in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies are undertaking giant strides by way of extensive R&D and investments for efficacy of antiviral combination drugs to combat COVID-19. The business collaboration of The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology with the Indian arm of the global pharmaceutical major Mylan is a case in point.

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Besides this, in India, a number of pharmaceutical companies have entered Phase 3 of clinical trials of antiviral combination therapies with the help of computational modelling of molecules and laboratory data.

Improved Patient Outcomes for Hepatitis B in Combination with Chinese Traditional Medicine widens Growth Expanse

Efforts to explore combining antiviral combination drugs with traditional Chinese medicine is creating opportunities in the antiviral combination therapies market. For example, The Chinese YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction is combination with entecavir is gaining popularity to reduce the yearly incidence of liver fibrosis among patients of hepatitis B.

Purchase the Antiviral Combination Therapies Market Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php

Based on extensive clinical trials undertaken so far, conventional antiviral drugs alone are not effective enough for the treatment of hepatitis B. Clinical trials suggest combination therapies could have improved patient outcomes for hepatitis B. However, credible clinical evidence is still required before combination of traditional Chinese medicine and mainstream Western medicines is recognized for effective management of hepatitis B.

Antiviral Combination Drug Therapies Market - Growth Drivers

Considerable evidence of efficacy of combination antiviral therapies in the treatment of chronic viral diseases fuels the antiviral combination therapies market.

The promising potential of certain antiviral drugs in a triple combination in the treatment of COVID-19 spawns new opportunities in the antiviral combination therapies market.

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Antiviral Combination Therapies Market - Key Players

Celltrion Inc.

Gilead Sciences Inc.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

LLC (Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson)

Mylan N.V.

GlaxoSmithKline plc.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

AbbVie Inc.

Janssen Global Services

Cipla Inc.

Merck & Co. Inc.

Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Healthcare Industry:

Respiratory Antiviral Treatment Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/respiratory-antiviral-treatment-market.html

Antiviral Drugs Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/antiviral-drugs-market.html

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Joseph Moya said he was coming to Albuquerque from Utah to spend Easter weekend with his daughter Amariah Moya. He hadnt seen the 7-year-old in three years.

Instead, Moya said, he drove through the night Tuesday from Salt Lake City to make funeral arrangements for Amariah after she was killed along with another child in a crash on Interstate 25 just north of the Big I.

I had seen the news post about two young kids passing away, and deep down in my stomach I had a feeling it was her. But I just didnt want to think about it, Moya said.

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Moya said Amariah, who would have turned 8 next month, was in the car with her mother, Alexis Elizabeth Martinez, Martinezs adult friend and three other children when the crash occurred.

Amariah Moya and a boy under 1 year old died at the scene. A third child under 5 and Martinez were hospitalized in critical condition. The other adult and the fourth child are recovering in a hospital.

Police have said criminal charges are pending in the case since the driver was speeding, and because the adult passenger told officers the women had been drinking.

Officers responded around 3:20 a.m. to the crash on northbound I-25 north of the Big I. Investigators discovered the driver was speeding on the flyover from westbound Interstate 40 to northbound I-25 when it left the roadway and became airborne, crossed all lanes of I-25 and crashed into a concrete barrier.

Albuquerque police have yet to release the names of any of the other people in the car.

Moya said he is heartbroken and devastated at the loss of Amariah.

She was just happy  she was just a happy kid. She had been through a lot of stuff in her life and, no matter what, she (would) always bring positives out of her negative situation, he said. If it was going to the park or getting a new toy, she never complained, she was just content and happy all the time.

Moya, who lives in Salt Lake City, said Martinez didnt let him see Amariah most of her life and father and daughter mainly spoke over the phone as he recently started the process of getting visitation rights.

Moya said he was looking forward to spending Easter with his daughter, but on Tuesday, he got a message from Martinezs sister that there was an emergency, and she broke the news.

He said he hopes the tragedy will make people think twice before drinking and driving.

It was tough. I always had this vision one day that she was going to get old enough to make her own decision or a judge would grant me custody. I always thought that was how it would end up, he said.

On Wednesday night dozens of relatives and friends filed into Silver Tree Park on Albuquerques West Side, many of their shirts emblazoned with In Loving Memory and a photo of Amariah striking a pose.

Mourners gathered around numerous candles that were arranged in the shape of a heart and two framed photos of Amariah wearing a tiara and smiling.

One person said a prayer, another read scripture and a third cautioned against the dangers of drinking and driving as many in the crowd had tears in their eyes.
The Director of Public Prosecutions is due to decide in the coming weeks if a long-term employee of a major Dublin hospital will face charges in relation to an alleged 1.6m fraud case.

The woman has been arrested and questioned by uniformed gardai from a local station who have been investigating the case  rather than the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).

Local gardai were made aware of the allegation after receiving a complaint last year about the alleged massive fraud.

It is claimed that the veteran employee was working in the accounts section of the Dublin hospital where she managed to divert payments from two doctors who had previously worked at the hospital into a third-party bank account.

Senior sources have confirmed that one of the doctors whose pay she was allegedly fraudulently obtaining had been deceased for a number of years.

The other doctor was long since retired from the hospital.

The middle-aged woman at the centre of the case was not previously known to gardai.

This is a very large sum of money and the allegation is that this fraudulent behaviour happened for a number of years before it was finally noticed by the hospital and a complaint was made to gardai, a source said.

It is suspected that the employee used her position in the accounts department of the hospital where she was dealing with salaries to carry out this crime, the source added.

It is understood that a file on the case was submitted to the DPP earlier this year.
LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the first reported case of COVID-19 in the USA in January 2020 more than 525,000 people have lost their lives to the pandemic.

For many, including those with religious affiliations, suffering and death raise many profound questions around the existence of God.

So, in light of the momentous happenings of the past 15 months, is it Christianity or atheism which makes best sense of who we are? That's the topic for the first episode of Season 3 of The Big Conversation  a series of video debates featuring some of the world's biggest thinkers  from a religious and atheistic perspective.

Available from Friday 2nd April (1pm Eastern and 10am Pacific) the opening episode will explore whether human suffering and tragedy leave room for a caring, loving God.

In the first of the 6 episode Big Conversation series, Brierley welcomes Los Angeles-based Bishop Robert Barron (founder of Word on Fire) whose popular YouTube and social media ministry reaches hundreds of thousands of skeptics along with Alex O'Connor who is a Philosophy & Theology student at Oxford University. As a well-known voice in online atheistic circles O'Connor's YouTube channel Cosmic Skeptic boasts more than 400,000 subscribers.

In the discussion O'Connor presses Bishop Barron on the problem of suffering in light of the pandemic saying "100,000 people who have died of COVID [in the UK] have done so because God allowed it."

Bishop Barron says that to blame God would itself require "a God-like perspective on all of space and time".

He responds: "Like anybody who's lived more than two years on planet earth I've suffered in my life and wondered 'why?' I totally get the emotional power of that.

"I think we hardly ever see the reason why, but we might get glimpses. As a pastoral minister, I've seen lots of examples of beautiful expressions of love that have occurred in the midst of this pandemic. Now is that the reason? No. I might get one little hint of one move on the chessboard of a good that has come from this. Yet in faith I can place suffering within the context of God's purposes."





You can watch a short promotional video here.

The series is produced by Premier Christian Radio in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation.

LINK TO IMAGES HERE

SOURCE Premier Christian Radio
China deflected questions over an investigation into the origins of Covid-19 on Wednesday, after the WHO chief revived a theory it may have leaked from a Chinese lab and the United States led concerns over data access.

A report by WHO and Chinese experts released Tuesday had judged the lab-leak hypothesis highly unlikely, saying the virus behind Covid-19 had probably jumped from bats to humans via an intermediary animal.

China welcomed the report, seeing it as vindication of its handling of the investigation following allegations it had tried to delay and then restrict it.

The report also initially appeared to back China's firm rejection of theories that the pandemic may have been triggered by a leak from a virology lab in Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the virus first emerged.

But WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus on Tuesday reopened the lab leak theory as he raised concerns about the level of access China provided to the experts during their visit to Wuhan in January.

"In my discussions with the team, they expressed the difficulties they encountered in accessing raw data," Tedros said, calling for "comprehensive data sharing" in future investigations.

Tedros also said that although experts concluded the laboratory leak was the "least likely" hypothesis, this theory needed to be probed further.

"I do not believe that this assessment was extensive enough," Tedros said of the possibility of a leak.

"As far as WHO is concerned all hypotheses remain on the table."

- Doubling down -

The pandemic has killed nearly 2.8 million people worldwide since it first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019.

Throughout the pandemic, China has amplified theories that the virus may have surfaced outside of its borders or been imported on frozen food.

Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for Beijing's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated China's stance that "no suspicious signs were found" during the WHO probe and dismissed the lab leak theory.

Story continues

Full access to the staff, research and work practices at the lab was granted, she said.

"They (the experts) believe a Wuhan laboratory leak is extremely unlikely."

The team leader of the Chinese side of the WHO-China joint expert team, Liang Wannian, also said no data was held back.

"What our Chinese experts can see, is the same as what foreign experts can see."

China was heavily criticised by the Donald Trump administration and other Western nations for delaying access to the WHO experts, and Joe Biden's administration has continued to raise concerns about Beijing's handling of the probe.

The United States Tuesday released a statement with 13 of its allies -- Britain, Japan and Australia among them -- saying the inquiry had lacked the data and samples it needed.

- "Politicising" a crisis -

Beijing insists it was transparent with the scientists.

It said it provided open access to wet markets, labs, patients and data from the first torrid weeks of the virus, admonishing critics for "politicising" a global health crisis.

Health officials in Beijing are due to give a press conference on the WHO report on Wednesday afternoon.

On the laboratory accident hypothesis, the head of the investigation team told reporters Tuesday that Chinese lab staff had acknowledged they initially feared a leak, but that evidence was thin.

"Nobody could find any trace of something similar to this virus in their records or their samples," Danish scientist Ben Embarek said.

"Nobody has been able to pick up any firm arguments or proof or evidence that any of these labs would have been involved in a lab leak accident."

bur-apj/oho
Pain is one of the most unpleasant experiences for all sentient creatures - from humans, to dogs and cats, to mice and rats, to fish and birds. In humans, the self-reporting of pain is the gold standard for pain assessment but this simply isn't possible in animals.

One of the biggest challenges of pet ownership is the fact that animals cannot talk to us, so they are unable to tell us if they are in pain. Instead, it's up to humans to work out, by observing animals carefully, if they are suffering pain or discomfort.

There are two types of pain.

Acute pain is the short term discomfort which follows an accident or a procedure like surgery: this needs effective short term pain relief while the tissues heal. Acute pain tends to be predictable, and vets are well equipped to provide the type of pain relieving medication which is likely to be needed. Chronic pain - defined as pain lasting more than three months - is more of a challenge. In older animals especially, issues like joint and back pain can become lifelong problems, seriously affecting their quality of life. And ultimately, severe, unremitting pain can be a key factor in making that difficult decision on euthanasia for an older pet that is not enjoying life any more. So the identification and control of chronic pain is something that needs to be taken very seriously indeed.

It's been estimated that chronic pain affects around 20% of humans worldwide, and it's very likely that an even higher number of animals are affected, given that they cannot let us know about their discomfort. The most common cause is thought to be arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease), affecting a high proportion of elderly dogs and cats. Hips, knees, shoulders and elbows are all prone to painful arthritis. Daily pain killers transforms the lives of pets with these problems.

It's also worth remembering that some conditions that cause chronic pain in humans are also common in animals, including cancer, skin disease, and other degenerative conditions. There is also a worry that chronic pain after surgery may be more common than we realise: just because animals cannot complain does not mean that it doesn't happen.

Many of chronically painful conditions cannot be cured, so it's important that the ongoing discomfort is deal with effectively. The correct use of pain relief medication plays a very important role, but other factors must not be forgotten: losing weight is a highly effective way of relieving the discomfort of arthritis.

The relief of pain for pets has many other aspects than just their subjective experience: a recent study found that between 28 to 82% of dogs and cats with problem behaviour were suffering from underlying pain. These days, whenever so-called "bad behaviour" is investigated, the possibility of pain as a cause is always high on the check list, and trial treatment with pain relief is now often considered as part of a behavioural modification plan.

In the past, it's often been left up to vets to assess an animal's pain, and it's true that vets are skilled at doing this. When I watch a dog walk, I can easily spot a lameness, and when I physically examine a pet, I can tell by watching their reaction when I touch something painful. So whether it's back pain, joint pain, or something local like dental pain, I can have reasonable confidence that I can identify the problem, then take action to relieve the pain.

More recently, it's been recognised that there are limitations to leaving pain detection up to vets. First, animals are sometimes fearful and anxious when they visit the vet, and this can cause them to cover up pain, or alternatively, to over-react to non-painful stimuli. Second, sometimes the signs of pain can be subtle, and careful observation of normal behaviours can be a more effective way of noticing that something is wrong.

For these reasons, a shift has started towards engaging owners with the task of assessing pain in their own pets. They can observe their own pets at home, where stress is hopefully minimal, and therefore their behaviour is more representative of what is really going on. Owners can also observe the animals in a wider context than in a clinic, such as moving up stairs, watching how they position themselves when settling down to sleep, and seeing how they choose to negotiate obstacles. Furthermore, pain is often dynamic, coming and going at different times, so ongoing careful observation at home may be more effective than one-off checks in a vet clinic. A dog may have painful hips first thing in the morning, after resting overnight, and by the time they reach the vet clinic later in the day, the pain may have cleared.

The best answer is for owners to work with their vets, using observation-based owner questionnaires. The Helsinki Chronic Pain Index is the best known example: owners are asked to rank different aspects of their pets' lives from 1 to 5, from specific features like eagerness to walk, willingness to run and ability to go up stairs, to more subtle aspects such as frequency of vocalisation and general mood. The total score can be used to work out the efficacy of interventions like pain relief medication.

Pain is bad: let's work together to minimise its impact on the animals in our lives. If they could, they'd thank us.
Its not often that a Wall Street Journal article on the latest stock market shakeup includes a line describing a Greek reference to Jesus from the New Testament.

The hedge fund at the center of massive selloffs in the market last week was the Christian-owned Archegos Capital Managementnamed for , the Greek word used to describe Christ as the author of our salvation (Heb. 2:10) and the prince of life (Acts 3:15).

Archegos has dominated the financial headlines over the past few days. The fund placed outsized bets on media stocks using money borrowed from banks, and when the lenders put a check on its high-risk trading, it had to sell off huge blocks of shares, sending the market into a frenzy.

Major corporations and banks lost billions, enough to impact everyday Americans retirement accounts, CNN Business reported. While investors and shareholders are bracing for the damage, the move could potentially impact evangelical ministries as well.

Archegos CEO Bill Hwang is also the co-founder of the Grace and Mercy Foundation, which shares an office with his New York-based firm and distributes millions in grants to Christian nonprofits every year. So far, its unclear how much the financial situation will affect the foundation and its beneficiaries.

Grace and Mercys 2018 tax filing (the most recent year available) listed $5.5 million to the Fuller Foundation, $2 million to Fuller Theological Seminary, where Hwang is a trustee, and $1.2 million to the Museum of the Bible, in addition to six-figure donations to A Rocha, International Justice Mission, Luis Palau Association, Prison Fellowship, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, The Kings College, and Young Life.

Annual giving totaled $16.6 million over 63 organizations, including many New York churches and ministries, like City Seminary of New York, Manhattan Christian Academy, and the Bowery Mission.

Though giving by individuals remains the largest source of funding for charities overall, foundations are becoming a bigger player in the landscape.

Weve seen a consistent and growing trend in giving by foundations comprising a larger share of total giving than it did 15 years ago, Amir Pasic, dean of Indiana Universitys Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, told Ministry Watch last year. This change may reflect larger trends such as in the distribution of wealth and in asset growth across a decade of stock market expansion.

Grant-giving private foundations is also subject to market forces. As Giving USA researcher Anna Pruitt explained:

Private foundations are required by law to give 5% of the average value of their assets, often held in an endowment. When the financial markets fare well, the assets foundations hold growand that 5% of their total value gets larger too. The opposite happens during downturns.

The Grace and Mercy Foundation distributed $79 million over a 10-year span, with its grant amounts increasing in recent years, and the highest levels given in 2017 and 2018. Forbes wrote, Its hard to know for sure to what extent Hwangs hidden fortune was battered last week, though his charitys filings in future years will show how much the crisis impacts his generosity.

Hwang is part of a new evangelical donor-class, who are less concerned with using their wealth to advance political causes, as covered in The Atlantic in 2019. These newer players in the giving landscape include Asian American Christians who arent necessarily beholden to the culture wars of the past, Josh Kwan, president of the Christian philanthropic network called The Gathering, told the magazine.

Beyond his $500-million foundations investments in American ministries, Hwang sees his career in finance as led by God, saying, I invest with Gods perspective, according to his timing, when talking to a Korean audience about faith and work.

This is not Hwangs first time at the center of a controversy over his financial strategy. Back in 2012, when he ran Tiger Asia Management, he was penalized by regulators in the US and Asia and ultimately had to shut down his firm, pleading guilty to wire fraud and fined over charges of insider trading.

When he shares his story, Hwang points to this time as a period where money and connection couldnt really help and he had to turn to Scripture.

After struggling his whole life as a Christian to get into a habit of Bible reading, he finally was awakened to the power of hearing the Bible read out loud and in community. It was transformative enough that through the Grace and Mercy Foundation he has launched resources for Christians to gather to listen to Scripture together in-person or online.

Hwang has also spoken of how he sees his investment activity as a way to further Gods work in the world, both by serving as a Christian witness in Wall Street and supporting companies that build God-honoring culture and help human society advance.

Im like a little child thinking, What can I do today, where can I invest to please our God? he said in a conversation with Fuller Studio. Remember Jesus saying, My Father is working, therefore Im working? God is working, Jesus is working, and Im workingIm not going to retire until he pulls me back.

[ This article is also available in  and . ]
press release

Fridays For Future Windhoek revealed that the oil and gas 'play' of Canadian ReconAfrica in the Kavango region of Namibia and Botswana risks destroying global attempts of meeting a two-thirds chance of limiting global heating to 1.5C as part of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Based on ReconAfrica's own projections of 120 billion barrels of oil equivalent, the 'carbon gigabomb' comes in at up to 51.6 Gigatonnes of CO2, the equivalent of one sixth of the world's remaining carbon budget. [1 - table] A crude analysis across the potential 25 year life cycle of the project shows Namibia and Botswana combined entering the top ten countries by oil production: fourth after Saudi Arabia and before Iraq. [2]

Fridays for Future Windhoek says it is completely inconsistent for the governments of Namibia and Botswana to claim to be reducing emissions and upholding the Paris Agreement while letting this project go ahead. Last week, the UN admitted that countries' pledges to cut emissions are woefully inadequate to prevent a climate and ecological disaster - just months out from the UN's African Climate Week and seven months before COP26 in Glasgow.

To put things in perspective, Botswana and Namibia together emitted around 0.014 Gt CO2 in 2019. [1] Namibia - which has a 10 per cent share in ReconAfrica's Namibian findings - has said it intends to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 89% by 2030, while the government of Botswana is aiming for a reduction of 15% by 2030. [1].

"Children have the right to a future on a habitable and healthy planet, whether they live in Frankfurt, Houston, Rundu or Vancouver," commented Ina-Maria Shikongo of Fridays for Future Windhoek. "Promises on climate regulations in the global North ring empty when all companies affected by them have to do is find a country somewhere needing a financial boost and with great exploitation potential. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Kavango, where under cover of COVID-19, oil and gas are rushing to cash-in on what they suspect is the last great fossil fuel find, as oil prices plummet amidst a glut. Already Southern Africa is experiencing record temperature hikes and severe water shortages, more than other regions on the planet. That's why this Friday we join with other climate strikers around the world in demanding a moratorium on all new fossil fuel projects."

Daniel Jarvie, ReconAfrica's geochemist said: "Africa is the final frontier for oil discoveries because it's so vastly under-explored and we could even be looking at the last major onshore oil discovery on Earth." [3]

Largest oil play of the decade in the Jewel of the Kalahari

ReconAfrica (TSX-V: RECO; OTCQX: RECAF; Frankfurt: 0XD) has an exploratory license covering 34,325 sq km (8.5 million acres) across northeast Namibia and northwest Botswana for what it considers to be the 'largest oil play of the decade' - conventional and unconventional. [3] ReconAfrica is already breaking ground, placing the pristine ecosystem and communities' livelihoods of the Kavango region under grave threat. This directly affects the Okavango Delta, one of the planet's last great life lines and the subject of many nature documentaries with its inland delta, the beating heart of the Kalahari Desert. [4]

"As the custodians of this land for thousands of years and the rightful current inhabitants, we've never been consulted, nor have we given the go-ahead to any entities to prospect for oil and gas," laments Q7 Beckett, San youth leader. "Any consequent production will irrevocably damage our life-giving water and the fragile ecosystem we depend on as a people. The presence of the oil industry will mean the forceful enclosure of land; excluding us and preventing our free movement and that of animals; and resulting in our further displacement. In this way we will be prevented from hunting and gathering food, collecting medicine and performing our cultural practices and sacred rituals - in short it will prevent us from being San."

Perhaps now is not the time to get into fossil fuels?

The fate of one of Africa's most valuable ecosystems - and the world's - may depend on the choices made now. 2021 is a crucial year as the combined emergencies we face coalesce. Life affirming pathways are already here, mainstream Western society is now finding common cause with indigenous wisdom.

The Beyond Petrostates' Report shows the bottom is dropping from fossil fuels, while PCW's 2020 Africa Oil and Gas Review states: "Accelerated adoption of renewable energy could be the economic game changer for many African countries. Renewable energy industries have been shown to have positive and inclusive economic impact." [5] [6]

Khoe San youth activist and environmental scientist, Sharri Cannell, summarises explaining how "the solutions to our traumas are already here. They have always been here, in spite of 'development'. They are in our heart, in our earth, in our nature, available to all of us, if we just listen to the dying planet and each other. We are all inextricably linked, and what we do to others we do to ourselves. The buck must stop here, if we so desire. What happens in the Kalahari will not stay in the Kalahari, and the poison threatening my people will fill the atmosphere and threaten you someday very soon. We all need to come together and seek solutions to problems created by a few, in the name of and at the cost of so many."

FURTHER QUOTES

Marta G. Rivera Ferre, Chair Agroecology and Food Systems & IPCC author, said:

"Carbon intensive emissions projects are not part of our future. COVID-19 has shown that governments can listen to the science. We need to learn from this pandemic and ensure that governments listen to scientists on the climate and ecological emergency. So, as the world begins to focus towards COP26, let's act now to protect the natural places and their biodiversity, and keep the carbon in the ground. The impossible can happen if there is political will, we need to not only limit warming to 1.5C, but push it lower."

Jan Arkert, a consulting engineering geologist based in Uniondale, South Africa, who has worked for decades on drilling-related projects:

"Despite denials in Botswana and Namibia that fracking will occur, this technique must be applied to determine the extent of any shale oil or gas reservoir, and the viability of extracting these. Should said viability be proven, fracking will be required to release the fossil fuels from the shale. Even if fracking is not engaged, the 25 to 30 year period anticipated for conventional shale oil/gas extraction will inevitably result in carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, and more critically, methane extracted as fugitive emissions. Similarly, the very real potential of the groundwater level and contamination due to unlined ponds, which hold radioactive brine, could significantly impact the agricultural, the people and wildlife of Kavango." [7]

"This comes without consideration to the vast quantity of water required for fracking, or the geohydrological characteristics of the aquifers, exposed to unlined wells next to pits, as is already the case."

Ndaundika Shefeni, of SOUL (an international civil society organisations and activists promoting climate and environmental justice) in Namibia:

"It makes no sense to potentially contaminate groundwater resources, harm viable ecosystems, agricultural land, and disrupt existing economic activities in Namibia and Botswana for foreign owned companies to make large financial gains. As opposition grows across the region and world, unlikely alliances are forming of spiritual leaders, cultural organisations, conservation charities and grassroot community groups, ReconAfrica is engaging in tactics they would never dare to commit in their own country, like threatening media and community members with lawsuits, as reported by NatGeo and The Namibian."

Joy Soita Juma , Oilwatch Africa Coordinator based in Nairobi Kenya

"The world is interconnected. Through oil and gas companies, their funders and those who will make money out of it, places like Kavango are connected to Canada, the US, the UK and Germany where companies may be listed or headquartered. They are also connected to the world through potential CO2 emissions which, as we head towards COP26 in Glasgow, will demonstrate how we really are all in this together. The area identified for potential drilling also belongs to the largest cross-border nature conservation area in the world, Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), situated where the international borders of five countries converge - Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe - with this park itself receiving investment from Germany and the US. What happens in Kavango doesn't stay in Kavango."

Daniel Jarvie, ReconAfrica's geochemist

"In the report, just released, I put total petroleum generation potential over Recon's 8.75 million acres at 120 billion boe (Barrels of Oil Equivalent). Now, that's only looking at 1,641 sections, which represents only 12% of Recon's total holdings in the basin. As I've said, I've been conservative with the numbers, and even so, if the potential pans out in full, they are pretty comparable to the Permian Wolfcamp and the Eagle Ford in Texas. The bottom line is this: The Kavango Basin has all the characteristics necessary for conventional and unconventional petroleum systems. Although I'm known for my unconventional work, I'm actually hopeful that the conventional exceeds the unconventional. Why? Because conventional reservoirs are inherently more productive." [3]

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth in an interview with analysts published in worldoil.com

"If conditions in the U.S. become so onerous that it really disincentivizes investment we've got other places we can take those dollars."

Notes to editors

About Friday's For Future

The global climate strike movement began in August 2018, when then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began to skip class on Fridays and sat outside the Swedish parliament to demand her government took the climate situation seriously . In the three weeks leading up to the Swedish election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding urgent action on the climate crisis. She was tired of society's unwillingness to see the climate crisis for what it is: a crisis. Soon, youths across the world joined her example, taking their future into their hands and inspiring peaceful marches across the planet.

FFF's principal goal is to place moral pressure on policymakers, and demand they listen to the scientists, so as to take forceful action to limit global heating. FFF is independent of commercial interests and ideology and knows no borders. FFF protests for our planet and for each other. There is reason to hope humanity can change and avert the worst of climate disasters, and build a better future.

Established in 2019 Friday's For Future Windhoek seeks to raise awareness among Namibians of the Climate and Ecological Emergency. The locally lead youth organisation has rallied behind calls to stop oil and gas drilling in Namibia's treasured Kavango region to avert a true planetary disaster in our own backyard.

[1] Table comparing the 'remaining' global carbon budget to potential emissions from ReconAfrica's proposed project, including supplementary information.

SubjectNumbersWorkings/References

In 2019, 420 GtCO2 'remaining' in the carbon budget for a two-thirds chance of limiting warming to 1.5C420 GtThe IPCC in 2018 "suggests a remaining budget of about 420 GtCO2 for a two-thirds chance of limiting warming to 1.5C, and of about 580 GtCO2 for an even chance (medium confidence). https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/chapter-2/ In this analysis we are not including negative emissions based on technology that has not been invented yet, due to concerns that this is placing undue reliance that children of the future will pay after 2050 for what the adults of the world didn't do now.

Less estimated annual emissions of 40 Gt of CO2 per year for 2018, 2019, 2020

2021 remaining:

2018 - 41.5 Gt2019 - 43.1 Gt2020 - 39 Gthttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/09/its-unavoidable-we-must-ban-fossil-fuels-to-save-our-planet-heres-how-we-do-it 2018 - 41.5 billion tonnes of CO2.https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget/archive/2018/UK_UEA_GCPBudget2018.pdf 2019 - 43.1 billion ton (range 39.9 to 46.2 Gt CO2) in 2019 https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget/archive/2019/Japan_NIES_GCB2019.pdf2020 - 39 GtCO2 - Slight dip due to coronavirus pandemichttps://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget/20/files/UK_UEA-Exeter_GCB2020.pdf

There's a glut!Proved fossil fuel reserves reported in British Petroleum's Statistical Review of World Energy with CO2 emission factors from the IPCC yields 3,600 Gt of CO2 emissions. This means that we can only afford to burn one twelfth of the fossil fuels we have already found. 3,600 Gt https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/09/its-unavoidable-we-must-ban-fossil-fuels-to-save-our-planet-heres-how-we-do-it

https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/business-sites/en/global/corporate/pdfs/energy-economics/statistical-review/bp-stats-review-2020-full-report.pdf

Namibian government's promises in its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the UNFCCC in 20180.02 GtExcerpt from INDC: "Namibia aims at a reduction of about 89% of its GHG emissions at the 2030 time horizon compared to the BAU scenario. The projected GHG emissions to be avoided in 2030 is of the order of 20000 Gg CO2-eq (0.02 Gt) inclusive of sequestration in the AFOLU sector and compared to the BAU scenario"https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Namibia%20First/INDC%20of%20Namibia%20Final%20pdf.pdf Further excerpt: "Namibia as a Non-Annex I Party to the UNFCCC does not have commitments under the Convention. However, Namibia takes climate change issues seriously and the submission of the INDC is a clear testimony that the country is committed to fight climate change. To this end, Namibia has put in place policies and strategies to deal with the adverse impacts of climate change. We see climate change as a major threat to the economic development and the general welfare of the Namibian society."https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Namibia%20First/INDC%20of%20Namibia%20Final%20pdf.pdf

Botswana government's promises in its INDC to the UNFCCC in 20180.008307 GtBotswana intends to achieve an overall emissions reduction of 15% by 2030, taking 2010 as the base year. Base year emission estimation is 8307 Gg of CO2 equivalent.https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Botswana%20First/BOTSWANA.pdf

What are the potential CO2 emissions of the ReconAfrica project?

Up to 51.6 GtReconAfrica projects that there are 120 billion barrels of oil equivalent in the Kavango Basin, you can see this in presentations and interviews. https://reconafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/ReconAfrica-Postulated-Petroleum-Yields-V2.pdfWhile the numbers are big, using the US Environmental Protection Agency's 2019 guidance, it is a relatively easy task to work out what that means in terms of CO2.0.43 metric tons equates to CO2 per barrel, which means that 120 billion barrels of oil equivalent.Equates to about 51.6 Gigatonnes of CO2. equates to 120 billion barrels of oil equivalent.https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references

It is important to note that at the moment it isn't clear how much of that potential find is oil vs gas. As gas has a slightly lower CO2 emissions factor than oil, to make estimates as accessible to people as possible - given this is big numbers we are dealing with - we have opted to say up to 51.6 Gigatonnes.

If the full discovery were gas rather than oil, we can convert 120 billion boe to bcf and then tCO2 using the factors of 1 boe = 5800 cf and 1 bcf = 59,726 tCO2 from the IPCC. This results in a minimum estimate of 41.6 Gigatonnes tCO2, still wholly incompatible with a liveable climate.

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0.014 GtFor perspective Botswana and Namibia together currently emit around 13 million tons (0.013 Gt) of carbon per year.https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/71b9adf3-f3dc-11ea-991b-01aa75ed71a1Namibia - 2019 4.400 MtCO2/yrBotswana - 2019 - 7.039 MtCO2/yrCombined for 2019 11.439 MtCO2/yr (0.0114 Gt)

Carbon budget is likely smaller than we think it is 100GtThe IPCC estimate in SR1.5 "suggests that the [carbon] budget could be further reduced by up to 100GtCO2 in 2100 due to Earth-system feedbacks, such as carbon released by thawing permafrost that is generally not included in climate models."

https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-why-the-ipcc-1-5c-report-expanded-the-carbon-budget

Synthesis NDC reporthttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-by-cop26-president-alok-sharma-on-the-ndc-synthesis-report

[2] Combined that would be Botswana and Namibia = 120 bboe / 25 years = 4.8 billion barrels a year https://www.offshore-technology.com/features/oil-production-by-country/

[3] Daniel Jarvie interview 1 September 2020 https://oilprice.com/Interviews/The-Largest-Oil-Play-Of-The-Decade-Interview-With-Daniel-Jarvie.html#join-discussion

[4] Documentaries on the wildlife and biodiversity of the Okavango

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferhicks/2018/12/23/these-two-documentaries-show-the-importance-of-conservation-in-the-okavango-delta/amp/

The Flood - trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUBoLiLhCh8

Into the Okavango - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Okavango. Trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXVohy5eAP8

Okavango River of Dreams - https://m.imdb.com/title/tt10761742/ - Part 1 https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7ub6z8

On netflix you can catch the Planet Earth series and the Great Migration

[5] https://carbontracker.org/reports/petrostates-energy-transition-report/

[6] https://www.pwc.co.za/en/press-room/africa-oil-and-gas-review-2020.html

[7] Toxicity in the oil and gas industry

Article on the lack of lining of the well ponds in National Geographic - Test drilling for oil in Namibia's Okavango region poses toxic risk https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/test-drilling-oil-namibia-poses-water-risk

Documentary: The High Cost of Cheap Gas. This investigation, filmed in Botswana, South Africa and North America, reveals how gas companies are quietly invading some of the most protected places on the planet https://youtube.com/watch?v=qUVjs0b49o4

Rolling Stone investigation - 'America's Radioactive Secret' - Oil-and-gas wells produce nearly a trillion gallons of toxic waste a year. An investigation shows how it could be making workers sick and contaminating communities across America https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/oil-gas-fracking-radioactive-investigation-937389/

How fracking plans could affect shared water resources in southern Africa https://theconversation.com/how-fracking-plans-could-affect-shared-water-resources-in-southern-africa-147684

National Geographic - Oil drilling, possible fracking planned for Okavango region--elephants' last stronghold

https://api.nationalgeographic.com/distribution/public/amp/animals/2020/10/oil-drilling-fracking-planned-okavango-wilderness?__twitter_impression=true

Fracking the Okavango documentary - https://allianceearth.org/fracking-the-okavango/
Daimler management and employee representatives at Mercedes-Benz have struck an agreement to build the next generation eSprinter van, which is based on the newly developed Electric Versatility Platform, at three locations: North Charleston, South Carolina, Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde in Germany.

Based on a new platform announced at the end of 2020, the new eSprinter targets new customer segments and markets, including the US and Canada.

Mercedes-Benz is spending around EUR350m on the new model and plant conversion and retraining is currently in preparation.

Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said: "With production in the US and in Germany, we ensure market-oriented production."

Production chief Ingo Ettischer added: "We will invest around EUR50m in each of the three plants. We will start production successively from the second half of 2023."



The current eSprinter is built in Dusseldorf on one line with conventionally driven models. The same technique will be used at Charleston (a CKD assembly operation) and Ludwigsfelde.

The new line will include cab/chassis variants as well as vans.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/31/2021



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

couple Avery Mills and Omar Albakour have officially moved to America together and are starting a new chapter as a married couple.Avery took to Instagram on Monday and posted three photos of colorful home decor."These photos don't do any of these justice.... we are so grateful to of finished decorating our apartment here in the USA thanks to @sannib_london and his beautiful artwork," Avery captioned the slideshow of items, which included a pair of gold, red and blue plates."The big art piece shows thanks to Allah while the other have our names in beautiful calligraphy. If you need any beautiful UNIQUE artwork go to his page and order."Avery announced on her YouTube channel earlier this month Omar's spousal visa to come to the United States had been approved.Avery and Omar, who spent more than a year apart following their wedding in Lebanon, have seemingly been living together in the United Arab Emirates since late last year. (Avery's December 2020 social media posts suggested they had settled down in Abu Dhabi or Dubai).But ever since meeting, the : Before the 90 Days couple's dream has been to live in America together near Avery's family, and it appears that dream has finally come true.Avery gushed in the three-minute YouTube video posted on March 15, "He gets to meet my whole family. We get to go to America ! He gets to see his family. He hasn't seen his brother in almost 10 years and they're, like, best friends... And I miss my cat so bad."Avery admitted that if Omar's visa had been denied, she'd be "so upset."While fans are probably hoping to watch more of Avery and Omar's love story unfold on the franchise, it appears the couple is done with reality TV."I know most people want to know what Omar and I are up to but a more private life is a happy life, and believe me we are happy," Avery wrote in a December 22 Instagram post.Avery has been asked multiple times whether she plans to return to ."No, we won't be on TV anymore," Avery responded to a question on a December 8 selfie.Avery -- who was apparently going to school online at the time and is presumably still enrolled in classes -- also wrote to a fan on December 11, "We will not be on TV anymore. We are not on contract any more and we refused any more filming by choice."During a May 2020 episode of : Self-Quarantined, Avery, a 21-year-old from Columbus, OH, was living by herself while Omar was still living in Syria.Avery said she and Omar had been married for over a year and were patiently waiting for Omar to be able to come to the United States."We had an interview scheduled for a spousal visa for [Omar] to come to the United States on March 30. Unfortunately, just a few days before his interview, we got the news that it was canceled due to COVID-19," Avery revealed.Avery was growing impatient because she wanted to be reunited with her husband, and so she said, "If he doesn't get to come here within the next six months, we are going to move to the [United Arab Emirates] to Dubai."However, Avery said it would ruin Omar's chances to come to the United States because she'd no longer be employed in her home country.Avery was 19-year-old former Christian who converted to Islam, and Omar was a 24-year-old Muslim man and dental student from Latakia, Syria, when they starred on Season 3 of : Before the 90 Days last year.They had met on a Muslim dating app and got engaged just one month after getting to know each other.Avery then made plans to fly to Lebanon to finally meet her fiance in person and get married.The couple decided on Lebanon since it was a safer place for them to meet considering there's a war in Syria.Despite a U.S. travel ban on Syrian citizens, Avery hoped to eventually bring Omar to the United States on a CR-1 visa.Avery learned if she was going to have any chance of Omar coming to the United States, she couldn't move to Syria because the only thing the government would acknowledge -- if they did acknowledge it -- was the fact the married couple had been forced to live apart from each other."If we make that decision to move out of the country, we make that decision for good," Avery told her husband. "We're just giving up America altogether."Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Disney announced that it has collaborated with Apple to develop a new contactless ticket on Mar. 30. This new app will allow Apple consumers to use their Apple Watch and iPhone to enter Disney parks.

According to 9to5Mac's latest report, the new MagicMobile pass works just like the users' Apple Pay cards. It also supports the Express Mode feature. Thanks to this new technology, people no longer need to open their devices. All they need to do is tap their smartphones or smartwatches and enter the popular theme park.

If you want to add the latest MagicMobile pass, the first thing you need to do is install the "My Disney Experience" application.

Here are other details you should know:

How to use the new MagicMobile pass

Disney Parks' official blog post explained that once the users install the new MagicMobile pass, they can start customizing their passes. They can do this by choosing from several Disney-themed designs that animate upon use. These include DVC Members and Annual Passholders.

Also Read: Apple: Employees May Take Paid Vacation Days, Leaves to Get COVID-19 Vaccination, Experiencing Side Effects

On the other hand, you can also store more than one pass on a single device, which saves your friends and family members the hassle of using their smartphones and smartwatches.

Meanwhile, to use the latest application of Apple and Disney, the users need to hold their iPhone, smartwatch, and other Apple devices near an access point before they enter Disney's vicinities. Apple and Disney also confirmed that users should have a valid park admission and a park reservation before they can enter the Disney parks.

MagicMobile app's new features

Disney confirmed that they integrated a new feature on the My Disney Experience app. This allows the application to automatically link the user's Disney PhotoPass attraction photos and videos to their smartphone profiles. All you need to do is confirm their settings before they enter the popular themed-park. On the other hand, the new feature also allows the My Disney Experience app to be used as a digital key to unlock the guests' rooms.

For more news updates about Apple and its upcoming innovations, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: [BREAKING] Apple Confirms WWDC 2021: iOS 15, WatchOS 8, iPadOS 15, and More

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Giuliano de Leon

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
OKOTOKS, AB, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - (TSX: MTL) Mullen Group Ltd. ("Mullen Group" and/or the "Corporation") intends to release its 2021 First Quarter earnings results after market close on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, and has scheduled a conference call and webcast as follows:

Date: April 22, 2021



Time: 11:00 a.m. ET



Conference Call Dial-in: 1-800-319-4610 (for participants in North America)

416-915-3239 (Toronto or Overseas participants)



Webcast: www.mullen-group.com

A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call until Thursday, May 6, 2021, by dialing 1-800-319-6413 or 604-638-9010, access code 6486 followed by the pound sign.

About Mullen Group Ltd.

Mullen Group is one of Canada's largest logistics providers. Our network of independently operated businesses provide a wide range of service offerings including less-than-truckload, truckload, warehousing, logistics, transload, oversized and specialized hauling transportation. In addition, we provide a diverse set of specialized services related to the energy, mining, forestry and construction industries in western Canada, including water management, fluid hauling and environmental reclamation. The corporate office provides the capital and financial expertise, legal support, technology and systems support, shared services and strategic planning to its independent businesses.

Mullen Group is a publicly traded corporation listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MTL". Additional information is available on our website at www.mullen-group.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Contact Information

Mr. Murray K. Mullen - Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

Mr. P. Stephen Clark - Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Richard J. Maloney - Senior Vice President

Ms. Joanna K. Scott - Corporate Secretary & Vice President, Corporate Services

121A - 31 Southridge Drive

Okotoks, Alberta, Canada T1S 2N3

Telephone: 403-995-5200

Fax: 403-995-5296

SOURCE Mullen Group Ltd.

Related Links

www.mullen-group.com


A LIMERICK couple wowed the judges with their restored period home in Dublin in the latest episode of RTE's of Home of the Year.

Cian and Kate ODriscoll's home will now feature in the Grand Final of the series which will air next week.

Cian, who is from Ennis Road in Limerick, and Raheen native Kate said they were gleeful with the judges comments during Tuesday's show.

Were absolutely delighted. Were buzzing from last night, Kate told the Leader.

Limerick native and judge Suzie McAdam scored the house a ten, which Kate was especially happy with. "I really like Suzie McAdam as an interior designer so to get a ten from her was a dream.

However, two of the judges, Amanda Bone and Hugh Wallace, werent as enthusiastic about the house as Suzie.

Hugh commented he wasnt fond of the kitchen extension in the home: I think theres a simplicity, an elegance and control which we saw in the other rooms but we come here and I just feel like its a different house. Theres a confusion in style.

Kate said she thought the comments were slightly harsh but she doesnt let that get her down. Youre never going to agree with the criticism of your own home, its your home. The style is not to everyones taste, I get that.

Even with their dislike of the kitchen extension, Hugh and Amanda both scored the home an eight as they littered the rest of the house with praises.

Although Kate has never studied interior design, she has loved interiors since she was a child. Even as a kid I would paint my room different colours every year! she laughed.

For budding DIY home decorators like herself, Kate has some tips. The first is that the internet is your best friend. We did a lot of research, from watching YouTube videos and reading how to do stuff. Theres so much information already there, she explained.

Kate recommends also tackling small jobs first, jobs you cant mess up too badly. From there, she explains, your confidence will begin to grow and the bigger jobs will seem easier. Kate also argues dont be shy of a renovation project.

There is a lot of pleasure in turning your house from something old and derelict into a beautiful home. Dont be afraid to take on a project like this. You dont need to do it overnight, you can do it over a long period of time if you need to. The house tells a story and thats what makes it a home for me, Kate said fondly.

If you want to see the extent of Kates beautiful home and get more ideas for your own DIY project, check out Kates Instagram profile.

Cian and Kate will be joined by another Limerick family in the final next week - the McLoughlins from Annacotty, as they battle it out to be home of the year.

Catch the final of Home of the Year next Tuesday, April 6, when it airs at 8.30pm on RTE One.
Luanda  The governor of the National Bank of Angola (BNA), Jose de Lima Massano, said Monday that the best ways of "saving" Banco Economico (BE) were being studied and identified, taking into account the quality of its assets.

"In relation to Banco Economico, we are continuing to look for the best ways. The BNA has not yet made any decision regarding this matter of the former BESA," said the Angolan central bank manager.

He added that a range of options was also being considered, based on the provisions of the current Basic Law on Financial Activity, and that under the terms of that law the BNA was not in a position to rule out choices.

"Under the terms of the said Law, we are not in a position to highlight options. What we have been doing is looking at the best options that continue to be made," reiterated Jose de Lima Massano.

The governor of the National Bank of Angola recalled it was a work that began in 2019, after the disclosure of the results of the quality of bank assets, with other peer institutions also included in this procedure.

The process was due to end in 2020, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic deadlines were changed, and so de Lima Massano said the final decision would be made public as soon as the dossier was concluded.

"In relation to Banco Economico, we are continuing to look for the best ways. The BNA has not yet made any decision regarding this matter of the former BESA," said the Angolan central bank manager.

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He added that a range of options was also being considered, based on the provisions of the current Basic Law on Financial Activity, and that under the terms of that law the BNA was not in a position to rule out choices.

"Under the terms of the said Law, we are not in a position to highlight options. What we have been doing is looking at the best options that continue to be made," reiterated Jose de Lima Massano.

The governor of the National Bank of Angola recalled it was a work that began in 2019, after the disclosure of the results of the quality of bank assets, with other peer institutions also included in this procedure.

The process was due to end in 2020, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic deadlines were changed, and so de Lima Massano said the final decision would be made public as soon as the dossier was concluded.
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Over two decades, a broad locally led partnership successfully cleaned up and revitalized two once blighted and struggling Spartanburg, SC, communities that had faced severe industrial contamination causing disease and death leveraged. The effort, which leveraged nearly $300 million to undertake the challenge, now stands as an international model of environmental justice success. How the rapid cleanup and redevelopment was achieved, and the lessons it offers other communities, are outlined in a 20-year retrospective, a new report released today by the ReGenesis Economic Development Corporation (ReGenesis) and MDB, Inc.

ReGenesis logo

"Clean up of two Superfund sites and six Brownfield sites set the stage for extensive redevelopment of blighted neighborhoods, reduced pollution, and improved public health," the report says. Those accomplishments "resulted in employment opportunities and improved quality of life and safety for the community." Pollutants from industrial sources, including a municipal landfill, an abandoned fertilizer plant, an active chemical manufacturing plant, and other sites, contributed to higher-than-normal incidents of disease and death among community residents. ReGenesis worked in partnership with Federal, State, and local government agencies, the private sector, academia, and nonprofit organizations to address the environmental hazards and rebuild healthier communities. ReGenesis is a community-based, non-profit organization headquartered in Spartanburg. MDB, Inc., is a public health and environmental management consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. and Durham, North Carolina. The report was funded by the TomKat Foundation.

"This report documents the significant improvements that have been made in the Arkwright and Forest Park distressed frontline communities in Spartanburg," said Harold Mitchell, Executive Director of ReGenesis. "It provides lessons that can guide other communities that face similar environmental justice challenges and explains the significant additional benefits that have improved community infrastructure, built safer neighborhoods, and created community empowerment through education, job training, and job creation," said Mitchell, a former South Carolina State Representative.

In 2000, ReGenesis was selected by the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice as one of 15 national demonstration projects. The project has since been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Collaborative Problem-Solving Model.

"Over the past 20 years, the ReGenesis Partnership has become a national and international model of environmental justice success," said Timothy Fields, Jr., Senior Vice President of MDB, Inc. "This report will advance the nation's focus on environmental justice, and be a useful tool for government, industry, community stakeholders, and the public. I am very pleased with how many partners stepped up to work with ReGenesis on achieving community revitalization success," said Fields, a former EPA Assistant Administrator who served as a facilitator for dialogues within the community. "As a result, the community has been provided with access to a better environment, proper healthcare, food security, better housing, economic and educational opportunities, and improved public health."

The report also describes critical revitalization projects planned for the future, as well as recommendations on how the ReGenesis Partnership should proceed in the future.

Some of the major ReGenesis Partnership environmental justice achievements include the following:

Environmental cleanup of two Superfund sites and six Brownfield sites

Reducing crime and illegal activities

Improved housing for the community

Improved health care services

Improved transportation access

Better emergency preparedness

Eliminating food desert

Several job training initiatives

Highlights of funds leveraged by the ReGenesis Partnership include the following:

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding for new housing and redevelopment

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding for community health centers

EPA support on contaminated site cleanup

Department of Transportation (DOT) funding for access road construction

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) support in overseeing site cleanup

Spartanburg County support on brownfields redevelopment

support on brownfields redevelopment City of Spartanburg support for Superfund site cleanup

support for Superfund site cleanup Solvay support on job creation, housing, and stakeholder engagement

ReGenesis, MDB, and other partners will conduct an extensive outreach effort to assist in the dissemination and use of this report. Outreach activities will include distributing the report to stakeholders across the United States, briefing stakeholder organizations, and transmitting information about the report via the media and other communication mechanisms.

Read the report: https://www.michaeldbaker.com/MDB_WP_live_site/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ReGenesis-Report.pdf

The TomKat Foundation creates and partners with innovative organizations that envision a world with climate stability, a healthy and just food system, and broad prosperity.

CONTACT: Joy Lee Pearson (MDB, Inc.)

[email protected]

202-715-3851

SOURCE MDB, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.michaeldbaker.com


[March 31, 2021] SciBite launches AI-driven semantic search platform to help manage the life science data deluge

- Intelligent scientific search platform, SciBiteSearch, enables researchers to quickly find meaningful insights from structured and unstructured public and proprietary biomedical data CAMBRIDGE, England, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SciBite, an Elsevier company and award-winning semantic technology company, today announced the launch of SciBiteSearch. The next-generation scientific search and analytics platform offers powerful interrogation and analysis capabilities across unstructured and structured data, from public and proprietary sources. Researchers today face increasing challenges around accessing and deriving meaningful insights from the ever-larger volumes of data, presented in an array of formats from multiple sources. SciBiteSearch provides scientists with access to domain specific ontology and AI-powered search capabilities, allowing users to connect and build knowledge from their data. "Biopharmaceutical companies depend upon access to and understanding of data to advance R&D. Yet today, many data assets remain siloed," commented Phil Verdemato, Head of Software Engineering, SciBite. "Compounding this issue, is unlike other industries where it is simply the amount of data that is the problem, it is also the variety of data streams in life sciences that presents a barrier. This makes harmonisation and comparison an uphill battle unless intelligent, purpose-built search tools are in place. The expertly tuned scientific search engine, SciBiteSearc, helps organisations address this and tackle the 'Find' aspect within the FAIR guiding principles for data management and stewardship."



SciBiteSearch goes beyond traditional search methods, using knowledge graphs to augment searches and deliver not only items relevant to the query but the structure and relationship between them. The addition of AI further enhances the search experience enabling natural language understanding. SciBiteSearch can integrate data across a range of use cases including: Unify multiple data sources into a single solution, designed for departments wanting their own tailored search tool. For example, combining public biomedical literature, clinical trials, and grants with proprietary data to facilitate smarter searching.

Incorporate full-text biomedical literature from publishers to better address researchers' discovery needs. For example, users can load subscribed licensed data from partner publishers or content brokers.

Enable users to get accurate search results without the need to understand the complexities of Named Entity Recognition (NER), its underlying data structures, or the functions required to surface. Building on the easy-to-use search system in DOCstore, SciBiteSearch offers an intuitive user interface, and sophisticated query and assertion indices created using SciBite's tools and ontologies. A streaming load API, connectors, and parsers for different sources and content types make it simple to load and process content to make it searchable.

Learn more at: http://scibite.com/scibitesearch About SciBite SciBite's data-first, semantic analytics software is for those who want to innovate and get more from their data. Leading the way by pioneering the combination of the latest in machine learning with an ontology-led approach, SciBite's semantic infrastructure answers business critical questions in real time by releasing the value and full potential of unstructured data. Supporting the world's leading scientific organisations with use-cases from discovery through to development, SciBite's suite of fast, flexible, deployable API technologies empower customers, making it a critical component in scientific, data-led strategies. www.scibite.com Media Contact:

Lauren Barham

+44 (0)1223 786 129

lauren@scibite.com About Elsevier As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com Media Contact:

David Tucker

+44 (0)79320 536 160

d.tucker@elsevier.com Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/617446/SciBite_Logo.jpg

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World food prices reach highest level in 10 years

Newspaper: Armenia ruling party to hold fundraiser Saturday

Newspaper: Russia does not manifest very active efforts in trilateral talks with Armenia, Azerbaijan

US to donate 25mn doses of coronavirus vaccine

Armenia is elected UN World Tourism Organization Executive Council member for period of 2021-2025

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

Armenia Health Ministry, Investigative Committee keep info about sending remains of dead soldiers abroad confidential

Armenia Prosecutor General's Office launches case regarding leaving sacs of servicemen's bodies/remains in basement

Peskov: Putin and Biden to discuss cybersecurity issues

Armenia's Pashinyan meets with Belgian PM Alexander De Croo

Armenia acting MOD receives Netherlands Ambassador

Armenia Police: 3 citizens apprehended during protest demanding acting health minister's resignation

NATO warns Minsk about further consequences of Ryanair incident

Armenia economic competition protection commission: Experts forecast inflation of butter prices

Armenia citizens' protest against acting health minister is over

Pashinyan visits France, judicial farce against Armenian POWs kicks off in Baku, Jun. 2 digest

Armenian Ambassador, FMO representatives consider opportunities for expansion of cooperation in Armenia

Armenia Prosecutor General is on working visit to Russia

Armenia acting PM meets with European Council President in Brussels

Armenia citizens throw polyethylene bags at Health Ministry building, police apprehend protesters

Acting deputy minister: Armenia authorities plan to build 46km section of North-South highway in 2021
Britains international trade secretary has called for the world to get tough with China as part of a shake-up of the global trading regime which she claims is stuck in the 1990s.

Liz Truss will on Wednesday urge the US and other G7 countries to work to revive the World Trade Organization, which has been caught in the crossfire between Washington and Beijing.

Speaking ahead of a virtual meeting of G7 trade ministers on Wednesday  the UK is the current chair of the group of advanced economies  Truss urged the US to put its weight behind the daunting task of reforming the WTO.



But she argued that any reform had to include a tough approach to Beijing; former US president Donald Trump said the WTO gave special treatment to China, because of its official designation as a developing country.

The WTO was established when China was 10 per cent the size of the US economy, she told the Financial Times in an interview. It is ludicrous that it is still self-designating as a developing country  and those rules need to change.

The WTO has been immobilised by the trade war between the US and China. Its Appellate Body, a court of global trade, was disabled after Trump blocked the appointments of new judges.

Katherine Tai, US trade representative, is expected to review that decision and Truss said she was encouraged that the Biden administration wanted to work with the multilateral system.

Its one of the issues we need to address, Truss said. But it will take all sides to compromise to get to a solution. But there has to be a binding dispute resolution process.

She insisted that China itself had an interest in trade rules that people could believe in, adding: If the WTO doesnt reform, the reality is that countries will find alternative mechanisms for developing trade.

She added: This is the time to get tough on China and their behaviour in the global trading system, but also modernise the WTO. In many ways its stuck in the 1990s.

It doesnt have strong rules on digital and data trade, which is getting increasingly important, and is greatly important during Covid. She said new WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was dynamic and effective and needed support.

Liam Fox, a former international trade secretary, also advocated WTO reform, but proposing change has proved easier for UK ministers than securing it, especially in the face of Chinese opposition.

Truss has tried to position post-Brexit Britain as a champion of free trade, even though the act of leaving the EU left what she called additional processes at the border.

Liz Truss has tried to position post-Brexit Britain as a champion of free trade  Charlie Bibby/FT

She stressed the UK wanted a positive trading relationship with the EU, but the recent threat of a ban on vaccine exports to Britain by the European Commission had soured relations.

Truss said the answer to some of the problems thrown up by Covid-19 was for countries to build up resilience of supply by working with partners we can trust to make sure weve got those essential supplies.

Asked whether she trusted the EU, Truss evaded the question. Well, the EU are a close partner who share our belief in democracy and enterprise. Im pleased we are now in talks with the EU about resolving the issues over vaccine supply.

The Treasury has calculated that Brexit could cost the UK almost 5 per cent of gross domestic product growth over the next 15 years and there are plenty in the finance ministry who claim that any number of trade deals with more distant countries will not compensate for that blow.

Truss, with her free-trading zeal and embrace of Brexit, recently topped a poll of Conservative party members as their favourite cabinet minister. Freed from the more cautious approach of the EU, I think we can do things differently, she said.

Truss declined to say when global trade deals would offset the loss of European trade after Brexit, but said that the big opportunities for growth were on the other side of the world.

She said she hoped Britain could secure a deal with the 11-nation CPTPP Pacific trade group in months rather than years and that India was a strong prospect for a future trade deal. Boris Johnson, the prime minister, travels to India next month.

Nor has she given up hope of a trade deal with the US, in spite of the fact that President Joe Biden has made it clear that trade deals are not a priority.

Truss saw no contradiction in her condemnation of the absolutely appalling actions of China in Xinjiang and the fact that Britains new foreign policy has committed to seeking a deep trade and investment relationship with Beijing.

Were not negotiating a trade deal with China  what do is we trade with China in non-strategic areas, she said. Of course we trade with China, the US trades with China.



Financial Times
SPRINGFIELD  Riverbend schools in five counties will receive more than $175 million as part of $7 billion in new funding statewide over the next three years.

On Wednesday Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that Illinois K-12 school districts are receiving the federal funding to support students as they return to the classroom after distance and hybrid learning because of COVID-19.

Pritzker asked education experts to share best practices and recommendations to best support students. Those recommendations were compiled into the 180-page P-20 Councils Learning Renewal Resource Guide now online with ideas to help school districts renew learning and provide ongoing feedback. The guide was designed with input from more than 300 stakeholders.

If youre a parent, I know youve spent most of this pandemic worried about how your kids are learning, Pritzker said. With all the screens and Zooms, sometimes youre worried about whether theyre learning at all.

My administration is taking a little bit of that worry off your plates, he said. Im committed to making sure that Illinois leads the nation in assisting schools to make this new $7 billion count over the next several years to overcome the pandemics effects on our students, parents and educators.

The latest round of federal funding for schools through the American Rescue Plan allocates more than $5 billion for pre-K through 12th grade education in Illinois, 90 percent of which will flow directly to school districts. Illinois education system has been awarded more than $7.8 billion in federal pandemic relief funding in total over three rounds of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund program, with $7 billion flowing directly to school districts over the next three years.

School districts can also leverage regular federal grants to support learning renewal for students in the greatest need, such as low-income students, English Learners, and students with disabilities. Additionally, higher education institutions in Illinois will receive $1.3 billion from the third round of federal support, for a total of $2.5 billion across the three rounds of funding primarily from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

Funding for Madison, Macoupin, Jersey, Greene and Calhoun counties includes $175,785,867 for 27 school districts:

Madison County

 Roxana CUSD 1  $7,673,738

 Triad CUSD 2  $3,186,619

 Venice CUSD 3  $1,482,155

 Highland CUSD 5  $5,674,436

 Edwardsville CUSD 7  $7,095,686

 Bethalto CUSD 8  $6,873,631

 Granite City CUSD 9  $30,575,632

 Collinsville CUSD 10  $23,015,984

 Alton CUSD 11  $33,139,951

 Madison CUSD 12  $7,645,944

 East Alton SD 13  $4,494,465

 East Alton-Wood River CHSD 14  $2,372,670

 Wood River-Hartford ESD 15  $3,020,452

Macoupin County

 Carlinville CUSD 1  $4,461,485

 Northwestern CUSD 2  $1,295,316

 Mount Olive CUSD 5  $1,213,436

 Staunton CUSD 6  $2,725,842

 Gillespie CUSD 7  $5,409,397

 Bunker Hill CUSD 8  $1,910,435

 Southwestern CUSD 9  $2,559,645

 North Mac CUSD 34  $4,609,335

Roxana CUSD 1  $7,673,738

Jersey County

 Jersey CUSD 100  $6,447,250

Greene County

 Carrollton CUSD 1  $1,434,962

 North Greene CUSD 3  $4,570,252

 Greenfield CUSD 10  $1,407,711

Calhoun County

 Calhoun CUSD 40  $1,281,236

 Brussels CUSD 42  $208,202.

The Learning Renewal Resource Guide details 12 strategies that districts and higher education institutions should consider to equitably address the pandemics short- and long-term impacts. Each of the strategies contain underlying initiatives, implementation guidance, and estimated costs and impacts.

In addition to the guide, Illinois state education agencies will focus on four major goals to support schools:

 High-impact tutoring, with a focus on aligning tutoring with classroom instruction throughout the school year and during the summer.

 Social and emotional learning community partnerships, including with the Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR), housed at Lurie Childrens Hospital.

 Interim assessment, intended solely for diagnostic purposes, to provide reliable measures for understanding the impact on student learning so educators can target their responses to students needs.

 Bridge/transition support, to encourage enrollment in both early childhood programs and higher education.

The complete guide is available online at the P-20 councils website.
Agra, March 31 : The 17th century monument of love, the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, is feeling the heat of abruptly rising temperature, sand blasting by seasonal dust storms and human apathy.

"The temperature has gone up steeply in the last few days and there have been a series of sand storms," said Surendra Sharma, President of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society.

Despite a series of directions by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, successive governments have been dragging their feet to rejuvenate the Yamuna river by containing pollution and maintaining flow of water round the year, complained green activist Shravan Kumar Singh.

After a brief respite during the 180-day lockdown triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the Taj is again looking pale, notwithstanding the mud therapy and other measures to beautify the monument.

Heritage conservationists in Agra say that if the monument looks pale to the visitors, the reason is the dry and heavily polluted Yamuna that once formed an integral part of the Taj Mahal complex.

Standing tall in the scorching summer sun, the monument of love is enveloped in yellowish sand from the neighbouring Rajasthan deserts. Any discernible visitor can tell that the summer heat is taking its toll on the Taj Mahal, blasted by sand from the dry Yamuna bed and the dust-laden winds from the Rajasthan deserts.

The gaps left by illegal mining in the Aravali ranges has raised the SPM (suspended particulate matter) in Agra. Against a standard of 100 microns per cubic metre, it remains as high as 300, touching 500 during the summer months. The problem is that sandy particles rub against the monument and leave pox marks, making the surface rough, as has been pointed out in many studies.

However, conservationists say that the crisis the Taj confronts comes not merely from nature and pollution, but also from the people -- with too many tourists and vehicles visiting Agra.

The number of vehicles in the city has shot up from around 40,000 in 1985 when Firozabad too was part of the Agra district, to more than a million now. The opening of the Yamuna Expressway has increased vehicular traffic. The pressure of heavy vehicles on the Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Mumbai and Lucknow-Agra National Highways passing through Agra has increased phenomenally.

Adding to its fatigue is the ever-increasing human load. From a few hundred tourists some decades ago, the Taj is now daily visited by thousands of people. The tourism industry that thrives on milking the Taj Mahal wants more sops for the visitors to attract them to Agra, but the conservationists want restrictions imposed to gradually reduce the human load.

Visitors who see the Taj Mahal for the first time never forget to ask the guides, "Is it turning yellow?" The explanation given by the guides is that it is the outcome of the natural ageing process and has nothing to do with industrial pollution, as all polluting industries in Agra region have been shut down by the Supreme Court.

To ensure its dazzling whiteness and remove the stains left behind by the pollutants on the Taj Mahal, originally called 'Bagh e Baahist', the Archaeological Survey of India carries out periodic 'multani mitti' (Fuller's earth) treatment. The white marble surface is washed with soap and water too on Fridays when the monument breathes freely to enjoy its weekly off.

When thousands of tourists 'invade' the serene monument every day, leaving behind hand and foot marks on the white stones, and tonnes of noxious gases through breathing, the cumulative affect on the fragile structure is huge.

Only a few tourists are genuinely aware of the historic significance of the monument and its great heritage value, but there are hordes of others who care nothing for the sanctity of the Taj.

While the problem of human load will be sorted out shortly, as a number of studies are being conducted by the ASI, the sad state of the Yamuna river at the rear is a huge problem that defies solution. According to Ved Goutam, a tour guide, Agra has already become a desert.

"When you see the camels moving around on the dry river bed, you get the impression that Agra is in a desert, a part of the Rajasthan state," he said.

The Archaeological Survey of India has restored the Mehtab Bagh at the rear of the Taj Mahal and the state forest department has developed a dense green buffer along the river bank on the opposite side.

But the major problem is the Yamuna, which has been reduced to a 'sewage canal'. Fears are being raised that if there is no fresh supply of water in the river that touches the Taj foundation to provide a shock-absorbing buffer to insulate the building from seismic movements, the monument could tilt, cave in or struggle for stability.
The traffic jam at the Suez Canal will soon begin easing, but behemoth container ships like the one that blocked that crucial passageway for almost a week and caused headaches for shippers around the world arent going anywhere.

Global supply chains were already under pressure when the Ever Given, a ship longer than the Empire State Building and capable of carrying furnishings for 20,000 apartments, wedged itself between the banks of the Suez Canal last week. It was freed on Monday, but left behind disruptions and backlogs in global shipping that could take weeks, possibly months, to unravel, according to A.P. Moller-Maersk, the worlds largest shipping company.

The crisis was short, but it was also years in the making.

For decades, shipping lines have been making bigger and bigger vessels, driven by an expanding global appetite for electronics, clothes, toys and other goods. The growth in ship size, which sped up in recent years, often made economic sense: Bigger vessels are generally cheaper to build and operate on a per-container basis. But the largest ships can come with their own set of problems, not only for the canals and ports that have to handle them but for the companies that build them.

They did what they thought was most efficient for themselves  make the ships big  and they didnt pay much attention at all to the rest of the world, said Marc Levinson, an economist and author of Outside the Box, a history of globalization. But it turns out that these really big ships are not as efficient as the shipping lines had imagined.

Despite the risks they pose, however, massive vessels still dominate global shipping. According to Alphaliner, a data firm, the global fleet of container ships includes 133 of the largest ship type  those that can carry 18,000 to 24,000 containers. Another 53 are on order.

The worlds first commercially successful container trip took place in 1956 aboard a converted steamship, which transported a few dozen containers from New Jersey to Texas. The industry has grown steadily in the decades since, but as global accelerated in the 1980s, so did the growth of the shipping industry  and ship size.

In that decade, the average capacity of a container ship grew 28 percent, according to the Transport Forum, a unit of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Container ship capacity grew an additional 36 percent in the 1990s. Then, in 2006, Maersk introduced the Emma Maersk, a massive vessel that could hold about 15,000 containers, almost 70 percent more than any other vessel.

Instead of this pattern of small increases in capacity over time, all of a sudden we had a quantum leap, and that really set off an arms race, Mr. Levinson said.

Today, the largest ships can hold as many as 24,000 containers  a standard 20-foot box can hold a pair of midsize sport utility vehicles or enough produce to fill one or two grocery store aisles.

The growth of the shipping industry and ship size has played a central role in creating the modern economy, helping to make China a manufacturing powerhouse and facilitating the rise of everything from e-commerce to retailers like Ikea and Amazon. To the container lines, building bigger made sense: Larger ships allowed them to squeeze out savings on construction, fuel and staffing.

Ultra Large Container Vessels (U.L.C.V.) are extremely efficient when it is about transporting large quantities of goods around the globe, Tim Seifert, a spokesman for Hapag-Lloyd, a large shipping company, said in a statement. We also doubt that it would make shipping safer or more environmentally friendly if there would be more or less-efficient vessels on the oceans or in the canals.

Maersk said it was premature to blame Ever Givens size for what happened in the Suez. Ultra-large ships have existed for many years and have sailed through the Suez Canal without issues, Palle Brodsgaard Laursen, the companys chief technical officer, said in a statement on Tuesday.

But the growth in ship size has come at a cost. It has effectively pitted port against port, canal against canal. To make way for bigger ships, for example, the Panama Canal expanded in 2016 at a cost of more than $5 billion.

That set off a race among ports along the East Coast of the United States to attract the larger ships coming through the canal. Several ports, including those in Baltimore, Miami and Norfolk, Va., began dredging projects to deepen their harbors. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spearheaded a $1.7 billion project to raise the Bayonne Bridge to accommodate mammoth ships laden with cargo from Asia and elsewhere.

The race to accommodate ever-larger ships also pushed ports and terminal operators to buy new equipment. This month, for example, the Port of Oakland erected three 1,600-ton cranes that would, in the words of one port executive, allow it to receive the biggest ships.

But while ports incurred costs for accommodating larger ships, they didnt reap all of the benefits, according to Jan Tiedemann, a senior analyst at Alphaliner.

The savings are almost exclusively on the side of the carrier, so there was an argument that the carriers have been in the driving seat and have just pushed through with this big tonnage, while terminal operators, ports and, in some cases, the taxpayer have footed the bill, he said.

The shift to bigger ships also coincided with and contributed to industry consolidation that has both limited competition among shipping giants and made the world more vulnerable to supply disruptions. Buying and maintaining large vessels is expensive, and shippers that couldnt afford those costs had to find ways to become bigger themselves. Some firms merged, and joined alliances that allowed them to pool their ships to offer more frequent service.

Those trends arent necessarily all bad. The alliances allow shippers to offer expanded service and help keep costs low for customers. And the fact that bigger ships cut fuel costs has helped the industry make the case that it is doing its part to reduce planet-warming emissions.

But the argument for even bigger ships may finally be fading, even for container lines themselves  a concept known in economics as the law of diminishing returns.

For one, the benefits of building bigger tend to shrink with each successive round of growth, according to Olaf Merk, the lead author of a 2015 Transport Forum report on very big ships. According to the report, the savings from moving to ships that can carry 19,000 containers were four to six times smaller than those realized by the previous expansion of ship size. And most of the savings came from more efficient ship engines than the size of the ship.

Theres still economies of scale, but less and less as the ships become bigger, Mr. Merk said.

The bigger vessels can also call on fewer ports and navigate through fewer tight waterways. They are also harder to fill, cost more to insure and pose a greater threat to supply chains when things go wrong, like Ever Givens beaching in the Suez Canal. Giant ships are also designed for a world in which is growing rapidly, which is far from guaranteed these days given high geopolitical and economic tensions between the United States and China, Britain and the European Union, and other large trading partners.
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga poses with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (Photo : Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS)

Japan and Indonesia pledged on Tuesday to tighten security ties and signed a deal to facilitate transfers of defence equipment and technology, as their near neighbour China expands its economic and military might.



China's territorial claims in the East and South China seas have become a priority issue in an increasingly testy Sino-U.S. relationship and also raise significant security concerns for Japan.



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"I think this is (a) historical first in bilateral relations between Japan and Indonesia," Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto said, referring to the transfer pact.



"We invite the Japanese side to participate in the modernization of Indonesia's defence capacity. We also encourage joint training between our services - maritime and also land forces," he told reporters.



Prabowo made the comment at a joint media appearance in Tokyo following a meeting of the Japanese and Indonesian foreign and defence ministers.



"We exchanged views on the situation in the East and South China seas and shared serious concern about the continuation and strengthening of unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force," Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said.



The meeting followed a visit to the region by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who warned China over "coercion and aggression" and criticised what he called Chinese attempts to bully neighbours with competing interests.



ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members, which include Indonesia, remain wary of losing access to China's economy, and are reluctant to become entangled in any confrontation between Washington and Beijing.



Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also sharply criticized ongoing violence against civilians in Myanmar following its Feb. 1 military coup. "Indonesia strongly denounces this kind of act. It is unacceptable," she said.



Retno has emerged as a voice for the region as she works to broker talks with the Myanmar military, which has killed more than 500 protesters since staging the coup.



Japan, which has extensive business interests in Myanmar, has so far refrained from meting out sanctions against the military leadership.



But Motegi told parliament on Tuesday that Tokyo, which had been the largest provider of economic assistance to Myanmar, had put its official development assistance on hold.


Men in pastoralist communities have been challenged to support women to vie for leadership positions.

Speaking during a women's workshop in Kapenguria, the women said they ought to be taught about their rights during the fourth coming elections.

The women called on local MPs to support the two-thirds gender rule. They also cited challenges ranging from lack of money, illiteracy, and traditional beliefs that hinder women from vying for leadership positions.

They said men do not allow women to register as voters, and when they do, they command who the women should vote for. Others even want women to seek their permission before voting.

"Men keep women's documents like voting cards and identity cards. Husbands always deny them their freedom to vote. Women said that their men fear women being free to join politics saying it can lead to prostitution," said the community facilitator for Kapenguria Theatre Organisation Ms Emily Partany.

The meeting heard that women in the Pokot community are the ones taking care of everything in the homes, including building houses, thus it becomes hard for them to join politics.

Men control all wealth

"Women fear competing with men in the society thus, men sell property owned by women," said Ms Partany, the women's leader.

They complained that men controlled all the wealth in their homes.

"We want men to respect our rights. We have suffered for a long time but the Constitution will save us," she said.

Ms Partany said girls in the Pokot community have been denied education, but instead considered as wealth for their parents.

Pokot Girl Child Network Director Teresa Lokichu said many women from pastoralist communities have been denied the opportunity to lead.

Pokot women still face challenges including lack of education to cultural practices.

"Women should not only go for the women representative seat, but compete with men in other elective positions. Many only think of the women representative seat," Ms Lokichu said.

She added that they would carry out sensitisation forums among women and the general public to have a changed mind set.

"Ms Lokichu reiterated that the media has only focused on issues of cattle rustling, hunger and other ills, forgetting to champion issues of women. She, however, urged women not to give up and vie for other elective positions. They called on the government to train and educate women from marginalised pastoral areas.

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Pastoralist communities

"Next year, we shall move to every ward and we are sure many women will be elected. We have seen elected women supporting their fellow women," said Ms Rael Lodia.

They cited discrimination against women in the region by the former regimes.

"We have been discriminated against since independence, but devolution has brought us to the lime light. We want more women to vie for governorship and senator positions. We urge Kenyans to elect women for development to be realised in the country," said Ms Lodia.

They said many women in pastoralist communities are disadvantaged and marginalised.

"We want the Zebra formation where if a man is elected governor, a woman becomes his deputy and vice versa," Ms Lodia noted.

"We shall carry out sensitisation meetings among women and the general public to have a changed mind-set," reiterated Ms Lodia.

She urged political parties not to discriminate against women and called on the government to empower women so that they can have fair representation in leadership at the ward, county and national levels.
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An animal rescue centre has revealed that the surge in abandoned dogs being taken to their centre because of lockdown has been a 'nightmare'.

Sylvia Van Atta, co-founder of Many Tears, near Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, explained that the centre is struggling to survive because of the overwhelming number of animals who have been given up by their owners who bought them on a whim during the pandemic.

She went on to say several animals had been arriving at the centre with behavioural problems because owners weren't training them properly, while many others returned them after realising they couldn't afford the pet.

Appearing on This Morning, Sylvia said puppies as young as 18-weeks-old had come to the centre after already being sold three times on social media - with designer dogs such as Cockapoos being one of the most common breeds to be abandoned.

Sylvia Van Atta, co-founder of Many Tears, near Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, says the centre is struggling to survive because of the overwhelming number of animals abandoned during the pandemic

Sylvia says several animals are coming to the centre with behavioural problems because owners aren't training them properly and showed off the animals available for re-homing

'It's hit really hard and been a real struggle to keep going,' she said. 'We're trying to do our very best to make it work and the staff have been wonderful, but it's just a nightmare to be honest.'

She said animals are being so poorly trained when they first arrive with a new owner that they become 'unsellable' and have to be taken to a rescue centre.

'They've been sold on various social media sites until they're not sellable, because they're not trained and they have a problem and people don't dare sell them when they have a big problem, so they give them to us.'

The Covid pandemic saw a huge surge in people impulse buying dogs to keep them company at home, with designer dogs such as Cockapoos selling for as much as 3,500 during the first lockdown.

Host Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield (both pictured) met crossbreed puppies Push and Starstruck

Pictured, a one-year-old Pomeranian Cross called Wednesday who is up for adoption after her owners left the country during lockdown

After showing off eight-week Cockapoo Isaac to viewers, Sylvia revealed the breed as being the most common to be abandoned - explaining that they take much more work than expected.

'They're a very special dog', she said. 'They are bred from a Poodle and a Cocker, they are both working breeds who like lots to do, they're very clever, need a lot of grooming and time.

'So many people have got these dogs over lockdown, numbers of this breed, more than any other breed. We've had this breed in with biting or having problems because they haven't been raised with what they need,' she explained.

'You are responsible for a dog's life when you take one on and if you mess it up, you've messed up his life.'

Dory is an eight-week old Boston Terrier who was given to Sylvia after her breeder realised she was a dwarf puppy with a short life expectancy

After showing off eight-week cockapoo Isaac to viewers, Sylvia revealed the breed as being the most common to be abandoned because they take much more work than expected

Due to the high volume of dogs coming through their door, the centre has struggled to survive and Sylvia even penned a book to try and raise funding.

She said: 'It's been really hard, we thought it might happen like this and right at the beginning I thought, we won't be able to keep going, we haven't got the funds to keep going.

'So I wrote a book about how we started the rescue, I thought it would be a good thing to fund it, and inspire others. I wrote the book so we could keep going, but then it just went on and on and on and just as I thought. '

Sylvia revealed that several dogs have been taken to the centre because of owners suffering with mental health issues.

'The dogs are coming in, haven't been properly socialised and trained, nobody has been there to advise and a lot of them come in with problems.

Viewers were heartbroken by the segment, and were so keen to re-home the dogs the Many Tears website crashed while Sylvia was still on air

'A lot of them come in because people cannot finance their wellbeing and unfortunately we've also had a lot of mental health problems, including suicide.'

Viewers were heartbroken by the segment, with one writing: 'Seeing all those dogs&pups on #thismorning is so heartbreaking, hope they all get a good home they deserve, id take them all if I could.'

Another wrote: 'This break my heart so much Broken heart. Working in the veterinary Industry this last year has made me so angry at people. So many dogs not being socialised and trained and bought by incompetent owners who have no idea how to look after them.'

'They are very right a dog is for life not just for lockdown', penned a third.

Viewers were so enchanted by the animals, the Many Tears website crashed with people hoping to give the dogs a happy home while Sylvia was still on air.
Friends of Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie in the Eastern Region have called on the Agric Minister to consider contesting the presidential primaries of the ruling NPP when the party opens its nomination in 2022.



According to the group, it is their strong believe that Dr. Akoto Afriyie will be a very fine presidential candidate to lead the party in the 7th December 2024 presidential elections on the ticket of the NPP.



They add that his experience in parliamentary work, coupled with his background in Agriculture puts him above his competitors within the party and the country as a whole.



" . . we call on our own brother from the region Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto to consider to contest the presidential primaries when the time comes because he possesses all the essential qualities to continue with the good work of President Akuffo Addo.



"As a group we are aware of massive support from other regions as well for Dr. Akoto Afriyie to become the flag bearer for the New Patriotic Party in 2022 and we wish to encourage these other regions to also show same faith in propagating all good works of Dr. Afriyie Akoto to lead this great party of ours.," a part of the statement read.





Read below the full statement



FRIENDS OF DR. OWUSU AKOTO AFRIYIE



AGRIC MINISTER





Good afternoon Ladies and gentlemen of the media. We have called you this afternoon for a very short and concise information to the whole nation. It is our believe that as the 4th arm of government this urgent and all important message will get to the New Patriotic Party and the Citizenry as a whole.



Friends of Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, Eastern Region is a group ready to propagate the good works of a noble man who has in many ways exhibited high level of patriotism from both party and national level. In January 2017, President Nana Akuffo-Addo nominated Afriyie Akoto for the position of Minister of Food and Agriculture and he was again nominated in 2021 for the same position.



Dr. Akoto Afriyie is a native of this region and hails from Koforidua. The two-time MP for Kwadaso is the driver for the Presidents vision of Planting for Food and Jobs which yielded enormous results in 2019 and 2020. Dr Akoto is a farmer himself with plantations at Manso Nkwanta in Ashanti and owner of Plantation Resources Company Limited and holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Cambridge University, UK.



Dr. Akoto Afriyie worked with the international Coffee Organization in London, England as Chief Economic Advisor. He also served as a Consuktant to the World Bank (United Nations Agency) between 1995-2008 and also served as CEO of Goldcrest Commodities Ltd and Plantation Resources Ltd.



Friends of the media, it is a known fact that Dr. Afriyie Akoto has been nursing a presidential ambition for some time now and it is only proper that he with all these qualities get the support of us patriots. We are here today to show our colossal support for Dr. Akoto Afriyies bid of becoming the flag bearer for the New Patriotic Party come 2022 presidential primaries.



As a group we are aware of massive support from other regions as well for Dr. Akoto Afriyie to become the flag bearer for the New Patriotic Party in 2022 and we wish to encourage these other regions to also show same faith in propagating all good works of Dr. Afriyie Akoto to lead this great party of ours.



Friends from the media, it is no surprise that H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, showered praises on the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, describing him as one of the most outstanding ministers in his first term.



The President noted that Dr. Afriyie Akoto, whom he described as a man he has known for the past 50 years, has performed beyond expectations since his appointment as the Minister for Food and Agriculture in his first four-year administration.



Today we celebrate a great man; a man I have known for the past 50 years. In all these years, I know him to be a man with passion and commitment for everything he did. When I appointed him as the Minister for Food and Agriculture, I had no doubt at all that this man I describe as my bosom friend will be able to deliver. Now the evidence is clear for everyone to see.



It is our strong believe that he Dr. Akoto Afriyie will be a very fine presidential candidate to lead the party in the 7th Dec, 2024 presidential elections on the ticket of the NPP. His experience in parliamentary work, coupled with his background in Agriculture puts him above his competitors within the party and the country as a whole.



Lastly, we call on our own brother from the region Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto to consider to contest the presidential primaries when the time comes because he possesses all the essential qualities to continue with the good work of President Akuffo Addo.



Ladies and gentlemen, this group in the coming days will be canvasing for more possible votes for Dr. Akoto Afriyie within the region and also help other regions do same.



Thanks for the attention and may God bless the NPP,



May God bless Ghana.







Signed



..



Mr. Isaac Aboagye



Regional coordinator (Eastern Region)





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared five more candidates for the Bonchari Constituency by-election which will be held on May 18.

This now brings to 13 the total number of candidates who will square it out in the mini-poll.

The five candidates cleared on Tuesday include former Bonchari MP Zebedeo Opore (Jubilee), former Kisii Woman Rep Mary Sally Keraa (United Green Movement), Nyakea Erick Oigo (National Reconstruction Alliance), David Ogega Oyugi (Kenya Social Congress) and Margaret Gesare Nyabuto (Maendeleo Chap Chap).

Other candidates

The other candidates cleared on Monday include former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) director-general Pavel Oimeke of ODM, Kevin Mosomi of the Party of Democracy Unity (PDU), Jonah Onkendi Ondieki of the New Democrats (TND) and Charles Mogaka Ndege of Progressive Party of Kenya (PPK).

Also cleared was Ms Teresa Bitutu, who is the late Bonchari MP John Oroo Oyioka's widow. She will fly the UDA (United Democratic Alliance) flag.

Jeremiah Atancha of Agano party was also among those cleared by Bonchari Constituency Returning Officer Benson Ambuko on Monday afternoon.

Served for three terms

Mr Opore who has served as the Bonchari MP for three terms said that he plans to continue with the work he started when he was first elected in 1997.

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"I am very delighted to having been cleared to go for this seat which I am very certain I am going to win," said Mr Opore.

The Jubilee candidate promised to work closely with the government, saying that for meaningful development to be achieved, an MP needs to cooperate with national leaders.

Ms Keraa said that the seat should be left for a woman because it is time for women leadership in the spirit of gender parity.

On his part, Mr Oigo promised to use his experience as the Bonchari CDF chairman between 2013 and 2017 to develop the constituency.

"I believe I have the right credentials to be the next Bonchari MP having served the area residents as their CDF chairman between 2013 and 2017," said Mr Oigo.

Mr Ogega promised to serve the people of Bonchari to the best of his abilities if given a chance.

Right time

He said that he had contested for the seat several times and believes this is the right time for him to serve the people of Bonchari.

"My leadership is about serving the people of Bonchari equally and not discriminating them on the basis of where they come from," said Mr Ogega.

Ms Gesare promised to carry out door to door campaigns to ensure she clinches the seat.

She said that women in leadership positions have always had the best interests of their people at heart.
Designer Frank Chimero has a recommendation for artists: Create text playlists, akin to Spotify song lineups but for favorite snippets of writingpoems you want to revisit, bits of advice or wisdom you need to be regularly reminded of, stories you know will kickstart your creativity on days when you need inspiration, and so on. Its almost a pep talk in text form, Chimero explains. I visit it when Im down, when Im lazy, when Im feeling the inertia take over. This idea isnt original to Chimeroolder generations would have called their text playlists commonplace booksbut that makes it all the more worth embracing. Revisiting memorable texts is a way of ensuring theyll be formative in our lives. Its a practice that allows them to do their work of shaping our patterns of thought and action.

Recently Ive begun compiling a text playlist for pastoral ministry. I was ...

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Samsung argues that its Galaxy S7 is not really a smartphone. Instead, the company claims that the device should be classified as a "telephone for cellular networks."

However, Business Insider South Africa reported that the high court in Pretoria considers the Samsung Galaxy S7 as a smartphone. Although this is the case, Samsung electronics' South African arm still went to the court to force the SA Revenue Service or SARS to approve that Galaxy S7 is telecommunications equipment.

Why Samsung claims that it's not a smartphone

According to Sam Mobile's latest report, Samsung insists that its Galaxy S7 is not a smartphone because it doesn't want South Africa to apply taxes. But, the tech giant manufacturer lost against the SARS.

Also Read: Apple 'April Fools' Prank? Mac Pro's 'Cheese Grater' Design Wins Patent, Teases Extension to Future iPhones

The high court stated that Samsung Galaxy S7 is really a smartphone device, thus preventing the company from having a tax refund. The two sides sought help from an IT specialist named Jacques Van Wyk.

He agreed with Samsung that its Galaxy S7 device is the first and foremost equipment that allows for the connection to a wireless communication network for the transmission, as well as the reception of sounds and other speech, data, or images.

However, he also stated that the Samsung Galaxy S7 is not a telephone for cellular networks.

Proof that Galaxy S7 is a smartphone

Previously SARS categorized Samsung Galaxy S7 as a telephone for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, which are specifically designed for use when carried on hand. However, SARS changed Galaxy S7's tax treatment retroactively.

However, the SARS argued that it is also used to make calls via Skype and WhatsApp, which simply makes it a smartphone. The agency added that it also has a speaker at one end, which is audible when positioned against the user's ears. On the other hand, SARS also explained that Galaxy S7 also has a microphone at the other end, allowing it to receive voice or speech sounds from the smartphone owner's mouth.

For more news updates about Samsung and other giant smartphone manufacturer's always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Samsung Galaxy Flagships to Get New Camera Features, Improvements from April 2021 Security Patch

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Giuliano de Leon

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Today

Humid with clouds, some breaks of hazy sun, and a few showers or t-storms.

Tonight

Partly cloudy with a lingering shower or t-storm early in the evening.

Tomorrow

Partly sunny and warm but with a bit less humidity. A stray t-storm possible in the Poconos.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Audentes Therapeutics, an Astellas Company, today announced that it is expanding its mission to develop potentially life-changing genetic medicines by becoming Astellas Gene Therapies. The new global Gene Therapy Center of Excellence, to be called Astellas Gene Therapies, will further advance Astellas' Primary Focus of Genetic Regulation, through closer integration, expanded operations, and greater access to resources within Astellas.

"The field of gene therapy has made significant strides to date, and we believe the future holds even greater opportunity to bring new treatments to a wide range of diseases for patients in need," said Kenji Yasukawa, President and CEO, Astellas. "With Astellas Gene Therapies as a Center of Excellence, we can continue to deepen our knowledge in this ever-evolving space with the expertise and talent from within Audentes to lead us to the forefront of creating next-generation treatments."

Effective April 1, Astellas Gene Therapies will be operated through three divisions specializing in gene therapy research and technical operations, medical and development, and future commercialization of AAV-based gene therapies including X-linked Myotubular Myopathy (XLMTM), Pompe disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Myotonic dystrophy. Astellas Gene Therapies will also be responsible for advancing additional existing Astellas gene therapy programs toward clinical investigation.

The new Astellas Gene Therapies divisions will be headed by industry veterans who are acknowledged for their experience and expertise in the development of new genetic medicines. The new divisions will be led by:

Edward Conner , M.D., Astellas Gene Therapies Site Lead and Division Head of Gene Therapy Medical & Development

, M.D., Astellas Gene Therapies Site Lead and Division Head of Gene Therapy Medical & Development Amy Pott , Division Head of Gene Therapy Commercial

, Division Head of Gene Therapy Commercial Mathew Pletcher , Ph.D., Division Head of Gene Therapy Research & Technical Operations

"As we come together now as Astellas Gene Therapies, we are excited about the potential to leverage new resources that will further accelerate our pipeline while expanding our research and offerings to address the needs of larger patient populations on a global scale," said Dr. Ed Conner, Astellas Gene Therapies Site Lead and Division Head of Gene Therapy Medical & Development. "Together, we have the opportunity to make an even more valuable impact on patients' lives."

Astellas Gene Therapies will integrate approximately 350 current employees from Audentes including all corporate functions, which will continue to provide support to the Gene Therapy Center of Excellence. Included in the integration is Audentes' full-scale manufacturing facilities in South San Francisco, California, and a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility currently under construction in Sanford, North Carolina.

About Astellas Gene Therapies

Astellas Gene Therapies is an Astellas Center of Excellence developing genetic medicines with the potential to deliver transformative value for patients. Based on an innovative scientific approach and industry leading internal manufacturing capability and expertise, we are currently exploring three gene therapy modalities: gene replacement, exon skipping gene therapy, and vectorized RNA knockdown and will also advance additional Astellas gene therapy programs toward clinical investigation. We are based in San Francisco, with manufacturing and laboratory facilities in South San Francisco and Sanford, North Carolina.

About Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+ healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.

Cautionary Notes

In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties.

SOURCE Audentes Therapeutics, an Astellas Company

Related Links

https://www.astellas.com/en


Police said the man was shot in the face and was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was initially in serious condition.
 "Judging by the Cover: On the Relationship Between Media Coverage on Crime and Harshness in Sentencing" | Main | Rounding up some (not-qute) mid-week reads 

I was so excited to see Prez Biden announce his first slate of judicial nominations in part because I have been presuming that we would not get needed nomination to the US Sentencing Commission until at least some judge nominees were first put forward. (Ever the fan of semantic technicalities, I think we should also call any nomination to the USSC to be "judicial nominees" given that the USSC is the only agency located in the judicial branch.) Adding to my excitement is this recent Roll Call article suggesting that nominations are in the works and may be able to be advanced quickly through Congress in a bipartisan manner. I recommend the lengthy Roll Call article in full, and its full title highlights its themes: "Help wanted: Revived commission could spark criminal justice changes: Key judicial agency hasnt had enough members to function for years." Here are excerpts:

The judicial agency that sets such policies hasnt had enough members to function for years. Whats happened is, were frozen in time, said Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer, the lone remaining member of the seven-person U.S. Sentencing Commission.

That could soon change. The Biden administration has reached out to key lawmakers and the criminal justice community for guidance on a slate of appointments to revive the sentencing commission, a move that also could influence congressional efforts to further change the nations criminal justice system.

President Joe Biden will make those picks against the backdrop of a simmering debate about fairness in the nations criminal justice system, after a summer of social unrest related to police misconduct sparked a focus on racial inequity in the criminal justice system more broadly. Advocates say sentencing is a crucial consideration when it comes to overhaul. A bipartisan group of senators on Friday reintroduced a broad sentencing overhaul bill, which includes provisions that direct the sentencing commission to act to implement it....

The commission must include two additional federal judges, and no more than four members can be from the same political party. The Senate must approve the members. The last confirmation vote was for Breyers reappointment, four years ago this month, at the beginning of Donald Trumps presidency. Breyer is the brother of Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and his term on the commission expires in October.

Trump made nominations for the sentencing commission, including two federal judges with reputations for tough-on-crime approaches. But those nominees went nowhere because they raised concerns from civil rights groups, Senate Democrats and Iowa Republican Sen. Charles E. Grassley about whether those members would carry out the changes in the 2018 law known as the First Step Act. Grassley, when he was chairman of the Judiciary Committee, championed the bill with now-Chair Richard J. Durbin of Illinois. The Senate passed the bill, 87-12, and it became one of Congress few major bipartisan accomplishments in recent years.

Grassley said this week that he has had conversations that indicate the Biden administration is working to avoid Senate confirmation problems for a slate of nominees to the sentencing commission because both they  the White House and this senator, and Im sure a lot of other senators, want to get the commission up and running so it can do its work.

Durbin said in a written response to questions that the commission can play a vital role in sentencing reform by informing Congress about federal sentencing developments. But he also hinted at broader aims for the commission. For too long, federal sentencing policies have had a disparate impact on Black and brown Americans, Durbin said. Our sentencing policies have to reflect fairer standards....

Breyer said the Judicial Conference is currently considering a list of judges to submit to the White House for consideration, and he anticipates that the White House will put forward a slate of six nominees. Until then, he said, I think were in crisis. The sentencing structure was designed to change over time and be guided by experience, he said. And its an understandable tendency that if the guidelines dont reflect reality that theyre ignored or given less weight, Breyer added.
As most of you know, Ghana is a haven of peace, security and stability, indeed, the safest country in West Africa, where legitimate investments are protected. We have witnessed, through the ballot box, three (3) peaceful transfers of power from one political party to another in the twenty-eight (28) year period of the 4th Republic.



These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he addressed the business community in Spain, as part of the Focus Africa 2023 Conference in Madrid, Spain.



Addressing the business meeting, the President told the gathering that, between 2017 to 2020, his first term in office was spent correcting the fundamentals of the economy which were all pointing in the wrong direction.



We have, over the period, put in place measures needed to reduce the cost of doing business, improve the business environment, and made the Ghanaian economy not only one of the most business-friendly economies in Africa, but also one of the fastest growing economies in the world between 2017 and 2020, he added.



With the economies of most of the countries in the world either in recession or recording negative growth, he noted that Ghanas economy was one of the very few that still managed to record a positive GDP growth.



In spite of the ravages of the pandemic, we are working to grow the economy at a much faster rate this year, our target being a five percent (5%) GDP growth rate, which will enhance the prospects of a win-win environment for both private sector and country; an environment where companies do not just survive, but actually thrive, he said.



President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that the major programme driving the revival and revitalization of the Ghanaian economy is the one hundred-billion-cedi (GH100 billion) Ghana CARES Obaatampa Programme, whose main elements include supporting commercial farming and attracting educated youth into commercial farming; and building the countrys light manufacturing sector; developing engineering/machine tools and ICT/digital economy industries; amongst others.



It continues to be an exciting time to be in Ghana, and to do business in the country. Already, global car manufacturing giants, Volkswagen of Germany, Sinotruk of China, Nissan of Japan have established assembly plants in the country. Energy giant, ExxonMobil of the United States of America, is establishing an office and base in Ghana, and the well-known Norwegian energy company, Aker, is very much established in Ghana, and I believe it is for good reason, he added.



He, thus, urged business community in Spain to take advantage of the business-friendly climate in the country to invest in Ghana.



I am sure you have heard of some of my governments flagship policies of One District, One Factory, One Village, One Dam, and the programme for Planting for Food and Jobs, which I commend to you, as I do areas in water, health, housing, road and rail infrastructure, transport, industry, manufacturing, agriculture, petroleum and gas, the exploitation of our mineral wealth of bauxite, iron ore and gold, renewable energy and ICT growth, he said.



A key challenge of the Ghanaian economy, like many other economies in Africa, according to the President, is its infrastructural deficit.



We are embarking on an aggressive public private partnership programme to attract investment in the development of both our road and railway infrastructure. We are hopeful that, with solid private sector participation, we can develop a modern railway network with strong production centre linkages and with the potential to connect us to our neighbours, he added.



Ghana, he assured is, rightly, considered a beacon of democracy in Africa. In the same vein, we are determined to make her an example of rapid economic growth within the context of a well-developed market economy. We welcome your contribution to this endeavour.









Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Biden administration's vaccine passport scheme is just the teeny-tiny tip of a massive privacy invasion iceberg. A year ago this week, I began chronicling the worldwide weaponization of COVID-19 by big government and big business to trace and track the health data of untold hundreds of millions of human beings. Let's review.

In March 2020, Singapore unleashed a Bluetooth app called "TraceTogether" on Google Play and the Apple Store to track people who tested positive for coronavirus and notify others through their cellphones. For those who argue that participation is completely "voluntary," bear in mind that Singapore functions as a high-tech dictatorship where refusal to comply with stay-at-home orders and refusal to share GPS location data with health bureaucrats are criminal offenses subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine.

The Singapore system was quickly expanded to require users to submit their national ID numbers and passport numbers; a few months later, the government issued wearable tracing "tokens" with QR codes to all 5.7 million residents in Singapore. Plans are in the works to formally mandate TraceTogether enrollment for anyone in cinemas, restaurants, workplaces, schools and shopping malls.

Dozens of states, plus countries including Germany, the U.K., and a large swath of Canada, now use COVID-19 exposure notification apps akin to Singapore's that are built on Google and Apple's Exposure Notification application programming interface.

On March 9, 2020, the Trump administration's U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled new data rules requiring doctors and hospitals to "send a core set of medical data directly to third-party apps after a patient has authorized the information exchange." Google, Apple and Microsoft -- all at the forefront of health data mining -- sat in on the rule-making process meetings.

The tech oligarchs are in the driver's seat, not the back of the bus.

As I've reported in investigative documentaries and this column for years, Google/YouTube is already knee-deep in mental-health data mining of adults and children despite repeated privacy violations. They've mined students' emails in violation of the federal Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act. They've violated the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Google secretly harvested tens of millions of medical records with identifying names, lab results, diagnoses, immunization records and prescriptions from thousands of hospitals across 21 states through "Project Nightingale" -- a partnership with Ascension health system to build a search tool and data analytics using machine-learning algorithms.

A year ago this month, Google launched "Verily," a COVID-19 screening and testing website. California Gov. Gavin Newsom forked over $55 million to subsidize Verily contracts with 28 counties. The contracts allow Google/Verily to mine and share home addresses and medical information with "unnamed contractors and state and federal health authorities," according to Kaiser Health News.

In April 2020, COVID control freak Anthony Fauci mentioned that the feds had begun investigating "certificates of immunity" for American citizens. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio launched a snitch line urging people to upload photos of businesses not in compliance with social distancing rules. Georgia officials dispatched law enforcement officers to random private homes in Fulton and Dekalb counties to ask residents questions about their health and to collect blood samples for an antibody test.

Police agencies in Florida, Connecticut and New Jersey deployed drones to enforce social distancing and experiment with fever and facial mask detection. In May 2020, China rolled out temperature armbands to college students. In August 2020, the Butler, New Jersey, public schools mandated temperature armbands manufactured by Accwell for students and staff to be worn at all times as a condition of access to public education.

Volan Technology successfully marketed and distributed tracking Bluetooth-enabled "badges" and "beacons" to school districts that can track campus movements of COVID-positive wearers for up to 30 days and identify others with whom they've had close contact. Princeton Identity rolled out new touchless biometric and iris scanning products to be installed on college campuses. Online proctoring services that proliferated in the age of COVID, including Proctorio, Factorial and Respondus Monitor, collect college students' facial recognition data -- which can be sold to third parties.

This week, the Washington Free Beacon obtained a Biden COVID team document outlining a trace-and-track program developed by the University of Illinois using Bluetooth technology that mimics the Singapore model I flagged a year ago.

This week, snoozing Americans finally woke up to the Biden vaccine passport plan and the New York vaccine verification program known as the "Excelsior Pass." But these credentialing systems have been in the works for years among U.S. and global health agencies, long before "corona" meant nothing more than a beer or bright light to most people. The Vaccination Credential Initiative is a joint endeavor of the feds, Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, the Mayo Clinic, electronic medical records giant Epic, Big Pharma CEOs and globalist nonprofit entities all coordinated by the military-industrial powerhouse MITRE corporation.

These public-private partnerships between tech companies and Surveillance States obliterate any meaningful distinction between "free market" initiatives and government directives. Big tech, big health and big government all work seamlessly to ensure the success of the global trace-and-track regime. There is no freedom to choose in a climate of collusion and a culture of conformity. The conspiracy is real.

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The NCB has played a major role in proving the innocence of an Indian couple who were held guilty and awarded 10 years jail term by a Qatar court for allegedly supplying drugs. The Qatar court was convinced with the probe of the Narcotics Control Bureau of India, that gave a clean chit to the couple.

Mohammad Shareeq and Oniba Qureshi were sent on a honeymoon in July 2019 by their aunt Tabussum who wanted to frame them in a false case. Oniba got married to Shareeq in 2018 and since then they had been living together in Mumbai. An aunt of Shareeq told them that she wanted to gift them one honeymoon package.

"Shareeq refused her proposal for a year. But her aunt was hell-bent. She kept on insisting them to go on their honeymoon. A year later, she booked air tickets, hotels and others things for them. This time too Shareeq was reluctant but his aunt said that if he won't go then her money will be wasted," said an NCB official.

She told the couple that first, they had to go to Bengaluru from there they would take the flight. She also gave them a packet to deliver to one of her relatives. She told Shareeq that it was Manikchand Jarda which her relatives won't find in Qatar and hence she was sending.

Hashish found in couple's bag

On 6 July 2019, they reached Qatar airport where they were stopped by a customs official during the scanning of their bag. The customs official found hashish in the bag and the couple was arrested. The couple informed their families who approached the Mumbai police but nothing happened. Later, the Qatar court held them guilty for supplying hashish and rewarded them 10 years jail term. Oniba was pregnant at that time and she delivered a baby in prison.

NCB official KPS Malhotra said that when they were approached by the family the agency investigated the entire matter. NCB chief Rakesh Asthana formed a special team to look into the matter as it was related to an Indian couple.

The NCB found that their aunt Tabassum works for a gang being headed by one Nizam. After being nabbed by the NCB and during the interrogation, Nizam and the aunt broke down and confessed that they wanted to frame Shareeq and Oniba.

KPS Malhotra then wrote to MHA and other concerned ministries, following which the Qatar government was contacted and the court was also duly informed. The Qatar court first withheld the jail term, but after receiving the proper information from NCB acquitted the couple.

"A detailed enquiry was initiated by NCB into the allegations levelled by Shakeel Ahmed Qureshi father of Shareeq, and it was learnt that a well-organized drug trafficking syndicate was being run by Nizam Kara involving Tabussum and others. Mumbai Police also initiated an inquiry into the complaint of Shakeel Qureshi and a case was registered at PS- Nagpada, Mumbai. During the investigation, Nizam Kara and Tabuassam were arrested by Mumbai Police. They were running the racket," read the letter written by NCB to the home ministry.

The Qatar court said that it accepts the NCB probe and acquitted the couple. The couple will soon be landing in India.
Burma Eleven Gold Panners Killed as Myanmar Military Bombs KNU-Controlled Area

Gold extraction sites along Madama Creek. / Google Earth

YANGONEleven men were killed and five others were injured in a Myanmar military airstrike on a gold-panning site in an area under the control of the Karen National Union (KNU)s Brigade 3 in Shwekyin Township, Nyaunglebin District, Bago Region.

A Myanmar military fighter plane bombed the site at around 12 p.m. on Tuesday, said KNU Brigade 3.

On Tuesday, Saw Ester from a Karen social organization based in areas controlled by KNU Brigade 3 said, [The military] bombed Madama Creek using a plane, and seven villagers panning for gold there died. Of those seven fatalities initially reported, two were Shwekyin residents and the five others came from other parts of the country to work at the gold panning site, said Saw Ester. On Wednesday, he updated the death toll, telling The Irrawaddy that the number of deaths from the bombing was confirmed as 11 when we went there to assess the situation. They are gold panners in Madama Creek. Five are injured. Three backhoes and four 10-wheeler trucks were burnt.

One of the five injured is a KNU member and the rest are civilians.

The gold panning site is a joint venture between the KNU/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council and Swe Dana Tun Lin Mining Co.

In 2017, two years after the Karen ethnic armed group signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, KNU Brigade 7 applied for permission to extract gold, sand and gravel along Madama Creek in partnership with the government.

According to the KNU, the business is intended to provide jobs and promote the welfare of family members of KNU fighters.

KNUs partner Shwe Dana Tun Lin Co. employs Chinese technicians and skilled laborers in gold extraction, and its license is valid until November.

This story was updated at 7:30 p.m. on Mar. 31.

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The Gambia is among a list of 13 countries that attracted the wrath of the European Union stringent visa sanctions, for its failure to cooperate in receiving their citizens who exhausted right to stay in Europe.

The sanctions in essence will include increasing the fee for Schengen visas, and extending or lifting the 15-day limit on the processing of visa applications to longer periods. The new restrictions are targeting government officials who wish to travel to Europe for business, medical or leisure purposes.

According to a statement from the European Union following their video conference held on Friday, March 12, the EU Interior Ministers discussed the improvement of cooperation with third countries on return and re-admission of illegal migrants.

Present at the meeting was also the German Federal Minister of the Interior Seehofer, who also supported the proposal, among other EU member state's Interior Ministers. Minister Seehofer especially insisted that migration policy is not "a one-way street."

"If countries do not cooperate on repatriation, there must be consequences. Those who do not take back their own citizens cannot expect any visa facilitation," the German Minister argued throughout the meeting.

In November 2020, a Gambian paper reported that the EU had threatened visa sanctions against The Gambia if the country did not cooperate on migrant returnees' agreement as the two countries signed earlier. The Gambia government did not make any public statement on the matter since then.

Now, it is official. Once described by international relation analysts as one of the EU's favorites after the change of government, The Gambia managed to end up on the list of 13 countries on which the EU will apply visa leverage.

However, the restrictions would not apply until the summer, when an assessment will be conducted on which countries show positive evidence of cooperation in the implementation of the signed agreement.

This means that visa sanctions will not be applied in summer if until then, The Gambia allows more of Gambian citizens in the EU to be subject to force-returns under international law.

According to a German newspaper, Die Welt, the targeted countries were on a list drafted by the European Commission.

The states' willingness to follow international law and take back their citizens is "inadequate," the document stated. This applies in particular to rejected asylum-seekers, according to the report.

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A spokeswoman for the European Commission told the German news agency, DPA, that it was not possible to confirm which countries were facing such scrutiny.

But, according to Die Welt, EU officials want to "start a dialogue" with Iraq, Iran, Libya, Senegal, Somalia, Mali, Gambia, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Guinea-Bissau.

"The whole purpose of the visa leverage is to hurt the elite of the country so that they show more cooperation on the issue of readmission," diplomatic sources told The Point on Monday.

"If the government does not improve the cooperation on readmission, it is very likely that the European Union will even tighten the issue of visa, which will even hurt The Gambia more. At the end, the government is now between a rock and a hard place. Barrow is now in Catch 22 situation," said our source.
WASHINGTON  Rita Hart, a Democrat who ran for Congress in 2020 in southeastern Iowa and lost by only six votes, withdrew her request on Wednesday to have the House overturn the election results, ending a bitter dispute that had threatened to become a political liability for her party.

The decision cemented Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican doctor, as the winner of one of the closest House contests in American history. It also spared Democratic leaders from having to weigh in on whether to throw out the results of a contested vote months after President Donald J. Trumps false claims of a stolen election fueled a partisan clash and a deadly riot at the Capitol.

Republicans had signaled that they were ready to turn the dispute into a political cudgel against the majority party, and some vulnerable Democrats who had come under attack on the issue in their districts were deeply uncomfortable with the prospect of intervening.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ms. Hart repeated her claim that voters had been silenced but acknowledged that the contest had become politically contentious.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Detectives have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of a man in a university-area neighborhood one year ago.

Shaquan Ketcham, 20, has been charged with an open count of murder in the April 1, 2020, death of Zachary Schaefer, 27.

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Ketcham was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on March 8. Prosecutors filed a pretrial detention motion against Ketcham, saying he has no respect for the sanctity of human life.

The motion pointed out an arrest, two months after Schaefers homicide, in which Ketcham allegedly pointed a gun at his father and shot up his home and vehicle. That case was dismissed.

A state District Court judge denied the pretrial detention motion in Schaefers homicide and ordered Ketcham be put on house arrest.

An attorney for Ketcham did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court:

Police responded to reports of gunfire near Gold and Maple NE around 11:30 p.m. and found Schaefer lying in the street. Schaefer, who was wearing body armor, had been shot several times and died at the scene.

Neighbors said they heard two men arguing and gunfire before a black car fled, crashing into a wall.

Schaefers girlfriend told police he sent her a message that he was going to sell drugs and if he died the mans name was Blue.

Police traced pieces of the car left at the crash scene to Ketchams relatives and found the vehicle with multiple bullet holes and receipts inside with Ketchams name on them.

Relatives told police Ketcham goes by Blue, had the car the night of the homicide and said Ketcham told family members he got into a shootout, but did not elaborate.

Lisa Schaefer, Schaefers mother, said there was a lot that was destroyed the night her son was killed.

Zachary didnt always make the best of decisions, but that doesnt mean he wasnt a good person, she said. It doesnt mean that he shouldve been brutally murdered.

Schaefer said her son was a very funny and giving person who loved animals and playing guitar. When he died, Schaefer was trying to make good things happen and was going to school to be a pharmacy technician.

Schaefer said last April, after her son didnt send the daily hows it going mamma bear? text, she had an uncertain feeling.

She said they went to his apartment and a neighbor told them that there had been a shooting and the victim looked like your son.

We were never notified by (Albuquerque police)  that my son had passed away, she said. We went down and had to figure it out ourselves.

Schaefer said the family is amazed it took a year to arrest a suspect and that he has already been ordered released in a detention hearing they watched over Zoom.

It was very difficult to watch she said.

Right now, she just misses her son.

His huge smile and him always telling me, I love you mamma bear, and his big, huge hugs that he used to always give me, Schaefer said through tears.
Its a bit tough having to wait more than two weeks to officially hear the results of your New York City Council race, especially when your odds of winning are high and yet still not 100%. But Eric Dinowitz, after nabbing over 40% of the top choices in the first round, is using the spare weeks to spend time with his six year old boys.

Fatherhood is a common topic in the race to represent City Council District 11, as Dinowitz was criticized for cruising to victory on the name of his father, Assembly Member Jeff Dinowitz, whos repped the northwestern Bronx since 1994. But the younger Dinowitz, 35, emphasized his own experience: the youngest member of his community board, youngest Democratic district ladder, and youngest teacher at his school for years, where he teaches high school special education.

City & State talked to Dinowitz about his potential win, his dad and his views on issues affecting his community. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Youve got a nearly 17 percentage point lead, nearly 1200 votes, but you didnt officially declare victory. Whys that, and whats your sense of when this race will officially be called?

Ive spent a lot of time over the last couple years as Democratic district leader advocating for more early voting sites and the expansion of mail-in voting. I think that every vote needs to be counted. Until all the votes are counted, Im not going to declare victory.

I guess I need to do the math myself. I think it is technically possible for a comeback.

I feel very good about where I am, but the process has to play out. All the votes need to be counted, and until that happens, we wait.

Two of your opponents formed an alliance and said theyd rank each other second. You avoided that. What was your thinking there? And did you end up ranking other candidates on your ballot?

I was running because our community needed a voice, and our children and working families, older adults and people with disabilities need an advocate. And I thought based on my values and my shared values of the community and my work that I've done in the community, I was the best candidate to attempt to be that advocate and to make those voices our corner of the Bronx heard. I ranked myself first. I did rank.

But not going to say who?

No.

Political dynasties are nothing new in New York, did your father or both your parents get to work on the campaign? Were they active in the infrastructure there?

They both helped out in different ways in the campaign. My father was very, very good about providing advice and insight, and also very good about being hands off. This was my race to run. And he did not overstep whatsoever.

And it's surprising because if you know my father, you know he's very hands on. And one of the things that I saw growing up as [the son of the] Assemblyman, if he was in Albany, he was in his district office. He would handle many constituent complaints personally. He goes out petitioning for himself every single night he can, he goes out for other people every single day. So as an elected leader, and as an Assemblyman, it was challenging for him.

But he and I have had differing political views on a number of issues. And he was very good, he never pushed me in one direction or another. But he was always there for advice and counsel and help during the campaign.

Any particular issue of difference?

Obviously, how much junk food to give my kids.

We ran actually on different slates for president for presidential delegates. He ran as a delegate for Joe Biden, I ran as a delegate for Elizabeth Warren. He and I have different views on high stakes testing. Theres generational difference and there's different experiences that informed our views and different experiences that informed our approach and informed our desire to serve the public. Or in my case, attempt to serve the public.

The Regional Plan Association has specifically targeted Riverdale as a low-density neighborhood with good transit access that could be upzoned. Theres no specific plan, of course, but would you generally support increasing housing density in Riverdale?

I would respectfully disagree with the good transit access. If you're in Riverdale, bus is really your main mode of travel to get to and from anywhere. But we have problems with bus service up here. And so it's extremely problematic when the MTA comes to the district and say they want to cut express bus service when it's already hard enough to get around the Bronx and get to other places in the city. Not to mention that there's no subway in Riverdale. There's a subway in Kingsbridge with the 1 train. In Kingsbridge there's one accessible subway station, meaning one station with an elevator. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. So I respectfully disagree with the good transit access. There's Metro-North, but of course the fares are much higher than the subway.

The second problem is one of the big things I spoke about in the campaign, which is people choose to live, to retire, to raise a family in the neighborhood of their choice. And so for special interest groups from outside the district to come in and tell us how we should change our neighborhood with what sounds like a poor assessment of the neighborhood, I take issue with (that). I think it's vital that in any zoning changes, or any changes to the districts, that our community has a voice in those changes.

The City Council vote on the budget last year was pretty contentious, especially around the issue of funding the NYPD. If you were in office, would you have voted yes?

The issues around policing that I see, that residents of the Northwest Bronx share, I think, revolve around accountability and the role of police officers, the responsibilities of police officers. I think that people do want a police presence, but they want the police to be doing the right thing and to be held accountable. And so with that, I think a lot of the bills the city council put forth regarding the responsibilities and roles of police officers are important steps in the right direction. A number of the measures they passed on accountability and that the state passed around accountability are important.

I do not believe that any of the conversation about roles of policing or responsibilities of police officers and accountability are answered with a budgetary solution. Reducing the number of police officers by reducing the budget ... it wouldn't have changed the responsibilities of police officers.

Yes or no?

I think were at a moment in the city where people were being pretty clear about what they wanted. They wanted more accountability in the police.

But the other thing I say is this: my voice wasn't in the room. The other council members who are now running, their voices weren't in the room. A lot of my career has been about advocating for policies and changes that are meaningful and impactful. And had any of the new council members or my voice, our voice had been in the room, maybe the budget would have looked different.

Youre in an a cappella group. Did you have a campaign song?

I should have, now that you mention it. But of course, music performance is much harder now during COVID.
A former Hollywood hoofer  he played Will Parker in the movie of Oklahoma!  Gene Nelson was dead-on casting for the salesman unfortunate enough to be in love with his wife.

When the New York Philharmonic produced a concert version for a gala in 1985, Mandy Patinkin took the role  and shook it for all it was worth.

Sure, hes already got his mitts on the Merrily We Roll Along movie, but wasnt Dear Evan Hansen a de facto audition for Ben Platt to play this walking nervous breakdown, too?
Two defendants have been sentenced to death for drug-related offenses in two separate cases in the north-central Vietnamese provinces of Ha Tinh and Nghe An.

The Ha Tinh Peoples Court on Tuesday imposed the death penalty upon Phan Van Dung, 23, for the illegal trade of narcotics.

Dung was also condemned to 18 years in prison for bribery.

He was previously wanted by police officers for robbery, according to court documents.

He was arrested while hiding at an apartment in Hanoi on June 25, 2019.

Officers also found nearly four kilograms of crystal meth in his bedroom.

As he was transported back to Ha Tinh Province, Dung repeatedly offered bribery to police officers in order to get away with his crime.

Despite warnings, the man had someone transfer VND3 billion (US$130,000) to an investigator of the province's Ky Anh Town on July 1 the same year.

The investigator reported the bribery and then handed over the kickback to the Ha Tinh Department of Public Security.

In related news, the Peoples Court in Nghe An Province on Tuesday sentenced 51-year-old Nguyen Khac Trung to death for the illegal trade of drugs.

In September 2020, Trung traveled to neighboring Ha Tinh Province and met a woman named V., who said she wanted to buy three bricks of heroin and 50 packs of methamphetamine at VND700 million ($30,300).

V. promised to pay Trung VND100 million ($4,300) when the job was done.

Trung took V.s money and purchased the drugs from a Laotian man at VND400 million ($17,300) in Que Phong District, Nghe An.

On September 30, he was caught red-handed transporting the stimulant to V. on an automobile. The confiscated drugs weighed more than two kilograms.

Trung had been convicted of illicit drug trade twice in 2003 and 2012, and was sentenced to 11 and 10 years in prison, respectively.

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Malaysia has announced that its work on its Expo 2020 pavilion - being modeled on the lines of the country's unique `Rainforest Canopy - is going as per schedule.

On completion, the pavilion spanning an area of 1,234.05 sq m, is set to become the first net zero carbon initiative at Expo 2020 event, thus highlighting the country's commitment to sustainability.

The Malaysian pavilion will witness participation from 22 government ministries, 40 agencies and five state governments.

Together the entities will conduct 26 weekly trade and business programmes throughout the show for six months. It is also estimated that at least 200 Malaysian business delegations will also be part of the large contingent of participants from the country, it stated.

Unveiling the details on the pavilion, Malaysian Ambassador to the UAE Mohd Tarid Sufian said: "It is an architectural marvel blending esoteric design with animation elements to provide a sublime experience of Man-Nature relationship to visitors."

"We wanted to remind the need to have a sustainable outlook on life and business in these challenging times through our `Rainforest Canopy concept at Expo 2020, a nodal global event contributing to the efforts of a post-Covid economic recovery," he stated.

"In line with the expo theme  Connecting Minds, Creating Future, - our pavilion will bring together a diverse group of businesses from over 10 different industry verticals spread across six clusters, noted Sufian.

According to him, Malaysias commitment to sustainability and fostering symbiotic relationship between man and nature is the focus of the pavilion.

The Theme of the pavilion is `Energising Sustainability,  which captures the countrys commitment to balance socio-economic progress with environmental protection.

Situated between the Sustainability District and Mobility District at the Expo 2020 premises, the pavilion is a rare endeavor to highlight the benevolence of natures harmony and the need for humanity to be sensitive to it.

"Meranti wood has been extensively used for the pavilions facade to make a statement of Malaysias sustainable forestry practices and timber products. To enhance the impact of the design a novel engineering method has been deployed to project the meranti outward," he explained.

"You will find the `Rainforest Canopy concept in the middle of the desert enchanting, complete with tree clusters to walk through flanked by robust flora and fauna and a river meandering in between," remarked

Shamsul Bahar Mohd. Nor, CEO of the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC), the implementing agency for Malaysias participation in Expo 2020.

The lead ministry for Malaysias overall participation is the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

"The aim is to rekindle the experience of the benign nature and reflect on how it has protected mankind all along," he added.

Shamsul said the message of sustainable living and environmental protection was imperative in times of global warming and climate change, adding that the pavilion is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through 20 per cent energy savings achieved with eco-friendly architecture and construction.

"Building the pavilion was a challenging project, but exciting too as it blended superior skills with imagination to provide visitors an immersive experience of being in a rainforest. Technology and design are combined in the right proportions to create a truly work of art," he noted.

According to him, the animated pavilion has special projections including an awe-inspiring waterfall effect against the backdrop a desert landscape.

The stream originates from the top of the pavilion and snakes its way down the ramp, which has a suspension bridge feel while walking on it.

As visitors set foot on the pavilions grounds, light poles designed to sway lightly welcome them. The pavilion itself graces the ground with the lightweight structure, flexible for dismantling and reuse, made with just the right amount of steel. The pavilion is built on small footprint but once inside visitors would experience a larger feel of space.
After an inglorious exit with Ferrari, it wasn't exactly a dream debut for Sebastian Vettel with his new employer Aston Martin. According to team principal Otmar Szafnauer it is too early to write Vettel off.

Disappointing debut for Vettel

In his first race weekend, Vettel qualified eighteenth, started last and single-handedly ruined his race by crashing into the back of Esteban Ocon, receiving a ten-second penalty and eventually finishing fifteenth. In the end, Vettel left Bahrain with five penalty points on his license.

"Yes it wasn't the best race", Szafnauer let us know Crash.net, yet he also sees positives. "He drove a time in the top ten and felt good in the car." The Aston Martin team boss, therefore, does not want to write off the German just yet. "I think it's very, very early to say that. We only have one data point, one race."

Confidence in Vettel

Szafnauer, therefore, remains confident that Vettel will get up to speed in the coming races. "The car he is driving now is completely different from the car he drove before. He only really felt happy in the car in qualifying, when he had the yellow flags."

Moreover, Vettel has had very little time in the car, especially after the difficult winter tests. "We only had three days and he had to share those days with Lance and he seemed to have all the problems. So I'm still confident."
A new report released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that the proportion of deaths in nursing homes represented 69 per cent of Canada's overall COVID-19 deaths, significantly higher than the international average of 41 per cent. (Alexander Raths/Shutterstock - image credit)

Canada has the worst record for COVID-19 deaths in long-term care homes compared with other wealthy countries, according to a new report released on Tuesday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

The study found that the proportion of deaths in nursing homes represented 69 per cent of Canada's overall COVID-19 deaths, which is significantly higher than the international average of 41 per cent.

In Canada, between March 2020 and February 2021, more than 80,000 residents and staff members of long-term care homes were infected with the coronavirus. Outbreaks occurred in 2,500 care homes, resulting in the deaths of 14,000 residents, according to the report.

"COVID-19 has exacted a heavy price on Canada's long-term care and retirement homes, resulting in a disproportionate number of outbreaks and deaths," the report's introduction says.

The study, which primarily focused on the first six months of the pandemic, found that across the country, nursing home residents received less medical care. They had fewer visits from doctors, and there were also fewer hospital transfers when compared with other years.

Researchers also looked beyond the coronavirus to all deaths in care homes.

"Resident deaths  for all causes, not just from COVID-19 infection  increased by 19 per cent in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador," the report said. "There were 2,273 more deaths than the average in the five years prior to COVID-19, with the largest increase occurring in April 2020."

Last spring, Ontario experienced the largest increase in "excess deaths" at 28 per cent, while B.C. had the smallest at just four per cent, the study found.

Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research and co-chair at the National Institute on Ageing, says the CIHI study showed that countries that had better funded long-term care systems 'performed far better than Canada has' in terms of deaths from COVID-19. (Ousama Farag/CBC)

"It really tells us that there were things that we could have done to avoid a lot of the deaths that we saw in Canada and that countries, frankly, that were better prepared prior to the pandemic, that had better funded systems, they performed far better than Canada has," said Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research and co-chair at the National Institute on Ageing, a partner in the study with CIHI.

Story continues

"Relative to other nations in the world, Canada has actually the worst record overall."

Family among those locked out of care facilities

With lockdowns and forced isolation, those living in care homes also had less contact with friends and family.

Mae Wilson is among the statistics.

The 93-year-old was one of the thousands of long-term care residents who died in 2020 after her Eastern Ontario nursing home, Almonte Country Haven, was overcome by a COVID-19 outbreak  with 72 of 82 residents contracting the disease .

Mae Wilson, a former nurse, died in an Eastern Ontario long-term care home in May 2020, after the facility was overcome by a COVID-19 outbreak. (Submitted by Grant Wilson/Karen Thompson)

Wilson, a former nurse, was one of 29 residents to die last spring from COVID-19.

"I really want people to feel uncomfortable about the way they've treated our seniors. Not just my mom, all of them," said her son, Grant Wilson. "I'm still angry about it."

The study's authors found that during the first wave last spring, the total number of resident deaths was higher than in the years prior to the pandemic, even in places with fewer COVID-19 deaths.

"The proportion of residents who had no contact with a loved one tripled in the first wave, compared with previous years. Residents who had no contact with family and friends were more likely to be assessed with depression," the report said.

But it appears that lessons learned in the first wave didn't lead to changes in outcomes during the second wave last fall, which was "bigger and broader" in Canada, resulting in "a larger number of outbreaks, infections and deaths."

The study found that the number of COVID-19 infections among nursing home residents increased by 62 per cent in the second wave compared with the first.

Paramedics transport a resident of Roberta Place long-term care home, in Barrie, Ont., on Jan. 18, 2021. The Canadian Red Cross was deployed to help manage a major outbreak at the home  one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 in Ontario. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

The report singled out Ontario and Quebec, noting that they "had the largest proportion of homes with outbreaks involving resident cases." It also said that during the pandemic's first wave, "more than one-third (34 per cent) of all Ontario LTC homes and 44 per cent of all Quebec LTC homes experienced an outbreak with at least one resident case." Those numbers compare with just eight per cent of long-term care homes in B.C. and 17 per cent in Alberta.

"Did we have a number of avoidable deaths? Absolutely. Could they have been prevented? Absolutely," said Sinha, who is also director of geriatrics at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital.

National standards urged for homes

Several provincial inquiries are now underway in an attempt to figure out what happened in long-term care homes during the pandemic and to recommend changes.

Staffing continues to be an issue.

The report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information said that during the first wave of the pandemic, staffing shortages at long-term care homes 'were exacerbated in parts of Canada as a result of staff illness due to COVID-19 and higher absenteeism rates.' (Ben Nelms/CBC)

"All of the inquiries have said staff are important, having a medical director on the floor is important, having everybody understand what infection prevention and control precautions are and to use them uniformly, all those things are considered really important," said Tracy Johnson, director of health system analysis at CIHI.

The report said that during the first wave, staffing shortages at long-term care homes "were exacerbated in parts of Canada as a result of staff illness due to COVID-19 and higher absenteeism rates."

In response, the report said, more than 1,500 members of the Canadian Armed Forces were deployed to 32 of the "most severely impacted homes" in Ontario and Quebec last spring and reported "poor infection prevention and control practices (e.g., insufficient medical supplies and training, personal protective equipment not available), residents being 'denied food or not fed properly' and extensive staffing problems."

WATCH | Multiple Ontario nursing homes broke safety rules:

During last year's throne speech, the federal government promised to set new national standards for long-term care, but new rules have yet to materialize.

"We do like national standards, but that will be up to the federal government and the provinces to decide," Johnson said. "That's the discussion I think all of them are in right now, and the provinces very much feel that that's their territory."
- USD/GBP spot rate is at 0.72724 (-0.03%)

- USD/EUR exchange rate at 0.8528 (-0.02%)

- Technicals see further US Dollar gains on FX Markets

- EUR/USD losses below 1.15 handle.

Credit Suisse Technical Outlook: EUR/USD Exchange Rate Losses can Extend to 1.1495

Foreign exchange rate analysts at Credit Suisse look at the technical outlook for major currencies and, although there will be corrections at times, it is confident that the US Dollar (USD) will extend the advance against all major currencies with a partial exception for the Canadian dollar (CAD).

It notes the potential for Euro US Dollar (EUR/USD) exchange rate losses to extend to just below 1.1500.

Euro US Dollar (EUR/USD) Exchange Rate Completes Head and Shoulders Pattern

Credit Suisse expects that the Euro US Dollar (EUR/USD) exchange rate will find short-term support at 1.1695 with a correction from there. The bank, however, considers that a head and shoulders top has been completed which implies further downside.

This should suggest we should see a move below 1.1695 in due course to warn of a more significant downturn and a test of the 1.1612/04 September and November 2020 lows next and eventually we now think 1.1495/93.

As far as the US Dollar Japanese Yen (USD/JPY) exchange rate is concerned, Credit Suisse expects a short-term correction from 110.35/40 before the uptrend resumes.

Above though in due course can see strength eventually extend to longer-term resistance, seen starting at 111.68/72 and stretching up to the 112.40 high, which includes the 2019 and 2020 highs.

According to Credit Suisse, the US Dollar Swiss Franc (USD/CHF) exchange rate break above the 0.9418 level implies further near-term gains to 0.9465 and 0.9500.

The bank expects a correction from there, but with scope for further longer-term gains.

Above: USD/CHF exchange rate chart

Bigger picture, we think strength can eventually extend towards .9800.

Pound Sterling US Dollar (GBP/USD) Exchange Rate Correction has Further to Run

Credit Suisse notes the risk that the Pound-to-Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate will weaken to 1.3640 on a short-term view.

Whilst we would look for an initial rebound from here, we look for a break in due course with support seen next at 1.3567, ahead of 1.3530/20 and then the 50% retracement and the YTD low at 1.3456/52. The bank notes a measured objective of 1.3322.

AUD/USD Forecast: Australian Dollar Also Threatened by Head and Shoulders

As far as the Australian Dollar to-US Dollar (AUD/USD) exchange rate is concerned, the near-term focus is on 0.7560/80 with bearish implications if there is a slide below this level.

Beyond here would confirm the much looked for large head and shoulders top and reinforce the view of a much deeper correction lower.

Credit Suisse looks for a test of the 200-day moving average at 0.7380 and a potential longer-term objective of 0.7243.

Above: AUD/USD exchange rate chart

There is a similar position for the New Zealand dollar-to-Dollar (NZD/USD) exchange rate; A head and shoulders top is in place with support seen at the 200-day average at .6878. Resistance stays at .7102.

The only exception to the bullish US dollar outlook is the Canadian currency which is seen as in a sideways pattern while it trades in a 1.2470-1.2650 range.
Psychedelics research in support of brain health is getting a major boost this month with the formation of the Neuroscape Psychedelics Division at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Through $6.4M in private funding, the new division will take a unique translational research approach to integrate cutting-edge neuroscience technology with psychedelics treatment, including through a MAPS phase III trial for MDMA as a new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"Our generous funders are making possible a major leap forward in generating evidence of clinical efficacy and safety for individuals using psychedelics to treat a broad range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction," says Adam Gazzaley, Executive Director of Neuroscape, a multidisciplinary research center at UCSF that bridges the gap between neuroscience and technology. "At Neuroscape, we have taken a neuroscience-based, closed-loop approach to creating experiential medicine, including the first FDA-cleared video game as a medical therapeutic. We are excited to apply this same approach to understanding how we can deliver psychedelic treatments in a more personalized and precisely-targeted manner."

Heading up the new Neuroscape division as Founding Director will be Robin Carhart-Harris, one of the most cited researchers in the world in psychedelic science and the founder of the first center for psychedelic research at Imperial College London. "The founding of this new division is a hugely exciting development in the story of the psychedelic renaissance," says Carhart-Harris, who is the newly endowed Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at UCSF. "I'm delighted to be joining UCSF and the Neuroscape team and hope to steer this new division to great success."

More than half a billion people suffer from debilitating mental health conditions worldwide, creating a pressing need for new clinical tools. Recent years have seen some progress in both clinical validation and mechanisms of action of specific psychedelic treatments, such as recent FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MDMA and psilocybin to treat PTSD and depression, respectively. However, there is a surprising lack of innovative research into approaches aimed at optimizing the delivery of the treatments themselves, specifically exploring the role of context in enhancing treatment effects coupled with recording neural, psychological and physiological data.

The new Neuroscape Psychedelics Division aims to change that by focusing on the contextual elements that shape a patient's experience. This includes the conditions that exist prior to, during, and after treatments -- what has been referred to in the field as "set and setting." This will be accomplished via studies that record patients' neural and physiological status throughout all of these stages, while tailoring environment conditions, such as music, light and scent accordingly.

"This research will allow us to understand if a particular treatment is well-suited to an individual, assessing in real-time how an experience is unfolding. We aim to dynamically adjust key contextual elements in a way that guides patients toward an optimal experience -- thus maximizing long-term, sustainable positive benefits," says Jennifer Mitchell, Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at UCSF who will be leading the clinical trials on MDMA as a potential treatment for PTSD. "Our approach will allow us to further the personalized precision of psychedelic treatments."

The $6.4M in funding came from a variety of private donors, including George Goldsmith and Ekaterina Malievskaia, Dominic Van Almsick, Drew and Amy McKnight, Tim Ferriss, and the George Sarlo Foundation. Goldsmith and Malievskaia gave a $4M donation for the endowment of the Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at UCSF.

Ralph Metzner was a dedicated researcher, psychedelic therapist, friend, and mentor who was part of the original Harvard team that ushered in the academic study of psilocybin in the 1960s. We are honored to be providing this chair in his name. As one of the leading scientists of this generation, we are delighted that Robin Carhart-Harris will be the first recipient of this professorship. We are confident that he and the team at Neuroscape will continue to advance innovation to transform mental health care." George Goldsmith, Donor

"The combination of Neuroscape's translational approach and Robin Carhart-Harris' deep experience in psychedelic research makes this a promising and exciting initiative," says Michael Pollan, author of How to Change Your Mind. "It will help bring us closer to the time when psychedelic therapy is available to help alleviate the global mental health crisis."

"I couldn't be more excited to support the Neuroscape Psychedelics Division," says investor and author Tim Ferriss. "Neuroscape and UCSF are perfectly poised to address fundamental questions about psychedelic therapies that have been largely untouched by research to date, and I believe this new effort represents the dream team for exploring this extremely promising and complex terrain."
The Wright Center for Community Health admitted Tuesday it wrongly billed patients who received COVID-19 tests for office visits and promised to forgive outstanding bills and refund anyone who already paid.

Spokeswoman Wendy Wilson said the center should not have sent bills seeking the balance of any fees not covered by insurance or, for people with no insurance, the full cost of the office visit and tests.

They should not have been billed. We are apologizing. ... If they already paid us, we will get them a refund, Wilson said.

In a related development, Wilson said the center is seeking an independent auditor to review its billing practices, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccine billing, to ensure it complied with all state and federal regulations. The audit will also involve a review to determine if the medical services billed for were actually provided, she said.

Its going to be a deep dive, she said. Not just the COVID vaccine. They are going to be comprehensive and look at everything.

The announcement of refunds for testing charges conflicts with information Wilson gave The Times-Tribune on Friday, when the center said it would refund all office visit fees charged in conjunction with the administration of the vaccine. Wilson said office visit fees for COVID-19 tests would not be forgiven.

On Tuesday, Wilson initially denied saying that. After reviewing an email exchange from Friday, she said she misspoke.

I misunderstood your question, Wilson said.

A reporter again sought clarification Monday, asking if the center would consider reviewing cases on an individual basis to determine if a refund was warranted. Wilson never directly responded to the inquiry but instead sought additional time to gather information regarding the centers policies.

The developments come about a week after The Times-Tribune published a story that cited three current or former employees and two medical billing experts who contend the center is violating billing regulations that dictate when a medical provider can charge for an office visit. The article also cited 13 patients who allege the center charged for a thorough examination, even though staff only took their blood pressure and oxygen level.

In emails Friday and Monday, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department said state and federal regulations are very clear that medical providers cannot seek payment of any portion of charges not covered by insurance  known as balance billing  for a COVID-19 test.

The department said regulations are also clear that providers cannot bill for an office visit if the vaccine is the sole service provided and cannot require additional services to receive the vaccine. It cited state and federal guidelines in support of its position, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for vaccine administration and sections of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

Wilson said the CDC regulations are not a blanket ban on conducting an office visit for a COVID-19 test. She acknowledged they say providers cannot balance bill for services, however.

They are suggesting there should be no out-of-pocket fees for the patient, she said.

Asked to explain why patients were billed, Wilson said the center is investigating that but believes its an issue with its electronic billing system.

The way (the program) is now, it automatically sends a statement out. The patients should not be getting them at all. We are going to fix it, she said.

Its not clear why the center is only realizing the problem now. Wilson on Monday said she asked the billing department if it had received any complaints about bills for COVID-19 tests and was told it had not.

Two patients interviewed Tuesday disputed that.

Ive been trying to get this resolved since December, said Stacy Phillips of Scranton, who was billed $108 for an office visit related to COVID-19 test in November.

Phillips said she disputed the charge because the center only swabbed her nose and did not otherwise examine her. She spoke to the Wright Centers billing department, which said it would look into the case, but never heard back.

Linda Kushner of Archbald also said she was never advised she was billed in error when she called about a $791 bill for COVID-19 tests for herself and her teenage daughter.

Kushner, who is uninsured, said they were tested Jan. 30 after her husband was hospitalized with COVID-19. She went for a second test Feb. 4 when she learned he was being discharged, to ensure his safety.

Kushner said the center told her she would be charged an office visit, but thought shed have only a small co-pay. She was stunned when she received two bills for $124 for the office visits and $180, which appears to be for the test itself, for a total of $608.

My husband was in the hospital. I just wanted to know we were healthy. I never thought Id have a significant bill like this, Kushner said.

Kushner said the bill for the first visit had not come yet when she went for the second test, otherwise she would have gone elsewhere. Shes relieved to learn the first bill, plus a second $183 bill for her second test, will be forgiven.

Im glad they had a change of heart, she said. Eight hundred dollars is lot of money.
There are few who believed the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) would pursue a case against 24 members of Sinn Fein reported by police for their attendance at the funeral of former IRA prisoner Bobby Storey.

And so there was little surprise at the PPS announcement yesterday confirming there would be no prosecutions.

However, a few eyebrows were raised at the level of detail made public by the PPS in defending its decision.

It is unprecedented for the PPS to go into such detail about the prosecutorial process, but a nine-page breakdown was handed to the media by way of explanation for a decision that was always going to have political implications.

The statement highlighted the shambolic nature of the constantly changing Covid regulations, so rushed into legislation that no one seemed to fully understand them, including - the PPS report indicates - some of those responsible for signing the restrictions into law.

It also gave a detailed breakdown of the prior engagement between Sinn Fein organisers and police in the days before the funeral and the attitude of officers on the day.

Combined, these factors meant prosecutors believed there was no reasonable expectation of securing a conviction.

Given the levels of police cooperation, anyone facing a court would have a watertight 'reasonable excuse' defence for their actions.

As chairman of Sinn Fein, Storey commanded the respect of party members, he was the bridge between the new, more polished wing of the party and the older, hardline republican faithful.

Michelle O'Neill's dilemma was always whether to risk the political fallout from attending the funeral or suffer the ire of the republican grassroots for failing to show respects to a man many in the party considered to have almost iconic status.

Her decision to attend has resulted in nine months of criticism from her rivals, who claimed her actions undermined the health message, something the Deputy First Minister herself later accepted.

But the majority of criticism from yesterday's announcement was not directed at Sinn Fein, the PPS or even Belfast City Council, which facilitated the cremation of Mr Storey.

Instead, unionist anger was squarely directed at Chief Constable Simon Byrne, with calls for him to resign by Arlene Foster.

TUV leader Jim Allister, as always cranking things up one more notch, called for all unionist members of the Policing Board to resign their seats in protest.

Last week the Belfast Telegraph reported a section of loyalists had broken off all contact with the PSNI in relation to the Brexit protocol.

There is a hardcore element of loyalists who are becoming increasingly hostile towards the PSNI over what they claim is two-tier policing.

While this is a perception rather than a reality, the events of yesterday will have helped feed this narrative.

Mrs Foster would be aware calling on Mr Byrne to resign will play well with that core loyalist vote, who recent opinion polls have shown are increasingly disillusioned over the Irish Sea border and are moving away from the DUP.

So while unionist politicians are outwardly expressing anger at the decision not to prosecute 24 members of Sinn Fein, behind closed doors this current mini-crisis could not have occurred at a better time.

It allows the DUP an opportunity to "out Allister" Allister in the battle for loyalist hearts, minds and - more importantly - votes.
New Delhi, March 31 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday chaired an advisory council meeting on the draft Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) - 2041 framed by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

At the meeting, the advisory council comprising members from various government departments held a detailed discussion on subjects like heritage, culture, shelter and social infrastructure, transport, water, solid waste and power, among others.

According to a senior official in the DDA, the members also emphasised on parking management and congestion pricing, freight, creating affordable housing, supporting infrastructure for freelance workers and platform workers, and women's security and safety.

Baijal, who is also the Chairman of DDA, twitted after chairing the meeting, "Chaired the 2nd meeting of the newly reconstituted Advisory Council of DDA with VC, DDA and other members to review the draft Master Plan for Delhi-2041. Strategies for improved digital connectivity for facilitating e-commerce and ensuring Disaster Resilient development were also deliberated upon." It was the second advisory council meeting after the DDA completed the draft MPD-2041. The first meeting was held on March 27, while the third and the last meeting will be held on April 5. After that a draft plan will be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs by September 30, 2021.

The DDA has prepared a draft for the Master Plan of Delhi-2041, giving more emphasis on strategic and enabling framework for the future growth of the national capital. The MPD-2041 will come into effect soon after the existing MPD 2021 plan expires.

Under MPD-2041, the DDA has emphasised on policies such as transit-oriented development (TOD) and land pooling policy of MPD-2021. With a view to encourage eco-friendly development, DDA has also formulated to regulate infrastructure and other works in villages that are located in the green belt on Delhi's peripheries as well as low-density residential areas (LDRA).

The first Master Plan for Delhi-1962 (MPD-1962) was the statutory document that was formulated to guide the planned growth and development of the city. The plan has undergone extensive modifications in 1981 and 2001.
The Union of Arab Banks (UAB), Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), and Arab Information and Communication Technology Organization (AICTO), operating under the Arab League umbrella, joined forces with the Global Coalition for Efficient Logistics (GCEL Coalition) to deploy the Digital Economy Platform (DEP) empowering the Digital Economy between the Arab Nations and their trade partners.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005257/en/

Arab Unions and GCEL Unite to Digitize Arab Nations and Trade Partners Towards Creating Millions of High Paying Jobs (Photo: Business Wire)

The DEP delivers new digital tools that increase efficiency and transparency to de-risk doing business, reduce excess trade costs, enlarge business financing and expand market reach. The DEP innovation will increase the Arab goods and services trade by USD 1.1 trillion and generate more than 20 million jobs by 2031.

The three Unions and GCEL announced the MOU execution during the UAB-IMF High-Level Virtual Conference 'Financing Growth by Empowering the Digital Economy.'Conference attendees included officials from 10 Arab Central Banks and the Arab League. Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, International Monetary Fund Executive Director, delivered a keynote address.

During the conference, Mr. Wissam Fattouh, UAB Secretary-General, called for the Arab region's Digital Economy transformation to diversify its economies and achieve sustained economic growth. He noted, "The DEP integrates Arab banks to the fragmented B2B marketplace and provides a new global USD 7.5 trillion market opportunity for the banking industry by 2031. The DEP unleashes a new wave of financing for our SMEs, which are the cornerstone of our economies."

The conference participants stressed the urgency to find practical solutions for the challenges facing the Arab world, including high youth unemployment, increased poverty, and low economic growth.

Dr. Khaled Hanafy, UAC Secretary-General, stated "The Coalition has developed a comprehensive digital implementation program to increase the Arab economies' GDP by 36% and create more than 20 million new jobs by 2031. Each country will be presented with a proposal on how to transit to a Digital Economy and create high paying services jobs meeting the ambitions of our youth."

Eng. Mohamed Ben Amor, AICTO Secretary-General, emphasized, "The Digital Economy must be based on a comprehensive solution and not a fragmented one. The Digital Economy must provide seamlessly integrated commerce, finance, insurance, and logistics/operations verticals, which represent the main pillars of the B2B marketplace, the mother of all industries." He added, "The Digital Economy must be delivered by the world's top technology firms free of cost to the end-user, yet sustained by a unique business model." He further stated that the Digital Economy must offset geopolitical, privacy, and data protection concerns.

Captain Salloum, Coalition Chairman, remarked, "Despite the power of the finance, insurance, and e-commerce industries, only 5% of the B2B marketplace has been digitally served. The big question is why? The answer can be summarized in two main reasons: (1) The industry silo approach is not working, and (2) the B2B marketplace requires transformation from analog to a digital ecosystem."

To achieve B2B marketplace transformation, Captain Salloum enumerated, "We must (1) obtain global policy adoption towards implementing the transformation, (2) define the Digital Economy tools through validation from users at the ground level, (3) obtain the technology industry's commitment to deploy the required solution globally, (4) secure global consensus of the desired solution through national deployment agreements, and (5) present a unique business model to sustain the required solution coinciding with its scope and magnitude. I am glad to announce that the Coalition has achieved all these requirements supported by 15 years of research and development."

The UAB and GCEL also announced their joint establishment of a USD 500 million special purpose investment vehicle to trigger the DEP deployment through an 18-month program involving digital "Benchmark Trade Lanes" between the Arab region and their trade partners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005257/en/

Contacts:

GCEL

Gregory D. Bird

Deputy Secretary-General

g.bird@gcel.net
An enormous telescope complex in Tibet has captured the first evidence of ultrahigh-energy gamma rays spread across the Milky Way. The findings offer proof that undetected starry accelerators churn out cosmic rays, which have floated around our galaxy for millions of years. The research is to be published in the journal Physical Review Letters on Monday, April 5.

"We found 23 ultrahigh-energy cosmic gamma rays along the Milky Way," said Kazumasa Kawata, a coauthor from the University of Tokyo. "The highest energy among them amounts to a world record: nearly one petaelectron volt."

That's three orders of magnitude greater than any known cosmic-ray-induced gamma ray--or any particle humans have accelerated in state-of-the-art laboratories on Earth.

Since 1990, dozens of researchers from China and Japan have hunted for the elusive high-energy cosmic gamma rays. The Tibet AS Collaboration made its discovery using nearly 70,000 square meters of ground arrays and underground muon detectors on the Tibetan Plateau, sitting more than 14,000 feet above sea level.

"Scientists believe high energy gamma rays can be produced by the nuclear interaction between high energy cosmic rays escaping from the most powerful galactic sources and interstellar gas in the Milky Way galaxy," said Huang Jing, a coauthor from Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Chen Ding of the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, another coauthor, added, "The detection of diffuse gamma rays above 100 teraelectron volts is a key to understanding the origin of very-high-energy cosmic rays, which has been a mystery since their discovery in 1912."

Balloon experiments first identified cosmic rays, revealing they were a key source of radiation on Earth. Cosmic rays are highly energetic particles, mostly protons, that travel across space. Millions of these particles pass through your body every day. (They are believed harmless.)

But where do cosmic rays come from?

"We live together with cosmic-ray muons, though we are usually not sensitive to them," said Kawata. "Isn't it a fantasy to think of where and how these cosmic rays are produced and accelerated, traveling all the way to Earth?"

A popular theory argues that accelerators known as "PeVatrons" spew cosmic rays at energies up to one petaelectron volt (PeV). Possible PeVatrons include supernova explosions, star-forming regions, and the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy.

So far, no one has detected any such accelerators. If PeVatrons exist, their cosmic rays should leave trails of glowing gamma rays strewn across the galaxy. The new study reports the first evidence of this highly-energetic haze.

"These gamma rays did not point back to the most powerful known high-energy gamma-ray sources, but spread out along the Milky Way," said Masato Takita, a coauthor and colleague of Kawata. "Our discovery confirms evidence of the existence of PeVatrons."

The researchers now want to determine if the probable PeVatrons are active or dead.

"From dead PeVatrons, which are extinct like dinosaurs, we can only see the footprint--the cosmic rays they produced over a few million years, spread over the galactic disk," said Takita.

"But if we can locate real, active PeVatrons, we can study many more questions," he said. "What type of star emits our sub-PeV gamma rays and related cosmic rays? How can a star accelerate cosmic rays up to PeV energies? How do the rays propagate inside our galactic disk?"

Other future directions include looking for PeVatron footprints in the southern hemisphere and confirming the gamma-ray results using neutrino detectors in Antarctica and beyond.

The research could also aid in the quest for dark matter. Underground detectors allowed the researchers to cut away cosmic-ray background noise, revealing the kind of pure, diffuse gamma rays predicted to emanate from dark matter.

"We can reduce the cosmic ray background by a factor of one million. Then we see a high-purity gamma ray sky," said Takita.

The experimental achievement moves physicists significantly closer to discovering where cosmic rays are born.

"This pioneering work opens a new window for the exploration of the extreme universe," said Huang. "The observational evidence marks an important milestone toward revealing cosmic ray origins, which have puzzled mankind for more than one century."

###

Press Conference Schedule

Researchers will participate in two press conferences on Friday, April 2, 2021:

-- APS will host an online press conference at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Please click here to register.

-- The Tibet AS Collaboration will host an online press conference at 6:00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / 3:00 p.m. JST (Japan Standard Time). Please contact icrr-pr@icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp for details.

Reference

First Detection of Sub-PeV Diffuse Gamma Rays from the Galactic Disk: Evidence for Ubiquitous Galactic Cosmic Rays beyond PeV Energies

M. Amenomori et al. (The Tibet AS Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett.

A copy of the manuscript and DOI is available upon request.

Funding Information

The Tibet ASgamma Collaboration is composed of the following institutions: Hirosaki Univ., Nanjing Univ., IHEP / CAS, NAOC / CAS, Tibet Univ., Hebei Normal Univ., Univ. of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shandong Univ., SouthWest Jiaotong Univ., Kanagawa Univ., Utsunomiya Univ., Shibaura Institute of Technology, Yokohama National Univ., Shinshu Univ., ICRR / Univ. of Tokyo, ISAS / JAXA, NCSW / CMA, Shandong Agriculture Univ., Univ. of Science and Technology of China, THCA, Tsinghua Univ., Joint Research Center for Astrophysics / Tsinghua Univ., Tsinghua Univ., NII, Shandong Management Univ., NICT, China Univ. of Petroleum, Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology, Konan Univ., Nihon Univ., Shonan Institute of Technology, Waseda Univ., JAEA, and PMO / CAS.

This work was or is supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas from the MEXT of Japan, Grants-in-Aid for Science Research from the JSPS of Japan, the National Key R&D Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Key Laboratory of Particle Astrophysics, IHEP, CAS, and the joint research program of the ICRR.

About APS

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals, scientific meetings, and education, outreach, advocacy, and international activities. APS represents over 55,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and throughout the world. Society offices are located in College Park, Maryland (Headquarters), Ridge, New York, and Washington, DC.
-amidst CBL's request to print L$48bn

Senators from the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) have resolved not to sign the resolution to print L$48 billion new family of bank notes until certain demands are settled.

The opposition senators' demands led to the postponement of the passage of a resolution to print the Liberian dollars requested by the Central Bank of Liberia (CB).

The CPP Senators who took the decision include Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence of Grand Bassa County; Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County; Prince K. Moye of Being County; Daniel Nathaan of Gbarpolu County; Jonathan Boy Charles Sogbie of River Gee County and Conmany B. Wesseh of River Gee County.

The CPP Senators insist on having a report in 24 hours before a debate is held surrounding the printing of the money, noting that the resolution to print requires two - thirds majority and not a simple majority, because this is a constitutional matter.

CPP's Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga - Lawrence took to social media Tuesday saying that they want to see policies on internal controls to restore confidence in the banking sector.

According to her, the CPP senators have said that the money should not be printed in election year, adding that they want to see a system that will replace the money efficiently and effectively in all counties.

Further, the CPP Senators demand to see the Central Bank of Liberia's report on the four billion Liberian dollars that was printed a year ago and infused into the economy.

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Recently, the Senate Committees on Banking and Currency, Ways Means and Finance, Public Account and the Judiciary, Claims and Petition, recommended to the Plenary of the Liberian Senate to print L$48 billion new family of banknotes.

The committee's report says that there were several meetings held with authorities from the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), adding that expert witnesses including John Davis, President of the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) were invited.

The committee says the various witnesses along with the CBL and MFDP gave justification while the money should be printed.

The request by the Central Bank of Liberia to print about $48 billion new Liberian banknotes at the cost of approximately US$45.522 million has been causing stir here.

The request, if approved, would see the CBL maintaining some of the old denominations of L$5, L$10, L$20, L$50, L$100 and L$500 while a new denomination of L$1,000 would is expected to be added.

CBL's Executive Governor J. Aloysius Tarlue informed lawmakers that the money, which will be printed over a 3-year period (2021-2023), will be used to address the country's current liquidity problems and restore confidence in the Liberian dollars.

But the request has been greeted with criticism with many saying it is intended to enrich public officials and not address the problems.

This request to print L$48 billion comes as controversies over the L$16 billion that have prompted mass protests here and the subsequent printing of additional L$4 billion just before the 8 December 2020 mid-term election remain fresh in the minds of Liberians.
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A recent market study published by Future Market Insights (FMI) on the atopic dermatitis treatment includes global industry analysis 2014-2018 & opportunity assessment 2019-2029, delivers a comprehensive assessment of the most important market dynamics. After conducting a thorough research on the historical as well as current growth parameters of the atopic dermatitis treatment, the growth prospects of the market are obtained with maximum precision.

Atopic Dermatitis Treatment: Segmentation

The global atopic dermatitis treatment is segmented in detail to cover every aspect of the market and present a complete market intelligence approach to the reader.

Drug Class

Corticosteroids

Calcineurin Inhibitors

Immunosuppressants

Biologic Therapy

PDE-4 Inhibitor

Antibiotics

Antihistamines

Emollients

Mode of Administration

Topical

Oral

Injectable

Distribution Channel

Hospital Pharmacies

Retail Pharmacies

Online Pharmacies

Drug Stores

Mail Order Pharmacies

Dermatology Clinics

Region

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Asia Pacific excluding Japan

Japan

Middle East & Africa

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Report Chapters

Chapter 01  Executive Summary

The report initiates with the executive summary of the atopic dermatitis treatment, which includes a summary of key findings and statistics of the market. It also includes demand & supply-side trends pertaining to the atopic dermatitis treatment.

Chapter 02  Market Overview

Readers can find the definition and a detailed segmentation of the atopic dermatitis treatment in this chapter, which will help them understand the basic information about the atopic dermatitis treatment.

Chapter 03  Market Background

This chapter explains the key macroeconomic factors, drivers, restraints, trends and opportunity analysis that are expected to influence the growth of the atopic dermatitis treatment over the forecast period. Moreover, in-depth information about the market dynamics and their impact analysis on the market have been provided in the successive section.

Chapter 04  Market Context

This section includes the premium insights such as regulatory scenario, disease epidemiology and parent market analysis. This section helps readers understand the key factors associated with the atopic dermatitis treatment market.

Chapter 05  Global Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Demand Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029

This section explains the global market value analysis and forecast for the atopic dermatitis treatment between the forecast periods of 2019-2029. This chapter includes a detailed analysis of the historical atopic dermatitis treatment market, along with an opportunity analysis of the future. Readers can also find the absolute $ opportunity for the current year (2019), and an incremental $ opportunity for the forecast period (20192029).

Chapter 06  Global Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029, by Drug Class

Based on drug type, the atopic dermatitis treatment market is segmented into corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, immunosuppressants, biologic therapy, PDE4 inhibitor, antibiotics, antihistamines, emollients. In this chapter, readers can find information about the key trends and developments in the atopic dermatitis treatment and market attractiveness analysis based on drug type.

Chapter 07  Global Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029, by Mode of Administration

This chapter provides details about the atopic dermatitis treatment based on mode of administration, and has been classified into oral, topical and injectable. In this chapter, readers can understand the market attractiveness analysis based on mode of administration.

Chapter 08  Global Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029, by Distribution Channel

This chapter provides details about the atopic dermatitis treatment market based on distribution channel, and has been classified into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, drug stores, mail order pharmacies, dermatological clinics. In this chapter, readers can understand the market attractiveness analysis based on distribution channel.

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Chapter 09  Global Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029, by Region

This chapter explains how the atopic dermatitis treatment market will grow across various geographic regions such as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa (MEA).

Chapter 10  North America Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029

This chapter includes a detailed analysis of the growth of the North America atopic dermatitis treatment market, along with a country-wise assessment that includes the U.S. and Canada. Readers can also find the pricing analysis, regional trends, and market growth based on the application and countries in North America.

Chapter 11  Latin America Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029

This chapter provides the growth scenario of atopic dermatitis treatment market in Latin American countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and the Rest of Latin America. Along with this, assessment of the market across target segments has been provided.

Chapter 12  Western Europe Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029

Important growth prospects of the atopic dermatitis treatment market based on its end users in several countries such as Germany, the U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Russia, BENELUX, and the Rest of Europe are included in this chapter.

Chapter 13  Eastern Europe Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029

In this chapter, Russia, Poland & Rest of Eastern Europe countries are the prominent countries in the Eastern Europe region that are the prime subjects of assessment to obtain the growth prospects of the Eastern Europe atopic dermatitis treatment market. Readers can find detailed information about the growth parameters of the Eastern Europe atopic dermatitis treatment market during the forecast period of 2019-2029.

Chapter 14  Asia pacific excluding Japan Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029

This chapter highlights the growth of the atopic dermatitis treatment in Asia pacific excluding Japan by focusing on China, India, Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN and rest of APEJ. This section also help readers understand the key factors that are responsible for the growth of the atopic dermatitis treatment market in the APEJ region.

Chapter 15  Japan Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029

This chapter highlights the growth of the atopic dermatitis treatment in Japan. This section also help readers understand the key factors that are responsible for the growth of the atopic dermatitis treatment market in Japan.

Chapter 16  MEA Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Analysis 2014-2018 & Opportunity Assessment 2019-2029

This chapter provides information about how the atopic dermatitis treatment market will grow in major countries in the MEA region such as GCC Countries, South Africa, Turkey, Northern Africa and the Rest of MEA, during the forecast period of 2019-2029.

Request for Report Ask A Question @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-3097

Chapter 17  Competition Analysis

In this chapter, readers can find a comprehensive list of all the prominent stakeholders in the atopic dermatitis treatment market, along with a detailed information about each company, which includes company overview, revenue shares, strategic overview, and recent company developments. Some of the market players featured in the report are Novartis, Bayer, Allergan, Sanofi and among others.

Chapter 18  Assumptions and Acronyms

This chapter includes a list of acronyms and assumptions that provides a base to the information and statistics included in the atopic dermatitis treatment report.

Chapter 19  Research Methodology

This chapter help readers understand the research methodology followed to obtain various conclusions as well as important qualitative and quantitative information about the atopic dermatitis treatment.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 05:03:38|Editor: huaxia

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LOS ANGELES, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Universal Studios Hollywood, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Los Angeles County, the United States, will reopen with limited capacity on April 16 after being closed for a year, Comcast Corp which owns the theme park announced Tuesday.

"We are incredibly thrilled to finally be able to open Universal Studios Hollywood, return team members to work and welcome guests back to enjoy our amazing rides," said Karen Irwin, president and chief operating officer of Universal Studios Hollywood.

"It has been a very challenging year and we are overjoyed to have arrived at this moment," Irwin added.

While most rides will be operational, some rides and attractions will reopen at a later date as the theme park complies with government restrictions, according to a statement. Park officials noted that they will continue to work in partnership with health and government officials to implement new health and safety procedures that include controlled capacity to enforce physical distancing, required face coverings and temperature check.

Only California residents are eligible to visit the theme park at this time in accordance with California guidelines. Tickets will be on sale beginning on April 8.

Universal Studios Hollywood was closed on March 14 last year amid coronavirus fears. The closure of the theme parks came after California authorities called for the cancellation of gatherings of 250 or more people amid the pandemic.

Disney also announced earlier this month that the company's flagship theme parks in Orange County, California, including Disneyland Park and neighboring Disney California Adventure Park, are slated to reopen with limited capacity on April 30.

According to the state's Blueprint to a Safer Economy, theme parks in the counties in the purple tier, the most restrictive tier of California's four-tier, color-coded system for reopening, are not allowed to reopen. But theme parks in the less-restrictive red tier will be eligible to reopen at 15 percent capacity. Maximum capacity will be increased to 25 percent for theme parks in the counties in the orange tier and to 35 percent in the yellow tier.

Both Los Angeles County and Orange County are currently among counties qualified to upgrade from the red to the orange tier. Enditem
The National Association of Private Lotto Operators and Agents in Ghana and the Ghana National Chamber of Banker to Banker Lotto Operators and Agents in Ghana are calling for calm and peace to prevail in the lottery industry.



The members of the Association and the Chamber are also urging all private lotto operators and agents to cease the media war with the authority because it is inappropriate and improper to fight the regulator of the lottery industry.



The NLA is mandated by relevant laws to ensure that every individual and companies operating in the industry do so per Act 722, L. I. 1948 and Section 22 of Act 844.



Per the understanding of the contract between NLA and all private lotto operators licensed under Act 844 regulated by Act 722 and L. I. 1948 it was:



1. Never stated in the contract that a Private Lotto Operators or Agent can organize independent Live Lotto Draws on TV without a composition of the Draw Committee properly set up by NLA.



2. Never stated in the Contract that a Private lotto Operator or Agent can operate Short Code for NLA VAG 5/90 Game.



3. Only one license was issued to us, which is a license under Act 844.



We were never issued an Act 722 license.



Let's all support NLA, the regulator of the lottery industry because the collapse of NLA will eventually collapse the Whole Industry including all Private Lotto Operators, Agents and Writers.



Let's always try to adopt the measures of dialogue and consensus-building with our Regulatory body, NLA, rather than always running to the media to fight and undermine them.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 18:42:40|Editor: huaxia

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MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Three militants have been killed and four others injured in an air raid by Afghan government forces targeting a Taliban hideout in Charbolak district of the northern Balkh province, said an army statement released here on Wednesday.

No casualties were reported in the security personnel and civilians in the air raid conducted on Tuesday, the statement added.

There have so far been no comments on the incident made by the Taliban militants who are active in parts of Balkh province with Mazar-i-Sharif as its capital, 305 km north of the national capital Kabul. Enditem
analysis

Faced with regular violent attacks and little hope of relocation to a safer place, LGBTQIA+ residents of the Kakuma Refugee Camp feel abandoned by the UNHCR.

Making her way back from the clinic in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Miremba Okello* knew there was trouble brewing when she heard the young men taunting: "Shoga, shoga."

"That is the song they sing wherever you go. Whether you are going to the tap or even when you are going to church. Whenever they attack, the people around you will sing: 'See that one is a shoga.' Even a person who doesn't know you will know [after that] that you are lesbian or you are a gay," says the 32-year-old, who fled Uganda because of her sexual orientation. "One person can just start singing that and then a group of people will join. You understand? Young kids, boys, youth. Like that. They point at you. They throw stones at you."

On that day, however, they did much more. Weak with typhoid fever, Okello struggled to fight back as the group of men took turns raping her.

It was not the first time she had been attacked while living in the camp. A few months earlier, while Okello was walking with "three other lesbians and one minor", a "group of homophobic guys" surrounded them.

"They tried to undress us, to remove our clothes, to see what is so special about us that we are not like other girls. Somehow, some way, we managed to run away. But we were injured [because] they were cutting us [as they were trying] to cut our panties," she says.

'We have no sleep'

Housing approximately 200 000 refugees and asylum seekers, Kakuma Refugee Camp is considered the largest in the world. "The situation at Kakuma is grave," says the Refugee Council USA website. "There are minimal opportunities for employment, and cases of disease and malnutrition are very common."

Also common are queerphobic attacks.

On 15 March, "around 2am", a petrol bomb hit Block 13, which houses just more than 100 of the camp's LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers. The attack left Ayesigye Jordan and Atuhwera Chriton with second-degree burns.

"Some of us sleep outside," says Gilbert Kagarura, Block 13's spokesperson. "So when they threw the petrol bomb, it landed in a section [where] some of us were sleeping ... The petrol spread. Two men were burnt extensively. Very, very extensively. Actually, we were a bit fortunate because where it landed was a bit close to the shelter where we let the children [sleep] at night. It never reached the children, but these two men were burnt horrifically."

Prior to this, on 15 February, four gay men "were set ablaze by other migrants".

"So many things [happen here in Block 13]," says Okello. "It's too ... challenging. The situation is bad. Completely bad. We are facing attacks all the time. Severe attacks all the time. We have no sleep."

As a devout Christian, Okello would find comfort in the Sunday services she attended back home in Uganda. In the Kakuma Refugee Camp, however, there is little such comfort to be found.

Children of God

In November 2011, David Ndikumana* fled Burundi, along with his wife and children, and eventually found something of a home in the camp. A mechanic by profession but ordained as an evangelical pastor, Ndikumana established a church in the camp in 2013.

"When I decided to open the church... it was very sad because many people were without a house of worship. I remember there was one church, but it was very far [away]," Ndikumana says. "Another thing that pushed me to open up the church was many people were angry with life in Kakuma, the challenges of life here. So I decided to open the church to bring people together and to give them hope while living in this difficult life ... It was very wonderful to create that church during that time."

Shortly after opening his church's doors, Ndikumana met a transgender woman who asked a simple question: "If I came to the church, would you chase me away?"

"I said, 'No'," Ndikumana says. "That person asked me, 'Why?' I said, 'Because you are a child of God.'"

Word soon got around that Ndikumana's church was queer-friendly. "During that time, more LGBTIQ people were feeling that in our church they could come and worship with us. But some people in our church [were] inciting people to be against them, saying: 'This is sodomist things that the pastor is trying to invite into our church.' So people turned against me. It was very bad. Then they demolished the church. Even one part of my house was burnt. That time, I felt so bad because I didn't expect to be in [this] kind of a situation," he says.

It took Ndikumana time to recover from the hurt of seeing his church burnt to the ground - "My heart was so broken," he says. But in 2016, three years after the attack, he decided to fight back.

"It was very difficult for me to reopen the church again ... But I got the motivation because I'm a pastor. Always a pastor is a pastor. Doesn't matter what challenge I face. Because so many people were [in] the camp without having a church. And not everyone was hating me. No. Some people were standing with me. They say, 'Pastor, it doesn't matter what happened. Reopen the church. We will stand with you.' The strong person always fights for his vision, so I decided to stand again to fight and to make sure I accomplish my mission in the camp: to create a space for all."

Okello was one of Ndikumana's parishioners. "When I went there for the first time," she says, "I introduced myself. I said, 'I am a Ugandan'."

Okello explains that because Ugandan refugees in the camp are almost exclusively LGBTQIA+, when someone introduces themselves as Ugandan, it is immediately understood that they are queer.

"When I told them I am from Uganda, I didn't expect to get that welcome from the church. Especially in a church in this camp, because everyone doesn't like us. I used to fear to go for prayers because I was like, 'What if I go and they get to know I am a lesbian? They are going to beat me and kill me. They are going to put me to jail.' But when I went there, I introduced myself and the members of the congregation kept quiet. And after service, the pastor told me, 'You are always welcome here. We have people like you, your fellow Ugandans. You are always welcome.' I was happy. But still, inside my mind I was like, 'Well, the pastor said you are welcome, but what about the congregation? When the service is over, going out, everyone is going to look at me like, 'Eh, this one is a disgusting thing.' You know? That means that after the service, you have to run away so fast. Because the pastor will not be with you all the time."

Recently, Okello stopped attending the services out of concern for her safety while taking the hour-long walk to the church.

"It's because of security," she says. "So many of our members would like to go to [that] church, but we cannot go because ... we fear ... to walk. How many months? I can't even count. I can't find my way to church. I can't walk alone. If I don't have money to get a boda-boda or any means of transport, I cannot go. They'll kill me on the way. They will beat me on the way. So that is the problem."

Petitioning for relocation

Following the petrol bomb attack, the Coalition of African Lesbians, Just Associates Southern Africa and the Triangle Project started an online petition to relocate Block 13's queer refugees somewhere safer.

"Despite years of urging by organisations to act and protect LGBTQ+ refugees at the Kakuma camp, the UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] has shown little political will and commitment to intervene. This is in direct violation of UNHCR's mandate to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country," the petition reads.

It is not so cut and dried, says Eujin Byun, UNHCR Kenya's spokesperson. "Resettlement spaces are very, very limited worldwide. Only, like, less than 1% of refugees [worldwide] are getting resettlement. And that number is shrinking every year."

For Byun, the numbers also have to be taken into consideration. "Kakuma has about 200 000 refugees, mainly from South Sudan. This group in Block 13 doesn't represent the whole LGBTQ refugee and asylum seeker community ... There are 1 000 LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya. Three hundred in Kakuma. There are LGBTQ refugees who are not part of the Block 13 group. I'm not going to say they are 100% safe, because there are attacks. There is violence. We're not going to deny it. We acknowledge those attacks. They're still living in Kakuma. And relatively safe and integrated into the community."

Byun adds that the UNHCR "fully understands" what the queer refugees face - and their wish to be resettled outside Kenya.

"We recognise that there are some very vulnerable people among LGBTQ refugees and have spared no efforts to help ... Our top priority is always to identify these individuals and families and work with them and our partners to find practical ways to address their problem. We are ready to continue listening to the concerns and will continue to engage to find reasonable solutions."

But Block 13's spokesperson Kagarura is not buying it. "Surely if they want, they can protect us," he says. "What we are suffering from is a problem of attitudes. Not a lack of capacity or a lack of resources on the part of UNHCR and the Kenyan government. I pray that the UNHCR does not endanger more LGBTQ people by putting them in already-proven hostile environments. I pray that they respect their obligations and protect us while we are in the country as asylum seekers. I would like to see LGBTQ people protected. Not just this current group, but the others who will come after us."

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The protection of people has become something of a passion for Ndikumana, who, for the past two years, has been working with the faith-based organisation Church World Service in putting together training workshops for the camp's community leaders "to understand LGBTI people who live with us. Not discriminate against them."

"Starting my church, I got a lot of challenges," he says. "I was discriminated against by my community. People abuse my wife. People abuse my children, saying: 'Your father is demonic.' So many challenges. But ... even if I die today, I will be happy because there are now other people like [me]. There is another pastor, who is now also a friend and defender of LGBTIQ people. So I thank God, because already I create a space for LGBTIQ refugees. We are here to defend them because there is no other people. You see?"

For Kagarura, the matter is simple. "Places like Kakuma," he says, "should not be places for LGBTIQ persons. I would like to see real protection from UNHCR and the Kenyan government for the LGBTIQ persons under their care. That's what I pray for."

With little in the way of active international support and even less hope of being relocated, the queer residents of Block 13 have little but prayer to hold on to.

"What we really want is a safe place," says Okello. "A place where we are going to feel loved. Not rejected. You know? Where we are going to walk and don't see anyone stoning us. Where we don't hear anyone saying, 'Shoga, shoga.' You understand? A community where we are going to go ... to live a happy life, like a normal human being. That is what we are praying for. That is all we are praying for."

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

On 24 March 2021, the Kenyan government ordered the closure of the Dadaab and the Kakuma refugee camps.
Azerbaijan''s First VP makes post on events of March 1918

First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has made an Instagram post on the occasion of 31 March - the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis.

"Today is the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis. The atrocities committed in March 1918 are a bloody crime against all humanity. Even after years, we will never forget the pain of ethnic cleansing, acts of terrorism and genocide, and the ruthless cruelty that the Azerbaijani people were subjected to," she wrote on her Instagram page.

"I revere the blessed memory of innocent victims of the tragedy and ask the Almighty God to rest the souls of all our martyrs," Mehriban Aliyeva said.
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- Data Erasure Solutions Market: Introduction



Transparency Market Research delivers key insights on the global data erasure solutions market. In terms of revenue, the global data erasure solutions market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of ~29% during the forecast period, owing to numerous factors regarding which TMR offers thorough insights and forecasts in its report on the global data erasure solutions market.



Data erasure solutions play a vital role not only in clearing or erasing sensitive business data but in preventing the data from being infected by cyber malware and malicious software. Data erasure solutions have grown to become a necessity for nearly all companies dealing with data management with increasing applications in most end-use industries, from governments to education, healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace to defense.



Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/data-erasure-solutions-market.html



Technical advancements, increased digitization, and presence of a large number of data erasure software and services providers are anticipated to drive the data erasure solutions market during the forecast period. As a result, the market is anticipated to witness healthy growth rate during the forecast period.



Data Erasure Solutions Market: Dynamics



Rising significance of the ITAD industry and increasing use of cloud infrastructure across the world are driving the global data erasure solutions market. Increasing adoption of cloud infrastructure in different organizations and expansion of the electronics industry are projected to boost the data erasure solutions market in the upcoming years. Moreover, rising threat of data loss from old assets such as PCs, mobile devices, and servers has offered data erasure solution manufacturers opportunities to develop certified data erasure solutions in order to minimize the risk of data leakage.



Presence of a large number of data erasure solution providers and post-sale service providers across regions have led to a subsequent rise in the demand for data erasure solutions. This is likely to propel the market during the forecast period. The increase in the scope of applications of data erasure solutions in ITADs and data centers broadens the scope of the data erasure solutions market across the globe. The rise in the use of cloud infrastructure and awareness about data erasure solutions & systems among large and small & medium enterprises is likely to drive the market in the near future. Additionally, high demand for digitalized products that offer better and cost effective results boosts the application of data erasure solutions.



PDF Brochure For Future Advancements: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=38939



Data destruction has slowed down across all industries, as several businesses have shifted to work-from-home models and moved e-media shredding priorities into the forthcoming months/years. However, numerous businesses still have onsite data destruction needs due to security concerns. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, IT asset disposal and secure data destruction have been included as an essential service due to the industry, and national security and privacy concerns.



Data Erasure Solutions Market: Prominent Regions



Both North America and Europe are mature regions for the market, owing to high awareness about data erasure solutions among users and technological developments. However, the market in Asia Pacific is estimated to expand at a robust pace during the forecast period. The market in Asia Pacific is predominantly driven by rapid expansion of the IT & telecom industry and the BFSI industry, experiencing advanced and dynamic adoption of new technologies across the region. Rise in penetration of technology as well as significant investment in optimal utilization of data erasure solutions across countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, China, India, and Brazil is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities for the providers of data erasure solutions in the near future.
Tara Sutaria Opens Up About Why She Didn't Want To Keep Her Relationship With Aadar Jain A Secret

Tara Sutaria and Aadar Jain are going strong in their relationship which is over year old and unlike many young actors in Bollywood today they never try to hide the fact that they are together. From occasionally flaunting their admiration for each other on social media to being spotted together at social events and family gatherings together, Tara and Aadar dont believe in trying to conceal the fact that they are seriously involved with each other.

The Marjaavaan actress who recently featured on bridal magazine cover, happily opened up about her equation with Aadar and why she doesnt believe in dating the actor in secret. There are many who constantly tell actors to be hushed about our relationships, but I see absolutely no reason to do that, Tara told Brides Today.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by TARA (@tarasutaria)

Talking about Aadar and the lockdown she added, I dont believe there is anything to hide when you are proud of something or someone, and I am happy to speak about my partner AAadar. The past year has been hard for everyone, we have had so many lockdowns, restrictions, and one couldnt step out. But these are the times that reveal one's genuine friendships and, quite frankly, the ones that have lasted through this time are the ones that will be taken forward.

Tara and Aadars relationship first hit the headlines in November 2019. The actress was then spotted at many get togethers of the Kapoor family including participating enthusiastically in Aadars brother Armaan Jains wedding festivities in 2020.
[March 31, 2021] Christopher Ford Joins Veoci as VP of Sales and Partnerships

Veoci, a leader in response software, process automation, and team collaboration and communication, announces that Christopher Ford (News - Alert) has joined the company as Vice President of Sales and Partnerships. Ford brings many years of experience in technology to this new role. His career focus has been on providing communications, collaboration, and productivity solutions to clients of all sizes, and aligning with strategic partners to help grow the business and deliver better client experiences. Ford began his sales career with the legendary IBM (News - Alert) sales organization, selling a wide range of solutions, including the Lotus Notes products. Most recently, he was VP of Business Development for Mersive Technologies, focused on technology alliances; Ford has also been a leader at Microsoft, Polycom (News - Alert) , and Pexip. He has a deep understanding of the collaboration and communication spaces, and what organizations need from computer technology to get their work done. Veoci has established its position as the technology leader in crisis and emergency management, business continuity, and daily operations software, with marquee customers in the Fortune 500, State and Local Government, Institutes of Higher Education, K-12, Hospitals and Healthcare (including hundreds of Covid-19 solutions), Aviation, and Utilities. Along the way, Veoci has proven that its no-code latform, on which all its applications are built, offers a significant advantage over products that require programming knowledge, empowering customers to rapidly deploy and update their solutions to deal with different scenarios and how they evolve.



With the solid technology and support base in place, as the leader of Sales at Veoci, Ford will play a critical role in accelerating growth with its culture of continuous innovation to current customers and new customers as well. Most importantly, as the leader of Partnerships, Ford will also accelerate alliances for world-class solutions that can help these partners lead in their domains, much as Veoci has done with its focus thus far. "I have been a friend of the company, following Veoci's vision since they began 10 years ago, and have deep respect for what they do to help communities and businesses," Ford said. "The Veoci 'idea' already has a dominant presence in a number of product areas across several sectors and industries, and I'm eager to continue building on that foundation to show how this new and powerful paradigm can truly make a difference. Veoci is the right vision, the right idea, the right product at the right time for the IT industry to deliver secure, world-class solutions from the cloud."

Veoci has been a consistent leader in computing technology. Designed from the get-go as a cloud-based, no-code platform for rapid solution delivery, the system comes fully integrated with services such as maps, telephony, messaging, and conferencing (including video). Today, Veoci continues to stay ahead by doing the extra work needed to stay adaptable, incorporating the latest innovations, and being at the forefront of new paradigms in software development. "Chris' arrival is an important milestone for Veoci," Dr. Sukh Grewal, CEO of Veoci, said. "He joins us at a time of market acceptance of our vision and product. His leadership will be a critical component in continuing that growth and fulfilling our mission to strengthen communities and help organizations ensure continuity and resilience." About Veoci: Veoci is a cloud-based platform for emergency management, business continuity, team collaboration, and daily operations, designed to meet the decision-making and communication requirements of multiple teams at many locations. With stringent security, highest availability, and quickly scalable performance, Veoci is designed for institutions and organizations of every size and complexity. The company recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005280/en/

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Hong Kong: Views on Chinese medicines sought

The Department of Health today launched a six-month public consultation on the amendments to the limits for harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines in Hong Kong proposed by the Chinese Medicines Board under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong.

The council, a statutory body established under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, is responsible for implementing regulatory measures for Chinese medicine practitioners and Chinese medicines, including setting limits for harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines.

As the relevant standards published in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020 Edition) have come into effect on December 2020, the board has set up a working group to comprehensively review and advise on the limits of harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines in Hong Kong, including aflatoxins, heavy metals and toxic elements and pesticide residues, and the related measures for implementation.

Upon deliberation, the working group composed of representatives and experts of the Chinese medicines trade as well as representatives of the testing industry, proposed a series of amendments, consultation and related measures for implementation in phases.

Members of the Chinese medicines trade and the public can express their views by post to 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, fax to 2319 2664 or email at [email protected] or [email protected] on or before September 30.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
NATO fighter jets were scrambled ten times on Monday to intercept an unusually high number of Russian military aircraft in the skies of Europe and the North Atlantic.

The UK responded with Typhoon fighters while Belgium, Norway, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey also scrambled jets to protect NATO airspace.

Six groups of Russian jets were intercepted in the space of six hours, with NATO warning that the Kremlin-controlled aircraft were flying under the radar and posing a risk to civilian aircraft.

It comes with relations between Russia and the West at an ever-deteriorating low point after London, Brussels and Washington all slapped new sanctions on Moscow.

NATO fighter jets were scrambled ten times in a day on Monday to intercept Russian military planes, including a Tu-95 Bear bomber (file image), making unusual moves in the skies of Europe and the North Atlantic

NATO said the Russian planes included Tu-95 Bear bombers which were spotted by radars off the coast of Norway on Monday.

The two aircraft were intercepted by Norwegian F-16s but continued to fly south over Belgium and the UK, prompting both countries to scramble jets.

Norway's air force was later back in action to shadow two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack bombers over international waters.

Further south, Russian planes showed up on NATO radars over the Black Sea, prompting Romania and Bulgaria to launch their own planes.

And Italian fighter jets were also deployed, intercepting a Russian Il-38 maritime patrol plane.

Norway's air force was twice called upon to intercept Russian military aircraft on Monday, to monitor the flight of a Russian Tu-95 Bear bomber and later two Tu-160 Blackjack bombers (file image)

The patrol plane was escorted by fighter jets over the Baltic Sea as it flew in and out of the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, NATO said.

The various operations were masterminded from control centres in Germany and Spain, according to NATO brigadier-general Andrew Hansen.

He warned Moscow that the operations showed the alliance's 'readiness and capability to guard Allied skies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year'.

NATO said the 'unusual level of air activity' was a potential risk to civilian planes because Russian pilots often fail to make themselves known.

'Russian military aircraft often do not transmit a transponder code indicating their position and altitude, do not file a flight plan, or do not communicate with air traffic controllers,' NATO said.

It was also confirmed that none of the Russian aircraft ever entered the airspace of any NATO nation in Europe.
A man who allegedly beat four sleeping homeless men to death in Manhattan's Chinatown in 2019 appeared in court Tuesday for a hearing to determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial.

Randy Rodriguez Santos, 27, was arrested on October 5, 2019 when police found him walking near Canal Street, carrying a piece of metal pipe. Police say he'd used the weapon to bludgeon four homeless men to death in a rampage across Chinatown that lasted just minutes.

On Tuesday, Manhattan Supreme Court heard that Santos, who has a history of violence and a lengthy arrest record, that evaluations conducted by the state determined he is mentally fit to stand trial.

However, Judge Ward granted a request by Santos' attorneys to conduct their own evaluation of their client's mental state.

Randy Santos, 27, appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on March 30 on charges related to the 2019 killing of four homeless people in lower Manhattan

Santos was charged with four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and unlawful possession of marijuana when he was arrested in October 2019

On Tuesday, Manhattan Supreme Court heard that Santos, who has a history of violence and a lengthy arrest record, that evaluations conducted by the state determined he is mentally fit to stand trial

The case is due back in court on April 29, Santos' lawyer Arnold J. Levine confirmed to DailyMail.com.

The case had been delayed for almost a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Santos, who also homeless at the time of the murders, was charged with four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and unlawful possession of marijuana when he was arrested, NBC News reported.

He was evaluated at Bellevue Hospital before he was charged, according to law enforcement sources who spoke with NBC.

The facts of the case laid out during the hearing from court records included details about the victims and where and how they died.

The first victim of one of the fatal attacks was found in front of a building on East Broadway at about 1:30am on October 5, 2019.

Authorities alleged that minutes later Santos attacked three other men in front of a pharmacy several doors away from the first attack, killing two of the three victims.

Santos attacked and killed another person several blocks away, authorities said.

New York City Police Department detectives from the 5th Precinct provided a photograph of the piece of metal believed to be the murder weapon allegedly used by suspect Randy Rodriguez Santos in the beating deaths of four homeless men in Manhattan's Chinatown on October 5, 2019

Crime scene at 2 Bowery on Saturday, October 5, 2019 in New York, after four homeless were randomly battered to death in their sleep

Police officers escort Randy Rodriguez Santos from the 5th Precinct to a vehicle bound for a hospital for evidence collection, Oct. 5, 2019

Santos, 27, was also believed to be homeless at the time of the killings in October 2019

Police later found and identified Santos after several people who witnessed the attacks called 911.

Santos was still carrying the metal pipe that police allege he used to bludgeon the victims.

Police told the New York Post that Santos, who was believed to be homeless, had 14 past arrests, four of which occurred within the 12 months prior to his arrest connected to the killings.

Reports at the time said the first two male victims were found suffering from head injuries. One man was pronounced dead at the scene of one of the attacks. A 49-year-old man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Two hours later, police said they found three additional male victims, who were all deceased.

Mourners attend a vigil for four homeless men who were murdered in New York City's Chinatown in October 2019
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. Newly-appointed Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Armenia John Patrick Gallagher on March 31 presented the copy of his credentials to Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress.

The Armenian FM congratulated the Ambassador on assuming office and expressed confidence that he will bring his contribution to the further strengthening and enrichment of the Armenian-British agenda. In this context they both highlighted taking actions for fully utilizing the existing cooperation potential.

As prospective directions for cooperation, the Armenian FM and the UK Ambassador mentioned economy, science and education, emphasized boosting the communications between the peoples.

Issues relating to regional security and stability were discussed during the meeting.

Photos by Tatev Duryan

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
UTICA, N.Y. (UPDATED)  Two people were arrested Tuesday night after Utica police located a suspect in a Rome shooting on Steuben Street.

UPD, with the help of Rome police and Oneida County Sheriff's Office, found 35-year-old Joseph F. Amberg Jr. on the 1500 block of Steuben Street in Utica around 11:45 p.m. Amberg is accused of shooting a man in the leg at the Byrne Dairy in Rome on March 17.

Joseph F. Amberg Jr. Joseph F. Amberg Jr.

Amberg was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

While taking Amberg into custody, Utica police say a woman fled to the back yard. Officers followed after her and saw her drop a quantity of suspected cocaine, so they searched the surrounding area, where they also found a loaded .22 caliber handgun.

Police arrested the woman, identified as 22-year-old Barbara Walter, and charged her with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.

Police say drug-related charges may also be filed after the suspected cocaine is tested and confirmed.

The gun found at the scene has also been sent to a lab for testing, according to Rome police.
HOLYOKE  The two candidates who hope to become the next superintendent of the Soldiers Home in Holyoke talked Tuesday about ways they would rebuild the state-run veterans care facility, which has been devastated by COVID-19 and years of clashes between staff and management.

The search committee, made up of the homes seven trustees and three additional members from the veterans services and health care communities, interviewed the two finalists in an online forum that had the candidates take turns answering the same questions.

Rick Holloway, administrator of the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise, and Robert Engell, administrator of the Overlook Masonic Health Care Center in Charlton, emerged as finalists after a nationwide search. Both have extensive backgrounds in health care administration.

Several of the 14 questions asked how each candidate would rebuild the home to improve the lives of the veterans living there and restore trust in the community.

Engell said he first would have to discuss the elephant in the room, saying there has to be significant work done with labor relations since union officials and administrators have clashed for years, standing in the way of the facility being the best it could be.

There are a lot of issues and I would want to sit down for a day and get it knocked out, he said. The union brings a lot of strength and we want to partner with that.

He also talked about the importance of having an occupational health nurse and a director of education and training to ensure that staff receive the most up-to-date information so they can provide the best care.

Holloway said one of his strengths is team building. He said the biggest challenge any superintendent will have is bringing all the employees together so they are working to provide the best lives for residents.

He said he believes no one wants to do a bad job. Managers should assess the skills and qualifications of their staff, make sure they have the training and resources they need and then step back and let them do their work.

While many procedures and protocols have to be changed, they have to be done within financial constraints, he said.

I would identify the financial standing of the facility and make sure we are not focusing so hard on the systems that we do not lose sight of the financial viability of the site, Holloway said.

The interview process lasted more than two hours. At 6:30 p.m. the search committee and candidates broke for a moment of silence to recognize the 77 residents who died of COVID-19. Three-quarters of the residents and more than 80 staff members tested positive for COVID-19, primarily between March and June 2020.

A study of the outbreak by attorney Mark Pearlstein concluded the decisions made when the virus started spreading through the home were baffling and catastrophic. After it was released Superintendent Bennett Walsh and medical director David Clinton were indicted for criminal neglect in September. Each has pleaded not guilty to 10 criminal charges.

The two candidates talked Tuesday about the Pearlstein report and the $400 million proposal to rebuild the home to modern standards, but both said their focus will be on the residents and patient-centric care.

One of the biggest breakdowns was the failure to have someone with a strong background in health care management heading up the Soldiers Home, Holloway said.

We care for one veteran 120 times, meaning each veteran is an individual, Engell said, It is creating a life of purpose and meaning for our veterans where each day is of significance and importance.

Each staff member will know and understand the veterans they work with and will know their needs, their values and what they need to live their lives to the fullest, he said.

If we arent willing to look at our veterans as individuals we shouldnt be in this business. The way I can do this is to show honor and dignity to my staff and make sure they have the tools and resources to do their job, Holloway said.

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(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of London-listed company director and manager changes announced on Tuesday and Wednesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







eve Sleep PLC - London-based direct-to-consumer mattress retailer - Appoints Mike Lloyd as non-executive chair, replacing Paul Pindar. Lloyd is chief operating officer of McCarthy & Stone, a developer of retirement homes that was acquired by private equity back in January. The change in chair will take place at eve Sleep's May 26 annual general meeting. Lloyd holds 1.0 million shares in eve Sleep, a 0.4% stake.







Sopheon PLC - Woking, Surrey-based enterprise innovation management solutions - Promotes Greg Coticchia to board as chief executive officer. Coticchia has been US-based president of Sopheon since October last year, leading its cloud development effort, prior to which he was a consultant for the company. Andy Michuda moves to executive chair, leading partners and acquisitions. Barry Mence, the current chair, moves to non-executive director and remains a major shareholder.







System1 Group PLC - London-based 'advertising effectiveness' agency - John Kearon moves from CEO to founder & executive president. Stefan Barden moves from COO to CEO. Says internal responsibilities are unaffected by the title changes, with Kearon still providing company direction and leading product development and external-facing parts of the business. Barden leads organisation, technical development and operations. Says Barden will remain an executive director instead of a previous plan to move to a purely advisory role.







Segro PLC - London-based property investment and development - Hires Simon Fraser and Linda Yueh as independent non-executive directors, starting Mary 1. Meanwhile, Christopher Fisher will retire from the Segro board on September 30 after nine years. Fraser is senior independent director of property peer Derwent London PLC and of insurer Lancashire Holdings Ltd. As an executive, Fraser was an investment banker with Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Yueh is a non-executive director of pest control firm Rentokil Initial PLC and investment trust Fidelity China Special Situations PLC. She was chief business correspondent for BBC News from 2013 to 2015.







Ground Rents Income Fund PLC - real estate investment trust - Malcolm Naish retires as chair at Wednesday's annual general meeting, having served nine years since the company's initial public offering. Independent Non-Executive Director Barry Gilbertson succeeds Naish as chair.







Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC - Cheshire-based veterinary products - Hires Denise Goode as non-executive director, starting April 26. Goode is non-executive director of Abliva AB and vice president for Business Development at AnaMar AB, both Swedish companies.







Central Asia Metals PLC - owns Kounrad SX-EW copper project in central Kazakhstan and Sasa zinc-lead mine in North Macedonia - Mike Prentis joins board as independent non-executive director. Prentis is a former fund manager of BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust PLC and BlackRock Throgmorton Trust PLC.







Northbridge Industrial Services PLC - Burton on Trent, England-based firm that hires and sells specialist industrial equipment - Confirms that Chris Caldwell is promoted to board as group director, effective immediately. Caldwell is managing director of Northbridge subsidiary Crestchic Loadbanks. As announced earlier this month, Chief Executive Officer & Founder Eric Hook stepped down from the board on Wednesday after 15 years in post. Chair Peter Harris becomes executive chair, with the directors of Northbridge's two divisions - Caldwell of Crestchic and Ian Gardner of Tasman - reporting to him.







NextEnergy Solar Fund Ltd - invests in operating solar power plants in the UK and Italy - Sue Inglis steps down as director, effective immediately.







Biffa PLC - sustainable waste management, based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire - Hires Claire Miles as non-executive director, starting Thursday. Miles is CEO of digital market services firm Yell.







By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
. China applauds Ethiopia's solidarity in battling pandemic

BY TAMERU REGASA

ADDIS ABABA- Chinese donation of 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Ethiopia is instrumental in helping Ethiopia achieve its target of getting 20 percent of its citizens vaccinated at the end of 2021, the Ministry of Health said.

Ambassador Zhao Zhiyuan praised Ethiopia for showcasing strong solidarity with China in the fight against COVID -19 pandemic.

Health Minister, Lia Tadesse told The Ethiopian Herald that over the past one year, China has been supporting Ethiopia to stem out the virus .

"This is not the first support of the Chinese government . China sent medical experts to Ethiopia last year."

On the occasion ,she lauded stakeholders such as Ethiopian Embassy to China, Office of Prime Minister and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.

.Ambassador of China to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan on his part said that the two countries have been battling the pandemic in solidarity. " China will never forget that, this time last year Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) reaffirmed Ethiopia's support to China's in combating against the epidemic via a telephone call and letters of sympathies to President Xi Jinping."

Not only Ethiopia but also Ethiopian Friends stood with us in the darkest times of us, and Ethiopian Airlines has played an immeasurable role in facilitating China.

Ethiopia and China-Africa personal travels and shipping of crucial supplies including vaccines, he added.According to the Ambassador ,COVID-19 has brought tremendous changes to the world, but it will never stand in the way of the burgeoning growth of China-Ethiopia relations.

"We are confident that Ethiopia is able to put the pandemic under control and achieve economic recovery soon. My country is ready to play a constructive role in providing Ethiopia with any support to help it boost the economy and improve the lives of her citizens. To tahis end, we will join hands with Ethiopia to further synergize development plans of the two sides, deepen practical cooperation in economy, health and other areas thereby promoting high quality development of Belt and Road Projects."

The Ethiopian Herald 31 March 2021
The Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) in partnership with the African Development Bank (ADB) on Monday began 5- day training for the Network of Financial and Tax Reporters (NFTR) on basic principles of Public Procurement and Act at National Nutrition Agency (NaNA).

Addressing the opening, Saloum Malang, Director General of The Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) underscored the role of Journalistsin national development, acknowledging that journalists cannot be left behind in any development process.

"That is why when they knock at the our doors, we deemed it fitting to make it feasible and welcoming as our mandate basically is to regulate and monitor and the training fails under that mandate." he revealed.

Abdoulie Nyockeh, president of the Network of Financial and Tax Reporters (NFTR), described the training as special in many aspects given the fact that the forum attracted members of the media fraternity and key stakeholders to discuss the role and mandate of The Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA).

The media, he added, plays a critical role in creating awareness especially in advocating for tax payment.

"The objective of the NFTR is to enhance the competence of Gambian journalists in Business, Finance and Taxation Reporting in Data Journalism. The forum marks the 8th NFTR Gambia Chapter Media engagement since its inception in 2019."

"The essence of this forum is to bring the fourth estate who are very instrumental in sensitizing and educating the general public of issues of concern to national development with the view to expose them on the GPPA principles Act." he continued.

NFTR is a non-profit making entity established purposely to promote and complement government efforts in creating strong collaboration between Tax Reporters and Revenue Administration in a bid to enhance tax education and awareness in supporting domestic resources.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have officially stepped down from Royal duties today. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had an official Instagram handle that often shared details about their whereabouts. They bid farewell to their Instagram handle with a heartwarming post. They thanked their entire community for the support. Take a look at what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had to say to their followers.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry disconnect from social media

The couple took to their official Instagram handle to reveal that they will be saying goodbye to their Instagram handle. They are currently living in Malibu with 10-month-old Archie away from the Royal family. As per their agreement with Queen Elizabeth II, the couple will no longer be allowed to use the term 'Royal' in connection with their commercial and charitable work. They will no longer be able to use the website or their Instagram account. They thanked the community for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to do better for the world.

They added, "As we can all feel, the world at this moment seems extraordinarily fragile. Yet we are confident that every human being has the potential and opportunity to make a differenceas seen now across the globe, in our families, our communities and those on the front linetogether we can lift each other up to realise the fullness of that promise". They shared that the major priority, for now, is to look after everyone's well-being around the world. The major priority also includes solving the problem that has occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They added, "As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing on this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute." They mentioned that even though their followers may not see them on social media, they will continue to do their work. The couple revealed that they will reconnect with everyone soon. Until then "please take good care of yourselves, and of one another," they wrote.

Meghan Markle's Instagram account was deactivated in a similar manner when she tied the knot to Harry.

Meghan Markle's Oprah Interview

In Meghan Markle's Oprah interview, she revealed that there were conversations about their son Archie's skin even before he was born. The people in the palace were concerned if their son would be given a royal title and security. She also revealed that she had suicidal thoughts while she was in the palace and they ignored her plea for help. Harry also mentioned that he felt trapped while being a part of the Royal family.

Promo Image source: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Instagram
(Corrects to show review recommends regulator revise listing rules (not require trading be suspended), paragraph 7)

By Rachel Armstrong and Abhinav Ramnarayan

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Britain's financial regulator said on Wednesday that it is to consult on changes to its listing rules for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), following a recommendation from a review commissioned by UK finance minister Rishi Sunak.

The Financial Conduct Authority said it will consider introducing a minimum market capitalisation and a redemption option for investors as the UK tries to attract some of these so-called "blank cheque" companies to list in London.

"Our proposals will help to ensure that SPACs operate within a framework of high regulatory standards and oversight", the regulator said in a statement, adding that the consultation will run for four weeks.

Britain has missed out on the record wave of SPAC listings that have taken place globally, particularly in the United States, where 522 such listings have raised over $300 billion in 2020 and 2021, according to data compiled for Reuters by Refinitiv.

There have only been 10 SPAC listings in Europe in 2020 and 2021, with a total value of about $1.3 billion, and none in London, where the rules are perceived as off-putting. European SPACs have so far chosen to list in Amsterdam or Paris.

As part of a wider drive to attract more tech companies to the London Stock Exchange, a recent review of listing rules by former EU Commissioner Jonathan Hill recommended bringing rules in the UK closer in line to the United States on SPACs.

The review recommended that the UK regulator revise the listing rules that can require trading to be suspended in the shares of SPACs on announcement of a potential acquisition, and to allow for a shareholder vote and redemption rights. (Reporting by Rachel Armstrong and Abhinav Ramnarayan; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe)
LEESVILLE  A Louisiana woman accused of setting fires told investigators she and her boyfriend were trying to get rid of snakes, the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry says.

Robert Lee Ramirez, 34, of Leesville (map), faces two counts of arson and remained at large Tuesday, department spokesman Veronica Mosgrove said in an email.

Laura Ashley Lee, 34, also of Leesville, was released on $3,500 bond after being arrested March 18 on one count of arson, a news release said Monday.

The two are boyfriend and girlfriend, Mosgrove said in an email Monday.

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According to the statement, investigators say Ramirez set multiple fires along the road and in woods owned by others around their home. They said they think he also set multiple fires in the same area in 2020.

Two numbers listed for a Laura A. Lee in Leesville are no longer in service. Mosgrove said she doesn't know whether Lee has an attorney who could speak for her.
ATLANTA, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc. (HSBI) announced today that HSBI and Heritage Southeast Bank have signed a definitive purchase and assumption agreement whereby VyStar Credit Union (VyStar) will acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of Heritage Southeast Bank in an all-cash transaction. Following the completion of this transaction, HSBI and Heritage Southeast Bank will wind down their operations and their remaining assets, after all obligations are settled, will be distributed to HSBI stockholders.

Under the terms of the purchase and assumption agreement, VyStar will pay HSBI an aggregate amount estimated to provide HSBI with sufficient cash to have $27.00 per share in cash available for distribution to its shareholders after satisfaction of all of HSBIs unconsolidated debt and any other obligations (the per share consideration). The per share consideration available to HSBI shareholders is subject to variations based on costs related to winding down Heritage Southeast Bank and HSBI and distributing the remaining assets to stockholders, including satisfaction of liabilities related to the liquidation accounts maintained by Heritage Southeast Bank, satisfaction of certain indebtedness, satisfaction of certain tax amounts, and termination of certain contracts, among others.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of each party and is expected to close late in 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, the approval of HSBI stockholders, and obtaining regulatory approvals. The distribution of cash to HSBI stockholders is expected to occur shortly following completion of the sale of assets to VyStar.

HSBI, based in Jonesboro, GA, was created in August 2019 and serves as the holding company for Heritage Southeast Bank, which operates under the names Heritage Bank, Providence Bank, and The Heritage Bank in its various markets. HSBI has $1.5 billion in assets and 22 branch locations including Jacksonville, Southeast Georgia and Savannah, as well as the South and North Metro Atlanta areas.

Through the unique structure of this acquisition by VyStar, we believe we are maximizing value to our stockholders. We look forward to working with VyStar to continue our tradition of fostering relationships to best serve our customers and having a positive impact in our local communities, said Leonard Moreland, CEO of HSBI.

When finalized, the acquisition will bring VyStars total assets to approximately $12.5 billion, full-service branches to over 85 and members to more than 850,000. Nationally, VyStar will move to the 13th-largest credit union in the country by asset size.

Hovde Group, LLC served as financial advisor and provided a fairness opinion and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP served as legal counsel to HSBI in the transaction. Raymond James & Associates served as financial advisor and McGuireWoods served as legal counsel to VyStar in the transaction.

About Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc. and Heritage Southeast Bank:Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc. (OTCQX: HSBI) serves as the holding company for Heritage Southeast Bank, which is headquartered in Jonesboro, GA and operates under the names Heritage Bank, The Heritage Bank, and Providence Bank in its various markets. With approximately $1.5 billion in assets, the bank provides a well-rounded offering of commercial and consumer products through its 22 locations. For additional information, visit the HSBI website (myhsbi.com).

A proxy statement containing important information about the proposed transaction will be mailed to the shareholders of HSBI. The shareholders of HSBI are urged to read this proxy statement, which will include the agreement, and other related documents (including any amendments or supplements), carefully when it becomes available.

Forward Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed acquisition of HSBI by VyStar, statements related to the expected timing of the completion of the acquisition, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "scheduled," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "expects," "believes," estimates," "potential," or "continue" or negatives of such terms or other comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements in this press release, or in any other written or oral communication that relates to the proposed acquisition or to matters that may affect such proposed acquisition are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of HSBI or VyStar to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, (1) disruption from the proposed acquisition with customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners, (2) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the agreement, (3) the failure to obtain the necessary approvals by the shareholders of HSBI, (4) the ability by the parties to obtain required governmental approvals of the acquisition (5) the failure of the closing conditions in the agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the acquisition, and (6) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions.

HSBI disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this communication (which statements speak only as of the date hereof), or in any other written or oral communication that relates to the proposed combination or to matters that may affect such proposed combination, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contacts:Kevin McAuliffe971-244-2555kevinm@theIRgroup.comandPat Check770-789-6051pat@latitude34pr.com

Source: Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc.
[March 31, 2021] K2 Insurance Services Acquires Loss Run Pro

SAN DIEGO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- K2 Insurance Services is pleased to announce that it has recently invested in Loss Run Pro, LLC. Headquartered in Missoula, MT, LRP is an Insurtech that was founded in early 2020 by Reghan Brandt. Since its founding, the company has gained nationwide recognition, attracting a broad range of retail brokers to its platform. K2 Insurance Services, LLC was formed in 2011 and led by CEO Robert Kimmel, in partnership with investment firm Lee Equity. K2 shared that it has assembled a core group of specialty managing general agents (MGAs) across the country, to establish a leading underwriting and distribution franchise in the program insurance market. To this end, K2 continues to look for quality acquisitions and growth opportunities throughout the United States. Regarding Loss Run Pro's effectiveness, K2's President, Mark Smith, stated, "After seeing demos of countless 'Insurtech' tools, Loss Run Pro is the best I have seen because it uses technology to solve meaningful issues of the insurance placement process and simplifies that process for all parties." K2's CEO, Robert Kimmel echoed this sentiment: "As CEO of K2, I am always looking for innovative technologies and solutions that can improve our customers' experience; LRP was a logical fit for the specialty market." LRP gained early success when it was accepted into BrokerTech Ventures' (BTV) 2020 Accelerator. BTV is a group that consists of thirteen of the most innovative insurance agencies, representing over $2 billion in collective agency distribution. "Despite the challenges 2020 posed, LRP was able to thrive nd work closely with many of the top 100 agencies to perfect and improve the LRP platform. Being part of BTV, and the early-stage investment from K2, will propel us to the next level," said Brandt.



Brenden Corr is the Senior Director of Business Development for LRP and will work closely with Brandt to expand and build relationships with carriers and brokers, both nationally and internationally. Voicing her approval of the new investment with K2, Brandt said, "Robert Kimmel and the entire management team of K2 is dynamic, innovative, and forward-thinking. They have believed in LRP from our first demo and add significant depth to our company. The rocket ship is just taking off."



About Loss Run Pro, LLC LRP is a simple and easy-to-use subscription software service. LRP simplifies the loss run process by automatically generating and delivering loss run requests. LRP also provides tracking and other useful tools to improve this process. LRP's innovative technology allows loss runs to be generated, signed, and delivered electronically, via a computer or mobile device. LRP stated that its goal is to eliminate the antiquated practice of processing loss runs manually. LRP has provided additional information about its staff and products at https://lossrunpro.com/. About K2 Insurance Services: K2 Insurance Services is an insurance services holding company that owns and controls a diverse set of specialty program administrators. Through its MGAs, K2 markets, underwrites, and services over $1 billion annually in niche commercial and personal insurance premiums. From workers' compensation for high hazard exposures - such as commercial transportation - to personal lines coverage for manufactured homes, K2 helps insure clients across a diverse array of risks and industries. K2 is headquartered in San Diego, California, and is a privately held company. Further information about the company can be found at www.k2ins.com. Media Contact:

Nathan Hunter

847-471-3849

306413@email4pr.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/k2-insurance-services-acquires-loss-run-pro-301259602.html SOURCE K2 Insurance Services, LLC

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The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, says the establishment of the Nigeria Police Radio, 99.1FM is to promote community policing and bring the police closer to the people.

Mr Adamu stated this at the inauguration of the radio station on Wednesday in Abuja

He said the radio station was a legacy project, conceived, nurtured and actualised by the Nigeria Police.

Mr Adamu said the project was part of strategies designed by his administration as the 20th I-G to combat crimes and stabilise security across the country.

As part of the implementation processes, we appreciated the need to bolster partnership and good working relationship between the police and the people in our various communities.

One of these strategies is the construction and setting up of this community-based radio station, the Nigeria Police 99.1FM Radio, targeted at bringing the police closer to the people, he said.

He commended the federal government for its unrelenting commitment to the security and safety of Nigerians and support for the Nigeria police in the enhancement of its operational capacity.

According to him, the Nigeria police 99.1FM Radio is a product of these laudable gestures and it is within the vision of our community policing initiative.

He said the focus was to ensure smooth information flow, aimed at strengthening the bond between the citizens and the police.

Mr Adamu said the radio station had since commenced test transmission in line with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) code and operational regulations.

The police boss said the station would serve as a veritable avenue for the Nigeria Police to engage, enlighten and inform the public on policing activities and other security-related matters.

According to him, the station will also air phone-in programmes to involve the citizens in the security of their localities especially on ways to spot and report crimes and other necessary steps to take in the event of a crime or security emergency.

Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, said the project was a legacy project set up at a time when fake news was a big issue globally.

He said the establishment of a radio station by the police implied that Nigerians have a station where credible, accurate and timely information about security and other issues could be aired.

It cannot be said that the police radio is airing fake news.

When people listen to all other radio stations, they will tune to police station to have a confirmation of the news they have heard elsewhere, he said. (NAN)
US President Joe Biden has outlined corporate tax plans that will end the key attraction of Irelands 12.5pc rate for multinationals by levying a 21pc rate in all foreign earnings of American multinationals.

The new US administration has announced a $2.3trn (2trn) pending programme to lift the US out of the Covid pandemic and to roll out massive physical and social infrastructure programmes. President Biden plans to pay for the project by hiking corporation tax including on US multinationals offshore earnings.

The spending plans cover everything from fixing 10,000 bridges to tearing lead pipes out of millions of homes in the United States and dramatically improving public transport. The tax plans aim to bring a bigger share of multinationals global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) tax into the US federal governments coffers.

The key thing is that US companies would pay 21pc on foreign earnings, according to Ibec chief economist Gerard Brady.

The fact that a 12.5pc rate applies here would not matter in reducing US firms overall tax bill, he said.

The 12.5pc tax rate might not be what we sell the country on in future, he said.

Access to skilled staff, which can reflect quality of life and quality of infrastructure, educational standards and openness to inward migration may become relatively more important considerations and tax less important in a decision to base jobs in Ireland or the Netherlands, for example, Brady said.

However, Peter Vale of Grant Thornton said that the medium-term effects of tax changes are hard to predict.

Ireland resisted global changed to tax rules on the issue of tax base erosion and profit shifting (Beps) but has turned out to be a winner from a development that moved intellectual property assets out of zero tax jurisdictions and into low tax locations where corporates have substantial activities.

Mr Vale said it was likely to be a number of years before President Bidens proposals make it through the US legislature and that the final detail would be important.

President Bidens plan includes reversing Donald Trumps 2017 corporate tax cut. The US corporate tax rate would go back from 21pc to 28pc. In addition, the US will collect a 21pc global minimum tax on corporate profits, calculated on a country-by-country basis to reduce any benefit of channeling money through tax havens.

An exemption from taxes for companies on the first 10pc of global earnings will be scrapped. The plan needs to get through the US Congress, but has enough support that at least some version of it is likely to be carried.

Ibecs Gerard Brady said it will not mean US multinationals no longer invest in Europe, but will potentially change the mix of features they look for when they choose an overseas base.

The US tax plan also includes eliminating all fossil fuel industry subsidies and loopholes.

The reforms could add 0.5pc to US GDP per year in corporate revenue, which the White House says will fully pay for its investments over 15 years, and after that help reduce the government deficit.

The size of the package will make the US government a bigger and more active player in the domestic economy.

News of the scale of what is planned lifted US stock markets, regardless of any prospect of higher taxes.

The plan includes $621bn for infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, highways and ports, including a historic $174bn investment in an electric vehicle charging network by 2030.

There is $400bn for affordable home or community-based care for older people and people with disabilities, $213bn to retrofit affordable and sustainable homes along with hundreds of billions to support US manufacturing, bolster the electric grid and for nationwide high-speed broadband.

Additional reporting: Reuters
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh had an online conversation with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on Tuesday to discuss issues related to climate change.

The two officials agreed that the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive partnership has been growing positively in all spheres, bringing practical benefits to their peoples and contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Asia-Pacific and the world.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in order to further deepen bilateral ties on the basis of respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, political regime, and mutual benefits.

Deputy PM Minh welcomed the commitments of U.S. President Joe Bidens administration and its move to promote global efforts to cope with climate change, including Washington's re-entry into the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

As one of the countries hardest hit by climate change, Vietnam, with strict policy and high political determination, has been supporting international commitments and working closely with other nations to deal with challenges related to climate change, including boosting ties with the U.S., he said.

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Kerry affirmed that his country will continue to treasure its comprehensive partnership with Vietnam, and will enhance cooperation to assist developing nations, including Vietnam, in coping with climate change.

Under President Donald Trumps administration, the U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change on November 4, 2020.

Adopted in 2015, the Paris Agreement sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below two degrees Celsius and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

It also aims to strengthen countries ability to deal with the impacts of climate change and support them in their efforts.

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Health officials describe COVID-19 breakthrough cases as people who have been fully vaccinated yet still contract the virus more than 14 days after their second shot, and those cases are popping up across the country, reports say. But, experts say thats to be expected, and not necessarily all bad news.

From Orlando, Florida, a report by WKMG News 6 states that the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County has six documented breakthrough cases, while Sumter County has six and Lake County has 26 cases, based on emails received from each countys spokesperson.

The CBS News affiliate, cites Dr. Timothy Hendrix of Advent Health who explained that although someone who is fully vaccinated can still contract the virus, the vaccine can prevent more severe cases, including hospitalization and death. It is still important to get vaccinated from COVID-19.

It is possible because no vaccine is perfect, Hendrix said, but stressed that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 95% effective.

The good news is for that very small amount of people that might become infected, that less than 5%, the chances of severe disease is next to zero, Hendrix said.

The approved vaccines are effective at preventing hospitalization and death.

Hendrix added, The one thing you should know is every vaccine thats been approved at this point, is highly effective at preventing the one major endpoint: hospitalization and death.

The news outlet noted that breakthrough cases are not specific to COVID-19 and according to experts, can happen with any vaccine.

WKMG News 6 cited Hanna Rewerts, 27, a physical therapist who has been tested for COVID-19 at least once a week since the pandemic started, and who just days ago got her first positive test, which was confirmed by multiple tests.

I was shocked, you know, Rewerts told News 6. Immediately Im like, This has to be a false-positive. This cant be right.

Rewerts was shocked because she is also fully vaccinated, and as a health care worker had taken her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in December 2020, according to her vaccine card, and a second dose three weeks later in January, the report said.

However, Rewerts contracted the virus more than two months after the second shot, and the report explained that she is among a growing number of people.

Rewerts said three of her fully-vaccinated family members also contracted COVID-19, and one of them was hospitalized. So for now, she and her family will continue social distancing and wearing masks.

Rewerts said, I dont think the public is aware that it doesnt mean youre not getting the virus, and it doesnt mean youre not getting sick. There is still a chance, the report cited.

Tests are being conducted by the Florida Department of Health to see whether she may have been infected by one of the COVID-19 variants being seen in Florida, Rewerts noted.

Confirmed breakthrough cases appear around the country.

The news outlet also noted that the Minnesota Department of Health, earlier this month, released a health advisory stating that along with the CDC, it is investigating COVID-19 infections among vaccine breakthrough cases, or people who are appropriately vaccinated.

In Washington state, a report by KATU 2 says 102 breakthrough cases have been confirmed since February, and of that group two people have died and eight have been hospitalized.

In the same time frame, however, the ABC News affiliate says more than a million people have gotten the vaccine.

According to the Washington State Health Department, vaccine breakthrough cases, are expected with any vaccine, the report said.

And Dr. Ken Stedman with Portland State University agrees: Its exactly what you expect. Nothing is 100% effective, the news outlet cited.

These numbers are promising, not troubling.

The report cited Stedman, who said: I was really excited to see that data. It seems like the number of breakthrough cases after people have been fully vaccinated is actually even way lower than the 5% that you would expect, he said. It seems like theyre working.

He added, With vaccinations, we should be talking about the people who are surviving and not getting the disease instead of the very few who have gotten the vaccine and for whatever reason have still gotten sick, said Stedman. This is if anything really good news and nothing to be scared about at all. Its yet another good reason to get a vaccine.

Can breakthrough cases spread COVID-19 to other people?

Whether or not people who are fully vaccinated and contract the virus can also spread it to other people, is something researchers are still trying to figure out, so they recommend still wearing masks even after youre vaccinated, WKMG News 6 explained.

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At least 3,000 female leaders in farmers' cooperatives in the districts of Nyamagabe, Burera, Kirehe and Nyamasheke have received smartphones to be able to easily access agriculture information and disseminate it to other farmers.

The smartphone distribution is under 'ConnectRwanda initiative' which was launched by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation in 2019.

The initiative seeks to provide smartphones to unconnected households countrywide in an effort to bridge the digital divide.

The female cooperative leaders were selected based on their role in sensitizing farmers to use best practices in farming.

The cooperative leaders play an important role in ensuring that best practices in agriculture are followed and boost productivity.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, on average, a farmer promoter has access to around 4,000 farmers.

The distribution of the smartphones started on Tuesday, March 30. It is part of the celebrations of the women's month.

Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation reiterated that agriculture being the backbone of Rwanda's economy, women are great contributors to the growth of this sector especially in rural areas and therefore need smartphones to easily access agriculture information and disseminate it to other farmers.

"In order to reach more development, women in agriculture should be placed at the centre of this transformation," she said, disclosing that women constitute more than 60 per cent of the Rwandan agricultural workforce.

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Jeannette Bayisenge, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion said that the smartphones will help women to improve the welfare of their families.

Gerardine Mukeshimana, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, noted that; "Now they...they will be able to access and share information easily. This will help them to improve their agricultural activities."

while addressing the beneficiaries; Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, the Minister of Local Government, said: "We thank the President of The Republic for always striving for inclusive development. The smartphones you have received are bringing you technology, Make sure you maximize their benefits towards sustainable development."

Mitwa Ng'ambi, the MTN Rwanda CEO said that in partnership with the Ministry of ICT the move aims to empower women farmers, their businesses and drive digital literacy among them.

"We continue to recognise the importance women play in our economy and we are confident that these efforts to drive smartphone and internet penetration will make a difference," she said.

Under the ConnectRwanda initiative, private companies, government institutions and individuals are joining hands to connect all Rwandans and drive the digital agenda.
A HOMELESS man arrested for shouting abuse at gardai claimed he was "insensitively" told to go home under Covid-19 regulations.

Gregory Conway (53) was in a dangerously drunken condition on a city street but only became aggressive when he was directed to return home, Dublin District Court heard.

Judge Bryan Smyth fined him 200.

Conway, of no fixed address, admitted public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

Gardai were called to Doyle's Corner in Phibsborough on April 16, 2020, the court heard.

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The accused was stumbling around the footpath, dangerously close to the road.

The father-of-two was a danger to himself and the public and was advised under Covid-19 regulations to return home, it was claimed.

The accused began shouting aggressively at the garda and was arrested.

Conway had had an "extremely difficult life", having suffered problems with addiction to alcohol and other substances, his lawyer said.

He said the accused had become homeless shortly after his wife died and the cost of rent increased.

Because he was homeless, his addiction was "played out in public", much to his own shame, the court heard.

He had not become abusive until the direction was made for him to return home.

"He is homeless and that is perhaps an insensitive comment to make," the accused's lawyer said.
RED BLUFF, Calif.  On Tuesday, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians celebrated the official opening of its expanded Rolling Hills Clinic in Red Bluff with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The hour-long ceremony featured remarks from the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians Tribal Chairman Andrew "Dru" Alejandre, Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians CEO Damon Safranek, Rolling Hills Clinic Executive Director Carole Veloso, and California Assemblyman James Gallagher.

"The expansion of our Red Bluff clinic marks a great milestone for our Tribe as providing quality and accessible healthcare for our community is deeply rooted in our Tribe's values. We are truly humbled to be in a position where we can support our community by providing additional affordable healthcare resources that are much needed, especially during the ongoing pandemic," Tribal Chairman Andrew Dru Alejandre said. We are proud of this new facility and are grateful for our medical and dental staff who look forward to welcoming current and new patients."

The new building, formerly known as the Dignity Health Medical Group, is located at 2526 Sister Mary Columba Dr. in Red Bluff.

The expanded clinic space will provide additional primary services for the local community, while allowing the tribe to expand specialty services in their former location including behavioral health, pediatric pain management, dermatology, and physical therapy. The newly expanded space is now open and accepting new patients.

In addition, the clinic expansion will bring in additional primary care providers and house longtime local Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) specialist Dr. Norman Nasise. Beloved by the Red Bluff community as the former OB/GYN medical provider at Dignity Health Medical Group.

The Tribe said it has also continued to receive support from public officials, including California Assemblyman James Gallagher who was in attendance during the ribbon cutting. Gallagher shared remarks during the ceremony.

The Rolling Hills Clinic also announced that Dr. Akua Agyeman M.D. officially joined their medical staff on March 15, 2021. Dr. Agyeman will serve as the new Medical Director for the Rolling Hills Clinics in Corning and Red Bluff and will report directly to Executive Director Carole Veloso.

Licensed in four countries with clinical specialties in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Agyeman brings more than 20 years of experience and has been a hospital medical officer and held private practices throughout Australia, Guam, New Zealand, and the U.S. She will provide these specialty services and oversee the medical staff at both the Corning and Red Bluff locations.

"Dr. Agyeman brings a wealth of experience to our medical practice through her ingenious medical background," said Carole Veloso, Executive Director at Rolling Hills Clinic. "We are proud to welcome her to our medical team and know she'll support in providing quality medical care to our local community."

Most recently, Dr. Agyeman provided primary care at her private medical practice Sanitas Integrative & Aesthetic Medicine and provided telehealth medical consultations through Bookadoc2u. Prior to that, she practiced as a Specialist Internal Medicine practitioner in her private practice, Agyeman Integrative Medical Health Institute in Burpengary, Australia.

Dr. Agyeman earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Seton Hall University in New Jersey, her MBA in Finance and Pharmaceutical Marketing from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and her MD/PhD in Pharmacology and Physiology from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. Her special interests are in Pediatrics, Mental Health, Obesity and Lifestyle Management and Chronic Pain. She has also undertaken advanced training in Functional Medicine, Dry Needling and Myofascial Release therapy, as well as Nutrition, and utilizes both Western medicine and holistic medical therapies to address medical and health needs.
A distraught mother has delivered a heartbreaking farewell to her beloved three-month-old daughter - as her own boyfriend faced a murder charge over the infant's death.

Sarah Nash's daughter Elyssia was found with what police described as 'catastrophic brain injuries' at her family home in Girrawheen, Perth, on March 12.

Two days later the baby died, with Ms Nash's boyfriend Zach Meier now charged with her murder.

'To my beautiful bubba girl, Ely... I love you always and forever,' Ms Nash told The West Australian.

Baby Elyssia 'Ely' Kaiden Dawn Ahrens (pictured) died after suffering horrific brain injuries

Baby Elyssia 'Ely' Ahrens was three months old when she died. Her mother's boyfriend Zach Meier has been charged with the baby's murder

Ms Nash said it was impossible to describe 'the heartbreak I am going through' and the loss of her always-smiling baby.

'[She had] a melt-your-heart smile. She was very curious, always looking around at everyone. And she was a little ginge like her mum,' Ms Nash said.

Meanwhile the final hours of baby Elyssia's life are being pieced together as Ms Nash tries to come to terms with the death of her beloved baby.

It was revealed that March 12 - the day Elyssia was rushed to hospital - was both Ms Nash and Meier's birthday. Both are 30 years old.

Elyssia's father Robert Ahrens (pictured together) posted a eulogy on his Facebook just days later mourning the loss of his young child

Ms Nash claimed her boyfriend ran to her neighbour - who is a nurse - to get CPR on the infant.

The young mum returned home to an empty house, then learned her baby was 'unresponsive' when treated by emergency workers, who took baby Elyssia in an ambulance.

'Zach is the only one who knows what happened. He was the only one there,' Ms Nash said.

Meier was initially charged with grievous bodily harm, which was upgraded to homicide, in the Perth Magistrates Court.

He appeared in Perth Magistrate's Court via video from Hakea Prison and was remanded in custody until April 28.

Police have charged mother Sarah Nash's boyfriend Zach Meier, 30, with the murder of Elyssia 'Ely' Ahrens

Earlier, the baby girl's father Robert Ahrens posted a eulogy on his Facebook mourning the loss of his daughter.

'My baby girl Elyssia (Ely) taken from us way too early at only three months old,' Mr Ahrens wrote four days after her passing.

Friends of Elyssia's grieving parents rallied around the family, with one creating a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral costs for the toddler.

'Please help in raising funds to help Sarah and Rob give their princess the farewell she rightly deserves. Tonight a beautiful precious angel gets her wings....fly high princess Elyssia, we will miss you so much,' fundraiser Kel Duffield wrote.

So far the page has raised $5440.
Yaounde, Cameroon  Cameroon Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute said chaos in the Central African Republic has stalled development efforts and peace initiatives in Cameroon. Ngute met Monday night with Faustin-Archange Touadera before Tuesday's second inauguration of the C.A.R. leader.

Ngute said Cameroon President Paul Biya, who sent him to Bangui for the inauguration, has hope that Touadera's leadership will bring back peace to the C.A.R. and, by extension, to Cameroon.

He said both Cameroon and the C.A.R. can never have peace or develop if there is a crisis in any of the two states. He said the two countries are neighbors that must accept one another's citizens in case there is a crisis.

Ngute said Cameroon and the C.A.R. both have a common economic interest in the road linking Cameroon's coastal city of Douala to Bangui, capital of the landlocked C.A.R. He said the road must be protected to stop any rupture in the supply of goods and services in the two countries.

Touadera officially began a second term in office on January 19 after the C.A.R.'s December 27 presidential polls. His victory was confirmed on January 18 by the C.A.R.'s Constitutional Court but was rejected by the opposition.

The C.A.R. accused former president Francoise Bozize of organizing a rebel alliance to overthrow Touadera, a charge Bozize denied.

Cameroon reported that after the election, hundreds of C.A.R. civilians fled across the border to escape election-related violence. Cameroon said it pushed back hundreds of C.A.R. rebels that crossed the border.

Ngute said election violence stopped at least 4,000 trucks from transporting humanitarian assistance and goods to the C.A.R. He said thousands of containers destined for the C.A.R. were blocked at the Doula seaport and would only be transported if peace returns to the C.A.R.

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Rosaline Ndembe is a political analyst at the University of Bangui. In spite of the tension, she is optimistic Touadera can bring back peace to the C.A.R. She spoke via a messaging app from Bangui.

Ndembi said Faustin-Archange Touadera's inauguration after years of fighting and chaos in the C.A.R. indicates there is some level of acceptance of his leadership. She said C.A.R. history has been marked by military coups since David Dackos became the first C.A.R. president in 1960. She said Touadera is the only C.A.R. leader that has been inaugurated for a second consecutive time after a democratic election.

Touadera secured his position by gathering more than 53% of the vote in the December 27 election that was marred by violence.

Jean Marie Noel Ndina Noah, conflict resolution lecturer at the university of Yaounde, said Touadera will succeed because he has the support of the U.N. and the African Union. He said the C.A.R. leader should continue dialogue for peace to return.

Noah said Touadera should call for a national conference as part of ongoing negotiations to solve the power crisis in his country. He said if Touadera opts for the use of force, which is also a legitimate way of protecting civilians, he may still have a very long way to go to bring back the needed peace in the C.A.R. He said what civilians want now is an urgent return to peace.

In the last seven years of fighting, close to a million Central Africans have fled to neighboring Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. Last week Cameroon said some of the displaced persons were returning to the C.A.R. with the hope of finding peace.
Three men went on trial in Paris on Monday over the bombing of a French military camp in Ivory Coast in 2004, which killed nine soldiers and sparked furious reprisals by the French, causing a deep rift in Franco-Ivorian relations.

But none of the suspects were present in court and their whereabouts are unknown.

Two Ivorian fighter jets were involved in the November 6, 2004 attack on French peacekeeping forces in Bouake, which was at the time in rebel-held territory.

Flying low, one of the planes fired rockets into the camp, killing nine soldiers and an American aid worker. Forty others were injured.

The attack came during an aerial offensive by then Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo to try reclaim the country's north, which had been in rebel hands since 2002.

France reacted furiously, wiping out Ivory Coast's entire fleet of military aircraft, dealing a severe blow to Gbagbo's bid to end the rebellion.

Relations between France and its former colony, which had already been fraught, quickly deteriorated.

Violent anti-France protests broke out across the nationalist south.

France, fearing for the safety of its nationals in Ivory Coast, airlifted thousands of expatriates to safety.

- 'We want the truth' -

On Monday, one of two Belarussian mercenaries accused of carrying out the raid on the Bouake camp, Yury Sushkin, went on trial for murder, along with two Ivorian co-pilots, Ange Magloire Gnanduillet Attualy and Patrice Ouei.

All three were among crew members caught on camera after landing at an airport near the capital Yamoussoukro following the bombing raid.

If convicted they face a maximum term of life imprisonment, but as their whereabouts are unknown it is unlikely they will serve jail time in France.

Relatives of the victims are mainly hoping that the trial will provide clues about who ordered the attack on French forces and why.

Officials close to Gbagbo, who was toppled by French-backed rebel forces in 2011, claimed that the pilot mistook the French camp for rebel positions.

But some suspect it was a deliberate hit, aimed at clearing a path for Gbagbo's forces to storm rebel-held territory, or even that France itself masterminded the attack on its forces to have a pretext to try chase Gbagbo from power.

Among the many questions hanging over the affair is why France rejected an offer to have Sushkin handed over when he was arrested in Togo, which borders Ivory Coast, a few days after the airstrike.

"We want to learn the truth," the children of one of the victims of the attack, Philippe Capdeville, told AFP, adding: "The silence of French authorities on this affair is dramatic."
The Gulf Stream is important to us as it sends warm water from the tropics to our shores to keep our climate mild in winter

We are warned by earth scientists that the Gulf Stream is slowing down. That great river in the North Atlantic Ocean that sends warm water from the tropics to our shores to keep our climate mild in winter is losing force. It is slowing and it is carrying less water.

The decrease is likely due to global warming that in turn is being caused by excessive greenhouse gas emissions due to governments worldwide pursuing unsustainable economic models.

The current is called the Gulf Stream because it originates in the Gulf of Mexico, but it is no stream. It is a mighty river about 100km wide, nearly as wide as a road journey from Dublin to Athlone is long. The river of warm water is some 800 metres deep and flows at a mean rate of 6.4km per hour. And it is not a stand-alone current but is part of the great North Atlantic Gyre.

The gyre is a huge set of currents continuously circulating around the North Atlantic Ocean driven by the rotation of our planet, wind, and changing densities.

Warm water is lighter than cold water so warm water flowing north from the tropics floats. However, it sinks when it gets cold in Arctic regions. When it sinks, the heavy, cold water flows south along the ocean floor in a huge convection current moving like a great conveyor belt.

The North Atlantic Gyre is divided into four components based on the four main points of the compass. The Gulf Stream is the western component. The North Atlantic Drift is the northern component, a continuation of the Gulf Stream, and the current that is important to Ireland as it brings warm water to our shores keeping our climate mild in winter.

It follows that any slowing of the Gulf Stream is likely to have knock-on impacts on the North Atlantic Drift, the North Atlantic Gyre, the other associated gyres that make up the overall circulation system in all of the world's oceans, and the global climate systems that these currents drive.

It appears reasonable to assume that it will take a long time for the Gulf Stream to recover. The bottom line is that there is a need for all of us to inject a bit of urgency into our present rather complacent approach towards taking action to address the climate emergency formally declared by some 38 countries to date and being championed here at home by the Climate Bill that featured in the news last week.
By Kim Jong-nam





Not all efforts bring positive results. Efforts to transform corporate culture are no exception. In my work helping organizations with cultural change projects, I frequently see certain ineffective approaches that do not contribute to the end goal of an improved corporate culture.



1) First and foremost, changes to corporate culture should not be seen as merely an administrative process. This phenomenon tends to happen when CEOs or other top executives simply "feel like" changing the culture. This leads to employees focusing on following the orders of the executive team as opposed to taking into serious account why a cultural change is needed and for whom. A clear definition is necessary for success. The goal should be the improvement of the company and not just the completion of obligatory and surface-level administrative work.



2) Another common problem is the misunderstanding that the more communication there is about changing corporate culture, the better it will be for the new culture to take hold. Many organizations tend to think that if they talk a lot about corporate culture and changing that culture, and if they emphasize these points to the people that they think are the causes of their cultural issues, it will help the cultural change take place. However, companies frequently fall into the trap of believing that this is enough, which will leave the real cause(s) untouched, often leading to further cultural deterioration. Communication only works when it is really needed, and is not a panacea.



3) Furthermore, organizations must understand that not all of the problems that occur in their organization are due to culture. Confusing strategy and culture, or being unable to distinguish climate from culture, can cause unwanted consequences. If these types of mistakes are made, it will be difficult to obtain the desired outcome. I've seen many organizations in which HR managers were busy trying to change corporate culture when the real issue was that their strategic direction was unclear or their corporate policies were not organized. The blind belief that every issue can be resolved through cultural change is unrealistic. Cultural change works only when cultural problems exist.



4) Some organizations fail because they believe that the process of changing corporate culture can be done through a one-size-fits-all approach. Many HR managers think all they need to do in order to change an organization's culture is simply to follow the classic checklist: identify the core values that their organization needs to have and then transmit the core values to the whole organization until they are internalized. They expect that this will change the culture to the one they want. However, this type of general process will not address the specific cultural problems that they wish to resolve. Thus, what they need to be clear about first is whether they want to address specific cultural problems or to create a well-organized whole corporate culture. The classic approach that is visible in many organizations is not effective in dealing with specific cultural issues. This is similar to how a person can either improve their overall health or target/cure a specific disease.



5) Changes to corporate culture should focus on pursuing balance instead of imbalance. Many cultural change efforts are conducted to resolve organizational issues, but if these efforts are pursued in an unbalanced way, they can bring adverse effects. For example, many organizations want to address complaints that their employees spread on social media or satisfy the needs of Millennials and/or Gen Z employees. It is laudable that companies want to address employee dissatisfaction. However, over-concentrating on one aspect of the cultural landscape tends to leave other aspects neglected, and thus does not always make the overall culture stronger. Cultural change should be conducted with the purpose of reinforcing the overall health of an organization, not merely temporary problem-solving.



It may sound too difficult to change a company's corporate culture. However, what is really difficult is finding the correct direction of an organization's culture or its cultural change, because finding this means knowing the current state of an organization, having a vision for its future and understanding how to get from one to the other.



Wanting to resolve problems, expanding cultural communication or clarifying what culture an organization wants to have  all of these are different. Thus, understanding what your organization truly wants to do with its corporate culture is the first and most urgent step.





Kim Jong-nam is the founding CEO of META (www.imeta.co.kr) and a global organizational development consultant who works both virtually and in person.


Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has called on the Berejiklian government to pause the approval of new coal mines in NSW, saying the industry is already in decline and some of the gigantic rehabilitation cost will end up with the states taxpayers.

Mr Turnbull, who this week was announced as the inaugural chairman of the NSW Net-Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board to advise the NSW government on climate policy, said the Hunter Valley in particular needs a public inquiry and a plan for a future beyond coal.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says the NSW government should halt approvals of new coal mines in the state. Credit:Nic Walker

I think [approvals for new mines are] out of control, Mr Turnbull told the Herald and The Age, emphasising he was speaking in a private capacity as a landholder in the Upper Hunter region. Its like a lunar landscape ... There is massive devastation thats going [on].

Mr Turnbull was also speaking after a report by the Australia Institute, released on Wednesday, found proposals for new projects in the Upper Hunter alone amounted to 98 million tonnes of extra coal production a year, or 10 times the size of current approval of the Carmichael mine in Queensland.
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An appeal by former Congolese militia leader Bosco Ntaganda was dismissed by the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, upholding a conviction for war crimes and a 30-year sentence handed down in 2019.

ICC Judge Howard Morrison read the verdict at The Hague-based court, saying the appeals chamber confirmed the decision to convict and the judgement on sentencing.

Rwandan-born Ntaganda was found guilty of 18 charges of war crimes carried out in the early 2000s and was dubbed by some as "The Terminator", in reference to his relentless killing.

His war crimes included murder, sexual slavery, rape and using child soldiers. The sentence was one of the longest in the world court's history.

Earlier in March, the ICC set reparations to Ntaganda's victims at US$30 million for some 100,000 victims.

The #ICC Appeals Chamber confirms, by majority, the decision of Trial Chamber VI of 8 July 2019 which found Bosco #Ntaganda guilty of 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed in #Ituri, #DemocraticRepublicoftheCongo, in 2002-2003. pic.twitter.com/S057UrV0Rx - - Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 30, 2021

Ntaganda was judged by the ICC to have been one of the key leaders of the Union of Congolese Patriots rebel group and its military wing, Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo.

Hundreds of civilians were killed by Ntaganda's rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between 2002 and 2003, as rival militias clashed over the region's mineral wealth.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the area since 1999.

The former army general later founded the M23 rebel group that also operated in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ntaganda insisted he was a soldier not a criminal during the trial and said the "The Terminator" nickname did not apply to him.
A jealous boyfriend allegedly decapitated his beauty queen girlfriend in Russia after fearing her pageant success would cause her to flirt with other men.

The mutilated corpse of Olga Shlyamina, 33, was found in a snow-covered forest in Novodvinsk, northwest Russia, on Thursday.

The mother-of-two had not been seen since she left home five days earlier and her family reported her missing.

A Russian beauty queen has allegedly been decapitated by her jealous boyfriend after he feared her pageant success would cause her to flirt with other men

The mutilated corpse of Olga Shlyamina (pictured in blue), 33, was found in a snow-covered forest in Novodvinsk, northwest Russia, on Thursday

Olga (pictured) had recently won a local beauty pageant which reportedly infuriated her lover

Her partner, named only as Vyacheslav, 40, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Olga had recently won a local beauty pageant which reportedly infuriated Vyacheslav over fears she would use the title to woo other men.

The couple's relationship was described as turbulent with frequent arguments, and Olga's relatives said she recently appeared troubled.

The pair met after Olga's two previous failed marriages and were initially loved-up until Vyacheslav became violent, local reports say.

The mother-of-two had not been seen since she left home five days earlier and her family reported her missing

The couple's relationship was described as turbulent with frequent arguments, and Olga's relatives said she recently appeared troubled

She recently wrote in a social media post: 'Morning in a loving family is always good.'

But the final straw came when Olga competed in the local pageant, after which Vyacheslav accused her of flirting with a work colleague.

Before her death, she was looking for a way out of the relationship, friends said.

Her partner allegedly took her for a walk through a forest where he attacked her, beheaded her and hid her body in snow.

They met after Olga's two failed marriages and were initially loved-up until Vyacheslav became violent, local reports say

Her partner allegedly invited her for a walk to a forested area where he attacked her, beheaded her and then hid her body in snow

An investigation was immediately opened after her body was found and Vyacheslav was arrested.

He has partially admitted his guilt, saying he hit her and the blow may have killed her, according to local reports.

The investigation continues.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 17:53:09|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Sub-Saharan African economies are projected to grow by between 2.3 and 3.4 percent in 2021 depending on the policy measures adopted by countries in the region and the international community, the World Bank said in a report released on Wednesday.

According to Africa's Pulse report, the growth forecast is due to the positive impact of a carry-over from the rebound in the second half of 2020 and a more supportive external environment which is offset by the impact on activity of the persistence of social distancing restrictions and the limited scope for additional fiscal support.

The World Bank's biannual economic analysis for the region, dubbed "COVID-19 and the future of work in Africa: emerging trends in digital technology adoption", notes that economic activity in Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to have contracted by 2.0 percent in 2020 which is the lower end of the forecast range in April last year and less than in some emerging markets and developing economies.

The findings show that Sub-Saharan Africa's recovery is expected to be multi-speed, with significant variation across countries.

"Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola, the region's three largest economies, are expected to return to growth in 2021, partly owing to higher commodity prices, but the recovery will remain sluggish," says the analysis.

The reports show that non-resource-intensive countries, such as Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya, and mining-dependent economies, such as Botswana and Guinea, are expected to see robust growth in 2021, driven by a rebound in private consumption and investment as confidence strengthens and exports increase.

The report notes that African countries can speed up their recovery by ramping up their existing efforts to support the economy and people in the near term, especially women, youth and other vulnerable groups. Enditem
The microinverter specialist discusses its profitable growth, key milestones, and an ongoing focus on the Latin American market.Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the solar industry and the global economy overall, 2020 was a banner year for APsystems, which continues to advance its leadership in multi-module microinverter solutions. The international company celebrated its 10th anniversary, surpassed 1 GW in microinverter shipments, marked a one-day delivery milestone, and further strengthened its relationships with partner companies, particularly in the emerging Latin American (LATAM) ...

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Fourteen-year-old David Almond is remembered as a capable, caring and courageous teenager, someone who was constantly smiling and trying to make others laugh.

Described as a strong reader who was building confidence in his developing abilities, Almond loved academics and was described as the mayor of his former school. A highlight for him and his triplet brothers was when they participated in a school play together.

He loved his brothers, and they loved him. All were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at an early age. Almond served as a source of comfort and protection for his siblings, according to the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA), which was tasked with investigating Almonds untimely death in October and issuing a report on its findings.

The bond between the triplet brothers was extraordinary, said the report, which was released to the public Wednesday. The triplets had their own language to communicate, one individual describing it as their love language. "

Tragically, Almonds life ended on Oct. 21, 2020. Police were sent to 107 Green St. in Fall River for a report of an unresponsive person and found the boy bruised, emaciated and living in abhorrent conditions, authorities said. He was rushed to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

His brother Michael Almond had also suffered serious bodily and emotional harm and was a victim of neglect, prosecutors noted. He and David Almonds younger paternal half-sibling, Aiden, a pseudonym to protect the childs identity and privacy, was emotionally injured as well, according to OCA, an independent state agency.

The other triplet, Noah, was not in the care or custody of the family at the time of Davids death.

John Almond, the boys father, and Jaclyn Marie Coleman, his girlfriend, have since been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury.

Following David Almonds death, OCA said it initiated a full-scale investigation based on the egregious circumstances surrounding the boys death, the harm done to his brothers, concerns about DCFs management of the familys case and the complications the coronavirus pandemic may have had on the state providing services to this family, according to the agencys 107-page report.

What the report found was a multi-system failure complicated by the COVID-19 public health crisis. The safeguards that were in place, especially at DCF, were inadequate, the report bluntly stated.

We feared when this pandemic began that families would experience economic, social and other stressors, and that vulnerable children would suffer from lack of interaction with trusted adults, and that is tragically what happened in this case, said Maria Mossaides, director of the Office of the Child Advocate. We need to strengthen our systems so that the missteps that occurred in this case are never repeated. While there is nothing we can do to bring David back, we do have the opportunity to honor his memory by making permanent changes that will protect other children.

In early 2020, David and Michael Almond - as well as their triplet brother, Noah, another pseudonym - were living at a group home in Massachusetts when DCF initiated the process to return them to their father and his girlfriend, who lived in the same one-bedroom apartment in Fall River the triplets were removed from in October 2017, according to OCA.

According to OCA, Noah Almond chose to remain in congregate care and DCF custody, refusing to return to the care of his father.

The boys were removed from the home four years ago after DCF started investigating the family for substance use and abuse and neglect of the children. The triplets were previously under the supervision of the New York Office of Children and Families (OCFS) from 2013 to 2016 until the state returned them to John Almonds custody in 2016. He then brought the boy to live with him, his girlfriend and his mother in the Fall River apartment, officials described.

The decision to reunify the children with their father last year was a serious error compounded by the pandemic, OCA said. The choice wasnt clinically justified and failed to address the childrens special needs and safety, according to the agency.

The father and his girlfriend minimally engaged in the services required for reunification, and, according to OCA, area staff at DCF didnt evaluate whether John Almond or Colemans behavior and skills had improved to be able to parent children with autism.

The juvenile court and attorneys representing the caretakers and children didnt question DCFs decision to return the children either, nor did they insist that a careful reunification plan be developed and approved by the court before the boys were sent back to the Fall River home, OCA asserted.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation by preventing in-person services and visits, OCA also detailed. Mr. Almond and Ms. Coleman continuously circumvented contact with DCF area office staff, the Fall River Public Schools, and other human service providers. DCF area office did not adequately assess the effect that the pandemic had on this family, especially in light of the familys history of abuse and neglect.

According to OCA, DCF didnt identify the family as being high-risk for future abuse or neglect, which would have required in-person home visits during the public health crisis. As a result, David and Michael Almond were never seen in person and instead were visited only virtually between March 2020 and the boys death in October.

OCA pointed out DCFs high-risk criteria issued during the pandemic to identify families that needed in-person visitation did not specify a childs disability as a risk-factor.

DCF area office staff missed many warning signs that David and Michael were in distress, OCA reported. For example, Mr. Almond and Ms. Coleman prevented the boys from attending any in-person or remote school, did not allow service providers to see or speak with David or Michael, and often prevented the boys from answering questions when they were seen virtually once a month by social workers.

During one DCF virtual home visit, a visible wound on Davids face was seen by social workers and dismissed by Ms. Coleman as self-harm, the Service providers raised concerns about the lack of engagement and what appeared to be the boys regression in function.

Fall River Public Schools are also accused of failing to provide David and Michael Almond with a free and appropriate public education between March and October 2020, according to OCA.

The agency called David Almonds death and the serious injury Michael Almond suffered a devastating example of the fact that disabled children are at least three times more likely to be abused or neglected than their peers without disabilities.

It is critical that child welfare professionals understand the vulnerabilities of individuals with disabilities and the manner in which children and families are impacted by disabilities, the agency said, recommending the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) administration hire regional disability specialists, who would be available to all staff for consultation and could provide mandatory training to those responsible for managing cases involving children with disabilities.

The agency also recommended the DCF administration collaborate with the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to identify and develop opportunities to increase DCFs workforce capacity in various areas.

As a result of its investigation, OCA highlighted the need for changes, some of which will require legislative action and others that will require policy and procedure changes at the departmental level, according to the agency.

Among the offices recommendations is the proposal that DCF redesign its reunification process to include more rigorous safety assessments and evaluations of parental capacity. During emergencies similar to the ongoing pandemic, there should be a protocol that more accurately identifies which children need be physically, rather than virtually, visited on a routine basis, OCA stated.

DCF should conduct a comprehensive review of its practices in serving individuals with legally-identified disabilities, according to OCA. The office also recommended the department improve its quality assurance infrastructure to provide additional levels of qualitative monitoring.

In the eyes of OCA, the juvenile court needs to play a more active role in analyzing the merits of proposed reunification cases as well, including the requirement that DCF link the familys action plan to the clinical needs of the family.

OCA expects that the appropriate corrective actions that the public agencies will undertake in the wake of Davids passing will improve services for all children in the commonwealth, the agency said. In the coming months, OCA will work with the public agencies involved in this case, Governor Charlie Baker and the state legislative leadership to expeditiously implement the recommendations listed in this report.

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Photo: hilltimes.com/

By Michael Taube

Troy Media

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government are dealing with two major controversies involving our military. Both situations went from bad to worse in 24 hours.

So did the possible fate of a minister of the Crown.

The first controversy involves Gen. Jonathan Vance. He served as chief of the defence staff for the Canadian Forces from July 2015 to January 2021.

Vance faces allegations of inappropriate behaviour with two female subordinates. According to Global News, one allegation pertained to an ongoing relationship, while the other was with a young female soldier in 2012.

Then-prime minister Stephen Harper appointed Vance to replace Gen. Thomas Lawson a few months before losing the 2015 election to Trudeau.

Harpers former chief of staff Ray Novak told a parliamentary committee on March 22 that the Conservatives looked into a rumour of an inappropriate relationship involving Vance and a female subordinate in 2001.

The matter was set aside after then-national security adviser Richard Fadden said no code of service discipline violations were identified.

Novak also told the committee that Harper met with Vance in March 2015. The now-retired general was asked by the Harper if there was anything else he should know.

Nothing was revealed.

Clearly, when, six years later, we have these very serious allegations brought forward by Maj. (Kellie) Brennan, if they are true  and as I said earlier I have no reason to doubt her, Novak stated, that means the general was not truthful when he met with the prime minister.

The timeline with Vance and the current Liberal government is a different matter.

Former military ombudsman Gary Walbournes testimony to the committee on March 3 revealed he brought information about one allegation to Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan in 2018.

I did tell the minister what the allegation was, said Walbourne. I reached into my pocket to show him the evidence I was holding. He pushed back from the table and said, No. The minister didnt want to see the evidence.

It got worse on March 26. Janine Sherman, a deputy secretary to the cabinet, contradicted Sajjans earlier statement to the committee that he wasnt involved in a pay raise for Vance that occurred after the allegation had come to light.

(Im not involved in any of the performance pay, Sajjan said on March 12. It has nothing to do with cabinet.)

Heres what Sherman told the committee: The minister is consulted in the annual performance management program in respect of [governor in council] appointees within his portfolio. Those annual reviews are the basis for salary adjustments.

The day following that testimony, another military controversy became public knowledge.

Admiral Art McDonald, Vances successor as chief of defence staff, stepped down on Feb. 24 due to an allegation of sexual misconduct.

Global News tweeted on March 27: the sexual misconduct investigation into CDS Admiral Art McDonald is looking into an allegation of sexual assault.

This was an astonishing shift in the narrative of this ongoing investigation.

Global News Ottawa bureau chief Mercedes Stephenson interviewed Lt. Heather Macdonald on The West Block.

The 16-year veteran of the Canadian Navy was frustrated that someone leaked the original story to CBC and tried to steal the due process that I deserved and that Admiral McDonald deserves as well.

Macdonald didnt discuss the case, for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, she confirmed Stephensons question that there are two systems at play in the military when it comes to sexual misconduct allegations involving junior and senior members.

She also told a parliamentary committee, It is a very well-known management rule that without the personal engagement of the senior leadership, there will be no change in culture.

This controversy is also under Sajjans watch. We dont know whether the minister was aware of this allegation, which has become far more serious. However, he certainly would have been involved in McDonalds vetting process in some fashion.

With these two major developments in two explosive military investigations, and the dark clouds of controversy refusing to relent, how can Trudeau continue to allow Sajjan to remain in cabinet?

Sajjan should either temporarily step aside or resign as defence minister until both investigations are complete. If no direct or indirect connection is established, he could return to this position immediately.

Ministers in previous federal governments, Liberal or Conservative, would have taken this honourable step. Sajjan, a former lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Army, should follow their lead and do the right thing.

Michael Taube, a Troy Media syndicated columnist and Washington Times contributor, was a speechwriter for former prime minister Stephen Harper. He holds a masters degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics.
A Catholic bishop has joined a growing list of Christians who've come out in support of the Equality Act, a sweeping legislative initiative recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bishop John Stowe of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, long criticized by conservative Catholics for his stance on LGBT issues, sent a letter to the top senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which was obtained by the Jesuit publication America magazine.

Addressing his letter to Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Stowe proclaimed that, As a Catholic bishop, I hate to see any form of hateful discrimination protected by law and it is consistent with our teaching to ensure that LGBTQ people have the protection they need.

In the letter, Stowe asserted, LGBTQ people reflect the image and likeness of God, just as anyone else, and so it is our duty to love and defend them. He also expressed gratitude for the many LGBTQ Catholics who serve and lead their communities with distinction, adding, Their perseverance, their grace, and devotion to the common good has made Catholic communities holier and has edified our nation.

Source:The Christian Post
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2021) - Eco Depot Inc. (OTC Pink: ECDP), a Nevada company, updating shareholders and market stakeholders of recent activities and their impact on the company. This Q1 2021 market update is communicated in the spirit of transparency and gratitude to Eco Depot, Inc. stakeholders.

The Company is pleased to announce in the first quarter of 2021, Bronya Canada Group facilitated and received US $1 Million in financing to launch its Bronya Climate Shield products in North America.

The Company's wholly owned subsidiary Bronya Canada Group, Inc. is currently adapting its product to be more consumer friendly in the North America market. This includes minor changes in the product to allow easy flow, similar to paint, while keeping the thermal barrier of the product intact, which has been submitted for laboratory testing with certified laboratories in North America. The company is confident in the anticipated improvements to its product and their impact in market appreciation.

Bronya Canada Group is in the process of finalizing standardized qualifications through laboratory testing at ASTM, CSA, Underwriters Laboratory and Military Standard "MIL-SPEC" to meet testing used to achieve standardization objectives by the U.S. Department of Defense with NTS Laboratory. These results will be published promptly, upon availability.

To distribute more efficiently, Bronya Canada Group has leased properties in Montreal and Toronto, with additional micromanufacturing and distribution facilities planned in the USA for its product launch in North America.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions regarding social distancing, Bronya Canada Group has delayed its retail big box store launch in the first quarter of 2021, until restrictions are lifted on a regional basis. However, due to product demand, the Company will open online stores with Amazon and Shopify, and with third-party fulfillment centers in North America and Europe, in Q2 of 2021, to service its retail clients.

The company has also proceeded to commence additional testing for its consumer-friendly version in accordance with the European Commission, Joint Research Center, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, to establish Tradable Certificates for Energy Savings, known as (White Certificates). Market-based Instruments (MBI's) aim to bring sustainability to the energy sector from renewable energy sources and cut harmful emissions, widely known as tradable CO2 allowances. These results will be published shortly, as well.

The UN , governments, International Energy Agency are calling for corporate support to meet clean energy 2030 SDG initiatives. Bronya Climate Shield instantly delivers up to 40% efficiency in energy consumption and flow, industrially, commercially, and domestically, minimizing global carbon production by reducing energy consumption, via simple, affordable application. Bronya Climate Shield incentivizes corporate support in 2030 SDG initiatives by lowering overall production costs, improving working conditions for workers, improving equipment functionality and safety. Empowering organizations to meet global and national energy consumption goals requires recognized benefit to their health and success.

About Bronya Climate Shield products:

Bronya Classic: Bronya Classic is our baseline thermal formulation, designed for a wide range of applications. It has strong adhesion to wood, concrete, metals, and other construction materials. Our primary objective when developing Bronya Classic was to create a temperature-resistant, weather-protective, and rust-inhibiting coating that is durable enough to withstand extreme conditions. Bronya Classic is extremely insulating and, when applied sufficiently, can reduce energy costs inside of most structures by up to 40%.

Bronya Facade: Bronya Facade is our toughest formulation. It is uniquely developed for the thermal insulation of vertical surfaces. A single 1mm coat applied on the interior and exterior of a wall forms a single, joint-less surface, which helps maintain and insulate the interior climate. Bronya Facade reflects up to 80% of the visible solar and infra-red radiation spectrum. It significantly reduces indoor heat in the summertime, resulting in lower air conditioning expenditures. In cold climates, it can reduce heating costs by up to 40%. It is like the classic, but more effective for exterior use.

Ensures thermal insulation of both interior and exterior walls.

Does not increase the structural load.

Significantly reduces energy consumption.

Reduces material expenses and labor costs.

Uses significantly less space than standard insulation.

It can be applied to brick, concrete, wood, vinyl, and metal walls.

Bronya Aquablock: Bronya Aquablock is uniquely formulated to prevent water damage. It can be applied to roofing, foundations, bathroom floors, electrical cables, and more. The surface of Bronya AquaBlock has no seams, which prevents any water from escaping or leaking. Due to its high adhesion, it is not affected by sunlight, humidity, or temperature changes. It is easy to apply by brush, roller, or spray gun. After curing, Bronya AquaBlock turns into a strong and durable coating that is not degraded by atmospheric or other environmental conditions. It is durable, extremely elastic, and maintains its characteristics in the most extreme conditions.

The fireproof version is available.

Elasticity reaches 220%.

Bronya Fire Retardant: Bronya Fire Retardant can be found in various ratings of R45, R60, R90, R120. It is used to improve the fire safety of enclosing structures. Bronya Fire Retardant:  Thin application to paper, wood, metal, and plastic will result in a very effective fire protective coating.  Surface maintains the same physical and mechanical characteristics as was prior to application.

Liquid Coated Thermal Insulation Material (LCTIM) does not impair its thermo-physical properties and allows the product to maintain its fire-retardant rating.

Unlike its rivals, Bronya Fire Retardant can be colored. This has no impact on its efficacy.

More cost-effective than the competition.

Easy application for reduced labor costs.

A single coat (without additional life-prolonging layers) is designed to maintain protection inside buildings up to 30 years.

ABOUT ECO DEPOT

Eco Depot, Inc. acquires, manages, and develops eco-friendly real estate assets and consumer brand products. Their focus is to provide investments, funding, and support for acquisitions, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and green companies dedicated to protecting the environment. Eco Depot is a development stage distributor of eco-friendly consumer brand products and is publicly traded Over the Counter at OTCMKTS: ECDP.

ABOUT BRONYA CANADA GROUP

Bronya Coatings Group, Inc. ("the Company") is based in Montreal and intends to commercialize a Multi-Purpose liquid thermal insulation paint Bronya Climate Shield product line in North America. The Company's mission is to establish third-party production facilities globally to reduce the costs associated with the business' supply chain. The Company also has established relationships with major home improvement stores on a worldwide basis.

ABOUT BRONYA CLIMATE SHIELD

Bronya Climate Shield increases energy efficiency, energy savings, and reduces carbon emissions through energy conservation. Product website: www.bronyaclimateshield.com

CONTACT:

Eco-Depot Inc

2300 West Sahara Avenue

Suite 800

Las Vegas, NV 89102

Website: ecdp.co

Tel: 1 (800) 323-7006

Info@ecdp.co

WEBSITE: www.ecdp.co

info@ecdp.co

PRODUCT INQUIRIES:

+1-(844)-427-6692

info@bronyaclimateshield.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "potential" and similar expressions. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it.

Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of any change, addition, or alteration to the information catered in this Press Release, including such forward-looking statements.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the new team members' expertise and how the Company will benefit from their ability to assist the Company to implement its business plan. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: risks associated with the implementation of the Company's business plan and matters relating thereto, risks associated with the industry, competition, regulatory change, the need for additional financing, reliance on key personnel, the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors, and the volatility of the Company's common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates, and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates, and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the Company's proposed business, such as failure of the business strategy and government regulation; risks related to the Company's operations, such as additional financing requirements and access to capital, reliance on key and qualified personnel, insurance, competition, intellectual property and reliable supply chains; risks related to the Company and its business generally. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed a certain progression, which may not be realized. It has also assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79020
Federation Council backs prison terms for insults to veterans

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

15:41 31/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 31 (RAPSI)  The upper house of Russian parliament, the Federation Council, approved an initiative on criminal liability of up to imprisonment for humiliation of honor and dignity of veterans of the Great Patriotic War on Wednesday.

The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, passed it on March 17.

The liability introduced by the amendments has already been in force as to the rehabilitation of Nazism and involves imprisonment for up to five years and sets a fine of up to 5 million rubles ($68,000 at the current exchange rate). There is a general rule that the minimum threshold of liability makes two months in detention and, accordingly, 5,000 rubles ($68), according to an author of the amendments, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Irina Yarovaya.

The changes in the legislation are to be introduced for the purpose to prevent illegal actions aimed at denying the fact that the value of the heroic deeds of the veterans for all citizens of Russia and the world is not diminished by the passage of time.

Moreover, the bill envisages criminal punishment of up to 5 years in prison for justification of Nazism with the use of the Internet. Companies distributing such information will also face administrative fines ranging from 3 to 5 million rubles.

Among the authors of the amendments are also Chair of the State Duma's Committee on Defense Vladimir Shamanov, Chair of the Committee on Informational Policy Alexander Khinshtein and his First Deputy Sergey Boyarsky; lawmakers from all other political parties represented in the lower house of Russias parliament joined those deputies from the United Russia party. Among them are the First Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Ivan Melnikov (Communist Party), member of the State Duma Committee on Security and Corruption Control Andrey Lugovoy (LDPR), and First Deputy Head of the State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation Mikhail Yemelyanov (Just Russia).
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) listens during a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing in Washington on Sept. 23, 2020. (Stefani Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

Republicans Request Documents From Mayorkas on DHS Warnings to Biden Transition Team

Two House Republicans on March 30 requested documents from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in regards to warnings given to the Biden transition team about reversing Trump-era immigration policies.

As the Biden border crisis continues to worsen by the day, President Biden and his Administration refuse to accept responsibility for the growing humanitarian and security crisis, Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) wrote in a letter to Mayorkas.

This refusal to accept responsibility is startling in light of a news report that suggests the Biden Administration was warned that reversing President Trumps successful immigration policies would lead to a surge at the border. We write to request documentation relating to these warnings.

The Republicans were referring to an NPR report claiming that career DHS officials had warned the transition team of then-candidate Joe Biden last fall that revoking then-President Donald Trumps immigration policies would lead to a surge at the border. The Epoch Times had first reported about the career officials warnings on March 17.

Jordan and McClintock asked Mayorkas to hand over documents related to the communications between the DHS and the Biden transition team.

DHS officials reportedly had multiple briefings with Biden transition officials, warning them that undoing President Trumps policies would lead to an increase in illegal immigration, the letter states. Instead of heeding these warnings, President Biden signed several executive orders dismantling the Trump Administrations immigration programs and policies. The reversal of President Trumps successful immigration policies have created a tremendous incentive for illegal aliens to surge to the southern border.

Border Patrol has apprehended more than 150,000 illegal border crossers during the month of March50,000 more than Februaryaccording to former Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Mark Morgan.

A further 30,000 evaded capture, according to Morgan, who has received the provisional CBP numbers from internal sources.

The March total edges out the highest month in 2019, during the most recent border crisis. In May 2019, Border Patrol apprehended 144,000 people between ports of entry.

The border is wide open  its not secure. Drugs are pouring in and criminal aliens are pouring in right now, Morgan said during a press conference on the bank of the Rio Grande on March 30.

DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Charlotte Cuthbertson contributed to this report.
Among those arrested was also the organisation's leader, nicknamed "the minister".

A major police operation took place on Tuesday 23 March in Luxembourg. The police conducted several searches throughout the country, notably in Ettelbruck, Esch-sur-Alzette, and Remich.

On Wednesday, the police relayed a press release from Europol that revealed more about the operation. At the request of France, the German and Luxembourg authorities have struck a coordinated blow against a drug trafficking network. The Specialised Interregional Prosecutor's Office (JIRS) in Lille, France asked German and Luxembourg law enforcement authorities to arrest four members of a criminal group suspected of laundering the proceeds of drug trafficking. The criminal group consisted of its leader, nicknamed "the minister", as well as intermediaries and lorry drivers who facilitated the trafficking of drugs and money through various European countries.

The investigation began in France in 2017 after customs officers found 225,990 inside a lorry belonging to a company registered in Luxembourg. A cocaine seizure in France in 2019, and the subsequent exchange of information, pointed authorities to possible links between the two seizures.

The police operation on 23 March 2021 resulted in:

Fourteen searches carried out in Germany and Luxembourg.

Four members of the criminal group, including its leader, arrested on the basis of European arrest warrants issued by France.

Seizure of four assets worth several million euros and of high-value vehicles.

Several bank accounts frozen with a total value of 187,000

26,000 in cash seized

Fifty mobile phones and other devices seized for further examination.

Europol supported the operation by facilitating the exchange of information, providing intelligence and analytical reports and organising several operational meetings for investigators. Two Europol EFECC experts, equipped with a mobile office, participated in the operation that took place in Luxembourg.

On the Luxembourg side, the Grand-Ducal police and the Customs and Excise Agency were involved, under the supervision of the investigating judge of the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Luxembourg and the Public Prosecutor's Office (PPO).
Lady Colin Campbell today claimed that Princess Anne is the royal Meghan and Harry accused of racism in their bombshell interview with Oprah - but insisted the Queen's daughter was completely misunderstood by the Sussexes.

The Jamaican-born British socialite, 71, claims that the Princess Royal has concerns about the suitability of Meghan and whether she would have 'respect' for the Royal Family - but this had nothing to do with her being mixed-race.

The Sussexes have claimed a relative of Harry's said there were concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born and how 'dark' he would be. Lady C claims it was Princess Anne.

But the couple refused to name the alleged culprit in an interview watched by more than 50million people worldwide, saying it would be too damaging to the person they were accusing of racism.

She said: 'Harry decided that on the slimmest of hints about culture - that it referred to colour.

She [Anne] had concerns about the disastrous effects of allowing somebody of that ilk, character wise, into the family, would not only cause trouble for all of them but also for any child born of the union'.

Lady C added: 'Harry ran to Meghan with the objections, Meghan weaponised them on the grounds of colour. We are looking at people who are very eager to spot a slight where doubtless none exist'.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the claims today. MailOnline has also approached the Sussexes for comment.

Lady Colin Campbell today claimed that Princess Anne is the royal Meghan and Harry accused of racism in their bombshell interview with Oprah

Lady Colin has told her own podcast, 'Chatting with Lady C', that the Sussexes were pointing the finger at Princess Anne, unfairly, because she was concerned about Meghan's suitability to join the family

They also suggested that they tried to deprive Archie of a title and security because he was of mixed race.

Archbishop of Canterbury destroys Harry and Meghan's wedding story: He says legal wedding WAS on the Saturday The Archbishop of Canterbury has rejected the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's claim that he married them at a secret ceremony before their Windsor Castle wedding. Breaking his silence on what the couple told Oprah Winfrey three weeks ago, Justin Welby said he signed Harry and Meghan's wedding certificate on the day millions watched them marry. The legal wedding was on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at St George's Chapel, he said. In her interview, Meghan raised eyebrows when she told Miss Winfrey that she and Harry were married 'just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury'. But the 65-year-old told an Italian newspaper yesterday: 'The legal wedding was on the Saturday.' He was asked 'what happened with Meghan and Harry? Did you really marry them three days before the official wedding?' But then he added: 'I had a number of private and pastoral meetings with the duke and duchess before the wedding. 'The legal wedding was on the Saturday. I signed the wedding certificate, which is a legal document, and I would have committed a serious criminal offence if I signed it knowing it was false. 'So you can make what you like about it. But the legal wedding was on the Saturday. But I won't say what happened at any other meetings.' Advertisement

But Lady Colin has told her own podcast, 'Chatting with Lady C', that they were pointing the finger at Princess Anne, unfairly, and it was a misunderstanding in a discussion about the cultural differences between Brits and American.

Citing a royal insider, she said: 'There were no concerns about Meghans colour. Princess Anne was rightly concerned that if the marriage proceeded and there were children there would be huge problems, not because of Meghans colour, but because of Meghans inability and determination to remain unable to appreciate the cultural differences'.

She added that Anne was concerned that Meghan may not 'actually have respect for the institution in to which she was marrying, and the family in which she was marrying'.

'Meghan and Harry have used that genuine concern of a loving aunt, knowing that because she is down to earth, experienced, modest, intelligent and sensible, and that you cannot make a sow's ear into a silk purse.

'Nobody is the guilty party in terms of racism. But Princess Anne was the champion in terms of 'don't marry that girl, she is unsuitable. She is wrong for the country, wrong for the job. Well, it's turned out to be true.

'I think it's important that it is out there before it is weaponised by some anti-establishment, anti-monarchist organisation, who will spin things destructively to further their agenda.

'I think there is a time to get in the first blow. I've met Princess Anne a few times, but we're not friends'.

Previously the Queen responded to the Sussexes interview with a deeply personal message saying that while some recollections vary, the issues raised, particularly that of race, were concerning and would be taken seriously.

Significantly, however, she emphasised that from now on their difficulties should be addressed by the family privately.

The couple made several explosive claims of racism within the Royal Family during the interview.

Oprah Winfrey asked whether there were concerns her child would be too brown and that would be a problem. Meghan replied: If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.

Harry complained none of his relatives spoke out in support of Meghan after stories he claimed had colonial undertones were published.

How Harry and Meghan faced 'misinformation' claims of their own after Oprah interview - and CBS was blasted over doctoring headlines Harry and Meghan were repeatedly accused of spreading misinformation during their Oprah interview. Some of their claims were found about the Royal Family were found to be untrue, others have been contested. The Duke of Sussexhas joined a panel he claims will fight an 'avalanche of misinformation' online in the US. Here are some of the couple's claims to Oprah that have been dismissed over the past fortnight. Harry and Meghan were actually secretly wed three days before the Windsor ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury MailOnline has obtained the document which blows holes in the Sussexes' claims they were wed in a private hearing at Kensington Palace Meghan told Oprah: 'You know, three days before our wedding, we got married. No one knows that... We called the Archbishop and we just said, 'Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world but we want our union between us.' Fact check: False Reality: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding certificate proves they did not get married three days before their Windsor Castle ceremony. Church of England marriages require at least two witnesses and the public must also have unrestricted access to the building during any marriage ceremony to allow for valid objections against the marriage. A couple who are already lawfully married cannot choose to re-marry each other, unless there is some doubt as to the validity of the earlier marriage. The Archbishop of Canterbury has since confirmed that this was the case. Archie has a birthright to be a prince Meghan told Oprah the 'idea of the first member of colour in this family, not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be... It's not their right to take it away' Fact check: False Reality: Archie did not have a birthright to be a prince, but could potentially become one when Charles accedes to the throne. Archie wouldn't get 24/7 security because he wasn't a prince Meghan told Oprah: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we (had) the conversation of he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title.' Fact check: False Reality: Being a prince or princess does not automatically mean royals have police protection. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's security is no longer paid for by the taxpayer. Harry was financially cut off from the royals Harry told Oprah: 'My family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us' Fact check: They wanted to be financially independent Reality: When Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back from being senior royals, they said they wanted to be 'financially independent'. Before cutting ties, 95 per cent of their money came from Prince Charles's income from the Duchy of Cornwall, and 5 per cent from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant. William and Harry received most of a 13million fortune left by their mother Princess Diana. Harry is also thought to have had millions left to him by the Queen mother. .... And Oprah's team was accused of doctoring headlines to smear the UK press as racist ITV was last night forced to edit part of Oprah Winfrey's explosive interview with the Sussexes after it was revealed that it included misleading and distorted headlines which portrayed British press coverage of the couple as racist. Pictured: Analysis of the headlines Headlines that were flashed on the screen during the controversial interview with the US chat show host were cynically manipulated to back up the couple's assertion that they were the victims of bigoted coverage Lawyers for Associated Newspapers, owner of the Daily Mail and MailOnline, have written to Viacom CBS calling for a seriously inaccurate and misleading montage of British newspapers to be removed from the Oprah interview programme. The company has criticised the CBS show for deliberate distortion and doctoring of newspaper headlines to support its claims about racist UK press coverage. ITV later edited their version of the show when it was broadcast in the UK due to the misleading headlines. Advertisement

No-one from my family ever said anything over those three years. That hurts, he said.

The Duke added of the Press: Unfortunately, if the source of information is inherently corrupt or racist or biased then that filters out to the rest of society.

In an extra clip that did not make the final two-hour cut, Oprah asks Harry if they left the UK because of racism to which he replied: It was a large part of it.

In more additional footage, Meghan said her treatment in the Press had been worse than Kates, saying: If a member of his family would comfortably say weve all had to deal with things that are rude, rude and racist are not the same.

Royal warfare erupted after Harry and Meghan revealed deeply private and confidential conversations with the royal family to a US journalist friend after they appeared on Oprah, despite claiming it would be their 'final word' on their rift with the royals.

The couple told breakfast show host Gayle King the prince had finally spoken to his father and brother - and she went on a major TV network to disclose that the talks were not productive.

Miss King also suggested that Meghan was unhappy that no-one in the Royal Family had picked up the phone to her yet following their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

And in a thinly-veiled threat, the broadcaster said Meghan had made clear she has documents to back up everything she said on Oprahs interview.

The fact that the couple chose to discuss such sensitive discussions between senior members of the royal family with a TV journalist, who broadcast them blow-by-blow within hours, met with an icy response from Buckingham Palace.

Prince William has insisted that the Royal Family were not racists after Meghan claimed one of them had raised concerns about how dark her babys skin would be, and suggested that they tried to deprive Archie of a title and security because he was of mixed race.

She also claimed she had been given so little support by the palace that she suffered suicidal thoughts.

For his part, Harry said he felt really let down by his father, accused him of cutting him off financially and refusing to take his calls, while revealing there was a gulf between himself and William.

In recent days there have been a handful of stories published in the UK reporting that Charles and William felt hurt by what Harry had said, but with very little detail on what was taking place behind the scenes.

That was turned on its head when Miss King, who attended Meghans lavish baby shower in New York in 2019 and is Miss Winfreys closest friend, decided to speak out on her prime time morning show on CBS, the same channel that broadcast the Sussexes interview.

Harry was accused of embarrassing hypocrisy this week for speaking to CBS, which caused outrage in 2004 by showing a photograph of his mother dying in a 1997 car crash in Paris.

Miss King told viewers she had called Harry and Meghan at their 10 million California home over the weekend to discuss the fall-out from the interview and revealed that they had told her details of their intimate conversations.

She said: Well Im not trying to break news, but I did actually call them to see how they were feeling, and its true, Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father too.

The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive. But they are glad that they have at least started a conversation.

Miss King also claimed that the couple were unhappy that the palace had apparently been leaking what they believed were untrue stories to the media, adding: And I think what is still upsetting to them is the palace keep saying they want to work it out privately, but yet, they believe these false stories are coming out that are very disparaging against Meghan, still.

She made clear that the Duchess was unhappy that no-one in the family had called her, despite her making a string of highly inflammatory allegations against several of them in her interview and revealing details of what had been a private conversation between her husband and a family member in which it was alleged an offensive comment had been made.

No one in the Royal Family has talked to Meghan yet, at this particular time, she said.

The Sussexes effectively accused the Royal Family and Buckingham Palace of institutional racism in their interview with Miss Winfrey.

But Miss King claimed they felt frustrated that much of the coverage had focused on this - when they had apparently only wanted to provoke the monarchy into taking action against the media, which they believe has a racist agenda against Meghan.

I think its frustrating for them to see that its a racial conversation about the Royal Family when all they wanted all along was for the royals to intervene and tell the Press to stop with the unfair, inaccurate, false stories that definitely have a racial slant, Miss King said.

And until you can acknowledge that, I think its going to be hard to move forward. But they both want to move forward with this and they both want healing in this family. At the end of the day, that is Harrys family.

The broadcaster also raised the investigation launched earlier this month by Buckingham Palace into how claims of bullying against Meghan lodged by a senior member of palace staff were handled.

Her former communications secretary, Jason Knauf, complained in 2018 that she had driven out two PAs with her behaviour and was targeting other female members of staff, but nothing was apparently ever done in response to his allegations.

Miss King says: The bullying thing was raised in 2018 and now theres an ongoing investigation about bullying from Meghan Markle, when anyone who has worked with her will tell you exactly who she is. You know, shes really a very sweet, caring person.

She added: And as I say, Meghan has documents to back up everything that she said on Oprahs interview. Everything.

In a further discussion about the ongoing family strife and how to resolve it, Miss King seemed to suggest that Harry and Meghan were not satisfied by Buckingham Palaces response to their bombshell interview and the claims in it.

She said: The family has to acknowledge that there are issues. And right now, no-one has acknowledged, Houston, we have a problem here. Thats really all they want. They want a conversation. They both want a conversation.

There was no immediate reaction from the Sussexess team of PR people - either in London or California - about whether Miss King was speaking at their request.

But as one of their closest friends and media allies in the US, it is unthinkable, say insiders, that they would not have at least been aware that she may choose to brief it.

Royals aides appeared to be genuinely horrified that either the duke or duchess would personally choose to tell anyone, let alone a television journalist, about intimate and highly confidential conversations that Harry was having with his closest family.

They fail to see how it will go any way towards repairing their damaged relationships or rebuilding the familys shattered trust - on either side.

One said: The only positive we can take out of this is that at least they are talking. It would be better from now on, however, if that could be done in private space.
The Spanish Air Force Department, deployed in Romania since the beginning of February, at Base 57 Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Force, has completed its mission as strengthened Air Police, the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) shows.

MApN recalls that the Spanish detachment, consisting of 130 troops (pilots and technical personnel) with two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, has carried out Enhanced Air Policing missions under NATO command for two months, along with Romanian Air Force personnel, who have been operating with F-16 Fighting Falcon and MiG-21 LanceR aircraft.

The Spanish Air Force will hand over the relay to the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom, which are being deployed in our country.

Joint Air Policing Missions contribute to the development of the capacity for networking and deterrence, as well as to strengthening the interoperability between the Romanian Air Force and the other states involved, demonstrating involvement and determination in the context of the challenges generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
(CNN)  The top commanders of Brazil's Armed Forces are stepping down  marking the first time in Brazil's history that a president will replace all three military chiefs at once.

Tuesday's announcement continues a period of tumult in the highest ranks of Brazilian leadership, coming just one day after President Jair Bolsonaro replaced six government ministers in a sudden reshuffle that appeared designed to secure greater loyalty, as the country's Covid-19 crisis balloons.

Now Generals Edson Pujul of the Army, Ilques Barbosa of the Navy, and Antonio Carlo Bermudez of the Air Force are out of their posts as well, Brazil's Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday.

"The decision was communicated in a meeting in the presence of the (newly) appointed Defense Minister, Braga Netto, former Defense Minister Fernando Azevedo, and the Commanders of the Armed Forces," reads the official notice.

General Fernando Azevedo had been removed from his post as Brazil's Defense Minister the day before, when he issued a statement saying he had "preserved the Armed Forces as a State institution."

The three military leaders' successors will be selected by Bolsonaro from a list of names sent to him by each branch of the Armed Forces. Tradition calls for Bolsonaro to appoint the oldest generals.

The President hinted in recent weeks that he might decree a state of emergency against lockdown measures enforced by state governors, referring to the armed forces as "my army." According to the Brazilian press, the generals were being pressured to make public pronouncements in support of the president's plans.

A massive new surge of cases is piling pressure on the President. Brazil on Tuesday reported yet another record-breaking number of of Covid-19 deaths: 3,780 dead in the past 24 hours.

A total of 317,646 people are confirmed to have died due to the virus in Brazil since the pandemic began, and more than 12.6 million people in the country have been diagnosed with Covid-19.

This story was first published on CNN.com Bolsonaro will replace top military commanders after cabinet reshuffle
Chennai, March 31 : Two- and three-wheeler maker TVS Motor Company Ltd on Wednesday said its two-wheeler exports clocked 1,00,000 units in March 2021.

"It is a momentous occasion for TVS Motor as our international two-wheeler business achieved a sales milestone of 100,000 units in March," Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company was quoted a saying in a statement.

TVS Motor also said the UK based Norton Motorcycles is currently finalising the construction of its new factory and is expected to open by the mid of second quarter of 2021.

The Indian company through one of its overseas subsidiaries had acquired the British sporting motorcycle Norton Motorcycles for 16 million pounds (approx $20 mn) and some assets of Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd in April 2020.

"Norton is currently finalising the construction of its new factory in Solihull and is expected to open by the mid of Q2, 2021 and will mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the English marquee," TVS Motor said.

Norton Motorcycles, in January 2021, announced that the company would move into the most advanced manufacturing facility.
HOUSTON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Houston Law Center is launching an innovative online bilingual alternative dispute resolution competition to test law students' skills in negotiation in both English and Spanish. Beginning in April, the competition will pit teams from the Law Center against teams from Mexico's Universidad La Salle and Universidad Anahuac.

"This competition is a first for the Law Center and very relevant today. Business and legal transactions are often international in nature, whether they are cross-cultural or transnational," said Karen L. Jones, executive director of Global and Graduate Programs. "The competition will bring in many practical aspects that are very real and current in today's legal and business practices. Now, with the pandemic, the entire competition will be online, which is a reality of the current and global work environment. It will be an enriching experience for the students."

Alternative dispute resolution is a way to resolve disputes without litigation, Jones explained. ADR tends to be faster, less costly and highly effective.

The competition was developed by Jones, Jim Lawrence, executive director of the Blakely Advocacy Institute and interim director of the A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center, and Alfonso Lopez de la Osa Escribano, director of the Center for U.S. and Mexican Law. It was initially scheduled for April of last year, but postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Programming innovation is one of the key aspects of the Blakely Advocacy Institute," said Lawrence. "This competition seeks to reach students who might not otherwise participate in interscholastic competitions and at the same time, further the BAI's goal of sending more skilled law students into the ever-changing practice of law."

With its proximity to Mexico, cross-border business interests and large Hispanic population, Houston, and Law Center students in particular, will benefit greatly from the international legal interaction and skills training. The Law Center already has strong relationships with many universities, companies and law firms in Mexico and beyond.

"This competition is an amazing exercise to train bilingual English-Spanish future lawyers in a global environment where cross-border legal services are on the rise," said Lopez de la Osa. "The Law Center is proud to be a pioneer with Mexican universities in putting in place academic ways to professionally bring closer Mexico and the United States in the legal field. To understand respective legal cultures is key to grant the success of any transaction, in long-lasting terms."

An opening reception will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on April 8. The preliminary rounds of the competition are from 4-6 p.m. on April 8-9. The final round will be from 4-6 p.m. on April 16, and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

Click here for more information on the Bilingual Dispute Resolution Competition.

UHLC media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, [email protected]; Elena Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, [email protected]; and John Brannen, Media Relations Rep, 713-743-3055, [email protected].

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, and Intellectual Property Law, programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. Our part-time program is ranked No. 11. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 47,000 students.

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center

Related Links

http://www.law.uh.edu


The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved production linked incentive scheme for food processing industry with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore to strengthen domestic companies.

The scheme aims to strengthen select Indian brand of food products for global visibility and wider acceptance in international markets, ensure remunerative prices of farm produce and higher income to farmers, and increase employment opportunities. Its duration will be for six years from 2021-22 to 2026-27.

The scheme will help in increasing income in the country, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said while briefing the media and called it a 'fitting tribute' to farmers of the country because of whom India's agricultural production is set to rise by 3-3.5 per cent in 2020-21 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also read: PLI scheme effect! This local manufacturer plans to invest Rs 500 crore in 3 years

The PLI scheme will incentivise manufacturing of four major food product segments -- ready to cook/eat foods, processed fruits and vegetables, marine products and mozzarella cheese. Besides, innovative and organic products of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)including free range-eggs, poultry meat, egg products will also be covered, the government said in a release.

The selected applicants will have to undertake investment, as quoted in their application, in plant and machinery in the first two years of 2021-22 and 2022-23. "The conditions of stipulated minimum sales and mandated investment will not be applicable for entities selected for making innovative/organic products."

The scheme also envisages providing grant to applicant entities for in-store branding, shelf space renting and marketing with an intention to promote Indian brands abroad.

The implementation of the scheme is expected to facilitate expansion of processing capacity to generate processed food output of Rs 33,494 crore and create employment for nearly 2.5 lakh persons by 2026-27.

A national level portal would be set-up for applicant enterprises to apply for the scheme, while selection of applicants for coverage under the scheme, sanction and release of funds as incentives would be undertaken by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

Also read: Phone makers approach Centre to push timeline of PLI scheme by a year
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Isatoic acid anhydride also known as o-amino-benzoic acid, 2-aminobenzoic acid, N-carboxylic acid anhydride, and anthranilic acid, is the organic compound with the linear formula C6H4(NH2)CO2H. In appearance, Isatoic acid anhydride is a white solid when pure, although commercial samples may appear yellow. By the structure, isatoic acid anhydride contains a benzene ring with two adjacent functional groups, a carboxylic acid and an amine. Industrially, Isatoic acid anhydride is used as an intermediate for production of dyes chemicals and in medical product. Isatoic acid anhydride and its esters are used in preparing perfumes to imitate jasmine and orange, pharmaceuticals, and UV-absorber as well as corrosion inhibitors for metals and mold inhibitors in soy sauce. In addition, isatoic acid anhydride can be used in organic synthesis to generate the benzyne intermediate. It is sometimes considered as vitamin L1.





Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific is the largest market of isatoic acid anhydride due to huge consumption in dye & pigments, and agrochemicals-market-1267'>agrochemical-market-749'>agrochemical industry, in China region followed by India, Thailand, and Japan. Increasing demand for agrochemical industry in China, India, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea has made Asia Pacific largest consumer of the global Isatoic acid anhydride market followed by increasing in the consumption of Isatoic acid anhydride market in Europe region. In Europe region, Isatoic acid anhydride market is drive by perfume, pharmaceutical, and food & beverages industry. In addition, the third largest market of Isatoic acid anhydride is North America region due to large consumption in agricultural, pharmaceutical, and others industry. Moreover, Latin America and Middle East also observed in growth of Isatoic acid anhydride market due to various application such as pharmaceutical, dye & pigments, perfume, agrochemicals, and others.

Segmentation

The global isatoic acid anhydride market is majorly segmented on the basis of application, end use and region. Based on application of isatoic acid anhydride the market is segmented into dye & pigments, pesticides, herbicides, saccharin, flavors, and others. On the other hand, Based on end use industry of isatoic acid anhydride the market is segmented into pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, perfume, food & beverages, and others. Furthermore, based on region global isatoic acid anhydride market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Key Players

Key players of the global Isatoic acid anhydride market are BASF SE (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (US), Alfa Aesar (India), Crystal Quinone Pvt. Ltd. (India), Taj Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (India), Wujiang New Sunlion Chemical Co., Ltd. (China), HIMALAYA CHEMICALS (India), ISHITA INDUSTRIES (India), KESHAR EMULSION PVT LTD (India), TCI (Shanghai) Development Co., Ltd (China), and others.





Geographic Analysis

The report covers brief analysis of geographical region such as North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW.

The report about Global Isatoic acid anhydride Market by Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with detail analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts and key opinion leaders to gain a deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives a clear picture of the current market scenario which includes past and estimated future market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report further provides detail information about strategies used by top key players in the industry. It also gives a broad study about different market segments and regions.

ACCESS REPORT DETAILS @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/isatoic-acid-anhydride-market-3325

Study Objectives of Isatoic acid anhydride Market:

To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 7 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Isatoic acid anhydride Market

To understand the supply and demand dynamics including supply and consumption concentration mapping

To provide region level market analysis and future outlook for North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries

To provide competitor positioning of the market

To provide company profiling of major players in the market along with their production and capacity

To provide regional trade analysis

To evaluate historical market trends, patents and technologies, and current government regulatory requirements that are relevant to the market

Intended Audience

Isatoic acid anhydride manufacturers

Traders and distributors of Isatoic acid anhydride

Production Process industries

Potential investors

Raw material suppliers

Nationalized laboratory
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Wait, are you Chinese? I dont want to get COVID.

First of all, I am Vietnamese, and second, not all Asians look alike. And third, what? Those were the thoughts going through my head while working at the San Carlos Respiratory Clinic in April 2020. Initially shivering from the cold weather underneath my scrubs and PPE, I could now feel my body hot with anger as I listened to a patients concerns, not about my skill or knowledge, but about my ethnicity.

Im not racist. I just dont want to get sick, he said as if this absolved him from his prior comments. I said nothing more than, You may want to tilt your head back for this, as I completed his nasal swab. Can a person say whether or not they are racist? Or do their actions speak louder than their words? I drove home that day in silence.

Growing up, my dad reminded me constantly to keep my head down and to not draw attention to myself. I grew up being quiet and shy (I even won an award in kindergarten for best manners because I would never speak up in class). Digging into his psyche, I see this has come from years of living under communist oppression followed by years of keeping his head down by cleaning cafe tables for $1.25 an hour in Rochester, Minnesota. Occasionally, my dad would recount moments of racism he faced as a young Vietnamese immigrant in college; it never seemed to faze him, but now I wonder if he needed to hide it deep down inside or else it would cause him a lot of pain, sadness, and anger.

A few weeks ago, I was taking care of a Korean-American health care worker. During her exam, she started on a tirade about the China flu and how dirty jungle Asians are to blame for the pandemic. Wait, youre Vietnamese, right? I have to be careful who I say these things to, she said jokingly. I awkwardly laughed and regrettably said nothing.

When Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many more innocent Black individuals were murdered, I proudly participated in Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests and knelt for 8:46 alongside my clinic colleagues to protest police brutality against people of color. It was a small thing I could do to help advocate and speak up for our Black community. At the same time, I read stories about Asian-Americans being verbally and even physically assaulted, but I hesitated to speak up or share any of these stories. Is it appropriate to share this right now? Will I decrease the importance of BLM if I bring something up about Asians? What if I say something wrong? How do I speak up against Anti-Asian violence without downplaying anothers cause? I couldnt answer these questions, so I chose to remain silent on the matter.

He said my people were responsible for all of this and that I will go to hell for it, said the phone interpreter. We were doing a phone appointment with my elderly Chinese patient now experiencing panic attacks. Earlier that month, she was verbally assaulted on her routine morning walk. Her normal 2-mile walk around her neighborhood, a walk she had done countless times, was a walk now tainted with fear. She repeated her assaulters hateful speech, how it now haunts her daily and causes her to have palpitations, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping. I could hear the interpreters voice crack from sadness as she translated my patients story from Mandarin to English. It took every bit of strength in me not to let my own tears break my voice as I stayed quiet listening to the patients story.

In the last few months, more and more articles about Asian hate crimes started to appear. When I read the stories, my heart stopped as I looked at the victims photos; they looked like my grandparents, like my parents, like me. Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old Thai man living in San Francisco who was violently shoved to his death during his morning walk; Pak Ho, a 75-year-old Oakland Asian man, who was assaulted and then robbed during his morning walk (he died later from his injuries); Tiffany, a young San Jose health care worker who was physically attacked in broad daylight by a man yelling ethnic slurs as she was getting onto the Caltrain heading to work. These are only a few of the many anti-Asian crimes that have occurred in the last year. Stop AAPI Hate says it has received nearly 3,800 reports of what it describes as hate incidents, including verbal harassment and physical assault, since the COVID-19 pandemic began last March. Nearly 44% of all incidents reported to Stop AAPI Hate have come from California.

This past month, a white young male went to three different massage/spa parlors and killed eight people; six were Asian women. I was outraged. This must be condemned. And yet Captain Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriffs office said, He [Long] was pretty much fed up and had been kind of at the end of his rope. Yesterday was a really bad day for him, and this is what he did. A really bad day for him? What kind of a day was it for Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Yan, Daoyou Feng, and the other four innocent people who died? What kind of a day was it for their loved ones?

This morning after the shooting, I expected to walk into my clinic, and people would want to talk about what happened in Atlanta, about how hate has no place in our world, about how we can be allies to our Asian-American community. I expected people to be outraged like me. And you know what I heard? Nothing. Silence can be so loud.

By being silent, Ive realized no one else will speak up for me; I am doing more harm than good by being silent about this. But no more, Im done. Im done being quiet. Im done keeping my head down. Im done being the model minority. I will not stay silent when my people are being bullied, harassed, and assaulted; I will not stay quiet when I hear people spew hateful rhetoric against others. I have a voice that should be used to speak loudly for the millions of Asian Americans who cannot speak for themselves, who remain invisible, who are attacked maliciously for just existing.

I think we are quiet because we are afraid; Afraid to say the wrong thing, afraid to offend, afraid to hurt others. We are afraid that if we speak up, it must mean we care about one community more than another community that is hurting. How did this thinking come to be? Why do we have to choose? Why cant we fight and speak up for ourselves and for others?

Spoiler alert: We can, we will, and we must.

Jennifer Tran is a family physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Mayfield Man Arrested on Meth, Marijuana Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

The Mayfield Police Department said officers received a tip that 43-year-old Antonio Love was at a home on Brookside Drive. According to police, Love had an active warrant out of Graves County.



Officers found Love inside the home, and placed him under arrest on the warrant. During a search of Love, police reportedly found a white crystal-like substance, which field tested positive for methamphetamine. During a search of the home, officers allegedly found a handgun and some marijuana.



Love was lodged in the Graves County Jail, charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. He was also arrested on the warrant for theft by unlawful taking under $500.

MAYFIELD - A man wanted on a theft charge was arrested in Mayfield Tuesday on drug charges.
The justice statue at the Supreme Court of Canada, with the Parliament Buildings in the background, in Ottawa on March 25, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Supreme Courts Carbon Tax Decision Echoes History, Says Prof

The Supreme Court of Canadas recent carbon tax ruling harks back to 1973 when then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau reinforced the use of the SCC to strengthen Ottawas grip, says Ted Morton, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Calgary.

In the 2020 book he co-edited, Moment of Truth: How to Think About Albertas Future, Morton argues that Trudeau appointed Bora Laskin as chief justice in 1973 because he was a well-known advocate of broader federal powers.

In future years, Laskin struck down provincial statutes in Saskatchewan and Alberta dealing with potash and oil development.

The Alberta and Saskatchewan premiers feared the courts would act with even greater power to override provincial jurisdiction when Trudeau proposed a new constitution. As a result, they rallied other premiers to insist on a notwithstanding clause that would overrule onerous judicial decisions against provincial jurisdiction.

Morton, a former Alberta cabinet minister, told The Epoch Times he has advised the Alberta government that the clause only applies to Charter rulings and therefore cannot be successfully used against the recent SCC decision, which ruled that the carbon tax is constitutional.

How you balance this depends on where you sit. And its not driven by law. It confirms in a very explicit way Id say, the regional, the centralist bias of the Supreme Court, he said.

The chief justice said that climate change is an existential threat  so hes going to rule in favour of carbon tax. But if youre sitting in Edmonton, you know how the office towers are empty, how nobodys downtown. The same with Calgary, youll see that whats happened in the last six years is an existential threat to the future of Western Canada, certainly Alberta.

Barry Cooper, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, says that the ruling shows the SCCs pro-Ottawa, anti-Western bias and that he believes the oil-producing West has been put in a difficult position.

This is one more step pushing the Western provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta anyway, into a corner where they are given less and less ability to defend the interests of their citizens, he said in an interview.

And its going to get worse, not better. I mean, thats the imprudence of the Supreme Court of Canada doing this. I just thought, what the hell has got into their heads?

In his dissenting opinion, Justice Russell Brown warned the 6-3 decision has far-reaching consequences.

This is a model of federalism that rejects our Constitution and rewrites the rules of Confederation, Brown wrote.

Its implications go far beyond the [carbon tax law], opening the door to federal intrusionby way of the imposition of national standardsinto all areas of provincial jurisdiction, including intra-provincial trade and commerce, health, and the management of natural resources. It is bound to lead to serious tensions in the federation.

Justice Malcolm Rowe agreed with Brown, writing that [T]he national concern doctrine is a residual power of last resort, and its misuse made the legislation unconstitutional.

Justice Suzanne Cote said Parliament could set carbon pricing, but to allow the federal cabinet to do so was independently unconstitutional.

Cooper believes the ruling by the majority of judges bolsters the case for Western separation.

They were behaving irresponsibly because it will certainly make it much easier for [us] Alberta independence people to get the message across. You cant trust any central Canadian institutionthats the message theyre sending.

The Supreme Court has always been an agent of the federal government, Cooper suggests.

The foundation of the Supreme Court by Sir John A. was done deliberately in order to have the court make decisions that he didnt want to, basically.

In her 1983 essay The Origins of Judicial Review in Canada, Dalhousie professor Jennifer Smith made a case for the narrow, partisan function envisaged for the new Supreme Court in 1875 by Macdonald. This partisanship meant federal interests would prevail over provincial ones without appearing to do so.

Only a court and its long-standing reputation for non-partisanship could tame the aggression of the provinces without bitter controversy. Left unstated was the assumption that the central government, by contrast, was unlikely to experience the embarrassment of an adverse ruling in its exercise of legislative power.



Morton believes Alberta Premier Jason Kenney needs to rally other premiers in support of provincial jurisdiction over resources and that federal Conservative Leader Erin OToole must champion his respect for those constitutional rights, especially in the West.

People are asking me, should they vote for the Mavericks rather than Conservative? Im saying no. Its imperative that we do everything possible to defeat Trudeau, Morton said.

But then I say, if the Conservatives, and specifically their leader, dont explicitly commit to getting Western Canadian oil to global markets at global prices  and spend the whole election sucking up to Ontario and Quebec, then that should be it as far as supporting the federal Conservatives go.
TORONTO, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Golden Star Resources Ltd. (NYSE American: GSS) (TSX: GSC) (GSE: GSR) ("Golden Star" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Karen Akiwumi-Tanoh and Gerard De Hert will be put forward for election as directors of the Company at the forthcoming annual general meeting of Golden Star shareholders on 6 May, 2021 (the "AGM"). In further changes to the Company's board of directors (the "Board"), Robert Doyle will not be standing for re-election at the AGM. Mr. Doyle's retirement is in line with Golden Star's Board mandate of a maximum term limit of 10 years for directors. Current board member, Mona Quartey, will replace Mr. Doyle as chair of the audit committee of the Board.

Ms. Akiwumi-Tanoh is a chartered accountant and experienced non-executive director ("NED"), with an extensive career in the African banking sector, predominately with Ecobank Transnational Inc. Her current board roles include NED and audit committee chair of First Atlantic Bank, Ghana and NED and audit committee chair of Prudential Life, Ghana. Previous NED roles include chair of the board of directors of First Atlantic Bank, Ghana and NED of Beneficial Life Insurance, Togo. Previous executive roles included managing director of Ecobank, Sierra Leone and member of the advisory board of Spencer Stuart, South Africa. She holds an MBA from the University of Ghana.

Mr. De Hert is Managing Director, Technical Services for La Mancha Holding, a privately held company specialized in gold mining investments, where he oversees technical diligence work in new and existing investments. Prior to joining La Mancha, he was senior vice president of exploration at Endeavour Mining. He was also a member of Endeavour Mining's ESG committee between 2018 and 2020. Prior to that, he spent several years working as general manager at Vale-ARM, managing the Lupoto Copper project. Other prior roles include chief geologist at Teal Mining, regional exploration geologist at IAMGOLD and chief mine geologist at AngloGold Ashanti. He holds a Masters Degree in mineralogy and geology from the Catholic University of Louvain and a Masters Degree in mineral exploration from the University of Leicester. Mr De Hert will stand as a nominee of La Mancha Holding, replacing Ani Markova who has been invited by the Board to continue to serve as a director of the Company and will stand for re-election at the AGM.

Tim Baker, Chairman of Golden Star, commented:

"We would like to thank Rob Doyle for his many contributions to the Company. As part of the on-going board renewal process at Golden Star, after 10 years he will not be standing for re-election. In his place, we are delighted that Karen Akiwumi-Tanoh, who is Ghanaian and who has extensive experience in the financial sector in Africa, has agreed to stand for election. In addition, La Mancha have nominated Gerard De Hert to stand for election to the Board, and his extensive experience in the African gold mining sector and technical expertise will be a great addition. I am also pleased that Ani Markova has agreed to stand for re-election as a director at the AGM. While this will mean an increase in the size of the Board to 10 directors, it will allow for a proper transition over the coming year prior to further rotation in accordance with our policies next year when I envisage the Board will go back to nine members.

As a result of these changes, the female representation on our Board will increase to 40%, reflecting our continued commitment to inclusion and diversity throughout the Company."

Company Profile:

Golden Star is an established gold mining company that owns and operates the Wassa underground mine in the Western Region of Ghana, West Africa. Listed on the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Ghanaian Stock Exchange, Golden Star is focused on delivering strong margins and free cash flow from the Wassa mine. As the winner of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada 2018 Environmental and Social Responsibility Award, Golden Star remains committed to leaving a positive and sustainable legacy in its areas of operation.

SOURCE Golden Star Resources Ltd.

Related Links

www.gsr.com


In terms of space exploration, Mars is all the rage these days. This has left our closest neighbor, Venus -- previously the most attractive planet to study because of its proximity and similar atmosphere to Earth -- in the lurch. A new article in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, highlights how scientists and space agencies are turning their eyes back toward Venus to learn more about its atmosphere and geology.

From the 1950s to the late 1980s, Venus was a favored planet for scientists to study, writes Associate Editor Sam Lemonick. From our vantage point here on Earth, its atmosphere looks similar to our own, but closer examinations from USSR and NASA missions revealed that the surface of Venus is over 450 C with an atmospheric pressure nearly 100 times that of Earth. This led researchers to pivot away from studying our closest planetary neighbor until the turn of the century. In more recent years, missions led by the European Union and Japan have revealed that Venus has much more complex atmospheric chemistry than previously thought. These findings have generated renewed interest from scientists, who believe further study of Venus could provide insights about the chemistry of planets far beyond our reach.

These new revelations have led space agencies to plan their next missions to Venus. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is planning an orbiter launch in 2024, and Russia's Roscosmos is aiming for a lander mission in 2029. NASA, the European Space Agency, China and a private company are also mulling plans for their own trips. These missions will likely focus on the geology of Venus rather than its atmosphere, as modern technology will allow for greater insight into the surface of the planet. ISRO's planned mission will use radar and infrared spectrometry to gather data over a four-year period. NASA's two proposed missions would study Venus's atmospheric chemistry and geochemistry, respectively. Experts advocating for renewed Venus missions say that the efforts will help scientists better understand planets in our own solar system and beyond, and could provide insights into the prevalence of life in the universe.

###

The article, "What can we learn from Venus?", is freely available here.

For more of the latest research news, register for our upcoming meeting, ACS Spring 2021. Journalists and public information officers are encouraged to apply for complimentary press registration by emailing us at newsroom@acs.org.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS' mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a specialist in scientific information solutions (including SciFinder and STN), its CAS division powers global research, discovery and innovation. ACS' main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

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British Gas sent out dismissal notices to striking workers who have refused to sign an inferior contract Monday, including a 20 percent pay cut.

A letter gives formal notice, with 12 weeks pay in lieu of notice, terminating the position of those not signing the new contract. The notice states that the workers who have not signed will be sacked on April 1. In the last days, workers who have refused to signsome with three decades or more servicehave posted comments on social media saying they would rather lose their jobs than accept the conditions being imposed.

A screenshot from the GMB's website showing its campaign to write to a "Dear Centrica Board Member"

The notices were sent on the last day of the latest four-day strike by around 7,000 workers involved in the dispute, taking total days of industrial action to 42. The strike began when the company laid out fire and rehire plans to drastically undermine conditions to shore up competitivity in the cut-throat UK energy market.

According to British Gas, who have been intimidating workersapproaching them on an individual basis to sign the new contract"well over 95%" have signed up to the new terms, meaning that hundreds of workers who havent face the sack within days.

That a powerful section of the working class, employed in one of the UKs main energy suppliers as part of a 20,000 strong workforce, face mass dismissal is entirely the responsibility of the trade union bureaucracywho have enforced the division of the workforce and isolated the strike.

Last December, Centrica, parent company of British Gas, revealed it had spent over 300 hours in talks with the UNISON, GMB, Unite and Prospect unions at British Gas aimed at a passing a modernisation contract. All the unions bar the GMB recommended the new contract to their members. Centrica revealed, despite shaping the proposals with us and UNISON over several months, the GMB changed their mind at the last minute and recommended that their members reject those same proposals.

The GMBs pose of opposition was an attempt to save face. But the role of the GMB since they called the first strikes against British Gas in January has been dictated by the same pro-company agenda as the other unions. The union insisted that it was prepared to discuss any changes that British Gas wanted to impose, with the only proviso that the company took the threat to fire and rehire off the table.

Never at any stage did the GMB call on other workers in the British Gas group, or the nearly 700,000 strong workforce in the UK energy sector, to back the strike. None of the unions 620,000 strong membership were ever mobilised in support. After 15 days of strikes, the GMB suspended industrial action to enter talks with the company, which failed.

In an e-mail sent to strikers around two weeks prior to March 25, the GMB then told its members, If you plan to stay with British Gas after 31 March and intend to ultimately sign a new contract, our lawyers advice is to do so by noon on 25 March if you want to avoid the loss of protected terms and changes you have fought for.

The message was clear from the GMB to any worker planning on continuing to fight the companys fire and rehire threat: Sign or else.

It has done nothing since but issue more pathetic pleas to British Gas CEO Chris OShea and the companys shareholders to restore the cosy relationship with the GMB.

The day before the company started sending out its dismissal notices, the GMB was calling on strikers and the wider public to Tell the British Gas board: stop fire and rehire. The London region of the GMB tweeted a plea from the union that, Board members at British Gas (and its parent company Centrica) earn millions and have the power to stop this shameful act in its tracks. The letter is addressed to Dear Centrica Board Member.

The same executives who are enforcing the sacking of workers are asked, Please use your position to do the right thing for hardworking British Gas employees. For the sake of your own reputation, its time you reined in your out-of-control CEO Chris OShea.

On the eve of the company sending out dismissal letters this week, the union said in a March 25 statement, GMB has agreed to declare an official national lockout dispute with British Gas from April 1, before adding vaguely, There will also be further strikes and other appropriate action in this deadlocked dispute.

It added, There is still time to pull back. Mr OShea should do whats right for the business, the customers and the workers and take the April 1 deadline off the table.

The union bureaucracy has been able to push through its agenda, despite the determination of workers to fight, due to the slavish support offered by the pseudo-left Socialist Workers Party and Socialist Party.

Their response to the e-mail from the GMB to strikers calling on them to sign the new contracts was to make out that nothing had fundamentally changed. All that was required was a bit of pressure being placed on the unions executive.

In a March 12 article noting a more sombre mood on the picket lines following the union sending letters with legal advice recommending that strikers sign new contracts by 25 March, the SP said that the GMB did this seemingly over the heads of the elected reps It urged that a strategy of how the strike could be escalated further following the rejection should be discussed by the reps [i.e., junior ranking bureaucrats] and put to a national meeting of the workers on strike to decide upon.

A Socialist Worker article March 12 noted that some workers are worried after the GMB told them they should sign the contract before March 25. The SWP concluded that the GMB bureaucracy has failed to offer leadership at key points, while claiming that British Gas workers could win the dispute by stopping the union leader's hesitations and escalating the action.

The SWPs next article on March 21 cited a news update from the GMB, stating again that while GMB national leadership have failed to provide leadership at a number of vital points Strikers need to tell their executive that instead of surrender they want escalation.

The only genuine escalation on offer is in the SWPs efforts to subordinate workers to the union bureaucracy. Its latest March 26 article purported to answer the GMBs betrayal by an appeal to the rest of the trade union bureaucracy. The union leaders (!) should immediately call an all-out strike and encourage British Gas workers whove signed the contractin the GMB and other unionsto join it.

The unions, backed to the hilt by the pseudo-left groups, are intent on imposing yet another defeat. Workers at British Gas must turn to a new strategy and leadership.

The Socialist Equality Party calls for the building of rank-and-file action committees to unite the strikes of British Gas workers with those of educators in schools, colleges and universities, British Telecom staff, civil servants, and water, bus, rail, logistics, and airport workers. Many of these strikes are also against fire and rehire operations.

On Saturday April 10, the SEP is holding a public meeting, Form a Network of Rank-and-File Action Committees for Safe Workplaces! We urge British Gas workers and all others in struggle to register here and attend this vital event.
Born in the city of Gqeberha, (formely Port Elizabeth), Luzuko Tena's upbringing and exposure to different types of people ignited his passion for people. This passion for people is what led to him getting into the advertising industry, affording him to work with some of the biggest brands in a range of industries. He is also the head of IAB SA Youth Action Council that tackles topics of diversity and inclusion.

Congrats on your appointment. How do you feel about it?

What does the role entail?

How and when did this come about?

What excites you most about your new role?

#BizTrends2021: Youth in leadership - transformation requires genuine intent In his #BizTrends2021 presentation, IAB Youth Council lead Luzuko Tena focused on youth in leadership and transformation in marketing and media...

You are part of IAB's Youth Action Council, leading a diverse team of young industry leaders. As we start settling in our 'better normal', what should the youth not forget?

Time, as young people, is our biggest asset. If we want the industry to become the utopia we dream of, we need to be willing to trade that asset to make it happen.

What do you love most about your career, the industry and what you do?

What is your biggest motivation in life?

When it comes to social media, what are companies still not getting right?

How can this be changed?

I catch up with Luzuko Tena who had a brief stint with Ogilvy Sociallab from 2018-2019 as junior campaign manager and recently rejoined as paid social campaign manager.Im very excited. The company has grown enormously since I was last with them. Although I must admit it is quite interesting starting a new job virtually.Ill be joining the companies US Hub Team as one of their paid social specialists where Ill be working together with local Social Lab and US based Ogilvy colleagues on a new US based client weve recently won. In addition to this, and probably the most exciting, Ill also be leading the newly established Social Lab Academy, from a Cape Town office perspective, together with my colleague Sarah-Jane Lowes whos based in Johannesburg.Anyone who knows me, knows how passionate I am about the development of talent in this industry. I found out about the Social Lab Academy and plans for it to be launched in South Africa and, I guess, the rest is history.Theres a great energy within the company to learn and constantly get better and being in an environment like that is so encouraging.Its something a friend once told that I still refer to as a reminder from time to time.I love that theres always something new to learn!Family, friends and all young people in this country who want to make an impact in their industries and society in general. I have the privilege of being part of an amazing team with the IAB Y-Council. Tshegofatso Phetlhe, Ruddy Gatare, Lesego Thomas, Nicole Adolph, Maxinne Mboweni, Nosipho Maseko, Amy Hurle-Hill, Gregory-Leigh Booysen, Brendan Zietsman and Melissa Kuriaki, remember these names because theyre part of something very special and long overdue in the media and marketing industry.Social is just one part of the digital ecosystem and where you can reach and communicate with your audience. Not every trending topic and hashtag is for you to jump on.Invest in media intelligence to find out more about what your audience and consumers are really interested in. Have a plan and stick to it, that way everything and anything that comes out of your social channels is authentic and true to your brand. The platforms we use have test and learn functions for a reason. We wont always get things right the first time, but as long as we apply the lessons we learn were gon be right, well be alright (not to quote Melusi Gigaba)
(TNS)  Park Hill officials confirmed Tuesday that a ransomware attack was the cause of the major system outage that forced the school district to cancel classes early last week.Park Hill's computer systems locked up on the morning of Sunday, March 21, and officials noticed that someone had encrypted several files to try to force the district to pay a ransom, said Derrick Unruh, director of technology. He said ransomware likely got into the district's systems when a student or staff member clicked on an infected link in an email or website, compromising their username and password."Fortunately our system backups were fully secured and protected in the outage, so we decided to move forward with recovery on our own rather than pay the ransom," Unruh told the school board at its meeting last Thursday. District officials previously declined to disclose most details of the incident, including that it was a ransomware attack.The district turned to national experts and the FBI to investigate. Such attacks on K-12 schools have been skyrocketing in recent years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a district's digital infrastructure has become more crucial than ever."This is not over," said Paul Kelly, Park Hill's assistant superintendent for business and technology. "And so we are still in the investigation mode. And I would anticipate it to take weeks or months for us to ... review the data and then for us to use that information to continuously improve and fortify our systems further."Park Hill was forced to cancel school on Monday and Tuesday last week. Many students were on the bus on their way to school before the cancellation was announced Monday. It was supposed to be the first day that middle and high schoolers would return to classrooms full time since the beginning of the pandemic.Officials said they were pleased with the quick response to the outage and recovery effort, which allowed students to return to school last Wednesday. All students and staff members were required to change their passwords, among other steps."We want to acknowledge the seriousness of this event," said Jeanette Cowherd, superintendent of the district, in Platte County. "This was a major event and a major attack on our infrastructure."Unruh said officials have found no evidence of data being stolen. He said the Secret Service and FBI agents confirmed that stealing data was likely not the intent of the attack.That's a major relief for school officials, as well as parents and students, considering hackers are known for stealing and selling data during ransomware attacks. Officials have said that the district's security systems prevented unauthorized access to personal information.Unruh said that several of the district's computer systems were affected, but he would not name specifics due to safety concerns. He said the district has more than 300 different systems used for operations. They include systems for learning management, finance, video surveillance, classroom intercoms, door access control and wireless connectivity.By Tuesday of last week, he said most of the systems were restored and fully operational. On Thursday, the district was continuing to repair some final systems and determine whether there were any potential threats to the district's cybersecurity, he said."Based on our evidence, we did not find any persistent threats in the network," he said.Bridget Patton, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Kansas City, said she could not comment on the ongoing investigation.Nationally, the FBI warned last year that K-12 schools should expect a surge in ransomware infections during remote learning.A joint advisory issued by the FBI and cybersecurity agencies reported that in August and September last year, 57 percent of all reported ransomware cases involved K-12 schools, up from 28 percent from January through July.A ransomware attack in Baltimore County in Maryland forced schools to cancel classes for five days around Thanksgiving, according to The Baltimore Sun. Also last fall, personal data was stolen from Toledo Public Schools in a similar attack, news outlets reported. And earlier this month, Buffalo Public Schools in New York faced a ransomware attack, The Buffalo News reported.The FBI has warned that hackers target schools because of their increased use of technology and sometimes limited resources for cybersecurity protections. Park Hill officials said they were grateful to have invested in enhanced security and technology in recent years, and will continue to explore improvements to the system.The district in Kansas City's Northland had a K-12 enrollment of just under 12,000 students and 1,800 teachers and staff members.
This is the first such test in nearly a year. The last one took place on March 29, 2020. The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution prohibiting such tests. Separately, the UN Human Rights Commission has condemned the regime, a welcome move from that group.
Revenue Potential of Approximately CDN $65 Million

VANCOUVER, BC and BREDA, THE NETHERLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2021 / Organto Foods Inc. (TSXV:OGO)(OTC PINK:OGOFF)(FSE:OGF) ("Organto" or "the Company"), an integrated provider of organic and value-added organic fruits and vegetables today announced that it has entered into a 5 year exclusive supply agreement ("Supply Agreement") with a Mexican based supplier of organic avocados. The agreement provides for supply beginning in 2021 and through the end of calendar 2025 with an estimated revenue potential over the contract period of approximately CDN $65.01 million.

"We are extremely pleased to enter into this strategic long-term Supply Agreement, significantly expanding our supply of organic avocado from Mexico, a key growing region with a significant presence in the organic fruits and vegetables industry. Organic avocado is a key product in our expanding portfolio, supported by a year-round supply chain comprised of strategic supply partners from around the globe." commented Rients van der Wal, Co-CEO of Organto and CEO of Organto Europe B.V. "We are seeing demand for avocado continuing to grow, driven by its nutrient dense nutritional profile and a consumer focus on health and wellness. This strategic Supply Agreement significantly increases our capabilities and will play a key role as we scale our business to meet the demands of our customers."

Under the terms of the exclusive Supply Agreement, Organto will have the right to market all production from the supplier for the next five years running through December 31, 2025. The supplier currently has approximately 100 hectares under production in the Nayarit region of Mexico, with harvests expected to increase as the existing orchards mature and additional capacity is added in the coming years. Products are currently Global GAP, SMETA and European Union organic certified, and the supplier has undertaken to work with Organto to obtain Fairtrade certification by the start of the 2021 season and Bio Suisse certification by the start of the 2022 season. Supply over the contract period is estimated to be in the range of 12.5 million to 14.0 million kgs. In order to obtain exclusive distribution rights, Organto has agreed to issue up to 1 million common shares to the supplier over the term of the agreement based on the delivery of minimum annual volume targets. The issue of these shares under the Supply Agreement is subject to the acceptance of the TSX-V.

Organto's year-round supply chain for organic avocado includes supply from four continents including sources in Morocco, Spain, Columbia, Peru, Mexico, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. Mexican supply is key in the August to November time periods. The Company is continually working to develop additional sources of supply in order to meet the increasing demand from its customer base located throughout Europe.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Steve Bromley

Chair and Co-Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

For more information contact:

Investor Relations

604-634-0970

1-888-818-1364

info@organto.com

ABOUT ORGANTO

Organto's business model is rooted in its commitment to sustainable business practices focused on environmental responsibility and a commitment to the communities where it operates, its people and its shareholders. Organto is an integrated provider of private label and bulk distributed organic and non-GMO fruit and vegetable products using an asset-light business model to serve a growing socially responsible and health conscious consumer around the globe.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release may include certain forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including without limitation Canadian securities laws and the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("forward-looking statements"). In particular, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements respecting Organto's business model and markets; Organto's belief that this new Supply Agreement will expand supply of organic avocado with revenue potential over the term of the agreement of approximately CDN $65 million; Organto's belief that demand for fresh organic avocado will continue to grow globally; Organto's belief that it will receive supply in the range of 12.5 million to 14.0 million kgs over the term of this Supply Agreement; management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about the following: the ability and time frame within which Organto's business model will be implemented and product supply will be increased; cost increases; dependence on suppliers, partners and contractual counter-parties; changes in the business or prospects of Organto; unforeseen circumstances; risks associated with the organic produce business generally, including inclement weather, unfavorable growing conditions, low crop yields, variations in crop quality, spoilage, import and export laws and similar risks; transportation costs and risks; general business and economic conditions; and ongoing relations with distributors, customers, employees, suppliers, consultants, contractors and partners. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Organto undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.

1 Forecast is based on shipping 13.0 million kgs of organic avocado over the term of the agreement with an average selling price of CDN $5.00/kg.

SOURCE: Organto Foods Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638221/Organto-Enters-into-Exclusive-Organic-Avocado-Supply-Agreement-with-Strategic-Mexican-Supply-Partner
Conservative Party Leader Erin O'Toole rises during question period in the House of Commons on March 10, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

OToole Condemns Violence Against Asian-Canadians, Says CCP Doesnt Represent Chinese Culture

Conservative Party leader Erin OToole condemned violence targeting Asian-Canadians across the country, adding that Chinese Canadians have faced a double threat by hate groups and foreign influence operations from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) taking place within Canada.

OToole, in a video message on Tuesday, urged Canadians and Conservatives to defend our Asian neighbours against such despicable acts, referring to hundreds of hate-related incidents toward Asian-Canadians since the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The CCP virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, first emerged in Chinas megalopolis of Wuhan, and the Chinese communist regime has been widely criticized for its deliberate cover up and allowing it to erupt into a global crisis.

These attacks go against everything we stand for as Canadiansand they must end, OToole reiterated in a statement.

He also said the CCP doesnt represent the Chinese people.

Chinese-Canadians bring an ancient and rich culture to Canada, and they are proud of it, and they should be, OToole said in the video. The communist regime does not represent the long, ancient, and incredible [Chinese] history of innovation, culture, and contributions to the world.

Hate is never ok. These attacks against Asian Canadians goes against everything our nation stands for. They must end and I urge all Conservatives and Canadians to stand with me and defend our Asian neighbours against such despicable acts. pic.twitter.com/4dK6qoQZWw  Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) March 30, 2021

He added that Chinese Canadians who left China for Canada came in search of freedom and opportunity.

Canadas Conservatives celebrate Chinese culture, history, values, and recognize the many contributions Chinese Canadians have made to our great country. Canadians can be proud of their Chinese ancestry and highlight the bad conduct of the Chinese Communist Party, he said in the statement.

Investigations by independent researchers have revealed the CCPs two ongoing crimes against humanity, targeting Uyghur Muslims and Falun Gong spiritual adherents.

A Council of Foreign relations report found that the CCP has significantly scaled up the detention facilities in Xinjiang since 2017, which have been used to incarcerate over a million Uyghurs and other ethnic Muslims. The report shows that victims have been subjected to sexual abuse, forced sterilizations, and forced labour.

In February, Canadian MPs voted passed a House of Commons motion that recognized Chinas treatment of Uyghurs as a genocide.

The CCPs persecution of Falun Gong have continued for over two decades. The mind and body cultivation, which is based on principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, had attracted around 70 million to 100 million people in China by the late 1990s, according the Chinese official estimation.

Former CCP leader Jiang Zemin deemed the large number of Falun Gong adherents a threat to the communist regime in 1999 and subsequently launched an unprecedented campaign to eradicate the practice. Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have been targeted for arbitrary detention, tortured, rape, and organ harvesting.

Daksha Devnani contributed to this report
Prep Golf: Riley Zebroski earns all-conference honors, Arrows take 7th in ESD tourney

MITCHELL  Sophomore Riley Zebroski earned all-conference honors by tying for 5th place on Wednesday in the Eastern South Dakota Conference girls golf tournament at the Lakeview Golf Course.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

MILFORD  A local business owner was charged after police said he used racial slurs and threatened the owner of a neighboring business.

John Iaffaldano, 57, who runs a business in the Research Drive commercial complex, was charged with second-degree threatening, second-degree harassment and breach of peace, police said. He was released on a promise to appear and given a May 3 court date.
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Domestic worker fired after cancer diagnosis dies

A family friend says Baby Jane Allas died on Saturday from complications related to a kidney infection. File photo: AFP

A Filipina who was sacked as a domestic worker in Hong Kong after being diagnosed with cancer  a case that exposed the vulnerability of low-paid foreign workers  has passed away, a friend confirmed on Wednesday.



Baby Jane Allas, 40, was told she had stage three cervical cancer two years ago and was promptly fired by her employer, who cited the illness as the reason for termination.



The single mother of five instantly lost the right to healthcare and had to regularly apply for visa extensions as she navigated Hong Kong's legal and immigration systems while battling cancer.



Supporters crowd-funded her treatment and Allas had successfully overcome her cancer.



But she died on Saturday from complications related to a kidney infection.



"Baby Jane passed away suddenly last weekend at her home in the Philippines," Jessica Cutrera, an American national in Hong Kong who led the crowdfunding campaign and took Allas in, said.



"We are all devastated by this, especially given her successful battle with cancer. She lived with us for nearly a year during her fight and treatment and we are heartbroken by the news," she added.



Allas was awarded HK$30,000 (US$ 3,860) damages from her former employer  who hailed from a wealthy Hong Kong family of Pakistani origin  for sickness allowance, medical fees and wages in lieu of notice.



She returned to the Philippines last year but had hoped to return to Hong Kong for work.



Hong Kong's Equal Opportunities Commission also took up her plight earlier this year, launching a separate discrimination case against her former employer.



Cutrera, who also employs Allas' sister, said the family hoped to continue pursuing the discrimination case "on behalf of her estate".



Nearly 370,000 domestic helpers work in Hong Kong.



Most are poor women from the Philippines and Indonesia working for low wages, often living in grim conditions and sending much of their wages back home to support their families.



City authorities say the system is fair and that abuses are rare.



But rights campaigners say domestic helpers are routinely exploited, with laws providing them little protection.



Experts say steep agency fees, a requirement for maids to live with their employers, a minimum monthly wage of just HK$4,630and rules that require fired domestic workers to quickly depart the city leave maids acutely vulnerable to abusive or unscrupulous employers. (AFP)
WAVERLY, Iowa  A guilty plea is entered in a distracted driving crash that paralyzed a man.

Melissa Dawn Nickerson, 32 of Sumner, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Bremer County District Court to serious injury by vehicle. Thats a class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Law enforcement says Nickerson was driving in the 3400 block of 140th Street on September 17, 2019 when she rear ended the vehicle driven by Jeffery Bloom. Investigators say Nickerson was having a Facebook Messenger conversation on her phone when she hit Bloom.

Court documents state the collision left Bloom paralyzed from the chest down.

Nickerson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15.
AIB Group in the UK, which has 15 branches here, has reported an adjusted pre-tax loss of 62m for 2020 as it grappled with the economic impact of Covid-19.

There had been operating profit of 116m - which was down 38% due to the income impact of lower interest results as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the profits were wiped out as the bank increased its impairment charge - the amount set aside to cover bad debts - to 178m from 18m in 2019.

The 62m loss compares to 172m in profits in 2019.

In accounts lodged at Companies House, AIB Group (UK) plc said the increase in the impairment charge was down to the deterioration in the economic outlook, credit downgrades, especially in sectors most affected by Covid-19.

New lending was down from 2.1bn to 1.5bn, of which 0.3bn had been made as part of government-backed loan schemes.

However, there was a 12% increase in customer account balances to 10bn from 8.9bn as a result of less discretionary spending.

AIB also has 13 business centres in Great Britain, where it focuses on corporate and commercial banking.

Its Northern Ireland operation includes business banking, personal banking and mortgages.

The bank said that among its 285,000 customers, 129,000 were using digital channels for their banking.

There were 968 employees, of whom 55% were female. But among 271 managers, 40% were female.

The bank, which is led by managing director Robert Mulhall, told the Belfast Telegraph: AIB UK has been supporting our customers across the UK, including over 200,000 customers in Northern Ireland, through the Covid-19 pandemic, and will continue to do so.

This is made possible through our strong capital position. We are focused on implementing our new business strategy across the UK, including growing our mortgage, commercial and corporate business in Northern Ireland.

In the report, chairman Peter Spratt said the company had been planning for various scenarios around Brexit and would now focus on helping our customers through the impacts their businesses will face under the deal agreed for trade outside of the EU.

In October the lender announced it was letting out about a third of its headquarters space at Ann Street in Belfast.
[March 31, 2021] Accomplished Industry Advisor Christopher Goodhue Joins IDC as Vice President, CIO Strategy & Executive Advisory Services

International Data Corporation (IDC) today announced Christopher Goodhue joins as Vice President, CIO Strategy & Executive Advisory Services. In this role, Goodhue will be responsible for defining a compelling and actionable agenda that provides CIOs and IT leaders practical advisory services and peer engagements to better respond to the rapidly changing IT landscape. As an advocate and champion for the CIO role within the CIO Executive Council, IDC (News - Alert) , and the industry, Goodhue will support both the CIO Executive Council and its services as well as IDC's Executive Advisory Services. Previously, Goodhue held leadership roles at Gartner (News - Alert) and AMR Research, helping to conceive, develop, and deliver some of the IT industry's highest value research, advisory services, and executive programs. Recognized for building high-performance teams in dynamic, fast-paced environments, Goodhue will work to enhance and expand IDC's existing offerings, deliver forward thinking advisory research and client services, and effectively engage with the IT community to attract the next generation of CIOs. "We are thrilled to welcome Christopher to our team. His wealth of experience and proven leadership skills will greatly benefit our clients as they look for guidance in achieving digital resiliency to more easily adapt and thrive amid changing market conditions," said Per Melker, group vice president and general manager for IDC's IT Executive Programs & CIO Executive Council. "We look forward to working closely with Christopher as we refine our unique offerings to best support CIOs and IT leaders in their IT and business transformation."



If you would like to speak with Christopher Goodhue, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarah@attunecommunications.com. Follow Goodhue on LinkedIn. About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter (News - Alert) at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights: http://bit.ly/IDCBlog_Subscribe. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005526/en/

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100 years ago  1921

Minersville:

Misses Ada Quandel and Blanche Straub returned to State College after spending the past week at the home of their parents.

Miss Beatrice Quigel returned home after spending some time visiting relatives and friends in Philadelphia.

75 years ago  1946 A Mowry woman, accompanied by her daughter, went to the attic on Saturday afternoon to get some papers for a boy who was gathering old papers and found on her return that the purse had been opened during her absence and a smaller purse gone from the inside. The small purse contained about $60.

50 years ago  1971 The Pottsville Jaycees sold 1,500 jars of apple butter and sauce on Sunday, March 28. The funds from the sales will be used to send mentally handicapped children to camp this summer.

25 years ago  1996 They toured the Vermissa Valley over the weekend, searching for the historic roots of the Scowrers reign of terror. And they did so from a vase in Pottsvilles Quality Hotel. They were seven members of the Franco-Midland Hardware Co., a Great Britain-based organization of Sherlock Holmes fans. And what brought them to Vermissa  as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle christened his fictional Pottsville  was The Valley of Fear, one of the only four full-length Sherlock Holmes novels. Doyle also wrote 56 Holmes short stories. Conan Doyle based The Valley of Fear (1915) on the traditional version of the Molly Maguires story: That they were a group of thugs who terrorized their environs. The truth  if it can ever be determined at all  is more complex, the seven learned in tours of Molly sites: Pottsville on Saturday, and Tamaqua, Mahanoy City, Girardville and other points on Sunday. Originally, as far a I was concerned, you could have cut the whole Molly story out because it wasnt the mystery, said Robert Bousquet, Hamilton Square, N.J.
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by Francis Khoo Thwe

At least 8 dead yesterday. The toll so far is 521 killed and 2608 arrested. Last night, candlelight vigils in many cities; demonstration in the Kachin State at dawn. The ethnic armed groups of the Karen and the Kachin join the struggle. Air raid by the junta in a gold mining area, managed by Karen and the Chinese.

Yangon (AsiaNews) - Demonstrations against the coup d'etat in Myanmar show no sign of slowing and even if the security forces of the junta strike, kill, burn, arrest, immediately afterwards, in the same places where the violence took place, the demonstrators reappear.

Yesterday, after hundreds of thousands went out to demonstrate in many cities, soldiers killed at least 8 people. In Kawthaung, in the south, a young man was killed with a bullet to the head (photo 1); in Bago a bank employee was killed point blank; a demonstrator was killed in Mandalay; in Muse (Shan State) a man was killed with a bullet to the head; in Myitkyina (Kachin State) a young man was shot dead in a shop.

Despite this, candlelight vigils were organized yesterday evening in some cities in honour of the fallen heroes and in contempt of the curfew wanted by the junta. In Moegaung (Kachin state) there was a demonstration at the first light of dawn.

According to the Association for Aid to Political Prisoners, up to yesterday the death toll was 521 victims. The total number of people arrested for demonstrations and activism is 2608. Of these, only 37 have been sentenced so far; there are also 120 arrest warrants for missing or fleeing people.

The involvement of ethnic armed groups in the fight against the junta is also growing.

This morning, the Kia (Kachin Independence Army) attacked a police station.

The most difficult situation remains that of the Karen. Since last weekend, junta planes have carried out raids and bombings against some villages controlled by the Knu (Karen National Union), killing about ten people. The KNU says the planes also hit schools and homes. More than 10 thousand Karen have fled due to the attacks (photo 2). Two thousand tried to cross the border into Thailand, but were sent back.

The Knu has asked the Thai government and the international community to offer humanitarian aid and protection for the displaced. It also asks countries not to recognize the junta and to cut off all economic ties with it.

According to news from The Irrawaddy newspaper, one of the sites bombed yesterday by the junta's air raid, is located in Shwekyin, in the Bago area. This is an area where the search for gold flourishes.

At present the area is exploited by a company linked to the Knu and by a Chinese company, the Shwe Dana Tun Lin. According to some analysts, the junta is trying in every way to push China and Russia to support it in the international community, showing that without it you cannot trade in Myanmar.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Chance of a shower or two during the morning, followed by partly cloudy skies this afternoon. Areas of patchy fog. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.
RTHK: Data withheld from WHO, says Tedros

Data was withheld from World Health Organization investigators who travelled to China to research the origins of the coronavirus epidemic, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday.

The United States, the European Union and other Western countries immediately called for China to give "full access" to independent experts to all data about the original outbreak in late 2019.

In its final report, written jointly with Chinese scientists, a WHO-led team that spent four weeks in and around Wuhan in January and February said the virus had probably been transmitted from bats to humans through another animal, and that a lab leak was "extremely unlikely" as a cause.

One of the teams investigators has already said China refused to give raw data on early Covid-19 cases to the WHO-led team, potentially complicating efforts to understand how the global pandemic began.

"In my discussions with the team, they expressed the difficulties they encountered in accessing raw data," Tedros said. "I expect future collaborative studies to include more timely and comprehensive data sharing."

The inability of the WHO mission to conclude yet where or how the virus began spreading in people means that tensions will continue over how the pandemic started - and whether China has helped efforts to find out or, as the United States has alleged, hindered them.

"The international expert study on the source of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples," Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Korea, Slovenia, Britain, the United States and the European Union said in a joint statement.

Although the team concluded that a leak from a Wuhan laboratory was the least likely hypothesis for the virus that causes Covid-19, Tedros said the issue required further investigation, potentially with more missions to China.

"I do not believe that this assessment was extensive enough," he told member states in remarks released by the WHO. "Further data and studies will be needed to reach more robust conclusions."

The WHO team's leader, Peter Ben Embarek, told a press briefing it was "perfectly possible" the virus had been circulating in November or October 2019 around Wuhan, and so potentially spreading abroad earlier than documented so far.

"We got access to quite a lot of data in many different areas, but of course there were areas where we had difficulties getting down to the raw data and there are many good reasons for that," he said, citing privacy laws and other restrictions.

Second phase studies were required, Ben Embarek added.

He said the team had felt political pressure, including from outside China, but that he had never been pressed to remove anything from its final report.

Dominic Dwyer, an Australian expert on the mission, said he was satisfied there was "no obvious evidence" of a problem at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The European Union called the study "an important first step" but renewed criticisms that the origin study had begun too late, that experts had been kept out of China for too long, and that access to data and early samples had fallen short.

In a statement, Walter Stevens, EU ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, called for further study with "timely access to relevant locations and to all relevant human, animal and environmental data available". (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-01 04:22:04|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO -- Egypt on Wednesday began a formal investigation into how the massive container ship Ever Given was grounded in the Suez Canal and blocked the world's major waterway for almost a week, a canal official said.

"The investigation will include examining the ship's components and whether they were used correctly before the accident," Captain Sayed Sheasha, advisor to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), told an independent TV program on Tuesday. (Egypt-Suez Canal-Probe)

- - - -

ALGIERS -- A consortium of three Chinese companies signed a memorandum of understanding with Algerian National Iron and Steel Company on exploiting iron ore Tuesday in Algiers.

The Chinese consortium, composed of Metallurgacal Corporation of China, China International Water and Electric Corporation and Hunan Heyday Solar Corporation, will carry out a feasibility study on the exploitation of Gara Djebilet iron ore in western Algeria. (Algeria-China-Iron ore)

- - - -

RAMALLAH -- The Palestinian government on Wednesday received 25,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, according to a cabinet minister.

The batch of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is the first batch of 2 million vaccines purchased by the government from vaccine manufacturers, Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said. (Palestine-COVID19-Vaccine)

- - - -

ANKARA -- Turkey on Wednesday confirmed 39,302 new COVID-19 cases, including 1,401 symptomatic patients, as the total number of positive cases in the country reached 3,317,182, according to its health ministry.

The death toll from the virus in Turkey rose by 152 to 31,537, while the total recoveries climbed to 3,014,226 after 19,193 more cases recovered in the last 24 hours. (Turkey-COVID19) Enditem
NASA is making plans to support a new generation of space stations to take over for the International Space Station (ISS) when it retires.

The space agency is considering having ISS partners develop new commercial space stations for future low Earth orbit missions (LEO), according to Elizabeth Howell with Space.com.

NEW SPACE STATIONS: China and Russia agree to build lunar space station together

Phil McAlister, director of commercial spaceflight development at NASA headquarters, described why it's necessary to think beyond the ISS.

"ISS is an amazing system, but unfortunately it won't last forever; it could experience an unrecoverable anomaly at any time," McAlister said.

"Pretty much any space initiative can take a while, and longer than you might hope, so we really do feel like the time to get started is now, when the ISS is still in good health and providing good capability across the board," he said.

According to Howell, the ISS could retire as early as 2024 or possibly in 2028.

First draft announcements of NASA's Commercial LEO Development program are expected in April with a final version in May, according to Howell.

The agency plans to bring preliminary designs to the review stage by the end of 2025.

"The way we see the transition [from ISS] is, we're not going to just turn off the lights one day," McAlister said. "We're going to have an overlap period where we, over a period of time, draw down the operations of ISS as we increase operations for LEO destinations. So that gives us some time."

The idea is to have two to four funded Space Act Agreements with a combined value between $300 million and $400 million, Howell said.

Angela Hart, manager of the commercial LEO development program office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, describes why Space Act Agreements are needed.

"Using Space Act Agreements for the new commercial LEO initiative "does provide us with some flexibility" in case of uncertainty on the NASA budget side," Hart said.

"Such agreements have fewer obligations than other contract vehicles, and this flexibility may be a necessity under NASA's budgetary realities when it comes to ISS successors," Howell wrote.

NASA would continue to be the "anchor tenant," Howell said, but are working towards expanding the economic opportunities for others.

"We want to continue to lay the groundwork for a market environment where, commercially, services will be available to both government and private sector customers," Hart said.

The space talks for future developments such as this are already in motion as NASA has already begun shifting ISS operations to a more commercial direction, Howell said.

Private companies such as Axiom Space already have plans to build a commercial space station.

"Going forward commercial destinations that are focused on the actual demand for NASA will necessarily be smaller  If there is sufficient demand for something that is the size and capability of the ISS, we would expect the private sector to address that through their means," McAlister said.
NEW YORK, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Uphold, a leading digital money platform serving more than five million customers in more than 150 countries, today announces the regulatory approval for its acquisition of JNK Securities, a U.S. broker-dealer.

The approval by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) means that Uphold is one of, if not the first cryptocurrency firms to own a broker dealer approved to offer equities on an omnibus basis to retail investors in the United States.

Uphold plans to launch fractional equities in the U.S. later this year and to pioneer seamless trading between cryptocurrencies, U.S. stocks, precious metals, carbon credits, FX products and other assets, all through a single interface.

"Bitcoin to Tesla stock in one seamless user experience will soon become a reality for our U.S. customers," explained JP Thieriot, Uphold's CEO. "The move will introduce unprecedented speed and convenience for retail investors seeking to trade between traditional and emerging asset classes."

"We're also proud to open up equities trading to wider participation in the United States where almost half of U.S. households still don't have any exposure to the stock market[1]. Our fractional equities offering will render even the most expensive equities accessible and affordable to ordinary people: a brokerage account can be opened in less than three minutes and there's no minimum investment: you can buy as little as $1 worth of Alphabet A (Google stock), for example, while a whole share trades around $2,000."

The acquisition will also provide Uphold with an effective vehicle to market its successful cryptocurrency investment fund, Digital Asset Alpha, to hedge funds, JNK Securities' traditional client base. Digital Asset Alpha takes non-directional bets on cryptocurrencies capturing arbitrage and yield opportunities in derivatives and DeFi.

Uphold plans to vastly expand its equities offering later this year, going from 50 US stocks to 3,500 stocks and options. Outside of the US, Uphold has been the only platform in the world enabling fractional US equities trading on a 24/7 basis.

"As an Internet of Money begins to take shape, this nature of convergence will ultimately deliver a sort of democratization to investing, bringing first-time access, convenience and cost efficiency to a financial market that remains largely structured around historical happenstance and, in many ways, is no longer suited to modern technological capabilities and customer interests," added Thieriot.

InnReg, a compliance consulting firm specializing in supporting innovative fintech companies, managed Uphold's regulatory approval process. Francesco Matteini, CEO of InnReg, added: "Regulatory clearance for a broker-dealer acquisition by a digital asset firm such as Uphold is a rare occurrence, and particularly significant in advancing progress towards unified trading experiences across asset classes."

About Uphold

A digital money platform serving almost 5 million customers in more than 150 countries. Uphold now manages more than $1.5 billion in customer assets. The Silicon Valley firm currently opens around 10,000 accounts a day as consumers seek a more versatile and cost-effective home for their financial lives. Leveraging blockchain technology, the platform provides both consumers and businesses with easy access to 46 digital assets, 27 national currencies, four precious metals and 50 fractional U.S. equities. Uphold's unique trading experience - "Anything-to-Anything" - allows customers to trade directly between asset classes, saving time and money. Uphold supports financial inclusion by enabling customers virtually anywhere to open an account in less than a minute and trade with no minimum investment amounts. Customers can send money to virtually anyone with an email address free of charge. To learn more, please visit https://uphold.com/en-us/.

About InnReg

InnReg provides compliance and consulting services to financial innovators to help them succeed in highly regulated markets. From consulting to full outsourcing of compliance operations, InnReg gives companies access to compliance expertise that supports groundbreaking technologies in disruptive products, customer experiences, and workflows across a range of business models from broker-dealers to RIAs to online lenders and digital asset platforms. To learn more, please visit https://www.innreg.com.

1. Pew Research Center Analysis of 2016 Survey of Consumer Finances Public-Use Data 2016

For more information, please contact:

Katie Olver

PR for Uphold

[email protected]

SOURCE Uphold

Related Links

https://uphold.com


Endangered songbird challenging assumptions about evolution

Not all species may travel the same path to existence, at least according to new findings from the University of Colorado Boulder and collaborators.

This new research, out now in Science, looked at a newly discovered, endangered songbird located only in South America--the Ibera Seedeater--and found that this bird followed a very rare evolutionary path to come into existence at a much faster pace than the grand majority of species.

By comparing this bird to a closely related neighbor (the Tawny-Bellied Seedeater) in the same group (the southern capuchino seedeaters), the researchers determined that genetic shuffling of existing variations, rather than new random mutations, brought this species into existence--and their own behaviors are keeping them apart.

This species is one of only two known examples across the globe to have traveled this path, challenging the typical assumptions of how new species form.

"One of the aspects of this paper that makes it so cool is that we were able to address this question of how the Ibera Seedeaters formed from multiple different perspectives," said Sheela Turbek, a graduate student in ecology and evolutionary biology (EBIO) at University of Colorado Boulder and the study's lead author.

"Not only did we collect on-the-ground data on who mated with one another and the identity of their offspring, but we also generated genomic data to examine how similar these two species are on a genetic level. We then zoomed out further to look at where the Ibera Seedeater fits in the context of the broader capuchino group."

"Many studies will address one of these aspects or questions but not combine all of these different pieces of information into a single study."

The southern capuchino seedeaters are a group of recently evolved songbirds found throughout South America that is branching rapidly, with many of its species in the early stages of evolution. This family is best known for the dramatic variation with the males in terms of songs and plumage color, while the females are largely indistinguishable even to the most familiar researchers.

The Ibera Seedeater, the most recent member of this family, was first discovered in the remote, swampy grasslands of Ibera National Park in northern Argentina by study co-authors Adrian S. Di Giacomo and Cecilia Kopuchian from Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral, Argentina, in 2001, and then described in scientific literature in 2016.

In that national park, though, are six other closely related species of capuchinos, including the Tawny-Bellied Seedeater, that breed closely beside each other. These species, despite occupying the same environment and eating the same food, rarely interbreed.

And so, researchers wondered why--and how--the Ibera Seedeater even came to be.

They explored these questions in two ways: First, they looked at how this new species may have formed by examining the ways in which its DNA differs from the Tawny-Bellied Seedeater, and second, looking at what mechanisms might be preventing it from interbreeding with the other species that occur in the park.

To do that, Turbek went down to Argentina for the breeding season for three years, staying two and a half to three months at a time, searching for and monitoring nests, collecting blood samples from adults and nestlings, and then, in the final year, performed a behavioral experiment to see whether plumage or song played a roll in terms of species recognition.

"The field work involved in collecting the assortative mating and behavioral data is extraordinarily hard, which is why these kinds of datasets rarely exist. This study and publication are a testament to Sheela's skill and hard work in the field," said Scott Taylor, an assistant professor in EBIO at University of Colorado Boulder, an author on the paper and Turbek's advisor.

What they found is that the two birds are closely related genetically, only distinguishable by the genes involved in plumage coloration. As well, they found that the males responded most aggressively to songs and plumage variations aligning with their own species.

This all means that the species could very well reproduce and hybridize--they just choose not to, therefore reinforcing their own reproductive barriers.

On a broader level, though, when comparing the Ibera Seedeater to other capuchino species, the researchers found that the Ibera Seedeater shares genomic variants with other capuchinos in these regions, but the variants have been shuffled to form a unique combination, which, the researchers argue, could be an evolutionary shortcut that most likely underlies much of the diversity among the different subspecies of this family.

"This is a really beautiful story about a process that we have never seen in quite this way before," says co-author Irby Lovette, director of the Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

"The classic and most common evolutionary model for new species is the accumulation of genetic mutations when those species are separated by a geographic barrier over perhaps millions of years. But here we found that genetic shuffling can happen quickly and without geographical isolation. It's almost like 'instant speciation.'"

Leonardo Campagna, a research associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the senior author on the paper, agrees:

"This is the clearest example in birds of how reshuffling of genetic variation can generate a brand-new species."

The only other organism where this type of evolution has been seen, according to Turbek, is a group of fish found in Africa called the Lake Victoria cichlids.

"It's interesting to see this mechanism operating in something as different as birds," Turbek commented.

While this study focused in part on the role of male behaviors, the researchers are very interested in taking it one step further, examining the role that female choice may also play in reproduction.

"There are many more questions that we have to address," Turbek said.

###

Other researchers on the project include Melanie Browne with Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral in Corrientes, Argentina; Wesley M. Hochachka with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Dario A. Lijtmaer and Pablo L. Tubaro with Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Luis Fabio Silveira with Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Rebecca J. Safran with CU Boulder.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
WASHINGTON  Womens access to contraceptives and reproductive care is a global human right that will be monitored by the United States, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken declared on Tuesday, reversing a Trump administration policy that had overlooked discrimination or denials of women seeking sexual health services worldwide.

The announcement was one of several departures Mr. Blinken made from the previous administrations approach as the State Department issued its annual report on human rights violations, even while he similarly condemned abuses and state-sanctioned oppression from China to Syria to Venezuela that have continued for years.

The report was completed during the Trump administration and, Mr. Blinken said, did not include examples of women who were refused health care and family planning information in nearly 200 countries and territories in 2020. He has directed officials to compile that data and identify violators this year because womens rights  including sexual and reproductive rights  are human rights, Mr. Blinken told reporters at the department.

Mr. Blinken also announced that he had dismantled an advisory committee, set up by Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state at the time, that had prioritized religious liberties and property rights among universal freedoms. Critics of the panel had accused Mr. Pompeo of using it to promote his evangelical Christian beliefs and conservative politics.
Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he made an error while calling for more youths to be drafted into the Nigerian Army in a bid to adequately tackle the nation's security challenges.

In a communique by his media aide Tunde Rahman, Tinubu stated that contrary to comments made at the colloquium in Kano State where his 69th birthday was celebrated, the intended recommendation was to have fifty thousand (50,000) youths recruited into various national security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army.

"Asiwaju seeks the expansion of security personnel by 50,000 for the armed forces, not the 50 million that was mentioned in error. It was an accidental verbal mistake of which we all commit from time to time especially when reciting a series of large numerical figures.

"He did not mean 50 million, which is almost a quarter of our total population," he said.
The Texas House and Senate have now moved forward on measures requiring power generators to weatherize their equipment for extreme conditions like last months deadly freeze.

But there remain differences, both major and minor, in the two pieces of legislation that must be resolved in the coming months before it can be advanced to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.

One major difference so far is that the House version does not mention the failures in natural gas delivery during the storm, or require natural gas producers to fix them, but House leaders say they will tackle those issues in bills that have not yet made it to the floor.

During energy hearings over the last month, several companies with gas-fired power plants testified that they werent able to generate power because they lost their gas supply. The states grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, has estimated at least 20 percent of the total outages during the storm stemmed from the cutoffs.

Both chambers bills would allow the Public Utility Commission, which oversees the states grid operator, to impose administrative penalties on utilities that dont comply with the weatherization requirement. The Senate bill goes one step further and holds non-compliant electric and natural gas companies liable for civil penalties of up to $1,000,000 per day.

A separate House bill does address gas supply failures during the storm by creating a committee made up of the leaders of ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission, which oversees it, and the Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industries. The committee would publish a report with recommendations on ways that the agencies could better coordinate, but that bill is still pending in committee.

Its pretty thin what they did today, energy and climate consultant Doug Lewin said. You can completely encase the power plant in insulation, and it wont matter if you cant get gas to it.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, asked Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, who authored several of the half dozen bills considered Tuesday, about the lack of mention of the utility and railroad commissions. Turner asked Paddie to confirm that members like himself with concerns about the gas industrys role in the outages and passing reforms in that area will have the chance to discuss that at a later date.

Paddie said the committee will soon review SB 3, plus there are priority House bills up for review in the near future that will deal more specifically with any oil and gas concerns that you want to talk about.

We have a ways to go before we can be sure what we saw in February never happens again, Turner said in a statement. Before session ends, we need to pass laws that protect consumers, bolster infrastructure resiliency and hold government and industry players accountable for their role in the blackouts.

Neither chambers bill addresses how the weatherization will be paid for, nor do they offer up state funds, which advocates such as Adrian Shelley, director of left-leaning nonprofit Public Citizen Texas, say mean those costs will fall on consumers.

House Speaker Dade Phelan described the half dozen bills that moved forward Tuesday as important first steps in passing critical, essential reforms in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri.

The two chambers are also pushing forward legislation that would lead to the creation of a statewide alert system for power disasters, though they vary in how quickly theyd take effect. The Senate version asks the PUC to create the system right away whereas the Houses asks the Texas Division of Emergency Management to study the matter and report back by March 2022.

Another area where the two chambers overlap is in banning residential wholesale indexed products, like those formerly offered by Houston-based startup Griddy. The plans directly pass on wholesale electricity rates to customers. In the case of the storm, when those prices skyrocketed to their maximum of $9,000 per megawatt hour, some Griddy customers were saddled with bills for thousands of dollars to power their homes.

Other legislation that was tentatively approved Tuesday would require all members of ERCOT board to be Texas residents and allow the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker to appoint members, one of whom must represent residential consumer interests. Another would establish a Texas Energy Disaster Reliability Council that would help coordinate fuel delivery to electric providers during a disaster and study and make recommendations to improve grid reliability.

Yet another takes aim at the city of Austin and others with climate change plans that consider phasing out natural gas hookups. The bill stops local governments from banning a particular energy source.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
Dark Light Design

Kurtz

Ron Kurtz joined Seattle-based Dark Light Design as principal in charge of its new St. Louis, Missouri office. Kurtz has over 30 years of lighting design experience, including infrastructure/bridges, monuments, museums, retail and hospitality projects in the U.S. and abroad. His work includes the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial-Gateway Arch, Haworth Showroom-Chicago Merchandise Mart, Four Seasons Hotel and the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Bass Pro Shops prototype stores and the Utah State Capitol. Prior to joining Dark Light, a lighting design firm, Kurtz was a senior associate at Randy Burkett Lighting Design.




Kenneth Gent, 19, had his sentence increased to an extended seven-and-a-half years

A rapist who was jailed for a sex attack on a vulnerable woman in a park has had his 'unduly lenient' sentence more than doubled by the Court of Appeal today.

Kenneth Gent, 19, had been handed three years in detention after admitting two counts of rape in 2017.

He raped a young woman with a developmental delay at a park in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, after telling her that he would escort her to the bus stop, the court heard.

During the attack, the then 16-year-old punched, kicked and bit her, leaving her bleeding and bruised to 'crawl away to seek help'.

On Wednesday, his sentence was increased to an extended seven-and-a-half years, including four-and-half-years in custody, following a referral by the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

Gent, of Gateshead, wore a grey and navy tracksuit top as he appeared via video link, speaking to correct the pronunciation of his name.

Sarah Przybylska, for the Attorney General, argued the original sentence was unduly lenient and suggested Gent should be given 'at least four-and-a-half to five years of detention'.

She pointed out 'multiple serious aggravating factors' with the offence, including the violence against the victim.

Miss Przybylska added Gent had a 'worsening' criminal record and had shown a deterioration in his behaviour following other convictions, including robbery.

Concerns were also raised about Gent's dangerousness in the future.

She continued: 'The pre-sentence report noticed significant concerns particularly in regards to his attitude towards women. He blamed the victim.'

The cordoned-off park in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, pictured above. Sarah Przybylska, for the Attorney General, argued the original three-year sentence was unduly lenient

Gent, who has been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, was said to have shown little remorse.

His offending was likely linked to his personality disorder, the court heard.

Lady Justice Macur, sitting with Mr Justice Jay and Mr Justice Butcher, increased Gent's sentence to four years and six months' detention with a three-year extended licence.

Outlining their decision, Lady Justice Macur said: 'It was dark and under the pretence of escorting her to the bus, he persuaded her to take a route through the park.

'She was dragged to a spot, presumably out of public view. The defendant punched her face, pushed her to the ground and kicked her in the back.'

Gent then removed her lower clothes and pulled her top over her head so she could not see before raping her.

The judge continued: 'The victim is a petit young woman and would have been a poor physical match.

'When she tried to drag herself up from the ground she was pulled back down by her hair.'

Gent's original sentence was more than doubled by the Court of Appeal (file photo, pictured above) today. Concerns had been raised about Gent's dangerousness in the future

She added: 'The victim was left to crawl away to seek help from a nearby shop.'

Gent had claimed he had taken the victim to a taxi rank and left her there and did not go into the park with her.

He later said he was drunk at the time of the offence and it had started as consensual.

Lady Justice Macur added: 'He suggested the victim had planned to get him into jail because she knew he had a bad temper.'

She continued: 'These were extremely grave crimes committed over three years before his conviction.'

'In this case we determine it is appropriate that a determinate extended sentence should be applied.

'The sentence of three years of detention will be quashed and it will be replaced with an extended determinate sentence of seven and a half years, with a custodial element of four-and-a-half years and a licence period of three years.'

Speaking after the hearing, Attorney General, Michael Ellis QC said: 'Gent carried out a shocking attack, ignoring all cries to stop. In my view his sentence was too lenient, and I am glad that the court saw fit to increase it today.

'I hope this brings some comfort to the young victim.'
LX Holdings Chairman Koo Bon-joon, left, and LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. Korea Times file



By Kim Yoo-chul



Shareholders of LG Corp. approved an already-announced plan to spin off the group's secondary affiliates involved in everything from trading and construction materials to display semiconductors.



During a shareholders' meeting at LG Corp, the spinoff plan has been approved with 76.6 percent approval, LG Corp. said in a statement.



Last November, LG Corp. said it was planning to separate the group's four affiliates  LG International, LG Hausys, LG MMA and Silicon Works  and integrate them into a new entity to be led by former LG Vice Chairman Koo Bon-joon.



Following the approval, the four LG entities will be renamed as LX Holdings, which will also be launched on May 1. Friday's approval also means LG Group will have two holding companies. At the time of the announcement, LG said the separation was aimed at expanding its outreach into batteries, electronics and telecommunications.



But some activist funds had been opposing LG's spinoff plan by claiming it would hurt the best interests of shareholders of LG Corp. and the group's other affiliates.



Specifically, Whitebox Advisors said because the spun-off affiliates will be controlled by Koo Bon-joon, who owns a 46.1 percent stake in LG and is also LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo's uncle, the spinoff plan was LG's apparent move to treat LG Corp. shareholders as secondary. Also, the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) said the combination of the separated affiliates into a single entity isn't looking good in terms of the group's growth potential given the expanded operations of those entities.



"The spinoff seems to have been conceived for the inappropriate purpose of solving a family succession issue between the company's chairman and his uncle," Whitebox said in an earlier letter. "The spinoff undermines LG's credibility and market position by revealing an insular corporate governance model that treats minority shareholders like second-class citizens."



LG flatly denied such accusations. In the statement released after the approval, LG Corp. said each of the holding companies will have greater management independence and put more focus on boosting overall corporate value. "The existing holding company LG Corp. will focus more on strengthening the group's presence in electronics, chemicals, batteries, OLEDs and vehicle components. Plus, LX Holdings would explore its best possible chances on how to boost corporate value," read the release.


The next step in developing the worlds largest untapped iron ore mine depends on whether the two consortiums involved can strike a deal on issues including local infrastructure, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto told Caixin.

Simandou, a 110 kilometer (68 miles) range of hills deep in the hinterland of Guinea in West Africa, is considered to be worlds largest, highest-quality iron ore deposit with some experts forecasting annual production could hit 150 million tons. That would turn the country into one of the worlds largest producers of the commodity.

But even though the project has lured in several mining conglomerates, no sustained work has been done to commercialize the site.

The next step is really between the two consortiums to find out how we can work together as both consortiums have Chinese shareholders. Its not just a matter of finding ourselves in Guinea its also about finding solutions within China, Rio Tintos CEO Jakob Stausholm told Caixin in an online interview last Wednesday.

Simandou mining rights have been split into four blocks. The two northern blocks are owned by SMB-Winning, a consortium backed by Singaporean and Chinese companies. The two in the south are controlled by Rio Tinto and a group of Chinese investors led by steelmaking giant Baowu. The Guinean government holds 15% stake in all the blocks.

Read more

Cover Story: Stalled Guinea Project Highlights Chinas Struggle to Reforge Iron Ore Supply Chain

Given Guineas mountainous landscape and the long distance to the countrys coastline from the site, paying for and building the needed infrastructure are major hurdles.

SMB-Winning in November inked deals with Guinea regarding construction of ports and railways, and Rio Tinto has contacted the syndicate about the infrastructure, Jakob Stausholm said. He added that we are not going to make two parallel infrastructures, we need to find ways and means to cooperate.

More than 80% of Chinas iron ore comes from imports, meaning the country is always looking to secure reliable, affordable supplies, especially after ties soured with Australia, the source of about 60% of imports. Iron ore prices are currently high, up 118% year-on-year to $178.45 per ton, according to the Platts Iron Ore Index compiled by S&P Global Platts.

The average cost of ore from Simandou is predicted to be $35 to $45 per ton, leading to speculation that the mine could send a shock through the global ore market if it came online.

The robust prices are mostly driven by Chinas strong economy as well as the fact that much of the financial market has shifted from shorting the commodity to a long position, said Stausholm. However, he added that iron ore futures contracts are trading below their expected spot price at maturity, which means investors are expecting the commoditys price to decline.

Contact reporter Lu Yutong (yutonglu@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Follow the Chinese markets in real time with Caixin Globals new stock database.
The ECOWAS Commission has asked Community stakeholders to play an active role in development and the implementation of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 document and its frameworks for the West African Region.



This call came in a two-day consultation workshop, organized by ECOWAS on 29-30 March 2021, in Abuja. A similar consultation workshop was held with women and youth organisations across West Africa, last week.



This workshop aimed to consult specifically with the decentralized stakeholders from Member states because in most West African States, governance is decentralized to the subnational level for increased participation of the citizens in decision making and promote wider spread of socio-economic development at the sub-national level.



For development and governance to be fully responsive to the needs of the people and all inclusive, people and institutions must be empowered at every level of society  national and sub-national (province, district, city, town and village).



Recalling with the adoption of the ECOWAS Vision 2020 in 2007 by the Authority of Heads of State and Government as a strategic framework for the transformation of ECOWAS into a borderless, peaceful and prosperous region from an ECOWAS of the States to ECOWAS of the People, the ECOWAS Commission was mandated to establish a comprehensive and all-inclusive roadmap for a new strategy, post vision 2020, that will address the various challenges and reflect the communitys aspirations and projections for the next 30 years. This new vision will build on the successes of Vision 2020 and chart a new development path in a detailed document which will garner the goals, aspirations, and developmental priorities of the region over the next thirty years.



The Vice President Madam Finda Koroma, in her opening remarks, reiterated the commitment of ECOWAS to leave no one behind in the roadmap to vision 2020 and called for active involvement in the Visions implementation process. Because the decentralized institutions and Local authorities enjoy a unique and privileged position of proximity with the population as elected officials, your mandates are service delivery to the people, therefore making you the primary stakeholders in the whole process of consultations. Your closeness to the people which gives you the unique opportunity to be able to talk to them directly and to better understand their needs, makes you privileged interlocutors in the design and implementation of any policies and programmes for the people, she said.



At the end of this workshop, we would have gathered and documented your strong recommendations and critical solutions which will be incorporated into the design of programmes and policies that will strengthen decentralisation in your various states, as part of the Vision 2050 development process. We are not oblivious to the fact that despite being at the supra national level, the ultimate beneficiaries of our programmes are the people at the grass root level. I therefore call on all of you here present to help us better understand the peculiar needs of the decentralised administrations and what programmes could be developed to empower them so that together we are able to serve our communities as expected, she said.



She went further to outline some of the important progress achieved in terms of regional integration like the deployment ECOWAS Common Passport, the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance, the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card to aid free movement and freedom of establishment of citizens, foster intra-regional trade, partnership, and economic collaboration.



The implementation of Conflict Prevention Framework, eradication of terrorism and violent extremism, war against drug and human trafficking , consolidation of Customs Union with the implementation of the Common External Tariff (CET), construction of Joint-Border Posts at major border crossing points, all these have contributed to growth in both formal and informal trade in our region; In the health sector, WAHO is coordinating the regional response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including capacity building and provision of essential medical supplies and equipment to Member States.



Madam Koroma recalled that under her direct supervision, the ECOWAS Fund for Regional Stabilisation and Sustainable Development for Fragile Regions will soon be launched. This initiative seeks to improve living conditions of women and youth, create business opportunities for them, strengthen social cohesion and promote good governance. The pilot programme was launched in The Gambia with 17m and hopefully, it may be extended to Guinea-Bissau and Mali as part of the regional pilot programme (2021-2023) before it is rolled out to other member states.



She concluded appreciating the quick response of participants to the invitation despite all the hassle of travelling in this Covid-19 period. This is a real show of your commitment to the development of our region, which we appreciate dearly she ended.



Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zubairu Dada, hailed ECOWAS for this initiative which is in line with following the ECOWAS Council of Ministers direction. He reminded participants on the need to see this workshop as an essential tool to appraise the achievements of ECOWAS in the promotion of peace and prosperity across West Africa and use this to not only discuss and identify development challenges of the region but to also explore opportunities, policies and programmes that will go a long way in addressing these issues and contribute to the vision 2050.



Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, represented by Mr. Adeosun .T. David Director, Macroeconomic Analysis in his remarks stated that this couldnt have come at a better time, when Nigeria is developing their own vision 2050 and 2070.



Mr. Joseph Uyi, Head ECOWAS National Office, Nigeria, stressed the importance of liaising with leaders and sub leaders at every level in order to ensure that identifying developmental needs of the sub region are done effectively and all encompassing.



Mr. Ludwig Kirchner, GIZ ECOWAS Cluster Coordinator, in his remarks, said since ECOWAS is a People centred organization, the peculiarities of all stakeholders must be taken into consideration. ECOWAS Vision 2050 offers the opportunity to be part of the larger picture. To be factored in right from the start of this continuous dialogue which should be translated into Pillars, Community Strategic Framework, Strategic Plans, Policies, laws and implemented at national and subnational levels. If all stakeholders are informed of the development of Vision 2050, we will better hold each other accountable for the future.



In these two days, it is important that you assist ECOWAS in re-aligning the policy trajectory to your realities. Ensure a better integration into the Vision pillars that will support the region for the next thirty (30) years. ECOWAS has invested in the people, which will ensure that the region can flourish. This workshop is a platform for you to voice your aspirations, he addressed the participants.



The participants at the workshop were drawn from city mayors, Governors from each member state, representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, GIZ, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).















Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Europe's medical watchdog today slapped down Germany for suspending AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab after a small number of vaccinated people developed deadly brain clots.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said there was 'no evidence' to support Berlin halting the jab for people under 60, adding that the benefits of protecting against Covid outweigh the risk of the extremely rare condition.

Analysis by the regulator found just 62 out of 9.1million people vaccinated with the British-made jab worldwide had developed the brain clot, known as cerebral sinus venous thrombosis  a rate of about five per million. Forty-four of them were in Europe.

Emer Cooke, the EMA's executive director, told a press conference this afternoon there was no proof the vaccine had caused CSVT in any of the cases and admitted those people might have developed the condition regardless.

The EMA's ruling puts the watchdog at odds with many other major EU member states which have also restricted the jab's rollout in certain age groups, including France, Spain and Norway.

Reports of CSVT have been most common in Germany, where 31 out of 2.7million vaccinated people suffered the deadly brain clot - a rate of one in 90,000. It led to the nation banning the vaccine in under-60s last night.

Ms Cooke said the rate of the blood clots could be one in 100,000 for people under 60 and that this did appear higher than the normal population risk, although there was still no solid link to the jab, only a 'possible' one.

While the reasons for the higher prevalence in Germany aren't at all clear, the EMA revealed twice as many women had received AstraZenca's jab in Europe than men, before adding that the people normally most at risk of CSVT are females aged 35 to 45.

Until recently Germany had suspended the AZ jab for over-60s due to initial fears about blood clots. It raises the possibility that the rates of CSVT among vaccinated people Germany can be explained by more women who are susceptible to the condition being targeted by the rollout.

Ms Cooke said: 'At present, the experts have advised us that they have not been able to identify specific risk factors, including age, gender or previous medical history of clotting disorders, for these very rare events.

'And, as I mentioned previously, a causal link of the vaccine has not yet been proven but it is possible, and further analysis is still ongoing. According to the current scientific knowledge, there is no evidence to support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population.'

Germany has reported significantly more cases of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) than other major European countries and the reasons for it are unclear. The UK has vaccinated five times as many people but seen just one sixth as many CSVT cases, while France, Italy and Spain used the AstraZeneca jab on similar age groups but also had much lower rates of CSVT. There is still no evidence the vaccine is causing the condition, experts say

Emer Cooke, the EMA's executive director, told a press conference this afternoon there was no proof the vaccine had caused CSVT in any of the cases and admitted those people might have developed the condition anyway

Several member states have paused rollouts of the AstraZeneca vaccine after a tiny number of inoculated people, predominantly women under 55, suffered deadly brain clots

Europe's suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine will erode public confidence in the jab and lead to more coronavirus deaths, experts warned today

This chart shows how Britain is still racing ahead of the EU in vaccinating its population against Covid-19, more than three months after the continent started its jab programme

Asked if a link between the rare cases of blood clots and the vaccine is likely, Ms Cooke told the briefing: 'At the moment at this stage of our investigations the link is possible and we cannot say any more than that at this point.'

The EMA said vaccinated people should be aware of 'the remote possibility of these very rare types of blood clots occurring'.

And it suggested that rates appeared higher in AstraZeneca patients than others, with 4.8 cases per million compared to 0.2 for Pfizer and none for Moderna. But this may be due to the fact that younger adult women have received the jab more than other groups in Germany and they also have a higher risk of CSVT.

The EMA said: 'If they have symptoms suggestive of clotting problems as described in the product information, they should seek immediate medical attention and inform healthcare professionals of their recent vaccination.'

Ms Cooke said the EMA was aiming to reach a 'scientific conclusion' next week after consulting with experts from across the medical field and looking at all the evidence.

She added that the board would continue following up side effect reports long into the future while the vaccine is used, not just drop it when the current saga is over.

In today's briefing Ms Cooke said: 'Two weeks ago, on the 18th of March, we gave an interim update of the assessment and we concluded at the time that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing Covid-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, outweigh the risk of side effects  and our position has not changed.'

What IS the truth about AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine and blood clots? Germany reported far more brain blood clots after the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine than other major European countries before banning the jab for under-60s yesterday, raising questions about why there are differences between countries. And some experts suggest the 'play of chance' has resulted in more cases of the blood clot being found in Germany than other nations because 'if you look for excesses of cases in a wide range of rare conditions, you will find some'. Health officials in Frankfurt say the country has seen 31 cases of the condition cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) out of 2.7million people vaccinated. This suggests 0.0011 per cent of people who got the jab later developed the clot  around one in 90,000 people  although there is still no proof the jab causes them. Other major European countries have seen significantly fewer CSVT cases despite vaccinating more people, prompting questions about why Germany is different. If the same rate in Germany had appeared in the UK, which has vaccinated far more people, 150 people would have been diagnosed with it already because five times as many jabs have been used. But in reality only five people have been found to have it after a jab, which experts say is not more common than usual. Tenuous links between the vaccine and CSVT are still mired in confusion because experts in some countries claim the condition is most common in women but all the UK's cases have been among men, and the frequency of cases does not appear to rise in proportion as more vaccines are carried out. And one expert points out it is unusual that the vaccine could make one ultra-specific type of blood clot more likely but not blood clots in general. In the UK, there were just five cases on record after nearly 14million vaccines  if an illness was being triggered by the vaccine, experts would expect to see more of it where more vaccines are being given. Meanwhile Spain, France and Italy have recorded, at most, one case per million patients despite using the jab on similar age groups to Germany. Advertisement

She described the blood clot patients as 'very rare and unusual cases' and added: 'At present, the experts have advised us that they have not been able to identify specific risk factors, including age, gender or previous medical history of clotting disorders, for these very rare events.

'And, as I mentioned previously, a causal link of the vaccine has not yet been proven but it is possible, and further analysis is still ongoing.

'According to the current scientific knowledge, there is no evidence to support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population.

'Our committee, PRAC, continues to review all the data available and will aim to reach a scientific conclusion on the signal next week.'

It comes as British scientists today warned that Europe's suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine will erode public confidence in the jab and cause more coronavirus deaths.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline it 'seems likely' there will be some 'avoidable deaths' in the UK because fewer people will come forward for their appointment.

His comments were echoed by Dr Peter English, a former British Medical Association chief, who slammed EU nations for stoking fears about the vaccine.

He said there was 'no evidence' vaccination was behind the clotting, adding: 'Any decision to withhold the vaccine will directly cause excess, avoidable Covid deaths.'

Meanwhile, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick today pleaded with Brits to keep their faith in the AZ jab, pointing out that 'study after study' had shown it was safe.

When concerns were first raised about the vaccine's link to clots earlier this month, GPs in England warned as many as one in 10 patients were either not showing up, asking to cancel or double-checking which jab they were getting before attending their appointment.

There are fears the problem will become more widespread as countries on the continent continue to revolt against the jab.

The EU is currently battling a third Covid wave which has sent several countries back into national lockdowns and is struggling to get its vaccination programme up to speed.

The World Health Organization said today it continues to monitor the jab's safety but the benefit-risk assessment 'weighs heavily in favour of its use'.

Alejandro Cravioto, chair of the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, told a briefing the panel was 'comfortable' with the vaccine's use, since many of the countries using it have safety warning signal systems in place and are not reporting problems.

Germany became the latest country to stop giving the jab to people under the age of 60 last night. France and Norway are not allowing under-55s to get AstraZeneca's vaccine, while Spain has banned its use in under-65s.

Earlier in the week Canada also halted its use in people under the age of 55 over the same clotting fears.

AstraZeneca still maintains the clots are not occurring any more frequently than they would in the general population, a claim which has been echoed repeatedly by medical regulators in the UK and EU.

When asked about the effect of the EU's suspensions on Britain's vaccine rollout, Dr Clarke told MailOnline: 'I think it's fair to say any anti-vaccine worries people here have could be bolstered by attitudes of some European regulators and governments.

Meanwhile, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick today pleaded with Britons to keep coming for the vaccine amid fears that suspensions on the continent will fuel vaccine hesitancy at home

'That could lead to avoidable deaths if, as seems likely, that means they don't get vaccinated.'

DANISH STUDY SAYS BLOOD CLOTS NOT MORE LIKELY AFTER VACCINE A Danish study says general blood clots are not more likely to develop are people have had the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine. Research published in The Lancet medical journal found that the numbers of clots being reported in vaccinated people do not seem to outstrip what would be expected in the general population. Experts at Aarhus University Hospital did the study and calculated the average rates of blood clots in Denmark's population before Covid. It found that doctors could expect to see around 169 cases of vein blood clots per week or 736 per month in an average group of five million people if none of them were getting vaccinated. This was based on the country's medical records, looking at the number of people who developed clots in adulthood and calculating how often this happened in any given year, month or week. They noted that only 30 cases were reported to the European Medicines Agency by March 10, by which time around five million people had been given the AstraZeneca vaccine over a period of around two months. Professor Sren Dinesen stergaard and colleagues wrote: 'Based on pre-pandemic incidence rates from the entire Danish population, we report that the number of venous thromboembolisms reported in relation to the OxfordAstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine does not seem to be increased beyond the expected incidence rate.' But they added that the brain blood clots being reported were 'concerning and are receiving due attention from health authorities.' Advertisement

It comes after German health minister Jens Spahn and state officials agreed unanimously last night to only give the vaccine to people aged 60 or older, unless they belonged to a high-risk category for serious illness from Covid and had agreed with their doctor to take the vaccine.

Dr English, former chair of the BMA's Public Health Medicine Committee, said there was no proof the vaccine was linked to the clotting, or that prevalence was more common in inoculated groups than in the general population.

He added: 'There is no evidence that these cases are caused by vaccination, rather than simply associated with it, in people who would have had such conditions anyway.

'Right now, in the middle of a pandemic, with case numbers rising alarmingly, any risk from vaccination has to be set against the risk of disease.

'A decision may be thought of as 'precautionary'; but if people are not vaccinated, because use of the vaccine is suspended, or because of a drop in confidence in the vaccine caused by the decision, some of them will get ill from Covid-19; and some of them will die. Any decision to withhold the vaccine will directly cause excess, avoidable Covid-19 deaths.'

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said today he was '100 per cent confident' in the AZ jab, adding that 'study after study' had shown it is safe and is saving thousands of lives.

He told Sky News: 'People should continue to go forward, get the vaccine, I certainly will when my time comes, it is a safe vaccine and the UK's vaccine rollout is saving people's lives right across the country every day.'

A review by Germany's medical regulator found a total of 31 unusual blood clots, including nine deaths, were reported by March 29 out of some 2.7million doses of AstraZeneca administered in Germany.

Twenty-nine of the cases were in women aged 20 to 63 and two in men aged 39 and 56.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said that tens of millions of people worldwide have received its vaccines and noted the European Medicines Agency's conclusion that the benefits of the shot outweigh the risks.

The company said it would continue to work with German authorities to address any questions they might have, while also analysing its own records to understand whether the rare blood clots reported occur more commonly 'than would be expected naturally in a population of millions of people'.

Scientists insist the risk of blood clots is no higher than in the general population.

The 31 clots spotted by German officials are cases of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT).

Regulatory reports show that blood clot diagnoses are about equally likely after either the two jabs being used in the UK  slightly higher for Pfizer  and scientists insist the risk is no higher than a random person in the population could expect, meaning the vaccine remains safe. Rates of death soon after vaccination appear higher for AstraZeneca's vaccine but this is likely because it is used in care homes and the people receiving it are naturally more likely to die of any reason

Figures from AstraZeneca and the European Medicines Agency show the number of blood clot-related conditions from 17million doses dished out in the UK and Europe up to March 13

CSVT is a rare clot in a vein draining blood from the brain that, left untreated, can cause a life-threatening brain haemorrhage or stroke.

It was this condition that panicked European drug regulators earlier in March but the European Medicines Agency found no proof the jab was causing it. Scientists and politicians slammed Germany's move as a backwards step going over old ground.

Most of the cases were in younger women but the AstraZeneca vaccinations have been stopped for both men and women. People can still get the Pfizer and Moderna jabs that are being used on the continent.

Dr Clarke told MailOnline: 'Whenever you do these things you need to have a reason to do them. It's all a balance of risk.

'There is no evidence that there is a problem but, even if there was, then you're reducing what, at worst, is a tiny risk and imposing a bigger one by not giving people the protection of a vaccine.

'People still get on airplanes and we know that there is a real risk of blood clotting if you're sat on a plane for hours, but people still do it because they want to go on holiday.

'So if people are more concerned about blood clots than they are Covid, I'd say they have their priorities all wrong.

'You have to wonder what the thinking is. Are they being entirely up front? Because it just doesn't make sense as it is presented. Maybe they know something they're not letting on.'

RESEARCHERS CLAIM IMMUNE SYSTEM REACTION TRIGGERS CLOTS Research teams in Germany and Norway claim the blood clotting issue may be caused by the jab, in very rare cases, causing the body to attack its own blood platelets. Platelets are tiny chunks of cells that the body uses to build blood clots when someone is injured, to stop them losing too much blood. But they are also components of unwanted clots. Experts from Oslo and Greifswald University believe the jab could cause the body to produce antibodies normally used to fight off viruses  which mistake platelets in the blood for foreign invaders and attack them. To compensate, the body then overproduces platelets, causing the blood to thicken and raising the risk of clotting. They admitted they 'don't know why this is happening'. But the researchers say the phenomenon is similar to one that can occur in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when sufferers take a drug called heparin. Experts say the condition has not been proven to be caused by the jab and may simply be showing up just because millions of people are being vaccinated and reporting their health conditions. They added that, if spotted early, it could be diagnosed with a simple blood test and quickly treated with blood-thinners. They stressed that even if the clots do turn out to be caused by the vaccine they are still extremely rare. Advertisement

What IS the truth about AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine and blood clots? NHS should have seen 150 cases if problem was as common in England as in Germany  but there have been just FIVE

Germany reported far more brain blood clots after the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine than other major European countries before banning the jab for under-60s yesterday, raising questions about why there are differences between countries.

And some experts suggest the 'play of chance' has resulted in more cases of the blood clot being found in Germany than other nations because 'if you look for excesses of cases in a wide range of rare conditions, you will find some'.

Health officials in Frankfurt say the country has seen 31 cases of the condition cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) out of 2.7million people vaccinated.

This suggests 0.0011 per cent of people who got the jab later developed the clot  around one in 90,000 people  although there is still no proof the jab causes them.

Other major European countries have seen significantly fewer CSVT cases despite vaccinating more people, prompting questions about why Germany is different.

If the same rate in Germany had appeared in the UK, which has vaccinated far more people, 150 people would have been diagnosed with it already because five times as many jabs have been used. But in reality only five people have been found to have it after a jab, which experts say is not more common than usual.

Tenuous links between the vaccine and CSVT are still mired in confusion because experts in some countries claim the condition is most common in women but all the UK's cases have been among men, and the frequency of cases does not appear to rise in proportion as more vaccines are carried out.

And one expert points out it is unusual that the vaccine could make one ultra-specific type of blood clot more likely but not blood clots in general.

In the UK, there were just five cases on record after nearly 14million vaccines  if an illness was being triggered by the vaccine, experts would expect to see more of it where more vaccines are being given.

Meanwhile Spain, France and Italy have recorded, at most, one case per million patients despite using the jab on similar age groups to Germany.

Germany last night became the latest of at least 10 countries in Europe to have put some kind of restriction on the use of AstraZenena's jab, most of them opting to give it only to over-60s because the CSVT cases seem to be happening in younger adults.

But scientists and regulators insist there's still no evidence the vaccine is causing blood clots or any other severe side effects and that the risk of Covid is greater.

Germany has vaccinated more people against coronavirus, but not by a big enough margin to account for the difference in CSVT cases compared to France, Italy and Spain. Britain, which has vaccinated the most of all the countries, has the lowest rate of CSVT

Germany is now at the forefront of the row which has pitted regulators in Europe against other global health chiefs about the safety of the vaccine.

Its rate of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis  blood clots that form in the vein leading out of the brain and can trigger strokes  is much higher than other countries', based on data published so far. Officials claim there's a link to the jab.

But the UK's rate of the same condition is significantly lower even though it has done significantly more vaccinations.

Britain's MHRA had recorded only five cases of CSVT after 13.7million vaccinations with the AstraZeneca jab by March 22  a miniscule rate of 0.000036 per cent.

This rate is equal to fewer than one case for every two million people vaccinated.

Other comparable countries also saw rates much lower than Germany's  in Italy just one case was recorded out of 1.1million vaccines given by March 28.

In Spain there was one case after the first million doses, the health ministry said, and in France there were two cases from 1.43million vaccinations by March 16.

One of the biggest differences in the way the vaccine has been used across Europe is between age groups.

While the UK has used AstraZeneca's jab as a mainstay for older adults and care home residents because it is so easy to transport, Germany refused to approve its use among people over the age of 65.

This was the subject of a blazing argument about the jab earlier in the year and foreign governments claimed trials did not include enough elderly people to give confidence that the vaccine worked for them.

The cases of CSVT now emerging are mostly among young women, officials say.

In Germany, 29 of the 31 cases were in women aged 20 to 63 and two in men, aged 39 and 56.

All of the UK's five cases by mid-March, however, had been among men.

And in another blow that weakens the connection to the jab, Germany's neighbours also refused to give the AstraZeneca vaccine to young people and have not seen the same elevated rate of CSVT cases.

France and Italy originally only approved the jab for under-65s because of the trial data, and Spain used it for under-55s. None of these countries have seen the same level of CSVT as Germany.

Germany has vaccinated more people, but not by a big enough margin to account for the difference in CSVT cases.

The UK's MHRA regulator, the World Health Organization, and independent scientists still insist there's no proof the jab is a direct cause of these blood clots.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: 'Whenever you do these things you need to have a reason to do them. It's all a balance of risk.

'There is no evidence that there is a problem but, even if there was, then you're reducing what, at worst, is a tiny risk and imposing a bigger one by not giving people the protection of a vaccine.

'People still get on airplanes and we know that there is a real risk of blood clotting if you're sat on a plane for hours, but people still do it because they want to go on holiday.

'So if people are more concerned about blood clots than they are Covid, I'd say they have their priorities all wrong.'

A UK Government spokesperson said yesterday: 'The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, effective and has already saved thousands of lives in this country.

'As the UKs independent regulator has said, when people are called forward, they should get the jab.'

Although scientists say there isn't any evidence that the blood clots are developing because of vaccinations, some have a theory that it is the immune reaction making it happen.

Research teams in Germany and Norway claim the blood clotting issue may be caused by the jab, in very rare cases, making the body attack its own platelets.

Platelets are tiny chunks of cells inside blood that the body uses to build clots to stop bleeding when someone is injured. But they can also make unwanted clots.

Experts from Oslo and Greifswald University believe the jab could cause the body to produce antibodies  normally used to fight off viruses  which mistake platelets in the blood for foreign invaders and attack them.

To compensate, the body then overproduces platelets to replace those that are being attacked, causing the blood to thicken and raising the risk of clotting.

They admitted they 'don't know why this is happening'.

But the researchers say the phenomenon is similar to one that can occur in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when sufferers take a drug called heparin.

Experts say the condition has not been proven to be caused by the jab and may simply be showing up just because millions of people are being vaccinated and reporting their health conditions.

They added that, if spotted early, it could be diagnosed with a simple blood test and quickly treated with blood-thinners.

They stressed that even if the clots do turn out to be caused by the vaccine they are still extremely rare.

And one expert said it would be strange for the vaccine to cause one very specific type of clot to be more likely but not others.

While regulators have raised alarm about cases of CSVT, most other types of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis, don't seem to be any more common.

Dr Peter English, former chairman at the British Medical Association, said: 'There is no evidence that these cases are caused by vaccination, rather than simply associated with it, in people who would have had such conditions anyway.

'And it is hard to postulate a biological reason mechanism which could explain how a clotting disorder in which clots form in a particular part of the body could be more common, when clotting, in general, is not more common.'

He added: 'The way to tell if cases are caused by vaccination is to look to see if there is an excess of cases in people who have been vaccinated.

'If you look for excesses of cases in a wide range of rare conditions, you will find some, due to the play of chance.

'The cases are uncommon enough that the number of excess cases will be small, which can easily happen by chance; and if you look at multiple conditions, then of course one or more of them will have an excess, just by chance.'

Investigating whether and why cases appear to be more common among women, experts in Europe are looking to the contraceptive pill and smoking to see whether they could be linked to a higher risk of developing CSVT.

The risk of developing any type of blood clot while taking the contraceptive pill is significantly higher than the apparent risk of being diagnosed with CSVT after a vaccine.

Around one in 1,600 women are affected each year, although it's not clear how many of these clots affect the brain, which is a rare occurrence.

The Pill can raise the blood clot risk because it increases oestrogen levels which also increase proteins linked to clotting, thickening the blood.

Smoking is also known to pose a greater risk of blood clots, because it can make platelets in the veins and arteries - which trigger clots - stick together.

These may both put people who take the Pill or smoke at a higher baseline risk of developing a blood clot, meaning it would take less of a push for one to develop.
A violent criminal has been jailed for four years over the brutal bashing of an Uber Eats worker who was left with horrific injuries and trauma after the attack.

Jivanta Justin Banu, 21, led a 'predatory and cowardly' attack on the delivery worker after repeatedly punching the man in Mooroobool near Cairns, Queensland.

Banu, who was on parole for other violent offences, stopped the victim on his bicycle and attacked him after he refused to hand over any cash.

Jivanta Justin Banu, 21, (pictured) lead a 'predatory and cowardly' attack that left an delivery worker disfigured after repeatedly punching the man in Mooroobool near Cairns, Queensland

An Uber Eats delivery driver has been left with black eyes and a broken nose after Banu and two men repeatedly threw punches and stole his watch (stock image)

The victim attempted to flee on his bike but Banu continued to pursue the man who called out for help from two other men.

But unbeknownst to him the pair were with Banu, and all three punched and kicked him again.

Banu stole the victim's watch before leaving him with a broken nose, deep cuts on his face and black eyes.

Judge Leanne Clare described the bashing as 'brutal' in the Cairns District Court on Tuesday.

'You were the initiator, you were the one who stopped him. You delivered the first blows,' Judge Clare said.

'He bears a reminder on his face of what you did to him. He's traumatised and is afraid,' Judge Clare said.

The victim was unable to eat and had limited mobility following the attack, the Cairns District Court heard.

The next morning, Banu also stole keys to a car after breaking into a home.

Banu was sentenced to four years in jail and pleaded guilty to robbery in company using personal violence, stealing, unlawful use of a car, and entering premises to commit an indictable act.

He will be available for parole on July 26 this year and has already served 308 days pre-sentence custody.
Hyderabad, March 31 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's sister Y.S. Sharmila on Wednesday trained her guns on Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao over "drought-prone" mandals in his home district Medak.

Sharmila, who is planning to float a political party in Telangana, addressed a meeting of loyalists of her late father and former undivided Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy from the district.

Addressing the meeting at her residence in Hyderabad, she said in the CM's home district, 20 mandals are drought-prone. "What should be the level of development in united Medak district represented by the Chief Minister but what is happening there now," she asked, claiming people of the district were facing water scarcity while farmers were suffering the most.

Sharmila alleged that farmers who had given their lands for Mallanna Sagar project were protesting. She also claimed that lands of Dalits were acquired forcibly.

She asserted that had Rajasekhara Reddy been alive, Medak district would have seen more development. Sharmila also claimed that due to construction of Outer Ring Road around Hyderabad by Rajasekhara Reddy, Medak witnessed rapid development.

Sharmila said she was pained to learn that a youth who had fought for statehood to Telangana recently attempted suicide as he was depressed over not getting a job.

The meeting was the latest in a series of consultations she is having with YSR loyalists from various parts of Telangana before announcing her political plans.

Sharmila has already admitted that she has difference of opinion with her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is not in favour of launching a party in Telangana.

YSR Congress Party led by Jagan Mohan Reddy is confined to Andhra Pradesh and the party is not keen to revive its activities in the neighbouring Telugu state.
Al Salem Johnson Controls, a leading provider of integrated solutions in HVAC equipment, fire and security and building management systems, said customers in the region can make up to 40 per cent in savings on their electricity charges through its innovative energy efficiency solutions.

Al Salem Johnson Controls is an energy services company (Esco), certified by the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC).

Energy Efficiency - a term referring to boosting the performance of building systems, cutting energy consumption, and providing building occupants with a comfortable, safe, and attractive living and work environment - has become a global trend; mainly due to increasing energy costs and the environmental regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) is an integrated approach to increase energy and operational efficiency; lower maintenance, and repair costs; and reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact, said the statement from Al Salem Johnson Controls.

For example, an energy-efficient 12-watt LED bulb provides the same level of light as a 60-watt traditional bulb, but consumes 75-80% less energy and emits less heat radiation.

Usually, energy in residential and commercial facilities is consumed by lighting (25-30%); heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) (50-55%); miscellaneous and plug loads (e.g. appliances, electronics, water coolers, heaters, data centersetc.) (10-15%).

Al Salem Johnson Controls pointed out that studies have shown that buildings constructed before 2015 consume more energy, due to diverse factors, not limited to the aging of the building infrastructure and inefficient equipment.

On the other hand, recently constructed buildings have adapted new construction technologies, better insulation methods, new efficiency standards, and environmental regulations, it stated.

"Even equipment, such as lighting and HVAC Units now feature advanced technologies, higher energy efficiency, and are more eco-friendly," said a company spokesman.

"Upgrading the infrastructure of existing facilities has a potential of 35-40% reduction in energy consumption, with adequate energy solutions, depending on the nature of the facility, operation periods, and the existing systems/equipment, he added.

On its ESPC service, the spokesman said the process starts with an Esco engineering team visiting the entitys facilities for a preliminary energy audit.

This is mainly to determine each facilitys feasibility and potential saving opportunities, and then it will recommend customized energy efficiency solutions to suit each facility and meet its special requirements.

The ESPC is applicable in diverse sectors; including the public sector, education, retail industry, food and beverages, banking, hospitality, healthcare, or manufacturing, he added.

According to him, the available solutions vary in different sectors and as per the results of the preliminary energy audit.

"But there are many solutions that can be applied in most facilities, the top being: Lighting Solutions; retrofitting the lighting system, for example by replacing traditional lights with LEDs, contributes to an average savings of up to 40%-60%, depending on the nature of the facility and operation hours. The LED retrofit has the shortest payback compared to other building improvements," he explained.

"When it comes to HVAC Units, the older the units, the lower the efficiency, and the higher the operational and maintenance costs," said the spokesman.

"Therefore, upgrading old units with efficient technologies or replacing them with new advanced units, will contribute to raising operational and energy efficiency, while reducing maintenance, repair, and spare parts costs," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Samgyetang / gettyimagesbank



By Park Ji-won



China has claimed that Samgyetang, or traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup, is theirs, upsetting many Koreans who are tired of the neighboring country's cultural provocations.



On Baidu, the Chinese equivalent of Google, Tuesday, Samgyetang was described as a chicken soup dish originating from Guangdong province, China, which was later introduced to Korea. It adds that the dish later became one of the most iconic dishes beloved by Korea's royal family members.



The description is incorrect. According to the Rural Development Administration, Koreans have been making a soup with chicken since at least the Joseon era. Samgyetang was popular among wealthy Koreans during the Japanese colonial period and they enjoyed the chicken soup with ginseng powder. It became more popular among ordinary people following the 1960s.



Prof. Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University, a self-proclaimed "publicist" for Korea, who has volunteered to correct inaccurate understandings of Korean history overseas, said he sent a complaint email to Baidu, urging the portal to revise the wrong information about the food.



"Baidu has stirred up a controversy by distorting history with Samgyetang, as it did with Kimchi recently  so I immediately sent an email to Baidu saying, 'China doesn't even use the Harmonized System (HS)  or international names and numbers designated for traded products  for Samgyetang, while Korea classifies the food with the number, 1602.32.1010." He added that he urged the website to revise the information to provide the proper information to Chinese netizens.



Some Koreans claimed that there should be no issue, as Samgyetang is simply Korea's dish. "There should be no feud over the origin of the food, because it is made in Korea. The more the controversy spreads, the more it helps the Chinese claim that the dish is theirs."



The controversy came after the website and China's influencers also claimed some Korean dishes as theirs over the last few months.



Last year, China's state-run "Global Times" newspaper claimed that China had led the international standard for pickled vegetables, including kimchi, following approval of the pickled food, paocai, by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Even though "paocai" in Chinese refers to a Chinese dish that is different from kimchi, which can be read as "paocai" in Chinese as well, the media wrote the story as if the two are same, which upset many Koreans and Korean media for "stealing a cultural asset."



Last year, Baidu also claimed that kimchi was made in China. The website removed the claim after Seo filed a complaint, but then added it again.


A police officer hangs a sign offering a reward for information on the person who attacked an Asian American woman near the crime scene, Tuesday, in New York. According to the police, early Wednesday, the suspect wanted in a brutal attack of an Asian American woman near New York City's Times Square has been arrested and charged with felony assault as a hate crime. AP-Yonhap



Police in New York arrested early Wednesday a suspect in a brutal videotaped assault of a 65-year-old Asian American woman, the latest high-profile incident of anti-Asian violence in the United States.



Police announced the arrest on Twitter and said the man was being charged with felony assault as a hate crime. The tweet did not give his name but U.S. news outlets identified the man as Brandon Elliot, 38.



The attack, which took place on a sidewalk in broad daylight in Midtown Manhattan on Monday, was caught by a surveillance camera inside an adjacent building.



In the video, posted online by police, the man can be seen walking up to the woman and kicking her in the stomach, knocking her to the ground.



He then kicks her several times in the head before walking away.



The video also shows a man, who appears to be a delivery worker, watching the attack unfold from inside the building.



He is then joined by two other men, one of whom closes the door rather than coming to the woman's aid as the assailant walks away.



Police had asked the public for help in identifying the attacker.



Residents identified him as a local homeless person and directed police to a hotel serving as a shelter for people without homes, where he was arrested, New York news outlets reported.



The victim, whose identity has not been released, was hospitalized with multiple injuries, including a broken pelvis.



She was in stable condition Tuesday, police said.



In a statement, the NYPD said the attacker "made anti-Asian statements" towards the victim as he kicked her. It added that its hate crime taskforce is investigating the assault.



The same unit is still looking for another man who struck a woman in the face in a subway station on Saturday night.



The woman was not injured seriously and declined any medical assistance.



New York and other U.S. cities have seen an upsurge in crimes against people of Asian descent since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with activists attributing the rise to ex-President Donald Trump's repeated references to COVID-19 as the "Chinese virus."



New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the violence was becoming "an epidemic" across the country that "must stop now."



New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called on anyone who witnesses an attack to "literally shout" to disturb the aggressor and attract attention.



Earlier this month, eight people including six women of Asian descent were killed when a shooter attacked three Asian-owned spas in Atlanta.



The NYPD has stepped up its presence in neighborhoods with high Asian immigrant populations while volunteer groups have formed safety patrols.



Several demonstrations expressing solidarity with Asian American communities have also taken place. They have been attended by New York mayoral candidates and Reverend Al Sharpton, the influential Black rights activist.



New York has more than 1 million inhabitants of Asian descent.



In the week of March 15 to 21, police recorded a total of nine hate crimes, up from three in the same period of 2020. (AFP)


SGF invites information seekers to join SGF physicians for free virtual events this April, including 10 free events in support of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) from April 19-23. I invite NIAW attendees to join me for the IVF webinar to gain a better understanding of the IVF process, success rates, and financial programs that help make the treatment more affordable.

April spotlights National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) from April 18-24, an annual event that Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) is recognizing with free virtual events throughout the month. Inspired by this years NIAW theme of #WhatIWantYouToKnow, SGF physicians representing all regions across the eastern seaboard will host 10 events from April 19-23 for information seekers to learn firsthand about the facts and facets of infertility, complete with an anonymous question-and-answer with the host physician.

National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is a yearly initiative founded by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, to encourage people to act as their own infertility advocates and to educate legislators and the public about the impact of infertility within our community.

As a home to more than 85,000 babies born to parents overcoming infertility, SGF partners with RESOLVE to further its mission to broaden awareness of infertility and support those struggling with infertility with compassionate support and information.

#WhatIWantYouToKnow during NIAW with SGF

For information seekers looking to learn more about the IVF process, SGF Atlantas IVF Director, Pavna Brahma, M.D., who sees patients at the Buckhead - Piedmont and Atlanta - Northside offices, will host an IVF webinar on April 21 at 3 pm.

IVF is considered a high-tech treatment, and while it is often not the first line of fertility treatment we recommend at SGF, there are individual cases where it will offer the best chances of having a baby, explains Dr. Brahma. I invite NIAW attendees to join me for the IVF webinar to gain a better understanding of the IVF process, success rates, and financial programs that help make the treatment more affordable.

Ryan Martin, M.D., who sees patients at SGFs Warrington, PA, office, will be hosting a Menstrual Cycle & Fertility webinar on April 22 at 3 pm. During the NIAW virtual event, Dr. Martin wants women to know whats normal and whats not when it comes to their period.

When it comes to understanding infertility, a womans menstrual cycle is among the first things we turn to for valuable insight regarding her fertility and overall ability to conceive, shares Dr. Martin. NIAW is an impactful platform to educate attendees on how their menstrual cycle can offer clues to whether they may need to see a fertility specialist or not.

April and Infertility Awareness Week 2021 Events at a Glance



While SGF fertility virtual events are complimentary, interested parties must register to attend by visiting the SGF calendar of events. More events may be added throughout the month  visit the SGF calendar for the latest updates.

For more information, visit SGFs growing resource library for free, on-demand webinars, E-books, and other education resources on topics such as endometriosis, PCOS, low-tech treatment options, weight and infertility, and much more. Follow SGF on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and events.

For people struggling to conceive, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist. Contact the SGF New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or complete a brief online request form to schedule a virtual fertility consult with an SGF physician. A virtual consult is the first step toward pursuing a pregnancy with the help of SGF.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)

SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and 5,000+ 5-star patient reviews. With 37 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, SGF offers patients virtual physician consults, deliver individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. SGF is among the founding partner practices of US Fertility, the largest physician-owned, physician-led partnership of top-tier fertility practices in the U.S. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.
analysis

There has been tremendous growth in the number of studies on sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa in the past two decades. Notably, there has been an increase in research documenting what works in improving adolescents' health and wellbeing.

However, the use of findings from these studies to inform the development of policies is low. For example, research shows that educating young people about their sexuality and giving them access to contraceptive methods has lifelong benefits. But few sub-Saharan African countries have enacted laws or policies that follow through on the evidence.

As a result of this inaction, adolescents continue to experience early unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and other poor health outcomes.

There are many obstacles to the use of research in policy making. Researchers and policymakers rarely interact with each other. Policymakers are, therefore, unaware of the latest research findings. Many policymakers in sub-Saharan Africa are not trained to conduct or use research. Researchers often communicate their findings in technical language. They rarely assess the evidence needs of policymakers or involve them in the research processes. And researchers have a limited understanding of the socio-political processes involved in policymaking.

As researchers, we know that studying social problems and publishing findings do not guarantee that policies will draw on the evidence. The changes that society needs, such as preventing adolescent pregnancies, will not happen until researchers can influence policy. To do this, there are some important steps to follow.

The steps described here are based on the model the African Population and Health Research Center is using in its Challenging the Politics of Social Exclusion project. They also emerge from a review of other models such as INCLUDE, a knowledge sharing platform hosted by the African Studies Centre. The INCLUDE platform was created as a place to share knowledge that can lead to evidence-based development policies and programmes in Africa.

Challenging the politics of social exclusion

At the African Population and Health Research Center we are implementing an innovative four-year project that began in 2018. The project was sparked by shortcomings in sexual and reproductive rights services.

At inception, we brought together policymakers and civil society organisations to define a research agenda on these issues for the sub-Saharan Africa region. The priorities that were identified guide our ongoing research. They are: abortion incidence, the effect of laws and policies in reducing maternal deaths, and how to get support from religious and traditional leaders for safe abortion and care.

Through our partnerships with regional economic communities, we also train policymakers on the use of research. Further, we have established a rapid response mechanism to provide evidence to policymakers. Policy change in our three focal areas will take time. But we believe our investment in building the culture of using evidence in policy will help bring the change we want.

The project is ongoing, but we have already learnt more about how scientists can use their research outcomes to influence policy.

Six tips

Relationship building: Researchers and academic institutions must establish and nourish relationships with policy actors. This will build an understanding of the policymaking process. Researchers will know more about what policymakers need, why and when.

Needs assessment: Researchers should engage with policymakers, civil society organisations, funders, government agencies and politicians to identify policy priorities and relevant evidence needs. Together they can come up with research questions to ensure that studies are relevant. But the engagement must continue during and after the data collection. Policy actors can play a part in analysing and sharing the findings. Researchers must begin with policy impact in mind.

Mutual capacity strengthening: Policymakers are not experts in interpreting academic literature. Researchers should not assume that they can translate scientific evidence into policy and practice. So researchers have to identify and document how to help them - through regular training, for example. It's up to researchers to show policymakers the value of evidence-informed policy.

Researchers can also learn from the vast experience of policymakers, especially in understanding the policy landscape and how to engage them. Thus, capacity strengthening must be mutual with both the researchers and the policymakers gaining valuable knowledge and insights.

Communicating to a variety of audiences: The language of scientific publication is not always clear to policymakers. Researchers must translate knowledge so that a wider audience can understand it. One place to start is writing and publishing a short summary of the research in plain language for the media. Policymakers need summarised documents with less scientific jargon.

Researchers as activists: In the words of South African academic Linda-Gail Bekker:

being a scientist isn't enough - you have to be an activist too.

Researchers must use their voice to advocate for evidence uptake, especially in cases where there is an obvious denial of scientific evidence. Scientists who engage with a larger audience can help dispel myths and misconceptions about scientific discovery.

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Establishing a rapid response mechanism: Lastly, establishing a rapid response mechanism is important to provide timely and up-to-date evidence to policymakers as their needs emerge. Through the Challenging the Politics of Social Exclusion project, the African Population and Health Research Center is rapidly using evidence to inform policy debates. More research institutes should do the same.

What success would look like

We believe that the uptake of evidence in policy and decision making is key for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. Evidence will help decision makers to do what is proven to work, reducing wastage of limited public resources.

Effective and efficient use of resources will reassure citizens and help build trust in governments. These are key ingredients for sustainable development.

But achieving this will require researchers to collaborate more with policymakers in evidence generation, translation and use.

Anthony Idowu Ajayi, Associate research scientist, African Population and Health Research Center; Boniface Ushie, Associate Research Scientist, African Population and Health Research Center, and Caroline Kabiru, Senior Research Scientist, African Population and Health Research Center
Front: George Rankin, senior director and Joe McDonald, senior manager corporate affairs, ASDA NI, last year's overall winner, with (back) Kevin Kingston, chief executive, Danske Bank, Chris Conway, chief executive, Translink, Lisa McIlvenna, deputy managing director, Business in the Community (BITC), John Mulgrew, editor, Ulster Business and Kieran Harding, managing director, BITC

Businesses across Northern Ireland which go above and beyond to make a difference to society or to the environment have a chance to showcase their efforts with the launch of this years Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland.

In a year when every person and company has been impacted by the pandemic, the Awards, organised by responsible business network, Business in the Community, is keen to see entries from businesses large and small, and from every sector.

The awards, taking place in partnership with JP Corry and SPAR, and in association with Ulster Business and U105, recognise and celebrate firms in Northern Ireland that are taking practical action to address pressing social and environmental issues.

The 11 award categories range in theme, from diversity and wellbeing in the workplace, to recognising those who are working for the benefit of the community, through to companies who develop products that inspire sustainable lifestyles.

This years categories include:

NI Responsible Company of the Year, sponsored by Asda

Age-Friendly Business Award, sponsored by Age-Friendly Network

Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour

Education Partnership Award, sponsored by Allen & Overy

Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by Heron Bros

Innovation in Employability Award, sponsored by George Best Belfast City Airport

Investing in Your Community Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox

Responsible Digital Innovation Award, sponsored by Allstate NI

One-to-Watch Award, sponsored by Ciena

Responsible Product / Service Award, sponsored by Translink

Wellbeing at Work Award, sponsored by Larne Port

Kieran Harding, managing director, Business in the Community says: This year has been challenging and we recognise how difficult it has been for everyone. In connecting with businesses across Northern Ireland over the past year, I am so impressed with their commitment to supporting their people, keeping the environment and sustainability at the top of their agenda and really deepening their engagement with communities whove needed business support more than ever.

This years awards will recognise that it has not been business as usual and were keen to see entries from the spectrum of Northern Ireland businesses."

Entering the awards is free, and they are even easier to enter this year as the application process has moved online. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday, 11 June.

Enter now at www/bitcni.org.uk/awards
The Arizona House voted this week to give businesses, nursing homes and others a broad shield from lawsuits related to COVID-19.

Republicans approved the measure in a 31-29 party-line vote, saying businesses struggled during the pandemic and shouldnt have to worry about the potential for frivolous lawsuits.

The measure is fiercely opposed by consumer advocates and lawyers, who say it will reward bad actors who flouted health guidance and endangered their workers or the public. They say theres been no deluge of COVID-19 lawsuits.

The measure goes back to the Senate, which has already approved it but must sign off on changes made in the House before it goes to Gov. Doug Ducey.

Business and medical interest groups have pushed hard for a liability shield since the start of the pandemic. The Arizona bill is one of dozens introduced across the country and in Congress.

Trial lawyers are getting upset about this because they cant take things to litigation, said Rep. David Cook, a Republican from Globe who voted for the measure.

During committee hearings on the bill, trial lawyers warned that the bill is so broad it would protect businesses from any lawsuit that they can claim is related to the pandemic, even if the link is distant.

Several Democratic lawmakers said the bill should have required businesses to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If youre not keeping your workplace in compliance with CDC guidelines, you shouldnt get the benefits, the immunity from liability that this bill Is proposing, said Rep. Randy Friese, a Tucson Democrat and a trauma surgeon.

The bill would raise the bar for winning a pandemic-related lawsuits against businesses, health care providers, nursing homes, nonprofits, governments, churches and schools. Instead of proving negligence by a preponderance of the evidence, plaintiffs would have to prove gross negligence or willful misconduct by clear and convincing evidence. That means plaintiffs would have to both show more egregious conduct and meet a higher standard of proof.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics COVID-19 Arizona
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2021 -- HTF MI Analyst have added a new research study on Title 2020-2029 Report on Global Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Market by Player, Region, Type, Application and Sales Channel with detailed information of Product Types [, Devices & Services & Software], Applications [Hospitals and Clinics, Home Care Settings, Long Term Care Centers, Ambulatory Care Centers & Other] & Key Players Such as Abbott Laboratories, American Telecare, Bio-Beat Technologies, BioTelemetry, Biotronik, Boston Scientific Corporation, CAS Medical Systems, Cerner Corporation, CONTEC MEDICAL, Covidien, Dragerwerk, GE Healthcare, Honeywell, iRhythm Technologies, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Mindray Medical, Nihon Kohden, Omron Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Preventice Solutions, Resideo Life Care Solutions, SHL Telemedicine, Siemens, Spacelabs Healthcare, Teladoc Health, TeleMedCare, VitalConnect, VivaLNK & Vivify Health etc. The Study provides in-depth comprehensive analysis for regional segments that covers North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Rest of World with Global Outlook and includes Clear Market definitions, classifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures, development policies and plans. The facts and data are well presented in the report using diagrams, graphs, pie charts, and other pictorial representations with respect to its Current Trends, Dynamics, and Business Scope & Key Statistics.



If you are a Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) manufacturer and deals in exports imports then this article will help you understand the Sales Volume with Impacting Trends. Click To get SAMPLE PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures)@ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/3171349-2020-2029-report-on-global-remote-patient-monitoring



Covid-19 Impact Update  Global Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Market Research

Analysts at HTF MI constantly monitor the industry impacts of current events in real-time  here is an update of how this industry is likely to be impacted as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic:



Demand from top notch companies and government agencies is expected to rise as they seek more information on COVID-19. Check Demand Determinants section for more information.



Key Highlights from Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Market Study.



Revenue and Sales Estimation  Historical Revenue and sales volume is presented and further data is triangulated with top-down and bottom-up approaches to forecast complete market size and to estimate forecast numbers for key regions covered in the report along with classified and well recognized Types and end-use industry. Additionally macroeconomic factor and regulatory policies are ascertained in Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) industry evolution and predictive analysis.



Manufacturing Analysis the report is currently analyzed concerning various product type and application. The Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) market provides a chapter highlighting manufacturing process analysis validated via primary information collected through Industry experts and Key officials of profiled companies.



FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS: In order to better understand Market condition five forces analysis is conducted that includes Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, Threat of rivalry.



Competition  Leading players have been studied depending on their company profile, product portfolio, capacity, product/service price, sales, and cost/profit.



Demand & Supply and Effectiveness  Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) report additionally provides distribution, Production, Consumption & EXIM** (Export & Import). ** If applicable



Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/3171349-2020-2029-report-on-global-remote-patient-monitoring



Geographically, the following regions together with the listed national/local markets are fully investigated:

- APAC (Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, India, and Rest of APAC; Rest of APAC is further segmented into Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka)

- Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe; Rest of Europe is further segmented into Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania)

- North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico)

- South America (Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Rest of South America)

- MEA (Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa)



The Latest Trends, Product Portfolio, Demographics, Geographical segmentation, and Regulatory Framework of the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Market have also been included in the study.



Market Growth by Applications: Hospitals and Clinics, Home Care Settings, Long Term Care Centers, Ambulatory Care Centers & Other



Heat map Analysis, 3-Year Financial and Detailed Company Profiles of Key & Emerging Players: Abbott Laboratories, American Telecare, Bio-Beat Technologies, BioTelemetry, Biotronik, Boston Scientific Corporation, CAS Medical Systems, Cerner Corporation, CONTEC MEDICAL, Covidien, Dragerwerk, GE Healthcare, Honeywell, iRhythm Technologies, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Mindray Medical, Nihon Kohden, Omron Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Preventice Solutions, Resideo Life Care Solutions, SHL Telemedicine, Siemens, Spacelabs Healthcare, Teladoc Health, TeleMedCare, VitalConnect, VivaLNK & Vivify Health



Market Growth by Types: , Devices & Services & Software



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Introduction about Global Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)



Global Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) [, Devices & Services & Software] in 2018

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Market by Application/End Users [Hospitals and Clinics, Home Care Settings, Long Term Care Centers, Ambulatory Care Centers & Other]

Global Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications

Global Global Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Sales and Growth Rate (2014-2025)

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) (Volume, Value and Sales Price) table defined for each geographic region defined.

Global Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data

Key Raw Materials Analysis & Price Trends

Supply Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers, Industrial Chain Analysis

........and view more in complete table of Contents



Check Complete Report Details @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/3171349-2020-2029-report-on-global-remote-patient-monitoring



Thanks for reading this article; HTF also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research according to clientele objectives. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report like North America, Europe or Asia
Sebastian Vettel has not started the 2021 Formula One season well, with an 18th place in qualifying and an error of judgement in the race. The pressure is mounting on the four-time world champion, and he's not coping with that very well according to Gerhard Berger.

Vettel will be the new driver for Aston Martin in 2021, where he hopes to regain some of his form from the years in which he was world champion with Red Bull Racing. We haven't seen that Vettel for a long time though, as the German also made many mistakes at Ferrari. According to Berger, this all has one reason.

Vettel can't handle pressure

''Sebastian is a four-time world champion and so is one of the top drivers, but he has never been good when under pressure. When Daniel Ricciardo came to Red Bull, he was very strong and put pressure on Sebastian. Seb struggled to deal with that, and the same thing actually happened at Ferrari'', Berger says in the podcast In The Fast Lane.

''It feels now like he is not completely free and relaxed. He wants to prove things, but at the moment that might not be possible with this car. Sometimes you have to take a step back and just relax and the success will come again. He might also get to a point in his career where he doesn't take all the risks to achieve success. Then he makes mistakes, gets criticised and that pressure builds, and he doesn't like that.''

Fastest man at Aston Martin

At Aston Martin, Vettel was supposed to be the figurehead of the new team, but in the first race weekend it was Lance Stroll who had to pull the cart in Bahrain. Vettel didn't make it out of Q1 and in the race he made a big mistake by crashing into Esteban Ocon. According to Berger, however, it has nothing to do with Vettel getting in next to Stroll, who is the son of the owner.

''In the end, it all depends on his performance. If you are slower than your teammate, then the team will pay more attention to him. It's like that in every team. ''It's more of a psychological disadvantage that he's the son of the owner and he's faster now, but at this level you have to be able to deal with strong teammates,'' concludes the Austrian, who saw Vettel enter Formula One while still working for Toro Rosso in 2007 and 2008.
(Photo : Photo by Bryan Angelo on Unsplash) Amazon Reportedly Has Twitter Army Secret Group That Defends Jeff Bezos and Company, Reveals New Report

On Tuesday, March 30, Amazon was the subject of a new round of scrutiny regarding the warehouse workers' army. They enlisted to defend the company and CEO Jeff Bezos from criticism of its harsh working conditions. Amazon's small Twitter army of "ambassadors" was developed quietly in 2018 under the codename "Veritas."

Amazon anti-union controversy: What is Veritas?

BusinessInsider reported that leaked documents detailing the program, launched in 2018, "Veritas," detailed how Amazon recruited and trained employees to uphold "the integrity of the workplace" and ensure that "people who know what it's like to work in the factory happy with their jobs."

The internal documents obtained by TheIntercept state that Amazon expected their ambassadors to have "a strong performance background and clean HR history, be authentic, show a sense of humor, and be enthusiastic about speaking their mind and responding to critics in a polite, straightforward manner."

Amazon designed Veritas to train fulfillment center workers selected for their "great sense of humor" to combat critics, including policymakers, on Twitter in an "offbeat" manner.

These Twitter army reportedly has one goal: protect Amazon from social media bashing, and make Jeff Bezos happy as possible.

The document contains examples of how ambassadors could snarkily respond to criticism of the company and its CEO and was produced as part of the pilot program in 2018.

Several examples involve Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime critic of Amazon, who has recently become a target by Amazon. The book also suggests ways to defend Bezos.

Read Also: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Shows Off 'BlockClock Mini' Bitcoin Clock at US Congress Hearing: What Does it Do?

Amazon's Twitter statements

According to TheIntercept, Sens. Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., took to Twitter last week to express their concerns about its treatment of its workers and its corporate practices.

Amazon's Public Relations account replied tauntingly, asking Pocan, "You don't really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you?"

Many Amazon delivery drivers have had to relieve themselves in bags and bottles to meet demanding quotas, and the company knew it.

Amazon workers in Alabama are sick and tired of being treated like robots. They are standing up and fighting back, and I am proud to support them. pic.twitter.com/lOuBL8oJK2  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 30, 2021

Sanders, who has confronted the company over its labor practices and recently visited Alabama workers, is repeatedly mentioned in the 2018 document. In one instance, the document references a video Sanders tweeted: "Bernie Sanders interviewing Seth King on Prime Day. Seth describes feeling so depressed with his job at Amazon to take his own life."

Retweeted Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders):



"Towards the end of the time I was [at Amazon], I was so depressed and I kept telling myself if this is the best my life is going to get, why am I even still here?" - Seth King, former Amazon employee. pic.twitter.com/QvhTwMjdy0  Pauline #GTTO #JC4PM (@pareayh) July 19, 2018

Amazon is an openly and aggressively anti-union company and has engaged in a range of union-busting tactics, ranging from pressuring union members at mandatory midnight "education" meetings to rearranging traffic light timings near its facilities.

The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, under which Amazon employees seek to organize, claims the decision is an effort to prevent its members from communicating with employees stopped at red lights.

The company has also reactivated its Twitter ambassadors in response to a recent wave of criticism about the "pee bottles" and other workers' complaints about working conditions.

Related Article: US Command Tweet Gets Viral Over Rumored' Nuclear Launch Code:' Turns Out, It Was Just a Kid

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Lionell Moore

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
press release

Washington  In the Republic of Sudan, the government and its people are leaving behind decades of economic, social, and political decline. After years of international isolation and embargoes limiting access to development financing, the country has cleared its arrears with the International Development Association (IDA), enabling its full reengagement with the World Bank Group after nearly three decades, and opening the door to nearly $2 billion in new financing.

"This is a huge milestone that Sudan has been working hard toward, and we have been with them every step of the way," said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan. "Now we will be able to fully support the Sudanese people with all of the financing tools at our disposal at a time when it's most needed."

This arrears clearance comes as the country is facing considerable economic hardships, exacerbated by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, with more than 31,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and more than 1,900 fatalities. Previously a lower-middle income country, Sudan was reclassified to low-income country status in July 2020 due to economic deterioration over the last decade. The economic situation has worsened significantly over the past three years, with economic challenges intertwined with a historically fragile social contract characterized by violent conflict, long-standing tension between the center and the periphery, and exclusionary governance.

But despite its many challenges, the country's transitional government--left with significant debt from the previous government--committed to making significant reforms, with the support of the international community and the country's major political forces. Priorities include brokering the promised peace deal to overcome internal conflict and form a broad-based government of national unity, holding free and fair elections, and undertaking much-needed economic reforms to reverse decades of economic, social and political distortions that have impoverished a country that had ample resources.

"These necessary reforms to put Sudan's economy and public finances on a sustainable path would be tough under any circumstances," said Milena Stefanova, World Bank Country Manager for Sudan. "It was even more extraordinary to carry them out while facing record flooding, locusts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and refugees inflow. I salute the government and the people of Sudan for their courage in moving rapidly on these reforms."

"We have felt Sudan's absence from our programming for the past 27 years - and are very happy to welcome them back. We stand ready to support the Sudanese people in their efforts to build a stronger economy that reduces poverty, delivers prosperity and a better future."

Axel van Trotsenburg

World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan

Sudan and the World Bank

Sudan joined the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 1957, and became a founding member of IDA in 1960. It has been a long and fruitful partnership. In the years since then, IDA has supported Sudan's efforts in key sectors including agriculture, irrigation, infrastructure, and financial services. Even during Sudan's most turbulent times, such as the Sudan Resurrection, a period of sustained civil disobedience and sometimes violent street protests that led to the ouster of the former regime, the World Bank remained a steadfast partner.

During the three decades Sudan was not a Bank Group member in good standing, the World Bank provided support through trust funds. Between 2006 and 2013, the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) supported an active $600 million portfolio of 15 projects that helped change the lives of millions of families in Sudan, including through enrolling one million children in newly built or renovated schools, revitalizing rural jobs for more than 160,000 livestock farmers and supporting the completion of the fifth national population census. A second trust fund, the Sudan Multi-Partner Fund, operated until December 2019 to build on the success of the MDTF, and was followed by the Sudan Transition and Recovery Support Trust Fund (STARS) in 2020.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, the country put renewed emphasis on improving the lives of its citizens. To help Sudan realize this objective, the World Bank Group was among the first to resume dialogue and support the government with its bold economic reform plans. Through STARS, the Sudan Family Support Program (SFSP) was devised, which rallied donor partners to help cushion vulnerable groups from the adverse impact of reforms, and to lay the foundations for economic growth. The reforms also include improving public sector transparency and implementing social protection programs.

The $820 million SFSP, which the Sudanese call Thamarat, aims to deliver cash transfers to 80% of Sudanese families, nearly 32 million citizens, to mitigate the impact of short- term economic shocks. It will also deliver jobs and help digitize the economy. The program also provides pre-arrears clearance grants supporting government budget. Half of the $820 million project is financed through 13 generous bilateral donors, and the other by IDA pre-arrears clearance grants.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Governance International Organisations 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 October 2020, the Bank Group endorsed a new Country Engagement Note for Sudan, designed to support the country's efforts to reform the economy, build a more equitable social contract and provide a better future for Sudanese people. In September, the Board approved the Sudan COVID-19 Emergency Response Project with a $21.9 million grant from STARS and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund. In November, the Board of Directors approved the largest education financing project in Sudan, the Basic Education Support Project with a $61.5 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education.

The arrears clearance takes the country a step further toward qualifying for the Highly-Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, instrumental for reducing its nearly $50 billion external debt burden.

"We have felt Sudan's absence from our programming for the past 27 years - and are very happy to welcome them back," said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Managing Director of Operations. "We stand ready to support the Sudanese people in their efforts to build a stronger economy that reduces poverty, delivers prosperity and a better future."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-31 22:33:50|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Wednesday called on African governments to adopt social protection programs as part of efforts to mitigate economic challenges arising from COVID-19 restrictions.

"If governments have channels in place that they can use to put income into people's hands when they lose their livelihoods, they can forestall losses that might set economic recovery back years," Mutahi Kagwe, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Health, said at the 23rd African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) virtual senior policy seminar.

The forum which features delegates from across the continent, including central bank governors, finance and economic affairs ministers among other stakeholders, is discussing the global COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for the African economies.

Kagwe said social protection initiatives support positive health outcomes by mitigating economic shocks, such as income losses resulting from the measures governments have imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Participants at the forum said the pandemic has brought to the fore economic challenges and exposed many institutions' frailty across the continent. Kagwe advised economic policy stakeholders to consider adopting social protection measures such as the Kazi Mtaani (youth community work) initiative.

"The objective is to avoid panic sales of productive assets, ensure households keep a roof over their heads, help small businesses to pay wages of furloughed staff, and to provide public works employment while the informal sector is paralyzed," he said. Enditem
A day before the second phase of polling in West Bengal, the BJP on Wednesday intensified its attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying the Trinamool Congress supremo will lose from Nandigram, where she is pitted against her once close aide turned adversary Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP.

Polling in Nandigram will be held on Thursday during the second phase of polling in the eastern state.

Leading the attack against Mamata Banerjee, BJP national President J.P. Nadda said, "Who came from Bhowanipore to Nandigram to contest the polls? If the Chief Minister comes to fight a minister, who's the bigger leader? Suvenduji has accepted the challenge and will defeat her in Nandigram. The people of Nandigram will send out a message of delivering a Trinamool-free West Bengal."

The BJP also claimed that Banerjee has been camping in Nandigram sensing defeat.
NEW YORK  A homeless man who was out on parole for killing his mother was arrested and charged with a hate crime early Wednesday in connection with a violent attack on a Filipino immigrant near Times Square, police said.

The man, Brandon Elliot, 38, was living at a hotel in midtown Manhattan that has been serving as a homeless shelter, police said. He was seen on security footage brutally assaulting Vilma Kari, 65, as she was walking to church Monday morning.

Elliot was being charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of attempted assault as a hate crime, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said at a news conference. If convicted, he will face up to 25 years in prison in addition to other consequences related to his parole.

The video shows the man kicking Kari in the chest outside a luxury apartment building. After she staggers back and collapses onto the sidewalk, he then kicks her repeatedly in the head. Officials said that Elliot, who is Black, shouted a number of disparaging remarks at Kari, at one point telling her you dont belong here.

The horrifying footage spread widely across social media and in news reports, intensifying the outrage and fear caused by an increasing number of reports of anti-Asian hate crimes across the nation in recent weeks.

Elliot was expected to be arraigned in Manhattan on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear whether a lawyer was representing him. Vance said that prosecutors would ask for him to be held without bail.

The citys police commissioner, Dermot Shea, said that detectives were also investigating whether Elliot had been linked to other anti-Asian attacks.

Elliot pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2002 after fatally stabbing his mother in front of his 5-year-old sister in the Bronx, said Patrice OShaughnessy, a spokeswoman for the Bronx district attorney.

According to news reports, Elliot, who was then 19, stabbed his mother in the chest three times. He was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years to life in prison and was released on lifetime parole in November 2019, after he had served 16 years and had two previous parole applications denied, according to officials and state corrections records.

Shea suggested that a lack of resources in the citys shelter system and inadequate social services may have played some role in the attack.

When youre releasing people from prison and youre putting them in homeless shelters, youre asking for trouble, Shea said on PIX11. Theres got to be a safety net, and theres got to be resources for them.

The shelter where Elliot lived, at the Four Points by Sheraton on West 40th Street, was moved from another hotel earlier this year after members of a local community board pushed to have it relocated amid rising complaints of violence and drug use. The operator of the shelter, the Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural Affairs, a nonprofit organization, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Louis Montanez, 52, said he lived at the same shelter as Elliot, whom he saw outside the building from time to time. Some of the other residents would sometimes give Elliot money to pick up food for them and let him keep the change, he said.

He would come outside, buy loosies, smoke whatever he was smoking, and that was it, Montanez said, adding that Elliot was someone he consciously avoided because his behavior seemed erratic.

Hes one of them guys I wouldnt have associated with, Montanez said.

Anti-Asian bias crimes have risen sharply during the pandemic, according to police departments across the country. Many of them have been triggered by people falsely blaming Asian Americans for spreading the coronavirus.

So far this year, the New York City Police Department has investigated 33 anti-Asian attacks as hate crimes, exceeding the 28 it investigated in all of last year. Many of the victims in these cases have been middle-aged men and women who were alone on public transit or, like Kari, on city streets.

Community advocates also say that anti-Asian attacks have long been underreported. The Police Department said last week that any unprovoked attacks on people of Asian descent would be referred for investigation as possible hate crimes.

Given the public nature of these attacks, the actions  or inaction  of bystanders have come under particular scrutiny. In the initial footage released on the attack on Kari, several workers in the lobby of the luxury building appeared to do nothing to intervene, which heightened anger online.

Extended footage from the buildings surveillance cameras that was obtained by The New York Times on Wednesday told a more complicated story. That clip appeared to show a delivery person who was not associated with the building at 360 West 43rd Street as the sole witness inside the lobby to the attack.

The delivery person then appeared to alert members of the building security team, two of whom moved toward the entrance. One then closed the front door. A bystander can be seen crossing the street, appearing to confront the perpetrator, with security guards poised inside the lobby where building residents were passing in and out.

Then, the video shows, the security team walked outside, apparently to render assistance to Kari. About a minute after the security guards gathered outside, a police vehicle can be seen pulling up.

The Brodsky Organization, the company that owns the building, said Wednesday that it was continuing to investigate the response of its lobby staff.

Kyle Bragg, president of 32BJ SEIU, the union representing the staff members, issued a statement saying the door staff had immediately called for help, urging the public to avoid a rush to judgment until that investigation had concluded.

Kari and her family could not be reached for comment Wednesday. She was discharged from NYU Langone Hospital on Tuesday evening, hospital officials said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
He loves my store. He basically felt for someone to be the named plaintiff and the face of the case ... we really fit the bill for that, Barrett said. I agreed with him, and I do think that we are typical of other independent bookstores and the challenges that they face trying to do business on this playing field that is so not level.
[March 30, 2021] During these trying times of COVID-19, McCoy holdings, the digital transformation expert, is offering SMEs in Singapore a grant of $1.1919 million

SINGAPORE, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- COVID-19 has shaken the entire world completely  with the global economy taking the worst hit. With many small and large businesses suffering catastrophically, McCoy Holdings is offering a helping hand to those whose dreams hang in limbo. McCoy Holdings is a Singapore-based enterprise solution provider, and primarily covers the smart IoT basis and AIOT enabled latest ERP solutions. Using their state-of-the-art technology, they help their customers in all technical spheres of their business models. The rapidly evolving threat around the COVID-19 virus has been impacting businesses and individuals across the world  with many companies requiring external help to extricate themselves out of this predicament. In such an adversity, McCoy holdings would like to provide their aid to promising business models to do better with assistance via following means: ODES, The Start of your Digital Transformation With strict protocols of social distancing and work from home orders globally, efficient management of office work from home becomes more challenging. Thus, McCoy Holdings offers its clientele with the best modes of digitization for their organizations. This includes incredible packages to purchase and operate ODES for their business setups. McCoy Holdings is well know throughout the ranks for their services in the digital realm and their expertise in assisting their clients with the best services. With this grant, they plan to restore Singapore businesses and furnish a strong digital base for their business models.



Prepared to offer their services, the company possesses the best ERP solution and smart IoT tools in aiding clientele in their development into digitalization and beyond. Their smart ODES solutions include integrations with the IoT/IIoT/AIoT for clientele 4.0 which operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in real time. The services are active on iOS, Android and other smart devices.

ODES cloud solutions help companies in their digital transformation as they bring people together with the technological process. With digital platform and technology, the business model becomes more connected. Other benefits include: Improvement in Customer Experience

Raised Operational Workflow and Agility

Enhanced Workforce

Better Work Culture

Integration Of the Digital Technology Business Automation McCoy Holdings also provides complete business automation solutions to maximize efficiency and efficacy, enabling business models to become entirely self-sufficient. The alignment of the Business Process Management and the Business Rules Management with the help of modern application development will enable any business model to get acquainted and accustomed to the varying market demands and change. With new technologies coming up every few weeks, it is imperative to stay ahead of your game in business automation. McCoy Holdings offer their services for the SMEs suffering due to COVID-19. The Grant McCoy Holdings is offering a whopping $1.1919 million MSG (McCoy Solution Grant) to SMEs nationwide. Companies who are not eligible for the government-prescribed grants such PSG and EDG are highly encouraged to apply. Other companies that are eligible include (and are not limited to): start-ups, micro-SMEs, non-profit organizations, NGOs, and foreign companies. McCoy Holdings will also assist professional companies and freelance businesses. Grants are offered on a case-by-case basis, with applications assessed by McCoy Holding's very own legal counsellors. Applications are open from 31 March 2021 to 30 April 2021. Please submit your application at https://www.odes.com.sg/msg-grant Follow McCoy Holdings/ODES for regular updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/odes.sg LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/odes-sg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odes.sg/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ODESSG/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/odes_sg SOURCE McCoy Holdings

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
It looks like Volkswagen will not be changing the name of its U.S. business to Voltswagen after all, with the German carmaker admitting that the marketing stunt from earlier this week was an April Fools joke.

Unfortunately, not all jokes are funny, and this time, the SEC might be having the last laugh.

At the start of this week, Volkswagen accidentally published a press release that announced the pending name change. The press release was dated a month from now.

The press release, which was published on Volkswagens website, was later taken down. It had explained that the carmaker would be known as Voltswagen in the United States, starting in May this year as part of its efforts to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) sales on the American market.

The announcement went viral and media outlets digested the Voltswagen name change and the peculiar way the announcement was leaked.

Then came Tuesday, and Volkswagen threw out another bombshell: there would not be any name change, and there never was a plan to change its name to the ridiculous pun that is Voltswagen. According to Volkswagen, the press release was merely part of a marketing campaign ahead of April Fools Day.

Yet, the joke is now on Volkswagen, whose media and PR teams have been busy explaining the debacle all week.

Volkswagen of America will not be changing its name to Voltswagen, the carmaker said in a statement sent to CNN Business.



Related: Chinese Smartphone Giant Makes $10 Billion Bet On EVs

The renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fools Day, highlighting the launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUV and signaling our commitment to bringing electric mobility to all. We will provide additional updates on this matter soon, Volkswagen said.

Whats more, the fake press release from Monday could land Volkswagen in the middle of an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for disseminating misleading information, James Cox, who teaches corporate and securities law at Duke University, told The Associated Press.

Others, like Erik Gordon, a business and law professor at the University of Michigan, think the SEC will investigate only if it believes that Volkswagen knowingly issued the joke-release to deliberately manipulate the stock price.

It is incredibly stupid, but if being stupid were illegal, a third of the CEOs in the U.S. would be in jail, Gordon told AP.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The key thing about financial year 2020-21 from the taxation angle is there is no change in the income tax slab rate. There are some changes, however, that you must know. Interest on EPF contribution, taxation of ULIP policies and relief for senior citizens are some of them. We have compiled it for you:

1) Contribution to employee provident fund

The interest that you earn from employee's provident fund (EPF) is exempt from tax under the existing tax provisions. However, from FY22, if your EPF contribution goes above Rs 2.5 lakh in a financial year, the interest earned on the excess amount will be taxable. The government employees have a cap of Rs 5 lakh on tax-exempt EPF contribution.

2) ULIP policies to be taxed as MFs

The ULIPs no longer have the benefit that they enjoyed over mutual funds on the maturity amount. As per existing income tax laws, maturity proceeds of life insurance policies are exempt from tax under section 10 (10D). But now, if annual premium for a ULIP crosses Rs 2.5 lakh in a year, the gains incurred will be treated as capital gains and be taxed like mutual funds -10 per cent long-term capital gains and 15 per cent short-term capital gains. If you pay premium for more than one ULIP in a year, the Rs 2.5 lakh ceiling will apply to the aggregate premium for all ULIPs held by you. This rule had come into effect from the Budget day itself.

3) Timeline to file revised/late returns reduced

Earlier you could have filed a revised or late return by March 31 of the financial year. This year onwards, you will have to do this by December 31 of the financial year. For example, if you don't file ITR by July 31, the maximum you may delay by December 31. The FM has also reduced the time limit for reopening of income tax assessment from six years to three years. So, you no longer have to maintain tax proofs for a longer period.

"The real challenge is for mobile employees having overseas income taxation in India and consequent foreign tax credit claims. For example, the US follows the calendar year, but India follows April-March for the purposes of taxation. Imagine a situation where an individual earns income in US from 1 April 2020 till 31 March 2021 which is taxable in India. The individual can claim credit for taxes paid in US for the year 2020 while filing his India tax return which is due by 31 July 2021. By this date, he could have filed his US tax return. However, what happens to the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021? The US tax return will be filed only after 2021, while the due date for filing the revised India tax return is 31 December 2021," says Sethuraman.

"The advancement of filing revised ITR will have an impact on claiming foreign tax credit as in many cases, the overseas tax return will be filed only after this date," Sethuraman adds.

4) Relief for senior citizens

Senior citizens above 75 years of age have one less reason to worry about. Resident senior citizens of 75 years or more having pension and interest income from the specified bank is not required to file the tax return. The specified bank would be notified by the government and the bank would be required to deduct tax on such interest income.

5) Overseas social security

The government has clarified on the taxability of the contribution made to overseas social security by individuals having foreign income.

"Under the new provisions in the case of a resident individual, who had opened a specified account in an overseas location when he/she was non-resident in India and resident there and where such income would be taxable on withdrawal or redemption and not on accrual basis, then such income would be taxed in India in the manner and year as would be prescribed. The objective is to avoid double taxation," he adds.

6) Pre-filled ITR forms

After salary and interest income, now Details of Capital Gains, Dividend Income and Interest income will be pre-filled in the ITR forms, making it easier for you to file ITR. "In order to ease compliance for the taxpayer, details of salary income, tax payments, TDS, etc. already come pre-filled in income tax returns. To further ease filing of returns, details of capital gains from listed securities, dividend income, and interest from banks, post offices, etc. will also be pre-filled," says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech.

Also read: TDS, EPF, pre-filled forms: New Income Tax rules from April 1; all you need to know

Also read: Last day of financial year! Make sure you complete these tax-related tasks
Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a press conference at Parliament House on March 17, 2021, in Canberra, Australia. Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Australian Government Launches $1 Billion Missile Project as Strategic Environment Worsens

The Australian government is tipping $1 billion into developing its own guided-missile production industry in the face of a worsening strategic environment.

The Morrison government will be partnering with a global arms manufacturer to establish a new facility, estimated to generate $40 billion in local production and export sales over the next 20 years.

The local facility will also give Australia a homegrown ability to manufacture armaments rather than importing them from overseas.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, having the ability for self-reliance, be it vaccine development or the defence of Australia, is vital to meeting our own requirements in a changing global environment, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the opening of Raytheon Australias Centre for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AAP Image/Morgan Sette)

Its an imperative we now proceed with the creation of a sovereign guided weapons capability as a priority, accelerating this process following the idea first being explored in the force structure plan.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has backed the move saying, Australia does need to be more resilient when it comes to our defence, and this announcement is part of that.

Global weapons manufacturers Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Kongsberg are expected to bid for the project.

Morrison made the announcement during his visit to Raytheons Centre for Joint Integration in Adelaide, home to Australias defence manufacturing industry.

Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price cut the ribbon during the opening of Raytheon Australias Centre for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AAP Image/Morgan Sette)

Michael Shoebridge, defence director at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) said the announcement was a recognition of the need to increase the countrys offensive firepower before larger projects such as new naval warships and submarines come online in the 2030s.

It needs to happen in the 2020s, given the deterioration in the Indo Pacifics security environment driven by Chinas increasingly aggressive use of its military power, he told The Epoch Times.

Advanced missiles are key to success in modern war, and they need to be available in high volumes in times of conflict, he added, noting that missiles needed to be supplied from multiple, dispersed production locations, and not just from the United States and Europe.

Co-production of advanced missiles here in Australia, in partnership with companies who have existing missile designs, is the way to fast-track this initiative.

As part of the prime ministers Adelaide visit, the government announced a $111 million sustainment contract with Raytheon Australia to support the jointly developed Raytheon-Kongsberg National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAM), a short-range, air defence weapons system.

The Centre for Joint Integration will contribute to the development of some of Australias most important defence capabilities, newly anointed Defence Minister Peter Dutton said in a statement.

It will serve as Raytheons main site for the manufacture, assembly and systems integration in Australia and will play a pivotal role in supporting and sustaining the new Short Range Ground Based Air Defence Capability.

According to ASPI, Australia is expected to spend $100 billion over the next 20 years on missiles and guided weapons.

It comes on the back of the federal governments 2020 Strategic Update released July last year that pledged $270 billion into upgrading the Australian Defence Force over the next decade.

The record investment comes in response to what Prime Minister Morrison described as a world that is poorer, that is more dangerous, and that is more disorderly.

The Indo-Pacific is the epicentre of rising strategic competition, he said.

Tensions over territorial claims are rising across the Indo-Pacific region, as we have seen recently on the disputed border between India and China, and the South China Sea, and the East China Sea.